"Womenarewomenandmenaremen——itisstrangetherearenomarriages。Perhapstheyoungmendonotlikeourdaughters。"

"Ah，theylikethemwellenough，"MammaChunanswered；"butyousee，theycannotforgetthatyouareyourdaughters’father。"

"Yetyouforgotwhomyfatherwas，"AhChunsaidgravely。"Allyouaskedwasformetocutoffmyqueue。"

"TheyoungmenaremoreparticularthanIwas，Ifancy。"

"Whatisthegreatestthingintheworld？"AhChundemandedwithabruptirrelevance。

MammaAchunponderedforamoment，thenreplied："God。"

Henodded。"Therearegodsandgods。Somearepaper，somearewood，somearebronze。Iuseasmalloneintheofficeforapaper—

weight。IntheBishopMuseumaremanygodsofcoralrockandlavastone。"

"ButthereisonlyoneGod，"sheannounceddecisively，stiffeningherampleframeargumentatively。

AhChunnotedthedangersignalandsheeredoff。

"WhatisgreaterthanGod，then？"heasked。"Iwilltellyou。Itismoney。InmytimeIhavehaddealingswithJewsandChristians，MohammedansandBuddhists，andwithlittleblackmenfromtheSolomonsandNewGuineawhocarriedtheirgodaboutthem，wrappedinoiledpaper。Theypossessedvariousgods，thesemen，buttheyallworshippedmoney。ThereisthatCaptainHigginson。HeseemstolikeHenrietta。"

"Hewillnevermarryher，"retortedMammaAchun。"Hewillbeanadmiralbeforehedies——"

"Arear—admiral，"AhChuninterpolated。

"Yes，Iknow。Thatisthewaytheyretire。"

"HisfamilyintheUnitedStatesisahighone。Theywouldnotlikeitifhemarried……ifhedidnotmarryanAmericangirl。"

AhChunknockedtheashesoutofhispipe，thoughtfullyrefillingthesilverbowlwithatinyplegetoftobacco。Helighteditandsmokeditoutbeforehespoke。

"Henriettaistheoldestgirl。ThedayshemarriesIwillgiveherthreehundredthousanddollars。ThatwillfetchthatCaptainHigginsonandhishighfamilyalongwithhim。Letthewordgoouttohim。Ileaveittoyou。"

AndAhChunsatandsmokedon，andinthecurlingsmoke—wreathshesawtakeshapethefaceandfigureofToyShuey——ToyShuey，themaidofallworkinhisuncle’shouseintheCantonesevillage，whoseworkwasneverdoneandwhoreceivedforawholeyear’sworkonedollar。Andhesawhisyouthfulselfariseinthecurlingsmoke，hisyouthfulselfwhohadtoiledeighteenyearsinhisuncle’sfieldforlittlemore。Andnowhe，AhChun，thepeasant，doweredhisdaughterwiththreehundredthousandyearsofsuchtoil。Andshewasbutonedaughterofadozen。Hewasnotelatedatthethought。

Itstruckhimthatitwasafunny，whimsicalworld，andhechuckledaloudandstartledMammaAchunfromareverywhichheknewlaydeepinthehiddencryptsofherbeingwherehehadneverpenetrated。

ButAhChun’swordwentforth，asawhisper，andCaptainHigginsonforgothisrear—admiralshipandhishighfamilyandtooktowifethreehundredthousanddollarsandarefinedandculturedgirlwhowasonethirty—secondPolynesian，one—sixteenthItalian，one—

sixteenthPortuguese，eleventhirty—secondsEnglishandYankee，andone—halfChinese。

AhChun’smunificencehaditseffect。Hisdaughtersbecamesuddenlyeligibleanddesirable。Clarawasthenext，butwhentheSecretaryoftheTerritoryformallyproposedforher，AhChuninformedhimthathemustwaithisturn，thatMaudwastheoldestandthatshemustbemarriedfirst。Itwasshrewdpolicy。ThewholefamilywasmadevitallyinterestedinmarryingoffMaud，whichitdidinthreemonths，toNedHumphreys，theUnitedStatesimmigrationcommissioner。BothheandMaudcomplained，forthedowrywasonlytwohundredthousand。AhChunexplainedthathisinitialgenerosityhadbeentobreaktheice，andthatafterthathisdaughterscouldnotexpectotherwisethantogomorecheaply。

ClarafollowedMaud，andthereafter，foraspaceoftwoyears；therewasacontinuousroundofweddingsinthebungalow。InthemeantimeAhChunhadnotbeenidle。Investmentafterinvestmentwascalledin。Hesoldouthisinterestsinascoreofenterprises，andstepbystep，soasnottocauseaslumpinthemarket，hedisposedofhislargeholdingsinrealestate。Towardthelasthedidprecipitateaslumpandsoldatsacrifice。Whatcausedthishastewerethesquallshesawalreadyrisingabovethehorizon。BythetimeLucillewasmarried，echoesofbickeringsandjealousieswerealreadyrumblinginhisears。Theairwasthickwithschemesandcounter—schemestogainhisfavourandtoprejudicehimagainstoneoranotherorallbutoneofhissons—in—law。Allofwhichwasnotconducivetothepeaceandreposehehadplannedforhisoldage。

Hehastenedhisefforts。ForalongtimehehadbeenincorrespondencewiththechiefbanksinShanghaiandMacao。Everysteamerforseveralyearshadcarriedawaydraftsdrawninfavourofone，ChunAhChun，fordepositinthoseFarEasternbanks。Thedraftsnowbecameheavier。Histwoyoungestdaughterswerenotyetmarried。Hedidnotwait，butdoweredthemwithahundredthousandeach，whichsumslayintheBankofHawaii，drawinginterestandawaitingtheirweddingday。AlberttookoverthebusinessofthefirmofAhChunandAhYung，Harold，theeldest，havingelectedtotakeaquarterofamillionandgotoEnglandtolive。Charles，theyoungest，tookahundredthousand，alegalguardian，andacourseinaKeeleyinstitute。ToMammaAchunwasgiventhebungalow，themountainHouseonTantalus，andanewseasideresidenceinplaceoftheoneAhChunsoldtothegovernment。Also，toMammaAchunwasgivenhalfamillioninmoneywellinvested。

