I
Onmyrighthandtherewerelinesoffishingstakesresemblingamysterioussystemofhalf-submergedbamboofences，incomprehensibleinitsdivisionofthedomainoftropicalfishes，andcrazyofaspectasifabandonedforeverbysomenomadtribeoffishermennowgonetotheotherendoftheocean；
fortherewasnosignofhumanhabitationasfarastheeyecouldreach。Totheleftagroupofbarrenislets，suggestingruinsofstonewalls，towers，andblockhouses，haditsfoundationssetinablueseathatitselflookedsolid，sostillandstablediditliebelowmyfeet；eventhetrackoflightfromthewesteringsunshonesmoothly，withoutthatanimatedglitterwhichtellsofanimperceptibleripple。
AndwhenIturnedmyheadtotakeapartingglanceatthetugwhichhadjustleftusanchoredoutsidethebar，Isawthestraightlineoftheflatshorejoinedtothestablesea，edgetoedge，withaperfectandunmarkedcloseness，inoneleveledfloorhalfbrown，halfblueundertheenormousdomeofthesky。
Correspondingintheirinsignificancetotheisletsofthesea，twosmallclumpsoftrees，oneoneachsideoftheonlyfaultintheimpeccablejoint，markedthemouthoftheriverMeinamwehadjustleftonthefirstpreparatorystageofourhomewardjourney；and，farbackontheinlandlevel，alargerandloftiermass，thegrovesurroundingthegreatPaknampagoda，wastheonlythingonwhichtheeyecouldrestfromthevaintaskofexploringthemonotonoussweepofthehorizon。
Hereandtheregleamsasofafewscatteredpiecesofsilvermarkedthewindingsofthegreatriver；andonthenearestofthem，justwithinthebar，thetugsteamingrightintothelandbecamelosttomysight，hullandfunnelandmasts，asthoughtheimpassiveearthhadswallowedherupwithoutaneffort，withoutatremor。
Myeyefollowedthelightcloudofhersmoke，nowhere，nowthere，abovetheplain，accordingtothedeviouscurvesofthestream，butalwaysfainterandfartheraway，tillIlostitatlastbehindthemiter-shapedhillofthegreatpagoda。
AndthenIwasleftalonewithmyship，anchoredattheheadoftheGulfofSiam。
Shefloatedatthestartingpointofalongjourney，verystillinanimmensestillness，theshadowsofhersparsflungfartotheeastwardbythesettingsun。AtthatmomentIwasaloneonherdecks。
Therewasnotasoundinher——andaroundusnothingmoved，nothinglived，notacanoeonthewater，notabirdintheair，notacloudinthesky。
Inthisbreathlesspauseatthethresholdofalongpassageweseemedtobemeasuringourfitnessforalongandarduousenterprise，theappointedtaskofbothourexistencestobecarriedout，farfromallhumaneyes，withonlyskyandseaforspectatorsandforjudges。
Theremusthavebeensomeglareintheairtointerferewithone’ssight，becauseitwasonlyjustbeforethesunleftusthatmyroamingeyesmadeoutbeyondthehighestridgesoftheprincipalisletofthegroupsomethingwhichdidawaywiththesolemnityofperfectsolitude。
Thetideofdarknessflowedonswiftly；andwithtropicalsuddennessaswarmofstarscameoutabovetheshadowyearth，whileIlingeredyet，myhandrestinglightlyonmyship’srailasifontheshoulderofatrustedfriend。But，withallthatmultitudeofcelestialbodiesstaringdownatone，thecomfortofquietcommunionwithherwasgoneforgood。
Andtherewerealsodisturbingsoundsbythistime——voices，footstepsforward；
thestewardflittedalongthemain-deck，abusilyministeringspirit；
ahandbelltinkledurgentlyunderthepoopdeck……
Ifoundmytwoofficerswaitingformenearthesuppertable，inthelightedcuddy。Wesatdownatonce，andasIhelpedthechiefmate，Isaid：
"Areyouawarethatthereisashipanchoredinsidetheislands？
Isawhermastheadsabovetheridgeasthesunwentdown。"
Heraisedsharplyhissimpleface，overchargedbyaterriblegrowthofwhisker，andemittedhisusualejaculations：
"Blessmysoul，sir！Youdon’tsayso！"
Mysecondmatewasaround-cheeked，silentyoungman，gravebeyondhisyears，Ithought；butasoureyeshappenedtomeetI
detectedaslightquiveronhislips。Ilookeddownatonce。
Itwasnotmyparttoencouragesneeringonboardmyship。
Itmustbesaid，too，thatIknewverylittleofmyofficers。
Inconsequenceofcertaineventsofnoparticularsignificance，excepttomyself，Ihadbeenappointedtothecommandonlyafortnightbefore。NeitherdidIknowmuchofthehandsforward。
Allthesepeoplehadbeentogetherforeighteenmonthsorso，andmypositionwasthatoftheonlystrangeronboard。
Imentionthisbecauseithassomebearingonwhatistofollow。
ButwhatIfeltmostwasmybeingastrangertotheship；
andifallthetruthmustbetold，Iwassomewhatofastrangertomyself。Theyoungestmanonboard（barringthesecondmate），anduntriedasyetbyapositionofthefullestresponsibility，Iwaswillingtotaketheadequacyoftheothersforgranted。
Theyhadsimplytobeequaltotheirtasks；butIwonderedhowfarIshouldturnoutfaithfultothatidealconceptionofone’sownpersonalityeverymansetsupforhimselfsecretly。
Meantimethechiefmate，withanalmostvisibleeffectofcollaborationonthepartofhisroundeyesandfrightfulwhiskers，wastryingtoevolveatheoryoftheanchoredship。Hisdominanttraitwastotakeallthingsintoearnestconsideration。Hewasofapainstakingturnofmind。
Asheusedtosay，he"likedtoaccounttohimself"forpracticallyeverythingthatcameinhisway，downtoamiserablescorpionhehadfoundinhiscabinaweekbefore。Thewhyandthewhereforeofthatscorpion——howitgotonboardandcametoselecthisroomratherthanthepantry（whichwasadarkplaceandmorewhatascorpionwouldbepartialto），andhowonearthitmanagedtodrownitselfintheinkwellofhiswritingdesk——hadexercisedhiminfinitely。
