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[page 109, column 1:]
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ARTHUR GORDON PYM.
.
NO II.
The middle of April at length
arrived, and every
thing had been matured. The note was written, and delivered, and on a
Monday
morning I left the house for the New Bedford packet, as supposed. I
went,
however, straight to Augustus, who was waiting for me at the corner of
a street. It had been our original plan that I should keep out of the
way
until dark, and then slip on board the brig; but as there was now a
thick
fog in our favor, it was agreed to lose no time in secreting me.
Augustus
led the way to the wharf, and I followed at a little distance enveloped
in a thick seaman's cloak, which he had brought with him, so that my
person
might not be easily recognized. Just as we turned the second corner
after
passing Mr. Edmund's well, who should appear standing right in front of
me and looking me full in the face, but old Mr. Peterson, my
grandfather,
"Why, bless my soul, Gordon," said he, after a long pause, "why, why, —
whose dirty cloak is that you have on?" "Sir!" I
replied,
assuming,
as well as I could, in the exigency of the moment, an air of offended
surprise,
and talking in the gruffest of all imaginable tones, "Sir! you are a
sum'mat
mistaken — my name, in the first place, bee'nt nothing at all like
Goddin,
and I'd want you for to know better, you blackguard, than to call my
new
obercoat a darty one!" For my life I could hardly refrain from
screaming
with laughter at the odd manner in which the old gentleman received
this
handsome rebuke. He started back two or three steps, turned first pale
and then excessively red, threw up his spectacles, then, putting them
down,
ran full tilt at me with his umbrella uplifted. He stopped short,
however,
in his career, as if struck with a sudden recollection, and presently,
turning round, hobbled off down the street, shaking all the while with
rage, and muttering between his teeth "won't do — new glasses — thought
it was Gordon — d—d good for nothing salt water Long Tom."
After this narrow escape we proceeded with
greater
caution,
and arrived at our point of destination in safety. There were only one
or two of the hands on board, and these were busy forward, doing
something
to the steerage combings. Captain Barnard, we knew very well, was
engaged
at Lloyd and Vredenburgh's, and would remain there until late in the
evening,
so we had little to apprehend on his account. Augustus went first up
the
vessel's side, and in a short while I followed him, without being
noticed
by the men at work. We proceeded at once into the cabin, and found no
person
there. It was fitted up in the most comfortable style — a thing
somewhat
unusual in a whaling vessel. There were four very excellent
state-rooms,
with wide and convenient berths. There was also a large stove, I took
notice,
and a remarkably thick and valuable carpet, covering the floor of both
the cabin and state-rooms. The ceiling was full seven feet high, and in
short everything appeared of a more roomy and agreeable nature than I
had
anticipated. Augustus, however, would allow me but little time for
observation,
insisting upon the necessity of my concealing myself as soon as
possible.
He led the way into his own stateroom, which was on the starboard side
of the brig, and next to the bulk-heads. Upon entering, he closed the
door
and [column 2:] bolted it. I thought I had never
seen
a nicer little room than the one in which I now found myself. It was
about
ten feet long, and had only one berth, which, as I said before, was
wide
and convenient. In that portion of the closet nearest the bulk-heads,
there
was a space of four feet square, containing a table, a chair, and a set
of hanging shelves full of books, chiefly books of voyages and travels.
There were many other little comforts in the room — among which I ought
not to forget a kind of safe or refrigerator, in which Augustus pointed
out to me a host of delicacies, both in the eating and drinking
department.
He now pressed with his knuckles upon
a certain
spot
of the carpet in one corner of the space just mentioned, letting me
know
that a portion of the flooring, about sixteen inches square, had been
neatly
cut out and again adjusted. As he pressed, this portion rose up, where
it joined the shifting-boards, sufficiently to allow the passage of his
finger beneath. In this manner he raised the mouth of the trap (to
which
the carpet was still fastened by tacks) and I found that it led into
the
after hold. He next lit a small taper by means of a phosphorous match,
and, placing the light in a dark lantern, descended with it through the
opening, bidding me follow. I did so, and he then pulled the cover upon
the hole, by means of a nail driven into the under side — the carpet,
of
course, resuming its original position on the floor of the state-room,
and all traces of the aperture being concealed.
The taper gave out so feeble a ray,
that it was
with
the greatest difficulty I could grope my way through the confused mass
of lumber among which I now found myself. By degrees, however, my eyes
became accustomed to the gloom, and I proceeded with less trouble,
holding
on to the skirts of my friend's coat. He brought me, at length, after
creeping
and winding through innumerable narrow passages, to an iron-bound box,
such as is used sometimes for packing fine earthenware. It was nearly
four
feet high and full six long, but very narrow. Two large empty oil casks
lay on the top of it, and above these again a vast quantity of straw
matting
piled up as high as the floor of the cabin. In every other direction
around,
was wedged as closely as possible, even up to the ceiling, a complete
chaos
of almost every species of ship furniture, together with a
heterogeneous
medley of crates, hampers, barrels and bales, so that it seemed a
matter
no less than miraculous that we had discovered any passage at all to
the
box. I afterwards found that Augustus had purposely arranged the
stowage
in this hold with a view to affording me a thorough concealment, having
had only one assistant in the labor, a man not going out in the brig.
