As Philip emerged from the ravine he discovered a panther standing over the game.—(See page 67.)
As Philip emerged from the ravine he discovered a panther standing over the game.—(See page 67.)
It was not until after fully an hour had passed that the panther settled down on his haunches and gazed steadily at the tree, as if trying to decide what his next move should be.
This was the opportunity for which Philip had waited, and with a well-directed shot he ended the contest, tumbling the huge cat over, where, after a few spasmodic twitches of the muscles, he lay motionless and dead.
When Philip became convinced there was no longer any life in the beast he descended from the tree, hastily cut out a quarter of the deer, and made his way with all possible speed down the ravine, for the neighborhood was one in which he did not care to linger. Under other circumstances he might have had sufficient curiosity to examine the bodies of the animals; but just now it was dinner, not natural history, in which he was interested, and his one thought was to roast as quickly as possible the meat which had so nearly cost him his life.
By following up the ravine toward the east he came upon a small stream which had its source among a series of hills, of which the one he ascended was the westernmost, and here he halted.
After gathering a quantity of dry twigs and leaves he soon started a blaze by discharging his revolver directly into the inflammable material, and half an hour later his hunger was satisfied with venison steaks, several of which were eaten before the fire had made any very great change in their appearance.
The fatigue, excitement and mental distress of the past three days had wearied him to the verge ofexhaustion, and now that the desire for food was appeased he hastened to enjoy the repose so sadly needed.
Among some tamarind-trees which grew near the edge of the stream he laid down, after hanging the remnant of meat among the branches for safe-keeping, and hardly was his head upon the mossy pillow ere his eyes closed in the most profound slumber.
How long that sleep lasted he knew not, save from the fact that when he closed his eyes the sun was in the zenith, and on opening them again it was precisely at the same point; therefore it seemed as if what was intended for a short nap must have continued exactly twenty-four hours.
The meat hung where he left it; but the tropical sun had already begun to taint it. To a man in Philip’s position such an incident is but trifling, and despite its condition he broiled for himself another meal, saying, as he did so:
“I sha’n’t miss the seasoning while it is so rank, therefore there is no great loss without some small gain.”
After the repast was ended he remained seated in the shelter of the trees trying to form some plan of relief, when he became aware of a certain rustling near-by which could not have been produced by the gentle breeze among the foliage.
Any unusual sound, however slight, in such a place demanded immediate attention, because of the variety of enemies he had already met, and with his revolver ready for instant use he advanced cautiouslytoward the spot from whence the noise appeared to proceed.
Slowly, on tiptoe and with bated breath, he continued his way to a thicket of mimosas, and raising the thorny branches with the utmost caution peered forward at that which caused him to stand as if spell-bound with horror.
Before him, suspended to the branches of a tree, was a huge skeleton, its bones, which were bleached white as ivory, standing out in vivid contrast against the dark green leaves.
It was some moments before Philip could control his emotions sufficiently to approach this horrible object; but when he did so, alarm gave way to surprise. He seized the foot of the rustling, ominous-looking fruit borne by the mimosa, but it proved to be a hand. In an instant he understood that the skeleton was that of an ape—a gigantic mandrill, enemy of the baboon, with whom it shares the empire of ferocity.
Judging from the size of the bones, Philip knew that the ape to which it formerly belonged must have surpassed in size and strength any of the species he had ever seen; but how it chanced to be suspended in such a manner was something concerning which he could form no plausible idea.
That the animal had been skinned before being strung up like a malefactor was apparent from the fact that no fragment of hide was to be found at the bottom of the tree or clinging to the bones.
Improbable as was the thought, Philip fanciedhe looked upon the evidences of an execution. It surely appeared as if the mandrill had been hanged, and then, to make the punishment more degrading, skinned after death.
As may be supposed, Philip did not linger long in this vicinity. His own condition afforded plenty of food for sorrow, and there was no necessity to torture his mind with a sinister object such as called forth speculations which could not be otherwise than painful.
The suspended skeleton had the effect, however, of lessening his troubles to a certain extent, for as he made his way toward the east once more there was in his mind plenty of food for thought other than the forlorn condition in which he had so suddenly been plunged.
What spot on this vast globe had he found where apes usurped the place of man? And was there a human being dwelling on the island? How did it happen that the different species of monkeys he had seen were so familiar with man?
This last question caused him to have more faith that he would soon find others of his kind, and he pressed forward with renewed hope and vigor.
Refreshed by the profound slumber, and his mind fully occupied with thoughts called forth by the discovery of the skeleton, Philip continued straight on, knowing not where he was going until nightfall. So intent was he on this subject that he felt no fatigue, but traveled like one in a dream through the forest, which was partially illumined by the moon; and not until this pale, cold light underwent a most complete change did he fully realize what was passing around him.
