Produced by Richard Tonsing and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) THE MANATITLANS; OR A RECORD OF SCIENTIFIC EXPLORATIONS IN THE ANDEAN LA PLATA, S. A. R. ELTON SMILE, PRO-SCRIPTOR. Buenos Ayres: _Calla DerÃ©cho, Imprenta De Razon_, 1877. U. S. Copyright BY ELTON R. SMILE. DEDICATED AS A MEMORIAL TRIBUTE OF AFFECTION TO THE EVER PRESENT ANIMUS OF MY PARENTS, SISTERS, MRS. HIRAM HOLLY, AND MRS. SOPHIA VISCHER. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ CONTENTS PREFATORY INTRODUCTION. BY THE HISTORIOGRAPHER CHAPTER I. CHAPTER II. CHAPTER III. CHAPTER IV. CHAPTER V. CHAPTER VI. CHAPTER VII. CHAPTER VIII. CHAPTER IX. CHAPTER X. CHAPTER XI. CHAPTER XII. CHAPTER XIII. CHAPTER XIV. CHAPTER XV. CHAPTER XVI. CHAPTER XVII. CHAPTER XVIII. CHAPTER XIX. CHAPTER XX. CHAPTER XXI. CHAPTER XXII. CHAPTER XXIII. CHAPTER XXIV. CHAPTER XXV. CHAPTER XXVI. CHAPTER XXVII. CHAPTER XXVIII. CHAPTER XXIX. CHAPTER XXX. CHAPTER XXXI. CHAPTER XXXII. CHAPTER XXXIII. CONCLUSION. PREFATORY INTRODUCTION. BY THE HISTORIOGRAPHER In the following record of the explorations of the Teutonic corps of the R. H. B. Society of Berlin, dispatched for the classification of parasitical animalculÃ¦ peculiar to the vegetable productions of the tropics, I shall confine myself exclusively to the revelations of the day until the culmination of the corps discoveries, and then to Manatitlan dictation, either direct or through the medium of thought dictation. The discoveries, as verified, will undoubtedly tax âpublic credulityâ to its utmost stretch; but as the absorptive power of human instinct for the marvelous is unlimited in its superstitious gullibility, it will peradventure receiveâwith perhaps an awkward spasm from the novelty of goodnessâthe practical experience adduced as worthy of disputatious consideration. Still we feel assured that there is a reasonable minority who will adopt the practical suggestions with joyful avidity. The facts relatedâalthough at present stranger than the instinctive fictions projected from the unreason of the stomachâs ruleâwill prove, to the affectionately disposed, of easy reconciliation with healthy digestion, and in every respect worthy of universal adoption by our race. Assuming the privilege of narrative relation in recording the progressive events, I shall only advert to the leading adventures of the scientific corps while en route toward their ultimate field of exploitation. But while in progress shall endeavor to render the characteristic peculiarities of the members sufficiently conspicuous for the clear exposition of their national traits, that the reader may realize the obstacles opposed, in degree, to their assimilation with the practical teachings of the Manatitlans demonstrated by Heraclean example. Lucenhouck, in prophetic forecast, says, âMan, in the arrogance of his pride, believes that he is of a race separate and distinct from the lower orders of the animal creation. Assuming attributes of deity he has constituted himself arbitrator of his own destiny. Yet, with all his affectation of superiority, there is an approximation in his form and physical conformation that distinctly declares his relationship to the simia species; among which there is as great a variety in form and racial intelligence as with those of the genus to which he stands confessed. With the full development of microscopical power, future generations will learn that the wonders of Creation are beyond present conception, and that well defined organic humanity may yet be revealed on the utmost verge of atomic divisibility.â ------------------------------------------------------------------------ THE MANATITLANS. BOOK FIRST. CHAPTER I. In the month of January, 187-, M. Hollydorf was selected to conduct an exploring corps of the R. H. B. Society to the head waters of the Paraguay and its tributaries, for the purpose of observing the habits and classifying the different species of animalcular life native to the trees and plants appertaining to those regions. The Royal Society had supplied him with able assistants, and the most complete set of instruments ever constructed for botanical or other research in the fields of natural science. Among the instruments of recent invention, was one of Lutsenwitzâs solar reflecting microscopes, especially designed for field explorations. This was of the highest concentrated power yet attempted by that artist,âthe intensity of its magnifying capacity being capable of showing the facial contortions of the most minute animalculÃ¦. Attached to the focal platform was one of Phlegmonhauâs highest grade of responsive tympanums, with reflecting auricle for magnifying the articulation of sound. The corps arrived at Montevideo on the first day of April, and was fortunate in finding a small trading steamer, under neutral colors, ready with quick despatch for a barter voyage up the Paraguay and its tributaries, without a specified port of final destination. The captain was sole owner, and proved to be a man of rare intelligence, which had been cultivated by travel and study. To his love of adventure was added a strong amateur predisposition for the pursuits of natural history. These qualifications led to a speedy agreement, with conditional arrangements for a charter of the steamer open to variations suited to the requirements of the corps. * * * * * On the 15th of April the members of the corps, instruments, camp utensils, and travelling gear, were safely stowed on board the little steamer _Tortuga_,âa name that implied slow progress, which to our satisfaction her speed decried. At eleven A. M., having bid farewell to our newly acquired friends, we left the anchorage with their âGood speed,â and after threading her way among the vessels in the roadstead the little steamer puffed her way up the broad expanse of the La Plata estuary. The balance of the day was occupied in arranging instruments for river observations, the while listening to praises lavished by the captain upon the âworthyâ qualities of his little propeller, of which he was the architect and builder. During the evening he regaled us with incidents of his life in California and the East Indies. His adventures in California