Mr Penrose, page 18
“What would you have had to say,” said I, “ if it had made you mad as it did the White man Brandt, and you then had shott me?”
This was enough, “No, no, my good brother Penoly! The Great One make me sick on purpose.”
“Well,” said I, “do you want any more of it? There is enough left.” But off he ran, nor one drop more would he ever taste. As for the Girls, they could not be brought to taste it at all. This turned my Shipmate against it, so that we had it in plenty without much use.
It may not be much out of character if I mention the odd behaviour of Our Indians when they first saw me begin to write my Journal. They would gather round me and whisper to each other, and if they chanced to croud me too much, if I did but put my pen toward them they would jump back as much terrified. And one day as I was reading it over to Somer Harry said that now he was sure I was a very cunning man for that I could make all my old words speake again quite new, and that I could make dead people talk.
“How so?” said I.
“Did I not hear my Sister Luta talk to Mr. Somer,” said he, “just now? And she is yonder in the grave,” pointing that way. This made me smile and I observed to him that I would make little Owen do so soon. “Ay, ay,” said he, “when he has got a beard as long as yours.” Sometimes he would touch the nib of the pen and say no wonder birds could learn to talk, but that he supposed it all came out of their wings. —I met with great difficulty in getting a knife sharp enough for pen-making. My pens, too, they were of a brittle kind of quills as of Turkey buzzard and from Hawk and Bald Eagles.
After we became all well settled I asked Somer one day where he was born. He told me at Middelburg in Zeland. “Do you not remember Peter Cass and George Neilsen your countrymen on board the Harrington?” said I.
“Yes,” he said, “very well.” I then told him Cass died at Kingston that same voyage. This discourse brought on more, and talking of the war he observed to me that it was peace now between England, France and Spain. I asked him how long. He said in the year 1748 peace was made. I was glad of the news as thinking should the Spaniards find me now perhaps that I might meet with more favour from them.
I had been for a considerable time at my Journal day by day before I could bring it down to this period of time; and as to what has preceeded it has been all collected as I could best remember. But I persuade myself nothing of any note has escaped, remembrance having been carefull to retain all I thought any way worthy. But I must observe here that in regard to Indian informations, Spelling their names, and the like I do not affirm them to be exact as a Man must be born among them before he shall be able to give a true pronunciation or be able to coppy their Ideas and manner of conveying sentiments.
1. In Panama, also spelled Puertobello, Portobello, etc.
2. The boundary between Nicaragua and Costa Rica now lies at approximately 11° 30′ N.
3. A Spanish gold coin worth about $4.00.
Chapter 15: Ninth Year
Ninth year commenced. We had much business on our hands the last year, much interest and much trouble, and now it was become June the 15, anno 1755. When as Mr. Somer and I were both sitting by the light of a torch reciting over old adventures in former travels, A Monstrous Beetle struck him in the face and gave him a terrible black Eye. These Beetles I had seen frequently in the Woods in the Evenings. I have found them as large over as an hens Egg and of a dark green colour. They have a long kind of forceps like to the claw of a Crab set with teeth, and has a black polish so that nothing can be finer. With these forceps they lay hold on young twigs of trees such as they can grasp, then expanding their wings begin to whirl round the branch with great force or velocity and by that means cut the bark through to ye Sap; then by hanging under they suck it in.
Our Girls used at times to produce a sort of Musick with two or three of these Inscects, as thus. They made them fast as our Children do Chaffers1 at home by long strings, and then hung them up in the Cavern passage way and leave them to Spin round; and it was surprising to hear the sound they made, Even like to the deep pipes of an Organ. Sometimes, according to the magnitude of their wings, they would strike chords most sweetly. Messmate Somer’s Eye happened to be of the discord order and was not well for above a week or more, but we took Indian methods of cure for it and it was at last quite restored again.
I shall now, being on this subject of Inscects, describe a kind of Ants in this country. They are of a dirty white colour and shaped quite different to other Ants. They build their nests on the limbs of trees, stumps of old trees and rocks. Their nest is as large as a Beehive and of a consistency resembling coarse brown bread. From this Nest or general commonwealth they have generally three or four high roads composed of the same substance. These roads are arched over and of the size of a mans little finger so that all their works are deeds of darkness. They never fail to have one of these paths leading to water; and if at any time accident should damage this causway, which they lead up and down bodies of trees, rocks and the like, they never fail to repair the breach again; but the matter of which they compose is not of the same colour when new, being then grey. Should you break any part of this road you will soon see two or three make their appearance but retire back again as informers; then incontinently forth comes a multitude in the greatest hurry and confusion immaginable. Yet if you watch they all forsake it again, leaving the breach as it is; but if you go thither the next morning you shall find it fully repair’d. But then should you take a fancy to break it down a second time in that case they will not repair it as before, but they carry it round circular or in a large curve but joyn it as before. The Indians say the nest burnt to ashes is good for many disorders. As to that I can say little; but that they destroy wood is most certain, having eaten off an upright of my table in one nights time. They bite intolerable, so that when ever they took a notion to lead a road our way we were under the necessity of routing them by fire.
