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| author | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:27:48 -0700 |
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| committer | Roger Frank <rfrank@pglaf.org> | 2025-10-15 05:27:48 -0700 |
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diff --git a/6586-h/6586-h.htm b/6586-h/6586-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7354130 --- /dev/null +++ b/6586-h/6586-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4188 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title></title> + <meta content="pg2html (binary v0.17)" /> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .75em; margin-bottom: .75em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 5%; margin-right: 5%; text-align: justify; font-size: 80%; font-style: italic;} + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + .xx-small {font-size: 60%;} + .x-small {font-size: 75%;} + .small {font-size: 85%;} + .large {font-size: 115%;} + .x-large {font-size: 130%;} + .indent5 { margin-left: 5%;} + .indent10 { margin-left: 10%;} + .indent15 { margin-left: 15%;} + .indent20 { margin-left: 20%;} + .indent25 { margin-left: 25%;} + .indent30 { margin-left: 30%;} + .indent35 { margin-left: 35%;} + .indent40 { margin-left: 40%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {position: absolute; right: 1%; font-size: 0.6em; + font-variant: normal; font-style: normal; + text-align: right; background-color: #FFFACD; + border: 1px solid; padding: 0.3em;text-indent: 0em;} + .side { float: left; font-size: 75%; width: 15%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + .head { float: left; font-size: 90%; width: 98%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; text-align: center; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + p.pfirst, p.noindent {text-indent: 0} + span.dropcap { float: left; margin: 0 0.1em 0 0; line-height: 0.8 } + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Cruise of the Kawa, by Walter E. Traprock + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Cruise of the Kawa + +Author: Walter E. Traprock + +Posting Date: February 12, 2013 [EBook #6586] +Release Date: September, 2004 +First Posted: December 29, 2002 +Last Updated: August 18, 2018 + + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE CRUISE OF THE KAWA *** + + + + +Etext produced by Phil McLaury, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. + +Illustrated html file produced by David Widger + + + + +</pre> + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE CRUISE OF THE KAWA + </h1> + <h1> + WANDERINGS IN THE SOUTH SEAS + </h1> + <h2> + By Walter E. Traprock, F.R.S.S.E.U. + </h2> + <h3> + With Seventeen Illustrations And A Map + </h3> + <h4> + 1921 + </h4> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0001" id="linkimage-0001"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0008.jpg" alt="0008 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0008.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + DEDICATION + </h2> + <h3> + TO THE GIRLS WE LEFT BEHIND— + </h3> + <h3> + KIPPIPUTUONA (DAUGHTER OF PEARL AND CORAL) + </h3> + <h3> + LUPOBA-TILAANA (MIST ON THE MOUNTAIN) + </h3> + <h3> + BABAI-ALOVA-BABAI (ESSENCE OF ALOVA) + </h3> + <h3> + THIS VOLUME IS LOVINGLY DEDICATED + </h3> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h3> + PUBLISHER'S NOTE + </h3> + <p> + Of late the lure of the South Seas has laid its gentle spell rather + overwhelmingly upon American readers. To be unread in Polynesiana is to be + intellectually <i>declasse</i>.... In the face of this avid appetite for + tropic-scented literature, one may well imagine the satisfaction of a + publisher when offered opportunity of association with such an expedition + as that of the Kawa, an association involving the exclusive privilege of + publishing the manuscript of Walter E. Traprock himself. + </p> + <p> + The public, we feel, is entitled to a frank word regarding the inception + of this volume. Now at last it is possible to withdraw the veil of secrecy + which has shrouded the undertaking almost until the date of publication. + <i>Almost</i>, we say, because some inklings of information found their + way into the newspapers early this summer. The leak, we have reason to be + believe, is traceable to a Marquesan valet who was shipped at Papeete to + fill the place left vacant by William Henry Thomas, the strange facts + surrounding whose desertion are recorded in the pages which follow: + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0002" id="linkimage-0002"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0014.jpg" alt="0014 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0014.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + The telltale newspaper item, reproduced above, outlines the story behind + this volume. What is not made clear is the fact that the entire expedition + was painstakingly planned many months ago, the publishers themselves + making it financially possible by contracting with Dr. Traprock for his + literary output. Provision was also made for recording every phase of + experience and discovery. With this in view, Dr. Traprock's literary + attainments were complemented by securing as his companions the + distinguished American artist, Herman Swank, and Reginald K. Whinney, the + scientist. By this characteristic bit of foresight was the inclusive and + authoritative character of the expedition's findings assured. + </p> + <p> + How well we recall our parting with Traprock. + </p> + <p> + "Any further instructions?" queried the intrepid explorer from the shadow + of that ingenious yardarm. + </p> + <p> + "None," I replied. "You understand perfectly. Get the goods. See South Sea + life as it actually is. Write of it without restraint. Paint it. + Photograph it. Spare nothing. Record your scientific discoveries + faithfully. Be frank, be full...." + </p> + <p> + "Trust us!" came back Traprock's cheery cry, as the sturdy little Kawa + bore them toward their great adventures. + </p> + <p> + Herein are recorded many of their experiences and discoveries, + contributions of far-reaching significance and appeal. + </p> + <p> + Uninfluenced by professional self-interest, unshaken by our genuine + admiration for its predecessors, and despite our inherent inclination + toward modest conservatism, we unhesitatingly record the conviction that + "The Cruise of the Kawa" stands preeminent in the literature of modern + exploration—a supreme, superlative epic of the South Seas. + </p> + <h3> + G.P.P. + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> DEDICATION </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_TOC"> DETAILED CONTENTS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_ILL"> ILLUSTRATIONS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> OTHER BOOKS BY WALTER E. TRAPROCK </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> SEE THE SOUTH SEAS </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_TOC" id="link2H_TOC"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CONTENTS + </h2> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0001"> CHAPTER I </a> + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER I <br /> We get under way. Polynesia's busiest corner. Our ship's + company. A <br /> patriotic celebration rudely interrupted. In the grip of + the elements. <br /> Necessary repairs. A night vigil. Land ho! <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0002"> CHAPTER II </a> + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER II <br /> A real discovery. Polynesia analyzed. The astounding + nature of the <br /> Filberts. Their curious sound, and its reason. We make + a landing. Our <br /> first glimpse of the natives. The value of + vaudeville. <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0003"> CHAPTER III </a> + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER III <br /> Our handsome hosts. En route to the interior. Native + flora and fauna. <br /> We arrive at the capital. A lecture on Filbertine + architecture. A <br /> strange taboo. The serenade. <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0004"> CHAPTER IV </a> + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER IV <br /> A few of our native companions. Filbertine diet. + Physiological <br /> observations. We make a tour of the island. A call on + the ladies. <br /> Baahaabaa gives a feast. The embarrassments of + hospitality. An alcoholic <br /> escape. <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0005"> CHAPTER V </a> + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER V <br /> A frank statement. We vote on the question of matrimony. A + triple <br /> wedding. An epithalmic verse. We remember the Kawa. An + interview <br /> with William Henry Thomas. Triplett's strategy. Safe + within the atoll. <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0006"> CHAPTER VI </a> + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER VI <br /> Marital memories. A pillow-fight on the beach. A deep-sea + devil. The <br /> opening in the atoll. Swank paints a portrait. The <i>fatu-liva</i> + bird and <br /> its curious gift. My adventure with the <i>wak-wak</i>. + Saved! <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0007"> CHAPTER VII </a> + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER VII <br /> Excursions beyond the outer reef. Our aquatic wives. + Premonitions. A <br /> picnic on the mountain. Hearts and flowers. Whinney + delivers a <br /> geological dissertation. Babai finds a <i>fatu-liva</i> + nest. The strange <br /> flower in my wife's hair. <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0008"> CHAPTER VIII </a> + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER VIII <br /> Swank's popularity on the Island. Whinney's jealousy. + An artistic duel. <br /> Whinney's deplorable condition. An assembly of the + Archipelago. <br /> Water-sports on the reef. The Judgment. <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0009"> CHAPTER IX </a> + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER IX <br /> More premonitions. Triplett's curious behavior. A call + from Baahaabaa. <br /> We visit William Henry Thomas. His bride. The + christening. A hideous <br /> discovery. Pros and Cons. Out heart-breaking + decision. A stirrup-cup <br /> of lava-lava. <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2HCH0010"> CHAPTER X </a> + </p> + <p> + CHAPTER X <br /> Once more the Kawa foots the sea. Triplett's observations + and <br /> our assistance. The death of the compass-plant. Lost! An orgy of + <br /> desperation. Oblivion and excess. The Kawa brings us home. Our <br /> + reception in Papeete. A celebration at the Tiare. <br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_ILL" id="link2H_ILL"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ILLUSTRATIONS + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br />THE AUTHOR AND HIS ISLAND BRIDE <br /> <br />CAPTAIN EZRA + TRIPLETT <br /> <br />A BEWILDERED BOTANIST <br /> <br />THE W.E. TRAPROCK + EXPEDITION <br /> <br />BABAI AND HER TAA-TAA <br /> <br />WALTER E. TRAPROCK, + F.R.S.S.E.U <br /> <br />GATHERING DEW-FISH ON THE OUTER REEF <br /> <br />HERMAN + SWANK <br /> <br />LUPOBA-TILAANA, MIST ON THE MOUNTAIN <br /> <br />WATCHFUL + WAITING <br /> <br />GOLDEN HARMONIES <br /> <br />WILLIAM HENRY THOMAS <br /> + <br />THE LAGOON AT DAWN (WHINNEY'S VERSION) <br /> <br />THE LAGOON AT DAWN + (SWANK'S VERSION) <br /> <br />THE NEST OF A FATU-LIVA <br /> <br />BAAHAABAA + MOURNING THE DEPARTURE OF HIS FRIENDS <br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0001" id="link2HCH0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER I + </h2> + <p> + We get under way. Polynesia's busiest corner. Our ship's company. A + patriotic celebration rudely interrupted. In the grip of the elements. + Necessary repairs. A night vigil. Land ho! + </p> + <p> + "Is she tight?" asked Captain Ezra Triplett. (We were speaking of my yawl, + the Kawa). + </p> + <p> + "As tight as a corset," was my reply. + </p> + <p> + "Good. I'll go." + </p> + <p> + In this short interview I obtained my captain for what was to prove the + most momentous voyage of my life. + </p> + <p> + The papers were signed forthwith in the parlor of Hop Long's + Pearl-of-the-Orient Cafeteria and dawn of the following day saw us beyond + the Golden Gate. + </p> + <p> + I will omit the narration of the eventful but ordinary occurrences which + enlivened the first six months of our trip and ask my reader to transport + himself with me to a corner with which he is doubtless already familiar, + namely, that formed by the intersection of the equator with the 180th + meridian. + </p> + <p> + This particular angle bears the same relation to the Southern Pacific that + the corner of Forty-second Street and Fifth Avenue does to the Atlantic + Seaboard. More explorers pass a given point in a given time at this corner + than at any other on the globe. [Footnote: See L. Kluck. <i>Traffic + Conditions in the South Seas</i>, Chap. IV., pp. 83-92.] + </p> + <p> + It was precisely noon, daylight-saving time, on July 4th, 1921, when I + stood on the corner referred to and, strange to say, found it practically + deserted. To be more accurate, I stood on the deck of my auxiliary yawl, + the Kawa, and she, the Kawa, wallowed on the corner mentioned. To all + intents and purposes our ship's company was alone. We had the comforting + knowledge that on our right, as one faced the bow, were the Gilbert and + Marshall groups (including the Sandwiches), on our left the Society, + Friendly and Loyalty Archipelagoes, back of us the Marquesas and Paumotus + and, directly on our course, the Carolines and Solomons, celebrated for + their beautiful women. [Footnote: See "Song of Solomon," King James + Version.] But we were becalmed and the geographic items mentioned were, + for the time being, hull-down. Thus we were free to proceed with the + business at hand, namely, the celebration of our national holiday. + </p> + <p> + This we had been doing for several hours, with frequent toasts, speeches, + firecrackers and an occasional rocket aimed directly at the eye of the + tropical sun. Captain Triplett, being a stickler for marine etiquette, had + conditioned that there should be no liquor consumed except when the sun + was over the yard-arm. To this end he had fitted a yard-arm to our + cross-trees with a universal joint, thus enabling us to keep the spar + directly under the sun at any hour of the day or night. Consequently our + celebration was proceeding merrily. + </p> + <p> + While in this happy and isolated condition let me say a few words of our + ship's company. Having already mentioned the Captain I will dispose of him + first. Captain Ezra Triplett was a hard-bitten mariner. In fact, he was, I + think, the hardest-bitten mariner I have ever seen. He had been bitten, + according to his own tell, man-and-boy, for fifty-two years, by every sort + of insect, rodent and crustacean in existence. He had had smallpox and + three touches of scurvy, each of these blights leaving its autograph. He + had lost one eye in the Australian bush where, naturally, it was + impossible to find it. This had been replaced by a blue marble of the size + known, technically, as an eighteen-er, giving him an alert appearance + which had first attracted me. By nature taciturn, he was always willing to + sit up all night as long as the gin was handy, an excellent trait in a + navigator. About his neck he wore a felt bag containing ten or a dozen + assorted marbles with which he furnished his vacant socket according to + his fancy, and the effect of his frequent changes was both unusual and + diverting. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0003" id="linkimage-0003"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0027.jpg" alt="0027 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0027.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + The annals of maritime history will never be complete until the name of + Captain Ezra Triplett of New Bedford, Massachusetts, receives the + recognition which is justly its. For more than ten generations the + forebears of this hard-bitten mariner have followed the sea in its various + ramifications. + </p> + <p> + The first Triplett was one of the companions of Goswold who, in 1609, + wintered on Cuttyhunk Island in Buzzard's Bay. From then on the members of + this hardy New England family have earned positions of trust and honor. By + courage and perseverance the subject of this portrait has worked himself + up from cabin boy on the sound steamer <i>Puritan</i> (wrecked on + Bartlett's Reef, 1898) to his present position of commander of the Kawa. + </p> + <p> + Of his important part in connection with the historic cruise described in + these pages, the Kawa's owner, Dr. Traprock, has no hesitancy in saying, + "Frankly, without Triplett the thing never could have been done." The + accompanying photograph was taken just after the captain had been hauled + out of the surf in Papeete. It will be remarked that he still maintains an + indomitable front and holds his trusty Colt in readiness for immediate + action.] + </p> + <p> + But sail! Lord bless you, how Triplett could sail! It was wizardry, sheer + wizardry; "devil-work," the natives used to call it. Triplett, + blindfolded, could find the inlet to a hermetically sealed atoll. When + there wasn't any inlet he would wait for a seventh wave—which is + always extra large—and take her over on the crest, disregarding the + ragged coral below. The Kawa was a tight little craft, built for rough + work. She stood up nobly under the punishment her skipper gave her. + </p> + <p> + Triplett's assistant was an individual named William Henry Thomas, a + retired Connecticut farmer who had chosen to end his days at sea. This, it + should be remarked, is the reverse of the usual order. The back-lots of + Connecticut are peopled by retired sea-captains who have gone back to the + land, which accounts in large measure for the condition of agriculture in + these communities. William Henry Thomas had appeared as Triplett's + selection. Once aboard ship his land habits stood him in good stead in his + various duties as cook, foremost-hand, butler and valet, for it must not + be supposed that the Kawa, tight though she might be, was without a jaunty + style of her own. + </p> + <p> + Our first-class cabin passengers were three, Reginald K. Whinney, + scientific man, world wanderer, data-demon and a devil when roused; Herman + Swank, bohemian, artist, and vagabond, forever in search of new + sensations, and myself, Walter E. Traprock, of Derby, Connecticut, editor, + war correspondent, and author, jack-of-all-trades, mostly literary and + none lucrative. + </p> + <p> + Our object? What, indeed, but life itself! + </p> + <p> + I had known my companions for years. We had been class-mates at New Haven + when our fathers were working our way through college. How far away it all + seemed on that torrid Fourth of July as we sat on the Kawa's deck singing + "Oralee", to which we had taught Triplett the bass. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + "Like a blackbird in the spring, + Chanting Ora-lee...." +</pre> + <p> + "Very un-sanitary," said Whinney, "a blackbird ... in the spring ... very + un-sanitary." + </p> + <p> + We laughed feebly. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, as they do in the tropics, an extraordinary thing happened. A + simoon, a monsoon and a typhoon met, head on, at the exact corner of the + equator and the 180th meridian. We hadn't noticed one of them,—they + had given us no warning or signal of any kind. Before we knew it they were + upon us! + </p> + <p> + I have been in any one of the three separately many a time. In '95 off the + Blue Canary Islands I was caught in an octoroon, one of those eight-sided + storms, that spun our ship around like a top, and killed all the canaries + for miles about—the sea was strewn with their bodies. But this! + </p> + <p> + "Below," bellowed Captain Triplett, and we made a dive for the hatch. + William Henry Thomas was the last in, having been in the bow setting off a + pinwheel, when the blow hit us. We dragged him in. My last memory is of + Triplett driving a nail back of the hatch-cover to keep it from sliding. + </p> + <p> + How long we were whirled in that devil's grip of the elements I cannot + say. It may have been a day—it may have been a week. We were all + below, battened down ... tight. At times we lost consciousness—at + times we were sick—at times, both. I remember standing on Triplett's + face and peering out through a salt-glazed port-hole at a world of + waterspouts, as thick as forest trees, dancing, melting, crashing upon us. + I sank back. <i>This was the end</i> ... + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0004" id="linkimage-0004"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0033.jpg" alt="0033 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0033.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + Here, against the background of a closely woven hedge of southern hornbeam + (<i>Carpinus Tropicalis</i>), we see that eminent scientist, Reginald + Whinney, in the act of discovering, for the first time in any country, a + magnificent specimen of wild modesty (<i>Tiarella nuda</i>), which grows + in great profusion throughout the Filbert Islands. This tiny floweret is + distantly related, by marriage, to the European sensitive plant (<i>Plantus + pudica</i>) but is infinitely more sensitive and reticent. An illustration + of this amazing quality is found in the fact that its snowy blossoms blush + a deep crimson under the gaze of the human eye. At the touch of the human + hand the flowers turn inside-out and shrink to minute proportions. Dr. + Whinney attempted in vain to transplant specimens of this fragile creation + to our old-world botanical gardens but found the conditions of modern + plant life an insuperable barrier. The seeds of wild modesty absolutely + refuse to germinate in either Europe or America.] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + Calm. Peace and sun! The beneficence of a warm, golden finger that reached + gently through the port-hole and rested on my eye. What had happened? Oh—yes. + "Like a blackbird in the spring." Slowly I fought my way back to + consciousness. Triplett was sitting in a corner still clutching the + hammer. On the floor lay Whinney and William Henry Thomas, their twisted + legs horribly suggestive of death. + </p> + <p> + "Air," I gasped. + </p> + <p> + Triplett feebly wrenched out the nail and we managed to pull the hatch far + enough back to squeeze through. Enlivened by the fresh air the others + crawled slowly after, except poor William Henry Thomas who still lay + inert. + </p> + <p> + "He's all right," said Whinney. "The gin bottle broke and dripped into his + mouth. He'll come to presently." He added in an undertone, "The wages of + gin..." Whinney was always quoting. + </p> + <p> + Minus our factotum we stood and silently surveyed what once had been the + Kawa. The leathern features of Captain Triplett twisted into a grin. + "Bald's a badger!" he murmured. + </p> + <p> + Everything had gone by the board. Mast, jigger, bow-sprit and running + gear. Not a trace of block or tackle rested on the surrounding sea. We + were clean-shaven. Of the chart, which had hung in a frame near the + binnacle, not a line remained. All our navigating instruments, quadrant, + sextant, and hydrant, with which we had amused ourselves making foolish + observations during that morning of the glorious Fourth, our chronometer + and speedometer,—all had absolutely disappeared. + </p> + <p> + "And there we are!" said Swank. + </p> + <p> + Triplett coughed apologetically and pulled his forelock. + </p> + <p> + "If you don't mind, sir, night'll be comin' on soon and I think we'd + better make sail." + </p> + <p> + "Make sail?" I murmured blankly. "How?" + </p> + <p> + "The bedding, sir," said Triplett. + </p> + <p> + "Of course!" I cried. "All hands abaft to make sail." + </p> + <p> + How we knotted our sheets and blankets together to fashion a rough + main-sail would be a tedious recital, for it was slow work. Our combined + efforts made, I should say, about eight knots an hour but half of them + pulled out at the least provocation. We persevered, however, and finally + completed our task. Nor were we an instant too soon, for just as we had + succeeded in getting the oars to stand upright and were anxiously watching + our well-worn army blankets belly out with the steady trade wind, the sun, + which for the last hour had hung above the horizon, suddenly fell into the + sea and night was upon us. + </p> + <p> + "There's that," said Whinney quietly. + </p> + <p> + Thus we slid through the velvet night with the Double Cross hanging low, + sou'west by south. + </p> + <p> + It must have been about an hour before dawn that a shiver of expectancy + thrilled us unanimously. + </p> + <p> + "Did you hear that, sir?" said Captain Triplett in a low tone. + </p> + <p> + "No ... what was it?" + </p> + <p> + "A sea-robin ... we must be near land ... there it is again." + </p> + <p> + I heard it that time ... the faint, sweet note of the male sea-robin. + </p> + <p> + Shortly afterward we heard the mewing of a sea-puss, evidently chasing the + robin. + </p> + <p> + "Sure enough, sir," said Triplett. "It'll be land." Somehow we felt sure + of it. + </p> + <p> + In calm elation and tired expectancy we strained our eyes through the slow + crescendo of the day's birth. Suddenly, the sun leaped over the horizon + and the long crimson rays flashed forward to where, dead ahead, we could + see a faint swelling on the skyline. "Land-ho!" we cried in voices of + strangled joy. + </p> + <p> + "Boys," said Captain Triplett, apologetically ... "we ain't got no + yard-arm, but the sun's up and there's land dead ahead, and I reckon..." + </p> + <p> + He paused. Through the hatchway came William Henry Thomas bearing a tray + with four lily cups. + </p> + <p> + "Fair as a lily..." said Whinney (I knew he would). + </p> + <p> + Two minutes later we had fallen into heavy slumber while the Kawa steered + by the faithful Triplett, moved steadily toward our unknown haven. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0002" id="link2HCH0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER II + </h2> + <p> + A real discovery. Polynesia analyzed. The astounding nature of the + Filberts. Their curious sound, and its reason. We make a landing. Our + first glimpse of the natives. The value of vaudeville. + </p> + <p> + There is nothing better, after a hurricane, than six hours' sleep. It was + high noon when we were awakened by William Henry Thomas and the odor of + coffee, which drew us to the quarter-deck. There, for the first time, we + were able to make an accurate survey of our surroundings and realize the + magnitude and importance of what had befallen us. While we slept Captain + Triplett had warped the denuded Kawa through a labyrinth of coral and we + now lay peacefully at anchor with the island lying close in-board. + </p> + <p> + Its appearance, to put it mildly, was astonishing. Let me remind the + reader that for the previous four months we had been prowling through the + Southern Pacific meeting everywhere with disappointment and + disillusionment. We had inspected every island in every group noted on + every map from Mercator to Rand-McNally without finding any variation in + type from, "A," the low lying coral-atoll of the well-known broken + doughnut formation, to, "B," the high-browed, mansard design popularized + by F. O'Brien. [Footnote: This is the type "E". of Melville's overrated + classification—<i>Ed.</i>] In a few of the outlying suburbs of + Melanesia and the lower half of Amnesia, we had found a few designs which + showed sketchy promise of originality: coral reefs in quaint forms had + been begun, outlining a scheme of decoration in contrast with the austere + mountains and valleys. But everywhere these had been abandoned. Either the + appropriation had given out, or the polyps had gotten to squabbling among + themselves and left their work to be slowly worn away by the erosive + action of sea and shipwrecked bottoms. [Footnote: In Micronesia it was + even worse, the islands offering a dead-level of mediocrity which I have + never seen equalled except in the workingmen's cottages of Ampere, New + Jersey, the home of the General Electric Company.] Add to the geographic + sameness the universal blight of white civilization with its picture + post-cards, professional hula and ooh-la dancers, souvenir and gift shops, + automat restaurants, movie-palaces, tourists, artists and explorers, and + you have some idea of the boredom which had settled down over the Kawa and + her inmates. + </p> + <p> + Only a few days before Whinney, usually so philosophical, had burst out + petulantly with: "To hell with these islands. Give me a good mirage, any + time." Swank and I had heartily agreed with him, and it was in that + despondent spirit that we had begun our Fourth of July celebration. + </p> + <p> + As we sat cozily on deck, sipping our coffee, it slowly dawned on us that + we had made the amazing discovery of an absolutely new type of island!—something + so evidently virgin and unvisited that we could only gaze in awe-struck + silence. + </p> + <p> + "Do you know," whispered Swank, "I think this is the first time I have + ever seen a virgin"—he choked for an instant on a crumb—"island." + </p> + <p> + We could well believe it. + </p> + <p> + The islands lay before us in echelon formation. The one in our immediate + foreground was typical of the others. Its ground-floor plan was that of a + circle of beach and palm enclosing an inner sea from the center of which + rose an elaborate mountain to a sheer height of two thousand, perhaps ten + thousand, feet. The general effect was that of a pastry masterpiece on a + gigantic scale. [Footnote: Oddly enough the scene struck me as strangely + familiar but it was not until weeks afterward that I recalled its + prototype in the memory of a decoration worn by General Grosdenovitch, + Minister very-extraordinary to America from Montenegro just before the + little mountain kingdom blew up with a faint pop and became absorbed by + Jugo-Slovakia (sic).] We could only stare in open-mouthed amazement, + thrilled with the thought that we were actually discoverers. A gorgeous + feature of our find, in addition to its satisfactory shape, was its color. + Sand and vegetation were of the conventional hues, but where the flanks of + the rock rose from the enclosed pool we observed that they were of the + pure elementary colors, red, blue and yellow, fresh and untarnished as in + the latest masterpiece from the brush of the Master of All Painters. Here + before our eyes was an unspoiled sample of what the world must have looked + like on varnishing day. + </p> + <p> + Swank, who is ultra-modern in his tendencies, was in ecstasies over the + naive simplicity of the color scheme. "Look at that red!" he shouted. + "Look at that blue!! Look at that yaller!!!" He dove below and I heard + rattling of tubes and brushes that told me he was about to commit + landscape. This time I knew he couldn't possibly make the colors too + violent. + </p> + <p> + Fringing the exquisitely tinted coral strand were outlying reefs, + alternately concave and convex, which gave the shore edge a scalloped, + almost rococo finish, which I have heard decorators call the + Chinese-Chippendale "effect." Borne to our nostrils by an occasional + reflex of the zooming trades came, ever and anon, entrancing whiffs of a + brand new odor. + </p> + <p> + It is always embarrassing to attempt to describe a new smell, for, such is + our inexperience in the nasal field, that a new smell must invariably be + described in terms of <i>other</i> smells, and by reason of a curious, + inherited prudery this province has been left severely alone by English + writers. I know of but one man, M. Sentant, the governor of Battambang, + Cambodia, who frankly makes a specialty of odors. [Footnote: See <i>Journal + des Debats</i>, '09, "Le nez triomphant" de Lucien Sentant.] + </p> + <p> + "J'aime les odeurs!" he said to me one day as we sat sipping a siem-bok on + the piazza, of the residency. + </p> + <p> + "Mais il y en a des mauvaises," I deprecated. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Meme</i> les mauvaises," he insisted, "Oui, <i>surtout les</i> + mauvaises!" + </p> + <p> + But Sentant is unique. I can only say that as I sat sniffing on the deck + of the Kawa there was about us a <i>soupcon</i> of the <i>je-ne-sais-quoi + tropicale</i>, half nostalgie, half diablerie. It was ... but what's the + use? You will have to go out there some time and smell it for yourself. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0005" id="linkimage-0005"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0048.jpg" alt="0048 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0048.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + It is doubtful if a camera's eye ever recorded the presence of a more + remarkable group than that presented on the opposite page. Here we see the + ship's company of the yawl Kawa, assembled under the shade of the broad + panjandrus leaves which fringe the Filbert Islands. They are, reading from + left to right, William Henry Thomas, the crew; Herman Swank, Walter E. + Traprock, Reginald Whinney. At their feet lies Kippiputuona (Daughter of + Pearl and Coral). The black and white of photography can give no idea of + the magnificent tropical coloring, nor of the exquisite sounds and odors + which permeate every inch of the island paradise. At the moment of taking + this picture, which was obligingly snapped by Captain Triplett, the entire + party was listening to the thrilling cry of the fatu-liva bird. Captain + Triplett had just requested the group to "listen to the little birdie" + when the distant wood-notes were heard, the coincidence falling in most + happily with the photographer's attempts to secure the absolute attention + of his subjects.] + </p> + <p> + I have mentioned the contour, color and fragrance of our island. I now + come to the strangest feature of all. I refer to its sound. I had for some + time noticed a queer, dripping noise which I had foreborne to mention + fearing it might be inside my own head—a devilish legacy of our + recent buffeting. You can imagine my relief when Whinney asked + apologetically, "Do you fellows hear anything?" + </p> + <p> + "I do!" was my rejoinder, seconded by Swank who had come up for air. + </p> + <p> + We all listened intently. + </p> + <p> + Though the sky was cloudless, a distinct pattering sound as of a light + rain reached us. + </p> + <p> + "Nuts..." said Captain Triplett suddenly, spitting on the nose of a fish + that had made a face at him. A glance through our mercifully preserved + field-glasses corroborated the Captain's vision. + </p> + <p> + "For the love of Pete!" I gasped. "Take a squint at those trees." They + were literally crawling with nuts and tropical fruits of every + description. In the shadow of the broad panjandrus leaves we could see + whole loaves of breadfruits falling unassisted to the ground while between + the heavier thuds of cocoanuts and grapefruit we heard the incessant + patter of light showers of thousands of assorted nutlets, singing the + everlasting burden and refrain of these audible isles. It was this + predominant feature—though I anticipate our actual decision—which + ultimately settled our choice of a name for the new archipelago,—the + Filbert Islands, now famous wherever the names of Whinney, Swank and + Traprock are known. + </p> + <p> + It was now about half-past two bells and an excellent time to make a + landing, preparations for which were forthwith set in motion. Now, if + ever, we had occasion to bless the tightness of the Kawa, for in the + confusion below, somewhat ameliorated by the labors of William Henry + Thomas, we found most of our duffle in good order, an occasional + stethoscope broken or a cork loose, but nothing to amount to much. Our + rifles, side-arms, cartridges, camera and my bundles of rejected + manuscript were as dry as ever. I was thankful as I had counted on writing + on the other side of them. A tube of vermilion had run amuck among Swank's + underclothes but, in the main, we were intact. + </p> + <p> + After some delay in getting our folding-dory stretched on its frame, due + to Whinney's contention that the bow and stern sections belonged on the + same end, we finally shoved off, leaving William Henry Thomas to answer + the door in case of callers. + </p> + <p> + In the brief interval of our passage, I could not help noticing the + remarkable submarine flora over which we passed. The water, perfectly + clear to a depth of four-hundred and eighty-two feet, showed a remarkable + picture of aquatic forestry. Under our keel spread limeaceous trees of + myriad hues in whose branches perched variegated fish nibbling the coral + buds or thoughtfully scratching their backs on the roseate bark. Pearls + the size of onions rolled aimlessly on ocean's floor. But of these later; + for the nonce our tale leads landward. + </p> + <p> + As our canvas scraped the shingle we leaped out, tossing the dory lightly + beyond the reach of the waves, and fell into the agreed-upon formation. + Triplett in the van, then Whinney, Swank and myself, in the order named. + Beyond the beach was a luxuriant growth of <i>haro</i>. [Footnote: Similar + to the photographer's grass; is used in the foreground of early Sarony + full lengths. I have seen a similar form of vegetation just off the + fairway of the third hole at Garden City.] Into this we proceeded + gingerly, intrepid and alert, but ready to bolt at the slightest alarm. + </p> + <p> + The nut noises became constantly more ominous and menacing, but still we + saw no sign of human life. Near the edge of the forest we came to a halt. + Plainly it would be unwise to venture within range of the arboreal + hailstones without protection, for though our pith-helmets were of the + best quality they were, after all, but pith, and a cocoanut is a cocoanut, + the world over. While we were debating this point and seeking a possible + way into the jungle which was not overarched by trees I heard a low + bird-call, as I supposed, the even-song of the cross-billed cuttywink. On + the instant a towering circle of dark forms sprang from the haro and at a + glance I saw that we were completely surrounded by gigantic Filbertines! + </p> + <p> + Darting a look over my shoulder I noted to my dismay an enormous land-crab + towing our dory seaward. It was a harrowing moment. As agreed upon, we + waited for Triplett to take the initiative and in the interim I took a + hasty inventory of our reception committee. The general impression was + that of great beauty and physique entirely unadorned except for a narrow, + beaded water-line and pendent apron (<i>rigolo</i> in the Filbertine + language) consisting of a seven-year-old clam shell decorated with + brightly colored papoo-reeds. The men's faces were calm, almost benign, + and as far as I could see unarmed except for long, sharply pointed bundles + of leaves which they carried under their arms. Their tattooing was the + finest I have ever seen. + </p> + <p> + At this moment, however, my observations were concluded by Triplett's + suddenly wheeling and saying sharply, "Traprock! ... target practice!" + This was a stunt we had often performed for the amusement and + mystification of kindly cannibals in the Solomons. I had seen it in + vaudeville and taught it to Triplett. As was my custom, I had in the + pocket of my singlet a number of ship biscuit. Plucking out one of these I + placed it on my forehead and nose, holding it in place with the index + finger. Triplett leveled his Colt a good yard above my head and fired, I + on the instant pressing the biscuit so that it fell in pieces to the + ground. + </p> + <p> + The effect on the Filbertines was marvelous. + </p> + <p> + They were too simple to be afraid. Their one emotion was wonder. Then + Swank, grinning broadly, uttered the one word, "Cinch!" + </p> + <p> + To a nation which had never heard a word ending in a consonant, this was + apparently intensely humorous. They burst into loud guffaws, supplemented + with resounding slaps of their cupped hands on their stomachs, at the same + time raising an imitative cry of "Sink-ka! Sink-ka!" + </p> + <p> + This was our welcome to the Filbert Islands, and also the beginning of the + formation of that new tongue, Filbertese or nut-talk, which in the ensuing + months was to mean so much to our small but absolutely intrepid band. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0003" id="link2HCH0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER III + </h2> + <p> + Our handsome hosts. En route to the interior. Native flora and fauna. We + arrive at the capitol. A lecture on Filbertine architecture. A strange + taboo. The serenade. + </p> + <p> + With the first burst of laughter it seemed that all embarrassment on the + part of the natives had been dissipated. Those nearest us insisted on + patting our stomachs gently, at the same time uttering a soft, crooning + "soo-soo," [Footnote: This same sound is used by the natives of Sugar + Hill, New Hampshire, when calming their horses.] which it was obviously + the proper thing to return, which we did to the delight of the bronze + warriors about us. + </p> + <p> + After a few moments of this friendly massage, the most ornamental of the + savages, whom I judged to be the chief, uttered dissyllabic command of + "Oo-a," and slapped his right thigh smartly with his left hand, a feat + more easily described than accomplished. Coincident with this signal came + a cheerful riffling sound as the Filbertines broke out their large + umbrellas of panjandrus leaves which we had first mistaken for weapons. + This implement, (known technically as a <i>naa-naa</i> or <i>taa-taa</i>, + depending on whether it was open or closed), was in reality notonly a + useful and necessary protection against the continuous nut-showers but + also a weapon of both of- and de-fensive warfare. [Footnote: This + primitive people we soon found to be profoundly pacifistic, a natural + condition in a race who, since the dawn of time, had known no influence + other than that of the Pacific Ocean. Warfare with its cruel attributes + had never penetrated their isolation. With nations as with people, it + takes two to make a quarrel. Here was but one.] + </p> + <p> + We stood thus, in open formation, among the luxurious haro until in + response to another signal from the chief, a resounding slap on the left + shank, they escorted us ceremoniously along a winding path which led + toward the interior of the island. It was for all the world as if we were + being taken out to dinner, a thought which suggested for an instant the + reflection that we might turn out to be not <i>guests</i> but <i>courses</i> + at the banquet, in which case I promised myself I should be a <i>piece-de-resistance</i> + of the most violent character. + </p> + <p> + But these solemn thoughts were not proof against the gaiety of our + surroundings, the soft patter of the constantly dropping nuts bounding + from the protective <i>taa-taas</i>, and the squawks and screeches of + countless cuttywinks and <i>fatu-liva</i> birds, those queens of the + tropics whose gorgeous plumage swept across our path. + </p> + <p> + For Whinney and Swank as well as myself the promenade was a memorable one, + the former feasting his cool eyes on the hundreds of new scientific items + which he was later to classify, the bulbous <i>oo-pa</i>, a sort of + vegetable cream-puff, the succulent <i>tuki-taki</i>, pale-green with red + dots, a natural cross between the banana and the cocoanut, having the + taste of neither, and the numerous crawling things, the whistling-ants and + shy, lamp-eyed lily-bugs (<i>anchoridae flamens</i>) who flashed their + signals as we passed. + </p> + <p> + Swank revelled in the rainbow colors about us, the flaming nabiscus + blossoms and the unearthly saffron of the <i>alova</i> blooms, one inhale + of which, we were to learn, contained the kick of three old-fashioned + mint-juleps. Only Triplett's hard-boiled countenance reflected no interest + whatever in his surroundings. + </p> + <p> + It was doubtless this unintelligent dignity on our Captain's part, coupled + with what was left of his brass buttons and visor cap on which the legend + "Kawa" still glimmered faintly, which prompted the aborigines to select + him as our chief, an error which I at first thought of correcting by some + sort of dramatic tableau such as having Triplett lie down and letting me + place my foot on his Adam's apple, of which he had a splendid specimen. On + second thought, however, I decided that it would be more modest to allow + him any honors he might receive together with the responsibilities + attendant upon his position. It is the invariable habit of South Sea + Islanders, in the event of trouble, to capture and hold as hostages the + chief men of a tribe. Their heads, with or without the original bodies, + seem to have a peculiar value. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0006" id="linkimage-0006"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0062.jpg" alt="0062 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0062.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + In this picture the joyous island queen Babai-Alova-Babai is seen carrying + her taa-taa, the curious implement which serves so many purposes in the + Filbert Group. It is in turn a protection against the sun, the rain and + the constant showers of falling nuts, and also, when occasion demands, a + most effective weapon of defensive warfare. The taa-taa is made of closely + laced panjandrus leaves on a frame of the tough eva-eva. When closed, + which is seldom, it is known as a naa-naa. In addition to its other uses + it is most evidently a charming background for a splendid example of + Filbertine youth and beauty.] + </p> + <p> + Soon the trail widened, and we were called upon to hurdle several low + barriers of <i>papoo-reeds</i>, designed to confine the activities of the + countless Alice-blue wart-hogs which whined plaintively about our feet. At + a majestic gesture from the chief the <i>taa-taas</i> were furled + (becoming <i>naa-naas</i>), and we halted in a bright clearing about sixty + feet in diameter, plainly the public square, or, to be exact, circle. + </p> + <p> + My first impression was that of complete isolation in an unbroken forest. + Peer as I would, I could discern no sign of human habitation. We had + arrived, but where? My question was soon answered. By most gracious + gestures, soft sounds and a series of fluttering finger exercises on the + abdominal walls we were led to one side of the circle where, as our guides + pointed upward, white eyes for the first time in history rested on a + Filbertine dwelling! + </p> + <p> + The houses were in the trees! + </p> + <p> + Architecture is said to express deeply the inner characteristics of a + people, a statement I am glad to corroborate. But never had it struck me + so forcibly as now. Gazing up at a dim picture of informal construction, + interlaced and blended with the trunks, boughs and foliage of the + overarching palms I saw at a glance the key-note of the life of this + simple people—<i>absence of labor</i>. + </p> + <p> + The houses,—nests, were the better word—were formed by a most + naive adaptation of natural surroundings to natural needs. The curving + fronds of the towering coco-palms and panjandrus had been interlaced; and + nature did the rest, the gigantic leaves interweaving, blending, + over-lapping, meeting in a passionate and successful desire to form a + roof, proof alike against sun and rain. Some ten feet below this and an + equal distance from the ground the tendrils of the <i>eva-eva</i> vine had + been led from tree to tree, the subordinate fibres and palpitating feelers + quickly knitting themselves into a floor with all the hygienic properties + and tensile strength of linen-mesh. + </p> + <p> + Access to these apartments was something of a puzzle until, to instruct + us, a tall Filbert, who was evidently to be our neighbor, approached a + nearby dwelling and, seizing a pendent halyard of <i>eva-eva</i>, gently + but firmly pulled down the floor to a convenient level, vaulted into the + hammock-like depression and was immediately snapped into privacy. From + below we could see the imprint of his form rolling toward the center of + his living-room and then the depressions of his feet as he proceeded to + lurch about his dwelling. + </p> + <p> + It was now mid-afternoon; we were hot, tired, and, though we did not know + it, mildly intoxicated by the inhalations of alova which we had absorbed + during our journey. I looked forward eagerly to getting up-stairs, so to + speak, and taking a sound nap. One thing only deterred me; I was thirsty. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0007" id="linkimage-0007"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0068.jpg" alt="0068 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0068.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + This striking likeness of Dr. Traprock, the author of the present volume, + admirably expresses the intensity, alertness and intrepidity which have + carried this remarkable personage through so many harrowing experiences. A + certain bold defiance, which is one of Dr. Traprock's characteristics, has + here been caught to the life. With just this matchless courage we know + that he must have faced death a thousand times even though, as now, he had + not a cartridge in his belt. That Dr. Traprock knows no fear is evidenced + by the fact that he has not only explored every quarter of the globe, but + that he has also written a number of books of travel, plays, musical + comedies and one cook-book. The background of this picture shows the + densely matted bush of the Filbert Islands in their interior portion, a + jungle growth which might well baffle any but the most skillful threader + of the trackless wilds. The gun carried by Dr. Traprock is a museum-piece, + having been presented to the author's great-grandfather by Israel Putnam + immediately after the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga. Thanks to constant + upkeep it is in as good condition as ever. This is also true of Dr. + Traprock.] + </p> + <p> + On the edge of the clearing I heard the tinkling of a brook. Walking to + its edge, I knelt and dipped my hot wrists in the cold stream, wetting my + hands, face and matted locks, while the natives eyed me solemnly but with, + I thought, looks of anxiety. And then a strange thing happened. As I took + off my duck's-back fishing hat, filled it to the brim and raised it to my + lips, a cry of horror burst from the throats of those swarthy giants. The + chief strode forward and dashed the cap from my hand, at the same time + thundering the word "Bapoo!" + </p> + <p> + In an instant it flashed upon me that this was Filbertese for <i>tapu</i> + or <i>taboo</i>, that strange, sacred kibosh which is laid on certain + acts, objects or localities throughout these far-flung islands. Water it + appeared was for drinking purposes—<i>bapoo</i>. I then did what I + think was exactly the right thing under the circumstances, namely, to + wring out the offending head-covering and throw it as far from me as + possible, an act which was greeted with a hearty burst of applause. + </p> + <p> + It was not necessary for me to indicate further that I was thirsty. Two + henchmen almost immediately appeared with a large nut-shell of unfamiliar + appearance,—it was about the size of a half watermelon and bright + red on the outside,—full of a pale pink liquid. The chief, one or + two of the leading men, and the rest of my party were similarly equipped. + Raising his shell the chief and nobles said simultaneously "Wha-e-a" and + we drank. + </p> + <p> + Two minutes afterward I had a faint sensation of being borne away by the + trade wind. Swank was beside me and I heard him murmur, "I'm glad I don't + have to sleep with Triplett." + </p> + <p> + The rest was silence, and the silence was rest.... + </p> + <p> + We awoke many hours later. It was moonlight and we were lying in a + complicated knot in the exact center of our domicile. Unraveling ourselves + we tested our heads with gentle oscillations. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly, in the distance, we heard a sound which sent a chill thrill + running up and down our spines, the sound of singing, a faint far-off + chorus of the loveliest voices that ever fell on mortal ears. The tone had + that marvelous silver clang of the woodland thrush with yet a deeper, + human poignancy, a note of passionate longing and endearment, shy but + assertive, wild, but oh! so alluring. We chinned ourselves expectantly on + the edge of our floor and waited, panting. + </p> + <p> + "A serenade," whispered Swank, and Whinney shush-ed him savagely. + </p> + <p> + Through the forest glades we could see the choir approaching, the dusky + flash of brown bodies swaying, palpitating to the intoxicating rhythm of + the song. Slowly and with great dignity they entered the clearing and + stood, a score of slender creatures, in the full blaze of the moon, their + lithe-limbed bodies clad only in delicate mother-of-pearl <i>rigolos</i>. + </p> + <p> + Thus standing, they again burst into the melody of their national + love-song. I transcribe the original words which for simple, primitive + beauty are without rival. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + A-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a + E-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e + + I-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-i + O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o + U-u-u-u-u-u-u-u-u +</pre> + <p> + and sometimes + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w +</pre> + <p> + And + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y +</pre> + <p> + The music is indescribable, I can only say that it is as beautiful as the + words.[Footnote: "The peculiarly liquid quality of Polynesian phonetics is + impossible for foreigners to acquire. Europeans who attempt a mastery of + these sounds invariably suffer from what etymologists call metabelia, or + vowel complaint."—<i>Prof. C.H. Towne, Nyack University</i>.] + </p> + <p> + On the third encore they turned and slowly but surely filed out of the + clearing into the forest. Long after they had disappeared our eyes still + hung over the edge of our apartment and we could hear in our memories the + sweet refrain— + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + W-w-w-w-w-w-w-w-w + Y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y-y +</pre> + <p> + As we lay there like men in a trance I saw a dull red glow on the horizon + and then, far off a rocket split the velvet night, burst into stars and + disappeared. + </p> + <p> + It was William Henry Thomas, aboard the Kawa—a signal of distress! + Poor goof! We had completely forgotten him. + </p> + <p> + I had a vague sense, shared, I think, by the others, that I ought to worry + a bit about him. But it was no use. One by one we lowered ourselves into + the pit of our arboreal home and drifted into delicious languorous + reveries, not of William Henry Thomas. We had other things to think about. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0004" id="link2HCH0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IV + </h2> + <p> + A few of our native companions. Filbertine diet. Physiological + observations. We make a tour of the island. A call on the ladies. + Baahaabaa gives a feast. The embarrassments of hospitality. An alcoholic + escape. + </p> + <p> + "We really must do something about William Henry Thomas," I said on the + day following our serenade. + </p> + <p> + My companions agreed, and we really meant it. But alas, how easy it is to + put things off. Day after day slipped by and we thought less and less of + our boat-tending sailorman and more and more of what a magnificent time we + were having. + </p> + <p> + The chief's name was Baahaabaa, meaning in Filbertese "Durable Drinker." + Among his companions were several who soon became our intimates—Hitoia-Upa + (Cocoanut That Never Falls) and Abluluti (Big Wind Constantly Blowing). + </p> + <p> + In every case reference in names was to simple, natural beauties. How much + more interesting than our own meaningless nomenclature. + </p> + <p> + We soon found that these simple folk had evolved an admirable standard day + in which there was no labor whatever, no cooking, even. Imagine a + civilization, and I use the word advisedly, in which the question of + having or not having a cook is eliminated. We were two weeks on the island + before any one of us realized that we had seen no fire. The matches which + we used to light our pipes were thought to be marvelous flowers that + blossomed and immediately disappeared. + </p> + <p> + Nature, all bountiful, supplied a menu of amazing variety. Fruits, + vegetables, combinations of the two, edible flowers and, above all, the + thousand and one kinds of nuts from which the islands receive their name, + were at hand for the plucking. Our breakfast grew on the ceiling of our + bedroom and dropped beside us with charming punctuality at the first + shiver of the rising trade. + </p> + <p> + It must not be supposed that we were strict vegetarians. Many varieties of + fish and crustacea, as well as certain insects and some of the smaller + birds were eaten raw. European and American civilizations alike are + hopelessly backward in this regard. True, we eat with avidity oysters and + clams (except in the Bapoo-period), knowing that they are not only raw but + also alive. In the Filberts it was but a slight step forward to pop into + one's mouth a wriggling <i>limpataa</i> (a kind of marine lizard), whose + antics after he is swallowed are both pleasant and novel. The hors + d'oeuvre course of a Filbert Island banquet is one roar of laughter caused + by the interior tickling of the agile food. This of course promotes good + feeling and leads to many lasting friendships. + </p> + <p> + With one's meals thus always ready-to-serve, with no cook glowering at the + clock, no cheese souffle ready to collapse, no dishes to wash or + frying-pans to scour, life is one long gastronomic song. + </p> + <p> + In physical stature and beauty the Filbertines are far above the average. + The men are six feet in height and upwards, and proportionately wide. By a + combination of equable climatic and economic conditions this altitude has + become standardized and there is little variation from it. A sort of rough + control is exercised in this regard. When a young male Filbertine has got + his growth he is measured with a bamboo yardstick to see if he comes up to + requirements. + </p> + <p> + If not, he simply disappears. Little is said about it, but the fact is + that the physical failures are moored at low tide to a lump of coral on + one of the outer reefs. Sharks, octopi and the man-eating <i>Wak-waks</i> + do the rest. This, as I say, is a rough sort of control but effective. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0008" id="linkimage-0008"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0080.jpg" alt="0080 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0080.