Volume I Part 24 (1/2)

This regent was found in Al

All things at last in readiness, and the ensuingappointed for a start, Media, on the beach, at eventide, when both light and water waned, drew a rude oon, to colance at it froe; which islands first to visit; and which to touch at, e should be homeward bound

CHAPTER LXVI With A Fair Wind, At Sunrise They Sail

True each to his word, up calorious a old, and streaked with violet; the sun in high spirits; and the pleasant air cooled overnight by the blending circu all round the reef; the lagoon within, the coral-ri, hereabouts, into green tranquillity

But what er?

their great black prows curling aloft, and thrown back like trunks of elephants; a dark, snaky length behind, like the sea-serpent's train

The prow of the forearnished with ten rows of pearly huunas ornaer-shells; here and there, varied by others, flat and round, and spirally traced; gay serpents petrified in coils These were iin, bysuch spices, that the canoes were odoriferous as the Indian chests of the Maldives

The likeness of the foremost canoe to an elephant, was helped by a sort of canopied Howdah in its stern, of heavy, russet-dyed tappa, tasselled at the corners with long bunches of cocoanut fibres, stained red These swayed to and fro, like the fox-tails on a Tuscarora robe

But what is this, in the head of the canoe, just under the shark'sin its nose; cowrie shells jingling at its ears; with an abo on his ass It was taking its ease; cosily s a pipe; its bowl, a duodecie looked sternward; everlastinglyus

Of these canoes, itour stay in Odo, sosi whence his sea- equipage caht to reverence the saon-prowed crafts of a bygone generation; at present, superseded in general use by the e of marine architecture in Mardi No sooner was this known, than what had seerotesque Nor could I help being greatly delighted with the good old family pride of our host

The upper corners of our sails displayed the faht boars' tusks, in an heraldic field argent A fierce device: Wholided away: theadieu; and our flotilla disposed in the following order

First went the royal Elephant, carrying Media, ends, Babbalanja, and Yoomy, and six vivacious paddlers; their broad paddle-blades carved with the royal boars' tusks, the same tattooed on their chests for a livery

And thus, as Media had proed in state To crown all, seated sideways in the high, open shark's-mouth of our proas a little dwarf of a boy, one of Media's pages, a red conch-shell, bugle-wise suspended at his side A various other offices, it was the duty of little Vee-Vee to announce the advent of hisnear to the islands in our route Two short bars, projecting from one side of the prow, furnished hiained the open lagoon with bellied sails, and paddles playing, a sheaf of foa where the spicy spray flew over him, stretched forth his hand and cried--”The dawn of day is passed, and Mardi lies all before us: all her isles, and all her lakes; all her stores of good and evil Storms may coive us a lively blast, good clarion; rally round us all our wits; and be this voyage full gayly sailed, for Yillah will yet be found”

CHAPTER LXVII Little King Peepi

Valapee, or the Isle of Yaht of Media's doh to its shores

Two long parallel elevations, rising soe the island's entire length, lapping between, a widening vale, so level withal, that at either extreoon; and the isle seems divided by a strait

Within several paces of the beach, our canoes keeled the bottoers must dismount

Hereupon, the assembled islanders ran into the water, and with bent shoulders obsequiously desired the honor of transporting us to land

The beach gained, all present wearing robes instantly stripped thes Very convenient for the co a perpetual and profound salutation

Presently, Peepi, the ruler of Valapee drew near: a boy, hardly ten years old, striding the neck of a burlyspear erect before him, to which was attached a canopy of five broad banana leaves, new plucked Thus shaded, little Peepi advanced, steadying hiht red robe, the young prince wore nothing but the sy, concave shells, coiled and a over his ear, revealing a serpent's head, curiously carved fro