Stoddard - Summer Cruising in the South Seas (Public Domain)

7/29/2019 Stoddard - Summer Cruising in the South Seas (Public Domain)

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TheProjectGutenbergEBookofSummerCruisingintheSouthSeas,byCharlesWarrenStoddard

ThiseBookisfortheuseofanyoneanywhereatnocostandwithalmostnorestrictionswhatsoever.Youmaycopyit,giveitawayorre-useitunderthetermsoftheProjectGutenbergLicenseincludedwiththiseBookoronlineatwww.gutenberg.org/license

Title:SummerCruisingintheSouthSeas

Author:CharlesWarrenStoddard

ReleaseDate:June16,2012[EBook#40010]

Language:English

***STARTOFTHISPROJECTGUTENBERGEBOOKSUMMERCRUISINGINTHESOUTHSEAS***

ProducedbyChuckGreifandtheOnlineDistributedProofreadingTeamathttp://www.pgdp.net(Thisbookwasproducedfromscannedimagesofpublicdomainmaterial

fromtheGooglePrintproject.)

SUMMERCRUISINGINTHESOUTHSEAS

BYTHESAMEAUTHOR

Post8vo,cloth,gilttop,6s.net.

THEISLANDOFTRANQUILDELIGHTS

"Afteralapseofmanyyearstheauthorof'SummerCruisingintheSouthSeas'presentsthepublicwithanotherseriesofSouth-Seaidyls.Ofthe

firstcollectionEmersonsaid--'Idonotthinkthatonewhocanwritesowellwillfinditeasytoleaveoff.'Theprophecyhascometrue.'SummerCruisingintheSouthSeas'hasbecomeaclassicinAmericanliterature,andthesequelbidsfairtoattainrankalongsideofit.Onemightfitlydescribeit,inMr.Kipling'swords,as'averytropicofcolourandfragrance.'Thereisahauntingqualityabouttheseidylsthatmustmakethemliveintheheartsofallwhoreadthem.Theyarefullofcharmingword-picturesandofexquisitetoucheswhichtellofdreamlifeinfairyland--amongthelightest,sweetest,wildest,freshestthingsthathavebeenwrittenaboutthelifeofthese'summerislesofEden.'"--_GlasgowHerald_.

"Aprettybookwithaprettytitle.GlimpsesofParadisehegivesin

thesetropicpictures,andwithsomethingofidyllicgracehepresentsthem."--_WestminsterGazette_.

"Delightfulsketchesandstories."--_Times_.

"Writteninaleisurelystyle,andpossessingacertainelusiveatmosphericstyleoftheirown....Thereischarmhere,andthatofakindnotoftentobefoundinmodernfiction....'TheIslandofTranquilDelights'shouldberead."--_Standard._


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"Altogethercharming....Itisabookforquiethalf-hours."--_DailyMail_.

"Adelightfulbook--morethanfascinating.Afterhavingreadthebookforthestories,onereadsitagainforthestyle."--_Travellers'Magazine_.

"Acollectionofidealisticsketches....Theauthorconveysthelanguorousbeautyoftheregionveryvividly,andthebookisattractiveforthecontrastthatitofferstothefamiliarwaysofcivilisation."--_MorningPost_.

LONDON:CHATTO&WINDUS,111ST.MARTIN'SLANE,W.C.

*****

SOUTH-SEAIDYLS

SUMMERCRUISINGINTHESOUTHSEAS

BYCHARLESWARRENSTODDARD

ANEWIMPRESSION

LONDONCHATTO&WINDUS1905

PREFACE.

THEexperiencesrecordedinthisvolumearetheresultoffoursummercruisesamongtheislandsofthePacific.

Thesimpleandnaturallifeoftheislanderbeguilesme;Iamathomewithhim;alltheritesofsavagedomfindaresponsiveechoinmyheart;itisasthoughIrecollectedsomethinglongforgotten;itislikeadreamdimlyremembered,andatlastrealized;itmustbethattheuntamedspiritofsomeaboriginalancestorquickensmyblood.

Ihavesoughttoreproducetheatmosphereofapeoplewhoarewonderfullyimaginativeandemotional;theynourishthefirstsymptomsofanaffinity,andrevelinthefreshnessofanaffectionasbriefandblissfulasahoneymoon.

Withthem"loveisenough,"anditisnotnecessarilyonewiththe

sexualpassion:theirlifeissensuousandpicturesque,andisincapableofatrueinterpretationunlessviewedfromtheirownstandpoint.

Tothemourcivilizationisacross,theblessedpromisesofwhicharescarcelysufficienttocompensateforthepainofbearingit,andtheyareinclinedtolookuponourbackslidingswithaspiritofprofoundforbearance.

AmongthemnolawsarevalidsaveNature'sown,buttheyabidefaithfullybythese.


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Hislordship'sthreadbareNewZealandersittinguponacrumblingarchofLondonBridge,recentlyrestored,andfindingtoolatethathehadforestalledhismission,wouldknowmyfeelingsasIofferthispleaforhistribe;andanyonewhoinstinctivelylagsinthemarchofprogress,andmarksthedecayofnature;anyonetowhomthehighlyeducatedgrasshopperisaburden,mustseethatmycaseiscritical.

YetinimaginationImay,attheshortestnotice,returntotheseagirtarenaofmyadventures,andrestoremyunregeneratedsoul.

Limitedflagonscannotstayme,neitherwillsmallapplescomfortme;Ihaveeatenofthetreeoflife,myspiritisfull-fledged,andwhenItakewingIfeeltheearthsinkingbeneathme;themountainscrumble,thecloudscrouchunderme,thewatersriseandflowouttothehorizon;acrossmybreastthesunbeamsbrush,leavinghalftheirgoldbehindthem;seasuponseasfillupthehollowoftheuniverse;Isoarintoeternity,bluewastesbelowme,bluewastesaboveme.Thestarsonlytomarktheupperstrataofspace.

DayafterdayIwingmytirelessflight,andthepastisforgottenintheradianceofthedawningfuture.

Landatlast!Agreenisletsailswithinthecompassofmyvision:land

atlast!Crumbsofearth,fragmentsofparadise,litterthebroadsealikestrewnleaves.Amyriadreefsandshoalswreathethebluehemisphere;themoanofsurfsriseslikeagrandanthem,thefragranceoftropicbowersascendslikeincense;Ipauseinmygiddyflight,andsinkintothebosomofthedusk.

Sunsettransfigurestheearth;thewoodsarerosywithglowingbarsoflight;longshadowsfloatuponthewaveslikeweeds;gardensofseagrassrockforeverbetweendaylightanddarkness,tintedwithchangefullights.

Iknowthesongsofthosedistantlands;therehaveIsoughtandfoundunbrokenrest;againIreturntoyou,mybelovedSouth,andaftermany

daysofstormandshine,Itouchuponyourglimmeringshores,flushedwiththerenewalofmypassionateloveforyou.

AgainIdivebeneathyourcoralcaves;againIthreadthesunlessdepthsofyourunfadingforests;andthere,finally,Ihopetofoldmydroopingwings,wheretheflowersbreatheheavilyandfountainstinklewithinthesolitudeofyourmoonlitivorychambers.

Oh,literarydeath,whereisthysting,whilethishappyhunting-groundawaitsme!

Inthesingularlyexpressivetongueofmybarbarianbrother,

Alohaoe!Lovetoyou!

CONTENTS.

_Page_

INTHECRADLEOFTHEDEEP13


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CHUMMINGWITHASAVAGE:--

I.KNA-AN29

II.HOWICONVERTEDMYCANNIBAL45

III.BARBARIANDAYS56

TABOO.--AFTEDAYINTAHITI76

JOEOFLAHAINA103

THENIGHT-DANCERSOFWAIPIO117

PEARL-HUNTINGINTHEPOMOTOUS133

THELASTOFTHEGREATNAVIGATOR154

ACANOECRUISEINTHECORALSEA167

UNDERAGRASSROOF178

MYSOUTH-SEASHOW182

THEHOUSEOFTHESUN198

THECHAPELOFTHEPALMS215

KAHLE231

LOVE-LIFEINALANAI252

INATRANSPORT267

APRODIGALINTAHITI287

ANAFTERGLOW314

THECOCOA-TREE.

Castonthewaterbyacarelesshand,Dayafterdaythewindspersuadedme:OnwardIdriftedtillacoraltreeStayedmeamongitsbranches,wherethesandGatheredaboutme,andIslowlygrew,Fedbytheconstantsunandtheinconstantdew.

Thesea-birdsbuildtheirnestsagainstmyroot,

Andeyemyslenderbody'shornycase,Widowedwithinthissolitaryplace;IntothethanklessseaIcastmyfruit;JoylessIthrive,fornomanmaypartakeOfallthestoreIbearandharvestforhissake.

NomoreIheedthekissesofthemorn;Theharshwindsrobmeofthelifetheygave;Iwatchmytatteredshadowinthewave,Andhourlydroopandnodmycrestforlorn,


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WhileallmyfibresstiffenandgrownumbBeck'ningthetardyships,theshipsthatnevercome.

SUMMERCRUISINGINTHESOUTHSEAS.

INTHECRADLEOFTHEDEEP.

Fortydaysinthegreatdesertofthesea,--fortynightscampedundercloudcanopies,withthesaltdustofthewavesdriftingoverus.SometimesaBedouinsailflashedforanhouruponthedistanthorizon,andthenfaded,andwewerealoneagain;sometimesthewest,atsunset,lookedlikeacitywithtowers,andweboredownuponitsglorifiedwalls,seekingahaven;butacoldgreymorningdispelledtheillusion,andourheartssankbackintotheillimitablesea,breathingalongprayerfordeliverance.

Onceagreenoasisblossomedbeforeus,--agardeninperfectbloom,

girdedaboutwithcreamingwaves;withinitscoralcincturependulousboughstrailedintheglassywaters;fromitshiddenbowersspicedairsstoledownuponus;aboveallthetriumphantpalm-treesclashedtheirmelodiousbrancheslikeachoruswithcymbals;yetfromtheverygatesofthisparadiseachangefulcurrentsweptusonward,andthehappyislewasburiedinnightanddistance.

InmanyvolumesofadventureIhadreadofseaperils:Iwasatlasttolearnthefullinterpretationoftheirpicturesquehorrors.Ourlittlecraft,the"Petrel,"hadbuffetedtheboisterouswavesforfivelongweeks.Fortunately,thebulkofhercargowasedible:wefearedneitherfaminenorthirst.Moreover,inspiteofthecontinuousgalethatsweptusoutofourreckoning,the"Petrel"wasinexcellentcondition,and,

asfaraswecouldjudge,wehadnoreasontoloseconfidenceinher.Itwasthegreyweatherthattriedourpatienceandfounduswanting;itwastheunparalleledpitchingoftheninety-tonschoonerthatdisheartenedandalmostdismemberedus.Andthenitwaswastingtimeatsea.Whywerewenotlongbeforeatourjourney'send?Whywerewenotthreadingthevalesofsomesavageisland,andreapingourrichrewardoffernsandshellsandgorgeousbutterflies?

Thesearangitsmonotonouschanges,--fairweatherandfoul,dayslikedeathitself,followedbydaysfulloftherevelationsofnewlife,butmostlydaysofdeadlydulness,whentheseawasasunpoeticalasaneternityofcoldsudsandblueing.

Icannotalwaysunderstandthelogicalfitnessofthings,or,rather,Iamatalosstoknowwhysomethingsinlifearesounfitandillogical.Ofcourse,inourdarkesthour,whenweweregatheredintheconfinesofthe"Petrel's"diminutivecabin,itwasourdutytosingpsalmsofhopeandcheer,butwedidn't.Itwasatimeformutualencouragement:veryfewofuswereself-sustaining,andwhatwastobegainedbyourcombininginunanimousdespair?

Ourweather-beatenskipper,--athingofclaythatseemedutterlyincapableofanyexpressionwhatever,saveintheslightfacial


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contortionconsequenttothemechanicalmovementofhislowerjaw,--theskippersat,withbarometerinhand,eyeingthefatalfingerthatpointedtoourdoom;therestofuswerelashedtothelegsofthecentre-table,gladofanyobjecttofixoureyesupon,andnervouslyawaitingaturninthestateofaffairs,thatwasthenbynomeansencouraging.

Ihappenedtorememberthatthereweresomesealedletterstobereadfromtimetotimeonthepassageout,anditoccurredtomethatoneofthetimeshadcome--perhapsthelastandonly--whereinImightbreaktheremainingseals,andreceiveasortofpartingvisitfromthefortunatefriendsonshore.

Iopenedoneletterandreadthesepropheticlines:"Dearchild,"--shewastwicemyage,andprivilegedtomakeapetofme,--"Dearchild,Ihaveapresentimentthatweshallnevermeetagainintheflesh."

Thepoorgirl'sknowledgeofpasttimeswasalmosttoomuchforme.IshudderedwhereIsat,overcomewithremorse.ItwasenoughthatIhadturnedmybackonherandsoughtconsolationinthetreacherousbosomoftheocean;that,havingfailedtofindthespringofimmortallifeinhumanaffection,Ihadpackedupandemigrated,contenttoflytheillsIhadinsearchofchange;butthatpartingshot,belowthewater-lineasitwere,--thatwasmorethanIaskedfor,andsomethingmorethanI

couldstomach.Ireturnedtowatchwiththerestofourlittlecompany,whoclungaboutthetablewithapitifulsenseofmomentarysecurity,andanexpressionofpatheticcondolenceoneverycountenance,asthougheachwassittingoutthelasthoursoftheothers.