Theshipwithintheislandswasmuchmoreeasilyaccountedfor；
andjustaswewereabouttorisefromtablehemadehispronouncement。
Shewas，hedoubtednot，ashipfromhomelatelyarrived。Probablyshedrewtoomuchwatertocrossthebarexceptatthetopofspringtides。
Thereforeshewentintothatnaturalharbortowaitforafewdaysinpreferencetoremaininginanopenroadstead。
"That’sso，"confirmedthesecondmate，suddenly，inhisslightlyhoarsevoice。"Shedrawsovertwentyfeet。
She’stheLiverpoolshipSephorawithacargoofcoal。
Hundredandtwenty-threedaysfromCardiff。"
Welookedathiminsurprise。
"Thetugboatskippertoldmewhenhecameonboardforyourletters，sir，"explainedtheyoungman。
"Heexpectstotakeheruptheriverthedayaftertomorrow。"
Afterthusoverwhelminguswiththeextentofhisinformationheslippedoutofthecabin。Themateobservedregretfullythathe"couldnotaccountforthatyoungfellow’swhims。"
Whatpreventedhimtellingusallaboutitatonce，hewantedtoknow。
Idetainedhimashewasmakingamove。Forthelasttwodaysthecrewhadhadplentyofhardwork，andthenightbeforetheyhadverylittlesleep。
IfeltpainfullythatI——astranger——wasdoingsomethingunusualwhenI
directedhimtoletallhandsturninwithoutsettingananchorwatch。
Iproposedtokeepondeckmyselftilloneo’clockorthereabouts。
Iwouldgetthesecondmatetorelievemeatthathour。
"Hewillturnoutthecookandthestewardatfour，"Iconcluded，"andthengiveyouacall。Ofcourseattheslightestsignofanysortofwindwe’llhavethehandsupandmakeastartatonce。"
Heconcealedhisastonishment。"Verywell，sir。"Outsidethecuddyheputhisheadinthesecondmate’sdoortoinformhimofmyunheard-ofcapricetotakeafivehours’anchorwatchonmyself。
Iheardtheotherraisehisvoiceincredulously——"What？TheCaptainhimself？"Thenafewmoremurmurs，adoorclosed，thenanother。
AfewmomentslaterIwentondeck。
Mystrangeness，whichhadmademesleepless，hadpromptedthatunconventionalarrangement，asifIhadexpectedinthosesolitaryhoursofthenighttogetontermswiththeshipofwhichI
knewnothing，mannedbymenofwhomIknewverylittlemore。
Fastalongsideawharf，litteredlikeanyshipinportwithatangleofunrelatedthings，invadedbyunrelatedshorepeople，Ihadhardlyseenheryetproperly。Now，asshelayclearedforsea，thestretchofhermain-deckseemedtomeveryfindunderthestars。
Veryfine，veryroomyforhersize，andveryinviting。
Idescendedthepoopandpacedthewaist，mymindpicturingtomyselfthecomingpassagethroughtheMalayArchipelago，downtheIndianOcean，anduptheAtlantic。Allitsphaseswerefamiliarenoughtome，everycharacteristic，allthealternativeswhichwerelikelytofacemeonthehighseas——
everything！……exceptthenovelresponsibilityofcommand。
ButItookheartfromthereasonablethoughtthattheshipwaslikeotherships，themenlikeothermen，andthattheseawasnotlikelytokeepanyspecialsurprisesexpresslyformydiscomfiture。
Arrivedatthatcomfortingconclusion，Ibethoughtmyselfofacigarandwentbelowtogetit。Allwasstilldownthere。
Everybodyattheafterendoftheshipwassleepingprofoundly。
Icameoutagainonthequarter-deck，agreeablyateaseinmysleepingsuitonthatwarmbreathlessnight，barefooted，aglowingcigarinmyteeth，and，goingforward，Iwasmetbytheprofoundsilenceoftheforeendoftheship。OnlyasIpassedthedooroftheforecastle，Iheardadeep，quiet，trustfulsighofsomesleeperinside。
AndsuddenlyIrejoicedinthegreatsecurityoftheseaascomparedwiththeunrestoftheland，inmychoiceofthatuntemptedlifepresentingnodisquietingproblems，investedwithanelementarymoralbeautybytheabsolutestraightforwardnessofitsappealandbythesinglenessofitspurpose。
Theridinglightintheforeriggingburnedwithaclear，untroubled，asifsymbolic，flame，confidentandbrightinthemysteriousshadesofthenight。Passingonmywayaftalongtheothersideoftheship，Iobservedthattheropesideladder，putover，nodoubt，forthemasterofthetugwhenhecametofetchawayourletters，hadnotbeenhauledinasitshouldhavebeen。Ibecameannoyedatthis，forexactitudeinsomesmallmattersistheverysoulofdiscipline。
ThenIreflectedthatIhadmyselfperemptorilydismissedmyofficersfromduty，andbymyownacthadpreventedtheanchorwatchbeingformallysetandthingsproperlyattendedto。
Iaskedmyselfwhetheritwaswiseevertointerferewiththeestablishedroutineofdutiesevenfromthekindestofmotives。
Myactionmighthavemademeappeareccentric。Goodnessonlyknewhowthatabsurdlywhiskeredmatewould"account"formyconduct，andwhatthewholeshipthoughtofthatinformalityoftheirnewcaptain。
Iwasvexedwithmyself。
Notfromcompunctioncertainly，but，asitweremechanically，Iproceededtogettheladderinmyself。Nowasideladderofthatsortisalightaffairandcomesineasily，yetmyvigoroustug，whichshouldhavebroughtitflyingonboard，merelyrecoileduponmybodyinatotallyunexpectedjerk。
Whatthedevil！……IwassoastoundedbytheimmovablenessofthatladderthatIremainedstockstill，tryingtoaccountforittomyselflikethatimbecilemateofmine。
Intheend，ofcourse，Iputmyheadovertherail。
