Chapter 36 – Sailing Away
"Well that seems to be everything," Archimedes nodded as he wiped a few beads of sweat off his flushed brow. Archimedes and Tarzan had spent the whole day packing up the old campsite equipment before moving it all with the help of Tantor and Jalika, storing it all in the cellar below the treehouse.
"Yes that does seem to be everything," Jane agreed. She had spent the day before cleaning and tidying the treehouse from top to bottom and Tarzan went round strapping furniture down and boarding up windows to ensure that nothing would get damaged should a storm come.
"So I guess we should sleep here tonight and we can all set off first thing in the morning," Jalika suggested whilst Dembe played with Annabelle in the fading sun.
"Yes that would be great," Tarzan agreed. "Gobu and the family are going to accompany us to the port as well."
Later that night, with the elephants sleeping outside the Porters tucked into a simple supper of bread and cheese with some raw vegetables and fruits so as not to turn on the range. With the windows boarded up the place felt incredibly gloomy, the atmosphere almost claustrophobic as they quietly ate surrounded by a few lit candles and oil lamps.
Then they all went to bed not long after William had settled down in his cot as they were all exhausted from all the packing. Jane curled up towards Tarzan and rested her head on his bare chest. Her eyes observed through the gloom the outlines of the trunks, boxes and suitcases all packed and ready for the morning. She was a mixed bag of emotions. She was nervous, excited whilst fearful, happy but also sad. Tarzan, though half asleep sensed her restlessness and pulled her in closer, held her tight and kissed the top of her head. Jane felt herself relax a little in his embrace and slowly succumbed to sleep.
The next morning, around 6 o'clock the Porters woke up, got washed and dressed and had some bread and jam for breakfast before getting ready to leave. As Tarzan packed away the bedspreads, his eye caught the photograph of his parents. It was nestled in the drawer where they kept their bedding, wrapped in an old handkerchief. It used to be displayed on top of the chest of drawers but it was put away due to fears of over-exposure to light.
Tarzan carefully unwrapped the handkerchief and observed the photograph. The glass was still cracked but the photograph was still in good condition. His finger gently traced his mother and father's faces, their eyes almost boring into his conscience. They were calling to him.
"Tarzan darling!" Jane called to him from the front door. "Are you ready to go?"
"Yes dear," Tarzan quickly replied, "I'll bring the cases down in a minute." When his wife left him to it, he wrapped up the photograph and pulled out the silver snuffbox containing his father's signet ring, also kept in the same drawer.
He opened one of Jane's suitcases and carefully packed them in between layers of his wife's clothes. As he shut the lid, he felt a surge of adrenaline rush through his body. "Maybe," he thought to himself, "just maybe I might be able to find out who my parents were. Maybe, whilst in England I might be able to find out where I came from and how I came to be here." Then after making a self-determined nod he went about loading the boatlift so that all the cases would be lowered down to Tantor and Jalika.
"Is everything done?" Jane asked a little nervously, "Is the front door boarded up too?"
"All done," Tarzan nodded as he finished strapping the last of their belongings to Tantor. "Are you two alright? Not too heavy I hope?"
"We're both tip top T," Tantor smiled as his trunk affectionately stroked Jalika's ear, "I'm just so glad that I have such a lovely lady accompanying me."
"Oh Tantor you're such a tease!" Jalika blushed at Tantor's sweet nothings whist Dembe and Annabelle rolled their eyes in mock exasperation and embarrassment.
The group set across the drawbridge and when they reached the other side Archimedes raised the drawbridge. Tarzan placed his arm reassuringly around Jane's waist as they looked on at their home with its high walls, raised drawbridge and boarded windows. It looked quite abandoned.
"Bye-bye house!" Annabelle's sweet voice interrupted their silence as she waved at their home. "Be back soon!" The rest of the family followed suit, waving goodbye to their home before setting off into the jungle on their life-changing journey. The path to the port was well marked after years of the Porters visiting it regularly. Tarzan placed the markers the second time that they visited, determined that they would not get lost again!
William slept comfortably in the sling on Jane's front as they walked along the path. It seemed to Jane that her son knew where they were going and was content with the decision. She hoped though that he would keep behaving this well when they returned. Ever since they decided that they were all going to the port, she felt the tiredness and the sadness inside her starting to lift and she felt William could sense that too. Maybe that was why he was starting to sleep through the night more often and cry less.
"Hello everyone!" someone called and they looked over to their left and saw Gobu with the family emerging out of the nearby bushes. Everyone greeted each other with great enthusiasm before they all set off together back down the path. Gobu decided that it was the right thing to for them to follow the Porters to the port and everyone; especially Kala was pleased with the plan.
