CHAPTER XXX.
I FIND MYSELF IN THE PARADISE OF FOOLS.
When we had regaled ourselves on the steaks of the tortugua, which is asweet, wholesome, and excellent meat, we rambled together into the woodsin search of fruit to quench our thirst, for water there was none savethat of the lake, which was troubled and brackish and not good to drink.
On my way I pointed out to my lady those fruits which were venomous, forthere are many such--nay, there be some plants whose flowers areterribly unwholesome to smell--and those which are sweet and good; ofthese latter we ate freely, also I did cull here and there a flowerwhose delicacy and sweetness stayed her to admire.
But while we were looking for pine-nuts, which I deem the most estimablefruit that exists, I found that which was better for quenching ourthirst than fruits. This was a tree, about twelve or fifteen fathomshigh, with leaves as broad as a hand and as long as one's forearm, whichI had found in the Oronoque country. With a cry of gladness I bade LadyBiddy look to see a new marvel, and drawing my sword I gave the trunk afair cut; from this wound there started forth a thick white juice, andby the time I had found a broad clean leaf and folded it to serve as avessel, the juice was running out abundantly. Clapping my folded leafbelow the wound I had in a few minutes as much as the leaf wouldcontain, which was the best part of a pint, and this I bade Lady Biddyto drink of without fear. At the first sip she declared it was excellentgood milk as ever she did taste, and so it was, as I found when my turncame to drink. This tree, I say, is common in Guiana, and I go about toinsist upon it, because I have found many here in England who would nothave it such a thing is in nature, albeit they will readily accept asprobable many stories of travelers that are outrageously impossible,wherein they resemble him who strains at a gnat and swallows a camel.
Now being quite refreshed we returned to the shore, where, seeing thefire yet smouldering, I bethought me to cook the rest of the tortuga asa provision for the morrow. With a stick I raked a hole in the midst ofthe embers; then at the bottom I set a flat clean stone for a hearth,and on this I laid as much of the meat as was fit to eat, turning itover from to time to brown on that hot stone.
As soon as Lady Biddy saw what I was at, and the manner of doing it, shesaid:
"That is a woman's work, Benet, which I can do as well as you may. Leavethis business to me, I pray you, and occupy yourself with the seriousmatters that are beyond my capacity": and though she meant no reproach,I felt certain, these words put me in mind that I was in a fool'sparadise.
"Fool!" says I to myself, as I left her side, "think you this happinesscan endure? Are you so fond as to imagine that this savage life, whichis a joy for you, is fit for a lady of gentle breeding and refinedsentiments--that, because you can picture no greater joy than to livewith her alone in this wilderness, she can desire no better companionthan you? Because her mind is enfeebled by long days and nights ofsuspense and terrible doubts, she rejoices like a child in the beauty offlowers and the taste of fruits; she can join with you in laughter atthe discomfiture of her enemies; she can readily accommodate herself tothe rude necessities of her condition, but, when her mind recovers itsstrength and composure, nothing in this wilderness, however beautifuland enchanting it be, can content her for the loss of gentle friends,and the absence of those delicate enjoyments which have made her whatshe is. To-morrow she will weep, for she is a Christian lady, and thouart but a savage."
With these arguments did I bring myself to a clearer perception of ourestate and of my duty, which was to sacrifice myself rather than LadyBiddy; to endeavor my utmost to bring her to her friends, and thereinshrink not before any pain to myself. "And truly," adds I, addressingmyself as before--"truly your own interest prescribes this course, forhow can you hope to win the esteem of that dear creature unless you dodeserve it? If, instead of yielding her to your friends, you followedthe bent of evil inclination, and led her whither no help could reachher, then would there be not a pin for her to choose betwixt you andsuch a villain as Rodrigues; and though she regards you now with trustand tenderness, how must her feelings change to contempt and disgust ifshe find you are but an enemy, betraying her to your own selfish ends,under the mask of friendship!"
Notwithstanding this reasoning, I was sadly downcast, and had no morerelish for duty than if the argument had been all on t'other side. Andso, being come to the edge of the sea, I stood there with my armsfolded, looking out over the sea, very down in the mouth, and assluggish in my mind as if I had nought to do but to stand there all therest of my days.
