Afterscoringovermycalmnessinthisgraphicwayhenoddedwisely。
IfIhadseenthesight，heassuredme，IwouldneverforgetitaslongasIlived。Theweatherwastoobadtogivethecorpseaproperseaburial。
Sonextdayatdawntheytookituponthepoop，coveringitsfacewithabitofbunting；hereadashortprayer，andthen，justasitwas，initsoilskinsandlongboots，theylauncheditamongstthosemountainousseasthatseemedreadyeverymomenttoswallowuptheshipherselfandtheterrifiedlivesonboardofher。
"Thatreefedforesailsavedyou，"Ithrewin。
"UnderGod——itdid，"heexclaimedfervently。"Itwasbyaspecialmercy，Ifirmlybelieve，thatitstoodsomeofthosehurricanesqualls。"
"Itwasthesettingofthatsailwhich——"Ibegan。
"God’sownhandinit，"heinterruptedme。"Nothinglesscouldhavedoneit。
Idon’tmindtellingyouthatIhardlydaredgivetheorder。
Itseemedimpossiblethatwecouldtouchanythingwithoutlosingit，andthenourlasthopewouldhavebeengone。"
Theterrorofthatgalewasonhimyet。Ilethimgoonforabit，thensaid，casually——asifreturningtoaminorsubject：
"Youwereveryanxioustogiveupyourmatetotheshorepeople，Ibelieve？"
Hewas。Tothelaw。Hisobscuretenacityonthatpointhadinitsomethingincomprehensibleandalittleawful；something，asitwere，mystical，quiteapartfromhisanxietythatheshouldnotbesuspectedof"countenancinganydoingsofthatsort。"
Seven-and-thirtyvirtuousyearsatsea，ofwhichovertwentyofimmaculatecommand，andthelastfifteenintheSephora，seemedtohavelaidhimundersomepitilessobligation。
"Andyouknow，"hewenton，gropingshame-facedlyamongsthisfeelings，"Ididnotengagethatyoungfellow。Hispeoplehadsomeinterestwithmyowners。Iwasinawayforcedtotakehimon。
Helookedverysmart，verygentlemanly，andallthat。
Butdoyouknow——Ineverlikedhim，somehow。Iamaplainman。
Yousee，hewasn’texactlythesortforthechiefmateofashipliketheSephora。"
IhadbecomesoconnectedinthoughtsandimpressionswiththesecretsharerofmycabinthatIfeltasifI，personally，werebeinggiventounderstandthatI，too，wasnotthesortthatwouldhavedoneforthechiefmateofashipliketheSephora。
Ihadnodoubtofitinmymind。
"Notatallthestyleofman。Youunderstand，"heinsisted，superfluously，lookinghardatme。
Ismiledurbanely。Heseemedatalossforawhile。
"IsupposeImustreportasuicide。"
"Begpardon？"
"Suicide！That’swhatI’llhavetowritetomyownersdirectlyIgetin。"
"Unlessyoumanagetorecoverhimbeforetomorrow，"
Iassented，dispassionately……"Imean，alive。"
HemumbledsomethingwhichIreallydidnotcatch，andIturnedmyeartohiminapuzzledmanner。Hefairlybawled：
"Theland——Isay，themainlandisatleastsevenmilesoffmyanchorage。"
"Aboutthat。"
Mylackofexcitement，ofcuriosity，ofsurprise，ofanysortofpronouncedinterest，begantoarousehisdistrust。
ButexceptforthefelicitouspretenseofdeafnessIhadnottriedtopretendanything。Ihadfeltutterlyincapableofplayingthepartofignoranceproperly，andthereforewasafraidtotry。
Itisalsocertainthathehadbroughtsomeready-madesuspicionswithhim，andthatheviewedmypolitenessasastrangeandunnaturalphenomenon。AndyethowelsecouldIhavereceivedhim？
Notheartily！Thatwasimpossibleforpsychologicalreasons，whichIneednotstatehere。Myonlyobjectwastokeepoffhisinquiries。Surlily？Yes，butsurlinessmighthaveprovokedapoint-blankquestion。Fromitsnoveltytohimandfromitsnature，punctiliouscourtesywasthemannerbestcalculatedtorestraintheman。
Buttherewasthedangerofhisbreakingthroughmydefensebluntly。
Icouldnot，Ithink，havemethimbyadirectlie，alsoforpsychological（notmoral）reasons。IfhehadonlyknownhowafraidIwasofhisputtingmyfeelingofidentitywiththeothertothetest！
But，strangelyenough——（Ithoughtofitonlyafterwards）——
Ibelievethathewasnotalittledisconcertedbythereversesideofthatweirdsituation，bysomethinginmethatremindedhimofthemanhewasseeking——suggestedamysterioussimilitudetotheyoungfellowhehaddistrustedanddislikedfromthefirst。
Howeverthatmighthavebeen，thesilencewasnotveryprolonged。
Hetookanotherobliquestep。
"IreckonIhadnomorethanatwo-milepulltoyourship。
Notabitmore。"
"Andquiteenough，too，inthisawfulheat，"Isaid。
Anotherpausefullofmistrustfollowed。Necessity，theysay，ismotherofinvention，butfear，too，isnotbarrenofingenioussuggestions。
AndIwasafraidhewouldaskmepoint-blankfornewsofmyotherself。
"Nicelittlesaloon，isn’tit？"Iremarked，asifnoticingforthefirsttimethewayhiseyesroamedfromonecloseddoortotheother。
"Andverywellfittedout，too。Here，forinstance，"Icontinued，reachingoverthebackofmyseatnegligentlyandflingingthedooropen，"ismybathroom。"
Hemadeaneagermovement，buthardlygaveitaglance。
Igotup，shutthedoorofthebathroom，andinvitedhimtohavealookround，asifIwereveryproudofmyaccomodation。
