Chapter 41

A Fray

So bent were the strangers upon concealing who they were, and the
object of their voyage, that it was some time ere we could obtain the
information we desired.

They pointed toward the tent, as if it contained their Eleusinian
mysteries. And the old priest gave us to know, that it would be
profanation to enter it.

But all this only roused my curiosity to unravel the wonder.

At last I succeeded.

In that mysterious tent was concealed a beautiful maiden. And, in
pursuance of a barbarous custom, by Aleema, the priest, she was being
borne an offering from the island of Amma to the gods of Tedaidee.

Now, hearing of the maiden, I waited for no more. Need I add, how
stirred was my soul toward this invisible victim; and how hotly I
swore, that precious blood of hers should never smoke upon an altar.
If we drowned for it, I was bent upon rescuing the captive. But as
yet, no gentle signal of distress had been waved to us from the tent.
Thence, no sound could be heard, but an occasional rustle of the
matting. Was it possible, that one about to be immolated could
proceed thus tranquilly to her fate?

But desperately as I resolved to accomplish the deliverance of the
maiden, it was best to set heedfully about it. I desired no shedding
of blood; though the odds were against us.

The old priest seemed determined to prevent us from boarding
his craft. But being equally determined the other way, I cautiously
laid the bow of the Chamois against the canoe's quarter, so as to
present the smallest possible chance for a hostile entrance into our
boat. Then, Samoa, knife in ear, and myself with a cutlass, stepped
upon the dais, leaving Jarl in the boat's head, equipped with his
harpoon; three loaded muskets lying by his side. He was strictly
enjoined to resist the slightest demonstration toward our craft.

As we boarded the canoe, the Islanders slowly retreated; meantime
earnestly conferring in whispers; all but the old priest, who, still
seated, presented an undaunted though troubled front. To our
surprise, he motioned us to sit down by him; which we did; taking
care, however, not to cut off our communication with Jarl.

With the hope of inspiring good will, I now unfolded a roll of
printed cotton, and spreading it before the priest, directed his
attention to the pictorial embellishments thereon, representing some
hundreds of sailor boys simultaneously ascending some hundreds of
uniform sections of a ship's rigging. Glancing at them a moment, by a
significant sign, he gave me to know, that long previous he himself
had ascended the shrouds of a ship. Making this allusion, his
countenance was overcast with a ferocious expression, as if something
terrific was