TheProsecutingAttorneyinterposed，demandingtoknowwhichofthetwocaseslumpedtogetherwas，andbywhatrightPatsy’slawyer，atthatstageoftheproceedings，shouldtakethewitness。Patsy’sattorneyfoughtback。JudgeWitberginterfered，professingnoknowledgeofanytwocasesbeinglumpedtogether。Allthishadtobeexplained。Battleroyalraged，terminatinginbothattorneysapologizingtotheCourtandtoeachother。Andsoitwent，andtoWatsonithadtheseemingofagroupofpickpocketsrufflingandbustlinganhonestmanastheytookhispurse。Themachinewasworking，thatwasall。
"Whydidyouenterthisplaceofunsavoryreputations？"wasaskedhim。
"Ithasbeenmycustomformanyyears，asastudentofeconomicsandsociology，toacquaintmyself——"
ButthiswasasfarasWatsongot。
"Wewantnoneofyourologieshere，"snarledJudgeWitberg。"Itisaplainquestion。Answeritplainly。Isittrueornottruethatyouweredrunk？Thatisthegistofthequestion。"
WhenWatsonattemptedtotellhowPatsyhadinjuredhisfaceinhisattemptstobatwithhishead，Watsonwasopenlyscoutedandflouted，andJudgeWitbergagaintookhiminhand。
"Areyouawareofthesolemnityoftheoathyoutooktotestifytonothingbutthetruthonthiswitnessstand？"theJudgedemanded。"Thisisafairystoryyouaretelling。Itisnotreasonablethatamanwouldsoinjurehimself，andcontinuetoinjurehimself，bystrikingthesoftandsensitivepartsofhisfaceagainstyourhead。Youareasensibleman。Itisunreasonable，isitnot？"
"Menareunreasonablewhentheyareangry，"Watsonansweredmeekly。
ThenitwasthatJudgeWitbergwasdeeplyoutragedandrighteouslywrathful。
"Whatrighthaveyoutosaythat？"hecried。"Itisgratuitous。
Ithasnobearingonthecase。Youarehereasawitness，sir，ofeventsthathavetranspired。TheCourtdoesnotwishtohearanyexpressionsofopinionfromyouatall。"
"Ibutansweredyourquestion，yourHonor，"Watsonprotestedhumbly。
"Youdidnothingofthesort，"wasthenextblast。"Andletmewarnyou，sir，letmewarnyou，thatyouarelayingyourselfliabletocontemptbysuchinsolence。AndIwillhaveyouknowthatweknowhowtoobservethelawandtherulesofcourtesydownhereinthislittlecourtroom。Iamashamedofyou。"
And，whilethenextpunctiliouslegalwranglebetweentheattorneysinterruptedhistaleofwhathappenedintheVendome，CarterWatson，withoutbitterness，amusedandatthesametimesad，sawrisebeforehimthemachine，largeandsmall，thatdominatedhiscountry，theunpunishedandshamelessgraftsofathousandcitiesperpetratedbythespideryandvermin—likecreaturesofthemachines。Hereitwasbeforehim，acourtroomandajudge，boweddowninsubserviencebythemachinetoadive—keeperwhoswungastringofvotes。Pettyandsordidasitwas，itwasonefaceofthemany—facedmachinethatloomedcolossally，ineverycityandstate，inathousandguisesovershadowingtheland。
Afamiliarphraseranginhisears："Itistolaugh。"Attheheightofthewrangle，hegiggled，once，aloud，andearnedasullenfrownfromJudgeWitberg。Worse，amyriadtimes，hedecided，werethesebullyinglawyersandthisbullyingjudgethenthebuckomatesinfirstqualityhell—ships，whonotonlydidtheirownbullyingbutprotectedthemselvesaswell。Thesepettyrapscallions，ontheotherhand，soughtprotectionbehindthemajestyofthelaw。Theystruck，butnoonewaspermittedtostrikeback，forbehindthemweretheprisoncellsandtheclubsofthestupidpolicemen——paidandprofessionalfightersandbeaters—upofmen。Yethewasnotbitter。Thegrossnessandthesliminessofitwasforgotteninthesimplegrotesquenessofit，andhehadthesavingsenseofhumor。
Nevertheless，hectoredandheckledthoughhewas，hemanagedintheendtogiveasimple，straightforwardversionoftheaffair，and，despiteabelligerentcross—examination，hisstorywasnotshakeninanyparticular。QuitedifferentitwasfromtheperjuriesthathadshoutedaloudfromtheperjuriesofPatsyandhistwowitnesses。
BothPatsy’sattorneyandtheProsecutingAttorneyrestedtheircases，lettingeverythinggobeforetheCourtwithoutargument。
Watsonprotestedagainstthis，butwassilencedwhentheProsecutingAttorneytoldhimthatPublicProsecutorandknewhisbusiness。
"PatrickHoranhastestifiedthathewasindangerofhislifeandthathewascompelledtodefendhimself，"JudgeWitberg’sverdictbegan。"Mr。Watsonhastestifiedtothesamething。
Eachhasswornthattheotherstruckthefirstblow;eachhasswornthattheothermadeanunprovokedassaultonhim。Itisanaxiomofthelawthatthedefendantshouldbegiventhebenefitofthedoubt。Averyreasonabledoubtexists。
Therefore，inthecaseofthePeopleVersusCarterWatsonthebenefitofthedoubtisgiventosaidCarterWatsonandheisherewithordereddischargedfromcustody。ThesamereasoningappliestothecaseofthePeopleVersusPatrickHoran。Heisgiventhebenefitofthedoubtanddischargedfromcustody。Myrecommendationisthatbothdefendantsshakehandsandmakeup。"
IntheafternoonpapersthefirstheadlinethatcaughtWatson’seyewas："CARTERWATSONACQUITTED。"Inthesecondpaperitwas：
"CARTERWATSONESCAPESAFINE。"Butwhatcappedeverythingwastheonebeginning："CARTERWATSONAGOODFELLOW。"InthetexthereadhowJudgeWitberghadadvisedbothfighterstoshakehands，whichtheypromptlydid。Further，heread：
"’Let’shaveaniponit，’saidPatsyHoran。
"’Sure，’saidCarterWatson。
"And，arminarm，theyambledforthenearestsaloon。"
IV
Now，fromthewholeadventure，Watsoncarriedawaynobitterness。Itwasasocialexperienceofaneworder，anditledtothewritingofanotherbook，whichheentitled，"POLICE
COURTPROCEDURE：ATentativeAnalysis。"
Onesummermorningayearlater，onhisranch，helefthishorseandhimselfclamberedonthroughaminiaturecanyontoinspectsomerockfernshehadplantedthepreviouswinter。
Emergingfromtheupperendofthecanyon，hecameoutononeofhisflower—spangledmeadows，adelightfulisolatedspot，screenedfromtheworldbylowhillsandclumpsoftrees。Andherehefoundaman，evidentlyonastrollfromthesummerhoteldownatthelittletownamileaway。Theymetfacetofaceandtherecognitionwasmutual。ItwasJudgeWitberg。
Also，itwasaclearcaseoftrespass，forWatsonhadtrespasssignsuponhisboundaries，thoughheneverenforcedthem。
