FOREWORD

Itisamisfortunetosomefiction—writersthatfictionandunveracityintheaverageperson’smindmeanoneandthesamething。

SeveralyearsagoIpublishedaSouthSeanovel。TheactionwasplacedintheSolomonIslands。Theactionwaspraisedbythecriticsandreviewersasahighlycreditableeffortoftheimagination。Asregardsreality——theysaidtherewasn’tany。Ofcourse，aseveryoneknew，kinky—hairedcannibalsnolongerobtainedontheearth’ssurface，muchlessranaroundwithnothingon，choppingoffoneanother’sheads，and，onoccasion，awhiteman’sheadaswell。

Nowlisten。IamwritingtheselinesinHonolulu，Hawaii。

Yesterday，onthebeachatWaikiki，astrangerspoketome。Hementionedamutualfriend，CaptainKellar。WhenIwaswreckedintheSolomonsontheblackbirder，theMinota，itwasCaptainKellar，masteroftheblackbirder，theEugenie，whorescuedme。TheblackshadtakenCaptainKellar’shead，thestrangertoldme。Heknew。HehadrepresentedCaptainKellar’smotherinsettlinguptheestate。

Listen。IreceivedalettertheotherdayfromMr。C。M。Woodford，ResidentCommissioneroftheBritishSolomons。Hewasbackathispost，afteralongfurloughtoEngland，wherehehadenteredhissonintoOxford。Asearchoftheshelvesofalmostanypubliclibrarywillbringtolightabookentitled，"ANaturalistAmongtheHeadHunters。"Mr。C。M。Woodfordisthenaturalist。Hewrotethebook。

Toreturntohisletter。Inthecourseoftheday’sworkhecasuallyandbrieflymentionedaparticularjobhehadjustgotoffhishands。HisabsenceinEnglandhadbeenthecauseofdelay。Thejobhadbeentomakeapunitiveexpeditiontoaneighbouringisland，and，incidentally，torecovertheheadsofsomemutualfriendsofours——awhite—trader，hiswhitewifeandchildren，andhiswhiteclerk。Theexpeditionwassuccessful，andMr。Woodfordconcludedhisaccountoftheepisodewithastatementtotheeffect："Whatespeciallystruckmewastheabsenceofpainandterrorintheirfaces，whichseemedtoexpress，rather，serenityandrepose"——this，mindyou，ofmenandwomenofhisownracewhomheknewwellandwhohadsatatdinnerwithhiminhisownhouse。

Otherfriends，withwhomIhavesatatdinnerinthebrave，rollickingdaysintheSolomonshavesincepassedout——bythesameway。Mygoodness！Isailedintheteak—builtketch，theMinota，onablackbirdingcruisetoMalaita，andItookmywifealong。Thehatchet—markswerestillrawonthedoorofourtinystateroomadvertisinganeventofafewmonthsbefore。TheeventwasthetakingofCaptainMackenzie’shead，CaptainMackenzie，atthattime，beingmasteroftheMinota。AswesailedintoLanga—Langa，theBritishcruiser，theCambrian，steamedoutfromtheshellingofavillage。

Itisnotexpedienttoburdenthispreliminarytomystorywithfurtherdetails，whichIdomakeasseverationIpossessa—plenty。I

hopeIhavegivensomeassurancethattheadventuresofmydogherointhisnovelarerealadventuresinaveryrealcannibalworld。

Blessyou！——whenItookmywifealongonthecruiseoftheMinota，wefoundonboardanigger—chasing，adorableIrishterrierpuppy，whowassmooth—coatedlikeJerry，andwhosenamewasPeggy。HaditnotbeenforPeggy，thisbookwouldneverhavebeenwritten。ShewasthechatteloftheMinota’ssplendidskipper。SomuchdidMrs。

LondonandIcometoloveher，thatMrs。London，afterthewreckoftheMinota，deliberatelyandshamelesslystoleherfromtheMinota’sskipper。IdofurtheradmitthatIdid，deliberatelyandshamelessly，compoundmywife’sfelony。WelovedPeggyso！Dearroyal，gloriouslittledog，buriedatseaofftheeastcoastofAustralia！

ImustaddthatPeggy，likeJerry，wasbornatMeringeLagoon，onMeringePlantation，whichisoftheIslandofYsabel，saidYsabelIslandlyingnextnorthofFloridaIsland，whereistheseatofgovernmentandwheredwellstheResidentCommissioner，Mr。C。M。

