Francois Coppee - "A Romance of Youth, v1"

Maurice Liber - "Rashi"

Thomas de Quincey - "The Notebook of an English Opium Eater"

Marie Corelli - "Ardath"

New Philadelphia Book Publisher Highlights Local Talent
Book and Publishing News from Publishers Newswire(tm)

Looking for Child to be on Cover of a New Book, 'The Model Child'
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. -- The Philadelphia literary world will celebrate the launch of two new players today, April 10th: Kay Square Press, a new publishing company focused on Philadelphia-area artists, their stories, and their art; and Kay Square's first release, 'With the Rich and Mighty: Emlen Etting of Philadelphia' (ISBN: 978-0-9815129-0-7), a critical biography by Kenneth C. Kaleta.

FlatSigned Press Alleges Don Imus Remarks Damage Legacy of President Gerald R. Ford
NEW YORK, N.Y. -- Nathan Yungerberg, an accomplished model scout and professional child photographer is launching a nation-wide casting call to find the cover model for his highly anticipated book release, 'The Model Child: A Parents Guide to the Child Modeling Industry' (ISBN: 978-0-9817018-0-6).

Books: The Little Savage

C >> Captain Marryat >> The Little Savage







Chapter XIII


"One thing, however, was evident, that your mother had an aversion--I
may say a horror--of me, which she could not conceal. She said
nothing, but she never could look at me; and to any question I put,
would seldom make reply. Strange to say this treatment of hers
produced quite a different effect from what might have been
anticipated, and I felt my former love for her revive. Her shrinking
from me made me more familiar towards her, and increased her disgust.
I assumed a jocose air with her, and at times Captain James
considered it his duty to interfere and check me. He was a very
powerful man, and in a contest would have proved my master; this I
knew, and this knowledge compelled me to be more respectful to your
mother in his presence, but when his back was turned I became so
disgustingly familiar, that at last your mother requested that
whether fishing or collecting wood, instead of going out by turns we
should both go, and leave her alone. This I could not well refuse, as
Captain James would in all probability have used force if I had not
consented, but my hatred to him was in consequence most unbounded.
However, an event took place which relieved me from the subjection
which I was under, and left me alone with you and your mother. Now I
must rest a little. Wait another hour, and you shall know the rest."

It was now late in the evening, but there was a bright moon which
shone over head, and the broad light and shadow made the rocks around
us appear peculiarly wild and rugged. They towered up one above the
other till they met the dark blue of the sky in which the stars
twinkled but faintly, while the moon sailed through the ether,
without a cloud to obscure her radiance. And in this majestic scenery
were found but two living beings--a poor boy and a mangled wretch--a
murderer--soon to breathe his last, and be summoned before an
offended God. As I remained motionless by his side, I felt, as I
looked up, a sensation of awe, but not of fear; I thought to myself--
"And God made all this and all the world besides, and me and him. The
Bible said so:" and my speculation then was as to what God must be,
for although I had read the Bible, I had but a confused idea, and had
it been asked me, as it was of the man in the chariot by Philip,
"Understandest thou what thou readest?" I most certainly should have
answered, No. I remained for nearly two hours in this reverie, and at
last fell asleep with my back against the rock. I was, however,
wakened up by Jackson's voice, when he asked in a low tone for water.

"There it is," said I, handing it to him. "Have you called long?"

"No," replied he; "I asked but once."

"I have been asleep," said I.

As soon as he had drunk, he said--

"I will finish now; my side begins to burn."

He then proceeded--

"It was about four months after your father's death that Captain
James and I went together to the ravine to collect firewood. We
passed under the wall of rock, which you know so well, and went
through the gap, as we call it, when Captain James left the water-course
and walked along the edge of the wall. I followed him; we both
of us had our pieces of rope in our hands with which we tied the
faggots. Of a sudden his foot slipped, and he rolled down to the edge
of the rock, but catching hold of a small bush which had fixed its
roots in the rocks, he saved himself when his body was hanging half
over the precipice.

"'Give me the end of your rope,' said he to me, perfectly collected,
although in such danger.

"'Yes,' replied I, and I intended so to do, as I perceived that if I
refused he could still have saved himself by the bush to which he
clung.

"But the bush began to loosen and give way, and Captain James
perceiving it cried out--

"'Quick, quick, the bush is giving way!'

