Chapter XII.
We must now follow our happy wanderers to the Cape of Good Hope, where they arrived, in due time, without any accident, to the great joy of Charles, who, although he had been too happy to complain, was heartily tired of the confinement of a ship, and embraced, with extraordinary delight, the power of walking about on dry land, listening to the birds, which had lately been his sole companions, and gazing on the trees and plants, as objects of beauty and wonder.
The Table Mountain, at the Cape, by offering a striking variety to the flat island on which he had dwelt so long, pleased him exceedingly, and he wished to set out to it immediately; but his father told him, that he must not go any where, until he had procured proper clothes for him, which could not be done on shipboard. Of the truth of this remark Charles was soon convinced by the curious eyes which were bent upon him, on all sides, and from which he was eager to fly. He had frequently wished to behold a single human being, as the greatest possible treat, in his days of solitude, and he was now surprised at himself, for considering a crowd annoying; nevertheless, he could not divest his mind of much timidity, and an earnest desire to run into the open country, unseen and alone, to think on the goodness of God, in restoring his father to him, and bringing him back into the world. He felt a sense of the blessings of society in his heart, but he wished for the freedom of solitude, in which to indulge his feelings; for having accustomed himself to express his thoughts in words, when he was alone so long, he naturally desired to do it now in the same way, for, except to his father, he felt fearful of speaking.
Mr. Crusoe sought, by every gentle means, to wean him from this extreme bashfulness, which was contracted entirely by his long retirement; and as his friends at the Cape shewed him all possible attention, and were extremely anxious to see a son who was found under such extraordinary circumstances, he took him a good deal into company, and saw, with much pleasure, that every day made a little improvement in his feelings and his manners. It was evident, that when he was with sensible people, and especially with scientific persons, or those who had travelled much, and related their observations on different people, and the productions of nature, he was very happy; but trifling chit-chat, or boisterous mirth, teazed and wearied him exceedingly.
"Really, papa," he would say, "one had better sit in a hut with a parrot, than listen to such nonsense as some people talk. When I lived by myself, I thought every body in the world were good and wise; and I used to sit and fancy how ladies and gentlemen would talk on certain subjects; but I don't find that they are at all what I expected. I did not expect sailors to speak of my favourite subjects, therefore I had no disappointment on shipboard; but, with a few exceptions, I have had many here." "And pray, my dear, what were your imaginary conversations? I mean, what were your favourite subjects?" "The wonders of God in the creation, as to animals, trees, flowers, and even stones, papa (of which I have collected many curious specimens in pebbles), and the goodness of God in the redemption of the world by the death of his Son. I did not remember people talking much of religion at Bombay, when I was present, it is true; but I concluded that they forbore to do so, because I was a child, and that I should have that pleasure when I was a man." "But, my dear Charles, you do not call yourself a man?" "No, papa; I think, in some respects, I am more a child than ever; but still, when I was on the island, time moved slowly; and I read much, and thought much, so that I fancied I was growing quite a man. I hope it was not conceit in me—do you think it was, my dear sir?" "No, my dear Charles; it was the natural result of an ardent and inquiring mind, left without a guide, at that period of life when the desire of knowledge is most lively, and the expansion of intellect most rapid. You are far from being a man, and have, of course, much to learn; but you are a manly boy; and when we arrive in Europe, you shall have every advantage of education. In the mean time, you cannot do better than exercise your mind on the subjects you mention; for whether people talk of them or not, they are the most worthy contemplation of any thing presented to the human mind. I must not, however, disguise from you the truth, that in the world, people in general are so busy with the cares or the pleasures of life, that they do not think so much on these subjects, as is consistent with their duty or their happiness." "I am well aware that every body here have come out to get their fortunes, father; and that they think very little of any thing else; but I suppose in London society is much superior." "In London, my dear, superior society may be best found; but it is always a jewel to be sought—not a commodity to be stumbled on. I wish you, my dear boy, to be very choice in your society, for to a young man, it is the very life of his life; but in the mean time, you must be affable with all, for it is scarcely possible to converse with any person, without learning something from their experience and observation." Within a fortnight after their arrival at the Cape, they procured the means of prosecuting their voyage in a noble ship, with many pleasant passengers; so that the latter part of their long-suspended voyage to England made amends, in a great measure, for the hardships and misfortunes of the first portion of it. Charles being now in a much larger vessel than before, and supplied by the passengers with a variety of books, passed his time more pleasantly; and his past history being unknown to the crew and passengers, he was not subject to those inquiries or jokes which formerly troubled him. He had been very sorry to part with Mr. Parker, for whose kindness he was truly grateful, and whom his father intended to establish in England; but his present society was exceedingly agreeable, and he endeavoured to render his own manners as much like theirs as he could, conscious that in his long seclusion, he had contracted habits that were a little uncouth, and might to others appear silly and ludicrous.
