# Oregon Historical Quarterly/Volume 3/Recollections of Horace Holden

RECOLLECTIONS OF HORACE HOLDEN.
The following reminiscences of Horace Holden, of Salem, Oregon, in regard to his adventures in the Pacific Ocean, among the cannibals of Polynesia, are of great interest and also possess great value.
For one thing they are told by a man now in his ninety-first year, and relate to a period about seventy years past. Again they illustrate how Oregon became the beneficiary of almost all the early enterprises in the Pacific Ocean, either one way or another, and gained her citizens from the most adventurous and enterprising of all classes of men, both by land and sea. Still further, they are an account hardly equalled in history of wild adventure, furnishing a good model, in fact, for the romancer upon which to base thrilling narrative. It is indeed doubtful whether Verne, or Stevenson, or Haggard would dare to invent such a chain of incident, reaching so often the boundaries of improbability, and passing so often the usual limits of human endurance. In this view it is seen that writers of fiction do probably owe the most of their creations to men who have performed in fact the deeds that they arrange in striking form. Ethnologically, 'also, such accounts furnish pictures, and record the habits and feelings of islanders as yet almost wholly unaffected by the white man's civilization; and draw a comparison between the mental or moral qualities of the civilized and uncivilized man.
As to verifying these stories, there is, of course, no means at hand; yet Mr. Holden gives them as simply a detail of sober fact, every incident of which actually ​occurred; and much more that is not introduced. All who know Mr. Holden—and he has been well known in Oregon for many years—will testify to the simple, plain honesty, and the unusual intelligence of the man. Among his friends and acquaintance there is no question of the conscientious accuracy of his statements. Also, many years ago, upon his arrival in America from his thralldom in the Ladrones, he published an account of his adventures, which appeared in book form, and which was everywhere accepted as unadorned fact. It was, however, comparatively brief, and written, moreover, in the somewhat, precise style of the time, omitting much of the most startling occurrences. Besides this, if the skeptical were so minded, they would find the body of Mr. Holden tattooed in South Sea Island art—an operation no white man would voluntarily submit to, and which those islanders would not perform except for some extraordinary reason, upon a white man. This fact in itself gives a presumption of adventures as extraordinary even as Mr. Holden narrates.
ADVENTURES OF HORACE HOLDEN—ON THE WHALER.
​The first course of the ship was to the Antarctic in search of whale. The hunt in these waters proved disappointing, and it became necessary to seek port, in order to recruit ship. They had drifted toward the Azores, and here making harbor, took on supplies of water and other necessary provisions, and deposited what little oil had been secured to be shipped to market, and started off on a new cruise. Mr. Holden recalls with great interest the Portuguese people that he saw here, and the natural scenery, over which Mount Pico-pico loomed up. It was a long drift now, bringing the Mentor at length into the Indian Ocean, and through the Mozambique Channel; and at length into Banda Sea and the shores of Timor, a big Island, where they stopped to recruit ship in the harbor Kupang.
Sailing proved quite difficult in these latitudes, the wind being uncertain and often fitful, and the currents among the various straits and islands often opposing. In making the Straits of Malone [Ombay Pass?], they were often set back, and finally gave up the attempt; but just at this moment were struck with favoring breezes and borne through into the Banda Sea, crossing which, were forwarded on the main ocean, and then took their course toward the Ladrones. This is a chain of tropical islands, being like Hawaiian group, of volcanic origin; or more exactly, being a submerged mountain chain, with the mere points and crests of the elevation piercing the surface of the almost universal sea, and thus offering specks or juts of land, around which the corals of the Pacific have been gradually built. The coral makers usually build some distance off shore, according to the depth of the water, and form reefs; and between the reefs and the island itself is a stretch, wider or narrower, according to circumstances, of enclosed water, forming a lagoon. There are passages, often rocky and dangerous, from ​the main sea into the lagoons; but except for these the islands are surrounded with the reefs, and upon these a ship fortuitously reaching an island would be all but sure to be cast. The reefs reach but a few feet above the level of the sea, and over them, in storms, the ocean water is often dashed.
It is necessary to bear in mind these island formations, with their reefs and lagoons, in order to understand the incidents related by Mr. Holden.
SHIPWRECK ON A TROPICAL ISLAND.
The Mentor, having reached the open ocean, was headed first toward the Island Tusnat, with the intention of here recruiting and sailing thence to the Northern Pacific Ocean for whale, but being moved from her course by the wind was directed toward the Ladrones. The weather had been calm,—too much so for the speed of the ship,—but about noon of a certain day, soon after heading towards the Ladrones, there came a change. The wind began to blow, and it soon became evident that an East Indian typhoon was approaching. Captain Barnard, a careful seaman, at once ordered the sails shortened, but the speed of the vessel seemed little diminished, as the wind was constantly increasing in violence, and the rain also poured in torrents. At length sails were all lowered, and as the topmasts now offered sufficient surface to catch the hurricane they were also, though not without difficulty, let down, and along with the yards lashed to the vessel's sides. A simple stay-sail was set in order to steady the ship and afford the use of the helm, if this were possible.
Night came on, with the storm still increasing, and thus the typhoon continued three days and three nights, neither sun, moon, or stars being visible, and no ​observations being possible, and the ship at the mercy of the wind.
Just at twelve o'clock of the third night, as the deck watch was turning in and the lower watch coming up to take their place, the vessel struck. The waves were rolling high and were coming with the speed of the storm, so that one barely receded before another struck, and the ship was evidently on the reef of an island. The night was intensely dark, and though the wind itself was moderating, the situation was sufficiently perilous.
Mr. Holden dwells with great detail upon the circumstances of the wreck which followed, having thought them over so many times and arranged them in succession. At the third wave the ship, which had been lifted up and dropped down on the reef, w.as so far driven ashore as to stick fast at the bow, and was then almost instantly swung around broadside to the sea and moved on her beam ends onto the shore, and then every comber lifted her up, and she was let down with a smash. Holden 's berth was aft, and as soon as the trouble began he turned out, and got as quickly as possible into his breeches, and rushed on deck. He found all excitement, and the ship so far canted over as to make movement difficult. At the quarter deck, however, the first mate and ten men were lowering a boat, under the fear that the ship would soon break up, and that they must as quickly as possible get clear, hoping, probably, also to reach the calmer water of the lagoon, which must be just over the reef. This w r as ill-advised, however, as the boat and men had hardly cleared away and dropped into the darkness before the boat was capsized and nothing ever again seen of them.
In the mean time, in order to lighten the ship and lessen the danger of its keeling entirely over, the masts were ordered cut away, and when the weather lanyards ​were chopped off and a few strokes made at the masts, these fell to leeward. The ship had now been boosted over the divide of the reef, but its further progress was stayed by masts falling over and acting as stays.
One man was crushed as the first boat was lowered, and the fate of the others was surmised; but the captain still fearing the wreck would soon go to pieces, called for his boat, intending to launch her with the eleven men remaining. But Holden believed this was the most dangerous course. It had ever been a motto with him, "Don't give up the ship," and he considered the wreck would still be the safest place; he decided therefore to hold on to the last plank. Noticing his attitude, some of the boys said, "Are you going in the boat?" and he answered "No.' "Then we will not,' they replied. Three, however, were found ready to try it with the captain, but it proved only a hazardous failure.
As the ship was lying on her beam ends it was with great difficulty that the boat was gotten ready, and at every wave a sea of water fell over the decks that threatened to wash anyone without a strong handhold overboard. Holden went into the captain's cabin for the sextant and log book, etc., and found the task very difficult, but succeeded in obtaining them. It was a fearful place inside the ship. Then the captain and the three men were ready to be committed to the sea. At what seemed an opportune moment the order came, "lower away," and the boat dropped; but the lull was but just before a violent sea that caught the boat, and with one stroke dashed it against the ship's bottom, shattering it to fragments. The men were tossed into the water, but one of them seized the gripe of a loose lanyard, and swinging around by the stern of the vessel reached the lee side, and there crawled aboard. The captain had tied himself, before getting into a boat, by a, towline ​around the waist, and as he was thrown into the waves the boys aboard saw the line spin out through the scupper hole. They made an effort to snub this in, but not until all but the last reel or so had been paid out did they succeed. Then it slacked, and they towed the "old man" aboard.
All that now remained was to wait upon the wreck until morning, though passing the longest night he ever remembers, says Holden. At daybreak the hulk was still intact, and an old whale boat was gotten out on the deck, and after considerable work made ready for launching. At a distance of about two miles and a half, over the misty lagoon, there appeared something whitish, which imagination led them to think might be the mate's boat, with the oars. Towards this, after launching their old boat and filling with what provisions they could carry, they pulled away. But they found the object not a boat, but a little sand beach, on a very low island. Their situation was certainly far worse for the effort of the mate and captain to leave the wreck, as in many and many an instance of the kind has proved. With the two boats intact, and a full crew their situation would not have been hopeless. As it was they were comparatively helpless; for they were in the very midst of the islanders that are the fear of all castaway sailors; men of the same habits as the Fijis and some of the African tribes, in whom the taste of human flesh has destroyed all sentiment of humanity. However, the eleven men in the old whale boat had nothing to do but wait on the little sand beach until the sea should calm down, when they might return to the wreck and see what they might do to patch up a boat or raft that would take them to some place of refuge. In the distance they could see Ahkee Angle [Kajangle?], of the Pelew group of islands. ​Their latitude was about seven degrees north of the equator.
