green mansions-第4章
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score of youth。
Our first decision was to escape to the sea…coast; but as the risk of a journey to La Guayra; or any other port of embarkation on the north side of the country; seemed too great; we made our way in a contrary direction to the Orinoco; and downstream to Angostura。 Now; when we had reached this comparatively safe breathing…placesafe; at all events; for the momentI changed my mind about leaving or attempting to leave the country。 Since boyhood I had taken a very peculiar interest in that vast and almost unexplored territory we possess south of the Orinoco; with its countless unmapped rivers and trackless forests; and in its savage inhabitants; with their ancient customs and character; unadulterated by contact with Europeans。 To visit this primitive wilderness had been a cherished dream; and I had to some extent even prepared myself for such an adventure by mastering more than one of the Indian dialects of the northern states of Venezuela。 And now; finding myself on the south side of our great river; with unlimited time at my disposal; I determined to gratify this wish。 My companion took his departure towards the coast; while I set about making preparations and hunting up information from those who had travelled in the interior to trade with the savages。 I decided eventually to go back upstream and penetrate to the interior in the western part of Guayana; and the Amazonian territory bordering on Colombia and Brazil; and to return to Angostura in about six months' time。 I had no fear of being arrested in the semi…independent and in most part savage region; as the Guayana authorities concerned themselves little enough about the political upheavals at Caracas。
The first five or six months I spent in Guayana; after leaving the city of refuge; were eventful enough to satisfy a moderately adventurous spirit。 A complaisant government employee at Angostura had provided me with a passport; in which it was set down (for few to read) that my object in visiting the interior was to collect information concerning the native tribes; the vegetable products of the country; and other knowledge which would be of advantage to the Republic; and the authorities were requested to afford me protection and assist me in my pursuits。 I ascended the Orinoco; making occasional expeditions to the small Christian settlements in the neighbourhood of the right bank; also to the Indian villages; and travelling in this way; seeing and learning much; in about three months I reached the River Metal During this period I amused myself by keeping a journal; a record of personal adventures; impressions of the country and people; both semi…civilized and savage; and as my journal grew; I began to think that on my return at some future time to Caracas; it might prove useful and interesting to the public; and also procure me fame; which thought proved pleasurable and a great incentive; so that I began to observe things more narrowly and to study expression。 But the book was not to be。
From the mouth of the Meta I journeyed on; intending to visit the settlement of Atahapo; where the great River Guaviare; with other rivers; empties itself into the Orinoco。 But I was not destined to reach it; for at the small settlement of Manapuri I fell ill of a low fever; and here ended the first half…year of my wanderings; about which no more need be told。
A more miserable place than Manapuri for a man to be ill of a low fever in could not well be imagined。 The settlement; composed of mean hovels; with a few large structures of mud; or plastered wattle; thatched with palm leaves; was surrounded by water; marsh; and forest; the breeding…place of myriads of croaking frogs and of clouds of mosquitoes; even to one in perfect health existence in such a place would have been a burden。 The inhabitants mustered about eighty or ninety; mostly Indians of that degenerate class frequently to be met with in small trading outposts。 The savages of Guayana are great drinkers; but not drunkards in our sense; since their fermented liquors contain so little alcohol that inordinate quantities must be swallowed to produce intoxication; in the settlements they prefer the white man's more potent poisons; with the result that in a small place like Manapuri one can see enacted; as on a stage; the last act in the great American tragedy。 To be succeeded; doubtless; by other and possibly greater tragedies。 My thoughts at that period of suffering were pessimistic in the extreme。 Sometimes; when the almost continuous rain held up for half a day; I would manage to creep out a short distance; but I was almost past making any exertion; scarcely caring to live; and taking absolutely no interest in the news from Caracas; which reached me at long intervals。 At the end of two months; feeling a slight improvement in my health; and with it a returning interest in life and its affairs; it occurred to me to get out my diary and write a brief account of my sojourn at Manapuri。 I had placed it for safety in a small deal box; lent to me for the purpose by a Venezuelan trader; an old resident at the settlement; by name Pantaleoncalled by all Don Pantaone who openly kept half a dozen Indian wives in his house; and was noted for his dishonesty and greed; but who had proved himself a good friend to me。 The box was in a corner of the wretched palm…thatched hovel I inhabited; but on taking it out I discovered that for several weeks the rain had been dripping on it; and that the manuscript was reduced to a sodden pulp。 I flung it upon the floor with a curse and threw myself back on my bed with a groan。
In that desponding state I was found by my friend Panta; who was constant in his visits at all hours; and when in answer to his anxious inquiries I pointed to the pulpy mass on the mud floor; he turned it over with his foot; and then; bursting into a loud laugh; kicked it out; remarking that he had mistaken the object for some unknown reptile that had crawled in out of the rain。 He affected to be astonished that I should regret its loss。 It was all a true narrative; he exclaimed; if I wished to write a book for the stay…at…homes to read; I could easily invent a thousand lies far more entertaining than any real experiences。 He had come to me; he said; to propose something。 He had lived twenty years at that place; and had got accustomed to the climate; but it would not do for me to remain any longer if I wished to live。 I must go away at once to a different countryto the mountains; where it was open and dry。 〃And if you want quinine when you are there;〃 he concluded; 〃smell the wind when it blows from the south…west; and you will inhale it into your system; fresh from the forest。〃 When I remarked despondingly that in my condition it would be impossible to quit Manapuri; he went on to say that a small party of Indians was now in the settlement; that they had come; not only to trade; but to visit one of their own tribe; who was his wife; purchased some years ago from her father。 〃And the money she cost me I have never regretted to this day;〃 said he; 〃for she is a good wife not jealous;〃 he added; with a curse on all the others。 These Indians came all the way from the Queneveta mountains; and were of the Maquiritari tribe。 He; Panta; and; better still; his good wife would interest them on my behalf; and for a suitable reward they would take me by slow; easy stages to their own country; where I would be treated well and recover my health。
This proposal; after I had considered it well; produced so good an effect on me that I not only gave a glad consent; but; on the following day; I was able to get about and begin the preparations for my journey with some spirit。
In about eight days I bade good…bye to my generous friend Panta; whom I regarded; after having seen much of him; as a kind of savage beast that had sprung on me; not to rend; but to rescue from death; for we know that even cruel savage brutes and evil men have at times sweet; beneficent impulses; during which they act in a way contrary to their natures; like passive agents of some higher power。 It was a continual pain to travel in my weak condition; and the patience of my Indians was severely taxed; but they did not forsake me; and