Contents：
TheHouseofPrideKoolautheLeperGood—bye，JackAlohaOeChunAhChunTheSheriffofKonaJackLondonTHEHOUSEOFPRIDE
PercivalFordwonderedwhyhehadcome。Hedidnotdance。Hedidnotcaremuchforarmypeople。Yetheknewthemall——glidingandrevolvingthereonthebroadlanaioftheSeaside，theofficersintheirfresh—starcheduniformsofwhite，theciviliansinwhiteandblack，andthewomenbareofshouldersandarms。AftertwoyearsinHonolulutheTwentiethwasdepartingtoitsnewstationinAlaska，andPercivalFord，asoneofthebigmenoftheIslands，couldnothelpknowingtheofficersandtheirwomen。
Butbetweenknowingandlikingwasavastgulf。Thearmywomenfrightenedhimjustalittle。Theywereinwaysquitedifferentfromthewomenhelikedbest——theelderlywomen，thespinstersandthebespectacledmaidens，andtheveryseriouswomenofallageswhomhemetonchurchandlibraryandkindergartencommittees，whocamemeeklytohimforcontributionsandadvice。Heruledthosewomenbyvirtueofhissuperiormentality，hisgreatwealth，andthehighplaceheoccupiedinthecommercialbaronageofHawaii。Andhewasnotafraidofthemintheleast。Sex，withthem，wasnotobtrusive。Yes，thatwasit。Therewasinthemsomethingelse，ormore，thantheassertivegrossnessoflife。Hewasfastidious；heacknowledgedthattohimself；andthesearmywomen，withtheirbareshouldersandnakedarms，theirstraight—lookingeyes，theirvitalityandchallengingfemaleness，jarreduponhissensibilities。
Nordidhegetonbetterwiththearmymen，whotooklifelightly，drinkingandsmokingandswearingtheirwaythroughlifeandassertingtheessentialgrossnessoffleshnolessshamelesslythantheirwomen。Hewasalwaysuncomfortableinthecompanyofthearmymen。Theyseemeduncomfortable，too。Andhefelt，always，thattheywerelaughingathimuptheirsleeves，orpityinghim，ortoleratinghim。Then，too，theyseemed，bymerecontiguity，toemphasizealackinhim，tocallattentiontothatinthemwhichhedidnotpossessandwhichhethankedGodhedidnotpossess。Faugh!
Theywereliketheirwomen!
Infact，PercivalFordwasnomoreawoman’smanthanhewasaman’sman。Aglanceathimtoldthereason。Hehadagoodconstitution，neverwasonintimatetermswithsickness，norevenmilddisorders；
buthelackedvitality。Hiswasanegativeorganism。Nobloodwithafermentinitcouldhavenourishedandshapedthatlongandnarrowface，thosethinlips，leancheeks，andthesmall，sharpeyes。Thethatchofhair，dust—coloured，straightandsparse，advertisedtheniggardsoil，asdidthenose，thin，delicatelymodelled，andjusthintingthesuggestionofabeak。Hismeagrebloodhaddeniedhimmuchoflife，andpermittedhimtobeanextremistinonethingonly，whichthingwasrighteousness。Overrightconductheponderedandagonized，andthatheshoulddorightwasasnecessarytohisnatureaslovingandbeinglovedwerenecessarytocommonerclay。
Hewassittingunderthealgarobatreesbetweenthelanaiandthebeach。Hiseyeswanderedoverthedancersandheturnedhisheadawayandgazedseawardacrossthemellow—soundingsurftotheSouthernCrossburninglowonthehorizon。Hewasirritatedbythebareshouldersandarmsofthewomen。Ifhehadadaughterhewouldneverpermitit，never。Buthishypothesiswasthesheerestabstraction。Thethoughtprocesshadbeenaccompaniedbynoinnervisionofthatdaughter。Hedidnotseeadaughterwitharmsandshoulders。Instead，hesmiledattheremotecontingencyofmarriage。Hewasthirty—five，and，havinghadnopersonalexperienceoflove，helookeduponit，notasmythical，butasbestial。Anybodycouldmarry。TheJapaneseandChinesecoolies，toilingonthesugarplantationsandintherice—fields，married。
Theyinvariablymarriedatthefirstopportunity。Itwasbecausetheyweresolowinthescaleoflife。Therewasnothingelseforthemtodo。Theywerelikethearmymenandwomen。Butforhimtherewereotherandhigherthings。Hewasdifferentfromthem——
fromallofthem。Hewasproudofhowhehappenedtobe。Hehadcomeofnopettylove—match。Hehadcomeofloftyconceptionofdutyandofdevotiontoacause。Hisfatherhadnotmarriedforlove。LovewasamadnessthathadneverperturbedIsaacFord。Whenheansweredthecalltogototheheathenwiththemessageoflife，hehadhadnothoughtandnodesireformarriage。Inthistheywerealike，hisfatherandhe。ButtheBoardofMissionswaseconomical。
WithNewEnglandthriftitweighedandmeasuredanddecidedthatmarriedmissionarieswerelessexpensivepercapitaandmoreefficacious。SotheBoardcommandedIsaacFordtomarry。
Furthermore，itfurnishedhimwithawife，anotherzealoussoulwithnothoughtofmarriage，intentonlyondoingtheLord’sworkamongtheheathen。TheysaweachotherforthefirsttimeinBoston。TheBoardbroughtthemtogether，arrangedeverything，andbytheendoftheweektheyweremarriedandstartedonthelongvoyagearoundtheHorn。
PercivalFordwasproudthathehadcomeofsuchaunion。Hehadbeenbornhigh，andhethoughtofhimselfasaspiritualaristocrat。
Andhewasproudofhisfather。Itwasapassionwithhim。Theerect，austerefigureofIsaacFordhadburneditselfuponhispride。OnhisdeskwasaminiatureofthatsoldieroftheLord。InhisbedroomhungtheportraitofIsaacFord，paintedatthetimewhenhehadservedundertheMonarchyasprimeminister。NotthatIsaacFordhadcovetedplaceandworldlywealth，butthat，asprimeminister，and，later，asbanker，hehadbeenofgreaterservicetothemissionarycause。TheGermancrowd，andtheEnglishcrowd，andalltherestofthetradingcrowd，hadsneeredatIsaacFordasacommercialsoul—saver；buthe，hisson，knewdifferent。Whenthenatives，emergingabruptlyfromtheirfeudalsystem，withnoconceptionofthenatureandsignificanceofpropertyinland，werelettingtheirbroadacresslipthroughtheirfingers，itwasIsaacFordwhohadsteppedinbetweenthetradingcrowdanditspreyandtakenpossessionoffat，vastholdings。Smallwonderthetradingcrowddidnotlikehismemory。Buthehadneverlookeduponhisenormouswealthashisown。HehadconsideredhimselfGod’ssteward。Outoftherevenueshehadbuiltschools，andhospitals，andchurches。Norwasithisfaultthatsugar，aftertheslump，hadpaidfortypercent；thatthebankhefoundedhadprosperedintoarailroad；andthat，amongotherthings，fiftythousandacresofOahupastureland，whichhehadboughtforadollaranacre，greweighttonsofsugartotheacreeveryeighteenmonths。No，inalltruth，IsaacFordwasanheroicfigure，fit，soPercivalFordthoughtprivately，tostandbesidethestatueofKamehamehaI。infrontoftheJudiciaryBuilding。IsaacFordwasgone，buthe，hisson，carriedonthegoodworkatleastasinflexiblyifnotasmasterfully。
