Propeller Island

by Jules Verne

  “And what fine girls!” said another.

  Men of a stature above the average, their skin copper-coloured as if impregnated with the ardour of their blood, their proportions as admirable as those of antique statues, their faces gentle and prepossessing. These Maories are truly superb, with their large bright eyes, their rather thick but well-cut lips. Their tattooing for war purposes is disappearing with the occasions which formerly rendered it necessary.

  The more wealthy natives clothe themselves in European fashion, and yet they look well with shirts cut to the figure, vest of pale rose stuff, trousers falling over the boots. But these did not attract the attention of the quartette. No! To the trousers of modern cut, our tourists preferred the pareo of cotton, coloured and striped, draped from the belt to the ankle, and in place of the high hat, and even the Panama hat, the headdress common to both sexes, the hei, composed of leaves and flowers.

  The women are still the poetic and graceful Otaheitans of Bougainville. The white petals of the tiara, a sort of gardenia, mingle with the black mats unrolled on their shoulders their heads covered with the light hat made of the epidermis of a cocoanut, but of which the sweet name of revareva “seems to come from reverie,” as Yvernès said. Add to the charm of this costume, with its colours like those of a kaleidoscope modifying at every movement, the gracefulness of the walk, the freedom of the attitudes, the sweetness of the smile, the penetration of the look, the harmonious sonorousness of the voice, and you will understand why, as soon as one of our artistes exclaimed, “What fine men!” the others should have answered in chorus, —

  “And what fine girls!”

  When the Creator had fashioned such marvels of beauty, would it have been possible for Him not to have given them a frame worthy of them? And what could be imagined more delightful than the Tahitian landscapes, in which the vegetation is so luxuriant under the influence of the running streams and abundant dews of the night?

  During their excursions across this island, and in the neighbourhood of Papaete, the four Parisians did not cease to admire this world of vegetable wonders. Leaving the borders of the sea, which are more suited to cultivation, where the forests are replaced by plantations of lemon trees, orange trees, arrowroot, sugar-cane, coffee-plants, cotton trees, fields of yams, manioc, indigo, sorghum, and tobacco, they ventured under the masses of trees in the interior up to the foot of the mountains, whose summits rose above the dome of foliage. Everywhere were elegant cocoanut trees of magnificent growth, miros or rosewood trees, casuarinas or ironwood trees, tiairi or bancoulias, puraus, tamanas, ahis or santals, guava trees, mango trees, taccas, whose roots are edible, and also the superb taro, the precious breadfruit tree, high in the stem, slender and white, with large brownish-green leaves, amid which are groups of large fruits, with chiselled bark, and of which the white pulp forms the principal food of the natives.

  The tree which with the cocoanut is the commonest is the guava tree, which grows all the way up the mountains, and whose name in the Tahitian tongue is tuava. It grows in thick forests, while the puraus form gloomy thickets, difficult to get through, when you are imprudent enough to venture among them.

  There were no dangerous animals. The only native quadruped is a sort of pig. As to the horses and cattle, they have been imported into the island, where they prosper like the sheep and goats. The fauna is much less rich than the flora, even with the birds included. There are pigeons and swallows as at the Sandwich Islands. There are no reptiles. There are centipedes and scorpions. And for insects there are wasps and mosquitoes.

  The products of Tahiti are mainly cotton and sugarcane, the cultivation of which is largely developed, to the detriment of tobacco and coffee; besides these there are cocoanut oil, arrowroot, oranges, nacre and pearls. This is, however, enough for an important trade with America, Australia, and New Zealand, with China in Asia, with France and England in Europe, to a value of three million two hundred thousand francs of imports, counterbalanced by four millions and a half of exports.

  The excursions of the quartette extended to the peninsula of Tabaratu. A visit to Fort Phaeton introduced them to a detachment of marine infantry, who were delighted to welcome their compatriots.