However, they had not been undiscovered, and on the third day, just about daybreak, were visited by a canoe, with several natives. At a safe distance the little craft stopped. The wrecked sailors, knowing that any sign of hostility would be only more dangerous to themselves, now beckoned them to come on, which they cautiously did until within a short distance, and in shallow water, when the canoe stopped, two men, fore and aft, held the craft in position, and the rest leaped in the water and came ashore. Their object, however, was not to offer relief to the shipwrecked men, and of these they took little notice, but raced about wildly, almost like animals, searching for any wreckage or provisions that might be found. In this they were disappointed, as all the sailor's provisions had been cached. Then they began to cry to each "Moribite uhle"—go to the ship. Their object was simply wreckage, and no doubt these American sailors of the Mentor were not the first unfortunates that had enriched, by their misfortunes, this piratical race.
The natives made no attempt to molest them; but had hardly begun their cry to go to the ship, before one of the sailors cried out: "Look yonder, look yonder;" and raising their eyes they saw now appearing the entire lagoon covered with a fleet of native canoes. They at once saw that these people meant no good, and ran their boat out into deep water and tried to be in readiness for defense. But in a few moments they were surrounded by canoes of all sizes, which were occupied by a full body of natives, mostly naked, and brandishing the cruel native spears, which are long handled and bearing at the end a hardwood point, with three sharp barbs ​running back a foot or so on the shank. Babylon seemed also to have broken loose, the natives yelling and jabbering in the most hideous manner. Nevertheless, there was no offer of violence as yet, and in a few minutes the whole fleet started away for the wreck, which they undoubtedly soon broke up for the spikes and iron. The sailors were left alone except for one canoe which
hung by. This was a large war canoe and held about twenty men, who stood up and held spears and battle axes and tomahawks. It was evidently that of a chief.
TO THE ISLAND OF THE CANNIBALS.
The chief, however, did not seem unfriendly, and when, by motions and words partly understood, he indicated that they were to follow, there seemed no other course open. It must be understood that in escaping from the wreck, it had been impossible to take their firearms, and it was to some extent in hope of obtaining these that they had started onto the water; but being surrounded by the fleet of native canoes, had been entirely unable to pursue their object. Any resistance would therefore be useless, and bring down the immediate violence of savages whose appearance indicated a low order of intelligence and little humanity.
There was a light wind, and as they moved along over the waters of the lagoon, the canoe of the natives hoisted their lateen sail, and then coming nearer, the chief called out to let him have the painter of the boat. But to do this the sailors felt reluctant, and refused. Then he sailed his craft about the boat a few times, showing its speed and ability to sail into the wind; then again demanded the painter, and the canoe now came alongside, made fast, and the chief, with utmost unconcern, sprang from his canoe, into the boat, and began a ​personal inspection of all on board. He showed much curiosity in regard to a box of biscuit, wishing to break it open and examine the contents. He wished also to open and examine a bundle of clothes. This he was not allowed to do, and in consequence began to show signs of dissatisfaction. Still the canoe went on, towing them after by the painter, until almost out of sight of shore. Then came the cry "Morio ahani"—drop the sail, which was done quickly, and the canoe dropped alongside, the chief sprang back; and the whole party of savages raised their bamboo poles and began most viciously attacking the sailors, striking all within reach.
The sailors in the boat had but four oars, and these proved to be unsound; for as they began shoving away to get clear, one was snapped off, leaving the boat but poorly supplied. The order was also given to cut the painter; but this was a matter of no little difficulty, and the sailor who had it to do was under a rain of blows from the bamboo sticks, which were only so frequent as to interrupt each other. However, it was done, and the boat then shoved off, gaining some space between itself and the canoe. But the natives were no sooner out of reach of striking with their sticks than they began flinging hand billets of wood, striking and hurting some of the sailors. Then, as the distance widened, they began hurling their spears, all of which, however, at first fell short. One, however, nearly struck the captain, who saved himself from an ugly wound only by suddenly heeling over, as he sat in the stern sheets.
The object now was to get clear at all events, if the savages made any attempt to pursue further. That such was their intention, only too soon became clear, as they raised the sail and prepared to renew their attack. It was impossible, especially now that there was but three oars left, to outspeed them; and only some sort of skill ​would suffice. The captain tried first steering directly into the wind; and this for a little while put the savages to a disadvantage; but their sail was able to bring them in two points of the wind's eye, and it was clear to the writer that in no great time they would be overhauled. Then some strategy must be resorted to; and the bundle of shirts was opened. One by one the articles were taken out and thrown upon the water; and the device had the desired effect. The canoe stopped to pick up the articles, one after another, and was thus constantly thrown out of her course. When in time the contents of the bundle were exhausted, and still the canoe pursued, the shirts were stripped from the backs of the sailors, and the sops still thrown to Cerberus; and so long was the pursuit, that the island was all but lost sight of.
At length the day was almost spent, the sun only about an hour high, and as it would soon be dark, the pursuit was given over, and our sailors, well nigh exhausted, and in much worse condition than ever, with their old boat and brittle oars, were left to meet the night This seemed hardly a human part of the world, where man and nature were both unfriendly.
BOGLE THORPE.
The twilight was very short, as always in the tropics "at one stride comes the dark;" and all night they kept watch, looking for any sign of land that might appear. For unfriendly as had been their reception on the reef, the sea, to men in their situation, meant only death by starvation or famishing of thirst. At about 3 o'clock in the morning they were roused by one of the men crying "land ahead," and the response of the officer "where away?" A dark object just appeared on the horizon, under the stars, and the distance could not be easily ​reckoned. Soon, however, they discovered themselves in rapidly shoaling water, and the rugged form of a reef began to appear. It was with difficulty that at daylight they passed an entrance that they found, and at length gained the calmer waters of the lagoon. It was yet twenty miles to the land itself.
For this, as the sun rose and mounted, they pulled away, and at length reached a nice little beach of a fine sandy shore, and upon this, above the level of the water, grew abundant groves of tropical trees, the largest and most grateful of which was the breadfruit tree. This produces fruit nine months of the year, and to the castaways, who had had nothing but sea biscuit for three days, here was spread a rich feast. There were also cocoanuts and a species of tropical fruit much resembling cherries. To add to their comfort was also found a spring of fine water, such as they had not had on the reef. Near the spring they found a large crab, such as frequents the shores in the tropical regions.
But they were not to be long left alone in this cove on the shore—in the groves of breadfruit and cocoanuts. Soon a native canoe came in sight, and at a distance of about two hundred yards stopped. It was occupied by a few boys and men, who stood up at a safe distance and held up a fish in sign of friendliness, and the sailors of Holden's party responded at once by holding up the crab which they had just caught. The natives then came toward them, seeming very friendly and shaking hands. They then went to the boat, but found nothing there. In order to meet this friendly manifestation Holden took his hat off and made a present of this to the boy, who replied, "Mario English; sabiete Pelew"—"Hello Englishman; come to Pelew."
The canoe then put out into the lagoon, leading the way, and the sailors in the boat considered that there ​was nothing better than to follow, being in no condition to resist and not wishing to rouse the hostility of the savages. After some time on the lagoon they reached the mouth of a bayou from the interior of the island, towards which the canoe led the way, and they felt the intimation that they would be taken to the portion of the country seldom seen by strangers. A loud blast of warning was then blown by one in the canoe upon a conch, an alarm that white men were coming, and in almost an instant the waters became alive with many native canoes, putting into the lagoon from the bayou and every winding of the shore. But as flight would now be useless they pulled directly into the fleet, and were soon confronted by an immense war canoe about fifty feet long and holding about thirty-two men armed with spears, battleaxes, etc.
With the actions and intention of this canoe Holden and his party naturally felt much concern, and were not a little solicitous as it bore down upon them with all paddles in action and the craft itself cutting the light waves of the now narrowing arm of the lagoon. Suddenly, as it came exactly abreast, and in truth made a somewhat imposing appearance with its armed and bronze-bodied occupants, the paddles were reversed, it came to an instant stand, and all the paddlers but two stood up. By the two it was held in its position as firmly as if tied, and the chief then rose and sprang into the stern sheets of the whaleboat. His manner betokened no kindness, and with the utmost indifference he looked around at the sailors, evidently estimating the plunder to be had. He then began stamping as he stood in the stern sheets, and the twenty-nine unoccupied natives began with him the looting of all that appeared. He first snatched at the shirt of the captain, which the latter gave up without resistance. The other white men were ​then stripped of their shirts, and with tomahawks and axes the savages began to break the boat, their object being to secure the iron of the nails, rivets, etc. The comfort or rights, or even lives of the sailors cast upon their shore seemed to be regarded not the least, though they were admitted, stripped and humiliated as they were, into the big canoe.
TO THE INTERIOR OF THE ISLAND.
It was some relief to know that they were not to be killed at once, though there was little indication of their final fate. They could simply follow the course taken by their savage captors. The canoe was immediately run into a bayou, and after proceeding a short distance stuck fast in the mud. The sailors were at once ordered by signs to jump into the water and proceed by foot. Holden was a swift runner, and finding the bottom of the bayou firm ran briskly up the nearly dry water course. Bending over on both sides were many sorts of tropical trees and under any other circumstances the scene would have been of striking delightfulness.
