Memoirs
Recollections of Charles C. Nutting (1919)
"Identity
Crisis"
The
most perplexing and at times exasperating experience in the preparatory stages
of our undertaking was the meeting of the new and complex regulations regarding passports
and securing a war trade license necessary for taking our equipment out of
the country. In obtaining a passport we came to entertain serious doubts as
to whether we had been born or not, so difficult was it to furnish
details of the event which demand the testimony of either a parent or
attending physician. Although personally present, my own testimony was
not admitted, probably on the ground that I was regarded as a prejudiced
party.
"Medicine Man"
Mr.
and Mrs. Stoner were constantly followed by a group of people who professed
a desire to "help catch butterflies." The first question was usually
"What are you catching?" and the second "What are you going
to do with them? Make medicine?" The news of the advent of strangers
in country districts was quickly passed around; rather mysteriously so, considering
the lack of telephonic communication. While collecting in the Scotland District,
the news was spread that the man was a German spy, and Mr. Stoner was followed
by a markedly hostile group who commenced to stone him. On one occasion, however,
some natives appeared armed with a rope and announced their intention to capture
our entomologist and take him to the lazeretto which was nearby, in order
that he might be confined as a lunatic. They were evidently lacking in nerve,
however, and Mr. Stoner proceeded on his way and is still at large.
"The Bat Cave"
Under the guidance of the Rev. Hal Shepard we made a most interesting excursion
to "Bat Cave" on the other side of Shirley Heights. We were provided
with two rather feeble electric torches, upon which not very much reliance
could be placed. As the leader of the party, I elected myself to the arduous
task of holding the end of this cord, squatting on a rock where the last glimmer
of daylight could be seen, thus generously allowing the rest of the party
to enjoy the further exploration on the cave. Thousands of bats were circling
around and twittering in wild excitement with a constant whirring of wings.
Every once in a while one would strike the cord,which would twang like a fiddle-string.
For reasons perfectly obvious to those who know me, I had no fear of their
becoming entangled in my hair according to the popular superstition.
At
one point, a member of the crew became lost from the rest of the party. He
was gone for one night and day during which they experienced the most violent
weather of the whole trip. H. J. Wehman's story is as follows: He decided
one day to take a walk to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, one of the highest
and roughest peaks in Antigua. He reached the summit around noon and decided
to lie down for a rest, when he promptly went to sleep and slept until the
afternoon was rather well advanced. After taking some photographs he started
back, only to find that his fieldglasses were missing. He then tried to retrace
his steps to find the glasses. This took considerable time and he failed in
his search. Evening was coming on and he did not dare to try to make his way
through the jungle and steep descent in the darkness. There was no house of
any kind in the vicinity, and he decided that the best thing was to pass the
night in the lee of some rocks on the mountain side. As luck would have it,
he had chosen for his picnic the night of the worst storm in months, was thoroughly
drenched, and had a wild time of it in general. When dawn came he had been
without food for nearly twenty four hours. Coming down the valley, he discovered
a cow and succeeded in playing the Romulus and Remus act. Thus refreshed,
and with further sustenance secured from a couple of mangos, he came home
to find himself the best advertised man on the island of Antigua. This was
particularly distressing to one of his notably retiring disposition. Furthermore,
it was evident that he would have to behave himself circumspectly during the
remainder of his stay as every member of the police force had his complete
description with all the marks of identification set forth in detail.
"Moonlight Nights"
The
moonlight nights were delightful, and sometimes inspired us to music, at which
time Stoner's mandolin was our main resource; and songs never heard before
in that historic spot doubtless disturbed the slumbers of our neighbors. The
picture will remain always with every one of us - the moon rising in the round-orbed
splendor over Shirley Heights and turning the placid waters of the harbor
to burnished silver, the sharp silhouette of the ruined fort on Point Barclay
right opposite; the glean of the breakers as they mounted high on the rocks
on the opposite side of the harbor entrance; the sweet chords of the mandolin
mingling with the voices of the singers; the quiet content of resting after
a hard day's work in the sun; the caress of the evening breeze; and, for the
unregenerate, the aroma of an evening pipe - this picture is one of those
which constitute the choice treasures of the soul, more real than riches and
more precious than all save friendship and love.
"An Occasion to Celebrate"
There was one occasion which modesty might,
but will not prevent my recording. One evening I noticed that a meeting of
the "Bachelor Club" was announced to the place by the moonlight
on the sea wall and I secretly thought this was a decidedly class distinction,
and for once in my life contemplated the disadvantage of the married state.
They brought us some ice cream, however, which alleviated the situation. Events
proved that the meeting was really camouflage to hide preparation for a dinner
to be given the next evening in honor of the birthday of the director of the
expedition. Before dinner on the following day there was plainly something
unusual under way, as was evidenced by the fact that everyone was dressed
up in his or her "Sunday best," for which I, entirely unsuspicious,
was unable to assign a reason. When dessert was to be served a great birthday
cake with a brilliant display of candles was brought in by a special serving
maid in appropriate costume, and I was at last enlightened as to the nature
of the dinner.