Contents：
TheStrengthoftheStrongSouthoftheSlotTheUnparalleledInvasionTheEnemyofAlltheWorldTheDreamofDebsTheSea—FarmerSamuelTHESTRENGTHOFTHESTRONG
"Parablesdon’tlie，butliarswillparable。"—Lip—King。
OldLong—Beardpausedinhisnarrative，lickedhisgreasyfingers，andwipedthemonhisnakedsideswherehisonepieceofraggedbearskinfailedtocoverhim。Crouchedaroundhim，ontheirhams，werethreeyoungmen，hisgrandsons，Deer—Runner，Yellow—Head，andAfraid—of—the—Dark。Inappearancetheyweremuchthesame。Skinsofwildanimalspartlycoveredthem。Theywereleanandmeagreofbuild，narrow—hippedandcrooked—legged，andatthesametimedeep—
chested，withheavyarmsandenormoushands。Therewasmuchhairontheirchestsandshoulders，andontheoutsidesoftheirarmsandlegs。Theirheadsweremattedwithuncuthair，longlocksofwhichoftenstrayedbeforetheireyes，beadyandblackandglitteringliketheeyesofbirds。Theywerenarrowbetweentheeyesandbroadbetweenthecheeks，whiletheirlowerjawswereprojectingandmassive。
Itwasanightofclearstarlight，andbelowthem，stretchingawayremotely，layrangeonrangeofforest—coveredhills。Inthedistancetheheavenswereredfromtheglowofavolcano。Attheirbacksyawnedtheblackmouthofacave，outofwhich，fromtimetotime，blewdraughtygustsofwind。Immediatelyinfrontofthemblazedafire。Atoneside，partlydevoured，laythecarcassofabear，withaboutit，atarespectabledistance，severallargedogs，shaggyandwolf—like。Besideeachmanlayhisbowandarrowsandahugeclub。Inthecave—mouthanumberofrudespearsleanedagainsttherock。
"Sothatwashowwemovedfromthecavetothetree，"oldLong—
Beardspokeup。
Theylaughedboisterously，likebigchildren，atrecollectionofapreviousstoryhiswordscalledup。Long—Beardlaughed，too，thefive—inchbodkinofbone，thrustmidwaythroughthecartilageofhisnose，leapinganddancingandaddingtohisferociousappearance。Hedidnotexactlysaythewordsrecorded，buthemadeanimal—likesoundswithhismouththatmeantthesamething。
"AndthatisthefirstIrememberoftheSeaValley，"Long—Beardwenton。"Wewereaveryfoolishcrowd。Wedidnotknowthesecretofstrength。For，behold，eachfamilylivedbyitself，andtookcareofitself。Therewerethirtyfamilies，butwegotnostrengthfromoneanother。Wewereinfearofeachotherallthetime。Nooneeverpaidvisits。Inthetopofourtreewebuiltagrasshouse，andontheplatformoutsidewasapileofrocks，whichwerefortheheadsofanythatmightchancetotrytovisitus。
Also，wehadourspearsandarrows。Weneverwalkedunderthetreesoftheotherfamilies，either。Mybrotherdid，once，underoldBoo—oogh’stree，andhegothisheadbrokenandthatwastheendofhim。
"OldBoo—ooghwasverystrong。Itwassaidhecouldpullagrownman’sheadrightoff。Ineverheardofhimdoingit，becausenomanwouldgivehimachance。Fatherwouldn’t。Oneday，whenfatherwasdownonthebeach，Boo—ooghtookaftermother。Shecouldn’trunfast，forthedaybeforeshehadgotherlegclawedbyabearwhenshewasuponthemountaingatheringberries。SoBoo—
ooghcaughtherandcarriedherupintohistree。Fathernevergotherback。Hewasafraid。OldBoo—ooghmadefacesathim。
"Butfatherdidnotmind。Strong—Armwasanotherstrongman。Hewasoneofthebestfishermen。Butoneday，climbingaftersea—
gulleggs，hehadafallfromthecliff。Hewasneverstrongafterthat。Hecoughedagreatdeal，andhisshouldersdrewneartoeachother。SofathertookStrong—Arm’swife。Whenhecamearoundandcoughedunderourtree，fatherlaughedathimandthrewrocksathim。Itwasourwayinthosedays。Wedidnotknowhowtoaddstrengthtogetherandbecomestrong。"
"Wouldabrothertakeabrother’swife？"Deer—Runnerdemanded。
"Yes，ifhehadgonetoliveinanothertreebyhimself。"
"Butwedonotdosuchthingsnow，"Afraid—of—the—Darkobjected。
"ItisbecauseIhavetaughtyourfathersbetter。"Long—Beardthrusthishairypawintothebearmeatanddrewoutahandfulofsuet，whichhesuckedwithameditativeair。Againhewipedhishandsonhisnakedsidesandwenton。"WhatIamtellingyouhappenedinthelongago，beforeweknewanybetter。"
"Youmusthavebeenfoolsnottoknowbetter，"wasDeer—Runner’scomment，Yellow—Headgruntingapproval。
"Sowewere，butwebecamebiggerfools，asyoushallsee。Still，wedidlearnbetter，andthiswasthewayofit。WeFish—Eatershadnotlearnedtoaddourstrengthuntilourstrengthwasthestrengthofallofus。ButtheMeat—Eaters，wholivedacrossthedivideintheBigValley，stoodtogether，huntedtogether，fishedtogether，andfoughttogether。Onedaytheycameintoourvalley。
Eachfamilyofusgotintoitsowncaveandtree。TherewereonlytenMeat—Eaters，buttheyfoughttogether，andwefought，eachfamilybyitself。"
Long—Beardcountedlongandperplexedlyonhisfingers。
"Thereweresixtymenofus，"waswhathemanagedtosaywithfingersandlipscombined。"Andwewereverystrong，onlywedidnotknowit。SowewatchedthetenmenattackBoo—oogh’stree。Hemadeagoodfight，buthehadnochance。Welookedon。WhensomeoftheMeat—Eaterstriedtoclimbthetree，Boo—ooghhadtoshowhimselfinordertodropstonesontheirheads，whereupontheotherMeat—Eaters，whowerewaitingforthatverything，shothimfullofarrows。AndthatwastheendofBoo—oogh。
"Next，theMeat—EatersgotOne—Eyeandhisfamilyinhiscave。
Theybuiltafireinthemouthandsmokedhimout，likewesmokedoutthebearthereto—day。ThentheywentafterSix—Fingers，uphistree，and，whiletheywerekillinghimandhisgrownson，therestofusranaway。Theycaughtsomeofourwomen，andkilledtwooldmenwhocouldnotrunfastandseveralchildren。ThewomentheycarriedawaywiththemtotheBigValley。
"Afterthattherestofuscreptback，and，somehow，perhapsbecausewewereinfearandfelttheneedforoneanother，wetalkedthethingover。Itwasourfirstcouncil—ourfirstrealcouncil。Andinthatcouncilweformedourfirsttribe。Forwehadlearnedthelesson。OfthetenMeat—Eaters，eachmanhadhadthestrengthoften，forthetenhadfoughtasoneman。Theyhadaddedtheirstrengthtogether。Butofthethirtyfamiliesandthesixtymenofus，wehadhadthestrengthofbutoneman，foreachhadfoughtalone。
"Itwasagreattalkwehad，anditwashardtalk，forwedidnothavethewordsthenasnowwithwhichtotalk。TheBugmadesomeofthewordslongafterward，andsodidothersofusmakewordsfromtimetotime。ButintheendweagreedtoaddourstrengthtogetherandtobeasonemanwhentheMeat—Eaterscameoverthedividetostealourwomen。Andthatwasthetribe。
"Wesettwomenonthedivide，oneforthedayandoneforthenight，towatchiftheMeat—Eaterscame。Theseweretheeyesofthetribe。Then，also，dayandnight，thereweretobetenmenawakewiththeirclubsandspearsandarrowsintheirhands，readytofight。Before，whenamanwentafterfish，orclams，orgull—
eggs，hecarriedhisweaponswithhim，andhalfthetimehewasgettingfoodandhalfthetimewatchingforfearsomeothermanwouldgethim。Nowthatwasallchanged。Themenwentoutwithouttheirweaponsandspentalltheirtimegettingfood。Likewise，whenthewomenwentintothemountainsafterrootsandberries，fiveofthetenmenwentwiththemtoguardthem。Whileallthetime，dayandnight，theeyesofthetribewatchedfromthetopofthedivide。
"Buttroublescame。Asusual，itwasaboutthewomen。Menwithoutwiveswantedothermen’swives，andtherewasmuchfightingbetweenmen，andnowandagainonegothisheadsmashedoraspearthroughhisbody。Whileoneofthewatcherswasontopofthedivide，anothermanstolehiswife，andhecamedowntofight。Thentheotherwatcherwasinfearthatsomeonewouldtakehiswife，andhecamedownlikewise。Also，therewastroubleamongthetenmenwhocarriedalwaystheirweapons，andtheyfoughtfiveagainstfive，tillsomeranawaydownthecoastandtheothersranafterthem。