Woodford。Stillfurtherandfinally，IknewPeggy’smotherandfatherwell，andhaveoftenknownthewarmsurgeintheheartofmeatthesightofthatfaithfulcouplerunningsidebysidealongthebeach。Terrencewashisrealname。HernamewasBiddy。

JACKLONDON

WAIKIKIBEACH，HONOLULU，OAHU，T。H。

June5，1915

CHAPTERI

NotuntilMisterHagginabruptlypickedhimupunderonearmandsteppedintothesternsheetsofthewaitingwhaleboat，didJerrydreamthatanythinguntowardwastohappentohim。MisterHagginwasJerry’sbelovedmaster，andhadbeenhisbelovedmasterforthesixmonthsofJerry’slife。JerrydidnotknowMisterHagginas"master，"for"master"hadnoplaceinJerry’svocabulary，Jerrybeingasmooth—coated，golden—sorrelIrishterrier。

ButinJerry’svocabulary，"MisterHaggin"possessedallthedefinitenessofsoundandmeaningthattheword"master"possessesinthevocabulariesofhumansinrelationtotheirdogs。"MisterHaggin"wasthesoundJerryhadalwaysheardutteredbyBob，theclerk，andbyDerby，theforemanontheplantation，whentheyaddressedhismaster。Also，Jerryhadalwaysheardtherarevisitingtwo—leggedman—creaturessuchascameontheArangi，addresshismasterasMisterHaggin。

Butdogsbeingdogs，intheirdim，inarticulate，brilliant，andheroic—worshippingwaysmisappraisinghumans，dogsthinkoftheirmasters，andlovetheirmasters，morethanthefactswarrant。

"Master"meanstothem，as"Mister"HagginmeanttoJerry，adealmore，andagreatdealmore，thanitmeanstohumans。Thehumanconsidershimselfas"master"tohisdog，butthedogconsidershismaster"God。"

Now"God"wasnowordinJerry’svocabulary，despitethefactthathealreadypossessedadefiniteandfairlylargevocabulary。

"MisterHaggin"wasthesoundthatmeant"God。"InJerry’sheartandhead，inthemysteriouscentreofallhisactivitiesthatiscalledconsciousness，thesound，"MisterHaggin，"occupiedthesameplacethat"God"occupiesinhumanconsciousness。Bywordandsound，toJerry，"MisterHaggin"hadthesameconnotationthat"God"

hastoGod—worshippinghumans。Inshort，MisterHagginwasJerry’sGod。

Andso，whenMisterHaggin，orGod，orcallitwhatonewillwiththelimitationsoflanguage，pickedJerryupwithimperativeabruptness，tuckedhimunderhisarm，andsteppedintothewhaleboat，whoseblackcrewimmediatelybenttotheoars，Jerrywasinstantlyandnervouslyawarethattheunusualhadbeguntohappen。

NeverbeforehadhegoneoutonboardtheArangi，whichhecouldseegrowinglargerandclosertoeachlip—hissingstrokeoftheoarsoftheblacks。

Onlyanhourbefore，JerryhadcomedownfromtheplantationhousetothebeachtoseetheArangidepart。Twicebefore，inhishalf—

yearoflife，hadhehadthisdelectableexperience。Delectableittrulywas，runningupanddownthewhitebeachofsand—poundedcoral，and，underthewiseguidanceofBiddyandTerrence，takingpartintheexcitementofthebeachandevenaddingtoit。

Therewasthenigger—chasing。Jerryhadbeenborntohateniggers。

Hisfirstexperiencesintheworldasapulingpuppy，hadtaughthimthatBiddy，hismother，andhisfatherTerrence，hatedniggers。A

niggerwassomethingtobesnarledat。Anigger，unlesshewereahouse—boy，wassomethingtobeattackedandbittenandtornifheinvadedthecompound。Biddydidit。Terrencedidit。Indoingit，theyservedtheirGod——MisterHaggin。Niggersweretwo—leggedlessercreatureswhotoiledandslavedfortheirtwo—leggedwhitelords，wholivedinthelabourbarracksafaroff，andwhoweresomuchlesserandlowerthattheymustnotdarecomenearthehabitationoftheirlords。