In about a quarter of a mile the bayou ended, and among the trees was disclosed a considerable opening. Here, in fact, was one of the principal villages of the island of Pelew. There was first encountered a broad wall, about five feet high, built of selected stones. From the surface of this, which was about the level of the land, appeared quite an extensive space, like a park, terminating at a distance in a natural bluff of about twelve feet face. Upon the flat was built the town. What most attracted the eyes of the white captives was, near the center of the area, a platform about twelve feet square, and two feet high, made of flat stones. This was the place, of public consultation, and near were seen two ​large council houses. Most gruesome of all was a block of wood closely resembling a butcher's block. This was set at one side of the platform and was recognized at once as the facility of executions.
As the captives were brought near the platform they saw that, naked and miserable as they were, they were the center of attraction. Crowds of natives appeared and gathered on the bluffs. They were armed with battle axes and spears, and were dressed mainly in tattooes.
Then the chief and his advisers came to the platform and began counseling what to do, their sentiments being understood by the sailors only from the tones of their voices, which were loud and rough. In the mean time the crowds of the people pressed and thronged about the white men, examining them with utmost curiosity. That these were not absolutely without human feelings was even then shown, by at least one woman. She worked her way toward the captives, and finally paused near Holden, with tears streaming down her face, and having no other way of expressing sympathy began stroking his arm; then, probably intending to gain the ear of the counselors, cried out "Chlora cabool; arrakath English."
Her exclamation seems to have been heard, as one of the men on the platform came to the edge, and addressing the captives asked "Kow English; or kow American English?' The American sailors quickly answered "American English." By this information, matters seemed to be brought to an immediate change. The question was now discussed, as nearly as could be understood, whether they should at once cut off the heads of the captives, or send for instructions to the sorceress of the island to learn the will of the spiritual powers. The latter course prevailed and a young man was selected who should run as rapidly as possible.
While he was gone the first indication of any ​hospitality on the part of the savages was now shown. A young man was sent to prepare a dish of sweetened water, and soon returned, bringing the drink. He came down over the bluff and carried a large calabash, about the size of a half bushel measure on his head, and bringing it to the platform was helped by a chief to set down his load. A cocoanut dipper was then produced, and the chief took with it the first draught, then offered it to the sailors, who drank all around. The syrup made by the natives was from the sap of cocoanut trees, and of an agreeable flavor.
The messenger soon returned from Aiburel, the chief village, where the sorceress of the island, an old woman, held her sacred place. He brought word that the men must be brought to her in order that she might see them. The order was at once obeyed. The head chief, or king, rose and all his subordinates followed, taking the way up the bluff. The captured sailors went immediately after them, and the crowd followed irregularly behind.
AIBUREL AND THE OLD WITCH.
After passing up the low bluff and gaining the general level of the island, they saw a paved footpath, or narrow road, about three feet wide, well laid with flat stones. This they followed about three miles. Under more hopeful circumstances this would have been a most delightful walk. On both sides there were shade trees, forming an arching canopy overhead.
As they approached the town another public place with a platform appeared, and near by were council houses. The residence from which the woman who was to decide their fate came out reminded Holden strongly of a building in Boston—Simpson's old feather store, near Faneuil Hall. The platform to which they were led ​was about a foot high. It was shaded by such tropical trees as the betel, the nut of which was chewed, mixed with chenan [chinar?] leaf and lime, discoloring the teeth and mouth almost black,—and the chenan [chinar?] and cocoanut.
The woman of the island showed much curiosity as she looked at the men, and they were also rather struck by her appearance. Her finger nails had been allowed to grow to full length, some two or three inches. She was dressed in aprons, such as were made of the frayed kuriman leaf, the fibers being braided at the belt and falling in thick strings, much resembling a horse's mane, to the knees.
After satisfying her curiosity she returned to her house, and soon a young man appeared, coming out with the head of a hog, well roasted, and a calabash of water, which he set down on the platform. The meat looked extremely appetizing, but the sailors hardly knew what was expected, when one of them attracted the attention of the rest by exclaiming, "Look yonder;' then a very unexpected sight met their eyes.
THE LITTLE OLD MAN.
This was nothing less than a little old man hastening, as fast as his short and now rather shriveled legs could carry him, toward the platform. He waddled along with a paddling motion like a duck. He was no more than five feet tall, tatooed, and his mouth was black from betel nut. He wore a breechcloth and carried a little basket, in which were shells, small pieces of bright stones, and trinkets, probably representing considerable value in island wealth.
The others yielded him right of way, and he came as near as possible to the platform, regarding the castaway ​sailors with the utmost concern and astonishment; but his was not so great as theirs, for the sailors at once saw that he was a white man—a shriveled, dried up little Englishman. He was trembling so much with excitement that he could hardly speak, but after a little, commanding his voice, he said: "My God, you are Englishmen, are you not?"
"Yes," they answered.
"You are safe now," he continued. "I have some authority; I am the sixth chief. I mistrusted that something was wrong,' he continued, "for I found a 'Bowditch's Navigation' on the shore, and have been looking to find who might have been wrecked. You are safe now," he said, "but it is a wonder," and this he kept repeating.
The cause of his surprise was not so astonishing, as he afterwards told them that about six months before this an English ship had cruised off their coast, and had wantonly shot some of the natives. Thus the white man here, as in too many cases of barbarian savagery, seems to have been the first aggressor.
This singular little man, who now appeared so opportunely, and who called himself Charles Washington (perhaps an assumed name), had escaped many years before from an English man-of-war on a cruise in the East Indies, his offense having been sleeping on watch, and during his sleep losing his musket; an islander having taken it and slipped overboard down the anchor chain; and Charlie, upon waking soon and finding the loss, also slid overboard, fearing a very severe punishment. He soon identified himself with the Pelews, being tatooed and marrying a native woman.
After these preliminary words of inquiry, he said, "Boys, that food is for you," and needing no further invitation the eleven men fell to with a will.
TWELVE MONTHS ON PELEW.
The situation of the stranded American sailors now became very tolerable. The tedium of the days was enlivened by frequent conversations with Charley Washington, the little old Englishman, and through him with the natives, and in learning the language and customs of these South Sea islanders.
As day after day passed, however, with monotonous regularity and no sail of a white man's ship appeared, the Americans began to think of the advisability of attempting a voyage by boat to some other less remote point in the seas. Finally mentioning this to the natives, they were encouraged, and the king of the island declared that he himself and his people would build a suitable ship for the purpose. He said that some time past there was a white man's ship lost among the Koracoas, inhabitants of a neighboring archipelago, and that these people had built a ship by which the mariners returned home. If the Koracoas could do this for Captain Wilson and his crew—that being the name of the former shipwrecked captain,—why could not the Pelews do the same for Captain Barnard?
Without any particular faith in this scheme, and knowing that the king's suggestion was mere conceit, the Americans, however, accepted the proffer, and readily agreed to procure for him payment for his proposed services,—which was no less than two hundred rifles if he would deliver them safely to an American or European vessel.
The command then went forth to the chiefs to bring timbers and prepare for making a ship. This was quickly obeyed, and all sorts and descriptions of timber were brought together with childish eagerness. The royal command was then given to put these together and ​construct the craft. But of the ill matched and miscellaneous materials, and with their entire ignorance of shipbuilding, nothing whatever could be made. The king then sent word to the sailors to come themselves and make the ship; but without proper tools, and with the timbers on hand, even the white men could do nothing, or make any sort of seaworthy craft. They worked, therefore, only long enough to make a good demonstration of the of the futility of the attempt, and then stopped.
By this the natives were much disappointed, and became moody and uncommunicative, while the sailors resumed their occupation of scanning the horizon from day to day in hopes of sighting a sail. When, however, it became apparent to the islanders that the ship could not be constructed out of timbers, they proposed to make a very large canoe in their own way, out of the biggest tree on all the island of Pelew, and thus deliver the seabound Americans and get the ransom of rifles. This was more encouraging and the sailors readily agreed. The king appointed a day of feasting, and then gave the command to fell a great breadfruit tree that had been growing from almost immemorial times, and overhung the cliff that sloped to the lagoon. This was at length felled, but unluckily, and greatly to the disappointment of the natives, the huge trunk, which was about nine feet in diameter, and probably unsound, was split into several pieces as it pitched over the bluff. Following this new disappointment the natives again sulked, and the sailors had no other hope but in watching the horizon.
Months passed by. The king, however, was still captivated with the idea of getting rifles in return for his white refugees, and at length said that in the interior of the island there was another tree nearly as large as the big one, and probably sounder. Should they make a canoe out of this for the Americans? This was at once ​agreed upon, and after another feast—whose object no doubt was to get the people together,—workmen attacked the tree, and it was felled without accident. It was shaped and in part hollowed out on the ground, and then moved to the seashore. This latter was a great task, and required no little engineering skill. The trunk of the tree was eight feet or more thick, and the uncompleted boat correspondingly large. Long poles were brought and bound to the hulk, and upon these an immense force of natives were placed, lifting together, and the burden was carried by mere muscular strength.
