Chapter Eighteen

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

SWIMMING IN COMPANY WITH THE GIRLS OF THE VALLEY--A
CANOE--EFFECTS OF THE TABOO--A PLEASURE EXCURSION ON THE
POND--BEAUTIFUL FREAK OF FAYAWAY--MANTUA-MAKING--A STRANGER
ARRIVES IN THE VALLEY--HIS MYSTERIOUS CONDUCT--NATIVE
ORATORY--THE INTERVIEW--ITS RESULTS--DEPARTURE OF THE STRANGER

RETURNING health and peace of mind gave a new interest to
everything around me. I sought to diversify my time by as many
enjoyments as lay within my reach. Bathing in company with
troops of girls formed one of my chief amusements. We sometimes
enjoyed the recreation in the waters of a miniature lake, to
which the central stream of the valley expanded. This lovely
sheet of water was almost circular in figure, and about three
hundred yards across. Its beauty was indescribable. All around
its banks waved luxuriant masses of tropical foliage, soaring
high above which were seen, here and there, the symmetrical shaft
of the cocoanut tree, surmounted by its tufts of graceful
branches, drooping in the air like so many waving ostrich plumes.

The ease and grace with which the maidens of the valley propelled
themselves through the water, and their familiarity with the
element, were truly astonishing. Sometimes the might be seen
gliding along just under the surface, without apparently moving
hand or foot--then throwing themselves on their sides, they
darted through the water, revealing glimpses of their forms, as,
in the course of their rapid progress, they shot for an instant
partly into the air--at one moment they dived deep down into the
water, and the next they rose bounding to the surface.

I remember upon one occasion plunging in among a parcel of these
river-nymphs, and counting vainly on my superior strength, sought
to drag some of them under the water, but I quickly repented my
temerity. The amphibious young creatures swarmed about me like a
shoal of dolphins, and seizing hold of my devoted limbs, tumbled
me about and ducked me under the surface, until from the strange
noises which rang in my ears, and the supernatural visions
dancing before my eyes, I thought I was in the land of the
spirits. I stood indeed as little chance among them as a
cumbrous whale attacked on all sides by a legion of swordfish.
When at length they relinquished their hold of me, they swam away
in every direction, laughing at my clumsy endeavours to to reach
them.

There was no boat on the lake; but at my solicitation and for my
special use, some of the,young men attached to Marheyo's
household, under the direction of the indefatigable Kory-Kory,
brought up a light and tastefully carved canoe from the sea. It
was launched upon the sheet of water, and floated there as
gracefully as a swan.