CHAPTER FIVE.
THE OUTLAW'S FRIENDS. THREATENED DANGER CURIOUSLY AVERTED.
As might be supposed, the unexpected appearance of the outlaw, as wellas his sudden departure, tended somewhat to interfere with the sleepwhich he had wished the travellers at parting, and the night was faradvanced before they grew tired of wondering who he could be,speculating as to where he came from, and commenting on his personalappearance. In short, at the close of their discourse, they came to theconclusion which was well embodied in the remark of Ebony, when he said,"It's my opinion, founded on obsarvashun, dat if we was to talk an tinkde whole night long we would come no nearer de troot, so I'll turn in."
He did turn in accordingly, and, after exhausting the regions ofconjecture, the powers of speculation, and the realms of fancy, Mark andHockins followed his example.
One consequence of their mental dissipation was that they slept ratherbeyond the hour of day-break, and the first thing that recalled the twowhite men to consciousness was the voice of their black comradeexclaiming:--
"Ho! hi! hallo! I smells a smell!"
They lifted their three heads simultaneously and beheld the outlawsitting calmly beside the fire roasting steaks.
For the first time the mysterious stranger smiled--and it was apeculiarly sweet half-grave sort of attractive smile, as far removedfrom the fiendish grin of the stage bandit as night is from day.
"I knew you would be hungry, and guessed you would be sleepy," he said,in a deep musical voice, "so I have prepared breakfast. Are you ready?"
"Ready!" repeated Hockins, rising with a mighty yawn, and stretchinghimself, as was his wont; "I just think we are. Leastwise _I_ am. Goodluck to 'ee Mister Outlaw, what have 'ee got there?"
"Beef, marrow-bones, and rice," replied the man. "You may call meSamuel if you like. It was my father's first name, but I'm best knownamong my friends as Ravoninohitriniony."
"Well, that _is_ a jaw-breaker!" exclaimed Hockins, with a laugh, asthey all sat down to breakfast. "Ra-vo--what did 'ee say?"
"Better not try it till arter breakfast," suggested Ebony.
"Couldn't we shorten it a bit?" said Mark, beginning to consult amarrow-bone. "What say you to the first half--Ravonino?"
"As you please," replied the outlaw, who was already too much absorbedwith steaks to look up.
"Not a bad notion," said Hockins. "Sam'l Ravonino--I've heerd wuss;anyhow it's better than the entire complication--eh, Ebony?"
"Mush better," assented the negro; "dere's no use wotsomediver for dehitri--hitri-folderol-ony bit of it. Now, 'Ockins, fair play wid demarrow-bones. Hand me anoder."
"Is it far, Mr Ravonino," asked Mark, "from here to the capital--toAntananarivo?"
"You cleared 'im that time, Doctor!" murmured Hockins, wiping his mouthwith a bunch of grass which he carried as a substitute for apocket-handkerchief.
"Yes, it is a long way," said the outlaw; "many days' journey overmountain and plain."
"And are you going to guide us all the way there?"
"No, not all the way. You forget I am an outlaw. It would cost me mylife if I were to appear in Antananarivo."
Mark was on the point of asking why, but, remembering the rebuff of theprevious night, forbore to put questions relative to his new friend'spersonal affairs. Indeed he soon found that it was useless to do so,for whenever he approached the subject Ravonino became so abstracted anddeaf that no reply could be drawn from him. As if to compensate forthis, however, the man was exceedingly communicative in regard to allother subjects, and there was a quiet urbanity in his manner whichrendered his conversation exceedingly attractive. Moreover, to thesurprise of Mark, this mysterious stranger gave evidence of aconsiderable amount of education. He also gratified Hockins by hisevident delight in the flageolet, and his appreciation of nauticalstories and "lingo," while he quite won the heart of Ebony by treatinghim with the same deference which he accorded to his companions. Inshort each of our travellers congratulated himself not a little on thispleasant acquisition to the party--the only drawback to theirsatisfaction being their inability to reconcile the existence of suchgood qualities with the condition of an outlaw!
"However," remarked Hockins, after a long talk with his comrades on thissubject when Ravonino was absent, "it's none of our business what he'sbin an' done to other people. What we've got to do with is the way hebehaves to _us_, d'ee see?"
"He's a trump," said Ebony, with a nod of decision.
"I agree with you," said Mark; "and I only wish he was a little morecommunicative about himself. However, we must take him as we find him,and try to win his confidence."
