It were too bad a prison-house for goblins.
—— —— —— no place safe but this!”
Coleridge.
Mutual2 terror forces hostile animals into peaceful companionship. Under its influence the wolf lies down as quietly beside the lamb as if in the kingdom of love. The extremes of faith and education produce in man under threatened, speedy death, much the same outward result. Pohaku’s warriors3, bred in cruelty, and believing only in malignant4 deities5, viewed their fast coming fate with sullen6 indifference7. So long as there was hope in their exertions8 they were ready to show themselves men, but when death looked them right in the face, they were equally ready to proffer9 their breasts to his stroke without further struggle. Their instincts taught them that as life was beyond their control, so was death. He was a foe10 they could not conquer, neither should he triumph in their fear. Thus in his ignorance and unbelief the savage11 meets the great change with an insensibility, which, in its outward calm, rivals the faith of the Christian12.
Having abandoned hope, they sat stoically regarding[178] the rising tide of lava13,—seldom speaking, for it was a scene in which nature, uniting them by a common feeling, made speech useless. The air grew hotter each second. Puffs14 of steam issued from the rocks near by. At times a thick cloud of suffocating15 vapor16 swept so close to them, that they were obliged to hold their breaths until it passed.
Olmedo and Beatriz, with their hands joined, calmly awaited their end. As the danger drew nigher they shrunk closer together, each impulsively17 seeking to shield the other.
“How terrible this is, Olmedo, to see earth and air on fire,” said Beatriz to him, in a voice scarce above a whisper. “Look, it will soon reach us.” She shuddered18 and was silent for a minute, but recovering herself, added, with her eyes seeing only him, “it will be sweet to enter heaven together, will it not, my more than father?” She thought of him now only as the being who had awakened19 in her faith and feelings, which made her look forward with joy to celestial20 freedom.
“Yes, my daughter, this is indeed a terrible sight. Nature perishes like a scroll21 in the flames. The last day has indeed come upon us, and we shall soon see the Holy One and his Saints. Have no fear. As we have fought the good fight, so shall we be welcomed into the joy of our Lord. But my soul faints for these poor heathen, who await their death with such unconcern. Would that I could even now baptize them into the true faith.”
In the meantime Tolta had returned from his fruitless endeavor to find an avenue for escape. In[179] his anger, he had cursed the gods of Hawaii and denied his own, from whom no succor22 came. More enlightened and cultivated than the Hawaiians, with a moral conviction of the superior truths of the Catholic faith, yet hating it for the injuries it had brought upon him and his country, Tolta was filled with distracting emotions. The Spaniard’s deity23 might even now save them, as he had ever shown himself so much more powerful than his own, but he disdained24 to call upon him, and the very sight of the crucifix which Olmedo wore filled him with fresh anger.
He felt that his treachery had brought this awful fate upon those of all the Spanish race, who had never done him evil. This was a source of misery25 to him, but far weaker than that which sprung from having his hopes baffled by so unexpected and lingering a death, which in releasing his victims, consigned26 himself to the accumulated horrors of his own and the Christian’s hell. Oppressed by these thoughts, believing but contemning27 repentance28; seeing that just retribution was seeking him out, yet bidding it defiance29; sorrowing, not for his selfish passions, but for their defeat, he crept back despairing, and laying himself down close to the feet of Beatriz, said to her, “We shall all burn together. You will go to the Virgin30 Mother and I to darkness,—to despair,—to any hell that shall release me from the sight of the hated white man—curses upon them all,” and covering his head with his mantle31 he shut out all outward objects, and remained as motionless as if turned to stone.
[180]
Olmedo made no appeal to him, comprehending its uselessness, but turning to the warriors, spoke32 to them of a brighter world which awaited them if they would trust in the Christian’s God and be baptized. “Renounce your demon33 idols34 and call upon the Saviour35 this represents,” said he, holding up his crucifix, and pointing to a calabash of water, added, “you can be baptized and saved even at the last hour.”