Andnigger—chasingwasadventure。Notlongafterhehadlearnedtosprawl，Jerryhadlearnedthat。Onetookhischances。AslongasMisterHaggin，orDerby，orBob，wasabout，theniggerstooktheirchasing。Butthereweretimeswhenthewhitelordswerenotabout。

Thenitwas"’Wareniggers！"Onemustdaretochaseonlywithdueprecaution。Becausethen，beyondthewhitelord’seyes，theniggershadaway，notmerelyofscowlingandmuttering，butofattackingfour—leggeddogswithstonesandclubs。Jerryhadseenhismothersomishandled，and，erehehadlearneddiscretion，aloneinthehighgrasshadbeenhimselfclub—mauledbyGodarmy，theblackwhoworeachinadoor—knobsuspendedonhischestfromhisneckonastringofsennitbraidedfromcocoanutfibre。More。Jerryrememberedanotherhigh—grassadventure，whenheandhisbrotherMichaelhadfoughtOwmi，anotherblackdistinguishableforthecoggedwheelsofanalarmclockonhischest。Michaelhadbeensoseverelystruckonhisheadthatforeverafterhisleftearhadremainedsoreandhadwitheredintoapeculiarwiltedandtwistedupwardcock。

Stillmore。TherehadbeenhisbrotherPatsy，andhissisterKathleen，whohaddisappearedtwomonthsbefore，whohadceasedandnolongerwere。Thegreatgod，MisterHaggin，hadragedupanddowntheplantation。Thebushhadbeensearched。Halfadozenniggershadbeenwhipped。AndMisterHagginhadfailedtosolvethemysteryofPatsy’sandKathleen’sdisappearance。ButBiddyandTerrenceknew。SodidMichaelandJerry。Thefour—months’oldPatsyandKathleenhadgoneintothecooking—potatthebarracks，andtheirpuppy—softskinshadbeendestroyedinthefire。Jerryknewthis，asdidhisfatherandmotherandbrother，fortheyhadsmelledtheunmistakableburnt—meatsmell，andTerrence，inhisrageofknowledge，hadevenattackedMogomthehouse—boy，andbeenreprimandedandcuffedbyMisterHaggin，whohadnotsmelledanddidnotunderstand，andwhohadalwaystoimpressdisciplineonallcreaturesunderhisroof—tree。

Butonthebeach，whentheblacks，whosetermsofservicewereupcamedownwiththeirtrade—boxesontheirheadstodepartontheArangi，wasthetimewhennigger—chasingwasnotdangerous。Oldscorescouldbesettled，anditwasthelastchance，fortheblackswhodepartedontheAranginevercameback。Asaninstance，thisverymorningBiddy，rememberingasecretmaulingatthehandsofLerumie，laidteethintohisnakedcalfandthrewhimsprawlingintothewater，trade—box，earthlypossessionsandall，andthenlaughedathim，sureintheprotectionofMisterHagginwhogrinnedattheepisode。

Then，too，therewasusuallyatleastonebush—dogontheArangiatwhichJerryandMichael，fromthebeach，couldbarktheirheadsoff。

Once，Terrence，whowasnearlyaslargeasanAiredaleandfullyaslion—hearted——TerrencetheMagnificent，asTomHaggincalledhim——

hadcaughtsuchabush—dogtrespassingonthebeachandgivenhimadelightfulthrashing，inwhichJerryandMichael，andPatsyandKathleen，whowereatthetimealive，hadjoinedwithmanyshrillyelpsandsharpnips。Jerryhadneverforgottentheecstasyofthehair，unmistakablydoggyinscent，whichhadfilledhismouthathisonesuccessfulnip。Bush—dogsweredogs——herecognizedthemashiskind；buttheyweresomehowdifferentfromhisownlordlybreed，differentandlesser，justastheblackswerecomparedwithMisterHaggin，Derby，andBob。

ButJerrydidnotcontinuetogazeatthenearingArangi。Biddy，wisewithpreviousbitterbereavements，hadsatdownontheedgeofthesand，herfore—feetinthewater，andwasmouthingherwoe。

