The Travels and Adventures of James Massey Part 8

I will only add that about 35 Leagues from the Sea, this River is divided into two Branches of which we chose the least, because we had a mind to keep to the Left, and we thought the other led us too far out of our Way. It was just at this Division that a swinging Salmon leap'd 7 or 8 Foot above Water, and fell into our Boat where we receiv'd it with great Joy in Hopes of making a Feast of it, which we did for several Days. Notwithstanding all the Speed we made, we were a Month in our Voyage.

Our Joy to think we were drawing towards our own dear Country, tho' after all we were not sure that we should ever see it again, made us indefatigable; we scarce gave ourselves time to rest, insomuch that we could not have been more in a Hurry if a s.h.i.+p had actually staid to take us on Board for _Europe_. But alas!

when we arriv'd at the Mouth of the River, our Hopes were all dash'd in an instant. We saw a dreadful Pa.s.sage before our Eyes, which seem'd to us impracticable. When we are Ash.o.r.e there's room for contriving Ways and Means to overcome such Obstacles as fall in the Way, and let what will happen almost, a little Patience and Pains-taking will bring us out of it, but the merciless Ocean gives one a Disgust against venturing from the Sh.o.r.e.

We had been five Years seeking our Fortune since we left these Coasts. We had indeed encounter'd various Dangers, and undergone extraordinary Fatigues, but then on the other hand we had our Share of Diversion, and even now, I would not for any thing but have seen so fine a Kingdom; on the contrary, I repent a thousand times that I left it. My Comrade, who was the Cause of it, knew not what to say now; the poor Devil was quite confounded, but something however must be resolv'd on.

It was as yet fine Weather, and by good Luck we had a Stock of useful Materials, only we had not many Nails. I was of Opinion, that the first thing we ought to do, was to provide ourselves the best Lodging we could, and that for this Purpose our Hatchets and Mattocks would be of great Service. About 50 Paces from the River, and consequently from our Boat there was a vast Lime-tree, under which we built a fine large triangular Hut, whither we brought our Baggage. Our Bows were also of great Use to us for hunting, otherwise we should have been in Danger of being famish'd; but the Birds were not so tame as those we had formerly met with, so that it requir'd a great deal of Art to catch them.

The thing that gave us some Trouble was to make a Fire for the first Time, because we had lost our Steel, and the Fire that we had sav'd went out the Day before we came hither. The Place where we were was so full of Sand and Sh.e.l.ls, that we had several Days Ramble into the Country before we could meet with Flints that were for our Purpose; these were all that we wanted; for we had Rags which we caus'd to be well dry'd in the Sun for Tinder, and we did not want old Iron. As we had plenty of Wood, we did not let the first Fire we made go out, nor was there a Probability of its being extinguish'd a long time, for there were whole Trees which were burning continually.

We stay'd about 8 Months in this Canton, where we liv'd by hunting. One while, in order to pa.s.s away the Time, which we thought extremely tedious, we took our Boat, and made a short Voyage upon the River, or out at Sea, according as the Weather and Tide permitted us, and sometimes we climb'd up to the highest Eminences in Hopes of spying some Vessel to carry us out of our melancholy Solitude.

Being weary at length of staying always in the same Place, we resolv'd to make a Sail some Leagues to the Well in Hopes not only of finding out the Place where our s.h.i.+p was cast away, for we could not be very far from it, but also of making some new Discovery. We took in Provisions for a few Days, and rising very early one Morning, we made towards the Strand in order to keep near the Sea. We walk'd so stoutly that if I am not mistaken, we had travell'd above 15 Leagues by the Close of next Day. The Sh.o.r.e was every where uniform, and there was no Variety of Objects to delight the Eye. We ascended to the Downs, which in that Place were very high, and the Prospect was the same as far as our Eyes could reach it. A little fresh Gale of Wind that blew from the North East, oblig'd us to take Shelter all Night under a Hill, where the Sand retain'd a great deal of the Heat which it had contracted from the Sun in the Day. As soon as Morning appear'd, we enter'd the Flat Country where there was greater Variety, but then the Ways were much worse. If we had been dispos'd to have loaded ourselves with Game, it was in our Power to have kill'd what we would, because we had each a good Bow, and there was abundance of Animals of all Sorts.

