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The Land of the Hibiscus Blossom




(1888)
Country of origin: Australia Australia
Available texts by the same author here Dokument


XXIX. A Tribe of Butchers.

   THE next morning our explorers lit a fire while the heavy mists still hung about, and cutting some chops from their prize, roasted them on the embers and made a hearty breakfast, after which they carefully extinguished the fires by pouring water over and then scattering the ashes; which done, they lay about on the logs smoking and waiting on the clearing up.
   "I wonder how much further west the river means to go!" remarked Hector, in his quiet way, as he watched his pipe-wreaths curl up and get lost amongst the silver mist which the sun was now making luminous.
   "Not much longer, else I won't follow it; half a day longer will decide," responded Collins. "But let us all get under shelter before the mist clears; who knows what we may be able to see once it rises."
   It was prudent advice, which they all followed. When sitting inside the shadow of the hut they were able to command all sides of them from the doorway or the log aperture.
   The sky above, meanwhile, seemed shot with gleams of rose and faint turquoise blue, while pale yellow rays began to pierce through the gauze curtain, which seemed to be lifting up layer by layer.
   Butterflies in many varieties fluttered about and caught the sun-rays; they came from and dashed again into that silvery vagueness, with river--flies on long, transparent wings, which glistened with prismatic flashes as they darted about--a scene of fairyland luminous with light and teeming with insect life and joyance.
   The grass at their feet first became visible for yards round them, spreading with the fresh greenness of early spring as the billows of light seemed to race after the mist-wreaths and drive them up amongst the clouds.
   Then they saw the landing-place, where lay their boat concealed, and next the river, like quicksilver, from which columns of steam seemed to be curling and rolling along.
   The opposite banks come into view, and then the forest, hazy and fresh, looms upon the sight, and they may resume their journey whenever they please.
   "Hold on, boys, don't go out," said Collins, in as soft a voice as he can get his shrill pipe to emit, as he looks through a crevice towards the inland bush. "Do you see the devils?"
   Hector applies his eyes to the side Collins is looking from, as do the others, and all watch intently the sight which meets their gaze.
   Three natives have broken from the forest and are flying along the further edge of the swamp, while behind them follow about a dozen of their enemies, armed with that terrible weapon, the man-trap.
   It is a short run across that open space, yet the hunters are too much for the hunted. Tall men are those who pursue, and darker in colour than the men who run in front.
   A second or two of excitement for those who are watching, and then it is over; the man-traps are thrown outward with unerring aim, and with one shriek, which seems prolonged, the victims are down, and the hunters surround them, hacking them up as they kneel down to finish off their gruesome work.
   "Do you know them?" whispers Hector huskily.
   "Of course, we have both met them afore, though never so far west. The Butcher tribe of New Guinea."
   From the forest now appeared about thirty or forty fighting-men, with skins glittering in the distance like polished ebony, and enormous tufts of hair adorned with the beak of the horn-bill, their shields on their backs, and with spears and man-traps over their shoulders; some of them walked in single file, carrying, slung from long poles, huge baskets. They were all above the average size of men, while the leader appeared to be a gigantic fellow.
   These are the professional butchers of New Guinea, who have no fixed abode, but hunt men as sportsmen do game, as a regular occupation. They have no partiality, but take all that they can catch, cutting up the victims and disposing them amongst the different tribes for barter.
   "They appear to have a good stock in their baskets," remarked Hector, as the party reached the first group, and called a halt.
   "Yes," murmured Collins, watching them intently. "By the Lord, they are going to breakfast on fresh beef!"
   Firewood had been collected by this time, and lighted, for the large columns of smoke rose up from the group squatting round, tired out evidently with their morning walk, while they could see the bau-baus or native pipes handed round amongst those who were not occupied with cutting up the victims or cooking. No one amongst them seemed to glance towards these huts; probably they knew all about what they had hitherto contained, and felt more disposed for fresh than dried beef.
   As the sailors gazed, they could see the huge pieces flung upon the glowing and blazing embers, while the cooks watched them broiling, turning them about with their spear-points, and, when ready, lifting them out, and falling to the feast with teeth and nails sans cérémonie.
   The gigantic chief seemed to have no precedence beyond what his superior strength gave him. He made a grab at what appeared to be a breast-piece, knocking the native who had taken it up over on his back, and, without appearing to take any other notice of him, bent his massive head like a dog and commenced to devour.
   "Now is our time to get away," whispered Collins. "Let us slide quietly while they are busy."
   "I wish we were near enough to get a shot at the beasts," said Hector savagely, as he seized one of the bundles of provisions, slipped his revolver back into his belt and prepared to go.
