CHAPTER XVII.
Candle-making. The New Mansion and its Furniture. The Misfortune of the Ball-dresses. Another Expedition on the Pampas. The Fields and the Garden. The alarming observations of Almagro. Preparations for a Siege. The Well and its utility.

THE frost still continued, snow frequently fell during the night, and showers of rain in the day. There could be no hunting; but the building proceeded rapidly. Everybody was made useful, except the languid Mrs. Carruthers, who could only work at crotchet or embroidery. She certainly could sing, and play on the guitar, and had brought her instrument with her, through all her distresses; but she had little pleasure in performing before such an unsophisticated audience. Matilda and Mary listened to her with delight, and Maria was perfectly enchanted; but the lady was accustomed to flattery, and though Charles Villars still retained some of the exaggerated expression of the gay world, yet even be became weary of talking nonsense, and witnessing the indolence and affectation of Mrs. Carruthers.

"Pray, my dear Eliza," said her husband, "indulge us with little music tonight; we really require some amusement after day of actual hard labor."

"I cannot sing and play in the dark," replied she pettishly; "all my own wax-tapers are consumed, and it is impossible to see with that very disgusting looking lamp."

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The lamp was not brilliant, nor particularly elegant--it was invented and constructed by Nanny, and was merely an ostrich egg bowl, filled with melted fat, in the midst of which was stock a peeled rush, which emitted a feeble glimmering.

"Remind me, my dear girls," said Mrs. Douglas, "early in the morning, and, if God spare me till tomorrow, we will have a candle making day. Peel your rushes, Nanny, and have them ready; cotton is too scarce an article to be used for the wicks."

"But my friends," said Mr. Douglas, "I cannot help fancying you ought to have the cotton shrub near you; but those knaves, who carried off my instruments, have left me in the dark about our certain position. At all events, boys, you must look about in the spring for the cotton-shrub, Gossypium--you will distinguish it by its large yellow flower, with a purple spot at the base of each petal."

"We are certainly not within the tropics," said Lewis, "beyond which I doubt the gossypium being indigenous. If we could procure the seed, I have no doubt we might be able to cultivate it in the long dry summer of this climate; but, as that is not very probable, we must be content with our rushlights, and thankful for any improvement Mrs. Douglas can suggest."

The next day Mrs. Douglas overlooked all the preparations for the candle-making. Nanny had a cask filled with the fat of the bullocks and guanacoes; but this cask was an inconvenient utensil for the operation, and Mrs. Douglas despatched John to extract from the miscellaneous stores of the waggon a washing-tub. This was filled with melted fat, kept in a fluid state by being placed near a large fire. Then a number of peeled rushes of proper length were knotted along a straight pole, and suffered to hang down; they were made smooth and straight by drawing a little tallow over them with the finger and thumb, and then the whole were dipped in the fat, which adhered to them. The rod was hung up in the open air till the tallow stiffened, when a second dipping took place the process was continued till the candles attained the desirable thickness when they were removed, hung up in bunches, and a new set of rushes arranged. The manufacture was tedious, and by no means an agreeable employment but John was an | | 194 active assistant, Mrs. Douglas was never tired of useful work, and Nanny's exertions and approbation were extreme. The only drawback to her gratification was the prospect of losing the useful tub when the rightful owner should leave Esperanza; but Mrs. Douglas assured her that she waved all right to it, and when they departed the washing-tub should remain--a souvenir to remind Nanny of her friends.

"After this success," said Mrs. Douglas, as they sat in the evening enjoying the comparative brilliancy of two rush candies, stuck in bamboos for candle-sticks "after this, I think we may venture to try making soap. I know the process; but I have always been able to send to the chemist's for soda; and I wish some of you gentlemen learned in chemistry to tell me how I shall obtain it."

"The barilla, or soda of commerce," replied Tom, "is, I know, obtained from the salsolæ, which I have remarked frequently on the plains below the wood."

