[Murray] Frye-Day the 16th of July, 1802
Was abruptly woke-up in the early-morning Hour’s by our Watch-Men. Could not make-out what they was attempting to communicate unto me but Word’s was un-necessary. For I could see that the Wild-Fire which we’d set a-blase was now en-croaching near unto us. For the Orangish-Hase be-decking the Night-Skye’s creating a False-Dawn told us as much. Soon all was Chaos in our small-encampment. Men scurrying-about that-way & this, running in-to one-another sending both Partie’s crashing to the Ground. Soon the Flames them-selve’s was evident & popping & hissing could be heard along with a deep-some rumbling sound under-lying it all wondrous-ominess in Character. With-out any resemblence of order our various Thingz bobbing & dangling all about us our Rifles hapharzardly slung about our Person’s we blindly struck-out in-to the Night. A Vigourous-Wind pushed us on-ward’s while also motivating the Flames we was fleeing-from. Trotted-on in wondrous-hot haste the Rest of the Night & well on thru the Break of Day. It being now mid-day & us having exhausted all our surplus-energie’s we decided that a Tree-less Rocky Eminance up-ahead would be our surest-refuge. And upon ascending it we collapsed to the stony-ground & rounded out the Rest of the Day with rest. After setting a steady-round of Watch-Men of-course. Way-out in the Distance we could see Hint’s of Smoke but thought our-selves clear of any Danger. But we could not of been any-more in-correct. For when I re-awoke to the Shout’s of the Men in the early after-noone I thought it was Dusk at first, for Smoke obscured the Skye’s. And standing up to get a clearer-view of Thing’s I was gods-smacked to see fiery-flames creeping at an alaruming-rate not-only from the Direction from whence we’d come but also from every-direction. The Inferno soon surrounded us with thousand’s of Voracious Orange Flickering-Tung’s. There was no-where to run, no-where to hide. But that was okeh since so Spartan was our Refuge with no Tree’s or Vegetable-Matter of any-kind that the Fire had no-thing to feast-upon. And many an Animal of a similar cast of minde as us suddenly appeared from out-of the smoke like Spectre’s. There was Deer & Wild-Boar’s & Squirell’s & Chipp-Monke’s a-plenty plus a Fox or 3. And they appeared to be not at-all alarumed by us. Either be-cause they was un-used to contact with Humanoid’s or be-cause under such dyer-circumstance’s as these all Ancient-Enmitie’s between Species was thrust a-side. For all-tho the Deer pranced nervously about they did not avoid us. The Wild-Boarz mean-while was a bit more tranquilised & just kinda paced-about & snorted. The Squirrels & the Chip-monke’s sought cover amongst our Accountrement’s & the Foxes sidled up to us trembling & whining like Puppy-Dog’s. So we petted them in-order to comfort them. In such mutually-horrendous Circumstance’s it did not even enter in to our Mentalities to slay any of these Beast’s. But this Spontaneous-Peace between Specie’s was severely-tested when up stepped in-to our Sanctuary our Old-Nemesis who’s Menaces we had long-since forgot-about due-to intra-vening Trial’s & Hard-Ship’s a-plenty. I’m speaking of-course of the Greyish-Bear. All the Old-Terrour came flooding-back & the Corpse let-out a Collectivist-Shout slash Moan when they saw it emerge from the dusky-atmosphere. It’s Hide was about the same colour as the Smoke but it’s Eye’s stood out as did it’s Mouth which was half-open exposing it’s large Fang’s & it’s long lolling Pink Tung. The Other-Animal’s took-fright as-well when they caught-sight of the Bear. The Deer & the Wild-Boer’s both begun to skitter-about in Circle’s & the Men as if taking their Cue from the Animal’s also begun to scurry-about frantickally, launching them-selve’s that-way & this with no clear-objective. My Co-Capt. Captain Crandall & I then ordered them to tranquilise them-selves. For surely such manick-movement’s would only serve