received occasional illustrations from a genial individual introduced as Padre Simon, the prefix having been conferredâas we afterwards learnedâfrom his zealous support of the Catholic dogmas, theoretically. As the padre was eventually enlisted in our corps, we will foreshadow some of his peculiar characteristics. In form he was of medium height, with a rotund outline visibly inclining to jovial obesity; his face was in-dyed with a complexion blending with the Roman auburn of his hair, which gave a warm glow to his expression when lighted with a smile. In the first generation of descent from Irish parentage, he retained the full impression of inconsistency in the practical adaptation of his habits to the faithful index of goodness ingrafted from the maternal stock. Guileless in thought, when free from temptation, he possessed a ready facility of excusing his habits of excess with the plea of saving grace administered under the seal of confession. With this hint, in forecast of development, we will proceed in the relation of events transpiring during the river voyage. On the morning of the 21st of May, after having been subjected to our full share of vexatious delays, incident to the provincial _poco pocoism_ of the guarda and custom-house officials, the steamer gained the river post of Santa Anna on the Pilcomayo, two miles above its mouth. At Santa Anna they found the well-known American naturalist, Diego Dow, waiting for an opportunity to obtain sufficient aid to attempt the exploration of the Pilcomayo as far as the reputed settlement of Tenedos, which rumor located on a confluent stream rising and flowing eastward through the valleys of the Andean spur that reached into central La Plata. The ultra-savage disposition of the wandering tribes on the banks of these rivers, having defeated every previous attempt made to establish trading-posts, but few had been found willing to incur the hazard proposed by Mr. Dow. Even the indomitable Jesuits had been foiled in all their endeavors to conciliate the Indians in degree sufficient for the establishment of missions preliminary to their subjugation. The magnet of Mr. Dowâs desire had been drawn thitherward by the reputed existence of a walled city inhabited by a white race of great beauty. He considered the report sufficiently well authenticated to warrant the adventure of his life for its discovery and relief from the constant siege to which it had been subjected by the savage tribes from time beyond date. His chief authority, which had incited him to engage in the emprise, was his Auraucanian servant, who had, in his wanderings and progress northward, served in an Indian marauding expedition, which invaded the valley of the city for the purpose of lifting the cattle of the inhabitants, who were in seasons of drought obliged to protect them while feeding beyond the walls. As Indian forays were expected, the herds were well guarded by shepherd escorts, whose persons were safely protected with defensive armor, so that with the exception of the face the other parts of the body were proof to the poisoned arrows. In addition they were armed with a bow which in their practiced hands sent the arrow sure to its mark far beyond the range of their savage foesâ weapons, so that in the open valley they were safe. Besides, their tactics embraced so many precautionary variations that the Indians were almost invariably decoyed and blinded from real intention. These feints caused the savages to become over wary, never venturing an attack unless with the advantage of overwhelming numbers. The party with which Aabrawa, Mr. Dowâs servant, was engaged, met with a severe repulse that indisposed them to renew the attempt, notwithstanding an opportunity was offered on the succeeding day. So well managed were the citizensâ plans of protection that they rarely lost either men or cattle, and without being aggressive frequently administered well merited punishment upon their foes, who were inspired with wholesome fear from a superiority so manifest in deadly effect. Unable to cope with their white antagonists in the open field, they, with constant wariness peculiar to the savage, neglected no opportunity to harass, hoping at some time with constant worrying to catch them off their guard. The cause of this implacable hatred was hereditary, reaching, as Aabrawa learned, far back to a time when the forefathers of the citizens abused their supremacy by enslaving their Indian benefactors. The Indians having surprised and overcome their oppressors, a remnant of the whites obtained refuge in the present city, which had since been kept under constant espial. As the city was overlooked from an adjacent height, but little passed in the streets unknown to the besiegers, who were quick to discover any relaxation of vigilance; and whenever from pestilence or other cause it did occur, couriers were dispatched to summon aid from distant tribes. Curiosity and love of exciting adventure had enlisted the members of the corps in favor of aiding Mr. Dowâs projected enterprise, and through their continued solicitation, M. Hollydorf consented to waive the strict interpretation of his commission, designating a particular field of operation, by using his discretionary power in favor of the proposed scheme for raising the siege of the beleaguered city. Captain Greenwood without hesitation tendered the aid of his steamer, and being one of those peculiar persons who are accustomed to take the head of time by the forelock, he immediately commenced the precautionary labors to protect his vessel from the wily tricks of surprise practiced by the savages. The commandante of Santa Anna, being well acquainted with the methods of attack that led to the defeat of the various expeditions directed against the Chacas, proved of great use in suggesting precautions. The chief dread arose from the poisoned arrows of the savages, which inflicted incurable wounds, adding to death the horrors of lingering putrefaction. The fears anticipated from this source were relieved by the confidence inspired through the energetic character of the captain, whose experience with the superior cunning of the North American Indians prepared