The diminution of light, the gray, reddish mist which arose on the air, came from no natural cause, and Philip instinctively climbed a tree to gain, if possible, a more extended view.
To his great joy, from this point of vantage he could see flames on the further side of the island. Fire betokened the presence of human beings, and with a glad cry Philip descended from the tree to press forward at full speed.
The conflagration, however, was much further away than he at first supposed. An hour passed, and yet he had not approached near enough to discern it through the thicket. Several times, whilefollowing the depressions of the land, his range of vision was so obscured that it became necessary to again climb a tree to make certain he was pursuing the proper direction, and after four hours had elapsed the guiding light died away entirely.
He was now without any means of shaping a course, and, knowing full well the folly of traveling at random in a forest during the night when objects are distorted by the gloom, he came to a halt.
While groping around to find a suitable place in which to sleep, he discovered, to his great surprise, that the trees no longer grew at irregular intervals, but were standing in straight rows, as if planted by the hand of man. The soil had every appearance of having been tilled; instead of walking on a springy turf, or over the decaying leaves of the jungle, his feet sunk in the loam. The foliage no longer presented such a variety of plants, but was all of the same species and covered thickly with fruit.
Plucking one from a branch that bent down within reach he discovered that it was a guava, produced by a regular system of culture. There was an absence of harshness which characterizes this fruit in its natural state, and the discovery was further proof to him that human beings dwelt upon the island.
After a light repast of the pleasant-flavored but ill-smelling apple he lay down to rest, and did not awaken until a terrific uproar, similar to that which so startled his disagreeable companions the first dayof his arrival at the island, rang out on the clear air.
The din, indistinct at first, assumed the various gradations belonging to the voices of wild animals—from the tiger’s snarl and the howling of the hyena to the most piercing shrieks and shrillest whistles.
It was but natural that Philip should feel thoroughly alarmed, and make every effort to seek refuge from this new danger which seemed close at hand. Running forward he followed, without absolutely intending to do so, the line of cultivated trees, and at the further end, in what appeared to be a vast thicket, he crouched, waiting until the sun should reveal the denizens of the jungle.
The day, which in the tropics does not steal on by degrees but bursts forth in a sudden glory, filled the forest with dazzling light, and through the numerous openings in the foliage Philip beheld that which might seem to be improbable but for the fact that it can be supported by the testimony of one of the most celebrated German naturalists.
In a vast cleared space which formed a natural arena was a group of individuals partially clad in uniforms such as are worn by many of our merchant-sailors, who believe that a distinctive dress on shipboard is conducive to discipline.
The members of this gathering were seated on a slight elevation apparently in grave deliberation, as if holding a sort of court-martial, while among them was one who towered above the others, with a cap on which were three bands of gold-lace, and a coat plentifully bedecked with the same material.
It was not the uniforms nor the positions of these individuals which surprised Philip. The cause of his profound astonishment, amounting almost to bewilderment, was the fact that the entire assembly was composed of apes, and the one in authority wore a uniform identical with that which Philip had seen on Captain Seaworth the day when he and his officers made the purchases at the animal-trainer’s establishment.
Composing this court—if such it can be called—and ranged about the leader in circles, were all species of the monkey-tribe, or, to speak more correctly, the ferocious members of that large family. Each one was clad in some portion of a uniform, but none save the leader boasted of an entire suit. Two or three had nothing more than caps; others wore trousers, and several displayed partial suits of underclothing. One ape was the proud possessor of a blue coat; another carried a saber with the belt around his neck, while a number had the weapons minus belts. Two or three were fortunate only in having gloves, which were as often on their feet as their hands. Some had coats on hind-side before without any attempt at buttoning them, and not a few were decorated with bright-colored ribbons. Philip also noticed half a dozen who had portions of female wearing apparel, such as dresses or capes.
The majority of the party were armed with some kind of a weapon, either saber, boarding-pike, or capstan-bar.
Philip hardly completed his inspection of thissingular-looking assembly when he who appeared to be the leader began what was evidently a speech lasting four or five minutes, and listened to with the utmost gravity by all.
When he had concluded, half a dozen of those nearest him marched solemnly into the thicket opposite Philip’s hiding-place, and returned with twenty of the most inoffensive of the monkey-tribe, known as vervets, all of whom were securely bound with ropes made from bark.
These were arraigned before the leader like so many criminals, and he addressed them with a succession of harsh, guttural cries until the poor creatures vainly tried to escape from the awful presence, but only to be dragged back by their captors, who belabored them with bamboo sticks.
During fully a quarter of an hour this scene was continued, and then, as if at a signal from the leader, a squad of huge apes, each of whom was armed with a long stick, began flogging the prisoners unmercifully.
It was possible for Philip to hear the blows even though so far away, and the unfortunate vervets gave vent to the most plaintive cries, which sounded very much like appeals for mercy.