  At an inn near the harbour, kept by a colonist, Frascolin stood treat. To the natives of the neighbourhood, to the mutoi of the district, there were glasses round of French wine, which the innkeeper did not forget to charge for. In return the locals offered their entertainers some of the products of the country, such as the preparation from a species of banana known as fei, of beautiful yellow colour, yams prepared in a succulent fashion, maiore, which is the breadfruit cooked to bursting in a hole full of hot stones, and finally a confection sourish in flavour, made from grated cocoa nut, and which, under the name of taiero, is kept in bamboo twigs.

  This luncheon was very jolly. The party smoked many hundreds of cigarettes made of tobacco leaf dried at the fire, and rolled within a pandanus leaf. Only, instead of imitating the Tahitian men and women, who pass them from mouth to mouth after taking a few whiffs, the Frenchmen preferred to smoke them in French fashion. And when the mutoi offered his, Pinchinat thanked him with a “mea maitai,” that is to say ”very well,” with such a grotesque intonation that it put the whole crowd into good humour.

  In the course of their excursions it need not be said that the quartette returned every evening to Papaete or to Floating Island. Everywhere, in the villages, in the scattered habitations, among the colonies, among the natives, they were received with as much sympathy as comfort.

  On the 7th of November they decided to visit Point Venus, an excursion undertaken by every tourist worthy of the name.

  They started at dawn, crossing the river Fantalina by the bridge. They ascended the valley up to the noisy cascade, double that of Niagara in height, but much narrower, which falls with superb uproar from a height of 200 feet. In this way they arrived, by following the road along the flank of Paharahi Hill, on the edge of the sea, at the hillock to which Captain Cook gave the name of Tree Cape—a name justified at that time by the presence of an isolated tree, since dead of old age. An avenue planted with magnificent trees led them from the village of Paharahi to the lighthouse at the extreme end of the island.

  It was in this place, half-way up a verdant hill, that the Coverley family had fixed their residence. There was no apparent reason for Walter Tankerdon, whose villa was on the other side of Papaete, to be in the neighbourhood of Point Venus. The young man was, however, on horseback, close to the cottage of the Coverleys, and he exchanged a salute with the quartette, and asked them if they intended to return to Papaete that evening.

  “No, Mr. Tankerdon,” replied Frascolin. “We have received an invitation from Mrs. Coverley, and it is probable that we shall spend the evening at the villa.”

  “Then, gentlemen, I bid you good-bye,” said Walter Tankerdon.”

  And it seemed as if the young man’s face darkened as if a cloud had for a moment veiled the sun.

  He then spurred his horse and went off at a gentle trot, giving a glance at the villa, which stood out white among the trees.

  “Eh!” said Pinchinat. “Perhaps he would like to have accompanied us, this charming cavalier?”

  “Yes,” added Frascolin, “and it is evident that our friend Munbar may be right. He did not seem happy at not being able to meet Miss Coverley.”

  “That proves that millions do not bring happiness,” replied Yvernès, like a great philosopher.

  During the afternoon and evening a delightful time was spent with the Coverleys. At the villa the quartette met with as warm a welcome as at the house in the Fifteenth Avenue. A sympathetic meeting in which art was agreeably mingled. The music was excellent—at the piano, be it understood. Mrs. Coverley played a few new pieces, Miss Coverley sang like a true artiste, and Yvernès, who had a fine voice, mingled his tenor with her soprano.

  We do not know why—perhaps designedly—Pinchinat slipped into the conversation that he and his comra
des had met Walter Tankerdon in the neighbourhood of the villa. Was this clever on his part, or had he done better to have been silent? No, and if the superintendent had been there he could not but have approved of his Highness. A slight smile, almost imperceptible, flitted across Miss Coverley’s lips, her beautiful eyes sparkled, and it seemed when she sang again as though her voice had become more penetrating.

  Mrs. Coverley looked at her for a moment, and was content to say, while Mr. Coverley frowned:

  “You are not tired, my child?”

  “No, mother.”

  “And you, Monsieur Yvernès?”

  “Not the least in the world, madam. Before my birth I ought to have been a chorister boy in one of the chapels of Paradise.”

  The evening came to an end, and it was nearly midnight when Mr. Coverley thought the time had come to retire to rest.