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + There is no pleasanter sight in the world than that of the stalwart young + Filbertine youths gathering dew-fish in the early dawn of a perfect + tropical day. It is only at this time that these edible little creatures + can be caught. Just as the sun's rays flash across the horizon they rise + to the surface of the water in vast numbers, turning the entire ocean to a + pulsating mirror of silver. For five minutes they lie thus, then suddenly + sink simultaneously. Their work for the day, so far as we know it, is + done. The natives fill their cheeks—which are very elastic—with + hundreds of these tiny fish which they afterwards eject on the shore. Here + we see Hitoia-Upa and Ablutiluti gathering dew-fish for the great feast + given in honor of Dr. Traprock and his companions.] + </p> + <p> + In facial character the tribe is regular and well proportioned, presenting + no traces of negroid antecedents. Noses are slender and slightly + retroussed, lips clean-cut, chins modestly assertive with lower jaws + superbly adapted to cracking cocoanuts and oysters, foreheads low with + sufficient projection at the eye-line for shade purposes. All in all, they + are entitled to an A-plus in beauty and reminded me less of Polynesians + than of a hand-picked selection of Caucasians who had been coated with a + flat-bronze radiator paint. + </p> + <p> + Beards, moustaches, imperials, goatees, side-whiskers and Galways are + unknown, a fact which was to me strange considering the luxuriance of + other vegetation until I learned that, from infancy, it is the custom of + the Filbertine mother to scour her offspring's face with powdered coral + which discourages the facial follicles. These eventually give up and, + turning inward and upward, result in a veritable crown of glory on the top + of the head, the place, after all, where the hair ought to grow. Their + teeth, as with most gramnivora, are sound, regular, brilliantly white and + exceptionally large, the average size being that of the double-blank + domino. + </p> + <p> + So much for the men, and far too much, if you ask me, when you think that + we still have the adorable women to speak of. + </p> + <p> + Ever since our first nocturnal glimpse of the charming creatures you can + imagine that my companions and I were most eager to see more of them. + During the entire next day not one of "les belles sauvages" was visible. + It was next to impossible to make inquiries, but Swank, the irrepressible, + resolved to try and plied Baahaabaa with questions in French, English, + German and beche-de-mer, which only resulted in loud laughter on the part + of our host. Swank next tried pantomime, using the French gesture for + beauty, a circular motion of the hands about his face accompanied by + sickening smiles. Baahaabaa watched him intently, slapped his hip sharply, + uttering a melodious command and shortly afterward Hitoia-Upa presented + Swank with a beautifully made wreath of elecampane blossoms (<i>inula + helenion</i>) exactly matching his beard. This was all very well but got + us nowhere. + </p> + <p> + On the day following, however, our difficulties were unexpectedly solved. + Abluluti and a companion of his, Moolitonu (Bull-lost-in-a-Thunder-Storm), + indicated by certain large gestures that if we liked they would be glad to + make a tour of the island, a proposition we gladly accepted. Moolitonu was + our official map. On his broad back in the most exquisite azure tattooing + was a diagram of the island showing all main-routes, good and bad trails + and points of interest. Moolitonu was, in fact, a human Blue-book. + </p> + <p> + Equipped with individual <i>taa-taas</i> and quart cocoanut shells of <i>hoopa</i>, + a delicious twenty-seven per cent. milk, we set out along a well-traveled + trail, stopping ever and anon to enjoy the tranquil beauty of the outer + sea or the more spectacular glimpses of the inner lagoon dominated by the + mountain. We had made the circuit of approximately three-fourths of the + island, when suddenly, without a word of warning, we stumbled into the <i>Hativa-faui</i>, + or ladies' dressing-room. Instantly we were surrounded by a bevy of + captivating beauties. Our guides had evidently counted on our surprise for + they laughed uproariously, their mirth being joyously echoed by the + graceful women who crowded about us, patting, petting and bidding us + unmistakable welcome to their compound. I have never seen a more charming + sylvan retreat. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0009" id="linkimage-0009"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0086.jpg" alt="0086 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0086.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + Since the exhibition of Herman Swank's South Sea Studies in the Graham + Galleries, New York City, it is hardly necessary to introduce by name the + illustrious artist who has justly earned the title of "Premier Painter of + Polynesia." A whole school of painters have attempted to reproduce the + exotic color and charm of these entrancing isles. It remained for Herman + Swank, by his now famous method of diagrammatic symbolism, to bring the + truth fully home. This he accomplished by living, to the limit, the native + life of the Filbertese. Clad only in the light lamitu, or afternoon wrap + of the islands, it was the artist's custom to spend entire days inhaling + the perfume of the fragment alova flower, a practice which undoubtedly + accounts for the far-away, dreamy expression so evident in the photograph. + He is also wearing the paloota, or wedding crown, the gift of his lovely + island bride.] + </p> + <p> + Let me briefly outline the Filbertine domestic arrangements as they were + gradually unfolded to us. To begin with, make no mistake, marriage in the + Filbert Islands is a distinct success. This is accomplished by the almost + complete separation of the husband from his wives. During the day these + joyous maids and matrons lead their own lives in their own community, + rehearsing their songs, weaving chaplets of flowers, stringing pearls for + their simple costumes, playing games and exchanging the badinage and + gossip which are the life-breath of womanhood the world over. They are + inordinately proud of their hair, as well they may be, and spend hours at + a time dressing and undressing it. + </p> + <p> + The men, on their side, are equally free. The result is that a meeting + with their wives is an event. Happiness, love and the elation of + celebration are the harmonious notes of this beautiful domestic diapason. + </p> + <p> + Feast-days, banquets, picnics, swimming parties—the Filbertines + adore salt water, which is not potable but thirst-producing—these + are the occasions of a frank and joyous mingling of the sexes. + </p> + <p> + Before we left the clearing we were treated to a most graceful spectacle, + a performance of the <i>Ataboi</i>, a dance descriptive of the growth and + blossoming of the <i>alova</i> flower. This was performed by seven + beautiful girls to an accompaniment of song and clapping. The plaintive + love-motif was unmistakably introduced by a deep-chested dame who played + on the <i>bazoola</i>, a primitive instrument fashioned from the stalk of + the figwort (<i>Scrophulariaceae</i>). It may interest music lovers to + know that the Filbertines employ the diatetic scale exclusively, four + notes in the ascent and five on the recoil. + </p> + <p> + At the close of the performance we were shown the nursery compound, an + enclosure teeming with beautiful children, screened by hedges where the + little ones could be heard but not seen. + </p> + <p> + Two days subsequent to our amble we were invited to a grand banquet which + led to disturbing problems and momentous decision on our part. This feast + was our formal welcome; the keys of the islands, so to speak, were + presented to us. There were ladies present—and everything. + </p> + <p> + It was served in a special clearing lighted by the moon and countless <i>anchoridae</i> + tied by their legs in festoons, a procedure which causes them to open and + shut their lambent eyes very rapidly, and gave a quaint cinema effect to + the scene. After counting the courses up to twenty-seven I lost as each + was accompanied by a new brand of island potion. Fortunately we were + seated on the ground. + </p> + <p> + Triplett was in his glory. If I have failed to mention recently our + hard-bitten old navigator it is only because we had seen comparatively + little of him. Resting on his titular dignity as chief he seldom appeared + in public, spending most of his time up his tree snoozing or reading an + old copy of the New Bedford "Argus," which he was never without. Tonight, + however, he blazed forth in full regalia, wearing his best blue marble, + his visor-cap wreathed with nabiscus blossoms, his case-hardened + countenance lighted with conviviality. Following an interminable period of + eating and drinking came a long speech by Baahaabaa which, like most + after-dinner speeches, meant nothing to me. Captain Triplett replied. The + gist of Triplett's remarks, memorized from the "Argus," were taken from + the 1916 report of the New Bedford Board of Trade. When he proclaimed that + "besides cotton goods, 100,000 pianos were turned out yearly and 8,500 + derby hats every day," his audience, set off by Whinney, burst into + uproarious applause. The climax was reached when he lowered his voice + dramatically and said, "And keep always in mind, O Baahaabaa and friends, + that the New England Fur Company uses daily 35,000 rabbit pelts! + Gentlemen, I thank you." + </p> + <p> + Pandemonium broke loose. Triplett was showered with congratulations. Music + and dancing followed, among others an amazing performance by a sturdy + youth, Zambao-Zambino (Young-Man-Proud-of-His-Waist-Line) who rendered a + solo by striking his distended anatomy with his clenched fist, varying the + tone by relaxing or tightening the abdominal muscles. Whinney sang a very + dreary arrangement of "Mandalay"—his one parlor trick; Swank did an + imitation of Elsie Janis's imitation of Ethel Barrymore and I sang "The + Wreck of the Julie Plante," an amusing ballad describing the loss by + drowning of an entire ship's company. + </p> + <p> + But the climax was yet to come. + </p> + <p> + There was a vague sort of commotion among the banqueters and Baahaabaa + rose with amazing steadiness and made another speech, short this time, but + aimed point-blank at us, after which, through the center of a sort of + kick-off formation I saw approaching four of the most exquisite women in + the world. When ten feet away they fell on all fours and, using the + Australian crawl-stroke, crept slowly toward us, exhaling sounds of + passionate endearment mingled with the heart-stopping fragrance of <i>alova</i>. + Beyond the glimmering lights, an unseen choir burst into the "a-a-a" of + the national love-song. + </p> + <p> + It was a critical not to say embarrassing moment. These lovely ladies were + very evidently presents, banquet-favors so to speak, which we were + expected to take home with us. To refuse them meant certain offense, + perhaps death. Triplett was plainly non-plussed. Swank and Whinney were + too far gone to be of any assistance. Summoning all my reserve strength I + rose and faced the whirling assembly. + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen," I said solemnly, "one final toast, to the President of the + United States,"—at the same time draining a huge shell of <i>hoopa</i>. + My companions followed suit and we fell simultaneously. + </p> + <p> + For the next twenty-four hours we were safe. After that, who knew? + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0005" id="link2HCH0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER V + </h2> + <p> + A frank statement. We vote on the question of matrimony. A triple wedding. + An epithalmic verse. We remember the "Kawa." An interview with William + Henry Thomas. Triplett's strategy. Safe within the atoll. + </p> + <p> + In most volumes on the South Seas the chapter which I am about to write + would be omitted. I mean to say that we have reached a point in my + narrative in which the status of our relations with the Filbertine women, + as such, must either be discussed frankly and openly, or treated in the + usual tongue-in-cheek fashion which seems to be the proper thing with + English and American writers. + </p> + <p> + I have looked them all over carefully (the writers, I mean), and find them + divided into two categories, those who take their wives along as a + guarantee of virtue, or those who are by nature Galahads, Parsifals and + St. Anthonys. This latter group is to me particularly trying. They revel + in descriptions of desirous damsels with burning eyes who crave + companionship, but when an artfully devised encounter throws one of these + passionate persons across the path of the man behind the pen, does he + falter or swerve or make a misstep? Never. Right there is where the blood + of the Galahads tells. Supremely he rises above temptation! Gracefully he + sidesteps! Innocently he falls asleep! + </p> + <p> + I don't believe a word of it. I think it's just a case of literary men + sticking together. + </p> + <p> + Two days after the Grand Banquet described in the last chapter, Whinney, + Swank and I awoke with a sigh of simultaneous satisfaction, completely + rested and restored. Ten minutes later we were engaged in a brisk debate + in which the question before the house was, stated boldly, Should we or + should we not "go native?" In other words, should we hold ourselves aloof, + live contrary to the customs of the country and mortally offend our hosts,—to + say nothing of our hostesses,—or should we fulfil our destinies, + take unto ourselves island brides and eat our equatorial fruit, core and + all? + </p> + <p> + For the purpose of discussion Whinney was designated to uphold the + negative, and for an hour we argued the matter pro and con. Whinney + advanced a number of arguments, the difference in our nationalities, our + standing in our home communities (which I thought an especially weak + point), our lack of a common language, and several other trivial + objections, all of which Swank and I demolished until Whinney got peevish + and insisted that he and I change sides. + </p> + <p> + I spoke very seriously of the lack of precedent for the step which we were + considering and of what my people in Derby, Conn., would say when they + learned that a Traprock had married a Filbert. Swank replied with some + heat that he didn't believe that anything could be said in Derby that + hadn't been said already and Whinney was much more eloquent on the + affirmative than he had been on the negative. Finally when I thought we + had talked enough I said— + </p> + <p> + "Well, gentlemen, are you ready for a ballot?" + </p> + <p> + "We are," said Swank and Whinney. + </p> + <p> + "Remember," I warned, "The green nuts are for the affirmative,—the + black ones for the negative. Secret ballots, of course." + </p> + <p> + Wrapping our votes in <i>metani</i> leaves we dropped them in the ballot + shell. Whinney was teller. It was an anxious moment until he looked up and + said with a hysterical quiver in his voice: + </p> + <p> + "Unanimously green." + </p> + <p> + "Let's go!" shouted Swank, but I stopped him. + </p> + <p> + "Hold on," I said. "Triplett is in on this. We agreed that it must be + unanimous." + </p> + <p> + My companions' faces lengthened like barrel-staves. + </p> + <p> + "Damn," muttered Whinney. "I hadn't thought of him." + </p> + <p> + You can imagine our disgust when we interviewed the Captain. + </p> + <p> + "Not on your life!" he said decidedly. "Why, boys, I got two a 'em + a-ready, one in Noo Bedford—she's my lawful,—and one—a + sort of 'erdeependence, in Sausalito. But boys, I don't go for to commit + trigonometry, no sir!" + </p> + <p> + Thunder rested on our brows but the Captain continued,— + </p> + <p> + "But you—you boys, you ain't married, leastways if you are I don't + know about it, and if you ain't"—he looked at us severely,—"if + you ain't, it's high time you was. And what's more, if you want to be, I + kin do it for you." "What do you mean?" we gasped. + </p> + <p> + "Justice of the peace," he said proudly, "dooly signed and registered in + Dartmouth County, Mass." + </p> + <p> + We were overwhelmed. This was more than we dared hope for,—more than + we had even dreamed of! + </p> + <p> + "Now, boys," said the Captain in a fatherly tone, "lemme tell you + something. While I've been a-roostin' up here in my perch, I've been + a-watchin' you boys; a-watchin' an' a-worryin'. What have you been + a-doin'? You've been a-raisin' hell, you have. Son, you ain't a rote a + word, have yer? An' you, Whinney—boy, you ain't ketched a bug nor a + beetle, have yer? And you, ole Swanko-panko, you ain't drawed a line, have + yer?" + </p> + <p> + We hung our heads like schoolboys before the master. Of course if Triplett + put it that way, on moral grounds, so to speak, there was no more to be + said. + </p> + <p> + "Well, what's the answer?" he continued. "It's time you got married an' + settled down, ain't it? When is it to be?" + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + * * * +</pre> + <p> + It was a triple wedding, the first and probably the last in the Filbert + Islands, and one of the most charming affairs I have ever seen. We left + the selection of our brides to Baahaabaa and, believe me, he showed + himself a master-picker. The ceremony took place on the beach at high + midnight, the fashionable island hour. + </p> + <p> + How happy we all were! Triplett's qualifications had completely cleared + the atmosphere of any moral misgivings which might have clouded the beauty + of the gorgeous tropical night. The Captain read a service of his own + composition full of legal whereases and aforesaids and containing one + reference to the laws of the Commonwealth of the State of Massachusetts + which struck me as rather far-fetched but which under the circumstances I + decided to let pass. + </p> + <p> + Mrs. Traprock, of whom I can even now write only with deep emotion, was an + exquisite creature, constructed in accordance with the best South Sea + specifications in every particular. Swank and Whinney were equally + fortunate. We would not have traded wives for ten tons of copra though + Moolitonu, who was my best man, explained that this was perfectly possible + in case we were not satisfied. + </p> + <p> + The gayest of wedding breakfasts followed at which all the ushers behaved + in the orthodox manner after which we were conducted to our individual + trees with appropriate processional and epithalamic chorals. The ladies' + singing society had composed for the occasion a special ode which ran as + follows: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Hooio-hoaio uku kai unio, + Kipiputuonaa aaa titi huti, + O tefi tapu, O eio hoki + Hoio-hooio ona haasi tui. +</pre> + <p> + This was set to a slow five-eighths rhythm. A crude translation of the + words, lacking entirely the onomatopoetic quality of the original goes + something like this: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Stay, O stay, Moon in your ascending! + Daughter of Pearl and Coral to the Moon up-goes, + Stay, O stay, Moon with light unending, + Coral, Pearl and Moonlight, guard them from falling cocoanuts. +</pre> + <p> + I should stand convicted of ingratitude if I did not here and now pay + tribute to the sound common-sense of Captain Triplett at whose instigation + we had embarked upon this our great adventure. As Triplett had predicted, + ere a few days had passed we found awakening within us the fires of + ambition which had sunk lower and lower in our breasts during our two + weeks of carousing. We were now responsible married men. We wanted to do + something to take our places in the community. + </p> + <p> + I began to scribble furtively on the back of an old manuscript—the + book of an operetta I had once written, a musical version of <i>Les + Miserables</i> called "Jumping Jean," in reference to which one of the New + York producers, Dillingham, I think, wrote me: "You have out-Hugo-ed Hugo; + this is more miserable than <i>Les Miserables</i> itself!" I noticed also + that Swank began to use his atelier jargon of "tonal values" and + "integrity of line," while Whinney showed up one morning in the village + circle with a splendid blossom of the bladder-campion (<i>Silene latifolia</i>) + pinned to the center of his helmet. + </p> + <p> + It was doubtless this renaissance of mental activity that reminded us of + the Kawa and of William Henry Thomas. Great heavens, what would he think + of us? Here nearly a month had elapsed, we were mostly married and had + never given him a thought. We were filled with compunction. On top of this + Triplett came to us with the announcement that Baahaabaa had informed him + that we might expect a big wind about this time. Remembering what we had + been through the Captain was worried about our tight little craft. + </p> + <p> + "He allows," said Triplett, jerking his thumb at the chief, "that we orter + git the Tree-with-Wings in out'er the wet. The question is, where be she?" + </p> + <p> + I explained our anxieties to Ablutiluti who, after a glance at Moolitonu's + diagrammatic shoulder blades, immediately set out along a winding path to + the shore. I was surprised at the shortness of the distance. A half-hour's + walk brought us to the beach and there lay the Kawa as handy as you + please. She had been considerably tidied up since our departure. Our + blanket-sail had been stowed and between the dingey-oars, which were + rigged fore-and-aft, stretched a rope of <i>eva-eva</i> from which, to our + surprise, hung an undershirt and a dainty feminine <i>rigolo</i>. But no + sign of William Henry Thomas. In vain we shouted, "Kawa ahoy!" and hurled + lumps of coral. All was mysteriously quiet. + </p> + <p> + Triplett finally pulled out his Colt and, being a dead shot, drilled the + undershirt through the second button. This had the desired effect. Our + crew almost immediately appeared on deck and shouted peevishly, "Hey + there, quit it." + </p> + <p> + I will not repeat what we said in reply as this is a book for the home, + but it had a surprising result. + </p> + <p> + "Is <i>that</i> so?" yelled William Henry Thomas and proceeded to step + jauntily over the rail and <i>walk</i> in our direction. I knew he + couldn't swim a stroke and yet here he was, performing an apparent miracle + right in our faces. Then it suddenly dawned on me—he was walking on + the coral branches! + </p> + <p> + It was not a particularly pleasant interview. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0010" id="linkimage-0010"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0106.jpg" alt="0106 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0106.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + Readers of the text may have noticed that animal life plays a very + unimportant part in the life of the Filbertines. Exception must be made in + the case of a magnificent ooka-snake, the only one on the islands, which + was the proudest possession of lovely Lupoba, who later became the wife of + Herman Swank. The ooka-snake lives entirely upon cocoanut milk which gives + him a gentle disposition admirably adapted for petting. Mr. Swank has + confessed that his wife's fondness for the creature stirred in him a very + real jealousy which, in view of the charming testimony of her portrait, we + can well understand. A painting of Mrs. Swank by her husband has recently + been purchased by the Corcoran Art Gallery of Washington, D.C.] + </p> + <p> + After apologizing for our absence, which we attributed to illness, we + broke the news as gently as possible that we were married. + </p> + <p> + "Well," said William Henry Thomas, "so be I ... the lady's on board." + </p> + <p> + "You old land-crab!" blazed Whinney. "Who married you?" + </p> + <p> + "She did," he replied. + </p> + <p> + "But who performed the ceremony?" asked Swank. + </p> + <p> + "Me," answered William Henry. + </p> + <p> + In vain we tried to explain the necessity of proper rites. His only + rejoinder was, "You're too late." + </p> + <p> + But what made our sailor-man maddest was the information that the yawl had + to be moved. + </p> + <p> + "Here I be as snug as a bug in a rug," he stormed, "an' you go + gallivantin' round marrying an' what all, an' now you show up an boost me + out. Its e-viction, that's what it is, e-viction." + </p> + <p> + This was a long speech for William Henry Thomas; fortunately it was his + last. While he was delivering it I heard a slight splash and turned just + in time to see a seal-like form slip over the Kawa's counter and + disappear. I watched in vain for her reappearance. Doubtless like all + Filbertines she could stay under water for hours at a time. After that + Thomas sullenly did Triplett's bidding and half-heartedly assisted in the + work of getting the Kawa into the atoll. + </p> + <p> + It was an arduous task. For four days we labored, working our vessel close + in shore opposite a clearing in the forest, where the outer island was not + more than quarter of a mile wide and free from trees. Instructed by + Triplett, we paved the highway to the lagoon with cocoanuts. Our wives and + friends thinking it was a game, assisted us. If they had known it was work + they would, of course, have knocked off immediately. And then the promised + storm broke and I saw Triplett's plan. + </p> + <p> + It was such a storm as this, undoubtedly, that had struck us on July 4th. + This time, crouched in the shelter of the near-by trees, clinging to the + matted <i>haro</i>, we were free to watch a stupendous spectacle. Triplett + alone went aboard and lashed himself to the improvised steering post. Our + sail had been stretched and rigged with hundreds of yards of <i>eva-eva</i>, + in addition to which four large <i>taa-taas</i> were lashed along the + scuppers. + </p> + <p> + In less time than it takes to tell, the wind had risen to super-hurricane + force. Suddenly Baa-haabaa let out a yell of warning and pointed seaward. + Rushing toward us at lightning speed was a wall of white water, sixty feet + high! In a trice we were all in the treetops, my wife hauling me after her + with praiseworthy devotion. All, did I say? All but Triplett. He was + sublime. Then for the first time I knew that he was, in truth, our chief. + Waving his free arm at the advancing maelstrom, he yelled defiance. Then + this towering seawall hit him square in the stern. + </p> + <p> + I caught one fleeting glimpse of the Kawa gallantly riding the foam. An + instant later she was flung with a tremendous crash far down the leafy + lane. Fully half the distance she must have gone in that first onslaught. + The last eighth-of-a-mile she ground her way through a torrent of sea and + cocoanuts. The forest rang with the bellowing wind, the snapping coral + branches and the screams of the whistling-trout fighting vainly against + the current. What a plan was Triplett's! The cocoanuts, being movable, + rolled with the flood and actually acted as ball bearings. Without them + our craft must certainly have burst asunder. + </p> + <p> + The storm passed as quickly as it had come and by the time we had + clambered to the ground and rushed across the atoll there lay our tight + little darling, peacefully at anchor in the still waters of the lagoon, + with Triplett on her quarter-deck immersed in the New Bedford "Argus." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0006" id="link2HCH0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VI + </h2> + <p> + Marital memories. A pillow-fight on the beach. A deep-sea devil. The + opening in the atoll. Swank paints a portrait. The fatu-liva bird and its + curious gift. My adventure with the wak-wak. Saved! + </p> + <p> + I shall never forget a day when my bride and I sat on the edge of the + lagoon after our matinal dip in its pellucid waters. It was a perfect + September morn. So was she. + </p> + <p> + "My dear," I said suddenly, "Hatiaa Kappa eppe taue." + </p> + <p> + It sounds like a college fraternity but really means, "My woodlark, what + is your name?" + </p> + <p> + I had been married over a week and I did not know my wife's name. + </p> + <p> + "Kippiputuonaa," she murmured musically. + </p> + <p> + "Taro ititi aa moieha ephaa lihaha?" I questioned, which, freely + translated, is "What?" + </p> + <p> + "Kippiputuonaa." + </p> + <p> + Then, throwing back her head with its superb aureole of hair she softly + crooned the words and music of the choral which the community chorus had + sung on our wedding night. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Hooio-hooio uku hai unio + Kippiputunonaa aaa titi huti + O tefi tapu, O eio hoki + Hooio-hooio, one naani-tui +</pre> + <p> + How it all came back to me! Leaning towards her, I gently pressed the lobe + of her ear with my chin, the native method of expressing deep affection. + Her dusky cheeks flushed and with infinite shyness she lifted her left + foot and placed it on my knee. Tattooed the length of the roseleaf sole in + the graceful ideographic lettering of the islands I read— + </p> + <p> + "Kippiputuonaa," (Daughter of Pearl and Coral). + </p> + <p> + "What an exquisite name!" I murmured, "and so unusual!" + </p> + <p> + I was awed. I felt as if this superb creature, my mate, had revealed to me + the last, the most hidden of her secrets. I had heard of Mother of Pearl,—but + of the Daughter—never...and I was married to her! + </p> + <p> + "And you," she whispered, "are Naani-Tui, Face-of-the-Moon!" + </p> + <p> + I liked that. Frankly I was a bit set up about it. It sounded so much + better than Moon-face. I thrust out my left foot, bare of any inscription, + and she tickled it playfully with a blade of <i>haro</i>. Radiant + Kippiputuonaa—whom I soon called "Kippy" for short—your name + shall ever remain a blessed memory, the deepest and dearest wound in my + heart. + </p> + <p> + Kippy proposed that I should be marked for identification in the usual + manner, but I shuddered at the thought. I was far too ticklish; I should + have died under the needle! + </p> + <p> + What days of joyous romping we had! One morning a little crowd of us, just + the Swanks, Whinneys and ourselves, met on the beach for a pillow-fight. + It was a rare sport, and, as the pillows were eighteen-inch logs of <i>rapiti-wood</i>, + not without its element of danger. A half-hour of this and we lay bruised + and panting on the beach listening to the hoarse bellowing of the <i>wak-waks</i>. + </p> + <p> + The <i>wak-wak</i> is without exception the most outrageous creature that + ploughs the deep in fishy guise. For man-eating qualities he had the shark + skinned a nautical mile. + </p> + <p> + Whinney made a true remark to me one night,—one of the few he ever + made. The ocean was particularly audible that evening. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0011" id="linkimage-0011"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0118.jpg" alt="0118 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0118.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + There was something about the unfamiliar appearance of Dr. Traprock's + yawl, the Kawa, which filled the beautiful native women with a wonder not + unmixed with apprehension. This was particularly true of the lovely + creatures who married the three intrepid explorers. The strange object + which had brought to the islands these wonderful white men might some day + carry them away again! In view of the tragic subsequent events there is + something infinitely pathetic in this charming beach-study where + Kippiputuonaa is seen anxiously watching "the tree-with-wings" (as she + naively called the yawl), where her husband, Dr. Traprock, is at work + rigging a new yard-arm. The Kawa, unfortunately, is just out of the + picture.] + </p> + <p> + "Listen to that surf," I remarked. "I never heard it grumble like that + before." + </p> + <p> + "You'd grumble, if you were full of <i>wak-waks</i>," he said. + </p> + <p> + The <i>wak-wak</i> has a mouth like a subway entrance and I was told that + so great was his appetite for human flesh that when, as occasionally + happened, some unfortunate swimmer had been eaten by a shark, a <i>wak-wak</i> + was sure to come rushing up and bolt shark, man and all. Consequently I + did most of my swimming in the lagoon. + </p> + <p> + Speaking of the lagoon reminds me of an absurd bit of information I picked + up from Kippy that made me feel as flat as a pressed fern. We were + wandering along the shore one morning and she suddenly pointed to the Kawa + and said laughingly. + </p> + <p> + "Why Tippi-litti (Triplett) bring Tree-with-Wings over <i>Hoopoi</i> + (cocoanuts)?" + </p> + <p> + "Why not swim?" she asked. "Look see. Big hole." + </p> + <p> + I looked and saw. A whole section of the atoll near where we were standing + was movable! Kippy jumped up and down on it and it rocked like a raft. At + the edges I saw that it was lashed to the near-by trees with vines! Cheap? + You could have bought me for a bad clam. As I thought of the days we had + sweated over those damned cocoanuts, of Triplett's peril, of the danger to + the yawl, while our very families looked on and laughed, thinking it was a + game, and we might have slipped out the movable lock-gate and simply eased + through—well, for the first time in my married life I was mad. Kippy + was all tenderness in an instant. + </p> + <p> + "Face-of-Moon, no rain," she begged, "Daughter of Pearl and Coral eat + clouds." + </p> + <p> + She chinned my ear passionately, and I was disarmed in an instant. + </p> + <p> + I hated to tell Triplett—it seemed to dim his glory, but I needn't + have worried. + </p> + <p> + "Good business," he exclaimed. "We can get her out inter the open an' have + some sailin' parties. I'd like to catch one of them <i>wak-waks</i>." + </p> + <p> + That was the sort Triplett was. He'd done his trick and there was an end + of it. The next day he had William Henry Thomas busy re-rigging the Kawa. + William Henry Thomas, by the way, insisted on living on board in happy but + unholy wedlock, and Whinney, Swank and I felt that it was better so. + Somehow we considered him the village scandal. + </p> + <p> + During these peaceful days I wrote a great deal, posting up my diary as + far as we had gone and jotting down a lot of valuable material. Swank had + got his impediments off the boat and began daubing furiously, landscapes, + seascapes, monotypes, ideographs, everything. Most of them were hideously + funny, but he did one thing,—inspired by love, I suppose—a + portrait of his wife that was a hummer. She was a lovely little thing with + a lovely name, Lupoba-Tilaana, "Mist-on-the-Mountain." + </p> + <p> + "Swank," I said, "that's a ten-strike. The mountain is a little out of + focus but the mist is immense!" + </p> + <p> + He squirted me with yellow ochre. + </p> + <p> + Whinney was in his element. Ornithology, botany, ethulology, he took them + all on single-handed. + </p> + <p> + "Listen to that," he said to me one night as we were strolling back from a + friendly game of <i>Kahooti</i> with Baahaabaa and some of our friends. + </p> + <p> + I listened. It was the most unearthly and at the same time the most + beautiful bird-song I have ever heard. + </p> + <p> + "What is it?" I asked, as the cry resounded again, a piercing screech of + pain ending in a long yowl of joy. + </p> + <p> + "It is the motherhood cry of the <i>fatu-liva</i>," he said. "She has just + laid an egg." + </p> + <p> + "But why the note of suffering?" I queried. + </p> + <p> + "The eggs of the <i>fatu-liva</i> are square," said Whinney, and I was + silenced. + </p> + <p> + Motherhood is indeed the great mystery. Little did I realize that night + how much I was to owe to the <i>fatu-liva</i> and her strange maternal + gift which saved my life in one of the weirdest adventures that has ever + befallen mortal man. + </p> + <p> + It was a placid day on the sea and Kippy and I were returning from a + ten-mile swim to a neighboring island whither I had been taken to be shown + off to some relatives. + </p> + <p> + "<i>Wak-wak,</i>" I had said when she first proposed the expedition, but + she had laughed gaily and nodded her head to indicate that there was not + the slightest danger, and, shamed into it, we had set forth and made an + excellent crossing. + </p> + <p> + On the return trip, midway between the two islands, I was floating lazily, + supported by a girdle of inflated dew-fish bladders and towed by Kippy. + She had propped over my head her verdant <i>taa-taa</i> without which the + natives never swim for fear of the tropical sun, and I think I must have + dozed off for I was suddenly roused by a hoarse Klaxon-bellow + "Kaaraschaa-gha!" which told me all too plainly that I was in the most + hideous peril. + </p> + <p> + <i>"Wak-wak!"</i> I barked, and all my past life began to unfold before + me. + </p> + <p> + It was a horrid sight—the <i>wak-wak,</i> I mean. He was swimming on + the surface, and at ten feet I saw his great jaws open, lined with row + upon row of teeth that stretched back into his interior as far as the eye + could reach and farther. Mixed up with this dreadful reality were visions + of my past. I seemed to be peering into one of those vast, empty + auditoriums that had greeted my opera, "Jumping Jean," when it was finally + produced, privately. + </p> + <p> + "Help! Help!" I screamed, reverting to English. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Kippy seized the <i>taa-taa</i> from my nerveless grasp. Half + closing it, she swam directly toward the monster into whose widening + throat she thrust the sharp-pointed instrument, in, in, until I thought + she herself would follow it. And then, as she had intended, the point + pierced the <i>wak-wak's</i> tonsil. + </p> + <p> + With a shriek of pain his jaws began to close and, on the instant, Kippy + yanked the handle with all her might, opening the <i>taa-taa</i> to its + full extent in the beast's very narrows. + </p> + <p> + Choked though he was, unable for the moment to bite or expel the outer air + and submerge, the brute was still dangerous. Kippy was towing me shoreward + at a speed which caused the sea to foam about my bladders but the <i>wak-wak</i> + still pursued us. A second time my dauntless mate rose to the occasion. + </p> + <p> + With amazing buoyancy she lifted herself to a half-seated position on the + surface of the water and poured forth the most astounding imitation of the + motherhood cry of the <i>fatu-liva</i>. + </p> + <p> + "Biloo-ow-ow-ow-ow-zing-aaa!" + </p> + <p> + Again, and yet again, it rang across the waters, and in the distance, + flying at incredible speed, I saw the rainbow host of <i>fatu-livas</i> + coming towards us! + </p> + <p> + Gallant fowl! Shall I ever forget how they circled about us. One of their + clan, as they supposed, was in dire danger and they functioned as only a + <i>fatu-liva</i> can. Flying at an immense height, in battle formation, + they began laying eggs with marvelous precision. The first two struck the + <i>wak-wak</i> square on the nose and he screamed with pain. The third, + landing corner-wise, put out his right eye and he began to thrash in + helpless circles. The fourth was a direct hit on my left temple. + "Face-of-the-Moon" passed over the horizon into oblivion whence he emerged + to find himself in a tree, his brow eased with an <i>alova-leaf</i> + poultice, his heart comforted by Daughter of Pearl and Coral. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0007" id="link2HCH0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VII + </h2> + <p> + Excursions beyond the outer reef. Our aquatic wives. Premonitions. A + picnic on the mountain. Hearts and flowers. Whinney delivers a geological + dissertation. Babai finds a fatu-liva nest. The strange flower in my + wife's hair. + </p> + <p> + As I look back on the months which followed I can truthfully say that they + were the happiest of my existence. The semi-detachment of our island + domesticity was a charm against tedium; our family reunions were joys. + </p> + <p> + Often we organized picnics to distant points. With hold-alls of <i>panjandrus</i> + leaves packed with a supply of breadfruit sandwiches, sun-baked cuttywink + eggs and a gallon or two of <i>hoopa,</i> we would go to one of the lovely + retreats with which our wives were familiar. + </p> + <p> + Occasionally we sailed in the Kawa, at which times the intrepid Triplett + accompanied us. Remembering those happy times I now realize that his + presence cast the only shadow across the bright sunlight of our days. Why + this was I could not have said,—indeed I should have probably denied + that it was so, yet the fact remains that on some of our excursions to + neighboring islands, when, having pulled back the terrestrial cork of the + atoll, we had eased our tight little craft into the outer waters, I + experienced a distinct dorsal chill. + </p> + <p> + Both Kippiputuonaa and Lupoba-Tilaana felt this to a marked degree, but + most of all was it apparent in its affect on Mrs. Whinney whose maiden + name, Babai-Alova-babai (Triple extract of Alova), only faintly describes + the intoxicating fragrance of her beauty. + </p> + <p> + "Tiplette, naue aata b'nau boti!" she used to cry. "Do not let Triplett go + in the boat." + </p> + <p> + The old man was insistent. He had worked William Henry Thomas to + exhaustion rerigging the craft and then thrust him out, bag and baggage. + But I must admit that between them they had done a good job. William Henry + and his bride took up lodgings in a tall tree near the lagoon whence they + used mournfully to regard the floating home in which they had spent their + unhallowed honeymoon. When we actually began to sail her the William Henry + Thomases disappeared from view as if the sight were too much for them, and + we seldom saw them thereafter. + </p> + <p> + Triplett's ingenuity was responsible for the bamboo mast, woven <i>paa-paa</i> + sail and the new yard-arm, which, in the absence of a universal joint was + cleverly fashioned of braided <i>eva-eva</i>. + </p> + <p> + On our cruises our wives spent a large part of their time overboard, + sporting about the ship like porpoises, ever and anon diving deep under + our counter only to appear on the other side decked with polyp buds as if + crowned by Neptune himself. At this game Babai-Alova-Babai excelled. Never + shall I forget the day she suddenly popped up close alongside and + playfully tossed a magnificent pearl into Triplett's lap. + </p> + <p> + But, as I say, I did not feel at ease. Perhaps it was my experience with + the <i>wak-waks</i>,—perhaps,—however, I anticipate. + </p> + <p> + Our merriest jaunts were nearer home. Most memorable of all was our first + trip to the mountain, that gorgeous pile on the center of the lagoon. + </p> + <p> + It was early morning when we set out, disdaining our trim + "Tree-with-Wings" from the deck of which Triplett watched our short + three-mile swim across the still water. At every stroke flocks of + iridescent dew-fish rose about us uttering their brittle note, + "Klicketty-inkle! Klicketty-inkle!" [Footnote: One of the pleasantest + sights imaginable is that of the natives gathering these little creatures + as they rise to the surface at dawn. The dew-fish or <i>kali-loa</i> are + similar to our white-bait, but much whiter. W.E.T.] + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0012" id="linkimage-0012"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0134.jpg" alt="0134 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0134.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + This was the sort of thing that greeted the intrepid explorers of the Kawa + when they made their first tour of the island and were entertained by the + entrancing inhabitants of the women's compound. The two performers are + respectively Lupoba-Tilaana and Baibai-Alova-Baibai. It was only after + much persuasion that they agreed to be photographed but, when finally + posed to Mr. Whinney's satisfaction, they entered into the spirit of the + occasion by bursting into the national anthem of Love, which is described + in Chapter II. The instruments are the bombi, a hollow section of + rapiti-wood covered with fish membrane, and the lonkila, a stringed + instrument of most plaintive and persuasive tone. These two instruments, + with the addition of the bazoota, a wood-wind affair made from papoo + reeds, make up the simple orchestral equipment of the Filberts.] + </p> + <p> + We were all wearing the native costume and Swank, I remember, caught his + <i>rigolo</i> on a coral branch and delayed us five minutes. But we were + soon on the inner beach laughing over the incident while Babai made + repairs. + </p> + <p> + The path up the mountain led through a paradise of tropical wonders. On + this trip Whinney was easily the star, his scientific knowledge enabling + him to point out countless marvels which we might not otherwise have seen. + As he talked I made rapid notes. + </p> + <p> + "Look," he said, holding up an exquisite rose-colored reptile. "The <i>tritulus + annularis</i> or pink garter snake! Almost unheard of in the tropics." + </p> + <p> + Kippy insisted on tying it around her shapely limb. Then, of course, Babai + must have one, too, and great were our exertions before we bagged an + additional pair for our loved ones. + </p> + <p> + Thus sporting on our way, crowned with <i>alova</i> and girdled with <i>tontoni</i> + (a gorgeous type of flannel-mouthed snapdragon which kept all manner of + insects at bay), we wound toward the summit, stopping ever and anon to + admire the cliffs of mother-of-pearl, sheer pages of colorful history + thrown up long ago by some primeval illness of mother earth. + </p> + <p> + Swank was so intoxicated by it all that I made almost the only break of + our island experience. + </p> + <p> + "You've been drinking," I accused. + </p> + <p> + "You lie," he answered hotly, "it's these colors! Wow-wow! Osky-wow-wow! + Skinny wow-wow Illinois!" + </p> + <p> + "Oh, shut up!" I remonstrated, when I saw Tilaana advancing toward me, + fluttering her <i>taa-taa</i> in the same menacing way in which Kippy had + attacked the <i>wak-wak</i>. + </p> + <p> + "I beg your pardon," I said. "I was wrong. I apologize." + </p> + <p> + We stood in a circle and chinned each other until peace was restored. + </p> + <p> + The view from the summit was, as authors say, indescribable. Nevertheless + I shall describe it, or rather I shall quote Whinney who at this moment + reached his highest point. We were then about three thousand feet above + sea-level. + </p> + <p> + I wish I could give his address as it was delivered, in Filbertese, but I + fear that my readers would skip, a form of literary exercise which I + detest. + </p> + <p> + Try for a moment to hold the picture; our little group standing on the + very crest of the mountain as if about to sing the final chorus of the + Creation to an audience of islands. Far-flung they stretched, these + jeweled confections, while below, almost at our very feet, we could see + the Kawa and Triplett, a tiny speck, frantically waving his yard-arm! Even + at three thousand feet he gave me a chill.... But let Whinney speak. + </p> + <p> + "It is plain," he said, "that the basalt monadnock on which we stand is a + carboniferous upthrust of metamorphosed schists, shales and conglomerate, + probably Mesozoic or at least early Silurian." + </p> + <p> + At this point our wives burst into laughter. In fact, their attitude + throughout was trying but Whinney bravely proceeded. + </p> + <p> + "You doubtless noticed on the shore that the deep-lying metamorphic + crystals have been exposed by erosion, leaving on the upper levels faulted + strata of tilted lava-sheets interstratified with pudding-stone." + </p> + <p> + "We have!" shouted Swank. + </p> + <p> + "Evidently then," continued the professor, "the atoll is simply an annular + terminal moraine of detritus shed alluvially into the sea, thus leaving a + geosyncline of volcanic ash embedded with an occasional trilobite and the + fragments of scoria, upon which we now stand." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0013" id="linkimage-0013"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0140.jpg" alt="0140 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0140.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + Of all the members of the now famous cruise of the Kawa into hitherto + uncharted waters it is doubtful if any one entered so fully into the + spirit of adventure as the silent fore-mast hand whose portrait faces this + text. It was he who first adopted native costume. The day after landing in + the Filberts he was photographed as we see him wearing a native wreath of + nabiscus blooms and having discarded shoes. Every day he discarded some + article of raiment. It was he who first took unto himself an island mate. + It was he who ultimately abandoned all hope of ever seeing his home and + country again, electing rather to remain among his new-found people with + his new-found love and his new-found name, Fatakahala (Flower of + Darkness). Truly, strange flowers of fancy blossom in the depths of the + New England character. It is reported that he has lately been elected King + of the Filberts.] + </p> + <p> + We gave Whinney a long cheer with nine Yales at the close to cover the + laughter of the women, for the discourse was really superb. In English its + melodic charm is lost, but you must admit that for an indescribable thing + it is a very fine description. + </p> + <p> + After several days of idyllic life in our mountain paradise we felt the + returning urge of our various ambitions. + </p> + <p> + "Kippy, my dear," I said, "I think we ought to be going." + </p> + <p> + Sweet soul that she was! that they all were, these beautiful women of + ours! Anything we proposed was agreeable to them. As we trooped down the + mountain singing, our merry chorus shook the forest glades and literally + brought down the cocoanuts. + </p> + <p> + Whinney was not alone in his scientific discoveries for on the return trip + Babai suddenly gave a cry of delight and the next instant had climbed with + amazing agility to the top of a towering palm whence she returned bearing + a semi-spheric bowl of closely woven grass in which lay four snow-white, + polka-dotted cubes, the marvelous square eggs of the <i>fatu-liva</i>! + </p> + <p> + "Kopaa kopitaa aue!" she cried. "Hide them. Quickly, away!" + </p> + <p> + I knew the danger, of which my temple still bore the scar. Concealing our + find under our <i>taa-taa</i> we scraped and slid over the faulted and + tilted strata to which Whinney had referred until we reached the beach. + High above us I could hear the anguished cry of the mother <i>fatu-liva</i> + vainly seeking her ravished home and potential family. + </p> + <p> + The marking of the eggs is most curious and Whinney took a photograph of + them when we reached the yawl. It is an excellent picture though Whinney, + with the raptiousness of the scientist, claims that one of the eggs moved. + </p> + <p> + Just before we left the mountain beach my own radiant Daughter of Pearl + and Coral made a discovery which in the light of after events was destined + to play an important part in our adventures. Kippiputuona, my own true + mate, there is something ironically tragic in the thought that the simple + blue flower which you plucked so carelessly from the cliff edge and thrust + into your hair would some day—but again, I anticipate. + </p> + <p> + We had reached the yawl, which we made a sort of half-way house and were + chatting with Captain Triplett. Whinney was repeating parts of his talk + and I noticed that Triplett's attention was wandering. His eye was firmly + fixed on the flower in Kippy's hair. That called my attention to it and I + saw that whenever my wife turned her head the blossom of the flower slowly + turned in the opposite direction. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly Triplett interrupted Whinney to say in a rather shaky voice, + "Mrs. Traprock, if you please, would you mind facin' a-stern." + </p> + <p> + I motioned to Kippy to obey, which she would have done anyway. + </p> + <p> + "An' now," said the Captain, "kindly face forrard." + </p> + <p> + Same business. + </p> + <p> + The flower slowly turned on Kippy's head! + </p> + <p> + Stretching forth a trembling hand, Triplett plucked the blossom from + Kippy's hair! + </p> + <p> + You can only imagine the commotion which ensued when I tell you that, in + the Filberts, for a man to pluck a flower from a woman's hair means only + one thing. Poor Kippy was torn between love of me and what she thought was + duty to my chief. I had a most difficult time explaining to her that + Triplett meant absolutely nothing by his action, a statement which he + corroborated by all sorts of absurd "I don't care," gestures—but he + clung to the flower. + </p> + <p> + An hour later when we had escorted the ladies safely to their compound, I + paddled back to the yawl. Peering through the port-hole I could see + Triplett by the light of a phosphorous dip working on a rude diagram; at + his elbow was the blue flower in a <i>puta-shell</i> of water. + </p> + <p> + "Triplett," I asked sternly, as I stood beside him an instant later, "<i>what + is that flower?</i>" + </p> + <p> + "That," said Triplett, "is a compass-plant." + </p> + <p> + "And what is a compass-plant?" + </p> + <p> + "A compass-plant," said Triplett, "is—-," but for the third and last + time, I anticipate. + </p> + <p> + I <i>must</i> get over that habit. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0008" id="link2HCH0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER VIII + </h2> + <p> + Swank's popularity on the island. Whinney's jealousy. An artistic duel. + Whinney's deplorable condition. An assembly of the Archipelago. + Water-sports on the reef. The Judgment. + </p> + <p> + Whinney and I were surprised to find that the islanders took Swank more + seriously than they did either of us. Of course, since the Kawa's forcible + entry into the atoll premier honors were Triplett's, but Swank was easily + second. + </p> + <p> + The curious reason was that his pictures appealed. I think I have + indicated that Swank was ultramodern in his tendencies. "Artless art," was + his formula, often expressed by his slogan—<i>"A bas l'objectif! + Vive le subjonctif."</i> Whatever that means, he scored with the + Filbertines who would gather in immense numbers wherever he set up his + easel. + </p> + <p> + This was due in part to his habit of standing with his back to the scene + which he proposed to paint and, bending over until his head almost touched + the ground, peering at the landscape between his outspread legs. + </p> + <p> + "It intensifies the color," he explained. "Try it." + </p> + <p> + Baahaabaa bestowed a title on our artist—"Maimaue Ahiiahi"—"Tattooer + of Rainbows"—by which he was loudly acclaimed. Whinney and I used to + sing, "He's always tattooing rainbows!" but artistic vanity was proof + against such <i>bourgeoisie</i>. + </p> + <p> + Baahaabaa was tireless in suggesting new subjects for him to paint. One + day it would be a performance of the <i>Ataboi</i>, the languorously + sensuous dance which we had first seen in the women's compound; again he + would stage a scene of feasting, at which the men passed foaming shells of + <i>hoopa</i> from hand to hand. A difficulty was that of preventing the + artist from quitting work and joining his models which Swank always + justified by saying that the greatest art resulted from submerging oneself + with one's subject. + </p> + <p> + "Look at Gaugin!" he used to say. + </p> + <p> + "But I don't like to look at Gaugin," I remonstrated. + </p> + <p> + Whinney foolishly tried to compete with Swank by means of his camera—foolishly, + I say, though the result was one of the finest spectacles I have ever + witnessed. + </p> + <p> + For days Whinney had been stalking Swank, photographing everything he + painted. In a darkroom of closely woven <i>panjandrus</i> leaves the films + were developed and a proof rushed off to Baahaabaa long before the artist + had finished his picture. + </p> + <p> + This naturally irritated Swank and he finally challenged the scientist to + mortal combat, an artistic duel, camera against brush, lens against eye. + </p> + <p> + When the details were explained to Baahaabaa, he was in a frenzy of + excitement. As judge, his decision was to be final, which should have + warned Whinney, who, as the challenged party, had the right to select the + subject. His choice was distinctly artful. + </p> + <p> + "I think I've got him!" he confided. "We're to do the 'lagoon at dawn.' + You know what that means? Everything's gray and I can beat him a mile on + gray; secondly, there won't be a gang of people around, and, thirdly, + Swank simply loathes getting up early. They're all alike, these artists; + any effort before noon is torture!" + </p> + <p> + "All right," said Swank, when I explained the conditions, "I won't go to + bed at all." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0014" id="linkimage-0014"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0152.jpg" alt="0152 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0152.