Leaving these sights astern, we presently picked up the slimy husk ofa cocoanut, all over green barnacles. And shortly after, passed twoor three limbs of trees, and the solitary trunk of a palm; which,upon sailing nearer, seemed but very recently started on its endlessvoyage. As noon came on; the dark purple land-haze, which had beendimly descried resting upon the western horizon, was very nearlyobscured. Nevertheless, behind that dim drapery we doubted not brightboughs were waving.
We were now in high spirits. Samoa between times humming tohimself some heathenish ditty, and Jarl ten times more intent on hissilence than ever; yet his eye full of expectation and gazing broadoff from our bow. Of a sudden, shading his face with his hand, hegazed fixedly for an instant, and then springing to his feet, utteredthe long-drawn sound--"Sail ho!"
Just tipping the furthest edge of the sky was a little speck, dancinginto view every time we rose upon the swells. It looked like one ofmany birds; for half intercepting our view, fell showers of plumage:a flight of milk-white noddies flying downward to the sea.
But soon the birds are seen no more. Yet there remains the speck;plainly a sail; but too small for a ship. Was it a boat after awhale? The vessel to which it belonged far astern, and shrouded bythe haze? So it seemed.
Quietly, however, we waited the stranger's nearer approach;confident, that for some time he would not be able to perceive us,owing to our being in what mariners denominate the "sun-glade," orthat part of the ocean upon which the sun's rays flash with peculiarintensity.
As the sail drew nigh, its failing to glisten white led us to doubtwhether it was indeed a whale-boat. Presently, it showed yellow; andSamoa declared, that it must be the sail of some island craft. True.The stranger proving a large double-canoe, like those used by thePolynesians in making passages between distant islands.
The Upoluan was now clamorous for a meeting, to which Jarl wasaverse. Deliberating a moment, I directed the muskets to be loaded;then setting the sail the wind on our quarter--we headed away for thecanoe, now sailing at right angles with our previous course.
Here it must be mentioned, that from the various gay cloths and otherthings provided for barter by the captain of the Parki, I had verystrikingly improved my costume; making it free, flowing, and eastern.I looked like an Emir. Nor had my Viking neglected to follow myexample; though with some few modifications of his own. Withhis long tangled hair and harpoon, he looked like the sea-god, thatboards ships, for the first time crossing the Equator. For tatooedSamoa, he yet sported both kilt and turban, reminding one of a tawnyleopard, though his spots were all in one place. Besides this raimentof ours, against emergencies we had provided our boat with diversnankeens and silks.
But now into full view comes a yoke of huge clumsy prows, shaggy withcarving, and driving through the water with considerable velocity;the immense sprawling sail holding the wind like a bag. She seemedfull of men; and from the dissonant cries borne over to us, and thecanoe's widely yawing, it was plain that we had occasioned no smallsensation. They seemed undetermined what course to pursue: whether tocourt a meeting, or avoid it; whether to regard us as friends or foes.
As we came still nearer, distinctly beholding their faces, we loudlyhailed them, inviting them to furl their sails, and allow us to boardthem. But no answer was returned; their confusion increasing. Andnow, within less than two ships'-lengths, they swept right across ourbow, gazing at us with blended curiosity and fear.
Their craft was about thirty feet long, consisting of a pair ofparallel canoes, very narrow, and at the distance of a yard or so,lengthwise, united by stout cross-timbers, lashed across the fourgunwales. Upon these timbers was a raised platform or dais, quitedry; and astern an arched cabin or tent; behind which, were twobroad-bladed paddles terminating in rude shark-tails, by which thecraft was steered.
The yard, spreading a yellow sail, was a crooked bough, supportedobliquely in the crotch of a mast, to which the green bark was stillclinging. Here and there were little tufts of moss. The high, beakedprow of that canoe in which the mast was placed, resembled a rudealtar; and all round it was suspended a great variety of fruits,including scores of cocoanuts, unhusked. This prow was railedoff, forming a sort of chancel within.
