And this was the voyage, whose sequel has already been recounted.
CHAPTER LIThe Dream Begins To Fade
Stripped of the strange associations, with which a mind like Yillah'smust have invested every incident of her life, the story of her abodein Ardair seemed not incredible.
But so etherealized had she become from the wild conceits shenourished, that she verily believed herself a being of the lands ofdreams. Her fabulous past was her present.
Yet as our intimacy grew closer and closer, these fancies seemed tobe losing their hold. And often she questioned me concerning my ownreminiscences of her shadowy isle. And cautiously I sought to producethe impression, that whatever I had said of that clime, had beenrevealed to me in dreams; but that in these dreams, her ownlineaments had smiled upon me; and hence the impulse which had sentme roving after the substance of this spiritual image.
And true it was to say so; and right it was to swear it, upon herwhite arms crossed. For oh, Yillah; were you not the earthlysemblance of that sweet vision, that haunted my earliest thoughts?
At first she had wildly believed, that the nameless affinitiesbetween us, were owing to our having in times gone by dwelt togetherin the same ethereal region. But thoughts like these were fast dyingout. Yet not without many strange scrutinies. More intently than evershe gazed into my eyes; rested her ear against my heart, and listenedto its beatings. And love, which in the eye of its object ever seeksto invest itself with some rare superiority, love, sometimes inducedme to prop my failing divinity; though it was I myself who hadundermined it.
But if it was with many regrets, that in the sight of Yillah, Iperceived myself thus dwarfing down to a mortal; it was with quitecontrary emotions, that I contemplated the extinguishment in herheart of the notion of her own spirituality. For as such thoughtswere chased away, she clung the more closely to me, as unto onewithout whom she would be desolate indeed.
And now, at intervals, she was sad, and often gazed long and fixedlyinto the sea. Nor would she say why it was, that she did so; until atlength she yielded; and replied, that whatever false things Aleemamight have instilled into her mind; of this much she was certain:that the whirlpool on the coast of Tedaidee prefigured her fate; thatin the waters she saw lustrous eyes, and beckoning phantoms, andstrange shapes smoothing her a couch among the mosses.
Her dreams seemed mine. Many visions I had of the green corse of thepriest, outstretching its arms in the water, to receive pale Yillah,as she sunk in the sea.
But these forebodings departed, no happiness in the universe likeours. We lived and we loved; life and love were united; in gladnessglided our days.
CHAPTER LIIWorld Ho!
Five suns rose and set. And Yillah pining for the shore, we turnedour prow due west, and next morning came in sight of land.
It was innumerable islands; lifting themselves bluely through theazure air, and looking upon the distant sea, like haycocks in a hazyfield. Towering above all, and mid-most, rose a mighty peak; onefleecy cloud sloping against its summit; a column wreathed. Beyond,like purple steeps in heaven at set of sun, stretched far away, whatseemed lands on lands, in infinite perspective.
Gliding on, the islands grew more distinct; rising up from thebillows to greet us; revealing hills, vales, and peaks, groupedwithin a milk-white zone of reef, so vast, that in the distance allwas dim. The jeweled vapors, ere-while hovering over these violetshores, now seemed to be shedding their gems; and as the almost levelrays of the sun, shooting through the air like a variegated prism,touched the verdant land, it trembled all over with dewy sparkles.
Still nearer we came: our sail faintly distended as the breeze diedaway from our vicinity to the isles. The billows rolled listlesslyby, as if conscious that their long task was nigh done; while gleamedthe white reef, like the trail of a great fish in a calm. But as yet,no sign of paddle or canoe; no distant smoke; no shining thatch.Bravo! good comrades, we've discovered some new constellation in thesea.
Sweet Yillah, no more of Oroolia; see you not this flowery land?Nevermore shall we desire to roam.