"Why are you taking the goats Anna?" Keke asked as she observed her friend herding them along the path.
"We're going to have to sell them at the market," Annabelle replied a little sadly, "We cannot leave them at the treehouse and we cannot release them into the jungle either. We will have to buy some more when we come back. Same with the chickens." Keke took her friend's hand and gave it a squeeze. That cheered Annabelle up a little as the whole family made its way slowly but surely to the port.
They all travelled for five days, resting, eating and nesting all together in one big happy community. It reminded Jane and Tarzan of how it used to be before they had the children, they used to travel and nest with the gorillas all the time. Even though it wasn't spoken between them, they both knew that they needed to do this more often when they returned from England.
"Here we are," Tarzan noted as he saw the final marker carved onto a large tree. It was the last marker before the scree slope but Tarzan found some years ago a way to get to the entrance of the port and avoid sliding down the slope. From this marker they had to take a sharp left, following the edge of the slope until it descended to where a road met the entrance of the port. It was best for them to part ways now, unseen in the jungle than create a spectacle on the road.
"Goodbye Gobu," Tarzan patted his friend's shoulder, "the family will be in good hands with you leading brother."
"Thank you Tarzan," Gobu nodded respectfully, "I will do my utmost to lead as well as you have brother and I wish you, Jane, the Professor and the children a safe journey."
"Thank you and -" Tarzan paused for a moment before continuing, "please keep an eye on my mother. Look after her and Terk."
Gobu nodded, he understood his friend's apprehension of leaving his mother. He clearly remembered as a young gorilla Kala's dejection when Tarzan almost left for England and he could see Tarzan worrying that this would happen again. The two of them hugged each other in a typical masculine style of hug, brief and quiet but still emotional nonetheless.
"Bye Archer," Terk said as she hugged Jane, "I hope you have fun in England, well not too fun I mean, not so much fun that you wanna stay!"
"Terk, the jungle will always be so much more fun," Jane replied and Terk managed to make a smile despite her eyes welling up.
"Goodbye my little man," Terk bent over and lightly stroked William's head. "Get well and don't give your mama too much grief you hear me?" Jane chuckled at that; even in the most tender of moments Terk's blunt humour could always lighten the mood!
"Bye Keke," Annabelle and Keke hugged each other for the tenth time. "I will miss you so much!"
"I know," Keke sniffed up some tears, "I so wish I could come with you. I will have no one to play with now."
"You have Dembe, Zuki, Jima and the others."
Keke rolled her eyes and Annabelle giggled. She dug her hand into the pocket of her dress and pulled out something small.
"What is it?" Keke asked curiously as her best friend wrapped something colourful around her wrist.
"It's a friendship bracelet, you wear one and I wear one too," Annabelle explained as she carefully tied up the bracelet. She had made it the other day, using some embroidery floss from her mother's sewing box. It was knotted to create a sweet chevron pattern, the shades of cool blues made it look like the river, their favourite place to play. Annabelle then tied one around her own wrist, hers made with various shades of green, her favourite colour.
"It's so pretty, thanks Anna!" Keke lightly brushed the friendship bracelet with her finger, revelling in the silkiness of the embroidery floss.
"So whoever you are playing with, I will be always be here." Annabelle held Keke's adorned hand with hers tightly, both friends still sad that they would be parted but also reassured that they would not forget each other and that their friendship would stand the test of time.
"Goodbye children," Kala said as she hugged both Tarzan and Jane, "have a safe journey."
"Thanks Mum," Tarzan said as she held them in her large, comforting arms, "I'm going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you too son, I'm going to miss all of you."
"We will come back Kala," Jane added as she kissed Kala on the cheek, "I promise with all my heart."
"I know," Kala nodded. She did not doubt her daughter-in-law for one second. It was essential for them to go, her precious grandson's life was at stake and she could not stop them from leaving. It would be the epitome of selfishness if she did. Jane lifted William out of her sling and placed him carefully into his grandmother's arms so that she could say goodbye to him.
The baby opened his eyes, both his blue and green eyes looking up at Kala. He instantly recognised her and made a big gummy smile, the cleft in his lip spreading wide. Kala's heart instantly melted, William reminded her so much of Tarzan, especially when she first found him. William was truly her son's child and she was going to miss him so much. "He is going to grow so much whilst he's gone," she thought as William played with her fingers, "he might be crawling or walking when he comes back."
She pulled him close and took a long sniff of that wonderful baby scent. She never forgot it after she first smelt her son and then her granddaughter. William cooed at the attention and then quickly relaxed in her arms, dozing off into sleep. "Good bye darling," Kala tried to hold back the tears as she kissed her grandson on his velvety soft head speckled with dark brown hairs. "You will always be in my heart."