The foremost beam, crossing the gunwales, extended some twelve feetbeyond the side of the dais; and at regular intervals hereupon, stoutcords were fastened, which, leading up to the head of the mast,answered the purpose of shrouds. The breeze was now streaming fresh;and, as if to force down into the water the windward side of thecraft, five men stood upon this long beam, grasping five shrouds. Yetthey failed to counterbalance the pressure of the sail; and owing tothe opposite inclination of the twin canoes, these living statueswere elevated high above the water; their appearance rendered stillmore striking by their eager attitudes, and the apparent peril oftheir position, as the mad spray from the bow dashed over them.Suddenly, the Islanders threw their craft into the wind; while, forourselves, we lay on our oars, fearful of alarming them by now comingnearer. But hailing them again, we said we were friends; and hadfriendly gifts for them, if they would peaceably permit us toapproach. This understood, there ensued a mighty clamor; insomuch,that I bade Jarl and Samoa out oars, and row very gently toward thestrangers. Whereupon, amid a storm of vociferations, some of themhurried to the furthest side of their dais; standing with arms archedover their heads, as if for a dive; others menacing us with clubs andspears; and one, an old man with a bamboo trellis on his head forminga sort of arbor for his hair, planted himself full before the tent,stretching behind him a wide plaited sling.
Upon this hostile display, Samoa dropped his oar, and brought hispiece to bear upon the old man, who, by his attitude, seemed tomenace us with the fate of the great braggart of Gath. But I quicklyknocked down the muzzle of his musket, and forbade the slightesttoken of hostility; enjoining it upon my companions, nevertheless, tokeep well on their guard.
We now ceased rowing, and after a few minutes' uproar in the canoe,they ran to the steering-paddles, and forcing round their craftbefore the wind, rapidly ran away from us. With all haste we set oursail, and pulling also at our oars, soon overtook them, determinedupon coming into closer communion.
CHAPTER XLSire And Sons
Seeing flight was useless, the Islanders again stopped their canoe,and once more we cautiously drew nearer; myself crying out to themnot to be fearful; and Samoa, with the odd humor of his race,averring that he had known every soul of them from his infancy.
We approached within two or three yards; when we paused, whichsomewhat allayed their alarm. Fastening a red China handkerchief tothe blade of our long mid-ship oar, I waved it in the air. A livelyclapping of hands, and many wild exclamations.
While yet waving the flag, I whispered to Jarl to give the boat asheer toward the canoe, which being adroitly done, brought the bow,where I stood, still nearer to the Islanders. I then dropped the silkamong them; and the Islander, who caught it, at once handed it to thewarlike old man with the sling; who, on seating himself, spread itbefore him; while the rest crowding round, glanced rapidly from thewonderful gift, to the more wonderful donors.
This old man was the superior of the party. And Samoa asserted, thathe must be a priest of the country to which the Islanders belonged;that the craft could be no other than one of their sacred canoes,bound on some priestly voyage. All this he inferred from the altar-like prow, and there being no women on board.
Bent upon conciliating the old priest, I dropped into the canoeanother silk handkerchief; while Samoa loudly exclaimed, that we wereonly three men, and were peaceably inclined. Meantime, oldAaron, fastening the two silks crosswise over his shoulders, like abrace of Highland plaids, crosslegged sat, and eyed us.
It was a curious sight. The old priest, like a scroll of oldparchment, covered all over with hieroglyphical devices, harder tointerpret, I'll warrant, than any old Sanscrit manuscript. And uponhis broad brow, deep-graven in wrinkles, were characters still moremysterious, which no Champollion nor gipsy could have decipher
ed. Helooked old as the elderly hills; eyes sunken, though bright; and headwhite as the summit of Mont Blanc.
The rest were a youthful and comely set: their complexion that ofGold Sherry, and all tattooed after this pattern: two broad cross-stripes on the chest and back; reaching down to the waist, like afoot-soldier's harness. Their faces were full of expression; andtheir mouths were full of fine teeth; so that the parting of theirlips, was as the opening of pearl oysters. Marked, here and there,after the style of Tahiti, with little round figures in blue, dottedin the middle with a spot of vermilion, their brawny brown thighslooked not unlike the gallant hams of Westphalia, spotted with thered dust of Cayenne.
But what a marvelous resemblance in the features of all. Were theyborn at one birth? This resemblance was heightened by their uniformmarks. But it was subsequently ascertained, that they were thechildren of one sire; and that sire, old Aaron; who, no doubt,reposed upon his sons, as an old general upon the trophies of hisyouth.
