Thebodywasthatofamiddle-aged，fine-lookingman，hisheadcoveredwiththefur，ear-lappedcapthatNorwegiansaffect，eveninthetropics。Theeyeswerewideopen，thefacediscolored。Inthelastgaspofsuffocationthesetoffalseteethhadbeenforcedhalf-wayoutofhismouth，distortingthecountenancewithahideoussimiangrin。InstantlyKitchell’seyewascaughtbytheglintofthegoldinwhichtheseteethwereset。
"Here’sabout$100tobeginwith，"heexclaimed，andpickinguptheteeth，droppedthemintohispocketwithawinkatWilbur。
ThebodyofthedeadCaptainwaspassedupthroughtheskylightandslidoutonthedeck，andWilburandKitchellturnedtheirattentiontowhathadbeenhisstateroom。
TheCaptain’sroomwasthelargestoneofthesixstateroomsopeningfromthemaincabin。
"Hereweare！"exclaimedKitchellasheandWilburentered。"Theoldman’sroom，andnomistake。"
Besidesthebunk，thestateroomwasfittedupwithaloungeofredplushscrewedtothebulkhead。Arollofchartsleanedinonecorner，analarmclock，stoppedat1：15，stoodonashelfinthecompanyofsomedozenpaper-coverednovelsandadrinking-glassfullofcigars。Overthelounge，however，wastherackofinstruments，sextant，barometer，chronometer，glass，andthelike，securelyscreweddown，whileagainstthewall，infrontofaswivelleatherchairthatwasironedtothedeck，wasthelockedsecretary。
"Lookat’em，justlookat’em，willyou！"saidKitchell，runninghisfingerslovinglyoverthepolishedbrassoftheinstruments。
"There’sathousanddollarsofstuffrighthere。Thechronometer’sworthfivehundredalone，Bennett&Sons’ownmake。"
Heturnedtothesecretary。
"Now！"heexclaimedwithalongbreath。
WhatfollowedthrilledWilburwithalternateexcitement，curiosity，andavividsenseofdesecrationandsacrilege。Forthelifeofhimhecouldnotmakethethingseemrightorlegalinhiseyes，andyethehadneitherthewishnorthepowertostayhishandorinterferewithwhatKitchellwasdoing。
TheCaptainputthebladeoftheaxeinthechinkofthesecretary’sdoorandwrencheditfree。Itopeneddowntoformasortofdesk，anddisclosedanarrayofcubby-holesandtwosmalldoors，bothlocked。TheselatterKitchellsmashedinwiththeaxe-head。Thenheseatedhimselfintheswivelchairandbegantorifletheircontentssystematically，Wilburleaningoverhisshoulder。
Theheatfromthecoalbelowthemwasalmostunbearable。Inthecabinthesixdoorskeptupacontinuousear-shockingfusillade，asthoughhalfadozenmenwerefightingwithrevolvers;fromwithout，downtheopenskylight，camethesing-songtalkoftheChinamenandthewashandrippleofthetwovessels，nowsidebyside。Theair，foulbeyondexpression，tastedofbrass，theirheadsswamandachedtobursting，butabsorbedintheirworktheyhadnothoughtofthelapseoftimenorthediscomfortoftheirsurroundings。Twiceduringtheexaminationofthebark’spapers，KitchellsentWilburoutintothecabinforthewhiskeydecanterintheswingingracks。
"Here’sthecharterpapers，"saidKitchell，unfoldingandspreadingthemoutonebyone;"andhere’stheclearingpapersfromBlythinEngland。Thisyere’stheinsoorance，andhere，thisis——rotthat，nothin’butthearticlesforthecrew——nousetous。"
Inaseparateenvelope，carefullysealedandbound，theycameupontheCaptain’sprivatepapers。AmarriagecertificatesettingforththeunionbetweenEilertSternersen，ofFruholmen，Norway，andSarahMoran，ofsomeseaporttown（thenamewasindecipherable）oftheNorthofEngland。NextcameabirthcertificateofadaughternamedMoran，datedtwenty-twoyearsback，andabillofsaleofthebark"LadyLetty，"wherebyatwo-
thirdsinterestwasconveyedfromthepreviousowners（ashipbuildingfirmofChristiania）toCapt。EilertSternersen。
"Theoldmanwashisownboss，"commentedKitchell。"Hello！"heremarked，"lookhere";ayellowedphotographwasinhishandthepictureofastout，fair-hairedwomanofaboutforty，wearingenormouspendantearringsinthestyleoftheearlysixties。
Belowwaswritten："S。MoranSternersen，ob。1867。"
"Oldwomancoppedoff，"saidKitchell，"somuchthebetterforus;
noheirstoputintheirgab;an’——holdhard——steadyall——here’sthewill，s’helpme。"
Theonlyitemsofimportanceinthewillweretheconfirmationofthewife’sdeathandtheexpresslystatedbequestof"thebarkknownasandsailingunderthenameofthe’LadyLetty’tomyonlyandbeloveddaughter，Moran。"
"Well，"saidWilbur。
TheCaptainsuckedhismustache，thenfuriously，strikingthedeskwithhisfist：
"Thebark’sours！"therewasacertainringofdefianceinhisvoice。"Damnthewill！Iain’tsocock-sureaboutthelaw，butI’llmakesure。"
"Ashow？"saidWilbur。
Kitchellslungthewilloutoftheopenportintothesea。
"That’show，"heremarked。"I’mtheheir。Ifoundthebark;minesheis，an’mineshestays——yoursan’mine，thatis。"
ButWilburhadnoteventimetothoroughlyenjoythesatisfactionthattheCaptain’swordsconveyed，beforeanideasuddenlypresenteditselftohim。Thegirlhehadfoundonboardofthebark，theruddy，fair-hairedgirlofthefineandhardyNorsetype——thatwasthedaughter，ofcourse;thatwas"Moran。"
Instantlythesituationadjusteditselfinhisimagination。Thetwoinseparablesfatheranddaughter，sailorsboth，theirlivespassedtogetheronshipboard，andthe"LadyLetty"theirdream，theirambition，avesselthatatlasttheycouldcalltheirown。
Thenthisdisastrousvoyage——perhapsthefirstintheirnewcraft——
thecombustioninthecoal——thepanicterrorofthecrewandtheirdesertionofthebark，andthesturdyresolutionofthefatheranddaughtertobringthe"Letty"in——toworkherintoportalone。Theyhadfailed;thefatherhaddiedfromgas;thegirl，atleastforthemoment，wascrazedfromitseffects。Butthebarkhadnotbeenabandoned。Theownerwasonboard。Kitchellwaswrong;shewasnoderelict;notonepennycouldtheygainbyhersalvage。
ForaninstantawaveofbitterestdisappointmentpassedoverWilburashesawhis$30，000dwindlingtonothing。Thentheinstinctsofhabitreassertedthemselves。Thetaxpayerinhimwasstrongerthanthefreebooter，afterall。Hefeltthatitwashisdutytoseetoitthatthegirlhadherrights。Kitchellmustbemadeawareofthesituation——mustbetoldthatMoran，thedaughter，theCaptain’sheir，wasonboardtheschooner;thatthe"kid"foundinthewheel-boxwasagirl。Butonsecondthoughtthatwouldneverdo。Aboveallthings，thebruteKitchellmustnotbeshownthatagirlwasaboardtheschooneronwhichhehadabsolutecommand，nor，settingthequestionofMoran’ssexaside，mustKitchellknowherevenasthedeadCaptain’sheir。Therewasadifferenceinthemenhere，andWilburappreciatedit。
Kitchell，thelaw-abidingtaxpayer，wasaweaklingincomparisonwithKitchell，thefree-booterandbeach-comberinsightofhisprize。
"Son，"saidtheCaptain，makingabundleofallthepapers，"taketheseovertomybunkandhide’emunderthedonkey’sbreakfast。
Stopabit，"headded，asWilburstartedaway。"I’llgowithyou。
We’llhavetoburytheoldman。"
ThroughoutalltheafternoontheCaptainhadbeendrinkingthewhiskeyfromthedecanterfoundinthecabin;nowhestoodupunsteadily，and，raisinghisglass，exclaimed：
"Sonny，here’stoKitchell，Wilbur&Co。，beach-combers，unlimited。Whatdoyousay，hey？"
"Ionlywanttobesurethatwe’vearighttothebark，"answeredWilbur。
"Righttoher——ri-hightto’er，"hiccoughedtheCaptain。"Strikemeblind，I’dliketoseeanyonetry’ntakeherawayfromAlvinzaKitchellnow，"andhethrustouthischinatWilbur。
"Well，somuchthebetter，then，"saidWilbur，pocketingthepapers。Thepairascendedtothedeck。
TheburialofCaptainSternersenwasadreadfulbusiness。
