3. Perplexed, but Not in Despair
IT may seem strange to us that the missionaries should have made no effort to teach these Fuegians who were the only natives they had hitherto met with; but we must remember that they were quite ignorant of their language. Captain Gardiner was anxiously looking for the arrival of the Patagonians, because from their chief, as has been said, he had obtained leave, upon his former visit, to settle upon his land and teach his people. While awaiting the arrival of this chief, the missionaries could not but be aware that their situation was one of great peril: three Fuegian families were encamped near them, and kept a close watch upon the little storehouse, observing every movement of the two white men. Within a few days, however, they suddenly struck their tents and departed, probably in despair of obtaining what they wanted.
Mariano still remained with the missionaries, and together they set to work to fortify their huts, not so much to strengthen them in case of attack, as to protect them from the bitter winds and the snow drifts. They built a high wall of sods and clay round the little settlement, and secured the storehouse by every means in their power.
This work was hardly finished when one morning two Indians came to the huts, bringing news which rejoiced the hearts of the missionaries. Wissale, the chief with whom Captain Gardiner had spoken during his previous visit, had returned from his expedition to Rio Negro in quest of horses, and was not far distant. This was good news indeed, and they thanked God and took courage.
Wissale presently arrived, and was soon dining with the little party in one of the huts. He knew a little Spanish, and. easily understood what Captain Gardiner said to; him. He was a tall, fine-looking man, wearing a guanaco mantle and skin boots; his head; was bound by a scarlet band, and from his waist hung a handsome dirk.
To all that Captain Gardiner said about his object in coming from England, and desire to instruct his people, the chief gave a ready assent, but at the same time Mr. Hunt, who did not speak Spanish, and therefore had more time to observe the manners of their guest, noticed that he appeared anxious to appropriate any articles in the hut which took his fancy.
Pointing to a cloth cap which was hanging against the wall, he desired to have it, and when he could not put it upon his head, he said it would just suit his son, and proceeded in the same ready manner to take for himself Mr. Hunt's best hat.
The missionaries bore cheerfully this spoiling of their goods, and as the tents had not arrived they tried to make Wissale and his attendants—eight tall Patagonians—as well as his grandmother and mother-in-law, comfortable for the night. However, after trying to sleep in the hut, they preferred the open air, and lay down on the grass, under shelter of the wall, wrapped in their mantles.
By-and-by, when Captain Gardiner went to seek the chief, that he might invite him to dinner, he saw that something was wrong. Instead of advancing cordially to meet him, as he had done the evening before, Wissale sat sullenly in the midst of his men; his mantle was wrapped closely around him, and his upper lip was hidden by the folds of it; this Captain Gardiner knew to be a sign of anger, and he was much perplexed, for he had done everything in his power to show him kindness. Wissale refused the invitation to dinner, and presently began to threaten Captain Gardiner with his dirk, while he threw down the hat and cap, and other things which had been given him, refusing to touch them. Then, mounting his horse, he told Captain Gardiner that on the morrow, when his people should have arrived, he would be revenged upon him. For because he had not obtained as much ship-biscuit as he thought proper, he accused the missionaries of refusing to give bread to his children.
Captain Gardiner made a last effort to soften him. Taking with him more biscuits, he again explained to the angry chief his object in coming to the country, adding, "I cannot leave you until you have given me your hand." Wissale did stretch out his hand to Captain Gardiner, but his expression of countenance, as he rode away, was not such as to inspire him with much confidence.
The missionaries were so alarmed at their position, in the midst of a savage tribe, whose chief was assuming such a threatening attitude towards them, that they prayed that if it were not God's will that they should remain at their post, He would send a ship to take them off. At the same time, they earnestly hoped that they might be able to remain; but they could not doubt, from certain expressions of Wissale's, which were repeated to them by Mariano, that when the rest of the people had arrived it was his intention to put them to death.
“All that could be devised to ward off the impending danger had now been done," Captain Gardiner writes in his journal; "but," he adds, our hopes of deliverance were not built on any measures of our own devising. We had endeavored to use the best means in our power to preserve ourselves and the station from harm, and now we betook ourselves to our sure refuge, the God of all means, and the Father of the friendless, assured that, if it should be consistent with His glory, not a hair of our heads would be touched." Then they opened their Bibles, and read together from the book of the prophet Isaiah these words" Salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks.... Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever; for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting, strength." And, kneeling upon the floor of their hut, they committed themselves to the care of Him who never slumbers nor sleeps.
They decided to offer a present to Wissale upon his return. They had brought with them some gilt buttons, brass bells, and small looking-glasses: things very worthless in themselves, but likely to attract an untaught people, and from their store they selected what they thought would be sure to please the chief, adding a tall brass candlestick and four knives. When Wissale returned with some of his friends to the hut, he carefully examined the gifts, and accepted them. Captain Gardiner then took the opportunity to explain to the chief that these things were intended as the price of the land upon which the wooden huts stood, and that he desired to live in his country, and to teach his people the word of God. Wissale assented, saying, his heart was with the missionaries; that they were his brothers and the fathers of his children; but he made one condition—that whenever they eat, he must eat with them. He also demanded their money, and they gave him what Spanish coin they had.
As soon as he had left, they returned thanks to God, who had in so marvelous a manner placed His shield about them, and went to rest, hoping that they might yet be able to win the hearts of the Patagonians, and teach them the knowledge of the true God.
Next morning an English vessel came in sight. If she had arrived the day before, when they had been in such perplexity and danger, the missionaries would surely have believed that she was sent, a white-winged messenger, in answer to their prayer that God would grant them a way of escape. Even now, as Captain Gardiner thought of his wife and children, and of all the comforts and joys of home, he must have longed to step on board, and leave the dreary Patagonian shores behind. But he was not the man to forsake the work to which he believed God had called him, so long as there was any hope of success, and now that Wissale appeared to be in a more kindly mood, neither of the missionaries had any thought of deserting their post. They hailed the ship, indeed, but only as a means by which they might send letters to their friends at home. Wissale also sent a message by the captain of the "Commodore," bidding him tell the people of England that his heart was towards his brother, Captain Gardiner.