Theword"Delay"enteredthesecretchamberofmybrain，resoundedtherelikeatollingbellwhichmaddenstheear，affectedallmysenses，tookonablackcolouring，abittertaste，adeadlymeaning。
"Iamreallysorrytoseeyouworriedlikethis。
Indeed，Iam……"
ItwastheonlyhumanespeechIusedtohearatthattime。Anditcamefromadoctor，ap-
propriatelyenough。
Adoctorishumanebydefinition。Butthatmanwassoinreality。Hisspeechwasnotprofessional。
Iwasnotill。Butotherpeoplewere，andthatwasthereasonofhisvisitingtheship。
HewasthedoctorofourLegationand，ofcourse，oftheConsulate，too。Helookedaftertheship’shealth，whichgenerallywaspoor，andtrembling，asitwere，onthevergeofabreak-up。Yes。Themenailed。Andthustimewasnotonlymoney，butlifeaswell。
Ihadneverseensuchasteadyship’scompany。
Asthedoctorremarkedtome："Youseemtohaveamostrespectablelotofseamen。"Notonlyweretheyconsistentlysober，buttheydidnotevenwanttogoashore。Carewastakentoexposethemaslittleaspossibletothesun。Theywereemployedonlightworkundertheawnings。Andthehumanedoctorcommendedme。
"Yourarrangementsappeartometobeveryjudicious，mydearCaptain。"
Itisdifficulttoexpresshowmuchthatpro-
nouncementcomfortedme。Thedoctor’sround，fullfaceframedinalight-colouredwhiskerwastheperfectionofadignifiedamenity。Hewastheonlyhumanbeingintheworldwhoseemedtotaketheslightestinterestinme。Hewouldgenerallysitinthecabinforhalfanhourorsoateveryvisit。
Isaidtohimoneday：
"IsupposetheonlythingnowistotakecareofthemasyouaredoingtillIcangettheshiptosea？"
Heinclinedhishead，shuttinghiseyesunderthelargespectacles，andmurmured：
"Thesea……undoubtedly。"
Thefirstmemberofthecrewfairlyknockedoverwasthesteward——thefirstmantowhomIhadspokenonboard。Hewastakenashore（withcholericsymptoms）anddiedthereattheendofaweek。Then，whileIwasstillunderthestartlingimpressionofthisfirsthome-thrustoftheclimate，Mr。Burnsgaveupandwenttobedinaragingfeverwithoutsayingawordtoanybody。
Ibelievehehadpartlyfrettedhimselfintothatillness;theclimatedidtherestwiththeswiftnessofaninvisiblemonsterambushedintheair，inthewater，inthemudoftheriver-bank。Mr。Burnswasapredestinedvictim。
Idiscoveredhimlyingonhisback，glaringsul-
lenlyandradiatingheatononelikeasmallfurnace。
Hewouldhardlyanswermyquestions，andonlygrumbled。Couldn’tamantakeanafternoonoffdutywithabadheadache——foronce？
Thatevening，asIsatinthesaloonafterdinner，Icouldhearhimmutteringcontinuouslyinhisroom。Ransome，whowasclearingthetable，saidtome：
"Iamafraid，sir，Iwon’tbeabletogivethematealltheattentionhe’slikelytoneed。Iwillhavetobeforwardinthegalleyagreatpartofmytime。"
Ransomewasthecook。Thematehadpointedhimouttomethefirstday，standingonthedeck，hisarmscrossedonhisbroadchest，gazingontheriver。
Evenatadistancehiswell-proportionedfigure，somethingthoroughlysailor-likeinhispoise，madehimnoticeable。Onnearerviewtheintelligent，quieteyes，awell-bredface，thedisciplinedin-
dependenceofhismannermadeupanattractivepersonality。When，inaddition，Mr。Burnstoldmethathewasthebestseamanintheship，Iex-
pressedmysurprisethatinhisearliestprimeandofsuchappearanceheshouldsignonascookonboardaship。
"It’shisheart，"Mr。Burnshadsaid。"There’ssomethingwrongwithit。Hemustn’texerthim-
selftoomuchorhemaydropdeadsuddenly。"
Andhewastheonlyonetheclimatehadnottouched——perhapsbecause，carryingadeadlyenemyinhisbreast，hehadschooledhimselfintoasystematiccontroloffeelingsandmovements。
Whenonewasinthesecretthiswasapparentinhismanner。Afterthepoorstewarddied，andashecouldnotbereplacedbyawhitemaninthisOrientalport，Ransomehadvolunteeredtodothedoublework。
"Icandoitallright，sir，aslongasIgoaboutitquietly，"hehadassuredme。
Butobviouslyhecouldn’tbeexpectedtotakeupsick-nursinginaddition。Moreover，thedoctorperemptorilyorderedMr。Burnsashore。
Withaseamanoneachsideholdinghimupunderthearms，thematewentoverthegangwaymoresullenthanever。Webuilthimupwithpil-
lowsinthegharry，andhemadeanefforttosaybrokenly：
"Now——you’vegot——whatyouwanted——gotmeoutof——theship。"
"Youwerenevermoremistakeninyourlife，Mr。Burns，"Isaidquietly，dulysmilingathim;
andthetrapdroveofftoasortofsanatorium，apavilionofbrickswhichthedoctorhadinthegroundsofhisresidence。
IvisitedMr。Burnsregularly。Afterthefirstfewdays，whenhedidn’tknowanybody，here-
ceivedmeasifIhadcomeeithertogloatoveranenemyorelsetocurryfavourwithadeeplywrongedperson。Itwaseitheroneortheother，justasithappenedaccordingtohisfantasticsick-
roommoods。Whicheveritwas，hemanagedtoconveyittomeevenduringtheperiodwhenheap-
pearedalmosttooweaktotalk。Itreatedhimtomyinvariablekindliness。
Thenoneday，suddenly，asurgeofdownrightpanicburstthroughallthiscraziness。
IfIlefthimbehindinthisdeadlyplacehewoulddie。Hefeltit，hewascertainofit。ButI
wouldn’thavethehearttoleavehimashore。HehadawifeandchildinSydney。
Heproducedhiswastedforearmsfromunderthesheetwhichcoveredhimandclaspedhisfleshlessclaws。Hewoulddie！Hewoulddiehere……
Heabsolutelymanagedtositup，butonlyforamoment，andwhenhefellbackIreallythoughtthathewoulddiethereandthen。IcalledtotheBengalidispenser，andhastenedawayfromtheroom。
Nextdayheupsetmethoroughlybyrenewinghisentreaties。Ireturnedanevasiveanswer，andlefthimthepictureofghastlydespair。ThedayafterIwentinwithreluctance，andheattackedmeatonceinamuchstrongervoiceandwithanabundanceofargumentwhichwasquitestartling。
Hepresentedhiscasewithasortofcrazyvigour，andaskedmefinallyhowwouldIliketohaveaman’sdeathonmyconscience？HewantedmetopromisethatIwouldnotsailwithouthim。
IsaidthatIreallymustconsultthedoctorfirst。
Hecriedoutatthat。Thedoctor！Never！Thatwouldbeadeathsentence。
Theefforthadexhaustedhim。Heclosedhiseyes，butwentonramblinginalowvoice。Ihadhatedhimfromthestart。Thelatecaptainhadhatedhim，too。Hadwishedhimdead。Hadwishedallhandsdead……