All now worked eagerly, the sailors themselves making sails out of the mats that had been woven by the women for the first attempted craft. A considerable supply of poi was also in readiness, prepared by the women from taro, for the voyage. Three of the Pelews were selected to accompany the sailors, and to bring back the guns.
OFF FROM PELEW.
Just a year had been passed upon this strange island when all was ready to start off, and to commit their course once more to the sea, trusting to bring up somewhere nearer rescue. Three men, however, had to be left as hostage, in order, as the king and his advisers reasoned, to insure the fulfillment of their contract on the part of the whites. This, and indeed all the acts of these islanders, indicated quite a large intelligence and shrewdness, or cunning; and showed that the savage is not so much the inferior of the civilized man in native intelligence as in humanity. Individually, all savages show themselves very fair equals of the civilized—in some respects their superiors. It is socially that they indicate deficiency.
The day that the Americans believed that they were ​off, a new delay occurred. The Pelews declared that they must wait until nightfall. "The Karacoa people,they said, "will come out and capture us; we shall be taken for King George men.' It would in fact have been best if the attempt had not been made, as the three sailors left as hostages reached America precisely the same time as Holden and his one surviving comrade. However, the future could not be foreseen, and even a forlorn hope of rescue seemed preferable to an indefinite stop on the island of Pelew. As night fell, as it always falls suddenly in the tropics, all was made ready for the departure. The provisions were placed on board; two green bamboo joints of water were allowed for drink, each holding two to three gallons of water, or more, being about as large as stovepipes and about two feet long. All was ready, and the eleven Americans and three Pelews lifted the anchors and made a start. Besides the canoe, in which there were seven, the sailors still had the old whale boat, which had been repaired, and four, among whom was Holden, occupied this. As the tide was low, the crafts were drawn down the bayou and out over the flats into deep water of the lagoon. They then began a circuitous movement, intending to find the opening of the reef on the outer side of the lagoon, out of which to drop off into the main ocean. But the men in the boat were soon startled by the cry from a native in the canoe "We are filling with water!' Coming along side they found this was even so, and Holden said "We shall go back.' The boat was also leaking considerably.
The natives objected strongly, believing that once on the sea they could manage to drift, as water had very little terror for them . Their minds were so much made up for the guns and ammunition promised that they overlooked such little impediments as a sinking boat. However, Holden insisted that they must return and repair ​the crafts; and this was done, all arriving safely on the island early in the morning. The natives, however, were very much chagrined and sullen for a number of days. But, plucking up courage and hope, went to work, and got some of the gum of the breadfruit, which made a pitch somewhat resembling maple wax, and with this filled the seams injudiciously made in hollowing out the canoe. The boat was also patched up as well as possible; and a second attempt was made. The sailors said "we shall choose our time for starting," and named the morning as best. To this the natives made little objection, and the start was made in much the same order as before.
ON THE WAVES AGAIN.
They were accompanied down the bayou and across the flat and far out upon the lagoon by probably every soul on the island, the native canoes swarming precisely as they had done twelve months before when the shipwrecked sailors were brought to the interior. Finally the farewell was taken, the exit was. made from the lagoon, and the two crafts, the canoe and the boat, dropped off upon the deep sea. The day was nearly spent as they began their course upon the unknown ocean, and the sun was but an hour high. The sailors began to realize upon what a hazardous venture they had embarked, and discovered how frail and unseaworthy was their canoe . They had no chart or compass, and their venture was evidently fearfully perilous. They were in the region of unknown islands, and might soon drift into that portion of the South Sea known as "The Desert," from the infrequency of the ships visiting it. Moreover, the canoe, made without skill, went like a sawlog, bobbing up and down on the sea swells. "Never mind," however, they said, "w^e have started.' Just about as soon as the sun dipped ​there rose squalls of wind and rain, which to the sailors just from the sheltered island seemed icy cold. The main care was to keep off the reef, and thus they worried along until morning. Night at last passed without accident, though their progress was very slow. The second day was passed on the sea, all land being out of sight. Just at sunset again, as the day before, there came up squalls of wind and rain. At length the rudder of the canoe was carried away, and there .was nothing but to drift and keep as nearly upright as possible until morning. At early daylight, as the weather moderated, they succeeded in making the rudder fast again, and resumed their voyage to anywhere or nowhere.
They so continued until the fifth day, having considerable confidence in sailors' luck, and keeping a sharp lookout for an island or for a sail. On the evening of that day, however, affairs took a turn for the worse. Just after sunset the wind rose again as on the first nights, only more fiercely, with heavy black clouds succeeding. A gust, reminding them of the corner of a typhoon, struck the sail of the canoe, careening and nearly capsizing the clumsy craft. Hardly had it recovered from the first before it was struck by a second that bent the mast until the sail dipped in the water, upon which the canoe was overset and rolled on its beam. It immediately filled, and was now but a log on the waves. It had to be abandoned then and there, and the entire company crowded into the old whaleboat to the imminent risk of its also swamping. It was no little task to take off the sailors from the rolling hulk, but all were rescued safely, the Pelews taking care of themselves and swimming like water rats to the boat. One, however, clung to the canoe all night trying to get provisions, and succeeded in securing four cocoanuts. All ​the rest of the food was lost. At daylight they took him aboard the boat, and finally abandoned the foundered craft. Then they took to the oars, pulling away steadily hour after hour, and as it proved for day after day, having no object except to keep going, and where they had no idea. The weather became calm and the sea glassy. The sun shone twelve hours out of the twenty-four and passed so nearly overhead as to cast little shadow at noon, but filled the. whole sky with heat and made the horizon all around, never broken either by notch of land or speck of sail, palpitate and waver like the atmosphere of an oven. It dropped precisely the same at night, and almost instantly the sky was full of brilliant stars, only they pointed to no known land.
This continued ten days, making this entire journey on the water sixteen days long. During the last part of this time, as might be supposed, there was great suffering from hunger and thirst. The four cocoanuts were all the food for ten days, and although they were saving of the water in the bamboo joints, this became thick as frogs' spawn, and sour and unfit to use. It had curdled and rotted in the juice of the wood. Some of the sailors drank saltwater, but these suffered most. Their lips swelled and cracked and turned dark. Holden wetted his mouth and face frequently, but though the temptation was great, resolutely abstained from the sea water. He greatly mitigated his thirst by keeping a button in his mouth, by which a flow of saliva was maintained. Indeed, he says that life may be prolonged almost indefinitely by thus using a button or coin, and the sense of thirst be mostly overcome without drink of any kind.
The men gradually gave up effort. Toward night of the sixteenth day they had all lain down and were yielding themselves to their fate. "They lay down in the boat side by side, like fingers on your hand,' says ​Holden; all but Holden. If the reader here begins to imagine that he is now romancing, it should be remembered that Holden is a man of uncommon vitality. At the age of ninety-one he shows the same tenacity of life as he tells of himself in the South Seas over sixty years ago. He has already "held on' thirty years longer than the most of his generation, and is perhaps the only survivor of that race of sailors in the South Seas.
It came on night. Holden sat in the stern sheets to manage a little sail that he had on the mast. He was "the only live one there." The others were dying, or waiting death, and only breathing, nor could be aroused from their lethargy. "What can I do?' he thought. "Here is the boat and all, and I can not leave them alone; but is it possible that I can keep awake all this night?" But this he determined to attempt. He gathered up the sheet and brought it aft, and got a steering oar. There rose now a light wind, that increased to a gentle and delightful breeze. He brought the sail toward the wind free. This was the sixteenth night on the sea, and during which he had scarcely slept. But he held the boat to her course, and amused himself listening to the sound of the water as the boat glided over the ripples.
The musings of this solitary man in a boat with a company who might all be but corpses, on a tropical sea, and not knowing where he was going, could not be but strange, and Mr. Holden is either as good a romancer as the Lakeside bard, or the "Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner" has been equaled by sober fact. The night seemed the longest he had ever spent, even in the South Seas, and it almost needed the assurance of the dawn streaking up at last in the east that he was not himself the dying or dead. It was a morning of extreme beauty, and sunrise on the tropical sea is a soul-stirring sight in clear weather. This was doubly and tenfold more so to Holden ​as this day must either see his deliverance, or end his own power of endurance.
As it grew lighter Holden followed the circle of the horizon with his gaze, hoping to descry some sign of sail or land. At what seemed the very utmost limit of his vision, toward the brightening dawn, he saw a black hump on the water. Toward this he was steering, and as he advanced, and at length the sun shot up, he distinguished trees, the tops of cocoanut palms. He was now certain that land was ahead, and with strange mingled feelings he watched it emerge and grow upon the sight until the sun was a full hour high. But, of course, whatever his sense of relief at first in the sight of palms and the thought of cocoanuts and fresh water, his next feeling was only of apprehension. He was undoubtedly to be saved from the sea only to fall into the hands of savages. The beauty of the scene, however, the island not as yet made frightful to him by its inhabitants, but rising like a fresh creation out of the ocean, was a sight never to be forgotten.