"Soitwasthatthetribewasleftwithouteyesorguards。Wehadnotthestrengthofsixty。Wehadnostrengthatall。Soweheldacouncilandmadeourfirstlaws。Iwasbutacubatthetime，butIremember。Wesaidthat，inordertobestrong，wemustnotfightoneanother，andwemadealawthatwhenamankilledanotherhimwouldthetribekill。Wemadeanotherlawthatwhosostoleanotherman’swifehimwouldthetribekill。Wesaidthatwhatevermanhadtoogreatstrength，andbythatstrengthhurthisbrothersinthetribe，himwouldwekillthathisstrengthmighthurtnomore。For，ifwelethisstrengthhurt，thebrotherswouldbecomeafraidandthetribewouldfallapart，andwewouldbeasweakaswhentheMeat—EatersfirstcameuponusandkilledBoo—oogh。
"Knuckle—Bonewasastrongman，averystrongman，andheknewnotlaw。Heknewonlyhisownstrength，andinthefullnessthereofhewentforthandtookthewifeofThree—Clams。Three—Clamstriedtofight，butKnuckle—Boneclubbedouthisbrains。YethadKnuckle—
Boneforgottenthatallthemenofushadaddedourstrengthtokeepthelawamongus，andhimwekilled，atthefootofhistree，andhunghisbodyonabranchasawarningthatthelawwasstrongerthananyman。Forwewerethelaw，allofus，andnomanwasgreaterthanthelaw。
"Thentherewereothertroubles，forknow，ODeer—Runner，andYellow—Head，andAfraid—of—the—Dark，thatitisnoteasytomakeatribe。Thereweremanythings，littlethings，thatitwasagreattroubletocallallthementogethertohaveacouncilabout。Wewerehavingcouncilsmorning，noon，andnight，andinthemiddleofthenight。Wecouldfindlittletimetogooutandgetfood，becauseofthecouncils，fortherewasalwayssomelittlethingtobesettled，suchasnamingtwonewwatcherstotaketheplaceoftheoldonesonthehill，ornaminghowmuchfoodshouldfalltotheshareofthemenwhokepttheirweaponsalwaysintheirhandsandgotnofoodforthemselves。
"Westoodinneedofachiefmantodothesethings，whowouldbethevoiceofthecouncil，andwhowouldaccounttothecouncilforthethingshedid。SowenamedFith—Fiththechiefman。Hewasastrongman，too，andverycunning，andwhenhewasangryhemadenoisesjustlikethat，FITH—FITH，likeawild—cat。
"Thetenmenwhoguardedthetribeweresettoworkmakingawallofstonesacrossthenarrowpartofthevalley。Thewomenandlargechildrenhelped，asdidothermen，untilthewallwasstrong。
Afterthat，allthefamiliescamedownoutoftheircavesandtreesandbuiltgrasshousesbehindtheshelterofthewall。Thesehouseswerelargeandmuchbetterthanthecavesandtrees，andeverybodyhadabettertimeofitbecausethemenhadaddedtheirstrengthtogetherandbecomeatribe。Becauseofthewallandtheguardsandthewatchers，therewasmoretimetohuntandfishandpickrootsandberries;therewasmorefood，andbetterfood，andnoonewenthungry。AndThree—Legs，sonamedbecausehislegshadbeensmashedwhenaboyandwhowalkedwithastick—Three—Legsgottheseedofthewildcornandplanteditinthegroundinthevalleynearhishouse。Also，hetriedplantingfatrootsandotherthingshefoundinthemountainvalleys。
"BecauseofthesafetyintheSeaValley，whichwasbecauseofthewallandthewatchersandtheguards，andbecausetherewasfoodinplentyforallwithouthavingtofightforit，manyfamiliescameinfromthecoastvalleysonbothsidesandfromthehighbackmountainswheretheyhadlivedmorelikewildanimalsthanmen。
AnditwasnotlongbeforetheSeaValleyfilledup，andinitwerecountlessfamilies。But，beforethishappened，theland，whichhadbeenfreetoallandbelongedtoall，wasdividedup。Three—Legsbeganitwhenheplantedcorn。Butmostofusdidnotcareabouttheland。Wethoughtthemarkingoftheboundarieswithfencesofstonewasafoolishness。Wehadplentytoeat，andwhatmoredidwewant？IrememberthatmyfatherandIbuiltstonefencesforThree—Legsandweregivencorninreturn。
"Soonlyafewgotalltheland，andThree—Legsgotmostofit。
Also，othersthathadtakenlandgaveittothefewthatheldon，beingpaidinreturnwithcornandfatroots，andbear—skins，andfisheswhichthefarmersgotfromthefishermeninexchangeforcorn。And，thefirstthingweknew，allthelandwasgone。
"ItwasaboutthistimethatFith—FithdiedandDog—Tooth，hisson，wasmadechief。Hedemandedtobemadechiefanyway，becausehisfatherhadbeenchiefbeforehim。Also，helookeduponhimselfasagreaterchiefthanhisfather。Hewasagoodchiefatfirst，andworkedhard，sothatthecouncilhadlessandlesstodo。ThenaroseanewvoiceintheSeaValley。ItwasTwisted—Lip。Wehadneverthoughtmuchofhim，untilhebegantotalkwiththespiritsofthedead。LaterwecalledhimBig—Fat，becauseheateover—
much，anddidnowork，andgrewroundandlarge。OnedayBig—Fattoldusthatthesecretsofthedeadwerehis，andthathewasthevoiceofGod。HebecamegreatfriendswithDog—Tooth，whocommandedthatweshouldbuildBig—Fatagrasshouse。AndBig—FatputtaboosallaroundthishouseandkeptGodinside。
"MoreandmoreDog—Toothbecamegreaterthanthecouncil，andwhenthecouncilgrumbledandsaiditwouldnameanewchief，Big—FatspokewiththevoiceofGodandsaidno。Also，Three—LegsandtheotherswhoheldthelandstoodbehindDog—Tooth。Moreover，thestrongestmaninthecouncilwasSea—Lion，andhimtheland—ownersgavelandtosecretly，alongwithmanybearskinsandbasketsofcorn。SoSea—LionsaidthatBig—Fat’svoicewastrulythevoiceofGodandmustbeobeyed。AndsoonafterwardSea—LionwasnamedthevoiceofDog—Toothanddidmostofhistalkingforhim。
"ThentherewasLittle—Belly，alittleman，sothininthemiddlethathelookedasifhehadneverhadenoughtoeat。Insidethemouthoftheriver，afterthesand—barhadcombedthestrengthofthebreakers，hebuiltabigfish—trap。Nomanhadeverseenordreamedafish—trapbefore。Heworkedweeksonit，withhissonandhiswife，whiletherestofuslaughedattheirlabours。But，whenitwasdone，thefirstdayhecaughtmorefishinitthancouldthewholetribeinaweek，whereattherewasgreatrejoicing。
Therewasonlyoneotherplaceintheriverforafish—trap，but，whenmyfatherandIandadozenothermenstartedtomakeaverylargetrap，theguardscamefromthebiggrass—housewehadbuiltforDog—Tooth。Andtheguardspokeduswiththeirspearsandtoldusbegone，becauseLittle—BellywasgoingtobuildatraptherehimselfonthewordofSea—Lion，whowasthevoiceofDog—Tooth。
"Therewasmuchgrumbling，andmyfathercalledacouncil。But，whenherosetospeak，himtheSea—Lionthrustthroughthethroatwithaspearandhedied。AndDog—ToothandLittle—Belly，andThree—Legsandallthatheldlandsaiditwasgood。AndBig—FatsaiditwasthewillofGod。Andafterthatallmenwereafraidtostandupinthecouncil，andtherewasnomorecouncil。
"Anotherman，Pig—Jaw，begantokeepgoats。HehadheardaboutitasamongtheMeat—Eaters，anditwasnotlongbeforehehadmanyflocks。Othermen，whohadnolandandnofish—traps，andwhoelsewouldhavegonehungry，weregladtoworkforPig—Jaw，caringforhisgoats，guardingthemfromwilddogsandtigers，anddrivingthemtothefeedingpasturesinthemountains。Inreturn，Pig—Jawgavethemgoat—meattoeatandgoat—skinstowear，andsometimestheytradedthegoat—meatforfishandcornandfatroots。
"Itwasthistimethatmoneycametobe。Sea—Lionwasthemanwhofirstthoughtofit，andhetalkeditoverwithDog—ToothandBig—
Fat。Yousee，thesethreeweretheonesthatgotashareofeverythingintheSeaValley。Onebasketoutofeverythreeofcornwastheirs，onefishoutofeverythree，onegoatoutofeverythree。Inreturn，theyfedtheguardsandthewatchers，andkepttherestforthemselves。Sometimes，whenabighauloffishwasmadetheydidnotknowwhattodowithalltheirshare。SoSea—