The executioners—for such they appeared to be—continued the punishment until seemingly wearied with their cruel exertions, and then, unloosing their bonds, drove the culprits from among them into the depths of the forest.
No sooner was this done than the entire assemblycrowded around the leader, stroking his back, licking his hands, fawning at his feet, and in every possible way showing the utmost respect mingled with fear.
When the big ape had received sufficient adulation to satisfy him he waved his hand by way of signal for his followers to desist, and then, arising majestically, started toward what was evidently a continuation of the clearing, followed by his adherents.
If Philip’s surprise at this strange proceeding had been great, one can imagine how much it was intensified when he recognized in this pompous leader none other than the gigantic Goliah whom he had once owned and sold to Captain Seaworth!
Philip Garland’s surprise at seeing this vast assembly of apes conducting themselves so thoroughly after the manner of human beings was indeed great; but to recognize in the leader of the party an article of merchandise which he had sold to Captain Seaworth was absolutely bewildering.
How had Goliah reached this particular island? Had he taught these companions of his to imitate man, or were they his instructors? In either case, how did it happen that among these animals there should be such a collection of weapons and clothing?
These questions Philip asked himself without being able to make any reply. He was in that mental condition when one’s will has no control over the body, and half-unconsciously he followed the procession as it left the open-air court-room, although in his mind there was a very-well-defined idea that by so doing he exposed himself to the most extreme danger.
In his stupefaction—perhaps fascination would be the better word—he advanced cautiously as if by instinct, keeping well in the rear of the party, gliding from tree-trunk to tree-trunk, and halting withinthe cover of the foliage whenever any of the apes showed an inclination to loiter.
It was during one of these forced halts, and while obliged to remain concealed a longer time than usual, that quite by accident he chanced to glance through the thicket on his right, thereby increasing surprise to the very verge of bewilderment.
He saw there, at a distance of thirty or forty yards from where he stood, a collection of small huts built in the fashion of hamlets such as one sees in Java. Around these loitered a number of apes, some few partially dressed in garments of European manufacture, and the remainder clad only as nature intended they should be; but nowhere could he perceive a human being.
It was not possible that this monkey-tribe had built these neat dwellings, which were ornamented with paint, lighted by glass windows, and protected from the sun’s fervent rays by awnings; but yet, where were the builders? Where the rightful inhabitants?
While standing in mute astonishment, with his eyes fixed upon the tiny village, the procession from the court had passed out of sight into the thicket unheeded by him, who had no thought save that of solving the strange riddle.
While only partially screened by the foliage Philip was startled, almost alarmed, by a light touch on his arm, and wheeling around suddenly, he saw another of the animals sold by him to Captain Seaworth.
This was the chimpanzee Sweet Alice, and that she recognized him there could be no mistake. Looking up into his face, while at the same time plucking at the sleeve of his coat and pointing toward the village, she gave him to understand, almost as well as could have been done by words, her desire to have him follow.
Had Philip been in a less complete state of bewilderment he would have hesitated before entering the little town, where, undoubtedly, his arrival would be communicated to the huge baboon and he find himself a prisoner once more. But in his present frame of mind nothing seemed more natural than to accede to the chimpanzee’s mute request, and he motioned her to lead the way.
Instead of going directly toward the buildings she moved off at right-angles with them, looking cautiously from side to side as if to let him understand that their advance should be concealed as far as possible, and he followed her every movement.
During fifteen minutes the stealthy march was continued, interrupted now and then as the chimpanzee stopped to listen or crept nearer to the edge of the clearing to reconnoiter, and in all this time they had seen but one other member of the tribe. He was evidently a laborer, and failed to see the stranger because of his occupation, which consisted of splitting logs with his fingers and an ax. He handled the tool very awkwardly, but yet with a certain air which caused Philip to believe man had been his teacher.
On emerging from the thicket the traveler discovered that they had arrived at the outskirts of the village in the rear of the houses, opposite the point where he first caught a glimpse of the settlement. Here was a row of iron-barred cages, all but one of which were empty, and toward this particular prison the chimpanzee advanced, beckoning her companion to follow.
Hesitatingly he did so, and looking through the bars saw the other animal he had sold to Captain Seaworth—Ben Bolt!
The sight of this captive gave Philip a solution to the riddle, and he uttered a low exclamation of surprise that he had not sooner guessed it.
There could no longer be any question but that he was on the island where the corporation, whose agent Captain Seaworth was, had started their colony.
Upon examining the iron cages more closely he saw that they were the same taken from his establishment when the animals were purchased, and in them had been confined the gigantic Goliah. But how had he escaped? Where was the captain and those who had been brought out as colonists?
It was hardly possible the tribe of monkeys could have vanquished the entire party, and not probable Goliah had been released until the human beings were disposed of in some way. Was this seeming capture of the village the sequel to a story of which he had seen the first chapter in the skeleton among the mimosas?