However his apprehensions were soon to be realized. Canoes were soon seen on the water and putting out to meet the boat. Holden at once sung out to the boys in the boat to awaken, but there was no stir. Four canoes could now be distinguished, but the number of the native occupants could not be counted. Holden continued singing out "Get up, get up, boys! The natives are bearing down onus!" Still he obtained no response, and he began jumping up and down on the stern sheets making a racket, and crying "you must, you shall get up!" By his noise they were partially aroused and began looking over the rail, and at the sight of the canoes were startled into what little life they still retained. The savages at first kept off, but finally, concluding apparently that the boat had no firearms, took a course directly ​toward her. The sailors, just awakened from their lethargy, and Holden single handed and unarmed, were unable to make any resistance to what was evidently a hostile intention. Holden simply prepared to jump when the canoe struck, as she did in a few moments. It came at a dashing speed, and the sailors that did not jump into the water were knocked down helplessly and pitilessly.
The four chiefs sprang at once into the boat, and began knocking it to pieces, and made no account of the sailors. Their first concern was to secure for themselves as much as possible of the iron in the boat.
As Holden says they were "naked brutes," and of copper colored skins. Their absolute insensibility to the perishing sailors should be understood, however, as rather an intellectual limitation. They had not yet learned that the life of a man not of their tribe was of any value, and had learned that possession of iron was increase of power. The iron nails and spikes, therefore, excited all their activity, while the men were unnoticed.
Holden leaped into the water to avoid the collision, and those of his mates who did not do so, were unceremoniously thrown overboard by the natives, to be out of the way while the process of demolishing the boat went on. When this was broken nearly to the water line, it was decided by the chiefs to tow the bottom over to the land, and the fleet of canoes began moving toward shore. In the meantime, the sailors in the water had been attempting to sustain themselves by taking hold of the edges of the boat, but were pushed back into the water. Some tried to take hold of the outriggers of canoes, but were driven back. But when the boat was broken up, or what was left was taken in tow, the sailors were allowed to take refuge in the canoes. But this seems rather to have been for the purpose of plunder than humanity.
​Holden was immediately taken up into a canoe, but what rags he wore were at once taken from him. This was a great cruelty, as the sun, in latitude three north, was boiling down now upon his shoulders, and without the protection of his shirt, soon began blistering. He was separated from his mates, and did not see what treatment they received, but afterwards learned that it was the same.
He was then given a paddle, and the order came "Saveth, saveth! Take the paddle and help us pull to the shore, to Tobey." Such he understood was the name of the island. Holden, however, said "No," and shook his head; being in fact too worn and exhausted to dread any consequences, and almost incapable of exertion . The native who thus commanded him now went to the bow of the canoe, and placing upon a bit of cocoanut shell a piece of poi about the size of a walnut, said "Eat." Holden opened his mouth and took the poi from the man's fingers, according to native custom. As is well known, poi is the staple food of the South Sea islanders, and is made from taro, a plant of the lily family, somewhat resembling turnip; and the poi is of a mushy consistency, and is easily rolled up on the finger in a wad or ball, and is taken in the mouth without touching the finger. Holden then held the paddle, but did not row much.
ISLAND OF TOBEY.
This island, with its strange and fierce people, was destined to be the home of Holden for nearly two years, and here he underwent almost incredible sufferings, both of the body and the mind.
The canoes were directed toward the shore and entered the lagoon through the opening of the reef, and directly reached the landing. The tide was low, and upon ​reaching the rocky edge that was exposed, Holden was lifted by the natives and boosted onto the beach above. This, on the lower portion, was covered with coarse gravel, being particles from off the coral reef, and in all degrees of comminution, but mostly particles coarse and sharp, or ragged. In walking up this coral shingle to the finer sands next the palm trees, his feet, which were bare, suffered intensely, being pierced and well nigh burned by the hot gravels. Once upon the smoother sands, and under the trees, he suffered little less. All the women of the island appeared and performed wild antics, cutting all the curlicues known to savages in praise of the exploit of their husbands in capturing specimens of the white race. Under the cocoanut trees, where he went, he was quickly surrounded by a group of boys, to whom he was an object of intense curiosity. They "oh'ed" and "ah'ed" and "ooh'ed," and repeated excitedly "putchi-butchi mari"—white man, white man—and shoved him in every direction and scanned him from all sides, in their eagerness. But this usage was of small torment compared to the pain they inflicted upon his blistered shoulders, each one insisting upon sampling him with the fingers, and one seizing or grabbing him away from another.
At last the miserable day passed, and night came on. The question then arose, what to do with the prisoner. Word was returned from some authority to place him in the Penniaris house—God's house—the house corresponding to our church. This was a mere hatch, with a roof laid on poles resting upon a plate about ten feet above the ground, set on posts. The two sides were open, but the ends, which were bowed somewhat outward so as to form a semicircle, were closed with thatch, and into one of these ends he was placed. The floor was the ground, but this was merely the sharp coral gravel, which ​cut cruelly into his already lacerated skin. It was like the cinders of a blacksmith's forge, and upon waking in the morning, he was sore and stiff almost beyond endurance.
This was his entrance upon Tobey, a lonely island seven hundred miles from Pelew. It was a new territory, a new world; not so much in its natural aspects as in the character of the inhabitants . They were apparently without many of the human feelings, and without usual means of influence or control.
A BRITISH SHIP.
Holden was fed a small allowance of poi, and the curiosity of the natives gradually wore off. He was beginning to regain his strength, and a certain hopefulness of mind. However, he saw nothing of his mates, who, however, were treated in much the same way, being disposed singly in different places on the island.
In about twenty days he was astonished and overjoyed by the sight of an East Indian merchant ship, appearing early in a morning within a few miles of the shore. This was the signal for a wild rush of the natives to reach the vessel in their canoes, in order to get a present of iron. It was no less thrilling to the castaway Americans, who in their nakedness and feebleness still had no means of reaching the vessel. There was only one course and that was to seize their chance to accompany the canoes, and make their way thus.
This they attempted. Two, the captain, Barnard, and one sailor, Rawlins, almost literally fought their way thither, taking a place in a canoe and refusing to leave, and so threatening and delaying the native boatmen that they preferred to carry them on rather than risk the chance of missing the ship and any little scrap of iron ​that they might secure. But the other sailors, being less forward, were driven back, or dashed into the water. Holden made a wild rush to a canoe just putting off and started with it, but was thrown out. However, he seized the side of the craft and although his fingers were heavily belabored, still clung until the canoe put back. But the moment it was off he again caught onto the outrigger and was towed along. Maddened by his pertinacity the natives again returned and casting him on the shore dealt him a blow upon the head that rendered him helpless and nearly senseless. When he came to, the ship was gone, and he and the eight others were left in "that horrible place."
It seemed incredible, and something stunning to his mind, that an English ship could have left him and his fellow sailors, after learning, as must have been the case from the captain, that white men were there. He would not have believed that Barnard and Rawlins reached the vessel had it not been that his mates saw them climb up the companion way and over on to the deck. The name of the captain of that ship should be remembered, as a man of a brutality equal to that of any of the natives, and one from whom the natives perhaps learned something of the hardness shown the sailors. It was Sommes, and when finally rescued, Holden was told the pitiful excuse that he offered for his act.
It was for some time impossible for Holden and his mates to believe that they had been left, and the nine Americans waited, expecting that a boat would return for them; but they only saw the great ship stand off and finally disappear not to come back, or to send any word or help. The natives were much dissatisfied and grumbled at great length at what they considered the niggardly treatment of the British ship, from which they were given but the hoops of an old barrel knocked down on ​the spot for them. They were thus taught the small value of a sailor's life, and encouraged to treat castaways with contempt and cruelty. Holden and his companions feared that their ugly temper would find vent in the torture or death of themselves, but did not meddle to attempt any explanation.
A CHANGE.
However there now came a change. This was for the worse. The sailors were divided off to masters and set to work. But at the same time instead of more food to keep up their strength, less was given them; it was barely enough to sustain life. Holden's work was assisting his master pull a boat in fishing at night, and in working the taro patches. This latter was very laborious, especially making new pits. The taro is grown in soft muddy ground, which must be prepared by digging pits out of the rock, and then filling the cavity with earth, and leading in water. The rock is broken up with hardened wooden pikes, from the already partly decomposed coral rocks, and then the pieces must be lifted and thrown or carried outside. Under a broiling sun, and in pits sunk six feet deep, such work is heavy, even with the best of food. But on the low and insufficient diet allowed him, it was slow death.
He worked away, however, stolidly if not patiently, feeling a certain hardening and listlessness as his life was reduced and the probability of escape or rescue seemed passing away. The sight of a ship no longer meant rescue, as even if another hove in sight, it was by no means certain that he could induce the natives to let him reach it, or that the ship itself would be brought within hail.
One day, however, he met with a menace of death ​that brought some little sympathy from the natives. He was working as usual in the taro patch, but in an old pit. He was half knee deep in the mud, and with his hands as a spade was seizing the mud and casting it behind him. It was about ten in the morning, the sun now shining well down over the tops of the cocoanut trees. Suddenly he went out of life, dropping as if dead, and all consciousness snuffed out, quickly as a candle might be extingushed. Upon coming to again, which was a gradual return, he found himself lying on the bank next the pit, and the sun was not over an hour high. He had been unconscious about seven hours. He heard voices near; it was the natives talking about him, repeating "Samoriat Temit" Temit is dead, perhaps as a sort of rite. They were greatly astonished and showed considerable pleasure when he began to stir. "Temit"; was the name given him, the significance of which, however, Mr. Holden does not know. When he rose they brought him what they thought he needed to eat and drink.