"Whatdoyouwanttostandinwiththatwickedcorpsefor，sir？He’llhaveyou，too，"heended，blinkinghisglazedeyesvacantly。
"Mr。Burns，"Icried，verymuchdiscomposed，"whatonearthareyoutalkingabout？"
Heseemedtocometohimself，thoughhewastooweaktostart。
"Idon’tknow，"hesaidlanguidly。"Butdon’taskthatdoctor，sir。YouareIaresailors。Don’taskhim，sir。Somedayperhapsyouwillhaveawifeandchildyourself。"
AndagainhepleadedforthepromisethatI
wouldnotleavehimbehind。Ihadthefirmnessofmindnottogiveittohim。Afterwardthisstern-
nessseemedcriminal;formymindwasmadeup。
Thatprostratedman，withhardlystrengthenoughtobreatheandravagedbyapassionoffear，wasirresistible。And，besides，hehadhappenedtohitontherightwords。HeandIweresailors。Thatwasaclaim，forIhadnootherfamily。Astothewifeandchild（someday）argument，ithadnoforce。
Itsoundedmerelybizarre。
Icouldimaginenoclaimthatwouldbestrongerandmoreabsorbingthantheclaimofthatship，ofthesemensnaredintheriverbysillycommercialcomplications，asifinsomepoisonoustrap。
However，Ihadnearlyfoughtmywayout。Outtosea。Thesea——whichwaspure，safe，andfriendly。Threedaysmore。
Thatthoughtsustainedandcarriedmeonmywaybacktotheship。Inthesaloonthedoctor’svoicegreetedme，andhislargeformfollowedhisvoice，issuingoutofthestarboardsparecabinwheretheship’smedicinechestwaskeptsecurelylashedinthebed-place。
FindingthatIwasnotonboardhehadgoneinthere，hesaid，toinspectthesupplyofdrugs，bandages，andsoon。Everythingwascompletedandinorder。
Ithankedhim;Ihadjustbeenthinkingofaskinghimtodothatverything，asinacoupleofdays，asheknew，weweregoingtosea，whereallourtroublesofeverysortwouldbeoveratlast。
Helistenedgravelyandmadenoanswer。ButwhenIopenedtohimmymindastoMr。Burnshesatdownbymyside，and，layinghishandonmykneeamicably，beggedmetothinkwhatitwasI
wasexposingmyselfto。
Themanwasjuststrongenoughtobearbeingmovedandnomore。Buthecouldn’tstandare-
turnofthefever。Ihadbeforemeapassageofsixtydaysperhaps，beginningwithintricatenavi-
gationandendingprobablywithalotofbadweather。CouldIruntheriskofhavingtogothroughitsingle-handed，withnochiefofficerandwithasecondquiteayouth？……
Hemighthaveaddedthatitwasmyfirstcom-
mand，too。Hedidprobablythinkofthatfact，forhecheckedhimself。Itwasverypresenttomymind。
HeadvisedmeearnestlytocabletoSingaporeforachiefofficer，evenifIhadtodelaymysailingforaweek。
"Never，"Isaid。Theverythoughtgavemetheshivers。Thehandsseemedfairlyfit，allofthem，andthiswasthetimetogetthemaway。OnceatseaIwasnotafraidoffacinganything。Theseawasnowtheonlyremedyforallmytroubles。
Thedoctor’sglassesweredirectedatmeliketwolampssearchingthegenuinenessofmyresolution。
Heopenedhislipsasiftoarguefurther，butshutthemagainwithoutsayinganything。IhadavisionsovividofpoorBurnsinhisexhaustion，helplessness，andanguish，thatitmovedmemorethantherealityIhadcomeawayfromonlyanhourbefore。Itwaspurgedfromthedrawbacksofhispersonality，andIcouldnotresistit。
"Lookhere，"Isaid。"UnlessyoutellmeofficiallythatthemanmustnotbemovedI’llmakearrangementstohavehimbroughtonboardto-
morrow，andshalltaketheshipoutoftherivernextmorning，evenifIhavetoanchoroutsidethebarforacoupleofdaystogetherreadyforsea。"
"Oh！I’llmakeallthearrangementsmyself，"
saidthedoctoratonce。"IspokeasIdidonlyasafriend——asawell-wisher，andthatsortofthing。"
Heroseinhisdignifiedsimplicityandgavemeawarmhandshake，rathersolemnly，Ithought。Buthewasasgoodashisword。WhenMr。Burnsap-
pearedatthegangwaycarriedonastretcher，thedoctorhimselfwalkedbyitsside。Theprogrammehadbeenalteredinsofarthatthistransportationhadbeenlefttothelastmoment，ontheverymorn-
ingofourdeparture。
Itwasbarelyanhouraftersunrise。Thedoctorwavedhisbigarmtomefromtheshoreandwalkedbackatoncetohistrap，whichhadfollowedhimemptytotheriver-side。Mr。Burns，carriedacrossthequarter-deck，hadtheappearanceofbeingabsolutelylifeless。Ransomewentdowntosettlehiminhiscabin。Ihadtoremainondecktolookaftertheship，forthetughadgotholdofourtow-
ropealready。
Thesplashofourshore-fastsfallinginthewaterproducedacompletechangeoffeelinginme。Itwasliketheimperfectreliefofawakeningfromanightmare。Butwhentheship’sheadswungdowntheriverawayfromthattown，Orientalandsqualid，Imissedtheexpectedelationofthatstriven-formoment。Whattherewas，un-
doubtedly，wasarelaxationoftensionwhichtrans-
lateditselfintoasenseofwearinessafteranin-
gloriousfight。
Aboutmiddayweanchoredamileoutsidethebar。Theafternoonwasbusyforallhands。
Watchingtheworkfromthepoop，whereIre-
mainedallthetime，Idetectedinitsomeofthelanguorofthesixweeksspentinthesteamingheatoftheriver。Thefirstbreezewouldblowthataway。Nowthecalmwascomplete。Ijudgedthatthesecondofficer——acallowyouthwithanunpromisingface——wasnot，toputitmildly，ofthatinvaluablestufffromwhichacommander’srighthandismade。ButIwasgladtocatchalongthemaindeckafewsmilesonthoseseamen’sfacesatwhichIhadhardlyhadtimetohaveagoodlookasyet。Havingthrownoffthemortalcoilofshoreaffairs，Ifeltmyselffamiliarwiththemandyetalittlestrange，likealong-lostwandereramonghiskin。
Ransomeflittedcontinuallytoandfrobetweenthegalleyandthecabin。Itwasapleasuretolookathim。Themanpositivelyhadgrace。Healoneofallthecrewhadnothadaday’sillnessinport。ButwiththeknowledgeofthatuneasyheartwithinhisbreastIcoulddetecttherestraintheputonthenaturalsailor-likeagilityofhismovements。Itwasasthoughhehadsomethingveryfragileorveryexplosivetocarryabouthispersonandwasallthetimeawareofit。
Ihadoccasiontoaddresshimonceortwice。Heansweredmeinhispleasant，quietvoiceandwithafaint，slightlywistfulsmile。Mr。Burnsappearedtoberesting。Heseemedfairlycomfortable。
AftersunsetIcameoutondeckagaintomeetonlyastillvoid。Thethin，featurelesscrustofthecoastcouldnotbedistinguished。Thedarknesshadrisenaroundtheshiplikeamysteriousemana-
