CHAPTER XXXIII
The escape.
Nearly three weeks had elapsed since the second visit of Marnoo, and itmust have been more than four months since I entered the valley, when oneday, about noon, and whilst everything was in profound silence, Mow-Mow,the one-eyed chief, suddenly appeared at the door, and leaning forwardtowards me as I lay directly facing him, said, in a low tone, "Toby pemiena," (Toby has arrived here.) Gracious heaven! What a tumult of emotionsrushed upon me at this startling intelligence! Insensible to the pain thathad before distracted me, I leaped to my feet, and called wildly toKory-Kory, who was reposing by my side. The startled islanders sprang fromtheir mats; the news was quickly communicated to them; and the next momentI was making my way to the Ti on the back of Kory-Kory, and surrounded bythe excited savages.
All that I could comprehend of the particulars which Mow-Mow rehearsed tohis auditors as we proceeded, was that my long-lost companion had arrivedin a boat which had just entered the bay. These tidings made me mostanxious to be carried at once to the sea, lest some untoward circumstanceshould prevent our meeting; but to this they would not consent, andcontinued their course towards the royal abode. As we approached it,Mehevi and several chiefs showed themselves from the piazza, and calledupon us loudly to come to them.
As soon as we had approached, I endeavoured to make them understand that Iwas going down to the sea to meet Toby. To this the king objected, andmotioned Kory-Kory to bring me into the house. It was in vain to resist;and in a few moments I found myself within the Ti, surrounded by a noisygroup engaged in discussing the recent intelligence. Toby's name wasfrequently repeated, coupled with violent exclamations of astonishment. Itseemed as if they yet remained in doubt with regard to the fact of hisarrival, and at every fresh report that was brought from the shore theybetrayed the liveliest emotions.
Almost frenzied at being held in this state of suspense, I passionatelybesought Mehevi to permit me to proceed. Whether my companion had arrivedor not, I felt a presentiment that my own fate was about to be decided.Again and again I renewed my petition to Mehevi. He regarded me with afixed and serious eye, but at length, yielding to my importunity,reluctantly granted my request.
Accompanied by some fifty of the natives, I now rapidly continued myjourney, every few moments being transferred from the back of one toanother, and urging my bearer forward all the while with earnestentreaties. As I thus hurried forward, no doubt as to the truth of theinformation I had received ever crossed my mind. I was alive only to theone overwhelming idea, that a chance of deliverance was now afforded me,if the jealous opposition of the savages could be overcome.
Having been prohibited from approaching the sea during the whole of mystay in the valley, I had always associated with it the idea of escape.Toby, too,--if indeed he had ever voluntarily deserted me,--must haveeffected his flight by the sea; and now that I was drawing near to itmyself, I indulged in hopes which I had never felt before. It was evidentthat a boat had entered the bay, and I saw little reason to doubt thetruth of the report that it had brought my companion. Every time,therefore, that we gained an elevation, I looked eagerly around, hoping tobehold him.
In the midst of an excited throng, who by their violent gestures and wildcries appeared to be under the influence of some excitement as strong asmy own, I was now borne along at a rapid trot, frequently stooping my headto avoid the branches which crossed the path, and never ceasing to implorethose who carried me to accelerate their already swift pace.
In this manner we had proceeded about four or five miles, when we were metby a party of some twenty islanders, between whom and those whoaccompanied me ensued an animated conference. Impatient of the delayoccasioned by this interruption, I was beseeching the man who carried meto proceed without his loitering companions, when Kory-Kory, running to myside, informed me, in three fatal words, that the news had all provedfalse--that Toby had not arrived--"Toby owlee permi." Heaven only knows how,in the state of mind and body I then was, I ever sustained the agony whichthis intelligence caused me; not that the news was altogether unexpected,but I had trusted that the fact might not have been made known until weshould have arrived upon the beach. As it was, I at once foresaw thecourse the savages would pursue. They had only yielded thus far to myentreaties, that I might give a joyful welcome to my long-lost comrade;but now that it was known he had not arrived, they would at once oblige meto turn back.
My anticipations were but too correct. In spite of the resistance I made,they carried me into a house which was near the spot, and left me upon themats. Shortly afterwards, several of those who had accompanied me from theTi, detaching themselves from the others, proceeded in the direction ofthe sea. Those who remained--among whom were Marheyo, Mow-Mow, Kory-Kory,and Tinor--gathered about the dwelling, and appeared to be awaiting theirreturn.