Thatthisconcernedhim，Jerryknew，forhergrieftoresharply，albeitvaguely，athissensitive，passionateheart。Whatitpresagedheknewnot，savethatitwasdisasterandcatastropheconnectedwithhim。Ashelookedbackather，rough—coatedandgrief—stricken，hecouldseeTerrencehoveringsolicitouslynearher。He，too，wasrough—coated，aswasMichael，andasPatsyandKathleenhadbeen，Jerrybeingtheonesmooth—coatedmemberofthefamily。

Further，althoughJerrydidnotknowitandTomHaggindid，Terrencewasaroyalloverandadevotedspouse。Jerry，fromhisearliestimpressions，couldrememberthewayTerrencehadofrunningwithBiddy，milesandmilesalongthebeachesorthroughtheavenuesofcocoanuts，sidebysidewithher，bothwithlaughingmouthsofsheerdelight。Astheseweretheonlydogs，besideshisbrothersandsistersandtheseveraleruptionsofstrangebush—dogsthatJerryknew，itdidnotenterhisheadotherwisethanthatthiswasthewayofdogs，maleandfemale，weddedandfaithful。ButTomHagginknewitsunusualness。"Properaffinities，"hedeclared，andrepeatedlydeclared，withwarmvoiceandmoisteyesofappreciation。"A

gentleman，thatTerrence，andafour—leggedproperman。Aman—dog，ifthereeverwasone，four—squareasthelegsonthefourcornersofhim。Andprepotent！Myword！Hisblood’dbreedtrueforathousandgenerations，andthecoolheadandthekindlybraveheartofhim。"

Terrencedidnotvoicehissorrow，ifsorrowhehad；buthishoveringaboutBiddytokenedhisanxietyforher。Michael，however，yieldingtothecontagion，satbesidehismotherandbarkedangrilyoutacrosstheincreasingstretchofwaterashewouldhavebarkedatanydangerthatcreptandrustledinthejungle。This，too，sanktoJerry’sheart，addingweighttohissureintuitionthatdirefate，heknewnotwhat，wasuponhim。

Forhissixmonthsoflife，Jerryknewagreatdealandknewverylittle。Heknew，withoutthinkingaboutit，withoutknowingthatheknew，whyBiddy，thewiseaswellasthebrave，didnotactuponallthemessagethatherheartvoicedtohim，andspringintothewaterandswimafterhim。Shehadprotectedhimlikealionesswhenthebigpuarka（which，inJerry’svocabulary，alongwithgruntsandsqueals，wasthecombinationofsound，orword，for"pig"）hadtriedtodevourhimwherehewascorneredunderthehigh—piledplantationhouse。Likealioness，whenthecook—boyhadstruckhimwithasticktodrivehimoutofthekitchen，hadBiddysprungupontheblack，receivingwithoutwinceorwhimperonestraightblowfromthestick，andthendowninghimandmaulinghimamonghispotsandpansuntildragged（forthefirsttimesnarling）awaybytheunchidingMisterHaggin，who；however，administeredsharpwordstothecook—

boyfordaringtolifthandagainstafour—leggeddogbelongingtoagod。

Jerryknewwhyhismotherdidnotplungeintothewaterafterhim。

Thesaltsea，aswellasthelagoonsthatledoutofthesaltsea，weretaboo。"Taboo，"aswordorsound，hadnoplaceinJerry’svocabulary。Butitsdefinition，orsignificance，wasthereinthequickestpartofhisconsciousness。Hepossessedadim，vague，imperativeknowingnessthatitwasnotmerelynotgood，butsupremelydisastrous，leadingtothemistilyglimpsedsenseofutterendingnessforadog，foranydog，togointothewaterwhereslippedandslidandnoiselesslypaddled，sometimesontop，sometimesemergingfromthedepths，greatscalymonsters，huge—jawedandhorribly—toothed，thatsnappeddownandengulfedadoginaninstantjustasthefowlsofMisterHagginsnappedandengulfedgrainsofcorn。

Oftenhehadheardhisfatherandmother，onthesafetyofthesand，barkandragetheirhatredofthoseterriblesea—dwellers，when，closetothebeach，theyappearedonthesurfacelikelogsawash。

"Crocodile"wasnowordinJerry’svocabulary。Itwasanimage，animageofalogawashthatwasdifferentfromanyloginthatitwasalive。Jerry，whoheard，registered，andrecognizedmanywordsthatwereastrulytoolsofthoughttohimastheyweretohumans，butwho，byinarticulatenessofbirthandbreed，couldnotutterthesemanywords，neverthelessinhismentalprocesses，usedimagesjustasarticulatemenusewordsintheirownmentalprocesses。Andafterall，articulatemen，intheactofthinking，willynillyuseimagesthatcorrespondtowordsandthatamplifywords。

