Buthe’sjustthesortofmanwho’scapableofcarryingyouofffarawaysomewhereandthencuttingyourthroatsomedayforyourmoney。"
Therewasagoodhalfofthelengthoftheverandahbetweentheirchairs。Icameoutandsatdownfiercelymidwaybetweenthem。
"Yes，that’swhatwedowithgirlsinEurope，"Ibeganinagrimlymatter—of—facttone。IthinkMissJacobuswasdisconcertedbymysuddenappearance。Iturneduponherwithcoldferocity：
"Astoobjectionableoldwomen，theyarefirststrangledquietly，thencutupintosmallpiecesandthrownaway，abithereandabitthere。Theyvanish—"
IcannotgosofarastosayIhadterrifiedher。Butshewastroubledbymytruculence，themoresobecauseIhadbeenalwaysaddressingherwithapolitenessshedidnotdeserve。Herplump，knittinghandsfellslowlyonherknees。ShesaidnotawordwhileIfixedherwithseveredetermination。ThenasIturnedawayfromheratlast，shelaiddownherworkgentlyand，withnoiselessmovements，retreatedfromtheverandah。Infact，shevanished。
ButIwasnotthinkingofher。Iwaslookingatthegirl。ItwaswhatIwascomingfordaily；troubled，ashamed，eager；findinginmynearnesstoherauniquesensationwhichIindulgedwithdread，self—contempt，anddeeppleasure，asifitwereasecretviceboundtoendinmyundoing，likethehabitofsomedrugorotherwhichruinsanddegradesitsslave。
Ilookedherover，fromthetopofherdishevelledhead，downthelovelylineoftheshoulder，followingthecurveofthehip，thedrapedformofthelonglimb，rightdowntoherfineanklebelowatorn，soiledflounce；andasfarasthepointoftheshabby，high—
heeled，blueslipper，danglingfromherwell—shapedfoot，whichshemovedslightly，withquick，nervousjerks，asifimpatientofmypresence。AndinthescentofthemassedflowersIseemedtobreatheherspecialandinexplicablecharm，theheadyperfumeoftheeverlastinglyirritatedcaptiveofthegarden。
Ilookedatherroundedchin，theJacobuschin；atthefull，redlipspoutinginthepowdered，sallowface；atthefirmmodellingofthecheek，thegrainsofwhiteinthehairsofthestraightsombreeyebrows；atthelongeyes，anarrowedgleamofliquidwhiteandintensemotionlessblack，withtheirgazesoemptyofthought，andsoabsorbedintheirfixitythatsheseemedtobestaringatherownlonelyimage，insomefar—offmirrorhiddenfrommysightamongstthetrees。
Andsuddenly，withoutlookingatme，withtheappearanceofapersonspeakingtoherself，sheasked，inthatvoiceslightlyharshyetmellowandalwaysirritated：
"Whydoyoukeeponcominghere？"
"WhydoIkeeponcominghere？"Irepeated，takenbysurprise。I
couldnothavetoldher。IcouldnoteventellmyselfwithsinceritywhyIwascomingthere。"What’sthegoodofyouaskingaquestionlikethat？"
"Nothingisanygood，"sheobservedscornfullytotheemptyair，herchinproppedonherhand，thathandneverextendedtoanyman，thatnoonehadevergrasped—forIhadonlygraspedhershoulderonce—thatgenerous，fine，somewhatmasculinehand。Iknewwellthepeculiarlyefficientshape—broadatthebase，taperingatthefingers—ofthathand，forwhichtherewasnothingintheworldtolayholdof。Ipretendedtobeplayful。
"No！Butdoyoureallycaretoknow？"
Sheshruggedindolentlyhermagnificentshoulders，fromwhichthedingythinwrapperwasslippingalittle。
"Oh—nevermind—nevermind！"
Therewassomethingsmoulderingunderthoseairsoflassitude。Sheexasperatedmebytheprovocationofhernonchalance，bysomethingelusiveanddefiantinherveryformwhichIwantedtoseize。I
saidroughly：
"Why？Don’tyouthinkIshouldtellyouthetruth？"
Hereyesglidedmywayforasidelonglook，andshemurmured，movingonlyherfull，poutinglips：
"Ithinkyouwouldnotdare。"
"DoyouimagineIamafraidofyou？Whatonearth……Well，it’spossible，afterall，thatIdon’tknowexactlywhyIamcominghere。Letussay，withMissJacobus，thatitisfornogood。Youseemtobelievetheoutrageousthingsshesays，ifyoudohavearowwithhernowandthen。"
Shesnappedoutviciously：
"WhoelseamItobelieve？
"Idon’tknow，"Ihadtoown，seeinghersuddenlyveryhelplessandcondemnedtomoralsolitudebytheverdictofarespectablecommunity。"Youmightbelieveme，ifyouchose。"
Shemadeaslightmovementandaskedmeatonce，withaneffortasifmakinganexperiment：
"Whatisthebusinessbetweenyouandpapa？"
"Don’tyouknowthenatureofyourfather’sbusiness？Come！Hesellsprovisionstoships。"
Shebecamerigidagaininhercrouchingpose。
"Notthat。Whatbringsyouhere—tothishouse？"
"Andsupposeit’syou？Youwouldnotcallthatbusiness？Wouldyou？Andnowletusdropthesubject。It’snouse。Myshipwillbereadyforseathedayafterto—morrow。"
Shemurmuredadistinctlyscared"Sosoon，"andgettingupquickly，wenttothelittletableandpouredherselfaglassofwater。Shewalkedwithrapidstepsandwithanindolentswayingofherwholeyoungfigureabovethehips；whenshepassednearmeIfeltwithtenfoldforcethecharmofthepeculiar，promisingsensationIhadformedthehabittoseeknearher。Ithoughtwithsuddendismaythatthiswastheendofit；thatafteronemoredayIwouldbenolongerabletocomeintothisverandah，sitonthischair，andtasteperverselytheflavourofcontemptinherindolentposes，drinkintheprovocationofherscornfullooks，andlistentothecurt，insolentremarksutteredinthatharshandseductivevoice。
Asifmyinnermostnaturehadbeenalteredbytheactionofsomemoralpoison，Ifeltanabjectdreadofgoingtosea。
Ihadtoexerciseasuddenself—control，asoneputsonabrake，topreventmyselfjumpinguptostrideabout，shout，gesticulate，makeherascene。Whatfor？Whatabout？Ihadnoidea。ItwasjustthereliefofviolencethatIwanted；andIlolledbackinmychair，tryingtokeepmylipsformedinasmile；thathalf—
indulgent，half—mockingsmilewhichwasmyshieldagainsttheshaftsofhercontemptandtheinsultingsalliesflungatmebytheoldwoman。
Shedrankthewateratadraught，withtheavidityofragingthirst，andletherselffallonthenearestchair，asifutterlyovercome。Herattitude，likecertaintonesofhervoice，hadinitsomethingmasculine：thekneesapartintheamplewrapper，theclaspedhandshangingbetweenthem，herbodyleaningforward，withdroopinghead。Istaredattheheavyblackcoiloftwistedhair。