They were the children of as many mothers; and he was training themup for the priesthood.
CHAPTER XLIA Fray
So bent were the strangers upon concealing who they were, and theobject of their voyage, that it was some time ere we could obtain theinformation we desired.
They pointed toward the tent, as if it contained their Eleusinianmysteries. And the old priest gave us to know, that it would beprofanation to enter it.
But all this only roused my curiosity to unravel the wonder.
At last I succeeded.
In that mysterious tent was concealed a beautiful maiden. And, inpursuance of a barbarous custom, by Aleema, the priest, she was beingborne an offering from the island of Amma to the gods of Tedaidee.
Now, hearing of the maiden, I waited for no more. Need I add, howstirred was my soul toward this invisible victim; and how hotly Iswore, that precious blood of hers should never smoke upon an altar.If we drowned for it, I was bent upon rescuing the captive. But asyet, no gentle signal of distress had been waved to us from the tent.Thence, no sound could be heard, but an occasional rustle of thematting. Was it possible, that one about to be immolated couldproceed thus tranquilly to her fate?
But desperately as I resolved to accomplish the deliverance of themaiden, it was best to set heedfully about it. I desired no sheddingof blood; though the odds were against us.
The old priest seemed determined to prevent us from boardinghis craft. But being equally determined the other way, I cautiouslylaid the bow of the Chamois against the canoe's quarter, so as topresent the smallest possible chance for a hostile entrance into ourboat. Then, Samoa, knife in ear, and myself with a cutlass, steppedupon the dais, leaving Jarl in the boat's head, equipped with hisharpoon; three loaded muskets lying by his side. He was strictlyenjoined to resist the slightest demonstration toward our craft.
As we boarded the canoe, the Islanders slowly retreated; meantimeearnestly conferring in whispers; all but the old priest, who, stillseated, presented an undaunted though troubled front. To oursurprise, he motioned us to sit down by him; which we did; takingcare, however, not to cut off our communication with Jarl.
With the hope of inspiring good will, I now unfolded a roll ofprinted cotton, and spreading it before the priest, directed hisattention to the pictorial embellishments thereon, representing somehundreds of sailor boys simultaneously ascending some hundreds ofuniform sections of a ship's rigging. Glancing at them a moment, by asignificant sign, he gave me to know, that long previous he himselfhad ascended the shrouds of a ship. Making this allusion, hiscountenance was overcast with a ferocious expression, as if somethingterrific was connected with the reminiscence. But it soon passedaway, and somewhat abruptly he assumed an air of much merriment.
While we were thus sitting together, and my whole soul full of thethoughts of the captive, and how best to accomplish my purpose, andoften gazing toward the tent; I all at once noticed a movement amongthe strangers. Almost in the same instant, Samoa, right across theface of Aleema, and in his ordinary tones, bade me take heed tomyself, for mischief was brewing. Hardly was this warning uttered,when, with carved clubs in their hands, the Islanders completelysurrounded us. Then up rose the old priest, and gave us to know, thatwe were wholly in his power, and if we did not swear to departin our boat forthwith, and molest him no more, the peril be ours.
"Depart and you live; stay and you die."
Fifteen to three. Madness to gainsay his mandate. Yet a beautifulmaiden was at stake.
The knife before dangling in Samoa's ear was now in his hand. Jarlcried out for us to regain the boat, several of the Islanders makinga rush for it. No time to think. All passed quicker than it can besaid. They closed in upon us, to push us from the canoe: Rudely theold priest flung me from his side, menacing me with his dagger, thesharp spine of a fish. A thrust and a threat! Ere I knew it, mycutlass made a quick lunge. A curse from the priest's mouth; redblood from his side; he tottered, stared about him, and fell overlike a brown hemlock into the sea. A yell of maledictions rose on theair. A wild cry was heard from the tent. Making a dead breach amongthe crowd, we now dashed side by side for the boat. Springing intoit, we found Jarl battling with two Islanders; while the rest werestill howling upon the dais. Rage and grief had almost disabled them.
With one stroke of my cutlass, I now parted the line that held us tothe canoe, and with Samoa falling upon the two Islanders, by Jarl'shelp, we quickly mastered them; forcing them down into the bottom ofthe boat.
