The Manatitlans; or, a Record of scientific explorations in the Andean la Plata, etc

Introduction

. BY THE HISTORIOGRAPHER In the folloAving record of the explorations of the Teutonic corps of the R. H. B. Society of Berlin, dispatched for the classification of parasitical animal culæ peculiar to the vegetable productions of the tropics, I shall confine myself exclusively to the revelations of the day until the culmination of the corps discoveries, and then to Manatitlan dictation, either direct or through the medium of thought dictation. The discoveries, as verified, will undoubtedly tax " public credulity " to its utmost stretch; but as the absorptive poAver of human instinct for the marvel ous is unlimited in its superstitious gullibility, it will peradventure receive — with perhaps an awkAvard spasm from the novelty of goodness — the practical experience adduced as worthy of disputatious consideration.

Still we feel assured that there is a reasonable minority who will adopt the practical suggestions with joyful avidity. The facts related — although at present stranger than the instinctive fic tions projected from the unreason of the stomach's rule — will pro've, to the affectionately disposed, of easy reconciliation with healthy digestion, and in VI PREFATORY

INTRODUCTION.

. every respect worthy of universal adoption by our race. Assuming the privilege of narrative relation in recording the progressive events, I shall only ad vert to the leading adventures of the scientific corps Avhile en route toAvard their ultimate field of exploita tion. But while in progress shall endeavor to render the characteristic peculiarities of the members suffi ciently conspicuous for the clear exposition of their national traits, that the reader may realize the obsta cles opposed, in degree, to their assimilation Avith the practical teachings of the Manatitlans demonstrated by Heraclean example. Lucenhouck, in prophetic forecast, says, " Man, in the arrogance of his pride, believes that he is of a race separate and distinct from the lower orders of the animal creation. Assuming attributes of deity he has constituted himself arbitrator of his own destiny.

Yet, with all his affectation of superiority, there is an approximation in his form and physical conformation that distinctly declares his relationship to the simia species ; among Avhich there is as great a variety in form ancl racial intelligence as Avith those of the genus to which he stands confessed. With the full development of microscopical power, future generations will learn that the wonders of Creation are beyond present conception, and that well defined organic humanity may yet be revealed on the utmost verge of atomic divisibility.'" BOOK FIRST.

Chapter I

In the month of January, 187-, M. Hollydorf was selected to conduct an exploring corps of the R. H. B. Society to the head waters of the Paraguay and its tributaries, for the purpose of observing the habits and classifying the different species of animalcular life native to the trees and plants appertaining to those regions. The Royal Society had supplied him with able assistants, and the most complete set of instruments ever constructed for botanical or other research in the fields of natural science. Among the instru ments of recent invention, was one of Lutsenwitz's solar reflecting microscopes, especially designed for field explorations. This was of the highest concentrated power yet attempted by that artist, — the inten sity of its magnifying capacity being capable of showing the facial contortions of the most minute animal culæ.

Attached to the focal platform was one of Phlegmonhau's highest grade of responsive tympa nums, with reflecting auricle for magnifying the articulation of sound. The corps arrived at Montevideo on the first day of April, and was fortunate in finding a small trading steamer, under neutral colors, ready Avith quick despatch for a barter voyage up the Paraguay and its tributaries, without a specified port of final destination, The captain was sole owner, and proved to be a man of rare intelligence, which had been cultivated by travel and study. To his love of adventure Avas added a strong amateur predisposition for the pursuits of natural history. These qualifications led to a speedy agreement, with conditional arrangements for a charter of the steamer open to variations suited to the requirements of the corps.

On the 15th of April the members of the corps, instruments, camp utensils, and travelling gear, were safely stowed on board the little steamer Tortuga, — a name that implied slow progress, which to our satis faction her speed decried. At eleven A. M., having bid fareAvell to our newly acquired friends, we left the anchorage Avith their " Good speed," and after thread ing her way among the vessels in the roadstead the little steamer puffed her way up the broad expanse of the La Plata estuary. The balance of the day Avas occupied in arranging instruments for river observations, the Avhile listening to praises lavished by the captain upon the " worthy " qualities of his little pro peller, of which he Avas the architect and builder. During the evening he regaled us with incidents of his life in California and the East Indies.