Heturnedhiseyesbacktothelanai。Whatwasthedifference，heaskedhimself，betweentheshameless，grass—girdledhuladancesandthedecolletedancesofthewomenofhisownrace？Wasthereanessentialdifference？orwasitamatterofdegree？
Asheponderedtheproblemahandrestedonhisshoulder。
"Hello，Ford，whatareyoudoinghere？Isn’tthisabitfestive？"
"Itrytobelenient，Dr。Kennedy，evenasIlookon，"PercivalFordansweredgravely。"Won’tyousitdown？"
Dr。Kennedysatdown，clappinghispalmssharply。Awhite—cladJapaneseservantansweredswiftly。
ScotchandsodawasKennedy’sorder；then，turningtotheother，hesaid：—
"Ofcourse，Idon’taskyou。"
"ButIwilltakesomething，"Fordsaidfirmly。Thedoctor’seyesshowedsurprise，andtheservantwaited。"Boy，alemonade，please。"
Thedoctorlaughedatitheartily，asajokeonhimself，andglancedatthemusiciansunderthehautree。
"Why，it’stheAlohaOrchestra，"hesaid。"IthoughttheywerewiththeHawaiianHotelonTuesdaynights。Somerumpus，Iguess。"
Hiseyespausedforamoment，anddweltupontheonewhowasplayingaguitarandsingingaHawaiiansongtotheaccompanimentofalltheinstruments。
Hisfacebecamegraveashelookedatthesinger，anditwasstillgraveasheturnedittohiscompanion。
"Lookhere，Ford，isn’tittimeyouletuponJoeGarland？I
understandyouareinoppositiontothePromotionCommittee’ssendinghimtotheStatesonthissurf—boardproposition，andI’vebeenwantingtospeaktoyouaboutit。Ishouldhavethoughtyou’dbegladtogethimoutofthecountry。Itwouldbeagoodwaytoendyourpersecutionofhim。"
"Persecution？"PercivalFord’seyebrowsliftedinterrogatively。
"Callitbyanynameyouplease，"Kennedywenton。"You’vehoundedthatpoordevilforyears。It’snothisfault。Evenyouwilladmitthat。"
"Nothisfault？"PercivalFord’sthinlipsdrewtightlytogetherforthemoment。"JoeGarlandisdissoluteandidle。Hehasalwaysbeenawastrel，aprofligate。"
"Butthat’snoreasonyoushouldkeeponafterhimthewayyoudo。
I’vewatchedyoufromthebeginning。Thefirstthingyoudidwhenyoureturnedfromcollegeandfoundhimworkingontheplantationasoutsidelunawastofirehim——youwithyourmillions，andhewithhissixtydollarsamonth。"
"Notthefirstthing，"PercivalFordsaidjudicially，inatonehewasaccustomedtouseincommitteemeetings。"Igavehimhiswarning。Thesuperintendentsaidhewasacapableluna。Ihadnoobjectiontohimonthatground。Itwaswhathedidoutsideworkinghours。HeundidmyworkfasterthanIcouldbuilditup。OfwhatuseweretheSundayschools，thenightschools，andthesewingclasses，whenintheeveningstherewasJoeGarlandwithhisinfernalandeternaltum—tummingofguitarandukulele，hisstrongdrink，andhishuladancing？AfterIwarnedhim，Icameuponhim——I
shallneverforgetit——cameuponhim，downatthecabins。Itwasevening。IcouldhearthehulasongsbeforeIsawthescene。AndwhenIdidseeit，therewerethegirls，shamelessinthemoonlightanddancing——thegirlsuponwhomIhadworkedtoteachcleanlivingandrightconduct。Andtherewerethreegirlsthere，Iremember，justgraduatedfromthemissionschool。OfcourseIdischargedJoeGarland。IknowitwasthesameatHilo。PeoplesaidIwentoutofmywaywhenIpersuadedMasonandFitchtodischargehim。Butitwasthemissionarieswhorequestedmetodoso。Hewasundoingtheirworkbyhisreprehensibleexample。"
"Afterwards，whenhegotontherailroad，yourrailroad，hewasdischargedwithoutcause，"Kennedychallenged。
"Notso，"wasthequickanswer。"Ihadhimintomyprivateofficeandtalkedwithhimforhalfanhour。"
"Youdischargedhimforinefficiency？"
"Forimmoralliving，ifyouplease。"
Dr。Kennedylaughedwithagratingsound。"Whothedevilgaveittoyoutobejudgeandjury？Doeslandlordismgiveyoucontroloftheimmortalsoulsofthosethattoilforyou？Ihavebeenyourphysician。AmItoexpecttomorrowyourukasethatIgiveupScotchandsodaoryourpatronage？Bah!Ford，youtakelifetooseriously。Besides，whenJoegotintothatsmugglingscrape（hewasn’tinyouremploy，either），andhesentwordtoyou，askedyoutopayhisfine，youlefthimtodohissixmonths’hardlabouronthereef。Don’tforget，youleftJoeGarlandinthelurchthattime。Youthrewhimdown，hard；andyetIrememberthefirstdayyoucametoschool——weboarded，youwereonlyadayscholar——youhadtobeinitiated。Threetimesunderintheswimmingtank——youremember，itwastheregulardoseeverynewboygot。Andyouheldback。Youdeniedthatyoucouldswim。Youwerefrightened，hysterical——"
"Yes，Iknow，"PercivalFordsaidslowly。"Iwasfrightened。Anditwasalie，forIcouldswim……AndIwasfrightened。"
"Andyourememberwhofoughtforyou？wholiedforyouharderthanyoucouldlie，andsworeheknewyoucouldn’tswim？Whojumpedintothetankandpulledyououtafterthefirstunderandwasnearlydrownedforitbytheotherboys，whohaddiscoveredbythattimethatyouCOULDswim？"
"OfcourseIknow，"theotherrejoinedcoldly。"Butagenerousactasaboydoesnotexcusealifetimeofwrongliving。"
"Hehasneverdonewrongtoyou？——personallyanddirectly，Imean？"
"No，"wasPercivalFord’sanswer。"Thatiswhatmakesmypositionimpregnable。Ihavenopersonalspiteagainsthim。Heisbad，thatisall。Hislifeisbad——"
"Whichisanotherwayofsayingthathedoesnotagreewithyouinthewaylifeshouldbelived，"thedoctorinterrupted。