Ourparticularbanethatnightwasacrustyoldsea-dogwhosememoryofwrecksandmarinedisastersofeveryconceivablenaturewasascompleteasanencyclopdia.This"oldmanofthesea"spunhistempestuousyarnwithfascinatingcomposure,andthewholecompanywasawedintosilencewiththehaggardrealismofhisnarrative.Thecabinmusthavebeenair-tight,itwasascloseaspossible,yetweheardtheshriekingofthewindasittorethroughtherigging,andthelonghissofthewavesrushingpastuswithlightningspeed.Sometimesanavalancheoffoam

buriedusforamoment,andthe"Petrel"trembledlikealivingthingstrickenwithsuddenfear;weseemedtobehangingonthecrustofagreatbubblethatwas,soonerorlater,certaintoburst,andletasdropintoitsvastblackchasm,where,inCimmeriandarkness,weshouldbeentombedforever.

Thesceniceffect,asIthenconsidered,wasunnecessarilyvivid;asInowrecallit,itseemstomestrictlyinkeepingandthoroughlydramatic.Atanyrate,youmighthavetoldusadreadfulstorywithalmostfatalsuccess.

Ihadstilloneletterleft,onebearingthissuggestivelegend:"Tobereadinthesaddesthour."Now,ifthereisasadderhourinalltime

thanthehourofhopelessandfriendlessdeath,Icarenottoknowofit.Ibrokethesealofmyletter,feelingthatsomethingcharitableandcheeringwouldgivemestrength.Afewdriedleaveswerestoredwithinit.Thefaintfragranceofsummerbowersreassuredme:somewhereintheblankworldofwaterstherewasland,andthereNaturewaskindandfruitful;outoverthefearfuldelugethisleafwasbornetomeinthereturnoftheinvisibledovemyhearthadsentforthinitsextremity.Asongwaswrittentherein,perhapsasongoftriumph.Icouldnowsilencetheclamoroustongueofoursea-monster,whowasgluttinguswithtalesofhorror,forajubileewasathand,andherewasthefirstnoteofits


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trumpets.

Iread:--

"Beyondthepartingandthemeeting,Ishallbesoon;Beyondthefarewellandthegreeting,Beyondthepulse'sfever-beating,Ishallbesoon."

Ipaused.Anightblackwithcroakingravens,broodingoveraslimyhulk,throughwhosewarpedtimberstheseaoozed,--thatwasthesortofpicturethatrosebeforeme.Ilookedfurtherforacrumbofcomfort:--

"Beyondthegatheringandthestrewing,Ishallbesoon;Beyondtheebbingandtheflowing,Beyondthecomingandthegoing,Ishallbesoon."

Atideofice-waterseemedripplingupanddownmyspinalcolumn;themarrowcongealedwithinmybones.ButIrecovered.Whenamanhassuppedfullofhorrorandthereisnoimmediateclimax,hecancollecthimselfandbecomparativelybrave.Areactionrestoredmysoul.

Oncemorethemelancholychronicleroftheill-fated"Petrel"resumedhislugubriousnarrative.Iresolvedtolisten,whiletheskippereyedthebarometer,andweallrockedbackandforthinsearchofthecentreofgravity,lookinglikeatroupeofmechanicalblockheadsnoddinginidioticunison.Allthistimethelittlecraftdriftedhelplessly,"hoveto"intheteethofthegale.

Thesea-dog'syarnwassomethinglikethis:Heonceknewalonesomemanwhofloatedaboutinawater-loggedhulkforthreemonths;whosawallhiscomradesstarveanddie,oneafteranother,andatlastkeptwatchalone,cravingandbeseechingdeath.ItwasthestaunchFrenchbrig"Mouette,"boundsouthintotheequatorialseas.Shehadseenrough

weatherfromthefirst:dayafterdaythewindsincreased,andfinallyacycloneburstuponherwithinsupportablefury.Thebrigwasthrownuponherbeam-ends,andbegantofillrapidly.Withmuchdifficultyhermastswerecutaway,sherighted,andlayinthetroughofthesearollinglikealog.Graduallythegalesubsided,butthehullofthebrigwassweptcontinuallybythetremendousswell,andthemenweredrivenintotheforetopcross-trees,wheretheyriggedatentforshelter,andgatheredwhatfewstoreswereleftthemfromthewreck.Adozenwretchedsoulslayintheirstormynestforthreewholedaysinsilenceanddespair.Bythistimetheirscantystoreswereexhausted,andnotadropofwaterremained;thentheirtongueswereloosened,andtheyrailedattheAlmighty.Someweptlikechildren,somecursedtheirfate.Onemanalonewasspeechless--aSpaniard,withawickedlightinhiseye,anda

repulsivemannerthathadmadetroubleintheforecastlemorethanonce.

Whenhungerhaddriventhemnearlytomadnesstheywerefedinanalmostmiraculousmanner.Severalenormoussharkshadbeenswimmingaboutthebrigforsomehours,andthehungrysailorswereplanningvariousprojectsforthecaptureofthem.Toughasasharkis,theywouldwillinglyhaveriskedlifeforafewrawmouthfulsofthesame.Somehow,thoughtheseawasstillandthewindlight,thebriggaveasuddenlurchanddippeduponeofthemonsters,whowasquitesecureinthe


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shallowaquariumbetweenthegunwales.Hewassoondespatched,anddividedequallyamongthecrew.Someatealittle,andreservedtherestforanotherday;someatetilltheyweresick,andhadlittleleftforthenextmeal.TheSpaniardwiththeevileyegreedilydevouredhisportion,andthengrewmoodyagain,refusingtospeakwiththeothers,whowerestrivingtobecheerful,thoughitwassadenoughwork.

Whenthefoodwasallgonesaveafewmouthfulsthatonemeagreeaterhadhoardedtothelast,theSpaniardresolvedtosecureamorselattheriskofhislife.Ithadbeenapointofhonourwiththementoobservesacredlytherightofownership,andanybreachofconfidencewouldhavebeenconsideredunpardonable.Atnight,whenthewatchwassleeping,theSpaniardcautiouslyremovedthelastmouthfulofsharkhiddeninthepocketofhismate,butwasimmediatelydetectedandaccusedoftheft.Heatoncegrewdesperate,struckatthepoorwretchwhomhehadrobbed,missedhisblow,andfellheadlongfromthenarrowplatformintheforetop,andwaslostinthesea.Itwasthefirstsceneinthemournfultragedyabouttobeenactedonthatlimitedstage.

TherewaslessdisturbanceafterthedisappearanceoftheSpaniard.Thespiritsofthedoomedsailorsseemedbroken;infact,thecaptainwastheonlyonewhosecouragewasnoteworthy,anditwashisindomitablewillthatultimatelysavedhim.

Onebyonethemindsofthemiserablemengaveway;theybecamepeevishordelirious,andthendiedhorribly.Two,whohadbeenmatesformanyvoyagesintheseasnorthandsouth,vanishedmysteriouslyinthenight;noonecouldtellwheretheywentorinwhatmanner,thoughtheyseemedtohavegonetogether.

Somehowthesefamishingsailorsseemedtofeelassuredthattheircaptainwouldbesaved;theywereasconfidentoftheirowndoom,andtohimtheyentrustedathousandmessagesoflove.Theywouldliearoundhim,--forfewofthemhadstrengthtoassumeasittingposture,--andrevealtohimthestoryoftheirlives.Itwasmostpitifultoheartheconfessionsofthesedyingmen.Onesaid:"Iwrongedmyfriend;Iwasunkindtothisoneortothatone;IdeservetheheaviestpunishmentGod

caninflictuponme";andthenhepaused,overcomewithemotion.Butanothertookuptherefrain:"Icouldhavedonemuchgood,butIwouldnot,andnowitistoolate."Andathirdcriedoutinhisdespair,"Ihavecommittedunpardonablesins,andthereisnohopeforme.LordJesus,havemercy!"Theyoungestoftheseperishingsoulswasamerelad;he,too,accusedhimselfbitterly.Hebeganhisstoryatthebeginning,andcontinueditfromtimetotimeasthespiritofrevelationmovedhim;scarcelyanincident,howeverinsignificant,escapedhiminhispitilessretrospect.Othekeenagonyofthatboy'srecital!morecruelthanhungerorthirst,andincomparisonwithwhichphysicaltorturewouldhaveseemedmercifulandanydeathablessing.

Whiletheluckless"Mouette"driftedaimlesslyabout,drivenslowly

onwardbyvaryingwindsunderacheerlesssky,sicknessvisitedthem.Somewerestrickenwithscurvy;somehadlosttheuseoftheirlimbsandlayhelpless,moaningandweepinghourafterhour;vermindevouredthem;andwhentheirgarmentswereremoved,andcleansedinthesaltwater,therewasscarcelysunshineenoughtodrythembeforenight,andtheywereputonagain,damp,stiffenedwithsalt,andshrunkensoastocripplethewearers,whowereallblisteredandcoveredwithboils.Thenightswerebitterlycold:sometimestheicymoonlookeddownuponthem;sometimesthebosomofanelectriccloudburstoverthem,andtheywereenvelopedforamomentinasheetofflame.Sharkslingeredaboutthem,


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waitingtofeedupontheunhappyoneswhofellintotheseaovercomewithphysicalexhaustion,orwhocastthemselvesfromthatdizzyscaffold,unablelongertoendurethehorrorsoflingeringdeath.Flocksofsea-fowlhoveredoverthem;thehullofthe"Mouette"wascrustedwithbarnacles;longskeinsofsea-grassknottedthemselvesinhergapingseams;myriadsoffishdartedinandoutamongtheclingingweeds,sportinggleefully;schoolsofporpoisesleapedaboutthem,lashingtheseaintofoam;sometimesawhaleblewhislongbreathcloseunderthem.Everywherewasthestirofjubilantlife,--everywherebutunderthetatteredawningstretchedintheforetopofthe"Mouette."

Daysandweeksdraggedon.Whenthecaptainwouldwakenfromhissleep,--whichwasnotalwaysatnight,however,forthenightsweremiserablycoldandsleepless,--whenhewakenedhewouldcalltheroll.Perhapssomeonemadenoanswer;thenhewouldreachforthandtouchthespeechlessbodyandfinditdead.Hehadnotstrengthnowtoburythecorpsesinthesea'ssepulchre;hehadnotstrengtheventopartakeoftheunholyfeastoftheinanimateflesh.Helaythereinthemidstofpestilence;andatnight,underthemercifulveilofdarkness,thefowlsoftheairgatheredabouthimandboreawaytheirtrophyofcorruption.

By-and-bytherewerebuttwoleftofallthatsufferingcrew,--thecaptainandtheboy,--andthesetwoclungtogetherlikeghosts,defyingmortality.Theystrovetobepatientandhopeful:iftheycouldnoteat,

theycoulddrink,forthenightsweredewy,andsometimesamistcoveredthem,amistsodenseitseemedalmosttodripfromtheragsthatpoorlyshelteredthem.Acordwasattachedtotheshrouds,theendofitcarefullylaidinthemouthofabottleslungintherigging.Downthethincordslidoccasionaldrops;onebyonetheystoleintothebottle,andbymorningtherewasaspoonfulofwatertomoistenthoseparchedlips,--sweet,crystaldrops,moreblessedthantears,fortheyaresalt;morepreciousthanpearls.AthousandprayersofgratitudeseemedhardlytoquietthesoulsofthelingeringonesforthatgreatcharityofHeaven.

TherecameadaywhentheheartsofGod'sangelsmusthavebledforthesufferingones.Thebreezewasfreshandfair;theseatossedgailyits

foam-crestedwaves;sea-birdssoaredinwidercircles;andthecloudsshookouttheirfleecyfolds,throughwhichthesunlightstreamedingratefulwarmth.Thetwoghostsweretalking,asever,ofhome,ofearth,ofland.Land,--landanywhere,sothatitweresolidandbroad.O,topaceagainawholeleaguewithoutturning!O,topauseintheshadowofsomelivingtree!Todrinkofsomestreamwhosewatersflowedcontinually;flowed,thoughyoudrankofthemwiththeawfulthirstofonewhohadbeendeniedwaterforweeksandweeksandweeks,forthreewholemonths,--aneternity,asitseemedtothem.

ThentheypicturedlifeasitmightbeifGodpermittedthemtoreturntoearthoncemore.TheywouldpaceK----Streetatnoon,andrevisitthatcapitalrestaurantwheremanyatimetheyhadfeasted,thoughin

thosedaystheywereunknowntooneanother;theywouldcallforcoffee,andthisdishandthatdish,andawholebilloffare,thethoughtofwhichmadetheirfeverishpalatesgrowmoistagain.Theywouldmeetfriendswhomtheyhadneverlovedastheynowlovedthem;theywouldreconcileoldfeudsandforgiveeverybodyeverything;theyheldimaginaryconversations,andfoundlifeverybeautifulandgreatlytobedesired;andsomehowtheywouldgetbacktothelittlecafandtherebegineatingagain,andwitharelishthatbroughtthesavourytastesandsmellsvividlybeforethem,andtheirlipswouldmoveandtheimpalpablemorselsrollsweetlyovertheirtongues.