At length, on the fifth Day, as I take it, after our Departure, and about two or three o' Clock in the Afternoon we arriv'd at our River. As we had rambled a little from the Sea-side, we perceiv'd immediately by several Tokens with which we were very well acquainted, that we were no more than a League and a half distant from it, at which we were overjoy'd because we were afraid that we had gone too far. Nevertheless, this little way seem'd very tedious to us; we knew it was a round-about Way which we might have avoided, tho' indeed we chose it, and we were glad when we perceiv'd our Barrack at a Distance, because there we expected to take our Rest.

But we were soon after struck with a Damp that chill'd the very Blood in our Veins, when we saw our Boat gone. We thought at first that we had not fasten'd it well, or that the violent Motion of the Water had broke the Rope by which it was moor'd.

The Curiosity of knowing what was become of it, made us mend our Pace. We curs'd the very Day that we went upon this fatal Voyage, which depriv'd us of the Advantages that we receiv'd from this little Machine, and we began to blame one another for having first propos'd it, when _La Foret_ on my Left-Hand, turning his Head about by chance towards our Hut, which was but a little Way behind us, gave a sudden Start, and cry'd out, Oh Lord; what's that? what terrible Monster is that in our Hut! I immediately turn'd about, and never was more surpriz'd in my Life than to see a great Creature there lain down, so that we could only discover its Back, and by the Hair of it we concluded it must be a Bear.

To speak the Truth, the Sight of so fierce an Animal as that seem'd to be, surpriz'd us. The Bows that we had were not Weapons fit to attack it, yet we were twenty times in the mind to advance towards it as softly as possible, and let fly an Arrow at it from each of our Bows, and then to bend them again instantly in order to be ready to shoot it again, in case it had Strength enough left to make towards us; but for fear of missing it and being torn to Pieces, we chose to go on without making any Noise, imagining that when it was awake it would go off towards the Wood rather than towards the Sh.o.r.e.

We travell'd as if we had not made use of our Legs for a Week, so little did we feel the Fatigues we had undergone. Fear carry'd us on as swift as the Wind, without giving a Look either to the Right Hand or the Left, and as we always kept by the Side of the River, we were within two or three Paces of our Boat before we spy'd it, and when we thought no more of it. This unexpected Sight reviv'd us in a Moment, but when we went to it, and found it fasten'd in another manner from what it us'd to be, we could not help being surpriz'd again. The Boat was in a nasty pickle, and the Oars and Stretchers were not in the order we left them.

Besides, we observ'd a Wicker-Basket about 18 Foot long in the form of a Bow just under the Water, with Cords ty'd to the two Ends, which was made use of for fis.h.i.+ng, as was evident from several little dead Fishes about the Machine, which those who had made use of it, had neglected to throw into the Water.

These Instances of humane Industry, made us conclude that the Country was not uninhabited, but the Point was to know what People they were; we could not imagine them to be sociable and civiliz'd, and there was all the Appearance of their being Cannibals. Mean time, we were as hungry as Horses, we had sav'd none of the Provisions we took with us, and the two or three Fowls that we brought were raw, so that if we would eat them we must dress them, and we had Fire still burning near our Hut, as we could easily see by the Smoak, but we could not get to it for fear of the Bear. The Day was almost spent, so that there was a Necessity of coming to a Determination, if we intended to lie there. We resolv'd therefore to carry our Boat with all Speed to that part of the River which was over-against our Hut, and then to give a terrible Hollow and Hoot, in order to frighten the Beast away.

