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。