Philip had solved one problem only to find himself confronted by another yet more perplexing and painful. He was on the very island where his friends had landed, and yet no signs of them could be seen save in the clothing, the cottages, and the behavior of the apes.
These thoughts passed through the shipwrecked youth’s mind very rapidly. Only for a few moments did he stand undecided before the cage which confined Ben Bolt, and then he drew the bars, allowing the unhappy captive to go free.
Instantly the chimpanzee was released he rushed toward Philip, fawning around him several minutes, and then turned to Alice, whom he greeted with every evidence of affection. During fully five minutes these two animals capered like dogs who evince joy at a master’s return. Then Alice suddenly raised her head as if in fear, lowering it again as the hair on her neck stood erect like that of an angry cat’s, while she motioned with one paw toward the forest, and with the other thrust Ben Bolt back into the cage, expressing by every gesture her desire that the door should be fastened again.
So much intelligence had these chimpanzees displayed while in his establishment that the animal-trainer felt no hesitation about following the mute instructions; and the bars were hardly replaced when hoarse, guttural cries in the distance told that Goliah was approaching.
To remain there longer would undoubtedly be to find himself in the power of his former chattel. Insuch case, what revenge might not the gigantic baboon take? If the chimpanzees remembered him so well, Goliah’s memory would hardly be less retentive, and the floggings so often administered might be repaid with compound interest.
It seemed that Alice understood this as well as did Philip, for on her face were the liveliest expressions of terror, and she plucked at his coat-sleeve trying to draw him away, while pointing toward the forest from whence came the hoarse cries.
There was no longer any time for hesitation, and trusting himself implicitly to the guidance of the chimpanzee, Philip followed, the two passing the rear of the cages just as the baboon went by in front to visit the prisoner.
Not an ape was to be seen on the principal street of the village, and as they walked past the buildings Philip had an opportunity of examining their condition.
What at a distance appeared to be a collection of neat cottages proved, on closer inspection, to be hardly more than ruins. The windows of the houses were broken, the frames splintered, and the greater portion wrenched entirely out of their casings. From the second stories, hanging on long poles, were torn uniforms, cravats, boots, belts, hats, empty bottles, trousers, towels, rags of all colors, shirts, and even a few flags. The paint was defaced, the fences were torn down, and everywhere on the ground were scattered bones, fragments of glass and crockery, and tins which once contained canned meats or vegetables.In several places where crops had been growing could now be seen only dried stalks. The chicken-coops, which were attached to nearly every dwelling, had been wrecked, and the feathers scattered here and there told the fate of their occupants.
It was a scene of pillage and waste such as would have shamed the hangers-on of any army, however demoralized; and Philip, now hardly more than a fugitive, thought with dismay of those who had probably met their death while trying to found this colony. Never since the shipwreck had he been so thoroughly dispirited, and but for the constant tugging of the chimpanzee at his garments he might have lingered until it would be no longer possible to escape. She literally pulled him along through the tiny village until the seclusion of the thicket was gained, when her movements became more leisurely, and he understood that there was no longer any necessity for such rapid flight.
Probably because the chimpanzee believed they were safe for the time being from Goliah, and that her companion did not require such careful watching, she took the lead, proceeding through the jungle about an eighth of a mile to a large banana-grove, where she began to search for fruit.
Here, as at the village, were the same evidences of wanton destruction. The long leaves of the plants were torn and trampled, bunches of half-eaten fruit lay decaying upon the ground, and that which had cost no slight amount of both time and money was almost entirely destroyed.
After some search the chimpanzee succeeded in finding two clusters of the rich, yellow fruit, and motioning Philip to pluck them, she pointed toward the east, as if intimating the direction in which they must travel.
By this time the shipwrecked youth recognized the wisdom of his guide’s advice, and staggering under the heavy load of fruit, he followed close behind as she left the cultivated ground to re-enter the jungle.
This detour had evidently been made for the purpose of providing him with food in such place of refuge as she was probably about to lead him; and at that moment the animal-trainer had a higher appreciation of the intelligence of the monkey-tribe than ever before.
At a short distance from the banana plantation the chimpanzee stopped in front of a palm-grove bearing smooth, shining fruit of a golden-orange color, which was very attractive in appearance, and Philip began to gather such as hung within his reach from the smaller trees, when, much to his surprise, Alice made the most violent demonstrations of rage. She held the delicious-looking apples to her mouth for an instant, and then, dashing them to the ground, screamed and chattered volubly. It was several seconds before the fugitive understood this pantomime; but when she repeated it two or three times he gained an inkling of her meaning.
Without question this beautiful fruit was poisonous, and she had called his attention to the fact thathe might not at any future time eat what was so tempting in appearance but deadly in its properties.
A ten minutes’ walk from this spot led them to a natural grotto in the rocks, the floor of which was covered with thick moss and the thousand vegetable productions to be found in Malaysia.
