74. CHAPTER LXXIV.
ADVANCING DEEPER INTO THE VALE, THEY ENCOUNTER
DONJALOLO.
From the mouth of the cavern, a broad shaded way over-arched
by fraternal trees embracing in mid-air, conducted us
to a cross-path, on either hand leading to the opposite cliffs,
shading the twin villages before mentioned.
Level as a meadow, was the bosom of the glen. Here,
nodding with green orchards of the Bread-fruit and the
Palm; there, flashing with golden plantations of the Banana.
Emerging from these, we came out upon a grassy
mead, skirting a projection of the mountain. And soon we
crossed a bridge of boughs, spanning a trench, thickly planted
with roots of the Tara, like alligators, or Hollanders, reveling
in the soft alluvial. Strolling on, the wild beauty of
the mountains excited our attention. The topmost crags
poured over with vines; which, undulating in the air, seemed
leafy cascades; their sources the upland groves.
Midway up the precipice, along a shelf of rock, sprouted
the multitudinous roots of an apparently trunkless tree.
Shooting from under the shallow soil, they spread all over
the rocks below, covering them with an intricate net-work.
While far aloft, great boughs—each a copse—clambered to
the very summit of the mountain; then bending over,
struck anew into the soil; forming along the verge an
interminable colonnade; all manner of antic architecture
standing against the sky.
According to Mohi, this tree was truly wonderful; its
seed having been dropped from the moon; where were
plenty more similar forests, causing the dark spots on its
surface.
Here and there, the cool fluid in the veins of the mountains
gushed forth in living springs; their waters received
in green mossy tanks, half buried in grasses.
In one place, a considerable stream, bounding far out
from a wooded height, ere reaching the ground was dispersed
in a wide misty shower, falling so far from the base
of the cliff, that walking close underneath, you felt little
moisture. Passing this fall of vapors, we spied many
Islanders taking a bath.
But what is yonder swaying of the foliage? And what
now issues forth, like a habitation astir? Donjalolo drawing
nigh to his guests.
He came in a fair sedan; a bower, resting upon three
long, parallel poles, borne by thirty men, gayly attired;
five at each pole-end. Decked with dyed tappas, and looped
with garlands of newly-plucked flowers, from which, at
every step, the fragrant petals were blown; with a sumptuous,
elastic motion the gay sedan came on; leaving behind
it a long, rosy wake of fluttering leaves and odors.
Drawing near, it revealed a slender, enervate youth, of
pallid beauty, reclining upon a crimson mat, near the festooned
arch of the bower. His anointed head was resting
against the bosom of a girl; another stirred the air, with a
fan of Pintado plumes. The pupils of his eyes were as
floating isles in the sea. In a soft low tone he murmured
“Media!”
The bearers paused; and Media advancing, the Island
Kings bowed their foreheads together.
Through tubes ignited at the end, Donjalolo's reclining
attendants now blew an aromatic incense around him.
These were composed of the stimulating leaves of the
“Aina,” mixed with the long yellow blades of a sweet-scented
upland grass; forming a hollow stem. In general,
the agreeable fumes of the “Aina” were created by one's
own inhalations; but Donjalolo deeming the solace too
dearly purchased by any exertion of the royal lungs, regaled
himself through those of his attendants, whose lips were as
moss-rose buds after a shower.
In silence the young prince now eyed us attentively;
meanwhile gently waving his hand, to obtain a better view
through the wreaths of vapor. He was about to address
us, when chancing to catch a glimpse of Samoa, he suddenly
started; averted his glance; and wildly commanded the
warrior out of sight. Upon this, his attendants would have
soothed him; and Media desired the Upoluan to withdraw.
While we were yet lost in wonder at this scene, Donjalolo,
with eyes closed, fell back into the arms of his damsels.
Recovering, he fetched a deep sigh, and gazed
vacantly around.
It seems, that he had fancied Samoa the noon-day specter
of his ancestor Marjora; the usurper having been deprived
of an arm in the battle which gained him the girdle. Poor
prince: this was one of those crazy conceits, so puzzling to
his subjects.
Media now hastened to assure Donjalolo, that Samoa,
though no cherub to behold, was good flesh and blood,
nevertheless. And soon the king unconcernedly gazed; his
monomania having departed as a dream.
But still suffering from the effects of an overnight feast,
he presently murmured forth a desire to be left to his women;
adding that his people would not fail to provide for the
entertainment of his guests.
The curtains of the sedan were now drawn; and soon it
disappeared in the groves. Journeying on, ere long we arrived
at the western side of the glen; where one of the
many little arbors scattered among the trees, was assigned
for our abode. Here, we reclined to an agreeable repast.
After which, we strolled forth to view the valley at large;
more especially the far-famed palaces of the prince.
