g away at a great rate. He writhed and wriggled under the
infliction, but, fully convinced of my skill, endured the pain like a
martyr.

Though I never saw Narmonee in battle, I will, from what I then observed,
stake my life upon his courage and fortitude. Before commencing
operations, his head had presented a surface of short bristling hairs, and
by the time I had concluded my unskilful operation it resembled not a
little a stubble field after being gone over with a harrow. However, as
the chief expressed the liveliest satisfaction at the result, I was too
wise to dissent from his opinion.

CHAPTER XVI

Improvement in health and spirits--Felicity of the Typees--A
skirmish in the mountain with the warriors of Happar.

Day after day wore on, and still there was no perceptible change in the
conduct of the islanders towards me. Gradually I lost all knowledge of the
regular recurrence of the days of the week, and sunk insensibly into that
kind of apathy which ensues after some violent outbreak of despair. My
limb suddenly healed, the swelling went down, the pain subsided, and I had
every reason to suppose I should soon completely recover from the
affliction that had so long tormented me.

As soon as I was enabled to ramble about the valley in company with the
natives, troops of whom followed me whenever I sallied out of the house, I
began to experience an elasticity of mind which placed me beyond the reach
of those dismal forebodings to which I had so lately been a prey. Received
wherever I went with the most deferential kindness; regaled perpetually
with the most delightful fruits; ministered to by dark-eyed nymphs; and
enjoying besides all the services of the devoted Kory-Kory, I thought
that, for a sojourn among cannibals, no man could have well made a more
agreeable one.

To be sure, there were limits set to my wanderings. Toward the sea, my
progress was barred by an express prohibition of the savages; and after
having made two or three ineffectual attempts to reach it, as much to
gratify my curiosity as anything else, I gave up the idea. It was in vain
to think of reaching it by stealth, since the natives escorted me in
numbers wherever I went, and not for one single moment that I can recall
to mind was I ever permitted to be alone.

The green and precipitous elevations that stood ranged around the head of
the vale where Marheyo's habitation was situat