JudgeWitbergheldouthishand，whichWatsonrefusedtosee。
"Politicsisadirtytrade，isn’tit，Judge？"heremarked。"Oh，yes，Iseeyourhand，butIdon’tcaretotakeit。ThepaperssaidIshookhandswithPatsyHoranafterthetrial。YouknowI
didnot，butletmetellyouthatI’dathousandtimesrathershakehandswithhimandhisvilefollowingofcurs，thanwithyou。"
JudgeWitbergwaspainfullyflustered，andashehemmedandhawedandessayedtospeak，Watson，lookingathim，wasstruckbyasuddenwhim，andhedeterminedonagrimandfacetiousantic。
"Ishouldscarcelyexpectanyanimusfromamanofyouracquirementsandknowledgeoftheworld，"theJudgewassaying。
"Animus？"Watsonreplied。"Certainlynot。Ihaven’tsuchathinginmynature。Andtoproveit，letmeshowyousomethingcurious，somethingyouhaveneverseenbefore。"Castingabouthim，Watsonpickeduparoughstonethesizeofhisfist。"Seethis。Watchme。"
Sosaying，CarterWatsontappedhimselfasharpblowonthecheek。Thestonelaidthefleshopentotheboneandthebloodspurtedforth。
"Thestonewastoosharp，"heannouncedtotheastoundedpolicejudge，whothoughthehadgonemad。
"Imustbruiseitatrifle。Thereisnothinglikebeingrealisticinsuchmatters。"
WhereuponCarterWatsonfoundasmoothstoneandwithitpoundedhischeeknicelyseveraltimes。
"Ah，"hecooed。"Thatwillturnbeautifullygreenandblackinafewhours。Itwillbemostconvincing。"
"Youareinsane，"JudgeWitbergquavered。
"Don’tusesuchvilelanguagetome，"saidWatson。"Youseemybruisedandbleedingface？Youdidthat，withthatrighthandofyours。Youhitmetwice——biff，biff。Itisabrutalandunprovokedassault。Iamindangerofmylife。Imustprotectmyself。"
JudgeWitbergbackedawayinalarmbeforethemenacingfistsoftheother。
"IfyoustrikemeI’llhaveyouarrested，"JudgeWitbergthreatened。
"ThatiswhatItoldPatsy，"wastheanswer。"AnddoyouknowwhathedidwhenItoldhimthat？"
"No。"
"That！"
AndatthesamemomentWatson’srightfistlandedflushonJudgeWitberg’snose，puttingthatlegalgentlemanoveronhisbackonthegrass。
"Getup！"commandedWatson。"Ifyouareagentleman，getup——that’swhatPatsytoldme，youknow。"
JudgeWitbergdeclinedtorise，andwasdraggedtohisfeetbythecoat—collar，onlytohaveoneeyeblackedandbeputonhisbackagain。AfterthatitwasaredIndianmassacre。JudgeWitbergwashumanelyandscientificallybeatenup。Hischeckswereboxed，hiscarscuffed，andhisfacewasrubbedintheturf。AndallthetimeWatsonexpositedthewayPatsyHoranhaddoneit。Occasionally，andverycarefully，thefacetioussociologistadministeredarealbruisingblow。Once，draggingthepoorJudgetohisfeet，hedeliberatelybumpedhisownnoseonthegentleman’shead。Thenosepromptlybled。
"Seethat！"criedWatson，steppingbackanddeftlysheddinghisbloodalldownhisownshirtfront。"Youdidit。Withyourfistyoudidit。Itisawful。Iamfairmurdered。Imustagaindefendmyself。"
AndoncemoreJudgeWitbergimpactedhisfeaturesonafistandwassenttograss。
"Iwillhaveyouarrested，"hesobbedashelay。
"That’swhatPatsysaid。"
"Abrutal———sniff，sniff，——andunprovoked——sniff，sniff——
assault。"
"That’swhatPatsysaid。"
"Iwillsurelyhaveyouarrested。"
"Speakingslangily，notifIcanbeatyoutoit。"
Andwiththat，CarterWatsondeparteddownthecanyon，mountedhishorse，androdetotown。
Anhourlater，asJudgeWitberglimpedupthegroundstohishotel，hewasarrestedbyavillageconstableonachargeofassaultandbatterypreferredbyCarterWatson。
V
"YourHonor，"WatsonsaidnextdaytothevillageJustice，awelltodofarmerandgraduate，thirtyyearsbefore，fromacowcollege，"sincethisSolWitberghasseenfittochargemewithbattery，followinguponmychargeofbatteryagainsthim，I
wouldsuggestthatbothcasesbelumpedtogether。Thetestimonyandthefactsarethesameinbothcases。"
TothistheJusticeagreed，andthedoublecaseproceeded。
Watson，asprosecutingwitness，firsttookthestandandtoldhisstory。
"Iwaspickingflowers，"hetestified。"Pickingflowersonmyownland，neverdreamingofdanger。Suddenlythismanrusheduponmefrombehindthetrees。’IamtheDodo，’hesays，’andI
candoyoutoafrazzle。Putupyourhands。’Ismiled，butwiththat，biff，biff，hestruckme，knockingmedownandspillingmyflowers。Thelanguageheusedwasfrightful。Itwasanunprovokedandbrutalassault。Lookatmycheek。Lookatmynose——Icouldnotunderstandit。Hemusthavebeendrunk。
BeforeIrecoveredfrommysurprisehehadadministeredthisbeating。Iwasindangerofmylifeandwascompelledtodefendhimself。Thatisall，YourHonor，thoughImustsay，inconclusion，thatIcannotgetovermyperplexity。WhydidhesayhewastheDodo？Whydidhesowantonlyattackme？"
AndthuswasSolWitberggivenaliberaleducationintheartofperjury。Often，fromhishighseat，hehadlistenedindulgentlytopolicecourtperjuriesincooked—upcases;butforthefirsttimeperjurywasdirectedagainsthim，andhenolongersatabovethecourt，withthebailiffs，thePolicemen’sclubs，andtheprisoncellsbehindhim。
"YourHonor，"hecried，"neverhaveIheardsuchapackofliestoldbysobare—facedaliar——！’
Watsonheresprangtohisfeet。
"YourHonor，Iprotest。ItisforyourHonortodecidetruthorfalsehood。Thewitnessisonthestandtotestifytoactualeventsthathavetranspired。Hispersonalopinionuponthingsingeneral，anduponme，hasnobearingonthecasewhatever。"
TheJusticescratchedhisheadandwaxedphlegmaticallyindignant。
"Thepointiswelltaken，"hedecided。"Iamsurprisedatyou，Mr。Witberg，claimingtobeajudgeandskilledinthepracticeofthelaw，andyetbeingguiltyofsuchunlawyerlikeconduct。
Yourmanner，sir，andyourmethods，remindmeofashyster。
Thisisasimplecaseofassaultandbattery。Weareheretodeterminewhostruckthefirstblow，andwearenotinterestedinyourestimatesofMr。Watson’spersonalcharacter。Proceedwithyourstory。"
SolWitbergwouldhavebittenhisbruisedandswollenlipinchagrin，haditnothurtsomuch。Buthecontainedhimselfandtoldasimple，straightforward，truthfulstory。
"YourHonor，"Watsonsaid，"Iwouldsuggestthatyouaskhimwhathewasdoingonmypremises。"
"Averygoodquestion。Whatwereyoudoing，sir，onMr。
