10. CHAPTER X.
MOHI TELLS OF ONE RAVOO, AND THEY LAND TO VISIT
HEVANEVA, A FLOURISHING ARTISAN.
Having seen all worth viewing in Yammo, we departed,
to complete the circumnavigation of the island, by returning
to Uma without reversing our prows. As we glided along,
we passed many objects of interest, concerning which, Mohi,
as usual, was very diffuse.
Among other things pointed out, were certain little altars,
like mile-stones, planted here and there upon bright bluffs,
running out into the lagoon. Dedicated respectively to the
guardian spirits of Maramma, these altars formed a chain
of spiritual defenses; and here were presumed to stand post
the most vigilant of warders; dread Hivohitee, all by himself,
garrisoning the impregnable interior.
But these sentries were only subalterns, subject to the
beck of the Pontiff; who frequently sent word to them, concerning
the duties of their watch. His mandates were
intrusted to one Ravoo, the hereditary pontifical messenger;
a long-limbed varlet, so swift of foot, that he was said to
travel like a javelin. “Art thou Ravoo, that thou so pliest
thy legs?” say these islanders, to one encountered in a hurry.
Hivohitee's postman held no oral communication with
the sentries. Dispatched round the island with divers bits
of tappa, hieroglyphically stamped, he merely deposited one
upon each altar; superadding a stone, to keep the missive
in its place; and so went his rounds.
Now, his route lay over hill and over dale, and over many
a coral rock; and to preserve his feet from bruises, he was
fain to wear a sort of buskin, or boot, fabricated of a durable
tappa, made from the thickest and toughest of fibers. As
he never wore his buskins except when he carried the mail,
Ravoo sorely fretted with his Hessians; though it would
have been highly imprudent to travel without them. To
make the thing more endurable, therefore, and, at intervals,
to cool his heated pedals, he established a series of stopping-places,
or stages; at each of which a fresh pair of buskins,
hanging from a tree, were taken down and vaulted into by
the ingenious traveler. Those relays of boots were exceedingly
convenient; next, indeed, to being lifted upon a fresh
pair of legs.
“Now, to what purpose that anecdote?” demanded
Babbalanja of Mohi, who in substance related it.
“Marry! 'tis but the simple recital of a fact; and I tell
it to entertain the company.”
“But has it any meaning you know of?”
“Thou art wise, find out,” retorted Braid-Beard.
“But what comes of it?” persisted Babbalanja.
“Beshrew me, this senseless catechising of thine,” replied
Mohi; “naught else, it seems, save a grin or two.”
“And pray, what may you be driving at, philosopher?”
interrupted Media.
“I am intent upon the essence of things; the mystery
that lieth beyond; the elements of the tear which much
laughter provoketh; that which is beneath the seeming; the
precious pearl within the shaggy oyster. I probe the circle's
center; I seek to evolve the inscrutable.”
“Seek on; and when aught is found, cry out, that we
may run to see.”
“My lord the king is merry upon me. To him my more
subtle cogitations seem foolishness. But believe me, my
lord, there is more to be thought of than to be seen. There
is a world of wonders insphered within the spontaneous consciousness;
or, as old Bardianna hath it, a mystery within
the obvious, yet an obviousness within the mystery.”
“And did I ever deny that?” said Media.
“As plain as my hand in the dark,” said Mohi.
“I dreamed a dream,” said Yoomy.
“They banter me; but enough; I am to blame for discoursing
upon the deep world wherein I live. I am wrong
in seeking to invest sublunary sounds with celestial sense.
Much that is in me is incommunicable by this ether we
breathe. But I blame ye not.” And wrapping round him
his mantle, Babbalanja retired into its most private folds.
Ere coming in sight of Uma, we put into a little bay, to
pay our respects to Hevaneva, a famous character there
dwelling; who, assisted by many journeymen, carried on the
lucrative business of making idols for the surrounding isles.
Know ye, that all idols not made in Maramma, and consecrated
by Hivohitee; and, what is more, in strings of teeth
paid down for to Hevaneva; are of no more account, than
longs, stocks, or stones. Yet does not the cunning artificer
monopolize the profits of his vocation; for Hevaneva being
but the vassal of the Pontiff, the latter lays claim to King
Leo's share of the spoils, and secures it.
The place was very prettily lapped in a pleasant dell,
nigh to the margin of the water; and here, were several
spacious arbors; wherein, prostrate upon their sacred faces,
were all manner of idols, in every imaginable stage of statuary
development.
With wonderful industry the journeymen were plying
their tools;—some chiseling noses; some trenching for
mouths; and others, with heated flints, boring for ears: a
hole drilled straight through the occiput, representing the
auricular organs.
“How easily they are seen through,” said Babbalanja,
taking a sight through one of the heads.
The last finish is given to their godships, by rubbing
them all over with dried slips of consecrated shark-skin,
rough as sand paper, tacked over bits of wood.
In one of the farther arbors, Hevaneva pointed out a
goodly array of idols, all complete and ready for the market.
They were of every variety of pattern; and of every size;
from that of a giant, to the little images worn in the ears
of the ultra devout.
“Of late,” said the artist, “there has been a lively demand
for the image of Arbino the god of fishing; the present
being the principal season for that business. For Nadams
(Nadam presides over love and wine), there has also
been urgent call; it being the time of the grape; and the
maidens growing frolicsome withal, and devotional.”
Seeing that Hevaneva handled his wares with much
familiarity, not to say irreverence, Babbalanja was minded
to learn from him, what he thought of his trade; whether
the images he made were genuine or spurious; in a word,
whether he believed in his gods.
His reply was curious. But still more so, the marginal
gestures wherewith he helped out the text.
“When I cut down the trees for my idols,” said he,
“they are nothing but logs; when upon those logs, I chalk
out the figures of my images, they yet remain logs; when
the chisel is applied, logs they are still; and when all complete,
I at last stand them up in my studio, even then they
are logs. Nevertheless, when I handle the pay, they are
as prime gods, as ever were turned out in Maramma.”
“You must make a very great variety,” said Babbalanja.
“All sorts, all sorts.”
“And from the same material, I presume.”
“Ay, ay, one grove supplies them all. And, on an average,
each tree stands us in full fifty idols. Then, we often
take second-hand images in part pay for new ones. These
we work over again into new patterns; touching up their
eyes and ears; resetting their noses; and more especially
new-footing their legs, where they always decay first.”
Under sanction of the Pontiff, Hevaneva, in addition to
his large commerce in idols, also carried on the highly lucrative
business of canoe-building; the profits whereof, undivided,
he dropped into his private exchequer. But Mohi
averred, that the Pontiff often charged him with neglecting
his images, for his canoes. Be that as it may, Hevaneva
drove a thriving trade at both avocations. And in demonstration
of the fact, he directed our attention to three long
rows of canoes, upheld by wooden supports. They were in
perfect order; at a moment's notice, ready for launching;
being furnished with paddles, out-riggers, masts, sails, and a
human skull, with a short handle thrust through one of its
eyes, the ordinary bailer of Maramma; besides other appurtenances,
including on the prow a duodecimo idol to match.
Owing to a superstitious preference bestowed upon the
wood and work of the sacred island, Hevaneva's canoes
were in as high repute as his idols; and sold equally well.
In truth, in several ways one trade helped the other.
The larger images being dug out of the hollow part of the
canoes; and all knotty odds and ends reserved for the idol
ear-rings.
“But after all,” said the artificer, “I find a readier sale
for my images, than for my canoes.”
“And so it will ever be,” said Babbalanja.—Stick to thy
idols, man! a trade, more reliable than the baker's.”