Jane also found herself welling up as Kala handed back her son so that she could put him back in his sling. Her lips formed at a grateful smile at Kala and Kala's eyes smiled back, full of love and tenderness.
"Don't worry Kala," Archimedes interjected as he came over to say goodbye, "We will be back before you know it!"
"I'm sure you're right Archimedes," Kala replied and the two of them shared a goodbye hug.
"Belle! Come and say goodbye to your grandma!" Tarzan called and Annabelle rushed over from Keke and her other friends.
"I'm going to miss you so much Grandma!" Annabelle babbled as she flung herself into her grandmother's arms, hugging her as tightly as she could.
"I'm going to miss you too sweetheart."
"Can't you come to London with us?"
"I think I will stick out a bit!" Kala chuckled at that, "But I want you to tell me all about your adventures when you come back."
"I will! I promise!" Annabelle nodded her head solemnly before they shared a long hug.
"Anna!" Jane called to her daughter, "We need to head off sweetheart!"
"Just one more minute!" Annabelle pleaded and her mother nodded. "Close your eyes," she said to her grandmother and Kala did as she was told, feeling something being tied loosely around her neck. When Annabelle told her to open her eyes, Kala looked down and saw the little beaded doll, the one that Jane bought from the port all those years ago before Annabelle was born tied onto a leather cord necklace.
"If you are ever feeling lonely, then you have this. Something of mine so I will always be with you, wherever you go." Annabelle said as Kala looked back up from the doll and into her eyes. It was her granddaughter's most treasured toy and she still slept with it in her bed every night. It must have been hard for her to part with it and Kala was so touched by the gesture. She hugged her granddaughter tightly and Annabelle kissed her affectionately on the cheek.
"Goodbye everyone," Tarzan said to the family once his daughter had finished saying goodbye to Kala.
"Goodbye!" the gorillas chorused as they watched them go down the bend in the track followed by Tantor, Jalika and Dembe until they were out of sight. There was a long silence before Gobu beat his chest and motioned for the family to follow him to their next nesting place, a new leader and a new direction.
"We'd better get changed now," Jane said when she saw the final path marking before the road. She took down one of the smaller suitcases from Jalika and opened it. They took their assigned clothing for the port and went into the bushes to change.
"Oh don't you all just look so smart!" Jalika gushed when they finally emerged. Jane was now wearing a modest ochre two-piece bustle dress, white gloves, black-heeled boots and her hair styled up into a simple bun.
Annabelle had changed out of her simple blue cotton dress and into a white light cotton dress, embroidered all over with tiny white sprigs and a duck egg blue sash. Tarzan observed the skirt was embellished with three rows of gathered frills before the deep hem reach just over Annabelle's knees. He recognised it immediately. It was his wife's old wedding dress, which she had cleverly cut and remodelled into a dress for Annabelle as well as a baby gown and bonnet for William. Annabelle looked beautiful with her sparkling light green eyes and her long brown hair, half up-half down. Tarzan couldn't help but beam at the sight of his daughter blossoming into young womanhood.
"Here, let me," Jane smiled as she came over to him. Tarzan no longer wore his father's old suit. It was too old, coming apart as well as being too old fashioned for him to wear anymore. Before William was born, he and Archimedes went to the port together and had four 3 piece suits made for him, one in a small brown tweed, one in a dove grey, one in buff and the other in navy. He was wearing the brown tweed suit and waistcoat with a white shirt but with his father's maroon cravat.
Jane tied it and puffed it out like she did every time that they went to the port. It was not that her husband couldn't do it; it just became a little tradition that she and Tarzan shared. "Gosh it's so strange wearing a corset again," she said when she finished adjusting his cravat. Tarzan nodded, his brown leather shoes were still not completely broken in and pinched his feet a little.
"Right we'd better get going," Archimedes noted as he put his pocket watch back into his grey waistcoat. He also had a few new suits made up too, especially what with his short stature. "We might be able to find a ship before the evening tide."
They exited the jungle and stepped out onto the dirt road leading up to the port. Horses and carts carrying goods trotted past and new fangled motorcars beeped at them as they whizzed by.
"I'll find us a porter," Archimedes said as lots of people were staring at them, mostly at the elephants loaded with their boxes and suitcases. He found a couple of porters soon enough and they helped Tarzan unload Tantor and Jalika.
"Thanks guys," Tarzan said as porters took their cases to the port authority building, "for everything."
"It's an honour to help you Tarzan," Jalika smiled kindly, "I hope you have a safe journey."
"I will miss you T!" Tantor struggled to contain his emotions. "I will never forget you buddy!"