Watson’spremises？"
"Ididnotknowtheywerehispremises。"
"Itwasatrespass，yourHonor，"Watsoncried。"Thewarningsarepostedconspicuously。"
"Isawnowarnings，"saidSolWitberg。
"Ihaveseenthemmyself，"snappedtheJustice。"Theyareveryconspicuous。AndIwouldwarnyou，sir，thatifyoupalterwiththetruthinsuchlittlemattersyoumaydarkenyourmoreimportantstatementswithsuspicion。WhydidyoustrikeMr。
Watson？"
"YourHonor，asIhavetestified，Ididnotstrikeablow。"
TheJusticelookedatCarterWatson’sbruisedandswollenvisage，andturnedtoglareatSolWitberg。
"Lookatthatman’scheek！"hethundered。"Ifyoudidnotstrikeablowhowcomesitthatheissodisfiguredandinjured？"
"AsItestified——"
"Becareful，"theJusticewarned。
"Iwillbecareful，sir。Iwillsaynothingbutthetruth。Hestruckhimselfwitharock。Hestruckhimselfwithtwodifferentrocks。"
"Doesitstandtoreasonthataman，anymannotalunatic，wouldsoinjurehimself，andcontinuetoinjurehimself，bystrikingthesoftandsensitivepartsofhisfacewithastone？"CarterWatsondemanded"Itsoundslikeafairystory，"wastheJustice’scomment。
"Mr。Witberg，hadyoubeendrinking？"
"No，sir。"
"Doyouneverdrink？"
"Onoccasion。"
TheJusticemeditatedonthisanswerwithanairofastuteprofundity。
WatsontookadvantageoftheopportunitytowinkatSolWitberg，butthatmuch—abusedgentlemansawnothinghumorousinthesituation。
"Averypeculiarcase，averypeculiarcase，"theJusticeannounced，ashebeganhisverdict。"Theevidenceofthetwopartiesisflatlycontradictory。Therearenowitnessesoutsidethetwoprincipals。Eachclaimstheothercommittedtheassault，andIhavenolegalwayofdeterminingthetruth。ButIhavemyprivateopinion，Mr。Witberg，andIwouldrecommendthathenceforthyoukeepoffofMr。Watson’spremisesandkeepawayfromthissectionofthecountry——"
"Thisisanoutrage！"SolWitbergblurtedout。
"Sitdown，sir！"wastheJustice’sthunderedcommand。"IfyouinterrupttheCourtinthismanneragain，Ishallfineyouforcontempt。AndIwarnyouIshallfineyouheavily——you，ajudgeyourself，whoshouldbeconversantwiththecourtesyanddignityofcourts。Ishallnowgivemyverdict：
"Itisaruleoflawthatthedefendantshallbegiventhebenefitofthedoubt。AsIhavesaid，andIrepeat，thereisnolegalwayformetodeterminewhostruckthefirstblow。
Therefore，andmuchtomyregret，"——herehepausedandglaredatSolWitberg——"ineachofthesecasesIamcompelledtogivethedefendantthebenefitofthedoubt。Gentlemen，youarebothdismissed。"
"Letushaveaniponit，"WatsonsaidtoWitberg，astheyleftthecourtroom;butthatoutragedpersonrefusedtolockarmsandambletothenearestsaloon。
WINGEDBLACKMAIL
PETERWINNlaybackcomfortablyinalibrarychair，withclosedeyes，deepinthecogitationofaschemeofcampaigndestinedinthenearfuturetomakeacertaincoterieofhostilefinancierssitup。Thecentralideahadcometohimthenightbefore，andhewasnowrevelingintheplanningoftheremoter，minordetails。Byobtainingcontrolofacertainup—countrybank，twogeneralstores，andseveralloggingcamps，hecouldcomeintocontrolofacertaindinkyjerkwaterlinewhichshallherebenameless，butwhich，inhishands，wouldprovethekeytoavastlylargersituationinvolvingmoremain—linemileagealmostthantherewerespikesintheaforesaiddinkyjerkwater。
Itwassosimplethathehadalmostlaughedaloudwhenitcametohim。Nowonderthoseastuteandancientenemiesofhishadpasseditby。
Thelibrarydooropened，andaslender，middle—agedman，weak—eyedandeyeglassed，entered。Inhishandswasanenvelopeandanopenletter。AsPeterWinn’ssecretaryitwashistasktoweedout，sort，andclassifyhisemployer’smail。
"Thiscameinthemorningpost，"heventuredapologeticallyandwiththehintofatitter。"Ofcourseitdoesn’tamounttoanything，butIthoughtyouwouldliketoseeit。"
"Readit，"PeterWinncommanded，withoutopeninghiseyes。
Thesecretaryclearedhisthroat。
"ItisdatedJulyseventeenth，butiswithoutaddress。PostmarkSanFrancisco。Itisalsoquiteilliterate。Thespellingisatrocious。Hereitis：
Mr。PeterWinn，SIR：Isendyourespectfullybyexpressapigeonworthgoodmoney。She’saloo—loo——"
"Whatisaloo—loo？"PeterWinninterrupted。
Thesecretarytittered。
"I’msureIdon’tknow，exceptthatitmustbeasuperlativeofsomesort。Thelettercontinues：
Pleasefreightitwithacoupleofthousand—dollarbillsandletitgo。IfyoudoIwontneverannoyyounomore。Ifyoudontyouwillbesorry。
"Thatisall。Itisunsigned。Ithoughtitwouldamuseyou。"
"Hasthepigeoncome？"PeterWinndemanded。
"I’msureIneverthoughttoenquire。"
"Thendoso。"
Infiveminutesthesecretarywasback。
"Yes，sir。Itcamethismorning。"
"Thenbringitin。"
Thesecretarywasinclinedtotaketheaffairasapracticaljoke，butPeterWinn，afteranexaminationofthepigeon，thoughtotherwise。
"Lookatit，"hesaid，strokingandhandlingit。"Seethelengthofthebodyandthatelongatedneck。Apropercarrier。I
doubtifI’veeverseenafinerspecimen。Powerfullywingedandmuscled。Asourunknowncorrespondentremarked，sheisaloo—loo。It’satemptationtokeepher。"
Thesecretarytittered。
"Whynot？Surelyyouwillnotletitgobacktothewriterofthatletter。"
PeterWinnshookhishead。
"I’llanswer。Nomancanthreatenme，evenanonymouslyorinfoolery。"
Onaslipofpaperhewrotethesuccinctmessage，"Gotohell，"
signedit，andplaceditinthecarryingapparatuswithwhichthebirdhadbeenthoughtfullysupplied。
"Nowwe’llletherloose。Where’smyson？I’dlikehimtoseetheflight。"
"He’sdownintheworkshop。Heslepttherelastnight，andhadhisbreakfastsentdownthismorning。"
"He’llbreakhisneckyet，"PeterWinnremarked，half—fiercely，half—proudly，asheledthewaytotheveranda。
Standingattheheadofthebroadsteps，hetossedtheprettycreatureoutwardandupward。Shecaughtherselfwithaquickbeatofwings，flutteredaboutundecidedlyforaspace，thenroseintheair。
Again，highup，thereseemedindecision;then，apparentlygettingherbearings，sheheadedeast，overtheoak—treesthatdottedthepark—likegrounds。
"Beautiful，beautiful，"PeterWinnmurmured。"IalmostwishI
hadherback。"
