DEDICATEDTO
CaptainJosephHodgsonUNITEDSTATESLIFESAVINGSERVICE
I
SHANGHAIED
Thisistobeastoryofabattle，atleastonemurder，andseveralsuddendeaths。Forthatreasonitbeginswithapinkteaandamongthemingledodorsofmanydelicateperfumesandthehale，franksmellofCarolineTestoutroses。
Therehadbeenagreatnumberofdebutantes"comingout"thatseasoninSanFranciscobymeansofafternoonteas，pink，lavender，andotherwise。ThisparticularteawasintendedtocelebratethefactthatJosieHerrickhadarrivedatthattimeofherlifewhenshewastowearherhairhighandhergownslong，andtohavea"day"ofherownquitedistinctfromthatofhermother。
RossWilburpresentedhimselfattheHerrickhouseonPacificAvenuemuchtooearlyupontheafternoonofMissHerrick’stea。
Ashemade，hiswayupthecanvasedstairshewasawareofaterrifyingarrayofmillineryandadisquietingstaccatochatteroffemininevoicesintheparlorsandreception-roomsoneithersideofthehallway。Asinglehighhatintheroomthathadbeensetapartforthemen’suseconfirmedhiminhissuspicions。
"Mighthaveknownitwouldbeahenpartytillsix，anyhow，"hemuttered，swingingoutofhisovercoat。"BetIdon’tknowonegirlintwentydowntherenow——allmamma’sfriendsatthishour，andpapa’smaidensisters，andJo’sschool-teachersandgovernessesandmusic-teachers，andIdon’tknowwhatall。"
Whenhewentdownhefounditpreciselyasheexpected。HewentuptoMissHerrick，whereshestoodreceivingwithhermotherandtwooftheothergirls，andallowedthemtochaffhimonhisforlornness。
"MaybeIseematmyease，"saidRossWilburtothem，"butreallyI
amverymuchfrightened。I’mgoingtorunawayassoonasitisdecentlypossible，evenbefore，unlessyoufeedme。"
"Ibelieveyouhadluncheonnottwohoursago，"saidMissHerrick。
"Comealong，though，andI’llgiveyousomechocolate，andperhaps，ifyou’regood，astuffedolive。IgotthemjustbecauseIknewyoulikedthem。Ioughttostayhereandreceive，soI
can’tlookafteryouforlong。"
Thetwofoughttheirwaythroughthecrowdedroomstotheluncheon-table，andMissHerrickgotWilburhischocolateandhisstuffedolives。Theysatdownandtalkedinawindowrecessforamoment，Wilburtoeing-ininabsurdfashionashetriedtomakealapforhisplate。
"Ithought，"saidMissHerrick，"thatyouweregoingontheRidgeways’yachtingpartythisafternoon。Mrs。Ridgewaysaidshewascountingonyou。Theyaregoingoutwiththe’Petrel。’"
"Shedidn’tcountaboveahundred，though，"answeredWilbur。"I
gotyourbidfirst，soIregrettedtheyachtingparty;andIguessI’dhaveregretteditanyhow，"andhegrinnedatheroverhiscup。
"Niceman，"shesaid——addingontheinstant，"Imustgonow，Ross。"
"WaittillIeatthesugaroutofmycup，"complainedWilbur。
"Tellme，"headded，scrapingvigorouslyatthebottomofthecupwiththeinadequatespoon;"tellme，you’regoingtothehoe-downto-night？"
"IfyoumeantheAssembly，yes，Iam。"
"Willyougivemethefirstandlast？"
"I’llgiveyouthefirst，andyoucanaskforthelastthen。"
"Let’sputitdown;Iknowyou’llforgetit。"Wilburdrewacoupleofcardsfromhiscase。
"Programmesarenotgoodformanymore，"saidMissHerrick。
"Forgettingadanceisworse。"
Hemadeoutthecards，writingontheonehekeptforhimself，"Firstwaltz——Jo。"
"Imustgobacknow，"saidMissHerrick，gettingup。
"InthatcaseIshallrun——I’mafraidofgirls。"
"It’sapityaboutyou。"
"Iam;onegirl，Idon’tsay，butgirlintheaggregatelikethis，"andhepointedhischintowardthethrongedparlors。"Itun-mansme。"
"Good-by，then。"
"Good-by，untilto-night，about——？"
"Aboutnine。"
"Aboutnine，then。"
RossWilburmadehisadieutoMrs。Herrickandthegirlswhowerereceiving，andtookhimselfaway。Ashecameoutofthehouseandstoodforamomentonthesteps，settlinghishatgingerlyuponhishairsoasnottodisturbtheparting，hewasnotbyanymeansanill-lookingchap。Hisgoodheightwashelpedoutbyhislongcoatandhishighsilkhat，andtherewasplentyofjawinthelowerpartofhisface。Norwashistailoraltogetheranswerableforhisshoulders。ThreeyearsbeforethistimeRossWilburhadpulledatNo。5inhisvarsityboatinanEasterncollegethatwasnotaccustomedtoathleticdiscomfiture。
"IwonderwhatI’mgoingtodowithmyselfuntilsuppertime，"hemuttered，ashecamedownthesteps，feelingforthemiddleofhisstick。Hefoundnoimmediateanswertohisquestion。Buttheafternoonwasfine，andhesetofftowalkinthedirectionofthetown，withahalf-formedideaoflookinginathisclub。
Athisclubhefoundaletterinhisboxfromhisparticularchum，whohadbeenspendingthemonthshootingelkinOregon。
"DearOldMan，"itsaid，"willbebackontheafternoonyoureceivethis。Willhitthetownonthethreeo’clockboat。Getseatsforthebestshowgoing——mytreat——andarrangetoassimilatenutrimentatthePoodleDog——alsomine。I’vegotmilesoftalkinmethatI’vegottoreeloffbeforemidnight。Yours。
"JERRY。"
"I’vegotastandofhornsforyou，Ross，thatareGloryHallelujah。"
"Well，Ican’tgo，"murmuredWilbur，asherememberedtheAssemblythatwastocomeoffthatnightandhisengageddancewithJoHerrick。HedecidedthatitwouldbebesttomeetJerryashecameofftheboatandtellhimhowmattersstood。Thenheresolved，sincenoonethatheknewwasintheclub，andtheinstalmentoftheParisweeklieshadnotarrived，thatitwouldbeamusingtogodowntothewater-frontandloafamongtheshippinguntilitwastimeforJerry’sboat。
Wilburspentanhouralongthewharves，watchingthegreatgrainshipsconsignedto"Corkfororders"slowlygorgingthemselveswithwholeharvestsofwheatfromtheSanJoaquinValley;lumbervesselsforDurbanandSouthAfricanportssettlinglowerandlowertothewater’slevelasforestsofpineandredwoodstratifiedthemselvesalongtheirdecksandintheirholds;coalbargesdischargingfromNanaimo;busylittletugscoughingandnuzzlingattheflanksofthedeep-seatramps，whilehaybargesandItalianwhitehallscameandwentateveryturn。AStocktonRiverboatwentby，hersternwheelchurningalongbehind，likeahugenet-reel;atinymaelstromofactivitycentredaboutanAlaskaCommercialCompany’ssteamboatthatwouldclearforDawsoninthemorning。
NoquarterofoneofthemostpicturesquecitiesintheworldhadmoreinterestforWilburthanthewater-front。InthemileorsoofshippingthatstretchedfromthedockswheretheChinasteamshipslanded，downpasttheferryslipsandontoMeiggs’sWharf，everymaritimenationintheworldwasrepresented。MorethanonceWilburhadtalkedtotheloungersofthewharves，stevedoresoutofwork，sailorsbetweenvoyages，caulkersandshipchandlers’menlooking——nottooearnestly——forjobs;sothatonthisoccasion，whenalittle，undersizedfellowindirtybrownsweaterandclothesofBarbarycoastcutaskedhimforamatchtolighthispipe，Wilburofferedacigarandpassedthetimeofdaywithhim。Wilburhadnotforgottenthathehimselfwasdressedforanafternoonfunction。Buttheincongruityofthebusinesswaspreciselywhatmostamusedhim。
Afteratimethefellowsuggesteddrinks。Wilburhesitatedforamoment。Itwouldbesomethingtotellabout，however，so，"Allright，I’lldrinkwithyou，"hesaid。
Thebrownsweaterledthewaytoasailors’boarding-househardby。Therearoftheplacewasbuiltuponpilesoverthewater。
Butinfront，onthegroundfloor，wasabarroom。
"Ruman’gum，"announcedthebrownsweater，asthetwocameinandtooktheirplacesatthebar。
"Ruman’gum，Tuck;wattleyouhave，sir？"