"The salsolæ is found in extra-tropical latitudes, scattered everywhere," said Mr. Carruthers; "but to obtain the pure soda for soap, I fear a tedious process will be required. The plants should be dried and burned, and should be rendered caustic by the addition of lime, which I understand you have not yet met with in the mountains. But perseverance and industry, such as you, ladies, have evinced, must overcome every obstacle; and you shall have all the assistance my small scientific knowledge can give you."

"But at all events," said Lewis, "the experiment must be deferred, for time barilla can only be collected at the end of summer; Mrs. Douglas must, therefore, write out the receipt for her young pupils."

In a month the neat dwelling for the strangers was built and thatched. Two small glass windows which had lighted the waggons were taken out, and fitted into time study and ladies' room. In the midst of the hall was placed a small iron stove, which had also been used in the waggon it was of a new and excellent construction, and warmed the room perfectly, without the annoyance of the smoke which had offended Mrs. Carruthers so greatly in the parent dwelling of the settlement.

The skill and ingenuity of Mr. Douglas and John, who were assisted by the willing boys, furnished the house with | | 195 tables, and seats stuffed with hair and covered with skins. The bedsteads of hides stretched on four short poles were by no means despicable, and the whole of the furniture was greatly superior to the rude attempts which the slender appliances and unskilfulness of the first settlers had permitted them to make. The study was furnished with a small bookcase filled with volumes on mechanics, mineralogy, and engineering, the property of Mr. Douglas, and a few works on natural history and natural philosophy belonging to Mr. Carruthers. Writing desks, and a few useful instruments which had escaped the plunderers, completed the furniture of this room. The ladies' apartment had a cushioned couch, and the furniture of the travelling waggon, a few shelves of French and English novels belonging to Mrs. Carruthers, and the small library of Mrs. Douglas, consisting of a cookery-book, a work on gardening, Hume's History of England, Shakspere, and a large bible and prayer-book.

It was on a fine clear morning that the whole community assembled on the festive occasion of opening the new house; breakfast, on an extravagant scale, was set out in the hall, consisting of tea, cakes, pigeon-pie, and real butter, made in a small churn destined by Mrs. Douglas for Chili. Even Mrs. Carruthers smiled as she took her seat at her own table, and looked on her healthy babe, crowing in the arms of its father; and, on the strength of this dawn of harmony, Mrs. Douglas ventured to say, "William Douglas, why should we risk a journey over these frightful mountains? Why can you not dig mines on this side of the Andes, or cultivate the ground in this peaceful valley?"

But William Douglas and his brother knew well that the golden treasure of the Andes lay far north of the settlement, and they sighed over the incompatibility of the acquisition of wealth with that charming life of ease so tempting in this world of labor; but, above all, Mrs. Carruthers protested angrily against a residence in the desert.

"How can you, Margaret, expect me to remain," said she, "in a place where I never see any one; where I cannot go to a shop for anything I want; cannot get a servant to wait on me; where I am compelled to eat hard beef and coarse bread, and cannot even have a glass of wine, so necessary in my delicate state. Above all, what was the use of bringing out | | 195 ball-dresses from England, if I am never to go to a ball or a concert."

"You may well ask what was the use of bringing such frippery," said Mrs. Douglas; "better have brought a churn and a washing-tub, as I did, and see how useful they are to our kind benefactors. When you are a dozen years older, Eliza, you will know better the real utility of a ball-dress."

But Eliza wanted these twelve probationary years to complete her wisdom; she was determined that her ball-dresses should not be wasted, and she gave her strong vote for the journey.

Mr. Douglas himself had a great taste for rural life. Mrs. Douglas was delighted with the Mertons and their pleasant home; and Henry Carruthers, a man of refined taste and fond of study, would have been content to settle in this quiet solitude; but the ball-dresses turned the scale, and Eliza won her victory. It was agreed that the passage of the Andes should be attempted, as soon as the spring advanced.

