40. CHAPTER XL.
WE TAKE UNTO OURSELVES FRIENDS.
The arrival of the chests made my friend, the doctor, by far
the wealthiest man of the party. So much the better for me,
seeing that I had little or nothing myself; though from our
intimacy, the natives courted my favor almost as much as his.
Among others, Kooloo was a candidate for my friendship;
and being a comely youth, quite a buck in his way, I accepted
his overtures. By this, I escaped the importunities of the rest;
for be it known, that, though little inclined to jealousy in love
matters, the Tahitian will hear of no rivals in his friendship.
Kooloo, running over his qualifications as a friend, first of all
informed me, that he was a “Mickonaree,” thus declaring his
communion with the church.
The way this “tayo” of mine expressed his regard, was by
assuring me over and over again, that the love he bore me
was “nuee, nuee, nuee,” or infinitesimally extensive. All over
these seas, the word “nuee” is significant of quantity. Its repetition
is like placing ciphers at the right hand of a numeral;
the more places you carry it out to, the greater the sum. Judge,
then, of Kooloo's esteem. Nor is the allusion to the ciphers
at all inappropriate, seeing that, in themselves, Kooloo's professions
turned out to be worthless. He was, alas! as sounding
brass and a tinkling cymbal; one of those who make no
music unless the clapper be silver.
In the course of a few days, the sailors, like the doctor and
myself, were cajoled out of every thing, and our “tayos,” all
round, began to cool off quite sensibly. So remiss did they
become in their attentions, that we could no longer rely upon
their bringing us the daily supply of food, which all of them
had faithfully promised.
As for Kooloo, after sponging me well, he one morning
played the part of a retrograde lover; informing me, that his
affections had undergone a change; he had fallen in love at
first sight with a smart sailor, who had just stepped ashore
quite flush from a lucky whaling-cruise.
It was a touching interview, and with it, our connection dissolved.
But the sadness which ensued would soon have been
dissipated, had not my sensibilities been wounded by his indelicately
sporting some of my gifts very soon after this transfer of
his affections. Hardly a day passed, that I did not meet him
on the Broom Road, airing himself in a Regatta shirt, which I
had given him in happier hours.
He went by with such an easy saunter too, looking me
pleasantly in the eye, and merely exchanging the cold salute of
the road:—“Yar onor, boyoee,” a mere side-walk how d'ye
do. After several experiences like this, I began to entertain a
sort of respect for Kooloo, as quite a man of the world. In
good sooth, he turned out to be one; in one week's time giving
me the cut direct, and lounging by without even nodding. He
must have taken me for part of the landscape.
Before the chests were quite empty, we had a grand washing
in the stream of our best raiment, for the purpose of looking
tidy, and visiting the European chapel in the village. Every
Sunday morning it is open for divine service, some member of
the mission officiating. This was the first time we ever entered
Papeetee unattended by an escort.
In the chapel there were about forty people present, including
the officers of several ships in harbor. It was an energetic
discourse, and the pulpit cushion was well pounded. Occupying
a high seat in the synagogue, and stiff as a flag-staff, was
our beloved guardian, Wilson. I shall never forget his look of
wonder when his interesting wards filed in at the doorway, and
took up a seat directly facing him.
Service over, we waited outside in hopes of seeing more of
him; but sorely annoyed at the sight of us, he reconnoitered
from the window, and never came forth until we had started
for home.