Thesideoftheshipmadeanopaquebeltofshadowonthedarklingglassyshimmerofthesea。ButIsawatoncesomethingelongatedandpalefloatingveryclosetotheladder。
BeforeIcouldformaguessafaintflashofphosphorescentlight，whichseemedtoissuesuddenlyfromthenakedbodyofaman，flickeredinthesleepingwaterwiththeelusive，silentplayofsummerlightninginanightsky。WithagaspIsawrevealedtomystareapairoffeet，thelonglegs，abroadlividbackimmersedrightuptotheneckinagreenishcadaverousglow。
Onehand，awash，clutchedthebottomrungoftheladder。
Hewascompletebutforthehead。Aheadlesscorpse！Thecigardroppedoutofmygapingmouthwithatinyplopandashorthissquiteaudibleintheabsolutestillnessofallthingsunderheaven。
AtthatIsupposeheraiseduphisface，adimlypaleovalintheshadowoftheship’sside。ButeventhenIcouldonlybarelymakeoutdowntheretheshapeofhisblack-hairedhead。
However，itwasenoughforthehorrid，frost-boundsensationwhichhadgrippedmeaboutthechesttopassoff。
Themomentofvainexclamationswaspast，too。IonlyclimbedonthesparesparandleanedovertherailasfarasIcould，tobringmyeyesnearertothatmysteryfloatingalongside。
Ashehungbytheladder，likearestingswimmer，thesealightningplayedabouthislimbsateverystir；andheappearedinitghastly，silvery，fishlike。Heremainedasmuteasafish，too。Hemadenomotiontogetoutofthewater，either。
Itwasinconceivablethatheshouldnotattempttocomeonboard，andstrangelytroublingtosuspectthatperhapshedidnotwantto。
Andmyfirstwordswerepromptedbyjustthattroubledincertitude。
"What’sthematter？"Iaskedinmyordinarytone，speakingdowntothefaceupturnedexactlyundermine。
"Cramp，"itanswered，nolouder。Thenslightlyanxious，"Isay，noneedtocallanyone。"
"Iwasnotgoingto，"Isaid。
"Areyoualoneondeck？"
"Yes。"
Ihadsomehowtheimpressionthathewasonthepointoflettinggotheladdertoswimawaybeyondmyken——mysteriousashecame。But，forthemoment，thisbeingappearingasifhehadrisenfromthebottomofthesea（itwascertainlythenearestlandtotheship）wantedonlytoknowthetime。
Itoldhim。Andhe，downthere，tentatively：
"Isupposeyourcaptain’sturnedin？"
"Iamsureheisn’t，"Isaid。
Heseemedtostrugglewithhimself，forIheardsomethinglikethelow，bittermurmurofdoubt。"What’sthegood？"
Hisnextwordscameoutwithahesitatingeffort。
"Lookhere，myman。Couldyoucallhimoutquietly？"
IthoughtthetimeHadcometodeclaremyself。
"Iamthecaptain。"
Ihearda"ByJove！"whisperedatthelevelofthewater。
Thephosphorescenceflashedintheswirlofthewaterallabouthislimbs，hisotherhandseizedtheladder。
"Myname’sLeggatt。"
Thevoicewascalmandresolute。Agoodvoice。Theself-possessionofthatmanhadsomehowinducedacorrespondingstateinmyself。
ItwasveryquietlythatIremarked：
"Youmustbeagoodswimmer。"
"Yes。I’vebeeninthewaterpracticallysincenineo’clock。
ThequestionformenowiswhetherIamtoletgothisladderandgoonswimmingtillIsinkfromexhaustion，or——tocomeonboardhere。"
Ifeltthiswasnomereformulaofdesperatespeech，butarealalternativeintheviewofastrongsoul。
Ishouldhavegatheredfromthisthathewasyoung；indeed，itisonlytheyoungwhoareeverconfrontedbysuchclearissues。
Butatthetimeitwaspureintuitiononmypart。
Amysteriouscommunicationwasestablishedalreadybetweenustwo——inthefaceofthatsilent，darkenedtropicalsea。
Iwasyoung，too；youngenoughtomakenocomment。
Themaninthewaterbegansuddenlytoclimbuptheladder，andIhastenedawayfromtherailtofetchsomeclothes。
BeforeenteringthecabinIstoodstill，listeninginthelobbyatthefootofthestairs。Afaintsnorecamethroughthecloseddoorofthechiefmate’sroom。Thesecondmate’sdoorwasonthehook，butthedarknessintherewasabsolutelysoundless。He，too，wasyoungandcouldsleeplikeastone。Remainedthesteward，buthewasnotlikelytowakeupbeforehewascalled。
Igotasleepingsuitoutofmyroomand，comingbackondeck，sawthenakedmanfromtheseasittingonthemainhatch，glimmeringwhiteinthedarkness，hiselbowsonhiskneesandhisheadinhishands。Inamomenthehadconcealedhisdampbodyinasleepingsuitofthesamegray-stripepatternastheoneIwaswearingandfollowedmelikemydoubleonthepoop。
Togetherwemovedrightaft，barefooted，silent。
"Whatisit？"Iaskedinadeadenedvoice，takingthelightedlampoutofthebinnacle，andraisingittohisface。
"Anuglybusiness。"
Hehadratherregularfeatures；agoodmouth；lighteyesundersomewhatheavy，darkeyebrows；asmooth，squareforehead；nogrowthonhischeeks；asmall，brownmustache，andawell-shaped，roundchin。
Hisexpressionwasconcentrated，meditative，undertheinspectinglightofthelampIhelduptohisface；suchasamanthinkinghardinsolitudemightwear。Mysleepingsuitwasjustrightforhissize。Awell-knityoungfellowoftwenty-fiveatmost。
Hecaughthislowerlipwiththeedgeofwhite，eventeeth。
"Yes，"Isaid，replacingthelampinthebinnacle。
Thewarm，heavytropicalnightcloseduponhisheadagain。
"There’sashipoverthere，"hemurmured。
"Yes，Iknow。TheSephora。Didyouknowofus？"
"Hadn’ttheslightestidea。Iamthemateofher——"
Hepausedandcorrectedhimself。"IshouldsayIWAS。"
"Aha！Somethingwrong？"
"Yes。Verywrongindeed。I’vekilledaman。"
"Whatdoyoumean？Justnow？"
"No，onthepassage。Weeksago。Thirty-ninesouth。
WhenIsayaman——"
"Fitoftemper，"Isuggested，confidently。
