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Omoo
part ii   Chapter LX. What They Thought of Us in Martair
Herman Melville
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       SEVERAL quiet days now passed away, during which we just worked sufficiently to sharpen our appetites; the planters leniently exempting us from any severe toil.
       Their desire to retain us became more and more evident; which was not to be wondered at; for, beside esteeming us from the beginning a couple of civil, good-natured fellows, who would soon become quite at-home with them, they were not slow in perceiving that we were far different from the common run of rovers; and that our society was both entertaining and instructive to a couple of solitary, illiterate men like themselves.
       In a literary point of view, indeed, they soon regarded us with emotions of envy and wonder; and the doctor was considered nothing short of a prodigy. The Cockney found out that he (the doctor) could read a book upside down, without even so much as spelling the big words beforehand; and the Yankee, in the twinkling of an eye, received from him the sum total of several arithmetical items, stated aloud, with the view of testing the extent of his mathematical lore.
       Then, frequently, in discoursing upon men and things, my long comrade employed such imposing phrases that, upon one occasion, they actually remained uncovered while he talked.
       In short, their favourable opinion of Long Ghost in particular rose higher and higher every day; and they began to indulge in all manner of dreams concerning the advantages to be derived from employing so learned a labourer. Among other projects revealed was that of building a small craft of some forty tons for the purpose of trading among the neighbouring islands. With a native crew, we would then take turns cruising over the tranquil Pacific; touching here and there, as caprice suggested, and collecting romantic articles of commerce;--beach-de-mer, the pearl-oyster, arrow-root, ambergris, sandal-wood, cocoa-nut oil, and edible birdnests.
       This South Sea yachting was delightful to think of; and straightway, the doctor announced his willingness to navigate the future schooner clear of all shoals and reefs whatsoever. His impudence was audacious. He enlarged upon the science of navigation; treated us to a dissertation on Mercator's Sailing and the Azimuth compass; and went into an inexplicable explanation of the Lord only knows what plan of his for infallibly settling the longitude.
       Whenever my comrade thus gave the reins to his fine fancy, it was a treat to listen, and therefore I never interfered; but, with the planters, sat in mute admiration before him. This apparent self-abasement on my part must have been considered as truly indicative of our respective merits; for, to my no small concern, I quickly perceived that, in the estimate formed of us, Long Ghost began to be rated far above myself. For aught I knew, indeed, he might have privately thrown out a hint concerning the difference in our respective stations aboard the Julia; or else the planters must have considered him some illustrious individual, for certain inscrutable reasons, going incog. With this idea of him, his undisguised disinclination for work became venial; and entertaining such views of extending their business, they counted more upon his ultimate value to them as a man of science than as a mere ditcher.
       Nor did the humorous doctor forbear to foster an opinion every way so advantageous to himself; at times, for the sake of the joke, assuming airs of superiority over myself, which, though laughable enough, were sometimes annoying.
       To tell the plain truth, things at last came to such a pass that I told him, up and down, that I had no notion to put up with his pretensions; if he were going to play the gentleman, I was going to follow suit; and then there would quickly be an explosion.
       At this he laughed heartily; and after some mirthful chat, we resolved upon leaving the valley as soon as we could do so with a proper regard to politeness.
       At supper, therefore, the same evening, the doctor hinted at our intention.
       Though much surprised, and vexed, Zeke moved not a muscle. "Peter," said he at last--very gravely--and after mature deliberation, "would you like to do the cooking? It's easy work; and you needn't do anything else. Paul's heartier; he can work in the field when it suits him; and before long, we'll have ye at something more agreeable:--won't we, Shorty?"
       Shorty assented.
       Doubtless, the proposed arrangement was a snug one; especially the sinecure for the doctor; but I by no means relished the functions allotted to myself--they were too indefinite. Nothing final, however, was agreed upon;--our intention to leave was revealed, and that was enough for the present. But, as we said nothing further about going, the Yankee must have concluded that we might yet be induced to remain. He redoubled his endeavours to make us contented.
       It was during this state of affairs that, one morning, before breakfast, we were set to weeding in a potato-patch; and the planters being engaged at the house, we were left to ourselves.
       Now, though the pulling of weeds was considered by our employers an easy occupation (for which reason they had assigned it to us), and although as a garden recreation it may be pleasant enough, for those who like it--still, long persisted in, the business becomes excessively irksome.
       Nevertheless, we toiled away for some time, until the doctor, who, from his height, was obliged to stoop at a very acute angle, suddenly sprang upright; and with one hand propping his spinal column, exclaimed, "Oh, that one's joints were but provided with holes to drop a little oil through!"
       Vain as the aspiration was for this proposed improvement upon our species, I cordially responded thereto; for every vertebra in my spine was articulating in sympathy.
       Presently, the sun rose over the mountains, inducing that deadly morning languor so fatal to early exertion in a warm climate. We could stand it no longer; but, shouldering our hoes, moved on to the house, resolved to impose no more upon the good-nature of the planters by continuing one moment longer in an occupation so extremely uncongenial.
