CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
A PRISONER OF WAR.
I at length lost all patience at the non-arrival of the expectedinterpreter, and, rising, made a profound salaam to the chief, whichwas, I saw, accurately imitated by Jack, who was at my side with acomical expression of countenance not indicative of much respect for thegreat man. The chief said something which I understood to mean that hehoped I would remain longer, but as I really was anxious to return onboard, I only bowed again lower than before, and pointed towards theharbour, continuing to move in the direction of the entrance. He didnot attempt to stop me, and the people who had come with me were, I saw,prepared to accompany me back.
I had just reached the outside, when I saw approaching an individualdressed in the native shirt and _sarong_, or kilt, whom I naturally tookto be a Javanese.
He stopped and looked at me attentively, saying in Dutch, "I was sentfor by the chief to come and interpret for a French gentleman who hasarrived here on some diplomatic business of importance. I shall behappy to do my best, but you are aware that some of the troops of yourcountrymen will be here soon, and that then there will be no lack ofpeople better able to interpret for you than I am. You of course knowthat the English attempted to make a landing, but have been defeated,and it is thought probable that they will make another attempt in thisdirection." He appeared to say this in a very significant manner. Theinformation he gave might or might not be correct, but there was afriendliness in his look and tone which led me to suppose that he knew Iwas English, and that he wished to warn me of my danger. I was doubtfulwhat to say in return, but quickly resolved to hurry down to thewatering party to advise them to return on board and to warn CaptainHassall, that he might be ready immediately to get under way. I turnedto the seeming native, whom I now discovered to be a Dutchman, andthanked him for what he had told me, remarking that our business was ofno consequence, and that as it was possible the wind might change, Iproposed returning on board at once. He smiled, and said he thought itwas the best thing I could do. This convinced me of his good feeling,and that he knew I was English. Just at that moment a guard of soldiersemerged from the palace, and their officer, addressing the Dutchman,made signs to me that I was forthwith to return.
"I am sorry," observed the Dutchman to me in English; "we must attendthe summons, but your boy need not, and you may send him to let yourcompanions know."
I took the advice and ordered Jack to find his way down to the boats,and to tell the mates to hurry on board with or without water, and toadvise Captain Hassall to get under way immediately. I added, "Tell himto stand off and on for a couple of hours. If I am at liberty I willput off in a native boat, but if I am detained, tell him to save theship and cargo, and that I hope before long to make my escape."
Jack fully understood my message, but I must say, to his credit, that heseemed very unwilling to leave me to my fate.
"I am in no danger," I remarked; "I may possibly be detained a few days,but I am not likely to suffer any other inconvenience. Now, quick, mylad, or the ship and all hands may be caught in a trap."
Jack gave me a nod, and was off like a shot. I scarcely expected,however, that he would be allowed to go free; but no one, I suppose, hadreceived orders to stop him, and so he pursued his way unmolested. Theofficers of the guard had, in the meantime, been speaking to theDutchman, who told me that I must return forthwith, as the chief waswaiting to receive me. I of course could do nothing else than faceabout, and with my new friend accompany the guard. The men were armedwith formidable long spears and daggers, but the officer carried amusket, which looked more like an ensign of authority than a weapon tobe used. As I returned through the courtyard I considered what I shouldsay to the chief. "Tell the truth and be not afraid," said conscience.I determined to do so.
When I re-entered the hall of audience, the chief was seated on hisdivan, and evidently intended to receive me in greater state. Some ofthe assemblage sat down cross-legged on cushions in front of the divan,while others stood with their bodies bent forward on either side, theguards who remained turning their backs on the great man. The Dutchmanand I took our seats on cushions directly below the divan. I foundafterwards that among the Javanese a sitting posture is considered morerespectful than an upright one. The chief, through the Dutchinterpreter, now asked me a number of questions, which, according to myprevious determination, I answered correctly. The great man, I thought,looked somewhat surprised at finding that I was not so important aperson as he had at first supposed.
