The Mission

by Frederick Marryat

  CHAPTER X.

  It was in the afternoon that they moved from Graham's Town. They hadintended to have started earlier, but they found it impossible tocollect the Hottentots, who were taking their farewells of their wivesand their liquor-shops. As it was, most of them were in a state ofintoxication, and it was considered advisable to get them out of thetown as soon as possible. Late in the evening they arrived at Hermann'sKraal, a small military fort, where they remained for the night to givethe Hottentots an opportunity of recovering from the effects of theliquor. The next morning they again started, and the landscape nowchanged its aspect, being covered with thick bushes, infested with wildbeasts.

  A barren and sterile country was soon spread before them, the sun wasoppressively hot, and not a sign of water was to be observed in anydirection. At last they arrived at a muddy pool, in which elephants hadevidently been enjoying themselves, and the oxen and horses were but tooglad to do the same. At night they halted as before, having lightedfires to keep off the wild beasts and the elephants.

  The following morning they renewed their journey at daylight, and thescene again changed; they now plunged into the dense forests borderingon the great Fish River, which they forded in safety. The prospects allaround were very beautiful, the river smoothly gliding throughstupendous mountains and precipices, with verdant valleys on each sideof its banks. In the afternoon they arrived at Fort Wiltshire, theoutermost defense of the colony, situated on the banks of the Keiskamma.English troops were stationed there, to prevent any marauding partiesfrom passing the river, or to intercept them on their return with theirbooty.

  As this was the last spot where they could expect to see any of theircountrymen, and they were kindly received by the officers, they agreedto remain two days, that they might obtain all the information whichthey could, and rearrange the stowing of the wagons before theystarted. The original plan had been to direct their course to Chumie,the first missionary station, which was about twenty-five miles distant;but as it was out of their way, they now resolved to proceed direct toButterworth, which was forty miles further in the Caffre country, andthe more distant of the two missions. Our party took leave of their kindentertainers, and, having crossed without difficulty at the ford theKeiskamma river, had passed the neutral ground, and were in the land ofthe Caffres.

  Up to the present they had very little trouble with the Hottentots whomthey had hired. As long as they were within reach of the law theybehaved well; but now that they had passed the confines of the Capeterritory, some of them began to show symptoms of insubordination. Thedismissal of one, however, with an order to go back immediately, andthreatening to shoot him if he was ever seen in the caravan, had thedesired effect of restoring order. The country was now a series of hillsand dales, occasionally of deep ravines, and their route lay through thepaths made by the elephants, which were numerous. A Hottentot of thename of Bremen, who was considered as their best man and most practicedhunter, begged Alexander and his companions to be careful how they wentalong, if they preceded the rest on horseback; as the elephants alwaysreturn by the same path at evening or after nightfall, in whateverdirection they may have been feeding, and it is very dangerous tointercept them.

  For two days they continued their course in nearly a straight line forthe missionary establishment. On the second evening, just about dusk, asthey were crossing a woody hill, by the elephants' path, being thenabout 200 yards in advance of the wagons, they were saluted with one ofthe most hideous shrieks that could be conceived. Their horses startedback; they could see nothing, although the sound echoed through thehills for some seconds.

  "What was that?" exclaimed Alexander.

  "Shout as loud as you can," cried the Major; "and turn your horses tothe wagons."

  Alexander and Swinton joined the Major in the shout, and were soonaccompanied by the whole mass of Hottentots, shouting and yelling asloud as they could.

  "Silence, now," cried the Major; every one was hushed, and they listenedfor a few seconds.

  "It was only one, sir, and he is gone," said Bremen. "We may go on."

  "Only one what?" inquired Alexander.

  "An elephant, sir," replied the Hottentot; "it's well that he did notcharge you; he would have tumbled you down the precipice, horse and all.There must be a herd here, and we had better stop as soon as we are downthe other side of the hill."

  "I think so too," replied the Major.

  "I shall not get that shriek out of my ears for a month," saidAlexander; "why, the roar of a lion can not be so bad."

  "Wait till you hear it," replied Swinton.

  They had now arrived at the bottom of the hill which they had beenpassing, and by the light of the stars they selected a spot for theirencampment. Whether they were near to any Caffre kraals or not it wasimpossible to say; but they heard no barking of dogs or lowing of oxen.Having collected all the cattle, they formed a square of the fourwagons, and passed ropes from the one to the other; the horses and sheepwere driven within the square, and the oxen were, as usual, tied up tothe sides of the wagons.

  It should here be observed, that the oxen were turned out to graze earlyin the morning, yoked in the afternoon, and they traveled then as far asthey could after nightfall, to avoid the extreme heat of the day, thecontinual visits of the Carries, and the risk of losing the cattle ifthey were allowed to be loose and fed during the night.

  On the night we have been referring to, a more than usual number offires were lighted, to keep off the elephants and other wild animals.The hyenas and wolves were very numerous, and prowled the whole night inhopes of getting hold of some of the sheep; but as yet there had notbeen seen or heard a lion, although an occasional track had beenpointed out by the Hottentots.