him to cope with the lower instincts of their southern congeners. * * * * * On the morning of the 23d of May the _Tortugaâs_ bow was turned against the swift middle current of the Pilcomayoâs bayou expanse, then at its height from the copious contributions of the rainy season in the high lands and mountain sources of its tributaries. Night still found us in the broad sea of waters, baffled in search of the interior mouth which was made more difficult from the confluent branches uniting with it near its Paraguayan embouchure. The commandante, anticipating the difficulty likely to be encountered, had been particular in giving directions; but although strictly followed, from a calculation of the steamerâs speed, twice the distance had been run without discovering the described landmarks. Uncertainty was rendered still more uncomfortable by the shallowing of the water, showing plainly that we were inland from the riverâs channel. At midnight, while anchored, a hurricane, heralded by a thunder-storm, made the waters seethe with its force, causing our little craft to careen and bob with a politeness to the gusts that impaired our confidence in its self reliance. Padre Simon declared that the lightning set his teeth on edge, prompting him from its dazzling flashes to pray, but that the thunder so startled and confused him that he was unable to think, and as a dernier ressort was obliged to drink. This remedy finally rendered him proof to the best efforts of Jupiter Tonans; but on waking in the morning he complained that he could still hear the roll of the thunder in his head. On the morning of the 24th the sun rose bright and clear in a cloudless sky, compensating with its splendor the discomforts of the night; its reflected light glancing upon the waters discovered far to the south a broad ripple, indicating the sought-for channel. The riverâs stream was soon gained, and followed in a southwesterly course until the riverâs limits were defined by partially submerged trees growing upon its banks. Having at Santa Anna filled every available portion of the vessel with fuel, sufficient for a run of four days, the boat was enabled to keep on her course under a full head of steam, without anxiety from the dull prospect offered for replenishing. May 25th, at sunrise, after a good nightâs run, we discovered a headland above the surface of the water covered with fire-scathed trees, from which the captain, for a surety, concluded to add to his diminished supply of fuel. The labor of taking in wood from this source was by no means pleasant, but the sailors with good-will made the âvirtue of necessityâ cheerful with songs and jokes, the âpassengers,â suitably clothed, contributing with the zest of energy their labor for its stowage, so that by eight oâclock we were again under way. With the exception of this wooded bluff nothing but sky, water, and foliage had met our eyes since leaving Santa Anna, the monotonous compound making us well content with cabin associations. On the 28th at sunrise, our ears were gladdened with the cry of âLand ho!â Rushing on deck, with the expectation of a greeting from well defined banks, we were disappointed, as the contrasted elements of the previous day still prevailed. Seeing that we were a little inclined to be vexed, at what we considered to be an ill-timed joke, the man at the wheel, an old river navigator, pointed to a mud bank that closed our view with the bend of the river, at the same time directing our attention to the eddy cast from it far out toward a line of trees on the opposite shore. From these indications he assured us that in a half hourâs time we should hear the songs of birds to make us lively. Doubling the muddy cape we were greeted with the screams of parrots, while other birds of gay plumage were crossing and recrossing the river singly and in flocks, causing, in apparent salutation, a lively line of demarcation between the land enclosed current and the smooth waters of the flood below. The welcome sight raised our spirits into a sympathetic mood of song, which was unfortunately too nearly allied to the screaming discord of the parrots to evoke other than a mirthful disposition for repartee which expended itself in humorous comparisons, favoring the advent of genial omens. Mr. Welson, a prominent official of the Panama Railroad Company, had accepted the freedom proffered by the steamship lines plying between the maritime cities of the eastern coast of South America, for his recuperative vacation of three months, and on his arrival in Montevideo had been induced by Captain Greenwood to extend his voyage up the river. A Scotsman by birth, he possessed in an eminent degree the predilection of his people for dry, caustic humor; and in his position of commercial agent had cultivated the art of extracting fun from the vagaries of migrating humanity in their transit across the isthmus. Scientific whimsies were especially adapted to his quizzical vein, and a happier combination of material could scarcely have been conjured for his entertainment, than he found on board of the _Tortuga_. Padre Simon was his especial favorite as a stimulating provocative. Won by his naÃ¯ve simplicity, he had soon interested himself to learn the object of his river voyage, with the intention of rendering him assistance. Greatly to his surprise the padre informed him that he had no other expectations in visiting Entre Rios than the chance one âof hitting an opportunity to make a strike.