Itwasenormous，crowningthebowedheadwithacrushinganddisdainedglory。Theescapedwispshungstraightdown。AndsuddenlyIperceivedthatthegirlwastremblingfromheadtofoot，asthoughthatglassoficedwaterhadchilledhertothebone。
"What’sthematternow？"Isaid，startled，butinnoverysympatheticmood。
Sheshookherbowed，overweightedheadandcriedinastifledvoicebutwitharisinginflection：
"Goaway！Goaway！Goaway！"
Igotupthenandapproachedher，withastrangesortofanxiety。
Ilookeddownatherround，strongneck，thenstoopedlowenoughtopeepatherface。AndIbegantotremblealittlemyself。
"Whatonearthareyougonewildabout，MissDon’tCare？"
Sheflungherselfbackwardsviolently，herheadgoingoverthebackofthechair。Andnowitwashersmooth，full，palpitatingthroatthatlayexposedtomybewilderedstare。Hereyeswerenearlyclosed，withonlyahorriblewhitegleamunderthelidsasifsheweredead。
"Whathascometoyou？"Iaskedinawe。"Whatareyouterrifyingyourselfwith？"
Shepulledherselftogether，hereyesopenfrightfullywidenow。
Thetropicalafternoonwaslengtheningtheshadowsonthehot，wearyearth，theabodeofobscuredesires，ofextravaganthopes，ofunimaginableterrors。
"Nevermind！Don’tcare！"Then，afteragasp，shespokewithsuchfrightfulrapiditythatIcouldhardlymakeouttheamazingwords：
"Forifyouweretoshutmeupinanemptyplaceassmoothallroundasthepalmofmyhand，Icouldalwaysstranglemyselfwithmyhair。"
Foramoment，doubtingmyears，Iletthisinconceivabledeclarationsinkintome。Itiseverimpossibletoguessatthewildthoughtsthatpassthroughtheheadsofourfellow—creatures。
Whatmonstrousimaginingsofviolencecouldhavedweltunderthelowforeheadofthatgirlwhohadbeentaughttoregardherfatheras"capableofanything"moreinthelightofamisfortunethanthatofadisgrace；as，evidently，somethingtoberesentedandfearedratherthantobeashamedof？Sheseemed，indeed，asunawareofshameasofanythingelseintheworld；butinherignorance，herresentmentandfeartookachildishandviolentshape。
Ofcourseshespokewithoutknowingthevalueofwords。Whatcouldsheknowofdeath—shewhoknewnothingoflife？Itwasmerelyastheproofofherbeingbesideherselfwithsomeodiousapprehension，thatthisextraordinaryspeechhadmovedme，nottopity，buttoafascinated，horrifiedwonder。Ihadnoideawhatnotionshehadofherdanger。Somesortofabduction。Itwasquitepossiblewiththetalkofthatatrociousoldwoman。Perhapsshethoughtshecouldbecarriedoff，boundhandandfootandevengagged。AtthatsurmiseIfeltasifthedoorofafurnacehadbeenopenedinfrontofme。
"Uponmyhonour！"Icried。"Youshallendbygoingcrazyifyoulistentothatabominableoldauntofyours—"
Istudiedherhaggardexpression，hertremblinglips。Hercheeksevenseemedsunkalittle。ButhowI，theassociateofherdisreputablefather，the"lowestofthelow"fromthecriminalEurope，couldmanagetoreassureherIhadnoconception。Shewasexasperating。
"Heavensandearth！WhatdoyouthinkIcando？"
"Idon’tknow。"
Herchincertainlytrembled。Andshewaslookingatmewithextremeattention。Imadeastepnearertoherchair。
"Ishalldonothing。Ipromiseyouthat。Willthatdo？Doyouunderstand？Ishalldonothingwhatever，ofanykind；andthedayafterto—morrowIshallbegone。"
WhatelsecouldIhavesaid？Sheseemedtodrinkinmywordswiththethirstyaviditywithwhichshehademptiedtheglassofwater。
Shewhisperedtremulously，inthattouchingtoneIhadheardoncebeforeonherlips，andwhichthrilledmeagainwiththesameemotion：
"Iwouldbelieveyou。Butwhataboutpapa—"
"Hebehanged！"Myemotionbetrayeditselfbythebrutalityofmytone。"I’vehadenoughofyourpapa。AreyousostupidastoimaginethatIamfrightenedofhim？Hecan’tmakemedoanything。"
Allthatsoundedfeebletomeinthefaceofherignorance。ButI
mustconcludethatthe"accentofsincerity"has，assomepeoplesay，areallyirresistiblepower。Theeffectwasfarbeyondmyhopes，—andevenbeyondmyconception。Towatchthechangeinthegirlwaslikewatchingamiracle—thegradualbutswiftrelaxationofhertenseglance，ofherstiffenedmuscles，ofeveryfibreofherbody。Thatblack，fixedstareintowhichIhadreadatragicmeaningmorethanonce，inwhichIhadfoundasombreseduction，wasperfectlyemptynow，voidofallconsciousnesswhatever，andnotevenawareanylongerofmypresence；ithadbecomealittlesleepy，intheJacobusfashion。
But，manbeingaperverseanimal，insteadofrejoicingatmycompletesuccess，Ibehelditwithastoundedandindignanteyes。
Therewassomethingcynicalinthatunconcealedalteration，thetrueJacobusshamelessness。IfeltasthoughIhadbeencheatedinsomerathercomplicateddealintowhichIhadenteredagainstmybetterjudgment。Yes，cheatedwithoutanyregardfor，atleast，theformsofdecency。
Withaneasy，indolent，andinitsindolencesupple，felinemovement，sherosefromthechair，soprovokinglyignoringmenow，thatforveryrageIheldmygroundwithinlessthanafootofher。
Leisurelyandtranquil，behavingrightbeforemewiththeeaseofapersonaloneinaroom，sheextendedherbeautifularms，withherhandsclenched，herbodyswaying，herheadthrownbackalittle，revellingcontemptuouslyinasenseofrelief，easingherlimbsinfreedomafterallthesedaysofcrouching，motionlessposeswhenshehadbeensofuriousandsoafraid。
Allthiswithsupremeindifference，incredible，offensive，exasperating，likeingratitudedoubledwithtreachery。
Ioughttohavebeenflattered，perhaps，but，onthecontrary，myangergrew；hermovementtopassbymeasifIwereawoodenpostorapieceoffurniture，thatunconcernedmovementbroughtittoahead。
Iwon’tsayIdidnotknowwhatIwasdoing，but，certainly，coolreflectionhadnothingtodowiththecircumstancethatnextmomentbothmyarmswereroundherwaist。Itwasanimpulsiveaction，asonesnatchesatsomethingfallingorescaping；andithadnohypocriticalgentlenessaboutiteither。Shehadnotimetomakeasound，andthefirstkissIplantedonherclosedlipswasviciousenoughtohavebeenabite。