Hehadtoriseandbeshownround，buthewentthroughthebusinesswithoutanyraptureswhatever。
"Andnowwe’llhavealookatmystateroom，"Ideclared，inavoiceasloudasIdaredtomakeit，crossingthecabintothestarboardsidewithpurposelyheavysteps。
Hefollowedmeinandgazedaround。Myintelligentdoublehadvanished。
Iplayedmypart。
"Veryconvenient——isn’tit？"
Verynice。Verycomf……"Hedidn’tfinishandwentoutbrusquelyasiftoescapefromsomeunrighteouswilesofmine。
Butitwasnottobe。Ihadbeentoofrightenednottofeelvengeful；
IfeltIhadhimontherun，andImeanttokeephimontherun。
Mypoliteinsistencemusthavehadsomethingmenacinginit，becausehegaveinsuddenly。AndIdidnotlethimoffasingleitem；
mate’sroom，pantry，storerooms，theverysaillockerwhichwasalsounderthepoop——hehadtolookintothemall。WhenatlastI
showedhimoutonthequarter-deckhedrewalong，spiritlesssigh，andmumbleddismallythathemustreallybegoingbacktohisshipnow。
Idesiredmymate，whohadjoinedus，toseetothecaptain’sboat。
Themanofwhiskersgaveablastonthewhistlewhichheusedtowearhangingroundhisneck，andyelled，"Sephora’saway！"
Mydoubledownthereinmycabinmusthaveheard，andcertainlycouldnotfeelmorerelievedthanI。Fourfellowscamerunningoutfromsomewhereforwardandwentovertheside，whilemyownmen，appearingondecktoo，linedtherail。Iescortedmyvisitortothegangwayceremoniously，andnearlyoverdidit。
Hewasatenaciousbeast。Ontheveryladderhelingered，andinthatunique，guiltilyconscientiousmannerofstickingtothepoint：
"Isay……you……youdon’tthinkthat——"
Icoveredhisvoiceloudly：
"Certainlynot……Iamdelighted。Good-by。"
Ihadanideaofwhathemeanttosay，andjustsavedmyselfbytheprivilegeofdefectivehearing。Hewastooshakengenerallytoinsist，butmymate，closewitnessofthatparting，lookedmystifiedandhisfacetookonathoughtfulcast。
AsIdidnotwanttoappearasifIwishedtoavoidallcommunicationwithmyofficers，hehadtheopportunitytoaddressme。
"Seemsaveryniceman。Hisboat’screwtoldourchapsaveryextraordinarystory，ifwhatIamtoldbythestewardistrue。
Isupposeyouhaditfromthecaptain，sir？"
"Yes。Ihadastoryfromthecaptain。"
"Averyhorribleaffair——isn’tit，sir？"
"Itis。"
"BeatsallthesetaleswehearaboutmurdersinYankeeships。"
"Idon’tthinkitbeatsthem。Idon’tthinkitresemblesthemintheleast。"
"Blessmysoul——youdon’tsayso！ButofcourseI’venoacquaintancewhateverwithAmericanships，notIsoIcouldn’tgoagainstyourknowledge。It’shorribleenoughforme……Butthequeerestpartisthatthosefellowsseemedtohavesomeideathemanwashiddenaboardhere。Theyhadreally。
Didyoueverhearofsuchathing？"
"Preposterous——isn’tit？"
Wewerewalkingtoandfroathwartthequarter-deck。Nooneofthecrewforwardcouldbeseen（thedaywasSunday），andthematepursued：
"Therewassomelittledisputeaboutit。Ourchapstookoffense。
`Asifwewouldharborathinglikethat，’theysaid。
`Wouldn’tyouliketolookforhiminourcoal-hole？’Quiteatiff。
Buttheymadeitupintheend。Isupposehediddrownhimself。
Don’tyou，sir？"
"Idon’tsupposeanything。"
"Youhavenodoubtinthematter，sir？"
"Nonewhatever。"
Ilefthimsuddenly。IfeltIwasproducingabadimpression，butwithmydoubledownthereitwasmosttryingtobeondeck。Anditwasalmostastryingtobebelow。Altogetheranerve-tryingsituation。
ButonthewholeIfeltlesstornintwowhenIwaswithhim。
TherewasnooneinthewholeshipwhomIdaredtakeintomyconfidence。Sincethehandshadgottoknowhisstory，itwouldhavebeenimpossibletopasshimoffforanyoneelse，andanaccidentaldiscoverywastobedreadednowmorethanever……
Thestewardbeingengagedinlayingthetablefordinner，wecouldtalkonlywithoureyeswhenIfirstwentdown。
Laterintheafternoonwehadacautioustryatwhispering。
TheSundayquietnessoftheshipwasagainstus；thestillnessofairandwateraroundherwasagainstus；theelements，themenwereagainstus——everythingwasagainstusinoursecretpartnership；timeitself——forthiscouldnotgoonforever。
TheverytrustinProvidencewas，Isuppose，deniedtohisguilt。
ShallIconfessthatthisthoughtcastmedownverymuch？
Andastothechapterofaccidentswhichcountsforsomuchinthebookofsuccess，Icouldonlyhopethatitwasclosed。
Forwhatfavorableaccidentcouldbeexpected？
"Didyouheareverything？"weremyfirstwordsassoonaswetookupourpositionsidebyside，leaningovermybedplace。
Hehad。Andtheproofofitwashisearnestwhisper，"Themantoldyouhehardlydaredtogivetheorder。"
Iunderstoodthereferencetobetothatsavingforesail。
"Yes。Hewasafraidofitbeinglostinthesetting。"
"Iassureyouhenevergavetheorder。Hemaythinkhedid，buthenevergaveit。Hestoodtherewithmeonthebreakofthepoopafterthemaintopsailblewaway，andwhimperedaboutourlasthope——
positivelywhimperedaboutitandnothingelse——andthenightcomingon！
