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Books: The Little Savage

C >> Captain Marryat >> The Little Savage




"No doubt, Frank," she replied. "And probably it was this that
supported the great man you have just named, in the severe trials he
was obliged to endure, on the very eve of the discovery that was to
render his name famous to all generations. He had endured intolerable
hardships, the ship had been so long without sight of land, that no
one thought it worth while to look out for it, and he expected that
his crew would mutiny, and insist on returning. At this critical
period of his existence, first one indication of land, and then
another made itself manifest; the curiosity of the disheartened
sailors became excited; hope revived in the breast of their immortal
captain; a man was now induced to ascend the main-top, and his joyful
cry of land woke up the slumbering spirit of the crew. In this way, a
new world was first presented to the attention of the inhabitants of
the old."

"It appears to me very unjust," I observed, "that so important a
discovery should have become known to us, not by the name of its
original discoverer, but by that of a subsequent visitor to its
shores."

"Undoubtedly," said Mrs Reichardt, "it is apparently unfair that
Americus Vespucius should obtain an honour which Christopher Columbus
alone had deserved. But of the fame which is the natural right of him
whose courage and enterprise procured this unrivalled acquisition, no
one can deprive him. His gigantic discovery may always be known as
America, but the world acknowledges its obligation to Columbus, and
knows little beyond the name of his rival."

"Were the immediate results of so large an addition to geographical
knowledge, as beneficial to the entire human race as they ought to
have been?"

"I do not think they were. The vast continent then thrown open to
the advance of civilisation, may be divided into two portions, the
south and the north. The former was inhabited by a harmless
effeminate race, who enjoyed many of the refinements of civilisation;
their knowledge of the arts, for instance, as shewn to us in the
ruins of their cities, was considerable; they possessed extensive
buildings in a bold and ornate style of architecture; they made a
lavish use of the precious metals, of which the land was extremely
rich, and they wore dresses which shewed a certain perfection in the
manufacture of textile fabrics, and no slight degree of taste and art
in their formation.

"The Spaniards, who were led to this part of the continent by a
desire to enrich themselves with the gold which the earliest
discoverers had found in the new country in considerable quantities,
invaded the territories of this peaceful people, and, by their
superior knowledge of warlike weapons, and the ignorance of the
intentions of their invaders that prevailed amongst the natives of
all ranks, by a series of massacres, they were enabled, though
comparatively but a small force, to obtain possession of the vast
empire that had been established there from time immemorial, and turn
it into a Spanish colony.

"The blood of this harmless race flowed like water; their great
Incas or Emperors were deposed and murdered, their splendid temples
plundered of their riches, their nobles and priests tortured to make
them change their faith, and the great mass of the people became
slaves to their more warlike conquerors. It was in this way the gold
of Mexico and Peru enriched the treasury of Spain; but every ingot
had the curse of blood upon it, and from that time the Spanish power,
then at its height, began to decline in Europe, till it sunk in the
scale of nations among the least important. The colonies revolted
from the mother country, and became independent states; but the curse
that followed the infamous appropriation of the country, seems to
cling to the descendants of the first criminals, and neither
government nor people prospers; and it is evident that all these
independent states must in time be absorbed by a great republic, that
has sprung up by peaceable means, as it were at their side, whilst
they were content to be colonies."

"To what republic do you allude?"

"You may remember that I told you that the entire continent was
divided into south and north."

"Exactly."

"The history of the southern portion I have rapidly sketched for
you, that of the northern you will find of a totally different
character."

"Pray let me hear it."

"When North America was first discovered, it was found to be
inhabited by a race of savages, divided into several tribes. They had
no manufactures; they had no knowledge of art or science; they lived
in the impenetrable woods in huts, having no pretension to
architecture; they went almost entirely naked, were extremely
warlike, and fond of hunting, and were known to devour the enemies
they killed in battle.

"To this barbarous race came a few adventurous men across the stormy
Atlantic, from the distant island of England--"

"Ah, England!" I exclaimed, "that is the country of my parents--that
is the home of my grandfather; let me hear anything you have to say
about England."