My companion now showed me that one
of the ends
of
the box could be removed at pleasure. He slipped it aside and displayed
the interior, at which I was excessively amused. A mattress from one of
the cabin berths covered the whole of its bottom, and it contained
almost
every article of mere comfort which could be crowded into so small a
space,
allowing me at the same time sufficient room for my accommodation,
either
in a sitting position or lying at full length. Among other things there
were some books, pen [[,]] ink and paper, three blankets, a large jug
full
of water, a keg of sea-biscuit, three or four immense Bologna sausages,
an enormous ham, a cold leg of roast mutton, and half a dozen bottles [page
110:] of cordials and liqueurs. I proceeded immediately to
take
possession of my little apartment, and this with feelings of higher
satisfaction,
I am sure, than any monarch ever experienced upon entering a new
palace.
Augustus now pointed out to me the method of fastening the open end of
the box, and then, holding the taper close to the deck, showed me a
piece
of dark whipcord lying along it. This he said extended from my hiding
place
throughout all the necessary windings among the lumber, to a nail which
was driven into the deck of the hold immediately beneath the trap-door
leading into his state-room. By means of this cord I should be enabled
readily to trace my way out without his guidance, provided any
unlooked-for
accident should render such a step necessary. He now took his
departure,
leaving with me the lantern, together with a copious supply of tapers
and
phosphorous, and promising to pay me a visit as often as he could
contrive
to do so without observation. This was on the seventeenth of April.
I remained three days and nights (as
nearly as I
could guess) in my hiding-place, without getting out of it at [[all]],
except twice for the purpose of stretching my limbs by standing erect
between
two crates just opposite the opening. During the whole period I saw
nothing
of Augustus; but this occasioned me little uneasiness, as I knew the
brig
was expected to put to sea every hour, and in the bustle he would not
easily
find opportunities of coming down to me. At length I heard the trap
open
and shut, and presently he called in a low voice, asking if all was
well,
and if there was any thing I wanted. "Nothing," I replied; "I am as
comfortable
as can be; when will the brig sail?" "She will be under way in less
than
half an hour," he answered. "I came to let you know, and for fear you
should
be uneasy at my absence. I shall not have a chance of coming down again
for some time — perhaps for three or four days more. All is going on
right
above board. After I go up and close the trap, do you creep along by
the
whipcord to where the nail is driven in. You will find my watch there —
it may be useful to you as you have no daylight to keep time by. I
suppose
you can't tell how long you have been buried — only three days — this
is
the twentieth. I would bring the watch to your box, but am afraid of
being
missed." With this he went up.
In about an hour after he had gone I
distinctly
felt
the brig in motion, and congratulated myself upon having at length
fairly
commenced a voyage. Satisfied with this idea I determined to make my
mind
as easy as possible, and await the course of events until I should be
permitted
to exchange the box for the more roomy, although hardly more
comfortable,
accommodations of the cabin. My first care was to get the watch.
Leaving
the taper burning, I groped along in the dark, following the cord
through
windings innumerable, in some of which I discovered that, after toiling
a long distance, I was brought back within a foot or two of a former
position.
At length I reached the nail, and, securing the object of my journey,
returned
with it in safety. I now looked over the books which had been so
thoughtfully
provided, and selected the Expedition of Lewis and Clarke to the mouth
of the Columbia. With this I amused myself for some time, when, growing
sleepy, I extinguished the light with great care, and soon fell into a
sound slumber.
Upon awakening I felt strangely
confused in mind,
and [column 2:] some time elapsed before I could
bring
to recollection all the various circumstances of my situation. By
degrees,
however, I remembered all. Striking a light, I looked at the watch; but
it was run down, and there were, consequently, no means of determining
how long I had slept. My limbs were greatly cramped, and I was forced
to
relieve them by standing between the crates. Presently, feeling an
almost
ravenous appetite, I bethought myself of the cold mutton, some of which
I had eaten just before going to sleep, and found excellent. What was
my
astonishment at discovering it to be in a state of absolute
putrefaction!
This circumstance occasioned me great disquietude; for, connecting it
with
the disorder of mind I experienced upon awakening, I began to suppose
that
I must have slept for an inordinately long period of time. The close
atmosphere
of the hold might have had something to do with this, and might, in the
end, be productive of the most serious results. My head ached
excessively;
I fancied that I drew every breath with difficulty; and, in short, I
was
oppressed with a multitude of gloomy feelings. Still I could not
venture
to make any disturbance by opening the trap or otherwise, and, having
wound
up the watch, contented myself as well as possible.
Throughout the whole of the next
tedious
twenty-four
hours no person came to my relief, and I could not help accusing
Augustus
of the grossest inattention. What alarmed me chiefly was, that the
water
in my jug was reduced to about half a pint, and I was suffering much
from
thirst, having eaten freely of the Bologna sausages after the loss of
my
mutton. I became very uneasy, and could no longer take any interest in
my books. I was overpowered, too, with a desire to sleep, yet trembled
at the thought of indulging it, lest there might exist some pernicious
influence, like that of burning charcoal, in the confined air of the
hold.