Theshadowy，darkhead，likemine，seemedtonodimperceptiblyabovetheghostlygrayofmysleepingsuit。Itwas，inthenight，asthoughIhadbeenfacedbymyownreflectioninthedepthsofasomberandimmensemirror。
"AprettythingtohavetoownuptoforaConwayboy，"
murmuredmydouble，distinctly。
"You’reaConwayboy？"
"Iam，"hesaid，asifstartled。Then，slowly……"Perhapsyoutoo——"
Itwasso；butbeingacoupleofyearsolderIhadleftbeforehejoined。Afteraquickinterchangeofdatesasilencefell；
andIthoughtsuddenlyofmyabsurdmatewithhisterrificwhiskersandthe"Blessmysoul——youdon’tsayso"typeofintellect。
Mydoublegavemeaninklingofhisthoughtsbysaying：
"Myfather’saparsoninNorfolk。Doyouseemebeforeajudgeandjuryonthatcharge？FormyselfIcan’tseethenecessity。
Therearefellowsthatanangelfromheaven——AndIamnotthat。
Hewasoneofthosecreaturesthatarejustsimmeringallthetimewithasillysortofwickedness。
Miserabledevilsthathavenobusinesstoliveatall。
Hewouldn’tdohisdutyandwouldn’tletanybodyelsedotheirs。
Butwhat’sthegoodoftalking！Youknowwellenoughthesortofill-conditionedsnarlingcur——"
Heappealedtomeasifourexperienceshadbeenasidenticalasourclothes。
AndIknewwellenoughthepestiferousdangerofsuchacharacterwheretherearenomeansoflegalrepression。AndIknewwellenoughalsothatmydoubletherewasnohomicidalruffian。Ididnotthinkofaskinghimfordetails，andhetoldmethestoryroughlyinbrusque，disconnectedsentences。
Ineedednomore。IsawitallgoingonasthoughIweremyselfinsidethatothersleepingsuit。
"Ithappenedwhileweweresettingareefedforesail，atdusk。
Reefedforesail！Youunderstandthesortofweather。Theonlysailwehadlefttokeeptheshiprunning；soyoumayguesswhatithadbeenlikefordays。Anxioussortofjob，that。Hegavemesomeofhiscursedinsolenceatthesheet。ItellyouIwasoverdonewiththisterrificweatherthatseemedtohavenoendtoit。Terrific，Itellyou——andadeepship。
Ibelievethefellowhimselfwashalfcrazedwithfunk。Itwasnotimeforgentlemanlyreproof，soIturnedroundandfelledhimlikeanox。
Heupandatme。Weclosedjustasanawfulseamadefortheship。
Allhandssawitcomingandtooktotherigging，butIhadhimbythethroat，andwentonshakinghimlikearat，themenaboveusyelling，`Lookout！lookout！’Thenacrashasiftheskyhadfallenonmyhead。
Theysaythatforovertenminuteshardlyanythingwastobeseenoftheship——justthethreemastsandabitoftheforecastleheadandofthepoopallawashdrivingalonginasmotheroffoam。
Itwasamiraclethattheyfoundus，jammedtogetherbehindtheforebitts。
It’sclearthatImeantbusiness，becauseIwasholdinghimbythethroatstillwhentheypickedusup。Hewasblackintheface。Itwastoomuchforthem。Itseemstheyrushedusafttogether，grippedaswewere，screaming`Murder！’likealotoflunatics，andbrokeintothecuddy。
Andtheshiprunningforherlife，touchandgoallthetime，anyminuteherlastinaseafittoturnyourhairgrayonlya-lookingatit。
Iunderstandthattheskipper，too，startedravingliketherestofthem。
Themanhadbeendeprivedofsleepformorethanaweek，andtohavethissprungonhimattheheightofafuriousgalenearlydrovehimoutofhismind。Iwondertheydidn’tflingmeoverboardaftergettingthecarcassoftheirpreciousshipmateoutofmyfingers。
Theyhadratherajobtoseparateus，I’vebeentold。Asufficientlyfiercestorytomakeanoldjudgeandarespectablejurysitupabit。
ThefirstthingIheardwhenIcametomyselfwasthemaddeninghowlingofthatendlessgale，andonthatthevoiceoftheoldman。
Hewashangingontomybunk，staringintomyfaceoutofhissou’wester。
"`Mr。Leggatt，youhavekilledaman。Youcanactnolongeraschiefmateofthisship。’"
Hiscaretosubduehisvoicemadeitsoundmonotonous。
Herestedahandontheendoftheskylighttosteadyhimselfwith，andallthattimedidnotstiralimb，sofarasIcouldsee。
"Nicelittletaleforaquietteaparty，"heconcludedinthesametone。
Oneofmyhands，too，restedontheendoftheskylight；neitherdidIstiralimb，sofarasIknew。Westoodlessthanafootfromeachother。
Itoccurredtomethatifold"Blessmysoul——youdon’tsayso"
weretoputhisheadupthecompanionandcatchsightofus，hewouldthinkhewasseeingdouble，orimaginehimselfcomeuponasceneofweirdwitchcraft；thestrangecaptainhavingaquietconfabulationbythewheelwithhisowngrayghost。
Ibecameverymuchconcernedtopreventanythingofthesort。
Iheardtheother’ssoothingundertone。
"Myfather’saparsoninNorfolk，"itsaid。Evidentlyhehadforgottenhehadtoldmethisimportantfactbefore。
Trulyanicelittletale。
"Youhadbetterslipdownintomystateroomnow，"Isaid，movingoffstealthily。Mydoublefollowedmymovements；
ourbarefeetmadenosound；Ilethimin，closedthedoorwithcare，and，aftergivingacalltothesecondmate，returnedondeckformyrelief。
"Notmuchsignofanywindyet，"Iremarkedwhenheapproached。
"No，sir。Notmuch，"heassented，sleepily，inhishoarsevoice，withjustenoughdeference，nomore，andbarelysuppressingayawn。
"Well，that’sallyouhavetolookoutfor。Youhavegotyourorders。"
"Yes，sir。"
IpacedaturnortwoonthepoopandsawhimtakeuphispositionfaceforwardwithhiselbowintheratlinesofthemizzenriggingbeforeI
wentbelow。Themate’sfaintsnoringwasstillgoingonpeacefully。
Thecuddylampwasburningoverthetableonwhichstoodavasewithflowers，apoliteattentionfromtheship’sprovisionmerchant——