Occasionally my Dutch friend remarked that I had better not reply tosome of the questions put to me, but I answered that I was perfectlyready to stand by the consequences of anything I might say. Such hasbeen my practice through life--I might say, more modestly, myendeavour--to do right on all occasions, to avow whatever I have done,and to take the consequences, whatever they may be. I do not say thatsuch a mode of proceeding may not occasionally get a man seemingly intotrouble, but I do say that it is the only right course, and that he isequally certain to get out of it again; whereas an opposite course mustlead him into difficulties, and involve him more and more as he tries toextricate himself by prevarication, subterfuge, or falsehood. Itherefore told the chief that I had come on shore hoping to open up atrade with him, under the belief that the country was no longer eitherin possession of the Dutch or French, but that it was now under the ruleof England. If I was mistaken I was ready to undergo the penalty, andmust run the risk of being treated as a prisoner of war should I fallinto the hands of the French, but that as the English were the friendsof the rulers and people of Java, I expected to be treated by him as afriend.
This answer, which I had reason to believe the Dutchman faithfullyinterpreted, seemed to please the chief. However, he made no directreply to me, but spoke for some time aside to his companions, whom Itook to be officially counsellors or advisers. One made a remark, thenanother, and at last one said something at which I thought my friend theDutchman looked rather blank. A good deal of discussion took place,when I heard the chief issue some orders to the officers of the guards.Immediately on this two of the counsellors got up, and with the officerand several other persons, and part of the guard, left the hall.
The movement seemed to give great satisfaction to the counsellors,especially to the gentleman who had made the suggestion, as I fancied,which led to it, while a pleased smile played over the countenance ofthe chief. All the time the honest Dutchman looked very much annoyed.At length I asked him what it was all about.
"I suppose that I shall not be found fault with for telling you," heanswered. "And I assure you that I would much rather not have to giveyou such unpleasant information. Do not look surprised or annoyed, andno harm can come of it. The fact is that the chief here, the governorof this district, Mulock Ben Azel, is not a bright genius, and though hehad made up his mind to detain you, it had not occurred to him to detainyour vessel. The idea, however, was suggested to him just now by one ofthese cunning gentlemen, and he has sent a party to stop her. TheJavanese are rather daring fellows, so that the captain must be smart ifhe would get away from them."
This was indeed a disagreeable announcement. I congratulated myself,however, at having sent off Jack to warn Captain Hassall, and I hadgreat hopes that he would have followed my advice and got the _Barbara_under way before the Javanese could reach her. I thanked the Dutchmanfor his sympathy and kindness.
"I have a warm regard for the English," he answered: "I have receivedmuch kindness at the hands of your countrymen, and am glad of anopportunity of proving my gratitude. As far as you are concerned I maybe of service, but if these gentry get hold of your vessel, I am afraidthat they will not let her go till they have cleaned out her hold."
I, of course, on hearing all this became very impatient to go and seewhether the _Barbara_ was leaving the harbour, but as far as I could Iconcealed my feelings, and desired my Dutch friend to inquire of MulockBen Azel whether he desired my presence any longer; and if not, I begg
edleave to go forth into the open air that I might gaze on the beautifulscenery amidst which he had the happiness of dwelling and I had thehappiness of finding myself. I fancy that the interpreter gave myrequest a more oriental turn. The chief was at all events pleased tocomply with it, and directed some of his attendants and my Dutch friendto accompany me. I made a profound salaam, as if I was highly pleasedat all that had occurred. The act was somewhat hypocritical, I mustconfess, but, at all events, I was heartily glad to get over theaudience, which was becoming very tedious. As soon as I got out on theterrace I have before described as affording a magnificent view of thesurrounding country, I eagerly looked seaward in search of the_Barbara_. I almost gave a shout of satisfaction as I saw her with astrong breeze off shore, standing away under all the canvas she couldcarry. She had good reason to make the best use of her heels, for awhole fleet of boats, some of considerable size and full of men, were inhot chase after her. I stood with my companions eagerly watching thechase, though the objects of our interest were very different. I wasanxious that the _Barbara_ should escape, they that she should becaught. I knew for one, though, that if good seamanship would enablehim to get away, Captain Hassall would give his pursuers the slip. Iknew too that he would not be taken, even if the boats should catch himup, without a fight. My earnest hope was therefore that the breezemight continue. In that climate, however, the land wind often fallstowards the evening, and if it should do so, it would give the Javanesea great advantage. I found my new friend by my side, and I glanced athim.
