Richard Galbraith, mariner: or, life among the Kaffirs

Chapter I

A WORD AEOUT MYSELF. In the fishing village of Cornwall where I lived, the inhabitants were wont to predict for me a life of stirring adventure with not much success. At a very early age I had looked to these people for my means of sustenance, and the memories of mv parents inspired them in many kindly acts, which, though poor themselves, they never begrudged. My father had been a fisherman and it was from him that I inherited my passion for the sea. All day long I would ramble among tbe rocks and cliffs that guarded the shore ; never so happy as when roaming on their slippery and dangerous surfaces. If the weather were fine I paddled and bathed in the clear pools often getting within perilous proxi mity to the jaws of death. When it was bois terous, I perched on some crag and, only partly sheltered from the cutting, drifting rain, clung curlew-fashion to its rugged front ; silently, but with infinite enjoyment, watching the mountainous waves break with noisy abandon on the beach.

The sudden squall that capsized my father's smack proved also the death knell of my mother. When some friend told her that my parent and his two companions were drowned she was stupefied by the shock and died within a week. I was two years old when this double bereave ment occurred, and notwithstanding that the few pounds my parents left would have procured me the protection of many an honest, good-hearted fisher wife, I scorned all such control, and resisted every effort to prevent my perambulations among the rocks and pools. At times, I sheltered in Jack Brunscombe's cottage, for whose little blue-eyed daughter I had early shown a marked preference. As I advanced in years I rapidly acquired a store of nautical knowledge, and by assisting the fishermen in their odd jobs I soon became as skill ful and experienced for my age as it was possible to be.

The years passed on and my eighteenth birthday found me still in this hamlet without any settled plans for the future. One night — it was the day that commemorated my birth, — Jack Bruns combe and myself were seated with the family in his snug, cabin-like parlour, when the conversation turned upon a subject that had been for many months the uppermost thought in my mind. " Brunscombe," said I, "you have repeatedly told me that, there is a bit of money I can claim when old enough to know how to use it." "Right Dick, my boy," replied the old man, removing his pipe from one side of his mouth to the other. " It is the sum that the sale of your father's effects realized." "But, Brunscombe," I interrupted, "I do not consider it belongs to me. Have I not lived here ever since ? The money is yours fair enough."

" If you mean as a return for your board and lodgin' you had better take and chuck it in the rocks and pools, for them alone 'as pervided for you." I laughed, and as I persisted, he continued. " No, lad, the money is yours. Never a penny will Jack Brunscombe touch. If when a little 'un you were any expense, you've more than repaid it now you've growed up, for you've been a mighty help to me. But come, let's to the point. What made you put that question about the bit o' money to-night ? You'd some reason - so all fair and above board— fire your broadside. I'm prepared. What is it ? " " Why, Brunscombe, I was thinking," I began, " that if I really had a little money I would like to carry out a plan I have in my head." " And that ? " " Why, to go to Liverpool or London, and enter the merchant service."

"You find that there is no room here for your talents," he suggested, with a wink at Katie. "I certainly think it too circumscribed for a young man beginning life," was my answer. " You, yourself, Brunscombe, have not passed all your ex istence here, though it is your native place as much as mine." i " Quite right, quite ; and joking apart, I think your proposal is the proper thing to do. So you may go into the town to-morrow, draw out the money, and then up to Liverpool. My old woman will write out a list of things necessary for your kit, and you've been your own master long enough to know how to judiciously expend the twenty pounds, for that's about the sum, I should imagine." The following morning I arose unusally early and wondered out to take a final look at all my old surroundings. To each and all I bade a fervent, but silent adieu, and then, though the sun had not risen very much above the horizon, retraced my steps to the cottage.

On nearing our home as I rounded a jutting boulder, I came suddenly upon Katie Brunscombe. She was seated on a large, loose rock, her small hands clasped her knees, and a bright kerchief shielded her shoulders from the cool breeze. Two little feet peered from beneath her coarse serge skirt, and beat gently to the rhythm of the waves. Her eyes were gazing intently on the sea as it sparkled ruddily in the morning sun, and the breeze played with her dainty curls, tossing them auriferous round her neck. The expression of Katie's face, so sadly thoughtful, with teardrops glistening on her lashes, was such a marked con trast to my own feelings that involuntarily I stopped in astonishment. After a few moments contemplation of the charming picture that she made, I slowly advanced and quietly slipping my arm round her waist — for we were as brother and sister — sat down beside her.

