The Kangaroo Hunters; Or, Adventures in the Bush

by Clarence Young

  CHAPTER IX.

  The Foray.--Young Potatoes.--More Intruders.--Ruth's Introduction to theSavages.--The Sailing of the Fleet.--The Desert Shore.--The GiantAnt-hill.--Once more at Sea.--A Storm, and the Loss of the Catamaran.

  When they arrived at the lake, they found the margin crowded with thenests of aquatic birds, built among the reeds, and a dozen fine duckswere soon taken. Ruth filled a large basket with eggs, and finally aquantity of fish was procured. With this ample provision they turnedhomewards; but passing the plot they had sowed with potatoes on theirfirst arrival at the cove, they were astonished to see how forward theplants were; and on digging they found young potatoes, of which theycarried away a small bag; but as they still had a large supply of thosefound in the wreck, they left the greater part for the benefit ofsucceeding visitors.

  When they came near the height above the beach, on which they had firstseen the footsteps of the natives, Hugh and Gerald went to the cliff tolook over once more on the well-remembered spot, but started backimmediately, for, to their deep distress, they beheld a considerablenumber of naked savages, painted with white chalk in a most frightfulmanner, dancing, singing, and throwing up their arms as if they werefrantic.

  The boys made a signal of silence to the rest; but Ruth, who wasalways, as Jenny said, in the wrong place, had followed the boys to thecliff, and, curious to know what they had seen below, she leaned forwardto look down through an opening in the bush. O'Brien, alarmed lest sheshould be seen darted forward to seize her arm and draw her back; butstartled by the action, and terrified by the scene below, she lost herbalance, and, encumbered with the heavy basket, tottered over the edge,rolled down the steep cliff through the crackling, thorny brushwood, andalighted amidst the strange wild crew on the beach.

  Springing up and looking round, the distracted girl uttered a successionof shrill screams, and the natives, in equal terror and amazement, gazedon the strange creature that had so suddenly descended amongst them. Herhair, which was very long, and of a fiery red color, was flying looseover her scarlet cloak, her wild eyes were starting from her head, andher pallid face was streaming with blood from the scratches she hadreceived in her descent. For a moment the savages appeared paralyzed;then, without looking round, they fled to their canoes; and the nextminute were seen paddling with all speed from the shores haunted by sucha frightful spectre.

  By this time, Jack, in great alarm about his sister, had descended tothe beach, and was immediately followed by the rest of the young men;and the distressed, woe-begone aspect of Ruth, who continued to sob andgroan even after her fears were subdued, made Gerald laugh heartily, inspite of the tragic consequences that might have ensued from theaccident.

  "Come along, girl," said Jack, kindly. "Thank God you are not muchworse; so what have you to cry about now?"

  "It's the eggs, Jack," she sobbed out. "What must I do? They're allbroken, and what will Jenny say to me?"

  "Never mind that," answered he; "take up your basket, and come away withme to the lake, where you can wash your face and fill your basket again,and make the best of a bad job."

  Jack's practical philosophy consoled the weeping girl, who collectedmore eggs, and soon recovered from the distress of her adventure. Theboys found that the timid natives had left behind them in their frightspears, boomerangs, and some excellent cordage, twisted of the fibres ofthe stringy bark tree. Wilkins would gladly have carried off these, andunwillingly relinquished them at the command of Mr. Mayburn. "Whatmatters," said he, "standing on ceremony with them there black fellows.Why, they would niver ax your leave to snatch t' bite out of yer mouth!"which observation drew down on Wilkins a rebuke from Mr. Mayburn, and anexposition of the law of honesty, as established by God and man.

  All the property of the natives was therefore left untouched, and thefamily returned to their own quiet nook, now more anxious than ever toleave a place to which curiosity, or the desire to recover theirweapons, might at any moment bring back the late undesirable visitors.

  Every one was now busily employed: a small number of potatoes were againplanted, and the remainder of their store packed in sail-cloth bags. Theducks and fish were cooked; the eggs of the wild-fowl, as well as aquantity which Ruth's poultry had produced, were boiled hard, and packedwith soft grass in a box. The water-cask was filled; and then all thepackages and provisions were lashed securely to the raft, which they hadfinished by a mast and sail made from some rent remains of canvas on themasts of the wreck.