   "Not I; the deed is done, and we might be the next, although they don't much relish white flesh," responded Collins. "You slip down with the boys, and get out the boat, while I watch."
   "All right."
   "Gently does it, boys; don't stir the reeds more than you can help."
   Very softly each of the men dropped over the platform, and crept on all-fours through the long grass towards the boat, dragging their provisions after them, while Collins kept his eyes at the log crevice, turning now and then to mark their progress.
   The boat is got safely out, and all are seated before Collins leaves his post; then, with a last look at the unconscious cannibals, he slips out and takes his place.
   Between them and the next group of bushes lie only a few yards of open space; but the grass is long, so they traverse the distance safely, and then draw a long breath of relief as they straighten up their backs and pull softly, but with steady, strong strokes, on their way.
   "Keep well under the bushes, lads; for we don't know who may be on the other side."
   Along the stream they glided, with the morning beams slanting down upon the pallid faces of the frightened Malays as they drew their long oars firmly through the waters, which glanced and sparkled about the stern of the boat. Being well-trained sailors they made no crabs or splashing, but feathered the blades as they drew them back without raising them above the surface.
   Silently they glided, with the river behind glowing like a molten furnace, and in front softly subdued into tones of delicious grey. They were passing a reach which the flowering trees overhung and where rushes and floating leaves lined the shores, while tendrils hung down in green showers, clustering with coral-tinted blossoms, and rare orchids whose exquisite perfume filled the rarefied atmosphere.
   They turned over lilies with their near oars, and tore up threads of plant-roots, which floated behind them like tresses of golden and red hair, while the river flies of all sizes, from minute white-winged, ant-like insects to the great dragon-fly, hovered about them in myriads. Wings and buds of all the hues which aesthetic painters love to blend, crossed one another and intermixed in chastest harmony, while the sailors glided on into a phantasmagoria of loveliness and peace, yet bearing with them the horror of that awful carnage behind.
   Before them, through this arch of loveliness, they can see a long vista of dreamy haze banks rising, with sloping sides in portions where land--slips have taken place, gleaming white and red, with the under-bed of clay or sandstone, and a confusion of weeds, flowers, and stony boulders lying about. The river banks change gradually as they advance, and appear, as far as they can see, to be inclining towards the right.
   They had now got about a couple of miles from the huts, and would soon emerge once more into the open.
   "Hold hard a spell!" said Collins at this stage. "We had better land here and prospect a bit before we venture outside."
   They drew their boat under the bushes, where they were unseen, and remained for a little time in quietness, with ears on the alert for noises in front or behind.
   All seemed peace except the sound of insect wings, or the flutter amongst the dense leafage overhead of uneasy birds, as they drew into the shelter.
   The droning peace of a tropic morning with beauty and destruction on the wing.
   Then all at once that gentle quiet is shattered by the one discordancy which over breaks upon the harmony of Nature--the frantic howling and yelling of man, enraged and thirsting to do evil.
   Distant sounds of warfare from the place which they have left.
   "What is up now, I wonder?" uttered the matter-of-fact Collins. "Has their grub disagreed with the devils?"
   "More likely another tribe come across them resting, and paying them out for their own darned treachery," replied Hector, as he bent his head in the direction of the turmoil.
   "Yes, that is it," he resumed. "By Jove, I'd give five pounds to see the sport!"
   "Let us see it, then," answered his friend. "We can get near enough to see it before they wind up, I daresay, without being noticed in their excitement."
   "Done. Take two or three of the dynamite bombs; they may come in handy to decide the question."
   The Malays, frightened though they were, could not be persuaded to stay behind their leaders; so, fastening the dingey and blazing a tree trunk to mark the locality, they all stole out, Collins carrying his Winchester and brace of revolvers, and Hector, besides his arms, a small--sized bomb charged with dynamite, while the boys followed with some more charges.
   They did not find much trouble in working their way along the banks, as the foliage, although in parts closely knitted, was of a parasitical nature, and easy to break through, while they went cautiously, but straight for the scene of action, guided by the cries and yells which every foot of ground grew stronger as they approached.
   The tempest of carnage had evidently caused a great excitement amongst the feathered denizens of the upper branches; for, every few moments, as the men pressed onwards, the swift whirl of the paradise bird or flapping of the wood-pigeon, could be heard as they broke from their cover and sought more secluded places on the further shore. Once or twice the men caught a passing glimpse of the gorgeous plumage and sweeping red-brown tails as the birds crossed the open interspaces above. Once or twice also they saw the glimmer of a large snake gliding out of their way, and the ungainly rolling of an iguana amongst the snapping twigs and undergrowth, while hordes of ants fell upon them, resenting their intrusion on that virgin domain, causing even the mild Hector to grind out a low oath between his clenched teeth.