“We have offended Pele,” one of them replied, “and she dooms36 us. No one can escape her anger. More powerful is she than your deity. You and your god will soon be but ashes. See how she rides the air, spouting37 fire in her anger! She comes, she comes!” “auwe! auwe!” and a mournful and prolonged wail38, like the death-song of the Indian, burst from their united lips, as a shower of hot cinders39 began to fall so thick and fast as to obscure the little light that had reached them through the smoke, which the wind had hitherto in a considerable degree kept off.
“The cave, Olmedo, the cave,—quick, quick!” cried Beatriz, grasping his hand to urge him forward. Tolta started up at the call, like one retouched with life, and the three were soon under its shelter.
The warriors remained as Olmedo last spoke to them, either not hearing the cry of Beatriz, or preferring to meet their death like soldiers at their posts in the open air. Their wail continued to be heard to the latest moment, rising from a low monotonous41, tremulous note of suppressed suffering[181] into a prolonged chorus of muffled42 shrieks43, that fell upon the ears of Beatriz and Olmedo like the last despairing cry of humanity, and thrilled their hearts with horror. For an instant it made them regardless of their own safety, and they turned back a step or two, calling upon the warriors to follow, but the burning ashes fell so fast that they were immediately driven still farther into the recesses44 of the cave. Their ears were ringing with the dismal45 wail; the effect of which from sheer sympathetic force, is to enhance the bitterness of grief and paralyze joyous46 emotion, so that the listener is changed into the mourner, despite his own indifference to the cause. In this case, the sensibilities of the priest and maiden47 were the more acute from their own participation48 in the dangers which were bringing a lingering death upon so many of their number, added to their inability to render any assistance. Doubtless the stupefaction from the poisonous gases, with which the atmosphere was laden49, added to their own exhaustion50 from previous efforts, aided to make the warriors so indifferent to their fate. No one replied to the call of Olmedo, or even to the authoritative51 voice of Tolta, who had at last roused himself at the clearer perception of their situation, and with reawakened energies was prepared to continue his exertions to escape.
It was impossible for them to remain near the mouth of the cave, so they lighted some torches of the kukui nut, and proceeded to explore it. “We may find it deep enough to screen us from the lava and fatal air,” said Olmedo. “Here are the remains[182] too of our last night’s provisions, which those poor heathen left here this morning. Alas52! for their souls! Come, Beatriz, you shall yet see Juan. Eat a morsel53 to sustain your strength,” and he gave the example, more to persuade her than to appease54 his own hunger.
Tolta scowled55 at the confiding56 smile Beatriz gave to the priest as she complied with his advice, but he ate also, and the three found in the short respite57 from the sights and sounds of the outer air, helped as it was by much needed food, a renewal58 of mental and physical energies which surprised them. It seemed as if they were aroused from some oppressive dream.
The extent of the cave tempted59 them on. It descended60 at first somewhat abruptly61. At the distance of a hundred rods from the entrance the passage grew narrow, and was partially62 choked with stones, which had fallen from overhead. By some labor63 the two men cleared the way for Beatriz to follow, and they found themselves in a large chamber64, where the air was quite fresh in contrast with what they had been breathing for hours past. This revived them still more. The roof was covered with stalactites of great size, and had the appearance of having been long undisturbed. Occasionally a slight jar was perceptible in the ground, and a low warning sound of disturbed elements was heard. They were encouraged to go on by finding both decreased as they advanced. Once, only, there was a shock so severe that they paused in stupor65, fancying that the rock above them was being crushed[183] in. But, with the exception of a few loose stones that rattled66 down, no harm was done. Evidently the eruption67 was either abating68, or they were get-away from it. Still to wander at random69 in an intricate cave, which might at any moment bury them in its ruins, or become a living sepulchre by tempting70 them away from one danger to meet the still more horrible fate of starvation in utter darkness, for their food and lights could not last much longer, were not thoughts at all calculated to raise their courage.