This was procured from the cocoanut palm near by. A boy was sent up the tree, and a large cocoanut was selected and thrown to the ground. This was properly ripe, not bursting as those but two thirds ripe are wont to do. The husk was quickly removed and the one free eye—two of the three eyes are "blind," and it is from the free or open eye that the milk is drawn and the shoot springs—was opened and he was told to drink. He took a portion and returned it to his master, who, however, gave it back, and he then drank all. The shell was then broken and the soft, delicious meat—such as is never seen in the shriveled meats that we see—was given him, and he ate the whole of it. He was, in fact, dying of hunger, having been allowed nothing the morning he went to work or the night before.
He had now became the property of a leading man of ​the island, and the family to whom he belonged seemed to have some actual feeling for him, but worked him unmercifully, and except on that occasion did not give him sufficient food.
Time wore on amid hunger and thirst and hard work, and still no permission to see the other men. He suffered constantly for fresh water, there being little or none on the island, the natives quenching their thirst with eating the succulent taro, or poi, and drinking cocoanut milk. Holden, not having enough of these, learned to eat certain leaves, which furnished juice and stimulated saliva. He was threatened with death from flux, and looking among the leaves wondered if some of them might not relieve him, and found that they did.
To show his misery from insufficiency of food, he tells of eating raw fish on the sly. He was required one morning to follow his master to a special fishing place where a species solely for the use of the women was taken. These were to be for his master's wife, who was spending certain time at the tahboo house of the women. The master went ahead and, dipping his net, brought up one fish—a small sort, but a finger or so in length. This, however, was given Holden to carry; and presently another was taken, which was also given him. The temptation to eat was irresistible, and with one or two swallows it was gone. A number of others were taken and the theft—if it might be so called—was not discovered. Besides that fish he tasted no animal food on the island, except a bite of turtle. This was given him by a priest. But one turtle was caught while he was on the island, and this was the perquisite of the priests. While they were eating he could not restrain his hunger, and sat down, like any other beggar, on his haunches, and begged for a morsel. For a long time the priest gave him no notice, but at last deigned to cast him a fragment from ​the entrails. This he accepted only too eagerly. The priest in refusing him at first would throw back his hair and scratch his head and say "It's tahboo" himself only being able to take off the tahboo, which he finally did, after gormandizing his fill.
As to the cause of this stinginess of food, Mr. Holden says that to a small community like those on Tobey, the coming of eleven men, who had already been nearly starved, made quite a draught, and they were themselves nearly always more or less short of victuals. Tropical abundance was not realized under their manner of cultivation. Abundance of food, like the most of blessings, is a product of civilization. They also seemed to have many strange superstitions, and the priests, who managed the tahboo mysteries, required their living from the people.
A PERIOD OF HORRORS.
It was perhaps owing to the scarcity of some articles of food, or some superstitious awakening among the people, that a rising of a part of the people against the white men began. It led to acts that can not be recalled without a shudder, to think that even savages should perpetrate such deliberate cruelty, or that white men should suffer it. Mr. Holden's account only occasions the surmise how many sailors have perished, as the most of his comrades did, in the South Seas, but with the hope that that phase of trade and commerce in the world has passed away.
On a certain day, along before noon, the family of his master, of which he was now considered one, were all together in the house, when suddenly there was heard a fearful yelling from some distance down the shore. The master raised a whoop and started out of the house, followed at once by the wife and four children. Holden did ​not move; but in a short time he began to feel that some tragedy was occurring. His mind fell into a horrid state, and he felt his flesh creeping and hair crawling as he listened to the continued yelling and turmoil. His anxiety now became so intense he could remain no longer, and he walked out upon the sand beach and looked down the shore. Not a soul appeared in sight. He went forward a few rods, but being weak from the sickness referred to above sat down in the sand at a point where the waves of the rising tide bubbled up and still watched down the shore. Then all at once two men, at some distance, made their appearance from the shrubbery of the island, moving rapidly onto the beach and bending forward. In another instant it was seen that they were carrying some sort of an object, and in the next that this was a man. It was evident that this was one of his shipmates, and that the proceedings were his massacre. Holden watched a moment longer, until a third man appeared, having a boulder in his hand with which he began crushing the head of the victim, who was then hurried to the water's edge by the bearers. But suddenly, while Holden was stealing off, a shower of blows from clubs was rained upon his own head. A party of the murderers had crept up upon him while he was watching with horror the fate of his mate, and thus unexpectedly began an attempt upon his own life. Holden at first fell partially stunned and lay with his arms over his head in order to shield himself from the blows, and attempted to rise, but was unable. However, recovering himself somewhat, he sat up. The natives, who were attacking him, perhaps became a little confused, and seizing-a favorable moment Holden sprang to his feet, feeling a sudden acceleration of strength. He knew now that it was neck or nothing, and with bare hands began striking right and left, sailor fashion. By ​this warlike attitude the natives were somewhat confused, but raising a terrific din began striking violently, though somewhat at random. Unable to hit his head, but still ringing blow after blow on his arms, which soon seemed battered to a pumice along the outer side. He looked in every direction, but saw no friendly face, and knowing that he must soon be worn out, changed his tactics, and suddenly darted to one side and made a rush for his master's hut. They followed after in a savage rage, but only occasionally were able to reach him with a blow upon the shoulders. Even in such a scuffle as this the mental superiority of the white man appeared. A murder or massacre by savages owes much of its horror to lack of purpose and method. He was, however, now very much helped, and in fact no doubt saved, by the appearance upon the scene of an old gray-headed man, who stood between him and his pursuers, holding them back.
By this diversion Holden was able to gain his master's hut and take refuge in the loft. This was a room above the lower apartment, with a floor but eight or nine feet above ground, and was reached through a scuttle hole by means of a rope that dangled down. After using the rope, and pausing a moment to breathe and recover himself, he forgot, or neglected to haul it up, and in a very short time savages were below, and in another instant one ferocious native was climbing after and had already placed a hand upon the ledge to draw himself to the floor. He was a fearful sight, gritting his teeth and eyes glaring; but his hold was at once unloosed by Holden, who seized and twisted the fingers, and the man with howls of rage fell back. This process was repeated a number of times, until the rage and turmoil of the murderers seemed to pass all bounds. Then they attempted another plan. The entire upper part of a man's ​body was thrust up the scuttle hole, being held from below by a powerful native, and Holden saw that he must soon be forced back; but at that instant the body of the intruder was drawn down and cast with a dull thud upon the ground. This was done by the master, who had returned, and seeing what was happening threw himself upon the lower part of the man's body, carrying him down and knocking over also the one that held him. This was not the same party that attacked him at first. Those had been held back by the old man, but the murderers of the other sailor, whose name was Pete, came up, and learning where Holden had gone, followed to finish him also; but by the timely appearance of his master he was now safe. This attempt upon his life and that of the others was not countenanced by the leading men, and the ringleaders were seized and held by Holden's master and his friends until a promise was given to molest Temit no more.
There were two families living in this hut, one being that of a brother, a man of gigantic stature, nearly seven feet tall, who, as soon as the house was rid of the murderers, came to the scuttle hole and called, "Woobish, woobish," come down and I will put you down on the ground. Holden thinking that there was no way but to trust him did as told, and let himself into the giant's arms, who took him carefully and let him to the floor in a very gentle manner. Holden could scarcely yet think himself safe, and the memory of the murderer who ascended the rope seemed fixed on his mind for days. It was indeed a fearful sight, the man beside himself with passion, with glaring eyes and teeth grinding, and having in human form all the insensibility and incapacity of pity or reason pertaining to a wild beast.
However, his master and his party were truly friendly to Temit, and after a long and excited discussion decided ​to defend him at all costs. They inquired of one another "What shall we do with Temit? Where will he be safe?" Then the big man suggested that the best place would be in their father's hut. This was one of the best on the island, and was thatched all around. After a supper shared with the family he was taken to the house of the old people and shown a place of concealment and was given a cocoanut palm mat, upon which he slept quite comfortably. He was also supplied with taro, and remained in the thatch for three days. Word was then sent that he would be safe at home, and he returned.
FURTHER HORRORS.
The policy of destroying the white men was continued. The one that Holden saw killed was Pete Anderson. His body was taken out to the outer edge of the lagoon, and was cast into the main ocean, as if unfit to remain on the island. Not long after one of the Pelew chiefs was killed. He had been accused of stealing cocoanuts, some of these having been taken, and he was pitched upon by the priests, who demanded that he die. These atrocities were no doubt instigated by the priests, who had secret reasons for opposing the influence of even chance foreigners, the priestly caste being the most conservative of all, and able also to most quickly arouse the latent ferocity in the human heart.
Another of the Pelews had already died of disease and exposure. The Pelew that was killed was taken to a canoe and tied, and then set adrift on the ocean. Soon after, a sailor, Milton Hulett, a young man of twenty and still quite strong, was also turned adrift in the same manner, still alive. The theory of the natives seemed to be that these foreigners came from the sea, and to the ​sea must return. However, the next day a great howling and uproar was heard, the whole island being excited. This, as was soon learned, was caused by the body of Milton being found on the shore of the lagoon, to which it had been drifted in the night, and this brought more fear and dread than if many live men had come. It was awfully unlucky for a dead man to come back to his murderers, and for a whole month the man who set him adrift was obliged to perform rites in the Tahboo house. This seems to indicate the superstitious origin of these horrors.