"Haveitthatway。Itisimmaterial。Heisanidler——"
"Withreason，"wastheinterruption，"consideringthejobsoutofwhichyouhaveknockedhim。"
"Heisimmoral——"
"Oh，holdonnow，Ford。Don’tgoharpingonthat。YouarepureNewEnglandstock。JoeGarlandishalfKanaka。Yourbloodisthin。
Hisiswarm。Lifeisonethingtoyou，anotherthingtohim。Helaughsandsingsanddancesthroughlife，genial，unselfish，childlike，everybody’sfriend。Yougothroughlifelikeaperambulatingprayer—wheel，afriendofnobodybuttherighteous，andtherighteousarethosewhoagreewithyouastowhatisright。
Andafterall，whoshallsay？Youlivelikeananchorite。JoeGarlandliveslikeagoodfellow。Whohasextractedthemostfromlife？Wearepaidtolive，youknow。Whenthewagesaretoomeagrewethrowupthejob，whichisthecause，believeme，ofallrationalsuicide。JoeGarlandwouldstarvetodeathonthewagesyougetfromlife。Yousee，heismadedifferently。Sowouldyoustarveonhiswages，whicharesinging，andlove——"
"Lust，ifyouwillpardonme，"wastheinterruption。
Dr。Kennedysmiled。
"Love，toyou，isawordoffourlettersandadefinitionwhichyouhaveextractedfromthedictionary。Butlove，reallove，dewyandpalpitantandtender，youdonotknow。IfGodmadeyouandme，andmenandwomen，believemeHemadelove，too。Buttocomeback。
It’sabouttimeyouquithoundingJoeGarland。Itisnotworthyofyou，anditiscowardly。Thethingforyoutodoistoreachoutandlendhimahand。"
"WhyI，anymorethanyou？"theotherdemanded。"Whydon’tyoureachhimahand？"
"Ihave。I’mreachinghimahandnow。I’mtryingtogetyounottodownthePromotionCommittee’spropositionofsendinghimaway。I
gothimthejobatHilowithMasonandFitch。I’vegothimhalfadozenjobs，outofeveryoneofwhichyoudrovehim。Butnevermindthat。Don’tforgetonething——andalittlefranknesswon’thurtyou——itisnotfairplaytosaddleanotherfaultonJoeGarland；andyouknowthatyou，leastofall，arethemantodoit。Why，man，it’snotgoodtaste。It’spositivelyindecent。"
"NowIdon’tfollowyou，"PercivalFordanswered。"You’reupintheairwithsomeobscurescientifictheoryofheredityandpersonalirresponsibility。ButhowanytheorycanholdJoeGarlandirresponsibleforhiswrongdoingsandatthesametimeholdmepersonallyresponsibleforthem——moreresponsiblethananyoneelse，includingJoeGarland——isbeyondme。"
"It’samatterofdelicacy，Isuppose，oroftaste，thatpreventsyoufromfollowingme，"Dr。Kennedysnappedout。"It’sallverywell，forthesakeofsociety，tacitlytoignoresomethings，butyoudomorethantacitlyignore。"
"Whatisit，pray，thatItacitlyignore!"
Dr。Kennedywasangry。AdeeperredthanthatofconstitutionalScotchandsodasuffusedhisface，asheanswered：
"Yourfather’sson。"
"Nowjustwhatdoyoumean？"
"Damnit，man，youcan’taskmetobeplainerspokenthanthat。Butifyouwill，allright——IsaacFord’sson——JoeGarland——yourbrother。"
PercivalFordsatquietly，anannoyedandshockedexpressiononhisface。Kennedylookedathimcuriously，then，astheslowminutesdraggedby，becameembarrassedandfrightened。
"MyGod!"hecriedfinally，"youdon’tmeantotellmethatyoudidn’tknow!"
Asinanswer，PercivalFord’scheeksturnedslowlygrey。
"It’saghastlyjoke，"hesaid；"aghastlyjoke。"
Thedoctorhadgothimselfinhand。
"Everybodyknowsit，"hesaid。"Ithoughtyouknewit。Andsinceyoudon’tknowit，it’stimeyoudid，andI’mgladofthechanceofsettingyoustraight。JoeGarlandandyouarebrothers——half—
brothers。"
"It’salie，"Fordcried。"Youdon’tmeanit。JoeGarland’smotherwasElizaKunilio。"（Dr。Kennedynodded。）"Irememberherwell，withherduckpondandtaropatch。HisfatherwasJosephGarland，thebeach—comber。"（Dr。Kennedyshookhishead。）"Hediedonlytwoorthreeyearsago。Heusedtogetdrunk。There’swhereJoegothisdissoluteness。There’stheheredityforyou。"
"Andnobodytoldyou，"Kennedysaidwonderingly，afterapause。
"Dr。Kennedy，youhavesaidsomethingterrible，whichIcannotallowtopass。Youmusteitherproveor，or……"
"Proveityourself。Turnaroundandlookathim。You’vegothiminprofile。Lookathisnose。That’sIsaacFord’s。Yoursisathineditionofit。That’sright。Look。Thelinesarefuller，buttheyareallthere。"
PercivalFordlookedattheKanakahalf—breedwhoplayedunderthehautree，anditseemed，asbysomeillumination，thathewasgazingonawraithofhimself。Featureafterfeatureflashedupanunmistakableresemblance。Or，rather，itwashewhowasthewraithofthatotherfull—muscledandgenerouslymouldedman。Andhisfeatures，andthatotherman’sfeatures，wereallreminiscentofIsaacFord。Andnobodyhadtoldhim。EverylineofIsaacFord’sfaceheknew。Miniatures，portraits，andphotographsofhisfatherwerepassinginreviewthroughhismind，andhereandthere，overandagain，inthefacebeforehim，hecaughtresemblancesandvaguehintsoflikeness。Itwasdevil’sworkthatcouldreproducetheausterefeaturesofIsaacFordinthelooseandsensuousfeaturesbeforehim。Once，themanturned，andforoneflashinginstantitseemedtoPercivalFordthathesawhisfather，deadandgone，peeringathimoutofthefaceofJoeGarland。
"It’snothingatall，"hecouldfaintlyhearDr。Kennedysaying，"Theywereallmixedupintheolddays。Youknowthat。You’veseenitallyourlife。Sailorsmarriedqueensandbegatprincessesandalltherestofit。ItwastheusualthingintheIslands。"
"Butnotwithmyfather，"PercivalFordinterrupted。
"Thereyouare。"Kennedyshruggedhisshoulders。"Cosmicsapandsmokeoflife。OldIsaacFordwasstraitlacedandalltherest，andIknowthere’snoexplainingit，leastofalltohimself。Heunderstooditnomorethanyoudo。Smokeoflife，that’sall。Anddon’tforgetonething，Ford。TherewasadabofunrulybloodinoldIsaacFord，andJoeGarlandinheritedit——allofit，smokeoflifeandcosmicsap；whileyouinheritedallofoldIsaac’sasceticblood。Andjustbecauseyourbloodiscold，well—ordered，andwell—