Tohearone’sskippergoonlikethatinsuchweatherwasenoughtodriveanyfellowoutofhismind。Itworkedmeupintoasortofdesperation。Ijusttookitintomyownhandsandwentawayfromhim，boiling，and——Butwhat’stheusetellingyou？
YOUknow！……DoyouthinkthatifIhadnotbeenprettyfiercewiththemIshouldhavegotthementodoanything？NotIt！
Thebo’s’nperhaps？Perhaps！Itwasn’taheavysea——itwasaseagonemad！Isupposetheendoftheworldwillbesomethinglikethat；
andamanmayhavethehearttoseeitcomingonceandbedonewithit——
buttohavetofaceitdayafterday——Idon’tblameanybody。
Iwaspreciouslittlebetterthantherest。Only——Iwasanofficerofthatoldcoalwagon，anyhow——"
"Iquiteunderstand，"Iconveyedthatsincereassuranceintohisear。
Hewasoutofbreathwithwhispering；Icouldhearhimpantslightly。
Itwasallverysimple。Thesamestrung-upforcewhichhadgiventwenty-fourmenachance，atleast，fortheirlives，had，inasortofrecoil，crushedanunworthymutinousexistence。
ButIhadnoleisuretoweighthemeritsofthematter——
footstepsinthesaloon，aheavyknock。"There’senoughwindtogetunderwaywith，sir。"Herewasthecallofanewclaimuponmythoughtsandevenuponmyfeelings。
"Turnthehandsup，"Icriedthroughthedoor。"I’llbeondeckdirectly。"
Iwasgoingouttomaketheacquaintanceofmyship。
BeforeIleftthecabinoureyesmet——theeyesoftheonlytwostrangersonboard。Ipointedtotherecessedpartwherethelittlecampstoolawaitedhimandlaidmyfingeronmylips。
Hemadeagesture——somewhatvague——alittlemysterious，accompaniedbyafaintsmile，asifofregret。
Thisisnottheplacetoenlargeuponthesensationsofamanwhofeelsforthefirsttimeashipmoveunderhisfeettohisownindependentword。Inmycasetheywerenotunalloyed。
Iwasnotwhollyalonewithmycommand；fortherewasthatstrangerinmycabin。Orrather，Iwasnotcompletelyandwhollywithher。
Partofmewasabsent。Thatmentalfeelingofbeingintwoplacesatonceaffectedmephysicallyasifthemoodofsecrecyhadpenetratedmyverysoul。Beforeanhourhadelapsedsincetheshiphadbeguntomove，havingoccasiontoaskthemate（hestoodbymyside）totakeacompassbearingofthepagoda，Icaughtmyselfreachinguptohisearinwhispers。
IsayIcaughtmyself，butenoughhadescapedtostartletheman。
Ican’tdescribeitotherwisethanbysayingthatheshied。
Agrave，preoccupiedmanner，asthoughhewereinpossessionofsomeperplexingintelligence，didnotleavehimhenceforth。
AlittlelaterImovedawayfromtherailtolookatthecompasswithsuchastealthygaitthatthehelmsmannoticedit——
andIcouldnothelpnoticingtheunusualroundnessofhiseyes。
Thesearetriflinginstances，thoughit’stonocommander’sadvantagetobesuspectedofludicrouseccentricities。
ButIwasalsomoreseriouslyaffected。Therearetoaseamancertainwords，gestures，thatshouldingivenconditionscomeasnaturally，asinstinctivelyasthewinkingofamenacedeye。
Acertainordershouldspringontohislipswithoutthinking；
acertainsignshouldgetitselfmade，sotospeak，withoutreflection。Butallunconsciousalertnesshadabandonedme。
Ihadtomakeaneffortofwilltorecallmyselfback（fromthecabin）totheconditionsofthemoment。
IfeltthatIwasappearinganirresolutecommandertothosepeoplewhowerewatchingmemoreorlesscritically。
And，besides，therewerethescares。Ontheseconddayout，forinstance，comingoffthedeckintheafternoon（Ihadstrawslippersonmybarefeet）Istoppedattheopenpantrydoorandspoketothesteward。Hewasdoingsomethingtherewithhisbacktome。
Atthesoundofmyvoicehenearlyjumpedoutofhisskin，asthesayingis，andincidentallybrokeacup。
"Whatonearth’sthematterwithyou？"Iasked，astonished。
Hewasextremelyconfused。"Begyourpardon，sir。Imadesureyouwereinyourcabin。"
"YouseeIwasn’t。"
"No，sir。IcouldhaveswornIhadheardyoumovingintherenotamomentago。It’smostextraordinary……verysorry，sir。"
Ipassedonwithaninwardshudder。IwassoidentifiedwithmysecretdoublethatIdidnotevenmentionthefactinthosescanty，fearfulwhispersweexchanged。
Isupposehehadmadesomeslightnoiseofsomekindorother。
Itwouldhavebeenmiraculousifhehadn’tatonetimeoranother。
Andyet，haggardasheappeared，helookedalwaysperfectlyself-controlled，morethancalm——almostinvulnerable。
Onmysuggestionheremainedalmostentirelyinthebathroom，which，uponthewhole，wasthesafestplace。
Therecouldbereallynoshadowofanexcuseforanyoneeverwantingtogointhere，oncethestewardhaddonewithit。
Itwasaverytinyplace。Sometimeshereclinedonthefloor，hislegsbent，hisheadsustainedononeelbow。
AtothersIwouldfindhimonthecampstool，sittinginhisgraysleepingsuitandwithhiscroppeddarkhairlikeapatient，unmovedconvict。AtnightIwouldsmugglehimintomybedplace，andwewouldwhispertogether，withtheregularfootfallsoftheofficerofthewatchpassingandrepassingoverourheads。