William Seddon, another sailor, died of disease on the shore, having become very low through privation. One after another, however, the rest were turned adrift alive, never to return, until but three remained. These were one Pelew, a sailor named Knute, and Holden.
THE TATTOOING.
Mr. Holden is yet tattooed in South Sea islander fashion over his entire chest and arms. This appears to be as distinct as after it was first done, and resembles the pattern of some sort of shirt or dress, or more probably some native design. Without expert inquiry the suggestion still arises that in the South Seas, where dress was unnecessary for comfort, the only use that occurred to the natives was as an ornament, or mark of distinction, following out, I believe, a suggestion of Carlyle's in Sartor Resartus. For ornament or distinction tattooing on the skin would answer the same purpose as dress. Possibly, too, these patterns were from the dress of castaways or conquerors, whose clothes were worn out, and no new ones were to be had, and the design was preserved on the skin.
But whatever its origin, its intent at the time Mr. ​Holden was there seemed to be simply to incorporate him into the community. This showed an increase of kindly feeling, and prospect of better treatment; but the process was one of great pain. The instrument used was made from the bones of the great Man-o'-war hawk, being about an inch long, with teeth long enough to not only pierce the skin, but to reach even the bones. It is quite unlike the sailors' method, which is done with a fine needle, and the outer skin simply raised sufficiently to admit the ink under the cuticle. But this was on a truly barbarous plan. The man to be tattooed was laid flat on the ground, and the operator straddled his body, and with the instrument laid at the proper place made the incisions with the blow of a mallet. Often over the ribs, as Holden was thus operated upon, the teeth were driven into the bone and were pulled out only with some exertion. Under such treatment he could only hold his breath, waiting for the man to take a fresh supply of ink, to suspire. The process required three whole days, and the juices used to make the color, were so severe as to cause the flesh to puff into large swellings. It was the intention to tattoo his face also, but this he resisted, preferring to die, and threatening them with the vengeance of the white man's God.
Nevertheless, amid all these troubles, he did not wholly stagnate mentally, but took pains to learn the language, which he still retains, and to be able to form a correct vocabulary of their words. He still had a hope of escape, and felt the value to commerce, or more especially of any castaways like himself, of knowing more of these people and teaching them in some way the value of human life. He found that they held the white man's God in superstitious regard, seeing the ships, the firearms, and the iron given, as they supposed, to His favorites. More than once in a desperate situation he overawed them by ​threatening to call upon this powerful being for vengeance. Moreover, he instilled, wherever possible, into their minds that the white men would gladly make a present for his release, and that he must be returned to them whenever a ship appeared. This promise his master grew to rely upon with utmost confidence.
A SENSE OF DELIVERANCE.
Two years had now passed upon the island of Tobey, amid horrors and cruelties, but also with some growing companionship with the natives.
A curious premonition of rescue from that prison island at length began to take possession of him. Whatever its source, whether from some outward or providential origin, or from his own imagination, the assurance grew more complete, and raised his hope. As this became firmer he began to think of his one mate left, the sailor, Knute; but of him he had now seen nothing for some time. This was a bad sign, as, although they were not allowed any intercourse, he had frequently seen the lad on the beach at a distance. His own hope had become so firm and his anxiety for Knute became so intense, fearing that he had been murdered, that at last one afternoon he determined to take all risks and hunt him up.
It happened that he was alone in the house, and, although not knowing how soon his master might return, he decided on the spur of the moment to go towards Knute's place. This he did, chosing the back trail, which led through the brush and shrubbery, and was some distance back from the usual road along the front. He walked rapidly, and soon came to a point where he could look into the main path. He saw no one, but nearing the crossways soon discovered a man, all but nude, crouching in a hopeless attitude on the ground. He was sitting ​with his hands over his face, and his head sunk between his knees. Surmising who it was, Holden was soon alongside, and saw that it was in truth his shipmate. He quickly laid his hand on the drooping shoulder, and shook him gently, but with the intent of rousing him from the lethargy into which he saw the man had fallen. "Why are you here, Knute?'; he asked. "What is the matter?' But to this inquiry there was no reply, yet a slight movement. The man looked up, but the look was as of death itself, hopeless and lifeless, of one soon to be a corpse. Even with his fresh sense of hope, Holden shuddered, but said cheerfully, "Come, come, Knute, let me take you to the house.' "It's no use," answered his mate, with a groan; he cared only to die.
"You are not going to die yet," replied Holden; "I still have strength and you have a little. I will take hold of you, and when I say 'ready' you must get up." So taking hold he sung out in sailor fashion, "Ready, heoho; now she goes," and sure enough had him on his feet, and began hitching him along toward his home, helping himself by taking hold of the bushes at the pathside. But after a little Knute moaned, "Let me down," and suddenly collapsed and fell like lead. Holden could assist no more, but said, "Knute, you must not give up; keep up heart and hope, my man, just for my sake. What shall I do if I am left entirely alone on this savage island? Can't you bear up for me if not for yourself? Besides, we do not know how soon we may be rescued; we can not tell when we may go; it may be to-morrow."
With these words he left his comrade and returned as quickly as possible to his master's hut, and fortunately found that he had been seen by no one, the hut being still empty.
The natives seemed to have been occupied with ​ceremonies at the tahboo house, and about nightfall the master returned alone, having left his wife at the woman's tahboo. However, he said, "We will sleep here," and both prepared for the night.
We can not help but linger here a moment in thought, considering an experience like this and the pathos of a hope without a reasonable or demonstrable foundation springing up in such a situation. The question also arises, will the results of the civilization brought to these seas and islands seem at last to recompense the losses and sufferings that lads like Holden and Knute and their more unfortunate mates, or the many unknown sailors of the Pacific, had to endure?
"SAWA, SAWA," A SHIP.
Next morning, just about daylight, he was aroused by the sound of loud voices singing out from the tops of the cocoanut trees, where the natives had gone early to gather toddy, "Sawa, sawa." His master heard the cry, and roused instantly and jumped up. Holden did not move, lying in a singular repose, feeling that his premonition was to be realized, and yet having no urging of his own effort. In a few minutes his master came back all excitement and hurried him down to the beach . ' ' Look yonder,' he said, "and see whether there is a ship.Holden scanned the horizon, but saw nothing. Whatever there was was below the horizon. He replied that he saw nothing yet, but told his master to climb a tree and he might discover it.
The natives readily climb the long shafts of the cocoanut trees by means of a hoop, into which they place their feet, on the side opposite their body, and hold themselves while taking a new hold with the arms. The master, whose name was Parabaway, was soon into his hoop, and ​had ascended about thirty or forty feet when he stopped and sang out, "Sawa, sawa"—yes, it is a ship. He then came down speedily and laid his hand on Holden's shoulder and said, "Temit, I will set you on that ship.' "You know my promise," Holden replied, "to the man who first places me on a white man's ship."
Parabaway was a man of activity, and one to redeem in some measure the character of his people. He therefore at once called to his men, who brought the sea canoe to the beach, carrying it across the bayou, and bringing the paddles and also Temit.
THE STRUGGLE TO THE SHIP.
The canoe was shoved into the water and the crew of paddlers took their places. Holden was duly placed aboard and took a position at the bow, ready to descry the first appearance of the ship, which lay becalmed, but below the horizon from their situation on the water. He constantly urged the men to paddle, crying "Vettell"—pull until you reach the ship. The canoe went boldly out over the deep ocean, riding the low swell, until after a time Holden caught sight of a white speck,—the gleam of a sail,—seeing which the men took heart and paddled away with a will, the ship rapidly growing on the sight, and Holden at last believing fully in his deliverance, and of his comrade, Knute's. The master, Parabaway, and his men were also indulging in lively anticipations of the treasure of iron to be given them. The ship was now within but a mile, and soon would be within hailing distance.
But suddenly, without warning, there came a white puff of smoke, and a six-pound cannon ball whistled over the heads of the canoemen and their passenger. This was something which Holden had not calculated upon, ​and turned the ship, which but a moment before seemed the sign of salvation, into an object of new peril. Of course the natives were terrified and squatted in the canoe as another and still another cannon ball screamed over them in quick succession. Then they headed away, fully believing that the ship intended to destroy them. Holden immediately began tasking them to head to the ship, himself almost reckless of consequences, but not believing that any ship of any nation would fire upon a helpless canoe with intention of killing. They cried out with terror, however, and replied, "If we go to the ship we shall be killed." Holden determined that they must proceed and commanded them to pull. "Which way?" they again inquired. "To the ship; you shall not go home."
Finally he succeeded in calming them, and began singing out to the ship in a voice which he thought must carry across the water. On his positive promise that they should not be killed they resumed paddling, headed for the vessel. But not over five or six strokes had been taken before "biff" once more, and directly with the boom came a charge of copper ore, striking the water no great distance in front of the canoe, and splashing Holden himself, who stood in the prow. At this of course the natives broke into new terror, and what small head of courage that Holden had gained for them was now lost. All must be done over. They were about to retreat with all speed, but he checked them with all the intimidations of the white man's God. They would proceed no further, but by the greatest exertion of will and persuasion he prevented their return. While thus urging and struggling a flag was run up on the mizzen,—the English Jack,—the most beautiful of all signs just then, unless it had been the stars and stripes. Englishmen could surely be made to understand the situation.