Shedidnotresist，andofcourseIdidnotstopatone。Sheletmegoon，notasifshewereinanimate—Ifeltherthere，closeagainstme，young，fullofvigour，oflife，astrongdesirablecreature，butasifshedidnotcareintheleast，intheabsoluteassuranceofhersafety，whatIdidorleftundone。Ourfacesbroughtclosetogetherinthisstormofhaphazardcaresses，herbig，black，wide—openeyeslookedintominewithoutthegirlappearingeitherangryorpleasedormovedinanyway。InthatsteadygazewhichseemedimpersonallytowatchmymadnessIcoulddetectaslightsurprise，perhaps—nothingmore。Ishoweredkissesuponherfaceandtheredidnotseemtobeanyreasonwhythisshouldnotgoonforever。
Thatthoughtflashedthroughmyhead，andIwasonthepointofdesisting，when，allatonce，shebegantostrugglewithasuddenviolencewhichallbutfreedherinstantly，whichrevivedmyexasperationwithher，indeedafiercedesirenevertolethergoanymore。Itightenedmyembraceintime，gaspingout："No—youdon’t！"asifsheweremymortalenemy。Onherpartnotawordwassaid。Puttingherhandsagainstmychest，shepushedwithallhermightwithoutsucceedingtobreakthecircleofmyarms。Exceptthatsheseemedthoroughlyawakenow，hereyesgavemenocluewhatever。Tomeetherblackstarewaslikelookingintoadeepwell，andIwastotallyunpreparedforherchangeoftactics。
Insteadoftryingtotearmyhandsapart，sheflungherselfuponmybreastandwithadownward，undulating，serpentinemotion，aquickslidingdive，shegotawayfrommesmoothly。Itwasallveryswift；Isawherpickupthetailofherwrapperandrunforthedoorattheendoftheverandahnotverygracefully。Sheappearedtobelimpingalittle—andthenshevanished；thedoorswungbehindhersonoiselesslythatIcouldnotbelieveitwascompletelyclosed。IhadadistinctsuspicionofherblackeyebeingatthecracktowatchwhatIwoulddo。Icouldnotmakeupmymindwhethertoshakemyfistinthatdirectionorblowakiss。
CHAPTERVI
Eitherwouldhavebeenperfectlyconsistentwithmyfeelings。I
gazedatthedoor，hesitating，butintheendIdidneither。Themonitionofsomesixthsense—thesenseofguilt，maybe，thatsensewhichalwaysactstoolate，alas！—warnedmetolookround；
andatonceIbecameawarethattheconclusionofthistumultuousepisodewaslikelytobeamatteroflivelyanxiety。Jacobuswasstandinginthedoorwayofthedining—room。Howlonghehadbeenthereitwasimpossibletoguess；andrememberingmystrugglewiththegirlIthoughthemusthavebeenitsmutewitnessfrombeginningtoend。Butthissuppositionseemedalmostincredible。
Perhapsthatimpenetrablegirlhadheardhimcomeinandhadgotawayintime。
Hesteppedontotheverandahinhisusualmanner，heavy—eyed，withgluedlips。Imarvelledatthegirl’sresemblancetothisman。
Thoselong，Egyptianeyes，thatlowforeheadofastupidgoddess，shehadfoundinthesawdustofthecircus；butalltherestoftheface，thedesignandthemodelling，theroundedchin，theverylips—allthatwasJacobus，fineddown，morefinished，moreexpressive。
Histhickhandfellonandgraspedwithforcethebackofalightchair（therewereseveralstandingabout）andIperceivedthechanceofabrokenheadattheendofallthis—mostlikely。Mymortificationwasextreme。Thescandalwouldbehorrible；thatwasunavoidable。ButhowtoactsoastosatisfymyselfIdidnotknow。Istoodonmyguardandatanyratefacedhim。Therewasnothingelseforit。OfonethingIwascertain，that，howeverbrazenmyattitude，itcouldneverequalthecharacteristicJacobusimpudence。
Hegavemehismelancholy，gluedsmileandsatdown。IownIwasrelieved。Theperspectiveofpassingfromkissestoblowshadnothingparticularlyattractiveinit。Perhaps—perhapshehadseennothing？Hebehavedasusual，buthehadneverbeforefoundmealoneontheverandah。Ifhehadalludedtoit，ifhehadasked："Where’sAlice？"orsomethingofthesort，Iwouldhavebeenabletojudgefromthetone。Hewouldgivemenoopportunity。
Thestrikingpeculiaritywasthathehadneverlookedupatmeyet。
"Heknows，"Isaidtomyselfconfidently。Andmycontemptforhimrelievedmydisgustwithmyself。
"Youareearlyhome，"Iremarked。
"Thingsareveryquiet；nothingdoingatthestoreto—day，"heexplainedwithacast—downair。
"Oh，well，youknow，Iamoff，"Isaid，feelingthatthis，perhaps，wasthebestthingtodo。
"Yes，"hebreathedout。"Dayafterto—morrow。"
ThiswasnotwhatIhadmeant；butashegazedpersistentlyonthefloor，Ifollowedthedirectionofhisglance。Intheabsolutestillnessofthehousewestaredatthehigh—heeledslipperthegirlhadlostinherflight。Westared。Itlayoverturned。
Afterwhatseemedaverylongtimetome，Jacobushitchedhischairforward，stoopedwithextendedarmandpickeditup。Itlookedaslenderthinginhisbig，thickhands。Itwasnotreallyaslipper，butalowshoeofblue，glazedkid，rubbedandshabby。Ithadstrapstogoovertheinstep，butthegirlonlythrustherfeetin，afterherslovenlymanner。Jacobusraisedhiseyesfromtheshoetolookatme。
"Sitdown，Captain，"hesaidatlast，inhissubduedtone。
Asifthesightofthatshoehadrenewedthespell，Igaveupsuddenlytheideaofleavingthehousethereandthen。Ithadbecomeimpossible。Isatdown，keepingmyeyesonthefascinatingobject。Jacobusturnedhisdaughter’sshoeoverandoverinhiscushionedpawsasifstudyingthewaythethingwasmade。Hecontemplatedthethinsoleforatime；thenglancinginsidewithanabsorbedair：
"IamgladIfoundyouhere，Captain。"
Iansweredthisbysomesortofgrunt，watchinghimcovertly。ThenIadded："Youwon’thavemuchmoreofmenow。"
Hewasstilldeepintheinteriorofthatshoeonwhichmyeyestoowereresting。
"HaveyouthoughtanymoreofthisdealinpotatoesIspoketoyouabouttheotherday？"
"No，Ihaven’t，"Iansweredcurtly。Hecheckedmymovementtorisebyanaustere，commandinggestureofthehandholdingthatfatalshoe。Iremainedseatedandglaredathim。"YouknowIdon’ttrade。"
"Yououghtto，Captain。Yououghtto。"