She turned her blue eyes with a start upon me, and a rosy colour rushed to her pretty cheeks as she strove to speak. Her attempts were all in vain, and bending her head and trying to free herself from my arms, she burst into a flood of tears. "What is the matter, darling? " I asked, fairly puzzled at her behaviour, stupid dolt that I was. Then as the idea suddenly occurred to me, I added, " Is it, Katie, that you would rather I did not go away ? Ah, is it, darling ? " She was silent; and still kept her face from me ; at last I managed to turn it round. As if a veil had fallen from both my eyes and heart I read her secret, and with that knowledge, I became conscious of my true feelings towards her. My arm still encircled her waist and as we strolled, up and clown, we talked about ourselves and our plans for the future.

How sweet was that communion. The world was before us and we had a store of courage and hope. What resolutions we entered on, and now at this distant date, how precious and sacred they still are. The time sped on and as we talked to each other my joy changed into sorrow. How long the con versation would have continued I cannot guess, but our sweet exchanges were interrupted by old Bruns combe summoning us to breakfast. So back we went to the cottage, lovers and bethrothed ! She to wear around her neck my lucky sixpence and I the possessor of a tress of her golden locks. The end must come, the future must be met and breakfast was hardly fait accompli before my guardian and I sailed round to the point of land nearest the town where he had deposited the money. It was soon withdrawn ; my purchases were made, including a bright ribbon and work-box for Katie, and bidding Brunscombe a warm farewell, I started for Liverpool.

Chapter II. My Adventures Commence

On reaching Liverpool, the delight with which I wandered about the vast docks and quays, can be easily imagined. The splendid ships, giants to those which I had so frequently in my imagination, filled me with astonishment as I gazed at their slender tapering masts and net-work of cordage ; I despaired in my heart of ever being able to dis tinguish one rope from another. It so happened that at the time of my arrival there was a demand for sailors before the mast, and with my knowledge of the sea it was not difficult to procure a berth. Thus on the third day I found myself enrolled as one of the crew of a splendid merchantman— the Columbus 2,500 tons, bound for Jamaica with a full cargo. To emulate Captain Marryat and Balantine in their stories of the sea would be vain indeed for me, so I shall pass over the first few years of my marine experience and come to the time when I shipped on board the Lively Ariel, merchantman, bound for Madras.

OUTWARD BOUND ON THE "LIVELY ARIEL." In the years previous to this nothing of great moment had occurred. Katie was my wife, and with the children always welcomed my return home. On my voyages I had brought home many curios which I had collected in the places I had visited, As this would be the first time I had been in that part of the globe, I was no little delighted at the prospect of change, and promised Katie many Indian rarities, little dreaming what a long, long voyage I was about to take, and how vastly different would be things I really should bring home. A merciful Providence kindly hides the future from us, for the knowledge would make cowards of us all ; so, ignorant of what was to come, I bade her an affectionate farewell, tossed the crowing babies in my arms, and started on the longest voyage I ever made.

It was a light favourable breeze with which we cleared out of the Mersey, and passed through St George's Channel with all sails set, and the ship with the graceful speed of an albatross gliding over the blue waves. With the wind thus in our favour, it was not long before we had lost sight of Cardigan Bay, passed the Scilly Islands, and entered the broad Atlantic ocean. We passed the Cape Verde Islands, which derive their names from being covered with quantities of Adansonia or baobab trees, whose stems are at times 34 feet in circumference, though they rarely exceed 60 feet in height, and had passed some days before the weather at all changed. It was but for a brief space, as we had scarcely crossed the line, before the wind again chopped round to north, and so continued till we reached the Cape of Good Hope.

Here we put in to water as our supplies were running short, and afterwards proceeded on our course, taking as it seemed the wind with us, for it speedily veered due south. One night during the middle watch, which was mine, I was reflecting upon the wondrous beauties of nature, and thinking of Katie and the little ones at home, when my reverie, which had been running as smoothly as the ship glided over the billows, was broken by the voice of Tom Grimes, the boatswain. " Well, Dick Galbraith, this here's stunning weather, ain't it. My stars — I mean them at home and not those there big moons up yonder with which I've nothing to do — but in all my viages, I've never made such a run as this." "No, indeed," I rejoined; " it seems almost too good to last." "Ah, that's it, my boy — that's it," answered the old boatswain.

" That's it ; we ain't in sight of Madras yet." The stress on the last word made me say, " Do you expect any change, Grimes ? Is bad weather brewing? " "Rather," he replied; "and when you have been a sailor as long as I have, and with as gray hair, you'll think so too. Haven't you noticed that the wind has slightly veered ? " " No," I said, instinctively putting his words to the test by wetting the palm of my hand and holding it up to the soft night breeze. " Yes, Grimes, you are right," I continued. " It's S.S.W,, and was due S. but an half-an-hour ago." " Yes, it's been varying from S. to S.W. and S S.E. for the last hour, and may chop round to E. or N.Eand send a perfect hurricane in our teeth, It's my opinion that that is what is just will do." " Why ? " I asked, for old Tom Grimes was an oracle with the crew.

