My unfortunate limb was now left much in the same condition as a
rump-steak after undergoing the castigating process which precedes
cooking. My physician, having recovered from the fatigues of his
exertions, as if anxious to make amends for the pain to which he had
subjected me, now took some herbs out of a little wallet that was
suspended from his waist, and moistening them in water, applied them to
the inflamed part, stooping over it at the same time, and either
whispering a spell, or having a little confidential chat with some
imaginary demon located in the calf of my leg. My limb was now swathed
in leafy bandages, and grateful to Providence for the cessation of
hostilities, I was suffered to rest.
Mehevi shortly after rose to depart; but before he went he spoke
authoritatively to one of the natives, whom he addressed as Kory-Kory;
and from the little I could understand of what took place, pointed him
out to me as a man whose peculiar business henceforth would be to
attend upon my person. I am not certain that I comprehended as much as
this at the time, but the subsequent conduct of my trusty body-servant
fully assured me that such must have been the case.
I could not but be amused at the manner in which the chief addressed me
upon this occasion, talking to me for at least fifteen or twenty
minutes as calmly as if I could understand every word that he said. I
remarked this peculiarity very often afterwards in many other of the
islanders.
Mehevi having now departed, and the family physician having likewise
made his exit, we were left about sunset with the ten or twelve
natives, who by this time I had ascertained composed the household of
which Toby and I were members. As the dwelling to which we had been
first introduced was the place of my permanent abode while I remained
in the valley, and as I was necessarily placed upon the most intimate
footing with its occupants, I may as well here enter into a little
description of it and its inhabitants. This description will apply also
to nearly all the other dwelling-places in the vale, and will furnish
some idea of the generality of the natives.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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