-Journey towards the valley.

Recovering from my astonishment at the beautiful scene before me, I
quickly awakened Toby, and informed him of the discovery I had made.
Together we now repaired to the border of the precipice, and my
companion's admiration was equal to my own. A little reflection, however,
abated our surprise at coming so unexpectedly upon this valley, since the
large vales of Happar and Typee, lying upon this side of Nukuheva, and
extending a considerable distance from the sea towards the interior, must
necessarily terminate somewhere about this point.

The question now was as to which of those two places we were looking down
upon. Toby insisted that it was the abode of the Happars, and I that it
was tenanted by their enemies, the ferocious Typees. To be sure I was not
entirely convinced by my own arguments, but Toby's proposition to descend
at once into the valley, and partake of the hospitality of its inmates,
seemed to me to be risking so much upon the strength of a mere
supposition, that I resolved to oppose it until we had more evidence to
proceed upon.

The point was one of vital importance, as the natives of Happar were not
only at peace with Nukuheva, but cultivated with its inhabitants the most
friendly relations, and enjoyed beside a reputation for gentleness and
humanity which led us to expect from them, if not a cordial reception, at
least a shelter during the short period we should remain in their
territory.

On the other hand, the very name of Typee struck a panic into my heart
which I did not attempt to disguise. The thought of voluntarily throwing
ourselves into the hands of these cruel savages, seemed to me an act of
mere madness; and almost equally so the idea of venturing into the valley,
uncertain by which of these two tribes it was inhabited. That the vale at
our feet was tenanted by one of them, was a point that appeared to us past
all doubt, since we knew that they resided in this quarter, although our
information did not enlighten us further.

My companion, however, incapable of resisting the tempting prospect which
the place held out of an abundant supply of food and other means of
enjoyment, still clung to his own inconsiderate view of the subject, nor
could all my reasoning shake it. When I reminded him that it was
impossible for either of us to know anything with certainty, and when I
dealt upon the horrible fate we should encounter were we rashly to descend
into the val