"Why?" my lad, why? Because — there just Notice the vibration of the ship as she bounds over the waves— don't you notice a kind of imper ceptible stress in the movement, and a slight recoil ? " " Well, I certainly do ; yet it is so slight." c " Ah ! A hurricane can come from a cloud only the size of a man's hand, and that vibration shows a cross-sea running. Mark my words, Galbraith, we shan't go many days, if one, befoie there is an unpleasant change of weather." " Well, never mind, if ive can only weather it." I laughed ; just then, the watch being changed, I went below and turned into my hammock, where, falling asleep, I forgot all about old Grimes' pro phecies. The next morning's dawn, however, proved them only to be too true. The blue sky was overcast with large ominous-lookingclouds, while the wind had already veered round to E. The ship was close hauled for hard weather ; and just an hour after sunset, when about lat. 33 deg. 29 min.

S., long. 42 cleg. 12 min. E., the gale struck us dead in our teeth. The heavens had suddenly become of an inky blackness. The heavy sea soon damped the decks which had been dry for several weeks, and the wind so increased that it was with dif ficulty we held our course. As the violence of the storm increased the waves grew larger and larger, each time inflicting more damage than before. A teach succeeding wave the ship perceptibly quivered. The sails started their bolt ropes, and werelost in thedarkness to leeward The strips of the torn fore to'gallant sail cracked like huge whips in the blast. The vessel laboured deeper and deeper in the trough of the sea. Each man that night had his full share of duty ; and I noticed the captain anxiously glancing at the rigging. All at once he gave his speaking trumpet to the mate and went below to his cabin.

He returned in a few moments, but his face had assumed a serious aspect. " Sanders, I fear we are in a bad way." " Where abouts are we, sir ? " questioned the mate. " Heaven only knows. We've been drifting so much that I fancy we are near the African coast — near I fear." " I reckon," said the mate, " that we are not far from the Mozambique." "Perhaps. Would to Heaven I could catch a glimpse of the Southern Cross. We might then have a chance of making Natal or Delagoa Bay." He turned his eyes up at the impenetrable black ness. The situation seemed hopeless. There was not a sign of the storm breaking. Hardly had I noted this when a shout of terror escaped from the lips of the whole crew. An un usually ferocious blast of wind, accompanied by a rapid series of mountainous waves, had carried away at one sweep the jib-boom, foretop-mast, gallant-mast, and royal-mast, leaving them still clinging to the ship by the stays.

Their heavy weight impeded her progress and caused the ship to list in an exceedingly dangerous fashion. At one moment she was almost capsizing when with a bound she righted herself again. The wreckage had been cut a drift, but at the price of two lives. Every man was doubly precious in this hour of peril, and the loss of two from a sudden lurch when clearing away the masts left us straitened. Our peril was not yet at its worst : for hardly had a short calm followed this last damage than the carpenter announced that the ship had sprunoa leak. The water was even then rising in the hold. "All hands to the pumps," ordered the captain, and the men wearied beyond apparent endurance before, were animated with fresh strength at this danger and worked like giants. Their labour was of little avail.

Despite the most heroic efforts the inrush of the water in no wise abated. First it was a gain of a few inches ; then the lead showed a depth of a foot. It only seemed a second and that was doubled. The doom of the ship was sealed ; with the strength of fifty giants, the work at the pumps would be useless. She was sinking, sinking rapidly into the midst of that black, boiling, awful sea If all men's hearts grew faint at the news, was it a matter of wonder ? Even the captain's cheek was pale as he gave the order to lower the boats, a command speedily obeyed, but which only dis closed fresh disaters. It was found that the star board lifeboat had gone. The starboard cutter remained, aad with great difficulty it was lowered, to leeward, when it was soon filled by some of the crew. I stood by the captain, determined not to desert him.

Cutting away the ropes, we watched the cutter take its course. It was a short one, suddenly a white-crested wave caught it and it ; the boat instantly filled and foundered — a terrific cry burst ing from its wretched freight, echoed by all on the doomed ship. We were powerless to aid the struggling mass of human beings. The captain gave one lingering look, and uttered a short prayer for them and for us. Their desperate strug gles were soon terminated. Turning round with tears in his eyes he wrung my hand and said : " Galbraith, my man, our time will come next — our hour is at hand. Orders now have become useless. We must part. The ship's fate is sealed, and so, I believe, is ours. God help us ! Let each look for what safety he can. Goodbye— farewell — my men ! God have mercy upon us ! Should any chance to survive this terrible night, let him take the last farewells of those less fortunate to the dear ones left at home."

