"Yes，anddoitbeforetheChinamenseeyou。"
"But——butIdon’tunderstand。"
Moransteppedtothequarterdeck，unslungthehammockinwhichWilburslept，andtossedittohim。
"Reeveitupinthat;I’llpassyoualine，andwe’llhaulitaboard。Godsend，thoseverminyonderhavegotsmellsenoughoftheirownwithoutnoticingthis。Hurry，mate，I’lltalkafterward。"
Wilburwentovertheside，andstandingasbesthecouldupontheslipperycarcass，dugoutthelumpandbounditupinthehammock。
"Hoh！"exclaimedMoran，withsuddenexultation。"There’salotofit。That’sthebiggestlumpyet，I’llbebound。Isthatallthereis，mate？——lookcarefully。"Hervoicehaddroppedtoawhisper。
"Yes，yes;that’sall。Carefulnowwhenyouhaulup——Hoanghasgothiseyeonyou，andsohavetherestofthem。Whatdoyoucallit，anyhow？Whyareyousoparticularaboutit？Isitworthanything？"
"Idon’tknow——perhaps。We’llhavealookatit，anyway。"
Moranhauledthestuffaboard，andWilburfollowed。
"Whew！"heexclaimedwithhalf-closedeyes。"It’slikethestoryofSamsonandthedeadlion——thesweetcomingforthfromthestrong。"
Theschoonerseemedtoswiminabathofperfumedair;themembraneofthenostrilsfairlyprinkledwiththesensation。
Moranunleashedthehammock，andgoingdownupononekneeexaminedthelumpattentively。
"Itdidn’tseempossible，"Wilburheardhersayingtoherself;
"buttherecan’tbeanymistake。It’sthestuff，rightenough。
I’veheardofsuchthings，butthis——butthis——"Sherosetoherfeet，tossingbackherhair。
"Well，"saidWilbur，"whatdoyoucallit？"
"Thethingtodonow，"returnedMoran，"istogetclearofhereasquietlyandasquicklyaswecan，andtakethisstuffwithus。I
can’tstoptoexplainnow，butit’sbig——it’sbig。Mate，it’sbigastheBankofEngland。"
"Thosebeach-combersarerightontothegame，I’mafraid，"saidWilbur。"Look，they’rewatchingus。Thisstuffwouldsmellacrosstheocean。"
"Rotthebeach-combers！There’sabitofwind，thankGod，andwecandofourknotstotheirone，justletusgetclearonce。"
Morandraggedthehammockbackintothecabin，and，returningupondeck，helpedWilburtocutawaythelasttricingtackle。Theschoonerrightedslowlytoanevenkeel。Meanwhilethejunkhadsetitsonelug-sailanditscrewhadrunoutthesweeps。Hoangtookthesteeringsweepandworkedthejunktoapositionrightacrossthe"Bertha’s"bows，somefiftyfeetahead。
"They’rewatchingus，rightenough，"saidWilbur。
"Upyourmains’l，"orderedMoran。Thepairsettheforeandmainsailswithgreatdifficulty。MorantookthewheelandWilburwentforwardtocastoffthelinebywhichtheschoonerhadbeentieduptooneofthewhale’sflukes。
"Cutit！"criedthegirl。"Don’tstoptocastoff。"
Therewasahailfromthebeach-combers;theportsweepsdippedandthejunkboreupnearer。
"Hurry！"shoutedMoran，"don’tmindthem。Areweclearfor’ard——
what’sthetrouble？Something’sholdingher。"Theschoonerlistedslowlytostarboardandsettledbythehead。
"Allclear！"criedWilbur。
"There’ssomethingwrong！"exclaimedMoran;"she’ssettlingfor’ard。"Hoanghailedtheschoonerasecondtime。
"We’restillsettling，"calledWilburfromthebows，"what’sthematter？"
"Matterthatshe’stakingwater，"answeredMoranwrathfully。
"She’sstartedsomethingbelow，whatwithallthatliftinganddancingandtricingup。"
Wilburranbacktothequarterdeck。
"Thisisabadfix，"hesaidtoMoran。"Thosechapsarecomingaboardagain。They’reontosomething，and，ofcourse，atjustthismomentshebeginstoleak。"
"Theyareafterthatambergris，"saidMoranbetweenherteeth。
"Smelledit，ofcourse——theswine！"
"Ambergris？"
"Thestuffwefoundinthewhale。That’sambergris。"
"Well？"
"Well！"shoutedMoran，exasperated。"Doyouknowthatwehavefoundalumpthatwillweighcloseto250pounds，anddoyouknowthatambergrisissellinginSanFranciscoat$40anounce？Doyouknowthatwehavepickedupnearly$150，000rightouthereintheoceanandareinafairwaytoloseitall？"
"Can’twerunforit？"
"Runforitinaboatthat’stakingwaterlikeasack！Ourdory’sgone。Supposewegetclearofthejunk，andthe’Bertha’sank？
Thenwhat？Ifweonlyhadourcrewaboard;ifwewereonlytentotheirdozen——ifwewereonlysix——byJupiter！I’dfightthemforit。"
Thetwoenormousredeyesofthejunkloomedalongsideandstaredoverintothe"Bertha’s"waist。Hoangandsevenofthecooliesswarmedaboard。
"Whatnow？"shoutedMoran，comingforwardtomeetthem，herscowlknottingherflashingeyestogether。"Isthisshipyoursormine？
We’vedoneyourdirtyworkforyou。Iwantyouclearofmydeck。"
Wilburstoodatherside，uncertainwhattodo，butreadyforanythingsheshouldattempt。
"Itinkyoucatchumsometing，smellumprettybig，"saidHoang，hisferretglancetwinklingabouttheschooner。
"Icatchumnothing——nothingbutplentybadstink，"saidMoran。
"No，youdon’t！"sheexclaimed，puttingherselfinHoang’swayashemadeforthecabin。Theotherbeach-comberscamecrowdingup;
Wilbureventhoughthesawoneofthemlooseninghishatchetinhisbelt。
"Thisship’smine，"criedMoran，backingtothecabindoor。
Wilburfollowedher，andtheChinamencloseddownuponthepair。
"It’snotmuchuse，Moran，"hemuttered。"They’llrushusinaminute。"
"Buttheambergrisismine——ismine，"sheanswered，nevertakinghereyesfromtheconfrontingcoolies。
"Wefindumw’ale，"saidHoang;"younofindw’ale;himb’longtowe——eve’yt’inginumw’aleb’longtowe，savvy？"
"No，youpromisedusathirdofeverythingyoufound。"
EvenintheconfusionofthemomentitoccurredtoWilburthatitwasquitepossiblethatatleasttwo-thirdsoftheambergrisdidbelongtothebeach-combersbyrightofdiscovery。Afterall，itwasthebeach-comberswhohadfoundthewhale。HecouldneverrememberafterwardwhetherornohesaidasmuchtoMoranatthetime。Ifhedid，shehadbeendeaftoit。Afuryofwrathanddesperationsuddenlyblazedinherblueeyes。Standingatherside，Wilburcouldhearherteethgrindinguponeachother。Shewasblindtoalldanger，animatedonlybyasenseofinjusticeandimposition。
