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very harmless objects… such as the schooner's sails； an egg； an open
book； or a pan of flour。 We endeavoured to ascertain if they had
among them any articles which might be turned to account in the way
of traffic； but found great difficulty in being comprehended。 We made
out； nevertheless； what greatly astonished us； that the islands
abounded in the large tortoise of the Gallipagos； one of which we saw
in the canoe of Too…wit。 We saw also some biche de mer in the hands
of one of the savages； who was greedily devouring it in its natural
state。 These anomalies… for they were such when considered in regard
to the latitude… induced Captain Guy to wish for a thorough
investigation of the country； in the hope of making a profitable
speculation in his discovery。 For my own part； anxious as I was to
know something more of these islands； I was still more earnestly bent
on prosecuting the voyage to the southward without delay。 We had now
fine weather； but there was no telling how long it would last； and
being already in the eighty…fourth parallel； with an open sea before
us； a current setting strongly to the southward； and the wind fair； I
could not listen with any patience to a proposition of stopping
longer than was absolutely necessary for the health of the crew and
the taking on board a proper supply of fuel and fresh provisions。 I
represented to the captain that we might easily make this group on
our return； and winter here in the event of being blocked up by the
ice。 He at length came into my views （for in some way； hardly known
to myself； I had acquired much influence over him）； and it was
finally resolved that； even in the event of our finding biche de mer；
we should only stay here a week to recruit； and then push on to the
southward while we might。 Accordingly we made every necessary
preparation； and； under the guidance of Too…wit； got the Jane through
the reef in safety； coming to anchor about a mile from the shore； in
an excellent bay； completely landlocked； on the southeastern coast of
the main island； and in ten fathoms of water； black sandy bottom。 At
the head of this bay there were three fine springs （we were told） of
good water； and we saw abundance of wood in the vicinity。 The four
canoes followed us in； keeping； however； at a respectful distance。
Too…wit himself remained on board； and； upon our dropping anchor；
invited us to accompany him on shore； and visit his village in the
interior。 To this Captain Guy consented； and ten savages being left
on board as hostages； a party of us； twelve in all； got in readiness
to attend the chief。 We took care to be well armed； yet without
evincing any distrust。 The schooner had her guns run out； her
boarding…nettings up； and every other proper precaution was taken to
guard against surprise。 Directions were left with the chief mate to
admit no person on board during our absence； and； in the event of our
not appearing in twelve hours； to send the cutter； with a swivel；
around the island in search of us。
At every step we took inland the conviction forced itself upon
us that we were in a country differing essentially from any hitherto
visited by civilized men。 We saw nothing with which we had been
formerly conversant。 The trees resembled no growth of either the
torrid； the temperate； of the northern frigid zones； and were
altogether unlike those of the lower southern latitudes we had
already traversed。 The very rocks were novel in their mass； their
color； and their stratification； and the streams themselves； utterly
incredible as it may appear； had so little in common with those of
other climates； that we were scrupulous of tasting them； and； indeed；
had difficulty in bringing ourselves to believe that their qualities
were purely those of nature。 At a small brook which crossed our path
（the first we had reached） Too…wit and his attendants halted to
drink。 On account of the singular character of the water； we refused
to taste it； supposing it to be polluted； and it was not until some
time afterward we came to understand that such was the appearance of
the streams throughout the whole group。 I am at a loss to give a
distinct idea of the nature of this liquid； and cannot do so without
many words。 Although it flowed with rapidity in all declivities where
common water would do so； yet never； except when falling in a
cascade； had it the customary appearance of limpidity。 It was；
nevertheless； in point of fact； as perfectly limpid as any limestone
water in existence； the difference being only in appearance。 At first
sight； and especially in cases where little declivity was found； it
bore re。 semblance； as regards consistency； to a thick infusion of
gum arabic in common water。 But this was only the least remarkable of
its extraordinary qualities。 It was not colourless； nor was it of any
one uniform colour… presenting to the eye； as it flowed； every
possible shade of purple； like the hues of a changeable silk。 This
variation in shade was produced in a manner which excited as profound
astonishment in the minds of our party as the mirror had done in the
case of Too…wit。 Upon collecting a basinful； and allowing it to
settle thoroughly； we perceived that the whole mass of liquid was
made up of a number of distinct veins； each of a distinct hue； that
these veins did not commingle； and that their cohesion was perfect in
regard to their own particles among themselves； and imperfect in
regard to neighbouring veins。 Upon passing the blade of a knife
athwart the veins； the water closed over it immediately； as with us；
and also； in withdrawing it； all traces of the passage of the knife
were instantly obliterated。 If； however； the blade was passed down
accurately between the two veins； a perfect separation was effected；
which the power of cohesion did not immediately rectify。 The
phenomena of this water formed the first definite link in that vast
chain of apparent miracles with which I was destined to be at length
encircled。
~~~ End of Text of Chapter 18 ~~~
CHAPTER 19
We were nearly three hours in reaching the village； it being
more than nine miles in the interior； and the path lying through a
rugged country。 As we passed along； the party of Too…wit （the whole
hundred and ten savages of the canoes） was momentarily strengthened
by smaller detachments； of from two to six or seven； which joined us；
as if by accident； at different turns of the road。 There appeared so
much of system in this that I could not help feeling distrust； and I
spoke to Captain Guy of my apprehensions。 It was now too late；
however； to recede； and we concluded that our best security lay in
evincing a perfect confidence in the good faith of Too…wit。 We
accordingly went on； keeping a wary eye upon the manoeuvres of the
savages； and not permitting them to divide our numbers by pushing in
between。 In this way； passing through a precipitous ravine； we at
length reached what we were told was the only collection of
habitations upon the island。 As we came in sight of them； the chief
set up a shout； and frequently repeated the word Klock…klock； which
we sup。 posed to be the name of the village； or perhaps the generic
name