THE voyage from Batavia to Thursday Island one long succession of exquisite1 pictures. The sky is almost invariably blue, the air soft and warm, while the sea strikes one as becoming every day more and more transparent2 and calm. On either hand a succession of lovely islands, tropical and in many cases volcanic3, rise from the water, as if for the sole purpose of lending variety and interest to the voyage. At a distance they appear to be very similar, but on nearer approach we find in each some peculiar5 beauty the others seem to lack. They are, for the most part, the property of the Dutch, and in many instances prove themselves lucrative7 possessions. We pick them up one by one, only to leave them behind again — Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Adenara, Lomblem, Ombay, and Wetter.
We are not a large party in the saloon, but, as the old lady said of the mosquito bite, what there is is interesting. One man, connected with some mysterious branch of commerce, tells us that his father was a French Jew, his mother a Portugee, while he himself was born in Japan. For certain reasons we designate him the Yahudi, and the name fits him like a glove.
Another, an Australian gold miner, is returning home from a mining venture on the Malay Peninsula. His four companions had been murdered in a native rising, and he himself only escaped death by the skin of his teeth. Him, on account of his birthplace, we call ‘Gympie.’ There is also a Yankee drummer, who has, as he expresses it, peddled8 his wares9 in every town, large or small, throughout the known world, and who can, without stopping to think, reel off the names of the best hotels, and the most interesting people to call upon, in each. Another is a German count, presumably down on his luck, who is visiting Queensland with the idea of retrieving10 his fortunes by some means best known to himself.
The Yahudi is a perambulating nuisance. Before the voyage is half over, his presence is voted decidedly objectionable. He is selfish and egotistical to an abominable12 degree. He persists in monopolising the conversation at meal-times with outrageous13 and improbable stories, of which he himself is invariably the hero. At the same time it is only just to him to say that he flatly contradicts every assertion made by anyone else. The following is a fair sample of his style of fiction.
The conversation turns on the power of animals to make their wants understood in moments of danger or excitement. Says the Yahudi, craning his long neck round to see that everyone within half a mile is listening, and interrupting one of my choicest anecdotes14, which, I am led to believe, I tell with considerable success:— ‘That recalls to my mind a singular adventure in Japan. One day, accompanied only by my dog, I was enjoying a morning’s shooting, when I noticed a fine cluster of ducks upon a neighbouring lagoon15. To reach them without attracting attention was a difficult matter, for, barring a tree and a monster log some eighty yards to its right, there was no cover of any sort to be seen. Creeping warily16 along, I gained the shelter of the tree, and thence proceeded to wriggle17 myself under cover of the log. Once there, I took careful aim, fired both barrels, and brought down eight duck, two teal, a snipe, and a woodpigeon; but imagine my astonishment18, when the smoke cleared away, at seeing the log, behind which I was crouching19, rise up, wheel slowly round, and look me in the face. You may stare, gentlemen, but you cannot stare away the fact that it was an alligator20, thirty-five feet long and four feet through, with a mouth like the entrance to the Bottomless Pit, yawning in my face. I took one good look at him, then went for the tree at express rate, leaving my gun behind me — not that, mind you, I had any fault to find with the gun, but because my mind was so set upon reaching the tree, that I had no time to think of other things. With the noise of a steam roller, the alligator came behind me, and we took our places — he at the bottom of the tree, I at the top. It was a moment of intense excitement, and I assure you that his conversation was as clear to me as noonday.
‘” Good morning! “ he began. “ You seem to have had an excellent day’s sport. Pray come down and let me assist you in collecting your bag! ”
‘” I thank you,” was my reply, at the same time taking a tighter grasp of my situation, as I noticed, with modesty21, the appetite the sight of my legs was occasioning him, “ but at present I am too much entranced with the beauty of the landscape around me, to care much for fame as a sportsman. Pray collect and accept my game yourself! ”
‘This affability on my part caused him to betray his real feelings.
‘” Many thanks,” he replied, “ but wild duck requires too much hanging for my taste. Your legs, now — but there, do pray come down.” So saying, he opened his mouth and yawned till I could plainly see the undigested boots and celluloid collar of his last victim. After that we both felt that nothing further could pass between us.
‘Look me in the face, ladies and gentlemen, if you please. I assure you that for no less than eighteen hours I remained in that uncomfortable position, clinging to that branch, with the alligator’s mouth yawning like a gravel22 pit beneath me. You will ask why I did not shoot him. I reply, because my gun was on the plain, and my cartridges24 were in my pouch26, and my pouch was with my faithful dog, and my faithful dog was in the interior of the alligator. Eighteen hours, nineteen hours, and even twenty hours went by, and still no chance of escape presented itself. I began to be annoyed, for my hunger was excruciating. At last a brilliant idea flashed through my brain.