HoangutteredasentenceinCantonese。Oneofthecooliesjumpedforward，andMoran’sfistmethiminthefaceandbroughthimtohisknees。ThencametherushWilburhadforeseen。HehadjusttimetocatchasightofMoranatgrappleswithHoangwhenalittlehatchetglintedoverhishead。Hestruckoutsavagelyintothethickofthegroup——andthenopenedhiseyestofindMoranwashingthebloodfromhishairashelayonthedeckwithhisheadinthehollowofherarm。Everythingwasquiet。Thebeach-
combersweregone。
"Hello，what——what——whatisit？"heasked，springingtohisfeet，hisheadswimmingandsmarting。"Wehadarow，didn’twe？Didtheyhurtyou？Oh，Iremember;Igotacutoverthehead——oneoftheirhatchetmen。Didtheyhurtyou？"
"Theygottheloot，"shegrowled。"Filthyvermin！Andjusttomakeeverythingpleasant，theschooner’ssinking。"
VIII
ARUNFORLAND
"SINKING！"exclaimedWilbur。
Moranwasalreadyonherfeet。"We’llhavetobeachher，"shecried，"andwe’resixmilesout。Upy’rjib，mate！"Thetwosetthejib，flying-jib，andstaysails。
Theforeandmainsailswerealreadydrawing，andunderallthespreadofhercanvasthe"Bertha"racedbacktowardtheshore。
Butbythetimeshewaswithintheheadofthebayhersternhadsettledtosuchanextentthattheforefootwasclearofthewater，thebowspritpointinghighintotheheavens。Moranwasatthewheel，herscowlthickerthanever，hereyesmeasuringthestretchofwaterthatlaybetweentheschoonerandtheshore。
"She’llnevermakeitinGod’sworld，"shemutteredasshelistenedtothewashofthewaterinthecabinunderherfeet。Inthehold，emptybarrelswereafloat，knockinghollowlyagainsteachother。"We’reinabadway，mate。"
"Ifitcomestothat，"returnedWilbur，surprisedtoseeherthuseasilydowncast，whowasusuallysoindomitable——"ifitcomestothat，wecanswimforit——acoupleofplanks——"
"Swim？"sheechoed;"I’mnotthinkingofthat;ofcoursewecouldswim。"
"Whatthen？"
"Thesharks！"
Wilbur’steethclickedsharplytogether。Hecouldthinkofnothingtosay。
Asthewatergainedbetweendeckstheschooner’sspeeddwindled，andatthesametimeassheapproachedtheshorethewind，shutoffbytheland，fellaway。Bythistimetheoceanwasnotfourinchesbelowthestern-rail。Twomilesawaywasthenearestsand-
spit。Wilburbrokeoutadistresssignalontheforemast，inthehopethatCharlieandthedesertersmightsendoffthedorytotheirassistance。Butthedeserterswerenowhereinsight。
"Whatbecameofthejunk？"hedemandedsuddenlyofMoran。Shemotionedtothewestwardwithherhead。"Stilllyingout-side。"
Twentyminutespassed。OnceonlyMoranspoke。
"Whenshebeginstogo，"shesaid，"she’llgowitharush。Jumpprettywide，oryou’llgetcaughtinthesuction。"
Thetwohadgivenupallhope。Moranheldgrimlytothewheelasamerematterofform。Wilburstoodatherside，hisclinchedfiststhrustintohispockets。Theeyesofbothwerefixedontheyellowlineofthedistantbeach。ByandbyMoranturnedtohimwithanoddsmile。
"We’reastrangepairtodietogether，"shesaid。Wilburmethereyesaninstant，butfindingnoreply，puthischinintheairasthoughhewouldhavetoldhershemightwellsaythat。
"Astrangepairtodietogether，"Moranrepeated;"butwecandothatbetterthanwecouldhave"——shelookedawayfromhim——"couldhaveLIVEDtogether，"shefinished，andsmiledagain。
"Andyet，"saidWilbur，"theselastfewweekshereonboardtheschooner，wehavebeenthroughagooddeal——together。Idon’tknow，"hewentonclumsily，"Idon’tknowwhenI’vebeen——whenI’vehad——I’vebeenhappierthantheselastweeks。Itisqueer，isn’tit？Iknow，ofcourse，whatyou’llsay。I’vesaidittomyselfoftenoflate。Ibelongtothecityandtomylifethere，andyou——youbelongtotheocean。Ineverknewagirllikeyou——
neverknewagirlCOULDbelikeyou。Youdon’tknowhowextraordinaryitallseemstome。Youswearlikeaman，andyoudresslikeaman，andIdon’tsupposeyou’veeverbeenassociatedwithotherwomen;andyou’restrong——IknowyouareasstrongasI
am。YouhavenoideahowdifferentyouaretothekindofgirlI’veknown。ImaginemykindofgirlstandingupbeforeHoangandthosecutthroatbeach-comberswiththeirknivesandhatchets。
Maybeit’sbecauseyouaresounlikemykindofgirlthat——thatthingsareastheyarewithme。Idon’tknow。It’saqueersituation。AmonthorsoagoIwasatateainSanFrancisco，andnowI’maboardashark-fishingschoonersinkinginMagdalenaBay;
andI’mwithagirlthat——that——thatI——well，I’mwithyou，and，well，youknowhowitis——Imightaswellsayit——IloveyoumorethanIimaginedIevercouldloveagirl。"
Moran’sfrowncamebacktoherforehead。
"Idon’tlikethatkindoftalk，"shesaid;"Iamnotusedtoit，andIdon’tknowhowtotakeit。Believeme，"shesaidwithahalflaugh，"it’sallwasted。Inevercouldloveaman。I’mnotmadeformen。"
"No，"saidWilbur，"norforotherwomeneither。"
"Norforotherwomeneither。"
Wilburfellsilent。InthatinstanthehadadistinctvisionofMoran’slifeandcharacter，shunningmenandshunnedofwomen，astrange，lonelycreature，solitaryastheoceanwhereonshelived，beautifulafterherfashion;asyetwithoutsex，proud，untamed，splendidinhersavage，primalindependence——athinguntouchedandunsulliedbycivilization。SheseemedtohimsomeBradamante，somemythicalBrunhilde，someValkyrieofthelegends，bornoutofseason，lostandunfamiliarinthisend-of-the-centurytime。Herpuritywasthepurityofprimevalglaciers。Hecouldeasilyseehowtosuchagirltheloveofamanwouldappearonlyinthelightofahumiliation——adegradation。AndyetsheCOULDlove，elsehowhadHEbeenabletoloveher？Wilburfoundhimself——evenatthatmoment——wonderinghowthethingcouldbedone——wonderingtojustwhatnotetheuntouchedcordswouldvibrate。Justhowsheshouldbeawakenedonemorningtofindthatshe——Moran，sea-rover，virginunconquered，withoutlaw，withoutland，withoutsex——was，afterall，awoman。