"Your vessel sails well, and I am glad of it," he observed. "The orderswere to bring her in at all risks; at the same time, if her captainshows a bold front I do not think the natives will dare to attack him ata distance from the land."
My hopes and fears alternately rose and fell as I watched the chase.Sometimes the boats seemed to be gaining on her. At other times sheappeared to be obtaining the advantage. She continued to increase hercanvas till every stitch she could carry was set on her, studding sailson either side, royals, and even still lighter sails above them, whichwe used to call skyscrapers. I now observed that although there wereseveral large boats engaged in the chase, they were but slow sailers,and that the small ones were drawing ahead of them. These of coursewould be more easily dealt with by the _Barbara's_ crew than the largercraft.
The latter were vessels of about forty tons, carrying fifty or sixtypersons. The hulls of those I had seen on landing were neatly built,with round heads and sterns; and over the hulls were light small houses,composed of bamboos, and divided into three or four cabins. The sideswere formed of split bamboos about four feet high, with windows in themto open and shut at pleasure; the roofs were almost flat, and thatchedwith palm leaves. The oars are worked by the crew standing at the foreand after-part of the vessel. I thought that probably the boats now inchase of the _Barbara_ were modifications of this sort of craft, andmore adapted to warlike purposes than they were. The natives became atlength even more excited than I was as the breeze occasionally fell andgave their boats an advantage. They knew also that the land breezewould soon set in, which I did not. They probably fancied that when itdid the vessel would be caught in a trap, not knowing that she couldhaul her wind and still keep ahead of them.
I stood watching the various circumstances of the chase, till at length,greatly to my relief, I saw the boats, as if by signal, begin to returntogether towards the shore, while the _Barbara_ continued standing offshore till she met the sea-breeze, when she hauled her wind and stoodaway to the northward. My Dutch friend congratulated me on her escape.
"And as it appears that you are not to be detained as a prisoner, thesooner you get out of this place the better," he observed. "I willgladly welcome you to my abode, where you can remain till we gainfurther information as to the result of the British expedition againstBatavia. If it is ultimately successful, your ship will put in at thatplace, and you can rejoin her."
I gladly accepted his offer. As we passed through the large entrancecourt he pointed out two large Indian-fig-trees, and told me that underthem was the place where criminals were executed. On each side of thecourt was a row of the same description of tree. We descended the hilltowards the harbour. On approaching it I heard the shrill voice of aboy crying out loudly amid the shouts and chattering of a number ofnatives. I soon recognised the voice of Jack Nobs, who had, I hadhoped, made his escape in the boats. The people, seeing me accompaniedby guards, made way for Jack, who ran towards me, crying out--
"Oh, save me, Mr Braithwaite! save me, sir! These savinges are a-goingto cut off my head, or to hang me up and cook and eat me. They eatpeople in these parts, and they look as if they would make nothing ofdevouring me."
In vain I tried to pacify him. He seemed to fear that the natives weregoing to treat me in the same way he thought that they were about totreat him.
"But what made you come back, Jack?" I asked. "I thought that you hadgone off to the ship."
