Typee by Herman Melville

SWIMMING IN COMPANY WITH THE GIRLS OF THE VALLEY -- A CANOE -- EFFECTS OF THE TABOO -- A PLEASURE EXCURSION ON THE POND -- BEAUTIFUL FREAK OF FAYAWAY -- MANTUA-MAKING -- A STRANGER ARRIVES IN THE VALLEY -- HIS MYSTERIOUS CONDUCT -- NATIVE ORATORY -- THE INTERVIEW -- ITS RESULTS -- DEPARTURE OF THE STRANGER

Returning health and peace of mind gave a new interest to everything around me. I sought to diversify my time by as many enjoyments as lay within my reach. Bathing in company with troops of girls formed one of my chief amusements. We sometimes enjoyed the recreation in the waters of a miniature lake, to which the central stream of the valley expanded. This lovely sheet of water was almost circular in figure, and about three hundred yards across. Its beauty was indescribable. All around its banks waved luxuriant masses of tropical foliage, soaring high above which were seen, here and there, the symmetrical shaft of the cocoanut tree, surmounted by its tufts of graceful branches, drooping in the air like so many waving ostrich plumes.