"ByGod，mate！"sheexclaimedofasudden。"Thebarrelsarekeepingusup——theemptybarrelsinthehold。Hoh！we’llmakelandyet。"
Itwastrue。Theemptyhogsheads，destinedforthestorageofoil，hadbeenforcedupbytheinfluxofthewatertotheroofofthehold，andwereactingassomanybuoys——theschoonercouldsinknolower。Anhourlater，thequarterdeckallawash，herbowthrownhighintotheair，listinghorriblytostarboard，the"BerthaMillner"tookgroundontheshoreofMagdalenaBayatabouttheturnofthetide。
Moranswungherselfovertheside，hipdeepinthewater，and，wadingashorewithaline，madefasttothehugeskullofawhalehalfburiedinthesandatthatpoint。
Wilburfollowed。Theschoonerhadgroundeduponthesouthernhornofthebayandlayeasilyonaspitofsand。Theycouldnotexaminethenatureoftheleakuntillowwaterthenextmorning。
"Well，hereweare，"saidMoran，herthumbsinherbelt。"Whatnext？Wemaybeherefortwodays，weMAYbeherefortwoyears。
Italldependsuponhowbadaholeshehas。Havewe’putinforrepairs，’orhavewebeencastaway？Can’ttelltillto-morrowmorning。Meanwhile，I’mhungry。"
Halfofthestoresoftheschoonerwerewater-soaked，butuponexaminationWilburfoundthatenoughremainedintacttoputthembeyondallfearforthepresent。
"There’splentyofwaterupthecreek，"hesaid，"andwecansnareallthequailwewant;andthenthere’sthefishandabalone。
Evenifthestoresweregonewecouldmakeoutverywell。"
Theschooner’scabinwasfullofwaterandWilbur’shammockwasgone，sothepairdecidedtocamponshore。Inthattorridweathertosleepintheopenairwasaluxury。
Ingreatgoodspiritsthetwosatdowntotheirfirstmealonland。Morancookedasupperthat，barringtheabsenceofcoffee，wasdelicious。Thewhiskeywashadfromaboard，andtheypledgedeachother，standingup，insomethingovertwostifffingers。
"Moran，"saidWilbur，"yououghttohavebeenbornaman。"
"Atallevents，mate，"shesaid——"atallevents，I’mnotagirl。"
"NO！"exclaimedWilbur，ashefilledhispipe。"NO，you’rejustMoran，Moranofthe’LadyLetty。’"
"AndI’llstaythat，too，"shesaiddecisively。
NeverhadaneveningbeenmorebeautifulinWilbur’seyes。Therewasnotabreathofair。Thestillnesswassoprofoundthatthefaintmurmurofthebloodbehindtheear-drumsbecameanoppression。Theoceantiptoedtowardthelandwithtinyrustlingsteps。Thewestwasonegiganticstainedwindow，theoceanfloorasolidshimmerofopalescence。Behindthem，sullenpurplesmarkedthehorizon，hoodedwithmountaincrests，andafteralongwhilethemoonshruggedagleamingshoulderintoview。
Wilbur，dressedinChinesejeansandblouse，withChinesewickersandalsonhisbarefeet，satwithhisbackagainstthewhale’sskull，smokingquietly。Foralongtimetherewasnoconversation;thenatlast：
"No，"saidMoraninalowvoice。"ThisisthelifeI’mmadefor。
InsixyearsI’venotspentthreeconsecutiveweeksonland。NowthatEilert"（shealwaysspokeofherfatherbyhisfirstname），"nowthatEilertisdead，I’venotatie，notarelative，notevenafriend，andIdon’twishit。"
"Butthelonelinessofthelife，thesolitude，"saidWilbur，"that’swhatIdon’tunderstand。Diditeveroccurtoyouthatthebesthappinessisthehappinessthatoneshares？"
Moranclaspedakneeinbothhandsandlookedouttosea。Sheneverworeahat，andtheredlightoftheafterglowwasturningherrye-huedhairtosaffron。
"Hoh！"sheexclaimed，herheavyvoicepitchedevenlowerthanusual。"Whocouldunderstandorshareanyofmypleasures，orbehappywhenI’mhappy？And，besides，I’mhappiestwhenI’malone——I
don’twantanyone。"
"But，"hesitatedWilbur，"oneisnotalwaysalone。Afterall，you’reagirl，andmen，sailormenespecially，arebeastswhenit’saquestionofawoman——anunprotectedwoman。"
"I’mstrongerthanmostmen，"saidMoransimply。"Ifyou，forinstance，hadbeenlikesomemen，Ishouldhavefoughtyou。Itwouldn’thavebeenthefirsttime，"sheadded，smoothingonehugebraidbetweenherpalms。
Wilburlookedatherwithintentcuriosity——notedagain，asifforthefirsttime，therough，blueoverallsthrustintotheshoes;
thecoarseflannelshirtopenatthethroat;thebeltwithitssheath-knife;herarmsbigandwhiteandtattooedinsailorfashion;herthick，muscularneck;herredface，withitspaleblueeyesandalmostmassivejaw;andherhair，herheavy，yellow，fragranthair，thatlayoverhershoulderandbreast，coilingandloopinginherlap。
"No，"hesaid，withalongbreath，"Idon’tmakeitout。Iknewyouwereoutofmyexperience，butIbegintothinknowthatyouareoutofevenmyimagination。Youareright，youSHOULDkeeptoyourself。Youshouldbealone——yourmateisn’tmadeyet。Youaresplendidjustasyouare，"whileunderhisbreathheadded，histeethclinching，"andGod！butIloveyou。"
Itwasgrowinglate，thestarswereallout，themoonridinghigh。
Moranyawned：
"Mate，IthinkI’llturnin。We’llhavetobeatthatschoonerearlyinthemorning，andImakenodoubtshe’llgiveusplentytodo。"Wilburhesitatedtoreply，waitingtotakehiscuefromwhatnextsheshouldsay。"It’shotenoughtosleepwhereweare，"sheadded，"withoutgoingaboardthe’Bertha，’thoughwemighthaveacoupleofblanketsofftolieon。Thissand’sashardasaplank。"
Withoutanswering，Wilburshowedheracoupleofblanket-rollshehadbroughtoffwhilehewasunloadingpartofthestoresthatafternoon。Theytookoneapieceandspreadthemonthesandbythebleachedwhale’sskull。Moranpulledoffherbootsandstretchedherselfuponherblanketwithabsoluteunconcern，herhandsclaspedunderherhead。Wilburrolleduphiscoatforapillowandsettledhimselfforthenightwithanassumedself-
possession。Therewasalongsilence。Moranyawnedagain。
"Ipulledtheheeloffmybootthismorning，"shesaidlazily，"andI’vebeenlimpingallday。"
"Inoticedit，"answeredWilbur。"Kitchellhadanewpairaboardsomewhere，ifthey’renotspoiledbythewaternow。"