In the mean time the ladies rode out daily. John, whose talents were universal, made very good saddles covered with skins; and Niger, Dewdrop (late Vixen,) with the mule, were quite submissive to female control. Mrs. Douglas frequently rode out with her young friends, becoming more delighted with the charming scenery of the valley every day.

As the river continued swollen and completely impassable, the gentlemen set out for a long expedition along the banks, which they had not yet fully explored. After crossing the valley, the river wound along the foot of the hills for some distance to the south; then, rushing through a narrow gorge, it poured its waters into a large river on the Pampas.

As they passed along, Mr. Douglas pointed out to his young friends the rich soil of the land which lay by the river, and recommended them to enclose and cultivate it. "We can spare you as much wheat as will sow two acres," said he, "which in this fine climate will produce tenfold, and enable you next year to treble your space of tillage. You ought also to sow a quantity of maize in plots, and enclose and manure some portions for pasture and meadow. This virgin soil | | 197 offers incalculable wealth to the industry of man; more, I apprehend, than the mountains will afford to the miner. You know the oft-repeated observation 'if you work a coppermine, you must get rich ; if you work a silver-mine, you may get rich; but if you work a gold wine, you will certainly be ruined.' Now, it our golden speculations are likely to become a snare and ruin to us, we will fly to Esperanza; you will take us in and we will try to forget those temptation to evil, and seek with you the true treasures of the earth."

Henry Carruthers looked melancholy, for Mr. Douglas had spoken his own sentiments; he loved to associate with the learned, scientific and refined, and he had no sanguine hopes of such society in Chili. He had no abstract love of gold, nor much desire for the pleasures gold can purchase. If he had been able to follow his own wishes, life in the wilderness, with the intellectual and happy Mertons, would have satisfied him; but then there arose the antagonism of the ball-dresses.

They proceeded for several miles along the banks of the river till they reached the gorge and passing through it, left behind them the mountains which inclosed their happy valley, and came out on the Pampas. They continued along the river till, about seven wiles from the settlement, they reached its continence with a wide and deep river flowing in a south-east direction. They found the plains to the south somewhat scanty of wood, but rich in grass, on which several herds of wild cattle and horses were grazing. The horsemen set out on the chase, and were fortunate enough to take two young horses, which, they planned should be trained for the use of the travellers. They also killed a large bullock and a calf, and turned homewards, well satisfied with their day's sport, and their extended knowledge of the country.

Mr. Carruthers inquired why his friends did not attempt to form a wooden bridge across the river, to escape their irksome imprisonment when the water was impassable.

"You do not consider," replied Lewis, "that we should, by doing this, afford access to any wandering Indians; these marauders, doubtless, haunt the Pampas, but the river is an insurmountable obstacle to them. We are therefore content to ford the river in the dry season, and to confine ourselves | | 198 within its bounds, and rejoice in our security when it becomes unfordable."

"I can scarcely fancy this foaming torrent can ever be forded," said Mr. Carruthers; "its impetuous waters appear bent on continuing their course to the Atlantic."

"Of the many rivers which flow from the Andes," said Lewis, "few, it any, are supposed to reach the ocean. They spread over the level Pampas and form lakes, or, are absorbed in the heat of summer."

"I could not help thinking, Lewis," said Tom, "when I looked on the large river which swallows up our own stream, that if we were again to set out in spring, and keep along its banks, we might reach the coast of the Atlantic, and the dwellings of civilization."

"I should by no means encourage, or like to share the experiment, Tom," answered Lewis. "The difficulties of crossing the unknown Pampas, with a large party, and no conveyances, would be at least quite as formidable as those we encountered in crossing the Cordilleras. Moreover, we should be in constant danger of encountering the tribes of Indians scattered over the plains. We are safer in our fortess [sic] , Tom. But see, here is more sport; we must have a gallop after that drove of partridges."

The partridge, or quail of the Pampas, is a very silly bird; these creatures are easily caught by riding round, driving them into a centre, and flinging the bolas or a small lasso. They soon caught nine or ten birds, and returned with some pride to show their spoil.

