Now, whatever philosophers may say to the contrary, we hold strongly to the opinion that likings and dislikings among men and women and children are the result of some profound occult cause which has nothing whatever to do with experience. No doubt experience may afterwards come in to modify or intensify the feelings, but it is not the originating cause. If you say it is, how are we to account for love at first sight? Beauty has nothing necessarily to do with it, for men fall in love at first sight with what the world calls plain womenhappily! Character is not the cause, for love assails the human breast, oft-times, before the loved object has uttered a word, or perpetrated a smile, or even fulminated a glance to indicate character. So, in like manner, affection may arise between man and man.
It was so on this occasion with Nigel Roy. As he stood abstractedly gazing at the boatman he fell in love with himat least he took a powerful fancy to him, and this was all the more surprising that the man was a negro,a woolly-headed, flat-nosed, thick-lipped nigger!
We would not for a moment have it supposed that it is unnatural to love such a man. Quite the reverse. But when such a man is a perfect stranger, has never uttered a word in ones presence, or vouchsafed so much as a glance, and is gravely, stolidly engaged in the unsavoury work of greasing some of the tackling of a boat, it does seem unaccountable that he should be unwittingly capable of stirring up in another mans bosom feelings of ardent goodwill, to put it mildly.
After watching him for some time, Nigel, under an almost involuntary impulse, shouted Hullo!
Hullo! replied the negro, looking up with a somewhat stern frown and a pout of his thick lips, as much as to sayWho are you?
Nigel smiled, and made that suggestive motion with his forefinger which signifies Come here.
The frown fled and the pout became a smile as the negro approached, wiping his hands on a piece of cotton-waste.
What you want wi me, sar? he asked.
Well, upon my word, said Nigel, somewhat perplexed, I cant very well say. I suppose something must have been in my mind, butanyhow, I felt a desire to have a talk with you; that is, if you can spare the time.
The first part of this reply induced a slight recurrence of the frown and pout, but at its conclusion the black brow cleared and the mouth expanded to such a gum-and-teeth-exposing extent that Nigel fairly burst into a laugh.
Yous bery good, sar, said the man, an Is hab much pleasure to make your acquaintance.Der ant no grease on em now.
The last remark had reference to the enormous black paw which he held out.
Nigel at once grasped it and shook it heartily.
Is bery fond ob a talk, sar, continued the negro, so as you wants one, heabe ahead.
Thus encouraged, our hero began by remarking that he seemed to be preparing for a trip.
Dats zackly what Is a-doin, sar.
A long one?
Well, dat depends on what you call short. Goin to Sunda Straits, which praps you know, sar, is nigh a hundred miles fro here.
And what may you be going to do there? asked Nigel.
Goin home to Krakatoa.
Why, I thought that was an uninhabited island. I passed close to it on my way here, and saw no sign of inhabitants.
Dats cause I was absint fro home. An massa he keeps indoors a good deal.
And pray who is massa? asked Nigel.
Sar, said the negro, drawing up his square sturdy frame with a look of dignity; fair-play is eberyting wid me. Youve ax me a heap o questions. Nows my turn. Whar you comes fro?
From England, replied Nigel.
An whar you go to?
Well, youve posed me now, for I really dont know where Im going to. In fact that is the very thing I have been trying to find out all day, so if youll help me Ill be much obliged.
Here Nigel explained his position and difficulties, and it was quite obvious, judging from the glittering eyes and mobile mouth, that he poured his tale into peculiarly sympathetic ears. When he had finished, the negro stood for a considerable time gazing in meditative silence at the sky.
Yes, he said at last, as if communing with himself, I tinkI aint quite sure, but I tinkI may ventur.
Whatever it is you are thinking about, remarked Nigel, you may venture to say anything you like to me.
The negro, who, although comparatively short of stature, was Herculean in build, looked at the youth with an amused expression.
Youre bery good, sar, but dats not what Is tinkin ob. Is tinkin whedder I dar ventur to introdoce you to my massa. Hes not fond o company, an it might make im angry, but he came by a heaby loss lately an praps he may condsend to receibe you. Anyhow youd be quite safe, for hes sure to be civil to any friend ob mine.
Is he then so fierce? asked Nigel, becoming interested as well as amused.
Fierce! no, hes gentle as a lamb, but hes awrful when hes rousedtigers, crokindiles, noceroses is nuffin to him!
Indeed! whats his name, and what does he do? how does he live?
The negro shook his head. Das moren I dar tell till I ax his leave, sar. I kin only say de peepil around calls im the hermit ob Rakata, cause he libs by his-self (wid me, ob course, but I counts for nuffin), close under de ole volcano ob Krakatoa. Dey tinksome ob de foolish peepildat he hab sold his-self to de dibil, but I knows better. Hes a good man, and youd hab great fun if you stop wid him. Now, what Is a-gwine to advise you is, come wid me an see de hermit. If he lets you stop, good. If not, I fetch you ober to de main landwhar you pleasean you kin come back here or go whar you choose. Its wort your while to take your chance, anyhow.
The negro said this with such an earnest look that Nigel made up his mind on the spot to accept this curious invitation.
Ill go! he exclaimed with sudden energy. When do you start?
To-morrer at daybreak, sar.
Well, I shall have to talk it over first with my father, but Im sure he wont object, so you may look out for me here at daybreak. Shall I have to fetch any provisions with me for the voyage?
No, nuffin. Boats crammed wi grub. But youd better bring a gun o some sort an a volver, an a big knife, an a mortal big appetite, for a mans no good widout dat.
I always carry that about with me, said the youth, whatever else I may leave behind; and Ill see to the other things.By the way, whats your name?
Moses.
Is that all?
Isnt dat enuff? returned the negro with a look of dignity.
Quite; but I have the advantage of you there, Moses, for I have two namesNigel Roy.
Well, I dont see much use ob two, but which does you like to be called byNadgel or Roy?
Whichever you please, Moses; Ill answer to either. So now, good-bye for the present, and look out for me to-morrow at daylight.
Good-bye, Massa Nadgel, till to-morrer.
The negro waved his hand and, sauntering slowly back to his boat, remarked in an undertone, I lub dat young feller! Saying which, he resumed his greasing operations.
Of course Captain Roy made no objection to his sons proposal, though he freely gave his opinion that it was a wild-goose chase.