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + What the camera can do in interpreting the subtle values of a delicate + color scheme is here shown in the prize photograph submitted by Reginald + Whinney in the great competition presided over by Chief Baahaabaa. It is + rare indeed to find a beach in the Filbert Islands so deserted. An hour + after this photograph was taken more than three thousand natives were + assembled to witness the judging of the exhibits. In the small hours of + night, the entire strand is covered with pita-oolas, or giant land-crabs, + about the size of manhole covers, who crawl inland to cut down the palm + trees with which they build their nests. An examination of the picture + with a powerful microscope will reveal the presence on the surface of the + water of millions of dew-fish enjoying their brief interval of day and + dew.] + </p> + <p> + When the rivals showed up on the beach at the appointed time I regret to + say that Swank was not himself. He had spent the night with Baahaabaa and + Hitoia-Upa, who supported him on either side, and balanced him + precariously on his sketching-stool where he promptly fell asleep. In the + meantime Whinney was dodging about with his camera, squinting in the + finder, without finding anything—one never does—peering at the + brightening sky, holding his thumb at arm's length, [Footnote: In Southern + Peru the same gesture used to signify contempt and derision.] in a word + going through all the artistic motions which should have been Swank's. The + latter finally aroused himself and laboriously got onto all fours, looking + like a dromedary about to lie down, from which position he contemplated + the sunrise for several minutes and then began to fumble in his painting + box. + </p> + <p> + "Ver' funny—ver' funny," he crooned, "forgot my brushes." + </p> + <p> + "Let me get them for you," I suggested. + </p> + <p> + He waived me aside. "Gimme air." + </p> + <p> + Whinney's shutter was now clicking industriously. He had decided to use an + entire film, and submit the picture which came out best. Swank was + gradually covering his canvas by squeezing the paint directly from the + tubes, a method which has since been copied by many others—the + "Tubistes" so called. Every few moments he would lurch forward and press + his nose against the canvas, once falling flat on his masterpiece, most of + which was transferred to his chest. But he persevered. + </p> + <p> + Whinney by this time had retired to his darkroom; Baahaabaa and Hitoia-Upa + snored; Swank worked and I, from a near-by knoll, watched the miracle of a + tropical dawn. + </p> + <p> + It was a scene of infinite calm, low in color-key, peaceful in + composition, the curve of purple and lavender beach unbroken, the crest of + dark palms unmoved, "like a Turk verse along a scimitar." The waters of + the lagoon, a mirror of molten amber, reflected the soft hues of the sky + from which the trailing garments of night were gradually withdrawn before + his majesty, the Day. + </p> + <p> + Swank only allowed himself the use of the three primary colors—consequently + his rendering of the opalescent beauty of this particular dawn was + somewhat beyond me. + </p> + <p> + Where I saw the glowing promise of color rather than color itself, Swank + saw red. Where I felt the hushed presence of dawn "like a pilgrim clad," + Swank vibrated to the harmonies of pure pigment, the full brass of a tonal + orchestra. + </p> + <p> + Of a sudden his color hypnotism transported him. + </p> + <p> + "Eee—yow!" he howled, brandishing a handful of Naples yellow mixed + with coral which he hurled at the canvas. "Zow! Bam! Ooh, la la!" His + shrieks roused his escorts and brought a rapidly swelling crowd to the + dune, where, to the sound of his own ravings and the plaudits of the + spectators, he finished his masterpiece. + </p> + <p> + Late afternoon of the same day was the hour agreed upon for the Judgment. + Baahaabaa had sent invitations by express swimmers to all the near-by + islands. He invited the entire archipelago. + </p> + <p> + The picture of their approach was interesting. Kippy haled me to the top + of a tall tree whence we watched the convergent argosies, hundreds of tiny + specks each bearing an outspread <i>taa-taa</i> of gleaming leaves. It was + as if Birnam Wood had gone yachting. + </p> + <p> + "Tapa nui ekilana lohoo-a" chanted my mate. + </p> + <p> + Following her outstretched hand I discerned a group of <i>taa-taas,</i> + arranged in wedge formation, the enclosing sides being formed by swimmers + carrying a web of woven <i>haro</i>, in the center of which reposed a + visiting chief with three or four of his wives. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0015" id="linkimage-0015"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0158.jpg" alt="0158 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0158.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + An interesting example of the way in which the mind of a painter works + will be found in this reproduction of the masterpiece created by Herman + Swank in competition with the photograph of the same title. Both camera + and painter were to reproduce the same subject, yet how differently they + reacted to it. In the beauty of nature about him it is evident that the + great artist felt only the dominant feature of island life, the glorious, + untrammeled womanhood of the South Seas. The wild abandon, the primitive + gesture of modesty, the eyes of adoration—symbolically expressed as + detached entities floating about the loved one—all are present in + this remarkable picture. Thus expressed, too, we may find the ever-present + ocean, the waving palms and, if we seek carefully, the Kawa herself, + scudding before the trade wind. Truly may this be called, as the artist + prefers, the Venus of Polynesia.] + </p> + <p> + By four o'clock the beach was thronged with thousands of gleaming bodies. + Festivity and rejoicing were in every eye. Shouts of welcome, bursts of + laughter, and the resounding slap of friendly hand on visiting hip or + shoulder, the dignified welcome of the chiefs, cries of children, dances + and games, myriad details of social amity—all presented a picture of + unspoiled Polynesia such as is found in the Filberts alone. When I forget + it, may I be forgot. + </p> + <p> + Of course Swank, Whinney and I were objects of much curiosity—and + admiration. Hundreds of times my radiant Daughter of Pearl and Coral + repeated: + </p> + <p> + "Ahoa tarumea—Kapatooi Naani-Tui"—"I should like to make you + acquainted with my husband, Face-of-the-Moon." + </p> + <p> + Hundreds of times did I press my chin against soft ears and submit to the + same gentle greeting. Hundreds of times did I raise the welcoming + hoopa-shell with the usual salutation—"Lomi-lomi,"—"May you + live for a thousand years and grow to enormous size." + </p> + <p> + In a rest period Kippy and I swam to the reef where the younger set were + sporting among the coral, diving for pearls which rolled on the purple + floor. As I think now of the value of those milky globes, the size of + gooseberries, I marvel that not a thought of covetousness crossed my mind. + What were pearls to us? + </p> + <p> + "Catch!" cried Kippy, and threw a fish-skin beauty in my direction. I + admired its lustre for an instant and its perfect roundness acquiredfrom + the incessant rolling of the tides—then carelessly tossed it back. + It slipped between Kippy's fingers. + </p> + <p> + "I'll get it," I cried, making ready to dive, but she shouted a warning. + </p> + <p> + "Arani electi. Oki Kutiaa!"-"Look out! The snapping oysters!" + </p> + <p> + Gazing down through the crystal depths into which our bauble had fallen I + saw a great gaping <i>kutiaa</i>, the fiercest of crustacea, its shelly + mouth slightly ajar, waiting for the careless hand or foot that might come + within its grasp. We let the pearl go and amused ourselves by sucking the + eggs of the <i>liho</i>, a bland-faced bird which makes its nest in the + surface coral branches. [Footnote: The <i>liho</i> is in many respects the + most remarkable fowl in existence. It is of the <i>gallinaris</i> or + hen-family crossed with the male shad which causes the bird to produce + eggs in unheard of quantity.] Here, too, we laughed over the ridiculous <i>ratatia</i>, + that grotesque amphibian who is built like a ferry-boat, with a head at + either end and swivel fins so that however he may move he is always going + forward. + </p> + <p> + From these diversions the sound of singing summoned us. The Judgment was + about to take place. At top speed we swam ashore and joined the crowd. For + once I was glad that literature had no place in the competition, so that + Kippy and I were free to watch the proceedings. + </p> + <p> + Years ago I saw the ceremonial by which the British Government conferred + on the Bahia of Persia the title of "The Bab of Babs," but it was nothing + compared to what I now gazed upon. + </p> + <p> + As far as the eye could reach stretched the crowd. Under a gorgeous dais + of <i>panjandrus</i> leaves respondent with <i>alova</i> blossoms sat + Baahaabaa, on his right Captain Triplett, on his left Hanuhonu, the + ranking visitor, and all about retinues of nobles, with their superb + families, groups of dancers, slim and straight as golden birches, singers, + orators and athletes. It was grand opera on a titanic scale, with the + added distinction of really meaning something. + </p> + <p> + Baahaabaa spoke first—in fact I think I may say that he spoke first, + last and all the time. I can conscientiously claim that he is the champion + long-distance orator of the world. Ever and anon he gave way to a guest + but only for a moment. + </p> + <p> + "We are met," he said—I translate freely—"we are met to + witness the emulation of friends." Could anything be more delicate? + </p> + <p> + "We have with us tonight, in this corner, Wanooa-Potonopoa (Whinney), the + Man with his Eye in a Box" (this was plainly a reference to Whinney's + camera)—"while in this corner, we have Mainaue Ahiiahi, + Tattooer-of-Rainbows. Both boys are members of this island." + </p> + <p> + The applause was enormous but Swank had the grace to rise and kiss his + finger-tips toward the audience which immediately put him on a friendly + footing. + </p> + <p> + After a few more speeches by Baahaabaa the exhibits were unveiled. Of + course, the result was foregone. I must admit that Whinney's was not hung + to advantage. The two pictures were placed against tufts of <i>haro</i> at + forty yards distance where, naturally, the detail of the photograph lost + something of its effectiveness. Swank's picture on the contrary blazed + like a pin-wheel. The further you got from it the better it looked. + </p> + <p> + A characteristic point in the competition was that Swank had introduced + figures into his composition where no figures had existed. "What do I + care?" he said to my objection. "I was there, wasn't I? And you were + there? There may have been others." + </p> + <p> + A mighty roar followed the unveiling, a shout of such force that tons of + breadfruit and thousands of cocoanuts fell from the adjacent trees. But it + was plain to see whom the shouting was for. Then Baahaabaa made the awards + and—the prizes were identical—two royal <i>rigolos</i> of + mother-of-pearl, elaborately trimmed with corals and pendants of limpid + aquamarine. What tact, what grace and charm in these identical rewards! + </p> + <p> + I am fortunate in being able to reproduce both masterpieces, so that my + readers may form their own decision. Personally, Whinney's photograph + seems to me to reproduce more completely my memories of "The Lagoon at + Dawn." But I may be wrong. Modern artists will probably back up the + popular judgment and on that memorable day in the Filberts I would + certainly have been in the minority. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0009" id="link2HCH0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER IX + </h2> + <p> + More premonitions. Triplett's curious behavior. A call from Baahaabaa. We + visit William Henry Thomas. His bride. The christening. A hideous + discovery. Pros and cons. Our heart-breaking decision. A stirrup-cup of + lava-lava. + </p> + <p> + It was two weeks after the great Competition before the celebrations which + followed it terminated, the tumult and the shouting died, and the last of + our amiable visitors paddled homeward, some being towed by new-found + wives, while not a few remained in our own community, infusing our society + with the novelty and fresh gossip of their islands. Little by little we + settled back into domestic quiet. + </p> + <p> + A blithe incident enlivened that peaceful period, preceding tragic events + which must be told in their proper place. + </p> + <p> + On the fairest of tropical mornings Kippy and I heard a gentle tapping at + the trunk of our tree and, peering over the floor, saw below Baahaabaa, + his face shining with happiness. + </p> + <p> + "Katia?" we questioned, but he was mysterious and led us quietly to the + trees occupied by the Swanks, the Whinneys and finally Triplett, all of + whom he roused as he had us. + </p> + <p> + "Katia?" we repeated. + </p> + <p> + "Hoko," he answered, and to our surprise, again motioned us forward. For + twenty minutes we threaded a forest trail in which still lurked the + shadows of night. At a giant palm tree our leader again tapped gently. + </p> + <p> + Who should look over the edge of the densely screened dwelling but William + Henry Thomas! + </p> + <p> + At first glimpse of us he hastily drew back and I heard the muttered sound + of old-fashioned, New England cursing. Reassured by Baahaabaa, however, he + slid down to join us, followed by his wife. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time I had ever really seen her and I must say that I was + completely bowled over by the sight. Plainly not of the same social class + as the beautiful women whom Baahaabaa had selected for us, she yet + possessed an eerie charm of her own which instantly stirred strange + emotions in my breast. I heard Swank gasp and Whinney's face was white and + drawn, his favorite expression when deeply moved. She stood close to her + husband, half-twined about him with the grace and strength of an <i>eva-eva</i> + vine while her kindling eyes burned questioningly, her lithe body tense + and protective. "He is to be christened," said Baahaabaa, with a + magnificent gesture toward William Henry Thomas. + </p> + <p> + We could only look our astonishment. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," continued the chief, smiling benignly, "first among you all is he + to have his name recorded in our ancient fashion." + </p> + <p> + As he pronounced these words Baahaabaa lifted his left foot solemnly and + pointed to his own royal appellation tattooed on the sole. Our wives did + likewise. + </p> + <p> + "What is his name?" Whinney asked. + </p> + <p> + William Henry Thomas's head rose proudly as his wife replied in thrilling, + woodland tones, "Fatakahala." + </p> + <p> + "Fatakahala!" repeated Baahaabaa, "Flower of Darkness," and William Henry + Thomas raised his head as high as it would go. + </p> + <p> + "When does the ceremony take place?" asked Whinney. Baahaabaa pointed to + the distant peak of the mountain. + </p> + <p> + "Tonight. Maka, the Tattooer, is ready; the fishbones are sharpened; the + juice of the tupa-berries fills the holy shell. We go." + </p> + <p> + All that day we strung ceremonial garlands about the base of the mountain, + which, with its circumference of a mile and three-quarters, was no small + task. But sunset found it completed. We supped on the beach and at nine, + under a rising moon, climbed toward the summit. The peak was reserved for + William Henry Thomas, Maka and her four attendants who bore the utensils + and long ropes of <i>eva-eva</i>—"to tie him with," whispered + Baahaabaa. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0016" id="linkimage-0016"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0172.jpg" alt="0172 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0172.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + This is without question the most extraordinary picture which has ever + been taken of any natural history subject. It corroborates in most + convincing manner the author's claim to the discovery of the wonderful + fatu-liva bird with its unique gift of laying square eggs. Here we see the + eggs themselves in all the beauty of their cubical form and quaint + marking; here we see the nest itself, made of delicately woven haro and + brought carefully from the tree's summit by its discoverer, + Babai-Alova-Babai. An extremely interesting feature of the picture is the + presence in the nest of lapa or signal-feather. By close observation, Mr. + Whinney, the scientist of the expedition, discovered that whenever the + mother-bird left the nest in search of food she always decorated her home + with one of her wing feathers which served as a signal to her mate that + she would return shortly, which she invariably did. Skeptics have said + that it would be impossible to lay a square egg. To which the author is + justly entitled to say: "The camera never lies."] + </p> + <p> + At exactly ten, by the shadow of the mountain on the atoll, William Henry + Thomas stepped forth into the moonlight to face his ordeal—alone. + </p> + <p> + In the darkness we waited, Kippy clinging close to me. Then came a sound + at which I could but shudder. It was a giggle, the voice plainly that of + William Henry Thomas. This was followed by a hysterical sob of laughter. + </p> + <p> + "The christening has begun," murmured Kippy. + </p> + <p> + You can not imagine anything more horrible. <i>Never</i> before to my + knowledge had William Henry Thomas laughed. Now, wilder and yet more wild + rang his uncontrollable mirth, rising at times to demoniac screams, anon + sinking to convulsive chuckles. The worst of it was that it was + infectious. + </p> + <p> + Conscious though we were of the poor wretch's suffering, we could not help + joining his vocal expression of it, and thus we sat, in the darkness, our + peals of laughter bursting forth at every fresh paroxysm. Tears of + distress rolled down Swank's cheeks. + </p> + <p> + An hour later the vines parted and a recumbent form was borne gently down + the mountain; William Henry Thomas, that was, his new name wrapped in soft + leaves over which his wife sobbed in tender ecstasy. + </p> + <p> + On the day following a bolt fell from the blue. + </p> + <p> + Swank and I were spending the afternoon with Triplett on board the Kawa + where the captain was explaining the workings of various home-made + navigating instruments which he had manufactured. + </p> + <p> + "This here is a astrolabe," he said, "jackass quadrant, I call it." He + displayed a sort of rudimentary crossbow. "An' this here is a + perspective-glass, kind of a telescope, see? Made'er bamboo. The lenses + ain't very good; had to use fish-skin. Got my compass-plant nicely rooted + in sand, see—she's doin' fine." + </p> + <p> + "What's this all for?" asked Swank. + </p> + <p> + Triplett smiled malevolently. + </p> + <p> + "Don't you want to know where you be? I've got it all figgered out. Got a + chart, too." + </p> + <p> + He unrolled a broad leaf on which he had drawn a rough sketch of the + island, probable north and possible latitude and longitude. + </p> + <p> + Again the chill of dismay and apprehension which I had felt before in + Triplett's presence ran up and down my spine. It was beginning to dawn + upon me that Triplett was planning a get-away. "My God!" I cried, "take + that thing away! What you trying to do, Triplett? Hook us up to + civilization with all its deviltry and disease and damned conventions? + Don't you appreciate the beauty of getting outside of the covers of a + geography?" + </p> + <p> + The old devil only grinned, his very leer seeming to say, "I've got a + trump card up my sleeve, young man." + </p> + <p> + What might have been a bitter scene was interrupted by something much more + serious. + </p> + <p> + We saw Whinney running along the edge of the lagoon into which he + presently plunged and began swimming madly in our direction. As he drew + near I saw that he was deathly white. When we dragged him over the rail he + collapsed in the scuppers and burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + "What is it?" we questioned. + </p> + <p> + He jerked out his answer in hoarse, broken fragments, while our blood + froze. + </p> + <p> + "It's come.... I was afraid of it.... from the first... it's here... we've + done it... we've got to get out... it is not fair..." + </p> + <p> + "For heaven's sake," I shouted. "What's here? What have we done?" + </p> + <p> + "Disease!" he panted. "Disease! You know ... how the other islands... + Marquesas... Solomons... Tongas... dying, all dying." + </p> + <p> + His voice sank and he covered his face with his hands, shoulders shaking. + </p> + <p> + "What... what is it? Who has it?" + </p> + <p> + It was then that Whinney made the supreme call on his nerve, stiffened + visibly and answered in a dead voice, "My wife, Babai-Alova-Babai, has + prickly-heat!" + </p> + <p> + It seemed to me in that moment that the entire atoll revolved rapidly in + one direction while the mountain twirled in the other. Through my brain + crashed a sequence of sickening pictures, the lepers of Molokai with their + hideous affliction imported from China, the gaunt, coughing wrecks of + Papeete, the scarecrows of Samoa—and now this! + </p> + <p> + And Whinney was right. <i>We</i> had done it; who individually, I know + not, nor cared, but collectively we were guilty. Into this Eden, this + Paradise in which I had never seen or heard of the slightest ailment, we, + the prideful whites, had brought