"Oh——Idon’tknow，"hesitatedWilbur;"givemeamildManhattan。"
WhilethedrinkswerebeingmixedthebrownsweatercalledWilbur’sattentiontoafightinghead-dressfromtheMarquesasthatwashungonthewalloverthefree-lunchcounterandoppositethebar。Wilburturnedabouttolookatit，andremainedso，hisbacktothebarkeeper，tillthelattertoldthemtheirdrinkswereready。
"Well，mate，here’sbigblocksan’tauthawse-pipes，"saidthebrownsweatercordially。
"Yourverygoodhealth，"returnedWilbur。
Thebrownsweaterwipedathinmustacheinthehollowofhispalm，andwipedthatpalmuponhistrouserleg。
"Yessir，"hecontinued，oncemorefacingtheMarquesashead-dress。
"Yessir，they’requeergamedownthere。"
"IntheMarquesasIslands，youmean？"saidWilbur。
"Yessir，they’requeergame。Whentheyain’ttattoin’theirselveswithScripturetex’stheygitfromthemissionaries，they’repullin’outthehairsallovertheirbodieswithtwoclam-shells。
Hairbyhair，y’understan’？"
"Pull’nout’erhair？"saidWilbur，wonderingwhatwasthematterwithhistongue。
"Theythinkit’sclever——thinkthewomenfolklikeit。"
Wilburhadfanciedthatthelittlemanhadwornabrownsweaterwhentheyfirstmet。Butnow，strangelyenough，hewasnotintheleastsurprisedtoseeitiridescentlikeapigeon’sbreast。
"Y’everbeendownthatway？"inquiredthelittlemannext。
Wilburheardthewordsdistinctlyenough，butsomehowtheyrefusedtofitintotherightplacesinhisbrain。Hepulledhimselftogether，frowningheavily。
"What——did——you——say？"heaskedwithgreatdeliberation，bitingoffhiswords。Thenhenoticedthatheandhiscompanionwerenolongerinthebarroom，butinalittleroombackofit。Hispersonalitydivideditself。TherewasoneRossWilbur——whocouldnotmakehishandsgowherehewantedthem，whosaidonewordwhenhethoughtanother，andwhoselegsbelowthekneeweremadeofsolidlead。ThentherewasanotherRossWilbur——RossWilbur，thealert，whowasperfectlyclear-headed，andwhostoodofftoonesideandwatchedhistwinbrothermakingamonkeyofhimself，withoutpowerandwithouteventhedesireofhelpinghim。
ThislatterWilburheardtheiridescentsweatersay：
"Bustme，ify’a’n’tsquiffy，oldman。Standbyabitan’we’llhaveaball。"
"Can’thavegot——return——exceptionally——andtheroundtable——pullouthairswi’tuclamsh’ls，"gabbledWilbur’sstupefieddouble;
andWilburthealertsaidtohimself："You’renotdrunk，RossWilbur，that’scertain;whatcouldtheyhaveputinyourcocktail？"
Theiridescentsweaterstampedtwiceuponthefloorandatrap-
doorfellawaybeneathWilbur’sfeetlikethedropofagallows。
WiththeeyesofhisundruggedselfWilburhadaglimpseofwaterbelow。Hiselbowstruckthefloorashewentdown，andhefellfeetfirstintoaWhitehallboat。HehadtimetoobservetwomenattheoarsandtolookbetweenthepilesthatsupportedthehouseabovehimandcatchaglimpseofthebayandaglintoftheContraCostashore。Hewasnotintheleastsurprisedatwhathadhappened，andmadeuphismindthatitwouldbeagoodideatoliedownintheboatandgotosleep。
Suddenly——buthowlongafterhisadventintotheboathecouldnottell——hiswitsbegantoreturnandsettlethemselves，likewildbirdsflockingagainafterascare。Swiftlyhetookinthescene。
Thebluewatersofthebayaroundhim，thedeckofaschooneronwhichhestood，theWhitehallboatalongside，andanenormousmanwithafacelikeasettingmoonwranglingwithhisfriendinthesweater——nolongeriridescent。
"Whatdoyoucallit？"shoutedtheredman。"Iwantableseamen——
Idon’tfiggeronworkingthisboatwithdancingmasters，doI？Weain’texactlydoingquadrillesonmyquarterdeck。Ifwedon’tlookoutwe’llsteponthisthingandbreakit。Itain’toughttobeletaroundloosewithoutitsma。"
"Rotthat，"vociferatedthebrownsweater。"Itellyouhe’soneofthebestsailormenonthefront。Ifheain’twe’llforfeitthemoney。Comeon，CaptainKitchell，wemadeshowenoughgettin’
awayasitwas，andthisdaytimebusinessain’tourline。D’yousignornot？Here’stheadvancenote。IgottoduckmynutorI’llhavethepatrolboatafterme。"
"I’llsignthisonce，"growledtheother，scrawlinghisnameonthenote;"butifthisswabain’tuptosample，he’llcomebackbyfreight，an’I’lldropinonmeedearfriendJimwhenwecomebackandgivehimareelnicetime，an’youcanlaytothat，BillyTrim。"Thebrownsweaterpocketedthenote，wentovertheside，androwedoff。
WilburstoodinthewaistofaschooneranchoredinthestreamwelloffFisherman’swharf。IntheforwardpartoftheschooneraChinamaninbrownduckwasmixingpaint。Wilburwasconsciousthathestillworehishighhatandlongcoat，buthisstickwasgoneandonegrayglovewasslittothebutton。Infrontofhimtoweredtheenormousred-facedman。Apungentreekofsomekindofrancidfatoroilassailedhisnostrils。OverbyAlcatrazaferry-boatwhistledforitsslipasitelboweditswaythroughthewater。
Wilburhadhimselffairlyinhandbynow。Hiswitswereallabouthim;butthesituationwasbeyondhimasyet。
"Gitfor’d，"commandedthebigman。
Wilburdrewhimselfup，angryinaninstant。"Lookhere，"hebegan，"what’sthemeaningofthisbusiness？IknowI’vebeendruggedandmishandled。Idemandtobeputashore。Doyouunderstandthat？"
"Angelchild，"whimperedthebigman。"Oh，youlileeofthevallee，youbrightan’mornin’star。I’mreelypainedy’know，thatyourvallycan’tcomealong，butwe’llhaveyourpianosetupinthelazarette。Itgivesmegenuinegrief，itdo，toseeyoubein’obligedtoputyourlileewhitefeetonthisherevulgaran’
dirteedeck。We’llhavetheWiltoncarpetdownbyto-morrer，sowewill，mydear。Yah-h！"hesuddenlybrokeout，ashisrageboiledover。"Gitfor’d，d’yehear！I’mcaptainofthisherebathtub，an’that’sallyouneedtoknowforagoodwhiletocome。
Iain’tgenerallygottotellthattoamanbutonce;butI’llstretchthepointjustforloveofyou，angelchild。Now，then，move！"
Wilburstoodmotionless——puzzledbeyondexpression。Noexperiencehehadeverbeenthroughhelpedinthissituation。
"Lookhere，"hebegan，"I——"
Thecaptainknockedhimdownwithablowofoneenormousfistuponthemouth，andwhilehewasyetstretcheduponthedeckkickedhimsavagelyinthestomach。Thenheallowedhimtorise，caughthimbytheneckandtheslackofhisovercoat，andranhimforwardtowhereahatchway，nottwofeetacross，openedinthedeck。
Withoutado，heflunghimdownintothedarknessbelow;andwhileWilbur，dizziedbythefall，satontheflooratthefootoftheverticalcompanion-ladder，gazingabouthimwithdistendedeyes，thereraineddownuponhishead，firstanoilskincoat，thenasou’wester，apairofoilskinbreeches，woolensocks，andaplugoftobacco。Abovehim，downthecontractedsquareofthehatch，camethebellowingoftheCaptain’svoice：
"There’syourfit-out，MisterLileeoftheVallee，whichthesameourdearfriendJimmakesapresentofandnocharge，becausehelovesyouso。You’reallowedtwominutestochange，an’itistobehopedashowyouwon’tforcemetocomefortoassist。"
Itwouldhavebeeninterestingtohavefollowed，stepbystep，thementalprocessthatnowtookplaceinRossWilbur’sbrain。TheCaptainhadgivenhimtwominutesinwhichtochange。Thetimewasshortenough，butevenatthatWilburchangedmorethanhisclothesduringthetwominuteshewaslefttohimselfinthereekinddarkoftheschooner’sfo’castle。Itwasmorethanachange——itwasarevolution。Whathemadeuphismindtodo——
preciselywhatmentalattitudehedecidedtoadopt，justwhatnewnicheheelectedwhereintosethisfeet，itisdifficulttosay。