They touched at St. Helena, and of course visited the tomb of Buonaparte, and talked much about him: all the passengers seemed to think, residing in such a small island a terrible punishment; and a lady observed, "That it was surprising to her, that the ex-emperor had lived so long in such a frightful solitude;" saying to Charles, who had hitherto been silent on the subject, "Don't you think the poor man must have been very wretched—very much to be pitied, Master Crusoe?" "I don't think him much to be pitied for living here, ma'am, for it appears to me a very pretty place; nor can I conceive a man to be very wretched, who had so many friends about him as he had." "You are too young to understand the matter; you do not know the miseries of solitude; but your father can tell you, that legislators agree, there is no punishment so bad as a solitary cell, and they never inflict it upon any but hardened criminals." "But this is very different to a solitary cell, and even that is far better than a really solitary island; for there the criminal knows, that at the end of a certain day, month, or year, he shall be again restored to society; whereas a man cut off, by a wide ocean, from all the rest of the world, has no such cause for comfort; his spirits droop, and no voice cheers him—he is sick, and no hand brings him food—his affections are vividly excited towards every human being, the meanest of whom would be to him an invaluable friend—but he dares not believe that he must ever be cheered by the sight of one human face again—he is buried before he dies, and feels as if he ought to be dead, yet with his heart so warm, the life in his limbs so strong, he cannot die; and besides, God commands him to live, and gives some little prospect, some glimmering of hope, that incites him still to struggle on—still to endure the hunger that gnaws him, the grief that consumes him!" "My dear boy, you are absolutely eloquent!" cried the lady, as poor Charles, overcome with the recollections thus excited, suddenly stopped. "I had no idea that a person at your age could have looked so deeply into a case of this nature, especially an imaginary one; it makes one think of Alexander Selkirk, and the poor fellow, only a few years ago, left by a brutal captain on a desolate shore: you are really quite poetical in your conception of the case." Charles hastened away to conceal his emotions, and avoid hearing praise to which he had no pretension; for he well knew that he had unawares spoken simply from his heart, and not from his imagination; and was vexed with himself, for so nearly revealing the circumstance he had earnestly desired both his father and Sambo to conceal. He was not sorry, when they again sailed, to find that the great exile and his banishment were soon forgotten, as every person now began to look forward to Madeira, and speak of it in terms of unqualified admiration. The captain one day observed, when the subject was spoken of, "That he never could see any reason for disputing an assertion, once relied on, viz. that this beautiful island was originally discovered by an Englishman, named Machin, or Macham, who having married an heiress, without the consent of her friends, set out with her for the continent, and was driven, by contrary winds, to this island, which, in the name of its province, Machico, authorizes the account." "It has," observed Mr. Crusoe, "been considered fabulous by some writers, I really believe for no other reason, than because it was connected with a romantic story; just as if real life never presented us with circumstances in themselves as singular as any imagination can conceive. They have also asserted, that there is no English name of that description; another proof of ignorance, since there are several families of that name now living in the populous towns of Manchester and Sheffield; and the small, but pretty and ancient town of Masham, in Yorkshire, is sufficiently like the word, to warrant the English derivation of this unfortunate person." Many comments were added, of pity to the poor man, who had been wrecked with his bride, on this beautiful island; and conjectures were made, as to his power of providing for subsistence; but Charles now made no observation, though he listened with profound interest, and could not forbear, in his own mind, contriving accommodation, in such a case, for a delicate female; and as he thought more about his mother and sister, the nearer he approached to them, he sincerely rejoiced that they had escaped the troubles which had befallen himself and his father.
The beauties of Madeira Charles found had not been overrated, and like others, he was delighted to find himself once more on shore; but he did not regret exchanging it for the vessel, which was taking him to a more permanent abode. The society of the ladies on board had brought his own mother continually to his mind; and although he did not love his father less, it is yet certain that he did love his mother more than he had done for the last two or three years; and every idea that he formed for the future, was closely connected with her, and that sister, to whom he looked for a companion and friend. Charles had too much real manliness of mind and conduct, to be one of those boys who pique themselves on being above the company of girls; and as he knew Emily had possessed advantages of education superior to his own, he expected to receive information, and repay it by protection, in his intercourse with her; and he was well aware, from all he remembered of her temper and disposition, that she would sympathize in his past sufferings, and do her best for his present improvement.
