Van Hunks and the Devil

 I am born and raised in Cape Town South Africa>
There is an old Cape Town Legend about an old sea captain who loved to smoke his pipe. 
One day day he climbed the mountain called Devils peak where he met the devil who challenged him to a smoking competition. It is said that Van Hunks beat the Devil. Whenever the clouds that are  known as the Table cloth come rolling over the mountain, it is said that Van Hunks and the devil are up on the mountain smoking their pipes.

Van Hunks and the Devil,

 by Mark Hurlin -Shelton Cape Town 2014

Old captain Van Hunks

He had sailed the seven seas

And returning home retired

At the fair Cape of Good Hope

He was a contented man

Often out in nature and was pleased

To take out his pipe and enjoy a hearty smoke

For to puff upon a pipe

Of few pleasures was he fonder

And aside from this he dearly loved to wander

On a fine day upon the mountainside

And as he climbed he'd rest a while

And take in the pleasing view

Of table bay stretched out wide o'er many a mile

And there was nothing better to do

Than sit contentedly and have a puff

Take in the view and smile

Higher and higher

Up the sunny slope he climbed

Clambering through the fynbos

All in flower

Delighted in the sunshine and fresh air

Pushing on and up-he strode for many an hour

His mind at peace and without care

In his stride, ambitious

He decided not to stop

Till he had ascended Devils Peak

Up to it's very top.

And when he reached the summit

He was well pleased

For like a glimmering sapphire

Was spread the blue of Table Bay

And such a view indeed inspired

Old Van Hunks on that fine day

To rest in the shade beneath a tree

And to thank the good Lord

For all things good

That life had brought his way

Yes he stopped a while to pray

Then taking out his pouch of favourite "twak"

And loading up his pipe of old oak wood

And lighting it did suck and puff

Upon it  as an old sea captain should

And clouds of smoke went up

all around

Yes indeed there was more than smoke enough to go around.

It was peaceful and so silent

Up upon the windy burg

No sound to hear save a mild wind a blowing.

Perhaps the chirping of a happy bird

Happy like Van Hunks- his heart a glowing

Who sat and gazed for hours

How long he had no way of knowing,

And just when he had the thought of heading home

He was stirred by a sudden sound

of footsteps

And was dismayed to think that he was not alone

And he turned to look around

A smiling man in black was dressed

Who grinned from ear to ear

"Good day Van Hunks,

I am glad and blessed

This day to meet you here"

The stranger he was quite well dressed

His beard was trimmed and neat

One would be most impressed

To meet such a fellow on the street

Captain Van Hunks was not sure quite what to say

For he was indeed surprised

To meet with company up on that peak

He looked the stranger in the eye

Hesitating to speak

For how could it be

It seemed so strange

How did this fellow know his name ?!

Van Hunks had no desire to be rude

Although he had hiked up here

For solitude

So he decided that to be polite was best

"Well good to meet you too!"-he beamed

And shook hands with his guest

But however sir, did you know my name ?

For your face I do not recall

I don't believe we have met

But all the same

Please do join me for a while

"Oh you don't know me

Yet I know you well

Van Hunks you are famous-

Don't you know?!

And most of all you are famous for

Those great clouds of smoke you blow.

I like a puff myself said he

Taking out a great tobacco sack

Filled with a great quantity

Of good quality aromatic twak

Said the stranger: "Well then let's see

Who can smoke the most

What's the wager Hunks? Its just you and me

I have heard it said you boast

And that no man can blow more smoke than you

On fairest Cape Town's coast !"

And just then the fellows hat fell off

And Van Hunks could plainly see

A pair of horns upon his head

Revealing his true identity

"I will wager you your soul, Van Hunks-

Said the Devil free from shame

And if I lose I will do your bidding

Pleased to meet you- won't you guess my name ?!

For if you win- here are the keys

That will lock me safe away

So let us smoke and let us see

Who is winner for the day

But if you lose -my friend

Well then you will surely pay

That your God helps you this time

For if you lose this wager

Then your soul will be all mine !

I am very sure that you don't joke

Said Van Hunks with a grin

I 'll wage you that I'll make a cloud of smoke

Even bigger than your sin

The wagers on you devil

And. You have no God to whom to pray

Let us smoke and may

The best man win today

So without more ado

Began the two

One two three on marks set go

Van Hunks his start was slow

For it was no easy thing to strike his match

As a strong wind began to blow

But soon his loaded pipe was lit

The old captain steadily puffed on it

Exhaling much smoke - a tremendous cloud

The devil saw and he avowed

To beat Van Hunks at their smoking game

He tried to cheat

And by deceit he produced a devilish magic flame

But an angel of the wind

He blew it out

And the Devil had to

 light his pipe again

They huffed and puffed with pipes full stuffed

The devil summoned every power of deceit

But however hard he puffed twas not enough

It was not sufficient to match and meet

Van Hunks's splendid smoky cloud

The captain grinned at the Prince of sin

And laughed with a triumphant snigger

For the captains smoke was great and proud

And clearly far the bigger.

And the devil fell down to his knees

For clearly he had lost the bet

And Van Hunks seized the keys

That would lock him soundly  in his evil pit-

You will do my bidding now ,the captain said,

Since you have lost this bet

And you have not gained my soul but instead

For the loser is you, the sinner,

For this day you will long  regret

For I have emerged the winner.

Are your lungs not the temple of God ?

Said the devil with a mischievous

Grin

That you pollute with endless smoke

This is indeed a sin,

So although I have not won your soul-

On that count you've won this time-

Yet I have won your tar-black lungs-

Your lungs they are all mine,

So never make a deal

 or bet with the devil,

For indeed you can never really win,

For he is master of all trickery,

He is no amateur when it comes to sin.

And whenever  the South Easter blows

And the table-cloth comes rolling oe'r Tafelberg,

Then parents tell their children

Come see ! Don't you know,

 the reason for this sight

That Van Hunks and the Devil

Are up on the mountain

Making clouds

a- puffing on their pipes ! :)

Devils Peak,
Cape Town, South Africa