In the meantime the roll of the brig told me that we were far in the
main
ocean, and a dull humming sound which reached my ears as if from an
immense
distance, convinced me no ordinary gale was blowing. I could not
imagine
a reason for the absence of Augustus. We were surely far enough
advanced
on our voyage to allow of my going up. Some accident might have
happened
to him — but I could think of none which would account for his
suffering
me to remain so long a prisoner, except indeed his having suddenly died
or fallen overboard, and upon this idea I could not dwell with any
degree
of patience. It was possible that we had been baffled by head winds,
and
were still in the near vicinity of Nantucket. This notion, however, I
was
forced to abandon; for, such being the case, the brig must have
frequently
gone about; and I was entirely satisfied from her continual inclination
to the larboard that she had been sailing, all along, with a steady
breeze
on her starboard quarter. Besides, granting that we were still in the
neighborhood
of the island, why should not Augustus have visited me and informed me
of the circumstance? Pondering in this manner upon the difficulties of
my solitary and cheerless condition, I resolved to wait yet another
twenty-four
hours, when, if no relief were obtained, I would make my way to the
trap,
and endeavour either to hold a parley with my friend, or get at least a
little fresh air through the opening, and a further supply of water
from
his state-room. While occupied with this thought, however, I fell in
spite
of every exertion [page 111:] to the contrary,
into
a state of profound sleep, or rather stupor. My dreams were of the most
terrific description. Every species of calamity and horror befell me.
Among
other miseries I was smothered to death between huge pillows by demons
of the most ghastly and ferocious aspect. Immense serpents held me in
their
embrace, and looked earnestly in my face with their fearfully shining
eyes.
Then deserts limitless and of the most forlorn and awe-inspiring
character,
spread themselves out before me. Immensely tall trunks of trees, grey
and
leafless, rose up in endless succession as far as the eye could reach.
Their roots were concealed in wide-spreading morasses, whose dreary
water
lay intensely black, still, and altogether terrible, beneath. And the
strange
trees seemed endowed with a human vitality, and, waving to and fro
their
skeleton arms, were crying to the silent waters for mercy in the shrill
and piercing accents of the most acute agony and despair. The scene
changed;
and I stood naked and alone amid the burning sand plains of Zahara. At
my feet lay crouched a fierce lion of the tropics. Suddenly his wild
eyes
opened and fell upon me. With a conculsive bound he sprang to his feet
and laid bare his horrible teeth. In another instant there burst from
his
red throat a roar like the thunder of the firmament, and I fell
impetuously
to the earth. Stifling in a paroxysm of terror, I at last found myself
partially awake. My dream then was not all a dream. Now at least I was
in possession of my senses. The paws of some huge and real monster were
pressing heavily upon my bosom — his hot breath was in my ear — and his
white and ghastly fangs were gleaming upon me through the gloom.
Had a thousand lives hung upon the
movement of a
limb or the utterance of a syllable, I could neither have stirred nor
spoken.
The beast, whatever it was, retained his position without attempting
any
immediate violence, while I lay in an utterly helpless, and, I fancied,
a dying condition beneath him. I felt that my powers of body and mind
were
fast leaving me — in a word, that I was perishing, and perishing of
sheer
fright. My brain swam — I grew deadly sick — my vision failed — even
the
glaring eye-balls above me grew dim. Making a last strong effort, I at
length breathed a faint ejaculation to God, and resigned myself to die.
The sound of my voice seemed to arouse all the latent fury of the
animal.
He precipitated himself at full length upon my body — but what was my
astonishment,
when with a long and low whine he commenced licking my face and hands
with
the greatest eagerness and with the most extravagant demonstration of
affection
and joy! I was bewildered, utterly lost in amazement — but I could not
forget the peculiar whine of my Newfoundland dog Tiger, and the odd
manner
of his caresses I well knew. It was he. I experienced a sudden rush of
blood to my temples — a giddy and overpowering sense of deliverance and
re-animation. I rose hurriedly from the mattress upon which I had been
lying, and, throwing myself upon the neck of my faithful follower and
friend,
relieved the long oppression of my bosom in a flood of the most
passionate
tears.
As upon a former occasion, my
conceptions were in
a state of the greatest indistinctness and confusion after leaving the
mattress. For a long time I found it nearly impossible to connect any
ideas
— but by very slow degrees my thinking faculties returned, and I again
called [column 2:] to memory the several incidents
of my condition. For the presence of Tiger I tried in vain to account;
and, after busying myself with a thousand different conjectures
respecting
him, was forced to content myself with rejoicing that he was with me to
share my dreary solitude, and render me comfort by his caresses. Most
people
love their dogs — but for Tiger I had an affection far more ardent than
common; and never, certainly, did any creature more truly deserve it.
For
seven years he had been my inseparable companion, and in a multitude of
instances had given evidence of all the noble qualities for which we
value
the animal. I had rescued him, when a puppy, from the clutches of a
malignant
little villain in Nantucket, who was leading him, with a rope round his
neck, to the water; and the grown dog repaid the obligation, about
three
years afterwards, by saving me from the bludgeon of a street robber.
Getting now hold of the watch, I
found, upon
applying
it to my ear, that it had again run down — but at this I was not at all
surprised, being convinced, from the peculiar state of my feelings,
that
I had slept, as before, for a very long period of time — how long, it
was
of course impossible to say. I was burning up with fever, and my thirst
was almost intolerable. I felt about the box for my little remaining
supply
of water — for I had no light, the taper having burned to the socket of
the lantern, and the phosphorus-box not coming readily to hand. Upon
finding
the jug, however, I discovered it to be empty — Tiger, no doubt, having
been tempted to drink it, as well as to devour the remnant of mutton,
the
bone of which lay, well picked, by the opening of the box. The spoiled
meat I could well spare, but my heart sank as I thought of the water. I
was feeble in the extreme — so much so, that I shook all over, as with
an ague, at the slightest movement or exertion. To add to my troubles,
the brig was pitching and rolling with great violence, and the
oil-casks
which lay upon my box were in momentary danger of falling down, so as
to
block up the only way of ingress or egress. I felt, also, terrible
sufferings
from sea-sickness. These considerations determined me to make my way,
at
all hazards, to the trap, and obtain immediate relief, before I should
be incapacitated from doing so altogether. Having come to this resolve,
I again felt about for the phosphorus-box and tapers. The former I
found,
after some little trouble; but not discovering the tapers as soon as I
had expected, (for I remembered very nearly the spot in which I had
placed
them,) I gave up the search for the present, and bidding Tiger lie
quiet,
began at once my journey towards the trap.