thelastflowersweshouldseeforthenextthreemonthsattheveryleast。
Twobunchesofbananashungfromthebeamsymmetrically，oneoneachsideoftheruddercasing。Everythingwasasbeforeintheship——
exceptthattwoofhercaptain’ssleepingsuitsweresimultaneouslyinuse，onemotionlessinthecuddy，theotherkeepingverystillinthecaptain’sstateroom。
ItmustbeexplainedherethatmycabinhadtheformofthecapitalletterL，thedoorbeingwithintheangleandopeningintotheshortpartoftheletter。Acouchwastotheleft，thebedplacetotheright；
mywritingdeskandthechronometers’tablefacedthedoor。
Butanyoneopeningit，unlesshesteppedrightinside，hadnoviewofwhatIcallthelong（orvertical）partoftheletter。
Itcontainedsomelockerssurmountedbyabookcase；andafewclothes，athickjacketortwo，caps，oilskincoat，andsuchlike，hungonhooks。
Therewasatthebottomofthatpartadooropeningintomybathroom，whichcouldbeenteredalsodirectlyfromthesaloon。
Butthatwaywasneverused。
Themysteriousarrivalhaddiscoveredtheadvantageofthisparticularshape。
Enteringmyroom，lightedstronglybyabigbulkheadlampswungongimbalsabovemywritingdesk，Ididnotseehimanywheretillhesteppedoutquietlyfrombehindthecoatshungintherecessedpart。
"Iheardsomebodymovingabout，andwentinthereatonce，"hewhispered。
I，too，spokeundermybreath。
"Nobodyislikelytocomeinherewithoutknockingandgettingpermission。"
Henodded。Hisfacewasthinandthesunburnfaded，asthoughhehadbeenill。Andnowonder。Hehadbeen，Iheardpresently，keptunderarrestinhiscabinfornearlysevenweeks。
Buttherewasnothingsicklyinhiseyesorinhisexpression。
Hewasnotabitlikeme，really；yet，aswestoodleaningovermybedplace，whisperingsidebyside，withourdarkheadstogetherandourbackstothedoor，anybodyboldenoughtoopenitstealthilywouldhavebeentreatedtotheuncannysightofadoublecaptainbusytalkinginwhisperswithhisotherself。
"Butallthisdoesn’ttellmehowyoucametohangontooursideladder，"
Iinquired，inthehardlyaudiblemurmursweused，afterhehadtoldmesomethingmoreoftheproceedingsonboardtheSephoraoncethebadweatherwasover。
"WhenwesightedJavaHeadIhadhadtimetothinkallthosemattersoutseveraltimesover。Ihadsixweeksofdoingnothingelse，andwithonlyanhourorsoeveryeveningforatramponthequarter-deck。"
Hewhispered，hisarmsfoldedonthesideofmybedplace，staringthroughtheopenport。AndIcouldimagineperfectlythemannerofthisthinkingout——
astubbornifnotasteadfastoperation；somethingofwhichIshouldhavebeenperfectlyincapable。
"Ireckoneditwouldbedarkbeforeweclosedwiththeland，"
hecontinued，solowthatIhadtostrainmyhearingnearasweweretoeachother，shouldertouchingshoulderalmost。
"SoIaskedtospeaktotheoldman。Healwaysseemedverysickwhenhecametoseeme——asifhecouldnotlookmeintheface。Youknow，thatforesailsavedtheship。
Shewastoodeeptohaverunlongunderbarepoles。
AnditwasIthatmanagedtosetitforhim。Anyway，hecame。
WhenIhadhiminmycabin——hestoodbythedoorlookingatmeasifIhadthehalterroundmyneckalready——
IaskedhimrightawaytoleavemycabindoorunlockedatnightwhiletheshipwasgoingthroughSundaStraits。
TherewouldbetheJavacoastwithintwoorthreemiles，offAngierPoint。Iwantednothingmore。I’vehadaprizeforswimmingmysecondyearintheConway。"
"Icanbelieveit，"Ibreathedout。
"Godonlyknowswhytheylockedmeineverynight。
Toseesomeoftheirfacesyou’dhavethoughttheywereafraidI’dgoaboutatnightstranglingpeople。
AmIamurderingbrute？DoIlookit？ByJove！IfIhadbeenhewouldn’thavetrustedhimselflikethatintomyroom。
You’llsayImighthavechuckedhimasideandboltedout，thereandthen——itwasdarkalready。Well，no。AndforthesamereasonIwouldn’tthinkoftryingtosmashthedoor。
Therewouldhavebeenarushtostopmeatthenoise，andIdidnotmeantogetintoaconfoundedscrimmage。
Somebodyelsemighthavegotkilled——forIwouldnothavebrokenoutonlytogetchuckedback，andIdidnotwantanymoreofthatwork。Herefused，lookingmoresickthanever。
Hewasafraidofthemen，andalsoofthatoldsecondmateofhiswhohadbeensailingwithhimforyears——agray-headedoldhumbug；
andhissteward，too，hadbeenwithhimdevilknowshowlong——
seventeenyearsormore——adogmaticsortofloaferwhohatedmelikepoison，justbecauseIwasthechiefmate。NochiefmateevermademorethanonevoyageintheSephora，youknow。
Thosetwooldchapsrantheship。Devilonlyknowswhattheskipperwasn’tafraidof（allhisnervewenttopiecesaltogetherinthathellishspellofbadweatherwehad）——ofwhatthelawwoulddotohim——ofhiswife，perhaps。Oh，yes！she’sonboard。
ThoughIdon’tthinkshewouldhavemeddled。Shewouldhavebeenonlytoogladtohavemeoutoftheshipinanyway。
The`brandofCain’business，don’tyousee。That’sallright。
Iwasreadyenoughtogooffwanderingonthefaceoftheearth——
andthatwaspriceenoughtopayforanAbelofthatsort。
Anyhow，hewouldn’tlistentome。’Thisthingmusttakeitscourse。
Irepresentthelawhere。’Hewasshakinglikealeaf。
`Soyouwon’t？’`No！’’ThenIhopeyouwillbeabletosleeponthat，’
Isaid，andturnedmybackonhim。`Iwonderthatyoucan，’
crieshe，andlocksthedoor。
"Wellafterthat，Icouldn’t。Notverywell。
Thatwasthreeweeksago。WehavehadaslowpassagethroughtheJavaSea；driftedaboutCarimatafortendays。
Whenweanchoredheretheythought，Isuppose，itwasallright。