We did as we intended, but instead of rousing the Bear, we were very much startled to see a couple of Men run dress'd in Skins down to their Knees. Tho' the River, which was very deep, separated us, yet we were afraid and kept upon our Guard; they approach'd us, and seeing us both dress'd, one of 'em call'd out, and ask'd who we were. O Heavens, _said I_, that's _Normand_, I know him by his Voice. We are your Friends, _said I_, and perhaps more than you imagine. Come over then in G.o.d's Name, _said they_, and be not terrify'd at our Dress. We are poor unfortunate Wretches abandon'd by G.o.d and Man, but we are civiliz'd Christians. That was enough to oblige us to go over to them. The Tears fall from my Eyes whenever I think on't; tho' they were very much alter'd, yet we knew them; we embrac'd one another with inexpressible Marks of Tenderness, and cry'd for Joy like Children. We went together to our Hut, where they gave us some little Fishes broil'd, but our Hearts were so full that we could not eat a Bit. Any Body that had seen us would have taken us for Statues; for we had no Motion, except in our Eyes, and all that we did was to stare at one another in such a manner as shew'd our Astonishment.

At length when we began to know one another, they oblig'd us to take some Nourishment, and after having heartily reproach'd us for our having left them, without giving them notice, and declar'd that they were both firmly of Opinion that we had been torn to pieces by wild Beasts, they ask'd us, where we had been so long, and what was become of _Du Puis_, upon which we were fain to oblige them with a general Account of our Voyage. They wish'd a thousand times they had been in our Place, and according to them, we were very wrong in coming away from so fine a Country. Talk no more of it, _said I_, you don't yet know the tenth Part of what I shall tell you hereafter. If it had not been for _La Foret_, you would not have seen us here, for I should never have had a Thought of coming away as long as I liv'd.

To-morrow you shall tell us how you came to our Hut, and how you have subsisted so long in this Place without any manner of Commerce; but now I must retire to Rest, for in truth I can hold out no longer: And indeed I slept like a Dormouse, for our Savages were up 4 Hours before _La Foret_ and I were awake.

We had scarce bid one another Good-morrow, but we renew'd the Conversation upon the Subject of our last. _Normand_ was desirous to know more than I had told him, and we long'd to hear of their Adventures. It was at that time very hot, for we were not only in the middle of Autumn, or if you please in the Month of _May_, but the Sky was clear for many Days together, and the Weather mild and agreeable, so that we went and sat down under the Shade of our Hut. About four Days ago, said _Normand_, having a mind to bathe my self in the River, I ask'd my Comrades, if any of 'em would go with me; but the only Man that consented was _Alexander._ Tho' we each took a Bow with us, we did not intend to spend any time in hunting; nevertheless a very beautiful large Fowl sprung up before us in the Way which we had a mind to shoot at, and we went out of our Road to follow it. You will say 'twas a Bird of good Omen to conduct us to this Place, for as soon as it was almost within Bow-shot, it again flew straight before us in a direct Line without turning either to the Right Hand or the Left, and we pursued it till we came full-but, as one may say, upon your Barrack, and discover'd the little Boat; and then the Fowl disappear'd, and we thought no more of it. A Hut and a Boat were such Rarities in a Country like this, that we were astonish'd to see them. We thought at first, that some s.h.i.+p had met with the Misfortune of being cast away here-abouts, and that some few of the Company had escap'd Ash.o.r.e, so that we made no Scruple to come to the Door of this Hut, and seeing no Body appear notwithstanding we talk'd loud, we both enter'd, and found a great many Things which confirm'd us in our Opinion.

Nevertheless, my Comrade was for our returning, and coming again next Day with more in Company, but I forc'd him to stay out of a Principle of Curiosity which I had to know the Owner of so well contriv'd a Lodging. To pa.s.s the time, we contriv'd a great Basket in form of a Semicircle, which by the Help of your Boat we made use of with Success to bring the Fish Ash.o.r.e at those Places where the Coast was steep, and where the River had broke in upon the Land. The third Day you came, and found us, G.o.d be prais'd, at a Time when we little thought of one another.

CHAP. XIII.