Lionsetthewomentomakingmoneyoutofshell—littleroundpieces，withaholeineachone，andallmadesmoothandfine。
Thesewerestrungonstrings，andthestringswerecalledmoney。
"Eachstringwasofthevalueofthirtyfish，orfortyfish，butthewomen，whomadeastringaday，weregiventwofisheach。ThefishcameoutofthesharesofDog—Tooth，Big—Fat，andSea—Lion，whichtheythreedidnoteat。Soallthemoneybelongedtothem。
ThentheytoldThree—Legsandtheotherland—ownersthattheywouldtaketheirshareofcornandrootsinmoney，Little—Bellythattheywouldtaketheirshareoffishinmoney，Pig—Jawthattheywouldtaketheirshareofgoatsandcheeseinmoney。Thus，amanwhohadnothing，workedforonewhohad，andwaspaidinmoney。Withthismoneyheboughtcorn，andfish，andmeat，andcheese。AndThree—
LegsandallownersofthingspaidDog—ToothandSea—LionandBig—
Fattheirshareinmoney。Andtheypaidtheguardsandwatchersinmoney，andtheguardsandwatchersboughttheirfoodwiththemoney。And，becausemoneywascheap，Dog—Toothmademanymoremenintoguards。And，becausemoneywascheaptomake，anumberofmenbegantomakemoneyoutofshellthemselves。Buttheguardsstuckspearsinthemandshotthemfullofarrows，becausetheyweretryingtobreakupthetribe。Itwasbadtobreakupthetribe，forthentheMeat—Eaterswouldcomeoverthedivideandkillthemall。
"Big—FatwasthevoiceofGod，buthetookBroken—Ribandmadehimintoapriest，sothathebecamethevoiceofBig—Fatanddidmostofhistalkingforhim。Andbothhadothermentobeservantstothem。So，also，didLittle—BellyandThree—LegsandPig—Jawhaveothermentolieinthesunabouttheirgrasshousesandcarrymessagesforthemandgivecommands。Andmoreandmorewerementakenawayfromwork，sothatthosethatwereleftworkedharderthaneverbefore。Itseemedthatmendesiredtodonoworkandstrovetoseekoutotherwayswherebymenshouldworkforthem。
Crooked—Eyesfoundsuchaway。Hemadethefirstfire—brewoutofcorn。Andthereafterheworkednomore，forhetalkedsecretlywithDog—ToothandBig—Fatandtheothermasters，anditwasagreedthatheshouldbetheonlyonetomakefire—brew。ButCrooked—Eyesdidnoworkhimself。Menmadethebrewforhim，andhepaidtheminmoney。Thenhesoldthefire—brewformoney，andallmenbought。AndmanystringsofmoneydidhegiveDog—ToothandSea—
Lionandallofthem。
"Big—FatandBroken—RibstoodbyDog—Toothwhenhetookhissecondwife，andhisthirdwife。TheysaidDog—ToothwasdifferentfromothermenandsecondonlytoGodthatBig—Fatkeptinhistaboohouse，andDog—Toothsaidso，too，andwantedtoknowwhoweretheytogrumbleabouthowmanywiveshetook。Dog—Toothhadabigcanoemade，and，manymoremenhetookfromwork，whodidnothingandlayinthesun，saveonlywhenDog—Toothwentinthecanoe，whentheypaddledforhim。AndhemadeTiger—Faceheadmanoveralltheguards，sothatTiger—Facebecamehisrightarm，andwhenhedidnotlikeamanTiger—Facekilledthatmanforhim。AndTiger—Face，also，madeanothermantobehisrightarm，andtogivecommands，andtokillforhim。
"Butthiswasthestrangething：asthedayswentbywewhowereleftworkedharderandharder，andyetdidwegetlessandlesstoeat。"
"Butwhatofthegoatsandthecornandthefatrootsandthefish—
trap？"spokeupAfraid—of—the—Dark，"whatofallthis？Wastherenotmorefoodtobegainedbyman’swork？"
"Itisso，"Long—Beardagreed。"Threemenonthefish—trapgotmorefishthanthewholetribebeforetherewasafish—trap。ButhaveInotsaidwewerefools？Themorefoodwewereabletoget，thelessfooddidwehavetoeat。"
"Butwasitnotplainthatthemanymenwhodidnotworkateitallup？"Yellow—Headdemanded。
Long—Beardnoddedhisheadsadly。
"Dog—Tooth’sdogswerestuffedwithmeat，andthemenwholayinthesunanddidnoworkwererollinginfat，and，atthesametime，therewerelittlechildrencryingthemselvestosleepwithhungerbitingthemwitheverywail。"
Deer—Runnerwasspurredbytherecitaloffaminetotearoutachunkofbear—meatandbroilitonastickoverthecoals。Thishedevouredwithsmackinglips，whileLong—Beardwenton：
"WhenwegrumbledBig—Fatarose，andwiththevoiceofGodsaidthatGodhadchosenthewisementoownthelandandthegoatsandthefish—trap，andthefire—brew，andthatwithoutthesewisemenwewouldallbeanimals，asinthedayswhenwelivedintrees。
"Andtherearoseonewhobecameasingerofsongsfortheking。
HimtheycalledtheBug，becausehewassmallandungainlyoffaceandlimbandexcellednotinworkordeed。Helovedthefattestmarrowbones，thechoicestfish，themilkwarmfromthegoats，thefirstcornthatwasripe，andthesnugplacebythefire。Andthus，becomingsingerofsongstotheking，hefoundawaytodonothingandbefat。Andwhenthepeoplegrumbledmoreandmore，andsomethrewstonesattheking’sgrasshouse，theBugsangasongofhowgooditwastobeaFish—Eater。InhissonghetoldthattheFish—EaterswerethechosenofGodandthefinestmenGodhadmade。HesangoftheMeat—Eatersaspigsandcrows，andsanghowfineandgooditwasfortheFish—EaterstofightanddiedoingGod’swork，whichwasthekillingofMeat—Eaters。Thewordsofhissongwerelikefireinus，andweclamouredtobeledagainsttheMeat—Eaters。Andweforgotthatwewerehungry，andwhywehadgrumbled，andweregladtobeledbyTiger—Faceoverthedivide，wherewekilledmanyMeat—Eatersandwerecontent。
"ButthingswerenobetterintheSeaValley。TheonlywaytogetfoodwastoworkforThree—LegsorLittle—BellyorPig—Jaw;fortherewasnolandthatamanmightplantwithcornforhimself。
AndoftenthereweremorementhanThree—Legsandtheothershadworkfor。Sothesemenwenthungry，andsodidtheirwivesandchildrenandtheiroldmothers。Tiger—Facesaidtheycouldbecomeguardsiftheywantedto，andmanyofthemdid，andthereaftertheydidnoworkexcepttopokespearsinthemenwhodidworkandwhogrumbledatfeedingsomanyidlers。
"Andwhenwegrumbled，evertheBugsangnewsongs。HesaidthatThree—LegsandPig—Jawandtherestwerestrongmen，andthatthatwaswhytheyhadsomuch。Hesaidthatweshouldbegladtohavestrongmenwithus，elsewouldweperishofourownworthlessnessandtheMeat—Eaters。Therefore，weshouldbegladtoletsuchstrongmenhavealltheycouldlayhandson。AndBig—FatandPig—
JawandTiger—Faceandalltherestsaiditwastrue。
"’Allright，’saidLong—Fang，’thenwillI，too，beastrongman。’
Andhegothimselfcorn，andbegantomakefire—brewandsellitforstringsofmoney。And，whenCrooked—Eyescomplained，Long—Fangsaidthathewashimselfastrongman，andthatifCrooked—Eyesmadeanymorenoisehewouldbashhisbrainsoutforhim。WhereatCrooked—EyeswasafraidandwentandtalkedwithThree—LegsandPig—Jaw。AndallthreewentandtalkedtoDog—Tooth。AndDog—
ToothspoketoSea—Lion，andSea—LionsentarunnerwithamessagetoTiger—Face。AndTiger—Facesenthisguards，whoburnedLong—
Fang’shousealongwiththefire—brewhehadmade。Also，theykilledhimandallhisfamily。AndBig—Fatsaiditwasgood，andtheBugsanganothersongabouthowgooditwastoobservethelaw，andwhatafinelandtheSeaValleywas，andhoweverymanwholovedtheSeaValleyshouldgoforthandkillthebadMeat—Eaters。
Andagainhissongwasasfiretous，andweforgottogrumble。