AhChunwasnowreadytocrackthenutoftheproblem。Onefinemorningwhenthefamilywasatbreakfast——hehadseentoitthatallhissons—in—lawandtheirwiveswerepresent——heannouncedthathewasreturningtohisancestralsoil。Inaneatlittlehomilyheexplainedthathehadmadeampleprovisionforhisfamily，andhelaiddownvariousmaximsthathewassure，hesaid，wouldenablethemtodwelltogetherinpeaceandharmony。Also，hegavebusinessadvicetohissons—in—law，preachedthevirtuesoftemperatelivingandsafeinvestments，andgavethemthebenefitofhisencyclopedicknowledgeofindustrialandbusinessconditionsinHawaii。Thenhecalledforhiscarriage，and，inthecompanyoftheweepingMammaAchun，wasdrivendowntothePacificMailsteamer，leavingbehindhimapanicinthebungalow。CaptainHigginsonclamouredwildlyforaninjunction。Thedaughtersshedcopioustears。Oneoftheirhusbands，anex—Federaljudge，questionedAhChun’ssanity，andhastenedtotheproperauthoritiestoinquireintoit。HereturnedwiththeinformationthatAhChunhadappearedbeforethecommissionthedaybefore，demandedanexamination，andpassedwithflyingcolours。Therewasnothingtobedone，sotheywentdownandsaidgood—byetothelittleoldman，whowavedfarewellfromthepromenadedeckasthebigsteamerpokedhernoseseawardthroughthecoralreef。

ButthelittleoldmanwasnotboundforCanton。Heknewhisowncountrytoowell，andthesqueezeoftheMandarins，toventureintoitwiththetidybulkofwealththatremainedtohim。HewenttoMacao。NowAhChunhadlongexercisedthepowerofakingandhewasasimperiousasaking。WhenhelandedatMacaoandwentintotheofficeofthebiggestEuropeanhoteltoregister，theclerkclosedthebookonhim。Chinesewerenotpermitted。AhChuncalledforthemanagerandwastreatedwithcontumely。Hedroveaway，butintwohourshewasbackagain。Hecalledtheclerkandmanagerin，gavethemamonth’ssalary，anddischargedthem。Hehadmadehimselftheownerofthehotel；andinthefinestsuitehesettleddownduringthemanymonthsthegorgeouspalaceinthesuburbswasbuildingforhim。Inthemeantime，withtheinevitableabilitythatwashis，heincreasedtheearningsofhisbighotelfromthreepercenttothirty。

ThetroublesAhChunhadflownbeganearly。Thereweresons—in—lawthatmadebadinvestments，othersthatplayedducksanddrakeswiththeAchundowries。AhChunbeingoutofit，theylookedatMammaAhChunandherhalfmillion，and，looking，engenderednotthebestoffeelingtowardoneanother。Lawyerswaxedfatinthestrivingtoascertaintheconstructionoftrustdeeds。Suits，cross—suits，andcounter—suitsclutteredtheHawaiiancourts。Nordidthepolicecourtsescape。Therewereangryencountersinwhichharshwordsandharsherblowswerestruck。Thereweresuchthingsasflowerpotsbeingthrowntoaddemphasistowingedwords。AndsuitsforlibelarosethatdraggedtheirwaythroughthecourtsandkeptHonoluluagogwithexcitementovertherevelationsofthewitnesses。

Inhispalace，surroundedbyalldeardelightsoftheOrient，AhChunsmokeshisplacidpipeandlistenstotheturmoiloverseas。Byeachmailsteamer，infaultlessEnglish，typewrittenonanAmericanmachine，alettergoesfromMacaotoHonolulu，inwhich，byadmirabletextsandprecepts，AhChunadviseshisfamilytoliveinunityandharmony。Asforhimself，heisoutofitall，andwellcontent。Hehaswontopeaceandrepose。Attimeshechucklesandrubshishands，andhisslantlittleblackeyestwinklemerrilyatthethoughtofthefunnyworld。Foroutofallhislivingandphilosophizing，thatremainstohim——theconvictionthatitisaveryfunnyworld。

THESHERIFFOFKONA

"Youcannotescapelikingtheclimate，"Cudworthsaid，inreplytomypanegyricontheKonacoast。"Iwasayoungfellow，justoutofcollege，whenIcamehereeighteenyearsago。Ineverwentback，except，ofcourse，tovisit。AndIwarnyou，ifyouhavesomespotdeartoyouonearth，nottolingerheretoolong，elseyouwillfindthisdearer。"

Wehadfinisheddinner，whichhadbeenservedonthebiglanai，theonewithanortherlyexposure，thoughexposureisindeedamisnomerinsodelectableaclimate。

Thecandleshadbeenputout，andaslim，white—cladJapaneseslippedlikeaghostthroughthesilverymoonlight，presenteduswithcigars，andfadedawayintothedarknessofthebungalow。I

lookedthroughascreenofbananaandlehuatrees，anddownacrosstheguavascrubtothequietseaathousandfeetbeneath。Foraweek，eversinceIhadlandedfromthetinycoasting—steamer，IhadbeenstoppingwithCudworth，andduringthattimenowindhadruffledthatunvexedsea。True，therehadbeenbreezes，buttheywerethegentlestzephyrsthateverblewthroughsummerisles。Theywerenotwinds；theyweresighs——long，balmysighsofaworldatrest。

"Alotusland，"Isaid。

"Whereeachdayislikeeveryday，andeverydayisaparadiseofdays，"heanswered。"Nothingeverhappens。Itisnottoohot。Itisnottoocold。Itisalwaysjustright。Haveyounoticedhowthelandandtheseabreatheturnandturnabout？"

Indeed，Ihadnoticedthatdeliciousrhythmic，breathing。EachmorningIhadwatchedthesea—breezebeginattheshoreandslowlyextendseawardasitblewthemildest，softestwhiffofozonetotheland。Itplayedoverthesea，justfaintlydarkeningitssurface，withhereandthereandeverywherelonglanesofcalm，shifting，changing，drifting，accordingtothecapriciouskissesofthebreeze。AndeacheveningIhadwatchedtheseabreathdieawaytoheavenlycalm，andheardthelandbreathsoftlymakeitswaythroughthecoffeetreesandmonkey—pods。

"Itisalandofperpetualcalm，"Isaid。"Doesiteverblowhere？—

—everreallyblow？YouknowwhatImean。"

Cudworthshookhisheadandpointedeastward。

"Howcanitblow，withabarrierlikethattostopit？"

FarabovetoweredthehugebulksofMaunaKeaandMaunaLoa，seemingtoblotouthalfthestarrysky。Twomilesandahalfaboveourheadstheyrearedtheirownheads，whitewithsnowthatthetropicsunhadfailedtomelt。

"Thirtymilesaway，rightnow，I’llwager，itisblowingfortymilesanhour。"

Ismiledincredulously。

Cudworthsteppedtothelanaitelephone。Hecalledup，insuccession，Waimea，Kohala，andHamakua。Snatchesofhisconversationtoldmethatthewindwasblowing："Rip—snortingandback—jumping，eh？……Howlong？……Onlyaweek？……Hello，Abe，isthatyou？……Yes，yes……YouWILLplantcoffeeontheHamakuacoast……Hangyourwind—breaks!YoushouldseeMY

trees。"

"Blowingagale，"hesaidtome，turningfromhangingupthereceiver。"IalwayshavetojokeAbeonhiscoffee。Hehasfivehundredacres，andhe’sdonemarvelsinwind—breaking，buthowhekeepstherootsinthegroundisbeyondme。Blow？ItalwaysblowsontheHamakuaside。KohalareportsaschoonerunderdoublereefsbeatingupthechannelbetweenHawaiiandMaui，andmakingheavyweatherofit。"

