Chapter II
THE MASSACRE OF THE CREW—CARY PROTECTED BY CHIEF—A FEEJEE FESTIVAL—CARY MEETS A WHITE MAN.
THE MASSACRE OF THE CREW—CARY PROTECTED BY CHIEF—A FEEJEE FESTIVAL—CARY MEETS A WHITE MAN.
I continued on this path, sometimes running as fast as I could, then I would stop not knowing where it led, and every moment expecting to encounter a native, until at length I reached the beach on the opposite side of the island. I followed along the shore until I came to a rock upon which I climbed, but could find no place of concealment so got down, and continued on until I came to another. This I climbed and on the top I found an opening leading into a large cave, which I entered and crawled into a crevice, not daring to go far from the mouth of the cave as it was so dark I could not see where it led. I threw down a stone and it sounded as though it fell forty or fifty feet.
The crevice in which I stowed myself was just big enough to admit me, and about ten or twelve feet from the mouth of the cave. During the night I heard the natives talking and heard their spears dragging over the rock. I had no doubt but that they were in search of me, so I kept very quiet, hardly allowing myself to breathe. I scarcely entertained a hope for life, well knowing that if I left the cave the natives would kill me, and if I stayed I should eventually starve.
Here I lay some six or seven hours endeavoring to decide upon some course of action, but without doing so I fell asleep, and slept at intervals until daylight. I then crawled out very cautiously upon the rock, being anxious to ascertain what had become of the crew. I thought it possible that the lives of some of them might be spared. I climbed a tree, to see if I could discover anything of the natives, but there were none in sight, so I ventured to walk along the beach until I came to the landing. The boat was there, but from the appearances I concluded the crew had all been killed, as there were many tracks in the sand and the beach was broken up and had evidently been the scene of a severe scuffle. I searched around until I found a place which had evidently been dug over. I scooped away a few inches of sand with my hand and came to the face of a man. I uncovered one other, but could go no further.
Sick at heart and almost famished, I started back toward my hiding place, scarcely knowing which way I went or what to do. I found a few raisins in the boat, which I ate as I went along. These, with a green coconut which I got in the morning and drank the milk of, was all I had eaten for two days, but was just enough to make me determined to live as long as I could and keep out of sight of the savages. I had now abandoned all hope that there was any of our crew left. Sometimes I would think I might as well give myself up to the natives as to remain in the cave and starve, for there was nothing that I could get to eat or drink, without great risk of being discovered, which I considered certain death.
On the third day I decided that I could stand it no longer and keep strength enough to be able to climb out of my cave, so I crawled out on the rock, took a look around, and as I did not see anything, I thought I would venture down to the shore and bathe. When I reached the shore I saw a party of women off fishing, near the reef. They soon discovered me and immediately started for the town, and I returned to my cave. I had not been there long when I heard voices. I looked out and saw two men evidently in search of me. I felt extremely loath to give myself up to be butchered, but my determination to live had been very much weakened, so intense had become my sufferings from hunger and thirst.
After looking at them awhile I decided to come out and end the suspense, so I crawled out in sight. They immediately started for me, one armed with a boat hatchet, the other with a knife. I sat down in the path with my back towards them, expecting to have the hatchet driven into my head, and not wishing to see the blow. They walked up until within a few feet of me, then stopped and looked at me a moment before they spoke. It seemed an hour. I looked around when one of them, an old man, a resident of the island and one with whom I had previously been on very good terms, addressed me kindly and wished me to go to the town with them. I sprang up and followed with alacrity, almost forgetting my thirst, but after we got off the rock, I made them understand I was very hungry and thirsty. We soon came to a coconut tree, when one of them procured a coconut, broke it, and gave me to drink, which greatly refreshed me. After we got to the town, the old man, who was a chief, carried me to his house and gave me as much fish and vegetables as I wanted. At dark he led me to a small hut in the woods where we spent the night.
The next morning we went back to the town to get some breakfast. We had not been in the house long when about twenty of our visitors came in, seated themselves, and began questioning me by signs to know if there were any axes or tools of any kind on board the ship. I told them I believed there were, thinking it might draw their attention from me. They remained awhile in animated conversation of which I concluded I was the subject, then left me in care of the old chief's wife, and went to the landing, launched their canoes, and started for the ship. They had not been gone long when another gang came toward the house. My old mistress on hearing them, said something, beckoned me to get behind her, which I did. They came up to the house, asked some questions and took their leave, much to my relief. But they had not done with me yet.