Mrs Reichardt smiled at my animation, but proceeded without making
any comment upon what I had said.

"England possessed at this period many adventurous spirits, who were
ready to dare every danger to obtain for their country a share in the
honours which other lands had assumed through the enterprise of their
navigators. By such men different portions of the northern continent
of America were discovered; the fame of these new lands, their
wonderful productiveness and admirable climate, soon spread amongst
their countrymen, and from time to time various ships left the
English ports with small bands of adventurers, who made what were
termed settlements in the country of these savages--not by
mercilessly massacring them as the Spaniards had done in the south,
and then plundering them of all they possessed, but by purchasing
certain districts or pieces of land from the original occupants,
which they peacefully cultivated; as their numbers increased, they
multiplied their habitations, and obtained by barter of the savages
fresh accessions of territory."

"The English showed themselves a much more humane people than the
Spaniards," I observed. "But did they never come into collision with
the wild natives of the country?"

"Frequently," Mrs Reichardt replied, "but in some measure this was
unavoidable. As new settlers from England landed in the country, they
required more land; but the savages were now not inclined to barter;
they had become jealous of the strangers, and were desirous of
driving them back to their ships before they became too numerous.
Acts of hostility were committed by the savages upon the settlers,
which were often marked by great brutality: this exasperated the
latter, who joined in a warlike association, and notwithstanding
their numbers and daring, drove them further and further from their
neighbourhood, till either by conquest, treaties, or purchase, the
Englishmen or their descendants obtained the greater portion of North
America."

"Do they still hold possession of it?" I asked.

"Up to a recent date, the whole of this vast acquisition was a
colony in obedience to the government of England; but a dispute
having arisen between the mother country and the colony, a struggle
took place, which ended in the latter throwing off all subjection to
the laws of England. The extensive provinces joined together in a
union of equal privileges and powers, which has since gone by the
name of the Government of the United States of North America. This is
the great republic to which I just now alluded, that is gradually
absorbing the minor Southern States into its--union, and threatens at
no very distant date to spread the English language and the English
race over the whole continent of America."

"Has England then completely lost the country she colonised?" I
inquired, feeling more and more interested in the subject.

"No, a great portion still remains in her possession," she replied.
"The people preserved their allegiance when their neighbours thought
proper to rise in revolt, and are now in a state of great prosperity,
governed by the laws of England, and supported by her power. The
English possessions in North America form an extensive district. It
is, however, but an inconsiderable fraction of the vast countries
still remaining under the dominion of England. Her territories lie in
every quarter of the globe; indeed the sun never sets upon this
immense empire--an empire with which the conquests of Alexander, and
of Caesar, or the most formidable state that existed in ancient
times, cannot for a moment be compared; and when we bear in mind that
in all these various climates, and in all these far-distant shores,
the flag of our country affords the same protection to the colonist
as he would enjoy in his own land, we may entertain some idea of the
vast power that government possesses which can make itself respected
at so many opposite points from the source whence it emanates."

I was so much interested in this description, that I had neglected
to notice the rate at which the boat was driving through the water. I
now rose with great alacrity to shift the sail, as we had got several
miles from the island, and if I did not take care we might be blown
out of sight of land. I lost no time in putting her on another tack,
but we had not proceeded far in this direction when I found the wind
lull, and presently the sail drooped to the mast, and there was a
dead calm.

It became necessary now to take to our oars, and we were presently
pulling with all our strength in the direction of land. This went on
for some time till we were both tired, and I was surprised at the
little progress we had made. We lay on our oars and took some
refreshment, and then pulled with additional vigour; but I began to
suspect that we were receding from the land instead of approaching
it, and called Mrs Reichardt's attention to the fact of the island
diminishing in size notwithstanding the length of time we had been
pulling towards it.

"Ah, Frank," she said, in a melancholy tone of voice, "I have for
some time entertained suspicions that all our strength was being
expended in vain. It is very clear that we have got into a current
that is every moment taking us farther out to sea, and if a breeze
does not soon spring up, we shall lose sight of the island, and then,
heaven only knows what will become of us."