"Itishardtorealize，"Isaidlamely。"Doesn’talittlewhiffofitevereddyaroundsomehow，andgetdownhere？"

"Notawhiff。Ourland—breezeisabsolutelyofnokin，foritbeginsthissideofMaunaKeaandMaunaLoa。Yousee，thelandradiatesitsheatquickerthanthesea，andso，atnight，thelandbreathesoverthesea。Inthedaythelandbecomeswarmerthanthesea，andtheseabreathesovertheland……Listen!Herecomestheland—breathnow，themountainwind。"

Icouldhearitcoming，rustlingsoftlythroughthecoffeetrees，stirringthemonkey—pods，andsighingthroughthesugar—cane。Onthelanaithehushstillreigned。Thenitcame，thefirstfeelofthemountainwind，faintlybalmy，fragrantandspicy，andcool，deliciouslycool，asilkencoolness，awine—likecoolness——coolasonlythemountainwindofKonacanbecool。

"DoyouwonderthatIlostmyhearttoKonaeighteenyearsago？"hedemanded。"Icouldneverleaveitnow。IthinkIshoulddie。Itwouldbeterrible。Therewasanothermanwholovedit，evenasI。

Ithinkheloveditmore，forhewasbornhereontheKonacoast。

Hewasagreatman，mybestfriend，mymorethanbrother。Butheleftit，andhedidnotdie。"

"Love？"Iqueried。"Awoman？"

Cudworthshookhishead。

"Norwillheevercomeback，thoughhisheartwillbehereuntilhedies。"

HepausedandgazeddownuponthebeachlightsofKailua。Ismokedsilentlyandwaited。

"Hewasalreadyinlove……withhiswife。Also，hehadthreechildren，andhelovedthem。TheyareinHonolulunow。Theboyisgoingtocollege。"

"Somerashact？"Iquestioned，afteratime，impatiently。

Heshookhishead。"Neitherguiltyofanythingcriminal，norchargedwithanythingcriminal。HewastheSheriffofKona。"

"Youchoosetobeparadoxical，"Isaid。

"Isupposeitdoessoundthatway，"headmitted，"andthatistheperfecthellofit。"

Helookedatmesearchinglyforamoment，andthenabruptlytookupthetale。

"Hewasaleper。No，hewasnotbornwithit——nooneisbornwithit；itcameuponhim。Thisman——whatdoesitmatter？LyteGregorywashisname。Everykamainaknowsthestory。HewasstraightAmericanstock，buthewasbuiltlikethechieftainsofoldHawaii。

Hestoodsixfeetthree。Hisstrippedweightwastwohundredandtwentypounds，notanounceofwhichwasnotcleanmuscleorbone。

HewasthestrongestmanIhaveeverseen。Hewasanathleteandagiant。Hewasagod。Hewasmyfriend。Andhisheartandhissoulwereasbigandasfineashisbody。

"Iwonderwhatyouwoulddoifyousawyourfriend，yourbrother，ontheslipperylipofaprecipice，slipping，slipping，andyouwereabletodonothing。Thatwasjustit。Icoulddonothing。Isawitcoming，andIcoulddonothing。MyGod，man，whatcouldIdo？

Thereitwas，malignantandincontestable，themarkofthethingonhisbrow。Nooneelsesawit。ItwasbecauseIlovedhimso，Idobelieve，thatIalonesawit。Icouldnotcreditthetestimonyofmysenses。Itwastooincrediblyhorrible。Yetthereitwas，onhisbrow，onhisears。Ihadseenit，theslightpuffoftheearlobes——oh，soimperceptiblyslight。Iwatcheditformonths。

Then，next，hopingagainsthope，thedarkeningoftheskinabovebotheyebrows——oh，sofaint，justlikethedimmesttouchofsunburn。

Ishouldhavethoughtitsunburnbutthattherewasashinetoit，suchaninvisibleshine，likealittlehighlightseenforamomentandgonethenext。Itriedtobelieveitwassunburn，onlyIcouldnot。Iknewbetter。Noonenoticeditbutme。NooneevernoticeditexceptStephenKaluna，andIdidnotknowthattillafterward。

ButIsawitcoming，thewholedamnable，unnamableawfulnessofit；

butIrefusedtothinkaboutthefuture。Iwasafraid。Icouldnot。AndofnightsIcriedoverit。

"Hewasmyfriend。WefishedsharksonNiihautogether。WehuntedwildcattleonMaunaKeaandMaunaLoa。WebrokehorsesandbrandedsteersontheCarterRanch。WehuntedgoatsthroughHaleakala。HetaughtmedivingandsurfinguntilIwasnearlyascleverashe，andhewasclevererthantheaverageKanaka。Ihaveseenhimdiveinfifteenfathoms，andhecouldstaydowntwominutes。Hewasanamphibianandamountaineer。Hecouldclimbwhereveragoatdaredclimb。Hewasafraidofnothing。HewasonthewreckedLuga，andheswamthirtymilesinthirty—sixhoursinaheavysea。Hecouldfighthiswayoutthroughbreakingcombersthatwouldbatteryouandmetoajelly。Hewasagreat，gloriousman—god。WewentthroughtheRevolutiontogether。Wewerebothromanticloyalists。Hewasshottwiceandsentencedtodeath。Buthewastoogreatamanfortherepublicanstokill。Helaughedatthem。Later，theygavehimhonourandmadehimSheriffofKona。Hewasasimpleman，aboythatnevergrewup。Hiswasnointricatebrainpattern。Hehadnotwistsnorquirksinhismentalprocesses。Hewentstraighttothepoint，andhispointswerealwayssimple。

"Andhewassanguine。NeverhaveIknownsoconfidentaman，noramansosatisfiedandhappy。Hedidnotaskanythingfromlife。

Therewasnothinglefttobedesired。Forhimlifehadnoarrears。

Hehadbeenpaidinfull，cashdown，andinadvance。Whatmorecouldhepossiblydesirethanthatmagnificentbody，thatironconstitution，thatimmunityfromallordinaryills，andthatlowlywholesomenessofsoul？Physicallyhewasperfect。Hehadneverbeensickinhislife。Hedidnotknowwhataheadachewas。WhenI

wassoafflictedheusedtolookatmeinwonder，andmakemelaughwithhisclumsyattemptsatsympathy。Hedidnotunderstandsuchathingasaheadache。Hecouldnotunderstand。Sanguine？Nowonder。Howcouldhebeotherwisewiththattremendousvitalityandincrediblehealth？

"Justtoshowyouwhatfaithhehadinhisgloriousstar，and，also，whatsanctionhehadforthatfaith。Hewasayoungsteratthetime——Ihadjustmethim——whenhewentintoapokergameatWailuku。

TherewasabigGermaninit，Schultzhisnamewas，andheplayedabrutal，domineeringgame。Hehadhadarunofluckaswell，andhewasquiteinsufferable，whenLyteGregorydroppedinandtookahand。TheveryfirsthanditwasSchultz’sblind。Lytecamein，aswellastheothers，andSchultzraisedthemout——allexceptLyte。

HedidnotliketheGerman’stone，andheraisedhimback。Schultzraisedinturn，andinturnLyteraisedSchultz。Sotheywent，backandforth。Thestakeswerebig。AnddoyouknowwhatLyteheld？A

pairofkingsandthreelittleclubs。Itwasn’tpoker。Lytewasn’tplayingpoker。Hewasplayinghisoptimism。Hedidn’tknowwhatSchultzheld，butheraisedandraiseduntilhemadeSchultzsqueal，andSchultzheldthreeacesallthetime。Thinkofit!Amanwithapairofkingscompellingthreeacestoseebeforethedraw!