â Amused with his vernacular, and the easy carelessness of his manner, which seemed to defy disappointment, he was delighted to discover his growing fondness for polemical disputations, which was gratified by a kindred disposition cultivated by Dr. BaÄhar, the naturalist of the corps. On the steamerâs arrival at Entre Rios, the port of his destination, the padreâs thoughts were absorbed in the dogmatic discussion of the soulâs material identity with the body after the resurrection, so that he gave no heed to the frequent repetition of the name of the town. Aware of his total abstraction from all thoughts and anxieties connected with the business responsibilities of life, necessary for material sustenance, Mr. Welson connived with the doctor to hold him in argument until after the steamerâs departure, well assured that no material harm could arise from the derangement of plans so lightly impressed as to give place to chimerical argument. For a characteristic illustration of the disputantsâ peculiarities we will give the burden of their colloquial subjects of exposition. _Padre._ âMy conscienceâ sake alive, man! Why, you might as well set us down as beasts at once, as to argue that in resurrection we shall assume the form of animals whose habits we most affect in life! Surely your naturalistic learning has run mad with your orthodox catholic ideas, for, upon my soul, they are rank with transmigration, and if confessed, you would be denied absolution by every ecclesiastic in the Christian world. Look you! the very fact, if admitted, would controvert all that we hold sacred. Why, man, it would render absurd our reliquary faith in the efficacy of sainted bones and vestments for healing the sick and lame, for the marrow-bones of swine and the hair of dogs would hardly serve to enlist belief in the Christian doctrine of divine transubstantiation?â _Dr. B._ âAs we claim that reason has been bestowed as an endowment to distinguish us in reality from the brute creation, its possession presupposes preordination of intention in decree for its use. Now, if you will devote your share of this human endowment to the demonstration I am about to give of cause and effect, you will not fail to perceive the distinctions upon which our faith is founded. Humanity possesses omnivorously, in its varieties of genera and species, all the habits of the lower orders of the animal creation in their separate representation! But superadded to this resemblance in the community of instinct, man has a discretionary power inherent with his endowment of reason, which enables him to profit by experience in shaping his course for the avoidance of consequent evils which follow from the transgression of natural laws. This power presupposes accountability that directs itself to Creative Cause. Upon this innate feeling of responsibility, impressed by repentance from transgressions, and joys imparted from adherence to the monitor indications of our superiority, man has founded his religious distinctions of vice and virtue. In furtherance of this natural division man has volunteered to represent vice, and woman, unprejudiced by his influence, would have naturally assumed the role of virtue in truthful vindication of her vocation as the mother of our race. Now, as you well know, it is impossible to harmonize vice and virtue, even with the instinctive coalescence of the sexes? Hence, as you must acknowledge, there will be a constant struggle for ascendency. Man as the stronger of the two, in representative selfish determination, and the moral force of muscular strength, is as full of devices for the beguilement of woman from her sacred trust as the variations of his ability admit.â _Padre._ âYes, all that may be true; but you donât talk at all like yourself, and I canât see what you have said has to do with revealed religion.â _Dr. B._ âWhy, its connection is self suggestive; virtue and vice in sexual array, for the supremacy of example, naturally oppose to each other their attractions and temptations. Fortunately, the harmonizing beauty of woman, with loving affection, impressed on the rude selfishness of man the preferred happiness of a home subject to graceful refinements, and with her sex in the majority held his passions and appetites of instinct in abeyance. To overcome this tacit rule man devised a series of temptations to hold her in subjugation to his control. These were addressed to her vanity and envy, incited by the jealous instigations of manâs preferment on the score of beauty. This led to artificial adornment, which placed the means of temptation in the hands of man. Then, as a plea for the encouragement of virtue, religious revelations were instituted under the conjurations of mystery to control, with fear, superstitious simplicity.â _Padre._ âPerhaps I donât quite understand you, for I can scarcely account for my own thoughts as they seem to be so mixed with new impressions; but if I understand what you express in words, I will answer for myself that the revealed way of salvation is to use all the blessings of life with moderation.â _Mr. Welson._ (Amused.) âWith the doctorâs permission, you will perhaps appreciate an illustration that occurs to me? Womanâs naturally unselfish affection, unbiased by the temptations of vanity and envious curiosity, exerts with gentle forbearance a restraint upon the more brutal appetites of man, softening asperities provoked by over indulgence. Theodosius, the emperor champion of Christianity, opened a way for the incursions of northern barbarians by patronizing the intolerant sway it usurped over the more primitive and lenient rites of paganism, as it weakened, by the introduction of effeminate luxuries which allied the sexes for degeneration.â _Padre._ âI have never been much of a book-worm, but it appears to me if man, as Dr. BaÄhar says, represents vice and woman virtue, your college learning directly tends to the cultivation of a vicious course by keeping before the people the barbarous acts of the ancients derived from their own language, which gives the scholar a directing power, from a studied understanding of the corruptions practiced in past ages. So you see, itâs far better for woman, and the world at large, that sheâs denied the means of classical study; for from your own admissions, her curiosity and envious vanity rages so greatly at the present day sheâd be more likely to play the part of a Cleopatra than a Zenobia. As the world runs, I think the less we know of the past the better it will be for our salvation.â _Mr. W._ âBut you forget church history, padre, from the record of which you derive your knowledge of the fathers?â _Padre._ âWell, but that is different from profane, for it teaches us the way of salvation by saving grace.â _Mr. W._ âYes, through the tender mercies of the Inquisition.â _Mr. Dow._ âAs a listener I must acknowledge that you have each with good arguments strangely confounded your former selves.