  The large sail which had formed the tent cover was spread over the wholeof the freightage and nailed down. Then the bottoms of the canoes werespread with fine grass for seats, and after a thanksgiving to God, whohad given them the power and the means to accomplish this importantundertaking, the family lay down in the balmy, dry, spring air of thatdelicious climate, to take their last night's rest on the friendly isle.

  The first dawn of morning roused them to action. Spies were sent to theheights to ascertain that the coast was quiet; then the first canoe,containing Mr. Mayburn and Margaret, Arthur and Hugh, was launched, andcarried safely over the reefs. Jack and O'Brien, with Jenny and Ruth,filled the second, and Wilkins followed, paddling the heavy raft.

  "I'm not easy in my mind, Jack," said nurse, "for Master Gerald is up toany mischief; and if he sets Ruth on, we'se all be drowned."

  "Keep your eyes on her, Mrs. Wilson," answered Jack; "and if she willnot sit still, we'll have her tied upon Wilkins's catamaran." O'Brien'slaughter at the idea of Ruth being stowed with the luggage, made thepoor girl shed tears; but she was comforted with the care her chickensrequired, she having persisted in retaining the charge of her pets.

  For an hour they labored steadily, without any rest, till a westerlybreeze got up, and Wilkins, to his great relief, was able to hoist hissail; for he had previously been crying out for a helping hand. Then thecatamaran floated briskly over the waves, which were, however, a littlemore raised by the wind than was pleasant for the slender canoes. Buteven the most timid took courage when the long line of low coast becameplainly visible. No threatening rocks or foaming breakers appeared tocreate terror; and all seemed so favorable to the voyage of theunskilled mariners, that they began to be fastidious in their choice ofa landing-place.

  "Let us coast awhile, Arty," said Hugh, "till we come to the mouth of ariver, which will insure us a fertile coast. There is no occasion for usto land on a desert."

  "There would only be one danger in such a choice," replied Arthur,--"Thenatives may also prefer the fertile coast, and would be likely to opposethe landing of intruders. I think I should prefer to land at first on anuninhabited spot. We could then examine the country, and determine ourfuture course. It appears to me, as we draw nearer, and can observe thelow coast opposite to us, that the landing would suit our canoes. Whatdo you say, papa?"

  "I think you are right, Arthur," answered he. "I see trees above thebeach; and surely I distinguish large birds on the shore, a still moreencouraging prospect."

  Margaret looked intently for some time in silence; then, turning to herbrother, she said, "Are those figures we see really birds, Arthur?"

  Arthur looked round once more towards the coast, and then, calling outto the other boats, "South! south!" he altered the direction of thecanoe, and said,--

  "After all, papa, we must coast a few miles, at least; for those figuresare the natives, who are, as I now see, armed with spears, and willprobably resist our landing, regarding us as foreign invaders. We mustnot begin our pilgrimage by going to war."

  "Do you think Peter is with them?" asked Hugh.

  "I do not suspect that he is," said Arthur. "I fancy Peter's associateswere islanders; but we must avoid all intercourse with the natives aslong as we can."

  "How glad I am, brother," said Margaret, "that we are sailing south. Howhappy we should all be if we could ever reach the dear Deverells."

  "My dear sister," answered Arthur, laughing, "you surely do not expectthat we can voyage along the whole coast of West Australia in theseshells.
If we ever purpose to meet the Deverells again, we must havestout vessels for the sea, and wagons and horses for the land journey;which could only be obtained by the influence of some powerful fairy inour present desolate position."

  "Nevertheless, Arthur," said his father, "if God permits us to set ourfeet on that continent in safety, my aim shall be to discover, ifpossible, the estate of that estimable young man; and to offer myself toundertake the church of his new colony. I now despair of ever reachingmy destination in India, and my heart and my wishes point to DaisyGrange."

  The eyes of his children sparkled as they listened to the speculationsof their father; though Arthur smiled and shook his head, and Margaretsighed, as they thought on the difficulties of so prodigious an attempt.

  "Never despair, Meggie," said Hugh; "we'll do it. We are all strongfellows, in sound health, and I flatter myself tolerably ingenious. Ifeel full of resources, and Jack is a mine of wealth. If we succeed incrossing the sea in these slender toy boats, I do not see why we shouldnot traverse the whole continent of Australia, with our stout frames andbold hearts."

  "To me," said Mr. Mayburn, "it would be the realization of along-indulged dream to set my foot in a new and lovely world,

  'To slowly trace the forest's shady scene, Where things that own not man's dominion dwell, And mortal foot hath ne'er or rarely been.'

