Into Erewhon

And now I found myself on a narrow path which followed a small watercourse. I was too glad to have an easy track for my flight, to lay hold of the full significance of its existence. The thought, however, soon presented itself to me that I must be in an inhabited country, but one which was yet unknown. What, then, was to be my fate at the hands of its inhabitants? Should I be taken and offered up as a burnt-offering to those hideous guardians of the pass? It might be so. I shuddered at the thought, yet the horrors of solitude had now fairly possessed me; and so dazed was I, and chilled, and woebegone, that I could lay hold of no idea firmly amid the crowd of fancies that kept wandering in upon my brain.

Now I found myself on a narrow path beside a small stream. I was so glad to have an easy path for my escape that I did not grasp what its existence meant. Soon, though, I realized that I must be in an inhabited country, one that was still unknown. What fate awaited me at the hands of its inhabitants? Would they capture me and offer me as a burnt offering to those hideous guardians of the pass? They might. I shuddered at the thought, yet the horror of being alone had now completely taken hold of me. I was so dazed, chilled, and miserable that I could not hold on to any thought. Ideas kept wandering through my mind in a crowd.

I hurried onward—down, down, down. More streams came in; then there was a bridge, a few pine logs thrown over the water; but they gave me comfort, for savages do not make bridges. Then I had a treat such as I can never convey on paper—a moment, perhaps, the most striking and unexpected in my whole life—the one I think that, with some three or four exceptions, I would most gladly have again, were I able to recall it. I got below the level of the clouds, into a burst of brilliant evening sunshine, I was facing the north-west, and the sun was full upon me. Oh, how its light cheered me! But what I saw! It was such an expanse as was revealed to Moses when he stood upon the summit of Mount Sinai, and beheld that promised land which it was not to be his to enter. The beautiful sunset sky was crimson and gold; blue, silver, and purple; exquisite and tranquillising; fading away therein were plains, on which I could see many a town and city, with buildings that had lofty steeples and rounded domes. Nearer beneath me lay ridge behind ridge, outline behind outline, sunlight behind shadow, and shadow behind sunlight, gully and serrated ravine. I saw large pine forests, and the glitter of a noble river winding its way upon the plains; also many villages and hamlets, some of them quite near at hand; and it was on these that I pondered most. I sank upon the ground at the foot of a large tree and thought what I had best do; but I could not collect myself. I was quite tired out; and presently, feeling warmed by the sun, and quieted, I fell off into a profound sleep.

I hurried onward, down, down, down. More streams joined the water. Then I came to a bridge, just a few pine logs laid across the water. But they comforted me, for savages do not make bridges. Then I had an experience I can never describe on paper. It was perhaps the most striking and unexpected moment of my whole life. With three or four exceptions, it is the moment I would most gladly relive, if I could. I came below the clouds into a burst of brilliant evening sunshine. I was facing northwest, and the sun shone full on me. Oh, how its light cheered me! But what a sight I saw! The view was like the one Moses saw from the summit of Mount Sinai. There he looked out over the promised land, which he would never enter. The beautiful sunset sky was crimson and gold, blue, silver, and purple. It was exquisite and soothing. Plains faded into the distance beneath it. On them I could see many towns and cities, with buildings topped by tall steeples and rounded domes. Closer below me lay ridge behind ridge, outline behind outline, sunlight behind shadow, and shadow behind sunlight. There were gullies and jagged ravines. I saw large pine forests and the glitter of a great river winding across the plains. I also saw many villages and hamlets, some quite near. These were what I thought about most. I sank to the ground at the foot of a large tree and considered what I should do. But I could not collect my thoughts. I was completely exhausted. Soon, warmed by the sun and calmed, I fell into a deep sleep.

