Whatever ethereal persons may say to the contrary, there can be no doubt whatever that the consumption of food is an intellectual treat, inasmuch as it sets the body free from the cravings of appetite, and by stimulating1 those nervous influences which convey vigour2 and vitality3 to the brain, not only becomes the direct cause of physical gratification, but induces that state of mind which is most favourable4 to the development of the interesting creations of fancy and the brilliant coruscations of imagination.
We might pursue this subject further did time and space permit; but our objection to “skipping” is so great, that we shrink from giving the reader even a shadow of excuse for doing so. Moreover we dread5 the assault of the hypercritical reader, who will infallibly object that it is not “the consumption of food,” but the resulting mental effect which is the “intellectual treat.” As if we did not know that! “But,” we would retort with scorn, “can any cause be separated from its effect without bringing about, so to speak, the condition of nonentity6?”
Passing to the subject which gave rise to these erratic7 thoughts, we have to relate that the whole party, entertainers and entertained, did ample justice to the rice, beef, chicken and marrow-bones, after which Hockins wafted8 the natives to the seventh heaven of delight and wonder by means of his flageolet. It was very late that night before they retired10 to rest. It was later still before they went to sleep.
The native village at which our travellers had arrived was a rude, poor-looking place, inhabited by a brave and war-like tribe, who depended more for defence on their personal prowess and the difficulties presented by their forests, than upon ditches or ramparts. The village was, however, surrounded by a fence of trees growing so close together that it would have been almost impossible to carry the place by assault if resolutely11 defended from within.
The huts were roughly constructed of bamboos plastered with clay and lined with matting,—also with the large leaves of the “traveller’s tree,” and thatched with rushes.
The chief’s hut, in which the white guests were feasted, was of course larger and somewhat better in construction than the others. Its floor, composed of hard-beaten clay, was covered with matting, clean pieces of which were spread for the visitors to squat12 upon, for there were no chairs, stools, or tables. In the north-west corner was the hearth—a square of between two and three feet, with a few large stones for supporting the cooking utensils13, but without chimney of any kind. Smoke was allowed to find an exit as it best could by crevices14 in the roof and by a small window or hole in the north gable. A few cooking-pots, earthen jars, rice-baskets, some knives, a wooden chest, and several spears, completed the furniture.
Against the northern roof-post hung a small bottle-shaped basket, which contained the household sampey, or god, or charm. In Madagascar this usually consists of a meaningless stone; sometimes a chip of wood, the leaf of a tree, or a flower, and this is what the natives pray to and profess15 to trust in!
Our travellers found, after supper was over, that they were not to sleep in the chief’s house, for they were led to that of a head-man of the village, and told they were to rest with him. This man was old, and seemed to have no wife or family, for the only person at home at the time, besides himself, was an old woman, perhaps his sister, who looked after the household. He was a hospitable16 old man, however, and made them heartily17 welcome to their beds of matting in the north end of the hut. Unfortunately the south end of it was usually occupied by pigs and poultry18. These were expelled for the occasion, but they insisted several times on returning to their own abode19, being unable, apparently20, to believe that their expulsion was really intended! As there were several openings in the hut, the difficulty of excluding the animals was great, for when expelled at one hole, amid remonstrative21 shrieks22 and screams, they quickly re-entered at another with defiant23 grunts24 and cacklings.
By stopping up the holes, however, the enemy was finally overcome. Then the old man, having retired to his corner, and the sister having departed, Mark Breezy, John Hockins, James Ginger25, and Ravonino drew round the fire, heaped-on fresh logs, lay down at full length on their mats, and prepared to enjoy that sleepy chat which not unfrequently precedes, sometimes even postpones26, repose27.
“That was a curious speech that Voalavo made to the crocodile, Ravonino,” said Mark. “Do you really think he believed it did any good?”
“Yes, truly, he believed it. This is a land of charms and superstition28. Voalavo is of too honest and straightforward29 a nature to practise what he does not believe in.”
“Does you b’lieve in charms an’ soopistition?” asked Ebony, with expectant eyes.
“Das true, ’Ockins. I hoed an’ forgot.”