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Ithadbecomeasecondnaturetoscourthehorizonwithjealouseyes;neverforamomentduringtheirlongmartyrdomhadtheircovetouseyesfixeduponastationaryobject.Butitcameatlast.Outofacloudasailburstlikeaflickeringflame.Whatanageitwasa-coming!howitbuddedandblossomedlikeagloriouswhiteflower,thatwastransformedsuddenlyintoabarkbearingdownuponthem!Almostwithinhailitstayeditscourse;thecanvasflutteredinthewind;thedarkhullslowlyroseandfelluponthewater;figuresmovedtoandfro,--men,livingandbreathingmen!ThentheghostsstaggeredtotheirfeetandcriedtoGodformercy.Thentheywavedtheirarms,andbeattheirbreasts,andlifteduptheirimploringvoices,beseechingdeliveranceoutofthathorriblebondage.Tearscourseddowntheirhollowcheeks,theirlimbsquaked,theirbreathfailedthem;theysankbackindespair,speechlessandforsaken.

Whydidtheyfaintinthehourofdeliverancewhenthatnarrowchasmwasallthatseparatedthemfromrenewedlife?Becausethebarkspreadouthergreatwhitewingsandsoaredaway,hearingnotthefaintvoices,seeingnotthethinshadowsthathauntedthatdriftingwreck.Theforsakenoneslookedoutfromtheireyrie,andwatchedthelesseningsailuntilsightfailedthem;andthenthelad,withonewildcry,leapedtowardthefleetingbark,andwasswallowedupinthesea.

Aloneinawildernessofwaters.Alone,withoutcompassorrudder,borneonbyrelentlesswindsintothelonesome,dreary,shorelessoceanofdespair,withinwhoseblankandforbiddingspherenovoyagerventures;acrosswhosedesolatewastedawnsendsnosignalandnightbringsnoreprieve;butwhosesuniscold,andwhosemoonisclouded,andwhosestarswithdrawintospace,andwheretheinsufferablesilenceofvacancyshallnotbebrokenforalltime.

OpitilessNature!thyirrevocablelawsarguesoresacrificeinthewasteplacesofGod'suniverse!

The"Petrel"gaveatremendouslurch,thatsenttwoorthreeofusintotheleecornersofthecabin;aseabrokeoverus,burstinginthe

companion-hatch,andhalffillingoursmallandinsecureretreat.Theswinginglampwasthrownfromitssocketandextinguished;wewereenvelopedinpitchdarkness,uptoourkneesinsaltwater.Therewasamomentofawfulsilence;wecouldnottellwhetherthelightofdaywouldevervisitusagain;wethoughtperhapsitwouldn't.Butthe"Petrel"roseoncemoreuponthewateryhill-tops,andshookherselffreeofthecumbrousdeluge;andatthatpoint,whensheseemedtoberidingmoreeasilythanusual,someonebrokethesilence:"Well,didthecaptainofthe'Mouette'livetotellthetale?"

Yes,hedid.Godsentamessengerintothelonesomedeep,wherethemiserablemanwasfoundinsensible,withhiseyeswideopenagainstthesunlight,andlipsshrunkenapart,--ahideous,breathingcorpse.Whenhe

wasliftedintothearmsofthebravefellowswhohadgonetohisrescue,hesaid,"GreatGod!amIsaved?"asthoughhecouldn'tbelieveitwhenitwastrue;thenhefainted,andwasnursedthroughalongdelirium,andwasatlastrestoredtohealthandhomeandhappiness.

Ourcabinboymanagedtofishupthelamp,andafteralittlewewereilluminated;theagileswabsoonspongedoutthecabin,andweresumedourtediouswatchfordawnandfairweather.

Somehow,mymindbroodedoverthesolitarywreckthatwasdriftingabout


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thesea.Icouldfancytherottentimbersofthe"Mouette"clingingtogether,byamiracle,untilthe"AncientMariner"wastakenawayfromher,andthen,whenshewasaloneagain,withnothingwhateverinsightbutblankblueseaandblankbluesky,shelayforanhourorso,beardedwithshaggysea-mossandlookingaboutathousandyearsold.Suddenlyitoccurredtoherthathertimehadcome,--thatshehadoutlivedherusefulness,andmightaswellgotopiecesatonce.Sosheyawnedinallhertimbers,andtheseareachedupoverher,andlaidholdofhermasts,andseemedtobeslowlydrawingherdownintoitsbosom.Therewasnotanaudiblesound,andscarcelyarippleuponthewater;butwhenthewaveshadclimbedintotheforetop,therewasaclamourofaffrightedbirds,andamyriadbubblesshotuptothesurface,whereafewwaifsfloatedandwhirledaboutforamoment.Itwasallthatmarkedthespotwherethe"Mouette"wentdowntohereternalrest.

"Ha,ha!"criedourskipper,withsomethingalmostlikeachangeofexpressiononhismahoganycountenance,"thebarometerisrising!"andsureenoughitwas.Intwohoursthe"Petrel"actedlikeadifferentcraftentirely,andby-and-bycamedaybreak,andafterthattheseawentdown,down,downintoadeep,deadcalm,whenalltheelementsseemedtohavegonetosleepaftertheirfuriouswarfare.Likehalf-drownedflieswecrawledoutoftheclose,ill-smellingcabintodryourselvesinthesun:there,onthesteamingdeckoftheschooner,wefoundnewlife,and

inthehopethatdawnedwithitwegrewlustyandjoyful.Suchaflat,oilyseaasitwasthen!Sotransparent,thatwesawgreatfishswimmingabout,fullfathomfiveunderus.Amonstroussharkdriftedlazilypast,hisdorsalfinnowandthencuttingthesurfacelikeaknifeandglisteninglikepolishedsteel,hisbraceofpilot-fishdartinghitherandthither,stripedlikelittleone-leggedharlequins.

Flat-headedgoniessathighonthewater,pipingtheirquerulousnoteastheytuggedatsomethingedible,adozenofthementeringintothedomesticdifficulty:oneafteranotherwoulddesertthecause,runalittlewayovertheseatogetagoodstart,leapheavilyintotheair,sailaboutforafewminutes,andthendropbackonthesea,

feet-foremost,andskateforayardortwo,makingawhitemarkandapleasantsoundasitslidoverthewater.

Theexquisitenautilusfloatedpastus,withitsgauzysailset,lookinglikeathinsliceoutofasoap-bubble;thestrangeanemonelaiditspale,sensitivepetalsonthelipsofthewaveandpantedinecstasy;the"Petrel"rockedsoftly,swingingheridlecanvasinthesun;weheardtheclickoftheanchor-chainintheforecastle,theblessedestsea-soundIwotof;asailorsangwhilehehungintheratlinesandtarreddownthesalt-stainedshrouds.Theafternoonwaned;themanatthewheelstrucktwobells,--itwasthedelectabledog-watch.Downwenttheswarthysunintohistentofclouds;thewaveswereofamber;thefervidskywasflushed;itlookedasthoughsomethingsplendidwere

abouttohappenupthere,andthatitcouldhardlykeepthesecretmuchlonger.Thencamethepurplesttwilight;andthentheskyblossomedalloverwiththebiggest,ripest,goldeneststars,--suchstarsashanglikefruitsinsun-fedorchards;suchstarsaslayatrackoffireinthesea;suchstarsasriseandsetovermountainsandbeyondlowgreencapes,likeyoungmoons,everyoneofthem;andIconjuredupmyspellsofsavageenchantment,myblessedislands,myreefsbaptizedwithsilverspray;Isawthebroadfan-leavesofthebananadroopinthemotionlessair,andthroughthetropicalnightthepalmsaspiredheavenward,whileIlaydreamingmysea-dreaminthecradleofthedeep.


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CHUMMINGWITHASAVAGE.

PARTI.

KNA-AN.

Therewasalittlebrownrain-cloud,thatblewoverinaboutthreeminutes;andBolabola'sthatchedhutwasdryasahay-stackinlessthanhalfthattime.Thosetropicalspraysarenotmuch,anyhow;soIloungeddownintothebanana-patch,forIthoughtIsawsomethingwhitethere,somethingwhiteandfluttering,movingabout.Iknewprettywellwhatitwas,anddidn'tgoafteritonanuncertainty.

TheDoctorlookedsavage.Wheneverheslungthosesaddle-bagsoverhisleftshoulder,andswunghisrightarmcleanoutfromhisbody,liketheregulatorofasteamengine,youmightknowthathissteamwaspretty

wellup.Iturnedtolookback,ashewasstrappinguphisbeastofburdentillthepooranimal'sbodywaspositivelywaspish;thenheclimbedintohissaddle,andsullenlyplungeddownthetrailtowardtheprecipice,andneversaid,"Good-bye,"or"Godblessyou,"oranyofthoseharmlesstagsthatcomeinsowellwhenyoudon'tknowhowtocutoffyourlastwords.

Ipositivelyassert,andthiswithoutmalice,theDoctorwasperfectlysavage.

Now,doyouknowwhatdemoralizedthatDoctor?howwecametoamisunderstanding?orwhywepartedcompany?Itwassimplybecauseherewasagloriousvalley,inhabitedbyamild,half-civilizedpeople,who

seemedtolovemeatfirstsight.Idon'tbelieveIdislikedthem,either.Well!theyaskedmetostopwiththem,andIfeltjustlikeit.Iwantedtostopandbenatural;buttheDoctorthoughtotherwiseofmyintentions;andthatwastheoriginoftherow.

ThenextthingIknew,theDoctorhadgotupthegreatprecipice,andIwasquitealonewithtwohundredduskyfellows,onlytwoofwhomcouldspeakasyllableofEnglish,andIthesolerepresentativeofthesuperiorwhitewithintwentymiles.Alonewithcannibals,--perhapstheywerecannibals.Theyhadmagnificentteeth,atanyrate,andcouldbitethroughaninchandahalfsugar-cane,andnotbreakajaw.

ForthefirsttimethatsummerIbegantomoralizealittle.Wasitbest

tohavekickedagainsttheDoctor'sjudgment?Perhapsnot!Butitisbesttobecarefulhowyoubegintomoralizetooearly;youdepriveyourselfofagreatdealoffuninthatway.Ifyouwanttodoanythingparticularly,Ishouldadviseyoutodoit,andthenbesufficientlysorrytomakeitallsquare.

I'mnotsosurethatIwaswrong,afterall.Fate,ortheDoctor,orsomethingelse,broughtmefirsttothisloveliestofvalleys,soshutoutfromeverythingbutitselfthattherewerenotemptationswhichmightnotbesatisfied.Well!here,asIwaslookingaboutatthe


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singularlovelinessoftheplace,--youknowthiswasmyfirstglimpseofitsabruptwalls,hungwithtapestriesoffernandclamberingconvolvulus;atoneendtwoexquisitewaterfalls,rivallingoneanotherinwhitenessandairiness,attheotherthesea,therealSouthSea,breakingandfoamingoveragenuinereef,andevenripplingtheplacidcurrentoftheriverthatslippedquietlydowntoitsembracingtidefromthedeepbasinsatthesewaterfalls,--rightinthemidstofallthis,beforeIhadbeentenminutesinthevalley,Isawastrawhat,boundwithwreathsoffernand_maile_;underitasnow-whitegarment,rathershortallaround,lowintheneck,andwithnosleeveswhatever.

Therewasnosextothatgarment;itwasthespontaneousoffspringofascantmaterialandalargenecessity.I'dseenplentyofthatsortofthing,butneveruponamodellikethis,soentirelytropical,--almostOriental.Asthissingularphenomenonmadedirectlyforme,and,havingcomewithinreach,therestoppedandstayed,Iaskeditsname,usingoneofmysevenstockphrasesforthepurpose;IfounditwascalledKna-an.Downitwentintomynote-book;forIknewIwastohaveanexperiencewiththisyoungscionofaraceofchiefs.Sureenough,Ihavehadit.Hecontinuedtoregardmesteadily,withoutembarrassment.Heseatedhimselfbeforeme;Ifeltmyselfatthemercyofonewhosecalmanalysiswasquestioningeverymotiveofmysoul.Thissageinquirerwas,perhaps,sixteenyearsofage.Hiseyewassoearnestandsohonest,Icouldreturnhislook.Isawaround,full,rathergirlish

face;lipsripeandexpressive,notquitesosensualasthoseofmostofhisrace;notabadnose,byanymeans;eyesperfectlyglorious,--regularalmonds,--withthemythicallashes"thatsweep,"etc.,etc.Thesmilewhichpresentlytransfiguredhisfacewasofthenaturethatflattersyouintosubmissionagainstyourwill.

Havingweighedmeinhisbalance,--andyoumaybesurehisinstinctsdidn'tcheathim;theydon'tdothatsortofthing,--heplacedhistwohandsonmytwoknees,anddeclared,"Iwashisbestfriend,ashewasmine;Imustcomeatoncetohishouse,andtherelivealwayswithhim."WhatcouldIdobutgo?Hepointedmetohislodgeacrosstheriver,saying,"Therewashishomeandmine."Bythistime,mynativewithoutamasterwasquiteexhausted.Iwonderwhatwouldhavehappenedifsome

onehadn'tcometomyrescue,justatthatmomentoftrial,withafreshvocabulary?Asitwas,wesettledthematteratonce.Thiswasourlittleplan,--anentirelyprivatearrangementbetweenKna-anandmyself:IwastoleavewiththeDoctorinanhour;but,attheexpirationofaweekweshouldbothreturnhither;thenIwouldstopwithhim,andtheDoctorcouldgohisway.

