University of Virginia Library

CHAPTER XVI.

In looking back to this period, and calling to remembrance the
numberless proofs of kindness and respect which I received from
the natives of the valley, I can scarcely understand how it was
that, in the midst of so many consolatory circumstances, my mind
should still have been consumed by the most dismal forebodings,
and have remained a prey to the profoundest melancholy. It is
true that the suspicious circumstances which had attended the
disappearance of Toby were enough of themselves to excite distrust
with regard to the savages, in whose power I felt myself to
be entirely placed, especially when it was combined with the
knowledge that these very men, kind and respectful as they were
to me, were, after all, nothing better than a set of cannibals.

But my chief source of anxiety, and that which poisoned every
temporary enjoyment, was the mysterious disease in my leg, which
still remained unabated. All the herbal applications of Tinor,
united with the severer discipline of the old leech, and the affectionate
nursing of Kory-Kory, had failed to relieve me. I was
almost a cripple, and the pain I endured at intervals was agonizing.
The unaccountable malady showed no signs of amendment;
on the contrary, its violence increased day by day, and threatened
the most fatal results, unless some powerful means were employed
to counteract it. It seemed as if I were destined to sink under
this grievous affliction, or at least that it would hinder me from
availing myself of any opportunity of escaping from the valley.

An incident which occurred as nearly as I can estimate about
three weeks after the disappearance of Toby, convinced me that
the natives, from some reason or other, would interpose every
possible obstacle to my leaving them.

One morning there was no little excitement evinced by the

people near my abode, and which I soon discovered proceeded
from a vague report that boats had been seen at a great distance
approaching the bay. Immediately all was bustle and animation.
It so happened that day that the pain I suffered having
somewhat abated, and feeling in much better spirits than usual,
I had complied with Kory-Kory's invitation to visit the chief
Mehevi at the place called the "Ti," which I have before
described as being situated within the precincts of the Taboo
Groves. These sacred recesses were at no great distance from
Marheyo's habitation, and lay between it and the sea; the path
that conducted to the beach passing directly in front of the Ti,
and thence skirting along the border of the groves.

I was reposing upon the mats, within the sacred building, in
company with Mehevi and several other chiefs, when the announcement
was first made. It sent a thrill of joy through my
whole frame;—perhaps Toby was about to return. I rose at
once to my feet, and my instinctive impulse was to hurry down to
the beach, equally regardless of the distance that separated me
from it, and of my disabled condition. As soon as Mehevi
noticed the effect the intelligence had produced upon me, and
the impatience I betrayed to reach the sea, his countenance
assumed that inflexible rigidity of expression which had so awed
me on the afternoon of our arrival at the house of Marheyo. As
I was proceeding to leave the Ti, he laid his hand upon my
shoulder, and said gravely, "abo, abo" (wait, wait). Solely
intent upon the one thought that occupied my mind, and heedless
of his request, I was brushing past him, when suddenly he
assumed a tone of authority, and told me to "moee" (sit down).
Though struck by the alteration in his demeanor, the excitement
under which I laboured was too strong to permit me to obey the
unexpected command, and I was still limping towards the edge
of the pi-pi with Kory-Kory clinging to one arm in his efforts to
restrain me, when the natives around starting to their feet,
ranged themselves along the open front of the building, while
Mehevi looked at me scowlingly, and reiterated his commands still
more sternly.

It was at this moment, when fifty savage countenances were
glaring upon me, that I first truly experienced I was indeed a
captive in the valley. The conviction rushed upon me with

staggering force, and I was overwhelmed by this confirmation of
my worst fears. I saw at once that it was useless for me to
resist, and sick at heart, I reseated myself upon the mats, and for
the moment abandoned myself to despair.

I now perceived the natives one after the other hurrying past
the Ti and pursuing the route that conducted to the sea. These
savages, thought I, will soon be holding communication with
some of my own countrymen perhaps, who with ease could
restore me to liberty did they know of the situation I was in.
No language can describe the wretchedness which I felt; and
in the bitterness of my soul I imprecated a thousand curses on
the perfidious Toby, who had thus abandoned me to destruction.
It was in vain that Kory-Kory tempted me with food, or lighted
my pipe, or sought to attract my attention by performing the
uncouth antics that had sometimes diverted me. I was fairly
knocked down by this last misfortune, which, much as I had
feared it, I had never before had the courage calmly to contemplate.

Regardless of every thing but my own sorrow, I remained in
the Ti for several hours, until shouts proceeding at intervals
from the groves beyond the house proclaimed the return of the
natives from the beach.