Kitchell，fargoneinwhiskey，stoodonthehouseissuinghisorders，drinkingfromoneofthedecantershehadbroughtupwithhim。Hehadalreadyrifledthedeadman’spockets，andhadeventakenawaythebootsandfur-linedcap。Clothswerecutfromthespankerandrolledaroundthebody。ThenKitchellorderedthepeakhalyardsunroveandusedaslashingstotiethecanvasaroundthecorpse。Theredandwhiteflags（thedistresssignals）werestillboundonthehalyards。
"Leave’emon。Leave’emon，"commandedKitchell。"Use’masashrou’。Allreadynow，stan’bytolethergo。"
WilburlookedoverattheschoonerandnotedwithimmensereliefthatMoranwasnotinsight。SuddenlyanabruptreactiontookplaceintheCaptain’saddledbrain。
"Can’tbury’um’ithout’isteeth，"hegabbledsolemnly。Helaidbackthecanvasandreplacedtheset。"Oleman’dha’ntme’fI
kep’’steeth。Strike！looka’that，Iput’eminupsidedown。
Nev’min’，upsi’down，downsi’up，whazodds，allsamewitholeBill，hey，oleBill，allsamewithyou，hey？"Suddenlyhebegantohowlwithlaughter"T’thinkabein’buriedwithy’rteethupsi’
down。Oh，mee，butthat’sagoodgrind。Stan’bytoheaveoleUncleBillover——ready，heave，an’awayshegoes。"Herantotheside，wavinghishatandlookingover。"Goo’-by，oleBill，by-by。
Thereyougo，an’thesignalo’distressroun’you，H。B。’I’minneedofassistance。’Lord，herecomesthesharks——look！look！lookatumfight！lookatumtakin’oleBill！I’minneedofassistance。Ish’dsayyouwere，oleBill。"
Wilburlookedonceoverthesideinthechurning，lashingwater，thendrewback，sicktovomiting。Butinlessthanthirtysecondsthewaterwasquiet。Notasharkwasinsight。
"Getovert’the’Bertha’withthosepapers，son，"orderedKitchell;"I’llbidehereanddigupsh’mor’loot。I’llgutthisolepill-boxfromsterntostem-post’foreI’llleave。Iwon’tleaveacopperrivetin’er，nottaco’errivet，dyhear？"heshouted，hisfacepurplewithunnecessaryrage。
WilburreturnedtotheschoonerwiththetwoChinamen，leavingKitchellaloneonthebark。Hefoundthegirlsittingbytherudderheadalmostashehadlefther，lookingaboutherwithvague，unseeingeyes。
"YounameisMoran，isn’tit？"heasked。"MoranSternersen。"
"Yes，"shesaid，afterapause，thenlookedcuriouslyatabitoftarredropeonthedeck。Nothingmorecouldbegotoutofher。
Wilburtalkedtoheratlength，andtriedtomakeherunderstandthesituation，butitwasevidentshedidnotfollow。However，ateachmentionofhernameshewouldanswer：
"Yes，yes，I’mMoran。"
Wilburturnedawayfromher，bitinghisnetherlipinperplexity。
"Now，whatamIgoingtodo？"hemuttered。"Whatasituation！IfItelltheCaptain，it’sallupwiththegirl。Ifhedidn’tkillher，he’ddoworse——mightdoboth。IfIdon’ttellhim，theregoesherbirthright，$60，000，andshealoneintheworld。It’sbeguntogoalready，"headded，listeningtothesoundsthatcamefromthebark。Kitchellwasragingtoandfrointhecabininafrenzyofdrink，axeinhand，smashingglassware，hackingintothewood-work，singingthewhileatthetopofhisvoice：
"AsthroughthedropIgo，dropIgo，AsthroughthedropIgo，dropIgo，AsthroughthedropIgo，Downtohellthatyawnsbelow，TwentystiffsallinarowDamnyoureyes"
"That’sthekindofmanIhavetodealwith，"mutteredWilbur。
"It’sencouraging，andthere’snoonetotalkto。NotmuchhelpinaChinamanandacrazygirlinaman’soilskins。It’saboutthebiggestsituationyoueverfaced，RossWilbur，andyou’reallalone。Whatthedevilareyougoingtodo？"
HeacknowledgedwithconsiderablehumiliationthathecouldnotgetthebetterofKitchell，eitherphysicallyormentally。
Kitchellwasamorepowerfulmanthanhe，andcleverer。TheCaptainwasinhiselementnow，andhewasthecommander。Onshoreitwouldhavebeenvastlydifferent。Thecity-bredfellow，withapolicemanalwaysincall，wouldhaveknownhowtoact。
"Isimplycan’tstandbyandseethathogplunderingeverythingshe’sgot。What’stobedone？"
Andsuddenly，whilethewordswereyetinhismouth，thesunwaswipedfromtheskylikewritingfromaslate，thehorizonblackened，vanished，alongwhitelineoffrothwhippedacrosstheseaandcameonhissing。Ahollownoteboomedout，boomed，swelled，andgrewrapidlytoaroar。
Anicychillstabbedtheair。Thenthesquallswoopedandstruck，andtheskyshutdownoverthetroubledoceanlikeapot-lidoveraboilingpot。Theschooner’sforeandmainsheets，thathadnotbeenmadefast，unroveatthefirstgustandbegantoslatwildlyinthewind。TheChinamencoweredtothedecks，graspingatcleats，stays，andmasts。Theywerehelpless——paralyzedwithfear。Charlieclungtoastay，onearmoverhishead，asthoughdodgingablow。Wilburgrippedtherailwithhishandswherehestood，histeethset，hiseyeswide，waitingforthefounderingoftheschooner，hisonlythoughtbeingthattheendcouldnotbefar。Hehadheardofthesuddennessoftropicalsqualls，butthishadcomewiththeabruptnessofascene-shiftataplay。Theschoonerveeredbroad-ontothewaves。Itwasthebeginningoftheend——anotherrolltotheleewardlikethelastandthePacificwouldcomeaboard。
"Andyoucallyourselvessailormen！Areyougoingtodrownlikeratsonaplank？"AvoicethatWilburdidnotknowwentringingthroughthathorridshoutingofwindandsealikethecallofabugle。HeturnedtoseeMoran，thegirlofthe"LadyLetty，"
standingerectuponthequarterdeck，holdingdowntheschooner’swheel。Theconfusionofthatdreadfulmoment，thathadparalyzedthecrew’ssenses，hadbroughtbackhers。Shewasherselfagain，savage，splendid，dominant，superb，inherwrathattheirweakness，theircowardice。
Herheavybrowswereknottedoverherflamingeyes，herhatwasgone，andherthickbandsofyellowhairwhippedacrossherfaceandstreamedoutinthewindlikestreamersofthenorthernlights。Assheshouted，gesturingfuriouslytothemen，theloosesleeveoftheoilskincoatfellback，andshowedherforearm，strong，round，andwhiteasscud，thehandandwristsotannedastolookalmostlikeaglove。Andallthewhilesheshoutedaloud，furiouswithindignation，ragingagainstthesupinenessofthe"Bertha’s"crew。
"Standby，men！standby！Lookalive，now！Makefastthestays’lhalyardstothedory’swarp！Now，then，unreevey’rhalyards！allclearthere！passtheendfor’doutsidetherigging！outside！youfools！Makefasttothebitsfor’ard——letgoy’rline——that’lldo。
Soh——soh。There，she’scomingup。"
Thedoryhadbeentowingastern，andtheseascombingoverherhadswampedher。Moranhadbeeninspiredtousetheswampedboatasasea-anchor，fasteninghertotheschooner’sbowinsteadoftothestern。The"Bertha’s"bow，answeringtothedrag，veeredaround。
The"Bertha"stoodheadtotheseas，ridingoutthesquall。Itwasamasterpieceofseamanship，conceivedandexecutedintheverythickofperil，anditsavedtheschooner。
Buttherewaslittletimetothinkofthemselves。Onboardthebarkthesailswerestillset。Thesquallstruckthe"LadyLetty"
squarelyaback。Sheheeledoverupontheinstant;thenasthetophampercarriedawaywithacrash，easedbackamomentuponanevenkeel。Buthercargohadshifted。Thebarkwasdoomed。ThroughtheflyingsprayandscudandrainWilburhadamomentaryglimpseofKitchell，hackingatthelanyardswithhisaxe。Thenthe"LadyLetty"capsized，goingovertillhermastswereflatwiththewater，andinanothersecondrolledbottomup。Foramomentherkeelandredironbottomwerevisiblethroughthemistofdrivingspoon-drift。Suddenlytheysankfromsight。Shewasgone。
Andthen，liketherollingupofascroll，thesquallpassed，thesunreturned，theskyburnedbacktoblue，theruggednesswassmoothedfromtheocean，andthewarmthofthetropicsclosedaroundthe"BerthaMillner，"oncemorerollingeasilyontheswelloftheocean。