In this attempt, my great feebleness
became more
than ever apparent. It was with the utmost difficulty I could crawl
along
at all, and very frequently my limbs sank suddenly from beneath me;
when,
falling prostrate on my face, I would remain, for some minutes, in a
state
bordering on insensibility. Still I struggled forward by slow degrees,
dreading every moment that I should swoon amid the narrow and intricate
windings of the lumber, in which event I had nothing but death to
expect
as the result. At length, upon making a push forward, with all the
energy
I could command, I struck my forehead violently against the sharp
corner
of an iron-bound crate. The accident only stunned me for a few moments;
but I found, to my inexpressible grief, [page 112:]
that the quick and violent roll of the vessel had thrown the crate
entirely
across my path, so as effectually to block up the passage. With my
utmost
exertions, I could not move it a single inch from its position, it
being
closely wedged in among the surrounding boxes and ship furniture. It
became
necessary, therefore, enfeebled as I was, either to quit the guidance
of
the whipcord and seek out a new passage, or to climb over the obstacle,
and resume the path on the other side. The former alternative presented
too many difficulties and dangers to be thought of without a shudder.
In
my present weak state of both mind and body, I should infallibly lose
my
way if I attempted it, and perish miserably amid the dismal and
disgusting
labyrinths of the hold. I proceeded, therefore, without hesitation, to
summon up all my remaining strength and fortitude, and endeavor, as I
best
might, to clamber over the crate.
Upon standing erect, with this end in
view, I
found
the undertaking even a more serious task than my fears had led me to
imagine.
On each side of the narrow passage arose a complete wall of various
heavy
lumber, which the least blunder on my part might be the means of
bringing
down upon my head; or, if this accident did not occur, the path might
be
effectually blocked up against my return by the descending mass, as it
was in front by the obstacle there. The crate itself was a long and
unwieldy
box, upon which no foot-hold could be obtained. In vain I attempted, by
every means in my power, to reach the top, with the hope of being thus
enabled to draw myself up. Had I succeeded in reaching it, it is
certain
that my strength would have proved utterly inadequate to the task of
getting
over, and it was better in every respect that I failed. At length, in a
desperate effort to force the crate from its ground, I felt a strong
vibration
in the side next me. I thrust my hand eagerly to the edge of the
planks,
and found that a very large one was loose. With my pocket-knife, which
luckily I had with me, I succeeded, after great labor, in prizing
[[prying]]
it entirely off, and getting it through the aperture, discovered, to my
exceeding joy, that there were no boards on the opposite side — in
other
words, that the top was wanting, it being the bottom through which I
had
forced my way. I now met with no important difficulty in proceeding
along
the line, until I finally reached the nail. With a beating heart I
stood
erect, and with a gentle touch, pressed against the cover of the trap.
It did not rise as soon as I had expected, and I pressed it with
somewhat
more determination, still dreading lest some other person than Augustus
might be in his state-room. The door, however, to my astonishment,
remained
steady, and I became somewhat uneasy, for I knew that it had formerly
required
little or no effort to remove it. I pushed it strongly — it was
nevertheless
firm: with all my strength — it still did not give way: with rage, with
fury, with despair — it set at defiance my utmost efforts — and it was
evident, from the unyielding nature of the resistance, that the hole
had
either been discovered and effectually nailed up, or that some immense
weight had been placed upon it, which it was useless to think of
removing.
My sensations were those of extreme
horror and
dismay.
In vain I attempted to reason on the probable cause of my being thus
entombed.
I could summon up no connected chain of reflection, and, sinking on the
[column
2:] floor, gave way, unresistingly, to the most gloomy
imaginings,
in which the dreadful deaths of thirst, famine, suffocation, and
premature
interment, crowded upon me as the prominent disasters to be
encountered.
At length there returned to me some portion of presence of mind. I
arose,
and felt with my fingers for the seams or cracks of the aperture.
Having
found them, I examined them closely, to ascertain if they emitted any
light
from the state-room; but none was visible. I then forced the pen-blade
of my knife through them, until I met with some hard obstacle. Scraping
against it, I discovered it to be a solid mass of iron, which, from its
peculiar wavy feel as I passed the blade along it, I concluded to be a
chain-cable. The only course now left me was to retrace my way to the
box,
and there either yield to my sad fate, or try so to tranquilize my
mind,
as to admit of my arranging some plan of escape. I immediately set
about
the attempt, and succeeded, after innumerable difficulties, in getting
back. As I sank, utterly exhausted, upon the mattress, Tiger threw
himself
at full length by my side, and seemed as if desirous, by his caresses,
of consoling me in my troubles, and urging me to bear them with
fortitude.
The singularity of his behavior at
length
forcibly
arrested my attention. After licking my face and hands for some
minutes,
he would suddenly cease doing so, and utter a low whine. Upon reaching
out my hand towards him, I then invariably found him lying on his back,
with his paws uplifted. This conduct, so frequently repeated, appeared
strange, and I could in no manner account for it. As the dog seemed
distressed,
I concluded that he had received some injury, and, taking his paws in
my
hands, I examined them one by one, but found no sign of any hurt. I
then
supposed him hungry, and gave him a large piece of ham, which he
devoured
with avidity — afterwards, however, resuming his extraordinary
manœuvres.