Therewasanimmenseamountofsecrecy,andmanyvows,andIwasalmostcrying,whentheDoctorhurriedmeupthatterribleprecipice,andwelostsightofthebeautifulvalley.Kna-answorehewouldwatchcontinuallyformyreturn,andIvowedI'dhurryback;andsoweparted.Lookingdownfromtheheights,IthoughtIcoulddistinguishhiswhitegarment;atanyrate,Iknewthelittlefellowwassomewhereabout,

feelingasmiserablyasIfelt,--andnobodyhasanybusinesstofeelworse.HowmanytimesIthoughtofhimthroughtheweek!Iwasalwayswonderingifhestillthoughtofme.Ihadfoundthosenativestobeimpulsive,demonstrative,and,Ifeared,inconstant.Yetwhyshouldheforgetme,havingsolittletorememberinhisidlelife,whileIcouldstillthinkofhim,andputasideahundredpleasantmemoriesforhissake?Thewholeislandwasadelighttome.IoftenwonderedifIshouldeveragainbeholdsuchaseriesofvalleys,hills,andhighlandsinsosmallacompass.Thatlandisaworldinminiature,thedearestspotofwhich,tome,wasthatsecludedvalley;fortherewasayoungsoul


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watchingformyreturn.

Thatwasratheraslowweekforme,butitendedfinally;andjustatsunset,onthedayappointed,theDoctorandIfoundourselvesbackontheedgeofthevalley.Ilookedallupanddownitsgreenexpanse,regardingeverylivingcreature,inthehopeofdiscoveringKna-anintheattitudeofthewatcher.IlettheDoctorrideaheadofmeonthetrailtoBolabola'shut,anditwasquiteinthetwilightwhenIheardtheapproachofaswifthorseman.Iturned,andatthatmomenttherewasacollisionoftwoconstitutionsthatwerejustfittedforoneanother;andallthedoubtsandapprehensionsoftheweekjustoverwereindignantlydismissed,forKna-anandIwereoneandinseparable,whichwasperfectlysatisfactorytobothparties!

Theplot,whichhadbeenthickeningalltheweek,culminatedthen,muchtothedisgustoftheDoctor,whohadkepthiswatchfuleyeuponmeallthesedays--tomyadvantage,ashesupposed.Therewasnodisguisingourprojectanylonger,soIoutwithitasmildlyaspossible."Therewasadearfellowhere,"Isaid,"wholovedme,andwantedmetolivewithhim;allhispeoplewantedmetostop,also;hismotherandhisgrandmotherhadspeciallydesiredit.Theydidn'tcareformoney;theyhadmuchloveforme,andthereforeimploredmetostayalittle.Thenthevalleywasmostbeautiful;Iwastired;afterourhardriding,Ineededrest;hismotherandhisgrandmotherassuredmethatIneeded

rest.Now,whynotletmeresthereawhile?"TheDoctorlookedverygrave.Iknewthathemisunderstoodme,--placedawronginterpretationuponmymotives;theworseforhim,Isay.Hetriedtotalkmeovertothepathsofvirtueandpropriety;butIwouldn'tbetalkedover.Thenthefinalblastwasblown;warwasdeclaredatonce.TheDoctorneverspokeagain,buttoabuseme;andoffherodeinhighdudgeon,andthesunkeptgoingdownonhiswrath.ThereuponIrenouncedallthefolliesofthisworld,actuallyhatingcivilization,andfeelingentirelyabovetheformalitiesofsociety.Iresolvedonthespottobeabarbarian,and,perhaps,dwellforeverandeverinthissecludedspot.AndhereIambacktothebeginningofthisstory,justaftertheshoweratBolabola'shut,astheDoctorrodeoffaloneandinanger.

Thatresolutionwasconsiderableformetomake.Ifound,bythetimetheDoctorwasoutofsightandIwasquitealone,withthenativesregardingmesocuriously,thatIwasverytiredindeed.SoKna-anbroughtuphishorse,gotmeontoitinsomewayorother,andmountedbehindmetopilottheanimalandsustainmeinmyfirstbarebackact.Overthesandwewent,andthroughtherivertohishut,whereIwastakenin,fed,andpettedineverypossibleway,andfinallyputtobed,whereKna-anmonopolizedme,growlingintruesavagefashionifanyonecamenearme.Ididn'tsleepmuch,afterall.IthinkImusthavebeenexcited.IthoughthowstrangelyIwassituated:aloneinawilderness,amongbarbarians;mybosomfriend,whowashuggingmelikeayoungbear,notabletospeakonesyllableofEnglish,andIveryshaky

onafewbadphrasesinhistongue.Wetwolayuponanenormousold-fashionedbedwithhighposts,--veryhightheyseemedtomeinthedimrushlight.Thenativesalwaysburnasmalllightafterdark;somesuperstitionorotherpromptsit.Thebed,wellstockedwithpillows,orcushions,ofvarioussizes,coveredwithbright-colouredchintz,washungaboutwithnumerousshawls,sothatImightbedreadfullymodestbehindthem.Itwasquiteagrandaffair,gottenupexpresslyformybenefit.Therestofthehouse--allinoneroom,asusual--wascoveredwithmats,onwhichvariousrecumbentformsandseveralindividualsnoresbetrayedtheproximityofKna-an'srelatives.Howqueerthe


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wholeatmosphereoftheplacewas!Theheavybeamsofthehousewereofsomerarewood,which,beingpolished,lookedlikecolossalsticksofpeanutcandy.Slendercaneswereboundacrossthisframework,andthesoft,driedgrassofthemeadowswasbraidedoverit,--allcompletingourtenement,andmakingitasfreshandsweetasnew-mownhay.

Thenativeshaveapassionforperfumes.Littlebunchesofsweet-smellingherbshunginthepeakoftheroof,andwreathsoffragrantberrieswerestrunginvariouspartsofthehouse.Ifoundourbedpostsfestoonedwiththeminthemorning.Othatbed!ItmighthavecomefromEnglandintheElizabethaneraandbeenwreckedoffthecoast;hencethemysteryofitspresence.ItwasbigenoughforaMormon.Therewasalittleopeningintheroomoppositeourbed;youmightcallitawindow,Isuppose.Thesun,shiningthroughit,madeourtentofshawlsperfectlygorgeousincrimsonlight,barredandstarredwithgold.Iliftedourbed-curtain,andwatchedtherocksthroughthiswindow,--theshiningrocks,withthesealeapingabovetheminthesun.Therewerecocoa-palmssoslendertheyseemedtocastnoshadow,whiletheirfringedleavesglistenedlikefrost-workasthesunglancedoverthem.Abitofcliff,also,remoteandmisty,runningfarintothesea,wasjustvisiblefrommypyramidofpillows.IwonderedwhatmoreIcouldaskfortodelighttheeye.Kna-anwasstillasleep,butheneverletloosehisholdonme,asthoughhefearedhispale-facedfriendwouldfadeawayfromhim.Helayclosebyme.Hissleekfigure,suppleandgraceful

inrepose,wastheembodimentoffree,untrammelledyouth.Youwhoarebroughtupundercoverknownothingofitsluxuriousness.HowIlongedtotakehimovertheseawithme,andshowhimsomethingoflifeaswefindit.Thinkinguponit,Idroppedoffintooneofthosedeliciousmorningnaps.Iawokeagainpresently;mycompanion-in-armswastheoccasionthistime.Hehadawakened,stolensoftlyaway,resumedhissinglegarment,--saidgarmentandallothersheconsideredsuperfluousafterdark,--andhadpreparedforme,withhisownhands,abreakfast,whichhenowdeclaredtome,inviolentandsuggestivepantomime,wasallreadytobeeaten.Itwasnotabadbilloffare,--freshfish,taro,poe,andgoat'smilk.IateaswellasIcould,underthecircumstances.IfoundthatRobinsonCrusoemusthavehadsometediousrehearsalsbeforeheacquiredthatperfectresignationtoProvidencewhichdelights

usinbookform.Therewasaveritableandmostunexpectedtable-clothformealone.Idonotpresumetoquestionthenatureofitsmiraculousappearance.Dishestherewere,--dishes,ifyou'renotparticularastoshapeorcompleteness;forks,withaprongortwo,--abentandabbreviatedprongortwo;knivesthathadsurvivedtheirhandles;andonesolitaryspoon.Alltheseweretributesofthetoogenerouspeople,who,forthefirsttimeintheirlives,wereattheinconvenienceofentertainingadistinguishedstranger.Hencethisrecklessdisplayoftableware.IateaswellasIcould,butsurelynotenoughtosatisfymycrony;for,whenIhadfinishedeating,hesatabouttwohoursindeepanddepressingsilence,attheexpirationofwhichtimehesuddenlydartedoffonhisbarebacksteedandwasgonetilldark,whenhereturnedwithafatmuttonslungoverhisanimal.Now,muttondoesn't

growwildthereabout,neitherwerehisrelativesshepherds;consequently,ineating,Iaskednoquestionsforconscience'sake.

Theseriesofentertainmentsofferedmeweresuchasthelittlevalleyhadnotknownforyears:canoe-ridesupanddownthewindingstream;bathingsintheseaandintheriver,andineverypossiblebitofwater,atallpossiblehours;expeditionsintotherecessesofthemountains,tothewaterfallsthatplungedintocoolbasinsoffernandcresses,andtotheorangegrovethroughacresandacresofguavaorchards;someclimbingsuptheprecipices;goathunting,onceortwice,


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asfarasasolitarycavern,saidtobehaunted,--thesetrampsalwaysbydaylight;thenanewcourseofbathingsandsailings,interspersedwithmonotonoussingingandoccasionalsmokesundertheeavesofthehutatevening.

Ifitisaquestionhowlongamanmaywithstandtheseductionsofnature,andtheconsolationsandconveniencesofthestateofnature,Ihavesolveditinonecase;forIwasasnaturalaspossibleinaboutthreedays.

IwonderifIwasgrowingtofeelmoreathome,ormorehungry,thatIfoundanappetiteatlastequaltoanytablethatwasofferedme!Chickenwasaddedtomyalreadybountifulrations,nicelycookedbybeingswathedinabroad,succulentleaf,androastedorsteepedinhotashes.Iateitwithmyfingers,usingtheleafforaplatter.

Almosteverydaysomethingnewwasofferedatthedoorformyedification.Now,anetfulloflargeguavasormangoes,orasackofleavescrammedwithmostdeliciousorangesfromthemountains,thatseemedtohaveabsorbedtheverydewofheaven,theyweresofreshandsweet.Immenselemonsperfumedthehouse,waitingtomakemeacapitaldrink.Thosesuperbcitrons,withtheirrough,goldencrusts,refreshedme.Cocoa-nutswereheapedatthedoor;andyams,grownmilesaway,weresentfor,sothatImightbesatisfied.Alltheseadditionstomytable

weretheresultoflongandvigorousargumentsbetweentherespectiveheadsofthehouse.Idetectedtroubleandanxietyintheirexpressivefaces.Ipickedoutaword,hereandthere,whichbetrayedtheirsecretsorrow.Noassertions,noremonstrancesonmypart,hadtheslightesteffectuponthepoorsouls,whobelievedIwasstarving.EatImust,atallhoursandinallplaces;andeat,moreover,beforetheywouldtouchamouthful.SoNatureteachesherchildrenahospitalitywhichalltheartsofthecapitalcannotaffect.

Iwonderwhatitwasthatfinallymademerestlessandeagertoseenewfaces!Perhapsmyunhappydisposition,thaturgedmethither,andthenluredmebacktotheprideoflifeandthegloryoftheworld.CertainIamthatKna-anneverweariedmewithhisattentions,thoughtheywere

incessant.Dayandnighthewasbyme.Whenhewassilent,Iknewhewasconceivingsomesurpriseintheshapeofanewfruit,oranewviewtobeguileme.Iwas,indeed,beguiled;Iwasgrowingtolikethelittleheathenaltogethertoowell.WhatshouldIdowhenIwasatlastcompelledtoreturnoutofmyseclusion,andfindnosoulsofaithfulandlovinginalltheworldbeside?Daybydaythisthoughtgrewuponme,andwithitIrealizedthenecessityofaspeedydeparture.

TherewerethoseintheworldIcouldstillrememberwiththatexquisitelypainfulpleasurethatisthesecretoftruelove.Thosestillvoicesseemedincessantlycallingme,andsomethinginmyheartansweredthemofitsownaccord.Howstrangelyidlethedayshadgrown!Weusedtoliebythehour--Kna-anandI--watchingastripofsandon

whichawildpoppywasnoddinginthewind.Thispoppyseemedtometypicaloftheirlifeinthequietvalley.Livingonlytooccupysomuchspaceintheuniverse,itbuds,blossoms,goestoseed,dies,andisforgotten.

Thesenativesdonotevendistinguishthememoryoftheirgreatdead,iftheyeverhadany.ItwasthelegendofsomemythicalgodthatKna-antoldme,andofwhichIcouldnotunderstandatwentiethpart;agodwhosetriumphswereachievedinanagebeyondthecomprehensionoftheverypeoplewhoaredeliveringitsstory,bywordofmouth,from


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generationtogeneration.Watchingtheseawasagreatsourceofamusementwithus.Idiscoveredinourlongwatchesthatthereisaverycomplicatedandmagnificentrhythminitssolemnsong.Thiswavethatbreaksupontheshoreistheheaviestofaseriesthatprecededit;andthesearegreaterandless,alternately,everyfifteenortwentyminutes.Overthisdualimpulsethetidesprevail,whilethroughtheyearthereisavariationintheirriseandfall.Whatanintricateandwonderfulmechanismregulatesandrepairsallthis!

Therewasanentertainmentinwatchingaparticularcliff,inapeculiarlight,atacertainhour,andfindingsoonenoughthatchangevisitedeventhathiddenquarteroftheglobe.Theexquisiteperfectionofthismoment,forinstance,isnotagainrepeatedonto-morrow,orthedayafter,butinitssteadappearssomenewtintorpicture,which,perhaps,doesnotsatisfylikethis.Thatwasthemostdistressingdisappointmentthatcameuponusthere.Iusedtospendhalfanhourinidlyobservingthesplendidcurtainsofourbedswinginthelightairfromthesea;andIhavespeculatedfordaysupontheprobabledestinyawaitingoneofthosesuperbspiders,withatremendousstomachandastripedwaistcoat,lookingacenturyold,asheclangtenaciouslytothefringesofourcanopy.

