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 consolatory3 circumstances, my mind should still have been consumed by the most dismal4 forebodings, and have remained a prey5 to the profoundest melancholy. It is true that the suspicious circumstances which had attended the disappearance6 of Toby were enough of themselves to excite distrust with regard to the savages7, in whose power I felt myself to be entirely9 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 set of cannibals.
But my chief source of anxiety, and that which poisoned every temporary enjoyment10, 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 leech12, and the affectionate nursing of Kory-Kory, had failed to relieve me. I was almost a cripple, and the pain I endured at intervals13 was agonizing14. The unaccountable malady15 showed no signs of amendment16: on the contrary, its violence increased day by day, and threatened the most fatal results, unless some powerful means were employed to counteract17 it. It seemed as if I were destined18 to sink under this grievous affliction, or at least that it would hinder me from availing myself of any opportunity of escaping from the valley.
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 leaving them.
One morning there was no little excitement evinced by the people near my abode19, 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 bustle20 and animation21. It so happened that day that the pain I suffered having somewhat abated11, and feeling in much better spirits than usual, I had complied with Kory-Kory’s invitation to visit the chief Mehevi at the place called the ‘Ti’, which I have before described as being situated22 within the precincts of the Taboo23 Groves24. These sacred recesses25 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 skirting along the border of the groves.
I was reposing26 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 instinctive27 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 impatience28 I betrayed to reach the sea, his countenance29 assumed that inflexible30 rigidity31 of expression which had so awed32 me on the afternoon of our arrival at the house of Marheyo. As I was proceeding33 to leave the Ti, he laid his hand upon my shoulder, and said gravely, ‘abo, abo’ (wait, wait). Solely34 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 alteration35 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 pi-pi with Kory-Kory 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 reiterated36 his commands still more sternly.
It was at this moment, when fifty savage8 countenances37 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 confirmation38 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 perfidious39 Toby, who had thus abandoned me to destruction. It was in vain that Kory-Kory tempted40 me with food, or lighted my pipe, or sought to attract my attention by performing the uncouth41 antics that had sometimes diverted me. I was fairly knocked down by this last misfortune, which, much as I had feared it, I had never before had the courage calmly to contemplate42.
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 ascertain43. The savages assured me that there had not—but I was inclined to believe that by deceiving me in this particular they sought to allay44 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 sedulous45 attention as before, I was utterly46 at a loss how to account for their singular conduct. Had I been in a situation to instruct them in any of the rudiments47 of the mechanic arts, or had I manifested a disposition48 to render myself in any way useful among them, their conduct might have been attributed to some adequate motive49, but as it was, the matter seemed to me inexplicable50.
During my whole stay on the island there occurred but two or three instances where the natives applied51 to me with the view of availing themselves of my superior information; and these now appear so ludicrous that I cannot forbear relating them.
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 first night of our arrival, I had used as a pillow, but on the succeeding morning, opening it for the inspection52 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 ridge-pole of the house, it was hoisted53 up to the apex54 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 a 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 yards of bright-coloured calico.
I should have mentioned that shortly after Toby’s disappearance, perceiving the uncertainty55 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 doff56 these garments at once, in order to preserve them in a suitable condition for wear should I again appear among civilized57 beings. I was consequently obliged to assume the Typee costume, a little altered, however, to suit my own views of propriety58, and in which I have no doubt I appeared to as much advantage as a senator of Rome enveloped59 in the folds of his toga. A few folds of yellow tappa tucked about my waist, descended60 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 dames61 are in the habit of augmenting62 the sublime63 rotundity of their figures. This usually comprised my in-door dress; whenever I walked out, I superadded to it an ample robe of the same material, which completely enveloped my person, and screened it from the rays of the sun.
One morning I made a rent in this mantle64; 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 admiration65; and whilst I was stitching away, old Marheyo, who was one of the lookers-on, suddenly clapped his hand to his forehead, and rushing to a corner of the house, drew forth66 a soiled and tattered67 strip of faded calico which he must have procured68 some time or other in traffic on the beach—and besought69 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 paternal70 hug; and divesting71 himself of his ‘maro’ (girdle), swathed the calico about his loins, and slipping the beloved ornaments72 into his ears, grasped his spear and sallied out of the house, like a valiant73 Templar arrayed in a new and costly74 suit of armour75.
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 is person, being the most accurately76 tattooed77 and laboriously78 horrified79 individual in all the valley, thought it would be a great advantage to have it applied to the already shaven crown of his head.
