Typee

by Herman Melville

  CHAPTER XIII

  A great event happens in the valley--The island telegraph--Something befalls Toby--Fayaway displays a tender heart--Melancholy reflections--Mysterious conduct of the islanders--Devotion of Kory-Kory--A rural couch--A luxury--Kory-Kory strikes a light _a la_ Typee.

  In the course of a few days Toby had recovered from the effects of hisadventure with the Happar warriors; the wound on his head rapidly healingunder the vegetable treatment of the good Tinor. Less fortunate than mycompanion, however, I still continued to languish under a complaint, theorigin and nature of which was still a mystery. Cut off as I was from allintercourse with the civilized world, and feeling the inefficacy ofanything the natives could do to relieve me; knowing, too, that so long asI remained in my present condition it would be impossible for me to leavethe valley, whatever opportunity might present itself; and apprehensivethat ere long we might be exposed to some caprice on the part of theislanders, I now gave up all hopes of recovery, and became a prey to themost gloomy thoughts. A deep dejection fell upon me, which neither thefriendly remonstrances of my companion, the devoted attentions ofKory-Kory, nor all the soothing influences of Fayaway, could remove.

  One morning, as I lay on the mats in the house plunged in melancholyreverie, and regardless of everything around me, Toby, who had left meabout an hour, returned in haste, and with great glee told me to cheer upand be of good heart, for he believed, from what was going on among thenatives, that there were boats approaching the bay.

  These tidings operated upon me like magic. The hour of our deliverance wasat hand, and, starting up, I was soon convinced that something unusual wasabout to occur. The word "botee! botee!" was vociferated in alldirections; and shouts were heard in the distance, at first feebly andfaintly, but growing louder and nearer at each successive repetition,until they were caught up by a fellow in a cocoa-nut tree a few yards off,who, sounding them in turn, they were reiterated from a neighbouringgrove, and so died away gradually from point to point, as the intelligencepenetrated into the farthest recesses of the valley. This was the vocaltelegraph of the islanders; by means of which, condensed items ofinformation could be carried in a very few minutes from the sea to theirremotest habitation, a distance of at least eight or nine miles. On thepresent occasion it was in active operation, one piece of informationfollowing another with inconceivable rapidity.

  The greatest commotion now appeared to prevail. At every fresh item ofintelligence the natives betrayed the liveliest interest, and redoubledthe energy with which they employed themselves in collecting fruit to sellto the expected visitors. Some were tearing off the husks from cocoa-nuts;some, perched in the trees, were throwing down bread-fruit to theircompanions, who gathered them in heaps as they fell; while others wereplying their fingers rapidly in weaving leafen baskets in which to carrythe fruit.

  There were other matters, too, going on at the same time. Here you wouldsee a stout warrior polishing his spear with a bit of old tappa, oradjusting the folds of the girdle about his waist; and there you mightdescry a young damsel decorating herself with flowers, as if having in hereye some maidenly conquest; while, as in all cases of hurry and confusionin every part of the world, a number of individuals kept hurrying to andfro with amazing vigour and perseverance, doing nothing themselves, andhindering others.

  Never before had we seen the islanders in such a state of bustle andexcitement; and the scene furnished abundant evidence of the fact--that itwas only at long intervals any such events occur.

  When I thought of the length of time that might intervene before a similarchance of escape would be presented, I bitterly lamented that I had notthe power of availing myself effectually of the present opportunity.

  From all that we could gather, it appeared that the natives were fearfulof arriving too late upon the beach, unless they made extraordinaryexertions. Sick and lame as I was, I would have started with Toby at once,had not Kory-Kory not only refused to carry me, but manifested the mostinvincible repugnance to our leaving the neighbourhood of the house. Therest of the savages were equally opposed to our wishes, and seemed grievedand astonished at the earnestness of my solicitations. I clearly perceivedthat, while my attendant avoided all appearance of constraining mymovements, he was nevertheless determined to thwart my wishes. He seemedto me on this particular occasion, as well as often afterwards, to beexecuting the orders of some other person with regard to me, though at thesame time feeling towards me the most lively affection.

  Toby, who had made up his mind to accompany the islanders if possible assoon as they were in readiness to depart, and who for that reason hadrefrained from showing the same anxiety that I had done, now representedto me that it was idle for me to entertain the hope of reaching the beachin time to profit by any opportunity that might then be presented.