‘Noticing that the alligator snapped ravenously27 at everything I threw to him, without pausing to ascertain28 its form or flavour, I produced my knife, and cut from the tree a stout29 stake, some three feet long. This I sharply pointed30 and notched31 at both ends. Then, judging my distance, I dropped it towards his mouth. As I expected, his ponderous32 jaws34 opened and closed on it perpendicularly35. The result was all I could desire.
‘The force with which he closed his jaws drove one point through the roof of his mouth, the other through his tongue and out under his lower jaw33. The notches36 prevented it from slipping back; he was transfixed and harmless. Descending38 from the tree, I bade him an affectionate adieu, and went home to bed, reflecting that man’s ingenuity39 is often more than a match for mere40 brute41 strength, while old Father Stick is still sufficient to satisfy the most enormous appetite.’
That was the Yahudi’s style exactly. As Gympie plaintively42 remarked in the smoking-room afterwards, ‘You may take it from me, that Yahudi’s just no more nor less than a fair cataclysm43 of a liar6?’ Personally, I felt that even ‘cataclysm’ was hardly strong enough. But to return to my log-book.
Away to port lies Macassar, the wholesale44 warehouse45 of the Archipelago, whence are disseminated46 all the peculiar luxuries of the civilised West, and to which comes in return all the produce of the barbarous East. Beche de mer, trepang, beeswax, nutmegs, sandalwood, mussoi-bark, mother of pearl, tortoise-shell, birds of paradise skins — all find their way to the traders of Macassar.
Shipping47 of all sorts and sizes, from lordly warships48 to top-heavy native prahus and tiny sampans, is to be met with in these waters. The distances the latter do are almost incredible, and it is wonderful, considering the seas they must at times encounter, that more of them do not find watery49 graves. Now and again mysterious schooners51 may be seen slinking stealthily round the headlands, and, our captain observing them, becomes mysterious on the subject of illicit52 pearl-fishing among these islands. We cross question him in vain, his only answer is a wink53 and the sly remark, ‘If you stay in Thursday Island, you’ll find out soon enough.’ We begin to feel important.
Leaving Timor and the smaller islands thereabouts, we enter the Arafura Sea, and prepare ourselves to sight no more land till we pick up the islands in Torres Straits: a period of about five days.
Early on the morning of the sixth, with a big sea running, we catch a glimpse of Booby Island right ahead of us, surmounted54 by its lighthouse and encompassed55 by dashing breakers. Another hour-and-a-half's steaming brings us abreast56 of Prince of Wales Island, the largest of the Torres Strait group, and here we pick up our pilot. We notice that the whaleboat which brings him off is manned by Manilla boys (the bull is unintentional), pleasant young fellows of fair height, possessing light brown skins and very expressive57 features. They have the reputation of making excellent sailors.
The approach to Thursday Island, which, though the richest, is one of the smallest of the Torres Straits group, is charming. Hilly, attractive islands form an effective background to it, while the white roofs of pearling stations, peeping from amid dense58 masses of dark green foliage59, the deep blue of the sea, and the varicoloured sails of the luggers and other small craft which dot it, all help to enhance the beauty of the picture.
Turning the corner of Prince of Wales Island, we find ourselves facing Port Kennedy, the capital of — and, in fact, the only town in — the group. The Government Residency stands boldly in the fore11-ground, the union Jack60 waving on the flagstaff. Saluting61 the flag with a gun, we enter the harbour and come to an anchor in the small bay immediately opposite the township.
Looked at from the sea. Port Kennedy is peculiarly Australian. The houses are of matchboard, built on short thick piles; and here we renew our acquaintance with galvanised iron roofs, which have a particularly ugly look after the picturesque63 tiles of the East.
No sooner are we at anchor than our decks are covered with strangers of all descriptions. Arabs, Chinese, Cinghalese, Japanese etc. clamber over the side, everyone with something to sell, and everyone with a tremendous amount to say. We explain emphatically, even with threats of murder, that we have no money; that if we had, we shouldn’t want to see their goods, and further still, if by any chance we did see, nothing on earth could possibly induce us to buy them. They marvel64 and depart: a tourist who doesn’t want to look, much less to buy, seems past their comprehension; they shake their heads ominously65 for our future.
After tiffin, having collected our baggage and declined the Yahudi’s invitation to remain while he told the story of his uncle and the Japanese pig, we said goodbye to our friends on board, and departed ashore66 to seek our fortunes.
Landing on a rough wooden jetty, the services of the only cab on the island were secured, and with much state we proceeded to the Grand Hotel, which I may here remark is worthy67 of its name. It is indeed Grand, and its proprietress is not the least grand part of it. Folk who know her call her the Queen of Thursday Island, and we can cordially endorse68 the sentiment which prompts it; to her care and attention we owe more than we can ever repay. There are four or five other hotels on the island, but the Grand is the only one worthy of the name.