to kindle the hunterly-instinct’s of the Bear. Commanded the Corpse to slowly but surely gain-access to their Fire-Arms while mean-while the Bear crept-closer. And thru the Obscurity of the Smoke there was occasional-glint’s of Flames which perfectly de-lineated the emmense-complexity of the Beast’s Muscle’s. And it’s Long-Claw’s scraped-against the Stones upon which it walked wondrous-ominessley. But just as we was about to order the Corpse to shoot-down the Beast it suddenly halted & slowly eased it’s-self down to the Ground. Which is where it lay-down & buried it’s Face beneath it’s Giant Fore-Paw’s in wondrous-piteous Fashion. In-deed the very Portraiture of Abject-Fear this Great-Beast appeared as it lay there on the Rock quaking with it’s Head buried in it’s Pawz. With deep-amase we be-held it as the Fire’s raged around us. Must-of then lapsed-into a dull sort of Reverie which was understandable given present-circumstance’s. But when I finally snapped-out of it I could see the Oblique-Form of Francis Kaye creeping-up to the Prostrate-Bear. Was about to call-out unto him & loudly rebuke him for his Follie but I held my Tung. For I knew that any-such interruption on my-own Parte would most-likely result in the Death of him whom I was attempting to en-salvage. I knew not what he was attempting nor could I hardly-bear to bring my-self to watch as he crept-closer to the Creature. Who did not seem to pay him no heed but just kept it’s head buried in it’s Paws. Then Francis fool that he is set his Hand upon the Beast’s Hide & begun to gentally stroke it. And then he begun to stroke & scratch the Bear’s Neck & Head & Ears & verily the Beast appeared to enjoy it. For it nuzzled Francis nearly knocking him over as Francis continuated to pet & fondel it. I was then reminded that in-fact Francis had previously-formed a sort of kin-ship with these Creatures on our way out East1. In-deed these Keyes ne’er abate from amasing me. Some-times I think they deserve Presidential Medallion’s of Honour & at other-time’s a Sound-Whipping. Any-way it was a wondrous-curious rest of the day as we sat up there in our Smokey-Sanctuary in the Company of the Beasts in Mutual-Amity. But as Dusk obtruded & the Smoke started to abate we begun to debate whether or not we should in-deed slay the Animal’s for Meat or not. Some was pro, some was contra. Some argued for utility, some for commune-decency. There was argument’s directed-at the Heart & argument’s directed-at the Head. Could sware as we debated the Animals could tell we was talking about them. For they cast wist-full glaunces at us & some tremulated when they heard the argument’s for their Execution. Finally we put it to a formal Vote & it turned out that Your’s-Truly held the Deciding-Vote. Voted Nay. For I guess you could say I have a soft-spot for Animalia & I partake of their Flesh only under duress. For as any Idiot can see they have feeling’s & thought’s just as we do. Ties of kin-ship & unique personalities & their own Method’s of Communication too. Plus here we all was driven on-to this Rocky-Harbour with a wondrous-tempestuous fire raging all-around us & it seemed not only wrong but per-hap’s what’s worse poor-manner’s to attack one’s Fellow-Supplicant’s. The only one we had to worry about was our resident Greyish-Bear. That it’s Placidity would some-how snap & he’d get it in-to his Furry-Head to suddenly attack us out of pure instinctualism. So Francis was tasked with supplying him Companionship for the Night while Watch-Men was set with Rifle’s, Pistole’s, & Sabre’s at the ready. Mean-while the Foxes cuddled with the Corpse-Members as did the Squirelle’s & Chip-Monke’s. While the Deer grazed complacently on some of the Grasses jutting-up from betwixt the Rocks. The Wild-Boer’s had their own little Enclave off to the side where they was all lying in a heap quietly-grunting. Reckon we came about 12 or 13 Anglickan-Mile’s yester-night & to-day in Grand-Totality.