"Well，Schultzcalledfortwocards。AnotherGermanwasdealing，Schultz’sfriendatthat。Lyteknewthenthathewasupagainstthreeofakind。Nowwhatdidhedo？Whatwouldyouhavedone？

Drawnthreecardsandheldupthekings，ofcourse。NotLyte。Hewasplayingoptimism。Hethrewthekingsaway，heldupthethreelittleclubs，anddrewtwocards。Heneverlookedatthem。HelookedacrossatSchultztobet，andSchultzdidbet，big。SincehehimselfheldthreeacesheknewhehadLyte，becauseheplayedLyteforthrees，and，necessarily，theywouldhavetobesmallerthrees。

PoorSchultz!Hewasperfectlycorrectunderthepremises。HismistakewasthathethoughtLytewasplayingpoker。Theybetbackandforthforfiveminutes，untilSchultz’scertaintybegantooozeout。AndallthetimeLytehadneverlookedathistwocards，andSchultzknewit。IcouldseeSchultzthink，andrevive，andsplurgewithhisbetsagain。Butthestrainwastoomuchforhim。"

"’Holdon，Gregory，’hesaidatlast。’I’vegotyoubeatenfromthestart。Idon’twantanyofyourmoney。I’vegot——’"

"’Nevermindwhatyou’vegot，’Lyteinterrupted。’Youdon’tknowwhatI’vegot。IguessI’lltakealook。’"

"Helooked，andraisedtheGermanahundreddollars。Thentheywentatitagain，backandforthandbackandforth，untilSchultzweakenedandcalled，andlaiddownhisthreeaces。Lytefacedhisfivecards。Theywereallblack。Hehaddrawntwomoreclubs。Doyouknow，hejustaboutbrokeSchultz’snerveasapokerplayer。Heneverplayedinthesameformagain。Helackedconfidenceafterthat，andwasabitwobbly。"

"’Buthowcouldyoudoit？’IaskedLyteafterwards。’Youknewhehadyoubeatenwhenhedrewtwocards。Besides，youneverlookedatyourowndraw。’"

"’Ididn’thavetolook，’wasLyte’sanswer。’Iknewtheyweretwoclubsallthetime。Theyjusthadtobetwoclubs。DoyouthinkI

wasgoingtoletthatbigDutchmanbeatme？Itwasimpossiblethatheshouldbeatme。Itisnotmywaytobebeaten。Ijusthavetowin。Why，I’dhavebeenthemostsurprisedmaninthisworldiftheyhadn’tbeenallclubs。’"

"ThatwasLyte’sway，andmaybeitwillhelpyoutoappreciatehiscolossaloptimism。Asheputithejusthadtosucceed，tofarewell，toprosper。Andinthatsameincident，asintenthousandothers，hefoundhissanction。Thethingwasthathedidsucceed，didprosper。Thatwaswhyhewasafraidofnothing。Nothingcouldeverhappentohim。Heknewit，becausenothinghadeverhappenedtohim。ThattimetheLugawaslostandheswamthirtymiles，hewasinthewatertwowholenightsandaday。Andduringallthatterriblestretchoftimeheneverlosthopeonce，neveroncedoubtedtheoutcome。Hejustknewhewasgoingtomaketheland。Hetoldmesohimself，andIknowitwasthetruth。

"Well，thatisthekindofamanLyteGregorywas。Hewasofadifferentracefromordinary，ailingmortals。Hewasalordlybeing，untouchedbycommonillsandmisfortunes。Whateverhewantedhegot。Hewonhiswife——oneoftheCaruthers，alittlebeauty——

fromadozenrivals。Andshesettleddownandmadehimthefinestwifeintheworld。Hewantedaboy。Hegotit。Hewantedagirlandanotherboy。Hegotthem。Andtheywerejustright，withoutspotorblemish，withchestslikelittlebarrels，andwithalltheinheritanceofhisownhealthandstrength。

"Andthenithappened。Themarkofthebeastwaslaiduponhim。I

watcheditforayear。Itbrokemyheart。Buthedidnotknowit，nordidanybodyelseguessitexceptthatcursedhapa—haole，StephenKaluna。Heknewit，butIdidnotknowthathedid。And——yes——DocStrowbridgeknewit。Hewasthefederalphysician，andhehaddevelopedthelepereye。Yousee，partofhisbusinesswastoexaminesuspectsandorderthemtothereceivingstationatHonolulu。AndStephenKalunahaddevelopedthelepereye。Thediseaseranstronginhisfamily，andfourorfiveofhisrelativeswerealreadyonMolokai。

"ThetroublearoseoverStephenKaluna’ssister。Whenshebecamesuspect，andbeforeDocStrowbridgecouldgetholdofher，herbrotherspiritedherawaytosomehiding—place。LytewasSheriffofKona，anditwashisbusinesstofindher。

"WewerealloveratHilothatnight，inNedAustin’s。StephenKalunawastherewhenwecamein，byhimself，inhiscups，andquarrelsome。Lytewaslaughingoversomejoke——thathuge，happylaughofagiantboy。Kalunaspatcontemptuouslyonthefloor。

Lytenoticed，sodideverybody；butheignoredthefellow。Kalunawaslookingfortrouble。HetookitasapersonalgrudgethatLytewastryingtoapprehendhissister。InhalfadozenwaysheadvertisedhisdispleasureatLyte’spresence，butLyteignoredhim。

IimaginedLytewasabitsorryforhim，forthehardestdutyofhisofficewastheapprehensionoflepers。Itisnotanicethingtogointoaman’shouseandtearawayafather，mother，orchild，whohasdonenowrong，andtosendsuchaonetoperpetualbanishmentonMolokai。Ofcourse，itisnecessaryasaprotectiontosociety，andLyte，Idobelieve，wouldhavebeenthefirsttoapprehendhisownfatherdidhebecomesuspect。

"Finally，Kalunablurtedout：’Lookhere，Gregory，youthinkyou’regoingtofindKalaniweo，butyou’renot。’

"Kalaniweowashissister。Lyteglancedathimwhenhisnamewascalled，buthemadenoanswer。Kalunawasfurious。Hewasworkinghimselfupallthetime。

"’I’lltellyouonething，’heshouted。’You’llbeonMolokaiyourselfbeforeeveryougetKalaniweothere。I’lltellyouwhatyouare。You’venorighttobeinthecompanyofhonestmen。

You’vemadeaterriblefusstalkingaboutyourduty，haven’tyou？

You’vesentmanyleperstoMolokai，andknowingallthetimeyoubelongedthereyourself。’

"I’dseenLyteangrymorethanonce，butneverquitesoangryasatthatmoment。Leprosywithus，youknow，isnotathingtojestabout。Hemadeoneleapacrossthefloor，draggingKalunaoutofhischairwithaclutchonhisneck。Heshookhimbackandforthsavagely，tillyoucouldhearthehalf—caste’steethrattling。

"’Whatdoyoumean？’Lytewasdemanding。’Spititout，man，orI’llchokeitoutofyou!’