  Yes, my children, I also believe that, by God's help, we may penetratethe wilderness, and look on wonder hidden since the day of creation. Iam content to encounter hardships. Let us go on."

  "But, papa," answered Arthur, "_c'est le premier pas qui coute_; andthis first step we have yet to make--the step upon _terra firma_.Margaret thinks that must be very easy; but we poor mariners, who know'the dangers of the seas,' have some notion of the difficulties oflanding a bark canoe on an unknown coast, without rudder, lead, anchor,or any nautical appliance; and not one amongst us, as you know, papa,far advanced in the study of the grand science of navigation."

  "That is wholly my fault, my boys," answered Mr. Mayburn. "I ought tohave arranged that the charming science of navigation should form one ofyour mathematical recreations; but I never dreamed that you would becalled upon to make use of a branch of knowledge so rarely cultivated inthe quiet life of retirement to which we were called. But are we notsome miles from those threatening savages now, Arthur?"

  "Not quite far enough, sir," said Arthur. "They may have watched, andintend to follow us. We will put a dozen miles between us before we makefor the shore. But I see poor Wilkins is quite worn out, and, as hissail is useless now, I must spare you to help him, Hugh, and papa willtake an oar."

  They approached near enough to mark the variations of the coast, nowflat and sandy, then rugged, and occasionally bristling with rocks,which would have torn their little bark to shivers if they hadencountered them. At last every arm was exhausted, and the oppositecoast being low and untenanted, they rowed up to it with caution, lookedkeenly round for reefs and hidden rocks, of which they were in greatdread.

  "Let us run in first," shouted Wilkins from his raft. "We can bide ashock better nor ye, and likely we may help ye out of yer troubles abit, when we've gotten this ugly craft landed."

  Margaret felt some alarm for Hugh; but Arthur reminded her that Wilkinswas, in fact, the only sailor amongst them; besides, rough as he was, hewas too much attached to the boy to lead him into any danger. So thecanoes lay to, watching the clumsy catamaran paddled into shallow water.Then they saw Wilkins wade to shore, towing in his raft with a rope,till at length, by the aid of Hugh, it was safely drawn on a low, broad,sandy beach.

  Wilkins then hailed Arthur, pointed out the mode of bringing in thecanoes; and wading out breast-high in the water to assist him, finallyall were happily landed.

  "There's an ugly sand-bank just out yonder," said Wilkins, "and I werefeared ye might run atop on it. Now ye niver thought, master, these bitsof cockle-shells should turn out grand sailers as they are. I say, Jack,man, ye'll try a three-decker next, I reckon."

  Wilkins was in high good-humor, tired as he was, with his successfulvoyage; and declared Hugh was a clever little chap, and he liked himbetter than any other lad he had ever seen. And now Margaret saw, with ahopeful heart, that the man was really changed; his rough and loweringcountenance began to look brighter; and the desperate convict was thusprovidentially led into the path of reformation.

  "Now that we are really landed," said Mr. Mayburn, "I would ask what weare to do."

  "I should answer, papa," said Hugh, "let us eat, and rest; for you haveno idea how tired and hungry Wilkins and I are."

  All declared the suggestion was excellent, and while the provisions weregot from the catamaran, Arthur walked a little way from the beach toinspect the country, and saw before him only a wide bare plain, skirtedtowards the sea by a few mangroves, and apparently devoid of allinhabitants, rational or brute. This was not a promising prospect; allthat could be said of it was, that it was quiet; though they weredreadfully annoyed by the mosquitos when they sat down to dinnerunder the shade afforded by the mangroves.

  As they ate their wild duck, they seriously discussed the future. Theywere reluctant to set out over the plains and abandon their littlefleet, lest circumstances should render it necessary to resume theirvoyage.

  "What say you, Hugh, my boy," said Gerald, "if you and I were to take arun across these downs, and look out for a pleasant place for anencampment, out of the way of these rascally stinging beasts?"

  "What say you, Arthur," asked Hugh, "will your excellency permit two ofyour humble servants to set out on an exploring expedition?"

  "I think it would be more prudent for his excellency to command theexpedition in person," said Arthur; "I dare not trust you, mythoughtless lads, and we can leave a safe protection for the garrison inour two heroes, Jack and Wilkins; therefore let us march at once. Takethe gun out of its case, and give it into my charge; and you can carrythe spears and throwing-sticks."