During the whole of that first day their guide conducted them throughsuch intricate and evidently unfrequented parts of the forest that theiradvance was comparatively slow and toilsome, but, being young and strongand well-fed, they did not mind that. In fact Mark Breezy enjoyed it,for the wilder and more tangled the scenery was through which theyforced their way, the more did it accord with the feelings of romancewhich filled him, and the thought, too, of being guided through thewoods by an outlaw tended rather to increase his satisfaction.
"Are all the roads in your island as bad as these?" he asked, afterplumping up to the knees in a quagmire, out of which he scrambled withdifficulty.
"No, many of them are worse and some better," answered the guide; "but Ikeep away from them, because the Queen's soldiers and spies are huntingabout the land just now."
"Oho!" thought Mark, "I begin to see; you are a rebel." Then, aloud,"Your country, then, is governed by a queen?"
"Misgoverned," returned Ravonino in a tone of bitterness, which,however, he evidently tried to restrain.
Fearing to tread again on forbidden ground, Mark forbore to putquestions about the guide's objections to his queen, but simply askedher name, and if she had reigned long.
"Her name," said Ravonino, "is Ranavalona. She has reigned fortwenty-seven years--twenty-seven long and weary years! I was a littleboy when she usurped the throne. Now my sun has reached its meridian,yet she is still there, a blight upon the land. But God knows what isbest. He cannot err."
This was the first reference that Ravonino had made to the Creator, andMark was about to push his inquiries further, when a confused sound ofvoices was heard not far in advance of them.
Ravonino, who had been walking with an easy nonchalant air ahead of theparty, on a very narrow footpath, suddenly stopped to listen with a lookof anxiety. A moment later and he entered the bush that fringed thepath and overhung it.
"Come," he said in a low voice, "follow me, close!"
Without a word of explanation he strode into the dense undergrowth,through which he went with the agility of a panther and the sinuosity ofa serpent. The others, being, as we have said, very active and strong,kept close at his heels, though not without difficulty. Coming at lastto a place where the shrubbery was so intertwined that it was impossibleto see more than a yard or two in advance, they suddenly foundthemselves stopped by a sheer precipice. Only for a few seconds,however, was their progress arrested, while their guide turned toexplain.
"There is another and an easier way to the place I am making for, but itis much longer and more exposed. I take for granted that you havestrong arms and steady heads, but if not, speak out, for I would notlead you into danger."
"Lead on," said Mark, promptly, "wherever you go, we will follow."
With something like an amused twinkle of the eye, Ravonino began toclimb up the face of the precipice, holding on to roots and rope-likecreepers like a monkey.
"If this here sort o' cordage was only a bit more taut I wouldn't mindit so much," growled Hockins, as he lost his footing at one place, andswung off the face of the precipice,--holding on to a stout creeper,however, with seaman-like grip and coolness. He quickly caught hold ofanother creeper, and drew himself again into comparative safety. Aminute later and they all stood on a ledge, high up on the face of thecliff, and close to what appeared to be the mout
h of a cavern.
"Look there," said their guide, pushing aside the bushes which overhungthe cliff in all directions.
They looked, and through the opening beheld a band of men moving insingle file along the track they had just left. They were most of themnearly naked, with only short calico breeches which did not quite reachto their knees, but all had muskets on their shoulders and cross-beltson their dark bodies, one of which belts sustained apparently acartridge-box, the other a bayonet. Their own thick hair was all thecap they wore, excepting two or three men of superior rank, who worecloths wrapped in turban fashion on their heads, and a voluminousplaid-like garment on their shoulders. These carried swords instead ofmuskets.
"The soldiers of the Queen," said Ravonino, in answer to Mark Breezy'slook. "They are out hunting."
"What do they hunt for?" asked Mark.
"Men and women."
"By which I suppose you mean rebels."
"No, they are not rebels; they are the queen's most loyal subjects!"
"But loyal subjects do not usually fly from their rulers," objectedMark.
"True, but loyal subjects sometimes fly from tyranny," returned theguide. "Come, I will introduce you to some fugitives from tyranny."
He turned as he spoke and led the way into the cave before mentioned.Profound darkness did not prevent his advancing with a firm unhesitatingstep. As he led Mark by the hand, Hockins and Ebony held on to him andto each other, and had no difficulty in following. Presently they cameto a wooden obstruction which proved to be a door. Voices inconversation were heard on the other side of it. A knock from the guideproduced sudden silence. Another knock drew from those within anexclamation of surprise, and next moment the heavy door swung open oncreaking hinges.
