- description
- # CHAPTER XCII. The God Keevi And The Precipice Of Mondo
## Overview
This entity is a chapter from the novel "Mardi: And a Voyage Thither." It is titled "CHAPTER XCII. The God Keevi And The Precipice Of Mondo" and spans from line 9833 to line 9921 of the source text.
## Context
This chapter is part of the novel [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJA6157W2830190N652KA), a work by Herman Melville. The text was extracted from the file [mardi_vol1.txt](arke:01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK) and is included within the larger collection [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW). This chapter follows "CHAPTER XCI. Of King Uhia And His Subjects" and precedes "CHAPTER XCIII. Babbalanja Steps In Between Mohi And Yoomy; And Yoomy Relates A Legend."
## Contents
This chapter focuses on the mythology and geography of the island of Ohonoo. It describes the god Keevi, the god of thieves, and his shrine, which is a natural niche in a cliff. The text recounts the legend of Keevi's fall from a golden cloud and the miraculous spear associated with his worship. The narrative then shifts to describe the dramatic landscape of the "precipice of Mondo," a sheer thousand-foot drop. The chapter also touches upon the historical event of fifty rebel warriors leaping to their deaths from this precipice and the subsequent rituals and trials associated with the place, including a test for Ohonoo monarchs involving standing on a narrow ledge. The character Uhia is mentioned as having undergone this test in his youth.
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- description_title
- CHAPTER XCII. The God Keevi And The Precipice Of Mondo
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- CHAPTER XCII.
The God Keevi And The Precipice Of Mondo
One object of interest in Ohonoo was the original image of Keevi the
god of Thieves; hence, from time immemorial, the tutelar deity of the
isle.
His shrine was a natural niche in a cliff, walling in the valley of
Monlova And here stood Keevi, with his five eyes, ten hands, and three
pair of legs, equipped at all points for the vocation over which he
presided. Of mighty girth, his arms terminated in hands, every finger a
limb, spreading in multiplied digits: palms twice five, and fifty
fingers.
According to the legend, Keevi fell from a golden cloud, burying
himself to the thighs in the earth, tearing up the soil all round.
Three meditative mortals, strolling by at the time, had a narrow
escape.
A wonderful recital; but none of us voyagers durst flout it. Did they
not show us the identical spot where the idol fell? We descended into
the hollow, now verdant. Questionless, Keevi himself would have vouched
for the truth of the miracle, had he not been unfortunately dumb. But
by far the most cogent, and pointed argument advanced in support of
this story, is a spear which the priests of Keevi brought forth, for
Babbalanja to view.
“Let me look at it closer,” said Babbalanja.
And turning it over and over and curiously inspecting it, “Wonderful
spear,” he cried. “Doubtless, my reverends, this self-same spear must
have persuaded many recusants!”
“Nay, the most stubborn,” they answered.
“And all afterward quoted as additional authority for the truth of the
legend?”
“Assuredly.”
From the sea to the shrine of this god, the fine valley of Monlova
ascends with a gentle gradation, hardly perceptible; but upon turning
round toward the water, one is surprised to find himself high elevated
above its surface. Pass on, and the same silent ascent deceives you;
and the valley contracts; and on both sides the cliffs advance; till at
last you come to a narrow space, shouldered by buttresses of rock.
Beyond, through this cleft, all is blue sky. If the Trades blow high,
and you came unawares upon the spot, you would think Keevi himself
pushing you forward with all his hands; so powerful is the current of
air rushing through this elevated defile. But expostulate not with the
tornado that blows you along; sail on; but soft; look down; the land
breaks off in one sheer descent of a thousand feet, right down to the
wide plain below. So sudden and profound this precipice, that you seem
to look off from one world to another. In a dreamy, sunny day, the
spangled plain beneath assumes an uncertain fleeting aspect. Had you a
deep-sea-lead you would almost be tempted to sound the ocean-haze at
your feet.
This, mortal! is the precipice of Mondo.
From this brink, spear in hand, sprang fifty rebel warriors, driven
back into the vale by a superior force. Finding no spot to stand at
bay, with a fierce shout they took the fatal leap.
Said Mohi, “Their souls ascended, ere their bodies touched.”
This tragical event took place many generations gone by, and now a
dizzy, devious way conducts one, firm of foot, from the verge to the
plain. But none ever ascended. So perilous, indeed, is the descent
itself, that the islanders venture not the feat, without invoking
supernatural aid. Flanking the precipice beneath beetling rocks, stand
the guardian deities of Mondo; and on altars before them, are placed
the propitiatory offerings of the traveler.
To the right of the brink of the precipice, and far over it, projects a
narrow ledge. The test of legitimacy in the Ohonoo monarchs is to stand
hereon, arms folded, and javelins darting by.
And there in his youth Uhia stood.
“How felt you, cousin?” asked Media.
“Like the King of Ohonoo,” he replied. “As I shall again feel; when
King of all Mardi.”
- title
- CHAPTER XCII.
The God Keevi And The Precipice Of Mondo