Itwasaninfinitelymiserabletime。Itwasluckythatsometinsoffinepreserveswerestowedinalockerinmystateroom；
hardbreadIcouldalwaysgetholdof；andsohelivedonstewedchicken，PATEDEFOIEGRAS，asparagus，cookedoysters，sardines——
onallsortsofabominableshamdelicaciesoutoftins。
Myearly-morningcoffeehealwaysdrank；anditwasallI
dareddoforhiminthatrespect。
Everydaytherewasthehorriblemaneuveringtogothroughsothatmyroomandthenthebathroomshouldbedoneintheusualway。Icametohatethesightofthesteward，toabhorthevoiceofthatharmlessman。
Ifeltthatitwashewhowouldbringonthedisasterofdiscovery。
Ithunglikeaswordoverourheads。
Thefourthdayout，Ithink（wewerethenworkingdowntheeastsideoftheGulfofSiam，tackfortack，inlightwindsandsmoothwater）——
thefourthday，Isay，ofthismiserablejugglingwiththeunavoidable，aswesatatoureveningmeal，thatman，whoseslightestmovementIdreaded，afterputtingdownthedishesranupondeckbusily。
Thiscouldnotbedangerous。Presentlyhecamedownagain；
andthenitappearedthathehadrememberedacoatofminewhichIhadthrownoverarailtodryafterhavingbeenwettedinashowerwhichhadpassedovertheshipintheafternoon。
SittingstolidlyattheheadofthetableIbecameterrifiedatthesightofthegarmentonhisarm。Ofcoursehemadeformydoor。
Therewasnotimetolose。
"Steward，"Ithundered。MynervesweresoshakenthatI
couldnotgovernmyvoiceandconcealmyagitation。
Thiswasthesortofthingthatmademyterrificallywhiskeredmatetaphisforeheadwithhisforefinger。
Ihaddetectedhimusingthatgesturewhiletalkingondeckwithaconfidentialairtothecarpenter。Itwastoofartohearaword，butIhadnodoubtthatthispantomimecouldonlyrefertothestrangenewcaptain。
"Yes，sir，"thepale-facedstewardturnedresignedlytome。
Itwasthismaddeningcourseofbeingshoutedat，checkedwithoutrhymeorreason，arbitrarilychasedoutofmycabin，suddenlycalledintoit，sentflyingoutofhispantryonincomprehensibleerrands，thataccountedforthegrowingwretchednessofhisexpression。
"Whereareyougoingwiththatcoat？"
"Toyourroom，sir。"
"Isthereanothershowercoming？"
"I’msureIdon’tknow，sir。ShallIgoupagainandsee，sir？"
"No！nevermind。"
Myobjectwasattained，asofcoursemyotherselfintherewouldhaveheardeverythingthatpassed。Duringthisinterludemytwoofficersneverraisedtheireyesofftheirrespectiveplates；butthelipofthatconfoundedcub，thesecondmate，quiveredvisibly。
Iexpectedthestewardtohookmycoatonandcomeoutatonce。
Hewasveryslowaboutit；butIdominatedmynervousnesssufficientlynottoshoutafterhim。SuddenlyIbecameaware（itcouldbeheardplainlyenough）thatthefellowforsomereasonorotherwasopeningthedoorofthebathroom。Itwastheend。
Theplacewasliterallynotbigenoughtoswingacatin。
MyvoicediedinmythroatandIwentstonyallover。
Iexpectedtohearayellofsurpriseandterror，andmadeamovement，buthadnotthestrengthtogetonmylegs。
Everythingremainedstill。Hadmysecondselftakenthepoorwretchbythethroat？Idon’tknowwhatIcouldhavedonenextmomentifIhadnotseenthestewardcomeoutofmyroom，closethedoor，andthenstandquietlybythesideboard。
"Saved，"Ithought。"But，no！Lost！Gone！Hewasgone！"
Ilaidmyknifeandforkdownandleanedbackinmychair。Myheadswam。
Afterawhile，whensufficientlyrecoveredtospeakinasteadyvoice，Iinstructedmymatetoputtheshiproundateighto’clockhimself。
"Iwon’tcomeondeck，"Iwenton。"IthinkI’llturnin，andunlessthewindshiftsIdon’twanttobedisturbedbeforemidnight。
Ifeelabitseedy。"
"Youdidlookmiddlingbadalittlewhileago，"thechiefmateremarkedwithoutshowinganygreatconcern。
Theybothwentout，andIstaredatthestewardclearingthetable。
Therewasnothingtobereadonthatwretchedman’sface。
Butwhydidheavoidmyeyes，Iaskedmyself。ThenIthoughtI
shouldliketohearthesoundofhisvoice。
"Steward！"
"Sir！"Startledasusual。
"Wheredidyouhangupthatcoat？"
"Inthebathroom，sir。"Theusualanxioustone。
"It’snotquitedryyet，sir。"
ForsometimelongerIsatinthecuddy。Hadmydoublevanishedashehadcome？Butofhiscomingtherewasanexplanation，whereashisdisappearancewouldbeinexplicable……Iwentslowlyintomydarkroom，shutthedoor，lightedthelamp，andforatimedarednotturnround。WhenatlastIdidI
sawhimstandingbolt-uprightinthenarrowrecessedpart。
ItwouldnotbetruetosayIhadashock，butanirresistibledoubtofhisbodilyexistenceflittedthroughmymind。
Canitbe，Iaskedmyself，thatheisnotvisibletoothereyesthanmine？Itwaslikebeinghaunted。Motionless，withagraveface，heraisedhishandsslightlyatmeinagesturewhichmeantclearly，"Heavens！whatanarrowescape！"
Narrowindeed。IthinkIhadcomecreepingquietlyasnearinsanityasanymanwhohasnotactuallygoneovertheborder。
Thatgesturerestrainedme，sotospeak。