"Yes？"shesaidindifferently;"we’lllookthemupinthemorning。"
Againtherewassilence。
"Iwonder，"shebeganagain，staringupintothedark，"ifCharlietookthatfrying-panoffwithhimwhenhewent？"
"Idon’tknow。Heprobablydid。"
"Itwastheonlythingwehadtocookabalonesin。Makemethinktolookintothegalleyto-morrow……Thisground’sashardasnails，forallyourblankets……Well，good-night，mate;I’mgoingtosleep。"
"Good-night，Moran。"
ThreehourslaterWilbur，whohadnotclosedhiseyes，satupandlookedatMoran，sleepingquietly，herheadinapalegloryofhair;lookedather，andthenaroundhimatthesilent，desertedland。
"Idon’tknow，"hesaidtohimself。"AmIaright-mindedmanandathoroughbred，oramush-head，ormerelyaprudent，sensiblesortofchapthatvalueshisskinandbones？I’dbegladtoputanametomyself。"Then，moreearnestlyheadded："DoIlovehertoomuch，ornotenough，orloveherthewrongway，orhow？"Heleanedtowardher，soclosethathecouldcatchthesavorofherbreathandthesmellofherneck，warmwithsleep。Thesleeveofthecoarseblueshirtwasdrawnup，anditseemedtohimasifherbarearm，flungoutatfulllength，hadsomesweetaromaofitsown。Wilburdrewsoftlyback。
"No，"hesaidtohimselfdecisively;"no，IguessIamathoroughbredafterall。"Itwasonlythenthathewenttosleep。
Whenheawoketheseawaspinkwiththesunrise，andoneofthebayheadswasalldistortedandstratifiedbyamirage。Itwashotalready。Moranwassittingafewpacesfromhim，braidingherhair。
"Hello，Moran！"hesaid，rousingup;"howlonghaveyoubeenup？"
"Sincebeforesunrise，"shesaid;"I’vehadabathinthecovewherethecreekrunsdown。Isawajack-rabbit。"
"SeenanythingofCharlieandtheothers？"
"They’vecampedontheothersideofthebay。Butlookyonder，"
sheadded。
Thejunkhadcomeinovernight，andwasaboutamileandahalffromshore。
"Thedeuce！"exclaimedWilbur。"Whataretheyafter？"
"Freshwater，Iguess，"saidMoran，knottingtheendofabraid。
"We’dbetterhavebreakfastinahurry，andturntoonthe’Bertha。’Thetideisgoingoutfast。"
Whiletheybreakfastedtheykeptaneyeontheschooner，watchinghersidesandflanksasthewaterfellslowlyaway。
"Don’tseeanythingverybadyet，"saidWilbur。
"It’ssomewhereinherstern，"remarkedMoran。
Inanhour’stimethe"BerthaMillner"washighanddry，andtheycouldexamineherattheirleisure。ItwasMoranwhofoundtheleak。
"Pshaw！"sheexclaimed，withahalf-laugh，"wecanstickthatupinhalfanhour。"
Asingleplankhadstartedawayfromthestern-post;thatwasall。
OtherwisetheschoonerwasassoundasthedaysheleftSanFrancisco。MoranandWilburhadthedamagerepairedbynoon，nailingtheplankintoitsplaceandcaulkingtheseamswithlamp-
wick。Norcouldtheirmostcarefulsearchdiscoveranyfurtherinjury。
"We’rereadytogo，"saidMoran，"sosoonasshe’llfloat。Wecandigawayaroundthebowshere，makefastalinetothatrockoutyonder，andwarpheroffatnexthightide。Hello！who’sthis？"
ItwasCharlie。Whilethetwohadbeenatwork，hehadcomearoundtheshoreunobserved，andnowstoodatsomelittledistance，smilingatthemcalmly。
"Well，whatdoyouwant？"criedMoranangrily。"Ifyouhadyourrights，myfriend，you’dbekeelhauled。"
"Itinkumvellyhotday。"
"Youdidn’tcomeheretosaythat。Whatdoyouwant？"
"Icomehabtalkee-talk。"
"Wedon’twanttohaveanytalkee-talkwithsuchverminasyou。
Getout！"
Charliesatdownonthebeachandwipedhisforehead。
"Icomebuyone-pieceebacon。Chinaboynohabgot。"
"Wearen’tsellingbacontodeserters，"criedMoran;"andI’lltellyouthis，youfilthylittlemonkey：Mr。WilburandIaregoinghome——backto’Frisco——thisafternoon;andwe’regoingtoleaveyouandtherestofyourviperstorotonthisbeach，ortobemurderedbybeach-combers，"andshepointedouttowardthejunk。Charliedidnotevenfollowthedirectionofhergesture，andfromthisveryindifferenceWilburguessedthatitwaspreciselybecauseofthebeach-combersthattheMachiavellianChinamanhadwishedtotreatwithhisoldofficers。
"Nohabgotbacon？"hequeried，liftinghiseyebrowsinsurprise。
"Plenty;butnotforyou。"
Charlietookabuckskinbagfromhisblouseandcountedoutahandfulofsilverandgold。
"Ibuyumnisitwo-pieceetobacco。"
"Lookhere，"saidWilburdeliberately;"don’tyoutrytoflim-flamus，Charlie。Weknowyoutoowell。Youdon’twantbaconandyoudon’twanttobacco。"
"Chinaboyheapplentymuchsick。Twoboyvellysick。Itinkumdieprettysoonto-molla。Youcatchumslop-chest;yougibmefive，sevenliverpill。Sabe？"
"I’lltellyouwhatyouwant，"criedMoran，aimingaforefingerathim，pistolfashion;"you’vegotabluefunkbecausethoseKai-
ginghbeach-combershavecomeintothebay，andyou’remorefrightenedofthemthanyouareoftheschooner;andnowyouwantustotakeyouhome。"
"Howmuchee？"
"Athousanddollars。"
Wilburlookedatherinsurprise。Hehadexpectedarefusal。
"Younohabgotliverpill？"inquiredCharlieblandly。
Moranturnedherbackonhim。SheandWilburconferredinalowvoice。
"We’dbettertakethemback，ifwedecentlycan，"saidMoran。
"Theschoonerisknown，ofcourse，in’Frisco。ShewentoutwithKitchellandacrewofcoolies，andshecomesbackwithyouandI
aboard，andifwetellthetruthaboutit，itwillsoundlikealie，andwe’llhavenoendoftrouble。Thenagain，canjustyouandIworkthe’Bertha’intoport？Inthesekindofairsit’splainwork，butsupposewehavedirtyweather？I’mnotsosure。"
"Igibyoutendollahfo’tenliverpill，"saidCharlie。
"WillyougiveusathousanddollarstosetyoudowninSanFrancisco？"
Charlierose。"Igoback。ItellumChinaboywhatyousay’boutliverpill。Bime-byIcomeback。"
"Thatmeanshe’lltakeourofferbacktohisfriends，"saidWilbur，inalowvoice。"Youbesthurrychop-chop，"hecalledafterCharlie;"wegohomeprettysoon！"
"Heknowsverywellwecan’tgetawaybeforehightideto-morrow，"
saidMoran。"He’lltakehistime。"