Ofthe"LadyLetty"andthedrunkenbeach-combingCaptainnotatraceremained。Kitchellhadgonedownwithhisprize。The"BerthaMillner’s"Chinesecrewhuddledforward，talkingwildly，pointingandlookinginabewilderedfashionoverthesides。
WilburandMoranwereleftaloneontheopenPacific。
V
AGirlCaptainWhenWilburcameondeckthemorningafterthesinkingofthebarkhewassurprisedtofindtheschoonerunderwayagain。WilburandCharliehadberthedforwardduringthatnight——Charliewiththehands，WilburintheCaptain’shammock。ThereasonforthischangeofquartershadbeenfoundinaperemptoryorderfromMoranduringthedog-watchtheprecedingevening。
ShehadlookedsquarelyatWilburfromunderherscowl，andhadsaidbrieflyandinafinecontraltovoice，thathehadforthefirsttimenoted："Iberthaft，inthecabin;youandtheChinamanforward。Understand？"
MoranhadonlyforestalledWilbur’sintention;whileafterheralmostmiraculouspieceofseamanshipintherescueoftheschooner，CharlieandtheChinesecrewaccordedherarespectthatwasalmostsuperstitious。
Wilburmetheragainatbreakfast。Shewasstillwearingmen’sclothing——partofKitchell’soutfit——andwasbootedtotheknee;
butnowsheworenohat，andherenormousmaneofrye-coloredhairwasbraidedintolongstrandsneartothethicknessofaman’sarm。Therednessofherfacegaveastartlingeffecttoherpaleblueeyesandsandy，heavyeyebrows，thateasilyloweredtoafrown。Sheatewithherknife，andafterpushingawayherplateWilburobservedthatshedrankhalfatumblerofwhiskeyandwater。
Theconversationbetweenthetwowastameenough。Therewasnocommongrounduponwhichtheycouldmeet。Toherfather’sdeath——
nodoubtanoldmatterevenbeforeherrescue——shemadenoallusion。HerattitudetowardWilburwasoneofdefianceandsuspicion。Onlyoncedidsherelax：
"Howdidyoucometobeaboardherewiththeserat-eaters——you’renosailor？"shesaidabruptly。
"Huh！"laughedWilbur，mirthlessly;"huh！Iwasshanghaied。"
Moransmotethetablewitharedfist，andshoutedwithsonorous，bell-tonedlaughter。
"Shanghaied？——you？Now，thatisreallygood。Andwhatareyougoingtodonow？"
"Whatareyougoingtodo？"
"Signalthefirsthome-boundvesselandbetakenintoFrisco。
I’vemyinsurancetocollect（Wilburhadgivenherthe’Letty’s’
papers）andthedisastertoreport。"
"Well，I’mnotkeenonshark-huntingmyself，"saidWilbur。ButMoranshowednointerestinhisplans。
However，theysoonfoundthattheywerenottobepermittedtosignal。Atnoonthesamedaytheschoonersightedasteamship’ssmokeonthehorizon，andbegantoraiseherrapidly。Moranimmediatelyboundontheensign，uniondown，andbrokeitoutatthepeak。
Charlie，whowasatthewheel，spokeasentenceinChinese，andoneofthehandsdrewhisknifeacrossthehalyardsandbroughtthedistresssignaltothedeck。MoranturneduponCharliewithanoath，herbrowsknitted。
"No！No！"sangCharlie，closinghiseyesandwagginghishead。
"No！Toomucheelos’time;nocanstop。Youcomedownsidecabin;
youan’one-piecebossnumbertwo（thiswasWilbur）haveumchin-
chin。"
TheoddconclaveassembledaboutKitchell’stable——theclub-man，thehalf-masculinegirlinmen’sclothes，andtheChinaman。Theconferencewasanangryone，WilburandMoraninsistingthattheybeputaboardthesteamship，Charlierefusingwithcalmobstinacy。
"Ihaveumchin-chinwithChinaboyslas’nigh’。Chinaboyheapflaid，nocanstopumsteamship。Heapflaidtoomuchtalkee-
talkee。Nostop;gofishnow;gofishchop-chop。Los’heaptime;
gofish。Inosavvysailumboat，Chinaboynosavvysailumboat。Itinkumyousavvy（andhepointedtoMoran）。Itinkumyousavvyplentyheapmuchdisabay。Bossnumbertwo，himnosavvysailumboat，buthimsavvyplentymanyallsame。’
"Andwe’retostoponboardyourdough-dishandnavigateherforyou？"shoutedMoran，herfaceblazing。
Charlienoddedblandly："Itinkumyass。"
"Andwhenwegetbacktoport，"exclaimedWilbur，"youthink，perhapsI——wewon’tmakeitinterestingforyou？"
Charliesmiled。
"ItinkumSixCompanyheaprich。"
"Well，getalong，"orderedMoran，asthoughtheschoonerwasherproperty，"andwe’lltalkitover。"
"Chinaboylikeyouheapprettybig，"saidCharlietoMoran，ashewentout。"Yousavvysailumboatalllight;wantayoufo’
captain。But，"headded，suddenlydroppinghisblandpassivityasthoughheworeamask，andforaninstantallowingthewickedmalevolentCantonesetocometothesurface，"Chinaboynolikeefunneebusiness，savvy？"ThenwithasmileofaTalleyrandhedisappeared。
MoranandWilburwerehelplessforthepresent。TheywerebuttwoagainstsevenChinamen。Theymuststayonboard，ifthecoolieswishedit;andiftheyweretostayitwasamatteroftheirownpersonalsafetythatthe"BerthaMillner"shouldbeproperlynavigated。
"I’llcaptainher，"concludedMoran，sullenly，attheendoftheirtalk。"Youmustactasmate，Mr。Wilbur。Anddon’tgetanymistakenideaintoyourheadthat，becauseI’mayounggirlandalone，youaregoingtorunthingsyourway。Idon’tlikefunnybusinessanybetterthanCharlie。"
"Lookhere，"saidWilbur，complaining，"don’tthinkI’maltogetheravillain。Ithinkyou’rearippingfinegirl。You’redifferentfromanykindofgirlIevermet，ofcourse，butyou，byjingo，you’re——you’resplendid。Thereinthesqualllastevening，whenyoustoodatthewheel，withyourhair——"
"Oh，dropthat！"saidthegirl，contemptuously，andwentupondeck。Wilburfollowed，scratchinganear。
Charliewascalledaftandtheirdecisionannounced。Moranwouldnavigatethe"BerthaMillner，"Wilburandshetakingthewatches。
Charliepromisedthathewouldanswerfortheobedienceofthemen。
TheirfirstconcernnowwastoshapetheircourseforMagdalenaBay。MoranandWilburlookedoverKitchell’schartsandlog-book，butthegirlflungthemasidedisdainfully。
"He’sbeensailingbythedeadreckoning，andhisnavigationisdrivel。Why，acabin-boywouldknowbetter;and，toendwith，thechronometerisrundown。I’llhavetogetGreen’ichtimebytakingthealtitudeofastarto-night，andfigureoutourlongitude。Didyoubringoffoursextant？"
Wilburshookhishead。"Onlythepapers，"hesaid。
"There’sonlyanoldebonyquadranthere，"saidMoran，"butitwillhavetodo。"
Thatnight，lyingflatonherbackonthedeckwithaquadranttohereye，she"gotastarandbroughtitdowntothehorizon，"andsatupunderthereekinglampinthecabinnearlythewholenightcipheringandcipheringtillshehadfilledupthefoursidesofthelog-slatewithhercalculations。However，bydaylightshehadobtainedthecorrectGreenwichtimeandworkedtheschooner’slongitude。
Twodayspassed，thenathird。Moransettheschooner’scourse。
Shekeptalmostentirelytoherself，andwhennotatthewheelortakingthesunorwritingupthelog，gloomedovertheafter-railintotheschooner’swake。Wilburknewnotwhattothinkofher。
Neverinhislifehadhemetwithanygirllikethis。Soaccustomedhadshebeentotherough，give-and-take，directassociationsofaseafaringlifethatshemisinterpretedwell-
meantpoliteness——theonlyrespectheknewhowtopayher——tomeaninsidiousadvances。Shewassuspiciousofhim——distrustedhimutterly，andopenlyridiculedhisabortiveseamanship。Prettyshewasnot，butshesoonbegantohaveacertainamountofattractionforWilbur。Helikedhersplendidropesofhair，herheavycontraltovoice，herfineanimalstrengthofboneandmuscle（admittedlygreaterthanhisown）;headmiredherindomitablecourageandself-reliance，whileherpositivegeniusinthemattersofseamanshipandnavigationfilledhimwithspeechlesswonder。Thegirlshehadbeenusedtowerecleveronlyintheirknowledgeoftheamenitiesofanafternooncallortheformalitiesofapapergerman。Agirloftwo-and-twentywhocouldcalculatelongitudefromthealtitudeofastarwasoutsidehisexperience。
