Chapter Twelve

CHAPTER TWELVE

OFFICIOUSNESS OF KORY-KORY--HIS DEVOTION--A BATH IN THE
STREAM--WANT OF REFINEMENT OF THE TYPEE DAMSELS--STROLL WITH
MEHEVI--A TYPEE HIGHWAY--THE TABOO GROVES--THE HOOLAH HOOLAH
GROUND--THE TI--TIMEWORN SAVAGES--HOSPITALITY OF MEHEVI--MIDNIGHT
MUSINGS--ADVENTURES IN THE DARK--DISTINGUISHED HONOURS PAID TO
THE VISITORS--STRANGE PROCESSION AND RETURN TO THE HOUSE OF
MARHEYO

WHEN Mehevi had departed from the house, as related in the
preceding chapter, Kory-Kory commenced the functions of the post
assigned him. He brought out, various kinds of food; and, as if
I were an infant, insisted upon feeding me with his own hands.
To this procedure I, of course, most earnestly objected, but in
vain; and having laid a calabash of kokoo before me, he washed
his fingers in a vessel of water, and then putting his hands into
the dish and rolling the food into little balls, put them one
after another into my mouth. All my remonstrances against this
measure only provoked so great a clamour on his part, that I was
obliged to acquiesce; and the operation of feeding being thus
facilitated, the meal was quickly despatched. As for Toby, he
was allowed to help himself after his own fashion.

The repast over, my attendant arranged the mats for repose, and,
bidding me lie down, covered me with a large robe of tappa, at
the same time looking approvingly upon me, and exclaiming 'Ki-Ki,
nuee nuee, ah! moee moee motarkee' (eat plenty, ah! sleep very
good). The philosophy of this sentiment I did not pretend to
question; for deprived of sleep for several preceding nights, and
the pain of my limb having much abated, I now felt inclined to
avail myself of the opportunity afforded me.

The next morning, on waking, I found Kory-Kory stretched out on
one side of me, while my companion lay upon the other. I felt
sensibly refreshed after a night of sound repose, and immediately
agreed to the proposition of my valet that I should repair to the
water and wash, although dreading the suffering that the exertion
might produce. From this apprehension, however, I was quickly
relieved; for Kory-Kory, leaping from the pi-pi, and then backing
himself up against it, like a porter in readiness to shoulder a
trunk, with loud vociferations and a superabundance of gestures,
gave me to understand that I was to mount upon his back and be
thus transported to the stream, which flowed perhaps two hundred
yards from the house.

Our appearance upon the verandah in front of the habitation drew
together quite a crowd, who stood looking on and conversing with
one another in the most animated manner. They reminded one of a
group of idlers gathered about the door of a village tavern when
the equipage of some