- end_line
- 4596
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:18.535Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 4541
- text
- 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.
The yard, spreading a yellow sail, was a crooked bough, supported
obliquely in the crotch of a mast, to which the green bark was still
clinging. Here and there were little tufts of moss. The high, beaked
prow of that canoe in which the mast was placed, resembled a rude
altar; and all round it was suspended a great variety of fruits,
including scores of cocoanuts, unhusked. This prow was railed off,
forming a sort of chancel within.
The foremost beam, crossing the gunwales, extended some twelve feet
beyond the side of the dais; and at regular intervals hereupon, stout
cords were fastened, which, leading up to the head of the mast,
answered the purpose of shrouds. The breeze was now streaming fresh;
and, as if to force down into the water the windward side of the craft,
five men stood upon this long beam, grasping five shrouds. Yet they
failed to counterbalance the pressure of the sail; and owing to the
opposite inclination of the twin canoes, these living statues were
elevated high above the water; their appearance rendered still more
striking by their eager attitudes, and the apparent peril of their
position, as the mad spray from the bow dashed over them. Suddenly, the
Islanders threw their craft into the wind; while, for ourselves, we lay
on our oars, fearful of alarming them by now coming nearer. But hailing
them again, we said we were friends; and had friendly gifts for them,
if they would peaceably permit us to approach. This understood, there
ensued a mighty clamor; insomuch, that I bade Jarl and Samoa out oars,
and row very gently toward the strangers. Whereupon, amid a storm of
vociferations, some of them hurried to the furthest side of their dais;
standing with arms arched over their heads, as if for a dive; others
menacing us with clubs and spears; and one, an old man with a bamboo
trellis on his head forming a sort of arbor for his hair, planted
himself full before the tent, stretching behind him a wide plaited
sling.
Upon this hostile display, Samoa dropped his oar, and brought his piece
to bear upon the old man, who, by his attitude, seemed to menace us
with the fate of the great braggart of Gath. But I quickly knocked down
the muzzle of his musket, and forbade the slightest token of hostility;
enjoining it upon my companions, nevertheless, to keep well on their
guard.
We now ceased rowing, and after a few minutes’ uproar in the canoe,
they ran to the steering-paddles, and forcing round their craft before
the wind, rapidly ran away from us. With all haste we set our sail, and
pulling also at our oars, soon overtook them, determined upon coming
into closer communion.
- title
- Chunk 3