The Chamois Ashore
Until now, enveloped in her robe, and crouching like a fawn, Yillah had
been well nigh hidden from view. But presently she withdrew her hood.
What saw the Islanders, that they so gazed and adored in silence: some
retreating, some creeping nearer, and the women all in a flutter? Long
they gazed; and following Samoa’s example, stretched forth their arms
in reverence.
The adoration of the maiden was extended to myself. Indeed, from the
singular gestures employed, I had all along suspected, that we were
being received with unwonted honors.
I now sought to get speech of my comrades. But so obstreperous was the
crowd, that it was next to impossible. Jarl was still in his perch in
the air; his enthusiastic bearers not yet suffering him to alight.
Samoa, however, who had managed to keep out of the saddle, by-and-by
contrived to draw nearer to the Chamois.
He advised me, by no means to descend for the present; since in any
event we were sure of remaining unmolested therein; the Islanders
regarding it as sacred.
The Upoluan attracted a great deal of attention; chiefly from his style
of tattooing, which, together with other peculiarities, so interested
the natives, that they were perpetually hanging about him, putting
eager questions, and all the time keeping up a violent clamor.
But despite the large demand upon his lungs, Samoa made out to inform
me, that notwithstanding the multitude assembled, there was no high
chief, or person of consequence present; the king of the place, also
those of the islands adjacent, being absent at a festival in another
quarter of the Archipelago. But upon the first distant glimpse of the
Chamois, fleet canoes had been dispatched to announce the surprising
event that had happened.
In good time, the crowd becoming less tumultuous, and abandoning the
siege of Samoa, I availed myself of this welcome lull, and called upon
him and my Viking to enter the Chamois; desirous of condensing our
forces against all emergencies.
Samoa now gave me to understand, that from all he could learn, the
Islanders regarded me as a superior being. They had inquired of him,
whether I was not white Taji, a sort of half-and-half deity, now and
then an Avatar among them, and ranking among their inferior ex- officio
demi-gods. To this, Samoa had said ay; adding, moreover, all he could
to encourage the idea.
He now entreated me, at the first opportunity, to announce myself as
Taji: declaring that if once received under that title, the unbounded
hospitality of our final reception would be certain; and our persons
fenced about from all harm.
Encouraging this. But it was best to be wary. For although among some
barbarians the first strangers landing upon their shores, are
frequently hailed as divine; and in more than one wild land have been
actually styled gods, as a familiar designation; yet this has not
exempted the celestial visitants from peril, when too much presuming
upon the reception extended to them. In sudden tumults they have been
slain outright, and while full faith in their divinity had in no wise
abated. The sad fate of an eminent navigator is a well-known
illustration of this unaccountable waywardness.
With no small anxiety, therefore, we awaited the approach of some of
the dignitaries of Mardi; for by this collective appellation, the
people informed us, their islands were known.
We waited not long. Of a sudden, from the sea-side, a single shrill cry
was heard. A moment more, and the blast of numerous conch shells
startled the air; a confused clamor drew nearer and nearer; and flying
our eyes in the direction of these sounds, we impatiently awaited what
was to follow.