HAVING fully1 resolved to leave the vessel2 clandestinely3, and having acquired all the knowledge concerning the bay that I could obtain under the circumstances in which I was placed, I now deliberately4 turned over in my mind every plan to escape that suggested itself, being determined5 to act with all possible prudence6 in an attempt where failure would be attended with so many disagreeable consequences. The idea of being taken and brought back ignominiously7 to the ship was so inexpressibly repulsive8 to me, that I was determined by no hasty and imprudent measures to render such an event probable.
I knew that our worthy9 captain, who felt, such a paternal10 solicitude12 for the welfare of his crew, would not willingly consent that one of his best hands should encounter the perils13 of a sojourn14 among the natives of a barbarous island; and I was certain that in the event of my disappearance15, his fatherly anxiety would prompt him to offer, by way of a reward, yard upon yard of gaily16 printed calico for my apprehension17. He might even have appreciated my services at the value of a musket18, in which case I felt perfectly19 certain that the whole population of the bay would be immediately upon my track, incited20 by the prospect21 of so magnificent a bounty22.
Having ascertained23 the fact before alluded24 to, that the islanders,—from motives26 of precaution, dwelt altogether 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 plunder27, I concluded that if I could effect unperceived a passage to the mountain, 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 fail to be immediately apprised28, as from my lofty position I should command a view of the entire harbour.
The idea pleased me greatly. It seemed to combine a great deal of practicability with no inconsiderable enjoyment29 in a quiet way; for how delightful30 it would be to look down upon the detested31 old vessel from the height of some thousand feet, and contrast the verdant32 scenery about me with the recollection of her narrow decks and gloomy forecastle! Why, it was really refreshing33 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 nautical34 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 foraging35 party of these same bloody-minded Typees, whose appetites, edged perhaps by the air of so elevated a region, might prompt them to devour36 one. This, I must confess, was a most disagreeable view of the matter.
Just to think of a party of these unnatural37 gourmands38 taking it into their heads to make a convivial39 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 elude40 these prowling cannibals amongst the many coverts41 which the mountains afforded. Besides, the chances were ten to one in my favour that they would none of them quit their own fastnesses.
I had determined not to communicate my design of withdrawing from the vessel to any of my shipmates, and least of all to solicit11 any one to accompany me in my flight. But it so happened one night, that being upon deck, revolving42 over in my mind various plans of escape, I perceived one of the ship’s company leaning over the bulwarks43, apparently44 plunged45 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, beguiling46 the weary hours with chat, song, and story, mingled47 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 conceal48 it. He was one of that class of rovers you sometimes meet at sea, who never reveal their origin, never allude25 to home, and go rambling49 over the world as if pursued by some mysterious fate they cannot possibly elude.
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 remarkably50 prepossessing exterior51. 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 flexibility52 of limb. His naturally dark complexion53 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, moody54, fitful, and melancholy55—at times almost morose56. He had a quick and fiery57 temper too, which, when thoroughly58 roused, transported him into a state bordering on delirium59.
It is strange the power that a mind of deep passion has over feebler natures. I have seen a brawny60, fellow, with no lack of ordinary courage, fairly quail61 before this slender stripling, when in one of his curious fits. But these paroxysms seldom occurred, and in them my big-hearted shipmate vented62 the bile which more calm-tempered individuals get rid of by a continual pettishness63 at trivial annoyances64.
No one ever saw Toby laugh. I mean in the hearty65 abandonment of broad-mouthed mirth. He did smile sometimes, it is true; and there was a good deal of dry, sarcastic66 humour about him, which told the more from the imperturbable67 gravity of his tone and manner.
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 perilous68 in the place where we then lay, that I supposed myself the only individual on board the ship who was sufficiently69 reckless to think of it. In this, however, I was mistaken.