A sad cheer rose from the poor fellows' throats, and solemnly the captain, raising his eyes to heaven, uttered a brief appeal to God for himself and his crew — an appeal fervently repeated by each man. Then one and all sought some spar or other to which to attach himself, and thus await death ; for there was but little chance that any there would survive to take home those solemn farewells. One by one I saw my companions borne over board by the giant waves till I grew sick at the thought that my turn would be the next. But not yet — the brave captain went first. Then, suddenly, death seemed to seize me — the sea was all about me — its horrible rushing was in my ears, and I felt sinking — sinking to the bottom of the ocean. I believed for the moment I lost conscious ness ; but when I came to, I was again on the surface of the waters, rising like a cork upon the waves.

CAST ASHORE ON THE AFRICAN COAST. Thus I floated here and there for many hours, it seemed to me — though it could not have been one. Alone on the ocean — alone, for all I knew ; as far as I could see, from the summit of some great billow, not a vestige of the fine ship, or her crew, was in sight. Abruptly, almost as suddenly as it had risen, the hurricane ceased. As it did so, I became aware of the sound, so well known to sailors, of breakers in the direction to which I was driving head first. In vain I strove to turn, to ascertain whether the rocks to which I was evidently hastening were below the surface. If the former, with such a surf running, I must assuredly be dashed to pieces. All around was a vast expanse of boiling foam, in which I was ceaselessly buffeted. I was wondering how long my agony would be continued, when a wave tossed me among a mass of sharp pointed rocks.

Existence here would have been of short duration had not another billow, more kind than the first, raised me in its arms and thrown me over the reef into comparatively calm water. A few seconds after, I fancied my feet touched land. I waited anxiously for the next wave. Yes — land it was, and oh, thank Heaven ! the tide was run ning in. Putting out one of my arms, I strove to aid my progress. As if wearied of its terrible play, the ocean, rolling over and over, deposited me on a sandy beach. Fearful that it might repent of its kindness, and drag me back again, I managed to free myself entirely from the spar. Then, faint and staggering — for, besides my exertions, the jagged rocks had bruised me, I crawled far up the beach, till my hand touched some plant that I knew by its fresh dryness had not been covered by the sea.

Thus I felt assured that I was safe. I sank down insensible ; ignorant, and indifferent as to portion of the African coast on which I had been thrown.

Chapter III. Companions In Trouble

— A SURPRISE. It was, as far as I could calculate, some three hours after sunrise, before I returned to consciousness, to find myself weak and in some little pain from the bruises occasioned by the reef, among whose jagged points the sea had so unmercifully tossed me. My first glance rested on my clothes, only a pair of duck trousers and a red shirt, which to my no little vexation, 1 found had suffered but slightly better than their master, for they were rent and torn in various places. Very curious and very anxious I partially rose up and endeavoured to take my bearings. The sea, in wonderful contrast to the condition in which I had last seen it, now lay some distance from me glistening beneath the tropical sun. Its emerald green surface was scarcely disturbed by the little wavelets as they lapped the beach.

Their placid murmuring was as deceitful as the purring of a tiger. The broad expanse of sea told me nothing about the locality. I was perfectly ignorant of tropical scenery, and as my eyes feasted on it I was filled with wonder and admiration. In the distance was a stretch of land covered by a forest of noble trees ; I was perfectly unacquainted with one specie of which, there were many specimens. Beyond were gently undulating hills, clothed with a strange and splendid vegetation, that stretched to the water's edge, concealing in places the rugged treachery of the rocks. Never had I seen a more beautiful landscape, nor one so eloquent of repose — though one in my position would have preferred signs of humanity. From its appearance, I might have imagined it some terrestrial paradise untrodden yet by the foot of man.

I could not contemplate this Southern Eden for long however, as nature began to assert itself, and I became aware that I was exceedingly hungry. I staggered to my feet and determined to cautiously search for something to eat, and also to inspect the country. First, however, feeling the awfulness of the death of my companions, I knelt down and thanked God for preserving me. I humbly besought Him in His mercy yet to con tinue with me in my trouble. Trouble truly, for I had frequently heard that these quiet, beautiful spots of nature, especially in this part of the world, not unfrequently sheltered all manner of wild ani mals, and tribes of men but little less savage in their dispositions. Therefore I regarded the cool shade of the forest trees with distrust, knowing that even from the luxuriant bushes of the flowering mimosa, at that moment some fierce inhabitant of the forest migth be waiting to seize its prey.

