Chapter Ten

CHAPTER TEN

THE HEAD OF THE VALLEY--CAUTIOUS ADVANCE--A
PATH--FRUIT--DISCOVERY OF TWO OF THE NATIVES--THEIR SINGULAR
CONDUCT--APPROACH TOWARDS THE INHABITED PARTS OF THE
VALE--SENSATION PRODUCED BY OUR APPEARANCE--RECEPTION AT THE
HOUSE OF ONE OF THE NATIVES

HOW to obtain the fruit which we felt convinced must grow near at
hand was our first thought.

Typee or Happar? A frightful death at the hands of the fiercest
of cannibals, or a kindly reception from a gentler race of
savages? Which? But it was too late now to discuss a question
which would so soon be answered.

The part of the valley in which we found ourselves appeared to be
altogether uninhabited. An almost impenetrable thicket extended
from side to side, without presenting a single plant affording
the nourishment we had confidently calculated upon; and with this
object, we followed the course of the stream, casting quick
glances as we proceeded into the thick jungles on each hand. My
companion--to whose solicitations I had yielded in descending
into the valley--now that the step was taken, began to manifest a
degree of caution I had little expected from him. He proposed
that in the event of our finding an adequate supply of fruit, we
should remain in this unfrequented portion of the country--where
we should run little chance of being surprised by its occupants,
whoever they might be--until sufficiently recruited to resume our
journey; when laying a store of food equal to our wants, we might
easily regain the bay of Nukuheva, after the lapse of a
sufficient interval to ensure the departure of our vessel.

I objected strongly to this proposition, plausible as it was, as
the difficulties of the route would be almost insurmountable,
unacquainted as we were with the general bearings of the country,
and I reminded my companion of the hardships which we had already
encountered in our uncertain wanderings; in a word, I said that
since we had deemed it advisable to enter the valley, we ought
manfully to face the consequences, whatever they might be; the
more especially as I was convinced there was no alternative left
us but to fall in with the natives at once, and boldly risk the
reception they might give us; and that as to myself, I felt the
necessity of rest and shelter, and that until I had obtained
them, I should be wholly unable to encounter such sufferings as
we had lately passed through. To the justice of these
observations Toby somewhat reluctantly assented.

We were surprised that, after moving as far as we had along the
valley, we should still meet with the same impervious thickets;
and thinking, that although the borders of the stream might be
lined for some distance with them, yet beyond there