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- # CHAPTER CII. They Depart From Mondoldo
## Overview
This chapter, titled "They Depart From Mondoldo," is part of the novel [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJA6157W2830190N652KA). It was extracted from the file [mardi_vol1.txt](arke:01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK) and is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. This chapter follows [CHAPTER CI. The Iris](arke:01KG8AJP4QFS0NW0GT6R4ACSSV) and precedes [CHAPTER CIII. As They Sail](arke:01KG8AJP4TXT5CXQA3GBYYQK1J).
## Context
The narrative focuses on the departure of the protagonist and his companions from Mondoldo. The protagonist decides to leave Jarl behind as a means to vindicate his name, a decision his follower reluctantly accepts. Samoa also departs, seeking to return to Odo, but his journey ends tragically with his death by arrows. The chapter also touches upon the characters' reactions to Samoa's departure and their reflections on the voyage.
## Contents
The chapter details the preparations for leaving Mondoldo and the emotional farewells. Key events include:
* The protagonist's decision to leave Jarl behind.
* Samoa's departure for Odo and the subsequent news of his death.
* The characters' discussions and speculations about Samoa's fate.
* A farewell gift of plantains from Borabolla.
* A somber departure, marred by the appearance and curses of Aleema's sons.
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- CHAPTER CII. They Depart From Mondoldo
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- CHAPTER CII.
They Depart From Mondoldo
Night passed; and next morning we made preparations for leaving
Mondoldo that day.
But fearing anew, lest after our departure, the men of Amma might stir
up against me the people of the isle, I determined to yield to the
earnest solicitations of Borabolla, and leave Jarl behind, for a
remembrance of Taji; if necessary, to vindicate his name. Apprised
hereof, my follower was loth to acquiesce. His guiltless spirit feared
not the strangers: less selfish considerations prevailed. He was
willing to remain on the island for a time, but not without me. Yet,
setting forth my reasons; and assuring him, that our tour would not be
long in completing, when we would not fail to return, previous to
sailing for Odo, he at last, but reluctantly, assented.
At Mondoldo, we also parted with Samoa. Whether it was, that he feared
the avengers, whom he may have thought would follow on my track; or
whether the islands of Mardi answered not in attractiveness to the
picture his fancy had painted; or whether the restraint put upon him by
the domineering presence of King Media, was too irksome withal; or
whether, indeed, he relished not those disquisitions with which
Babbalanja regaled us: however it may have been, certain it was, that
Samoa was impatient of the voyage. He besought permission to return to
Odo, there to await my return; and a canoe of Mondoldo being about to
proceed in that direction, permission was granted; and departing for
the other side of the island, from thence he embarked.
Long after, dark tidings came, that at early dawn he had been found
dead in the canoe: three arrows in his side.
Yoomy was at a loss to account for the departure of Samoa; who, while
ashore, had expressed much desire to roam.
Media, however, declared that he must be returning to some inamorata.
But Babbalanja averred, that the Upoluan was not the first man, who had
turned back, after beginning a voyage like our own.
To this, after musing, Yoomy assented. Indeed, I had noticed, that
already the Warbler had abated those sanguine assurances of success,
with which he had departed from Odo. The futility of our search thus
far, seemed ominous to him, of the end.
On the eve of embarking, we were accompanied to the beach by Borabolla;
who, with his own hand, suspended from the shark’s mouth of Media’s
canoe, three red-ripe bunches of plantains, a farewell gift to his
guests.
Though he spoke not a word, Jarl was long in taking leave. His eyes
seemed to say, I will see you no more.
At length we pushed from the strand; Borabolla waving his adieus with a
green leaf of banana; our comrade ruefully eyeing the receding canoes;
and the multitude loudly invoking for us a prosperous voyage.
But to my horror, there suddenly dashed through the crowd, the three
specter sons of Aleema, escaped from their prison. With clenched hands,
they stood in the water, and cursed me anew. And with that curse in our
sails, we swept off.
- title
- CHAPTER CII. They Depart From Mondoldo