  When the Hottentots had finished their labor, our travelers had to waittill the fires were lighted and a sheep killed before they could havetheir suppers cooked by Mahomed. Begum, the baboon, had been releasedfrom her confinement since their crossing the Fish River, and as usual,when they sat down, came and made one of the party, generally creepingin close to her master until supper was served, when she would have herfinger in every dish, and steal all she could, sometimes rather to theirannoyance.

  Our little Bushman had now quite recovered not only his strength but hisgayety, and was one of the most amusing little fellows that could be metwith.

  He could not make himself understood except to one or two of theHottentots; but he was all pantomime, trying, by gestures and signs, totalk to Mr. Swinton and his companions. He endeavored to assist Mahomedas much as he could, and appeared to have attached himself to him, forhe kept no company with the Hottentots. He was not more than three feetand a half high, and with limbs remarkably delicate, although well made.His face was very much like a monkey's, and his gestures and mannerscompletely so; he was quite as active and full of fun. The watch hadbeen set as soon as the fires were lighted; and close to where Alexanderand the others were seated, Big Adam, the Hottentot we have mentioned ashaving raised doubts in the mind of the Major as to his courage, hadjust mounted guard, with his gun in his hand. Omrah came up to wherethey were sitting, and they nodded and smiled at him, and said, "How doyou do?" in English.

  The boy, who had already picked up a few sentences, answered in the samewords, "How do you do?" and then pointing to Big Adam, whose back wasturned, he began making a number of signs, and nodding his head; at lasthe bent down, putting his arm in front of him, and raising it like anelephant's trunk, walking with the measured steps of that animal, so asfully to make them Understand that he intended to portray an elephant.

  Having so done, he went up behind Big Adam, and gave a shriek soexactly like that which the elephant had given an hour before, that theHottentot started up, dropped his musket, and threw himself flat on theground, in order that the supposed animal might pass by him unperceived.

  The other Hottentots had been equally startled, and had seized theirmuskets, looking in every direction for the approach of the animal; butthe convulsions of laughter which
proceeded from the party soon toldthem that there was nothing to apprehend, and that little Omrah had beenplaying his tricks. Big Adam rose up, looking very foolish; he had justbefore been telling his companions how many elephants he had killed, andhad been expressing his hopes that they soon should have anelephant-hunt.

  "Well," observed Swinton, after the laugh was over, "it proves that Adamis an elephant-hunter, and knows what to do in time of danger."

  "Yes," replied the Major; "and it also proves that our opinion of himwas just, and that with him the best part of valor is discretion."

  "The most wonderful escape from an elephant which we have on recordhere," observed Swinton, "is that of Lieutenant Moodie; did you everhear of it? I had it from his own lips."

  "I never did, at all events," said Alexander; "and if the Major has, hewill listen very patiently, to oblige me."

  "I have never heard the precise particulars, and shall therefore be asglad to be a listener as Wilmot."

  "Well, then, I will begin. Lieutenant Moodie was out elephant-huntingwith a party of officers and soldiers, when one day he was told that alarge troop of elephants was close at hand, and that several of the menwere out, and in pursuit of them. Lieutenant Moodie immediately seizedhis gun, and went off in the direction where he heard the firing.

  "He had forced his way through a jungle, and had just come to a clearedspot, when he heard some of his people calling out, in English andDutch, 'Take care, Mr. Moodie, take care,' As they called out, he heardthe crackling of branches broken by the elephants as they were burstingthrough the wood, and then tremendous screams, such as we heard thisnight. Immediately afterward four elephants burst out from the jungle,not two hundred yards from where he stood. Being alone on the openground, he knew that if he fired and did not kill, he could have nochance; so he hastily retreated, hoping that the animals would not seehim. On looking back, however, he perceived, to his dismay, that theywere all in chase of him, and rapidly gaining on him; he thereforeresolved to reserve his fire till the last moment, and, turning towardsome precipitous rocks, hoped to gain them before the elephants couldcome up with him. But he was still at least fifty paces from the rocks,when he found that the elephants were within half that distance ofhim,--one very large animal, and three smaller,--all in a row, as ifdetermined that he should not escape, snorting so tremendously that hewas quite stunned with the noise."

  "That's what I call a very pretty position," observed the Major. "Go on,Swinton; the affair is becoming a little nervous."

  "As his only chance, Lieutenant Moodie turned round, and leveled his gunat the largest elephant; but unfortunately the powder was damp, and thegun hung fire, till he was in the act of taking it from his shoulder,when it went off, and the ball merely grazed the side of the elephant'shead. The animal halted for an instant, and then made a furious chargeupon him. He fell; whether struck down by the elephant's trunk he cannot say. The elephant then thrust at him as he lay, with his tusk;fortunately it had but one, and more fortunately it missed its mark,plowing up the ground within an inch of Mr. Moodie's body.