  "Do you not see," said he, "the savages themselves are fearful of beingtoo late, and I should hurry forward myself at once, did I not think that,if I showed too much eagerness, I should destroy all our hopes of reapingany benefit from this fortunate event. If you will only endeavour toappear tranquil or unconcerned, you will quiet their suspicions, and Ihave no doubt they will then let me go with them to the beach, supposingthat I merely go out of curiosity. Should I succeed in getting down to theboats, I will make known the condition in which I have left you, andmeasures may then be taken to secure our escape."

  In the expediency of this I could not but acquiesce; and as the nativeshad now completed their preparations, I watched with the liveliestinterest the reception that Toby's application might meet with. As soon asthey understood from my companion that I intended to remain, they appearedto make no objection to this proposition, and even hailed it withpleasure. Their singular conduct on this occasion not a little puzzled meat the time, and imparted to subsequent events an additional mystery.

  The islanders were now to be seen hurrying along the path which led to thesea. I shook Toby warmly by the hand, and gave him my Payta hat to shieldhis wounded head from the sun, as he had lost his own. He cordiallyreturned the pressure of my hand, and, solemnly promising to return assoon as the boats should leave the shore, sprang from my side, and thenext minute disappeared in a turn of the grove.

  In spite of the unpleasant reflections that crowded upon my mind, I couldnot but be entertained by the novel and animated sight which now met myview. One after another, the natives crowded along the narrow path, ladenwith every variety of fruit. Here, you might have seen one, who, afterineffectually endeavouring to persuade a surly porker to be conducted inleading-strings, was obliged at last to seize the perverse animal in hisarms, and carry him struggling again his naked breast, and squealingwithout intermission. There went two, who at a little distance might havebeen taken for the Hebrew spies, on their return to Moses with the goodlybunch of grapes. One trotted before the other at a distance of a couple ofyards, while between them, from a pole resting on their shoulders, wassuspended a huge cluster of bananas, which swayed to and fro with therocking gait at which they proceeded. Here ran another, perspiring withhis exertions, and bearing before him a quantity of cocoa-nuts, who,fearful of being too late, heeded not the fruit that dropped from hisbasket, and appeared solely intent upon reaching his destination, carelesshow many of his cocoa-nuts kept company with him.

  In a short time the last straggler was seen hurrying on his way, and thefaint shouts of those in advance died insensibly upon the ear. Our part ofthe valley now appeared nearly deserted by its inhabitants, Kory-Kory, hisaged father, and a few decrepid old people being all that were left.

  Towards sunset, the islanders in small parties began to return from thebeach, and among them, as they drew near to the house, I sought to descrythe form of my companion. But one after another they passed the dwelling,and I caught no glimpse of him. Supposing, however, that he would soonappear with some of the members of the household, I quieted myapprehensions, and waited patiently to see him advancing, in
company withthe beautiful Fayaway. At last I perceived Tinor coming forward, followedby the girls and young men who usually resided in the house of Marheyo;but with them came not my comrade, and, filled with a thousand alarms, Ieagerly sought to discover the cause of his delay.

  My earnest questions appeared to embarrass the natives greatly. All theiraccounts were contradictory: one giving me to understand that Toby wouldbe with me in a very short time; another, that he did not know where hewas; while a third, violently inveighing against him, assured me that hehad stolen away, and would never come back. It appeared to me, at thetime, that in making these various statements they endeavoured to concealfrom me some terrible disaster, lest the knowledge of it should overpowerme.

  Fearful lest some fatal calamity had overtaken him, I sought out youngFayaway, and endeavoured to learn from her, if possible, the truth.

  This gentle being had early attracted my regard, not only from herextraordinary beauty, but from the attractive cast of her countenance,singularly expressive of intelligence and humanity. Of all the natives,she alone seemed to appreciate the effect which the peculiarity of thecircumstances in which we were placed had produced upon the minds of mycompanion and myself. In addressing me--especially when I lay recliningupon the mats suffering from pain--there was a tenderness in her mannerwhich it was impossible to misunderstand or resist. Whenever she enteredthe house, the expression of her face indicated the liveliest sympathy forme; and moving towards the place where I lay, with one arm slightlyelevated in a gesture of pity, and her large glistening eyes gazingintently into mine, she would murmur plaintively, "Awha! awha! Tommo," andseat herself mournfully beside me.