"Youknow，intheWestthereisacertainphrasethatamanmustsmilewhileuttering。Sowithusoftheislands，onlyourphraseisrelatedtoleprosy。NomatterwhatKalunawas，hewasnocoward。

AssoonasLyteeasedthegriponhisthroatheanswered：—

"’I’lltellyouwhatImean。Youarealeperyourself。’

Lytesuddenlyflungthehalf—castesidewaysintoachair，lettinghimdowneasilyenough。ThenLytebrokeoutintohonest，heartylaughter。Buthelaughedalone，andwhenhediscoveredithelookedaroundatourfaces。Ihadreachedhissideandwastryingtogethimtocomeaway，buthetooknonoticeofme。Hewasgazing，fascinated，atKaluna，whowasbrushingathisownthroatinaflurried，nervousway，asiftobrushoffthecontaminationofthefingersthathadclutchedhim。Theactionwasunreasoned，genuine。

"Lytelookedaroundatus，slowlypassingfromfacetoface。

"’MyGod，fellows!MyGod!’hesaid。

"Hedidnotspeakit。Itwasmoreahoarsewhisperoffrightandhorror。Itwasfearthatflutteredinhisthroat，andIdon’tthinkthateverinhislifebeforehehadknownfear。

"Thenhiscolossaloptimismasserteditself，andhelaughedagain。

"’Agoodjoke——whoeverputitup，’hesaid。’Thedrinksareonme。

Ihadascareforamoment。But，fellows，don’tdoitagain，toanybody。It’stooserious。ItellyouIdiedathousanddeathsinthatmoment。Ithoughtofmywifeandthekids，and……’

"Hisvoicebroke，andthehalf—caste，stillthroat—brushing，drewhiseyes。Hewaspuzzledandworried。

"’John，’hesaid，turningtowardme。

"Hisjovial，rotundvoiceranginmyears。ButIcouldnotanswer。

Iwasswallowinghardatthatmoment，andbesides，Iknewmyfacedidn’tlookjustright。

"’John，’hecalledagain，takingastepnearer。

"Hecalledtimidly，andofallnightmaresofhorrorsthemostfrightfulwastoheartimidityinLyteGregory’svoice。

"’John，John，whatdoesitmean？’hewenton，stillmoretimidly。

’It’sajoke，isn’tit？John，here’smyhand。IfIwerealeperwouldIofferyoumyhand？AmIaleper，John？’

"Heheldouthishand，andwhatinhighheavenorhelldidIcare？

Hewasmyfriend。Itookhishand，thoughitcutmetothehearttoseethewayhisfacebrightened。

"’Itwasonlyajoke，Lyte，’Isaid。’Wefixedituponyou。Butyou’reright。It’stooserious。Wewon’tdoitagain。’

"Hedidnotlaughthistime。Hesmiled，asamanawakenedfromabaddreamandstilloppressedbythesubstanceofthedream。

"’Allright，then，’hesaid。’Don’tdoitagain，andI’llstandforthedrinks。ButImayaswellconfessthatyoufellowshadmegoingsouthforamoment。LookatthewayI’vebeensweating。’

"Hesighedandwipedthesweatfromhisforeheadashestartedtosteptowardthebar。

"’Itisnojoke，’Kalunasaidabruptly。Ilookedmurderathim，andIfeltmurder，too。ButIdarednotspeakorstrike。ThatwouldhaveprecipitatedthecatastrophewhichIsomehowhadamadhopeofstillaverting。

"’Itisnojoke，’Kalunarepeated。’Youarealeper，LyteGregory，andyou’venorightputtingyourhandsonhonestmen’sflesh——onthecleanfleshofhonestmen。’

"ThenGregoryflaredup。

"’Thejokehasgonefarenough!Quitit!Quitit，Isay，Kaluna，orI’llgiveyouabeating!’

"’Youundergoabacteriologicalexamination，’Kalunaanswered，’andthenyoucanbeatme——todeath，ifyouwantto。Why，man，lookatyourselfthereintheglass。Youcanseeit。Anybodycanseeit。

You’redevelopingthelionface。Seewheretheskinisdarkenedthereoveryoureyes。

"Lytepeeredandpeered，andIsawhishandstrembling。

"’Icanseenothing，’hesaidfinally，thenturnedonthehapa—

haole。’Youhaveablackheart，Kaluna。AndIamnotashamedtosaythatyouhavegivenmeascarethatnomanhasarighttogiveanother。Itakeyouatyourword。Iamgoingtosettlethisthingnow。IamgoingstraighttoDocStrowbridge。AndwhenIcomeback，watchout。’

"Heneverlookedatus，butstartedforthedoor。

"’Youwaithere，John，’hesaid，wavingmebackfromaccompanyinghim。

"Westoodaroundlikeagroupofghosts。

"’Itisthetruth，’Kalunasaid。’Youcouldseeitforyourselves。’

"Theylookedatme，andInodded。HarryBurnleyliftedhisglasstohislips，butloweredituntasted。Hespilledhalfofitoverthebar。Hislipsweretremblinglikeachildthatisabouttocry。

NedAustinmadeaclatterintheice—chest。Hewasn’tlookingforanything。Idon’tthinkheknewwhathewasdoing。Nobodyspoke。

HarryBurnley’slipsweretremblingharderthanever。Suddenly，withamosthorrible，malignantexpressionhedrovehisfistintoKaluna’sface。Hefolloweditup。Wemadenoattempttoseparatethem。Wedidn’tcareifhekilledthehalf—caste。Itwasaterriblebeating。Weweren’tinterested。Idon’tevenrememberwhenBurnleyceasedandletthepoordevilcrawlaway。Wewerealltoodazed。

"DocStrowbridgetoldmeaboutitafterward。HewasworkinglateoverareportwhenLytecameintohisoffice。Lytehadalreadyrecoveredhisoptimism，andcameswingingin，atrifleangrywithKalunatobesure，butverycertainofhimself。’WhatcouldIdo？’

Docaskedme。’Iknewhehadit。Ihadseenitcomingonformonths。Icouldn’tanswerhim。Icouldn’tsayyes。Idon’tmindtellingyouIbrokedownandcried。Hepleadedforthebacteriologicaltest。"Snipoutapiece，Doc，"hesaid，overandover。"Snipoutapieceofskinandmakethetest。"