Perhaps，inJerry’sbrain，therisingintotheforegroundofconsciousnessofanimageofalogawashconnotedmoreintimateandfullercomprehensionofthethingbeingthoughtabout，thandidtheword"crocodile，"anditsaccompanyingimage，intheforegroundofahuman’sconsciousness。ForJerryreallydidknowmoreaboutcrocodilesthantheaveragehuman。Hecouldsmellacrocodilefartheroffandmoredifferentiatinglythancouldanyman，thancouldevenasalt—waterblackorabushmansmellone。Hecouldtellwhenacrocodile，hauledupfromthelagoon，laywithoutsoundormovement，andperhapsasleep，ahundredfeetawayonthefloormatofjungle。

Heknewmoreofthelanguageofcrocodilesthandidanyman。Hehadbettermeansandopportunitiesofknowing。Heknewtheirmanynoisesthatwereasgruntsandslubbers。Heknewtheirangernoises，theirfearnoises，theirfoodnoises，theirlovenoises。

Andthesenoiseswereasdefinitelywordsinhisvocabularyasarewordsinahuman’svocabulary。Andthesecrocodilenoisesweretoolsofthought。Bythemheweighedandjudgedanddeterminedhisownconsequentcoursesofaction，justlikeanyhuman；or，justlikeanyhuman，lazilyresolveduponnocourseofaction，butmerelynotedandregisteredaclearcomprehensionofsomethingthatwasgoingonabouthimthatdidnotrequireacorrespondenceofactiononhispart。

Andyet，whatJerrydidnotknowwasverymuch。Hedidnotknowthesizeoftheworld。HedidnotknowthatthisMeringeLagoon，backedbyhigh，forestedmountainsandfrontedandshelteredbytheoff—

shorecoralislets，wasanythingelsethantheentireworld。HedidnotknowthatitwasamerefractionalpartofthegreatislandofYsabel，thatwasagainoneislandofathousand，manyofthemgreater，thatcomposedtheSolomonIslandsthatmenmarkedonchartsasagroupofspecksinthevastitudeofthefar—westernSouthPacific。

Itwastrue，therewasasomewhereelseorasomethingbeyondofwhichhewasdimlyaware。Butwhateveritwas，itwasmystery。Outofit，thingsthathadnotbeen，suddenlywere。Chickensandpuarkasandcats，thathehadneverseenbefore，hadawayofabruptlyappearingonMeringePlantation。Once，even，hadtherebeenaneruptionofstrangefour—legged，hornedandhairycreatures，theimagesofwhich，registeredinhisbrain，wouldhavebeenidentifiableinthebrainsofhumanswithwhathumansworded"goats。"

Itwasthesamewaywiththeblacks。Outoftheunknown，fromthesomewhereandsomethingelse，toounconditionalforhimtoknowanyoftheconditions，instantlytheyappeared，full—statured，walkingaboutMeringePlantationwithloin—clothsabouttheirmiddlesandbonebodkinsthroughtheirnoses，andbeingputtoworkbyMisterHaggin，Derby，andBob。ThattheirappearancewascoincidentalwiththearrivaloftheArangiwasanassociationthatoccurredasamatterofcourseinJerry’sbrain。Further，hedidnotbother，savethattherewasacompanionassociation，namely，thattheiroccasionaldisappearancesintothebeyondwaslikewisecoincidentalwiththeArangi’sdeparture。

Jerrydidnotquerytheseappearancesanddisappearances。Itneverenteredhisgolden—sorrelheadtobecuriousabouttheaffairortoattempttosolveit。Heaccepteditinmuchthewayheacceptedthewetnessofwaterandtheheatofthesun。Itwasthewayoflifeandoftheworldheknew。Hishazyawarenesswasnomorethananawarenessofsomething——which，bytheway，correspondsveryfairlywiththehazyawarenessoftheaveragehumanofthemysteriesofbirthanddeathandofthebeyondnessaboutwhichtheyhavenodefinitenessofcomprehension。