  Next morning the quartette, enchanted at their simple and cordial reception, went back again down the road to Papaete.

  The stay at Tahiti could not last longer than a week; according to the programme which had been laid down in advance, Floating Island would then resume its route to the south-west. And without doubt there would have been nothing to distinguish this last week, during which the quartette completed their excursions, if a very pleasant incident had not happened on the 11th of November. The division of the French squadron of the Pacific was signalled in the morning by the semaphore on the hill behind Papaete.

  At eleven o’clock a cruiser of the first class, the Paris, escorted by two cruisers of the second class and a gunboat, dropped anchor in the roadstead.

  The regulation salutes were exchanged, and the rear-admiral, whose flag was flying on the Paris, landed with his officers.

  After the official salutes, in which the Floating Island batteries took part, the rear-admiral and the commandant of the Society Islands returned each other’s visits.

  It was fortunate for the ships of the divisions, their officers and crews, to have arrived in the roadstead of Tahiti while Floating Island was there. Here were new opportunities for receptions and festivities. The Pearl of the Pacific was open to the French sailors, who crowded to admire its wonders. For two days the uniforms of our navy mingled with the Milliardite costumes. Cyrus Bikerstaff did the honours at the observatory, the superintendent did the honours at the casino and the other establishments under his superintendence.

  It was under these circumstances that an idea occurred to that astonishing Calistus Munbar, a genial idea, the realization of which would never be forgotten, and this idea he communicated to the Governor, who adopted it at the advice of his council of notables.

  Yes! A grand festival was decreed for the 15th of November. Its programme included a set dinner and a ball given in the rooms of the town hall.

  By this time all the Milliardites would have returned to the island, for the departure would take place two days afterwards.

  The high personages of both sections would not fail to be present at this festival in honour of Queen Pomare IV., the Tahitians, native or European, and the French squadron.

  Calistus Munbar was entrusted with the management of the festival, and his imagination and zeal could be relied on. The quartette offered their services, and it was agreed that a concert should figure among the most attractive features of the programme.

  As far as the invitations were concerned, the Governor undertook to send them out.

  In the first place Cyrus Bikerstaff went in person to Queen Pomare and the princes of her court to assist at the festivities, and the Queen deigned to reply by accepting the invitation. There were similar thanks on the part of the commandant and the chief French functionaries, and of the rear-admiral and his officers, who showed themselves deeply sensible of the kindness.

  In short a thousand invitations were issued. It must be understood that the thousand guests could not sit down at the municipal table. No! Only a hundred: the royal personages, the officers of the squadron, the authorities of the protectorate, the chief functionaries and council of notables and superior clergy of Floating Island. But there would be in the park, refreshments, games, and fireworks, with which to satisfy the populace.

  The King and Queen of Malecarlie were not forgotten, that need scarcely be said. But their Majesties, averse to all pomp, living retired in their modest habitation in the Thirty-Second Avenue, thanked the Governor for an invitation they regretted to be unable to accept.

  “Poor sovereigns!” said Yvernès.

  The great day arrived, and the island was decked with the French and Tahitian colours mingled with the Milliardite colours.

  Queen Pomare and her court, in gala costume, were received at Starboard Harbour amid a salute from the island’s artillery, replied to by the guns of Papaete and the guns of the fleet.

  About six o’clock in the evening, after a promenade in the park, all the great ones went to the municipal palace, which was superbly decorated. What a splendid sight was the monumental staircase, every step of which cost at least ten thousand francs, like that at Vanderbilt’s house in New York! And in the splendid dining-hall the guests sat down at the tables.

  The code of precedence was observed by the Governor with perfect tact. There was no reason for conflict between the great rival families of the two sections. Everyone was contented with the places reserved for them, among others Miss Coverley, who found herself opposite Walter Tankerdon. That was as much as the young people could expect, for they could not be brought much nearer.

  There is no need to say that the French artistes had nothing to complain of. They were placed at the table of honour, a new proof of esteem and sympathy for their talent and for themselves.