"ThewayDocStrowbridgecriedmusthaveconvincedLyte。TheClaudinewasleavingnextmorningforHonolulu。Wecaughthimwhenhewasgoingaboard。Yousee，hewasheadedforHonolulutogivehimselfuptotheBoardofHealth。Wecoulddonothingwithhim。

HehadsenttoomanytoMolokaitohangbackhimself。WearguedforJapan。Buthewouldn’thearofit。’I’vegottotakemymedicine，fellows，’wasallhewouldsay，andhesaiditoverandover。Hewasobsessedwiththeidea。

"HewoundupallhisaffairsfromtheReceivingStationatHonolulu，andwentdowntoMolokai。Hedidn’tgetonwellthere。Theresidentphysicianwroteusthathewasashadowofhisoldself。

Youseehewasgrievingabouthiswifeandthekids。Heknewweweretakingcareofthem，butithurthimjustthesame。AftersixmonthsorsoIwentdowntoMolokai。Isatononesideaplate—

glasswindow，andheontheother。Welookedateachotherthroughtheglassandtalkedthroughwhatmightbecalledaspeakingtube。

Butitwashopeless。Hehadmadeuphismindtoremain。FourmortalhoursIargued。Iwasexhaustedattheend。Mysteamerwaswhistlingforme，too。

"Butwecouldn’tstandforit。ThreemonthslaterwecharteredtheschoonerHalcyon。Shewasanopiumsmuggler，andshesailedlikeawitch。Hermasterwasasquareheadwhowoulddoanythingformoney，andwemadeachartertoChinaworthhiswhile。HesailedfromSanFrancisco，andafewdayslaterwetookoutLandhouse’ssloopforacruise。Shewasonlyafive—tonyacht，butweslammedherfiftymilestowindwardintothenorth—easttrade。Seasick？Ineversufferedsoinmylife。OutofsightoflandwepickeduptheHalcyon，andBurnleyandIwentaboard。

"WerandowntoMolokai，arrivingaboutelevenatnight。Theschoonerhovetoandwelandedthroughthesurfinawhale—boatatKalawao——theplace，youknow，whereFatherDamiendied。Thatsquareheadwasgame。Withacoupleofrevolversstrappedonhimhecamerightalong。ThethreeofuscrossedthepeninsulatoKalaupapa，somethingliketwomiles。Justimaginehuntinginthedeadofnightforamaninasettlementofoverathousandlepers。

Yousee，ifthealarmwasgiven，itwasalloffwithus。Itwasstrangeground，andpitchdark。Theleper’sdogscameoutandbayedatus，andwestumbledaroundtillwegotlost。

"Thesquareheadsolvedit。Heledthewayintothefirstdetachedhouse。Weshutthedoorafterusandstruckalight。Thereweresixlepers。Weroutedthemup，andItalkedinnative。WhatI

wantedwasakokua。Akokuais，literally，ahelper，anativewhoiscleanthatlivesinthesettlementandispaidbytheBoardofHealthtonursethelepers，dresstheirsores，andsuchthings。Westayedinthehousetokeeptrackoftheinmates，whilethesquareheadledoneofthemofftofindakokua。Hegothim，andhebroughthimalongatthepointofhisrevolver。Butthekokuawasallright。Whilethesquareheadguardedthehouse，BurnleyandI

wereguidedbythekokuatoLyte’shouse。Hewasallalone。

"’Ithoughtyoufellowswouldcome，’Lytesaid。’Don’ttouchme，John。How’sNed，andCharley，andallthecrowd？Nevermind，tellmeafterward。Iamreadytogonow。I’vehadninemonthsofit。

Where’stheboat？’

"Westartedbackfortheotherhousetopickupthesquarehead。Butthealarmhadgotout。Lightswereshowinginthehouses，anddoorswereslamming。Wehadagreedthattherewastobenoshootingunlessabsolutelynecessary，andwhenwewerehaltedwewentatitwithourfistsandthebuttsofourrevolvers。Ifoundmyselftangledupwithabigman。Icouldn’tkeephimoffme，thoughtwiceIsmashedhimfairlyinthefacewithmyfist。Hegrappledwithme，andwewentdown，rollingandscramblingandstrugglingforgrips。

Hewasgettingawaywithme，whensomeonecamerunningupwithalantern。ThenIsawhisface。HowshallIdescribethehorrorofit。Itwasnotaface——onlywastedorwastingfeatures——alivingravage，noseless，lipless，withoneearswollenanddistorted，hangingdowntotheshoulder。Iwasfrantic。Inaclinchhehuggedmeclosetohimuntilthatearflappedinmyface。ThenIguessI

wentinsane。Itwastooterrible。Ibeganstrikinghimwithmyrevolver。HowithappenedIdon’tknow，butjustasIwasgettingclearhefasteneduponmewithhisteeth。Thewholesideofmyhandwasinthatliplessmouth。ThenIstruckhimwiththerevolverbuttsquarelybetweentheeyes，andhisteethrelaxed。"

Cudworthheldhishandtomeinthemoonlight，andIcouldseethescars。Itlookedasifithadbeenmangledbyadog。

"Weren’tyouafraid？"Iasked。

"Iwas。SevenyearsIwaited。Youknow，ittakesthatlongforthediseasetoincubate。HereinKonaIwaited，anditdidnotcome。

Buttherewasneveradayofthosesevenyears，andneveranight，thatIdidnotlookouton……onallthis……"Hisvoicebrokeasheswepthiseyesfromthemoon—bathedseabeneathtothesnowysummitsabove。"Icouldnotbeartothinkoflosingit，ofneveragainbeholdingKona。Sevenyears!Istayedclean。ButthatiswhyIamsingle。Iwasengaged。IcouldnotdaretomarrywhileIwasindoubt。Shedidnotunderstand。ShewentawaytotheStatesandmarried。Ihaveneverseenhersince。

"JustatthemomentIgotclearoftheleperpolicemantherewasarushandclatterofhoofslikeacavalrycharge。Itwasthesquarehead。Hehadbeenafraidofarumpusandhehadimprovedhistimebymakingthoseblessedlepershewasguardingsaddleupfourhorses。Wewerereadyforhim。Lytehadaccountedforthreekokuas，andbetweenusweuntangledBurnleyfromacouplemore。Thewholesettlementwasinanuproarbythattime，andaswedashedawaysomebodyopeneduponuswithaWinchester。ItmusthavebeenJackMcVeigh，thesuperintendentofMolokai。

"Thatwasaride!Leperhorses，lepersaddles，leperbridles，pitch—blackdarkness，whistlingbullets，andaroadnoneofthebest。Andthesquarehead’shorsewasamule，andhedidn’tknowhowtoride，either。Butwemadethewhaleboat，andasweshovedoffthroughthesurfwecouldhearthehorsescomingdownthehillfromKalaupapa。