Voyaging along the zone, we came to an opening; and quitting thefirmament blue of the open sea, we glided in upon the still, greenwaters of the wide lagoon. Mapped out in the broad shadows of theisles, and tinted here and there with the reflected hues of the sunclouds, the mild waters stretched all around us like another sky.Near by the break in the reef, was a little island, with palm treesharping in the breeze; an aviary of alluring sounds, that seemedcalling upon us to land. And here, Yillah, whom the sight of theverdure had made glad, threw out a merry suggestion. Nothing less,than to plant our mast, sail-set, upon the highest hill; and flyaway, island and all; trees rocking, birds caroling, flowersspringing; away, away, across the wide waters, to Oroolia! But alas!how weigh the isle's coral anchor, leagues down in the fathomlesssea?
We glanced around; but all the islands seemed slumbering in theflooding light.
"A canoe! a canoe!" cried Samoa, as three proas showed themselvesrounding a neighboring shore. Instantly we sailed for them; but aftershooting to and fro for a time, and standing up and gazing at us, theIslanders retreated behind the headland. Hardly were they out ofsight, when from many a shore roundabout, other proas pushed off.Soon the water all round us was enlivened by fleets of canoes,darting hither and thither like frighted water-fowls. Presently theyall made for one island.
From their actions we argued that these people could have had butlittle or no intercourse with whites; and most probably knew not howto account for our appearance among them. Desirous, therefore, of afriendly meeting, ere any hostile suspicions might arise, we pointedour craft for the island, whither all the canoes were now hastening.Whereupon, those which had not yet reached their destination, turnedand fled; while the occupants of the proas that had landed, ran intothe groves, and were lost to view.
Crossing the distinct outer line of the isle's shadow on the water,we gained the shore; and gliding along its margin, passing canoeafter canoe, hauled up on the silent beach, which otherwise seemedentirely innocent of man.
A dilemma. But I decided at last upon disembarking Jarl and Samoa, toseek out and conciliate the natives. So, landing them upon a juttingbuttress of coral, whence they waded to the shore; I pushed off withYillah into the water beyond, to await the event.
Full an hour must have elapsed; when, to our great joy, loud shoutswere heard; and there burst into view a tumultuous crowd, in themidst of which my Viking was descried, mounted upon the shoulders oftwo brawny natives; while the Upoluan, striding on in advance, seemedresisting a similar attempt to elevate him in the world.
Good omens both.
"Come ashore!" cried Jarl. "Aramai!" cried Samoa; while storms ofinterjections went up from the Islanders who with extravagantgestures danced about the beach.
Further caution seemed needless: I pointed our prow for the shore. Nosooner was this perceived, than, raising an applauding shout, theIslanders ran up to their waists in the sea. And skimming like a gullover the smooth lagoon, the light shallop darted in among them. Quickas thought, fifty hands were on the gunwale: and, with all itscontents, lifted bodily into the air, the little Chamois, upon many adripping shoulder, was borne deep into the groves. Yillah shrieked atthe rocking motion, and when the boughs of the trees brushed againstthe tent.
With his staff, an old man now pointed to a couple of twin-liketrees, some four paces apart; and a little way from the groundconveniently crotched.
And here, eftsoons, they deposited their burden; lowering the Chamoisgently between the forks of the trees, whose willow-like foliagefringed the tent and its inmate.
CHAPTER LIIIThe Chamois Ashore
Until now, enveloped in her robe, and crouching like a fawn, Yillahhad been well nigh hidden from view. But presently she withdrew herhood.
What saw the Islanders, that they so gazed and adored in silence:some retreating, some creeping nearer, and the women all in aflutter? Long they gazed; and following Samoa's example, stretchedforth the
ir arms in reverence.
The adoration of the maiden was extended to myself. Indeed, from thesingular gestures employed, I had all along suspected, that we werebeing received with unwonted honors.
I now sought to get speech of my comrades. But so obstreperous wasthe crowd, that it was next to impossible. Jarl was still in hisperch in the air; his enthusiastic bearers not yet suffering him toalight. Samoa, however, who had managed to keep out of the saddle,by-and-by contrived to draw nearer to the Chamois.
He advised me, by no means to descend for the present; since in anyevent we were sure of remaining unmolested therein; the Islandersregarding it as sacred.