Something, however, tempted them to keep on. So long as they were in action, hope buoyed71 them up. Owing to the frequent turnings of the cave, it was impossible to have a clue as to their real direction. It was a series of halls or rooms, some of which were lofty and spacious72, joined by long, tortuous73 and low passages, at times so barricaded74 by rocky debris75 as to almost arrest further progress. Tolta, however, was indefatigable76 in clearing a way through them, as he was the first to explore, while Olmedo and Beatriz waited his report.
Upon emerging into a larger hall than the others, they thought they heard the noise of running water. It grew louder as they approached the farther end, where the torches showed to them a stream, which directly crossed their path. It appeared to issue from the solid rock, but their light was so faint it was impossible to discern anything clearly, except the quick flow of the black waters before them, while not far below they heard a roar and dash[184] as of a cascade77 or a rapid descent among rocks and chasms78.
Here, indeed, was an obstacle undreamed of. Fire cut off their retreat on one side, and water their progress on the other. Beatriz, already well nigh exhausted79, said to Olmedo, “We can go no farther. Tell Tolta to save himself if it be possible. He can swim and may find his way out, but we must remain here and await our fate. Let us by prayer prepare to resign ourselves to what must now soon come. With you I shall have no fear of death in any shape.”
Beatriz no more thought of the possibility of Olmedo’s leaving her, even if he could escape, than she would have consented to have left him to perish by himself. It never occurred to her, therefore, to urge him to an effort without her.
“Beatriz, my long loved one, my more than daughter in faith, if die we now must, we will be one in death as we have ever been in our lives. But take courage, we are not to perish so. God has not brought us thus far, to abandon us. I hail this water as a happy omen40. What say you, Tolta?”
“When water comes it must go. Rivers do not long flow underground. They love light as do the trees and flowers. I will see how the other side looks,” replied the Mexican.
Holding his torch above his head, he waded80 in. The water was warm and sulphurous and refreshed him; but it soon became so rapid and deep as to require all his skill as a swimmer to prevent being[185] drawn81 too near the gulf82, whose warning roar was heard not far below. Beatriz and Olmedo watched his progress anxiously, for fear he might be drifted into the rapids, but his light soon showed by its steadiness that he had reached ground on the farther side. A few minutes of suspense83 ensued, when suddenly he shouted, “We are saved! we shall soon see daylight!” and plunging84 into the water again, pushing something before him, he was quickly back. “See,” said he, “here is a log hollowed out into a rough canoe. This cave must have an outlet85 near by, for I see that the natives come here to bath and sport by torch-light. Hurry, and you shall see for yourselves the traces of their presence.”
Beatriz, at the direction of Olmedo, who could swim, placed herself on the log with her feet in the water. It had scarcely buoyancy enough to support her weight, but with Tolta on one side and the priest on the other keeping it upright, she was ferried safely over.
It was as Tolta had said. Fragments of food and other tokens of a recent visit were strewed86 about. The air also was purer. With lighter87 spirits they went on, over an easier path than the one they had traversed, and in about twenty minutes began to see glimmerings of light. After climbing a steep and narrow ascent88, the mouth of the cave came in sight, and they shortly found themselves in the open air.
For a few minutes they were unable to discern objects distinctly, but as they became able to look[186] about, they saw that they were some distance from the line of the eruption which was still active, but the wind now blew its smoke and gases from them. The country was wooded, and for this region fertile. It had suffered much from the vicinity of the lava stream, the vegetation being either killed or wilted89 by the heat.
Hawaiian Girl.