This convinced me that strangers--perhaps some of my own countrymen--had forsome cause or other entered the bay. Distracted at the idea of theirvicinity, and reckless of the pain which I suffered, I heeded not theassurances of the islanders that there were no boats at the beach, but,starting to my feet, endeavoured to gain the door. Instantly the passagewas blocked up by several men, who commanded me to resume my seat. Thefierce looks of the irritated savages admonished me that I could gainnothing by force, and that it was by entreaty alone that I could hope tocompass my object.
Guided by this consideration, I turned to Mow-Mow, the only chief present,whom I had been much in the habit of seeing, and, carefully concealing myreal design, tried to make him comprehend that I still believed Toby tohave arrived on the shore, and besought him to allow me to go forward towelcome him. To all his repeated assertions that my companion had not beenseen, I pretended to turn a deaf ear: while I urged my solicitations withan eloquence of gesture which the one-eyed chief appeared unable toresist. He seemed, indeed, to regard me as a froward child, to whosewishes he had not the heart to oppose force, and whom he must consequentlyhumour. He spoke a few words to the natives, who at once retreated fromthe door, and I immediately passed out of the house.
Here I looked earnestly round for Kory-Kory; but that hitherto faithfulservitor was nowhere to be seen. Unwilling to linger even for a singleinstant when every moment might be so important, I motioned to a muscularfellow near me to take me upon his back: to my surprise he angrilyrefused. I turned to another, but with a like result. A third attempt wasas unsuccessful, and I immediately perceived what had induced Mow-Mow togrant my request, and why the other natives conducted themselves in sostrange a manner. It was evident that the chief had only given me libertyto continue my progress towards the sea, because he supposed that I wasdeprived of the means of reaching it.
Convinced by this of their determination to retain me a captive, I becamedesperate; and almost insensible to the pain which I suffered, I seized aspear which was leaning against the projecting eaves of the house, and,supporting myself with it, resumed the path that swept by the dwelling. Tomy surprise, I was suffered to proceed alone, all the natives remaining infront of the house, and engaging in earnest conversation, which everymoment became more loud and vehement; and, to my unspeakable delight, Iperceived that some difference of opinion had arisen between them; thattwo parties, in short, were formed, and consequently that, in theirdivided counsels, there was some chance of my deliverance.
Before I had proceeded a hundred yards I was again surrounded by thesavages, who were still in all the heat of argument, and appeared everymoment as if they would come to blows. In the midst of this tumult oldMarheyo came to my side, and I shall never forget the benevolentexpression of his countenance. He placed his arm upon my shoulder, andemphatically pronounced one expressive English word I had taughthim--"Home." I at once understood what he meant, and eagerly expressed mythanks to him. Fayaway and Kory-Kory were by his side, both weepingviolently; and it was not until the old man had twice repeated the commandthat his son could bring himself to obey him, and take me again upon h
isback. The one-eyed chief opposed his doing so, but he was overruled, and,as it seemed to me, by some of his own party.
We proceeded onwards, and never shall I forget the ecstacy I felt when Ifirst heard the roar of the surf breaking upon the beach. Before long, Isaw the flashing billows themselves through the opening between the trees.Oh! glorious sight and sound of ocean! with what rapture did I hail you asfamiliar friends. By this time the shouts of the crowd upon the beach weredistinctly audible, and in the blended confusion of sounds I almostfancied I could distinguish the voices of my own countrymen.
When we reached the open space which lay between the groves and the sea,the first object that met my view was an English whale-boat, lying withher bow pointed from the shore, and only a few fathoms distant from it. Itwas manned by five islanders, dressed in short tunics of calico. My firstimpression was that they were in the very act of pulling out from the bay;and that, after all my exertions, I had come too late. My soul sunk withinme: but a second glance convinced me that the boat was only hanging off tokeep out of the surf; and the next moment I heard my own name shouted outby a voice from the midst of the crowd.
