{"id":"01KG8AKW9CD6XDSYFN388FGTXZ","cid":"bafkreiax3vpr7joawfkanqelgpl6mntwrstczvvbrkyu42gria735qsm7y","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":7053,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:18.539Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 1","source_file":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","start_line":6978,"text":"CHAPTER LXV.\r\nTaji Makes Three Acquaintances\r\n\r\n\r\nDown to this period, I had restrained Samoa from wandering to the\r\nneighboring islands, though he had much desired it, in compliance with\r\nthe invitations continually received. But now I informed both him, and\r\nhis comrade, of the tour I purposed; desiring their company.\r\n\r\nUpon the announcement of my intention to depart, to my no small\r\nsurprise Media also proposed to accompany me: a proposition gladly\r\nembraced. It seems, that for some reason, he had not as yet extended\r\nhis travels to the more distant islands. Hence the voyage in prospect\r\nwas particularly agreeable to him. Nor did he forbear any pains to\r\ninsure its prosperity; assuring me, furthermore, that its object must\r\neventually be crowned with success. “I myself am interested in this\r\npursuit,” said he; “and trust me, Yillah will be found.”\r\n\r\nFor the tour of the lagoon, the docile Chamois was proposed; but Media\r\ndissented; saying, that it befitted not the lord of Odo to voyage in\r\nthe equipage of his guest. Therefore, three canoes were selected from\r\nhis own royal fleet.\r\n\r\nOne for ourselves, and a trio of companions whom he purposed\r\nintroducing to my notice; the rest were reserved for attendants.\r\n\r\nThanks to Media’s taste and heedfulness, the strangers above mentioned\r\nproved truly acceptable.\r\n\r\nThe first was Mohi, or Braid-Beard, so called from the manner in which\r\nhe wore that appendage, exceedingly long and gray. He was a venerable\r\nteller of stories and legends, one of the Keepers of the Chronicles of\r\nthe Kings of Mardi.\r\n\r\nThe second was Babbalanja, a man of a mystical aspect, habited in a\r\nvoluminous robe. He was learned in Mardian lore; much given to\r\nquotations from ancient and obsolete authorities: the Ponderings of Old\r\nBardianna: the Pandects of Alla-Malolla.\r\n\r\nThird and last, was Yoomy, or the Warbler. A youthful, long-haired,\r\nblue-eyed minstrel; all fits and starts; at times, absent of mind, and\r\nwan of cheek; but always very neat and pretty in his apparel; wearing\r\nthe most becoming of turbans, a Bird of Paradise feather its plume, and\r\nsporting the gayest of sashes. Most given was Yoomy to amorous\r\nmelodies, and rondos, and roundelays, very witching to hear. But at\r\ntimes disdaining the oaten reed, like a clarion he burst forth with\r\nlusty lays of arms and battle; or, in mournful strains, sounded elegies\r\nfor departed bards and heroes.\r\n\r\nThus much for Yoomy as a minstrel. In other respects, it would be hard\r\nto depict him. He was so capricious a mortal; so swayed by contrary\r\nmoods; so lofty, so humble, so sad, so merry; so made up of a thousand\r\ncontradictions, that we must e’en let him depict himself as our story\r\nprogresses. And herein it is hoped he will succeed; since no one in\r\nMardi comprehended him.\r\n\r\nNow the trio, thus destined for companions on our voyage, had for some\r\ntime been anxious to take the tour of the Archipelago. In particular,\r\nBabbalanja had often expressed the most ardent desire to visit every\r\none of the isles, in quest of some object, mysteriously hinted. He\r\nmurmured deep concern for my loss, the sincerest sympathy; and pressing\r\nmy hand more than once, said lowly, “Your pursuit is mine, noble Taji.\r\nWhere’er you search, I follow.”\r\n\r\nSo, too, Yoomy addressed me; but with still more feeling. And something\r\nlike this, also, Braid-Beard repeated.\r\n\r\nBut to my sorrow, I marked that both Mohi and Babbalanja, especially\r\nthe last, seemed not so buoyant of hope, concerning lost Yillah, as the\r\nyouthful Yoomy, and his high-spirited lord, King Media.\r\n\r\nAs our voyage would embrace no small period of time, it behoved King\r\nMedia to appoint some trustworthy regent, to rule during his absence.\r\nThis regent was found in Almanni, a stem-eyed, resolute warrior, a\r\nkinsman of the king.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 1"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJTRAY321M4RJTYN8DZQT","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AKW8Y75CGAS8CMX5KWG3V","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:18.732Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:31.107Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}