​A boat was now seen lowered from the ship, and, under a good stroke from the crew supplied from the vessel, came gliding over the water toward Holden's canoe. This boat came within about fifty yards, in full view, then stopped, the sailors resting on their oars. Not a word was spoken, but after a few moment's inspection, the oars were dropped again into the water and the stroke resumed, but the boat was headed back to the ship. Holden then cried out in his loudest tones, telling them who he was, and what he was wanting, but the boat pulled back to the vessel.
By such treatment as this, he was almost thrown into frenzy, and continued calling; and then commanded the natives to pull away to the vessel after the boat, but was met with a volley of small arms, at which the natives, of course, stopped rowing again. Holden had only to wait and see what would be done by the British vessel. After returning to the ship, the detail in the boat reported that they thought they heard English words spoken, and asked for further orders; and permission was then given by the captain, one Short, to return, but well armed. As soon as within hailing distance again, the officer of the boat standing in the stern sheets called to Holden, and said, "Swim here."
We can not but be astonished that when, within speaking distance, and easily able to ascertain who Holden was, and the disposition of the natives, that any such order should be given. But the captain and his crew were acting under very careful instructions, and following the English axiom, took everybody for an enemy or criminal until proved otherwise. Without waiting for further urging and, indeed, almost before the order was out of the officer's mouth, Holden sprang into the water and swam for his life toward the boat; leaping like a flash, and swimming under the water. In the meantime the ​boat came slowly toward him, and as he rose to breathe, she was alongside, and two of the sailors reached over and lifted him in. But this was scarcely done, before one of them cried out "We have just saved him now!" and looking into the water, all were horrified to see the body of a man-eating shark, overlapping the boat in length, and already turned on its side to seize the prey. Of this peril Holden himself had not thought, as the boat's officer had also overlooked it; though both probably knew that those seas were full of these carnivores of the waters.
A BRITISH CAPTAIN.
The rescuing crew now bent to the oars and laid away to the ship, which was a three masted merchantman, and came along broadside. The manropes hanging over were scarcely reached before Holden laid hold of them and, without help or invitation, scrambled to the deck. He was at once surrounded by the sailors, to whom he was a subject for instant solicitude. Some brought him clothes out of their chests, into which he was speedily installed, while one came with a spoonful of boiled rice, his lank appearance indicating at once long want, if not starvation. The first officer began to question him, and every time he made an answer carried this back to report to the captain, who was pacing the after deck.
This was done with so much ceremony and deliberation that Holden, who was all anxiety to secure the rescue of his mate, Knute, and to redeem his promise to his master, Parabaway, became very impatient. But when a little breeze now began to blow, and the order came from the captain to brace up the yards, he could no longer control himself. It seemed incredible that a man should be left, or that no attention should be paid to his representations about the natives. Setting aside red tape ​and taking matters into his own hands he went aft and met the captain as he came alongside on his walk. Addressing him by name, he said, "Captain Short, I am an American; I have a shipmate who is undoubtedly in one of those canoes waiting to be taken aboard. I beg of you to do what you can for his rescue."
The captain simply looked him over, and up and down, without a word turned and walked back across the deck. Holden's Yankee spirit rose, and he waited until the captain faced his way again, and looked him over once more and said:
"You are an American?"
"Yes."
"You say you have a shipmate yonder?"
"Yes."
"If that is the case I will do what I can for him."
"You can do no more, sir," replied Holden, bowing.
Captain Short then called the men aft and explained in a few words the situation of Holden's mate, and said that those who wished to volunteer for his rescue might do so. A boat was soon manned and lowered away.
LAST SCENE WITH THE NATIVES.
This boat was already about to leave when Holden demanded to be allowed to accompany the rescuing party, and to be enabled to fulfill his promise to the natives, who had risked their lives literally at the cannon's mouth, to carry out their part of the agreement. The captain at first was disinclined to permit this, but finally consented, and ordered the cabin boy to go below and fill a basket with iron scraps, nails, or other refuse out of the locker, and bring it to the boat. It seemed difficult for Holden to work through his obtuse mind that this was not a mere bit of sentiment or whim, but that ​it was entirely worth while to teach these islanders that ample reward would be given for shipwrecked men, inducing them thus to place a high value upon human life.
The burly captain was at last made willing to hold the ship for an hour or longer, while the ship's boat went out with Holden to the canoes of the islanders, who but that very morning held him as a slave, but now, seeing him coming from the ship with a boat load of sailors, and himself dressed in clothes that were to them of fabulous worth, were now ready to bow down and almost worship him.
While thus rowing out to meet them the thought came into Holden's mind to teach them a lesson. Calling to his old master, Parabaway, he selected and placed into his hands the finest and largest pieces of iron that he saw in the basket. Parabaway immediately began singing or chanting his praises, declaring what a good child Temit was; or rather continued his laudation which he began as Temit appeared in the boat, and adding thanks for what this good child would give him. After this Holden called to Knute's master, and gave him a present nearly as good. Then he distributed to the others, dealing to each accordingly as their treatment of himself and his mates had been. Those to whom he gave but a small amount of the treasure of iron soon began to make loud complaints and beg for more. But he made them all be quiet until the distribution was over, then he spoke so that all could hear, and said, "I have now treated you as you treated me and my mates. Those that complain because I placed a small present in their hand must remember that they placed but a small bite of poi in my mouth when I was hungry."
These became very much concerned and said to him, "But we did not know that. Let Temit return with us and stay until another ship comes this way, and we will ​place much poi in his mouth." But Holden said that he could not return to them; he must now go to his own home; but let them provide for any other sailors that were cast away among them from the sea.
Speaking of this eventful day, Mr. Holden says that it was the hardest of his life, requiring him to oppose, with all his determination, those in whose power he was, first the affrighted natives, and then a very dense and conservative British captain, who cared much more for the safety of his ship than for rescuing Yankee castaways (or perhaps runaways) or in teaching moral lessons. But the day's work, as he designed it, and thought it ought to be accomplished, was done. He was rescued; his mate Knute was also saved, being found in the second canoe, following Parabaway's, though in an almost unconscious condition, and stowed away in the center of the canoe in the sort of box formed by seats and side planks. The promised treasure was given the natives for returning him to the ship, and the lesson taught that human life was of more value than old iron or nails in a castaway boat. Holden bade the islanders goodbye, who went off singing his praises, and he said "Nang England," I go to England.
RETURN TO AMERICA AND THE FATE OF THE OTHERS.
The breeze was now well up and the Britannia, Captain Short's vessel, set sail and squared away for China. After eighteen days reached Lateen, in the lower harbor below Nankeen, and there met an American, Captain McComber, who was anchored in the roadstead with a receiving ship to collect cargo for other vessels. By McComber, a Boston man, he was told Captain Sommesexcuse for leaving the nine Americans at Tobey; first, that he was on short allowance, and his crew was ​mutinous; and, second, that it would have detained him twenty-four hours—one hour would have been an ample allowance.
From the Britannia the two Americans were transferred to the Morrison, an American bark under command of Captain Lavender, of New York. The voyage to America was made without accident, and at New York, although Holden had no money, he was forwarded to Boston by the aid of friends, reaching his home city in 1835.
Here he wrote and published a narrative of his adventures, two copies only, so far as known, being now extant. He felt it his duty to see that the hostages on the island of Pelew were released, so he published a small edition of his book in order to obtain funds to visit Washington City and make the proper representations there. At the capital he visited the Secretary of the Navy, Levi Woodbury, of New Hampshire, and found upon examining the records that two and a half years previously the man-of-war Vincennes had been ordered, for a part of her three years' cruise in the Pacific, to visit Pelew, and also Tobey; and the news was just brought that this vessel was now at Norfolk, just returned. Two of the hostages, Medor and Davis, were brought home on the Vincennes, the other, a boy, having escaped. The Pelew chief was also returned to his island home from Tobey.
Mr. Holden was married in Boston, and in 1837, with his wife and infant son returned to the Pacific, making a home on the Hawaiian Islands, attempting the culture of silk, but later going into sugar raising. In 1844 he decided to come to Oregon, to help make this an American, rather than a British, country. He was very loyal to the stars and stripes, his wife being perhaps the first to make an American flag, which, for the Fourth of July ​celebration in 1847, he ran up on a pole in front of his house, and with Doctor Wilson, who came with his wife in an ox cart, and with John Minto, J. S. Smith, and other neighbors properly observed the day.
Mr. Holden's place was a few miles north of Salem, on the Willamette bottoms, but not next to the river. Here he raised apples, and for nearly fifty years followed the noble art of horticulture. He has three sons Horace lives at Tillamook City, Eugene at Wardner, Idaho, and Theodore in New Jersey. His daughters are, deceased Ellen died at Hilo, Hawaii, and Isabell at Petaluma, California. Mr. Holden lives at Salem, near the bank of the Willamette, and although ninety-one years of age is of sound memory, good voice, and hearing and but little impaired. He was first married in Boston to Mary Miller, who died at Honolulu, and a second time to Harriet J. Darling, who died at Salem in 1888, June 14.
(Corrected by Horace Holden.)
H. S. LYMAN.