[Murray] Saturn-Day the 17th of July, 1802
By Dawn all of our Animal-Brethren had abandoned us. Slipped-away during the Night despite some of them having been cuddled-up next to the Men. Except for the Greyish-Bear, who yet lay curled-up upon the stony-ground with Francis Kaye right-there next-to him his Head utilising one of the Bear’s fore-armz as a Pillow. They appeared to be a Contented-Couple. Both of ’em was snoring, which tickled the rest of the Corpse who was all awake by now & admiring the Touching-Scene with stifled-giggle’s. As quietly as we could we commenced to pack-up & ready our-selves to set-out. Francis finally awoke as did his Bed-Mate at about the same-time. They was both kind of groggy & it was a Tense-Moment as we watched as the Greyish-Bear slowly stood-up & streched & yawned. In so doing exhibiting his Teeth of great-girth & keen-ness which was wondrous-intimidating. Plus his considerable Muscle’s bulged in sharp-delineation as he went thru his morning-regimine of stretching. Need-less to say our Weaponry was at-the-ready. The Contra’s of yester-day then quietly-begged for a re-count or re-vote saying that this Bear was just bound to turn on us. So since we had the Chance we had better just gun it down. But Francis over-hearing this would have none of it, going so far as to shield the Beast with his own Body. My Co-Captain Captain Crandall instructed the Boyz to humour Francis & let’s be on our Way. Which we soon did but much to our Chagrin’s as we descended-down from the Height’s where-on we’d expended the Night the Beast started to follow us. Whether be-cause it had formationed an Emotional-Bond with Francis or-else it figured that after the Inferno we some-how knew the Best-Way to go I don’t know. The Ground upon which we walked was of-course charred & hot & smoking yet traversable for all-that. Looked as-if an Enemy-Army had lately swept-thru & layed the whole-place to Waste. Had to wind-around various Remain’s of toppled Trees so it was slow-going. We was soon en-covered in ashes’s & soot, the Corpse to a Man blackened from Head-to-Foot. And to our consternation our Ursine-Friend was still following us. Not too-close but closer then we wanted it to be. The Beast continuated to dog us all of the Morning. “Can’t we just shoot it all-ready?!” Hu exclaimed. A Few-Other’s was also of the same-mind but most of the Men begun to feel that this Bear contained a Friendly-Daimon & it would be Bad-Luck to do it any Violence. Continuated hiking to the top of a Highsome-Hill from which we could see un-burnt Terrain none-too far from us. But judging from the Vast-Billow’s of Smoke up to the North the Fire was yet raging in that Direction. Proceeded-on & finally we reached the un-burnt Terrain & after we had entered it we found that the Bear had gone-off it’s own Way. Which was a considerable Relief unto us. But Francis Fool that he is wanted to go-out & find it. But he was dis-suaded from doing this upon pain of Court-Martial. By late after-noon we was happy to encounter a diminutive stream which we named Ash-Crick even tho it wasn’t ashy at all but clear & fresh. But it soon lived-up to it’s Name, for deciding to encamp next-to it we rinsed our-selves in it which turned it wondrous-murky. Sent out some Hunterz but they had no-thing to bring back unto us. Came about 20 Anglickan-Mile’s this Day.
[Murray] Sun-Day the 18th of July, 1802
Wondrous-eerie Noise’s the Bulk of the Night. My Co-Capt. Captain & my-self was awakened a few-hour’s previous to Dawn by the Watch-Men & axed to evaluate. This time they could not be blamed on the Wind’s for it was a wondrous-still Night. Also there was an irregularitie about the Sounds that indicated that they came from a Living-Being. Sounded kind-of far-away none-the-less they didn’t seem to be all-that close neither. But after listening for a Hour or so they did not seem to encroach any-closer. But my Co-Capt. Captain Crandall & my-self now being dis-abled from getting-back to Sleep just sat there in the Obscurity conferring about the Future of our Expedition. Should we keep on heading-toward’s the North-West in-order to meet back-up with the Great-River? Or should we rather head straight west-ward’s in-order to reach New-Babylon as the Crow Flie’s? Surely a direct-route as per the Latter had much to recommend it. Yet we would probley have to reach it in an Over-Land Fashion. Where-as the former all-tho being more in-direct yet if we secured Canoe’s our Progression back to New-Babylon would be swift as Hades. But if in the Second-Scenario we