- description
- # Hevaneva's Canoe and Idol Business
## Overview
This section, extracted from the text file `mardi_vol2.txt`, details the profitable enterprises of Hevaneva, an artisan operating under the sanction of the Pontiff. It describes his dual business of idol creation and canoe building, highlighting the synergistic relationship between the two trades. The text is part of [Chapter X of a larger work](arke:01KG8AJQ15YACHJS0946CXB5WD), which is contained within the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection.
## Context
Hevaneva is presented as a successful craftsman whose business is overseen by the Pontiff, who receives a significant share of the profits. The text suggests that Hevaneva's canoes are highly regarded due to the superstitious preference for materials and craftsmanship from the "sacred island." This section follows a description of Hevaneva's idol-making business and precedes a discussion about the relative sales of his idols and canoes.
## Contents
The section describes Hevaneva's lucrative canoe-building business, which he conducts alongside his established trade in idols. The profits from both ventures are substantial. The canoes are depicted as being in perfect readiness for launching, equipped with all necessary accoutrements, including sails, masts, and a human skull used as a bailer, along with a small idol on the prow. The text also reveals how the two businesses supported each other: larger idols were carved from hollowed canoes, and scrap wood was used for idol earrings. Hevaneva notes that idols sell better than canoes, a sentiment echoed by Babbalanja, who advises him to focus on idols as a more reliable trade.
- description_generated_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:57.685Z
- description_model
- gemini-2.5-flash-lite
- description_title
- Hevaneva's Canoe and Idol Business
- end_line
- 1364
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:05.200Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 1335
- text
- Under sanction of the Pontiff, Hevaneva, in addition to his large
commerce in idols, also carried on the highly lucrative business of
canoe-building; the profits whereof, undivided, he dropped into his
private exchequer. But Mohi averred, that the Pontiff often charged him
with neglecting his images, for his canoes. Be that as it may, Hevaneva
drove a thriving trade at both avocations. And in demonstration of the
fact, he directed our attention to three long rows of canoes, upheld by
wooden supports. They were in perfect order; at a moment’s notice,
ready for launching; being furnished with paddles, out-riggers, masts,
sails, and a human skull, with a short handle thrust through one of its
eyes, the ordinary bailer of Maramma; besides other appurtenances,
including on the prow a duodecimo idol to match.
Owing to a superstitious preference bestowed upon the wood and work of
the sacred island, Hevaneva’s canoes were in as high repute as his
idols; and sold equally well.
In truth, in several ways one trade helped the other. The larger images
being dug out of the hollow part of the canoes; and all knotty odds and
ends reserved for the idol ear-rings.
“But after all,” said the artificer, “I find a readier sale for my
images, than for my canoes.”
“And so it will ever be,” said Babbalanja.—“Stick to thy idols, man! a
trade, more reliable than the baker’s.”
- title
- Under sanction of the Pontiff, Hevaneva, in addition to his large commerce in idols, also carried on the highly lucrative business of canoe-building;