k. This variation in
shade was produced in a manner which excited as profound astonishment
in the minds of our party as the mirror had done in the case of Too-wit.
Upon collecting a basinful, and allowing it to settle thoroughly, we
perceived that the whole mass of liquid was made up of a number of
distinct veins, each of a distinct hue; that these veins did not
commingle; and that their cohesion was perfect in regard to their own
particles among themselves, and imperfect in regard to neighbouring
veins. Upon passing the blade of a knife athwart the veins, the water
closed over it immediately, as with us, and also, in withdrawing it,
all traces of the passage of the knife were instantly obliterated. If,
however, the blade was passed down accurately between the two veins,
a perfect separation was effected, which the power of cohesion did
not immediately rectify. The phenomena of this water formed the first
definite link in that vast chain of apparent miracles with which I was
destined to be at length encircled.

CHAPTER 19

We were nearly three hours in reaching the village, it being more than
nine miles in the interior, and the path lying through a rugged country.
As we passed along, the party of Too-wit (the whole hundred and
ten savages of the canoes) was momentarily strengthened by smaller
detachments, of from two to six or seven, which joined us, as if by
accident, at different turns of the road. There appeared so much of
system in this that I could not help feeling distrust, and I spoke
to Captain Guy of my apprehensions. It was now too late, however,
to recede, and we concluded that our best security lay in evincing a
perfect confidence in the good faith of Too-wit. We accordingly went
on, keeping a wary eye upon the manoeuvres of the savages, and not
permitting them to divide our numbers by pushing in between. In this
way, passing through a precipitous ravine, we at length reached what we
were told was the only collection of habitations upon the island. As we
came in sight of them, the chief set up a shout, and frequently repeated
the word Klock-klock, which we supposed to be the name of the village,
or perhaps the generic name for villages.

The dwellings were of the most miserable description imaginable, and,
unlike those of even the lowest of the savage races with which mankind
are acquainted, were of no uniform plan. Some of them (and these we
found belonged to the Wampoos or Yampoos, the great men o