"Yes, it _is_ Ravoninohitriniony! I knew his knock. He is come!"exclaimed a girlish voice, as a pair of arms were seen dimly to encirclethe guide's neck.
Of course the girl spoke in the native tongue, which was quiteincomprehensible to our travellers, but if we are to enlighten ourreaders we must needs translate as we go along.
"My sister, Ra-Ruth," said the guide, presenting her to his new friends."She was a lady in the palace of the queen once. Now she is an outlaw,like myself--has fled from tyranny, and, perhaps, death. All in thiscave are in the same case--fugitives from our tyrant queen."
They reached the interior of the place as he spoke, and Ravonino,pointing to a bundle of dried ferns, bade his companions rest thereuntil he had explained some private matters to the people.
Nothing loth--for they were all somewhat fatigued by their recentexertions--our travellers flung themselves on what proved to be aluxurious couch, and observed what went on around them.
Truly it was a strange scene, romantic enough even to satisfy thelongings of Mark Breezy!
The cavern itself was a curious one, being in the form of a vast hall,with three smaller chambers opening out of it. The central hall seemedto have no roof, for although brightly lighted by several torches fixedto its rugged walls the upper part was lost in profound obscurity.
This strange abode was peopled by a considerable number of men andwomen--natives of the island--who from the variety in their costume,features, and complexion, evidently belonged to different tribes. Somewere strong, tall, and rather harsh-featured, others were more slenderin build and with refined countenances. A few were almost black, othersof a light olive colour, and several made that approach to whiteness ofskin which in England is known as brunette. All were more or lesscharacterised by that quiet gentleness and gravity of demeanour whichone is accustomed to associate with humbly borne misfortune.
It was evident from the appearance of the large chamber that itsinhabitants were associated in groups or families, spaces being markedoff by an arrangement of logs and household goods, etcetera, as if toindicate the habitation of each group, and, from certain indications inthe smaller chambers, it was equally evident that these had beenapportioned as the sleeping-places of the females. A larger space atthe end of the cave, opposite to that on which Mark and his comradesreclined, seemed to be a general meeting-place.
To this spot it was that Ravonino went, leading his little sisterRa-Ruth by the hand, and followed by all the inmates of the place, whowere eager to know what news he had brought. That the news was thereverse of good soon became evident, from the bowed heads and frequentsighs with which it was received.
Of course our travellers could make no use of their ears, but they madethe best use of their eyes, and were deeply interested in theexpressions and actions of the various members of the group whosuccessively spoke after the guide had told his story. Poor littleRa-Ruth, whose age might have been about seventeen, was not one of thespeakers. She was evidently a timid as well as a pretty littlecreature, for she clung to and nestled against her stout brother's armwhile he was speaking, and hid her face now and then in the masses ofher luxuriant brown hair.
Close to her sat a young woman whose appearance and manner formed astriking contrast. She was much darker in complexion, but her featureswere of classical beauty and her air calm and self-possessed. When shehad occasion to speak, she arose, displaying a tall elegantly-formedfigure, which moved with queen-like dignity while she gesticulated withgraceful animation, and frequently pointed upwards as if appealing to.God. When she was speaking Ra-Ruth's timidity seemed to vanish, for sheshook back her hair, and fixed her eyes on the other's face with a gazethat told of ardent love as well as admiration.
The next who spoke was a young man, who in face and figure so stronglyresembled the last speaker, that it was impossible to resist theconclusion that they were brother and sister. There was the same tallcommanding figure, of course on a larger scale, the same noble cast offeature and the same dignified mien. But in the man, more than in thewoman, there was an air of gentle modesty which contrasted well with hispowerful frame. He did not gesticulate much in speaking, and, judgingfrom the brevity of his speech, he had not much to say, but what he saidwas listened to with profound respect by all.
After this youth, several others took part in the debate. Then they allstood up, and, to the surprise of their visitors, began to sing--verysweetly--an old familiar hymn!
"It minds me o' home," whispered Hockins, scarce able to restrain thetears that filled his eyes.
The hymn was nearly finished, when a rushing sound and a subdued crywere heard to issue from a dark passage, the mouth of which was close tothe couch of our travellers. The singing ceased instantly. Next momenta man rushed into the chamber with labouring breath and flashing eyes.Springing towards Ravonino, he spoke several words eagerly, at the sametime pointing in the direction of the passage just referred to.