I was awoke by the sound of tinkling bells, and looking up, I saw four or five goats feeding near me. As soon as I moved, the creatures turned their heads towards me with an expression of infinite wonder. They did not run away, but stood stock still, and looked at me from every side, as I at them. Then came the sound of chattering and laughter, and there approached two lovely girls, of about seventeen or eighteen years old, dressed each in a sort of linen gaberdine, with a girdle round the waist. They saw me. I sat quite still and looked at them, dazzled with their extreme beauty. For a moment they looked at me and at each other in great amazement; then they gave a little frightened cry and ran off as hard as they could.

I woke to the sound of tinkling bells. When I looked up, I saw four or five goats feeding near me. As soon as I moved, the goats turned their heads toward me with expressions of endless wonder. They did not run away but stood perfectly still, looking at me from every side as I looked at them. Then I heard chatter and laughter, and two lovely girls approached. They were about seventeen or eighteen years old. Each wore a kind of linen tunic with a belt around her waist. They saw me. I sat perfectly still and looked at them, dazzled by their extraordinary beauty. For a moment, they looked at me and at each other in great amazement. Then they gave a little frightened cry and ran off as fast as they could.

“So that’s that,” said I to myself, as I watched them scampering. I knew that I had better stay where I was and meet my fate, whatever it was to be, and even if there were a better course, I had no strength left to take it. I must come into contact with the inhabitants sooner or later, and it might as well be sooner. Better not to seem afraid of them, as I should do by running away and being caught with a hue and cry to-morrow or next day. So I remained quite still and waited. In about an hour I heard distant voices talking excitedly, and in a few minutes I saw the two girls bringing up a party of six or seven men, well armed with bows and arrows and pikes. There was nothing for it, so I remained sitting quite still, even after they had seen me, until they came close up. Then we all had a good look at one another.

“So that’s that,” I said to myself as I watched them run off. I knew it was better to stay where I was and face whatever lay ahead. Even if there was a better course, I had no strength left to take it. I would have to meet the inhabitants sooner or later, and it might as well be sooner. It was better not to seem afraid of them. I would seem afraid if I ran away and was caught after a noisy search tomorrow or the next day. So I stayed quite still and waited. About an hour later, I heard distant voices talking excitedly. A few minutes later, I saw the two girls leading a group of six or seven men toward me. The men were well armed with bows, arrows, and pikes. There was nothing else I could do, so I stayed sitting quite still, even after they saw me. I waited until they came close. Then we all had a good look at one another.

Both the girls and the men were very dark in colour, but not more so than the South Italians or Spaniards. The men wore no trousers, but were dressed nearly the same as the Arabs whom I have seen in Algeria. They were of the most magnificent presence, being no less strong and handsome than the women were beautiful; and not only this, but their expression was courteous and benign. I think they would have killed me at once if I had made the slightest show of violence; but they gave me no impression of their being likely to hurt me so long as I was quiet. I am not much given to liking anybody at first sight, but these people impressed me much more favourably than I should have thought possible, so that I could not fear them as I scanned their faces one after another. They were all powerful men. I might have been a match for any one of them singly, for I have been told that I have more to glory in the flesh than in any other respect, being over six feet and proportionately strong; but any two could have soon mastered me, even were I not so bereft of energy by my recent adventures. My colour seemed to surprise them most, for I have light hair, blue eyes, and a fresh complexion. They could not understand how these things could be; my clothes also seemed quite beyond them. Their eyes kept wandering all over me, and the more they looked the less they seemed able to make me out.

Both the girls and the men had very dark skin, but no darker than South Italians or Spaniards. The men wore no trousers, but otherwise dressed much like the Arabs I had seen in Algeria. They looked magnificent. They were as strong and handsome as the women were beautiful, and their expressions were courteous and kind. I think they would have killed me at once if I had shown the slightest sign of violence. But they gave me no reason to think they would hurt me as long as I stayed quiet. I rarely like anyone at first sight. But these people impressed me much more favourably than I would have thought possible. As I studied their faces one by one, I found I could not fear them. They were all powerful men. I might have been a match for any one of them alone. I have been told that I have more to be proud of in my body than in anything else. I am over six feet tall and strong for my height. But any two of them could have quickly overpowered me, even if my recent adventures had not left me so drained. My colouring seemed to surprise them most. I have light hair, blue eyes, and a fresh complexion. They could not understand how I could have these features. My clothes also seemed to puzzle them completely. Their eyes kept wandering all over me. The more they looked, the less they seemed able to make sense of me.