Here her gestures were as expressive as words, and Philip understood that she was cautioning him to remain in hiding—probably until her return. She pointed first to the fruit, secondly to the grotto, and then back in the direction from which they had come, taking her departure only when he nodded his head in token of willingness to obey the mute injunction.
Philip’s first sensation after being left alone was one of intense relief. For the time being, at least, he was safe from pursuit, and had not only food, but water sufficient to satisfy his wants two or three days. Whether Alice returned or not he would be free from hunger or thirst, since to revisit the banana plantation only a brisk walk of fifteen minutes was necessary.
After making a hearty meal from the fruit he lay down, and during the next ten hours was wrapped in the blissful unconsciousness of sleep.
When he awakened it was nearly sunset. Far away in the distance could be heard the cries of the apes, and among them he fancied it was possible to distinguish Goliah’s hoarse voice. To venture forth would be both needless and unwise, and he remained within the grotto, trying in vain to find some amusement or occupation which would serve to make the time pass more rapidly.
As a matter of course, in this attempt he was unsuccessful. There was nothing to be done save to count the seconds, and it does not require many moments to weary one of such a useless occupation.
Now he had an opportunity to understand howpainful may be the attack of insects which in other quarters of the globe would be considered insignificant. His hands, face and ankles were completely covered with painful red blotches, caused by the bites of tiny flies; and a closer inspection of the grotto showed him that he was by no means alone.
Now and then could be seen curious little animals, similar to mice, which ran back and forth, nibbling at the bananas, his shoes, or anything within reach, until a movement by him would cause them to hide in alarm. Every time he overturned a stone or stick he found snugly ensconced under it formidable scorpions, with their tails sticking up ready for an attack or to defend themselves.
It seemed as if every nook and corner of the grotto was teeming with life in some form of viciousness, and not until he had cleared a space, six feet square, from gravel and the litter which would usually be found in such a place could he lie down with any chance of being unmolested.
There was plenty of time for reflection—too much, in fact, for his own good; and after making the wildest conjectures as to the probable fate of Captain Seaworth and his party, Philip began to speculate upon the probable length of his voluntary imprisonment. He could see no immediate relief from the unpleasant occupants of the island, and the longer his mind dwelt upon the subject the more convinced did he become that some desperate effort to escape must be made.
Then came the important question of where heshould flee. It was hardly probable there were other human beings on the island, otherwise they would have driven the apes from the cottages erected by the Seaworth party; and to leave this place of refuge, where he was reasonably sure of receiving food from the chimpanzee, would be to call down upon himself a repetition of the unpleasant and painful events which he had already experienced.
The night was very far advanced before his mind was sufficiently calm to permit of his sleeping once more; but slumber did finally visit his eyelids, bringing in its train most disagreeable dreams, from which he was glad to be awakened before the sun had again illumined this tiny portion of the world.
With absolutely nothing save painful thoughts to occupy his attention, he began in a listless manner to examine more closely his place of refuge.
As has been said, it was a natural grotto formed in the rocks, but apparently extending some distance into the range of hills which stretched nearly across the island. The rear portion narrowed down to what seemed to be a tunnel hardly more than four feet in diameter. In this Philip entered without hesitation, crawling upon his hands and knees for a distance of about a hundred feet, during which the passage grew more and more contracted, until to turn around would have been absolutely impossible.
At the end of such distance was an abrupt angle, after which it was possible for him to proceed in a half-bent attitude along the tunnel, which wasfloored with sand, and obstructed here and there by boulders or irregular blocks of what appeared to be limestone.
Perhaps he had walked in this second direction two hundred feet, when, on turning a second angle, he stood in an oval-shaped chamber about twenty yards wide, twice as long, and twenty-five feet high.
It was a marvelous scene which met his startled gaze. Those who have entered natural caves may have seen a similar picture, but certainly nothing more imposing.
In the center of this subterranean cavern was a small circular lake, hardly more than twelve feet in diameter, and sunken half a dozen inches from the level of a floor formed of blackish-gray sand, covered with small pebbles of various brilliant colors. The ceiling towered high above, and was dome-shaped, thickly-studded with pendant stalactites, as if Nature had thus given to the artisan the first idea of lincrusta work. On the right, or eastern side, were benches of rocks rising like terraces, bearing huge stalagmites shaped like animals, and incrusted with myriads of tiny crystals which glistened like diamonds in the light admitted through an opening partially obscured by the foliage in the center of the dome.
After standing silent and motionless several moments, lost in admiration of the scene before him, Philip pushed on toward another tunnel which led from the chamber directly opposite the one he had just traversed.
Here, after five minutes of leisurely walking, the air became warmer and humid, as if filled with steam, while on the left side of the tunnel was a stream of water from which arose a peculiar phosphorescent light which permitted the amazed traveler to see several inches below the surface.