tionfromthedumbandlonelywaters。Ileanedontherailandturnedmyeartotheshadowsofthenight。Notasound。Mycommandmighthavebeenaplanetflyingvertiginouslyonitsappointedpathinaspaceofinfinitesilence。Iclungtotherailasifmysenseofbalancewereleavingmeforgood。Howabsurd。Ifailednervously。
"Ondeckthere！"
Theimmediateanswer，"Yes，sir，"brokethespell。Theanchor-watchmanranupthepoopladdersmartly。Itoldhimtoreportatoncetheslightestsignofabreezecoming。
GoingbelowIlookedinonMr。Burns。Infact，Icouldnotavoidseeinghim，forhisdoorstoodopen。Themanwassowastedthat，inthiswhitecabin，underawhitesheet，andwithhisdiminishedheadsunkinthewhitepillow，hisredmoustachescapturedtheireyesexclusively，likesomethingarti-
ficial——apairofmoustachesfromashopexhibitedthereintheharshlightofthebulkhead-lampwithoutashade。
WhileIstaredwithasortofwonderheassertedhimselfbyopeninghiseyesandevenmovingtheminmydirection。Aminutestir。
"Deadcalm，Mr。Burns，"Isaidresignedly。
InanunexpectedlydistinctvoiceMr。Burnsbe-
ganaramblingspeech。Itstonewasverystrange，notasifaffectedbyhisillness，butasifofadiffer-
entnature。Itsoundedunearthly。Astothematter，Iseemedtomakeoutthatitwasthefaultofthe"oldman"——thelatecaptain——ambusheddownthereundertheseawithsomeevilintention。
Itwasaweirdstory。
Ilistenedtotheend;thensteppingintothecabinIlaidmyhandonthemate’sforehead。Itwascool。Hewaslight-headedonlyfromextremeweakness。Suddenlyheseemedtobecomeawareofme，andinhisownvoice——ofcourse，veryfeeble——heaskedregretfully：
"Istherenochanceatalltogetunderway，sir？"
"What’sthegoodoflettinggoourholdofthegroundonlytodrift，Mr。Burns？"Ianswered。
HesighedandIlefthimtohisimmobility。Hisholdonlifewasasslenderashisholdonsanity。I
wasoppressedbymylonelyresponsibilities。I
wentintomycabintoseekreliefinafewhours’
sleep，butalmostbeforeIclosedmyeyesthemanondeckcamedownreportingalightbreeze。
Enoughtogetunderwaywith，hesaid。
Anditwasnomorethanjustenough。Iorderedthewindlassmanned，thesailsloosed，andthetop-
sailsset。ButbythetimeIhadcasttheshipI
couldhardlyfeelanybreathofwind。Neverthe-
less，Itrimmedtheyardsandputeverythingonher。Iwasnotgoingtogiveuptheattempt。
part2-1ChapterIV
WITHheranchoratthebowandclothedincanvastoherverytrucks，mycommandseemedtostandasmotionlessasamodelshipsetonthegleamsandshadowsofpolishedmarble。Itwasimpossibletodistinguishlandfromwaterintheenigmaticaltranquillityoftheimmenseforcesoftheworld。
Asuddenimpatiencepossessedme。
"Won’tsheanswerthehelmatall？"Isaidirritablytothemanwhosestrongbrownhandsgraspingthespokesofthewheelstoodoutlightedonthedarkness;likeasymbolofmankind’sclaimtothedirectionofitsownfate。
Heansweredme。
"Yes，sir。She’scoming-toslowly。"
"Letherheadcomeuptosouth。"
"Aye，aye，sir。"
Ipacedthepoop。Therewasnotasoundbutthatofmyfootsteps，tillthemanspokeagain。
"Sheisatsouthnow，sir。"
IfeltaslighttightnessofthechestbeforeIgaveoutthefirstcourseofmyfirstcommandtothesilentnight，heavywithdewandsparklingwithstars。Therewasafinalityintheactcommit-
tingmetotheendlessvigilanceofmylonelytask。
"Steadyherheadatthat，"Isaidatlast。"Thecourseissouth。"
"South，sir，"echoedtheman。
Isentbelowthesecondmateandhiswatchandremainedincharge，walkingthedeckthroughthechill，somnolenthoursthatprecedethedawn。
Slightpuffscameandwent，andwhenevertheywerestrongenoughtowakeuptheblackwaterthemurmuralongsideranthroughmyveryheartinadelicatecrescendoofdelightanddiedawayswiftly。
Iwasbitterlytired。Theverystarsseemedwearyofwaitingfordaybreak。Itcameatlastwithamother-of-pearlsheenatthezenith，suchasIhadneverseenbeforeinthetropics，unglowing，almostgray，withastrangereminderofhighlatitudes。
Thevoiceofthelook-outmanhailedfromfor-
ward：
"Landontheportbow，sir。"
"Allright。"
LeaningontherailIneverevenraisedmyeyes。
Themotionoftheshipwasimperceptible。Pres-
entlyRansomebroughtmethecupofmorningcoffee。AfterIhaddrunkitIlookedahead，andinthestillstreakofverybrightpaleorangelightI
sawthelandprofiledflatlyasifcutoutofblackpaperandseemingtofloatonthewateraslightascork。Buttherisingsunturneditintomeredarkvapour，adoubtful，massiveshadowtremblinginthehotglare。
Thewatchfinishedwashingdecks。Iwentbe-
lowandstoppedatMr。Burns’door（hecouldnotbeartohaveitshut），buthesitatedtospeaktohimtillhemovedhiseyes。Igavehimthenews。
"SightedCapeLiantatdaylight。Aboutfifteenmiles。"
Hemovedhislipsthen，butIheardnosoundtillIputmyeardown，andcaughtthepeevishcomment："Thisiscrawling……Noluck。"
"Betterluckthanstandingstill，anyhow，"I
pointedoutresignedly，andlefthimtowhateverthoughtsorfancieshauntedhisawfulimmobility。
Laterthatmorning，whenrelievedbymysecondofficer，IthrewmyselfonmycouchandforsomethreehoursorsoIreallyfoundoblivion。ItwassoperfectthatonwakingupIwonderedwhereIwas。
Thencametheimmensereliefofthethought：onboardmyship！Atsea！Atsea！
Throughtheport-holesIbeheldanunruffled，sun-smittenhorizon。Thehorizonofawindlessday。Butitsspaciousnessalonewasenoughtogivemeasenseofafortunateescape，amomentaryexultationoffreedom。
Isteppedoutintothesaloonwithmyheartlighterthanithadbeenfordays。Ransomewasatthesideboardpreparingtolaythetableforthefirstseadinnerofthepassage。Heturnedhishead，andsomethinginhiseyescheckedmymodestelation。
InstinctivelyIasked："Whatisitnow？"notex-
pectingintheleasttheanswerIgot。Itwasgivenwiththatsortofcontainedserenitywhichwascharacteristicoftheman。
"Iamafraidwehaven’tleftallsicknessbehindus，sir。"
"Wehaven’t！What’sthematter？"
Hetoldmethenthattwoofourmenhadbeentakenbadwithfeverinthenight。Oneofthemwasburningandtheotherwasshivering，buthethoughtthatitwasprettymuchthesamething。
Ithoughtso，too。Ifeltshockedbythenews。
"Oneburning，theothershivering，yousay？No。
Wehaven’tleftthesicknessbehind。Dotheylookveryill？"
"Middlingbad，sir。"Ransome’seyesgazedsteadilyintomine。Weexchangedsmiles。Ran-