disciplined，isnoreasonthatyoushouldfrownuponJoeGarland。
WhenJoeGarlandundoestheworkyoudo，rememberthatitisonlyoldIsaacFordonbothsides，undoingwithonehandwhathedoeswiththeother。YouareIsaacFord’srighthand，letussay；JoeGarlandishislefthand。"
PercivalFordmadenoanswer，andinthesilenceDr。KennedyfinishedhisforgottenScotchandsoda。Fromacrossthegroundsanautomobilehootedimperatively。
"There’sthemachine，"Dr。Kennedysaid，rising。"I’vegottorun。
I’msorryI’veshakenyouup，andatthesametimeI’mglad。Andknowonething，IsaacFord’sdabofunrulybloodwasremarkablysmall，andJoeGarlandgotitall。Andoneotherthing。Ifyourfather’slefthandoffendyou，don’tsmiteitoff。Besides，Joeisallright。Frankly，ifIcouldchoosebetweenyouandhimtolivewithmeonadesertisle，I’dchooseJoe。"
Littlebare—leggedchildrenranabouthim，playing，onthegrass；
butPercivalForddidnotseethem。Hewasgazingsteadilyatthesingerunderthehautree。Heevenchangedhispositiononce，togetcloser。TheclerkoftheSeasidewentby，limpingwithageanddragginghisreluctantfeet。HehadlivedfortyyearsontheIslands。PercivalFordbeckonedtohim，andtheclerkcamerespectfully，andwonderingthatheshouldbenoticedbyPercivalFord。
"John，"Fordsaid，"Iwantyoutogivemesomeinformation。Won’tyousitdown？"
Theclerksatdownawkwardly，stunnedbytheunexpectedhonour。Heblinkedattheotherandmumbled，"Yes，sir，thankyou。"
"John，whoisJoeGarland？"
Theclerkstaredathim，blinked，clearedhisthroat，andsaidnothing。
"Goon，"PercivalFordcommanded。
"Whoishe？"
"You’rejokingme，sir，"theothermanagedtoarticulate。
"Ispoketoyouseriously。"
Theclerkrecoiledfromhim。
"Youdon’tmeantosayyoudon’tknow？"hequestioned，hisquestioninitselftheanswer。
"Iwanttoknow。"
"Why，he’s——"Johnbrokeoffandlookedabouthimhelplessly。
"Hadn’tyoubetterasksomebodyelse？Everybodythoughtyouknew。
Wealwaysthought……"
"Yes，goahead。"
"Wealwaysthoughtthatthatwaswhyyouhaditinforhim。"
PhotographsandminiaturesofIsaacFordweretroopingthroughhisson’sbrain，andghostsofIsaacFordseemedintheairabouthint"Iwishyougoodnight，sir，"hecouldheartheclerksaying，andhesawhimbeginningtolimpaway。
"John，"hecalledabruptly。
Johncamebackandstoodnearhim，blinkingandnervouslymoisteninghislips。
"Youhaven’ttoldmeyet，youknow。"
"Oh，aboutJoeGarland？"
"Yes，aboutJoeGarland。Whoishe？"
"He’syourbrother，sir，ifIsayitwhoshouldn’t。"
"Thankyou，John。Goodnight。"
"Andyoudidn’tknow？"theoldmanqueried，contenttolinger，nowthatthecrucialpointwaspast。
"Thankyou，John。Goodnight，"wastheresponse。
"Yes，sir，thankyou，sir。Ithinkit’sgoingtorain。Goodnight，sir。"
Outoftheclearsky，filledonlywithstarsandmoonlight，fellarainsofineandattenuatedastoresembleavapourspray。Nobodymindedit；thechildrenplayedon，runningbare—leggedoverthegrassandleapingintothesand；andinafewminutesitwasgone。
Inthesouth—east，DiamondHead，ablackblot，sharplydefined，silhouetteditscrater—formagainstthestars。Atsleepyintervalsthesurfflungitsfoamacrossthesandstothegrass，andfaroutcouldbeseentheblackspecksofswimmersunderthemoon。Thevoicesofthesingers，singingawaltz，diedaway；andinthesilence，fromsomewhereunderthetrees，arosethelaughofawomanthatwasalove—cry。ItstartledPercivalFord，anditremindedhimofDr。Kennedy’sphrase。Downbytheoutriggercanoes，wheretheylayhauledoutonthesand，hesawmenandwomen，Kanakas，reclininglanguorously，likelotus—eaters，thewomeninwhiteholokus；andagainstonesuchholokuhesawthedarkheadofthesteersmanofthecanoerestinguponthewoman’sshoulder。Fartherdown，wherethestripofsandwidenedattheentrancetothelagoon，hesawamanandwomanwalkingsidebyside。Astheydrewnearthelightlanai，hesawthewoman’shandgodowntoherwaistanddisengageagirdlingarm。Andastheypassedhim，PercivalFordnoddedtoacaptainheknew，andtoamajor’sdaughter。Smokeoflife，thatwasit，anamplephrase。Andagain，fromunderthedarkalgarobatreearosethelaughofawomanthatwasalove—cry；andpasthischair，onthewaytobed，abare—leggedyoungsterwasledbyachidingJapanesenurse—maid。ThevoicesofthesingersbrokesoftlyandmeltinglyintoanHawaiianlove—song，andofficersandwomen，withencirclingarms，wereglidingandwhirlingonthelanai；andonceagainthewomanlaughedunderthealgarobatrees。
AndPercivalFordknewonlydisapprovalofitall。Hewasirritatedbythelove—laughofthewoman，bythesteersmanwithpillowedheadonthewhiteholoku，bythecouplesthatwalkedonthebeach，bytheofficersandwomenthatdanced，andbythevoicesofthesingerssingingoflove，andhisbrothersingingtherewiththemunderthehautree。Thewomanthatlaughedespeciallyirritatedhim。A
curioustrainofthoughtwasaroused。HewasIsaacFord’sson，andwhathadhappenedwithIsaacFordmighthappenwithhim。Hefeltinhischeeksthefaintheatofablushatthethought，andexperiencedapoignantsenseofshame。Hewasappalledbywhatwasinhisblood。Itwaslikelearningsuddenlythathisfatherhadbeenaleperandthathisownbloodmightbearthetaintofthatdreaddisease。IsaacFord，theausteresoldieroftheLord——theoldhypocrite!Whatdifferencebetweenhimandanybeach—comber？ThehouseofpridethatPercivalFordhadbuildedwastumblingabouthisears。
Thehourspassed，thearmypeoplelaughedanddanced，thenativeorchestraplayedon，andPercivalFordwrestledwiththeabruptandoverwhelmingproblemthathadbeenthrustuponhim。Heprayedquietly，hiselbowonthetable，hisheadboweduponhishand，withalltheappearanceofanytiredonlooker。Betweenthedancesthearmymenandwomenandtheciviliansfluttereduptohimandbuzzedconventionally，andwhentheywentbacktothelanaihetookuphiswrestlingwherehehadleftitoff。