Looking in the direction of the sound, I perceived, to my indescribablejoy, the tall figure of Karakoee, an Oahu Kannaka, who had often beenaboard the _Dolly_ while she lay in Nukuheva. He wore the greenshooting-jacket, with gilt buttons, which had been given to him by anofficer of the _Reine Blanche_--the French flag-ship--and in which I hadalways seen him dressed. I now remembered the Kannaka had frequently toldme that his person was tabooed in all the valleys of the island, and thesight of him at such a moment as this filled my heart with a tumult ofdelight.
Karakoee stood near the edge of the water with a large roll ofcotton-cloth thrown over one arm, and holding two or three canvas bags ofpowder, while with the other hand he grasped a musket, which he appearedto be proffering to several of the chiefs around him. But they turned withdisgust from his offers, and seemed to be impatient at his presence, withvehement gestures waving him off to his boat, and commanding him todepart.
The Kannaka, however, still maintained his ground, and I at once perceivedthat he was seeking to purchase my freedom. Animated by the idea, I calledupon him loudly to come to me; but he replied, in broken English, that theislanders had threatened to pierce him with their spears, if he stirred afoot towards me. At this time I was still advancing, surrounded by a densethrong of the natives, several of whom had their hands upon me, and morethan one javelin was threateningly pointed at me. Still I perceivedclearly that many of those least friendly towards me looked irresolute andanxious.
I was still some thirty yards from Karakoee, when my farther progress wasprevented by the natives, who compelled me to sit down upon the ground,while they still retained their hold upon my arms. The din and tumult nowbecame tenfold, and I perceived that several of the priests were on thespot, all of whom were evidently urging Mow-Mow and the other chiefs toprevent my departure; and the detestable word--"Roo-ne! Roo-ne!" which Ihad heard repeated a thousand times during the day, was now shouted onevery side of me. Still I saw that the Kannaka continued his exertions inmy favour--that he was boldly debating the matter with the savages, and wasstriving to entice them by displaying his cloth and powder, and snappingthe lock of his musket. But all he said or did appeared only to augmentthe clamours of those around him, who seemed bent upon driving him intothe sea.
When I remembered the extravagant value placed by these people upon thearticles which were offered to them in exchange for me, and which were soindignantly rejected, I saw a new proof of the same fixed determination ofpurpose they had all along manifested with regard to me, and in despair,and reckless of consequences, I exerted all my strength, and, shakingmyself free from the grasp of those who held me, I sprang upon my feet andrushed towards Karakoee.
The rash attempt nearly decided my fate; for, fearful that I might slipfrom them, several of the islanders now raised a simultaneous shout, andpressing upon Karakoee, they menaced him with furious gestures, andactually forced him into the sea. Appalled at their violence, the poorfellow, standing nearly to the waist in the surf, endeavoured to pacifythem; but at length, fearful that they would do him some fatal violence,he beckoned to his comrades to pull in at once, and take him into theboat.
It was at this agonizing moment, when I thought all hope was ended, that anew contest arose between the two parties, who had accompanied me to theshore; blows were struck, wounds were given, and blood flowed. In theinterest excited by the fray, every one had left me except Marheyo,Kory-Kory, and poor dear Fayaway, who clung to me, sobbing convulsively. Isaw that now or never was the moment. Clasping my hands together, I lookedimploringly at Marheyo, and moved towards the now almost deserted beach.The tears were in the old man's eyes, but neither he nor Kory-Koryattempted to hold me, and I soon reached the Kannaka, who had anxiouslywatched my movements; the rowers pulled in as near as they dared to theedge of the surf; I gave one parting embrace to Fayaway, who seemedspeechless with sorrow, and the next instant I found myself safe in theboat, and Karakoee by my side, who told the rowers at once to give way.Marheyo and Kory-Kory, and a great many of the women, followed me into thewater, and I was determined, as the only mark of gratitude I could show,to give them the articles which had been brought as my ransom. I handedthe musket to Kory-Kory, in doing which he would fain have taken hold ofme, threw the roll of cotton to old Marheyo, pointing as I did so to poorFayaway, who had retired from the edge of the water, and was sitting downdisconsolate on the beach, and tumbled the powder-bags out to the nearestyoung ladies, all of whom were vastly willing to take them. Thisdistribution did not occupy ten seconds, and before it was over the boatwas under full way, the Kannaka all the while exclaiming loudly againstwhat he considered a useless throwing away of valuable property.