some’salittlewistful，asusual，minenodoubtgrimenough，tocorrespondwithmysecretexasperation。
Iasked：
"Wasthereanywindatallthismorning？"
"Canhardlysaythat，sir。We’vemovedallthetimethough。Thelandaheadseemsalittlenearer。"
Thatwasit。Alittlenearer。Whereasifwehadonlyhadalittlemorewind，onlyaverylittlemore，wemight，weshould，havebeenabreastofLiantbythistimeandincreasingourdistancefromthatcontaminatedshore。Anditwasnotonlythedistance。Itseemedtomethatastrongerbreezewouldhaveblownawaythecontaminationwhichclungtotheship。Itobviouslydidclingtotheship。Twomen。Oneburning，oneshivering。I
feltadistinctreluctancetogoandlookatthem。
Whatwasthegood？Poisonispoison。Tropicalfeveristropicalfever。Butthatitshouldhavestretcheditsclawafterusovertheseaseemedtomeanextraordinaryandunfairlicense。Icouldhardlybelievethatitcouldbeanythingworsethanthelastdesperatepluckoftheevilfromwhichwewereescapingintothecleanbreathofthesea。Ifonlythatbreathhadbeenalittlestronger。How-
ever，therewasthequinineagainstthefever。I
wentintothesparecabinwherethemedicinechestwaskepttopreparetwodoses。Iopeneditfulloffaithasamanopensamiraculousshrine。Theupperpartwasinhabitedbyacollectionofbottles，allsquare-shoulderedandaslikeeachotheraspeas。Underthatorderlyarraythereweretwodrawers，stuffedasfullofthingsasonecouldim-
agine——paperpackages，bandages，cardboardboxesofficiallylabelled。Thelowerofthetwo，inoneofitscompartments，containedourprovisionofquinine。
Therewerefivebottles，allroundandallofasize。Onewasaboutathirdfull。Theotherfourremainedstillwrappedupinpaperandsealed。
ButIdidnotexpecttoseeanenvelopelyingontopofthem。Asquareenvelope，belonging，infact，totheship’sstationery。
ItlaysothatIcouldseeitwasnotcloseddown，andonpickingitupandturningitoverIperceivedthatitwasaddressedtomyself。Itcontainedahalf-sheetofnotepaper，whichIunfoldedwithaqueersenseofdealingwiththeuncanny，butwith-
outanyexcitementaspeoplemeetanddoex-
traordinarythingsinadream。
"MydearCaptain，"itbegan，butIrantothesignature。Thewriterwasthedoctor。Thedatewasthatofthedayonwhich，returningfrommyvisittoMr。Burnsinthehospital，Ihadfoundtheexcellentdoctorwaitingformeinthecabin;andwhenhetoldmethathehadbeenputtingintimeinspectingthemedicinechestforme。Howbizarre！Whileexpectingmetocomeinatanymomenthehadbeenamusinghimselfbywritingmealetter，andthenasIcameinhadhastenedtostuffitintothemedicine-chestdrawer。Aratherincredibleproceeding。Iturnedtothetextinwonder。
Inalarge，hurried，butlegiblehandthegood，sympatheticmanforsomereason，eitherofkind-
nessormorelikelyimpelledbytheirresistiblede-
siretoexpresshisopinion，withwhichhedidn’twanttodampmyhopesbefore，waswarningmenottoputmytrustinthebeneficialeffectsofachangefromlandtosea。"Ididn’twanttoaddtoyourworriesbydiscouragingyourhopes，"hewrote。"Iamafraidthat，medicallyspeaking，theendofyourtroublesisnotyet。"Inshort，heex-
pectedmetohavetofightaprobablereturnoftropicalillness。FortunatelyIhadagoodpro-
visionofquinine。Ishouldputmytrustinthat，andadministeritsteadily，whentheship’shealthwouldcertainlyimprove。
Icrumpleduptheletterandrammeditintomypocket。Ransomecarriedofftwobigdosestothemenforward。Astomyself，Ididnotgoondeckasyet。IwentinsteadtothedoorofMr。Burns’
room，andgavehimthatnews，too。
Itwasimpossibletosaytheeffectithadonhim。
AtfirstIthoughtthathewasspeechless。Hisheadlaysunkinthepillow。Hemovedhislipsenough，however，toassuremethathewasgettingmuchstronger;astatementshockinglyuntrueonthefaceofit。
ThatafternoonItookmywatchasamatterofcourse。Agreatover-heatedstillnessenvelopedtheshipandseemedtoholdhermotionlessinaflamingambiencecomposedintwoshadesofblue。
Faint，hotpuffseddiednervelesslyfromhersails。
Andyetshemoved。Shemusthave。For，asthesunwassetting，wehaddrawnabreastofCapeLiantanddroppeditbehindus：anominousre-
treatingshadowinthelastgleamsoftwilight。
Intheevening，underthecrudeglareofhislamp，Mr。Burnsseemedtohavecomemoretothesurfaceofhisbedding。Itwasasifadepressinghandhadbeenliftedoffhim。Heansweredmyfewwordsbyacomparativelylong，connectedspeech。Heassertedhimselfstrongly。Ifheescapedbeingsmotheredbythisstagnantheat，hesaid，hewasconfidentthatinaveryfewdayshewouldbeabletocomeupondeckandhelpme。
WhilehewasspeakingItrembledlestthiseffortofenergyshouldleavehimlifelessbeforemyeyes。
ButIcannotdenythattherewassomethingcom-
fortinginhiswillingness。Imadeasuitablereply，butpointedouttohimthattheonlythingthatcouldreallyhelpuswaswind——afairwind。
Herolledhisheadimpatientlyonthepillow。
Anditwasnotcomfortingintheleasttohearhimbegintomuttercrazilyaboutthelatecaptain，thatoldmanburiedinlatitude8d20’，rightinourway——ambushedattheentranceoftheGulf。
"Areyoustillthinkingofyourlatecaptain，Mr。
Burns？"Isaid。"Iimaginethedeadfeelnoanimos-
ityagainsttheliving。Theycarenothingforthem。"
"Youdon’tknowthatone，"hebreathedoutfeebly。
"No。Ididn’tknowhim，andhedidn’tknowme。Andsohecan’thaveanygrievanceagainstme，anyway。"
"Yes。Butthere’salltherestofusonboard，"heinsisted。
Ifelttheinexpugnablestrengthofcommonsensebeinginsidiouslymenacedbythisgruesome，bythisinsane，delusion。AndIsaid：
"Youmustn’ttalksomuch。Youwilltireyourself。"
"Andthereistheshipherself，"hepersistedinawhisper。
"Now，notawordmore，"Isaid，steppinginandlayingmyhandonhiscoolforehead。Itprovedtomethatthisatrociousabsurditywasrootedinthemanhimselfandnotinthedisease，which，ap-
parently，hademptiedhimofeverypower，mentalandphysical，exceptthatonefixedidea。
IavoidedgivingMr。Burnsanyopeningforcon-
versationforthenextfewdays。Imerelyusedtothrowhimahasty，cheerywordwhenpassinghisdoor。Ibelievethatifhehadhadthestrengthhewouldhavecalledoutaftermemorethanonce。
Buthehadn’tthestrength。Ransome，however，observedtomeoneafternoonthatthemate"seemedtobepickingupwonderfully。"
"Didhetalkanynonsensetoyouoflate？"I