  "The animal then caught him up with its trunk by his middle, and dashedhim down between his fore-feet to tread him to death. Once it pressed soheavily on his chest, that all his bones bent under the weight, butsomehow or other, whether from the animal being in a state of alarm, itnever contrived to have its whole weight upon him; for Mr. Moodie hadnever lost his recollection, and kept twisting his body and his limbs,so as to prevent it from obtaining a direct tread upon him. While hewas in this state of distress, another officer and a Hottentot huntercame up to his assistance, and fired several shots at the animal, whichwas severely wounded, and the other three took to their heels. At lastthe one which had possession of Mr. Moodie turned round, and giving him acuff with its fore-feet followed the rest. Mr. Moodie got up, picked uphis gun, and staggered away as fast as his aching bones would permithim. He met his brother, who had just been informed by one of theHottentots, who had seen him under the elephant, that he was killed."

  "Well, that was an escape," observed Wilmot.

  "What made it more remarkable was, that he had hardly time to explain tohis brother his miraculous preservation, before he witnessed the deathof one of the hunters, a soldier, who had attracted the notice of alarge male elephant which had been driven out of the jungle. The fierceanimal gave chase to him, and caught him immediately under the heightwhere Mr. Moodie and his brother were standing, carried the poor fellowfor some distance on his trunk, then threw him down, and stamping uponhim until he was quite dead, left the body for a short time. Theelephant then returned, as if to make sure of its destruction; for itkneeled down on the body, and kneaded it with his fore-legs; then,rising, it seized it again with its trunk, carried it to the edge of thejungle, and hurled it into the bushes."

  "Dreadful! I had no idea that there was such danger in an elephant-hunt;yet I must say," continued Alexander, "that, although it may appearfoolishness, it only makes me more anxious to have one."

  "Well, as we advance, you will have no want of opportunity; but it willbe better to get the Caffres to join us, which they will with greatdelight."

  "Why, they have no weapons, except their spears."

  "None; but they will attack him with great success, as you will see;they watch their opportunity as he passes, get behind, and drive theirspears into his body until the animal is exhausted from loss of blood,and they are so quick that the elephant seldom is able to destroy oneof them. They consider the elephant of as high rank as one of theirkings, and it is very laughable to hear them, as they wound him, begpardon of him, and cry out, 'Great man, don't be angry; great captain,don't kill us,'"

  "But how is it that they can approach so terrible an animal withoutdestruction?"

  "It is because they do approach quite close to him. An elephant sees butbadly, except straight before him, and he turns with difficulty. TheCaffres are within three feet of his tail or flank when they attack, andthey attack him in the elephant-paths, which are too narrow for theanimal to turn without difficulty; the great risk that they run is fromanother elephant breaking out to the assistance of the one attacked."

  "The animals do assist each other, then?"

  "Yes; there was a remarkable instance of it in the affair of LieutenantMoodie. I mentioned that it was a large male elephant which killed thesoldier just after Mr. Moodie's escape. Shortly afterward a shot fromone of the hunters broke the fore-leg of this animal, and prevented himfrom running, and there it stood to be fired at. The female elephant,which was in the jungle, witnessing the distress of its mate, regardlessof her own danger, immediately rushed out to his assistance, chasingaway the hunters, and walked round and round her mate, constantlyreturning to his side, and caressing him. When the male attempted towalk, she had the sagacity to place her flank against the wounded side,so as to support him, and help him along. At last the female received asevere wound, and staggered into the bush, where she fell; and the malewas soon after laid prostrate by the side of the poor soldier whom hehad killed."

  "There is something very touching in the last portion of your story,Swinton," observed Alexander; "it really makes one feel a sort ofrespect for such intelligent and reasoning animals."

  "I think the first portion of the story ought to teach you to respectthem also," said the Major. "Seriously, however, I quite agree with you;their sagacity, as my Indian experience has taught me, iswonderful;--but here comes supper, and I am not sorry for it."

  "Nor I," replied Alexander. "To-morrow we shall be at the missionarystation, if the guides are correct. I am very anxious to get there, Imust say. Does not the chief of the Amakosa tribe live close to theMission-house,--Hinza, as they call him?"

  "Yes," replied Swinton, "he does, and we must have a present ready forhim, for I think it would be advisable to ask an escort of his warriorsto go with us after we leave the Mission."

  "Yes, it will be quite as well," replied the Major, "and then we shallhave some elephant-hunting: but Bremen tells me that th
ere are plenty ofhippopotami in the river there, close to the Mission."

  "Water-elephants," replied Swinton; "I suppose you will not leave themalone?"

  "Certainly not if our commander-in-chief will allow us to stop."

  "I think your commander-in-chief," replied Wilmot, "is just as anxiousto have a day's sport with them as you are, Major; so you will certainlyhave his permission."

  "I think we ought to put Omrah on a horse. He is a nice light weight fora spare horse, if required."

  "Not a bad idea," replied Alexander. "What a tiger he would make for acab in the park!"

  "More like a monkey," replied the Major; "but it is time to go to bed;so, good-night."