was fortunate-enough to some-how secure Horse’s this might equalise thing’s a bit. But we have precious-little left to barter-with having dis-carded much on this most arduous of West-Ward Marches. Un-less we opt to trade our Gunz which is out-side of the Question for we have been expressly-forbidden from doing-so. Told Crandall that since neither of us could make up our Mind’s may-be we had better just put it to a Vote. My Co-Captain Captain Crandall at-first demurred how-ever. Said that all-tho he pride’s his-self as being egalitarian as Hades he some-times miss-doubt’s the “Voice of the Populace” as it were. That his classickal-education is to blame. For the Ancient’s ever-since the Murther of Socrate’s had cast a Leaden-Eye upon pure un-filtered Democracey. Told him I under-stood all of that but that in Cases such as these when expert-opinion’s such as our own was at a loss that we had better fall-back upon a Popular-Vote. If for no-other Reason the blame may later be spread-out equally rather then fall upon our own Head’s. My Co-Captain Captain Crandall then agreed that we should put it to a Vote on the Morrow. Eventually the Rest of the Corpse aroused them-selves & over Break-Fest we convened a colloquy amongst them. Explained the Two-Option’s open to them & the Only-One who voted to return to the Great-River was Francis Kaye. He wanted to see his Island again, you-see. But seeing as he was out-voted he took it rather well saying: “Well, fare-thee-well, my Island! Brief was our encounter but momentous & I shall all-way’s carry you with me till we is re-united in Elysium!” Not even the Garter-Snake Woman voted for the Great-River option which was wondrous-surprizing. For she has determined to follow us back to so-called Civilisation & make a fresh-start o’ Thingz. With the help of Jean, who has taken her be-neath her Wing once-againe. For where-as there was some tension be-twixt them when the Cormourant-Girl was around they is now like Sister’s. Such is the flexibility of the Human-Brain & Human-Heart. Any-way’s it turns-out that the Motivating-Factor behind the Men’s Votes was that we are all wondrous-desirous of venturing in-to New-Territorie rather than just re-tracing our Step’s. For as this our Odyssey becomes more & more prolongated we do not grow more wearied nor are our yearning’s for return waxing stronger. Clean-Contrarie: for the longer we spend out here in the Wild’s piling Singular-Experience upon Singular-Experience the more we lust for more such Experience’s. Like True-Addict’s we crave New-Thrill’s, New-Terrour’s, New-Vista’s. As we packed-up several of the Men only expressed the Regret that we would not be able to re-visit our Old-Friend’s the Miarhpe’s againe. My Co-Captain Captain Crandall & I intra-changed knowing-glance’s at the hearing of this. But we did not say any-thing for we did not wish to dis-hearten the Men. Proceeded-on straight to the West-Ward’s over Hill & Valley. Encountered 2 Deer at a smallish-brook who looked up at us quissically. They was promptly gunned-down in frigid-blood & carved-up by the Knive’s o’ the Kayes Bros. Which dyed said-brook red with blood. Proceeded-on till feeling pretty-tired & the Day starting to wane we encamped for the Night. Bowied by our New-Resolution & also the ease with which we can now secure Food & Water the Boy’s was in Highsome-Spirit’s. And this being the Case we decided to treat them to a Shot o’ Whiskey a-piece. Musick was then inevitabley called-for & Gonne sung a song which went thus:
Would of been better for us both had we never In this wide & wicked World had never met For the Pleasure we’ve both seen together I am sure, Love, I shall never forget Oh, I’m thinking to-night of my Dark-Eye’s Who is sailing far over the Sea Oh, I’m thinking to-night of my Dark-Eye’s And I wonder if she ever think’s of me You told me once, Dear, that you loved me You said that we never would part But a link in the Chain has been sundered Leaving me with a sad & acheing Heart Oh, I’m thinking tonight of my Dark-Eye’s Who is sailing far over the Sea Oh, I’m thinking to-night of my Dark-Eye’s And I wonder if she ever think’s of me When the cold Tumulus shall en-close me Will you come, Dear, & shed just one Tear? And say to the Gawker’s around you A poor Heart you have broken lie’s here? Oh, I'm thinking to-night of my Dark-Eye’s Who is sailing far over the Sea Oh, I'm thinking to-night of my Dark-Eye’s And I wonder if she ever think’s of me