"This assertion of his determined me not to give him the rope. I
pretended to be in a great hurry to do so, but entangled it about my
legs, and then appeared occupied in clearing it, when he cried again--

"'Quick!'--and hardly had he said the word when the root of the bush
snapped, and down he fell below.

"I heard the crash as he came to the rock beneath. See the judgment
of God--am I not now precisely in his position, lying battered and
crushed as he was? After a time I went down to where he lay, and
found him expiring. He had just strength to say 'God forgive you,'
and then he died. It was murder, for I could have saved him and would
not, and yet he prayed to God to forgive me. How much happier should
I have felt if he had not said that. His 'God forgive you' rang in my
ears for months afterwards. I returned to the cabin, and with a bold
air stated to your mother what had happened, for I felt I could say,
this time, I did not do the deed. She burst out into frantic
exclamations, accusing me of being not only his murderer but the
murderer of her husband. I tried all I could do to appease her, but
in vain. For many weeks she was in a state of melancholy and
despondency, that made me fear for her life; but she had you still to
bestow her affections upon, and for your sake she lived. I soon made
this discovery. She was now wholly in my power, but I was awed by her
looks even, for a time. At last I became bolder, and spoke to her of
our becoming man and wife; she turned from me with abhorrence. I then
resorted to other means. I prevented her from obtaining food; she
would have starved with pleasure, but she could not bear to see you
suffer. I will not detail my cruelty and barbarity towards her;
suffice to say, it was such that she pined away, and about six months
after the death of the captain she died, exhorting me not to injure
you, but if ever I had an opportunity, to take you to your
grandfather. I could not refuse this demand, made by a woman whom I
as certainly killed by slow means as I had your father by a more
sudden death. I buried her in the guano, by the side of the others.
After her death my life was a torture to me for a long while. I dared
not kill you, but I hated you. I had only one consolation, one hope,
which occasionally gave me satisfaction; the consolation, if so it
could be called, was--that I had possession of the diamonds; the hope
--that I should one day see England again. You see me now--are they
not all avenged?"

I could not but feel the truth of Jackson's last sentence. They were
indeed avenged.

After a short pause, he said to me--

"Now, Frank, I feel that the mortification in my side is making
great progress, and, in a short time I shall be in too great pain to
talk to you. I have made a full confession of my crimes; it is all
the reparation I can make to you. Now, can you forgive me? for I
shall die very miserable if you do not. Just look at me. Can you feel
resentment against one in my wretched state? Recollect that you pray
to be forgiven as you forgive others. Give me your answer."

"I think--yes, I feel that I can forgive you, Jackson," replied I.
"I shall soon be left alone on this island, and I am sure I should be
much more miserable than I shall be, if I do not forgive you. I do
forgive you."

"Thanks; you are a good boy, and may God bless you. Is it not nearly
daylight?"

"Yes, it is. I shall soon be able to read the Bible or Prayer-book
to you. I have them both here."

"The pain is too severe, and becomes worse every minute. I shall not
be able to listen to you now; but I shall have some moments of quiet
before I die; and then--"

Jackson groaned heavily, and ceased speaking.

For many hours he appeared to suffer much agony, which he vented in
low groans; the perspiration hung on his forehead in large beads, and
his breathing became laborious. The sun rose and had nearly set again
before Jackson spoke; at last he asked for some drink.

"It is over now," said he faintly. "The pain is subsiding, and death
is near at hand. You may read to me now; but, first, while I think of
it, let me tell you where you will find your father's property."

"I know," replied I; "in your bed-place under the board. I saw you
remove it when you did not see me."

"True. I have no more to say; it will all be over soon. Read the
burial service over me after I am dead; and now, while still above,
read me what you think I shall like best; for I cannot collect myself
sufficiently to tell you what is most proper. Indeed I hardly know.
But I can pray at times. Read on."

I did so, and came upon the parable of the prodigal son.

"That suits me," said Jackson. "Now let me pray. Pray for me, Frank."

"I don't know how," replied I; "you never taught me."

"Alas, no!"

Jackson was then silent. I saw his pale lips move for some time. I
turned away for a few moments; when I came back to him, he was no
more! His jaw had fallen; and this being the first time that I had
ever faced death, I looked upon the corpse with horror and dismay.

