Chapter Thirty-four

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

THE ESCAPE

NEARLY three weeks had elapsed since the second visit of Marnoo,
and it must have been more than four months since I entered the
valley, when one day about noon, and whilst everything was in
profound silence, Mow-Mow, the one-eyed chief, suddenly appeared
at the door, and leaning towards me as I lay directly facing him,
said in a low tone, 'Toby pemi ena' (Toby has arrived here).
Gracious heaven! What a tumult of emotions rushed upon me at
this startling intelligence! Insensible to the pain that had
before distracted me, I leaped to my feet, and called wildly to
Kory-Kory who was reposing by my side. The startled islanders
sprang from their mats; the news was quickly communicated to
them; and the next moment I was making my way to the Ti on the
back of Kory-Kory; and surrounded by the excited savages.

All that I could comprehend of the particulars which Mow-Mow
rehearsed to his audience as we proceeded, was that my long-lost
companion had arrived in a boat which had just entered the bay.
These tidings made me most anxious to be carried at once to the
sea, lest some untoward circumstance should prevent our meeting;
but to this they would not consent, and continued their course
towards the royal abode. As we approached it, Mehevi and several
chiefs showed themselves from the piazza, and called upon us
loudly to come to them.

As soon as we had approached, I endeavoured to make them
understand that I was going down to the sea to meet Toby. To
this the king objected, and motioned Kory-Kory to bring me into
the house. It was in vain to resist; and in a few moments I
found myself within the Ti, surrounded by a noisy group engaged
in discussing the recent intelligence. Toby's name was
frequently repeated, coupled with violent exclamations of
astonishment. It seemed as if they yet remained in doubt with
regard to the fact of his arrival, at at every fresh report that
was brought from the shore they betrayed the liveliest emotions.

Almost frenzied at being held in this state of suspense, I
passionately besought Mehevi to permit me to proceed. Whether my
companion had arrived or not, I felt a presentiment that my own
fate was about to be decided. Again and again I renewed my
petition to Mehevi. He regarded me with a fixed and serious eye,
but at length yielding to my importunity, reluctantly granted my
request.

Accompanied by some fifty of the natives, I now rapidly continued
my journey; every few moments being transferred from the back of
one to another, and urging my bearer forward all the while with
earnest entreaties. As I thus hurried forward, no doubt as to
the truth of the information I had received ever crossed my mind.