But, Oh! how often have I been soothed in this Solitude when the divine Works of Nature have insensibly drawn me into deep contemplation. Then have I sinfully and anxiously desired to have my youthful associate Bill Falconer2 to be with me to explore these real beauties and record them in his sweet juvenile Verses. But alas for me, and I hope well for him, it was not to be his lot. No, I parted with him in old England and there may his bones rest in peace, where I am perhaps never more to put footing. Come, Fate, then, deal me out that portion which is to be my share and let me patiently submit to the blessed will of Providence with all due resignation.
My Messmate Godart often expressed what a loss he was at for a Pipe and Tobacco. This was a thing not easy to surmount. I had some old stuff by me but of no use through length of time; but a pipe was the difficulty. He observed there were pipes enough on board their Ship, but we never saw any. I told him if he and Harry could but find some substitute for tobacco I would soon mak a pipe by hook or crook. We then consulted Harry, as his people smoked frequently when among us but they smoked it in rolls like to the Segars used among the Spaniards. Harry said he could soon find a plant his people used when they were out and without tobacco or the right sort, as he called it. This leafe he soon produced. Then I told Somer if he would cure his leaves I would undertake to make pipes. I then bid Harry kneed up some clay very fine, and rolled it round a wire. This was by way of a Stem. Then I botched up an ugly bole; these I joyned togather by raising a mouse3 of clay over them. After this I ran the wire through it again, and after it was dry we burnt it. This put Somers genius to work; he made a good kind of mould with his knife and after this we never wanted pipes.
Seeing Godart so pleased when all this was accomplished, and observing him to talk with more spirit when he had his pipe in his mouth, I then began to practice it myself so that we all three soon became good smokers. And indeed the Girls, too, in a short time after; and as the stuff we used was sweet and no way disagreeable I indulged them in the notion for we were never visited by any very polite company so that it was no inconveniency. And now you might have seen the whole family quaffing togather of an evening at no small rate. Now and then Somer and I indulged ourselves with a drop of Liquor, but very sparingly altho we had a good quantity by us, but I had very cogent reasons for so doing.
I now began to think of instructing Owen in the Alphabet, and these I made with my pen the best way I could. And during the time I was shewing him the rest would sit by so that they all learnt togather. And now I would have given a thousand dollars for a Bible, had I been worth them. The little fellow could say the Lords Prayer as well as I could, and perhaps was the first of Indian natives who had ever done the like on this coast in the English tongue.
And after this sort I used to amuse my time, now and then with my Gun but this was seldom as we had not plenty of shott; other times at Writing, fishing and the like. Somer employed himself in making A mast and sails for the Yawl, and when he had done we got her keel up and paid her bottom with pitch, tar and sand as thinking it Would warn off the Worm, and found it answered midling well.
And now, notwithstanding we were in far better circumstances, I began to find my peace of mind disturbed not a little, as thus. Somer began to alter much in his carriage. He would get his pipe and retire to some distance and remain for an hour or two by himself, yet he never shewed any ill Blood to me. Yet it gave me much uneasiness scituated as we then were in this Vague part of the world. I had observed this behavour for some time before I chose to mention it to him, but as I found the man continue in the same mood I took it into consideration and resolved to have a serious talk with him. Therfore on an evening I said, “Mr. Somer, suppose that you and I should take a trip over to the Long Key, perhaps we may find some things drifted on shore from the wreck.” With all his heart, he said, “Well, then, Harry shall get the boat ready tonight. We will take our Guns and lines and Swift shall go with us.”
This pleased very well. Accordingly the next morning off we put, with our pipes in our mouths. I put some brandy in the boat also. I left Harry governor and told him if any thing should chance to happen he was to hoist a piece of an old Ensigne, being a part of a Dutch ensigne from the wreck.
Now it happened some time after we arrived at the Key and were walking toward the point, Somer cried out with an oath, “Dare is von Schip comen!”
“Avast swearing, Shipmate,” said I. “Shew me her.”
“Dare, met mine fenger,” said he.
“Well, pray, don’t be so hurried,” I cried, then taking out my glass percieved her to be a Small Sloop standing to the westward. “There, let her go, and a good passage to her!” I said.
“Oh, that is not the thing,” he said. “I want that she shall come in here, come here!”
“What do you want with her, pray? She is some Spaniard bound down the coast, I suppose.”
“O, that is the thing always with you,” he said. “You dont want to leave those Indian Women. You are no more a Christian man. You will live here all your time.”
Now, thinks I, this is a fair Slatch for me to begin, beter late than never. But just as I was about to begin he took notice that our Signal was out at home. I then proposed to return as thinking the vessel perhaps was not the only cause. When he found this he said, “What, you will go then?”
“For certain,” said I.
“I thought that you can’t wait to see how the ship steers.”
“Not I, indeed. I know she never means to speak us, being certain they know nought about us.”
“I suppose Harry is got drunk again,” said he.