His adventures in California received occasional illustrations from a genial individual introduced as Padre Simon, the prefix having been conferred — as Ave afterAvards learned — from his zealous support of the Catholic dogmas, theoretically. As the padre Avas eventually enlisted in our corps, we will foreshadow some of his peculiar characteristics. In form he Avas of medium height, Avith a rotund outline visibly inclining to jovial obesity ; his face Avas indyed Avith a complexion blend ing with the Roman auburn of his hair, which gave a warm gloAV to his expression when lighted Avith a smile. In the first generation of descent from Irish parentage, he retained the full impression of inconsistency in the practical adaptation of his habits to the faithful index of goodness ingrafted from the ma ternal stock.

Guileless in thought, when free from temptation, he possessed a ready facility of excusing his habits of excess with the plea of saving grace ad ministered under the seal of confession. With this hint, in forecast of development, we Avill proceed in the relation of events transpiring during the river voyage. On the morning of the 21st of May, after having been subjected to our full share of vexatious delays, incident to the provincial poco pocoism of the gnarda and custom-house officials, the steamer gained the river post of Santa Anna on the Pilcomayo^ two miles above its mouth. At Santa Anna they found the well-known American naturalist, Diego Doav, waiting for an opportunity to obtain sufficient aid to attempt the exploration of the Pilcomayo as far as the reputed settlement of Tenedos, which rumor located on a con fluent stream rising and flowing eastward through the valleys of the Andean spur that reached into central La Plata.

The ultra-savage disposition of the wandering tribes on the banks of these rivers, having defeated every previous attempt made to establish trading posts, but few had been found Avilling to incur the hazard proposed by Mr. Doav. Even the indomitable Jesuits had been foiled in all their endeavors to con ciliate the Indians in degree sufficient for the estab lishment of missions preliminary to their subjugation. The magnet of Mr. Dow's desire had been drawn thitherward by the reputed existence of a Availed city inhabited by a white race of great beauty. He con sidered the report sufficiently Avell authenticated to warrant the adventure of his life for its discovery and relief from the constant siege to Avhich it had been subjected by the savage tribes from time beyond date. His chief authority, Avhich had incited him to engage in the emprise, was his Auraucanian servant, who had, in his wanderings and progress nortliAvard, served in an Indian marauding expedition, which invaded the valley of the city for the purpose of lifting the cattle of the inhabitants, who were in seasons of drought obliged to protect them while feeding beyond the walls.

As Indian forays Avere expected, the herds were well guarded by shepherd escorts, whose persons Avere safely protected with defensive armor, so that with the exception of the face the other parts of the body were proof to the poisoned arrows. In addition they were armed with a bow which in their practiced hands sent the arrow sure to its mark far beyond the range of their savage foes' Aveapons, so that in the open val ley they Avere safe. Besides, their tactics embraced so many precautionary variations that the Indians were almost invariably decoyed and blinded from real intention. These feints caused the savages to become over wary, never venturing an attack unless with the advantage of overwhelming numbers. The party with Avhich AabraAva, Mr. Dow's servant, Avas engaged, met with a severe repulse that indisposed them to re neAV the attempt, notwithstanding an opportunity was offered on the succeeding day.

So well managed were the citizens' plans of protection that they rarely lost either men or cattle, and without being aggressive frequently administered well merited punishment upon their foes, who were inspired Avith wholesome fear from a superiority so manifest in deadly effect. Unable to cope Avith their Avhite antagonists in the open field, they, Avith constant Avariness peculiar to the savage, neglected no opportunity to harass, hoping at some time with constant worrying to catch them off their guard. The cause of this implacable hatred was hereditary, reaching, as Aabrawa learned, far back to a time when the forefathers of the citizens abused their supremacy by enslaving their Indian benefactors. The Indians having surprised and overcome their oppressors, a remnant of the whites obtained refuge in the present city, which had since been kept under constant espial.