  Her manner convinced me that she deeply compassionated my situation, asbeing removed from my country and friends, and placed beyond the reach ofall relief. Indeed, at times I was almost led to believe that her mind wasswayed by gentle impulses hardly to be anticipated from one in hercondition; that she appeared to be conscious there were ties rudelysevered, which had once bound us to our homes; that there were sisters andbrothers anxiously looking forward to our return, who were perhaps nevermore to behold us.

  In this amiable light did Fayaway appear in my eyes; and, reposing fullconfidence in her candour and intelligence, I now had recourse to her, inthe midst of my alarm with regard to my companion.

  My questions evidently distressed her. She looked round from one toanother of the bystanders, as if hardly knowing what answer to give me. Atlast, yielding to my importunities, she overcame her scruples, and gave meto understand that Toby had gone away with the boats which had visited thebay, but had promised to return at the expiration of three days. At firstI accused him of perfidiously deserting me; but as I grew more composed, Iupbraided myself for imputing so cowardly an action to him, andtranquillized myself with the belief that he had availed himself of theopportunity to go round to Nukuheva, in order to make some arrangement bywhich I could be removed from the valley. At any rate, thought I, he willreturn with the medicines I require, and then, as soon as I recover, therewill be no difficulty in the way of our departure.

  Consoling myself with these reflections, I lay down that night in ahappier frame of mind than I had done for some time. The next day passedwithout any allusion to Toby on the part of the natives, who seemeddesirous of avoiding all reference to the subject. This raised someapprehensions in my breast; but, when night came, I congratulated myselfthat the second day had now gone by, and that on the morrow Toby wouldagain be with me. But the morrow came and went, and my companion did notappear. Ah! thought I, he reckons three days from the morning of hisdeparture--to-morrow he will arrive. But that weary day also closed upon mewithout his return. Even yet I would not despair. I thought that somethingdetained him--that he was waiting for the sailing of a boat at Nukuheva,and that in a day or two, at farthest, I should see him again. But dayafter day of renewed disappointment passed by; at last hope deserted me,and I fell a victim to despair.

  Yes, thought I, gloomily, he has secured his own escape, and cares notwhat calamity may befall his unfortunate comrade. Fool that I was, tosuppose that any one would willingly encounter the perils of this valley,after having once got beyond its limits! He has gone, and has left me tocombat alone all the dangers by which I am surrounded. Thus would Isometimes seek to derive a desperate consolation from dwelling upon theperfidy of Toby; whilst, at other times, I sunk under the bitter remorsewhich I felt at having, by my own imprudence, brought upon myself the fatewhich I was sure awaited me.

  At other times I thought that perhaps, after all, these treacheroussavages had made away with him, and thence the confusion into which theywere thrown by my questions, and their contradictory answers; or he mightbe a captive in some other part of the valley; or, more dreadful still,might have met with that fate at which my very soul shuddered. But allthese speculations were vain; no tidings of Toby ever reached me--he hadgone never to return.

  The conduct of the islanders appeared inexplicable. All reference to mylost comrade was carefully evaded, and if at any time they were forced tomake some reply to my frequent inquiries on the subject, they woulduniformly denounce him as an ungrateful runaway, who had deserted hisfriend, and taken himself off to that vile and detestable place Nukuheva.

  But whatever might have been his fate, now that he was gone the nativesmultiplied their acts of kindness and attention towards myself, treatingme with a degree of deference which could hardly have been surpassed had Ibeen some celestial visitant. Kory-Kory never for one moment left my side,unless it were to execute my wishes. The faithful fellow, twice every day,in the cool of the morning and in the evening, insisted upon carrying meto the stream, and bathing me in its refreshing water.

  Frequently, in the afternoon, he would carry me to a particular part ofthe stream, where the beauty of the scene produced a soothing influenceupon my mind. At this place the waters flowed between grassy banks,planted with enormous bread-fruit trees, whose vast branches, interlacingoverhead, formed a leafy canopy; near the stream were several smooth blackrocks. One of these, projecting several feet above the surface of thewater, had upon its summit a shallow cavity, which, filled withfreshly-gathered leaves, formed a delightful couch.

  Here I often laid for hours, covered with a gauze-like veil of tappa,while Fayaway, seated beside me, and holding in her hand a fan woven fromthe leaflets of a young cocoa-nut bough, brushed aside the insects thatoccasionally lighted on my face, and Kory-Kory, with a view of chasingaway my melancholy, performed a thousand antics in the water before us.

  As my eye wandered along this romantic stream, it would fall upon thehalf-immersed figure of a beautiful girl, standing in the transparentwater, and catching in a little net a species of diminutive shell-fish, ofwhich these people are extravagantly fond. Sometimes a chattering groupwould be seated upon the edge of a low rock in the midst of the brook,busily engaged in thinning and polishing the shells of cocoa-nuts, byrubbing them briskly with a small stone in the water, an operation whichsoon converts them into a light and elegant drinking-vessel, somewhatresembling goblets made of tortoise-shell.

  But the tranquillizing influences of beautiful scenery, and the exhibitionof human life under so novel and charming an aspect, were not my onlysources of consolation.

  Every evening the girls of the house gathered about me on the mats, and,after chasing away Kory-Kory from my side--who, nevertheless, retired onlyto a little distance, and watched their proceedings with the most jealousattention--would anoint my body with a fragrant oil, squeezed from a yellowroot, previously pounded between a couple of stones, and which in theirlanguage is denominated "aka." I used to hail with delight the dailyrecurrence of this luxurious operation, in which I forgot all my troubles,and buried for the time every feeling of sorrow.

  Sometimes, in the cool of the evening, my devoted servitor would lead meout upon the pi-pi in front of the house, and, seating me near its edge,protect my body from the annoyance of the insects which occasionallyhovered in the air, by wrapping me round with
a large roll of tappa. Hethen bustled about, and employed himself at least twenty minutes inadjusting everything to secure my personal comfort.

  Having perfected his arrangements, he would get my pipe, and, lighting it,would hand it to me. Often he was obliged to strike a light for theoccasion; and as the mode he adopted was entirely different from what Ihad ever seen or heard of before, I will describe it.

  A straight, dry, and partly-decayed stick of the Habiscus, about six feetin length, and half as many inches in diameter, with a smaller bit ofwood, not more than a foot long, and scarcely an inch wide, is asinvariably to be met with in every house in Typee, as a box of lucifermatches in the corner of a kitchen-cupboard at home.

  The islander, placing the larger stick obliquely against some object, withone end elevated at an angle of forty-five degrees, mounts astride of it,like an urchin about to gallop off upon a cane, and then, grasping thesmaller one firmly in both hands, he rubs its pointed end slowly up anddown the extent of a few inches on the principal stick, until at last hemakes a narrow groove in the wood, with an abrupt termination at the pointfarthest from him, where all the dusty particles which the frictioncreates are accumulated in a little heap.

  At first Kory-Kory goes to work quite leisurely, but gradually quickenshis pace, and, waxing warm in the employment, drives the stick furiouslyalong the smoking channel, plying his hands to and fro with amazingrapidity, the perspiration starting from every pore. As he approaches theclimax of his effort, he pants and gasps for breath, and his eyes almoststart from their sockets with the violence of his exertions. This is thecritical stage of the operation; all his previous labours are vain if hecannot sustain the rapidity of the movement until the reluctant spark isproduced. Suddenly he stops, becomes perfectly motionless. His hands stillretain their hold of the smaller stick, which is pressed convulsivelyagainst the farther end of the channel, among the fine powder thereaccumulated, as if he had just pierced through and through some littleviper that was wriggling and struggling to escape from his clutches. Thenext moment a delicate wreath of smoke curls spirally into the air, theheap of dusty particles glows with fire, and Kory-Kory, almost breathless,dismounts from his steed.

  This operation appeared to me to be the most laborious species of workperformed in Typee; and had I possessed a sufficient intimacy with thelanguage to have conveyed my ideas upon the subject, I should certainlyhave suggested to the most influential of the natives the expediency ofestablishing in a college of vestals, to be centrally located in thevalley, for the purpose of keeping alive the indispensable article offire, so as to supersede the necessity of such a vast outlay of strengthand good temper as were usually squandered on these occasions. Theremight, however, be special difficulties in carrying this plan intoexecution.

  What a striking evidence does this operation furnish of the widedifference between the extreme of savage and civilized life! A gentlemanof Typee can bring up a numerous family of children, and give them all ahighly respectable cannibal education, with infinitely less toil andanxiety than he expends in the simple process of striking a light; whilsta poor European artisan, who through the instrumentality of a luciferperforms the same operation in one second, is put to his wit's end toprovide for his starving offspring that food, which the children of aPolynesian father, without troubling their parents, pluck from thebranches of every tree around them.