Mardi: and A Voyage Thither, Vol. I (of 2)

Chapter 39

They Fall In With Strangers

After quitting the Parki, we had much calm weather, varied by light

breezes. And sailing smoothly over a sea, so recently one sheet of

foam, I could not avoid bethinking me, how fortunate it was, that the

gale had overtaken us in the brigantine, and not in the Chamois. For

deservedly high as the whale-shallop ranks as a sea boat; still, in a

severe storm, the larger your craft the greater your sense of

security. Wherefore, the thousand reckless souls tenanting a line-of-

battle ship scoff at the most awful hurricanes; though, in reality,

they may be less safe in their wooden-walled Troy, than those who

contend with the gale in a clipper.

But not only did I congratulate myself upon salvation from the past,

but upon the prospect for the future. For storms happening so seldom

in these seas, one just blown over is almost a sure guarantee of very

many weeks' calm weather to come.

Now sun followed sun; and no land. And at length it almost seemed as

if we must have sailed past the remotest presumable westerly limit of

the chain of islands we sought; a lurking suspicion which I

sedulously kept to myself However, I could not but nourish a latent

faith that all would yet be well.

On the ninth day my forebodings were over. In the gray of the dawn,

perched upon the peak of our sail, a noddy was seen fast asleep. This

freak was true to the nature of that curious fowl, whose name is

significant of its drowsiness. Its plumage was snow-white, its

bill and legs blood-red; the latter looking like little pantalettes.

In a sly attempt at catching the bird, Samoa captured three tail-

feathers; the alarmed creature flying away with a scream, and leaving

its quills in his hand.

Sailing on, we gradually broke in upon immense low-sailing flights of

other aquatic fowls, mostly of those species which are seldom found

far from land: terns, frigate-birds, mollymeaux, reef-pigeons,

boobies, gulls, and the like. They darkened the air; their wings

making overhead an incessant rustling like the simultaneous turning

over of ten thousand leaves. The smaller sort skimmed the sea like

pebbles sent skipping from the shore. Over these, flew myriads of

birds of broader wing. While high above all, soared in air the daring

"Diver," or sea-kite, the power of whose vision is truly wonderful.

It perceives the little flying-fish in the water, at a height which

can not be less than four hundred feet. Spirally wheeling and

screaming as it goes, the sea-kite, bill foremost, darts downward,

swoops into the water, and for a moment altogether disappearing,

emerges at last; its prey firmly trussed in its claws. But bearing it

aloft, the bold bandit is quickly assailed by other birds of prey,

that strive to wrest from him his booty. And snatched from his

talons, you see the fish falling through the air, till again caught

up in the very act of descent, by the fleetest of its pursuers.

Leaving these sights astern, we presently picked up the slimy husk of

a cocoanut, all over green barnacles. And shortly after, passed two

or three limbs of trees, and the solitary trunk of a palm; which,

upon sailing nearer, seemed but very recently started on its endless

voyage. As noon came on; the dark purple land-haze, which had been

dimly descried resting upon the western horizon, was very nearly

obscured. Nevertheless, behind that dim drapery we doubted not bright

boughs were waving.

We were now in high spirits. Samoa between times humming to

himself some heathenish ditty, and Jarl ten times more intent on his

silence than ever; yet his eye full of expectation and gazing broad

off from our bow. Of a sudden, shading his face with his hand, he

gazed fixedly for an instant, and then springing to his feet, uttered

the long-drawn sound--"Sail ho!"

Just tipping the furthest edge of the sky was a little speck, dancing

into view every time we rose upon the swells. It looked like one of

many birds; for half intercepting our view, fell showers of plumage:

a flight of milk-white noddies flying downward to the sea.

But soon the birds are seen no more. Yet there remains the speck;

plainly a sail; but too small for a ship. Was it a boat after a

whale? The vessel to which it belonged far astern, and shrouded by

the haze? So it seemed.

Quietly, however, we waited the stranger's nearer approach;

confident, that for some time he would not be able to perceive us,

owing to our being in what mariners denominate the "sun-glade," or

that part of the ocean upon which the sun's rays flash with peculiar

intensity.

As the sail drew nigh, its failing to glisten white led us to doubt

whether it was indeed a whale-boat. Presently, it showed yellow; and

Samoa declared, that it must be the sail of some island craft. True.