Themorehesawofherthemoreheknewhimselftohavebeenrightinhisfirstestimate。Shedrankwhiskeyafterhermeals，andwhenangry，whichwasoften，sworelikeabuccaneer。Asyetshewasalmost，asonemightsay，withoutsex——savage，unconquered，untamed，gloryinginherownindependence，hersullenisolation。
Herneckwasthick，strong，andverywhite，herhandsroughenedandcalloused。Inhermen’sclothesshelookedtall，vigorous，andunrestrained，andonmorethanoneoccasion，asWilburpassedclosetoher，hewasmadeawarethatherhair，herneck，herentirepersonalityexhaledafine，sweet，naturalredolencethatsavoredoftheoceanandgreatwinds。
Oneday，ashesawherhandlingahugewater-barrelbythechinesonly，withastrengthheknewtobegreaterthanhisown，herbrowscontractedwiththeeffort，herhaircurlingaboutherthickneck，herlarge，roundarmsbaretotheelbow，asuddenthrillofenthusiasmsmotethroughhim，andbetweenhisteethheexclaimedtohimself：
"ByJove，you’reawoman！"
The"BerthaMillner"continuedtothesouthward，glidingquietlyovertheoil-smoothnessoftheoceanunderairssolightashardlytorufflethesurface。Sometimesathighnoontheshimmeroftheoceanfloorblendedintotheshimmeroftheskyatthehorizon，andthenitwasnolongerwaterandblueheavens;thelittlecraftseemedtobepoisedinavastcrystallinesphere，wheretherewasneitherheightnordepth——poisedmotionlessinwarm，coruscating，opalescentspace，alonewiththesun。
Atlengthonemorningtheschooner，whichfortheprecedingtwenty-fourhourshadbeenheadingeastward，raisedtheland，andbythemiddleoftheafternoonhadcomeuptowithinamileofalow，sandyshore，quiveringwithheat，andhadtieduptothekelpinMagdalenaBay。
Charlienowtookoverentirechargeofoperations。FortwodaysprevioustheChinesehandshadbeengettingoutthedeck-tubs，tackles，gaffs，spades，andtheothershark-fishinggearthathadbeenstowedforward。Thesailswereloweredandgasketed，thedecksclearedofallimpedimenta，hogsheadsandhugevatsstoodreadyinthewaist，andthelazyindolenceofthepreviousweekwasreplacedbyanextraordinaryactivity。
Thedayaftertheirarrivalinthebaywasoccupiedbyallhandsincatchingbait。Thisbaitwasakindofrock-fish，ofabeautifulredgoldcolor，andaboutthesizeofanordinarycod。
Theybitreadilyenough，butoutofeverytenhookedthreeweretakenoffthelinesbythesharksbeforetheycouldbebroughtaboard。Anotherdifficultylayinthefactthat，eitherbecauseoftheexcessiveheatintheairorthepercentageofalkaliinthewater，theyspoiledalmostimmediatelyifleftintheair。
Turtlewereeverywhere——floatinggray-greendisksjustunderthesurface。Sea-birdsincloudsclamoredalldaylongabouttheshoreandsand-pits。Atlongintervalsflying-fishskitteredoverthewaterlikeskipping-stones。Shoalsofporpoisescameinfromoutside，leapingclumsilyalongtheedgesofthekelp。Bewilderedland-birdsperchedontheschooner’srigging，andintheearlymorningthewhistlingofquailcouldbeheardonshorenearwherealittlefresh-waterstreamrandowntomeettheocean。
ItwasWilburwhocaughtthefirstsharkonthesecondmorningofthe"Bertha’s"adventinMagdalenaBay。Astoreofbaithadbeenaccumulated，splitandhalvedintochunksfortheshark-hooks，andWilbur，baitingoneofthehugelinesthathadbeenbroughtupondecktheeveningbefore，flungitoverboard，andwatchedtheglimmerofthewhitefish-meatturningtoasilverygreenasitsankdownamongthekelp。Almostinstantlyalongmovingshadow，justdarkerthantheblue-greenmassofthewater，identifieditselfatalittledistance。
Enormousflukesproceededfromeitherside，anerectdorsalfin，likeanenormouscock’screst，rosefromtheback，whileimmediatelyovertheheadswamthetwopilot-fish，followingsocloselythemovementofthesharkastogivetheimpressionofactuallyadheringtohisbody。Twiceandthreetimesthegreatman-eatertwelvefeetfromsnouttotail-tip，circledslowlyaboutthebait，theflukesmovingfan-likethroughthewater。Oncehecameup，touchedthebaitwithhisnose，andbackedeasilyaway。
Hedisappeared，returned，andpoisedhimselfmotionlessintheschooner’sshadow，feelingthewaterwithhisflukes。
MoranwaslookingoverWilbur’sshoulder。"He’sasgoodascaught，"shemuttered;"onceletthemgetsightofmeat，and——
Steadynow！"Thesharkmovedforward。Suddenly，withalong，easyroll，heturnedcompletelyuponhisback。Hiswhitebellyflashedlikesilverinthewater——thebaitdisappeared。
"You’vegothim！"shoutedMoran。
TheropeslidthroughWilbur’spalms，burningtheskinasthehugesea-wolfsounded。Moranlaidhold。Theheavy，sullenwrenchingfrombelowtwitchedandswayedtheirbodiesandthrewthemagainsteachother。Herbare，coolarmwaspressedcloseoverhisknuckles。
"Heave！"shecried，laughingwiththeexcitementofthemoment。
"Heaveall！"——shebeganthechantofsailorshaulingattheropes。
Together，andbracingtheirfeetagainsttheschooner’srail，theyfoughtoutthefightwiththegreatfish。Inaswirloflathertheheadandshoulderscameabovethesurface，theflukeschurningthewatertillitboiledlikethewakeofascrewsteamship。Butassoonasthesegreatfinswereclearofthesurfacethesharkfellquietandhelpless。
Charliecameupwiththecutting-inspade，andasthefishhungstillovertheside，cuthimopenfromnecktobellywithasinglemovement。AnotherChinamanstoodbywithalong-handledgaff，hookedoutthepurple-blackliver，broughtitovertheside，anddroppeditintooneofthedeck-tubs。Thesharkthrashedandwrithed，hisflukesquiveringandhisgillsdistended。Wilburcouldnotrestrainanexclamation。
"Brutalbusiness！"hemuttered。
"Hoh！"exclaimedMoran，scornfully，"cutting-inistoogoodforhim。Sailor-folkarenofriendsofsuchcarrionasthat。"
Otherlineswerebaitedanddroppedoverboard，andthehandssettledthemselvestotherealbusinessoftheexpedition。Therewasnoskillinthematter。Thesharksbitravenously，andsoonswarmedabouttheschoonerinhundreds。HardlyahalfminutepassedthatoneofthefourChinamenthatwerefishingdidnotsignalacatch，andCharlieandJimwerekeptbusywithspadeandgaff。Bynoonthedeck-tubswerefull。Thelineswerehauledin，andthehandssetthetubsinthesuntotryouttheoil。Underthetropicalheatthesharkliversalmostvisiblymeltedaway，andbyfouro’clockintheafternoonthetubswerefullofathick，yellowoil，thereekofwhichinstantlyrecalledtoWilbur’smindtherancidsmelloftheschooneronthedaywhenhehadfirstcomeaboardofher。Thedeck-tubswereemptiedintothehogsheadsandvatsthatstoodinthewaistofthe"Bertha，"thetubsscoured，andthelinesandbentshark-hooksoverhauled。Charliedisappearedinthegalley，supperwascooked，andeatenupondeckundertheconflagrationofthesunset;thelightswereset，theChinamenforegatheredinthefo’c’stlehead，smokingopium，andbyeighto’clocktheroutineofthedaywasatanend。
Sothetimepassed。InashorttimeWilburcouldnothavesaidwhetherthedaywasWednesdayorSunday。Hesoontiredoftheunsportsmanlikeworkofkillingthesluggishbrutes，andturnedshorewardtorelievethemonotonyofthesucceedingdays。HeandMoranwereleftagooddealtotheirowndevices。Charliewasthemasterofthemennow。"Mate，"saidMorantoWilburoneday，afteradinnerofturtlesteaksandfish，eatenintheopenaironthequarterdeck;"mate，thisisslowwork，andtheschoonersmellsterriblyfoul。We’llhavethedoryoutandgoashore。Wecantumbleacaskintoherandgetsomewater。Thebutt’sthree-