Wehadfitfulspellsofconversationuponsometrivialtheme,afterlongintervalsofintensesilence.Webegantodevelopesymptomsof

imbecility.Therewaslaughterattheleastoccurrence,thoughquitebarrenofhumour;also,eatinganddrinkingtopassthetime;bathingtomakeone'sselfcool,aftertheheatanddrowsinessoftheday.Solifeflowedoninanunruffledcurrent,andsotheprodigallivedriotouslyandwastedhissubstance.TherecameadaywhenwepromisedourselvesanactualoccurrenceinourCrusoelife.Someonehadseenafloatingobjectfaroutatsea.Itmightbeaboatadrift;and,intruth,itlookedverylikeaboat.Twoorthreecanoesdartedoffthroughthesurftotherescue,whilewegatheredontherocks,watchingandruminating.Itwaslongbeforetherescuersreturned,andthentheycameempty-handed.Itwasonlyalogafterall,drifted,probably,fromAmerica.Wetalkeditallover,therebytheshore,andwenthometorenewthesubject;itlastedusaweekormore,andwekeptharpingupon

ittillthatlog--driftingslowly,Ohowslowly!fromthefarmainlandtoourisland--seemedalmosttooverpowermewithasenseoftheunutterablelonelinessofitsvoyage.Iusedtolieandthinkaboutit,andgetverysolemnindeed;thenKna-anwouldthinkofsomefreshappetizerorother,andtrytomakememerrywithgoodfeeding.AgainandagainhewouldcomewithadeliciousbananatothebedwhereIwaslying,andinsistuponmygorgingmyself,whenIhadbutbarelyrecoveredfromalateorgieoffruit,flesh,orfowl.Hewouldmesmerizemeintoamostrefreshingsleepwithaprolongedandpleasingmanipulation.ItwasareminiscenceofthebathsofStamboulnottobewithstood.FromthissleepIwouldpresentlybewakenedbyKna-an'sperformanceuponarudesortofharp,thatgaveoutaweirdandeccentricmusic.Themouthbeingappliedtotheinstrument,wordswere

pronouncedinagutturalvoice,whilethefingerstwangedthestringsinmeasure.Itwasaflowofmonotones,shapedintolegendsandlyrics.Ilikeditamazingly;allthebetter,perhaps,thatitwasasgoodasGreektome,forIunderstooditaslittleasIunderstoodthestrangeandpersuasivesilenceofthatbelovedplace,whichseemedslowlybutsurelyweavingaspellofenchantmentaboutme.Iresolvedtodesertperemptorily,andmanagedtohireacanoeandacoupleofnatives,tocrossthechannelwithme.Therewereotherreasonsforthispromptaction.


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HourbyhourIwasbeginningtorealizeoneoftheinevitableresultsofTime.Mybootsweregivingout;theirbestsidesweretheuppers,andtheirsoleshadaboutleftthem.AsIwalked,Icouldnolongerdisguisethispitifulfact.Itwasgettinghardonme,especiallyinthegravel.Yet,regularlyeachmorning,mypiecesofbootwerecarefullyoiled,thenrubbed,orpetted,orcoaxedintosomesortofapolish,whichwasalabouroflove.OKna-an!howcouldyouwringmysoulwiththosetouchingofficesoffriendship!--thosekindnessesunfailing,unsurpassed!

Havingresolvedtosailearlyinthemorning,beforethedrowsycitizensofthevalleyhadfairlyshakenthedewoutoftheirforelocks,allthatday--mylastwithKna-an--Ibreathedaboutmesilentbenedictionsandfarewells.IcouldnotbegintodoenoughforKna-an,whowas,morethanever,devotedtome.Healmostseemedtosuspectoursuddenseparation,forheclungtomewithasortofsubdueddesperation.Thatwasthedayhetookfromhisheadhishat--averyneatone,plaitedbyhismother--insistingthatIshouldwearit(minewasquiteintatters),whilehewentbareheadedinthesun.Thathathangsinmyroomnow,theonlytangiblerelicofmyprodigaldays.Myplanwastostealoffatdawn,whileheslept;toawakenmynativecrew,andescapetoseabeforemyabsencewasdetected.Idarednottrustapartingwithhim,beforetheeyesofthevalley.Well,Imanagedtowakeandrousemysailorboys.Totellthetruth,Ididn'tsleepawinkthatnight.Welaunched

thecanoe,entered,putoff,andhadsafelymountedthesecondbigrollerjustasitbrokeunderuswithterrificpower,whenIheardashrillcryabovetheroarofthewaters.Iknewthevoiceanditsimport.TherewasKna-anrushingmadlytowardus;hehaddiscoveredall,andcouldn'tevenwaitforthatwhitegarment,butranafteruslikeonegonedaft,andplungedintothecoldsea,callingmyname,overandover,ashefoughtthebreakers.Iurgedthenativesforward.Iknewifheovertookus,Ishouldneverbeabletoescapeagain.Wefairlyflewoverthewater.Isawhimriseandfallwiththeswell,lookinglikeaseal;foritwashissecondnature,thissurf-swimming.IbelieveinmyheartIwishedthepaddleswouldbreakorthecanoesplitonthereef,thoughallthetimeIwasurgingtherascalsforward;andthey,likestupids,tookmeatmyword.Theycouldn'tbreakapaddle,orget

onthereef,orhaveanysortofanaccident.Presentlyweroundedtheheadland,--thesamehazypointIusedtowatchfromthegrasshouse,throughthelittlewindow,ofasunshinymorning.Therewelostsightofthevalleyandthegrasshouse,andeverythingthatwasassociatedwiththepast,--butthatwasnothing.Welostsightofthelittlesea-god,Kna-an,shakingthesprayfromhisforeheadlikeaporpoise;andthiswasallinall.Ididn'tcareforanythingelseafterthat,oranybodyelse,either.Iwentstraighthomeandgotcivilizedagain,orpartlyso,atleast.I'veneverseentheDoctorsince,andneverwantto.Hehadnobusinesstotakemethere,orleavemethere.Icouldn'tmakeupmymindtostay;yetI'malwaysdyingtogobackagain.

SoIgrewtiredovermyhusks.Iaroseandwentuntomyfather.Iwanted

tofinishuptheProdigalbusiness.Iranandfelluponhisneckandkissedhim,andsaiduntohim,"Father,_if_IhavesinnedagainstHeavenandinthysight,I'mafraidIdon'tcaremuch.Don'tkillanything.Idon'twantanycalf.Takebackthering,Idon'tdeserveit;forI'dgivemorethisminutetoseethatdear,little,velvet-skinned,coffee-colouredKna-an,thananythingelseinthewideworld,--becausehehatesbusiness,andsodoI.He'saregularbrick,father,mouldedofthepurestclay,andbakedinGod'ssunshine.He'sabouthalfsunshinehimself;and,aboveallothers,andmorethananyoneelseevercan,helovedyourprodigal."


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PARTII.

HOWICONVERTEDMYCANNIBAL.

WhenpeoplebeganaskingmequeerquestionsaboutmychumKna-an,someofthemevenhintingthat"hemightpossiblyhavebeenagirlallthetime,"Iresolvedtosenddownforhim,andsettlethematteratonce.Iknewhewasnotagirl,andIthoughtIshouldliketoshowhimsomeAmericanhospitality,andperhapsconverthimbeforeIsenthimbackagain.

Icouldteachhimtodress,youknow;tosayaverygoodthingtoyourface,andaverybadoneatyourback;tosleepwellinchurch,andrejoicedulywhenthepreachergotatlasttothe"Amen."Imightdoallthisforhissoul'ssake;butIwantedmoretoseehowthelittlefellowwasgettingon.Imissedhimsoterribly,--hishonestwayofshowinglikesanddislikes;hisconfidenceinhisintuitionsandfidelitytohisfriends;andthosequaintmannersofhis,sodifferentfromanythinginvoguethissideofthewaters.

ThisiswhatIremarkedwhenIgothomeagain,andfoundmyselfgrowingaspracticalandprosyasever.Iawokenokindredchordinthefamilybosom.Onthecontrary,theyallsaid,"Itwasnousetothinkofit:nogoodcouldcomeoutofNazareth."TheideaofaheathenandhisabominableidolatrybeingcountenancedinthesanctityofaChristianhomewastoodreadfulforanything.ButIbelievedsomegoodmightcomeoutofNazareth,andIbelievedthat,whenitdidcome,itwasthegenuinearticleworthhuntingfor,surely.Ithoughtitalloversoberly,finallyresolvingtodoalittlemissionaryworkonmyownaccount.SoIwrotetotheColoneloftheRoyalGuards,whoknowseverybodyandhasimmenseinfluenceeverywhere,begginghimtocatchKna-an,whenhisfolksweren'tlooking,andsendhimtomyaddress,

markedC.O.D.,forIwasjustdyingtoseehim.ThatwashowItrappedmylittleheathen,andbegantobeamissionary,allbymyself.

IassuredtheColonelitwasacaseofrealnecessity,andheseemedtorealizeit,forhemanagedtogetKna-anawayfromhisdistressedrelatives(theirnameislegion,andtheyliveallovertheisland),fithimoutin_real_clothing,--thepoorlittlewretchhadtobedressed,youknow;wealldoitinthiscountry,--thenhepackedhimupandshippedhim,careofthecaptainofthebarkS----.Whenhearrived,Itookhimrighttomyroomandbeganmymissionarywork.Itriedtomakeallthepeoplelovehim,butI'mafraidtheyfoundithardwork.Hewasn'thalfsointerestinguphereanyhow!Iseemedtohavebeenregardinghimthroughchromaticglasses,whichglassesbeingsuddenly

removed,Ifoundalittledark-skinnedsavage,whoseclothesfittedhimhorribly,andappearedtohavenobusinessthere.Bootsabouttwicetoolong,thetoesbeingheavilychargedwithwadding;infact,helookedperfectlymiserable,andI'venodoubthefeltso.HowhehadbeenstudyingEnglishonthevoyageup!Hewantedtobeagreatlinguist,andhadbeguningoodearnest.Hesaid"goodmornin'"asboldlyaspossibleaboutsevenp.m.,andinvariablyspokeofthewomenofAmericaas"him."Hehadaninsanedesiretospell,andstartedspelling-matcheswitheverybody,atthemostinappropriatehoursandinconvenientplaces.HeinvariablyspelledGodd-o-g;whendulycorrected,--thus,G-o-d,--he


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wouldtriumphantlyshout,_dog_.Hejumpedattheseirreverentconclusionsabouttwentytimesaday.

WhatanexperienceIhadeducatingmylittlesavage!Walkinghiminthestreetbythehour;answeringquestionsonallpossibletopics;spellingupanddowntheblocks;spellingfromthecentreofthecitytothesuburbsandbackagain,andaroundit;spellingoneanotheratspelling,--twolatter-dayperipateticsondressparade,passingtoandfroinhighandserenestrataofphilosophy,alikeunconsciousoftherudelygazingandinsolentcitizens,orthetediouscallsoflabour.Aspellwasoverus:weranintoallsortsofpeople,andtrodonmanyacorn,loafingaboutinthisway.Someofthevictimsobjectedinharshandsinfullanguage.IfoundKna-anhadsofaradvancedintheacquirementofourmellifluoustongueastobeverysuccessfulinreturningtheirsalutes.Ihadthegreatestdifficultyinconvincinghimoftheenormityofhiserror.Thelittleconvertthoughtitwasourmodeofgreetingstrangers,equivalenttotheirmoregracefulandpoeticpassword,_Aloha_,"Lovetoyou."

Mylittlecannibalwasn'teasilyaccustomedtohisnewrestraints,suchasclothes,manners,andforbiddenwaterprivileges.Heseveraltimesstartedonhisdailypilgrimagewithouthishat;onceortwice,tosavetime,puthiscoatonnexthisskin;andthoughIfinallysofarconqueredhimastobesurethathisshirtwouldbewornontheinside

insteadoftheoutsideofhistrousers(thisheconsideredagreatwasteofmaterial),Iwasinconstantterrorofhissuddenlydisrobinginthestreetandplungingintothefirstwaterwecameto,--whichbarbarousactwouldhaveinsuredhisimmediatearrest,perhapsconfinement;andthatwouldhavebeenthenextthingtodeathinhiscase.

Soweperambulatedthestreetsandthesuburbs,dailygrowingintoeachother'sgrace;andIwasthinkingoftheproprietyofinstitutingaseriesofmoreextendedexcursions,whenIbegantorealizethatmyguestwaslosinginterestinourwonderfulcityandthepossiblemagnitudeofherfuture.

Hegrewsilentandmelancholy;hequittedspellingentirely,oronly

indulgedinrareandfitful(Iampainedtoadd,fruitless)attemptsatspellingGodintheorthodoxfashion.ItseemedalmostasthoughIhadmissedmycalling;certainly,Iwashardlysuccessfulasamissionary.