Late in the afternoon the savages returned from the ship, after an unsuccessful search for tools. They mustered all their party together in the lower town, and sent up one of their number after me. He came to the house and ordered me to follow him. On my showing some reluctance to obey, he seized me in no gentle manner and shoved me out of the house, so I put the best face on and followed him down to the town, or rather he followed me, keeping me ahead of him in the path.
When we came to the town I was horrified to see the savages all painted and armed similar to what they were at their first landing, but looking much more frightful to me. They all stood in a circle, and seated me in the center on the ground. My old friendly chief was sitting a short distance from the circle repairing some of the rigging to his canoe, to all appearances wholly unconcerned as to what was to be done with me. One of them went to him and asked him some questions, which he answered without even raising his eyes from his work. This was repeated several times.
After about an hour spent in consultation, during which the chiefs of the party appeared perfectly cool, but the common people manifested considerable excitement, swinging their clubs and looking as though they would like to have a crack at me, they all left and went to their canoes.
The old chief immediately came to me and spoke kindly, but I could not understand a word he said. He made me understand, however, that I was now his son, and as such he treated me all the time I remained with him.
The next day our visitors left, much to our satisfaction. I say our, as the islanders were no more fond of their company than I was, and I believe as much regretted what had been done as if it had been part of their own tribe that had been killed. I several times endeavored to learn some particulars in regard to the massacre, but they did not wish to talk about it and would only say that they had nothing to do with it. I did not understand their language and could only learn from them what they were disposed to tell me by signs.
I stayed here about a week longer, treated with the greatest kindness, when one day two large canoes were seen coming toward the island, which filled the natives with alarm. They ran to the town, collected all the property which they had gotten out of the ship and buried it in the woods. Seeing I was frightened they told me the canoes were from Lahcameber, and were friendly to white men, and not at all like the Ono men (our other visitors).
They soon landed and came up to the town. One of them seized me by the arm, and directly another came and took me by the other arm. The last one was a native of the Friendly Islands and much lighter than the Feejees. They were both chiefs and after disputing some time as to who had the best right to me, the Friendly Islander relinquished his claim and, to my surprise, addressed me in English, bidding me good morning. I returned his friendly salutation, after which my new master introduced me to their head chief who, I learned, was his brother. This chief was also brother to the head chief of Lahcameber. His name was Toka and he was a very amiable man. He immediately took me with all my possessions under his protection and made me understand that if any of his men offered to molest or rob me, he would correct them.
After Toka had got through with me, the Friendly Islander inquired what ship it was that was lost on the reef, and what had become of the crew. I told him it was the ship Oeno of Nantucket, and that all of the crew but myself had been massacred by a party from Ono. He shook his head, saying they were very bad. He then asked if the islanders had any of the plunder out of the ship and if there were any muskets. I told him they had secreted their plunder on seeing the canoes, and that the chiefs of the island had what muskets the Ono people had not got away from them. He said his party would get the whole or destroy the town, and if the inhabitants offered any resistance they would kill them all.
The next morning they commenced abusing the poor islanders shamefully and made them bring forward all the plunder they had got from the ship. My new master was armed with a four-pronged spear. He gave me a musket and kept me close by his side. I thought at first from their movements that they would destroy the whole town, but after they had secured all the plunder from them they retired to their canoes and did not trouble them more.
My old master was very sorry to lose me but did not dare to say a word. I certainly felt a pang of regret at leaving him, as he had probably saved my life and had always treated me with the greatest kindness. The Tongataboo chief was anxious that I should stop with him and go to Tongataboo with him, telling me that there were many missionaries there and plenty of ships came there, but I preferred continuing with my new master. I found these people were collecting tribute for the chief of Lahcameber from the islands which were tributary.
The next morning we set sail from Turtle Island and steered for Ono, I being in the canoe with the chief, and arrived the following morning. The natives were expecting us, it being the time for their annual visit to collect tribute, and had large quantities of provisions cooked and all things prepared for their annual feast. All the inhabitants of the island seated themselves in a large circle leaving an opening through which our party passed to the center, each one carrying a bundle of tappah cloth, which I found was intended for a present in token of respect and friendship. When they got inside the ring our chief stood in the center with the rest of the party around him, each one having a spear in his hand. These they commenced brandishing in the air, accompanying their movements with sundry antics and gestures which at first alarmed me, thinking they were hostile demonstrations, but I soon perceived it was only a kind of dance which was always performed on such occasion.