From this torpor I was aroused by Lady Biddy coming to my side, sosoftly that I had not in my dull mood heard her approach, and touchingmy arm.
Starting in surprise and turning about, I found her looking very gravelyand wistfully into my face; for I must think that the dear soul, seeingme go off silent and heavy, and standing apart with a moody aspect, hadconcluded that I was hurt by her taking the cooking of the tortuga outof my hands.
"I have cooked the meat; but now," says she, with a little shrug and asmile, "I don't know what to do with it."
An ordinary woman in her place would have asked what ailed me sosuddenly; but she was of a finer and more delicate nature, and sought toreconcile me without causing me to blush for taking umbrage at a trifle.
For my own part I was glad to believe she had mistaken the cause of mydisorder, and was better content she should think me a fool than arogue. But I felt vastly ashamed of myself, for all that, to find thatmy demeanor had discovered me. However, I did my best to make amends formy sullen humor by rousing myself to a cheerful complexion as I answeredher.
"Why," says I, "the meat must be wrapped in fresh leaves, as well topreserve it from the flies as to keep it cool and clean for our use intraveling; and as I have not yet decided which course it will be best totake, for it is a serious and grave question, I will leave you to seekleaves for that purpose."
"With all my heart," says she cheerfully. "I want to be useful if I may;but I will bring the leaves for you to see, lest the napkin poison ourfood."
Thus by a little deception did I restore her better opinion of mytemper, at the same time that her pretty behavior roused me to a moremanly feeling.
Presently she comes back with a store of leaves, which I found veryproper for her use, and then away she trips to pack the meat.
When I had settled what was best to be done, I went to her and found shehad just finished her business, and admirably neat she had done it, sothat I was forced to admit I could never have succeeded so well, which Ithought it gave her great pleasure to hear.
"And have you decided what we are to do next?" she asked.
"I am not so fixed but that I should be glad to have your opinion," saysI; "and if you will come down to the point whence I have been surveyingour position, you may more readily judge what we may do for the best."
"You will make me vain, Benet," says she, with a smile.
"Now," says I, when we were come to the shore, "tell me if you can seeany trace of our pursuers opposite."
"No, I can see none of them--nothing moving," says she, after lookingintently.
"Then we may take it they are making their way round the coast to rejointheir comrades who came in the other boat. By this time probably all thecrew is on the shore, looking for water. Unless they find a spring or astream to the west, which is little likely by the position of the hills,they will come here again to the stream yonder. But to fill theirbarricoes they must bring round a boat; now I can see none as far as myvision reaches--can you?"
She scanned the distance carefully, and replied that she saw nothingbetwixt us and the ship.
"It is probable," says I, "that the men will content themselves withfruit for the present, but when Rodrigues learns that we have taken theboat, and that there is water in this part, he will send other boatshither. That is not likely to happen for some hours. In the mean whilewe must escape, and I think it will be best to do so in the boat. We aretoo far distant to be perceived from the ship; an
d even if we be, wehave such a start of them as they can not hope to fetch up with us, forif we see our pursuers a mile off we may take to the woods."
"Where do you reckon to go in the boat?" asks Lady Biddy.
"Why," says I, "betwixt the chain of hills that surrounds us and thosemountains we saw beyond, there should be a valley, and there should be ariver to carry off the waters that flow from the mountains. If we are tofind a town of Christians it should be at the mouth of that river, forthere would lie the most fitting place to receive the produce broughtdown by the river from the interior parts of the country."
"Then you intend to make for that town?" says she, opening wide hereyes, as I deemed (not without a pang of jealousy), with delight.
"Yes," says I.
"But, Benet," says she, "this may be the very town Rodrigues spoke of asthe one he intended to go to--the place where he has friends. Still, thetown must be far hence, or he would not have cast anchor where he has."
"Why, that is true," says I, greatly admiring this girl's quickreasoning.
"In that case we may embark at once, and escape our present danger. Weought not to lose that chance, for you see how poor I am upon my feet."
"I will not admit that; but you are right in all else you have putforward, and so let us embark at once," says I.
The Admirable Lady Biddy Fane Page 30