Thenearestland（andthat’sfivemiles）istheship’sdestination；
theconsulwouldsoonsetaboutcatchingme；andtherewouldhavebeennoobjectinboldingtotheseisletsthere。
Idon’tsupposethere’sadropofwateronthem。Idon’tknowhowitwas，buttonightthatsteward，afterbringingmemysupper，wentouttoletmeeatit，andleftthedoorunlocked。
AndIateit——alltherewas，too。AfterIhadfinishedIstrolledoutonthequarter-deck。Idon’tknowthatImeanttodoanything。
AbreathoffreshairwasallIwanted，Ibelieve。
Thenasuddentemptationcameoverme。IkickedoffmyslippersandwasinthewaterbeforeIhadmadeupmymindfairly。
Somebodyheardthesplashandtheyraisedanawfulhullabaloo。
`He’sgone！Lowertheboats！He’scommittedsuicide！
No，he’sswimming。’CertainlyIwasswimming。It’snotsoeasyforaswimmerlikemetocommitsuicidebydrowning。
Ilandedonthenearestisletbeforetheboatlefttheship’sside。
Iheardthempullingaboutinthedark，hailing，andsoon，butafterabittheygaveup。Everythingquieteddownandtheanchoragebecamestillasdeath。Isatdownonastoneandbegantothink。
Ifeltcertaintheywouldstartsearchingformeatdaylight。
Therewasnoplacetohideonthosestonythings——
andiftherehadbeen，whatwouldhavebeenthegood？
ButnowIwasclearofthatship，Iwasnotgoingback。
SoafterawhileItookoffallmyclothes，tiedthemupinabundlewithastoneinside，anddroppedtheminthedeepwaterontheoutersideofthatislet。Thatwassuicideenoughforme。
Letthemthinkwhattheyliked，butIdidn’tmeantodrownmyself。
ImeanttoswimtillIsank——butthat’snotthesamething。
Istruckoutforanotheroftheselittleislands，anditwasfromthatonethatIfirstsawyourridinglight。
Somethingtoswimfor。Iwentoneasily，andonthewayIcameuponaflatrockafootortwoabovewater。Inthedaytime，Idaresay，youmightmakeitoutwithaglassfromyourpoop。
Iscrambleduponitandrestedmyselfforabit。
ThenImadeanotherstart。Thatlastspellmusthavebeenoveramile。"
Hiswhisperwasgettingfainterandfainter，andallthetimehestaredstraightoutthroughtheporthole，inwhichtherewasnotevenastartobeseen。Ihadnotinterruptedhim。
Therewassomethingthatmadecommentimpossibleinhisnarrative，orperhapsinhimself；asortoffeeling，aquality，whichIcan’tfindanamefor。Andwhenheceased，allIfoundwasafutilewhisper：
"Soyouswamforourlight？"
"Yes——straightforit。Itwassomethingtoswimfor。
Icouldn’tseeanystarslowdownbecausethecoastwasintheway，andIcouldn’tseetheland，either。Thewaterwaslikeglass。
Onemighthavebeenswimminginaconfoundedthousand-feetdeepcisternwithnoplaceforscramblingoutanywhere；butwhatIdidn’tlikewasthenotionofswimmingroundandroundlikeacrazedbullockbeforeIgaveout；andasIdidn’tmeantogoback……No。Doyouseemebeinghauledback，starknaked，offoneoftheselittleislandsbythescruffoftheneckandfightinglikeawildbeast？Somebodywouldhavegotkilledforcertain，andIdidnotwantanyofthat。SoIwenton。
Thenyourladder——"
"Whydidn’tyouhailtheship？"Iasked，alittlelouder。
Hetouchedmyshoulderlightly。Lazyfootstepscamerightoverourheadsandstopped。Thesecondmatehadcrossedfromtheothersideofthepoopandmighthavebeenhangingovertherailforallweknew。
"Hecouldn’thearustalking——couldhe？"Mydoublebreathedintomyveryear，anxiously。
Hisanxietywasinanswer，asufficientanswer，tothequestionIhadputtohim。Ananswercontainingallthedifficultyofthatsituation。Iclosedtheportholequietly，tomakesure。
Alouderwordmighthavebeenoverheard。
"Who’sthat？"hewhisperedthen。
"Mysecondmate。ButIdon’tknowmuchmoreofthefellowthanyoudo。"
AndItoldhimalittleaboutmyself。IhadbeenappointedtotakechargewhileIleastexpectedanythingofthesort，notquiteafortnightago。Ididn’tknoweithertheshiporthepeople。
Hadn’thadthetimeinporttolookaboutmeorsizeanybodyup。
Andastothecrew，alltheyknewwasthatIwasappointedtotaketheshiphome。Fortherest，Iwasalmostasmuchofastrangeronboardashimself，Isaid。AndatthemomentIfeltitmostacutely。
Ifeltthatitwouldtakeverylittletomakemeasuspectpersonintheeyesoftheship’scompany。
Hehadturnedaboutmeantime；andwe，thetwostrangersintheship，facedeachotherinidenticalattitudes。
"Yourladder——"hemurmured，afterasilence。"Who’dhavethoughtoffindingaladderhangingoveratnightinashipanchoredouthere！
Ifeltjustthenaveryunpleasantfaintness。AfterthelifeI’vebeenleadingfornineweeks，anybodywouldhavegotoutofcondition。
Iwasn’tcapableofswimmingroundasfarasyourrudderchains。
And，loandbehold！therewasaladdertogetholdof。
AfterIgrippeditIsaidtomyself，`What’sthegood？’
WhenIsawaman’sheadlookingoverIthoughtIwouldswimawaypresentlyandleavehimshouting——inwhateverlanguageitwas。
Ididn’tmindbeinglookedat。I——Ilikedit。Andthenyouspeakingtomesoquietly——asifyouhadexpectedme——mademeholdonalittlelonger。
Ithadbeenaconfoundedlonelytime——Idon’tmeanwhileswimming。
Iwasgladtotalkalittletosomebodythatdidn’tbelongtotheSephora。
Astoaskingforthecaptain，thatwasamereimpulse。Itcouldhavebeennouse，withalltheshipknowingaboutmeandtheotherpeopleprettycertaintoberoundhereinthemorning。Idon’tknow——
Iwantedtobeseen，totalkwithsomebody，beforeIwenton。
Idon’tknowwhatIwouldhavesaid……`Finenight，isn’tit？’
orsomethingofthesort。"
"Doyouthinktheywillberoundherepresently？"