I shook out the sail, in hopes of its catching sufficient wind to
lead us out of the current, but not a breath of air was stirring. We
did not possess such a thing as a compass; our provisions were only
calculated for a pleasure trip--we had only one small jar of water,
and a flask of spirit, a few biscuits, two large cakes, a chicken,
and some dried fish. The land was rapidly receding; I could only mark
its position with respect to the sun that now was pouring its burning
rays upon our little bark. If it had not been for the awning we could
not have endured it; the heat was so oppressive. We had been obliged
to give over rowing, as much from the fatigue it occasioned, as from
the hopelessness of our labour.

We now sat with sinking hearts watching the fast retreating land. It
had become a point--it diminished to a speck, and as it disappeared
from our anxious sight, the sun set in all his glory, and we were
drifting at the mercy of the current we knew not where, with nothing
but sky and sea all around us.




Chapter XLV


Vainly I stretched my eyes around the illimitable field of ocean, in
hope of discerning some indication of that power whose ships I had
been told traversed every sea; but nothing like a vessel was in sight
--the mighty waters stretched out like an endless desert on every
side. There was no sign of man in all this vast space, except our
little boat; and in comparison with this space, how insignificant
were the two helpless human beings who sat silent and motionless in
that boat awaiting their destiny.

The stars came out with marvellous brilliancy. I fancied that I had
never seen them appear so bright; but probably the gloominess of my
thoughts made them look brighter by contrast. I seemed the centre of
a glorious system of worlds revolving above me with a calm and
tranquil beauty, that appeared to reproach me for giving way to
despair in a scene so lovely.

The great mass of water, scarcely moved by a ripple, now appeared
lit up with countless fires, and a purplish haze, like a low flame,
was visible in every direction. I directed the attention of my
companion to this strange appearance. Notwithstanding the intensity
of her anxiety, she immediately entered into an explanation of the
phenomenon, and attributed it to a peculiarly phosphoric state of the
sea, caused by myriads of creatures which possess the quality of the
glow-worm, and rising to the surface of the water, made the latter
seem as though enveloped in flame.

I sat a long time watching the singular appearances that presented
themselves whenever I dashed down the oar. It looked as though I was
beating fire instead of water, and flame seemed to come from the oar
with the drops that fell from it into the sea.

In this way hours passed by: we were still floating with the
current; the moon and stars were now coldly shining over our heads;
the ocean around us was still gleaming with phosphoric fires, when
Mrs Reichardt advised me to take some nourishment, and then endeavour
to go to sleep, saying she would keep watch and apprise me if
anything happened of which it might be advantageous to avail ourselves.

The only thing I desired was the appearance of a vessel, or the
setting in of a breeze, of which at present not a sign existed. I
felt disinclined either to eat or to drink: but I proposed that my
companion should make a meal and then go to sleep, as it was much
more proper that I should keep watch than herself. The fact was, we
were both anxious that the other should be the first to diminish our
little stock of food; but as neither would be induced to do this, it
was decided that our provisions should be divided into certain
portions, which were only to be taken at sunrise and sunset, and that
we should during the night relieve each other every three hours in
keeping watch, that if we saw land, or a ship, or the wind should
spring up, we might consult immediately as to our course.

I only succeeded in inducing her to lie down at the bottom of the
boat, to obtain a little sleep, previously to her taking my place
that I might so rest myself. She first said her usual prayers for the
evening, in which I joined, and in a few minutes I was glad to hear
by her regular breathing, that she was obtaining that repose of which
I was certain she stood greatly in need.

I was now the sole observer of the stupendous spectacle that spread
out around and above me the most sublime feature in this imposing
scene appeared to be the silence which reigned supreme over all. The
heavens were as mute as the sea. It looked as if the earth had been
engulfed by a second deluge, and all living nature had perished
utterly from the face of it.