HebegantopatchtogetherhisshatteredidealofIsaacFord，andforcementheusedacunningandsubtlelogic。Itwasofthesortthatiscompoundedinthebrainlaboratoriesofegotists，anditworked。Itwasincontrovertiblethathisfatherhadbeenmadeoffinerclaythanthoseabouthim；butstill，oldIsaachadbeenonlyintheprocessofbecoming，whilehe，PercivalFord，hadbecome。Asproofofit，herehabilitatedhisfatherandatthesametimeexaltedhimself。Hisleanlittleegowaxedtocolossalproportions。
Hewasgreatenoughtoforgive。Heglowedatthethoughtofit。
IsaacFordhadbeengreat，buthewasgreater，forhecouldforgiveIsaacFordandevenrestorehimtotheholyplaceinhismemory，thoughtheplacewasnotquitesoholyasithadbeen。Also，heapplaudedIsaacFordforhavingignoredtheoutcomeofhisonestepaside。Verywell，he，too，wouldignoreit。
Thedancewasbreakingup。Theorchestrahadfinished"AlohaOe"
andwaspreparingtogohome。PercivalFordclappedhishandsfortheJapaneseservant。
"YoutellthatmanIwanttoseehim，"hesaid，pointingoutJoeGarland。"Tellhimtocomehere，now。"
JoeGarlandapproachedandhaltedrespectfullyseveralpacesaway，nervouslyfingeringtheguitarwhichhestillcarried。Theotherdidnotaskhimtositdown。
"Youaremybrother，"hesaid。
"Why，everybodyknowsthat，"wasthereply，intonesofwonderment。
"Yes，soIunderstand，"PercivalFordsaiddryly。"ButIdidnotknowittillthisevening。"
Thehalf—brotherwaiteduncomfortablyinthesilencethatfollowed，duringwhichPercivalFordcoollyconsideredhisnextutterance。
"YourememberthatfirsttimeIcametoschoolandtheboysduckedme？"heasked。"Whydidyoutakemypart？"
Thehalf—brothersmiledbashfully。
"Becauseyouknew？"
"Yes，thatwaswhy。"
"ButIdidn’tknow，"PercivalFordsaidinthesamedryfashion。
"Yes，"theothersaid。
Anothersilencefell。Servantswerebeginningtoputoutthelightsonthelanai。
"Youknow……now，"thehalf—brothersaidsimply。
PercivalFordfrowned。Thenhelookedtheotheroverwithaconsideringeye。
"HowmuchwillyoutaketoleavetheIslandsandnevercomeback？"
hedemanded。
"Andnevercomeback？"JoeGarlandfaltered。"ItistheonlylandI
know。Otherlandsarecold。Idonotknowotherlands。Ihavemanyfriendshere。Inotherlandstherewouldnotbeonevoicetosay，’Aloha，Joe，myboy。’"
"Isaidnevertocomeback，"PercivalFordreiterated。"TheAlamedasailstomorrowforSanFrancisco。"
JoeGarlandwasbewildered。
"Butwhy？"heasked。"Youknownowthatwearebrothers。"
"Thatiswhy，"wastheretort。"Asyousaidyourself，everybodyknows。Iwillmakeitworthyourwhile。"
AllawkwardnessandembarrassmentdisappearedfromJoeGarland。
Birthandstationwerebridgedandreversed。
"Youwantmetogo？"hedemanded。
"Iwantyoutogoandnevercomeback，"PercivalFordanswered。
Andinthatmoment，flashingandfleeting，itwasgivenhimtoseehisbrothertowerabovehimlikeamountain，andtofeelhimselfdwindleanddwarftomicroscopicinsignificance。Butitisnotwellforonetoseehimselftruly，norcanonesoseehimselfforlongandlive；andonlyforthatflashingmomentdidPercivalFordseehimselfandhisbrotherintrueperspective。Thenextmomenthewasmasteredbyhismeagreandinsatiableego。
"AsIsaid，Iwillmakeitworthyourwhile。Youwillnotsuffer。
Iwillpayyouwell。"
"Allright，"JoeGarlandsaid。"I’llgo。"
Hestartedtoturnaway。
"Joe，"theothercalled。"Youseemylawyertomorrowmorning。Fivehundreddownandtwohundredamonthaslongasyoustayaway。"
"Youareverykind，"JoeGarlandansweredsoftly。"Youaretookind。Andanyway，IguessIdon’twantyourmoney。IgotomorrowontheAlameda。"
Hewalkedaway，butdidnotsaygoodbye。
PercivalFordclappedhishands。
"Boy，"hesaidtotheJapanese，"alemonade。"
Andoverthelemonadehesmiledlongandcontentedlytohimself。
KOOLAUTHELEPER
"Becausewearesicktheytakeawayourliberty。Wehaveobeyedthelaw。Wehavedonenowrong。Andyettheywouldputusinprison。
Molokaiisaprison。Thatyouknow。Niuli，there，hissisterwassenttoMolokaisevenyearsago。Hehasnotseenhersince。Norwillheeverseeher。Shemuststaythereuntilshedies。Thisisnotherwill。ItisnotNiuli’swill。Itisthewillofthewhitemenwhoruletheland。Andwhoarethesewhitemen？
"Weknow。Wehaveitfromourfathersandourfathers’fathers。
Theycamelikelambs，speakingsoftly。Wellmighttheyspeaksoftly，forweweremanyandstrong，andalltheislandswereours。
AsIsay，theyspokesoftly。Theywereoftwokinds。Theonekindaskedourpermission，ourgraciouspermission，topreachtousthewordofGod。Theotherkindaskedourpermission，ourgraciouspermission，totradewithus。Thatwasthebeginning。Todayalltheislandsaretheirs，alltheland，allthecattle——everythingistheirs。TheythatpreachedthewordofGodandtheythatpreachedthewordofRumhavefore—gatheredandbecomegreatchiefs。Theylivelikekingsinhousesofmanyrooms，withmultitudesofservantstocareforthem。Theywhohadnothinghaveeverything，andifyou，orI，oranyKanakabehungry，theysneerandsay，’Well，whydon’tyouwork？Therearetheplantations。’
Koolaupaused。Heraisedonehand，andwithgnarledandtwistedfingerslifteduptheblazingwreathofhibiscusthatcrownedhisblackhair。Themoonlightbathedthesceneinsilver。Itwasanightofpeace，thoughthosewhosatabouthimandlistenedhadalltheseemingofbattle—wrecks。Theirfaceswereleonine。Hereaspaceyawnedinafacewhereshouldhavebeenanose，andthereanarm—stumpshowedwhereahandhadrottedoff。Theyweremenandwomenbeyondthepale，thethirtyofthem，foruponthemhadbeenplacedthemarkofthebeast。
Theysat，flower—garlanded，intheperfumed，luminousnight，andtheirlipsmadeuncouthnoisesandtheirthroatsraspedapprovalofKoolau’sspeech。Theywerecreatureswhooncehadbeenmenandwomen。Buttheyweremenandwomennolonger。Theyweremonsters——
