“Live forgotten and die forlorn.”
TENNYSON.
Am I, living in or rather off the land of magnificent distances, entitled to claim as a neighbour a friend one hundred miles away? Sentiments obliterate2 space. With the lonesome individual who dwelt in an oven-like hut of corrugated3 iron on rocky, sunburnt Rattlesnake Island, and who lost the habit of living a few years ago, I was on social terms — terms of vague but cosy4 intimacy5. On occasions of our rare meetings we found ideas in common. Peradventure similarities of environment focussed similar thoughts. Perhaps abnormal temperaments6 gave rise to becoming tenderness and sympathy. Whatsoever7 and howsoever the mutual8 sentiment, it is of the past.
The history of the Recluse of that undesirable9 island, a mass of granite10 and thin, unkindly soil is far removed from the prosaic11. His was the third life sacrificed because of the lust12 of man to own the unromantic spot. He came to be known as “The Recluse of Rattlesnake,” but the pain of his life lies in the fact that his seclusion13 was not voluntary.
The earlier history of the “Recluse” embodies14 nothing very extraordinary. Men have fallen in love as impetuously as he. The prologue15 of the little drama in which he played the leading part was neither new nor strange. The originality16 came after, and then only was it understood how completely the divine passion had shattered his soul.
This, then, is the record of a part of his life — its dominating theme — its dramatic and pathetic ending.
A fine young fellow they were wont17 to call him — blue-eyed, fair-haired, sharp and shrewd and up to all the moves as becomes a man alert and successful in business. Truly a universal favourite, for he was good-humoured and amiable18, full of wit and smart sayings. They say, too, that she who had pledged her troth to him was just as fine a girl as he was man. There came news to him of the death of a relative in Old England, with a summons thither19 to take his share of a fortune. He tarried no long time, for had he not left his heart behind him? But — and so the story goes, whether true to the letter I do not vouch20 — when he landed in Australia once again it was to learn that he had been slighted. His love affair hopelessly damned, he at once began to drift. The drift ended pitiably after half a lifetime — to him a lifetime and a half.
“God! we living ones — what of our tears When a single day seems as a thousand years?”
For a decade or more he lived on the Island, his resources slender and uncertain. Often he was on the verge21 of starvation. Once he told me that, driven by the pangs22 of hunger, he had trapped quail23, which he had trained to come to his whistle to eat the crumbs24 which fell from his table during those rare times when he fared sumptuously25. Then his tender-heartedness forbade him to kill them. But hunger is crueller than either jealousy26 or the grave, and one by one his plump pets were sacrificed. He had two faithful companions — mongrel dogs, “Billy” and “Clara”— and the wistful, beseeching27 inquiry28 in the gaze of those two dogs when he talked at them before strangers significantly showed how frequently and earnestly he talked to them when there was none else to share his confidences.
Now Rattlesnake Island, though close to a populous29 port, is one of the more remote parts of the State of Queensland. News travels to and from it at uncertain, fitful, and infrequent intervals30. The Boer War had progressed beyond the relief of Ladysmith stage ere the Recluse of Rattlesnake knew that the Old England he loved so well and proudly was up and asserting herself. At odd times a sailing boat would call, but the Recluse was beginning to be what the polite folks benevolently31 term “strange,” and he would not always appear unless he knew his visitors. Then he was among the most agreeable and entertaining of men, full of anecdote32 and episode and quiet but true humour. A shrewd observer of natural science, he availed himself of unique opportunities for practical study. He conned33 first-hand the book of Nature, written large and fair, and illuminated34 with living designs. My one memento35 of him is the stiletto of a prodigious36 sting-ray. He had never seen a larger, nor have I nor any one to whom I have shown it. The weapon measures 9? inches by an average width of half an inch. The birds that came to his island, the reptiles37, the frogs, and the fish of the sea — he knew them all — and could tell quaint38, fairy-like stories of his association with the creatures that had become too familiar to be the least afraid of him.
