"After all that's been said against the war, you ought to be well satisfied that you're not called upon to take part," I said in surprise, whereat the old man turned upon me as if in anger.
"It makes no difference what I think, when a part of the crew are called out on an expedition like this. It's my right to go with 'em, an' perhaps Captain Porter will come to the conclusion, before this day is ended, that he's made a mistake in puttin' all his dependence on young fellows who haven't had experience enough to steady them!"
Neither Phil nor I were disposed to quarrel with that which enabled us to remain in a position of at least partial security, while the other poor fellows were perspiring and fuming as they made their way through the jungle on a six-mile tramp.
It would be no slight task to scale the mountains when the heat, even while one remained on the seashore, was most intense; and we could well fancy what the temperature must be amid the thicket.
Ten minutes after the rear-guard of the army had passed by our lounging-place, the entire force was hidden from view by the foliage, and we saw nothing more of them until two hours later, when the foremost of the gaudily bedecked warriors appeared on the naked mountain-side above the line of trees.
At such a distance they looked like ants, rather than human beings; and finding it impossible to distinguish our men from the savages, we ceased to strain our eyes, accounting it too much of an exertion while the heat was so great.
Mr. Maury had told us that the Typees had a strong fort on the summit of the second mountain, and it was probable the engagement, if one ensued, would be at such a distance from the shore that we could have no view of it whatsoever; therefore we set about our duties of waiting upon the cooks, well content with such menial offices as we thought of our shipmates in the forest.
Master Hackett found enough on board the Essex to occupy his time profitably, and half an hour after the army set forth, all hands of us on the shore of the bay were working as quietly as if there was no possibility a battle would be fought which might affect us most keenly.