The Upoluan attracted a great deal of attention; chiefly from hisstyle of tattooing, which, together with other peculiarities, sointerested the natives, that they were perpetually hanging about him,putting eager questions, and all the time keeping up a violent clamor.
But despite the large demand upon his lungs, Samoa made out to informme, that notwithstanding the multitude assembled, there was nohigh chief, or person of consequence present; the king of the place,also those of the islands adjacent, being absent at a festival inanother quarter of the Archipelago. But upon the first distantglimpse of the Chamois, fleet canoes had been dispatched to announcethe surprising event that had happened.
In good time, the crowd becoming less tumultuous, and abandoning thesiege of Samoa, I availed myself of this welcome lull, and calledupon him and my Viking to enter the Chamois; desirous of condensingour forces against all emergencies.
Samoa now gave me to understand, that from all he could learn, theIslanders regarded me as a superior being. They had inquired of him,whether I was not white Taji, a sort of half-and-half deity, now andthen an Avatar among them, and ranking among their inferior ex-officio demi-gods. To this, Samoa had said ay; adding, moreover, allhe could to encourage the idea.
He now entreated me, at the first opportunity, to announce myself asTaji: declaring that if once received under that title, the unboundedhospitality of our final reception would be certain; and our personsfenced about from all harm.
Encouraging this. But it was best to be wary. For although among somebarbarians the first strangers landing upon their shores, arefrequently hailed as divine; and in more than one wild land have beenactually styled gods, as a familiar designation; yet this has notexempted the celestial visitants from peril, when too much presumingupon the reception extended to them. In sudden tumults they have beenslain outright, and while full faith in their divinity had in no wiseabated. The sad fate of an eminent navigator is a well-knownillustration of this unaccountable waywardness.
With no small anxiety, therefore, we awaited the approach of some ofthe dignitaries of Mardi; for by this collective appellation,the people informed us, their islands were known.
We waited not long. Of a sudden, from the sea-side, a single shrillcry was heard. A moment more, and the blast of numerous conch shellsstartled the air; a confused clamor drew nearer and nearer; andflying our eyes in the direction of these sounds, we impatientlyawaited what was to follow.
CHAPTER LIVA Gentleman From The Sun
Never before had I seen the deep foliage of woodlands navigated bycanoes. But on they came sailing through the leaves; two abreast;borne on men's shoulders; in each a chief, carried along to themeasured march of his bearers; paddle blades reversed under arms. Asthey emerged, the multitude made gestures of homage. At the distanceof some eight or ten paces the procession halted; when the kingsalighted to the ground.
They were fine-looking men, arrayed in various garbs. Rare the showof stained feathers, and jewels, and other adornments. Brave thefloating of dyed mantles.
The regal bearing of these personages, the deference paid them, andtheir entire self-possession, not a little surprised me. And itseemed preposterous, to assume a divine dignity in the presence ofthese undoubted potentates of _terra firma_. Taji seemed oozing frommy fingers' ends. But courage! and erecting my crest, I strove tolook every inch the character I had determined to assume.
For a time, it was almost impossible to tell with what emotionsprecisely the chiefs were regarding me. They said not a word.
But plucking up heart of grace, I crossed my cutlass on my chest, andreposing my hand on the hilt, addressed their High Mightinesses thus."Men of Mardi, I come from the sun. When this morning it rose andtouched the wave, I pushed my shallop from its golden beach, andhither sailed before its level rays. I am Taji."
More would have been added, but I paused for the effect of myexordium.
Stepping back a pace or two, the chiefs eagerly conversed.
Emboldened, I returned to the charge, and labored hard to impressthem with just such impressions of me and mine, as I deemeddesirable. The gentle Yillah was a seraph from the sun; Samoa I hadpicked off a reef in my route from that orb; and as for the Skyeman,why, as his name imported, he came from above. In a word, we were allstrolling divinities.