Forallthatanymanmaygainsay，theketchArangi，traderandblackbirderintheSolomonIslands，mayhavesignifiedinJerry’smindasmuchthemysteriousboatthattrafficsbetweenthetwoworlds，as，atonetime，theboatthatCharonsculledacrosstheStyxsignifiedtothehumanmind。Outofthenothingnessmencame。

Intothenothingnesstheywent。AndtheycameandwentalwaysontheArangi。

AndtotheArangi，thishot—whitetropicmorning，JerrywentonthewhaleboatunderthearmofhisMisterHaggin，whileonthebeachBiddymoanedherwoe，andMichael，notsophisticated，barkedtheeternalchallengeofyouthtotheUnknown。

CHAPTERII

Fromthewhaleboat，upthelowsideoftheArangi，andoverhersix—

inchrailofteaktoherteakdeck，wasbutastep，andTomHagginmadeiteasilywithJerrystillunderhisarm。Thedeckwasclutteredwithanexcitingcrowd。Excitingthecrowdwouldhavebeentountravelledhumansofcivilization，andexcitingitwastoJerry；althoughtoTomHagginandCaptainVanHornitwasamerecommonplaceofeverydaylife。

ThedeckwassmallbecausetheArangiwassmall。Originallyateak—

built，gentleman’syacht，brass—fitted，copper—fastened，angle—

ironed，sheathedinman—of—warcopperandwithafin—keelofbronze，shehadbeensoldintotheSolomonIslands’tradeforthepurposeofblackbirdingornigger—running。Underthelaw，however，thistrafficwasdignifiedbybeingcalled"recruiting。"

TheArangiwasalabour—recruitshipthatcarriedthenew—caught，cannibalblacksfromremoteislandstolabouronthenewplantationswherewhitementurneddankandpestilentialswampandjungleintorichandstatelycocoanutgroves。TheArangi’stwomastswereofOregoncedar，soscrapedandhot—paraffinedthattheyshoneliketanopalsintheglareofsun。Herexcessivesailplanenabledhertosaillikeawitch，and，onoccasion，gaveCaptainVanHorn，hiswhitemate，andhisfifteenblackboat’screwasmuchastheycouldhandle。Shewassixtyfeetoverall，andthecrossbeamsofhercrowndeckhadnotbeenweakenedbydeck—houses。Theonlybreaks——

andnobeamshadbeencutforthem——werethemaincabinskylightandcompanionway，theboobyhatchfor’ardoverthetinyforecastle，andthesmallhatchaftthatletdownintothestore—room。

Andonthissmalldeck，inadditiontothecrew，werethe"return"

niggersfromthreefar—flungplantations。By"return"wasmeantthattheirthreeyearsofcontractlabourwasup，andthat，accordingtocontract，theywerebeingreturnedtotheirhomevillagesonthewildislandofMalaita。Twentyofthem——familiar，all，toJerry——werefromMeringe；thirtyofthemcamefromtheBayofaThousandShips，intheRussellIsles；andtheremainingtwelvewerefromPennduffrynontheeastcoastofGuadalcanar。Inadditiontothese——andtheywereallondeck，chatteringandpipinginqueer，almostelfish，falsettovoices——werethetwowhitemen，CaptainVanHornandhisDanishmate，Borckman，makingatotalofseventy—ninesouls。

"Thoughtyourheart’dfailedyouatthelastmoment，"wasCaptainVanHorn’sgreeting，aquickpleasurelightglowingintohiseyesastheynotedJerry。

"Itwassureneartodoin’it，"TomHagginanswered。"It’sonlyforyouI’dadoneit，annyways。Jerry’sthebestofthelitter，barrin’Michael，ofcourse，thetwoofthembein’allthat’sleftandnobetterthanthemthatwaslost。NowthatKathleenwasasweetdog，thespitofBiddyifshe’dlived。——Here，take’m。"

Withajerkofabruptness，hedepositedJerryinVanHorn’sarmsandturnedawayalongthedeck。

"An’ifbadluckcomestohimI’llneverforgiveyou，Skipper，"heflungroughlyoverhisshoulder。

"They’llhavetotakemyheadfirst，"theskipperchuckled。

"An’notunlikely，mybraveladdybuck，"Haggingrowled。"MeringeowesSomofourheads，threefromthedysentery，an’anotherwanfromatreefallin’onhimthelastfortnight。Hewasthesonofachiefatthat。"

