{"id":"01KG8AKKWWPTEAS0AWAB635G9W","cid":"bafkreigch7jkzclkdwvehrf2juitycxc37yc33sfhnp3siu2mn3u52ft4a","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":286,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:09.927Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 1","source_file":"01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9","start_line":203,"text":"CHAPTER II.\r\nThey Land\r\n\r\n\r\nComing close to the island, the pennons and trappings of our canoes\r\nwere removed; and Vee-Vee was commanded to descend from the shark’s\r\nmouth; and for a time to lay aside his conch. In token of reverence,\r\nour paddlers also stripped to the waist; an example which even Media\r\nfollowed; though, as a king, the same homage he rendered, was at times\r\nrendered himself.\r\n\r\nAt every place, hitherto visited, joyous crowds stood ready to hail our\r\narrival; but the shores of Maramma were silent, and forlorn.\r\n\r\nSaid Babbalanja, “It looks not as if the lost one were here.”\r\n\r\nAt length we landed in a little cove nigh a valley, which Mohi called\r\nUma; and here in silence we beached our canoes.\r\n\r\nBut presently, there came to us an old man, with a beard white as the\r\nmane of the pale horse. He was clad in a midnight robe. He fanned\r\nhimself with a fan of faded leaves. A child led him by the hand, for he\r\nwas blind, wearing a green plantain leaf over his plaited brow.\r\n\r\nHim, Media accosted, making mention who we were, and on what errand we\r\ncame: to seek out Yillah, and behold the isle.\r\n\r\nWhereupon Pani, for such was his name, gave us a courteous reception;\r\nand lavishly promised to discover sweet Yillah; declaring that in\r\nMaramma, if any where, the long-lost maiden must be found. He assured\r\nus, that throughout the whole land he would lead us; leaving no place,\r\ndesirable to be searched, unexplored.\r\n\r\nAnd so saying, he conducted us to his dwelling, for refreshment and\r\nrepose.\r\n\r\nIt was large and lofty. Near by, however, were many miserable hovels,\r\nwith squalid inmates. But the old man’s retreat was exceedingly\r\ncomfortable; especially abounding in mats for lounging; his rafters\r\nwere bowed down by calabashes of good cheer.\r\n\r\nDuring the repast which ensued, blind Pani, freely partaking, enlarged\r\nupon the merit of abstinence; declaring that a thatch overhead, and a\r\ncocoanut tree, comprised all that was necessary for the temporal\r\nwelfare of a Mardian. More than this, he assured us was sinful.\r\n\r\nHe now made known, that he officiated as guide in this quarter of the\r\ncountry; and that as he had renounced all other pursuits to devote\r\nhimself to showing strangers the island; and more particularly the best\r\nway to ascend lofty Ofo; he was necessitated to seek remuneration for\r\nhis toil.\r\n\r\n“My lord,” then whispered Mohi to Media “the great prophet Alma always\r\ndeclared, that, without charge, this island was free to all.”\r\n\r\n“What recompense do you desire, old man?” said Media to Pani.\r\n\r\n“What I seek is but little:—twenty rolls of fine tappa; two score mats\r\nof best upland grass; one canoe-load of bread-fruit and yams; ten\r\ngourds of wine; and forty strings of teeth;—you are a large company,\r\nbut my requisitions are small.”\r\n\r\n“Very small,” said Mohi.\r\n\r\n“You are extortionate, good Pani,” said Media. “And what wants an aged\r\nmortal like you with all these things?”\r\n\r\n“I thought superfluities were worthless; nay, sinful,” said Babbalanja.\r\n\r\n“Is not this your habitation already more than abundantly supplied with\r\nall desirable furnishings?” asked Yoomy.\r\n\r\n“I am but a lowly laborer,” said the old man, meekly crossing his arms,\r\n“but does not the lowliest laborer ask and receive his reward? and\r\nshall I miss mine?—But I beg charity of none. What I ask, I demand; and\r\nin the dread name of great Alma, who appointed me a guide.” And to and\r\nfro he strode, groping as he went.\r\n\r\nMarking his blindness, whispered Babbalanja to Media, “My lord,\r\nmethinks this Pani must be a poor guide. In his journeys inland, his\r\nlittle child leads him; why not, then, take the guide’s guide?”\r\n\r\nBut Pani would not part with the child.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 1"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJNJRMHPGA05ZAGHDSVPY","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1954N2G0NAERBNJXEX9","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKKWW7NSPF5KZGHXZJFRA","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:10.140Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:19.606Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}