A closer examination revealed the fact that the stream was filled with fish, shaped something like a trout, and, singular as it may seem, the luminous glow was emitted from their bodies. He plunged his hand in without alarming the finny tribe, and lifting one out discovered that it was blind, having no sign of an eye, which accounted for the readiness with which he had made the capture.
Curiosity impelled Philip to continue his explorations without delay, and he advanced rapidly along the tunnel, in which it was now possible to stand erect. With every step the air grew warmer, until it was as if one were suddenly plunged in a steam bath.
The cause of this excessive humidity was soon learned. In one corner of a second chamber was a boiling spring, which bubbled and hissed just below the surface of the floor.
He dipped his hand in, but immediately withdrew it as he gave vent to a cry of pain. The water was boiling hot!
This cavern also had an exit or outlet about forty feet long, which opened into a third, nearly twice as large as the first. From the roof hung hundreds of stalactites, some only a few feet in length and otherswhich descended to the floor. Stalagmites glittered and glistened like immense diamonds in a strong phosphorescent light, until the radiations and reflections lent such an indescribable charm to the cave that it seemed as if one were living through a story from the “Arabian Nights.” This third room was evidently the end of the chain of caverns. In it there was no opening, yet the glow from the middle apartment filled it with light.
Wandering from one point to another without thought of weariness because of the many wondrous beauties, Philip soon began to realize the fact that he was hungry, and when on the point of retreating to the grotto where the bananas were, he bethought himself of the trout. To boil two or three in this kettle formed by nature would be comparatively an easy task, and at the same time give him a change of diet.
Passing rapidly on to the stream where he had seen the fish, he caught and dressed four, fastening them together with a strip torn from his handkerchief. Returning to the spring he lowered them, and in a few moments had sufficient and appetizing food for a hearty meal. Although eaten without salt, this change in his bill of fare was a welcome one, and Philip resolved to take with him a supply of cooked fish large enough to satisfy his wants during several days.
To this end he groped about once more on the bed of the stream until his hand came in contact with a very heavy round substance, which, simply through idle curiosity, he raised to the surface.
His astonishment can hardly be described when he discovered that the supposed rock was apparently a nugget of pure gold, weighing, as nearly as he could judge, from three to four pounds.
The sight of this wealth, which was also evidence that more might be found in the vicinity, so bewildered him that it was several moments before he could make further examinations, and then came the fever for riches which has been at the same time the destruction and delight of thousands.
Working with desperate energy, as if the unlimited time at his disposal was all too short for the purpose, he brought up nugget after nugget, ranging in size from an ounce to half a pound, until he had collected at least ten pounds’ weight of the precious metal.
The supply appeared to be inexhaustible. As nearly as he could judge, the bed of the stream was literally covered with these yellow lumps, which represented wealth in any civilized country; and his labor ceased only when he began to realize how impossible, under the present circumstances, it would be to derive any benefit from this unexpected discovery.
Now, more than ever, was it necessary he should devise some means of finding his fellow-man, even though it should be impossible to carry his treasure away. With a vessel and a crew such as could be procured at Batavia untold wealth might be taken away; but how the first step was to be made he had no idea.
In order to give himself time for reflection he firsthid the nuggets behind one of the statue-like formations in the outer chamber, and then returned to the grotto.
Here he found the chimpanzee looking disturbed and alarmed because of his absence, but she gave way to manifestations of the greatest delight at his appearance. With an instinct which seemed almost like human intelligence she had brought more bananas, and by gestures which were unmistakable gave him to understand that as yet it was dangerous to leave his hiding-place.
Then, after fawning upon him like a dog once more, she walked slowly away in the direction of the village, turning from time to time, as if to be certain he would not follow.
When finally the animal was lost to view amid the foliage, Philip retreated to the further end of the grotto as if desirous of guarding the entrance to the treasure-cave, and there gave himself up to speculations regarding his flight from the island, forming some plans which were hardly more than wild dreams, and others possible of execution.
The desire to learn the fate of Captain Seaworth and his party was almost forgotten in his eagerness to profit by the rich discovery, and during the remainder of that day the only thought in his mind was how to leave the island, taking with him at least a portion of the newly-found wealth.
Although Philip was in a situation where gold was of far less value than food, or even raiment, that thirst for wealth which has come upon so many even under similar circumstances became so great as to create a most intense desire to pile up the largest possible quantity of the precious but—to him—useless metal.
Until a late hour in the night he gathered nuggets from the bed of the stream, being able to work as well in the under-ground chamber during the time of darkness as any other, owing to the phosphorescent light from the fish, until he had hidden behind the natural statue a weight sufficient to burden half a dozen men in the carrying. Upon the rough calculation that twenty-five thousand dollars in gold weighs a hundred pounds, he had good reason to believe that the value of his treasure was considerably more than a hundred thousand dollars.