â The above colloquial rejoinders will serve as an illustration of the attraction that beguiled the padreâs attention until the second day after he had passed his port of destination. Then inquiring of the captain the distance that still âintervened,â the supposed number of miles being given, he relapsed into his usual routine without suspecting that it was calculated from the stern instead of the bow. When informed at the port of Rosas that the town of âThree Riversâ had been passed some days previous, he exclaimed, âMy goodness gracious, there was where I wished to stop; my conscienceâ sake alive, what shall I do?â The captain, to whom he appealed, answered by asking, âWhat did you intend to do at Entre Rios, padre?â _Padre._ âA brokerage business of some sort, real estate or sugar, whichever offered the best opening.â _Captain._ âBut, padre, you cannot speak the language, which would render your expectations abortive, for a bargain is never closed in these countries without a great deal of word chaffering. A clear understanding of the language is absolutely necessary, for the inhabitants of the river towns are very apt to âflyâ from a bad bargain when they find themselves caught and lightly held, so that the only safe way to secure them is to clip their wings and hood-wink them in black and white. But I can send you back without cost when we meet the next downward bound steamer; then you will have the advice and assistance of Mr. Welson, who perfectly understands the habits and customs of the people.â _Padre._ âWell, I declare to gracious, I hardly know what to do?â _Captain._ âWould you like employment on board? I think that there is a berth that would suit you! Besides it will afford you an opportunity to convince Dr. BaÄhar of his errors; at the same time you can perfect yourself in speaking Spanish.â Notwithstanding the captainâs quizzical looks and speech the padre thankfully accepted the proffered position of second officer, with the expressed hope that he might perform its duties in an acceptable manner. Captain Greenwood, although somewhat crispy in speech and austere in address, had a strong undertow of humorous appreciation when the shafts of irony were not directed against himself. His disinterested disposition, prompted by the padreâs kindly _vis inertiÃ¦_, had suggested the offer; nevertheless he really desired a person capable of superintending small matters that would relieve him from a responsibility not greatly to his relish. The duties imposed by the captain were as follows: âYou must be the first up in the morning and the last in bed at night. While on duty, see that everything in the way of labor is well done, and never interfere with advice when a helping hand is required. Lastly, never report to me necessary changes until after they have been made.â _Padre._ âBut, captain, if I am never to speak how am I to improve or correct to suit you?â _Captain._ âWith the moral influence of your head and hands, when you see anything necessary to be done!â This settled the question of the padreâs new vocation, and he was forthwith introduced to the crew, who greeted his installation with marked approbation. At night, when he became genial in confessional overflow and dogmatic in argument, he was the source of humorous repartee and good-will among the passengers on the quarter-deck. His American birth having toned down the quarrelsome disposition legitimate as an inheritance to the native-born Irishman, when under the influence of whiskey, he indulged in quaint disputations, peculiar to his Yankee ingraft, in freedom from ill humor. With this insight descriptive of mood foreign to the members of the corps, we will now resume our narration of events transpiring in the daily progress of the steamerâs river voyage. _May 28._âThe banks of the river are now clearly defined, but the water still submerges the undergrowth that margins its lower stages in the season of drought; the more matured growths are already peopled with the smaller species of birds delighting in the bushy retreats overhanging the waters. Our naturalistsâ eyes are now greedily engaged in busy search for new specimens of the feathered species. _May 29._âThis morning we reached a sand-spit formed by a confluent stream, upon which the receding waters had left a wood-drift well suited for the steamerâs use, having been forced by the jam of flood-tide high out of the current. The eddies and backwater of the Pilcomayoâs stronger flow had carried the raft and lodged it high up above the mouth of the lesser stream, leaving an extension inter-stayed by the roots that reached into deep water; alongside of the raft, in the smaller stream, the steamer moored. The axes of the firemen and sailors were soon busy, wakening for the first time the forest echoes to the chucking sound of their strokes. The more active members of the corps volunteered their services in aid for speedy replenishment, deriving in recompense the invigorating novelty of exercise. While actively engaged with ready hands and merry voices they were suddenly startled with the scream of the steamerâs whistle, simultaneously accompanied with a flight of arrows from the ambush of the forest screen above the raft. Fortunately distance and trepidation from the unearthly screech of the whistle rendered their aim harmless; the check it afforded enabled the woodcutters to scramble up the sides of the steamer before the savages recovered from their surprise. When they realized that the shriek was harmless in effect, the Indians rushed forth from their concealment to secure the axes which had been abandoned by the men in their sudden fright, but were again momentarily intimidated by the rumbling sound of the gong, which Antonio, the steward, had seized to increase with concerted din the scream of the whistle. The savagesâ hesitation was but momentary, seeing that like the former the stewardâs overture was harmless in effect, then with a counter whoop of defiance they sprang forward to secure the coveted prizes. But the second diversion brought with it presence of mind and time for the use of more effective weapons than empty sound. One of the two howitzers, which had been taken as freight to Santa Anna, the commandante loaned to Captain Greenwood for the voyage; this had been loaded as a precautionary measure the day previous, and intrusted to the charge of Jack and Bill, two sailors who had âshippedâ on the river voyage for a âlark.