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1
inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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4
malignant
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| adj.恶性的，致命的；恶意的，恶毒的 | |
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5
deities
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| n.神，女神( deity的名词复数 )；神祗；神灵；神明 | |
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6
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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7
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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8
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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9
proffer
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| v.献出，赠送；n.提议，建议 | |
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10
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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11
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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12
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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13
lava
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| n.熔岩，火山岩 | |
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14
puffs
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| n.吸( puff的名词复数 )；（烟斗或香烟的）一吸；一缕（烟、蒸汽等）；（呼吸或风的）呼v.使喷出( puff的第三人称单数 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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15
suffocating
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| a.使人窒息的 | |
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vapor
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| n.蒸汽，雾气 | |
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impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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18
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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19
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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celestial
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| adj.天体的；天上的 | |
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scroll
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| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
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succor
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| n.援助，帮助；v.给予帮助 | |
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deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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disdained
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| 鄙视( disdain的过去式和过去分词 )； 不屑于做，不愿意做 | |
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misery
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| n.痛苦，苦恼，苦难；悲惨的境遇，贫苦 | |
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26
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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27
contemning
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| v.侮辱，蔑视( contemn的现在分词 ) | |
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repentance
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| n.懊悔 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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virgin
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| n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的 | |
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31
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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32
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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demon
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| n.魔鬼，恶魔 | |
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idols
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| 偶像( idol的名词复数 )； 受崇拜的人或物； 受到热爱和崇拜的人或物； 神像 | |
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saviour
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| n.拯救者，救星 | |
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36
dooms
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| v.注定( doom的第三人称单数 )；判定；使…的失败（或灭亡、毁灭、坏结局）成为必然；宣判 | |
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37
spouting
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| n.水落管系统v.（指液体）喷出( spout的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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38
wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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39
cinders
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| n.煤渣( cinder的名词复数 )；炭渣；煤渣路；煤渣跑道 | |
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40
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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41
monotonous
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| adj.单调的，一成不变的，使人厌倦的 | |
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42
muffled
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| adj.（声音）被隔的；听不太清的；（衣服）裹严的；蒙住的v.压抑，捂住( muffle的过去式和过去分词 )；用厚厚的衣帽包着（自己） | |
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43
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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44
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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45
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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46
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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47
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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participation
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| n.参与，参加，分享 | |
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49
laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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50
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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51
authoritative
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| adj.有权威的，可相信的；命令式的；官方的 | |
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52
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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53
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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54
appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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scowled
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| 怒视，生气地皱眉( scowl的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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57
respite
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| n.休息，中止，暂缓 | |
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58
renewal
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| adj.(契约)延期，续订，更新，复活，重来 | |
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59
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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60
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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61
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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62
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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63
labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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64
chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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65
stupor
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| v.昏迷；不省人事 | |
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66
rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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67
eruption
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| n.火山爆发；（战争等）爆发；（疾病等）发作 | |
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68
abating
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| 减少( abate的现在分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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69
random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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70
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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71
buoyed
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| v.使浮起( buoy的过去式和过去分词 )；支持；为…设浮标；振奋…的精神 | |
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72
spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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tortuous
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| adj.弯弯曲曲的，蜿蜒的 | |
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74
barricaded
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| 设路障于，以障碍物阻塞( barricade的过去式和过去分词 )； 设路障[防御工事]保卫或固守 | |
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75
debris
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| n.瓦砾堆，废墟，碎片 | |
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76
indefatigable
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| adj.不知疲倦的，不屈不挠的 | |
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77
cascade
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| n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下 | |
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chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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79
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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80
waded
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| （从水、泥等）蹚，走过，跋( wade的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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81
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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83
suspense
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| n.（对可能发生的事）紧张感，担心，挂虑 | |
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84
plunging
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| adj.跳进的，突进的v.颠簸( plunge的现在分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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outlet
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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86
strewed
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| v.撒在…上( strew的过去式和过去分词 )；散落于；点缀；撒满 | |
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87
lighter
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| n.打火机，点火器；驳船；v.用驳船运送；light的比较级 | |
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88
ascent
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| n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高 | |
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89
wilted
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| （使）凋谢，枯萎( wilt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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