University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Nearly three weeks had elapsed since the second visit of
Marnoo, and it must have been more than four months since I
entered the valley, when one day about noon, and whilst everything
was in profound silence, Mow-Mow, the one-eyed chief,
suddenly appeared at the door, and leaning forward towards me
as I lay directly facing him, said in a low tone, "Toby pemi
ena" (Toby has arrived here). Gracious heaven! What a
tumult of emotions rushed upon me at this startling intelligence!
Insensible to the pain that had before distracted me, I leaped to
my feet, and called wildly to Kory-Kory, who was reposing by
my side. The startled islanders sprang from their mats; the
news was quickly communicated to them; and the next moment
I was making my way to the Ti on the back of Kory-Kory, and
surrounded by the excited savages.

All that I could comprehend of the particulars which Mow-Mow
rehearsed to his auditors as we proceeded, was that my
long-lost companion had arrived in a boat which had just entered
the bay. These tidings made me most anxious to be carried at
once to the sea, lest some untoward circumstance should prevent
our meeting; but to this they would not consent, and continued
their course towards the royal abode. As we approached it,
Mehevi and several chiefs showed themselves from the piazza, and
called upon us loudly to come to them.

As soon as we had approached, I endeavoured to make them
understand that I was going down to the sea to meet Toby. To
this the king objected, and motioned Kory-Kory to bring me
into the house. It was in vain to resist; and in a few moments
I found myself within the Ti, surrounded by a noisy group
engaged in discussing the recent intelligence. Toby's name was
frequently repeated, coupled with violent exclamations of astonishment.

It seemed as if they yet remained in doubt with
regard to the fact of his arrival, and at every fresh report
that was brought from the shore they betrayed the liveliest
emotions.

Almost frenzied at being held in this state of suspense, I passionately
besought Mehevi to permit me to proceed. Whether
my companion had arrived or not, I felt a presentiment that my
own fate was about to be decided. Again and again I renewed
my petition to Mehevi. He regarded me with a fixed and serious
eye, but at length yielding to my importunity, reluctantly granted
my request.

Accompanied by some fifty of the natives, I now rapidly continued
my journey; every few moments being transferred from
the back of one to another, and urging my bearer forward all the
while with earnest entreaties. As I thus hurried forward, no
doubt as to the truth of the information I had received ever
crossed my mind. I was alive only to the one overwhelming
idea, that a chance of deliverance was now afforded me, if the
jealous opposition of the savages could be overcome.

Having been prohibited from approaching the sea during the
whole of my stay in the valley, I had always associated with it
the idea of escape. Toby too—if indeed he had ever voluntarily
deserted me—must have effected his flight by the sea; and now
that I was drawing near to it myself, I indulged in hopes which
I had never felt before. It was evident that a boat had entered
the bay, and I saw little reason to doubt the truth of the
report that it had brought my companion. Every time therefore
that we gained an elevation, I looked eagerly around, hoping to
behold him.

In the midst of an excited throng, who by their violent
gestures and wild cries appeared to be under the influence of
some excitement as strong as my own, I was now borne along at
a rapid trot, frequently stooping my head to avoid the branches
which crossed the path, and never ceasing to implore those who
carried me to accelerate their already swift pace.

In this manner we had proceeded about four or five miles,
when we were met by a party of some twenty islanders, between
whom and those who accompanied me ensued an animated conference.
Impatient of the delay occasioned by this interruption,

I was beseeching the man who carried me to proceed without his
loitering companions, when Kory-Kory, running to my side, informed
me, in three fatal words, that the news had all proved
false — that Toby had not arrived — "Toby owlee permi."
Heaven only knows how, in the state of mind and body I then
was, I ever sustained the agony which this intelligence caused
me: not that the news was altogether unexpected; but I had
trusted that the fact might not have been made known until we
should have arrived upon the beach. As it was, I at once foresaw
the course the savages would pursue. They had only
yielded thus far to my entreaties, that I might give a joyful
welcome to my long-absent comrade; but now that it was known
he had not arrived, they would at once oblige me to turn back.

My anticipations were but too correct. In spite of the resistance
I made, they carried me into a house which was near
the spot, and left me upon the mats. Shortly afterwards several
of those who had accompanied me from the Ti, detaching themselves
from the others, proceeded in the direction of the sea.
Those who remained—among whom were Marheyo, Mow-Mow,
Kory-Kory, and Tinor—gathered about the dwelling and appeared
to be awaiting their return.

