That evening, in the groves, came to me three gliding forms:—­Hautia’s heralds:  the Iris mixed with nettles.  Said Yoomy, “A cruel message!”

With the right hand, the second syren presented glossy, green wax-myrtle berries, those that burn like tapers; the third, a lily of the valley, crushed in its own broad leaf.

This done, they earnestly eyed Yoomy; who, after much pondering, said—­“I speak for Hautia; who by these berries says, I will enlighten you.”

“Oh, give me then that light! say, where is Yillah?” and I rushed upon the heralds.

But eluding me, they looked reproachfully at Yoomy; and seemed offended.

“Then, I am wrong,” said Yoomy.  “It is thus:—­Taji, you have been enlightened, but the lily you seek is crushed.”

Then fell my heart, and the phantoms nodded; flinging upon me bilberries, like rose pearls, which bruised against my skin, left stains.

Waving oleanders, they retreated.

“Harm! treachery! beware!” cried Yoomy.

Then they glided through the wood:  one showering dead leaves along the path I trod, the others gayly waving bunches of spring-crocuses, yellow, white, and purple; and thus they vanished.

Said Yoomy, “Sad your path, but merry Hautia’s.”

“Then merry may she be, whoe’er she is; and though woe be mine, I turn not from that to Hautia; nor ever will I woo her, though she woo me till I die;—­though Yillah never bless my eyes.”

CHAPTER CII They Depart From Mondoldo

Night passed; and next morning we made preparations for leaving Mondoldo that day.

But fearing anew, lest after our departure, the men of Amma might stir up against me the people of the isle, I determined to yield to the earnest solicitations of Borabolla, and leave Jarl behind, for a remembrance of Taji; if necessary, to vindicate his name.  Apprised hereof, my follower was loth to acquiesce.  His guiltless spirit feared not the strangers:  less selfish considerations prevailed.  He was willing to remain on the island for a time, but not without me.  Yet, setting forth my reasons; and assuring him, that our tour would not be long in completing, when we would not fail to return, previous to sailing for Odo, he at last, but reluctantly, assented.

At Mondoldo, we also parted with Samoa.  Whether it was, that he feared the avengers, whom he may have thought would follow on my track; or whether the islands of Mardi answered not in attractiveness to the picture his fancy had painted; or whether the restraint put upon him by the domineering presence of King Media, was too irksome withal; or whether, indeed, he relished not those disquisitions with which Babbalanja regaled us:  however it may have been, certain it was, that Samoa was impatient of the voyage.  He besought permission to return to Odo, there to await my return; and a canoe of Mondoldo being about to proceed in that direction, permission was granted; and departing for the other side of the island, from thence he embarked.