Our Resident Warrior-Poet having had suffered an assault from the Muse’s scribbled-away at a Piece of Paper. The Men seeing this begged to hear it of him. But play-acting Coyness he begged-off saying it was as-yet un-polished. But the Men kept insistating & he quickly gave in. And he now write’s it in his own-Hand here for your reading-pleasure:
“The Crucibel” by Eustace Delancey, the “Warrior-Poet” Sing O Kalliope Of Trials o’ercome! Of Tribulations surmounted Of Hardships outstripped! Bolster my Feeble Pen And give Tongue to my Mind! For thru the Crucibel We have emerged triumphant A Bloody Gauntlette Of staggering arduousness Of eclectick awefullness! Sing O Kalliope Of the Dank Diseasefullness Of a Winter of ne’er-ending Rain! Sing of Mountainz Of Terrible Heighth Of Excessive Breadth With jagged jaws of stone Which masticated our very Souls (Soles)! Sing of Blinding Snow’s Of emmense white Depths Of Slippery Shards cast in our Pathways Of Dizzying Precipice’s gaping at our Feet! Of Savauge Wind’s singing Alluring death-chaunts syren-like Lusting after our sinewous Amerikan Bodies Longing for our Virtue-Clogged Minds! Sing of Desert’s grimm & parched Of lonely wandering’s in barren Waste-Landz Bereft of moisture, sapping our virility On bended knee we sinking to the Sandz From Thirst & Sorrow too weighty to bear Yes, Doubts of Divinity o’ertook some While other’s tried to cry but couldn’t For the cursed climate had dried their ducts up A foul impotance masquerading as manliness For as the Sage’s say No Man should be afraid to shed Honest Tearz! Yet despite Sorrow’s, despite Death Despite a Dread Spite sowing Dischord amongst us concerning Secrets too sacred to speak of Onward’s we relentlessly pushed Across a Fiery Anvil consisting of Salt! Yes, that’s right—Salt! The stuff you put on food! Sing O Kalliope Of this Fiery Anvil A vast sodium plane absurd in size Preposterous in infertility! Yea, I would say even the Godz Did not exist there were I not aware That this be blasphemie! Sing of the Cracks in the Dessicated Earth Smiling crookedly up at us Mocking our Mortality! Yet out of this Fiery Furnace we emerged Like Herakles out of Hades! Yet new Labour’s awaited us For in the Whispering Pinez A New Foe lay in wait Yearning to devour our Robust Amerikan Bodies A luscious treat for Evil Spirits Who ever connive to possess Truth & Beauty Beauty & Truth Which are for ever inseparable Linked in Adamantine Bondage Till the eventuall dissolution Of the Universe do they parte! Yes, a New Foe lay in wait Dire Fyre to lick us with her many Tongues Bestowed as a Boone by Prometheos But now just as rebellious as he was Intent on o’erthrowing all hierarchies Favouring wilde Anarchy Desiring to consume our Corpse In burnt sacrifice to Deities Unknown First lulling us into sweet half-slumbers Like Lotus-Eaters in the days of yore Then conniving to cook us And eat us up like your typickal Fine Young Cannibelle! Truth to tell There is yet a part of Me Which yet luxuriates in the delicious Delirium I was ensconced in And still reside’s there In a State of Luscious Non-Being But flung to the Earth I have been Like hot-headed Phaeton And so we proceeded on Braving the company of ravenous Beasts Looking squarely in the Eye Of the terrible Greyish Bear Tyrant of the Wilde-Woode Who on the point of butchering us Was quelled quite by our Masterfull Gaze And thru the haze of smoke As if said smoke were the Past & it’s Mistakes The Smog of History if you will We Amerikans emerged Unscathed Unbowed Unbent And we have emerged A Corpse meaner & leaner Than ever before A Corpse new-gleaming Like Foenixes out of the Ashe’s With many a Victory honourably garnered And Scar’s that shall serve As bedtime stories to many An admiring Grandchilde! And we shall say unto them Oh my dear Boy Son of my Son Flesh of my Flesh Remember this: Hope Float’s Despair doth drop Shit sinks But Cream riseth To the Top!
I cannot accurately-communicate to the Reader the Raptness with which the Men devoured this Poem. At the end they applauded Delancey & even went so far as to carry him up upon their Shoulder’s making numerickal-circuit’s around the Fire. Only Jean held her-self aloof with a look of disgust writ upon her Visage & eventually she retreated out in-to the Darkness. Started to head-out to try & find her but my Co-Captain Captain Crandall held my arm vice-like with a strength I did not know him to possess. He told the Garter-Snake Woman to go-out & search for her in-stead but I retreated to bed before they returned. Came about 22 Anglickan-Mile’s this Day.
Illustration by De Robles
See the entries for June 5 and June 7, 1801.