- description
- # CHAPTER LXII.
Taji Retires From The World
## Overview
This is a chapter from the novel [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJA6157W2830190N652KA) by Herman Melville. The chapter, titled "CHAPTER LXII. Taji Retires From The World," describes Taji's decision to leave his assigned dwelling in Odo and build a secluded arbor on a nearby islet. It was extracted from the file [mardi_vol1.txt](arke:01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK) and is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection.
## Context
The chapter follows [CHAPTER LXI. An Incognito](arke:01KG8AJTRAMFTZKGTN8G0VXVJF), in which Taji and his companions receive numerous visitors from neighboring islands. This chapter sets the stage for Taji's desire for seclusion. It precedes [CHAPTER LXIII. Odo And Its Lord](arke:01KG8AJTRAYP4T7KHPC7NGJ455).
## Contents
In this chapter, Taji decides to move to a small, green islet near Odo, seeking a more agreeable abode. With Media's permission, he constructs a thatched arbor using local materials like pandannus leaves and palm trunks. Jarl, another character, settles nearby, while Samoa remains in Odo. Taji's seclusion is mostly undisturbed, though he notices occasional canoes passing by and senses a lurking presence, which unsettles Yillah.
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- CHAPTER LXII.
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- CHAPTER LXII.
Taji Retires From The World
After a while, when the strangers came not in shoals as before, I
proposed to our host, a stroll over his dominions; desirous of
beholding the same, and secretly induced by the hope of selecting an
abode, more agreeable to my fastidious taste, than the one already
assigned me.
The ramble over—a pleasant one it was—it resulted in a determination on
my part to quit Odo. Yet not to go very far; only ten or twelve yards,
to a little green tuft of an islet; one of many, which here and there,
all round the island, nestled like birds’ nests in the branching boughs
of the coral grove, whose roots laid hold of the foundations of the
deep. Between these islets and the shore, extended shelving ledges,
with shallows above, just sufficient to float a canoe. One of these
islets was wooded and wined; an arbor in the sea. And here, Media
permitting, I decided to dwell.
Not long was Media in complying; nor long, ere my retreat was in
readiness. Laced together, the twisting boughs were closely thatched.
And thatched were the sides also, with deep crimson pandannus leaves;
whose long, forked spears, lifted by the breeze, caused the whole place
to blaze, as with flames. Canes, laid on palm trunks, formed the floor.
How elastic! In vogue all over Odo, among the chiefs, it imparted such
a buoyancy to the person, that to this special cause may be imputed in
good part the famous fine spirits of the nobles.
Hypochondriac! essay the elastic flooring! It shall so pleasantly and
gently jolt thee, as to shake up, and pack off the stagnant humors
mantling thy pool-like soul.
Such was my dwelling. But I make no mention of sundry little
appurtenances of tropical housekeeping: calabashes, cocoanut shells,
and rolls of fine tappa; till with Yillah seated at last in my arbor, I
looked round, and wanted for naught.
But what of Jarl and Samoa? Why Jarl must needs be fanciful, as well as
myself. Like a bachelor in chambers, he settled down right opposite to
me, on the main land, in a little wigwam in the grove.
But Samoa, following not his comrade’s example, still tarried in the
camp of the Hittites and Jebusites of Odo. Beguiling men of their
leisure by his marvelous stories: and maidens of their hearts by his
marvelous wiles.
When I chose, I was completely undisturbed in my arbor; an ukase of
Media’s forbidding indiscriminate intrusion. But thrice in the day came
a garrulous old man with my viands.
Thus sequestered, however, I could not entirely elude the pryings of
the people of the neighboring islands; who often passed by, slowly
paddling, and earnestly regarding my retreat. But gliding along at a
distance, and never essaying a landing, their occasional vicinity
troubled me but little. But now and then of an evening, when thick and
fleet the shadows were falling, dim glimpses of a canoe would be spied;
hovering about the place like a ghost. And once, in the stillness of
the night, hearing the near ripple of a prow, I sallied forth, but the
phantom quickly departed.
That night, Yillah shuddered as she slept. “The whirl-pool,” she
murmured, “sweet mosses.” Next day she was lost in reveries, plucking
pensive hyacinths, or gazing intently into the lagoon.
- title
- CHAPTER LXII.
Taji Retires From The World