Chapter 66 - Page 2

readiness, we glided away: the multitude waving adieu;
and our flotilla disposed in the following order.

First went the royal Elephant, carrying Media, myself, Jarl, and
Samoa; Mohi the Teller of Legends, Babbalanja, and Yoomy, and six
vivacious paddlers; their broad paddle-blades carved with the royal
boars' tusks, the same tattooed on their chests for a livery.

And thus, as Media had promised, we voyaged in state. To crown all,
seated sideways in the high, open shark's-mouth of our prow was a
little dwarf of a boy, one of Media's pages, a red conch-shell,
bugle-wise suspended at his side. Among various other offices, it was
the duty of little Vee-Vee to announce the advent of his master, upon
drawing near to the islands in our route. Two short bars,
projecting from one side of the prow, furnished him the means
of ascent to his perch.

As we gained the open lagoon with bellied sails, and paddles playing,
a sheaf of foam borne upright at our prow; Yoomy, standing where the
spicy spray flew over him, stretched forth his hand and cried--"The
dawn of day is passed, and Mardi lies all before us: all her isles,
and all her lakes; all her stores of good and evil. Storms may come,
our barks may drown. But blow before us, all ye winds; give us a
lively blast, good clarion; rally round us all our wits; and be this
voyage full gayly sailed, for Yillah will yet be found."