As the city was overlooked from an adjacent height, but little passed in the streets un known to the besiegers, who were quick to discover any relaxation of vigilance ; and whenever from pes tilence or other cause it did occur, couriers were dispatched to summon aid from distant tribes. Curiosity and love of exciting adventure had en listed the members of the corps in favor of aiding Mr. Dow's projected enterprise, and through their continued solicitation. M. Hollydorf consented to waive the strict interpretation of his commission, des ignating a particular field of operation, by using his discretionary power in favor of the proposed scheme for raising the siege of the beleaguered city. Captain Greenwood without hesitation tendered the aid of his steamer, and being one of those peculiar persons who are accustomed to take the head of time by the fore lock, he immediately commenced the precautionary labors to protect his vessel from the wily tricks of surprise practiced by the savages.

The commandante of Santa Anna, being well acquainted with the methods of attack that led to the defeat of the various expedi tions directed against the Chacas, proved of great use in suggesting precautions. The chief dread arose from the poisoned arrows of the savages, Avhich in flicted incurable wounds, adding to death the horrors of lingering putrefaction.. The fears anticipated from this source were relieved by the confidence inspired through the energetic character of the captain, whose experience with the superior cunning of the North American Indians prepared him to cope with the loAver instincts of their southern congeners. On the morning of the 23d of May the Tortuga's bow was turned against the swift middle current of the Pilcomayo's bayou expanse, then at its height from the copious contributions of the rainy season in the highlands and mountain sources of its tributaries.

Night still found us in the broad sea of waters, baffled in search of the interior mouth which was made more difficult from the confluent branches uniting Avith it near its Paraguayan embouchure. The commandante, anticipating the difficulty likely to be encountered, had been particular in giving directions ; but although strictly followed, from a calculation of the steamer's speed, twice the distance had been run Avithout discovering the described landmarks. Uncertainty Avas rendered still more uncomfortable by the shallowing of the water, showing plainly that we were inland from the river's channel. At midnight, while an chored, a hurricane, heralded by a thunder-storm, made the waters seethe with its force, causing our little craft to careen and bob Avith a politeness to the gusts that impaired our confidence in its self reliance.

Padre Simon declared that the lightning set his teeth on edge, prompting him from its dazzling flashes to pray, but that the thunder so startled and confused him that he was unable to think, and as a dernier ressort was obliged to drink. This remedy finally rendered him proof to the best efforts jof Jupiter Tonans ; but on waking in the morning he com plained that he could still hear the roll of the thun der in his head. On the morning of the 24th the sun rose bright and clear in a cloudless sky, compensating Avith its splen dor the discomforts of the night ; its reflected light glancing upon the Avaters discovered far to the south a broad ripple, indicating the sought-for channel. The river's stream was soon gained, and folloAved in a south westerly course until the river's limits Avere defined by partially submerged trees growing upon its banks.

Having at Santa Anna filled every available portion of the vessel Avith fuel, sufficient for a run of four days, the boat was enabled to keep on her course under a full head of steam, Avithout anxiety from the dull prospect offered for replenishing. May 25th, at sunrise, after a good night's run, we discovered a headland above the surface of the Avater covered with fire-scathed trees, from which the captain, for a surety, concluded to add to his diminished supply of fuel. The labor of taking in wood from this source was by no means pleasant, but the sailors with good-will made the "virtue of necessity "cheerful Avith songs and jokes, the " passengers," suitably clothed, contributing with the zest of energy their labor for its stowage, so that by eight o'clock we were again under way. With the exception of this wooded bluff nothing but sky, water, and foliage had met our eyes since leaving Santa Anna, the monotonous compound making us well content with cabin associations.