I felt a deep feeling of melancholy stealing over me: and could not
forbear reproaching myself for embarking in this hazardous
enterprise, and risking a life that I was bound to preserve. What
could become of us both I knew not--but I was sensible that if we
were not speedily picked up, or made some friendly shore, there
existed but little hopes of our surviving many days.

I made up my mind that the island we should never see again, and
though I had been so anxious for so many years to quit it, now that
fate had separated us for ever, I could not console myself for the
loss of a home endeared to me by so many recollections. But my great
grief was the loss of my grandfather's diamonds. He had now no chance
of having them restored to him. If they were found they would become
the property of the discoverer; and he would never know how his
daughter perished on a rock, and how his grandson was swallowed up by
the waters of the great deep.

And then I thought of that glorious England I had so long hoped to
see, and my heart sunk within me as I gazed out upon the boundless
prospect. There was not a voice to murmur consolation, not a hand to
offer me assistance. Was I never to see those white cliffs which had
been so often described to me, that I could call them to mind as
clearly as if they stood in all their pride and beauty before my eyes?

How often had I dreamed of approaching the hallowed shores of
England--how often had I heard the cheerful voices of her people
welcoming the Little Savage to his natural home--how often had I been
embraced by my aged grandfather, and received into the happy circle
of his friends, with the respect and affection due to his heir. I had
dreamed happy dreams, and seen blissful visions; and the result was
starvation in an open boat on the illimitable ocean.

Mrs Reichardt still slept, and I would not wake her. As long as she
was insensible to the dangers of her position she must exist in
comparative happiness; to disturb her was to bring her back to a
sense of danger and misery, and the recollection that my folly had
brought her to this hopeless state.

I noticed that a small cloud was making its appearance in the
horizon, and almost at the same instant I observed it, I felt a
breeze that was just sufficient to flap the sail against the mast. In
a few minutes the cloud had greatly increased, and the wind filled
the sail. I fancied it blew in a direction contrary to the current;
and in the belief that it did so I soon got the boat round, and to my
great joy she was presently scudding before the wind at a rate that
was sensibly increasing.

But the cloud presently began to envelop the heavens, and a thick
darkness spread itself like a veil in every direction. The wind blew
very fresh, and strained the mast to which the sail had been fixed;
and now I began to entertain a new fear: some sudden gust might take
the sail and capsize us, or tear it from its fastenings. I would
gladly have taken in the sail, but I considered it as rather a
hazardous experiment. Mrs Reichardt lay in a position that prevented
my getting at it without disturbing her, or running the risk of
tipping the boat over, when it would be sure to fill immediately, and
sink with us both. Though we could both swim, I felt assured that if
we were once in the water, there would remain very little chance of
our protracting our lives beyond a few hours.

The boat, therefore, continued to run before the wind at a rapid
rate, the slight mast creaking, and the sail stretching so tight, I
expected every minute that we should be upset. At this moment Mrs
Reichardt awoke, and her quick eye immediately took in the full
extent of her danger.

"We shall be lost," she said hurriedly, "if we do not take in that
sail!"

I was fully aware of this, but she had seen more of a sailor's
perils than I had, and knew better how to meet them. She offered to
assist me in taking in the sail, and directing me to be very careful,
we proceeded, with the assistance of the awning, to the mast, and
after a good deal of labour, and at some risk of being blown into the
sea, we succeeded in furling the sail, and unshipping the mast.

We were now in quite as much danger from another cause--the surface
of the sea, which had been so smooth during the calm, was now so
violently agitated by the wind, that the boat kept ascending one
great billow only to descend into the trough of another. We often
went down almost perpendicularly, and the height seemed every moment
increasing; and every time we went thus plunging headlong into the
boiling waters, I thought we should be engulfed never to rise;
nevertheless, the next minute, up we ascended on the crest of some
more fearful wave than any we had hitherto encountered, and down
again we plunged in the dark unfathomable abyss that, walled in by
foaming mountains of water, appeared yawning to close over us for ever.

It was almost entirely dark; we could see only the white foam of the
wave over which we were about to pass; save this, it was black below
and black above, and impenetrable darkness all around.