At last I raised myself upon my feet, and leaning upon my stick, I spoke whatever came into my head to the man who seemed foremost among them. I spoke in English, though I was very sure that he would not understand. I said that I had no idea what country I was in; that I had stumbled upon it almost by accident, after a series of hairbreadth escapes; and that I trusted they would not allow any evil to overtake me now that I was completely at their mercy. All this I said quietly and firmly, with hardly any change of expression. They could not understand me, but they looked approvingly to one another, and seemed pleased (so I thought) that I showed no fear nor acknowledgment of inferiority—the fact being that I was exhausted beyond the sense of fear. Then one of them pointed to the mountain, in the direction of the statues, and made a grimace in imitation of one of them. I laughed and shuddered expressively, whereon they all burst out laughing too, and chattered hard to one another. I could make out nothing of what they said, but I think they thought it rather a good joke that I had come past the statues. Then one among them came forward and motioned me to follow, which I did without hesitation, for I dared not thwart them; moreover, I liked them well enough, and felt tolerably sure that they had no intention of hurting me.

At last I got to my feet and leaned on my stick. I said whatever came into my head to the man who seemed to be their leader. I spoke in English, though I was quite sure he would not understand. I said I had no idea what country I was in. I had come upon it almost by accident, after a series of narrow escapes. I hoped they would not let any harm come to me now that I was completely at their mercy. I said all this quietly and firmly, with hardly any change of expression. They could not understand me, but they exchanged approving looks. I thought they seemed pleased that I showed neither fear nor any sign that I felt inferior. In fact, I was too exhausted to feel fear. Then one of them pointed toward the statues on the mountain and made a face, imitating one of them. I laughed and shuddered to show what I thought of them. At that, they all burst out laughing and chattered excitedly to one another. I could not understand anything they said. But I think they thought it was rather a good joke that I had come past the statues. Then one of them came forward and motioned for me to follow. I did so without hesitation, because I dared not go against their wishes. Besides, I liked them well enough and felt reasonably sure they did not intend to hurt me.

In about a quarter of an hour we got to a small hamlet built on the side of a hill, with a narrow street and houses huddled up together. The roofs were large and overhanging. Some few windows were glazed, but not many. Altogether the village was exceedingly like one of those that one comes upon in descending the less known passes over the Alps on to Lombardy. I will pass over the excitement which my arrival caused. Suffice it, that though there was abundance of curiosity, there was no rudeness. I was taken to the principal house, which seemed to belong to the people who had captured me. There I was hospitably entertained, and a supper of milk and goat’s flesh with a kind of oatcake was set before me, of which I ate heartily. But all the time I was eating I could not help turning my eyes upon the two beautiful girls whom I had first seen, and who seemed to consider me as their lawful prize—which indeed I was, for I would have gone through fire and water for either of them.

About fifteen minutes later, we reached a small village built on a hillside. Its narrow street was lined with houses crowded together. The roofs were large and overhanging. A few windows had glass, but not many. The village looked remarkably like those one finds when descending the less familiar Alpine passes into Lombardy. I will pass over the excitement my arrival caused. It is enough to say that, though there was plenty of curiosity, no one was rude. I was taken to the main house, which seemed to belong to the people who had captured me. They welcomed me warmly and served me a supper of milk, goat meat, and a kind of oatcake. I ate heartily. But all the while, I could not help looking at the two beautiful girls I had first seen. They seemed to think of me as their rightful prize. And indeed I was, for I would have gone through fire and water for either of them.