Onlybyresultscouldthechangebeguessedat。HewentdowntheforwardhatchatthetoeofKitchell’sboot——silk-hatted，melton-
overcoated，patent-booted，andglovedinsuedes。Twominuteslaterthereemergeduponthedeckafigureinoilskinsandasou’wester。Therewasblooduponthefaceofhimandthegrimeofanuncleanshipuponhisbarehands。ItwasWilbur，andyetnotWilbur。Intwominuteshehadbeen，inaway，bornagain。Theonlytracesofhisformerselfwerethepatent-leatherboots，stillpersistentintheirglossandshine，thatshowedgrimincongruitybelowthevastcompassoftheoilskinbreeches。
AsWilburcameondeckhesawthecrewoftheschoonerhurryingforward，sixofthem，Chinameneveryone，inbrownjeansandblackfelthats。OnthequarterdeckstoodtheCaptain，barkinghisorders。
"ConsidertheLileeoftheVallee，"bellowedthelatter，ashiseyefelluponWilburtheTransformed。"Clapontothatstarboardwindlassbrake，sonny。"
WilbursawtheChinamenrangingthemselvesaboutwhatheguessedwasthewindlassintheschooner’sbow。Hefollowedandtookhisplaceamongthem，graspingoneofthebars。
"Breakdown！"camethenextorder。WilburandtheChinamenobeyed，bearingupanddownuponthebarstilltheslackoftheanchor-chaincamehomeandstretchedtautanddrippingfromthehawse-holes。
"’Vastheavin’！"
AndthenasWilburreleasedthebrakeandturnedaboutforthenextorder，hecasthisglanceoutuponthebay，andthere，notahundredandfiftyyardsaway，herspotlesssailstense，hercordagehumming，herimmaculateflanksslippingeasilythroughthewaves，thewaterhissingandchurningunderherforefoot，clean，gleaming，dainty，andaristocratic，theRidgeways’yacht"Petrel"
passedlikeathingoflife。WilbursawNatRidgewayhimselfatthewheel。Girlsinsmartgownsandyoungfellowsinwhiteducksandyachtingcaps——allfriendsofhis——crowdedthedecks。A
littleorchestraofmusicianswerereelingoffaquickstep。
Thepoppingofacorkandagaleoftalkandlaughtercametohisears。Wilburstaredatthepicture，hisfacedevoidofexpression。The"Petrel"cameon——drewnearer——wasnotahundredfeetawayfromtheschooner’sstern。Astrongswimmer，suchasWilbur，couldcoverthedistanceinafewstrides。TwominutesagoWilburmighthave——
"Setyourmains’l，"camethebellowofCaptainKitchell。"Clapontoyourthroatandpeakhalyards。"
TheChinamenhurriedaft。
Wilburfollowed。
II
ANAUTICALEDUCATTON。
Inthecourseofthenextfewmoments，whilethelittlevesselwasbeinggotunderway，andwhiletheRidgeways’"Petrel"gleamedoffintothebluedistance，Wilburmadecertainobservations。
Thenameoftheboatonwhichhefoundhimselfwasthe"BerthaMillner。"Shewasatwo-topmast，28-tonkeelschooner，40feetlong，carryingalargespreadofsail——mainsail，foresail，jib，flying-jib，twogaff-topsails，andastaysail。Shewasverydirtyandsmeltabominablyofsomekindofrancidoil。HercrewwereChinamen;therewasnomate。Butthecook——himselfaChinaman——
whoappearedfromtimetotimeatthedoorofthegalley，apotato-masherinhishand，seemedtohavesomesortofauthorityoverthehands。Heactedinamannerasago-betweenfortheCaptainandthecrew，sometimesinterpretingtheformer’sorders，andoccasionallygivingoneofhisown。
WilburheardtheCaptainaddresshimasCharlie。HespokepigeonEnglishfairly。Ofthebalanceofthecrew——thefiveChinamen——
Wilburcouldmakenothing。Theyneverspoke，neithertoCaptainKitchell，toCharlie，nortoeachother;andforallthenoticetheytookofWilburhemighteasilyhavebeenasackofsand。
Wilburfeltthathisadventonthe"BerthaMillner"wasbyitsverynatureanextraordinaryevent;buttheabsoluteindifferenceofthesebrown-suitedMongols，theblanknessoftheirflat，fatfaces，thedulnessoftheirslanting，fishlikeeyesthatnevermethisownorevenwanderedinhisdirection，wasuncanny，disquieting。Inwhatstrangeventurewashenowtobeinvolved，towardwhatunknownvortexwasthisnewcurrentsetting，thiscurrentthathadsosuddenlysnatchedhimfromthesolidgroundofhisaccustomedlife？
Hetoldhimselfgrimlythathewastohaveafreecruiseupthebay，perhapsasfarasAlviso;perhapsthe"BerthaMillner"wouldevenmakethecircuitofthebaybeforereturningtoSanFrancisco。Hemightbegoneaweek。Wilburcouldalreadyseethescare-headsofthedailypapersthenextmorning，chroniclingthedisappearanceof"OneofSociety’sMostPopularMembers。"
"That’swell，y’rthroathalyards。Here，LileeoftheVallee，giveacoupleofpullsony’rpeakhalyardpurchase。"
WilburstaredattheCaptainhelplessly。
"Nocantell，hey？"inquiredCharliefromthegalley。"Pullumdisalope，sabe？"
Wilburtuggedattheropethecookindicated。
"That’swell，y’rpeakhalyardpurchase，"chantedCaptainKitchell。
Wilburmadetheropefast。Themainsailwasset，andhungslattingandflappinginthewind。Nextthefor’sailwassetinmuchthesamemanner，andWilburwasorderedto"layoutontheji’boomandcastthegasketsoffthejib。"He"layout"asbesthecouldandcastoffthegaskets——heknewbarelyenoughofyachtingtounderstandanorderhereandthere——andbythetimehewasbackonthefo’c’sleheadtheChinamenwereatthejibhalyardandhoistingaway。
"That’swell，y’rjibhalyards。"
The"BerthaMillner"veeredroundandplayedofftothewind，tuggingatheranchor。
"Many’rwindlass。"
Wilburandthecrewjumpedoncemoretothebrakes。
"Brakedown，heavey’ranchortothecathead。"
Theanchor-chain，alreadytaut，vibratedandthencrankedthroughthehawse-holesasthehandsroseandfellatthebrakes。Theanchorcamehome，drippinggrayslime。Anor’westwindfilledtheschooner’ssails，astrongebbtidecaughtherunderfoot。
"We’reoff，"mutteredWilbur，asthe"BerthaMillner"heeledtothefirstgust。
Butevidentlytheschoonerwasnotboundupthebay。
"MustbeVallejoorBenicia，then，"hazardedWilbur，asthesailsgrewtenserandthewaterrippledeverlouderundertheschooner’sforefoot。"Maybethey’regoingafterhayorwheat。"
Theschoonerwastacking，headeddirectlyforMeiggs’swharf。Shecameincloserandcloser，soclosethatWilburcouldhearthetalkofthefishermensittingonthestringpieces。Hehadjustmadeuphismindthattheyweretomakealandingthere，when——"
"Standbyforstays，"cametheraucousbarkoftheCaptain，whohadtakenontheheel。Thesailsslattedfuriouslyastheschoonercameabout。Thenthe"BerthaMillner"caughtthewindagainandlayoverquietlyandcontentedlytoherwork。ThenexttackbroughttheschoonercloseunderAlcatraz。Theseabecameheavier，thebreezegrewstiffandsmelledoftheoutsideocean。
OutbeyondthemtowestwardopenedtheGoldenGate，ableakvistaofgray-greenwaterroughenedwithwhite-caps。
"Standbyforstays。"
Onceagainastherudderwenthardover，the"BerthaMillner"
frettedanddancedandshookhersails，callingimpatientlyforthewind，chafingatitsabsencelikeachildreftofatoy。Thenagainshescoopedthenor’westerinthehollowpalmsofhertensecanvasesandsettledquietlydownonthenewtack，herbowspritpointingstraighttowardthePresidio。
"We’llcomeaboutagainsoon，"Wilburtoldhimself，"andstandovertowardtheContraCostashore。"
Afinehugebreathofwindpassedovertheschooner。Sheheeleditontheinstant，thewaterroaringalongherquarter，butshekepthercourse。Wilburfellthoughtfulagain，nevermorekeenlyobservant。