I now imagined that he was suffering, like myself, the torments of
thirst,
and was about adopting this conclusion as the true one, when the idea
occurred
to me that I had as yet only examined his paws, and that there might
possibly
be a wound upon some portion of his body or head. The latter I felt
carefully
over, but found nothing. On passing my hand [[,]] however, along his
back,
I perceived a slight erection of the hair extending completely across
it.
Probing this with my finger I discovered a string, and, tracing it up,
found that it encircled the whole body. Upon a closer scrutiny, I came
across a small slip of what had the feeling of letter paper, through
which
the string had been fastened in such a manner as to bring it
immediately
beneath the left shoulder of the animal.
The thought instantly occurred to me
that the
paper
was a note from Augustus, and that some unaccountable accident having
happened,
to prevent his relieving me from my dungeon, he had devised this method
of acquainting me with the true state of affairs. Trembling with
eagerness,
I now commenced another search for my phosphorus matches and tapers. I
had a confused recollection of having put them carefully away, just
before
falling asleep; and, indeed, previously to my last journey to the trap,
I had been able to remember the exact spot where I had deposited them.
But now I endeavored in vain to call it to mind, and busied myself for
a full hour in a fruitless and vexatious search [page 113:]
for the missing articles — never, surely, was there a more tantalizing
state of anxiety and suspense. At length, while groping about, with my
head close to the ballast, near the opening of the box, and outside of
it, I perceived a faint glimmering of light in the direction of the
steerage.
Greatly surprised, I endeavored to make my way towards it, as it
appeared
to be but a few feet from my position. Scarcely had I moved with this
intention,
when I lost sight of the glimmer entirely, and before I could bring it
into view again, was obliged to feel along by the box, until I had
exactly
resumed my original situation. Now moving my head with caution to and
fro,
I found that, by proceeding slowly, with great care, in an opposite
direction
to that in which I had at first started, I was enabled to draw near the
light, still keeping it in view. Presently I came directly upon it
(having
squeezed my way through innumerable narrow windings) and found that it
proceeded from some fragments of my matches lying in an empty barrel
turned
upon its side. I was wondering how they came in such a place, when my
hand
fell upon two or three pieces of taper wax, which had been evidently
mumbled
by the dog. I concluded at once that he had devoured the whole of my
supply
of candles, and I felt hopeless of being ever able to read the note of
Augustus. The small remnants of the wax were so mashed up among other
rubbish
in the barrel, that I despaired of deriving any service from them, and
left them as they were. The phosphorus, of which there was only a speck
or two, I gathered up as well as I could, and returned with it, after
much
difficulty, to my box, where Tiger had all the while remained.
What to do next I could not tell. The
hold was so
intensely dark, that I could not see my hand, however close I would
hold
it to my face. The white slip of paper could barely be discerned, and
not
even that, when I looked at it directly: by turning the exterior
portions
of the retina towards it, that is to say, by surveying it slightly
askance,
I found that it became in some measure perceptible. Thus the gloom of
my
prison may be imagined, and the note of my friend, if indeed it were a
note from him, seemed only likely to throw me into farther trouble, by
disquieting, to no purpose, my already enfeebled and agitated mind. In
vain I revolved in my brain a multitude of absurd expedients for
procuring
light — such expedients precisely, as a man in the perturbed sleep
occasioned
by opium, would be apt to fall upon for a similar purpose — each and
all
of which appear by turns to the dreamer, the most reasonable and the
most
preposterous of conceptions, just as the reasoning or imaginative
faculties
flicker, alternately, one above the other. At last an idea occurred to
me which seemed rational, and which gave me cause to wonder, very
justly,
that I had not entertained it before. I placed the slip of paper on the
back of a book, and, collecting the fragments of the phosphorus matches
which I had brought from the barrel, laid them together upon the paper.
I then, with the palm of my hand, rubbed the whole over quickly yet
steadily.
A clear light diffused itself immediately throughout the whole surface,
and had there been any writing upon it, I should not have experienced
the
least difficulty, I am sure, in reading it. Not a syllable was there,
however
— nothing but a dreary and unsatisfactory blank; [column 2:]
the illumination died away in a few seconds, and my heart died away
within
me as it went.
I have before stated more than once,
that my
intellect,
for some period prior to this, had been in a condition nearly bordering
on idiocy. There were, to be sure, momentary intervals of perfect
sanity,
and, now and then, even of energy, but these were few. It must be
remembered
that I had been, for many days certainly, inhaling the almost
pestilential
atmosphere of a close hold in a whaling vessel, and a long portion of
that
time but scantily supplied with water. For the last fourteen or fifteen
hours I had none — nor had I slept during that time. Salt provisions of
the most exciting kind had been my chief, and indeed since the loss of
the mutton, my only supply of food, with the exception of the sea
biscuit;
and these latter were utterly useless to me, as they were too dry and
hard
to be swallowed in the swollen and parched condition of my throat. I
was
now in a high state of fever, and, in every respect, exceedingly ill.
This
will account for the fact, that many miserable hours of despondency
elapsed
after my last adventure with the phosphorus, before the thought
suggested
itself that I had examined only one side of the paper. I shall not
attempt
to describe my feelings of rage, (for I believe I was more angry than
any
thing else) when the egregious oversight I had committed flashed
suddenly
upon my perception. The blunder itself would have been unimportant, had
not my own folly and impetuosity rendered it otherwise — in my
disappointment
at not finding some words upon the slip. [[,]] I had childishly torn it
in pieces and thrown it away, it was impossible to say where.
