53. CHAPTER LIII.
Until now, enveloped in her robe, and crouching like a
fawn, Yillah had been well nigh hidden from view. But
presently she withdrew her hood.
What saw the Islanders, that they so gazed and adored
in silence: some retreating, some creeping nearer, and the
women all in a flutter? Long they gazed; and following
Samoa's example, stretched forth their arms in reverence.
The adoration of the maiden was extended to myself.
Indeed, from the singular gestures employed, I had all
along suspected, that we were being received with unwonted
honors.
I now sought to get speech of my comrades. But so
obstreperous was the crowd, that it was next to impossible.
Jarl was still in his perch in the air; his enthusiastic
bearers not yet suffering him to alight. Samoa, however,
who had managed to keep out of the saddle, by-and-by contrived
to draw nearer to the Chamois.
He advised me, by no means to descend for the present;
since in any event we were sure of remaining unmolested
therein; the Islanders regarding it as sacred.
The Upoluan attracted a great deal of attention; chiefly
from his style of tattooing, which, together with other peculiarities,
so interested the natives, that they were perpetually
hanging about him, putting eager questions, and all the
time keeping up a violent clamor.
But despite the large demand upon his lungs, Samoa
made out to inform me, that notwithstanding the multitude
assembled, there was no high chief, or person of consequence
present; the king of the place, also those of the islands adjacent,
being absent at a festival in another quarter of the
Archipelago. But upon the first distant glimpse of the
Chamois, fleet canoes had been dispatched to announce the
surprising event that had happened.
In good time, the crowd becoming less tumultuous, and
abandoning the siege of Samoa, I availed myself of this
welcome lull, and called upon him and my Viking to enter
the Chamois; desirous of condensing our forces against all
emergencies.
Samoa now gave me to understand, that from all he
could learn, the Islanders regarded me as a superior being.
They had inquired of him, whether I was not white Taji,
a sort of half-and-half deity, now and then an Avatar among
them, and ranking among their inferior ex-officio demi-gods.
To this, Samoa had said ay; adding, moreover, all he could
to encourage the idea.
He now entreated me, at the first opportunity, to announce
myself as Taji: declaring that if once received
under that title, the unbounded hospitality of our final
reception would be certain; and our persons fenced about
from all harm.
Encouraging this. But it was best to be wary. For
although among some barbarians the first strangers landing
upon their shores, are frequently hailed as divine; and in
more than one wild land have been actually styled gods, as
a familiar designation; yet this has not exempted the
celestial visitants from peril, when too much presuming
upon the reception extended to them. In sudden tumults
they have been slain outright, and while full faith in their
divinity had in no wise abated. The sad fate of an eminent
navigator is a well-known illustration of this unaccountable
waywardness.
With no small anxiety, therefore, we awaited the approach
of some of the dignitaries of Mardi; for by this
collective appellation, the people informed us, their islands
were known.
We waited not long. Of a sudden, from the sea-side, a
single shrill cry was heard. A moment more, and the blast
of numerous conch shells startled the air; a confused
clamor drew nearer and nearer; and fixing our eyes in the
direction of these sounds, we impatiently awaited what was
to follow.
