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- 5501
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- 2026-01-30T20:48:15.149Z
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- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 5431
- text
- The ship out of the way, we were quite anxious to know what was going
to be done with us. On this head, Captain Bob could tell us nothing; no
further, at least, than that he still considered himself responsible
for our safe-keeping. However, he never put us to bed any more; and we
had everything our own way.
The day after the Julia left, the old man came up to us in great
tribulation, saying that the bucket of bread was no longer forthcoming,
and that Wilson had refused to send anything in its place. One and all,
we took this for a hint to disperse quietly, and go about our business.
Nevertheless, we were not to be shaken off so easily; and taking a
malicious pleasure in annoying our old enemy, we resolved, for the
present, to stay where we were. For the part he had been acting, we
learned that the consul was the laughing-stock of all the foreigners
ashore, who frequently twitted him upon his hopeful proteges of the
Calabooza Beretanee.
As we were wholly without resources, so long as we remained on the
island no better place than Captain Bob’s could be selected for an
abiding-place. Beside, we heartily loved the old gentleman, and could
not think of leaving him; so, telling him to give no thought as to
wherewithal we should be clothed and fed, we resolved, by extending and
systematizing our foraging operations, to provide for ourselves.
We were greatly assisted by a parting legacy of Jermin’s. To him we
were indebted for having all our chests sent ashore, and everything
left therein. They were placed in the custody of a petty chief living
near by, who was instructed by the consul not to allow them to be taken
away; but we might call and make our toilets whenever we pleased.
We went to see Mahinee, the old chief; Captain Bob going along, and
stoutly insisting upon having the chattels delivered up. At last this
was done; and in solemn procession the chests were borne by the natives
to the Calabooza. Here, we disposed them about quite tastefully; and
made such a figure that, in the eyes of old Bob and his friends, the
Calabooza Beretanee was by far the most sumptuously furnished saloon in
Tahiti.
Indeed, so long as it remained thus furnished, the native courts of the
district were held there; the judge, Mahinee, and his associates,
sitting upon one of the chests, and the culprits and spectators thrown
at full length upon the ground, both inside of the building and under
the shade of the trees without; while, leaning over the stocks as from
a gallery, the worshipful crew of the Julia looked on, and canvassed
the proceedings.
I should have mentioned before that, previous to the vessel’s
departure, the men had bartered away all the clothing they could
possibly spare; but now, it was resolved to be more provident.
The contents of the chests were of the most miscellaneous
description:—sewing utensils, marling-spikes, strips of calico, bits of
rope, jack-knives; nearly everything, in short, that a seaman could
think of. But of wearing apparel, there was little but old frocks,
remnants of jackets, and legs of trousers, with now and then the foot
of a stocking.
These, however, were far from being valueless; for, among the poorer
Tahitians, everything European is highly esteemed. They come from
“Beretanee, Fenooa Pararee” (Britain, Land of Wonders), and that is
enough.
The chests themselves were deemed exceedingly precious, especially
those with unfractured looks, which would absolutely click, and enable
the owner to walk off with the key. Scars, however, and bruises, were
considered great blemishes. One old fellow, smitten with the doctor’s
large mahogany chest (a well-filled one, by the bye), and finding
infinite satisfaction in merely sitting thereon, was detected in the
act of applying a healing ointment to a shocking scratch which impaired
the beauty of the lid.
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