One day a boat anchored off his bay, but the Recluse was not to be seen, nor was the punt that he used found, nor were there any recent signs of occupation about the exterior39 of the hut. In due course official search was instituted. We may neglect or be indifferent to a man while he is known to be in the land of the living; when he is not and until the mystery of his fate is cleared up he becomes the object of earnest solicitude40.
In the comfortless dwelling41 was found a diary which told its own tale of lonesomeness and starvation. Is there real pathos42 in the last writings of this once vigorous and independent man?
May 19. Waded43 with spear all over flats for rays. Did not get a shot at any. Very short commons.
May 23. I miss the tea and tobacco. Dug last row of sweet spuds. Very patchy in size, but a perfect God-send just now.
May 26. Last kerosene44. No reading at nights now.
He records catching45 a sting-ray and getting oysters46.
June 2. Not a sign of a ray. Have to live off potatoes a bit. They, too, will soon be done.
June 4. Added a P.S. to letters. A month gone and no chance to send them. Hard cheese!
June 6. Another week will see me in extremis. Wish I had a fishing-line.
June 7. Got some oysters. Oh for a good beefsteak or a chop! No sign of any boat. Lord help me!
June 9. Nearly skinned the oysters. What will I do when they are finished?
June 10. Dull; cold. Thank God for the sweet potatoes! They are my only food now. No rays about; no fish in the trap, and the whole coast of the island almost stripped of oysters. Only one candle left to cheer the night.
June 11. Miserable48 and hungry.
June 17. Cold and clear. Did not sleep well. The hunger woke me often. This is fearful work.
On the 19th he got some coco-nuts, which were first-rate. With coco-nuts and an occasional ray, he ekes49 out an existence, hungry, cheerless, without light, without tobacco. A copy of “Barnaby Rudge” and a few old papers represent his reading matter. He is glad when daylight comes.
July 3. Craft lay-to off Lorne Reef. Signalled by flag and fire from hill. They took no notice. Strange! Government cutter, I think.
So his life drags on. He tries to re-read by firelight “Barnaby Rudge,” which he must almost know by heart, but it is of no use. In the taming of a monitor lizard50 he finds much amusement, recording51 his satisfaction —“Goanna quite friendly.”
July 6. Caught a small rock-cod; roasted it for supper.
His satisfaction after a good meal is evident from the entry —
“Quite happy and contented52.”
His hopes rise and fall on a diet of oysters and coco-nuts.
On July 22nd he hails with delight “a tin box of pears and condensed milk” which drift on to the reef. These have been in the water for weeks “but some are good.” He writes thankfully “the milk is grand.”
The diary described his life during the next few months “in a sort of way.” He builds a punt which he christens the GREAT EASTERN, the launching of which is briefly53 chronicled: “Launched the GREAT EASTERN. Sank below Plimsoll mark — like a sieve54.” He returns disheartened from one or two trial trips, having to “man the pump.” ‘He complains of having to dig up and eat little miniature sweet potatoes and asks piteously: “What am I to do? I’m hungry and have nothing else!” His feet become cut and sore, and in every day’s entry is a plaintive55 wail56 at the pain.
Sept. 9. Treasure — a stranded57 coco-nut, quite good. A rare treat. My teeth are sore through not being used.
Sept. 26. This continuous hunger begins to tell. My blood’s poor and sores won’t heal. Can’t help it! I can’t better my lot in any way so must just endure it.
Octr. 31. Surely to goodness something will happen to put an end to my long drawn58 out misery59. No sleep last night.
A “Goanna” that he killed and ate was a God-send.
Now. 6. Disappointed! Made sure of truffles after rain. None. No grub. I get weaker and weaker. Can hardly crawl.
Now. 11. Done up! Lay down and went to sleep. No sign from shore. The good Lord pity me in my weakness!
Novr. 12. Never thought I could get so weak and live. No sign anywhere. Must try to catch some big green frogs — good food.
Novr. 13. So awfully60 weak.
