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Hudson + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Green Mansions, by W. H. Hudson + +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: Green Mansions + A Romance of the Tropical Forest + +Author: W. H. Hudson + +Release Date: July 26, 2008 [EBook #942] +Last Updated: October 22, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GREEN MANSIONS *** + + + + +Produced by Dianne Bean, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + GREEN MANSIONS + </h1> + <h2> + A Romance of the Tropical Forest + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by W. H. Hudson + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <blockquote> + <p class="toc"> + <big><b>CONTENTS</b></big> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_FORE"> FOREWORD </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> <b>GREEN MANSIONS</b> </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_PROL"> PROLOGUE </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0011"> CHAPTER XI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0012"> CHAPTER XII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0013"> CHAPTER XIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0014"> CHAPTER XIV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0015"> CHAPTER XV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0016"> CHAPTER XVI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0017"> CHAPTER XVII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0018"> CHAPTER XVIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0019"> CHAPTER XIX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0020"> CHAPTER XX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0021"> CHAPTER XXI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0022"> CHAPTER XXII </a> + </p> + </blockquote> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_FORE" id="link2H_FORE"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + FOREWORD + </h2> + <p> + I take up pen for this foreword with the fear of one who knows that he + cannot do justice to his subject, and the trembling of one who would not, + for a good deal, set down words unpleasing to the eye of him who wrote + Green Mansions, The Purple Land, and all those other books which have + meant so much to me. For of all living authors—now that Tolstoi has + gone I could least dispense with W. H. Hudson. Why do I love his writing + so? I think because he is, of living writers that I read, the rarest + spirit, and has the clearest gift of conveying to me the nature of that + spirit. Writers are to their readers little new worlds to be explored; and + each traveller in the realms of literature must needs have a favourite + hunting-ground, which, in his good will—or perhaps merely in his + egoism—he would wish others to share with him. + </p> + <p> + The great and abiding misfortunes of most of us writers are twofold: We + are, as worlds, rather common tramping-ground for our readers, rather tame + territory; and as guides and dragomans thereto we are too superficial, + lacking clear intimacy of expression; in fact—like guide or dragoman—we + cannot let folk into the real secrets, or show them the spirit, of the + land. + </p> + <p> + Now, Hudson, whether in a pure romance like this Green Mansions, or in + that romantic piece of realism The Purple Land, or in books like Idle Days + in Patagonia, Afoot in England, The Land’s End, Adventures among Birds, A + Shepherd’s Life, and all his other nomadic records of communings with men, + birds, beasts, and Nature, has a supreme gift of disclosing not only the + thing he sees but the spirit of his vision. Without apparent effort he + takes you with him into a rare, free, natural world, and always you are + refreshed, stimulated, enlarged, by going there. + </p> + <p> + He is of course a distinguished naturalist, probably the most acute, + broad-minded, and understanding observer of Nature living. And this, in an + age of specialism, which loves to put men into pigeonholes and label them, + has been a misfortune to the reading public, who seeing the label + Naturalist, pass on, and take down the nearest novel. Hudson has indeed + the gifts and knowledge of a Naturalist, but that is a mere fraction of + his value and interest. A really great writer such as this is no more to + be circumscribed by a single word than America by the part of it called + New York. The expert knowledge which Hudson has of Nature gives to all his + work backbone and surety of fibre, and to his sense of beauty an intimate + actuality. But his real eminence and extraordinary attraction lie in his + spirit and philosophy. We feel from his writings that he is nearer to + Nature than other men, and yet more truly civilized. The competitive, + towny culture, the queer up-to-date commercial knowingness with which we + are so busy coating ourselves simply will not stick to him. A passage in + his Hampshire Days describes him better than I can: “The blue sky, the + brown soil beneath, the grass, the trees, the animals, the wind, and rain, + and stars are never strange to me; for I am in and of and am one with + them; and my flesh and the soil are one, and the heat in my blood and in + the sunshine are one, and the winds and the tempests and my passions are + one. I feel the ‘strangeness’ only with regard to my fellow men, + especially in towns, where they exist in conditions unnatural to me, but + congenial to them.... In such moments we sometimes feel a kinship with, + and are strangely drawn to, the dead, who were not as these; the long, + long dead, the men who knew not life in towns, and felt no strangeness in + sun and wind and rain.” This unspoiled unity with Nature pervades all his + writings; they are remote from the fret and dust and pettiness of town + life; they are large, direct, free. It is not quite simplicity, for the + mind of this writer is subtle and fastidious, sensitive to each motion of + natural and human life; but his sensitiveness is somehow different from, + almost inimical to, that of us others, who sit indoors and dip our pens in + shades of feeling. Hudson’s fancy is akin to the flight of the birds that + are his special loves—it never seems to have entered a house, but + since birth to have been roaming the air, in rain and sun, or visiting the + trees and the grass. I not only disbelieve utterly, but intensely dislike, + the doctrine of metempsychosis, which, if I understand it aright, seems + the negation of the creative impulse, an apotheosis of staleness—nothing + quite new in the world, never anything quite new—not even the soul + of a baby; and so I am not prepared to entertain the whim that a bird was + one of his remote incarnations; still, in sweep of wing, quickness of eye, + and natural sweet strength of song he is not unlike a super-bird—which + is a horrid image. And that reminds me: This, after all, is a foreword to + Green Mansions—the romance of the bird-girl Rima—a story + actual yet fantastic, which immortalizes, I think, as passionate a love of + all beautiful things as ever was in the heart of man. Somewhere Hudson + says: “The sense of the beautiful is God’s best gift to the human soul.” + So it is: and to pass that gift on to others, in such measure as herein is + expressed, must surely have been happiness to him who wrote Green + Mansions. In form and spirit the book is unique, a simple romantic + narrative transmuted by sheer glow of beauty into a prose poem. Without + ever departing from its quality of a tale, it symbolizes the yearning of + the human soul for the attainment of perfect love and beauty in this life—that + impossible perfection which we must all learn to see fall from its high + tree and be consumed in the flames, as was Rima the bird-girl, but whose + fine white ashes we gather that they may be mingled at last with our own, + when we too have been refined by the fire of death’s resignation. The book + is soaked through and through with a strange beauty. I will not go on + singing its praises, or trying to make it understood, because I have other + words to say of its author. + </p> + <p> + Do we realize how far our town life and culture have got away from things + that really matter; how instead of making civilization our handmaid to + freedom we have set her heel on our necks, and under it bite dust all the + time? Hudson, whether he knows it or not, is now the chief standard-bearer + of another faith. Thus he spake in The Purple Land: “Ah, yes, we are all + vainly seeking after happiness in the wrong way. It was with us once and + ours, but we despised it, for it was only the old common happiness which + Nature gives to all her children, and we went away from it in search of + another grander kind of happiness which some dreamer—Bacon or + another—assured us we should find. We had only to conquer Nature, + find out her secrets, make her our obedient slave, then the Earth would be + Eden, and every man Adam and every woman Eve. We are still marching + bravely on, conquering Nature, but how weary and sad we are getting! The + old joy in life and gaiety of heart have vanished, though we do sometimes + pause for a few moments in our long forced march to watch the labours of + some pale mechanician, seeking after perpetual motion, and indulge in a + little, dry, cackling laugh at his expense.” And again: “For here the + religion that languishes in crowded cities or steals shamefaced to hide + itself in dim churches flourishes greatly, filling the soul with a solemn + joy. Face to face with Nature on the vast hills at eventide, who does not + feel himself near to the Unseen? + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Out of his heart God shall not pass + His image stamped is on every grass.” + </pre> + <p> + All Hudson’s books breathe this spirit of revolt against our new + enslavement by towns and machinery, and are true oases in an age so + dreadfully resigned to the “pale mechanician.” + </p> + <p> + But Hudson is not, as Tolstoi was, a conscious prophet; his spirit is + freer, more willful, whimsical—almost perverse—and far more + steeped in love of beauty. If you called him a prophet he would stamp his + foot at you—as he will at me if he reads these words; but his voice + is prophetic, for all that, crying in a wilderness, out of which, at the + call, will spring up roses here and there, and the sweet-smelling grass. I + would that every man, woman, and child in England were made to read him; + and I would that you in America would take him to heart. He is a tonic, a + deep refreshing drink, with a strange and wonderful flavour; he is a mine + of new interests, and ways of thought instinctively right. As a simple + narrator he is well-nigh unsurpassed; as a stylist he has few, if any, + living equals. And in all his work there is an indefinable freedom from + any thought of after-benefit—even from the desire that we should + read him. He puts down what he sees and feels, out of sheer love of the + thing seen, and the emotion felt; the smell of the lamp has not touched a + single page that he ever wrote. That alone is a marvel to us who know that + to write well, even to write clearly, is a wound business, long to learn, + hard to learn, and no gift of the angels. Style should not obtrude between + a writer and his reader; it should be servant, not master. To use words so + true and simple that they oppose no obstacle to the flow of thought and + feeling from mind to mind, and yet by juxtaposition of word-sounds set up + in the recipient continuing emotion or gratification—this is the + essence of style; and Hudson’s writing has pre-eminently this double + quality. From almost any page of his books an example might be taken. Here + is one no better than a thousand others, a description of two little girls + on a beach: “They were dressed in black frocks and scarlet blouses, which + set off their beautiful small dark faces; their eyes sparkled like black + diamonds, and their loose hair was a wonder to see, a black mist or cloud + about their heads and necks composed of threads fine as gossamer, blacker + than jet and shining like spun glass—hair that looked as if no comb + or brush could ever tame its beautiful wildness. And in spirit they were + what they seemed: such a wild, joyous, frolicsome spirit, with such grace + and fleetness, one does not look for in human beings, but only in birds or + in some small bird-like volatile mammal—a squirrel or a + spider-monkey of the tropical forest, or the chinchilla of the desolate + mountain slopes; the swiftest, wildest, loveliest, most airy, and most + vocal of small beauties.” Or this, as the quintessence of a sly remark: + “After that Mantel got on to his horse and rode away. It was black and + rainy, but he had never needed moon or lantern to find what he sought by + night, whether his own house, or a fat cow—also his own, perhaps.” + So one might go on quoting felicity for ever from this writer. He seems to + touch every string with fresh and uninked fingers; and the secret of his + power lies, I suspect, in the fact that his words: “Life being more than + all else to me. . .” are so utterly true. + </p> + <p> + I do not descant on his love for simple folk and simple things, his + championship of the weak, and the revolt against the cagings and cruelties + of life, whether to men or birds or beasts, that springs out of him as if + against his will; because, having spoken of him as one with a vital + philosophy or faith, I don’t wish to draw red herrings across the main + trail of his worth to the world. His work is a vision of natural beauty + and of human life as it might be, quickened and sweetened by the sun and + the wind and the rain, and by fellowship with all the other forms of life—the + truest vision now being given to us, who are more in want of it than any + generation has ever been. A very great writer; and—to my thinking—the + most valuable our age possesses. + </p> + <p> + JOHN GALSWORTHY + </p> + <p> + September 1915 Manaton: Devon + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + GREEN MANSIONS + </h1> + <p> + <a name="link2H_PROL" id="link2H_PROL"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROLOGUE + </h2> + <p> + It is a cause of very great regret to me that this task has taken so much + longer a time than I had expected for its completion. It is now many + months—over a year, in fact—since I wrote to Georgetown + announcing my intention of publishing, IN A VERY FEW MONTHS, the whole + truth about Mr. Abel. Hardly less could have been looked for from his + nearest friend, and I had hoped that the discussion in the newspapers + would have ceased, at all events, until the appearance of the promised + book. It has not been so; and at this distance from Guiana I was not aware + of how much conjectural matter was being printed week by week in the local + press, some of which must have been painful reading to Mr. Abel’s friends. + A darkened chamber, the existence of which had never been suspected in + that familiar house in Main Street, furnished only with an ebony stand on + which stood a cinerary urn, its surface ornamented with flower and leaf + and thorn, and winding through it all the figure of a serpent; an + inscription, too, of seven short words which no one could understand or + rightly interpret; and finally the disposal of the mysterious ashes—that + was all there was relating to an untold chapter in a man’s life for + imagination to work on. Let us hope that now, at last, the romance-weaving + will come to an end. It was, however, but natural that the keenest + curiosity should have been excited; not only because of that peculiar and + indescribable charm of the man, which all recognized and which won all + hearts, but also because of that hidden chapter—that sojourn in the + desert, about which he preserved silence. It was felt in a vague way by + his intimates that he had met with unusual experiences which had + profoundly affected him and changed the course of his life. To me alone + was the truth known, and I must now tell, briefly as possible, how my + great friendship and close intimacy with him came about. + </p> + <p> + When, in 1887, I arrived in Georgetown to take up an appointment in a + public office, I found Mr. Abel an old resident there, a man of means and + a favourite in society. Yet he was an alien, a Venezuelan, one of that + turbulent people on our border whom the colonists have always looked on as + their natural enemies. The story told to me was that about twelve years + before that time he had arrived at Georgetown from some remote district in + the interior; that he had journeyed alone on foot across half the + continent to the coast, and had first appeared among them, a young + stranger, penniless, in rags, wasted almost to a skeleton by fever and + misery of all kinds, his face blackened by long exposure to sun and wind. + Friendless, with but little English, it was a hard struggle for him to + live; but he managed somehow, and eventually letters from Caracas informed + him that a considerable property of which he had been deprived was once + more his own, and he was also invited to return to his country to take his + part in the government of the Republic. But Mr. Abel, though young, had + already outlived political passions and aspirations, and, apparently, even + the love of his country; at all events, he elected to stay where he was—his + enemies, he would say smilingly, were his best friends—and one of + the first uses he made of his fortune was to buy that house in Main Street + which was afterwards like a home to me. + </p> + <p> + I must state here that my friend’s full name was Abel Guevez de Argensola, + but in his early days in Georgetown he was called by his Christian name + only, and later he wished to be known simply as “Mr. Abel.” + </p> + <p> + I had no sooner made his acquaintance than I ceased to wonder at the + esteem and even affection with which he, a Venezuelan, was regarded in + this British colony. All knew and liked him, and the reason of it was the + personal charm of the man, his kindly disposition, his manner with women, + which pleased them and excited no man’s jealousy—not even the old + hot-tempered planter’s, with a very young and pretty and light-headed wife—his + love of little children, of all wild creatures, of nature, and of + whatsoever was furthest removed from the common material interests and + concerns of a purely commercial community. The things which excited other + men—politics, sport, and the price of crystals—were outside of + his thoughts; and when men had done with them for a season, when like the + tempest they had “blown their fill” in office and club-room and house and + wanted a change, it was a relief to turn to Mr. Abel and get him to + discourse of his world—the world of nature and of the spirit. + </p> + <p> + It was, all felt, a good thing to have a Mr. Abel in Georgetown. That it + was indeed good for me I quickly discovered. I had certainly not expected + to meet in such a place with any person to share my tastes—that love + of poetry which has been the chief passion and delight of my life; but + such a one I had found in Mr. Abel. It surprised me that he, suckled on + the literature of Spain, and a reader of only ten or twelve years of + English literature, possessed a knowledge of our modern poetry as intimate + as my own, and a love of it equally great. This feeling brought us + together and made us two—the nervous olive-skinned Hispano-American + of the tropics and the phlegmatic blue-eyed Saxon of the cold north—one + in spirit and more than brothers. Many were the daylight hours we spent + together and “tired the sun with talking”; many, past counting, the + precious evenings in that restful house of his where I was an almost daily + guest. I had not looked for such happiness; nor, he often said, had he. A + result of this intimacy was that the vague idea concerning his hidden + past, that some unusual experience had profoundly affected him and perhaps + changed the whole course of his life, did not diminish, but, on the + contrary, became accentuated, and was often in my mind. The change in him + was almost painful to witness whenever our wandering talk touched on the + subject of the aborigines, and of the knowledge he had acquired of their + character and languages when living or travelling among them; all that + made his conversation most engaging—the lively, curious mind, the + wit, the gaiety of spirit tinged with a tender melancholy—appeared + to fade out of it; even the expression of his face would change, becoming + hard and set, and he would deal you out facts in a dry mechanical way as + if reading them in a book. It grieved me to note this, but I dropped no + hint of such a feeling, and would never have spoken about it but for a + quarrel which came at last to make the one brief solitary break in that + close friendship of years. I got into a bad state of health, and Abel was + not only much concerned about it, but annoyed, as if I had not treated him + well by being ill, and he would even say that I could get well if I wished + to. I did not take this seriously, but one morning, when calling to see me + at the office, he attacked me in a way that made me downright angry with + him. He told me that indolence and the use of stimulants was the cause of + my bad health. He spoke in a mocking way, with a presence of not quite + meaning it, but the feeling could not be wholly disguised. Stung by his + reproaches, I blurted out that he had no right to talk to me, even in fun, + in such a way. Yes, he said, getting serious, he had the best right—that + of our friendship. He would be no true friend if he kept his peace about + such a matter. Then, in my haste, I retorted that to me the friendship + between us did not seem so perfect and complete as it did to him. One + condition of friendship is that the partners in it should be known to each + other. He had had my whole life and mind open to him, to read it as in a + book. HIS life was a closed and clasped volume to me. + </p> + <p> + His face darkened, and after a few moments’ silent reflection he got up + and left me with a cold good-bye, and without that hand-grasp which had + been customary between us. + </p> + <p> + After his departure I had the feeling that a great loss, a great calamity, + had befallen me, but I was still smarting at his too candid criticism, all + the more because in my heart I acknowledged its truth. And that night, + lying awake, I repented of the cruel retort I had made, and resolved to + ask his forgiveness and leave it to him to determine the question of our + future relations. But he was beforehand with me, and with the morning came + a letter begging my forgiveness and asking me to go that evening to dine + with him. + </p> + <p> + We were alone, and during dinner and afterwards, when we sat smoking and + sipping black coffee in the veranda, we were unusually quiet, even to + gravity, which caused the two white-clad servants that waited on us—the + brown-faced subtle-eyed old Hindu butler and an almost blue-black young + Guiana Negro—to direct many furtive glances at their master’s face. + They were accustomed to see him in a more genial mood when he had a friend + to dine. To me the change in his manner was not surprising: from the + moment of seeing him I had divined that he had determined to open the shut + and clasped volume of which I had spoken—that the time had now come + for him to speak. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <p> + Now that we are cool, he said, and regret that we hurt each other, I am + not sorry that it happened. I deserved your reproach: a hundred times I + have wished to tell you the whole story of my travels and adventures among + the savages, and one of the reasons which prevented me was the fear that + it would have an unfortunate effect on our friendship. That was precious, + and I desired above everything to keep it. But I must think no more about + that now. I must think only of how I am to tell you my story. I will begin + at a time when I was twenty-three. It was early in life to be in the thick + of politics, and in trouble to the extent of having to fly my country to + save my liberty, perhaps my life. + </p> + <p> + Every nation, someone remarks, has the government it deserves, and + Venezuela certainly has the one it deserves and that suits it best. We + call it a republic, not only because it is not one, but also because a + thing must have a name; and to have a good name, or a fine name, is very + convenient—especially when you want to borrow money. If the + Venezuelans, thinly distributed over an area of half a million square + miles, mostly illiterate peasants, half-breeds, and indigenes, were + educated, intelligent men, zealous only for the public weal, it would be + possible for them to have a real republic. They have instead a government + by cliques, tempered by revolution; and a very good government it is, in + harmony with the physical conditions of the country and the national + temperament. Now, it happens that the educated men, representing your + higher classes, are so few that there are not many persons unconnected by + ties of blood or marriage with prominent members of the political groups + to which they belong. By this you will see how easy and almost inevitable + it is that we should become accustomed to look on conspiracy and revolt + against the regnant party—the men of another clique—as only in + the natural order of things. In the event of failure such outbreaks are + punished, but they are not regarded as immoral. On the contrary, men of + the highest intelligence and virtue among us are seen taking a leading + part in these adventures. Whether such a condition of things is + intrinsically wrong or not, or would be wrong in some circumstances and is + not wrong, because inevitable, in others, I cannot pretend to decide; and + all this tiresome profusion is only to enable you to understand how I—a + young man of unblemished character, not a soldier by profession, not + ambitious of political distinction, wealthy for that country, popular in + society, a lover of social pleasures, of books, of nature actuated, as I + believed, by the highest motives, allowed myself to be drawn very readily + by friends and relations into a conspiracy to overthrow the government of + the moment, with the object of replacing it by more worthy men— ourselves, + to wit. + </p> + <p> + Our adventure failed because the authorities got wind of the affair and + matters were precipitated. Our leaders at the moment happened to be + scattered over the country—some were abroad; and a few hotheaded men + of the party, who were in Caracas just then and probably feared arrest, + struck a rash blow: the President was attacked in the street and wounded. + But the attackers were seized, and some of them shot on the following day. + When the news reached me I was at a distance from the capital, staying + with a friend on an estate he owned on the River Quebrada Honda, in the + State of Guarico, some fifteen to twenty miles from the town of Zaraza. My + friend, an officer in the army, was a leader in the conspiracy; and as I + was the only son of a man who had been greatly hated by the Minister of + War, it became necessary for us both to fly for our lives. In the + circumstances we could not look to be pardoned, even on the score of + youth. + </p> + <p> + Our first decision was to escape to the sea-coast; but as the risk of a + journey to La Guayra, or any other port of embarkation on the north side + of the country, seemed too great, we made our way in a contrary direction + to the Orinoco, and downstream to Angostura. Now, when we had reached this + comparatively safe breathing-place—safe, at all events, for the + moment—I changed my mind about leaving or attempting to leave the + country. Since boyhood I had taken a very peculiar interest in that vast + and almost unexplored territory we possess south of the Orinoco, with its + countless unmapped rivers and trackless forests; and in its savage + inhabitants, with their ancient customs and character, unadulterated by + contact with Europeans. To visit this primitive wilderness had been a + cherished dream; and I had to some extent even prepared myself for such an + adventure by mastering more than one of the Indian dialects of the + northern states of Venezuela. And now, finding myself on the south side of + our great river, with unlimited time at my disposal, I determined to + gratify this wish. My companion took his departure towards the coast, + while I set about making preparations and hunting up information from + those who had travelled in the interior to trade with the savages. I + decided eventually to go back upstream and penetrate to the interior in + the western part of Guayana, and the Amazonian territory bordering on + Colombia and Brazil, and to return to Angostura in about six months’ time. + I had no fear of being arrested in the semi-independent and in most part + savage region, as the Guayana authorities concerned themselves little + enough about the political upheavals at Caracas. + </p> + <p> + The first five or six months I spent in Guayana, after leaving the city of + refuge, were eventful enough to satisfy a moderately adventurous spirit. A + complaisant government employee at Angostura had provided me with a + passport, in which it was set down (for few to read) that my object in + visiting the interior was to collect information concerning the native + tribes, the vegetable products of the country, and other knowledge which + would be of advantage to the Republic; and the authorities were requested + to afford me protection and assist me in my pursuits. I ascended the + Orinoco, making occasional expeditions to the small Christian settlements + in the neighbourhood of the right bank, also to the Indian villages; and + travelling in this way, seeing and learning much, in about three months I + reached the River Metal. During this period I amused myself by keeping a + journal, a record of personal adventures, impressions of the country and + people, both semi-civilized and savage; and as my journal grew, I began to + think that on my return at some future time to Caracas, it might prove + useful and interesting to the public, and also procure me fame; which + thought proved pleasurable and a great incentive, so that I began to + observe things more narrowly and to study expression. But the book was not + to be. + </p> + <p> + From the mouth of the Meta I journeyed on, intending to visit the + settlement of Atahapo, where the great River Guaviare, with other rivers, + empties itself into the Orinoco. But I was not destined to reach it, for + at the small settlement of Manapuri I fell ill of a low fever; and here + ended the first half-year of my wanderings, about which no more need be + told. + </p> + <p> + A more miserable place than Manapuri for a man to be ill of a low fever in + could not well be imagined. The settlement, composed of mean hovels, with + a few large structures of mud, or plastered wattle, thatched with palm + leaves, was surrounded by water, marsh, and forest, the breeding-place of + myriads of croaking frogs and of clouds of mosquitoes; even to one in + perfect health existence in such a place would have been a burden. The + inhabitants mustered about eighty or ninety, mostly Indians of that + degenerate class frequently to be met with in small trading outposts. The + savages of Guayana are great drinkers, but not drunkards in our sense, + since their fermented liquors contain so little alcohol that inordinate + quantities must be swallowed to produce intoxication; in the settlements + they prefer the white man’s more potent poisons, with the result that in a + small place like Manapuri one can see enacted, as on a stage, the last act + in the great American tragedy. To be succeeded, doubtless, by other and + possibly greater tragedies. My thoughts at that period of suffering were + pessimistic in the extreme. Sometimes, when the almost continuous rain + held up for half a day, I would manage to creep out a short distance; but + I was almost past making any exertion, scarcely caring to live, and taking + absolutely no interest in the news from Caracas, which reached me at long + intervals. At the end of two months, feeling a slight improvement in my + health, and with it a returning interest in life and its affairs, it + occurred to me to get out my diary and write a brief account of my sojourn + at Manapuri. I had placed it for safety in a small deal box, lent to me + for the purpose by a Venezuelan trader, an old resident at the settlement, + by name Pantaleon—called by all Don Panta—one who openly kept + half a dozen Indian wives in his house, and was noted for his dishonesty + and greed, but who had proved himself a good friend to me. The box was in + a corner of the wretched palm-thatched hovel I inhabited; but on taking it + out I discovered that for several weeks the rain had been dripping on it, + and that the manuscript was reduced to a sodden pulp. I flung it upon the + floor with a curse and threw myself back on my bed with a groan. + </p> + <p> + In that desponding state I was found by my friend Panta, who was constant + in his visits at all hours; and when in answer to his anxious inquiries I + pointed to the pulpy mass on the mud floor, he turned it over with his + foot, and then, bursting into a loud laugh, kicked it out, remarking that + he had mistaken the object for some unknown reptile that had crawled in + out of the rain. He affected to be astonished that I should regret its + loss. It was all a true narrative, he exclaimed; if I wished to write a + book for the stay-at-homes to read, I could easily invent a thousand lies + far more entertaining than any real experiences. He had come to me, he + said, to propose something. He had lived twenty years at that place, and + had got accustomed to the climate, but it would not do for me to remain + any longer if I wished to live. I must go away at once to a different + country—to the mountains, where it was open and dry. “And if you + want quinine when you are there,” he concluded, “smell the wind when it + blows from the south-west, and you will inhale it into your system, fresh + from the forest.” When I remarked despondingly that in my condition it + would be impossible to quit Manapuri, he went on to say that a small party + of Indians was now in the settlement; that they had come, not only to + trade, but to visit one of their own tribe, who was his wife, purchased + some years ago from her father. “And the money she cost me I have never + regretted to this day,” said he, “for she is a good wife not jealous,” he + added, with a curse on all the others. These Indians came all the way from + the Queneveta mountains, and were of the Maquiritari tribe. He, Panta, + and, better still, his good wife would interest them on my behalf, and for + a suitable reward they would take me by slow, easy stages to their own + country, where I would be treated well and recover my health. + </p> + <p> + This proposal, after I had considered it well, produced so good an effect + on me that I not only gave a glad consent, but, on the following day, I + was able to get about and begin the preparations for my journey with some + spirit. + </p> + <p> + In about eight days I bade good-bye to my generous friend Panta, whom I + regarded, after having seen much of him, as a kind of savage beast that + had sprung on me, not to rend, but to rescue from death; for we know that + even cruel savage brutes and evil men have at times sweet, beneficent + impulses, during which they act in a way contrary to their natures, like + passive agents of some higher power. It was a continual pain to travel in + my weak condition, and the patience of my Indians was severely taxed; but + they did not forsake me; and at last the entire distance, which I + conjectured to be about sixty-five leagues, was accomplished; and at the + end I was actually stronger and better in every way than at the start. + From this time my progress towards complete recovery was rapid. The air, + with or without any medicinal virtue blown from the cinchona trees in the + far-off Andean forest, was tonic; and when I took my walks on the hillside + above the Indian village, or later when able to climb to the summits, the + world as seen from those wild Queneveta mountains had a largeness and + varied glory of scenery peculiarly refreshing and delightful to the soul. + </p> + <p> + With the Maquiritari tribe I passed some weeks, and the sweet sensations + of returning health made me happy for a time; but such sensations seldom + outlast convalescence. I was no sooner well again than I began to feel a + restless spirit stirring in me. The monotony of savage life in this place + became intolerable. After my long listless period the reaction had come, + and I wished only for action, adventure—no matter how dangerous; and + for new scenes, new faces, new dialects. In the end I conceived the idea + of going on to the Casiquiare river, where I would find a few small + settlements, and perhaps obtain help from the authorities there which + would enable me to reach the Rio Negro. For it was now in my mind to + follow that river to the Amazons, and so down to Para and the Atlantic + coast. + </p> + <p> + Leaving the Queneveta range, I started with two of the Indians as guides + and travelling companions; but their journey ended only half-way to the + river I wished to reach; and they left me with some friendly savages + living on the Chunapay, a tributary of the Cunucumana, which flows to the + Orinoco. Here I had no choice but to wait until an opportunity of + attaching myself to some party of travelling Indians going south-west + should arrive; for by this time I had expended the whole of my small + capital in ornaments and calico brought from Manapuri, so that I could no + longer purchase any man’s service. And perhaps it will be as well to state + at this point just what I possessed. For some time I had worn nothing but + sandals to protect my feet; my garments consisted of a single suit, and + one flannel shirt, which I washed frequently, going shirtless while it was + drying. Fortunately I had an excellent blue cloth cloak, durable and + handsome, given to me by a friend at Angostura, whose prophecy on + presenting it, that it would outlast ME, very nearly came true. It served + as a covering by night, and to keep a man warm and comfortable when + travelling in cold and wet weather no better garment was ever made. I had + a revolver and metal cartridge-box in my broad leather belt, also a good + hunting-knife with strong buckhorn handle and a heavy blade about nine + inches long. In the pocket of my cloak I had a pretty silver tinder-box, + and a match-box—to be mentioned again in this narrative—and + one or two other trifling objects; these I was determined to keep until + they could be kept no longer. + </p> + <p> + During the tedious interval of waiting on the Chunapay I was told a + flattering tale by the village Indians, which eventually caused me to + abandon the proposed journey to the Rio Negro. These Indians wore + necklets, like nearly all the Guayana savages; but one, I observed, + possessed a necklet unlike that of the others, which greatly aroused my + curiosity. It was made of thirteen gold plates, irregular in form, about + as broad as a man’s thumb-nail, and linked together with fibres. I was + allowed to examine it, and had no doubt that the pieces were of pure gold, + beaten flat by the savages. When questioned about it, they said it was + originally obtained from the Indians of Parahuari, and Parahuari, they + further said, was a mountainous country west of the Orinoco. Every man and + woman in that place, they assured me, had such a necklet. This report + inflamed my mind to such a degree that I could not rest by night or day + for dreaming golden dreams, and considering how to get to that rich + district, unknown to civilized men. The Indians gravely shook their heads + when I tried to persuade them to take me. They were far enough from the + Orinoco, and Parahuari was ten, perhaps fifteen, days’ journey further on—a + country unknown to them, where they had no relations. + </p> + <p> + In spite of difficulties and delays, however, and not without pain and + some perilous adventures, I succeeded at last in reaching the upper + Orinoco, and, eventually, in crossing to the other side. With my life in + my hand I struggled on westward through an unknown difficult country, from + Indian village to village, where at any moment I might have been murdered + with impunity for the sake of my few belongings. It is hard for me to + speak a good word for the Guayana savages; but I must now say this of + them, that they not only did me no harm when I was at their mercy during + this long journey, but they gave me shelter in their villages, and fed me + when I was hungry, and helped me on my way when I could make no return. + You must not, however, run away with the idea that there is any sweetness + in their disposition, any humane or benevolent instincts such as are found + among the civilized nations: far from it. I regard them now, and, + fortunately for me, I regarded them then, when, as I have said, I was at + their mercy, as beasts of prey, plus a cunning or low kind of intelligence + vastly greater than that of the brute; and, for only morality, that + respect for the rights of other members of the same family, or tribe, + without which even the rudest communities cannot hold together. How, then, + could I do this thing, and dwell and travel freely, without receiving + harm, among tribes that have no peace with and no kindly feelings towards + the stranger, in a district where the white man is rarely or never seen? + Because I knew them so well. Without that knowledge, always available, and + an extreme facility in acquiring new dialects, which had increased by + practice until it was almost like intuition, I should have fared badly + after leaving the Maquiritari tribe. As it was, I had two or three very + narrow escapes. + </p> + <p> + To return from this digression. I looked at last on the famous Parahuari + mountains, which, I was greatly surprised to find, were after all nothing + but hills, and not very high ones. This, however, did not impress me. The + very fact that Parahuari possessed no imposing feature in its scenery + seemed rather to prove that it must be rich in gold: how else could its + name and the fame of its treasures be familiar to people dwelling so far + away as the Cunucumana? + </p> + <p> + But there was no gold. I searched through the whole range, which was about + seven leagues long, and visited the villages, where I talked much with the + Indians, interrogating them, and they had no necklets of gold, nor gold in + any form; nor had they ever heard of its presence in Parahuari or in any + other place known to them. + </p> + <p> + The very last village where I spoke on the subject of my quest, albeit now + without hope, was about a league from the western extremity of the range, + in the midst of a high broken country of forest and savannah and many + swift streams; near one of these, called the Curicay, the village stood, + among low scattered trees—a large building, in which all the people, + numbering eighteen, passed most of their time when not hunting, with two + smaller buildings attached to it. The head, or chief, Runi by name, was + about fifty years old, a taciturn, finely formed, and somewhat dignified + savage, who was either of a sullen disposition or not well pleased at the + intrusion of a white man. And for a time I made no attempt to conciliate + him. What profit was there in it at all? Even that light mask, which I had + worn so long and with such good effect, incommoded me now: I would cast it + aside and be myself—silent and sullen as my barbarous host. If any + malignant purpose was taking form in his mind, let it, and let him do his + worst; for when failure first stares a man in the face, it has so dark and + repellent a look that not anything that can be added can make him more + miserable; nor has he any apprehension. For weeks I had been searching + with eager, feverish eyes in every village, in every rocky crevice, in + every noisy mountain streamlet, for the glittering yellow dust I had + travelled so far to find. And now all my beautiful dreams—all the + pleasure and power to be—had vanished like a mere mirage on the + savannah at noon. + </p> + <p> + It was a day of despair which I spent in this place, sitting all day + indoors, for it was raining hard, immersed in my own gloomy thoughts, + pretending to doze in my seat, and out of the narrow slits of my + half-closed eyes seeing the others, also sitting or moving about, like + shadows or people in a dream; and I cared nothing about them, and wished + not to seem friendly, even for the sake of the food they might offer me by + and by. + </p> + <p> + Towards evening the rain ceased; and rising up I went out a short distance + to the neighbouring stream, where I sat on a stone and, casting off my + sandals, laved my bruised feet in the cool running water. The western half + of the sky was blue again with that tender lucid blue seen after rain, but + the leaves still glittered with water, and the wet trunks looked almost + black under the green foliage. The rare loveliness of the scene touched + and lightened my heart. Away back in the east the hills of Parahuari, with + the level sun full on them, loomed with a strange glory against the grey + rainy clouds drawing off on that side, and their new mystic beauty almost + made me forget how these same hills had wearied, and hurt, and mocked me. + On that side, also to the north and south, there was open forest, but to + the west a different prospect met the eye. Beyond the stream and the strip + of verdure that fringed it, and the few scattered dwarf trees growing near + its banks, spread a brown savannah sloping upwards to a long, low, rocky + ridge, beyond which rose a great solitary hill, or rather mountain, + conical in form, and clothed in forest almost to the summit. This was the + mountain Ytaioa, the chief landmark in that district. As the sun went down + over the ridge, beyond the savannah, the whole western sky changed to a + delicate rose colour that had the appearance of rose-coloured smoke blown + there by some far off-wind, and left suspended—a thin, brilliant + veil showing through it the distant sky beyond, blue and ethereal. Flocks + of birds, a kind of troupial, were flying past me overhead, flock + succeeding flock, on their way to their roosting-place, uttering as they + flew a clear, bell-like chirp; and there was something ethereal too in + those drops of melodious sound, which fell into my heart like raindrops + falling into a pool to mix their fresh heavenly water with the water of + earth. + </p> + <p> + Doubtless into the turbid tarn of my heart some sacred drops had fallen—from + the passing birds, from that crimson disk which had now dropped below the + horizon, the darkening hills, the rose and blue of infinite heaven, from + the whole visible circle; and I felt purified and had a strange sense and + apprehension of a secret innocence and spirituality in nature—a + prescience of some bourn, incalculably distant perhaps, to which we are + all moving; of a time when the heavenly rain shall have washed us clean + from all spot and blemish. This unexpected peace which I had found now + seemed to me of infinitely greater value than that yellow metal I had + missed finding, with all its possibilities. My wish now was to rest for a + season at this spot, so remote and lovely and peaceful, where I had + experienced such unusual feelings and such a blessed disillusionment. + </p> + <p> + This was the end of my second period in Guayana: the first had been filled + with that dream of a book to win me fame in my country, perhaps even in + Europe; the second, from the time of leaving the Queneveta mountains, with + the dream of boundless wealth—the old dream of gold in this region + that has drawn so many minds since the days of Francisco Pizarro. But to + remain I must propitiate Runi, sitting silent with gloomy brows over there + indoors; and he did not appear to me like one that might be won with + words, however flattering. It was clear to me that the time had come to + part with my one remaining valuable trinket—the tinder-box of chased + silver. + </p> + <p> + I returned to the house and, going in, seated myself on a log by the fire, + just opposite to my grim host, who was smoking and appeared not to have + moved since I left him. I made myself a cigarette, then drew out the + tinder-box, with its flint and steel attached to it by means of two small + silver chains. His eyes brightened a little as they curiously watched my + movements, and he pointed without speaking to the glowing coals of fire at + my feet. I shook my head, and striking the steel, sent out a brilliant + spray of sparks, then blew on the tinder and lit my cigarette. + </p> + <p> + This done, instead of returning the box to my pocket I passed the chain + through the buttonhole of my cloak and let it dangle on my breast as an + ornament. When the cigarette was smoked, I cleared my throat in the + orthodox manner and fixed my eyes on Runi, who, on his part, made a slight + movement to indicate that he was ready to listen to what I had to say. + </p> + <p> + My speech was long, lasting at least half an hour, delivered in a profound + silence; it was chiefly occupied with an account of my wanderings in + Guayana; and being little more than a catalogue of names of all the places + I had visited, and the tribes and chief or head men with whom I had come + in contact, I was able to speak continuously, and so to hide my ignorance + of a dialect which was still new to me. The Guayana savage judges a man + for his staying powers. To stand as motionless as a bronze statue for one + or two hours watching for a bird; to sit or lie still for half a day; to + endure pain, not seldom self-inflicted, without wincing; and when + delivering a speech to pour it out in a copious stream, without pausing to + take breath or hesitating over a word—to be able to do all this is + to prove yourself a man, an equal, one to be respected and even made a + friend of. What I really wished to say to him was put in a few words at + the conclusion of my well-nigh meaningless oration. Everywhere, I said, I + had been the Indian’s friend, and I wished to be his friend, to live with + him at Parahuari, even as I had lived with other chiefs and heads of + villages and families; to be looked on by him, as these others had looked + on me, not as a stranger or a white man, but as a friend, a brother, an + Indian. + </p> + <p> + I ceased speaking, and there was a slight murmurous sound in the room, as + of wind long pent up in many lungs suddenly exhaled; while Runi, still + unmoved, emitted a low grunt. Then I rose, and detaching the silver + ornament from my cloak, presented it to him. He accepted it; not very + graciously, as a stranger to these people might have imagined; but I was + satisfied, feeling sure that I had made a favourable impression. After a + little he handed the box to the person sitting next to him, who examined + it and passed it on to a third, and in this way it went round and came + back once more to Runi. Then he called for a drink. There happened to be a + store of casserie in the house; probably the women had been busy for some + days past in making it, little thinking that it was destined to be + prematurely consumed. A large jarful was produced; Runi politely quaffed + the first cup; I followed; then the others; and the women drank also, a + woman taking about one cupful to a man’s three. Runi and I, however, drank + the most, for we had our positions as the two principal personages there + to maintain. Tongues were loosened now; for the alcohol, small as the + quantity contained in this mild liquor is, had begun to tell on our + brains. I had not their pottle-shaped stomach, made to hold unlimited + quantities of meat and drink; but I was determined on this most important + occasion not to deserve my host’s contempt—to be compared, perhaps, + to the small bird that delicately picks up six drops of water in its bill + and is satisfied. I would measure my strength against his, and if + necessary drink myself into a state of insensibility. + </p> + <p> + At last I was scarcely able to stand on my legs. But even the seasoned old + savage was affected by this time. In vino veritas, said the ancients; and + the principle holds good where there is no vinum, but only mild casserie. + Runi now informed me that he had once known a white man, that he was a bad + man, which had caused him to say that all white men were bad; even as + David, still more sweepingly, had proclaimed that all men were liars. Now + he found that it was not so, that I was a good man. His friendliness + increased with intoxication. He presented me with a curious little + tinder-box, made from the conical tail of an armadillo, hollowed out, and + provided with a wooden stopper—this to be used in place of the box I + had deprived myself of. He also furnished me with a grass hammock, and had + it hung up there and then, so that I could lie down when inclined. There + was nothing he would not do for me. And at last, when many more cups had + been emptied, and a third or fourth jar brought out, he began to unburthen + his heart of its dark and dangerous secrets. He shed tears—for the + “man without a tear” dwells not in the woods of Guayana: tears for those + who had been treacherously slain long years ago; for his father, who had + been killed by Tripica, the father of Managa, who was still above ground. + But let him and all his people beware of Runi. He had spilt their blood + before, he had fed the fox and vulture with their flesh, and would never + rest while Managa lived with his people at Uritay—the five hills of + Uritay, which were two days’ journey from Parahuari. While thus talking of + his old enemy he lashed himself into a kind of frenzy, smiting his chest + and gnashing his teeth; and finally seizing a spear, he buried its point + deep into the clay floor, only to wrench it out and strike it into the + earth again and again, to show how he would serve Managa, and any one of + Managa’s people he might meet with—man, woman, or child. Then he + staggered out from the door to flourish his spear; and looking to the + north-west, he shouted aloud to Managa to come and slay his people and + burn down his house, as he had so often threatened to do. + </p> + <p> + “Let him come! Let Managa come!” I cried, staggering out after him. “I am + your friend, your brother; I have no spear and no arrows, but I have this—this!” + And here I drew out and flourished my revolver. “Where is Managa?” I + continued. “Where are the hills of Uritay?” He pointed to a star low down + in the south-west. “Then,” I shouted, “let this bullet find Managa, + sitting by the fire among his people, and let him fall and pour out his + blood on the ground!” And with that I discharged my pistol in the + direction he had pointed to. A scream of terror burst out from the women + and children, while Runi at my side, in an access of fierce delight and + admiration, turned and embraced me. It was the first and last embrace I + ever suffered from a naked male savage, and although this did not seem a + time for fastidious feelings, to be hugged to his sweltering body was an + unpleasant experience. + </p> + <p> + More cups of casserie followed this outburst; and at last, unable to keep + it up any longer, I staggered to my hammock; but being unable to get into + it, Runi, overflowing with kindness, came to my assistance, whereupon we + fell and rolled together on the floor. Finally I was raised by the others + and tumbled into my swinging bed, and fell at once into a deep, dreamless + sleep, from which I did not awake until after sunrise on the following + morning. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <p> + It is fortunate that casserie is manufactured by an extremely slow, + laborious process, since the women, who are the drink-makers, in the first + place have to reduce the material (cassava bread) to a pulp by means of + their own molars, after which it is watered down and put away in troughs + to ferment. Great is the diligence of these willing slaves; but, work how + they will, they can only satisfy their lords’ love of a big drink at long + intervals. Such a function as that at which I had assisted is therefore + the result of much patient mastication and silent fermentation—the + delicate flower of a plant that has been a long time growing. + </p> + <p> + Having now established myself as one of the family, at the cost of some + disagreeable sensations and a pang or two of self-disgust, I resolved to + let nothing further trouble me at Parahuari, but to live the easy, + careless life of the idle man, joining in hunting and fishing expeditions + when in the mood; at other times enjoying existence in my own way, apart + from my fellows, conversing with wild nature in that solitary place. + Besides Runi, there were, in our little community, two oldish men, his + cousins I believe, who had wives and grown-up children. Another family + consisted of Piake, Runi’s nephew, his brother Kua-ko—about whom + there will be much to say—and a sister Oalava. Piake had a wife and + two children; Kua-ko was unmarried and about nineteen or twenty years old; + Oalava was the youngest of the three. Last of all, who should perhaps have + been first, was Runi’s mother, called Cla-cla, probably in imitation of + the cry of some bird, for in these latitudes a person is rarely, perhaps + never, called by his or her real name, which is a secret jealously + preserved, even from near relations. I believe that Cla-cla herself was + the only living being who knew the name her parents had bestowed on her at + birth. She was a very old woman, spare in figure, brown as old sun-baked + leather, her face written over with innumerable wrinkles, and her long + coarse hair perfectly white; yet she was exceedingly active, and seemed to + do more work than any other woman in the community; more than that, when + the day’s toil was over and nothing remained for the others to do, then + Cla-cla’s night work would begin; and this was to talk all the others, or + at all events all the men, to sleep. She was like a self-regulating + machine, and punctually every evening, when the door was closed, and the + night fire made up, and every man in his hammock, she would set herself + going, telling the most interminable stories, until the last listener was + fast asleep; later in the night, if any man woke with a snort or grunt, + off she would go again, taking up the thread of the tale where she had + dropped it. + </p> + <p> + Old Cla-cla amused me very much, by night and day, and I seldom tired of + watching her owlish countenance as she sat by the fire, never allowing it + to sink low for want of fuel; always studying the pot when it was on to + simmer, and at the same time attending to the movements of the others + about her, ready at a moment’s notice to give assistance or to dart out on + a stray chicken or refractory child. + </p> + <p> + So much did she amuse me, although without intending it, that I thought it + would be only fair, in my turn, to do something for her entertainment. I + was engaged one day in shaping a wooden foil with my knife, whistling and + singing snatches of old melodies at my work, when all at once I caught + sight of the ancient dame looking greatly delighted, chuckling internally, + nodding her head, and keeping time with her hands. Evidently she was able + to appreciate a style of music superior to that of the aboriginals, and + forthwith I abandoned my foils for the time and set about the manufacture + of a guitar, which cost me much labour and brought out more ingenuity than + I had ever thought myself capable of. To reduce the wood to the right + thinness, then to bend and fasten it with wooden pegs and with gums, to + add the arm, frets, keys, and finally the catgut strings—those of + another kind being out of the question—kept me busy for some days. + When completed it was a rude instrument, scarcely tunable; nevertheless + when I smote the strings, playing lively music, or accompanied myself in + singing, I found that it was a great success, and so was as much pleased + with my own performance as if I had had the most perfect guitar ever made + in old Spain. I also skipped about the floor, strum-strumming at the same + time, instructing them in the most lively dances of the whites, in which + the feet must be as nimble as the player’s fingers. It is true that these + exhibitions were always witnessed by the adults with a profound gravity, + which would have disheartened a stranger to their ways. They were a set of + hollow bronze statues that looked at me, but I knew that the living + animals inside of them were tickled at my singing, strumming, and + pirouetting. Cla-cla was, however, an exception, and encouraged me not + infrequently by emitting a sound, half cackle and half screech, by way of + laughter; for she had come to her second childhood, or, at all events, had + dropped the stolid mask which the young Guayana savage, in imitation of + his elders, adjusts to his face at about the age of twelve, to wear it + thereafter all his life long, or only to drop it occasionally when very + drunk. The youngsters also openly manifested their pleasure, although, as + a rule, they try to restrain their feelings in the presence of grown-up + people, and with them I became a great favourite. + </p> + <p> + By and by I returned to my foil-making, and gave them fencing lessons, and + sometimes invited two or three of the biggest boys to attack me + simultaneously, just to show how easily I could disarm and kill them. This + practice excited some interest in Kua-ko, who had a little more of + curiosity and geniality and less of the put-on dignity of the others, and + with him I became most intimate. Fencing with Kua-ko was highly amusing: + no sooner was he in position, foil in hand, than all my instructions were + thrown to the winds, and he would charge and attack me in his own + barbarous manner, with the result that I would send his foil spinning a + dozen yards away, while he, struck motionless, would gaze after it in + open-mouthed astonishment. + </p> + <p> + Three weeks had passed by not unpleasantly when, one morning, I took it + into my head to walk by myself across that somewhat sterile savannah west + of the village and stream, which ended, as I have said, in a long, low, + stony ridge. From the village there was nothing to attract the eye in that + direction; but I wished to get a better view of that great solitary hill + or mountain of Ytaioa, and of the cloud-like summits beyond it in the + distance. From the stream the ground rose in a gradual slope, and the + highest part of the ridge for which I made was about two miles from the + starting-point—a parched brown plain, with nothing growing on it but + scattered tussocks of sere hair-like grass. + </p> + <p> + When I reached the top and could see the country beyond, I was agreeably + disappointed at the discovery that the sterile ground extended only about + a mile and a quarter on the further side, and was succeeded by a forest—a + very inviting patch of woodland covering five or six square miles, + occupying a kind of oblong basin, extending from the foot of Ytaioa on the + north to a low range of rocky hills on the south. From the wooded basin + long narrow strips of forest ran out in various directions like the arms + of an octopus, one pair embracing the slopes of Ytaioa, another much + broader belt extending along a valley which cut through the ridge of hills + on the south side at right angles and was lost to sight beyond; far away + in the west and south and north distant mountains appeared, not in regular + ranges, but in groups or singly, or looking like blue banked-up clouds on + the horizon. + </p> + <p> + Glad at having discovered the existence of this forest so near home, and + wondering why my Indian friends had never taken me to it nor ever went out + on that side, I set forth with a light heart to explore it for myself, + regretting only that I was without a proper weapon for procuring game. The + walk from the ridge over the savannah was easy, as the barren, stony + ground sloped downwards the whole way. The outer part of the wood on my + side was very open, composed in most part of dwarf trees that grow on + stony soil, and scattered thorny bushes bearing a yellow pea-shaped + blossom. Presently I came to thicker wood, where the trees were much + taller and in greater variety; and after this came another sterile strip, + like that on the edge of the wood where stone cropped out from the ground + and nothing grew except the yellow-flowered thorn bushes. Passing this + sterile ribbon, which seemed to extend to a considerable distance north + and south, and was fifty to a hundred yards wide, the forest again became + dense and the trees large, with much undergrowth in places obstructing the + view and making progress difficult. + </p> + <p> + I spent several hours in this wild paradise, which was so much more + delightful than the extensive gloomier forests I had so often penetrated + in Guayana; for here, if the trees did not attain to such majestic + proportions, the variety of vegetable forms was even greater; as far as I + went it was nowhere dark under the trees, and the number of lovely + parasites everywhere illustrated the kindly influence of light and air. + Even where the trees were largest the sunshine penetrated, subdued by the + foliage to exquisite greenish-golden tints, filling the wide lower spaces + with tender half-lights, and faint blue-and-gray shadows. Lying on my back + and gazing up, I felt reluctant to rise and renew my ramble. For what a + roof was that above my head! Roof I call it, just as the poets in their + poverty sometimes describe the infinite ethereal sky by that word; but it + was no more roof-like and hindering to the soaring spirit than the higher + clouds that float in changing forms and tints, and like the foliage + chasten the intolerable noonday beams. How far above me seemed that leafy + cloudland into which I gazed! Nature, we know, first taught the architect + to produce by long colonnades the illusion of distance; but the + light-excluding roof prevents him from getting the same effect above. Here + Nature is unapproachable with her green, airy canopy, a sun-impregnated + cloud—cloud above cloud; and though the highest may be unreached by + the eye, the beams yet filter through, illuming the wide spaces beneath—chamber + succeeded by chamber, each with its own special lights and shadows. Far + above me, but not nearly so far as it seemed, the tender gloom of one such + chamber or space is traversed now by a golden shaft of light falling + through some break in the upper foliage, giving a strange glory to + everything it touches—projecting leaves, and beard-like tuft of + moss, and snaky bush-rope. And in the most open part of that most open + space, suspended on nothing to the eye, the shaft reveals a tangle of + shining silver threads—the web of some large tree-spider. These + seemingly distant yet distinctly visible threads serve to remind me that + the human artist is only able to get his horizontal distance by a + monotonous reduplication of pillar and arch, placed at regular intervals, + and that the least departure from this order would destroy the effect. But + Nature produces her effects at random, and seems only to increase the + beautiful illusion by that infinite variety of decoration in which she + revels, binding tree to tree in a tangle of anaconda-like lianas, and + dwindling down from these huge cables to airy webs and hair-like fibres + that vibrate to the wind of the passing insect’s wing. + </p> + <p> + Thus in idleness, with such thoughts for company, I spent my time, glad + that no human being, savage or civilized, was with me. It was better to be + alone to listen to the monkeys that chattered without offending; to watch + them occupied with the unserious business of their lives. With that + luxuriant tropical nature, its green clouds and illusive aerial spaces, + full of mystery, they harmonized well in language, appearance, and motions—mountebank + angels, living their fantastic lives far above earth in a half-way heaven + of their own. + </p> + <p> + I saw more monkeys on that morning than I usually saw in the course of a + week’s rambling. And other animals were seen; I particularly remember two + accouries I startled, that after rushing away a few yards stopped and + stood peering back at me as if not knowing whether to regard me as friend + or enemy. Birds, too, were strangely abundant; and altogether this struck + me as being the richest hunting-ground I had seen, and it astonished me to + think that the Indians of the village did not appear to visit it. + </p> + <p> + On my return in the afternoon I gave an enthusiastic account of my day’s + ramble, speaking not of the things that had moved my soul, but only of + those which move the Guayana Indian’s soul—the animal food he + craves, and which, one would imagine, Nature would prefer him to do + without, so hard he finds it to wrest a sufficiency from her. To my + surprise they shook their heads and looked troubled at what I said; and + finally my host informed me that the wood I had been in was a dangerous + place; that if they went there to hunt, a great injury would be done to + them; and he finished by advising me not to visit it again. + </p> + <p> + I began to understand from their looks and the old man’s vague words that + their fear of the wood was superstitious. If dangerous creatures had + existed there—tigers, or camoodis, or solitary murderous savages—they + would have said so; but when I pressed them with questions they could only + repeat that “something bad” existed in the place, that animals were + abundant there because no Indian who valued his life dared venture into + it. I replied that unless they gave me some more definite information I + should certainly go again and put myself in the way of the danger they + feared. + </p> + <p> + My reckless courage, as they considered it, surprised them; but they had + already begun to find out that their superstitions had no effect on me, + that I listened to them as to stories invented to amuse a child, and for + the moment they made no further attempt to dissuade me. + </p> + <p> + Next day I returned to the forest of evil report, which had now a new and + even greater charm—the fascination of the unknown and the + mysterious; still, the warning I had received made me distrustful and + cautious at first, for I could not help thinking about it. When we + consider how much of their life is passed in the woods, which become as + familiar to them as the streets of our native town to us, it seems almost + incredible that these savages have a superstitious fear of all forests, + fearing them as much, even in the bright light of day, as a nervous child + with memory filled with ghost-stories fears a dark room. But, like the + child in the dark room, they fear the forest only when alone in it, and + for this reason always hunt in couples or parties. What, then, prevented + them from visiting this particular wood, which offered so tempting a + harvest? The question troubled me not a little; at the same time I was + ashamed of the feeling, and fought against it; and in the end I made my + way to the same sequestered spot where I had rested so long on my previous + visit. + </p> + <p> + In this place I witnessed a new thing and had a strange experience. + Sitting on the ground in the shade of a large tree, I began to hear a + confused noise as of a coming tempest of wind mixed with shrill calls and + cries. Nearer and nearer it came, and at last a multitude of birds of many + kinds, but mostly small, appeared in sight swarming through the trees, + some running on the trunks and larger branches, others flitting through + the foliage, and many keeping on the wing, now hovering and now darting + this way or that. They were all busily searching for and pursuing the + insects, moving on at the same time, and in a very few minutes they had + finished examining the trees near me and were gone; but not satisfied with + what I had witnessed, I jumped up and rushed after the flock to keep it in + sight. All my caution and all recollection of what the Indians had said + was now forgot, so great was my interest in this bird-army; but as they + moved on without pause, they quickly left me behind, and presently my + career was stopped by an impenetrable tangle of bushes, vines, and roots + of large trees extending like huge cables along the ground. In the midst + of this leafy labyrinth I sat down on a projecting root to cool my blood + before attempting to make my way back to my former position. After that + tempest of motion and confused noises the silence of the forest seemed + very profound; but before I had been resting many moments it was broken by + a low strain of exquisite bird-melody, wonderfully pure and expressive, + unlike any musical sound I had ever heard before. It seemed to issue from + a thick cluster of broad leaves of a creeper only a few yards from where I + sat. With my eyes fixed on this green hiding-place I waited with suspended + breath for its repetition, wondering whether any civilized being had ever + listened to such a strain before. Surely not, I thought, else the fame of + so divine a melody would long ago have been noised abroad. I thought of + the rialejo, the celebrated organbird or flute-bird, and of the various + ways in which hearers are affected by it. To some its warbling is like the + sound of a beautiful mysterious instrument, while to others it seems like + the singing of a blithe-hearted child with a highly melodious voice. I had + often heard and listened with delight to the singing of the rialejo in the + Guayana forests, but this song, or musical phrase, was utterly unlike it + in character. It was pure, more expressive, softer—so low that at a + distance of forty yards I could hardly have heard it. But its greatest + charm was its resemblance to the human voice—a voice purified and + brightened to something almost angelic. Imagine, then, my impatience as I + sat there straining my sense, my deep disappointment when it was not + repeated! I rose at length very reluctantly and slowly began making my way + back; but when I had progressed about thirty yards, again the sweet voice + sounded just behind me, and turning quickly, I stood still and waited. The + same voice, but not the same song—not the same phrase; the notes + were different, more varied and rapidly enunciated, as if the singer had + been more excited. The blood rushed to my heart as I listened; my nerves + tingled with a strange new delight, the rapture produced by such music + heightened by a sense of mystery. Before many moments I heard it again, + not rapid now, but a soft warbling, lower than at first, infinitely sweet + and tender, sinking to lisping sounds that soon ceased to be audible; the + whole having lasted as long as it would take me to repeat a sentence of a + dozen words. This seemed the singer’s farewell to me, for I waited and + listened in vain to hear it repeated; and after getting back to the + starting-point I sat for upwards of an hour, still hoping to hear it once + more! + </p> + <p> + The weltering sun at length compelled me to quit the wood, but not before + I had resolved to return the next morning and seek for the spot where I + had met with so enchanting an experience. After crossing the sterile belt + I have mentioned within the wood, and just before I came to the open outer + edge where the stunted trees and bushes die away on the border of the + savannah, what was my delight and astonishment at hearing the mysterious + melody once more! It seemed to issue from a clump of bushes close by; but + by this time I had come to the conclusion that there was a ventriloquism + in this woodland voice which made it impossible for me to determine its + exact direction. Of one thing I was, however, now quite convinced, and + that was that the singer had been following me all the time. Again and + again as I stood there listening it sounded, now so faint and apparently + far off as to be scarcely audible; then all at once it would ring out + bright and clear within a few yards of me, as if the shy little thing had + suddenly grown bold; but, far or near, the vocalist remained invisible, + and at length the tantalizing melody ceased altogether. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <p> + I was not disappointed on my next visit to the forest, nor on several + succeeding visits; and this seemed to show that if I was right in + believing that these strange, melodious utterances proceeded from one + individual, then the bird or being, although still refusing to show + itself, was always on the watch for my appearance and followed me wherever + I went. This thought only served to increase my curiosity; I was + constantly pondering over the subject, and at last concluded that it would + be best to induce one of the Indians to go with me to the wood on the + chance of his being able to explain the mystery. + </p> + <p> + One of the treasures I had managed to preserve in my sojourn with these + children of nature, who were always anxious to become possessors of my + belongings, was a small prettily fashioned metal match-box, opening with a + spring. Remembering that Kua-ko, among others, had looked at this trifle + with covetous eyes—the covetous way in which they all looked at it + had given it a fictitious value in my own—I tried to bribe him with + the offer of it to accompany me to my favourite haunt. The brave young + hunter refused again and again; but on each occasion he offered to perform + some other service or to give me something in exchange for the box. At + last I told him that I would give it to the first person who should + accompany me, and fearing that someone would be found valiant enough to + win the prize, he at length plucked up a spirit, and on the next day, + seeing me going out for a walk, he all at once offered to go with me. He + cunningly tried to get the box before starting—his cunning, poor + youth, was not very deep! I told him that the forest we were about to + visit abounded with plants and birds unlike any I had seen elsewhere, that + I wished to learn their names and everything about them, and that when I + had got the required information the box would be his—not sooner. + Finally we started, he, as usual, armed with his zabatana, with which, I + imagined, he would procure more game than usually fell to his little + poisoned arrows. When we reached the wood I could see that he was ill at + ease: nothing would persuade him to go into the deeper parts; and even + where it was very open and light he was constantly gazing into bushes and + shadowy places, as if expecting to see some frightful creature lying in + wait for him. This behaviour might have had a disquieting effect on me had + I not been thoroughly convinced that his fears were purely superstitious + and that there could be no dangerous animal in a spot I was accustomed to + walk in every day. My plan was to ramble about with an unconcerned air, + occasionally pointing out an uncommon tree or shrub or vine, or calling + his attention to a distant bird-cry and asking the bird’s name, in the + hope that the mysterious voice would make itself heard and that he would + be able to give me some explanation of it. But for upwards of two hours we + moved about, hearing nothing except the usual bird voices, and during all + that time he never stirred a yard from my side nor made an attempt to + capture anything. At length we sat down under a tree, in an open spot + close to the border of the wood. He sat down very reluctantly, and seemed + more troubled in his mind than ever, keeping his eyes continually roving + about, while he listened intently to every sound. The sounds were not few, + owing to the abundance of animal and especially of bird life in this + favoured spot. I began to question my companion as to some of the cries we + heard. There were notes and cries familiar to me as the crowing of the + cock—parrot screams and yelping of toucans, the distant wailing + calls of maam and duraquara; and shrill laughter-like notes of the large + tree-climber as it passed from tree to tree; the quick whistle of + cotingas; and strange throbbing and thrilling sounds, as of pygmies + beating on metallic drums, of the skulking pitta-thrushes; and with these + mingled other notes less well known. One came from the treetops, where it + was perpetually wandering amid the foliage a low note, repeated at + intervals of a few seconds, so thin and mournful and full of mystery that + I half expected to hear that it proceeded from the restless ghost of some + dead bird. But no; he only said it was uttered by a “little bird”—too + little presumably to have a name. From the foliage of a neighbouring tree + came a few tinkling chirps, as of a small mandolin, two or three strings + of which had been carelessly struck by the player. He said that it came + from a small green frog that lived in trees; and in this way my rude + Indian—vexed perhaps at being asked such trivial questions—brushed + away the pretty fantasies my mind had woven in the woodland solitude. For + I often listened to this tinkling music, and it had suggested the idea + that the place was frequented by a tribe of fairy-like troubadour monkeys, + and that if I could only be quick-sighted enough I might one day be able + to detect the minstrel sitting, in a green tunic perhaps, cross-legged on + some high, swaying bough, carelessly touching his mandolin, suspended from + his neck by a yellow ribbon. + </p> + <p> + By and by a bird came with low, swift flight, its great tail spread open + fan-wise, and perched itself on an exposed bough not thirty yards from us. + It was all of a chestnut-red colour, long-bodied, in size like a big + pigeon. Its actions showed that its curiosity had been greatly excited, + for it jerked from side to side, eyeing us first with one eye, then the + other, while its long tail rose and fell in a measured way. + </p> + <p> + “Look, Kua-ko,” I said in a whisper, “there is a bird for you to kill.” + </p> + <p> + But he only shook his head, still watchful. + </p> + <p> + “Give me the blow-pipe, then,” I said, with a laugh, putting out my hand + to take it. But he refused to let me take it, knowing that it would only + be an arrow wasted if I attempted to shoot anything. + </p> + <p> + As I persisted in telling him to kill the bird, he at last bent his lips + near me and said in a half-whisper, as if fearful of being overheard: “I + can kill nothing here. If I shot at the bird, the daughter of the Didi + would catch the dart in her hand and throw it back and hit me here,” + touching his breast just over his heart. + </p> + <p> + I laughed again, saying to myself, with some amusement, that Kua-ko was + not such a bad companion after all—that he was not without + imagination. But in spite of my laughter his words roused my interest and + suggested the idea that the voice I was curious about had been heard by + the Indians and was as great a mystery to them as to me; since, not being + like that of any creature known to them, it would be attributed by their + superstitious minds to one of the numerous demons or semi-human monsters + inhabiting every forest, stream, and mountain; and fear of it would drive + them from the wood. In this case, judging from my companion’s words, they + had varied the form of the superstition somewhat, inventing a daughter of + a water-spirit to be afraid of. My thought was that if their keen, + practiced eyes had never been able to see this flitting woodland creature + with a musical soul, it was not likely that I would succeed in my quest. + </p> + <p> + I began to question him, but he now appeared less inclined to talk and + more frightened than ever, and each time I attempted to speak he imposed + silence, with a quick gesture of alarm, while he continued to stare about + him with dilated eyes. All at once he sprang to his feet as if overcome + with terror and started running at full speed. His fear infected me, and, + springing up, I followed as fast as I could, but he was far ahead of me, + running for dear life; and before I had gone forty yards my feet were + caught in a creeper trailing along the surface, and I measured my length + on the ground. The sudden, violent shock almost took away my senses for a + moment, but when I jumped up and stared round to see no unspeakable + monster—Curupita or other—rushing on to slay and devour me + there and then, I began to feel ashamed of my cowardice; and in the end I + turned and walked back to the spot I had just quitted and sat down once + more. I even tried to hum a tune, just to prove to myself that I had + completely recovered from the panic caught from the miserable Indian; but + it is never possible in such cases to get back one’s serenity immediately, + and a vague suspicion continued to trouble me for a time. After sitting + there for half an hour or so, listening to distant bird-sounds, I began to + recover my old confidence, and even to feel inclined to penetrate further + into the wood. All at once, making me almost jump, so sudden it was, so + much nearer and louder than I had ever heard it before, the mysterious + melody began. Unmistakably it was uttered by the same being heard on + former occasions; but today it was different in character. The utterance + was far more rapid, with fewer silent intervals, and it had none of the + usual tenderness in it, nor ever once sunk to that low, whisper-like + talking which had seemed to me as if the spirit of the wind had breathed + its low sighs in syllables and speech. Now it was not only loud, rapid, + and continuous, but, while still musical, there was an incisiveness in it, + a sharp ring as of resentment, which made it strike painfully on the + sense. + </p> + <p> + The impression of an intelligent unhuman being addressing me in anger took + so firm a hold on my mind that the old fear returned, and, rising, I began + to walk rapidly away, intending to escape from the wood. The voice + continued violently rating me, as it seemed to my mind, moving with me, + which caused me to accelerate my steps; and very soon I would have broken + into a run, when its character began to change again. There were pauses + now, intervals of silence, long or short, and after each one the voice + came to my ear with a more subdued and dulcet sound—more of that + melting, flute-like quality it had possessed at other times; and this + softness of tone, coupled with the talking-like form of utterance, gave me + the idea of a being no longer incensed, addressing me now in a peaceable + spirit, reasoning away my unworthy tremors, and imploring me to remain + with it in the wood. Strange as this voice without a body was, and always + productive of a slightly uncomfortable feeling on account of its mystery, + it seemed impossible to doubt that it came to me now in a spirit of pure + friendliness; and when I had recovered my composure I found a new delight + in listening to it—all the greater because of the fear so lately + experienced, and of its seeming intelligence. For the third time I + reseated myself on the same spot, and at intervals the voice talked to me + there for some time and, to my fancy, expressed satisfaction and pleasure + at my presence. But later, without losing its friendly tone, it changed + again. It seemed to move away and to be thrown back from a considerable + distance; and, at long intervals, it would approach me again with a new + sound, which I began to interpret as of command, or entreaty. Was it, I + asked myself, inviting me to follow? And if I obeyed, to what delightful + discoveries or frightful dangers might it lead? My curiosity together with + the belief that the being—I called it being, not bird, now—was + friendly to me, overcame all timidity, and I rose and walked at random + towards the interior of the wood. Very soon I had no doubt left that the + being had desired me to follow; for there was now a new note of gladness + in its voice, and it continued near me as I walked, at intervals + approaching me so closely as to set me staring into the surrounding + shadowy places like poor scared Kua-ko. + </p> + <p> + On this occasion, too, I began to have a new fancy, for fancy or illusion + I was determined to regard it, that some swift-footed being was treading + the ground near me; that I occasionally caught the faint rustle of a light + footstep, and detected a motion in leaves and fronds and thread-like stems + of creepers hanging near the surface, as if some passing body had touched + and made them tremble; and once or twice that I even had a glimpse of a + grey, misty object moving at no great distance in the deeper shadows. + </p> + <p> + Led by this wandering tricksy being, I came to a spot where the trees were + very large and the damp dark ground almost free from undergrowth; and here + the voice ceased to be heard. After patiently waiting and listening for + some time, I began to look about me with a slight feeling of apprehension. + It was still about two hours before sunset; only in this place the shade + of the vast trees made a perpetual twilight: moreover, it was strangely + silent here, the few bird-cries that reached me coming from a long + distance. I had flattered myself that the voice had become to some extent + intelligible to me: its outburst of anger caused no doubt by my cowardly + flight after the Indian; then its recovered friendliness, which had + induced me to return; and finally its desire to be followed. Now that it + had led me to this place of shadow and profound silence and had ceased to + speak and to lead, I could not help thinking that this was my goal, that I + had been brought to this spot with a purpose, that in this wild and + solitary retreat some tremendous adventure was about to befall me. + </p> + <p> + As the silence continued unbroken, there was time to dwell on this + thought. I gazed before me and listened intently, scarcely breathing, + until the suspense became painful—too painful at last, and I turned + and took a step with the idea of going back to the border of the wood, + when close by, clear as a silver bell, sounded the voice once more, but + only for a moment—two or three syllables in response to my movement, + then it was silent again. + </p> + <p> + Once more I was standing still, as if in obedience to a command, in the + same state of suspense; and whether the change was real or only imagined I + know not, but the silence every minute grew more profound and the gloom + deeper. Imaginary terrors began to assail me. Ancient fables of men + allured by beautiful forms and melodious voices to destruction all at once + acquired a fearful significance. I recalled some of the Indian beliefs, + especially that of the mis-shapen, man-devouring monster who is said to + beguile his victims into the dark forest by mimicking the human voice—the + voice sometimes of a woman in distress—or by singing some strange + and beautiful melody. I grew almost afraid to look round lest I should + catch sight of him stealing towards me on his huge feet with toes pointing + backwards, his mouth snarling horribly to display his great green fangs. + It was distressing to have such fancies in this wild, solitary spot—hateful + to feel their power over me when I knew that they were nothing but fancies + and creations of the savage mind. But if these supernatural beings had no + existence, there were other monsters, only too real, in these woods which + it would be dreadful to encounter alone and unarmed, since against such + adversaries a revolver would be as ineffectual as a popgun. Some huge + camoodi, able to crush my bones like brittle twigs in its constricting + coils, might lurk in these shadows, and approach me stealthily, unseen in + its dark colour on the dark ground. Or some jaguar or black tiger might + steal towards me, masked by a bush or tree-trunk, to spring upon me + unawares. Or, worse still, this way might suddenly come a pack of those + swift-footed, unspeakably terrible hunting-leopards, from which every + living thing in the forest flies with shrieks of consternation or else + falls paralysed in their path to be instantly torn to pieces and devoured. + </p> + <p> + A slight rustling sound in the foliage above me made me start and cast up + my eyes. High up, where a pale gleam of tempered sunlight fell through the + leaves, a grotesque human-like face, black as ebony and adorned with a + great red beard, appeared staring down upon me. In another moment it was + gone. It was only a large araguato, or howling monkey, but I was so + unnerved that I could not get rid of the idea that it was something more + than a monkey. Once more I moved, and again, the instant I moved my foot, + clear, and keen, and imperative, sounded the voice! It was no longer + possible to doubt its meaning. It commanded me to stand still—to + wait—to watch—to listen! Had it cried “Listen! Do not move!” I + could not have understood it better. Trying as the suspense was, I now + felt powerless to escape. Something very terrible, I felt convinced, was + about to happen, either to destroy or to release me from the spell that + held me. + </p> + <p> + And while I stood thus rooted to the ground, the sweat standing in large + drops on my forehead, all at once close to me sounded a cry, fine and + clear at first, and rising at the end to a shriek so loud, piercing, and + unearthly in character that the blood seemed to freeze in my veins, and a + despairing cry to heaven escaped my lips; then, before that long shriek + expired, a mighty chorus of thunderous voices burst forth around me; and + in this awful tempest of sound I trembled like a leaf; and the leaves on + the trees were agitated as if by a high wind, and the earth itself seemed + to shake beneath my feet. Indescribably horrible were my sensations at + that moment; I was deafened, and would possibly have been maddened had I + not, as by a miracle, chanced to see a large araguato on a branch + overhead, roaring with open mouth and inflated throat and chest. + </p> + <p> + It was simply a concert of howling monkeys that had so terrified me! But + my extreme fear was not strange in the circumstances; since everything + that had led up to the display—the gloom and silence, the period of + suspense, and my heated imagination—had raised my mind to the + highest degree of excitement and expectancy. I had rightly conjectured, no + doubt, that my unseen guide had led me to that spot for a purpose; and the + purpose had been to set me in the midst of a congregation of araguatos to + enable me for the first time fully to appreciate their unparalleled vocal + powers. I had always heard them at a distance; here they were gathered in + scores, possibly hundreds—the whole araguato population of the + forest, I should think—close to me; and it may give some faint + conception of the tremendous power and awful character of the sound thus + produced by their combined voices when I say that this animal—miscalled + “howler” in English—would outroar the mightiest lion that ever woke + the echoes of an African wilderness. + </p> + <p> + This roaring concert, which lasted three or four minutes, having ended, I + lingered a few minutes longer on the spot, and not hearing the voice + again, went back to the edge of the wood, and then started on my way back + to the village. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <p> + Perhaps I was not capable of thinking quite coherently on what had just + happened until I was once more fairly outside of the forest shadows—out + in that clear open daylight, where things seem what they are, and + imagination, like a juggler detected and laughed at, hastily takes itself + out of the way. As I walked homewards I paused midway on the barren ridge + to gaze back on the scene I had left, and then the recent adventure began + to take a semi-ludicrous aspect in my mind. All that circumstance of + preparation, that mysterious prelude to something unheard of, + unimaginable, surpassing all fables ancient and modern, and all tragedies—to + end at last in a concert of howling monkeys! Certainly the concert was + very grand—indeed, one of the most astounding in nature—-but + still—I sat down on a stone and laughed freely. + </p> + <p> + The sun was sinking behind the forest, its broad red disk still showing + through the topmost leaves, and the higher part of the foliage was of a + luminous green, like green flame, throwing off flakes of quivering, fiery + light, but lower down the trees were in profound shadow. + </p> + <p> + I felt very light-hearted while I gazed on this scene, for how pleasant it + was just now to think of the strange experience I had passed through—to + think that I had come safely out of it, that no human eye had witnessed my + weakness, and that the mystery existed still to fascinate me! For, + ludicrous as the denouement now looked, the cause of all, the voice + itself, was a thing to marvel at more than ever. That it proceeded from an + intelligent being I was firmly convinced; and although too materialistic + in my way of thinking to admit for a moment that it was a supernatural + being, I still felt that there was something more than I had at first + imagined in Kua-ko’s speech about a daughter of the Didi. That the Indians + knew a great deal about the mysterious voice, and had held it in great + fear, seemed evident. But they were savages, with ways that were not mine; + and however friendly they might be towards one of a superior race, there + was always in their relations with him a low cunning, prompted partly by + suspicion, underlying their words and actions. For the white man to put + himself mentally on their level is not more impossible than for these + aborigines to be perfectly open, as children are, towards the white. + Whatever subject the stranger within their gates exhibits an interest in, + that they will be reticent about; and their reticence, which conceals + itself under easily invented lies or an affected stupidity, invariably + increases with his desire for information. It was plain to them that some + very unusual interest took me to the wood; consequently I could not expect + that they would tell me anything they might know to enlighten me about the + matter; and I concluded that Kua-ko’s words about the daughter of the + Didi, and what she would do if he blew an arrow at a bird, had + accidentally escaped him in a moment of excitement. Nothing, therefore, + was to be gained by questioning them, or, at all events, by telling them + how much the subject attracted me. And I had nothing to fear; my + independent investigations had made this much clear to me; the voice might + proceed from a very frolicsome and tricksy creature, full of wild + fantastic humours, but nothing worse. It was friendly to me, I felt sure; + at the same time it might not be friendly towards the Indians; for, on + that day, it had made itself heard only after my companion had taken + flight; and it had then seemed incensed against me, possibly because the + savage had been in my company. + </p> + <p> + That was the result of my reflections on the day’s events when I returned + to my entertainer’s roof and sat down among my friends to refresh myself + with stewed fowl and fish from the household pot, into which a hospitable + woman invited me with a gesture to dip my fingers. + </p> + <p> + Kua-ko was lying in his hammock, smoking, I think—certainly not + reading. When I entered he lifted his head and stared at me, probably + surprised to see me alive, unharmed, and in a placid temper. I laughed at + the look, and, somewhat disconcerted, he dropped his head down again. + After a minute or two I took the metal match-box and tossed it on to his + breast. He clutched it and, starting up, stared at me in the utmost + astonishment. He could scarcely believe his good fortune; for he had + failed to carry out his part of the compact and had resigned himself to + the loss of the coveted prize. Jumping down to the floor, he held up the + box triumphantly, his joy overcoming the habitual stolid look; while all + the others gathered about him, each trying to get the box into his own + hands to admire it again, notwithstanding that they had all seen it a + dozen times before. But it was Kua-ko’s now and not the stranger’s, and + therefore more nearly their own than formerly, and must look different, + more beautiful, with a brighter polish on the metal. And that wonderful + enamelled cock on the lid—figured in Paris probably, but just like a + cock in Guayana, the pet bird which they no more think of killing and + eating than we do our purring pussies and lemon-coloured canaries—must + now look more strikingly valiant and cock-like than ever, with its crimson + comb and wattles, burnished red hackles, and dark green arching + tail-plumes. But Kua-ko, while willing enough to have it admired and + praised, would not let it out of his hands, and told them pompously that + it was not theirs for them to handle, but his—Kua-ko’s—for all + time; that he had won it by accompanying me—valorous man that he + was!—to that evil wood into which they—timid, inferior + creatures that they were!—would never have ventured to set foot. I + am not translating his words, but that was what he gave them to understand + pretty plainly, to my great amusement. + </p> + <p> + After the excitement was over, Runi, who had maintained a dignified calm, + made some roundabout remarks, apparently with the object of eliciting an + account of what I had seen and heard in the forest of evil fame. I replied + carelessly that I had seen a great many birds and monkeys—monkeys so + tame that I might have procured one if I had had a blow-pipe, in spite of + my never having practiced shooting with that weapon. + </p> + <p> + It interested them to hear about the abundance and tameness of the + monkeys, although it was scarcely news; but how tame they must have been + when I, the stranger not to the manner born—not naked, + brown-skinned, lynx-eyed, and noiseless as an owl in his movements—had + yet been able to look closely at them! Runi only remarked, apropos of what + I had told him, that they could not go there to hunt; then he asked me if + I feared nothing. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing,” I replied carelessly. “The things you fear hurt not the white + man and are no more than this to me,” saying which I took up a little + white wood-ash in my hand and blew it away with my breath. “And against + other enemies I have this,” I added, touching my revolver. A brave speech, + just after that araguato episode; but I did not make it without blushing—mentally. + </p> + <p> + He shook his head, and said it was a poor weapon against some enemies; + also—truly enough—that it would procure no birds and monkeys + for the stew-pot. + </p> + <p> + Next morning my friend Kua-ko, taking his zabatana, invited me to go out + with him, and I consented with some misgivings, thinking he had overcome + his superstitious fears and, inflamed by my account of the abundance of + game in the forest, intended going there with me. The previous day’s + experience had made me think that it would be better in the future to go + there alone. But I was giving the poor youth more credit than he deserved: + it was far from his intention to face the terrible unknown again. We went + in a different direction, and tramped for hours through woods where birds + were scarce and only of the smaller kinds. Then my guide surprised me a + second time by offering to teach me to use the zabatana. This, then, was + to be my reward for giving him the box! I readily consented, and with the + long weapon, awkward to carry, in my hand, and imitating the noiseless + movements and cautious, watchful manner of my companion, I tried to + imagine myself a simple Guayana savage, with no knowledge of that + artificial social state to which I had been born, dependent on my skill + and little roll of poison-darts for a livelihood. By an effort of the will + I emptied myself of my life experience and knowledge—or as much of + it as possible—and thought only of the generations of my dead + imaginary progenitors, who had ranged these woods back to the dim + forgotten years before Columbus; and if the pleasure I had in the fancy + was childish, it made the day pass quickly enough. Kua-ko was constantly + at my elbow to assist and give advice; and many an arrow I blew from the + long tube, and hit no bird. Heaven knows what I hit, for the arrows flew + away on their wide and wild career to be seen no more, except a few which + my keen-eyed comrade marked to their destination and managed to recover. + The result of our day’s hunting was a couple of birds, which Kua-ko, not + I, shot, and a small opossum his sharp eyes detected high up a tree lying + coiled up on an old nest, over the side of which the animal had + incautiously allowed his snaky tail to dangle. The number of darts I + wasted must have been a rather serious loss to him, but he did not seem + troubled at it, and made no remark. + </p> + <p> + Next day, to my surprise, he volunteered to give me a second lesson, and + we went out again. On this occasion he had provided himself with a large + bundle of darts, but—wise man!—they were not poisoned, and it + therefore mattered little whether they were wasted or not. I believe that + on this day I made some little progress; at all events, my teacher + remarked that before long I would be able to hit a bird. This made me + smile and answer that if he could place me within twenty yards of a bird + not smaller than a small man I might manage to touch it with an arrow. + </p> + <p> + This speech had a very unexpected and remarkable effect. He stopped short + in his walk, stared at me wildly, then grinned, and finally burst into a + roar of laughter, which was no bad imitation of the howling monkey’s + performance, and smote his naked thighs with tremendous energy. At length + recovering himself, he asked whether a small woman was not the same as a + small man, and being answered in the affirmative, went off into a second + extravagant roar of laughter. + </p> + <p> + Thinking it was easy to tickle him while he continued in this mood, I + began making any number of feeble jokes—feeble, but quite as good as + the one which had provoked such outrageous merriment—for it amused + me to see him acting in this unusual way. But they all failed of their + effect—there was no hitting the bull’s-eye a second time; he would + only stare vacantly at me, then grunt like a peccary—not + appreciatively—and walk on. Still, at intervals he would go back to + what I had said about hitting a very big bird, and roar again, as if this + wonderful joke was not easily exhausted. + </p> + <p> + Again on the third day we were out together practicing at the birds—frightening + if not killing them; but before noon, finding that it was his intention to + go to a distant spot where he expected to meet with larger game, I left + him and returned to the village. The blow-pipe practice had lost its + novelty, and I did not care to go on all day and every day with it; more + than that, I was anxious after so long an interval to pay a visit to my + wood, as I began to call it, in the hope of hearing that mysterious melody + which I had grown to love and to miss when even a single day passed + without it. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <p> + After making a hasty meal at the house, I started, full of pleasing + anticipations, for the wood; for how pleasant a place it was to be in! + What a wild beauty and fragrance and melodiousness it possessed above all + forests, because of that mystery that drew me to it! And it was mine, + truly and absolutely—as much mine as any portion of earth’s surface + could belong to any man—mine with all its products: the precious + woods and fruits and fragrant gums that would never be trafficked away; + its wild animals that man would never persecute; nor would any jealous + savage dispute my ownership or pretend that it was part of his + hunting-ground. As I crossed the savannah I played with this fancy; but + when I reached the ridgy eminence, to look down once more on my new + domain, the fancy changed to a feeling so keen that it pierced to my heart + and was like pain in its intensity, causing tears to rush to my eyes. And + caring not in that solitude to disguise my feelings from myself, and from + the wide heaven that looked down and saw me—for this is the sweetest + thing that solitude has for us, that we are free in it, and no convention + holds us—I dropped on my knees and kissed the stony ground, then + casting up my eyes, thanked the Author of my being for the gift of that + wild forest, those green mansions where I had found so great a happiness! + </p> + <p> + Elated with this strain of feeling, I reached the wood not long after + noon; but no melodious voice gave me familiar and expected welcome; nor + did my invisible companion make itself heard at all on that day, or, at + all events, not in its usual bird-like warbling language. But on this day + I met with a curious little adventure and heard something very + extraordinary, very mysterious, which I could not avoid connecting in my + mind with the unseen warbler that so often followed me in my rambles. + </p> + <p> + It was an exceedingly bright day, without cloud, but windy, and finding + myself in a rather open part of the wood, near its border, where the + breeze could be felt, I sat down to rest on the lower part of a large + branch, which was half broken, but still remained attached to the trunk of + the tree, while resting its terminal twigs on the ground. Just before me, + where I sat, grew a low, wide-spreading plant, covered with broad, round, + polished leaves; and the roundness, stiffness, and perfectly horizontal + position of the upper leaves made them look like a collection of small + platforms or round table-tops placed nearly on a level. Through the + leaves, to the height of a foot or more above them, a slender dead stem + protruded, and from a twig at its summit depended a broken spider’s web. A + minute dead leaf had become attached to one of the loose threads and threw + its small but distinct shadow on the platform leaves below; and as it + trembled and swayed in the current of air, the black spot trembled with it + or flew swiftly over the bright green surfaces, and was seldom at rest. + Now, as I sat looking down on the leaves and the small dancing shadow, + scarcely thinking of what I was looking at, I noticed a small spider, with + a flat body and short legs, creep cautiously out on to the upper surface + of a leaf. Its pale red colour barred with velvet black first drew my + attention to it, for it was beautiful to the eye; and presently I + discovered that this was no web-spinning, sedentary spider, but a + wandering hunter, that captured its prey, like a cat, by stealing on it + concealed and making a rush or spring at the last. The moving shadow had + attracted it and, as the sequel showed, was mistaken for a fly running + about over the leaves and flitting from leaf to leaf. Now began a series + of wonderful manoeuvres on the spider’s part, with the object of + circumventing the imaginary fly, which seemed specially designed to meet + this special case; for certainly no insect had ever before behaved in + quite so erratic a manner. Each time the shadow flew past, the spider ran + swiftly in the same direction, hiding itself under the leaves, always + trying to get near without alarming its prey; and then the shadow would go + round and round in a small circle, and some new strategic move on the part + of the hunter would be called forth. I became deeply interested in this + curious scene; I began to wish that the shadow would remain quiet for a + moment or two, so as to give the hunter a chance. And at last I had my + wish: the shadow was almost motionless, and the spider moving towards it, + yet seeming not to move, and as it crept closer I fancied that I could + almost see the little striped body quivering with excitement. Then came + the final scene: swift and straight as an arrow the hunter shot himself on + to the fly-like shadow, then wiggled round and round, evidently trying to + take hold of his prey with fangs and claws; and finding nothing under him, + he raised the fore part of his body vertically, as if to stare about him + in search of the delusive fly; but the action may have simply expressed + astonishment. At this moment I was just on the point of giving free and + loud vent to the laughter which I had been holding in when, just behind + me, as if from some person who had been watching the scene over my + shoulder and was as much amused as myself at its termination, sounded a + clear trill of merry laughter. I started up and looked hastily around, but + no living creature was there. The mass of loose foliage I stared into was + agitated, as if from a body having just pushed through it. In a moment the + leaves and fronds were motionless again; still, I could not be sure that a + slight gust of wind had not shaken them. But I was so convinced that I had + heard close to me a real human laugh, or sound of some living creature + that exactly simulated a laugh, that I carefully searched the ground about + me, expecting to find a being of some kind. But I found nothing, and going + back to my seat on the hanging branch, I remained seated for a + considerable time, at first only listening, then pondering on the mystery + of that sweet trill of laughter; and finally I began to wonder whether I, + like the spider that chased the shadow, had been deluded, and had seemed + to hear a sound that was not a sound. + </p> + <p> + On the following day I was in the wood again, and after a two or three + hours’ ramble, during which I heard nothing, thinking it useless to haunt + the known spots any longer, I turned southwards and penetrated into a + denser part of the forest, where the undergrowth made progress difficult. + I was not afraid of losing myself; the sun above and my sense of + direction, which was always good, would enable me to return to the + starting-point. + </p> + <p> + In this direction I had been pushing resolutely on for over half an hour, + finding it no easy matter to make my way without constantly deviating to + this side or that from the course I wished to keep, when I came to a much + more open spot. The trees were smaller and scantier here, owing to the + rocky nature of the ground, which sloped rather rapidly down; but it was + moist and overgrown with mosses, ferns, creepers, and low shrubs, all of + the liveliest green. I could not see many yards ahead owing to the bushes + and tall fern fronds; but presently I began to hear a low, continuous + sound, which, when I had advanced twenty or thirty yards further, I made + out to be the gurgling of running water; and at the same moment I made the + discovery that my throat was parched and my palms tingling with heat. I + hurried on, promising myself a cool draught, when all at once, above the + soft dashing and gurgling of the water, I caught yet another sound—a + low, warbling note, or succession of notes, which might have been emitted + by a bird. But it startled me nevertheless—bird-like warbling sounds + had come to mean so much to me—and pausing, I listened intently. It + was not repeated, and finally, treading with the utmost caution so as not + to alarm the mysterious vocalist, I crept on until, coming to a greenheart + with a quantity of feathery foliage of a shrub growing about its roots, I + saw that just beyond the tree the ground was more open still, letting in + the sunlight from above, and that the channel of the stream I sought was + in this open space, about twenty yards from me, although the water was + still hidden from sight. Something else was there, which I did see; + instantly my cautious advance was arrested. I stood gazing with + concentrated vision, scarcely daring to breathe lest I should scare it + away. + </p> + <p> + It was a human being—a girl form, reclining on the moss among the + ferns and herbage, near the roots of a small tree. One arm was doubled + behind her neck for her head to rest upon, while the other arm was held + extended before her, the hand raised towards a small brown bird perched on + a pendulous twig just beyond its reach. She appeared to be playing with + the bird, possibly amusing herself by trying to entice it on to her hand; + and the hand appeared to tempt it greatly, for it persistently hopped up + and down, turning rapidly about this way and that, flirting its wings and + tail, and always appearing just on the point of dropping on to her finger. + From my position it was impossible to see her distinctly, yet I dared not + move. I could make out that she was small, not above four feet six or + seven inches in height, in figure slim, with delicately shaped little + hands and feet. Her feet were bare, and her only garment was a slight + chemise-shaped dress reaching below her knees, of a whitish-gray colour, + with a faint lustre as of a silky material. Her hair was very wonderful; + it was loose and abundant, and seemed wavy or curly, falling in a cloud on + her shoulders and arms. Dark it appeared, but the precise tint was + indeterminable, as was that of her skin, which looked neither brown nor + white. All together, near to me as she actually was, there was a kind of + mistiness in the figure which made it appear somewhat vague and distant, + and a greenish grey seemed the prevailing colour. This tint I presently + attributed to the effect of the sunlight falling on her through the green + foliage; for once, for a moment, she raised herself to reach her finger + nearer to the bird, and then a gleam of unsubdued sunlight fell on her + hair and arm, and the arm at that moment appeared of a pearly whiteness, + and the hair, just where the light touched it, had a strange lustre and + play of iridescent colour. + </p> + <p> + I had not been watching her more than three seconds before the bird, with + a sharp, creaking little chirp, flew up and away in sudden alarm; at the + same moment she turned and saw me through the light leafy screen. But + although catching sight of me thus suddenly, she did not exhibit alarm + like the bird; only her eyes, wide open, with a surprised look in them, + remained immovably fixed on my face. And then slowly, imperceptibly—for + I did not notice the actual movement, so gradual and smooth it was, like + the motion of a cloud of mist which changes its form and place, yet to the + eye seems not to have moved—she rose to her knees, to her feet, + retired, and with face still towards me, and eyes fixed on mine, finally + disappeared, going as if she had melted away into the verdure. The leafage + was there occupying the precise spot where she had been a moment before—the + feathery foliage of an acacia shrub, and stems and broad, arrow-shaped + leaves of an aquatic plant, and slim, drooping fern fronds, and they were + motionless and seemed not to have been touched by something passing + through them. She had gone, yet I continued still, bent almost double, + gazing fixedly at the spot where I had last seen her, my mind in a strange + condition, possessed by sensations which were keenly felt and yet + contradictory. So vivid was the image left on my brain that she still + seemed to be actually before my eyes; and she was not there, nor had been, + for it was a dream, an illusion, and no such being existed, or could + exist, in this gross world; and at the same time I knew that she had been + there—that imagination was powerless to conjure up a form so + exquisite. + </p> + <p> + With the mental image I had to be satisfied, for although I remained for + some hours at that spot, I saw her no more, nor did I hear any familiar + melodious sound. For I was now convinced that in this wild solitary girl I + had at length discovered the mysterious warbler that so often followed me + in the wood. At length, seeing that it was growing late, I took a drink + from the stream and slowly and reluctantly made my way out of the forest + and went home. + </p> + <p> + Early next day I was back in the wood full of delightful anticipations, + and had no sooner got well among the trees than a soft, warbling sound + reached my ears; it was like that heard on the previous day just before + catching sight of the girl among the ferns. So soon! thought I, elated, + and with cautious steps I proceeded to explore the ground, hoping again to + catch her unawares. But I saw nothing; and only after beginning to doubt + that I had heard anything unusual, and had sat down to rest on a rock, the + sound was repeated, soft and low as before, very near and distinct. + Nothing more was heard at this spot, but an hour later, in another place, + the same mysterious note sounded near me. During my remaining time in the + forest I was served many times in the same way, and still nothing was + seen, nor was there any change in the voice. + </p> + <p> + Only when the day was near its end did I give up my quest, feeling very + keenly disappointed. It then struck me that the cause of the elusive + creature’s behaviour was that she had been piqued at my discovery of her + in one of her most secret hiding-places in the heart of the wood, and that + it had pleased her to pay me out in this manner. + </p> + <p> + On the next day there was no change; she was there again, evidently + following me, but always invisible, and varied not from that one mocking + note of yesterday, which seemed to challenge me to find her a second time. + In the end I was vexed, and resolved to be even with her by not visiting + the wood for some time. A display of indifference on my part would, I + hoped, result in making her less coy in the future. + </p> + <p> + Next day, firm in my new resolution, I accompanied Kua-ko and two others + to a distant spot where they expected that the ripening fruit on a cashew + tree would attract a large number of birds. The fruit, however, proved + still green, so that we gathered none and killed few birds. Returning + together, Kua-ko kept at my side, and by and by, falling behind our + companions, he complimented me on my good shooting, although, as usual, I + had only wasted the arrows I had blown. + </p> + <p> + “Soon you will be able to hit,” he said; “hit a bird as big as a small + woman”; and he laughed once more immoderately at the old joke. At last, + growing confidential, he said that I would soon possess a zabatana of my + own, with arrows in plenty. He was going to make the arrows himself, and + his uncle Otawinki, who had a straight eye, would make the tube. I treated + it all as a joke, but he solemnly assured me that he meant it. + </p> + <p> + Next morning he asked me if I was going to the forest of evil fame, and + when I replied in the negative, seemed surprised and, very much to my + surprise, evidently disappointed. He even tried to persuade me to go, + where before I had been earnestly recommended not to go, until, finding + that I would not, he took me with him to hunt in the woods. By and by he + returned to the same subject: he could not understand why I would not go + to that wood, and asked me if I had begun to grow afraid. + </p> + <p> + “No, not afraid,” I replied; “but I know the place well, and am getting + tired of it.” I had seen everything in it—birds and beasts—and + had heard all its strange noises. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, heard,” he said, nodding his head knowingly; “but you have seen + nothing strange; your eyes are not good enough yet.” + </p> + <p> + I laughed contemptuously and answered that I had seen everything strange + the wood contained, including a strange young girl; and I went on to + describe her appearance, and finished by asking if he thought a white man + was frightened at the sight of a young girl. + </p> + <p> + What I said astonished him; then he seemed greatly pleased, and, growing + still more confidential and generous than on the previous day, he said + that I would soon be a most important personage among them, and greatly + distinguish myself. He did not like it when I laughed at all this, and + went on with great seriousness to speak of the unmade blowpipe that would + be mine—speaking of it as if it had been something very great, equal + to the gift of a large tract of land, or the governorship of a province, + north of the Orinoco. And by and by he spoke of something else more + wonderful even than the promise of a blow-pipe, with arrows galore, and + this was that young sister of his, whose name was Oalava, a maid of about + sixteen, shy and silent and mild-eyed, rather lean and dirty; not ugly, + nor yet prepossessing. And this copper-coloured little drab of the + wilderness he proposed to bestow in marriage on me! Anxious to pump him, I + managed to control my muscles and asked him what authority he—a + young nobody, who had not yet risen to the dignity of buying a wife for + himself—could have to dispose of a sister in this offhand way? He + replied that there would be no difficulty: that Runi would give his + consent, as would also Otawinki, Piake, and other relations; and last, and + LEAST, according to the matrimonial customs of these latitudes, Oalava + herself would be ready to bestow her person—queyou, worn + figleaf-wise, necklace of accouri teeth, and all—on so worthy a + suitor as myself. Finally, to make the prospect still more inviting, he + added that it would not be necessary for me to subject myself to any + voluntary tortures to prove myself a man and fitted to enter into the + purgatorial state of matrimony. He was a great deal too considerate, I + said, and, with all the gravity I could command, asked him what kind of + torture he would recommend. For me—so valorous a person—“no + torture,” he answered magnanimously. But he—Kua-ko—had made up + his mind as to the form of torture he meant to inflict some day on his own + person. He would prepare a large sack and into it put fire-ants—“As + many as that!” he exclaimed triumphantly, stooping and filling his two + hands with loose sand. He would put them in the sack, and then get into it + himself naked, and tie it tightly round his neck, so as to show to all + spectators that the hellish pain of innumerable venomous stings in his + flesh could be endured without a groan and with an unmoved countenance. + The poor youth had not an original mind, since this was one of the + commonest forms of self-torture among the Guayana tribes. But the sudden + wonderful animation with which he spoke of it, the fiendish joy that + illumined his usually stolid countenance, sent a sudden disgust and horror + through me. But what a strange inverted kind of fiendishness is this, + which delights at the anticipation of torture inflicted on oneself and not + on an enemy! And towards others these savages are mild and peaceable! No, + I could not believe in their mildness; that was only on the surface, when + nothing occurred to rouse their savage, cruel instincts. I could have + laughed at the whole matter, but the exulting look on my companion’s face + had made me sick of the subject, and I wished not to talk any more about + it. + </p> + <p> + But he would talk still—this fellow whose words, as a rule, I had to + take out of his mouth with a fork, as we say; and still on the same + subject, he said that not one person in the village would expect to see me + torture myself; that after what I would do for them all—after + delivering them from a great evil—nothing further would be expected + of me. + </p> + <p> + I asked him to explain his meaning; for it now began to appear plain that + in everything he had said he had been leading up to some very important + matter. It would, of course, have been a great mistake to suppose that my + savage was offering me a blow-pipe and a marketable virgin sister from + purely disinterested motives. + </p> + <p> + In reply he went back to that still unforgotten joke about my being able + eventually to hit a bird as big as a small woman with an arrow. Out of it + all came, when he went on to ask me if that mysterious girl I had seen in + the wood was not of a size to suit me as a target when I had got my hand + in with a little more practice. That was the great work I was asked to do + for them—that shy, mysterious girl with the melodious wild-bird + voice was the evil being I was asked to slay with poisoned arrows! This + was why he now wished me to go often to the wood, to become more and more + familiar with her haunts and habits, to overcome all shyness and suspicion + in her; and at the proper moment, when it would be impossible to miss my + mark, to plant the fatal arrow! The disgust he had inspired in me before, + when gloating over anticipated tortures, was a weak and transient feeling + to what I now experienced. I turned on him in a sudden transport of rage, + and in a moment would have shattered on his head the blow-pipe I was + carrying in my hand, but his astonished look as he turned to face me made + me pause and prevented me from committing so fatal an indiscretion. I + could only grind my teeth and struggle to overcome an almost overpowering + hatred and wrath. Finally I flung the tube down and bade him take it, + telling him that I would not touch it again if he offered me all the + sisters of all the savages in Guayana for wives. + </p> + <p> + He continued gazing at me mute with astonishment, and prudence suggested + that it would be best to conceal as far as possible the violent animosity + I had conceived against him. I asked him somewhat scornfully if he + believed that I should ever be able to hit anything—bird or human + being—with an arrow. “No,” I almost shouted, so as to give vent to + my feelings in some way, and drawing my revolver, “this is the white man’s + weapon; but he kills men with it—men who attempt to kill or injure + him—but neither with this nor any other weapon does he murder + innocent young girls treacherously.” After that we went on in silence for + some time; at length he said that the being I had seen in the wood and was + not afraid of was no innocent young girl, but a daughter of the Didi, an + evil being; and that so long as she continued to inhabit the wood they + could not go there to hunt, and even in other woods they constantly went + in fear of meeting her. Too much disgusted to talk with him, I went on in + silence; and when we reached the stream near the village, I threw off my + clothes and plunged into the water to cool my anger before going in to the + others. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <p> + Thinking about the forest girl while lying awake that night, I came to the + conclusion that I had made it sufficiently plain to her how little her + capricious behaviour had been relished, and had therefore no need to + punish myself more by keeping any longer out of my beloved green mansions. + Accordingly, next day, after the heavy rain that fell during the morning + hours had ceased, I set forth about noon to visit the wood. Overhead the + sky was clear again; but there was no motion in the heavy sultry + atmosphere, while dark blue masses of banked-up clouds on the western + horizon threatened a fresh downpour later in the day. My mind was, + however, now too greatly excited at the prospect of a possible encounter + with the forest nymph to allow me to pay any heed to these ominous signs. + </p> + <p> + I had passed through the first strip of wood and was in the succeeding + stony sterile space when a gleam of brilliant colour close by on the + ground caught my sight. It was a snake lying on the bare earth; had I kept + on without noticing it, I should most probably have trodden upon or + dangerously near it. Viewing it closely, I found that it was a coral + snake, famed as much for its beauty and singularity as for its deadly + character. It was about three feet long, and very slim; its ground colour + a brilliant vermilion, with broad jet-black rings at equal distances round + its body, each black ring or band divided by a narrow yellow strip in the + middle. The symmetrical pattern and vividly contrasted colours would have + given it the appearance of an artificial snake made by some fanciful + artist, but for the gleam of life in its bright coils. Its fixed eyes, + too, were living gems, and from the point of its dangerous arrowy head the + glistening tongue flickered ceaselessly as I stood a few yards away + regarding it. + </p> + <p> + “I admire you greatly, Sir Serpent,” I said, or thought, “but it is + dangerous, say the military authorities, to leave an enemy or possible + enemy in the rear; the person who does such a thing must be either a bad + strategist or a genius, and I am neither.” + </p> + <p> + Retreating a few paces, I found and picked up a stone about as big as a + man’s hand and hurled it at the dangerous-looking head with the intention + of crushing it; but the stone hit upon the rocky ground a little on one + side of the mark and, being soft, flew into a hundred small fragments. + This roused the creature’s anger, and in a moment with raised head he was + gliding swiftly towards me. Again I retreated, not so slowly on this + occasion; and finding another stone, I raised and was about to launch it + when a sharp, ringing cry issued from the bushes growing near, and, + quickly following the sound, forth stepped the forest girl; no longer + elusive and shy, vaguely seen in the shadowy wood, but boldly challenging + attention, exposed to the full power of the meridian sun, which made her + appear luminous and rich in colour beyond example. Seeing her thus, all + those emotions of fear and abhorrence invariably excited in us by the + sight of an active venomous serpent in our path vanished instantly from my + mind: I could now only feel astonishment and admiration at the brilliant + being as she advanced with swift, easy, undulating motion towards me; or + rather towards the serpent, which was now between us, moving more and more + slowly as she came nearer. The cause of this sudden wonderful boldness, so + unlike her former habit, was unmistakable. She had been watching my + approach from some hiding-place among the bushes, ready no doubt to lead + me a dance through the wood with her mocking voice, as on previous + occasions, when my attack on the serpent caused that outburst of wrath. + The torrent of ringing and to me inarticulate sounds in that unknown + tongue, her rapid gestures, and, above all, her wide-open sparkling eyes + and face aflame with colour made it impossible to mistake the nature of + her feeling. + </p> + <p> + In casting about for some term or figure of speech in which to describe + the impression produced on me at that moment, I think of waspish, and, + better still, avispada—literally the same word in Spanish, not + having precisely the same meaning nor ever applied contemptuously—only + to reject both after a moment’s reflection. Yet I go back to the image of + an irritated wasp as perhaps offering the best illustration; of some large + tropical wasp advancing angrily towards me, as I have witnessed a hundred + times, not exactly flying, but moving rapidly, half running and half + flying, over the ground, with loud and angry buzz, the glistening wings + open and agitated; beautiful beyond most animated creatures in its sharp + but graceful lines, polished surface, and varied brilliant colouring, and + that wrathfulness that fits it so well and seems to give it additional + lustre. + </p> + <p> + Wonder-struck at the sight of her strange beauty and passion, I forgot the + advancing snake until she came to a stop at about five yards from me; then + to my horror I saw that it was beside her naked feet. Although no longer + advancing, the head was still raised high as if to strike; but presently + the spirit of anger appeared to die out of it; the lifted head, + oscillating a little from side to side, sunk down lower and lower to rest + finally on the girl’s bare instep; and lying there motionless, the deadly + thing had the appearance of a gaily coloured silken garter just dropped + from her leg. It was plain to see that she had no fear of it, that she was + one of those exceptional persons, to be found, it is said, in all + countries, who possess some magnetic quality which has a soothing effect + on even the most venomous and irritable reptiles. + </p> + <p> + Following the direction of my eyes, she too glanced down, but did not move + her foot; then she made her voice heard again, still loud and sharp, but + the anger was not now so pronounced. + </p> + <p> + “Do not fear, I shall not harm it,” I said in the Indian tongue. + </p> + <p> + She took no notice of my speech and continued speaking with increasing + resentment. + </p> + <p> + I shook my head, replying that her language was unknown to me. Then by + means of signs I tried to make her understand that the creature was safe + from further molestation. She pointed indignantly at the stone in my hand, + which I had forgotten all about. At once I threw it from me, and instantly + there was a change; the resentment had vanished, and a tender radiance lit + her face like a smile. + </p> + <p> + I advanced a little nearer, addressing her once more in the Indian tongue; + but my speech was evidently unintelligible to her, as she stood now + glancing at the snake lying at her feet, now at me. Again I had recourse + to signs and gestures; pointing to the snake, then to the stone I had cast + away, I endeavoured to convey to her that in the future I would for her + sake be a friend to all venomous reptiles, and that I wished her to have + the same kindly feelings towards me as towards these creatures. Whether or + not she understood me, she showed no disposition to go into hiding again, + and continued silently regarding me with a look that seemed to express + pleasure at finding herself at last thus suddenly brought face to face + with me. Flattered at this, I gradually drew nearer until at the last I + was standing at her side, gazing down with the utmost delight into that + face which so greatly surpassed in loveliness all human faces I had ever + seen or imagined. + </p> + <p> + And yet to you, my friend, it probably will not seem that she was so + beautiful, since I have, alas! only the words we all use to paint + commoner, coarser things, and no means to represent all the exquisite + details, all the delicate lights, and shades, and swift changes of colour + and expression. Moreover, is it not a fact that the strange or unheard of + can never appear beautiful in a mere description, because that which is + most novel in it attracts too much attention and is given undue prominence + in the picture, and we miss that which would have taken away the effect of + strangeness—the perfect balance of the parts and harmony of the + whole? For instance, the blue eyes of the northerner would, when first + described to the black-eyed inhabitants of warm regions, seem unbeautiful + and a monstrosity, because they would vividly see with the mental vision + that unheard-of blueness, but not in the same vivid way the accompanying + flesh and hair tints with which it harmonizes. + </p> + <p> + Think, then, less of the picture as I have to paint it in words than of + the feeling its original inspired in me when, looking closely for the + first time on that rare loveliness, trembling with delight, I mentally + cried: “Oh, why has Nature, maker of so many types and of innumerable + individuals of each, given to the world but one being like this?” + </p> + <p> + Scarcely had the thought formed itself in my mind before I dismissed it as + utterly incredible. No, this exquisite being was without doubt one of a + distinct race which had existed in this little-known corner of the + continent for thousands of generations, albeit now perhaps reduced to a + small and dwindling remnant. + </p> + <p> + Her figure and features were singularly delicate, but it was her colour + that struck me most, which indeed made her differ from all other human + beings. The colour of the skin would be almost impossible to describe, so + greatly did it vary with every change of mood—and the moods were + many and transient—and with the angle on which the sunlight touched + it, and the degree of light. + </p> + <p> + Beneath the trees, at a distance, it had seemed a somewhat dim white or + pale grey; near in the strong sunshine it was not white, but alabastrian, + semi-pellucid, showing an underlying rose colour; and at any point where + the rays fell direct this colour was bright and luminous, as we see in our + fingers when held before a strong firelight. But that part of her skin + that remained in shadow appeared of a dimmer white, and the underlying + colour varied from dim, rosy purple to dim blue. With the skin the colour + of the eyes harmonized perfectly. At first, when lit with anger, they had + appeared flame-like; now the iris was of a peculiar soft or dim and tender + red, a shade sometimes seen in flowers. But only when looked closely at + could this delicate hue be discerned, the pupils being large, as in some + grey eyes, and the long, dark, shading lashes at a short distance made the + whole eye appear dark. Think not, then, of the red flower, exposed to the + light and sun in conjunction with the vivid green of the foliage; think + only of such a hue in the half-hidden iris, brilliant and moist with the + eye’s moisture, deep with the eye’s depth, glorified by the outward look + of a bright, beautiful soul. Most variable of all in colour was the hair, + this being due to its extreme fineness and glossiness, and to its + elasticity, which made it lie fleecy and loose on head, shoulders, and + back; a cloud with a brightness on its surface made by the freer outer + hairs, a fit setting and crown for a countenance of such rare changeful + loveliness. In the shade, viewed closely, the general colour appeared a + slate, deepening in places to purple; but even in the shade the nimbus of + free flossy hairs half veiled the darker tints with a downy pallor; and at + a distance of a few yards it gave the whole hair a vague, misty + appearance. In the sunlight the colour varied more, looking now dark, + sometimes intensely black, now of a light uncertain hue, with a play of + iridescent colour on the loose surface, as we see on the glossed plumage + of some birds; and at a short distance, with the sun shining full on her + head, it sometimes looked white as a noonday cloud. So changeful was it + and ethereal in appearance with its cloud colours that all other human + hair, even of the most beautiful golden shades, pale or red, seemed heavy + and dull and dead-looking by comparison. + </p> + <p> + But more than form and colour and that enchanting variability was the look + of intelligence, which at the same time seemed complementary to and one + with the all-seeing, all-hearing alertness appearing in her face; the + alertness one remarks in a wild creature, even when in repose and fearing + nothing; but seldom in man, never perhaps in intellectual or studious man. + She was a wild, solitary girl of the woods, and did not understand the + language of the country in which I had addressed her. What inner or mind + life could such a one have more than that of any wild animal existing in + the same conditions? Yet looking at her face it was not possible to doubt + its intelligence. This union in her of two opposite qualities, which, with + us, cannot or do not exist together, although so novel, yet struck me as + the girl’s principal charm. Why had Nature not done this before—why + in all others does the brightness of the mind dim that beautiful physical + brightness which the wild animals have? But enough for me that that which + no man had ever looked for or hoped to find existed here; that through + that unfamiliar lustre of the wild life shone the spiritualizing light of + mind that made us kin. + </p> + <p> + These thoughts passed swiftly through my brain as I stood feasting my + sight on her bright, piquant face; while she on her part gazed back into + my eyes, not only with fearless curiosity, but with a look of recognition + and pleasure at the encounter so unmistakably friendly that, encouraged by + it, I took her arm in my hand, moving at the same time a little nearer to + her. At that moment a swift, startled expression came into her eyes; she + glanced down and up again into my face; her lips trembled and slightly + parted as she murmured some sorrowful sounds in a tone so low as to be + only just audible. + </p> + <p> + Thinking she had become alarmed and was on the point of escaping out of my + hands, and fearing, above all things, to lose sight of her again so soon, + I slipped my arm around her slender body to detain her, moving one foot at + the same time to balance myself; and at that moment I felt a slight blow + and a sharp burning sensation shoot into my leg, so sudden and intense + that I dropped my arm, at the same time uttering a cry of pain, and + recoiled one or two paces from her. But she stirred not when I released + her; her eyes followed my movements; then she glanced down at her feet. I + followed her look, and figure to yourself my horror when I saw there the + serpent I had so completely forgotten, and which even that sting of sharp + pain had not brought back to remembrance! There it lay, a coil of its own + thrown round one of her ankles, and its head, raised nearly a foot high, + swaying slowly from side to side, while the swift forked tongue flickered + continuously. Then—only then—I knew what had happened, and at + the same time I understood the reason of that sudden look of alarm in her + face, the murmuring sounds she had uttered, and the downward startled + glance. Her fears had been solely for my safety, and she had warned me! + Too late! too late! In moving I had trodden on or touched the serpent with + my foot, and it had bitten me just above the ankle. In a few moments I + began to realize the horror of my position. “Must I die! must I die! Oh, + my God, is there nothing that can save me?” I cried in my heart. + </p> + <p> + She was still standing motionless in the same place: her eyes wandered + back from me to the snake; gradually its swaying head was lowered again, + and the coil unwound from her ankle; then it began to move away, slowly at + first, and with the head a little raised, then faster, and in the end it + glided out of sight. Gone!—but it had left its venom in my blood—O + cursed reptile! + </p> + <p> + Back from watching its retreat, my eyes returned to her face, now + strangely clouded with trouble; her eyes dropped before mine, while the + palms of her hands were pressed together, and the fingers clasped and + unclasped alternately. How different she seemed now; the brilliant face + grown so pallid and vague-looking! But not only because this tragic end to + our meeting had pierced her with pain: that cloud in the west had grown up + and now covered half the sky with vast lurid masses of vapour, blotting + out the sun, and a great gloom had fallen on the earth. + </p> + <p> + That sudden twilight and a long roll of approaching thunder, reverberating + from the hills, increased my anguish and desperation. Death at that moment + looked unutterably terrible. The remembrance of all that made life dear + pierced me to the core—all that nature was to me, all the pleasures + of sense and intellect, the hopes I had cherished—all was revealed + to me as by a flash of lightning. Bitterest of all was the thought that I + must now bid everlasting farewell to this beautiful being I had found in + the solitude—this lustrous daughter of the Didi—just when I had won + her from her shyness—that I must go away into the cursed blackness + of death and never know the mystery of her life! It was that which utterly + unnerved me, and made my legs tremble under me, and brought great drops of + sweat to my forehead, until I thought that the venom was already doing its + swift, fatal work in my veins. + </p> + <p> + With uncertain steps I moved to a stone a yard or two away and sat down + upon it. As I did so the hope came to me that this girl, so intimate with + nature, might know of some antidote to save me. Touching my leg, and using + other signs, I addressed her again in the Indian language. + </p> + <p> + “The snake has bitten me,” I said. “What shall I do? Is there no leaf, no + root you know that would save me from death? Help me! help me!” I cried in + despair. + </p> + <p> + My signs she probably understood if not my words, but she made no reply; + and still she remained standing motionless, twisting and untwisting her + fingers, and regarding me with a look of ineffable grief and compassion. + </p> + <p> + Alas! It was vain to appeal to her: she knew what had happened, and what + the result would most likely be, and pitied, but was powerless to help me. + Then it occurred to me that if I could reach the Indian village before the + venom overpowered me something might be done to save me. Oh, why had I + tarried so long, losing so many precious minutes! Large drops of rain were + falling now, and the gloom was deeper, and the thunder almost continuous. + With a cry of anguish I started to my feet and was about to rush away + towards the village when a dazzling flash of lightning made me pause for a + moment. When it vanished I turned a last look on the girl, and her face + was deathly pale, and her hair looked blacker than night; and as she + looked she stretched out her arms towards me and uttered a low, wailing + cry. “Good-bye for ever!” I murmured, and turning once more from her, + rushed away like one crazed into the wood. But in my confusion I had + probably taken the wrong direction, for instead of coming out in a few + minutes into the open border of the forest, and on to the savannah, I + found myself every moment getting deeper among the trees. I stood still, + perplexed, but could not shake off the conviction that I had started in + the right direction. Eventually I resolved to keep on for a hundred yards + or so and then, if no opening appeared, to turn back and retrace my steps. + But this was no easy matter. I soon became entangled in a dense + undergrowth, which so confused me that at last I confessed despairingly to + myself that for the first time in this wood I was hopelessly lost. And in + what terrible circumstances! At intervals a flash of lightning would throw + a vivid blue glare down into the interior of the wood and only serve to + show that I had lost myself in a place where even at noon in cloudless + weather progress would be most difficult; and now the light would only + last a moment, to be followed by thick gloom; and I could only tear + blindly on, bruising and lacerating my flesh at every step, falling again + and again, only to struggle up and on again, now high above the surface, + climbing over prostrate trees and branches, now plunged to my middle in a + pool or torrent of water. + </p> + <p> + Hopeless—utterly hopeless seemed all my mad efforts; and at each + pause, when I would stand exhausted, gasping for breath, my throbbing + heart almost suffocating me, a dull, continuous, teasing pain in my bitten + leg served to remind me that I had but a little time left to exist—that + by delaying at first I had allowed my only chance of salvation to slip by. + </p> + <p> + How long a time I spent fighting my way through this dense black wood I + know not; perhaps two or three hours, only to me the hours seemed like + years of prolonged agony. At last, all at once, I found that I was free of + the close undergrowth and walking on level ground; but it was darker here + darker than the darkest night; and at length, when the lightning came and + flared down through the dense roof of foliage overhead, I discovered that + I was in a spot that had a strange look, where the trees were very large + and grew wide apart, and with no undergrowth to impede progress beneath + them. Here, recovering breath, I began to run, and after a while found + that I had left the large trees behind me, and was now in a more open + place, with small trees and bushes; and this made me hope for a while that + I had at last reached the border of the forest. But the hope proved vain; + once more I had to force my way through dense undergrowth, and finally + emerged on to a slope where it was open, and I could once more see for + some distance around me by such light as came through the thick pall of + clouds. Trudging on to the summit of the slope, I saw that there was open + savannah country beyond, and for a moment rejoiced that I had got free + from the forest. A few steps more, and I was standing on the very edge of + a bank, a precipice not less than fifty feet deep. I had never seen that + bank before, and therefore knew that I could not be on the right side of + the forest. But now my only hope was to get completely away from the trees + and then to look for the village, and I began following the bank in search + of a descent. No break occurred, and presently I was stopped by a dense + thicket of bushes. I was about to retrace my steps when I noticed that a + tall slender tree growing at the foot of the precipice, its green top not + more than a couple of yards below my feet, seemed to offer a means of + escape. Nerving myself with the thought that if I got crushed by the fall + I should probably escape a lingering and far more painful death, I dropped + into the cloud of foliage beneath me and clutched desperately at the twigs + as I fell. For a moment I felt myself sustained; but branch after branch + gave way beneath my weight, and then I only remember, very dimly, a swift + flight through the air before losing consciousness. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <p> + With the return of consciousness, I at first had a vague impression that I + was lying somewhere, injured, and incapable of motion; that it was night, + and necessary for me to keep my eyes fast shut to prevent them from being + blinded by almost continuous vivid flashes of lightning. Injured, and sore + all over, but warm and dry—surely dry; nor was it lightning that + dazzled, but firelight. I began to notice things little by little. The + fire was burning on a clay floor a few feet from where I was lying. Before + it, on a log of wood, sat or crouched a human figure. An old man, with + chin on breast and hands clasped before his drawn-up knees; only a small + portion of his forehead and nose visible to me. An Indian I took him to + be, from his coarse, lank, grey hair and dark brown skin. I was in a large + hut, falling at the sides to within two feet of the floor; but there were + no hammocks in it, nor bows and spears, and no skins, not even under me, + for I was lying on straw mats. I could hear the storm still raging + outside; the rush and splash of rain, and, at intervals, the distant growl + of thunder. There was wind, too; I listened to it sobbing in the trees, + and occasionally a puff found its way in, and blew up the white ashes at + the old man’s feet, and shook the yellow flames like a flag. I remembered + now how the storm began, the wild girl, the snake-bite, my violent efforts + to find a way out of the woods, and, finally, that leap from the bank + where recollection ended. That I had not been killed by the venomous + tooth, nor the subsequent fearful fall, seemed like a miracle to me. And + in that wild, solitary place, lying insensible, in that awful storm and + darkness, I had been found by a fellow creature—a savage, doubtless, + but a good Samaritan all the same—who had rescued me from death! I + was bruised all over and did not attempt to move, fearing the pain it + would give me; and I had a racking headache; but these seemed trifling + discomforts after such adventures and such perils. I felt that I had + recovered or was recovering from that venomous bite; that I would live and + not die—live to return to my country; and the thought filled my + heart to overflowing, and tears of gratitude and happiness rose to my + eyes. + </p> + <p> + At such times a man experiences benevolent feelings, and would willingly + bestow some of that overplus of happiness on his fellows to lighten other + hearts; and this old man before me, who was probably the instrument of my + salvation, began greatly to excite my interest and compassion. For he + seemed so poor in his old age and rags, so solitary and dejected as he sat + there with knees drawn up, his great, brown, bare feet looking almost + black by contrast with the white wood-ashes about them! What could I do + for him? What could I say to cheer his spirits in that Indian language, + which has few or no words to express kindly feelings? Unable to think of + anything better to say, I at length suddenly cried aloud: “Smoke, old man! + Why do you not smoke? It is good to smoke.” + </p> + <p> + He gave a mighty start and, turning, fixed his eyes on me. Then I saw that + he was not a pure Indian, for although as brown as old leather, he wore a + beard and moustache. A curious face had this old man, which looked as if + youth and age had made it a battling-ground. His forehead was smooth + except for two parallel lines in the middle running its entire length, + dividing it in zones; his arched eyebrows were black as ink, and his small + black eyes were bright and cunning, like the eyes of some wild carnivorous + animal. In this part of his face youth had held its own, especially in the + eyes, which looked young and lively. But lower down age had conquered, + scribbling his skin all over with wrinkles, while moustache and beard were + white as thistledown. “Aha, the dead man is alive again!” he exclaimed, + with a chuckling laugh. This in the Indian tongue; then in Spanish he + added: “But speak to me in the language you know best, senor; for if you + are not a Venezuelan call me an owl.” + </p> + <p> + “And you, old man?” said I. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, I was right! Why sir what I am is plainly written on my face. Surely + you do not take me for a pagan! I might be a black man from Africa, or an + Englishman, but an Indian—that, no! But a minute ago you had the + goodness to invite me to smoke. How, sir, can a poor man smoke who is + without tobacco?” + </p> + <p> + “Without tobacco—in Guayana!” + </p> + <p> + “Can you believe it? But, sir, do not blame me; if the beast that came one + night and destroyed my plants when ripe for cutting had taken pumpkins and + sweet potatoes instead, it would have been better for him, if curses have + any effect. And the plant grows slowly, sir—it is not an evil weed + to come to maturity in a single day. And as for other leaves in the + forest, I smoke them, yes; but there is no comfort to the lungs in such + smoke.” + </p> + <p> + “My tobacco-pouch was full,” I said. “You will find it in my coat, if I + did not lose it.” + </p> + <p> + “The saints forbid!” he exclaimed. “Grandchild—Rima, have you got a + tobacco-pouch with the other things? Give it to me.” + </p> + <p> + Then I first noticed that another person was in the hut, a slim young + girl, who had been seated against the wall on the other side of the fire, + partially hid by the shadows. She had my leather belt, with the revolver + in its case, and my hunting-knife attached, and the few articles I had had + in my pockets, on her lap. Taking up the pouch, she handed it to him, and + he clutched it with a strange eagerness. + </p> + <p> + “I will give it back presently, Rima,” he said. “Let me first smoke a + cigarette—and then another.” + </p> + <p> + It seemed probable from this that the good old man had already been + casting covetous eyes on my property, and that his granddaughter had taken + care of it for me. But how the silent, demure girl had kept it from him + was a puzzle, so intensely did he seem now to enjoy it, drawing the smoke + vigorously into his lungs and, after keeping it ten or fifteen seconds + there, letting it fly out again from mouth and nose in blue jets and + clouds. His face softened visibly, he became more and more genial and + loquacious, and asked me how I came to be in that solitary place. I told + him that I was staying with the Indian Runi, his neighbour. + </p> + <p> + “But, senor,” he said, “if it is not an impertinence, how is it that a + young man of so distinguished an appearance as yourself, a Venezuelan, + should be residing with these children of the devil?” + </p> + <p> + “You love not your neighbours, then?” + </p> + <p> + “I know them, sir—how should I love them?” He was rolling up his + second or third cigarette by this time, and I could not help noticing that + he took a great deal more tobacco than he required in his fingers, and + that the surplus on each occasion was conveyed to some secret receptacle + among his rags. “Love them, sir! They are infidels, and therefore the good + Christian must only hate them. They are thieves—they will steal from + you before your very face, so devoid are they of all shame. And also + murderers; gladly would they burn this poor thatch above my head, and kill + me and my poor grandchild, who shares this solitary life with me, if they + had the courage. But they are all arrant cowards, and fear to approach me—fear + even to come into this wood. You would laugh to hear what they are afraid + of—a child would laugh to hear it!” + </p> + <p> + “What do they fear?” I said, for his words had excited my interest in a + great degree. + </p> + <p> + “Why, sir, would you believe it? They fear this child—my + granddaughter, seated there before you. A poor innocent girl of seventeen + summers, a Christian who knows her Catechism, and would not harm the + smallest thing that God has made—no, not a fly, which is not + regarded on account of its smallness. Why, sir, it is due to her tender + heart that you are safely sheltered here, instead of being left out of + doors in this tempestuous night.” + </p> + <p> + “To her—to this girl?” I returned in astonishment. “Explain, old + man, for I do not know how I was saved.” + </p> + <p> + “Today, senor, through your own heedlessness you were bitten by a venomous + snake.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, that is true, although I do not know how it came to your knowledge. + But why am I not a dead man, then—have you done something to save me + from the effects of the poison?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing. What could I do so long after you were bitten? When a man is + bitten by a snake in a solitary place he is in God’s hands. He will live + or die as God wills. There is nothing to be done. But surely, sir, you + remember that my poor grandchild was with you in the wood when the snake + bit you?” + </p> + <p> + “A girl was there—a strange girl I have seen and heard before when I + have walked in the forest. But not this girl—surely not this girl!” + </p> + <p> + “No other,” said he, carefully rolling up another cigarette. + </p> + <p> + “It is not possible!” I returned. + </p> + <p> + “Ill would you have fared, sir, had she not been there. For after being + bitten, you rushed away into the thickest part of the wood, and went about + in a circle like a demented person for Heaven knows how long. But she + never left you; she was always close to you—you might have touched + her with your hand. And at last some good angel who was watching you, in + order to stop your career, made you mad altogether and caused you to jump + over a precipice and lose your senses. And you were no sooner on the + ground than she was with you—ask me not how she got down! And when + she had propped you up against the bank, she came for me. Fortunately the + spot where you had fallen is near—not five hundred yards from the + door. And I, on my part, was willing to assist her in saving you; for I + knew it was no Indian that had fallen, since she loves not that breed, and + they come not here. It was not an easy task, for you weigh, senor; but + between us we brought you in.” + </p> + <p> + While he spoke, the girl continued sitting in the same listless attitude + as when I first observed her, with eyes cast down and hands folded in her + lap. Recalling that brilliant being in the wood that had protected the + serpent from me and calmed its rage, I found it hard to believe his words, + and still felt a little incredulous. + </p> + <p> + “Rima—that is your name, is it not?” I said. “Will you come here and + stand before me, and let me look closely at you?” + </p> + <p> + “Si, senor.” she meekly answered; and removing the things from her lap, + she stood up; then, passing behind the old man, came and stood before me, + her eyes still bent on the ground—a picture of humility. + </p> + <p> + She had the figure of the forest girl, but wore now a scanty faded cotton + garment, while the loose cloud of hair was confined in two plaits and hung + down her back. The face also showed the same delicate lines, but of the + brilliant animation and variable colour and expression there appeared no + trace. Gazing at her countenance as she stood there silent, shy, and + spiritless before me, the image of her brighter self came vividly to my + mind and I could not recover from the astonishment I felt at such a + contrast. + </p> + <p> + Have you ever observed a humming-bird moving about in an aerial dance + among the flowers—a living prismatic gem that changes its colour + with every change of position—how in turning it catches the sunshine + on its burnished neck and gorges plumes—green and gold and + flame-coloured, the beams changing to visible flakes as they fall, + dissolving into nothing, to be succeeded by others and yet others? In its + exquisite form, its changeful splendour, its swift motions and intervals + of aerial suspension, it is a creature of such fairy-like loveliness as to + mock all description. And have you seen this same fairy-like creature + suddenly perch itself on a twig, in the shade, its misty wings and + fan-like tail folded, the iridescent glory vanished, looking like some + common dull-plumaged little bird sitting listless in a cage? Just so great + was the difference in the girl as I had seen her in the forest and as she + now appeared under the smoky roof in the firelight. + </p> + <p> + After watching her for some moments, I spoke: “Rima, there must be a good + deal of strength in that frame of yours, which looks so delicate; will you + raise me up a little?” + </p> + <p> + She went down on one knee and, placing her arms round me, assisted me to a + sitting posture. + </p> + <p> + “Thank you, Rima—oh, misery!” I groaned. “Is there a bone left + unbroken in my poor body?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing broken,” cried the old man, clouds of smoke flying out with his + words. “I have examined you well—legs, arms, ribs. For this is how + it was, senor. A thorny bush into which you fell saved you from being + flattened on the stony ground. But you are bruised, sir, black with + bruises; and there are more scratches of thorns on your skin than letters + on a written page.” + </p> + <p> + “A long thorn might have entered my brain,” I said, “from the way it + pains. Feel my forehead, Rima; is it very hot and dry?” + </p> + <p> + She did as I asked, touching me lightly with her little cool hand. “No, + senor, not hot, but warm and moist,” she said. + </p> + <p> + “Thank Heaven for that!” I said. “Poor girl! And you followed me through + the wood in all that terrible storm! Ah, if I could lift my bruised arm I + would take your hand to kiss it in gratitude for so great a service. I owe + you my life, sweet Rima—what shall I do to repay so great a debt?” + </p> + <p> + The old man chuckled as if amused, but the girl lifted not her eyes nor + spoke. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, sweet child,” I said, “for I cannot realize it yet; was it + really you that saved the serpent’s life when I would have killed it—did + you stand by me in the wood with the serpent lying at your feet?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, senor,” came her gentle answer. + </p> + <p> + “And it was you I saw in the wood one day, lying on the ground playing + with a small bird?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, senor.” + </p> + <p> + “And it was you that followed me so often among the trees, calling to me, + yet always hiding so that I could never see you?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, senor.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, this is wonderful!” I exclaimed; whereat the old man chuckled again. + </p> + <p> + “But tell me this, my sweet girl,” I continued. “You never addressed me in + Spanish; what strange musical language was it you spoke to me in?” + </p> + <p> + She shot a timid glance at my face and looked troubled at the question, + but made no reply. + </p> + <p> + “Senor,” said the old man, “that is a question which you must excuse my + child from answering. Not, sir, from want of will, for she is docile and + obedient, though I say it, but there is no answer beyond what I can tell + you. And this is, sir, that all creatures, whether man or bird, have the + voice that God has given them; and in some the voice is musical and in + others not so.” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, old man,” said I to myself; “there let the matter rest for the + present. But if I am destined to live and not die, I shall not long remain + satisfied with your too simple explanation.” + </p> + <p> + “Rima,” I said, “you must be fatigued; it is thoughtless of me to keep you + standing here so long.” + </p> + <p> + Her face brightened a little, and bending down, she replied in a low + voice: “I am not fatigued, sir. Let me get you something to eat now.” + </p> + <p> + She moved quickly away to the fire, and presently returned with an + earthenware dish of roasted pumpkin and sweet potatoes and, kneeling at my + side, fed me deftly with a small wooden spoon. I did not feel grieved at + the absence of meat and the stinging condiments the Indians love, nor did + I even remark that there was no salt in the vegetables, so much was I + taken up with watching her beautiful delicate face while she ministered to + me. The exquisite fragrance of her breath was more to me than the most + delicious viands could have been; and it was a delight each time she + raised the spoon to my mouth to catch a momentary glimpse of her eyes, + which now looked dark as wine when we lift the glass to see the ruby gleam + of light within the purple. But she never for a moment laid aside the + silent, meek, constrained manner; and when I remembered her bursting out + in her brilliant wrath on me, pouring forth that torrent of stinging + invective in her mysterious language, I was lost in wonder and admiration + at the change in her, and at her double personality. Having satisfied my + wants, she moved quietly away and, raising a straw mat, disappeared behind + it into her own sleeping-apartment, which was divided off by a partition + from the room I was in. + </p> + <p> + The old man’s sleeping-place was a wooden cot or stand on the opposite + side of the room, but he was in no hurry to sleep, and after Rima had left + us, put a fresh log on the blaze and lit another cigarette. Heaven knows + how many he had smoked by this time. He became very talkative and called + to his side his two dogs, which I had not noticed in the room before, for + me to see. It amused me to hear their names—Susio and Goloso: Dirty + and Greedy. They were surly-looking brutes, with rough yellow hair, and + did not win my heart, but according to his account they possessed all the + usual canine virtues; and he was still holding forth on the subject when I + fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <p> + When morning came I was too stiff and sore to move, and not until the + following day was I able to creep out to sit in the shade of the trees. My + old host, whose name was Nuflo, went off with his dogs, leaving the girl + to attend to my wants. Two or three times during the day she appeared to + serve me with food and drink, but she continued silent and constrained in + manner as on the first evening of seeing her in the hut. + </p> + <p> + Late in the afternoon old Nuflo returned, but did not say where he had + been; and shortly afterwards Rima reappeared, demure as usual, in her + faded cotton dress, her cloud of hair confined in two long plaits. My + curiosity was more excited than ever, and I resolved to get to the bottom + of the mystery of her life. The girl had not shown herself responsive, but + now that Nuflo was back I was treated to as much talk as I cared to hear. + He talked of many things, only omitting those which I desired to hear + about; but his pet subject appeared to be the divine government of the + world—“God’s politics”—and its manifest imperfections, or, in + other words, the manifold abuses which from time to time had been allowed + to creep into it. The old man was pious, but like many of his class in my + country, he permitted himself to indulge in very free criticisms of the + powers above, from the King of Heaven down to the smallest saint whose + name figures in the calendar. + </p> + <p> + “These things, senor,” he said, “are not properly managed. Consider my + position. Here am I compelled for my sins to inhabit this wilderness with + my poor granddaughter—” + </p> + <p> + “She is not your granddaughter!” I suddenly interrupted, thinking to + surprise him into an admission. + </p> + <p> + But he took his time to answer. “Senor, we are never sure of anything in + this world. Not absolutely sure. Thus, it may come to pass that you will + one day marry, and that your wife will in due time present you with a son—one + that will inherit your fortune and transmit your name to posterity. And + yet, sir, in this world, you will never know to a certainty that he is + your son.” + </p> + <p> + “Proceed with what you were saying,” I returned, with some dignity. + </p> + <p> + “Here we are,” he continued, “compelled to inhabit this land and do not + meet with proper protection from the infidel. Now, sir, this is a crying + evil, and it is only becoming in one who has the true faith, and is a + loyal subject of the All-Powerful, to point out with due humility that He + is growing very remiss in His affairs, and is losing a good deal of His + prestige. And what, senor, is at the bottom of it? Favoritism. We know + that the Supreme cannot Himself be everywhere, attending to each little + trick-track that arises in the world—matters altogether beneath His + notice; and that He must, like the President of Venezuela or the Emperor + of Brazil, appoint men—angels if you like—to conduct His + affairs and watch over each district. And it is manifest that for this + country of Guayana the proper person has not been appointed. Every evil is + done and there is no remedy, and the Christian has no more consideration + shown him than the infidel. Now, senor, in a town near the Orinoco I once + saw on a church the archangel Michael, made of stone, and twice as tall as + a man, with one foot on a monster shaped like a cayman, but with bat’s + wings, and a head and neck like a serpent. Into this monster he was + thrusting his spear. That is the kind of person that should be sent to + rule these latitudes—a person of firmness and resolution, with + strength in his wrist. And yet it is probable that this very man—this + St. Michael—is hanging about the palace, twirling his thumbs, + waiting for an appointment, while other weaker men, and—Heaven + forgive me for saying it—not above a bribe, perhaps, are sent out to + rule over this province.” + </p> + <p> + On this string he would harp by the hour; it was a lofty subject on which + he had pondered much in his solitary life, and he was glad of an + opportunity of ventilating his grievance and expounding his views. At + first it was a pure pleasure to hear Spanish again, and the old man, + albeit ignorant of letters, spoke well; but this, I may say, is a common + thing in our country, where the peasant’s quickness of intelligence and + poetic feeling often compensate for want of instruction. His views also + amused me, although they were not novel. But after a while I grew tired of + listening, yet I listened still, agreeing with him, and leading him on to + let him have his fill of talk, always hoping that he would come at last to + speak of personal matters and give me an account of his history and of + Rima’s origin. But the hope proved vain; not a word to enlighten me would + he drop, however cunningly I tempted him. + </p> + <p> + “So be it,” thought I; “but if you are cunning, old man, I shall be + cunning too—and patient; for all things come to him who waits.” + </p> + <p> + He was in no hurry to get rid of me. On the contrary, he more than hinted + that I would be safer under his roof than with the Indians, at the same + time apologizing for not giving me meat to eat. + </p> + <p> + “But why do you not have meat? Never have I seen animals so abundant and + tame as in this wood.” Before he could reply Rima, with a jug of water + from the spring in her hand, came in; glancing at me, he lifted his finger + to signify that such a subject must not be discussed in her presence; but + as soon as she quitted the room he returned to it. + </p> + <p> + “Senor,” he said, “have you forgotten your adventure with the snake? Know, + then, that my grandchild would not live with me for one day longer if I + were to lift my hand against any living creature. For us, senor, every day + is fast-day—only without the fish. We have maize, pumpkin, cassava, + potatoes, and these suffice. And even of these cultivated fruits of the + earth she eats but little in the house, preferring certain wild berries + and gums, which are more to her taste, and which she picks here and there + in her rambles in the wood. And I, sir, loving her as I do, whatever my + inclination may be, shed no blood and eat no flesh.” + </p> + <p> + I looked at him with an incredulous smile. + </p> + <p> + “And your dogs, old man?” + </p> + <p> + “My dogs? Sir, they would not pause or turn aside if a coatimundi crossed + their path—an animal with a strong odour. As a man is, so is his + dog. Have you not seen dogs eating grass, sir, even in Venezuela, where + these sentiments do not prevail? And when there is no meat—when meat + is forbidden—these sagacious animals accustom themselves to a + vegetable diet.” + </p> + <p> + I could not very well tell the old man that he was lying to me—that + would have been bad policy—and so I passed it off. “I have no doubt + that you are right,” I said. “I have heard that there are dogs in China + that eat no meat, but are themselves eaten by their owners after being + fattened on rice. I should not care to dine on one of your animals, old + man.” + </p> + <p> + He looked at them critically and replied: “Certainly they are lean.” + </p> + <p> + “I was thinking less of their leanness than of their smell,” I returned. + “Their odour when they approach me is not flowery, but resembles that of + other dogs which feed on flesh, and have offended my too sensitive + nostrils even in the drawing-rooms of Caracas. It is not like the + fragrance of cattle when they return from the pasture.” + </p> + <p> + “Every animal,” he replied, “gives out that odour which is peculiar to its + kind”; an incontrovertible fact which left me nothing to say. + </p> + <p> + When I had sufficiently recovered the suppleness of my limbs to walk with + ease, I went for a ramble in the wood, in the hope that Rima would + accompany me, and that out among the trees she would cast aside that + artificial constraint and shyness which was her manner in the house. + </p> + <p> + It fell out just as I had expected; she accompanied me in the sense of + being always near me, or within earshot, and her manner was now free and + unconstrained as I could wish; but little or nothing was gained by the + change. She was once more the tantalizing, elusive, mysterious creature I + had first known through her wandering, melodious voice. The only + difference was that the musical, inarticulate sounds were now less often + heard, and that she was no longer afraid to show herself to me. This for a + short time was enough to make me happy, since no lovelier being was ever + looked upon, nor one whose loveliness was less likely to lose its charm + through being often seen. + </p> + <p> + But to keep her near me or always in sight was, I found, impossible: she + would be free as the wind, free as the butterfly, going and coming at her + wayward will, and losing herself from sight a dozen times every hour. To + induce her to walk soberly at my side or sit down and enter into + conversation with me seemed about as impracticable as to tame the + fiery-hearted little humming-bird that flashes into sight, remains + suspended motionless for a few seconds before your face, then, quick as + lightning, vanishes again. + </p> + <p> + At length, feeling convinced that she was most happy when she had me out + following her in the wood, that in spite of her bird-like wildness she had + a tender, human heart, which was easily moved, I determined to try to draw + her closer by means of a little innocent stratagem. Going out in the + morning, after calling her several times to no purpose, I began to assume + a downcast manner, as if suffering pain or depressed with grief; and at + last, finding a convenient exposed root under a tree, on a spot where the + ground was dry and strewn with loose yellow sand, I sat down and refused + to go any further. For she always wanted to lead me on and on, and + whenever I paused she would return to show herself, or to chide or + encourage me in her mysterious language. All her pretty little arts were + now practiced in vain: with cheek resting on my hand, I still sat. + </p> + <p> + So my eyes fixed on that patch of yellow sand at my feet, watching how the + small particles glinted like diamond dust when the sunlight touched them. + A full hour passed in this way, during which I encouraged myself by saying + mentally: “This is a contest between us, and the most patient and the + strongest of will, which should be the man, must conquer. And if I win on + this occasion, it will be easier for me in the future—easier to + discover those things which I am resolved to know, and the girl must + reveal to me, since the old man has proved impracticable.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile she came and went and came again; and at last, finding that I + was not to be moved, she approached and stood near me. Her face, when I + glanced at it, had a somewhat troubled look—both troubled and + curious. + </p> + <p> + “Come here, Rima,” I said, “and stay with me for a little while—I + cannot follow you now.” + </p> + <p> + She took one or two hesitating steps, then stood still again; and at + length, slowly and reluctantly, advanced to within a yard of me. Then I + rose from my seat on the root, so as to catch her face better, and placed + my hand against the rough bark of the tree. + </p> + <p> + “Rima,” I said, speaking in a low, caressing tone, “will you stay with me + here a little while and talk to me, not in your language, but in mine, so + that I may understand? Will you listen when I speak to you, and answer + me?” + </p> + <p> + Her lips moved, but made no sound. She seemed strangely disquieted, and + shook back her loose hair, and with her small toes moved the sparkling + sand at her feet, and once or twice her eyes glanced shyly at my face. + </p> + <p> + “Rima, you have not answered me,” I persisted. “Will you not say yes?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Where does your grandfather spend his day when he goes out with his + dogs?” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head slightly, but would not speak. + </p> + <p> + “Have you no mother, Rima? Do you remember your mother?” + </p> + <p> + “My mother! My mother!” she exclaimed in a low voice, but with a sudden, + wonderful animation. Bending a little nearer, she continued: “Oh, she is + dead! Her body is in the earth and turned to dust. Like that,” and she + moved the loose sand with her foot. “Her soul is up there, where the stars + and the angels are, grandfather says. But what is that to me? I am here—am + I not? I talk to her just the same. Everything I see I point out, and tell + her everything. In the daytime—in the woods, when we are together. + And at night when I lie down I cross my arms on my breast—so, and + say: ‘Mother, mother, now you are in my arms; let us go to sleep + together.’ Sometimes I say: ‘Oh, why will you never answer me when I speak + and speak?’ Mother—mother—mother!” + </p> + <p> + At the end her voice suddenly rose to a mournful cry, then sunk, and at + the last repetition of the word died to a low whisper. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, poor Rima! she is dead and cannot speak to you—cannot hear you! + Talk to me, Rima; I am living and can answer.” + </p> + <p> + But now the cloud, which had suddenly lifted from her heart, letting me + see for a moment into its mysterious depths—its fancies so childlike + and feelings so intense—had fallen again; and my words brought no + response, except a return of that troubled look to her face. + </p> + <p> + “Silent still?” I said. “Talk to me, then, of your mother, Rima. Do you + know that you will see her again some day?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, when I die. That is what the priest said.” + </p> + <p> + “The priest?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, at Voa—do you know? Mother died there when I was small—it + is so far away! And there are thirteen houses by the side of the river—just + here; and on this side—trees, trees.” + </p> + <p> + This was important, I thought, and would lead to the very knowledge I + wished for; so I pressed her to tell me more about the settlement she had + named, and of which I had never heard. + </p> + <p> + “Everything have I told you,” she returned, surprised that I did not know + that she had exhausted the subject in those half-dozen words she had + spoken. + </p> + <p> + Obliged to shift my ground, I said at a venture: “Tell me, what do you ask + of the Virgin Mother when you kneel before her picture? Your grandfather + told me that you had a picture in your little room.” + </p> + <p> + “You know!” flashed out her answer, with something like resentment. + </p> + <p> + “It is all there in there,” waving her hand towards the hut. “Out here in + the wood it is all gone—like this,” and stooping quickly, she raised + a little yellow sand on her palm, then let it run away through her + fingers. + </p> + <p> + Thus she illustrated how all the matters she had been taught slipped from + her mind when she was out of doors, out of sight of the picture. After an + interval she added: “Only mother is here—always with me.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, poor Rima!” I said; “alone without a mother, and only your old + grandfather! He is old—what will you do when he dies and flies away + to the starry country where your mother is?” + </p> + <p> + She looked inquiringly at me, then made answer in a low voice: “You are + here.” + </p> + <p> + “But when I go away?” + </p> + <p> + She was silent; and not wishing to dwell on a subject that seemed to pain + her, I continued: “Yes, I am here now, but you will not stay with me and + talk freely! Will it always be the same if I remain with you? Why are you + always so silent in the house, so cold with your old grandfather? So + different—so full of life, like a bird, when you are alone in the + woods? Rima, speak to me! Am I no more to you than your old grandfather? + Do you not like me to talk to you?” + </p> + <p> + She appeared strangely disturbed at my words. “Oh, you are not like him,” + she suddenly replied. “Sitting all day on a log by the fire—all day, + all day; Goloso and Susio lying beside him—sleep, sleep. Oh, when I + saw you in the wood I followed you, and talked and talked; still no + answer. Why will you not come when I call? To me!” Then, mocking my voice: + “Rima, Rima! Come here! Do this! Say that! Rima! Rima! It is nothing, + nothing—it is not you,” pointing to my mouth, and then, as if + fearing that her meaning had not been made clear, suddenly touching my + lips with her finger. “Why do you not answer me?—speak to me—speak + to me, like this!” And turning a little more towards me, and glancing at + me with eyes that had all at once changed, losing their clouded expression + for one of exquisite tenderness, from her lips came a succession of those + mysterious sounds which had first attracted me to her, swift and low and + bird-like, yet with something so much higher and more soul-penetrating + than any bird-music. Ah, what feeling and fancies, what quaint turns of + expression, unfamiliar to my mind, were contained in those sweet, wasted + symbols! I could never know—never come to her when she called, or + respond to her spirit. To me they would always be inarticulate sounds, + affecting me like a tender spiritual music—a language without words, + suggesting more than words to the soul. + </p> + <p> + The mysterious speech died down to a lisping sound, like the faint note of + some small bird falling from a cloud of foliage on the topmost bough of a + tree; and at the same time that new light passed from her eyes, and she + half averted her face in a disappointed way. + </p> + <p> + “Rima,” I said at length, a new thought coming to my aid, “it is true that + I am not here,” touching my lips as she had done, “and that my words are + nothing. But look into my eyes, and you will see me there—all, all + that is in my heart.