  As to the bill of fare of this memorable repast, studied, meditated, and composed by the superintendent, it proved that even from the culinary point of view Milliard City had nothing to fear from old Europe.

  Here is this bill of fare, as printed in gold on vellum by Calistus Munbar: —

  Le potage à la d’Orléans ,

  La crême comtesse,

  Le turbot à la Mornay,

  Le filet de bœuf à la Napolitaine,

  Les quenelles de volaille à la Viennoise,

  Les mousses de foie gras à la Trévise.

  Sorbets.

  Les cailles rôties sur canapé,

  La salade provençale,

  Les petits pois à l’anglaise,

  Bombe, macédoine , fruits,

  Gâteaux variés ,

  Grissins au parmesan.

  Vins:

  Château d’Yquem. —Château-Margaux.

  Chambertin.—Champagne.

  Liqueurs variées .

  At the table of the Queen of England, of the Emperor of Russia, of the German Emperor, or the President of the French Republic, was there ever any better combination for an official dinner, and could the most famous cooks of both continents have produced a better one?

  At nine o’clock the guests went to the casino for the concert. The programme contained four items: —

  Fifth quartette in A major: Op. 18, Beethoven.

  Second quartette in D minor: Op. 10, Mozart.

  Second quartette in D major: Op. 64 (2nd part), Haydn.

  Twelfth quartette in E flat. Onslow.

  This concert was a fresh triumph for the Parisian executants so fortunately embarked—no matter what the recalcitrant violoncellist might say—on Floating Island.

  Meanwhile Europeans and strangers took part in the different games in the park. Open-air dances were organized on the lawns, and—why should we not admit it?— there was dancing to the music of accordions, which are instruments much in vogue among the natives of the Society Islands. French sailors have a weakness for this pneumatic apparatus, and as the men on leave from the Paris and other ships of the squadron had landed in great numbers, accordions became the rage. Voices joined in, and ship songs responded to the “himerre,” which are the popular and favourite airs of the Oceanic peoples.

  Besides, the
natives of Tahiti, men and women, have a decided taste for singing and dancing in which they excel. On this occasion they many times repeated the figures of the “repanipa,” which may be considered a national dance, of which the measure is marked by beating the tambourine. Thus dancers of all kinds, natives and foreigners, enjoyed themselves immensely, thanks to the stimulus of refreshments of all kinds provided by the municipality.

  At the same time there were dances of more select arrangement and composition, at which, under the direction of Athanase Dorémus, the families gathered in the saloons of the town hall. The Milliardite and the Tahitian ladies tried to surpass each other in their dresses, but we need not be surprised at the former, who were faithful customers of the Parisian dressmakers, easily eclipsing even the most elegant Europeans of the colony. The diamonds rippled on their heads, their shoulders, their necks, and it was amongst them only that the contest was of any interest. But who would dare say if Mrs. Coverley or Mrs. Tankerdon were the more dazzling? Certainly not Cyrus Bickerstaff, always so careful to preserve a perfect equilibrium between the two sections of the island.

  In the quadrille of honour there figured the sovereign of Tahiti and her august spouse, Cyrus Bikerstaff and Mrs. Coverley, the rear-admiral and Mrs. Tankerdon, the commodore and the first lady of honour to the Queen. At the same time other quadrilles were formed, in which the couples took part according to their tastes and sympathies. All this was charming, and yet Sebastien Zorn kept himself apart in an attitude, if not of protest, at least of disdain, like the two snarling Romans in the famous picture of the Décadence . But Yvernès, Pinchinat, Frascolin waltzed and danced polkas and mazurkas with the prettiest Tahitians and the most delightful young ladies of Floating Island. And who knows if, this evening, a few weddings were not decided as a finish to the ball—which would doubtless give a little more work to the civil officials?

  Besides, what was the general surprise when chance made Walter Tankerdon Miss Coverley’s cavalier in a quadrille? Was it chance, or had not that astute diplomatist, the superintendent, managed to assist it in some way? In any case it was the event of the evening, great perhaps in its consequences, if it marked a first step towards the reconciliation of these two powerful families.