Novr. 14. Too weak to look out for . . . (the writing becomes unintelligible). Wrote my old friend . . . making over all property here to him absolutely. Blowing too hard for punt. I dare not try to walk I’d never get back.
The final entry is dated Nov. 15th:
“Caught three big frogs, cleaned and stewed61 them — delicious — like chicken! What fools we are with our likes and dislikes!”
They searched the adjacent island and the coastline, and finally concluded that the Recluse, having made a desperate attempt to reach the mainland in his wretched punt, had become overcome with exhaustion62, and had drifted away to drown when the boat swamped in the breakers.
Six weeks or so after the date of the final entry in the diary a Chinese fisherman found a punt near the mouth of a mangrove63 creek64 on the mainland. In it was a skeleton, a fish spear, some empty oyster47 shells. A few fair hairs adhered to patches of dried skin on the skull65.
So the tale is told — a brief, passionate66 love idyll a strange, tedious, and tragic67 epilogue.
Were ever the days and dreams of a strong man more completely dismantled68 and dismembered by a passing flick69 of Cupid’s wing!
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1
recluse
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| n.隐居者 | |
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obliterate
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| v.擦去，涂抹，去掉...痕迹，消失，除去 | |
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corrugated
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| adj.波纹的；缩成皱纹的；波纹面的；波纹状的v.（使某物）起皱褶(corrugate的过去式和过去分词) | |
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cosy
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| adj.温暖而舒适的，安逸的 | |
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intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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temperaments
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| 性格( temperament的名词复数 )； （人或动物的）气质； 易冲动； （性情）暴躁 | |
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whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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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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undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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prosaic
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| adj.单调的，无趣的 | |
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lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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seclusion
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| n.隐遁，隔离 | |
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embodies
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| v.表现( embody的第三人称单数 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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prologue
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| n.开场白，序言；开端，序幕 | |
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originality
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| n.创造力，独创性；新颖 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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vouch
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| v.担保；断定；n.被担保者 | |
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verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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pangs
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| 突然的剧痛( pang的名词复数 )； 悲痛 | |
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quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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crumbs
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| int. (表示惊讶)哎呀 n. 碎屑 名词crumb的复数形式 | |
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sumptuously
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| 奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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beseeching
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| adj.恳求似的v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的现在分词 ) | |
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inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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populous
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| adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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benevolently
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| adv.仁慈地，行善地 | |
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anecdote
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| n.轶事，趣闻，短故事 | |
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conned
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| adj.被骗了v.指挥操舵( conn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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illuminated
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| adj.被照明的；受启迪的 | |
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memento
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| n.纪念品，令人回忆的东西 | |
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prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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reptiles
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| n.爬行动物，爬虫( reptile的名词复数 ) | |
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quaint
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| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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pathos
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| n.哀婉，悲怆 | |
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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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kerosene
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| n.(kerosine)煤油，火油 | |
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catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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oysters
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| 牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 ) | |
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oyster
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| n.牡蛎；沉默寡言的人 | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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49
ekes
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| v.（靠节省用量）使…的供应持久( eke的第三人称单数 )；节约使用；竭力维持生计；勉强度日 | |
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lizard
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| n.蜥蜴，壁虎 | |
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recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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contented
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| adj.满意的，安心的，知足的 | |
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briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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sieve
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| n.筛，滤器，漏勺 | |
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plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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stranded
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| a.搁浅的，进退两难的 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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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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awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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stewed
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| adj.焦虑不安的，烂醉的v.炖( stew的过去式和过去分词 )；煨；思考；担忧 | |
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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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mangrove
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| n.(植物)红树，红树林 | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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passionate
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| adj.热情的，热烈的，激昂的，易动情的，易怒的，性情暴躁的 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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dismantled
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| 拆开( dismantle的过去式和过去分词 )； 拆卸； 废除； 取消 | |
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flick
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| n.快速的轻打，轻打声，弹开；v.轻弹，轻轻拂去，忽然摇动 | |
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