“But tell me, Ravonino, are de crokindiles awrful rampageous when dey’re roused?”
“Yes, they are pretty bad,” said the guide, clearing his throat, for he was fond of expatiating31 on the wonders and beauties of his native land! “And although they look sluggish32 enough when sprawling33 on mud-banks, half-asleep in the sun, you would be surprised to see them go after fish, which is their principal food. Their favourite haunts are the deep rugged34 banks of a river or lake overhung with trees, where they can hide themselves and watch for prey35. It is not only in water that they are dangerous. They fasten their teeth, if they get the chance, on any animal that comes to the river to drink. They sometimes get hold of bullocks when drinking, and often do so when the cattle are swimming across. They are unnaturally36 ferocious37, too, for they will devour38 their own young.”
“Oh! de brutes39!” exclaimed Ebony, poking41 the fire with a bit of stick savagely42. “Don’t de mudders fight for de young uns?”
“Not they. The mothers lay their eggs in the sand and leave them to look after themselves. The others are sly, and—”
“Dat’s de fadders, brudders, an’ unkles ob de eggs, you mean?”
“Yes, that’s what I mean. The old he-crocodiles watch where the eggs are laid, an’ when it’s about time for them to break an’ let the young ones out, these monsters go into the water at the edge and wait. When the baby-crocodiles get out of prison they make straight for the water, where the old villains43 are ready to receive an’ devour them. Some times the young ones are stupid when they are born, they take the wrong road and escape their relations’ teeth only to get to the rice-grounds and fall into the hands of the natives. Many of the eggs, too, are destroyed, before they are hatched, by vultures and other birds, as well as by serpents. Men also gather them by hundreds, boil them and dry them in the sun to preserve them for use or sale.”
“Das so, massa. I’d rader be a nigger dan a crokindile.”
Hockins said nothing, being sound asleep.
“Rats,” replied the guide. “Didn’t you see them running along the roof when you came in?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Look up now, then, and you’ll see them on the beams.”
Mark and Ebony both looked up, and beheld46 a row of rats on the beam overhead—their bead-like eyes glittering as they gazed over one side of the beam, and their long tails just showing on the other.
Mark thought it very much the reverse of funny, but held his peace.
“Dar’s a ole grey un, massa, right ober ’Ockins’s head—a tremenjous big ’un. Don’t you see ’im wid a griggy young un beside ’im?”
Whether the griggy young one was also larky47 we cannot tell, but while the negro was speaking it executed a flourish (whether intentional48 or otherwise who can say?) which knocked the big grey rat off the beam, and caused it to fall with a heavy flop49 on Hockins’s face. Three others fell off in their anxiety to observe the result.
Hockins leapt up with an indignant roar, and the rats leaped among the pots and pans with a horrified50 squeak51, while Ebony and the others looked on with excruciating enjoyment52.
The scurrying53 of many little feet among the household implements54 told that the grey rat’s friends were numerous though unseen, and the angry grunting55 of pigs proved that other slumbers57 had been broken. Of course the whole party were thoroughly58 awakened59 by this incident, but they took it good-humouredly, and, after replenishing the fire, lay down again, and resolutely shut their eyes and ears.
Slumber56 was once more stealing over them, when a noise at the door of the hut awakened them. Next moment they started up, for two warriors60 of the tribe entered with a prisoner between them.
“We caught this man entering our village,” said one of the warriors, fiercely, to the guide; “we would have taken him to our chief, but he says that you are his friend—yet I think he lies.”
“He speaks the truth,” returned Ravonino, calmly. “He is my friend. Doubtless he has good reasons for coming here. Leave him with us, we will guard him till morning.”
The warriors at once released their prisoner and retired, while the man stepping forward into clearer light revealed the handsome countenance61 of Laihova.
“Sit down, my brother,” said Ravonino to the youth, in tones of unusual tenderness, “and let me know what brings you here so unexpectedly.”
“I come to offer my service,” replied the youth, with a modest air. “You have told me that you go to Antananarivo to rescue Rafaravavy. Your face is known to every one in the town. If you enter it, your death will be certain.”