Then came the inevitable surprise at seeing me smoke, which I will spare the reader; but I noticed that when they saw me strike a match, there was a hubbub of excitement which, it struck me, was not altogether unmixed with disapproval: why, I could not guess. Then the women retired, and I was left alone with the men, who tried to talk to me in every conceivable way; but we could come to no understanding, except that I was quite alone, and had come from a long way over the mountains. In the course of time they grew tired, and I very sleepy. I made signs as though I would sleep on the floor in my blankets, but they gave me one of their bunks with plenty of dried fern and grass, on to which I had no sooner laid myself than I fell fast asleep; nor did I awake till well into the following day, when I found myself in the hut with two men keeping guard over me and an old woman cooking. When I woke the men seemed pleased, and spoke to me as though bidding me good morning in a pleasant tone.

Then came the inevitable surprise when they saw me smoke, which I will spare the reader. But when I struck a match, there was a burst of excitement. It seemed to me that there was some disapproval mixed in, though I could not guess why. Then the women left, and I was alone with the men. They tried every imaginable way to talk to me, but we could understand little of each other. They understood only that I was alone and had come from far away, over the mountains. Eventually they grew tired, and I became very sleepy. I gestured that I would sleep on the floor in my blankets. But they gave me one of their bunks, with plenty of dried fern and grass. As soon as I lay down, I fell fast asleep. I did not wake until well into the next day. I found myself in the hut, with two men guarding me and an old woman cooking. When I woke, the men seemed pleased. They spoke to me in a pleasant tone, as though saying good morning.

I went out of doors to wash in a creek which ran a few yards from the house. My hosts were as engrossed with me as ever; they never took their eyes off me, following every action that I did, no matter how trifling, and each looking towards the other for his opinion at every touch and turn. They took great interest in my ablutions, for they seemed to have doubted whether I was in all respects human like themselves. They even laid hold of my arms and overhauled them, and expressed approval when they saw that they were strong and muscular. They now examined my legs, and especially my feet. When they desisted they nodded approvingly to each other; and when I had combed and brushed my hair, and generally made myself as neat and well arranged as circumstances would allow, I could see that their respect for me increased greatly, and that they were by no means sure that they had treated me with sufficient deference—a matter on which I am not competent to decide. All I know is that they were very good to me, for which I thanked them heartily, as it might well have been otherwise.

I went outside to wash in a creek a few yards from the house. My hosts were as fascinated by me as ever. They never took their eyes off me, watching everything I did, no matter how small. At every move, they looked at each other for an opinion. They took great interest in my washing, for they seemed to have doubted whether I was human in every way, like them. They even took hold of my arms and examined them. They showed their approval when they saw that my arms were strong and muscular. Then they examined my legs, and especially my feet. When they finished, they nodded approvingly to each other. I combed and brushed my hair and made myself as neat and tidy as circumstances allowed. I could see that their respect for me had grown greatly. They were far from sure that they had treated me with enough respect. I am in no position to judge that. All I know is that they were very good to me. I thanked them warmly, for things could easily have been otherwise.

For my own part, I liked them and admired them, for their quiet self-possession and dignified ease impressed me pleasurably at once. Neither did their manner make me feel as though I were personally distasteful to them—only that I was a thing utterly new and unlooked for, which they could not comprehend. Their type was more that of the most robust Italians than any other; their manners also were eminently Italian, in their entire unconsciousness of self. Having travelled a good deal in Italy, I was struck with little gestures of the hand and shoulders, which constantly reminded me of that country. My feeling was that my wisest plan would be to go on as I had begun, and be simply myself for better or worse, such as I was, and take my chance accordingly.

For my part, I liked and admired them. Their quiet self-control and dignified ease impressed me at once. Their manner did not make me feel that they found me personally unpleasant. Rather, I was something completely new and unexpected, which they could not understand. In appearance, they resembled the most robust Italians more than any other people. Their manners were also distinctly Italian, in their complete lack of self-consciousness. I had traveled a great deal in Italy, and their little gestures of the hands and shoulders constantly reminded me of it. I felt my wisest course was to carry on as I had begun. I would simply be myself, for better or worse, and take my chances.

I thought of these things while they were waiting for me to have done washing, and on my way back. Then they gave me breakfast—hot bread and milk, and fried flesh of something between mutton and venison. Their ways of cooking and eating were European, though they had only a skewer for a fork, and a sort of butcher’s knife to cut with. The more I looked at everything in the house, the more I was struck with its quasi-European character; and had the walls only been pasted over with extracts from the Illustrated London News and Punch, I could have almost fancied myself in a shepherd’s hut upon my master’s sheep-run. And yet everything was slightly different. It was much the same with the birds and flowers on the other side, as compared with the English ones. On my arrival I had been pleased at noticing that nearly all the plants and birds were very like common English ones: thus, there was a robin, and a lark, and a wren, and daisies, and dandelions; not quite the same as the English, but still very like them—quite like enough to be called by the same name; so now, here, the ways of these two men, and the things they had in the house, were all very nearly the same as in Europe. It was not at all like going to China or Japan, where everything that one sees is strange. I was, indeed, at once struck with the primitive character of their appliances, for they seemed to be some five or six hundred years behind Europe in their inventions; but this is the case in many an Italian village.

I thought about these things while they waited for me to finish washing, and on my way back. Then they gave me breakfast: hot bread and milk, and fried meat that was somewhere between mutton and venison. Their cooking and eating habits were European, though they had only a skewer for a fork and a kind of butcher’s knife for cutting. The more I looked around the house, the more its almost European character struck me. If only the walls had been covered with extracts from the Illustrated London News and Punch, I could almost have imagined myself in a shepherd’s hut on my master’s sheep-run. And yet everything was slightly different. It was much the same with the birds and flowers on the other side, compared with those in England. When I arrived, I had been pleased to notice that nearly all the plants and birds closely resembled common English ones. There were robins, larks, wrens, daisies, and dandelions. They were not quite the same as the English ones, but they were very similar, certainly similar enough to be called by the same names. And now, here, these two men’s ways and the things in their house were very nearly the same as in Europe. It was not at all like going to China or Japan, where everything you see is strange. I was immediately struck by how primitive their tools and equipment were. Their inventions seemed to be some five or six hundred years behind Europe’s, but that is true in many an Italian village.

All the time that I was eating my breakfast I kept speculating as to what family of mankind they could belong to; and shortly there came an idea into my head, which brought the blood into my cheeks with excitement as I thought of it. Was it possible that they might be the lost ten tribes of Israel, of whom I had heard both my grandfather and my father make mention as existing in an unknown country, and awaiting a final return to Palestine? Was it possible that I might have been designed by Providence as the instrument of their conversion? Oh, what a thought was this! I laid down my skewer and gave them a hasty survey. There was nothing of a Jewish type about them: their noses were distinctly Grecian, and their lips, though full, were not Jewish.

While I ate breakfast, I kept wondering which family of mankind they belonged to. Soon an idea came to me, and my cheeks flushed with excitement. Could they be the lost ten tribes of Israel? My grandfather and father had both spoken of them. They said the tribes lived in an unknown country, waiting to return to Palestine at last. Could Providence have chosen me to bring about their conversion? Oh, what a thought! I put down my skewer and quickly looked them over. There was nothing Jewish about their appearance. Their noses were distinctly Grecian, and their lips, though full, were not Jewish.

How could I settle this question? I knew neither Greek nor Hebrew, and even if I should get to understand the language here spoken, I should be unable to detect the roots of either of these tongues. I had not been long enough among them to ascertain their habits, but they did not give me the impression of being a religious people. This too was natural: the ten tribes had been always lamentably irreligious. But could I not make them change? To restore the lost ten tribes of Israel to a knowledge of the only truth: here would be indeed an immortal crown of glory! My heart beat fast and furious as I entertained the thought. What a position would it not ensure me in the next world; or perhaps even in this! What folly it would be to throw such a chance away! I should rank next to the Apostles, if not as high as they—certainly above the minor prophets, and possibly above any Old Testament writer except Moses and Isaiah. For such a future as this I would sacrifice all that I have without a moment’s hesitation, could I be reasonably assured of it. I had always cordially approved of missionary efforts, and had at times contributed my mite towards their support and extension; but I had never hitherto felt drawn towards becoming a missionary myself; and indeed had always admired, and envied, and respected them, more than I had exactly liked them. But if these people were the lost ten tribes of Israel, the case would be widely different: the opening was too excellent to be lost, and I resolved that should I see indications which appeared to confirm my impression that I had indeed come upon the missing tribes, I would certainly convert them.