At the conclusion of the dance they threw down their spears and cloth and retired to a house prepared for us, after which the natives divided our presents among the chiefs, each one taking a share according to his rank. When this was settled they brought us the provisions they had prepared and presented them with a great deal of ceremony, then left us to feast upon them, which we did with good appetites. We remained here some ten or twelve days receiving tribute, which consisted of tappah, sinnet, oil and mats, and sometimes a few whales' teeth, which is the most valuable article they have among them. By this time we had received all they had to give, so took our leave of them and proceeded to Lahcameber, stopping on our way at Turtle Island and several others.
On the third day we arrived at Lahcameber. The landing was thronged with natives of both sexes, who received us with great joy. I was dressed in the Feejee costume (that is, no dress at all—only a strip of cloth around my body). I was accompanied to the palace, which was about half a mile from the landing, by the multitude, who gazed at me with much curiosity. The king's residence was situated in the center of the town, with a large square in front of it, neatly fenced in with reeds. The houses were neatly built, similar to those at Turtle Island.
I was led into the palace and found the king entertaining a party, with a kind of drink called carver. I was presented to the king and a Friendly Island chief, who could talk some English, through whom the king inquired who I was and where I came from. I gave him the full particulars of the loss of the ship and the massacre of the crew. He then offered me a cup of carver, which I dared not refuse, although my stomach loathed it, and it was with much difficulty that I kept it down. This beverage is made from a root. It is first chewed by the natives. Each person except the chief takes a piece of the root and, after chewing it sufficiently, spits it into a wooden bowl. It is then mixed or kneaded with the hands, a little water added, and strained through the thin bark of the coconut tree, when it is ready for use. It is then poured into coconut shells and handed round, each one having a shell of his own. After drinking heartily of it, it leaves them in a kind of stupor, similar to the effect of opium. Disgusting as this beverage was to me at first, my repugnance gradually wore away and after a while I could drink it with as good a relish as I can now swallow a glass of beer, though as I look back it makes my stomach turn to think of it.
After our visitors departed, the king, with the aid of the Tongataboo chief, asked if my chief at home would send out an armed vessel to punish those savages who had killed the crew and I told him I thought he would. He then wanted to know if I could clean his muskets—he had seven which came out of the Oeno which were very rusty. I told him yes, so he brought me some tools and I took them to pieces, he watching me all the time with considerable interest. After I had cleaned them and put them together, he expressed his satisfaction as well as he could by signs, frequently repeating the word caloo, saying if I had not have been a spirit I would have shared the fate of the rest of the crew.
The king then requested me to fire them, which I did several times, loading and firing as fast as I could, which frightened them very much. They all fell at every discharge as though they had been shot. The king then invited me to eat with him. The food was brought in a dish made from the leaf of a coconut tree, and consisted of yams and tarrow. I was seated beside the king. One of his wives brought in a large earthern pot of boiled fish, and six female attendants were in readiness to wait on us. One sat by the king to feed him and another was appointed to feed me. I at first objected to being fed, but the king insisted on my conforming to his rules as I was his son and ought to do just as he did, so rather than displease him I submitted. The water in which the fish was boiled was dipped out in coconut shells which were held to our mouths to drink. The fish was then taken out in a wooden dish and divided equally. While eating, all present held a green leaf in their hands, as a token of respect to the king. When the repast was finished all clapped their hands, repeating the word Hamdoo, which means give thanks to the king. A basket of coconuts was then brought in and each one treated to a share of the milk. The men having finished, the women were allowed the fragments. The women are never allowed to eat with the men.
The next day, after walking around the town and satisfying my curiosity, the king asked me to accompany him shooting and I, of course, accepted. We were accompanied by three of the natives and shot a few wild pigeons and a number of sea fowl which we found in abundance. Having no clothes on I was badly sunburnt and had a very sore back for a long time. Sea fowl were very plentiful about the shores and fish of excellent quality abounded around the island. These were caught by the women mostly, who were very expert, but the men considered it beneath their dignity.