Whether any boats visited the bay that morning or not, I
never could ascertain. The savages assured me that there had
not—but I was inclined to believe that by deceiving me in this
particular they sought to allay the violence of my grief. However
that might be, this incident showed plainly that the Typees
intended to hold me a prisoner. As they still treated me with
the same sedulous attention as before, I was utterly at a loss how
to account for their singular conduct. Had I been in a situation
to instruct them in any of the rudiments of the mechanic arts,
or had I manifested a disposition to render myself in any way
useful among them, their conduct might have been attributed
to some adequate motive, but as it was the matter seemed to me
inexplicable.

During my whole stay on the island there occurred but two
or three instances where the natives applied to me with the view
of availing themselves of my superior information. And these
now appear so ludicrous that I cannot forbear relating them.

The few things we had brought from Nukuheva had been
done up into a small bundle which we had carried with us in
our descent to the valley. This bundle, the first night of our
arrival, I had used as a pillow, but on the succeeding morning,
opening it for the inspection of the natives, they gazed upon the
miscellaneous contents as though I had just revealed to them a
casket of diamonds, and they insisted that so precious a treasure
should be properly secured. A line was accordingly attached to
it, and the other end being passed over the ridge-pole of the
house, it was hoisted up to the apex of the roof, where it hung
suspended directly over the mats where I usually reclined.
When I desired anything from it I merely raised my finger to a
bamboo beside me, and taking hold of the string which was
there fastened, lowered the package. This was exceedingly
handy, and I took care to let the natives understand how much I
applauded the invention. Of this package the chief contents
were a razor with its case, a supply of needles and thread, a
pound or two of tobacco, and a few yards of a bright-coloured
calico.

I should have mentioned that shortly after Toby's disappearance,
perceiving the uncertainty of the time I might be obliged
to remain in the valley—if, indeed, I ever should escape from it—
and considering that my whole wardrobe consisted of a shirt and
a pair of trousers, I resolved to doff these garments at once, in
order to preserve them in a suitable condition for wear should I
again appear among civilized beings. I was consequently obliged
to assume the Typee costume, a little altered, however, to suit
my own views of propriety, and in which I have no doubt I appeared
to as much advantage as a senator of Rome enveloped in
the folds of his toga. A few folds of yellow tappa tucked about
my waist, descended to my feet in the style of a lady's petticoat,
only I did not have recourse to those voluminous paddings in the
rear with which our gentle dames are in the habit of augmenting
the sublime rotundity of their figures. This usually comprised
my in-door dress: whenever I walked out, I superadded to it an
ample robe of the same material, which completely enveloped my
person, and screened it from the rays of the sun.

One morning I made a rent in this mantle; and to show the

islanders with what facility it could be repaired, I lowered my
bundle, and taking from it a needle and thread, proceeded to
stitch up the opening. They regarded this wonderful application
of science with intense admiration; and whilst I was stitching
away, old Marheyo, who was one of the lookers-on, suddenly
clapped his hand to his forehead, and rushing to a corner of the
house, drew forth a soiled and tattered strip of faded calico—which
he must have procured some time or other in traffic on the beach—
and besought me eagerly to exercise a little of my art upon it.
I willingly complied, though certainly so stumpy a needle as
mine never took such gigantic strides over calico before. The
repairs completed, old Marheyo gave me a paternal hug; and
divesting himself of his "maro" (girdle), swathed the calico
about his loins, and slipping the beloved ornaments into his ears,
grasped his spear and sallied out of the house, like a valiant
Templer arrayed in a new and costly suit of armour.

I never used my razor during my stay in the island, but,
although a very subordinate affair, it had been vastly admired
by the Typees; and Narmonee, a great hero among them, who
was exceedingly precise in the arrangements of his toilet and the
general adjustment of his person, being the most accurately
tattooed and laboriously horrified individual in all the valley,
thought it would be a great advantage to have it applied to the
already shaven crown of his head.

The implement they usually employ is a shark's tooth, which
is about as well adapted to the purpose as a one-pronged fork for
pitching hay. No wonder, then, that the acute Narmonee perceived
the advantage my razor possessed over the usual implement.
Accordingly, one day he requested as a personal favour
that I would just run over his head with the razor. In reply,
I gave him to understand that it was too dull, and could not be
used to any purpose without being previously sharpened. To
assist my meaning, I went through an imaginary honing process
on the palm of my hand. Narmonee took my meaning in an
instant, and running out of the house, returned the next moment
with a huge rough mass of rock as big as a milestone, and indicated
to me that that was exactly the thing I wanted. Of course
there was nothing left for me but to proceed to business, and I

began scraping away at a great rate. He writhed and wriggled
under the infliction, but, fully convinced of my skill, endured the
pain like a martyr.

Though I never saw Narmonee in battle, I will, from what I
then observed, stake my life upon his courage and fortitude.
Before commencing operations, his head had presented a surface
of short bristling hairs, and by the time I had concluded my
unskilful operation it resembled not a little a stubble field after
being gone over with a harrow. However, as the chief expressed
the liveliest satisfaction at the result, I was too wise to dissent
from his opinion.