His pleasant reveries were interrupted by the bad weather encountered in the Bay of Biscay, at all times affording a rough sea, but now absolutely tempestuous. Great distress prevailed among the passengers; and at one time Mr. Crusoe feared, that he and his unfortunate son should be again doomed to the horrors of a second shipwreck. At this time, Charles passed from an apparently timid, retiring boy, into an active, clever young man, exercising that acute observation which arises from decided natural talents, united to experience, and displaying an equanimity of spirit, that astonished, and, in many instances, reproved the elder persons around him. He had attained, during his residence in the island, a knowledge of the usual progress of storms, that appeared to those who were ignorant of such a phenomena, a kind of prophecy; and as the captain found that every prediction he made was regularly fulfilled, he soon placed extraordinary confidence in him, and kept him continually near him. In consequence of this confidence, the passengers frequently inquired of Charles that which they could not intrude on the captain to learn, and were surprised to find the self-possession, as well as information, shewn by one who held himself in general so humbly, but who now seemed equal not only to command himself, but others, and frequently issued orders, that were always obeyed with alacrity, from those who dared to rely on their propriety.
The storm was at length outridden; the waves, that had risen mountains high, subsided, and exhibited only a gentle curl, that promised them a speedy passage to their native land, and every person on board fell into their usual habits; but it was not possible for our young friend to step back into insignificance. Young as he was, he had gained the esteem of the old; and every person was eager to shew him the respect they felt for his abilities and fortitude, and the affection awakened by his kind attentions and consolatory manners, in the hour of alarm and dangers; and they now crowded around him, to inquire how he came by so much knowledge, and how he acquired so much self-command.
"I have been shipwrecked once," said Charles. "So we understand from Mr. Crusoe; but we cannot see how a single shipwreck, when you must have been almost frightened to death, could have given you that acute perception of every change in the atmosphere, which the captain says you possess." "I have accustomed myself to look earnestly into the skies, and trace the congregating of those magnificent storms, in which clouds electrify each other. I like to gaze (even whilst I tremble) at the sublime effects produced by tempest; and, like the prophet, can watch the cloud, no bigger than a man's hand, cover by degrees the face of heaven, with a curtain of thick darkness." "You have of course determined to pursue a seafaring life?" said one of the gentlemen.
"Indeed, sir, I have never thought of such a thing; I am much too young to determine on any thing, seeing I have a father who will determine for me." "But as your bent is so decided, as it is plain you love the sea, and possess the talent called for in a navigator, I hope your father will not forbid you to indulge your wishes." "My wishes do not tend that way, sir. I like the sea very well, though not as well as I used to do; but I have no desire to live upon it, or subject myself again to the troubles I have experienced from it. I wish my profession to be a very different one, at present; but I shall certainly express no wish to my father on the subject, until my education is much farther advanced, and I may be supposed to have better reasons for choice than I can have now." So saying, Charles skipped away to his father, who was at that time walking on deck and feeding the parrot, which was an universal favourite, and, like his master, had recovered his power of mixing in general society. The sailors were just now particularly fond of Poll, because, in the height of the storm, he had never ceased to cry, "Don't despair, my dear boy;" and Mr. Crusoe now learnt from his son, the reason why the poor creature had been taught these words, and how often he had chanced to use them, in the most suitable moment, and with the happiest effect. When the fond father was told of the above conversation, he rejoiced exceedingly to hear that his son had no predilection for a seaman's life, having, like others, believed that to be the case, notwithstanding all that had occurred; and he now became solicitous to know to what his desires turned. This he told Charles, adding—"That since he had unavoidably lost much time, if he desired to enter on a learned profession, he would engage for him the best masters, as soon as they arrived." "Then, papa," said Charles, "I will tell you frankly, that I do earnestly desire to be brought up to the Church, considering it the best way I have of shewing gratitude to God, for the preservation of my life and my understanding, in circumstances so extraordinary as those I have experienced. But as I know myself to be not only very young, but in many respects ignorant, I did not like, on such a serious subject, to excite any ridicule so if you please we will say nothing about it for some time to come." "You seem to me, Charles, to have a greater dread of ridicule, than I should expect from a boy of your good sense in other respects." "Perhaps I have. The people on board the ship that rescued me, though they were really good at the bottom, called me the 'wild man of the woods,' you know, and the speaking 'ourang outang,' and used to tell me my own mother would not know me, so that I have got a kind of fear, that I am like nobody else." "My dear boy," replied Mr. Crusoe, "I am very sorry you should suffer pain from such an unworthy cause, for even allowing, that from long seclusion and peculiar habits, you might (when you were first found) appear singular, depend upon it, that would very soon go off, for young people soon contract and soon lose any impression or habit. However, since one of two evils were always likely to arise, either that you should be exalted into a hero, in your own eyes, and made for the rest of your youth a conceited coxcomb, I had much rather of the two that you should experience the fear which now affects you. When you mix with boys of your own age, this timidity (so far as it is painful) will subside; and, in the mean time, comfort yourself with knowing, that your father is not ashamed, but proud of you."