LateronintheafternoonMoranandWilbursawasmallboatputofffromthejunkandmakealandingbythecreek。Thebeach-
combersweretakingonwater。Theboatmadethreetripsbeforeevening，butthebeach-combersmadenoshowofmolestingtheundefendedschooner，orinanywayinterferingwithCharlie’scampontheothersideofthebay。
"No！"exclaimedMoranbetweenherteeth，assheandWilburwerecookingsupper;"no，theydon’tneedto;they’vegotaboutahundredandfiftythousanddollarsoflootonboard——OURloot，too！GoodGod！itgoesagainstthegrain！"
Themoonroseconsiderablyearlierthatnight，andbytwelveo’clockthebaywasfloodedwithitselectricalwhiteness。WilburandMorancouldplainlymakeoutthejunktieduptothekelpoff-
shore。Buttowardoneo’clockWilburwasawakenedbyMoranshakinghisarm。
"There’ssomethingwrongoutthere，"shewhispered;"somethingwrongwiththejunk。Hear’emsquealing？Look！look！look！"shecriedofasudden;"it’stheirturnnow！"
Wilburcouldseethecrankjunk，withitsstaringredeyes，highsternandprow，asdistinctlyasthoughatnoonday。Ashewatched，itseemedasifagreatwavecaughthersuddenlyunderfoot。Sheheavedupbodilyoutofthewater，droppedagainwithasplash，roseagain，andagainfellbackintoherownripples，that，wideningfromhersides，brokecrisplyonthesandatWilbur’sfeet。
Thenthecommotionceasedabruptly。Thebaywasquietagain。Anhourpassed，thentwo。Themoonbegantoset。MoranandWilbur，weariedofwatching，hadturnedinagain，whentheywerestartledtowakefulnessbythecreakofoarlocksandthesoundofaboatgroundinginthesand。
Thecoolies——thedesertersfromthe"BerthaMillner"——werethere。
Charliecameforward。
"Ge’lup！Ge’lup！"hesaid。"Junkallsmash！Kai-ginghcomeashore。Itinkhimwantcatchumschooner。"
IX
THECAPTUREOFHOANG
"Whatsmashedthejunk？Whatwreckedher？"demandedMoran。
ThedesertingChinamenhuddledaroundCharlie，drawingclose，asiffindingcomfortinthefeelofeachother’selbows。
"Nocantell，"answeredCharlie。"Himshake，thenlif’upallthesameaswe。Bime-bytoomuchlif’up;himsmashallto——Four-
pieceeChinamendlown。"
"Drown！Didanyofthemdrown？"exclaimedMoran。
"Four-pieceedlown，"reiteratedCharliecalmly。"One，thlee，five，nine，comeasho’。Himothernocome。"
"Wherearetheonesthatcameashore？"askedWilbur。
Charliewavedahandbackintothenight。"Himmakeumcamptopsideolehouse。"
"Thatoldwhaling-camp，"promptedMoran。ThentoWilbur："Youremember——aboutahundredyardsnorththecreek？"
Wilbur，MoranandCharliehaddrawnoffalittlefromthe"BerthaMillner’s"crew。Thelattersquattedinalinealongtheshore——
silent，reserved，lookingvaguelyseawardthroughthenight。
Moranspokeagain，herscowlthickening：
"Whatmakesyouthinkthebeach-comberswantourschooner？"
"Himcatchumschoonersure！Himwantumboattogohome。Nocanget。"
"Let’sputoffto-night——rightaway，"saidWilbur。
"Lowtide，"answeredMoran;"andbesides——Charlie，didyouseethemclose？Wereyounearthem？"
"Nogomucheeclose。"
"Didtheyhavesomethingwiththem，reevedupinahammock——
somethingthatsmelledsweet？"
"Likeajoss-stick，forinstance？"
"Nosavvy;nocantell。Himtrycatchumschoonersure。HimvellybadChinaboy。SeeYupChinaboy，vellybad。Ib’longSamYup。Savvy？’！
"Ah！theTongs？"
"Yas。ISamYup。Him，"andhepointedtothe"Bertha’s"crew，"SamYup。AllweSamYup;nisihim，"andhewavedahandtowardthebeach-combers’camp;"himSeeYup。Savvy？"
"It’saTongrow，"saidWilbur。"They’rebloodenemies，theSeeYupsandSamYups。"
Moranfellthoughtful，diggingherboot-heelintothesand，herthumbshookedintoherbelt，herforeheadgatheredintoaheavyfrown。Therewasasilence。
"Onething，"shesaid，atlast;"wecan’tgiveuptheschooner。
Theywouldtakeourstoresaswell，andthenwherearewe？
Marooned，byJove！Howfardoyousupposewearefromthenearesttown？Threehundredmileswouldn’tbeabadguess，andthey’vegottheloot——ourambergris——I’llsweartothat。Theydidn’tleavethataboardwhenthejunksank。"
"Lookhere，Charlie，"shesaid，turningtotheChinaman。"Ifthebeach-comberstaketheschooner——the’BerthaMillner’——fromuswe’llbelefttostarveonthisbeach。"
"Itinkumyass。"
"Howarewegoingtogethome？Areyougoingtoletthemdoit？
Areyougoingtoletthemhaveourschooner？"
"Itinknocanhave。"
"Lookhere，"shewenton，withsuddenenergy。"Thereareonlynineofthemnow，tooureight。We’reabouteven。Wecanfightthoseswine。Iknowwecan。Ifwejumpedtheircampandrushedthemhard，believeme，wecouldrunthemintothesea。Mate，"shecried，suddenlyfacingWilbur，"areyougame？Haveyougotbloodinyou？Thosebeach-comberesaregoingtoattackusto-morrow，beforehightide——that’sflat。There’sgoingtobeafightanyway。Wecan’tletthemhavetheschooner。It’sstarvationforusifwedo。
"Theymeantomakeadashforthe’Bertha，’andwe’vegottofightthemoff。Ifthere’sanyattackingtobedoneIproposetodoit！
Iproposewejumptheircampbeforeitgetslight——now——to-night——
rightaway——runinonthemthere，takethembysurprise，doforoneortwoofthemifwehaveto，andgetthatambergris。Thencutbacktotheschooner，upoursails，andwaitforthetidetofloatusoff。Wecandoit——Iknowwecan。Mate，willyoubackmeup？"
"Backyouup？YoubetI’llbackyouup，Moran。But——"Wilburhesitated。"Wecouldfightthemsomuchmoretoadvantagefromthedeckoftheschooner。Whynotwaitforthemaboard？Wecouldhaveoursailsup，anyhow，andwecouldkeepthebeach-combersofftillthetiderosehighenoughtodrivethemback。Whynotdothat？"
"Itinkbes’waittopsideboat，"assentedCharlie。
"Yes;whynot，Moran？"
"Because，"shoutedthegirl，"they’vegotourloot。Idon’tproposetobeplunderedof$150，000ifIcanhelpit。"
"Wassadat？"demandedCharlie。"Hunderfifteetlousandyouhabgot？"