_Containing what happened to the Residue of the s.h.i.+p's Company during the Author's Absence; and the rest of their Adventures 'till their Departure from this Country._

You know, _continued he_, that when you went away, we were building a Bark to carry us off. At first, every Man wrought hard at it, but as fast as the Work advanc'd, the Zeal of our People slacken'd. The greatest part of the Company were afraid she was too small, besides that they began insensibly to be reconcil'd to these Southern Coasts, where scarce a Day pa.s.s'd but they made some new Discovery of Use for the Support of Life. It was five Months before the little Vessel was rigg'd. How rigg'd? _said I_, and pray whence had you wherewithal? The Captain, _reply'd he_, had been very sparing of the greatest part of his Provisions; he had still a Quant.i.ty of Bacon, b.u.t.ter, Oil, Salt, Biscuit, and Candles left, besides what we were able to pick up here for the Sustenance of the Body. When, all was ready, he summon'd the Crew, and order'd all that had a mind to go with him to be in a Readiness. I don't desire, _said he_, to force any Man; but for my own part, I'll venture a Pa.s.sage in the Bark, and tho' the Voyage is dangerous, 'tis to be hop'd, that he who has preserv'd us. .h.i.therto will take care of us for time to come. Several came to a Determination on the Spot, the others knew not what to resolve on: At length, we agreed to the Number of sixteen of us, to remain together in this Country after having had a Promise from the others upon Oath to use their Interest and Intreaties with the King of _Portugal_ to take Pity of us, and to order the first s.h.i.+p that went off to the _Indies_, to come and fetch us away. There was great Grief, and many Tears shed at parting. They weigh'd Anchor one Morning at Break of Day, with a moderate Wind at South South West, which together with the Tide carry'd them quite out of Sight in less than two Hours. They set out so well that we envy'd their Happiness, and wish'd to be with 'em, because we could not doubt that if the same good Weather continued, they would be soon at the _Cape of Good Hope_. The Wind held thus in the same Quarter above two Days, but on the third about Noon it chang'd, and on the 5th and 6th we had very bad Weather, so that we were in some Pain to think how the honest Lads far'd.

Having left the Sh.o.r.e, we went to settle in a Valley about four small Leagues from this Place. The Country which is really very agreeable, is water'd with a Rivulet full of Fish, and abounds with Roots as big as red Beet, which are very good when well boil'd. On the South South West Side there's a Wood of a considerable Extent, where we have Apples, Pears, Nuts, and other very pleasant Fruits in abundance; and the other Side furnishes us with as many Pease and Beans as we want. Our Captain left us all the Instruments he could spare: We had Fire-Arms, Shot, Powder, Ropes, Hatchets, Spades, Hammers, Saws, Nails, Packthread, Needles, Blades, Pots, Kettles, Caldrons, and other Utensils. With all this Baggage we went to that Place, and built two very commodious Huts, which have the true Air of Peasants Cottages, and we cover'd them so well with Rushes, that we defy the Wind or Rain to hurt them.

We liv'd there about a Year without scarce ever straggling from one another, for we saw nothing on the Right Side or Westward, but barren Hills which no Body had yet thought worth their while to ascend. Three of our Comrades resolv'd one Day to hunt there, and at the same time to see if they could make no new Discovery.

It took them up about three Hours to pa.s.s the Mountain; from thence they enter'd into a very thick Wood, where they travell'd two Leagues without seeing any Way to get out of it. Whilst they were musing whether to return or go forwards, one of them said that he heard a Noise which he could not tell what to make of, but it very much resembled the Voice of a Man. This was a little surprising to the others, but they advanc'd that Way, and clapping their Ears to the Ground, they found that what he had said was true. Two of them were for going nearer to see what it was, but the other stifly oppos'd it, and affirm'd that what they heard was the Voice of Savages, who would give them no Quarter if they fell into their Hands. He had no sooner spoke, but they saw, a hundred Paces from them on the other Side of some Bushes, a great Villain cover'd with the Skin of a Beast who no doubt spy'd them, and ran probably to tell his Gang that there was a Prey at hand. This at least was what our Companions thought of it, and not judging it proper to stay for their coming, they turn'd back and scamper'd away. They had learnt by Experience the Necessity of observing the Sun or Stars in a Forest which one is not well acquainted with, and they did this to such a Nicety that they got out almost at the very same Place where they enter'd.