ButPeterWinnwasaverybusyman，withsuchlargeplansinhisheadandwithsomanyreinsinhishandsthathequicklyforgottheincident。Threenightslatertheleftwingofhiscountryhousewasblownup。Itwasnotaheavyexplosion，andnobodywashurt，thoughthewingitselfwasruined。Mostofthewindowsoftherestofthehousewerebroken，andtherewasadealofgeneraldamage。BythefirstferryboatofthemorninghalfadozenSanFranciscodetectivesarrived，andseveralhourslaterthesecretary，inhighexcitement，eruptedonPeterWinn。
"It’scome！"thesecretarygasped，thesweatbeadinghisforeheadandhiseyesbulgingbehindtheirglasses。
"Whathascome？"Peterdemanded。"It——the——theloo—loobird。"
Thenthefinancierunderstood。
"Haveyougoneoverthemailyet？"
"Iwasjustgoingoverit，sir。"
"Thencontinue，andseeifyoucanfindanotherletterfromourmysteriousfriend，thepigeonfancier。"
Thelettercametolight。Itread：
Mr。PeterWinn，HONORABLESIR：Nowdontbeafool。Ifyoudcamethrough，yourshackwouldnothaveblewup——Ibegtoinformyourespectfully，amsendingsamepigeon。Takegoodcareofsame，thankyou。Putfiveonethousanddollarbillsonherandlethergo。Dontfeedher。Donttrytofollowbird。Sheiswisetothewaynowandmakesbettertime。Ifyoudontcomethrough，watchout。
PeterWinnwasgenuinelyangry。Thistimeheinditednomessageforthepigeontocarry。Instead，hecalledinthedetectives，and，undertheiradvice，weightedthepigeonheavilywithshot。
Herpreviousflighthavingbeeneastwardtowardthebay，thefastestmotor—boatinTiburonwascommissionedtotakeupthechaseifitledoutoverthewater。
Buttoomuchshothadbeenputonthecarrier，andshewasexhaustedbeforetheshorewasreached。Thenthemistakewasmadeofputtingtoolittleshotonher，andsherosehighintheair，gotherbearingsandstartedeastwardacrossSanFranciscoBay。SheflewstraightoverAngelIsland，andherethemotor—boatlosther，forithadtogoaroundtheisland。
Thatnight，armedguardspatrolledthegrounds。Buttherewasnoexplosion。Yet，intheearlymorningPeterWinnlearnedbytelephonethathissister’shomeinAlamedahadbeenburnedtotheground。
Twodayslaterthepigeonwasbackagain，comingthistimebyfreightinwhathadseemedabarrelofpotatoes。Alsocameanotherletter：
Mr。PeterWinn，RESPECTABLESIR：Itwasmethatfixedyrsistershouse。Youhaveraisedhell，aintyou。Sendtenthousandnow。Goingupallthetime。Dontputanymorehandicapweightsonthatbird。Yousurecantfollowher，anditscrueltytoanimals。
PeterWinnwasreadytoacknowledgehimselfbeaten。Thedetectiveswerepowerless，andPeterdidnotknowwherenextthemanwouldstrike——perhapsatthelivesofthosenearanddeartohim。HeeventelephonedtoSanFranciscofortenthousanddollarsinbillsoflargedenomination。ButPeterhadason，PeterWinn，Junior，withthesamefirm—setjawashisfathers，，andthesameknitted，broodingdeterminationinhiseyes。Hewasonlytwenty—six，buthewasallman，asecretterroranddelighttothefinancier，whoalternatedbetweenprideinhisson’saeroplanefeatsandfearforanuntimelyandterribleend。
"Holdon，father，don’tsendthatmoney，"saidPeterWinn，Junior。"NumberEightisready，andIknowI’veatlastgotthatreefingdownfine。Itwillwork，anditwillrevolutionizeflying。Speed——that’swhat’sneeded，andsoarethelargesustainingsurfacesforgettingstartedandforaltitude。I’vegotthemboth。OnceI’mupIreefdown。Thereitis。Thesmallerthesustainingsurface，thehigherthespeed。ThatwasthelawdiscoveredbyLangley。AndI’veappliedit。Icanrisewhentheairiscalmandfullofholes，andIcanrisewhenitsboiling，andbymycontrolofmyplaneareasIcancomeprettyclosetomakinganyspeedIwant。EspeciallywiththatnewSangster—Endholmengine。"
"You’llcomeprettyclosetobreakingyourneckoneofthesedays，"washisfather’sencouragingremark。
"Dad，I’lltellyouwhatI’llcomeprettycloseto—ninetymilesanhour——Yes，andahundred。Nowlisten！Iwasgoingtomakeatrialtomorrow。Butitwon’ttaketwohourstostarttoday。
I’lltackleitthisafternoon。Keepthatmoney。GivemethepigeonandI’llfollowhertoherloftwhereeveritis。Holdon，letmetalktothemechanics。"
Hecalleduptheworkshop，andincrisp，tersesentencesgavehisordersinawaythatwenttotheolderman’sheart。Truly，hisonesonwasachipofftheoldblock，andPeterWinnhadnomeeknotionsconcerningtheintrinsicvalueofsaidoldblock。
Timedtotheminute，theyoungman，twohourslater，wasreadyforthestart。Inaholsterathiship，forinstantuse，cockedandwiththesafetyon，wasalarge—caliberautomaticpistol。
Withafinalinspectionandoverhaulinghetookhisseatintheaeroplane。Hestartedtheengine，andwithawildburrofgasexplosionsthebeautifulfabricdarteddownthelaunchingwaysandliftedintotheair。Circling，asherose，tothewest，hewheeledaboutandjockeyedandmaneuveredfortherealstartoftherace。
Thisstartdependedonthepigeon。PeterWinnheldit。Norwasitweightedwithshotthistime。Instead，halfayardofbrightribbonwasfirmlyattachedtoitsleg——thisthemoreeasilytoenableitsflightbeingfollowed。PeterWinnreleasedit，anditaroseeasilyenoughdespitetheslightdragoftheribbon。
Therewasnouncertaintyaboutitsmovements。Thiswasthethirdtimeithadmadeparticularhomingpassage，anditknewthecourse。
Atanaltitudeofseveralhundredfeetitstraightenedoutandwentduecast。Theaeroplaneswervedintoastraightcoursefromitslastcurveandfollowed。Theracewason。PeterWinn，lookingup，sawthatthepigeonwasoutdistancingthemachine。
Thenhesawsomethingelse。Theaeroplanesuddenlyandinstantlybecamesmaller。Ithadreefed。Itshigh—speedplane—designwasnowrevealed。Insteadofthegenerousspreadofsurfacewithwhichithadtakentheair，itwasnowaleanandhawklikemonoplanebalancedonlongandexceedinglynarrowwings……
WhenyoungWinnreefeddownsosuddenly，hereceivedasurprise。Itwashisfirsttrialofthenewdevice，andwhilehewaspreparedforincreasedspeedhewasnotpreparedforsuchanastonishingincrease。Itwasbetterthanhedreamed，and，beforeheknewit，hewasharduponthepigeon。Thatlittlecreature，frightenedbythis，themostmonstroushawkithadeverseen，immediatelydartedupward，afterthemannerofpigeonsthatstrivealwaystoriseaboveahawk。