"Of course you won't forget us Uncle Tantor," Annabelle piped up, "you're an elephant!" That made everyone laugh, even Tantor!
"Don't fret Tantor, we'll back. I promise." Jane stroked his trunk to soothe him. Tantor and Jalika along with Dembe blew their trunks, making a long, very loud farewell trumpet before they got off the path and back into the jungle. Tarzan took his wife and daughter's hand and they walked into the port, heads held high, ignoring the wide eyed passers-by, fascinated at the spectacle that had just happened.
"Hello sir, are there any ships sailing to England from here?" Jane tried not to sound weary. They had been queuing for ages in the port authority building and William who was now in his Moses basket was getting restless.
"I'm sorry madam but there are no passenger ships going to England from here. No passenger ships come here, only cargo and fishing ships." The tone of port authority clerk was unsympathetic, clearly not amused by William's loud grizzles.
"A cargo ship is fine," Jane gritted her teeth at the clerk's harshness, "we'll pay our way. I can cook and clean, anything. We just need to get to Dover."
"I'm sorry madam but that is out of the question," the clerk replied sharply, "you will have to go to Mobasa for passenger ships."
"Mobasa!" Archimedes interrupted, outraged at the suggestion! "That's over 100 miles south from here! We cannot travel that far and there is no railroad from here!"
"I'm sorry," the clerk replied, undeterred by Archimedes' temper, "but I cannot help you. Next please!"
"What are we going to do?" Jane cried as the next customer pushed past them to get to the clerk's desk. It seemed like all hope was lost but then she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Miss Porter?"
For a wild moment Jane thought she recognised the voice and when she turned around her eyes lit up when she saw whom it was! He was tall and wearing a captain's uniform. Instead of a moustache, he now sported a beard, brown but speckled with grey and white hairs and was still bald under his captain's hat.
"Captain Gerald!" Jane cried in sheer delight. Who would have thought that they would bump into him today of all days!
"I heard your voice and I thought it was you!" Captain Gerald took Jane's gloved hand and kissed it. "I never thought I would see you again, what you and your father living with Tarzan in the jungle! Gosh! What a sight for sore eyes!"
"Yes we have, all this time," Jane replied as Captain Gerald, Archimedes and Tarzan shook hands.
"So why are you wanting a ship to Dover then?"
"Mama?" Annabelle's voice nervously piped up. She was holding onto her mother's skirts, wondering why on earth her parents and grandfather was so delighted to see this stranger?
"Anna, this is Captain Francis Gerald," Jane explained. "He is the man that sailed me and your grandfather here. I wouldn't have met your father if it weren't for this man. Captain Gerald, this is our daughter Annabelle."
"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Annabelle," Captain Gerald beamed and shook Annabelle's somewhat reluctant hand. But Annabelle then instantly warmed to the captain and beamed a smile back at him.
"We need to go to London because our son William needs medical help that we just cannot get here," Jane added, not wanting to go into too much detail in the middle of the port authority building.
"Well as it happens I am sailing from Peking and heading back to Dover before going onto New South Wales. The Merchant Navy has me sailing to all four corners you know!"
"That's perfect!" Jane gasped in delight, "We will pay our way of course. I will do cooking, cleaning, whatever you need."
"Well my cook has been badgering me for an assistant. It will take us a few weeks though, I will be stopping at several ports mind you."
Jane nodded her head enthusiastically, she didn't care how many ports they visited as long as they got to Dover and Captain Gerald was just the man to take them there.
"Righty ho then!" Captain Gerald nodded, "I will sort out the paperwork with the clerk, don't you worry Miss, I mean Mrs Porter. We sail at dawn tomorrow."
That night the Porters rented a room in one of the taverns, having a dinner of oysters and fish in their room so as not to mingle with the prostitutes and their drunk, rowdy customers downstairs in the bar. The goats and chickens were sold at the market and their belongings were loaded onto the ship. It was not the Arrow that Archimedes and Jane first sailed on but a newer, faster ship called the Zephyr.
The next morning, the family boarded ship just before dawn and Captain Gerald showed them the three cabins they would be using. They were small but adequate for the journey. The family went on deck as the anchor was raised and the ship set off into the vast endless Indian Ocean. They had a long journey ahead, going around the horn of Africa, up the Red Sea and through the Suez Canal. Then they would sail through the Mediterranean before skirting around Spain, Portugal and France before finally arriving at Dover.
Captain Gerald assured them that this was significantly quicker than going westwards, around the tip of the Cape Colony and up to Europe that way. As they sailed away, Tarzan watched his jungle home disappearing slowly until it was just a green speck on the horizon. This was it. There was no going back now. He was sailing away from all he knew, into the never-ending sea and into a new and completely different world.