â With thoughts trained to the duty of their charge they were the first that reached the steamerâs deck, and before the savages recovered from their second hesitation sighted the gun and answered their whoop with a discharge of grape, with an effect that left five of their number stretched on the logs, killed outright, the others in quick retreat leaving a trail of blood showing from its copious flow the infliction of dangerous wounds. The retreating savages in their turn dropped clubs, spears, blow-pipes, and arrows, so that there was but little danger of their return. But the premonition caused the captain to place a guard in a position to command the isthmus, accompanied by two hounds belonging to Mr. Dow. The dogs following the bloody trail soon gave intimation that they had discovered the wounded savages. Proceeding cautiously into the thicket beyond the abattis they found near together, an elderly savage and a boy of seventeen or eighteen years, both severely wounded. The padre, with heedless but kindly intention, attempted to raise the head of the old Indian upon his arm to relieve his uncomfortable position, while the others stanched his wounds. In a second from the time the padreâs arm came within reach of the savage, his teeth were fastened upon the arm above the elbow, while with working tenacity he used his utmost energy to penetrate the sleeve of his coat. His intention was evident from the greenish slaver that oozed from the corners of his mouth, betraying in appearance the characteristics of the dreaded poison. Bill, who was near at hand, relieved the padre from the danger of poisonous inoculation, before the teeth of the savage had penetrated the cloth, by the introduction of a marlin-spike with a decisive force that showed but little care for their preservation. The boy was more tractable, permitting his captors to handle him as they pleased. Two other savages were overtaken dragging themselves from bush to bush. When surrounded they were still defiant, threatening all who approached with spear-heads attached to short staffs; these were finally struck out of their hands, but they still repelled peaceful overtures, making a formidable show of resistance with teeth and nails. We had been specially warned against coming into close quarters with them by an old trader, who had frequently encountered their ferocious tendencies in his travels. Finding all our conciliatory attempts futile the wounded savages were left to their fate. Adopting the padreâs suggestion, the young Indian and his savage companion were taken on board, with the intention of trying the effect of kind treatment, but a lasso in the practiced hands of a guacho was required to persuade the latter to accept the proffered hospitality of the boat. Aside from the comparative docility of the boy, his lack of resemblance in feature and general conformation plainly declared that his subserviency to the will of his companion did not arise from parental affection. Shackling them to the windlass they were placed under the guardianship of the dogs, whose favorite lounge was on either side of the bowsprit heel beneath the shadow of the chocks. After they were secured, all hands, with the exception of the engineer, steward, and cooks, resumed their labors on the raft. As the padre insisted that it was a barbarous shame to throw the bodies of the dead savages into the water to become the food of alligators, when a few minutesâ labor would make them a decent grave in the sand, he was allowed the privilege of extending to the defuncts the rites of burial. As the spade in his hands had not been a favorite specialty during the more elastic periods of his existence under the benign influence of temperate heat, the torrid glow of the morning acting in concert with a stimulant he had taken to steady his nerves, caused a sweltering perspiration that in no way accelerated the progress of his pious undertaking. The sands having become quick from recent saturation were constantly caving, so that in addition to aggravation he was in danger of becoming a victim to his sextonic benevolence. While trying to extricate himself from the caving sand, the while vainly pleading for assistance from the laughing spectators of his disaster, his attention became fixed upon an array of yellow nuggets which he had overlooked when thrown from their bed with the sand. His silence and curious investigation with hands and eyes extorted the inquiry, âWhat is it, padre?â The laconic answer, âGold!â brought the whole party to his rescue, including the sentinels from the logs above, while the engineer, steward, and cook deserted their posts in greedy haste. When the truth of his announcement was verified they with some difficulty dragged him from his grave, then oblivious to thoughts of savage surprise and poisoned arrows, they consigned the dead to the river, without remonstrance from the padre, and with flushed avidity commenced with spade and pan to unearth the precious metal. Mid-day, with its heat, found them still engaged, heedless of danger from the sunâs rays and the miasmic current converging upon the spit from the confluent streams. Silence alternating with wild bursts of hilarity, caused the captive savages, chained to the steamerâs windlass, to gaze with wondering looks of amazement. Through the day, until darkness precluded the possibility of detecting the golden grains, the wild search continued, then when collected on the steamerâs deck they bethought themselves of the dangers to which they had been exposed. Although resolved to be more cautious in future while gathering their golden trove, its tangible presence banished fear; still as a thoughtful precaution the steamer was dropped into the stream as a guard against surprise. CHAPTER II. At early dawn on the 29th all were on the alert, anxious to recommence their gold-gathering labor, but obedient to the captainâs request the steamer was first