I chose to put up with it all, knowing there was no other help but patience. So away we went. When we were seated, “Mr. Somer,” said I very calmly, “I now percieve plainly that you cannot reconcile yourself to the blessed Will of Providence, and it gives me much concern indeed To think you cannot conform like a good Christian to the will of your God.”
“Oh, vat you vil say!” said he. “Dare is neet Brode, neet Flais, neet oder dings.”
“How can you talk after such a manner, Godart?” said I. “Do you want? How would your case have stood had you been cast on this shore as I was, to find nothing but shell fish to support Nature and those to eat raw, without a fellow Mortal to converse with, expecting every moment to be knocked on the head by Savages? Think on this, my good friend. How different has the Almighty delt with you. Has he not spread you a table in this wilderness, a thing you had no right to expect? Have you not got me to converse with? And was it not your own choise to remain with me rather than to run the risk of being executed for taking the law into your own hands?”
This touch’d a little. “That is all true, Mate,” said he, “but I am not used to it as you are. I think I shall not live here so long as you have.”
“As to that, no Man can foretell what he is to go through in this life. But let me advise you to be fully resigned to Gods will, as it is my determination so to do. If you only take this resolution every morning at your first rising you will soon find your heart more at ease. This is my daily practice. Nothing is more certain should Providence so order that I shall see my native country again, I shall be thankful. But if I am to remain where I am or wander to the day of my death I am still resigned. My nam’s Content.”
“Well, say no more, Mr. Penrose,” said he. “If I must die in this country I cannot help it. The same God is in every place. You are my good friend; and so knock it off, knock it off, and I will think better.”
When we got home we found company arrived there. We found Mr. Owagamy, Komaloot, and Vinnequote brother to Ocuma. Now commenced great joy on all sides. Somer put on a more placid air than lately, and we entertained them with the best we had. Now I must observe to the reader An odd turn on Somers Humour, as this. He took me aside and desired that I would treat with Owagamy to procure him a Wife. This I promised to comply with. And now I though within my own breast What a poor, fluctuating Creture is Man; today he passionately hugs the very thing he totally rejected yesterday. But as I concluded this step might prove greatly in my favour I desired Ocuma to mention the thing to Komaloot and ye rest. When they returned this answer: that if Somer desired such a thing he should go to look for a Wife along with them, for that it was not the custom among them for the Girl to go about to hunt the Man as men went out to hunt deer in the woods. This brought on a laugh at poor Somers expence, but he was pleased to joyn in their opinion. Upon this I observed such a thing would become a great difficulty to us as we knew not the way to their home. Komaloot then archly asked whether we desired for them to bring all the Girls in their Nation for him to chuse one from the whole body; and if they came they would eat up all we had before my new friend could find one to please him.
I desired Harry to tell Komaloot that I thought his remark very just, and that we had no other Way than for my Messmate to return with them and make his own market the best he could, and that Harry should go along with him on condition Vinniquote, my new brother, staid here in his stead with his sister until they returned. In about two hours the thing was agreed on, although not to the Satisfaction of Patty, she being nigh her time. Somer now began to act a new farce between hope and despair, but I bid him keep up and never fear for that my friends would treat him civilly on my account.
The day came when they were to set out and I was for the first time to part with my good friend Harry, and that with a reluctancy for I truly esteemed him. But off they went well armed. My Shipmate was dressed in a very odd garb, a pair of Dutch breetches with a little short jackket, and one of my sambraros on his head. At their departure I gave Owagamy a piece of cloth and some trifles to the rest; this was by way of sweetning their tempers.
Now was I in a different plight to any I had been in before. As for Patty she was all in tears, the poor Children crying after Harry, and my self not in the best of tempers fearing some disaster should befall them; but I was obliged to bear all with patience the best way I could. Now I was forced to go with Ocuma’s brother on all errands as he knew not one word of English. After this sort did we remain for a whole month.
Now we began to keep a sharp lookout as we expected them by Sea if Somer succeeded. In their absence we got one Warree; at another time Vinniquote, being among the traps, espied a Tiger devouring a Piccary in one of them. He ran to informe me. Directly I got my piece charged with two balls and soon dispatched him. No tumbler could have shewed better postures than he did, but Vinniquote soon put an end to his gammut. He then drew him out and draged him home, where we skin’d him and spread the skin out to dry.
Five weeks were now passed, and no signs of our Quality. This made me grow very uneasy, thinking often within my own mind: Oh! how much happier did I live when I had none but Harry and his Sister with me. But those days are now passed by, and what the future may bring forth God only knows. When I first landed on this forlorn coast what would I have given for the consolation of a Companion! Since that day I have feared leas I should be overcharged; and now, whither I should have too much or too little was the question. Thus are our poor Souls never to one stay, Tos’t about on this Ocean of human life, ever greedy for this or another change like the child who soon grows weary of his plaything; and the last use he makes of it is to be satisfied in what it is composed of—when that is done he throws it aside and becomes anxious for a novelty.
This reflection brings back to my memory the observation Somer made on a certain day when he saw me playing with Ocuma. “I wonder how you can be so fond of those yellow women,” said he.