"Ididhaveit——wehadit，themateandI。Wetricedaspermwhaleforthebeach-combers，andwhentheythoughttheyhadeverythingoutofhimwefoundalumpofambergrisinhimthatwillweighclosetotwohundredpounds。Nowlookhere，Charlie。
Thebeach-combershavegotthestuff。It’smine——I’mgoingtohaveitback。Here’sthelay。Yourmencanfight——youcanfightyourself。We’llmakeitabusinessproposition。Helpmetogetthatambergris，andifwegetitI’llgiveeachoneofthemen$1，000，andI’llgiveyou$1，500。Youcantakethatupandbeindependentrichtherestofyourlife。Youcanchuckitandrotonthisbeach，forit’sfightorlosetheschooner;youknowthataswellasIdo。Ifyou’vegottofightanyhow，whynotfightwhereit’sgoingtopaythemost？"
Charliehesitated，pursinghislips。
"Howaboutthis，Moran？"Wilburbrokeforthnow，unheardbyCharlie。"I’vejustbeenthinking;havewegotarighttothisambergris，afterall？Thebeach-combersfoundthewhale。Itwastheirs。Howhavewetherighttotaketheambergrisawayfromthemanymorethanthespermandtheoilandthebone？It’stheirs，ifyoucometothat。Idon’tknowaswe’vetherighttoit。"
"Darnyou！"shoutedMoraninablazeoffury，"righttoit，righttoit！IfIhaven’t，whohas？Whofoundit？Thosedirtymonkeysmighthavestoodsomeshowtoaclaimifthey’dheldtotheone-
thirdbargain，andofferedtodivvywithuswhentheygotmewhereIcouldn’thelpmyself。Idon’tsayI’dgiveinnowiftheyhad——
giveintolet’emwalkoffwithahundredthousanddollarsthatI’vegotasgoodaclaimtoastheyhave！Butthey’vesavedmethetroubleofarguingthequestion。They’vetakenitall，all！Andthere’snobargaininthegameatallnow。Nowthestuffbelongstothestrongestofus，andI’mgladofit。Theythoughttheywerethestrongestandnowthey’regoingtofindout。We’redumpeddownhereonthisGod-forsakensand，andthere’snolawandnopolicemen。Thestrongestofusaregoingtoliveandtheweakestaregoingtodie。I’mgoingtoliveandI’mgoingtohavemyloot，too，andI’mnotgoingtosplitfinehairswiththeserobbersatthistimeofday。I’mgoingtohaveitall，andthat’sthelawyou’reunderinthiscase，myrighteousfriend！"
Sheturnedherbackuponhim，spinningarounduponherheel。andWilburfeltashamedofhimselfandproudofher。
"Igotalkee-talktoChinaboy，"saidCharlie，comingup。
ForaboutfiveminutestheChinamenconferredtogether，squattinginacircleonthebeach。Moranpacedupanddownbythestrandeddory。Wilburleanedagainstthebleachedwhale-skull，hishandsinhispockets。Oncehelookedathiswatch。Itwasnearlyoneo’clock。
"Alllight，"saidCharlie，comingupfromthegroupatlast;"himfightplenty。"
"Now，"exclaimedMoran，"we’venotimetowaste。Whatarmshavewegot？"
"We’vegotthecutting-inspades，"saidWilbur;"there’sfiveofthem。They’renearlytenfeetlong，andthebladesareassharpasrazors;youcouldn’twantbetterpikes。"
"That’sanidea，"returnedMoran，evidentlywillingtoforgetheroutburstofamomentbefore，perhapsalreadysorryforit。Thepartytookstockoftheirweapons，andfivehugecutting-inspades，aheavyknifefromthegalley，andarevolverofdoubtfuleffectivenessweredividedamongthem。Thecrewtookthespades，Charlietheknife，andWilburtherevolver。Moranhadherownknife，ahaftlessdirk，suchasisaffectedbyallNorwegians，whetherlandsmenorsailors。TheywereexaminingthisarmamentandMoranwassuggestingaplanofattack，whenHoang，theleaderofthebeach-combers，andoneotherChinamanappearedsomelittledistancebelowthemonthebeach。Themoonwaslowandtherewasnogreatlight，butthetwobeach-comberscaughttheflashofthepointsofthespades。Theyhaltedandglancednarrowlyandsuspiciouslyatthegroup。
"Beasts！"mutteredMoran。"Theyareuptothegame——there’snosurprisingthemnow。Talktohim，Charlie;seewhathewants。"
Moran，Wilbur，andCharliecamepartofthewaytowardHoangandhisfellow，andpausedsomefifteenfeetdistant，andalongcolloquyensued。Itsoonbecameevident，however，thatinrealityHoangwantednothingofthem，thoughwithgreatearnestnessheassertedhiswillingnesstocharterthe"BerthaMillner"backtoSanFrancisco。
"That’snothisgameatall，"saidMorantoWilbur，inalowtone，hereyesneverleavingthoseofthebeach-comber。"He’sprettysurehecouldseizethe’Bertha’andneverpayusastiver。
They’vecomedowntospyonus，andthey’redoingit，too。
There’snogoodtryingtorushthatcampnow。They’llgobackandtellthecrewthatweknowtheirlay。"
Itwasstillverydark。Nearthehulkofthebeached"BerthaMillner"weregroupedhercrew，eacharmedwithalongandlance-
likecutting-inspade，watchingandlisteningtotheconferenceofthechiefs。Themoon，almostdown，hadflushedblood-red，violentlystreakingthegray，smoothsurfaceofthebaywithherreflection。Thetidewasfarout，ripplingquietlyalongthereachesofwetsand。Inthepausesoftheconferencethevast，mufflingsilenceshutdownwiththeabruptnessofavalvesuddenlyclosed。
Howithappened，justwhomadethefirstmove，inpreciselywhatmannertheactionhadbeenplanned，orwhatleduptoit，Wilburcouldnotafterwardsatisfactorilyexplain。Therewasarushforward——herememberedthatmuch——adullthuddingoffeetovertheresoundingbeachsurface，amoment’swrithingstrugglewithahalf-nakedbrownfigurethatusedknifeandnailandtooth，andthenthemufflingsilenceagain，brokenonlybythesoundoftheirownpanting。InthatwhirlofswiftactionWilburcouldreconstructbuttwobriefpictures：theChinaman，Hoang’scompanion，flyinglikeonepossessedalongtheshore;Hoanghimselfflungheadlongintothearmsofthe"Bertha’s"coolies，andMoran，hereyesblazing，herthickbraidsflying，brandishingherfistassheshoutedatthetopofherdeepvoice，"We’vegotyou，anyhow！"
TheyhadtakenHoangprisoner，whetherbytreacheryornot，Wilburdidnotexactlyknow;and，evenifunfairmeanshadbeenused，hecouldnotrepressafeelingofdelightandsatisfactionashetoldhimselfthatintheverybeginningofthefightthatwastofollowheandhismateshadgainedthefirstadvantage。