After a few minutes I left the body, and sat down on a rock at some
distance from it, for I was somewhat afraid to be near to it. On this
rock I remained till the sun was sinking below the horizon; when,
alarmed at the idea of being there when it was dark, I took up my
books and hastened back to the cabin. I was giddy from excitement,
and not having tasted food for many hours. As soon as I had eaten, I
lay down in my bed-place, intending to reflect upon what I was to do,
now that I was alone; but I was in a few moments fast asleep, and did
not wake until the sun was high. I arose much refreshed, and, seeing
my Bible and Prayer-book close to my bed-place, I recollected my
promise to Jackson that I would read the burial service over his
body. I found the place in the Prayer-book, for I had read it more
than once before; and, having just looked over it, I went with my
book to where the body lay. It presented a yet more hideous spectacle
than it had the night before. I read the service and closed the book.
"What can I do?" thought I. "I cannot bury him in the guano. It will
be impossible to carry the body over these rocks." Indeed, if it had
been possible, I do not think I could have touched it. I was afraid
of it. At last I determined that I would cover it up with the
fragments of rocks which lay about in all directions, and I did so.
This occupied me about two hours, and then, carrying the bottles with
me, I gladly hastened away from the spot, with a resolution never to
revisit it. I felt quite a relief when I was once more in the cabin.
I was alone, it was true, but I was no longer in contact with the
dead. I could not collect my thoughts or analyse my feelings during
the remainder of the day. I sat with my head resting on my hand, in
the attitude of one thinking; but at the same time my mind was
vacant. I once more lay down to sleep, and the following morning I
found myself invigorated, and capable of acting as well as thinking.
I had a weight upon my spirits which I could not at first account
for; but it arose from the feeling that I was now alone, without a
soul to speak to or communicate with; my lips must now be closed till
I again fell in with some of my fellow-creatures--and was that
likely? We had seen some of them perish not far from us, and that was
all, during a period of many years.




Chapter XIV


I was now, by Jackson's account, nearly fourteen years old. During
fourteen years but one vessel had been seen by us. It might be
fourteen more, or double that time might elapse, before I should
again fall in with any of my fellow-creatures. As these thoughts
saddened me, I felt how much I would have sacrificed if Jackson had
remained alive, were it only for his company; I would have forgiven
him anything. I even then felt as if, in the murderer of my father, I
had lost a friend.

That day I was so unsettled I could not do anything; I tried to
read, but I could not; I tried to eat, but my appetite was gone, I
sat looking at the ocean as it rolled wave after wave, sometimes
wondering whether it would ever bring a fellow-creature to join me;
at others I sat, and for hours, in perfect vacuity of thought. The
evening closed in; it was dark, and I still remained seated where I
was. At last I returned to my bed, almost brokenhearted; but
fortunately I was soon asleep, and my sorrows were forgotten.

Another morning was gladdened with a brilliant sun, the dark blue
ocean was scarcely ruffled by the breeze that swept over it, and I
felt my spirits much revived, and my appetite returned. After taking
a meal, I remembered what Jackson had told me about the belt with the
diamonds, and I went up to his bed-place, and turning out the bird's
skins and feathers, I raked up the gravel, which was not more than
two inches deep, and came to the board. I lifted it up, and found
underneath a hole, about a foot deep, full of various articles. There
were the watch and sleeve buttons of the mate, some dollars wrapped
in old rags, a tobacco-box, an old pipe, a brooch with hair forming
initials, some letters which were signed J. Evelyn, and which I
perceived were from my grandfather, and probably taken by Jackson
after my mother's death. I say letters, because they were such, as I
afterwards found out, but I had not then ever seen a letter, and my
first attempt to decipher written hand was useless, although I did
manage to make out the signature. There was in the tobacco-box a
plain gold wedding-ring, probably my mother's; and there was also a
lock of long dark hair, which I presumed was hers also. There were
three or four specimens of what I afterwards found out to be gold and
silver ores, a silver pencil-case, and a pair of small gold ear-rings.
At the bottom of the hole was the belt; it was of soft leather,
and I could feel a hard substance in it sewed in every square,
which of course I presumed were the diamonds, but I did not cut
one of the divisions open to see what was in them. It had on the
upper part of it, in very plain writing, "The property of Mr J.
Evelyn, 33, Minories, London." I examined all these articles one
after another, and having satisfied my curiosity, I replaced them in
the hole for a future survey. I covered the hole with the board, and
put back the gravel and the feathers into the bed-place. This
occupied me about two hours, and then I again took my former position
on the rocks, and remained in a state of listless inactivity of body
and mind the remainder of that day.