The implement80 they usually employ is a shark’s tooth, which is about as well adapted to the purpose as a one-pronged fork for pitching hay. No wonder, then, that the acute Narmonee perceived the advantage my razor possessed81 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 previously82 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 writhed83 and wriggled84 under the infliction85, but, fully86 convinced of my skill, endured the pain like a martyr87.
Though I never saw Narmonee in battle I will, from what I then observed, stake my life upon his courage and fortitude88. Before commencing operations, his head had presented a surface of short bristling89 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 dissent90 from his opinion.
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1
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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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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consolatory
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| adj.慰问的，可藉慰的 | |
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dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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disappearance
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| n.消失，消散，失踪 | |
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savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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abated
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| 减少( abate的过去式和过去分词 )； 减去； 降价； 撤消（诉讼） | |
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leech
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| n.水蛭，吸血鬼，榨取他人利益的人；vt.以水蛭吸血；vi.依附于别人 | |
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13
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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14
agonizing
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| adj.痛苦难忍的；使人苦恼的v.使极度痛苦；折磨(agonize的ing形式) | |
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15
malady
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| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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amendment
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| n.改正，修正，改善，修正案 | |
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counteract
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| vt.对…起反作用，对抗，抵消 | |
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18
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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bustle
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| v.喧扰地忙乱，匆忙，奔忙；n.忙碌；喧闹 | |
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animation
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| n.活泼，兴奋，卡通片／动画片的制作 | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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taboo
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| n.禁忌，禁止接近，禁止使用；adj.禁忌的；v.禁忌，禁制，禁止 | |
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24
groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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26
reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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instinctive
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| adj.(出于)本能的；直觉的；(出于)天性的 | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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inflexible
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| adj.不可改变的，不受影响的，不屈服的 | |
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rigidity
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| adj.钢性，坚硬 | |
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32
awed
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| adj.充满敬畏的，表示敬畏的v.使敬畏，使惊惧( awe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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alteration
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| n.变更，改变；蚀变 | |
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reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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countenances
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| n.面容( countenance的名词复数 )；表情；镇静；道义支持 | |
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38
confirmation
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| n.证实，确认，批准 | |
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perfidious
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| adj.不忠的，背信弃义的 | |
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40
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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41
uncouth
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| adj.无教养的，粗鲁的 | |
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42
contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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43
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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44
allay
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| v.消除，减轻(恐惧、怀疑等) | |
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45
sedulous
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| adj.勤勉的，努力的 | |
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46
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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47
rudiments
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| n.基础知识，入门 | |
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48
disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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49
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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50
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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51
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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52
inspection
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| n.检查，审查，检阅 | |
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53
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
apex
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| n.顶点，最高点 | |
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55
uncertainty
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| n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物 | |
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56
doff
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| v.脱，丢弃，废除 | |
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57
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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58
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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59
enveloped
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| v.包围，笼罩，包住( envelop的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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61
dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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62
augmenting
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| 使扩张 | |
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63
sublime
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| adj.崇高的，伟大的；极度的，不顾后果的 | |
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64
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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65
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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66
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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67
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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68
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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69
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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70
paternal
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| adj.父亲的，像父亲的，父系的，父方的 | |
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71
divesting
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| v.剥夺( divest的现在分词 )；脱去（衣服）；2。从…取去…；1。（给某人）脱衣服 | |
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72
ornaments
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| n.装饰( ornament的名词复数 )；点缀；装饰品；首饰v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的第三人称单数 ) | |
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73
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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74
costly
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| adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的 | |
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75
armour
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| （=armor）n.盔甲；装甲部队 | |
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76
accurately
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| adv.准确地，精确地 | |
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77
tattooed
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| v.刺青，文身( tattoo的过去式和过去分词 )；连续有节奏地敲击；作连续有节奏的敲击 | |
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78
laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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79
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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80
implement
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| n.(pl.)工具，器具；vt.实行，实施，执行 | |
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81
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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82
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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83
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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84
wriggled
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| v.扭动，蠕动，蜿蜒行进( wriggle的过去式和过去分词 )；（使身体某一部位）扭动；耍滑不做，逃避（应做的事等） | |
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85
infliction
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| n.（强加于人身的）痛苦，刑罚 | |
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86
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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87
martyr
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| n.烈士，殉难者；vt.杀害，折磨，牺牲 | |
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88
fortitude
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| n.坚忍不拔；刚毅 | |
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89
bristling
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| a.竖立的 | |
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90
dissent
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| n./v.不同意，持异议 | |
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