  The young men had completed, while in the island, a number of spears andthrowing-sticks, from the models of those left behind by the natives;they had even successfully imitated the boomerang,--that mysteriousweapon of warfare, so eccentric in its movements, and so remarkable inits effect; but they had not yet attained the art of casting it. Bowsand arrows had been commenced, and these Jack undertook to employhimself in completing during their absence.

  Though Arthur was a prudent and safe protector for his young brothers,and Wilkins and Jack were powerful defenders to leave behind, the familydid not separate without considerable anxiety. The young men crossedthe plains directly from the beach, satisfied that they were in safetyon that vast open waste, on which not even a growth of brushwood offeredconcealment for a foe. A loose, sandy soil, covered with thin, browngrass, gave to these sterile downs the appearance of a perfect desert.To crown all, they could not see in any direction the indication ofwater; and, thankful that they had brought a supply of this preciousnecessary of existence from the island that would last them for manydays, Arthur still felt every moment more convinced that it would befolly to linger on this inhospitable coast, where, unfurnished with anymeans of hastening their progress to a more fertile region, they shouldbe in danger of perishing with famine.

  "We shall have to try the canoes again, Hugh," said he.

  "It would be all very good fun," said Gerald, "if it was not such hardwork. And it's little use hoisting a sail, for ten to one we shall havea contrary wind."

  "I hardly think the odds are so great as that against a fair wind myboy," answered Arthur; "but at all events hard work is better than hardfare. So we must just get such a night's rest as the mosquitos willpermit us, and then try a bit of coasting in the morning. We can hardlycome on a more cheerless coast than this."

  "What in the world is that before us, Arthur?" exclaimed Hugh. "Thiscoast must be inhabited, for this erection is certainly the work ofman's hand. It is one of the pyramids of Egypt in miniature."

  "No, Hugh, man's hand has never meddled with
this structure," repliedArthur. "I recognize it from description as one of the marvels ofinsect industry--an ant-hill. Observe the skill and ingenuity that musthave been displayed to construct this huge abode for a countless nation.This firm yellow clay is now so hardened that without some tools wecould scarcely overthrow it."

  "I see no entrance," said Hugh, "is it possible that it is inhabited?"

  "Look here, close to the ground," answered Arthur, "at this tiny speckof an aperture, from which I have just seen a diminutive insect emerge!and it has been remarked, that these creatures, the smallest of theirspecies, erect themselves the most lofty abodes. This must be eight feetin height, and wonderful as it appears externally as the work of thatminute creature, the interior, we read, is still more astonishing--amiracle of perfection in art."

  "Let us open it, Arthur, and have a peep at the curious little nation,"said Gerald.

  "And thus destroy the labor of thousands!" answered Arthur. "No, Gerald,you would surely never wish to be so wantonly destructive. We had betterremember the advice of Solomon, 'Consider its ways, and be wise.'"

  "Margaret will laugh at our exploits as foragers," said Hugh. "We havecertainly seen an ant-hill, but we have not even found an egg to carryhome. I wish we could pick up any token of life or vegetation in thisdesert. Let us make a little tour, Arthur. I have my eye on ourland-mark, that tall, bare, spectral mangrove."

  Arthur did not object to walk a short distance towards the south,anxious to obtain a more extensive view of the coast; but they wentover the bare, uninteresting soil for two hours without anysatisfaction. A single dry, withered acacia spread its thin branchesbefore them; and Arthur was glad to climb it to extend his view alongthe coast line. But all appeared desolation: not a hill, a rock, or agreen fringe to denote vegetation or water. He descended, muchdisappointed, and silently and thoughtfully they directed their steps tothe boats.

  It was night before they reached their anxious friends, who saw in theirjaded and melancholy countenances the disappointment of their hopes.

  "Didn't I tell ye all along," grumbled Wilkins, "as how north were yerpoint, and ye'll have to make a north course, after all. I've run alongthis here coast long afore this, and I say again, ye'll find neithermeat nor water for hundreds of miles down south."

  "I must allow, Wilkins," answered Arthur, "that voyagers have everstated that this coast from the eighteenth to the twenty-fifth degree oflatitude is certainly desert; and that in the lower latitudes it isfertile and well watered; but by returning north we are flying from theaim of our hopes, and must necessarily risk encounters with thenatives."