"You’regoingtoShanghai。YoulookLyteGregoryup。HeisemployedinaGermanfirmthere。Takehimouttodinner。Openupwine。Givehimeverythingofthebest，butdon’tlethimpayforanything。Sendthebilltome。HiswifeandthekidsareinHonolulu，andheneedsthemoneyforthem。Iknow。Hesendsmostofhissalary，andliveslikeananchorite。AndtellhimaboutKona。There’swherehisheartis。TellhimallyoucanaboutKona。"

JACKLONDON

BYHIMSELF

IwasborninSanFranciscoin1876。AtfifteenIwasamanamongmen，andifIhadasparenickelIspentitonbeerinsteadofcandy，becauseIthoughtitwasmoremanlytobuybeer。Now，whenmyyearsarenearlydoubled，IamoutonahuntfortheboyhoodwhichIneverhad，andIamlessseriousthanatanyothertimeofmylife。GuessI’llfindthatboyhood!AlmostthefirstthingsI

realizedwereresponsibilities。Ihavenorecollectionofbeingtaughttoreadorwrite——Icoulddobothattheageoffive——butI

knowthatmyfirstschoolwasinAlamedabeforeIwentoutonaranchwithmyfolksandasaranchboyworkedhardfrommyeighthyear。

ThesecondschoolwereItriedtopickupalittlelearningwasanirregularhitormissaffairatSanMateo。Eachclasssatinaseparatedesk，butthereweredayswhenwedidnotsitatall，forthemasterusedtogetdrunkveryoften，andthenoneoftheelderboyswouldthrashhim。Toeventhingsup，themasterwouldthenthrashtheyoungerlads，soyoucanthinkwhatsortofschoolitwas。Therewasnoonebelongingtome，orassociatedwithmeinanyway，whohadliterarytastesorideas，thenearestIcanmaketoitisthatmygreat—grandfatherwasacircuitwriter，aWelshman，knownas"Priest"Jonesinthebackwoods，wherehisenthusiasmledhimtoscattertheGospel。

Oneofmyearliestandstrongestimpressionswasoftheignoranceofotherpeople。IhadreadandabsorbedWashingtonIrving’s"Alhambra"beforeIwasnine，butcouldneverunderstandhowitwasthattheotherranchersknewnothingaboutit。LaterIconcludedthatthisignorancewaspeculiartothecountry，andfeltthatthosewholivedincitieswouldnotbesodense。Onedayamanfromthecitycametotheranch。Heworeshinyshoesandaclothcoat，andI

feltthatherewasagoodchanceformetoexchangethoughtswithanenlightenedmind。FromthebricksofanoldfallenchimneyIhadbuiltanAlhambraofmyown；towers，terraces，andallwerecomplete，andchalkinscriptionsmarkedthedifferentsections。

HereIledthecitymanandquestionedhimabout"TheAlhambra，"buthewasasignorantasthemanontheranch，andthenIconsoledmyselfwiththethoughtthattherewereonlytwocleverpeopleintheworld——WashingtonIrvingandmyself。

Myotherreading—matteratthattimeconsistedmainlyofdimenovels，borrowedfromthehiredmen，andnewspapersinwhichtheservantsgloatedovertheadventuresofpoorbutvirtuousshop—

girls。

Throughreadingsuchstuffmymindwasnecessarilyridiculouslyconventional，butbeingverylonelyIreadeverythingthatcamemyway，andwasgreatlyimpressedbyOuida’sstory"Signa，"whichI

devouredregularlyforacoupleofyears。IneverknewthefinishuntilIgrewup，fortheclosingchaptersweremissingfrommycopy，soIkeptondreamingwiththehero，and，likehim，unabletoseeNemesis，attheend。Myworkontheranchatonetimewastowatchthebees，andasIsatunderatreefromsunrisetilllateintheafternoon，waitingfortheswarming，Ihadplentyoftimetoreadanddream。LivermoreValleywasveryflat，andeventhehillsaroundwerethentomedevoidofinterest，andtheonlyincidenttobreakinonmyvisionswaswhenIgavethealarmofswarming，andtheranchfolksrushedoutwithpots，pans，andbucketsofwater。I

thinktheopeninglineof"Signa"was"Itwasonlyalittlelad，"

yethehaddreamsofbecomingagreatmusician，andhavingallEuropeathisfeet。Well，Iwasonlyalittlelad，too，butwhycouldnotIbecomewhat"Signa"dreamedofbeing？

LifeonaCalifornianranchwasthentomethedullestpossibleexistence，andeverydayIthoughtofgoingoutbeyondthesky—linetoseetheworld。Eventhentherewerewhispers，promptings；mymindinclinedtothingsbeautiful，althoughmyenvironmentwasunbeautiful。Thehillsandvalleysaroundwereeyesoresandachingpits，andIneverlovedthemtillIleftthem。

BeforeIwaselevenIlefttheranchandcametoOakland，whereI

spentsomuchofmytimeintheFreePublicLibrary，eagerlyreadingeverythingthatcametohand，thatIdevelopedthefirststagesofSt。Vitus’dancefromlackofexercise。Disillusionsquicklyfollowed，asIlearnedmoreoftheworld。AtthistimeImademylivingasanewsboy，sellingpapersinthestreets；andfromthenonuntilIwassixteenIhadathousandandonedifferentoccupations——

workandschool，schoolandwork——andsoitran。

***

Thentheadventure—lustwasstrongwithinme，andIlefthome。I

didn’trun，Ijustleft——wentoutinthebay，andjoinedtheoysterpirates。Thedaysoftheoysterpiratesarenowpast，andifIhadgotmyduesforpiracy，Iwouldhavebeengivenfivehundredyearsinprison。Later，Ishippedasasailoronaschooner，andalsotookaturnatsalmonfishing。Oddlyenough，mynextoccupationwasonafish—patrol，whereIwasentrustedwiththearrestofanyviolatorsofthefishinglaws。NumbersoflawlessChinese，Greeks，andItalianswereatthattimeengagedinillegalfishing，andmanyapatrolmanpaidhislifeforhisinterference。Myonlyweaponondutywasasteeltable—fork，butIfeltfearlessandamanwhenI

climbedoverthesideofaboattoarrestsomemarauder。

SubsequentlyIshippedbeforethemastandsailedfortheJapanesecoastonaseal—huntingexpedition，latergoingtoBehringSea。

AftersealingforsevenmonthsIcamebacktoCaliforniaandtookoddjobsatcoalshovellingandlongshoringandalsoinajutefactory，whereIworkedfromsixinthemorninguntilsevenatnight。Ihadplannedtojointhesamelotforanothersealingtripthefollowingyear，butsomehowImissedthem。TheysailedawayontheMaryThomas，whichwaslostwithallhands。