Mrs Reichardt sat close to me with her hand in mine--she uttered no
exclamations of feminine terror--she was more awe-struck than
frightened. I believe that she was fully satisfied her last hour had
come, for I could hear her murmuring a prayer in which she commended
her soul to her Creator.

I cannot say that I was in any great degree alarmed--the rapid up
and down motion of the boat gave me a sensation of pleasure I had
never before experienced. To say the truth, I should have greatly
enjoyed being thus at the mercy of the winds and waves, in the midst
of a black and stormy night on the trackless ocean, had it not been
for my constant thoughts of my companion, and my bitter self-reproaches
for having led her into so terrible a danger.

I was now, however, called from these reflections, by the necessity
of active employment. The boat I found shipped water at every plunge,
and if speedy means were not taken to keep the water under, there was
little doubt that she would soon fill and go down. I therefore seized
the iron kettle we had brought with us to cook our dinner, and began
rapidly bailing out the water, which was already over our ankles. We
continued to ship water, sometimes more and sometimes less; and Mrs
Reichardt, actuated no doubt by the same motives as myself, with a
tin pan now assisted me in getting rid of the treacherous element.

By our united exertions we kept the water under, and hoped to be
able to get rid of the whole of it. About this time it began to rain
very heavily, and although the awning protected our heads, so much
fell into the boat, that notwithstanding our labours we continued to
sit in a pool.

We were, however, glad to find that as the rain fell the wind
abated, and as the latter subsided, the sea became less violent, and
we shipped less water. I was now able by my own exertions to keep the
boat tolerably dry, and Mrs Reichardt, ever provident, spread out all
the empty vessels she had brought with her to catch the rain, for as
she said, we did not know how valuable that water might become in a
short time.

The rain continued to pour down in a perfect torrent for several
hours; at the end of which the sky gradually cleared. The sea, though
still rough, presented none of those mountainous waves that a short
time before had threatened to annihilate us at every descent, and
there was just sufficient breeze to waft us along at a brisk rate
with the assistance of our sail.

Mrs Reichardt helped me in putting up the mast, and directly we
began to feel the breeze, she insisted on my taking some refreshment.
It was vitally necessary to both, for our labours had been heavy for
several hours. We therefore ate sparingly of our provisions, and
washed down our meal with a pannikin of water mingled with a little
spirit.




Chapter XLVI


The morning dawned upon a boundless expanse of sea. The first object
that presented itself to my sight was an enormous whale spouting
water about a quarter of a mile distant from me; then I observed
another, then a third, and subsequently, several more; they presented
a singular and picturesque appearance, as one or other of these vast
animals was continually throwing up a column of water that caught the
rays of the sun, and looked very beautiful in the distance.

I looked in vain for land; I looked equally in vain for a ship;
there was nothing visible but this shoal of whales, and Mrs Reichardt
endeavoured to cheer me by describing the importance of the whale
fishery to England, and the perils which the men meet with who pursue
the fish for the purpose of wounding them with an iron instrument
called a harpoon.

I felt much interest in these details; and my companion went into
the whole history of a whaling expedition, describing the first
discovery of the huge fish from the ship; the pursuit in the boats,
and the harpooning of the whale; its struggles after having been
wounded; its being towed to the ship's side; the subsequent
manufacture of oil from the blubber of the animal, and the
preparation of whalebone.

In attending to this discourse, I completely forgot that I was being
tossed about in the open sea, I knew not where; and where I might be
in a short time it would be proved I was equally ignorant: perhaps I
should be a corpse floating on the surface of the ocean waiting for a
tomb till a shark came that way; perhaps I should be suffering the
torments of hunger and thirst; perhaps cast lifeless upon a rock,
where my bleached bones would remain the only monument which would
then declare that there once existed in these latitudes such a being
as the Little Savage.

Where now could be the island I, though long so anxious to quit, now
was a thousand times more desirous of beholding? I felt that nothing
could be more agreeable to me than a glimpse of that wild rocky coast
that had so often appeared to me the walls of an intolerable prison.