ay redoubled
their attention to us. Their manner towards us was unaccountable. Surely,
thought I, they would not act thus if they meant us any harm. But why this
excess of deferential kindness, or what equivalent can they imagine us
capable of rendering them for it?

We were fairly puzzled. But, despite the apprehensions I could not dispel,
the horrible character imputed to these Typees appeared to be wholly
undeserved.

"Why, they are cannibals!" said Toby, on one occasion when I eulogized the
tribe.

"Granted," I replied, "but a more humane, gentlemanly, and amiable set of
epicures do not probably exist in the Pacific."

But, notwithstanding the kind treatment we received, I was too familiar
with the fickle disposition of savages not to feel anxious to withdraw
from the valley, and put myself beyond the reach of that fearful death
which, under all these smiling appearances, might yet menace us. But here
there was an obstacle in the way of doing so. It was idle for me to think
of moving from the place until I should have recovered from the severe
lameness that afflicted me; indeed my malady began seriously to alarm me;
for, despite the herbal remedies of the natives, it continued to grow
worse and worse. Their mild applications, though they soothed the pain,
did not remove the disorder, and I felt convinced that, without better
aid, I might anticipate long and acute suffering.

But how was this aid to be procured? From the surgeons of the French
fleet, which probably still lay in the bay of Nukuheva, it might easily
have been obtained, could I have made my case known to them. But how could
that be effected?

At last, in the exigency to which I was reduced, I proposed to Toby that
he should endeavour to go round to Nukuheva, and if he could not succeed
in returning to the valley by water in one of the boats of the squadron,
and taking me off, he might at least procure me some proper medicines, and
effect his return overland.

My companion listened to me in silence, and at first did not appear to
relish the idea. The truth was, he felt impatient to escape from the
place, and wished to avail himself of our present high favour with the
natives to make good our retreat, before we should experience some sudden
alterations in their behaviour. As he could not think of leaving me in my
helpless condition, he implored me to be of good cheer; assured me that I
should soon be better, and enabled in a few days to return wit