This new source of sensitiveness they had conjured through self-reproof, from the impression that their bodies might have averted the course of the spear. But when assured that she was out of their range when she received the wound, they were greatly comforted. Jack expressing his relief in the phrase, “things being as they were, it couldn’t be helped!”
As we proceeded on our way, along the eastern margin of the broad southeastern valley, our progress was overlooked by the women and children of the villages, who waved as we passed, our “forage” exchanges of yesterday, with an evident civilized interpretation of gratitude expressed in favor of their neighbors. But our supply of provisions being accommodated to our means of transportation, we could not gratify the desire that prompted the acceptance of their overtures. Evidently interpreting the cause, we found upon rounding a hill in advance a herd of cows panniered with bunches of bananas, plantains, and other edibles waiting for our acceptance, the donors watching us from the leafy screens of the hill plantations. The contraband gift—for their male protectors were evidently absent—was too acceptable, for the prospective relief of want, to be refused, and the recompense was suited to the full gratification of the womanly promptings suggesting bestowal.
In descending from a hill in advance, the valley proper of old Heraclea opened to our view. The plain, under the golden light of the morning sun, exceeded in beauty of variegation as in extent the famed vega of Granada, when clothed in the productive vestments of Moorish culture. At nine o’clock we passed the field fortalice commanding a view of the valley, and through the river gate those below. It had evidently been designed for a signal station and barracks for those employed to guard the ripening crops; the necessity for its erection bespeaking the inaugurated reign of oppression. The rock used in its construction, as well as of the bridges, dykes, and bank supports of the canals, was basaltic. Unlike granite, marble, and other stones used for building, it had withstood the disintegration of friction and chemical action through the lapse of ages with scarcely perceptible change. The style of architecture bore a strong resemblance to that inaugurated by Cestius, and introduced some sixty years before the Christian era. Our way from the tower to the hill city of old Heraclea, was a paved roadway overshadowed with relict growths of trees, whose ancestry had probably “ennobled” it with shade as an avenue of recreation for the citizens. Reaching the headland of the city esplanade, its level was gained by a zigzag ascent of the same breadth with its connecting avenue, its gradations being easy and of curious construction. Gaining the esplanade we were surprised to find its dimensions so extensive, as from below we scarcely conceived its plain would exceed an acre in area, whereas in reality it afforded a promenade that appeared to approach in length and breadth a half of a mile. As in the avenue below, the remains of parapet seats, and protected spaces for trees, were everywhere apparent. Entering from the esplanade, which extended in narrowed proportion to the gateway, through the single broad street of the first walled inclosure built for its protection, we passed to the fora, around which were the houses of those preferred to its distinctive advantages from the ruling qualifications reverenced, as godlike, from the fluent flow of speech. Built in an amphitheatre its walled defense could be made certain against the united tribes of the aboriginal race without, while the system of construction combined economy in space and in labor, giving evidence of emergency from doubtful crisis. The first inclosure had probably furnished ample space for the accommodation of its founders. Passing from the nucleus by the nether street of the fora, we entered the second surrounding, which corresponded in breadth with the original. The third and last, bespoke the disruptive reign of sensual gratification, heralding dissolution. Its expanded breadth from wall of circumvallation to nucleus, must have exceeded the distance of a mile, the palaces being detached from it by gardens and outhouses, the latter subserving the purpose devised from original intention. The structures retained, almost unimpaired, their original perfection; while within many of the heavier household utensils were found in place, touched lightly, from the comparative dryness of the climate, by an age of centuries’ duration. These indications proclaiming the sudden calamity of successful insurrection, and extermination, were to be seen in every direction.
Leaving this city solitude, once peopled by the instinctively thoughtless and “gay,” we gained the summit of the dividing ridge separating the Betongo from the Vermejo valley. A glance sufficed in answer for the question of causes that led to the selection of the “New City’s” site as a safe place for recreative resort. Limited in extent, and remote from the larger cultivated district, it could not be made available as a permanent place of residence for the guard of growing crops; but was naturally adapted for the indulgence of luxurious ease in a revoltful country, as its walls inclosed sufficient arable land for the support of a limited number of inhabitants, while its natural and artificial aids for defense rendered it impregnable against aboriginal weapons, without taxing the energies of the citizens. Our introductory glances of admiration were arrested by tokens of recognition which greeted us from the citizens, who had assembled along the guard walk of the southern parapet in waiting expectation of our appearance. Their signals soon informed us of the enemy’s position, which was in a grove surrounding a temple, and reaching from it to the road of descent at its escarped junction with the level avenue leading to the city gate.