  Margaret sighed as she thought of removing still further from theDeverells, and Wilkins said,--

  "Never ye heed them black fellows; they're nought but a set of reet downcowards, to be fled away by that silly bit lass. We're six clever chapsagain 'em, and if we bully a bit at first, we'se drive 'em afore us likesheep."

  Mr. Mayburn shook his head, and Arthur had some doubts of such an easyvictory; but it was expedient to keep up the spirit of the party, andhe made no answer. Then, mortifying as it was to retrace their course,it was finally agreed they should sail north next morning, keeping insight of the coast, and avoiding the landing-place where they had seenthe natives the previous day. They proposed to seek the mouth of ariver, if they could possibly discover one, which might form an easymode of access to the interior.

  Jack had during the day carefully examined the canoes, added a freshcoating of the gum, which he had brought with him, and lashed thetimbers of the raft tight and firm. Then, after an uneasy night ofvexatious contentions with the mosquitos, they breakfasted, prayed forGod's blessing on their perilous enterprise, and once more committedthemselves to the ocean.

  Since they first landed on their little island, the weather hadcontinued to be invariably calm and beautiful, and even the thoughtlessRuth and the rude convict seemed to be struck with the "witchery of theclear blue sky," while the more intelligent did not forget to thanktheir bounteous Creator, who had tempered their little trials with thisblessing. Now, cheered by the bright sky and the fresh sea breeze, theyoung rowers plied their oars with willing hands, singing merrily asthey urged their fragile barks over the light curling waves.

  Hugh had joined Wilkins, as on the previous day, and, favored by a southwind they spread the sail. Wilkins, however, augured no good of thisfavorable breeze, declaring the south wind was always the fore-runner ofa storm; but they might as well make the best of a bad job, by easingtheir arms a bit. But for many hours they sailed on favorably anduninterruptedly, for Margaret had taken care that each canoe should beamply provisioned for the day. When they passed that part of the coastwhere the natives had been assembled on the previous day, they saw thatit was now untenanted; but they felt no inclination to visit a localityso frequented, so continued their voyage; and on passing a hilly shoreabout a mile further north, they not only saw the people collected innumbers and waving their spears, but could hear their yells as theyventured to approach within a mile of the shore.

  "I say, Wilkins, my man," said Hugh. "Do you fancy our little troopcould drive all that lot of fellows before us like a flock of sheep? Ishould hardly like to make the experiment, unless each of us was armedwith a good rifle."

  "That's just what we want, Master Hugh," replied Wilkins. "It were justthat there gun, as I grudged that rogue Peter a vast deal more nor bagsof bread and such like. If we'd had a few more guns, we might havedefied every black fellow alive atween here and Perth. They've not thatsense to make out what it is, as makes all that clatter and smoke; andit's just because they ken nought about it as makes 'em so soft.... But,halloo! Master Hugh, I don't half like yon sky, we'se have some weatherafore long."

  Hugh hailed the canoes, to announce to Arthur the meteorologicalobservations of Wilkins; and as the man had certainly more experiencethan any of the party, they could not help feeling a little alarmed.Arthur looked anxiously towards the coast for a favorable landing-place,but here, only high bare cliffs ran along the shore, against which thewaves dashed with a fury that warned them they must not approach near.

  Gradually, the sky grew dark with clouds, the wind was heard before itwas felt; and before Hugh and Wilkins could tear down their rude sail,the raft was whirled round, and hurried furiously past the canoestowards a sort of eddy which was dashing and foaming not a quarter of amile before them. With all the speed they could make, Arthur and hisfather rowed forward to rescue Hugh and Wilkins, regardless, at thatmoment, of the fate of the raft itself.

  The two men had now got the sail lowered; the raft was dashed amongstthe breakers, but Arthur's canoe gained on them, and he could hearWilkins hailing them, "Keep clear of the eddy; and send us a rope."Fortunately the mooring rope was still attached to the canoe, and Arthurendeavored, though many times ineffectually, to fling it within reach ofthe doomed catamaran.

  At length Wilkins secured the rope, and binding it firmly round Hugh, heflung the boy clear of the tossing raft. Arthur and the half-distractedfather hauled the rope gently, as long as the poor lad seemed able tocontend against the waves, and when he seemed to have yielded to theirviolence, they drew him, senseless, to the canoe. The cares of Margaretsoon restored him, and in the mean time Wilkins had plunged into theboiling waves, and though a good swimmer, he with much difficultyreached the canoe, which they saw, with distress, was now far too muchladen in such a sea.