FROM the time that my lameness4 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 ever-present Kory-Kory. 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 delicacy5 ‘restricted’ 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 distinguished6 chiefs, and of the noble Mehevi in particular, it was still at certain seasons the favourite haunt of all the jolly, talkative, and elderly savages7 of the vale, who resorted thither9 in the same way that similar characters frequent a tavern10 in civilized11 countries. There they would remain hour after hour, chatting, smoking, eating poee-poee, or busily engaged in sleeping for the good of their constitutions.
This building appeared to be the head-quarters of the valley, where all flying rumours12 concentrated; and to have seen it filled with a crowd of the natives, all males, conversing13 in animated14 clusters, while multitudes were continually coming and going, one would have thought it a kind of savage8 Exchange, where the rise and fall of Polynesian Stock was discussed.
Mehevi acted as supreme15 lord over the place, spending the greater portion of his time there: and often when, at particular hours of the day, it was deserted16 by nearly every one else except the verd-antique looking centenarians, who were fixtures17 in the building, the chief himself was sure to be found enjoying his ‘otium cum dignitate’—upon the luxurious18 mats which covered the floor. Whenever I made my appearance he invariably rose, and like a gentleman doing the honours of his mansion19, invited me to repose20 myself wherever I pleased, and calling out ‘tamaree!’ (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 regale21 myself. To tell the truth, Mehevi was indebted to the excellence22 of his viands23 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 serving up unexceptionable repasts.
One day, on drawing near to the Ti, I observed that extensive preparations were going forward, plainly betokening24 some approaching festival. Some of the symptoms reminded me of the stir produced among the scullions of a large hotel, where a grand jubilee25 dinner is about to be given. The natives were hurrying about hither and thither, engaged in various duties, some lugging26 off to the stream enormous hollow bamboos, for the purpose of filling them with water; others chasing furious-looking hogs27 through the bushes, in their endeavours to capture them; and numbers employed in kneading great mountains of poee-poee heaped up in huge wooden vessels29.
After observing these lively indications for a while, I was attracted to a neighbouring grove2 by a prodigious30 squeaking31 which I heard there. On reaching the spot I found it proceeded from a large hog28 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 skull33 of the unfortunate porker. Again and again he missed his writhing34 and struggling victim, but though puffing35 and panting with his exertions36, he still continued them; and after striking a sufficient number of blows to have demolished37 an entire drove of oxen, with one crashing stroke he laid him dead at his feet.
Without letting any blood from the body, it was immediately carried to a fire which had been kindled38 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 bristles39 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 thoroughly40 washed with water. An ample thick green cloth, composed of the long thick leaves of a species of palm-tree, ingeniously tacked41 together with little pins of bamboo, was now spread upon the ground, in which the body being carefully rolled, it was borne to an oven previously43 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 mound44 of earth raised over it.
Such is the summary style in which the Typees convert perverse-minded and rebellious45 hogs into the most docile46 and amiable47 pork; a morsel48 of which placed on the tongue melts like a soft smile from the lips of Beauty.
I commend their peculiar49 mode of proceeding50 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 in that memorable51 day. Many a dismal52 grunt53, many an imploring54 squeak32, proclaimed what was going on throughout the whole extent of the valley; and I verily believe the first-born of every litter perished before the setting of that fatal sun.
The scene around the Ti was now most animated. Hogs and poee-poee were baking in numerous ovens, which, heaped up with fresh earth into slight elevations56, looked like so many ant-hills. Scores of the savages were vigorously plying57 their stone pestles58 in preparing masses of poee-poee, and numbers were gathering59 green bread-fruit and young cocoanuts in the surrounding groves; when an exceeding great multitude, with a view of encouraging the rest in their labours, stood still, and kept shouting most lustily without intermission.
It is a peculiarity60 among these people, that, when engaged in an employment, they always make a prodigious fuss about it. So seldom do they ever exert themselves, that when they do work they seem determined61 that so meritorious62 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 able-bodied men, a whole swarm63 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 mighty64 achievement. Seeing them on these occasions, one is reminded of an infinity65 of black ants clustering about and dragging away to some hole the leg of a deceased fly.
Having for some time attentively66 observed these demonstrations67 of good cheer, I entered the Ti, where Mehevi sat complacently68 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 initiate69 me into the perplexing arcana of the taboo.
On leaving the Ti, Kory-Kory, 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 jargon70 of words, that it almost put me in bodily pain to listen to him. In particular, he led me to a remarkable71 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 conspicuous72 position. It was composed principally of large empty calabashes, with a few polished cocoanut shells, and looked not unlike a cenotaph of skulls73. My cicerone perceived the astonishment74 with which I gazed at this monument of savage crockery, and immediately addressed himself in the task of enlightening me: but all in vain; and to this hour the nature of the monument remains75 a complete mystery to me. As, however, it formed so prominent a feature in the approaching revels76, I bestowed77 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 warrior78 himself was arranging in round balls the two grey locks of hair that were suffered to grow from the crown of his head; his earrings79 and spear, both well polished, lay beside him, while the highly decorative80 pair of shoes hung suspended from a projecting cane81 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 the toilet.
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 ornaments82 were inserted in their ears, and woven garlands upon their heads. About their waist they wore a short tunic83 of spotless white tappa, and some of them super-added to this a mantle84 of the same material, tied in an elaborate bow upon the left shoulder, and falling about the figure in picturesque85 folds.
