
received an ugly thrust from a Happar spear. What the enemy had suffered I could
not discover, but I presume they had succeeded in taking off with them the
bodies of their slain.
    Such was the issue of the battle, as far as its results came under my
observation; and as it appeared to be considered an event of prodigious
importance, I reasonably concluded that the wars of the natives were marked by
no very sanguinary traits. I afterward learned how the skirmish had originated.
A number of the Happars had been discovered prowling for no good purpose on the
Typee side of the mountain; the alarm was sounded, and the invaders, after a
protracted resistance, had been chased over the frontier. But why had not the
intrepid Mehevi carried the war into Happar? Why had he not 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 XVIII

    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 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