quartersempty。Let’sseehowitfeelstobeinMexico。"
"Mexico？"saidWilbur。"That’sso——LowerCaliforniaisMexico。
I’dforgottenthat！"
Theywentashoreandspenttheafternooninfillingthewater-caskfromthefresh-waterstreamandingatheringabalones，whichMorandeclaredweredeliciouseating，fromtherocksleftbarebythetide。Butnothingcouldhaveexceededthelonelinessofthatshoreandbackland，palpitatingunderthefloggingofatropicalsun。Lowhillsofsand，coveredwithbrush，stretchedbackfromtheshore。Ontheeasternhorizon，leaguesdistant，bluemassesofmountainstriatedwithmiragesswaminthescorchingair。
Thesandwaslikefiretothetouch。Faroutinthebaytheschoonerhungmotionlessunderbaresticks，restingapparentlyuponherinvertedshadowonly。Andthatwasall——theflat，heat-
riddenland，thesheenoftheopenPacific，andthelonelyschooner。
"Quietenough，"saidWilbur，inalowvoice，wonderingiftherewassuchaplaceasSanFrancisco，withitspavedstreetsandcablecars，andifpeoplewhohadbeenhisfriendstherehadeverhadanyrealexistence。
"Doyoulikeit？"askedMoranquickly，facinghim，herthumbsinherbelt。
"It’sgoodfun——howaboutyou？"
"It’snodifferentthantheonlylifeI’veknown。Isupposeyouthinkitsaqueerkindoflifeforagirl。I’velivedbydoingthings，notbythinkingthings，orreadingaboutwhatotherpeoplehavedoneorthought;andIguessit’swhatyoudothatcounts，ratherthanwhatyouthinkorreadabout。Where’sthatpinch-bar？
We’llgetacouplemoreabalonesforsupper，andthenputoff。"
Thatwastheonlytalkofmomenttheyhadduringtheafternoon。
Alltherestoftheirconversationhadbeenofthosethingsthatimmediatelyoccupiedtheirattention。
Theyregainedtheschoonertowardfiveo’clock，tofindtheChinamenperplexedandmystified。Noexplanationwasforthcoming，andCharliegavethemsupperinpreoccupiedsilence。Astheywereeatingtheabalones，whichMoranhadfriedinbatter，Charliesaid：
"Sharkallgone！Nomorecatchum——himallgone。"
"Gone——why？"
"Nosavvy，"saidCharlie。"Nolikee，nolikee。Chinaboytinkumheapfunny，toomuchheapfunny。"
Itwastrue。Duringallthenextdaynotasharkwasinsight，andthoughthecrewfishedassiduouslytilldark，theywererewardedbynotsomuchasabite。Noonecouldofferanyexplanation。
"’Tisstrange，"saidMoran。"Neverheardofsharkleavingthisfeedbefore。Andyoucanseewithhalfaneyethatthehandsdon’tlikethelooksofit。Superstitiousbeggars！theyneedtobeclumpedinthehead。"
ThatsamenightWilburwokeinhishammockonthefo’c’stleheadabouthalf-pasttwo。Themoonwasdown，theskyonepowderofstars。Therewasnotabreathofwind。Itwassostillthathecouldhearsomelargefishplayingandbreakingofftowardtheshore。Then，withouttheleastwarning，hefelttheschoonerbegintoliftunderhim。Herolledoutofhishammockandstoodonthedeck。Therecouldbenodoubtofit——thewholeforepartwasrisingbeneathhim。Hecouldseethebowspritmovingupwardfromstartostar。Stilltheschoonerlifted;objectsondeckbegantoslideaft;theoilinthedeck-tubswashedover;then，astherecameawildscramblingoftheChinesecrewupthefo’c’stlehatch，shesettledagaingraduallyatfirst，then，withanabruptlurchthatalmostthrewhimfromhisfeet，regainedherlevel。
Moranmethiminthewaist。Charliecamerunningaft。
"Whatwasthat？Arewegrounding？Hasshestruck？"
"No，no;we’restillfasttothekelp。Wasitatidalwave？"
"Nonsense。Itwouldn’thavehandledusthatway。"
"Well，whatwasit？Listen！ForGod’ssakekeepquietthereforward！"
Wilburlookedoverthesideintothewater。Therippleswerestillchasingthemselvesawayfromtheschooner。Therewasnothingelse。Thestillnessshutdownagain。Therewasnotasound。
VI
ASEAMYSTERY
Inspiteofhisbesteffortsatself-control，Wilburfeltaslow，coldclutchathisheart。Thatsickening，uncannyliftingoftheschooneroutoftheglassywater，atatimewhentherewasnotenoughwindtosomuchaswrinklethesurface，sentacreepofsomethingverylikehorrorthroughallhisflesh。
Againhepeeredovertheside，downintothekelp-thickenedsea。
Nothing——notabreathofairwasstirring。ThegraylightthatfloodeddownfromthestarsshowednotabreakuponthesurfaceofMagdalenaBay。Onshore，nothingmoved。
"Quietthere，forward，"calledMorantotheshrill-voicedcoolies。
Thesucceedingstillnesswasprofound。Allonboardlistenedintently。Thewaterdrippedlikethetickingofaclockfromthe"BerthaMillner’s"stern，whichwiththerisingofthebowhadsunkalmosttotherail。Therewasnoothersound。
"Strange，"mutteredMoran，herbrowscontracting。
Charliebrokethesilencewithawail："Nolikee，nolikee！"hecriedattopvoice。
Themanhadgonesuddenlygreen;Wilburcouldseetheshineofhiseyesdistendedlikethoseofaharassedcat。Ashe，Moran，andWilburstoodintheschooner’swaist，staringateachother，thesmellofpunkcametotheirnostrils。Forward，thecoolieswerealreadyburningjoss-sticksonthefo’castlehead，kowtowingtheirforeheadstothedeck。
Moranwentforwardandkickedthemtotheirfeetandhurledtheirjoss-sticksintothesea。
"Fengshui！Fengshui！"theyexclaimedwithbatedbreaths。"TheFengshuinolikeewe。"
Lowintheeastthehorizonbegantoblackenagainstthesky。Itwasearlymorning。Awatchwasset，theChinamensentbelow，anduntildaybreak，whenCharliebegantomakeaclatteringoftinsinthegalleyashesetaboutpreparingbreakfast，Wilburpacedtheroundsoftheschooner，looking，listening，andwaitingagainforthatslow，horrifyinglift。Buttherestofthenightwaswithoutincident。
Afterbreakfast，thestrangelyassortedtrio——Charlie，Moran，andWilbur——heldanotherconferenceinthecabin。Itwasdecidedtomovetheschoonertotheothersideofthebay。
"Fengshuiindisaplace，nolikeewe，"announcedCharlie。
"Fengshui，whoarethey？"
Charliepromptlybecameincoherentonthissubject，andMoranandWilburcouldonlyguessthattheFengshuiwerethetutelarydeitiesthatpresidedoverthatportionofMagdalenaBay。Atanyrate，therewereevidentlynomoresharktobecaughtinthatfishing-ground;sosailwasmade，andbynoonthe"BerthaMillner"
tieduptothekelpontheoppositesideoftheinlet，abouthalfamilefromtheshore。
Thesharkwereplentifulhereandthefishingwentforwardagainasbefore。Certainofthesesharkwerehauledaboard，stunnedbyablowonthenose，andtheirfinscutoff。TheChinamenpackedthesefinsawayinseparatekegs。EventuallytheywouldbesenttoChina。
Twoorthreedayspassed。Thehandskeptsteadilyattheirwork。
Nothingmoreoccurredtodisturbthemonotonyofthescorchingdaysandsoundlessnights;theschoonersataseasilyontheunbrokenwaterasthoughbuilttothebottom。Soonthenightwatchwasdiscontinued。Duringthesedaysthethreeofficerslivedhigh。Turtlewereplentiful，andwhatwiththeirsteaksandsoups，thefriedabalones，thesea-fish，thereallydeliciousshark-fins，andthequailthatCharlieandWilburtrappedalongtheshore，thetriohadnothingtowishforinthewayoftableluxuries。
Theshorewasabsolutelydeserted，aswellasthebackcountry——anunbrokenwildernessofsandandsage。Halfadozentimes，Wilbur，wearyingofhisinactionaboardtheschooner，madetheentirecircuitofthebayfrompointtopoint。Standingononeofthelatterprojectionsandlookingouttothewest，thePacificappearedasemptyoflifeastheland。Neverakeelcutthosewaters，neverasailbroketheedgeofthehorizon，neverafeatherofsmokespottedtheskywhereitwhitenedtomeetthesea。Everythingwasempty——vast，unspeakablydesolate——