Thematewiththeterrificwhiskerswasnowputtingtheshipontheothertack。InthemomentofprofoundsilencewhichfollowsuponthehandsgoingtotheirstationsIheardonthepoophisraisedvoice："Hardalee！"andthedistantshoutoftheorderrepeatedonthemain-deck。Thesails，inthatlightbreeze，madebutafaintflutteringnoise。
Itceased。Theshipwascomingroundslowly：Iheldmybreathintherenewedstillnessofexpectation；onewouldn’thavethoughtthattherewasasinglelivingsoulonherdecks。
Asuddenbriskshout，"Mainsailhaul！"brokethespell，andinthenoisycriesandrushoverheadofthemenrunningawaywiththemainbracewetwo，downinmycabin，cametogetherinourusualpositionbythebedplace。
Hedidnotwaitformyquestion。"Iheardhimfumblinghereandjustmanagedtosquatmyselfdowninthebath，"hewhisperedtome。
"Thefellowonlyopenedthedoorandputhisarmintohangthecoatup。
Allthesame——"
"Ineverthoughtofthat，"Iwhisperedback，evenmoreappalledthanbeforeattheclosenessoftheshave，andmarvelingatthatsomethingunyieldinginhischaracterwhichwascarryinghimthroughsofinely。Therewasnoagitationinhiswhisper。
Whoeverwasbeingdrivendistracted，itwasnothe。Hewassane。
Andtheproofofhissanitywascontinuedwhenhetookupthewhisperingagain。
"Itwouldneverdoformetocometolifeagain。"
Itwassomethingthataghostmighthavesaid。Butwhathewasalludingtowashisoldcaptain’sreluctantadmissionofthetheoryofsuicide。
Itwouldobviouslyservehisturn——ifIhadunderstoodatalltheviewwhichseemedtogoverntheunalterablepurposeofhisaction。
"YoumustmaroonmeassoonaseveryoucangetamongsttheseislandsofftheCambodgeshore，"hewenton。
"Maroonyou！Wearenotlivinginaboy’sadventuretale，"Iprotested。
Hisscornfulwhisperingtookmeup。
"Wearen’tindeed！There’snothingofaboy’staleinthis。
Butthere’snothingelseforit。Iwantnomore。
Youdon’tsupposeIamafraidofwhatcanbedonetome？
Prisonorgallowsorwhatevertheymayplease。
Butyoudon’tseemecomingbacktoexplainsuchthingstoanoldfellowinawigandtwelverespectabletradesmen，doyou？WhatcantheyknowwhetherIamguiltyornot——
orofWHATIamguilty，either？That’smyaffair。
WhatdoestheBiblesay？`Drivenoffthefaceoftheearth。’
Verywell，Iamoffthefaceoftheearthnow。AsIcameatnightsoIshallgo。"
"Impossible！"Imurmured。"Youcan’t。"
"Can’t？……NotnakedlikeasoulontheDayofJudgment。
Ishallfreezeontothissleepingsuit。TheLastDayisnotyet——
and……youhaveunderstoodthoroughly。Didn’tyou？"
Ifeltsuddenlyashamedofmyself。ImaysaytrulythatIunderstood——
andmyhesitationinlettingthatmanswimawayfrommyship’ssidehadbeenamereshamsentiment，asortofcowardice。
"Itcan’tbedonenowtillnextnight，"Ibreathedout。
"Theshipisontheoff-shoretackandthewindmayfailus。"
"AslongasIknowthatyouunderstand，"hewhispered。
"Butofcourseyoudo。It’sagreatsatisfactiontohavegotsomebodytounderstand。Youseemtohavebeenthereonpurpose。"
Andinthesamewhisper，asifwetwowheneverwetalkedhadtosaythingstoeachotherwhichwerenotfitfortheworldtohear，headded，"It’sverywonderful。"
Weremainedsidebysidetalkinginoursecretway——
butsometimessilentorjustexchangingawhisperedwordortwoatlongintervals。Andasusualhestaredthroughtheport。
Abreathofwindcamenowandagainintoourfaces。
Theshipmighthavebeenmooredindock，sogentlyandonanevenkeelsheslippedthroughthewater，thatdidnotmurmurevenatourpassage，shadowyandsilentlikeaphantomsea。
AtmidnightIwentondeck，andtomymate’sgreatsurpriseputtheshiproundontheothertack。
Histerriblewhiskersflittedroundmeinsilentcriticism。
Icertainlyshouldnothavedoneitifithadbeenonlyaquestionofgettingoutofthatsleepygulfasquicklyaspossible。
Ibelievehetoldthesecondmate，whorelievedhim，thatitwasagreatwantofjudgment。Theotheronlyyawned。
Thatintolerablecubshuffledaboutsosleepilyandlolledagainsttherailsinsuchaslack，improperfashionthatI
camedownonhimsharply。
"Aren’tyouproperlyawakeyet？"
"Yes，sir！Iamawake。"
"Well，then，begoodenoughtoholdyourselfasifyouwere。
Andkeepalookout。Ifthere’sanycurrentwe’llbeclosingwithsomeislandsbeforedaylight。"
Theeastsideofthegulfisfringedwithislands，somesolitary，othersingroups。Onethebluebackgroundofthehighcoasttheyseemtofloatonsilverypatchesofcalmwater，aridandgray，ordarkgreenandroundedlikeclumpsofevergreenbushes，withthelargerones，amileortwolong，showingtheoutlinesofridges，ribsofgrayrockunderthedarkmantleofmattedleafage。
Unknowntotrade，totravel，almosttogeography，themanneroflifetheyharborisanunsolvedsecret。Theremustbevillages——
settlementsoffishermenatleast——onthelargestofthem，andsomecommunicationwiththeworldisprobablykeptupbynativecraft。
Butallthatforenoon，asweheadedforthem，fannedalongbythefaintestofbreezes，IsawnosignofmanorcanoeinthefieldofthetelescopeIkeptonpointingatthescatteredgroup。
