Chapter Fourteen

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

A GREAT EVENT HAPPENS IN THE VALLEY--THE ISLAND
TELEGRAPH--SOMETHING BEFALLS TOBY--FAYAWAY DISPLAYS A TENDER
HEART--MELANCHOLY REFLECTIONS--MYSTERIOUS CONDUCT OF THE
ISLANDERS--DEVOTION OF KORY-KORY--A RURAL COUCH--A
LUXURY--KORY-KORY STRIKES A LIGHT A LA TYPEE

IN the course of a few days Toby had recovered from the effects
of his adventure with the Happar warriors; the wound on his head
rapidly healing under the vegetable treatment of the good Tinor.
Less fortunate than my companion however, I still continued to
languish under a complaint, the origin and nature of which were
still a mystery. Cut off as I was from all intercourse with the
civilized world, and feeling the inefficacy of anything the
natives could do to relieve me; knowing, too, that so long as I
remained in my present condition, it would be impossible for me
to leave the valley, whatever opportunity might present itself;
and apprehensive that ere long we might be exposed to some
caprice on the part of the islanders, I now gave up all hopes of
recovery, and became a prey to the most gloomy thoughts. A deep
dejection fell upon me, which neither the friendly remonstrances
of my companion, the devoted attentions of Kory-Kory nor all the
soothing influences of Fayaway could remove.

One morning as I lay on the mats in the house, plunged in
melancholy reverie, and regardless of everything around me, Toby,
who had left me about an hour, returned in haste, and with great
glee told me to cheer up and be of good heart; for he believed,
from what was going on among the natives, that there were boats
approaching the bay.

These tidings operated upon me like magic. The hour of our
deliverance was at hand, and starting up, I was soon convinced
that something unusual was about to occur. The word 'botee!
botee!' was vociferated in all directions; and shouts were heard
in the distance, at first feebly and faintly; but growing louder
and nearer at each successive repetition, until they were caught
up by a fellow in a cocoanut tree a few yards off, who sounding
them in turn, they were reiterated from a neighbouring grove, and
so died away gradually from point to point, as the intelligence
penetrated into the farthest recess of the valley. This was the
vocal telegraph of the islanders; by means of which condensed
items of information could be carried in a very few minutes from
the sea to their remotest habitation, a distance of at least
eight or nine miles. On the present occasion it was in active
operation; one piece of information following another with
inconceivable rapidity.

The greatest commotion now appeared to prevail. At every fresh
item of intelligence the natives betrayed the liveliest