Ireflected。IfIleftthathousenowIwouldneverseethegirlagain。AndIfeltImustseeheroncemore，ifonlyforaninstant。Itwasaneed，nottobereasonedwith，nottobedisregarded。No，Ididnotwanttogoaway。Iwantedtostayforonemoreexperienceofthatstrangeprovokingsensationandofindefinitedesire，thehabitofwhichhadmademe—meofallpeople！—dreadtheprospectofgoingtosea。
"Mr。Jacobus，"Ipronouncedslowly。"Doyoureallythinkthatuponthewholeandtakingvarious’mattersintoconsideration—Imeaneverything，doyouunderstand？—itwouldbeagoodthingformetotrade，letussay，withyou？"
Iwaitedforawhile。Hewentonlookingattheshoewhichheheldnowcrushedinthemiddle，thewornpointofthetoeandthehighheelprotrudingoneachsideofhisheavyfist。
"Thatwillbeallright，"hesaid，facingmesquarelyatlast。
"Areyousure？"
"You’llfinditquitecorrect，Captain。"Hehadutteredhishabitualphrasesinhisusualplacid，breath—savingvoiceandstoodmyhard，inquisitivestaresleepilywithoutasmuchasawink。
"Thenletustrade，"Isaid，turningmyshouldertohim。"Iseeyouarebentonit。"
Ididnotwantanopenscandal，butIthoughtthatoutwarddecencymaybeboughttoodearlyattimes。IincludedJacobus，myself，thewholepopulationoftheisland，inthesamecontemptuousdisgustasthoughwehadbeenpartnersinanignobletransaction。Andtherememberedvisionatsea，diaphanousandblue，ofthePearloftheOceanatsixtymilesoff；theunsubstantial，clearmarvelofitasifevokedbytheartofabeautifulandpuremagic，turnedintoathingofhorrorstoo。Wasthisthefortunethisvaporousandrareapparitionhadheldformeinitshardheart，hiddenwithintheshapeasoffairdreamsandmist？Wasthismyluck？
"Ithink"—Jacobusbecamesuddenlyaudibleafterwhatseemedthesilenceofvilemeditation—"thatyoumightconvenientlytakesomethirtytons。Thatwouldbeaboutthelot，Captain。"
"Wouldit？Thelot！Idaresayitwouldbeconvenient，butI
haven’tgotenoughmoneyforthat。"
Ihadneverseenhimsoanimated。
"No！"heexclaimedwithwhatItookfortheaccentofgrimmenace。
"That’sapity。"Hepaused，then，unrelenting："Howmuchmoneyhaveyougot，Captain？"heinquiredwithawfuldirectness。
Itwasmyturntofacehimsquarely。IdidsoandmentionedtheamountIcoulddisposeof。AndIperceivedthathewasdisappointed。Hethoughtitover，hiscalculatinggazelostinmine，forquitealongtimebeforehecameoutinathoughtfultonewiththerapacioussuggestion：
"Youcoulddrawsomemorefromyourcharterers。Thatwouldbequiteeasy，Captain。"
"No，Icouldn’t，"Iretortedbrusquely。"I’vedrawnmysalaryuptodate，andbesides，theship’saccountsareclosed。"
Iwasgrowingfurious。Ipursued："AndI’lltellyouwhat：ifI
coulddoitIwouldn’t。"Thenthrowingoffallrestraint，Iadded：
"YouareabittoomuchofaJacobus，Mr。Jacobus。"
Thetonealonewasinsultingenough，butheremainedtranquil，onlyalittlepuzzled，tillsomethingseemedtodawnuponhim；buttheunwontedlightinhiseyesdiedoutinstantly。AsaJacobusonhisnativeheath，whatamereskipperchosetosaycouldnottouchhim，outcastashewas。Asaship—chandlerhecouldstandanything。
AllIcaughtofhismumblewasavague—"quitecorrect，"thanwhichnothingcouldhavebeenmoreegregiouslyfalseatbottom—tomyview，atleast。ButIremembered—Ihadneverforgotten—thatImustseethegirl。Ididnotmeantogo。ImeanttostayinthehousetillIhadseenheroncemore。
"Lookhere！"Isaidfinally。"I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo。I’lltakeasmanyofyourconfoundedpotatoesasmymoneywillbuy，onconditionthatyougooffatoncedowntothewharftoseethemloadedinthelighterandsentalongsidetheshipstraightaway。
Taketheinvoiceandasignedreceiptwithyou。Here’sthekeyofmydesk。GiveittoBurns。Hewillpayyou。
HegotupfromhischairbeforeIhadfinishedspeaking，butherefusedtotakethekey。Burnswouldneverdoit。Hewouldn’tliketoaskhimeven。
"Well，then，"Isaid，eyeinghimslightingly，"there’snothingforit，Mr。Jacobus，butyoumustwaitonboardtillIcomeofftosettlewithyou。"
"Thatwillbeallright，Captain。Iwillgoatonce。"
Heseemedatalosswhattodowiththegirl’sshoehewasstillholdinginhisfist。Finally，lookingdullyatme，heputitdownonthechairfromwhichhehadrisen。
"Andyou，Captain？Won’tyoucomealong，too，justtosee—"
"Don’tbotheraboutme。I’lltakecareofmyself。"
Heremainedperplexedforamoment，asiftryingtounderstand；andthenhisweighty："Certainly，certainly，Captain，"seemedtobetheoutcomeofsomesuddenthought。Hisbigchestheaved。Wasitasigh？Ashewentouttohurryoffthosepotatoesheneverlookedbackatme。
Iwaitedtillthenoiseofhisfootstepshaddiedoutofthedining—room，andIwaitedalittlelonger。ThenturningtowardsthedistantdoorIraisedmyvoicealongtheverandah：
"Alice！"
Nothingansweredme，notevenastirbehindthedoor。Jacobus’shousemighthavebeenmadeemptyformetomakemyselfathomein。
Ididnotcallagain。Ihadbecomeawareofagreatdiscouragement。Iwasmentallyjaded，morallydejected。Iturnedtothegardenagain，sittingdownwithmyelbowsspreadonthelowbalustrade，andtookmyheadinmyhands。
Theeveningcloseduponme。Theshadowslengthened，deepened，mingledtogetherintoapooloftwilightinwhichtheflower—bedsglowedlikecolouredembers；whiffsofheavyscentcametomeasiftheduskofthishemispherewerebutthedimnessofatempleandthegardenanenormouscenserswingingbeforethealtarofthestars。Thecoloursoftheblossomsdeepened，losingtheirglowonebyone。
Thegirl，whenIturnedmyheadataslightnoise，appearedtomeverytallandslender，advancingwithaswayinglimp，afloatingandunevenmotionwhichendedinthesinkingofhershadowyformintothedeeplowchair。AndIdon’tknowwhyorwhenceIreceivedtheimpressionthatshehadcometoolate。Sheoughttohaveappearedatmycall。Sheoughttohave……Itwasasifasupremeopportunityhadbeenmissed。
Iroseandtookaseatclosetoher，nearlyoppositeherarm—chair。
Hereverdiscontentedvoiceaddressedmeatonce，contemptuously：
"Youarestillhere。"
Ipitchedminelow。
"Youhavecomeoutatlast。"
"Icametolookformyshoe—beforetheybringinthelights。"