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 meditations70 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 alleviate71 its hardships? Perhaps I might be obliged to lie concealed72 among the mountains for weeks. In such an event what a solace73 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 mutual74 understanding between us. In an hour’s time we had arranged all the preliminaries, and decided75 upon our plan of action. We then ratified76 our engagement with an affectionate wedding of palms, and to elude suspicion repaired each to his hammock, to spend the last night on board the Dolly.
The next day the starboard watch, to which we both belonged, was to be sent ashore77 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, their summits appeared inaccessible78, but here and there sloping spurs extended from them almost into the sea, buttressing79 the lofty elevations80 with which they were connected, and forming those radiating valleys I have before described. One of these ridges81, 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 seclude82 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 favourable83 opportunity that offered.
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1
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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2
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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3
clandestinely
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| adv.秘密地，暗中地 | |
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4
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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7
ignominiously
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| adv.耻辱地，屈辱地，丢脸地 | |
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8
repulsive
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| adj.排斥的，使人反感的 | |
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9
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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10
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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solicit
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| vi.勾引；乞求；vt.请求，乞求；招揽(生意) | |
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solicitude
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| n.焦虑 | |
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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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15
disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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gaily
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| adv.欢乐地，高兴地 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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18
musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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20
incited
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| 刺激，激励，煽动( incite的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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23
ascertained
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| v.弄清，确定，查明( ascertain的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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27
plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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29
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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30
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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31
detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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33
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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34
nautical
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| adj.海上的，航海的，船员的 | |
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35
foraging
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| v.搜寻（食物），尤指动物觅（食）( forage的现在分词 )；（尤指用手）搜寻（东西） | |
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36
devour
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| v.吞没；贪婪地注视或谛听，贪读；使着迷 | |
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37
unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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38
gourmands
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| n.喜欢吃喝的人，贪吃的人( gourmand的名词复数 )；美食主义 | |
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39
convivial
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| adj.狂欢的，欢乐的 | |
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40
elude
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| v.躲避，困惑 | |
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41
coverts
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| n.隐蔽的，不公开的，秘密的( covert的名词复数 )；复羽 | |
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42
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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43
bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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44
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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45
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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46
beguiling
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| adj.欺骗的，诱人的v.欺骗( beguile的现在分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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47
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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48
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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49
rambling
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| adj.[建]凌乱的，杂乱的 | |
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50
remarkably
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| ad.不同寻常地，相当地 | |
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51
exterior
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| adj.外部的，外在的；表面的 | |
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52
flexibility
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| n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性 | |
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53
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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54
moody
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| adj.心情不稳的，易怒的，喜怒无常的 | |
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melancholy
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| n.忧郁，愁思；adj.令人感伤（沮丧）的，忧郁的 | |
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56
morose
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| adj.脾气坏的，不高兴的 | |
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57
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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58
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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59
delirium
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| n. 神智昏迷,说胡话;极度兴奋 | |
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60
brawny
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| adj.强壮的 | |
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quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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62
vented
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| 表达，发泄（感情，尤指愤怒）( vent的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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pettishness
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annoyances
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| n.恼怒( annoyance的名词复数 )；烦恼；打扰；使人烦恼的事 | |
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65
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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sarcastic
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| adj.讥讽的，讽刺的，嘲弄的 | |
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67
imperturbable
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| adj.镇静的 | |
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perilous
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| adj.危险的，冒险的 | |
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69
sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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70
meditations
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| 默想( meditation的名词复数 )； 默念； 沉思； 冥想 | |
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71
alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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72
concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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73
solace
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| n.安慰；v.使快乐；vt.安慰(物)，缓和 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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76
ratified
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| v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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inaccessible
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| adj.达不到的，难接近的 | |
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79
buttressing
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| v.用扶壁支撑，加固( buttress的现在分词 ) | |
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80
elevations
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| （水平或数量）提高( elevation的名词复数 )； 高地； 海拔； 提升 | |
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81
ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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82
seclude
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| vi.使隔离，使孤立，使隐退 | |
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favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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