{"id":"01KG8AKF7YHD50XQC7YY1Q5YSD","cid":"bafkreibvktutmcmu7xatd3ejf4miogwyz6c2qak3stwkpcgb5cwqseru4q","type":"section","properties":{"description":"# Hevaneva's Canoe and Idol Business\n\n## Overview\nThis section, extracted from the text file `mardi_vol2.txt`, details the profitable enterprises of Hevaneva, an artisan operating under the sanction of the Pontiff. It describes his dual business of idol creation and canoe building, highlighting the synergistic relationship between the two trades. The text is part of [Chapter X of a larger work](arke:01KG8AJQ15YACHJS0946CXB5WD), which is contained within the [Melville Complete Works](arke:01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW) collection.\n\n## Context\nHevaneva is presented as a successful craftsman whose business is overseen by the Pontiff, who receives a significant share of the profits. The text suggests that Hevaneva's canoes are highly regarded due to the superstitious preference for materials and craftsmanship from the \"sacred island.\" This section follows a description of Hevaneva's idol-making business and precedes a discussion about the relative sales of his idols and canoes.\n\n## Contents\nThe section describes Hevaneva's lucrative canoe-building business, which he conducts alongside his established trade in idols. The profits from both ventures are substantial. The canoes are depicted as being in perfect readiness for launching, equipped with all necessary accoutrements, including sails, masts, and a human skull used as a bailer, along with a small idol on the prow. The text also reveals how the two businesses supported each other: larger idols were carved from hollowed canoes, and scrap wood was used for idol earrings. Hevaneva notes that idols sell better than canoes, a sentiment echoed by Babbalanja, who advises him to focus on idols as a more reliable trade.","description_generated_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:57.685Z","description_model":"gemini-2.5-flash-lite","description_title":"Hevaneva's Canoe and Idol Business","end_line":1364,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:05.200Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Under sanction of the Pontiff, Hevaneva, in addition to his large commerce in idols, also carried on the highly lucrative business of canoe-building;","source_file":"01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9","start_line":1335,"text":"Under sanction of the Pontiff, Hevaneva, in addition to his large\r\ncommerce in idols, also carried on the highly lucrative business of\r\ncanoe-building; the profits whereof, undivided, he dropped into his\r\nprivate exchequer. But Mohi averred, that the Pontiff often charged him\r\nwith neglecting his images, for his canoes. Be that as it may, Hevaneva\r\ndrove a thriving trade at both avocations. And in demonstration of the\r\nfact, he directed our attention to three long rows of canoes, upheld by\r\nwooden supports. They were in perfect order; at a moment’s notice,\r\nready for launching; being furnished with paddles, out-riggers, masts,\r\nsails, and a human skull, with a short handle thrust through one of its\r\neyes, the ordinary bailer of Maramma; besides other appurtenances,\r\nincluding on the prow a duodecimo idol to match.\r\n\r\nOwing to a superstitious preference bestowed upon the wood and work of\r\nthe sacred island, Hevaneva’s canoes were in as high repute as his\r\nidols; and sold equally well.\r\n\r\nIn truth, in several ways one trade helped the other. The larger images\r\nbeing dug out of the hollow part of the canoes; and all knotty odds and\r\nends reserved for the idol ear-rings.\r\n\r\n“But after all,” said the artificer, “I find a readier sale for my\r\nimages, than for my canoes.”\r\n\r\n“And so it will ever be,” said Babbalanja.—“Stick to thy idols, man! a\r\ntrade, more reliable than the baker’s.”\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r","title":"Under sanction of the Pontiff, Hevaneva, in addition to his large commerce in idols, also carried on the highly lucrative business of canoe-building;"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJQ15YACHJS0946CXB5WD","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKF7VVHHDTAMMKZPNGVSK","peer_type":"section","predicate":"prev"}],"ver":3,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:05.374Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:58.080Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF5C36SQEVDHC9CBNZZJH9K"}}