Astheactionofthatnight’seventsbecamemoreandmoreaccelerated，WilburcouldnotbutnoticethechangeinMoran。ItwasveryevidentthattheoldNorsefightingbloodofherwasallastir;brutal，merciless，savagebeyondallcontrol。Asortofobsessionseizeduponheratthenearapproachofbattle，afrenzyofactionthatwascheckedbynothing——thatwasinsensibletoallrestraint。Attimesitwasimpossibleforhimtomakeherhearhim，orwhensheheardtounderstandwhathewassaying。Hervisioncontracted。Itwasevidentthatshecouldnotseedistinctly。Wilburcouldnolongerconceiveofherasawomanofthedaysofcivilization。Shewaslapsingbacktotheeighthcenturyagain——totheVikings，thesea-wolves，theBerserkers。
"Nowyou’regoingtotalk，"shecriedtoHoang，astheboundChinamansatuponthebeach，leaninghisbackagainstthegreatskull。"Charlie，askhimiftheysavedtheambergriswhenthejunkwentdown——ifthey’vegotitnow？"CharlieputthequestioninChinese，butthebeach-comberonlytwinkledhisviciouseyesuponthemandheldhispeace。Withthefullsweepofherarm，herfistclinchedtilltheknuckleswhitened，Moranstruckhimintheface。
"Nowwillyoutalk？"shecried。Hoangwipedthebloodfromhisfaceuponhisshoulderandsethisjaws。Hedidnotanswer。
"YouwilltalkbeforeI’mdonewithyou，myfriend;don’tgetanywrongnotionsinyourheadaboutthat，"Morancontinued，herteethclinched。"Charlie，"sheadded，"isthereafileaboardtheschooner？"
"Itinkumyass，bosshabgotfile。"
"Inthetool-chest，isn’tit？"Charlienodded，andMoranorderedittobefetched。
"Ifwe’retofightthatcrowd，"shesaid，speakingtoherselfandinarapidvoice，thickfromexcitementandpassion，"we’vegottoknowwherethey’vehidtheloot，andwhatweaponsthey’vegot。Iftheyhavearifleorashotgunwiththem，it’sgoingtomakeabigdifferenceforus。Theotherfellowescapedandhasgonebacktowarntherest。It’sfightnow，andnomistake。"
TheChinamanwhohadbeensentaboardtheschoonerreturned，carryingalong，rathercoarse-grainedfile。Morantookitfromhim。
"Now，"shesaid，standinginfrontofHoang，"I’llgiveyouonemorechance。Answerme。Didyoubringofftheambergris，youbeast，whenyourjunksank？Whereisitnow？Howmanymenhaveyou？Whatarmshaveyougot？Haveyourmengotarifle？——Charlie，putthatalltohiminyourlingo，soastomakesurethatheunderstands。Tellhimifhedon’ttalkI’mgoingtomakehimverysick。"
CharlieputthequestionsinChinese，pausingaftereachone。
Hoangheldhispeace。
"Igaveyoufairwarning，"shoutedMoranangrily，pointingathimwiththefile。"Willyouanswer？"
"Himnotellnuttin，"observedCharlie。
"Fetchacordhere，"commandedMoran。Thecordwasbrought，anddespiteHoang’sstrugglesandwrithingsthefilewasthrustend-
waysintohismouthandhisjawsboundtightlytogetheruponitbymeansofthecordpassedoverhisheadandunderhischin。Somefourinchesofthefileportrudedfromhislips。Morantookthisendanddrewitoutbetweenthebeach-comber’steeth，thenpusheditbackslowly。
ThehideousraspoftheoperationturnedWilbur’sbloodcoldwithinhim。Helookedaway——outtosea，downthebeach——anywhere，sothathemightnotseewhatwasgoingforward。Butthepersistentgrindandscrapestillassaultedhisears。Heturnedaboutsharply。
"I——I——I’llgodownthebeachhereaways，"hesaidquickly。"I
can’tstand——I’llkeepwatchtoseeifthebeach-comberscomeup。"
AfewminuteslaterheheardCharliehailinghim。
"Chin-chinheapplentynow，"saidhe，withagrin，asWilburcameup。
Hoangsatonthesandinthemidstofthecircle。Thefileandcoilofropelayonthegroundnearby。Thebeach-comberwastalkinginahigh-keyedsing-song，butwithalisp。HetoldthempartlyinpigeonEnglishandpartlyinCantonese，whichCharlietranslated，thattheirmenwereeightinnumber，andthattheyhadintendedtoseizetheschoonerthatnight，butthatprobablyhisowncapturehaddelayedtheirplans。Theyhadnorifle。A
shotgunhadbeenonboard，buthadgonedownwiththesinkingofthejunk。Theambergrishadbeencutintotwolumps，andwouldbefoundinacoupleofoldflour-sacksinthesternoftheboatinwhichheandhismenhadcomeashore。Theywereallarmedwiththeirlittlehatchets。Hethoughttwoofthemencarriedknivesaswell。Therewasneitherpistolnorrevolveramongthem。
"Itseemstome，"saidWilbur，"thatwe’vegotthelongend。"
"Wecatchumboss，too！"saidCharlie，pointingtoHoang。
"Andwearebetterarmed，"assentedMoran。"We’vegotthecutting-inspades。"
"Andtherevolver，ifitwillshootanyfurtherthanitwillkick。"
"They’llgiveusallthefightwewant，"declaredMoran。
"Oh，himKai-gingh，himfightallsamedevil。"
"Givethemenbrandy，Charlie，"commandedMoran。"We’llrushthatcamprightaway。"
Thedemijohnofspiritswasbroughtdownfromthe"Bertha"andpassedaround，WilburandMorandrinkingfromthetincup，thecooliesfromthebottle。Hoangwasfetteredandlockedinthe"Bertha’s"cabin。
"Now，then，areweready？"criedMoran。
"Itinkalllight，"answeredCharlie。
Thepartysetoffdownthebeach。Themoonhadlongsincegonedown，andthedawnwaswhiteningovertheeasternhorizon。
Landward，raggedblanketsofmorningmistlaycloseinthehollowshereandthere。Itwasprofoundlystill。Thestarswerestillout。ThesurfaceofMagdalenaBaywassmoothasasheetofgraysilk。
Twentyminutespassed，halfanhour，anhour。Thepartytrampedsteadilyforward，Moran，Wilbur，andCharlieleading，thecooliesclosebehindcarryingthecutting-inspadesovertheirshoulders。
Slowlyandinsilencetheymadethehalfcircuitofthebay。The"BerthaMillner"wasfarbehindthembynow，avaguegraymassintheearlymorninglight。
"Didyoueverfightbefore？"MoransuddenlydemandedofCharlie。
"OnetimeIfightplentymuchinSanFlanciscoinWashingtonstleet。FightumSeeYups。"
