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from the main gorge； and that our companion； Allen； was still
missing； we determined at once to retrace our steps and look for him。
After a long search； and much danger from the farther caving in of
the earth above us； Peters at length cried out to me that he had hold
of our companion's foot； and that his whole body was deeply buried
beneath the rubbish beyond the possibility of extricating him。 I soon
found that what he said was too true； and that； of course； life had
been long extinct。 With sorrowful hearts； therefore； we left the
corpse to its fate； and again made our way to the bend。
The breadth of the seam was barely sufficient to admit us； and；
after one or two ineffectual efforts at getting up； we began once
more to despair。 I have before said that the chain of hills through
which ran the main gorge was composed of a species of soft rock
resembling soap。 stone。 The sides of the cleft we were now attempting
to ascend were of the same material； and so excessively slippery；
being wet； that we could get but little foothold upon them even in
their least precipitous parts； in some places； where the ascent was
nearly perpendicular； the difficulty was； of course； much aggravated；
and； indeed； for some time we thought insurmountable。 We took
courage； however； from despair； and what； by dint of cutting steps in
the soft stone with our bowie knives； and swinging at the risk of our
lives； to small projecting points of a harder species of slaty rock
which now and then protruded from the general mass； we at length
reached a natural platform； from which was perceptible a patch of
blue sky； at the extremity of a thickly…wooded ravine。 Looking back
now； with somewhat more leisure； at the passage through which we had
thus far proceeded； we clearly saw from the appearance of its sides；
that it was of late formation； and we concluded that the concussion；
whatever it was； which had so unexpectedly overwhelmed us； had also；
at the same moment； laid open this path for escape。 Being quite
exhausted with exertion； and indeed； so weak that we were scarcely
able to stand or articulate； Peters now proposed that we should
endeavour to bring our companions to the rescue by firing the pistols
which still remained in our girdles… the muskets as well as cutlasses
had been lost among the loose earth at the bottom of the chasm。
Subsequent events proved that； had we fired； we should have sorely
repented it； but luckily a half suspicion of foul play had by this
time arisen in my mind； and we forbore to let the savages know of our
whereabouts。
After having reposed for about an hour； we pushed on slowly up
the ravine； and had gone no great way before we heard a succession of
tremendous yells。 At length we reached what might be called the
surface of the ground； for our path hitherto； since leaving the
platform； had lain beneath an archway of high rock and foliage； at a
vast distance overhead。 With great caution we stole to a narrow
opening； through which we had a clear sight of the surrounding
country； when the whole dreadful secret of the concussion broke upon
us in one moment and at one view。
The spot from which we looked was not far from the summit of the
highest peak in the range of the soapstone hills。 The gorge in which
our party of thirty…two had entered ran within fifty feet to the left
of us。 But； for at least one hundred yards； the channel or bed of
this gorge was entirely filled up with the chaotic ruins of more than
a million tons of earth and stone that had been artificially tumbled
within it。 The means by which the vast mass had been precipitated
were not more simple than evident； for sure traces of the murderous
work were yet remaining。 In several spots along the top of the
eastern side of the gorge （we were now on the western） might be seen
stakes of wood driven into the earth。 In these spots the earth had
not given way； but throughout the whole extent of the face of the
precipice from which the mass had fallen； it was clear； from marks
left in the soil resembling those made by the drill of the rock
blaster； that stakes similar to those we saw standing had been
inserted； at not more than a yard apart； for the length of perhaps
three hundred feet； and ranging at about ten feet back from the edge
of the gulf。 Strong cords of grape vine were attached to the stakes
still remaining on the hill； and it was evident that such cords had
also been attached to each of the other stakes。 I have already spoken
of the singular stratification of these soapstone hills； and the
description just given of the narrow and deep fissure through which
we effected our escape from inhumation will afford a further
conception of its nature。 This was such that almost every natural
convulsion would be sure to split the soil into perpendicular layers
or ridges running parallel with one another； and a very moderate
exertion of art would be sufficient for effecting the same purpose。
Of this stratification the savages had availed themselves to
accomplish their treacherous ends。 There can be no doubt that； by the
continuous line of stakes； a partial rupture of the soil had been
brought about probably to the depth of one or two feet； when by means
of a savage pulling at the end of each of the cords （these cords
being attached to the tops of the stakes； and extending back from the
edge of the cliff）； a vast leverage power was obtained； capable of
hurling the whole face of the hill； upon a given signal； into the
bosom of the abyss below。 The fate of our poor companions was no
longer a matter of uncertainty。 We alone had escaped from the tempest
of that overwhelming destruction。 We were the only living white men
upon the island。
~~~ End of Text of Chapter 21 ~~~
CHAPTER 22
OUR situation； as it now appeared； was scarcely less dreadful
than when we had conceived ourselves entombed forever。 We saw before
us no prospect but that of being put to death by the savages； or of
dragging out a miserable existence in captivity among them。 We might；
to be sure； conceal ourselves for a time from their observation among
the fastnesses of the hills； and； as a final resort； in the chasm
from which we had just issued； but we must either perish in the long
polar winter through cold and famine； or be ultimately discovered in
our efforts to obtain relief。
The whole country around us seemed to be swarming with savages；
crowds of whom； we now perceived； had come over from the islands to
the southward on flat rafts； doubtless with a view of lending their
aid in the capture and plunder of the Jane。 The vessel still lay
calmly at anchor in the bay； those on board being apparently quite
unconscious of any danger awaiting them。 How we longed at that moment
to be with them！ either to aid in effecting their escape； or to
perish with them in attempting a defence。 We saw no chance even of
warning them of their danger without bringing immediate destruction
upon our own heads； with but a remote hope of benefit to them。 A
pistol fired might suffice to apprise them that something wrong had
occurred； but the report could not possibly inform them that their
only prospect of saf