MacMillan's Reading Books Part 23

ROBBED IN THE DESERT.

I departed from Kooma, accompanied by two shepherds, who were going towards Sibidooloo. The road was very steep and rocky, and as my horse had hurt his feet much, he travelled slowly and with great difficulty; for in many places the ascent was so sharp, and the declivities so great, that if he had made one false step, he must inevitably have been dashed to pieces. The herds being anxious to proceed, gave themselves little trouble about me or my horse, and kept walking on at a considerable distance. It was about eleven o'clock, as I stopped to drink a little water at a rivulet (my companions being near a quarter of a mile before me), that I heard some people calling to each other, and presently a loud screaming, as from a person in great distress. I immediately conjectured that a lion had taken one of the shepherds, and mounted my horse to have a better view of what had happened. The noise, however, ceased; and I rode slowly towards the place from whence I thought it proceeded, calling out, but without receiving any answer. In a little time, however, I perceived one of the shepherds lying among the long gra.s.s near the road; and, though I could see no blood upon him, concluded he was dead. But when I came close to him, he whispered to me to stop, telling me that a party of armed men had seized upon his companion, and shot two arrows at himself as he was making his escape.

I stopped to consider what course to take, and looking round, saw at a little distance a man sitting upon the stump of a tree; I distinguished also the heads of six or seven more; sitting among the gra.s.s, with muskets in their hands. I had now no hopes of escaping, and therefore determined to ride forward towards them. As I approached them, I was in hopes they were elephant hunters, and by way of opening the conversation, inquired if they had shot anything; but, without returning an answer, one of them ordered me to dismount; and then, as if recollecting himself, waved with his hand for me to proceed. I accordingly rode past, and had with some difficulty crossed a deep rivulet, when I heard somebody holloa; and looking back, saw those I took for elephant hunters now running after me, and calling out to me to turn back. I stopped until they were all come up, when they informed me that the King of the Foulahs had sent them on purpose to bring me, my horse, and everything that belonged to me, to Fooladoo, and that therefore I must turn back, and go along with them. Without hesitating a moment, I turned round and followed them, and we travelled together near a quarter of a mile without exchanging a word. When coming to a dark place of the wood, one of them said, in the Mandingo language, "This place will do," and immediately s.n.a.t.c.hed my hat from my head. Though I was by no means free of apprehension, yet I resolved to show as few signs of fear as possible; and therefore told them, unless my hat was returned to me, I should go no farther. But before I had time to receive an answer, another drew his knife, and seizing upon a metal b.u.t.ton which remained upon my waistcoat, cut it off, and put it in his pocket. Their intention was now obvious, and I thought that the more easily they were permitted to rob me of everything, the less I had to fear. I therefore allowed them to search my pockets without resistance, and examine every part of my apparel, which they did with scrupulous exactness. But observing that I had one waistcoat under another, they insisted that I should cast them both off; and at last, to make sure work, stripped me quite naked. Even my half-boots (though the sole of one of them was tied to my foot with a broken bridle-rein) were narrowly inspected. Whilst they were examining the plunder, I begged them with great earnestness to return my pocket compa.s.s; but when I pointed it out to them, as it was lying on the ground, one of the banditti thinking I was about to take it up, c.o.c.ked his musket, and swore that he would lay me dead on the spot if I presumed to lay my hand on it. After this some of them went away with my horse, and the remainder stood considering whether they should leave me quite naked, or allow me something to shelter me from the sun.

Humanity at last prevailed; they returned me the worst of the two shirts and a pair of trowsers; and, as they went away, one of them threw back my hat, in the crown of which I kept my memorandums; and this was probably the reason they did not wish to keep it. After they were gone, I sat for some time looking around me with amazement and terror; whichever way I turned, nothing appeared but danger and difficulty. I saw myself in the midst of a vast wilderness in the depth of the rainy season, naked and alone, surrounded by savage animals, and men still more savage. I was five hundred miles from the nearest European settlement. All these circ.u.mstances crowded at once to my recollection; and I confess that my spirits began to fail me. I considered my fate as certain, and that I had no alternative but to lie down and perish. At this moment, painful as my reflections were, the extraordinary beauty of a small moss irresistibly caught my eye. I mention this to show from what trifling circ.u.mstances the mind will sometimes derive consolation; for though the whole plant was not larger than the tip of one of my fingers, I could not contemplate the delicate conformation of its roots, leaves, and capsule without admiration. Can that Being (thought I), who planted, watered, and brought to perfection, in this obscure part of the world, a thing which appears of so small importance, look with unconcern upon the situation and sufferings of creatures formed after his own image?--surely not! Reflections like these would not allow me to despair; I started up, and disregarding both hunger and fatigue, travelled forwards, a.s.sured that relief was at hand; and I was not disappointed. In a short time I came to a small village, at the entrance of which I overtook the two shepherds who had come with me from Rooma.

They were much surprised to see me, for they said they never doubted that the Foulahs, when they had robbed, had murdered me. Departing from this village, we travelled over several rocky ridges, and at sunset arrived at Sibidooloo, the frontier town of the kingdom of Manding.

MUNGO PARK.

[Note: _Mungo Park_. Born in Selkirkshire in 1771; set out on his first African exploration in 1795. His object was to explore the Niger; and this he had done to a great extent when he was murdered (as is supposed) by the natives in 1805.]