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 insignificance86 beside the exquisite87 simplicity88 of attire89 adopted by the nymphs of the vale on this festive90 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 vivacity91 and unconcealed natural graces of these savage maidens93. It would be the Venus de’ Medici placed beside a milliner’s doll. It was not long before Kory-Kory and myself were left alone in the house, the rest of its inmates94 having departed for the Taboo Groves. My valet was all impatience95 to follow them; and was as fidgety about my dilatory96 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 entirely97 deserted by their inhabitants.
When we reached the rock that abruptly98 terminated the path, and concealed92 from us the festive scene, wild shouts and a confused blending of voices assured me that the occasion, whatever it might be, had drawn99 together a great multitude. Kory-Kory, previous to mounting the elevation55, paused for a moment, like a dandy at a ball-room door, to put a hasty finish to his toilet. During this short interval100, 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 girt about with a short tunic descending101 from my waist to my knees.
My quick-witted attendant fully42 appreciated the compliment I was paying to the costume of his race, and began more sedulously102 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 lasses, 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 palmetto-leaves, and some of the others I converted into a splendid girdle. These operations finished, with the slow and dignified103 step of a full-dressed beau I ascended104 the rock.
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1
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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grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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4
lameness
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| n. 跛, 瘸, 残废 | |
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5
delicacy
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| n.精致，细微，微妙，精良；美味，佳肴 | |
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6
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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7
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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9
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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10
tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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rumours
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| n.传闻( rumour的名词复数 )；风闻；谣言；谣传 | |
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13
conversing
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的现在分词 ) | |
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14
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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15
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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16
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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17
fixtures
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| （房屋等的）固定装置( fixture的名词复数 )； 如（浴盆、抽水马桶）； 固定在某位置的人或物； （定期定点举行的）体育活动 | |
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18
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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19
mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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regale
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| v.取悦，款待 | |
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22
excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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23
viands
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| n.食品，食物 | |
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24
betokening
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| v.预示，表示( betoken的现在分词 ) | |
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25
jubilee
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| n.周年纪念；欢乐 | |
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26
lugging
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| 超载运转能力 | |
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27
hogs
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| n.（尤指喂肥供食用的）猪( hog的名词复数 )；（供食用的）阉公猪；彻底地做某事；自私的或贪婪的人 | |
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28
hog
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| n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占 | |
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29
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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30
prodigious
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| adj.惊人的，奇妙的；异常的；巨大的；庞大的 | |
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31
squeaking
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| v.短促地尖叫( squeak的现在分词 )；吱吱叫；告密；充当告密者 | |
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32
squeak
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| n.吱吱声，逃脱；v.（发出）吱吱叫，侥幸通过；（俚）告密 | |
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33
skull
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| n.头骨；颅骨 | |
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34
writhing
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的现在分词 ) | |
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puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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37
demolished
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| v.摧毁( demolish的过去式和过去分词 )；推翻；拆毁（尤指大建筑物）；吃光 | |
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38
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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39
bristles
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| 短而硬的毛发，刷子毛( bristle的名词复数 ) | |
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40
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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41
tacked
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| 用平头钉钉( tack的过去式和过去分词 )； 附加，增补； 帆船抢风行驶，用粗线脚缝 | |
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42
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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43
previously
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| adv.以前，先前（地） | |
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44
mound
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| n.土墩，堤，小山；v.筑堤，用土堆防卫 | |
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45
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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46
docile
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| adj.驯服的，易控制的，容易教的 | |
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47
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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48
morsel
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| n.一口，一点点 | |
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49
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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50
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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51
memorable
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| adj.值得回忆的，难忘的，特别的，显著的 | |
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52
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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53
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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54
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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55
elevation
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| n.高度；海拔；高地；上升；提高 | |
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56
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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57
plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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58
pestles
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| n.（捣碎或碾磨用的）杵( pestle的名词复数 ) | |
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59
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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60
peculiarity
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| n.独特性，特色；特殊的东西；怪癖 | |
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61
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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meritorious
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| adj.值得赞赏的 | |
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63
swarm
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| n.(昆虫)等一大群；vi.成群飞舞；蜂拥而入 | |
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64
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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infinity
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| n.无限，无穷，大量 | |
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66
attentively
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| adv.聚精会神地；周到地；谛；凝神 | |
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67
demonstrations
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| 证明( demonstration的名词复数 )； 表明； 表达； 游行示威 | |
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68
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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69
initiate
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| vt.开始，创始，发动；启蒙，使入门；引入 | |
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70
jargon
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| n.术语，行话 | |
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71
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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72
conspicuous
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| adj.明眼的，惹人注目的；炫耀的，摆阔气的 | |
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73
skulls
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| 颅骨( skull的名词复数 )； 脑袋； 脑子； 脑瓜 | |
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74
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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75
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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76
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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77
bestowed
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| 赠给，授予( bestow的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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78
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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79
earrings
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| n.耳环( earring的名词复数 )；耳坠子 | |
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decorative
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| adj.装饰的，可作装饰的 | |
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81
cane
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| n.手杖，细长的茎，藤条；v.以杖击，以藤编制的 | |
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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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83
tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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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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picturesque
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| adj.美丽如画的，（语言）生动的，绘声绘色的 | |
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insignificance
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| n.不重要；无价值；无意义 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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vivacity
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| n.快活，活泼，精神充沛 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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dilatory
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| adj.迟缓的，不慌不忙的 | |
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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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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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101
descending
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| n. 下行 adj. 下降的 | |
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102
sedulously
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| ad.孜孜不倦地 | |
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103
dignified
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| a.可敬的，高贵的 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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