askedcasually。
"No，sir。"Ransomewasstartledbythedirectquestion;but，afterapause，headdedequably：
"Hetoldmethismorning，sir，thathewassorryhehadtoburyourlatecaptainrightintheship’sway，asonemaysay，outoftheGulf。"
"Isn’tthisnonsenseenoughforyou？"Iasked，lookingconfidentlyattheintelligent，quietfaceonwhichthesecretuneasinessintheman’sbreasthadthrownatransparentveilofcare。
Ransomedidn’tknow。Hehadnotgivenathoughttothematter。Andwithafaintsmileheflittedawayfrommeonhisnever-endingduties，withhisusualguardedactivity。
Twomoredayspassed。Wehadadvancedalittleway——averylittleway——intothelargerspaceoftheGulfofSiam。Seizingeagerlyupontheelationofthefirstcommandthrownintomylap，bytheagencyofCaptainGiles，Ihadyetanuneasyfeelingthatsuchluckasthishasgotperhapstobepaidforinsomeway。Ihadheld，professionally，areviewofmychances。Iwascompetentenoughforthat。Atleast，Ithoughtso。Ihadageneralsenseofmypreparednesswhichonlyamanpur-
suingacallinghelovescanknow。Thatfeelingseemedtomethemostnaturalthingintheworld。
Asnaturalasbreathing。IimaginedIcouldnothavelivedwithoutit。
Idon’tknowwhatIexpected。Perhapsnothingelsethanthatspecialintensityofexistencewhichisthequintessenceofyouthfulaspirations。What-
everIexpectedIdidnotexpecttobebesetbyhurricanes。Iknewbetterthanthat。IntheGulfofSiamtherearenohurricanes。ButneitherdidI
expecttofindmyselfboundhandandfoottothehopelessextentwhichwasrevealedtomeasthedayswenton。
Notthattheevilspellheldusalwaysmotionless。
Mysteriouscurrentsdriftedushereandthere，withastealthypowermademanifestonlybythechang-
ingvistasoftheislandsfringingtheeastshoreoftheGulf。Andtherewerewinds，too，fitfulanddeceitful。Theyraisedhopesonlytodashthemintothebitterestdisappointment，promisesofadvanceendinginlostground，expiringinsighs，dyingintodumbstillnessinwhichthecurrentshaditalltheirownway——theirowninimicalway。
TheislandofKoh-ring，agreat，black，up-
heavedridgeamongstalotoftinyislets，lyingupontheglassywaterlikeatritonamongstmin-
nows，seemedtobethecentreofthefatalcircle。Itseemedimpossibletogetawayfromit。Dayafterdayitremainedinsight。Morethanonce，inafavourablebreeze，Iwouldtakeitsbearingsinthefast-ebbingtwilight，thinkingthatitwasforthelasttime。Vainhope。Anightoffitfulairswouldundothegainsoftemporaryfavour，andtherisingsunwouldthrowouttheblackreliefofKoh-ringooking。
part2-5
ChapterV
IHEARDtheclatterofthescissorsescapingfromhishand，notedtheperilousheaveofhiswholepersonovertheedgeofthebunkafterthem，andthen，returningtomyfirstpurpose，pursuedmycourseonthedeck。Thesparkleoftheseafilledmyeyes。Itwasgorgeousandbarren，monotonousandwithouthopeundertheemptycurveofthesky。Thesailshungmotionlessandslack，theveryfoldsoftheirsaggingsurfacesmovednomorethancarvedgranite。Theimpetuosityofmyad-
ventmadethemanatthehelmstartslightly。A
blockaloftsqueakedincomprehensibly，forwhatonearthcouldhavemadeitdoso？Itwasawhistlingnotelikeabird’s。Foralong，longtimeIfacedanemptyworld，steepedinaninfinityofsilence，throughwhichthesunshinepouredandflowedforsomemysteriouspurpose。ThenIheardRansome’svoiceatmyelbow。
"IhaveputMr。Burnsbacktobed，sir。"
"Youhave。"
"Well，sir，hegotout，allofasudden，butwhenheletgotheedgeofhisbunkhefelldown。Heisn’tlight-headed，though，itseemstome。"
"No，"Isaiddully，withoutlookingatRansome。
Hewaitedforamoment，thencautiously，asifnottogiveoffence："Idon’tthinkweneedlosemuchofthatstuff，sir，"hesaid，"Icansweepitup，everybitofitalmost，andthenwecouldsifttheglassout。
Iwillgoaboutitatonce。Itwillnotmakethebreakfastlate，nottenminutes。"
"Oh，yes，"Isaidbitterly。"Letthebreakfastwait，sweepupeverybitofit，andthenthrowthedamnedlotoverboard！"
Theprofoundsilencereturned，andwhenI
lookedovermyshoulder，Ransome——theintelli-
gent，sereneRansome——hadvanishedfrommyside。Theintenselonelinessoftheseaactedlikepoisononmybrain。WhenIturnedmyeyestotheship，Ihadamorbidvisionofherasafloatinggrave。Whohasn’theardofshipsfoundfloating，haphazard，withtheircrewsalldead？Ilookedattheseamanatthehelm，Ihadanimpulsetospeaktohim，and，indeed，hisfacetookonanexpectantcastasifhehadguessedmyintention。ButintheendIwentbelow，thinkingIwouldbealonewiththegreatnessofmytroubleforalittlewhile。ButthroughhisopendoorMr。Burnssawmecomedown，andaddressedmegrumpily："Well，sir？"
Iwentin。"Itisn’twellatall，"Isaid。
Mr。Burns，reestablishedinhisbed-place，wasconcealinghishirsutecheekinthepalmofhishand。
"Thatconfoundedfellowhastakenawaythescissorsfromme，"werethenextwordshesaid。
ThetensionIwassufferingfromwassogreatthatitwasperhapsjustaswellthatMr。Burnshadstartedonhisgrievance。Heseemedverysoreaboutitandgrumbled，"DoeshethinkIammad，orwhat？"
"Idon’tthinkso，Mr。Burns，"Isaid。Ilookeduponhimatthatmomentasamodelofself-
possession。Ievenconceivedonthataccountasortofadmirationforthatman，whohad（apartfromtheintensematerialityofwhatwasleftofhisbeard）comeasneartobeingadisembodiedspiritasanymancandoandlive。Inoticedthepre-
ternaturalsharpnessoftheridgeofhisnose，thedeepcavitiesofhistemples，andIenviedhim。Hewassoreducedthathewouldprobablydieverysoon。Enviableman！Sonearextinction——whileIhadtobearwithinmeatumultofsufferingvitality，doubt，confusion，self-reproach，andanin-
definitereluctancetomeetthehorridlogicofthesituation。Icouldnothelpmuttering："IfeelasifIweregoingmadmyself。"
Mr。Burnsglaredspectrally，butotherwisewonderfullycomposed。
"Ialwaysthoughthewouldplayussomedeadlytrick，"
hesaid，withapeculiaremphasisontheHE。
Itgavemeamentalshock，butIhadneitherthemind，northeheart，northespirittoarguewithhim。Myformofsicknesswasindifference。Thecreepingparalysisofahopelessoutlook。SoI
onlygazedathim。Mr。Burnsbrokeintofurtherspeech。
"Eh！What！No！Youwon’tbelieveit？Well，howdoyouaccountforthis？Howdoyouthinkitcouldhavehappened？"