This convinced me that strangers—perhaps some of my own
countrymen—had for some cause or other entered the bay.
Distracted at the idea of their vicinity, and reckless of the pain
which I suffered, I heeded not the assurances of the islanders,
that there were no boats at the beach, but starting to my feet
endeavoured to gain the door. Instantly the passage was blocked
up by several men, who commanded me to resume my seat. The
fierce looks of the irritated savages admonished me that I could
gain nothing by force, and that it was by entreaty alone that I
could hope to compass my object.

Guided by this consideration, I turned to Mow-Mow, the only
chief present whom I had been much in the habit of seeing, and
carefully concealing my real design, tried to make him comprehend
that I still believed Toby to have arrived on the shore,
and besought him to allow me to go forward to welcome him.
To all his repeated assertions, that my companion had not been
seen, I pretended to turn a deaf ear: while I urged my solicitations
with an eloquence of gesture which the one-eyed chief appeared

unable to resist. He seemed indeed to regard me as a
froward child, to whose wishes he had not the heart to oppose
force, and whom he must consequently humour. He spoke a
few words to the natives, who at once retreated from the door,
and immediately passed out of the house.

Here I looked earnestly round for Kory-Kory; but that hitherto
faithful servitor was nowhere to be seen. Unwilling to linger
even for a single instant when every moment might be so important,
I motioned to a muscular fellow near me to take me
upon his back: to my surprise he angrily refused. I turned to
another, but with a like result. A third attempt was as unsuccessful,
and I immediately perceived what had induced Mow-Mow
to grant my request and why the other natives conducted
themselves in so strange a manner. It was evident that the chief
had only given me liberty to continue my progress towards the
sea because he supposed that I was deprived of the means of
reaching it.

Convinced by this of their determination to retain me a captive,
I became desperate; and almost insensible to the pain
which I suffered, I seized a spear which was leaning against the
projecting eaves of the house, and supporting myself with it, resumed
the path that swept by the dwelling. To my surprise I
was suffered to proceed alone, all the natives remaining in front
of the house, and engaging in earnest conversation, which every
moment became more loud and vehement; and to my unspeakable
delight I perceived that some difference of opinion had
arisen between them; that two parties, in short, were formed, and
consequently that in their divided counsels there was some chance
of my deliverance.

Before I had proceeded a hundred yards I was again surrounded
by the savages, who were still in all the heat of argument,
and appeared every moment as if they would come to blows. In
the midst of this tumult old Marheyo came to my side, and I
shall never forget the benevolent expression of his countenance.
He placed his arm upon my shoulder, and emphatically pronounced
the only two English words I had taught him—"Home"
and "Mother." I at once understood what he meant, and
eagerly expressed my thanks to him. Fayaway and Kory-Kory
were by his side, both weeping violently; and it was not

until the old man had twice repeated the command that his son
could bring himself to obey him, and take me again upon his
back. The one-eyed chief opposed his doing so, but he was overruled,
and, as it seemed to me, by some of his own party.

We proceeded onwards, and never shall I forget the extacy I
felt when I first heard the roar of the surf breaking upon the
beach. Before long I saw the flashing billows themselves through
the opening between the trees. Oh glorious sight and sound of
ocean! with what rapture did I hail you as familiar friends!
By this time the shouts of the crowd upon the beach were distinctly
audible, and in the blended confusion of sounds I almost
fancied I could distinguish the voices of my own countrymen.

When we reached the open space which lay between the
groves and the sea, the first object that met my view was an
English whale-boat, lying with her bow pointed from the shore,
and only a few fathoms distant from it. It was manned by five
islanders, dressed in short tunics of calico. My first impression
was that they were in the very act of pulling out from the bay;
and that, after all my exertions, I had come too late. My soul
sunk within me: but a second glance convinced me that the boat
was only hanging off to keep out of the surf; and the next
moment I heard my own name shouted out by a voice from the
midst of the crowd.