Itwasherharsh，enticingwhisper，subdued，notverysteady，butitslowtremulousnessgavemenothrillnow。Icouldonlymakeouttheovalofherface，heruncoveredthroat，thelong，whitegleamofhereyes。Shewasmysteriousenough。Herhandswererestingonthearmsofthechair。Butwherewasthemysteriousandprovokingsensationwhichwasliketheperfumeofherflower—likeyouth？I
saidquietly：
"Ihavegotyourshoehere。"ShemadenosoundandIcontinued：
"YouhadbettergivemeyourfootandIwillputitonforyou。"
Shemadenomovement。Ibentlowdownandgropedforherfootundertheflouncesofthewrapper。ShedidnotwithdrawitandI
putontheshoe，buttoningtheinstep—strap。Itwasaninanimatefoot。Ilowereditgentlytothefloor。
"Ifyoubuttonedthestrapyouwouldnotbelosingyourshoe，MissDon’tCare，"Isaid，tryingtobeplayfulwithoutconviction。I
feltmorelikewailingoverthelostillusionofvaguedesire，overthesuddenconvictionthatIwouldneverfindagainnearherthestrange，half—evil，half—tendersensationwhichhadgivenitsacridflavourtosomanydays，whichhadmadeherappeartragicandpromising，pitifulandprovoking。Thatwasallover。
"Yourfatherpickeditup，"Isaid，thinkingshemayjustaswellbetoldofthefact。
"Iamnotafraidofpapa—byhimself，"shedeclaredscornfully。
"Oh！It’sonlyinconjunctionwithhisdisreputableassociates，strangers，the’riff—raffofEurope’asyourcharmingauntorgreat—auntsays—menlikeme，forinstance—thatyou—"
"Iamnotafraidofyou，"shesnappedout。
"That’sbecauseyoudon’tknowthatIamnowdoingbusinesswithyourfather。Yes，Iaminfactdoingexactlywhathewantsmetodo。I’vebrokenmypromisetoyou。That’sthesortofmanIam。
Andnow—aren’tyouafraid？Ifyoubelievewhatthatdear，kind，truthfuloldladysaysyououghttobe。"
Itwaswithunexpectedmodulatedsoftnessthattheaffirmed：
"No。Iamnotafraid。"Shehesitated……"Notnow。"
"Quiteright。Youneedn’tbe。IshallnotseeyouagainbeforeI
gotosea。"Iroseandstoodnearherchair。"ButIshalloftenthinkofyouinthisoldgarden，passingunderthetreesoverthere，walkingbetweenthesegorgeousflower—beds。Youmustlovethisgarden—"
"Ilovenothing。"
IheardinhersullentonethefaintechoofthatresentfullytragicnotewhichIhadfoundoncesoprovoking。ButitleftmeunmovedexceptforasuddenandwearyconvictionoftheemptinessofallthingsunderHeaven。
"Good—bye，Alice，"Isaid。
Shedidnotanswer，shedidnotmove。Tomerelytakeherhand，shakeit，andgoawayseemedimpossible，almostimproper。I
stoopedwithouthasteandpressedmylipstohersmoothforehead。
ThiswasthemomentwhenIrealisedclearlywithasortofterrormycompletedetachmentfromthatunfortunatecreature。AndasI
lingeredinthatcruelself—knowledgeIfeltthelighttouchofherarmsfallinglanguidlyonmyneckandreceivedahasty，awkward，haphazardkisswhichmissedmylips。No！Shewasnotafraid；butIwasnolongermoved。Herarmsslippedoffmyneckslowly，shemadenosound，thedeepwickerarm—chaircreakedslightly；onlyasenseofmydignitypreventedmefleeingheadlongfromthatcatastrophicrevelation。
Itraversedthedining—roomslowly。Ithought：She’slisteningtomyfootsteps；shecan’thelpit；she’llhearmeopenandshutthatdoor。AndIcloseditasgentlybehindmeasifIhadbeenathiefretreatingwithhisill—gottenbooty。DuringthatstealthyactI
experiencedthelasttouchofemotioninthathouse，atthethoughtofthegirlIhadleftsittingthereintheobscurity，withherheavyhairandemptyeyesasblackasthenightitself，staringintothewalledgarden，silent，warm，odorouswiththeperfumeofimprisonedflowers，which，likeherself，werelosttosightinaworldburiedindarkness。
Thenarrow，ill—lighted，rusticstreetsIknewsowellonmywaytotheharbourwereextremelyquiet。Ifeltinmyheartthatthefurtheroneventuresthebetteroneunderstandshoweverythinginourlifeiscommon，short，andempty；thatitisinseekingtheunknowninoursensationsthatwediscoverhowmediocreareourattemptsandhowsoondefeated！Jacobus’sboatmanwaswaitingatthestepswithanunusualairofreadiness。Heputmealongsidetheship，butdidnotgivemehisconfidential"Good—evening，sah，"
and，insteadofshovingoffatonce，remainedholdingbytheladder。
Iwasathousandmilesfromcommercialaffairs，whenonthedarkquarter—deckMr。Burnspositivelyrushedatme，stammeringwithexcitement。Hehadbeenpacingthedeckdistractedlyforhoursawaitingmyarrival。Justbeforesunsetalighterloadedwithpotatoeshadcomealongsidewiththatfatship—chandlerhimselfsittingonthepileofsacks。Hewasnowstuckimmovableinthecabin。Whatwasthemeaningofitall？SurelyIdidnot—
"Yes，Mr。Burns，Idid，"Icuthimshort。HewasbeginningtomakegesturesofdespairwhenIstoppedthat，too，bygivinghimthekeyofmydeskanddesiringhim，inatonewhichadmittedofnoargument，togobelowatonce，payMr。Jacobus’sbill，andsendhimoutoftheship。
"Idon’twanttoseehim，"Iconfessedfrankly，climbingthepoop—
ladder。Ifeltextremelytired。Droppingontheseatoftheskylight，Igavemyselfuptoidlegazingatthelightsaboutthequayandattheblackmassofthemountainonthesouthsideoftheharbour。IneverheardJacobusleavetheshipwitheverysinglesovereignofmyreadycashinhispocket。Ineverheardanythingtill，alongtimeafterwards，Mr。Burns，unabletocontainhimselfanylonger，intrudeduponmewithhisridiculouslyangrylamentationsatmyweaknessandgoodnature。
"Ofcourse，there’splentyofroomintheafter—hatch。Buttheyaresuretogorottendownthere。Well！Ineverheard……
seventeentons！IsupposeImusthoistinthatlotfirstthingto—
morrowmorning。"
"Isupposeyoumust。Unlessyoudropthemoverboard。ButI’mafraidyoucan’tdothat。Iwouldn’tmindmyself，butit’sforbiddentothrowrubbishintotheharbour，youknow。"
"Thatisthetruestwordyouhavesaidformanyaday，sir—
rubbish。That’sjustwhatIexpecttheyare。Nearlyeightygoodgoldsovereignsgone；aperfectlycleansweepofyourdrawer，sir。
BlessmeifIunderstand！"