supplied with its full allotment of wood. This was accomplished with a despatch that betokened an earnest desire to resume their yesterdayâs toil in the sands. The captain and padre explained the most approved methods for the economical saving of the smaller particles, which brought into requisition the stewardâs and cookâs wares. The tableau of the second day, although lacking in the wilder excitement of the previous, incident to the impressions of first discovery, would have afforded a novelty unparalleled in scenic variety for the study of an artist, but unfortunately our own was too much engrossed with interest to heed the rare advantages of the absurd comicalities of selfishness. In truth all were so moved by an acquisitive spirit, but little thought was given to the ludicrous groupings of the parties engaged, or the solitary wildness of the surrounding scenery, contrasting so vividly with the pretentious civilization of the laborers. On the morning of June 3, the spit was left in the wake of the steamer, exhausted of its free surface gold, and much to the surprise of all there was a general expression of relief when it was lost to view, and the discomfort it had caused began to disappear with the revival of order. But a still greater surprise was in store, which removed all the barriers of distinction bred by the pride of birth and station from the standard of laboring vocation, inasmuch as they debarred in exchange kindly equality in reciprocation. Unusual alacrity and kindliness of feeling had been observed in âputtingâ the vessel to rights by the hands, which was explained, when accomplished, by Jack and Bill, who came aft with hats in hand. After bowing all round, Bill the prompter nudged Jack the spokesman to give way, which he essayed to do, but from confusion was unable to get a running bight of phrase, until aided by the captainâs inquiry, âWell, what is it, my man?â _Jack._ âYou see, Bill and I started up the river to freshen our joints, which had grown stiff and creaky with salt junk and hard tack. Well, after we had loosened our barnacles with the treacle of a Spanish skipper we took French leave and laid low until you hove in sight. Now you see after we entered with you it took us some time to get the run of the fair weather you made for all hands. Expecting to be taken aback with a sharp squall we kept our eyes well to the windâard, for you see on this river with cannibals on the lookout and no vessels there was no chance of skulking on shore for a down-river craft. To be sure, we soon found that we were out and wide in our calculations, so when brought to our bearings we began to take kindly to the lay of our watches in scrubbing and wooding, as there was no hand-spike snubbing or squeak of hard words. Then comes this gold lay, and when you says, âBoys, hereâs your chance, pitch in, every man for himself without envy,â we were taken aback with a fair wind. When we came on board to empty our hats we began to take our bearings, and says Bill to me, after an observation, âWeâve shipped and signed the papers, and this gold is way freight, so you see itâs not right to tap the cargo on full rations.â âThere was the pâint clear, and we said âNever a bit!â So you see after the flurry was over we put the question to the others and they took the bearings at once; so you see that weâve concluded that weâre only âtitled to prize money at most, just as you valer the danger we run with the savages.â This construction, regulated by the sea usage of man-of-warâs men, who had grown gray and poverty stricken in âservice,â was so generous in the sincerity of honest proposition for revoking the captainâs liberality that he asked time for consideration. In submission the procession, headed by the two honest tars, retreated to the âforâardâ hatch, on which they placed their well-filled hats to await the captainâs decision. A consultation with the members of the corps was immediately held to decide upon a method to insure an equitable division of the gold suited to the emergency. After a variety of propositions had been made and rejected, the padre advanced one that proved the most acceptable. His suggestion was that the passengers and officers should abide contented with their own gatherings, as they were proportionately less than those of the crew; but that an equal division of theirs should be made to avoid envy. When this equitable measure was made known to the men, Jack, with the advice of Bill, objected that the most important persons had been left out, which in their opinion were the vessel and captain. As this amended consideration met with general approval, it was adopted. Then Antonio, the steward, said, that the men forâard, from being accustomed to work, had gathered so much more in proportion than those aft, he would propose to âlumpâ the whole for an equal division, after one fifth had been deducted for the vesselâs and captainâs share. This was acted upon, notwithstanding the captainâs protest that all should share alike. The division accomplished, there was a hearty shaking of hands that opened a sympathetic current of reciprocation void of selfish envy, which as an omen heralded a happy result for their adventurous voyage. After the parties to this happy arbitration had resumed their usual avocations, Jack and Billâto whom had been assigned the duty of âfreshening upâ the trimmings of capstan, binnacle, and other extras aft, usually attended to in their watch below, to save timeâentered upon their duty during the siesta hour of the day. While engaged they ruminated in silence until the deck was cleared of chance listeners, then the rapid change of tobacco quids from side to side of their mouths, and an unusual flow of the green ooze from the corners gave indication of thoughtâs supremacy. At length when they âsupposedâ the coast was clear, Jack gave an expressive tug at his waistband, then after blowing his nose with a clarion note, he sputtered, âBlast my buttons, Bill, if this fresh-water turtle of a captain hainât sounded and found a salt-water leak in the water run of my eyes!