On the 28th at sunrise, our ears Avere gladdened Avith the cry of " Land ho !" Rushing on deck, Aviththe expectation of a greeting from well defined banks, we were disappointed, as the contrasted elements of the previous day still prevailed. Seeing that we were a little inclined to be vexed, at what Ave considered to be an ill-timed joke, the man at the wheel, an old river navigator, pointed to a mud bank that closed our view with the bend of the river, at the same time directing our attention to the eddy cast from it far out toward a line of trees on the opposite shore. From these indications he assured us that in a half hour's time Ave should hear the songs of birds to make us lively. Doubling the muddy cape we were greeted Avith the screams of parrots, while other birds of gay plumage were crossing and recrossing the river singly and in flocks, causing, in apparent salutation, a lively line of demarcation between the land enclosed current and the smooth Avaters of the flood below.

The Avel come sight raised our spirits into a sympathetic mood of song, Avhich was unfortunately too nearly allied to the screaming discord of the parrots to evoke other than a mirthful disposition for repartee which ex pended itself in humorous comparisons, favoring the advent of genial omens. Mr. Welson, a prominent official of the Panama Railroad Company, had accepted the freedom proffered by the steamship lines plying between the mari time cities of the eastern coast of South America, for his recuperative vacation of three months, and on his arrival in Montevideo had been induced by Captain Greemvood to extend his voyage up the river. A Scotsman by birth, he possessed in an eminent degree the predilection of his people for dry, caustic humor ; and in his position of commercial agent had cultivated the art of extracting fun from the vagaries of migrating humanity in their transit across the isth mus.

Scientific whimsies Avere especially adapted to his quizzical vein, and a happier combination of mate rial could scarcely have been conjured for his entertainment, than he found on board of the Tortuga. Padre Simon was his especial favorite as a stimulat ing provocative. Won by his naive simplicity, he had soon interested himself to learn the object of his river voyage, with the intention of rendering him as sistance. Greatly to his surprise the padre informed him that he had no other expectations in visiting Entre Rios than the chance one " of hitting an op portunity to make a strike." Amused Avith his ver nacular, and the easy carelessness of his manner, which seemed to defy disappointment, he was delighted to discover his groAving fondness for polemical disputa tions, Avhich Avas gratified by a kindred disposition cultivated by Dr. Baahar, the naturalist of the corps.

On the steamer's arrival at Entre Rios, the port of his destination, the padre's thoughts were absorbed in the dogmatic discussion of the soul's material identity with the body after the resurrection, so that he gave no heed to the frequent repetition of the name of the town. Aware of his total abstraction from all thoughts and anxieties connected Avith the business responsibilities of life, necessary for material suste nance, Mr. Welson connived with the doctor to hold him in argument until after the steamer's departure, well assured that no material harm could arise from the derangement of plans so lightly impressed as to give place to chimerical argument. For a characteristic illustration of the disputants' peculiarities we will give the burden of their colloquial subjects of ex position.

Padre. " My conscience' sake alive, man ! Why, you might as well set us down as beasts at once, as to argue that in resurrection we shall assume the form of animals whose habits we most affect in life ! Surely your naturalistic learning has run mad Avith your orthodox catholic ideas, for, upon my soul, they are rank with transmigration, and if confessed, you would be denied absolution by every ecclesiastic in the Christian world. Look you ! the very fact, if admitted, would controvert all that we hold sacred. Why, man, it would render absurd our reliquary faith in the efficacy of sainted bones and vestments for healing the sick and lame, for the marrow-bones of swine and the hair of dogs would hardly serve to enlist belief in the Christian doctrine of divine tran substantiation ? " Br. B. " As we claim that reason has been bestowed as an endowment to distinguish us in reality from the brute creation, its possession presupposes preordination of intention in decree for its use.

Now, if you will devote your share of this human endowment to the demonstration I am about to give of cause and effect, you will not fail to perceive the distinctions upon which our faith is founded. Humanity possesses om nivorously, in its varieties of genera and species, all the habits of the lower orders of the animal creation in their separate representation ! But superadded to this resemblance in the community of instinct, man has a l* discretionary power inherent with his endowment of reason, which enables him to profit by experience in shaping his course for the avoidance of consequent evils which follow from the transgression of natural laws. This power presupposes accountability that di rects itself to Creative Cause. Upon this innate feeling of responsibility, impressed by repentance from transgressions, and joys imparted from adherence to the monitor indications of our superiority, man has founded his religious distinctions of vice and virtue.