AtnoonIhavenoordersforachangeofcourse，andthemate’swhiskersbecamemuchconcernedandseemedtobeofferingthemselvesundulytomynotice。AtlastIsaid：
"Iamgoingtostandrightin。Quitein——asfarasIcantakeher。"
Thestareofextremesurpriseimpartedanairofferocityalsotohiseyes，andhelookedtrulyterrificforamoment。
"We’renotdoingwellinthemiddleofthegulf，"Icontinued，casually。
"Iamgoingtolookforthelandbreezestonight。"
"Blessmysoul！Doyoumean，sir，inthedarkamongstthelotofallthemislandsandreefsandshoals？"
"Well——ifthereareanyregularlandbreezesatallonthiscoastonemustgetcloseinshoretofindthem，mustn’tone？"
"Blessmysoul！"heexclaimedagainunderhisbreath。
Allthatafternoonheworeadreamy，contemplativeappearancewhichinhimwasamarkofperplexity。AfterdinnerI
wentintomystateroomasifImeanttotakesomerest。
Therewetwobentourdarkheadsoverahalf-unrolledchartlyingonmybed。
"There，"Isaid。"It’sgottobeKoh-ring。I’vebeenlookingatiteversincesunrise。Ithasgottwohillsandalowpoint。
Itmustbeinhabited。Andonthecoastoppositethereiswhatlookslikethemouthofabiggishriver——withsometowns，nodoubt，notfarup。
It’sthebestchanceforyouthatIcansee。"
"Anything。Koh-ringletitbe。"
Helookedthoughtfullyatthechartasifsurveyingchancesanddistancesfromaloftyheight——andfollowingwithhiseyeshisownfigurewanderingontheblanklandofCochin-China，andthenpassingoffthatpieceofpapercleanoutofsightintounchartedregions。
Anditwasasiftheshiphadtwocaptainstoplanhercourseforher。
IhadbeensoworriedandrestlessrunningupanddownthatI
hadnothadthepatiencetodressthatday。Ihadremainedinmysleepingsuit，withstrawslippersandasoftfloppyhat。
Theclosenessoftheheatinthegulfhadbeenmostoppressive，andthecrewwereusedtoseeingmewanderinginthatairyattire。
"Shewillclearthesouthpointassheheadsnow，"Iwhisperedintohisear。
"Goodnessonlyknowswhen，though，butcertainlyafterdark。
I’lledgeherintohalfamile，asfarasImaybeabletojudgeinthedark——"
"Becareful，"hemurmured，warningly——andIrealizedsuddenlythatallmyfuture，theonlyfutureforwhichIwasfit，wouldperhapsgoirretrievablytopiecesinanymishaptomyfirstcommand。
Icouldnotstopamomentlongerintheroom。Imotionedhimtogetoutofsightandmademywayonthepoop。Thatunplayfulcubhadthewatch。
Iwalkedupanddownforawhilethinkingthingsout，thenbeckonedhimover。
"Sendacoupleofhandstoopenthetwoquarter-deckports，"
Isaid，mildly。
Heactuallyhadtheimpudence，orelsesoforgothimselfinhiswonderatsuchanincomprehensibleorder，astorepeat：
"Openthequarter-deckports！Whatfor，sir？"
"TheonlyreasonyouneedconcernyourselfaboutisbecauseItellyoutodoso。Havethemopenwideandfastenedproperly。"
Hereddenedandwentoff，butIbelievemadesomejeeringremarktothecarpenterastothesensiblepracticeofventilatingaship’squarter-deck。Iknowhepoppedintothemate’scabintoimpartthefacttohimbecausethewhiskerscameondeck，asitwerebychance，andstoleglancesatmefrombelow——
forsignsoflunacyordrunkenness，Isuppose。
Alittlebeforesupper，feelingmorerestlessthanever，Irejoined，foramoment，mysecondself。Andtofindhimsittingsoquietlywassurprising，likesomethingagainstnature，inhuman。
Idevelopedmyplaninahurriedwhisper。
"IshallstandinascloseasIdareandthenputherround。
Iwillpresentlyfindmeanstosmuggleyououtofhereintothesaillocker，whichcommunicateswiththelobby。
Butthereisanopening，asortofsquareforhaulingthesailsout，whichgivesstraightonthequarter-deckandwhichisneverclosedinfineweather，soastogiveairtothesails。
Whentheship’swayisdeadenedinstaysandallthehandsareaftatthemainbracesyouwillhaveaclearroadtoslipoutandgetoverboardthroughtheopenquarter-deckport。
I’vehadthembothfastenedup。Usearope’sendtoloweryourselfintothewatersoastoavoidasplash——youknow。
Itcouldbeheardandcausesomebeastlycomplication。"
Hekeptsilentforawhile，thenwhispered，"Iunderstand。"
"Iwon’tbetheretoseeyougo，"Ibeganwithaneffort。
"Therest……IonlyhopeIhaveunderstood，too。"
"Youhave。Fromfirsttolast"——andforthefirsttimethereseemedtobeafaltering，somethingstrainedinhiswhisper。
Hecaughtholdofmyarm，buttheringingofthesupperbellmademestart。Hedidn’tthough；heonlyreleasedhisgrip。
AftersupperIdidn’tcomebelowagaintillwellpasteighto’clock。Thefaint，steadybreezewasloadedwithdew；andthewet，darkenedsailsheldalltherewasofpropellingpowerinit。
Thenight，clearandstarry，sparkleddarkly，andtheopaque，lightlesspatchesshiftingslowlyagainstthelowstarswerethedriftingislets。Ontheportbowtherewasabigonemoredistantandshadowilyimposingbythegreatspaceofskyiteclipsed。
OnopeningthedoorIhadabackviewofmyveryownselflookingatachart。
Hehadcomeoutoftherecessandwasstandingnearthetable。
