贝壳电子书 > 英文原著电子书 > sequel >

第3章

sequel-第3章

小说: sequel 字数: 每页4000字

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    〃It is getting late;〃 said Jimmy; who was standing behind the

rest。 〃Nukuheva is far off; and I cannot cross the Happar country by

night。 You see how it is:… if you come along with me; all will be

well; if you do not; depend upon it neither of you will ever escape。〃

    〃There is no help for it;〃 said Toby; at last; with a heavy heart;

〃I will have to trust you〃; and he came out from the shadow of the

little shrine; and cast a long look up the valley。

    〃Now keep close to my side;〃 said the sailor; 〃and let us be

moving quickly。〃 Tinor and Fayaway here appeared; the kind…hearted old

woman embracing Toby's knees; giving way to a flood of tears; while

Fayaway; hardly less moved; spoke some few words of English she had

learned; and held up three fingers before him… in so many days he

would return。

    At last Jimmy pulled Toby out of the crowd; and after calling to a

young Typee who was standing by with a young pig in his arms; all

three started for the mountains。

    〃I have told them that you are coming back again;〃 said the old

fellow; laughing; as they began the ascent; 〃but they'll have to

wait a long time。〃 Toby turned; and saw the natives all in motion… the

girls waving their tappas in adieu; and the men their spears。 As the

last figure entered the grove with one arm raised; and the three

fingers spread; his heart smote him。

    As the natives had at last consented to his going; it might have

been; that some of them; at least; really counted upon his speedy

return; probably supposing; as indeed he had told them when they

were coming down the valley; that his only object in leaving them

was to procure the medicines I needed。 This; Jimmy also must have told

them。 And as they had done before; when my comrade; to oblige me;

started on his perilous journey to Nukuheva; they looked upon me; in

his absence; as one of two inseparable friends who was a sure

guarantee for the other's return。 This is only my own supposition;

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 

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