"Itwasverystrange。WhenLittle—Bellycaughttoomanyfish，sothatittookagreatmanytosellforalittlemoney，hethrewmanyofthefishbackintothesea，sothatmoremoneywouldbepaidforwhatwasleft。AndThree—Legsoftenletmanylargefieldslieidlesoastogetmoremoneyforhiscorn。Andthewomen，makingsomuchmoneyoutofshellthatmuchmoneywasneededtobuywith，Dog—Toothstoppedthemakingofmoney。Andthewomenhadnowork，sotheytooktheplacesofthemen。Iworkedonthefish—trap，gettingastringofmoneyeveryfivedays。Butmysisternowdidmywork，gettingastringofmoneyforeverytendays。Thewomenworkedcheaper，andtherewaslessfood，andTiger—Facesaidweshouldbecomeguards。OnlyIcouldnotbecomeaguardbecauseI
waslameofonelegandTiger—Facewouldnothaveme。Andthereweremanylikeme。Wewerebrokenmenandonlyfittobegforworkortotakecareofthebabieswhilethewomenworked。"
Yellow—Head，too，wasmadehungrybytherecitalandbroiledapieceofbear—meatonthecoals。
"Butwhydidn’tyouriseup，allofyou，andkillThree—LegsandPig—JawandBig—Fatandtherestandgetenoughtoeat？"Afraid—in—
the—Darkdemanded。
"Becausewecouldnotunderstand，"Long—Beardanswered。"Therewastoomuchtothinkabout，and，also，thereweretheguardsstickingspearsintous，andBig—FattalkingaboutGod，andtheBugsingingnewsongs。Andwhenanymandidthinkright，andsaidso，Tiger—
Faceandtheguardsgothim，andhewastiedouttotherocksatlowtidesothattherisingwatersdrownedhim。
"Itwasastrangething—themoney。ItwasliketheBug’ssongs。
Itseemedallright，butitwasn’t，andwewereslowtounderstand。
Dog—Toothbegantogatherthemoneyin。Heputitinabigpile，inagrasshouse，withguardstowatchitdayandnight。Andthemoremoneyhepiledinthehousethedearermoneybecame，sothatamanworkedalongertimeforastringofmoneythanbefore。Then，too，therewasalwaystalkofwarwiththeMeat—Eaters，andDog—
ToothandTiger—Facefilledmanyhouseswithcorn，anddriedfish，andsmokedgoat—meat，andcheese。Andwiththefood，piledthereinmountainsthepeoplehadnotenoughtoeat。Butwhatdiditmatter？WheneverthepeoplegrumbledtooloudlytheBugsanganewsong，andBig—FatsaiditwasGod’swordthatweshouldkillMeat—
Eaters，andTiger—Faceledusoverthedividetokillandbekilled。Iwasnotgoodenoughtobeaguardandliefatinthesun，but，whenwemadewar，Tiger—Facewasgladtotakemealong。
Andwhenwehadeaten，allthefoodstoredinthehouseswestoppedfightingandwentbacktoworktopileupmorefood。"
"Thenwereyouallcrazy，"commentedDeer—Runner。
"Thenwereweindeedallcrazy，"Long—Beardagreed。"Itwasstrange，allofit。TherewasSplit—Nose。Hesaideverythingwaswrong。Hesaiditwastruethatwegrewstrongbyaddingourstrengthtogether。Andhesaidthat，whenwefirstformedthetribe，itwasrightthatthemenwhosestrengthhurtthetribeshouldbeshornoftheirstrength—menwhobashedtheirbrothers’
headsandstoletheirbrothers’wives。Andnow，hesaid，thetribewasnotgettingstronger，butwasgettingweaker，becausethereweremenwithanotherkindofstrengththatwerehurtingthetribe—menwhohadthestrengthoftheland，likeThree—Legs;whohadthestrengthofthefish—trap，likeLittle—Belly;whohadthestrengthofallthegoat—meat，likePig—Jaw。Thethingtodo，Split—Nosesaid，wastoshearthesemenoftheirevilstrength;tomakethemgotowork，allofthem，andtoletnomaneatwhodidnotwork。
"AndtheBugsanganothersongaboutmenlikeSplit—Nose，whowantedtogoback，andliveintrees。
"YetSplit—Nosesaidno;thathedidnotwanttogoback，butahead;thattheygrewstrongonlyastheyaddedtheirstrengthtogether;andthat，iftheFish—EaterswouldaddtheirstrengthtotheMeat—Eaters，therewouldbenomorefightingandnomorewatchersandnomoreguards，andthat，withallmenworking，therewouldbesomuchfoodthateachmanwouldhavetoworknotmorethantwohoursaday。
"ThentheBugsangagain，andhesangthatSplit—Nosewaslazy，andhesangalsothe’SongoftheBees。’Itwasastrangesong，andthosewholistenedweremademad，asfromthedrinkingofstrongfire—brew。Thesongwasofaswarmofbees，andofarobberwaspwhohadcomeintolivewiththebeesandwhowasstealingalltheirhoney。Thewaspwaslazyandtoldthemtherewasnoneedtowork;also，hetoldthemtomakefriendswiththebears，whowerenothoney—stealersbutonlyverygoodfriends。AndtheBugsangincrookedwords，sothatthosewholistenedknewthattheswarmwastheSeaValleytribe，thatthebearsweretheMeat—Eaters，andthatthelazywaspwasSplit—Nose。AndwhentheBugsangthatthebeeslistenedtothewasptilltheswarmwasneartoperishing，thepeoplegrowledandsnarled，andwhentheBugsangthatatlastthegoodbeesaroseandstungthewasptodeath，thepeoplepickedupstonesfromthegroundandstonedSplit—Nosetodeathtilltherewasnaughttobeseenofhimbuttheheapofstonestheyhadflungontopofhim。AndthereweremanypoorpeoplewhoworkedlongandhardandhadnotenoughtoeatthathelpedthrowthestonesonSplit—Nose。
"And，afterthedeathofSplit—Nose，therewasbutoneothermanthatdaredriseupandspeakhismind，andthatmanwasHair—Face。
’Whereisthestrengthofthestrong？’heasked。’Wearethestrong，allofus，andwearestrongerthanDog—ToothandTiger—
FaceandThree—LegsandPig—Jawandalltherestwhodonothingandeatmuchandweakenusbythehurtoftheirstrengthwhichisbadstrength。Menwhoareslavesarenotstrong。Ifthemanwhofirstfoundthevirtueanduseoffirehadusedhisstrengthwewouldhavebeenhisslaves，aswearetheslavesto—dayofLittle—Belly，whofoundthevirtueanduseofthefish—trap;andofthemenwhofoundthevirtueanduseoftheland，andthegoats，andthefire—
brew。Before，welivedintrees，mybrothers，andnomanwassafe。
Butwefightnomorewithoneanother。Wehaveaddedourstrengthtogether。ThenletusfightnomorewiththeMeat—Eaters。Letusaddourstrengthandtheirstrengthtogether。Thenwillwebeindeedstrong。Andthenwewillgoouttogether，theFish—EatersandtheMeat—Eaters，andwewillkillthetigersandthelionsandthewolvesandthewilddogs，andwewillpastureourgoatsonallthehill—sidesandplantourcornandfatrootsinallthehighmountainvalleys。Inthatdaywewillbesostrongthatallthewildanimalswillfleebeforeusandperish。Andnothingwillwithstandus，forthestrengthofeachmanwillbethestrengthofallmenintheworld。’
"SosaidHair—Face，andtheykilledhim，because，theysaid，hewasawildmanandwantedtogobackandliveinatree。Itwasverystrange。Wheneveramanaroseandwantedtogoforwardallthosethatstoodstillsaidhewentbackwardandshouldbekilled。Andthepoorpeoplehelpedstonehim，andwerefools。Wewereallfools，exceptthosewhowerefatanddidnowork。Thefoolswerecalledwise，andthewisewerestoned。Menwhoworkeddidnotgetenoughtoeat，andthemenwhodidnotworkatetoomuch。
"Andthetribewentonlosingstrength。Thechildrenwereweakandsickly。And，becauseweatenotenough，strangesicknessescameamongusandwediedlikeflies。AndthentheMeat—Eaterscameuponus。WehadfollowedTiger—Facetoooftenoverthedivideandkilledthem。Andnowtheycametorepayinblood。Weweretooweakandsicktomanthebigwall。Andtheykilledus，allofus，exceptsomeofthewomen，whichtheytookawaywiththem。TheBugandIescaped，andIhidinthewildestplaces，andbecameahunterofmeatandwenthungrynomore。IstoleawifefromtheMeat—
Eaters，andwenttoliveinthecavesofthehighmountainswheretheycouldnotfindme。Andwehadthreesons，andeachsonstoleawifefromtheMeat—Eaters。Andtherestyouknow，forareyounotthesonsofmysons？"
"ButtheBug？"queriedDeer—Runner。"Whatbecameofhim？"
"HewenttolivewiththeMeat—Eatersandtobeasingerofsongstotheking。Heisanoldmannow，buthesingsthesameoldsongs;and，whenamanrisesuptogoforward，hesingsthatthatmaniswalkingbackwardtoliveinatree。"
Long—Bearddippedintothebear—carcassandsuckedwithtoothlessgumsatafistofsuet。