"Shemustcomeaboutsoon，"hemuttereduneasily，"ifshe’sgoingtostanduptowardVallejo。"Hisheartsankwithasuddenapprehension。Anervousnesshecouldnotovercomeseizeduponhim。The"BerthaMillner"heldtenaciouslytothetack。WithinfiftyyardsofthePresidiocamethecommandagain：
"Standbyforstays。"
Oncemore，herbowsdancing，hercordagerattling，hersailsflappingnoisily，theschoonercameabout。AnxiouslyWilburobservedthebowspritasitcircledlikeahandonadial，watchingwherenowitwouldpoint。Itwavered，fluctuated，rose，fell，thensettledeasily，pointingtowardLimePoint。Wilburfeltasuddencoldnessathisheart。
"Thisisn’tgoingtobesomuchfun，"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth。TheschoonerwasnotboundupthebayforAlvisonortoVallejoforgrain。ThetracktowardLimePointcouldmeanbutonething。Thewindwasfresheningfromthenor’west，theebbtiderushingouttomeettheoceanlikeamill-race，ateverymomenttheGoldenGateopenedoutwider，andwithintwominutesafterthetimeofthelasttackthe"BerthaMillner"heeledtoagreatgustthathadcomeboominginbetweentheheads，straightfromtheopenPacific。
"Standbyforstays。"
Asbefore，oneoftheChinesehandsstoodbythesailropeofthejib。
"Drawy’rjib。"
Thejibfilled。Theschoonercameaboutontheporttack;LimePointfellawayoverthesternrail。Thehugegroundswellsbegantocomein，andassheroseandbowedtothefirstoftheseitwaspreciselyasthoughthe"BerthaMillner"weremakinghercourtesytothegreatgrayocean，nowforthefirsttimeinfullsightonherstarboardquarter。
TheschoonerwasbeatingouttoseathroughtheMiddleChannel。
OnceclearoftheGoldenGate，shestoodovertowardtheCliffHouse，thenonthenexttackclearedPointBonita。Theseabeganbuildingupindeadlyearnest——theywereabouttocrossthebar。
Everythingwasbatteneddown，thescupperswereawash，andthehawse-holesspoutedlikefountainsaftereveryplunge。OncetheCaptainorderedallmenaloft，justintimetoescapeagiganticdullgreenrollerthatbrokelikeaNiagaraovertheschooner’sbows，smotheringthedecksknee-deepinatwinkling。
Thewindblewviolentandcold，thespraywasflyinglikeicysmall-shot。Withoutintermissionthe"BerthaMillner"rolledandplungedandheavedandsank。Wilburwasdrenchedtotheskinandsoreineveryjoint，frombeingshuntedfromrailtomastandfrommasttorailagain。Thecordagesanglikeharp-strings，theschooner’sforefootcrusheddownintotheheavingwaterwithahissinglikethatofsteam，blocksrattled，theCaptainbellowedhisorders，rope-endsfloggedthehollowdecktillitreverberatedlikeadrum-head。Thecrossingofthebarwasonelonghalf-hourofconfusionanddiscordantsound。
WhentheywereacrossthebartheCaptainorderedthecooktogivethementheirfood。
"Gitfor’rd，sonny，"headded，fixingWilburwithhiseye。"Gitfor’rd，thisistawbledeehote，savvy？"
Wilburcrawledforwardonthereelingdeck，holdingonnowtoamast，nowtoabelaying-pin，nowtoastay，watchinghischanceandgoingonbetweentheinebriatedplungesoftheschooner。
Hedescendedthefo’c’slehatch。TheChinamenwerealreadythere，sittingontheedgesoftheirbunks。Onthefloor，atthebottomoftheladder，punk-stickswereburninginanoldtomato-can。
Charliebroughtinsupper——stewedbeefandporkinabread-panandawoodenkit——andtheChinamenateinsilencewiththeirsheath-
knivesandfromtinplates。Aliquidthatboreadistantresemblancetocoffeewasserved。WilburlearnedafterwardtoknowthestuffasBlackJack，andtobeawarethatitwasmadefrombudbarleyandwassweetenedwithmolasses。Asinglereekinglampswungwiththeswingingoftheschooneroverthecentreofthegroup，andlongafterWilburcouldrememberthegrislyscene——
thepunk-sticks，thebread-panfullofhunksofmeat，thehorridcloseandoilysmell，andthecircleofsilent，preoccupiedChinese，eachsittingonhisbunk-ledge，devouringstewedporkandholdinghispannikinofBlackJackbetweenhisfeetagainsttherollingoftheboat。
Wilburlookedfearfullyatthemessinthepan，recallingthechocolateandstuffedolivesthathadbeenhislastluncheon。
"Well，"hemuttered，clinchinghisteeth，"I’vegottocometoitsoonerorlater。"Hispenknifewasinthepocketofhiswaist-
coat，underneathhisoilskincoat。Heopenedthebigblade，harpoonedacubeofpork，anddepositeditonhistinplate。Heateitslowlyandwithsavagedetermination。ButtheBlackJackwasmorethanhecouldbear。
"I’mnothungryenoughforthatjustnow，"hetoldhimself。"Say，Jim，"hesaid，turningtotheChinamannexthimonthebunk-ledge，"say，whatkindofboatisthis？Whatyoudo——whereyougo？"
Theothermovedawayimpatiently。
"Nosabe，nosabe，"heanswered，shakinghisheadandfrowning。
Throughoutthewholeofthatstrangemealtheseweretheonlywordsspoken。
WhenWilburcameondeckagainhenotedthatthe"BerthaMillner"
hadalreadyleftthewhistling-buoyastern。Offtotheeast，hersailsjustshowingabovethewaves，wasapilot-boatwiththenumber7onhermainsail。Theeveningwasclosingin;theFaralloneswereinplainsightdeadahead。Farbehind，inamassofshadowjustbluerthanthesky，hecouldmakeoutafewtwinklinglights——SanFrancisco。
HalfanhourlaterKitchellcameondeckfromhissupperinthecabinaft。Heglancedinthedirectionofthemainland，nowalmostoutofsight，thentookthewheelfromoneoftheChinamenandcommanded，"Easeoffy’rforean’mainsheets。"Thehandseasedawayandtheschoonerplayedoffbeforethewind。
Thestaysailwasset。The"BerthaMillner"headedtosouthwest，bowlingeasilyaheadofagoodeight-knotbreeze。
Nextcametheorder"Allhandsaft！"andWilburandhismatesbetookthemselvestothequarterdeck。Charlietookthewheel，andheandKitchellbegantochoosethemenfortheirwatches，justasWilburrememberedtohavechosensidesforbaseballduringhisschooldays。
"Sonny，I’llchooseyou;you’reonmywatch，"saidtheCaptaintoWilbur，"andIwillassoomtheree-sponsibilityofyournauticaleddoocation。"
"Imayaswelltellyouatonce，"beganWilbur，"thatI’mnosailor。"
"Butyouwillbe，soon，"answeredtheCaptain，atoncesoothingandthreatening;"youwillbe，MisterLileeoftheVallee，youkinlaytoitashowyouwillbeoneofthebestsailormenalongthefront，asourdearfriendJimsays。BeforeIgitthroowithyou，you’llbeasailormanorshark-bait，Icanpromiseyou。You’reonmywatch;stepoverhere，son。"
Thewatchesweredivided，CharlieandthreeotherChinamenontheport，Kitchell，Wilbur，andtwoChinamenonthestarboard。Thementroopedforwardagain。
Thetinyworldoftheschoonerhadlapsedtoquiet。The"BerthaMillner"wasnowclearoftheland，thatlaylikeabluroffaintestpurplesmoke——evergrowingfainter——lowintheeast。TheFarallonesshowedbuttheirshouldersabovethehorizon。Theschoonerwasstandingwelloutfromshore——evenbeyondthetrackofthecoastersandpassengersteamers——tocatchtheTradesfromthenorthwest。Thesunwassettingroyally，andtheflooroftheoceanshimmeredlikemosaic。Theseahadgonedownandthefuryofthebarwasathingforgotten。Itwasperceptiblywarmer。
Onboard，thetwowatchesmingledforward，smokingopiumandplayingagamethatlookedlikecheckers。Threeofthemwerewashingdownthedeckswithkaiarbrooms。ForthefirsttimesincehehadcomeonboardWilburheardthesoundoftheirvoices。
Theeveningwasmagnificent。NevertoWilbur’seyeshadthePacificappearedsovast，soradiant，sodivinelybeautiful。A
starortwoburnedslowlythroughthatpartoftheskywherethepinkbegantofadeintotheblue。Charliewentforwardandsetthesidelights——redontheportrigging，greenonthestarboard。