Iaskedwithsomeincredulity。
"Quitelikely，"hesaid，faintly。
"Helookedextremelyhaggardallofasudden。Hisheadrolledonhisshoulders。
"H’m。Weshallseethen。Meantimegetintothatbed，"Iwhispered。
"Wanthelp？There。"
Itwasaratherhighbedplacewithasetofdrawersunderneath。
ThisamazingswimmerreallyneededtheliftIgavehimbyseizinghisleg。
Hetumbledin，rolledoveronhisback，andflungonearmacrosshiseyes。
Andthen，withhisfacenearlyhidden，hemusthavelookedexactlyasIusedtolookinthatbed。Igazeduponmyotherselfforawhilebeforedrawingacrosscarefullythetwogreensergecurtainswhichranonabrassrod。
Ithoughtforamomentofpinningthemtogetherforgreatersafety，butIsatdownonthecouch，andoncethereIfeltunwillingtoriseandhuntforapin。Iwoulddoitinamoment。Iwasextremelytired，inapeculiarlyintimateway，bythestrainofstealthiness，bytheeffortofwhisperingandthegeneralsecrecyofthisexcitement。
Itwasthreeo’clockbynowandIhadbeenonmyfeetsincenine，butIwasnotsleepy；Icouldnothavegonetosleep。Isatthere，faggedout，lookingatthecurtains，tryingtoclearmymindoftheconfusedsensationofbeingintwoplacesatonce，andgreatlybotheredbyanexasperatingknockinginmyhead。Itwasarelieftodiscoversuddenlythatitwasnotinmyheadatall，butontheoutsideofthedoor。
BeforeIcouldcollectmyselfthewords"Comein"wereoutofmymouth，andthestewardenteredwithatray，bringinginmymorningcoffee。
Ihadslept，afterall，andIwassofrightenedthatIshouted，"Thisway！Iamhere，steward，"asthoughhehadbeenmilesaway。
Heputdownthetrayonthetablenextthecouchandonlythensaid，veryquietly，"Icanseeyouarehere，sir。"Ifelthimgivemeakeenlook，butIdarednotmeethiseyesjustthen。HemusthavewonderedwhyI
haddrawnthecurtainsofmybedbeforegoingtosleeponthecouch。
Hewentout，hookingthedooropenasusual。
Iheardthecrewwashingdecksaboveme。IknewIwouldhavebeentoldatonceiftherehadbeenanywind。Calm，Ithought，andIwasdoublyvexed。Indeed，Ifeltdualmorethanever。
Thestewardreappearedsuddenlyinthedoorway。
Ijumpedupfromthecouchsoquicklythathegaveastart。
"Whatdoyouwanthere？"
"Closeyourport，sir——theyarewashingdecks。"
"Itisclosed，"Isaid，reddening。
"Verywell，sir。"Buthedidnotmovefromthedoorwayandreturnedmystareinanextraordinary，equivocalmannerforatime。
Thenhiseyeswavered，allhisexpressionchanged，andinavoiceunusuallygentle，almostcoaxingly：
"MayIcomeintotaketheemptycupaway，sir？"
"Ofcourse！"Iturnedmybackonhimwhilehepoppedinandout。
ThenIunhookedandclosedthedoorandevenpushedthebolt。
Thissortofthingcouldnotgoonverylong。Thecabinwasashotasanoven，too。Itookapeepatmydouble，anddiscoveredthathehadnotmoved，hisarmwasstilloverhiseyes；buthischestheaved；hishairwaswet；hischinglistenedwithperspiration。
Ireachedoverhimandopenedtheport。
"Imustshowmyselfondeck，"Ireflected。
Ofcourse，theoretically，IcoulddowhatIliked，withnoonetosaynaytomewithinthewholecircleofthehorizon；
buttolockmycabindoorandtakethekeyawayIdidnotdare。
DirectlyIputmyheadoutofthecompanionIsawthegroupofmytwoofficers，thesecondmatebarefooted，thechiefmateinlongIndia-rubberboots，nearthebreakofthepoop，andthestewardhalfwaydownthepoopladdertalkingtothemeagerly。
Hehappenedtocatchsightofmeanddived，thesecondrandownonthemain-deckshoutingsomeorderorother，andthechiefmatecametomeetme，touchinghiscap。
TherewasasortofcuriosityinhiseyethatIdidnotlike。
Idon’tknowwhetherthestewardhadtoldthemthatIwas"queer"only，ordownrightdrunk，butIknowthemanmeanttohaveagoodlookatme。
Iwatchedhimcomingwithasmilewhich，ashegotintopoint-blankrange，tookeffectandfrozehisverywhiskers。Ididnotgivehimtimetoopenhislips。
"Squaretheyardsbyliftsandbracesbeforethehandsgotobreakfast。"
ItwasthefirstparticularorderIhadgivenonboardthatship；
andIstayedondecktoseeitexecuted，too。Ihadfelttheneedofassertingmyselfwithoutlossoftime。Thatsneeringyoungcubgottakendownapegortwoonthatoccasion，andIalsoseizedtheopportunityofhavingagoodlookatthefaceofeveryforemastmanastheyfiledpastmetogototheafterbraces。
Atbreakfasttime，eatingnothingmyself，Ipresidedwithsuchfrigiddignitythatthetwomateswereonlytoogladtoescapefromthecabinassoonasdecencypermitted；andallthetimethedualworkingofmyminddistractedmealmosttothepointofinsanity。
Iwasconstantlywatchingmyself，mysecretself，asdependentonmyactionsasmyownpersonality，sleepinginthatbed，behindthatdoorwhichfacedmeasIsatattheheadofthetable。
Itwasverymuchlikebeingmad，onlyitwasworsebecauseonewasawareofit。
Ihadtoshakehimforasolidminute，butwhenatlastheopenedhiseyesitwasinthefullpossessionofhissenses，withaninquiringlook。
"All’swellsofar，"Iwhispered。"Nowyoumustvanishintothebathroom。"
Hedidso，asnoiselessasaghost，andthenIrangforthesteward，andfacinghimboldly，directedhimtotidyupmystateroomwhileIwashavingmybath——"andbequickaboutit。"Asmytoneadmittedofnoexcuses，hesaid，"Yes，sir，"andranofftofetchhisdustpanandbrushes。
Itookabathanddidmostofmydressing，splashing，andwhistlingsoftlyforthesteward’sedification，whilethesecretsharerofmylifestooddrawnupboltuprightinthatlittlespace，hisfacelookingverysunkenindaylight，hiseyelidsloweredunderthestern，darklineofhiseyebrowsdrawntogetherbyaslightfrown。