"Someday，"hesaid，wipinghishandsonhissides，"allthefoolswillbedeadandthenalllivemenwillgoforward。Thestrengthofthestrongwillbetheirs，andtheywilladdtheirstrengthtogether，sothat，ofallthemenintheworld，notonewillfightwithanother。Therewillbenoguardsnorwatchersonthewalls。
Andallthehuntinganimalswillbekilled，and，asHair—Facesaid，allthehill—sideswillbepasturedwithgoatsandallthehighmountainvalleyswillbeplantedwithcornandfatroots。Andallmenwillbebrothers，andnomanwilllieidleinthesunandbefedbyhisfellows。Andallthatwillcometopassinthetimewhenthefoolsaredead，andwhentherewillbenomoresingerstostandstillandsingthe’SongoftheBees。’Beesarenotmen。"
SOUTHOFTHESLOT
OldSanFrancisco，whichistheSanFranciscoofonlytheotherday，thedaybeforetheEarthquake，wasdividedmidwaybytheSlot。
TheSlotwasanironcrackthatranalongthecentreofMarketStreet，andfromtheSlotarosetheburroftheceaseless，endlesscablethatwashitchedatwilltothecarsitdraggedupanddown。
Intruth，thereweretwoslots，butinthequickgrammaroftheWesttimewassavedbycallingthem，andmuchmorethattheystoodfor，"TheSlot。"NorthoftheSlotwerethetheatres，hotels，andshoppingdistrict，thebanksandthestaid，respectablebusinesshouses。SouthoftheSlotwerethefactories，slums，laundries，machine—shops，boilerworks，andtheabodesoftheworkingclass。
TheSlotwasthemetaphorthatexpressedtheclasscleavageofSociety，andnomancrossedthismetaphor，backandforth，moresuccessfullythanFreddieDrummond。Hemadeapracticeoflivinginbothworlds，andinbothworldshelivedsignallywell。FreddieDrummondwasaprofessorintheSociologyDepartmentoftheUniversityofCalifornia，anditwasasaprofessorofsociologythathefirstcrossedovertheSlot，livedforsixmouthsinthegreatlabour—ghetto，andwroteTHEUNSKILLEDLABOURER—abookthatwashailedeverywhereasanablecontributiontotheliteratureofprogress，andasasplendidreplytotheliteratureofdiscontent。
Politicallyandeconomicallyitwasnothingifnotorthodox。
Presidentsofgreatrailwaysystemsboughtwholeeditionsofittogivetotheiremployees。TheManufacturers’Associationalonedistributedfiftythousandcopiesofit。Inaway，itwasalmostasimmoralasthefar—famedandnotoriousMESSAGETOGARCIA，whileinitsperniciouspreachmentofthriftandcontentitranMR。WIGGS
OFTHECABBAGEPATCHaclosesecond。
Atfirst，FreddieDrummondfounditmonstrouslydifficulttogetalongamongtheworkingpeople。Hewasnotusedtotheirways，andtheycertainlywerenotusedtohis。Theyweresuspicious。Hehadnoantecedents。Hecouldtalkofnopreviousjobs。Hishandsweresoft。Hisextraordinarypolitenesswasominous。HisfirstideaoftherolehewouldplaywasthatofafreeandindependentAmericanwhochosetoworkwithhishandsandnoexplanationsgiven。Butitwouldn’tdo，ashequicklydiscovered。Atthebeginningtheyacceptedhim，veryprovisionally，asafreak。Alittlelater，ashebegantoknowhiswayaboutbetter，heinsensiblydriftedintotherolethatwouldwork—namely，hewasamanwhohadseenbetterdays，verymuchbetterdays，butwhowasdownonhisluck，though，tobesure，onlytemporarily。
Helearnedmanythings，andgeneralizedmuchandoftenerroneously，allofwhichcanbefoundinthepagesofTHEUNSKILLEDLABOURER。
Hesavedhimself，however，afterthesaneandconservativemannerofhiskind，bylabellinghisgeneralizationsas"tentative。"OneofhisfirstexperienceswasinthegreatWilmaxCannery，wherehewasputonpiece—workmakingsmallpackingcases。Aboxfactorysuppliedtheparts，andallFreddieDrummondhadtodowastofitthepartsintoaformanddriveinthewirenailswithalighthammer。
Itwasnotskilledlabour，butitwaspiece—work。Theordinarylabourersinthecannerygotadollarandahalfperday。FreddieDrummondfoundtheothermenonthesamejobwithhimjoggingalongandearningadollarandseventy—fivecentsaday。Bythethirddayhewasabletoearnthesame。Buthewasambitious。Hedidnotcaretojogalongand，beingunusuallyableandfit，onthefourthdayearnedtwodollars。
Thenextday，havingkeyedhimselfuptoanexhaustinghigh—
tension，heearnedtwodollarsandahalf。Hisfellowworkersfavouredhimwithscowlsandblacklooks，andmaderemarks，slangilywittyandwhichhedidnotunderstand，aboutsuckinguptothebossandpace—makingandholdingherdown，whentherainssetin。Hewasastonishedattheirmalingeringonpiece—work，generalizedabouttheinherentlazinessoftheunskilledlabourer，andproceedednextdaytohammeroutthreedollars’worthofboxes。
Andthatnight，comingoutofthecannery，hewasinterviewedbyhisfellowworkmen，whowereveryangryandincoherentlyslangy。
Hefailedtocomprehendthemotivebehindtheiraction。Theactionitselfwasstrenuous。Whenherefusedtoeasedownhispaceandbleatedaboutfreedomofcontract，independentAmericanism，andthedignityoftoil，theyproceededtospoilhispace—makingability。
Itwasafiercebattle，forDrummondwasalargemanandanathlete，butthecrowdfinallyjumpedonhisribs，walkedonhisface，andstampedonhisfingers，sothatitwasonlyafterlyinginbedforaweekthathewasabletogetupandlookforanotherjob。Allofwhichisdulynarratedinthatfirstbookofhis，inthechapterentitled"TheTyrannyofLabour。"
Alittlelater，inanotherdepartmentoftheWilmaxCannery，lumpingasafruit—distributoramongthewomen，heessayedtocarrytwoboxesoffruitatatime，andwaspromptlyreproachedbytheotherfruit—lumpers。Itwaspalpablemalingering;buthewasthere，hedecided，nottochangeconditions，buttoobserve。Sohelumpedoneboxthereafter，andsowelldidhestudytheartofshirkingthathewroteaspecialchapteronit，withthelastseveralparagraphsdevotedtotentativegeneralizations。
Inthosesixmonthsheworkedatmanyjobsanddevelopedintoaverygoodimitationofagenuineworker。Hewasanaturallinguist，andhekeptnotebooks，makingascientificstudyoftheworkers’slangorargot，untilhecouldtalkquiteintelligibly。
Thislanguagealsoenabledhimmoreintimatelytofollowtheirmentalprocesses，andtherebytogathermuchdataforaprojectedchapterinsomefuturebookwhichheplannedtoentitleSYNTHESIS
OFWORKING—CLASSPSYCHOLOGY。
Beforehearosetothesurfacefromthatfirstplungeintotheunderworldhediscoveredthathewasagoodactoranddemonstratedtheplasticityofhisnature。Hewashimselfastonishedathisownfluidity。Oncehavingmasteredthelanguageandconquerednumerousfastidiousqualms，hefoundthathecouldflowintoanynookofworking—classlifeandfititsosnuglyastofeelcomfortablyathome。Ashesaid，intheprefacetohissecondbook，THETOILER，heendeavouredreallytoknowtheworkingpeople，andtheonlypossiblewaytoachievethiswastoworkbesidethem，eattheirfood，sleepintheirbeds，beamusedwiththeiramusements，thinktheirthoughts，andfeeltheirfeeling。
Hewasnotadeepthinker。Hehadnofaithinnewtheories。Allhisnormsandcriteriawereconventional。HisThesisontheFrenchRevolutionwasnoteworthyincollegeannals，notmerelyforitspainstakingandvoluminousaccuracy，butforthefactthatitwasthedryest，deadest，mostformal，andmostorthodoxscreedeverwrittenonthesubject。Hewasaveryreservedman，andhisnaturalinhibitionwaslargeinquantityandsteel—likeinquality。
Hehadbutfewfriends。Hewastooundemonstrative，toofrigid。
Hehadnovices，norhadanyoneeverdiscoveredanytemptations。
Tobaccohedetested，beerheabhorred，andhewasneverknowntodrinkanythingstrongerthananoccasionallightwineatdinner。