The weather began to improve, and while the young horses were training, the operations of agriculture and gardening were not neglected. Beyond the inclosure several large plots were marked out and fenced; ploughed with the large bone of a bullock,--for Mrs. Douglas had forgotten a ploughshare amongst her treasures, and then sown with potatoes, maize, or wheat. Some plots, covered with manure from the corral, were left for meadow. The gardens were laid out under the superintendence of Mrs. Douglas. Potatoes were first planted, that in case of marauders beyond the inclosure, they might not quite be bereft of this precious provision. Then rows of peas, beans, onions, turnips, and all the vegetable of Europe, were sown. Strawberries had in the autumn been trans- | | 199 planted from the woods; and all the flower seeds they possessed were sown, in hopes of some, at least, succeeding.

Maria described so vividly a flower she wished for, which she named Fior di morto, that they recognized it as the marigold; and Jack sowed the marigold in Maria's garden, inquiring how it obtained such a mournful name. Almagro explained that the Araucanians, the Chilians, and the Mexicans, believe that it sprung originally from the blood of the natives slaughtered by the conquering Spaniards; hence they named the flower Fior di morto, a name adopted even by the Spaniards themselves.

"I like the dear old English hearts ease," said Matilda, "with all its quaint names, though some of them are perhaps melancholy."

"I think you are in error, my child," said Mr. Merton. "This flower of many names has truly no mournful allusions. It was originally named after St. Euphrasia, the interpretation of whose name signifieth cheerfulness. And its more sentimental appellation, 'Love in idleness,' recalls to us pleasant thoughts: the undying memories of Shakspere and the 'Midsummer Night's dream.' We see before us the glorious virgin Queen Elizabeth, turning aside the fiery shaft of love, and passing on, 'in maiden meditation, fancy-free.' Again, we mark,--

"And though the French name of the flower, pensee, thought, or consideration," said Charles, "may have a somewhat dolorous sound; yet it has still a merry association, for the modern knights of France, in adopting this flower for their device, add the motto: 'may it be far from thee.'"

"Then, Charles," said Mary, I give the device and motto to you,--the most insociant knight I know ; and in compliment to you, I will try to cultivate the pensee beneath my lattice, like one of the ladies of the days of chivalry."

The gardens now laid out were rich with promises of a perfect Eden, if the climate proved propitious. They only | | 200 wanted roses; and the sanguine Mrs. Douglas did not despair, if she could have procured them, of cultivating roses among the Andes; and she promised, that if ever she should return to Esperanza. she would bring some roses to wind round the pillars of the colonnades.

But in the midst of the cheerful labors of the whole party the keen eye of Mrs. Douglas had noticed a marked thoughtfulness in the countenance of Almagro for some days. He frequently hold private conversations with Dr. Lewis, and the lady was persuaded he had some unusual care on his mind. He was still, however, continually employed, and having pointed out to Mr. Douglas the total uselessness of the wagons in crossing the mountains, he obtained permission to take them to pieces, and to bring them within the walls; the wheels being too valuable, he observed, to be exposed to the risk of accidents.

Mrs. Douglas reflected for a day on the change in Almagro; and then, with her usual promptness, set about discovering the cause. She entered the hut where Dr. Lewis and Almagro were engaged in some engrossing discussion, and sad, "I insist on learning what conspiracy you two confederates are engaged in? I see something has gone wrong; and if two heads are better than one, three heads must be better than two. Therefore I pray you, my good men, take me into council."

Dr. Lewis smiled at her request, and speaking a few words to Almagro in Spanish, he announced to the sagacious lady that she was admitted into council.

He told her, that a few days before, Almagro had visited the Pampas by the way of the mountain gorge, and that he had remarked, on the banks of the river, the regular track of a line of horses, with the trace of the lance dragging by the side, a certain indication that a party of Indians had recently passed. He thought it scarcely possible that the new settlement should have escaped the observation of these keen and crafty marauders and he judged it expedient that the whole family should for some time seclude themselves within the fortress, and prepare for a vigorous defence, in case they should be subjected to an attack; but, at the same time, Lewis had advised that they should avoid unnecessarily alarming Mr. Merton and the ladies.