AshepassedWilbur，whowasleaningovertherailandwatchingthephosphorusflashingjustunderthesurface，hesaid：
"Hey，yougotalkee-talkone-pieceyBoss，savvyBoss——chin-chin。"
Wilburwentaftandcameuponthepoop，whereKitchellstoodatthewheel，smokinganinverted"Tarrier’sDelight。"
"Now，son，"beganKitchell，"Inatch’lyloveyousothatI’mgoin’
todoyouareelfavor，doyoutwig？I’mgoin’toallowyoutoberthaftinthecabin，’longo’mean’Charlie，an’beesidesyoucanmakefreeofmyquarterdeck。Mebbeeyouain’tusedtothewaysofsailormenjustyet，butyoucanlaytoitthatthosetwoarereelconcessions，savvy？Iain’tamush-head，likemeedearfriendJim。Youain’tnowater-frontswine，Icanguessthatwithonehandtiedbeehindme。You’reatoff，that’swhatyouare，andyourlineshasbeenlaidfortoffs。Iain’taskin’younoquestions，butyougotbrains，an’Ifiggerongettin’moreoutayoubylettin’youhavey’rheadabit。Butmind，now，yougetgayonce，sonny，ortrytoflimflamme，orforgetthatI’mthebossofthebathtub，an’strikemeblind，I’llcutyouopen，an’
youcanlaytothat，son。Now，then，here’sthegame：Youworkthisboat’longwiththecoolies，an’takemyorders，an’walkchalk，an’I’llteachyounavigation，an’makethiscruiseaseasyashow-do-you-do。Youdon’t，an’I’llmanhandleyoutilly’rbonescomethrooy’rhide。"
"I’venochoiceinthematter，"saidWilbur。"I’vegottomakethebestofabadsituation。"
"Iree-markedashowyouhadbrains，"mutteredtheCaptain。
"Butthere’sonething，"continuedWilbur;"ifI’mtohavemyheadalittle，asyousay，you’llfindwecangetalongbetterifyouputmetorightsaboutthiswholebusiness。WhywasIbroughtaboard，whyarethereonlyChinesealong，wherearewegoing，whatarewegoingtodo，andhowlongarewegoingtobegone？"
Kitchellspatovertheside，andthensuckedthenicotinefromhismustache。
"Well，"hesaid，resuminghispipe，"it’slikethis，son。ThisshipbelongstooneoftheSixChineseCompaniesofChinatowninFrisco。Charlie，here，isoneoftheshareholdersinthebusiness。WegodownheretwiceayearoffCapeSain’Lucas，LowerCalifornia，an’fishforbluesharks，orwhite，ifwekinketch’em。Wegettheliversofthesean’tryouttheoil，an’webringbackthatsameoil，an’theChinamensellitalloverSanFranciscoassimon-purecod-liveroil，savvy？An’itpayslikeanitratebed。Icomeinbecauseit’saCustom-houseregulationthatnocooliecantakeaboatoutofFrisco。"
"AndhowdoIcomein？"askedWilbur。
"MeedearfriendJimputaknock-me-outdropintoyourManhattancocktail。It’sacapsulefilledwithadrug。Youwereshanghaied，son，"saidtheCaptain，blandly。
**********
AboutanhourlaterWilburturnedin。Kitchellshowedhimhisbunkwithits"donkey’sbreakfast"andsingleill-smellingblanket。Itwaslocatedunderthecompanionwaythatleddownintothecabin。Kitchellbunkedononeside，Charlieontheother。A
hackeddealtable，coveredwithoilclothandironedtothefloor，aswinging-lamp，twochairs，arackofbooks，achestortwo，andaflaringpicturecutfromtheadvertisementofaballet，wastheroom’sinventoryinthematteroffurnitureandornament。
Wilbursatontheedgeofhisbunkbeforeundressing，reviewingtheextraordinaryeventsoftheday。Inamomenthewasawareofamovementinoneoftheothertwobunks，andpresentlymadeoutCharlielyingonhissideandholdingintheflameofanalcohollampaskeweronwhichsomebrownandstickystuffboiledandsizzled。Hetransformedthestufftothebowlofahugepipeanddrewonitnoisilyonceortwice。Inanothermomenthehadsunkbackinhisbunk，nearlysenseless，butwithalongbreathofanalmostblissfulcontentment。
"Beast！"mutteredWilbur，withprofounddisgust。
Hethrewoffhisoilskincoatandfeltinthepocketofhiswaistcoat（whichhehadretainedwhenhehadchangedhisclothesinthefo’c’sle）forhiswatch。Hedrewitout。Itwasjustnineo’clock。Allatonceanideaoccurredtohim。Hefumbledinanotherpocketofthewaistcoatandbroughtoutoneofhiscalling-cards。
ForamomentWilburremainedmotionless，seatedonthebunk-ledge，smilinggrimly，whilehisglancewanderednowtothesordidcabinofthe"BerthaMillner"andtheopium-druggedcooliesprawledonthe"donkey’sbreakfast，"andnowtothecardinhishandonwhichafewhoursagohehadwritten：
"Firstwaltz——Jo。"
III
THELADYLETTY
Anotherdaypassed，thentwo。BeforeWilburknewithehadsettledhimselftohisnewlife，andwokeonemorningtotherealizationthathewaspositivelyenjoyinghimself。Dailytheweathergrewwarmer。ThefifthdayoutfromSanFranciscoitwasactuallyhot。Thepitchgrewsoftinthe"BerthaMillner’s"deckseams，themastssweatedresin。TheChinamenwentaboutthedeckswearingbuttheirjeansandblouses。Kitchellhadlongsinceabandonedhiscoatandvest。Wilbur’soilskinsbecameintolerable，andhewasatlastconstrainedtotradehispocket-
knifetoCharlieforasuitofjeansandwickersandals，suchasthecoolieswore——andoddenoughhelookedinthem。
TheCaptaininstructedhiminsteering，andevenpromisedtoshowhimtheuseofthesextantandhowtotakeanobservationinthefakeshortandeasycoastingstyleofnavigation。Furthermore，heshowedhimhowtoreadthelogandthemannerofkeepingthedeadreckoning。
DuringmostofhiswatchesWilburwasengagedinpaintingtheinsideofthecabin，doorpanels，lintels，andthefewscatteredmoldings;andtowardthemiddleofthefirstweekout，whenthe"BerthaMillner"wasinthelatitudeofPointConception，heandthreeChinamen，underKitchell’sdirections，ratlineddowntheforeriggingandaffixedthecrow’snestuponthefor’mast。Thenextmorning，duringCharlie’swatchondeck，aChinamanwassentupintothecrow’snest，andfromthattimeontherewasalwaysalookoutmaintainedfromthemasthead。
MorethanonceWilburlookedaroundhimattheemptycoruscatingindigooftheoceanfloor，wonderingatthenecessityofthelookout，andfinallyexpressedhiscuriositytoKitchell。TheCaptainhadnowtakennotalittletoWilbur;atfirstforthesakeofawhiteman’scompany，andafterwardbecausehebegantoplaceacertainvaguerelianceuponWilbur’sjudgment。Kitchellhadreemarkedashowhehadbrains。
"Well，yousee，son，"KitchellhadexplainedtoWilbur，"os-
tensibleeweareaftershark-liveroil——andsoweare;butalsoweareonanylaythatturnsup;readyforanygame，fromwreckingtobarratry。Strikeme，ifIhaven’tthoughtofscuttlingthedough-
dishforherinsoorance。There’sregulartrade，son，tobedoneinships，andthenthere’spickin’san’pickin’san’pickin’s。
Lord，theocean’srichwithpickin’s。Doyouknowthere’smillionsmadeoutoftheday-breeandrefuseofabigcity？Howaboutanocean’sday-bree，justchewonthatnotionaturn;an’asfuralookout，lemmeetellyou，son，castyoureyeoutyon，"andheswepttheseawithaforearm;"nothin’，hey，soitlooks，butlemmeetellyou，son，thereain’tnomannerofplaceontheballofdirtwhereyou’relikelytorunupafoulofsomanythings——
unexpectedthings——asatsea。Whenyou’reclearo’landlaytothisherepree-cep’，’Amilliontooneontheunexpected。’"
Thenextdayfellalmostdeadcalm。Thehale，lusty-lungednor’westerthathadsnortedthemforthfromtheGoldenGatehadlapsedtoazephyr，theschoonerrolledlazilysouthwardwiththeleisurelynonchalanceofagrazingox。Atnoon，justafterdinner，afewcat’s-pawscurdledthemilky-bluewhitenessoftheglassysurface，andthewateroncemorebegantotalkbeneaththebow-sprit。Itwasveryhot。Thesunspunsilentlylikeaspinningbrassdiscusoverthemainmast。Onthefo’c’sleheadtheChinamenwereasleeporsmokingopium。ItwasCharlie’swatch。