Our bedroom was situated69 upstairs on a broad verandah, and commanded a lovely view of the harbour and Prince of Wales Island opposite. What familiar scenes the mention of this verandah recalls to my mind. It was a favourite meeting place of Kennedyites, and I can conscientiously70 affirm that I have heard more tall yarns71 and seen more mixed liquors drunk inside its railings, than I’ve seen or heard in any other two verandahs in the wide, wide world. There the pearling skippers and mail-boat pilots do mostly congregate72, and it is not good for a man whose head is softer than a jarrah block to be of the company.
The population of Thursday and adjacent islands is about 1,067, comprising representatives of pretty nearly every nationality under the sun, even to a poor solitary73 North–American Indian, marooned74 there by a travelling circus company some five years ago. Directly or indirectly75 the inhabitants are all dependent on the pearl shell, beche de mer, and tortoise-shell industries; and some idea of the importance of the place may be obtained when I say that in 1892 (the year in which we were there) the exports were valued at no less than 118,222l., including something like 20,000l. for guano from Paine Island, a tiny spot tucked away on the fringe of the Great Barrier Reef.
The government is administered by a Government Resident dependent on Queensland legislature. His duties are multifarious and his district is an exceedingly large one. He is a sort of Thursday Island ‘Ko–Ko,’ being an Honourable76, an ex Minister of the Crown, Government Resident, police magistrate77, collector of customs, registrar78 of births, deaths, and marriages, harbour master, &c., all rolled into one. He also finds time to be a very good fellow!
As in so many of the other places we had visited, the Chinese element is well represented, one block of stores being almost entirely79 their property. Papuans, Fijians, Manilla, and Solomon boys are also very much en evidence.
Though a good many pearling luggers were still in the harbour when we arrived, the majority of the fleet had put back to sea, after the New Year’s festivities, during which time the island had been a place of considerable mirth. Not unfrequently, these little jollifications terminate uproariously, sometimes even with blood-letting, though any very serious trouble has not occurred within the past five years.
Three or four years ago a number of natives clubbed together and purchased tickets in one of the large Melbourne Cup Sweeps. As they didn’t expect much to come of it, their delight may be imagined when it became known that they had drawn80 the winning horse and a prize of something like 30,000l. The amount fairly staggered them, and, puzzled to know what to do with it, they erected81 billiard saloons all over the town. That is why at every turn one is confronted with the sign, ‘Johnny Calcutta, Billiard Saloon Proprietor’; ‘Rhotoma Tommy — Billiards82 and Pyramids,’ &c. When the pearling fleet is in harbour these saloons prove lucrative possessions. And, while I am about it, let me remark that some of the signs in Thursday Island are the funniest I have seen anywhere. One, if I remember rightly, ran somewhat as follows:
Tommy Bombay
Tonsorial Artist. Barbering and Hair-cutting 6d,
D.V. Corns cut here.
For many days we paraded the settlement, familiarising ourselves with the life around us, but all the time keeping a sharp lookout83 for opportunities of employment. Had it not been for the anxiety our impoverished84 position caused us, it would have been vastly pleasant, for there was plenty to be seen.
I think were I asked to name one place in this world where fascinating people may be met with, I should declare for Thursday Island. Strange folk, whose proper homes should be between the cardboard covers of story books, are to be seen at every turn, playing billiards in the saloons, drinking in the grog shanties85, or busily engaged on beautiful and mysterious vessels86 at anchor in the harbour: men with stories so fascinating, that we cannot doubt their probability; ‘Varsity’ and public school men, dead to the world; vagabond heirs to great names; romantic nobodies, and the riff-raff of all humanity, working, gambling87, feasting or starving, as the case may be. There are Jesuit fathers in the priest’s house on the hill side, whose tales would have the same effect as curl papers; and when the missionary88 schooner50 comes in from New Guinea she not unfrequently brings with her one or two gaunt, haggard, fever-laden wretches89 whose stories are almost too strange, weird90, and wonderful for credence91.
Thursday Island being a pearling centre, there seems to be a tourist impression that it is always possible, during the time the mail-boat remains92 in harbour, to obtain from the natives first-rate pearls at sixth-rate prices. For this reason every idle, disorderly nigger, loafing edgeways through the sunshine, is supposed to have in his possession pearls of fabulous93 worth, of which ignorance alone prevents his knowing the value. Thus the tourist is evidently the instrument of Providence94 intended to relieve him of them at less than a quarter of their marketable price. Then arises the situation, if this be a delusion95 and there are no pearls, where can be the trade, and why does not the delusion die out? For even this self-same tourist, so ignorant in other matters, knows that it is not wise to buy pearls from the smooth-spoken Cinghalese who crowd the ship’s deck. To this end these simple children of fair Ceylon manufacture pearls that would deceive even the mother oyster96 herself, and dispose of them on advantageous97 terms to their darker skinned brethren.