When they came upon the Hills, they stood still to take a little Breath; for then they were out of that Danger which threaten'd them in the Wood where, tho' perhaps it was only a Panic Fear, they imagin'd several times that they heard the Noise of Pursuers just at their Heels.

We were very sure when they came back that they had been in a Fright, for they look'd as if they had been hag-ridden, and were all over in a Muck-Sweat as if they had been dipp'd in Water, but we little thought what was the Matter. We were prodigiously alarm'd at so unexpected a Narrative, and really knew not what to do, whether to keep our old Quarters, or to abandon Bag and Baggage, and encamp on the other Side of the River. For my part, I was for fortifying our present Post. I had been in three or four Campaignes heretofore, and had learnt the Art of guarding against an Enemy, so that my Companions agreed to do as I thought fit. In the Evening we only posted Centinels to prevent a Surprize.

Next Morning at Day-Break, I mark'd out a Square about our two Huts, each Side whereof I was 35 Geometrical Paces in length, after which we broke Ground, and began with a Breast-Work 4 Foot high to shelter us from any Attacks that might be made that Way.

Then we rais'd and widen'd our Works in such a manner that the Rampart was 20 Foot in the Base, and 6 in Height, besides a Parapet above that of 5 Foot. The Ditch form'd by the Earth we cast up for this Purpose was very broad and deep. In the Front opposite to the Mountain, I left a Slope of 6 Foot only, which I cover'd also with a small Half-Moon and secur'd with a Traverse.

All this was finish'd in 7 Weeks. Mean time, we heard no Talk of any Enemy, and sometimes could not help rallying those who had put us into such a Ferment.

At first every Body was afraid to stir out for Provisions, and now they did it without any Scruple, but it did not hold so long.

Two of our Men going out one Day at Sun-rise for Plunder; had not the good Luck to come back again; perhaps they were so imprudent as to expose themselves more than others had done, at least they had talk'd of doing so more than once. The Loss of them made us very uneasy, and we thereupon encompa.s.s'd our Fortress with Palisadoes.

While we were at this Work, we perceiv'd a Company of Men coming down the Mountain very fast, which put us into the greater Consternation, because three of our Comrades were then gone a hunting, so that we were but eleven in Number. I order'd my Men to charge their Muskets, and not to discover themselves 'till the Enemy was come to the Ditch, where they were to be saluted with at least five Discharges. When the Drolls were at hand, we saw very plain that they were Savages. They seem'd to be about threescore and ten, all l.u.s.ty well-made Fellows cover'd with Skins down to their Legs, and laden with Bows and Arrows. A great many of 'em had Clubs 5 or 6 Foot long. 'Tis probable that the Knaves had spy'd us before they came in a Body, for they did not seem in the least surpriz'd at the Work we had made. Not one of our Men discover'd himself. I had planted a great Branch full of Leaves before me, thro' which I could observe the Enemy without being seen. 'Tis probable that they thought to have surpriz'd us, because they came without making the least Noise to the Brink of the Ditch, and there they stopp'd, not knowing what Course to take to come at the Place; but I did not think proper to give them time to examine Things too closely, so that I order'd five of my Men to fire upon 'em, and to charge again with all Expedition that they might be entertain'd with a continual Fire.

They perform'd their Part so well that three of the Savages fell upon the Spot.

This terrify'd them, because they knew not what to think of their Comrades sudden Fall. Indeed they saw the Fire and Smoak of our Arms, but I very much question whether they discover'd the Men that gave Fire. They must conclude it to be Lightning, or some Devil that struck them, at least we imagin'd so by the horrid Cries they all made looking towards Heaven. I said to my Comrades, Let us make an Advantage of the Terror of those Miscreants; let the other five give Fire. This Discharge with the Fire I made fetch'd down two more which increas'd their Astonishment. Then we shew'd ourselves all at once crying out like Madmen, at which time the five first gave Fire again, and kill'd two more upon the Spot. We should have dispatch'd 'em all after this manner, but they were not such Fools as to stay any longer. Seven of the strongest took each a dead Man upon his Shoulders, and fled with as much Precipitation as if they had been pursued by an Army.

