A new day had begun, cattle were lowing on the distant plain, and birds were chirping1 their matutinal songs in bush and tree when Mark Breezy, John Hockins, and James Ginger—alias Ebony—awoke from their uneasy rest on the prison floor and sat up with their backs against the wall. Their chains rattled3 sharply as they did so.
“Well now,” said Hockins, gasping5 forth6 his morning yawn in spite of circumstances, “I’ve many a time read and heard it of other folk, but I never did think I should live to hear my own chains rattle4.”
“Right you are, ’Ockins; ob course I’s got de same sentiments zactly,” said the negro, lifting up his strong arm and ruefully surveying the heavy iron links of native manufacture that descended7 from his wrist.
Mark only sighed. It was the first time he had ever been restrained, even by bolt or bar, much less by manacles, and the effect on his young mind was at first overwhelming.
Bright though the sun was outside, very little of its light found a passage through the chinks of their all but windowless prison-house, so that they could scarcely see the size or character of the place. But this mattered little. They were too much crushed by their misfortune to care. For some time they sat without speaking, each feeling quite incapable8 of uttering a word of cheer to his fellows.
The silence was suddenly but softly broken by the sound of song. It seemed to come from a very dark corner of the prison in which nothing could be seen. To the startled prisoners it sounded like heavenly music—and indeed such it was, for in that corner sat two Christian9 captives who were spending the first minutes of the new day in singing praise to God.
The three comrades listened with rapt attention, for although the words were unintelligible10, with the exception of the name of Jesus, the air was quite familiar, being one of those in which English-speaking Christians11 are wont12 to sing praise all the world over.
When the hymn13 ceased one of the voices was raised in a reverent14 and continuous tone, which was obviously the voice of prayer.
Just as the petition was concluded the sun found a loop-hole in the prison, and poured a flood of light into it which partly illumined the dark corner, and revealed two men seated on the ground with their backs against the wall. They were fine-looking men, nearly naked, and joined together by means of a ponderous15 piece of iron above two feet long, with a heavy ring at either end which encircled their necks. The rings were so thick that their ends must have been forced together with sledge-hammer and anvil16 after being put round the men’s necks, and then overlapped17 and riveted18. Thus it became impossible to free them from their fetters19 except by the slow and laborious20 process of cutting them through with a file. Several old and healed-up sores on the necks and collar-bones of both men indicated that they and their harsh couplings had been acquainted for a long time, and one or two inflamed21 spots told all too clearly that they had not yet become quite reconciled. See Note 1.
“Now isn’t that awful,” said John Hockins in a low voice with a sort of choke in it, “to think that these poor fellows—wi’ that horrible thing that can’t be much under thirty pounds weight on their necks, an’ that must ha’ bin22 there for months if not for years—are singin’ an’ prayin’ to the Almighty23, an’ here am I, John Hockins, with little or nothin’ to complain of as yet, haven’t given so much as a thought to—”
The choke got the better of our sailor at this point, and he became suddenly silent.
“Das so!” burst in Ebony, with extreme energy. “I’s wid you dere! I tell you what it is, ’Ockins, dem brown niggers is true Kistians, an’ we white folks is nuffin but hipperkrits.”
“I hope we’re not quite so bad as that, Ebony,” said Mark, with a sad smile. “Nevertheless, Hockins is right—we are far behind these poor fellows in submission24 and gratitude25 to our Maker26.”
While he spoke27 the heavy door of the prison opened, and a jailor entered with two large basins of boiled rice. The largest he put on the ground before our three travellers, the other in front of the coupled men, and then retired28 without a word.
“Well, thank God for this, anyhow,” said Mark, taking up one of the three spoons which lay on the rice and going to work with a will.
“Curious ting, ’Ockins,” remarked Ebony, “dat your happytite an’ mine seems to be allers in de same state—sharp!”
The seaman’s appetite was indeed so sharp that he did not vouchsafe30 a reply. The prisoners in the dark corner seemed much in the same condition, but their anxiety to begin did not prevent their shutting their eyes for a few seconds and obviously asking a blessing32 on their meal. Hockins observed the act, and there passed over his soul another wave of self-condemnation, which was indicated by a deprecatory shake of his rugged33 head.
Observing it, Ebony paused a moment and said—
“You’s an awrful sinner, ’Ockins!”
“True, Ebony.”
“Das jist what I is too. Quite as bad as you. P’r’aps wuss!”
“I shouldn’t wonder if you are,” rejoined the seaman, recovering his spirits somewhat under the stimulating34 influence of rice. The recovery was not, however, sufficient to induce further conversation at the time, for they continued after that to eat in silence.
They had scarcely finished when the jailor returned to remove the dish, which he did without word or ceremony, and so quickly that Ebony had to make a sudden scoop35 at the last mouthful; he secured it, filled his mouth with it, and then flung the spoon at the retiring jailor.
“That was not wise,” said Mark, smiling in spite of himself at the tremendous pout36 of indignation on the negro’s face; “the man has us in his power, and may make us very uncomfortable if we insult him.”