This state of prostration lasted for many days--I may say for weeks,
before it was altogether removed. I could find no pleasure in my
books, which were taken up, and after a few moments laid aside. It
was now within a month of the time that the birds should come to the
island. I was in no want of them for sustenance; there were plenty
left, but I almost loathed the sight of food. The reader may inquire
how it was that I knew the exact time of the arrival of the birds? I
reply that the only reckoning ever kept by Jackson and me was the
arrival of the full moons, and we also made a mark on the rock every
time that the moon was at the full. Thirteen moons were the quantity
which we reckoned from the time of the birds appearing on the island
one year, until their re-appearance the next; and twelve moons had
now passed. At length, tired with everything, tired of myself, and I
may say, almost tired of life, I one day took it into my head that I
would take some provisions with me and a bottle to hold water, and go
up the ravine, and cut firewood which should last me a long while;
and that I would remain up there for several days, for I hated the
sight of the cabin and of all that was near to it. The next day I
acted upon this resolution, and slinging my dry provisions on my
shoulder, I set off for the ravine. In an hour I had gained it; but
not being in a hurry to cut wood, I resolved upon climbing higher up,
to see if I could reach the opposite side of the island; that is, at
least, get over the brow of the hill, to have a good view of it. I
continued to climb until I had gained a smooth grassy spot, which was
clear of brushwood; and as I sat down to rest myself, I observed some
blue flowers which I had never seen before, indeed I did not know
that there was a flower on the island. As I afterwards discovered,
they were one of the varieties of Gentianellas. I looked at them,
admired them, and felt quite an affection for them; they were very
pretty, and they were, as well as myself, alone. Jackson, when I was
pointing out the English cottages in the landscapes of "Mavor's
Natural History," had told me a great deal about gardening in
England, and how wild flowers and trees were transplanted and
improved by culture; how roses and other plants were nailed up the
walls, as I had observed in the engravings, and how they were watered
and kept; and as I sat down looking at the flower, the thought
occurred to me, Why should I not take it with me, and keep it for
myself? I can water it, and take care of it. I resolved that I would
do so, for I already looked upon the plant as a treasure. I took it
up carefully with my American knife, leaving sufficient mould about
the roots, and then I proceeded to ascend the hill; but before I had
gone another hundred yards, I found at least a dozen more of these
plants in flower, all finer than the one I had dug up, and three or
four others very different from these, which were also quite new to
me. I was puzzled what to do; I put down the plants I had dug up and
continued my ascent, not having made up my mind. After half-an-hour's
climbing, I gained the summit, and could perceive the ocean on the
other side, and the other half of the island lying beneath me. It was
very grand from the height I stood on, but I observed little
difference between one side of the island and the other; all was
rugged barren rock as on my side, with the exception of the portion
close to me; this had brushwood in the ravine, which appeared to be a
sort of cleft through the island. All was silent and solitary; not a
bird was to be seen, and nothing that had life could I discover. I
was about to return, when I thought I might as well go down the
ravine facing me for a little way, and see what there was in it. I
did so, and discovered some other plants that I had not seen on my
side of the island. There were also some fern trees, and some twining
plants running up them, and I thought to myself, Why, these plants
are what I saw in the picture of the English cottages, or very like
them. I wonder if they would run up my cabin? and then all at once
the idea came to me that I would plant some of them round the cabin,
and that I would make a garden of flowers, and have plants of my own.
The reader can hardly imagine the pleasure that this idea gave me; I
sat down to ruminate upon it, and felt quite happy for the time. I
now recollected, however, that the cabin was built on the rock, and
that plants would only grow in the earth. At first this idea chilled
me, as it seemed to destroy all my schemes, but I resolved that I
would bring some earth to the rock, and make my garden in that way. I
at first thought of the guano, but Jackson had told me that it was
only used in small proportions to enrich the soil, and would kill
plants if used by itself. After an hour's consideration, during which
I called to mind all that Jackson had told me on the subject, I made
up my mind I would return to the cabin, and on my return ascertain
how low down the ravine I could obtain earth for my garden; I would
then carry the earth to the cabin, make a soil ready for the plants
and flowers, and then, when all was ready, I would go up the ravine,
collect what I could, and make my garden. I did so. I found that I
could get soil about one-third of the way up the ravine, a quarter of
a mile below where the brushwood grew; and having ascertained that, I
returned to the cabin, threw down my provisions which were to have
lasted me a week, and as it was late, I decided that I would not
commence operations until the following day.