"Quitedarkenough，"Iwhispered。
Hesteppedbackandleanedagainstmybedwithalevel，quietglance。
Isatonthecouch。Wehadnothingtosaytoeachother。
Overourheadstheofficerofthewatchmovedhereandthere。
ThenIheardhimmovequickly。Iknewwhatthatmeant。
Hewasmakingforthecompanion；andpresentlyhisvoicewasoutsidemydoor。
"Wearedrawinginprettyfast，sir。Landlooksratherclose。"
"Verywell，"Ianswered。"Iamcomingondeckdirectly。"
Iwaitedtillhewasgoneoutofthecuddy，thenrose。Mydoublemovedtoo。
Thetimehadcometoexchangeourlastwhispers，forneitherofuswasevertoheareachother’snaturalvoice。
"Lookhere！"Iopenedadrawerandtookoutthreesovereigns。
"Takethisanyhow。I’vegotsixandI’dgiveyouthelot，onlyImustkeepalittlemoneytobuysomefruitandvegetablesforthecrewfromnativeboatsaswegothroughSundaStraits。"
Heshookhishead。
"Takeit，"Iurgedhim，whisperingdesperately。
"Noonecantellwhat——"
Hesmiledandslappedmeaninglytheonlypocketofthesleepingjacket。
Itwasnotsafe，certainly。ButIproducedalargeoldsilkhandkerchiefofmine，andtyingthethreepiecesofgoldinacorner，presseditonhim。
Hewastouched，Isupposed，becausehetookitatlastandtieditquicklyroundhiswaistunderthejacket，onhisbareskin。
Oureyesmet；severalsecondselapsed，till，ourglancesstillmingled，Iextendedmyhandandturnedthelampout。
ThenIpassedthroughthecuddy，leavingthedoorofmyroomwideopen……"Steward！"
Hewasstilllingeringinthepantryinthegreatnessofhiszeal，givingarub-uptoaplatedcruetstandthelastthingbeforegoingtobed。
Beingcarefulnottowakeupthemate，whoseroomwasopposite，Ispokeinanundertone。
Helookedroundanxiously。"Sir！"
"Canyougetmealittlehotwaterfromthegalley？"
"Iamafraid，sir，thegalleyfire’sbeenoutforsometimenow。"
"Goandsee。"
Heflewupthestairs。
"Now，"Iwhispered，loudly，intothesaloon——tooloudly，perhaps，butIwasafraidIcouldn’tmakeasound。
Hewasbymysideinaninstant——thedoublecaptainslippedpastthestairs——throughatinydarkpassage……aslidingdoor。
Wewereinthesaillocker，scramblingonourkneesoverthesails。
Asuddenthoughtstruckme。Isawmyselfwanderingbarefooted，bareheaded，thesunbeatingonmydarkpoll。
Isnatchedoffmyfloppyhatandtriedhurriedlyinthedarktoramitonmyotherself。Hedodgedandfendedoffsilently。
Iwonderwhathethoughthadcometomebeforeheunderstoodandsuddenlydesisted。Ourhandsmetgropingly，lingeredunitedinasteady，motionlessclaspforasecond……Nowordwasbreathedbyeitherofuswhentheyseparated。
Iwasstandingquietlybythepantrydoorwhenthestewardreturned。
"Sorry，sir。Kettlebarelywarm。ShallIlightthespiritlamp？"
"Nevermind。"
Icameoutondeckslowly。Itwasnowamatterofconsciencetoshavethelandascloseaspossible——fornowhemustgooverboardwhenevertheshipwasputinstays。Must！Therecouldbenogoingbackforhim。AfteramomentIwalkedovertoleewardandmyheartflewintomymouthatthenearnessofthelandonthebow。
UnderanyothercircumstancesIwouldnothaveheldonaminutelonger。
Thesecondmatehadfollowedmeanxiously。
IlookedontillIfeltIcouldcommandmyvoice。
"Shewillweather，"Isaidtheninaquiettone。
"Areyougoingtotrythat，sir？"hestammeredoutincredulously。
Itooknonoticeofhimandraisedmytonejustenoughtobeheardbythehelmsman。
"Keephergoodfull。"
"Goodfull，sir。"
Thewindfannedmycheek，thesailsslept，theworldwassilent。
Thestrainofwatchingthedarkloomofthelandgrowbiggeranddenserwastoomuchforme。Ihadshutmyeyes——becausetheshipmustgocloser。
Shemust！Thestillnesswasintolerable。Werewestandingstill？
WhenIopenedmyeyesthesecondviewstartedmyheartwithathump。
TheblacksouthernhillofKoh-ringseemedtohangrightovertheshiplikeatoweringfragmentofeverlastingnight。
Onthatenormousmassofblacknesstherewasnotagleamtobeseen，notasoundtobeheard。Itwasglidingirresistiblytowardsusandyetseemedalreadywithinreachofthehand。
Isawthevaguefiguresofthewatchgroupedinthewaist，gazinginawedsilence。
"Areyougoingon，sir？"inquiredanunsteadyvoiceatmyelbow。
Iignoredit。Ihadtogoon。
"Keepherfull。Don’tcheckherway。Thatwon’tdonow，"
Isaidwarningly。
"Ican’tseethesailsverywell，"thehelmsmanansweredme，instrange，quaveringtones。
Wasshecloseenough？Alreadyshewas，Iwon’tsayintheshadowoftheland，butintheveryblacknessofit，alreadyswallowedupasitwere，gonetooclosetoberecalled，gonefrommealtogether。
"Givethemateacall，"Isaidtotheyoungmanwhostoodatmyelbowasstillasdeath。"Andturnallhandsup。"
Mytonehadaborrowedloudnessreverberatedfromtheheightoftheland。
Severalvoicescriedouttogether："Weareallondeck，sir。"
Thenstillnessagain，withthegreatshadowglidingcloser，toweringhigher，withoutalight，withoutasound。
SuchahushhadfallenontheshipthatshemighthavebeenabarkofthedeadfloatinginslowlyundertheverygateofErebus。