On this account and being quite defenceless I considered it wise to merely skirt the forest, though a tropical sun was pouring its intense rays on my head. While searching for something to stay the pangs of hunger I fortunately lighted upon a banana tree, the fruit of which I immediately re cognised. The fruit of this tree, now so generally known, is usually from four to five inches long shaped something like a cucumber, and grows in great bunches that weigh twelve pounds and up wards. Here, however, I was perfectly aston ished at their immense size, doubling, if not treb ling, those in other parts of the world. With the aid of a sticc and a little climbing I managed to procure sufficient to satisfy my hunger. My wants respecting breakfast being appeased, I determined to make for a ridge of rocks which, jutting into the sea, formed a small promontory.

The place where I had been beached was the shore of a small secluded bay, which easily accounted for the calmness of the water when I had passed the reef. I hoped there to find shelter from the broiling sun, which was beginning most unpleasantly to blister my skin where it showed through my tatterd clothes ; the banana leaf which I had gathered admirably protected my head. I had secured it by means of a piece of the stem of a parasitical plant which I found growing nearly everywhere on the forest trees. The name of this creeper I learned later to be Cynanchum cbtuoi folium, and very beautiful it is. The Dutch settlers, however, call it Bavian-tow, or baboon ropes, because by their aid, baboons and monkeys climb the trees to gather fruit. The Kaffirs also use these ropes to lash together the thatch of their huts.

It may seem strange that if the creepers are strong enough to support baboons, and serve as cordage, that I should be able to break them asunder. In explanation, I may say that firstly the commencement of the filaments are scarcely stronger than pack-thread, but grow thicker and thicker, till about the size of a man's arm. Secondly, by a happy chance, the large clasp-knife — the sailor's constant companion and friend — which I always carried in my pocket, yet remained to me, despite the buffeting I had received. While talking of plants, I will here mention one that particularly attracted my attention, and whose unpleasant nature I was not yet to discover. It grew along the ground or hung in festoons from bush to bush, and at the time I saw it, was one mass of splendid purple bloom ; but what mostly drew my notice, was that all along its branches there were strong sharp thorns, like hooks, arranged in pairs, looking just as if they were traps placed by some hunting lion, to catch his victim and hold it till his majesty chose to dine.

Fortunately for me, in spite of its beautiful blossoms, I was too anxious respecting by position to inspect it more closely, but hurried on eagerly. My intention was to get to the, rocks where I resolved to remain if I could possibly do so, in order to be ever on the watch and near at hand should any ship pass within sight of the shore. On reaching the base, I began cautiously to climb to the summit— no difficult task, as the face was extremely rugged, being composed of masses of rock, forming ledges and huge gaping crevices, covered with lichen, mimosas and hard-spined cacti. At the first outset, however, I was much startled by a sudden rushing among the bushes, as of some animal close by. Not knowing what it might be, I quickly drew back, but my fright speedily sub sided, when I saw a little creature closely resembling a rabbit, dash across my path evidently as much afraid of me as I had been of him.

Continuing my way, I mentally resolved that if by dinner time I came across another such a little gentleman, I would try to catch it for that repast. I had nearly reached the top of the promontory when my terror was again renewed. I fancied I heared the murmur of voices above, coming in my direction. Instantly I crouched down among the bushes and scarcely dared to breath. There were people here then, but the question was, who were they ? From the appearance of the land I felt certain there could be no English settlers hereabouts— therefore it was evident that the in habitants must belong to the savage tribes. The unpleasant doubts that arose in my mind as to their attitude towards the white man did not tend to allay my fears. I therefore resolved to avoid being seen, at any rate till I had made further inspections.

I had no desire to serve for the dinner of a hungry Kaffir family, or even, if not cannibals, to be tortured for their amusement. Hidden from view I listened anxiously. All was silent ; and I seemed to catch the voices of people whispering in very low tones. Had they discovered my prox imity, and were also watching preparatory to making a seizure ? I knew that, bold as the Kaffirs are in a body, in a single attack they are cunning and fond of strategy. Therefore if I had been perceived, they might be at that very moment stealthily encircling the bushes where I lay. At this thought I crouched still lower, and cannot divine how long a time I remained there, my danger and the suspense making it appear far longer than it really was. After a time the very silence made me nervous, and I determined, though totally unarmed, to recon noitre the top of the promontory.