Ingreatcurvesthemonoplanefollowedupward，higherandhigherintotheblue。Itwasdifficult，fromunderneathtoseethepigeon。andyoungWinndarednotloseitfromhissight。Heevenshookouthisreefsinordertorisemorequickly。Up，uptheywent，untilthepigeon，truetoitsinstinct，droppedandstruckatwhatittobethebackofitspursuingenemy。Oncewasenough，for，evidentlyfindingnolifeinthesmoothclothsurfaceofthemachine，itceasedsoaringandstraightenedoutonitseastwardcourse。
Acarrierpigeononapassagecanachieveahighrateofspeed，andWinnreefedagain。Andagain，tohissatisfaction，befoundthathewasbeatingthepigeon。Butthistimehequicklyshookoutaportionofhisreefedsustainingsurfaceandsloweddownintime。Fromthenonheknewhehadthechasesafelyinhand，andfromthenonachantrosetohislipswhichhecontinuedtosingatintervals，andunconsciously，fortherestofthepassage。Itwas："Goingsome;goingsome;whatdidItellyou！——goingsome。"
Evenso，itwasnotallplainsailing。Theairisanunstablemediumatbest，andquitewithoutwarning，atanacuteangle，heenteredanaerialtidewhichherecognizedasthegulfstreamofwindthatpouredthroughthedrafty—mouthedGoldenGate。Hisrightwingcaughtitfirst——asudden，sharppuffthatliftedandtiltedthemonoplaneandthreatenedtocapsizeit。
Butherodewithasensitive"loosecurb，"andquickly，butnottooquickly，heshiftedtheanglesofhiswing—tips，depressedthefronthorizontalrudder，andswungovertherearverticalruddertomeetthetiltingthrustofthewind。Asthemachinecamebacktoanevenkeel，andheknewthathewasnowwhollyintheinvisiblestream，hereadjustedthewing—tips，rapidlyawayfromhimduringtheseveralmomentsofhisdiscomfiture。
ThepigeondrovestraightonfortheAlamedaCountyshore，anditwasnearthisshorethatWinnhadanotherexperience。Hefellintoanair—hole。Hehadfallenintoair—holesbefore，inpreviousflights，butthiswasafarlargeronethanhehadeverencountered。Withhiseyesstrainedontheribbonattachedtothepigeon，bythatflutteringbitofcolorhemarkedhisfall。Downhewent，atthepitofhisstomachthatoldsinksensationwhichhehadknownasaboyhefirstnegotiatedquick—startingelevators。ButWinn，amongothersecretsofaviation，hadlearnedthattogoupitwassometimesnecessaryfirsttogodown。Theairhadrefusedtoholdhim。Insteadofstrugglingfutilelyandperilouslyagainstthislackofsustension，heyieldedtoit。Withsteadyheadandhand，hedepressedtheforwardhorizontalrudder——justrecklesslyenoughandnotafractionmore——andthemonoplanedivedheadforemostandsharplydownthevoid。Itwasfallingwiththekeennessofaknife—blade。Everyinstantthespeedacceleratedfrightfully。
Thusheaccumulatedthemomentumthatwouldsavehim。Butfewinstantswererequired，when，abruptlyshiftingthedoublehorizontalruddersforwardandastern，heshotupwardonthetenseandstrainingplaneandoutofthepit。
Atanaltitudeoffivehundredfeet，thepigeondroveonoverthetownofBerkeleyandlifteditsflighttotheContraCostahills。YoungWinnnotedthecampusandbuildingsoftheUniversityofCalifornia——hisuniversity——asheroseafterthepigeon。
Oncemore，ontheseContraCostahills，heearlycametogrief。
Thepigeonwasnowflyinglow，andwhereagroveofeucalyptuspresentedasolidfronttothewind，thebirdwassuddenlysentflutteringwildlyupwardforadistanceofahundredfeet。Winnknewwhatitmeant。Ithadbeencaughtinanair—surfthatbeatupwardhundredsoffeetwherethefreshwestwindsmotetheupstandingwallofthegrove。Hereefedhastilytotheuttermost，andatthesametimedepressedtheangleofhisflighttomeetthatupwardsurge。Nevertheless，themonoplanewastossedfullythreehundredfeetbeforethedangerwasleftastern。
Twoormorerangesofhillsthepigeoncrossed，andthenWinnsawitdroppingdowntoalandingwhereasmallcabinstoodinahillsideclearing。Heblessedthatclearing。Notonlywasitgoodforalighting，but，onaccountofthesteepnessoftheslope，itwasjustthethingforrisingagainintotheair。
Aman，readinganewspaper，hadjuststartedupatthesightofthereturningpigeon，whenbeheardtheburrofWinn’sengineandsawthehugemonoplane，withallsurfacesset，dropdownuponhim，stopsuddenlyonanair—cushionmanufacturedonthespurofthemomentbyashiftofthehorizontalrudders，glideafewyards，strikeground，andcometorestnotascoreoffeetawayfromhim。Butwhenhesawayoungman，calmlysittinginthemachineandlevelingapistolathim，themanturnedtorun。Beforehecouldmakethecomerofthecabin，abulletthroughthelegbroughthimdowninasprawlingfall。
"Whatdoyouwant！"hedemandedsullenly，astheotherstoodoverhim。
"Iwanttotakeyouforarideinmynewmachine，"Winnanswered。"Believeme，sheisaloo—loo。"
Themandidnotarguelong，forthisstrangevisitorhadmostconvincingways。UnderWinn’sinstructions，coveredallthetimebythepistol，themanimprovisedatourniquetandappliedittohiswoundedleg。Winnhelpedhimtoaseatinthemachine，thenwenttothepigeon—loftandtookpossessionofthebirdwiththeribbonstillfasttoitsleg。
Averytractableprisoner，themanproved。Onceupintheair，hesatclose，inanecstasyoffear。Anadeptatwingedblackmail，hehadnoaptitudeforwingshimself，andwhenhegazeddownattheflyinglandandwaterfarbeneathhim，hedidnotfeelmovedtoattackhiscaptor，nowdefenseless，bothhandsoccupiedwithflight。
Instead，theonlywaythemanfeltmovedwastositcloser……
PeterWinn，Senior，scanningtheheavenswithpowerfulglasses，sawthemonoplaneleapintoviewandgrowlargeovertheruggedbackboneofAngelIsland。Severalminuteslaterhecriedouttothewaitingdetectivesthatthemachinecarriedapassenger。
Droppingswiftlyandpilingupanabruptair—cushion，themonoplanelanded。
"Thatreefingdeviceisawinner！"youngWinncried，asheclimbedout。"Didyouseemeatthestart？Ialmostranoverthepigeon。Goingsome，dad！Goingsome！WhatdidItellyou？
Goingsome！"
"Butwhoisthatwithyou？"hisfatherdemanded。
Theyoungmanlookedbackathisprisonerandremembered。
"Why，that’sthepigeon—fancier，"hesaid。"Iguesstheofficerscantakecareofhim。"