palpitatingwithheat。
Anotherweekpassed。Charliebegantocomplainthatthesharkweregrowingscarceagain。
"Ithinkbime-byhimgoaway，onceamo’。"
Thatsamenight，Wilbur，lyinginhishammock，wasawakenedbyatouchonhisarm。HewoketoseeMoranbesidehimonthedeck。
"Didyouhearanything？"shesaidinalowvoice，lookingathimunderherscowl。
"No！no！"heexclaimed，gettingup，reachingforhiswickersandals。"Didyou？"
"Ithoughtso——something。Didyoufeelanything？"
"I’vebeenasleep，Ihaven’tnoticedanything。Isitbeginningagain？"
"Theschoonerliftedagain，justnow，verygently。IhappenedtobeawakeorIwouldn’thavenoticedit。"Theyweretalkinginlowvoices，asisthecustomofpeoplespeakinginthedark。
"There，what’sthat？"exclaimedWilburunderhisbreath。Agentlevibration，barelyperceptible，thrilledthroughtheschooner。
Underhishand，thatwasclaspedupontherail，Wilburcouldfeelafainttremblinginherframe。Itstopped，beganagain，anddiedslowlyaway。
"Well，whatthedevilISit？"hemutteredimpatiently，tryingtomasterthereturningcreepofdread。
Moranshookherhead，bitingherlip。
"It’sbeyondme，"shesaid，frowning。"Canyouseeanything？"Thesky，sea，andlandwereunbrokenreachesofsolitude。Therewasnobreathofwind。
"Listen，"saidMoran。Farofftolandwardcamethefaint，sleepycluckingofaquail，andthestridulatingofunnumberedcrickets;
alongripplelickedtheslopeofthebeachandslidbackintotheocean。Wilburshookhishead。
"Don’thearanything，"hewhispered。"Sh——there——she’stremblingagain。"
Oncemoreaprolongedbutfaintquiveringranthroughthe"BerthaMillner"fromstemtostern，andfromkeeltomasthead。Therewasabarelyaudiblecreakingofjointsandpanels。Theoilinthedeck-tubstrembled。ThevibrationwassofineandrapidthatittickledthesolesofWilbur’sfeetashestoodonthedeck。
"I’dgivetwofingerstoknowwhatitallmeans，"murmuredMoraninalowvoice。"I’vebeentoseafor——"Thensuddenlyshecriedaloud："Steadyall，she’sliftingagain！"
Theschoonerheavedslowlyunderthem，thistimebythestern。Upshewent，upandup，whileWilburgrippedatastaytokeephisplace，andtriedtochokedownhisheart，thatseemedtobeatagainsthispalate。
"God！"ejaculatedMoran，hereyesblazing。"Thisthingis——"The"Bertha"camesuddenlydowntoaneasykeel，rockinginthatglassyseaasifinatiderip。Thedeckwasawashwithoil。Faroutinthebaytherippleswideningfromtheschoonerblurredthereflectionsofthestars。TheChinamenswarmedupthehatch-way，volubleandshrill。Againthe"BerthaMillner"liftedandsank，thetubsslidingonthedeck，themastsquiveringlikereeds，thetimbersgroaningaloudwiththestrain。Inthesternsomethingcrackedandsmashed。Thenthetroublediedaway，theripplesfadedintotheocean，andtheschoonersettledtoherkeel，quitemotionless。
"Look，"saidMoran，herfacetowardthe"Bertha’s"stern。"Therudderisoutofthegudgeons。"Itwastrue——the"BerthaMillner’s"helmwasunshipped。
Therewasnomoresleepforanyoneonboardthatnight。Wilburtrampedthequarterdeck，sickwithafeelinghedarednotputanameto。Moransatbythewreckedrudder-head，auselesspistolinherhand，swearingunderherbreathfromtimetotime。Charlieappearedonthequarterdeckatintervals，lookedatWilburandMoranwithwide-openeyes，andthentookhimselfaway。Ontheforwarddeckthecooliespastedstripsofredpaperinscribedwithmottoesuponthemast，andfilledtheairwiththereekoftheirjoss-sticks。
"IfonecouldonlySEEwhatitwas，"growledMoranbetweenherclinchedteeth。"Butthis——thisdamnedheavingandtrembling，it——
it’squeer。"
"That’sit，that’sit，"saidWilburquickly，facingher。"Whatarewegoingtodo，Moran？"
"STICKITOUT！"sheexclaimed，strikingherkneewithherfist。
"Wecan’tleavetheschooner——IWON’Tleaveher。I’llstaybythisdough-dishaslongastwoplanksinherholdtogether。Wereyouthinkingofcuttingaway？"Shefixedhimwithherfrown。
Wilburlookedather，sittingerectbythedisabledrudder，herheadbare，herbraidsofyellowhairhangingoverherbreast，sittingthereinman’sclothesandman’sboots，thepistolatherside。Heshookhishead。
"I’mnotleavingthe’Bertha’tillyoudo，"heanswered;adding：
"I’llstandbyyou，mate，untilwe——"
"Feelthat？"saidMoran，holdingupahand。
Afine，quiveringtremblewasthrillingthrougheverybeamoftheschooner，vibratingeachropelikeaharp-string。Itpassedaway;
butbeforeeitherWilburorMorancouldcommentuponitrecommenced，thistimemuchmoreperceptibly。Charliedashedaft，hisqueueflying。
"W’atmakumheapshake？"heshouted;"w’atforhimshake？Nosavvy，nolikee，prettymuchheapflaid;aie-yah，aie-yah！"
Slowlytheschoonerheavedupasthoughuponthecrestofsomehugewave，slowlyitsettled，andagaingraduallyliftedtillWilburhadtocatchattherailtosteadyhisfooting。Thequiveringsensationincreasedsothattheirveryteethchatteredwithit。Belowinthecabintheycouldhearsmallobjectsfallingfromtheshelvesandtable。Thenwithasuddendropthe"Bertha"
fellbacktoherkeelagain，thespilledoilspoutingfromherscuppers，themastsrocking，thewaterchurningandsplashingfromhersides。
Andthatwasall。Therewasnosound——nothingwasinsight。
Therewasonlythefrightenedtremblingofthelittleschoonerandthatlong，slowheaveandlift。
Morningcame，andbreakfastwashadinsilenceandgrimperplexity。Itwastoolatetothinkofgettingaway，nowthattherudderwasdisabled。The"BerthaMillner"mustbidewhereshewas。
"Andalittlemoreofthisdancing，"exclaimedMoran，"andwe’llhavetheplanksspringingoffthestern-post。"
Charlienoddedsolemnly。Hesaidnothing——hisgravityhadreturned。Nowintheglareofthetropicalday，withthe"BerthaMillner"sittingtheseaasplacidlyasabroodinggull，hewasTalleyrandagain。
"Itinkumyas，"hesaidvaguely。
"Well，IthinkwehadbettertryandfixtherudderandputbacktoFrisco，"saidMoran。"You’remakingnomoneythisway。Therearenosharktobecaught。SOMETHING’Swrong。They’regoneawaysomewhere。Thecrewareeatingtheirheadsoffandnotearningenoughmoneytopayfortheirkeep。Whatdoyouthink？"
"Itinkumyas。"
"Thenwe’llgohome。Isthatit？"
"Itinkumyas——to-molla。"
"To-morrow？"
"Yas。"
"That’ssettledthen，"persistedMoran，surprisedathisreadyacquiescence;"westarthometo-morrow？"Charlienodded。
"To-molla，"hesaid。
Therudderwasnotsobadlydamagedastheyhadatfirstsupposed;
thebreakwaseasilymended，butitwasfoundnecessaryforoneofthementogoovertheside。
"Getoverthesidehere，Jim，"commandedMoran。"Charlie，tellhimwhat’swanted;wecan’tworkthepintleinfromthedeck。"
ButCharlieshookhishead。
"Himnolikeego;himplentymuchflaid。"
Moranrippedoutanoath。
"WhatdoIcareifhe’safraid！Iwanthimtoshovethepintleintothelowergudgeon。MyGod，"sheexclaimed，withimmensecontempt，"whatcarrion！I’dsoonerworkaboatwithshe-monkeys。
Mr。Wilbur，Ishallhavetoaskyoutogoover。IthoughtIwascaptainhere，butitalldependsonwhethertheseratsareafraidornot。"
"Plentymanyshark，"expostulatedCharlie。"Himflaidsharkcomeback，catchumchop-chop。"
"Standbyherewithacoupleofcutting-inspades，"criedMoran，"andfendoffifyouseeanyshark;now，then，areyouready，mate？"
Wilburtookhisdeterminationinbothhands，threwoffhiscoatandsandals，andwentoverthesternrail。
"Putyoureartothewater，"calledMoranfromabove;"sometimesyoucanheartheirflukes。"