this deadly thing! + </p> + <p> + Should we remain, I dared not face the consequences. + </p> + <p> + "Is it... bad?" I managed to ask. + </p> + <p> + "Pretty," moaned poor Whinney. "Left knee, small of back... spreading." + </p> + <p> + "I'm going home," I said. "We'll meet here tomorrow afternoon at the same + tune. If this thing develops" ... + </p> + <p> + I finished my sentence by diving overboard. + </p> + <p> + Early next morning I knew the worst. Daughter of Pearl and Coral was + restless during the night. When the sun rose a single glance at her + polished shoulders and my heart broke, never to be repaired. Folding her + gently in my arms, I trembled in a paroxysm of grief. + </p> + <p> + We spent the entire day together, I in an agony of soul which I could not + quite conceal and which my beloved tried to dispel by the tenderest + tributes of her consuming love. I cannot speak more of what lies too + deeply in my heart. + </p> + <p> + It was by the rarest good fortune that Dr. Traprock was able to secure + what is probably the only living specimen now in captivity of the hitherto + unknown fatu-liva bird. Immediately upon his arrival at Papeete efforts + were made to secure a mother bird of any kind which would hatch out the + four fatu-liva eggs then in the explorer's possession. Owing to their + angular and uncomfortable shape it was found impossible to keep a bird + brooding for more than three minutes at a time. After much effort one egg + was finally hatched from which was derived the handsome specimen shown in + the illustration. The youngster is now doing finely in the Bronx aviary. + Unfortunately he is a male, so that his hope of posterity rests entirely + upon the success of another expedition to the Filbert Islands.] + </p> + <p> + It was a tragic trio which reassembled on the Kawa's deck as the late + afternoon sun spread its golden hand across the lagoon. The purple shadow + of the Mountain rested on our tiny craft but a shadow yet deeper shrouded + our hearts. Each of us carried the consciousness of a terrible duty. We + ought to leave the Filberts. + </p> + <p> + Broken-heartedly we talked over the situation. + </p> + <p> + "Getting worse," was Whinney's report. "Saw Baahaabaa scratching his leg + this morning—probably got it." + </p> + <p> + Poor Baahaabaa, how my heart ached for him. + </p> + <p> + "We ought to leave," I said. + </p> + <p> + It was the first time any of us had dared state the hideous truth in plain + words. They fell like lead on our spirits. Swank's sensitive soul was + perhaps the most harrowed of all. + </p> + <p> + He sat moaning on the taffrail taking little or no part in the discussion. + All at once he sprang up with blazing eyes. + </p> + <p> + "I can't do it!" he shouted. "I can't—and I won't. Blessed little + Lupoba,—my Mist-on-the-Mountain. How can I desert you? How can we + any of us desert our wives—let us stay, let us live, and, if we + must, let us die. Love is more than life." + </p> + <p> + It was a powerful appeal. Overwrought as I was, I nearly succumbed to the + false reasoning which was but the expression of my desire. And then once + more the vision of those deadly inroads of disease rose before me. + </p> + <p> + "Whinney," I asked, "is there no cure for this awful thing? No antitoxin?" + </p> + <p> + He shook his head sadly. + </p> + <p> + "We have been studying it for years. The only hope is in their complete + isolation. If we stay here ... and a second epidemic breaks out.... "; he + shrugged hopelessly and Swank buried his face in the bilge-sponge. + </p> + <p> + "Enough!" I said sternly. "Triplett, when can we leave?" + </p> + <p> + "Tonight, sir," he answered with his old subservience. "I've got her + completely stored, watered and ready." + </p> + <p> + "Come on," I said shortly. "We must get William Henry Thomas." + </p> + <p> + We swam ashore dejectedly, each, I know, contemplating suicide. For an + hour we visited our friends. For them it was but a friendly call, for us + the agony of parting. + </p> + <p> + Gentle, dignified Baahaabaa, shall I ever forget you as you stood with + your hands resting on my shoulder, confidently expecting to see me on the + morrow!—Merry Hitoia-Upa, kindly Ablutiluti, and Moolitonu, oh! that + I might send some message across the waste of waters to tell your loving + hearts of the love which still kindles in mine. + </p> + <p> + We did not dare visit our wives. + </p> + <p> + At dusk, that our conference might be unnoticed, we found our way to the + William Henry Thomas family tree. + </p> + <p> + He came down instantly. All his old deference was gone. Something in the + straight look of his eye told me that his christening had worked a + tremendous moral change in the man, but I was not prepared for its extent. + </p> + <p> + "Not me," he said briefly, when we explained the necessity of our + departure. "Not by a damn sight." + </p> + <p> + In vain we reasoned, urged and argued. + </p> + <p> + "Don't you want to go back to your own people?" asked Swank weakly. + </p> + <p> + A mocking laugh was the reply. + </p> + <p> + "My own people! Who was I among my own people? Just a bunch of first names—no + last name at all. William Henry Thomas! That's a hell of a bunch of names. + Who am I here? Fatakahala—Flower of Darkness—I guess that'll + be about all. Good night, gentlemen." + </p> + <p> + With the agility of a monkey he bounded up his tree and disappeared. I + stood at the foot of the tree and tried to argue further with him. + "Remember Henry James," I shouted. "Think of Charles Henry George." It was + in vain. + </p> + <p> + Swank started after him, but as he reached the floor-level a large <i>hola-nut</i> + struck him squarely on the top of the head and he fell back, stunned. + </p> + <p> + Still further depressed we made our way back to the Kawa, our hearts + aching as with the hurt of burns, a dull, throbbing torture. + </p> + <p> + "Drink?" said Captain Triplett in his most treacly manner. He held out a + cup of <i>lava-lava</i>, the most deadly beverage of the islands. It is + mixed with phosphorus and glows and tastes like hell-fire. I saw his plan + and for once was grateful. We took the bowl from his hands and filed into + the tiny cabin—each picking out a corner to fall in. + </p> + <p> + In silence we filled our shells and raised them to our lips, the last + thought of each of us for our lost loved ones! + </p> + <p> + Hours—perhaps days—later I was dimly aware of a soft sobbing + sound near my ear. Was it Swank crying? And then I realized that it was + the chuckling of water under the Kawa's counter as manned by the intrepid + Triplett she merrily footed it over the wrinkled sea. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2HCH0010" id="link2HCH0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CHAPTER X + </h2> + <p> + Once more the "Kawa" foots the sea. Triplett's observations and our + assistance. The death of the compass-plant. Lost! An orgy of desperation. + Oblivion and excess. The "Kawa" brings us home. Our reception in Papeete. + A celebration at the Tiare. + </p> + <p> + That Triplett's refitting of the Kawa had been thorough and seamanlike was + amply proven by the speed with which she traveled under the favoring + trades. When our saddened but still intrepid ship's company reassembled on + our limited quarterdeck there was no sign of land visible in any + direction. The horizon stretched about our collective heads like an + enormous wire halo. It was as if the Filberts had never existed. + </p> + <p> + The captain alone was cheerful. Joy bubbled from that calloused heart of + his in striking contrast to the gloom of his companions. Most of the time + he was our helmsman, his eye cocked aloft at the taut halyards of <i>eva-eva</i>, + occasionally glancing from the sun to the compass-plant which bloomed in a + shell of fresh water lashed to an improvised binnacle. + </p> + <p> + At regular intervals he took observations, figured the results, and jotted + down our probable course on his chart. This document we could scarcely + bear to look at for upon it our beloved island figured prominently. But + the course of the Kawa interested us. It was a contradictory course and + even Triplett seemed puzzled by the results of his calculations. + </p> + <p> + "Can't quite figger it out," he would mutter, lowering the astrolabe from + its aim at the sun—"accordin' to this here jackass-quadrant we orter + be dee-creesing our latitude—but the answer comes out different." + </p> + <p> + "Too much jackass and too little quadrant," snapped Swank, whose nerves + were still like E strings. + </p> + <p> + Little by little, however, the calm of the great ocean invaded our souls + and that well-known influence (mentioned in so many letters of + consolation), "the hand of time," soothed the pain in our hearts. I think + it was the quiet, self-contained Whinney who brought the most reasoned + philosophy to bear on the situation. + </p> + <p> + "They will forget," he said one evening, as we sat watching the Double + Cross slowly revolve about its axis. "We must remember that they are a + race of children. They have no written records of the past, no + anticipations of the future. They live for the present. Childlike, they + will grieve deeply, for a day maybe; then another sun will rise, Baahaabaa + will give another picnic—" he sighed deeply. + </p> + <p> + "The tragedy of it is that their memories should be so short and ours so + long," I commented. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," agreed Swank, "but I suppose we ought to be thankful. They were a + wonderful people, it was a wonderful experience. And no matter what + art-juries of the future may do to me, my pictures were a success in the + Filberts." + </p> + <p> + Blessed old Swank, he always looked on the bright side of things! + </p> + <p> + Day by day matters mended—and our spirits rose. We began to think + more and more of getting in touch with civilization. What a tale we should + have to tell. How we should put it over the other explorers with their + trite Solomons and threadbare Marquesas! + </p> + <p> + "Where do you think we'll land, Captain?" I asked Triplett. + </p> + <p> + "Hard to say," he answered, "accordin' to compass-plant I'm steerin' a + straight course for anywhere, but accordin' to the jackass (he had dropped + the word "quadrant" since Swank's thrust) we're spinnin' a web round these + seas from where we started to nowhere via where we be." + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><a name="linkimage-0017" id="linkimage-0017"> </a> + </p> + <div class="fig" style="width:50%;"> + <img src="images/0192.jpg" alt="0192 " width="100%" /><br /> + </div> + <h5> + <a href="images/0192.jpg"><img src="images/enlarge.jpg" alt="" /> </a> + </h5> + <p> + In all the history of great friendships there is nothing more touching and + more noble than the beautiful bond which existed between Baahaabaa, the + simple, primitive chief of the Filbertines and the white men who spent the + happiest months of their lives on his island and then so strangely + vanished. For several days after their departure he spoke no word. But + every evening at sunset he took his place opposite an opening in the reef + where the Kawa had first made her appearance and there he sat until + darkness covered him. "Whom are you awaiting?" his chieftains asked him. + He shook his head mournfully; memories in the Filberts are mercifully + short. Then placing his hand over his heart he said, "I know not who it + is, but something is gone—from here." + </p> + <p> + Three weeks later when this photograph was taken he was still keeping up + his lonely vigil.] + </p> + <p> + We tried to help him. While the Captain pointed his astrolabe sunward and + announced the figures Whinney and I, like tailors' assistants, took them + down, Whinney doing the adding, I the subtracting and Swank the charting. + The results were confusion worse confounded. + </p> + <p> + And then a dreadful thing happened. + </p> + <p> + The compass-plant sickened and died. + </p> + <p> + Whether some sea-water splashed into the shell or whether it was just + change of environment, I do not know. But day by day it drooped and faded. + </p> + <p> + I shall never forget the night she breathed her last. With white faces we + sat about the tiny brown bowl in which lay our hope of orientation. In + Triplett's great rough paw was a fountain-pen filler of fresh water which + he gently dropped on the flowerlet's unturned face. At exactly one-thirty, + solar time, the tiny petals fluttered faintly and closed. + </p> + <p> + "She's gone," groaned Triplett, and dashed a tear, the size of a robin's + egg, from his furrowed cheek. In that ghastly light we stared at each + other. + </p> + <p> + We were lost! + </p> + <p> + From then on we gave up all attempts at navigation and went in for plain + sailing. Taking an approximate north from sun and stars we simply headed + our tight little craft on her way and let her pound. + </p> + <p> + A sort of desperate feeling, the panic which always comes to those who are + lost, led us to wild outbursts of gaiety and certain excesses in the + matter of use of our supplies. Every evening we opened fresh gourds of <i>hoopa</i> + and made large inroads into our stores of <i>pai</i>, pickled <i>gobangs</i> + and raw crawfish. + </p> + <p> + How long this kept up I cannot say, for we had given up time reckoning + along with other forms of arithmetic. But I well remember that it was the + Captain who had to intervene at last. + </p> + <p> + "Look here, boys," he said. "Do you realize that you're eatin' an' + drinkin' yourselves outer house an' home? We got jest a week's grub in our + lockers, if we go on short rations. Beyond that,"—he waved his arm + toward the ocean, as if to say "overboard for ours." + </p> + <p> + "Look here!" cried Swank excitedly, "do you suppose I want to go in for + one of these slow starvation stunts, perishing miserably on half a biscuit + a day! O man! that's old stuff. Every explorer that ever wrote has done + that, you know—falling insensible in the boat, drifting around for + weeks, being towed into port, sunbaked, like mummies. Not on your life! + What I propose is one final party—let's eat the whole outfit + tonight, hook, line and sinker." + </p> + <p> + We carried the proposition by acclamation, except Triplett who spat sourly + to windward, a thing few men can do. And we were as good as our word. + </p> + <p> + Late into the night we roared our sea-songs over the indifferent ocean, + pledging our lost ones, singing, laughing and weeping with the abandon of + lost sheep. With Triplett it was a case of forcible feeding for he kept + trying to secrete his share of the menu in various parts of his person, + slipping fistsful of crawfish in his shirt-bosom and pouring his cup of <i>hoopa</i> + into an old fire-extinguisher which rolled in the ship's waist. Pinioning + his arms we squirted the fiery liquid between his set jaws, after which he + too gave himself up to unrestrained celebration. + </p> + <p> + Our supplies lasted for two days, and for two days our wild orgy + continued. + </p> + <p> + We have all read of the hunter lost in trackless forest wilds who finally + falls exhausted on his pommel and is brought safely home by his + loose-reined mustang. + </p> + <p> + That is exactly what happened to us. I know I am departing from literary + custom when I abandon the picture of slow starvation, with its attractive + episodes of shoe-eating, sea-drinking, madness, cannibalism and suicide + which make up the final scene of most tales of adventure. But I must tell + the truth. + </p> + <p> + While we caroused, our helm was free, the tiller banging, sail flapping, + boom gibing, blocks rattling. It was as if we had thrown the reins of + guidance on the neck of our staunch little seahorse and she, superbly + sturdy creature, proceeded to bring us home. On we went across the waters, + steered only by fate. + </p> + <p> + In the midst of a rousing rendering of "Hail, hail, the gang's all here," + we were startled by a grinding crash that threw us in a heap on the floor. + Down the companion way burst a flood of green water through which we + struggled to the steeply slanting deck, where on ourport bow I glimpsed + the picture of a pleasant sandy beach, trees, ships, docks, a large white + hotel and hundreds of people—white and brown, in bathing! In one + thundering burst of amazement the truth swept over me; we were in the + harbor of Papeete! In the next instant strong arms seized me and I was + borne through the breakers and up the beach. + </p> + <p> + Well, they were all there! O'Brien—dear old Fred, and Martin + Johnson, just in from the Solomons with miles of fresh film; McFee, + stopping over night on his way to the West Indies; Bill Beebe, with his + pocket full of ants; Safroni, "Mac" MacQuarrie, Freeman, "Cap" Bligh—thinner + than when I last saw him in Penang—and, greatest surprise of all, a + bluff, harris-tweeded person who peered over the footboard of my bed and + roared in rough sea-tones: + </p> + <p> + "Well, as I live and breathe, Walter Traprock!" + </p> + <p> + It was Joe Conrad. + </p> + <p> + I told my story that night in the dining-room of the Tiare, or, at least, + I told just enough of it to completely knock my audience off their seats. + For many good reasons I avoided exact details of latitude, longitude, and + the like. + </p> + <p> + No island is sacred among explorers. + </p> + <p> + "Gentlemen," I said, rather neatly, "I cannot give you the Filberts' + latitude or longitude. But I will say that their pulchritude is 100!" + </p> + <p> + The place was in an uproar. They plied me with questions, and Dr. Funk's! + It was a night of rejoicing and triumph which I shall never forget, and + which only Fred O'Brien can describe. + </p> + <p> + The later results are too well known to need recital, Swank's success, + Whinney's position in the Academy of Sciences, my own recognition by the + Royal Geographic Society. + </p> + <p> + The tight little Kawa still rides the seas, Triplett in command. She is + kept fully stocked, ready to sail at a moment's notice. Soon, perhaps, the + wanderlust will seize us again and, throwing down our lightly won honors, + we will once more head for the trackless trail. + </p> + <p> + But we will not make for the Filberts. Too tender are the memories which + wreathe those opal isles, too irrevocable the changes which must have + taken place. Rather let us preserve their undimmed beauty in our hearts. + </p> + <p> + On our next trip we have agreed, all of us, that by far the best plan will + be to leave the choice of our route, destination and return (if any) to + the Kawa herself. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + OTHER BOOKS BY WALTER E. TRAPROCK + </h2> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Who's Hula in Hawaii 1899 + Dances, Near-dances and No-dances of the + Far East 1902 + Through Borneo on a Bicycle 1904 + Curry-Dishes for Moderate Incomes 1907 + Sobs from the South Seas-Poems 1912 + Around Russia on Roller Skates 1917 + Crazy With Tahiti-Translations from Native + Folklore 1918 + How to Explore, and What 1919 +</pre> + <p> + NOTE:—Most of the above are out of print. The author still has a few + copies of "Curry-Dishes for Moderate Incomes" which may be had at the + publication price, $200. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + SEE THE SOUTH SEAS + </h2> + <p> + S. S. <i>Love-Nest</i>, sailing from San Francisco, June 1st, Sept. 3rd, + Dec 2nd and March 7th. Three months' cruise. + </p> + <p> + See the cute cannibals. Excursion rates for round trip with stops at all + important islands. Everybody's doing it. Don't be a back number. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Cruise of the Kawa, by Walter E. 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