In consultation for the devisement of means for dislodging them, Dr. Baāhar, and the curators of sound, still urged the precedent of classical experience, which advocated the greatest possible destruction of life when engaged in war with barbarous nations and tribes. Notwithstanding the pleading appeal inspired by the sight of her distressed relatives, Correliana manifested strong emotions of repugnance against the wanton destruction of life, even when the advocates strengthened their advice by quoting the padre’s experience on board of the Tortuga. Turning to Mr. Welson and the mayorong for their support, she was relieved by the former’s humorous expression, as he asked Dr. Baāhar to enumerate the number of generations that had passed, since his ancestors could urge equally well merited judgment for their own destruction? Then turning to Mr. Dow he asked whether he would prefer to seal the fruition of his hopes with slaughter, or the more lasting effect that would be insured by arousing their superstitious fears. Although urgently impatient of any delay to the full realization of his historical source of fame, his respect for the pungent elements of his questioner’s resources caused him to offer his willing acquiescence if an effectual plan could be suggested for insuring their dispersion. Correliana asked the sailors through Mr. Welson if they could not think of some way to frighten the Indians without injury, as she could not bear the thought of exposing to death and mutilation the husbands, fathers and brothers of the women who had bestowed so gratefully of their means for the relief of those who were descended from their oppressors. After the two sailors had “put their heads together to overhaul their lockers,” Jack said, if he knew exactly where the enemy lay, he could in a giffin fix a shell so that it would scream like a broadside of devils before it burst; and th’of they were civilized, and not up to the thing, they would scud like swallows caught in a gale at sea. The sailors’ invention was adopted, and when everything was in readiness for all the emergencies that could be anticipated, the descent was commenced; but notwithstanding the eminency of danger, admiration gained the sway, attracted by the natural beauties developed at every turn in our downward course. The skill displayed for the artificial improvement of the natural advantages, would also have received like commendation if the means employed had not excited emotions of abhorrence. For the Indians who accomplished these labors of Heraclean devisement were in fact the benefactors of their oppressors.
Having arrived at the desired position for the essay of Jack’s “devilish experiment” the shell was belched forth from the howitzer upon its frightful mission. Its screaming powers had not been overrated by the projectors, but it exploded before it had accomplished half of its intended distance, seemingly in the very midst of the concealed foe, for the grove became swayingly alive from the panic imparted to its wooded growths. Moving rapidly forward, a second shell, true to its intention, accelerated the flight into a rout as wild with dismay as was ever enacted by congeneric warriors with civilized instincts.
Advancing to the bridge spanning the river moats to either bank of their conjoined stream, the city gates were open and the parents of Correliana stood upon the threshold waiting to bestow with tearful gratitude their acknowledgments for opportune deliverance from the manifold perils to which they had been subject. After they had bestowed upon their daughter tokens of affectionate welcome, in which all present joined with kindred sympathy, we were ushered in and made the centre of grateful attraction. It soon became painfully apparent from their wan features and tottering steps, that their vital energies were reduced to the lowest ebb from over anxiety and the want of suitable nourishment; so we at once mustered our prepared resources, and became their directing entertainers. Even the saturnine dignity of Mr. Dow, and the patronizing sagery of Dr. Baāhar, relaxed under the beneficent influence imparted from their ministering attentions. When the prætor and tribunes requested an introduction to the patriarch of the Kyronese, his absence was first noticed by the members of the corps, Correliana, and his granddaughters; when in the act of apologizing for his absence and the elder matrons, they were seen issuing from the temple grove; with their welcome the gates were closed and the sailors placed in charge. Then the Heracleans were placed upon the sillias of the horses and mules,—notwithstanding their earnest protests of ability to walk,—while each, as they proceeded up the avenue of the latifundium, was attended with the sympathetic support of the Kyronese and members of the corps. At the oppidum vera gates, nearly a mile distant from the cinctus, or outer wall gates, the Heracleans insisted upon dismounting, thankfully accepting the Kyronese proffers of assistance in rendering service to the sick. Correliana then directed us to the quarters prepared for our use, expressing the hope that the condition of her people would afford ample explanation for whatever was found lacking or amiss for the assurance of comfort in their accommodations? Having unpacked and disposed of our instruments and personalities in the house prepared for us, an evening consultation was held to devise means for the purveyance of supplies for the nearly famished inhabitants. Feeling certain that the besiegers were effectually dispersed, the hunting of wild game was proposed as a dernier for present support.
CHAPTER IX.
At daybreak, of the morning following our entry into Heraclea, the prætor and Correliana paid us a visit. After salutations of renewed welcome the prætor addressed us, in substance, as follows:—
“You are already partially aware of the means of communication which have been employed to advise us of your presence, and the deliverance of our daughters’ rescuers from their extreme peril! Through the same source we have been advised of your daily progress for our relief, now happily consummated. When the health of our families shall have ceased to tax your anxious care, we will then endeavor to make you sensible of our gratitude through the warmth of affectionate reciprocation. For the present we will ask you to assume the responsibility of your own entertainment, for we are utterly powerless for the fulfillment of that duty so inseparably imposed by our obligations. But with our energies restored we shall claim the gratification of reassuming the privileges of our natural charge. Until this sum total of our past indebtedness shall have been fulfilled, please accept the keys of our city in token of our submission to your direction?”