“Das true, massa,” said Ebony, in sudden penitence37, “but if dere’s one thing I can’t stand, it’s havin’ my wittles took away afore I’m done wid ’em.”
“You’ll have to larn to stand it, boy,” said Hockins, “else you’ll have your life took away, which’ll be wuss.”
The probability of this latter event occurring was so great that it checked the rise of spirits which the rice had caused to set in.
“What d’ee think they’ll do to us, sir?” asked the sailor, in a tone which showed that he looked up to the young doctor for counsel in difficulty. The feeling that, in virtue38 of his education and training, he ought to be in some sort an example and guide to his comrades in misfortune, did much to make Mark shake off his despondency and pluck up heart.
“God knows, Hockins, what they will do,” he said. “If they were a more civilised people we might expect to be let off easily for so slight an offence as rescuing a supposed criminal, but you remember that Ravonino once said, when telling us stories round the camp-fire, that interference with what they call the course of justice is considered a very serious offence. Besides, the Queen being in a very bad mood just now, and we being Christians, it is likely we shall be peculiarly offensive to her. I fear that banishment39 is the least we may count on.”
“It’s a hard case to be punished for bein’ Christians, when we hardly deserve the name. I can’t help wonderin’,” said the seaman, “that Lovey should have bolted as he did an’ left us in the lurch40. He might at least have taken his risk along with us. Anyhow, he could have spoke up for us, knowin’ both lingos41. Of course it was nat’ral that, poor Mamba should look after number one, seem that he was in no way beholden to us; but Lovey was our guide, an’ pledged to stand by us.”
“I can’t help thinking,” said Mark, “that you do injustice42 to Laihova. He is not the man to forsake43 a comrade in distress44.”
“That was my own opinion,” returned the sailor, “till I seed him go slap through yon port-hole like a harlequin.”
“There’s somethin’ in that,” returned Hockins, lifting his hand to stroke his beard, as was his wont when thoughtful. He lifted it, however, with some difficulty, owing to the heavy chain.
They were still engaged in conversation about their prospects45 when the prison-door again opened, and two men were ushered46 in. Both wore white lambas over their other garments. One was tall and very dark. The other was comparatively slender, and not so tall as his companion. For a moment the strangers stood contemplating47 the prisoners, and Mark’s attention was riveted on the smaller man, for he felt that his somewhat light-coloured and pleasant features were not unfamiliar48 to him, though he could not call to mind where or when he had seen him. Suddenly it flashed across him that this was the very man to whose assistance he had gone, and whose wounds he had bound up, soon after his arrival in the island.
With a smile of recognition, Mark rose and extended his hand as far as his chain permitted. The young native stepped forward, grasped the hand, and pressed it warmly. Then he looked round at his tall companion, and spoke to him in his own tongue, whereupon the tall man advanced a step, and said in remarkably49 bad English—
“You save me frind life one taime ago. Ver’ good—him now you save.”
“Thank him for that promise,” said Mark, greatly relieved to find at least one friend among the natives in his hour of need.
“But,” continued the Interpreter, “you muss not nottice me frind nowhar. Unerstand?”
“Oh yes, I think I do,” returned Mark, with an intelligent look. “I suppose he does not wish people to think that he is helping50 or favouring us?”
“That’s him! you’s got it!” replied the Interpreter, quite pleased apparently51 with his success in the use of English.
“My!” murmured Ebony to Hockins in an undertone, “if I couldn’t spoke better English dan dat I’d swaller my tongue!”
“Well—good-boy,” said the Interpreter, holding out his hand, which Mark grasped and shook smilingly, as he replied, “Thank you, I’m glad you think I’m a good-boy.”
“No, no—not that!” exclaimed the Interpreter, “good day, not good boy; good-night, good morning! We goes out, me an’ me frind. Him’s name Ravèlo.”
Again Ravèlo shook hands with Mark, despite the rattling52 chain, nodded pleasantly to him, after the English fashion, and took his departure with his tall friend.
“Well now, I do think,” remarked Hockins, when the door had closed behind them, “that Rav—Ravè-what’s-his-name might have took notice of me too as an old friend that helped to do him service.”
“Hm! he seemed to forgit me altogidder,” remarked the negro, pathetically. “Dere’s nuffin so bad as ingratitood—’cept lockjaw: das a little wuss.”
“What d’ee mean by lockjaw bein’ wuss?” demanded Hockins.
“W’y, don’t you see? Ingratitood don’t feel ‘thankee,’ w’ereas lockjaw not on’y don’t feel but don’t even say ‘thankee.’”
A sudden tumult53 outside the prison here interrupted them. Evidently a crowd approached. In a few minutes it halted before the door, which was flung open, and four prisoners were thrust in, followed by several strong guards and the execrations of the crowd. The door was smartly slammed in the faces of the yelling people, and the guards proceeded to chain the prisoners.
They were all young men, and Mark Breezy and his friends had no doubt, from their gentle expression and upright bearing, that they were not criminals but condemned54 Christians.