It was only his desire for sleep which caused him to desist; and returning once more to the grotto, after a meal of boiled fish he laid himself down to sleep, not awakening until daybreak, when, from the mouth of the hill-side cave, he saw what arousedagain in his mind the belief that other human beings beside himself were upon the island.
The reflection of flames could be seen through the forest, evidently caused by an enormous bonfire, and the only reasonable supposition was that shipwrecked mariners were sending out this beacon-light in the hope of attracting attention from those on some passing ship. Perhaps more than he had been saved from the Swallow, and with this thought he darted forward at full speed, heeding not possible discovery by the apes in his eagerness to be again with human companions.
If such a thing were possible, he was more anxious now than ever before to meet with men, for unless assistance could be obtained his wealth was useless; and regardless of the thorns which pierced his flesh, or of the pitfalls that might be in his path, he ran swiftly on toward the more than welcome light.
The nearer he approached to the flames the stronger his hopes grew, for he could see beyond a peradventure that it was a bonfire on the highest point of the island, where people signaling for assistance would naturally build a beacon.
That an enormous quantity of fuel was being consumed could be told from the fact that it required nearly an hour of rapid walking before he arrived at the base of the elevation; and in the highest state of excitement he ran up the rocky slope, the soil rattling and crumbling under his feet with such a peculiar sound that it was reasonable to suppose he was traveling over the lava of an extinct volcano.
Here he came upon a kind of vegetation through which it was absolutely impossible to pass. Occupying a space of a hundred feet square, as nearly as he could judge, was a veritable jungle of thorns across which fifty men with the best of tools would have been many hours in making a road.
The bushes, the creepers, and even the bamboos were covered with these long, needle-like points, which tore his flesh cruelly. Everything grew zig-zag and jagged, and in an inextricable tangle. To get through without lacerating his body to such an extent as to be in danger of death was out of the question, and in order to reach the desired spot a long detour was necessary.
When within two-thirds of the distance to the summit a most extraordinary spectacle greeted him. Instead of human beings it was apes who had kindled the fire, and were most industriously engaged in feeding it.
Two files, composed of over a hundred of these animals, stretched from the top of the hill down the side as far as he could see, a distance of about six feet separating one from the other. This party was passing fragments of wood, branches of trees, and such combustible materials, up the incline to those at the top, who threw the fuel into the flames.
Industrious laborers were they, indeed. Not a sound could be heard, and with the utmost gravity they continued the task as if it was something upon which their lives depended.
Philip now saw that he was upon the crest of asmall volcano which had evidently not been in a state of eruption for some time, and the fire was built within the blackened crater, with so much fuel that it more than filled the space, the glowing coals rising several feet above the summit.
Unquestionably it was the reflection of a fire similar to this which he had previously seen; but why these animals, who are supposed to fear anything of the kind, worked so hard to keep the blaze alive was something he could not even imagine. The wood literally flew through the air, so eager were the laborers to see the flames leap and dance in the gray light of the morning; and it was with a certain fascination, similar to that experienced while viewing the proceedings of the court a few days before, that Philip gazed upon the scene.
It could not have been more than five minutes that he remained motionless watching these strange proceedings, and just when he began to realize how necessary it was to leave the place before being discovered the apes caught sight of him.
In an instant, as if by magic, the silence was broken. A dozen of the animals clustered around him, shouting and screaming as if to others in the distance, until the din was almost deafening, and he could hear it echoed and re-echoed far away in the distance. His first thought was to make his escape, by force if necessary; but before he could even so much as raise his hands two gigantic baboons leaped toward him and seized, firmly but not roughly, both his arms.
Either one of the animals could have held him prisoner despite his most violent resistance, and Philip realized full well the uselessness of a struggle in which he would inevitably receive many severe blows, even if he should be so fortunate as to escape death.
During fifteen minutes the screaming and yelling continued, his captors holding him immovable all the while; and then, as if a summons had been received from some one in authority, the two baboons led him down the hill, followed by all those who had been working so energetically to feed the flames.
Through the forest in the direction by which he had approached, past the banana plantation to the single street of the tiny settlement, Philip was led like a malefactor, with the long train of grinning, chattering followers; and he had good reason to believe his fate might be the same as that of the skeleton which he had seen hanging in the thicket of mimosas. He knew beyond a peradventure that he was being conducted to the presence of Goliah, and who could say what the vindictive baboon might devise in the way of punishment for the one who had not, in his case at least, been a gentle master.
Goliah would remember all that had occurred, as could be told from the imprisonment of Ben Bolt and the behavior of Alice; therefore the merchant who had come so far in search of living curiosities knew there was good cause for alarm regarding this meeting.