Although it was clear that my movements had been noticed by several of thenatives, still they had not suspended the conflict in which they wereengaged, and it was not until the boat was above fifty yards from theshore, that Mow-Mow and some six or seven other warriors rushed into thesea and hurled their javelins at us. Some of the weapons passed quite asclose to us as was desirable, but no one was wounded, and the men pulledaway gallantly. But although soon out of the reach of the spears, ourprogress was extremely slow; it blew strong upon the shore, and the tidewas against us; and I saw Karakoee, who was steering the boat, give many alook towards a jutting point of the bay round which we had to pass.
For a minute or two after our departure, the savages, who had formed intodifferent groups, remained perfectly motionless and silent. All at oncethe enraged chief showed by his gestures that he had resolved what coursehe would take. Shouting loudly to his companions, and pointing with histomahawk towards the headland, he set off at full speed in that direction,and was followed by about thirty of the natives, among whom were severalof the priests, all yelling out, "Roo-ne! Roo-ne!" at the very top oftheir voices. Their intention was evidently to swim off from the headlandand intercept us in our course. The wind was freshening every minute, andwas right in our teeth, and it was one of those chopping, angry seas, inwhich it is so difficult to row. Still the chances seemed in our favour,but when we came within a hundred yards of the point, the active savageswere already dashing into the water, and we all feared that within fiveminutes' time we should have a score of the infuriated wretches around us.If so our doom was sealed, for these savages, unlike the feeble swimmersof civilized countries, are, if anything, more formidable antagonists inthe water than when on the land. It was all a trial of strength; ournatives pulled till their oars bent again, and the crowd of swimmers shotthrough the water, despite its roughness, with fearful rapidity.
By the time we had reached the headland, the savages were spread rightacross our course. Our rowers got out their knives and held them readybetween their teeth, and I seized the boat-hook. We were all aware that ifthey succeeded in intercepting us, they would practise upon us themanoeuvre which proved so fatal to many a boat's crew in these sea
s. Theywould grapple the oars, and, seizing hold of the gunwale, capsize theboat, and then we should be entirely at their mercy.
After a few breathless moments I discerned Mow-Mow. The athletic islander,with his tomahawk between his teeth, was dashing the water before him tillit foamed again. He was the nearest to us, and in another instant he wouldhave seized one of the oars. Even at the moment I felt horror at the act Iwas about to commit; but it was no time for pity or compunction, and withtrue aim, and exerting all my strength, I dashed the boat-hook at him. Itstruck him just below the throat, and forced him downwards. I had no timeto repeat the blow, but I saw him rise to the surface in the wake of theboat, and never shall I forget the ferocious expression of hiscountenance.
Only one other of the savages reached the boat. He seized the gunwale, butthe knives of our rowers so mauled his wrists that he was forced to quithis hold, and the next minute we were past them all, and in safety. Thestrong excitement which had thus far kept me up, now left me, and I fellback fainting into the arms of Karakoee.
* * * * * * * * * *
The circumstances connected with my most unexpected escape may be verybriefly stated. The captain of an Australian vessel being in distress formen in these remote seas, had put into Nukuheva in order to recruit hisship's company, but not a single man was to be obtained; and the barquewas about to get under weigh, when she was boarded by Karakoee, whoinformed the disappointed Englishman that an American sailor was detainedby the savages in the neighbouring bay of Typee; and he offered, ifsupplied with suitable articles of traffic, to undertake his release. TheKannaka had gained his intelligence from Marnoo, to whom, after all, I wasindebted for my escape. The proposition was acceded to; and Karakoee,taking with him five tabooed natives of Nukuheva, again repaired aboardthe barque, which in a few hours sailed to that part of the island, andthrew her main-top-sail aback right off the entrance to the Typee bay. Thewhale-boat, manned by the tabooed crew, pulled towards the head of theinlet, while the ship lay "off and on" awaiting its return.
The events which ensued have already been detailed, and little moreremains to be related. On reaching the _Julia_, I was lifted over theside, and my strange appearance, and remarkable adventure, occasioned theliveliest interest. Every attention was bestowed upon me that humanitycould suggest; but to such a state was I reduced, that three monthselapsed before I recovered my health.
The mystery which hung over the fate of my friend and companion, Toby, hasnever been cleared up. I still remain ignorant whether he succeeded inleaving the valley, or perished at the hands of the islanders.