infaceandformgrotesquecaricaturesofeverythinghuman。Theywerehideouslymaimedanddistorted，andhadtheseemingofcreaturesthathadbeenrackedinmillenniumsofhell。Theirhands，whentheypossessedthem，werelikeharpyclaws。Theirfaceswerethemisfitsandslips，crushedandbruisedbysomemadgodatplayinthemachineryoflife。Hereandtherewerefeatureswhichthemadgodhadsmearedhalfaway，andonewomanweptscaldingtearsfromtwinpitsofhorror，wherehereyesoncehadbeen。Somewereinpainandgroanedfromtheirchests。Otherscoughed，makingsoundslikethetearingoftissue。Twowereidiots，morelikehugeapesmarredinthemaking，untilevenanapewereanangel。Theymowedandgibberedinthemoonlight，undercrownsofdrooping，goldenblossoms。One，whosebloatedear—lobeflappedlikeafanuponhisshoulder，caughtupagorgeousfloweroforangeandscarletandwithitdecoratedthemonstrousearthatflip—flappedwithhiseverymovement。
AndoverthesethingsKoolauwasking。Andthiswashiskingdom，——aflower—throttledgorge，withbeetlingcliffsandcrags，fromwhichfloatedtheblattingsofwildgoats。Onthreesidesthegrimwallsrose，festoonedinfantasticdraperiesoftropicvegetationandpiercedbycave—entrances——therockylairsofKoolau’ssubjects。Onthefourthsidetheearthfellawayintoatremendousabyss，and，farbelow，couldbeseenthesummitsoflesserpeaksandcrags，atwhosebasesfoamedandrumbledthePacificsurge。InfineweatheraboatcouldlandontherockybeachthatmarkedtheentranceofKalalauValley，buttheweathermustbeveryfine。Andacool—
headedmountaineermightclimbfromthebeachtotheheadofKalalauValley，tothispocketamongthepeakswhereKoolauruled；butsuchamountaineermustbeverycoolofhead，andhemustknowthewild—
goattrailsaswell。ThemarvelwasthatthemassofhumanwreckagethatconstitutedKoolau’speopleshouldhavebeenabletodragitshelplessmiseryoverthegiddygoat—trailstothisinaccessiblespot。
"Brothers，"Koolaubegan。
Butoneofthemowing，apeliketravestiesemittedawildshriekofmadness，andKoolauwaitedwhiletheshrillcachinationwastossedbackandforthamongtherockywallsandechoeddistantlythroughthepulselessnight。
"Brothers，isitnotstrange？Ourswastheland，andbehold，thelandisnotours。WhatdidthesepreachersofthewordofGodandthewordofRumgiveusfortheland？Haveyoureceivedonedollar，asmuchasonedollar，anyoneofyou，fortheland？Yetitistheirs，andinreturntheytelluswecangotoworkontheland，theirland，andthatwhatweproducebyourtoilshallbetheirs。
Yetintheolddayswedidnothavetowork。Also，whenwearesick，theytakeawayourfreedom。"
"Whobroughtthesickness，Koolau？"demandedKiloliana，aleanandwirymanwithafacesolikealaughingfaun’sthatonemightexpecttoseetheclovenhoofsunderhim。Theywerecloven，itwastrue，butthecleavagesweregreatulcersandlividputrefactions。YetthiswasKiloliana，themostdaringclimberofthemall，themanwhokneweverygoat—trailandwhohadledKoolauandhiswretchedfollowersintotherecessesofKalalau。
"Ay，wellquestioned，"Koolauanswered。"Becausewewouldnotworkthemilesofsugar—canewhereonceourhorsespastured，theybroughttheChineseslavesfromoverseas。AndwiththemcametheChinesesickness——thatwhichwesufferfromandbecauseofwhichtheywouldimprisonusonMolokai。WewerebornonKauai。Wehavebeentotheotherislands，somehereandsomethere，toOahu，toMaui，toHawaii，toHonolulu。YetalwaysdidwecomebacktoKauai。Whydidwecomeback？Theremustbeareason。BecauseweloveKauai。Wewerebornhere。Herewehavelived。Andhereshallwedie——unless—
—unless——therebeweakheartsamongstus。Suchwedonotwant。
TheyarefitforMolokai。Andiftherebesuch，letthemnotremain。Tomorrowthesoldierslandontheshore。Lettheweakheartsgodowntothem。TheywillbesentswiftlytoMolokai。Asforus，weshallstayandfight。Butknowthatwewillnotdie。Wehaverifles。Youknowthenarrowtrailswheremenmustcreep，onebyone。I，alone，Koolau，whowasonceacowboyonNiihau，canholdthetrailagainstathousandmen。HereisKapalei，whowasonceajudgeovermenandamanwithhonour，butwhoisnowahuntedrat，likeyouandme。Hearhim。Heiswise。"
Kapaleiarose。Oncehehadbeenajudge。HehadgonetocollegeatPunahou。Hehadsatatmeatwithlordsandchiefsandthehighrepresentativesofalienpowerswhoprotectedtheinterestsoftradersandmissionaries。SuchhadbeenKapalei。Butnow，asKoolauhadsaid，hewasahuntedrat，acreatureoutsidethelaw，sunksodeepinthemireofhumanhorrorthathewasabovethelawaswellasbeneathit。Hisfacewasfeatureless，saveforgapingorificesandforthelidlesseyesthatburnedunderhairlessbrows。
"Letusnotmaketrouble，"hebegan。"Weasktobeleftalone。Butiftheydonotleaveusalone，thenisthetroubletheirsandthepenalty。Myfingersaregone，asyousee。"Hehelduphisstumpsofhandsthatallmightsee。"YethaveIthejointofonethumbleft，anditcanpullatriggerasfirmlyasdiditslostneighbourintheolddays。WeloveKauia。Letuslivehere，ordiehere，butdonotletusgototheprisonofMolokai。Thesicknessisnotours。Wehavenotsinned。ThemenwhopreachedthewordofGodandthewordofRumbroughtthesicknesswiththecoolieslaveswhoworkthestolenland。Ihavebeenajudge。Iknowthelawandthejustice，andIsaytoyouitisunjusttostealaman’sland，tomakethatmansickwiththeChinesesickness，andthentoputthatmaninprisonforlife。"
"Lifeisshort，andthedaysarefilledwithpain，"saidKoolau。
"Letusdrinkanddanceandbehappyaswecan。"