Preparations were now making for a grand feast. The king sent people out in all directions to collect and cook yams, tarrow and all kinds of vegetables, also pigs, fowl, etc. The natives brought provisions from all parts of the island and deposited them on one side of a square before the king's house and retired to the other side to await the performance which was about to take place by visitors from the Friendly and Navigator Islands. They collected provisions enough for two or three thousand people, and when several thousand spectators had assembled, the king, with me by his side, was seated on an eminence built of stone on one side of the square. After all was arranged the actors made their appearances in two parties and took their stations in the square about twenty-five or thirty feet apart. One of them then stepped out into the open square and, brandishing a coconut stalk in his hand, challenged anyone to come out and fight him. His challenge was promptly accepted by a young native from the same party and a smart fencing match ensued. At last one gave up and the conqueror was greeted with shouts of applause by the spectators. Two others then took their places and so the sport went on. After one party had their turn the other came on and fought with their fists muffled with tappah, which seemed to delight the spectators quite as much as the club fight. They frequently shouted Wooa venaka! Suka venaka! (Very well done. Thank you, sirs!) After about two hours of this exercise one of them used some unfair play, which so enraged all parties that they flew to their clubs and spears, and I expected to see something besides a sham fight; but the king jumped from his throne, rushed into the midst of them and quelled the disturbance. They then seated themselves and the provisions were shared amongst them. After feasting they left us, some badly bruised and many with broken limbs.
When all had become quiet the king and myself, accompanied by his life guard and servants, went to a pond of fresh water to bathe. When the king leaves his palace he is always accompanied by his guard who goes ahead to inform all whom they may meet of his approach, as all are required to bow down until he has passed. They pay great respect to the king, whom they reverence as a superior being guarded by the spirits of his forefathers. This they are caught by the priests, called Umbaty, whom the king always consults before undertaking a voyage or any enterprise. The old priest (for they are always very old) commences shaking himself until every part of his body is in motion, pretending meanwhile to be talking to the spirits. He then takes a stalk with two or three coconuts on it brought to him by the king and beats it on the mats. If the fruit comes off easily it is a good omen, but if not the king postpones his undertaking till a more favorable time. After the Umbaty gets through with his ceremony he takes a drink of sea water which stops his shaking and drives the spirits out of the house.
While I was on this island we were visited by a party of chiefs from Ambow, bringing with them six or seven Manila men—mutineers from a Manila brig. They had killed the captain and officers and given themselves up to the natives at Ambow. I inquired if there were any Europeans in the brig. They told me there were three. One came from the Ladrone Islands and left the vessel before the mutiny. The others acted as interpreters for the captain and came near sharing his fate, but were protected by some of the crew who were not so bad as the ringleaders.
During their stay the king kept me close by him for fear they would entice me away. I was very anxious to go, but the king told me he was going to Ambow in a few days and I should go with him. The visitors came to invite us to go to a great feast which was preparing at Ambow, and in a few days they returned home in their canoes.
We now commenced preparations for our voyage. Messengers were dispatched to every part of the island to inform the different chiefs that the king was going to Ambow, and that they must send all the coconut oil, tappah, and whales' teeth they could produce for presents to the king of Ambow. Twenty large canoes were fitted for the voyage, and when all was ready the king went down to the squadron escorted by a large party of chiefs and subjects, five of his wives bringing up the rear and bearing with them the mats to sleep on and cooking utensils. We set sail with a fine breeze, made our passage through the reef which surrounds the islands, into the open ocean, and steered for the island of Emwaller, where we arrived about sunset and anchored near the shore. The king and myself slept on the shore. The inhabitants brought down yams, tarrow, pacalcolo and pigs which were divided among the occupants of the canoes, a separate share being set aside for the king and myself. The pig being rare done we built a fire, broiled it, and made a very hearty meal. The next morning we got under way and steered for the island of Engow, where we arrived, with the aid of our paddles, before sunset and anchored as before, which was done by sticking an ironwood pole into the sand, and making fast a rope with a running bowline that it might slip down to the bottom. Where the bottom is rocky they dive down and make the end of the rope fast to a rock or piece of coral. Here we received the same friendly treatment as at the other island, and the next morning steered for the island of Motosick, where we arrived in the afternoon. This island is about fifteen miles from Ambow.
Soon after our arrival here I saw a canoe coming from Ambow, in which was a white man. As they came alongside our canoe the white man reached out his hand and addressed me by name. I was dumb with astonishment. At last he said, "don't you know David Whippey?" "Yes," I answered, "I formerly knew him. He was a townsman of mine and an old playmate." "Well," said he, "I am that David Whippey."