- end_line
- 6869
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T07:57:55.413Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 6825
- text
- patron, forthwith proceeded to build their capital city. They make
considerable advance in the way of walls of clinkers, and lava floors,
nicely sanded with cinders. On the least barren hills they pasture
their cattle, while the goats, adventurers by nature, explore the far
inland solitudes for a scanty livelihood of lofty herbage. Meantime,
abundance of fish and tortoises supply their other wants.
The disorders incident to settling all primitive regions, in the
present case were heightened by the peculiarly untoward character of
many of the pilgrims. His Majesty was forced at last to proclaim
martial law, and actually hunted and shot with his own hand several of
his rebellious subjects, who, with most questionable intentions, had
clandestinely encamped in the interior, whence they stole by night, to
prowl barefooted on tiptoe round the precincts of the lava-palace. It
is to be remarked, however, that prior to such stern proceedings, the
more reliable men had been judiciously picked out for an infantry
body-guard, subordinate to the cavalry body-guard of dogs. But the
state of politics in this unhappy nation may be somewhat imagined, from
the circumstance that all who were not of the body-guard were downright
plotters and malignant traitors. At length the death penalty was
tacitly abolished, owing to the timely thought, that were strict
sportsman’s justice to be dispensed among such subjects, ere long the
Nimrod King would have little or no remaining game to shoot. The human
part of the life-guard was now disbanded, and set to work cultivating
the soil, and raising potatoes; the regular army now solely consisting
of the dog-regiment. These, as I have heard, were of a singularly
ferocious character, though by severe training rendered docile to their
master. Armed to the teeth, the Creole now goes in state, surrounded by
his canine janizaries, whose terrific bayings prove quite as
serviceable as bayonets in keeping down the surgings of revolt.
But the census of the isle, sadly lessened by the dispensation of
justice, and not materially recruited by matrimony, began to fill his
mind with sad mistrust. Some way the population must be increased. Now,
from its possessing a little water, and its comparative pleasantness of
aspect, Charles’s Isle at this period was occasionally visited by
foreign whalers. These His Majesty had always levied upon for port
charges, thereby contributing to his revenue. But now he had additional
designs. By insidious arts he, from time to time, cajoles certain
sailors to desert their ships, and enlist beneath his banner. Soon as
missed, their captains crave permission to go and hunt them up.
Whereupon His Majesty first hides them very carefully away, and then
freely permits the search. In consequence, the delinquents are never
found, and the ships retire without them.
- title
- Chunk 2