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Mrs. Douglas received the information with firmness; only asking what steps they had already taken, and suggesting, that as these robbers usually made their incursions in the night, their first care should be to set a watch.

"That has been already arranged, my dear colleague," said Lewis. "For the last two nights, John, Almagro, and I, have watched alternately, for two hours at a time. On the roof of his hut, Almagro has laid a platform, from which he can observe the whole extent of the valley, being himself concealed by the branches of the cactus. We mount to this observatory every half hour, but have not yet seen any trace of the enemy. In fact, unless they should invade us with a very large force, I have no fear of our dispersing them, for we can muster a tolerably strong party, and, with the addition of your weapons, we are well armed."

"Quite right," answered Mrs. Douglas. "Decidedly we have nothing to fear from a surprise. Yes; I approve of your prudence in keeping everything from the dear timid creatures, who could not help us in any way. But I see no reason why William and Henry should not be informed immediately. All ought to be in readiness, the plan of defence arranged, and the commander-in-chief appointed. Our waggon still contains a little armory, with powder and shot enough to extirpate a whole tribe of Indians. Then why delay an hour? Why delay a minute? Call up the forces, and make ready!"

Though Dr. Lewis assured Mrs. Douglas he was in no dread of an immediate attack, yet stimulated by her energetic and prudent counsels, he called Mr. Douglas and Mr. Carruthers, with the three young men, into the hut, and made them acquainted with the observations and suspicions of Almagro. The intelligence caused a great sensation among them. Mr. Douglas and Mr. Carruthers were concerned, for they remembered their wives, and the baby. Tom was rather annoyed to be disturbed in his studies and pleasant rambles; but Jack and Charles, it must be confessed, forgot all their responsibilities in the charm of an adventure, and the prospect of fleshing their maiden swords.

"See how we will scatter the rascals!" cried Jack; "depend on it they will never pay us a second visit. Now for | | 202 our plans: what do you say, Charles, shall we defend the fort? or sally out, and put the besiegers to flight at once?"

"You will merely be steady, and obey orders, young men," said Mrs. Douglas. "It is very lucky for us that we are not compelled to choose such Hotspurs as you for leaders. I vote that Dr Lewis be appointed general of the forces."

The election was carried by acclamation, and Lewis, bowing very gracefully, addressed his little army. "My brave soldiers!" said he, "I entreat you to remember that we are now placed in a deeply responsible, though honorable, position. It is not alone our own lives and liberties, our own peace and wealth, that are at stake, but the security and the lives of those beloved friends who look to us for protection, and must perish without it. For their sakes we most be prudent as well as valiant and the remembrance of our Christian profession will impress on us the duty of blending our valor with humanity. Let us never forget that these wretched heathen robbers are still our brethren ; and unless in defence of life, let us not take life. We must be firm, bold, and united, my dear friends, and, if possible, we must dismay, without destroying our foes. Let 'Union and Discipline!' be our motto; and may God defend the right."

The speech was received with enthusiastic cheers, which brought out the ladies to inquire the cause of such unusual hilarity. It was for the gentlemen necessary to tell them that they were about to enrol themselves into a corps, and to undergo a course of drilling in the art of defence, in order that, in case of need, they might come out great warriors, and, as the subject of the roving Indians was often discussed. this preparation created no alarm.

After the ladies had retired, Lewis said, "My first order shall be that John continue the work we have interrupted with our council, for, if our fears are realized, it will be a work of great utility."

John had been employed in making some neat buckets of hide, with handles of the same material, to replace the clumsy vessels of skin of their own rude manufacture, which the family had been glad to use for the purpose of bringing water from the river.

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"We must immediately bring in a supply of water, and fill all our vessels," said Lewis "for secure as our fortress seems to be, a determined plan of firing it might place us in great peril, and we must be prepared to subdue the first appearance of such a danger."