Three of them were quickly chained to the wall, but the third was thrown on his back, and a complex chain was put on his neck and limbs, in such a way that, when drawn55 tight, it forced his body into a position that must have caused him severe pain. No word or cry escaped him, however, only an irrepressible groan56 when he was thrust into a corner and left in that state of torture.
The horror of Mark and his comrades on seeing this done in cold blood cannot be described. To hear or read of torture is bad enough, but to see it actually applied57 is immeasurably worse—to note the glance of terror and to hear the slight sound of the wrenched58 joints59 and stretched sinews, followed by the deep groan and the upward glare of agony!
With a bursting cry of rage, Hockins, forgetting his situation, sprang towards the torturers, was checked by his fetters, and fell with a heavy clang and clatter60 on the floor. Even the cruel guards started aside in momentary61 alarm, and then with a contemptuous laugh passed out.
Hockins had barely recovered his footing, and managed to restrain his feelings a little, when the door was again opened and the Interpreter re-entered with the jailor.
“I come—break chains,” said the former.
He pointed62 to the chains which bound our travellers. They were quickly removed by two under-jailors and their chief.
“Now—com vis me.”
To the surprise of the Interpreter, Mark Breezy crossed his arms over his breast, and firmly said— “No!” Swiftly understanding his motive63, our seaman and Ebony followed suit with an equally emphatic64, “No!”
The Interpreter looked at them in puzzled surprise.
“See,” said Mark, pointing to the tortured man in the corner, “we refuse to move a step till that poor fellow’s chains are eased off.”
For a moment the Interpreter’s look of surprise increased; then an indescribable smile lit up his swarthy features as he turned to the jailor and spoke a few words. The man went immediately to the curled-up wretch65 in the corner and relaxed his chains so that he was enabled to give vent31 to a great sigh of relief. Hockins and Ebony uttered sighs of sympathy almost as loud, and Mark, turning to the Interpreter, said, with some emotion, “Thank you! God bless you! Now we will follow.”
Note 1. The fetters here described may be seen in the Museum of the London Missionary66 Society in Blomfield Street, London, along with an interesting collection of Malagasy relics67.
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1
chirping
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| 鸟叫，虫鸣( chirp的现在分词 ) | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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rattled
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| 慌乱的，恼火的 | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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incapable
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| adj.无能力的，不能做某事的 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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unintelligible
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| adj.无法了解的，难解的，莫明其妙的 | |
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Christians
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| n.基督教徒( Christian的名词复数 ) | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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13
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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reverent
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| adj.恭敬的，虔诚的 | |
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15
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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16
anvil
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| n.铁钻 | |
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overlapped
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| _adj.重叠的v.部分重叠( overlap的过去式和过去分词 )；（物体）部份重叠；交叠；（时间上）部份重叠 | |
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riveted
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| 铆接( rivet的过去式和过去分词 )； 把…固定住； 吸引； 引起某人的注意 | |
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fetters
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| n.脚镣( fetter的名词复数 )；束缚v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的第三人称单数 ) | |
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laborious
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| adj.吃力的，努力的，不流畅 | |
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inflamed
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| adj.发炎的，红肿的v.（使）变红，发怒，过热( inflame的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bin
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| n.箱柜；vt.放入箱内；[计算机] DOS文件名:二进制目标文件 | |
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23
almighty
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| adj.全能的，万能的；很大的，很强的 | |
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submission
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| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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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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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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seaman
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| n.海员，水手，水兵 | |
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vouchsafe
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| v.惠予，准许 | |
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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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blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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stimulating
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| adj.有启发性的，能激发人思考的 | |
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scoop
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| n.铲子，舀取，独家新闻；v.汲取，舀取，抢先登出 | |
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pout
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| v.撅嘴；绷脸；n.撅嘴；生气，不高兴 | |
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penitence
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| n.忏悔，赎罪；悔过 | |
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virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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lurch
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| n.突然向前或旁边倒；v.蹒跚而行 | |
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lingos
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| n.听不懂的话（指方言、术语等），隐语，外语( lingo的名词复数 ) | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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forsake
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| vt.遗弃，抛弃；舍弃，放弃 | |
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distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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prospects
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| n.希望，前途(恒为复数) | |
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ushered
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| v.引，领，陪同( usher的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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48
unfamiliar
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| adj.陌生的，不熟悉的 | |
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49
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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50
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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51
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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52
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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53
tumult
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| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
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condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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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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56
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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57
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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58
wrenched
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| v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的过去式和过去分词 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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joints
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| 接头( joint的名词复数 )； 关节； 公共场所（尤指价格低廉的饮食和娱乐场所） （非正式）； 一块烤肉 （英式英语） | |
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clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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61
momentary
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| adj.片刻的，瞬息的；短暂的 | |
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62
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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63
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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64
emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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66
missionary
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| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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relics
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| [pl.］n.遗物，遗迹，遗产；遗体，尸骸 | |
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