"Happened？"Irepeateddully。"Why，yes，howinthenameoftheinfernalpowersdidthisthinghappen？"
Indeed，onthinkingitout，itseemedincompre-
hensiblethatitshouldjustbelikethis：thebottlesemptied，refilled，rewrapped，andreplaced。Asortofplot，asinisterattempttodeceive，athingre-
semblingslyvengeance，butforwhat？Orelseafiendishjoke。ButMr。Burnswasinpossessionofatheory。Itwassimple，andheuttereditsolemnlyinahollowvoice。
"IsupposetheyhavegivenhimaboutfifteenpoundsinHaiphongforthatlittlelot。"
"Mr。Burns！"Icried。
Henoddedgrotesquelyoverhisraisedlegs，liketwobroomsticksinthepyjamas，withenormousbarefeetattheend。
"Whynot？Thestuffisprettyexpensiveinthispartoftheworld，andtheywereveryshortofitinTonkin。Andwhatdidhecare？Youhavenotknownhim。Ihave，andIhavedefiedhim。HefearedneitherGod，nordevil，norman，norwind，norsea，norhisownconscience。AndIbelievehehatedeverybodyandeverything。ButIthinkhewasafraidtodie。IbelieveIamtheonlymanwhoeverstooduptohim。Ifacedhiminthatcabinwhereyoulivenow，whenhewassick，andI
cowedhimthen。HethoughtIwasgoingtotwisthisneckforhim。IfhehadhadhiswaywewouldhavebeenbeatingupagainsttheNord-Eastmon-
soon，aslongashelivedandafterward，too，foragesandages。ActingtheFlyingDutchmanintheChinaSea！Ha！Ha！"
"Butwhyshouldhereplacethebottleslikethis？"……Ibegan。
"Whyshouldn’the？Whyshouldhewanttothrowthebottlesaway？Theyfitthedrawer。
Theybelongtothemedicinechest。"
"Andtheywerewrappedup，"Icried。
"Well，thewrapperswerethere。Diditfromhabit，Isuppose，andastorefilling，thereisalwaysalotofstufftheysendinpaperparcelsthatburstafteratime。Andthen，whocantell？Isupposeyoudidn’ttasteit，sir？But，ofcourse，youaresure……"
"No，"Isaid。"Ididn’ttasteit。Itisallover-
boardnow。"
Behindme，asoft，cultivatedvoicesaid："Ihavetastedit。Itseemedamixtureofallsorts，sweet-
ish，saltish，veryhorrible。"
Ransome，steppingoutofthepantry，hadbeenlisteningforsometime，asitwasveryexcusableinhimtodo。
"Adirtytrick，"saidMr。Burns。"Ialwayssaidhewould。"
Themagnitudeofmyindignationwasun-
bounded。Andthekind，sympatheticdoctor，too。
TheonlysympatheticmanIeverknew……
insteadofwritingthatwarningletter，theveryre-
finementofsympathy，whydidn’tthemanmakeaproperinspection？But，asamatteroffact，itwashardlyfairtoblamethedoctor。Thefittingswereinorderandthemedicinechestisanofficiallyar-
rangedaffair。Therewasnothingreallytoarousetheslightestsuspicion。ThepersonIcouldneverforgivewasmyself。Nothingshouldeverbetakenforgranted。Theseedofeverlastingremorsewassowninmybreast。
"Ifeelit’sallmyfault，"Iexclaimed，"mineandnobodyelse’s。That’showIfeel。Ishallneverforgivemyself。"
"That’sveryfoolish，sir，"saidMr。Burnsfiercely。
Andafterthisefforthefellbackexhaustedonhisbed。Heclosedhiseyes，hepanted;thisaffair，thisabominablesurprisehadshakenhimup，too。
AsIturnedawayIperceivedRansomelookingatmeblankly。Heappreciatedwhatitmeant，butmanagedtoproducehispleasant，wistfulsmile。
Thenhesteppedbackintohispantry，andIrushedupondeckagaintoseewhethertherewasanywind，anybreathunderthesky，anystiroftheair，anysignofhope。Thedeadlystillnessmetmeagain。Nothingwaschangedexceptthattherewasadifferentmanatthewheel。Helookedill。
Hiswholefiguredrooped，andheseemedrathertoclingtothespokesthanholdthemwithacontroll-
inggrip。Isaidtohim：
"Youarenotfittobehere。"
"Icanmanage，sir，"hesaidfeebly。
Asamatteroffact，therewasnothingforhimtodo。
Theshiphadnosteerageway。Shelaywithherheadtothewestward，theeverlastingKoh-ringvisibleoverthestern，withafewsmallislets，blackspotsinthegreatblaze，swimmingbeforemytroubledeyes。Andbutforthosebitsoflandtherewasnospeckonthesky，nospeckonthewater，noshapeofvapour，nowispofsmoke，nosail，noboat，nostirofhumanity，nosignoflife，nothing！
Thefirstquestionwas，whattodo？Whatcouldonedo？Thefirstthingtodoobviouslywastotellthemen。Ididitthatveryday。Iwasn’tgoingtolettheknowledgesimplygetabout。Iwouldfacethem。Theywereassembledonthequarter-
deckforthepurpose。JustbeforeIsteppedouttospeaktothemIdiscoveredthatlifecouldholdterriblemoments。Noconfessedcriminalhadeverbeensooppressedbyhissenseofguilt。Thisiswhy，perhaps，myfacewassethardandmyvoicecurtandunemotionalwhileImademydeclarationthatIcoulddonothingmoreforthesickinthewayofdrugs。Astosuchcareascouldbegiventhemtheyknewtheyhadhadit。
Iwouldhaveheldthemjustifiedintearingmelimbfromlimb。Thesilencewhichfolloweduponmywordswasalmosthardertobearthantheangriestuproar。Iwascrushedbytheinfinitedepthofitsreproach。But，asamatteroffact，I
wasmistaken。InavoicewhichIhadgreatdiffi-
cultyinkeepingfirm，Iwenton："Isuppose，men，youhaveunderstoodwhatIsaid，andyouknowwhatitmeans。"
Avoiceortwowereheard："Yes，sir……Weunderstand。"
Theyhadkeptsilentsimplybecausetheythoughtthattheywerenotcalledtosayanything;
andwhenItoldthemthatIintendedtorunintoSingaporeandthatthebestchancefortheshipandthemenwasintheeffortsallofus，sickandwell，mustmaketogetheralongoutofthis，Ire-
ceivedtheencouragementofalowassentingmur-
murandofaloudervoiceexclaiming："Surelythereisawayoutofthisblamedhole。"
***
HereisanextractfromthenotesIwroteatthetime。
"WehavelostKoh-ringatlast。FormanydaysnowIdon’tthinkIhavebeentwohoursbelowal-
together。Iremainondeck，ofcourse，nightandday，andthenightsandthedayswheeloverusinsuccession，whetherlongorshort，whocansay？
Allsenseoftimeislostinthemonotonyofex-
pectation，ofhope，andofdesire——whichisonlyone：Gettheshiptothesouthward！Gettheshiptothesouthward！Theeffectiscuriouslyme-
chanical;thesunclimbsanddescends，thenightswingsoverourheadsasifsomebodybelowthehorizonwereturningacrank。Itistheprettiest，themostaimless！……andallthroughthatmiserableperformanceIgoon，tramping，tramp-