The three Men of our Company that were absent, were not so far on the other Side but they heard us fire very plainly. They imagin'd there must be something more than ordinary in the matter, because they knew we would not have wasted our Gunpowder without a great Necessity. They lay hid for some time in a Thicket, with as much Game as they could carry, and in the Evening they advanc'd, and glad they were when they first saw the Centinel walking on the Breast-Work, where he was posted on Purpose to give them the Signal that there was no Danger.

Our apprehension that the Rascals would return stronger, and more resolute, made us finish our Palisadoes with all Speed; and for want of a Breastwork we fortify'd the Rampart with Fraises.

Besides, it was resolv'd that some of our Men should go by Turns to the Downs to fetch two small Pieces of Cannon which our Captain left behind him. It cost a great deal of Time and Pains to draw them to our Fort. Then we provided a Quant.i.ty of little Flints, of which our Brook was full, in order to put into the Cartridges. In the mean time, we did not hear the least Word of the Enemy for 8 Months together, so, that we scarce thought any more of the Scoundrels 'till one _Sunday_ at Noon, when the Centinel alarm'd us, just as we were at Dinner. Upon this I ran out to see what was the matter, and G.o.d knows I was not a little astonish'd to see the Mountain cover'd with a Swarm of our Enemies advancing like hungry Wolves to devour us. To speak the real Truth, the stoutest Hearts among us trembled for Fear, for we did not doubt but the Rascals came resolv'd either to conquer or die, and that they had taken all the necessary Precautions for executing their Design. They advanc'd very quietly; I was of the same Opinion as at the first time, that it was advisable for us to conceal ourselves, and not to fire 'till they came upon the Glacis, but _Le Grand_ thought on the contrary, that the best Way would be to intimidate them before they came too near, and to make use of our Cannon, since we had them at hand. Accordingly, as soon as we saw them advanc'd within 3 or 400 Paces of our Fort, one Piece was discharg'd: Whether it did any Execution or no, we could not see, but they stopp'd short, whereupon we discharg'd the other Piece which carry'd off several of their Men, as we were told by some of our Comrades who being to the Windward, protested they saw it very plain. However, this did not terrify them, on the contrary they renew'd their March, and came on apace. They were at least 400 resolute Men, a Number far superior to ours. As soon as they were within Reach, we fir'd upon them briskly, but they were not dismay'd, and notwithstanding the Number of Men they lost, they came up even to our Palisadoes, where some stoop'd, and others leaping on their Backs threw themselves over with great Agility and terrible Fury: In the mean time our Cannon, which were charg'd with Stones, did Wonders, and yet for all this, if they had but attack'd us in several Places at a time, instead of attacking us in one only, we should have been infallibly ruin'd. Our _Chevaux de Frise_ were also of great Service to us, because for want of proper Instruments to pluck them up, they broke but two of them. This however made a Gap which gave an Opportunity to one of the boldest of them to climb even to our Breast-work, and others were preparing to follow; but three of our Men falling desperately upon them, put them to the Sword, and made them tumble from Top to Bottom. In fine, three or four of the best Men they had, being Eye-Witnesses of this smart Rencounter gave way, upon which they all fled, and after a Fight of three Hours, quitted the Field with, much more Rapidity than they came to it.

We were overjoy'd at this Deliverance, which we had Reason to think a happy one. Next Day when we went out to see what Slaughter we had made, we found 72 dead, and 13 Wretches gasping for Life, whom we instantly dispatch'd with the But-Ends of our Musquets, and after having made a great Pit, we cast them all into it, for fear the Stench of their Carcases might infect the Air. The only wounded Man we had was one that was polled upon the Breast-work, who was shot in the Thigh with an Arrow, but was soon after cur'd.

After this Skirmish we doubled our Diligence or our Preservation; we were still in Dread of our conquer'd Enemy, because we apprehended that in time they would be wiser; but we never saw them afterwards, nor heard any thing of 'em any more than of our two Comrades, whom to be sure the Villains murder'd and devour'd.