“But I do not intend to enter it,” said Ravonino; “these my white friends will aid me.”
“The white men may be wise and brave, but they know not how to aid you, I am not so well-known in the town. I will venture into it and will show them where to go and what to do.”
The guide shook his head and was silent for some moments. He seemed uncertain how to act.
“What says Laihova?” asked Mark Breezy at this point, for the conversation having been conducted in the native tongue they as yet understood nothing.
“But how can you think of leaving your friends in the cave, Laihova? They may require your strong arm; and my sister is—”
“It was my friends who advised me to leave them,” said the youth, quickly, “and Ra-Ruth bade me go. Besides, have we not entered into the Covenant63 of Blood?”
“Well, you may come with us. After all, Ra-Ruth is right.”
“What does he mean by the Covenant of Blood?” asked Mark when the guide explained what had just been said.
“It means that he and I are united by one of the closest ties that bind64 the men of this island. No doubt you will think it a strange alliance, nevertheless it is a true and a strong bond of brotherhood65. It is meant to unite two people in sacred friendship, so that ever afterwards they feel bound to help and defend each other. When two persons agree to form this bond, a meeting is arranged for the performance of the ceremony and taking the vow66. Some gunpowder67 and a ball are brought, with a little ginger, a spear, and two particular kinds of grass. A fowl68 is also used. Its head is nearly cut off, and it is left to bleed during the ceremony. Then a long vow of mutual69 friendship, assistance, and defence is pronounced. After this each man drinks a few drops of the other’s blood. To obtain it they make a small cut in the skin of the centre of the bosom70, which they call ‘the mouth of the heart.’”
“And did you go through this ceremony with Laihova?” asked Mark.
“I did, many years ago, when we were little more than boys. He saved my life by jumping into a deep pool in a lake and rescuing me from the crocodiles. I had fallen in off the steep bank. I could not swim, and he could. After that we made the alliance of brotherhood. Laihova was not a Christian at that time. Since then God has made use of me to rescue him from a more awful death than that which threatened me. Laihova is grateful, and, knowing that I run much risk in going near the capital, has come, as you see, to help me.”
“Not a bad style of brotherhood that,” said Hockins, with a tremendous yawn. “Eh, Ebony? What d’ee think of you an’ me goin’ in for the same sort o’ thing?”
“P’r’aps,” answered Ebony, with a responsive yawn which threw that of Hockins quite into the shade, “p’r’aps black blood mightn’t agree wid your stummick. But I say, Massa Breezy, don’ you tink it a’most time we was goin’ to sleep?”
As the night was far spent—or, rather, the morning far advanced—by that time, the whole party willingly assented71. Laihova was supplied with a separate mat, the embers of the wood-fire were drawn72 together, and they all lay down once more to make the most of what remained of the period of repose. But circumstances were against them.
True, being tired and healthy men, they dropped off at once with the facility of infants, and during a quarter of an hour or so, while the fire continued to emit an occasional flicker73, all went well; but when the last vestige74 of flame died away, the rats again came out with bead-like eyes and cautious tread. Gradually they became bolder. Impunity75 never fails to encourage presumption76. In short they soon began to hold a sort of carnival77. The pots and pans became, as it were, musical, to the evident distress78 of the slumbering79 seaman—especially when the large grey rat fairly overturned a small rice-jar, which in its fall removed several props80 from other utensils and caused a serious clatter81. Still the wearied men slept through it all, until the enemy took to scampering82 over their bodies. Then the enraged83 Ebony, being partially84 awakened, made a fierce grasp at one of the foe85, and caught Hockins by the ear. Of course the result was a howl, and a sleepy request from Mark, to “Stop that noise!”
But even that incident failed to arouse them thoroughly, though it filled the rats with temporary horror, and caused them to flee.
The last word reminds us that there were others there that night, besides rats, to disturb the sleepers’ dreams—but we merely make a suggestive hint at that!
Soon the rats returned in greater force and more demonstrative hilarity86 than ever. They evidently went in for a game of hide-and-seek round and over the slumberers, causing the sleepy growls87 of John Hockins to resemble the fitful mutterings of distant thunder.