       We freely told them so. Zeke was exceedingly hurt, and said everything he could think of to alter our determination; but, finding all unavailing, he very hospitably urged us not to be in any hurry about leaving; for we might stay with him as guests until we had time to decide upon our future movements.
       We thanked him sincerely; but replied that, the following morning, we must turn our backs upon the hills of Martair.
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part i
   Chapter I. My Reception Aboard
   Chapter II. Some Account of the Ship
   Chapter III. Further Account of the Julia
   Chapter IV. A Scene in the Forecastle
   Chapter V. What Happened at Hytyhoo
   Chapter VI. We Touch at La Dominica
   Chapter VII. What Happened at Hannamanoo
   Chapter VIII. The Tattooers of La Dominica
   Chapter IX. We Steer to the Westward--State of Affairs
   Chapter X. A Sea-Parlour Described, With Some of Its Tenants
   Chapter XI. Doctor Long Ghost a Wag--One of His Capers
   Chapter XII. Death and Burial of Two of the Crew
   Chapter XIII. Our Destination Changed
   Chapter XIV. Rope Yarn
   Chapter XV. Chips and Bungs
   Chapter XVI. We Encounteb a Gale
   Chapter XVII. The Coral Islands
   Chapter XVIII. Tahiti
   Chapter XIX. A Surprise--More About Bembo
   Chapter XX. The Round Robin--Visitors from Shore
   Chapter XXI. Proceedings of the Consul
   Chapter XXII. The Consul's Departure
   Chapter XXIII. The Second Night Off Papeetee
   Chapter XXIV. Outbreak of the Crew
   Chapter XXV. Jermin Encounters an Old Shipmate
   Chapter XXVI. We Enter the Harbour--Jim the Pilot
   Chapter XXVII. A Glance at Papeetee--We are Sent Aboard the Frigate
   Chapter XXVIII. Reception from the Frenchman
   Chapter XXIX. The Reine Blanche
   Chapter XXX. They Take Us Ashore--What Happened There
   Chapter XXXI. The Calabooza Beretanee
   Chapter XXXII. Proceedings of the French at Tahiti
   Chapter XXXIII. We Receive Calls at the Hotel de Calabooza
   Chapter XXXIV. Life at the Calabooza
   Chapter XXXV. Visit from an Old Acquaintance
   Chapter XXXVI. We are Carried Before the Consul and Captain
   Chapter XXXVII. The French Priests Pay Their Respects
   Chapter XXXVIII. Little Julia Sails Without Us
   Chapter XXXIX. Jermin Serves Us a Good Turn--Friendships in Polynesia
part ii
   Chapter XL. We Take Unto Ourselves Friends
   Chapter XLI. We Levy Contributions on the Shipping
   Chapter XLII. Motoo-Otoo a Tahitian Casuist
   Chapter XLIII. One is Judged by the Company he Keeps
   Chapter XLIV. Cathedral of Papoar--The Church of the Cocoa-Nuts
   Chapter XLV. Missionary's Sermon; With Some Reflections
   Chapter XLVI. Something About the Kannakippers
   Chapter XLVII. How They Dress in Tahiti
   Chapter XLVIII. Tahiti As It Is
   Chapter XLIX. Same Subject Continued
   Chapter L. Something Happens to Long Ghost
   Chapter LI. Wilson Gives Us the Cut--Departure for Imeeo
   Chapter LII. The Valley of Martair
   Chapter LIII. Farming in Polynesia
   Chapter LIV. Some Account of the Wild Cattle in Polynesia
   Chapter LV. A Hunting Ramble with Zeke
   Chapter LVI. Mosquitoes
   Chapter LVII. The Second Hunt in the Mountains
   Chapter LVIII. The Hunting-Feast; and a Visit to Afrehitoo
   Chapter LIX. The Murphies
   Chapter LX. What They Thought of Us in Martair
   Chapter LXI. Preparing for the Journey
   Chapter LXII. Tamai
   Chapter LXIII. A Dance in the Valley
   Chapter LXIV. Mysterious
   Chapter LXV. The Hegira, or Flight
   Chapter LXVI. How We Were to Get to Taloo
   Chapter LXVII. The Journey Round the Beach
   Chapter LXVIII. A Dinner-Party in Imeeo
   Chapter LXIX. The Cocoa-Palm
   Chapter LXX. Life at Loohooloo
   Chapter LXXI. We Start for Taloo
   Chapter LXXII. A Dealer in the Contraband
   Chapter LXXIII. Our Reception in Partoowye
   Chapter LXXIV. Retiring for the Night--The Doctor Grows Devout
   Chapter LXXV. A Ramble Through the Settlement
   Chapter LXXVI. An Island Jilt--We Visit the Ship
   Chapter LXXVII. A Party of Rovers--Little Loo and the Doctor
   Chapter LXXVIII. Mrs. Bell
   Chapter LXXIX. Taloo Chapel--Holding Court in Polynesia
   Chapter LXXX. Queen Pomaree
   Chapter LXXXI. We Visit the Court
   Chapter LXXXII. Which Ends the Book