AsitwasimpossibletothrowtherightlightonthiscommercialtransactionIlefthimtohislamentationsandundertheimpressionthatIwasahopelessfool。NextdayIdidnotgoashore。Foronething，Ihadnomoneytogoashorewith—no，notenoughtobuyacigarette。Jacobushadmadeacleansweep。Butthatwasnottheonlyreason。ThePearloftheOceanhadinafewshorthoursgrownodioustome。AndIdidnotwanttomeetanyone。Myreputationhadsuffered。IknewIwastheobjectofunkindandsarcasticcomments。
Thefollowingmorningatsunrise，justasourstern—fastshadbeenletgoandthetugpluckedusoutfrombetweenthebuoys，IsawJacobusstandingupinhisboat。Theniggerwaspullinghard；
severalbasketsofprovisionsforshipswerestowedbetweenthethwarts。ThefatherofAlicewasgoinghismorninground。Hiscountenancewastranquilandfriendly。Heraisedhisarmandshoutedsomethingwithgreatheartiness。Buthisvoicewasofthesortthatdoesn’tcarryanydistance；allIcouldcatchfaintly，orratherguessat，werethewords"nexttime"and"quitecorrect。"
AnditwasonlyoftheselastthatIwascertain。Raisingmyarmperfunctorilyforallresponse，Iturnedaway。Iratherresentedthefamiliarityofthething。Hadn’tIsettledaccountsfinallywithhimbymeansofthatpotatobargain？
Thisbeingaharbourstoryitisnotmypurposetospeakofourpassage。Iwasgladenoughtobeatsea，butnotwiththegladnessofolddays。FormerlyIhadnomemoriestotakeawaywithme。I
sharedintheblessedforgetfulnessofsailors，thatforgetfulnessnaturalandinvincible，whichresemblesinnocenceinsofarthatitpreventsself—examination。NowhoweverIrememberedthegirl。
DuringthefirstfewdaysIwasforeverquestioningmyselfastothenatureoffactsandsensationsconnectedwithherpersonandwithmyconduct。
AndImustsayalsothatMr。Burns’intolerablefussingwiththosepotatoeswasnotcalculatedtomakemeforgetthepartwhichIhadplayed。Helookeduponitasapurelycommercialtransactionofaparticularlyfoolishkind，andhisdevotion—ifitwasdevotionandnotmerecussednessasIcametoregarditbeforelong—
inspiredhimwithazealtominimisemylossasmuchaspossible。
Oh，yes！Hetookcareofthoseinfamouspotatoeswithavengeance，asthesayinggoes。
Everlastingly，therewasatackleovertheafter—hatchandeverlastinglythewatchondeckwerepullingup，spreadingout，pickingover，rebagging，andloweringdownagain，somepartofthatlotofpotatoes。Mybargainwithallitsremotestassociations，mentalandvisual—thegardenofflowersandscents，thegirlwithherprovokingcontemptandhertragiclonelinessofahopelesscastaway—waseverlastinglydangledbeforemyeyes，forthousandsofmilesalongtheopensea。Andasifbyasatanicrefinementofironyitwasaccompaniedbyamostawfulsmell。Whiffsfromdecayingpotatoespursuedmeonthepoop，theymingledwithmythoughts，withmyfood，poisonedmyverydreams。Theymadeanatmosphereofcorruptionfortheship。
IremonstratedwithMr。Burnsaboutthisexcessivecare。Iwouldhavebeenwellcontenttobattenthehatchdownandletthemperishunderthedeck。
Thatperhapswouldhavebeenunsafe。Thehorridemanationsmighthaveflavouredthecargoofsugar。Theyseemedstrongenoughtotainttheveryironwork。InadditionMr。Burnsmadeitapersonalmatter。Heassuredmeheknewhowtotreatacargoofpotatoesatsea—hadbeeninthetradeasaboy，hesaid。Hemeanttomakemylossassmallaspossible。Whatbetweenhisdevotion—itmusthavebeendevotion—andhisvanity，Ipositivelydarednotgivehimtheordertothrowmycommercial—ventureoverboard。Ibelievehewouldhaverefusedpointblanktoobeymylawfulcommand。AnunprecedentedandcomicalsituationwouldhavebeencreatedwithwhichIdidnotfeelequaltodeal。
Iwelcomedthecomingofbadweatherasnosailorhadeverdone。
WhenatlastIhovetheshipto，topickupthepilotoutsidePortPhilipHeads，theafter—hatchhadnotbeenopenedformorethanaweekandImighthavebelievedthatnosuchthingasapotatohadeverbeenonboard。
Itwasanabominableday，raw，blustering，withgreatsquallsofwindandrain；thepilot，acheeryperson，lookedaftertheshipandchattedtome，streamingfromheadtofoot；andtheheavierthelashofthedownpourthemorepleasedwithhimselfandeverythingaroundhimheseemedtobe。Herubbedhiswethandswithasatisfaction，whichtome，whohadstoodthatkindofthingforseveraldaysandnights，seemedinconceivableinanynon—aquaticcreature。
"Youseemtoenjoygettingwet，Pilot，"Iremarked。
Hehadabitoflandroundhishouseinthesuburbsanditwasofhisgardenhewasthinking。Atthesoundofthewordgarden，unheard，unspokenforsomanydays，Ihadavisionofgorgeouscolour，ofsweetscents，ofagirlishfigurecrouchinginachair。
Yes。ThatwasadistinctemotionbreakingintothepeaceIhadfoundinthesleeplessanxietiesofmyresponsibilityduringaweekofdangerousbadweather。TheColony，thepilotexplained，hadsufferedfromunparalleleddrought。Thiswasthefirstdecentdropofwatertheyhadhadforsevenmonths。Therootcropswerelost。
And，tryingtobecasual，butwithvisibleinterest，heaskedmeifIhadperchanceanypotatoestospare。
Potatoes！Ihadmanagedtoforgetthem。InamomentIfeltplungedintocorruptionuptomyneck。Mr。Burnswasmakingeyesatmebehindthepilot’sback。
Finally，heobtainedaton，andpaidtenpoundsforit。ThiswastwicethepriceofmybargainwithJacobus。Thespiritofcovetousnesswokeupinme。Thatnight，inharbour，beforeI
slept，theCustomHousegalleycamealongside。Whilehisunderlingswereputtingsealsonthestorerooms，theofficerinchargetookmeasideconfidentially。"Isay，Captain，youdon’thappentohaveanypotatoestosell。"
Clearlytherewasapotatofamineintheland。Ilethimhaveatonfortwelvepoundsandhewentawayjoyfully。ThatnightI
dreamtofapileofgoldintheformofagraveinwhichagirlwasburied，andwokeupcallouswithgreed。Oncallingatmyship—
broker’soffice，thatman，aftertheusualbusinesshadbeentransacted，pushedhisspectaclesuponhisforehead。
"Iwasthinking，Captain，thatcomingfromthePearloftheOceanyoumayhavesomepotatoestosell。"
Isaidnegligently："Oh，yes，Icouldspareyouaton。Fifteenpounds。"