Whenafreshmanhehadbeenbaptized"Ice—Box"byhiswarmer—
bloodedfellows。Asamemberofthefacultyhewasknownas"Cold—
Storage。"Hehadbutonegrief，andthatwas"Freddie。"Hehadearneditwhenheplayedfull—backinthe’Varsityeleven，andhisformalsoulhadneversucceededinlivingitdown。"Freddie"hewouldeverbe，exceptofficially，andthroughnightmarevistashelookedintoafuturewhenhisworldwouldspeakofhimas"OldFreddie。"
Forhewasveryyoungtobeadoctorofsociology，onlytwenty—
seven，andhelookedyounger。Inappearanceandatmospherehewasastrappingbigcollegeman，smooth—facedandeasy—mannered，cleanandsimpleandwholesome，withaknownrecordofbeingasplendidathleteandanimpliedvastpossessionofcoldcultureoftheinhibitedsort。Henevertalkedshopoutofclassandcommitteerooms，exceptlateron，whenhisbooksshoweredhimwithdistastefulpublicnoticeandheyieldedtotheextentofreadingoccasionalpapersbeforecertainliteraryandeconomicsocieties。
Hedideverythingright—tooright;andindressandcomportmentwasinevitablycorrect。Notthathewasadandy。Farfromit。Hewasacollegeman，indressandcarriageaslikeasapeatothetypethatoflateyearsisbeingsogenerouslyturnedoutofourinstitutionsofhigherlearning。Hishandshakewassatisfyinglystrongandstiff。Hisblueeyeswerecoldlyblueandconvincinglysincere。Hisvoice，firmandmasculine，cleanandcrispofenunciation，waspleasanttotheear。TheonedrawbacktoFreddieDrummondwashisinhibition。Heneverunbent。Inhisfootballdays，thehigherthetensionofthegame，thecoolerhegrew。Hewasnotedasaboxer，buthewasregardedasanautomaton，withtheinhumanprecisionofamachinejudgingdistanceandtimingblows，guarding，blocking，andstalling。Hewasrarelypunishedhimself，whileherarelypunishedanopponent。Hewastoocleverandtoocontrolledtopermithimselftoputapoundmoreweightintoapunchthanheintended。Withhimitwasamatterofexercise。Itkepthimfit。
Astimewentby，FreddieDrummondfoundhimselfmorefrequentlycrossingtheSlotandlosinghimselfinSouthofMarket。Hissummerandwinterholidayswerespentthere，and，whetheritwasaweekoraweek—end，hefoundthetimespenttheretobevaluableandenjoyable。Andtherewassomuchmaterialtobegathered。Histhirdbook，MASSANDMASTER，becameatext—bookintheAmericanuniversities;andalmostbeforeheknewit，hewasatworkonafourthone，THEFALLACYOFTHEINEFFICIENT。
Somewhereinhismake—uptherewasastrangetwistorquirk。
Perhapsitwasarecoilfromhisenvironmentandtraining，orfromthetemperedseedofhisancestors，whohadbeenbook—mengenerationprecedinggeneration;butatanyrate，hefoundenjoymentinbeingdownintheworking—classworld。Inhisownworldhewas"Cold—Storage，"butdownbelowhewas"Big"BillTotts，whocoulddrinkandsmoke，andslangandfight，andbeanall—roundfavourite。EverybodylikedBill，andmorethanoneworkinggirlmadelovetohim。Atfirsthehadbeenmerelyagoodactor，butastimewenton，simulationbecamesecondnature。Henolongerplayedapart，andhelovedsausages，sausagesandbacon，thanwhich，inhisownpropersphere，therewasnothingmoreloathsomeinthewayoffood。
Fromdoingthethingfortheneed’ssake，hecametodoingthethingforthething’ssake。Hefoundhimselfregrettingasthetimedrewnearforhimtogobacktohislecture—roomandhisinhibition。AndheoftenfoundhimselfwaitingwithanticipationforthedreamytimetopasswhenhecouldcrosstheSlotandcutlooseandplaythedevil。Hewasnotwicked，butas"Big"BillTottshedidamyriadthingsthatFreddieDrummondwouldneverhavebeenpermittedtodo。Moreover，FreddieDrummondneverwouldhavewantedtodothem。Thatwasthestrangestpartofhisdiscovery。
FreddieDrummondandBillTottsweretwototallydifferentcreatures。Thedesiresandtastesandimpulsesofeachrancountertotheother’s。BillTottscouldshirkatajobwithclearconscience，whileFreddieDrummondcondemnedshirkingasvicious，criminal，andun—American，anddevotedwholechapterstocondemnationofthevice。FreddieDrummonddidnotcarefordancing，butBillTottsnevermissedthenightsatthevariousdancingclubs，suchasTheMagnolia，TheWesternStar，andTheElite;whilehewonamassivesilvercup，standingthirtyincheshigh，forbeingthebest—sustainedcharacterattheButchersandMeatWorkers’annualgrandmaskedball。AndBillTottslikedthegirlsandthegirlslikedhim，whileFreddieDrummondenjoyedplayingtheasceticinthisparticular，wasopeninhisoppositiontoequalsuffrage，andcynicallybitterinhissecretcondemnationofcoeducation。
FreddieDrummondchangedhismannerswithhisdress，andwithouteffort。Whenheenteredtheobscurelittleroomusedforhistransformationscenes，hecarriedhimselfjustabittoostiffly。
Hewastooerect，hisshoulderswereaninchtoofarback，whilehisfacewasgrave，almostharsh，andpracticallyexpressionless。
ButwhenheemergedinBillTotts’clotheshewasanothercreature。
BillTottsdidnotslouch，butsomehowhiswholeformlimberedupandbecamegraceful。Theverysoundofthevoicewaschanged，andthelaughwasloudandhearty，whileloosespeechandanoccasionaloathwereasamatterofcourseonhislips。Also，BillTottswasatrifleinclinedtolatehours，andattimes，insaloons，tobegood—naturedlybellicosewithotherworkmen。Then，too，atSundaypicnicsorwhencominghomefromtheshow，eitherarmbetrayedapractisedfamiliarityinstealingaroundgirls’waists，whilehedisplayedawitkeenanddelightfulintheflirtatiousbadinagethatwasexpectedofagoodfellowinhisclass。
SothoroughlywasBillTottshimself，sothoroughlyaworkman，agenuinedenizenofSouthoftheSlot，thathewasasclass—
consciousastheaverageofhiskind，andhishatredforascabevenexceededthatoftheaverageloyalunionman。DuringtheWaterFrontStrike，FreddieDrummondwassomehowabletostandapartfromtheuniquecombination，and，coldlycritical，watchBillTottshilariouslyslugscablongshoremen。ForBillTottswasadues—payingmemberoftheLongshoremenUnionandhadarighttobeindignantwiththeusurpersofhisjob。"Big"BillTottswassoverybig，andsoveryable，thatitwas"Big"Billtothefrontwhentroublewasbrewing。Fromactingoutragedfeelings，FreddieDrummond，intheroleofhisotherself，cametoexperiencegenuineoutrage，anditwasonlywhenhereturnedtotheclassicatmosphereoftheuniversitythathewasable，sanelyandconservatively，togeneralizeuponhisunderworldexperiencesandputthemdownonpaperasatrainedsociologistshould。ThatBillTottslackedtheperspectivetoraisehimaboveclass—consciousnessFreddieDrummondclearlysaw。ButBillTottscouldnotseeit。Whenhesawascabtakinghisjobaway，hesawredatthesametime，andlittleelsedidhesee。ItwasFreddieDrummond，irreproachablyclothedandcomported，seatedathisstudydeskorfacinghisclassinSOCIOLOGY17，whosawBillTotts，andallaroundBillTotts，andallaroundthewholescabandunion—labourproblemanditsrelationtotheeconomicwelfareoftheUnitedStatesinthestrugglefortheworldmarket。BillTottsreallywasn’tabletoseebeyondthenextmealandtheprize—fightthefollowingnightattheGaietyAthleticClub。
ItwaswhilegatheringmaterialforWOMENANDWORKthatFreddiereceivedhisfirstwarningofthedangerhewasin。Hewastoosuccessfulatlivinginbothworlds。Thisstrangedualismhehaddevelopedwasafterallveryunstable，and，ashesatinhisstudyandmeditated，hesawthatitcouldnotendure。Itwasreallyatransitionstage，andifhepersistedhesawthathewouldinevitablyhavetodroponeworldortheother。Hecouldnotcontinueinboth。Andashelookedattherowofvolumesthatgracedtheuppershelfofhisrevolvingbook—case，hisvolumes，beginningwithhisThesisandendingwithWOMENANDWORK，hedecidedthatthatwastheworldhewouldholdtoandstickby。