From the worst part of this dilemma I
was
relieved
by the sagacity of Tiger. Having gotten, after a long search, a small
piece
of the note, I put it to the dog's nose, and endeavored to make him
understand
that he must bring me the rest of it. To my astonishment (for I had
taught
him none of the usual tricks for which his breed are famous,) he seemed
to enter at once into my meaning, and, rummaging about for a few
moments,
soon found another considerable portion. Bringing me this, he paused a
while, and, rubbing his nose against my hand, appeared to be waiting
for
my approval of what he had done. I patted him on the head, when he
immediately
made off again. It was now some minutes before he came back — but when
he did come, he brought with him a large slip, which proved to be all
the
paper missing — it having been torn, it seems, only into three pieces.
Luckily I had no trouble in finding what few fragments of the
phosphorus
were left — being guided by the indistinct glow one or two of the
particles
still emitted. My difficulties had taught me the necessity of caution,
and I now took time to reflect upon what I was about to do. It was very
probable, I considered, that some words were written upon that side of
the paper which had not been examined — but which side was that?
Fitting
the pieces together gave me no clue in this respect, although it
assured
me that the words (if there were any) would be found all on one side,
and
connected in a proper manner, as written. There was the greater
necessity
of ascertaining the point in question beyond a doubt, as the phosphorus
remaining would be altogether insufficient for a third attempt, should
I fail in the one I was now about to make. I placed the paper on a book
as before, and sat for some [page 114:] minutes
thoughtfully
revolving the matter over in my mind. At last I thought it barely
possible
that the written side might have some unevenness in its surface, which
a delicate sense of feeling might enable me to detect. I determined to
make the experiment, and passed my finger very carefully over the side
which first presented itself — nothing however, was perceptible, and I
turned the paper, adjusting it on the book. I now again carried my
fore-finger
cautiously along, when I was aware of an exceedingly slight, but still
discernable glow, which followed it as it proceeded. This, I knew, must
arise from some very minute remaining particles of the phosphorus with
which I had covered the paper in my previous attempt. The other or
under
side, then, was that on which lay the writing, if writing there should
finally prove to be. Again I turned the note, and went to work as I had
previously done. Having rubbed in the phosphorus, a brilliancy ensued
as
before — but this time several lines of M.S. in a large hand, and
apparently
in red ink, became distinctly visible. The glimmer, although
sufficiently
bright, was but momentary. Still, had I not been too greatly excited,
there
would have been ample time enough for me to peruse the whole three
sentences
before me — for I saw there were three. In my anxiety, however, to read
all at once, I succeeded only in reading the seven concluding words,
which
thus appeared: — "blood — your life depends upon lying close."
Had I been able to ascertain the
entire contents
of the note — the full meaning of the admonition which my friend had
thus
attempted to convey, that admonition, even although it should have
revealed
a story of disaster the most unspeakable, could not, I am firmly
convinced,
have imbued my mind with one tithe of the harrowing and yet indefinable
horror with which I was inspired by the fragmentary warning thus
received.
And "blood" too, that word of all words — so rife at all times
with
mystery, and suffering, and terror — how trebly full of import did it
now
appear! — how chillily and heavily (disjointed, as it thus was, from
any
foregoing words to qualify or render it distinct) did its vague
syllables
fall, amid the deep gloom of my prison, into the innermost recesses of
my soul!
Augustus had, undoubtedly, good
reasons for
wishing
me to remain concealed, and I formed a thousand surmises as to what
they
could be — but I could think of nothing affording a satisfactory
solution
of the mystery. Just after returning from my last journey to the trap,
and before my attention had been otherwise directed by the singular
conduct
of Tiger, I had come to the resolution of making myself heard at all
events
by those on board, or, if I could not succeed in this directly, of
trying
to cut my way through the orlop deck. The half certainty which I felt,
of being able to accomplish one of these two purposes in the last
emergency,
had given me courage (which I should not otherwise have had) to endure
the evils of my situation. The few words I had been able to read,
however,
had cut me off from these final resources, and I now, for the first
time,
felt all the misery of my fate. In a paroxysm of despair I threw myself
again upon the mattress, where, for about the period of a day and
night,
I lay in a kind of stupor, relieved only by momentary intervals of
reason
and recollection.
At length I once more arose, and
busied myself in [column
2:] reflection upon the horrors which encompassed me. For
another
twenty-four hours it was barely possible that I might exist without
water
— for a longer time I could not do so. During the first portion of my
imprisonment
I had made free use of the cordials with which Augustus had supplied
me,
but they only served to excite fever, without in the least degree
assuaging
my thirst. I had now only about a gill left, and this was of a species
of strong peach liqueur at which my stomach revolted. The sausages were
entirely consumed; of the ham nothing remained but a small piece of the
skin; and all the biscuit, except a few fragments of one, had been
eaten
by Tiger. To add to my troubles I found that my head-ache [[headache]]
was increasing momentarily, and with it the species of delirium which
had
distressed me more or less since my first falling asleep. For some
hours
past it had been with the greatest difficulty I could breathe at all,
and
now each attempt at so doing was attended with the most distressing
spasmodic
action of the chest. But there was still another, and very different
source
of disquietude, and one, indeed, whose harassing terrors had been the
chief
means of arousing me to exertion from my stupor on the mattress. It
arose
from the demeanor of the dog.
