{"id":"01KG8AM0FANVK1Q8N4VYPQA3SF","cid":"bafkreigv7kdoi3bgjul4sv2eqij54yr6tayxxjxqvtntycpf4ufriffslu","type":"chunk","properties":{"end_line":4736,"extracted_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:18.535Z","extracted_by":"structure-extraction-lambda","label":"Chunk 1","source_file":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","start_line":4662,"text":"CHAPTER XLI.\r\nA Fray\r\n\r\n\r\nSo bent were the strangers upon concealing who they were, and the\r\nobject of their voyage, that it was some time ere we could obtain the\r\ninformation we desired.\r\n\r\nThey pointed toward the tent, as if it contained their Eleusinian\r\nmysteries. And the old priest gave us to know, that it would be\r\nprofanation to enter it.\r\n\r\nBut all this only roused my curiosity to unravel the wonder.\r\n\r\nAt last I succeeded.\r\n\r\nIn that mysterious tent was concealed a beautiful maiden. And, in\r\npursuance of a barbarous custom, by Aleema, the priest, she was being\r\nborne an offering from the island of Amma to the gods of Tedaidee.\r\n\r\nNow, hearing of the maiden, I waited for no more. Need I add, how\r\nstirred was my soul toward this invisible victim; and how hotly I\r\nswore, that precious blood of hers should never smoke upon an altar. If\r\nwe drowned for it, I was bent upon rescuing the captive. But as yet, no\r\ngentle signal of distress had been waved to us from the tent. Thence,\r\nno sound could be heard, but an occasional rustle of the matting. Was\r\nit possible, that one about to be immolated could proceed thus\r\ntranquilly to her fate?\r\n\r\nBut desperately as I resolved to accomplish the deliverance of the\r\nmaiden, it was best to set heedfully about it. I desired no shedding of\r\nblood; though the odds were against us.\r\n\r\nThe old priest seemed determined to prevent us from boarding his craft.\r\nBut being equally determined the other way, I cautiously laid the bow\r\nof the Chamois against the canoe’s quarter, so as to present the\r\nsmallest possible chance for a hostile entrance into our boat. Then,\r\nSamoa, knife in ear, and myself with a cutlass, stepped upon the dais,\r\nleaving Jarl in the boat’s head, equipped with his harpoon; three\r\nloaded muskets lying by his side. He was strictly enjoined to resist\r\nthe slightest demonstration toward our craft.\r\n\r\nAs we boarded the canoe, the Islanders slowly retreated; meantime\r\nearnestly conferring in whispers; all but the old priest, who, still\r\nseated, presented an undaunted though troubled front. To our surprise,\r\nhe motioned us to sit down by him; which we did; taking care, however,\r\nnot to cut off our communication with Jarl.\r\n\r\nWith the hope of inspiring good will, I now unfolded a roll of printed\r\ncotton, and spreading it before the priest, directed his attention to\r\nthe pictorial embellishments thereon, representing some hundreds of\r\nsailor boys simultaneously ascending some hundreds of uniform sections\r\nof a ship’s rigging. Glancing at them a moment, by a significant sign,\r\nhe gave me to know, that long previous he himself had ascended the\r\nshrouds of a ship. Making this allusion, his countenance was overcast\r\nwith a ferocious expression, as if something terrific was connected\r\nwith the reminiscence. But it soon passed away, and somewhat abruptly\r\nhe assumed an air of much merriment.\r\n\r\nWhile we were thus sitting together, and my whole soul full of the\r\nthoughts of the captive, and how best to accomplish my purpose, and\r\noften gazing toward the tent; I all at once noticed a movement among\r\nthe strangers. Almost in the same instant, Samoa, right across the face\r\nof Aleema, and in his ordinary tones, bade me take heed to myself, for\r\nmischief was brewing. Hardly was this warning uttered, when, with\r\ncarved clubs in their hands, the Islanders completely surrounded us.\r\nThen up rose the old priest, and gave us to know, that we were wholly\r\nin his power, and if we did not swear to depart in our boat forthwith,\r\nand molest him no more, the peril be ours.\r\n\r\n“Depart and you live; stay and you die.”\r\n\r\nFifteen to three. Madness to gainsay his mandate. Yet a beautiful\r\nmaiden was at stake.\r\n\r","title":"Chunk 1"},"relationships":[{"peer":"01KG8AJS9JCBTMJKVB5JWSV756","peer_type":"chapter","predicate":"in"},{"peer":"01KG89J1HYC04JWXEK48P07WPK","peer_type":"file","predicate":"extractedFrom"},{"peer":"01KG89HMDZKNY753EZE1CJ8HZW","peer_type":"collection","predicate":"collection"},{"peer":"01KG8AM0FG7M04Q2J4S7YZ5JRJ","peer_type":"chunk","predicate":"next"}],"ver":2,"created_at":"2026-01-30T20:48:23.018Z","ts":"2026-01-30T20:48:29.509Z","edited_by":{"method":"manual","user_id":"01KFF0H3YRP9ZSM033AM0QJ47H"}}