BillTottshadservedhispurpose，buthehadbecomeatoodangerousaccomplice。BillTottswouldhavetocease。
FreddieDrummond’sfrightwasduetoMaryCondon，PresidentoftheInternationalGloveWorkers’UnionNo。974。Hehadseenher，first，fromthespectators’gallery，attheannualconventionoftheNorthwestFederationofLabour，andhehadseenherthroughBillTotts’eyes，andthatindividualhadbeenmostfavourablyimpressedbyher。ShewasnotFreddieDrummond’ssortatall。
Whatifshewerearoyal—bodiedwoman，gracefulandsinewyasapanther，withamazingblackeyesthatcouldfillwithfireorlaughter—love，asthemoodmightdictate？Hedetestedwomenwithatooexuberantvitalityandalackof……well，ofinhibition。
FreddieDrummondacceptedthedoctrineofevolutionbecauseitwasquiteuniversallyacceptedbycollegemen，andheflatlybelievedthatmanhadclimbeduptheladderoflifeoutofthewelteringmuckandmessoflowerandmonstrousorganicthings。Buthewasatrifleashamedofthisgenealogy，andpreferrednottothinkofit。
Wherefore，probably，hepractisedhisironinhibitionandpreachedittoothers，andpreferredwomenofhisowntype，whocouldshakefreeofthisbestialandregrettableancestrallineandbydisciplineandcontrolemphasizethewidenessofthegulfthatseparatedthemfromwhattheirdimforbearshadbeen。
BillTottshadnoneoftheseconsiderations。HehadlikedMaryCondonfromthemomenthiseyesfirstrestedonherintheconventionhall，andhehadmadeitapoint，thenandthere，tofindoutwhoshewas。Thenexttimehemether，andquitebyaccident，waswhenhewasdrivinganexpresswaggonforPatMorrissey。Itwasinalodging—houseinMissionStreet，wherehehadbeencalledtotakeatrunkintostorage。Thelandlady’sdaughterhadcalledhimandledhimtothelittlebedroom，theoccupantofwhich，aglove—maker，hadjustbeenremovedtohospital。ButBilldidnotknowthis。Hestooped，up—endedthetrunk，whichwasalargeone，gotitonhisshoulder，andstruggledtohisfeetwithhisbacktowardtheopendoor。Atthatmomentheheardawoman’svoice。
"Belongtotheunion？"wasthequestionasked。
"Aw，what’sittoyou？"heretorted。"Runalongnow，an’gitoutamyway。Iwantaturnround。"
Thenextheknow，bigashewas，hewaswhirledhalfaroundandsentreelingbackward，thetrunkoverbalancinghim，tillhefetchedupwithacrashagainstthewall。Hestartedtoswear，butatthesameinstantfoundhimselflookingintoMaryCondon’sflashing，angryeyes。
"OfcourseIb’longtotheunion，"hesaid。"Iwasonlykiddin’
you。"
"Where’syourcard？"shedemandedinbusinessliketones。
"Inmypocket。ButIcan’tgititoutnow。Thistrunk’stoodamnheavy。Comeondowntothewaggonan’I’llshowittoyou。"
"Putthattrunkdown，"wasthecommand。
"Whatfor？Igotacard，I’mtellin’you。"
"Putitdown，that’sall。Noscab’sgoingtohandlethattrunk。
Yououghttobeashamedofyourself，youbigcoward，scabbingonhonestmen。Whydon’tyoujointheunionandbeaman？"
MaryCondon’scolourhadleftherface，anditwasapparentthatshewasinarage。
"Tothinkofabigmanlikeyouturningtraitortohisclass。I
supposeyou’reachingtojointhemilitiaforachancetoshootdownuniondriversthenextstrike。Youmaybelongtothemilitiaalready，forthatmatter。You’rethesort—"
"Holdon，now，that’stoomuch！"Billdroppedthetrunktothefloorwithabang，straightenedup，andthrusthishandintohisinsidecoatpocket。"ItoldyouIwasonlykiddin’。There，lookatthat。"
Itwasaunioncardproperlyenough。
"Allright，takeitalong，"MaryCondonsaid。"Andthenexttimedon’tkid。"
Herfacerelaxedasshenoticedtheeasewithwhichhegotthebigtrunktohisshoulder，andhereyesglowedastheyglancedoverthegracefulmassivenessoftheman。ButBilldidnotseethat。Hewastoobusywiththetrunk。
ThenexttimehesawMaryCondonwasduringtheLaundryStrike。
TheLaundryWorkers，butrecentlyorganized，weregreenatthebusiness，andhadpetitionedMaryCondontoengineerthestrike。
FreddieDrummondhadhadaninklingofwhatwascoming，andhadsentBillTottstojointheunionandinvestigate。Bill’sjobwasinthewash—room，andthemenhadbeencalledoutfirst，thatmorning，inordertostiffenthecourageofthegirls;andBillchancedtobenearthedoortothemangle—roomwhenMaryCondonstartedtoenter。Thesuperintendent，whowasbothlargeandstout，barredherway。Hewasn’tgoingtohavehisgirlscalledout，andhe’dteachheralessontomindherownbusiness。AndasMarytriedtosqueezepasthimhethrustherbackwithafathandonhershoulder。SheglancedaroundandsawBill。
"Hereyou，Mr。Totts，"shecalled。"Lendahand。Iwanttogetin。"
Billexperiencedastartleofwarmsurprise。Shehadrememberedhisnamefromhisunioncard。Thenextmomentthesuperintendenthadbeenpluckedfromthedoorwayravingaboutrightsunderthelaw，andthegirlsweredesertingtheirmachines。Duringtherestofthatshortandsuccessfulstrike，BillconstitutedhimselfMaryCondon’shenchmanandmessenger，andwhenitwasoverreturnedtotheUniversitytobeFreddieDrummondandtowonderwhatBillTottscouldseeinsuchawoman。
FreddieDrummondwasentirelysafe，butBillhadfalleninlove。
Therewasnogettingawayfromthefactofit，anditwasthisfactthathadgivenFreddieDrummondhiswarning。Well，hehaddonehiswork，andhisadventurescouldcease。TherewasnoneedforhimtocrosstheSlotagain。Allbutthelastthreechaptersofhislatest，LABOURTACTICSANDSTRATEGY，wasfinished，andhehadsufficientmaterialonhandadequatelytosupplythosechapters。
Anotherconclusionhearrivedat，wasthatinordertosheet—anchorhimselfasFreddieDrummond，closertiesandrelationsinhisownsocialnookwerenecessary。Itwastimethathewasmarried，anyway，andhewasfullyawarethatifFreddieDrummonddidn’tgetmarried，BillTottsassuredlywould，andthecomplicationsweretooawfultocontemplate。Andso，entersCatherineVanVorst。Shewasacollegewomanherself，andherfather，theonewealthymemberofthefaculty，wastheheadofthePhilosophyDepartmentaswell。Itwouldbeawisemarriagefromeverystandpoint，FreddieDrummondconcludedwhentheengagementwasconsummatedandannounced。Inappearancecoldandreserved，aristocraticandwholesomelyconservative，CatherineVanVorst，thoughwarminherway，possessedaninhibitionequaltoDrummond’s。
Allseemedwellwithhim，butFreddieDrummondcouldnotquiteshakeoffthecalloftheunderworld，thelureofthefreeandopen，oftheunhampered，irresponsiblelifeSouthoftheSlot。Asthetimeofhismarriageapproached，hefeltthathehadindeedsowedwildoats，andhefelt，moreover，whatagoodthingitwouldbeifhecouldhavebutonewildflingmore，playthegoodfellowandthewastrelonelasttime，erehesettleddowntogreylecture—
roomsandsobermatrimony。And，furthertotempthim，theverylastchapterofLABOURTACTICSANDSTRATEGYremainedunwrittenforlackofatriflemoreofessentialdatawhichhehadneglectedtogather。
SoFreddieDrummondwentdownforthelasttimeasBillTotts，gothisdata，and，unfortunately，encounteredMaryCondon。Oncemoreinstalledinhisstudy，itwasnotapleasantthingtolookbackupon。Itmadehiswarningdoublyimperative。BillTottshadbehavedabominably。NotonlyhadhemetMaryCondonattheCentralLabourCouncil，buthehadstoppedatachop—housewithher，onthewayhome，andtreatedhertooysters。Andbeforetheypartedatherdoor，hisarmshadbeenabouther，andhehadkissedheronthelipsandkissedherrepeatedly。Andherlastwordsinhisear，wordsutteredsoftlywithacatchysobinthethroatthatwasnothingmorenorlessthanalovecry，were"Bill……dear，dearBill。"