"Lights out and silence!" cried the guide, authoritatively, in thenative tongue.
Another moment and the cave was in total darkness, and a silence soprofound reigned there that the three visitors could hardly persuadethemselves the whole affair was not a strange dream. The voice ofRavonino, however, soon dispelled that idea.
"Be still!" whispered the guide, laying his hand on Mark's shoulder."Our foes have discovered our retreat."
"There's a lot of stout fellows here," returned Mark, also in a whisper."We will help you if you have to fight."
"We may not fight," replied Ravonino softly. "If it be God's will, wemust die. Hush! They come."
Once more total silence prevailed in the cavern, and the sound ofdistant voices could be heard. In a few minutes a tiny light was seenat the end of the dark passage. It gradually increased in size,revealing a soldier who bore a torch. He advanced on tip-toe, and withslightly scared looks, into an outer cavern which formed a sort ofvestibule to the large inner cave.
The soldier was brave, no doubt, and would have faced an army in thefield, but he was extremely superstitious, and advanced with apalpitating heart, the torch held high above his head, and eyes glancingnervously from side to side. A crowd of comrades, similarly affectedmore or less, followed the torch-bearer and pushed hi
m on.
"Nothing here," said the leading man, of course in Malagasy.
"Let us be gone, then," said one of his comrades.
"No," observed a third, who seemed bolder than the rest, "perhaps thereis another cave beyond," (pointing to the dark passage, through which,though unseen, Mark and his companions with the guide were gazinganxiously at their foes). "Give me the torch."
The soldier seized the light and advanced quickly towards the opening.Another minute and all must have been revealed. A feeling of despairtook possession of Ravonino's breast and he gave vent to an involuntarysigh.
The sound reached the ear of the soldier with the torch and for a momentarrested him, but, thinking probably that the sound was in hisimagination, he again advanced. The case was now desperate. Just thena gleam of light flashed into the mind of Hockins. Next moment, to theconsternation of his comrades and the guide, a strain of the sweetestmusic floated softly in the air!
The soldiers stood still--spell-bound. It was not an unfamiliar air,for they had often heard the hated Christians sing it, but the sweet,liquid--we might almost say tiny--tones in which it was conveyed, weresuch as had never before reached their ears or even entered theirimaginations. It was evident from their countenances that the soldierswere awe-stricken. The seaman noted this. He played only a few bars,and allowed the last notes of his flageolet to grow faint until theydied away into absolute silence.
For a minute or two the soldiers stood rooted to the spot, gazing upinto the roof of the cave as if expecting a renewal of the sounds. Thenthey looked solemnly at each other. Without uttering a word they turnedslowly round, retreated on tip-toe as they came, and finallydisappeared.
We need hardly say that the astonishment of the people in the cave atthe mode of their deliverance from the threatened danger was intense.
When the torches were relighted the men and women assembled roundRavonino with looks little less solemn than those of the soldiers whohad just taken their departure.
"Surely," said the handsome young man whom we have already introduced,"surely God has wrought a miracle and sent an angel's voice for ourdeliverance."
"Not so, Laihova," replied Ravonino, with a slight smile. "We are tooapt to count everything that we fail to understand a miracle. God hasindeed sent the deliverance, but through a natural channel."
"Yet we see not the channel, Ravoninohitriniony," said Laihova'squeen-like sister, Ramatoa.
"True, Ramatoa. Nevertheless I can show it to you. Come, Hockins," headded in English, "clear up the mystery to them."
Thus bidden, our seaman at once drew forth the little instrument andbegan to play the hymn they had just been singing, with the air ofwhich, as we have said, he chanced to be well acquainted.
It would be hard to say whether surprise or pleasure predominated in thebreasts of his audience. At last the latter feeling prevailed, and thewhole assembly joined in singing the last verse of the hymn, whichappropriately terminated in "Praise ye the Lord."
"But our retreat is no longer safe," said Ravonino, when the last echoof their thanksgiving had died away. "We must change our abode--andthat without delay. Get ready. By the first light of morning I willlead you to a new home. These soldiers will not return, but they willtell what they have seen, and others less timorous will come here tosearch for us."
Immediately the people set about collecting together and packing up whatmay be termed their household goods, leaving the guide and theirvisitors to enjoy supper and conversation in their own corner of thecave.