While on shore the tourist possibly observes a Manilla boy hanging around in a suspicious fashion. Awaiting his opportunity, he enters into conversation with him, and, after many assurances of absolute secrecy98, elicits99 the fact that, unknown to the owner of his lugger, he has pearls to dispose of. Retiring to a secret place, half a dozen beautiful specimens100 are produced, examined, and the price inquired. If genuine, they might be worth from 60l. to 80l. apiece. The simple nigger only asks 30l. for the lot, and finally allows himself to be beaten down to 10l. The deception101 is so perfect that it is not until they fall into professional hands that the fraud is discovered. Then the purchaser, unmindful of the fact that he himself had, to all intents and purposes, cheated the poor nigger in the sale, wishes to postpone102 other business in order to hunt up that heathen, and recover his 10l. He says he has been grossly swindled, and he wants to know why the, etc., etc., the missionaries103 can’t do the work they’re paid for, etc., and inculcate into their flock a proper appreciation104 of their duties towards their fellow-men, etc. He says that very often. And each time he comes to look upon himself more and more as an injured individual.
Day after day, for the reason that nothing else offered, we wandered either over the hill and through the cemetery105 (a sombre place, where the bodies obtained from the unfortunate ‘Quetta’ are buried), or past the Chinese gardens, and up to the fortifications then in course of construction. At other times we loafed hours away on the sandy foreshore, looking across the blue water to the other islands, beyond which, if the eye could but see, the coast of New Guinea peeps up. When we could we prowled the harbour, boarding lugger after lugger in search of employment. But it was disheartening work; nothing ever offered.
Apart from its intrinsic wealth, Thursday Island is exceedingly valuable for defence purposes, commanding as it does the principal entrance to the smooth water inside the Great Barrier Reef, or, in more figurative language, being the lock of the northern gate of the entire eastern coastline of Queensland. On the western side of Torres Strait the sea is open and presents but few dangers, but on the other side the Barrier Reef itself commences, with innumerable reefs and shoals, and navigation is not only highly dangerous but well-nigh impossible. The easiest approach is by way of Prince of Wales Channel, about ten miles long by one and a half wide, though another course, through Endeavour Strait, a few miles south of Thursday, is with proper precaution quite practicable. Thus it will be seen that Thursday Island, lying between these two channels, at the only points where entrance is really safe, must naturally become a place of considerable importance in time of war, not only as a coaling station, but also, as I have already said, from the fact that it practically commands the main entrance to Queensland. With this in view, large fortifications have lately been erected on a hill overlooking Port Kennedy, thus assuring the safety of this most important spot.
When we had been about a fortnight in the island our poverty began to assume serious proportions. We foresaw that, unless something turned up, we should once more be in a terrible plight106, and this time without anything saleable wherewith to increase our wealth. Of course we were getting used to it, but then that didn’t make matters any the more pleasant. Every night we walked the jetty, then in course of construction, and discussed the matter. But the more we talked of it, the worse it seemed to grow. What was going to become of us we could not see. The deep water was very soothing107, and we derived108 a melancholy109 satisfaction from the fact that sharks were numerous in the bay.
Then, just as we were at our wits’ ends, a chance offered, and we clutched it ravenously. A trading schooner put in, en route for Port Moresby, New Guinea, and as she had a vacancy110 for a couple of hands, and preferred white men to niggers, we shipped. That same evening we swept out of harbour, immensely relieved at having found something to do.
Under favourable111 circumstances the voyage from Thursday Island to Port Moresby is only a short one, and is more like a pleasure excursion than anything else. Our cargo112 was for the most part trading goods, with a few packages for the government, and a case or two for one of the mission societies.
For the benefit of the ignorant, and to parade my own knowledge, I may here remark that New Guinea is divided into three portions. Holland claims half the territory west of 141° E. longitude113; Germany holds the northwest quarter, with the Islands of New Britain and New Ireland; while the southeastern quarter and all islands and reefs between 141° and 155° E. longitude and 80° and 12° S. latitude114 are the property of Great Britain.
The rivers of most importance are, in the English section, the Fly, ascended115 for over 600 miles; in German territory, the Empress Augusta, explored for something like 400 miles; and in Dutch New Guinea, the Amberno, of which very little as yet is known. There are other smaller rivers, too numerous to mention.
British New Guinea, again, is divided into three sections (this is not a geographical116 treatise), East, Central, and Western, each of which is controlled by a resident magistrate, who, from what we could gather, must have his hands pretty full at times.