I first observed an alteration in his
conduct
while
rubbing in the phosphorus on the paper in my last attempt. As I rubbed,
he ran his nose against my hand with a slight snarl; but I was too
greatly
excited at the time to pay much attention to the circumstance. Soon
afterwards,
it will be remembered, I threw myself on the mattress, and fell into a
species of lethargy. Presently I became aware of a singular hissing
sound
close at my ears, and discovered it to proceed from Tiger, who was
panting
and wheezing in a state of the greatest apparent excitement, his
eyeballs
flashing fiercely through the gloom. I spoke to him, when he replied
with
a low growl, and then remained quiet. Presently I relapsed into my
stupor,
from which I was again awakened in a similar manner. This was repeated
three or four times, until finally his behavior inspired me with so
great
a degree of fear that I became fully aroused. He was now lying close by
the door of the box, snarling fearfully, although in a kind of
undertone,
and grinding his teeth as if strongly convulsed. I had no doubt
whatever
that the want of water, or the confined atmosphere of the hold, had
driven
him mad, and I was at a loss what course to pursue. I could not endure
the thought of killing him, yet it seemed absolutely necessary for my
own
safety. I could distinctly perceive his eyes fastened upon me with an
expression
of the most deadly animosity, and I expected every instant that he
would
attack me. At last I could endure my terrible situation no longer, and
determined to make my way from the box at all hazards, and dispatch
him,
if his opposition should render it necessary for me to do so. To get
out,
I had to pass directly over his body, and he already seemed to
anticipate
my design — raising himself upon his fore legs (as I perceived by the
altered
position of his eyes), and displaying the whole of his white fangs,
which
were easily discernible. I took the remains of the ham-skin, and the
bottle
containing the liqueur, and secured them about my person, together with
a large carving[[-]]knife which Augustus had left me — then, folding my
cloak as closely around me as possible, I made a movement towards the
mouth
of the box. No sooner [page 115:] did I do this
than
the dog sprang with a loud growl towards my throat. The whole weight of
his body struck me on the right shoulder, and I fell violently to the
left,
while the enraged animal passed entirely over me. I had fallen upon my
knees with my head buried among the blankets, and these protected me
from
a second furious assault, during which I felt the sharp teeth pressing
vigorously upon the woollen which enveloped my neck — yet, luckily,
without
being able to penetrate all the folds. I was now beneath the dog, and a
few moments would place me completely in his power. Despair gave me
strength,
and I rose bodily up, shaking him from me by main force, and dragging
with
me the blankets from the mattress. These I now threw over him, and
before
he could extricate himself I had gotten through the door and closed it
effectually against his pursuit. In this struggle, however, I had been
forced to drop the morsel of ham-skin, and I now found my whole stock
of
provisions reduced to a single gill of liqueur. As this reflection
crossed
my mind I felt myself actuated by one of those fits of perverseness
which
might be supposed to influence a spoiled child in similar
circumstances,
and, raising the bottle to my lips, I drained it to the last drop, and
dashed it furiously upon the ground.
Scarcely had the echo of the crash
died away,
when
I heard my name pronounced in an eager but subdued voice, issuing from
the direction of the steerage. So unexpected was anything of the kind,
and so intense was the emotion excited within me by the sound, that I
endeavored
in vain to reply. My powers of voice totally failed, and, in an agony
of
terror lest my friend should conclude me dead and return without
attempting
to reach me, I stood up between the crates near the door of the box,
trembling
convulsively, and gasping and struggling for utterance. Had a thousand
worlds depended upon a syllable, I could not have spoken it. There was
a slight movement now audible among the lumber somewhere forward of my
station. The sound presently grew less distinct, then again less so,
and
still less. Shall I ever forget my feelings at this moment? He was
going
— my friend — my companion, from whom I had a right to expect so much —
he was going — he would abandon me — he was gone! He would leave me to
perish miserably, to expire in the most horrible and loathsome of
dungeons
— and one word — one little syllable would save me — yet that single
syllable
I could not utter! I felt, I am sure, more than ten thousand times the
agonies of death itself. My brain reeled, and I fell, deadly sick,
against
the end of the box.
As I fell, the carving-knife was
shaken out from
the waistband of my pantaloons, and dropped with a rattling sound to
the
floor. Never did any strain of the richest melody come so sweetly to my
ears! With the intensest anxiety I listened to ascertain the effect of
the noise upon Augustus — for I knew that the person who called my name
could be no one but himself. All was silent for some moments. At length
I again heard the word, [["]]Arthur![["]] repeated in a low
tone,
and one full of hesitation. Reviving hope loosened at once my powers of
speech, and I now screamed, at the top of my voice, "Augustus! oh
Augustus!"
"Hush! — for God's sake be silent!" he replied, in a voice trembling
with
agitation, "I will be with you immediately — as soon as I can make my
way
through the hold." For a long time I [column 2:]
heard
him moving among the lumber, and every moment seemed to me an age. At
length
I felt his hand upon my shoulder, and he placed at the same moment a
bottle
of water to my lips. Those only who have been suddenly redeemed from
the
jaws of the tomb, or who have known the insufferable torments of thirst
under circumstances as aggravated as those which encompassed me in my
dreary
prison, can form any idea of the unutterable transports which that one
long draught, of the richest of all physical luxuries, afforded.
When I had in some degree satisfied
my thirst,
Augustus
produced from his pocket three or four cold boiled potatoes, which I
devoured
with the greatest avidity. He had brought with him a light in a dark
lantern,
and the grateful rays afforded me scarcely less comfort than the food
and
drink. But I was impatient to learn the cause of his protracted
absence,
and he proceeded to recount what had happened on board during my
incarceration.