Now you mention eating, _said I_, methinks 'tis time to talk of laying the Cloth. If you'll be rul'd by me, we will dine first, and then see what we have to say to one another more. Since that time, said _Normand_, nothing happen'd worth your Notice. Are you all living still? I ask'd him. No verily, _said he_, four died two Years ago, and there's another very ill, but perhaps the Sight of you will contribute to his Recovery; at least I am persuaded, that both he and others will be transported to see you. I beg let us go to them, we have time enough before us, else the poor Fellows will not know what's become of us. Tho' we were not yet recover'd of the Fatigues of the preceding Days, yet after having taken a Bit without Loss of Time, we travell'd away.

The Sun had been set a long while when we came to our Journey's End, but the Sky was clear; and the Moon almost at Full. I could not help laughing when we came about 100 Paces from the Fort, to hear one cry, _Who goes there?_ and to hear _Normand_ say, _A Friend_. Yet this was not all; you were but two when you went, said the Centinel, but I see more. Officers! Guard! At these Words, _Le Grand_ came out with a Gun in his Hand to take a View of us. I was very well pleas'd with this good Guard, especially at that time when I was come from a Country where they knew not what a Guard meant. _Normand_ stepp'd before us, and discover'd who we were, at which they came upon us all at once, and had like to have smother'd us with Embraces. Here we were oblig'd to give another Narrative of our Adventures, and to hear ourselves bitterly reproach'd for not having improv'd our Fortunes.

_Le Grand_ said, why Friends, do you seek for Treasures and Empires? What need have we of any thing but plain Food and Raiment? You were in a Place where you enjoy'd these two Advantages at once, where all Persons are upon a Level, except here and there a few to whom the others pay a small voluntary Deference on Account of their Virtues, and the Care they take to administer Justice. You were also familiar with the King, who nourish'd you with the Fat of a plentiful fruitful Country, a Land of Blessing and Peace, from whence Soldiers are banish'd as much as Hangmen, and where humane Blood is sacred and safe from the Rage and Tyranny of great Men? I pray, what would you have more? Go where you please, you will never find so much again elsewhere. But 'tis the Foible of most Men, they seldom are contented with what they enjoy, and in whatsoever State and Place they are, they always think that to be happy they must change it.

All this moralizing, reply'd _La Foret_, is to no Purpose, we are come away, and we will not go back again were we to want Bread elsewhere. He is in the right, _said I_, when Errors are committed, 'tis needless to think any more of 'em, unless it be to be a Warning to us at another Time. If ever such good Luck should happen to us again, perhaps we shall know better how to improve it.

Next Day we went to fetch the remainder of the Baggage which we had left near the River, and came hither with it, designing to live and die here with the rest of our Company.

I was mightily pleas'd to see the good Order which _Le Grand_ kept in this Fort with Respect to Manners. The least immodest Word was forbid on Pain of public Correction. He read Prayers every Morning and Evening at which they all attended, for tho'

they were for most part Catholics, yet they liv'd together as if they had been all of one Religion. They all profess'd to love G.o.d and their Neighbour, as much as themselves; every one took his Turn to go and fetch in Provisions, to dress the Victuals, to mount the Guard, and so of the rest, while others walk'd Abroad for the Air, or employed themselves in what they pleas'd. It was an easy Matter for us to accommodate ourselves to the Maxims of this petty Republick. The sick Person I found there was cur'd, so that our Company consisted of 12 Persons.

We liv'd 27 Months together without any considerable Accident among us, but then one of our Comrades died, whose Name was _Gascagnet_, a Native of the _Cevennes_. He had been sadly afflicted with an _Asthma_ for several Years, which had made him as lean as a Rake. When he was dead, I begg'd Leave to open him, which was readily granted. For this Operation I made use of some sorry Rasors and Scissors which my Comrades had sav'd. I found his Lungs contracted, and dry as a Spunge. The Trachian Artery or Pipe of the Lungs was hard, inflexible, and wide enough to put an Egg into it. The Liver was green, one of its Parts was gritty, and the other which seem'd perfectly ulcerated, stuck to his Kidneys. I found 4 Stones as big as Prune-Stones in the Bladder of the Gall, which was as yellow as Wax. As to the Heart, it seem'd in as good Order to outward Appearance as one could wish, but when I open'd it, I found a Hole in the _Septum Medium_ of the Size of a Silver Penny, edg'd with a Membrane which without doubt was form'd there to hinder its closing up.