Port Moresby, the chief settlement, is situated in the Central Province, on what might be termed the instep of the island, about the middle of the south coast. From the harbour it wears a decidedly picturesque appearance. Blue water surrounds those native villages which are built on piles out at sea; others peep from among stately palm groves117 on land; while all are backed by the green-clad hills, which rise in some instances to a height of nearly 1,500 feet. The harbour is convenient and roomy, shaped something like the figure 3. At present it is only in an embryo118 state, but in time, as the country advances, it must certainly become a great resort for shipping.
Backed by a spirit of real enterprise, two townships have been surveyed to the southward, dignified119 with the high-sounding names of East and West Granville, The former has not as yet been taken up, but the latter is the seat of the government offices, the boat sheds, and a strong commodious120 gaol121. The administrator122’s residence is located in this part of the settlement, and in what will soon be a lovely botanical garden. Further along, in the outer harbour, are. the chief native villages, and on a low ridge25 to their rear, the headquarters of the London Missionary Society.
The soil of British New Guinea is in most parts extremely fertile. Yams, bananas, pumpkins123, sugarcane, maize124, taro125, sago, and palms flourish luxuriantly, for, unlike the greater portion of Australia, the rainfall is certain and heavy. On the south-eastern coast the rainy season falls during the north-west monsoons126, which occur between the months of December and May, while in the remaining months strong south-easterly trades blow, and the climate is then considered extremely healthy.
The native villages are quaint62 little concerns, admirably built, and not unfrequently possessing considerable pretension127 to architectural design; they have a charm quite different from their owners, who are cowardly, lying, treacherous128, and superstitious129 to the last degree. I only know one worse, and he is the Malay, but then that hardly counts for anything.
Papuan women are by no means ill-looking; in fact, as a race, they would rank high, if they would not tattoo130 quite so much.
As a rule, the men are well set up fellows, and in spite of the drawbacks mentioned before, make excellent policemen. I say policemen, because the Administrator has lately organised a constabulary force which should eventually prove of much benefit to the Possession. A constabulary force and a gaol, I take it, are two of the things that point conclusively131 to successful colonisation. New Guinea only wants a House of Assembly and Universal Suffrage132 to make its future assured.
The principal animals are the kangaroo, the wild hog133, the turtle, and the dugong. The last is particularly interesting. In the first place, he is a herbivorous cetaceous animal (whatever that may be), with a tapering134 body, ending in a crescent-shaped fin4; was popularly supposed to exist only in the Indian Ocean, but has been by Cuvier denominated the Halicore australis. The dugong differs from his first cousin, the whale, from the fact of being herbivorous, not carnivorous, and is, I believe, the chief of the subdivision. In appearance he is a peculiar beast, having the body of a porpoise135, combined with the head of a calf136; but, unlike the porpoise again, he possesses no dorsal137 fin. In length he varies from six to eight feet, and is altogether a harmless and inoffensive creature. For food he exists on the grasses and plants growing at the bottom of the ocean; but, unfortunately for himself, he is particularly fond of a coarse grass to be found where Queensland rivers flow into the sea.
The flesh of the dugong is extremely luscious138, and, indeed, it is said that no portion of his body is without some value. The bones resemble ivory, while the skin, if properly treated, makes a nourishing jelly for invalids139; if tanned aright, it is said to resemble hogskin. Dugong oil is esteemed140 a splendid therapeutic141 agent, and is much in demand. Altogether the dugong (in spite of his herbivorousness and cetaceousness) is a very remarkable142 animal.
Alligators143 are unpleasantly numerous in the rivers and swamps, while the skins of birds of paradise, parrots, pigeons, and kingfishers add considerably144 to the revenue of the natives. While we are on this subject mention might also be made of the hundreds of varieties of orchid145 that are found and sent away to European dealers146 every year.
On reaching Port Moresby we said ‘goodbye’ to our boat, and the same evening were fortunate enough to obtain berths147 aboard a pearling lugger just in. She was a neat little craft of about fifteen tons, the property of a pearling company. The diver in command was a Somersetshire man, who had been knocking about these waters with varying success for many years; the crew consisted of two Manilla boys, and, when we joined, our two selves. Two of the hands had deserted148, and the diver was anxious to complete his number in order to try another patch before returning to Thursday Island.
At daylight we hove anchor and stole out of the harbour. The signs of approaching day, the mist just clearing off the water, a sea like glass, a faint blue smoke rising among the palm trees, a soft breeze, and the constant bubbling round our bows, all helped to make up a perfect morning.
For fourteen hours we steered149 a north-westerly course, keeping the green coastline in sight. Then having towards night-fall arrived at the spot we sought,, we anchored, preparatory to starting diving on the morrow. With the first signs of day work was commenced, pumps were rigged, pipes fixed37, and the diving dress prepared. After breakfast the diver donned his curious apparel, the leaden boots were put on, the weights fixed on back and chest, the life-line adjusted, and the heavy copper150 helmet screwed to the collar plate. Only a staysail remained on the boat, while the anchor was lowered to within a fathom151 or two of the bottom. This precaution is taken in order to check the boat’s impetus152, otherwise the diver, w:hen — below, would stand a great chance of being dragged off his feet. As soon as these preparations were complete, the pump hands were bidden pump, the air entered the helmet, the tender took his end of the life or signal-line, and the diver descended153.
