Lindigo, the White Woman/Chapter 21
CHAPTER XXI.
A JOYFUL DISCOVERY.
Many efforts were made by the settlers to decoy or capture some of the Warrigal tribe, in order to civilize them, or bring them to amicable terms, but they were quite unsuccessful. The natives perseveringly held aloof, and annoyed the whites on every possible occasion, thus widening the breach that existed between them. On one occasion, while Charlie, in company with some of the settlers were exploring round the border of the lakes, they suddenly came upon a small encampment of natives among the tea tree, but owing to the thickness of the scrub they were unable to capture any. However, on a closer search among the scrub, Charlie found a little urchin hidden. On capturing him, he screamed out, "Lindigo! Lindigo!" with all his might. Charlie and his friends naturally thought that he was calling for his parents. After a good deal of coaxing and patting, Charlie was enabled to carry the little Warrigal before him on the saddle, and, on arriving at the station, he clothed and fed him, treating him with great kindness, by which means Takawarrant (for that was his name) soon became quite satisfied with his new home.
Charlie took a great deal of interest in his foundling, who manifested far more intelligence than his appearance indicated. He exhibited a great deal of curiosity and surprise at the various things he was shown. Among other things, Charlie showed him the miniature of Bella, which he wore round his neck. On seeing it, Takawarrant's surprise was far beyond that exhibited on previous occasions. Taking the likeness in his hands, he stared at it for a few moments, when he commenced to dance about, still looking at it, and exclaimed, "Pigininni Lindigo! Pigininni Lindigo!"
Charlie, seeing his excitement, endeavoured by many signs to find out the meaning of the word Lindigo, and told him that the likeness was intended for a white woman, while Lindigo (whom he imagined to be Takawarrant's mother) was black. His arguments, however, had no effect on Takawarrant, who still persisted in his former conduct, muttering some unintelligible sentences in his own language, in which the name Lindigo was most conspicuous. The substance of Takawarrant's explanations, although a mystery to his protector, was yet quite sufficient to set him speculating in his mind, and added greatly to the strange impressions with which he had been lately haunted.
About this time his faithful guide and tracker, Quandak, met with a sad loss at the hands of the Warrigals, which greatly oppressed him, and annoyed his master. This was their carrying off, by force Maria, Quandak's wife. The faithful fellow was greatly distressed, and vowed that he would never rest until he had recovered his lost bride, by tracking the Warrigals, and rescuing her at night. To pacify poor Quandak, and encourage him with some hopes, Charlie proposed a plan which might give Quandak an opportunity of regaining his wife, at the same time clear up certain doubts which had taken possession of his own mind, and also gratify his ambition for the further exploration of the Australian Alps.
It was accordingly arranged that both should start on foot as they would have to travel through wild country inaccessible to horsemen, taking with them only a scanty supply of provisions which they carried in knapsacks, as Quandak would always be able to procure game which would sustain them during the journey.
This arrangement met with the hearty approval of Quandak, who knew that the Warrigals visited the mountains at this season of the year, where he fully expected to meet with them, and as he would be free from the trouble of having a horse to look after, he would be able to prosecute his searches with greater security, and by sneaking into their camp, obtain the object of his search.
Everything for this perilous journey was prepared privately. Charlie, on communicating his intentions to Donald, besought him to keep the affair a profound secret, giving him at the same time two sealed packages, one of which Donald was to break open at the expiration of four weeks. This contained all necessary instructions for Donald's action; the other package was addressed to Mr. McKay, in Sydney, and which was to be forwarded to him by Donald at the expiration of the four weeks, did Charlie not return in that time.
Donald was very much against his master's strange and perilous undertaking, and strenuously endeavoured to dissuade him from taking such a course, arguing that sufficient country had already been explored and although he might possibly extend his discoveries, the fruits of his toil would only fall into other people's hands, who would not even thank him for his philanthropy.
These arguments, although stamped with truth, did not alter Charlie's determination, and Donald was obliged to relinquish his task, muttering to himself, on taking leave of his master:—"I knew the Cu Glas had some particular business in coming to Australia."
Charlie and Quandak, after great fatigue and hardship in penetrating steep gullies and ranges, came upon some good grazing country fit for a settlement, and having satisfied themselves with its extent and capabilities, they commenced their homeward journey.
Quandak was greatly disappointed at not meeting with or perceiving any traces of the Warrigals, with whom Maria was a captive.
One evening, however, they came to an old encampment among the ranges, where they intended to pass the night, when, just as they were about to light the fire, the quick ear of Quandak heard some indications of an approaching tribe, who by the sound were evidently on their way to the Alps. His countenance at once brightened up; he told his master that they must at once look out for a place of concealment, from which they could with safety reconnoitre.
The judgment with which Quandak conducted any case of emergency, and his indisputable experience in the habits of his own countrymen, led his master to be guided by his counsel; but the only cover or place of refuge within a short distance of the encampment (where Quandak said the tribe would stop for the night) was a large tree where foliage promised perfect security. A difficulty now presented itself, and which they had overlooked until the last moment, which was, that although Quandak could easily climb the tree, Charlie would be unable to accomplish such a feat.
A second search was accordingly made, when they found a hollow stump standing near the encampment, into which Charlie was obliged to lower himself from the top and crouch down. Quandak had barely time to gain the position allotted to him, when the foremost of the tribe made their appearance, and, fortunately for the explorers, they were too tired and hungry to notice any tracks or indications of the presence of any foe. The darkness of the evening, which was now closing in, favoured Charlie and his companion greatly.