Kitchelldozedinhishammockintheshadowofthemainsheet。
Wilburwasbelowtinkeringwithhispaint-potaboutthecabin。
Thestillnesswasprofound。Itwasthestillnessofthesummerseaathighnoon。
Thelookoutinthecrow’snestbrokethequiet。
"Hy-yah，hy-yah！"hecried，leaningfromthebarrelandcallingthroughanarchedpalm。"Hy-yah，onetwo，plenty，manytortle，topside，wattah;hy-yah，all-sametortle。"
"Hello，hello！"criedtheCaptain，rollingfromhishammock。
"Turtle？Where-away？"
"Itink-um’boutquallahmile，mebbee，four-pieceetortleall-sameweathabow。"
"Turtle，hey？Downy’rwheel，Jim，hauly’rjibtowin’ward，"hecommandedthemanatthewheel;thentothemenforward："Getthedoryoverboard。Son，Charlie，andyou，Wing，tumblein。Wakeupnowandseeyoustayso。"
Thedorywasswungovertheside，andthemendroppedintoherandtooktheirplacesattheoars。"Giveway，"criedtheCaptain，settlinghimselfinthebowwiththegaffinhishand。"Hey，Jim！"heshoutedtothelookoutfarabove，"hey，layourcourseforus。"Thelookoutnodded，theoarsfell，andthedoryshotforwardinthedirectionindicatedbythelookout。
"Kinyourow，son？askedKitchell，withsuddensuspicion。Wilbursmiled。
"YouaskCharlieandWingtoshiptheiroarsandgivemeapair。"
TheCaptaincomplied，hesitating。
"Now，what，"hesaidgrimly，"now，whatdoyouthinkyou’regoingtodo，sonny？"
"I’mgoingtoshowyoutheBobCookstrokeweusedinourboatin’95，whenwebeatHarvard，"answeredWilbur。
Kitchellgazeddoubtfullyatthefirstfewstrokes，thenwithgrowinginterestwatchedthetremendousreach，thepowerfulknee-
drive，theswing，theeasycatch，andtheperfectrecover。Thedorywascuttingthewaterlikeagasolinelaunch，andbetweenstrokestherewastheleastpossiblediminishingofthespeed。
"I’mabitoutofformjustnow，"remarkedWilbur，"andI’musedtotheslidingseat;butIguessit’lldo。"KitchellglancedatthehumanmachinethatoncewasNo。5intheYaleboatandthenatthewaterhissingfromthedory’sbows。"MyGawd！"hesaid，underhisbreath。Hespatoverthebowsandsuckedthenicotinefromhismustache，thoughtfully。
"Iree-marked，"heobserved，"ashowyouhadbrains，myson。"
AfewminuteslatertheCaptain，whowasstandinginthedory’sbowandalternatelyconningtheocean’ssurfaceandlookingbacktotheChinamanstandingontheschooner’smasthead，utteredanexclamation：
"Steady，shipyouroars，quietnow，quiet，youdamnfools！We’rerighton’em——four，byGawd，an’bigasdinin’tables！"
Theoarswereshipped。Thedory’sspeeddwindled。"Outyourpaddles，sitonthegun’l，andpaddleee-asy。"Thehandsobeyed。
TheCaptain’svoicedroppedtoawhisper。Hisbackwastowardthemandhegesturedwithonefreehand。Lookingoutoverthewaterfromhisseatonthegun’l，Wilburcouldmakeoutaround，greenishmasslikeapatchoffloatingseaweed，justunderthesurface，somesixtyyardsahead。
"Easysta’board，"whisperedtheCaptainunderhiselbow。"Goahead，port;e-e-easyall，steady，steady。"
Theaffairbegantoassumetheintensityofalittledrama——alittledramaofmidocean。Inspiteofhimself，Wilburwasexcited。Heevenfoundoccasiontoobservethatthelifewasnotsobad，afterall。Thiswasasgoodfunasstalkingdeer。Thedorymovedforwardbyinches。Kitchell’swhisperwasasfaintasadyinginfant’s："Steadyall，s-stead-ee，sh-stead——"
Helungedforwardsharplywiththegaff，andshoutedaloud："Igothim——grabholthistailflippers，youfoolswabs;grabholtquick——
don’tyouleggo——gothimthere，Charlie？Ifhegetsaway，youswine，I’llripy’openwiththegaff——heavenow——heave——there——
there——soh，standclearhisnippers。Strikeme！he’sawhacker。
Ithoughthewasgoingtogetaway。SawmejustasIswungthegaff，an’duckedhisnut。"
Overtheside，bundledwithoutceremonyintotheboat，clawing，thrashing，clattering，andblowingliketheexhaustofadonkey-
engine，tumbledthegreatgreenturtle，hiswet，greenshieldofshellthreefeetfromedgetoedge，thegafffirmlytransfixedinhisbody，justunderthefore-flipper。Fromunderhisshellprotrudedhissnake-likeheadandneck，witheredlikethatofanoldman。Hewaswavinghisheadfromsidetoside，thejawssnappinglikeasnappedsilkhandkerchief。Kitchellthrusthimawaywithapaddle。Theturtlecranedhisneck，andcatchingthebitofwoodinhisjaw，bititintwoinasinglegrip。
"Itol’youso，Itol’youtostandclearhissnapper。Ifthathadbeenyourshinnow，eh？Hello，what’sthat？"
Faintlyacrossthewatercameaprolongedhallooingfromtheschooner。Kitchellstoodupinthedory，shadinghiseyeswithhishat。
"What’sbiting’emnow？"hemuttered，withtheuneasinessofacaptainawayfromhisship。"OughtaleftCharlieonboard——oryou，son。Who’sdoin’thatyellin’，Ican’tmakeout。"
"Upinthecrow’snest，"exclaimedWilbur。"It’sJim，see，he’swavinghisarms。"
"Well，whaduzhewavehisdam’foolarmsfor？"growledKitchell，angrybecausesomethingwasgoingforwardhedidnotunderstand。
"There，he’sshoutingagain。Listen——Ican’tmakeoutwhathe’syelling。"
"He’llyelltoadifferentpipewhenIgetmygripofhim。I’lltwisttheheadofthatswabtillhe’llhavetowalkback’ardtoseewherehe’sgoin’。Whaduzhewavehisarmsfor——whaduzheyelllikeadam’philly-loobirdfor？What’shimsay，Charlie？"
"Jimheapsing，nocantell。Mebbee——tinkumsing，comebackchop-
chop。"
"We’llsee。Oarsout，men，giveway。Now，son，putalittleo’
thatYalestingointhestroke。"
Inthecrow’snestJimstillyelledandwavedlikeonedistraught，whilethedoryreturnedatasmartcliptowardtheschooner。
Kitchelllatheredwithfury。
"Oh-h，"hemurmuredsoftlythroughhisgrittedteeth。"Jesslemmeelaymeetwohandsafoulofyouwunst，yougibbering，yellowphilly-loobird，believeme，you’lldance。Shutup！"heroared;
"shutup，youcrazydo-do，ain’twecomingfastaswecan？"
Thedorybumpedalongside，andtheCaptainwasovertheraillikequicksilver。Thehandswereallinthebow，lookingandpointingtothewest。Jimsliddowntheratlines，bubblingoverwithsuppressednews。BeforehisfeethadtouchedthedeckKitchellhadkickedhimintothestaysagain，fulminatingblasphemies。
"Sing！"heshouted，astheChinamanclamberedawaylikeabewilderedape;"singalittlemore。IwouldifIwereyou。Whydon’tyousingandwave，youdam’foolphilly-loobird？"
"Yas，sah，"answeredthecoolie。
"Whatyouyellfor？Charlie，askhimwhaffohimsing。"
"Itink-umship，"answeredCharliecalmly，lookingoutoverthestarboardquarter。
"Ship！"
"Himvellysick，"hazardedtheChinamanfromtheratlines，addingasentenceinChinesetoCharlie。
"Hesayshetink-umshipsick，allsame;askumsomething——shipvellysick。"
BythistimetheCaptain，Wilbur，andallonboardcouldplainlymakeoutasailsomeeightmilesoffthestarboardbow。Evenatthatdistance，andtoeyessoinexperiencedasthoseofWilbur，itneededbutaglancetoknowthatsomethingwaswrongwithher。Itwasnotthatshefailedtoridethewaveswithevenkeel，itwasnotthatherriggingwasindisarray，northathersailsweredisordered。Herdistancewastoogreattomakeoutsuchdetails。
Butinpreciselythesamemannerasatrainedphysicianglancesatadoomedpatient，andfromthatindefinablelookinthefaceofhimandtheeyesofhimpronouncestheverdict"death，"soKitchelltookinthestrangerwithasinglecomprehensiveglance，andexclaimed：
"Wreck！"