Ittookbutaminutetoadjustthepintle，andWilburregainedthedeckagain，drippingandalittlepale。Heknewnotwhathorridformofdeathmighthavebeenlurkingforhimdownbelowthereunderneaththekelp。AshestartedforwardfordryclotheshewassurprisedtoobservethatMoranwassmilingathim，holdingoutherhand。
"Thatwaswelldone，"shesaid，"andthankyou。I’veseenoldersailor-menthanyouwhowouldn’thavetakentherisk。"Neverbeforehadsheappearedmoresplendidinhiseyesthanatthismoment。Afterchanginghisclothesinthefo’castle，hesatforalongtime，hischininhishands，verythoughtful。Thenatlength，asthoughvoicingtheconclusionofhisreflections，saidaloud，asherosetohisfeet：
"But，ofcourse，THATisoutofthequestion。"
Herememberedthattheyweregoinghomeonthenextday。WithinafortnighthewouldbeinSanFranciscoagain——ataxpayer，apolice-protectedcitizenoncemore。Ithadbeengoodfun，afterall，thisthreeweeks’lifeonthe"BerthaMillner，"astrangeepisodecutoutfromthenormalcircleofhisconventionallife。
Heranovertheincidentsofthecruise——Kitchell，theturtlehunt，thefindingofthederelict，thedeadcaptain，thesquall，andtheawfulsightofthesinkingbark，Moranatthewheel，thegrewsomebusinessoftheshark-fishing，andlastofallthatinexplicableliftingandquiveringoftheschooner。Hetoldhimselfthatnowhewouldprobablyneverknowtheexplanationofthatmystery。
Thedaypassedinpreparationstoputtoseaagain。Thedeck-tubsandhogsheadswerestowedbelowandthetackleclearedaway。Byeveningallwasready;theywouldbeunderwaybydaybreakthenextmorning。Therewasapossibilityoftheirbeingforcedtotowtheschooneroutbymeansofthedory，solightweretheairsinside。Oncebeyondtheheads，however，theyweresureofabreeze。
Aboutteno’clockthatnight，thesameuncannytremblingranthroughtheschooneragain，andabouthalfanhourlatersheliftedgentlyonceortwice。Butafterthatshewasundisturbed。
Lateroninthenight——orratherearlyinthemorning——Wilburwokesuddenlyinhishammockwithoutknowingwhy，andgotupandstoodlistening。The"BerthaMillner"wasabsolutelyquiet。Thenightwashotandstill;thenewmoon，cantedoverlikeasinkinggalleon，waslowoverthehorizon。Wilburlistenedintently，fornowatlastheheardsomething。
Betweentheschoonerandtheshoreagentlesoundofsplashingcametohisears，andanoccasionalcrackasofoarsintheirlocks。Wasitpossiblethataboatwastherebetweentheschoonerandtheland？Whatboat，andmannedbywhom？
Thecreakingofoarlocksandthedipofpaddleswasunmistakable。
SuddenlyWilburraisedhisvoiceinagreatshout：
"Boatahoy！"
Therewasnoanswer;thenoiseofoarsgrewfainter。Morancamerunningoutofhercabin，swingingintohercoatassheran。
"Whatisit——whatisit？"
"Aboat，Ithink，rightofftheschoonerhere。Hark——there——didyouheartheoars？"
"You’reright;callthehands，getthedoryover，we’llfollowthatboatrightup。Hello，forwardthere，Charlie，allhands，tumbleout！"
ThenWilburandMorancaughtthemselveslookingintoeachother’seyes。Atoncesomething——perhapsthelatentsilenceoftheschooner——toldthemtherewastobenoanswer。Thetworanfor-
ward：Moranswungherselfintothefo’castlehatch，andwithoutusingtheladderdroppedtothedeckbelow。Inaninstanthervoicecameupthehatch：
"Thebunksareempty——they’regone——abandonedus。"Shecameuptheladderagain。
"Look，"saidWilbur，assheregainedthedeck。"Thedory’sgone;
they’vetakenit。Itwasouronlyboat;wecan’tgetashore。"
"Cowardly，superstitiousrats，Ishouldhaveexpectedthis。Theywouldbechoppedinbitsbeforetheywouldstaylongeronboardthisboat——theyandtheir-Fengshui。"
Whenmorningcamethedeserterscouldbemadeoutcampedontheshore，neartothebeacheddory。Whattheirintentionswerecouldnotbeconjectured。RiddenwithallmannerofnamelessOrientalsuperstitions，itwasevidentthattheChinamenpreferredanyhazardoffortunetoremaininglongerupontheschooner。
"Well，canwegetalongwithoutthem？"saidWilbur。"Canwetwoworktheschoonerbacktoportourselves？"
"We’lltryiton，anyhow，mate，"saidMoran;"wemightgetherintoSanDiego，anyhow。"
TheChinamenhadleftplentyofprovisionsonboard，andMorancookedbreakfast。Fortunately，byeighto’clockaverylightwesterlybreezecameup。MoranandWilburcastoffthegasketsandsettheforeandmainsails。
Wilburwasbusyattheforwardbittspreparingtocastloosefromthekelp，andMoranhadtakenupherpositionatthewheelwhensuddenlysheexclaimed：
"Sailho！——andinGod’snamewhatkindofasaildoyoucallit？"
Infactastrange-lookingcrafthadjustmadeherappearanceattheentranceofMagdalenaBay。
VII
BEACH-COMBERS
WilburreturnedaftandjoinedMoranonthequarterdeck。Shewasalreadystudyingthestrangerthroughtheglass。
"That’sanewbuildofboattome，"shemuttered，givingWilburtheglass。Wilburlookedlongandcarefully。Thenewcomerwasofthesizeandmuchthesameshapeasacaravelofthefifteenthcentury——highastobowandstern，andtoallappearancesasseaworthyasasoup-tureen。NeverbutintheoldprintshadWilburseensuchanextraordinaryboat。Shecarriedasinglemast，whichlistedforward;herlugsailwasstretchedupondozensofbambooyards;shedrewhardlyanywater。Twoenormousredeyeswerepainteduponeithersideofherhigh，bluntbow，whilejustabaftthewaistprojectedanenormousoar，orsweep，fullfortyfeetinlength——longer，infact，thanthevesselherself。Itactedpartlyasapropeller，partlyasarudder。
"They’reheadingforus，"commentedWilburasMorantooktheglassagain。
"Right，"sheanswered;addinguponthemoment："Huh！moreChinamen;thethingisalivewithcoolies;she’sajunk。"
"Oh！"exclaimedWilbur，recollectingsometalkofCharlie’shehadoverheard。"Iknow。"
"Youknow？"
"Yes;thesearerealbeach-combers。I’veheardofthemalongthiscoast——heardourChinamenspeakofthem。Theybeachthatjunkeverynightandcamponshore。They’rescavengers，asyoumightsay——pickupwhattheycanfindorplunderalongshore——abalones，shark-fins，pickingsofwrecks，oldbrassandcopper，sealsperhaps，turtleandshell。Betweenwhilestheyfishforshrimp，andI’veheardKitchelltellhowtheymakepearlsbydroppingbird-shotintooysters。TheyareKai-ginghtoaman，and，accordingtoKitchell，thewickedestbreedofcatsthatevercutteeth。"
Thejunkboreslowlydownupontheschooner。Inafewmomentsshehadhovetoalongside。Butfortheenormousredeyesuponherbowshewasinnocentofpaint。Shewasgrimedandshellackedwithdirtandgrease，andsmelledabominably。HercrewwereChinamen;
butsuchChinamen！Thecooliesofthe"BerthaMillner"werepamperedandeffeteincomparison。Thebeach-combers，thirteeninnumber，wereasmallerclassofmen，theirfacesalmostblackwithtananddirt。Thoughtheystillworethequeue，theirheadswerenotshaven，andmatsandmopsofstiffblackhairfellovertheireyesfromundertheirbroad，basket-shapedhats。
Theywerebarefoot。Noneofthemworemorethantwogarments——thejeansandtheblouse。TheywerethelowesttypeofmenWilburhadeverseen。Thefaceswerethoseofahigherorderofanthropoidapes：thelowerportion——jaws，lips，andteeth——salient;thenostrilsopeningatalmostrightangles，theeyestinyandbright，theforeheadseamedandwrinkled——unnaturallyold。Theirgeneralexpressionwasofsimiancunningandaferocitythatwasutterlydevoidofcourage。
"Aye！"exclaimedMoranbetweenherteeth，"ifthedevilwereashepherd，herearehissheep。Youdon’tcomeaboardthisschooner，myfriends！IwanttoliveaslongasIcan，anddiewhenIcan’thelpit。Boatahoy！"shecalled。