The clamour and noise made by the natives in erecting gunyahs, together with the preparation of their evening meal, struck strangely on Charlie's ear within his narrow prison, and he expected every moment that some of them would set fire to his refuge. This was not done, and he was left unmolested to commune with his own thoughts, and meditate on his peculiar and unsafe situation.
As the darkness advanced, and the glare of the fires became more visible, Charlie observed that a small crack in the shell admitted a little light from the opposite fire, and through which he peered, in order to obtain a view of those immediately before him; when, to his surprise, he saw Maria, Quandak's wife, in her old calico dress, in close conversation with another female in a fur dress, but whose face was turned from him.
There being no other person at the same fire, he kept his eyes fixed on them, as he was anxious to see the face of the woman talking with Maria, and whose dress appeared to be made in a more civilised manner than those worn by aboriginal women.
Maria now replenished the fire, which sent up a bright blaze, and, at the same time, her companion turned her face full upon it. Was it a vision Charlie now beheld? his face felt cold, his limbs trembled! He gasped for breath, and, wiping his eyes, for he doubted them, he stared wildly. Nay! It was no vision! There sat before him the never-to-be-forgotten beautiful form and face of his long lost Bella McKay!
His late hopes and presentiments were indeed true; it was her well-known voice that he heard above the sound of the bagpipes, while on the pleasure-trip among the lakes. She was the Lindigo that little Takawarrant called on, the day he was captured, and afterwards recognised her by her portrait! What was he now to do? Would he at once go forth and claim her, thereby risking her's, as well as his own, life?
While thus debating in his mind, he heard the snuffing of a dog round the tree, and on coming to the crack, beheld another old and faithful friend, his stag hound Bran. This was Donald's Cu Glas! But how came he here, or was all a dream? His old familiar Bran bochd escaped unconsciously from him. A fatal recognition, which threatened destruction to all! for, on hearing the well-known voice and words, the hound flew at the thin partition which separated them, with such manifestations of joy, that his whining and tearing attracted the attention of some of the savages.
Charlie now saw one powerful fellow approaching his refuge apparently with the intention of ascertaining what game was hidden there, and which the dog was so anxious to unearth; for, on coming up, he walked leisurely round the stump, repeatedly tapping it with a stone tomahawk.
At this moment a long and shrill whistle sounded through the valley, which, with its peculiar note, arrested the attention of the savage, and he stood listening as if expecting its repetition.
Charlie was looking through the crack at this time watching the females at the fire, when he observed Maria, who had heard the whistle, start unconsciously, but, as if checking herself, she stared cautiously around her, then whispered in her companion's car, but instantly placed her hand on her arm, as if commanding silence.
The savage, whose curiosity was attracted by the restlessness of the dog, walked towards the fire where the females sat, and, as if speaking of the game the dog had found, took up one of the fire sticks, with the apparent intention of smoking it out. On seeing this, Maria whispered in her companion's ear, when the latter sprung up instantly, and approached the shell, which the dog was still tearing at.
This was the opportunity for the pent-up prisoner to make his presence known, as the native was now returning with the fire-brand; placing his lips to the crack, he had only time to whisper, "Bella, dear, if that be you, save Charlie Stuart, or we both shall be lost." With wonderful self-possession and presence of mind, she turned round, and in a tone which bespoke gentleness and persuasion, arrested the savage in his intention. The meaning of the petition Charlie could not understand, but the voice was unmistakably that of Bella, and whatever was the purport of her supplication, it had sufficient influence over the savage, as he instantly yielded possession of the weapon, which she carried back to the fire at the same time calling Bran to her side, and also coaxing the savage to follow the example. On returning to the fire, she invited him to seat himself between her and Maria, when both females engaged his attention, thus warding off the terrible fate which threatened Charlie in his cell. But, alas! these hopes were but of short duration, for he had hardly time to feel thankful for his deliverance, when another of the tribe, who had evidently been an eye-witness to the scene, thought he might perhaps secure the game in a quieter manner, by climbing up to the top of the stump, and harpoon it with his spear. Just as he gained the top the mysterious whistle rang a second time through the air, with a strange and piercing shrillness, and which for a few seconds arrested the savage's attention. During this interval Charlie had time to raise his rifle to his shoulder, and when the savage was in the act of setting his feet on each side of the stump, so that he could properly use his spear, he fired.
The unexpected and loud explosion from within the shell, and the death-yell of the savage as he fell backwards on the ground, made an awful and unearthly noise through the valley, and which produced such a panic among the tribe that they made a precipitate retreat under cover of the darkness, shrieking and yelling as they went along.
When quietness again reigned in the valley, Charlie and Quandak seeing the coast clear, emerged from their hiding places, but alas! their prizes were nowhere to be found. In vain did Quandak send his shrill whistle through the valley, but no response was returned by Maria, who, with her companion, was still in the power of the savages.
The darkness of the night and their ignorance of the route the fugitives had taken, prevented them from prosecuting the pursuit until daylight would enable them to follow the tracks. This misfortune filled Charlie with alarm, on being informed by Quandak that the Warrigal tribe invariably put their captives to death when pursued, sooner than surrender them, and which generally took place at their first encampment. However, as they were unable to proceed at present, they anxiously awaited the breaking of day.