- end_line
- 4548
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:18.535Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 4481
- text
- waving.
We were now in high spirits. Samoa between times humming to himself
some heathenish ditty, and Jarl ten times more intent on his silence
than ever; yet his eye full of expectation and gazing broad off from
our bow. Of a sudden, shading his face with his hand, he gazed fixedly
for an instant, and then springing to his feet, uttered the long-drawn
sound—“Sail ho!”
Just tipping the furthest edge of the sky was a little speck, dancing
into view every time we rose upon the swells. It looked like one of
many birds; for half intercepting our view, fell showers of plumage: a
flight of milk-white noddies flying downward to the sea.
But soon the birds are seen no more. Yet there remains the speck;
plainly a sail; but too small for a ship. Was it a boat after a whale?
The vessel to which it belonged far astern, and shrouded by the haze?
So it seemed.
Quietly, however, we waited the stranger’s nearer approach; confident,
that for some time he would not be able to perceive us, owing to our
being in what mariners denominate the “sun-glade,” or that part of the
ocean upon which the sun’s rays flash with peculiar intensity.
As the sail drew nigh, its failing to glisten white led us to doubt
whether it was indeed a whale-boat. Presently, it showed yellow; and
Samoa declared, that it must be the sail of some island craft. True.
The stranger proving a large double-canoe, like those used by the
Polynesians in making passages between distant islands.
The Upoluan was now clamorous for a meeting, to which Jarl was averse.
Deliberating a moment, I directed the muskets to be loaded; then
setting the sail the wind on our quarter—we headed away for the canoe,
now sailing at right angles with our previous course.
Here it must be mentioned, that from the various gay cloths and other
things provided for barter by the captain of the Parki, I had very
strikingly improved my costume; making it free, flowing, and eastern. I
looked like an Emir. Nor had my Viking neglected to follow my example;
though with some few modifications of his own. With his long tangled
hair and harpoon, he looked like the sea-god, that boards ships, for
the first time crossing the Equator. For tatooed Samoa, he yet sported
both kilt and turban, reminding one of a tawny leopard, though his
spots were all in one place. Besides this raiment of ours, against
emergencies we had provided our boat with divers nankeens and silks.
But now into full view comes a yoke of huge clumsy prows, shaggy with
carving, and driving through the water with considerable velocity; the
immense sprawling sail holding the wind like a bag. She seemed full of
men; and from the dissonant cries borne over to us, and the canoe’s
widely yawing, it was plain that we had occasioned no small sensation.
They seemed undetermined what course to pursue: whether to court a
meeting, or avoid it; whether to regard us as friends or foes.
As we came still nearer, distinctly beholding their faces, we loudly
hailed them, inviting them to furl their sails, and allow us to board
them. But no answer was returned; their confusion increasing. And now,
within less than two ships’-lengths, they swept right across our bow,
gazing at us with blended curiosity and fear.
Their craft was about thirty feet long, consisting of a pair of
parallel canoes, very narrow, and at the distance of a yard or so,
lengthwise, united by stout cross-timbers, lashed across the four
gunwales. Upon these timbers was a raised platform or dais, quite dry;
and astern an arched cabin or tent; behind which, were two broad-bladed
paddles terminating in rude shark-tails, by which the craft was
steered.
- title
- Chunk 2