id Mehevi carried the war into Happar?
Why had not he made a descent into the hostile vale, and brought away some
trophy of his victory--some materials for the cannibal entertainment which
I had heard usually terminated every engagement? After all, I was much
inclined to believe that these shocking festivals must occur very rarely
among the islanders, if, indeed, they ever take place.

For two or three days the late event was the theme of general comment;
after which the excitement gradually wore away, and the valley resumed its
accustomed tranquillity.

CHAPTER XVII

Swimming in company with the girls of the valley--A canoe--Effects
of the taboo--A pleasure excursion on the pond--Beautiful freak of
Fayaway--Mantua-making--A stranger arrives in the valley--His
mysterious conduct--Native oratory--The interview--Its
results--Departure of the stranger.

Returning health and peace of mind gave a new interest to everything
around me. I sought to diversify my time by as many enjoyments as lay
within my reach. Bathing in company with troops of girls, formed one of my
chief amusements. We sometimes enjoyed the recreation in the waters of a
miniature lake, into which the central stream of the valley expanded. This
lovely sheet of water was almost circular in figure, and about three
hundred yards across. Its beauty was indescribable. All around its banks
waved luxuriant masses of tropical foliage, soaring high above which were
seen, here and there, the symmetrical shaft of the cocoa-nut tree,
surmounted by its tuft of graceful branches, drooping in the air like so
many waving ostrich plumes.

The ease and grace with which the maidens of the valley propelled
themselves through the water, and their familiarity with the element, were
truly astonishing. Sometimes they might be seen gliding along just under
the surface, without apparently moving hand or foot; then throwing
themselves on their sides, they darted through the water, revealing
glimpses of their forms, as, in the course of their rapid progress, they
shot for an instant partly into the air; at one moment they dived deep
down into the water, and the next they rose bounding to the surface.

I remember upon one occasion plunging in among a parcel of these
river-nymphs, and counting vainly on my superior strength, sought to drag
some of them under the water; but I quickly repented m