   "Some one has won the day," said Collins, as much of the fury died out of the din, but the clamour was succeeded by a great crushing in the not very far distance, as of a head of cattle breaking through the brushwork.
   "By the Lord, they are coming this way! To cover, lads, as best you can!"
   Collins set a very rapid example by seizing hold of a strong tendril near to his hand, and drawing himself up amongst the leafage with the dextrous celerity of a sailor, an example which the others did not fail to follow as best they could, leaving their bombs on the ground.
   They had hardly concealed themselves before the branches were forced aside, and five or six natives similar to the three before noticed broke through in a panic of fear, with about an equal number of the black--skinned Butchers behind.
   "Shoot the devils down!" shouted out Collins, forgetting his caution, as he covered his prey, and at the word from both sides belched forth the deadly fire, and four of the hunters fell to the ground, while the others stood with gaping mouths at this fire from heaven, both hunted and hunters.
   Then the two remaining black-skins recovering first with a bound leapt back into the shelter of the woods, while the others, now with odds in their favour, plucking up courage, once more reversed positions, and plucking the spears from the dead men's grasp, made again after the flying pair, never pausing to see who had befriended them, but intent on vengeance only.
   "Nothing like gratitude," said Collins, leaping from his perch. "Let us go after them and see the finale; pick up the bombs, we may need them yet."
   The track was wide enough now for the explorers to follow, so two abreast they dashed along, and in a few more seconds had reached the outer belt of trees, with the swamp in front, and the scene of battle spreading out.
   "Gently, now, or we may fall into the trap ourselves," observed Collins, halting under the trees, and going cautiously forward to where he could see without being seen.
   "Hallo! there lie the two who escaped our bullets," he said, as he held aside the branch and peered out, "stabbed in the back. But where can our late friends have got to?"
   The two blackskins had been caught just at the open, and had fallen face forwards on to the plain, and now lay with both hands clutching at the grass-roots, with gaping spear-wounds behind, but not a sign of the five natives who had killed them.
   Over between the fire and where they stood the ground was covered with dead bodies, lying about in all directions and in all positions, black and brown, while half-way to the fire had gathered the remainder of the Butchers, about twenty, surrounding what appeared to be some prisoners.
   "Surely the fools have not been caught already," remarked Collins, as he looked over the scene. "However, we must help them out of the mess, if we can, now we are here. What say you, old man?"
   "Of course, old man; we can't leave the poor wretches now to be cut up, so let's steal round the bush a bit till we are nearer them."
   It was perilous work to get near to them without being heard or seen, yet the two men felt that they could not now forsake those unlucky natives, whom they had already, at the risk of their lives, befriended, so, with cautious steps, they crept round the forest edge, looking out at the natives every time the leafage was clear enough to see through.
   Four of the five natives were now left in the midst of their enemies, bound in the arms by strong withes. They were being driven forward toward the fire by the others with harsh cries and heavy blows, the blood staining their brown skins in several places.
   The Butchers also seemed to be all more or less wounded, so that it must have been a savage and pretty evenly-matched battle at the beginning, and dearly won, although now the blacks had come off victors some of them trailed their limbs along the ground painfully, and seemed with difficulty to be able to raise their arms to strike the captives; yet that did not make them any the less vengeful in their efforts.
   "Boss Collins, let us go back; black fellow all same. Going to roast brown fellow, you see."
   Yes, it seemed that such was the atrocious intention of the Butchers, for as Collins and Hector got nearly opposite to the fire, they saw some of the savages busily engaged roping their prisoners to the bleached trunk of a dead gum-tree, which stood with forked branches on the margin of the swamp, while the others were busily scattered about gathering firewood.
   Some of the wood-collectors came very close to where the party stood watching them, while they stood ready to fire, but none came near enough to discover them, so that they were allowed to take back their load.
   "Had we not better make our rush now and free the poor fellows," said Hector, who seemed impatient to begin the fray.
   "No," replied Collins. "Let them all be together, then our shots will take more effect. We must let none of the demons escape to alarm the country now that we are in for it."
   "So, so," remarked Hector. "You give the word of command, only I hope we won't kill our friends as well as our enemies."
   "That will just have to be as it happens," replied Collins, grimly.
   "Are the bombs handy?"
   "Here they are."
   "Be ready to light one, Jack, and when I give the word the rest pick out his man, aiming from the eastern edge of the crowd inwards as you stand; that will make those we don't hit start in a body from the stake. Then, before they have time to spread, pitch it clear amongst them, and the game is our own."