The stranger proving a large double-canoe, like those used by the

Polynesians in making passages between distant islands.

The Upoluan was now clamorous for a meeting, to which Jarl was

averse. Deliberating a moment, I directed the muskets to be loaded;

then setting the sail the wind on our quarter--we headed away for the

canoe, now sailing at right angles with our previous course.

Here it must be mentioned, that from the various gay cloths and other

things provided for barter by the captain of the Parki, I had very

strikingly improved my costume; making it free, flowing, and eastern.

I looked like an Emir. Nor had my Viking neglected to follow my

example; though with some few modifications of his own. With

his long tangled hair and harpoon, he looked like the sea-god, that

boards ships, for the first time crossing the Equator. For tatooed

Samoa, he yet sported both kilt and turban, reminding one of a tawny

leopard, though his spots were all in one place. Besides this raiment

of ours, against emergencies we had provided our boat with divers

nankeens and silks.

But now into full view comes a yoke of huge clumsy prows, shaggy with

carving, and driving through the water with considerable velocity;

the immense sprawling sail holding the wind like a bag. She seemed

full of men; and from the dissonant cries borne over to us, and the

canoe's widely yawing, it was plain that we had occasioned no small

sensation. They seemed undetermined what course to pursue: whether to

court a meeting, or avoid it; whether to regard us as friends or foes.

As we came still nearer, distinctly beholding their faces, we loudly

hailed them, inviting them to furl their sails, and allow us to board

them. But no answer was returned; their confusion increasing. And

now, within less than two ships'-lengths, they swept right across our

bow, gazing at us with blended curiosity and fear.

Their craft was about thirty feet long, consisting of a pair of

parallel canoes, very narrow, and at the distance of a yard or so,

lengthwise, united by stout cross-timbers, lashed across the four

gunwales. Upon these timbers was a raised plat-form or dais, quite

dry; and astern an arched cabin or tent; behind which, were two

broad-bladed paddles terminating in rude shark-tails, by which the

craft was steered.

The yard, spreading a yellow sail, was a crooked bough, supported

obliquely in the crotch of a mast, to which the green bark was still

clinging. Here and there were little tufts of moss. The high, beaked

prow of that canoe in which the mast was placed, resembled a rude

altar; and all round it was suspended a great variety of fruits,

including scores of cocoanuts, unhusked. This prow was railed

off, forming a sort of chancel within.

The foremost beam, crossing the gunwales, extended some twelve feet

beyond the side of the dais; and at regular intervals hereupon, stout

cords were fastened, which, leading up to the head of the mast,

answered the purpose of shrouds. The breeze was now streaming fresh;

and, as if to force down into the water the windward side of the

craft, five men stood upon this long beam, grasping five shrouds. Yet

they failed to counterbalance the pressure of the sail; and owing to

the opposite inclination of the twin canoes, these living statues

were elevated high above the water; their appearance rendered still

more striking by their eager attitudes, and the apparent peril of

their position, as the mad spray from the bow dashed over them.

Suddenly, the Islanders threw their craft into the wind; while, for

ourselves, we lay on our oars, fearful of alarming them by now coming

nearer. But hailing them again, we said we were friends; and had

friendly gifts for them, if they would peaceably permit us to

approach. This understood, there ensued a mighty clamor; insomuch,

that I bade Jarl and Samoa out oars, and row very gently toward the

strangers. Whereupon, amid a storm of vociferations, some of them

hurried to the furthest side of their dais; standing with arms arched

over their heads, as if for a dive; others menacing us with clubs and

spears; and one, an old man with a bamboo trellis on his head forming

a sort of arbor for his hair, planted himself full before the tent,

stretching behind him a wide plaited sling.

Upon this hostile display, Samoa dropped his oar, and brought his

piece to bear upon the old man, who, by his attitude, seemed to

menace us with the fate of the great braggart of Gath. But I quickly

knocked down the muzzle of his musket, and forbade the slightest

token of hostility; enjoining it upon my companions, nevertheless, to

keep well on their guard.

We now ceased rowing, and after a few minutes' uproar in the canoe,

they ran to the steering-paddles, and forcing round their craft

before the wind, rapidly ran away from us. With all haste we set our

sail, and pulling also at our oars, soon overtook them, determined

upon coming into closer communion.