"MyGod！Wherearewe？"
Itwasthematemoaningatmyelbow。Hewasthunderstruck，andasitweredeprivedofthemoralsupportofhiswhiskers。
Heclappedhishandsandabsolutelycriedout，"Lost！"
"Bequiet，"Isaid，sternly。
Heloweredhistone，butIsawtheshadowygestureofhisdespair。
"Whatarewedoinghere？"
"Lookingforthelandwind。"
Hemadeasiftotearhishair，andaddressedmerecklessly。
"Shewillnevergetout。Youhavedoneit，sir。Iknewit’dendinsomethinglikethis。Shewillneverweather，andyouaretooclosenowtostay。
She’lldriftashorebeforeshe’sround。OmyGod！"
Icaughthisarmashewasraisingittobatterhispoordevotedhead，andshookitviolently。
"She’sashorealready，"hewailed，tryingtotearhimselfaway。
"Isshe？……Keepgoodfullthere！"
"Goodfull，sir，"criedthehelmsmaninafrightened，thin，childlikevoice。
Ihadn’tletgothemate’sarmandwentonshakingit。"Readyabout，doyouhear？Yougoforward"——shake——"andstopthere"——shake——"andholdyournoise"——shake——"andseethesehead-sheetsproperlyoverhauled"——
shake，shake——shake。
AndallthetimeIdarednotlooktowardsthelandlestmyheartshouldfailme。Ireleasedmygripatlastandheranforwardasiffleeingfordearlife。
Iwonderedwhatmydoublethereinthesaillockerthoughtofthiscommotion。Hewasabletoheareverything——andperhapshewasabletounderstandwhy，onmyconscience，ithadtobethusclose——noless。
Myfirstorder"Hardalee！"re-echoedominouslyunderthetoweringshadowofKoh-ringasifIhadshoutedinamountaingorge。
AndthenIwatchedthelandintently。Inthatsmoothwaterandlightwinditwasimpossibletofeeltheshipcoming-to。No！
Icouldnotfeelher。Andmysecondselfwasmakingnowreadytoshipoutandlowerhimselfoverboard。Perhapshewasgonealready……？
Thegreatblackmassbroodingoverourverymastheadsbegantopivotawayfromtheship’ssidesilently。AndnowIforgotthesecretstrangerreadytodepart，andrememberedonlythatIwasatotalstrangertotheship。
Ididnotknowher。Wouldshedoit？Howwasshetobehandled？
Iswungthemainyardandwaitedhelplessly。Shewasperhapsstopped，andherveryfatehunginthebalance，withtheblackmassofKoh-ringlikethegateoftheeverlastingnighttoweringoverhertaffrail。Whatwouldshedonow？Hadshewayonheryet？
Isteppedtothesideswiftly，andontheshadowywaterIcouldseenothingexceptafaintphosphorescentflashrevealingtheglassysmoothnessofthesleepingsurface。Itwasimpossibletotell——
andIhadnotlearnedyetthefeelofmyship。Wasshemoving？
WhatIneededwassomethingeasilyseen，apieceofpaper，whichIcouldthrowoverboardandwatch。Ihadnothingonme。
TorundownforitIdidn’tdare。Therewasnotime。
Allatoncemystrained，yearningstaredistinguishedawhiteobjectfloatingwithinayardoftheship’sside。
Whiteontheblackwater。Aphosphorescentflashpassedunderit。
Whatwasthatthing？……Irecognizedmyownfloppyhat。
Itmusthavefallenoffhishead……andhedidn’tbother。
NowIhadwhatIwanted——thesavingmarkformyeyes。
ButIhardlythoughtofmyotherself，nowgonefromtheship，tobehiddenforeverfromallfriendlyfaces，tobeafugitiveandavagabondontheearth，withnobrandofthecurseonhissaneforeheadtostayaslayinghand……tooproudtoexplain。
AndIwatchedthehat——theexpressionofmysuddenpityforhismereflesh。
Ithadbeenmeanttosavehishomelessheadfromthedangersofthesun。
Andnow——behold——itwassavingtheship，byservingmeforamarktohelpouttheignoranceofmystrangeness。Ha！Itwasdriftingforward，warningmejustintimethattheshiphadgatheredsternaway。
"Shiftthehelm，"Isaidinalowvoicetotheseamanstandingstilllikeastatue。
Theman’seyesglistenedwildlyinthebinnaclelightashejumpedroundtotheothersideandspunroundthewheel。
Iwalkedtothebreakofthepoop。Ontheover-shadoweddeckallhandsstoodbytheforebraceswaitingformyorder。
Thestarsaheadseemedtobeglidingfromrighttoleft。
AndallwassostillintheworldthatIheardthequietremark，"She’sround，"passedinatoneofintensereliefbetweentwoseamen。
"Letgoandhaul。"
Theforeyardsranroundwithagreatnoise，amidstcheerycries。
Andnowthefrightfulwhiskersmadethemselvesheardgivingvariousorders。
Alreadytheshipwasdrawingahead。AndIwasalonewithher。
Nothing！nooneintheworldshouldstandnowbetweenus，throwingashadowonthewayofsilentknowledgeandmuteaffection，theperfectcommunionofaseamanwithhisfirstcommand。
Walkingtothetaffrail，Iwasintimetomakeout，ontheveryedgeofadarknessthrownbyatoweringblackmassliketheverygatewayofErebus——yes，Iwasintimetocatchanevanescentglimpseofmywhitehatleftbehindtomarkthespotwherethesecretsharerofmycabinandofmythoughts，asthoughheweremysecondself，hadloweredhimselfintothewatertotakehispunishment：
afreeman，aproudswimmerstrikingoutforanewdestiny。
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