Anotherhalf-hourpassed。Attimeswhentheyhaltedtheybegantohearthefaintmurmurofthecreek，justbeyondwhichwasthebrokenandcrumblingshanty，relicofanoldPortuguesewhaling-
camp，wherethebeach-comberswerecamped。AtCharlie’ssuggestionthepartymadeacircuit，describingahalfmoon，tolandward，soastocomeoutupontheenemyshelteredbythesand-
dunes。Twentyminuteslatertheycrossedthecreekaboutfourhundredyardsfromtheshore。Heretheyspreadoutintoalongline，and，keepinganintervalofaboutfifteenfeetbetweeneachofthem，movedcautiouslyforward。Theunevennessofthesand-
breakshidtheshorefromview，butMoran，Wilbur，andCharlieknewthatbykeepingthecreekupontheirlefttheywouldcomeoutdirectlyuponthehouse。
AfewmomentslaterCharliehelduphishand，andthemenhalted。
Thenoiseofthecreekchatteringintothetidewaterofthebaywasplainlyaudiblejustbeyond;aridgeofsand，coveredthinlywithsage-brush，andafaintcolumnofsmokeroseintotheairovertheridgeitself。Theywereclosein。Thecoolieswerehalted，anddroppingupontheirhandsandknees，thethreeleaderscrawledtothetopofthebreak。Shelteredbyacoupleofsage-
bushesandlyingflattotheground，Wilburlookedoveranddownuponthebeach。Thefirstobjecthemadeoutwasacrazy，rooflesshouse，builtofdriftwood，thechinksplasteredwith’dobemud，thedoorfallenin。
Beyond，onthebeach，wasaflat-bottomeddingy，unpaintedandfoulwithdirt。Butallaroundthehousethesandhadbeenscoopedandpiledtoformalowbarricade，andbehindthisbarricadeWilbursawthebeach-combers。Therewereeightofthem。
Theywerealertandready，theirhatchetsintheirhands。Thegazeofeachofthemwasfixeddirectlyuponthesand-breakwhichshelteredthe"BerthaMillner’s"officersandcrew。TheyseemedtoWilburtolookhimstraightintheeye。Theyneithermovednorspoke。Thesilenceandabsolutelackofmotiononthepartofthesesmall，half-nakedChinamen，withtheirape-likemuzzlesandtwinklingeyes，wasominous。
Therecouldbenolongeranydoubtsthatthebeach-combershadknownoftheirenemies’movementsandwereperfectlyawareoftheirpresencebehindthesand-break。Moranrosetoherfeet，andWilburandCharliefollowedherexample。
"There’snousehiding，"shesaid;"theyknowwe’rehere。"
Charliecalledupthecrew。Thetwopartieswererangedfacetoface。OvertheeasternrimofthePacificthebluewhitenessoftheearlydawnwasturningtoadull，roseategoldatthecoreofthesunrise。TheheadlandsofMagdalenaBaystoodblackagainstthepaleglow;overhead，thegreaterstarsstillshone。Themonotonous，faintrippleofthecreekwastheonlysound。Itwasabout3：30o’clock。
X
ABATTLE
Wilburhadimaginedthatthefightwouldbehardlymorethanawildrushdowntheslopeofthebeach，adashoverthebeach-
combers’breastworksofsand，andabriefhand-to-handscrimmagearoundtheoldcabin。Inallaccountshehadeverreadofsuchaffairs，andinallideashehadentertainedonthesubject，thishadalwaysbeenthecase。Thetwobodieshadshockedtogetherlikeacollegerush，therehadbeenfiveminutes’playofknifeandclubandgun，aconfusedwhirlofdustandsmoke，andallwasoverbeforeonehadtimeeithertothinkorbeafraid。Butnothingofthekindhappenedthatmorning。
The"BerthaMillner’s"crew，inalongline，Moranatoneend，Wilburattheother，andCharlieinthecentre，cameontowardthebeach-combers，stepbystep。Therewaslittleoutcry。Eachcontestantsingledouthisenemy，andmadeslowlyforhimwitheyesfixedandweaponready，regardlessofthemovementsofhismates。
"Seeanyriflesamongthem，Charlie？"shoutedMoran，suddenlybreakingthesilence。
"No，Itinknohabgot，"answeredCharlie。
Wilburtookanotherstepforwardandcockedhisrevolver。Oneofthebeach-combersshoutedoutsomethinginangryvernacular，andCharlieinstantlyresponded。Allthistimethelinehadbeenslowlyadvancingupontheenemy，andWilburbegantowonderhowlongthatheartbreakingsuspensewastocontinue。Thiswasnotatallwhathehadimagined。Alreadyhewaswithintwentyfeetofhisman，couldseetheevilglintofhisslant，smalleye，andtheshineofhisyellowbody，nakedtothebelt。Stillfootbyfoottheforwardmovementcontinued。TheChineseoneithersidehadbegunexchanginginsults;thestill，hotairofthetropicdawnwasvibrantwiththeCantonesemonosyllablestossedbackandforthliketennis-ballsoverthelowsandrampart。Thethingwasdegeneratingintoafarce——the"Bertha’s"Chinamenwouldnotfight。
Backthere，undertheshelteroftheschooner，itwasallverywelltotalk，andtheyhadbeenverybravewhentheyhadallflungthemselvesuponHoang。Here，facetofacewiththeenemy，thesunstrikingoffheliographflashesfromtheirknivesandspades，itwasavastlydifferentmatter。Thething，toWilbur’smind，shouldhavebeendonesuddenlyifitwastobedoneatall。Thebestcoursenowwastoreturntocampandtrysomeotherplan。
CharlieshoutedadirectiontohiminpigeonEnglishthathedidnotunderstand，butheansweredallright，andmovedforwardanotherstepsoastobeinlinewiththecoolieathisleft。
Theliquorthathehaddrunkbeforestartingbegansuddenlytoaffecthim，yetheknewthathisheadwasyetclear。Hecouldnotbringhimselftorunawaybeforethemall，buthewouldhavegivenmuchtohavediscoveredagoodreasonforpostponingthefight——iffighttherewastobe。
Herememberedthecockedrevolverinhishand，and，suddenlyraisingit，firedpoint-blankathisman，notfifteenfeetaway。
Thehammersnappedonthenipple，butthecartridgedidnotexplode。WilburturnedtotheChinamannexthiminline，exclaimingexcitedly：
"Here，say，haveyougotaknife——somethingIcanfightwith？Thisgun’snogood。"
TherewasashoutfromMoran：
"Lookout，heretheycome！"
Twoofthebeach-comberssuddenlysprangoverthesandbreastworksandrantowardCharlie，theirknivesheldlowinfrontofthem，readytorip。
"Shoot！shoot！shoot！"shoutedMoranrapidly。
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