Part 26 (1/2)
I told her in a few words.
”Show me the palm of your hand--turn it up at once.”
I did so, without the least idea of the reason for the demand; but I afterwards discovered that it was to ascertain whether I was one of those who had been transported to the settlement, as they all had the letter R branded on them.
”Oh, you're not a gaol-bird, then, I see: you may come in; but you'll give me that bow and arrows if you please.”
”Certainly,” replied I, ”if you wish it.”
”Why, there's nothing like making sure in this world; and although you look a very peaceable, good-looking sort of personage, notwithstanding your Indian set-out, still I've known just as amiable people as you, in appearance, very mischievous at times. Now come in, and let us hear what you have to say for yourself. Jeykell, get some more wood.”
One man went out to obey her orders; the other sat by the fire with his musket between his knees. I sat down by the fire, at the request of the woman, who had seated herself by the side of the man, and then, on her repeating her question, I gave her a narrative of my adventures, from the time that I left Rio.
”Well,” says she, ”we seldom hear stories like them; it's all the world like a book; and pray what's that thing (pointing to the diamond in its case) you have hanging to your neck there? You have left that out in your history.”
”That's a charm given me by my Indian wife, to preserve me from disasters from wild animals; no panther, wolf, or bear will ever attack me.”
”Well,” said she, ”if so be it has that power, all I can say is, it's not a bad charm to wear in these parts, for there are animals enough in the woods in summer, and round the house all night in winter; but I don't believe a bit in the charm, and that's the truth; however, if it does no good, it can't do no harm, so you may keep it on, and welcome.”
”May I ask how far it is to James Town?” said I. ”What, going to James Town already? I suppose you expect to be there to-night?”
”Not exactly, my good woman,” replied I. ”I must trespa.s.s upon your kindness to give me something to eat, for I am hungry.”
”Good woman! Bah! And pray how dare you call me good woman? Call me mistress, if you want anything.”
”I beg your pardon,” said I. ”Well, then, mistress; will you give me something to eat?”
”Yes, I will. James, fetch the meal-cake and a bit of salt pork, and give him to eat, while I call the cows from the bush.”
The mistress, as I shall in future call her, then put down her musket and left the cabin. During her absence I entered into conversation with the man called James, for the other had gone out. To my inquiry how far it was to James Town, he replied that he really did not know; that he was sent out a convict, and sold for ten years to the husband of the mistress, who had died two years ago; that this man had a small vessel, in which he went to James Town by water, and that he had returned with him in his vessel; that the distance by water he considered about one hundred and fifty miles, but by land it was not half that distance; that he did not know the way, nor did he believe that there was any road as yet made to James Town, as this plantation was quite by itself, and a long way from any other. He understood that the nearest plantation was twenty miles off, and he knew there was no road to it, as no one ever went or came except by water.
”But,” said I, ”are not the settlers at war with the Indian tribes that surround them?”
”Yes; and have been now for three or four years; and the Indians have done great mischief to the plantations, and killed a great many people, but the settlers have punished them severely.”
”Then how is it that this plantation, which is so solitary, has not been attacked?”
”Because the mistress's husband was a great friend of the Indians, and, it is said, used to bring them cargoes of muskets and ammunition from James Town, contrary to all law and regulation. But if he was friendly with them, the mistress is not; for she has quarrelled with the princ.i.p.al chief, and I should not be surprised if we were attacked some day, and all scalped.”
”And what does the mistress say to that?”
”Oh, she don't care; she'd fight a hundred Indians, or white men either.
I never saw such a creature--she's afraid of nothing.”
”Who is the other man I saw here?”
”Oh, he's another like myself. There were three of us, but one was drowned by falling overboard from the sloop.”
”Well, but my good fellow, how shall I get to James Town?”
”I'm sure I can't tell; but my idea is that you will never get there unless mistress chooses.”