Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-02
HOna Marin.


GOutuHdIu lTOul Tue quaint lOhu Vi odulh
Barbara, beyond the Santa Barbara bay, five
leagues out in the ocean, the island of San
Nicolas lifts its brown, rugged outline from the
surging waters. hidden from the main land by
Santa Cruz, an island of greater magnitude.
Years and years ago, ere the energies of the
white settlers had made their impress upon the
wilderness along the Pacific shore, tribe of
Indians existed on this now deSOlate isle. OF
what they thought, suffered, hoped or accom-
plished we have only scanty tradition Now
and then pirates craft anchored along the
quiet shore, and, departing, told no tale. Some
times the friendly voice of the mission fathers
stole across the calm bay; and the shadow of
the cross, planted in the wilderness, threw its
benign influence even over these undeveloped
children of the sun. But the fathers sleep, and
left no record.
Thirty-six years ago the famine found this
isolated band The parched earth refused her
sustenance; the trees stood bare and leatiesS in
the hot wind; the streams ran dry, and the
rocks glittered white and salt under the ferYid
sun. The wild game famished and died; and
the fierce preyed upon each other. With pity
ing horror, these human beings stared into
each others faces, and, with stoical forttude,
craWled away to die alone. Whether the mis-
sion fathers learned of their distress, or whether
urged by other motives, is not known; but they
fitted out a boat which sailed TO San Nicolas
and brought away the surYivors-eighteen in
all. As the rescued islanders were brought
down TO the shore where the boat was anchored
one of the women-who afterward gave her
name as Hona Maria, darted away, over the
sandy shore, over rough rocks, through tangled
ravines, with savage eagerness, to bring her
only child, which, by some oversight, had been
left behind. They waited for her temperance;
they waited slong. The skies darkened; the
winds arose and tossed the unsteady boat from
her frail anchorage, and the reluctant captain
was compelled to put out to sea; and Hona Ma
ria was left abode on that desolate, sea-walled
isle.
The thick fog shut down over the ocean, and
the heavy swell of the waves tossed the boat
rapidly toward the mainland. The rescued Iu-
dians were kindly cared for by the humane
people of Santa Barbara but, either from past
suffering or the unaccustomed influences of civ
iliZation, they died or dispersed to wilder sur.
roundings. The boat was wrecked, preventing
another expedition to the islands, and for years
was not replaced. Hona Maria was supposed to
have died, and no heart turned to the lonely
island.
Eighteen solitary years had passed, White
faces peered over the rocky battement of mount
aims, and Drowned under the California sun.
Avenues of communication and commerce were
opened aud the mysteries of the golden state
were penetrated. Captain Nidever, resident of
Santa Barbara, fitted schooner at Monterey
and, in one of his cruises, anchored at the tragic
island of San Nicolas. In wandering over the
island, he found traces of human life: ashes yet
warm-a footprint in the soil. But, again, the
storm beat down upon the shore and compelled
the small crew to put to sea. With clear skies
and becalmed seas they returned. Again,
the smouldering fire-the trace in the
sand; and after short search, to their
amazement, Hona Maria, herself, the
Hermit Monarch of this lonely isle! Without
the least sign OF surprise she gazed, for the first
time in eighteen wears, upon human faces. In
unintelligible language, but with expressive,
savage gestures, she made them understand that
the wild dogs killed her child. This was the
burden Of her limited expressons-this longing
for human sympathy amid her tragic deSolation
bursting the bondage of unintelligible Ian
guage, and making the grand sorrow Of her saw
age heart known and felt.
A rude hut, constructed of interlaced branches,
sticks, and leaves, constituted her shelter A
fantastic robe of gayly feathered bird skins
neatly dressed and adroitly stitched with fine
tendons, by the aid of needles manufactured
from fish bones, covered her dusky limbs, and
another Of brighter hues was ready for time of
need, or possibly reserved for her solitary fest-
walls. Many rude treasures, collected during her
hermitage, were transferred to the boat and af-
terward landed at Santa Barbara. With aston.
ishment she beheld the mainland. Her rapid
glance took in the coast and the placid valley
girdled by the rugged mountains, slopng to the
bay. From the narrow limits of her island
home, the sea only was vast, stretching away
beyond the range of vision. The boundless view
of land presented new and strange geographical
development to her uneducated mind. A
SOLITARY horseman" galloping along the smooth
beach caused her ecstasies of delight, which she
expressed in long, wild peals Of laughter and
fantastic dances. A team with oxen completed
her amusement. She observed the unfamiliar
actions of people and animals with childlike
pleasure, yet never forgot her lost child, nor the
horrible manner Of it's death. She was proud of
the attention she received, pleased with gifts
and kindness, like a child in new creation.
She spoke dialect entirely different from the
native Spanish or Indians Of the Santa Barbara
region. short time previous to her death,
which occurred six months after her departure
from her native island an Indian woman was
found who could interpret her strange tongue.
She had not much to tell. A life more coloriess,
devoid of imagery or experience, it is impossible
to conceive The effect of her long secusion
, upon her mind so crude and uudeveloped, cam
not be conjectured. In her solitary abode she
knew the ways Of the birds of the air and fishes
of the sea, and fashioned nets to capture them,
which, with seals and roots, furnished her sus-
tenance.
Large sums Of money were refused by Captain
Nidever for the possession of the woman, as an
attractive addition to museum; but she was
kindly guarded at his private residence, and in
1855 she passed 10 the spirit land The bishop
took possession Of her ingeniously manufactured
robes, and carried them to Rome.