ingthedeck。HowmanymileshaveIwalkedonthepoopofthatship！Astubbornpilgrimageofsheerrestlessness，diversifiedbyshortexcursionsbelowtolookuponMr。Burns。Idon’tknowwhetheritisanillusion，butheseemstobecomemoresubstantialfromdaytoday。Hedoesn’tsaymuch，for，indeed，thesituationdoesn’tlenditselftoidleremarks。InoticethisevenwiththemenasIwatchthemmovingorsittingaboutthedecks。
Theydon’ttalktoeachother。Itstrikesmethatifthereexistsaninvisibleearcatchingthewhispersoftheearth，itwillfindthisshipthemostsilentspotonit……
"No，Mr。Burnshasnotmuchtosaytome。Hesitsinhisbunkwithhisbeardgone，hismoustachesflaming，andwithanairofsilentdeterminationonhischalkyphysiognomy。Ransometellsmehedevoursallthefoodthatisgivenhimtothelastscrap，butthat，apparently，hesleepsverylittle。
Evenatnight，whenIgobelowtofillmypipe，I
noticethat，thoughdozingflatonhisback，hestilllooksverydetermined。Fromthesideglancehegivesmewhenawakeitseemsasthoughhewereannoyedatbeinginterruptedinsomearduousmentaloperation;andasIemergeondecktheorderedarrangementofthestarsmeetsmyeye，un-
clouded，infinitelywearisome。Theretheyare：
stars，sun，sea，light，darkness，space，greatwaters;
theformidableWorkoftheSevenDays，intowhichmankindseemstohaveblunderedunbidden。Orelsedecoyed。EvenasIhavebeendecoyedintothisawful，thisdeath-hauntedcommand……"
***
Theonlyspotoflightintheshipatnightwasthatofthecompass-lamps，lightingupthefacesofthesucceedinghelmsmen;fortherestwewerelostinthedarkness，Iwalkingthepoopandthemenlyingaboutthedecks。Theywereallsoreducedbysicknessthatnowatchescouldbekept。Thosewhowereabletowalkremainedallthetimeonduty，lyingaboutintheshadowsofthemaindeck，tillmyvoiceraisedforanorderwouldbringthemtotheirenfeebledfeet，atotteringlittlegroup，mov-
ingpatentlyabouttheship，withhardlyamur-
mur，awhisperamongstthemall。AndeverytimeIhadtoraisemyvoiceitwaswithapangofremorseandpity。
Thenaboutfouro’clockinthemorningalightwouldgleamforwardinthegalley。TheunfailingRansomewiththeuneasyheart，immune，serene，andactive，wasgettingreadyfortheearlycoffeeforthemen。Presentlyhewouldbringmeacupuponthepoop，anditwasthenthatIallowedmyselftodropintomydeckchairforacoupleofhoursofrealsleep。NodoubtImusthavebeensnatchingshortdozeswhenleaningagainsttherailforamo-
mentinsheerexhaustion;but，honestly，Iwasnotawareofthem，exceptinthepainfulformofcon-
vulsivestartsthatseemedtocomeonmeevenwhileIwalked。Fromaboutfive，however，untilaftersevenIwouldsleepopenlyunderthefadingstars。
Iwouldsaytothehelmsman："Callmeatneed，"anddropintothatchairandclosemyeyes，feelingthattherewasnomoresleepformeonearth。AndthenIwouldknownothingtill，sometimebetweensevenandeight，IwouldfeelatouchonmyshoulderandlookupatRansome’sface，withitsfaint，wistfulsmileandfriendly，grayeyes，asthoughheweretenderlyamusedatmyslumbers。Occasionallythesecondmatewouldcomeupandrelievemeatearlycoffeetime。Butitdidn’treallymatter。Generallyitwasadeadcalm，orelsefaintairssochangingandfugitivethatitreallywasn’tworthwhiletotouchabraceforthem。Iftheairsteadiedatalltheseamanatthehelmcouldbetrustedforawarningshout：
"Ship’sallaback，sir！"whichlikeatrumpet-
callwouldmakemespringafootabovethedeck。
Thosewerethewordswhichitseemedtomewouldhavemademespringupfrometernalsleep。Butthiswasnotoften。Ihavenevermetsincesuchbreathlesssunrises。Andifthesecondmatehap-
penedtobethere（hehadgenerallyonedayinthreefreeoffever）Iwouldfindhimsittingontheskylighthalfsenseless，asitwere，andwithanidioticgazefastenedonsomeobjectnearby——arope，acleat，abelayingpin，aringbolt。
Thatyoungmanwasrathertroublesome。Heremainedcubbishinhissufferings。Heseemedtohavebecomecompletelyimbecile;andwhenthere-
turnoffeverdrovehimtohiscabinbelow，thenextthingwouldbethatwewouldmisshimfromthere。
ThefirsttimeithappenedRansomeandIwereverymuchalarmed。WestartedaquietsearchandultimatelyRansomediscoveredhimcurledupinthesail-locker，whichopenedintothelobbybyaslidingdoor。Whenremonstratedwith，hemut-
teredsulkily，"It’scoolinthere。"Thatwasn’ttrue。Itwasonlydarkthere。
Thefundamentaldefectsofhisfacewerenotim-
provedbyitsuniformlividhue。Thediseasedis-
closeditslowtypeinastartlingway。Itwasnotsowithmanyofthemen。Thewastageofill-
healthseemedtoidealisethegeneralcharacterofthefeatures，bringingouttheunsuspectednobilityofsome，thestrengthofothers，andinonecasere-
vealinganessentiallycomicaspect。Hewasashort，gingery，activemanwithanoseandchinofthePunchtype，andwhomhisshipmatescalled"Frenchy。"Idon’tknowwhy。HemayhavebeenaFrenchman，butIhaveneverheardhimutterasinglewordinFrench。
Toseehimcomingafttothewheelcomfortedone。Thebluedungareetrousersturnedupthecalf，onelegalittlehigherthantheother，thecleancheckshirt，thewhitecanvascap，evidentlymadebyhimself，madeupawholeofpeculiarsmartness，andthepersistentjauntinessofhisgait，even，poorfellow，whenhecouldn’thelptottering，toldofhisinvinciblespirit。TherewasalsoamancalledGambril。Hewastheonlygrizzledpersonintheship。Hisfacewasofanausteretype。ButifIre-
memberalltheirfaces，wastingtragicallybeforemyeyes，mostoftheirnameshavevanishedfrommymemory。
Thewordsthatpassedbetweenuswerefewandpuerileinregardofthesituation。Ihadtoforcemyselftolookthemintheface。Iexpectedtomeetreproachfulglances。Therewerenone。Theexpressionofsufferingintheireyeswasindeedhardenoughtobear。Butthattheycouldn’thelp。
Fortherest，Iaskmyselfwhetheritwasthetemperoftheirsoulsorthesympathyoftheirimaginationthatmadethemsowonderful，soworthyofmyun-
dyingregard。
Formyself，neithermysoulwashighlytempered，normyimaginationproperlyundercontrol。ThereweremomentswhenIfelt，notonlythatIwouldgomad，butthatIhadgonemadalready;sothatI
darednotopenmylipsforfearofbetrayingmyselfbysomeinsaneshriek。LuckilyIhadonlyorderstogive，andanorderhasasteadyinginfluenceuponhimwhohastogiveit。Moreover，theseaman，theofficerofthewatch，inmewassufficientlysane。
Iwaslikeamadcarpentermakingabox。