Thecircusfailedtorevivehim;thebeautyofouryoungwomenheregardedwithoutinterest.Hewaslessdevoutthanatfirst,whenheusedtoinsistuponenteringeverychurchwecametoandsittingafewmoments,thoughfrequentlywewerethesoleoccupantsofthebuilding.Hewouldstealawayintoremotecornersofthehouse,andbegoneforhours.TwiceorthreetimesIdiscoveredhiminadarkcloset,in_purisnaturalibus_,toyingwithasingularshellstrunguponafeatherchain.ThefeathersofthechainIrecognizedasthoseofastrangebirdheldassacredamonghispeople.Ibegantosuspecttheoccasionofhis

malady:hebelievedhimselfbewitchedoraccursedofsomeone,--acommonsuperstitionwiththedarkraces.Thisrevelationfilledmewithalarm;forhewouldthinknothingoflyingdowntodieundertheimpressionthatitwashisfate,andnomedicineundertheheavencouldtouchhimfurther.

Ibegantellinghimofmydiscovery,begginghissecretfromhim.InvainIbesoughthim."Itwashistrouble;hemustgoback!"Itoldhimheshouldgobackassoonaspossible;thatwewouldlookforourselves,andseewhenavesselwastosailagain.Itookhimamongthewharves,


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visiting,inturn,nearlyalltheshippingmooredthere.Howhelingeredaboutthem,lettinghiseyeswanderoverthestillbayintothemellowhazesthatsometimesvisitourbrownanddustyhills!

Hisnatureseemedtofindanaffinityinthetranquiltides,thefar-sweepingdistances,thealluringoutlinesofthecoast,whereitwasblendedwiththesea-lineintheever-mysterioushorizon.Afterthesevisitations,heseemedloathtoreturnagainamonghousesandpeople;theyoppressedandsuffocatedhim.

Oneday,aswewerewendingourwaytothecityfront,wepassedaspecimenofgrotesquecarving,infrontofatobacconist'sestablishment.Kna-anstoodeyeingthepaintedmodelforamoment,andthen,totheamazementandamusementofthetobacconistandoneortwobystanders,felluponhiskneesbeforeit,andwasforafewmomentslostinprayer.Itseemedtodohimadealofgood,ashewasmorecheerfulafterhisinvocation,--forthatday,atleast;andwecouldneverstartuponanysubsequentexcursionwithoutfirstvisitingthiswoodenIndian,whichheevidentlymistookforagod.

Hebeganpresentlytobringtributes,intheshapeofsmallcobble-stones,whichhesurreptitiouslydepositedatthefeetofhisnew-founddeity,andpassedon,rejoicing.Hissmallaltargrewfromdaytoday,andhisspiritswerelighterashebehelditunmolested,thanks

totheindifferenceofthetobacconistandthestreetcontractors.Hisgreatesttrialswerewithintheconfinesofthebath-tub.HewhohadbeenborntothePacific,andrearedamongitsfoamandbreakers,nowdoomedtoaseven-by-threezincboxandteninchesofwater!Hewouldsplashaboutlikeatroutinasaucer,bemoaninghisfate.Pilgrimagestothebeachwerehisgreatestdelight;divingsintothesea,sofarfromtownthatnoonecouldpossiblybeshocked,evenwiththeassistanceofanopera-glass.Heusedtoimploreadailyrepetitionofthesecautiousandinoffensiverecreations,though,onceinthechillycurrent,hesooncameoutofit,shiveringandmiserable.Wherewerehiswarmsea-waves,andtheshiningbeach,withthecocoa-palmsquiveringintheintensefiresofthetropicalday?Howhemissedthemandmourned

forthem,crooningalittlechantintheirpraises,muchtothedisparagementofourdryhills,coldwater,andcarefulpeople!

Inoneofoursingularwalks,whenhehadbeenunusuallysilent,andIhadsoughtinvaintoliftawaythegloomthatdarkenedhissoul,Iwasstartledbyaquickcryofjoyfromthelipsoftheyoungexile,--acrythatwassoonturnedintoasharp,prolonged,andpitifulwailofsorrowanddespair.Wehadunconsciouslyapproachedanart-gallery,thedeepwindowsofwhich,werebeautifiedwithafewchoicelandscapesinoil.Kna-an'srestlessandsearchingeye,doubtlessattractedbythebrilliantcolouringofoneofthepictures,seemedinamomenttocomprehendandassumetherichandferventspiritwithwhichtheartisthadsosuccessfullyimbuedhiscanvas.

ItwasthesubjectwhichhadatfirstdelightedKna-an,--thesplendidcharmofitsmanipulationwhichsoaffectedhim,holdinghimtherewailinginthebitternessofanaturalandincontrollablesorrow.Thepaintingwasilluminatedwiththemellownessofatropicalsunset.Atransparentlightseemedtotransfiguretheseaandsky.Theartisthadwroughtamiracleinhisinspiration.Itwasawarm,hazy,silentsunsetforever.Theoutlineofahigh,projectingcliffwasbarelyvisibleinthefloodofmistyglorythatspreadoverthefaceofit,--acliffwhosedelicatetintsofgreenandcrimsonpicturedinthemindapyramidof


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leavesandflowers.Avalleyopeneditsshadowydepthsthroughthesparklingatmosphere,andinthecentreofthisveiledchasmthepalethreadsoftwowaterfallsseemedtoappearanddisappear,soexquisitelywasthedistanceimitated.Gildedbreakersreeleduponapalm-fringedshore;andthewholewashallowedbytheperpetualpeaceofanunbrokensolitude.

IatoncedetectedtheoccasionofKna-an'sagitation.Herewasthevalleyofhisbirth,--thecliff,thewaterfall,thesea,copiedfaithfully,atthatcrowninghourwhentheyareindeedsupernaturallylovely.Atthatmoment,thepromisetohimofareturnwouldhavebeenmockery.Hewasthereinspirit,pacingthebeach,andgreetinghiscompanionswiththatliberalexchangeoflovepeculiartothem.Againhesoughtouroldhauntbytheriver,watchingthesungodown.Againhewaitedlistlesslythecomingofnight.

Itwasawonderthatthepolicedidnotmarchusbothofftothestation-house;forthelittlerefugeewashowlingatthetopofhislungs,whileIendeavouredtoquiethimbyburstingasortofvocaltornadoabouthisears.Ithensawmyerror.Isaidtomyself,"IhavetransplantedaflowerfromthehotsandoftheOrienttothehardclayofourmorematerialworld,--aflowertoofragiletobehandled,ifneversokindly.Dayafterdayithasbeenfed,watered,andnourishedbyNature.Everyelementoflifehasministeredtoitsdevelopmentin

themostnaturalway.ItsattributesareGod'sandNature'sown.Ibringithither,setitinourtoughsoil,andendeavourtotrainitssensitivetendrilsinonedirection.Thereisnoroomforspreadingthemhere,whereweareovercrowdedalready.Itfindsnosucculenceinitscrampedbed,nowarmthinourpracticalandselfishatmosphere.Itwithersfromtherootupward;itsblossomsarefalling;itwilldie!"Iresolveditshouldnotdie.Unfortunately,therewasnobarkannouncedtosailforhisislandhomewithinseveralweeks.Icouldonlydevotemyenergiestokeepinglifeinthatfamishingsouluntilithadfoundrestintheluxuriousclimeofitsnativity.

Atlastthebarkarrived.Wewentatoncetoseeher;andIcouldhardlypersuadethelittlehomesicksoultocomebackwithmeatnight.Hewho

wasthefireofhospitalityandobligingtotheuttermost,athome,cameveryneartomutinyjustthen.

Itwasthiscivilizationthathadwoundedhim,tillthethoughtofhiseasyandpleasurablelifeamongthebarbariansstunghimtomadness.Shouldheeverseethemagain,hislovers?everclimbwiththegoat-huntersamongthecloudsyonder?orbathe,ride,sport,asheusedto,tillthedaywasspentandthenightcome?

Thoselittleboothsnearthewharves,whereshells,corals,andgold-fishareonsale,wereKna-an'sfavouritehauntsduringthelastfewdayshespenthere.IwouldleavehimseatedonaboxorbarrelbyoneofthoseepitomesofOceanica,andreturntwohourslater,tofind

himseatedasIhadlefthim,andsingingsomeweird_mle_,--somelegendofhishome.Thesemusicaldiversionswereapartofhisnature,andaverygraveandsweetpartofit,too.Afewwords,chantedonalownote,beganthesong,whenthevoicewouldsuddenlysoarupwardwithasinglesyllableofexceedingsweetness,andtherehangtremblinginbird-likemelodytillitdiedawaywiththebreathofthesinger.

Poor,longingsoul!Iwouldyouhadneverleftthelifebestsuitedtoyou,--thatlibertywhichalonecouldgiveexpressiontoyourwonderfulcapacities.NotmanyaresorichininstinctstoreadNature,to


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translateherrevelations,tospeakofherasanoratorendowedwithhersurpassingeloquence.

Itwillalwaysbeasadeffort,thinkingofthatlastnighttogether.Therearehourswhentheexperiencesofalifetimeseemcompressedandcrowdedtogether.Onegrowsaheadtallerinhissoulatsuchtimes,andperhapsgetssuddenlygrey,aswithafright,also.

Kna-antalkedandtalkedinhispretty,brokenEnglish,tellingmeofathousandcharmingsecrets;expressingallthenaturalgracesthatatfirstattractedmetohim,andimploringmeoverandovertoreturnwithhimanddwellintheantipodes.HownearIcametoresolving,thenandthere,thatI_would_go,andtaketheconsequences,--howverynearIcametoit!Hepassedthenightincoaxing,promising,entreating;andwasnevermoreinterestingorlovable.Ittookjustaboutallthemoralcourageallottedmetokeeponthissideofbarbarismonthateventfuloccasion;andinthemorningKna-ansailed,withafaceallovertears,andagony,anddust.

Ibeggedhimtoselectsomethingforaremembrancer;andofallthatingenuitycaninventandartachievehechoseametallicchainforhisneck,--choseit,probably,becauseitglitteredsuperbly,andwasgoodtostringcharmsupon.Hegavemethegreaterpartofhiswardrobe,thoughitcanneverbeofanyearthlyusetome,saveasamemorialofa

passingjoyinalifewherejoysseemtohavelittleelsetodothanbebriefandpalatable.

Hesaidheshould"neverwantthemagain";andhesaiditasonemightsaysomethingofthesamesortinputtingbysomeinstrumentofdegradation,--consciousofrenewedmanhood,butrememberinghislatehumiliation,andbowingtothatremembrance.

SoKna-anandthebark,andallthatIeverknewofgenuine,spontaneous,andunfetteredlove,sailedintothewest,andwentdownwiththesuninagloryofair,sea,andsky,treblygloriousthatevening.Ishallnevermeettheseawhenitisbluestwithoutthinkingofonewhoisitschildandmaster.Ishallneverseemangoesand

bananaswithoutthinkingofhimwhoistheirbrother,bornandbroughtupwiththem.Ishallneversmellcassia,orclove,orjessamine,butathoughtofKna-anwillbeborneupontheirbreath.Aflyingskiff,landinthefardistancerisingslowly,driftingseagrasses,aclearvoiceburdenedwithmelody,--allbelongtohim,andareapartofhim.

Iresignmyoffice.Ithinkthat,perhaps,insteadofmyhavingconvertedthelittlecannibal,hemayhaveconvertedme.Iamsure,atleast,thatifwetwoshouldbeginamissionaryworkupononeanother,Ishouldbethefirsttoexperiencethegreatchange.Isentmyconverthome,feelinghewasn'tquitesogoodaswhenIfirstgothim;andItrulywishhimashewas.

*****

Icanseeyou,mybeloved,--sleeping,naked,inthetwilightofthewest.Thewindskissyouwithpureandfragrantlips.Thesensuouswavesinviteyoutotheirembrace.Earthagainoffersyouhervariedstore.Partakeofheroffering,andbesatisfied.Return,Otroubledsoul!toyourfirstandnaturaljoys:theyweregivenyoubytheDivinehandthatcandonoill.Inthesmokeofthesacrificeascendstheprayerofyourrace.Astheincensefadethandisscattereduponthewindsofheaven,soshallyourpeopleseparate,nevermoretoassembleamongthenations.


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Soperishyoursuperstitions,yournecromancies,yourancientartsofwar,andtheunwrittenepicsofyourkings.

Alas,Kna-an!Asthefoamoftheseayoulove,asthefragranceofthefloweryouworship,shallyourpreciousbodybewasted,andyouruntrammelledsoulpasstotherealmsofyourfathers.

Ourdayofcommunionisover.BeholdhowNightextendsherwingstocoveryoufrommysight!Shemay,indeed,hideyourpresence;shemaywithholdfrommethemysteryofyourfuture:butshecannottakefrommethatwhichIhave;shecannotrobmeoftherichinfluencesofyourpast.

Dearcomrade,pardonandabsolveyourspiritualadviser,forseekingtoremouldsodelicateandoriginalasoulasyours;and,thoughneitherprophetnorpriest,Iyetgiveyouthekissofpeaceatparting,andthebenedictionofunceasinglove.

PARTIII.

BARBARIANDAYS.

Wehadbeenwatchingintentlythefaint,shadowyoutlinealongthehorizon,andwonderingwhetheritwerereallyland,orbutacloudysimilitudeofit;whileweboredownuponitalltheafternooninfinestyle,andthebreezefreshenedaseveningcameon.Itwasallclearsailing,andwewereinprettygoodspirits,--whichisnotalwaysthecasewithlandsmenatsea.

Sittingthereontheafter-deck,Ihadaskedmyself,morethanonce,Iflifeweremadeupofplaciddayslikethis,howlongwouldlifebesweet?Igaveitupeverytime;foroneisnotinclinedtoconsidersocuriouslyastopressanyproblemtoasolutioninthoseindolent

latitudes.

PerhapsitwasCaptainKiddwhotoldmehehadsailedoutofatwelve-knotbreezeonasudden,--slippingofftheedgesofit,asitwere,--andfoundhissailsallabackasheslidintoadeadcalm.There,rockinginstillweather,hesawanotherbark,almostwithinhail,blownintothewestandoutofsight,likeabirdinaMarchgale.

IwonderwhatcausedmetothinkofKidd'sexperiencesjustthen.Ican'timagine,unlessitwassomeprescientshadowfloatinginmyneighbourhood,--theprecursorofthelittleeventthatfollowed.Suchthingsdohappen,andwhenweleastexpectit;though,fortunately,theydon'tworryusasageneralthing.Ididn'tworryatall,butsatthere

bymyself,whilesomeofmyfellow-passengerstookaregular"constitutional"upanddownthedeck,andoverandoverit,untilthenervouswomanbelowinthecabin"blessedherstars,"andwishedherselfashore.

Ipreferredsittingandponderingoverthecloudthatseemedslowlytorisefromthesea,assumingdefiniteandundeniableappearancesofland.

Iknewverywellwhatlanditmustbe:oneofagroupofislandseveryinchofwhichIhadtraversedwiththezealofyouthfulenthusiasm;but


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whichofthem,wasaquestionIalmostfearedtohaveanswered.Yet,whatdifferencecoulditmaketome!Thelandwasprovidentiallyinourcourse,butnotonourway-bill.Ifwewerewithingunshotofitsloveliestportion,wemustneedspassonasfrigidlyasthoughitwereCharybdis,orsomethingequallydreadful;andIbegantothinkitmightbesomethingofthesort,becauseofitsbesettingtemptations.

Ofcoursetherewasnodoubtastothecertaintyofitsbeingland,whenwewentdowntosupper;andatsunsetweknewthedarkspotswerevalleys,andthebrightoneshills.Ifanciedahundredbronze-huedfaceswereturnedtowardus,asweseemedtotwinkleawayoffintheirsunsetsealikeafallenstar,orsomethingofthatsort.IthoughtIcouldalmostheartheseabeatinguponthecrustsofthereefinthetwilight;butperhapsIdidn't,forthelandwasmilesaway,andnighthiditpresently,whiletheoldsolitudeoftheoceanimpressedusallasthoughwewereagaininthemidstofitsunbroken,circularwastes.Thentheyplayedwhistinthecabin,--allbutme.Ihungovertheship'sside,resolvedtowatchallnightforthelightsonshore,--theflickeringwatch-firesinthemountaincamps;forIknewIshouldseethem,aswewereboundtopasstheislandbeforemorning.

Thenightwasintenselydark;cloudsmuffledthestars,andnotasparkoflightwasvisibleinanydirectionoverthewaters.AshowercouldeasilyhavequenchedthebeaconsIwasseeking,andmyvigilsoonbecame

tedious;sopresentlyIfollowedtheothersandturnedin,ratherdisconsolateanddisgusted.

Towardmidnightthewindfellrapidly,andwithinhalfanhourwefoundourselvesinadeadcalm,whenthemoanofthebreakerswasquiteaudibleonourstarboardquarter.TheCaptainwasnervousandwatchful;thecurrentsinthechannelwerestrong,andhesaw,bythevariationinthecompass,thatthevesselwasbeingwhirledinagreatcirclearoundapointoftheisland.

Fortunatelyitbegantogetlightbeforethedangergrewimminent.Atthreeo'clockwewerewithinsoundings,andshortlyafterweplumpedtheanchorintotheroughcoralatthebottomofaprettylittleharbour,

where,theCaptaininformedus,wemustridealldayandgetoutwiththelandbreeze,thatwouldprobablycomedownatnight.Irushedupinthegreydawn,andbentmygazeupontheshore.IthinkImusthaveturnedpale,ortrembledalittle,ordonesomethingsensationalandappropriate,thoughnooneobservedit;whereatIwasratherglad,onthewhole,fortheycouldnothaveunderstooditifIhaddonemybesttoexplain,--whichIhadnottheleastideaofdoing,however,foritwasnoneoftheiraffair.

IknewthatplacethemomentIsawit,--theveryspotofallImostdesiredtosee;andIresolved,inmysecretsoul,togoashore,thereandthen;amicablyifImight,forciblyifImust.

TheCaptainwasnotover-genialthatmorningeither;hehateddetention,andwasatriflenervousaboutbeingtiedupundertheleeofthelandfortwelveortwentyhours.Sohegrowledifanyoneapproachedhimallthatday,andpositivelyrefusedtoallowtheship'sboattobetouched,unlesswedriftedupontherocks,broadside,--which,heseemedtothink,wasnotentirelyoutofthequestion.Iwassuretherewouldbeacanoe--perhapsseveral--alongsidebysunrise;soIsaidnothing,butwaitedinsilence,determinedtodesertwhenthetimecame;andtheCaptainmightwhistlemebackifhecould.


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Presentlythetimecame.Wewererockingeasilyontheswell,directlytotheeastwardofadeepvalley.Theskywasruddy;theairfreshandinvigorating,butsoftasthegalesofParadise.Wewereinthetropics.Youwouldhaveknownitwithyoureyesshut;thewholewonderfulatmosphereconfessedit.But,withyoureyesopen,thosewhitebirds,sailinglikesnow-flakesthroughtheimmaculateblueheavens,withtail-featherslikeourpennant;thefloatinggardensofthesea,throughwhichwehadbeenruthlesslyploughingforacoupleofdaysback;thegorgeoussunrisesandsunsets,--allwereproofspositiveofourlatitude.

Whatasunriseitwasonthatmorning!YetIstoodwithmybacktoit,lookingwest;forthereIsaw,firstly,thefoamonthereef--ascrimsonasblood--fallingoverthewine-stainedwaves;thenitchangedasthesunascended,likecloudsofgoldenpowder,indescribablymagnificent,shakenandscattereduponthesilversnow-driftsofthecoralreef,dazzlingtobehold,andcontinuallychanging.

Beyondit,inthestillwater,wasreflectedalong,narrowstripofbeach;aboveit,greenpasturesandumbrageousgroves,withnativehuts,likegreatbirds'-nests,halfhiddenamongthem;andtheweird,slender,cocoa-palmswerethere,--thoseexclamation-pointsinthepoetryoftropiclandscape.Allthislayslumberingsecurelybetweenhighwallsofverdure;whileattheupperend,wherethevalleywaslikeanicheset

inthegreenandgloriousmountains,twowaterfallsfloateddownwardlikesmoke-columnsonaheavymorning.Angelsandministersofgrace!doyou,inyourairyperambulations,visithauntsmorelovelythanthis?--aslovelyasthatundiscoveredcountryfromwhosebournethetravellerwouldrathernotlookback,premisingthatthetravellerwereassingularlyconstitutedasIam;whichis,peradventure,notprobable.

Theyknewitwasmorningalmostassoonaswedid,thoughtheylivedafewfurlongsfartherwest,andhadnonotionoftheimmediateproximityofastrangecraft,--bynomeansrakishinherrig,however;onlyasimplemerchantman,boundforAucklandfromSanFrancisco,butthevictimofcircumstances,and,inconsequence,tiedtothebottomoftheseawhenhalf-wayover.

Theyknewitwasmorning.Isawthemswarmingoutoftheirgrassynests,brown,sleek-limbed,andnaked.Theyregardedwithamazementourfloatinghome.Thenewsspread,andthegrovesweresuddenlypeopledwithmydearbarbarians,whohatecivilizationalmostasmuchasIdo,andarecertainlyquiteasidolatrousandindolentasIeveraspiretobe.

Iturnedmypalmsoutwardtowardthem;Iliftedupmyvoice,andcried,"Hail,mybrothers!Wehastenwiththemorning;wefollowafterthesun.Greetingstoyou,dwellersintheWest!"

Nobodyheardme.Ilookedagain.Downtheycameupontheshore,wading

intothesea.Thensuchacarnivalastheycelebratedintheshallowwaterwasanoveltyforsomeofmycabinfriends;butIknewallaboutit.I'ddonethesamethingoftenenoughmyself,whenIwasyoung,andfree,andinnocent,andsavage.Iknewtheywereaskingthemselvesathousandquestionsastooursuddenappearanceintheirseas,andwouldratherliketoknowwhowewere,andwhereweweregoing,butscornedtoaskus.Theyhadonceortwicebeenvisitedbythesamesortofwhitish-lookingpeople,andtheyhadfoundthosecolourlessfacesuncivil,andthebleached-outskinsbynomeanstobetrustedwiththosewhomtheyconsideredtheirinferiors.Theydidn'tknowthatitisoneof


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theThirty-nineArticlesofCivilizationtobullyone'swaythroughtheworld.ThenIprayedthattheymightbemovedtosendoutacanoe,sothatIcoulddebarkandgoinlandfortheday.Iprayedveryearnestly,andoutshecame,--oneoftheirtiny,fragilecanoes,lookinglikeadesertedchrysalis,withtheinvisiblewingsofthespiritual,tutelarybutterflywaftingitoverthewaves.Inthischrysalisdug-outsatatoughlittlebody,withacurlyhead,whichIrecognizedinaminuteasbelongingtoaoncefriendandcomradeinmydelightfulexile,whenIwasasuccessfulprodigal,andwastedmysubstanceinthemoststartlingandeffectualmanner,andenjoyeditagreatdealbetterthanifIhadkeptitinthebank,astheyadvisedmetodo.Onhecame,beatingtheseawithhisbroadpaddle,alternatelybyeithersideofthecanoe,andregardinguswithacommendabledegreeofsuspicion.Igreetedhiminhispeculiardialect.Thegiftoftonguesseemedsuddenlytohavedescendeduponme,forIfoundlittledifficultyinsayingeverythingIwantedtosay,inaremarkablybriefspaceoftime.

"Hail,littlefriend!"saidI;"greatlovetoyou.Howisitonshorenow?"

Herepliedthatitwasdecidedlyniceonshorenow,andthathisloveformewasasmuchasmineforhim,andmoretoo,andthatconsequentlyhewaspreparedtoconductmethither,regardlessofexpense.

Iwentwiththatlovelyboyonshore.TheCaptaincouldnotresistmypersuasiveappealsforashortleaveofabsence,andsoIwent.Perhapsitwouldnothavebeenadvisableforhimtohavesuppressedme;andhemadeacourteousvirtueofnecessity.

Ihadleavetostoptillevening,unlessIheardasignalgun,uponhearingwhichIwastoreturnimmediatelyonboard,orsuffertheconsequences.

Now,Iamfreetoconfess,thattheconsequencesdidn'tappalmeasweswungofffromthevessel,whereIhadbeenanuneasyprisonerformanydays;andIfelltochattingwithNiga,myduskyfriend,inasortofdesperatejoy.

Nigawasaregulartrump.Hehadmorethanoncepiledonhorsebackbehindme,inthesweetdayswhenweusedtoridedouble,--yea,andeventreble,ifnecessary.Therewasusuallyagreatdealmoreboythanhorseonthepremises;hencethisquestionableeconomyinourcavalryregulations.Nigatoldmemanythingsaswedrewnearthereef:hetalkedofnearlyeverybodyandeverything;butofallthathetoldme,hesaidnothingoftheoneImostlongedtohearabout.Yet,somehoworother,Icouldnotquitebringmyselftoaskhim,outandout,thisquestion.Youknow,sometimesitishardtoshapewordsjustasyouwantthemshaped,andthequestionisneveraskedinconsequence.

Thereefwasgrowlingtremendously.Weweredrawingnearertoitevery

moment.Ithoughtthechanceswereagainstus;butNigawasself-possessed,andashehadcrosseditoncethatmorning,andinthemoredangerousdirectionofthetwo,--thatis,againstthegrainofthewaves,--Iconcludedtherewasnospecialneedofmymakingascene;andinthenextmomentwewerepoisedonaterrificcataractofglitteringandrushingbreakers,snatchedupandheldtremblinginmid-air,withthecanoehalffilledwithwater,andIperfectlyblindwithspray.

Itwasamemorablemomentinaveryshortvoyage;andthegeneralverdictonboardship,wheretheywerewatchinguswithsomeinterest,


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was,thatitservedmeright.

Whenmyeyeswereoncemorefreeofthewater,Ifoundmyselfinthemidstofthenatives,whohadbeenwaitingjustinsideofthereeftoreceiveus;and,astheyrecognizedme,theylaidahandonthecanoe,asmanyascouldcrowdaboutit,fairlyliftingitoutofthewateronourwaytotheshore,allthewhilewailingatthetopoftheirvoicestheirmournfulanddesolatewail.

Itwasimpossibleformetodecidewhetherthatchantoftheirswasanexpressionofjoyorsorrow;thenatureofitispreciselythesame,ineithercase.

Sowewentonshoreinourlittletriumphalprocession,andthereIwasembracedinaveryemphaticmannerbysavagesofeveryconceivablesex,age,andcolour.Havingmutelysubmittedtotheirgenuineexpressionsoflove,Iwasconducted--awillingandbewilderedcaptive--alongthebeach,aroundthelittlepointthatseparatestheriverfromthesea,andthencebytheriver-banktothehouseIknewsowell.IbelieveIlookedateveryduskyfaceinthatassemblage,twoorthreetimesover,butsawnottheoneIsought.

Whatcoulditmean?Washehuntinginthemountains,orfishingbeyondtheheadland,orsick,orinprison,thathecamenottogreetme?

Surely,somethinghadbefallenhim,--somethingseriousandunusual,--orhewouldhavebeenthefirsttowelcomemehometobarbarism!

Astrangedreadcloudedmymind:itincreasedandmultipliedaswepassedontowardthehousethathadbeenhometome.Then,havingledmetotheouterdoor,thepeopleallsatthereupontheground,andbeganwailingpiteously.