WhenIlefthimtheretogobacktomyroomthestewardwasfinishingdusting。Isentforthemateandengagedhiminsomeinsignificantconversation。Itwas，asitwere，triflingwiththeterrificcharacterofhiswhiskers；butmyobjectwastogivehimanopportunityforagoodlookatmycabin。
AndthenIcouldatlastshut，withaclearconscience，thedoorofmystateroomandgetmydoublebackintotherecessedpart。
Therewasnothingelseforit。Hehadtositstillonasmallfoldingstool，halfsmotheredbytheheavycoatshangingthere。
Welistenedtothestewardgoingintothebathroomoutofthesaloon，fillingthewaterbottlesthere，scrubbingthebath，settingthingstorights，whisk，bang，clatter——outagainintothesaloon——turnthekey——click。Suchwasmyschemeforkeepingmysecondselfinvisible。Nothingbettercouldbecontrivedunderthecircumstances。Andtherewesat；
Iatmywritingdeskreadytoappearbusywithsomepapers，hebehindmeoutofsightofthedoor。Itwouldnothavebeenprudenttotalkindaytime；andIcouldnothavestoodtheexcitementofthatqueersenseofwhisperingtomyself。
Nowandthen，glancingovermyshoulder，Isawhimfarbackthere，sittingrigidlyonthelowstool，hisbarefeetclosetogether，hisarmsfolded，hisheadhangingonhisbreast——andperfectlystill。
Anybodywouldhavetakenhimforme。
Iwasfascinatedbyitmyself。EverymomentIhadtoglanceovermyshoulder。Iwaslookingathimwhenavoiceoutsidethedoorsaid：
"Begpardon，sir。"
"Well！……Ikeptmyeyesonhim，andsowhenthevoiceoutsidethedoorannounced，"There’saship’sboatcomingourway，sir，"
Isawhimgiveastart——thefirstmovementhehadmadeforhours。
Buthedidnotraisehisbowedhead。
"Allright。Gettheladderover。"
Ihesitated。ShouldIwhispersomethingtohim？Butwhat？
Hisimmobilityseemedtohavebeenneverdisturbed。
WhatcouldItellhimhedidnotknowalready？……FinallyIwentondeck。
II
TheskipperoftheSephorahadathinredwhiskerallroundhisface，andthesortofcomplexionthatgoeswithhairofthatcolor；
alsotheparticular，rathersmearyshadeofblueintheeyes。
Hewasnotexactlyashowyfigure；hisshoulderswerehigh，hisstaturebutmiddling——onelegslightlymorebandythantheother。Heshookhands，lookingvaguelyaround。
Aspiritlesstenacitywashismaincharacteristic，Ijudged。
Ibehavedwithapolitenesswhichseemedtodisconcerthim。
Perhapshewasshy。Hemumbledtomeasifhewereashamedofwhathewassaying；gavehisname（itwassomethinglikeArchbold——
butatthisdistanceofyearsIhardlyamsure），hisship’sname，andafewotherparticularsofthatsort，inthemannerofacriminalmakingareluctantanddolefulconfession。
Hehadhadterribleweatheronthepassageout——terrible——terrible——
wifeaboard，too。
Bythistimewewereseatedinthecabinandthestewardbroughtinatraywithabottleandglasses。"Thanks！No。"Nevertookliquor。
Wouldhavesomewater，though。Hedranktwotumblerfuls。
Terriblethirstywork。Eversincedaylighthadbeenexploringtheislandsroundhisship。
"Whatwasthatfor——fun？"Iasked，withanappearanceofpoliteinterest。
"No！"Hesighed。"Painfulduty。"
AshepersistedinhismumblingandIwantedmydoubletoheareveryword，IhituponthenotionofinforminghimthatIregrettedtosayIwashardofhearing。
"Suchayoungman，too！"henodded，keepinghissmearyblue，unintelligenteyesfasteneduponme。"Whatwasthecauseofit——
somedisease？"heinquired，withouttheleastsympathyandasifhethoughtthat，ifso，I’dgotnomorethanIdeserved。
"Yes；disease，"Iadmittedinacheerfultonewhichseemedtoshockhim。
Butmypointwasgained，becausehehadtoraisehisvoicetogivemehistale。Itisnotworthwhiletorecordhisversion。
Itwasjustovertwomonthssinceallthishadhappened，andhehadthoughtsomuchaboutitthatheseemedcompletelymuddledastoitsbearings，butstillimmenselyimpressed。
"Whatwouldyouthinkofsuchathinghappeningonboardyourownship？
I’vehadtheSephoraforthesefifteenyears。Iamawell-knownshipmaster。"
Hewasdenselydistressed——andperhapsIshouldhavesympathizedwithhimifIhadbeenabletodetachmymentalvisionfromtheunsuspectedsharerofmycabinasthoughheweremysecondself。Therehewasontheothersideofthebulkhead，fourorfivefeetfromus，nomore，aswesatinthesaloon。
IlookedpolitelyatCaptainArchbold（ifthatwashisname），butitwastheotherIsaw，inagraysleepingsuit，seatedonalowstool，hisbarefeetclosetogether，hisarmsfolded，andeverywordsaidbetweenusfallingintotheearsofhisdarkheadbowedonhischest。
"Ihavebeenatseanow，manandboy，forseven-and-thirtyyears，andI’veneverheardofsuchathinghappeninginanEnglishship。
Andthatitshouldbemyship。Wifeonboard，too。"
Iwashardlylisteningtohim。
"Don’tyouthink，"Isaid，"thattheheavyseawhich，youtoldme，cameaboardjustthenmighthavekilledtheman？
Ihaveseenthesheerweightofaseakillamanveryneatly，bysimplybreakinghisneck。"
"GoodGod！"heuttered，impressively，fixinghissmearyblueeyesonme。
"Thesea！Nomankilledbytheseaeverlookedlikethat。"
Heseemedpositivelyscandalizedatmysuggestion。AndasIgazedathimcertainlynotpreparedforanythingoriginalonhispart，headvancedhisheadclosetomineandthrusthistongueoutatmesosuddenlythatIcouldn’thelpstartingback。
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