The principle of diving is a simple one. When the diver, walking or dancing along the bottom of the ocean like a ballet girl (he does not, under ordinary circumstances, remain working in one place as is popularly supposed) comes across any shell, he picks it up and places it in a small canvas bag, which he carries with him for that purpose. This bag, when full, is pulled up and emptied, and the shells opened and retained. The shells, not the pearls, are the staple154 industry in Thursday Island. The pearls, if any (and no one is near to see), are appropriated to the finder’s own use, and this accounts for our tourist’s notion that natives always have pearls to sell.
One day, in a fit of extreme recklessness, to which our nature is not often prone155, we prevailed upon the skipper to allow us to try our hands at diving. To our delight he consented, but no sooner was permission obtained than we began to regret our imprudence. All sorts of horrors flashed through our brain, until we were on the verge156 of withdrawing our request. But having asked the privilege, it would never have done to show the white feather. The Long’un pointed this out to me, stating that it behoved me to risk even death in the interest of Science. I quite saw the value of his argument, in fact I could have used it myself in a very convincing fashion on anybody else I
Before I had time to expostulate, the dress was forthcoming and with small ceremony I was bundled into it. The helmet was fastened on, and the glass front screwed in. When I realised this a feeling of being cut off from all the world took possession of me. I was in another sphere, where the air smelt157 very much of indiarubber, and came in gusts158 from some mysterious region at the back of my head. To my astonishment I found I was able to breathe quite naturally, without the least trouble or exertion159; but owing to the weight of the dress, the great boots, and the leads fore and aft, I was anchored where I stood, as helpless as a baby. At a signal, and with assistance, I descended the ladder. As I entered the water, I wondered what would be my fate should the men at the pumps die of heart disease, the boat sink, or any other disasters happen. However, I reached the last step of the ladder in safety, and as I wasn’t dead, began to feel quite proud of my achievement. A yawning gulf160 of ladderless fathoms161 lay beneath me, and bearing in mind certain advice given beforehand, I jumped. As I landed on the bottom I felt a sharp pain in both ears. This was followed by a tiny flow of blood, and had I not been assured that this would prove the best thing that could happen to me, I should have been alarmed. As it was I found it relieved the head and prevented any disagreeable sensations while below.
The bottom of the sea (I was diving in about six fathoms) was, to say the least of it, disappointing. In my imagination, it had always taken the form of a sort of fairyland, full of many-coloured corals, shrubs162 of brilliant seaweed, waving grasses, gleaming fish, and white sands. In place of all this I found myself upon a level plain, out of which rose here and there ugly rocks; true there was a considerable amount of coral, but it was nothing to rave23 about; many fish there were, but they didn’t gleam; occasionally I passed tufts of seaweed, sometimes of a brilliant colour, but more often of a muddy and sombre hue163; and instead of the white sand I had expected, I found a sort of yellowish mud which was not at all to my taste. Now and again, at considerable distances, a few oysters164 were met with, and these I immediately secured. Looking up, I could plainly see the keel of the lugger moving through the water above me, while ahead the anchor like a sign post, dangled165, inviting166 me to follow.
In appearance I was not fair to look at. My body was swollen167 to enormous size, yet neither the exertion of walking, nor the weight of the dress oppressed me in the least degree. Most marvellous of all, when it became necessary for me to jump on to a rock, once as much as ten feet high, the ease with which the leap was accomplished168 was absurd. Even a twenty-foot jump was as nothing, and I began to feel that I might yet figure as an athlete, if only I might be allowed to do my jumps, in a diving dress, at the bottom of the sea.
As this was my first venture, I only stayed under water ten minutes (it seemed like hours); but each successive attempt gave me courage, until at last I was able to remain below as long as anyone.
Whether it is the weight of the water, the air, or the cold, I cannot say, but it is nevertheless the unfortunate fate of many. divers169 to become paralysed after having been long engaged in the work. One particularly interesting young fellow we met in Thursday Island was about to leave for England, in order to ascertain his fate, symptoms of the dread170 disease having declared themselves. It would seem there are drawbacks to every occupation, even one carried on at the bottom of the sea.
