The Mission; or Scenes in Africa. Фредерик Марриет
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a detail of all his cruelties would fill volumes; it will be sufficient to mention the last act of his life. His mother died, and he declared that she had perished by witchcraft. Hundreds and hundreds were impaled, and, at last, tired of these slow proceedings, he ordered out his army to an indiscriminate slaughter over the whole country, which lasted for fourteen days.”
“How horrible!”
“He was a demon who revelled in blood; but his own turn came at last. He was murdered by his brother Dingaam, who knew that he was about to be sacrificed; and thus perished the bloody Chaka. His brother Dingaam is now on the Zoolu throne, and appears inclined to be quiet. There is another great warrior chief, named Moselekatsee, who revolted from Chaka, and who is much such another character; but our accounts of these people are vague at present, and require time to corroborate their correctness. You will have to act and decide when you arrive there, and must be guided by circumstances. With the caravan you propose to travel with, I think there will not be much danger; and if there is, you must retreat. The favour of these despots is easily to be obtained by judicious presents, which of course you will not be unprovided with. I have ordered your letters to the authorities to be made out, and you will have the governor’s signature to them. When do you propose to start?”
“We shall be ready in a few days, and have only to find a vessel going to Algoa Bay.”
“You will be asked to take charge of several articles which are to be sent to the missionary station which you will pass on your way. I presume you have no objection?”
“Certainly not; they deserve every encouragement, and any kindness or attention I can show them will give me great pleasure.”
Alexander received many proposals from different parties who wished to join the expedition, but they were all civilly declined. In a few days a vessel arrived, which was about to go round to the settlement at Algoa Bay. Their stores, horses, and dogs, not forgetting Begum the baboon, were all embarked, and, taking leave of Mr. Fairburn and the governor, Alexander, Major Henderson, and Mr. Swinton embarked, and on the evening of the fourth day found themselves safe at anchor in company with ten or twelve vessels which were lying in Algoa Bay.
Chapter Eight.
The vessels which lay at anchor in Algoa Bay had just arrived from England, with a numerous collection of emigrants, who, to improve their fortunes, had left their native land to settle in this country. Many had landed, but the greater proportion were still on board of the vessels. The debarkation was rapidly going on, and the whole bay was covered with boats landing with people and stores, or returning for more. The wind blowing from the westward, there was no surf on the beach; the sun was bright and warm, and the scene was busy and interesting; but night came on, and the panorama was closed in.
Alexander and his companions remained on the deck of their vessel till an undisturbed silence reigned where but an hour or two before all was noise and bustle. The stars, so beautiful in the southern climes, shone out in cloudless brilliancy; the waters of the bay were smooth as glass, and reflected them so clearly that they might have fancied that there was a heaven beneath as well as above them. The land presented a dark opaque mass, the mountains in the distance appearing as if they were close to them, and rising precipitately from the shore. All was of one sombre hue, except where the lights in the houses in the town twinkled here and there, announcing that some had not yet dismissed their worldly cares, and sought repose from the labours of the day. Yet all was silent, except occasionally the barking of a dog, or the voice of the sentry in Fort Frederick, announcing that “all was well.”
“What a gathering in a small space of so many people, with so many different histories, so many causes for leaving their native land, and with so many different fortunes in store for them, must there be on board of an emigrant ship,” observed Mr. Swinton.
“Yet all united in one feeling, and instigated by the same desire—that of independence, and, if possible, of wealth,” rejoined Major Henderson.
“Of that there can be no doubt,” said Alexander; “but it must be almost like beginning a new life; so many ties broken by the vast ocean which has separated them; new interests usurping the place of old ones; all novelty and adventure to look forward to; new scenes added to new hopes and to new fears; but we must not remain too long even to watch these beautiful heavens, for we must rise at daylight, so I shall set the example I and wish you both good-night.”
At daylight on the following morning the long-boat was hoisted out, and the horses safely conveyed on shore. After a hasty breakfast, Alexander and his two companions landed, to see if it were possible to obtain any roof under which they could shelter themselves; but the number of emigrants who had arrived put that out of the question, every house and every bed being engaged. This was a great disappointment, as they had no wish to return oh board and reoccupy the confined space which had been allotted to them.
Having found accommodation for their horses, they proceeded to examine the town and resume their search for lodgings. The streets presented a bustling and animated scene; waggons with goods, or returning empty with their long teams of oxen; horses, sheep, and other animals, just landed; loud talking; busy inquirers; running to and fro of men; Hottentots busy with the goods, or smoking their pipes in idle survey; crates and boxes, and packages of all descriptions, mixed up with agricultural implements and ironware, lining each side of the road, upon which were seated wives and daughters watching the property, and children looking round with astonishment, or playing, or crying.
Further out of the town were to be seen tents pitched by the emigrants, who had provided themselves with such necessaries before they had quitted England, and who were bivouacking like so many gipsies, independent of lodgings and their attendant expenses, and cooking their own provisions in kettles or frying-pans. As Alexander perceived the latter, he said, “At all events, we have found lodgings now; I never thought of that.”
“How do you mean?”
“I have two tents in the luggage I brought from Cape Town; we must get them on shore, and do as these people have done.”
“Bravo! I am glad to hear that,” replied Major Henderson; “anything better than remaining on board to be nibbled by the cockroaches. Shall we return at once?”
“By all means,” said Mr. Swinton; “we have but to get our mattresses and a few other articles.”
“Leave my man to do all that,” said the Major; “he is used to it. In India we almost live in tents when up the country. But here comes one that I should know;—Maxwell, I believe?”
“Even so, my dear Henderson,” replied the military officer who had been thus addressed; “why, what brought you here?—surely you are not a settler?”
“No; I am here because I am not a settler,” replied Henderson, laughing; “I am always on the move; I am merely on my way with my two friends here to shoot a hippopotamus. Allow me to introduce Mr. Wilmot and Mr. Swinton. But I see you are on duty; are you in the fort?”
“Yes; I came from Somerset about a month back. Can I be of any use to you?”
“That depends on circumstances; we are now going on board for our tents, to pitch them on the hill there, as we can get no lodgings.”
“Well, I cannot offer you beds in the fort, but I think if you were to pitch your tents outside the fort, on the glacis, you would be better than on the hill; your baggage would be safer, and I should be more able to render you any attention or assistance you may require.”
“An excellent idea; if it were only on account of the baggage,” replied Henderson; “we accept your offer with pleasure.”
“Well then, get them on shore as quick as you can; my men will soon have them out for you and assist in transporting your luggage; and don’t distress yourself about your dinner, I will contrive to have something cooked for you.”
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