2. CHAPTER II.
Coming close to the island, the pennons and trappings of
our canoes were removed; and Vee-Vee was commanded to
descend from the shark's mouth; and for a time to lay aside
his conch. In token of reverence, our paddlers also stripped
to the waist; an example which even Media followed;
though, as a king, the same homage he rendered, was at
times rendered himself.
At every place, hitherto visited, joyous crowds stood ready
to hail our arrival; but the shores of Maramma were silent,
and forlorn.
Said Babbalanja, “It looks not as if the lost one were
here.”
At length we landed in a little cove nigh a valley, which
Mohi called Uma; and here in silence we beached our
canoes.
But presently, there came to us an old man, with a beard
white as the mane of the pale horse. He was clad in a
midnight robe. He fanned himself with a fan of faded
leaves. A child led him by the hand, for he was blind,
wearing a green plantain leaf over his plaited brow.
Him, Media accosted, making mention who we were, and
on what errand we came: to seek out Yillah, and behold
the isle.
Whereupon Pani, for such was his name, gave us a courteous
reception; and lavishly promised to discover sweet
Yillah; declaring that in Maramma, if any where, the
long-lost maiden must be found. He assured us, that
throughout the whole land he would lead us; leaving no
place, desirable to be searched, unexplored.
And so saying, he conducted us to his dwelling, for refreshment
and repose.
It was large and lofty. Near by, however, were many
miserable hovels, with squalid inmates. But the old man's
retreat was exceedingly comfortable; especially abounding
in mats for lounging; his rafters were bowed down by calabashes
of good cheer.
During the repast which ensued, blind Pani, freely partaking,
enlarged upon the merit of abstinence; declaring
that a thatch overhead, and a cocoanut tree, comprised all
that was necessary for the temporal welfare of a Mardian.
More than this, he assured us was sinful.
He now made known, that he officiated as guide in this
quarter of the country; and that as he had renounced all
other pursuits to devote himself to showing strangers the
island; and more particularly the best way to ascend lofty
Ofo; he was necessitated to seek remuneration for his toil.
“My lord,” then whispered Mohi to Media “the great
prophet Alma always declared, that, without charge, this
island was free to all.”
“What recompense do you desire, old man?” said Media
to Pani.
“What I seek is but little:—twenty rolls of fine tappa;
two score mats of best upland grass; one canoe-load of
bread-fruit and yams; ten gourds of wine; and forty strings
of teeth;—you are a large company, but my requisitions are
small.”
“Very small,” said Mohi.
“You are extortionate, good Pani,” said Media. “And
what wants an aged mortal like you with all these things?”
“I thought superfluities were worthless; nay, sinful,” said
Babbalanja.
“Is not this your habitation already more than abundantly
supplied with all desirable furnishings?” asked Yoomy.
“I am but a lowly laborer,” said the old man, meekly
crossing his arms, “but does not the lowliest laborer ask and
receive his reward? and shall I miss mine?—But I beg
charity of none. What I ask, I demand; and in the dread
name of great Alma, who appointed me a guide.” And to
and fro he strode, groping as he went.
Marking his blindness, whispered Babbalanja to Media,
“My lord, methinks this Pani must be a poor guide. In
his journeys inland, his little child leads him; why not,
then, take the guide's guide?”
But Pani would not part with the child.
Then said Mohi in a low voice, “My lord Media, though I
am no appointed guide; yet, will I undertake to lead you
aright over all this island; for I am an old man, and have
been here oft by myself; though I can not undertake to conduct
you up the peak of Ofo, and to the more secret temples.”
Then Pani said: “and what mortal may this be, who
pretends to thread the labyrinthine wilds of Maramma?
Beware!”
“He is one with eyes that see,” made answer Babbalanja.
“Follow him not,” said Pani, “for he will lead thee
astray; no Yillah will he find; and having no warrant as
a guide, the curses of Alma will accompany him.”
Now, this was not altogether without effect; for Pani
and his fathers before him had always filled the office of
guide.
Nevertheless, Media at last decided, that, this time, Mohi
should conduct us; which being communicated to Pani, he
desired us to remove from his roof. So withdrawing to the
skirt of a neighboring grove, we lingered awhile, to refresh
ourselves for the journey in prospect.
As we here reclined, there came up from the sea-side a
party of pilgrims, but newly arrived.
Apprized of their coming, Pani and his child went out to
meet them; and standing in the path he cried, “I am the
appointed guide; in the name of Alma I conduct all pilgrims
to the temples.”
“This must be the worthy Pani,” said one of the strangers,
turning upon the rest.
“Let us take him, then, for our guide,” cried they; and
all drew near.
But upon accosting him; they were told, that he guided
none without recompense.
And now, being informed, that the foremost of the pilgrims
was one Divino, a wealthy chief of a distant island, Pani
demanded of him his requital.
But the other demurred; and by many soft speeches at
length abated the recompense to three promissory cocoanuts,
which he covenanted to send Pani at some future day.
The next pilgrim accosted, was a sad-eyed maiden, in
decent but scanty raiment; who without seeking to diminish
Pani's demands promptly placed in his hands a small hoard
of the money of Mardi.
“Take it, holy guide,” she said, “it is all I have.”
But the third pilgrim, one Fanna, a hale matron, in
handsome apparel, needed no asking to bestow her goods.
Calling upon her attendants to advance with their burdens,
she quickly unrolled them; and wound round and round
Pani, fold after fold of the costliest tappas; and filled both
his hands with teeth; and his mouth with some savory
marmalade; and poured oil upon his head; and knelt and
besought of him a blessing.
“From the bottom of my heart I bless thee,” said Pani;
and still holding her hands exclaimed, “Take example from
this woman, oh Divino; and do ye likewise, ye pilgrims
all.”
“Not to-day,” said Divino.
“We are not rich, like unto Fanna,” said the rest.
Now, the next pilgrim was a very old and miserable man;
stone-blind, covered with rags; and supporting his steps with
a staff.
“My recompense,” said Pani.
“Alas! I have naught to give. Behold my poverty.”
“I can not see,” replied Pani; but feeling of his garments,
he said, “Thou wouldst deceive me; hast thou not
this robe, and this staff?”
“Oh! Merciful Pani, take not my all!” wailed the pilgrim.
But his worthless gaberdine was thrust into the
dwelling of the guide.
Meanwhile, the matron was still enveloping Pani in her
interminable tappas.
But the sad-eyed maiden, removing her upper mantle,
threw it over the naked form of the beggar.
The fifth pilgrim was a youth of an open, ingenuous
aspect; and with an eye, full of eyes; his step was light.
“Who art thou?” cried Pani, as the stripling touched
him in passing.
“I go to ascend the Peak,” said the boy.
“Then take me for guide.”
“No, I am strong and lithesome. Alone must I go.”
“But how knowest thou the way?”
“There are many ways: the right one I must seek for
myself.”
“Ah, poor deluded one,” sighed Pani; “but thus is it
ever with youth; and rejecting the monitions of wisdom,
suffer they must. Go on, and perish!”
Turning, the boy exclaimed—“Though I act counter to
thy counsels, oh Pani, I but follow the divine instinct in
me.”
“Poor youth!” murmured Babbalanja. “How earnestly
he struggles in his bonds. But though rejecting a guide,
still he clings to that legend of the Peak.”
The rest of the pilgrims now tarried with the guide, preparing
for their journey inland.