Fromoneoftherockylairscalabasheswereproducedandpassedround。Thecalabasheswerefilledwiththefiercedistillationoftherootoftheti—plant；andastheliquidfirecoursedthroughthemandmountedtotheirbrains，theyforgotthattheyhadoncebeenmenandwomen，fortheyweremenandwomenoncemore。Thewomanwhoweptscaldingtearsfromopeneye—pitswasindeedawomanapulsewithlifeasshepluckedthestringsofanukuleleandliftedhervoiceinabarbariclove—callsuchasmighthavecomefromthedarkforest—depthsoftheprimevalworld。Theairtingledwithhercry，softlyimperiousandseductive。Uponamat，timinghisrhythmtothewoman’ssongKilolianadanced。Itwasunmistakable。Lovedancedinallhismovements，and，next，dancingwithhimonthemat，wasawomanwhoseheavyhipsandgenerousbreastgavethelietoherdisease—corrodedface。Itwasadanceofthelivingdead，forintheirdisintegratingbodieslifestilllovedandlonged。Everthewomanwhosesightlesseyesranscaldingtearschantedherlove—cry，everthedancersoflovedancedinthewarmnight，andeverthecalabasheswentaroundtillinalltheirbrainsweremaggotscrawlingofmemoryanddesire。Andwiththewomanonthematdancedaslendermaidwhosefacewasbeautifulandunmarred，butwhosetwistedarmsthatroseandfellmarkedthedisease’sravage。Andthetwoidiots，gibberingandmouthingstrangenoises，dancedapart，grotesque，fantastic，travestyingloveastheythemselveshadbeentravestiedbylife。
Butthewoman’slove—crybrokemidway，thecalabasheswerelowered，andthedancersceased，asallgazedintotheabyssabovethesea，wherearocketflaredlikeawanphantomthroughthemoonlitair。
"Itisthesoldiers，"saidKoolau。"Tomorrowtherewillbefighting。Itiswelltosleepandbeprepared。"
Thelepersobeyed，crawlingawaytotheirlairsinthecliff，untilonlyKoolauremained，sittingmotionlessinthemoonlight，hisrifleacrosshisknees，ashegazedfardowntotheboatslandingonthebeach。
ThefarheadofKalalauValleyhadbeenwellchosenasarefuge。
ExceptKiloliana，whoknewback—trailsuptheprecipitouswalls，nomancouldwintothegorgesavebyadvancingacrossaknife—edgedridge。Thispassagewasahundredyardsinlength。Atbest，itwasascanttwelveincheswide。Oneithersideyawnedtheabyss。A
slip，andtorightorleftthemanwouldfalltohisdeath。Butonceacrosshewouldfindhimselfinanearthlyparadise。Aseaofvegetationlavedthelandscape，pouringitsgreenbillowsfromwalltowall，drippingfromthecliff—lipsingreatvine—masses，andflingingasprayoffernsandair—plantsintothemultitudinouscrevices。DuringthemanymonthsofKoolau’srule，heandhisfollowershadfoughtwiththisvegetablesea。Thechokingjungle，withitsriotofblossoms，hadbeendrivenbackfromthebananas，oranges，andmangoesthatgrewwild。Inlittleclearingsgrewthewildarrowroot；onstoneterraces，filledwithsoilscrapings，werethetaropatchesandthemelons；andineveryopenspacewherethesunshinepenetratedwerepapaiatreesburdenedwiththeirgoldenfruit。
Koolauhadbeendriventothisrefugefromthelowervalleybythebeach。Andifheweredrivenfromitinturn，heknewofgorgesamongthejumbledpeaksoftheinnerfastnesseswherehecouldleadhissubjectsandlive。Andnowhelaywithhisriflebesidehim，peeringdownthroughatangledscreenoffoliageatthesoldiersonthebeach。Henotedthattheyhadlargegunswiththem，fromwhichthesunshineflashedasfrommirrors。Theknife—edgedpassagelaydirectlybeforehim。Crawlingupwardalongthetrailthatledtoithecouldseetinyspecksofmen。Heknewtheywerenotthesoldiers，butthepolice。Whentheyfailed，thenthesoldierswouldenterthegame。
Heaffectionatelyrubbedatwistedhandalonghisriflebarrelandmadesurethatthesightswereclean。Hehadlearnedtoshootasawild—cattlehunteronNiihau，andonthatislandhisskillasamarksmanwasunforgotten。Asthetoilingspecksofmengrewnearerandlarger，heestimatedtherange，judgedthedeflectionofthewindthatsweptatrightanglesacrossthelineoffire，andcalculatedthechancesofovershootingmarksthatweresofarbelowhislevel。Buthedidnotshoot。Notuntiltheyreachedthebeginningofthepassagedidhemakehispresenceknown。Hedidnotdisclosehimself，butspokefromthethicket。
"Whatdoyouwant？"hedemanded。
"WewantKoolau，theleper，"answeredthemanwholedthenativepolice，himselfablue—eyedAmerican。
"Youmustgoback，"Koolausaid。
Heknewtheman，adeputysheriff，foritwasbyhimthathehadbeenharriedoutofNiihau，acrossKauai，toKalalauValley，andoutofthevalleytothegorge。
"Whoareyou？"thesheriffasked。
"IamKoolau，theleper，"wasthereply。
"Thencomeout。Wewantyou。Deadoralive，thereisathousanddollarsonyourhead。Youcannotescape。"
Koolaulaughedaloudinthethicket。
"Comeout!"thesheriffcommanded，andwasansweredbysilence。
Heconferredwiththepolice，andKoolausawthattheywerepreparingtorushhim。
"Koolau，"thesheriffcalled。"Koolau，Iamcomingacrosstogetyou。"
"Thenlookfirstandwellaboutyouatthesunandseaandsky，foritwillbethelasttimeyoubeholdthem。"
"That’sallright，Koolau，"thesheriffsaidsoothingly。"Iknowyou’readeadshot。Butyouwon’tshootme。Ihaveneverdoneyouanywrong。"
Koolaugruntedinthethicket。
"Isay，youknow，I’veneverdoneyouanywrong，haveI？"thesheriffpersisted。
"Youdomewrongwhenyoutrytoputmeinprison，"wasthereply。
"Andyoudomewrongwhenyoutryforthethousanddollarsonmyhead。Ifyouwilllive，staywhereyouare。"
"I’vegottocomeacrossandgetyou。I’msorry。Butitismyduty。"
"Youwilldiebeforeyougetacross。"
Thesheriffwasnocoward。Yetwasheundecided。Hegazedintothegulfoneithersideandranhiseyesalongtheknife—edgehemusttravel。Thenhemadeuphismind。
"Koolau，"hecalled。
Butthethicketremainedsilent。
"Koolau，don’tshoot。Iamcoming。"
Thesheriffturned，gavesomeorderstothepolice，thenstartedonhisperilousway。Headvancedslowly。Itwaslikewalkingatightrope。Hehadnothingtoleanuponbuttheair。Thelavarockcrumbledunderhisfeet，andoneithersidethedislodgedfragmentspitcheddownwardthroughthedepths。Thesunblazeduponhim，andhisfacewaswetwithsweat。Stillheadvanced，untilthehalfwaypointwasreached。
"Stop!"Koolaucommandedfromthethicket。"OnemorestepandI
shoot。"
Thesheriffhalted，swayingforbalanceashestoodpoisedabovethevoid。Hisfacewaspale，buthiseyesweredetermined。Helickedhisdrylipsbeforehespoke。
"Koolau，youwon’tshootme。Iknowyouwon’t。"
