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- # CHAPTER LXVII. Little King Peepi
## Overview
This chapter, titled "Little King Peepi," 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. The chapter begins on line 7147 and ends on line 7185 of its source text.
## Context
This chapter follows "CHAPTER LXVI. With A Fair Wind, At Sunrise They Sail" and precedes "CHAPTER LXVIII. How Teeth Were Regarded In Valapee." It is situated within the larger narrative of [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJA6157W2830190N652KA), a novel by Herman Melville.
## Contents
The chapter describes the arrival at Valapee, also known as the Isle of Yams. The island is characterized by two prominent parallel elevations forming a central vale. Upon landing, the voyagers are greeted by islanders who carry them ashore. The narrative introduces Peepi, the young ruler of Valapee, who appears to be no more than ten years old. Peepi is depicted being carried on the neck of a mute, shaded by banana leaves, and adorned with a red robe and a royal symbol consisting of a string of shells woven into his hair, featuring a carved nutmeg serpent's head. The text notes the boy's precocious and unembarrassed demeanor.
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- CHAPTER LXVII. Little King Peepi
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- CHAPTER LXVII.
Little King Peepi
Valapee, or the Isle of Yams, being within plain sight of Media’s
dominions, we were not very long in drawing nigh to its shores.
Two long parallel elevations, rising some three arrow-flights into the
air, double-ridge the island’s entire length, lapping between, a
widening vale, so level withal, that at either extremity, the green of
its groves blends with the green of the lagoon; and the isle seems
divided by a strait.
Within several paces of the beach, our canoes keeled the bottom, and
camel-like mutely hinted that we voyagers 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 them to
the waist; a naked chest being their salute to kings. Very convenient
for the common people, this; their half-clad forms presenting a
perpetual and profound salutation.
Presently, Peepi, the ruler of Valapee drew near: a boy, hardly ten
years old, striding the neck of a burly mute, bearing a long spear
erect before him, to which was attached a canopy of five broad banana
leaves, new plucked. Thus shaded, little Peepi advanced, steadying
himself by the forelock of his bearer.
Besides his bright red robe, the young prince wore nothing but the
symbol of Valapeean royalty; a string of small, close-fitting, concave
shells, coiled and ambushed in his profuse, curly hair; one end falling
over his ear, revealing a serpent’s head, curiously carved from a
nutmeg.
Quite proverbial, the unembarrassed air of young slips of royalty. But
there was something so surprisingly precocious in this young Peepi,
that at first one hardly knew what to conclude.
- title
- CHAPTER LXVII.
Little King Peepi