Inmyfitfulschool—daysIhadwrittentheusualcompositions，whichhadbeenpraisedintheusualway，andwhileworkinginthejutemillsIstillmadeanoccasionaltry。Thefactoryoccupiedthirteenhoursofmyday，andbeingyoungandhusky，Iwantedalittletimeformyself，sotherewaslittleleftforcomposition。TheSanFranciscoCallofferedaprizeforadescriptivearticle。Mymotherurgedmetotryforit，andIdid，takingformysubject"TyphoonofftheCoastofJapan。"Verytiredandsleepy，knowingIhadtobeupathalf—pastfive，IbeganthearticleatmidnightandworkedstraightonuntilIhadwrittentwothousandwords，thelimitofthearticle，butwithmyideaonlyhalfworkedout。Thenextnight，underthesameconditions，Icontinued，addinganothertwothousandwordsbeforeIfinished，andthenthethirdnightIspentincuttingouttheexcess，soastobringthearticlewithintheconditionsofthecontest。Thefirstprizecametome，andthesecondandthirdwenttostudentsoftheStanfordandBerkeleyUniversities。

MysuccessintheSanFranciscoCallcompetitionseriouslyturnedmythoughtstowriting，butmybloodwasstilltoohotforasettledroutine，soIpracticallydeferredliterature，beyondwritingalittlegushfortheCall，whichthatjournalpromptlyrejected。

ItrampedallthroughtheUnitedStates，fromCaliforniatoBoston，andupanddown，returningtothePacificcoastbywayofCanada，whereIgotintojailandservedatermforvagrancy，andthewholetrampingexperiencemademebecomeaSocialist。PreviouslyIhadbeenimpressedbythedignityoflabour，and，withouthavingreadCarlyleorKipling，Ihadformulatedagospelofworkwhichputtheirsintheshade。Workwaseverything。Itwassanctificationandsalvation。TheprideItookinahardday’sworkwelldonewouldbeinconceivabletoyou。Iwasasfaithfulawage—slaveaseveracapitalistexploited。Inshort，myjoyousindividualismwasdominatedbytheorthodoxbourgeoisethics。Ihadfoughtmywayfromtheopenwest，wheremenbuckedbigandthejobhuntedtheman，tothecongestedlabourcentresoftheeasternstates，wheremenweresmallpotatoesandhuntedthejobforalltheywereworth，andIfoundmyselflookinguponlifefromanewandtotallydifferentangle。IsawtheworkersintheshamblesatthebottomoftheSocialPit。IsworeIwouldneveragaindoahardday’sworkwithmybodyexceptwhereabsolutelycompelledto，andIhavebeenbusyeversincerunningawayfromhardbodilylabour。

InmynineteenthyearIreturnedtoOaklandandstartedattheHighSchool，whichrantheusualschoolmagazine。Thispublicationwasaweekly——no，Iguessamonthly——one，andIwrotestoriesforit，verylittleimaginary，justrecitalsofmyseaandtrampingexperiences。

Iremainedthereayear，doingjanitorworkasameansoflivelihood，andleavingeventuallybecausethestrainwasmorethanIcouldbear。Atthistimemysocialisticutteranceshadattractedconsiderableattention，andIwasknownasthe"BoySocialist，"adistinctionthatbroughtaboutmyarrestforstreet—talking。AfterleavingtheHighSchool，inthreemonthscrammingbymyself，Itookthethreeyears’workforthattimeandenteredtheUniversityofCalifornia。IhatedtogiveupthehopeofaUniversityeducationandworkedinalaundryandwithmypentohelpmekeepon。ThiswastheonlytimeIworkedbecauseIlovedit，butthetaskwastoomuch，andwhenhalf—waythroughmyFreshmanyearIhadtoquit。

Iworkedawayironingshirtsandotherthingsinthelaundry，andwroteinallmysparetime。Itriedtokeeponatboth，butoftenfellasleepwiththepeninmyhand。ThenIleftthelaundryandwroteallthetime，andlivedanddreamedagain。Afterthreemonths’trialIgaveupwriting，havingdecidedthatIwasafailure，andleftfortheKlondiketoprospectforgold。Attheendoftheyear，owingtotheoutbreakofscurvy，Iwascompelledtocomeout，andonthehomewardjourneyof1，900milesinanopenboatmadetheonlynotesofthetrip。ItwasintheKlondikeIfoundmyself。Therenobodytalks。Everybodythinks。Yougetyourtrueperspective。Igotmine。

WhileIwasintheKlondikemyfatherdied，andtheburdenofthefamilyfellonmyshoulders。TimeswerebadinCalifornia，andI

couldgetnowork。WhiletryingforitIwrote"DowntheRiver，"

whichwasrejected。DuringthewaitforthisrejectionIwroteatwenty—thousandwordserialforanewscompany，whichwasalsorejected。PendingeachrejectionIstillkeptonwritingfreshstuff。Ididnotknowwhataneditorlookedlike。Ididnotknowasoulwhohadeverpublishedanything。FinallyastorywasacceptedbyaCalifornianmagazine，forwhichIreceivedfivedollars。Soonafterwards"TheBlackCat"offeredmefortydollarsforastory。

Thenthingstookaturn，andIshallprobablynothavetoshovelcoalforalivingforsometimetocome，althoughIhavedoneit，andcoulddoitagain。

Myfirstbookwaspublishedin1900。Icouldhavemadeagooddealatnewspaperwork；butIhadsufficientsensetorefusetobeaslavetothatman—killingmachine，forsuchIheldanewspapertobetoayoungmaninhisformingperiod。NotuntilIwaswellonmyfeetasamagazine—writerdidIdomuchworkfornewspapers。Iamabelieverinregularwork，andneverwaitforaninspiration。

TemperamentallyIamnotonlycarelessandirregular，butmelancholy；stillIhavefoughtbothdown。ThedisciplineIhadasasailorhadfulleffectonme。Perhapsmyoldseadaysarealsoresponsiblefortheregularityandlimitationsofmysleep。FiveandahalfhoursisthepreciseaverageIallowmyself，andnocircumstancehasyetariseninmylifethatcouldkeepmeawakewhenthetimecomesto"turnin。"

Iamveryfondofsport，anddelightinboxing，fencing，swimming，riding，yachting，andevenkite—flying。Althoughprimarilyofthecity，Iliketobenearitratherthaninit。Thecountry，though，isthebest，theonlynaturallife。Inmygrown—upyearsthewriterswhohaveinfluencedmemostareKarlMarxinaparticular，andSpencerinageneral，way。Inthedaysofmybarrenboyhood，ifIhadhadachance，Iwouldhavegoneinformusic；now，inwhataremoregenuinelythedaysofmyyouth，ifIhadamillionortwoI

woulddevotemyselftowritingpoetryandpamphlets。IthinkthebestworkIhavedoneisinthe"LeagueoftheOldMen，"andpartsof"TheKempton—WaceLetters。"Otherpeopledon’tliketheformer。

Theypreferbrighterandmorecheerfulthings。PerhapsIshallfeellikethat，too，whenthedaysofmyyoutharebehindme。

Footnotes：

{1}Malahini——new—comer。

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