"But, allow me to speak now," said Mr. Douglas, "on a project I have long had in my head. From certain appearances in a particular spot, near the corral, where a bed of clay certainly exists, I hope we may find water within the inclosure. Come with me, this is too important a matter to be longer delayed." He immediately procured from his study a long iron rod, and, followed by the whole family, proceeded to the spot he had examined. He then bored the earth to the depth of five or six feet, and, on withdrawing the rod, the water sprung up, to the wonder and delight of the observers. Maria's astonishment almost partook of terror at the unexpected result; and Nanny declared there was something uncanny in Mr. Douglas seeing the water through the very ground; but Tom reproved their ignorance adding--

"It is a well known fact, that an underground stream flows in a descending course, till it meets with a bed of clay, which stops it, as water cannot pass through clay. Then, if the ground be opened at the spot where it has accumulated, it springs, to use the common expression. I suppose, Mr. Douglas, we must now form a basin for this spring."

"Yes, my good lad," said Mr. Douglas, "we must just dig a well, and line it with flag-stones. A pump is beyond our mechanical powers and means. But amidst our stores we have some hose, or leathern pipes, and John, from your stock of hides, will teach you to make more. These will be more serviceable than buckets."

"But now, the well! the well !" cried Jack, seizing a spade then putting it down, he added, "but I have forgotten, Field-Marshal Lewis has not given the word of command."

"But he gives the word now, and sets the example," said Lewis, beginning to dig vigorously. Working by turns, they soon formed a basin six feet deep, which was sufficient, as the water was so near the surface. Before night it was lined with stones, and the water had risen four feet in it. Then | | 204 two large casks were carried up to Almagro's observatory, and filled with water, by means of buckets drawn up. A long, flexible leathern-pipe was introduced into each cask. from which, in a descending position, the water might be showered upon, or over the fence.

They worked so long and late, and slept so profoundly, that, even if the drowsy watch had not themselves been slumbering, they would have had much difficulty in rousing and assembling the forces, had any suspicious circumstances rendered it expedient; and Mrs. Douglas, who was the first to rise and observe the sleeping garrison, sighed over the loss of her faithful dog Wallace, which would have rendered any other watch unnecessary. Fortunately all remained quiet, and the refreshed troop assembled after breakfast to receive the instructions of their prudent commander, in case danger should arise; and while Nanny and her young assistants were testing the grand utility of the "wonderful well," the troop were undergoing a drilling, that they might be ready to perform their evolutions with promptness and regularity.

The day was so spring-like that the young ladies were anxious for a long ride, and even Mrs. Carruthers, who had been riding within the inclosure for some days, on a gentle creature which Charles Villars had named Mayflower, desired, on this day to wear a pretty riding-dress from her well-supplied wardrobe, and, attended by Charles, to make an excursion. Lewis had some difficulty in warding off this wish of his fair friends without alarming them; but he determined that no one should leave the protection of the fortress for some days. At length Charles induced Mrs. Carruthers to be contented with a canter in that part of the inclosure which was not laid out in gardens; and the lady was so pleased with her exercise, and with her pretty palfrey, that she declared if she could not have a carriage for her journey, she would like to make her entrance into a civilized country on Mayflower, rather than on a heavy, ugly mule.

Mr. Carruthers observed to her that, besides the fact of Mayflower being totally unfit for such a difficult journey, she was the property of Mr. Villars, and must not be so unceremoniously appropriated.

"If Mrs. Carruthers will do me the honor to accept Mayflower," said Charles, "I will train it for the mountains, be- | | 205 fore the unhappy day when we must, I suppose, lose you all."

"But why should you lose us, Mr. Villars," replied the lady; "surely you do not mean to waste your life in these dismal wilds! Come with us; you shall be our guide and protector over those terrible mountains, and you shall be our guest and our dear friend in Chili."

Charles smiled and thanked her, but did not accept her invitation; he was a little undecided on the subject; and he did not like to think about it.