Межзвёздный скиталец

           Therearenumerousislandsinthegroup,overallofwhichRaaKookisking,althoughtheclusterofislandstothesouthisrestiveandoccasionallyinrevolt.ThesenativeswithwhomIlivearePolynesian,Iknow,becausetheirhairisstraightandblack.Theirskinisasun-warmgolden-brown.Theirspeech,whichIspeakuncommonlyeasy,isroundandrichandmusical,possessingapaucityofconsonants,beingcomposedprincipallyofvowels.Theyloveflowers,music,dancing,andgames,andarechildishlysimpleandhappyintheiramusements,thoughcruellysavageintheirangersandwars.

           I,AdamStrang,knowmypast,butdonotseemtothinkmuchaboutit.Iliveinthepresent.Ibroodneitheroverpastnorfuture.Iamcareless,improvident,uncautious,happyoutofsheerwell-beingandoverplusofphysicalenergy.Fish,fruits,vegetables,andseaweed—afullstomach—andIamcontent.IamhighinplacewithRaaKook,thanwhomnoneishigher,notevenAbbaTaak,whoishighestoverthepriest.Nomandarelifthandorweapontome.Iamtaboo—sacredasthesacredcanoe-houseunderthefloorofwhichreposethebonesofheavenaloneknowshowmanypreviouskingsofRaaKook’sline.

           IknowallabouthowIhappenedtobewreckedandbetherealoneofallmyship’scompany—itwasagreatdrowningandagreatwind;butIdonotmoonoverthecatastrophe.