第 3 节
作者:
沸点123 更新:2021-02-20 15:47 字数:9321
however; for as to all their strange conduct; it is still a mystery。
〃You see what sort of a taboo man I am;〃 said the sailor; after
for some time silently following the path which led up the mountain。
〃Mow…Mow made me a present of this pig here; and the man who carries
it will go right through Happar; and down into Nukuheva with us。 So
long as he stays by me he is safe; and just so it will be with you;
and to…morrow with Tommo。 Cheer up; then; and rely upon me; you will
see him in the morning。〃
The ascent of the mountain was not very difficult; owing to its
being near to the sea; where the island ridges are comparatively
low; the path; too; was a fine one; so that in a short time all
three were standing on the summit with the two valleys at their
feet。 The white cascades marking the green head of the Typee valley
first caught Toby's eye; Marheyo's house could easily be traced by
them。
As Jimmy led the way along the ridge; Toby observed that the
valley of the Happars did not extend near so far inland as that of the
Typees。 This accounted for our mistake in entering the latter valley
as we had。
A path leading down from the mountain was soon seen; and following
it; the party were in a short time fairly in the Happar valley。
〃Now;〃 said Jimmy; as they hurried on; 〃we taboo men have wives in
all the bays; and I am going to show you the two I have here。〃
So; when they came to the house where he said they lived… which
was close by the base of the mountain; in a shady nook among the
groves;… he went in; and was quite furious at finding it empty… the
ladies had gone out。 However; they soon made their appearance; and; to
tell the truth; welcomed Jimmy quite cordially; as well as Toby; about
whom they were very inquisitive。 Nevertheless; as the report of
their arrival spread; and the Happars began to assemble; it became
evident that the appearance of a white stranger among them was not
by any means deemed so wonderful an event as in the neighbouring
valley。
The old sailor now bade his wives prepare something to eat; as
he must be in Nukuheva before dark。 A meal of fish; bread…fruit; and
bananas; was accordingly served up; the party regaling themselves on
the mats; in the midst of a numerous company。
The Happars put many questions to Jimmy about Toby; and Toby
himself looked sharply at them; anxious to recognise the fellow who
gave him the wound from which he was still suffering。 But this fiery
gentleman; so handy with his spear; had the delicacy; it seemed; to
keep out of view。 Certainly the sight of him would not have been any
added inducement to making a stay in the valley;… some of the
afternoon loungers in Happar having politely urged Toby to spend a few
days with them;… there was a feast coming on。 He; however; declined。
All this while the young Typee stuck to Jimmy like his shadow; and
though as lively a dog as any of his tribe; he was now as meek as a
lamb; never opening his mouth except to eat。 Although some of the
Happars looked queerly at him; others were more civil; and seemed
desirous of taking him abroad and showing him the valley。 But the
Typee was not to be cajoled in that way。 How many yards he would
have to remove from Jimmy before the taboo would be powerless; it
would be hard to tell; but probably he himself knew to a fraction。
On the promise of a red cotton handkerchief; and something else
which he kept secret; this poor fellow had undertaken a rather
ticklish journey; though; as far as Toby could ascertain; it was
something that had never happened before。
The island…punch… arva… was brought in at the conclusion of the
repast; and passed round in a shallow calabash。
Now my comrade; while seated in the Happar house; began to feel
more troubled than ever at leaving me: indeed; so sad did he feel that
he talked about going back to the valley; and wanted Jimmy to escort
him as far as the mountains。 But the sailor would not listen to him;
and; by way of diverting his thoughts; pressed him to drink of the
arva。 Knowing its narcotic nature; he refused; but Jimmy said he would
have something mixed with it; which would convert it into an
innocent beverage that would inspirit them for the rest of their
journey。 So at last he was induced to drink of it; and its effects
were just as the sailor had predicted; his spirits rose at once; and
all his gloomy thoughts left him。
The old rover now began to reveal his true character; though he
was hardly suspected at the time。 〃If I get you off to a ship;〃 said
he; 〃you will surely give a poor fellow something for saving you。〃
In short; before they left the house; he made Toby promise that he
would give him five Spanish dollars if he succeeded in getting any
part of his wages advanced from the vessel; aboard of which they
were going; Toby; moreover; engaging to reward him still further; as
soon as my deliverance was accomplished。
A little while after this they started again; accompanied by
many of the natives; and going up the valley; took a steep path near
its head; which led to Nukuheva。 Here the Happars paused; and
watched them as they ascended the mountain; one group of
bandit…looking fellows shaking their spears and casting threatening
glances at the poor Typee; whose heart as well as heels seemed much
the lighter when he came to look down upon them。
On gaining the heights once more; their way led for a time along
several ridges covered with enormous ferns。 At last they entered upon
a wooded tract; and here they overtook a party of Nukuheva natives;
well armed; and carrying bundles of long poles。 Jimmy seemed to know
them all very well; and stopped for awhile; and had a talk about the
〃Wee…Wees〃 as the people of Nukuheva call the Monsieurs。
The party with the poles were King Mowanna's men; and by his
orders they had been gathering them in the ravines for his allies; the
French。
Leaving these fellows to trudge on with their loads; Toby and
his companions now pushed forward again; as the sun was already low in
the west。 They came upon the valleys of Nukuheva on one side of the
bay; where the highlands slope off into the sea。 The men…of…war were
still lying in the harbour; and as Toby looked down upon them; the
strange events which had happened so recently seemed all a dream。
They soon descended towards the beach; and found themselves in
Jimmy's house before it was well dark。 Here he received another
welcome from his Nukuheva wives; and after some refreshments in the
shape of cocoa…nut milk and poee…poee; they entered a canoe (the
Typee; of course; going along) and paddled off to a whale…ship which
was anchored near the shore。 This was the vessel in want of men。 Our
own had sailed some time before。 The captain professed great
pleasure at seeing Toby; but thought from his exhausted appearance
that he must be unfit for duty。 However; he agreed to ship him; as
well as his comrade as soon as he should arrive。
Toby begged hard for an armed boat; in which to go round to
Typee and rescue me; notwithstanding the promises of Jimmy。 But this
the captain would not hear of; and told him to have patience; for
the sailor would be faithful to his word。 When; too; he demanded the
five silver dollars for Jimmy; the captain was unwilling to give them。
But Toby insisted upon it; as he now began to think that Jimmy might
be a mere mercenary; who would be sure to prove faithless if not
well paid。 Accordingly he not only gave him the money; but took care
to assure him; over and over again; that as soon as he brought me
aboard he would receive a still larger sum。
Before sunrise the next day; Jimmy and the Typee started in two of
the ship's boats; which were manned by tabooed natives。 Toby; of
course; was all eagerness to go along; but the sailor told him that if
he did; it would spoil all; so; hard as it was; he was obliged to
remain。
Towards evening he was on the watch; and descried the boats
turning the headland and entering the bay。 He strained his eyes; and
thought he saw me; but I was not there。 Descending from the mast
almost distracted; he grappled Jimmy as he struck the deck; shouting
in a voice that startled him; 〃Where is Tommo?〃 The old fellow
faltered; but soon recovering; did all he could to soothe him;
assuring him that it had proved to be impossible to get me down to the
shore that morning; assigning many plausible reasons; and adding
that early on the morrow he was going to visit the bay again in a
French boat; when; if he did not find me on the beach… as this time he
certainly expected to… he would march right back into the valley;
and carry me away at all hazards。 He; however; again refused to
allow Toby to accompany him。
Now; situated as Toby was; his sole dependence for the present was
upon this Jimmy; and therefore he was fain to comfort himself as
well as he could with what the old sailor told him。