52. CHAPTER LII.
Five suns rose and set. And Yillah pining for the shore,
we turned our prow due west, and next morning came in
sight of land.
It was innumerable islands; lifting themselves bluely
through the azure air, and looking upon the distant sea, like
haycocks in a hazy field. Towering above all, and mid-most,
rose a mighty peak; one fleecy cloud sloping against
its summit; a column wreathed. Beyond, like purple
steeps in heaven at set of sun, stretched far away, what
seemed lands on lands, in infinite perspective.
Gliding on, the islands grew more distinct; rising up
from the billows to greet us; revealing hills, vales, and
peaks, grouped within a milk-white zone of reef, so vast,
that in the distance all was dim. The jeweled vapors, erewhile
hovering over these violet shores, now seemed to be
shedding their gems; and as the almost level rays of the
sun, shooting through the air like a variegated prism, touched
the verdant land, it trembled all over with dewy sparkles.
Still nearer we came: our sail faintly distended as the
breeze died away from our vicinity to the isles. The billows
rolled listlessly by, as if conscious that their long task
was nigh done; while gleamed the white reef, like the trail
of a great fish in a calm. But as yet, no sign of paddle
or canoe; no distant smoke; no shining thatch. Bravo!
good comrades, we've discovered some new constellation in
the sea.
Sweet Yillah, no more of Oroolia; see you not this flowery
land? Nevermore shall we desire to roam.
Voyaging along the zone, we came to an opening; and
quitting the firmament blue of the open sea, we glided in
upon the still, green waters of the wide lagoon. Mapped
out in the broad shadows of the isles, and tinted here and
there with the reflected hues of the sun clouds, the mild
waters stretched all around us like another sky. Near by
the break in the reef, was a little island, with palm trees
harping in the breeze; an aviary of alluring sounds, that
seemed calling upon us to land. And here, Yillah, whom
the sight of the verdure had made glad, threw out a merry
suggestion. Nothing less, than to plant our mast, sail-set,
upon the highest hill; and fly away, island and all; trees
rocking, birds caroling, flowers springing; away, away,
across the wide waters, to Oroolia! But alas! how weigh
the isle's coral anchor, leagues down in the fathomless sea?
We glanced around; but all the islands seemed slumbering
in the flooding light.
“A canoe! a canoe!” cried Samoa, as three proas showed
themselves rounding a neighboring shore. Instantly we
sailed for them; but after shooting to and fro for a time, and
standing up and gazing at us, the Islanders retreated behind
the headland. Hardly were they out of sight, when from
many a shore roundabout, other proas pushed off. Soon the
water all round us was enlivened by fleets of canoes, darting
hither and thither like frighted water-fowls. Presently they
all made for one island.
From their actions we argued that these people could
have had but little or no intercourse with whites; and
most probably knew not how to account for our appearance
among them. Desirous, therefore, of a friendly meeting,
ere any hostile suspicions might arise, we pointed our craft
for the island, whither all the canoes were now hastening.
Whereupon, those which had not yet reached their
destination, turned and fled; while the occupants of the
proas that had landed, ran into the groves, and were lost to
view.
Crossing the distinct outer line of the isle's shadow on the
water, we gained the shore; and gliding along its margin,
passing canoe after canoe, hauled up on the silent beach,
which otherwise seemed entirely innocent of man.
A dilemma. But I decided at last upon disembarking
Jarl and Samoa, to seek out and conciliate the natives. So,
landing them upon a jutting buttress of coral, whence they
waded to the shore; I pushed off with Yillah into the water
beyond, to await the event.
Full an hour must have elapsed; when, to our great joy,
loud shouts were heard; and there burst into view a tumultuous
crowd, in the midst of which my Viking was descried,
mounted upon the shoulders of two brawny natives; while
the Upoluan, striding on in advance, seemed resisting a similar
attempt to elevate him in the world.
Good omens both.
“Come ashore!” cried Jarl. “Aramai!” cried Samoa;
while storms of interjections went up from the Islanders,
who with extravagant gestures danced about the beach.
Further caution seemed needless: I pointed our prow for
the shore. No sooner was this perceived, than, raising an
applauding shout, the Islanders ran up to their waists in the
sea. And skimming like a gull over the smooth lagoon, the
light shallop darted in among them. Quick as thought, fifty
hands were on the gunwale: and, with all its contents,
lifted bodily into the air, the little Chamois, upon many a
dripping shoulder, was borne deep into the groves. Yillah
shrieked at the rocking motion, and when the boughs of
the trees brushed against the tent.
With his staff, an old man now pointed to a couple of
twin-like trees, some four paces apart; and a little way
from the ground conveniently crotched.
And here, eftsoons, they deposited their burden; lowering
the Chamois gently between the forks of the trees, whose
willow-like foliage fringed the tent and its inmate.