Looking in the direction of the sound, I perceived, to my indescribable
joy, the tall figure of Karakoee, an Oahu Kannaka,
who had often been aboard the `Dolly,' while she lay in Nukuheva.
He wore the green shooting-jacket with gilt buttons,
which had been given to him by an officer of the Reine Blanche
—the French flag-ship—and in which I had always seen him
dressed. I now remembered the Kannaka had frequently told
me that his person was tabooed in all the valleys of the island,
and the sight of him at such a moment as this filled my heart
with a tumult of delight.

Karakoee stood near the edge of the water with a large roll of
cotton cloth thrown over one arm, and holding two or three canvass
bags of powder; while with the other hand he grasped a
musket, which he appeared to be proffering to several of the
chiefs around him. But they turned with disgust from his offers,
and seemed to be impatient at his presence, with vehement

gestures waving him off to his boat, and commanding him to
depart.

The Kannaka, however, still maintained his ground, and I at
once perceived that he was seeking to purchase my freedom.
Animated by the idea, I called upon him loudly to come to me;
but he replied, in broken English, that the islanders had threatened
to pierce him with their spears, if he stirred a foot towards
me. At this time I was still advancing, surrounded by a dense
throng of the natives, several of whom had their hands upon me,
and more than one javelin was threateningly pointed at me.
Still I perceived clearly that many of those least friendly towards
me looked irresolute and anxious.

I was still some thirty yards from Karakoee when my farther
progress was prevented by the natives, who compelled me to sit
down upon the ground, while they still retained their hold upon
my arms. The din and tumult now became tenfold, and I perceived
that several of the priests were on the spot, all of whom
were evidently urging Mow-Mow and the other chiefs to prevent
my departure; and the detestable word "Roo-ne! Roo-ne!"
which I had heard repeated a thousand times during the day, was
now shouted out on every side of me. Still I saw that the
Kannaka continued his exertions in my favour—that he was
boldly debating the matter with the savages, and was striving to
entice them by displaying his cloth and powder, and snapping the
lock of his musket. But all he said or did appeared only to augment
the clamours of those around him, who seemed bent upon
driving him into the sea.

When I remembered the extravagant value placed by these
people upon the articles which were offered to them in exchange
for me, and which were so indignantly rejected, I saw a new
proof of the same fixed determination of purpose they had all
along manifested with regard to me, and in despair, and reckless of
consequences, I exerted all my strength, and shaking myself free
from the grasp of those who held me, I sprung upon my feet and
rushed towards Karakoee.

The rash attempt nearly decided my fate; for, fearful that I
might slip from them, several of the islanders now raised a simultaneous
shout, and pressing upon Karakoee, they menaced him
with furious gestures, and actually forced him into the sea.

Appalled at their violence, the poor fellow, standing nearly to
the waist in the surf, endeavoured to pacify them; but at length,
fearful that they would do him some fatal violence, he beckoned
to his comrades to pull in at once, and take him into the boat.

It was at this agonizing moment, when I thought all hope
was ended, that a new contest arose between the two parties
who had accompanied me to the shore; blows were struck,
wounds were given, and blood flowed. In the interest excited
by the fray, every one had left me except Marheyo, Kory-Kory,
and poor dear Fayaway, who clung to me, sobbing
indignantly. I saw that now or never was the moment. Clasping
my hands together, I looked imploringly at Marheyo, and
moved towards the now almost deserted beach. The tears were
in the old man's eyes, but neither he nor Kory-Kory attempted to
hold me, and I soon reached the Kannaka, who had been anxiously
watching my movements; the rowers pulled in as near as they
dared to the edge of the surf; I gave one parting embrace to
Fayaway, who seemed speechless with sorrow, and the next instant
I found myself safe in the boat, and Karakoee by my side, who
told the rowers at once to give way. Marheyo and Kory-Kory,
and a great many of the women, followed me into the water, and
I was determined, as the only mark of gratitude I could show, to
give them the articles which had been brought as my ransom. I
handed the musket to Kory-Kory, with a rapid gesture which was
equivalent to a "Deed of Gift;" threw the roll of cotton to old
Marheyo, pointing as I did so to poor Fayaway, who had retired
from the edge of the water and was sitting down disconsolate on
the shingles; and tumbled the powder-bags out to the nearest
young ladies, all of whom were vastly willing to take them.
This distribution did not occupy ten seconds, and before it was
over the boat was under full way; the Kannaka all the while exclaiming
loudly against what he considered a useless throwing
away of valuable property.

