Chapter Eleven

CHAPTER ELEVEN

MIDNIGHT REFLECTIONS--MORNING VISITORS--A WARRIOR IN COSTUME--A
SAVAGE AESCULAPIUS--PRACTICE OF THE HEALING ART--BODY SERVANT--A
DWELLING-HOUSE OF THE VALLEY DESCRIBED--PORTRAITS OF ITS INMATES

VARIOUS and conflicting were the thoughts which oppressed me
during the silent hours that followed the events related in the
preceding chapter. Toby, wearied with the fatigues of the day,
slumbered heavily by my side; but the pain under which I was
suffering effectually prevented my sleeping, and I remained
distressingly alive to all the fearful circumstances of our
present situation. Was it possible that, after all our
vicissitudes, we were really in the terrible valley of Typee, and
at the mercy of its inmates, a fierce and unrelenting tribe of
savages? Typee or Happar? I shuddered when I reflected that
there was no longer any room for doubt; and that, beyond all hope
of escape, we were now placed in those very circumstances from
the bare thought of which I had recoiled with such abhorrence but
a few days before. What might not be our fearful destiny? To be
sure, as yet we had been treated with no violence; nay, had been
even kindly and hospitably entertained. But what dependence
could be placed upon the fickle passions which sway the bosom of
a savage? His inconstancy and treachery are proverbial. Might
it not be that beneath these fair appearances the islanders
covered some perfidious design, and that their friendly reception
of us might only precede some horrible catastrophe? How strongly
did these forebodings spring up in my mind as I lay restlessly
upon a couch of mats surrounded by the dimly revealed forms of
those whom I so greatly dreaded!

From the excitement of these fearful thoughts I sank towards
morning into an uneasy slumber; and on awaking, with a start, in
the midst of an appalling dream, looked up into the eager
countenance of a number of the natives, who were bending over me.

It was broad day; and the house was nearly filled with young
females, fancifully decorated with flowers, who gazed upon me as
I rose with faces in which childish delight and curiosity were
vividly portrayed. After waking Toby, they seated themselves
round us on the mats, and gave full play to that prying
inquisitiveness which time out of mind has been attributed to the
adorable sex.

As these unsophisticated young creatures were attended by no
jealous duennas, their proceedings were altogether informal, and
void of artificial restraint. Long and minute was the
investigation with which they honoured us, and so uproarious
their mirth, that I felt infinitely sheepish; and Toby was
immeasurably outraged at their familiarity.

These lively young ladies were at