Chapter Eighteen - Page 2

But, melancholy to relate, it produced an
effect I had not anticipated. The sweet nymphs, who had sported
with me before on the lake, now all fled its vicinity. The
prohibited craft, guarded by the edicts of the 'taboo,' extended
the prohibition to the waters in which it lay.

For a few days, Kory-Kory, with one or two other youths,
accompanied me in my excursions to the lake, and while I paddled
about in my light canoe, would swim after me shouting and
gambolling in pursuit. But I as ever partial to what is termed
in the 'Young Men's Own Book'--'the society of virtuous and
intelligent young ladies;' and in the absence of the mermaids,
the amusement became dull and insipid. One morning I expressed
to my faithful servitor my desire for the return of the nymphs.
The honest fellow looked at me bewildered for a moment,, and then
shook his head solemnly, and murmured 'taboo! taboo!' giving me
to understand that unless the canoe was removed I could not
expect to have the young ladies back again. But to this
procedure I was averse; I not only wanted the canoe to stay where
it was, but I wanted the beauteous Fayaway to get into it, and
paddle with me about the lake. This latter proposition
completely horrified Kory-Kory's notions of propriety. He
inveighed against it, as something too monstrous to be thought
of. It not only shocked their established notions of propriety,
but was at variance with all their religious ordinances.

However, although the 'taboo' was a ticklish thing to meddle
with, I determined to test its capabilities of resisting an
attack. I consulted the chief Mehevi, who endeavoured to
dissuade me from my object; but I was not to be repulsed; and
accordingly increased the warmth of my solicitations. At last he
entered into a long, and I have no doubt a very learned and
eloquent exposition of the history and nature of the 'taboo' as
affecting this particular case; employing a variety of most
extraordinary words, which, from their amazing length and
sonorousness, I have every reason to believe were of a
theological nature. But all that he said failed to convince me:
partly, perhaps, because I could not comprehend a word that he
uttered; but chiefly, that for the life of me I could not
understand why a woman would not have as much right to enter a
canoe as a man. At last he became a little more rational, and
intimated that, out of the abundant love he bore me, he would
consult with the priests and see what could be done.

How it was that the priesthood of Typee satisfied the affair with
their consciences, I know not; but so it was, and Fayaway
dispensation from this portion of the taboo was at length
procured. Such an event I believe never before had occurred in