In furtherance of this natural division man has volun teered to represent vice, and woman, unprejudiced by his influence, would have naturally assumed the role of virtue in truthful vindication of her vocation as the mother of our race. Now, as you well know, it is impossible to harmonize vice and virtue, even Avith the instinctive coalescence of the sexes ? Hence, as you must acknowledge, there will be a constant struggle for ascendency. Man as the stronger of the two, in representative selfish determination, and the moral force of muscular strength, is as full of devices for the beguilement of woman from her sacred trust as the variations of his ability admit." Padre. " Yes, all that may be true ; but you don't talk at all like yourself, and I can 't see what you have said has to do Avith revealed religion." _ Br.

B. " Why, its connection is self suggestive ; virtue and vice in sexual array, for the supremacy of example, naturally oppose to each other their attractions and temptations. Fortunately, the harmonizing beauty of Avonian, with loving affection, impressed on the rude selfishness of man the preferred happiness of a home subject to graceful refinements, and with her sex in the majority held his passions and appetites of instinct in abeyance. To overcome this tacit rule man devised a series of temptations to hold her in subjugation to his control. These Avere addressed to her vanity and envy, incited by the jealous instigations of man's preferment on the score of beauty. This led to artificial adornment, which placed the means of temptation in the hands of man. Then, as a plea for the encouragement of virtue, religious revelations were instituted under the conjurations of mystery to control, with fear, superstitious simplicity."

Padre. " Perhaps I don't quite understand you, for I can scarcely account for my own thoughts as they seem to be so mixed with new impressions ; but if I understand what yon express in words, I will answer for myself that the revealed Avay of salvation is to use all the blessings of life Avith moderation." Mr. Welson. (Amused.) " With the doctor's permission, you will perhaps appreciate an illustration that occurs to me ? Woman's naturally unselfish affection, unbiased by the temptations of vanity and envious curiosity, exerts with gentle forbearance a restraint upon the more brutal appetites of man, softening asperities provoked by over indulgence. Theodosius, the emperor champion of Christianity, opened a way for the incursions of northern barbarians by patronizing the intolerant sway it usurped over the more primitive and lenient rites of paganism, as it weakened, by the introduction of effeminate luxuries which allied the sexes for degeneration."

Padre. " I have never been much of a bookworm, but it appears to me if man, as Dr. Baahar says, represents vice and woman virtue, your college learning directly tends to the cultivation of a vicious course by keeping before the people the barbarous acts of the ancients derived from their own language, which gives the scholar a directing power, from a studied understanding of the corruptions practiced in past ages. So you see, it 's far better for woman, and the world at large, that she 's denied the means of classical study ; for from your oavh admissions, her curi osity and envious vanity rages so greatly at the present day she 'd be more likely to play the part of a Cleopatra than a Zenobia. As the world runs, I think the less we know of the past the better it will be for our salvation."

Mr. W. " But you forget church history, padre, from the record of which you derive your knoAvledge of the fathers ? " Padre. " Well, but that is different from profane, for it teaches us the way of salvation by saving grace." Mr. W. " Yes, through the tender mercies of the Inquisition." Mr. Bow. " As a listener I must acknowledge that you have each Avith good arguments strangely con founded your former selves." The above colloquial rejoinders Avill serve as an illustration of the attraction that beguiled the padre's attention until the second day after he had passed his port of destination. Then inquiring of the captain the distance that still " intervened," the supposed number of miles being given, he relapsed into his usual rou tine without suspecting that it was calculated from the stern instead of the bow.

When informed at the port of Rosas that the town of " Three Rivers " had been passed some days previous, he exclaimed, " My goodness gracious, there Avas where I wished to stop ; my conscience' sake alive, what shall I do ? " The captain, to whom he appealed, ansAvered by asking, " What did you intend to do at Entre Rios, padre ? " Padre. " A brokerage business of some sort, real estate or sugar, Avhichever offered the best opening." Captain. " But, padre, you cannot speak the language, which would render your expectations abor tive, for a bargain is never closed in these countries without a great deal of word chaffering. A clear un derstanding of the language is absolutely necessary, for the inhabitants of the river towns are very apt to '* fly " from a bad bargain when they find themselves caught and lightly held, so that the only safe way to secure them is to clip their wings and hood-wink them in black and white.