Advancing toward the Chamois, one of the kings, a calm old man, nowaddressed me as follows:--"Is this indeed Taji? he, who according toa tradition, was to return to us after five thousand moons? But thatperiod is yet unexpired. What bring'st thou hither then, Taji, beforethy time? Thou wast but a quarrelsome demi-god, say the legends, whenthou dwelt among our sires. But wherefore comest thou, Taji? Truly,thou wilt interfere with the worship of thy images, and we haveplenty of gods besides thee. But comest thou to fight?--We haveplenty of spears, and desire not thine. Comest thou to dwell?--Smallare the houses of Mardi. Or comest thou to fish in the sea? Tell us,Taji."
Now, all this was a series of posers hard to be answered; furnishinga curious example, moreover, of the reception given to strange demi-gods when they travel without their portmanteaus; and also of thefamiliar manner in which these kings address the immortals. Much Imourned that I had not previously studied better my part, and learnedthe precise nature of my previous existence in the land.
But nothing like carrying it bravely.
"Attend. Taji comes, old man, because it pleases him to come. AndTaji will depart when it suits him. Ask the shades of your sireswhether Taji thus scurvily greeted them, when they came stalking intohis presence in the land of spirits. No. Taji spread the banquet. Heremoved their mantles. He kindled a fire to drive away the damp. Hesaid not, 'Come you to fight, you fogs and vapors? come you to dwell?or come you to fish in the sea?' Go to, then, kings of Mardi!"
Upon this, the old king fell back; and his place was supplied by anoble chief, of a free, frank bearing. Advancing quickly toward theboat, he exclaimed--"I am Media, the son of Media. Thrice welcome,Taji. On my island of Odo hast thou an altar. I claim thee for myguest." He then reminded the rest, that the strangers had voyagedfar, and needed repose. And, furthermore, that he proposed escortingthem forthwith to his own dominions; where, next day, he would behappy to welcome all visitants.
And good as his word, he commanded his followers to range themselvesunder the Chamois. Springing out of our prow, the Upoluan wasfollowed by Jarl; leaving Yillah and Taji to be borne therein towardthe sea.
Soon, we were once more afloat; by our side, Media sociably seated;six of his paddlers, perched upon the gunwale, swiftly urging us overthe lagoon.
The transition from the grove to the sea was instantaneous. Allseemed a dream.
The place to which we were hastening, being some distance away, as werounded isle after isle, the extent of the Archipelago grew upon usgreatly.
CHAPTER LVTiffin In A Temple
Upon at last drawing nigh to Odo, its appearance somewhatdisappointed me. A small island, of moderate elevation.
But plumb not the height of the house that feasts you. The beach waslined with expectant natives, who, lifting the Chamois, carried us upthe beach.
Alighting, as they were bearing us along, King Media, designating acanoe-house hard by, ordered our craft to be deposited therein. Thisbeing done, we stepped upon the soil. It was the first we had pressedin very many days. It sent a sympathetic thrill through our frames.
Turning his steps inland, Media signed us to follow.
Soon we came to a rude sort of inclosure, fenced in by an imposingwall. Here a halt was sounded, and in great haste the nativesproceeded to throw down a portion of the stones. This accomplished,we were signed to enter the fortress thus carried by storm. Upon anartificial mound, opposite the breach, stood a small structure ofbamboo, open in front. Within, was a long pedestal, like a settee,supporting three images, also of wood, and about the size of men;bearing, likewise, a remote resemblance to that species of animatednature. Before these idols was an altar, and at its base many finemats.
Entering the temple, as if he felt very much at home, Media disposedthese mats so as to form a very pleasant lounge; where hedeferentially entreated Yillah to recline. Then deliberately removingthe first idol, he motioned me to seat myself in its place.Setting aside the middle one, he quietly established himself in itsstead. The displaced ciphers, meanwhile, standing upright before us,and their blank faces looking upon this occasion unusuallyexpressive. As yet, not a syllable as to the meaning of this cavaliertreatment of their wooden godships.
We now tranquilly awaited what next might happen, and I earnestlyprayed, that if sacrilege was being committed, the vengeance of thegods might be averted from an ignoramus like me; notwithstanding thepetitioner himself hailed from the other world. Perfect silence waspreserved: Jarl and Samoa standing a little without the temple; thefirst looking quite composed, but his comrade casting wonderingglances at my sociable apotheosis with Media.