Heexclaimed："Isay！"Butafterstudyingmyfaceforawhileacceptedmytermswithafaintgrimace。Itseemsthatthesepeoplecouldnotexistwithoutpotatoes。Icould。Ididn’twanttoseeapotatoaslongasIlived；butthedemonoflucrehadtakenpossessionofme。HowthenewsgotaboutIdon’tknow，but，returningonboardratherlate，Ifoundasmallgroupofmenofthecostertypehangingaboutthewaist，whileMr。Burnswalkedtoandfrothequarterdeckloftily，keepingatriumphanteyeonthem。
Theyhadcometobuypotatoes。
"Thesechapshavebeenwaitinghereinthesunforhours，"Burnswhisperedtomeexcitedly。"Theyhavedrankthewater—caskdry。
Don’tyouthrowawayyourchances，sir。Youaretoogood—natured。"
Iselectedamanwiththicklegsandamanwithacastinhiseyetonegotiatewith；simplybecausetheywereeasilydistinguishablefromtherest。"Youhavethemoneyonyou？"Iinquired，beforetakingthemdownintothecabin。
"Yes，sir，"theyansweredinonevoice，slappingtheirpockets。I
likedtheirairofquietdetermination。LongbeforetheendofthedayallthepotatoesweresoldataboutthreetimesthepriceIhadpaidforthem。Mr。Burns，feverishandexulting，congratulatedhimselfonhisskilfulcareofmycommercialventure，buthintedplainlythatIoughttohavemademoreofit。
ThatnightIdidnotsleepverywell。IthoughtofJacobusbyfitsandstarts，betweensnatchesofdreamsconcernedwithcastawaysstarvingonadesertislandcoveredwithflowers。Itwasextremelyunpleasant。Inthemorning，tiredandunrefreshed，Isatdownandwrotealonglettertomyowners，givingthemacarefully—thought—
outschemefortheship’semploymentintheEastandabouttheChinaSeasforthenexttwoyears。Ispentthedayatthattaskandfeltsomewhatmoreatpeacewhenitwasdone。
Theirreplycameinduecourse。Theyweregreatlystruckwithmyproject；butconsideringthat，notwithstandingtheunfortunatedifficultywiththebags（whichtheytrustedIwouldknowhowtoguardagainstinthefuture），thevoyageshowedaveryfairprofit，theythoughtitwouldbebettertokeeptheshipinthesugartrade—atleastforthepresent。
Iturnedoverthepageandreadon：
"WehavehadaletterfromourgoodfriendMr。Jacobus。Wearepleasedtoseehowwellyouhavehititoffwithhim；for，nottospeakofhisassistanceintheunfortunatematterofthebags，hewritesusthatshouldyou，byusingallpossibledispatch，managetobringtheshipbackearlyintheseasonhewouldbeabletogiveusagoodrateoffreight。Wehavenodoubtthatyourbestendeavours……etc……etc。"
Idroppedtheletterandsatmotionlessforalongtime。ThenI
wrotemyanswer（itwasashortone）andwentashoremyselftopostit。ButIpassedoneletter—box，thenanother，andintheendfoundmyselfgoingupCollinsStreetwiththeletterstillinmypocket—againstmyheart。CollinsStreetatfouro’clockintheafternoonisnotexactlyadesertsolitude；butIhadneverfeltmoreisolatedfromtherestofmankindaswhenIwalkedthatdayitscrowdedpavement，battlingdesperatelywithmythoughtsandfeelingalreadyvanquished。
TherecameamomentwhentheawfultenacityofJacobus，themanofonepassionandofoneidea，appearedtomealmostheroic。Hehadnotgivenmeup。Hehadgoneagaintohisodiousbrother。Andthenheappearedtomeodioushimself。Wasitforhisownsakeorforthesakeofthepoorgirl？Andonthatlastsuppositionthememoryofthekisswhichmissedmylipsappalledme；forwhateverhehadseen，orguessedat，orrisked，heknewnothingofthat。
Unlessthegirlhadtoldhim。HowcouldIgobacktofanthatfatalsparkwithmycoldbreath？No，no，thatunexpectedkisshadtobepaidforatitsfullprice。
Atthefirstletter—boxIcametoIstoppedandreachingintomybreast—pocketItookouttheletter—itwasasifIwerepluckingoutmyveryheart—anddroppeditthroughtheslit。ThenIwentstraightonboard。
IwonderedwhatdreamsIwouldhavethatnight；butasitturnedoutIdidnotsleepatall。AtbreakfastIinformedMr。BurnsthatIhadresignedmycommand。
Hedroppedhisknifeandforkandlookedatmewithindignation。
"Youhave，sir！Ithoughtyoulovedtheship。"
"SoIdo，Burns，"Isaid。"ButthefactisthattheIndianOceanandeverythingthatisinithaslostitscharmforme。IamgoinghomeaspassengerbytheSuezCanal。"
"Everythingthatisinit，"herepeatedangrily。"I’veneverheardanybodytalklikethis。Andtotellyouthetruth，sir，allthetimewehavebeentogetherI’veneverquitemadeyouout。What’soneoceanmorethananother？Charm，indeed！"
Hewasreallydevotedtome，Ibelieve。ButhecheeredupwhenI
toldhimthatIhadrecommendedhimformysuccessor。
"Anyhow，"heremarked，"letpeoplesaywhattheylike，thisJacobushasservedyourturn。Imustadmitthatthispotatobusinesshaspaidextremelywell。Ofcourse，ifonlyyouhad—"
"Yes，Mr。Burns，"Iinterrupted。"Quiteasmileoffortune。"
ButIcouldnottellhimthatitwasdrivingmeoutoftheshipI
hadlearnedtolove。AndasIsatheavy—heartedatthatparting，seeingallmyplansdestroyed，mymodestfutureendangered—forthiscommandwaslikeafootinthestirrupforayoungman—hegaveupcompletelyforthefirsttimehiscriticalattitude。
"Awonderfulpieceofluck！"hesaid。
THESECRETSHARER—ANEPISODEFROMTHECOAST
Onmyrighthandtherewerelinesoffishing—stakesresemblingamysterioussystemofhalf—submergedbamboofences，incomprehensibleinitsdivisionofthedomainoftropicalfishes，andcrazyofaspectasifabandonedforeverbysomenomadtribeoffishermennowgonetotheotherendoftheocean；fortherewasnosignofhumanhabitationasfarastheeyecouldreach。Totheleftagroupofbarrenislets，suggestingruinsofstonewalls，towers，andblockhouses，haditsfoundationssetinablueseathatitselflookedsolid，sostillandstablediditliebelowmyfeet；eventhetrackoflightfromthewesteringsunshonesmoothly，withoutthatanimatedglitterwhichtellsofanimperceptibleripple。AndwhenIturnedmyheadtotakeapartingglanceatthetugwhichhadjustleftusanchoredoutsidethebar，Isawthestraightlineoftheflatshorejoinedtothestablesea，edgetoedge，withaperfectandunmarkedcloseness，inonelevelledfloorhalfbrown，halfblueundertheenormousdomeofthesky。