Here I looked earnestly round for Kory-Kory; but that hitherto faithful
servitor was nowhere to be seen. Unwilling to linger even for a single
instant when every moment might be so important, I motioned to a
muscular fellow near me to take me upon his back: to my surprise he
angrily refused. I turned to another, but with a like result. A third
attempt was as unsuccessful, and I immediately perceived what had
induced Mow-Mow to grant my request, and why the other natives
conducted themselves in so strange a manner. It was evident that the
chief had only given me liberty to continue my progress towards the
sea, because he supposed that I was deprived of the means of reaching
it.
Convinced by this of their determination to retain me a captive, I
became desperate; and almost insensible to the pain which I suffered, I
seized a spear which was leaning against the projecting eaves of the
house, and, supporting myself with it, resumed the path that swept by
the dwelling. To my surprise, I was suffered to proceed alone, all the
natives remaining in front of the house, and engaging in earnest
conversation, which every moment became more loud and vehement; and, to
my unspeakable delight, I perceived that some difference of opinion had
arisen between them; that two parties, in short, were formed, and
consequently that, in their divided counsels, there was some chance of
my deliverance.
Before I had proceeded a hundred yards I was again surrounded by the
savages, who were still in all the heat of argument, and appeared every
moment as if they would come to blows. In the midst of this tumult old
Marheyo came to my side, and I shall never forget the benevolent
expression of his countenance. He placed his arm upon my shoulder, and
emphatically pronounced one expressive English word I had taught
him—“Home.” I at once understood what he meant, and eagerly expressed
my thanks to him. Fayaway and Kory-Kory were by his side, both weeping
violently; and it was not until the old man had twice repeated the
command that his son could bring himself to obey him, and take me again
upon his back. The one-eyed chief opposed his doing so, but he was
overruled, and, as it seemed to me, by some of his own party.
We proceeded onwards, and never shall I forget the ecstacy I felt when
I first heard the roar of the surf breaking upon the beach. Before
long, I saw the flashing billows themselves through the opening between
the trees. Oh! glorious sight and sound of ocean! with what rapture did
I hail you as familiar friends. By this time the shouts of the crowd
upon the beach were distinctly audible, and in the blended confusion of
sounds I almost fancied I could distinguish the voices of my own
countrymen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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