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masterman ready-第27部分

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After supper; Ready; being requested by William; continued his narrative。

〃I left off; if I recollect right; William; just as the Hottentot; with the cattle under his care; had frightened away the baboons who were tormenting us。 Well; we came out of the cave and sat down under the rock; so that the Hottentot could not see us; and we had a sort of council of war。 Romer was for going back and giving ourselves up again; for he said it was ridiculous to be wandering about without any arms to defend ourselves against wild beasts; and that we might fall in with something worse than the baboons very soon; and he was right。 It would have been the wisest thing which we could have done; but Hastings said; that if we went back we should be laughed at; and the idea of being laughed at made us all agree that we would not。 Bear this in mind; William; and never let the fear of ridicule induce you to do what is wrong; or if you have done wrong; prevent you from returning to what is your duty。〃

〃Many thanks for your advice; Ready; I hope William will not forget it;〃 said Mr。 Seagrave。

〃Well; sir; such was our reason for not giving up our mad scheme; and having so decided; the next point of consultation between us was; how we were to procure arms and ammunition; which we could not do without。 As we were talking this over; I peeped from behind the rock to see where the Hottentot might be; I perceived that he had laid himself down; and wrapped himself up in his kross; a mantle of sheep…skins which they always wear。 Now we had observed that he carried his musket in his hand; when we first saw him; as the Hottentots always go out armed; and I pointed out to Hastings and Romer that if he was asleep; we might get possession of his musket without his perceiving it。 This was a good idea; and Hastings said he would crawl to him on his hands and knees; while we remained behind the rock。 He did so very cautiously; and found the man's head covered up in his kross and fast asleep; so there was no fear; for the Hottentots are very hard to wake at any time; that we knew well。 Hastings first took the musket and carried it away out of the reach of the Hottentot; and then he returned to him; cut the leather thong which slung his powder…horn and ammunition; and retreated with all of them without disturbing the man from his sleep。 We were quite overjoyed at this piece of good luck; and determined to walk very cautiously some distance from where the Hottentot lay; that in case he awoke he should not see us。 Keeping our eyes about in every direction; lest we should meet with anybody else; we proceeded nearly a mile towards Table Bay; when we fell in with a stream of water。 This was another happy discovery; for we were very thirsty; so we concealed ourselves near the stream after we had quenched our thirst; and made a dinner off the provisions we had brought with us。〃

〃But; Ready; did you not do wrong to steal the Hottentot's musket?〃

〃No; William; in that instance it could not be considered as a theft。 We were in an enemy's country; trying to escape; we were therefore just as much at war with the country as we were when they took us prisoners; and we no more stole the musket than they could be said to have stolen our ship。 Am I not right; Mr。 Seagrave?〃

〃I believe you are justified in what may seem extreme acts for the recovery of your liberty; after you have been made prisoners。 It has always been so considered。〃

〃Well; sir; to go on: we waited till dusk; and then we continued our march towards False Bay as fast as we could。 We knew that there were farmers down in the valley; or rather on the sides of the hills; and we hoped to obtain; by some means or other; two more muskets。 It was near twelve o'clock at night; with a bright moon; when we had a sight of the water in False Bay; and soon afterwards we heard the baying of a large dog; and not far from us we distinguished two or three farmhouses; with their cattle…folds and orchards。 We then looked for a hiding…place; where we might remain till the morning; we found one between some large pieces of rock。 We agreed that one should watch while the other two slept; this Hastings undertook to do; as he was not inclined to sleep。 At daylight he woke Romer and me; and we made our breakfast。 From the place we were concealed in; we had a bird's…eye view of the farmhouse; and of what was going on。

〃The farmhouse and buildings just below us were much smaller than the other two; which were more distant。 We watched the people as they went about。 In about an hour the Hottentots came out; and we perceived that they were yoking the oxen to the waggon; they yoked twelve pair; and then the Hottentot driver got in and drove off towards Cape Town。 Soon after that; another Hottentot drove the cows up the valley to feed; and then a Dutch woman came out of the house with two children; and fed the poultry。