"What, leave you all alone among the savinges!" he answered, looking upreproachfully at me. "No, no, sir. After you have been so kind to me,and always took me with you wherever you've been, and we was nearly alldrowned together! No, no, if harm is to come of it, I says to myself,I'll go shares with Mr Braithwaite, whatever happens; so, when theboats shoved off, I scud away, and when the men called me to come alongwith them, and not to mind you, for that I could do you no good, Iwouldn't go back, but kept beckoning them to be off; so away they went,and I ran up in shore and hid myself. The savinges, howsomdever, foundme out at last, and as long as they thought that they should get hold ofthe ship they treated me civil enough, as they might a pet monkey; butwhen they found that they could not catch her, they turned their rage onme, and what they're going to do with us I'm sure I don't know. Ohdear! oh dear!"
Jack's fears were very natural, for the dark-skinned, half-nakedJavanese, with their glittering kreeses or daggers in their hands, whichthey flourished about while they vociferated loudly, were veryferocious-looking fellows.
"They are disappointed," said the Dutchman, "at the escape of your ship,and they accuse the boy of being the cause of the boats going off andgiving her warning. Let him, however, keep close to me, and I will domy best to protect him."
My new friend, who, by-the-bye, told me his name was Peter Van Deck, nowaddressed the people and told them that the boy was not to blame;whatever he had done was in consequence of the orders he had received,and that he had no intention of offending them. I had slipped a fewsmall pieces of coin, which I had fortunately in my pocket, into hishand, and on his distributing these among the most influential of theassemblage, public opinion was turned completely in our favour, and wewere allowed to proceed without further molestation. A small sumbestowed on the officer of the guard had a like beneficial effect, andafter receiving an assurance from Mynheer Van Deck that we would not runaway, and would be found at his house if wanted, he and his men, verymuch to my relief, took their departure, while the Dutchman, Jack, and Iset off in an opposite direction.
The island of Java, it must be remembered, runs about due east and west.Our course was towards the west, or in the direction of Batavia. Therewas, however, not far off--about twenty miles I understood--a town andfort, garrisoned by French troops, called Cheribon. The scenery wasvery fine, heightened by the luxuriance of tropical vegetation. On ourleft rose a succession of heights, beyond which appeared the summits ofthe ridge of lofty mountains which runs down the centre of the island,dividing it longitudinally into two parts, of which, however, thenorthern is the largest, most fertile, and best known. My Dutch friendwas very communicative respecting the productions of the country, andthe manners and customs of the inhabitants. I noted down, therefore,the information I received from him, which I give in as concise a formas I can.
The climate is certainly hot, as might be expected from being so nearthe equator, but it is much more endurable than I had expected to findit, and on the sides of the mountains it is often quite
cool, so thatthick clothing is necessary. As also the nights are nearly the samelength as the days, there is time for the air to cool while the sun isbelow the horizon. The bad or unhealthy monsoon blows from the west,from the end of November to the beginning of March. This is the rainyseason. After it the easterly winds blow for some time. The breakingup of the monsoon is the most unhealthy season of all. There are nonavigable rivers, but numerous streams descend from the mountains andirrigate the land. One of the chief productions of this country ispepper. It is produced from a plant of the vine kind, _Piper nigrum_,which twines its tendrils round poles or trees, like ivy or hops. Thepepper-corns grow in bunches close to each other. They are first green,but afterwards turn black. When dried they are separated from the dustand partly from the outward membranous coat by means of a kind ofwinnow, and are then laid up in warehouses. The white pepper is thesame production as the black. It undergoes a process to change itscolour, being laid in lime, which takes off the outer black coat andleaves it white.
Rice is also produced in large quantities. It grows chiefly in lowfenny ground. After it has been sown, and has shot up about half a footfrom the ground, it is transplanted by little bundles of one or moreplants in rows; then, by damming up the many rivulets which abound inthis country, the rice is inundated in the rainy season, and kept underwater till the stalks have attained sufficient strength, when the landis drained by opening the dams, and it is soon dried by the great heatof the sun. At the time of the rice harvest the fields have much thesame appearance as our wheat and barley fields, and indeed are uniformlycovered with a still more brilliantly golden hue. The sickle is notused in reaping the rice, but instead of it a small knife, with whichthe stalk is cut about a foot under the ear; this is done one by one,and the ears are then bound in sheaves, the tenth of which is the pay ofthe mower. The _paddee_, which is the name given to the rice while inthe husk, does not grow, like wheat and barley, in compact ears, but,like oats, in loose spikes. It is not threshed to separate it from thehusks, but pounded in large wooden blocks hollowed out, and the more itis pounded the whiter it becomes when boiled. Rice, with fish or alittle meat chopped up, constitute the chief food of the inhabitants.Sugar, coffee, and indigo are also largely produced.