Thus they went on until the grey dawn of morning appeared. Then an extremely large cock, in the south-east corner of the hut, feeling that it had enjoyed a sufficiently88 good night’s rest, flapped its ungainly wings, stretched out its neck, and gave vent9 to a clarion-crow which—
“Brute!” exclaimed Hockins, not even giving us time to finish the sentence!
He said no other word, but seizing a piece of wood, sent it forth89 with such true and effective aim, that he cleared not only the cock, but all his wives off their perch90, and sent them in cackling consternation91 out of the hut by the nearest hole in the wall.
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1
stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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vitality
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| n.活力，生命力，效力 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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nonentity
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| n.无足轻重的人 | |
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erratic
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| adj.古怪的，反复无常的，不稳定的 | |
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wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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resolutely
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| adj.坚决地，果断地 | |
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squat
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| v.蹲坐，蹲下；n.蹲下；adj.矮胖的，粗矮的 | |
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utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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15
profess
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| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
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16
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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18
poultry
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| n.家禽，禽肉 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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remonstrative
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| adj.抗议的，忠告的 | |
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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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defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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grunts
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的第三人称单数 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说； 石鲈 | |
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ginger
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| n.姜，精力，淡赤黄色；adj.淡赤黄色的；vt.使活泼，使有生气 | |
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postpones
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| v.延期，推迟( postpone的第三人称单数 ) | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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superstition
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| n.迷信，迷信行为 | |
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straightforward
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| adj.正直的，坦率的；易懂的，简单的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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expatiating
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| v.详述，细说( expatiate的现在分词 ) | |
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32
sluggish
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| adj.懒惰的，迟钝的，无精打采的 | |
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sprawling
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| adj.蔓生的，不规则地伸展的v.伸开四肢坐[躺]( sprawl的现在分词 )；蔓延；杂乱无序地拓展；四肢伸展坐着（或躺着） | |
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34
rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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unnaturally
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| adv.违反习俗地；不自然地；勉强地；不近人情地 | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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brutes
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| 兽( brute的名词复数 )； 畜生； 残酷无情的人； 兽性 | |
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brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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41
poking
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| n. 刺，戳，袋 vt. 拨开，刺，戳 vi. 戳，刺，捅，搜索，伸出，行动散慢 | |
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42
savagely
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| adv. 野蛮地，残酷地 | |
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43
villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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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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45
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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46
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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47
larky
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| adj.爱闹玩的 | |
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48
intentional
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| adj.故意的，有意（识）的 | |
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49
flop
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| n.失败(者)，扑通一声；vi.笨重地行动，沉重地落下 | |
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50
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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51
squeak
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| n.吱吱声，逃脱；v.（发出）吱吱叫，侥幸通过；（俚）告密 | |
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52
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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53
scurrying
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的现在分词 ) | |
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54
implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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55
grunting
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| 咕哝的，呼噜的 | |
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56
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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57
slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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59
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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60
warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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61
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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62
briefly
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| adv.简单地，简短地 | |
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63
covenant
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| n.盟约，契约；v.订盟约 | |
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64
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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65
brotherhood
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| n.兄弟般的关系，手中情谊 | |
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66
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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67
gunpowder
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| n.火药 | |
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68
fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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69
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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70
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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71
assented
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| 同意，赞成( assent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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72
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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73
flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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74
vestige
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| n.痕迹，遗迹，残余 | |
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75
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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76
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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77
carnival
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| n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演 | |
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78
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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79
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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80
props
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| 小道具； 支柱( prop的名词复数 )； 支持者； 道具； （橄榄球中的）支柱前锋 | |
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81
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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82
scampering
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| v.蹦蹦跳跳地跑，惊惶奔跑( scamper的现在分词 ) | |
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83
enraged
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| 使暴怒( enrage的过去式和过去分词 )； 歜； 激愤 | |
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84
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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85
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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86
hilarity
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| n.欢乐；热闹 | |
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87
growls
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的第三人称单数 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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88
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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89
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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90
perch
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| n.栖木，高位，杆；v.栖息，就位，位于 | |
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91
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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92
slumbered
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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