More and more curious to ascertain our fate, I now threw together
in the form of a question the words 'Happar' and 'Motarkee', the
latter being equivalent to the word 'good'. The two natives
interchanged glances of peculiar meaning with one another at
this, and manifested no little surprise; but on the repetition of
the question after some consultation together, to the great joy
of Toby, they answered in the affirmative. Toby was now in
ecstasies, especially as the young savages continued to reiterate
their answer with great energy, as though desirous of impressing
us with the idea that being among the Happars, we ought to
consider ourselves perfectly secure.

Although I had some lingering doubts, I feigned great delight
with Toby at this announcement, while my companion broke out into
a pantomimic abhorrence of Typee, and immeasurable love for the
particular valley in which we were; our guides all the while
gazing uneasily at one another as if at a loss to account for our
conduct.

They hurried on, and we followed them; until suddenly they set up
a strange halloo, which was answered from beyond the grove
through which we were passing, and the next moment we entered
upon some open ground, at the extremity of which we descried a
long, low hut, and in front of it were several young girls. As
soon as they perceived us they fled with wild screams into the
adjoining thickets, like so many startled fawns. A few moments
after the whole valley resounded with savage outcries, and the
natives came running towards us from every direction.