Although it was clear that my movements had been noticed by
several of the natives, still they had not suspended the conflict in
which they were engaged, and it was not until the boat was above
fifty yards from the shore that Mow-Mow and some six or seven
other warriors rushed into the sea and hurled their javelins at us.
Some of the weapons passed quite as close to us as was desirable,

but no one was wounded, and the men pulled away gallantly.
But although soon out of the reach of the spears, our progress
was extremely slow; it blew strong upon the shore, and the tide
was against us; and I saw Karakoee, who was steering the boat,
give many a look towards a jutting point of the bay round which
we had to pass.

For a minute or two after our departure, the savages, who had
formed into different groups, remained perfectly motionless and
silent. All at once the enraged chief showed by his gestures
that he had resolved what course he would take. Shouting
loudly to his companions, and pointing with his tomahawk
towards the headland, he set off at full speed in that direction,
and was followed by about thirty of the natives, among whom
were several of the priests, all yelling out "Roo-ne! Roo-ne!"
at the very top of their voices. Their intention was evidently
to swim off from the headland and interrupt us in our course.
The wind was freshening every minute, and was right in our
teeth, and it was one of those chopping angry seas in which it is
so difficult to row. Still the chances seemed in our favour, but
when we came within a hundred yards of the point, the active
savages were already dashing into the water, and we all feared
that within five minutes' time we should have a score of the infuriated
wretches around us. If so, our doom was sealed, for
these savages, unlike the feeble swimmers of civilized countries,
are, if anything, more formidable antagonists in the water than
when on the land. It was all a trial of strength; our natives pulled
till their oars bent again, and the crowd of swimmers shot through
the water despite its roughness, with fearful rapidity.

By the time we had reached the headland, the savages were
spread right across our course. Our rowers got out their knives
and held them ready between their teeth, and I seized the boathook.
We were well aware that if they succeeded in intercepting
us they would practise upon us the manœuvre which
has proved so fatal to many a boat's crew in these seas. They
would grapple the oars, and seizing hold of the gunwale, capsize
the boat, and then we should be entirely at their mercy.

After a few breathless moments I discerned Mow-Mow. The
athletic islander, with his tomahawk between his teeth, was
dashing the water before him till it foamed again. He was the

nearest to us, and in another instant he would have seized one of
the oars. Even at the moment I felt horror at the act I was
about to commit; but it was no time for pity or compunction,
and with a true aim, and exerting all my strength, I dashed the
boat-hook at him. It struck him just below the throat, and
forced him downwards. I had no time to repeat my blow, but I
saw him rise to the surface in the wake of the boat, and never
shall I forget the ferocious expression of his countenance.

Only one other of the savages reached the boat. He seized
the gunwale, but the knives of our rowers so mauled his wrists,
that he was forced to quit his hold, and the next minute we were
past them all, and in safety. The strong excitement which had
thus far kept me up, now left me, and I fell back fainting into
the arms of Karakoee.

* * * * * *

The circumstances connected with my most unexpected escape
may be very briefly stated. The captain of an Australian vessel,
being in distress for men in these remote seas, had put into Nukuheva
in order to recruit his ship's company; but not a single
man was to be obtained; and the barque was about to get under
weigh, when she was boarded by Karakoee, who informed the
disappointed Englishman that an American sailor was detained
by the savages in the neighbouring bay of Typee; and he offered,
if supplied with suitable articles of traffic, to undertake his release.
The Kannaka had gained his intelligence from Marnoo, to
whom, after all, I was indebted for my escape. The proposition
was acceded to; and Karakoee, taking with him five tabooed
natives of Nukuheva, again repaired aboard the barque, which in
a few hours sailed to that part of the island, and threw her main-top-sail
aback right off the entrance to the Typee bay. The
whale-boat, manned by the tabooed crew, pulled towards the
head of the inlet, while the ship lay "off and on" awaiting its
return.

The events which ensued have already been detailed, and little
more remains to be related. On reaching the `Julia' I was lifted
over the side, and my strange appearance and remarkable adventure
occasioned the liveliest interest. Every attention was bestowed
upon me that humanity could suggest. But to such a

state was I reduced, that three months elapsed before I recovered
my health.

The mystery which hung over the fate of my friend and companion
Toby has never been cleared up. I still remain ignorant
whether he succeeded in leaving the valley, or perished at the
hands of the islanders.