Hestartedoncemore。Thebulletwhirledhimhalfabout。Onhisfacewasanexpressionofqueruloussurpriseashereeledtothefall。Hetriedtosavehimselfbythrowinghisbodyacrosstheknife—edge；butatthatmomentheknewdeath。Thenextmomenttheknife—edgewasvacant。Thencametherush，fivepolicemen，insinglefile，withsuperbsteadiness，runningalongtheknife—edge。
Atthesameinstanttherestoftheposseopenedfireonthethicket。Itwasmadness。FivetimesKoolaupulledthetrigger，sorapidlythathisshotsconstitutedarattle。Changinghispositionandcrouchinglowunderthebulletsthatwerebitingandsingingthroughthebushes，hepeeredout。Fourofthepolicehadfollowedthesheriff。Thefifthlayacrosstheknife—edgestillalive。Onthefartherside，nolongerfiring，werethesurvivingpolice。Onthenakedrocktherewasnohopeforthem。BeforetheycouldclamberdownKoolaucouldhavepickedoffthelastman。Buthedidnotfire，and，afteraconference，oneofthemtookoffawhiteundershirtandwaveditasaflag。Followedbyanother，headvancedalongtheknife—edgetotheirwoundedcomrade。Koolaugavenosign，butwatchedthemslowlywithdrawandbecomespecksastheydescendedintothelowervalley。
Twohourslater，fromanotherthicket，Koolauwatchedabodyofpolicetryingtomaketheascentfromtheoppositesideofthevalley。Hesawthewildgoatsfleebeforethemastheyclimbedhigherandhigher，untilhedoubtedhisjudgmentandsentforKiloliana，whocrawledinbesidehim。
"No，thereisnoway，"saidKiloliana。
"Thegoats？"Koolauquestioned。
"Theycomeoverfromthenextvalley，buttheycannotpasstothis。
Thereisnoway。Thosemenarenotwiserthangoats。Theymayfalltotheirdeaths。Letuswatch。"
"Theyarebravemen，"saidKoolau。"Letuswatch。"
Sidebysidetheylayamongthemorning—glories，withtheyellowblossomsofthehaudroppinguponthemfromoverhead，watchingthemotesofmentoilupward，tillthethinghappened，andthreeofthem，slipping，rolling，sliding，dashedoveracliff—lipandfellsheerhalfathousandfeet。
Kilolianachuckled。
"Wewillbebotherednomore，"hesaid。
"Theyhavewarguns，"Koolaumadeanswer。"Thesoldiershavenotyetspoken。"
Inthedrowsyafternoon，mostoftheleperslayintheirrockdensasleep。Koolau，hisrifleonhisknees，fresh—cleanedandready，dozedintheentrancetohisownden。Themaidwiththetwistedarmslaybelowinthethicketandkeptwatchontheknife—edgepassage。SuddenlyKoolauwasstartledwideawakebythesoundofanexplosiononthebeach。Thenextinstanttheatmospherewasincrediblyrentasunder。Theterriblesoundfrightenedhim。Itwasasifallthegodshadcaughttheenvelopeoftheskyintheirhandsandwererippingitapartasawomanripsapartasheetofcottoncloth。Butitwassuchanimmenseripping，growingswiftlynearer。
Koolauglancedupapprehensively，asifexpectingtoseethething。
Thenhighuponthecliffoverheadtheshellburstinafountainofblacksmoke。Therockwasshattered，thefragmentsfallingtothefootofthecliff。
Koolaupassedhishandacrosshissweatybrow。Hewasterriblyshaken。Hehadhadnoexperiencewithshell—fire，andthiswasmoredreadfulthananythinghehadimagined。
"One，"saidKapahei，suddenlybethinkinghimselftokeepcount。
Asecondandathirdshellflewscreamingoverthetopofthewall，burstingbeyondview。Kapaheimethodicallykeptthecount。Theleperscrowdedintotheopenspacebeforethecaves。Atfirsttheywerefrightened，butastheshellscontinuedtheirflightoverheadtheleperfolkbecamereassuredandbegantoadmirethespectacle。
Thetwoidiotsshriekedwithdelight，prancingwildanticsaseachair—tormentingshellwentby。Koolaubegantorecoverhisconfidence。Nodamagewasbeingdone。Evidentlytheycouldnotaimsuchlargemissilesatsuchlongrangewiththeprecisionofarifle。
Butachangecameoverthesituation。Theshellsbegantofallshort。Oneburstbelowinthethicketbytheknife—edge。Koolaurememberedthemaidwholaythereonwatch，andrandowntosee。
Thesmokewasstillrisingfromthebusheswhenhecrawledin。Hewasastounded。Thebranchesweresplinteredandbroken。Wherethegirlhadlainwasaholeintheground。Thegirlherselfwasinshatteredfragments。Theshellhadburstrightonher。
Firstpeeringouttomakesurenosoldierswereattemptingthepassage，Koolaustartedbackontherunforthecaves。Allthetimetheshellsweremoaning，whining，screamingby，andthevalleywasrumblingandreverberatingwiththeexplosions。Ashecameinsightofthecaves，hesawthetwoidiotscavortingabout，clutchingeachother’shandswiththeirstumpsoffingers。Evenasheran，Koolausawaspoutofblacksmokerisefromtheground，neartotheidiots。
Theywereflungapartbodilybytheexplosion。Onelaymotionless，buttheotherwasdragginghimselfbyhishandstowardthecave。
Hislegstrailedouthelplesslybehindhim，whilethebloodwaspouringfromhisbody。Heseemedbathedinblood，andashecrawledhecriedlikealittledog。Therestofthelepers，withtheexceptionofKapahei，hadfledintothecaves。
"Seventeen，"saidKapahei。"Eighteen，"headded。
Thislastshellhadfairlyenteredintooneofthecaves。Theexplosioncausedthecavestoempty。Butfromtheparticularcavenooneemerged。Koolaucreptinthroughthepungent，acridsmoke。
Fourbodies，frightfullymangled，layabout。Oneofthemwasthesightlesswomanwhosetearstillnowhadneverceased。
Outside，Koolaufoundhispeopleinapanicandalreadybeginningtoclimbthegoat—trailthatledoutofthegorgeandonamongthejumbledheightsandchasms。Thewoundedidiot，whiningfeeblyanddragginghimselfalongonthegroundbyhishands，wastryingtofollow。Butatthefirstpitchofthewallhishelplessnessovercamehimandhefellback。
"Itwouldbebettertokillhim，"saidKoolautoKapahei，whostillsatinthesameplace。
"Twenty—two，"Kapaheianswered。"Yes，itwouldbeawisethingtokillhim。Twenty—three——twenty—four。"
Theidiotwhinedsharplywhenhesawtheriflelevelledathim。
Koolauhesitated，thenloweredthegun。
"Itisahardthingtodo，"hesaid。
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