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exquisite
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transparent
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volcanic
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fin
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peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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6
liar
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| n.说谎的人 | |
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7
lucrative
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| adj.赚钱的，可获利的 | |
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8
peddled
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| （沿街）叫卖( peddle的过去式和过去分词 )； 兜售； 宣传； 散播 | |
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9
wares
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| n. 货物, 商品 | |
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10
retrieving
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|
| n.检索（过程），取还v.取回( retrieve的现在分词 )；恢复；寻回；检索（储存的信息） | |
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11
fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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12
abominable
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| adj.可厌的，令人憎恶的 | |
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13
outrageous
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| adj.无理的，令人不能容忍的 | |
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14
anecdotes
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| n.掌故，趣闻，轶事( anecdote的名词复数 ) | |
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15
lagoon
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| n.泻湖，咸水湖 | |
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16
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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17
wriggle
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| v./n.蠕动，扭动；蜿蜒 | |
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18
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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19
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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20
alligator
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| n.短吻鳄(一种鳄鱼) | |
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21
modesty
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| n.谦逊，虚心，端庄，稳重，羞怯，朴素 | |
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22
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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23
rave
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| vi.胡言乱语；热衷谈论；n.热情赞扬 | |
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24
cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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25
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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26
pouch
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|
| n.小袋，小包，囊状袋；vt.装...入袋中，用袋运输；vi.用袋送信件 | |
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27
ravenously
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| adv.大嚼地，饥饿地 | |
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28
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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30
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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31
notched
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| a.有凹口的，有缺口的 | |
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32
ponderous
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|
| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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33
jaw
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|
| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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34
jaws
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| n.口部；嘴 | |
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35
perpendicularly
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|
| adv. 垂直地, 笔直地, 纵向地 | |
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36
notches
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|
| n.（边缘或表面上的）V型痕迹( notch的名词复数 )；刻痕；水平；等级 | |
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37
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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38
descending
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|
| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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39
ingenuity
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|
| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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40
mere
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|
| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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41
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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42
plaintively
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|
| adv.悲哀地，哀怨地 | |
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43
cataclysm
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|
| n.洪水，剧变，大灾难 | |
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44
wholesale
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|
| n.批发；adv.以批发方式；vt.批发，成批出售 | |
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45
warehouse
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|
| n.仓库；vt.存入仓库 | |
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46
disseminated
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| 散布，传播( disseminate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
shipping
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| n.船运（发货，运输，乘船） | |
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48
warships
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| 军舰，战舰( warship的名词复数 )； 舰只 | |
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49
watery
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|
| adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的 | |
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50
schooner
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| n.纵帆船 | |
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51
schooners
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|
| n.（有两个以上桅杆的）纵帆船( schooner的名词复数 ) | |
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52
illicit
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|
| adj.非法的，禁止的，不正当的 | |
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53
wink
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|
| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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54
surmounted
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|
| 战胜( surmount的过去式和过去分词 )； 克服（困难）； 居于…之上； 在…顶上 | |
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55
encompassed
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|
| v.围绕( encompass的过去式和过去分词 )；包围；包含；包括 | |
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56
abreast
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|
| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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57
expressive
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|
| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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58
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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59
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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60
jack
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|
| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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61
saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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62
quaint
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|
| adj.古雅的，离奇有趣的，奇怪的 | |
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63
picturesque
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|
| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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64
marvel
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|
| vi.(at)惊叹vt.感到惊异；n.令人惊异的事 | |
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65
ominously
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|
| adv.恶兆地，不吉利地；预示地 | |
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66
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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67
worthy
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|
| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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68
endorse
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|
| vt.(支票、汇票等)背书，背署；批注；同意 | |
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69
situated
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|
| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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70
conscientiously
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|
| adv.凭良心地；认真地，负责尽职地；老老实实 | |
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71
yarns
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|
| n.纱( yarn的名词复数 )；纱线；奇闻漫谈；旅行轶事 | |
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72
congregate
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|
| v.(使)集合，聚集 | |
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73
solitary
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|
| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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74
marooned
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|
| adj.被围困的；孤立无援的；无法脱身的 | |
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75
indirectly
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|
| adv.间接地，不直接了当地 | |
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76
honourable
|
|
| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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77
magistrate
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|
| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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78
registrar
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|
| n.记录员，登记员；(大学的)注册主任 | |
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79
entirely
|
|
| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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80
drawn
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|
| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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81
ERECTED
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|
| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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82
billiards
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| n.台球 | |
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83
lookout
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|
| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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84
impoverished
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|
| adj.穷困的，无力的，用尽了的v.使（某人）贫穷( impoverish的过去式和过去分词 )；使（某物）贫瘠或恶化 | |
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85
shanties
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|
| n.简陋的小木屋( shanty的名词复数 )；铁皮棚屋；船工号子；船歌 | |