I confess that this surpriz'd me, but after a little Consideration I guess'd that the Deceased having always labour'd under a Difficulty of Breathing, and his Lungs by consequence wanting to be sufficiently cool'd, Nature was willing to provide a Remedy, as it does, tho' by other Means, for Infants in their Mother's Womb, and which indeed do not breathe at all, inasmuch as the Blood is circulated in them in a very different Manner from what it is when they are born. For, whereas in this Case, the Blood which is contain'd in the Veins, and push'd from the Extremities of the Body towards the Heart, which it enters thro'

the _Vena Cava_, discharges itself into the right Cavity from whence it pa.s.ses into the Arterious Vein, afterwards into the _Arteria Venosa_, and from thence into the left Cavity of the Heart, from whence it is push'd to the Extremities of the Animal by the _Aorta_, which communicates by its Branches with those of the _Vena Cava_; in the other case on the contrary, the Blood which issues from the Right Cavity pa.s.ses immediately from the Trunk of the Arterious Vein into the _Aorta_, at the same time that it also flows immediately from the _Vena Cava_ into the Trunk of the Veinous Artery, which from thence enters and dilates it self in the Left Cavity of the Heart.

I observ'd nothing extraordinary in the Intestines. The Ureters and Kidneys were full of Gravel, so that no wonder the poor Man was always complaining, and that he died in the flower of his Age when he was but 34 Years old. We bury'd him in the Counterscarp.

'Twas scarce six Weeks after, that we had a horrid Earthquake, which was follow'd with as furious a Tempest as I ever saw in my Life. The Mountain to the West of our Fort, rent in twain from Top to Bottom, and at the same time there gush'd out a Torrent of muddy Water with extraordinary Impetuosity. By good Luck it did not come down directly upon us, otherwise our Works would have run a very great Risque. This Inundation lasted 'till next Day.

All our Valley was under Water, and we were three Days without being able to get Abroad. When the bad Weather was over, and our Meadows dry, we ascended the Mountain to see part of the Damage done by it. We found that the Cleft made in the Mountain was at least 120 Foot wide below, and above 50 towards the Top. There was a Fountain near the Top of it, which after this was never more seen, and I was the first who observ'd that it was gone.

This surpriz'd us all, but what astonish'd us more, was that half of the Forest which was below on the other Side, was swallow'd up, and that instead of Trees which were there before, there appear'd a very great Lake. These prodigious Events gave us Occasion to admire the Works of Providence.

_Le Grand_ was sorry for the Loss of this Fountain, because we often went that Way to divert ourselves, and were very fond of its Water, which was wonderfully fine and clear. He could not comprehend what Relation this Fountain had with the cleaving of the Rock, and the others were even more astonish'd at it than he.

Don't you see, _said I_, that there could not have been such a Gap in this great Body, unless the Particles of which 'tis compos'd had met together, and that consequently the Channels thro' which the Water pa.s.s'd that form'd the Fountain were stopp'd up, just in the same manner as the Pores of a Spunge close in Proportion as 'tis squeez'd. I am not sure whether you don't banter, _said one of 'em_, one would think so by your Looks, tho' what you say seems probable enough. No doubt I banter, _said I_, for there's a Natural and Physical Reason for what you admire, which they are not ignorant of who have the least Notion of Philosophy. We know nothing of Philosophy, said _Le Grand_, but if you think we are capable of understanding you, it will be a Pleasure to us to philosophize with us concerning our Fountain. I will, _said I_, with all my Heart, because we have nothing else to do now, provided you won't think me a Pedant.