〃We watched for another hour; and then the farmer himself made his appearance; with a pipe in his mouth; and sat down on a bench。 When his pipe was out; he called to the house; and a Hottentot woman came to him with more tobacco and a light。 During the whole of the day we did not see any other people about the house; so we concluded that there were no more than the farmer; his wife; the Hottentot woman; and two children。 About two hours after noon the farmer went to the stable and led out his horse; mounted; mid rode away; we saw him speak to the Hottentot woman when he rode off; and she soon after went down the valley with a basket on her head; and a long knife in her hand。 Then Hastings said it was time that we moved; for there was but one woman in the house; and we could easily overpower her and get what we wanted; still there was a great risk; as she might give the alarm; and we should have to escape in the day…time; and might be seen and taken prisoners again。 However; as it was our only chance; we resolved to go down to the farmhouse very cautiously; and be all ready to seize any opportunity。 We crept down the hill; and gained the fence; which was at the back of the farmhouse; without being discovered: we remained there for about a quarter of an hour; when; to our great joy; we observed the farmer's wife go out of the house; leading a child in each hand; apparently she was going to visit one of her neighbours; for she went in the direction of one of the other farms。 As soon as she was a hundred yards off; Hastings crept softly through the fence; and entered the farmhouse by the back…door; he came out again; and made a sign for us to come in。 We found him already in possession of a rifle and a musket; which had been hanging over the fire…place; and we soon handed down the powder…horns and ammunition pouches; which were hung up at a different part of the room; away from the fire…place。

〃Having gained these; Hastings set me to watch at the front door; lest anybody should return; while Romer and he looked out for something else in the way of provisions。 We got possession of three hams; and a large loaf of bread as big as a small washing…tub。 With these articles we made our way safe back to our retreat。 We then looked round; and could see nobody in any direction; so we presumed that we were not discovered。 As there was a sort of ravine full of rocks dividing the hill; which we were obliged to pass before we could get into the valley; unless we went down close to the farmhouse; we agreed that it would be better at once to cross it during the day…time; so that we should get that difficulty over; and; at the same time; be further from the farmhouse。 We did so; and found a very secure hiding…place; where we lay down; waiting for the sun to set before we started on our journey into the interior。 I think I had better leave off now; William; as it is getting late。〃



Chapter XXXVII

The fishpond was commenced the next morning。 Ready; Mr。 Seagrave; and William went down together to the beach; and; after much examination; chose a spot about one hundred yards from the turtle…pond as most eligible for the purpose; the water being shallow; so that at the part farthest from the shore there would not be more than three feet。

〃Now; sir;〃 said Ready; 〃this is a very simple job; all we have to do is to collect small rocks and stones; pile them up wall…fashion inside; and with a slope outside; so as to break the force of the waves when the water is a little rough; of course; the water will find its way through the stones; and will be constantly changed。 It's very true; that we can at most times catch fish when we want them; but it is not always that we can spare the time; so it's just as well to have always a certain quantity at hand; to take out at a moment's warning; and we can; of course; catch them and put them in here when we have nothing else to do。 Juno will be able to come down and take them out with a spear; when we are away and she wants something for dinner。〃

〃But there are few stones about here; Ready; we shall have to fetch them a long way;〃 said William。

〃Well; then; William; let us get the wheels down here; and then we can carry a quantity at a time。〃

〃But how shall we carry them; Ready?〃

〃We will sling a tub on the axle; I will go up and get that ready and bring it down; in the meantime; you and Mr。 Seagrave can collect all the stones which are near at hand。〃

Ready soon returned with the wheels; and the tub slung with rope on the axle; and by that means they found that they could collect the stones very fast; Mr。 Seagrave and William bringing them; and Ready in the water; building up the wall。

〃We have quite forgot another job which we must put in hand; sir;〃 observed Ready; 〃but the fish…pond reminds me of it。〃

〃What is that; Ready?〃

〃A bathing…place for the children; and indeed for us all; we shall want it when the hot weather comes on; but we will put it off till then。 I can tell you; sir; that although I don't mind building this wall in the shallow water; I shall be very careful when the water is up to my knees; for you don't know how bold the sharks are in these latitudes。 When I was at St。 Helena; not very long ago; we had a melancholy proof of it。〃

〃Tell us the story; Ready。〃

〃Well; two soldiers were standing on the rocks at St。 Helena; the rocks were out of the water; but the
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