The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1849-04-28

A ssenslensan rrsa fhe sam.
aNever before had seen the deep To-
| liage OF woodlands navigated by canoes.-
But on they came sailing through the
leaves; two abreast; borne on mems should
ers; in each chief carried along 10 the
measured march Of his bearers paddle
blades reversed under arms. As they
emerged, the multitude made gestures OF
homage. At the distance OF some eight or
ten PAGES the procession halted; when the
kings alighted TO the ground.
They were fine looking men, arrayed in
various garbs. Rare the show of stained
feathers, and jewels. and other adornments.
Brave the floating Of dyed mantles.
The regal bearing Of these personages.
the Difference paid them, and their entire
self possession, not little surprised me-
And it seemed preposterous to assume
divine dignity in the presence OF these un.
doubted potentates of TERRA FIRNA. TAI
seemed oozing from my fingers ends. But
taking courage and erecting my crest, !
strove to look every inch the character had
determined to assume.
For time, il was almost impossible to
tell with what emotions precisely the chiefs
were regarding me. They said not a
word.
But plucking up heart OF grace. crossed
my cutlass on my chest, and rePosing my
hand on the hilt, addressed their High
Mightinesses thus: Men Of Mardi, come
from the sun. When this morning it rose
and touched the wave, pushed my shall.
lop from its golden beach, and hither sailed
before its rays. | am Taji.'
| More would have been added, but
paused for the effect OF my exordium.
Stepping back pace or two. the chiefs
Eagerly conversed.
'Emboldened, returned 10 the charge,
and labored hard to impress them with just
such impressions Of me and mine. as ]
deemed desirable. The gentle Yillah was
seraph from the sun; Samoa had picked
, of reef in my route from that orb; and
as for the Skyeman, why, as his name i'm
/ ported, he came from above. In word
we were all Strolljng divinities.
, Advancing towards the Chamois, ont
of the kings, a calm old man. now addressed
me as follows lis this indeed Tai! h,
who, according to a tradition. was to return
TO US after FIVE thousand moons? But tina
: period is yet uneIpired. What brings the
E hither then, Tai, before thy time Tho
S vast but quarrelsome demi-god say tn
D legends, when thou dwelt among our sires
e But wherefore contest thou, Tail Truly
e thou wilt interfere with the worship Of tn,
0 images, and We have plenty Of gods beside
: thee. But contest thou to 6ght!-We hav
y plenty OF spears, and desire not thine
n CONTEST thou to dwelll-Small are IN
# houses OF Mardi. Or contest thou to ifs
n in the sea? Tell Us, Tai
81 Now, all this was series Of poses har
d to be answered; furnishing curious examPls
e moreover, Of the reception given to strang
y demi- gods when they travel without thei
!, pomanteaus; and also of the familiar mar
y ner in which these kings address the immo
e tails. Much I mourned that ] had not pr
n viously studied better my part, and learne
II the precise nature Of my previous existenC
pt in the land.
r, But nothing like carrying it bravely.
d Attend. Tai comes, old man, becau:
Is it pleases him to come. And Tai will d
lie part when il suits him. Ask the shades
y, your sires whether Tai thus scurvily gree
ar ed them, when they came stalking into h
L. presence in the land Of spirits. No. Tia
o. spread the banquet. He removed the
Of nantes. He kindled fire 10 drive ava
$, the damp. He said not, "Come you
ID 6sht you fog and vapnrs1 come ynn
N dwell! or come you to fish in the sea-"
p to, then, kings Of Mardil
m upon this, the old king fell back; ar
lie his place was supplied by a noble chief,
10 free, frank bearing. Advancing quick
N towards the boat, he exclaimed-I al
lie Media, the son Of Media. Thrice welcom
" Tai. On my island Of Odo hast thou q
altar. | claim thee for my guest H
then reminded the rest, that the strange
"A had voyaged far, and needed repose. An,
n furthermore. that he proposed escortir
ii them forthwith to his own dominion
m where, next day, he would be happy to we
o. come all visitants.
le And good as his word, he commando
le his followers to range themselves under Il
y Chamois. Springing out Of our Prov, Il
,4Pl Upoluan was followed by Jarl; leavir
c, Yillah and Tai to be borne therein towart
ot the sea.
'e 'Soon. we were once more afoat; by OF
II side, Media socially seated; six of his pa,
., dlers. perched upon the gunwale, swift
or urging US over the lagoon.
7. The transition from the grove to the Sc
a was instantaneous. All seemed a dream
!. The place to which we were Fastening
being some distance away, as we rount
ed isle after isle, the extent Of the Archip,
Il lago grew upon US greatly."-MGrdi-B
The Author Of Typee.
/ 49,