How could I settle this question? I knew neither Greek nor Hebrew. Even if I learned the language spoken here, I would not be able to recognize roots from either language. I had not been among these people long enough to learn their habits. But they did not seem to be religious. That was natural too: the ten tribes had always been sadly irreligious. But could I not change them? To bring the lost ten tribes of Israel back to knowledge of the only truth would be an immortal crown of glory indeed! My heart beat fast and furiously as I considered the thought. What a position it would secure for me in the next world, or perhaps even in this one! What folly it would be to throw away such a chance! I would rank just below the Apostles, if not as high as they did. I would certainly rank above the minor prophets, and possibly above every Old Testament writer except Moses and Isaiah. For such a future I would sacrifice all I have without a moment’s hesitation, if I could be reasonably sure of it. I had always warmly approved of missionary work. At times I had contributed my small share to support and expand it. But I had never before felt drawn to become a missionary myself. Indeed, I had always admired, envied, and respected missionaries more than I had exactly liked them. But if these people were the lost ten tribes of Israel, the case would be very different. The opportunity was too good to miss. So I resolved that, if I saw signs that seemed to confirm I had indeed found the missing tribes, I would certainly convert them.

I may here mention that this discovery is the one to which I alluded in the opening pages of my story. Time strengthened the impression made upon me at first; and, though I remained in doubt for several months, I feel now no longer uncertain.

I should mention here that this is the discovery I referred to in the opening pages of my story. Time strengthened my first impression. Though I remained uncertain for several months, I have no doubts now.

When I had done eating, my hosts approached, and pointed down the valley leading to their own country, as though wanting to show that I must go with them; at the same time they laid hold of my arms, and made as though they would take me, but used no violence. I laughed, and motioned my hand across my throat, pointing down the valley as though I was afraid lest I should be killed when I got there. But they divined me at once, and shook their heads with much decision, to show that I was in no danger. Their manner quite reassured me; and in half an hour or so I had packed up my swag, and was eager for the forward journey, feeling wonderfully strengthened and refreshed by good food and sleep, while my hope and curiosity were aroused to their very utmost by the extraordinary position in which I found myself.

When I had finished eating, my hosts came over and pointed down the valley toward their country. They seemed to be showing me that I must go with them. At the same time, they took hold of my arms as if to lead me away, but used no force. I laughed and drew my hand across my throat. I pointed down the valley, as if I feared I would be killed when I got there. But they understood me at once and shook their heads firmly, showing that I was in no danger. Their manner completely reassured me. In about half an hour, I had packed my belongings and was eager to continue the journey. Good food and sleep had left me feeling wonderfully strong and refreshed. The extraordinary situation I found myself in had also stirred my hopes and curiosity to the utmost.

But already my excitement had begun to cool and I reflected that these people might not be the ten tribes after all; in which case I could not but regret that my hopes of making money, which had led me into so much trouble and danger, were almost annihilated by the fact that the country was full to overflowing, with a people who had probably already developed its more available resources. Moreover, how was I to get back? For there was something about my hosts which told me that they had got me, and meant to keep me, in spite of all their goodness.

But my excitement had already begun to fade. I realized that these people might not be the ten tribes after all. If so, I could not help regretting that my hopes of making money had been almost destroyed. Those hopes had led me into so much trouble and danger. But the country was overflowing with people who had probably already developed its more accessible resources. Besides, how was I to get back? For despite all their kindness, something about my hosts told me they had me and meant to keep me.