Upon reaching the village the baboons led theirprisoner to the most pretentious of the little cottages, which had probably been occupied by Captain Seaworth as the office or counting-house of the colony, and into this he was thrust. His two captors were the only members of the party who accompanied him. The others remained in the street, some sitting on their haunches, as if speculating whether they were to be treated to the spectacle of an execution, a few hanging on the broken fences like boys who loiter in front of a residence at which distinguished personages are visiting, and the majority of the crowd surrounding the building much as though taking steps to prevent an escape.
The interior of the dwelling differed but little from the outside, so far as the scene of wanton destruction was concerned. Books were thrown from their cases, leaves torn, and the bindings ruthlessly pulled off. Fragments of clothing were strewn on the floor, furniture scratched and splintered, and pictures turned face to the wall or thrown among the debris in one corner of the room. Everything gave token of the mischievousness of these animals; and yet in the midst of all a certain kind of order reigned, as if the long-tailed residents were bent on preserving some semblance of what the interior had once presented.
All these things Philip took in at a glance. He had no time to study details, for within a very few seconds a most singular and grotesque figure made its appearance from an adjoining room.
One would have said it was a gigantic bird, butPhilip immediately recognized the face as Goliah’s; and the sight of this ape, covered from head to foot with feathers, naturally filled the prisoner with the greatest surprise.
The cause of this strange transformation, however, was soon revealed. The feathers were simply quills, the majority of which had been made into pens, and were stuck over his ears, through the hair on the top of his head, under his arms, and in every place where one would remain, not even excepting the extreme end of his tail.
Goliah was followed by two smaller and less ferocious-looking baboons, who were decorated in the same fantastic manner, and from their attitude one might readily fancy they occupied the position of servants, or perhaps counselors to his apish majesty.
The sight of this animal, whom he had chastised so many times, caused Philip no slight alarm, for there was good reason to believe that some signal vengeance might be wreaked upon him, and he peered closely into the hairy, feather-bedecked face to learn whether his identity was discovered.
If Goliah recognized his old master he gave no sign of such fact, probably because he had more important business on hand just at that moment. He stopped only long enough to glance at the frightened youth, and then, consulting for an instant with the two behind him, uttered several sharp cries, which were evidently commands. Immediately Philip’s captors led him into an adjoining room, where was such a scene as would have convinced themost skeptical that the monkey-tribe can be trained to become useful in many ways.
In this apartment were at least fifty apes seated at two long tables, and all in a state of the most intense excitement. They had before them large quantities of paper, huge bottles of ink, and a numerous collection of quill-pens, which they were using with the same industry and energy as shown by the feeders of the fire. They leaned over the table like weary clerks, dipping their pens into the inkstands frequently, often mistaking their paws for the quills in the general hurry and confusion, and scribbling upon sheets of paper spread before them, as if trying to imitate, with the greatest possible fidelity, a party of overworked journalists.
With their quills, or fingers, they scratched incessantly, spattering ink in every direction, and sheet after sheet was covered with what looked not unlike a stenographer’s notes.
When the paper was sufficiently bespattered with ink it was passed to a venerable old monkey, who occupied a single desk at the further end of the room, and he, after examining it intently, affixed one of those little, red-paper seals which are used on legal documents. Then it was handed to a monkey stationed just outside the door, and by him passed along a line, precisely as the wood at the volcano had been, save that, so far as Philip could understand, the messengers were sent toward the sea-coast.
After the lapse of ten or fifteen minutes the samepaper was returned to the house and handed to Goliah, who, with an air of greatest wisdom, scanned it carefully. Then he in turn passed it to another old ape in an adjoining room, who was probably a register of deeds, a recorder of wills, or whatever title is bestowed upon the keeper of monkey documents.
From what he saw in this private counting-room Philip was convinced that the apes were trying to imitate scenes which they had witnessed before the unaccountable dispersion of the colony.
During Captain Seaworth’s stay upon the island, and while laying out work on the plantations, he most likely had occasion to transmit many written messages to his assistants, who were probably scattered over a considerable extent of territory; therefore Goliah and his companions must have seen very often that which they were portraying so grotesquely.
The big baboon, either from a desire to see the greatest possible number of servants at work or because the dispatches were not brought back fast enough to occupy all his time, had apparently decided to make Philip his chief clerk, for he gave orders—or so the prisoner supposed, from the cries which were uttered—and one of the scribblers vacated his seat at the table. To this the animal-trainer was led. A package of paper and several quill-pens were placed before him, and from the expressive gestures indulged in by all the party there could be no question but that he was commanded tocover the blank sheets with something which had a semblance to writing.
Philip was not in a position to rebel. In fact, this treatment was so different from what he had expected that he felt an intense relief at learning the punishment was to be so slight. Before being allowed to cease work, however, he had good proof that his life was to be quite the reverse of an easy one.
During the first hour he worked with reasonable industry, cheered by the hope that in so doing he might, through some unlooked-for chance, bring human beings to his aid. In bold, legible handwriting he covered each sheet with this brief appeal for assistance: