Typee....................................................................................................................................................................1

Herman Melville......................................................................................................................................1

MORE than three years have elapsed since the occurrence of the events recorded in this volume. The interval,

with the exception of the last few months, has been chiefly spent by the author tossing about on the wide

ocean. Sailors are the only class of men who nowadays see anything like stirring adventure; and many

things which to fireside people appear strange and romantic, to them seem as commonplace as a jacket out

at elbows. Yet, notwithstanding the familiarity of sailors with all sorts of curious adventure, the incidents

recorded in the following pages have often served, when "spun as a yarn," not only to relieve the weariness of

many a nightwatch at sea, but to excite the warmest sympathies of the author's shipmates. He has been,

therefore, led to think that his story could scarcely fail to interest those who are less familiar than the sailor

In his account of the singular and interesting people among whom he was thrown, it will be observed that he

chiefly treats of their more obvious peculiarities; and, in describing their customs, refrains in most cases from

entering into explanations concerning their origin and purposes. As writers of travels among barbarous

communities are generally very diffuse on these subjects, he deems it right to advert to what may be

considered a culpable omission. No one can be more sensible than the author of his deficiencies in this and

many other respects; but when the very peculiar circumstances in which he was placed are understood, he

In very many published narratives no little degree of attention is bestowed upon dates; but as the author lost

all knowledge of the days of the week, during the occurrence of the scenes herein related, he hopes that the

In the Polynesian words used in this volume except in those cases where the spelling has been previously

determined by others that form of orthography has been employed which might be supposed most easily to

convey their sound to a stranger. In several works descriptive of the islands in the Pacific, many of the most

beautiful combinations of vocal sounds have been altogether lost to the ear of the reader by an overattention

There are some things related in the narrative which will be sure to appear strange, or perhaps entirely

incomprehensible, to the reader; but they cannot appear more so to him than they did to the author at the time.

He has stated such matters just as they occurred, and leaves every one to form his own opinion concerning

them, trusting that his anxious desire to speak the unvarnished truth will gain for him the confidence of his

SIX months at sea! Yes, reader, as I live, six months out of sight of land; cruising after the sperm whale

beneath the scorching sun of the Line, and tossed on the billows of the widerolling Pacific the sky above,

the sea around, and nothing else! Weeks and weeks ago our fresh provisions were all exhausted. There is not

a sweet potato left; not a sweet potato left; not a single yam. Those glorious bunches of bananas which once

decorated our stern and quarterdeck, have, alas, disappeared! and the delicious oranges which hung

suspended from our tops and stays they, too, are gone! Yes, they are all departed, and there is nothing left us

Oh! for a refreshing glimpse of one blade of grass for a snuff at the fragrance of a handful of the loamy

earth! Is there nothing fresh around us? Is there no green thing to be seen? Yes, the inside of our bulwarks is

painted green; but what a vile and sickly hue it is, as if nothing bearing even the semblance of verdure could

flourish this weary way from land. Even the bark that once clung to the wood we use for fuel has been

gnawed off and devoured by the captain's pig; and so long ago, too, that the pig himself has in turn been

There is but one solitary tenant in the chickencoop, once a gay and dapper young cock, bearing him so

bravely among the coy hens. But look at him now; there he stands, moping all the day long on that

everlasting one leg of his. He turns with disgust from the mouldy corn before him, and the brackish water in

his little trough. He mourns no doubt his lost companions, literally snatched from him one by one, and never

seen again. But his days of mourning will be few; for Mungo, our black cook, told me yesterday that the word

had at last gone forth, and poor Pedro's fate was sealed. His attenuated body will be laid out upon the

captain's table next Sunday, and long before night will be buried, with all the usual ceremonies, beneath that

worthy individual's vest. Who would believe that there could be any one so cruel as to long for the

decapitation of the luckless Pedro; yet the sailors pray every minute, selfish fellows, that the miserable fowl

may be brought to his end. They say the captain will never point the ship for the land so long as he has in

anticipation a mess of fresh meat. This unhappy bird can alone furnish it; and when he is once devoured, the

Peter; captain will come to his senses. I wish thee no harm, Peter; but as thou art doomed, sooner or later, to

meet the fate of all thy race; and if putting a period to thy existence is to be the signal for our deliverance,

why truth to speak I wish thy throat cut this very moment; for, oh! how I wish to see the living earth again!

The old ship herself longs to look out upon the land from her hawseholes once more; and Jack Lewis said

"Why, d'ye see, Captain Vangs," says bold Jack, "I'm as good a helmsman as ever put hand to spoke; but

none of us can steer the old lady now. We can't keep her full and bye, sir: watch her ever so close, she will

fall off; and then, sir, when I put the helm down so gently, and try like to coax her to the work, she won't take

it kindly, but will fall round off again; and it's all because she knows the land is under the lee, sir, and she

won't go any more to windward." Ay, and why should she, Jack? didn't every one of her stout timbers grow

Poor old ship! Her very looks denote her desires: how deplorable she appears! The paint on her sides, burnt

up by the scorching sun, is puffed out and cracked. See the weeds she trails along with her, and what an

unsightly bunch of these horrid barnacles has formed about her sternpiece; and every time she shows her

Poor old ship! I say again: for six months she has been rolling and pitching about, never for one moment at

rest. But courage, old lass, I hope to see thee soon within a biscuit's toss of the merry land, riding snugly at

"Hurrah, my lads! It's a settled thing; next week we shape our course to the Marquesas!" The Marquesas!

What strange visions of outlandish things does the very name spirit up! Lovely houris cannibal banquets

groves of cocoanuts coral reefs tattooed chiefs and bamboo temples; sunny valleys planted with

breadfruit trees carved canoes dancing on the flashing blue waters savage woodlands guarded by horrible

Such were the strangely jumbled anticipations that haunted me during our passage from the cruising ground. I

felt an irresistible curiosity to see those islands which the olden voyagers had so glowingly described.

The group for which we were now steering (although among the earliest of European discoveries in the South

Seas, having been first visited in the year 1595) still continues to be tenanted by beings as strange and

barbarous as ever. The missionaries, sent on a heavenly errand, had sailed by their lovely shores, and had

abandoned them to their idols of wood and stone. How interesting the circumstances under which they were

discovered! In the watery path of Mendanna, cruising in quest of some region of gold, these isles had sprung

up like a scene of enchantment, and for a moment the Spaniard believed his bright dream was realized. In

honour of the Marquess de Mendoza, then viceroy of Peru under whose auspices the navigator sailed he

bestowed upon them the name which denoted the rank of his patron, and gave to the world, on his return, a

vague and magnificent account of their beauty. But these islands, undisturbed for years, relapsed into their

previous obscurity; and it is only recently that anything has been known concerning them. Once in the course

of a half century, to be sure, some adventurous rover would break in upon their peaceful repose, and,

astonished at the unusual scene, would be almost tempted to claim the merit of a new discovery.

Of this interesting group, but little account has ever been given, if we except the slight mention made of them

in the sketches of South Sea voyages. Cook, in his repeated circumnavigations of the globe, barely touched at

Within the last few years, American and English vessels engaged in the extensive whale fisheries of the

Pacific have occasionally, when short of provisions, put into the commodious harbour which there is in one

of the islands; but a fear of the natives, founded on the recollection of the dreadful fate which many white

men have received at their hands, has deterred their crews from intermixing with the population sufficiently

to gain any insight into their peculiar customs and manners. Indeed, there is no duster of islands in the Pacific

that has been any length of time discovered, of which so little has hitherto been known as the Marquesas, and

it is a pleasing reflection that this narrative of mine will do something towards withdrawing the veil from

I CAN never forget the eighteen or twenty days during which the light tradewinds were silently sweeping us

towards the islands. In pursuit of the sperm whale, we had been cruising on the Line some twenty degrees to

the westward of the Gallipagos; and all that we had to do, when our course was determined on, was to square

in the yards and keep the vessel before the breeze, and then the good ship and the steady gale did the rest

between them. The man at the wheel never vexed the old lady with any superfluous steering, but comfortably

adjusting his limbs at the tiller, would doze away by the hour. True to her work, the Dolly headed to her

course, and like one of those characters who always do best when let alone, she jogged on her way like a

What a delightful, lazy, languid time we had whilst we were thus gliding along! There was nothing to be

done; a circumstance that happily suited our disinclination to do anything. We abandoned the forepeak

altogether, and spreading an awning over the forecastle, slept, ate, and lounged under it the livelong day.

Every one seemed to be under the influence of some narcotic. Even the officers aft, whose duty required them

never to be seated while keeping a deck watch, vainly endeavoured to keep on their pins; and were obliged

invariably to compromise the matter by leaning up against the bulwarks, and gazing abstractedly over the

side. Reading was out of the question; take a book in your hand, and you were asleep in an instant.

Although I could not avoid yielding in a great measure to the general languor, still at times I contrived to

shake off the spell, and to appreciate the beauty of the scene around me. The sky presented a clear expanse of

the most delicate blue, except along the skirts of the horizon, where you might see a thin drapery of pale

clouds which never varied their form or colour. The long, measured, dirgelike swell of the Pacific came

rolling along, with its surface broken by little tiny waves, sparkling in the sunshine. Every now and then a

shoal of flying fish, scared from the water under the bows, would leap into the air, and fall the next moment

like a shower of silver into the sea. Then you would see the superb albicore, with his glittering sides, sailing

aloft, and after describing an arc in his descent, disappear on the surface of the water. Far off, the lofty jet of

the whale might be seen, and nearer at hand the prowling shark, that villanous footpad of the seas, would

come skulking along, and, at a wary distance, regard us with an evil eye. At times, some shapeless monster of

the deep, floating on the surface, would, as we approached, sink slowly into the blue waters, and fade away

from the sight. But the most impressive feature of the scene was the almost unbroken silence that reigned

over sky and water. Scarcely a sound could be heard but the occasional breathing of the grampus, and the

As we drew nearer the land, I hailed with delight the appearance of innumerable seafowl. Screaming and

whirling in spiral tracks, they would accompany the vessel, and at times alight on our yards and stays. That

piraticallooking fellow, appropriately named the manofwar'shawk, with his bloodred bill and raven

plumage, would come sweeping round us in gradually diminishing circles, till you could distinctly mark the

strange flashings of his eye; and then, as if satisfied with his observation, would sail up into the air and

disappear from the view. Soon, other evidences of our vicinity to the land were apparent, and it was not long

before the glad announcement of its being in sight was heard from aloft, given with that peculiar

The captain, darting on deck from the cabin, bawled lustily for his spyglass; the mate in still louder accents

hailed the masthead with a tremendous "Whereaway?" The black cook thrust his woolly head from the

galley, and Boatswain, the dog, leaped up between the knightheads, and barked most furiously. Land ho! Ay,

there it was. A hardly perceptible blue irregular outline, indicating the bold contour of the lofty heights of

This island, although generally called one of the Marquesas, is by some navigators considered as forming one

of a distinct cluster, comprising the islands of Roohka, Ropo, and Nukuheva; upon which three the

appellation of the Washington Group has been bestowed. They form a triangle, and lie within the parallels of

8 deg. 38' and 9 deg. 32' south latitude, and 139 deg. 20' and 140 deg. 10' west longitude, from Greenwich.

With how little propriety they are to be regarded as forming a separate group will be at once apparent, when it

is considered that they lie in the immediate vicinity of the other islands, that is to say, less than a degree to the

northwest of them; that their inhabitants speak the Marquesan dialect, and that their laws, religion, and

general customs are identical. The only reason why they were ever thus arbitrarily distinguished, may be

attributed to the singular fact, that their existence was altogether unknown to the world until the year 1791,

when they were discovered by Captain Ingraham, of Boston, Massachusetts, nearly two centuries after the

discovery of the adjacent islands by the agent of the Spanish Viceroy. Notwithstanding this, I shall follow the

example of most voyagers, and treat of them as forming part and parcel of the Marquesas.

Nukuheva is the most important of these islands, being the only one at which ships are much in the habit of

touching, and is celebrated as being the place where the adventurous Captain Porter refitted his ships during

the late war between England and the United States, and whence he sallied out upon the large whaling fleet

then sailing under the enemy's flag in the surrounding seas. This island is about twenty miles in length, and

nearly as many in breadth. It has three good harbours on its coast, the largest and best of which is called by

the people living in its vicinity, "Tyohee," and by Captain Porter was denominated Massachusetts Bay.

Among the adverse tribes dwelling about the shores of the other bays, and by all voyagers, it is generally

known by the name bestowed upon the island itself Nukuheva. Its inhabitants have become somewhat

corrupted, owing to their recent commerce with Europeans; but so far as regards their peculiar customs, and

general mode of life, they retain their original primitive character, remaining very nearly in the same state of

nature in which they were first beheld by white men. The hostile clans, residing in the more remote sections

of the island, and very seldom holding any communication with foreigners, are in every respect unchanged

In the bay of Nukuheva was the anchorage we desired to reach. We had perceived the loom of the mountains

about sunset; so that, after running all night with a very light breeze, we found ourselves close in with the

island the next morning; but as the bay we sought lay on its farther side, we were obliged to sail some

distance along the shore, catching, as we proceeded, short glimpses of blooming valleys, deep glens,

waterfalls, and waving groves, hidden here and there by projecting and rocky headlands, every moment

Those who for the first time visit the South Seas, generally are surprised at the appearance of the islands

when beheld from the sea. From the vague accounts we sometimes have of their beauty, many people are apt

to picture to themselves enamelled and softly swelling plains, shaded over with delicious groves, and watered

by purling brooks, and the entire country but little elevated above the surrounding ocean. The reality is very

different; bold rockbound coasts, with the surf beating high against the lofty cliffs, and broken here and

there into deep inlets, which open to the view thicklywooded valleys, separated by the spurs of mountains

clothed with tufted grass, and sweeping down towards the sea from an elevated and furrowed interior, form

Towards noon we drew abreast the entrance to the harbour, and at last we slowly swept by the intervening

promontory, and entered the bay of Nukuheva. No description can do justice to its beauty; but that beauty

was lost to me then, and I saw nothing but the tricoloured flag of France, trailing over the stern of six

vessels, whose black hulls, and bristling broadsides, proclaimed their warlike character. There they were,

floating in that lovely bay, the green eminences of the shore looking down so tranquilly upon them, as if

rebuking the sternness of their aspect. To my eye, nothing could be more out of keeping than the presence of

these vessels; but we soon learnt what brought them there. The whole group of islands had just been taken

possession of by RearAdmiral Du PetitThouars, in the name of the invincible French nation.

This item of information was imparted to us by a most extraordinary individual, a genuine South Sea

vagabond, who came alongside of us in a whaleboat as soon as we entered the bay, and, by the aid of some

benevolent persons at the gangway, was assisted on board, for our visitor was in that interesting stage of

intoxication when a man is amiable and helpless. Although he was utterly unable to stand erect, or to navigate

his body across the deck, he still magnanimously proffered his services to pilot the ship to a good and secure

anchorage. Our captain, however, rather distrusted his ability in this respect, and refused to recognise his

claim to the character he assumed; but our gentleman was determined to play his part, for, by dint of much

scrambling, he succeeded in getting into the weatherquarter boat, where he steadied himself by holding on

to a shroud, and then commenced issuing his commands with amazing volubility and very peculiar gestures.

Of course, no one obeyed his orders; but as it was impossible to quiet him, we swept by the ships of the

squadron with this strange fellow performing his antics in full view of all the French officers.

We afterwards learned that our eccentric friend had been a lieutenant in the English navy, but having

disgraced his flag by some criminal conduct in one of the principal ports on the main, he had deserted his

ship, and spent many years wandering among the islands of the Pacific, until accidentally being at Nukuheva

when the French took possession of the place, he had been appointed pilot of the harbour by the newly

As we slowly advanced up the bay, numerous canoes pushed off from the surrounding shores, and we were

soon in the midst of quite a flotilla of them, their savage occupants struggling to get aboard of us, and jostling

one another in their ineffectual attempts. Occasionally the projecting outriggers of their slight shallops,

running foul of one another, would become entangled beneath the water, threatening to capsize the canoes,

when a scene of confusion would ensue that baffles description. Such strange outcries and passionate

gesticulations I never certainly heard or saw before. You would have thought the islanders were on the point

of flying at one another's throats, whereas they were only amicably engaged in disentangling their boats.

Scattered here and there among the canoes might be seen numbers of cocoanuts floating closely together in

circular groups, and bobbing up and down with every wave. By some inexplicable means these cocoanuts

were all steadily approaching towards the ship. As I leaned curiously over die side, endeavouring to solve

their mysterious movements, one mass, far in advance of the rest, attracted my attention. In its centre was

something I could take for nothing else than a cocoanut, but which I certainly considered one of the most

extraordinary specimens of the fruit I had ever seen. It kept twirling and dancing about among the rest in the

most singular manner: and as it drew nearer, I thought it bore a remarkable resemblance to the brown shaven

skull of one of the savages. Presently it betrayed a pair of eyes, and soon I became aware that what I had

supposed to have been one of the fruit was nothing else than the head of an islander, who had adopted this

singular method of bringing his produce to market. The cocoanuts were all attached to one another by strips

of the husk, partly torn from the shell, and rudely fastened together. Their proprietor, inserting his head into

the midst of them, impelled his necklace of cocoanuts through the water by striking out beneath the surface

I was somewhat astonished to perceive that among the number of natives that surrounded us, not a single

female was to be seen. At that time I was ignorant of the fact that by the operation of the "taboo," the use of

canoes in all parts of the island is rigorously prohibited to the entire sex, for whom it is death even to be seen

entering one when hauled on shore; consequently, whenever a Marquesan lady voyages by water, she puts in

We had approached within a mile and a half perhaps of the foot of the bay, when some of the islanders, who

by this time had managed to scramble aboard of us at the risk of swamping their canoes, directed our

attention to a singular commotion in the water ahead of the vessel. At first I imagined it to be produced by a

shoal of fish sporting on the surface, but our savage friends assured us that it was caused by a shoal of

"whinhenies" (young girls), who in this manner were coming off from the shore to welcome us. As they drew

nearer, and I watched the rising and sinking of their forms, and beheld the uplifted right arm bearing above

the water the girdle of tappa, and their long dark confiding, they are easily led into every vice, and humanity

weeps over the ruin thus remorselessly inflicted upon them by their European civilizers. Thrice happy are

they who, inhabiting some yet undiscovered island in the midst of the ocean, have never been brought into

IT was in the summer of 1842, that we arrived at the islands. Our ship had not been many days in the harbour

of Nukuheva before I came to the determination of leaving her. That my reasons for resolving to take this

step were numerous and weighty, may be inferred from the fact that I chose rather to risk my fortunes among

the savages of the island than to endure another voyage on board the Dolly. To use the concise, pointblank

phrase of the sailors, I had made up my mind to "run away." Now, as a meaning is generally attached to these

two words no way flattering to the individual to whom they are applied, it behoves me, for the sake of my

When I entered on board the Dolly, I signed, as a matter of course, the ship's articles, thereby voluntarily

engaging and legally binding myself to serve in a certain capacity for the period of the voyage; and, special

considerations apart, I was of course bound to fulfil the agreement. But in all contracts, if one party fail to

perform his share of the compact, is not the other virtually absolved from his liability? Who is there who will

Having settled the principle, then, let me apply it to the particular case in question. In numberless instances

had not only the implied but the specified conditions of the articles been violated on the part of the ship in

which I served. The usage on board of her was tyrannical; the sick had been inhumanly neglected; the

provisions had been doled out in scanty allowance; and her cruises were unreasonably protracted. The captain

was the author of these abuses; it was in vain to think that he would either remedy them, or alter his conduct,

which was arbitrary and violent in the extreme. His prompt reply to all complaints and remonstrances was

the buttend of a handspike, so convincingly administered as effectually to silence the aggrieved party.

To whom could we apply for redress? We had left both law and equity on the other side of the Cape; and

unfortunately, with a very few exceptions, our crew was composed of a parcel of dastardly and meanspirited

wretches, divided among themselves, and only united in enduring without resistance the unmitigated tyranny

of the captain. It would have been mere madness for any two or three of the number, unassisted by the rest, to

attempt making a stand against his ill usage. They would only have called down upon themselves the

particular vengeance of this "Lord of the Plank," and subjected their shipmates to additional hardships.

But, after all, these things could have been endured awhile, had we entertained the hope of being speedily

delivered from them by the due completion of the term of our servitude. But what a dismal prospect awaited

us in this quarter! The longevity of Cape Horn whaling voyages is proverbial, frequently extending over a

Some longhaired, barenecked youths, who, forced by the united influences of a roving spirit and hard

times, embark at Nantucket for a pleasure excursion to the Pacific, and whose anxious mothers provide them

with bottled milk for the occasion, oftentimes return very respectable middleaged gentlemen.

The very preparations made for one of these expeditions are enough to frighten one. As the vessel carries out

no cargo, her hold is filled with provisions for her own consumption. The owners, who officiate as caterers

for the voyage, supply the larder with an abundance of dainties. Delicate morsels of beef and pork, cut on

scientific principles from every part of the animal, and of all conceivable shapes and sizes, are carefully

packed in salt, and stored away in barrels; affording a neverending variety in their different degrees of

toughness, and in the peculiarities of their saline properties. Choice old water too, decanted into stout

sixbarrel casks, and two pints of which is allowed every day to each soul on board; together with ample

store of seabread, previously reduced to a state of petrifaction, with a view to preserve it either from decay

or consumption in the ordinary mode, are likewise provided for the nourishment and gastronomic enjoyment

But not to speak of the quality of these articles of sailors' fare, the abundance in which they are put on board a

whaling vessel is almost incredible. Oftentimes, when we had occasion to break out in the hold, and I beheld

the successive tiers of casks and barrels, whose contents were all destined to be consumed in due course by

Although, as a general case, a ship unlucky in falling in with whales continues to cruise after them until she

has barely sufficient provisions remaining to take her home, turning round then quietly and making the best

of her way to her friends, yet there are instances when even this natural obstacle to the further prosecution of

the voyage is overcome by headstrong captains, who, bartering the fruits of their hardearned toils for a new

supply of provisions in some of the ports of Chili or Peru, begin the voyage afresh with unabated zeal and

perseverance. It is in vain that the owners write urgent letters to him to sail for home, and for their sake to

bring back the ship, since it appears he can put nothing in her. Not he. He has registered a vow: he will fill his

vessel with good sperm oil, or failing to do so, never again strike Yankee soundings.

I heard of one whaler, which after many years' absence was given up for lost. The last that had been heard of

her was a shadowy report of her having touched at some of those unstable islands in the far Pacific, whose

eccentric wanderings are carefully noted in each new edition of the South Sea charts. After a long interval,

however, the Perseverance for that was her name was spoken somewhere in the ends of the earth, cruising

along as leisurely as ever, her sails all bepatched and bequilted with ropeyarns, her spars fished with old

pipe staves, and her rigging knotted and spliced in every possible direction. Her crew was composed of some

twenty venerable Greenwichpensionerlooking old salts, who just managed to hobble about deck. The ends

of all the running ropes, with the exception of the signal halyards and poopdownhaul, were rove through

snatchblocks, and led to the capstan or windlass, so that not a yard was braced or a sail set without the

Her hull was encrusted with barnacles, which completely encased her. Three pet sharks followed in her wake,

and every day came alongside to regale themselves from the contents of the cook's bucket, which were

pitched over to them. A vast shoal of bonetas and albicores always kept her company.

Such was the account I heard of this vessel, and the remembrance of it always haunted me; what eventually

became of her I never learned; at any rate she never reached home, and I suppose she is still regularly tacking

twice in the twentyfour hours somewhere off Buggerry Island, or the Devil'sTail Peak.

Having said thus much touching the usual length of these voyages, when I inform the reader that ours had as

it were just commenced, we being only fifteen months out, and even at that time hailed as a late arrival, and

boarded for news, he will readily perceive that there was little to encourage one in looking forward to the

future, especially as I had always had a presentiment that we should make an unfortunate voyage, and our

I may here state, and on my faith as an honest man, that some time after arriving home from my adventures, I

learned that this vessel was still in the Pacific, and that she had met with very poor success in the fishery.

But to return to my narrative. Placed in these circumstances, then, with no prospect of matters mending if I

remained aboard the Dolly, I at once made up my mind to leave her; to be sure, it was rather an inglorious

thing to steal away privately from those at whose hands I had received wrongs and outrages that I could not

resent; but how was such a course to be avoided when it was the only alternative left me? Having made up

my mind, I proceeded to acquire all the information I could obtain relating to the island and its inhabitants,

with a view of shaping my plans of escape accordingly. The result of these inquiries I will now state, in order

The bay of Nukuheva, in which we were then lying, is an expanse of water not unlike in figure the space

included within the limits of a horseshoe. It is, perhaps, nine miles in circumference. You approach it from

the sea by a narrow entrance, flanked on either side by two small twin islets which soar conically to the

height of some five hundred feet. From these the shore recedes on both hands, and describes a deep

From the verge of the water the land rises uniformly on all sides, with green and sloping acclivities, until

from gently rolling hillsides and moderate elevations it insensibly swells into lofty and majestic heights,

whose blue outlines, ranged all around, close in the view. The beautiful aspect of the shore is heightened by

deep and romantic glens, which come down to it at almost equal distances, all apparently radiating from a

common centre, and the upper extremities of which are lost to the eye beneath the shadow of the mountains.

Down each of these little valleys flows a clear stream, here and there assuming the form of a slender cascade,

then stealing invisibly along until it bursts upon the sight again in larger and more noisy waterfalls, and at last

The houses of the natives, constructed of the yellow bamboo, tastefully twisted together in a kind of

wickerwork, and thatched with the long tapering leaves of the palmetto, are scattered irregularly along these

Nothing can exceed the imposing scenery of this bay. Viewed from our ship as she lay at anchor in the

middle of the harbour, it presented the appearance of a vast natural amphitheatre in decay, and overgrown

with vines, the deep glens that furrowed its sides appearing like enormous fissures caused by the ravages of

time. Very often when lost in admiration at its beauty, I have experienced a pang of regret that a scene so

enchanting should be hidden from the world in these remote seas, and seldom meet the eyes of devoted lovers

Besides this bay the shores of the island are indented by several other extensive inlets, into which descend

broad and verdant valleys. These are inhabited by as many distinct tribes of savages, who, although speaking

kindred dialects of a common language, and having the same religion and laws, have from time immemorial

waged hereditary warfare against each other. The intervening mountains, generally two or three thousand feet

above the level of the sea, geographically define the territories of each of these hostile tribes, who never cross

them, save on some expedition of war or plunder. Immediately adjacent to Nukuheva, and only separated

from it by the mountains seen from the harbour, lies the lovely valley of Happar, whose inmates cherish the

most friendly relations with the inhabitants of Nukuheva. On the other side of Happar, and closely adjoining

it, is the magnificent valley of the dreaded Typees, the unappeasable enemies of both these tribes.

These celebrated warriors appear to inspire the other islanders with unspeakable terrors. Their very name is a

frightful one; for the word "Typee" in the Marquesan dialect signifies a lover of human flesh. It is rather

singular that the tide should have been bestowed upon them exclusively, inasmuch as the natives of all this

group are irreclaimable cannibals. The name may, perhaps, have been given to denote the peculiar ferocity of

These same Typees enjoy a prodigious notoriety all over the islands. The natives of Nukuheva would

frequently recount in pantomime to our ship's company their terrible feats, and would show the marks of

wounds they had received in desperate encounters with them. When ashore they would try to frighten us by

pointing to one of their own number, and calling him a Typee, manifesting no little surprise that we did not

take to our heels at so terrible an announcement. It was quite amusing, too, to see with what earnestness they

disclaimed all cannibal propensities on their own part, while they denounced their enemies the Typees as

inveterate gormandizers of human flesh; but this is a peculiarity to which I shall hereafter have occasion to

Although I was convinced that the inhabitants of our bay were as arrant cannibals as any of the other tribes on

the island, still I could not but feel a particular and most unqualified repugnance to the aforesaid Typees.

Even before visiting the Marquesas, I had heard from men who had touched at the group on former voyages

some revolting stories in connexion with these savages; and fresh in my remembrance was the adventure of

the master of the Katherine, who only a few months previous, imprudently venturing into this bay in an

armed boat for the purpose of barter, was seized by the natives, carried back a little distance into their valley,

and was only saved from a cruel death by the intervention of a young girl, who facilitated his escape by night

I had heard, too, of an English vessel that many years ago, after a weary cruise, sought to enter the bay of

Nukuheva, and arriving within two or three miles of the land, was met by a large canoe filled with natives,

who offered to lead the way to the place of their destination. The captain, unacquainted with the localities of

the island, joyfully acceded to the proposition the canoe paddled on and the ship followed. She was soon

conducted to a beautiful inlet, and dropped her anchor in its waters beneath the shadows of the lofty shore.

That same night the perfidious Typees, who had thus inveigled her into their fatal bay, flocked aboard the

HAVING fully resolved to leave the vessel clandestinely, and having acquired all the knowledge concerning

the bay that I could obtain under the circumstances in which I was placed, I now deliberately turned over in

my mind every plan of escape that suggested itself, being determined to act with all possible prudence in an

attempt where failure would be attended with so many disagreeable consequences. The idea of being taken

and brought back ignominiously to the ship was so inexpressibly repulsive to me, that I was determined by no

I knew that our worthy captain, who felt such a paternal solicitude for the welfare of his crew, would not

willingly consent that one of his best hands should encounter the perils of a sojourn among the natives of a

barbarous island; and I was certain that in the event of my disappearance, his fatherly anxiety would prompt

him to offer, by way of a reward, yard upon yard of gaily printed calico for my apprehension. He might even

have appreciated my services at the value of a musket, in which case I felt perfectly certain that the whole

population of the bay would be immediately upon my track, incited by the prospect of so magnificent a

Having ascertained the fact before alluded to, that the islanders, from motives of precaution, dwelt together in

the depths of the valleys, and avoided wandering about the more elevated portions of the shore, unless bound

on some expedition of war or plunder, I concluded that if I could effect unperceived a passage to the

mountains, I might easily remain among them, supporting myself by such fruits as came in my way until the

sailing of the ship, an event of which I could not fall to be immediately apprized, as from my lofty position I

The idea pleased me greatly. It seemed to combine a great deal of practicability with no inconsiderable

enjoyment in a quiet way; for how delightful it would be to look down upon the detested old vessel from the

height of some thousand feet, and contrast the verdant scenery about me with the recollection of her narrow

decks and gloomy forecastle! Why? it was really refreshing even to think of it; and so I straightway fell to

picturing myself seated beneath a cocoanut tree on the brow of the mountain, with a cluster of plantains

within easy reach, criticizing her nautical evolutions as she was working her way out of the harbour.

To be sure there was one rather unpleasant drawback to these agreeable anticipations the possibility of

falling in with a foraging party of these same bloodyminded Typees, whose appetites, edged perhaps by the

air of so elevated a region, might prompt them to devour one. This, I must confess, was a most disagreeable

Just to think of a party of these unnatural gourmands taking it into their heads to make a convivial meal of a

poor devil, who would have no means of escape or defence: however, there was no help for it. I was willing

to encounter some risks in order to accomplish my object, and counted much upon my ability to elude these

prowling cannibals amongst the many coverts which the mountains afforded. Besides, the chances were ten to

I had determined not to communicate my design of withdrawing from the vessel to any of my shipmates, and

least of all to solicit any one to accompany me in my flight. But it so happened one night, that being upon

deck, revolving I over in my mind various plans of escape, I perceived one of the ship's company leaning

over the bulwarks, apparently plunged in a profound reverie. He was a young fellow about my own age, for

whom I had all along entertained a great regard; and Toby, such was the name by which he went among us,

for his real name he would never tell us, was every way worthy of it. He was active, ready, and obliging, of

dauntless courage, and singularly open and fearless in the expression of his feelings. I had on more than one

occasion got him out of scrapes into which this had led him; and I know not whether it was from this cause,

or a certain congeniality of sentiment between us, that he had always shown a partiality for my society. We

had battled out many a long watch together, beguiling the weary hours with chat, song, and story, mingled

with a good many imprecations upon the hard destiny it seemed our common fortune to encounter.

Toby, like myself, had evidently moved in a different sphere of life, and his conversation at times betrayed

this, although he was anxious to conceal it. He was one of that class of rovers you sometimes meet at sea,

who never reveal their origin, never allude to home, and go rambling over the world as if pursued by some

There was much even in the appearance of Toby calculated to draw me towards him, for while the greater

part of the crew were as coarse in person as in mind, Toby was endowed with a remarkably prepossessing

exterior. Arrayed in his blue frock and duck trousers, he was as smart a looking sailor as ever stepped upon a

deck; he was singularly small and slightly made, with great flexibility of limb. His naturally dark complexion

had been deepened by exposure to the tropical sun, and a mass of jetty locks clustered about his temples, and

threw a darker shade into his large black eyes. He was a strange, wayward being, moody, fitful, and

melancholy at times almost morose. He had a quick and fiery temper too, which, when thoroughly roused,

It is strange the power that a mind of deep passion has over feebler natures. I have seen a brawny fellow, with

no lack of ordinary courage, fairly quail before this slender stripling, when in one of his furious fits. But these

paroxysms seldom occurred, and in them my bighearted shipmate vented the bile which more

calmtempered individuals get rid of by a continual pettishness at trivial annoyances.

No one ever saw Toby laugh I mean in the hearty abandonment of broadmouthed mirth. He did smile

sometimes, it is true; and there was a good deal of dry, sarcastic humour about him, which told the more from

Latterly I had observed that Toby's melancholy had greatly increased, and I had frequently seen him since our

arrival at the island gazing wistfully upon the shore, when the remainder of the crew would be rioting below.

I was aware that he entertained a cordial detestation of the ship, and believed that should a fair chance of

escape present itself, he would embrace it willingly. But the attempt was so perilous in the place where we

then lay, that I supposed myself the only individual on board the ship who was sufficiently reckless to think

When I perceived Toby leaning, as I have mentioned, against the bulwarks and buried in thought, it struck me

at once that the subject of his meditations might be the same as my own. And if it be so, thought I, is he not

the very one of all my shipmates whom I would choose for the partner of my adventure? and why should I

not have some comrade with me to divide its dangers and alleviate its hardships? Perhaps I might be obliged

to lie concealed among the mountains for weeks. In such an event what a solace would a companion be!

These thoughts passed rapidly through my mind, and I wondered why I had not before considered the matter

in this light. But it was not too late. A tap upon the shoulder served to rouse Toby from his reverie; I found

him ripe for the enterprise, and a very few words sufficed for a mutual understanding between us. In an hour's

time we had arranged all the preliminaries, and decided upon our plan of action. We then ratified our

engagement with an affectionate wedding of palms, and to elude suspicion repaired each to his hammock, to

The next day the starboard watch, to which we both belonged, was to be sent ashore on liberty; and, availing

ourselves of this opportunity, we determined, as soon after landing as possible, to separate ourselves from the

rest of the men without exciting their suspicions, and strike back at once for the mountains. Seen from the

ship, the summits appeared inaccessible, but here and there sloping spurs extended from them almost into the

sea, buttressing the lofty elevations with which they were connected, and forming those radiating valleys I

have before described. One of these ridges, which appeared more practicable than the rest, we determined to

climb, convinced that it would conduct us to the heights beyond. Accordingly, we carefully observed its

bearings and locality from the ship, so that when ashore we should run no chance of missing it.

In all this the leading object we had in view was to seclude ourselves from sight until the departure of the

vessel; then to take our chance as to the reception the Nukuheva natives might give us; and after remaining

upon the island as long as we found our stay agreeable, to leave it the first favourable opportunity that

EARLY the next morning the starboard watch were mustered upon the quarterdeck, and our worthy captain,

"Now, men, as we are just off a six months' cruise, and have got through most all our work in port here, I

suppose you want to go ashore. Well, I mean to give your watch liberty today, so you may get ready as soon

as you please, and go; but understand this, I am going to give you liberty because I suppose you would growl

like so many old quarter gunners I didn't; at the same time, if you'll take my advice, every mother's son of you

will stay aboard, and keep out of the way of the bloody cannibals altogether. Ten to one, men, if you go

ashore, you will get into some infernal row, and that will be the end of you; for if these tattooed scoundrels

get you a little ways back into their valleys, they'll nab you that you may be certain of. Plenty of white men

have gone ashore here and never been seen any more. There was the old Dido, she put in here about two

years ago, and sent one watch off on liberty; they never were heard of again for a week the natives swore

they didn't know where they were and only three of them ever got back to the ship again, and one with his

face damaged for life, for the cursed heathens tattooed a broad patch clean across his figurehead. But it will

be no use talking to you, for go you will, that I see plainly; so all I have to say is, that you need not blame me

if the islanders make a meal of you. You may stand some chance of escaping them though, if you keep close

about the French encampment, and are back to the ship again before sunset. Keep that much in your mind, if

you forget all the rest I've been saying to you. There, go forward: bear a hand and rig yourselves, and stand

by for a call. At two bells the boat will be manned to take you off, and the Lord have mercy on you!"

Various were the emotions depicted upon the countenances of the starboard watch whilst listening to this

address; but on its conclusion there was a general move towards the forecastle, and we soon were all busily

engaged in getting ready for the holiday so auspiciously announced by the skipper. During these preparations,

his harangue was commented upon in no very measured terms; and one of the party, after denouncing him as

a lying old son of a seacook who begrudged a fellow a few hours' liberty, exclaimed with an oath, "But you

don't bounce me out of my liberty, old chap, for all your yarns; for I would go ashore if every pebble on the

beach was a live coal, and every stick a gridiron, and the cannibals stood ready to broil me on landing."

The spirit of this sentiment was responded to by all hands, and we resolved that in spite of the captain's

But Toby and I had our own game to play, and we availed ourselves of the confusion which always reigns

among a ship's company preparatory to going ashore, to confer together and complete our arrangements. As

our object was to effect as rapid a flight as possible to the mountains, we determined not to encumber

ourselves with any superfluous apparel; and accordingly, while the rest were rigging themselves out with

some idea of making a display, we were content to put on new stout duck trousers, serviceable pumps, and

When our shipmates wondered at this, Toby exclaimed, in his odd grave way, that the rest might do as they

liked, but that he for one preserved his goashore traps for the Spanish main, where the tie of a sailor's

neckerchief might make some difference; but as for a parcel of unbreeched heathen, he wouldn't go to the

bottom of his chest for any of them, and was half disposed to appear among them in buff himself. The men

laughed at what they thought was one of his strange conceits, and so we escaped suspicion.

It may appear singular that we should have been thus on our guard with our own shipmates; but there were

some among us who, had they possessed the least inkling of our project, would, for a paltry hope of reward,

As soon as two bells were struck, the word was passed for the libertymen to get into the boat. I lingered

behind in the forecastle a moment, to take a parting glance at its familiar features, and just as I was about to

ascend to the deck, my eye happened to light on the breadbarge and beefkid, which contained the remnants

of our last hasty meal. Although I had never before thought of providing anything in the way of food for our

expedition, as I fully relied upon the fruits of the island to sustain us wherever we might wander, yet I could

not resist the inclination I felt to a luncheon from the relics before me. Accordingly I took a double handful of

those small, broken, flinty bits of biscuit which generally go by the name of "midshipmen's nuts," and thrust

them into the bosom of my frock; in which same ample receptacle I had previously stowed away several

pounds of tobacco and a few yards of cotton cloth, articles with which I intended to purchase the goodwill

of the natives, as soon as we should appear among them after the departure of our vessel.

This last addition to my stock caused a considerable protuberance in front, which I abated in a measure by

shaking the bits of bread around my waist, and distributing the plugs of tobacco among the folds of the

Hardly had I completed these arrangements when my name was sung out by a dozen voices, and I sprung

upon the deck, where I found all the party in the boat, and impatient to shove off. I dropped over the side, and

seated myself, with the rest of the watch, in the stern sheets, while the poor larboarders shipped their oars,

This happened to be the rainy season at the islands, and the heavens had nearly the whole morning betokened

one of those heavy showers which, during this period, so frequently occur. The large drops fell bubbling into

the water shortly after our leaving the ship, and by the time we had effected a landing, it poured down in

torrents. We fled for shelter under cover of an immense canoehouse, which stood hard by the beach, and

It continued, however, without cessation; and the monotonous beating of the rain overhead began to exert a

drowsy influence upon the men, who, throwing themselves here and there upon the large warcanoes, after

This was the opportunity we desired, and Toby and I availed ourselves of it at once, by stealing out of the

canoehouse, and plunging into the depths of an extensive grove that was in its rear. After ten minutes' rapid

progress, we gained an open space, from which we could just descry the ridge we intended to mount looming

dimly through the mists of the tropical shower, and distant from us as we estimated, something more than a

mile. Our direct course towards it lay through a rather populous part of the bay; but desirous as we were of

evading the natives, and securing an unmolested retreat to the mountains, we determined, by taking a circuit

The heavy rain that still continued to fall without intermission, favoured our enterprise, as it drove the

islanders into their houses, and prevented any casual meeting with them. Our heavy frocks soon became

completely saturated with water, and by their weight, and that of the articles we had concealed beneath them,

not a little impeded our progress. But it was no time to pause, when at any moment we might be surprised by

a body of the savages, and forced at the very outset to relinquish our undertaking.

Since leaving the canoehouse we had scarcely exchanged a single syllable with one another, but when we

entered a second narrow opening in the wood, and again caught sight of the ridge before us, I took Toby by

the arm, and pointing along its sloping outline to the lofty heights of its extremity, said, in a low tone, "Now,

Toby, not a word, nor a glance backward, till we stand on the summit of yonder mountain; so no more

lingering, but let us shove ahead while we can, and in a few hours' time we may laugh aloud. You are the

"All right, brother," said Toby, "quick's our play, only let's keep close together, that's all"; and so saying, with

a bound like a young roe, he cleared a brook which ran across our path, and rushed forward with a quick step.

When we arrived within a short distance of the ridge, we were stopped by a mass of tall yellow reeds,

growing together as thickly as they could stand, and as tough and stubborn as so many rods of steel; and we

perceived, to our chagrin, that they extended midway up the elevation we proposed to ascend.

For a moment we gazed about us in quest of a more practicable route; it was, however, at once apparent that

there was no resource but to pierce this thicket of canes at all hazards. We now reversed our order of march,

I, being the heaviest, taking the lead, with a view of breaking a path through the obstruction, while Toby fell

Two or three times I endeavoured to insinuate myself between the canes, and, by dint of coaxing and bending

them, to make some progress; but a bullfrog might as well have tried to work a passage through the teeth of

Half wild with meeting an obstacle we had so little anticipated, I threw myself desperately against it, crushing

to the ground the canes with which I came in contact, and, rising to my feet again, repeated the action with

like effect. Twenty minutes of this violent exercise almost exhausted me, but it carried us some way into the

thicket; when Toby, who had been reaping the benefit of my labours by following close at my heels,

proposed to become pioneer in turn, and accordingly passed ahead with a view of affording me a respite from

my exertions. As, however, with his slight frame he made but bad work of it, I was soon obliged to resume

On we toiled, the perspiration starting from our bodies in floods, our limbs torn and lacerated with the

splintered fragments of the broken canes, until we had proceeded perhaps as far as the middle of the brake,

when suddenly it ceased raining, and the atmosphere around us became close and sultry beyond expression.

The elasticity of the reeds quickly recovering from the temporary pressure of our bodies, caused them to

spring back to their original position, so that they closed in upon us as we advanced, and prevented the

Besides this, their great height completely shut us out from the view of surrounding objects, and we were not

Fatigued with my longcontinued efforts, and panting for breath, I felt myself completely incapacitated for

any further exertion. I rolled up the sleeve of my frock, and squeezed the moisture it contained into my

parched mouth. But the few drops I managed to obtain gave me little relief, and I sank down for a moment

with a sort of dogged apathy, from which I was aroused by Toby, who had devised a plan to free us from the

He was laying about him lustily with his sheathknife, lopping the canes right and left, like a reaper, and

soon made quite a clearing around us. This sight reanimated me; and seizing my own knife, I hacked and

hewed away without mercy. But, alas! the farther we advanced the thicker and taller, and apparently the more

I began to think we were fairly snared, and had almost made up my mind that without a pair of wings we

should never be able to escape from the toils, when all at once I discerned a peep of daylight through the

canes on my right, and, communicating the joyful tidings to Toby, we both fell to with fresh spirit, and

speedily opening a passage towards it, we found ourselves clear of perplexities, and in the near vicinity of the

After resting for a few moments we began the ascent, and after a little vigorous climbing found ourselves

close to its summit. Instead, however, of walking along its ridge, where we should have been in full view of

the natives in the vales beneath, and at a point where they could easily intercept us, were they so inclined, we

cautiously advanced on one side, crawling on our hands and knees, and screened from observation by the

grass through which we glided, much in the fashion of a couple of serpents. After an hour employed in this

unpleasant kind of locomotion, we started to our feet again, and pursued our way boldly along the crest of the

This salient spur of the lofty elevations that encompassed the bay, rose with a sharp angle from the valleys at

its base, and presented, with the exception of a few steep acclivities, the appearance of a vast inclined plane,

sweeping down towards the sea from the heights in the distance. We had ascended it near the place of its

termination, and at its lowest point, and now saw our route to the mountains distinctly defined along its

narrow crest, which was covered with a soft carpet of verdure, and was in many parts only a few feet wide.

Elated with the success which had so far attended our enterprise, and invigorated by the refreshing

atmosphere we now inhaled, Toby and I, in high spirits, were making our way rapidly along the ridge, when

suddenly from the valleys below, which lay on either side of us, we heard the distant shouts of the natives,

who had just descried us, and to whom our figures, brought in bold relief against the sky, were plainly

Glancing our eyes into these valleys, we perceived their savage inhabitants hurrying to and fro, seemingly

under the influence of some sudden alarm, and appearing to the eye scarcely bigger than so many pigmies,

while their white thatched dwellings, dwarfed by the distance, looked like babyhouses. As we looked down

upon the islanders from our lofty elevation, we experienced a sense of security; feeling confident that, should

they undertake a pursuit, it would, from the start we now had, prove entirely fruitless, unless they followed us

However, we thought it as well to make the most of our time; and accordingly, where the ground would admit

of it, we ran swiftly along the summit of the ridge, until we were brought to a stand by a steep cliff, which at

first seemed to interpose an effectual barrier to our farther advance. By dint of much hard scrambling,

however, and at some risk to our necks, we at last surmounted it, and continued our flight with unabated

We had left the beach early in the morning, and after an uninterrupted, though at times difficult and

dangerous ascent, during which we had never once turned our faces to the sea, we found ourselves, about

three hours before sunset, standing on the top of what seemed to be the highest land on the island, an

immense overhanging cliff composed of basaltic rocks, hung round with parasitical plants. We must have

been more than three thousand feet above the level of the sea, and the scenery viewed from this height was

The lonely bay of Nukuheva, dotted here and there with the black hulls of the vessels composing the French

squadron, lay reposing at the base of a circular range elevations, whose verdant sides, perforated with deep

glens, or diversified with smiling valleys, formed altogether the loveliest view I ever beheld, and were I to

live a hundred years, I shall never forget the feeling of admiration which I then experienced.

MY curiosity had been not a little raised with regard to the description of country we should meet on the

other side of the mountains; and I had supposed, with Toby, that immediately on gaining the heights we

should be enabled to view the large bays of Happar and Typee reposing at our feet on one side, in the same

way that Nukuheva lay spread out below on the other. But here we were disappointed. Instead of finding the

mountain we had ascended sweeping down in the opposite direction into broad and capacious valleys, the

land appeared to retain its general elevation, only broken into a series of ridges and intervales, which as far

as the eye could reach stretched away from us, with their precipitous sides covered with the brightest verdure,

and waving here and there with the foliage of clumps of woodland; among which, however, we perceived

This was a most unlookedfor discovery, and one that promised to defeat our plans altogether, for we could

not think of descending the mountain on the Nukuheva side in quest of food. Should we for this purpose be

induced to retrace our steps, we should run no small chance of encountering the natives, who in that case, if

they did nothing worse to us, would be certain to convey us back to the ship for the sake of the reward in

calico and trinkets, which we had no doubt our skipper would hold out to them as an inducement to our

What was to be done? The Dolly would not sail perhaps for ten days, and how were we to sustain life during

this period? I bitterly repented our improvidence in not providing ourselves, as we easily might have done,

with a supply of biscuit. With a rueful visage I now bethought me of the scanty handful of bread I had stuffed

into the bosom of my frock, and felt somewhat desirous to ascertain what part of it had weathered the rather

rough usage it had experienced in ascending the mountain. I accordingly proposed to Toby that we should

enter into a joint examination of the various articles we had brought from the ship. With this intent we seated

ourselves upon the grass; and a little curious to see with what kind of judgment my companion had filled his

frock which I remarked seemed about as well lined as my own I requested him to commence operations by

Thrusting his hand, then, into the bosom of this capacious receptacle, he first brought to light about a pound

of tobacco, whose component parts still adhered together, the whole outside being covered with soft particles

of seabread. Wet and dripping, it had the appearance of having been just recovered from the bottom of the

sea. But I paid slight attention to a substance of so little value to us in our present situation, as soon as I

perceived the indications it gave of Toby's foresight in laying in a supply of food for the expedition.

I eagerly inquired what quantity he had brought with him, when, rummaging once more beneath his garment,

he produced a small handful of something so soft, pulpy, and discoloured, that for a few moments he was as

much puzzled as myself to tell by what possible instrumentality such a villanous compound had become

engendered in his bosom. I can only describe it as a hash of soaked bread and bits of tobacco, brought to a

doughy consistency by the united agency of perspiration and rain. But repulsive as it might otherwise have

been, I now regarded it as an invaluable treasure, and proceeded with great care to transfer this pastelike

mass to a large leaf which I had plucked from a bush beside me. Toby informed me that in the morning he

had placed two whole biscuits in his bosom, with a view of munching them, should he feel so inclined, during

our flight. These were now reduced to the equivocal substance which I had just placed on the leaf.

Another dive into the frock brought to view some four or five yards of calico print, whose tasteful pattern was

rather disfigured by the yellow stains of the tobacco with which it had been brought in contact. In drawing

this calico slowly from his bosom inch by inch, Toby reminded me of a juggler performing the feat of the

endless ribbon. The next cast was a small one, being a sailor's little "ditty bag," containing needles, thread,

and other sewing utensils; then came a razorcase, followed by two or three separate plugs of negrohead,

which were fished up from the bottom of the now empty receptacle. These various matters being inspected, I

As might have been anticipated from the state of my companion's edible supplies, I found my own in a

deplorable condition, and diminished to a quantity that would not have formed half a dozen mouthfuls for a

hungry man who was partial enough to tobacco not to mind swallowing it. A few morsels of bread, with a

fathom or two of white cotton cloth, and several pounds of choice pigtail, composed the extent of my

Our joint stock of miscellaneous articles were now made up into a compact bundle, which it was agreed we

should carry alternately. But the sorry remains of the biscuit were not to be disposed of so summarily: the

precarious circumstances in which we were placed made us regard them as something on which very

probably depended the fate of our adventure. After a brief discussion, in which we both of us expressed our

resolution of not descending into the bay until the ship's departure, I suggested to my companion that little of

it as there was, we should divide the bread into six equal portions, each of which should be a day's allowance

for both of us. This proposition he assented to; so I took the silk kerchief from my neck, and cutting it with

At first, Toby, with a degree of fastidiousness that seemed to me illtimed, was for picking out the minute

particles of tobacco with which the spongy mass was mixed; but against this proceeding I protested, as by

When the division was accomplished, we found that a day's allowance for the two was not a great deal more

than what a tablespoon might hold. Each separate portion we immediately rolled up in the bit of silk

prepared for it, and joining them all together into a small package, I committed them, with solemn injunctions

of fidelity, to the custody of Toby. For the remainder of that day we resolved to fast, as we had been fortified

by a breakfast in the morning; and now starting again to our feet, we looked about us for a shelter during the

night, which, from the appearance of the heavens, promised to be a dark and tempestuous one.

There was no place near us which would in any way answer our purpose; so turning our backs upon

Nukuheva, we commenced exploring the unknown regions which lay upon the other side of the mountain.

In this direction, as far as our vision extended, not a sign of life, nor anything that denoted even the transient

residence of man could be seen. The whole landscape seemed one unbroken solitude, the interior of the island

having apparently been untenanted since the morning of the creation; and as we advanced through this

wilderness, our voices sounded strangely in our ears, as though human accents had never before disturbed the

fearful silence of the place, interrupted only by the low murmurings of distant waterfalls.

Our disappointment, however, in not finding the various fruits with which we had intended to regale

ourselves during our stay in these wilds, was a good deal lessened by the consideration that from this very

circumstance we should be much less exposed to a casual meeting with the savage tribes about us, who we

knew always dwelt beneath the shadows of those trees which supplied them with food.

We wandered along, casting eager glances into every bush we passed, until just as we had succeeded in

mounting one of the many ridges that intersected the ground, I saw in the grass before me something like an

indistinctly traced footpath, which appeared to lead along the top of the ridge, and to descend with it into a

Robinson Crusoe could not have been more startled at the footprint in the sand than we were at this

unwelcome discovery. My first impulse was to make as rapid a retreat as possible, and bend our steps in some

other direction; but our curiosity to see whither this path might lead, prompted us to pursue it. So on we went,

the track becoming more and more visible the farther we proceeded, until it conducted us to the verge of the

"And so," said Toby, peering down into the chasm, "every one that travels this path takes a jump here, eh?"

"Not so," said I, "for I think they might manage to descend without it; what say you, shall we attempt the

"And what, in the name of caves and coalholes, do you expect to find at the bottom of that gulf but a broken

neck why, it looks blacker than our ship's hold, and the roar of those waterfalls down there would batter

"Oh, no, Toby," I exclaimed, laughing; "but there's something to be seen here, that's plain, or there would

"I will tell you what, my pleasant fellow," rejoined Toby, quickly, "if you are going to pry into everything

you meet with here that excites your curiosity, you will marvellously soon get knocked on the head; to a dead

certainty you will come bang upon a party of these savages in the midst of your discoverymakings, and I

doubt whether such an event would particularly delight you. Just take my advice for once, and let us 'bout

ship and steer in some other direction; besides, it's getting late, and we ought to be mooring ourselves for the

"That is just the thing I have been driving at," replied I; "and I am thinking that this ravine will exactly

answer our purpose, for it is roomy, secluded, well watered, and may shelter us from the weather."

"Ay, and from sleep too, and by the same token will give us sore throats, and rheumatisms into the bargain,"

"Oh, very well then, my lad," said I, "since you will not accompany me, here I go, alone. You will see me in

the morning"; and advancing to the edge of the cliff upon which we had been standing, I proceeded to lower

myself down by the tangled roots which clustered about all the crevices of the rock. As I had anticipated,

Toby, in spite of his previous remonstrances, followed my example, and dropping himself with the activity of

a squirrel from point to point, he quickly outstripped me, and effected a landing at the bottom before I had

The sight that now greeted us was one that will ever be vividly impressed upon my mind. Five foaming

streams, rushing through as many gorges, and swelled and turbid by the recent rains, united together in one

mad plunge of nearly eighty feet, and fell with wild uproar into a deep black pool scooped out of the

gloomylooking rocks that lay piled around, and thence in one collected body dashed down a narrow sloping

channel which seemed to penetrate into the very bowels of the earth. Overhead, vast roots of trees hung down

from the sides of the ravine, dripping with moisture, and trembling with the concussions produced by the fall.

It was now sunset, and the feeble uncertain light that found its way into these caverns and woody depths

heightened their strange appearance, and reminded us that in a short time we should find ourselves in utter

As soon as I had satisfied my curiosity by gazing at this scene, I fell to wondering how it was that what we

had taken for a path should have conducted us to so singular a place, and began to suspect that after all I

might have been deceived in supposing it to have been a track formed by the islanders. This was rather an

agreeable reflection than otherwise, for it diminished our dread of accidentally meeting with any of them, and

I came to the conclusion that perhaps we could not have selected a more secure hidingplace than this very

spot we had so accidentally hit upon. Toby agreed with me in this view of the matter, and we immediately

began gathering together the limbs of trees which lay scattered about, with the view of constructing a

temporary hut for the night. This we were obliged to build close to the foot of the cataract, for the current of

water extended very nearly to the sides of the gorge. The few moments of light that remained we employed in

covering our hut with a species of broadbladed grass that grew in every fissure of the ravine. Our hut, if it

deserved to be called one, consisted of six or eight of the straightest branches we could find laid obliquely

against the steep wall of rock, with their lower ends within a foot of the stream. Into the space thus covered

Shall I ever forget that horrid night! As for poor Toby, I could scarcely get a word out of him. It would have

been some consolation to have heard his voice, but he lay shivering the livelong night like a man afflicted

with the palsy, with his knees drawn up to his head, while his back was supported against the dripping side of

the rock. During this wretched night there seemed nothing wanting to complete the perfect misery of our

condition. The rain descended in such torrents that our poor shelter proved a mere mockery. In vain did I try

to elude the incessant streams that poured upon me; by protecting one part I only exposed another, and the

I have had many a ducking in the course of my life, and in general cared little about it: but the accumulated

horrors of that night, the deathlike coldness of the place, the appalling darkness and the dismal sense of our

It will not be doubted that the next morning we were early risers, and as soon as I could catch the faintest

glimpse of anything like daylight I shook my companion by the arm, and told him it was sunrise. Poor Toby

lifted up his head, and after a moment's pause said, in a husky voice, "Then, shipmate, my toplights have

gone out, for it appears darker now with my eyes open than it did when they were shut."

"Awake!" roared Toby, in a rage; "awake! You mean to insinuate I've been asleep, do you? It is an insult to a

By the time I had apologized to my friend for having misconstrued his silence, it had become somewhat more

light, and we crawled out of our lair. The rain had ceased, but everything around us was dripping with

moisture. We stripped off our saturated garments, and wrung them as dry as we could. We contrived to make

the blood circulate in our benumbed limbs by rubbing them vigorously with our hands; and after performing

our ablutions in the stream, and putting on our still wet clothes, we began to t it advisable to break our long

Accordingly, our day's ration was brought out, and seating ourselves on a detached fragment of rock, we

proceeded to discuss it. First we divided it into two equal portions, and carefully rolling one of them up for

our evening's repast, divided the remainder again as equally as possible, and then drew lots for the first

choice. I could have placed the morsel that fell to my share upon the tip of my finger; but notwithstanding

this, I took care that it should be full ten minutes before I had swallowed the last crumb. What a true saying it

is that "appetite furnishes the best sauce"! There was a flavour and a relish to this small particle of food that,

under other circumstances, it would have been impossible for the most delicate viands to have imparted. A

copious draught of the pure water which flowed at our feet served to complete the meal, and after it we rose

We now carefully examined the chasm in which we had passed the night. We crossed the stream, and gaining

the farther side of the pool I have mentioned, discovered proofs that the spot must have been visited by some

one but a short time previous to our arrival. Further observation convinced us that it had been regularly

frequented, and, as we afterwards conjectured from particular indications, for the purpose of obtaining a

These discoveries immediately determined us to abandon a place which had presented no inducement for us

to remain, except the promise of security; and as we looked about us for the means of ascending again into

the upper regions, we at last found a practicable part of the rock, and halfanhour's toil carried us to the

I now proposed to Toby that instead of rambling about the island, exposing ourselves to discovery at every

turn, we should select some place as our fixed abode for as long a period as our food should hold out, build

ourselves a comfortable hut, and be as prudent and circumspect as possible. To all this my companion

With this view, after exploring without success a little glen near us, we crossed several of the ridges of which

I have before spoken; and about noon found ourselves ascending a long and gradually rising slope, but still

without having discovered any place adapted to our purpose. Low and heavy clouds betokened an

approaching storm, and we hurried on to gain a covert in a clump of thick which appeared to terminate the

long ascent. We threw ourselves under the lee of these bushes, and pulling up the long grass that grew

But it did not come as soon as we had expected, and before many minutes my companion was fast asleep, and

I was rapidly falling into the same state of happy forgetfulness. Just at this juncture, however, down came the

rain with a violence that put all thoughts of slumber to flight. Although in some measure sheltered, our

clothes soon became as wet as ever; this, after all the trouble we had taken to dry them, was provoking

enough: but there was no help for it; and I recommend all adventurous youths who abandon vessels in

After an hour or so the shower passed away. My companion slept through it all, or least appeared so to do;

and now that it was over I had not the heart to awaken him. As I lay on my back completely shrouded with

verdure, the leafy branches drooping over me, and my limbs buried in grass, I could not avoid comparing our

situation with that of the interesting babes in the wood. Poor little sufferers! no wonder their constitutions

During the hour or two spent under the shelter of these bushes, I began to feel symptoms which I at once

attributed to the exposure of the preceding night. Cold shiverings and a burning fever succeeded one another

at intervals, while one of my legs was swelled to such a degree, and pained me so acutely, that I half

suspected I had been bitten by some venomous reptile, the congenial inhabitant of the chasm from which we

had lately emerged. I may here remark by the way what I subsequently learned that all the islands of

Polynesia enjoy the reputation, in common with the Hibernian isle, of being free from the presence of any

vipers; though whether Saint Patrick ever visited them, is a question I shall not attempt to decide.

As the feverish sensation increased upon me I tossed about, still unwilling to disturb my slumbering

companion, from whose side I removed two or three yards. I chanced to push aside a branch, and by so doing

suddenly disclosed to my view a scene which even now I can recall with all the vividness of the first

impression. Had a glimpse of the gardens of Paradise been revealed to me, I could scarcely have been more

From the spot where I lay transfixed with surprise and delight, I looked straight down into the bosom of a

valley, which swept away in long wavy undulations to the blue waters in the distance. Midway towards the

sea, and peering here and there amidst the foliage, might be seen the palmettothatched houses of its

inhabitants, glistening in the sun that had bleached them to a dazzling whiteness. The vale was more than

On either side it appeared hemmed in by steep and green acclivities, which, uniting near the spot where I lay,

formed an abrupt and semicircular termination of grassy cliffs and precipices hundreds of feet in height, over

which flowed numberless small cascades. But the crowning beauty of the prospect was its universal verdure;

and in this indeed consists, I believe, the peculiar charm of every Polynesian landscape. Everywhere below

me, from the base of the precipice upon whose very verge I had been unconsciously reposing, the surface of

the vale presented a mass of foliage, spread with such rich profusion that it was impossible to determine of

But perhaps there was nothing about the scenery I beheld more impressive than those silent cascades, whose

slender threads of water, after leaping down the steep cliffs, were lost amidst the rich herbage of the valley.

Over all the landscape there reigned the most hushed repose, which I almost feared to break, lest, like the

enchanting gardens in the fairy tale, a single syllable might dissolve the spell. For a long time, forgetful alike

of my own situation, and the vicinity of my still slumbering companion, I remained gazing around me, hardly

able to comprehend by what means I had thus suddenly been made a spectator of such a scene.

RECOVERING from my astonishment at the beautiful scene before me, I quickly awakened Toby, and

informed him of the discovery I had made. Together we now repaired to the border of the precipice, and my

companion's admiration was equal to my own. A little reflection, however, abated our surprise at coming so

unexpectedly upon this valley, since the large vales of Happar and Typee, lying upon this side of Nukuheva,

and extending a considerable distance from the sea towards the interior, must necessarily terminate

The question now was as to which of those two places we were looking down upon. Toby insisted that it was

the abode of the Happars, and I that it was tenanted by their enemies, the ferocious Typees. To be sure I was

not entirely convinced by my own arguments, but Toby's proposition to descend at once into the valley, and

partake of the hospitality of its inmates, seemed to me to be risking so much upon the strength of a mere

supposition, that I resolved to oppose it until we had more evidence to proceed upon.

The point was one of vital importance, as the natives of Happar were not only at peace with Nukuheva, but

cultivated with its inhabitants the most friendly relations, and enjoyed a reputation for gentleness and

humanity which led us to expect from them, if not a cordial reception, at least a shelter during the short

On the other hand, the very name of Typee struck a panic into my heart which I did not attempt to disguise.

The thought of voluntarily throwing ourselves into the hands of these cruel savages, seemed to me an act of

mere madness; and almost equally so the idea of venturing into the valley, uncertain by which of these two

tribes it was inhabited. That the vale at our feet was tenanted by one of them, was a point that appeared to us

past all doubt, since we knew that they resided in this quarter, although our information did not enlighten us

My companion, however, incapable of resisting the tempting prospect which the place held out of an

abundant supply of food and other means of enjoyment, still clung to his own inconsiderate view of the

subject, nor could all my reasoning shake it. When I reminded him that it was impossible for either of us to

know anything with certainty, and when I dwelt upon the horrible fate we should encounter were we rashly to

descend into the valley, and discover too late the error we had committed, he replied by detailing all the evils

of our present condition, and the sufferings we must undergo should we continue to remain where we then

Anxious to draw him away from the subject, if possible for I saw that it would be in vain to attempt

changing his mind I directed his attention to a long bright unwooded tract of land which, sweeping down

from the elevations in the interior, descended into the valley before us. I then suggested to him that beyond

this ridge might lie a capacious and untenanted valley, abounding with all manner of delicious fruits; for I had

heard that there were several such upon the island, and proposed that we should endeavour to reach it, and if

we found our expectations realized we should at once take refuge in it and remain there as long as we

He acquiesced in the suggestion; and we immediately, therefore, began surveying the country lying before us,

with a view of determining upon the best route for us to pursue; but it presented little choice, the whole

interval being broken into steep ridges, divided by dark ravines, extending in parallel lines at right angles to

our direct course. All these we would be obliged to cross before we could hope to arrive at our destination.

A weary journey! But we decided to undertake it, though, for my own part, I felt little prepared to encounter

its fatigues, shivering and burning by turns with the ague and fever; for I know not how else to describe the

alternate sensations I experienced, and suffering not a little from the lameness which afflicted me. Added to

this was the faintness consequent on our meagre diet a calamity in which Toby participated to the same

These circumstances, however, only augmented my anxiety to reach a place which promised us plenty and

repose, before I should be reduced to a state which would render me altogether unable to perform the journey.

Accordingly we now commenced it by descending the almost perpendicular side of a steep and narrow gorge,

bristling with a thick growth of reeds. Here there was but one mode for us to adopt. We seated ourselves upon

the ground, and guided our descent by catching at the canes in our path. The velocity with which we thus slid

down the side of the ravine soon brought us to a point where we could use our feet, and in a short time we

arrived at the edge of the torrent, which rolled impetuously along the bed of the chasm.

After taking a refreshing draught from the water of the stream, we addressed ourselves to a much more

difficult undertaking than the last. Every foot of our late descent had to be regained in ascending the opposite

side of the gorge an operation rendered the less agreeable from the consideration that in these perpendicular

episodes we did not progress a hundred yards on our journey. But, ungrateful as the task was, we set about it

with exemplary patience, and after a snaillike progress of an hour or more, had scaled perhaps one half of

the distance, when the fever which had left me for awhile returned with such violence, and accompanied by

so raging a thirst, that it required all the entreaties of Toby to prevent me from losing all the fruits of my late

exertion, by precipitating myself madly down the cliffs we had just climbed, in quest of the water which

flowed so temptingly at their base. At the moment all my hopes and fears appeared to be merged in this one

desire, careless of the consequences that might result from its gratification. I am aware of no feeling, either of

pleasure or of pain, that so completely deprives one of all power to resist its impulses, as this same raging

Toby earnestly conjured me to continue the ascent, assuring me that a little more exertion would bring us to

the summit, and that then in less than five minutes we should find ourselves at the brink of the stream, which

"Do not," he exclaimed, "turn back, now that we have proceeded thus far; for I tell you that neither of us will

have the courage to repeat the attempt, if once more we find ourselves looking up to where we now are from

I was not yet so perfectly beside myself as to be heedless of these representations, and therefore toiled on,

ineffectually endeavouring to appease the thirst which consumed me, by thinking that in a short time I should

At last we gained the top of the second elevation, the loftiest of those I have described as extending in parallel

lines between us and the valley we desired to reach. It commanded a view of the whole intervening distance;

and, discouraged as I was by other circumstances, this prospect plunged me into the very depths of despair.

Nothing but dark and fearful chasms, separated by sharp crested and perpendicular ridges as far as the eye

could reach. Could we have stepped from summit to summit of these steep but narrow elevations we could

easily have accomplished the distance; but we must penetrate to the bottom of every yawning gulf, and scale

in succession every one of the eminences before us. Even Toby, although not suffering as I did, was not proof

But we did not long stand to contemplate it, impatient as I was to reach the waters of the torrent which flowed

beneath us. With an insensibility to danger which I cannot call to mind without shuddering, we threw

ourselves down the depths of the ravine, startling its savage solitudes with the echoes produced by the falling

fragments of rock we every moment dislodged from their places, careless of the insecurity of our footing, and

reckless whether the slight roots and twigs we clutched at sustained us for the while, or treacherously yielded

to our grasp. For my own part, I scarcely knew whether I was helplessly falling from the heights above, or

whether the fearful rapidity with which I descended was an act of my own volition.

In a few minutes we reached the foot of the gorge, and kneeling upon a small ledge of dripping rocks, I bent

over to the stream. What a delicious sensation was I now to experience! I paused for a second to concentrate

all my capabilities of enjoyment, and then immerged my lips in the clear element before me. Had the apples

of Sodom turned to ashes in my mouth, I could not have felt a more startling revulsion. A single drop of the

cold fluid seemed to freeze every drop of blood in my body; the fever that had been burning in my veins gave

place on the instant to deathlike chills, which shook me one after another like so many shocks of electricity,

while the perspiration produced by my late violent exertions congealed in icy beads upon my forehead. My

thirst was gone, and I fairly loathed the water. Starting to my feet, the sight of those dank rocks, oozing forth

moisture at every crevice, and the dark stream shooting along its dismal channel, sent fresh chills through my

shivering frame, and I felt as uncontrollable a desire to climb up towards the genial sunlight as I before had to

After two hours' perilous exertions we stood upon the summit of another ridge, and it was with difficulty I

could bring myself to believe that we had ever penetrated the black and yawning chasm which then gaped at

our feet. Again we gazed upon the prospect which the height commanded, but it was just as depressing as the

one which had before met our eyes. I now felt that in our present situation it was in vain for us to think of

ever overcoming the obstacles in our way, and I gave up all thoughts of reaching the vale which lay beyond

this series of impediments; while at the same time I could not devise any scheme to extricate ourselves from

The remotest idea of returning to Nukuheva unless assured of our vessel's departure, never once entered my

mind, and indeed it was questionable whether we could have succeeded in reaching it, divided as we were

from the bay by a distance we could not compute, and perplexed too in our remembrance of localities by our

recent wanderings. Besides, it was unendurable the thought of retracing our steps and rendering all our

There is scarcely anything when a man is in difficulties that he is more disposed to look upon with

abhorrence than a rightabout retrograde movement a systematic going over of the already trodden ground:

and especially if he has a love of adventure, such a course appears indescribably repulsive, so long as there

It was this feeling that prompted us to descend the opposite side of the elevation we had just scaled, although

with what definite object in view it would have been impossible for either of us to tell.

Without exchanging a syllable upon the subject, Toby and myself simultaneously renounced the design

which had lured us thus far perceiving in each other's countenances that desponding expression which

Together we stood towards the close of this weary day in the cavity of the third gorge we had entered, wholly

incapacitated for any further exertion, until restored to some degree of strength by food and repose.

We seated ourselves upon the least uncomfortable spot we could select, and Toby produced from the bosom

of his frock the sacred package. In silence we partook of the small morsel of refreshment that had been left

from the morning's repast, and without once proposing to violate the sanctity of our engagement with respect

to the remainder, we rose to our feet, and proceeded to construct some sort of shelter under which we might

Fortunately the spot was better adapted to our purpose than the one in which we had passed the last wretched

night. We cleared away the tall reeds from a small but almost level bit of ground, and twisted them into a low

basketlike hut, which we covered with a profusion of long thick leaves, gathered from a tree near at hand.

We disposed them thickly all around, reserving only a slight opening that barely permitted us to crawl under

These deep recesses, though protected from the winds that assail the summits of their lofty sides, are damp

and chill to a degree that one would hardly anticipate in such a climate; and being unprovided with anything

but our woollen frocks and thin duck trousers to resist the cold of the place, we were the more solicitous to

render our habitation for the night as comfortable as we could. Accordingly, in addition to what we had

already done, we plucked down all the leaves within our reach and threw them in a heap over our little hut,

That night nothing but the pain I suffered prevented me from sleeping most refreshingly. As it was, I caught

two or three naps, while Toby slept away at my side as soundly as though he had been sandwiched between

two Holland sheets. Luckily it did not rain, and we were preserved from the misery which a heavy shower

In the morning I was awakened by the sonorous voice of my companion ringing in my ears and bidding me

rise. I crawled out from our heap of leaves, and was astonished at the change which a good night's rest had

wrought in his appearance. He was as blithe and joyous as a young bird, and was staying the keenness of his

morning's appetite by chewing the soft bark of a delicate branch he held in his hand, and he recommended the

For my own part, though feeling materially better than I had done the preceding evening, I could not look at

the limb that had pained me so violently at intervals during the last twentyfour hours, without experiencing

a sense of alarm that I strove in vain to shake off. Unwilling to disturb the flow of my comrade's spirits, I

managed to stifle the complaints to which I might otherwise have given vent, and calling upon him

goodhumouredly to speed our banquet, I prepared myself for it by washing in the stream. This operation

concluded, we swallowed, or rather absorbed, by a peculiar kind of slow sucking process, our respective

morsels of nourishment, and then entered into a discussion as to the steps it was necessary for us to pursue.

"Descend into that same valley we descried yesterday," rejoined Toby, with a rapidity and loudness of

utterance that almost led me to suspect he had been slyly devouring the broadside of an ox in some of the

adjoining thickets. "What else," he continued, "remains for us to do but that, to be sure? Why, we shall both

starve, to a certainty, if we remain here; and as to your fears of those Typees depend upon it, it is all

nonsense. It is impossible that the inhabitants of such a lovely place as we saw can be anything else but good

fellows; and if you choose rather to perish with hunger in one of these soppy caverns, I for one prefer to

"And who is to pilot us thither," I asked, "even if we should decide upon the measure you propose? Are we to

go again up and down those precipices that we crossed yesterday, until we reach the place we started from,

"'Faith, I didn't think of that," said Toby; "sure enough, both sides of the valley appeared to be hemmed in by

"Yes," answered I; "as steep as the sides of a lineofbattle ship, and about a hundred times as high." My

companion sank his head upon his breast, and remained for awhile in deep thought. Suddenly he sprang to his

feet, while his eyes lighted up with that gleam of intelligence that marks the presence of some bright idea.

"Yes, yes," he exclaimed; "the streams all run in the same direction, and must necessarily flow into the valley

before they reach the sea; all we have to do is just to follow this stream, and sooner or later, it will lead us

"You are right, Toby," I exclaimed, "you are right; it conduct us thither, and quickly, too; for, see with what a

"It does, indeed," burst forth my companion, overjoyed at my verification of his theory, "it does, indeed; why,

it is as plain as a pikestaff. Let us proceed at once; come, throw away all those stupid ideas about the

"You will have it to be Happar, I see, my dear fellow; pray Heaven, you may not find yourself deceived,"

"Amen to all that, and much more," shouted Toby, rushing forward; "but Happar it is, for nothing else than

Happar can it be. So glorious a valley such forests of breadfruit trees such groves of cocoanut such

wildernesses of guavabushes! Ah, shipmate! don't linger behind: in the name of all delightful fruits, I am

dying to be at them. Come on, come on; shove ahead, there's a lively lad; never mind the rocks; kick them out

of the way, as I do; and tomorrow, old fellow, take my word for it, we shall be in clover. Come on"; and so

saying, he dashed along the ravine like a madman, forgetting my inability to keep up with him. In a few

minutes, however, the exuberance of his spirits abated, and, pausing for awhile, he permitted me to overtake

THE fearless confidence of Toby was contagious, and I began to adopt the Happar side of the question. I

could not, however, overcome a certain feeling of trepidation, as we made our way along these gloomy

solitudes. Our progress, at first comparatively easy, became more and more difficult. The bed of the

watercourse was covered with fragments of broken rocks, which had fallen from above, offering so many

obstructions to the course of the rapid stream, which vexed and fretted about them, forming at intervals

small waterfalls, pouring over into deep basins, or splashing wildly upon heaps of stones.

From the narrowness of the gorge, and the steepness of its sides, there was no mode of advancing but by

wading through the water; stumbling every moment over the impediments which lay hidden under its surface,

or tripping against the huge roots of trees. But the most annoying hindrance we encountered was from a

multitude of crooked boughs, which, shooting out almost horizontally from the sides of the chasm, twisted

themselves together in fantastic masses almost to the surface of the stream, affording us no passage except

under the low arches which they formed. Under these we were obliged to crawl on our hands and feet, sliding

along the oozy surface of the rocks, or slipping into the deep pools, and with scarce light enough to guide us.

Occasionally we would strike our heads against some projecting limb of a tree; and while imprudently

engaged in rubbing the injured part, would fall sprawling amongst flinty fragments, cutting and bruising

ourselves, whilst the unpitying waters flowed over our prostrate bodies. Belzoni, worming himself through

the subterranean passages of the Egyptian catacombs, could not have met with greater impediments than

those we here encountered. But we struggled against them manfully, well knowing our only hope lay in

Towards sunset we halted at a spot where we made preparations for passing the night. Here we constructed a

hut, in much the same way as before, and crawling into it, endeavoured to forget our sufferings. My

companion, I believe, slept pretty soundly; but at daybreak, when we rolled out of our dwelling, I felt nearly

disqualified for any further efforts. Toby prescribed as a remedy for my illness the contents of one of our

little silk packages, to be taken at once in a single dose. To this species of medical treatment, however, I

would by no means accede, much as he insisted upon it; and so we partook of our usual morsel, and silently

resumed our journey. It was now the fourth day since we left Nukuheva, and the gnawings of hunger became

painfully acute. We were fain to pacify them by chewing the tender bark of roots and twigs, which, if they did

Our progress along the steep watercourse was necessarily slow, and by noon we had not advanced more than

a mile. It was somewhere near this part of the day that the noise of falling waters, which we had faintly

caught in the early morning, became more distinct; and it was not long before we were arrested by a rocky

precipice of nearly a hundred feet in depth, that extended all across the channel, and over which the wild

stream poured in an unbroken leap. On either hand the walls of the ravine presented their overhanging sides

both above and below the fall, affording no means whatever of avoiding the cataract by taking a circuit round

"Why," rejoined he, "as we cannot retreat, I suppose we must keep shoving along."

"Very true, my dear Toby; but how do you purpose accomplishing that desirable object?"

"By jumping from the top of the fall, if there be no other way," unhesitatingly replied my companion; "it will

be much the quickest way of descent; but as you are not quite as active as I am, we will try some other way."

And so saying, he crept cautiously along and peered over into the abyss, while I remained wondering by what

possible means we could overcome this apparently insuperable obstruction. As soon as my companion had

"The result of my observations you wish to know, do you?" began Toby, deliberately, with one of his odd

looks: "well, my lad, the result of my observations is very quickly imparted. It is at present uncertain which

of our two necks will have the honour to be broken first; but about a hundred to one would be a fair bet in

"No, shipmate; on the contrary, it is the easiest thing in life: the only awkward point is the sort of usage

which our unhappy limbs may receive when we arrive at the bottom, and what sort of travelling trim we shall

be in afterwards. But follow me now, and I will show you the only chance we have."

With this he conducted me to the verge of the cataract, and pointed along the side of the ravine to a number of

curiouslooking roots, some three or four inches in thickness, and several feet long, which, after twisting

among the fissures of the rock, shot perpendicularly from it, and ran tapering to a point in the air, hanging

over the gulf like so many dark icicles. They covered nearly the entire surface of one side of the gorge, the

lowest of them reaching even to the water. Many were mossgrown and decayed, with their extremities

snapped short off, and those in the immediate vicinity of the fall were slippery with moisture.

Toby's scheme, and it was a desperate one, was to entrust ourselves to these treacherouslooking roots, and

"Are you ready to venture it?" asked Toby, looking at me earnestly, but without saying a word as to the

"I am," was my reply; for I saw it was our only resource if we wished to advance, and as for retreating, all

After I had signified my assent, Toby, without uttering a single word, crawled along the dripping ledge until

he gained a point from whence he could just reach one of the largest of the pendant roots; he shook it it

quivered in his grasp, and when he let it go, it twanged in the air like a strong wire sharply struck. Satisfied

by his scrutiny, my lightlimbed companion swung himself nimbly upon it, and twisting his legs round it in

sailor fashion, slipped down eight or ten feet, where his weight gave it a motion not unlike that of a

pendulum. He could not venture to descend any farther; so holding on with one hand, he with the other shook

one by one all the slender roots around him, and at last, finding one which he thought trustworthy, shifted

So far so well; but I could not avoid comparing my heavier frame and disabled condition with his light figure

and remarkable activity: but there was no help for it, and in less than a minute's time I was swinging directly

over his head. As soon as his upturned eyes caught a glimpse of me, he exclaimed in his usual dry tone, for

the danger did not seem to daunt him in the least, "Mate, do me the kindness not to fall until I get out of your

way"; and then swinging himself more on one side, he continued his descent. In the meantime, I cautiously

transferred myself from the limb down which I had been slipping to a couple of others that were near it,

deeming two strings to my bow better than one, and taking care to test their strength before I trusted my

On arriving towards the end of the second stage in this vertical journey, and shaking the long roots which

were round me, to my consternation they snapped off one after another like so many pipe stems, and fell in

fragments against the side of the gulf, splashing at last into the waters beneath.

As one after another the treacherous roots yielded to my grasp, and fell into the torrent, my heart sunk within

me. The branches on which I was suspended over the yawning chasm swang to and fro in the air, and I

expected them every moment to snap in twain. Appalled at the dreadful fate that menaced me, I clutched

frantically at the only large root which remained near me; but in vain; I could not reach it, though my fingers

were within a few inches of it. Again and again I tried to reach it, until at length, maddened with the thought

of my situation, I swayed myself violently by striking my foot against the side of the rock, and at the instant

that I approached the large root caught desperately at it, and transferred myself to it. It vibrated violently

My brain grew dizzy with the idea of the frightful risk I had just run, and I involuntarily closed my eyes to

shut out the view of the depth beneath me. For the instant I was safe, and I uttered a devout ejaculation of

"Pretty well done," shouted Toby underneath me; "you are nimbler than I thought you to be hopping about

up there from root to root like any young squirrel. As soon as you have diverted yourself sufficiently, I would

"Ay, ay, Toby, all in good time: two or three more such famous roots as this, and I shall be with you."

The residue of my downward progress was comparatively easy; the roots were in greater abundance, and in

one or two places jutting out points of rock assisted me greatly. In a few moments I was standing by the side

Substituting a stout stick for the one I had thrown aside at the top of the precipice, we now continued our

course along the bed of the ravine. Soon we were saluted by a sound in advance, that grew by degrees louder

and louder, as the noise of the cataract we were leaving behind gradually died oh our ears.

Nothing indeed appeared to depress or intimidate this intrepid fellow. Typees or Niagaras, he was as ready to

engage one as the other, and I could not avoid a thousand times congratulating myself upon having such a

After an hour's painful progress, we reached the verge of another fall, still loftier than the preceding, and

flanked both above and below with the same steep masses of rock, presenting, however, here and there

narrow irregular ledges, supporting a shallow soil, on which grew a variety of bushes and trees, whose bright

Toby, who invariably acted as pioneer, now proceeded to reconnoitre. On his return, he reported that the

shelves of rock on our right would enable us to gain with little risk the bottom of the cataract. Accordingly,

leaving the bed of the stream at the very point where it thundered down, we began crawling along one of

these sloping ledges until it carried us to within a few feet of another that inclined downward at a still sharper

angle, and upon which, by assisting each other, we managed to alight in safety. We warily crept along this,

steadying ourselves by the naked roots of the shrubs that clung to every fissure. As we proceeded, the narrow

path became still more contracted, rendering it difficult for us to maintain our footing, until suddenly, as we

reached an angle of the wall of rock where we had expected it to widen, we perceived to our consternation,

that a yard or two farther on it abruptly terminated at a place we could not possibly hope to pass.

Toby, as usual, led the van, and in silence I waited to learn from him how he proposed to extricate us from

"Well, my boy," I exclaimed, after the expiration of several minutes, during which time my companion had

He replied in a tranquil tone that probably the best thing we could do in the present strait was to get out of it

"Something in this sort of style," he replied; and at the same moment, to my horror, he slipped sideways off

the rock, and, as I then thought, by good fortune merely, alighted among the spreading branches of a species

of palm tree, that shooting its hardy roots along a ledge below, curved its trunk upwards into the air, and

presented a thick mass of foliage about twenty feet below the spot where we had thus suddenly been brought

to a standstill. I involuntarily held my breath, expecting to see the form of my companion, after being

sustained for a moment by the branches of the tree, sink through their frail support, and fall headlong to the

bottom. To my surprise and joy, however, he recovered himself, and disentangling his limbs from the

fractured branches, he peered out from his leafy bed, and shouted lustily, "Come on, my hearty, there is no

other alternative!" and with this he ducked beneath the foliage, and slipping down the trunk, stood in a

moment at least fifty feet beneath me, upon the broad shelf of rock from which sprung the tree he had

What would I not have given at that moment to have been by his side? The feat he had just accomplished

seemed little less than miraculous, and I could hardly credit the evidence of my senses when I saw the wide

Toby's animating "come on!" again sounded in my ears, and dreading to lose all confidence myself if I

remained meditating upon the step, I once more gazed down to assure myself of the relative bearing of the

tree and my own position, and then closing my eyes and uttering one comprehensive ejaculation of prayer, I

inclined myself over towards the abyss, and after one breathless instant fell with a crash into the tree, the

branches snapping and crackling with my weight, as I sunk lower and lower among them, until I was stopped

In a few moments I was standing at the foot of the tree, manipulating myself all over with a view of

ascertaining the extent of the injuries had received. To my surprise the only effects of my feat were a few

slight contusions too trifling to care about. The rest of our descent was easily accomplished, and in half an

hour after regaining the ravine, we had partaken of our evening morsel, built our hut as usual, and crawled

The next morning, in spite of our debility and the agony of hunger under which we were now suffering,

though neither of us confessed to the fact, we struggled along our dismal and still difficult and dangerous

path, cheered by the hope of soon catching a glimpse of the valley before us, and towards evening the voice

of a cataract which had for some time sounded like a low deep bass to the music of the smaller waterfalls,

broke upon our ears in still louder tones, and assured us that we were approaching its vicinity.

That evening we stood on the brink of a precipice, over which the dark stream bounded in one final leap of

full 300 feet. The sheer descent terminated in the region we so long had sought. On either side of the fall, two

lofty and perpendicular bluffs buttressed the sides of the enormous cliff, and projected into the sea of verdure

with which the valley waved, and a range of similar projecting eminences stood disposed in a half circle

about the head of the vale. A thick canopy of trees hung over the very verge of the fall, leaving an arched

aperture for the passage of the waters, which imparted a strange picturesqueness to the scene.

The valley was now before us; but instead of being conducted into its smiling bosom by the gradual descent

of the deep watercourse we had thus far pursued, all our labours now appeared to have been rendered futile

by its abrupt termination. But, bitterly disappointed, we did not entirely despair.

As it was now near sunset we determined to pass the night where we were, and on the morrow, refreshed by

sleep, and by eating at one meal all our stock of food, to accomplish a descent into the valley, or perish in the

We laid ourselves down that night on a spot, the recollection of which still makes me shudder. A small table

of rock which projected over the precipice on one side of the stream, and was drenched by the spray of the

fall, sustained a huge trunk of a tree which must have been deposited there by some heavy freshet. It lay

obliquely, with one end resting on the rock and the other supported by the side of the ravine. Against it we

placed in a sloping direction a number of the halfdecayed boughs that were strewn about, and covering the

whole with twigs and leaves, awaited the morning's light beneath such shelter as it afforded.

During the whole of this night the continual roaring of the cataract the dismal moaning of the gale through

the trees the pattering of the rain, and the profound darkness, affected my spirits to a degree which nothing

had ever before produced. Wet, halffamished, and chilled to the heart with the dampness of the place, and

nearly wild with the pain I endured, I fairly cowered down to the earth under this multiplication of hardships,

and abandoned myself to frightful anticipations of evil; and my companion, whose spirit at last was a good

At length the day dawned upon us, and rising from our miserable pallet, we stretched our stiffened joints, and

after eating all that remained of our bread, prepared for the last stage of our journey.

I will not recount every hairbreadth escape, and every fearful difficulty that occurred before we succeeded in

reaching the bosom of the valley. As I have already described similar scenes, it will be sufficient to say that at

length, after great toil and great dangers, we both stood with no limbs broken at the head of that magnificent

vale which five days before had so suddenly burst upon my sight, and almost beneath the shadow of those

HOW to obtain the fruit which we felt convinced must grow near at hand was our first thought. Typee or

Happar? A frightful death at the hands of the fiercest of cannibals, or a kindly reception from a gentler race of

savages? Which? But it was too late now to discuss a question which would so soon be answered.

The part of the valley in which we found ourselves appeared to be altogether uninhabited. An almost

impenetrable thicket extended from side to side, without presenting a single plant affording the nourishment

we had confidently calculated upon; and with this object, we followed the course of the stream, casting quick

My companion to whose solicitations I had yielded in descending into the valley now that the step was

taken, began to manifest a degree of caution I had little expected from him. He proposed that in the event of

our finding an adequate supply of fruit, we should remain in this unfrequented portion of the valley where

we should run little chance of being surprised by its occupants, whoever they might be until sufficiently

recruited to resume our journey; when laying in a store of food equal to our wants, we might easily regain the

bay of Nukuheva, after the lapse of a sufficient interval to ensure the departure of our vessel.

I objected strongly to this proposition, plausible as it was, as the difficulties of the route would be almost

insurmountable, unacquainted as we were with the general bearings of the country, and I reminded my

companion of the hardships which we had already encountered in our uncertain wanderings; in a word, I said

that since we had deemed it advisable to enter the valley, we ought manfully to face the consequences,

whatever they might be; the more especially as I was convinced there was no alternative left us but to fall in

with the natives at once, and boldly risk the reception they might give us: and that as to myself, I felt the

necessity of rest and shelter, and that until I had obtained them, I should be wholly unable to encounter such

sufferings as we had lately passed through. To the justice of these observations Toby somewhat reluctantly

We were surprised that, after moving as far as we had along the valley, we should still meet with the same

impervious thickets; and thinking that although the borders of the stream might be lined for some distance

with them, yet beyond there might be more open ground, I requested Toby to keep a bright lookout upon

one side, while I did the same on the other, in order to discover some opening in the bushes, and especially to

watch for the slightest appearance of a path or anything else that might indicate the vicinity of the islanders.

What furtive and anxious glances we cast into those dimlooking shades! With what apprehensions we

proceeded, ignorant at what moment we might be greeted by the javelin of some ambushed savage! At last

my companion paused, and directed my attention to a narrow opening in the foliage. We struck into it, and it

soon brought us by an indistinctly traced path to a comparatively clear space, at the farther end of which we

descried a number of the trees, the native name of which is "annuee," and which bear a most delicious fruit.

What a race! I hobbling over the ground like some decrepit wretch, and Toby leaping forward like a

greyhound. He quickly cleared one of the trees on which there were two or three of the fruit, but to our

chagrin they proved to be much decayed; the rinds partly opened by the birds, and their hearts half devoured.

However, we quickly despatched them, and no ambrosia could have been more delicious.

We looked about us uncertain whither to direct our steps, since the path we had so far followed appeared to

be lost in the open space around us. At last we resolved to enter a grove near at hand, and had advanced a few

rods, when, just upon its skirts, I picked up a slender breadfruit shoot perfectly green, and with the tender

bark freshly stript from it. It was slippery with moisture, and appeared as if it had been but that moment

thrown aside. I said nothing, but merely held it up to Toby, who started at this undeniable evidence of the

The plot was now thickening. A short distance farther lay a little faggot of the same shoots bound together

with a strip of bark. Could it have been thrown down by some solitary native, who, alarmed at seeing us, had

hurried forward to carry the tidings of our approach to his countrymen? Typee or Happar? But it was too

late to recede, so we moved on slowly, my companion in advance casting eager glances under the trees on

either side, until all at once I saw him recoil as if stung by an adder. Sinking on his knee, he waved me off

with one hand, while with the other he held aside some intervening leaves, and gazed intently at some object.

Disregarding his injunction, I quickly approached him and caught a glimpse of two figures partly hidden by

the dense foliage; they were standing close together, and were perfectly motionless. They must have

previously perceived us, and withdrawn into the depths of the wood to elude our observation.

My mind was at once made up. Dropping my staff, and tearing open the package of things we had brought

from the ship, I unrolled the cotton cloth, and holding it in one hand, plucked with the other a twig from the

bushes beside me, and telling Toby to follow my example, I broke through the covert and advanced, waving

They were a boy and a girl, slender and graceful, and completely naked, with the exception of a slight girdle

of bark, from which depended at opposite points two of the russet leaves of the breadfruit tree. An arm of

the boy, half screened from sight by her wild tresses, was thrown about the neck of the girl, while with the

other he held one of her hands in his; and thus they stood together, their heads inclined forward, catching the

faint noise we made in our progress, and with one foot in advance, as if half inclined to fly from our presence.

As we drew near, their alarm evidently increased. Apprehensive that they might fly from us altogether, I

stopped short and motioned them to advance and receive the gift I extended towards them, but they would

not; I then uttered a few words of their language with which I was acquainted, scarcely expecting that they

would understand me, but to show that we had not dropped from the clouds upon them. This appeared to give

them a little confidence, so I approached nearer, presenting the cloth with one hand, and holding the bough

with the other, while they slowly retreated. At last they suffered us to approach so near to them that we were

enabled to throw the cotton cloth across their shoulders, giving them to understand that it was theirs, and by a

variety of gestures endeavouring to make them understand that we entertained the highest possible regard for

The frightened pair now stood still, whilst we endeavoured to make them comprehend the nature of our

wants. In doing this Toby went through with a complete series of pantomimic illustrations opening his

mouth from ear to ear, and thrusting his fingers down his throat, gnashing his teeth and rolling his eyes about,

till I verily believe the poor creatures took us for a couple of white cannibals who were about to make a meal

of them. When, however, they understood us, they showed no inclination to relieve our wants. At this

juncture it began to rain violently, and we motioned them to lead us to some place of shelter. With this

request they appeared willing to comply, but nothing could evince more strongly the apprehension with

which they regarded us, than the way in which, whilst walking before us, they kept their eyes constantly

"Of course, Happar," he replied, with a show of confidence which was intended to disguise his doubts.

"We shall soon know," I exclaimed; and at the same moment I stepped forward towards our guides, and

pronouncing the two names interrogatively, and pointing to the lowest part of the valley, endeavoured to

come to the point at once. They repeated the words after me again and again, but without giving any peculiar

emphasis to either, so that I was completely at a loss to understand them; for a couple of wilier young things

than we afterwards found them to have been on this particular occasion never probably fell in any traveller's

More and more curious to ascertain our fate, I now threw together in the form of a question the words

"Happar" and "Mortarkee," the latter being equivalent to the word "good." The two natives interchanged

glances of peculiar meaning with one another at this, and manifested no little surprise; but on the repetition of

the question, after some consultation together, to the great joy of Toby, they answered in the affirmative.

Toby was now in ecstasies, especially as the young savages continued to reiterate their answer with great

energy, as though desirous of impressing us with the idea that being among the Happars, we ought consider

Although I had some lingering doubts, I feigned great delight with Toby at this announcement, while my

companion broke out into a pantomimic abhorrence of Typee, and immeasurable love for the particular valley

in which we were; our guides all the while gazing uneasily at one another, as if at a loss to account for our

They hurried on, and we followed them; until suddenly they set up a strange halloo, which was answered

from beyond the grove through which we were passing, and the next moment we entered upon some open

ground, at the extremity of which we descried a long, low hut, and in front of it were several young girls. As

soon as they perceived us they fled with wild screams into the adjoining thickets, so many startled fawns. A

few moments after the whole valley resounded with savage outcries, and the natives came running towards us

Had an army of invaders made an irruption into their territory, they could not have evinced greater

excitement. We were soon completely encircled by a dense throng, and in their eager desire to behold us, they

almost arrested our progress; an equal number surrounding our youthful guides, who, with amazing

volubility, appeared to be detailing the circumstances which had attended their meeting with us. Every item

of intelligence appeared to redouble the astonishment of the islanders, and they gazed at us with inquiring

At last we reached a large and handsome building of bamboos, and were by signs told to enter it, the natives

opening a lane for us through which to pass; on entering, without ceremony we threw our exhausted frames

upon the mats that covered the floor. In a moment the slight tenement was completely full of people, whilst

those who were unable to obtain admittance gazed at us through its open canework.

It was now evening, and by the dim light we could just discern the savage countenances around us, gleaming

with wild curiosity and wonder; the naked forms and tattooed limbs of brawny warriors, with here and there

the slighter figures of young girls, all engaged in a perfect storm of conversation, of which we were of course

the one only theme; whilst our recent guides were fully occupied in answering the innumerable questions

which every one put to them. Nothing can exceed the fierce gesticulation of these people when animated in

conversation, and on this occasion they gave loose to all their natural vivacity, shouting and dancing about in

Close to where we lay, squatting upon their haunches, were some eight or ten noblelooking chiefs for such

they subsequently proved to be who, more reserved than the rest, regarded us with a fixed and stern

attention, which not a little discomposed our equanimity. One of them in particular, who appeared to be the

highest in rank, placed himself directly facing me, looking at me with a rigidity of aspect under which I

absolutely quailed. He never once opened his lips, but maintained his severe expression of countenance,

without turning his face aside for a single moment. Never before had I been subjected to so strange and

steady a glance; it revealed nothing of the mind of the savage, but it appeared to be reading my own.

After undergoing this scrutiny till I grew absolutely nervous, with a view of diverting it if possible, and

conciliating the good opinion of the warrior, I took some tobacco from the bosom of my frock, and offered it

to him. He quietly rejected the proffered gift, and, without speaking, motioned me to return it to its place.

In my previous intercourse with the natives of Nukuheva and Tior, I had found that the present of a small

piece of tobacco would have rendered any of them devoted to my service. Was this act of the chief a token of

his enmity? Typee or Happar? I asked within myself. I started, for at the same moment this identical question

was asked by the strange being before me. I turned to Toby; the flickering light of a native taper showed me

his countenance pale with trepidation at this fatal question. I paused for a second, and I know not by what

impulse it was that I answered, "Typee." The piece of dusky statuary nodded in approval, and then

murmured, "Mortarkee?" "Mortarkee," said I, without further hesitation "Typee mortarkee."

What a transition! The dark figures around us leaped to their feet, clapped their hands in transport, and

shouted again and again the talismanic syllables, the utterance of which appeared to have settled everything.

When this commotion had a little subsided, the principal chief squatted once more before me, and throwing

himself into a sudden rage, poured forth a string of philippics, which I was at no loss to understand, from the

frequent recurrence of the word Happar, as being directed against the natives of the adjoining valley. In all

these denunciations my companion and I acquiesced, while we extolled the character of the warlike Typees.

To be sure our panegyrics were somewhat laconic, consisting in the repetition of that name, united with the

potent adjective, "Mortarkee." But this was sufficient, and served to conciliate the goodwill of the natives,

with whom our congeniality of sentiment on this point did more towards inspiring a friendly feeling than

At last the wrath of the chief evaporated, and in a few moments he was as placid as ever. Laying his hand

upon his breast, he gave me to understand that his name was "Mehevi," and that, in return, he wished me to

communicate my appellation. I hesitated for an instant, thinking that it might be difficult for him to

pronounce my real name, and then, with the most praiseworthy intentions, intimated that I was known as

"Tom." But I could not have made a worse selection; the chief could not master it: "Tommo," "Tomma,"

"Tommee," everything but plain "Tom." As he persisted in garnishing the word with an additional syllable, I

compromised the matter with him at the word "Tommo"; and by that name I went during the entire period of

my stay in the valley. The same proceeding was gone through with Toby, whose mellifluous appellation was

An exchange of names is equivalent to a ratification of goodwill and amity among these simple people; and

as we were aware of this fact, we were delighted that it had taken place on the present occasion.

Reclining upon our mats, we now held a kind of levee, giving audience to successive troops of the natives,

who introduced themselves to us by pronouncing their respective names, and retired in high good humour on

receiving ours in return. During the ceremony the greatest merriment prevailed, nearly every announcement

on the part of the islanders being followed by a fresh sally of gaiety, which induced me to believe that some

of them at least were innocently diverting the company at our expense, by bestowing upon themselves a

string of absurd titles, of the honour of which we were, of course, entirely ignorant.

All this occupied about an hour, when the throng having a little diminished, I turned to Mehevi, and gave him

to understand that we were in need of food and sleep. Immediately the attentive chief addressed a few words

to one of the crowd, who disappeared, and returned in a few moments with a calabash of "poeepoee," and

two or three young cocoanuts stripped of their husks, and with their shells partly broken. We both of us

forthwith placed one of these natural goblets to our lips, and drained it in a moment of the refreshing draught

it contained. The poeepoee was then placed before us, and even famished as I was, I paused to consider in

This staple article of food among the Marquese islanders is manufactured from the produce of the breadfruit

tree. It somewhat resembles in its plastic nature our bookbinders' paste, is of a yellow colour, and somewhat

Such was the dish, the merits of which I was now eager to discuss. I eyed it wistfully for a moment, and then,

unable any longer to stand on ceremony, plunged my hand into the yielding mass, and to the boisterous mirth

of the natives drew it forth laden with the poeepoee, which adhered in lengthening strings to every finger.

So stubborn was its consistency, that in conveying my heavilyfreighted hand to my mouth, the connecting

links almost raised the calabash from the mats on which it had been placed. This display of awkwardness in

which, by the bye, Toby kept me company convulsed the bystanders with uncontrollable laughter.

As soon as their merriment had somewhat subsided, Mehevi, motioning us to be attentive, dipped the

forefinger of his right hand in the dish, and giving it a rapid and scientific twirl, drew it out coated smoothly

with the preparation. With a second peculiar flourish he prevented the poeepoee from dropping to the

ground as he raised it to his mouth, into which the finger was inserted, and drawn forth perfectly free from

any adhesive matter. This performance was evidently intended for our instruction; so I again essayed the feat

A starving man, however, little heeds conventional proprieties, especially on a South Sea island, and

accordingly Toby and I partook of the dish after our own clumsy fashion, beplastering our faces all over with

the glutinous compound, and daubing our hands nearly to the wrist. This kind of food is by no means

disagreeable to the palate of a European, though at first the mode of eating it may be. For my own part, after

the lapse of a few days I became accustomed to its singular flavour, and grew remarkably fond of it.

So much for the first course; several other dishes followed it, some of which were positively delicious. We

concluded our banquet by tossing off the contents of two more young cocoanuts, after which we regaled

ourselves with the soothing fumes of tobacco, inhaled from a quaintly carved pipe which passed round the

During the repast, the natives eyed us with intense curiosity, observing our minutest motions, and appearing

to discover abundant matter for comment in the most trifling occurrence. Their surprise mounted the highest,

when we began to remove our uncomfortable garments, which were saturated with rain. They scanned the

whiteness of our limbs, and seemed utterly unable to account for the contrast they presented to the swarthy

hue of our faces, embrowned from a six months' exposure to the scorching sun of the Line. They felt our skin,

much in the same way that a silk mercer would handle a remarkably fine piece of satin; and some of them

Their singular behaviour almost led me to imagine that they never before had beheld a white man; but a few

moments' reflection convinced me that this could not have been the case; and a more satisfactory reason for

Deterred by the frightful stories related of its inhabitants, ships never enter this bay, while their hostile

relations with the tribes in the adjoining valleys prevent the Typees from visiting that section of the island

where vessels occasionally lie. At long intervals, however, some intrepid captain will touch on the skirts of

the bay, with two or three armed boats' crews, and accompanied by an interpreter. The natives who live near

the sea descry the strangers long before they reach their waters, and aware of the purpose for which they

come, proclaim loudly the news of their approach. By a species of vocal telegraph the intelligence reaches the

inmost recesses of the vale in an inconceivably short space of time, drawing nearly its whole population

down to the beach laden with every variety of fruit. The interpreter, who is invariably a "tabooed Kannaka,"*

leaps ashore with the goods intended for barter, while the boats, with their oars shipped, and every man on his

thwart, lie just outside the surf, heading off from the shore, in readiness at the first untoward event to escape

to the open sea. As soon as the traffic is concluded, one of the boats pulls in under cover of the muskets of the

others, the fruit is quickly thrown into her, and the transient visitors precipitately retire from what they justly

* The word "kannaka" is at the present day universally used in the South Sea by Europeans to designate the

islanders. In the various dialects of the principal groups it is simply a sexual designation applied to the males;

but it is now used by the natives in their intercourse with foreigners in the same sense in which the latter

A "tabooed kannaka" is an islander whose person has been made, to a certain extent, sacred by the operation

The intercourse occurring with Europeans being so restricted, no wonder that the inhabitants of the valley

manifested so much curiosity with regard to us, appearing as we did among them under such singular

circumstances. I have no doubt that we were the first white men who ever penetrated thus far back into their

territories, or at least the first who had ever descended from the head of the vale. What had brought us thither

must have appeared a complete mystery to them, and from our ignorance of the language it was impossible

for us to enlighten them. In answer to inquiries which the eloquence of their gestures enabled us to

comprehend, all that we could reply was, that we had come from Nukuheva, a place, be it remembered, with

which they were at open war. This intelligence appeared to affect them with the most lively emotions.

"Nukuheva mortarkee?" they asked. Of course we replied most energetically in the negative.

They then plied us with a thousand questions, of which we could understand nothing more than that they had

reference to the recent movements of the French, against whom they seemed to cherish the most fierce hatred.

So eager were they to obtain information on this point, that they still continued to propound their queries long

after we had shown that we were utterly unable to answer them. Occasionally we caught some indistinct idea

of their meaning, when we would endeavour by every method in our power to communicate the desired

intelligence. At such times their gratification was boundless, and they would redouble their efforts to make us

comprehend them more perfectly. But all in vain; and in the end they looked at us despairingly, as if we were

After awhile the group around us gradually dispersed, and we were left about midnight (as we conjectured)

with those who appeared to be permanent residents of the house. These individuals now provided us with

fresh mats to lie upon, covered us with several folds of tappa, and then extinguishing the tapers that had been

burning, threw themselves down beside us, and after a little desultory conversation were soon sound asleep.

VARIOUS and conflicting were the thoughts which oppressed me during the silent hours that followed the

events related in the preceding chapter. Toby, wearied with the fatigues of the day, slumbered heavily by my

side; but the pain under which I was suffering effectually prevented my sleeping, and I remained distressingly

alive to all the fearful circumstances of our present situation. Was it possible that, after all our vicissitudes,

we were really in the terrible valley of Typee, and at the mercy of its inmates, a fierce and unrelenting tribe of

Typee or Happar? I shuddered when I reflected that there was no longer any room for doubt; and that, beyond

all hope of escape, we were now placed in those very circumstances from the bare thought of which I had

recoiled with such abhorrence but a few days before. What might not be our fearful destiny? To be sure, as

yet, we had been treated with no violence; nay, had been even kindly and hospitably entertained. But what

dependence could be placed upon the fickle passions which sway the bosom of a savage? His inconstancy

and treachery are proverbial. Might it not be that, beneath these fair appearances, the islanders covered some

perfidious design, and that their friendly reception of us might only precede some horrible catastrophe? How

strongly did these forebodings spring up in my mind, as I lay restlessly upon a couch of mats, surrounded by

From the excitement of these fearful thoughts, I sank, towards morning, into an uneasy slumber; and on

awaking, with a start, in the midst of an appalling dream, looked up into the eager countenances of a number

It was broad day; and the house was nearly filled with young females, fancifully decorated with flowers, who

gazed upon me as I rose with faces in which childish delight and curiosity were vividly portrayed. After

waking Toby, they seated themselves round us on the mats, and gave full play to that prying inquisitiveness

As these unsophisticated young creatures were attended by no jealous duennas, their proceedings were

altogether informal, and void of artificial restraint. Long and minute was the investigation with which they

honoured us, and so uproarious their mirth, that I felt infinitely sheepish; and Toby was immeasurably

These lively young ladies were at the same time wonderfully polite and humane; fanning aside the insects

that occasionally lighted on our brows; presenting us with food; and compassionately regarding me in the

midst of my afflictions. But in spite of all their blandishments, my feelings of propriety were exceedingly

shocked, for I could not but consider them as having overstepped the due limits of female decorum.

Having diverted themselves to their hearts' content, our young visitants now withdrew, and gave place to

successive troops of the other sex, who continued flocking towards the house until near noon; by which time I

have no doubt that the greater part of the inhabitants of the valley had bathed themselves in the light of our

At last, when their numbers began to diminish, a superblooking warrior stooped the towering plumes of his

headdress beneath the low portal, and entered the house. I saw at once that he was some distinguished

personage, the natives regarding him with the utmost deference, and making room for him as he approached.

His aspect was imposing. The splendid long drooping tailfeathers of the tropical bird, thickly interspersed

with the gaudy plumage of the cock, were disposed in an immense upright semicircle upon his head, their

lower extremities being fixed in a crescent of guineabeads which spanned the forehead. Around his neck

were several enormous necklaces of boar's tusks, polished like ivory, and disposed in such a manner as that

the longest and largest were upon his capacious chest. Thrust forward through the large apertures in his ears

were two small and finely shaped spermwhale teeth, presenting their cavities in front, stuffed with

freshlyplucked leaves, and curiously wrought at the other end into strange little images and devices. These

barbaric trinkets, garnished in this manner at their open extremities, and tapering and curving round to a point

The loins of the warrior were girt about with heavy folds of a darkcoloured tappa, hanging before and

behind in clusters of braided tassels, while anklets and bracelets of curling human hair completed his unique

costume. In his right hand he grasped a beautifullycarved paddlespear, nearly fifteen feet in length, made

of the bright koarwood, one end sharply pointed, and the other flattened like an oarblade. Hanging

obliquely from his girdle by a loop of sinnate, was a richlydecorated pipe; the slender reed forming its stem

was coloured with a red pigment, and round it, as well as the idolbowl, fluttered little streamers of the

But that which was most remarkable in the appearance of this splendid islander, was the elaborate tattooing

displayed on every noble limb. All imaginable lines and curves and figures were delineated over his whole

body, and in their grotesque variety and infinite profusion, I could only compare them to the crowded

groupings of quaint patterns we sometimes see in costly pieces of lacework. The most simple and

remarkable of all these ornaments was that which decorated the countenance of the chief. Two broad stripes

of tattooing, diverging from the centre of his shaven crown, obliquely crossed both eyes staining the lids to

a little below either ear, where they united with another stripe, which swept in a straight line along the lips,

and formed the base of the triangle. The warrior, from the excellence of his physical proportions, might

certainly have been regarded as one of nature's noblemen, and the lines drawn upon his face may possibly

This warlike personage, upon entering the house, seated himself at some distance from the spot where Toby

and myself reposed, while the rest of the savages looked alternately from us to him, as if in expectation of

something they were disappointed in not perceiving. Regarding the chief attentively, I thought his lineaments

appeared familiar to me. As soon as his full face was turned upon me, and I again beheld its extraordinary

embellishment, and met the strange gaze to which I had been subjected the preceding night, I immediately, in

spite of the alteration in his appearance, recognised the noble Mehevi. On addressing him, he advanced at

once in the most cordial manner, and greeting me warmly, seemed to enjoy not a little the effect his barbaric

I forthwith determined to secure, if possible, the goodwill of this individual, as I easily perceived he was a

man of great authority in his tribe, and one who might exert a powerful influence upon our subsequent fate. In

the endeavour I was not repulsed; for nothing could surpass the friendliness he manifested towards both my

companion and myself. He extended his sturdy limbs by our side, and endeavoured to make us comprehend

the full extent of the kindly feelings by which he was actuated. The almost insuperable difficulty in

communicating to one another our ideas, affected the chief with no little mortification. He evinced a great

desire to be enlightened with regard to the customs and peculiarities of the faroff country we had left behind

But that which more than any other subject engaged his attention, was the late proceedings of the "Franee," as

he called the French, in the neighbouring bay of Nukuheva. This seemed a neverending theme with him, and

one concerning which he was never weary of interrogating us. All the information we succeeded in imparting

to him on this subject was little more than that we had seen six menofwar lying in the hostile bay at the

time we had left it. When he received this intelligence, Mehevi, by the aid of his fingers, went through a long

numerical calculation, as if estimating the number of Frenchmen the squadron might contain.

It was just after employing his faculties in this way that he happened to notice the swelling in my limb. He

immediately examined it with the utmost attention, and after doing so, despatched a boy, who happened to be

After the lapse of a few moments the stripling reentered the house with an aged islander, who might have

been taken for old Hippocrates himself. His head was as bald as the polished surface of a cocoanut shell,

which article it precisely resembled in smoothness and colour, while a long silvery beard swept almost to his

girdle of bark. Encircling his temples was a bandeau of the twisted leaves of the Omoo tree, pressed closely

over the brows to shield his feeble vision from the glare of the sun. His tottering steps were supported by a

long slim staff, resembling the wand with which a theatrical magician appears on the stage, and in one hand

he carried a freshlyplaited fan of the green leaflets of the cocoanut tree. A flowing robe of tappa, knotted

over the shoulder, hung loosely round his stooping form, and heightened the venerableness of his aspect.

Mehevi, saluting this old gentleman, motioned him to a seat between us, and then uncovering my limb,

desired him to examine it. The leech gazed intently from me to Toby, and then proceeded to business. After

diligently observing the ailing member, he commenced manipulating it; and on the supposition probably that

the complaint had deprived the leg of all sensation, began to pinch and hammer it in such a manner that I

absolutely roared with the pain. Thinking that I was as capable of making an application of thumps and

pinches to the part as any one else, I endeavoured to resist this species of medical treatment. But it was not so

easy a matter to get out of the clutches of the old wizard; he fastened on the unfortunate limb as if it were

something for which he had been long seeking, and muttering some kind of incantation continued his

discipline, pounding it after a fashion that set me wellnigh crazy; while Mehevi, upon the same principle

which prompts an affectionate mother to hold a struggling child in a dentist's chair, restrained me in his

powerful grasp, and actually encouraged the wretch in this infliction of torture.

Almost frantic with rage and pain, I yelled like a bedlamite; while Toby, throwing himself into all the

attitudes of a posturemaster, vainly endeavoured to expostulate with the natives by signs and gestures. To

have looked at my companion, as, sympathizing with my sufferings, he strove to put an end to them, one

would have thought that he was the deaf and dumb alphabet incarnated. Whether my tormentor yielded to

Toby's entreaties, or paused from sheer exhaustion, I do not know; but all at once he ceased his operations,

and at the same time the chief relinquishing his hold upon me, I fell back, faint and breathless with the agony

My unfortunate limb was now left much in the same condition as a rumpsteak after undergoing the

castigating process which precedes cooking. My physician, having recovered from the fatigues of his

exertions, as if anxious to make amends for the pain to which he had subjected me, now took some herbs out

of a little wallet that was suspended from his waist, and moistening them in water, applied them to the

inflamed part, stooping over it at the same time, and either whispering a spell or having a little confidential

chat with some imaginary demon located in the calf of my leg. My limb was now swathed in leafy bandages,

and grateful to Providence for the cessation of hostilities, I was suffered to rest.

Mehevi shortly after rose to depart; but before he went he spoke authoritatively to one of the natives, whom

he addressed as KoryKory; and from the little I could understand of what took place, pointed him out to me

as a man whose peculiar business thenceforth would be to attend upon my person. I am not certain that I

comprehended as much as this at the time, but the subsequent conduct of my trusty bodyservant fully

I could not but be amused at the manner in which the chief addressed me upon this occasion, talking to me

for at least fifteen or twenty minutes as calmly as if I could understand every word that he said. I remarked

Mehevi having now departed, and the family physician having likewise made his exit, we were left about

sunset with the ten or twelve natives, who by this time I had ascertained composed the household of which

Toby and I were members. As the dwelling to which we had been first introduced was the place of my

permanent abode while I remained in the valley, and as I was necessarily placed upon the most intimate

footing with its occupants, I may as well here enter into a little description of it and its inhabitants. This

description will apply also to nearly all the other dwellingplaces in the vale, and will furnish some idea of

Near one side of the valley, and about midway up the ascent of a rather abrupt rise of ground waving with the

richest verdure, a number of large stones were laid in successive courses, to the height of nearly eight feet,

and disposed in such a manner that their level surface corresponded in shape with the habitation which was

perched upon it. A narrow space, however, was reserved in front of the dwelling, upon the summit of this pile

of stones (called by the natives a "pipi"), which, being enclosed by a little picket of canes, gave it somewhat

the appearance of a verandah. The frame of the house was constructed of large bamboos planted uprightly,

and secured together at intervals by transverse stalks of the light wood of the Habiscus, lashed with thongs of

bark. The rear of the tenement built up with successive ranges of cocoanut boughs bound one upon

another, with their leaflets cunningly woven together inclined a little from the vertical, and extended from

the extreme edge of the "pipi" to about twenty feet from its surface; whence the shelving roof thatched

with the long tapering leaves of the palmetto sloped steeply off to within about five feet of the floor; leaving

the eaves drooping with tassellike appendages over the front of the habitation. This was constructed of light

and elegant canes, in a kind of open screenwork, tastefully adorned with bindings of variegated sinnate,

which served to hold together its various parts. The sides of the house were similarly built; thus presenting

threequarters for the circulation of the air, while the whole was impervious to the rain.

In length this picturesque building was perhaps twelve yards, while in breadth it could not have exceeded as

many feet. So much for the exterior; which, with its wirelike reedtwisted sides, not a little reminded me of

Stooping a little, you passed through a narrow aperture in its front; and facing you, on entering, lay two long,

perfectly straight, and wellpolished trunks of the cocoanut tree, extending the full length of the dwelling;

one of them placed closely against the rear, and the other lying parallel with it some two yards distant, the

interval between them being spread with a multitude of gailyworked mats, nearly all of a different pattern.

This space formed the common couch and loungingplace of the natives, answering the purpose of a divan in

Oriental countries. Here would they slumber through the hours of the night, and recline luxuriously during

the greater part of the day. The remainder of the floor presented only the cool shining surfaces of the large

From the ridgepole of the house hung suspended a number of large packages enveloped in coarse tappa;

some of which contained festival dresses, and various other matters of the wardrobe, held in high estimation.

These were easily accessible by means of a line, which, passing over the ridgepole, had one end attached to

a bundle, while with the other, led to the side of the dwelling and was there secured, the package could be

Against the farther wall of the house were arranged in tasteful figures a variety of spears and javelins, and

other implements of savage warfare. Outside of the habitation, and built upon the piazzalike area in its front,

was a little shed used as a sort of larder or pantry, and in which were stored various articles of domestic use

and convenience. A few yards from the pipi was a large shed built of cocoanut boughs, where the process

of preparing the "poeepoee" was carried on, and all culinary operations attended to.

Thus much for the house, and its appurtenances; and it will be readily acknowledged that a more

commodious and appropriate dwelling for the climate and the people could not possibly be devised. It was

cool, free to admit the air, scrupulously clean, and elevated above the dampness and impurities of the ground.

But now to sketch the inmates; and here I claim for my tried servitor and faithful valet KoryKory the

precedence of a first description. As his character will be gradually unfolded in the course of my narrative, I

shall for the present content myself with delineating his personal appearance. KoryKory, though the most

devoted and bestnatured servingman in the world, was, alas! a hideous object to look upon. He was some

twentyfive years of age, and about six feet in height, robust and well made, and of the most extraordinary

aspect. His head was carefully shaven, with the exception of two circular spots, about the size of a dollar,

near the top of the cranium, where the hair, permitted to grow of an amazing length, was twisted up in two

prominent knots, that gave him the appearance of being decorated with a pair of horns. His beard, plucked out

by the root from every other part of his face, was suffered to droop in hairy pendants, two of which garnished

KoryKory, with the view of improving the handiwork of nature, and perhaps prompted by a desire to add to

the engaging expression of his countenance, had seen fit to embellish his face with three broad longitudinal

stripes of tattooing, which, like those country roads that go straight forward in defiance of all obstacles,

crossed his nasal organ, descended into the hollow of his eyes, and even skirted the borders of his mouth.

Each completely spanned his physiognomy; one extending in a line with his eyes, another crossing the face in

the vicinity of the nose, and the third sweeping along his lips from ear to ear. His countenance thus triply

hooped, as it were, with tattooing, always reminded me of those unhappy wretches whom I have sometimes

observed gazing out sentimentally from behind the grated bars of a prison window; whilst the entire body of

my savage valet, covered all over with representations of birds and fishes, and a variety of most

unaccountablelooking creatures, suggested to me the idea of a pictorial museum of natural history, or an

But it seems really heartless in me to write thus of the poor islander, when I owe perhaps to his unremitting

attentions the very existence I now enjoy. KoryKory, I mean thee no harm in what I say in regard to thy

outward adornings; but they were a little curious to my unaccustomed sight, and therefore I dilate upon them.

But to underrate or forget thy faithful services is something I could never be guilty of, even in the giddiest

The father of my attached follower was a native of gigantic frame, and had once possessed prodigious

physical powers; but the lofty form was now yielding to the inroads of time, though the hand of disease

seemed never to have been laid upon the aged warrior. Marheyo for such was his name appeared to have

retired from all active participation in the affairs of the valley, seldom or never accompanying the natives in

their various expeditions; and employing the greater part of his time in throwing up a little shed just outside

the house, upon which he was engaged to my certain knowledge for four months, without appearing to make

any sensible advance. I suppose the old gentleman was in his dotage, for he manifested in various ways the

I remember in particular his having a choice pair of earornaments, fabricated from the teeth of some

seamonster. These he would alternately wear and take off at least fifty times in the course of the day, going

and coming from his little hut on each occasion with all the tranquility imaginable. Sometimes slipping them

through the slits in his ears, he would seize his spear which in length and slightness resembled a fishing

pole and go stalking beneath the shadows of the neighbouring groves, as if about to give a hostile meeting to

some cannibal knight. But he would soon return again, and hiding his weapon under the projecting eaves of

the house, and rolling his clumsy trinkets carefully in a piece of tappa, would resume his more pacific

But despite his eccentricities, Marheyo was a most paternal and warmhearted old fellow, and in this

particular not a little resembled his son KoryKory. The mother of the latter was the mistress of the family,

and a notable housewife, and a most industrious old lady she was. If she did not understand the art of making

jellies, jams, custards, teacakes, and such like trashy affairs, she was profoundly skilled in the mysteries of

preparing "amar," "poeepoee," and "kokoo," with other substantial matters. She was a genuine busybody;

bustling about the house like a country landlady at an unexpected arrival; for ever giving the young girls tasks

to perform, which the little hussies as often neglected; poking into every corner, and rummaging over bundles

of old tappa, or making a prodigious clatter among the calabashes. Sometimes she might have been seen

squatting upon her haunches in front of a huge wooden basin, and kneading poeepoee with terrific

vehemence, dashing the stone pestle about as if she would shiver the vessel into fragments: on other

occasions, galloping about the valley in search of a particular kind of leaf, used in some of her recondite

operations, and returning home, toiling and sweating, with a bundle, under which most women would have

To tell the truth, KoryKory's mother was the only industrious person in all the valley of Typee; and she

could not have employed herself more actively had she been left an exceedingly muscular and destitute

widow, with an inordinate supply of young children, in the bleakest part of the civilized world. There was not

the slightest necessity for the greater portion of the labour performed by the old lady: but she seemed to work

from some irresistible impulse; her limbs continually swaying to and fro, as if there were some indefatigable

Never suppose that she was a termagant or a shrew for all this: she had the kindliest heart in the world, and

acted towards me in particular in a truly maternal manner, occasionally putting some little morsel of choice

food into my hand, some outlandish kind of savage sweetmeat or pastry, like a doting mother petting a sickly

urchin with tarts and sugarplums. Warm indeed are my remembrances of the dear, good, affectionate old

Besides the individuals I have mentioned, there belonged to the household three young men, dissipated,

goodfornothing, roystering blades of savages, who were either employed in prosecuting love affairs with

the maidens of the tribe, or grew boozy on "arva" and tobacco in the company of congenial spirits, the

Among the permanent inmates of the house were likewise several lovely damsels, who instead of thrumming

pianos and reading novels, like more enlightened young ladies, substituted for these employments the

manufacture of fine species of tappa; but for the greater portion of the time were skipping from house to

From the rest of these, however, I must except the beauteous nymph Fayaway, who was my peculiar

favourite. Her free pliant figure was the very perfection of female grace and beauty. Her complexion was a

rich and mantling olive, and when watching the glow upon her cheeks I could almost swear that beneath the

transparent medium there lurked the blushes of a faint vermilion. The face of this girl was a rounded oval,

and each feature as perfectly formed as the heart or imagination of man could desire. Her full lips, when

parted with a smile, disclosed teeth of a dazzling whiteness; and when her rosy mouth opened with a burst of

merriment, they looked like the milkwhite seeds of the "arta," a fruit of the valley, which, when cleft in

twain, shows them reposing in rows on either side, embedded in the red and juicy pulp. Her hair of the

deepest brown, parted irregularly in the middle, flowed in natural ringlets over her shoulders, and whenever

she chanced to stoop, fell over and hid from view her lovely bosom. Gazing into the depths of her strange

blue eyes, when she was in a contemplative mood, they seemed most placid yet unfathomable; but when

illuminated by some lively emotion, they beamed upon the beholder like stars. The hands of Fayaway were as

soft and delicate as those of any countess; for an entire exemption from rude labour marks the girlhood and

even prime of a Typee woman's life. Her feet, though wholly exposed, were as diminutive and fairly shaped

as those which peep from beneath the skirts of a Lima lady's dress. The skin of this young creature, from

continual ablutions and the use of mollifying ointments, was inconceivably smooth and soft.

I may succeed, perhaps, in particularizing some of the individual features of Fayaway's beauty, but that

general loveliness of appearance which they all contributed to produce I will not attempt to describe. The

easy unstudied graces of a child of nature like this, breathing from infancy an atmosphere of perpetual

summer, and nurtured by the simple fruits of the earth; enjoying a perfect freedom from care and anxiety, and

removed effectually from all injurious tendencies, strike the eye in a manner which cannot be portrayed. This

picture is no fancy sketch; it is drawn from the most vivid recollections of the person delineated.

Were I asked if the beauteous form of Fayaway was altogether free from the hideous blemish of tattooing, I

should be constrained to answer that it was not. But the practitioners of this barbarous art, so remorseless in

their inflictions upon the brawny limbs of the warriors of the tribe, seem to be conscious that it needs not the

The females are very little embellished in this way, and Fayaway, and all the other young girls of her age,

were even less so than those of their sex more advanced in years. The reason of this peculiarity will be

alluded to hereafter. All the tattooing that the nymph in question exhibited upon her person may be easily

described. Three minute dots, no bigger than pinheads, decorated either lip, and at a little distance were not at

all discernible. Just upon the fall of the shoulder were drawn two parallel lines half an inch apart, and perhaps

three inches in length, the interval being filled with delicately executed figures. These narrow bands of

tattooing, thus placed, always reminded me of those stripes of gold lace worn by officers in undress, and

Thus much was Fayaway tattooed. The audacious hand which had gone so far in its desecrating work

Fayaway I must avow the fact for the most part clung to the primitive and summer garb of Eden. But how

becoming the costume! It showed her fine figure to the best possible advantage; and nothing could have been

better adapted to her peculiar style of beauty. On ordinary occasions she was habited precisely as I have

described the two youthful savages whom we had met on first entering the valley. At other times, when

rambling among the groves, or visiting at the houses of her acquaintances, she wore a tunic of white tappa,

reaching from her waist to a little below the knees; and when exposed for any length of time to the sun, she

invariably protected herself from its rays by a floating mantle of the same material, loosely gathered about the

As the beauties of our own land delight in bedecking themselves with fanciful articles of jewelery, them from

their ears, hanging them about their necks, and clasping them around their wrists; so Fayaway and her

Flora was their jeweller. Sometimes they wore necklaces of small carnation flowers, strung like rubies upon a

fibre of tappa, or displayed in their ears a single white bud, the stem thrust backward through the aperture,

and showing in front the delicate petals folded together in a beautiful sphere, and looking like a drop of the

purest pearl. Chaplets, too, resembling in their arrangement the strawberry coronal worn by an English

peeress, and composed of intertwined leaves and blossoms, often crowned their temples; and bracelets and

anklets of the same tasteful pattern were frequently to be seen. Indeed, the maidens of the island were

passionately fond of flowers, and never wearied of decorating their persons with them; a lovely trait in their

Though in my eyes, at least, Fayaway was indisputably the loveliest female I saw in Typee, yet the

description I have given of her will in some measure apply to nearly all the youthful portion of her sex in the

WHEN Mehevi had departed from the house, as related in the preceding chapter, KoryKory commenced the

functions of the post assigned him. He brought us various kinds of food; and, as if I were an infant, insisted

upon feeding me with his own hands. To this procedure I, of course, most earnestly objected, but in vain; and

having laid a calabash of kokoo before me, he washed his fingers in a vessel of water, and then putting his

hand into the dish, and rolling the food into little balls, put them one after another into my mouth. All my

remonstrances against this measure only provoked so great a clamour on his part, that I was obliged to

acquiesce; and the operation of feeding being thus facilitated, the meal was quickly despatched. As for Toby,

The repast over, my attendant arranged the mats for repose, and, bidding me lie down, covered me with a

large robe of tappa, at the same time looking approvingly upon me, and exclaiming "KiKi, muee muee, ah!

moee moee mortarkee," (eat plenty, ah! sleep very good.) The philosophy of this sentiment I did not pretend

to question; for deprived of sleep for several preceding nights, and the pain in my limb having much abated, I

The next morning, on waking, I found KoryKory stretched out on one side of me, while my companion lay

upon the other. I felt sensibly refreshed after a night of sound repose, and immediately agreed to the

proposition of my valet that I should repair to the water and wash, although dreading the suffering that the

exertion might produce. From this apprehension, however, I was quickly relieved; for KoryKory, leaping

from the pipi, and then backing himself up against it, like a porter in readiness to shoulder a trunk, with loud

vociferations, and a superabundance of gestures, gave me to understand that I was to mount upon his back,

and be thus transported to the stream, which flowed perhaps two hundred yards from the house.

Our appearance upon the verandah in front of the habitation drew together quite a crowd, who stood looking

on, and conversing with one another in the most animated manner. They reminded one of a group of idlers

gathered about the door of a village tavern, when the equipage of some distinguished traveller is brought

round previous to his departure. As soon as I clasped my arms about the neck of the devoted fellow, and he

jogged off with me, the crowd composed chiefly of young girls and boys followed after, shouting and

On gaining it, KoryKory, wading up to his hips in the water, carried me halfway across, and deposited me

on a smooth black stone, which rose a few inches above the surface. The amphibious rabble at our heels

plunged in after us; and, climbing to the summit of the grassgrown rocks, with which the bed of the brook

was here and there broken, waited curiously to witness our morning ablutions. I felt somewhat embarrassed

by the presence of the female portion of the company, but, nevertheless, removed my frock, and washed

myself down to my waist in the stream. As soon as KoryKory comprehended from my motions that this was

to be the extent of my performance, he appeared perfectly aghast with astonishment, and rushing towards me,

poured out a torrent of words in eager deprecation of so limited an operation, enjoining me by unmistakable

signs to immerse my whole body. To this I was forced to consent; and the honest fellow regarding me as a

froward, inexperienced child, whom it was his duty to serve at the risk of offending, lifted me from the rock,

and tenderly bathed my limbs. This over, and resuming my seat, I could not avoid bursting into admiration of

From the verdant surfaces of the large stones that lay scattered about, the natives were now sliding off into

the water, diving and ducking beneath the surface in all directions; the young girls springing buoyantly into

the air, with their long tresses dancing about their shoulders, their eyes sparkling like drops of dew in the sun,

On the afternoon of the day that I took my first bath in the valley, we received another visit from Mehevi. The

noble savage seemed to be in the same pleasant mood, and was quite as cordial in his manner as before. After

remaining about an hour, he rose from the mats, and motioning to leave the house, invited Toby and myself

to accompany him. I pointed to my leg; but Mehevi in his turn pointed to KoryKory, and removed that

objection; so, mounting upon the faithful fellow's shoulders again like the old man of the sea astride of

The nature of the route we now pursued struck me more forcibly than anything I had yet seen, as illustrating

the indolent disposition of the islanders. The path was obviously the most beaten one in the valley, several

others leading from either side into it, and perhaps for successive generations it had formed the principal

avenue of the place. And yet, until I grew more familiar with its impediments, it seemed as difficult to travel

as the recesses of a wilderness. Part of it swept around an abrupt rise of ground, the surface of which was

broken by frequent inequalities, and thickly strewn with projecting masses of rocks, whose summits were

often hidden from view by the drooping foliage of the luxurious vegetation. Sometimes directly over,

sometimes evading these obstacles with a wide circuit, the path wound along one moment climbing over a

sudden eminence, smooth with continued wear, then descending on the other side, into a steep glen, and

crossing the flinty channel of a brook. Here it pursued the depths of a glade, occasionally obliging you to

stoop beneath vast horizontal branches; and now you stepped over huge trunks and boughs that lay rotting

Such was the grand thoroughfare of Typee. After proceeding a little distance along it KoryKory panting

and blowing with the weight of his burden I dismounted from his back, and grasping the long spear of

Mehevi in my hand, assisted my steps over the numerous obstacles of the road; preferring this mode of

advance to one which, from the difficulties of the way, was equally painful to myself and my wearied

Our journey was soon at an end; for, scaling a sudden height, we came abruptly upon the place of our

destination. I wish that it were possible to sketch in words this spot as vividly as I recollect it.

Here were situated the Taboo groves of the valley the scene of many a prolonged feast, of many a horrid

rite. Beneath die dark shadows of the consecrated breadfruit trees there reigned a solemn twilight a

cathedrallike gloom. The frightful genius of pagan worship seemed to brood in silence over the place,

breathing its spell upon every object around. Here and there, in the depths of these awful shades, half

screened from sight by masses of overhanging foliage, rose the idolatrous altars of the savages, built of

enormous blocks of black and polished stone, placed one upon another, without cement, to the height of

twelve or fifteen feet, and surmounted by a rustic open temple, enclosed with a low picket of canes, within

which might be seen, in various stages of decay, offerings of breadfruit and cocoanuts, and the putrefying

In the midst of the wood was the hallowed "hoolah hoolah" ground set apart for the celebration of the

fantastical religious ritual of these people comprising an extensive oblong pipi, terminating at either end in

a lofty terraced altar, guarded by ranks of hideous wooden idols, and with the two remaining sides flanked by

ranges of bamboo sheds, opening towards the interior of the quadrangle thus formed. Vast trees, standing in

the middle of this space, and throwing over it an umbrageous shade, had their massive trunks built round with

slight stages, elevated a few feet above the ground, and railed in with canes, forming so many rustic pulpits,

This holiest of spots was defended from profanation by the strictest edicts of the allpervading "taboo,"

condemned to instant death the sacrilegious female who should enter or touch its sacred precincts, or even so

Access was had to the enclosure through an embowered entrance on one side, facing a number of towering

cocoanut trees, planted at intervals along a level area of a hundred yards. At the farther extremity of this

space was to be seen a building of considerable size, reserved for the habitation of the priests and religious

In its vicinity was another remarkable edifice, built as usual upon the summit of a pipi, and at least two

hundred feet in length, though not more than twenty in breadth. The whole front of this latter structure was

completely open, and from one end to the other ran a narrow verandah, fenced in on the edge of the pipi

with a picket of canes. Its interior presented the appearance of an immense loungingplace, the entire floor

being strewn with successive layers of mats, lying between parallel trunks of cocoanut trees, selected for the

To this building, denominated in the language of the natives, the "Ti," Mehevi now conducted us. Thus far

we had been accompanied by a troop of the natives of both sexes; but as soon as we approached its vicinity,

the females gradually separated themselves from the crowd, and standing aloof, permitted us to pass on. The

merciless prohibitions of the taboo extended likewise to this edifice, and were enforced by the same dreadful

penalty that secured the hoolah hoolah ground from the imaginary pollution of a woman's presence.

On entering the house, I was surprised to see six muskets ranged against the bamboo on one side, from the

barrels of which depended as many small canvas pouches, partly filled with powder. Disposed about these

muskets, like the cutlasses that decorate the bulkhead of a manofwar's cabin, were a great variety of rude

spears and paddles, javelins, and warclubs. This then, said I to Toby, must be the armoury of the tribe.

As we advanced farther along the building, we were struck with the aspect of four or five hideous old

wretches, on whose decrepit forms time and tattooing seemed to have obliterated every trace of humanity.

Owing to the continued operation of this latter process, which only terminates among the warriors of the

island after all the figures stretched upon their limbs in youth have been blended together an effect,

however, produced only in cases of extreme longevity the bodies of these men were of a uniform dull green

colour the hue which the tattooing gradually assumes as the individual advances in age. Their skin had a

frightful scaly appearance, which, united with its singular colour, made their limbs not a little resemble dusty

specimens of verdeantique. Their flesh, in parts, hung upon them in huge folds, like the overlapping plaits

on the flank of a rhinoceros. Their heads were completely bald, whilst their faces were puckered into a

thousand wrinkles, and they presented no vestige of a beard. But the most remarkable peculiarity about them

was the appearance of their feet; the toes, like the radiating lines of the mariner's compass, pointed to every

quarter of the horizon. This was doubtless attributable to the fact, that during nearly a hundred years of

existence the said toes never had been subjected to any artificial confinement, and in their old age, being

These repulsivelooking creatures appeared to have lost the use of their lower limbs altogether; sitting upon

the floor crosslegged, in a state of torpor. They never heeded us in the least, scarcely looking conscious of

our presence, while Mehevi seated us upon the mats, and KoryKory gave utterance to some unintelligible

In a few moments, a boy entered with a wooden trencher of poeepoee; and in regaling myself with its

contents, I was obliged again to submit to the officious intervention of my indefatigable servitor. Various

other dishes followed, the chief manifesting the most hospitable importunity in pressing us to partake, and to

remove all bashfulness on our part, set us no despicable example in his own person.

The repast concluded, a pipe was lighted, which passed from mouth to mouth, and yielding to its soporific

influence, the quiet of the place, and the deepening shadows of approaching night, my companion and I sank

into a kind of drowsy repose, while the chief and KoryKory seemed to be slumbering beside us.

I awoke from an uneasy nap, about midnight, as I supposed; and, raising myself partly from the mat, became

sensible that we were enveloped in utter darkness. Toby lay still asleep, but our late companions had

disappeared. The only sound that interrupted the silence of the place was the asthmatic breathing of the old

men I have mentioned, who reposed at a little distance from us. Besides them, as well as I could judge, there

Apprehensive of some evil, I roused my comrade, and we were engaged in a whispered conference

concerning the unexpected withdrawal of the natives, when all at once, from the depths of the grove, in full

view of us where we lay, shoots of flame were seen to rise, and in a few moments illuminated the

surrounding trees, casting, by contrast, into still deeper gloom the darkness around us.

While we continued gazing at this sight, dark figures appeared moving to and fro before the flames; while

Regarding this new phenomenon with no small degree of trepidation, I said to my companion, "What can all

"Fire!" exclaimed I, while my heart took to beating like a triphammer, "what fire?"

"Why, the fire to cook us, to be sure; what else would the cannibals be kicking up such a row about, if it were

"Oh, Toby! have done with your jokes; this is no time for them: something is about to happen, I feel

"Jokes, indeed!" exclaimed Toby, indignantly. "Did you ever hear me joke? Why, for what do you suppose

the devils have been feeding us up in this kind of style during the last three days, unless it were for something

that you are too much frightened at to talk about? Look at that KoryKory there! has he not been stuffing

you with his confounded mushes, just in the way they treat swine before they kill them? Depend upon it, we

will be eaten this blessed night, and there is the fire we shall be roasted by."

This view of the matter was not at all calculated to allay my apprehensions, and I shuddered when I reflected

that we were indeed at the mercy of a tribe of cannibals, and that the dreadful contingency to which Toby had

"There! I told you so! they are coming for us!" exclaimed my companion the next moment, as the forms of

four of the islanders were seen in bold relief against the illuminated background, mounting the pipi, and

They came on noiselessly, nay, stealthily, and glided along through the gloom that surrounded us, as if about

to spring upon some object they were fearful of disturbing before they should make sure of it. Gracious

Heaven! the horrible reflections which crowded upon me that moment! A cold sweat stood upon my brow,

Suddenly the silence was broken by the wellremembered tones of Mehevi, and at the kindly accents of his

voice, my fears were immediately dissipated. "Tommo, Toby, ki ki!" (eat). He had waited to address us, until

he had assured himself that we were both awake, at which he seemed somewhat surprised.

"Ki ki! is it?" said Toby, in his gruff tones; "well, cook us first, will you but what's this?" he added, as

another savage appeared, bearing before him a large trencher of wood, containing some kind of steaming

meat, as appeared from the odours it diffused, and which he deposited at the feet of Mehevi. "A baked baby, I

dare say! but I will have none of it, never mind what it is. A pretty fool I should make of myself, indeed,

waked up here in the middle of the night, stuffing and guzzling, and all to make a fat meal for a parcel of

bloodyminded cannibals one of these mornings! No; I see what they are at very plainly, so I am resolved to

starve myself into a bunch of bones and gristle, and then, if they serve me up, they are welcome! But, I say,

Tommo, you are not going to eat any of that mess there, in the dark, are you? Why, how can you tell what it

"By tasting it, to be sure," said I, masticating a morsel that KoryKory had just put in my mouth; "and

"A baked baby, by the soul of Captain Cook! " burst forth Toby, with amazing vehemence. "Veal? why, there

never was a calf on the island till you landed. I tell you, you are bolting down mouthfuls from a dead

Emetics and lukewarm water! What a sensation in the abdominal regions! Sure enough, where could the

fiends incarnate have obtained meat? But I resolved to satisfy myself at all hazards; and turning to Mehevi, I

soon made the ready chief understand that I wished a light to be brought. When the taper came, I gazed

eagerly into the vessel, and recognised the mutilated remains of a juvenile porker! "Puarkee!" exclaimed

KoryKory, looking complacently at the dish; and from that day to this I have never forgotten that such is the

The next morning, after being again abundantly feasted by the hospitable Mehevi, Toby and myself arose to

depart. But the chief requested us to postpone our intention. "Abo, abo" (Wait, wait), he said, and accordingly

we resumed our seats, while, assisted by the zealous KoryKory, he appeared to be engaged in giving

directions to a number of the natives outside, who were busily employed in making arrangements, the nature

of which we could not comprehend. But we were not left long in our ignorance, for a few moments only had

elapsed, when the chief beckoned us to approach, and we perceived that he had been marshalling a kind of

The procession was led off by two venerablelooking savages, each provided with a spear, from the end of

which streamed a pennon of milkwhite tappa. After them went several youths, bearing aloft calabashes of

poeepoee; and followed in their turn by four stalwart fellows, sustaining long bamboos, from the tops of

which hung suspended, at least twenty feet from the ground, large baskets of green breadfruit. Then came a

troop of boys, carrying bunches of ripe bananas, and baskets made of the woven leaflets of cocoanut

boughs, filled with the young fruit of the tree, the naked shells, stripped of their husks, peeping forth from the

verdant wickerwork that surrounded them. Last of all came a burly islander, holding over his head a wooden

trencher, in which lay disposed the remnants of our midnight feast, hidden from view, however, by a covering

Astonished as I was at this exhibition, I could not avoid smiling at its grotesque appearance, and the

associations it naturally called up. Mehevi, it seemed, was bent on replenishing old Marheyo's larder, fearful,

perhaps, that without this precaution his guests might not fare as well as they could desire.

As soon as I descended from the pipi, the procession formed anew, enclosing us in its centre; where I

remained part of the time, carried by KoryKory, and occasionally relieving him from his burden by limping

along with a spear. When we moved off in this order, the natives struck up a musical recitative, which, with

various alternations, they continued until we arrived at the place of our destination.

As we proceeded on our way, bands of young girls, darting from the surrounding groves, hung upon our

skirts, and accompanied us with shouts of merriment and delight, which almost drowned the deep notes of the

recitative. On approaching old Marheyo's domicile, its inmates rushed out to receive us; and while the gifts of

Mehevi were being disposed of, the superannuated warrior did the honours of his mansion with all the

warmth of hospitality evinced by an English squire, when he regales his friends at some fine old patrimonial

AMIDST these novel scenes a week passed away almost imperceptibly. The natives, actuated by some

mysterious impulse, day after day redoubled their attentions to us. Their manner towards us was

unaccountable. Surely, thought I, they would not act thus if they meant us any harm. But why this excess of

deferential kindness, or what equivalent can they imagine us capable of rendering them for it?

We were fairly puzzled. But, despite the apprehensions I could not dispel, the horrible character imputed to

"Why, they are cannibals!" said Toby, on one occasion when I eulogized the tribe. "Granted," I replied, "but a

more humane, gentlemanly, and amiable set of epicures do not probably exist in the Pacific."

But, notwithstanding the kind treatment we received, I was too familiar with the fickle disposition of savages

not to feel anxious to withdraw from the valley, and put myself beyond the reach of that fearful death which,

under all these smiling appearances, might yet menace us. But here there was an obstacle in the way of doing

so. It was idle for me to think of moving from the place until I should have recovered from the severe

lameness that afflicted me; indeed my malady began seriously to alarm me; for, despite the herbal remedies

of the natives, it continued to grow worse and worse. Their mild applications, though they soothed the pain,

did not remove the disorder, and I felt convinced that, without better aid, I might anticipate long and acute

But how was this aid to be procured? From the surgeons of the French fleet, which probably still lay in the

bay of Nukuheva, it might easily have been obtained, could I have made my case known to them. But how

At last, in the exigency to which I was reduced, I proposed to Toby that he should endeavour to go round to

Nukuheva, and if he could not succeed in returning to the valley by water in one of the boats of the squadron,

and taking me off, he might at least procure me some proper medicines, and effect his return overland.

My companion listened to me in silence, and at first did not appear to relish the idea. The truth was, he felt

impatient to escape from the place, and wished to avail himself of our present high favour with the natives to

make good our retreat, before we should experience some sudden alteration in their behaviour. As he could

not think of leaving me in my helpless condition, he implored me to be of good cheer; assured me that I

should soon be better, and enabled in a few days to return with him to Nukuheva.

Added to this, he could not bear the idea of again returning to this dangerous place; and as for the expectation

of persuading the Frenchmen to detach a boat's crew for the purpose of rescuing me from the Typees, he

looked upon it as idle; and, with arguments that I could not answer, urged the improbability of their

provoking the hostilities of the clan by any such measure; especially as, for the purpose of quieting its

apprehensions, they had as yet refrained from making any visit to the bay. "And even should they consent,"

said Toby, "they would only produce a commotion in the valley, in which we might both be sacrificed by

these ferocious islanders." This was unanswerable; but still I clung to the belief that he might succeed in

accomplishing the other part of my plan; and at last I overcame his scruples, and he agreed to make the

As soon as we succeeded in making the natives understand our intention, they broke out into the most

vehement opposition to the measure, and, for awhile, I almost despaired of obtaining their consent. At the

bare thought of one of us leaving them, they manifested the most lively concern. The grief and consternation

of KoryKory, in particular, was unbounded; he threw himself into a perfect paroxysm of gestures, which

were intended to convey to us, not only his abhorrence of Nukuheva and its uncivilized inhabitants, but also

his astonishment that, after becoming acquainted with the enlightened Typees, we should evince the least

However, I overbore his objections by appealing to my lameness; from which I assured the natives I should

speedily recover, Toby were permitted to obtain the supplies I recover, if Toby were permitted to obtain the

It was agreed that on the following morning my companion should depart, accompanied by some one or two

of the household, who should point out to him an easy route, by which the bay might be reached before

At early dawn of the next day, our habitation was astir. One of the young men mounted into an adjoining

cocoanut tree, and threw down a number of young fruit, which old Marheyo quickly stripped of the green

husks, and strung together upon a short pole. These were intended to refresh Toby on his route.

The preparations being completed, with no little emotion I bade my companion adieu. He promised to return

in three days at farthest; and, bidding me keep up my spirits in the interval, turned round the corner of the

pipi, and, under the guidance of the venerable Marheyo, was soon out of sight. His departure oppressed me

with melancholy, and, reentering the dwelling, I threw myself almost in despair upon the matting of the

In two hours' time the old warrior returned, and gave me to understand, that after accompanying my

companion a little distance, and showing him the route, he had left him journeying on his way.

It was about noon of this same day, a season which these people are wont to pass in sleep, that I lay in the

house, surrounded by its slumbering inmates, and painfully affected by the strange silence which prevailed.

All at once I thought I heard a faint shout, as if proceeding from some persons in the depth of the grove which

The sounds grew louder and nearer, and gradually the whole valley rang with wild outcries. The sleepers

around me started to their feet in alarm, and hurried outside to discover the cause of the commotion.

KoryKory, who had been the first to spring up, soon returned almost breathless, and nearly frantic with the

excitement under which he seemed to be labouring. All that I could understand from him was, that some

accident had happened to Toby. Apprehensive of some dreadful calamity, I rushed out of the house, and

caught sight of a tumultuous crowd, who, with shrieks and lamentations, were just emerging from the grove,

bearing in their arms some object, the sight of which produced all this transport of sorrow. As they drew near,

the men redoubled their cries, while the girls, tossing their bare arms in the air, exclaimed plaintively,

In a moment the crowd opened, and disclosed the apparently lifeless body of my companion borne between

two men, the head hanging heavily against the breast of the foremost. The whole face, neck, and bosom were

covered with blood, which still trickled slowly from a wound behind the temple. In the midst of the greatest

uproar and confusion, the body was carried into the house and laid on a mat. Waving the natives off to give

room and air, I bent eagerly over Toby, and, laying my hand upon the breast, ascertained that the heart still

beat. Overjoyed at this, I seized a calabash of water, and dashed its contents upon his face, then, wiping away

the blood, anxiously examined the wound. It was about three inches long, and, on removing the clotted hair

from about it, showed the skull laid completely bare. Immediately with my knife I cut away the heavy locks,

In a few moments Toby revived, and opening his eyes for a second, closed them again, without speaking.

KoryKory, who had been kneeling beside me, now chafed his limbs gently with the palms of his hands,

while a young girl at his head kept fanning him, and I still continued to moisten his lips and brow. Soon my

poor comrade showed signs of animation, and I succeeded in making him swallow from a cocoanut shell a

Old Tinor now appeared, holding in her hand some simples she had gathered, the juice of which she by signs

besought me to squeeze into the wound. Having done so, I thought it best to leave Toby undisturbed until he

should have had time to rally his faculties. Several times he opened his lips, but, fearful for his safety, I

enjoined silence. In the course of two or three hours, however, he sat up, and was sufficiently recovered to

"After leaving the house with Marheyo," said Toby, "we struck across the valley, and ascended the opposite

heights. Just beyond them, my guide informed me, lay the valley of Happar, while along their summits, and

skirting the head of the vale, was my route to Nukuheva. After mounting a little way up the elevation my

guide paused, and gave me to understand that he could not accompany me any farther, and by various signs

intimated that he was afraid to approach any nearer the territories of the enemies of his tribe. He, however,

pointed out my path, which now lay clearly before me, and, bidding me farewell, hastily descended the

"Quite elated at being so near the Happars, I pushed up the acclivity, and soon gained its summit. It tapered

up to a sharp ridge, from whence I beheld both the hostile valleys. Here I sat down and rested for a moment,

refreshing myself with my cocoanuts. I was soon again pursuing my way along the height, when suddenly I

saw three of the islanders, who must have just come out of Happar valley, standing in the path ahead of me.

They were each armed with a heavy spear, and one, from his appearance, be took to be a chief. They sung out

"Without the least hesitation I advanced towards them, and had approached within about a yard of the

foremost, when, pointing angrily into the Typee valley, and uttering some savage exclamation, he wheeled

round his weapon like lightning, and struck me in a moment to the ground. The blow inflicted this wound,

and took away my senses. As soon as I came to myself, I perceived the three islanders standing a little

"My first impulse was to run for it; but, in endeavouring to rise, I fell back, and rolled down a little grassy

precipice. The shock seemed to rally my faculties; so, starting to my feet, I fled down the path I had just

ascended. I had no need to look behind me, for, from the yells I heard, I knew that my enemies were in full

pursuit. Urged on by their fearful outcries, and heedless of the injury I had received though the blood

flowing from the wound trickled over into my eyes and almost blinded me I rushed down the mountain side

with the speed of the wind. In a short time I had descended nearly a third of the distance, and the savages had

ceased their cries, when suddenly a terrific howl burst upon my ear, and at the same moment a heavy javelin

darted past me as I fled, and stuck quivering in a tree close to me. Another yell followed, and a second spear

and a third shot through the air within a few feet of my body, both of them piercing the ground obliquely in

advance of me. The fellows gave a roar of rage and disappointment; but they were afraid, I suppose, of

coming down farther into the Typee valley, and so abandoned the chase. I saw them recover their weapons

"What could have caused this ferocious attack on the part of these Happars I could not imagine, unless it were

that they had seen me ascending the mountain with Marheyo, and that the mere fact of coming from the

"As long as I was in danger I scarcely felt the wound I had received; but when the chase was over I began to

suffer from it. I had lost my hat in the flight, and the sun scorched my bare head. I felt faint and giddy; but,

fearful of falling to the ground beyond the reach of assistance, I staggered on as well as I could, and at last

gained the level of the valley, and then down I sunk; and I knew nothing more until I found myself lying

Such was Toby's account of this sad affair. I afterwards learned that fortunately he had fallen close to a spot

where the natives go for fuel. A party of them caught sight of him as he fell, and, sounding the alarm, had

lifted him up; and after ineffectually endeavouring to restore him at the brook, had hurried forward with him

This incident threw a dark cloud over our prospects. It reminded us that we were hemmed in by hostile tribes,

whose territories we could not hope to pass, on our route to Nukuheva, without encountering the effects of

their savage resentment. There appeared to be no avenue opened to our escape but the sea, which washed the

Our Typee friends availed themselves of the recent disaster of Toby to exhort us to a due appreciation of the

blessings we enjoyed among them; contrasting their own generous reception of us with the animosity of their

neighbours. They likewise dwelt upon the cannibal propensities of the Happars, a subject which they were

perfectly aware could not fall to alarm us; while at the same time they earnestly disclaimed all participation in

so horrid a custom. Nor did they omit to call upon us to admire the natural loveliness of their own abode, and

the lavish abundance with which it produced all manner of luxuriant fruits; exalting it in this particular above

KoryKory seemed to experience so heartfelt a desire to infuse into our minds proper views on these

subjects, that, assisted in his endeavours by the little knowledge of the language we had acquired, he actually

made us comprehend a considerable part of what he said. To facilitate our correct apprehension of his

"Happar keekeeno nuee," he exclaimed; "nuee, nuee, ki ki kannaka! ah! owle mortarkee!" which signifies,

"Terrible fellows those Happars! devour an amazing quantity of men! ah, shocking bad!" Thus far he

explained himself by a variety of gestures, during the performance of which he would dart out of the house,

and point abhorrently towards the Happar valley; running in to us again with a rapidity that showed he was

fearful we would lose one part of his meaning before he could complete the other; and continuing his

illustrations by seizing the fleshy part of my arm in his teeth, intimating, by the operation, that the people

who lived over in that direction would like nothing better than to treat me in that manner.

Having assured himself that we were fully enlightened on this point, he proceeded to another branch of his

subject. "Ah! Typee mortarkee! nuee, nuee mioree nuee, nuee wai nuee, nuee poeepoee nuee, nuee

kokoo ah! nuee, nuee kiki ah! nuee, nuee, nuee!" Which, liberally interpreted as before, would imply, "Ah,

Typee! isn't it a fine place though! no danger of starving here, I tell you! plenty of breadfruit plenty of

water plenty of pudding ah! plenty of everything, ah! heaps, heaps, heaps, heaps!" All this was

accompanied by a running commentary of signs and gestures which it was impossible not to comprehend.

As he continued his harangue, however, KoryKory, in emulation of our more polished orators, began to

launch out rather diffusely into other branches of his subject, enlarging probably upon the moral reflections it

suggested; and proceeded in such a strain of unintelligible and stunning gibberish, that he actually gave me

IN the course of the few days Toby had recovered from the effects of his adventure with the Happar warriors;

the wound on his head rapidly healing under the vegetable treatment of the good Tinor. Less fortunate than

my companion, however, I still continued to languish under a complaint, the origin and nature of which were

still a mystery. Cut off as I was from all intercourse with the world, and feeling the inefficacy of anything the

natives could do to relieve me; knowing, too, that so long as I remained in my present condition it would be

impossible for me to leave the valley, whatever opportunity might present itself; and apprehensive that ere

long we might be exposed to some caprice on the part of the islanders, I now gave up all hopes of recovery,

and became a prey to the most gloomy thoughts. A deep dejection fell upon me, which neither the friendly

remonstrances of my companion, the devoted attentions of KoryKory, nor all the soothing influences of

One morning, as I lay on the mats in the house plunged in melancholy reverie, and regardless of everything

around me, Toby, who had left me about an hour, returned in haste, and with great glee told me to cheer up

and be of good heart, for he believed, from what was going on among the natives, that there were boats

These tidings operated upon me like magic. The hour of our deliverance was at hand, and, starting up, I was

soon convinced that something unusual was about to occur. The word "botee! botee!" was vociferated in all

directions; and shouts were heard in the distance, at first feebly and faintly, but growing louder and nearer at

each successive repetition, until they were caught up by a fellow in a cocoanut tree a few yards off, who,

sounding them in turn, they were reiterated from a neighbouring grove, and so died away gradually from

point to point, as the intelligence penetrated into the farthest recesses of the valley. This was the vocal

telegraph of the islanders; by means of which, condensed items of information could be carried in a very few

minutes from the sea to their remotest habitation, a distance of at least eight or nine miles. On the present

occasion it was in active operation, one piece of information following another with inconceivable rapidity.

The greatest commotion now appeared to prevail. At every fresh item of intelligence the natives betrayed the

liveliest interest, and redoubled the energy with which they employed themselves in collecting fruit to sell to

the expected visitors. Some were tearing off the husks from cocoanuts; some, perched in the trees, were

throwing down breadfruit to their companions, who gathered them into heaps as they fell; while others were

plying their fingers rapidly in weaving leafen baskets in which to carry the fruit.

There were other matters, too, going on at the same time. Here you would see a stout warrior polishing his

spear with a bit of old tappa, or adjusting the folds of the girdle about his waist; and there you might descry a

young damsel decorating herself with flowers, as if having in her eye some maidenly conquest; while, as in

all cases of hurry and confusion in every part of the world, a number of individuals kept hurrying to and fro

with amazing vigour and perseverance, doing nothing themselves, and hindering others.

Never before had we seen the islanders in such a state of bustle and excitement; and the scene furnished

abundant evidence of the fact that it was only at long intervals any such events occur.

When I thought of the length of time that might intervene before a similar chance of escape would be

presented, I bitterly lamented that I had not the power of availing myself effectually of the present

From all that we could gather, it appeared that the natives were fearful of arriving too late upon the beach,

unless they made extraordinary exertions. Sick and lame as I was, I would have started with Toby at once,

had not KoryKory not only refused to carry me, but manifested the most invincible repugnance to our

leaving the neighbourhood of the house. The rest of the savages were equally opposed to our wishes, and

seemed grieved and astonished at the earnestness of my solicitations. I clearly perceived that, while my

attendant avoided all appearance of constraining my movements, he was nevertheless determined to thwart

my wishes. He seemed to me on this particular occasion, as well as often afterwards, to be executing the

orders of some other person with regard to me, though at the same time feeling towards me the most lively

Toby, who had made up his mind to accompany the islanders if possible as soon as they were in readiness to

depart, and who for that reason had refrained from showing the same anxiety that I had done, now

represented to me that it was idle for me to entertain the hope of reaching the beach in time to profit by any

"Do you not see," said he, "the savages themselves are fearful of being too late, and I should hurry forward

myself at once, did I not think that, if I showed too much eagerness, I should destroy all our hopes of reaping

any benefit from this fortunate event. If you will only endeavour to appear tranquil or unconcerned, you will

quiet their suspicions, and I have no doubt they will then let me go with them to the beach, supposing that I

merely go out of curiosity. Should I succeed in getting down to the boats, I will make known the condition in

In the expediency of this I could not but acquiesce; and as the natives had now completed their preparations, I

watched with the liveliest interest the reception that Toby's application might meet with. As soon as they

understood from my companion that I intended to remain, they appeared to make no objection to his

proposition, and even hailed it with pleasure. Their singular conduct on this occasion not a little puzzled me

The islanders were now to be seen hurrying along the path which led to the sea. I shook Toby warmly by the

hand, and gave him my Payta hat to shield his wounded head from the sun, as he had lost his own. He

cordially returned the pressure of my hand, and, solemnly promising to return as soon as the boats should

leave the shore, sprang from my side, and the next minute disappeared in a turn of the grove.

In spite of the unpleasant reflections that crowded upon my mind, I could not but be entertained by the novel

and animated sight which now met my view. One after another, the natives crowded along the narrow path,

laden with every variety of fruit. Here, you might have seen one, who, after ineffectually endeavouring to

persuade a surly porker to be conducted in leadingstrings, was obliged at last to seize the perverse animal in

his arms, and carry him struggling against his naked breast, and squealing without intermission. There went

two, who at a little distance might have been taken for the Hebrew spies, on their return to Moses with the

goodly bunch of grapes. One trotted before the other at a distance of a couple of yards, while between them,

from a pole resting on their shoulders, was suspended a huge cluster of bananas, which swayed to and fro

with the rocking gait at which they proceeded. Here ran another, perspiring with his exertions, and bearing

before him a quantity of cocoanuts, who, fearful of being too late, heeded not the fruit that dropped from his

basket, and appeared solely intent upon reaching his destination, careless how many of his cocoanuts kept

In a short time the last straggler was seen hurrying on his way, and the faint shouts of those in advance died

insensibly upon the ear. Our part of the valley now appeared nearly deserted by its inhabitants, KoryKory,

Towards sunset, the islanders in small parties began to return from the beach, and among them, as they drew

near to the house, I sought to descry the form of my companion. But one after another they passed the

dwelling, and I caught no glimpse of him. Supposing, however, that he would soon appear with some of the

members of the household, I quieted my apprehensions, and waited patiently to see him advancing, in

company with the beautiful Fayaway. At last I perceived Tinor coming forward, followed by the girls and

young men who usually resided in the house of Marheyo; but with them came not my comrade, and, filled

My earnest questions appeared to embarrass the natives greatly. All their accounts were contradictory: one

giving me to understand that Toby would be with me in a very short time; another, that he did not know

where he was; while a third, violently inveighing against him, assured me .y I that he had stolen away, and

would never come back. It appeared to me, at the time, that in making these various statements they

endeavoured to conceal from me some terrible disaster, lest the knowledge of it should overpower me.

Fearful lest some fatal calamity had overtaken him, I sought out young Fayaway, and endeavoured to learn

This gentle being had early attracted my regard, not only from her extraordinary beauty, but from the

attractive cast of her countenance, singularly expressive of intelligence and humanity. Of all the natives, she

alone seemed to appreciate the effect which the peculiarity of the circumstances in which we were placed had

produced upon the minds of my companion and myself. In addressing me especially when I lay reclining

upon the mats suffering from pain there was a tenderness in her manner which it was impossible to

misunderstand or resist. Whenever she entered the house, the expression of her face indicated the liveliest

sympathy for me; and moving towards the place where I lay, with one arm slightly elevated in a gesture of

pity, and her large glistening eyes gazing intently into mine, she would murmur plaintively, "Awha! awha!

Her manner convinced me that she deeply compassionated my situation, as being removed from my country

and friends, and placed beyond the reach of all relief. Indeed, at times I was almost led to believe that her

mind was swayed by gentle impulses hardly to be anticipated from one in her condition; that she appeared to

be conscious there were ties rudely severed, which had once bound us to our homes; that there were sisters

and brothers anxiously looking forward to our return, who were perhaps never more to behold us.

In this amiable light did Fayaway appear in my eyes; and, reposing full confidence in her candour and

intelligence, I now had recourse to her, in the midst of my alarm with regard to my companion.

My questions evidently distressed her. She looked round from one to another of the bystanders, as if hardly

knowing what answer to give me. At last, yielding to my importunities, she overcame her scruples, and gave

me to understand that Toby had gone away with the boats which had visited the bay, but had promised to

return at the expiration of three days. At first I accused him of perfidiously deserting me; but as I grew more

composed, I upbraided myself for imputing so cowardly an action to him, and tranquillized myself with the

belief that he had availed himself of the opportunity to go round to Nukuheva, in order to make some

arrangement by which I could be removed from the valley. At any rate, thought I, he will return with the

medicines I require, and then, as soon as I recover, there will be no difficulty in the way of our departure.

Consoling myself with these reflections, I lay down that night in a happier frame of mind than I had done for

some time. The next day passed without any allusion to Toby on the part of the natives, who seemed desirous

of avoiding all reference to the subject. This raised some apprehensions in my breast; but, when night came, I

congratulated myself that the second day had now gone by, and that on the morrow Toby would again be

with me. But the morrow came and went, and my companion did not appear. Ah! thought I, he reckons three

days from the morning of his departure tomorrow he will arrive. But that weary day also closed upon me

without his return. Even yet I would not despair. I thought that something detained him that he was waiting

for the sailing of a boat at Nukuheva, and that in a day or two, at farthest, I should see him again. But day

after day of renewed disappointment passed by; at last hope deserted me, and I fell a victim to despair.

Yes, thought I, gloomily, he has secured his own escape, and cares not what calamity may befall his

unfortunate comrade. Fool that I was, to suppose that any one would willingly encounter the perils of this

valley, after having once got beyond its limits! He has gone, and has left me to combat alone all the dangers

by which I am surrounded. Thus would I sometimes seek to derive a desperate consolation from dwelling

upon the perfidy of Toby; whilst, at other times, I sunk under the bitter remorse which I felt at having, by my

At other times I thought that perhaps, after all, these treacherous savages had made away with him, and

thence the confusion into which they were thrown by my questions, and their contradictory answers; or he

might be a captive in some other part of the valley; or, more dreadful still, might have met with that fate at

which my very soul shuddered. But all these speculations were vain; no tidings of Toby ever reached me he

The conduct of the islanders appeared inexplicable. All reference to my lost comrade was carefully evaded,

and if at any time they were forced to make some reply to my frequent inquiries on the subject, they would

uniformly denounce him as an ungrateful runaway, who had deserted his friend, and taken himself off to that

But whatever might have been his fate, now that he was gone the natives multiplied their acts of kindness and

attention towards myself, treating me with a degree of deference which could hardly have been surpassed had

I been some celestial visitant. KoryKory never for one moment left my side, unless it were to execute my

wishes. The faithful fellow, twice every day, in the cool of the morning and in the evening, insisted upon

Frequently, in the afternoon, he would carry me to a particular part of the stream, where the beauty of the

scene produced a soothing influence upon my mind. At this place the waters flowed between grassy banks,

planted with enormous breadfruit trees, whose vast branches, interlacing overhead, formed a leafy canopy;

near the stream were several smooth black rocks. One of these, projecting several feet above the surface of

the water, had upon its summit a shallow cavity, which, filled with freshlygathered leaves, formed a

Here I often lay for hours, covered with a gauzelike veil of tappa, while Fayaway, seated beside me, and

holding in her hand a fan woven from the leaflets of a young cocoanut bough, brushed aside the insects that

occasionally lighted on my face, and KoryKory, with a view of chasing away my melancholy, performed a

As my eye wandered along this romantic stream, it would fall upon the halfimmersed figure of a beautiful

girl, standing in the transparent water, and catching in a little net a species of diminutive shellfish, of which

these people are extravagantly fond. Sometimes a chattering group would be seated upon the edge of a low

rock in the midst of the brook, busily engaged in thinning and polishing the shells of cocoanuts, by rubbing

them briskly with a small stone in the water, an operation which soon converts them into a light and elegant

But the tranquillizing influences of beautiful scenery, and the exhibition of human life under so novel and

Every evening the girls of the house gathered about me on the mats, and, after chasing away KoryKory from

my side who, nevertheless, retired only to a little distance, and watched their proceedings with the most

jealous attention would anoint my body with a fragrant oil, squeezed from a yellow root, previously

pounded between a couple of stones, and which in their language is denominated "aka." I used to hail with

delight the daily recurrence of this luxurious operation, in which I forgot all my troubles, and buried for the

Sometimes, in the cool of the evening, my devoted servitor would lead me out upon the pipi in front of the

house, and, seating me near its edge, protect my occasionally hovered in the air, by wrapping me round with a

large roll of tappa. He then bustled about, and employed himself at least twenty minutes in adjusting

Having perfected his arrangements, he would get my pipe, and, lighting it, would hand it to me. Often he was

obliged to strike a light for the occasion; and as the mode he adopted was entirely different from what I had

A straight, dry, and partlydecayed stick of the Habiscus, about six feet in length, and half as many inches in

diameter, with a smaller bit of wood, not more than a foot long, and scarcely an inch wide, is as invariably to

be met with in every house in Typee, as a box of lucifer matches in the corner of a kitchencupboard at

The islander, placing the larger stick obliquely against some object, with one end elevated at an angle of

fortyfive degrees, mounts astride of it, like an urchin about to gallop off upon a cane, and then, grasping the

smaller one firmly in both hands, he rubs its pointed end slowly up and down the extent of a few inches on

the principal stick, until at last he makes a narrow groove in the wood, with an abrupt termination at the point

farthest from him, where all the dusty particles which the friction creates are accumulated in a little heap.

At first KoryKory goes to work quite leisurely, but gradually quickens his pace, and, waxing warm in the

employment, edge, drives the stick furiously along the smoking channel, plying his hands to and fro with

amazing rapidity, the perspiration starting from every pore. As he approaches the climax of his effort, he

pants and gasps for breath, and his eyes almost start from their sockets with the violence of his exertions. This

is the critical stage of the operation; all his previous labours are vain if he cannot sustain the rapidity of the

movement until the reluctant spark is produced. Suddenly he stops, becomes perfectly motionless. His hands

still retain their hold of the smaller stick, which is pressed convulsively against the farther end of the channel,

among the fine powder there accumulated, as if he had just pierced through and through some little viper that

was wriggling and struggling to escape from his clutches. The next moment a delicate wreath of smoke curls

spirally into the air, the heap of dusty particles glows with fire, and KoryKory, almost breathless, dismounts

This operation appeared to me to be the most laborious species of work performed in Typee; and had I

possessed a sufficient intimacy with the language to have conveyed my ideas upon the subject, I should

certainly have suggested to the most influential of the natives the expediency of establishing a college of

vestals, to be centrally located in the valley, for the purpose of keeping alive the indispensable article of fire,

so as to supersede the necessity of such a vast outlay of strength and good temper as were usually squandered

on these occasions. There might, however, be special difficulties in carrying this plan into execution.

What a striking evidence does this operation furnish of the wide difference between the extreme of savage

and civilized life! A gentleman of Typee can bring up a numerous family of children, and give them all a

highly respectable cannibal education, with infinitely less toil and anxiety than he expends in the simple

process of striking a light; whilst a poor European artisan, who through the instrumentality of a lucifer

performs the same operation in one second, is put to his wit's end to provide for his starving offspring that

food, which the children of a Polynesian father, without troubling their parents, pluck from the branches of

ALL the inhabitants of the valley treated me with great kindness; but as to the household of Marheyo, with

whom I was now permanently domiciled, nothing could surpass their efforts to minister to my comfort. To

the gratification of my palate they paid the most unwearied attention. They continually invited me to partake

of food, and when after eating heartily I declined the viands they continued to offer me, they seemed to think

that my appetite stood in need of some piquant stimulant to excite its activity.

In pursuance of this idea, old Marheyo himself would hie him away to the seashore by the break of day, for

the purpose of collecting various species of rare seaweed; some of which, among these people, are considered

a great luxury. After a whole day spent in this employment, he would return about nightfall with several

cocoanut shells filled with different descriptions of kelp. In preparing these for use, he manifested all the

ostentation of a professed cook, although the chief mystery of the affair appeared to consist in pouring water

The first time he submitted one of these saline salads to my critical attention, I naturally thought that anything

collected at such pains must possess peculiar merits; but one mouthful was a complete dose; and great was

the consternation of the old warrior at the rapidity with which I ejected his epicurean treat.

How true it is, that the rarity of any particular article enhances its value amazingly. In some part of the

valley I know not where, but probably in the neighbourhood of the sea the girls were sometimes in the

habit of procuring small quantities of salt, a thimblefull or so being the result of the united labours of a party

of five or six employed for the greater part of the day. This precious commodity they brought to the house,

enveloped in multitudinous folds of leaves; and as a special mark of the esteem in which they held me, would

spread an immense leaf on the ground, and dropping one by one a few minute particles of the salt upon it,

From the extravagant value placed upon the article, I verily believe, that with a bushel of common Liverpool

salt, all the real estate in Typee might have been purchased. With a small pinch of it in one hand, and a

quarter section of a breadfruit in the other, the greatest chief in the valley would have laughed at all the

The celebrity of the breadfruit tree, and the conspicuous place it occupies in a Typee bill of fare, induces me

to give at some length a general description of the tree, and the various modes in which the fruit is prepared.

The breadfruit tree, in its glorious prime, is a grand and towering object, forming the same feature in a

Marquesan landscape that the patriarchal elm does in New England scenery. The latter tree it not a little

resembles in height, in the wide spread of its stalwart branches, and in its venerable and imposing aspect.

The leaves of the breadfruit are of great size, and their edges are cut and scolloped as fantastically as those

of a lady's lace collar. As they annually tend towards decay, they almost rival, in the brilliant variety of their

gradually changing hues, the fleeting shades of the expiring dolphin. The autumnal tints of our American

The leaf, in one particular stage, when nearly all the prismatic colours are blended on its surface, is often

converted by the natives into a superb and striking headdress. The principal fibre traversing its length being

split open a convenient distance, and the elastic sides of the aperture pressed apart, the head is inserted

between them, the leaf drooping on one side, with its forward half turned jauntily up on the brows, and the

The fruit somewhat resembles in magnitude and general appearance one of our citron melons of ordinary

size; but, unlike the citron, it has no sectional lines drawn along the outside. Its surface is dotted all over with

little conical prominences, looking not unlike the knobs on an antiquated church door. The rind is perhaps an

eighth of an inch in thickness; and denuded of this, at the time when it is in the greatest perfection, the fruit

presents a beautiful globe of white pulp, the whole of which may be eaten, with the exception of a slender

The breadfruit, however, is never used, and is indeed altogether unfit to be eaten, until submitted in one

The most simple manner in which this operation is performed, and, I think, the best, consists in placing any

number of the freshlyplucked fruit, when in a particular state of greenness, among the embers of a fire, in

the same way that you would roast a potato. After the lapse of ten or fifteen minutes, the green rind

embrowns and cracks, showing through the fissures in its sides the milkwhite interior. As soon as it cools

the rind drops off, and you then have the soft round pulp in its purest and most delicious state. Thus eaten, it

Sometimes after having been roasted in the fire, the natives snatch it briskly from the embers, and permitting

it to slip out of the yielding rind into a vessel of cold water, stir up the mixture, which they call "boasho." I

never could endure this compound, and indeed the preparation is not greatly in vogue among the more polite

There is one form, however, in which the fruit is occasionally served, that renders it a dish fit for a king. As

soon as it is taken from the fire the exterior is removed, the core extracted, and the remaining part is placed in

a sort of shallow stone mortar, and briskly worked with a pestle of the same substance. While one person is

performing this operation, another takes a ripe cocoanut, and breaking it in half, which they also do very

cleverly, proceeds to grate the juicy meat into fine particles. This is done by means of a piece of

motherofpearl shell, lashed firmly to the extreme end of a heavy stick, with its straight side accurately

notched like a saw. The stick is sometimes a grotesquelyformed limb of a tree, with three or four branches

twisting from its body like so many shapeless legs, and sustaining it two or three feet from the ground.

The native, first placing a calabash beneath the nose, as it were, of his curiouslooking logsteed, for the

purpose of receiving the grated fragments as they fall, mounts astride of it as if it were a hobbyhorse, and

twirling the inside of one of his hemispheres of cocoanut around the sharp teeth of the motherofpearl

shell, the pure white meat falls in snowy showers into the receptacle provided. Having obtained a quantity

sufficient for his purpose, he places it in a bag made of the netlike fibrous substance attached to all

cocoanut trees, and compressing it over the breadfruit, which being now sufficiently pounded, is put into a

wooden bowl extracts a thick creamy milk. The delicious liquid soon bubbles round the fruit, and leaves it

This preparation is called "kokoo," and a most luscious preparation it is. The hobbyhorse and the pestle and

mortar were in great requisition during the time I remained in the house of Marheyo, and KoryKory had

But the great staple articles of food into which the breadfruit is converted by these natives are known

At a certain season of the year, when the fruit of the hundred groves of the valley has reached its maturity,

and hangs in golden spheres from every branch, the islanders assemble in harvest groups, and garner in the

abundance which surrounds them. The trees are stripped of their nodding burdens, which, easily freed from

the rind and core, are gathered together in capacious wooden vessels, where the pulpy fruit is soon worked by

a stone pestle, vigorously applied, into a blended mass of a doughy consistency, called by the natives

"Tutao." This is then divided into separate parcels, which, after being made up into stout packages, enveloped

in successive folds of leaves, and bound round with thongs of bark, are stored away in large receptacles

In this condition the Tutao sometimes remains for years, and even is thought to improve by age. Before it is

fit to be eaten, however, it has to undergo an additional process. A primitive oven is scooped in the ground,

and its bottom being loosely covered with stones, a large fire is kindled within it. As soon as the requisite

degree of heat is attained, the embers are removed, and the surface of the stones being covered with thick

layers of leaves, one of the large packages of Tutao is deposited upon them, and overspread with another

layer of leaves. The whole is then quickly heaped up with earth, and forms a sloping mound.

The Tutao thus baked is called "Amar"; the action of the oven having converted it into an ambercoloured

By another and final process the "Amar" is changed into "PoeePoee." This transition is rapidly effected. The

amar is placed in a vessel, and mixed with water until it gains a proper puddinglike consistency, when,

without further preparation, it is in readiness for use. This is the form in which the "Tutao" is generally

Were it not that the breadfruit is thus capable of being preserved for a length of time, the natives might be

reduced to a state of starvation; for, owing to some unknown cause, the trees sometimes fail to bear fruit; and

on such occasions the islanders chiefly depend upon the supplies they have been enabled to store away.

This stately tree, which is rarely met with upon the Sandwich Islands, and then only of a very inferior quality,

and at Tahiti does not abound to a degree that renders its fruit the principal article of food, attains its greatest

excellence in the genial climate of the Marquesan group, where it grows to an enormous magnitude, and

IN looking back to this period, and calling to remembrance the numberless proofs of kindness and respect

which I received from the natives of the valley, I can scarcely understand how it was that, in the midst of so

many consolatory circumstances, my mind should still have been consumed by the most dismal forebodings,

and have remained a prey to the profoundest melancholy. It is true that the suspicious circumstances which

had attended the disappearance of Toby were enough of themselves to excite distrust with regard to the

savages, in whose power I felt myself to be entirely placed, especially when it was combined with the

knowledge that these very men, kind and respectful as they were to me, were, after all, nothing better than a

But my chief source of anxiety, and that which poisoned every temporary enjoyment, was the mysterious

disease in my leg, which still remained unabated. All the herbal applications of Tinor, united with the severer

discipline of the old leech, and the affectionate nursing of KoryKory, had failed to relieve me. I was almost

a cripple, and the pain I endured at intervals was agonizing. The unaccountable malady showed no signs of

amendment; on the contrary, its violence increased day by day, and threatened the most fatal results, unless

some powerful means were employed to counteract it. It seemed as if I were destined to sink under this

grievous affliction, or at least that it would hinder me from availing myself of any opportunity of escaping

An incident which occurred as nearly as I can estimate about three weeks after the disappearance of Toby,

convinced me that the natives, from some reason or other, would interpose every possible obstacle to my

One morning there was no little excitement evinced by the people near my abode, and which I soon

discovered proceeded from a vague report that boats had been seen at a great distance approaching the bay.

Immediately all was bustle and animation. It so happened that day that the pain I suffered having somewhat

abated, and feeling in much better spirits than usual, I had complied with KoryKory's invitation to visit the

chief Mehevi at the place called the "Ti," which I have before described as being situated within the precincts

of the Taboo groves. These sacred recesses were at no great distance from Marheyo's habitation, and lay

between it and the sea; the path that conducted to the beach passing directly in front of the Ti, and thence

I was reposing upon the mats, within the sacred building, in company with Mehevi and several other chiefs,

when the announcement was first made. It sent a thrill of joy through my whole frame; perhaps Toby was

about to return. I rose at once to my feet, and my instinctive impulse was to hurry down to the beach, equally

regardless of the distance that separated me from it, and of my disabled condition. As soon as Mehevi noticed

the effect the intelligence had produced upon me, and the impatience I betrayed to reach the sea, his

countenance assumed that inflexible rigidity of expression which had so awed me on the afternoon of our

arrival at the house of Marheyo. As I was proceeding to leave the Ti, he laid his hand upon my shoulder, and

said gravely, "abo, abo" (wait, wait). Solely intent upon the one thought that occupied my mind, and heedless

of his request, I was brushing past him, when suddenly he assumed a tone of authority, and told me to "moee"

(sit down). Though struck by the alteration in his demeanour, the excitement under which I laboured was too

strong to permit me to obey the unexpected command, and I was still limping towards the edge of the pipi

with KoryKory clinging to one arm in his efforts to restrain me, when the natives around started to their

feet, ranged themselves along the open front of the building, while Mehevi looked at me scowlingly, and

It was at this moment, when fifty savage countenances were glaring upon me, that I first truly experienced I

was indeed a captive in the valley. The conviction rushed upon me with staggering force, and I was

overwhelmed by this confirmation of my worst fears. I saw at once that it was useless for me to resist, and

sick at heart, I reseated myself upon the mats, and for the moment abandoned myself to despair.

I now perceived the natives one after the other hurrying past the Ti and pursuing the route that conducted to

the sea. These savages, thought I, will soon be holding communication with some of my own countrymen

perhaps, who with ease could restore me to liberty did they know of the situation I was in. No language can

describe the wretchedness which I felt; and in the bitterness of my soul I imprecated a thousand curses on the

perfidious Toby, who had thus abandoned me to destruction. It was in vain that KoryKory tempted me with

food, or lighted my pipe, or sought to attract my attention by performing the uncouth antics that had

sometimes diverted me. I was fairly knocked down by this last misfortune, which, much as I had feared it, I

Regardless of everything but my own sorrow, I remained in the Ti for several hours, until shouts proceeding

at intervals from the groves beyond the house proclaimed the return of the natives from the beach.

Whether any boats visited the bay that morning or not, I never could ascertain. The savages assured me that

there had not but I was inclined to believe that by deceiving me in this particular they sought to allay the

violence of my grief. However that might be, this incident showed plainly that the Typees intended to hold

me a prisoner. As they still treated me with the same sedulous attention as before, I was utterly at a loss how

to account for their singular conduct. Had I been in a situation to instruct them in any of the rudiments of the

mechanic arts, or had I manifested a disposition to render myself in any way useful among them, their

conduct might have been attributed to some adequate motive, but as it was, the matter seemed to me

During my whole stay on the island there occurred but two or three instances where the natives applied to me

with the view of availing themselves of my superior information; and these now appear so ludicrous that I

The few things we had brought from Nukuheva had been done up into a small bundle which we had carried

with us in our descent to the valley. This bundle, the of our arrival, I had used as a pillow, but on the

succeeding morning, opening it for the inspection of the natives, they gazed upon the miscellaneous contents

as though I had just revealed to them a casket of diamonds, and they insisted that so precious a treasure

should be properly secured. A line was accordingly attached to it, and the other end being passed over the

ridgepole of the house, it was hoisted up to the apex of the roof, where it hung suspended directly over the

mats where I usually reclined. When I desired anything from it I merely raised my finger to bamboo beside

me, and taking hold of the string which was there fastened, lowered the package. This was exceedingly

handy, and I took care to let the natives understand how much I applauded the invention. Of this package the

chief contents were a razor with its case, a supply of needles and thread, a pound or two of tobacco, and a few

I should have mentioned, that shortly after Toby's disappearance, perceiving the uncertainty of the time I

might be obliged to remain in the valley, if, indeed, I ever should escape from it, and considering that my

whole wardrobe consisted of a shirt and a pair of trousers, I resolved to doff these garments at once, in order

to preserve them in a suitable condition for wear, should I again appear among civilized beings. I was

consequently obliged to assume the Typee costume, a little altered, however, to suit my own views of

propriety, and in which I have no doubt I appeared to as much advantage as a senator of Rome enveloped in

the folds of his toga. A few folds of yellow tappa, tucked about my waist, descended to my feet in the style of

a lady's petticoat, only I did not have recourse to those voluminous paddings in the rear with which our gentle

dames are in the habit of augmenting the sublime rotundity of their figures. This usually comprised my

indoor dress: whenever I walked out, I superadded to it an ample robe of the same material, which

One morning I made a rent in this mantle; and to show the islanders with what facility it could be repaired, I

lowered my bundle, and taking from it a needle and thread, proceeded to stitch up the opening. They regarded

this wonderful application of science with intense admiration; and whilst I was stitching away, old Marheyo,

who was one of the lookerson, suddenly clapped his hand to his forehead, and rushing to a corner of the

house, drew forth a soiled and tattered strip of faded calico which he must procured some time or other in

traffic on the beach and besought me eagerly to exercise a little of my art upon it. I willingly complied,

though certainly so stumpy a needle as mine never took such gigantic strides over calico before. The repairs

completed, old Marheyo gave me a paternal hug; and divesting himself of his "maro" (girdle), swathed the

calico about his loins, and slipping the beloved ornaments into his ears, grasped his spear and sallied out of

I never used my razor during my stay in the island, but, although a very subordinate affair, it had been vastly

admired by the Typees; and Narmonee, a great hero among them, who was exceedingly precise in the

arrangements of his toilet and the general adjustment of his person, being the most accurately tattooed and

laboriously horrified individual in all the valley, thought it would be a great advantage to have it applied to

The implement they usually employ is a shark's tooth, which is about as well adapted to the purpose as a

onepronged fork for pitching hay. No wonder, then, that the acute Narmonee perceived the advantage my

razor possessed over the usual implement. Accordingly, one day, he requested as a personal favour, that I

would just run over his head with the razor. In reply, I gave him to understand that it was too dull, and could

not be used to any purpose without being previously sharpened. To assist my meaning, I went through an

imaginary honing process on the palm of my hand. Narmonee took my meaning in an instant, and running out

of the house, returned the next moment with a huge rough mass of rock as big as a millstone, and indicated to

me that that was exactly the thing I wanted. Of course there was nothing left for me but to proceed to

business, and I began scraping away at a great rate. He writhed and wriggled under the infliction, but, fully

Though I never saw Narmonee in battle, I will, from what I then observed, stake my life upon his courage and

fortitude. Before commencing operations, his head had presented a surface of short bristling hairs, and by the

time I had concluded my unskilful operation it resembled not a little a stubble field after being gone over with

a harrow. However, as the chief expressed the liveliest satisfaction at the result, I was too wise to dissent

DAY after day wore on, and still there was no perceptible change in the conduct of the islanders towards me.

Gradually I lost all knowledge of the regular recurrence of the days of the week, and sunk insensibly into that

kind of apathy which ensues after some violent outbreak of despair. My limb suddenly healed, the swelling

went down, the pain subsided, and I had every reason to suppose I should soon completely recover from the

As soon as I was enabled to ramble about the valley in company with the natives, troops of whom followed

me whenever I sallied out of the house, I began to experience an elasticity of mind which placed me beyond

the reach of those dismal forebodings to which I had so lately been a prey. Received wherever I went with the

most deferential kindness; regaled perpetually with the most delightful fruits; ministered to by darkeyed

nymphs; and enjoying besides all the services of the devoted KoryKory, I thought that, for a sojourn among

To be sure, there were limits set to my wanderings. Toward the sea, my progress was barred by an express

prohibition of the savages; and after having made two or three ineffectual attempts to reach it, as much to

gratify my curiosity as anything else, I gave up the idea. It was in vain to think of reaching it by stealth, since

the natives escorted me in numbers wherever I went, and not for one single moment that I can recall to mind

was I ever permitted to be alone. The green and precipitous elevations that stood ranged around the head of

the vale where Marheyo's habitation was situated, effectually precluded all hope of escape in that quarter,

But these reflections now seldom obtruded upon me; I gave myself up to the passing hour, and if ever

disagreeable thoughts arose in my mind, I drove them away. When I looked around the verdant recess in

which I was buried, and gazed up to the summits of the lofty eminence that hemmed me in, I was well

disposed to think that I was in the "Happy Valley," and that beyond those heights there was nought but a

In this frame of mind, every object that presented itself to my notice struck me in a new light, and the

opportunities I now enjoyed of observing the manners of the natives, tended to strengthen my favourable

impressions. One peculiarity that fixed my admiration was the perpetual hilarity reigning through the whole

extent of the vale. There seemed to be no cares, griefs, troubles, or vexations in all Typee. The hours tripped

There were none of those thousand sources of irritation that the ingenuity of civilized man has created to mar

his own felicity. There were no foreclosures of mortgages, no protested notes, no bills payable, no debts of

honour, in Typee; no unreasonable tailors and shoemakers, perversely bent on being paid; no duns of any

description; no assault and battery attorneys, to foment discord, backing their clients up to a quarrel, and then

knocking their heads together; no poor relations everlastingly occupying the spare bedchamber, and

diminishing the elbowroom at the family table; no destitute widows with their children starving on the cold

charities of the world; no beggars; no debtor's prisons; no proud and hardhearted nabobs in Typee; or, to

sum up all in one word no Money! That "root of all evil" was not to be found in the valley.

In this secluded abode of happiness there were no cross old women, no cruel stepdames, no withered

spinsters, no lovesick maidens, no sour old bachelors, no inattentive husbands, no melancholy young men,

no blubbering youngsters, and no squalling brats. All was mirth, fun, and high good humour. Blue devils,

hypochondria, and doleful dumps went and hid themselves among the nooks and crannies of the rocks.

Here you would see a parcel of children frolicking together the livelong day, and no quarrelling, no

contention among them. The same number in our own land could not have played together for the space of an

hour without biting or scratching one another. There you might have seen a throng of young females, not

filled with envyings of each other's charms, nor displaying the ridiculous affectations of gentility, nor yet

moving in whalebone corsets, like so many automatons, but free, inartificially happy, and unconstrained.

There were some spots in that sunny vale where they would frequently resort to decorate themselves with

garlands of flowers. To have seen them reclining beneath the shadows of one of the beautiful groves, the

ground about them strewn with freshly gathered buds and blossoms, employed in weaving chaplets and

necklaces, one would have thought that all the train of Flora had gathered together to keep a festival in

With the young men there seemed almost always some matter of diversion or business on hand, that afforded

a constant variety of enjoyment. But whether fishing, or carving canoes, or polishing their ornaments, never

As for the warriors, they maintained a tranquil dignity of demeanour, journeying occasionally from house to

house, where they were always sure to be received with the attention bestowed upon distinguished guests.

The old men, of whom there were many in the vale, seldom stirred from their mats, where they would recline

for hours and hours, smoking and talking to one another with all the garrulity of age.

But the continual happiness which, so far as I was able to judge, appeared to prevail in the valley, sprung

principally from that allpervading sensation which Rousseau has told us he at one time experienced, the

mere buoyant sense of a healthful physical existence. And, indeed, in this particular the Typees had ample

reason to felicitate themselves, for sickness was almost unknown. During the whole period of my stay, I saw

but one invalid among them; and on their smooth clear skins you observed no blemish or mark of disease.

The general repose, however, upon which I have just been descanting, was broken in upon about this time by

an event, which proved that the islanders were not entirely exempt from those occurrences which disturb the

Having now been a considerable time in the valley, I began to feel surprised that the violent hostility

subsisting between its inhabitants and those of the adjoining bay of Happar, should never have manifested

itself in any warlike encounter. Although the valiant Typees would often, by gesticulations, declare their

undying hatred against their enemies, and the disgust they felt at their cannibal propensities; although they

dilated upon the manifold injuries they had received at their hands, yet, with a forbearance truly

commendable, they appeared patiently to sit down under their grievances, and to refrain from making any

reprisals. The Happars, entrenched behind their mountains, and never even showing themselves on their

summits, did not appear to me to furnish adequate cause for that excess of animosity evinced towards them

by the heroic tenants of our vale, and I was inclined to believe that the deeds of blood attributed to them had

On the other hand, as the clamours of war had not up to this period disturbed the serenity of the tribe, I began

to distrust the truth of those reports which ascribed so fierce and belligerent a character to the Typee nation.

Surely, thought I, all these terrible stories I have heard about the inveteracy with which they carried on the

feud, their deadly intensity of hatred, and the diabolical malice with which they glutted their revenge upon the

inanimate forms of the slain, are nothing more than fables, and I must confess that I experienced something

like a sense of regret at having my hideous anticipations thus disappointed. I felt in some sort like a 'prentice

boy who, going to the play in the expectation of being delighted with a cutandthrust tragedy, is almost

I could not avoid thinking that I had fallen in with a greatly traduced people, and I moralized not a little upon

the disadvantage of having a bad name, which in this instance had given a tribe of savages, who were as

But subsequent events proved that I had been a little too premature in coming to this conclusion. One day,

about noon, happening to be at the Ti, I had lain down on the mats with several of the chiefs, and had

gradually sunk into a most luxurious siesta, when I was awakened by a tremendous outcry, and starting up,

beheld the natives seizing their spears and hurrying out, while the most puissant of the chiefs, grasping the six

muskets which were ranged against the bamboos, followed after, and soon disappeared in the groves. These

movements were accompanied by wild shouts, in which "Happar, Happar," greatly predominated. The

islanders were now to be seen running past the Ti, and striking across the valley to the Happar side. Presently

I heard the sharp report of a musket from the adjoining hills, and then a burst of voices in the same direction.

At this the women, who had congregated in the groves, set up the most violent clamours, as they invariably

do here as elsewhere on every occasion of excitement and alarm, with a view of tranquillizing their own

minds and disturbing other people. On this particular occasion they made such an outrageous noise, and

continued it with such perseverance, that for awhile, had entire volleys of musketry been fired off in the

When this female commotion had a little subsided I listened eagerly for further information. At last bang

went another shot, and then a second volley of yells from the hills. Again all was quiet, and continued so for

such a length of time that I began to think the contending armies had agreed upon a suspension of hostilities;

when pop went a third gun, followed as before with a yell. After this, for nearly two hours nothing occurred

worthy of comment, save some straggling shouts from the hillside, sounding like the halloos of a parcel of

During this interval I had remained standing on the piazza of the "Ti," which directly fronted the Happar

mountain, and with no one near me but KoryKory and the old superannuated savages I have before

described. These latter never stirred from their mats, and seemed altogether unconscious that anything

As for KoryKory, he appeared to think that we were in the midst of great events, and sought most zealously

to impress me with a due sense of their importance. Every sound that reached us conveyed some momentous

item of intelligence to him. At such times, as if he were gifted with second sight, he would go through a

variety of pantomimic illustrations, showing me the precise manner in which the redoubtable Typees were at

that very moment chastising the insolence of the enemy. "Mehevi hanna pippee nuee Happar," he exclaimed

every five minutes, giving me to understand that under that distinguished captain the warriors of his nation

Having heard only four reports from the muskets, I was led to believe that they were worked by the islanders

in the same manner as the Sultan Solyman's ponderous artillery at the siege of Byzantium, one of them taking

an hour or two to load and train. At last, no sound whatever proceeding from the mountains, I concluded that

the contest had been determined one way or the other. Such appeared, indeed, to be the case, for in a little

while a courier arrived at the "Ti," almost breathless with his exertions, and communicated the news of a

great victory having been achieved by his countrymen: "Happar poo arva! Happar poo arva!" (the cowards

had fled). KoryKory was in ecstasies, and commenced a vehement harangue, which, so far as I understood

it, implied that the result exactly agreed with his expectations, and which, moreover, was intended to

convince me that it would be a perfectly useless undertaking, even for an army of fireeaters, to offer battle

to the irresistible heroes of our valley. In all this I of course acquiesced, and looked forward with no little

interest to the return of the conquerors, whose victory I feared might not have been purchased without cost to

But here I was again mistaken; for Mehevi, in conducting his warlike operations, rather inclined to the Fabian

than to the Buonapartean tactics, husbanding his resources and exposing his troops to no unnecessary

hazards. The total loss of the victors in this obstinately contested affair was, in killed, wounded, and

missing one forefinger and part of a thumbnail (which the late proprietor brought along with him in his

hand), a severely contused arm, and a considerable effusion of blood flowing from the thigh of a chief who

had received an ugly thrust from a Happar spear. What the enemy had suffered I could not discover, but I

Such was the issue of the battle, as far as its results came under my observation; and as it appeared to be

considered an event of prodigious importance, I reasonably concluded that the wars of the natives were

marked by no very sanguinary traits. I afterwards learned how the skirmish had originated. A number of the

Happars had been discovered prowling for no good purpose on the Typee side of the mountain; the alarm

sounded, and the invaders, after a protracted resistance, had been chased over the frontier. But why had not

the intrepid Mehevi carried the war into Happar? Why had not he made a descent into the hostile vale, and

brought away some trophy of his victory some materials for the cannibal entertainment which I had heard

usually terminated every engagement? After all, I was much inclined to believe that these shocking festivals

For two or three days the late event was the theme of general comment; after which the excitement gradually

RETURNING health and peace of mind gave a new interest to everything around me. I sought to diversify

my time by as many enjoyments as lay within my reach. Bathing in company with troops of girls, formed one

of my chief amusements. We sometimes enjoyed the recreation in the waters of a miniature lake, into which

the central stream of the valley expanded. This lovely sheet of water was almost circular in figure, and about

three hundred yards across. Its beauty was indescribable. All around its banks waved luxuriant masses of

tropical folliage, soaring high above which were seen, here and there, the symmetrical shaft of the cocoanut

tree, surmounted by its tuft of graceful branches, drooping in the air like so many waving ostrich plumes.

The ease and grace with which the maidens of the valley propelled themselves through the water, and their

familiarity with the element, were truly astonishing. Sometimes they might be seen gliding along just under

the surface, without apparently moving hand or foot, then throwing themselves on their sides, they darted

through the water, revealing glimpses of their forms, as, in the course of their rapid progress, they shot for an

instant partly into the air; at one moment they dived deep down into the water, and the next they rose

I remember upon one occasion plunging in among a parcel of these rivernymphs, and counting vainly on my

superior strength, sought to drag some of them under the water; but I quickly repented my temerity. The

amphibious young creatures swarmed about me like a shoal of dolphins, and seizing hold of my devoted

limbs, tumbled me about and ducked me under the surface, until from the strange noises which rang in my

ears, and the supernatural visions dancing before my eyes, I thought I was in the land of spirits. I stood indeed

as little chance among them as a cumbrous whale attacked on all sides by a legion of swordfish. When at

length they relinquished their hold of me, they swam away in every direction, laughing at my clumsy

There was no boat on the lake; but at my solicitation, and for my special use, some of the young men attached

to Marheyo's household, under the direction of the indefatigable KoryKory, brought up a light and tastefully

carved canoe from the sea. It was launched upon the sheet of water, and floated there as gracefully as a swan.

But, melancholy to relate, it produced an effect I had not anticipated. The sweet nymphs, who had sported

with me before in the lake, now all fled its vicinity. The prohibited craft, guarded by the edicts of the "taboo,"

For a few days, KoryKory, with one or two other youths, accompanied me in my excursions to the lake, and

while I paddled about in my light canoe, would swim after me shouting and gambolling in pursuit. But this

was far from contenting me. Indeed, I soon began to weary of it, and longed more than ever for the pleasant

society of the mermaids, in whose absence the amusement was dull and insipid. One morning I expressed to

my faithful servitor my desire for the return of the nymphs. The honest fellow looked at me, bewildered for a

moment, and then shook his head solemnly, and murmured "taboo! taboo!" giving me to understand that

unless the canoe was removed, I could not expect to have the young ladies back again. But to this procedure I

was averse; I not only wanted the canoe to stay where it was, but I wanted the beauteous Fayaway to get into

it, and paddle with me about the lake. This latter proposition completely horrified KoryKory's notions of

propriety. He inveighed against it, as something too monstrous to be thought of. It not only shocked their

established notions of propriety, but was at variance with all their religious ordinances.

However, although the "taboo" was a ticklish thing to meddle with, I determined to test its capabilities of

resisting an attack. I consulted the chief Mehevi, who endeavoured to persuade me from my object: but I was

not to be repulsed; and accordingly increased the warmth of my solicitations. At last he entered into a long,

and I have no doubt a very learned and eloquent exposition of the history and nature of the "taboo" as

affecting this particular case; employing a variety of most extraordinary words, which, from their amazing

length and sonorousness, I have every reason to believe were of a theological nature. But all that he said

failed to convince me: partly perhaps, because I could not comprehend a word that he uttered; but chiefly,

that for the life of me, I could not understand why a woman should not have as much right to enter a canoe as

a man. At last he became a little more rational, and intimated that, out of the abundant love he bore me, he

How it was that the priesthood of Typee satisfied the affair with their consciences, I know not; but so it was,

and Fayaway's dispensation from this portion of the taboo was at length procured. Such an event, I believe,

never before had occurred in the valley; but it was high time the islanders should be taught a little gallantry,

and I trust that the example I set them may produce beneficial effects. Ridiculous, indeed, that the lovely

creatures should be obliged to paddle about in the water, like so many ducks, while a parcel of great strapping

The first day after Fayaway's emancipation, I had a delightful little party on the lake the damsel,

KoryKory, and myself. My zealous bodyservant brought from the house a calabash of poeepoee, half a

dozen young cocoanuts stripped of their husks three pipes, as many yams, and me on his back a part of

the way. Something of a load; but KoryKory was a very strong man for his size, and by no means brittle in

the spine. We had a very pleasant day; my trusty valet plied the paddle and swept us gently along the margin

of the water, beneath the shades of the overhanging thickets. Fayaway and I reclined in the stern of the canoe,

the gentle nymph occasionally placing her pipe to her lip, and exhaling the mild fumes of the tobacco, to

which her rosy breath added a fresh perfume. Strange as it may seem, there is nothing in which a young and

beautiful female appears to more advantage than in the act of smoking. How captivating is a Peruvian lady,

swinging in her gailywoven hammock of grass, extended between two orangetrees, and inhaling the

fragrance of a choice cigarro! But Fayaway, holding in her delicatelyformed olive hand the long yellow reed

of her pipe, with its quaintly carved bowl, and every few moments languishingly giving forth light wreaths of

We floated about thus for several hours, when I looked up to the warm, glowing, tropical sky, and then down

into the transparent depths below; and when my eye, wandering from the bewitching scenery around, fell

upon the grotesquelytattooed form of KoryKory, and finally encountered the pensive gaze of Fayaway, I

thought I had been transported to some fairy region, so unreal did everything appear.

This lovely piece of water was the coolest spot in all the valley, and I now made it a place of continual resort

during the hottest period of the day. One side of it lay near the termination of a long gradually expanding

gorge, which mounted to the heights that environed the vale. The strong tradewind, met in its course by

these elevations, circled and eddied about their summits, and was sometimes driven down the steep ravine

and swept across the valley, ruffling in its passage the otherwise tranquil surface of the lake.

One day, after we had been paddling about for some time, I disembarked KoryKory, and paddled the canoe

to the windward side of the lake. As I turned the canoe, away, who was with me, seemed all at once to be

struck with some happy idea. With a wild exclamation of delight, she disengaged from her person the ample

robe of tappa which was knotted over her shoulder (for the purpose of shielding her from the sun), and

spreading it out like a sail, stood erect with upraised arms in the head of the canoe. We American sailors

pride ourselves upon our straight clean spars, but a prettier little mast than Fayaway made was never shipped

In a moment the tappa was distended by the breeze the long brown tresses of Fayaway streamed in the air

and the canoe glided rapidly through the water, and shot towards the shore. Seated in the stern, I directed its

course with my paddle until it dashed up the soft sloping bank, and Fayaway, with a light spring, alighted on

the ground; whilst KoryKory, who had watched our manoeuvres with admiration, now clapped his hands in

transport, and shouted like a madman. Many a time afterwards was this feat repeated.

If the reader have not observed ere this that I was the declared admirer of Miss Fayaway, all I can say is, that

he is little conversant with affairs of the heart, and I certainly shall not trouble myself to enlighten him any

farther. Out of the calico I had brought from the ship a dress was made for this lovely girl. In it she looked, I

must confess, something like an operadancer. The drapery of the latter damsel generally commences a little

above the elbows, but my island beauty's began at the waist, and terminated sufficiently far above the ground

The day that Fayaway first wore this robe was rendered memorable by a new acquaintance being introduced

to me. In the afternoon I was lying in the house, when I heard a great uproar outside; but being by this time

pretty well accustomed to the wild halloos which were almost continually ringing through the valley, I paid

little attention to it, until old Marheyo, under the influence of some strange excitement, rushed into my

presence and communicated the astounding tidings, "Marnoo pemi!" which being interpreted, implied that an

individual by the name of Marnoo was approaching. My worthy old friend evidently expected that this

intelligence would produce a great effect upon me, and for a time he stood earnestly regarding me, as if

curious to see how I should conduct myself, but as I remained perfectly unmoved, the old gentleman darted

"Marnoo, Marnoo," cogitated I, "I have never heard that name before. Some distinguished character, I

presume, from the prodigious riot the natives are making"; the tumultuous noise drawing nearer and nearer

I made up my mind that some savage warrior of consequence, who had not yet enjoyed the honour of an

audience, was desirous of paying his respects on the present occasion. So vain had I become by the lavish

attention to which I had been accustomed, that I felt half inclined, as a punishment for such neglect, to give

this Marnoo a cold reception, when the excited throng came within view, convoying one of the most striking

The stranger could not have been more than twentyfive years of age, and was a little above the ordinary

height; had he been a single hair's breadth taller, the matchless symmetry of his form would have been

destroyed. His unclad limbs were beautifully formed; whilst the elegant outline of his figure, together with

his beardless cheeks, might have entitled him to the distinction of standing for the statue of the Polynesian

Apollo; and indeed the oval of his countenance and the regularity of every feature reminded me of an antique

bust. But the marble repose of art was supplied by a warmth and liveliness of expression only to be seen in

the South Sea islander under the most favourable developments of nature. The hair of Marnoo was a rich

curling brown, and twined about his temples and neck in little close curling ringlets, which danced up and

down continually when he was animated in conversation. His cheek was of a feminine softness, and his face

was free from the least blemish of tattooing, although the rest of his body was drawn all over with fanciful

figures, which unlike the unconnected sketching usual among these natives appeared to have been

The tattooing on his back in particular attracted my attention. The artist employed must indeed have excelled

in his profession. Traced along the course of the spine was accurately delineated the slender, tapering, and

diamondcheckered shaft of the beautiful "artu" tree. Branching from the stem on either side, and disposed

alternately, were the graceful branches drooping with leaves all correctly drawn, and elaborately finished.

Indeed, this piece of tattooing was the best specimen of the Fine Arts I had yet seen in Typee. A rear view of

the stranger might have suggested the idea of a spreading vine tacked against a garden wall. Upon his breast,

arms, and legs, were exhibited an infinite variety of figures; every one of which, however, appeared to have

reference to the general effect sought to be produced. The tattooing I have described was of the brightest

blue, and when contrasted with the light olivecolour of the skin, produced an unique and even elegant effect.

A slight girdle of white tappa, scarcely two inches in width, but hanging before and behind in spreading

He advanced surrounded by the islanders, carrying under one arm a small roll of the native cloth, and

grasping in his other hand a long and richlydecorated spear. His manner was that of a traveller conscious

that he is approaching a comfortable stage in his journey. Every moment he turned goodhumouredly to the

throng around him, and gave some dashing sort of reply to their incessant queries, which appeared to

Struck by his demeanour, and the peculiarity of his appearance, so unlike that of the shavencrowned and

facetattooed natives in general, I involuntarily rose as he entered the house, and proffered him a seat on the

mats beside me. But without deigning to notice the civility, or even the more incontrovertible fact of my

existence, the stranger passed on, utterly regardless of me, and flung himself upon the farther end of the long

Had the belle of the season, in the pride of her beauty and power, been cut in a place of public resort by some

supercilious exquisite, she could not have felt greater indignation than I did at this unexpected slight.

I was thrown into utter astonishment. The conduct of the savages had prepared me to anticipate from every

newcomer the same extravagant expressions of curiosity and regard. The singularity of his conduct, however,

only roused my desire to discover who this remarkable personage might be, who now engrossed the attention

Tinor placed before him a calabash of poeepoee, from which the stranger regaled himself, alternating every

mouthful with some rapid exclamation, which was eagerly caught up and echoed by the crowd that

completely filled the house. When I observed the striking devotion of the natives to him, and their temporary

withdrawal of all attention from myself, I felt not a little piqued. The glory of Tommo is departed, thought I,

and the sooner he removes from the valley the better. These were my feelings at the moment, and they were

prompted by that glorious principle inherent in all heroic natures the strongrooted determination to have

Marnoo, this allattractive personage, having satisfied his hunger, and inhaled a few whiffs from a pipe

which was handed to him, launched out into an harangue which completely enchained the attention of his

Little as I understood of the language, yet from his animated gestures and the varying expression of his

features reflected as from so many mirrors in the countenances around him, I could easily discover the

nature of those passions which he sought to arouse. From the frequent recurrence of the words, "Nukuheva"

and "Franee" (French), and some others with the meaning of which I was acquainted, he appeared to be

rehearsing to his auditors events which had recently occurred in the neighbouring bays. But how he had

gained the knowledge of these matters, I could not understand, unless it were that he had just come from

Nukuheva, a supposition which his travelstained appearance not a little supported. But, if a native of that

region, I could not account for his friendly reception at the hands of the Typees.

Never, certainly, had I beheld so powerful an exhibition of natural eloquence as Marnoo displayed during the

course of his oration. The grace of the attitudes into which he threw his flexible figure, the striking gestures

of his naked arms, and above all, the fire which shot from his brilliant eyes, imparted an effect to the

continuallychanging accents of his voice, of which the most accomplished orator might have been proud. At

one moment reclining sideways upon the mat, and leaning calmly upon his bended arm, he related

circumstantially the aggressions of the French their hostile visits to the surrounding bays, enumerating each

one in succession Happar, Puerka, Nukuheva, Tior, and then starting to his feet, and precipitating himself

forward with clenched hands and a countenance distorted with passion, he poured out a tide of invectives.

Falling back into an attitude of lofty command, he exhorted the Typees to resist these encroachments;

reminding them, with a fierce glance of exultation, that as yet the terror of their name had preserved them

from attack; and with a scornful sneer, he sketched in ironical terms the wondrous intrepidity of the French,

who, with five warcanoes and hundreds of men, had not dared to assail the naked warriors of their valley.

The effect he produced upon his audience was electric; one and all they stood regarding him with sparkling

eyes and trembling limbs, as though they were listening to the inspired voice of a prophet.

But it soon appeared that Marnoo's powers were as versatile as they were extraordinary. As soon as he had

finished his vehement harangue, he threw himself again upon the mats, and, singling out individuals in the

crowd, addressed them by name, in a sort of bantering style, the humour of which, though nearly hidden from

He had a word for everybody; and, turning rapidly from one to another, gave utterance to some hasty

witticism, which was sure to be followed by peals of laughter. To the females, as well as to the men, he

addressed his discourse. Heaven only knows what he said to them, but he caused smiles and blushes to

mantle their ingenuous faces. I am, indeed, very much inclined to believe that Marnoo, with his handsome

person and captivating manners, was a sad deceiver among the simple maidens of the island.

During all this time, he had never for one moment deigned to regard me. He appeared, indeed, to be

altogether unconscious of my presence. I was utterly at a loss how to account for this extraordinary conduct. I

easily perceived that he was a man of no little consequence among the islanders; that he possessed

uncommon talents; and was gifted with a higher degree of knowledge than the inmates gi of the valley. For

these reasons, I therefore greatly feared lest, having, from some cause or other, unfriendly feelings towards

It seemed evident that he was not a permanent resident of the vale, and yet, whence could he have come? On

all sides the Typees were girt in by hostile tribes, and how could he possibly, if belonging to any of these, be

The personal appearance of the enigmatical stranger suggested additional perplexities. The face, free from

tattooing, and the unshaven crown, were peculiarities I had never before remarked in any part of the island,

and I had always heard that the contrary were considered the indispensable distinctions of a Marquesan

warrior. Altogether the matter was perfectly incomprehensible to me, and I awaited its solution with no small

At length, from certain indications, I suspected that he was making me the subject of his remarks, although he

appeared cautiously to avoid either pronouncing my name, or looking in the direction where I lay. All at once

he rose from the mats where he had been reclining, and, still conversing, moved towards me, his eye

purposely evading mine, and seated himself within less than a yard of me. I had hardly recovered from my

surprise, when he suddenly turned round, and, with a most benignant countenance, extended his right hand

gracefully towards me. Of course I accepted the courteous challenge, and, as soon as our palms met, he bent

towards me, and murmured in musical accents, "How you do?" "How long have you been in this bay?"

Had I been pierced simultaneously by three Happar spears, I could not have started more than I did at hearing

these simple questions. For a moment I was overwhelmed with astonishment, and then answered something I

know not what; but as soon as I regained my selfpossession, the thought darted through my mind that from

this individual I might obtain that information regarding Toby which I suspected the natives had purposely

withheld from me. Accordingly, I questioned him concerning the disappearance of my companion, but he

denied all knowledge of the matter. I then inquired from whence he had come? He replied, from Nukuheva.

When I expressed my surprise, he looked at me for a moment, as if enjoying my perplexity, and then, with his

strange vivacity, exclaimed, "Ah! me taboo, me go Nukuheva, me go Tior, me go Typee, me go

This explanation would have been altogether unintelligible to me, had it not recalled to my mind something I

had previously heard concerning a singular custom among these islanders. Though the country is possessed

by various tribes, whose mutual hostilities almost wholly preclude any tri intercourse between them, yet there

are instances where a person having ratified friendly relations with some individual belonging to the valley,

whose inmates are at war with his own, may, under particular restrictions, venture with impunity into the

country of his friend, where, under other circumstances, he would have been treated as an enemy. In this light

are personal friendships regarded among them, and the individual so protected is said to be "taboo," and his

person, to a certain extent, is held as sacred. Thus the stranger informed me he had access to all the valleys in

Curious to know how he had acquired his knowledge of English, I questioned him on the subject. At first, for

some reason or other, he evaded the inquiry, but afterwards told me that, when a boy, he had been carried to

sea by the captain of a trading vessel, with whom he had stayed three years, living part of the time with him

at Sidney, in Australia, and that, at a subsequent visit to the island, the captain had, at his own request,

permitted him to remain among his countrymen. The natural quickness of the savage had been wonderfully

improved by his intercourse with the white men, and his partial knowledge of a foreign language gave him a

When I asked the now affable Marnoo why it was that he had not previously spoken to me, he eagerly

inquired what I had been led to think of him from his conduct in that respect. I replied, that I had supposed

him to be some great chief or warrior, who had seen plenty of white men before, and did not think it worth

while to notice a poor sailor. At this declaration of the exalted opinion I had formed of him, he appeared

vastly gratified, and gave me to understand that he had purposely behaved in that manner, in order to increase

Marnoo now sought to learn my version of the story as to how I came to be an inmate of the Typee valley.

When I related to him the circumstances under which Toby and I had entered it, he listened with evident

interest; but as soon as I alluded to the absence, yet unaccounted for, of my comrade, he endeavoured to

change the subject, as if it were something he desired not to agitate. It seemed, indeed, as if everything

connected with Toby was destined to beget distrust and anxiety in my bosom. Notwithstanding Marnoo's

denial of any knowledge of his fate, I could not avoid suspecting that he was deceiving me; and this suspicion

revived those frightful apprehensions with regard to my own fate, which, for a short time past, had subsided

Influenced by these feelings, I now felt a strong desire to avail myself of the protection, and under his

safeguard to return to Nukuheva. But as soon as I hinted at this, he unhesitatingly pronounced it to be entirely

impracticable; assuring me that the Typees would never consent to my leaving the valley. Although what he

said merely confirmed the impression which I had before entertained, still it increased my anxiety to escape

from a captivity, which, however endurable, nay, delightful it might be in some respects, involved in its

I could not conceal from my mind that Toby had been treated in the same friendly manner as I had been, and

yet all their kindness terminated with his mysterious disappearance. Might not the same fate await me? a

fate too dreadful to think of. Stimulated by these considerations, I urged anew my request to Marnoo; but he

only set forth in stronger colours the impossibility of my escape, and repeated his previous declaration, that

When I endeavoured to learn from him the motives which prompted them to hold me a prisoner, Marnoo

again assumed that mysterious tone which had tormented me with apprehensions when I had questioned him

Thus repulsed, in a manner which only served, by arousing the most dreadful forebodings, to excite me to

renewed attempts, I conjured him to intercede for me with the natives, and endeavour to procure their consent

to my leaving them. To this he appeared strongly averse; but, yielding at last to my importunities, he

addressed several of the chiefs, who with the rest had been eyeing us intently during the whole of our

conversation. His petition, however, was at once met with the most violent disapprobation, manifesting itself

in angry glances and gestures, and a perfect torrent of passionate words, directed to both him and myself.

Marnoo, evidently repenting the step he had taken, earnestly deprecated the resentment of the crowd, and in a

few moments succeeded in pacifying, to some extent, the clamours which had broken out as soon as his

With the most intense interest had I watched the reception his intercession might receive; and a bitter pang

shot through my heart at the additional evidence, now furnished, of the unchangeable determination of the

islanders. Marnoo told me, with evident alarm in his countenance, that although admitted into the bay on a

friendly footing with its inhabitants, he could not presume to meddle with their concerns, as such a procedure,

if persisted in, would at once absolve the Typees from the restraints of the "taboo," although so long as he

refrained from any such conduct, it screened him effectually from the consequences of the enmity they bore

At this moment, Mehevi, who was present, angrily interrupted him; and the words which he uttered, in a

commanding tone, evidently meant that he must at once cease talking to me, and withdraw to the other part of

the house. Marnoo immediately started up, hurriedly enjoining me not to address him again, and, as I valued

my safety, to refrain from all further allusion to the subject of my departure; and then, in compliance with the

order of the determined chief, but not before it had again been angrily repeated, he withdrew to a distance.

I now perceived, with no small degree of apprehension, the same savage expression in the countenances of

the natives which had startled me during the scene at the Ti. They glanced their eyes suspiciously from

Marnoo to me, as if distrusting the nature of an intercourse carried on, as it was, in a language they could not

understand, and they seemed to harbour the belief that already we had concerted measures calculated to elude

The lively countenances of these people are wonderfully indicative of the emotions of the soul, and the

imperfections of their oral language are more than compensated for by the nervous eloquence of their looks

and gestures. I could plainly trace, in every varying expression of their faces, all those passions which had

It required no reflection to convince me, from what was going on, that the injunction of Marnoo was not to be

rashly slighted; and accordingly, great as was the effort to suppress my feelings, I accosted Mehevi in a

goodhumoured tone, with a view of dissipating any ill impression he might have received. But the ireful,

angry chief was not so easily mollified. He rejected my advances with that peculiarly stern expression I have

before described, and took care by the whole of his behaviour towards me to show the displeasure and

Marnoo, at the other extremity of the house, apparently desirous of making a diversion in my favour, exerted

himself to amuse with his pleasantries the crowd about him; but his lively attempts were not so successful as

they had previously been, and, foiled in his efforts, he rose gravely to depart. No one expressed any regret at

this movement, so seizing his roll of tappa, and grasping his spear, he advanced to the front of the pipi, and

waving his hand in adieu to the now silent throng, cast upon me a glance of mingled pity and reproach, and

flung himself into the path which led from the house. I watched his receding figure until it was lost in the

obscurity of the grove, and then gave myself up to the most desponding reflections.

THE knowledge I had now obtained as to the intention of the savages deeply affected me.

Marnoo, I perceived, was a man who, by reason of his superior acquirements, and the knowledge he

possessed of the events which were taking place in the different bays of the island, was held in no little

estimation by the inhabitants of the valley. He had been received with the most cordial welcome and respect.

The natives had hung upon the accents of his voice, and had manifested the highest gratification at being

individually noticed by him. And yet, despite all this, a few words urged in my behalf, with the intent of

obtaining my release from captivity, had sufficed not only to banish all harmony and goodwill, but, if I

could believe what he told me, had gone nigh to endanger his own personal safety.

How strongly rooted, then, must be the determination of the Typees with regard to me, and how suddenly

could they display the strangest passions! The mere suggestion of my departure had estranged from me, for

the time at least, Mehevi, who was the most influential of all the chiefs, and who had previously exhibited so

many instances of his friendly sentiments. The rest of the natives had likewise evinced their strong

repugnance to my wishes, and even KoryKory himself seemed to share in the general disapprobation

In vain I racked my invention to find out some motive for the strange desire these people manifested to retain

But however this might be, the scene which had just occurred admonished me of the danger of trifling with

the wayward and passionate spirits against whom it was vain to struggle, and might even be fatal to do so.

My only hope was to induce the natives to believe that I was reconciled to my detention in the valley, and by

assuming a tranquil and cheerful demeanour, to allay the suspicions which I had so unfortunately aroused.

Their confidence revived, they might in a short time remit in some degree their watchfulness over my

movements, and I should then be the better enabled to avail myself of any opportunity which presented itself

for escape. I determined, therefore, to make the best of a bad bargain, and to bear up manfully against

whatever might betide. In this endeavour I succeeded beyond my own expectations. At the period of

Marnoo's visit, I had been in the valley, as nearly as I could conjecture, some two months. Although not

completely recovered from my strange illness, which still lingered about me, I was free from pain and able to

take exercise. In short, I had every reason to anticipate a perfect recovery. Freed from apprehensions on this

point, and resolved to regard the future without flinching, I flung myself anew into all the social pleasures of

the valley, and sought to bury all regrets, and all remembrances of my previous existence, in the wild

In my various wanderings through the vale, and as I became better acquainted with the character of its

inhabitants, I was more and more struck with the lighthearted joyousness that everywhere prevailed. The

minds of these simple savages, unoccupied by matters of graver moment, were capable of deriving the utmost

delight from circumstances which would have passed unnoticed in more intelligent communities. All their

enjoyment, indeed, seemed to be made up of the little trifling incidents of the passing hour; but these

diminutive items swelled altogether to an amount of happiness seldom experienced by more enlightened

What community, for instance, of refined and intellectual mortals would derive the least satisfaction from

shooting popguns? The mere supposition of such a thing being possible would excite their indignation, and

yet the whole population of Typee did little else for ten days but occupy themselves with that childish

One day I was frolicking with a little spirited urchin, some six years old, who chased me with a piece of

bamboo about three feet long, with which he occasionally belaboured me. Seizing the stick from him, the

idea happened to suggest itself, that I might make for the youngster, out of the slender tube, one of those

nursery muskets with which I had sometimes seen children playing. Accordingly, with my knife, I made two

parallel slits in the cane several inches in length, and cutting loose at one end the elastic strip between them,

bent it back and slipped the point into a little notch made for the purpose. Any small substance placed against

this would be projected with considerable force through the tube, by merely springing the bent strip out of the

Had I possessed the remotest idea of the sensation this piece of ordnance was destined to produce, I should

certainly have taken out a patent for the invention. The boy scampered away with it, half delirious with

ecstasy, and in twenty minutes afterwards I might have been seen surrounded by a noisy crowd venerable

old greybeards responsible fathers of families valiant warriors matrons young men girls and children,

all holding in their hands bits of bamboo, and each clamouring to be served first.

For three or four hours I was engaged in manufacturing popguns, but at last made over my goodwill and

interest in the concern to a lad of remarkably quick parts, whom I soon initiated into the art and mystery.

Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop, now resounded all over the valley. Duels, skirmishes, pitched battles, and general

engagements were to be seen on every side. Here, as you walked along a path which led through a thicket,

you fell into a cunninglylaid ambush, and became a target for a body of musketeers, whose tattooed limbs

you could just see peeping into view through the foliage. There, you were assailed by the intrepid garrison of

a house, who levelled their bamboo rifles at you from between the upright canes which composed its sides.

Farther on, you were fired upon by a detachment of sharpshooters, mounted upon the top of a pipi.

Pop, Pop, Pop, Pop! green guavas, seeds, and berries were flying about in every direction, and during this

dangerous state of affairs, I was half afraid that, like the man and his brazen bull, I should fall a victim to my

own ingenuity. Like everything else, however, the excitement gradually wore away, though ever after

It was towards the close of the popgun war, that I was infinitely diverted with a strange freak of Marheyo's.

I had worn, when I quitted the ship, a pair of thick pumps, which, from the rough usage they had received in

scaling precipices and sliding down gorges, were so dilapidated as to be altogether unfit for use so, at least,

would have thought the generality of people, and so they most certainly were, when considered in the light of

shoes. But things unserviceable in one way, may with advantage be applied in another that is, if one have

genius enough for the purpose. This genius Marheyo possessed in a superlative degree, as he abundantly

Every article, however trivial, which belonged to me, the natives appeared to regard as sacred; and I observed

that for several days after becoming an inmate of the house, my pumps were suffered to remain, untouched,

where I had first happened to throw them. I remembered, however, that after awhile I had missed them from

their accustomed place; but the matter gave me no concern, supposing that Tinor like any other tidy

housewife, having come across them in some of her domestic occupations had pitched the useless things out

One day I observed old Marheyo bustling about me with unusual activity, and to such a degree as almost to

supersede KoryKory in the functions of his office. One moment he volunteered to trot off with me on his

back to the stream; and when I refused, noways daunted by the repulse, he continued to frisk about me like a

superannuated housedog. I could not for the life of me conjecture what possessed the old gentleman, until

all at once, availing himself of the temporary absence of the household, he went through a variety of uncouth

gestures, pointing eagerly down to my feet, and then up to a little bundle which swung from the ridgepole

overhead. At last I caught a faint idea of his meaning, and motioned him to lower the package. He executed

the order in the twinkling of an eye, and unrolling a piece of tappa, displayed to my astonished gaze the

I immediately comprehended his desire, and very generously gave him the shoes, which had become quite

The same afternoon I descried the venerable warrior approaching the house, with a slow, stately gait,

earrings in ears, and spear in hand, with this highly ornamental pair of shoes suspended from his neck by a

strip of bark, and swinging backwards and forwards on his capacious chest. In the gala costume of the tasteful

But to turn to something a little more important. Although the whole existence of the inhabitants of the valley

seemed to pass away exempt from toil, yet there were some light employments which, although amusing

rather than laborious as occupations, contributed to their comfort and luxury. Among these, the most

important was the manufacture of the native cloth "tappa" so well known, under various modifications,

throughout the whole Polynesian Archipelago. As is generally understood, this useful and sometimes elegant

article is fabricated from the bark of different trees. But, as I believe that no description of its manufacture

In the manufacture of the beautiful white tappa generally worn on the Marquesan Islands, the preliminary

operation consists in gathering a certain quantity of the young branches of the clothtree. The exterior green

bark being pulled off as worthless, there remains a slender fibrous substance, which is carefully stripped from

the stick, to which it closely adheres. When a sufficient quantity of it has been collected, the various strips are

enveloped in a covering of large leaves, which the natives use precisely as we do wrappingpaper, and which

are secured by a few turns of a line passed round them. The package is then laid in the bed of some running

stream, with a heavy stone placed over it, to prevent its being swept away. After it has remained for two or

three days in this state, it is drawn out, and exposed for a short time to the action of the air, every distinct

piece being attentively inspected, with a view of ascertaining whether it has yet been sufficiently affected by

the operation. This is repeated again and again, until the desired result is obtained.

When the substance is in a proper state for the next process, it betrays evidences of incipient decomposition;

the fibres are relaxed and softened, and rendered perfectly malleable. The different strips are now extended,

one by one, in successive layers, upon some smooth surface generally the prostrate trunk of a cocoanut

tree and the heap thus formed is subjected, at every new increase, to a moderate beating, with a sort of

wooden mallet, leisurely applied. The mallet is made of a hard heavy wood resembling ebony, is about

twelve inches in length, and perhaps two in breadth, with a rounded handle at one end, and in shape is the

exact counterpart of one of our foursided razorstrops. The flat surfaces of the implement are marked with

shallow parallel indentations, varying in depth on the different sides, so as to be adapted to the several stages

of the operation. These marks produce the corduroy sort of stripes discernible in the tappa in its finished state.

After being beaten in the manner I have described, the material soon becomes blended in one mass, which,

moistened occasionally with water, is at intervals hammered out, by a kind of goldbeating process, to any

degree of thinness required. In this way the cloth is easily made to vary in strength and thickness, so as to suit

When the operation last described has been concluded, the newmade tappa is spread out on the grass to

bleach and dry, and soon becomes of a dazzling whiteness. Sometimes, in the first stages of the manufacture,

the substance is impregnated with a vegetable juice, which gives it a permanent colour. A rich brown and a

bright yellow are occasionally seen, but the simple taste of the Typee people inclines them to prefer the

The notable wife of Kammahammaha, the renowned conqueror and king of the Sandwich Islands, used to

pride herself in the skill she displayed in dyeing her tappa with contrasting colours disposed in regular

figures; and, in the midst of the innovations of the times, was regarded, towards the decline of her life, as a

lady of the old school, clinging as she did to the national cloth, in preference to the frippery of the European

calicoes. But the art of printing the tappa is unknown upon the Marquesan Islands.

In passing along the valley, I was often attracted by the noise of the mallet, which, when employed in the

manufacture of the cloth, produces at every stroke of its hard, heavy wood, a clear, ringing, and musical

sound, capable of being heard at a great distance. When several of these implements happen to be in

operation at the same time, and near one another, the effect upon the ear of a person, at a little distance, is

NOTHING can be more uniform and undiversified than the life of the Typees; one tranquil day of ease and

happiness follows another in quiet succession; and with these unsophisticated savages the history of a day is

the history of a life. I will, therefore, as briefly as I can, describe one of our days in the valley.

To begin with the morning. We were not very early risers the sun would be shooting his golden spikes

above the Happar mountain, ere I threw aside my tappa robe, and girding my long tunic about my waist,

sallied out with Fayaway and KoryKory, and the rest of the household, and bent my steps towards the

stream. Here we found congregated all those who dwelt in our section of the valley; and here we bathed with

them. The fresh morning air and the cool flowing waters put both soul and body in a glow, and after a

halfhour employed in this recreation, we sauntered back to the house Tinor and Marheyo gathering dry

sticks by the way for firewood; some of the young men laying the cocoanut trees under contribution as they

passed beneath them; while KoryKory played his outlandish pranks for my particular diversion, and

Fayaway and I, not arm in arm to be sure, but sometimes hand in hand, strolled along, with feelings of perfect

Our morning meal was soon prepared. The islanders are somewhat abstemious at this repast; reserving the

more powerful efforts of their appetite to a later period of the day. For my own part, with the assistance of my

valet, who, as I have before stated, always officiated as spoon on these occasions, I ate sparingly from one of

Tinor's trenchers of poeepoee; which was devoted exclusively for my own use, being mixed with the milky

meat of ripe cocoanut. A section of a roasted breadfruit, a small cake of "Amar," or a mess of "Kokoo,"

two or three bananas, or a mammee apple; an annuee, or some other agreeable and nutritious fruit, served

from day to day to diversify the meal, which was finished by tossing off the liquid contents of a young

While partaking of this simple repast, the inmates of Marheyo's house, after the style of the ancient Romans,

reclined in sociable groups upon the divan of mats, and digestion was promoted by cheerful conversation.

After the morning meal was concluded, pipes were lighted; and among them my own especial pipe, a present

from the noble Mehevi. The islanders, who only smoke a whiff or two at a time, and at long intervals, and

who keep their pipes going from hand to hand continually, regarded my systematic smoking of four or five

pipefuls of tobacco in succession as something quite wonderful. When two or three pipes had circulated

freely, the company gradually broke up. Marheyo went to the little hut he was for ever building. Tinor began

to inspect her rolls of tappa, or employed her busy fingers in plaiting grassmats. The girls anointed

themselves with their fragrant oils, dressed their hair, or looked over their curious finery, and compared

together their ivory trinkets, fashioned out of boar's tusks or whale's teeth. The young men and warriors

produced their spears, paddles, canoegear, battleclubs, and warconchs, and occupied themselves in

carving all sorts of figures upon them with pointed bits of shell or flint, and adorning them, especially the

warconchs, with tassels of braided bark and tufts of human hair. Some, immediately after eating, threw

themselves once more upon the inviting mats, and resumed the employment of the previous night, sleeping as

soundly as they had not closed their eyes for a week. Others sallied as I out into the groves, for the purpose of

gathering fruit or fibres of bark and leaves; the last two being in constant requisition, and applied to a

hundred uses. A few, perhaps, among the girls, would slip into the woods after flowers, or repair to the

stream with small calabashes and cocoanut shells, in order to polish them by friction with a smooth stone in

the water. In truth these innocent people seemed to be at no loss for something to occupy their time; and it

My own mornings I spent in a variety of ways. Sometimes I rambled about from house to house, sure of

receiving a cordial welcome wherever I went; or, from grove to grove, and from one shady place to another,

in company with KoryKory and Fayaway, and a rabble rout of merry young idlers. Sometimes I was too

indolent for exercise, and, accepting one of the many invitations I was continually receiving, stretched myself

out on the mats of some hospitable dwelling, and occupied myself pleasantly either in watching the

proceedings of those around me, or taking part in them myself. Whenever I chose to do the latter, the delight

of the islanders was boundless; and there was always a throng of competitors for the honour of instructing me

in any particular craft. I soon became quite an accomplished hand at making tappa could braid a grass sling

as well as the best of them and once, with my knife, carved the handle of a javelin so exquisitely, that I have

no doubt, to this day, Karnoonoo, its owner, preserves it as a surprising specimen of my skill. As noon

approached, all those who had wandered forth from our habitation began to return; and when midday was

fairly come, scarcely a sound was to be heard in the valley a deep sleep fell upon all. The luxurious siesta

was hardly ever omitted, except by old Marheyo, who was so eccentric a character, that he seemed to be

governed by no fixed principles whatever; but acting just according to the humour of the moment, slept, eat,

or tinkered away at his little hut, without regard to the proprieties of time or place. Frequently he might have

been seen taking a nap in the sun at noonday, or a bath in the stream at midnight. Once I beheld him perched

eighty feet from the ground, in the tuft of a cocoanut tree, smoking; and often I saw him standing up to the

waist in water, engaged in plucking out the stray hairs of his beard, using a piece of muscleshell for

The noontide slumber lasted generally an hour and a half, very often longer; and after the sleepers had arisen

from their mats they again had recourse to their pipes, and then made preparations for the most important

meal of the day. I, however, like those gentlemen of leisure who breakfast at home and dine at their club,

almost invariably, during my intervals of health, enjoyed the afternoon repast with the bachelor chiefs of the

Ti, who were always rejoiced to see me, and lavishly spread before me all the good things which their larder

afforded. Mehevi generally produced, among other dainties, a baked pig, an article which, I have every

The Ti was a right jovial place. It did my heart, as well as my body, good to visit it. Secure from female

intrusion, there was no restraint upon the hilarity of the warriors, who, like the gentlemen of Europe after the

After spending a considerable portion of the afternoon at the Ti, I usually found myself, as the cool of the

evening came on, either sailing on the little lake with Fayaway, or bathing in the waters of the stream with a

number of the savages, who, at this hour, always repaired thither. As the shadows of night approached,

Marheyo's household were once more assembled under his roof; tapers were lit, long and curious chants were

raised, interminable stories were told (for which one present was little the wiser), and all sorts of social

festivities served to while away the time. The young girls very often danced by moonlight in front of their

dwellings. There are a great variety of these dances, in which, however, I never saw the men take part. They

all consist of active, romping, mischievous evolutions, in which every limb is brought into requisition.

Indeed, the Marquesan girls dance all over, as it were; not only do their feet dance, but their arms, hands,

The damsels wear nothing but flowers and their compendious gala tunics; and when they plume themselves

Unless some particular festivity was going forward, the inmates of Marheyo's house retired to their mats

rather early in the evening; but not for the night, since, after slumbering lightly for awhile, they rose again,

relit their tapers, partook of the third and last meal of the day, at which poeepoee alone was eaten, and then,

after inhaling a narcotic whiff from a pipe of tobacco, disposed themselves for the great business of the

nightsleep. With the Marquesans it might almost be styled the great business of life, for they pass a large

portion of their time in the arms of Somnus. The native strength of their constitution is no way shown more

emphatically than in the quantity of sleep they can endure. To many of them, indeed, life is little else than an

ALMOST every country has its medicinal springs famed for their healing virtues. The Cheltenham of Typee

is embosomed in the deepest solitude, and but seldom receives a visitor. It is situated remote from any

dwelling, a little way up the mountain, near the head of the valley; and you approach it by a pathway shaded

The mineral waters of Arva Wai* oozed forth from the crevices of a rock, and gliding down its mossy side,

fall at last, in many clustering drops, into a natural basin of stone, fringed round with grass and dewylooking

little violetcoloured flowers, as fresh and beautiful as the perpetual moisture they enjoy can make them.

* I presume this might be translated into "Strong Waters." Arva is the name bestowed upon a root, the

properties of which are both inebriating and medicinal. "Wai" is the Marquesan word for water.

The water is held in high estimation by the islanders, some of whom consider it an agreeable as well as a

medicinal beverage; they bring it from the mountain in their calabashes, and store it away beneath heaps of

leaves in some shady nook near the house. Old Marheyo had a great love for the waters of the spring. Every

now and then he lugged off to the mountain a great round demijohn of a calabash, and, panting with his

The water tasted like a solution of a dozen disagreeable things, and was sufficiently nauseous to have made

the fortune of the proprietor, had the spa been situated in the midst of any civilized community.

As I am no chemist, I cannot give a scientific analysis of the water. All I know about the matter is, that one

day Marheyo in my presence poured out the last drop from his huge calabash, and I observed at the bottom of

the vessel a small quantity of gravelly sediment very much resembling our common sand. Whether this is

always found in the water, and gives it its peculiar flavour and virtues, or whether its presence was merely

One day in returning from this spring by a circuitous path, I came upon a scene which reminded me of

At the base of one of the mountains, and surrounded on all sides by dense groves, a series of vast terraces of

stone rises, step by step, for a considerable distance up the hillside. These terraces cannot be less than one

hundred yards in length and twenty in width. Their magnitude, however, is less striking than the immense

size of the blocks composing them. Some of the stones, of an oblong shape, are from ten to fifteen feet in

length, and five or six feet thick. Their sides are quite smooth, but though square, and of pretty regular

formation, they bear no mark of the chisel. They are laid together without cement, and here and there show

gaps between. The topmost terrace and the lower one are somewhat peculiar in their construction. They have

both a quadrangular depression in the centre, leaving the rest of the terrace elevated several feet above it. In

the intervals of the stones immense trees have taken root, and their broad boughs stretching far over, and

interlacing together, support a canopy almost impenetrable to the sun. Overgrowing the greater part of them,

and climbing from one to another, is a wilderness of vines, in whose sinewy embrace many of the stones lie

halfhidden, while in some places a thick growth of bushes entirely covers them. There is a wild pathway

which obliquely crosses two of these terraces; and so profound is the shade, so dense the vegetation, that a

stranger to the place might pass along it without being aware of their existence.

These structures bear every indication of a very high antiquity, and KoryKory, who was my authority in all

matters of scientific research, gave me to understand that they were coeval with the creation of the world; that

the great gods themselves were the builders; and that they would endure until time shall be no more.

KoryKory's prompt explanation, and his attributing the work to a divine origin, at once convinced me that

As I gazed upon this monument, doubtless the work of an extinct and forgotten race, thus buried in the green

nook of an island at the end of the earth, the existence of which was yesterday unknown, a stronger feeling of

awe came over me than if I had stood musing at the mighty base of the Pyramid of Cheops. There are no

inscriptions, no sculpture, no clue, by which to conjecture its history: nothing but the dumb stones. How

many generations of those majestic trees which overshadowed them have grown and flourished and decayed

These remains naturally suggest many interesting reflections. They establish the great age of the island, an

opinion which the builders of theories concerning the creation of the various groups in the South Seas are not

always inclined to admit. For my own part, I think it just as probable that human beings were living in the

valleys of the Marquesas three thousand years ago as that they were inhabiting the land of Egypt. The origin

of the island of Nukuheva cannot be imputed to the coral insect: for indefatigable as that wonderful creature

is, it would be hardly muscular enough to pile rocks one upon the other more than three thousand feet above

the level of the sea. That the land may have been thrown up by a submarine volcano is as possible as anything

else. No one can make an affidavit to the contrary, and therefore I will say nothing against the supposition:

indeed, were geologists to assert that the whole continent of America had in like manner been formed by the

simultaneous explosion of a train of Etnas, laid under the water all the way from the North Pole to the parallel

I have already mentioned that the dwellings of the islanders were almost invariably built upon massive stone

foundations, which they call pipis. The dimensions of these, however, as well as of the stones composing

them, are comparatively small: but there are other and larger erections of a similar description comprising the

"morals," or buryinggrounds, and festivalplaces, in nearly all the valleys of the island. Some of these piles

are so extensive, and so great a degree of labour and skill must have been requisite in constructing them, that

I can scarcely believe they were built by the ancestors of the present inhabitants. If indeed they were, the race

has sadly deteriorated in their knowledge of the mechanic arts. To say nothing of their habitual indolence, by

what contrivance within the reach of so simple a people could such enormous masses have been moved or

fixed in their places? and how could they with their rude implements have chiselled and hammered them into

All of these larger pipis like that of the Hoolah Hoolah ground in the Typee valley bore incontestable

marks of great age; and I am disposed to believe that their erection may be ascribed to the same race of men

According to KoryKory's account, the pipi, upon which stands the Hoolah Hoolah was built a great many

moons ago, under the direction of Monoo, a great chief and warrior, and, as it would appear, mastermason

among the Typees. It was erected for the express purpose to which it is at present devoted, in the incredibly

short period of one sun; and was dedicated to the immortal wooden idols by a grand festival, which lasted ten

Among the smaller pipis, upon which stand the dwellinghouses of the natives, I never observed any which

intimated a recent erection. There are in every part of the valley a great many of these massive stone

foundations which have no houses upon them. This is vastly convenient, for whenever an enterprising

islander chooses to emigrate a few hundred yards from the place where he was born, all he has to do in order

to establish himself in some new locality, is to select one of the many unappropriated pipis, and without

FROM the time that my lameness had decreased I had made a daily practice of visiting Mehevi at the Ti, who

invariably gave me a most cordial reception. I was always accompanied in these excursions by Fayaway and

the everpresent KoryKory. The former, as soon as we reached the vicinity of the Ti which was rigorously

tabooed to the whole female sex withdrew to a neighbouring hut, as if her feminine delicacy restrained her

from approaching a habitation which might be regarded as a sort of Bachelor's Hall.

And in good truth it might well have been so considered. Although it was the permanent residence of several

distinguished chiefs, and of the noble Mehevi in particular, it was still at certain seasons the favourite haunt

of all the jolly, talkative, and elderly savages of the vale, who resorted thither in the same way that similar

characters frequent a tavern in civilized countries. There they would remain hour after hour, chatting,

smoking, eating poeepoee, or busily engaged in sleeping for the good of their constitutions.

This building appeared to be the headquarters of the valley, where all flying rumours concentrated; and to

have seen it filled with a crowd of the natives, all males, conversing in animated clusters, while multitudes

were continually coming and going, one would have thought it a kind of savage exchange, where the rise and

Mehevi acted as supreme lord over the place, spending the greater portion of his time there: and often when,

at particular hours of the day, it was deserted by nearly every one else except the verdantique looking

centenarians, who were fixtures in the building, the chief himself was sure to be found enjoying his "otium

cum dignitate" upon the luxurious mats which covered the floor. Whenever I made my appearance he

invariably rose, and, like a gentleman doing the honours of his mansion, invited me to repose myself

wherever I pleased, and calling out "tammaree!" (boy), a little fellow would appear, and then retiring for an

instant, return with some savoury mess, from which the chief would press me to regale myself. To tell the

truth, Mehevi was indebted to the excellence of his viands for the honour of my repeated visits, a matter

which cannot appear singular, when it is borne in mind that bachelors, all the world over, are famous for

One day, on drawing near to the Ti, I observed that extensive preparations were going forward, plainly

betokening some approaching festival. Some of the symptoms reminded me of the stir produced among the

scullions of a large hotel, where a grand jubilee dinner is about to be given. The natives were hurrying about

hither and thither, engaged in various duties; some lugging off to the stream enormous hollow bamboos, for

the purpose of filling them with water; others chasing furiouslooking hogs through the bushes, in their

endeavours to capture them; and numbers employed in kneading great mountains of poeepoee heaped up in

After observing these lively indications for awhile, I was attracted to a neighbouring grove by a prodigious

squeaking which I heard there. On reaching the spot I found it proceeded from a large hog which a number of

natives were forcibly holding to the earth, while a muscular fellow, armed with a bludgeon, was ineffectually

aiming murderous blows at the skull of the unfortunate porker. Again and again he missed his writhing and

struggling victim, but though puffing and panting with his exertions, he still continued them; and after

striking a sufficient number of blows to have demolished an entire drove of oxen, with one crashing stroke he

Without letting any blood from the body, it was immediately carried to a fire which had been kindled near at

hand, and four savages taking hold of the carcass by its legs, passed it rapidly to and fro in the flames. In a

moment the smell of burning bristles betrayed the object of this procedure. Having got thus far in the matter,

the body was removed to a little distance; and, being disembowelled, the entrails were laid aside as choice

parts, and the whole carcass thoroughly washed with water. An ample thick green cloth, composed of the

long thick leaves of a species of palm tree, ingeniously tacked together with little pins of bamboo, was now

was now spread upon the ground, in which the body being carefully rolled, it was borne to an oven previously

prepared to receive it. Here it was at once laid upon the heated stones at the bottom, and covered with thick

layers of leaves, the whole being quickly hidden from sight by a mound of earth raised over it.

Such is the summary style in which the Typees convert perverseminded and rebellious hogs into the most

docile and amiable pork; a morsel of which placed on the tongue melts like a soft smile from the lips of

I commend their peculiar mode of proceeding to the consideration of all butchers, cooks, and housewives.

The hapless porker whose fate I have just rehearsed, was not the only one who suffered on that memorable

day. Many a dismal grunt, many an imploring squeak, proclaimed what was going on throughout the whole

extent of the valley: and I verily believe the firstborn of every litter perished before the setting of that fatal

The scene around the Ti was now most animated. Hogs and poeepoee were baking in numerous ovens,

which, heaped up with fresh earth into slight elevations, looked like so many anthills. Scores of the savages

were vigorously plying their stone pestles in preparing masses of poeepoee, and numbers were gathering

green breadfruit and young cocoanuts in the surrounding groves; while an exceeding great multitude, with

a view of encouraging the rest in their labours, stood still, and kept shouting most lustily without

It is a peculiarity among these people, that when engaged in any employment they always make a prodigious

fuss about it. So seldom do they ever exert themselves, that when they do work they seem determined that so

meritorious an action shall not escape the observation of those around. If, for example, they have occasion to

remove a stone to a little distance, which perhaps might be carried by two ablebodied men, a whole swarm

gather about it, and, after a vast deal of palavering, lift it up among them, every one struggling to get hold of

it, and bear it off yelling and panting as if accomplishing some mighty achievement. Seeing them on these

occasions, one is reminded of an infinity of black ants clustering about and dragging away to some hole the

Having for some time attentively observed these demonstrations of good cheer, I entered the Ti, where

Mehevi sat complacently looking out upon the busy scene, and occasionally issuing his orders. The chief

appeared to be in an extraordinary flow of spirits, and gave me to understand that on the morrow there would

be grand doings in the groves generally, and at the Ti in particular; and urged me by no means to absent

myself. In commemoration of what event, however, or in honour of what distinguished personage, the feast

was to be given, altogether passed my comprehension. Mehevi sought to enlighten my ignorance, but he

failed as signally as when he had endeavoured to initiate me into the perplexing arcana of the taboo.

On leaving the Ti, KoryKory, who had, as a matter of course, accompanied me, observing that my curiosity

remained unabated, resolved to make everything plain and satisfactory. With this intent, he escorted me

through the Taboo Groves, pointing out to my notice a variety of objects, and endeavoured to explain them in

such an indescribable jargon of words, that it almost put me in bodily pain to listen to him. In particular, he

led me to a remarkable pyramidical structure some three yards square at the base, and perhaps ten feet in

height, which had lately been thrown up, and occupied a very conspicuous position. It was composed

principally of large empty calabashes, with a few polished cocoanut shells, and looked not unlike a cenotaph

of skulls. My cicerone perceived the astonishment with which I gazed at this monument of savage crockery,

and immediately addressed himself to the task of enlightening me: but all in vain; and to this hour the nature

of the monument remains a complete mystery to me. As, however, it formed so prominent a feature in the

approaching revels, I bestowed upon the latter, in my own mind, the title of the "Feast of Calabashes."

The following morning, awaking rather late, I perceived the whole of Marheyo's family busily engaged in

preparing for the festival. The old warrior himself was arranging in round balls the two grey locks of hair that

were suffered to grow from the crown of his head; his earrings and spear, both well polished, lay beside him,

while the highly decorative pair of shoes hung suspended from a projecting cane against the side of the house.

The young men were similarly employed; and the fair damsels, including Fayaway, were anointing

themselves with "aka," arranging their long tresses, and performing other matters connected with the duties of

Having completed their preparations, the girls now exhibited themselves in gala costume; the most

conspicuous feature of which was a necklace of beautiful white flowers, with the stems removed, and strung

closely together upon a single fibre of tappa. Corresponding ornaments were inserted in their ears, and woven

garlands upon their heads. About their waist they wore a short tunic of spotless white tappa, and some of

them superadded to this a mantle of the same material, tied in an elaborate bow upon the left shoulder, and

Thus arrayed, I would have matched the charming Fayaway against any beauty in the world.

People may say what they will about the taste evinced by our fashionable ladies in dress. Their jewels, their

feathers, their silks, and their furbelows would have sunk into utter insignificance beside the exquisite

simplicity of attire adopted by the nymphs of the vale on this festive occasion. I should like to have seen a

gallery of coronation beauties, at Westminster Abbey, confronted for a moment by this band of Island girls;

their stiffness, formality, and affectation contrasted with the artless vivacity and unconcealed natural graces

of these savage maidens. It would be the Venus de' Medici placed beside a milliner's doll.

It was not long before KoryKory and myself were left alone in the house, the rest of its inmates having

departed for the Taboo Groves. My valet was all impatience to follow them; and was as fidgety about my

dilatory movements as a diner out waiting hat in hand at the bottom of the stairs for some lagging companion.

At last, yielding to his importunities, I set out for the Ti. As we passed the houses peeping out from the

groves through which our route lay, I noticed that they were entirely deserted by their inhabitants.

When we reached the rock that abruptly terminated the path, and concealed from us the festive scene, wild

shouts and a confused blending of voices assured me that the occasion, whatever it might be, had drawn

together a great multitude. KoryKory, previous to mounting the elevation, paused for a moment, like a

dandy at a ballroom door, to put a hasty finish to his toilet. During this short interval, the thought struck me

that I ought myself perhaps to be taking some little pains with my appearance. But as I had no holiday

raiment, I was not a little puzzled to devise some means of decorating myself. However, as I felt desirous to

create a sensation, I determined to do all that lay in my power; and knowing that I could not delight the

savages more than by conforming to their style of dress, I removed from my person the large robe of tappa

which I was accustomed to wear over my shoulders whenever I sallied into the open air, and remained merely

My quickwitted attendant fully appreciated the compliment I was paying to the costume of his race, and

began more sedulously to arrange the folds of the one only garment which remained to me. Whilst he was

doing this, I caught sight of a knot of young girls, who were sitting near us on the grass surrounded by heaps

of flowers, which they were forming into garlands. I motioned to them to bring some of their handywork to

me; and in an instant a dozen wreaths were at my disposal. One of them I put round the apology for a hat

which I had been forced to construct for myself out of palmettoleaves, and some of the others I converted

into a splendid girdle. These operations finished, with a slow and dignified step of a fulldressed beau

THE whole population of the valley seemed to be gathered within the precincts of the grove. In the distance

could be seen the long front of the Ti, its immense piazza swarming with men, arrayed in every variety of

fantastic costume, and all vociferating with animated gestures; while the whole interval between it and the

place where I stood was enlivened by groups of females fancifully decorated, dancing, capering, and uttering

wild exclamations. As soon as they descried me they set up a shout of welcome; and a band of them came

dancing towards me, chanting as they approached some wild recitative. The change in my garb seemed to

transport them with delight, and clustering about me on all sides, they accompanied me towards the Ti.

When, however, we drew near it, these joyous nymphs paused in their career, and parting on either side,

So soon as I mounted to the pipi I saw at a glance that the revels were fairly under way.

What lavish plenty reigned around! Warwick feasting his retainers with beef and ale, was a niggard to the

noble Mehevi! All along the piazza of the Ti were arranged elaboratelycarved canoeshaped vessels, some

twenty feet in length, filled with newlymade poeepoee, and sheltered from the sun by the broad leaves of

the banana. At intervals were heaps of green breadfruit, raised in pyramidical stacks, resembling the regular

piles of heavy shot to be seen in the yard of an arsenal. Inserted into the interstices of the huge stones which

formed the pipi were large boughs of trees; hanging from the branches of which, and screened from the sun

by their foliage, were innumerable little packages with leafy coverings, containing the meat of the numerous

hogs which had been slain, done up in this manner to make it more accessible to the crowd. Leaning against

the railing of the piazza were an immense number of long, heavy bamboos, plugged at the lower end, and

with their projecting muzzles stuffed with a wad of leaves. These were filled with water from the stream, and

The banquet being thus spread, nought remained but for every one to help himself at his pleasure.

Accordingly, not a moment passed but the transplanted boughs I have mentioned were rifled by the throng of

the fruit they certainly had never borne before. Calabashes of poeepoee were continually being replenished

from the extensive receptacle in which that article was stored, and multitudes of little fires were kindled about

Within the building itself was presented a most extraordinary scene. The immense lounge of mats lying

between the parallel rows of the trunks of cocoanut trees, and extending the entire length of the house at

least two hundred feet, was covered by the reclining forms of a host of chiefs and warriors, who were eating

at a great rate, or soothing the cares of Polynesian life in the sedative fumes of tobacco. The smoke was

inhaled from large pipes, the bowls of which, made out of small cocoanut shells, were curiously carved in

strange heathenish devices. These were passed from mouth to mouth by the recumbent smokers, each of

whom, taking two or three prodigious whiffs, handed the pipe to his neighbour; sometimes for that purpose

stretching indolently across the body of some dozing individual whose exertions at the dinnertable had

The tobacco used among the Typees was of a very mild and pleasing flavour, and as I always saw it in leaves,

and the natives appeared pretty well supplied with it, I was led to believe that it must have been the growth of

the valley. Indeed KoryKory gave me to understand that this was the case; but I never saw a single plant

growing on the island. At Nukuheva, and, I believe, in all the other valleys, the weed is very scarce, being

only obtained in small quantities from foreigners, and smoking is consequently with the inhabitants of these

places a very great luxury. How it was that the Typees were so well furnished with it I cannot divine. I should

think them too indolent to devote any attention to its culture; and, indeed, as far as my observation extended,

not a single atom of the soil was under any other cultivation than that of shower and sunshine. The tabacco

and sunshine. The tabaccoplant, however, like the sugarcane, may grow wild in some remote part of the

There were many in the Ti for whom the tobacco did not furnish a sufficient stimulus, and who accordingly

had recourse to "arva," as a more powerful agent in producing the desired effect.

"Arva" is a root very generally dispersed over the South Seas, and from it is extracted a juice, the effects of

which upon the system are at first stimulating in a moderate degree; but it soon relaxes the muscles, and,

exerting a narcotic influence, produces a luxurious sleep. In the valley this beverage was universally prepared

in the following way: Some halfdozen young boys seated themselves in a circle around an empty wooden

vessel, each one of them being supplied with a certain quantity of the roots of the "arva," broken into small

bits and laid by his side. A coconut goblet of water was passed around the juvenile company, who rinsing

their mouths with its contents, proceeded to the business before them. This merely consisted in thoroughly

masticating the "arva," and throwing it mouthful after mouthful into the receptacle provided. When a

sufficient quantity had been thus obtained, water was poured upon the mass, and being stirred about with the

forefinger of the right hand, the preparation was soon in readiness for use. The "arva" has medicinal qualities.

Upon the Sandwich Islands it has been employed with no small success in the treatment of scrofulous

affections, and in combating the ravages of a disease which for so many years has been gradually

depopulating those fine and interesting islands. But the tenants of the Typee valley, as yet exempt from these

inflictions, generally employ the "arva" as a minister to social enjoyment, and a calabash of the liquid

Mehevi, who was greatly delighted with the change in my costume, gave me a cordial welcome. He had

reserved for me a most delectable mess of "cockoo," well knowing my partiality for that dish; and had

likewise selected three or four young cocoanuts, several roasted breadfruit, and a magnificent bunch of

bananas, for my especial comfort and gratification. These various matters were at once placed before me; but

KoryKory deemed the banquet entirely insufficient for my wants until he had supplied me with one of the

leafy packages of pork, which, notwithstanding the somewhat hasty manner in which it had been prepared,

Pork is not a staple article of food among the people of the Marquesas, consequently they pay little attention

to the breeding of the swine. The hogs are permitted to roam at large in the groves, where they obtain no

small portion of their nourishment from the cocoanuts which continually fall from the trees. But it is only

after infinite labour and difficulty, that the hungry animal can pierce the husk and shell so as to get at the

meat. I have frequently been amused at seeing one of them, after crunching the obstinate nut with his teeth for

a long time unsuccessfully, get into a violent passion with it. He would then root furiously under the

cocoanut, and, with a fling of his snout, toss it before him on the ground. Following it up, he would crunch

at it again savagely for a moment, and the next knock it on one side, pausing immediately after, as if

wondering how it could so suddenly have disappeared. In this way the persecuted cocoanuts were often

The second day of the Feast of Calabashes was ushered in by still more uproarious noises than the first. The

skins of innumerable sheep seemed to be resounding to the blows of an army of drummers. Startled from my

slumbers by the din, I leaped up, and found the whole household engaged in making preparations for

immediate departure. Curious to discover of what strange events these novel sounds might be the precursors,

and not a little desirous to catch a sight of the instruments which produced the terrific noise, I accompanied

The comparatively open space that extended from the Ti towards the rock, to which I have before alluded as

forming the ascent to the place, was, with the building itself, now altogether deserted by the men; the whole

distance being filled by bands of females, shouting and dancing under the influence of some strange

I was amused at the appearance of four or five old women, who in a state of utter nudity, with their arms

extended flatly down their sides, and holding themselves perfectly erect, were leaping stiffly into the air, like

so many sticks bobbing to the surface after being pressed perpendicularly into the water. They preserved the

utmost gravity of countenance, and continued their extraordinary movements without a single moment's

cessation. They did not appear to attract the observation of the crowd around them, but I must candidly

Desirous of being enlightened in regard to the meaning of this peculiar diversion, I turned inquiringly to

KoryKory: that learned Typee immediately proceeded to explain the whole matter thoroughly. But all that I

could comprehend from what he said was, that the leaping figures before me were bereaved widows, whose

partners had been slain in battle many moons previously; and who, at every festival, gave public evidence in

this manner of their calamities. It was evident that KoryKory considered this an allsufficient reason for so

indecorous a custom; but I must say that it did not satisfy me as to its propriety.

Leaving these afflicted females, we passed on to the Hoolah Hoolah ground. Within the spacious quadrangle,

the whole population of the valley seemed to be assembled, and the sight presented was truly remarkable.

Beneath the sheds of bamboo which opened towards the interior of the square, reclined the principal chiefs

and warriors, while a miscellaneous throng lay at their ease under the enormous trees, which spread a

majestic canopy overhead. Upon the terraces of the gigantic altars, at either end, were deposited green

breadfruit in baskets of cocoanut leaves, large rolls of tappa, bunches of white bananas, clusters of

mammeeapples, the goldenhued fruit of the artu tree, and baked hogs, laid out in large wooden trenchers,

fancifully decorated with freshlyplucked leaves, whilst a variety of rude implements of war were piled in

confused heaps before the ranks of hideous idols. Fruits of various kinds were likewise suspended in leafen

baskets, from the tops of poles planted uprightly, and at regular intervals, along the lower terraces of both

altars. At their base were arranged two parallel rows of cumbersome drums, standing at least fifteen feet in

height, and formed from the hollow trunks of large trees. Their heads were covered with shark skins, and

their barrels were elaborately carved with various quaint figures and devices. At regular intervals, they were

bound round by a species of sinnate of various colours, and strips of native cloth flattened upon them here

and there. Behind these instruments were built slight platforms, upon which stood a number of young men,

who, beating violently with the palms of their hands upon the drumheads, produced those outrageous

sounds which had awakened me in the morning. Every few minutes these musical performers hopped down

from their elevation into the crowd below, and their places were immediately supplied by fresh recruits. Thus

Precisely in the middle of the quadrangle were placed perpendicularly in the ground a hundred or more

slender, freshcut poles, stripped of their bark, and decorated at the end with a floating pennon of white

tappa, the whole being fenced about with a little picket of canes. For what purpose these singular ornaments

Another most striking feature of the performance was exhibited by a score of old men who sat crosslegged

in the little pulpits, which encircled the trunks of the immense trees growing in the middle of the enclosure.

These venerable gentlemen, who I presume were the priests, kept up an uninterrupted monotonous chant,

which was nearly drowned in the roar of drums. In the right hand they held a finelywoven grass fan, with a

heavy black wooden handle, curiously chased: these fans they kept in continual motion.

But no attention whatever seemed to be paid to the drummers or to the old priests, the individuals who

composed the vast crowd present being entirely taken up in chatting and laughing with one another, smoking,

drinking arva, and eating. For all the observation it attracted, or the good it achieved, the whole savage

orchestra might, with great advantage to its own members and the company in general, have ceased the

In vain I questioned KoryKory and others of the natives, as to the meaning of the strange things that were

going on; all their explanations were conveyed in such a mass of outlandish gibberish and gesticulation that I

gave up the attempt in despair. All that day the drums resounded, the priests chanted, and the multitude

feasted and roared till sunset, when the throng dispersed, and the Taboo Groves were again abandoned to

quiet and repose. The next day the same scene was repeated until night, when this singular festival

ALTHOUGH I had been baffled in my attempts to learn the origin of the Feast of Calabashes, yet it seemed

very plain to me that it was principally, if not wholly, of a religious character.

Yet, notwithstanding all I observed on this occasion, I am free to confess my almost entire inability to gratify

any curiosity that may be felt with regard to the theology of the valley. I doubt whether the inhabitants

themselves could do so. They are either too lazy or too sensible to worry themselves about abstract points of

religious belief. While I was among them, they never held any synods or councils to settle the principles of

their faith by agitating them. An unbounded liberty of conscience seemed to prevail. Those who pleased to do

so were allowed to repose implicit faith in an illfavoured god, with a large bottlenose, and fat shapeless

arms crossed upon his breast; whilst others worshipped an image which, having no likeness either in heaven

or on earth, could hardly be called an idol. As the islanders always maintained a discreet reserve with regard

to my own peculiar views on religion, I thought it would be excessively illbred in me to pry into theirs.

But, although my knowledge of the religious faith of the Typees was unavoidably limited, one of their

In one of the most secluded portions of the valley, within a stone's cast of Fayaway's lake for so I christened

the scene of our island yachting and hard by a growth of palms, which stood ranged in order along both

banks of the stream, waving their green arms as if to do honour to its passage, was the mausoleum of a

deceased warriorchief. Like all the other edifices of any note, it was raised upon a small pipi of stones,

which, being of unusual height, was a conspicuous object from a distance. A light thatching of bleached

palmettoleaves hung over it like a selfsupported canopy; for it was not until you came very near that you

saw it was supported by four slender columns of bamboo, rising at each corner to a little more than the height

of a man. A clear area of a few yards surrounded the pipi, and was enclosed by four trunks of cocoanut

trees, resting at the angles on massive blocks of stone. The place was sacred. The sign of the inscrutable

Taboo was seen, in the shape of a mystic roll of white tappa, suspended by a twisted cord of the same

material from the top of a slight pole planted within the enclosure.* The sanctity of the spot appeared never to

have been violated. The stillness of the grave was there, and the calm solitude around was beautiful and

touching. The soft shadows of those lofty palm trees I can see them now hanging over the little temple, as

On all sides, as you approached this silent spot, you caught sight of the dead chief's effigy, seated in the stern

of a canoe, which was raised on a light frame a few inches above the level of the pipi. The canoe was about

seven feet in length; of a rich, darkcoloured wood, handsomely carved, and adorned in many places with

variegated bindings of stained sinnate, into which were ingeniously wrought a number of sparkling

seashells, and a belt of the same shells ran all round it. The body of the figure of whatever material it

might have been made was effectually concealed in a heavy robe of brown tappa, revealing only the hands

and head; the latter skilfully carved in wood, and surmounted by a superb arch of plumes. These plumes, in

the subdued and gentle gales which found access to this sequestered spot, were never for one moment at rest,

but kept nodding and waving over the chief's brow. The long leaves of the palmetto dropped over the eaves,

and through them you saw the warrior, holding his paddle with both hands in the act of rowing, leaning

forward and inclining his head, as if eager to hurry on his voyage. Glaring at him for ever, and face to face,

was a polished human skull, which crowned the prow of the canoe. The spectral figurehead, reversed in its

position, glancing backwards, seemed to mock the impatient attitude of the warrior.

When I first visited this singular place with KoryKory, he told me or, at least, I so understood him that

the chief was paddling his way to the realms of bliss and breadfruit the Polynesian heaven where every

moment the breadfruit trees dropped their ripened spheres to the ground, and where there was no end to the

cocoanuts and bananas; there they reposed through the livelong eternity upon mats much finer than those

of Typee; and every day bathed their glowing limbs in rivers of cocoanut oil. In that happy land there were

plenty of plumes and feathers, and boars'tusks and spermwhale teeth, far preferable to all the shining

trinkets and gay tappa of the white men; and, best of all, women, far lovelier than the daughters of earth were

there in abundance. "A very pleasant place," KoryKory said it was; "but, after all, not much pleasanter, he

thought, than Typee." "Did he not, then," I asked him, wish to accompany the warrior?" "Oh, no; he was very

happy where he was; but supposed that some time or other he would go in his own canoe."

Thus far, I think, I clearly comprehended KoryKory. But there was a singular expression he made use of at

the time, enforced by as singular a gesture, the meaning of which I would have given much to penetrate. I am

inclined to believe it must have been a proverb he uttered; for I afterwards heard him repeat the same words

several times, and in what appeared to me to be a somewhat similar sense. Indeed, KoryKory had a great

variety of short, smartsounding sentences, with which he frequently enlivened his discourse; and he

introduced them with an air which plainly intimated, that, in his opinion, they settled the matter in question,

Could it have been, then, that when I asked him whether he desired to go to this heaven of breadfruit,

cocoanuts, and young ladies, which he had been describing, he answered by saying something equivalent to

our old adage "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!" if he did, KoryKory was a discreet and

Whenever, in the course of my rambles through the valley, I happened to be near the chief's mausoleum, I

always turned aside to visit it. The place had a peculiar charm for me; I hardly know why, but so it was. As I

leaned over the railing and gazed upon the strange effigy, and watched the play of the feathery headdress,

stirred by the same breeze which in low tones breathed amidst the lofty palm trees, I loved to yield myself up

to the fanciful superstition of the islanders, and could almost believe that the grim warrior was bound

heavenward. In this mood, when I turned to depart, I bade him, "God speed, and a pleasant voyage." Ay,

paddle away, brave chieftain, to the land of spirits! To the material eye thou makest but little progress; but,

with the eye of faith, I see thy canoe cleaving the bright waves, which die away on those dimly looming

This strange superstition affords another evidence of the fact, that however ignorant man may be, he still feels

Although the religious theories of the islands were a complete mystery to me, their practical everyday

operation could not be concealed. I frequently passed the little temples reposing in the shadows of the Taboo

Groves, and beheld the offerings mouldy fruit spread out upon a rude altar, or hanging in halfdecayed

baskets around some uncouth, jollylooking images. I was present during the continuance of the festival. I

daily beheld the grinning idols marshalled rank and file in the Hoolah Hoolah ground, and was often in the

habit of meeting those whom I supposed to be the priests. But the temples seemed to be abandoned to

solitude; the festival had been nothing more than a jovial mingling of the tribe; the idols were quite as

harmless as any other logs of wood; and the priests were the merriest dogs in the valley.

In fact, religious affairs in Typee were at a very low ebb. All such matters sat very lightly upon the

thoughtless inhabitants; and, in the celebration of many of their strange rites, they appeared merely to seek a

A curious evidence of this was given in a remarkable ceremony, in which I frequently saw Mehevi and

Among those whom I looked upon as forming the priesthood of the valley, there was one in particular who

often attracted my notice, and whom I could not help regarding as the head of the order. He was a

noblelooking man, in the prime of his life, and of a most benignant aspect. The authority this man, whose

name was Kolory, seemed to exercise over the rest, the episcopal part he took in the Feast of Calabashes, his

sleek and complacent appearance, the mystic characters which were tattooed upon his chest, and, above all,

the mitre he frequently wore, in the shape of a towering headdress, consisting of part of a cocoanut branch,

the stalk planted uprightly on his brow, and the leaflets gathered together and passed round the temples and

behind the ears, all these pointed him out as Lord Primate of Typee. Kolory was a sort of Knight Templar a

soldierpriest; for he often wore the dress of a Marquesan warrior, and always carried a long spear, which,

instead of terminating in a paddle at the lower end, after the general fashion of these weapons, was curved

into a heathenishlooking little image. This instrument, however, might perhaps have been emblematic of his

double functions. With one end, in carnal combat he transfixed the enemies of his tribe; and with the other, as

a pastoral crook, he kept in order his spiritual flock. But this is not all I have to say about Kolory. His martial

grace very often carried about with him what seemed to me the half of a broken warclub. It was swathed

round with ragged bits of white tappa, and the upper part, which was intended to represent a human head, was

embellished with a strip of scarlet cloth of European manufacture. It required little observation to discover

that this strange object was revered as a god. By the side of the big and lusty images standing sentinel over

the altars of the Hoolah Hoolah ground, it seemed a mere pigmy in tatters. But appearances all the world over

are deceptive. Little men are sometimes very potent, and rags sometimes cover very extensive pretensions. In

fact, this funny little image was the "crack" god of the island; lording it over all the wooden lubbers who

looked so grim and dreadful; its name was Moa Artua.* And it was in honour of Moa Artua, and for the

entertainment of those who believe in him, that the curious ceremony I am about to describe was observed.

* The word "Artua," although having some other significations, is in nearly all the Polynesian dialects used as

Mehevi and the chieftains of the Ti have just risen from their noontide slumbers. There are no affairs of state

to dispose of; and having eaten two or three breakfasts in the course of the morning, the magnates of the

valley feel no appetite as yet for dinner. How are their leisure moments to be occupied? They smoke, they

chat, and at last one of their number makes a proposition to the rest, who joyfully acquiescing, he darts out of

the house, leaps from the pipi, and disappears in the grove. Soon you see him returning with Kolory, who

bears the god Moa Artua in his arms, and carries in one hand a small trough, hollowed out in the likeness of a

canoe. The priest comes along dangling his charge as if it were a lachrymose infant he was endeavouring to

put into a good humour. Presently, entering the Ti, he seats himself on the mats as composedly as a juggler

about to perform his sleightofhand tricks; and, with the chiefs disposed in a circle around him, commences

In the first place he gives Moa Artua an affectionate hug, then caressingly lays him to his breast, and, finally,

whispers something in his ear, the rest of the company listening eagerly for a reply. But the babygod is deaf

or dumb, perhaps both, for never a word does he utter. At last Kolory speaks a little louder, and soon

growing angry, comes boldly out with what he has to say, and bawls to him. He put me in mind of a choleric

fellow, who, after trying in vain to communicate a secret to a deaf man, all at once flies into a passion and

screams it out so that every one may hear. Still Moa Artua remains as quiet as ever, and Kolory, seemingly

losing his temper, fetches him a box over the head, strips him of his tappa and red cloth, and, laying him in a

state of nudity in a little trough, covers him from sight. At this proceeding all present loudly applaud, and

signify their approval by uttering the adjective "motarkee" with violent emphasis. Kolory, however, is so

desirous his conduct should meet with unqualified approbation, that he inquires of each individual separately

whether, under existing circumstances, he has not done perfectly right in shutting up Moa Artua. The

invariable response is "Aa, Aa" (yes, yes), repeated over again and again in a manner which ought to quiet

the scruples of the most conscientious. After a few moments Kolory brings forth his doll again, and, while

arraying it very carefully in the tappa and red cloth, alternately fondles and chides it. The toilet being

completed, he once more speaks to it aloud. The whole company hereupon show the greatest interest; while

the priest, holding Moa Artua to his ear, interprets to them what he pretends the god is confidentially

communicating to him. Some items of intelligence appear to tickle all present amazingly; for one claps his

hands in a rapture; another shouts with merriment; and a third leaps to his feet and capers about like a

What under the sun Moa Artua on these occasions had to say to Kolory I never could find out; but I could not

help thinking that the former showed a sad want of spirit in being disciplined into making those disclosures,

which at first he seemed bent on withholding. Whether the priest honestly interpreted what he believed the

divinity said to him, or whether he was not all the while guilty of a vile humbug, I shall not presume to

decide. At any rate, whatever, as coming from the god, was imparted to those present, seemed to be generally

of a complimentary nature a fact which illustrates the sagacity of Kolory, or else the timeserving

Moa Artua having nothing more to say, his bearer goes to nursing him again, in which occupation, however,

he is soon interrupted by a question put by one of the warriors to the god. Kolory hereupon snatches it up to

his ear again, and after listening attentively, once more officiates as the organ of communication. A multitude

of questions and answers having passed between the parties, much to the satisfaction of those who propose

them, the god is put tenderly to bed in the trough, and the whole company unite in a long chant, led off by

Kolory. This ended, the ceremony is over; the chiefs rise to their feet in high good humour, and my Lord

Archbishop, after chatting awhile, and regaling himself with a whiff or two from a pipe of tobacco, tucks the

The whole of these proceedings were like those of a parcel of children playing with dolls and babyhouses.

For a youngster scarcely ten inches high, and with so few early advantages as he doubtless had had, Moa

Artua was certainly a precocious little fellow, if he really said all that was imputed to him; but for what

reason this poor devil of a deity, thus cuffed about, cajoled, and shut up in a box, was held in greater

estimation than the fullgrown and dignified personages of the Taboo Groves, I cannot divine. And yet

Mehevi, and other chiefs of unquestionable veracity to say nothing of the Primate himself assured me over

and over again that Moa Artua was the tutelary deity of Typee, and was more to be held in honour than a

whole battalion of the clumsy idols in the Hoolah Hoolah grounds. KoryKory who seemed to have devoted

considerable attention to the study of theology, as he knew the names of all the graven images in the valley,

and often repeated them over to me likewise entertained some rather enlarged ideas with regard to the

character and pretensions of Moa Artua. He once gave me to understand, with a gesture there was no

misconceiving, that if he (Moa Artua) were so minded, he could cause a cocoanut tree to sprout out of his

(KoryKory's) head; and that it would be the easiest thing in life for him (Moa Artua) to take the whole

island of Nukuheva in his mouth, and dive down to the bottom of the sea with it.

But, in sober seriousness, I hardly knew what to make of the religion of the valley. There was nothing that so

much perplexed the illustrious Cook, in his intercourse with the South Sea islanders, as their sacred rites.

Although this prince of navigators was in many instances assisted by interpreters in the prosecution of his

researches, he still frankly acknowledges that he was at a loss to obtain anything like a clear insight into the

puzzling arcana of their faith. A similar admission has been made by other eminent voyagers, by Carteret,

For my own part, although hardly a day passed while I remained upon the island that I did not witness some

religious ceremony or other, it was very much like seeing a parcel of "Freemasons" making secret signs to

On the whole, I am inclined to believe that the islanders in the Pacific have no fixed and definite ideas

whatever on the subject of religion. I am persuaded that Kolory himself would be effectually posed were he

called upon to draw up the articles of his faith, and pronounce the creed by which he hoped to be saved. In

truth, the Typees, so far as their actions evince, submitted to no laws, human or divine always excepting the

thrice mysterious Taboo. The "independent electors" of the valley were not to be browbeaten by chiefs,

priests, idols, or devils. As for the luckless idols, they received more hard knocks than supplications. I do not

wonder that some of them looked so grim, and stood so bold upright, as if fearful of looking to the right or

the left, lest they should give any one offence. The fact is, they had to carry themselves "pretty straight," or

suffer the consequences. Their worshippers were such a precious set of fickleminded and irreverent

heathens, that there was no telling when they might topple one of them over, break it to pieces, and making a

fire with it on the very altar itself, fall to roasting the offerings of breadfruit, and eat them in spite of its

In how little reverence these unfortunate deities were held by the natives, was on one occasion most

convincingly proved to me. Walking with KoryKory through the deepest recesses of the groves, I perceived

a curiouslooking image, about six feet in height, which originally had been placed upright against a low

pipi, surmounted by a ruinous bamboo temple, but having become fatigued and weak in the knees, was now

carelessly leaning against it. The idol was partly concealed by the foliage of a tree which stood near, and

whose leafy boughs drooped over the pile of stones, as if to protect the rude fane from the decay to which it

was rapidly hastening. The image itself was nothing it was more than a grotesquelyshaped log, carved in the

likeness of a portly naked man, with the arms clasped over the head, the jaws thrown wide apart, and its thick

shapeless legs bowed into an arch. It was much decayed. The lower part was overgrown with a bright silky

moss. Thin spears of grass sprouted from the distended mouth, and fringed the outline of the head and arms.

His godship had literally attained a green old age. All its prominent points were bruised and battered, or

entirely rotted away. The nose had taken its departure, and from the general appearance of the head, it might

have been supposed that the wooden divinity, in despair at the neglect of its worshippers, had been trying to

I drew near, to inspect more closely this strange object of idolatry, but halted reverently at the distance of two

or three paces, out of regard to the religious prejudices of my valet. As soon, however, as KoryKory

perceived that I was in one of my inquiring, scientific moods, to my astonishment he sprang to the side of the

idol, and pushing it away from the stones against which it rested, endeavoured to make it stand upon its legs.

But the divinity had lost the use of them altogether; and while KoryKory was trying to prop it up, by placing

a stick between it and the pipi, the monster fell clumsily to the ground, and would infallibly have broken its

neck had not KoryKory providentially broken its fall, by receiving its whole weight on his own

halfcrushed back. I never saw the honest fellow in such a rage before. He leaped furiously to his feet, and,

seizing the stick, began beating the poor image, every moment or two pausing and talking to it in the most

violent manner, as if upbraiding it for the accident. When his indignation had subsided a little, he whirled the

idol about most profanely, so as to give me an opportunity of examining it on all sides. I am quite sure I never

should have presumed to have taken such liberties with the god myself, and I was not a little shocked at

ALTHOUGH I had been unable during the late festival to obtain information on many interesting subjects

which had much excited my curiosity, still that important event had not passed by without adding materially

I was especially struck by the physical strength and beauty which they displayed, by their great superiority in

these respects over the inhabitants of the neighbouring bay of Nukuheva, and by the singular contrasts they

In beauty of form they surpassed anything I had ever seen. Not a single instance of natural deformity was

observable in all the throng attending the revels. Occasionally I noticed among the men the scars of wounds

they had received in battle; and sometimes, though very seldom, the loss of a finger, an eye, or an arm,

attributable to the same cause. With these exceptions, every individual appeared free from those blemishes

which sometimes mar the effect of an otherwise perfect form. But their physical excellence did not merely

consist in an exemption from these evils; nearly every individual of their number might have been taken for a

When I remembered that these islanders derived no advantage from dress, but appeared in all the naked

simplicity of nature, I could not avoid comparing them with the fine gentlemen and dandies who promenade

such unexceptional figures in our frequented thoroughfares. Stripped of the cunning artifices of the tailor, and

standing forth in the garb of Eden, what a sorry set of roundshouldered, spindleshanked, cranenecked

varlets would civilized men appear! Stuffed calves, padded breasts, and scientifically cut pantaloons would

Nothing in the appearance of the islanders struck me more forcibly than the whiteness of their teeth. The

novelist always compares the masticators of his heroine to ivory; but I boldly pronounce the teeth of the

Typees to be far more beautiful than ivory itself. The jaws of the oldest greybeards among them were much

better garnished than those of most of the youths of civilized countries; while the teeth of the young and

middleaged, in their purity and whiteness, were actually dazzling to the eye. This marvellous whiteness of

the teeth is to be ascribed to the pure vegetable diet of these people, and the uninterrupted healthfulness of

The men, in almost every instance, are of lofty stature, scarcely ever less than six feet in height, while the

other sex are uncommonly diminutive. The early period of life at which the human form arrives at maturity in

this generous tropical climate likewise deserves to be mentioned. A little creature, not more than thirteen

years of age, and who in other particulars might be regarded as a mere child, is often seen nursing her own

baby; whilst lads who, under less ripening skies, would be still at school, are here responsible fathers of

On first entering the Typee valley, I had been struck with the marked contrast presented by its inhabitants

with those of the bay I had previously left. In the latter place, I had not been favourably impressed with the

personal appearance of the male portion of the population; although with the females, excepting in some truly

Apart, however, from these considerations, I am inclined to believe that there exists a radical difference

between the two tribes, if indeed they are not distinct races of men. To those who have merely touched at

Nukuheva Bay, without visiting other portions of the island, it would hardly appear credible the diversities

presented between the various small clans inhabiting so diminutive a spot. But the hereditary hostility which

Not so easy, however, is it to assign an adequate cause for the endless variety of complexions to be seen in

the Typee valley. During the festival, I had noticed several young females whose skins were almost as white

as any Saxon damsel's, a slight dash of the mantling brown being all that marked the difference. This

comparative fairness of complexion, though in a great degree perfectly natural, is partly the result of an

artificial process, and of an entire exclusion from the sun. The juice of the "papa" root, found in great

abundance at the head of the valley, is held in great esteem as a cosmetic, with which many of the females

daily anoint their whole person. The habitual use of it whitens and beautifies the skin. Those of the young

girls who resort to this method of heightening their charms, never expose themselves to the rays of the sun;

an observance, however, that produces little or no inconvenience, since there are but few of the inhabited

portions of the vale which are not shaded over with a spreading canopy of boughs, so that one may journey

from house to house, scarcely deviating from the direct course, and yet never once see his shadow cast upon

The "papa," when used, is suffered to remain upon the skin for several hours; being of a light green colour, it

consequently imparts for the time a similar hue to the complexion. Nothing, therefore, can be imagined more

singular than the appearance of these nearly naked damsels immediately after the application of the cosmetic.

To look at one of them you would almost suppose she was some vegetable in an unripe state; and that,

instead of living in the shade for ever, she ought to be placed out in the sun to ripen.

All the islanders are more or less in the habit of anointing themselves; the women preferring the "aker" or

"papa," and the men using the oil of the cocoanut. Mehevi was remarkably fond of mollifying his entire

cuticle with this ointment. Sometimes he might be seen with his whole body fairly reeking with the perfumed

oil of the nut, looking as if he had just emerged from a soapboiler's vat, or had undergone the process of

dipping in a tallowchandlery. To this cause, perhaps, united to their frequent bathing, and extreme

cleanliness, is ascribable, in a great measure, the marvellous purity and smoothness of skin exhibited by the

The prevailing tint among the women of the valley was a light olive, and of this style of complexion Fayaway

afforded the most beautiful example. Others were still darker, while not a few were of a genuine golden

As agreeing with much previously mentioned in this narrative, I may here observe, that Mendanna, their

discoverer, in his account of the Marquesas, described the natives as wondrously beautiful to behold, and as

nearly resembling the people of Southern Europe. The first of these islands seen by Mendanna was La

Madelena, which is not far distant from Nukuheva; and its inhabitants in every respect resemble those

dwelling on that and the other islands of the group. Figueroa, the chronicler of Mendanna's voyage, says, that

on the morning the land was descried, when the Spaniards drew near the shore, there sallied forth, in rude

procession, about seventy canoes, and at the same time many of the inhabitants (females, I presume) made

towards the ships by swimming. He adds, that "in complexion they were nearly white, of good stature, and

finely formed; and on their faces and bodies were delineated representations of fishes and other devices." The

old Don then goes on to say, "There came, among others, two lads paddling their canoe, whose eyes were

fixed on the ship; they had beautiful faces, and the most promising animation of countenance, and were in all

things so becoming, that the pilotmayor, Quiros, affirmed, nothing in his life ever caused him so much

Some of the natives present at the Feast of Calabashes had displayed a few articles of European dress,

disposed, however, about their persons after their own peculiar fashion. Among these I perceived the two

pieces of cotton cloth which poor Toby and myself had bestowed upon our youthful guides the afternoon we

entered the valley. They were evidently reserved for gala days; and during those of the festival they rendered

the young islanders who wore them very distinguished characters. The small number who were similarly

adorned, and the great value they appeared to place upon the most common and most trivial articles,

furnished ample evidence of the very restricted intercourse they held with vessels touching at the island. A

few cotton handkerchiefs of a gay pattern, tied about the neck, and suffered to fall over the shoulders, strips

Indeed, throughout the valley, there were few things of any kind to be seen of European origin. All I ever

saw, besides the articles just alluded to, were the six muskets preserved in the Ti, and three or four similar

implements of warfare hung up in other houses, some small canvas bags, partly filled with bullets and

powder, and half a dozen old hatchetheads, with the edges blunted and battered to such a degree as to render

them utterly worthless. These last seemed to be regarded as nearly worthless by the natives; and several times

they held up one of them before me, and throwing it aside with a gesture of disgust, manifested their

But the muskets, the powder, and the bullets, were held in most extravagant esteem. The former, from their

great age and the peculiarities they exhibited, were well worthy a place in any antiquarian's armoury. I

remember, in particular, one that hung in the Ti, and which Mehevi supposing as a matter of course that I

was able to repair it had put into my hands for that purpose. It was one of those clumsy, oldfashioned

English pieces known generally as Tower Hill muskets, and, for aught I know, might have been left on the

island by Wallace, Carteret, Cook, or Vancouver. The stock was halfrotten and wormeaten; the lock was as

rusty and about as well adapted to its ostensible purpose as an old doorhinge; the threading of the screws

about the trigger was completely worn away; while the barrel shook in the wood. Such was the weapon the

chief desired me to restore to its original condition. As I did not possess the accomplishments of a gunsmith,

and was likewise destitute of the necessary tools, I was reluctantly obliged to signify my inability to perform

the task. At this unexpected communication Mehevi regarded me, for a moment, as if he half suspected I was

some inferior sort of moment, as if he half suspected I was some inferior sort of white man, who after all did

not know much more than a Typee. However, after a most laboured explanation of the matter, I succeeded in

making him understand the extreme difficulty of the task. Scarcely satisfied with my apologies, however, he

marched off with the superannuated musket in something of a huff, as if he would no longer expose it to the

During the festival, I had not failed to remark the simplicity of manner, the freedom from all restraint, and, to

a certain degree, the equality of condition manifested by the natives in general. No one appeared to assume

any arrogant pretensions. There was little more than a slight difference in costume to distinguish the chiefs

from the other natives. All appeared to mix together freely, and without any reserve; although I noticed that

the wishes of a chief, even when delivered in the mildest tone, received the same immediate obedience which

elsewhere would have been only accorded to a peremptory command. What may be the extent of the

authority of the chiefs over the rest of the tribe, I will not venture to assert; but from all I saw during my stay

in the valley, I was induced to believe that in matters concerning the general welfare it was very limited. The

required degree of deference towards them, however, was willingly and cheerfully yielded; and as all

authority is transmitted from father to son, I have no doubt that one of the effects here, as elsewhere, of high

The particular grades of rank existing among the chiefs of Typee, I could not in all cases determine. Previous

to the Feast of Calabashes, I had been puzzled what particular station to assign to Mehevi. But the important

part he took upon that occasion convinced me that he had no superior among the inhabitants of the valley. I

had invariably noticed a certain degree of deference paid to him by all with whom I had ever seen him

brought in contact; but when I remembered that my wanderings had been confined to a limited portion of the

valley, and that towards the sea a number of distinguished chiefs resided, some of whom had separately

visited me at Marheyo's house, and whom, until the festival, I had never seen in the company of Mehevi, I

felt disposed to believe that his rank, after all, might not be particularly elevated.

The revels, however, had brought together all the warriors whom I seen individually and in groups at

different times and places. Among them Mehevi moved with an easy air of superiority which was not to be

mistaken; and he whom I had only looked at as the hospitable host of the Ti, and one of the military leaders

of the tribe, now assumed in my eyes the dignity of royal station. His striking costume, no less than his

naturally commanding figure, seemed indeed to give him preeminence over the rest. The towering helmet of

feathers that he wore raised him in height above all who surrounded him; and though some others were

similarly adorned, the length and luxuriance of their plumes were far inferior to his.

Mehevi was in fact the greatest of the chiefs the head of his clan the sovereign of the valley; and the

simplicity of the social institutions of the people could not have been more completely proved than by the

fact, that after having been several weeks in the valley, and almost in daily intercourse with Mehevi, I should

have remained until the time of the festival ignorant of his regal character. But a new light had now broken in

upon me. The Ti was the palace and Mehevi the king. Both the one and the other of a most simple and

patriarchal nature it must be allowed, and wholly unattended by the ceremonious pomp which usually

After having made this discovery I could not avoid congratulating myself that Mehevi had from the first

taken me as it were under his royal protection, and that he still continued to entertain for me the warmest

regard, as far at least as I was enabled to judge from appearances. For the future I determined to pay most

assiduous court to him, hoping that eventually through his kindness I might obtain my liberty.

KING MEHEVI! A goodly sounding title! and why should I not bestow it upon the foremost man in the

valley? All hail, therefore, Mehevi, king over all the Typees! and long life and prosperity to his tropical

Previously to seeing the Dancing Widows I had little idea that there were any matrimonial relations

subsisting in Typee, and I should as soon have thought of a Platonic affection being cultivated between the

sexes, as of the solemn connexion of man and wife. To be sure, there were old Marheyo and Tinor, who

seemed to live together quite sociably; but for all that, I had sometimes observed a comicallooking old

gentleman, dressed in a suit of shabby tattooing, who appeared to be equally at home. This behaviour, until

subsequent discoveries enlightened me, puzzled me more than anything else I witnessed in Typee.

As for Mehevi, I had supposed him a confirmed bachelor, as well as most of the principal chiefs. At any rate,

if they had wives and families, they ought to have been ashamed of themselves; for sure I am, they never

troubled themselves about any domestic affairs. In truth, Mehevi seemed to be the president of a club of

hearty fellows who kept "Bachelor's Hall" in fine style at the Ti. I had no doubt but that they regarded

children as odious incumbrances; and their ideas of domestic felicity were sufficiently shown in the fact, that

they allowed no meddlesome housekeepers to turn topsyturvy those snug little arrangements they had made

in their comfortable dwelling. I strongly suspected, however, that some of those jolly bachelors were carrying

on love intrigues with the maidens of the tribe, although they did not appear publicly to acknowledge them. I

happened to pop upon Mehevi three or four times when he was romping in a most undignified manner for a

warrior king with one of the prettiest little witches in the valley. She lived with an old woman and a young

man, in a house near Marheyo's; and although in appearance a mere child herself, had a noble boy about a

year old, who bore a marvellous resemblance to Mehevi, whom I should certainly have believed to have been

the father, were it not that the little fellow had no triangle on his face. Mehevi, however, was not the only

person upon whom the damsel Moonoony smiled the young fellow of fifteen, who permanently resided in

the house with her, was decidedly in her good graces. This too was a mystery which, with others of the same

During the second day of the Feast of Calabashes, KoryKory being determined that I should have some

understanding on these matters had, in the course of his explanations, directed my attention to a peculiarity I

had frequently marked among many of the females, principally those of a mature age and rather matronly

appearance. This consisted in having the right hand and the left foot most elaborately tattooed; while the rest

of the body was wholly free from the operation of the art, with the exception of the minutely dotted lips and

slight marks on the shoulders, to which I have previously referred as comprising the sole tattooing exhibited

by Fayaway, in common with other young girls of her age. The hand and foot thus embellished were,

according to KoryKory, the distinguishing badge of wedlock, so far as that social and highly commendable

institution is known among these people. It answers, indeed, the same purpose as the plain gold ring worn by

After KoryKory's explanation of the subject, I was for some time studiously respectful in the presence of all

females thus distinguished, and never ventured to indulge in the slightest approach to flirtation with any of

A further insight, however, into the peculiar domestic customs of the inmates of the valley did away in a

measure with the severity of my scruples, and convinced me that I was deceived in some at least of my

conclusions. A regular system of polygamy exists among the islanders, but of a most extraordinary nature, a

plurality of husbands, instead of wives; and this solitary fact speaks volumes for the gentle disposition of the

I was not able to learn what particular ceremony was observed in forming the marriage contract, but am

inclined to think that it must have been of a very simple nature. Perhaps the mere "popping the question," as

it is termed with us, might have been followed by an immediate nuptial alliance. At any rate, tedious

The males considerably outnumber the females. This holds true of many of the islands of Polynesia, although

the reverse of what is the case in most civilized countries. The girls are first wooed and won, at a very tender

age, by some stripling in the household in which they reside. This, however, is a mere frolic of the affections,

and no formal engagement is contracted. By the time this first love has a little subsided, a second suitor

presents himself, of graver years, and carries both boy and girl away to his own habitation. This disinterested

and generoushearted fellow now weds the young couple marrying damsel and lover at the same time and

all three thenceforth live together as harmoniously as so many turtles. I have heard of some men who in

civilized countries rashly marry large families with their wives, but had no idea that there was any place

where people married supplementary husbands with them. Infidelity on either side is very rare. No man has

more than one wife, and no wife of mature years has less than two husbands, sometimes she has three, but

such instances are not frequent. The marriage tie, whatever it may be, does not appear to be indissoluble; for

separations occasionally happen. These, however, when they do take place, produce no unhappiness, and are

preceded by no bickerings: for the simple reason, that an illused wife or a henpecked husband is not

obliged to file a bill in chancery to obtain a divorce. As nothing stands in the way of a separation, the

matrimonial yoke sits easily and lightly, and a Typee wife lives on very pleasant and sociable terms with her

husbands. On the whole, wedlock, as known among these Typees, seems to be of a more distinct and

But, notwithstanding its existence among them, the scriptural injunction to increase and multiply seems to be

but indifferently attended to. I never saw any of those large families, in arithmetical or stepladder

progression, which one often meets with at home. I never knew of more than two youngsters living together

in the same home, and but seldom even that number. As for the women, it was very plain that the anxieties of

the nursery but seldom disturbed the serenity of their souls; and they were never seen going about the valley

with half a score of little ones tagging at their apronstrings, or rather at the breadfruit leaf they usually

I have before had occasion to remark that I never saw any of the ordinary signs of a place of sepulture in the

valley, a circumstance which I attributed, at the time, to my living in a particular part of it, and being

forbidden to extend my ramble to any considerable distance towards the sea. I have since thought it probable,

however, that the Typees, either desirous of removing from their sight the evidences of mortality, or

prompted by a taste for rural beauty, may have some charming cemetery situated in the shadowy recesses

along the base of the mountains. At Nukuheva, two or three large quadrangular "pipis," heavily flagged,

enclosed with regular stone walls, and shaded over and almost hidden from view by the interlacing branches

of enormous trees, were pointed out to me as burialplaces. The bodies, I understood, were deposited in rude

vaults beneath the flagging, and were suffered to remain there without being disinterred. Although nothing

could be more strange and gloomy than the aspect of these places, where the lofty trees threw their dark

shadows over rude blocks of stone, a stranger looking at them would have discerned none of the ordinary

During my stay in the valley, as none of its inmates were so accommodating as to die and be buried in order

to gratify my curiosity with regard to their funeral rites, I was reluctantly obliged to remain in ignorance of

them. As I have reason to believe, however, that the observances of the Typees in these matters are the same

with those of all the other tribes on the island, I will here relate a scene I chanced to witness at Nukuheva.

A young man had died, about daybreak, in a house near the beach. I had been sent ashore that morning, and

saw a good deal of the preparations they were making for his obsequies. The body, neatly wrapped in new

white tappa, was laid out in an open shed of cocoanut boughs, upon a bier constructed of elastic bamboos

ingeniously twisted together. This was supported, about two feet from the ground, by large canes planted

uprightly in the earth. Two females, of a dejected appearance, watched by its side, plaintively chanting, and

beating the air with large grass fans whitened with pipeclay. In the dwellinghouse adjoining a numerous

company were assembled, and various articles of food were being prepared for consumption. Two or three

individuals, distinguished by headdresses of beautiful tappa, and wearing a great number of ornaments,

appeared to officiate as masters of the ceremonies. By noon the entertainment had fairly begun, and we were

told that it would last during the whole of the two following days. With the exception of those who mourned

by the corpse, every one seemed disposed to drown the sense of the late bereavement in convivial indulgence.

The girls, decked out in their savage finery, danced; the old men chanted; the warriors smoked and chatted;

and the young and lusty, of both sexes, feasted plentifully, and seemed to enjoy themselves as pleasantly as

The islanders understand the art of embalming, and practise it with such success, that the bodies of their great

chiefs are frequently preserved for many years in the very houses where they died. I saw three of these in my

visit to the bay of Tior. One was enveloped in immense folds of tappa, with only the face exposed, and hung

erect against the side of the dwelling. The others were stretched out upon biers of bamboo, in open, elevated

temples, which seemed consecrated to their memory. The heads of enemies killed in battle are invariably

preserved, and hung up as trophies in the house of the conqueror. I am not acquainted with the process which

is in use, but believe that fumigation is the principal agency employed. All the remains which I saw presented

But to return from the dead to the living. The late festival had drawn together, as I had every reason to

believe, the whole population of the vale, and consequently I was enabled to make some estimate with regard

to its numbers. I should imagine that there were about two thousand inhabitants in Typee; and no number

could have been better adapted to the extent of the valley. The valley is some nine miles in length, and may

average one in breadth, the houses being distributed at wide intervals throughout its whole extent, principally,

however, towards the head of the vale. There are no villages. The houses stand here and there in the shadow

of the groves, or are scattered along the banks of the winding stream; their goldenhued bamboo sides and

gleaming white thatch, forming a beautiful contrast to the perpetual verdure in which they are embowered.

There are no roads of any kind in the valley. Nothing but a labyrinth of footpaths, twisting and turning

THERE seemed to be no rogues of any kind in Typee. In the darkest nights the natives slept securely, with all

their worldly wealth around them, in houses the doors of which were never fastened. The disquieting ideas of

theft or assassination never disturbed them. Each islander reposed beneath his own palmettothatching, or sat

under his own breadfruit tree, with none to molest or alarm him. There was not a padlock in the valley, nor

anything that answered the purpose of one: still there was no community of goods. This long spear, so

elegently carved and highly polished, belongs to Warmoonoo it is far handsomer than the one which old

Marheyo so greatly prizes it is the most valuable article belonging to its owner. And yet I have seen it

leaning against a cocoanut tree in the grove, and there it was found when sought for. Here is a spermwhale

tooth, graven all over with cunning devices it is the property of Karluna. It is the most precious of the

damsel's ornaments. In her estimation, its price is far above rubies; and yet there hangs the dental jewel, by its

cord of braided bark, in the girl's house, which is far back in the valley; the door is left open, and all the

* The strict honesty which the inhabitants of nearly all the Polynesian Islands manifest towards each other, is

in striking contrast with the thieving propensities some of them evince in their intercourse with foreigners. It

would almost seem that, according to their peculiar code of morals, the pilfering of a hatchet or a wrought

nail from a European is looked upon as a praiseworthy action. Or rather, it may be presumed, that bearing in

mind the wholesale forays made upon them by their nautical visitors, they consider the property of the latter

as a fair object of reprisal. This consideration, while it serves to reconcile an apparent contradiction in the

moral character of the islanders, should in some measure alter that low opinion of it which the reader of

So much for the respect in which such matters are held in Typee. As to the land of the valley, whether it was

the joint property of its inhabitants, or whether it was parcelled out among a certain number of landed

proprietors, who allowed everybody to roam over it as much as they pleased, I never could ascertain. At any

rate, musty parchments and tidedeeds there were none in the island; and I am half inclined to believe that its

Yesterday I saw KoryKory hie him away, armed with a long pole, with which, standing on the ground, he

knocked down the fruit from the topmost boughs of the trees, and brought them home in his basket of

cocoanut leaves. Today I see an islander, whom I know to reside in a distant part of the valley, doing the

selfsame thing. On the sloping bank of the stream were a number of banana trees. I have often seen a score

or two of young people making a merry foray on the great golden clusters, and bearing them off, one after

another, to different parts of the vale, shouting and tramping as they went. No churlish old curmudgeon could

have been the owner of that grove of breadfruit trees, or of these gloriously yellow bunches of bananas.

From what I have said, it will be perceived that there is a vast difference between "personal property" and

"real estate" in the valley of Typee. Some individuals, of course, are more wealthy than others. For example:

the ridgepole of Marheyo's house bends under the weight of many a huge packet of tappa; his long couch is

laid with mats placed one upon the other seven deep. Outside, Tinor has ranged along in her bamboo

cupboard or whatever the place may be called a goodly array of calabashes and wooden trenchers. Now,

the house just beyond the grove, and next to Marheyo's, occupied by Ruaruga, is not quite so well furnished.

There are only three moderatesized packages swinging overhead; there are only two layers of mats beneath;

and the calabashes and trenchers are not so numerous, nor so tastefully stained and carved. But then, Ruaruga

has a house not so pretty a one, to be sure but just as commodious as Marheyo's; and, I suppose, if he

wished to vie with his neighbour's establishment, he could do so with very little trouble. These, in short,

constitute the chief differences perceivable in the relative wealth of the people in Typee.

They lived in great harmony with each other. I will give an instance of their fraternal feeling.

One day, in returning with KoryKory from my accustomed visit to the Ti, we passed by a little opening in

the grove; on one side of which, my attendant informed me, was that afternoon to be built a dwelling of

bamboo. At least a hundred of the natives were bringing materials to the ground, some carrying in their hands

one or two of the canes which were to form the sides, others slender rods of the Habiscus, strung with

palmetto leaves, for the roof. Every one contributed something to the work; and by the united, but easy, and

even indolent, labours of all, the entire work was completed before sunset. The islanders, while employed in

erecting this tenement, reminded me of a colony of beavers at work. To be sure, they were hardly as silent

and demure as those wonderful creatures, nor were they by any means as diligent. To tell the truth, they were

somewhat inclined to be lazy, but a perfect tumult of hilarity and they worked together so unitedly, and

seemed actuated by such an instinct of friendliness, that it was truly beautiful to behold.

Not a single female took part in this employment; and if the degree of consideration in which the

everadorable sex is held by the men be as the philosophers affirm a just criterion of the degree of

refinement among a people, then I may truly pronounce the Typees to be as polished a community as ever the

sun shone upon. The religious restrictions of the taboo alone excepted, the women of the valley were allowed

every possible indulgence. Nowhere are the ladies more assiduously courted; nowhere are they better

appreciated as the contributors to our highest enjoyments; and nowhere are they more sensible of their power.

Far different from their condition among many rude nations, where the woman are made to perform all the

work, while their ungallant lords and masters lie buried in sloth, the gentle sex in the valley of Typee were

exempt from toil if toil it might be called that, even in that tropical climate, never distilled one drop of

perspiration. Their light household occupations, together with the manufacture of tappa, the platting of mats,

and the polishing of drinkingvessels, were the only employments pertaining to the women. And even these

resembled those pleasant avocations which fill up the elegant morning leisure of our fashionable ladies at

home. But in these occupations, slight and agreeable though they were, the giddy young girls very seldom

engaged. Indeed, these wilful, carekilling damsels were averse to all useful employment. Like so many

spoiled beauties, they ranged through the groves bathed in the stream danced flirted played all manner

of mischievous pranks, and passed their days in one merry round of thoughtless happiness.

During my whole stay on the island I never witnessed a single quarrel, nor anything that in the slightest

degree approached even to a dispute. The natives appeared to form one household, whose members were

bound together by the ties of strong affection. The love of kindred I did not so much perceive, for it seemed

blended in the general love; and where all were treated as brothers and sisters, it was hard to tell who were

Let it not be supposed that I have overdrawn this picture. I have not done so. Nor let it be urged, that the

hostility of this tribe to foreigners, and the hereditary feuds they carry on against their fellowislanders

beyond the mountains, are facts which contradict me. Not so; these apparent discrepancies are easily

reconciled. By many a legendary tale of violence and wrong, as well as by events which have passed before

their eyes, these people have been taught to look upon white men with abhorrence. The cruel invasion of their

country by Porter has alone furnished them with ample provocation; and I can sympathize in the spirit which

prompts the Typee warrior to guard all the passes to his valley with the point of his levelled spear, and,

standing upon the beach, with his back turned upon his green home, to hold at bay the intruding European.

As to the origin of the enmity of this particular clan towards the neighbouring tribes, I cannot so confidently

speak. I will not say that their foes are the aggressors, nor will I endeavour to palliate their conduct. But

surely, if our evil passions must find vent, it is far better to expend them on strangers and aliens, than in the

bosom of the community in which we dwell. In many polished countries civil contentions, as well as

domestic enmities, are prevalent, at the same time that the most atrocious foreign wars are waged. How much

less guilty, then, are our islanders, who of these three sins are only chargeable with one, and that the least

The reader will, ere long, have reason to suspect that the Typees are not free from the guilt of cannibalism;

and he will then, perhaps, charge me with admiring a people against whom so odious a crime is chargeable.

But this only enormity in their character is not half so horrible as it is usually described. According to the

popular fictions, the crews of vessels, shipwrecked on some barbarous coast, are eaten alive like so many

dainty joints by the uncivil inhabitants; and unfortunate voyagers are lured into smiling and treacherous bays;

knocked on the head with outlandish warclubs; and served up without any preliminary dressing. In truth, so

horrific and improbable are these accounts, that many sensible and wellinformed people will not believe that

any cannibals exist; and place every book of voyages which purports to give any account of them, on the

same shelf with Blue Beard and Jack the Giantkiller. While others, implicitly crediting the most extravagant

fictions, firmly believe that there are people in the world with tastes so depraved, that they would infinitely

prefer a single mouthful of material humanity to a good dinner of roast beef and plum pudding. But here,

Truth, who loves to be centrally located, is again found between the two extremes; for cannibalism to a

certain moderate extent is practised among several of the primitive tribes in the Pacific, but it is upon the

bodies of slain enemies alone; and horrible and fearful as the custom is, immeasurably as it is to be abhorred

and condemned, still I assert that those who indulge in it are in other respects humane and virtuous.

THERE was no instance in which the social and kindly dispositions of the Typees were more forcibly

evinced than in the manner they conducted their great fishing parties. Four times during my stay in the valley

the young men assembled near the full of the moon, and went together on these excursions. As they were

generally absent about fortyeight hours, I was led to believe that they went out towards the open sea, some

distance from the bay. The Polynesians seldom use a hook and line, almost always employing large,

wellmade nets, most ingeniously fabricated from the twisted fibres of a certain bark. I examined several of

them which had been spread to dry upon the beach at Nukuheva. They resemble very much our own seines,

All the South Sea islanders are passionately fond of fish; but none of them can be more so than the

inhabitants of Typee. I could not comprehend, therefore, why they so seldom sought it in their waters; for it

was only at stated times that the fishing parties were formed, and these occasions were always looked

During their absence, the whole population of the place were in a ferment, and nothing was talked of but

"pehee, pehee" (fish, fish). Towards the time when they were expected to return, the vocal telegraph was put

into operation the inhabitants, who were scattered throughout the length of the valley, leaped upon rocks

and into trees, shouting with delight at the thoughts of the anticipated treat. As soon as the approach of the

party was announced, there was a general rush of the men towards the beach; some of them remaining,

however, about the Ti, in order to get matters in readiness for the reception of the fish, which were brought to

the Taboo Groves in immense packages of leaves, each one of them being suspended from a pole carried on

I was present at the Ti on one of these occasions, and the sight was most interesting. After all the packages

had arrived, they were laid in a row under the verandah of the building, and opened. The fish were all quite

small, generally about the size of a herring, and of every variety of colour. About oneeighth of the whole

being reserved for the use of the Ti itself, the remainder was divided into numerous smaller packages, which

were immediately despatched in every direction to the remotest part of the valley. Arrived at their destination,

these were in turn portioned out, and equally distributed among the various houses of each particular district.

The fish were under a strict Taboo, until the distribution was completed, which seemed to be effected in a

most impartial manner. By the operation of this system every man, woman, and child in the vale, were at one

Once, I remember, the party arrived at midnight; but the unseasonableness of the hour did not repress the

impatience of the islanders. The carriers despatched from the Ti were to be seen hurrying in all directions

through the deep groves; each individual preceded by a boy bearing a flaming torch of dried cocoanut

boughs, which from time to time was replenished from the materials scattered along the path. The wild glare

of these enormous flambeaux, lighting up with a startling brilliancy the innermost recesses of the vale, and

seen moving rapidly along beneath the canopy of leaves, the savage shout of the excited messengers sounding

the news of their approach, which was answered on all sides, and the strange appearance of their naked

bodies, seen against the gloomy background, produced altogether an effect upon my mind that I shall long

It was on this same occasion that KoryKory awakened me at the dead hour of night, and in a sort of

transport communicated the intelligence contained in the words "pehee perni" (fish come). As I happened to

have been in a remarkably sound and refreshing slumber, I could not imagine why the information had not

been deferred until morning; indeed, I felt very much inclined to fly into a passion and box my valet's ears;

but on second thoughts I got quietly up, and on going outside the house was not a little interested by the

When old Marheyo received his share of the spoils, immediate preparations were made for a midnight

banquet; calabashes of poeepoee were filled to the brim; green breadfruit were roasted; and a huge cake of

"amar" was cut up with a sliver of bamboo, and laid out on an immense banana leaf.

At this supper we were lighted by several of the native tapers, held in the hands of young girls. These tapers

are most ingeniously made. There is a nut abounding in the valley, called by the Typees "armor," closely

resembling our common horsechestnut. The shell is broken, and the contents extracted whole. Any number

of these are strung at pleasure upon the long elastic fibre that traverses the branches of the cocoanut tree.

Some of these tapers are eight or ten feet in length; but being perfectly flexible, one end is held in a coil,

while the other is lighted. The nut burns with a fitful bluish flame, and the oil that it contains is exhausted in

about ten minutes. As one burns down, the next becomes ignited, and the ashes of the former are knocked

into a cocoanut shell kept for the purpose. This primitive candle requires continual attention, and must be

constantly held in the hand. The person so employed marks the lapse of time by the number of nuts

consumed, which is easily learned by counting the bits of tappa distributed at regular intervals along the

I grieve to state so distressing a fact, but the inhabitants of Typee were in the habit of devouring fish much in

the same way that a civilized being would eat a radish, and without any more previous preparation. They eat

it raw; scales, bones, gills, and all the inside. The fish is held by the tail, and the head being introduced into

the mouth, the animal disappears with a rapidity that would at first nearly lead one to imagine it had been

Raw fish! Shall I ever forget my sensations when I first saw my island beauty devour one? Oh, heavens!

Fayaway, how could you ever have contracted so vile a habit? However, after the first shock had subsided,

the custom grew less odious in my eyes, and I soon accustomed myself to the sight. Let no one imagine,

however, that the lovely Fayaway was in the habit of swallowing great vulgarlooking fishes: oh, no; with

her beautiful small hand, she would clasp a delicate, little, goldenhued love of a fish, and eat it as elegantly

and as innocently as though it were a Naples biscuit. But, alas! it was after all a raw fish; and all I can say is,

that Fayaway ate it in a more ladylike manner than any other girl of the valley.

When at Rome do as the Romans do, I held to be so good a proverb, that being in Typee, I made a point of

doing as the Typees did. Thus I ate poeepoee as they did; I walked about in a garb striking for its simplicity;

and I reposed on a community of couches; besides doing many other things in conformity with their peculiar

habits; but the farthest I ever went in the way of conformity, was on several occasions to regale myself with

raw fish. These being remarkably tender, and quite small, the undertaking was not so disagreeable in the

main, and after a few trials I positively began to relish them: however, I subjected them to a slight operation

THERE were some curiouslooking dogs in the valley. Dogs! big, hairless rats rather; all with smooth,

shining, speckled hides fat sides, and very disagreeable faces. Whence could they have come? That they

were not the indigenous production of the region, I am firmly convinced. Indeed, they seemed aware of their

being interlopers, looking fairly ashamed, and always trying to hide themselves in some dark corner. It was

plain enough they did not feel at home in the vale that they wished themselves well out of it, and back to the

Scurvy curs! they were my abhorrence; I should have liked nothing better than to have been the death of

every one of them. In fact, on one occasion, I intimated the propriety of a canine crusade to Mehevi, but the

benevolent king would not consent to it. He heard me very patiently; but when I had finished, shook his head,

As for the animal that made the fortune of my lord mayor Whittington, I shall never forget the day that I was

lying in the house about noon, everybody else being fast asleep; and happening to raise my eyes, met those of

a big black spectral cat, which sat erect in the doorway, looking at me with its frightful goggling green orbs,

like one of those monstrous imps that tormented some of the olden saints! I am one of those unfortunate

persons, to whom the sight of these animals is at any time an insufferable annoyance.

Thus constitutionally averse to cats in general, the unexpected apparition of this one in particular utterly

confounded me. When I had a little recovered from the fascination of its glance, I started up; the cat fled, and

emboldened by this, I rushed out of the house in pursuit; but it had disappeared. It was the only time I ever

saw one in the valley, and how it got there I cannot imagine. It is just possible that it might have escaped

from one of the ships at Nukuheva. It was in vain to seek information on the subject from the natives, since

none of them had seen the animal, the appearance of which remains a mystery to me to this day.

Among the few animals which are to be met with in Typee, there was none which I looked upon with more

interest than a beautiful goldenhued species of lizard. It measured perhaps five inches from head to tail, and

was most gracefully proportioned. Numbers of those creatures were to be seen basking in the sunshine upon

the thatching of the houses, and multitudes at all hours of the day showed their glittering sides as they ran

frolicking between the spears of grass, or raced in troops up and down the tall shafts of the cocoanut trees.

But the remarkable beauty of these little animals and their lively ways were not their only claims upon my

admiration. They were perfectly tame and insensible to fear. Frequently, after seating myself upon the ground

in some shady place during the heat of the day, I would be completely overrun with them. If I brushed one off

my arm, it would leap perhaps into my hair; when I tried to frighten it away by gently pinching its leg, it

The birds are also remarkably tame. If you happened to see one perched upon a branch within reach of your

arm, and advanced towards it, it did not fly away immediately, but waited quietly looking at you, until you

could almost touch it, and then took wing slowly, less alarmed at your presence, it would seem, than desirous

of removing itself from your path. Had salt been less scarce in the valley than it was, this was the very place

I remember that once, on an uninhabited island of the Gallipagos, a bird alighted on my outstretched arm,

while its mate chirped from an adjoining tree. Its tameness, far from shocking me, as a similar occurrence did

Selkirk, imparted to me the most exquisite thrill of delight I ever experienced; and with somewhat of the

same pleasure did I afterwards behold the birds and lizards of the valley show their confidence in the

Among the numerous afflictions which the Europeans have entailed upon some of the natives of the South

Seas, is the accidental introduction among them of that enemy of all repose and ruffler of even tempers the

mosquito. At the Sandwich Islands, and at two or three of the Society group, there are now thriving colonies

of these insects, who promise ere long to supplant altogether the aboriginal sandflies. They sting, buzz, and

torment, from one end of the year to the other, and by incessantly exasperating the natives, materially

From this grievous visitation, however, the Typees are as yet wholly exempt; but its place is unfortunately in

some degree supplied by the occasional presence of a minute species of fly, which, without stinging, is

nevertheless productive of no little annoyance. The tameness of the birds and lizards is as nothing when

compared to the fearless confidence of this insect. He will perch upon one of your eyelashes, and go to roost

there, if you do not disturb him, or force his way through your hair, or along the cavity of the nostril, till you

almost fancy he is resolved to explore the very brain itself. On one occasion I was so inconsiderate as to yawn

while a number of them were hovering around me. I never repeated the act. Some halfdozen darted into the

open apartment, and began walking about its ceiling; the sensation was dreadful. I involuntarily closed my

mouth, and the poor creatures, being enveloped in inner darkness, must in their consternation have stumbled

over my palate, and been precipitated into the gulf beneath. At any rate, though I afterwards charitably held

my mouth open for at least five minutes, with a view of affording egress to the stragglers, of them ever

There are no wild animals of any kind on the island, unless it be decided that the natives themselves are such.

The mountains and the interior present to the eye nothing but silent solitudes, unbroken by the roar of beasts

of prey, and enlivened by few tokens even of minute animated existence. There are no venomous reptiles, and

In a company of Marquesan natives the weather affords no topic of conversation. It can hardly be said to have

any vicissitudes. The rainy season, it is true, brings frequent showers, but they are intermitting and refreshing.

When an islander, bound on some expedition, rises from his couch in the morning, he is never solicitous to

peep out and see how the sky looks, or ascertain from what quarter the wind blows. He is always sure of a

"fine day," and the promise of a few genial showers he hails with pleasure. There is never any of that

"remarkable weather" on the islands which from time immemorial has been experienced in America, and still

continues to call forth the wondering conversational exclamations of its elderly citizens. Nor do there even

occur any of those eccentric meteorological changes which elsewhere surprise us. In the valley of Typee

icecreams would never be rendered less acceptable by sudden frosts, nor would picnic parties be deferred on

account of inauspicious snowstorms: for there day follows day in one unvarying round of summer and

sunshine, and the whole year is one long tropical month of June just melting into July.

It is this genial climate which causes the cocoanuts to flourish as they do. This invaluable fruit, brought to

perfection by the rich soil of the Marquesas, and borne aloft on a stately column more than a hundred feet

from the ground, would seem at first almost inaccessible to the simple Indeed, the slender, smooth, and

soaring shaft, without a single limb or protuberance of any kind to assist one in mounting it, presents an

obstacle only to be overcome by the surprising agility and ingenuity of the islanders. It might be supposed

that their indolence would lead them patiently to await the period when the ripened nuts, slowly parting from

their stems, fall one by one to the ground. This certainly would be the case, were it not that the young fruit,

encased in a soft green husk, with the incipient meat adhering in a jellylike pellicle to its sides, and

containing a bumper of the most delicious nectar, is what they chiefly prize. They have at least twenty

different terms to express as many progressive stages in the growth of the nut. Many of them reject the fruit

altogether except at a particular period of its growth, which, incredible as it may appear, they seemed to me to

be able to ascertain within an hour or two. Others are still more capricious in their tastes; and after gathering

together a heap of the nuts of all ages, and ingeniously tapping them, will first sip from one and then from

another, as fastidiously as some delicate winebibber experimenting, glass in hand, among his dusty

Some of the young men, with more flexible frames than their comrades, and perhaps with more courageous

souls, had a way of walking up the trunk of the cocoanut trees which to me seemed little less than

miraculous; and when looking at them in the act, I experienced that curious perplexity a child feels when he

I will endeavour to describe the way in which Narnee, a noble young chief, sometimes performed this feat for

my particular gratification; but his preliminary performances must also be recorded. Upon my signifying my

desire that he should pluck me the young fruit of some particular tree, the handsome savage, throwing himself

into a sudden attitude of surprise, feigns astonishment at the apparent absurdity of the request. Maintaining

this position for a moment, the strange emotions depicted on his countenance soften down into one of

humorous resignation to my will, and then, looking wistfully up to the tufted top of the tree, he stands on

tiptoe, straining his neck and elevating his arms, as though endeavouring to reach the fruit from the ground

where he stands. As if defeated in this childish attempt, he now sinks to the earth despondingly, beating his

breast in wellacted despair; and then, starting to his feet all at once, and throwing back his head, raises both

hands, like a schoolboy about to catch a falling ball. After continuing this for a moment or two, as if in

expectation that the fruit was going to be tossed down to him by some good spirit in the treetop, he turns

wildly round in another fit of despair, and scampers off to the distance of thirty or forty yards. Here he

remains awhile, eyeing the tree, the very picture of misery; but the next moment, receiving, as it were, a flash

of inspiration, he rushes again towards it, and clasping both arms about the trunk, with one elevated a little

above the other, he presses the soles of his feet close together against the tree, extending his legs from it until

they are nearly horizontal, and his body becomes doubled into an arch; then, hand over hand and foot after

foot, he rises from the earth with steady rapidity, and almost before you are aware of it, has gained the

cradled and embowered nest of nuts, and with boisterous glee flings the fruit to the ground.

This mode of walking the tree is only practicable where the trunk declines considerably from the

perpendicular. This, however, is almost always the case; some of the perfectly straight shafts of the trees

The less active among the men, and many of the children of the valley, have another method of climbing.

They take a broad and stout piece of bark, and secure either end of it to their ankles: so that when the feet

thus confined are extended apart, a space of little more than twelve inches is left between them. This

contrivance greatly facilitates the act of climbing. The band pressed against the tree, and closely embracing it,

yields a pretty firm support; while with the arms clasped about the trunk, and at regular intervals sustaining

the body, the feet are drawn up nearly a yard at a time, and a corresponding elevation of the hands

immediately succeeds. In this way I have seen little children, scarcely five years of age, fearlessly climbing

the slender pole of a young cocoanut tree, and while hanging perhaps fifty feet from the ground, receiving

the plaudits of their parents beneath, who clapped their hands, and encouraged them to mount still higher.

What, thought I, on first witnessing one of these exhibitions would the nervous mothers of America and

England say to a similar display of hardihood in any of their children? The Lacedemonian nation might have

approved of it, but most modern dames would have gone into hysterics at the sight.

At the top of the cocoanut tree the numerous branches, radiating on all sides from a common centre, form a

sort of green and waving basket, between the leaflets of which you just discern the nuts thickly clustering

together, and on the loftier trees looking no bigger from the ground than bunches of grapes. I remember one

adventurous little fellow TooToo was the rascal's name who had built himself a sort of aerial babyhouse

in the picturesque tuft of a tree adjoining Marheyo's habitation. He used to spend hours there, rustling

among the branches, and shouting with delight every time the strong gusts of wind, rushing down from the

mountain side, swayed to and fro the tall and flexible column on which he was perched. Whenever I heard

TooToo's musical voice sounding strangely to the ear from so great a height, and beheld him peeping down

Birds bright and beautiful birds fly over the valley of Typee. You see them perched aloft among the

immovable boughs of the majestic breadfruit trees, or gently swaying on the elastic branches of the Omoo;

skimming over the palmettothatching of the bamboo huts; passing like spirits on the wing through the

shadows of the grove, and sometimes descending into the bosom of the valley in gleaming flights from the

mountains. Their plumage is purple and azure, crimson and white, black and gold; with bills of every tint;

bright bloodyred, jet black, and ivory white; and their eyes are bright and sparkling; they go sailing through

the air in starry throngs; but, alas! the spell of dumbness is upon them all there is not a single warbler in the

I know not why it was, but the sight of these birds, generally the ministers of gladness, always oppressed me

with melancholy. As in their dumb beauty they hovered by me whilst I was walking, or looked down upon

me with steady curious eyes from out the foliage, I was almost inclined to fancy that they knew they were

IN one of my strolls with KoryKory, in passing along the border of a thick growth of bushes, my attention

was arrested by a singular noise. On entering the thicket, I witnessed for the first time the operation of

I beheld a man extended flat upon his back on the ground, and, despite the forced composure of his

countenance, it was evident that he was suffering agony. His tormentor bent over him, working away for all

the world like a stonecutter with mallet and chisel. In one hand he held a short slender stick, pointed with a

shark's tooth, on the upright end of which he tapped with a small hammerlike piece of wood, thus

puncturing the skin, and charging it with the colouring matter in which the instrument was dipped. A

cocoanut shell containing this fluid was placed upon the ground. It is prepared by mixing with a vegetable

juice the ashes of the "armor," or candlenut, always preserved for the purpose. Beside the savage, and

spread out upon a piece of soiled tappa, were a great number of curious blacklooking little implements of

bone and wood, used in the various divisions of his art. A few terminated in a single fine point, and, like very

delicate pencils, were employed in giving the finishing touches, or in operating upon the more sensitive

portions of the body, as was the case in the present instance. Others presented several points distributed in a

line, somewhat resembling the teeth of a saw. These were employed in the coarser parts of the work, and

particularly in pricking in straight marks. Some presented their points disposed in small figures, and being

placed upon the body, were, by a single blow of the hammer, made to leave their indelible impression. I

observed a few, the handles of which were mysteriously curved, as if intended to be introduced into the

orifice of the ear, with a view perhaps of beating the tattoo upon the tympanum. Altogether, the sight of these

strange instruments recalled to mind that display of cruellooking motherofpearlhandled things which

The artist was not at this time engaged on an original sketch, his subject being a venerable savage, whose

tattooing had become somewhat faded with age and needed a few repairs, and accordingly he was merely

employed in touching up the works of some of the old masters of the Typee school, as delineated upon the

human canvas before him. The parts operated upon were the eyelids, where a longitudinal streak, like the one

In spite of all the efforts of the poor old man, sundry twitchings and screwings of the muscles of the face

denoted the exquisite sensibility of these shutters to the windows of his soul, which he was now having

repainted. But the artist, with a heart as callous as that of an army surgeon, continued his performance,

enlivening his labours with a wild chant, tapping away the while as merrily as a woodpecker.

So deeply engaged was he in his work, that he had not observed our approach, until, after having enjoyed an

unmolested view of the operation, I chose to attract his attention. As soon as he perceived me, supposing that

I sought him in his professional capacity, he seized hold of me in a paroxysm of delight, and was all

eagerness to begin the work. When, however, I gave him to understand that he had altogether mistaken my

views, nothing could exceed his grief and disappointment. But recovering from this, he seemed determined

not to credit my assertion, and grasping his implements, he flourished them about in fearful vicinity to my

face, going through an imaginary performance of his art, and every moment bursting into some admiring

Horrified at the bare thought of being rendered hideous for life if the wretch were to execute his purpose upon

me, I struggled to get away from him, while KoryKory, turning traitor, stood by, and besought me to

comply with the outrageous request. On my reiterated refusals the excited artist got half beside himself, and

was overwhelmed with sorrow at losing so noble an opportunity of distinguishing himself in his profession.

The idea of engrafting his tattooing upon my white skin filled him with all a painter's enthusiasm: again and

again he gazed into my countenance, and every fresh glimpse seemed to add to the vehemence of his

ambition. Not knowing to what extremities he might proceed, and shuddering at the ruin he might inflict

upon my figurehead, I now endeavoured to draw off his attention from it, and holding out my arm in a fit of

desperation, signed to him to commence operations. But he rejected the compromise indignantly, and still

continued his attack on my face, as though nothing short of that would satisfy him. When his forefinger swept

across my features, in laying out the borders of those parallel bands which were to encircle my countenance,

the flesh fairly crawled upon my bones. At last, half wild with terror and indignation, I succeeded in breaking

away from the three savages, and fled towards old Marheyo's house, pursued by the indomitable artist, who

ran after me, implements in hand. KoryKory, however, at last interfered, and drew him off from the chase.

This incident opened my eyes to a new danger; and I now felt convinced that in some luckless hour I should

be disfigured in such a manner as never more to have the face to return to my countrymen, even should an

These apprehensions were greatly increased by the desire which King Mehevi and several of the inferior

chiefs now manifested that I should be tattooed. The pleasure of the king was first signified to me some three

days after my casual encounter with Karky the artist. Heavens! what imprecations I showered upon that

Karky. Doubtless he had plotted a conspiracy against me and my countenance, and would never rest until his

diabolical purpose was accomplished. Several times I met him in various parts of the valley, and, invariably,

whenever he descried me, he came running after me with his mallet and chisel, flourishing them about my

When the king first expressed his wish to me, I made known to him my utter abhorrence of the measure, and

worked myself into such a state of excitement, that he absolutely stared at me in amazement. It evidently

surpassed his majesty's comprehension how any soberminded and sensible individual could entertain the

Soon afterwards he repeated his suggestion, and meeting with a like repulse, showed some symptoms of

displeasure at my obduracy. On his a third time renewing his request, I plainly perceived that something must

be done, or my visage was ruined for ever; I therefore screwed up my courage to the sticking point, and

declared my willingness to have both arms tattooed from just above the wrist to the shoulder. His majesty

was greatly pleased at the proposition, and I was congratulating myself with having thus compromised the

matter, when he intimated that as a thing of course my face was first to undergo the operation. I was fairly

driven to despair; nothing but the utter ruin of my "face divine," as the poets call it, would, I perceived,

satisfy the inexorable Mehevi and his chiefs, or rather that infernal Karky, for he was at the bottom of it all.

The only consolation afforded me was a choice of patterns: I was at perfect liberty to have my face spanned

by three horizontal bars, after the fashion of my servingman's; or to have as many oblique stripes slanting

across it: or if, like a true courtier, I chose to model my style on that of royalty, I might wear a sort of

freemason badge upon my countenance in the shape of a mystic triangle. However, I would have none of

these, though the king most earnestly impressed upon my mind that my choice was wholly unrestricted. At

But not so some other of the savages. Hardly a day passed but I was subjected to their annoying requests,

until at last my existence became a burden to me; the pleasures I had previously enjoyed no longer afforded

me delight, and all my former desire to escape from the valley now revived with additional force.

A fact which I soon afterwards learned augmented my apprehension. The whole system of tattooing was, I

found, connected with their religion; and it was evident, therefore, that they were resolved to make a convert

In the decoration of the chiefs, it seems to be necessary to exercise the most elaborate pencilling; while some

of the inferior natives looked as if they had been daubed over indiscriminately with a housepainter's brush. I

remember one fellow who prided himself hugely upon a great oblong patch, placed high upon his back, and

who always reminded me of a man with a blister of Spanish flies stuck between his shoulders. Another whom

I frequently met had the hollow of his eyes tattooed in two regular squares, and his visual organs being

remarkably brilliant, they gleamed forth from out this setting like a couple of diamonds inserted in ebony.

Although convinced that tattooing was a religious observance, still the nature of the connexion between it and

servance, still the nature of the connexion between it and the superstitious idolatry of the people was a point

upon which I could never obtain any information. Like the still more important system of the "Taboo," it

There is a marked similarity, almost an identity, between the religious institutions of most of the Polynesian

islands, and in all exists the mysterious "Taboo," restricted in its uses to a greater or less extent. So strange

and complex in its arrangements is this remarkable system, that I have in several cases met with individuals

who, after residing for years among the islands in the Pacific, and acquiring a considerable knowledge of the

language, have nevertheless been altogether unable to give any satisfactory account of its operations. Situated

as I was in the Typee valley, I perceived every hour the effects of this allcontrolling power, without in the

least comprehending it. Those effects were, indeed, widespread and universal, pervading the most important

as well as the minutest transactions of life. The savage, in short, lives in the continual observance of its

For several days after entering the valley I had been saluted at least fifty times in the twentyfour hours with

the talismanic word "Taboo" shrieked in my ears, at some gross violation of its provisions, of which I had

unconsciously been guilty. The day after our arrival I happened to hand some tobacco to Toby over the head

of a native who sat between us. He started up, as if stung by an adder; while the whole company, manifesting

an equal degree of horror, simultaneously screamed out "Taboo!" I never again perpetrated a similar piece of

illmanners, which, indeed, was forbidden by the canons of good breeding, as well as by the mandates of the

taboo. But it was not always so easy to perceive wherein you had contravened the spirit of this institution. I

was many times called to order, if I may use the phrase, when I could not for the life of me conjecture what

One day I was strolling through a secluded portion of the valley, and hearing the musical sound of the

clothmallet at a little distance, I turned down a path that conducted me in a few moments to a house where

there were some halfdozen girls employed in making tappa. This was an operation I had frequently

witnessed, and had handled the bark in all the various stages of its preparation. On the present occasion the

females were intent upon their occupation, and after looking up and talking gaily to me for a few moments,

they resumed their employment. I regarded them for awhile in silence, and then, carelessly picking up a

handful of the material that lay around, proceeded unconsciously to pick it apart. While thus engaged, I was

suddenly startled by a scream, like that of a whole boardingschool of young ladies just on the point of going

into hysterics. Leaping up with the idea of seeing a score of Happar warriors about to perform anew the

Sabine atrocity, I found myself confronted by the company of girls, who, having dropped their work, stood

before me with starting eyes, swelling bosoms, and fingers pointed in horror towards me.

Thinking that some venomous reptile must be concealed in the bark which I held in my hand, I began

cautiously to separate and examine it. Whilst I did so the horrified girls redoubled their shrieks. Their wild

cries and frightened motions actually alarmed me, and throwing down the tappa, I was about to rush from the

house, when in the same instant their clamours ceased, and one of them, seizing me by the arm, pointed to the

broken fibres that had just fallen from my grasp, and screamed in my ears the fatal word "Taboo!"

I subsequently found out that the fabric they were engaged in making was of a peculiar kind, destined to be

worn on the heads of the females, and through every stage of its manufacture was guarded by a vigorous

taboo, which interdicted the whole masculine gender from even so much as touching it.

Frequently in walking through the groves I observed breadfruit and cocoanut trees, with a wreath of leaves

twined in a peculiar fashion about their trunks. This was the mark of the taboo. The trees themselves, their

fruit, and even the shadows they cast upon the ground, were consecrated by its presence. In the same way a

pipe, which the king had bestowed upon me, was rendered sacred in the eyes of the natives, none of whom

could I ever prevail upon to smoke from it. The bowl was encircled by a woven band of grass, somewhat

resembling those Turks' heads occasionally worked in the handles of our whipstalks.

A similar badge was once braided about my wrist by the royal hand of Mehevi himself, who, as soon as he

had concluded the operation, pronounced me "Taboo." This occurred shortly after Toby's disappearance; and

were it not that from the first moment I had entered the valley the natives had treated me with uniform

kindness, I should have supposed that their conduct afterwards was to be ascribed to the fact that I received

The capricious operations of the taboo are not its least remarkable feature: to enumerate them all would be

impossible. Black hogs infants to a certain age women in an interesting situation young men while the

operation of tattooing their faces is going on and certain parts of the valley during the continuance of a

I witnessed a striking instance of its effects in the bay of Tior, my visit to which place occurred a few days

before leaving the ship. On that occasion our worthy captain formed one of the party. He was a most

insatiable sportsman. Outward bound, and off the pitch of Cape Horn, he used to sit on the taffrail, and keep

the steward loading three or four old fowlingpieces, with which he would bring down albatrosses, Cape

pigeons, jays, petrels, and divers other marine fowl, who followed chattering in our wake. The sailors were

struck aghast at his impiety, and one and all attributed our forty days' beating about that horrid headland to

At Tior, he evinced the same disregard for the religious prejudices of the islanders as he had previously

shown for the superstitions of the sailors. Having heard that there were a considerable number of fowls in the

valley the progeny of some cocks and hens accidentally left there by an English vessel, and which, being

strictly tabooed, flew about almost in a wild state he determined to break through all restraints, and be the

death of them. Accordingly, he provided himself with a most formidablelooking gun, and announced his

landing on the beach by shooting down a noble cock, that was crowing what proved to be his own funeral

dirge on the limb of an adjoining tree. "Taboo," shrieked the affrighted savages. "Oh, hang your taboo," says

the nautical sportsman; "talk taboo to the marines"; and bang went the piece again, and down came another

victim. At this the natives ran scampering through the groves, horrorstruck at the enormity of the act.

All that afternoon the rocky sides of the valley rang with successive reports, and the superb plumage of many

a beautiful fowl was ruffled by the fatal bullet. Had it not been that the French admiral, with a large party,

was then in the glen, I have no doubt that the natives, although their tribe was small and dispirited, would

have inflicted summary vengeance upon the man who thus outraged their most sacred institutions; as it was,

Thirsting with his exertions, the skipper directed his steps to a stream; but the savages, who had followed at a

little distance, perceiving his object, rushed towards him and forced him away from its bank his lips would

have polluted it. Wearied at last, he sought to enter a house that he might rest for awhile on the mats; its

inmates gathered tumultuously about the door and denied him admittance. He coaxed and blustered by turns,

but in vain; the natives were neither to be intimidated nor appeased, and as a final resort he was obliged to

call together his boat's crew, and pull away from what he termed the most infernal place he ever stepped

Lucky was it for him and for us that we were not honoured on our departure by a salute of stones from the

hands of the exasperated Tiors. In this way, on the neighbouring island of Ropo, were killed, but a few weeks

I cannot determine, with anything approaching to certainty, what power it is that imposes the taboo. When I

consider the slight disparity of condition among the islanders the very limited and inconsiderable

prerogatives of the king and chiefs and the loose and indefinite functions of the priesthood, most of whom

were hardly to be distinguished from the rest of their countrymen, I am wholly at a loss where to look for the

authority which regulates this potent institution. It is imposed upon something today, and withdrawn

tomorrow; while its operations in other cases are perpetual. Sometimes its restrictions only affect a single

individual sometimes a particular family sometimes a whole tribe; and, in a few instances, they extend not

merely over the various clans on a single island, but over all the inhabitants of an entire group. In illustration

of this latter peculiarity, I may cite the law which forbids a female to enter a canoe a prohibition which

The word itself (taboo) is used in more than one signification. It is sometimes used by a parent to his child,

when, in the exercise of parental authority, he forbids it to perform a particular action. Anything opposed to

the ordinary customs of the islanders, although not expressly prohibited, is said to be "taboo."

The Typee language is one very difficult to be acquired; it bears a close resemblance to the other Polynesian

dialects, all of which show a common origin. The duplication of words, as "lumee lumee," "poee poee,"

"muee muee," is one of their peculiar features. But another, and a more annoying one, is the different senses

in which one and the same word is employed; its various meanings all have a certain connexion, which only

makes the matter more puzzling. So one brisk, lively little word is obliged, like a servant in a poor family, to

perform all sorts of duties. For instance one particular combination of syllables expresses the ideas of sleep,

rest, reclining, sitting, leaning, and all other things anyways analogous thereto, the particular meaning being

shown chiefly by a variety of gestures, and the eloquent expression of the countenance.

SADLY discursive as I had already been, I must still further entreat the reader's patience, as I am about to

string together, without any attempt at order, a few odds and ends of things not hitherto mentioned, but which

There was one singular custom, observed in old Marheyo's domestic establishment, which often excited my

surprise. Every night, before retiring, the inmates of the house gathered together on the mats, and squatting

upon their haunches, after the universal practice of these islanders, would commence a low, dismal, and

monotonous chant, accompanying the voice with the instrumental melody produced by two small halfrotten

sticks tapped slowly together, a pair of which were held in the hands of each person present. Thus would they

employ themselves for an hour or two, sometimes longer. Lying in the gloom which wrapped the farther end

of the house, I could not avoid looking at them, although the spectacle suggested nothing but unpleasant

reflections. The flickering rays of the , "armor" nut just served to reveal their savage lineaments, without

Sometimes when, after falling into a kind of doze, and awaking suddenly in the midst of these doleful

chantings, my eye would fall upon the wildlooking group engaged in their strange occupation, with their

naked tattooed limbs, and shaven heads disposed in a circle, I was almost tempted to believe that I gazed

What was the meaning or purpose of this custom, whether it was practised merely as a diversion, or whether

The sounds produced by the natives on these occasions were of a most singular description; and had I not

actually been present, I never would have believed that such curious noises could have been produced by

To savages, generally, is imputed a guttural articulation. This, however, is not always the case, especially

among the inhabitants of the Polynesian Archipelago. The labial melody with which the Typee girls carry on

an ordinary conversation, giving a musical prolongation to the final syllable of every sentence, and chirping

The men, however, are not quite so harmonious in their utterance; and when excited upon any subject, would

work themselves up into a sort of wordy paroxysm, during which all descriptions of roughsided sounds

were projected from their mouths, with a force and rapidity which was absolutely astonishing.

Although these savages are remarkably fond of chanting, still they appear to have no idea whatever of

I never shall forget the first time I happened to roar out a stave in the presence of the noble Mehevi. It was a

stanza from the "Bavarian Broomseller." His Typean majesty, with all his court, gazed upon me in

amazement, as if I had displayed some preternatural faculty which Heaven had denied to them. The king was

delighted with the verse; but the chorus fairly transported him. At his solicitation, I sang it again and again,

and nothing could be more ludicrous than his vain attempts to catch the air and the words. The royal savage

seemed to think that by screwing all the features of his face into the end of his nose, he might possibly

succeed in the undertaking, but it failed to answer the purpose; and in the end he gave it up, and consoled

Previous to Mehevi's making the discovery, I had never been aware that there was anything of the nightingale

about me; but I was now promoted to the place of court minstrel, in which capacity I was afterwards

Besides the sticks and the drums, there are no other musical instruments among the Typees, except one which

might appropriately be denominated a nasal flute. It is somewhat longer than an ordinary fife, is made of a

beautiful scarletcoloured reed, and has four or five stops, with a large hole near one end, which latter is held

just beneath the left nostril. The other nostril being closed by a peculiar movement of the muscles about the

nose, the breath is forced into the tube, and produces a soft dulcet sound, which is varied by the fingers

running at random over the stops. This is a favourite recreation with the females, and one in which Fayaway

greatly excelled. Awkward as such an instrument may appear, it was, in Fayaway's delicate little hands, one

of the most graceful I have ever seen. A young lady in the act of tormenting a guitar, strung about her neck by

Singing was not the only means I possessed of diverting the royal Mehevi and his easygoing subjects.

Nothing afforded them more pleasure than to see me go through the attitudes of a pugilistic encounter. As not

one of the natives had soul enough in him to stand up like a man, and allow me to hammer away at him, for

my own personal gratification and that of the king, I was necessitated to fight with an imaginary enemy,

whom I invariably made to knock under to my superior prowess. Sometimes, when this sorely battered

shadow retreated precipitately towards a group of the savages, and, following him up, I rushed among them,

dealing my blows right and left, they would disperse in all directions, much to the enjoyment of Mehevi, the

The noble art of selfdefence appeared to be regarded by them as the peculiar gift of the white man; and I

make little doubt but that they supposed armies of Europeans were drawn up provided with nothing else but

bony fists and stout hearts, with which they set to in column, and pummelled one another at the word of

One day, in company with KoryKory, I had repaired to the stream for the purpose of bathing, when I

observed a woman sitting upon a rock in the midst of the current, and watching with the liveliest interest the

gambols of something, which at first I took to be an uncommonly large species of frog that was sporting in

the water near her. Attracted by the novelty of the sight, I waded towards the spot where she sat, and could

hardly credit the evidence of my senses when I beheld a little infant, the period of whose birth could not have

extended back many days, paddling about as if it had just risen to the surface, after being hatched into

existence at the bottom. Occasionally the delighted parent reached out her hand towards it, when the little

thing, uttering a faint cry, and striking out its tiny limbs, would sidle for the rock, and the next moment be

clasped to its mother's bosom. This was repeated again and again, the baby remaining in the stream about a

minute at a time. Once or twice it made wry faces at swallowing a mouthful of water, and choked and

spluttered as if on the point of strangling. At such times, however, the mother snatched it up, and by a process

scarcely to be mentioned obliged it to eject the fluid. For several weeks afterwards I observed the woman

bringing her child down to the stream regularly every day, in the cool of the morning and evening, and

treating it to a bath. No wonder that the South Sea islanders are so amphibious a race, when they are thus

launched into the water as soon as they see the light. I am convinced that it is as natural for a human being to

swim as it is for a duck. And yet, in civilized communities, how many ablebodied individuals die, like so

The long, luxuriant, and glossy tresses of the Typee damsels often attracted my admiration. A fine head of

hair is the pride and joy of every woman's heart! Whether, against the express will of Providence, it is twisted

up on the crown of the head and there coiled away; whether it be built up in a great tower, with combs and

pins, or is plastered over the head in sleek, shiny folds; or whether it be permitted to flow over the shoulders

in natural ringlets, it is always the pride of the owner, and the glory of the toilette.

The Typee girls devote much of their time to the dressing of their hair and redundant locks. After bathing, as

they sometimes do five or six times every day, the hair is carefully dried, and if they have been in the sea,

invariably washed in fresh water, and anointed with a highlyscented oil extracted from the meat of the

cocoanut. This oil is obtained in great abundance, by the following very simple process:

A large vessel of wood, with holes perforated in the bottom, is filled with the pounded meat, and exposed to

the rays of the sun. As the oleaginous matter exudes, it falls in drops through the apertures into a

widemouthed calabash placed underneath. After a sufficient quantity has thus been collected, the oil

undergoes a purifying process, and is then poured into the small spherical shells of the nuts of the mootree,

which are hollowed out to receive it. These nuts are then hermetically sealed with a resinous gum, and the

vegetable fragrance of their green rind soon imparts to the oil a delightful odour. After the lapse of a few

weeks, the exterior shell of the nuts becomes quite dry and hard, and assumes a beautiful carnation tint; and

when opened they are found to be about twothirds full of an ointment of a light yellow colour, and diffusing

the sweetest perfume. This elegant little odorous globe would not be out of place even upon the toilette of a

queen. Its merits as a preparation for the hair are undeniable, it imparts to it a superb gloss and a silky

FROM the time of my casual encounter with Karky the artist, my life was one of absolute wretchedness. Not

a day passed but I was persecuted by the solicitations of some of the natives to subject myself to the odious

operation of tattooing. Their importunities drove me half wild, for I felt how easily they might work their will

upon me regarding this, or anything else which they took into their heads. Still, however, the behaviour of the

islanders towards me was as kind as ever. Fayaway was quite as engaging; KoryKory as devoted; and

Mehevi the king just as gracious and condescending as before. But I had now been three months in their

valley, as nearly as I could estimate; I had grown familiar with the narrow limits to which my wanderings had

been confined; and I began bitterly to feel the state of captivity in which I was held. There was no one with

whom I could freely converse; no one to whom I could communicate my thoughts; no one who could

sympathize with my sufferings. A thousand times I thought how much more endurable would have been my

lot had Toby still been with me. But I was left alone, and the thought was terrible to me. Still, despite my

griefs, I did all in my power to appear composed and cheerful, well knowing that by manifesting any

It was during the period I was in this unhappy frame of mind, that the painful malady under which I had been

labouring after having almost completely subsided began again to show itself, and with symptoms as

violent as ever. This added calamity nearly unmanned me; the recurrence of the complaint proved that,

without powerful remedial applications, all hope of cure was futile; and when I reflected that just beyond the

elevations which bound me in, was the medical relief I needed, and that, although so near, it was impossible

In this wretched situation every circumstance which evinced the savage nature of the beings at whose mercy I

was, augmented the fearful apprehensions that consumed me. An occurrence which happened about this time

I have already mentioned, that from the ridgepole of Marheyo's house were suspended a number of

packages enveloped in tappa. Many of these I had often seen in the hands of the natives, and their contents

had been examined in my presence. But there were three packages hanging very nearly over the place where I

lay, which from their remarkable appearance had often excited my curiosity. Several times I had asked

KoryKory to show me their contents; but my servitor, who in almost every other particular had acceded to

One day, returning unexpectedly from the Ti, my arrival seemed to throw the inmates of the house into the

greatest confusion. They were seated together on the mats, and by the lines which extended from the roof to

the floor I immediately perceived that the mysterious packages were, for some purpose or other, under

inspection. The evident alarm the savages betrayed filled me with forebodings of evil, and with an

uncontrollable desire to penetrate the secret so jealously guarded. Despite the efforts of Marheyo and

KoryKory to restrain me, I forced my way into the midst of the circle, and just caught a glimpse of three

human heads, which others of the party were hurriedly enveloping in the coverings from which they had been

One of the three I distinctly saw. It was in a state of perfect preservation, and from the slight glimpse I had of

it, seemed to have been subjected to some smoking operation which had reduced it to the dry, hard, and

mummylike appearance it presented. The two long scalplocks were twisted up into balls upon the crown of

the head, in the same way that the individual had worn them during life. The sunken cheeks were rendered

yet more ghastly by the rows of glistening teeth which protruded from between the lips, while the sockets of

the eyes filled with oval bits of motherofpearl shell, with a black spot in the centre heightened the

Two of the three were heads of the islanders; but the third, to my horror, was that of a white man. Although it

had been quickly removed from my sight, still the glimpse I had of it was enough to convince me that I could

Gracious God! what dreadful thoughts entered my mind. In solving this mystery, perhaps I had solved

another, and the fate of my lost companion might be revealed in the shocking spectacle I had just witnessed. I

longed to have tom off the folds of cloth, and satisfied the awful doubts under which I laboured. But before I

had recovered from the consternation into which I had been thrown, the fatal packages were hoisted aloft and

once more swung over my head. The natives now gathered round me tumultuously, and laboured to convince

me that what I had just seen were the heads of three Happar warriors, who had been slain in battle. This

glaring falsehood added to my alarm, and it was not until I reflected that I had observed the packages

swinging from their elevation before Toby's disappearance, that I could at all recover my composure.

But although this horrible apprehension had been dispelled, I had discovered enough to fill me, in my present

state of mind, with the most bitter reflections. It was plain that I had seen the last relic of some unfortunate

wretch, who must have been massacred on the beach by the savages, in one of those perilous trading

It was not, however, alone the murder of the stranger that overcame me with gloom. I shuddered at the idea of

the subsequent fate his inanimate body might have met with. Was the same doom reserved for me? Was I

destined to perish like him like him, perhaps, to be devoured, and my head to be preserved as a fearful

memento of the event? My imagination ran riot in these horrid speculations, and I felt certain that the worst

possible evils would befall me. But whatever were my misgivings, I studiously concealed them from the

Although the assurances which the Typees had often given me, that they never ate human flesh, had not

convinced me that such was the case, yet, having been so long a time in the valley without witnessing

anything which indicated the existence of the practice, I began to hope that it was an event of very rare

occurrence, and that I should be spared the horror of witnessing it during my stay among them: but, alas!

It is a singular fact, that in all our accounts of cannibal tribes we have seldom received the testimony of an

eyewitness to the revolting practice. The horrible conclusion has almost always been derived either from the

secondhand evidence of Europeans, or else from the admissions of the savages themselves, after they have

in some degree become civilized. The Polynesians are aware of the detestation in which Europeans hold this

custom, and therefore invariably deny its existence, and, with the craft peculiar to savages, endeavour to

About a week after my discovery of the contents of the mysterious packages, I happened to be at the Ti, when

another waralarm was sounded, and the natives, rushing to their arms, sallied out to resist a second incursion

of the Happar invaders. The same scene was again repeated, only that on this occasion I heard at least fifteen

reports of muskets from the mountains during the time that the skirmish lasted. An hour or two after its

termination, loud paeans chanted through the valley announced the approach of the victors. I stood with

KoryKory leaning against the railing of the pipi, awaiting their advance, when a tumultuous crowd of

islanders emerged with wild clamours from the neighbouring groves. In the midst of them marched four men,

one preceding the other at regular intervals of eight or ten feet, with poles of a corresponding length,

extending from shoulder to shoulder, to which were lashed with thongs of bark three long narrow bundles,

carefully wrapped in ample coverings of freshly plucked palmleaves, tacked together with slivers of

bamboo. Here and there upon these green windingsheets might be seen the stains of blood, while the

warriors who carried the frightful burdens displayed upon their naked limbs similar sanguinary marks. The

shaven head of the foremost had a deep gash upon it, and the clotted gore which had flowed from the wound

remained in dry patches around it. The savage seemed to be sinking under the weight he bore. The bright

tattooing upon his body was covered with blood and dust; his inflamed eyes rolled in their sockets, and his

whole appearance denoted extraordinary suffering and exertion; yet, sustained by some powerful impulse, he

continued to advance, while the throng around him with wild cheers sought to encourage him. The other three

men were marked about the arms and breasts with several slight wounds, which they somewhat ostentatiously

These four individuals, having been the most active in the late encounter, claimed the honour of bearing the

bodies of their slain enemies to the Ti. Such was the conclusion I drew from my own observations, and, as far

The royal Mehevi walked by the side of these heroes. He carried in one hand a musket, from the barrel of

which was suspended a small canvas pouch of powder, and in the other he grasped a short javelin, which he

held before him and regarded with fierce exultation. This javelin he had wrested from a celebrated champion

of the Happars, who had ignominiously fled, and was pursued by his foes beyond the summit of the

When within a short distance of the Ti, the warrior with the wounded head, who proved to be Narmonee,

tottered forward two or three steps, and fell helplessly to the ground; but not before another had caught the

The excited throng of islanders, who surrounded the person of the king and the dead bodies of the enemy,

approached the spot where I stood, brandishing their rude implements of warfare, many of which were

bruised and broken, and uttering continual shouts of triumph. When the crowd drew up opposite the Ti, I set

myself to watch their proceedings most attentively; but scarcely had they halted when my servitor, who had

left my side for an instant, touched my arm, and proposed our returning to Marheyo's house. To this I

objected; but, to my surprise, KoryKory reiterated his request, and with an unusual vehemence of manner.

Still, however, I refused to comply, and was retreating before him, as in his importunity he pressed upon me,

when I felt a heavy hand laid upon my shoulder, and turning round, encountered the bulky form of

MowMow, a oneeyed chief, who had just detached himself from the crowd below, and had mounted the

rear of the pipi upon which we stood. His cheek had been pierced by the point of a spear, and the wound

imparted a still more frightful expression to his hideously tattooed face, already deformed by the loss of an

eye. The warrior, without uttering a syllable, pointed fiercely in the direction of Marheyo's house, while

I declined this offer, but intimated my willingness to withdraw, and moved slowly along the piazza,

wondering what could be the cause of this unusual treatment. A few minutes' consideration convinced me

that the savages were about to celebrate some hideous rite in connexion with their peculiar customs, and at

which they were determined I should not be present. I descended from the pipi, and attended by KoryKory,

who on this occasion did not show his usual commiseration for my lameness, but seemed only anxious to

hurry me on, walked away from the place. As I passed through the noisy throng, which by this time

completely environed the Ti, I looked with fearful curiosity at the three packages, which now were deposited

upon the ground; but although I had no doubt as to their contents, still their thick coverings prevented my

The next morning, shortly after sunrise, the same thundering sounds which had awakened me from sleep on

the second day of the Feast of Calabashes, assured me that the savages were on the eve of celebrating

All the inmates of the house, with the exception of Marheyo, his son, and Tinor, after assuming their gala

Although I did not anticipate a compliance with my request, still, with a view of testing the truth of my

suspicions, I proposed to KoryKory that, according to our usual custom in the morning, we should take a

stroll to the Ti: he positively refused; and when I renewed the request, he evinced his determination to

prevent my going there; and, to divert my mind from the subject, he offered to accompany me to the stream.

We accordingly went, and bathed. On our coming back to the house, I was surprised to find that all its

inmates had returned, and were lounging upon the mats as usual, although the drums still sounded from the

The rest of the day I spent with KoryKory and Fayaway, wandering about a part of the valley situated in an

opposite direction from the Ti, and whenever I so much as looked towards that building, although it was

hidden from view by intervening trees, and at the distance of more than a mile, my attendant would exclaim,

At the various houses where we stopped, I found many of the inhabitants reclining at their ease, or pursuing

some light occupation, as if nothing unusual were going forward; but amongst them all I did not perceive a

single chief or warrior. When I asked several of the people why they were not at the "Hoolah Hoolah" (the

feast), they uniformly answered the question in a manner which implied that it was not intended for them, but

for Mehevi, Narmonee, MowMow, Kolor, Womonoo, Kalow, running over, in their desire to make me

Everything, in short, strengthened my suspicions with regard to the nature of the festival they were now

celebrating; and which amounted almost to a certainty. While in Nukuheva I had frequently been informed

that the whole tribe were never present at these cannibal banquets, but the chiefs and priests only; and

The sound of the drums continued without intermission the whole day, and falling continually upon my ear,

caused me a sensation of horror which I am unable to describe. On the following day, hearing none of those

noisy indications of revelry, I concluded that the inhuman feast was terminated, and feeling a kind of morbid

curiosity to discover whether the Ti might furnish any evidence of what had taken place there, I proposed to

KoryKory to walk there. To this proposition he replied by pointing with his finger to the newlyrisen sun,

and then up to the zenith, intimating that our visit must be deferred until noon. Shortly after that hour we

accordingly proceeded to the Taboo Groves, and as soon as we entered their precincts, I looked fearfully

round in quest of some memorial of the scene which had so lately been acted there; but everything appeared

as usual. On reaching the Ti, we found Mehevi and a few chiefs reclining on the mats, who gave me as

friendly a reception as ever. No allusions of any kind were made by them to the recent events; and I refrained,

After staying a short time, I took my leave. In passing along the piazza, previously to descending from the

pipi, I observed a curiously carved vessel of wood, of considerable size, with a cover placed over it, of the

same material, and which resembled in shape a small canoe. It was surrounded by a low railing of bamboos,

the top of which was scarcely a foot from the ground. As the vessel had been placed in its present position

since my last visit, I at once concluded that it must have some connexion with the recent festival; and,

prompted by a curiosity I could not repress, in passing it I raised one end of the cover; at the same moment

the chiefs, perceiving my design, loudly ejaculated, "Taboo! taboo!" But the slight glimpse sufficed; my eyes

fell upon the disordered members of a human skeleton, the bones still fresh with moisture, and with particles

KoryKory, who had been a little in advance of me, attracted by the exclamations of the chiefs, turned round

in time to witness the expression of horror on my countenance. He now hurried towards me, pointing at the

same time to the canoe, and exclaiming, rapidly, "Puarkee! puarkee!" (Pig, pig). I pretended to yield to the

deception, and repeated the words after him several times, as though acquiescing in what he said. The other

savages, either deceived by my conduct, or unwilling to manifest their displeasure at what could not now be

remedied, took no further notice of the occurrence, and I immediately left the Ti.

All that night I lay awake, revolving in my mind the fearful situation in which I was placed. The last horrid

revelation had now been made, and the full sense of my condition rushed upon my mind with a force I had

Where, thought I, desponding, is there the slightest prospect of escape? The only person who seemed to

possess the ability to assist me was the stranger, Marnoo; but would he ever return to the valley? and if he

did, should I be permitted to hold any communication with him? It seemed as if I were cut off from every

source of hope, and that nothing remained but passively to await whatever fate was in store for me. A

thousand times I endeavoured to account for the mysterious conduct of the natives. For what conceivable

purpose did they thus retain me a captive? What could be their object in treating me with such apparent

kindness, and did it not cover some treacherous scheme? Or, if they had no other design than to hold me a

prisoner, how should I be able to pass away my days in this narrow valley, deprived of all intercourse with

One only hope remained to me. The French could not long defer a visit to the bay, and if they should

permanently locate any of their troops in the valley, the savages could not for any length of time conceal my

existence from them. But what reason had I to suppose that I should be spared until such an event occurred

"MARNOO, Marnoo pemi!" Such were the welcome sounds which fell upon my ear some ten days after the

event related in the preceding chapter. Once more the approach of the stranger was heralded, and the

intelligence operated upon me like magic. Again I should be able to converse with him in my own language;

and I resolved, at all hazards, to concert with him some scheme, however desperate, to rescue me from a

As he drew near, I remembered with many misgivings the inauspicious termination of our former interview;

and when he entered the house, I watched with intense anxiety the reception he met with from its inmates. To

my joy, his appearance was hailed with the liveliest pleasure; and accosting me kindly, he seated himself by

my side, and entered into conversation with the natives around him. It soon appeared, however, that on this

occasion he had not any intelligence of importance to communicate. I inquired of him from whence he had

last come? He replied, from Pueearka, his native valley, and that he intended to return to it the same day.

At once it struck me that, could I but reach that valley under his protection, I might easily from thence reach

Nukuheva by water; and, animated by the prospect which this plan held out, I disclosed it in a few brief

words to the stranger, and asked him how it could be best accomplished. My heart sank within me when, in

his broken English, he answered me that it could never be effected. "Kannaka no let you go nowhere," he

said, "you taboo. Why you no like to stay? Plenty moeemoee (sleep) plenty kiki (eat) plenty whihenee

(young girls). Oh, very good place, Typee! Suppose you no like this bay, why you come? You no hear about

These words distressed me beyond belief; and when I again related to him the circumstances under which I

had descended into the valley, and sought to enlist his sympathies in my behalf, by appealing to the bodily

misery I endured, he listened to me with impatience, and cut me short by exclaiming, passionately, "Me no

hear you talk any more; by Kannaka get mad, kill you and me too. No, you see he no want you to speak to me

at all? you see ah! by by you no mind you get well, he kill you, eat you, hang your head up there, like

Happar Kannaka. Now you listen but no talk any more. By by I go; you see way I go. Ah! then some night

Kannaka all moeemoee (sleep) you run away you come Pueearka. I speak Pueearka Kannaka he no

harm you ah! then I take you my canoe Nukuheva, and you no run away ship no more." With these words,

enforced by a vehemence of gesture I cannot describe, Marnoo started from my side, and immediately

It would have been idle for me to have attempted resuming the interview so peremptorily terminated by

Marnoo, who was evidently little disposed to compromise his own safety by any rash endeavours to ensure

mine. But the plan he had suggested struck me as one which might possibly be accomplished, and I resolved

Accordingly, when he arose to depart, I accompanied him, with the natives, outside of the house, with a view

of carefully noting the path he would take in leaving the valley. Just before leaping from the pipi, he clasped

my hand, and, looking significantly at me, exclaimed, "Now you see you do what I tell you ah! then you

do good; you no do so ah! then you die." The next moment he waved his spear in adieu to the islanders,

and, following the route that conducted to a defile in the mountains lying opposite the Happar side, was soon

A mode of escape was now presented to me; but how was I to avail myself of it? I was continually

surrounded by the savages; I could not stir from one house to another without being attended by some of

them; and even during the hours devoted to slumber, the slightest movement which I made seemed to attract

the notice of those who shared the mats with me. In spite of these obstacles, however, I determined forthwith

to make the attempt. To do so with any prospect of success, it was necessary that I should have at least two

hours' start before the islanders should discover my absence; for with such facility was any alarm spread

through the valley, and so familiar, of course, were the inhabitants with the intricacies of the groves, that I

could not hope, lame and feeble as I was, and ignorant of the route, to secure my escape unless I had this

advantage. It was also by night alone that I could hope to accomplish my object, and then only by adopting

The entrance to Marheyo's habitation was through a low narrow opening in its wickerwork front. This

passage, for no conceivable reason that I could devise, was always closed after the household had retired to

rest, by drawing a heavy slide across it, composed of a dozen or more bits of wood, ingeniously fastened

together by seizings of sinnate. When any of the inmates chose to go outside, the noise occasioned by the

removing of this rude door awakened everybody else; and on more than one occasion I had remarked that the

islanders were nearly as irritable as more civilized beings under similar circumstances.

The difficulty thus placed in my way I determined to obviate in the following manner. I would get up boldly

in the course of the night, and, drawing the slide, issue from the house, and pretend that my object was

merely to procure a drink from the calabash, which always stood without the dwelling on the corner of the

pipi. On reentering I would purposely omit closing the passage after me, and trusting that the indolence of

the savages would prevent them from repairing my neglect, would return to my mat, and waiting patiently

until all were again asleep, I would then steal forth, and at once take the route to Pueearka.

The very night which followed Marnoo's departure, I proceeded to put this project into execution. About

midnight, as I imagined, I arose and drew the slide. The natives, just as I had expected, started up, while some

of them asked, "Arware poo awa, Tommo?" (where are you going, Tommo?) "Wai," (water,) I laconically

answered, grasping the calabash. On hearing my reply they sank back again, and in a minute or two I returned

One after another the savages, turning restlessly, appeared to resume their slumbers, and, rejoicing at the

stillness which prevailed, I was about to rise again from my couch, when I heard a slight rustling a dark

form was intercepted between me and the doorway the slide was drawn across it, and the individual,

whoever he was, returned to his mat. This was a sad blow to me; but as it might have aroused the suspicions

of the islanders to have made another attempt that night, I was reluctantly obliged to defer it until the next.

Several times after I repeated the same manoeuvre, but with as little success as before. As my pretence for

withdrawing from the house was to allay my thirst, KoryKory, either suspecting some design on my part, or

else prompted by a desire to please me, regularly every evening placed a calabash of water by my side.

Even under these inauspicious circumstances I again and again renewed the attempt; but when I did so, my

valet always rose with me, as if determined I should not remove myself from his observation. For the present,

therefore, I was obliged to abandon the attempt; but I endeavoured to console myself with the idea, that by

Shortly after Marnoo's visit I was reduced to such a state, that it was with extreme difficulty I could walk,

even with the assistance of a spear, and KoryKory, as formerly, was obliged to carry me daily to the stream.

For hours and hours, during the warmest part of the day, I lay upon my mat, and while those around me were

nearly all dozing away in careless ease, I remained awake, gloomily pondering over the fate which it

appeared now idle for me to resist. When I thought of the loved friends who were thousands and thousands of

miles from the savage island in which I was held a captive when I reflected that my dreadful fate would for

ever be concealed from them, and that, with hope deferred, they might continue to await my return long after

my inanimate form had blended with the dust of the valley, I could not repress a shudder of anguish.

How vividly is impressed upon my mind every minute feature of the scene which met my view during those

long days of suffering and sorrow. At my request my mats were always spread directly facing the door,

opposite which, and at a little distance, was the hut of boughs that Marheyo was building.

Whenever my gentle Fayaway and KoryKory, laying themselves down beside me, would leave me awhile

to uninterrupted repose, I took a strange interest in the slightest movements of the eccentric old warrior. All

alone, during the stillness of the tropical midday, he would pursue his quiet work, sitting in the shade and

weaving together the leaflets of his cocoanut branches, or rolling upon his knee the twisted fibres of bark to

form the cords with which he tied together the thatching of his tiny house. Frequently suspending his

employment, and noticing my melancholy eye fixed upon him, he would raise his hand with a gesture

expressive of deep commiseration, and then, moving towards me slowly, would enter on tiptoes, fearful of

disturbing the slumbering natives, and, taking the fan from my hand, would sit before me, swaying it gently

Just beyond the pipi, and disposed in a triangle before the entrance of the house, were three magnificent

breadfruit trees. At this moment I can recall to my mind their slender shafts, and the graceful inequalities of

their bark, on which my eyes were accustomed to dwell, day after day, in the midst of my solitary musings. It

is strange how inanimate objects will twine themselves into our affections, especially in the hour of affliction.

Even now, amidst all the bustle and stir of the proud and busy city in which I am dwelling, the image of those

three trees seems to come as vividly before my eyes as if they were actually present, and I still feel the

soothing quiet pleasure which I then had in watching, hour after hour, their topmost boughs waving

NEARLY three weeks had elapsed since the second visit of Marnoo, and it must have been more than four

months since I entered the valley, when one day, about noon, and whilst everything was in profound silence,

MowMow, the oneeyed chief, suddenly appeared at the door, and leaning forwards towards me as I lay

directly facing him, said, in a low tone, "Toby pemi ena," (Toby has arrived here.) Gracious heaven! What a

tumult of emotions rushed upon me at this startling intelligence! Insensible to the pain that had before

distracted me, I leaped to my feet, and called wildly to KoryKory, who was reposing by my side. The

startled islanders sprang from their mats; the news was quickly communicated to them; and the next moment

I was making my way to the Ti on the back of KoryKory, and surrounded by the excited savages.

All that I could comprehend of the particulars which MowMow rehearsed to his auditors as we proceeded,

was that my longlost companion had arrived in a boat which had just entered the bay. These tidings made

me most anxious to be carried at once to the sea, lest some untoward circumstance should prevent our

meeting; but to this they would not consent, and continued their course towards the royal abode. As we

approached it, Mehevi and several chiefs showed themselves from the piazza, and called upon us loudly to

As soon as we had approached, I endeavoured to make them understand that I was going down to the sea to

meet Toby. To this the king objected, and motioned KoryKory to bring me into the house. It was in vain to

resist; and in a few moments I found myself within the Ti, surrounded by a noisy group engaged in discussing

the recent intelligence. Toby's name was frequently repeated, coupled with violent exclamations of

astonishment. It seemed as if they yet remained in doubt with regard to the fact of his arrival, and at every

fresh report that was brought from the shore they betrayed the liveliest emotions.

Almost frenzied at being held in this state of suspense, I passionately besought Mehevi to permit me to

proceed. Whether my companion had arrived or not, I felt a presentiment that my own fate was about to be

decided. Again and again I renewed my petition to Mehevi. He regarded me with a fixed and serious eye, but

Accompanied by some fifty of the natives, I now rapidly continued my journey, every few moments being

transferred from the back of one to another, and urging my bearer forward all the while with earnest

entreaties. As I thus hurried forward, no doubt as to the truth of the information I had received ever crossed

my mind. I was alive only to the one overwhelming idea, that a chance of deliverance was now afforded me,

Having been prohibited from approaching the sea during the whole of my stay in the valley, I had always

associated with it the idea of escape. Toby, too if indeed he had ever voluntarily deserted me must have

effected his flight by the sea; and now that I was drawing near to it myself, I indulged in hopes which I had

never felt before. It was evident that a boat had entered the bay, and I saw little reason to doubt the truth of

the report that it had brought my companion. Every time, therefore, that we gained an elevation, I looked

In the midst of an excited throng, who by their violent gestures and wild cries appeared to be under the

influence of some excitement as strong as my own, I was now borne along at a rapid trot, frequently stooping

my head to avoid the branches which crossed the path, and never ceasing to implore those who carried me to

In this manner we had proceeded about four or five miles, when we were met by a party of some twenty

islanders, between whom and those who accompanied me ensued an animated conference. Impatient of the

delay occasioned by this interruption, I was beseeching the man who carried me to proceed without his

loitering companions, when KoryKory, running to my side, informed me, in three fatal words, that the news

had all proved false that Toby had not arrived "Toby owlee permi." Heaven only knows how, the state of

mind and body then was, I ever sustained the agony which this intelligence caused me; not that the news was

altogether unexpected, but I had trusted that the fact might not have been made known until we should have

arrived upon the beach. As it was, I at once foresaw the course the savages would pursue. They had only

yielded thus far to my entreaties, that I might give a joyful welcome to my longlost comrade; but now that it

My anticipations were but too correct. In spite of the resistance I made, they carried me into a house which

was near the spot, and left me upon the mats. Shortly afterwards, several of those who had accompanied me

from the Ti, detaching themselves from the others, proceeded in the direction of the sea. Those who

remained among whom were Marheyo, MowMow, KoryKory, and Tinor gathered about the dwelling,

This convinced me that strangers perhaps some of my own countrymen had for some cause or other

entered the bay. Distracted at the idea of their vicinity, and reckless of the pain which I suffered, I heeded not

the assurance of the islanders that there were no boats at the beach, but, starting to my feet, endeavoured to

gain the door. Instantly the passage was blocked up by several men, who commanded me to resume my seat.

The fierce looks of the irritated savages admonished me that I could gain nothing by force, and that it was by

Guided by this consideration, I turned to MowMow, the only chief present, whom I had been much in the

habit of seeing, and, carefully concealing my real design, tried to make him comprehend that I still believed

Toby to have arrived on the shore, and besought him to allow me to go forward to welcome him. To all his

repeated assertions that my companion had not been seen, I pretended to turn a deaf ear: while I urged my

solicitations with an eloquence of gesture which the oneeyed chief appeared unable to resist. He seemed,

indeed, to regard me as a froward child, to whose wishes he had not the heart to oppose force, and whom he

must consequently humour. He spoke a few words to the natives, who at once retreated from the door, and I

Here I looked earnestly round for KoryKory; but that hitherto faithful servitor was nowhere to be seen.

Unwilling to linger even for a single instant when every moment might be so important, I motioned to a

muscular fellow near me to take me upon his back: to my surprise he angrily refused. I turned to another, but

with a like result. A third attempt was as unsuccessful, and I immediately perceived what had induced

MowMow to grant my request, and why the other natives conducted themselves in so strange a manner. It

was evident that the chief had only given me liberty to continue my progress towards the sea, because he

Convinced by this of their determination to retain me a captive, I became desperate; and almost insensible to

the pain which I suffered, I seized a spear which was leaning against the projecting eaves of the house, and,

supporting myself with it, resumed the path that swept by the dwelling. To my surprise, I was suffered to

proceed alone, all the natives remaining in front of the house, and engaging in earnest conversation, which

every moment became more loud and vehement; and, to my unspeakable delight, I perceived that some

difference of opinion had arisen between them; that two parties, in short, were formed, and consequently that,

Before I had proceeded a hundred yards I was again surrounded by the savages, who were still in all the heat

of argument, and appeared every moment as if they would come to blows. In the midst of this tumult old

Marheyo came to my side, and I shall never forget the benevolent expression of his countenance. He placed

his arm upon my shoulder, and emphatically pronounced one expressive English word I had taught him

"Home." I at once understood what he meant, and eagerly expressed my thanks to him. Fayaway and

KoryKory were by his side, both weeping violently; and it was not until the old man had twice repeated the

command that his son could bring himself to obey him, and take me again upon his back. The oneeyed chief

opposed his doing so, but he was overruled, and, as it seemed to me, by some of his own party.

We proceeded onwards, and never shall I forget the ecstasy I felt when I first heard the roar of the surf

breaking upon the beach. Before long, I saw the flashing billows themselves through the opening between the

trees. Oh! glorious sight and sound of ocean! with what rapture did I hall you as familiar friends. By this time

the shouts of the crowd upon the beach were distinctly audible, and in the blended confusion of sounds I

When we reached the open space which lay between the groves and the sea, the first object that met my view

was an English whaleboat, lying with her bow pointed from the shore, and only a few fathoms distant from

it. It was manned by five islanders, dressed in short tunics of calico. My first impression was, that they were

in the very act of pulling out from the bay; and that, after all my exertions, I had come too late. My soul sank

within me: but a second glance convinced me that the boat was only hanging off to keep out of the surf; and

the next moment I heard my own name shouted out by a voice from the midst of the crowd.

Looking in the direction of the sound, I perceived, to my indescribable joy, the tall figure of Karakoee, an

Oahu Kannaka, who had often been aboard the Dolly while she lay in Nukuheva. He wore the green

shootingjacket, with gilt buttons, which had been given to him by an officer of the Reine Blanche the

French flagship and in which I had always seen him dressed. I now remembered the Kannaka had

frequently told me that his person was tabooed in all the valleys of the island, and the sight of him at such a

Karakoee stood near the edge of the water with a large roll of cottoncloth thrown over one arm, and holding

two or three canvas bags of powder, while with the other hand he grasped a musket, which he appeared to be

proffering to several of the chiefs around him. But they turned with disgust from his offers, and seemed to be

impatient at his presence, with vehement gestures waving him off to his boat, and commanding him to depart.

The Kannaka, however, still maintained his ground, and I at once perceived that he was seeking to purchase

my freedom. Animated by the idea, I called upon him loudly to come to me; but he replied, in broken

English, that the islanders had threatened to pierce him with their spears, if he stirred a foot towards me. At

this time I was still advancing, surrounded by a dense throng of the natives, several of whom had their hands

upon me, and more than one javelin was threateningly pointed at me. Still I perceived clearly that many of

I was still some thirty yards from Karakoee, when my further progress was prevented by the natives, who

compelled me to sit down upon the ground, while they still retained their hold upon my arms. The din and

tumult now became tenfold, and I perceived that several of the priests were on the spot, all of whom were

evidently urging MowMow and the other chiefs to prevent my departure; and the detestable word

"Roone! Roone!" which I had heard repeated a thousand times during the day, was now shouted out on

every side of me. Still I saw that the Kannaka continued his exertions in my favour that he was boldly

debating the matter with the savages, and was striving to entice them by displaying his cloth and powder, and

snapping the lock of his musket. But all he said or did appeared only to augment the clamours of those

When I remembered the extravagant value placed by these people upon the articles which were offered to

them in exchange for me, and which were so indignantly rejected, I saw a new proof of the same fixed

determination of purpose they had all along manifested with regard to me, and in despair, and reckless of

consequences, I exerted all my strength, and, shaking myself free from the grasp of those who held me, I

The rash attempt nearly decided my fate! for, fearful that I might slip from them, several of the islanders now

raised a simultaneous shout, and pressing upon Karakoee, they menaced him with furious gestures, and

actually forced him into the sea. Appalled at their violence, the poor fellow, standing nearly to the waist in

the surf, endeavoured to pacify them; but at length, fearful that they would do to pacify him some fatal

violence, he beckoned to his comrades to pull in at once, and take him into the boat.

It was at this agonizing moment, when I thought all hope was ended, that a new contest arose between the

two parties who had accompanied me to the shore; blows were struck, wounds were given, and blood flowed.

In the interest excited by the fray, every one had left me except Marheyo, KoryKory, and poor dear

Fayaway, who clung to me, sobbing convulsively. I saw that now or never was the moment. Clasping my

hands together, I looked imploringly at Marheyo, and moved towards the now almost deserted beach. The

tears were in the old man's eyes, but neither he nor KoryKory attempted to hold me, and I soon reached the

Kannaka, who had anxiously watched my movements; the rowers pulled in as near as they dared to the edge

of the surf; I gave one parting embrace to Fayaway, who seemed speechless with sorrow, and the next instant

I found myself safe in the boat, and Karakoee by my side, who told the rowers at once to give way. Marheyo

and KoryKory, and a great many of the women, followed me into the water, and I was determined, as the

only mark of gratitude I could show, to give them the articles which had been brought as my ransom. I

handed the musket to KoryKory, in doing which he would fain have taken hold of me, threw the roll of

cotton to old Marheyo, pointing as I did so to poor Fayaway, who had retired from the edge of the water, and

was sitting down disconsolate on the beach, and tumbled the powderbags out to the nearest young ladies, all

of whom were vastly willing to take them. This distribution did not occupy ten seconds, and before it was

over the boat was under full way, the Kannaka all the while exclaiming loudly against what he considered a

Although it was clear that my movements had been noticed by several of the natives, still they had not

suspended the conflict in which they were engaged, and it was not the boat was above fifty yards from the

shore, that MowMow and some six or seven other warriors rushed into the sea and hurled their javelins at

us. Some of the weapons passed quite as close to us as was desirable, but no one was wounded, and the men

pulled away gallantly. But although soon out of the reach of the spears, our progress was extremely slow; it

blew strong upon the shore, and the tide was against us; and I saw Karakoee, who was steering the boat, give

For a minute or two after our departure, the savages, who had formed into different groups, remained

perfectly motionless and silent. All at once the enraged chief showed by his gestures that he had resolved

what course he would take. Shouting loudly to his companions, and pointing with his tomahawk towards the

headland, he set off at full speed in that direction, and was followed by about thirty of the natives, among

whom were several of the priests, all yelling out, "Roone! Roone!" at the very top of their voices. Their

intention was evidently to swim off from the headland and intercept us in our course. The wind was

freshening every minute, and was right in our teeth, and it was one of those chopping, angry seas, in which it

is so difficult to row. Still the chances seemed in our favour, but when we came within a hundred yards of the

point, the active savages were already dashing into the water, and we all feared that within five minutes' time

we should have a score of the infuriated wretches around us. If so our doom was sealed, for these savages,

unlike the feeble swimmers of civilized countries, are, if anything, more formidable antagonists in the water

than when on the land. It was all a trial of strength; our natives pulled till their oars bent again, and the crowd

of swimmers shot through the water, despite its roughness, with fearful rapidity.

By the time we had reached the headland, the savages were spread right across our course. Our rowers got out

their knives and held them ready between their teeth, and I seized the boathook. We were all aware that if

they succeeded in intercepting us, they would practise upon us the manoeuvre which has proved so fatal to

many a boat's crew in these seas. They would grapple the oars, and, seizing hold of the gunwale, capsize the

After a few breathless moments I discerned MowMow. The athletic islander, with his tomahawk between

his teeth, was dashing the water before him till it foamed again. He was the nearest to us, and in another

instant he would have seized one of the oars. Even at the moment I felt the horror at the act I was about to

commit; but it was no time for pity or compunction, and with a true aim, and exerting all my strength, I

dashed the boathook at him. I struck him just below the throat, and forced him downwards. I had no time to

repeat the blow, but I saw him rise to the surface in the wake of the boat, and never shall I forget the

Only one other of the savages reached the boat. He seized the gunwale, but the knives of our rowers so

mauled his wrists that he was forced to quit his hold, and the next minute we were past them all, and in

safety. The strong excitement which had thus far kept me up, now left me, and I fell back fainting into the

The circumstances connected with my most unexpected escape may be very briefly stated. The captain of an

Australian vessel being in distress for men in these remote seas, had put into Nukuheva in order to recruit his

ship's company, but not a single man was to be obtained; and the barque was about to get under weigh, when

she was boarded by Karakoee, who informed the disappointed Englishman that an American sailor was

detained by the savages in the neighbouring bay of Typee; and he offered, if supplied with suitable articles of

traffic, to undertake his release. The Kannaka had gained his intelligence from Marnoo, to whom, after all, I

was indebted for my escape. The proposition was acceded to; and Karakoee, taking with him five tabooed

natives of Nukuheva, again repaired aboard the barque, which in a few hours sailed to that part of the island,

and threw her maintopsail aback right off the entrance to the Typee bay. The whaleboat, manned by the

tabooed crew, pulled towards the head of the inlet, while the ship lay "off and on" awaiting its return.

The events which ensued have already been detailed, and little more remains to be related. On reaching the

Julia, I was lifted over the side, and my strange appearance, and remarkable adventure, occasioned the

liveliest interest. Every attention was bestowed upon me that humanity could suggest; but to such a state was

The mystery which hung over the fate of my friend and companion, Toby, has never been cleared up. I still

remain ignorant whether he succeeded in leaving the valley, or perished at the hands of the islanders.

NOTE The Author of "Typee" was more than two years in the South Seas, after escaping from the valley, as

recounted in the last chapter. Some time after returning home the foregoing narrative was published, though it

was little thought at the time that this would be the means of revealing the existence of Toby, who had long

been given up for lost. But so it proved. The story of his escape supplies a natural sequel to the adventure,

and as such it is now added to the volume. It was related to the Author by Toby himself.

THE MORNING my comrade left me, as related in the narrative, he was accompanied by a large party of the

natives, some of them carrying fruit and hogs for the purposes of traffic, as the report had spread that boats

As they proceeded through the settled parts of the valley, numbers joined them from every side, running with

animated cries from every pathway. So excited were the whole party, that, eager as Toby was to gain the

beach, it was almost as much as he could do to keep up with them. Making the valley ring with their shouts,

they hurried along on a swift trot, those in advance pausing now and then, and flourishing their weapons to

Presently they came to a place where the path crossed a bend of the main stream of the valley. Here a strange

sound came through the grove beyond, and the islanders halted. It was MowMow, the oneeyed chief, who

had gone on before; he was striking his heavy lance against the hollow bough of a tree.

This was a signal of alarm; for nothing was now heard but shouts of "Happar! Happar!" the warriors tilting

with their spears and brandishing them in the air, and the women and boys shouting to each other, and

picking up the stones in the bed of the stream. In a moment or two MowMow and two or three other chiefs

Now, thought Toby, for a fray; and being unarmed, he besought one of the young men domiciled with

Marheyo for the loan of his spear. But he was refused; the youth roguishly telling him, that the weapon was

very good for him (the Typee), but that a white man could fight much better with his fists.

The merry humour of this young wag seemed to be shared by the rest, for in spite of their warlike cries and

gestures, everybody was capering about and laughing, as if it was one of the funniest things in the world to be

awaiting the flight of a score or two of Happar javelins from an ambush in the thickets.

While my comrade was in vain trying to make out the meaning of all this, a good number of the natives

separated themselves from the rest and ran off into the grove on one side, the others now keeping perfectly

still, as if awaiting the result. After a little while, however, MowMow, who stood in advance, motioned

them to come on stealthily, which they did, scarcely rustling a leaf. Thus they crept along for ten or fifteen

Toby by no means relished this sort of skulking; if there was going to be a fight he wanted it to begin at once.

But all in good time, for just then, as they went prowling into the thickest of the wood, terrific howls burst

upon them on all sides, and volleys of darts and stones flew across the path. Not an enemy was to be seen,

and what was still more surprising, not a single man dropped, though the pebbles fell among the leaves like

There was a moment's pause, when the Typees, with wild shrieks, flung themselves into the covert, spear in

hand; nor was Toby behindhand. Coming so near getting his skull broken by the stones, and animated by an

old grudge he bore the Happars, he was among the first to dash at them. As he broke his way through the

underbrush, trying, as he did so, to wrest a spear from a young chief, the shouts of battle all of a sudden

ceased, and the wood was as still as death. The next moment, the party who had left them so mysteriously

rushed out from behind every bush and tree, and united with the rest in long and merry peals of laughter.

It was all a sham, and Toby, who was quite out of breath with excitement, was much incensed at being made

It afterwards turned out that the whole affair had been concerted for his particular benefit, though with what

precise view it would be hard to tell. My comrade was the more enraged at this boys' play, since it had

consumed so much time, every moment of which might be precious. Perhaps, however, it was partly intended

for this very purpose; and he was led to think so, because, when the natives started again, he observed that

they did not seem to be in so great a hurry as before. At last, after they had gone some distance, Toby,

thinking all the while that they never would get to the sea, two men came running towards them, and a

regular halt ensued, followed by a noisy discussion, during which Toby's name was often repeated. All this

made him more and more anxious to learn what was going on at the beach; but it was in vain that he now

In a few moments the conference ended, and many of them ran down the path in the direction of the water,

the rest surrounding Toby, and entreating him to "Moee," or sit down and rest himself. As an additional

inducement, several calabashes of food, which had been brought along, were now placed on the ground, and

opened, and pipes also were lighted. Toby bridled his impatience awhile, but at last sprang to his feet and

dashed forward again. He was soon overtaken nevertheless, and again surrounded, but without further

They came out upon a bright green space between the groves and the water, and close under the shadow of

the Happar mountain, where a path was seen, winding out of sight through a gorge.

No sign of a boat, however, was beheld; nothing but a tumultuous crowd of men and women, and some one

in their midst, earnestly talking to them. As my comrade advanced, this person came forward, and proved to

be no stranger. He was an old grizzled sailor, whom Toby and myself had frequently seen in Nukuheva,

where he lived an easy, devilmaycare life, in the household of Mowanna the king, going by the name of

"Jimmy." In fact, he was the royal favourite, and had a good deal to say in his master's councils. He wore a

Manilla hat, and a sort of tappa morning gown, sufficiently loose and negligent to show the verse of a song

tattooed upon his chest, and a variety of spirited cuts by native artists in other parts of his body. He sported a

This old rover having retired from active life, had resided in Nukuheva some time he could speak the

language, and for that reason was frequently employed by the French as an interpreter. He was an arrant old

gossip, too; for ever coming off in his canoe to the ships in the bay, and regaling their crews with choice little

morsels of court scandal such, for instance, as a shameful intrigue of his majesty with a Happar damsel, a

public dancer at the feasts and otherwise relating some incredible tales about the Marquesas generally. I

remember, in particular, his telling the Dolly's crew what proved to be literally a cockandbull story, about

two natural prodigies, which he said were then on the island. One was an old monster of a hermit, having a

marvellous reputation for sanctity, and reputed a famous sorcerer, who lived away off in a den among the

mountains, where he hid from the world a great pair of horns that grew out of his temples. Notwithstanding

his reputation for piety, this horrid old fellow was the terror of all the island round, being reported to come

out from his retreat, and go a manhunting every dark night. Some anonymous Paul Pry, too, coming down

the mountain, once got a peep at his den, and found it full of bones. In short, he was a most unheardof

The other prodigy Jimmy told us about, was the younger son of a chief, who, although but just turned of ten,

had entered upon holy orders, because his superstitious countrymen thought him especially intended for the

priesthood, from the fact of his having a comb on his head like a rooster. But this was not all: for, still more

wonderful to relate, the boy prided himself upon this strange crest, being actually endowed with a cock's

But to return to Toby. The moment he saw the old rover on the beach, he ran up to him, the natives following

After welcoming him to the shore, Jimmy went on to tell him how that he knew all about our having run

away from the ship, and being among the Typees; indeed, he had been urged by Mowanna to come over to

the valley, and, after visiting his friends there, to bring us back with him, his royal master being exceedingly

anxious to share with him the reward which had been held out for our capture. He, however, assured Toby

All this astonished my comrade not a little, as neither of us had entertained the least idea that any white man

ever visited the Typees sociably. But Jimmy told him that such was the case, nevertheless, although he

seldom came into the bay, and scarcely ever went back from the beach. One of the priests of the valley, in

some way or other connected with an old tattooed divine in Nukuheva, was a friend of his, and through him

He said, moreover, that he was sometimes employed to come round to the bay, and engage fruit for ships

lying in Nukuheva. In fact, he was now on that very errand, according to his own account, having just come

across the mountains by the way of Happar. By noon of the next day, the fruit would be heaped up in stacks

on the beach, in readiness for the boats, which he then intended to bring into the bay.

Jimmy now asked Toby whether he wished to leave the island if he did, there was a ship in want of men,

lying in the other harbour, and he would be glad to take him over, and see him on board that very day.

"No," said Toby; "I cannot leave the island, unless my comrade goes with me. I left him up the valley

"But how is he to cross the mountain with us," replied Jimmy, "even if we get him down to the beach? Better

let him stay till tomorrow, and I will bring him round to Nukuheva in the boats."

"That will never do," said Toby; "but come along with me now, and let us get him down here at any rate";

and yielding to the impulse of the moment, he started to hurry back into the valley. But hardly was his back

turned, when a dozen hands were laid on him, and he learned that he could not go a step farther.

It was in vain that he fought with them; they would not hear of his stirring from the beach. Cut to the heart at

this unexpected repulse, Toby now conjured the sailor to go after me alone. But Jimmy replied, that in the

mood the Typees then were, they would not permit him so to do, though, at the same time, he was not afraid

Little did Toby then think, as he afterwards had good reason to suspect, that this very Jimmy was a heartless

villain, who, by his arts, had just incited the natives to restrain him, as he was in the act of going after me.

Well must the old sailor have known, too, that the natives would never consent to our leaving together; and

he therefore wanted to get Toby off alone, for a purpose which he afterwards made plain. Of all this,

He was still struggling with the islanders, when Jimmy again came up to him, and warned him against

irritating them, saying that he was only making matters worse for both of us, and if they became enraged,

there was no telling what might happen. At last he made Toby sit down on a broken canoe, by a pile of

stones, upon which was a ruinous little shrine, supported by four upright paddles, and in front partly screened

by a net. The fishing parties met there, when they came in from the sea, for their offerings were laid before an

image, upon a smooth black stone within. This spot, Jimmy said, was strictly "taboo," and no one would

molest or come near him while he stayed by its shadow. The old sailor then went off, and began speaking

very earnestly to MowMow and some other chiefs, while all the rest formed a circle round the taboo place,

Now, notwithstanding what Jimmy had just told him, there presently came up to my comrade an old woman,

She then asked him whether he was going to Nukuheva; he nodded yes; and with a plaintive wail, and her

This old woman, the sailor afterwards said, was the wife of an aged king of a small inland valley,

communicating by a deep pass with the country of the Typees. The inmates of the two valleys were related to

each other by blood, and were known by the same name. The old woman had gone down into the Typee

valley the day before, and was now, with three chiefs, her sons, on a visit to her kinsmen.

As the old king's wife left him, Jimmy again came up to Toby, and told him that he had just talked the whole

matter over with the natives, and there was only one course for him to follow. They would not allow him to

go back into the valley, and harm would certainly come to both him and me, if he remained much longer on

the beach. "So," said he, "you and I had better go to Nukuheva now overland, and tomorrow I will bring

Tommo, as they call him, by water; they have promised to carry him down to the sea for me early in the

"No, no," said Toby desperately, "I will not leave him that way; we must escape together."

"There is no hope for you," exclaimed the sailor, "for if I leave you here on the beach, as soon as I am gone

you will be carried back into the valley, and then neither of you will ever look upon the sea again." And with

many oaths he swore that if he would only go to Nukuheva with him that day, he would be sure to have me

"But how do you know they will bring him down to the beach tomorrow, when they will not do so today?"

said Toby. But the sailor had many reasons, all of which were so mixed up with the mysterious customs of

the islanders, that he was none the wiser. Indeed, their conduct, especially in preventing him from returning

into the valley, was absolutely unaccountable to him; and added to everything else was the bitter reflection,

that the old sailor, after all, might possibly be deceiving him. And then again he had to think of me, left alone

with the natives, and by no means well. If he went with Jimmy, he might at least hope to procure some relief

for me. But might not the savages who had acted so strangely, hurry me off somewhere before his return?

Then, even he remained, perhaps they would not let him go back into the valley where I was.

Thus perplexed was my poor comrade; he knew not what to do, and his courageous spirit was of no use to

him now. There he was, all by himself, seated upon the broken canoe the natives grouped around him at a

"It is getting late," said Jimmy, who was standing behind the rest. "Nukuheva is far off, and I cannot cross the

Happar country by night. You see how it is: if you come along with me, all will be well; if you do not,

"There is no help for it," said Toby, at last, with a heavy heart, "I will have to trust you"; and he came out

"Now keep close to my side," said the sailor, "and let us be moving quickly." Tinor and Fayaway here

appeared; the kindhearted old woman embracing Toby's knees, giving way to a flood of tears; while

Fayaway, hardly less moved, spoke some few words of English she had learned, and held up three fingers

At last Jimmy pulled Toby out of the crowd, and after calling to a young Typee who was standing by with a

"I have told them that you are coming back again," said the old fellow, laughing, as they began the ascent,

"but they'll have to wait a long time." Toby turned, and saw the natives all in motion the girls waving their

tappas in adieu, and the men their spears. As the last figure entered the grove with one arm raised, and the

As the natives had at last consented to his going, it might have been, that some of them, at least, really

counted upon his speedy return; probably supposing, as indeed he had told them when they were coming

down the valley, that his only object in leaving them was to procure the medicines I needed. This, Jimmy also

must have told them. And as they had done before, when my comrade, to oblige me, started on his perilous

journey to Nukuheva, they looked upon me, in his absence, as one of two inseparable friends who was a sure

guarantee for the other's return. This is only my own supposition, however, for as to all their strange conduct,

"You see what sort of a taboo man I am," said the sailor, after for some time silently following the path which

led up the mountain. "MowMow made me a present of this pig here, and the man who carries it will go right

through Happar, and down into Nukuheva with us. So long as he stays by me he is safe, and just so it will be

with you, and tomorrow with Tommo. Cheer up, then, and rely upon me, you will see him in the morning."

The ascent of the mountain was not very difficult, owing to its being near to the sea, where the island ridges

are comparatively low; the path, too, was a fine one, so that in a short time all three were standing on the

summit with the two valleys at their feet. The white cascades marking the green head of the Typee valley first

As Jimmy led the way along the ridge, Toby observed that the valley of the Happars did not extend near so

far inland as that of the Typees. This accounted for our mistake in entering the latter valley as we had.

A path leading down from the mountain was soon seen, and following it, the party were in a short time fairly

"Now," said Jimmy, as they hurried on, "we taboo men have wives in all the bays, and I am going to show

So, when they came to the house where he said they lived which was close by the base of the mountain, in a

shady nook among the groves, he went in, and was quite furious at finding it empty the ladies had gone

out. However, they soon made their appearance, and, to tell the truth, welcomed Jimmy quite cordially, as

well as Toby, about whom they were very inquisitive. Nevertheless, as the report of their arrival spread, and

the Happars began to assemble, it became evident that the appearance of a white stranger among them was

The old sailor now bade his wives prepare something to eat, as he must be in Nukuheva before dark. A meal

of fish, breadfruit, and bananas, was accordingly served up, the party regaling themselves on the mats, in the

The Happars put many questions to Jimmy about Toby; and Toby himself looked sharply at them, anxious to

recognise the fellow who gave him the wound from which he was still suffering. But this fiery gentleman, so

handy with his spear, had the delicacy, it seemed, to keep out of view. Certainly the sight of him would not

have been any added inducement to making a stay in the valley, some of the afternoon loungers in Happar

having politely urged Toby to spend a few days with them, there was a feast coming on. He, however,

All this while the young Typee stuck to Jimmy like his shadow, and though as lively a dog as any of his tribe,

he was now as meek as a lamb, never opening his mouth except to eat. Although some of the Happars looked

queerly at him, others were more civil, and seemed desirous of taking him abroad and showing him the

valley. But the Typee was not to be cajoled in that way. How many yards he would have to remove from

Jimmy before the taboo would be powerless, it would be hard to tell, but probably he himself knew to a

On the promise of a red cotton handkerchief, and something else which he kept secret, this poor fellow had

undertaken a rather ticklish journey, though, as far as Toby could ascertain, it was something that had never

The islandpunch arva was brought in at the conclusion of the repast, and passed round in a shallow

Now my comrade, while seated in the Happar house, began to feel more troubled than ever at leaving me:

indeed, so sad did he feel that he talked about going back to the valley, and wanted Jimmy to escort him as

far as the mountains. But the sailor would not listen to him, and, by way of diverting his thoughts, pressed

him to drink of the arva. Knowing its narcotic nature, he refused; but Jimmy said he would have something

mixed with it, which would convert it into an innocent beverage that would inspirit them for the rest of their

journey. So at last he was induced to drink of it, and its effects were just as the sailor had predicted; his spirits

The old rover now began to reveal his true character, though he was hardly suspected at the time. "If I get you

off to a ship," said he, "you will surely give a poor fellow something for saving you." In short, before they

left the house, he made Toby promise that he would give him five Spanish dollars if he succeeded in getting

any part of his wages advanced from the vessel, aboard of which they were going; Toby, moreover, engaging

A little while after this they started again, accompanied by many of the natives, and going up the valley, took

a steep path near its head, which led to Nukuheva. Here the Happars paused, and watched them as they

ascended the mountain, one group of banditlooking fellows shaking their spears and casting threatening

glances at the poor Typee, whose heart as well as heels seemed much the lighter when he came to look down

On gaining the heights once more, their way led for a time along several ridges covered with enormous ferns.

At last they entered upon a wooded tract, and here they overtook a party of Nukuheva natives, well armed,

and carrying bundles of long poles. Jimmy seemed to know them all very well, and stopped for awhile, and

The party with the poles were King Mowanna's men, and by his orders they had been gathering them in the

Leaving these fellows to trudge on with their loads, Toby and his companions now pushed forward again, as

the sun was already low in the west. They came upon the valleys of Nukuheva on one side of the bay, where

the highlands slope off into the sea. The menofwar were still lying in the harbour, and as Toby looked

down upon them, the strange events which had happened so recently seemed all a dream.

They soon descended towards the beach, and found themselves in Jimmy's house before it was well dark.

Here he received another welcome from his Nukuheva wives, and after some refreshments in the shape of

cocoanut milk and poeepoee, they entered a canoe (the Typee, of course, going along) and paddled off to a

whaleship which was anchored near the shore. This was the vessel in want of men. Our own had sailed

some time before. The captain professed great pleasure at seeing Toby, but thought from his exhausted

appearance that he must be unfit for duty. However, he agreed to ship him, as well as his comrade as soon as

Toby begged hard for an armed boat, in which to go round to Typee and rescue me, notwithstanding the

promises of Jimmy. But this the captain would not hear of, and told him to have patience, for the sailor would

be faithful to his word. When, too, he demanded the five silver dollars for Jimmy, the captain was unwilling

to give them. But Toby insisted upon it, as he now began to think that Jimmy might be a mere mercenary,

who would be sure to prove faithless if not well paid. Accordingly he not only gave him the money, but took

care to assure him, over and over again, that as soon as he brought me aboard he would receive a still larger

Before sunrise the next day, Jimmy and the Typee started in two of the ship's boats, which were manned by

tabooed natives. Toby, of course, was all eagerness to go along, but the sailor told him that if he did, it would

Towards evening he was on the watch, and descried the boats turning the headland and entering the bay. He

strained his eyes, and thought he saw me; but I was not there. Descending from the mast almost distracted, he

grappled Jimmy as he struck the deck, shouting in a voice that startled him, "Where is Tommo?" The old

fellow faltered, but soon recovering, did all he could to soothe him, assuring him that it had proved to be

impossible to get me down to the shore that morning; assigning many plausible reasons, and adding that early

on the morrow he was going to visit the bay again in a French boat, when, if he did not find me on the beach

as this time he certainly expected to he would march right back into the valley, and carry me away at all

Now, situated as Toby was, his sole dependence for the present was upon this Jimmy, and therefore he was

The next morning, however, he had the satisfaction of seeing the French boat start with Jimmy in it.

Tonight, then, I will see him, thought Toby; but many a long day passed before he ever saw Tommo again.

Hardly was the boat out of sight, when the captain came forward and ordered the anchor weighed; he was

Vain were all Toby's ravings, they were disregarded; and when he came to himself, the sails were set, and

Oh! said he to me at our meeting, what sleepless nights were mine. Often I started from my hammock,

There is little more to be related. Toby left this vessel New Zealand, and after some further adventures,

arrived home in less than two years after leaving the Marquesas. He always thought of me as dead and I had

every reason to suppose that he, too, was no more; but a strange meeting was in store for us, one which made

THE author of this volume arrived at Tahiti the very day that the iniquitous designs of the French were

consummated by inducing the subordinate chiefs, during the absence of their queen, to ratify an

artfullydrawn treaty, by which she was virtually deposed. Both menaces and caresses were employed on this

occasion, and the 32pounders which peeped out of the portholes of the frigate were the principal

And yet this piratical seizure of Tahiti, with all the woe and desolation which resulted from it, created not half

so great a sensation, at least in America, as was caused by the proceedings of the English at the Sandwich

Islands. No transaction has ever been more grossly misrepresented than the events which occurred upon the

arrival of Lord George Paulet at Oahu. During a residence of four months at Honolulu, the metropolis of the

group, the author was in the confidence of an Englishman who was much employed by his lordship; and great

was the author's astonishment on his arrival at Boston, in the autumn of 1844, to read the distorted accounts

and fabrications which had produced in the United States so violent an outbreak of indignation against the

English. He deems it, therefore, a mere act of justice towards a gallant officer briefly to state the leading

It is needless to rehearse all the abuse that for some time previous to the spring of 1843 had been heaped upon

the British residents, especially upon Captain Charlton, Her Britannic Majesty's consulgeneral, by the native

authorities of the Sandwich Islands. High in the favour of the imbecile king at this time was one Dr. Judd, a

sanctimonious apothecaryadventurer, who, with other kindred and influential spirits, were animated by an

inveterate dislike to England. The ascendancy of a junta of ignorant and designing Methodist elders in the

councils of a half civilised king, ruling with absolute sway over a nation just poised between barbarism and

civilisation, and exposed by the peculiarities of its relations with foreign states to unusual difficulties, was not

At last matters were brought to such an extremity, through the iniquitous maladministration of affairs, that the

endurance of further insults and injuries on the part of the British consul was no longer to be borne. Captain

Charlton, insultingly forbidden to leave the islands, clandestinely withdrew, and arriving at Valparaiso,

conferred with RearAdmiral Thomas, the English commanderinchief on the Pacific station. In

consequence of this communication, Lord George Paulet was despatched by the admiral in the Carysfort

frigate, to inquire into and correct the alleged abuses. On arriving at his destination, he sent his first lieutenant

ashore with a letter to the king, couched in terms of the utmost courtesy, and soliciting the honour of an

audience. The messenger was denied access to His Majesty, and Paulet was coolly referred to Dr. Judd, and

informed that the apothecary was invested with plenary powers to treat with him. Rejecting this insolent

proposition, his lordship again addressed the king by letter, and renewed his previous request; but he

encountered another repulse. Justly indignant at this treatment, he penned a third epistle, enumerating the

grievances to be redressed, and demanding a compliance with his requisitions, under penalty of immediate

The government was now obliged to act, and an artful stroke of policy was decided upon by the despicable

councillors of the king to entrap the sympathies and rouse the indignation of Christendom. His Majesty was

made to intimate to the British captain that he could not, as the conscientious ruler of his beloved people,

comply with the arbitrary demands of his lordship, and in deprecation of the horrors of war, tendered to his

acceptance the provisional cession of the islands, subject to the result of the negotiations then pending in

London. Paulet, a bluff and straightforward sailor, took the king at his word, and after some preliminary

arrangements, entered upon the administration of Hawaiian affairs, in the same firm and benignant spirit

which marked the discipline of his frigate, and which had rendered him the idol of his ship's company. He

soon endeared himself to nearly all orders of the islanders; but the king and the chiefs, whose feudal sway

over the common people was laboriously sought to be perpetuated by their missionary advisers, regarded all

his proceedings with the most vigilant animosity. Jealous of his growing popularity, and unable to counteract

it, they endeavoured to assail his reputation abroad by ostentatiously protesting against his acts, and

appealing in Oriental phrase to the wide universe to witness and compassionate their unparalleled wrongs.

Heedless of their idle clamours, Lord George Paulet addressed himself to the task of reconciling the

differences among the foreign residents, remedying their grievances, promoting their mercantile interests, and

ameliorating, as far as lay in his power, the condition of the degraded natives. The iniquities he brought to

light and instantly suppressed are too numerous to be here recorded; but one instance may be mentioned that

will give some idea of the lamentable misrule to which these poor islanders are subjected.

It is well known that the laws at the Sandwich Islands are subject to the most capricious alterations, which, by

confounding all ideas of right and wrong in the minds of the natives, produce the most pernicious effects. In

no case is this mischief more plainly discernible than in the continually shifting regulations concerning

licentiousness. At one time the most innocent freedoms between the sexes are punished with fine and

imprisonment; at another the revocation of the statute is followed by the most open and undisguised

It so happened that at the period of Paulet's arrival the Connecticut blue laws had been for at least three weeks

steadily enforced. In consequence of this, the fort at Honolulu was filled with a great number of young girls,

who were confined there doing penance for their slips from virtue. Paulet, although at first unwilling to

interfere with regulations having reference solely to the natives themselves, was eventually, by the prevalence

of certain reports, induced to institute a strict inquiry into the internal administration of General Kekuanoa,

governor of the island of Oahu, one of the pillars of the Hawaiian Church, and captain of the fort. He soon

ascertained that numbers of the young females employed during the day at work intended for the benefit of

the king, were at night smuggled over the ramparts of the fort which on one side directly overhangs the sea

and were conveyed by stealth on board such vessels as had contracted with the General to be supplied with

them. Before daybreak they returned to their quarters, and their own silence with regard to these secret

excursions was purchased by a small portion of those wages of iniquity which were placed in the hands of

The vigour with which the laws concerning licentiousness were at that period enforced, enabled the General

to monopolise in a great measure the detestable trade in which he was engaged, and there consequently

flowed into his coffers and some say into those of the government also considerable sums of money. It is

indeed a lamentable fact that the principal revenue of the Hawaiian government is derived from the fines

levied upon, or rather the licences taken out by Vice, the prosperity of which is linked with that of the

government. Were the people to become virtuous the authorities would become poor; but from present

Some five months after the date of the cession, the Dublin frigate, carrying the flag of RearAdmiral

Thomas, entered the harbour of Honolulu. The excitement that her sudden appearance produced on shore was

prodigious. Three days after her arrival an English sailor hauled down the red cross which had been flying

from the heights of the fort, and the Hawaiian colours were again displayed upon the same staff. At the same

moment the long 42pounders upon Punchbowl Hill opened their iron throats in triumphant reply to the

thunders of the five menofwar in the harbour; and King Kammahammaha III, surrounded by a splendid

group of British and American officers, unfurled the royal standard to assembled thousands of his subjects,

who, attracted by the imposing military display of the foreigners, had flocked to witness the formal

The admiral, after sanctioning the proceeding of his subaltern, had brought the authorities to terms; and so

The event was made an occasion of riotous rejoicing by the king and the principal chiefs, who easily secured

a display of enthusiasm from the inferior orders, by remitting for a time the accustomed severity of the laws.

Royal proclamations in English and Hawaiian were placarded in the streets of Honolulu, and posted up in the

more populous villages of the group, in which His Majesty announced to his loving subjects the

reestablishment of his throne, and called upon them to celebrate it by breaking through all moral, legal, and

religious restraint for ten consecutive days, during which time all the laws of the land were solemnly declared

Who that happened to be at Honolulu during those ten memorable days will ever forget them! The spectacle

of universal broadday debauchery, which was then exhibited, beggars description. The natives of the

surrounding islands flocked to Honolulu by hundreds, and the crews of two frigates, opportunely let loose

like so many demons to swell the heathenish uproar, gave the crowning flourish to the scene. It was a sort of

Polynesian saturnalia. Deeds too atrocious to be mentioned were done at noonday in the open street, and

some of the islanders, caught in the very act of stealing from the foreigners, were, on being taken to the fort

by the aggrieved party, suffered immediately to go at large and to retain the stolen property Kekuanoa

informing the white men, with a sardonic grin, that the laws were "hannapa" (tied up).

The history of these ten days reveals in their true colours the character of the Sandwich islanders, and

furnishes an eloquent commentary on the results which have flowed from the labours of the missionaries.

Freed from the restraint of severe penal laws, the natives almost to a man had plunged voluntarily into every

species of wickedness and excess, and by their utter disregard of all decency plainly showed that, although

they had been schooled into a seeming submission to the new order of things, they were in reality as depraved

Such were the events which produced in America so general an outbreak of indignation against the spirited

and highminded Paulet. He is not the first man who, in the fearless discharge of his duty, has awakened the

senseless clamours of those whose narrowminded suspicions blind them to a proper appreciation of

It is almost needless to add that the British cabinet never had any idea of appropriating the islands; and it

furnishes a sufficient vindication of the acts of Lord George Paulet, that he not only received the unqualified

approbation of his own government, but that to this hour the great body of the Hawaiian people invoke

blessings on his head, and look back with gratitude to the time when his liberal and paternal sway diffused