REST FROM BATTLE.

Now deep in ocean sunk the lamp of light, And drew behind the cloudy veil of night; The conquering Trojans mourn his beams decayed; The Greeks rejoicing bless the friendly shade.

The victors keep the field: and Hector calls A martial council near the navy walls: These to Scamander's bank apart he led, Where thinly scattered lay the heaps of dead.

The a.s.sembled chiefs, descending on the ground, Attend his order, and their prince surround.

A ma.s.sy spear he bore of mighty strength, Of full ten cubits was the lance's length; The point was bra.s.s, refulgent to behold, Fixed to the wood with circling rings of gold: The n.o.ble Hector on his lance reclined, And bending forward, thus revealed his mind: "Ye valiant Trojans, with attention hear!

Ye Dardan bands, and generous aids, give ear!

This day, we hoped, would wrap in conquering flame Greece with her ships, and crown our toils with fame.

But darkness now, to save the cowards, falls, And guards them trembling in their wooden walls.

Obey the night, and use her peaceful hours, Our steeds to forage, and refresh our powers.

Straight from the town be sheep and oxen sought, And strengthening bread and generous wine be brought.

Wide o'er the field, high blazing to the sky, Let numerous fires the absent sun supply, The flaming piles with plenteous fuel raise, Till the bright morn her purple beam displays; Lest, in the silence and the shades of night, Greece on her sable ships attempt her flight.

Not unmolested let the wretches gain Their lofty decks, or safely cleave the main: Some hostile wound let every dart bestow, Some lasting token of the Phrygian foe: Wounds, that long hence may ask their spouses' care, And warn their children from a Trojan war.

Now, through the circuit of our Ilion wall, Let sacred heralds sound the solemn call; To bid the sires with h.o.a.ry honours crowned, And beardless youths, our battlements surround.

Firm be the guard, while distant lie our powers, And let the matrons hang with lights the towers: Lest, under covert of the midnight shade, The insidious foe the naked town invade.

Suffice, to-night, these orders to obey; A n.o.bler charge shall rouse the dawning day.

The G.o.ds, I trust, shall give to Hector's hand, From these detested foes to free the land, Who ploughed, with fates averse, the watery way; For Trojan vultures a predestined prey.

Our common safety must be now the care; But soon as morning paints the fields of air, Sheathed in bright arms let every troop engage, And the fired fleet behold the battle rage.

Then, then shall Hector and Tydides prove, Whose fates are heaviest in the scale of Jove.

To-morrow's light (O haste the glorious morn!) Shall see his b.l.o.o.d.y spoils in triumph borne, With this keen javelin shall his breast be gored, And prostrate heroes bleed around their lord.

Certain as this, oh! might my days endure, From age inglorious, and black death secure; So might my life and glory know no bound, Like Pallas worshipped, like the sun renowned!

As the next dawn, the last they shall enjoy, Shall crush the Greeks, and end the woes of Troy."

The leader spoke. From all his host around Shouts of applause along the sh.o.r.es resound.

Each from the yoke the smoking steeds untied, And fixed their headstalls to his chariot-side.

Fat sheep and oxen from the town are led, With generous wine, and all-sustaining bread.

Full hecatombs lay burning on the sh.o.r.e; The winds to heaven the curling vapours bore; Ungrateful offering to the immortal powers!

Whose wrath hung heavy o'er the Trojan towers; Nor Priam nor his sons obtained their grace; Proud Troy they hated, and her guilty race.

The troops exulting sat in order round, And beaming fires illumined all the ground.

As when the moon, refulgent lamp of night!

O'er heaven's clear azure spreads her sacred light, When not a breath disturbs the deep serene, And not a cloud o'ercasts the solemn scene; Around her throne the vivid planets roll, And stars unnumbered gild the glowing pole; O'er the dark trees a yellower verdure shed, And tip with silver every mountain's head.

Then shine the vales, the rocks in prospect rise, A flood of glory bursts from all the skies: The conscious swains, rejoicing in the sight, Eye the blue vault, and bless the useful light.

So many flames before proud Ilion blaze, And lighten glimmering Xanthus with their rays: The long reflections of the distant fires Gleam on the walls, and tremble on the spires.

A thousand piles the dusky horrors gild, And shoot a shady l.u.s.tre o'er the field.

Full fifty guards each flaming pile attend, Whose umbered arms, by fits, thick flashes send, Loud neigh the coursers o'er their heaps of corn, And ardent warriors wait the rising morn.

POPE.

[Notes:_Rest from battle_. This is part of Pope's translation of the Iliad of Homer (Book 8, l. 605).

_Stamander_. One of the rivers in the neighbourhood of Troy.

_Dardan bands_. Trojan lands. Darda.n.u.s was the mythical ancestor of the Trojans.

_Generous aids_ = allies.

_Tydides_--Diomede.

_From age inglorious and black death secure_ = safe from inglorious age and from black death.

_Hecatombs_. Sacrifices of 100 oxen.

_Ungrateful offering_ = unpleasing offering.

_Xanthus_. The other river in the neighbourhood of Troy.

_Umbered_ = thrown into shadow, and glimmering in the darkness.]