PeterWinngrippedhisson’shandingrimsilence，andfondledthepigeonwhichhissonhadpassedtohim。Againhefondledtheprettycreature。Thenhespoke。
"ExhibitA，forthePeople，"hesaid。
BUNCHESOFKNUCKLES
ARRANGEMENTSquiteextensivehadbeenmadeforthecelebrationofChristmasontheyachtSamoset。Nothavingbeeninanycivilizedportformonths，thestockofprovisionsboastedfewdelicacies;yetMinnieDuncanhadmanagedtodeviserealfeastsforcabinandforecastle。
"Listen，Boyd，shetoldherhusband。"Herearethemenus。Forthecabin，rawbonitanativestyle，turtlesoup，omelettealaSamoset——"
"Whatthedickens？"BoydDuncaninterrupted。
"Well，ifyoumustknow，Ifoundatinofmushroomsandapackageofegg—powderwhichhadfallendownbehindthelocker，andthereareotherthingsaswellthatwillgointoit。Butdon’tinterrupt。Boiledyam，friedtaro，alligatorpearsalad——there，you’vegotmeallmixed，ThenIfoundalastdelectablehalf—poundofdriedsquid。TherewillbebakedbeansMexican，ifIcanhammeritintoToyama’shead;also，bakedpapaiawithMarquesanhoney，and，lastly，awonderfulpiethesecretofwhichToyamarefusestodivulge。"
"Iwonderifitispossibletoconcoctapunchoracocktailoutoftraderum？"Duncanmutteredgloomily。
"Oh！Iforgot！Comewithme。"
Hiswifecaughthishandandledhimthroughthesmallconnectingdoortohertinystateroom。Stillholdinghishand，shefishedinthedepthsofahat—lockerandbroughtforthapintbottleofchampagne。
"Thedinneriscomplete！"hecried。
"Wait。"
Shefishedagain，andwasrewardedwithasilver—mountedwhiskyflask。Sheheldittothelightofaport—hole，andtheliquorshowedaquarterofthedistancefromthebottom。
"I’vebeensavingitforweeks，"sheexplained。"Andthere’senoughforyouandCaptainDettmar。"
"Twomightysmalldrinks，"Duncancomplained。
"Therewouldhavebeenmore，butIgaveadrinktoLorenzowhenhewassick。"
Duncangrowled，"Mighthavegivenhimrum，"facetiously。
"Thenastystuff！Forasickman？Don’tbegreedy，Boyd。AndI’mgladthereisn’tanymore，forCaptainDettmar’ssake。
Drinkingalwaysmakeshimirritable。Andnowforthemen’sdinner。Sodacrackers，sweetcakes，candy——"
"Substantial，Imustsay。"
"Dohush。Rice，andcurry，yam，taro，bonita，ofcourse，abigcakeToyamaismaking，youngpig——"
"Oh，Isay，"heprotested。
"Itisallright，Boyd。We’llbeinAttu—Attuinthreedays。
Besides，it’smypig。Thatoldchiefwhat—ever—his—namedistinctlypresentedittome。Yousawhimyourself。Andthentwotinsofbullamacow。That’stheirdinner。Andnowaboutthepresents。Shallwewaituntiltomorrow，orgivethemthisevening？"
"ChristmasEve，byallmeans，"wastheman’sjudgment。"We’llcallallhandsateightbells;I’llgivethematotofrumallaround，andthenyougivethepresents。Comeonupondeck。
It’sstiflingdownhere。IhopeLorenzohasbetterluckwiththedynamo;withoutthefanstherewon’tbemuchsleepingto—nightifwe’redrivenbelow。"
Theypassedthroughthesmallmain—cabin，climbedasteepcompanionladder，andemergedondeck。Thesunwassetting，andthepromisewasforacleartropicnight。TheSamoset，withfore—andmain—sailwingedoutoneitherside，wasslippingalazyfour—knotsthroughthesmoothsea。Throughtheengine—roomskylightcameasoundofhammering。TheystrolledafttowhereCaptainDettmar，onefootontherail，wasoilingthegearofthepatentlog。AtthewheelstoodatallSouthSeaIslander，cladinwhiteundershirtandscarlethip—cloth。
BoydDuncanwasanoriginal。Atleastthatwasthebeliefofhisfriends。Ofcomfortablefortune，withnoneedtodoanythingbuttakehiscomfort，heelectedtotravelabouttheworldinoutlandishandmostuncomfortableways。Incidentally，hehadideasaboutcoral—reefs，disagreedprofoundlywithDarwinonthatsubject，hadvoicedhisopinioninseveralmonographsandonebook，andwasnowbackathishobby，cruisingtheSouthSeasinatiny，thirty—tonyachtandstudyingreef—formations。
Hiswife，MinnieDuncan，wasalsodeclaredanoriginal，inasmuchasshejoyfullysharedhisvagabondwanderings。Amongotherthings，inthesixexcitingyearsoftheirmarriageshehadclimbedChimborazowithhim，madeathree—thousand—milewinterjourneywithdogsandsledsinAlaska，riddenahorsefromCanadatoMexico，cruisedtheMediterraneaninaten—tonyawl，andcanoedfromGermanytotheBlackSeaacrosstheheartofEurope。Theywerearoyalpairofwanderlusters，he，bigandbroad—shouldered，sheasmall，brunette，andhappywoman，whoseonehundredandfifteenpoundswereallgritandendurance，andwithal，pleasingtolookupon。
TheSamosethadbeenatradingschooner，whenDuncanboughtherinSanFranciscoandmadealterations。Herinteriorwaswhollyrebuilt，sothattheholdbecamemain—cabinandstaterooms，whileabaftamidshipswereinstalledengines，adynamo，anicemachine，storagebatteries，and，farinthestern，gasolinetanks。Necessarily，shecarriedasmallcrew。Boyd，Minnie，andCaptainDettmarweretheonlywhitesonboard，thoughLorenzo，thesmallandgreasyengineer，laidapartclaimtowhite，beingaPortuguesehalf—caste。AJapaneseservedascook，andaChineseascabinboy。Fourwhitesailorshadconstitutedtheoriginalcrewfor’ard，butonebyonetheyhadyieldedtothecharmsofpalm—wavingSouthSeaislesandbeenreplacedbyislanders。Thus，oneoftheduskysailorshailedfromEasterIsland，asecondfromtheCarolines，athirdfromthePaumotus，whilethefourthwasagiganticSamoan。Atsea，BoydDuncan，himselfanavigator，stoodamate’swatchwithCaptainDettmar，andbothofthemtookawheelorlookoutoccasionally。Onapinch，Minnieherselfcouldtakeawheel，anditwasonpinchesthatsheprovedherselfmoredependableatsteeringthandidthenativesailors。
Ateightbells，allhandsassembledatthewheel，andBoydDuncanappearedwithablackbottleandamug。Therumheservedouthimself，halfamugofittoeachman。Theygulpedthestuffdownwithmanyfacialexpressionsofdelight，followedbyloudlip—smackingsofapproval，thoughtheliquorwasrawenoughandcorrosiveenoughtoburntheirmucousmembranes。AlldrankexceptLeeGoom，theabstemiouscabinboy。