But I can send you back Avithout cost Avhen we meet the next downward bound steamer ; then you will have the advice and assist ance of Mr. Welson, who perfectly understands the habits and customs of the people." Padre. " Well, I declare to gracious, I hardly know what to do?" Captain. " Would you like emploA'ment on board ? I think that there is a berth that would suit you ! Be sides it Avill afford you an opportunity to convince Dr. Baahar of his errors ; at the same time you can per fect yourself in speaking Spanish." Notwithstanding the captain's quizzical looks and speech the padre thankfully accepted the proffered position of second officer, with the expressed hope that he might perform its duties in an acceptable manner. Captain Greenwood, although somewhat crispy in speech and austere in address, had a strong undertow of humorous appreciation when the shafts of irony were not directed against himself.

His disinterested disposition, prompted by the padre's kindly vis inertiæ, had suggested the offer ; nevertheless he really desired a person capable of superintending small matters that would relieve him from a responsibility not greatly to his relish. The duties imposed by the captain were as follows : " You must be the first up in the morning and the last in bed at night. While on duty, see that everything in the Avay of labor is well done, and never interfere with advice when a helping hand is required. Lastly, never re port to me necessary changes until after they have been made." Padre. " But, captain, if I am never to speak how am I to improve or correct to suit you? " Captain. " With the moral influence of your head and hands, when you see anvthing necessary to be done ! " This settled the question of the padre's new vocation, and he was forthwith introduced to the crew, avIio greeted his installation Avith marked approbation.

At night, when he became genial in confessional overflow and dogmatic in argument, he was the source of hu morous repartee and good-Avill among the passengers on the quarter-deck. His American birth having toned down the quarrelsome disposition legitimate as an inheritance to the native-born Irishman, when under the influence of whiskey, he indulged in quaint disputations, peculiar to his Yankee ingraft, in free dom from ill humor. With this insight descriptive of mood foreign to the members of the corps, we will now resume our narra tion of events transpiring in the daily progress of the steamer's river voyage. May 28. — The banks of the river are noAV clearly defined, but the Avater still submerges the undergrowth that margins its lower stages in the season of drought ; the more matured growths are already peopled with the smaller species of birds delighting in the bushy retreats overhanging the waters.

Our naturalists' eyes are now greedily engaged in busy search for new specimens of the feathered species. May 29. — This morning we reached a sand-spit formed by a confluent stream, upon which the reced ing waters had left a Avood-drift well suited for the steamer's use, having been forced by the jam of flood tide high out of the current. The eddies and back water of the Pilcomayo's stronger flow had carried the raft and lodged it high up above the mouth of the lesser stream, leaving an extension interstayed by the roots that reached into deep water ; alongside of the raft, in the smaller stream, the steamer moored. The axes of the firemen and sailors Avere soon busy, Avaken ing for the first time the forest echoes to the chucking sound of their strokes. The more active members of the corps volunteered their services in aid for speedy replenishment, deriving in recompense the invigorat ing novelty of exercise.

While actively engaged Avith ready hands and merry voices they were suddenly startled with the scream of the steamer's whistle, simultaneously accompanied Avith a flight of arroAvs from the ambush of the forest screen above the raft. Fortunately distance and trepidation from the un earthly screech of the whistle rendered their aim harmless ; the check it afforded enabled the wood cutters to scramble up the sides of the steamer before the savages recovered from their surprise. When they realized that the shriek Avas harmless in effect, the Indians rushed forth from their concealment to secure the axes Avhich had been abandoned by the men in their sudden fright, but were again momen tarily intimidated by the rumbling sound of the gong, which Antonio, the steward, had seized to increase with concerted din the scream of the Avhistle.