I took out of the chest a duck frock, and tying up the sleeves and
collar, so as to form a bag of the body of the frock, I set off the
next morning to begin my task. That day I contrived to carry to the
cabin ten or twelve bags of mould, which I put round it in a border
about four feet wide, and about a foot deep. It occupied me a whole
week to obtain the quantity of earth necessary to make the bed on
each side of the cabin; it was hard work, but it made me cheerful and
happy to what I had been before. I found that the best cure for
melancholy and solitude was employment, so I thus obtained valuable
knowledge as well as the making of my garden. When I had finished
carrying the mould, I started off for the ravine with two bags to
hold the plants which I might collect, and after a day's toil, I
returned with my bags full of small shrubs, besides a bundle of
creepers to plant against the sides of the cabin. The following day
was occupied in planting everything I had procured. I was sorry to
see that the leaves and flowers hung down, but I watered them all
before I went to bed. The next morning I was delighted to perceive
that they had all recovered and were looking quite fresh. But my
garden was not full enough to please me, and I once more went up the
ravine, selecting other plants which had no flowers on them, and one
or two other shrubs, which I had not before observed. When these were
planted and watered, my garden looked very gay and full of plants,
and then I discovered the mould came down for want of support at the
edges; I therefore went and picked up pieces of rock of sufficient
size to make a border and hold up the mould, and now all was
complete, and I had nothing to do but to go on watering them daily.
This I did, and recollecting what Jackson had said about the guano, I
got a bag of it, and put some to each plant. The good effect of this
was soon observable, and before the birds came, my garden was in a
very flourishing condition.

I cannot express to the reader the pleasure I derived from this
little garden. I knew every plant and every shrub, and talked to them
as if they were companions, while I watered and tended them, which I
did every night and morning, and their rapid growth was my delight. I
no longer felt my solitude so irksome as I had done. I had something
to look after, to interest me, and to love; they were alive as well
as I was; they grew, and threw out leaves and flowers; they were
grateful for the care I bestowed upon them, and became my companions
and friends.

I mentioned before that during the latter portion of the time I was
with Jackson, he had taught me to sing several songs. Feeling tired,
in my solitude, of not hearing the human voice, I found myself at
first humming over, and afterwards singing aloud, the various airs I
had collected from him. This afforded me much pleasure, and I used to
sing half the day. I had no one to listen to me, it is true, but as
my fondness for my garden increased, I used to sit down and sing to
the flowers and shrubs, and fancy that they listened to me. But my
stock of songs was not very large, and at last I had repeated them so
often that I became tired of the words. It occurred to me that the
Prayer-book had the Psalms of David at the end of it, set to music. I
got the book, and as far as the airs that I knew would suit, I sang
them all; never were Psalms, probably, sung to such tunes before, but
it amused me, and there was no want of variety of language.

Every three or four days I would go up the ravine, and search
carefully for any new flower or shrub which I had not yet planted in
my garden, and when I found one, as I often did, it was a source of
great delight.




Chapter XV


At last the birds came, and I procured some of their eggs, which
were a very agreeable change, after living so long upon dried meat.
My want of occupation occasioned me also to employ some of my time in
fishing, which I seldom had done while Jackson was alive; and this
created a variety in my food, to which, for a long while, I had been
a stranger. Jackson did not care for fish, as to cook it we were
obliged to go up the ravine for wood, and he did not like the
trouble. When the birds came, I had recourse to my book on Natural
History, to read over again the accounts of the Man-of-War birds,
Gannets, and other birds mentioned in it; and there was a vignette of
a Chinaman with tame cormorants on a pole, and in the letter-press an
account of how they were trained and employed to catch fish for their
masters. This gave me the idea that I would have some birds tame, as
companions, and, if possible, teach them to catch fish for me; but I
knew that I must wait till the young birds were fit to be taken from
the nest.

I now resolved that during the time the birds were mating, I would
go to the ravine and remain there several days, to collect bundles of
firewood. The firewood was chiefly cut from a sort of low bush, like
the sallow or willow, fit for making baskets, indeed fit for anything
better than firewood; however, there were some bushes which were of a
harder texture, and which burnt well. It was Jackson who told me that
the former were called willow and used for making baskets, and he
also shewed me how to tie the faggots up by twisting the sallows
together. They were not, however, what Jackson said they were--from
after knowledge, I should say that they were a species of Oleander or
something of the kind.