"Yas，sah。Itink-umvellysick。"
"Oh，goto’ll，orgobelowandfetchupmyglass——hustle！"
Theglasswasbrought。"Son，"exclaimedKitchell——"whereisthatmanwiththebrains？Son，comealoftherewithme。"Thetwoclambereduptheratlinestothecrow’snest。Kitchelladjustedtheglass。
"She’sabark，"hemuttered，"ironbuilt——aboutsevenhundredtons，Iguess——indistress。There’sherensignupsidedownatthemizz’nhead——lookslikeNorway——an’herdistresssignalsonthespankergaff。Takeablinkather，son——whatdoyoumakeherout？
Lord，she’sridin’high。"
Wilburtooktheglass，catchingthestrangerafterseveralclumsyattempts。Shewas，asCaptainKitchellhadannounced，abark，and，tojudgebyherflag，evidentlyNorwegian。
"Howsherolls！"mutteredWilbur。
"That’swhatIcan’tmakeout，"answeredKitchell。"Abarksuchassheain’toughttorollthataway;herballast’dsteadyher。"
"What’stheflagsonthatboomaft——one’sredandwhiteandsquare-shaped，andtheother’sthesamecolor，onlyswallow-tailinshape？"
"That’sH。B。，meanin"：’Iaminneedofassistance。’"
"Well，where’sthecrew？Idon’tseeanybodyonboard。"
"Oh，they’rethererightenough。"
"Thenthey’reprettywellconcealedaboutthepremises，"turnedWilbur，ashepassedtheglasstotheCaptain。
"Shedoesseemkindaempty，"saidtheCaptaininamoment，withasuddenshowofinterestthatWilburfailedtounderstand。
"An’where’sherboats？"continuedKitchell。"Idon’tjustquitemakeoutanyboatsatall。"Therewasalongsilence。
"Seemstobeasortofhazeoverher，"observedWilbur。
"Inoticedthat，airkindaquiversoily-like。Noboats，noboats——
an’Ican’tseeanybodyaboard。"SuddenlyKitchellloweredtheglassandturnedtoWilbur。Hewasadifferentman。Therewasanewshineinhiseyes，awickedlineappearedoverthenose，thejawgrewsalient，prognathous。
"Son，"heexclaimed，gimletingWilburwithhiscontractedeves;"I
havereemarkedashowyouhadbrains。Ikinfoolthecoolies，butIcan’tfoolyou。Itlookstomeasifthatbarkyonderwasaderelict;an’doyouknowwhatthatmeanstous？Chawonitaturn。"
"Aderelict？"
"Ifthere’sacrewonboardthey’reconcealedfromthepublicgaze——an’wherearetheboatsthen？Ifiggershe’sanabandonedderelict。Doyouknowwhatthatmeansforus——foryouandI？Itmeans，"andgrippingWilburbytheshoulders，hespokethewordintohisfacewithasavageintensity。"Itmeanssalvage，doyousavvy？——salvage，salvage。Doyoufiggerwhatsalvageonaseven-
hundred-tonnerwouldcometo？Well，justlemmeedropitintoyourthinktank，an’laytowhatIsay。It’sallthewaysfromfiftytoseventythousanddollars，whateverhercargois;callitsixtythousand——thirtythou’apiece。Oh，Idon’tknow！"heexclaimed，lapsingtolandman’sslang。"Wha’dIsayaboutamilliontooneontheunexpectedatsea？"
"Thirtythousand！"exclaimedWilbur，withoutthoughtasyet。
"Nowy’rsingin’songs，"criedtheCaptain。"Listentome，son，"
hewenton，rapidlyshuttinguptheglassandthrustingitbackinthecase;"myname’sKitchell，andI’mhogrightthrough。"Heemphasizedthewordswithaleveledforefinger，hiseyesflashing。
H——O——Gspellsverytrulyyours，AlvinzaKitchell——ninety-nineswinean’memakeahundredswine。I’mashoatwithbothfeetinthetrough，first，last，an’always。Ifthatbark’sabandoned，an’Isayssheis，she’sours。I’moutforanythingthatthere’sstuffin。IguessI’mmoreofabeach-comberbynaturethananythingelse。Ifshe’sabandonedshebelongstous。To’llwiththiscooliegame。We’llgobeach-combin’，youandI。We’llboardthatbarkandworkherintothenearestport——SanDiego，Iguess——
andgetthesalvageonherifwehavetoswiminher。Areyouwithme？"heheldouthishand。Themanwaspositivelytremblingfromheadtoheel。Itwasimpossibletoresisttheexcitementofthesituation，itsnovelty——thehighcrow’snestoftheschooner，thekeensaltair，theChinamengroupedfarbelow，theindigoofthewarmocean，andoutyondertheforsakenderelict，rollingherlighthulltillthegarboardstreakflashedinthesun。
"Well，ofcourse，I’mwithyou，Cap，"exclaimedWilbur，grippingKitchell’shand。"Whenthere’sthirtythousandtobehadfortheaskingIguessI’ma’na’chelbawn’beach-combermyself。"
"Now，nothingaboutthistothecoolies。"
"Buthowwillyoumakeoutwithyourowners，theSixCompanies？
Aren’tyouboundtobringthe’Bertha’in？"
"Rotmyowners！"exclaimedKitchell。"Iain’taskipperofnooil-boatanylonger。I’mabeach-comber。"Hefixedthewallowingbarkwithglisteningeyes。"Gawdstrikeme，"hemurmured，"ain’tsheadaisy？It’salittleKlondike。Comeon，son。"
Thetwowentdowntheratlines，andKitchellorderedacoupleofthehandsintothedorythathadbeenrowingastern。HeandWilburfollowed。Charliewasleftonboard，withdirectionstolaytheschoonerto。Thedoryflewoverthewater，Wilbursettingthestroke。Inafewmomentsshewaswellupwiththebark。
Thoughalargerboatthanthe"BerthaMillner，"shewasrollinginlamentablefashion，andeverylaboringheaveshowedherbottomincrustedwithbarnaclesandseaweed。
Herforeandmaintops’lsandto’gallants’lswereset，asalsowereherlowerstays’lsandroyals。Butthebracesseemedtohaveparted，andtheyardswereswingingbackandforthintheirties。
Thespankerwasbrailedup，andthespankerboomthrashedidlyoverthepoopasthebarkrolledandrolledandrolled。Themainmastwasworkinginitsshoe，theriggingandbackstayssagged。Anairofabandonment，ofunspeakableloneliness，ofabominationhungabouther。NeverhadWilburseenanythingmoreutterlyalone。WithinthreelengthstheCaptainroseinhisplaceandshouted：
"Barkahoy！"Therewasnoanswer。Thriceherepeatedthecall，andthricethedismalthrashingofthespankerboomandtheflappingofthesailswastheonlyanswer。KitchellturnedtoWilburintriumph。"Iguessshe’sours，"hewhispered。Theywerenowcloseenoughtomakeoutthebark’snameuponhercounter，"LadyLetty，"andWilburwasintheactofreadingitaloud，whenahugebrowndorsalfin，likethetriangularsailofalugger，cutthewaterbetweenthedoryandthebark。
"Shark！"saidKitchell;"andthere’sanother！"heexclaimedinthenextinstant，"andanother！Strikeme，thewater’salivewith’em’！There’sastiffonthebark，youcanlaytothat";andatthat，actingonsomestrangeimpulse，hecalledagain，"Barkahoy！"Therewasnoresponse。
Thedorywasnowwelluptothederelict，andprettysoonaprolongedandvibratoryhissingnoise，strident，insistent，smoteupontheirears。
"What’sthat？"exclaimedWilbur，perplexed。TheCaptainshookhishead，andjustthen，asthebarkrolledalmosttoherscuppersintheirdirection，aglimpseofthedeckwaspresentedtotheirview。Itwasonlyaglimpse，goneontheinstant，asthebarkrolledbacktoport，butitwastimeenoughforWilburandtheCaptaintonotethepartedandopenseamsandthedeckbulging，andinonecornerblownupandsplintered。
Thecaptainsmoteathigh。
"Coal！"hecried。"Anthracitecoal。Thecoalhe’tupandgeneratedgas，ofcourse——nofire，y’understand，justgas——gasblewupthedeck——nowayofstoppingcombustion。Naturallytheyhadtocutforit。Smellthegas，can’tyou？Nowondershe’shissing——nowondersherolled——cargogoesoffingas——andwhat’stoweighherdown？Iwaswonderingwhatcould’a’wreckedherinthisweather。Lord，it’sasplainasBilly-b’damn。"
Thedorywasalongside。Kitchellwatchedhischance，andasthebarkrolleddowncaughtthemainyard-bracehanginginabightovertherailandswunghimselftothedeck。"Looksharp！"hecalled，asWilburfollowed。"Itwon’tdoforyoutofallamongthemshark，son。Justlookatthehundredsof’em。There’sastiffonboard，sure。"