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, I know what I should see there!” she returned quickly. + </p> + <p> + “What would you see—tell me?” + </p> + <p> + “There is a little black ball in the middle of your eye; I should see + myself in it no bigger than that,” and she marked off about an eighth of + her little fingernail. “There is a pool in the wood, and I look down and + see myself there. That is better. Just as large as I am—not small + and black like a small, small fly.” And after saying this a little + disdainfully, she moved away from my side and out into the sunshine; and + then, half turning towards me, and glancing first at my face and then + upwards, she raised her hand to call my attention to something there. + </p> + <p> + Far up, high as the tops of the tallest trees, a great blue-winged + butterfly was passing across the open space with loitering flight. In a + few moments it was gone over the trees; then she turned once more to me + with a little rippling sound of laughter—the first I had heard from + her, and called: “Come, come!” + </p> + <p> + I was glad enough to go with her then; and for the next two hours we + rambled together in the wood; that is, together in her way, for though + always near she contrived to keep out of my sight most of the time. She + was evidently now in a gay, frolicsome temper; again and again, when I + looked closely into some wide-spreading bush, or peered behind a tree, + when her calling voice had sounded, her rippling laughter would come to me + from some other spot. At length, somewhere about the centre of the wood, + she led me to an immense mora tree, growing almost isolated, covering with + its shade a large space of ground entirely free from undergrowth. At this + spot she all at once vanished from my side; and after listening and + watching some time in vain, I sat down beside the giant trunk to wait for + her. Very soon I heard a low, warbling sound which seemed quite near. + </p> + <p> + “Rima! Rima!” I called, and instantly my call was repeated like an echo. + Again and again I called, and still the words flew back to me, and I could + not decide whether it was an echo or not. Then I gave up calling; and + presently the low, warbling sound was repeated, and I knew that Rima was + somewhere near me. + </p> + <p> + “Rima, where are you?” I called. + </p> + <p> + “Rima, where are you?” came the answer. + </p> + <p> + “You are behind the tree.” + </p> + <p> + “You are behind the tree.” + </p> + <p> + “I shall catch you, Rima.” And this time, instead of repeating my words, + she answered: “Oh no.” + </p> + <p> + I jumped up and ran round the tree, feeling sure that I should find her. + It was about thirty-five or forty feet in circumference; and after going + round two or three times, I turned and ran the other way, but failing to + catch a glimpse of her I at last sat down again. + </p> + <p> + “Rima, Rima!” sounded the mocking voice as soon as I had sat down. “Where + are you, Rima? I shall catch you, Rima! Have you caught Rima?” + </p> + <p> + “No, I have not caught her. There is no Rima now. She has faded away like + a rainbow—like a drop of dew in the sun. I have lost her; I shall go + to sleep.” And stretching myself out at full length under the tree, I + remained quiet for two or three minutes. Then a slight rustling sound was + heard, and I looked eagerly round for her. But the sound was overhead and + caused by a great avalanche of leaves which began to descend on me from + that vast leafy canopy above. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, little spider-monkey—little green tree-snake—you are + there!” But there was no seeing her in that immense aerial palace hung + with dim drapery of green and copper-coloured leaves. But how had she got + there? Up the stupendous trunk even a monkey could not have climbed, and + there were no lianas dropping to earth from the wide horizontal branches + that I could see; but by and by, looking further away, I perceived that on + one side the longest lower branches reached and mingled with the shorter + boughs of the neighbouring trees. While gazing up I heard her low, + rippling laugh, and then caught sight of her as she ran along an exposed + horizontal branch, erect on her feet; and my heart stood still with + terror, for she was fifty to sixty feet above the ground. In another + moment she vanished from sight in a cloud of foliage, and I saw no more of + her for about ten minutes, when all at once she appeared at my side once + more, having come round the trunk of the mora. Her face had a bright, + pleased expression, and showed no trace of fatigue or agitation. + </p> + <p> + I caught her hand in mine. It was a delicate, shapely little hand, soft as + velvet, and warm—a real human hand; only now when I held it did she + seem altogether like a human being and not a mocking spirit of the wood, a + daughter of the Didi. + </p> + <p> + “Do you like me to hold your hand, Rima?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she replied, with indifference. + </p> + <p> + “Is it I?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” This time as if it was small satisfaction to make acquaintance with + this purely physical part of me. + </p> + <p> + Having her so close gave me an opportunity of examining that light sheeny + garment she wore always in the woods. It felt soft and satiny to the + touch, and there was no seam nor hem in it that I could see, but it was + all in one piece, like the cocoon of the caterpillar. While I was feeling + it on her shoulder and looking narrowly at it, she glanced at me with a + mocking laugh in her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Is it silk?” I asked. Then, as she remained silent, I continued: “Where + did you get this dress, Rima? Did you make it yourself? Tell me.” + </p> + <p> + She answered not in words, but in response to my question a new look came + into her face; no longer restless and full of change in her expression, + she was now as immovable as an alabaster statue; not a silken hair on her + head trembled; her eyes were wide open, gazing fixedly before her; and + when I looked into them they seemed to see and yet not to see me. They + were like the clear, brilliant eyes of a bird, which reflect as in a + miraculous mirror all the visible world but do not return our look and + seem to see us merely as one of the thousand small details that make up + the whole picture. Suddenly she darted out her hand like a flash, making + me start at the unexpected motion, and quickly withdrawing it, held up a + finger before me. From its tip a minute gossamer spider, about twice the + bigness of a pin’s head, appeared suspended from a fine, scarcely visible + line three or four inches long. + </p> + <p> + “Look!” she exclaimed, with a bright glance at my face. + </p> + <p> + The small spider she had captured, anxious to be free, was falling, + falling earthward, but could not reach the surface. Leaning her shoulder a + little forward, she placed the finger-tip against it, but lightly, + scarcely touching, and moving continuously, with a motion rapid as that of + a fluttering moth’s wing; while the spider, still paying out his line, + remained suspended, rising and falling slightly at nearly the same + distance from the ground. After a few moments she cried: “Drop down, + little spider.” Her finger’s motion ceased, and the minute captive fell, + to lose itself on the shaded ground. + </p> + <p> + “Do you not see?” she said to me, pointing to her shoulder. Just where the + finger-tip had touched the garment a round shining spot appeared, looking + like a silver coin on the cloth; but on touching it with my finger it + seemed part of the original fabric, only whiter and more shiny on the grey + ground, on account of the freshness of the web of which it had just been + made. + </p> + <p> + And so all this curious and pretty performance, which seemed instinctive + in its spontaneous quickness and dexterity, was merely intended to show me + how she made her garments out of the fine floating lines of small gossamer + spiders! + </p> + <p> + Before I could express my surprise and admiration she cried again, with + startling suddenness: “Look!” + </p> + <p> + A minute shadowy form darted by, appearing like a dim line traced across + the deep glossy more foliage, then on the lighter green foliage further + away. She waved her hand in imitation of its swift, curving flight; then, + dropping it, exclaimed: “Gone—oh, little thing!” + </p> + <p> + “What was it?” I asked, for it might have been a bird, a bird-like moth, + or a bee. + </p> + <p> + “Did you not see? And you asked me to look into your eyes!” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, little squirrel Sakawinki, you remind me of that!” I said, passing my + arm round her waist and drawing her a little closer. “Look into my eyes + now and see if I am blind, and if there is nothing in them except an image + of Rima like a small, small fly.” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head and laughed a little mockingly, but made no effort to + escape from my arm. + </p> + <p> + “Would you like me always to do what you wish, Rima—to follow you in + the woods when you say ‘Come’—to chase you round the tree to catch + you, and lie down for you to throw leaves on me, and to be glad when you + are glad?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let us make a compact. I shall do everything to please you, and you + must promise to do everything to please me.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “Little things, Rima—none so hard as chasing you round a tree. Only + to have you stand or sit by me and talk will make me happy. And to begin + you must call me by my name—Abel.” + </p> + <p> + “Is that your name? Oh, not your real name! Abel, Abel—what is that? + It says nothing. I have called you by so many names—twenty, thirty—and + no answer.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you? But, dearest girl, every person has a name, one name he is + called by. Your name, for instance, is Rima, is it not?” + </p> + <p> + “Rima! only Rima—to you? In the morning, in the evening... now in + this place and in a little while where know I? ... in the night when you + wake and it is dark, dark, and you see me all the same. Only Rima—oh, + how strange!” + </p> + <p> + “What else, sweet girl? Your grandfather Nuflo calls you Rima.” + </p> + <p> + “Nuflo?” She spoke as if putting a question to herself. “Is that an old + man with two dogs that lives somewhere in the wood?” And then, with sudden + petulance: “And you ask me to talk to you!” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Rima, what can I say to you? Listen—” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” she exclaimed, quickly turning and putting her fingers on my + mouth to stop my speech, while a sudden merry look shone in her eyes. “You + shall listen when I speak, and do all I say. And tell me what to do to + please you with your eyes—let me look in your eyes that are not + blind.” + </p> + <p> + She turned her face more towards me and with head a little thrown back and + inclined to one side, gazing now full into my eyes as I had wished her to + do. After a few moments she glanced away to the distant trees. But I could + see into those divine orbs, and knew that she was not looking at any + particular object. All the ever-varying expressions—inquisitive, + petulant, troubled, shy, frolicsome had now vanished from the still face, + and the look was inward and full of a strange, exquisite light, as if some + new happiness or hope had touched her spirit. + </p> + <p> + Sinking my voice to a whisper, I said: “Tell me what you have seen in my + eyes, Rima?” + </p> + <p> + She murmured in reply something melodious and inarticulate, then glanced + at my face in a questioning way; but only for a moment, then her sweet + eyes were again veiled under those drooping lashes. + </p> + <p> + “Listen, Rima,” I said. “Was that a humming-bird we saw a little while + ago? You are like that, now dark, a shadow in the shadow, seen for an + instant, and then—gone, oh, little thing! And now in the sunshine + standing still, how beautiful!—a thousand times more beautiful than + the humming-bird. Listen, Rima, you are like all beautiful things in the + wood—flower, and bird, and butterfly, and green leaf, and frond, and + little silky-haired monkey high up in the trees. When I look at you I see + them all—all and more, a thousand times, for I see Rima herself. And + when I listen to Rima’s voice, talking in a language I cannot understand, + I hear the wind whispering in the leaves, the gurgling running water, the + bee among the flowers, the organ-bird singing far, far away in the shadows + of the trees. I hear them all, and more, for I hear Rima. Do you + understand me now? Is it I speaking to you—have I answered you—have + I come to you?” + </p> + <p> + She glanced at me again, her lips trembling, her eyes now clouded with + some secret trouble. “Yes,” she replied in a whisper, and then: “No, it is + not you,” and after a moment, doubtfully: “Is it you?” + </p> + <p> + But she did not wait to be answered: in a moment she was gone round the + more; nor would she return again for all my calling. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <p> + That afternoon with Rima in the forest under the mora tree had proved so + delightful that I was eager for more rambles and talks with her, but the + variable little witch had a great surprise in store for me. All her wild + natural gaiety had unaccountably gone out of her: when I walked in the + shade she was there, but no longer as the blithe, fantastic being, bright + as an angel, innocent and affectionate as a child, tricksy as a monkey, + that had played at hide-and-seek with me. She was now my shy, silent + attendant, only occasionally visible, and appearing then like the + mysterious maid I had found reclining among the ferns who had melted away + mist-like from sight as I gazed. When I called she would not now answer as + formerly, but in response would appear in sight as if to assure me that I + had not been forsaken; and after a few moments her grey shadowy form would + once more vanish among the trees. The hope that as her confidence + increased and she grew accustomed to talk with me she would be brought to + reveal the story of her life had to be abandoned, at all events for the + present. I must, after all, get my information from Nuflo, or rest in + ignorance. The old man was out for the greater part of each day with his + dogs, and from these expeditions he brought back nothing that I could see + but a few nuts and fruits, some thin bark for his cigarettes, and an + occasional handful of haima gum to perfume the hut of an evening. After I + had wasted three days in vainly trying to overcome the girl’s now + inexplicable shyness, I resolved to give for a while my undivided + attention to her grandfather to discover, if possible, where he went and + how he spent his time. + </p> + <p> + My new game of hide-and-seek with Nuflo instead of with Rima began on the + following morning. He was cunning; so was I. Going out and concealing + myself among the bushes, I began to watch the hut. That I could elude + Rima’s keener eyes I doubted; but that did not trouble me. She was not in + harmony with the old man, and would do nothing to defeat my plan. I had + not been long in my hiding-place before he came out, followed by his two + dogs, and going to some distance from the door, he sat down on a log. For + some minutes he smoked, then rose, and after looking cautiously round + slipped away among the trees. I saw that he was going off in the direction + of the low range of rocky hills south of the forest. I knew that the + forest did not extend far in that direction, and thinking that I should be + able to catch a sight of him on its borders, I left the bushes and ran + through the trees as fast as I could to get ahead of him. Coming to where + the wood was very open, I found that a barren plain beyond it, a quarter + of a mile wide, separated it from the range of hills; thinking that the + old man might cross this open space, I climbed into a tree to watch. After + some time he appeared, walking rapidly among the trees, the dogs at his + heels, but not going towards the open plain; he had, it seemed, after + arriving at the edge of the wood, changed his direction and was going + west, still keeping in the shelter of the trees. When he had been gone + about five minutes, I dropped to the ground and started in pursuit; once + more I caught sight of him through the trees, and I kept him in sight for + about twenty minutes longer; then he came to a broad strip of dense wood + which extended into and through the range of hills, and here I quickly + lost him. Hoping still to overtake him, I pushed on, but after struggling + through the underwood for some distance, and finding the forest growing + more difficult as I progressed, I at last gave him up. Turning eastward, I + got out of the wood to find myself at the foot of a steep rough hill, one + of the range which the wooded valley cut through at right angles. It + struck me that it would be a good plan to climb the hill to get a view of + the forest belt in which I had lost the old man; and after walking a short + distance I found a spot which allowed of an ascent. The summit of the hill + was about three hundred feet above the surrounding level and did not take + me long to reach; it commanded a fair view, and I now saw that the belt of + wood beneath me extended right through the range, and on the south side + opened out into an extensive forest. “If that is your destination,” + thought I, “old fox, your secrets are safe from me.” + </p> + <p> + It was still early in the day, and a slight breeze tempered the air and + made it cool and pleasant on the hilltop after my exertions. My scramble + through the wood had fatigued me somewhat, and resolving to spend some + hours on that spot, I looked round for a comfortable resting-place. I soon + found a shady spot on the west side of an upright block of stone where I + could recline at ease on a bed of lichen. Here, with shoulders resting + against the rock, I sat thinking of Rima, alone in her wood today, with + just a tinge of bitterness in my thoughts which made me hope that she + would miss me as much as I missed her; and in the end I fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + When I woke, it was past noon, and the sun was shining directly on me. + Standing up to gaze once more on the prospect, I noticed a small wreath of + white smoke issuing from a spot about the middle of the forest belt + beneath me, and I instantly divined that Nuflo had made a fire at that + place, and I resolved to surprise him in his retreat. When I got down to + the base of the hill the smoke could no longer be seen, but I had studied + the spot well from above, and had singled out a large clump of trees on + the edge of the belt as a starting-point; and after a search of half an + hour I succeeded in finding the old man’s hiding-place. First I saw smoke + again through an opening in the trees, then a small rude hut of sticks and + palm leaves. Approaching cautiously, I peered through a crack and + discovered old Nuflo engaged in smoking some meat over a fire, and at the + same time grilling some bones on the coals. He had captured a coatimundi, + an animal somewhat larger than a tame tom-cat, with a long snout and long + ringed tail; one of the dogs was gnawing at the animal’s head, and the + tail and the feet were also lying on the floor, among the old bones and + rubbish that littered it. Stealing round, I suddenly presented myself at + the opening to his den, when the dogs rose up with a growl and Nuflo + instantly leaped to his feet, knife in hand. + </p> + <p> + “Aha, old man,” I cried, with a laugh, “I have found you at one of your + vegetarian repasts; and your grass-eating dogs as well!” + </p> + <p> + He was disconcerted and suspicious, but when I explained that I had seen a + smoke while on the hills, where I had gone to search for a curious blue + flower which grew in such places, and had made my way to it to discover + the cause, he recovered confidence and invited me to join him at his + dinner of roast meat. + </p> + <p> + I was hungry by this time and not sorry to get animal food once more; + nevertheless, I ate this meat with some disgust, as it had a rank taste + and smell, and it was also unpleasant to have those evil-looking dogs + savagely gnawing at the animal’s head and feet at the same time. + </p> + <p> + “You see,” said the old hypocrite, wiping the grease from his moustache, + “this is what I am compelled to do in order to avoid giving offence. My + granddaughter is a strange being, sir, as you have perhaps observed—” + </p> + <p> + “That reminds me,” I interrupted, “that I wish you to relate her history + to me. She is, as you say, strange, and has speech and faculties unlike + ours, which shows that she comes of a different race.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, her faculties are not different from ours. They are sharper, that + is all. It pleases the All-Powerful to give more to some than to others. + Not all the fingers on the hand are alike. You will find a man who will + take up a guitar and make it speak, while I—” + </p> + <p> + “All that I understand,” I broke in again. “But her origin, her history—that + is what I wish to hear.” + </p> + <p> + “And that, sir, is precisely what I am about to relate. Poor child, she + was left on my hands by her sainted mother—my daughter, sir—who + perished young. Now, her birthplace, where she was taught letters and the + Catechism by the priest, was in an unhealthy situation. It was hot and wet—always + wet—a place suited to frogs rather than to human beings. At length, + thinking that it would suit the child better—for she was pale and + weakly—to live in a drier atmosphere among mountains, I brought her + to this district. For this, senor, and for all I have done for her, I look + for no reward here, but to that place where my daughter has got her foot; + not, sir, on the threshold, as you might think, but well inside. For, + after all, it is to the authorities above, in spite of some blots which we + see in their administration, that we must look for justice. Frankly, sir, + this is the whole story of my granddaughter’s origin.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, yes,” I returned, “your story explains why she can call a wild bird + to her hand, and touch a venomous serpent with her bare foot and receive + no harm.” + </p> + <p> + “Doubtless you are right,” said the old dissembler. “Living alone in the + wood, she had only God’s creatures to play and make friends with; and wild + animals, I have heard it said, know those who are friendly towards them.” + </p> + <p> + “You treat her friends badly,” said I, kicking the long tail of the + coatimundi away with my foot, and regretting that I had joined in his + repast. + </p> + <p> + “Senor, you must consider that we are only what Heaven made us. When all + this was formed,” he continued, opening his arms wide to indicate the + entire creation, “the Person who concerned Himself with this matter gave + seeds and fruitless and nectar of flowers for the sustentation of His + small birds. But we have not their delicate appetites. The more robust + stomach which he gave to man cries out for meat. Do you understand? But of + all this, friend, not one word to Rima!” + </p> + <p> + I laughed scornfully. “Do you think me such a child, old man, as to + believe that Rima, that little sprite, does not know that you are an eater + of flesh? Rima, who is everywhere in the wood, seeing all things, even if + I lift my hand against a serpent, she herself unseen.” + </p> + <p> + “But, sir, if you will pardon my presumption, you are saying too much. She + does not come here, and therefore cannot see that I eat meat. In all that + wood where she flourishes and sings, where she is in her house and garden, + and mistress of the creatures, even of the small butterfly with painted + wings, there, sir, I hunt no animal. Nor will my dogs chase any animal + there. That is what I meant when I said that if an animal should stumble + against their legs, they would lift up their noses and pass on without + seeing it. For in that wood there is one law, the law that Rima imposes, + and outside of it a different law.” + </p> + <p> + “I am glad that you have told me this,” I replied. “The thought that Rima + might be near, and, unseen herself, look in upon us feeding with the dogs + and, like dogs, on flesh, was one which greatly troubled my mind.” + </p> + <p> + He glanced at me in his usual quick, cunning way. + </p> + <p> + “Ah, senor, you have that feeling too—after so short a time with us! + Consider, then, what it must be for me, unable to nourish myself on gums + and fruitlets, and that little sweetness made by wasps out of flowers, + when I am compelled to go far away and eat secretly to avoid giving + offence.” + </p> + <p> + It was hard, no doubt, but I did not pity him; secretly I could only feel + anger against him for refusing to enlighten me, while making such a + presence of openness; and I also felt disgusted with myself for having + joined him in his rank repast. But dissimulation was necessary, and so, + after conversing a little more on indifferent topics, and thanking him for + his hospitality, I left him alone to go on with his smoky task. + </p> + <p> + On my way back to the lodge, fearing that some taint of Nuflo’s + evil-smelling den and dinner might still cling to me, I turned aside to + where a streamlet in the wood widened and formed a deep pool, to take a + plunge in the water. After drying myself in the air, and thoroughly + ventilating my garments by shaking and beating them, I found an open, + shady spot in the wood and threw myself on the grass to wait for evening + before returning to the house. By that time the sweet, warm air would have + purified me. Besides, I did not consider that I had sufficiently punished + Rima for her treatment of me. She would be anxious for my safety, perhaps + even looking for me everywhere in the wood. It was not much to make her + suffer one day after she had made me miserable for three; and perhaps when + she discovered that I could exist without her society she would begin to + treat me less capriciously. + </p> + <p> + So ran my thoughts as I rested on the warm ground, gazing up into the + foliage, green as young grass in the lower, shady parts, and above + luminous with the bright sunlight, and full of the murmuring sounds of + insect life. My every action, word, thought, had my feeling for Rima as a + motive. Why, I began to ask myself, was Rima so much to me? It was easy to + answer that question: Because nothing so exquisite had ever been created. + All the separate and fragmentary beauty and melody and graceful motion + found scattered throughout nature were concentrated and harmoniously + combined in her. How various, how luminous, how divine she was! A being + for the mind to marvel at, to admire continually, finding some new grace + and charm every hour, every moment, to add to the old. And there was, + besides, the fascinating mystery surrounding her origin to arouse and keep + my interest in her continually active. + </p> + <p> + That was the easy answer I returned to the question I had asked myself. + But I knew that there was another answer—a reason more powerful than + the first. And I could no longer thrust it back, or hide its shining face + with the dull, leaden mask of mere intellectual curiosity. BECAUSE I LOVED + HER; loved her as I had never loved before, never could love any other + being, with a passion which had caught something of her own brilliance and + intensity, making a former passion look dim and commonplace in comparison—a + feeling known to everyone, something old and worn out, a weariness even to + think of. + </p> + <p> + From these reflections I was roused by the plaintive three-syllable call + of an evening bird—a nightjar common in these woods; and was + surprised to find that the sun had set, and the woods already shadowed + with the twilight. I started up and began hurriedly walking homewards, + thinking of Rima, and was consumed with impatience to see her; and as I + drew near to the house, walking along a narrow path which I knew, I + suddenly met her face to face. Doubtless she had heard my approach, and + instead of shrinking out of the path and allowing me to pass on without + seeing her, as she would have done on the previous day, she had sprung + forward to meet me. I was struck with wonder at the change in her as she + came with a swift, easy motion, like a flying bird, her hands outstretched + as if to clasp mine, her lips parted in a radiant, welcoming smile, her + eyes sparkling with joy. + </p> + <p> + I started forward to meet her, but had no sooner touched her hands than + her countenance changed, and she shrunk back trembling, as if the touch + had chilled her warm blood; and moving some feet away, she stood with + downcast eyes, pale and sorrowful as she had seemed yesterday. In vain I + implored her to tell me the cause of this change and of the trouble she + evidently felt; her lips trembled as if with speech, but she made no + reply, and only shrunk further away when I attempted to approach her; and + at length, moving aside from the path, she was lost to sight in the dusky + leafage. + </p> + <p> + I went on alone, and sat outside for some time, until old Nuflo returned + from his hunting; and only after he had gone in and had made the fire burn + up did Rima make her appearance, silent and constrained as ever. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <p> + On the following day Rima continued in the same inexplicable humour; and + feeling my defeat keenly, I determined once more to try the effect of + absence on her, and to remain away on this occasion for a longer period. + Like old Nuflo, I was secret in going forth next morning, waiting until + the girl was out of the way, then slipping off among the bushes into the + deeper wood; and finally quitting its shelter, I set out across the + savannah towards my old quarters. Great was my surprise on arriving at the + village to find no person there. At first I imagined that my disappearance + in the forest of evil fame had caused them to abandon their home in a + panic; but on looking round I concluded that my friends had only gone on + one of their periodical visits to some neighbouring village. For when + these Indians visit their neighbours they do it in a very thorough manner; + they all go, taking with them their entire stock of provisions, their + cooking utensils, weapons, hammocks, and even their pet animals. + Fortunately in this case they had not taken quite everything; my hammock + was there, also one small pot, some cassava bread, purple potatoes, and a + few ears of maize. I concluded that these had been left for me in the + event of my return; also that they had not been gone very many hours, + since a log of wood buried under the ashes of the hearth was still alight. + Now, as their absences from home usually last many days, it was plain that + I would have the big naked barn-like house to myself for as long as I + thought proper to remain, with little food to eat; but the prospect did + not disturb me, and I resolved to amuse myself with music. In vain I + hunted for my guitar; the Indians had taken it to delight their friends by + twanging its strings. At odd moments during the last day or two I had been + composing a simple melody in my brain, fitting it to ancient words; and + now, without an instrument to assist me, I began softly singing to myself: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Muy mas clara que la luna + Sola una + en el mundo vos nacistes. +</pre> + <p> + After music I made up the fire and parched an ear of maize for my dinner, + and while laboriously crunching the dry hard grain I thanked Heaven for + having bestowed on me such good molars. Finally I slung my hammock in its + old corner, and placing myself in it in my favourite oblique position, my + hands clasped behind my head, one knee cocked up, the other leg dangling + down, I resigned myself to idle thought. I felt very happy. How strange, + thought I, with a little self-flattery, that I, accustomed to the + agreeable society of intelligent men and charming women, and of books, + should find such perfect contentment here! But I congratulated myself too + soon. The profound silence began at length to oppress me. It was not like + the forest, where one has wild birds for company, where their cries, + albeit inarticulate, have a meaning and give a charm to solitude. Even the + sight and whispered sounds of green leaves and rushes trembling in the + wind have for us something of intelligence and sympathy; but I could not + commune with mud walls and an earthen pot. Feeling my loneliness too + acutely, I began to regret that I had left Rima, then to feel remorse at + the secrecy I had practiced. Even now while I inclined idly in my hammock, + she would be roaming the forest in search of me, listening for my + footsteps, fearing perhaps that I had met with some accident where there + was no person to succour me. It was painful to think of her in this way, + of the pain I had doubtless given her by stealing off without a word of + warning. Springing to the floor, I flung out of the house and went down to + the stream. It was better there, for now the greatest heat of the day was + over, and the weltering sun began to look large and red and rayless + through the afternoon haze. + </p> + <p> + I seated myself on a stone within a yard or two of the limpid water; and + now the sight of nature and the warm, vital air and sunshine infected my + spirit and made it possible for me to face the position calmly, even + hopefully. The position was this: for some days the idea had been present + in my mind, and was now fixed there, that this desert was to be my + permanent home. The thought of going back to Caracas, that little Paris in + America, with its Old World vices, its idle political passions, its empty + round of gaieties, was unendurable. I was changed, and this change—so + great, so complete—was proof that the old artificial life had not + been and could not be the real one, in harmony with my deeper and truer + nature. I deceived myself, you will say, as I have often myself said. I + had and I had not. It is too long a question to discuss here; but just + then I felt that I had quitted the hot, tainted atmosphere of the + ballroom, that the morning air of heaven refreshed and elevated me and was + sweet to breathe. Friends and relations I had who were dear to me; but I + could forget them, even as I could forget the splendid dreams which had + been mine. And the woman I had loved, and who perhaps loved me in return—I + could forget her too. A daughter of civilization and of that artificial + life, she could never experience such feelings as these and return to + nature as I was doing. For women, though within narrow limits more plastic + than men, are yet without that larger adaptiveness which can take us back + to the sources of life, which they have left eternally behind. Better, far + better for both of us that she should wait through the long, slow months, + growing sick at heart with hope deferred; that, seeing me no more, she + should weep my loss, and be healed at last by time, and find love and + happiness again in the old way, in the old place. + </p> + <p> + And while I thus sat thinking, sadly enough, but not despondingly, of past + and present and future, all at once on the warm, still air came the + resonant, far-reaching KLING-KLANG of the campanero from some leafy summit + half a league away. KLING-KLANG fell the sound again, and often again, at + intervals, affecting me strangely at that moment, so bell-like, so like + the great wide-travelling sounds associated in our minds with Christian + worship. And yet so unlike. A bell, yet not made of gross metal dug out of + earth, but of an ethereal, sublimer material that floats impalpable and + invisible in space—a vital bell suspended on nothing, giving out + sounds in harmony with the vastness of blue heaven, the unsullied purity + of nature, the glory of the sun, and conveying a mystic, a higher message + to the soul than the sounds that surge from tower and belfry. + </p> + <p> + O mystic bell-bird of the heavenly race of the swallow and dove, the + quetzal and the nightingale! When the brutish savage and the brutish white + man that slay thee, one for food, the other for the benefit of science, + shall have passed away, live still, live to tell thy message to the + blameless spiritualized race that shall come after us to possess the + earth, not for a thousand years, but for ever; for how much shall thy + voice be our clarified successors when even to my dull, unpurged soul thou + canst speak such high things and bring it a sense of an impersonal, + all-compromising One who is in me and I in Him, flesh of His flesh and + soul of His soul. + </p> + <p> + The sounds ceased, but I was still in that exalted mood and, like a person + in a trance, staring fixedly before me into the open wood of scattered + dwarf trees on the other side of the stream, when suddenly on the field of + vision appeared a grotesque human figure moving towards me. I started + violently, astonished and a little alarmed, but in a very few moments I + recognized the ancient Cla-cla, coming home with a large bundle of dry + sticks on her shoulders, bent almost double under the burden, and still + ignorant of my presence. Slowly she came down to the stream, then + cautiously made her way over the line of stepping-stones by which it was + crossed; and only when within ten yards did the old creature catch sight + of me sitting silent and motionless in her path. With a sharp cry of + amazement and terror she straightened herself up, the bundle of sticks + dropping to the ground, and turned to run from me. That, at all events, + seemed her intention, for her body was thrown forward, and her head and + arms working like those of a person going at full speed, but her legs + seemed paralysed and her feet remained planted on the same spot. I burst + out laughing; whereat she twisted her neck until her wrinkled, brown old + face appeared over her shoulder staring at me. This made me laugh again, + whereupon she straightened herself up once more and turned round to have a + good look at me. + </p> + <p> + “Come, Cla-cla,” I cried; “can you not see that I am a living man and no + spirit? I thought no one had remained behind to keep me company and give + me food. Why are you not with the others?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, why!” she returned tragically. And then deliberately turning from me + and assuming a most unladylike attitude, she slapped herself vigorously on + the small of the back, exclaiming: “Because of my pain here!” + </p> + <p> + As she continued in that position with her back towards me for some time, + I laughed once more and begged her to explain. + </p> + <p> + Slowly she turned round and advanced cautiously towards me, staring at me + all the time. Finally, still eyeing me suspiciously, she related that the + others had all gone on a visit to a distant village, she starting with + them; that after going some distance a pain had attacked her in her hind + quarters, so sudden and acute that it had instantly brought her to a full + stop; and to illustrate how full the stop was she allowed herself to go + down, very unnecessarily, with a flop to the ground. But she no sooner + touched the ground than up she started to her feet again, with an alarmed + look on her owlish face, as if she had sat down on a stinging-nettle. + </p> + <p> + “We thought you were dead,” she remarked, still thinking that I might be a + ghost after all. + </p> + <p> + “No, still alive,” I said. “And so because you came to the ground with + your pain, they left you behind! Well, never mind, Cla-cla, we are two now + and must try to be happy together.” + </p> + <p> + By this time she had recovered from her fear and began to feel highly + pleased at my return, only lamenting that she had no meat to give me. She + was anxious to hear my adventures, and the reason of my long absence. I + had no wish to gratify her curiosity, with the truth at all events, + knowing very well that with regard to the daughter of the Didi her + feelings were as purely savage and malignant as those of Kua-ko. But it + was necessary to say something, and, fortifying myself with the good old + Spanish notion that lies told to the heathen are not recorded, I related + that a venomous serpent had bitten me; after which a terrible thunderstorm + had surprised me in the forest, and night coming on prevented my escape + from it; then, next day, remembering that he who is bitten by a serpent + dies, and not wishing to distress my friends with the sight of my + dissolution, I elected to remain, sitting there in the wood, amusing + myself by singing songs and smoking cigarettes; and after several days and + nights had gone by, finding that I was not going to die after all, and + beginning to feel hungry, I got up and came back. + </p> + <p> + Old Cla-cla looked very serious, shaking and nodding her head a great + deal, muttering to herself; finally she gave it as her opinion that + nothing ever would or could kill me; but whether my story had been + believed or not she only knew. + </p> + <p> + I spent an amusing evening with my old savage hostess. She had thrown off + her ailments and, pleased at having a companion in her dreary solitude, + she was good-tempered and talkative, and much more inclined to laugh than + when the others were present, when she was on her dignity. + </p> + <p> + We sat by the fire, cooking such food as we had, and talked and smoked; + then I sang her songs in Spanish with that melody of my own— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Muy mas clara que la luna; +</pre> + <p> + and she rewarded me by emitting a barbarous chant in a shrill, screechy + voice; and finally, starting up, I danced for her benefit polka, mazurka, + and valse, whistling and singing to my motions. + </p> + <p> + More than once during the evening she tried to introduce serious subjects, + telling me that I must always live with them, learn to shoot the birds and + catch the fishes, and have a wife; and then she would speak of her + granddaughter Oalava, whose virtues it was proper to mention, but whose + physical charms needed no description since they had never been concealed. + Each time she got on this topic I cut her short, vowing that if I ever + married she only should be my wife. She informed me that she was old and + past her fruitful period; that not much longer would she make cassava + bread, and blow the fire to a flame with her wheezy old bellows, and talk + the men to sleep at night. But I stuck to it that she was young and + beautiful, that our descendants would be more numerous than the birds in + the forest. I went out to some bushes close by, where I had noticed a + passion plant in bloom, and gathering a few splendid scarlet blossoms with + their stems and leaves, I brought them in and wove them into a garland for + the old dame’s head; then I pulled her up, in spite of screams and + struggles, and waltzed her wildly to the other end of the room and back + again to her seat beside the fire. And as she sat there, panting and + grinning with laughter, I knelt before her and, with suitable passionate + gestures, declaimed again the old delicate lines sung by Mena before + Columbus sailed the seas: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Muy mas clara que la luna + Sola una + en el mundo vos nacistes + tan gentil, que no vecistes + ni tavistes + competedora ninguna + Desdi ninez en la cuna + cobrastes fama, beldad, con tanta graciosidad, + que vos doto la fortuna. +</pre> + <p> + Thinking of another all the time! O poor old Cla-cla, knowing not what the + jingle meant nor the secret of my wild happiness, now when I recall you + sitting there, your old grey owlish head crowned with scarlet passion + flowers, flushed with firelight, against the background of smoke-blackened + walls and rafters, how the old undying sorrow comes back to me! + </p> + <p> + Thus our evening was spent, merrily enough; then we made up the fire with + hard wood that would last all night, and went to our hammocks, but wakeful + still. The old dame, glad and proud to be on duty once more, religiously + went to work to talk me to sleep; but although I called out at intervals + to encourage her to go on, I did not attempt to follow the ancient tales + she told, which she had imbibed in childhood from other white-headed + grandmothers long, long turned to dust. My own brain was busy thinking, + thinking, thinking now of the woman I had once loved, far away in + Venezuela, waiting and weeping and sick with hope deferred; now of Rima, + wakeful and listening to the mysterious nightsounds of the forest—listening, + listening for my returning footsteps. + </p> + <p> + Next morning I began to waver in my resolution to remain absent from Rima + for some days; and before evening my passion, which I had now ceased to + struggle against, coupled with the thought that I had acted unkindly in + leaving her, that she would be a prey to anxiety, overcame me, and I was + ready to return. The old woman, who had been suspiciously watching my + movements, rushed out after me as I left the house, crying out that a + storm was brewing, that it was too late to go far, and night would be full + of danger. I waved my hand in good-bye, laughingly reminding her that I + was proof against all perils. Little she cared what evil might befall me, + I thought; but she loved not to be alone; even for her, low down as she + was intellectually, the solitary earthen pot had no “mind stuff” in it, + and could not be sent to sleep at night with the legends of long ago. + </p> + <p> + By the time I reached the ridge, I had discovered that she had prophesied + truly, for now an ominous change had come over nature. A dull grey vapour + had overspread the entire western half of the heavens; down, beyond the + forest, the sky looked black as ink, and behind this blackness the sun had + vanished. It was too late to go back now; I had been too long absent from + Rima, and could only hope to reach Nuflo’s lodge, wet or dry, before night + closed round me in the forest. + </p> + <p> + For some moments I stood still on the ridge, struck by the somewhat weird + aspect of the shadowed scene before me—the long strip of dull + uniform green, with here and there a slender palm lifting its feathery + crown above the other trees, standing motionless, in strange relief + against the advancing blackness. Then I set out once more at a run, taking + advantage of the downward slope to get well on my way before the tempest + should burst. As I approached the wood, there came a flash of lightning, + pale, but covering the whole visible sky, followed after a long interval + by a distant roll of thunder, which lasted several seconds and ended with + a succession of deep throbs. It was as if Nature herself, in supreme + anguish and abandonment, had cast herself prone on the earth, and her + great heart had throbbed audibly, shaking the world with its beats. No + more thunder followed, but the rain was coming down heavily now in huge + drops that fell straight through the gloomy, windless air. In half a + minute I was drenched to the skin; but for a short time the rain seemed an + advantage, as the brightness of the falling water lessened the gloom, + turning the air from dark to lighter grey. This subdued rain-light did not + last long: I had not been twenty minutes in the wood before a second and + greater darkness fell on the earth, accompanied by an even more copious + downpour of water. The sun had evidently gone down, and the whole sky was + now covered with one thick cloud. Becoming more nervous as the gloom + increased, I bent my steps more to the south, so as to keep near the + border and more open part of the wood. Probably I had already grown + confused before deviating and turned the wrong way, for instead of finding + the forest easier, it grew closer and more difficult as I advanced. Before + many minutes the darkness so increased that I could no longer distinguish + objects more than five feet from my eyes. Groping blindly along, I became + entangled in a dense undergrowth, and after struggling and stumbling along + for some distance in vain endeavours to get through it, I came to a stand + at last in sheer despair. All sense of direction was now lost: I was + entombed in thick blackness—blackness of night and cloud and rain + and of dripping foliage and network of branches bound with bush ropes and + creepers in a wild tangle. I had struggled into a hollow, or hole, as it + were, in the midst of that mass of vegetation, where I could stand upright + and turn round and round without touching anything; but when I put out my + hands they came into contact with vines and bushes. To move from that spot + seemed folly; yet how dreadful to remain there standing on the sodden + earth, chilled with rain, in that awful blackness in which the only + luminous thing one could look to see would be the eyes, shining with their + own internal light, of some savage beast of prey! Yet the danger, the + intense physical discomfort, and the anguish of looking forward to a whole + night spent in that situation stung my heart less than the thought of + Rima’s anxiety and of the pain I had carelessly given by secretly leaving + her. + </p> + <p> + It was then, with that pang in my heart, that I was startled by hearing, + close by, one of her own low, warbled expressions. There could be no + mistake; if the forest had been full of the sounds of animal life and + songs of melodious birds, her voice would have been instantly + distinguished from all others. How mysterious, how infinitely tender it + sounded in that awful blackness!—so musical and exquisitely + modulated, so sorrowful, yet piercing my heart with a sudden, unutterable + joy. + </p> + <p> + “Rima! Rima!” I cried. “Speak again. Is it you? Come to me here.” + </p> + <p> + Again that low, warbling sound, or series of sounds, seemingly from a + distance of a few yards. I was not disturbed at her not replying in + Spanish: she had always spoken it somewhat reluctantly, and only when at + my side; but when calling to me from some distance she would return + instinctively to her own mysterious language, and call to me as bird calls + to bird. I knew that she was inviting me to follow her, but I refused to + move. + </p> + <p> + “Rima,” I cried again, “come to me here, for I know not where to step, and + cannot move until you are at my side and I can feel your hand.” + </p> + <p> + There came no response, and after some moments, becoming alarmed, I called + to her again. + </p> + <p> + Then close by me, in a low, trembling voice, she returned: “I am here.” + </p> + <p> + I put out my hand and touched something soft and wet; it was her breast, + and moving my hand higher up, I felt her hair, hanging now and streaming + with water. She was trembling, and I thought the rain had chilled her. + </p> + <p> + “Rima—poor child! How wet you are! How strange to meet you in such a + place! Tell me, dear Rima, how did you find me?” + </p> + <p> + “I was waiting—watching—all day. I saw you coming across the + savannah, and followed at a distance through the wood.” + </p> + <p> + “And I had treated you so unkindly! Ah, my guardian angel, my light in the + darkness, how I hate myself for giving you pain! Tell me, sweet, did you + wish me to come back and live with you again?” She made no reply. Then, + running my fingers down her arm, I took her hand in mine. It was hot, like + the hand of one in a fever. I raised it to my lips and then attempted to + draw her to me, but she slipped down and out of my arms to my feet. I felt + her there, on her knees, with head bowed low. Stooping and putting my arm + round her body, I drew her up and held her against my breast, and felt her + heart throbbing wildly. With many endearing words I begged her to speak to + me; but her only reply was: “Come—come,” as she slipped again out of + my arms and, holding my hand in hers, guided me through the bushes. + </p> + <p> + Before long we came to an open path or glade, where the darkness was not + profound; and releasing my hand, she began walking rapidly before me, + always keeping at such a distance as just enabled me to distinguish her + grey, shadowy figure, and with frequent doublings to follow the natural + paths and openings which she knew so well. In this way we kept on nearly + to the end, without exchanging a word, and hearing no sound except the + continuous rush of rain, which to our accustomed ears had ceased to have + the effect of sound, and the various gurgling noises of innumerable + runners. All at once, as we came to a more open place, a strip of bright + firelight appeared before us, shining from the half-open door of Nuflo’s + lodge. She turned round as much as to say: “Now you know where you are,” + then hurried on, leaving me to follow as best I could. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0011" id="link2HCH0011"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XI + </h2> + <p> + There was a welcome change in the weather when I rose early next morning; + the sky was without cloud and had that purity in its colour and look of + infinite distance seen only when the atmosphere is free from vapour. The + sun had not yet risen, but old Nuflo was already among the ashes, on his + hands and knees, blowing the embers he had uncovered to a flame. Then Rima + appeared only to pass through the room with quick light tread to go out of + the door without a word or even a glance at my face. The old man, after + watching at the door for a few minutes, turned and began eagerly + questioning me about my adventures on the previous evening. In reply I + related to him how the girl had found me in the forest lost and unable to + extricate myself from the tangled undergrowth. + </p> + <p> + He rubbed his hands on his knees and chuckled. “Happy for you, senor,” he + said, “that my granddaughter regards you with such friendly eyes, + otherwise you might have perished before morning. Once she was at your + side, no light, whether of sun or moon or lantern, was needed, nor that + small instrument which is said to guide a man aright in the desert, even + in the darkest night—let him that can believe such a thing!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, happy for me,” I returned. “I am filled with remorse that it was all + through my fault that the poor child was exposed to such weather.” + </p> + <p> + “O senor,” he cried airily, “let not that distress you! Rain and wind and + hot suns, from which we seek shelter, do not harm her. She takes no cold, + and no fever, with or without ague.” + </p> + <p> + After some further conversation I left him to steal away unobserved on his + own account, and set out for a ramble in the hope of encountering Rima and + winning her to talk to me. + </p> + <p> + My quest did not succeed: not a glimpse of her delicate shadowy form did I + catch among the trees; and not one note from her melodious lips came to + gladden me. At noon I returned to the house, where I found food placed + ready for me, and knew that she had come there during my absence and had + not been forgetful of my wants. “Shall I thank you for this?” I said. “I + ask you for heavenly nectar for the sustentation of the higher winged + nature in me, and you give me a boiled sweet potato, toasted strips of + sun-dried pumpkins, and a handful of parched maize! Rima! Rima! my + woodland fairy, my sweet saviour, why do you yet fear me? Is it that love + struggles in you with repugnance? Can you discern with clear spiritual + eyes the grosser elements in me, and hate them; or has some false + imagination made me appear all dark and evil, but too late for your peace, + after the sweet sickness of love has infected you?” + </p> + <p> + But she was not there to answer me, and so after a time I went forth again + and seated myself listlessly on the root of an old tree not far from the + house. I had sat there a full hour when all at once Rima appeared at my + side. Bending forward, she touched my hand, but without glancing at my + face; “Come with me,” she said, and turning, moved swiftly towards the + northern extremity of the forest. She seemed to take it for granted that I + would follow, never casting a look behind nor pausing in her rapid walk; + but I was only too glad to obey and, starting up, was quickly after her. + She led me by easy ways, familiar to her, with many doublings to escape + the undergrowth, never speaking or pausing until we came out from the + thick forest, and I found myself for the first time at the foot of the + great hill or mountain Ytaioa. Glancing back for a few moments, she waved + a hand towards the summit, and then at once began the ascent. Here too it + seemed all familiar ground to her. From below, the sides had presented an + exceedingly rugged appearance—a wild confusion of huge jagged rocks, + mixed with a tangled vegetation of trees, bushes, and vines; but following + her in all her doublings, it became easy enough, although it fatigued me + greatly owing to our rapid pace. The hill was conical, but I found that it + had a flat top—an oblong or pear-shaped area, almost level, of a + soft, crumbly sandstone, with a few blocks and boulders of a harder stone + scattered about—and no vegetation, except the grey mountain lichen + and a few sere-looking dwarf shrubs. + </p> + <p> + Here Rima, at a distance of a few yards from me, remained standing still + for some minutes, as if to give me time to recover my breath; and I was + right glad to sit down on a stone to rest. Finally she walked slowly to + the centre of the level area, which was about two acres in extent; rising, + I followed her and, climbing on to a huge block of stone, began gazing at + the wide prospect spread out before me. The day was windless and bright, + with only a few white clouds floating at a great height above and casting + travelling shadows over that wild, broken country, where forest, marsh, + and savannah were only distinguishable by their different colours, like + the greys and greens and yellows on a map. At a great distance the circle + of the horizon was broken here and there by mountains, but the hills in + our neighbourhood were all beneath our feet. + </p> + <p> + After gazing all round for some minutes, I jumped down from my stand and, + leaning against the stone, stood watching the girl, waiting for her to + speak. I felt convinced that she had something of the very highest + importance (to herself) to communicate, and that only the pressing need of + a confidant, not Nuflo, had overcome her shyness of me; and I determined + to let her take her own time to say it in her own way. For a while she + continued silent, her face averted, but her little movements and the way + she clasped and unclasped her fingers showed that she was anxious and her + mind working. Suddenly, half turning to me, she began speaking eagerly and + rapidly. + </p> + <p> + “Do you see,” she said, waving her hand to indicate the whole circuit of + earth, “how large it is? Look!” pointing now to mountains in the west. + “Those are the Vahanas—one, two, three—the highest—I can + tell you their names—Vahana-Chara, Chumi, Aranoa. Do you see that + water? It is a river, called Guaypero. From the hills it comes down, + Inaruna is their name, and you can see them there in the south—far, + far.” And in this way she went on pointing out and naming all the + mountains and rivers within sight. Then she suddenly dropped her hands to + her sides and continued: “That is all. Because we can see no further. But + the world is larger than that! Other mountains, other rivers. Have I not + told you of Voa, on the River Voa, where I was born, where mother died, + where the priest taught me, years, years ago? All that you cannot see, it + is so far away—so far.” + </p> + <p> + I did not laugh at her simplicity, nor did I smile or feel any inclination + to smile. On the contrary, I only experienced a sympathy so keen that it + was like pain while watching her clouded face, so changeful in its + expression, yet in all changes so wistful. I could not yet form any idea + as to what she wished to communicate or to discover, but seeing that she + paused for a reply, I answered: “The world is so large, Rima, that we can + only see a very small portion of it from any one spot. Look at this,” and + with a stick I had used to aid me in my ascent I traced a circle six or + seven inches in circumference on the soft stone, and in its centre placed + a small pebble. “This represents the mountain we are standing on,” I + continued, touching the pebble; “and this line encircling it encloses all + of the earth we can see from the mountain-top. Do you understand?—the + line I have traced is the blue line of the horizon beyond which we cannot + see. And outside of this little circle is all the flat top of Ytaioa + representing the world. Consider, then, how small a portion of the world + we can see from this spot!” + </p> + <p> + “And do you know it all?” she returned excitedly. “All the world?” waving + her hand to indicate the little stone plain. “All the mountains, and + rivers, and forests—all the people in the world?” + </p> + <p> + “That would be impossible, Rima; consider how large it is.” + </p> + <p> + “That does not matter. Come, let us go together—we two and + grandfather—and see all the world; all the mountains and forests, + and know all the people.” + </p> + <p> + “You do not know what you are saying, Rima. You might as well say: ‘Come, + let us go to the sun and find out everything in it.’” + </p> + <p> + “It is you who do not know what you are saying,” she retorted, with + brightening eyes which for a moment glanced full into mine. “We have no + wings like birds to fly to the sun. Am I not able to walk on the earth, + and run? Can I not swim? Can I not climb every mountain?” + </p> + <p> + “No, you cannot. You imagine that all the earth is like this little + portion you see. But it is not all the same. There are great rivers which + you cannot cross by swimming; mountains you cannot climb; forests you + cannot penetrate—dark, and inhabited by dangerous beasts, and so + vast that all this space your eyes look on is a mere speck of earth in + comparison.” + </p> + <p> + She listened excitedly. “Oh, do you know all that?” she cried, with a + strangely brightening look; and then half turning from me, she added, with + sudden petulance: “Yet only a minute ago you knew nothing of the world—because + it is so large! Is anything to be gained by speaking to one who says such + contrary things?” + </p> + <p> + I explained that I had not contradicted myself, that she had not rightly + interpreted my words. I knew, I said, something about the principal + features of the different countries of the world, as, for instance, the + largest mountain ranges, and rivers, and the cities. Also something, but + very little, about the tribes of savage men. She heard me with impatience, + which made me speak rapidly, in very general terms; and to simplify the + matter I made the world stand for the continent we were in. It seemed idle + to go beyond that, and her eagerness would not have allowed it. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me all you know,” she said the moment I ceased speaking. “What is + there—and there—and there?” pointing in various directions. + “Rivers and forests—they are nothing to me. The villages, the + tribes, the people everywhere; tell me, for I must know it all.” + </p> + <p> + “It would take long to tell, Rima.” + </p> + <p> + “Because you are so slow. Look how high the sun is! Speak, speak! What is + there?” pointing to the north. + </p> + <p> + “All that country,” I said, waving my hands from east to west, “is + Guayana; and so large is it that you could go in this direction, or in + this, travelling for months, without seeing the end of Guayana. Still it + would be Guayana; rivers, rivers, rivers, with forests between, and other + forests and rivers beyond. And savage people, nations and tribes—Guahibo, + Aguaricoto, Ayano, Maco, Piaroa, Quiriquiripo, Tuparito—shall I name + a hundred more? It would be useless, Rima; they are all savages, and live + widely scattered in the forests, hunting with bow and arrow and the + zabatana. Consider, then, how large Guayana is!” + </p> + <p> + “Guayana—Guayana! Do I not know all this is Guayana? But beyond, and + beyond, and beyond? Is there no end to Guayana?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; there northwards it ends at the Orinoco, a mighty river, coming from + mighty mountains, compared with which Ytaioa is like a stone on the ground + on which we have sat down to rest. You must know that guayana is only a + portion, a half, of our country, Venezuela. Look,” I continued, putting my + hand round my shoulder to touch the middle of my back, “there is a groove + running down my spine dividing my body into equal parts. Thus does the + great Orinoco divide Venezuela, and on one side of it is all Guayana; and + on the other side the countries or provinces of Cumana, Maturm, Barcelona, + Bolivar, Guarico, Apure, and many others.” I then gave a rapid description + of the northern half of the country, with its vast llanos covered with + herds in one part, its plantations of coffee, rice, and sugar-cane in + another, and its chief towns; last of all Caracas, the gay and opulent + little Paris in America. + </p> + <p> + This seemed to weary her; but the moment I ceased speaking, and before I + could well moisten my dry lips, she demanded to know what came after + Caracas—after all Venezuela. + </p> + <p> + “The ocean—water, water, water,” I replied. + </p> + <p> + “There are no people there—in the water; only fishes,” she remarked; + then suddenly continued: “Why are you silent—is Venezuela, then, all + the world?” + </p> + <p> + The task I had set myself to perform seemed only at its commencement yet. + Thinking how to proceed with it, my eyes roved over the level area we were + standing on, and it struck me that this little irregular plain, broad at + one end and almost pointed at the other, roughly resembled the South + American continent in its form. + </p> + <p> + “Look, Rima,” I began, “here we are on this small pebble—Ytaioa; and + this line round it shuts us in—we cannot see beyond. Now let us + imagine that we can see beyond—that we can see the whole flat + mountaintop; and that, you know, is the whole world. Now listen while I + tell you of all the countries, and principal mountains, and rivers, and + cities of the world.” + </p> + <p> + The plan I had now fixed on involved a great deal of walking about and + some hard work in moving and setting up stones and tracing boundary and + other lines; but it gave me pleasure, for Rima was close by all the time, + following me from place to place, listening to all I said in silence but + with keen interest. At the broad end of the level summit I marked out + Venezuela, showing by means of a long line how the Orinoco divided it, and + also marking several of the greater streams flowing into it. I also marked + the sites of Caracas and other large towns with stones; and rejoiced that + we are not like the Europeans, great city-builders, for the stones proved + heavy to lift. Then followed Colombia and Ecuador on the west; and, + successively, Bolivia, Peru, Chile, ending at last in the south with + Patagonia, a cold arid land, bleak and desolate. I marked the littoral + cities as we progressed on that side, where earth ends and the Pacific + Ocean begins, and infinitude. + </p> + <p> + Then, in a sudden burst of inspiration, I described the Cordilleras to her—that + world-long, stupendous chain; its sea of Titicaca, and wintry, desolate + Paramo, where lie the ruins of Tiahuanaco, older than Thebes. I mentioned + its principal cities—those small inflamed or festering pimples that + attract much attention from appearing on such a body. Quito, called—not + in irony, but by its own people—the Splendid and the Magnificent; so + high above the earth as to appear but a little way removed from heaven—“de + Quito al cielo,” as the saying is. But of its sublime history, its kings + and conquerors, Haymar Capac the Mighty, and Huascar, and Atahualpa the + Unhappy, not one word. Many words—how inadequate!—of the + summits, white with everlasting snows, above it—above this navel of + the world, above the earth, the ocean, the darkening tempest, the condor’s + flight. Flame-breathing Cotopaxi, whose wrathful mutterings are audible + two hundred leagues away, and Chimborazo, Antisana, Sarata, Illimani, + Aconcagua—names of mountains that affect us like the names of gods, + implacable Pachacamac and Viracocha, whose everlasting granite thrones + they are. At the last I showed her Cuzco, the city of the sun, and the + highest dwelling-place of men on earth. + </p> + <p> + I was carried away by so sublime a theme; and remembering that I had no + critical hearer, I gave free reins to fancy, forgetting for the moment + that some undiscovered thought or feeling had prompted her questions. And + while I spoke of the mountains, she hung on my words, following me closely + in my walk, her countenance brilliant, her frame quivering with + excitement. + </p> + <p> + There yet remained to be described all that unimaginable space east of the + Andes; the rivers—what rivers!—the green plains that are like + the sea—the illimitable waste of water where there is no land—and + the forest region. The very thought of the Amazonian forest made my spirit + droop. If I could have snatched her up and placed her on the dome of + Chimborazo she would have looked on an area of ten thousand square miles + of earth, so vast is the horizon at that elevation. And possibly her + imagination would have been able to clothe it all with an unbroken forest. + Yet how small a portion this would be of the stupendous whole—of a + forest region equal in extent to the whole of Europe! All loveliness, all + grace, all majesty are there; but we cannot see, cannot conceive—come + away! From this vast stage, to be occupied in the distant future by + millions and myriads of beings, like us of upright form, the nations that + will be born when all the existing dominant races on the globe and the + civilizations they represent have perished as utterly as those who + sculptured the stones of old Tiahuanaco—from this theatre of palms + prepared for a drama unlike any which the Immortals have yet witnessed—I + hurried away; and then slowly conducted her along the Atlantic coast, + listening to the thunder of its great waves, and pausing at intervals to + survey some maritime city. + </p> + <p> + Never probably since old Father Noah divided the earth among his sons had + so grand a geographical discourse been delivered; and having finished, I + sat down, exhausted with my efforts, and mopped my brow, but glad that my + huge task was over, and satisfied that I had convinced her of the futility + of her wish to see the world for herself. + </p> + <p> + Her excitement had passed away by now. She was standing a little apart + from me, her eyes cast down and thoughtful. At length she approached me + and said, waving her hand all round: “What is beyond the mountains over + there, beyond the cities on that side—beyond the world?” + </p> + <p> + “Water, only water. Did I not tell you?” I returned stoutly; for I had, of + course, sunk the Isthmus of Panama beneath the sea. + </p> + <p> + “Water! All round?” she persisted. + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “Water, and no beyond? Only water—always water?” + </p> + <p> + I could no longer adhere to so gross a lie. She was too intelligent, and I + loved her too much. Standing up, I pointed to distant mountains and + isolated peaks. + </p> + <p> + “Look at those peaks,” I said. “It is like that with the world—this + world we are standing on. Beyond that great water that flows all round the + world, but far away, so far that it would take months in a big boat to + reach them, there are islands, some small, others as large as this world. + But, Rima, they are so far away, so impossible to reach, that it is + useless to speak or to think of them. They are to us like the sun and moon + and stars, to which we cannot fly. And now sit down and rest by my side, + for you know everything.” + </p> + <p> + She glanced at me with troubled eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing do I know—nothing have you told me. Did I not say that + mountains and rivers and forests are nothing? Tell me about all the people + in the world. Look! there is Cuzco over there, a city like no other in the + world—did you not tell me so? Of the people nothing. Are they also + different from all others in the world?” + </p> + <p> + “I will tell you that if you will first answer me one question, Rima.” + </p> + <p> + She drew a little nearer, curious to hear, but was silent. + </p> + <p> + “Promise that you will answer me,” I persisted, and as she continued + silent, I added: “Shall I not ask you, then?” + </p> + <p> + “Say,” she murmured. + </p> + <p> + “Why do you wish to know about the people of Cuzco?” + </p> + <p> + She flashed a look at me, then averted her face. For some moments she + stood hesitating; then, coming closer, touched me on the shoulder and said + softly: “Turn away, do not look at me.” + </p> + <p> + I obeyed, and bending so close that I felt her warm breath on my neck, she + whispered: “Are the people in Cuzco like me? Would they understand me—the + things you cannot understand? Do you know?” + </p> + <p> + Her tremulous voice betrayed her agitation, and her words, I imagined, + revealed the motive of her action in bringing me to the summit of Ytaioa, + and of her desire to visit and know all the various peoples inhabiting the + world. She had begun to realize, after knowing me, her isolation and + unlikeness to others, and at the same time to dream that all human beings + might not be unlike her and unable to understand her mysterious speech and + to enter into her thoughts and feelings. + </p> + <p> + “I can answer that question, Rima,” I said. “Ah, no, poor child, there are + none there like you—not one, not one. Of all there—priests, + soldiers, merchants, workmen, white, black, red, and mixed; men and women, + old and young, rich and poor, ugly and beautiful—not one would + understand the sweet language you speak.” + </p> + <p> + She said nothing, and glancing round, I discovered that she was walking + away, her fingers clasped before her, her eyes cast down, and looking + profoundly dejected. Jumping up, I hurried after her. “Listen!” I said, + coming to her side. “Do you know that there are others in the world like + you who would understand your speech?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do I not! Yes—mother told me. I was young when you died, but, O + mother, why did you not tell me more?” + </p> + <p> + “But where?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do you not think that I would go to them if I knew—that I would + ask?” + </p> + <p> + “Does Nuflo know?” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head, walking dejectedly along. + </p> + <p> + “But have you asked him?” I persisted. + </p> + <p> + “Have I not! Not once—not a hundred times.” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly she paused. “Look,” she said, “now we are standing in Guayana + again. And over there in Brazil, and up there towards the Cordilleras, it + is unknown. And there are people there. Come, let us go and seek for my + mother’s people in that place. With grandfather, but not the dogs; they + would frighten the animals and betray us by barking to cruel men who would + slay us with poisoned arrows.” + </p> + <p> + “O Rima, can you not understand? It is too far. And your grandfather, poor + old man, would die of weariness and hunger and old age in some strange + forest.” + </p> + <p> + “Would he die—old grandfather? Then we could cover him up with palm + leaves in the forest and leave him. It would not be grandfather; only his + body that must turn to dust. He would be away—away where the stars + are. We should not die, but go on, and on, and on.” + </p> + <p> + To continue the discussion seemed hopeless. I was silent, thinking of what + I had heard—that there were others like her somewhere in that vast + green world, so much of it imperfectly known, so many districts never yet + explored by white men. True, it was strange that no report of such a race + had reached the ears of any traveller; yet here was Rima herself at my + side, a living proof that such a race did exist. Nuflo probably knew more + than he would say; I had failed, as we have seen, to win the secret from + him by fair means, and could not have recourse to foul—the rack and + thumbscrew—to wring it from him. To the Indians she was only an + object of superstitious fear—a daughter of the Didi—and to + them nothing of her origin was known. And she, poor girl, had only a vague + remembrance of a few words heard in childhood from her mother, and + probably not rightly understood. + </p> + <p> + While these thoughts had been passing through my mind, Rima had been + standing silent by, waiting, perhaps, for an answer to her last words. + Then stooping, she picked up a small pebble and tossed it three or four + yards away. + </p> + <p> + “Do you see where it fell?” she cried, turning towards me. “That is on the + border of Guayana—is it not? Let us go there first.” + </p> + <p> + “Rima, how you distress me! We cannot go there. It is all a savage + wilderness, almost unknown to men—a blank on the map—” + </p> + <p> + “The map?—speak no word that I do not understand.” + </p> + <p> + In a very few words I explained my meaning; even fewer would have + sufficed, so quick was her apprehension. + </p> + <p> + “If it is a blank,” she returned quickly, “then you know of nothing to + stop us—no river we cannot swim, and no great mountains like those + where Quito is.” + </p> + <p> + “But I happen to know, Rima, for it has been related to me by old Indians, + that of all places that is the most difficult of access. There is a river + there, and although it is not on the map, it would prove more impassable + to us than the mighty Orinoco and Amazon. It has vast malarious swamps on + its borders, overgrown with dense forest, teeming with savage and venomous + animals, so that even the Indians dare not venture near it. And even + before the river is reached, there is a range of precipitous mountains + called by the same name—just there where your pebble fell—the + mountains of Riolama—” + </p> + <p> + Hardly had the name fallen from my lips before a change swift as lightning + came over her countenance; all doubt, anxiety, petulance, hope, and + despondence, and these in ever-varying degrees, chasing each other like + shadows, had vanished, and she was instinct and burning with some new + powerful emotion which had flashed into her soul. + </p> + <p> + “Riolama! Riolama!” she repeated so rapidly and in a tone so sharp that it + tingled in the brain. “That is the place I am seeking! There was my mother + found—there are her people and mine! Therefore was I called Riolama—that + is my name!” + </p> + <p> + “Rima!” I returned, astonished at her words. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no—Riolama. When I was a child, and the priest baptized me, + he named me Riolama—the place where my mother was found. But it was + long to say, and they called me Rima.” + </p> + <p> + Suddenly she became still and then cried in a ringing voice: + </p> + <p> + “And he knew it all along—that old man—he knew that Riolama + was near—only there where the pebble fell—that we could go + there!” + </p> + <p> + While speaking she turned towards her home, pointing with raised hand. Her + whole appearance now reminded me of that first meeting with her when the + serpent bit me; the soft red of her irides shone like fire, her delicate + skin seemed to glow with an intense rose colour, and her frame trembled + with her agitation, so that her loose cloud of hair was in motion as if + blown through by the wind. + </p> + <p> + “Traitor! Traitor!” she cried, still looking homewards and using quick, + passionate gestures. “It was all known to you, and you deceived me all + these years; even to me, Rima, you lied with your lips! Oh, horrible! Was + there ever such a scandal known in Guayana? Come, follow me, let us go at + once to Riolama.” And without so much as casting a glance behind to see + whether I followed or no, she hurried away, and in a couple of minutes + disappeared from sight over the edge of the flat summit. “Rima! Rima! Come + back and listen to me! Oh, you are mad! Come back! Come back!” + </p> + <p> + But she would not return or pause and listen; and looking after her, I saw + her bounding down the rocky slope like some wild, agile creature possessed + of padded hoofs and an infallible instinct; and before many minutes she + vanished from sight among crabs and trees lower down. + </p> + <p> + “Nuflo, old man,” said I, looking out towards his lodge, “are there no + shooting pains in those old bones of yours to warn you in time of the + tempest about to burst on your head?” + </p> + <p> + Then I sat down to think. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0012" id="link2HCH0012"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XII + </h2> + <p> + To follow impetuous, bird-like Rima in her descent of the hill would have + been impossible, nor had I any desire to be a witness of old Nuflo’s + discomfiture at the finish. It was better to leave them to settle their + quarrel themselves, while I occupied myself in turning over these fresh + facts in my mind to find out how they fitted into the speculative + structure I had been building during the last two or three weeks. But it + soon struck me that it was getting late, that the sun would be gone in a + couple of hours; and at once I began the descent. It was not accomplished + without some bruises and a good many scratches. After a cold draught, + obtained by putting my lips to a black rock from which the water was + trickling, I set out on my walk home, keeping near the western border of + the forest for fear of losing myself. I had covered about half the + distance from the foot of the hill to Nuflo’s lodge when the sun went + down. Away on my left the evening uproar of the howling monkeys burst out, + and after three or four minutes ceased; the after silence was pierced at + intervals by screams of birds going to roost among the trees in the + distance, and by many minor sounds close at hand, of small bird, frog, and + insect. The western sky was now like amber-coloured flame, and against + that immeasurably distant luminous background the near branches and + clustered foliage looked black; but on my left hand the vegetation still + appeared of a uniform dusky green. In a little while night would drown all + colour, and there would be no light but that of the wandering lantern-fly, + always unwelcome to the belated walker in a lonely place, since, like the + ignis fatuus, it is confusing to the sight and sense of direction. + </p> + <p> + With increasing anxiety I hastened on, when all at once a low growl + issuing from the bushes some yards ahead of me brought me to a stop. In a + moment the dogs, Susio and Goloso, rushed out from some hiding place + furiously barking; but they quickly recognized me and slunk back again. + Relieved from fear, I walked on for a short distance; then it struck me + that the old man must be about somewhere, as the dogs scarcely ever + stirred from his side. Turning back, I went to the spot where they had + appeared to me; and there, after a while, I caught sight of a dim, yellow + form as one of the brutes rose up to look at me. He had been lying on the + ground by the side of a wide-spreading bush, dead and dry, but overgrown + by a creeping plant which had completely covered its broad, flat top like + a piece of tapestry thrown over a table, its slender terminal stems and + leaves hanging over the edge like a deep fringe. But the fringe did not + reach to the ground and under the bush, in its dark interior. I caught + sight of the other dog; and after gazing in for some time, I also + discovered a black, recumbent form, which I took to be Nuflo. + </p> + <p> + “What are you doing there, old man?” I cried. “Where is Rima—have + you not seen her? Come out.” + </p> + <p> + Then he stirred himself, slowly creeping out on all fours; and finally, + getting free of the dead twigs and leaves, he stood up and faced me. He + had a strange, wild look, his white beard all disordered, moss and dead + leaves clinging to it, his eyes staring like an owl’s, while his mouth + opened and shut, the teeth striking together audibly, like an angry + peccary’s. After silently glaring at me in this mad way for some moments, + he burst out: “Cursed be the day when I first saw you, man of Caracas! + Cursed be the serpent that bit you and had not sufficient power in its + venom to kill! Ha! you come from Ytaioa, where you talked with Rima? And + you have now returned to the tiger’s den to mock that dangerous animal + with the loss of its whelp. Fool, if you did not wish the dogs to feed on + your flesh, it would have been better if you had taken your evening walk + in some other direction.” + </p> + <p> + These raging words did not have the effect of alarming me in the least, + nor even of astonishing me very much, albeit up till now the old man had + always shown himself suave and respectful. His attack did not seem quite + spontaneous. In spite of the wildness of his manner and the violence of + his speech, he appeared to be acting a part which he had rehearsed + beforehand. I was only angry, and stepping forward, I dealt him a very + sharp rap with my knuckles on his chest. “Moderate your language, old + man,” I said; “remember that you are addressing a superior.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you say to me?” he screamed in a shrill, broken voice, + accompanying his words with emphatic gestures. “Do you think you are on + the pavement of Caracas? Here are no police to protect you—here we + are alone in the desert where names and titles are nothing, standing man + to man.” + </p> + <p> + “An old man to a young one,” I returned. “And in virtue of my youth I am + your superior. Do you wish me to take you by the throat and shake your + insolence out of you?” + </p> + <p> + “What, do you threaten me with violence?” he exclaimed, throwing himself + into a hostile attitude. “You, the man I saved, and sheltered, and fed, + and treated like a son! Destroyer of my peace, have you not injured me + enough? You have stolen my grandchild’s heart from me; with a thousand + inventions you have driven her mad! My child, my angel, Rima, my saviour! + With your lying tongue you have changed her into a demon to persecute me! + And you are not satisfied, but must finish your evil work by inflicting + blows on my worn body! All, all is lost to me! Take my life if you wish + it, for now it is worth nothing and I desire not to keep it!” And here he + threw himself on his knees and, tearing open his old, ragged mantle, + presented his naked breast to me. “Shoot! Shoot!” he screeched. “And if + you have no weapon take my knife and plunge it into this sad heart, and + let me die!” And drawing his knife from its sheath, he flung it down at my + feet. + </p> + <p> + All this performance only served to increase my anger and contempt; but + before I could make any reply I caught sight of a shadowy object at some + distance moving towards us—something grey and formless, gliding + swift and noiseless, like some great low-flying owl among the trees. It + was Rima, and hardly had I seen her before she was with us, facing old + Nuflo, her whole frame quivering with passion, her wide-open eyes + appearing luminous in that dim light. + </p> + <p> + “You are here!” she cried in that quick, ringing tone that was almost + painful to the sense. “You thought to escape me! To hide yourself from my + eyes in the wood! Miserable! Do you not know that I have need of you—that + I have not finished with you yet? Do you, then, wish to be scourged to + Riolama with thorny twigs—to be dragged thither by the beard?” + </p> + <p> + He had been staring open-mouthed at her, still on his knees, and holding + his mantle open with his skinny hands. “Rima! Rima! have mercy on me!” he + cried out piteously. “I cannot go to Riolama, it is so far—so far. + And I am old and should meet my death. Oh, Rima, child of the woman I + saved from death, have you no compassion? I shall die, I shall die!” + </p> + <p> + “Shall you die? Not until you have shown me the way to Riolama. And when I + have seen Riolama with my eyes, then you may die, and I shall be glad at + your death; and the children and the grandchildren and cousins and friends + of all the animals you have slain and fed on shall know that you are dead + and be glad at your death. For you have deceived me with lies all these + years even me—and are not fit to live! Come now to Riolama; rise + instantly, I command you!” + </p> + <p> + Instead of rising he suddenly put out his hand and snatched up the knife + from the ground. “Do you then wish me to die?” he cried. “Shall you be + glad at my death? Behold, then I shall slay myself before your eyes. By my + own hand, Rima, I am now about to perish, striking the knife into my + heart!” + </p> + <p> + While speaking he waved the knife in a tragic manner over his head, but I + made no movement; I was convinced that he had no intention of taking his + own life—that he was still acting. Rima, incapable of understanding + such a thing, took it differently. + </p> + <p> + “Oh, you are going to kill yourself.” she cried. “Oh, wicked man, wait + until you know what will happen to you after death. All shall now be told + to my mother. Hear my words, then kill yourself.” + </p> + <p> + She also now dropped on to her knees and, lifting her clasped hands and + fixing her resentful sparkling eyes on the dim blue patch of heaven + visible beyond the treetops, began to speak rapidly in clear, vibrating + tones. She was praying to her mother in heaven; and while Nuflo listened + absorbed, his mouth open, his eyes fixed on her, the hand that clutched + the knife dropped to his side. I also heard with the greatest wonder and + admiration. For she had been shy and reticent with me, and now, as if + oblivious of my presence, she was telling aloud the secrets of her inmost + heart. + </p> + <p> + “O mother, mother, listen to me, to Rima, your beloved child!” she began. + “All these years I have been wickedly deceived by grandfather—Nuflo—the + old man that found you. Often have I spoken to him of Riolama, where you + once were, and your people are, and he denied all knowledge of such a + place. Sometimes he said that it was at an immense distance, in a great + wilderness full of serpents larger than the trunks of great trees, and of + evil spirits and savage men, slayers of all strangers. At other times he + affirmed that no such place existed; that it was a tale told by the + Indians; such false things did he say to me—to Rima, your child. O + mother, can you believe such wickedness? + </p> + <p> + “Then a stranger, a white man from Venezuela, came into our woods: this is + the man that was bitten by a serpent, and his name is Abel; only I do not + call him by that name, but by other names which I have told you. But + perhaps you did not listen, or did not hear, for I spoke softly and not as + now, on my knees, solemnly. For I must tell you, O mother, that after you + died the priest at Voa told me repeatedly that when I prayed, whether to + you or to any of the saints, or to the Mother of Heaven, I must speak as + he had taught me if I wished to be heard and understood. And that was most + strange, since you had taught me differently; but you were living then, at + Voa, and now that you are in heaven, perhaps you know better. Therefore + listen to me now, O mother, and let nothing I say escape you. + </p> + <p> + “When this white man had been for some days with us, a strange thing + happened to me, which made me different, so that I was no longer Rima, + although Rima still—so strange was this thing; and I often went to + the pool to look at myself and see the change in me, but nothing different + could I see. In the first place it came from his eyes passing into mine, + and filling me just as the lightning fills a cloud at sunset: afterwards + it was no longer from his eyes only, but it came into me whenever I saw + him, even at a distance, when I heard his voice, and most of all when he + touched me with his hand. When he is out of my sight I cannot rest until I + see him again; and when I see him, then I am glad, yet in such fear and + trouble that I hide myself from him. O mother, it could not be told; for + once when he caught me in his arms and compelled me to speak of it, he did + not understand; yet there was need to tell it; then it came to me that + only to our people could it be told, for they would understand, and reply + to me, and tell me what to do in such a case. + </p> + <p> + “And now, O mother, this is what happened next. I went to grandfather and + first begged and then commanded him to take me to Riolama; but he would + not obey, nor give attention to what I said, but whenever I spoke to him + of it he rose up and hurried from me; and when I followed he flung back a + confused and angry reply, saying in the same breath that it was so long + since he had been to Riolama that he had forgotten where it was, and that + no such place existed. And which of his words were true and which false I + knew not; so that it would have been better if he had returned no answer + at all; and there was no help to be got from him. And having thus failed, + and there being no other person to speak to except this stranger, I + determined to go to him, and in his company seek through the whole world + for my people. This will surprise you, O mother, because of that fear + which came on me in his presence, causing me to hide from his sight; but + my wish was so great that for a time it overcame my fear; so that I went + to him as he sat alone in the wood, sad because he could not see me, and + spoke to him, and led him to the summit of Ytaioa to show me all the + countries of the world from the summit. And you must also know that I + tremble in his presence, not because I fear him as I fear Indians and + cruel men; for he has no evil in him, and is beautiful to look at, and his + words are gentle, and his desire is to be always with me, so that he + differs from all other men I have seen, just as I differ from all women, + except from you only, O sweet mother. + </p> + <p> + “On the mountain-top he marked out and named all the countries of the + world, the great mountains, the rivers, the plains, the forests, the + cities; and told me also of the peoples, whites and savages, but of our + people nothing. And beyond where the world ends there is water, water, + water. And when he spoke of that unknown part on the borders of Guayana, + on the side of the Cordilleras, he named the mountains of Riolama, and in + that way I first found out where my people are. I then left him on Ytaioa, + he refusing to follow me, and ran to grandfather and taxed him with his + falsehoods; and he, finding I knew all, escaped from me into the woods, + where I have now found him once more, talking with the stranger. And now, + O mother, seeing himself caught and unable to escape a second time, he has + taken up a knife to kill himself, so as not to take me to Riolama; and he + is only waiting until I finish speaking to you, for I wish him to know + what will happen to him after death. Therefore, O mother, listen well and + do what I tell you. When he has killed himself, and has come into that + place where you are, see that he does not escape the punishment he merits. + Watch well for his coming, for he is full of cunning and deceit, and will + endeavor to hide himself from your eyes. When you have recognized him—an + old man, brown as an Indian, with a white beard—point him out to the + angels, and say: ‘This is Nuflo, the bad man that lied to Rima.’ Let them + take him and singe his wings with fire, so that he may not escape by + flying; and afterwards thrust him into some dark cavern under a mountain, + and place a great stone that a hundred men could not remove over its + mouth, and leave him there alone and in the dark for ever!” + </p> + <p> + Having ended, she rose quickly from her knees, and at the same moment + Nuflo, dropping the knife, cast himself prostrate at her feet. + </p> + <p> + “Rima—my child, my child, not that!” he cried out in a voice that + was broken with terror. He tried to take hold of her feet with his hands, + but she shrank from him with aversion; still he kept on crawling after her + like a disabled lizard, abjectly imploring her to forgive him, reminding + her that he had saved from death the woman whose enmity had now been + enlisted against him, and declaring that he would do anything she + commanded him, and gladly perish in her service. + </p> + <p> + It was a pitiable sight, and moving quickly to her side I touched her on + the shoulder and asked her to forgive him. + </p> + <p> + The response came quickly enough. Turning to him once more, she said: “I + forgive you, grandfather. And now get up and take me to Riolama.” + </p> + <p> + He rose, but only to his knees. “But you have not told her!” he said, + recovering his natural voice, although still anxious, and jerking a thumb + over his shoulder. “Consider, my child, that I am old and shall doubtless + perish on the way. What would become of my soul in such a case? For now + you have told her everything, and it will not be forgotten.” + </p> + <p> + She regarded him in silence for a few moments; then, moving a little way + apart, dropped on to her knees again, and with raised hands and eyes fixed + on the blue space above, already sprinkled with stars, prayed again. + </p> + <p> + “O mother, listen to me, for I have something fresh to say to you. + Grandfather has not killed himself, but has asked my forgiveness and has + promised to obey me. O mother, I have forgiven him, and he will now take + me to Riolama, to our people. Therefore, O mother, if he dies on the way + to Riolama let nothing be done against him, but remember only that I + forgave him at the last; and when he comes into that place where you are, + let him be well received, for that is the wish of Rima, your child.” + </p> + <p> + As soon as this second petition was ended she was up again and engaged in + an animated discussion with him, urging him to take her without further + delay to Riolama; while he, now recovered from his fear, urged that so + important an undertaking required a great deal of thought and preparation; + that the journey would occupy about twenty days, and unless he set out + well provided with food he would starve before accomplishing half the + distance, and his death would leave her worse off than before. He + concluded by affirming that he could not start in less time than seven or + eight days. + </p> + <p> + For a while I listened with keen interest to this dispute, and at length + interposed once more on the old man’s side. The poor girl in her petition + had unwittingly revealed to me the power I possessed, and it was a + pleasing experience to exercise it. Touching her shoulder again, I assured + her that seven or eight days was only a reasonable time in which to + prepare for so long a journey. She instantly yielded, and after one glance + at my face, she moved swiftly away into the darker shadows, leaving me + alone with the old man. + </p> + <p> + As we returned together through the now profoundly dark wood, I explained + to him how the subject of Riolama had first come up during my conversation + with Rima, and he then apologized for the violent language he had used to + me. This personal question disposed of, he spoke of the pilgrimage before + him, and informed me in confidence that he intended preparing a quantity + of smoke-dried meat and packing it in a bag, with a layer of cassava + bread, dried pumpkin slips, and such innocent trifles to conceal it from + Rima’s keen sight and delicate nostrils. Finally he made a long rambling + statement which, I vainly imagined, was intended to lead up to an account + of Rima’s origin, with something about her people at Riolama; but it led + to nothing except an expression of opinion that the girl was afflicted + with a maggot in the brain, but that as she had interest with the powers + above, especially with her mother, who was now a very important person + among the celestials, it was good policy to submit to her wishes. Turning + to me, doubtless to wink (only I missed the sign owing to the darkness), + he added that it was a fine thing to have a friend at court. With a little + gratulatory chuckle he went on to say that for others it was necessary to + obey all the ordinances of the Church, to contribute to its support, hear + mass, confess from time to time, and receive absolution; consequently + those who went out into the wilderness, where there were no churches and + no priests to absolve them, did so at the risk of losing their souls. But + with him it was different: he expected in the end to escape the fires of + purgatory and go directly in all his uncleanness to heaven—a thing, + he remarked, which happened to very few; and he, Nuflo, was no saint, and + had first become a dweller in the desert, as a very young man, in order to + escape the penalty of his misdeeds. + </p> + <p> + I could not resist the temptation of remarking here that to an + unregenerate man the celestial country might turn out a somewhat + uncongenial place for a residence. He replied airily that he had + considered the point and had no fear about the future; that he was old, + and from all he had observed of the methods of government followed by + those who ruled over earthly affairs from the sky, he had formed a clear + idea of that place, and believed that even among so many glorified beings + he would be able to meet with those who would prove companionable enough + and would think no worse of him on account of his little blemishes. + </p> + <p> + How he had first got this idea into his brain about Rima’s ability to make + things smooth for him after death I cannot say; probably it was the effect + of the girl’s powerful personality and vivid faith acting on an ignorant + and extremely superstitious mind. While she was making that petition to + her mother in heaven, it did not seem in the least ridiculous to me: I had + felt no inclination to smile, even when hearing all that about the old + man’s wings being singed to prevent his escape by flying. Her rapt look; + the intense conviction that vibrated in her ringing, passionate tones; the + brilliant scorn with which she, a hater of bloodshed, one so tender + towards all living things, even the meanest, bade him kill himself, and + only hear first how her vengeance would pursue his deceitful soul into + other worlds; the clearness with which she had related the facts of the + case, disclosing the inmost secrets of her heart—all this had had a + strange, convincing effect on me. Listening to her I was no longer the + enlightened, the creedless man. She herself was so near to the + supernatural that it seemed brought near me; indefinable feelings, which + had been latent in me, stirred into life, and following the direction of + her divine, lustrous eyes, fixed on the blue sky above, I seemed to see + there another being like herself, a Rima glorified, leaning her pale, + spiritual face to catch the winged words uttered by her child on earth. + And even now, while hearing the old man’s talk, showing as it did a mind + darkened with such gross delusions, I was not yet altogether free from the + strange effect of that prayer. Doubtless it was a delusion; her mother was + not really there above listening to the girl’s voice. Still, in some + mysterious way, Rima had become to me, even as to superstitious old Nuflo, + a being apart and sacred, and this feeling seemed to mix with my passion, + to purify and exalt it and make it infinitely sweet and precious. + </p> + <p> + After we had been silent for some time, I said: “Old man, the result of + the grand discussion you have had with Rima is that you have agreed to + take her to Riolama, but about my accompanying you not one word has been + spoken by either of you.” + </p> + <p> + He stopped short to stare at me, and although it was too dark to see his + face, I felt his astonishment. “Senor!” he exclaimed, “we cannot go + without you. Have you not heard my granddaughter’s words—that it is + only because of you that she is about to undertake this crazy journey? If + you are not with us in this thing, then, senor, here we must remain. But + what will Rima say to that?” + </p> + <p> + “Very well, I will go, but only on one condition.” + </p> + <p> + “What is it?” he asked, with a sudden change of tone, which warned me that + he was becoming cautious again. + </p> + <p> + “That you tell me the whole story of Rima’s origin, and how you came to be + now living with her in this solitary place, and who these people are she + wishes to visit at Riolama.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, senor, it is a long story, and sad. But you shall hear it all. You + must hear it, senor, since you are now one of us; and when I am no longer + here to protect her, then she will be yours. And although you will never + be able to do more than old Nuflo for her, perhaps she will be better + pleased; and you, senor, better able to exist innocently by her side, + without eating flesh, since you will always have that rare flower to + delight you. But the story would take long to tell. You shall hear it all + as we journey to Riolama. What else will there be to talk about when we + are walking that long distance, and when we sit at night by the fire?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, old man, I am not to be put off in that way. I must hear it + before I start.” + </p> + <p> + But he was determined to reserve the narrative until the journey, and + after some further argument I yielded the point. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0013" id="link2HCH0013"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIII + </h2> + <p> + That evening by the fire old Nuflo, lately so miserable, now happy in his + delusions, was more than usually gay and loquacious. He was like a child + who by timely submission has escaped a threatened severe punishment. But + his lightness of heart was exceeded by mine; and, with the exception of + one other yet to come, that evening now shines in memory as the happiest + my life has known. For Rima’s sweet secret was known to me; and her very + ignorance of the meaning of the feeling she experienced, which caused her + to fly from me as from an enemy, only served to make the thought of it + more purely delightful. + </p> + <p> + On this occasion she did not steal away like a timid mouse to her own + apartment, as her custom was, but remained to give that one evening a + special grace, seated well away from the fire in that same shadowy corner + where I had first seen her indoors, when I had marvelled at her altered + appearance. From that corner she could see my face, with the firelight + full upon it, she herself in shadow, her eyes veiled by their drooping + lashes. Sitting there, the vivid consciousness of my happiness was like + draughts of strong, delicious wine, and its effect was like wine, + imparting such freedom to fancy, such fluency, that again and again old + Nuflo applauded, crying out that I was a poet, and begging me to put it + all into rhyme. I could not do that to please him, never having acquired + the art of improvisation—that idle trick of making words jingle + which men of Nuflo’s class in my country so greatly admire; yet it seemed + to me on that evening that my feelings could be adequately expressed only + in that sublimated language used by the finest minds in their inspired + moments; and, accordingly, I fell to reciting. But not from any modern, + nor from the poets of the last century, nor even from the greater + seventeenth century. I kept to the more ancient romances and ballads, the + sweet old verse that, whether glad or sorrowful, seems always natural and + spontaneous as the song of a bird, and so simple that even a child can + understand it. + </p> + <p> + It was late that night before all the romances I remembered or cared to + recite were exhausted, and not until then did Rima come out of her shaded + corner and steal silently away to her sleeping-place. + </p> + <p> + Although I had resolved to go with them, and had set Nuflo’s mind at rest + on the point, I was bent on getting the request from Rima’s own lips; and + the next morning the opportunity of seeing her alone presented itself, + after old Nuflo had sneaked off with his dogs. From the moment of his + departure I kept a close watch on the house, as one watches a bush in + which a bird one wishes to see has concealed itself, and out of which it + may dart at any moment and escape unseen. + </p> + <p> + At length she came forth, and seeing me in the way, would have slipped + back into hiding; for, in spite of her boldness on the previous day, she + now seemed shyer than ever when I spoke to her. + </p> + <p> + “Rima,” I said, “do you remember where we first talked together under a + tree one morning, when you spoke of your mother, telling me that she was + dead?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes.” + </p> + <p> + “I am going now to that spot to wait for you. I must speak to you again in + that place about this journey to Riolama.” As she kept silent, I added: + “Will you promise to come to me there?” + </p> + <p> + She shook her head, turning half away. + </p> + <p> + “Have you forgotten our compact, Rima?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” she returned; and then, suddenly coming near, spoke in a low tone: + “I will go there to please you, and you must also do as I tell you.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you wish, Rima?” + </p> + <p> + She came nearer still. “Listen! You must not look into my eyes, you must + not touch me with your hands.” + </p> + <p> + “Sweet Rima, I must hold your hand when I speak with you.” + </p> + <p> + “No, no, no,” she murmured, shrinking from me; and finding that it must be + as she wished, I reluctantly agreed. + </p> + <p> + Before I had waited long, she appeared at the trysting-place, and stood + before me, as on a former occasion, on that same spot of clean yellow + sand, clasping and unclasping her fingers, troubled in mind even then. + Only now her trouble was different and greater, making her shyer and more + reticent. + </p> + <p> + “Rima, your grandfather is going to take you to Riolama. Do you wish me to + go with you?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do you not know that?” she returned, with a swift glance at my face. + </p> + <p> + “How should I know?” + </p> + <p> + Her eyes wandered away restlessly. “On Ytaioa you told me a hundred things + which I did not know,” she replied in a vague way, wishing, perhaps, to + imply that with so great a knowledge of geography it was strange I did not + know everything, even her most secret thoughts. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, why must you go to Riolama?” + </p> + <p> + “You have heard. To speak to my people.” + </p> + <p> + “What will you say to them? Tell me.” + </p> + <p> + “What you do not understand. How tell you?” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you when you speak in Spanish.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, that is not speaking.” + </p> + <p> + “Last night you spoke to your mother in Spanish. Did you not tell her + everything?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh no—not then. When I tell her everything I speak in another way, + in a low voice—not on my knees and praying. At night, and in the + woods, and when I am alone I tell her. But perhaps she does not hear me; + she is not here, but up there—so far! She never answers, but when I + speak to my people they will answer me.” + </p> + <p> + Then she turned away as if there was nothing more to be said. + </p> + <p> + “Is this all I am to hear from you, Rima—these few words?” I + exclaimed. “So much did you say to your grandfather, so much to your dead + mother, but to me you say so little!” + </p> + <p> + She turned again, and with eyes cast down replied: + </p> + <p> + “He deceived me—I had to tell him that, and then to pray to mother. + But to you that do not understand, what can I say? Only that you are not + like him and all those that I knew at Voa. It is so different—and + the same. You are you, and I am I; why is it—do you know?” + </p> + <p> + “No; yes—I know, but cannot tell you. And if you find your people, + what will you do—leave me to go to them? Must I go all the way to + Riolama only to lose you?” + </p> + <p> + “Where I am, there you must be.” + </p> + <p> + “Why?” + </p> + <p> + “Do I not see it there?” she returned, with a quick gesture to indicate + that it appeared in my face. + </p> + <p> + “Your sight is keen, Rima—keen as a bird’s. Mine is not so keen. Let + me look once more into those beautiful wild eyes, then perhaps I shall see + in them as much as you see in mine.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh no, no, not that!” she murmured in distress, drawing away from me; + then with a sudden flash of brilliant colour cried: + </p> + <p> + “Have you forgotten the compact—the promise you made me?” + </p> + <p> + Her words made me ashamed, and I could not reply. But the shame was as + nothing in strength compared to the impulse I felt to clasp her beautiful + body in my arms and cover her face with kisses. Sick with desire, I turned + away and, sitting on a root of the tree, covered my face with my hands. + </p> + <p> + She came nearer: I could see her shadow through my fingers; then her face + and wistful, compassionate eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Forgive me, dear Rima,” I said, dropping my hands again. “I have tried so + hard to please you in everything! Touch my face with your hand—only + that, and I will go to Riolama with you, and obey you in all things.” + </p> + <p> + For a while she hesitated, then stepped quickly aside so that I could not + see her; but I knew that she had not left me, that she was standing just + behind me. And after waiting a moment longer I felt her fingers touching + my skin, softly, trembling over my cheek as if a soft-winged moth had + fluttered against it; then the slight aerial touch was gone, and she, too, + moth-like, had vanished from my side. + </p> + <p> + Left alone in the wood, I was not happy. That fluttering, flattering touch + of her finger-tips had been to me like spoken language, and more eloquent + than language, yet the sweet assurance it conveyed had not given perfect + satisfaction; and when I asked myself why the gladness of the previous + evening had forsaken me—why I was infected with this new sadness + when everything promised well for me, I found that it was because my + passion had greatly increased during the last few hours; even during sleep + it had been growing, and could no longer be fed by merely dwelling in + thought on the charms, moral and physical, of its object, and by dreams of + future fruition. + </p> + <p> + I concluded that it would be best for Rima’s sake as well as my own to + spend a few of the days before setting out on our journey with my Indian + friends, who would be troubled at my long absence; and, accordingly, next + morning I bade good-bye to the old man, promising to return in three or + four days, and then started without seeing Rima, who had quitted the house + before her usual time. After getting free of the woods, on casting back my + eyes I caught sight of the girl standing under an isolated tree watching + me with that vague, misty, greenish appearance she so frequently had when + seen in the light shade at a short distance. + </p> + <p> + “Rima!” I cried, hurrying back to speak to her, but when I reached the + spot she had vanished; and after waiting some time, seeing and hearing + nothing to indicate that she was near me, I resumed my walk, half thinking + that my imagination had deceived me. + </p> + <p> + I found my Indian friends home again, and was not surprised to observe a + distinct change in their manner towards me. I had expected as much; and + considering that they must have known very well where and in whose company + I had been spending my time, it was not strange. Coming across the + savannah that morning I had first begun to think seriously of the risk I + was running. But this thought only served to prepare me for a new + condition of things; for now to go back and appear before Rima, and thus + prove myself to be a person not only capable of forgetting a promise + occasionally, but also of a weak, vacillating mind, was not to be thought + of for a moment. + </p> + <p> + I was received—not welcomed—quietly enough; not a question, + not a word, concerning my long absence fell from anyone; it was as if a + stranger had appeared among them, one about whom they knew nothing and + consequently regarded with suspicion, if not actual hostility. I affected + not to notice the change, and dipped my hand uninvited in the pot to + satisfy my hunger, and smoked and dozed away the sultry hours in my + hammock. Then I got my guitar and spent the rest of the day over it, + tuning it, touching the strings so softly with my finger-tips that to a + person four yards off the sound must have seemed like the murmur or buzz + of an insect’s wings; and to this scarcely audible accompaniment I + murmured in an equally low tone a new song. + </p> + <p> + In the evening, when all were gathered under the roof and I had eaten + again, I took up the instrument once more, furtively watched by all those + half-closed animal eyes, and swept the strings loudly, and sang aloud. I + sang an old simple Spanish melody, to which I had put words in their own + language—a language with no words not in everyday use, in which it + is so difficult to express feelings out of and above the common. What I + had been constructing and practicing all the afternoon sotto voce was a + kind of ballad, an extremely simple tale of a poor Indian living alone + with his young family in a season of dearth; how day after day he ranged + the voiceless woods, to return each evening with nothing but a few + withered sour berries in his hand, to find his lean, large-eyed wife still + nursing the fire that cooked nothing, and his children crying for food, + showing their bones more plainly through their skins every day; and how, + without anything miraculous, anything wonderful, happening, that + barrenness passed from earth, and the garden once more yielded them + pumpkin and maize, and manioc, the wild fruits ripened, and the birds + returned, filling the forest with their cries; and so their long hunger + was satisfied, and the children grew sleek, and played and laughed in the + sunshine; and the wife, no longer brooding over the empty pot, wove a + hammock of silk grass, decorated with blue-and-scarlet feathers of the + macaw; and in that new hammock the Indian rested long from his labours, + smoking endless cigars. + </p> + <p> + When I at last concluded with a loud note of joy, a long, involuntary + suspiration in the darkening room told me that I had been listened to with + profound interest; and, although no word was spoken, though I was still a + stranger and under a cloud, it was plain that the experiment had + succeeded, and that for the present the danger was averted. + </p> + <p> + I went to my hammock and slept, but without undressing. Next morning I + missed my revolver and found that the holster containing it had been + detached from the belt. My knife had not been taken, possibly because it + was under me in the hammock while I slept. In answer to my inquiries I was + informed that Runi had BORROWED my weapon to take it with him to the + forest, where he had gone to hunt, and that he would return it to me in + the evening. I affected to take it in good part, although feeling secretly + ill at ease. Later in the day I came to the conclusion that Runi had had + it in his mind to murder me, that I had softened him by singing that + Indian story, and that by taking possession of the revolver he showed that + he now only meant to keep me a prisoner. Subsequent events confirmed me in + this suspicion. On his return he explained that he had gone out to seek + for game in the woods; and, going without a companion, he had taken my + revolver to preserve him from dangers—meaning those of a + supernatural kind; and that he had had the misfortune to drop it among the + bushes while in pursuit of some animal. I answered hotly that he had not + treated me like a friend; that if he had asked me for the weapon it would + have been lent to him; that as he had taken it without permission he must + pay me for it. After some pondering he said that when he took it I was + sleeping soundly; also, that it would not be lost; he would take me to the + place where he had dropped it, when we could search together for it. + </p> + <p> + He was in appearance more friendly towards me now, even asking me to + repeat my last evening’s song, and so we had that performance all over + again to everybody’s satisfaction. But when morning came he was not + inclined to go to the woods: there was food enough in the house, and the + pistol would not be hurt by lying where it had fallen a day longer. Next + day the same excuse; still I disguised my impatience and suspicion of him + and waited, singing the ballad for the third time that evening. Then I was + conducted to a wood about a league and a half away and we hunted for the + lost pistol among the bushes, I with little hope of finding it, while he + attended to the bird voices and frequently asked me to stand or lie still + when a chance of something offered. + </p> + <p> + The result of that wasted day was a determination on my part to escape + from Runi as soon as possible, although at the risk of making a deadly + enemy of him and of being compelled to go on that long journey to Riolama + with no better weapon than a hunting-knife. I had noticed, while appearing + not to do so, that outside of the house I was followed or watched by one + or other of the Indians, so that great circumspection was needed. On the + following day I attacked my host once more about the revolver, telling him + with well-acted indignation that if not found it must be paid for. I went + so far as to give a list of the articles I should require, including a bow + and arrows, zabatana, two spears, and other things which I need not + specify, to set me up for life as a wild man in the woods of Guayana. I + was going to add a wife, but as I had already been offered one it did not + appear to be necessary. He seemed a little taken aback at the value I set + upon my weapon, and promised to go and look for it again. Then I begged + that Kua-ko, in whose sharpness of sight I had great faith, might + accompany us. He consented, and named the next day but one for the + expedition. Very well, thought I, tomorrow their suspicion will be less, + and my opportunity will come; then taking up my rude instrument, I gave + them an old Spanish song: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Desde aquel doloroso momento; +</pre> + <p> + but this kind of music had lost its charm for them, and I was asked to + give them the ballad they understood so well, in which their interest + seemed to increase with every repetition. In spite of anxiety it amused me + to see old Cla-cla regarding me fixedly with owlish eyes and lips moving. + My tale had no wonderful things in it, like hers of the olden time, which + she told only to send her hearers to sleep. Perhaps she had discovered by + now that it was the strange honey of melody which made the coarse, common + cassava bread of everyday life in my story so pleasant to the palate. I + was quite prepared to receive a proposal to give her music and singing + lessons, and to bequeath a guitar to her in my last will and testament. + For, in spite of her hoary hair and million wrinkles, she, more than any + other savage I had met with, seemed to have taken a draught from Ponce de + Leon’s undiscovered fountain of eternal youth. Poor old witch! + </p> + <p> + The following day was the sixth of my absence from Rima, and one of + intense anxiety to me, a feeling which I endeavoured to hide by playing + with the children, fighting our old comic stick fights, and by strumming + noisily on the guitar. In the afternoon, when it was hottest, and all the + men who happened to be indoors were lying in their hammocks, I asked + Kua-ko to go with me to the stream to bathe. He refused—I had + counted on that—and earnestly advised me not to bathe in the pool I + was accustomed to, as some little caribe fishes had made their appearance + there and would be sure to attack me. I laughed at his idle tale and, + taking up my cloak, swung out of the door, whistling a lively air. He knew + that I always threw my cloak over my head and shoulders as a protection + from the sun and stinging flies when coming out of the water, and so his + suspicion was not aroused, and I was not followed. The pool was about ten + minutes’ walk from the house; I arrived at it with palpitating heart, and + going round to its end, where the stream was shallow, sat down to rest for + a few moments and take a few sips of cool water dipped up in my palm. + Presently I rose, crossed the stream, and began running, keeping among the + low trees near the bank until a dry gully, which extended for some + distance across the savannah, was reached. By following its course the + distance to be covered would be considerably increased, but the shorter + way would have exposed me to sight and made it more dangerous. I had put + forth too much speed at first, and in a short time my exertions, and the + hot sun, together with my intense excitement, overcame me. I dared not + hope that my flight had not been observed; I imagined that the Indians, + unencumbered by any heavy weight, were already close behind me, and ready + to launch their deadly spears at my back. With a sob of rage and despair I + fell prostrate on my face in the dry bed of the stream, and for two or + three minutes remained thus exhausted and unmanned, my heart throbbing so + violently that my whole frame was shaken. If my enemies had come on me + then disposed to kill me, I could not have lifted a hand in defence of my + life. But minutes passed and they came not. I rose and went on, at a fast + walk now, and when the sheltering streamed ended, I stooped among the sere + dwarfed shrubs scattered about here and there on its southern side; and + now creeping and now running, with an occasional pause to rest and look + back, I at last reached the dividing ridge at its southern extremity. The + rest of the way was over comparatively easy ground, inclining downwards; + and with that glad green forest now full in sight, and hope growing + stronger every minute in my breast, my knees ceased to tremble, and I ran + on again, scarcely pausing until I had touched and lost myself in the + welcome shadows. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0014" id="link2HCH0014"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIV + </h2> + <p> + Ah, that return to the forest where Rima dwelt, after so anxious day, when + the declining sun shone hotly still, and the green woodland shadows were + so grateful! The coolness, the sense of security, allayed the fever and + excitement I had suffered on the open savannah; I walked leisurely, + pausing often to listen to some bird voice or to admire some rare insect + or parasitic flower shining star-like in the shade. There was a strangely + delightful sensation in me. I likened myself to a child that, startled at + something it had seen while out playing in the sun, flies to its mother to + feel her caressing hand on its cheek and forget its tremors. And + describing what I felt in that way, I was a little ashamed and laughed at + myself; nevertheless the feeling was very sweet. At that moment Mother and + Nature seemed one and the same thing. As I kept to the more open part of + the wood, on its southernmost border, the red flame of the sinking sun was + seen at intervals through the deep humid green of the higher foliage. How + every object it touched took from it a new wonderful glory! At one spot, + high up where the foliage was scanty, and slender bush ropes and moss + depended like broken cordage from a dead limb—just there, bathing + itself in that glory-giving light, I noticed a fluttering bird, and stood + still to watch its antics. Now it would cling, head downwards, to the + slender twigs, wings and tail open; then, righting itself, it would flit + from waving line to line, dropping lower and lower; and anon soar upwards + a distance of twenty feet and alight to recommence the flitting and + swaying and dropping towards the earth. It was one of those birds that + have a polished plumage, and as it moved this way and that, flirting its + feathers, they caught the beams and shone at moments like glass or + burnished metal. Suddenly another bird of the same kind dropped down to it + as if from the sky, straight and swift as a falling stone; and the first + bird sprang up to meet the comer, and after rapidly wheeling round each + other for a moment, they fled away in company, screaming shrilly through + the wood, and were instantly lost to sight, while their jubilant cries + came back fainter and fainter at each repetition. + </p> + <p> + I envied them not their wings: at that moment earth did not seem fixed and + solid beneath me, nor I bound by gravity to it. The faint, floating + clouds, the blue infinite heaven itself, seemed not more ethereal and free + than I, or the ground I walked on. The low, stony hills on my right hand, + of which I caught occasional glimpses through the trees, looking now blue + and delicate in the level rays, were no more than the billowy projections + on the moving cloud of earth: the trees of unnumbered kinds—great + more, cecropia, and greenheart, bush and fern and suspended lianas, and + tall palms balancing their feathery foliage on slender stems—all was + but a fantastic mist embroidery covering the surface of that floating + cloud on which my feet were set, and which floated with me near the sun. + </p> + <p> + The red evening flame had vanished from the summits of the trees, the sun + was setting, the woods in shadow, when I got to the end of my walk. I did + not approach the house on the side of the door, yet by some means those + within became aware of my presence, for out they came in a great hurry, + Rima leading the way, Nuflo behind her, waving his arms and shouting. But + as I drew near, the girl dropped behind and stood motionless regarding me, + her face pallid and showing strong excitement. I could scarcely remove my + eyes from her eloquent countenance: I seemed to read in it relief and + gladness mingled with surprise and something like vexation. She was piqued + perhaps that I had taken her by surprise, that after much watching for me + in the wood I had come through it undetected when she was indoors. + </p> + <p> + “Happy the eyes that see you!” shouted the old man, laughing boisterously. + </p> + <p> + “Happy are mine that look on Rima again,” I answered. “I have been long + absent.” + </p> + <p> + “Long—you may say so,” returned Nuflo. “We had given you up. We said + that, alarmed at the thought of the journey to Riolama, you had abandoned + us.” + </p> + <p> + “WE said!” exclaimed Rima, her pallid face suddenly flushing. “I spoke + differently.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know—I know!” he said airily, waving his hand. “You said + that he was in danger, that he was kept against his will from coming. He + is present now—let him speak.” + </p> + <p> + “She was right,” I said. “Ah, Nuflo, old man, you have lived long, and got + much experience, but not insight—not that inner vision that sees + further than the eyes.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not that—I know what you mean,” he answered. Then, tossing his + hand towards the sky, he added: “The knowledge you speak of comes from + there.” + </p> + <p> + The girl had been listening with keen interest, glancing from one to the + other. “What!” she spoke suddenly, as if unable to keep silence, “do you + think, grandfather, that SHE tells me—when there is danger—when + the rain will cease—when the wind will blow—everything? Do I + not ask and listen, lying awake at night? She is always silent, like the + stars.” + </p> + <p> + Then, pointing to me with her finger, she finished: + </p> + <p> + “HE knows so many things! Who tells them to HIM?” + </p> + <p> + “But distinguish, Rima. You do not distinguish the great from the little,” + he answered loftily. “WE know a thousand things, but they are things that + any man with a forehead can learn. The knowledge that comes from the blue + is not like that—it is more important and miraculous. Is it not so, + senor?” he ended, appealing to me. + </p> + <p> + “Is it, then, left for me to decide?” said I, addressing the girl. + </p> + <p> + But though her face was towards me, she refused to meet my look and was + silent. Silent, but not satisfied: she doubted still, and had perhaps + caught something in my tone that strengthened her doubt. + </p> + <p> + Old Nuflo understood the expression. “Look at me, Rima,” he said, drawing + himself up. “I am old, and he is young—do I not know best? I have + spoken and have decided it.” + </p> + <p> + Still that unconvinced expression, and her face turned expectant to me. + </p> + <p> + “Am I to decide?” I repeated. + </p> + <p> + “Who, then?” she said at last, her voice scarcely more than a murmur; yet + there was reproach in the tone, as if she had made a long speech and I had + tyrannously driven her to it. + </p> + <p> + “Thus, then, I decide,” said I. “To each of us, as to every kind of + animal, even to small birds and insects, and to every kind of plant, there + is given something peculiar—a fragrance, a melody, a special + instinct, an art, a knowledge, which no other has. And to Rima has been + given this quickness of mind and power to divine distant things; it is + hers, just as swiftness and grace and changeful, brilliant colour are the + hummingbird’s; therefore she need not that anyone dwelling in the blue + should instruct her.” + </p> + <p> + The old man frowned and shook his head; while she, after one swift, shy + glance at my face, and with something like a smile flitting over her + delicate lips, turned and re-entered the house. + </p> + <p> + I felt convinced from that parting look that she had understood me, that + my words had in some sort given her relief; for, strong as was her faith + in the supernatural, she appeared as ready to escape from it, when a way + of escape offered, as from the limp cotton gown and constrained manner + worn in the house. The religion and cotton dress were evidently remains of + her early training at the settlement of Voa. + </p> + <p> + Old Nuflo, strange to say, had proved better than his word. Instead of + inventing new causes for delay, as I had imagined would be the case, he + now informed me that his preparations for the journey were all but + complete, that he had only waited for my return to set out. + </p> + <p> + Rima soon left us in her customary way, and then, talking by the fire, I + gave an account of my detention by the Indians and of the loss of my + revolver, which I thought very serious. + </p> + <p> + “You seem to think little of it,” I said, observing that he took it very + coolly. “Yet I know not how I shall defend myself in case of an attack.” + </p> + <p> + “I have no fear of an attack,” he answered. “It seems to me the same thing + whether you have a revolver or many revolvers and carbines and swords, or + no revolver—no weapon at all. And for a very simple reason. While + Rima is with us, so long as we are on her business, we are protected from + above. The angels, senor, will watch over us by day and night. What need + of weapons, then, except to procure food?” + </p> + <p> + “Why should not the angels provide us with food also?” said I. + </p> + <p> + “No, no, that is a different thing,” he returned. “That is a small and low + thing, a necessity common to all creatures, which all know how to meet. + You would not expect an angel to drive away a cloud of mosquitoes, or to + remove a bush-tick from your person. No, sir, you may talk of natural + gifts, and try to make Rima believe that she is what she is, and knows + what she knows, because, like a humming-bird or some plants with a + peculiar fragrance, she has been made so. It is wrong, senor, and, pardon + me for saying it, it ill becomes you to put such fables into her head.” + </p> + <p> + I answered, with a smile: “She herself seems to doubt what you believe.” + </p> + <p> + “But, senor, what can you expect from an ignorant girl like Rima? She + knows nothing, or very little, and will not listen to reason. If she would + only remain quietly indoors, with her hair braided, and pray and read her + Catechism, instead of running about after flowers and birds and + butterflies and such unsubstantial things, it would be better for both of + us.” + </p> + <p> + “In what way, old man?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, it is plain that if she would cultivate the acquaintance of the + people that surround her—I mean those that come to her from her + sainted mother—and are ready to do her bidding in everything, she + could make it more safe for us in this place. For example, there is Runi + and his people; why should they remain living so near us as to be a + constant danger when a pestilence of small-pox or some other fever might + easily be sent to kill them off?” + </p> + <p> + “And have you ever suggested such a thing to your grandchild?” + </p> + <p> + He looked surprised and grieved at the question. “Yes, many times, senor,” + he said. “I should have been a poor Christian had I not mentioned it. But + when I speak of it she gives me a look and is gone, and I see no more of + her all day, and when I see her she refuses even to answer me—so + perverse, so foolish is she in her ignorance; for, as you can see for + yourself, she has no more sense or concern about what is most important + than some little painted fly that flits about all day long without any + object.” + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0015" id="link2HCH0015"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XV + </h2> + <p> + The next day we were early at work. Nuflo had already gathered, dried, and + conveyed to a place of concealment the greater portion of his garden + produce. He was determined to leave nothing to be taken by any wandering + party of savages that might call at the house during our absence. He had + no fear of a visit from his neighbours; they would not know, he said, that + he and Rima were out of the wood. A few large earthen pots, filled with + shelled maize, beans, and sun-dried strips of pumpkin, still remained to + be disposed of. Taking up one of these vessels and asking me to follow + with another, he started off through the wood. We went a distance of five + or six hundred yards, then made our way down a very steep incline, close + to the border of the forest on the western side. Arrived at the bottom, we + followed the bank a little further, and I then found myself once more at + the foot of the precipice over which I had desperately thrown myself on + the stormy evening after the snake had bitten me. Nuflo, stealing silently + and softly before me through the bushes, had observed a caution and + secrecy in approaching this spot resembling that of a wise old hen when + she visits her hidden nest to lay an egg. And here was his nest, his most + secret treasure-house, which he had probably not revealed even to me + without a sharp inward conflict, notwithstanding that our fates were now + linked together. The lower portion of the bank was of rock; and in it, + about ten or twelve feet above the ground, but easily reached from below, + there was a natural cavity large enough to contain all his portable + property. Here, besides the food-stuff, he had already stored a quantity + of dried tobacco leaf, his rude weapons, cooking utensils, ropes, mats, + and other objects. Two or three more journeys were made for the remaining + pots, after which we adjusted a slab of sandstone to the opening, which + was fortunately narrow, plastered up the crevices with clay, and covered + them over with moss to hide all traces of our work. + </p> + <p> + Towards evening, after we had refreshed ourselves with a long siesta, + Nuflo brought out from some other hiding-place two sacks; one weighing + about twenty pounds and containing smoke-dried meat, also grease and gum + for lighting-purposes, and a few other small objects. This was his load; + the other sack, which was smaller and contained parched corn and raw + beans, was for me to carry. + </p> + <p> + The old man, cautious in all his movements, always acting as if surrounded + by invisible spies, delayed setting out until an hour after dark. Then, + skirting the forest on its west side, we left Ytaioa on our right hand, + and after travelling over rough, difficult ground, with only the stars to + light us, we saw the waning moon rise not long before dawn. Our course had + been a north-easterly one at first; now it was due east, with broad, dry + savannahs and patches of open forest as far as we could see before us. It + was weary walking on that first night, and weary waiting on the first day + when we sat in the shade during the long, hot hours, persecuted by small + stinging flies; but the days and nights that succeeded were far worse, + when the weather became bad with intense heat and frequent heavy falls of + rain. The one compensation I had looked for, which would have outweighed + all the extreme discomforts we suffered, was denied me. Rima was no more + to me or with me now than she had been during those wild days in her + native woods, when every bush and bole and tangled creeper or fern frond + had joined in a conspiracy to keep her out of my sight. It is true that at + intervals in the daytime she was visible, sometimes within speaking + distance, so that I could address a few words to her, but there was no + companionship, and we were fellow travellers only like birds flying + independently in the same direction, not so widely separated but that they + can occasionally hear and see each other. The pilgrim in the desert is + sometimes attended by a bird, and the bird, with its freer motions, will + often leave him a league behind and seem lost to him, but only to return + and show its form again; for it has never lost sight nor recollection of + the traveller toiling slowly over the surface. Rima kept us company in + some such wild erratic way as that. A word, a sign from Nuflo was enough + for her to know the direction to take—the distant forest or still + more distant mountain near which we should have to pass. She would hasten + on and be lost to our sight, and when there was a forest in the way she + would explore it, resting in the shade and finding her own food; but + invariably she was before us at each resting- or camping-place. + </p> + <p> + Indian villages were seen during the journey, but only to be avoided; and + in like manner, if we caught sight of Indians travelling or camping at a + distance, we would alter our course, or conceal ourselves to escape + observation. Only on one occasion, two days after setting out, were we + compelled to speak with strangers. We were going round a hill, and all at + once came face to face with three persons travelling in an opposite + direction—two men and a woman, and, by a strange fatality, Rima at + that moment happened to be with us. We stood for some time talking to + these people, who were evidently surprised at our appearance, and wished + to learn who we were; but Nuflo, who spoke their language like one of + themselves, was too cunning to give any true answer. They, on their side, + told us that they had been to visit a relative at Chani, the name of a + river three days ahead of us, and were now returning to their own village + at Baila-baila, two days beyond Parahuari. After parting from them Nuflo + was much troubled in his mind for the rest of that day. These people, he + said, would probably rest at some Parahuari village, where they would be + sure to give a description of us, and so it might eventually come to the + knowledge of our unneighbourly neighbour Runi that we had left Ytaioa. + </p> + <p> + Other incidents of our long and wearisome journey need not be related. + Sitting under some shady tree during the sultry hours, with Rima only too + far out of earshot, or by the nightly fire, the old man told me little by + little and with much digression, chiefly on sacred subjects, the strange + story of the girl’s origin. + </p> + <p> + About seventeen years back—Nuflo had no sure method to compute time + by—when he was already verging on old age, he was one of a company + of nine men, living a kind of roving life in the very part of Guayana + through which we were now travelling; the others, much younger than + himself, were all equally offenders against the laws of Venezuela, and + fugitives from justice. Nuflo was the leader of this gang, for it happened + that he had passed a great portion of his life outside the pale of + civilization, and could talk the Indian language, and knew this part of + Guayana intimately. But according to his own account he was not in harmony + with them. They were bold, desperate men, whose evil appetites had so far + only been whetted by the crimes they had committed; while he, with + passions worn out, recalling his many bad acts, and with a vivid + conviction of the truth of all he had been taught in early life—for + Nuflo was nothing if not religious—was now grown timid and desirous + only of making his peace with Heaven. This difference of disposition made + him morose and quarrelsome with his companions; and they would, he said, + have murdered him without remorse if he had not been so useful to them. + Their favourite plan was to hang about the neighbourhood of some small + isolated settlement, keeping a watch on it, and, when most of the male + inhabitants were absent, to swoop down on it and work their will. Now, + shortly after one of these raids it happened that a woman they had carried + off, becoming a burden to them, was flung into a river to the alligators; + but when being dragged down to the waterside she cast up her eyes, and in + a loud voice cried to God to execute vengeance on her murderers. Nuflo + affirmed that he took no part in this black deed; nevertheless, the + woman’s dying appeal to Heaven preyed on his mind; he feared that it might + have won a hearing, and the “person” eventually commissioned to execute + vengeance—after the usual days, of course might act on the principle + of the old proverb: Tell me whom you are with, and I will tell you what + you are—and punish the innocent (himself to wit) along with the + guilty. But while thus anxious about his spiritual interests, he was not + yet prepared to break with his companions. He thought it best to + temporize, and succeeded in persuading them that it would be unsafe to + attack another Christian settlement for some time to come; that in the + interval they might find some pleasure, if no great credit, by turning + their attention to the Indians. The infidels, he said, were God’s natural + enemies and fair game to the Christian. To make a long story short, + Nuflo’s Christian band, after some successful adventures, met with a + reverse which reduced their number from nine to five. Flying from their + enemies, they sought safety at Riolama, an uninhabited place, where they + found it possible to exist for some weeks on game, which was abundant, and + wild fruits. + </p> + <p> + One day at noon, while ascending a mountain at the southern extremity of + the Riolama range in order to get a view of the country beyond the summit, + Nuflo and his companions discovered a cave; and finding it dry, without + animal occupants, and with a level floor, they at once determined to make + it their dwelling-place for a season. Wood for firing and water were to be + had close by; they were also well provided with smoked flesh of a tapir + they had slaughtered a day or two before, so that they could afford to + rest for a time in so comfortable a shelter. At a short distance from the + cave they made a fire on the rock to toast some slices of meat for their + dinner; and while thus engaged all at once one of the men uttered a cry of + astonishment, and casting up his eyes Nuflo beheld, standing near and + regarding them with surprise and fear in-her wide-open eyes, a woman of a + most wonderful appearance. The one slight garment she had on was silky and + white as the snow on the summit of some great mountain, but of the snow + when the sinking sun touches and gives it some delicate changing colour + which is like fire. Her dark hair was like a cloud from which her face + looked out, and her head was surrounded by an aureole like that of a saint + in a picture, only more beautiful. For, said Nuflo, a picture is a + picture, and the other was a reality, which is finer. Seeing her he fell + on his knees and crossed himself; and all the time her eyes, full of + amazement and shining with such a strange splendour that he could not meet + them, were fixed on him and not on the others; and he felt that she had + come to save his soul, in danger of perdition owing to his companionship + with men who were at war with God and wholly bad. + </p> + <p> + But at this moment his comrades, recovering from their astonishment, + sprang to their feet, and the heavenly woman vanished. Just behind where + she had stood, and not twelve yards from them, there was a huge chasm in + the mountain, its jagged precipitous sides clothed with thorny bushes; the + men now cried out that she had made her escape that way, and down after + her they rushed, pell-mell. + </p> + <p> + Nuflo cried out after them that they had seen a saint and that some + horrible thing would befall them if they allowed any evil thought to enter + their hearts; but they scoffed at his words, and were soon far down out of + hearing, while he, trembling with fear, remained praying to the woman that + had appeared to them and had looked with such strange eyes at him, not to + punish him for the sins of the others. + </p> + <p> + Before long the men returned, disappointed and sullen, for they had failed + in their search for the woman; and perhaps Nuflo’s warning words had made + them give up the chase too soon. At all events, they seemed ill at ease, + and made up their minds to abandon the cave; in a short time they left the + place to camp that night at a considerable distance from the mountain. But + they were not satisfied: they had now recovered from their fear, but not + from the excitement of an evil passion; and finally, after comparing + notes, they came to the conclusion that they had missed a great prize + through Nuflo’s cowardice; and when he reproved them they blasphemed all + the saints in the calendar and even threatened him with violence. Fearing + to remain longer in the company of such godless men, he only waited until + they slept, then rose up cautiously, helped himself to most of the + provisions, and made his escape, devoutly hoping that after losing their + guide they would all speedily perish. + </p> + <p> + Finding himself alone now and master of his own actions, Nuflo was in + terrible distress, for while his heart was in the utmost fear, it yet + urged him imperiously to go back to the mountain, to seek again for that + sacred being who had appeared to him and had been driven away by his + brutal companions. If he obeyed that inner voice, he would be saved; if he + resisted it, then there would be no hope for him, and along with those who + had cast the woman to the alligators he would be lost eternally. Finally, + on the following day, he went back, although not without fear and + trembling, and sat down on a stone just where he had sat toasting his + tapir meat on the previous day. But he waited in vain, and at length that + voice within him, which he had so far obeyed, began urging him to descend + into the valley-like chasm down which the woman had escaped from his + comrades, and to seek for her there. Accordingly he rose and began + cautiously and slowly climbing down over the broken jagged rocks and + through a dense mass of thorny bushes and creepers. At the bottom of the + chasm a clear, swift stream of water rushed with foam and noise along its + rocky bed; but before reaching it, and when it was still twenty yards + lower down, he was startled by hearing a low moan among the bushes, and + looking about for the cause, he found the wonderful woman—his + saviour, as he expressed it. She was not now standing nor able to stand, + but half reclining among the rough stones, one foot, which she had + sprained in that headlong flight down the ragged slope, wedged immovably + between the rocks; and in this painful position she had remained a + prisoner since noon on the previous day. She now gazed on her visitor in + silent consternation; while he, casting himself prostrate on the ground, + implored her forgiveness and begged to know her will. But she made no + reply; and at length, finding that she was powerless to move, he concluded + that, though a saint and one of the beings that men worship, she was also + flesh and liable to accidents while sojourning on earth; and perhaps, he + thought, that accident which had befallen her had been specially designed + by the powers above to prove him. With great labour, and not without + causing her much pain, he succeeded in extricating her from her position; + and then finding that the injured foot was half crushed and blue and + swollen, he took her up in his arms and carried her to the stream. There, + making a cup of a broad green leaf, he offered her water, which she drank + eagerly; and he also laved her injured foot in the cold stream and + bandaged it with fresh aquatic leaves; finally he made her a soft bed of + moss and dry grass and placed her on it. That night he spent keeping watch + over her, at intervals applying fresh wet leaves to her foot as the old + ones became dry and wilted from the heat of the inflammation. + </p> + <p> + The effect of all he did was that the terror with which she regarded him + gradually wore off; and next day, when she seemed to be recovering her + strength, he proposed by signs to remove her to the cave higher up, where + she would be sheltered in case of rain. She appeared to understand him, + and allowed herself to be taken up in his arms and carried with much + labour to the top of the chasm. In the cave he made her a second couch, + and tended her assiduously. He made a fire on the floor and kept it + burning night and day, and supplied her with water to drink and fresh + leaves for her foot. There was little more that he could do. From the + choicest and fattest bits of toasted tapir flesh he offered her she turned + away with disgust. A little cassava bread soaked in water she would take, + but seemed not to like it. After a time, fearing that she would starve, he + took to hunting after wild fruits, edible bulbs and gums, and on these + small things she subsisted during the whole time of their sojourn together + in the desert. + </p> + <p> + The woman, although lamed for life, was now so far recovered as to be able + to limp about without assistance, and she spent a portion of each day out + among the rocks and trees on the mountains. Nuflo at first feared that she + would now leave him, but before long he became convinced that she had no + such intentions. And yet she was profoundly unhappy. He was accustomed to + see her seated on a rock, as if brooding over some secret grief, her head + bowed, and great tears falling from half-closed eyes. + </p> + <p> + From the first he had conceived the idea that she was in the way of + becoming a mother at no distant date—an idea which seemed to accord + badly with the suppositions as to the nature of this heavenly being he was + privileged to minister to and so win salvation; but he was now convinced + of its truth, and he imagined that in her condition he had discovered the + cause of that sorrow and anxiety which preyed continually on her. By means + of that dumb language of signs which enabled them to converse together a + little, he made it known to her that at a great distance from the + mountains there existed a place where there were beings like herself, + women, and mothers of children, who would comfort and tenderly care for + her. When she had understood, she seemed pleased and willing to accompany + him to that distant place; and so it came to pass that they left their + rocky shelter and the mountains of Riolama far behind. But for several + days, as they slowly journeyed over the plain, she would pause at + intervals in her limping walk to gaze back on those blue summits, shedding + abundant tears. + </p> + <p> + Fortunately the village Voa, on the river of the same name, which was the + nearest Christian settlement to Riolama, whither his course was directed, + was well known to him; he had lived there in former years, and, what was + of great advantage, the inhabitants were ignorant of his worst crimes, or, + to put it in his own subtle way, of the crimes committed by the men he had + acted with. Great was the astonishment and curiosity of the people of Voa + when, after many weeks’ travelling, Nuflo arrived at last with his + companion. But he was not going to tell the truth, nor even the least + particle of the truth, to a gaping crowd of inferior persons. For these, + ingenious lies; only to the priest he told the whole story, dwelling + minutely on all he had done to rescue and protect her; all of which was + approved by the holy man, whose first act was to baptize the woman for + fear that she was not a Christian. Let it be said to Nuflo’s credit that + he objected to this ceremony, arguing that she could not be a saint, with + an aureole in token of her sainthood, yet stand in need of being baptized + by a priest. A priest—he added, with a little chuckle of malicious + pleasure—who was often seen drunk, who cheated at cards, and was + sometimes suspected of putting poison on his fighting-cock’s spur to make + sure of the victory! Doubtless the priest had his faults; but he was not + without humanity, and for the whole seven years of that unhappy stranger’s + sojourn at Voa he did everything in his power to make her existence + tolerable. Some weeks after arriving she gave birth to a female child, and + then the priest insisted on naming it Riolama, in order, he said, to keep + in remembrance the strange story of the mother’s discovery at that place. + </p> + <p> + Rima’s mother could not be taught to speak either Spanish or Indian; and + when she found that the mysterious and melodious sounds that fell from her + own lips were understood by none, she ceased to utter them, and thereafter + preserved an unbroken silence among the people she lived with. But from + the presence of others she shrank, as if in disgust or fear, excepting + only Nuflo and the priest, whose kindly intentions she appeared to + understand and appreciate. So far her life in the village was silent and + sorrowful. With her child it was different; and every day that was not + wet, taking the little thing by the hand, she would limp painfully out + into the forest, and there, sitting on the ground, the two would commune + with each other by the hour in their wonderful language. + </p> + <p> + At length she began to grow perceptibly paler and feebler week by week, + day by day, until she could no longer go out into the wood, but sat or + reclined, panting for breath in the dull hot room, waiting for death to + release her. At the same time little Rima, who had always appeared frail, + as if from sympathy, now began to fade and look more shadowy, so that it + was expected she would not long survive her parent. To the mother death + came slowly, but at last it seemed so near that Nuflo and the priest were + together at her side waiting to see the end. It was then that little Rima, + who had learnt from infancy to speak in Spanish, rose from the couch where + her mother had been whispering to her, and began with some difficulty to + express what was in the dying woman’s mind. Her child, she had said, could + not continue to live in that hot wet place, but if taken away to a + distance where there were mountains and a cooler air she would survive and + grow strong again. + </p> + <p> + Hearing this, old Nuflo declared that the child should not perish; that he + himself would take her away to Parahuari, a distant place where there were + mountains and dry plains and open woods; that he would watch over her and + care for her there as he had cared for her mother at Riolama. + </p> + <p> + When the substance of this speech had been made known by Rima to the dying + woman, she suddenly rose up from her couch, which she had not risen from + for many days, and stood erect on the floor, her wasted face shining with + joy. Then Nuflo knew that God’s angels had come for her, and put out his + arms to save her from falling; and even while he held her that sudden + glory went out from her face, now of a dead white like burnt-out ashes; + and murmuring something soft and melodious, her spirit passed away. + </p> + <p> + Once more Nuflo became a wanderer, now with the fragile-looking little + Rima for companion, the sacred child who had inherited the position of his + intercessor from a sacred mother. The priest, who had probably become + infected with Nuflo’s superstitions, did not allow them to leave Voa + empty-handed, but gave the old man as much calico as would serve to buy + hospitality and whatsoever he might require from the Indians for many a + day to come. + </p> + <p> + At Parahuari, where they arrived safely at last, they lived for some + little time at one of the villages. But the child had an instinctive + aversion to all savages, or possibly the feeling was derived from her + mother, for it had shown itself early at Voa, where she had refused to + learn their language; and this eventually led Nuflo to go away and live + apart from them, in the forest by Ytaioa, where he made himself a house + and garden. The Indians, however, continued friendly with him and visited + him with frequency. But when Rima grew up, developing into that mysterious + woodland girl I found her, they became suspicious, and in the end regarded + her with dangerously hostile feeling. She, poor child, detested them + because they were incessantly at war with the wild animals she loved, her + companions; and having no fear of them, for she did not know that they had + it in their minds to turn their little poisonous arrows against herself, + she was constantly in the woods frustrating them; and the animals, in + league with her, seemed to understand her note of warning and hid + themselves or took to flight at the approach of danger. At length their + hatred and fear grew to such a degree that they determined to make away + with her, and one day, having matured a plan, they went to the wood and + spread themselves two and two about it. The couples did not keep together, + but moved about or remained concealed at a distance of forty or fifty + yards apart, lest she should be missed. Two of the savages, armed with + blow-pipes, were near the border of the forest on the side nearest to the + village, and one of them, observing a motion in the foliage of a tree, ran + swiftly and cautiously towards it to try and catch a glimpse of the enemy. + And he did see her no doubt, as she was there watching both him and his + companions, and blew an arrow at her, but even while in the act of blowing + it he was himself struck by a dart that buried itself deep in his flesh + just over the heart. He ran some distance with the fatal barbed point in + his flesh and met his comrade, who had mistaken him for the girl and shot + him. The wounded man threw himself down to die, and dying related that he + had fired at the girl sitting up in a tree and that she had caught the + arrow in her hand only to hurl it instantly back with such force and + precision that it pierced his flesh just over the heart. He had seen it + all with his own eyes, and his friend who had accidentally slain him + believed his story and repeated it to the others. Rima had seen one Indian + shoot the other, and when she told her grandfather he explained to her + that it was an accident, but he guessed why the arrow had been fired. + </p> + <p> + From that day the Indians hunted no more in the wood; and at length one + day Nuflo, meeting an Indian who did not know him and with whom he had + some talk, heard the strange story of the arrow, and that the mysterious + girl who could not be shot was the offspring of an old man and a Didi who + had become enamoured of him; that, growing tired of her consort, the Didi + had returned to her river, leaving her half-human child to play her + malicious pranks in the wood. + </p> + <p> + This, then, was Nuflo’s story, told not in Nuflo’s manner, which was + infinitely prolix; and think not that it failed to move me—that I + failed to bless him for what he had done, in spite of his selfish motives. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0016" id="link2HCH0016"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVI + </h2> + <p> + We were eighteen days travelling to Riolama, on the last two making little + progress, on account of continuous rain, which made us miserable beyond + description. Fortunately the dogs had found, and Nuflo had succeeded in + killing, a great ant-eater, so that we were well supplied with excellent, + strength-giving flesh. We were among the Riolama mountains at last, and + Rima kept with us, apparently expecting great things. I expected nothing, + for reasons to be stated by and by. My belief was that the only important + thing that could happen to us would be starvation. + </p> + <p> + The afternoon of the last day was spent in skirting the foot of a very + long mountain, crowned at its southern extremity with a huge, rocky mass + resembling the head of a stone sphinx above its long, couchant body, and + at its highest part about a thousand feet above the surrounding level. It + was late in the day, raining fast again, yet the old man still toiled on, + contrary to his usual practice, which was to spend the last daylight hours + in gathering firewood and in constructing a shelter. At length, when we + were nearly under the peak, he began to ascend. The rise in this place was + gentle, and the vegetation, chiefly composed of dwarf thorn trees rooted + in the clefts of the rock, scarcely impeded our progress; yet Nuflo moved + obliquely, as if he found the ascent difficult, pausing frequently to take + breath and look round him. Then we came to a deep, ravine-like cleft in + the side of the mountain, which became deeper and narrower above us, but + below it broadened out to a valley; its steep sides as we looked down were + clothed with dense, thorny vegetation, and from the bottom rose to our + ears the dull sound of a hidden torrent. Along the border of this ravine + Nuflo began toiling upwards, and finally brought us out upon a stony + plateau on the mountain-side. Here he paused and, turning and regarding us + with a look as of satisfied malice in his eyes, remarked that we were at + our journey’s end, and he trusted the sight of that barren mountain-side + would compensate us for all the discomforts we had suffered during the + last eighteen days. + </p> + <p> + I heard him with indifference. I had already recognized the place from his + own exact description of it, and I now saw all that I had looked to see—a + big, barren hill. But Rima, what had she expected that her face wore that + blank look of surprise and pain? “Is this the place where mother appeared + to you?” she suddenly cried. “The very place—this! This!” Then she + added: “The cave where you tended her—where is it?” + </p> + <p> + “Over there,” he said, pointing across the plateau, which was partially + overgrown with dwarf trees and bushes, and ended at a wall of rock, almost + vertical and about forty feet high. + </p> + <p> + Going to this precipice, we saw no cave until Nuflo had cut away two or + three tangled bushes, revealing an opening behind, about half as high and + twice as wide as the door of an ordinary dwelling-house. + </p> + <p> + The next thing was to make a torch, and aided by its light we groped our + way in and explored the interior. The cave, we found, was about fifty feet + long, narrowing to a mere hole at the extremity; but the anterior portion + formed an oblong chamber, very lofty, with a dry floor. Leaving our torch + burning, we set to work cutting bushes to supply ourselves with wood + enough to last us all night. Nuflo, poor old man, loved a big fire dearly; + a big fire and fat meat to eat (the ranker its flavour, the better he + liked it) were to him the greatest blessings that man could wish for. In + me also the prospect of a cheerful blaze put a new heart, and I worked + with a will in the rain, which increased in the end to a blinding + downpour. + </p> + <p> + By the time I dragged my last load in, Nuflo had got his fire well alight, + and was heaping on wood in a most lavish way. “No fear of burning our + house down tonight,” he remarked, with a chuckle—the first sound of + that description he had emitted for a long time. + </p> + <p> + After we had satisfied our hunger, and had smoked one or two cigarettes, + the unaccustomed warmth, and dryness, and the firelight affected us with + drowsiness, and I had probably been nodding for some time; but starting at + last and opening my eyes, I missed Rima. The old man appeared to be + asleep, although still in a sitting posture close to the fire. I rose and + hurried out, drawing my cloak close around me to protect me from the rain; + but what was my surprise on emerging from the cave to feel a dry, bracing + wind in my face and to see the desert spread out for leagues before me in + the brilliant white light of a full moon! The rain had apparently long + ceased, and only a few thin white clouds appeared moving swiftly over the + wide blue expanse of heaven. It was a welcome change, but the shock of + surprise and pleasure was instantly succeeded by the maddening fear that + Rima was lost to me. She was nowhere in sight beneath, and running to the + end of the little plateau to get free of the thorn trees, I turned my eyes + towards the summit, and there, at some distance above me, caught sight of + her standing motionless and gazing upwards. I quickly made my way to her + side, calling to her as I approached; but she only half turned to cast a + look at me and did not reply. + </p> + <p> + “Rima,” I said, “why have you come here? Are you actually thinking of + climbing the mountain at this hour of the night?” “Yes—why not?” she + returned, moving one or two steps from me. + </p> + <p> + “Rima—sweet Rima, will you listen to me?” + </p> + <p> + “Now? Oh, no—why do you ask that? Did I not listen to you in the + wood before we started, and you also promised to do what I wished? See, + the rain is over and the moon shines brightly. Why should I wait? Perhaps + from the summit I shall see my people’s country. Are we not near it now?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Rima, what do you expect to see? Listen—you must listen, for I + know best. From that summit you would see nothing but a vast dim desert, + mountain and forest, mountain and forest, where you might wander for + years, or until you perished of hunger or fever, or were slain by some + beast of prey or by savage men; but oh, Rima, never, never, never would + you find your people, for they exist not. You have seen the false water of + the mirage on the savannah, when the sun shines bright and hot; and if one + were to follow it one would at last fall down and perish, with never a + cool drop to moisten one’s parched lips. And your hope, Rima—this + hope to find your people which has brought you all the way to Riolama—is + a mirage, a delusion, which will lead to destruction if you will not + abandon it.” + </p> + <p> + She turned to face me with flashing eyes. “You know best!” she exclaimed. + “You know best and tell me that! Never until this moment have you spoken + falsely. Oh, why have you said such things to me—named after this + place, Riolama? Am I also like that false water you speak of—no + divine Rima, no sweet Rima? My mother, had she no mother, no mother’s + mother? I remember her, at Voa, before she died, and this hand seems real—like + yours; you have asked to hold it. But it is not he that speaks to me—not + one that showed me the whole world on Ytaioa. Ah, you have wrapped + yourself in a stolen cloak, only you have left your old grey beard behind! + Go back to the cave and look for it, and leave me to seek my people + alone!” + </p> + <p> + Once more, as on that day in the forest when she prevented me from killing + the serpent, and as on the occasion of her meeting with Nuflo after we had + been together on Ytaioa, she appeared transformed and instinct with + intense resentment—a beautiful human wasp, and every word a sting. + </p> + <p> + “Rima,” I cried, “you are cruelly unjust to say such words to me. If you + know that I have never deceived you before, give me a little credit now. + You are no delusion—no mirage, but Rima, like no other being on + earth. So perfectly truthful and pure I cannot be, but rather than mislead + you with falsehoods I would drop down and die on this rock, and lose you + and the sweet light that shines on us for ever.” + </p> + <p> + As she listened to my words, spoken with passion, she grew pale and + clasped her hands. “What have I said? What have I said?” She spoke in a + low voice charged with pain, and all at once she came nearer, and with a + low, sobbing cry sank down at my feet, uttering, as on the occasion of + finding me lost at night in the forest near her home, tender, sorrowful + expressions in her own mysterious language. But before I could take her in + my arms she rose again quickly to her feet and moved away a little space + from me. + </p> + <p> + “Oh no, no, it cannot be that you know best!” she began again. “But I know + that you have never sought to deceive me. And now, because I falsely + accused you, I cannot go there without you”—pointing to the summit—“but + must stand still and listen to all you have to say.” + </p> + <p> + “You know, Rima, that your grandfather has now told me your history—how + he found your mother at this place, and took her to Voa, where you were + born; but of your mother’s people he knows nothing, and therefore he can + now take you no further.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, you think that! He says that now; but he deceived me all these years, + and if he lied to me in the past, can he not still lie, affirming that he + knows nothing of my people, even as he affirmed that he knew not Riolama?” + </p> + <p> + “He tells lies and he tells truth, Rima, and one can be distinguished from + the other. He spoke truthfully at last, and brought us to this place, + beyond which he cannot lead you.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right; I must go alone.” + </p> + <p> + “Not so, Rima, for where you go, there we must go; only you will lead and + we follow, believing only that our quest will end in disappointment, if + not in death.” + </p> + <p> + “Believe that and yet follow! Oh no! Why did he consent to lead me so far + for nothing?” + </p> + <p> + “Do you forget that you compelled him? You know what he believes; and he + is old and looks with fear at death, remembering his evil deeds, and is + convinced that only through your intercession and your mother’s he can + escape from perdition. Consider, Rima, he could not refuse, to make you + more angry and so deprive himself of his only hope.” + </p> + <p> + My words seemed to trouble her, but very soon she spoke again with renewed + animation. “If my people exist, why must it be disappointment and perhaps + death? He does not know; but she came to him here—did she not? The + others are not here, but perhaps not far off. Come, let us go to the + summit together to see from it the desert beneath us—mountain and + forest, mountain and forest. Somewhere there! You said that I had + knowledge of distant things. And shall I not know which mountain—which + forest?” + </p> + <p> + “Alas! no, Rima; there is a limit to your far-seeing; and even if that + faculty were as great as you imagine, it would avail you nothing, for + there is no mountain, no forest, in whose shadow your people dwell.” + </p> + <p> + For a while she was silent, but her eyes and clasping fingers were + restless and showed her agitation. She seemed to be searching in the + depths of her mind for some argument to oppose to my assertions. Then in a + low, almost despondent voice, with something of reproach in it, she said: + “Have we come so far to go back again? You were not Nuflo to need my + intercession, yet you came too.” + </p> + <p> + “Where you are, there I must be—you have said it yourself. Besides, + when we started I had some hope of finding your people. Now I know better, + having heard Nuflo’s story. Now I know that your hope is a vain one.” + </p> + <p> + “Why? Why? Was she not found here—mother? Where, then, are the + others?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, she was found here, alone. You must remember all the things she + spoke to you before she died. Did she ever speak to you of her people—speak + of them as if they existed, and would be glad to receive you among them + some day?” + </p> + <p> + “No. Why did she not speak of that? Do you know—can you tell me?” + </p> + <p> + “I can guess the reason, Rima. It is very sad—so sad that it is hard + to tell it. When Nuflo tended her in the cave and was ready to worship her + and do everything she wished, and conversed with her by signs, she showed + no wish to return to her people. And when he offered her, in a way she + understood, to take her to a distant place, where she would be among + strange beings, among others like Nuflo, she readily consented, and + painfully performed that long journey to Voa. Would you, Rima, have acted + thus—would you have gone so far away from your beloved people, never + to return, never to hear of them or speak to them again? Oh no, you could + not; nor would she if her people had been in existence. But she knew that + she had survived them, that some great calamity had fallen upon and + destroyed them. They were few in number, perhaps, and surrounded on every + side by hostile tribes, and had no weapons, and made no war. They had been + preserved because they inhabited a place apart, some deep valley perhaps, + guarded on all sides by lofty mountains and impenetrable forests and + marshes; but at last the cruel savages broke into this retreat and hunted + them down, destroying all except a few fugitives, who escaped singly like + your mother, and fled away to hide in some distant solitude.” + </p> + <p> + The anxious expression on her face deepened as she listened to one of + anguish and despair; and then, almost before I concluded, she suddenly + lifted her hands to her head, uttering a low, sobbing cry, and would have + fallen on the rock had I not caught her quickly in my arms. Once more in + my arms—against my breast, her proper place! But now all that bright + life seemed gone out of her; her head fell on my shoulder, and there was + no motion in her except at intervals a slight shudder in her frame + accompanied by a low, gasping sob. In a little while the sobs ceased, the + eyes were closed, the face still and deathly white, and with a terrible + anxiety in my heart I carried her down to the cave. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0017" id="link2HCH0017"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVII + </h2> + <p> + As I re-entered the cave with my burden Nuflo sat up and stared at me with + a frightened look in his eyes. Throwing my cloak down, I placed the girl + on it and briefly related what had happened. + </p> + <p> + He drew near to examine her; then placed his hand on her heart. “Dead!—she + is dead!” he exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + My own anxiety changed to an irrational anger at his words. “Old fool! She + has only fainted,” I returned. “Get me some water, quick.” + </p> + <p> + But the water failed to restore her, and my anxiety deepened as I gazed on + that white, still face. Oh, why had I told her that sad tragedy I had + imagined with so little preparation? Alas! I had succeeded too well in my + purpose, killing her vain hope and her at the same moment. + </p> + <p> + The old man, still bending over her, spoke again. “No, I will not believe + that she is dead yet; but, sir, if not dead, then she is dying.” + </p> + <p> + I could have struck him down for his words. “She will die in my arms, + then,” I exclaimed, thrusting him roughly aside, and lifting her up with + the cloak beneath her. + </p> + <p> + And while I held her thus, her head resting on my arm, and gazed with + unutterable anguish into her strangely white face, insanely praying to + Heaven to restore her to me, Nuflo fell on his knees before her, and with + bowed head, and hands clasped in supplication, began to speak. + </p> + <p> + “Rima! Grandchild!” he prayed, his quivering voice betraying his + agitation. “Do not die just yet: you must not die—not wholly die—until + you have heard what I have to say to you. I do not ask you to answer in + words—you are past that, and I am not unreasonable. Only, when I + finish, make some sign—a sigh, a movement of the eyelid, a twitch of + the lips, even in the small corners of the mouth; nothing more than that, + just to show that you have heard, and I shall be satisfied. Remember all + the years that I have been your protector, and this long journey that I + have taken on your account; also all that I did for your sainted mother + before she died at Voa, to become one of the most important of those who + surround the Queen of Heaven, and who, when they wish for any favour, have + only to say half a word to get it. And do not cast in oblivion that at the + last I obeyed your wish and brought you safely to Riolama. It is true that + in some small things I deceived you; but that must not weigh with you, + because it is a small matter and not worthy of mention when you consider + the claims I have on you. In your hands, Rima, I leave everything, relying + on the promise you made me, and on my services. Only one word of caution + remains to be added. Do not let the magnificence of the place you are now + about to enter, the new sights and colours, and the noise of shouting, and + musical instruments and blowing of trumpets, put these things out of your + head. Nor must you begin to think meanly of yourself and be abashed when + you find yourself surrounded by saints and angels; for you are not less + than they, although it may not seem so at first when you see them in their + bright clothes, which, they say, shine like the sun. I cannot ask you to + tie a string round your finger; I can only trust to your memory, which was + always good, even about the smallest things; and when you are asked, as no + doubt you will be, to express a wish, remember before everything to speak + of your grandfather, and his claims on you, also on your angelic mother, + to whom you will present my humble remembrances.” + </p> + <p> + During this petition, which in other circumstances would have moved me to + laughter but now only irritated me, a subtle change seemed to come to the + apparently lifeless girl to make me hope. The small hand in mine felt not + so icy cold, and though no faintest colour had come to the face, its + pallor had lost something of its deathly waxen appearance; and now the + compressed lips had relaxed a little and seemed ready to part. I laid my + finger-tips on her heart and felt, or imagined that I felt, a faint + fluttering; and at last I became convinced that her heart was really + beating. + </p> + <p> + I turned my eyes on the old man, still bending forward, intently watching + for the sign he had asked her to make. My anger and disgust at his gross + earthy egoism had vanished. “Let us thank God, old man,” I said, the tears + of joy half choking my utterance. “She lives—she is recovering from + her fit.” + </p> + <p> + He drew back, and on his knees, with bowed head, murmured a prayer of + thanks to Heaven. + </p> + <p> + Together we continued watching her face for half an hour longer, I still + holding her in my arms, which could never grow weary of that sweet burden, + waiting for other, surer signs of returning life; and she seemed now like + one that had fallen into a profound, death-like sleep which must end in + death. Yet when I remembered her face as it had looked an hour ago, I was + confirmed in the belief that the progress to recovery, so strangely slow, + was yet sure. So slow, so gradual was this passing from death to life that + we had hardly ceased to fear when we noticed that the lips were parted, or + almost parted, that they were no longer white, and that under her pale, + transparent skin a faint, bluish-rosy colour was now visible. And at + length, seeing that all danger was past and recovery so slow, old Nuflo + withdrew once more to the fireside and, stretching himself out on the + sandy floor, soon fell into a deep sleep. + </p> + <p> + If he had not been lying there before me in the strong light of the + glowing embers and dancing flames, I could not have felt more alone with + Rima—alone amid those remote mountains, in that secret cavern, with + lights and shadows dancing on its grey vault. In that profound silence and + solitude the mysterious loveliness of the still face I continued to gaze + on, its appearance of life without consciousness, produced a strange + feeling in me, hard, perhaps impossible, to describe. + </p> + <p> + Once, when clambering among the rough rocks, overgrown with forest, among + the Queneveta mountains, I came on a single white flower which was new to + me, which I have never seen since. After I had looked long at it, and + passed on, the image of that perfect flower remained so persistently in my + mind that on the following day I went again, in the hope of seeing it + still untouched by decay. There was no change; and on this occasion I + spent a much longer time looking at it, admiring the marvellous beauty of + its form, which seemed so greatly to exceed that of all other flowers. It + had thick petals, and at first gave me the idea of an artificial flower, + cut by a divinely inspired artist from some unknown precious stone, of the + size of a large orange and whiter than milk, and yet, in spite of its + opacity, with a crystalline lustre on the surface. Next day I went again, + scarcely hoping to find it still unwithered; it was fresh as if only just + opened; and after that I went often, sometimes at intervals of several + days, and still no faintest sign of any change, the clear, exquisite lines + still undimmed, the purity and lustre as I had first seen it. Why, I often + asked, does not this mystic forest flower fade and perish like others? + That first impression of its artificial appearance had soon left me; it + was, indeed, a flower, and, like other flowers, had life and growth, only + with that transcendent beauty it had a different kind of life. + Unconscious, but higher; perhaps immortal. Thus it would continue to bloom + when I had looked my last on it; wind and rain and sunlight would never + stain, never tinge, its sacred purity; the savage Indian, though he sees + little to admire in a flower, yet seeing this one would veil his face and + turn back; even the browsing beast crashing his way through the forest, + struck with its strange glory, would swerve aside and pass on without + harming it. Afterwards I heard from some Indians to whom I described it + that the flower I had discovered was called Hata; also that they had a + superstition concerning it—a strange belief. They said that only one + Hata flower existed in the world; that it bloomed in one spot for the + space of a moon; that on the disappearance of the moon in the sky the Hata + disappeared from its place, only to reappear blooming in some other spot, + sometimes in some distant forest. And they also said that whosoever + discovered the Hata flower in the forest would overcome all his enemies + and obtain all his desires, and finally outlive other men by many years. + But, as I have said, all this I heard afterwards, and my + half-superstitious feeling for the flower had grown up independently in my + own mind. A feeling like that was in me while I gazed on the face that had + no motion, no consciousness in it, and yet had life, a life of so high a + kind as to match with its pure, surpassing loveliness. I could almost + believe that, like the forest flower, in this state and aspect it would + endure for ever; endure and perhaps give of its own immortality to + everything around it—to me, holding her in my arms and gazing + fixedly on the pale face framed in its cloud of dark, silken hair; to the + leaping flames that threw changing lights on the dim stony wall of rock; + to old Nuflo and his two yellow dogs stretched out on the floor in + eternal, unawakening sleep. + </p> + <p> + This feeling took such firm possession of my mind that it kept me for a + time as motionless as the form I held in my arms. I was only released from + its power by noting still further changes in the face I watched, a more + distinct advance towards conscious life. The faint colour, which had + scarcely been more than a suspicion of colour, had deepened perceptibly; + the lids were lifted so as to show a gleam of the crystal orbs beneath; + the lips, too, were slightly parted. + </p> + <p> + And, at last, bending lower down to feel her breath, the beauty and + sweetness of those lips could no longer be resisted, and I touched them + with mine. Having once tasted their sweetness and fragrance, it was + impossible to keep from touching them again and again. She was not + conscious—how could she be and not shrink from my caress? Yet there + was a suspicion in my mind, and drawing back I gazed into her face once + more. A strange new radiance had overspread it. Or was this only an + illusive colour thrown on her skin by the red firelight? I shaded her face + with my open hand, and saw that her pallor had really gone, that the rosy + flame on her cheeks was part of her life. Her lustrous eyes, half open, + were gazing into mine. Oh, surely consciousness had returned to her! Had + she been sensible of those stolen kisses? Would she now shrink from + another caress? Trembling, I bent down and touched her lips again, + lightly, but lingeringly, and then again, and when I drew back and looked + at her face the rosy flame was brighter, and the eyes, more open still, + were looking into mine. And gazing with those open, conscious eyes, it + seemed to me that at last, at last, the shadow that had rested between us + had vanished, that we were united in perfect love and confidence, and that + speech was superfluous. And when I spoke, it was not without doubt and + hesitation: our bliss in those silent moments had been so complete, what + could speaking do but make it less! + </p> + <p> + “My love, my life, my sweet Rima, I know that you will understand me now + as you did not before, on that dark night—do you remember it, Rima?