The brig put to sea, as I had
supposed, in about
an hour after he had left the watch. This was on the twentieth of
April.
It will be remembered that I had then been in the hold for three days;
and, during this period there was so constant a bustle on board, and so
much running to and fro, especially in the cabin and state-rooms, that
he had had no chance of visiting me without the risk of having the
secret
of the trap discovered. When at length he did come, I had assured him
that
I was doing as well as possible; and, therefore, for the two next days,
be felt but little uneasiness on my account — still, however, watching
an opportunity of going down. It was not until the fourth day
that
he found one. Several times during this interval he had made up his
mind
to let his father know of the adventure, and have me come up at once;
but
we were still within reaching distance of Nantucket, and it was
doubtful,
from some expressions which had escaped Captain Barnard, whether he
would
not immediately put back if he discovered me to be on board. Besides,
upon
thinking the matter over, Augustus, so he told me, could not imagine
that
I was in immediate want, or that I would hesitate, in such case, to
make
myself heard at the trap. When, therefore, he considered every thing,
he
concluded to let me stay, until he could meet with an opportunity of
visiting
me unobserved. This, as I said before, did not occur until the fourth
day
after his bringing me the watch, and the seventh since I had first
entered
the hold. He then went down, without taking with him any water or
provisions,
intending in the first place merely to call my attention, and get me to
come from the box to the trap — when he would go up to the state-room
and
thence hand me down a supply. When he descended for this purpose he
found
that I was asleep, for it seems that I was snoring very loudly. From
all
the calculations I can make on the subject, this must have been the
slumber
into which I fell just after my return from the trap with the watch,
and
which, consequently, must have lasted for more than three entire
days
and nights at the very least. Latterly, I have had reason, both
from
my own experience and the assurance of others, to be acquainted with
the
strong soporific effects of the stench arising from old fish oil when
closely
confined; and when I think of the condition of the hold in which I was
imprisoned, and the long period during which the [page 116:]
brig had been used as a whaling-vessel, I am more inclined to wonder
that
I awoke at all, after once falling asleep, than that I should have
slept
uninterruptedly for the period specified above.
Augustus called to me, at first in a
low voice
and
without closing the trap — but I made him no reply. He then shut the
trap,
and spoke to me in a louder, and finally in a very loud tone — still I
continued to snore. He was now at a loss what to do. It would take him
some time to make his way through the lumber to my box, and in the
meanwhile
his absence would be noticed by Captain Barnard, who had occasion for
his
services every minute, in arranging and copying papers connected with
the
business of the voyage. He determined [[,]] therefore, upon reflection,
to ascend, and await another opportunity of visiting me. He was the
more
easily induced to this resolve, as my slumber appeared to be of the
most
tranquil nature, and he could not suppose that I had undergone any
inconvenience
from my incarceration. He had just made up his mind on these points,
when
his attention was arrested by an unusual bustle, the sound of which
proceeded
apparently from the cabin. He sprang through the trap as quickly as
possible,
closed it, and threw open the door of his state-room. No sooner had he
put his foot over the threshold, than a pistol flashed in his face, and
he was knocked down, at the same moment, by a blow from a handspike.
A strong hand held him on the cabin floor, with a
tight grasp upon his throat — still he was able to see what was going
on
around him. His father was tied hand and foot, and lying along the
steps
of the companion way with his head down, and a deep wound in the
forehead,
from which the blood was flowing in a continued stream. He spoke not a
word, and was apparently dying. Over him stood the first mate, eyeing
him
with an expression of fiendish derision, and deliberately searching his
pockets, from which he presently drew forth a large wallet and a
chronometer.
Seven of the crew (among whom was the cook, a negro) were rummaging the
state-rooms on the larboard for arms, where they soon equipped
themselves
with muskets and ammunition. Beside Augustus and Captain Barnard, there
were nine men altogether in the cabin, and these among the most
ruffianly
of the brig's company. The villains now went upon deck, taking my
friend
with them, after having secured his arms behind his back. They
proceeded
straight to the forecastle, which was fastened down — two of the
mutineers
standing by it with axes — two also at the main hatch. The mate called
out in a loud voice, "Do you hear there below? tumble up with you! —
one
by one, now, mark that! — and no grumbling." It was some minutes before
any one appeared: at last, an Englishman, who had shipped as a raw
hand,
came up, weeping piteously, and entreating the mate in the most humble
manner to spare his life. The only reply was a blow on the forehead
from
an axe. The poor fellow fell to the deck without a groan, and the black
cook lifted him up in his arms as he would a child, and tossed him
deliberately
into the sea. Hearing the blow and the plunge of the body, the men
below
could now be induced to venture on deck by neither threats nor
promises,
until a proposition was made to smoke them out. A general rush then
ensued,
and for a moment it seemed possible that the [column 2:]
brig might be retaken. The mutineers, however, succeeded at last in
closing
the forecastle effectually before more than six of their opponents
could
get up. These six, finding themselves so greatly outnumbered and
without
arms, submitted after a brief struggle. The mate gave them fair words —
no doubt with a view of inducing those below to yield, for they had no
difficulty in hearing all that was said on deck. The result proved his
sagacity, no less than his diabolical villainy. All in the forecastle
presently
signified their intention of submitting, and, ascending one by one,
were
pinioned and thrown on their backs, together with the first six — there
being in all, of the crew who were not concerned in the mutiny,
twenty-seven. |
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