{"id":"01KG8AJVJY0V0GKBWT2HMY60AH","cid":"bafkreicatcw7cnqnbq6vi2lwxeifx3mi2ew52qxftyuxo3oqho3cjdxway","type":"chapter","properties":{"description":"# CHAPTER LXXX. Donjalolo In The Bosom Of His Family\n\n## Overview\nThis chapter, titled \"Donjalolo In The Bosom Of His Family,\" is part of the novel [Mardi: And a Voyage Thither](arke:01KG8AJA6157W2830190N652KA). It was extracted from the file [mardi_vol1.txt](arke:01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK) and is part of the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection. The chapter details a natural grotto and its surroundings, emphasizing the refreshing breezes and waters that emanate from it.\n\n## Context\nThe chapter describes a subterranean dome with a waterfall, a \"lofty subterraneous dome, lit from above by a cleft in the mountain.\" This grotto is presented as a significant feature of the glen of Willamilla, providing a vital source of cool air and water. The text highlights the sensory experience of the grotto, mentioning the sound of the waterfall, the sight of vines, and the feel of the breezes. The narrative also touches upon the local reverence for the deity Demi and the importance of the grotto to the inhabitants of Willamilla, particularly in relation to Donjalolo.\n\n## Contents\nThe chapter vividly describes a grotto that serves as a natural palace, referred to as the \"House of the Afternoon.\" It details the entrance, a dome lit by a mountain cleft, and a waterfall cascading into a pool. The grotto is adorned with vines, creating a decorative effect. The text also mentions a stone image of a deity named Demi, the tutelar deity of Willamina. A significant portion of the chapter is dedicated to the \"breezes of Omi\" that flow from the grotto, described as invigorating and essential for the well-being of the glen's inhabitants. The chapter concludes by noting the strength of these breezes, especially during high sea seasons.","description_generated_at":"2026-01-30T20:49:15.429Z","description_model":"gemini-2.5-flash-lite","description_title":"CHAPTER LXXX. Donjalolo In The Bosom Of His Family","end_line":8387,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:39.469Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"CHAPTER LXXX. Donjalolo In The Bosom Of His Family","source_file":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","start_line":8332,"text":"sideways disposed, to avoid the spray of the rejoicing cataract.\r\nMounting these, and pursuing the edge of the flume, the grotto\r\ngradually expands and heightens; your way lighted by rays in the inner\r\ndistance. At last you come to a lofty subterraneous dome, lit from\r\nabove by a cleft in the mountain; while full before you, in the\r\nopposite wall, from a low, black arch, midway up, and inaccessible, the\r\nstream, with a hollow ring and a dash, falls in a long, snowy column\r\ninto a bottomless pool, whence, after many an eddy and whirl, it\r\nentered the flume, and away with a rush. Half hidden from view by an\r\noverhanging brow of the rock, the white fall looked like the sheeted\r\nghost of the grotto.\r\n\r\nYet gallantly bedecked was the cave, as any old armorial hall hung\r\nround with banners and arras. Streaming from the cleft, vines swung in\r\nthe air; or crawled along the rocks, wherever a tendril could be fixed.\r\nHigh up, their leaves were green; but lower down, they were shriveled;\r\nand dyed of many colors; and tattered and torn with much rustling; as\r\nold banners again; sore raveled with much triumphing.\r\n\r\nIn the middle of this hall in the hill was incarcerated the stone image\r\nof one Demi, the tutelar deity of Willamina. All green and oozy like a\r\nstone under water, poor Demi looked as if sore harassed with sciatics\r\nand lumbagos.\r\n\r\nBut he was cheered from aloft, by the promise of receiving a garland\r\nall blooming on his crown; the Dryads sporting in the woodlands above,\r\nforever peeping down the cleft, and essaying to drop him a coronal.\r\n\r\nNow, the still, panting glen of Willamilla, nested so close by the\r\nmountains, and a goodly green mark for the archer in the sun, would\r\nhave been almost untenable were it not for the grotto. Hereby, it\r\nbreathed the blessed breezes of Omi; a mountain promontory buttressing\r\nthe island to the east, receiving the cool stream of the upland Trades;\r\nmuch pleasanter than the currents beneath.\r\n\r\nAt all times, even in the brooding noon-day, a gush of cool air came\r\nhand-in-hand with the cool waters, that burst with a shout into the\r\npalace of Donjalolo. And as, after first refreshing the king, as in\r\nloyalty bound, the stream flowed at large through the glen, and bathed\r\nits verdure; so, the blessed breezes of Omi, not only made pleasant the\r\nHouse of the Afternoon; but finding ample outlet in its wide, open\r\nfront, blew forth upon the bosom of all Willamilla.\r\n\r\n“Come let us take the air of Omi,” was a very common saying in the\r\nglen. And the speaker would hie with his comrade toward the grotto; and\r\nflinging himself on the turf, pass his hand through his locks, and\r\nrecline; making a joy and a business of breathing; for truly the\r\nbreezes of Omi were as air-wine to the lungs.\r\n\r\nYet was not this breeze over-cool; though at times the zephyrs grew\r\nboisterous. Especially at the season of high sea, when the strong\r\nTrades drawn down the cleft in the mountain, rushed forth from the\r\ngrotto with wonderful force. Crossing it then, you had much ado to keep\r\nyour robe on your back.\r\n\r\nThus much for the House of the Afternoon. Whither—after spending the\r","title":"CHAPTER LXXX. Donjalolo In The Bosom Of His Family"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJA6157W2830190N652KA","peer_type":"novel","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AJVJYKPXFD9ZFC4BXS7QZ","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"prev"},{"peer":"01KG8AJVJYDKY8E9JAV5Y1ATW1","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"next"}],"ver":3,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:47:45.246Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:49:16.460Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF5C36SQEVDHC9CBNZZJH9K"}}