â Bill without answering, except with a suppressed sniffle, found it necessary to expectorate and blow his nose over the bulwark nettings. A prolonged effort having relieved his emotions he shuffled back, and shyly exclaimed, with a whispering sob, âDonât, Jack.â Womanâs distress, from the period of youth and beauty, through all the gradation of cause, to its decline with the influence of age and ugliness, when haggish distemper engendered from selfish disappointment makes it repulsively loathsome, I have felt with impulsive variations, but never experienced the like choking sensations of affectionate sympathy, from the evidences of gratitude, that held me bound during the enactment of this short scene, so truthful in expression. Probably during their long term of service they had never felt a like cause, foreign to themselves, for the revival of emotions so nearly allied to affectionate reciprocation; for it was evident that the gold of itself occupied a minor impression in the ruling of their thoughts. Indeed, in the after detached rehearsal of their sea-faring experience, they declared that a glass of grog was the only compensation they had ever known a sea captain to bestow upon his sailors for extra labor. The representatives of tropical countries, of which a majority of the crew was composed, were more open and volatile in their expressions of gratitude; but like the English sailors attested that the self-denial of Captain Greenwood was the only exception in their experience in which the master of a vessel had failed to exact to the uttermost the fruits of their labor. From the Tortugian era of the third of June Captain Greenwood became a deity of adoration to his crew, who offered daily sacrifice of labor for kindly propitiation, which from promptness in anticipation rendered the padreâs official vocation a sinecure. The sun of June 4 found the _Tortugaâs_ decks neatly scrubbed and washed in readiness for its rays; the two savages having participated in the cleanly overture, the elder receiving his somewhat copious douche with a grateful show of teeth; but the youngerâs eyes were used with such an evident desire for pitying sympathy that Antonio volunteered his tonsorial service as an initiatory introduction to civilized habits. This act won the young savageâs first love; while it added another count to the special hatreds of the old, who bestowed upon Antonio a toothful longing to recompense his civilized barbarity. The improvement of the young savage was so marked from the use of soap, sand, and scissors, with the grateful expression produced, that Antonio was fain to crown his morningâs missionary labor, and his neophyteâs satisfaction, with a hat. CHAPTER III. While the events related in the preceding chapter were in progress, which gave advent to the new era, the manacled savages would have fared poorly but for the ever mindful benevolence of Padre Simon, who ministered to their relief after depositing with his traps his godsend, which he averred came from the source of their misfortunes. His arm warned him to be cautious in his approach to the old savage, but he could not refrain from the pitying exclamation âItâs a shame,â when he saw him bound to the links of the cable with its coils for his bed. Placing the food he had brought cautiously within reach, he left with intention of pleading for some aid in mitigation of their painful position, but the question of an equitable division of the gold trove diverted his thoughts. But after the ablutions of the succeeding morning, and Antonioâs improvement of the younger savage, his dereliction occurred to his thoughts under the stimulating inspiration of a somewhat copious oblation to memory, which served to render the sincerity of his repentant remorse heedless. Under the sacrificial impression he hastened forward to make amends for his forgetful inhumanity. Without observing the change already made for the ease of the savage, he attempted to place an oakum fender between his back and the cable. Exposing his arm the brute again seized it with a vicious energy that bespoke his determination of obtaining recompense for his morningâs aggravations. With the pain, caused by the working teeth of the savage, the padreâs terror of the deadly poison was revived, which caused him to cry for help in frenzied accents, alarming all on board. Again English Jack was the first to reach the struggling victim of misplaced pity. With a sailorâs promptness he forced his sheath knife between the back teeth of the cannibal with a delicacy peculiar to the tar when called upon to repel boarders; working the blade, with a prying motion, hither and thither with the edge directed toward the ear the backward capacity of the mouth was insensibly enlarged, which produced a diminution of muscular tenacity and consequent release of the padreâs arm. His release was not effected until the teeth of the savage had penetrated through his linen coat and sleeve of his shirt, inflicting bruised punctures beneath the skin sufficient for the absorption of virus. The general consternation was greatly increased by the exultant gleams darted from the eyes of the bleeding savage. Dr. BaÄhar had just prescribed whiskey to be taken in copious draughts for _ad deliquium_ effect, which the padre, with a sense of relief, said he had premised, when the young savage attracted attention by pantomimic gesticulation, at the same time producing from his mouth a small sac of an acornâs size and shape. From the pleased honesty of his expression and the scowls of the old savage, it was apparent that it contained an antidote for the poison. Aabrawa having caught some familiar words, he was soon able to add his assurance in verification of the boyâs ability to counteract the effects of the poison with a sure antidote. The padre with fear hesitatingly submitted his arm to the boyâs mouth, the old savage regarding the operation with looks that boded ill to the savior and saved if by accident they should come within his reach for injury. The padre, when impressed with the kindly intention of the boy, apostrophized the old wretch in this wise: âYou ungrateful venomous old serpent, upon my conscience you ought to be made to crawl
{'title': 'The Manatitlans by R. Elton Smile', 'source': 'Project Gutenberg', 'lang': 'en'}