WereheeversoconvincedthathewasKingofJerusalem，theboxhewouldmakewouldbeasanebox。WhatIfearedwasashrillnoteescapingmeinvoluntarilyandupsettingmybalance。Luckily，again，therewasnonecessitytoraiseone’svoice。
Thebroodingstillnessoftheworldseemedsensitivetotheslightestsound，likeawhisperinggallery。
Theconversationaltonewouldalmostcarryawordfromoneendoftheshiptotheother。TheterriblethingwasthattheonlyvoicethatIeverheardwasmyown。Atnightespeciallyitreverber-
atedverylonelyamongsttheplanesoftheun-
stirringsails。
Mr。Burns，stillkeepingtohisbedwiththatairofsecretdetermination，wasmovedtogrumbleatmanythings。Ourinterviewswereshortfive-
minuteaffairs，butfairlyfrequent。Iwaseverlast-
inglydivingdownbelowtogetalight，thoughIdidnotconsumemuchtobaccoatthattime。Thepipewasalwaysgoingout;forintruthmymindwasnotcomposedenoughtoenablemetogetadecentsmoke。Likewise，formostofthetimeduringthetwenty-fourhoursIcouldhavestruckmatchesondeckandheldthemalofttilltheflameburntmyfingers。ButIalwaysusedtorunbelow。Itwasachange。Itwastheonlybreakintheincessantstrain;and，ofcourse，Mr。Burnsthroughtheopendoorcouldseemecomeinandgoouteverytime。
Withhiskneesgatheredupunderhischinandstaringwithhisgreenisheyesoverthem，hewasaweirdfigure，andwithmyknowledgeofthecrazynotioninhishead，notaveryattractiveoneforme。
Still，Ihadtospeaktohimnowandthen，andonedayhecomplainedthattheshipwasverysilent。
Forhoursandhours，hesaid，hewaslyingthere，nothearingasound，tillhedidnotknowwhattodowithhimself。
"WhenRansomehappenstobeforwardinhisgalleyeverything’ssostillthatonemightthinkeverybodyintheshipwasdead，"hegrumbled。
"TheonlyvoiceIdohearsometimesisyours，sir，andthatisn’tenoughtocheermeup。What’sthematterwiththemen？Isn’tthereoneleftthatcansingoutattheropes？"
"Notone，Mr。Burns，"Isaid。"Thereisnobreathtospareonboardthisshipforthat。AreyouawarethattherearetimeswhenIcan’tmustermorethanthreehandstodoanything？"
Heaskedswiftlybutfearfully：
"Nobodydeadyet，sir？"
"No。"
"Itwouldn’tdo，"Mr。Burnsdeclaredforcibly。
"Mustn’tlethim。Ifhegetsholdofonehewillgetthemall。"
Icriedoutangrilyatthis。IbelieveIevensworeatthedisturbingeffectofthesewords。
Theyattackedalltheself-possessionthatwaslefttome。InmyendlessvigilinthefaceoftheenemyIhadbeenhauntedbygruesomeimagesenough。I
hadhadvisionsofashipdriftingincalmsandswinginginlightairs，withallhercrewdyingslowlyaboutherdecks。Suchthingshadbeenknowntohappen。
Mr。Burnsmetmyoutburstbyamysterioussilence。
"Lookhere，"Isaid。"Youdon’tbelieveyour-
selfwhatyousay。Youcan’t。It’simpossible。
Itisn’tthesortofthingIhavearighttoexpectfromyou。Myposition’sbadenoughwithoutbeingworriedwithyoursillyfancies。"
Heremainedunmoved。OnaccountofthewayinwhichthelightfellonhisheadIcouldnotbesurewhetherhehadsmiledfaintlyornot。I
changedmytone。
"Listen，"Isaid。"It’sgettingsodesperatethatIhadthoughtforamoment，sincewecan’tmakeourwaysouth，whetherIwouldn’ttrytosteerwestandmakeanattempttoreachthemail-
boattrack。Wecouldalwaysgetsomequininefromher，atleast。Whatdoyouthink？"
Hecriedout："No，no，no。Don’tdothat，sir。
Youmustn’tforamomentgiveupfacingthatoldruffian。Ifyoudohewillgettheupperhandofus。"
Ilefthim。Hewasimpossible。Itwaslikeacaseofpossession。Hisprotest，however，wasessentiallyquitesound。Asamatteroffact，mynotionofheadingoutwestonthechanceofsight-
ingaproblematicalsteamercouldnotbearcalmexamination。Onthesidewherewewerewehadenoughwind，atleastfromtimetotime，tostruggleontowardthesouth。Enough，atleast，tokeephopealive。ButsupposethatIhadusedthosecapriciousgustsofwindtosailawaytothewest-
ward，intosomeregionwheretherewasnotabreathofairfordaysonend，whatthen？Perhapsmyappallingvisionofashipfloatingwithadeadcrewwouldbecomearealityforthediscoveryweeksafterwardbysomehorror-strickenmariners。
ThatafternoonRansomebroughtmeupacupoftea，andwhilewaitingthere，trayinhand，here-
markedintheexactlyrighttoneofsympathy：
"Youareholdingoutwell，sir。"
"Yes，"Isaid。"YouandIseemtohavebeenforgotten。"
"Forgotten，sir？"
"Yes，bythefever-devilwhohasgotonboardthisship，"Isaid。
Ransomegavemeoneofhisattractive，intelli-
gent，quickglancesandwentawaywiththetray。
ItoccurredtomethatIhadbeentalkingsome-
whatinMr。Burns’manner。Itannoyedme。YetoftenindarkermomentsIforgotmyselfintoanattitudetowardourtroublesmorefitforacontestagainstalivingenemy。
Yes。Thefever-devilhadnotlaidhishandyeteitheronRansomeoronme。Buthemightatanytime。Itwasoneofthosethoughtsonehadtofightdown，keepatarm’slengthatanycost。ItwasunbearabletocontemplatethepossibilityofRansome，thehousekeeperoftheship，beinglaidlow。AndwhatwouldhappentomycommandifIgotknockedover，withMr。Burnstooweaktostandwithoutholdingontohisbed-placeandthesecondmatereducedtoastateofpermanentim-
becility？Itwasimpossibletoimagine，orrather，itwasonlytooeasytoimagine。
Iwasaloneonthepoop。Theshiphavingnosteerageway，Ihadsentthehelmsmanawaytositdownorliedownsomewhereintheshade。Themen’sstrengthwassoreducedthatallunnecessarycallsonithadtobeavoided。ItwastheaustereGambrilwiththegrizzlybeard。Hewentawayreadilyenough，buthewassoweakenedbyre-
peatedboutsoffever，poorfellow，thatinordertogetdownthepoopladderhehadtoturnsidewaysandhangonwithbothhandstothebrassrail。Itwasjustsimplyheart-breakingtowatch。Yethewasneitherverymuchworsenormuchbetterthanmostofthehalf-dozenmiserablevictimsIcouldmusterupondeck。
Itwasaterriblylifelessafternoon。Forseveraldaysinsuccessionlowcloudshadappearedinthedistance，whitemasseswithdarkconvolutionsrest-
ingonthewater，motionless，almostsolid，andyetallthetimechangingtheiraspectssubtly。To-
wardeveningtheyvanishedasarule。Butthisdaytheyawaitedthesettingsun，whichglowedandsmoulderedsulkilyamongstthembeforeitsankdown。Thepunctualandwearisomestarsre-
appearedoverourmastheads，buttheairremainedstagnantandoppressive。
返回顶部