Starting at this reception, graciously intended, they conferred a moment; when the Iris-bearer said in winning phrase, “We come from Hautia, whose moss-rose you hold.”

“All thanks to Hautia then; the bud is very fragrant.”

Then she pointed to the Venus-car.

“This too is sweet; thanks to Hautia for her flowers.  Pray, bring me more.”

“He mocks our mistress,” and gliding from me, they waved witch-hazels, leaving me alone and wondering.

Informing Media of this scene, he smiled; threw out queer hints of Hautia; but knew not what her message meant.

At first this affair occasioned me no little uneasiness, with much matter for marveling; but in the novel pleasure of our sojourn in Odo, it soon slipped from my mind; nor for some time, did I again hear aught of Queen Hautia.

CHAPTER LXII Taji Retires From The World

After a while, when the strangers came not in shoals as before, I proposed to our host, a stroll over his dominions; desirous of beholding the same, and secretly induced by the hope of selecting an abode, more agreeable to my fastidious taste, than the one already assigned me.

The ramble over—­a pleasant one it was—­it resulted in a determination on my part to quit Odo.  Yet not to go very far; only ten or twelve yards, to a little green tuft of an islet; one of many, which here and there, all round the island, nestled like birds’ nests in the branching boughs of the coral grove, whose roots laid hold of the foundations of the deep.  Between these islets and the shore, extended shelving ledges, with shallows above, just sufficient to float a canoe.  One of these islets was wooded and wined; an arbor in the sea.  And here, Media permitting, I decided to dwell.

Not long was Media in complying; nor long, ere my retreat was in readiness.  Laced together, the twisting boughs were closely thatched.  And thatched were the sides also, with deep crimson pandannus leaves; whose long, forked spears, lifted by the breeze, caused the whole place to blaze, as with flames.  Canes, laid on palm trunks, formed the floor.  How elastic!  In vogue all over Odo, among the chiefs, it imparted such a buoyancy to the person, that to this special cause may be imputed in good part the famous fine spirits of the nobles.

Hypochondriac! essay the elastic flooring!  It shall so pleasantly and gently jolt thee, as to shake up, and pack off the stagnant humors mantling thy pool-like soul.

Such was my dwelling.  But I make no mention of sundry little appurtenances of tropical housekeeping:  calabashes, cocoanut shells, and rolls of fine tappa; till with Yillah seated at last in my arbor, I looked round, and wanted for naught.

But what of Jarl and Samoa?  Why Jarl must needs be fanciful, as well as myself.  Like a bachelor in chambers, he settled down right opposite to me, on the main land, in a little wigwam in the grove.