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86
vessels
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|
| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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87
gambling
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|
| n.赌博；投机 | |
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88
missionary
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|
| adj.教会的，传教(士)的；n.传教士 | |
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89
wretches
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|
| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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90
weird
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|
| adj.古怪的，离奇的；怪诞的，神秘而可怕的 | |
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91
credence
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|
| n.信用，祭器台，供桌，凭证 | |
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92
remains
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|
| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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93
fabulous
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|
| adj.极好的；极为巨大的；寓言中的，传说中的 | |
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94
providence
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|
| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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95
delusion
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|
| n.谬见，欺骗，幻觉，迷惑 | |
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96
oyster
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|
| n.牡蛎；沉默寡言的人 | |
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97
advantageous
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|
| adj.有利的；有帮助的 | |
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98
secrecy
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|
| n.秘密，保密，隐蔽 | |
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99
elicits
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| 引出，探出( elicit的第三人称单数 ) | |
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100
specimens
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|
| n.样品( specimen的名词复数 )；范例；（化验的）抽样；某种类型的人 | |
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101
deception
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|
| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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102
postpone
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| v.延期，推迟 | |
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103
missionaries
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| n.传教士( missionary的名词复数 ) | |
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104
appreciation
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| n.评价；欣赏；感谢；领会，理解；价格上涨 | |
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105
cemetery
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| n.坟墓，墓地，坟场 | |
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106
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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107
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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108
derived
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| vi.起源；由来；衍生；导出v.得到( derive的过去式和过去分词 )；（从…中）得到获得；源于；（从…中）提取 | |
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109
melancholy
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|
| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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110
vacancy
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| n.（旅馆的）空位，空房，（职务的）空缺 | |
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111
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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112
cargo
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| n.(一只船或一架飞机运载的)货物 | |
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113
longitude
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| n.经线，经度 | |
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114
latitude
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| n.纬度，行动或言论的自由(范围)，(pl.)地区 | |
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115
ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
geographical
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| adj.地理的；地区(性)的 | |
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117
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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118
embryo
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| n.胚胎，萌芽的事物 | |
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119
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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120
commodious
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| adj.宽敞的；使用方便的 | |
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121
gaol
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| n.(jail)监狱；(不加冠词)监禁；vt.使…坐牢 | |
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122
administrator
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| n.经营管理者，行政官员 | |
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123
pumpkins
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| n.南瓜( pumpkin的名词复数 )；南瓜的果肉，南瓜囊 | |
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124
maize
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| n.玉米 | |
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125
taro
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| n.芋，芋头 | |
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126
monsoons
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|
| n.（南亚、尤指印度洋的）季风( monsoon的名词复数 )；（与季风相伴的）雨季；（南亚地区的）雨季 | |
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127
pretension
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| n.要求；自命，自称；自负 | |
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128
treacherous
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|
| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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129
superstitious
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| adj.迷信的 | |
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130
tattoo
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| n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于 | |
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131
conclusively
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| adv.令人信服地，确凿地 | |
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132
suffrage
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| n.投票，选举权，参政权 | |
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133
hog
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| n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占 | |
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134
tapering
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| adj.尖端细的 | |
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135
porpoise
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| n.鼠海豚 | |
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136
calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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dorsal
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| adj.背部的，背脊的 | |
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luscious
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| adj.美味的；芬芳的；肉感的，引与性欲的 | |
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139
invalids
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| 病人，残疾者( invalid的名词复数 ) | |
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140
esteemed
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| adj.受人尊敬的v.尊敬( esteem的过去式和过去分词 )；敬重；认为；以为 | |
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141
therapeutic
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| adj.治疗的，起治疗作用的；对身心健康有益的 | |
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142
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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143
alligators
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| n.短吻鳄( alligator的名词复数 ) | |
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144
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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145
orchid
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| n.兰花，淡紫色 | |
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146
dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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147
berths
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| n.（船、列车等的）卧铺( berth的名词复数 )；（船舶的）停泊位或锚位；差事；船台vt.v.停泊( berth的第三人称单数 )；占铺位 | |
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148
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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149
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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150
copper
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| n.铜；铜币；铜器；adj.铜(制)的；(紫)铜色的 | |
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151
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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152
impetus
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| n.推动，促进，刺激；推动力 | |
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153
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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154
staple
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| n.主要产物，常用品，主要要素，原料，订书钉，钩环；adj.主要的，重要的；vt.分类 | |
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prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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156
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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157
smelt
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| v.熔解，熔炼；n.银白鱼，胡瓜鱼 | |
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158
gusts
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| 一阵强风( gust的名词复数 )； （怒、笑等的）爆发； （感情的）迸发； 发作 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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160
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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161
fathoms
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| 英寻( fathom的名词复数 ) | |
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162
shrubs
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| 灌木( shrub的名词复数 ) | |
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163
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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164
oysters
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| 牡蛎( oyster的名词复数 ) | |
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165
dangled
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| 悬吊着( dangle的过去式和过去分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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166
inviting
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| adj.诱人的，引人注目的 | |
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167
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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168
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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169
divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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170
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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