Thisriteaccomplished，theywaitedforthenext，thepresent—giving。GenerouslymoldedonPolynesianlines，huge—bodiedandheavy—muscled，theywereneverthelesslikesomanychildren，laughingmerrilyatlittlethings，theireagerblackeyesflashinginthelanternlightastheirbigbodiesswayedtotheheaveandrolloftheship。
Callingeachbyname，Minniegavethepresentsout，accompanyingeachpresentationwithsomehappyremarkthataddedtotheglee。Thereweretradewatches，claspknives，amazingassortmentsoffish—hooksinpackages，plugtobacco，matches，andgorgeousstripsofcottonforloinclothsallaround。ThatBoydDuncanwaslikedbythemwasevidencedbytheroarsoflaughterwithwhichtheygreetedhisslightestjokingallusion。
CaptainDettmar，white—faced，smilingonlywhenhisemployerchancedtoglanceathim，leanedagainstthewheel—box，lookingon。Twice，heleftthegroupandwentbelow，remainingtherebutaminuteeachtime。Later，inthemaincabin，whenLorenzo，LeeGoomandToyamareceivedtheirpresents，hedisappearedintohisstateroomtwiceagain。Forofalltimes，thedevilthatslumberedinCaptainDettmar’ssoulchosethisparticulartimeofgoodcheertoawaken。Perhapsitwasnotentirelythedevil’sfault，forCaptainDettmar，privilycherishingaquartofwhiskyformanyweeks，hadselectedChristmasEveforbroachingit。
Itwasstillearlyintheevening——twobellshadjustgone——whenDuncanandhiswifestoodbythecabincompanionway，gazingtowindwardandcanvassingthepossibilityofspreadingtheirbedsondeck。Asmall，darkblotofcloud，slowlyformingonthehorizon，carriedthethreatofarain—squall，anditwasthistheywerediscussingwhenCaptainDettmar，comingfromaftandabouttogobelow，glancedatthemwithsuddensuspicion。
Hepaused，hisfaceworkingspasmodically。Thenhespoke：
"Youaretalkingaboutme。"
Hisvoicewashoarse，andtherewasanexcitedvibrationinit。
MinnieDuncanstarted，thenglancedatherhusband’simmobileface，tookthecue，andremainedsilent。
"Isayyouweretalkingaboutme，"CaptainDettmarrepeated，thistimewithalmostasnarl。
Hedidnotlurchnorbetraytheliquoronhiminanywaysavebytheconvulsiveworkingofhisface。
"Minnie，you’dbettergodown，"Duncansaidgently。"TellLeeGoomwe’llsleepbelow。Itwon’tbelongbeforethatsquallisdrenchingthings。"
Shetookthehintandleft，delayingjustlongenoughtogiveoneanxiousglanceatthedimfacesofthetwomen。
Duncanpuffedathiscigarandwaitedtillhiswife’svoice，intalkwiththecabin—boy，cameupthroughtheopenskylight。
"Well？"Duncandemandedinalowvoice，butsharply。
"Isaidyouweretalkingaboutme。Isayitagain。Oh，I
haven’tbeenblind。DayafterdayI’veseenthetwoofyoutalkingaboutme。Whydon’tyoucomeoutandsayittomyface！
Iknowyouknow。AndIknowyourmind’smadeuptodischargemeatAttu—Attu。"
"Iamsorryyouaremakingsuchamessofeverything，"wasDuncan’squietreply。
ButCaptainDettmar’smindwassetontrouble。
"Youknowyouaregoingtodischargeme。Youthinkyouaretoogoodtoassociatewiththelikesofme——youandyourwife。"
"Kindlykeepheroutofthis，"Duncanwarned。"Whatdoyouwant？"
"Iwanttoknowwhatyouaregoingtodo！"
"Dischargeyou，afterthis，atAttu—Attu。"
"Youintendedto，allalong。"
"Onthecontrary。Itisyourpresentconductthatcompelsme。"
"Youcan’tgivemethatsortoftalk。"
"Ican’tretainacaptainwhocallsmealiar。"
CaptainDettmarforthemomentwastakenaback。Hisfaceandlipsworked，buthecouldsaynothing。Duncancoollypulledathiscigarandglancedaftattherisingcloudofsquall。
"LeeGoombroughtthemailaboardatTahiti，"CaptainDettmarbegan。
"Wewerehoveshortthenandleaving。Youdidn’tlookatyourlettersuntilwewereoutside，andthenitwastoolate。That’swhyyoudidn’tdischargemeatTahiti。Oh，Iknow。IsawthelongenvelopewhenLeeGoomcameovertheside。ItwasfromtheGovernorofCalifornia，printedonthecornerforanyonetosee。You’dbeenworkingbehindmyback。SomebeachcomberinHonoluluhadwhisperedtoyou，andyou’dwrittentotheGovernortofindout。AndthatwashisanswerLeeGoomcarriedouttoyou。Whydidn’tyoucometomelikeaman！No，youmustplayunderhandwithme，knowingthatthisbilletwastheonechanceformetogetonmyfeetagain。AndassoonasyoureadtheGovernor’sletteryourmindwasmadeuptogetridofme。
I’veseenitonyourfaceeversinceforallthesemonths……
I’veseenthetwoofyou，politeashelltomeallthetime，andgettingawayincornersandtalkingaboutmeandthataffairin’Frisco。"
"Areyoudone？"Duncanasked，hisvoicelow，andtense。"Quitedone？"
CaptainDettmarmadenoanswer。
"ThenI’lltellyouafewthings。Itwaspreciselybecauseofthataffairin’FriscothatIdidnotdischargeyouinTahiti。
Godknowsyougavemesufficientprovocation。Ithoughtthatifeveramanneededachancetorehabilitatehimself，youwerethatman。Hadtherebeennoblackmarkagainstyou，IwouldhavedischargedyouwhenIlearnedhowyouwererobbingme。"
CaptainDettmarshowedsurprise，startedtointerrupt，thenchangedhismind。
"Therewasthatmatterofthedeck—calking，thebronzerudder—irons，theoverhaulingoftheengine，thenewspinnakerboom，thenewdavits，andtherepairstothewhale—boat。You0Kdtheshipyardbill。Itwasfourthousandonehundredandtwenty—twofrancs。Bytheregularshipyardchargesitoughtnottohavebeenacentimeovertwenty—fivehundredfrancs—"
"Ifyoutakethewordofthosealongshoresharksagainstmine——’theotherbeganthickly。
"Saveyourselfthetroubleoffurtherlying，"Duncanwentoncoldly。"Ilookeditup。IgotFlaubinbeforetheGovernorhimself，andtheoldrascalconfessedtosixteenhundredovercharge。Saidyou’dstuckhimupforit。Twelvehundredwenttoyou，andhissharewasfourhundredandthejob。Don’tinterrupt。I’vegothisaffidavitbelow。ThenwaswhenIwouldhaveputyouashore，exceptforthecloudyouwereunder。Youhadtohavethisonechanceorgocleantohell。Igaveyouthechance。Andwhathaveyougottosayaboutit？"
"WhatdidtheGovernorsay？"CaptainDettmardemandedtruculently。
"Whichgovernor？"
"OfCalifornia。Didhelietoyoulikealltherest？"
"I’lltellyouwhathesaid。Hesaidthatyouhadbeenconvictedoncircumstantialevidence;thatwaswhyyouhadgotlifeimprisonmentinsteadofhanging;thatyouhadalwaysstoutlymaintainedyourinnocence;thatyouweretheblacksheepoftheMarylandDettmars;thattheymovedheavenandearthforyourpardon;thatyourprisonconductwasmostexemplary;thathewasprosecutingattorneyatthetimeyouwereconvicted;thatafteryouhadservedsevenyearsheyieldedtoyourfamily’spleaandpardonedyou;andthatinhisownmindexistedadoubtthatyouhadkilledMcSweeny。"