Ihastilycrossedthenarrowouterroom,liftedtheplaitedcurtain,andenteredtheinnerchamber,whereIhadspentmystrange,wildholidaylongmonthsbefore.

Ilookedearnestlyaboutme,whilemyeyesgraduallybecamefamiliar

withthedulllight.Nothingseemedchanged.Icouldpointatoncetoalmosteveryarticleintheroom.ItseemedbutyesterdaythatIhadstolenawayfromtheminthegreydawn,andrepentedmydesertiontoolate.

Isoongrewaccustomedtothesombrelightoftheroom.Isawsittingaboutme,inthecorners,bowedfigures,withtheirfaceshiddeningrief.Therewasnolongeranydoubtastothenatureoftheiremotion.Itwasgriefthathadstrickenthehousehold,andthegriefthatdeathaloneoccasions.Icountedeveryfigureintheroom;Irecognizedeach,thesamethatIhadknownwhenIdweltamongthem:healonewasabsent.

Idon'tknowwhatpossessedmeatthatmoment.Ifeltanalmost

uncontrollabledesiretolaugh,asthoughitweresome_masque_gottenupformyamusement.ThenIwishedtheywouldceasetheirmasking,forIfelttoomiserabletolaugh.ThenIwasutterlyatalosstoknowwhattodo;soIwalkedtotheold-fashionedbed--ourold-fashionedbed--inthecorner,lookingjustasitusedto.Ithinkthesameoldspiderwastherestill,clingingtothecanopy;theverysameoldfellow,inhisharlequintights,thatweusedtowatch,andtalkabout,andwonderwhathewasthinkingof,tostopsostill,dayafterday,andweekafterweek,upthereonthecanopy.Ithrewmyselfupontheedgeofthebed,myfeetrestinguponthefloor;andthereItriedtothinkofeverything


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butthatonedreadfulrealitythatwouldassertitself,inspiteofmyeffortstodenyit.

Wherewasmyfriend?Wherecouldhebe,thatthese,hisfriends,weresobowedwithsorrow?Thequestioninvolvedarevelation,alreadyanticipatedinmymind.ThatrevelationIdreadedasIwoulddreadmyowndeath-sentence.Butitcameatlast.Awomanwhohadbeenhumblingherselfinthedustmovedtowardmefromtheshadowthathalfconcealedher.Shedidnotrisetoherfeet;shewashalfrecliningonthematsofthefloor,herfeaturesveiledinthelong,blackhairofherrace.Onehandwasextendedtowardme,thentheother;thebodyfollowed;andsoshemoved,slowlyandpainfully,towardthebedside.

Itwashismother.Iknewherintuitively.Closetothebedshecame,andcrouchedbyme,uponthefloor.There,withonehandclaspedcloseovermine,theotherfloodedwithhercopioustears,andherforeheadbowedalmosttothefloor,shepouredforththemeasureofherwoe.Themomenthervoicewasheard,thoseoutofthehouseceasedwailing,andseemedtobelisteningtotheelegyofthebereaved.

Hervoicewashuskywithgrief,brokenagainandagainwithsobs.Iseemedtounderstandperfectlythenatureofherstory,thoughmyknowledgeofthedialectwasverydeficient.

Themother'ssoulwasquickenedwithherpathetictheme.Thefrenzyofthepoetinspiredherlips.Itwasanepicshewaschanting,celebratingthecareerofherboy-hero.Shetoldofhisbirth,andwonderfulchildhood;ofhisbeautifulstrength;ofhissublimeaffection,andthefriendithadbroughthimfromoverthewater.

Shereferredfrequentlytoourformerassociations,andseemedtodelightindwellinguponthem.Thencamethestoryofhisdeath,--thesaddestcantoofthemelancholywhole.

HowshallIeverforgivemyselftheselfishpleasureItookinstrivingtoremodelanimmortalsoul?WhatbusinesshadItotouchsosensitiveanorganism;susceptibleofinfiniteimpressions,butincapable,inits

prodigality,ofseparatinganddismissingtheevil,andretainingonlythegood,--thereforefitonlytoincreaseanddevelopinthesuitableatmospherewithwhichtheCreatorhadsurroundedit?

WhydidInotforeseetheclimax?

ImighthaveknownthatonerearedinthenurseryofNature,asfreetospeakandactastheverywindsofheaventoblowwhithertheylist,couldillsupportthemanaclesofourmodernproprieties.Ofwhatusetohimcouldbeaknowledgeoftheartificesofsociety?Simplyatemptationandasnare!

Whatwasthestoryofhisfate?Thathecamesafelyhome,rejoicingin

hisnaturalfreedom;thathecouldnotexpresshisdelightatfindinghomesopleasant;thathisdayswerespentintellingofthewonderfulthingshehadseen:moresectsthanthegodsoftheSouthSeas;moredoubtersthanbelievers;contradictions,andinsults,andsuspicionseverywhere.Theylaughedagain,whentheythoughtofus,andpitiedusallthewhile.

Buthisexhilarationworeoff,afteratime.Thencamethereaction.Arestlessness;anundefined,unsatisfiedlonging.Lifebecameaburden.Theseedofdissensionhadfalleninfreshandfallowsoil:itwasa


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souvenirofhissojournamongus.He,thechildofNature,mustnowfollowouttheartificialandhollowlifeoftheworld,ordieunsatisfied;forhecouldnotreturntohisoriginalsphereoftrustandcontentment.Hehadlearnedtodoubtallthings,asnaturallyasanyofus.

Fordayshemoanedinspirit,andwastroubled;nothingconsoledhim;hissoulwasbrokenofitsrest;hegrewdesperateandmelancholy.

Ibelievehewasdistractedwiththeproblemofsociety,andIcannotwonderatit.Oneday,whenhisconditionhadbecomenolongerendurable,hestoleofftoseainhiscanoe,thinking,perhaps,thathecouldreachthiscontinent,orsomeother;possiblyhopingneveragaintomeethumanfaces,forhecouldnottrustthem.

Itwashisheroicexitfromalifethatnolongerinterestedhim.Greatwastheastonishmentoftheislanders,wholookeduponhimasonepossessedoftheEvilSpirit,andspecialsacrificeswereofferedinhisbehalf;butthegodswereinexorable;and,afterseveraldaysuponthesolitarysea,ashadow,amote,driftedtowardthevalley,--acanoe,withafamishinganddeliriousvoyager,thatwaspresentlytossedandbrokeninthesurges;then,adarkbodyglistenedforamoment,wetwithspray,andsankforever,whiletheshiningcoralreefwasstainedwiththebloodofthefirst-born.

Ihearditallinthedesolatewailofthemother,yetcouldnotweep;myeyesburnedlikefire.

LittleNigacameformepresently,andledmeintothegreatgroveof_kamane_-trees,upthevalley.Heinsisteduponholdingmebythehand:itwasallhecoulddotocomfortme,andhedidthatwithhiswholesoul.

Insilencewepressedontooneofthelargestofthetrees.Irecognizeditatonce.NigaandI,oneday,wentthither,andIcutanameuponthesoftbarkofthetree.

Whenwereacheditwepaused.Nigapointedwithhisfinger;Ilooked.Itwasthereyet,--asimplename,carvedintherudestfashion.Ireadtheletters,whichhadsincebecomeanepitaph.Theywerethese:--

"KNA-AN,_t.16yrs._"

Underthemwerethreeinitials,--myown,--cutbythehandofKna-an,afterhisreturnfromAmerica.

Wesatdowninthegloomygrove."Tellme,"Isaid,"tellme,Niga,wherehashisspiritgone?"

"Heishere,now,"saidNiga;"hecanseeus.Perhaps,someday,we

shallseehim."

"Youhavemorefaiththanourphilosophers,fortheyhavereasonedthemselvesoutofeverything.Wouldyouliketobeaphilosopher,Niga?"Iasked.

Nigathought,iftheyweregoingtodie,bodyandsoul,thathewouldn'tliketobeanythingofthesort,andthathehadratherbeafirst-classsavagethanafourth-rateChristian,anyday.


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Iinterruptedhimatthisalarmingassertion."Thephilosopherswouldcallyourfaithasuperstition,Niga;theydonotrealizethatthereisnotruefaithunmixedwithsuperstition,sincefaithimpliesabeliefinsomethingunseen,andis,therefore,itselfasuperstition.Blessedisthemanwhobelievesblindly,--callitwhatyouplease,--forpeaceshalldwellinhissoul.But,Niga,"Icontinued,"whereisGod?"

"Here,andhere,andhere,"saidNiga,pointingmetoagrotesquecarvinginthesacredgrove,toamonumentuponthedistantprecipice,andtoaheapofrocksinthesea;andthesmileofrecognitionwithwhichthelittlevotarygreetedhisidolswasasolemnproofofhissincerity.

"Niga,"Isaid,"wecallyouandyourkindheathens.Itisaharmlessanathema,whichcannot,intheleast,affectyoupersonally.AskusifweloveGod!Ofcoursewedo.DoweloveHimaboveallthings,animateorinanimate?Undoubtedly!Undoubtedlyiseasilysaid,andletusgiveourselvescreditforsomehonesty.WebelievethatwedoloveGodaboveall;thatwehavenoothergodsbeforeHim;yet,whoofuswillgiveupwealth,home,friends,andfollowHim?Notone!TheGodweloveisaveryvague,invisible,forbearingessence.HecanaffordtobelenientwithuswhilewearedebatingwhetherourneighbourisservingHimintherightfashion,ornot.We'drathernothaveothergodsbeforeHim:oneisasmanyaswefinditconvenienttoserve.Theloverkisses

passionatelyaminiature.Itisnot,however,animageofhisCreator,noranymemorialofhisRedeemer'spassion,butonlyaportraitofhismistress.Doyoublameus,Niga?Itisthestrongestinstinctofournaturetoworshipsomething.Manisabornidolater,andnotoneofusisexemptedbyreasonofanyscruplesunderthesun.Youseeitdailyandhourly:eachonehashisidols."

LittleNiga,whosympathizeddeeplywithme,seemedtohavegottensomeknowledgeofourpeculiarlymixedtheoriesconcerningGodandthefuturestate,fromconversationsoverheardafterthereturnofKna-an.HetriedtoconsolemewiththeassurancethatKna-andiedadevotedandunshakenadherenttothefaithofhisfathers.

Icouldn'tbutfeelthathisbloodwasoffmyhandswhenIlearnedthis;andIbelieveIgaveNigaaregularhuginthatmomentofjoy.

Thenwewalkedhereandthere,throughthevalley,andvisitedtheoldhaunts,madememorablebymanyincidentsinthatromanticandchivalrouslifeoftheSouth.EveryonewemethadsomewordtoaddconcerningthePrideoftheValley,deadinhisgloriousyouth.

Overandover,theyassuredmeofhisfidelitytome,hiswhitebrother,addingthatKna-anhad,morethanonce,expressedthedeepestregretatnothavingbroughtmebackwithhim.

Heevenmeditatedsendingforme,inthesamemannerthatIhadsentfor

him;and,ifhehaddoneso,itwashispurposetoseethatIwasatoncemadefamiliarwiththeirArticlesofFaith;forheanticipatedawillingconvertinme,anditwasthedesireofhisheartthatIshouldknowthatperfecttrust,peculiartohispeople,andwhichisbegottenofthebriefgospel,sooftenquotedoutofplace:namely,that"seeingisbelieving."

Itwasakindthoughtofhis,andIwishhehadcarrieditintoexecution,forthenhemighthavelived.Itwashissusceptiblenaturethathadcomeincontactwiththegreatworld,andreceivedits


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death-wound.HadIbeentheretohelphim,Iwouldhaveplannedsomethingtodiverthisminduntilhehadrecoveredhimself,andwaswillingtosubmittothemonotonyoflifeoveryonder.Hadhenotdoneasmuchforme?Hadhenotstriven,dayafterday,tocharmmewithhisbarbarism,andcomeveryneartosuccess?Ishouldsayhehad.Dearlittlemartyr!washenottheonlyboyIevertrulyloved,--deadnowinhisblossomingprime!

OKna-an!LittleNigaandIsattalkingofyou,downbythesea,andweweptforyouatlast;forthetearscameby-and-by,whenIbegantofullyrealizethegreatnessofmyloss.Allyouryouth,andbeauty,andfreshness,indestruction,andyourbodyswallowedupinthegravesofthesea!

Themeridiansunblazedoverhead,butitmadelittledifferencetous.Afternoonpassed,andeveningwascomingonalmostunheeded;forourthoughtswereburiedwithhim,underthewaves,andlifewasnothingtous,then.

Inolongercaredtoobservethelightsandshadowsonthecliffs,northepoppynoddinginthewind,northeseawardprospect:thatwasspoiledbyourvessel,--theseclusionwasbrokeninupon.Icaredfornothinganylonger,forImissedeverywherehisstep,patientandfaithfulasadog's,andhismarvellousface,thatcouldlooksteadily

atthesunwithoutwinking,anddelugeitselfwithlaughterallthewhile,fortherewasnothinghiddenorcorruptinginit.

PresentlyIreturnedintothesacredgrove,touchingthethreelettershehadcarvedthere,andcallingonhisspirittoregardmeasrespectinghisdumbidols,whichwerenothingbuttherepresentativesofhisjealousgods,--deartohimastheGardenofGethsemane,theMountofOlives,andtheshiningsummitsofCalvarytous.ThendownIrantothebathing-pools,andfromplacet

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Stoddard - Summer Cruising in the South Seas (Public Domain)