FreddieDrummondshudderedattherecollection。Hesawthepityawningforhim。Hewasnotbynatureapolygamist，andhewasappalledatthepossibilitiesofthesituation。Itwouldhavetobeputanendto，anditwouldendinoneonlyoftwoways：eitherhemustbecomewhollyBillTottsandbemarriedtoMaryCondon，orhemustremainwhollyFreddieDrummondandbemarriedtoCatherineVanVorst。Otherwise，hisconductwouldbebeneathcontemptandhorrible。
Intheseveralmonthsthatfollowed，SanFranciscowastornwithlabourstrife。Theunionsandtheemployers’associationshadlockedhornswithadeterminationthatlookedasiftheyintendedtosettlethematter，onewayortheother，foralltime。ButFreddieDrummondcorrectedproofs，lecturedclasses，anddidnotbudge。HedevotedhimselftoCatherineVanVorst，anddaybydayfoundmoretorespectandadmireinher—nay，eventoloveinher。
TheStreetCarStriketemptedhim，butnotsoseverelyashewouldhaveexpected;andthegreatMeatStrikecameonandlefthimcold。
TheghostofBillTottshadbeensuccessfullylaid，andFreddieDrummondwithrejuvenescentzealtackledabrochure，long—planned，onthetopicof"diminishingreturns。"
Theweddingwastwoweeksoff，when，oneafternoon，inSanFrancisco，CatherineVanVorstpickedhimupandwhiskedhimawaytoseeaBoys’Club，recentlyinstitutedbythesettlementworkersinwhomshewasinterested。Itwasherbrother’smachine，buttheywerealonewiththeexceptionofthechauffeur。AtthejunctionwithKearnyStreet，MarketandGearyStreetsintersectlikethesidesofasharp—angledletter"V。"They，intheauto，werecomingdownMarketwiththeintentionofnegotiatingthesharpapexandgoingupGeary。ButtheydidnotknowwhatwascomingdownGeary，timedbyfatetomeetthemattheapex。WhileawarefromthepapersthattheMeatStrikewasonandthatitwasanexceedinglybitterone，allthoughtofitatthatmomentwasfarthestfromFreddieDrummond’smind。WashenotseatedbesideCatherine？Andbesides，hewascarefullyexpositingtoherhisviewsonsettlementwork—viewsthatBillTotts’adventureshadplayedapartinformulating。
ComingdownGearyStreetweresixmeatwaggons。Besideeachscabdriversatapoliceman。Frontandrear，andalongeachsideofthisprocession，marchedaprotectingescortofonehundredpolice。
Behindthepolicerearguard，atarespectfuldistance，wasanorderlybutvociferousmob，severalblocksinlength，thatcongestedthestreetfromsidewalktosidewalk。TheBeefTrustwasmakinganefforttosupplythehotels，and，incidentally，tobeginthebreakingofthestrike。TheSt。Francishadalreadybeensupplied，atacostofmanybrokenwindowsandbrokenheads，andtheexpeditionwasmarchingtothereliefofthePalaceHotel。
Allunwitting，DrummondsatbesideCatherine，talkingsettlementwork，astheauto，honkingmethodicallyanddodgingtraffic，swunginawidecurvetogetaroundtheapex。Abigcoalwaggon，loadedwithlumpcoalanddrawnbyfourhugehorses，justdebouchingfromKearnyStreetasthoughtoturndownMarket，blockedtheirway。
Thedriverofthewaggonseemedundecided，andthechauffeur，runningslowbutdisregardingsomeshoutedwarningfromthecrossingpolicemen，swervedtheautototheleft，violatingthetrafficrules，inordertopassinfrontofthewaggon。
AtthatmomentFreddieDrummonddiscontinuedhisconversation。Nordidheresumeitagain，forthesituationwasdevelopingwiththerapidityofatransformationscene。Heheardtheroarofthemobattherear，andcaughtaglimpseofthehelmetedpoliceandthelurchingmeatwaggons。Atthesamemoment，layingonhiswhip，andstandinguptohistask，thecoaldriverrushedhorsesandwaggonsquarelyinfrontoftheadvancingprocession，pulledthehorsesupsharply，andputonthebigbrake。Thenhemadehislinesfasttothebrake—handleandsatdownwiththeairofonewhohadstoppedtostay。Theautohadbeenbroughttoastop，too，byhisbigpantingleaderswhichhadjammedagainstit。
Beforethechauffeurcouldbackclear，anoldIrishman，drivingaricketyexpresswaggonandlashinghisonehorsetoagallop，hadlockedwheelswiththeauto。Drummondrecognizedbothhorseandwaggon，forhehaddriventhemoftenhimself。TheIrishmanwasPatMorrissey。Ontheothersideabrewerywaggonwaslockingwiththecoalwaggon，andaneast—boundKearnyStreetcar，wildlyclangingitsgong，themotormanshoutingdefianceatthecrossingpoliceman，wasdashingforwardtocompletetheblockade。Andwaggonafterwaggonwaslockingandblockingandaddingtotheconfusion。Themeatwaggonshalted。Thepoliceweretrapped。Theroarattherearincreasedasthemobcameontotheattack，whilethevanguardofthepolicechargedtheobstructingwaggons。
"We’reinforit，"DrummondremarkedcoollytoCatherine。
"Yes，"shenodded，withequalcoolness。"Whatsavagestheyare。"
Hisadmirationforherdoubledonitself。Shewasindeedhissort。
Hewouldhavebeensatisfiedwithherevenifshehadscreamed，andclungtohim，butthis—thiswasmagnificent。Shesatinthatstormcentreascalmlyasifithadbeennomorethanablockofcarriagesattheopera。
Thepolicewerestrugglingtoclearapassage。Thedriverofthecoalwaggon，abigmaninshirtsleeves，lightedapipeandsatsmoking。Heglanceddowncomplacentlyatacaptainofpolicewhowasravingandcursingathim，andhisonlyacknowledgmentwasashrugoftheshoulders。Fromthereararosetherat—rat—tatofclubsonheadsandapandemoniumofcursing，yelling，andshouting。
Aviolentaccessionofnoiseproclaimedthatthemobhadbrokenthroughandwasdraggingascabfromawaggon。Thepolicecaptainreinforcedfromhisvanguard，andthemobattherearwasrepelled。
Meanwhile，windowafterwindowinthehighofficebuildingontherighthadbeenopened，andtheclass—consciousclerkswererainingashowerofofficefurnituredownontheheadsofpoliceandscabs。
Waste—baskets，ink—bottles，paper—weights，type—writers—anythingandeverythingthatcametohandwasfillingtheair。
Apoliceman，underordersfromhiscaptain，clamberedtotheloftyseatofthecoalwaggontoarrestthedriver。Andthedriver，risingleisurelyandpeacefullytomeethim，suddenlycrumpledhiminhisarmsandthrewhimdownontopofthecaptain。Thedriverwasayounggiant，andwhenheclimbedonhisloadandpoisedalumpofcoalinbothhands，apoliceman，whowasjustscalingthewaggonfromtheside，letgoanddroppedbacktoearth。Thecaptainorderedhalf—a—dozenofhismentotakethewaggon。Theteamster，scramblingovertheloadfromsidetoside，beatthemdownwithhugelumpsofcoal。
Thecrowdonthesidewalksandtheteamstersonthelockedwaggonsroaredencouragementandtheirowndelight。Themotorman，smashinghelmetswithhiscontrollerbar，wasbeatenintoinsensibilityanddraggedfromhisplatform。Thecaptainofpolice，besidehimselfattherepulseofhismen，ledthenextassaultonthecoalwaggon。
Ascoreofpolicewereswarmingupthetall—sidedfortress。Buttheteamstermultipliedhimself。Attimesthereweresixoreightpolicemenrollingonthepavementandunderthewaggon。Engagedinrepulsinganattackontherearendofhisfortress，theteamsterturnedabouttoseethecaptainjustintheactofsteppingontotheseatfromthefrontend。Hewasstillintheairandinmostunstableequilibrium，whentheteamsterhurledathirty—poundlumpofcoal。Itcaughtthecaptainfairlyonthechest，andhewentoverbackward，strikingonawheeler’sback，tumblingontotheground，andjammingagainsttherearwheeloftheauto。
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