按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
find their relatives alive。
When Long Arrow turned to the newcomers and told them in their
own language that it was the white man who had found and freed their
relatives； they gathered round John Dolittle； all talking at once and beating
their breasts。
Long Arrow said they were apologizing and trying to tell the Doctor
139
… Page 140…
THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
how sorry they were that they had seemed unfriendly to him at the beach。
They had never seen a white man before and had really been afraid of
himespecially when they saw him conversing with the porpoises。 They
had thought he was the Devil； they said。
Then they went outside and looked at the great stone we had thrown
down； big as a meadow； and they walked round and round it； pointing to
the break running through the middle and wondering how the trick of
felling it was done。
Travelers who have since visited Spidermonkey Island tell me that that
huge stone slab is now one of the regular sights of the island。 And that the
Indian guides； when showing it to visitors； always tell THEIR story of
how it came there。 They say that when the Doctor found that the rocks had
entrapped his friend； Long Arrow； he was so angry that he ripped the
mountain in halves with his bare hands and let him out。
THE SECOND CHAPTER
〃THE MEN OF THE MOVING LAND〃
FROM that time on the Indians' treatment of us was very different。 We
were invited to their village for a feast to celebrate the recovery of the lost
families。 And after we had made a litter from saplings to carry the sick
woman in； we all started off down the mountain。
On the way the Indians told Long Arrow something which appeared to
be sad news； for on hearing it； his face grew very grave。 The Doctor asked
him what was wrong。 And Long Arrow said he had just been informed that
the chief of the tribe； an old man of eighty； had died early that morning。
〃That；〃 Polynesia whispered in my ear； 〃must have been what they
went back to the village for； when the messenger fetched them from the
beach。Remember？〃
〃What did he die of？〃 asked the Doctor。
〃He died of cold；〃 said Long Arrow。
Indeed； now that the sun was setting； we were all shivering ourselves。
〃This is a serious thing；〃 said the Doctor to me。 〃The island is still in
140
… Page 141…
THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
the grip of that wretched current flowing southward。 We will have to look
into this to…morrow。 If nothing can be done about it； the Indians had better
take to canoes and leave the island。 The chance of being wrecked will be
better than getting frozen to death in the ice…floes of the Antarctic。〃
Presently we came over a saddle in the hills； and looking downward on
the far side of the island； we saw the village a large cluster of grass huts
and gaily colored totem…poles close by the edge of the sea。
〃How artistic！〃 said the Doctor〃Delightfully situated。 What is the
name of the village？〃
〃Popsipetel；〃 said Long Arrow。 〃That is the name also of the tribe。 The
word signifies in Indian tongue； The Men of The Moving Land。 There are
two tribes of Indians on the island： the Popsipetels at this end and the Bag…
jagderags at the other。〃
〃Which is the larger of the two peoples？〃
〃The Bag…jagderags； by far。 Their city covers two square leagues。
But；〃 added Long Arrow a slight frown darkening his handsome face； 〃for
me； I would rather have one Popsipetel than a hundred Bag…jagderags。〃
The news of the rescue we had made had evidently gone ahead of us。
For as we drew nearer to the village we saw crowds of Indians streaming
out to greet the friends and relatives whom they had never thought to see
again。
These good people； when they too were told how the rescue had been
the work of the strange white visitor to their shores； all gathered round the
Doctor； shook him by the hands； patted him and hugged him。 Then they
lifted him up upon their strong shoulders and carried him down the hill
into the village。
There the welcome we received was even more wonderful。 In spite of
the cold air of the coming night； the villagers； who had all been shivering
within their houses； threw open their doors and came out in hundreds。 I
had no idea that the little village could hold so many。 They thronged about
us； smiling and nodding and waving their hands； and as the details of what
we had done were recited by Long Arrow they kept shouting strange
singing noises； which we supposed were words of gratitude or praise。
We were next escorted to a brand…new grass house； clean and sweet…
141
… Page 142…
THE VOYAGES OF DOCTOR DOOLITTLE
smelling within； and informed that it was ours。 Six strong Indian boys
were told off to be our servants。
On our way through the village we noticed a house； larger than the rest；
standing at the end of the main street。 Long Arrow pointed to it and told us
it was the Chief's house； but that it was now emptyno new chief having
yet been elected to take the place of the old one who had died。
Inside our new home a feast of fish and fruit had been prepared。 Most
of the more important men of the tribe were already seating themselves at
the long dining…table when we got there。 Long Arrow invited us to sit
down and eat。
This we were glad enough to do； as we were all hungry。 But we were
both surprised and disappointed when we found that the fish had not been
cooked。 The Indians did not seem to think this extraordinary in the least；
but went ahead gobbling the fish with much relish the way it was； raw。
With many apologies； the Doctor explained to Long Arrow that if they
had no objection we would prefer our fish cooked。
Imagine our astonishment when we found that the great Long Arrow；
so learned in the natural sciences； did not know what the word COOKED
meant！
Polynesia who was sitting on the bench between John Dolittle and
myself pulled the Doctor by the sleeve。
〃I'll tell you what's wrong； Doctor；〃 she whispered as he leant down to
listen to her： 〃THESE PEOPLE HAVE NO FIRES！ They don't know how
to make a fire。 Look outside： It's almost dark； and there isn't a light
showing ii the whole village。 This is a fireless people。〃