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discovered from below。 Having done this； we congratulated ourselves
upon the security of the position； for we were now completely
excluded from observation； as long as we chose to remain within the
ravine itself； and not venture out upon the hill； We could perceive
no traces of the savages having ever been within this hollow； but；
indeed； when we came to reflect upon the probability that the fissure
through which we attained it had been only just now created by the
fall of the cliff opposite； and that no other way of attaining it
could be perceived； we were not so much rejoiced at the thought of
being secure from molestation as fearful lest there should be
absolutely no means left us for descent。 We resolved to explore the
summit of the hill thoroughly； when a good opportunity should offer。
In the meantime we watched the motions of the savages through our
loophole。
They had already made a complete wreck of the vessel； and were
now preparing to set her on fire。 In a little while we saw the smoke
ascending in huge volumes from her main hatchway； and； shortly
afterward； a dense mass of flame burst up from the forecastle。 The
rigging； masts and what remained of the sails caught immediately； and
the fire spread rapidly along the decks。 Still a great many of the
savages retained their stations about her； hammering with large
stones； axes； and cannon balls at the bolts and other iron and copper
work。 On the beach； and in canoes and rafts； there were not less；
altogether； in the immediate vicinity of the schooner； than ten
thousand natives； besides the shoals of them who； laden with booty；
were making their way inland and over to the neighbouring islands。 We
now anticipated a catastrophe； and were not disappointed。 First of
all there came a smart shock （which we felt as distinctly where we
were as if we had been slightly galvanized）； but unattended with any
visible signs of an explosion。 The savages were evidently startled；
and paused for an instant from their labours and yellings。 They were
upon the point of recommencing； when suddenly a mass of smoke puffed
up from the decks； resembling a black and heavy thundercloud… then；
as if from its bowels； arose a tall stream of vivid fire to the
height； apparently； of a quarter of a mile… then there came a sudden
circular expansion of the flame… then the whole atmosphere was
magically crowded； in a single instant； with a wild chaos of wood；
and metal； and human limbs…and； lastly； came the concussion in its
fullest fury； which hurled us impetuously from our feet； while the
hills echoed and re…echoed the tumult； and a dense shower of the
minutest fragments of the ruins tumbled headlong in every direction
around us。
The havoc among the savages far exceeded our utmost expectation；
and they had now； indeed； reaped the full and perfect fruits of their
treachery。 Perhaps a thousand perished by the explosion； while at
least an equal number were desperately mangled。 The whole surface of
the bay was literally strewn with the struggling and drowning
wretches； and on shore matters were even worse。 They seemed utterly
appalled by the suddenness and completeness of their discomfiture；
and made no efforts at assisting one another。 At length we observed a
total change in their demeanour。 From absolute stupor； they appeared
to be； all at once； aroused to the highest pitch of excitement； and
rushed wildly about； going to and from a certain point on the beach；
with the strangest expressions of mingled horror； rage； and intense
curiosity depicted on their countenances； and shouting； at the top of
their voices； 〃Tekeli…li！ Tekeli…li！〃
Presently we saw a large body go off into the hills； whence they
returned in a short time； carrying stakes of wood。 These they brought
to the station where the crowd was the thickest； which now separated
so as to afford us a view of the object of all this excitement。 We
perceived something white lying upon the ground； but could not
immediately make out what it was。 At length we saw that it was the
carcass of the strange animal with the scarlet teeth and claws which
the schooner had picked up at sea on the eighteenth of January。
Captain Guy had had the body preserved for the purpose of stuffing
the skin and taking it to England。 I remember he had given some
directions about it just before our making the island； and it had
been brought into the cabin and stowed away in one of the lockers。 It
had now been thrown on shore by the explosion； but why it had
occasioned so much concern among the savages was more than we could
comprehend。 Although they crowded around the carcass at a little
distance； none of them seemed willing to approach it closely。
By…and…by the men with the stakes drove them in a circle around it；
and no sooner was this arrangement completed； than the whole of the
vast assemblage rushed into the interior of the island； with loud
screams of 〃Tekeli…li！ Tekeli…li！〃
~~~ End of Text of Chapter 22 ~~~
CHAPTER 23
DURING the six or seven days immediately following we remained
in our hiding…place upon the hill； going out only occasionally； and
then with the greatest precaution； for water and filberts。 We had
made a kind of penthouse on the platform； furnishing it with a bed of
dry leaves； and placing in it three large flat stones； which served
us for both fireplace and table。 We kindled a fire without difficulty
by rubbing two pieces of dry wood together； the one soft； the other
hard。 The bird we had taken in such good season proved excellent
eating； although somewhat tough。 It was not an oceanic fowl； but a
species of bittern； with jet black and grizzly plumage； and
diminutive wings in proportion to its bulk。 We afterward saw three of
the same kind in the vicinity of the ravine； apparently seeking for
the one we had captured； but； as they never alighted； we had no
opportunity of catching them。
As long as this fowl lasted we suffered nothing from our
situation； but it was now entirely consumed； and it became absolutely
necessary that we should look out for provision。 The filberts would
not satisfy the cravings of hunger； afflicting us； too； with severe
gripings of the bowels； and； if freely indulged in； with violent
headache。 We had seen several large tortoises near the seashore to
the eastward of the hill； and perceived they might be easily taken；
if we could get at them without the observation of the natives。 It
was resolved； therefore； to make an attempt at descending。
We commenced by going down the southern declivity； which seemed
to offer the fewest difficulties； but had not proceeded a hundred
yards before （as we had anticipated from appearances on the hilltop）
our progress was entirely arrested by a branch of the gorge in which
our companions had perished。 We now passed along the edge of this for
about a quarter of a mile； when we were again stopped by a precipice
of immense depth； and； not being able to make our way along the brink
of it； we were forced to retrace our steps by the main ravine。
We now pushed over to the eastward； but with precisely similar
fortune。 After an hour's scramble； at the risk of breaking our necks；
we discovered that we had merely descended into a vast pit of black
granite； with fine dust at the bottom； and whence the only egress was
by the rugged path in which we had come down。 Toiling again up this
path； we now tried the northern edge of the hill。 Here we were
obliged to use the greatest possible caution in our maneuvers； as the
least indiscretion would expose us to the full view of the savages in
the village。 We crawled along； therefore； on our hands and knees；
and； occasionally； were even forced to throw ourselves at full
length； dragging our bodies along by means of the shrubbery。 In this
careful manner we had proceeded but a little way； when we arrived at
a chasm far deeper than any we had yet seen； and leading directly
into the main gorge。 Thus our fears were fully confirmed； and we
found ourselves cut off entirely from access to the world below。
Thoroughly exhausted by our exertions； we made the best of our way
back to the platform； and throwing ourselves upon the bed of leaves；
slept sweetly and soundly for some hours。
For several days after this fruitless search we were occupied in
exploring every part of the summit of the hill； in order to inform
ourselves of its actual resources。 We found that it would afford us
no food； with the exception of the unwholesome filberts； and a rank
species of scurvy grass； which grew in a little patch of not more
than four rods square； and would be soon exhausted。 On the fifteenth
of February； as near as I can remember； there was not a blade of this
left； and the nuts were growing scarce； our situation； therefore；
could hardly be more lamentable。 ｛*5｝ On the sixteenth we again went
round the walls of our prison； in hope of finding some avenue of
escape； but to no purpose。 We also descended the chasm in which we
had been overwhelmed； with the faint expectation of discovering；
through this channel； some opening to the main ravine。 Here； too； we
were disappointed； although we found and brought up with us a musket。