   "Right, mate."
   "Now, Jack, light the fuse."
   Jack obeyed with silent and methodical unconcern, as if it was a pipe of tobacco he had been asked to light, and now stood with the bomb in his hand blowing on the fizzing match.
   "Fire, boys!"
   Four well-aimed shots blazed forth with almost one report, and for an instant the smoke prevented them seeing the result. When the white puffs cleared from before their eyes they saw four prostrate figures, with the others skurrying panic-stricken in a huddled mass westward, with the prisoners left alone bound to the tree.
   "Hand me that lighted bomb, and set another going quick."
   It was nearly burnt down as Collins seized it, and with all his might sent it spinning in the direction of the flying crowd.
   A moment it spun through the air like a tennis-ball, then it dropped about ten yards on the other side of the running group now beginning to scatter.
   "The other one!"
   Again the lighted ball went through the air, landing between the stake and the Butchers.
   A second as the band hurried on towards the first ball, then the sound as of a rock blasting as they seemed to be beaten back by a dense volume of smoke which quickly hid them from sight.
   Another explosion, as the second bomb burst, made the earth tremble under their feet, while bits of clay and dead wood seemed to be flying about, and a blinding shower of mud came pattering down upon their faces, while the field was rolling with white clouds, and only cries of affright or agony could be heard from its midst.
   "That will about do the trick, I fancy," said Collins, putting another charge into his Winchester. "When this smoke clears we'll polish off the rest, if there are any left; when the time comes to kill it is the worst policy to leave one to peach."
   The smoke rolling westward revealed the gum-tree first, with the four prisoners struggling madly to release themselves from their bondage, and apparently almost frantic with horror at this awful visitation. They were unhurt by the explosion, although spattered with slush from the swamp, which had been cast up high into the air and rained down again; but the old tree had suffered severely in its top branches.
   As the air cleared about the scene of the disaster it could be seen that Collins had done his work of destruction with expedience and method, for only scattered remnants of humanity covered the field, while the ground presented the aspect of an earthquake. Not one of the Butcher tribe was left to carry the wonderful news about, and not a few were as completely dismembered as if some of their own craft had been at work.
   A sickening picture, with the black earth sucking in the hot red blood, and the fierce mid-ray licking up the rank fumes.
   As they broke from their cover, yellow flames burst from the pile of wood gathered around the captives--the blacks had fired the wood before the first shots had chased them to their doom.
   To draw out their sheath-knives and rush towards the tree was the first impulse of Collins and Hector. Another moment and the prisoners were dragged through the smoke and flames, and laid dazed and helpless, but not otherwise hurt, beyond a slight scorching and a mighty fright.
   "What can we do with these poor devils?" said Collins, ruefully looking down at their prostrate figures. "I don't like to kill defenceless men, and yet it would be the best way of squaring matters both for ourselves and them."
   "Let us take them with us," replied Hector; "they may show us our road to the Fly."
   "Perhaps, yet they are none of them to be trusted, although we must not let them loose till we are safe ourselves."
   So it was settled, and again tying up their arms behind their backs, they raised them to their feet, and, pointing to the forest, pushed them along.
   Both men knew some native words, but the captives were either too much stunned with their late adventures or else belonged to some inland tribe with a totally different language, for they did not reply, or seem to comprehend what was said to them, but limped along painfully in the direction indicated with that apathetic air which signifies the resignation of hope in a native breast.
   As they left the field of death they observed the first of nature's scavengers, in the form of a large vulture, swoop down from the blue space above, while away in the far distance was a line of dark specks rapidly becoming larger.
   Through the broken-down pathway of the forest they retraced their steps, and soon reached their boat, into which they pushed their apathetic prisoners, and then, shoving out from the drooping branches, swiftly pulled past the forest and into open country once more.
   The natives sat where they had been placed, never looking up or showing interest in any action from those on board.
   After an hour of hard rowing they all laid to, being thoroughly fagged out and ready for dinner; so at a sign from Collins they put in to shore, and, landing, set about lighting a fire to boil their billies.
   An open country, still flat or only slightly hilly, but grass covered, with here and there a solitary tree--a good part for game, such as kangaroos, but without a sign of habitations.
   But the river was decidedly tending towards the west; a turn to the cast now and again filled them with hope, to be again disappointed as they could not but observe its general direction.
   "What are we to do next, captain?" observed Hector, looking up, while they were drinking their tea Australian fashion, with their biscuit and tinned mutton.
   "I think, while the boys rest a bit, you and I will go and hunt for an hour against to-night's supper, after which we'll keep on till dark as we are, and consider the matter then."