For the purposes of agriculture buffaloes are used instead of horses.They are very large animals, bigger and heavier than our largest oxen,furnished with great ears, and horns which project straight forward andbend inwards. A hole is bored through the cartilage of the nose, andthese huge animals are guided by a cord which is passed through it.They have little eyes, and their colour is generally ashy grey. Theyare so accustomed to be led three times a day into the water to coolthemselves, that they cannot without doing so be brought to work. Thepeople themselves, by-the-bye, are great bathers, both men and women,the children, who seldom wear clothes till they are seven or eight,being constantly in the water. That said custom must be a great savingof expense to the parents of a large family. The people are generallyof a light brown colour, of the middle height, and well proportioned,with a broad forehead and a flattish nose, which has a slight curvedownward at the tip. Their hair is black, and is always kept smooth andshining with cocoa-nut oil. The dress of the women consists of a pieceof cotton cloth wrapped round the body and covering the bosom, underwhich it is secured; it then hangs down to the knees, and sometimes tothe ankles, while the shoulders and part of the back remain uncovered.The hair of their head, which they wear very long, is turned up andtwisted round like a fillet, fastened with long bodkins of differentsorts of wood, tortoiseshell, silver, or gold, according to the rank ofthe lady. It is often adorned with a variety of flowers. The Javaneseare nominally Mohammedans, but in the interior especially a number ofidolatrous practices are still kept up.
Pleasantly conversing we at length reached the residence of Mynheer VanDeck. It was built in the best style of native architecture, that is tosay, on a raised platform of stone or brick; the outer walls were ofbrick, with a verandah of bamboo, all round which the partitions, as wasmost of the furniture, were of bamboo, which had a very cool appearance,and was sufficient for a hot climate. My host was a bachelor, not fromchoice, he assured me, but from necessity, on account of the scarcity ofEuropean ladies in the island.
"Those who are born here are so ill-educated, and so indolent, that aman is better without their society," he remarked.
In spite of this drawback he received me very hospitably and kindly, andthough I was vexed at having again been separated from my ship, Iconfessed to myself that I had very little cause to complain of my lot.I was leaning back on an easy bamboo chair and gazing out through avista of palm-trees on the deep blue sea, when the clatter of horses'feet coming along the road caught our ears. As they drew near the clankof sabres was heard at the same time. The voice of an officer crying"Halt" was next heard, and soon afterwards we saw him approaching thehouse. My host, with a look of considerable annoyance, rose to receivehim. He was a young and pleasant-looking man.
"Ah, Mynheer Van Deck, bon jour," he said. "You have in your house, Iam given to understand, a foreigner, supposed to be an English spy. Iam come to demand him from you."
"I am the person to whom you allude, monsieur," I said, rising from myseat and going forward. "You are, however, wrongly informed. I am anEnglishman, but not a spy. I landed, not knowing that this part of theisland was in possession of the French, and had I not been detained Ishould have returned to my ship."
"I am not here to dispute the point, monsieur," he said, bowingpolitely. "I must perform my duty, and that is to convey you with me toCheribon, where my superior officers will investigate the matter. Youhave supped, I conclude; we will therefore take advantage of the cool ofthe evening, and make good as much of our journey as the waning day willallow us to perform."
My Dutch friend shrugged his shoulders. There was not much time forconsideration. I saw that I had no resource but to obey, though I mustown that I did so with a very bad grace.
James Braithwaite, the Supercargo: The Story of his Adventures Ashore and Afloat Page 14