AnanswerinCantonesesing-songcamebackfromthejunk，andthespeakergesturedtowardtheoutsideocean。
Thenalongparleyingbegan。ForupwardofhalfanhourMoranandWilburlistenedtoapropositioninbrokenpigeonEnglishmadebythebeach-combersagainandagainandyetagain，andwereinnowayenlightened。Itwasimpossibletounderstand。Thenatlasttheymadeoutthattherewasquestionofawhale。Nextitappearedthewhalewasdead;andfinally，afteraprolongedpantomimeofgesturingandpointing，Moranguessedthatthebeach-
comberswantedtheuseofthe"BerthaMillner"totriceupthedeadleviathanwhiletheoilandwhalebonewereextracted。
"Thatmustbeit，"shesaidtoWilbur。"That’swhattheymeanbypointingtoourmastsandtackle。Yousee，theycouldn’tmanagewiththatstickoftheirs，andtheysaythey’llgiveusathirdoftheloot。We’lldoit，mate，andI’lltellyouwhy。Thewindhasfallen，andtheycantowusout。Ifit’sasperm-whalethey’vefound，thereoughttobethirtyorfortybarrelsofoilinhim，letalonetheblubberandbone。Oilisat$50now，andspermacetiwillalwaysbring$100。We’lltakeiton，mate。butwe’llkeepoureyesontheratsallthetime。Idon’twantthemaboardatall。Lookattheirbelts。Notthreeoutofthedozenwhoaren’tcarryingthosefilthylittlehatchets。Faugh！"sheexclaimed，withashudderofdisgust。"Suchvipers！"
WhatfollowedprovedthatMoranhadguessedcorrectly。Aropewaspassedtothe"BerthaMillner，"thejunkputoutitssweeps，andtoawailing，eldrichchantingtheschoonerwastowedoutofthebay。
"IwonderwhatCharlieandourChinaboyswillthinkofthis？"
saidWilbur，lookingshoreward，wherethedeserterscouldbeseengatheredtogetherinasilent，observinggroup。
"We’rewellshutofthem，"growledMoran，herthumbsinherbelt。
"Only，nowwe’llneverknowwhatwasthematterwiththeschoonertheselastfewnights。Hah！"sheexclaimedunderherbreath，herscowlthickening，"sometimesIdon’twonderthebeastscut。"
ThedeadwhalewaslyingfourmilesoutoftheentranceofMagdalenaBay，andasthejunkandtheschoonerdrewnearseemedlikeahugeblackboatfloatingbottomup。Overitanduponitswarmedandclamberedthousandsofsea-birds，whileallaroundandbelowthewaterwasthickwithgorgingsharks。Adreadful，stranglingdecayfouledalltheair。
Thewhalewasasperm-whale，andfullytwicethelengthofthe"BerthaMillner。"Theworkoftricinghimupoccupiedthebeach-
combersthroughouttheentireday。Itwasoutofthequestiontokeepthemofftheschooner，andWilburandMoranweretoowisetotry。Theyswarmedtheforwarddeckandrigginglikeaplagueofuncleanmonkeys，climbingwithanagilityandnimblenessthatmadeWilbursicktohisstomach。TheywereunlikeanyChinamenhehadeverseen——hideoustoadegreethathehadimaginedimpossibleinahumanbeing。Ontwooccasionsafightdeveloped，andinaninstantthelittlehatchetswereflashingliketheflashofasnake’sfangs。Towardtheendofthedayoneofthemreturnedtothejunk，screaminglikeastuckpig，abitofhischinbittenoff。
MoranandWilburkepttothequarter-deck，alwayswithinreachofthehugecutting-inspades，buttheChinesebeach-combersweretooelatedovertheirprizetopaythemmuchattention。
Andindeedthedeadmonsterprovedaveritabletreasure-trove。Bytheendofthedayhehadbeentriceduptotheforemast，andallhandsstrainingatthewindlasshadraisedthemightyheadoutofthewater。TheChinamendescendeduponthesmooth，blackbody，theirbarefeetslidingandslippingateverystep。Theyheldonbyjabbingtheirknivesintothehideasglacier-climbersdotheirice-picks。Theheadyieldedbarrelafterbarrelofoilandafairquantityofbone。Theblubberwastakenaboardthejunk，mincedupwithhatchets，andrunintocasks。
Lastofall，aChinamancutaholethroughthe"case，"and，actuallydescendingintotheinsideofthehead，strippedawaythespermaceti（clearascrystal），andpackeditintobuckets，whichwerehauleduponthejunk’sdeck。Theworkoccupiedsometwoorthreedays。Duringthistimethe"BerthaMillner"waskeeledovertonearlytwentydegreesbytheweightofthedeadmonster。
However，neitherWilburnorMoranmadeprotest。TheChinamenwoulddoastheypleased;thatwassaidandsigned。Andtheydidnotreleasetheschooneruntilthewhalehadbeenemptiedofoilandblubber，spermacetiandbone。
Atlength，ontheafternoonofthethirdday，thecaptainofthejunk，whosenamewasHoang，presentedhimselfuponthequarter-
deck。Hewasnakedtothewaist，andhisbarebrowntorsowasgleamingwithoilandsweat。Hisqueuewascoiledlikeasnakearoundhisneck，hishatchetthrustintohisbelt。
"Well？"saidMoran，comingup。
Wilburcaughthisbreathasthetwostoodtherefacingeachother，sosharpwasthecontrast。Theman，theMongolian，small，weazened，leather-colored，secretive——astrange，complexcreature，steepedinalltheobscuremysteryoftheEast，nervous，illatease;andthegirl，theAnglo-Saxon，daughteroftheNorthmen，huge，blond，big-boned，frank，outspoken，simpleofcomposition，openastheday，bareheaded，hergreatropesofsandyhairfallingoverherbreastandalmosttothetopofherknee-boots。Ashelookedatthetwo，WilburaskedhimselfwhereelsebutinCaliforniacouldsuchabruptcontrastsoccur。
"Alllight，"announcedHoang;"catchumalloil，catchumallbone，catchumallsameplentymany。Youhelpcatchum，nowyoucatchumpay。Sabe？"
Thethreeprincipalscametoasettlementwithunprecedenteddirectness。LikeallChinamen，Hoangwastruetohispromises，andhehadalreadysetapartthreeandahalfbarrelsofspermaceti，tenbarrelsofoil，andsometwentypoundsofboneastheschooner’sshareinthetransaction。Therewasnodiscussionoverthematter。Hecalledtheirattentiontothedischargeofhisobligations，andhurriedawaytosummonhismenaboardandgetthejunkunderwayagain。
Thebeach-combersreturnedtotheirjunk，andWilburandMoransetaboutcuttingthecarcassofthewhaleadrift。Theyfounditwouldbeeasiertocutawaythehidefromaroundthehooksandloopsofthetacklethantounfastenthetackleitself。
"Theknotsarejammedhardassteel，"declaredMoran。"Handupthatcutting-inspade;standbywiththeotherandcutlooseatthesametimeasIdo，sowecaneaseoffthestrainontheselinesatthesametime。Readythere，cut！"Moransetfreethehookintheloopofblackskininacoupleofstrokes，butWilburwasmoreclumsy;theskinresisted。Hestruckatitsharplywiththeheavyspade;thebladehittheironhook，glancedoff，andopenedalargeslitinthecarcassbelowthehead。Agushofentrailsstartedfromtheslit，andMoransworeunderherbreath。
"Easeaway，quickthere！You’llhavethemastoutofhernext——
steady！Holdyourspade——what’sthat？"
Wilburhadnervedhimselfagainstthedreadfulstenchheexpectedwouldissuefromtheputridmonster，buthewassurprisedtonoteapungent，sweet，andspicyodorthatallatoncemadethicktheairabouthim。Itwasanaromaticsmell，strongerthanthatofthesaltocean，strongereventhanthereekofoilandblubberfromtheschooner’swaist——sweetasincense，penetratingasattar，deliciousasasummerbreeze。
"Itsmellsprettygood，whateveritis，"heanswered。Morancameuptowherehestood，andlookedattheslithehadmadeinthewhale’scarcass。Outofitwasbulgingsomekindofdullwhitemattermarbledwithgray。Itwasahardlumpofirregularshapeandaboutasbigasahogshead。
Moranglancedovertothejunk，somefortyfeetdistant。Thebeach-comberswerehoistingthelug-sail。Hoangwasatthesteeringoar。
"Getthatstuffaboard，"shecommandedquietly。
"That！"exclaimedWilbur，pointingtothelump。
Moran’sblueeyeswerebeginningtogleam。
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