Therewasapause，duringwhichDuncanwentonstudyingtherisingsquall，whileCaptainDettmar’sfaceworkedterribly。
"Well，theGovernorwaswrong，"heannounced，withashortlaugh。"IdidkillMcSweeny。Ididgetthewatchmandrunkthatnight。IbeatMcSweenytodeathinhisbunk。Iusedtheironbelayingpinthatappearedintheevidence。Heneverhadachance。Ibeathimtoajelly。Doyouwantthedetails？"
Duncanlookedathiminthecuriouswayonelooksatanymonstrosity，butmadenoreply。
"Oh，I’mnotafraidtotellyou，"CaptainDettmarblusteredon。
"Therearenowitnesses。Besides，Iamafreemannow。Iampardoned，andbyGodtheycanneverputmebackinthatholeagain。IbrokeMcSweeny’sjawwiththefirstblow。Hewaslyingonhisbackasleep。Hesaid，’MyGod，Jim！MyGod！’Itwasfunnytoseehisbrokenjawwabbleashesaidit。ThenI
smashedhim……Isay，doyouwanttherestofthedetails？"
"Isthatallyouhavetosay？"wastheanswer。
"Isn’titenough？"CaptainDettmarretorted。
"Itisenough。"
"Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
"PutyouashoreatAttu—Attu。"
"Andinthemeantime？"
"Inthemeantime……"Duncanpaused。Anincreaseofweightinthewindrippledhishair。Thestarsoverheadvanished，andtheSamosetswungfourpointsoffhercourseinthecarelesssteersman’shands。"Inthemeantimethrowyourhalyardsdownondeckandlooktoyourwheel。I’llcallthemen。"
Thenextmomentthesquallburstuponthem。CaptainDettmar，springingaft，liftedthecoiledmainsailhalyardsfromtheirpinsandthrewthem，readytorun，onthedeck。Thethreeislandersswarmedfromthetinyforecastle，twoofthemleapingtothehalyardsandholdingbyasingleturn，whilethethirdfasteneddowntheengineroom，companionandswungtheventilatorsaround。Below，LeeGoomandToyamawereloweringskylightcoversandscrewingupdeadeyes。Duncanpulledshutthecoverofthecompanionscuttle，andheldon，waiting，thefirstdropsofrainpeltinghisface，whiletheSamosetleapedviolentlyahead，atthesametimeheelingfirsttostarboardthentoportasthegustypressurescaughtherwinged—outsails。
Allwaited。Buttherewasnoneedtolowerawayontherun。Thepowerwentoutofthewind，andthetropicrainpouredadelugeovereverything。Thenitwas，thedangerpast，andastheKanakasbegantocoilthehalyardsbackonthepins，thatBoydDuncanwentbelow。
"Allright，"hecalledincheerilytohiswife。"Onlyapuff。"
"AndCaptainDettmar？"shequeried。
"Hasbeendrinking，thatisall。IshallgetridofhimatAttu—Attu。"
ButbeforeDuncanclimbedintohisbunk，hestrappedaroundhimself，againsttheskinandunderhispajamacoat，aheavyautomaticpistol。
Hefellasleepalmostimmediately，forhiswasthegiftofperfectrelaxation。Hedidthingstensely，inthewaysavagesdo，buttheinstanttheneedpassedherelaxed，mindandbody。
Soitwasthatheslept，whiletherainstillpouredondeckandtheyachtplungedandrolledinthebrief，sharpseacausedbythesquall。
Heawokewithafeelingofsuffocationandheaviness。Theelectricfanshadstopped，andtheairwasthickandstifling。
MentallycursingallLorenzosandstoragebatteries，heheardhiswifemovingintheadjoiningstateroomandpassoutintothemaincabin。Evidentlyheadingforthefresherairondeck，hethought，anddecideditwasagoodexampletoimitate。
Puttingonhisslippersandtuckingapillowandablanketunderhisarm，hefollowedher。Ashewasabouttoemergefromthecompanionway，theship’sclockinthecabinbegantostrikeandhestoppedtolisten。Fourbellssounded。Itwastwointhemorning。Fromwithoutcamethecreakingofthegaff—jawagainstthemast。TheSamosetrolledandrightedonasea，andinthelightbreezehercanvasgaveforthahollowthrum。
Hewasjustputtinghisfootoutonthedampdeckwhenheheardhiswifescream。Itwasastartledfrightenedscreamthatendedinasplashoverside。Heleapedoutandranaft。Inthedimstarlighthecouldmakeoutherheadandshouldersdisappearingasterninthelazywake。
"Whatwasit？"CaptainDettmar，whowasatthewheel，asked。
"Mrs。Duncan，"wasDuncan’sreply，ashetorethelife—buoyfromitshookandflungitaft。"Jibeovertostarboardandcomeuponthewind！"hecommanded。
AndthenBoydDuncanmadeamistake。Hedivedoverboard。
Whenhecameup，heglimpsedtheblue—lightonthebuoy，whichhadignitedautomaticallywhenitstruckthewater。Heswamforit，andfoundMinniehadreacheditfirst。
"Hello，"hesaid。"Justtryingtokeepcool？"
"Oh，Boyd！"washeranswer，andonewethandreachedoutandtouchedhis。
Thebluelight，throughdeteriorationordamage，flickeredout。
Astheyliftedonthesmoothcrestofawave，DuncanturnedtolookwheretheSamosetmadeavagueblurinthedarkness。Nolightsshowed，buttherewasnoiseofconfusion。HecouldhearCaptainDettmar’sshoutingabovethecriesoftheothers。
"Imustsayhe’stakinghistime，"Duncangrumbled。"Whydoesn’thejibe？Thereshegoesnow。"
Theycouldheartherattleoftheboomtackleblocksasthesailwaseasedacross。
"Thatwasthemainsail，"hemuttered。"JibedtoportwhenI
toldhimstarboard。"
Againtheyliftedonawave，andagainandagain，eretheycouldmakeoutthedistantgreenoftheSamoset’sstarboardlight。Butinsteadofremainingstationary，intokenthattheyachtwascomingtowardthem，itbeganmovingacrosstheirfieldofvision。Duncanswore。
"What’sthelubberholdingovertherefor！"hedemanded。"He’sgothiscompass。Heknowsourbearing。"
Butthegreenlight，whichwasalltheycouldsee，andwhichtheycouldseeonlywhentheywereontopofawave，movedsteadilyawayfromthem，withalitwasworkinguptowindward，andgrewdimanddimmer。Duncancalledoutloudlyandrepeatedly，andeachtime，intheintervals，theycouldhear，veryfaintly，thevoiceofCaptainDettmarshoutingorders。
"Howcanhehearmewithsucharacket？"Duncancomplained。
"He’sdoingitsothecrewwon’thearyou，"wasMinnie’sanswer。
Therewassomethinginthequietwayshesaiditthatcaughtherhusband’sattention。
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