   The natives by this time had somewhat recovered themselves, and were eating the pieces of biscuit handed to them. They spoke in a language unknown to the explorers as they ate, and seemed to be fairly contented with their present position, their hands being now freed to show that they were guests rather than prisoners.
   Thus while the Malays rested, and having given them minute instructions to watch closely the opposite shore, now not much more than fifteen feet distant, and not lose sight of their captives, the two friends went out on their hunt.
   After an hour or two of hunting they came back fairly successful, having bagged a cassowary and a couple of small kangaroos.
   The natives expressed great delight at their success, and proved themselves useful by skilfully skinning the game. They laughed loudly as they divided the feathers of the cassowary amongst them, tying each bundle up, and slinging them over their backs, showing no desire to run away as they once more took their places in the boat.
   Undersized men they all were, of a pale bronze tint, with smooth faces and somewhat delicate features, but their dark eyes were deep-set and close together.
   After a time the Malays, growing tired, handed their oars to the natives, and by signs taught them how to use them. They were by this time great friends with one another, and took to their work with great cheerfulness, learning in a surprisingly short time to use them fairly well.
   A burst of laughter rose from them when one of them made a crab and went backwards, head over heels, letting go his oar, which began to float down the river.
   A laugh in which the unfortunate one joined heartily himself, until he saw his oar in the stream, on which, without a pause, he plunged over the side, quickly recovering it, and swimming back again to his place.
   As he climbed over the side, the long snout and dull eye of a large crocodile popped up, and, evidently satisfied that his intended supper had escaped him, disappeared again under the surface before they could get a stroke at him.
   "Let us stop for the night," cried out Collins, as the shadows were growing purple, "I've had about enough of this stream."
   They brought up to the bank at a point where it seemed composed of stones and dried-up shrubs, and gathering enough firewood to start their fire, set themselves to work cooking the cassowary.
   A look round the country from the top of the bank convinced them that all was clear; away to the west appeared a range of far-distant hills lying faintly blue at the end of a vast plain, with hardly a tree to be seen; the opposite shore also was stone and grass-covered as far as they could see, with a spreading campaign all round.
   The river had no connection with the Fly, for it was gradually growing less. It had shallow parts from which stones and boulders protruded, but still was deep enough to float the boat. It had a more rapid current, which made it harder work to pull the boat. It was clearly a distinct river, as yet unnamed, and fed from those distant ranges.
   "By Jove, Collins, this beats the Fly; what say you to following it up?"
   "I wouldn't mind if we were better prepared; it would be some news to take back to Thursday Island."
   "Let's christen it, at all events, for it is our discovery."
   "What shall we call it?"
   "Oh, after you, old man, of course, hand you down to posterity. Call it 'The Collins River.'"
   Collins demurred with becoming modesty; but Hector carried the question, the Malays agreeing to whatever they agreed, and the natives laughing and showing their betel-blackened teeth at the fun which they saw going on about them.
   A pleasant evening, in which all were boisterously inclined, while the rum circulated, the natives turning with wry faces when it was offered, but lovingly patting the backs of their new-found friends, as they gravely puffed out of their borrowed pipes.
   At last the "Collins River" was duly marked down on their charts and named, and setting himself to the first watch while the rest laid themselves down on the ground to sleep, Collins filled his pipe afresh and prepared himself for a good two hours' reflection.
   It is a pleasant thing to have a book dedicated to one, or a river named after one. Captain Collins felt it so, and thoroughly pleased with himself as he sat down and puffed at his pipe, watching the stars come out one by one, and the crescent moon lift up like a boat floating upon a deep green sea.
   "By the Lord, but I have been asleep," exclaimed Collins, rubbing his eyes as he started up with a shiver, to see the midnight stars serenely shining from the blackness, and hear only the sucking sound of the current as it swept round the stones.
   "Hector, are you all right, mate?"
   "All right, mate," said Hector, getting out of his blanket and stretching himself. "Hullo, the devil! Where are the natives?"
   Ay, where? Jack and the other Malay boys roused up and looked about them stupidly while their leader flew round.
   "Damn the ongrateful scoundrels, they have stolen the boat," cried Collins, savagely, from the river side. "I knew we ought to have potted them with the other niggers."
   "Well, that settles our minds as to exploring the Collins River," replied Hector. "We shall now have to strike across country."
   "With only a single round of cartridges and our revolver, our provisions and rifles were in the boat?"
   "Might have been worse if they had brained us," retorted Hector. "Turn in, old man, till morning; time enough to growl then."


Chapter 30 >