The Skyeman and Samoa holding passive the captives, I quickly set oursail, and snatching the sheet at the cavil, we rapidly shot from thecanoe. The strangers defying us with their spears; several couchingthem as if to dart; while others held back their hands, as if toprevent them from jeopardizing the lives of their countrymen in theChamois.
Seemingly untoward events oftentimes lead to successful results: Farfrom destroying all chance of rescuing the captive, our temporaryflight, indispensable for the safety of Jarl, only made the successof our enterprise more probable. For having made prisoners two of thestrangers, I determined to retain them as hostages, throughwhom to effect my plans without further bloodshed.
And here it must needs be related, that some of the natives werewounded in the fray: while all three of their assailants had receivedseveral bruises.
CHAPTER XLIIRemorse
During the skirmish not a single musket had been discharged. Thefirst snatched by Jarl had missed fire, and ere he could seizeanother, it was close quarters with him, and no gestures to spare.His harpoon was his all. And truly, there is nothing like steel in afray. It comes and it goes with a will, and is never a-weary. Yoursword is your life, and that of your foe; to keep or to take as ithappens. Closer home does it go than a rammer; and fighting withsteel is a play without ever an interlude. There are points moredeadly than bullets; and stocks packed full of subtle tubes, whencecomes an impulse more reliable than powder.
Binding our prisoners lengthwise across the boat's seats, we rowedfor the canoe, making signs of amity.
Now, if there be any thing fitted to make a high tide ebb in theveins, it is the sight of a vanquished foe, inferior to yourself inpowers of destruction; but whom some necessity has forced you tosubdue. All victories are not triumphs, nor all who conquer, heroes.
As we drew near the canoe, it was plain, that the loss of their sirehad again for the instant overcome the survivors. Raising hands, theycursed us; and at intervals sent forth a low, piercing wail, peculiarto their race. As before, faint cries were heard from the tent. Andall the while rose and fell on the sea, the ill-fated canoe.
As I gazed at this sight, what iron mace fell on my soul; what curserang sharp in my ear! It was I, who was the author of the deed thatcaused the shrill wails that I heard. By this hand, the deadman had died. Remorse smote me hard; and like lightning I askedmyself, whether the death-deed I had done was sprung of a virtuousmotive, the rescuing a captive from thrall; or whether beneath thatpretense, I had engaged in this fatal affray for some other, andselfish
purpose; the companionship of a beautiful maid. Butthrottling the thought, I swore to be gay. Am I not rescuing themaiden? Let them go down who withstand me.
At the dismal spectacle before him, Jarl, hitherto menacing ourprisoners with his weapon, in order to intimidate their countrymen,honest Jarl dropped his harpoon. But shaking his knife in the air,Samoa yet defied the strangers; nor could we prevent him. Hisheathenish blood was up.
Standing foremost in the boat, I now assured the strangers, that allwe sought at their hands was the maiden in the tent. That captivesurrendered, our own, unharmed, should be restored. If not, they mustdie. With a cry, they started to their feet, and brandished theirclubs; but, seeing Jarl's harpoon quivering over the hearts of ourprisoners, they quickly retreated; at last signifying theiracquiescence in my demand. Upon this, I sprang to the dais, andacross it indicating a line near the bow, signed the Islanders toretire beyond it. Then, calling upon them one by one to deliver theirweapons, they were passed into the boat.
The Chamois was now brought round to the canoe's stern; and leavingJarl to defend it as before, the Upoluan rejoined me on the dais. Bythese precautions--the hostages still remaining bound hand and footin the boat--we deemed ourselves entirely secure.
Attended by Samoa, I stood before the tent, now still as the grave.
CHAPTER XLIIIThe Tent Entered
By means of thin spaces between the braids of matting, the place wasopen to the air, but not to view. There was also a round opening onone side, only large enough, however, to admit the arm; but thisaperture was partially closed from within. In front, a deep-dyed rugof osiers, covering the entrance way, was intricately laced to thestanding part of the tent. As I divided this lacing with my cutlass,there arose an outburst of voices from the Islanders. And theycovered their faces, as the interior was revealed to my gaze.