Wilbursteadiedhimselfontheswayingbrokendeck，chokingagainstthereekofcoal-gasthathissedupwardoneveryhand。
Theheatwasalmostlikeafurnace。Everythingmetalwasintolerabletothetouch。
"She’sabandoned，sure，"mutteredtheCaptain。"Look，"andhepointedtotheemptychocksonthehouseandtheseveredlashings。
"Oh，it’sahaul，son;it’sahaul，an’youcanlaytothat。Now，then，cabinfirst，"andhestartedaft。
Butitwasimpossibletogointothecabin。Themomentthedoorwasopenedsuffocatingbillowsofgasrushedoutandbeatthemback。OnthethirdtrialtheCaptainstaggeredout，almostovercomewithitsvolume。
"Can’tgetinthereforawhileyet，"hegasped，"butIsawthestiffonthefloorbythetable;looksliketheoldman。He’sspithisfalseteethout。Iknewtherewasastiffaboard。"
"Thenthere’smorethanone，"saidWilbur。"Seethere！"Frombehindthewheel-boxinthesternprotrudedahandandforearminanoilskinsleeve。
Wilburranup，peeredoverthelittlespacebetweenthewheelandthewheel-box，andlookedstraightintoapairofeyes——eyesthatwerealive。Kitchellcameup。
"Oneleft，anyhow，"hemuttered，lookingoverWilbur’sshoulder;
"sailorman，though;can’tinterferewithoursalvage。Thebark’sderelict，rightenough。Shakehimoutofthere，son;can’tyouseethelad’sdottywiththegas？"
Crampedintothenarrowspaceofthewheel-boxlikeaterrifiedhareinablindburrowwasthefigureofayoungboy。SofirmlywashewedgedintothecornerthatKitchellhadtokickdowntheboxbeforehecouldbereached。Theboyspokenoword。Stupefiedwiththegas，hewatchedthemwithvacanteyes。
Wilburputahandunderthelad’sarmandgothimtohisfeet。Hewasatall，well-madefellow，withruddycomplexionandmilk-blueeyes，andwasdressed，asifforheavyweather，inoilskins。
"Well，sonny，you’vehadafinemessaboardhere，"saidKitchell。
Theboy——hemighthavebeentwoandtwenty——staredandfrowned。
"Cleanlocofromthegas。Gethimintothedory，son。I’lltrythisbloodycabinagain。"
Kitchellturnedbackanddescendedfromthepoop，andWilbur，hisarmaroundtheboy，followed。Kitchellwasalreadyoutofhearing，andWilburwasbracinghimselfupontherollingdeck，steadyingtheyoungfellowathisside，whenthelatterheavedadeepbreath。Histhroatandbreastswelled。Wilburstaredsharply，withamutteredexclamation：
"MyGod，it’sagirl！"hesaid。
IV
MORAN
MeanwhileCharliehadbroughtthe"BerthaMillner"uptowithinhailingdistanceofthebark，andhadhoveherto。KitchellorderedWilburtoreturntotheschoonerandbringoveracoupleofaxes。
"We’llhavetoknockholesallthroughthehouse，andbreakintheskylightsandletthegasescapebeforewecandoanything。Takethekidoverandgivehimwhiskey;thencomealongbackandbearahand。"
Wilburhadconsiderabledifficultyingettingintothedoryfromthedeckoftheplungingderelictwithhisdazedandalmosthelplesscharge。Evenashesliddowntheropeintothelittleboatandhelpedthegirltofollow，hewasawareoftwodull，brownish-greenshadowsmovingjustbeneaththewater’ssurfacenottenfeetaway，andheknewthathewasbeingstealthilywatched。
TheChinamenattheoarsofthedory，withthatextraordinaryabsenceofcuriositywhichisthemarkoftherace，didnotglanceasecondtimeatthesurvivorofthe"LadyLetty’s"misadventure。
Tothemitwasevidentshewasbutafor’masthand。However，Wilburexaminedherwithextraordinaryinterestasshesatinthesternsheets，sullen，half-defiant，half-bewildered，andbereftofspeech。
Shewasnotpretty——shewastootallforthat——quiteastallasWilburhimself，andherskeletonwastoomassive。Herfacewasred，andtheglintofblueicewasinhereyes。Hereyelashesandeyebrows，aswellasthealmostimperceptibledownthatedgedhercheekwhensheturnedagainstthelight，wereblondalmosttowhiteness。Whatbeautyshehadwasofthefine，hardyNorsetype。
Herhandswereredandhard，andevenbeneaththecoarsesleeveoftheoilskincoatonecouldinferthatthebicepsanddeltoidswerelargeandpowerful。Shewascoarse-fibred，nodoubt，mentallyaswellasphysically，buthercoarseness，soWilburguessed，wouldprovetobethecoarsenessofaprimitiveratherthanofadegeneratecharacter。
Onethinghesawclearlyduringthefewmomentsofthedory’stripbetweenbarkandschooner——thefactthathischargewasawomanmustbekeptfromCaptainKitchell。Wilburknewhismanbynow。
Itcouldbedone。Kitchellandhewouldtakethe"LadyLetty"
intothenearestportassoonaspossible。Thedeceptionwouldhavetobemaintainedonlyforadayortwo。
Heleftthegirlonboardtheschoonerandreturnedtothederelictwiththeaxes。HefoundKitchellonthehouse，justreturnedfromahastysurveyoftheprize。
"She’sadaisy，"vociferatedtheCaptain，asWilburcameaboard。
"I’vebeenhavin’alook’round。She’sbrand-new。Seethedateonthecapst’n-head？Christianiaisherhailin’port——builtthere;
butit’sherpapersI’mafter。Thenwe’llknowwherewe’reat。
How’sthekid？"
"She’sallright，"answeredWilbur，beforehecouldcollecthisthoughts。ButtheCaptainthoughthehadreferencetothe"Bertha。"
"Imeanthekidwefoundinthewheel-box。Hedoesn’tcountinoursalvage。Thebark’sbeenabandonedasplainaspaint。IfI
thoughthestoodinourway，"andKitchell’sjawgrewsalient。
"I’dshuthiminthecabinwiththeoldmanaspell，tillhe’dcoppedoff。Nowthen，son，firstthingtodoistochopventsinthisyerehouse。"
"Holdup——wecandobetterthanthat，"saidWilbur，restrainingKitchell’sfuryofimpatience。"Slidethebigskylightoff——it’sloosealready。"
Acoupleoftheschooner’shandswereorderedaboardthe"LadyLetty，"andtheskylightremoved。Atfirstthepourofgaswasterrific，butbydegreesitabated，andattheendofhalfanhourKitchellcouldkeepbacknolonger。
"Comeon！"hecried，catchingupanaxe;"rotthedifference。"Alltheplunderinginstinctsofthemanwerearousedandclamoring。
Hehadbecomeaverywolfwithinscentofitsprey——averitablehyenanuzzlingaboutitscarrion。
"Lord！"hegasped，"t’thinkthateverythingwesee，everythingwefind，isours！"
Wilburhimselfwasnotfarbehindhimineagerness。SomewheredeepdownintheheartofeveryAnglo-SaxonliesthepredatoryinstinctofhisVikingancestors——aninstinctthatathousandyearsofrespectabilityandtaxpayinghavenotquitesucceededineliminating。
Aflightofsixsteps，brass-boundandbearingthedoubleLofthebark’smonogram，ledthemdownintoasortofvestibule。Fromthevestibuleadooropeneddirectlyintothemaincabin。Theyentered。
Thecabinwassometwentyfeetlongandunusuallyspacious。Freshfromhisrecollectionofthegrimeandreekoftheschooner，itstruckWilburasparticularlydainty。Itwaspaintedwhitewithstripesofblue，goldandpea-green。Oneithersidethreedoorsopenedoffintostateroomsandprivatecabins，andwitheachrollofthederelictthesedoorsbangedlikeanirregulardischargeofrevolvers。Inthecentrewasthedining-table，coveredwitharedcloth，verymuchawry。Oneachsideofthetablewerefourarmchairs，screwedtothedeck，onesomewhatlargeratthehead。
Overhead，inswingingracks，wereglassesanddecantersofwhiskeyandsomekindofwhitewine。Butforonefeaturethesightofthe"Letty’s"cabinwascharming。However，onthefloorbytheslidingdoorintheforwardbulkheadlayabody，faceupward。
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