Hiva-oa

I said I had heard it bruited in my island of Hiva-oa that the celebration of the fete of Joan of Arc had been marked by extraordinary events indicating a special appreciation by the heavenly hosts.

White Shadows in the South Seas Frederick O'Brien 1900

Hiva-oa from here, because there were really not enough people left alive for the seat of his bishopric.

White Shadows in the South Seas Frederick O'Brien 1900

The reputation of Hiva-oa, of the island itself, was at stake.

White Shadows in the South Seas Frederick O'Brien 1900

The _Roberta_ was the only vessel in those waters and, sailing as she did at the whim of her captain and the necessities of trade, none knew when she might return to Nuka-hiva, so I could but accept the opportunity she offered of reaching the southern group of islands again, and trust to fortune or favor to return me to my own island of Hiva-oa.

White Shadows in the South Seas Frederick O'Brien 1900

Morning found our canoe close to the rocky coast of Hiva-oa.

White Shadows in the South Seas Frederick O'Brien 1900

He was then chief of Tahuata, and the power in that island, in Hiva-oa and Fatu-hiva.

White Shadows in the South Seas Frederick O'Brien 1900

He will come back, I hope, as I did, with some glimpses into the primitive customs of the long-forgotten ancestors of the white race, a deeper wonder at the mysteries of the world, and a memory of sun-steeped days on white beaches, of palms and orchids and the childlike savage peoples who live in the bread-fruit groves of "Bloody Hiva-oa."

White Shadows in the South Seas Frederick O'Brien 1900

Hiva-oa, my home, for I had bargained with Tetuahunahuna, its owner, for my conveyance to Atuona.

White Shadows in the South Seas Frederick O'Brien 1900

The squalls had passed, and as we neared Hiva-oa the sea became glassy smooth, but the leagues-long, lazy roll of it rocked the schooner like a cradle.

White Shadows in the South Seas Frederick O'Brien 1900

It was my fortune to see, in the valley of Atuona on Hiva-oa, a series of incidents which were at the time a whirl of unbelievable merriment, yet which slowly clarified themselves into a parable, while I sat later considering them on the leaf-shaded _paepae_ of the House of the Golden Bed.

White Shadows in the South Seas Frederick O'Brien 1900