—when + I held you clasped to my breast in the wood. How it pierced my heart with + pain to speak plainly to you as I did on the mountain tonight—to + kill the hope that had sustained and brought you so far from home! But now + that anguish is over; the shadow has gone out of those beautiful eyes that + are looking at me. It is because loving me, knowing now what love is, + knowing, too, how much I love you, that you no longer need to speak to any + other living being of such things? To tell it, to show it, to me is now + enough—is it not so, Rima? How strange it seemed, at first, when you + shrank in fear from me! But, afterwards, when you prayed aloud to your + mother, opening all the secrets of your heart, I understood it. In that + lonely, isolated life in the wood you had heard nothing of love, of its + power over the heart, its infinite sweetness; when it came to you at last + it was a new, inexplicable thing, and filled you with misgivings and + tumultuous thoughts, so that you feared it and hid yourself from its + cause. Such tremors would be felt if it had always been night, with no + light except that of the stars and the pale moon, as we saw it a little + while ago on the mountain; and, at last, day dawned, and a strange, + unheard-of rose and purple flame kindled in the eastern sky, foretelling + the coming sun. It would seem beautiful beyond anything that night had + shown to you, yet you would tremble and your heart beat fast at that + strange sight; you would wish to fly to those who might be able to tell + you its meaning, and whether the sweet things it prophesied would ever + really come. That is why you wished to find your people, and came to + Riolama to seek them; and when you knew—when I cruelly told you—that + they would never be found, then you imagined that that strange feeling in + your heart must remain a secret for ever, and you could not endure the + thought of your loneliness. If you had not fainted so quickly, then I + should have told you what I must tell you now. They are lost, Rima—your + people—but I am with you, and know what you feel, even if you have + no words to tell it. But what need of words? It shines in your eyes, it + burns like a flame in your face; I can feel it in your hands. Do you not + also see it in my face—all that I feel for you, the love that makes + me happy? For this is love, Rima, the flower and the melody of life, the + sweetest thing, the sweet miracle that makes our two souls one.” + </p> + <p> + Still resting in my arms, as if glad to rest there, still gazing into my + face, it was clear to me that she understood my every word. And then, with + no trace of doubt or fear left, I stooped again, until my lips were on + hers; and when I drew back once more, hardly knowing which bliss was + greatest—kissing her delicate mouth or gazing into her face—she + all at once put her arms about my neck and drew herself up until she sat + on my knee. + </p> + <p> + “Abel—shall I call you Abel now—and always?” she spoke, still + with her arms round my neck. “Ah, why did you let me come to Riolama? I + would come! I made him come—old grandfather, sleeping there: he does + not count, but you—you! After you had heard my story, and knew that + it was all for nothing! And all I wished to know was there—in you. + Oh, how sweet it is! But a little while ago, what pain! When I stood on + the mountain when you talked to me, and I knew that you knew best, and + tried and tried not to know. At last I could try no more; they were all + dead like mother; I had chased the false water on the savannah. ‘Oh, let + me die too,’ I said, for I could not bear the pain. And afterwards, here + in the cave, I was like one asleep, and when I woke I did not really wake. + It was like morning with the light teasing me to open my eyes and look at + it. Not yet, dear light; a little while longer, it is so sweet to lie + still. But it would not leave me, and stayed teasing me still, like a + small shining green fly; until, because it teased me so, I opened my lids + just a little. It was not morning, but the firelight, and I was in your + arms, not in my little bed. Your eyes looking, looking into mine. But I + could see yours better. I remembered everything then, how you once asked + me to look into your eyes. I remembered so many things—oh, so many!” + </p> + <p> + “How many things did you remember, Rima?” + </p> + <p> + “Listen, Abel, do you ever lie on the dry moss and look straight up into a + tree and count a thousand leaves?” + </p> + <p> + “No, sweetest, that could not be done, it is so many to count. Do you know + how many a thousand are?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, do I not! When a humming-bird flies close to my face and stops still + in the air, humming like a bee, and then is gone, in that short time I can + count a hundred small round bright feathers on its throat. That is only a + hundred; a thousand are more, ten times. Looking up I count a thousand + leaves; then stop counting, because there are thousands more behind the + first, and thousands more, crowded together so that I cannot count them. + Lying in your arms, looking up into your face, it was like that; I could + not count the things I remembered. In the wood, when you were there, and + before; and long, long ago at Voa, when I was a child with mother.” + </p> + <p> + “Tell me some of the things you remembered, Rima.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, one—only one now. When I was a child at Voa mother was very + lame—you know that. Whenever we went out, away from the houses, into + the forest, walking slowly, slowly, she would sit under a tree while I ran + about playing. And every time I came back to her I would find her so pale, + so sad, crying—crying. That was when I would hide and come softly + back so that she would not hear me coming. ‘Oh, mother, why are you + crying? Does your lame foot hurt you?’ And one day she took me in her arms + and told me truly why she cried.” + </p> + <p> + She ceased speaking, but looked at me with a strange new light coming into + her eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Why did she cry, my love?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, Abel, can you understand—now—at last!” And putting her + lips close to my ear, she began to murmur soft, melodious sounds that told + me nothing. Then drawing back her head, she looked again at me, her eyes + glistening with tears, her lips half parted with a smile, tender and + wistful. + </p> + <p> + Ah, poor child! in spite of all that had been said, all that had happened, + she had returned to the old delusion that I must understand her speech. I + could only return her look, sorrowfully and in silence. + </p> + <p> + Her face became clouded with disappointment, then she spoke again with + something of pleading in her tone. “Look, we are not now apart, I hiding + in the wood, you seeking, but together, saying the same things. In your + language—yours and now mine. But before you came I knew nothing, + nothing, for there was only grandfather to talk to. A few words each day, + the same words. If yours is mine, mine must be yours. Oh, do you not know + that mine is better?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, better; but alas! Rima, I can never hope to understand your sweet + speech, much less to speak it. The bird that only chirps and twitters can + never sing like the organ-bird.” + </p> + <p> + Crying, she hid her face against my neck, murmuring sadly between her + sobs: “Never—never!” + </p> + <p> + How strange it seemed, in that moment of joy, such a passion of tears, + such despondent words! + </p> + <p> + For some minutes I preserved a sorrowful silence, realizing for the first + time, so far as it was possible to realize such a thing, what my inability + to understand her secret language meant to her—that finer language + in which alone her swift thoughts and vivid emotions could be expressed. + Easily and well as she seemed able to declare herself in my tongue, I + could well imagine that to her it would seem like the merest stammering. + As she had said to me once when I asked her to speak in Spanish, “That is + not speaking.” And so long as she could not commune with me in that better + language, which reflected her mind, there would not be that perfect union + of soul she so passionately desired. + </p> + <p> + By and by, as she grew calmer, I sought to say something that would be + consoling to both of us. “Sweetest Rima,” I spoke, “it is so sad that I + can never hope to talk with you in your way; but a greater love than this + that is ours we could never feel, and love will make us happy, unutterably + happy, in spite of that one sadness. And perhaps, after a while, you will + be able to say all you wish in my language, which is also yours, as you + said some time ago. When we are back again in the beloved wood, and talk + once more under that tree where we first talked, and under the old mora, + where you hid yourself and threw down leaves on me, and where you caught + the little spider to show me how you made yourself a dress, you shall + speak to me in your own sweet tongue, and then try to say the same things + in mine.... And in the end, perhaps, you will find that it is not so + impossible as you think.” + </p> + <p> + She looked at me, smiling again through her tears, and shook her head a + little. + </p> + <p> + “Remember what I have heard, that before your mother died you were able to + tell Nuflo and the priest what her wish was. Can you not, in the same way, + tell me why she cried?” + </p> + <p> + “I can tell you, but it will not be telling you.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand. You can tell the bare facts. I can imagine something more, + and the rest I must lose. Tell me, Rima.” + </p> + <p> + Her face became troubled; she glanced away and let her eyes wander round + the dim, firelit cavern; then they returned to mine once more. + </p> + <p> + “Look,” she said, “grandfather lying asleep by the fire. So far away from + us—oh, so far! But if we were to go out from the cave, and on and on + to the great mountains where the city of the sun is, and stood there at + last in the midst of great crowds of people, all looking at us, talking to + us, it would be just the same. They would be like the trees and rocks and + animals—so far! Not with us nor we with them. But we are everywhere + alone together, apart—we two. It is love; I know it now, but I did + not know it before because I had forgotten what she told me. Do you think + I can tell you what she said when I asked her why she cried? Oh no! Only + this, she and another were like one, always, apart from the others. Then + something came—something came! O Abel, was that the something you + told me about on the mountain? And the other was lost for ever, and she + was alone in the forests and mountains of the world. Oh, why do we cry for + what is lost? Why do we not quickly forget it and feel glad again? Now + only do I know what you felt, O sweet mother, when you sat still and + cried, while I ran about and played and laughed! O poor mother! Oh, what + pain!” And hiding her face against my neck, she sobbed once more. + </p> + <p> + To my eyes also love and sympathy brought the tears; but in a little while + the fond, comforting words I spoke and my caresses recalled her from that + sad past to the present; then, lying back as at first, her head resting on + my folded cloak, her body partly supported by my encircling arm and partly + by the rock we were leaning against, her half-closed eyes turned to mine + expressed a tender assured happiness—the chastened gladness of + sunshine after rain; a soft delicious languor that was partly passionate + with the passion etherealized. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, Rima,” I said, bending down to her, “in all those troubled days + with me in the woods had you no happy moments? Did not something in your + heart tell you that it was sweet to love, even before you knew what love + meant?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes; and once—O Abel, do you remember that night, after returning + from Ytaioa, when you sat so late talking by the fire—I in the + shadow, never stirring, listening, listening; you by the fire with the + light on your face, saying so many strange things? I was happy then—oh, + how happy! It was black night and raining, and I a plant growing in the + dark, feeling the sweet raindrops falling, falling on my leaves. Oh, it + will be morning by and by and the sun will shine on my wet leaves; and + that made me glad till I trembled with happiness. Then suddenly the + lightning would come, so bright, and I would tremble with fear, and wish + that it would be dark again. That was when you looked at me sitting in the + shadow, and I could not take my eyes away quickly and could not meet + yours, so that I trembled with fear.” + </p> + <p> + “And now there is no fear—no shadow; now you are perfectly happy?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, so happy! If the way back to the wood was longer, ten times, and if + the great mountains, white with snow on their tops, were between, and the + great dark forest, and rivers wider than Orinoco, still I would go alone + without fear, because you would come after me, to join me in the wood, to + be with me at last and always.” + </p> + <p> + “But I should not let you go alone, Rima—your lonely days are over + now.” + </p> + <p> + She opened her eyes wider and looked earnestly into my face. “I must go + back alone, Abel,” she said. “Before day comes I must leave you. Rest + here, with grandfather, for a few days and nights, then follow me.” + </p> + <p> + I heard her with astonishment. “It must not be, Rima,” I cried. “What, let + you leave me—now you are mine—to go all that distance, through + all that wild country where you might lose yourself and perish alone? Oh, + do not think of it!” + </p> + <p> + She listened, regarding me with some slight trouble in her eyes, but + smiling a little at the same time. Her small hand moved up my arm and + caressed my cheek; then she drew my face down to hers until our lips met. + But when I looked at her eyes again, I saw that she had not consented to + my wish. “Do I not know all the way now,” she spoke, “all the mountains, + rivers, forests—how should I lose myself? And I must return quickly, + not step by step, walking—resting, resting—walking, stopping + to cook and eat, stopping to gather firewood, to make a shelter—so + many things! Oh, I shall be back in half the time; and I have so much to + do.” + </p> + <p> + “What can you have to do, love?—everything can be done when we are + in the wood together.” + </p> + <p> + A bright smile with a touch of mockery in it flitted over her face as she + replied: “Oh, must I tell you that there are things you cannot do? Look, + Abel,” and she touched the slight garment she wore, thinner now than at + first, and dulled by long exposure to sun and wind and rain. + </p> + <p> + I could not command her, and seemed powerless to persuade her; but I had + not done yet, and proceeded to use every argument I could find to bring + her round to my view; and when I finished she put her arms around my neck + and drew herself up once more. “O Abel, how happy I shall be!” she said, + taking no notice of all I had said. “Think of me alone, days and days, in + the wood, waiting for you, working all the time; saying: ‘Come quickly, + Abel; come slow, Abel. O Abel, how long you are! Oh, do not come until my + work is finished!’ And when it is finished and you arrive you shall find + me, but not at once. First you will seek for me in the house, then in the + wood, calling: ‘Rima! Rima!’ And she will be there, listening, hid in the + trees, wishing to be in your arms, wishing for your lips—oh, so + glad, yet fearing to show herself. Do you know why? He told you—did + he not?—that when he first saw her she was standing before him all + in white—a dress that was like snow on the mountain-tops when the + sun is setting and gives it rose and purple colour. I shall be like that, + hidden among the trees, saying: ‘Am I different—not like Rima? Will + he know me—will he love me just the same?’ Oh, do I not know that + you will be glad, and love me, and call me beautiful? Listen! Listen!” she + suddenly exclaimed, lifting her face. + </p> + <p> + Among the bushes not far from the cave’s mouth a small bird had broken out + in song, a clear, tender melody soon taken up by other birds further away. + </p> + <p> + “It will soon be morning,” she said, and then clasped her arms about me + once more and held me in a long, passionate embrace; then slipping away + from my arms and with one swift glance at the sleeping old man, passed out + of the cave. + </p> + <p> + For a few moments I remained sitting, not yet realizing that she had left + me, so suddenly and swiftly had she passed from my arms and my sight; + then, recovering my faculties, I started up and rushed out in hopes of + overtaking her. + </p> + <p> + It was not yet dawn, but there was still some light from the full moon, + now somewhere behind the mountains. Running to the verge of the bushgrown + plateau, I explored the rocky slope beneath without seeing her form, and + then called: “Rima! Rima!” + </p> + <p> + A soft, warbling sound, uttered by no bird, came up from the shadowy + bushes far below; and in that direction I ran on; then pausing, called + again. The sweet sound was repeated once more, but much lower down now, + and so faintly that I scarcely heard it. And when I went on further and + called again and again, there was no reply, and I knew that she had indeed + gone on that long journey alone. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0018" id="link2HCH0018"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XVIII + </h2> + <p> + When Nuflo at length opened his eyes he found me sitting alone and + despondent by the fire, just returned from my vain chase. I had been + caught in a heavy mist on the mountain-side, and was wet through as well + as weighed down by fatigue and drowsiness, consequent upon the previous + day’s laborious march and my night-long vigil; yet I dared not think of + rest. She had gone from me, and I could not have prevented it; yet the + thought that I had allowed her to slip out of my arms, to go away alone on + that long, perilous journey, was as intolerable as if I had consented to + it. + </p> + <p> + Nuflo was at first startled to hear of her sudden departure; but he + laughed at my fears, affirming that after having once been over the ground + she could not lose herself; that she would be in no danger from the + Indians, as she would invariably see them at a distance and avoid them, + and that wild beasts, serpents, and other evil creatures would do her no + harm. The small amount of food she required to sustain life could be found + anywhere; furthermore, her journey would not be interrupted by bad + weather, since rain and heat had no effect on her. In the end he seemed + pleased that she had left us, saying that with Rima in the wood the house + and cultivated patch and hidden provisions and implements would be safe, + for no Indian would venture to come where she was. His confidence + reassured me, and casting myself down on the sandy floor of the cave, I + fell into a deep slumber, which lasted until evening; then I only woke to + share a meal with the old man, and sleep again until the following day. + </p> + <p> + Nuflo was not ready to start yet; he was enamoured of the unaccustomed + comforts of a dry sleeping-place and a fire blown about by no wind and + into which fell no hissing raindrops. Not for two days more would he + consent to set out on the return journey, and if he could have persuaded + me our stay at Riolama would have lasted a week. + </p> + <p> + We had fine weather at starting; but before long it clouded, and then for + upwards of a fortnight we had it wet and stormy, which so hindered us that + it took us twenty-three days to accomplish the return journey, whereas the + journey out had only taken eighteen. The adventures we met with and the + pains we suffered during this long march need not be related. The rain + made us miserable, but we suffered more from hunger than from any other + cause, and on more than one occasion were reduced to the verge of + starvation. Twice we were driven to beg for food at Indian villages, and + as we had nothing to give in exchange for it, we got very little. It is + possible to buy hospitality from the savage without fish-hooks, nails, and + calico; but on this occasion I found myself without that impalpable medium + of exchange which had been so great a help to me on my first journey to + Parahuari. Now I was weak and miserable and without cunning. It is true + that we could have exchanged the two dogs for cassava bread and corn, but + we should then have been worse off than ever. And in the end the dogs + saved us by an occasional capture—an armadillo surprised in the open + and seized before it could bury itself in the soil, or an iguana, opossum, + or labba, traced by means of their keen sense of smell to its + hiding-place. Then Nuflo would rejoice and feast, rewarding them with the + skin, bones, and entrails. But at length one of the dogs fell lame, and + Nuflo, who was very hungry, made its lameness an excuse for dispatching + it, which he did apparently without compunction, notwithstanding that the + poor brute had served him well in its way. He cut up and smoke-dried the + flesh, and the intolerable pangs of hunger compelled me to share the + loathsome food with him. We were not only indecent, it seemed to me, but + cannibals to feed on the faithful servant that had been our butcher. “But + what does it matter?” I argued with myself. “All flesh, clean and unclean, + should be, and is, equally abhorrent to me, and killing animals a kind of + murder. But now I find myself constrained to do this evil thing that good + may come. Only to live I take it now—this hateful strength-giver + that will enable me to reach Rima, and the purer, better life that is to + be.” + </p> + <p> + During all that time, when we toiled onwards league after league in + silence, or sat silent by the nightly fire, I thought of many things; but + the past, with which I had definitely broken, was little in my mind. Rima + was still the source and centre of all my thoughts; from her they rose, + and to her returned. Thinking, hoping, dreaming, sustained me in those + dark days and nights of pain and privation. Imagination was the bread that + gave me strength, the wine that exhilarated. What sustained old Nuflo’s + mind I know not. Probably it was like a chrysalis, dormant, independent of + sustenance; the bright-winged image to be called at some future time to + life by a great shouting of angelic hosts and noises of musical + instruments slept secure, coffined in that dull, gross nature. + </p> + <p> + The old beloved wood once more! Never did his native village in some + mountain valley seem more beautiful to the Switzer, returning, war-worn, + from long voluntary exile, than did that blue cloud on the horizon—the + forest where Rima dwelt, my bride, my beautiful—and towering over it + the dark cone of Ytaioa, now seem to my hungry eyes! How near at last—how + near! And yet the two or three intervening leagues to be traversed so + slowly, step by step—how vast the distance seemed! Even at far + Riolama, when I set out on my return, I scarcely seemed so far from my + love. This maddening impatience told on my strength, which was small, and + hindered me. I could not run nor even walk fast; old Nuflo, slow, and + sober, with no flame consuming his heart, was more than my equal in the + end, and to keep up with him was all I could do. At the finish he became + silent and cautious, first entering the belt of trees leading away through + the low range of hills at the southern extremity of the wood. For a mile + or upwards we trudged on in the shade; then I began to recognize familiar + ground, the old trees under which I had walked or sat, and knew that a + hundred yards further on there would be a first glimpse of the palm-leaf + thatch. Then all weakness forsook me; with a low cry of passionate longing + and joy I rushed on ahead; but I strained my eyes in vain for a sight of + that sweet shelter; no patch of pale yellow colour appeared amidst the + universal verdure of bushes, creepers, and trees—trees beyond trees, + trees towering above trees. + </p> + <p> + For some moments I could not realize it. No, I had surely made a mistake, + the house had not stood on that spot; it would appear in sight a little + further on. I took a few uncertain steps onwards, and then again stood + still, my brain reeling, my heart swelling nigh to bursting with anguish. + I was still standing motionless, with hand pressed to my breast, when + Nuflo overtook me. “Where is it—the house?” I stammered, pointing + with my hand. All his stolidity seemed gone now; he was trembling too, his + lips silently moving. At length he spoke: “They have come—the + children of hell have been here, and have destroyed everything!” + </p> + <p> + “Rima! What has become of Rima?” I cried; but without replying he walked + on, and I followed. + </p> + <p> + The house, we soon found, had been burnt down. Not a stick remained. Where + it had stood a heap of black ashes covered the ground—nothing more. + But on looking round we could discover no sign of human beings having + recently visited the spot. A rank growth of grass and herbage now covered + the once clear space surrounding the site of the dwelling, and the + ash-heap looked as if it had been lying there for a month at least. As to + what had become of Rima the old man could say no word. He sat down on the + ground overwhelmed at the calamity: Runi’s people had been there, he could + not doubt it, and they would come again, and he could only look for death + at their hands. The thought that Rima had perished, that she was lost, was + unendurable. It could not be! No doubt the Indians tract come and + destroyed the house during our absence; but she had returned, and they had + gone away again to come no more. She would be somewhere in the forest, + perhaps not far off, impatiently waiting our return. The old man stared at + me while I spoke; he appeared to be in a kind of stupor, and made no + reply: and at last, leaving him still sitting on the ground, I went into + the wood to look for Rima. + </p> + <p> + As I walked there, occasionally stopping to peer into some shadowy glade + or opening, and to listen, I was tempted again and again to call the name + of her I sought aloud; and still the fear that by so doing I might bring + some hidden danger on myself, perhaps on her, made me silent. A strange + melancholy rested on the forest, a quietude seldom broken by a distant + bird’s cry. How, I asked myself, should I ever find her in that wide + forest while I moved about in that silent, cautious way? My only hope was + that she would find me. It occurred to me that the most likely place to + seek her would be some of the old haunts known to us both, where we had + talked together. I thought first of the mora tree, where she had hidden + herself from me, and thither I directed my steps. About this tree, and + within its shade, I lingered for upwards of an hour; and, finally, casting + my eyes up into the great dim cloud of green and purple leaves, I softly + called: “Rima, Rima, if you have seen me, and have concealed yourself from + me in your hiding-place, in mercy answer me—in mercy come down to me + now!” But Rima answered not, nor threw down any red glowing leaves to mock + me: only the wind, high up, whispered something low and sorrowful in the + foliage; and turning, I wandered away at random into the deeper shadows. + </p> + <p> + By and by I was startled by the long, piercing cry of a wildfowl, sounding + strangely loud in the silence; and no sooner was the air still again than + it struck me that no bird had uttered that cry. The Indian is a good mimic + of animal voices, but practice had made me able to distinguish the true + from the false bird-note. For a minute or so I stood still, at a loss what + to do, then moved on again with greater caution, scarcely breathing, + straining my sight to pierce the shadowy depths. All at once I gave a + great start, for directly before me, on the projecting root in the deeper + shade of a tree, sat a dark, motionless human form. I stood still, + watching it for some time, not yet knowing that it had seen me, when all + doubts were put to flight by the form rising and deliberately advancing—a + naked Indian with a zabatana in his hand. As he came up out of the deeper + shade I recognized Piake, the surly elder brother of my friend Kua-ko. + </p> + <p> + It was a great shock to meet him in the wood, but I had no time to reflect + just then. I only remembered that I had deeply offended him and his + people, that they probably looked on me as an enemy, and would think + little of taking my life. It was too late to attempt to escape by flight; + I was spent with my long journey and the many privations I had suffered, + while he stood there in his full strength with a deadly weapon in his + hand. + </p> + <p> + Nothing was left but to put a bold face on, greet him in a friendly way, + and invent some plausible story to account for my action in secretly + leaving the village. + </p> + <p> + He was now standing still, silently regarding me, and glancing round I saw + that he was not alone: at a distance of about forty yards on my right hand + two other dusky forms appeared watching me from the deep shade. + </p> + <p> + “Piake!” I cried, advancing three or four steps. + </p> + <p> + “You have returned,” he answered, but without moving. “Where from?” + </p> + <p> + “Riolama.” + </p> + <p> + He shook his head, then asked where it was. + </p> + <p> + “Twenty days towards the setting sun,” I said. As he remained silent I + added: “I heard that I could find gold in the mountains there. An old man + told me, and we went to look for gold.” + </p> + <p> + “What did you find?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing.” + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” + </p> + <p> + And so our conversation appeared to be at an end. But after a few moments + my intense desire to discover whether the savages knew aught of Rima or + not made me hazard a question. + </p> + <p> + “Do you live here in the forest now?” I asked. + </p> + <p> + He shook his head, and after a while said: “We come to kill animals.” + </p> + <p> + “You are like me now,” I returned quickly; “you fear nothing.” + </p> + <p> + He looked distrustfully at me, then came a little nearer and said: “You + are very brave. I should not have gone twenty days’ journey with no + weapons and only an old man for companion. What weapons did you have?” + </p> + <p> + I saw that he feared me and wished to make sure that I had it not in my + power to do him some injury. “No weapon except my knife,” I replied, with + assumed carelessness. With that I raised my cloak so as to let him see for + himself, turning my body round before him. “Have you found my pistol?” I + added. + </p> + <p> + He shook his head; but he appeared less suspicious now and came close up + to me. “How do you get food? Where are you going?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + I answered boldly: “Food! I am nearly starving. I am going to the village + to see if the women have got any meat in the pot, and to tell Runi all I + have done since I left him.” + </p> + <p> + He looked at me keenly, a little surprised at my confidence perhaps, then + said that he was also going back and would accompany me One of the other + men now advanced, blow-pipe in hand, to join us, and, leaving the wood, we + started to walk across the savannah. + </p> + <p> + It was hateful to have to recross that savannah again, to leave the + woodland shadows where I had hoped to find Rima; but I was powerless: I + was a prisoner once more, the lost captive recovered and not yet pardoned, + probably never to be pardoned. Only by means of my own cunning could I be + saved, and Nuflo, poor old man, must take his chance. + </p> + <p> + Again and again as we tramped over the barren ground, and when we climbed + the ridge, I was compelled to stand still to recover breath, explaining to + Piake that I had been travelling day and night, with no meat during the + last three days, so that I was exhausted. This was an exaggeration, but it + was necessary to account in some way for the faintness I experienced + during our walk, caused less by fatigue and want of food than by anguish + of mind. + </p> + <p> + At intervals I talked to him, asking after all the other members of the + community by name. At last, thinking only of Rima, I asked him if any + other person or persons besides his people came to the wood now or lived + there. + </p> + <p> + He said no. “Once,” I said, “there was a daughter of the Didi, a girl you + all feared: is she there now?” + </p> + <p> + He looked at me with suspicion and then shook his head. I dared not press + him with more questions; but after an interval he said plainly: “She is + not there now.” + </p> + <p> + And I was forced to believe him; for had Rima been in the wood they would + not have been there. She was not there, this much I had discovered. Had + she, then, lost her way, or perished on that long journey from Riolama? Or + had she returned only to fall into the hands of her cruel enemies? My + heart was heavy in me; but if these devils in human shape knew more than + they had told me, I must, I said, hide my anxiety and wait patiently to + find it out, should they spare my life. And if they spared me and had not + spared that other sacred life interwoven with mine, the time would come + when they would find, too late, that they had taken to their bosom a worse + devil than themselves. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0019" id="link2HCH0019"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XIX + </h2> + <p> + My arrival at the village created some excitement; but I was plainly no + longer regarded as a friend or one of the family. Runi was absent, and I + looked forward to his return with no little apprehension; he would + doubtless decide my fate. Kua-ko was also away. The others sat or stood + about the great room, staring at me in silence. I took no notice, but + merely asked for food, then for my hammock, which I hung up in the old + place, and lying down I fell into a doze. Runi made his appearance at + dusk. I rose and greeted him, but he spoke no word and, until he went to + his hammock, sat in sullen silence, ignoring my presence. + </p> + <p> + On the following day the crisis came. We were once more gathered in the + room—all but Kua-ko and another of the men, who had not yet returned + from some expedition—and for the space of half an hour not a word + was spoken by anyone. Something was expected; even the children were + strangely still, and whenever one of the pet birds strayed in at the open + door, uttering a little plaintive note, it was chased out again, but + without a sound. At length Runi straightened himself on his seat and fixed + his eyes on me; then cleared his throat and began a long harangue, + delivered in the loud, monotonous singsong which I knew so well and which + meant that the occasion was an important one. And as is usual in such + efforts, the same thought and expressions were used again and again, and + yet again, with dull, angry insistence. The orator of Guayana to be + impressive must be long, however little he may have to say. Strange as it + may seem, I listened critically to him, not without a feeling of scorn at + his lower intelligence. But I was easier in my mind now. From the very + fact of his addressing such a speech to me I was convinced that he wished + not to take my life, and would not do so if I could clear myself of the + suspicion of treachery. + </p> + <p> + I was a white man, he said, they were Indians; nevertheless they had + treated me well. They had fed me and sheltered me. They had done a great + deal for me: they had taught me the use of the zabatana, and had promised + to make one for me, asking for nothing in return. They had also promised + me a wife. How had I treated them? I had deserted them, going away + secretly to a distance, leaving them in doubt as to my intentions. How + could they tell why I had gone, and where? They had an enemy. Managa was + his name; he and his people hated them; I knew that he wished them evil; I + knew where to find him, for they had told me. That was what they thought + when I suddenly left them. Now I returned to them, saying that I had been + to Riolama. He knew where Riolama was, although he had never been there: + it was so far. Why did I go to Riolama? It was a bad place. There were + Indians there, a few; but they were not good Indians like those of + Parahuari, and would kill a white man. HAD I gone there? Why had I gone + there? + </p> + <p> + He finished at last, and it was my turn to speak, but he had given me + plenty of time, and my reply was ready. “I have heard you,” I said. “Your + words are good words. They are the words of a friend. ‘I am the white + man’s friend,’ you say; ‘is he my friend? He went away secretly, saying no + word; why did he go without speaking to his friend who had treated him + well? Has he been to my enemy Managa? Perhaps he is a friend of my enemy? + Where has he been?’ I must now answer these things, saying true words to + my friend. You are an Indian, I am a white man. You do not know all the + white man’s thoughts. These are the things I wish to tell you. In the + white man’s country are two kinds of men. There are the rich men, who have + all that a man can desire—houses made of stone, full of fine things, + fine clothes, fine weapons, fine ornaments; and they have horses, cattle, + sheep, dogs—everything they desire. Because they have gold, for with + gold the white man buys everything. The other kind of white men are the + poor, who have no gold and cannot buy or have anything: they must work + hard for the rich man for the little food he gives them, and a rag to + cover their nakedness; and if he gives them shelter they have it; if not + they must lie down in the rain out of doors. In my own country, a hundred + days from here, I was the son of a great chief, who had much gold, and + when he died it was all mine, and I was rich. But I had an enemy, one + worse than Managa, for he was rich and had many people. And in a war his + people overcame mine, and he took my gold, and all I possessed, making me + poor. The Indian kills his enemy, but the white man takes his gold, and + that is worse than death. Then I said: ‘I have been a rich man and now I + am poor, and must work like a dog for some rich man, for the sake of the + little food he will throw me at the end of each day. No, I cannot do it! I + will go away and live with the Indians, so that those who have seen me a + rich man shall never see me working like a dog for a master, and cry out + and mock at me. For the Indians are not like white men: they have no gold; + they are not rich and poor; all are alike. One roof covers them from the + rain and sun. All have weapons which they make; all kill birds in the + forest and catch fish in the rivers; and the women cook the meat and all + eat from one pot. And with the Indians I will be an Indian, and hunt in + the forest and eat with them and drink with them.’ Then I left my country + and came here, and lived with you, Runi, and was well treated. And now, + why did I go away? This I have now to tell you. After I had been here a + certain time I went over there to the forest. You wished me not to go, + because of an evil thing, a daughter of the Didi, that lived there; but I + feared nothing and went. There I met an old man, who talked to me in the + white man’s language. He had travelled and seen much, and told me one + strange thing. On a mountain at Riolama he told me that he had seen a + great lump of gold, as much as a man could carry. And when I heard this I + said: ‘With the gold I could return to my country, and buy weapons for + myself and all my people and go to war with my enemy and deprive him of + all his possessions and serve him as he served me.’ I asked the old man to + take me to Riolama; and when he had consented I went away from here + without saying a word, so as not to be prevented. It is far to Riolama, + and I had no weapons; but I feared nothing. I said: ‘If I must fight I + must fight, and if I must be killed I must be killed.’ But when I got to + Riolama I found no gold. There was only a yellow stone which the old man + had mistaken for gold. It was yellow, like gold, but it would buy nothing. + Therefore I came back to Parahuari again, to my friend; and if he is angry + with me still because I went away without informing him, let him say: ‘Go + and seek elsewhere for a new friend, for I am your friend no longer.’” + </p> + <p> + I concluded thus boldly because I did not wish him to know that I had + suspected him of harbouring any sinister designs, or that I looked on our + quarrel as a very serious one. When I had finished speaking he emitted a + sound which expressed neither approval nor disapproval, but only the fact + that he had heard me. But I was satisfied. His expression had undergone a + favourable change; it was less grim. After a while he remarked, with a + peculiar twitching of the mouth which might have developed into a smile: + “The white man will do much to get gold. You walked twenty days to see a + yellow stone that would buy nothing.” It was fortunate that he took this + view of the case, which was flattering to his Indian nature, and perhaps + touched his sense of the ludicrous. At all events, he said nothing to + discredit my story, to which they had all listened with profound interest. + </p> + <p> + From that time it seemed to be tacitly agreed to let bygones be bygones; + and I could see that as the dangerous feeling that had threatened my life + diminished, the old pleasure they had once found in my company returned. + But my feelings towards them did not change, nor could they while that + black and terrible suspicion concerning Rima was in my heart. I talked + again freely with them, as if there had been no break in the old friendly + relations. If they watched me furtively whenever I went out of doors, I + affected not to see it. I set to work to repair my rude guitar, which had + been broken in my absence, and studied to show them a cheerful + countenance. But when alone, or in my hammock, hidden from their eyes, + free to look into my own heart, then I was conscious that something new + and strange had come into my life; that a new nature, black and + implacable, had taken the place of the old. And sometimes it was hard to + conceal this fury that burnt in me; sometimes I felt an impulse to spring + like a tiger on one of the Indians, to hold him fast by the throat until + the secret I wished to learn was forced from his lips, then to dash his + brains out against the stone. But they were many, and there was no choice + but to be cautious and patient if I wished to outwit them with a cunning + superior to their own. + </p> + <p> + Three days after my arrival at the village, Kua-ko returned with his + companion. I greeted him with affected warmth, but was really pleased that + he was back, believing that if the Indians knew anything of Rima he among + them all would be most likely to tell it. + </p> + <p> + Kua-ko appeared to have brought some important news, which he discussed + with Runi and the others; and on the following day I noticed that + preparations for an expedition were in progress. Spears and bows and + arrows were got ready, but not blow-pipes, and I knew by this that the + expedition would not be a hunting one. Having discovered so much, also + that only four men were going out, I called Kua-ko aside and begged him to + let me go with them. He seemed pleased at the proposal, and at once + repeated it to Runi, who considered for a little and then consented. + </p> + <p> + By and by he said, touching his bow: “You cannot fight with our weapons; + what will you do if we meet an enemy?” + </p> + <p> + I smiled and returned that I would not run away. All I wished to show him + was that his enemies were my enemies, that I was ready to fight for my + friend. + </p> + <p> + He was pleased at my words, and said no more and gave me no weapons. Next + morning, however, when we set out before daylight, I made the discovery + that he was carrying my revolver fastened to his waist. He had concealed + it carefully under the one simple garment he wore, but it bulged slightly, + and so the secret was betrayed. I had never believed that he had lost it, + and I was convinced that he took it now with the object of putting it into + my hands at the last moment in case of meeting with an enemy. + </p> + <p> + From the village we travelled in a north-westerly direction, and before + noon camped in a grove of dwarf trees, where we remained until the sun was + low, then continued our walk through a rather barren country. At night we + camped again beside a small stream, only a few inches deep, and after a + meal of smoked meat and parched maize prepared to sleep till dawn on the + next day. + </p> + <p> + Sitting by the fire I resolved to make a first attempt to discover from + Kua-ko anything concerning Rima which might be known to him. Instead of + lying down when the others did, I remained seated, my guardian also + sitting—no doubt waiting for me to lie down first. Presently I moved + nearer to him and began a conversation in a low voice, anxious not to + rouse the attention of the other men. + </p> + <p> + “Once you said that Oalava would be given to me for a wife,” I began. + “Some day I shall want a wife.” + </p> + <p> + He nodded approval, and remarked sententiously that the desire to possess + a wife was common to all men. + </p> + <p> + “What has been left to me?” I said despondingly and spreading out my + hands. “My pistol gone, and did I not give Runi the tinder-box, and the + little box with a cock painted on it to you? I had no return—not + even the blow-pipe. How, then, can I get me a wife?” + </p> + <p> + He, like the others—dull-witted savage that he was—had come to + the belief that I was incapable of the cunning and duplicity they + practiced. I could not see a green parrot sitting silent and motionless + amidst the green foliage as they could; I had not their preternatural + keenness of sight; and, in like manner, to deceive with lies and false + seeming was their faculty and not mine. He fell readily into the trap. My + return to practical subjects pleased him. He bade me hope that Oalava + might yet be mine in spite of my poverty. It was not always necessary to + have things to get a wife: to be able to maintain her was enough; some day + I would be like one of themselves, able to kill animals and catch fish. + Besides, did not Runi wish to keep me with them for other reasons? But he + could not keep me wifeless. I could do much: I could sing and make music; + I was brave and feared nothing; I could teach the children to fight. + </p> + <p> + He did not say, however, that I could teach anything to one of his years + and attainments. + </p> + <p> + I protested that he gave me too much praise, that they were just as brave. + Did they not show a courage equal to mine by going every day to hunt in + that wood which was inhabited by the daughter of the Didi? + </p> + <p> + I came to this subject with fear and trembling, but he took it quietly. He + shook his head, and then all at once began to tell me how they first came + to go there to hunt. He said that a few days after I had secretly + disappeared, two men and a woman, returning home from a distant place + where they had been on a visit to a relation, stopped at the village. + These travellers related that two days’ journey from Ytaioa they had met + three persons travelling in an opposite direction: an old man with a white + beard, followed by two yellow dogs, a young man in a big cloak, and a + strange-looking girl. Thus it came to be known that I had left the wood + with the old man and the daughter of the Didi. It was great news to them, + for they did not believe that we had any intention of returning, and at + once they began to hunt in the wood, and went there every day, killing + birds, monkeys, and other animals in numbers. + </p> + <p> + His words had begun to excite me greatly, but I studied to appear calm and + only slightly interested, so as to draw him on to say more. + </p> + <p> + “Then we returned,” I said at last. “But only two of us, and not together. + I left the old man on the road, and SHE left us in Riolama. She went away + from us into the mountains—who knows whither!” + </p> + <p> + “But she came back!” he returned, with a gleam of devilish satisfaction in + his eyes that made the blood run cold in my veins. + </p> + <p> + It was hard to dissemble still, to tempt him to say something that would + madden me! “No, no,” I answered, after considering his words. “She feared + to return; she went away to hide herself in the great mountains beyond + Riolama. She could not come back.” + </p> + <p> + “But she came back!” he persisted, with that triumphant gleam in his eyes + once more. Under my cloak my hand had clutched my knife-handle, but I + strove hard against the fierce, almost maddening impulse to pluck it out + and bury it, quick as lightning, in his accursed throat. + </p> + <p> + He continued: “Seven days before you returned we saw her in the wood. We + were always expecting, watching, always afraid; and when hunting we were + three and four together. On that day I and three others saw her. It was in + an open place, where the trees are big and wide apart. We started up and + chased her when she ran from us, but feared to shoot. And in one moment + she climbed up into a small tree, then, like a monkey, passed from its + highest branches into a big tree. We could not see her there, but she was + there in the big tree, for there was no other tree near—no way of + escape. Three of us sat down to watch, and the other went back to the + village. He was long gone; we were just going to leave the tree, fearing + that she would do us some injury, when he came back, and with him all the + others, men, women, and children. They brought axes and knives. Then Runi + said: ‘Let no one shoot an arrow into the tree thinking to hit her, for + the arrow would be caught in her hand and thrown back at him. We must burn + her in the tree; there is no way to kill her except by fire.’ Then we went + round and round looking up, but could see nothing; and someone said: ‘She + has escaped, flying like a bird from the tree’; but Runi answered that + fire would show. So we cut down the small tree and lopped the branches off + and heaped them round the big trunk. Then, at a distance, we cut down ten + more small trees, and afterwards, further away, ten more, and then others, + and piled them all round, tree after tree, until the pile reached as far + from the trunk as that,” and here he pointed to a bush forty to fifty + yards from where we sat. + </p> + <p> + The feeling with which I had listened to this recital had become + intolerable. The sweat ran from me in streams; I shivered like a person in + a fit of ague, and clenched my teeth together to prevent them from + rattling. “I must drink,” I said, cutting him short and rising to my feet. + He also rose, but did not follow me, when, with uncertain steps, I made my + way to the waterside, which was ten or twelve yards away. Lying prostrate + on my chest, I took a long draught of clear cold water, and held my face + for a few moments in the current. It sent a chill through me, drying my + wet skin, and bracing me for the concluding part of the hideous narrative. + Slowly I stepped back to the fireside and sat down again, while he resumed + his old place at my side. + </p> + <p> + “You burnt the tree down,” I said. “Finish telling me now and let me sleep—my + eyes are heavy.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes. While the men cut and brought trees, the women and children gathered + dry stuff in the forest and brought it in their arms and piled it round. + Then they set fire to it on all sides, laughing and shouting: ‘Burn, burn, + daughter of the Didi!’ At length all the lower branches of the big tree + were on fire, and the trunk was on fire, but above it was still green, and + we could see nothing. But the flames went up higher and higher with a + great noise; and at last from the top of the tree, out of the green + leaves, came a great cry, like the cry of a bird: ‘Abel! Abel!’ and then + looking we saw something fall; through leaves and smoke and flame it fell + like a great white bird killed with an arrow and falling to the earth, and + fell into the flames beneath. And it was the daughter of the Didi, and she + was burnt to ashes like a moth in the flames of a fire, and no one has + ever heard or seen her since.” + </p> + <p> + It was well for me that he spoke rapidly, and finished quickly. Even + before he had quite concluded I drew my cloak round my face and stretched + myself out. And I suppose that he at once followed my example, but I had + grown blind and deaf to outward things just then. My heart no longer + throbbed violently; it fluttered and seemed to grow feebler and feebler in + its action: I remember that there was a dull, rushing sound in my ears, + that I gasped for breath, that my life seemed ebbing away. After these + horrible sensations had passed, I remained quiet for about half an hour; + and during this time the picture of that last act in the hateful tragedy + grew more and more distinct and vivid in my mind, until I seemed to be + actually gazing on it, until my ears were filled with the hissing and + crackling of the fire, the exultant shouts of the savages, and above all + the last piercing cry of “Abel! Abel!” from the cloud of burning foliage. + I could not endure it longer, and rose at last to my feet. I glanced at + Kua-ko lying two or three yards away, and he, like the others, was, or + appeared to be, in a deep sleep; he was lying on his back, and his dark + firelit face looked as still and unconscious as a face of stone. Now was + my chance to escape—if to escape was my wish. Yes; for I now + possessed the coveted knowledge, and nothing more was to be gained by + keeping with my deadly enemies. And now, most fortunately for me, they had + brought me far on the road to that place of the five hills where Managa + lived—Managa, whose name had been often in my mind since my return + to Parahuari. Glancing away from Kua-ko’s still stone-like face. I caught + sight of that pale solitary star which Runi had pointed out to me low down + in the north-western sky when I had asked him where his enemy lived. In + that direction we had been travelling since leaving the village; surely if + I walked all night, by tomorrow I could reach Managa’s hunting-ground, and + be safe and think over what I had heard and on what I had to do. + </p> + <p> + I moved softly away a few steps, then thinking that it would be well to + take a spear in my hand, I turned back, and was surprised and startled to + notice that Kua-ko had moved in the interval. He had turned over on his + side, and his face was now towards me. His eyes appeared closed, but he + might be only feigning sleep, and I dared not go back to pick up the + spear. After a moment’s hesitation I moved on again, and after a second + glance back and seeing that he did not stir, I waded cautiously across the + stream, walked softly twenty or thirty yards, and then began to run. At + intervals I paused to listen for a moment; and presently I heard a + pattering sound as of footsteps coming swiftly after me. I instantly + concluded that Kua-ko had been awake all the time watching my movements, + and that he was now following me. I now put forth my whole speed, and + while thus running could distinguish no sound. That he would miss me, for + it was very dark, although with a starry sky above, was my only hope; for + with no weapon except my knife my chances would be small indeed should he + overtake me. Besides, he had no doubt roused the others before starting, + and they would be close behind. There were no bushes in that place to hide + myself in and let them pass me; and presently, to make matters worse, the + character of the soil changed, and I was running over level clayey ground, + so white with a salt efflorescence that a dark object moving on it would + show conspicuously at a distance. Here I paused to look back and listen, + when distinctly came the sound of footsteps, and the next moment I made + out the vague form of an Indian advancing at a rapid rate of speed and + with his uplifted spear in his hand. In the brief pause I had made he had + advanced almost to within hurling distance of me, and turning, I sped on + again, throwing off my cloak to ease my flight. The next time I looked + back he was still in sight, but not so near; he had stopped to pick up my + cloak, which would be his now, and this had given me a slight advantage. I + fled on, and had continued running for a distance perhaps of fifty yards + when an object rushed past me, tearing through the flesh of my left arm + close to the shoulder on its way; and not knowing that I was not badly + wounded nor how near my pursuer might be, I turned in desperation to meet + him, and saw him not above twenty-five yards away, running towards me with + something bright in his hand. It was Kua-ko, and after wounding me with + his spear he was about to finish me with his knife. O fortunate young + savage, after such a victory, and with that noble blue cloth cloak for + trophy and covering, what fame and happiness will be yours! A change swift + as lightning had come over me, a sudden exultation. I was wounded, but my + right hand was sound and clutched a knife as good as his, and we were on + an equality. I waited for him calmly. All weakness, grief, despair had + vanished, all feelings except a terrible raging desire to spill his + accursed blood; and my brain was clear and my nerves like steel, and I + remembered with something like laughter our old amusing encounters with + rapiers of wood. Ah, that was only making believe and childish play; this + was reality. Could any white man, deprived of his treacherous, far-killing + weapon, meet the resolute savage, face to face and foot to foot, and equal + him with the old primitive weapons? Poor youth, this delusion will cost + you dear! It was scarcely an equal contest when he hurled himself against + me, with only his savage strength and courage to match my skill; in a few + moments he was lying at my feet, pouring out his life blood on that white + thirsty plain. From his prostrate form I turned, the wet, red knife in my + hand, to meet the others, still thinking that they were on the track and + close at hand. Why had he stooped to pick up the cloak if they were not + following—if he had not been afraid of losing it? I turned only to + receive their spears, to die with my face to them; nor was the thought of + death terrible to me; I could die calmly now after killing my first + assailant. But had I indeed killed him? I asked, hearing a sound like a + groan escape from his lips. Quickly stooping, I once more drove my weapon + to the hilt in his prostrate form, and when he exhaled a deep sigh, and + his frame quivered, and the blood spurted afresh, I experienced a feeling + of savage joy. And still no sound of hurrying footsteps came to my + listening ears and no vague forms appeared in the darkness. I concluded + that he had either left them sleeping or that they had not followed in the + right direction. Taking up the cloak, I was about to walk on, when I + noticed the spear he had thrown at me lying where it had fallen some yards + away, and picking that up also, I went on once more, still keeping the + guiding star before me. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0020" id="link2HCH0020"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XX + </h2> + <p> + That good fight had been to me like a draught of wine, and made me for a + while oblivious of my loss and of the pain from my wound. But the glow and + feeling of exultation did not last: the lacerated flesh smarted; I was + weak from loss of blood, and oppressed with sensations of fatigue. If my + foes had appeared on the scene they would have made an easy conquest of + me; but they came not, and I continued to walk on, slowly and painfully, + pausing often to rest. + </p> + <p> + At last, recovering somewhat from my faint condition, and losing all fear + of being overtaken, my sorrow revived in full force, and thought returned + to madden me. + </p> + <p> + Alas! this bright being, like no other in its divine brightness, so long + in the making, now no more than a dead leaf, a little dust, lost and + forgotten for ever—oh, pitiless! Oh, cruel! + </p> + <p> + But I knew it all before—this law of nature and of necessity, + against which all revolt is idle: often had the remembrance of it filled + me with ineffable melancholy; only now it seemed cruel beyond all cruelty. + </p> + <p> + Not nature the instrument, not the keen sword that cuts into the bleeding + tissues, but the hand that wields it—the unseen unknown something, + or person, that manifests itself in the horrible workings of nature. + </p> + <p> + “Did you know, beloved, at the last, in that intolerable heat, in that + moment of supreme anguish, that he is unlistening, unhelpful as the stars, + that you cried not to him? To me was your cry; but your poor, frail fellow + creature was not there to save, or, failing that, to cast himself into the + flames and perish with you, hating God.” + </p> + <p> + Thus, in my insufferable pain, I spoke aloud; alone in that solitary + place, a bleeding fugitive in the dark night, looking up at the stars I + cursed the Author of my being and called on Him to take back the abhorred + gift of life. + </p> + <p> + Yet, according to my philosophy, how vain it was! All my bitterness and + hatred and defiance were as empty, as ineffectual, as utterly futile, as + are the supplications of the meek worshipper, and no more than the whisper + of a leaf, the light whirr of an insect’s wing. Whether I loved Him who + was over all, as when I thanked Him on my knees for guiding me to where I + had heard so sweet and mysterious a melody, or hated and defied Him as + now, it all came from Him—love and hate, good and evil. + </p> + <p> + But I know—I knew then—that in one thing my philosophy was + false, that it was not the whole truth; that though my cries did not touch + nor come near Him they would yet hurt me; and, just as a prisoner maddened + at his unjust fate beats against the stone walls of his cell until he + falls back bruised and bleeding to the floor, so did I wilfully bruise my + own soul, and knew that those wounds I gave myself would not heal. + </p> + <p> + Of that night, the beginning of the blackest period of my life, I shall + say no more; and over subsequent events I shall pass quickly. + </p> + <p> + Morning found me at a distance of many miles from the scene of my duel + with the Indian, in a broken, hilly country, varied with savannah and open + forest. I was well-nigh spent with my long march, and felt that unless + food was obtained before many hours my situation would be indeed + desperate. With labour I managed to climb to the summit of a hill about + three hundred feet high in order to survey the surrounding country, and + found that it was one of a group of five, and conjectured that these were + the five hills of Uritay and that I was in the neighbourhood of Managa’s + village. Coming down I proceeded to the next hill, which was higher; and + before reaching it came to a stream in a narrow valley dividing the hills, + and proceeding along its banks in search of a crossing-place, I came full + in sight of the settlement sought for. As I approached, people were seen + moving hurriedly about; and by the time I arrived, walking slowly and + painfully, seven or eight men were standing before the village’ some with + spears in their hands, the women and children behind them, all staring + curiously at me. Drawing near I cried out in a somewhat feeble voice that + I was seeking for Managa; whereupon a gray-haired man stepped forth, spear + in hand, and replied that he was Managa, and demanded to know why I sought + him. I told him a part of my story—enough to show that I had a + deadly feud with Runi, that I had escaped from him after killing one of + his people. + </p> + <p> + I was taken in and supplied with food; my wound was examined and dressed; + and then I was permitted to lie down and sleep, while Managa, with half a + dozen of his people, hurriedly started to visit the scene of my fight with + Kua-ko, not only to verify my story, but partly with the hope of meeting + Runi. I did not see him again until the next morning, when he informed me + that he had found the spot where I had been overtaken, that the dead man + had been discovered by the others and carried back towards Parahuari. He + had followed the trace for some distance, and he was satisfied that Runi + had come thus far in the first place only with the intention of spying on + him. + </p> + <p> + My arrival, and the strange tidings I had brought, had thrown the village + into a great commotion; it was evident that from that time Managa lived in + constant apprehension of a sudden attack from his old enemy. This gave me + great satisfaction; it was my study to keep the feeling alive, and, more + than that, to drop continual hints of his enemy’s secret murderous + purpose, until he was wrought up to a kind of frenzy of mingled fear and + rage. And being of a suspicious and somewhat truculent temper, he one day + all at once turned on me as the immediate cause of his miserable state, + suspecting perhaps that I only wished to make an instrument of him. But I + was strangely bold and careless of danger then, and only mocked at his + rage, telling him proudly that I feared him not; that Runi, his mortal + enemy and mine, feared not him but me; that Runi knew perfectly well where + I had taken refuge and would not venture to make his meditated attack + while I remained in his village, but would wait for my departure. “Kill + me, Managa,” I cried, smiting my chest as I stood facing him. “Kill me, + and the result will be that he will come upon you unawares and murder you + all, as he has resolved to do sooner or later.” + </p> + <p> + After that speech he glared at me in silence, then flung down the spear he + had snatched up in his sudden rage and stalked out of the house and into + the wood; but before long he was back again, seated in his old place, + brooding on my words with a face black as night. + </p> + <p> + It is painful to recall that secret dark chapter of my life—that + period of moral insanity. But I wish not to be a hypocrite, conscious or + unconscious, to delude myself or another with this plea of insanity. My + mind was very clear just then; past and present were clear to me; the + future clearest of all: I could measure the extent of my action and + speculate on its future effect, and my sense of right or wrong—of + individual responsibility—was more vivid than at any other period of + my life. Can I even say that I was blinded by passion? Driven, perhaps, + but certainly not blinded. For no reaction, or submission, had followed on + that furious revolt against the unknown being, personal or not, that is + behind nature, in whose existence I believed. I was still in revolt: I + would hate Him, and show my hatred by being like Him, as He appears to us + reflected in that mirror of Nature. Had He given me good gifts—the + sense of right and wrong and sweet humanity? The beautiful sacred flower + He had caused to grow in me I would crush ruthlessly; its beauty and + fragrance and grace would be dead for ever; there was nothing evil, + nothing cruel and contrary to my nature, that I would not be guilty of, + glorying in my guilt. This was not the temper of a few days: I remained + for close upon two months at Managa’s village, never repenting nor + desisting in my efforts to induce the Indians to join me in that most + barbarous adventure on which my heart was set. + </p> + <p> + I succeeded in the end; it would have been strange if I had not. The + horrible details need not be given. Managa did not wait for his enemy, but + fell on him unexpectedly, an hour after nightfall in his own village. If I + had really been insane during those two months, if some cloud had been on + me, some demoniacal force dragging me on, the cloud and insanity vanished + and the constraint was over in one moment, when that hellish enterprise + was completed. It was the sight of an old woman, lying where she had been + struck down, the fire of the blazing house lighting her wide-open glassy + eyes and white hair dabbled in blood, which suddenly, as by a miracle, + wrought this change in my brain. For they were all dead at last, old and + young, all who had lighted the fire round that great green tree in which + Rima had taken refuge, who had danced round the blaze, shouting: “Burn! + burn!” + </p> + <p> + At the moment my glance fell on that prostrate form I paused and stood + still, trembling like a person struck with a sudden pang in the heart, who + thinks that his last moment has come to him unawares. After a while I + slunk away out of the great circle of firelight into the thick darkness + beyond. Instinctively I turned towards the forests across the savannah—my + forest again; and fled away from the noise and the sight of flames, never + pausing until I found myself within the black shadow of the trees. Into + the deeper blackness of the interior I dared not venture; on the border I + paused to ask myself what I did there alone in the night-time. Sitting + down, I covered my face with my hands as if to hide it more effectually + than it could be hidden by night and the forest shadows. What horrible + thing, what calamity that frightened my soul to think of, had fallen on + me? The revulsion of feeling, the unspeakable horror, the remorse, was + more than I could bear. I started up with a cry of anguish, and would have + slain myself to escape at that moment; but Nature is not always and + utterly cruel, and on this occasion she came to my aid. Consciousness + forsook me, and I lived not again until the light of early morning was in + the east; then found myself lying on the wet herbage—wet with rain + that had lately fallen. My physical misery was now so great that it + prevented me from dwelling on the scenes witnessed on the previous + evening. Nature was again merciful in this. I only remembered that it was + necessary to hide myself, in case the Indians should be still in the + neighbourhood and pay the wood a visit. Slowly and painfully I crept away + into the forest, and there sat for several hours, scarcely thinking at + all, in a half-stupefied condition. At noon the sun shone out and dried + the wood. I felt no hunger, only a vague sense of bodily misery, and with + it the fear that if I left my hiding-place I might meet some human + creature face to face. This fear prevented me from stirring until the + twilight came, when I crept forth and made my way to the border of the + forest, to spend the night there. Whether sleep visited me during the dark + hours or not I cannot say: day and night my condition seemed the same; I + experienced only a dull sensation of utter misery which seemed in spirit + and flesh alike, an inability to think clearly, or for more than a few + moments consecutively, about anything. Scenes in which I had been + principal actor came and went, as in a dream when the will slumbers: now + with devilish ingenuity and persistence I was working on Managa’s mind; + now standing motionless in the forest listening for that sweet, mysterious + melody; now staring aghast at old Cla-cla’s wide-open glassy eyes and + white hair dabbled in blood; then suddenly, in the cave at Riolama, I was + fondly watching the slow return of life and colour to Rima’s still face. + </p> + <p> + When morning came again, I felt so weak that a vague fear of sinking down + and dying of hunger at last roused me and sent me forth in quest of food. + I moved slowly and my eyes were dim to see, but I knew so well where to + seek for small morsels—small edible roots and leaf-stalks, berries, + and drops of congealed gum—that it would have been strange in that + rich forest if I had not been able to discover something to stay my + famine. It was little, but it sufficed for the day. Once more Nature was + merciful to me; for that diligent seeking among the concealing leaves left + no interval for thought; every chance morsel gave a momentary pleasure, + and as I prolonged my search my steps grew firmer, the dimness passed from + my eyes. I was more forgetful of self, more eager, and like a wild animal + with no thought or feeling beyond its immediate wants. Fatigued at the + end, I fell asleep as soon as darkness brought my busy rambles to a close, + and did not wake until another morning dawned. + </p> + <p> + My hunger was extreme now. The wailing notes of a pair of small birds, + persistently flitting round me, or perched with gaping bills and wings + trembling with agitation, served to remind me that it was now + breeding-time; also that Rima had taught me to find a small bird’s nest. + She found them only to delight her eyes with the sight; but they would be + food for me; the crystal and yellow fluid in the gem-like, white or blue + or red-speckled shells would help to keep me alive. All day I hunted, + listening to every note and cry, watching the motions of every winged + thing, and found, besides gums and fruits, over a score of nests + containing eggs, mostly of small birds, and although the labour was great + and the scratches many, I was well satisfied with the result. + </p> + <p> + A few days later I found a supply of Haima gum, and eagerly began picking + it from the tree; not that it could be used, but the thought of the + brilliant light it gave was so strong in my mind that mechanically I + gathered it all. The possession of this gum, when night closed round me + again, produced in me an intense longing for artificial light and warmth. + The darkness was harder than ever to endure. I envied the fireflies their + natural lights, and ran about in the dusk to capture a few and hold them + in the hollow of my two hands, for the sake of their cold, fitful flashes. + On the following day I wasted two or three hours trying to get fire in the + primitive method with dry wood, but failed, and lost much time, and + suffered more than ever from hunger in consequence. Yet there was fire in + everything; even when I struck at hard wood with my knife, sparks were + emitted. If I could only arrest those wonderful heat- and light-giving + sparks! And all at once, as if I had just lighted upon some new, wonderful + truth, it occurred to me that with my steel hunting-knife and a piece of + flint fire could be obtained. Immediately I set about preparing tinder + with dry moss, rotten wood, and wild cotton; and in a short time I had the + wished fire, and heaped wood dry and green on it to make it large. I + nursed it well, and spent the night beside it; and it also served to roast + some huge white grubs which I had found in the rotten wood of a prostrate + trunk. The sight of these great grubs had formerly disgusted me; but they + tasted good to me now, and stayed my hunger, and that was all I looked for + in my wild forest food. + </p> + <p> + For a long time an undefined feeling prevented me from going near the site + of Nuflo’s burnt lodge. I went there at last; and the first thing I did + was to go all round the fatal spot, cautiously peering into the rank + herbage, as if I feared a lurking serpent; and at length, at some distance + from the blackened heap, I discovered a human skeleton, and knew it to be + Nuflo’s. In his day he had been a great armadillo-hunter, and these quaint + carrion-eaters had no doubt revenged themselves by devouring his flesh + when they found him dead—killed by the savages. + </p> + <p> + Having once returned to this spot of many memories, I could not quit it + again; while my wild woodland life lasted, here must I have my lair, and + being here I could not leave that mournful skeleton above ground. With + labour I excavated a pit to bury it, careful not to cut or injure a + broad-leafed creeper that had begun to spread itself over the spot; and + after refilling the hole I drew the long, trailing stems over the mound. + </p> + <p> + “Sleep well, old man,” said I, when my work was done; and these few words, + implying neither censure nor praise, was all the burial service that old + Nuflo had from me. + </p> + <p> + I then visited the spot where the old man, assisted by me, had concealed + his provisions before starting for Riolama, and was pleased to find that + it had not been discovered by the Indians. Besides the store of tobacco + leaf, maize, pumpkin, potatoes, and cassava bread, and the cooking + utensils, I found among other things a chopper—a great acquisition, + since with it I would be able to cut down small palms and bamboos to make + myself a hut. + </p> + <p> + The possession of a supply of food left me time for many things: time in + the first place to make my own conditions; doubtless after them there + would be further progression on the old lines—luxuries added to + necessaries; a healthful, fruitful life of thought and action combined; + and at last a peaceful, contemplative old age. + </p> + <p> + I cleared away ashes and rubbish, and marked out the very spot where + Rima’s separate bower had been for my habitation, which I intended to make + small. In five days it was finished; then, after lighting a fire, I + stretched myself out in my dry bed of moss and leaves with a feeling that + was almost triumphant. Let the rain now fall in torrents, putting out the + firefly’s lamp; let the wind and thunder roar their loudest, and the + lightnings smite the earth with intolerable light, frightening the poor + monkeys in their wet, leafy habitations, little would I heed it all on my + dry bed, under my dry, palm-leaf thatch, with glorious fire to keep me + company and protect me from my ancient enemy, Darkness. + </p> + <p> + From that first sleep under shelter I woke refreshed, and was not driven + by the cruel spur of hunger into the wet forest. The wished time had come + of rest from labour, of leisure for thought. Resting here, just where she + had rested, night by night clasping a visionary mother in her arms, + whispering tenderest words in a visionary ear, I too now clasped her in my + arms—a visionary Rima. How different the nights had seemed when I + was without shelter, before I had rediscovered fire! How had I endured it? + That strange ghostly gloom of the woods at night-time full of innumerable + strange shapes; still and dark, yet with something seen at times moving + amidst them, dark and vague and strange also—an owl, perhaps, or + bat, or great winged moth, or nightjar. Nor had I any choice then but to + listen to the night-sounds of the forest; and they were various as the + day-sounds, and for every day-sound, from the faintest lisping and softest + trill to the deep boomings and piercing cries, there was an analogue; + always with something mysterious, unreal in its tone, something proper to + the night. They were ghostly sounds, uttered by the ghosts of dead + animals; they were a hundred different things by turns, but always with a + meaning in them, which I vainly strove to catch—something to be + interpreted only by a sleeping faculty in us, lightly sleeping, and now, + now on the very point of awaking! + </p> + <p> + Now the gloom and the mystery were shut out; now I had that which stood in + the place of pleasure to me, and was more than pleasure. It was a mournful + rapture to lie awake now, wishing not for sleep and oblivion, hating the + thought of daylight that would come at last to drown and scare away my + vision. To be with Rima again—my lost Rima recovered—mine, + mine at last! No longer the old vexing doubt now—“You are you, and I + am I—why is it?”—the question asked when our souls were near + together, like two raindrops side by side, drawing irresistibly nearer, + ever nearer: for now they had touched and were not two, but one + inseparable drop, crystallized beyond change, not to be disintegrated by + time, nor shattered by death’s blow, nor resolved by any alchemy. + </p> + <p> + I had other company besides this unfailing vision and the bright dancing + fire that talked to me in its fantastic fire language. It was my custom to + secure the door well on retiring; grief had perhaps chilled my blood, for + I suffered less from heat than from cold at this period, and the fire + seemed grateful all night long; I was also anxious to exclude all small + winged and creeping night-wanderers. But to exclude them entirely proved + impossible: through a dozen invisible chinks they would find their way to + me; also some entered by day to lie concealed until after nightfall. A + monstrous hairy hermit spider found an asylum in a dusky corner of the + hut, under the thatch, and day after day he was there, all day long, + sitting close and motionless; but at dark he invariably disappeared—who + knows on what murderous errand! His hue was a deep dead-leaf yellow, with + a black and grey pattern, borrowed from some wild cat; and so large was he + that his great outspread hairy legs, radiating from the flat disk of his + body, would have covered a man’s open hand. It was easy to see him in my + small interior; often in the night-time my eyes would stray to his corner, + never to encounter that strange hairy figure; but daylight failed not to + bring him. He troubled me; but now, for Rima’s sake, I could slay no + living thing except from motives of hunger. I had it in my mind to injure + him—to strike off one of his legs, which would not be missed much, + as they were many—so as to make him go away and return no more to so + inhospitable a place. But courage failed me. He might come stealthily back + at night to plunge his long, crooked farces into my throat, poisoning my + blood with fever and delirium and black death. So I left him alone, and + glanced furtively and fearfully at him, hoping that he had not divined any + thoughts; thus we lived on unsocially together. More companionable, but + still in an uncomfortable way, were the large crawling, running insects—crickets, + beetles, and others. They were shapely and black and polished, and ran + about here and there on the floor, just like intelligent little horseless + carriages; then they would pause with their immovable eyes fixed on me, + seeing or in some mysterious way divining my presence; their pliant horns + waving up and down, like delicate instruments used to test the air. + Centipedes and millipedes in dozens came too, and were not welcome. I + feared not their venom, but it was a weariness to see them; for they + seemed no living things, but the vertebrae of snakes and eels and long + slim fishes, dead and desiccated, made to move mechanically over walls and + floor by means of some jugglery of nature. I grew skilful at picking them + up with a pair of pliant green twigs, to thrust them into the outer + darkness. + </p> + <p> + One night a moth fluttered in and alighted on my hand as I sat by the + fire, causing me to hold my breath as I gazed on it. Its fore-wings were + pale grey, with shadings dark and light written all over in finest + characters with some twilight mystery or legend; but the round under-wings + were clear amber-yellow, veined like a leaf with red and purple veins; a + thing of such exquisite chaste beauty that the sight of it gave me a + sudden shock of pleasure. Very soon it flew up, circling about, and + finally lighted on the palm-leaf thatch directly over the fire. The heat, + I thought, would soon drive it from the spot; and, rising, I opened the + door, so that it might find its way out again into its own cool, dark, + flowery world. And standing by the open door I turned and addressed it: “O + night-wanderer of the pale, beautiful wings, go forth, and should you by + chance meet her somewhere in the shadowy depths, revisiting her old + haunts, be my messenger—” Thus much had I spoken when the frail + thing loosened its hold to fall without a flutter, straight and swift, + into the white blaze beneath. I sprang forward with a shriek and stood + staring into the fire, my whole frame trembling with a sudden terrible + emotion. Even thus had Rima fallen—fallen from the great height—into + the flames that instantly consumed her beautiful flesh and bright spirit! + O cruel Nature! + </p> + <p> + A moth that perished in the flame; an indistinct faint sound; a dream in + the night; the semblance of a shadowy form moving mist-like in the + twilight gloom of the forest, would suddenly bring back a vivid memory, + the old anguish, to break for a while the calm of that period. It was calm + then after the storm. Nevertheless, my health deteriorated. I ate little + and slept little and grew thin and weak. When I looked down on the dark, + glassy forest pool, where Rima would look no more to see herself so much + better than in the small mirror of her lover’s pupil, it showed me a + gaunt, ragged man with a tangled mass of black hair falling over his + shoulders, the bones of his face showing through the dead-looking, + sun-parched skin, the sunken eyes with a gleam in them that was like + insanity. + </p> + <p> + To see this reflection had a strangely disturbing effect on me. A + torturing voice would whisper in my ear: “Yes, you are evidently going + mad. By and by you will rush howling through the forest, only to drop down + at last and die; and no person will ever find and bury your bones. Old + Nuflo was more fortunate in that he perished first.” + </p> + <p> + “A lying voice!” I retorted in sudden anger. “My faculties were never + keener than now. Not a fruit can ripen but I find it. If a small bird + darts by with a feather or straw in its bill I mark its flight, and it + will be a lucky bird if I do not find its nest in the end. Could a savage + born in the forest do more? He would starve where I find food!” + </p> + <p> + “Ay, yes, there is nothing wonderful in that,” answered the voice. “The + stranger from a cold country suffers less from the heat, when days are + hottest, than the Indian who knows no other climate. But mark the result! + The stranger dies, while the Indian, sweating and gasping for breath, + survives. In like manner the low-minded savage, cut off from all human + fellowship, keeps his faculties to the end, while your finer brain proves + your ruin.” + </p> + <p> + I cut from a tree a score of long, blunt thorns, tough and black as + whalebone, and drove them through a strip of wood in which I had burnt a + row of holes to receive them, and made myself a comb, and combed out my + long, tangled hair to improve my appearance. + </p> + <p> + “It is not the tangled condition of your hair,” persisted the voice, “but + your eyes, so wild and strange in their expression, that show the approach + of madness. Make your locks as smooth as you like, and add a garland of + those scarlet, star-shaped blossoms hanging from the bush behind you—crown + yourself as you crowned old Cla-cla—but the crazed look will remain + just the same.” + </p> + <p> + And being no longer able to reply, rage and desperation drove me to an act + which only seemed to prove that the hateful voice had prophesied truly. + Taking up a stone, I hurled it down on the water to shatter the image I + saw there, as if it had been no faithful reflection of myself, but a + travesty, cunningly made of enamelled clay or some other material, and put + there by some malicious enemy to mock me. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0021" id="link2HCH0021"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXI + </h2> + <p> + Many days had passed since the hut was made—how many may not be + known, since I notched no stick and knotted no cord—yet never in my + rambles in the wood had I seen that desolate ash-heap where the fire had + done its work. Nor had I looked for it. On the contrary, my wish was never + to see it, and the fear of coming accidentally upon it made me keep to the + old familiar paths. But at length, one night, without thinking of Rima’s + fearful end, it all at once occurred to me that the hated savage whose + blood I had shed on the white savannah might have only been practicing his + natural deceit when he told me that most pitiful story. If that were so—if + he had been prepared with a fictitious account of her death to meet my + questions—then Rima might still exist: lost, perhaps, wandering in + some distant place, exposed to perils day and night, and unable to find + her way back, but living still! Living! her heart on fire with the hope of + reunion with me, cautiously threading her way through the undergrowth of + immeasurable forests; spying out the distant villages and hiding herself + from the sight of all men, as she knew so well how to hide; studying the + outlines of distant mountains, to recognize some familiar landmark at + last, and so find her way back to the old wood once more! Even now, while + I sat there idly musing, she might be somewhere in the wood—somewhere + near me; but after so long an absence full of apprehension, waiting in + concealment for what tomorrow’s light might show. + </p> + <p> + I started up and replenished the fire with trembling hands, then set the + door open to let the welcoming stream out into the wood. But Rima had done + more; going out into the black forest in the pitiless storm, she had found + and led me home. Could I do less! I was quickly out in the shadows of the + wood. Surely it was more than a mere hope that made my heart beat so + wildly! How could a sensation so strangely sudden, so irresistible in its + power, possess me unless she were living and near? Can it be, can it be + that we shall meet again? To look again into your divine eyes—to + hold you again in my arms at last! I so changed—so different! But + the old love remains; and of all that has happened in your absence I shall + tell you nothing—not one word; all shall be forgotten now—sufferings, + madness, crime, remorse! Nothing shall ever vex you again—not Nuflo, + who vexed you every day; for he is dead now—murdered, only I shall + not say that—and I have decently buried his poor old sinful bones. + We alone together in the wood—OUR wood now! The sweet old days + again; for I know that you would not have it different, nor would I. + </p> + <p> + Thus I talked to myself, mad with the thoughts of the joy that would soon + be mine; and at intervals I stood still and made the forest echo with my + calls. “Rima! Rima!” I called again and again, and waited for some + response; and heard only the familiar night-sounds—voices of insect + and bird and tinkling tree-frog, and a low murmur in the topmost foliage, + moved by some light breath of wind unfelt below. I was drenched with dew, + bruised and bleeding from falls in the dark, and from rocks and thorns and + rough branches, but had felt nothing; gradually the excitement burnt + itself out; I was hoarse with shouting and ready to drop down with + fatigue, and hope was dead: and at length I crept back to my hut, to cast + myself on my grass bed and sink into a dull, miserable, desponding stupor. + </p> + <p> + But on the following morning I was out once more, determined to search the + forest well; since, if no evidence of the great fire Kua-ko had described + to me existed, it would still be possible to believe that he had lied to + me, and that Rima lived. I searched all day and found nothing; but the + area was large, and to search it thoroughly would require several days. + </p> + <p> + On the third day I discovered the fatal spot, and knew that never again + would I behold Rima in the flesh, that my last hope had indeed been a vain + one. There could be no mistake: just such an open place as the Indian had + pictured to me was here, with giant trees standing apart; while one tree + stood killed and blackened by fire, surrounded by a huge heap, sixty or + seventy yards across, of prostrate charred tree-trunks and ashes. Here and + there slender plants had sprung up through the ashes, and the omnipresent + small-leaved creepers were beginning to throw their pale green embroidery + over the blackened trunks. I looked long at the vast funeral tree that had + a buttressed girth of not less than fifty feet, and rose straight as a + ship’s mast, with its top about a hundred and fifty feet from the earth. + What a distance to fall, through burning leaves and smoke, like a white + bird shot dead with a poisoned arrow, swift and straight into that sea of + flame below! How cruel imagination was to turn that desolate ash-heap, in + spite of feathery foliage and embroidery of creepers, into roaring leaping + flames again—to bring those dead savages back, men, women, and + children—even the little ones I had played with—to set them + yelling around me: “Burn! burn!” Oh, no, this damnable spot must not be + her last resting-place! If the fire had not utterly consumed her, bones as + well as sweet tender flesh, shrivelling her like a frail white-winged moth + into the finest white ashes, mixed inseparably with the ashes of stems and + leaves innumerable, then whatever remained of her must be conveyed + elsewhere to be with me, to mingle with my ashes at last. + </p> + <p> + Having resolved to sift and examine the entire heap, I at once set about + my task. If she had climbed into the central highest branch, and had + fallen straight, then she would have dropped into the flames not far from + the roots; and so to begin I made a path to the trunk, and when darkness + overtook me I had worked all round the tree, in a width of three to four + yards, without discovering any remains. At noon on the following day I + found the skeleton, or, at all events, the larger bones, rendered so + fragile by the fierce heat they had been subjected to, that they fell to + pieces when handled. But I was careful—how careful!—to save + these last sacred relics, all that was now left of Rima!—kissing + each white fragment as I lifted it, and gathering them all in my old + frayed cloak, spread out to receive them. And when I had recovered them + all, even to the smallest, I took my treasure home. + </p> + <p> + Another storm had shaken my soul, and had been succeeded by a second calm, + which was more complete and promised to be more enduring than the first. + But it was no lethargic calm; my brain was more active than ever; and by + and by it found a work for my hands to do, of such a character as to + distinguish me from all other forest hermits, fugitives from their + fellows, in that savage land. The calcined bones I had rescued were kept + in one of the big, rudely shaped, half-burnt earthen jars which Nuflo had + used for storing grain and other food-stuff. It was of a wood-ash colour; + and after I had given up my search for the peculiar fine clay he had used + in its manufacture—for it had been in my mind to make a more shapely + funeral urn myself—I set to work to ornament its surface. A portion + of each day was given to this artistic labour; and when the surface was + covered with a pattern of thorny stems, and a trailing creeper with + curving leaf and twining tendril, and pendent bud and blossom, I gave it + colour. Purples and black only were used, obtained from the juices of some + deeply coloured berries; and when a tint, or shade, or line failed to + satisfy me I erased it, to do it again; and this so often that I never + completed my work. I might, in the proudly modest spirit of the old + sculptors, have inscribed on the vase the words: Abel was doing this. For + was not my ideal beautiful like theirs, and the best that my art could do + only an imperfect copy—a rude sketch? A serpent was represented + wound round the lower portion of the jar, dull-hued, with a chain of + irregular black spots or blotches extending along its body; and if any + person had curiously examined these spots he would have discovered that + every other one was a rudely shaped letter, and that the letters, by being + properly divided, made the following words: + </p> + <p> + Sin vos y siu dios y mi. + </p> + <p> + Words that to some might seem wild, even insane in their extravagance, + sung by some ancient forgotten poet; or possibly the motto of some + love-sick knight-errant, whose passion was consumed to ashes long + centuries ago. But not wild nor insane to me, dwelling alone on a vast + stony plain in everlasting twilight, where there was no motion, nor any + sound; but all things, even trees, ferns, and grasses, were stone. And in + that place I had sat for many a thousand years, drawn up and motionless, + with stony fingers clasped round my legs, and forehead resting on my + knees; and there would I sit, unmoving, immovable, for many a thousand + years to come—I, no longer I, in a universe where she was not, and + God was not. + </p> + <p> + The days went by, and to others grouped themselves into weeks and months; + to me they were only days—not Saturday, Sunday, Monday, but + nameless. They were so many and their sum so great that all my previous + life, all the years I had existed before this solitary time, now looked + like a small island immeasurably far away, scarcely discernible, in the + midst of that endless desolate waste of nameless days. + </p> + <p> + My stock of provisions had been so long consumed that I had forgotten the + flavour of pulse and maize and pumpkins and purple and sweet potatoes. For + Nuflo’s cultivated patch had been destroyed by the savages—not a + stem, not a root had they left: and I, like the sorrowful man that broods + on his sorrow and the artist who thinks only of his art, had been + improvident and had consumed the seed without putting a portion into the + ground. Only wild food, and too little of that, found with much seeking + and got with many hurts. Birds screamed at and scolded me; branches + bruised and thorns scratched me; and still worse were the angry clouds of + waspish things no bigger than flies. Buzz—buzz! Sting—sting! A + serpent’s tooth has failed to kill me; little do I care for your small + drops of fiery venom so that I get at the spoil—grubs and honey. My + white bread and purple wine! Once my soul hungered after knowledge; I took + delight in fine thoughts finely expressed; I sought them carefully in + printed books: now only this vile bodily hunger, this eager seeking for + grubs and honey, and ignoble war with little things! + </p> + <p> + A bad hunter I proved after larger game. Bird and beast despised my + snares, which took me so many waking hours at night to invent, so many + daylight hours to make. Once, seeing a troop of monkeys high up in the + tall trees, I followed and watched them for a long time, thinking how + royally I should feast if by some strange unheard-of accident one were to + fall disabled to the ground and be at my mercy. But nothing impossible + happened, and I had no meat. What meat did I ever have except an + occasional fledgling, killed in its cradle, or a lizard, or small + tree-frog detected, in spite of its green colour, among the foliage? I + would roast the little green minstrel on the coals. Why not? Why should he + live to tinkle on his mandolin and clash his airy cymbals with no + appreciative ear to listen? Once I had a different and strange kind of + meat; but the starved stomach is not squeamish. I found a serpent coiled + up in my way in a small glade, and arming myself with a long stick, I + roused him from his siesta and slew him without mercy. Rima was not there + to pluck the rage from my heart and save his evil life. No coral snake + this, with slim, tapering body, ringed like a wasp with brilliant colour; + but thick and blunt, with lurid scales, blotched with black; also a broad, + flat, murderous head, with stony, ice-like, whity-blue eyes, cold enough + to freeze a victim’s blood in its veins and make it sit still, like some + wide-eyed creature carved in stone, waiting for the sharp, inevitable + stroke—so swift at last, so long in coming. “O abominable flat head, + with icy-cold, humanlike, fiend-like eyes, I shall cut you off and throw + you away!” And away I flung it, far enough in all conscience: yet I walked + home troubled with a fancy that somewhere, somewhere down on the black, + wet soil where it had fallen, through all that dense, thorny tangle and + millions of screening leaves, the white, lidless, living eyes were + following me still, and would always be following me in all my goings and + comings and windings about in the forest. And what wonder? For were we not + alone together in this dreadful solitude, I and the serpent, eaters of the + dust, singled out and cursed above all cattle? HE would not have bitten + me, and I—faithless cannibal!—had murdered him. That cursed + fancy would live on, worming itself into every crevice of my mind; the + severed head would grow and grow in the night-time to something monstrous + at last, the hellish white lidless eyes increasing to the size of two full + moons. “Murderer! murderer!” they would say; “first a murderer of your own + fellow creatures—that was a small crime; but God, our enemy, had + made them in His image, and He cursed you; and we two were together, alone + and apart—you and I, murderer! you and I, murderer!” + </p> + <p> + I tried to escape the tyrannous fancy by thinking of other things and by + making light of it. “The starved, bloodless brain,” I said, “has strange + thoughts.” I fell to studying the dark, thick, blunt body in my hands; I + noticed that the livid, rudely blotched, scaly surface showed in some + lights a lovely play of prismatic colours. And growing poetical, I said: + “When the wild west wind broke up the rainbow on the flying grey cloud and + scattered it over the earth, a fragment doubtless fell on this reptile to + give it that tender celestial tint. For thus it is Nature loves all her + children, and gives to each some beauty, little or much; only to me, her + hated stepchild, she gives no beauty, no grace. But stay, am I not + wronging her? Did not Rima, beautiful above all things, love me well? said + she not that I was beautiful?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, yes, that was long ago,” spoke the voice that mocked me by the pool + when I combed out my tangled hair. “Long ago, when the soul that looked + from your eyes was not the accursed thing it is now. Now Rima would start + at the sight of them; now she would fly in terror from their insane + expression.” + </p> + <p> + “O spiteful voice, must you spoil even such appetite as I have for this + fork-tongued spotty food? You by day and Rima by night—what shall I + do—what shall I do?” + </p> + <p> + For it had now come to this, that the end of each day brought not sleep + and dreams, but waking visions. Night by night, from my dry grass bed I + beheld Nuflo sitting in his old doubled-up posture, his big brown feet + close to the white ashes—sitting silent and miserable. I pitied him; + I owed him hospitality; but it seemed intolerable that he should be there. + It was better to shut my eyes; for then Rima’s arms would be round my + neck; the silky mist of her hair against my face, her flowery breath + mixing with my breath. What a luminous face was hers! Even with closeshut + eyes I could see it vividly, the translucent skin showing the radiant rose + beneath, the lustrous eyes, spiritual and passionate, dark as purple wine + under their dark lashes. Then my eyes would open wide. No Rima in my arms! + But over there, a little way back from the fire, just beyond where old + Nuflo had sat brooding a few minutes ago, Rima would be standing, still + and pale and unspeakably sad. Why does she come to me from the outside + darkness to stand there talking to me, yet never once lifting her mournful + eyes to mine? “Do not believe it, Abel; no, that was only a phantom of + your brain, the What-I-was that you remember so well. For do you not see + that when I come she fades away and is nothing? Not that—do not ask + it. I know that I once refused to look into your eyes, and afterwards, in + the cave at Riolama, I looked long and was happy—unspeakably happy! + But now—oh, you do not know what you ask; you do not know the sorrow + that has come into mine; that if you once beheld it, for very sorrow you + would die. And you must live. But I will wait patiently, and we shall be + together in the end, and see each other without disguise. Nothing shall + divide us. Only wish not for it soon; think not that death will ease your + pain, and seek it not. Austerities? Good works? Prayers? They are not + seen; they are not heard, they are less-than nothing, and there is no + intercession. I did not know it then, but you knew it. Your life was your + own; you are not saved nor judged! acquit yourself—undo that which + you have done, which Heaven cannot undo—and Heaven will say no word + nor will I. You cannot, Abel, you cannot. That which you have done is + done, and yours must be the penalty and the sorrow—yours and mine—yours + and mine—yours and mine.” + </p> + <p> + This, too, was a phantom, a Rima of the mind, one of the shapes the + ever-changing black vapours of remorse and insanity would take; and all + her mournful sentences were woven out of my own brain. I was not so crazed + as not to know it; only a phantom, an illusion, yet more real than reality—real + as my crime and vain remorse and death to come. It was, indeed, Rima + returned to tell me that I that loved her had been more cruel to her than + her cruellest enemies; for they had but tortured and destroyed her body + with fire, while I had cast this shadow on her soul—this sorrow + transcending all sorrows, darker than death, immitigable, eternal. + </p> + <p> + If I could only have faded gradually, painlessly, growing feebler in body + and dimmer in my senses each day, to sink at last into sleep! But it could + not be. Still the fever in my brain, the mocking voice by day, the + phantoms by night; and at last I became convinced that unless I quitted + the forest before long, death would come to me in some terrible shape. But + in the feeble condition I was now in, and without any provisions, to + escape from the neighbourhood of Parahuari was impossible, seeing that it + was necessary at starting to avoid the villages where the Indians were of + the same tribe as Runi, who would recognize me as the white man who was + once his guest and afterwards his implacable enemy. I must wait, and in + spite of a weakened body and a mind diseased, struggle still to wrest a + scanty subsistence from wild nature. + </p> + <p> + One day I discovered an old prostrate tree, buried under a thick growth of + creeper and fern, the wood of which was nearly or quite rotten, as I + proved by thrusting my knife to the heft in it. No doubt it would contain + grubs—those huge, white wood-borers which now formed an important + item in my diet. On the following day I returned to the spot with a + chopper and a bundle of wedges to split the trunk up, but had scarcely + commenced operations when an animal, startled at my blows, rushed or + rather wriggled from its hiding-place under the dead wood at a distance of + a few yards from me. It was a robust, round-headed, short-legged creature, + about as big as a good-sized cat, and clothed in a thick, greenish-brown + fur. The ground all about was covered with creepers, binding the ferns, + bushes, and old dead branches together; and in this confused tangle the + animal scrambled and tore with a great show of energy, but really made + very little progress; and all at once it flashed into my mind that it was + a sloth—a common animal, but rarely seen on the ground—with no + tree near to take refuge in. The shock of joy this discovery produced was + great enough to unnerve me, and for some moments I stood trembling, hardly + able to breathe; then recovering I hastened after it, and stunned it with + a blow from my chopper on its round head. + </p> + <p> + “Poor sloth!” I said as I stood over it. “Poor old lazy-bones! Did Rima + ever find you fast asleep in a tree, hugging a branch as if you loved it, + and with her little hand pat your round, human-like head; and laugh + mockingly at the astonishment in your drowsy, waking eyes; and scold you + tenderly for wearing your nails so long, and for being so ugly? Lazybones, + your death is revenged! Oh, to be out of this wood—away from this + sacred place—to be anywhere where killing is not murder!” + </p> + <p> + Then it came into my mind that I was now in possession of the supply of + food which would enable me to quit the wood. A noble capture! As much to + me as if a stray, migratory mule had rambled into the wood and found me, + and I him. Now I would be my own mule, patient, and long-suffering, and + far-going, with naked feet hardened to hoofs, and a pack of provender on + my back to make me independent of the dry, bitter grass on the sunburnt + savannahs. + </p> + <p> + Part of that night and the next morning was spent in curing the flesh over + a smoky fire of green wood and in manufacturing a rough sack to store it + in, for I had resolved to set out on my journey. How safely to convey + Rima’s treasured ashes was a subject of much thought and anxiety. The clay + vessel on which I had expended so much loving, sorrowful labour had to be + left, being too large and heavy to carry; eventually I put the fragments + into a light sack; and in order to avert suspicion from the people I would + meet on the way, above the ashes I packed a layer of roots and bulbs. + These I would say contained medicinal properties, known to the white + doctors, to whom I would sell them on my arrival at a Christian + settlement, and with the money buy myself clothes to start life afresh. + </p> + <p> + On the morrow I would bid a last farewell to that forest of many memories. + And my journey would be eastwards, over a wild savage land of mountains, + rivers, and forests, where every dozen miles would be like a hundred of + Europe; but a land inhabited by tribes not unfriendly to the stranger. And + perhaps it would be my good fortune to meet with Indians travelling east + who would know the easiest routes; and from time to time some + compassionate voyager would let me share his wood-skin, and many leagues + would be got over without weariness, until some great river, flowing + through British or Dutch Guiana, would be reached; and so on, and on, by + slow or swift stages, with little to eat perhaps, with much labour and + pain, in hot sun and in storm, to the Atlantic at last, and towns + inhabited by Christian men. + </p> + <p> + In the evening of that day, after completing my preparations, I supped on + the remaining portions of the sloth, not suitable for preservation, + roasting bits of fat on the coals and boiling the head and bones into a + broth; and after swallowing the liquid I crunched the bones and sucked the + marrow, feeding like some hungry carnivorous animal. + </p> + <p> + Glancing at the fragments scattered on the floor, I remembered old Nuflo, + and how I had surprised him at his feast of rank coatimundi in his secret + retreat. “Nuflo, old neighbour,” said I, “how quiet you are under your + green coverlet, spangled just now with yellow flowers! It is no sham + sleep, old man, I know. If any suspicion of these curious doings, this + feast of flesh on a spot once sacred, could flit like a small moth into + your mouldy hollow skull you would soon thrust out your old nose to sniff + the savour of roasting fat once more.” + </p> + <p> + There was in me at that moment an inclination to laughter; it came to + nothing, but affected me strangely, like an impulse I had not experienced + since boyhood—familiar, yet novel. After the good-night to my + neighbour, I tumbled into my straw and slept soundly, animal-like. No + fancies and phantoms that night: the lidless, white, implacable eyes of + the serpent’s severed head were turned to dust at last; no sudden + dream-glare lighted up old Cla-cla’s wrinkled dead face and white, + blood-dabbled locks; old Nuflo stayed beneath his green coverlet; nor did + my mournful spirit-bride come to me to make my heart faint at the thought + of immortality. + </p> + <p> + But when morning dawned again, it was bitter to rise up and go away for + ever from that spot where I had often talked with Rima—the true and + the visionary. The sky was cloudless and the forest wet as if rain had + fallen; it was only a heavy dew, and it made the foliage look pale and + hoary in the early light. And the light grew, and a whispering wind sprung + as I walked through the wood; and the fast-evaporating moisture was like a + bloom on the feathery fronds and grass and rank herbage; but on the higher + foliage it was like a faint iridescent mist—a glory above the trees. + The everlasting beauty and freshness of nature was over all again, as I + had so often seen it with joy and adoration before grief and dreadful + passions had dimmed my vision. And now as I walked, murmuring my last + farewell, my eyes grew dim again with the tears that gathered to them. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0022" id="link2HCH0022"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER XXII + </h2> + <p> + Before that well-nigh hopeless journey to the coast was half over I became + ill—so ill that anyone who had looked on me might well have imagined + that I had come to the end of my pilgrimage. That was what I feared. For + days I remained sunk in the deepest despondence; then, in a happy moment, + I remembered how, after being bitten by the serpent, when death had seemed + near and inevitable, I had madly rushed away through the forest in search + of help, and wandered lost for hours in the storm and darkness, and in the + end escaped death, probably by means of these frantic exertions. The + recollection served to inspire me with a new desperate courage. Bidding + good-bye to the Indian village where the fever had smitten me, I set out + once more on that apparently hopeless adventure. Hopeless, indeed, it + seemed to one in my weak condition. My legs trembled under me when I + walked, while hot sun and pelting rain were like flame and stinging ice to + my morbidly sensitive skin. + </p> + <p> + For many days my sufferings were excessive, so that I often wished myself + back in that milder purgatory of the forest, from which I had been so + anxious to escape. When I try to retrace my route on the map, there occurs + a break here—a space on the chart where names of rivers and + mountains call up no image to my mind, although, in a few cases, they were + names I seem to have heard in a troubled dream. The impressions of nature + received during that sick period are blurred, or else so coloured and + exaggerated by perpetual torturing anxiety, mixed with half-delirious + night-fancies, that I can only think of that country as an earthly + inferno, where I fought against every imaginable obstacle, alternately + sweating and freezing, toiling as no man ever toiled before. Hot and cold, + cold and hot, and no medium. Crystal waters; green shadows under coverture + of broad, moist leaves; and night with dewy fanning winds—these + chilled but did not refresh me; a region in which there was no sweet and + pleasant thing; where even the ita palm and mountain glory and airy + epiphyte starring the woodland twilight with pendent blossoms had lost all + grace and beauty; where all brilliant colours in earth and heaven were + like the unmitigated sun that blinded my sight and burnt my brain. + Doubtless I met with help from the natives, otherwise I do not see how I + could have continued my journey; yet in my dim mental picture of that + period I see myself incessantly dogged by hostile savages. They flit like + ghosts through the dark forest; they surround me and cut off all retreat, + until I burst through them, escaping out of their very hands, to fly over + some wide, naked savannah, hearing their shrill, pursuing yells behind me, + and feeling the sting of their poisoned arrows in my flesh. + </p> + <p> + This I set down to the workings of remorse in a disordered mind and to + clouds of venomous insects perpetually shrilling in my ears and stabbing + me with their small, fiery needles. + </p> + <p> + Not only was I pursued by phantom savages and pierced by phantom arrows, + but the creations of the Indian imagination had now become as real to me + as anything in nature. I was persecuted by that superhuman man-eating + monster supposed to be the guardian of the forest. In dark, silent places + he is lying in wait for me: hearing my slow, uncertain footsteps he starts + up suddenly in my path, outyelling the bearded aguaratos in the trees; and + I stand paralysed, my blood curdled in my veins. His huge, hairy arms are + round me; his foul, hot breath is on my skin; he will tear my liver out + with his great green teeth to satisfy his raging hunger. Ah, no, he cannot + harm me! For every ravening beast, every cold-blooded, venomous thing, and + even the frightful Curupita, half brute and half devil, that shared the + forest with her, loved and worshipped Rima, and that mournful burden I + carried, her ashes, was a talisman to save me. He has left me, the + semi-human monster, uttering such wild, lamentable cries as he hurries + away into the deeper, darker woods that horror changes to grief, and I, + too, lament Rima for the first time: a memory of all the mystic, + unimaginable grace and loveliness and joy that had vanished smites on my + heart with such sudden, intense pain that I cast myself prone on the earth + and weep tears that are like drops of blood. + </p> + <p> + Where in the rude savage heart of Guiana was this region where the natural + obstacles and pain and hunger and thirst and everlasting weariness were + terrible enough without the imaginary monsters and legions of phantoms + that peopled it, I cannot say. Nor can I conjecture how far I strayed + north or south from my course. I only know that marshes that were like + Sloughs of Despond, and barren and wet savannahs, were crossed; and + forests that seemed infinite in extent and never to be got through; and + scores of rivers that boiled round the sharp rocks, threatening to + submerge or dash in pieces the frail bark canoe—black and frightful + to look on as rivers in hell; and nameless mountain after mountain to be + toiled round or toiled over. I may have seen Roraima during that mentally + clouded period. I vaguely remember a far-extending gigantic wall of stone + that seemed to bar all further progress—a rocky precipice rising to + a stupendous height, seen by moonlight, with a huge sinuous rope of white + mist suspended from its summit; as if the guardian camoodi of the mountain + had been a league-long spectral serpent which was now dropping its coils + from the mighty stone table to frighten away the rash intruder. + </p> + <p> + That spectral moonlight camoodi was one of many serpent fancies that + troubled me. There was another, surpassing them all, which attended me + many days. When the sun grew hot overhead and the way was over open + savannah country, I would see something moving on the ground at my side + and always keeping abreast of me. A small snake, one or two feet long. No, + not a small snake, but a sinuous mark in the pattern on a huge serpent’s + head, five or six yards long, always moving deliberately at my side. If a + cloud came over the sun, or a fresh breeze sprang up, gradually the + outline of that awful head would fade and the well-defined pattern would + resolve itself into the motlings on the earth. But if the sun grew more + and more hot and dazzling as the day progressed, then the tremendous + ophidian head would become increasingly real to my sight, with glistening + scales and symmetrical markings; and I would walk carefully not to stumble + against or touch it; and when I cast my eyes behind me I could see no end + to its great coils extending across the savannah. Even looking back from + the summit of a high hill I could see it stretching leagues and leagues + away through forests and rivers, across wide plains, valleys and + mountains, to lose itself at last in the infinite blue distance. + </p> + <p> + How or when this monster left me—washed away by cold rains perhaps—I + do not know. Probably it only transformed itself into some new shape, its + long coils perhaps changing into those endless processions and multitudes + of pale-faced people I seem to remember having encountered. In my devious + wanderings I must have reached the shores of the undiscovered great White + Lake, and passed through the long shining streets of Manoa, the mysterious + city in the wilderness. I see myself there, the wide thoroughfare filled + from end to end with people gaily dressed as if for some high festival, + all drawing aside to let the wretched pilgrim pass, staring at his fever- + and famine-wasted figure, in its strange rags, with its strange burden. + </p> + <p> + A new Ahasuerus, cursed by inexpiable crime, yet sustained by a great + purpose. + </p> + <p> + But Ahasuerus prayed ever for death to come to him and ran to meet it, + while I fought against it with all my little strength. Only at intervals, + when the shadows seemed to lift and give me relief, would I pray to Death + to spare me yet a little longer; but when the shadows darkened again and + hope seemed almost quenched in utter gloom, then I would curse it and defy + its power. Through it all I clung to the belief that my will would + conquer, that it would enable me to keep off the great enemy from my worn + and suffering body until the wished goal was reached; then only would I + cease to fight and let death have its way. There would have been comfort + in this belief had it not been for that fevered imagination which + corrupted everything that touched me and gave it some new hateful + character. For soon enough this conviction that the will would triumph + grew to something monstrous, a parent of monstrous fancies. Worst of all, + when I felt no actual pain, but only unutterable weariness of body and + soul, when feet and legs were numb so that I knew not whether I trod on + dry hot rock or in slime, was the fancy that I was already dead, so far as + the body was concerned—had perhaps been dead for days—that + only the unconquerable will survived to compel the dead flesh to do its + work. + </p> + <p> + Whether it really was will—more potent than the bark of barks and + wiser than the physicians—or merely the vis medicatrix with which + nature helps our weakness even when the will is suspended, that saved me I + cannot say; but it is certain that I gradually recovered health, physical + and mental, and finally reached the coast comparatively well, although my + mind was still in a gloomy, desponding state when I first walked the + streets of Georgetown, in rags, half-starved and penniless. + </p> + <p> + But even when well, long after the discovery that my flesh was not only + alive, but that it was of an exceedingly tough quality, the idea born + during the darkest period of my pilgrimage, that die I must, persisted in + my mind. I had lived through that which would have killed most men—lived + only to accomplish the one remaining purpose of my life. Now it was + accomplished; the sacred ashes brought so far, with such infinite labour, + through so many and such great perils, were safe and would mix with mine + at last. There was nothing more in life to make me love it or keep me + prisoner in its weary chains. This prospect of near death faded in time; + love of life returned, and the earth had recovered its everlasting + freshness and beauty; only that feeling about Rima’s ashes did not fade or + change, and is as strong now as it was then. Say that it is morbid—call + it superstition if you like; but there it is, the most powerful motive I + have known, always in all things to be taken into account—a + philosophy of life to be made to fit it. Or take it as a symbol, since + that may come to be one with the thing symbolized. In those darkest days + in the forest I had her as a visitor—a Rima of the mind, whose words + when she spoke reflected my despair. Yet even then I was not entirely + without hope. Heaven itself, she said, could not undo that which I had + done; and she also said that if I forgave myself, Heaven would say no + word, nor would she. That is my philosophy still: prayers, austerities, + good works—they avail nothing, and there is no intercession, and + outside of the soul there is no forgiveness in heaven or earth for sin. + Nevertheless there is a way, which every soul can find out for itself—even + the most rebellious, the most darkened with crime and tormented by + remorse. In that way I have walked; and, self-forgiven and self-absolved, + I know that if she were to return once more and appear to me—even + here where her ashes are—I know that her divine eyes would no longer + refuse to look into mine, since the sorrow which seemed eternal and would + have slain me to see would not now be in them. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Green Mansions, by W. H. 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