Correspondingintheirinsignificancetotheisletsofthesea，twosmallclumpsoftrees，oneoneachsideoftheonlyfaultintheimpeccablejoint，markedthemouthoftheriverMeinamwehadjustleftonthefirstpreparatorystageofourhomewardjourney；and，farbackontheinlandlevel，alargerandloftiermass，thegrovesurroundingthegreatPaknampagoda，wastheonlythingonwhichtheeyecouldrestfromthevaintaskofexploringthemonotonoussweepofthehorizon。Hereandtheregleamsasofafewscatteredpiecesofsilvermarkedthewindingsofthegreatriver；andonthenearestofthem，justwithinthebar，thetugsteamingrightintothelandbecamelosttomysight，hullandfunnelandmasts，asthoughtheimpassiveearthhadswallowedherupwithoutaneffort，withoutatremor。Myeyefollowedthelightcloudofhersmoke，nowhere，nowthere，abovetheplain，accordingtothedeviouscurvesofthestream，butalwaysfainterandfartheraway，tillIlostitatlastbehindthemitre—shapedhillofthegreatpagoda。AndthenIwasleftalonewithmyship，anchoredattheheadoftheGulfofSiam。
Shefloatedatthestarting—pointofalongjourney，verystillinanimmensestillness，theshadowsofhersparsflungfartotheeastwardbythesettingsun。AtthatmomentIwasaloneonherdecks。Therewasnotasoundinher—andaroundusnothingmoved，nothinglived，notacanoeonthewater，notabirdintheair，notacloudinthesky。Inthisbreathlesspauseatthethresholdofalongpassageweseemedtobemeasuringourfitnessforalongandarduousenterprise，theappointedtaskofbothourexistencestobecarriedout，farfromallhumaneyes，withonlyskyandseaforspectatorsandforjudges。
Theremusthavebeensomeglareintheairtointerferewithone’ssight，becauseitwasonlyjustbeforethesunleftusthatmyroamingeyesmadeoutbeyondthehighestridgeoftheprincipalisletofthegroupsomethingwhichdidawaywiththesolemnityofperfectsolitude。Thetideofdarknessflowedonswiftly；andwithtropicalsuddennessaswarmofstarscameoutabovetheshadowyearth，whileIlingeredyet，myhandrestinglightlyonmyship’srailasifontheshoulderofatrustedfriend。But，withallthatmultitudeofcelestialbodiesstaringdownatone，thecomfortofquietcommunionwithherwasgoneforgood。Andtherewerealsodisturbingsoundsbythistime—voices，footstepsforward；thestewardflittedalongthemaindeck，abusilyministeringspirit；ahand—belltinkledurgentlyunderthepoop—deck……
Ifoundmytwoofficerswaitingformenearthesuppertable，inthelightedcuddy。Wesatdownatonce，andasIhelpedthechiefmate，Isaid：
"Areyouawarethatthereisashipanchoredinsidetheislands？I
sawhermastheadsabovetheridgeasthesunwentdown。"
Heraisedsharplyhissimpleface，overchargedbyaterriblegrowthofwhisker，andemittedhisusualejaculations："Blessmysoul，sir！Youdon’tsayso！"
Mysecondmatewasaround—cheeked，silentyoungman，gravebeyondhisyears，Ithought；butasoureyeshappenedtomeetIdetectedaslightquiveronhislips。Ilookeddownatonce。Itwasnotmyparttoencouragesneeringonboardmyship。Itmustbesaid，too，thatIknewverylittleofmyofficers。Inconsequenceofcertaineventsofnoparticularsignificance，excepttomyself，Ihadbeenappointedtothecommandonlyafortnightbefore。NeitherdidI
knowmuchofthehandsforward。Allthesepeoplehadbeentogetherforeighteenmonthsorso，andmypositionwasthatoftheonlystrangeronboard。Imentionthisbecauseithassomebearingonwhatistofollow。ButwhatIfeltmostwasmybeingastrangertotheship；andifallthetruthmustbetold，Iwassomewhatofastrangertomyself。Theyoungestmanonboard（barringthesecondmate），anduntriedasyetbyapositionofthefullestresponsibility，Iwaswillingtotaketheadequacyoftheothersforgranted。Theyhadsimplytobeequaltotheirtasks；butI
wonderedhowfarIshouldturnoutfaithfultothatidealconceptionofone’sownpersonalityeverymansetsupforhimselfsecretly。
Meantimethechiefmate，withanalmostvisibleeffectofcollaborationonthepartofhisroundeyesandfrightfulwhiskers，wastryingtoevolveatheoryoftheanchoredship。Hisdominanttraitwastotakeallthingsintoearnestconsideration。Hewasofapainstakingturnofmind。Asheusedtosay，he"likedtoaccounttohimself"forpracticallyeverythingthatcameinhisway，downtoamiserablescorpionhehadfoundinhiscabinaweekbefore。Thewhyandthewhereforeofthatscorpion—howitgotonboardandcametoselecthisroomratherthanthepantry（whichwasadarkplaceandmorewhatascorpionwouldbepartialto），andhowonearthitmanagedtodrownitselfintheinkwellofhiswriting—
desk—hadexercisedhiminfinitely。Theshipwithintheislandswasmuchmoreeasilyaccountedfor；andjustaswewereabouttorisefromtablehemadehispronouncement。Shewas，hedoubtednot，ashipfromhomelatelyarrived。Probablyshedrewtoomuchwatertocrossthebarexceptatthetopofspringtides。
Thereforeshewentintothatnaturalharbourtowaitforafewdaysinpreferencetoremaininginanopenroadstead。
"That’sso，"confirmedthesecondmate，suddenly，inhisslightlyhoarsevoice。"Shedrawsovertwentyfeet。She’stheLiverpoolshipSephorawithacargoofcoal。Hundredandtwenty—threedaysfromCardiff。"
Welookedathiminsurprise。
"Thetugboatskippertoldmewhenhecameonboardforyourletters，sir，"explainedtheyoungman。"Heexpectstotakeheruptheriverthedayafterto—morrow。"
Afterthusoverwhelminguswiththeextentofhisinformationheslippedoutofthecabin。Themateobservedregretfullythathe"couldnotaccountforthatyoungfellow’swhims。"Whatpreventedhimtellingusallaboutitatonce，hewantedtoknow。
Idetainedhimashewasmakingamove。Forthelasttwodaysthecrewhadhadplentyofhardwork，andthenightbeforetheyhadverylittlesleep。IfeltpainfullythatI—astranger—wasdoingsomethingunusualwhenIdirectedhimtoletallhandsturninwithoutsettingananchor—watch。Iproposedtokeepondeckmyselftilloneo’clockorthereabouts。Iwouldgetthesecondmatetorelievemeatthathour。
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