"Yes，andthere’stwoheadsmorethattheArangiowesSomo，"VanHornnodded。"Yourecollect，downtothesouth’ardlastyear，achapnamedHawkinswaslostinhiswhaleboatrunningtheArliPassage？"Haggin，returningalongthedeck，nodded。"Twoofhisboat’screwwereSomoboys。I’drecruitedthemforUgiPlantation。

Withyourboys，thatmakessixheadstheArangiowes。Butwhatofit？There’sonesalt—watervillage，acrostontheweathercoast，wheretheArangioweseighteen。IrecruitedthemforAolo，andbeingsalt—watermentheyputthemontheSandflythatwaslostonthewaytotheSantaCruz。They’vegotajack—potoverthereontheweathercoast——myword，theboythatcouldgetmyheadwouldbeasecondCarnegie！Ahundredandfiftypigsandshellmoneynoendthevillage’scollectedforthechapthatgetsmeanddelivers。"

"Andtheyain’t——yet，"Hagginsnorted。

"Nofear，"wasthecheerfulretort。

"YoutalklikeArbuckleusedtotalk，"Haggincensured。"Manny’sthetimeI’veheardhimstringitoff。PooroldArbuckle。Themostsureandmostprecautiouschapthateverhandledniggers。Heneverwenttosleepwithoutspreadin’aboxoftacksonthefloor，andwhenitwasn’tthemitwascrumplednewspapers。Iremembermewell，bein’underthesameroofatthetimeonFlorida，whenabigtomcatchasedacockroachintothepapers。Anditwasblim，blam，blim，sixtimesan’twiceover，withhistwobighorse—pistols，an’thehouseperforatedlikeacullender。Likewisetherewasadeadtom—

cat。Hecouldshootinthedarkwithneveranaim，pullin’triggerwiththesecondfingerandpointingwiththefirstfingerlaidstraightalongthebarrel。

"No，sir，myladdybuck。Hewasthebullyboywiththeglasseye。

Theniggerdidn’tlivethat’dlifthishead。Buttheygot’m。Theygot’m。Helastedfourteenyears，too。Itwashiscook—boy。

Hatcheted’mbeforebreakfast。An’it’swellIrememberoursecondtripintothebushafterwhatwasleftof’m。"

"Isawhisheadafteryou’dturneditovertotheCommissioneratTulagi，"VanHornsupplemented。

"An’thepeaceful，quiet，everydayfaceofhimonit，withalmostthesameoldsmileI’dseenathousandtimes。Itdriedon’mthatwayoverthesmokin’fire。Buttheygot’m，ifitdidtakefourteenyears。There’smanny’stheheadthatgoestoMalaita，manny’sthetimeuntooken；but，liketheoldpitcher，it’stookenintheend。"

"ButI’vegottheirgoat，"thecaptaininsisted。"Whentrouble’shatching，Igostraighttothemandtellthemwhat。Theycan’tgetthehangofit。ThinkI’vegotsomepowerfuldevil—devilmedicine。"

TomHagginthrustouthishandinabruptgood—bye，resolutelykeepinghiseyesfromdroppingtoJerryintheother’sarms。

"Keepyoureyeonmyreturnboys，"hecautioned，ashewentovertheside，"tillyoulandthelastmother’ssonof’m。They’vegotnocausetoloveJerryorhisbreed，an’I’dhateilltohappen’matanigger’shands。An’inthedarkofthenight’tislikeasnothecandoafare—you—welloverside。Don’ttakeyoureyeoff’mtillyou’requitofthelastof’m。"

AtsightofbigMisterHaggindesertinghimandbeingpulledawayinthewhaleboat，Jerrywriggledandvoicedhisanxietyinalow，whimperingwhine。CaptainVanHornsnuggledhimcloserinhisarmwithacaressofhisfreehand。

"Don’tforgettheagreement，"TomHaggincalledbackacrossthewideningwater。"Ifaughthappensyou，Jerry’stocomebacktome。"

"I’llmakeapapertothatsameandputitwiththeship’sarticles，"wasVanHorn’sreply。

AmongthemanywordspossessedbyJerrywashisownname；andinthetalkofthetwomenhehadrecogniseditrepeatedly，andhewasaware，vaguely，thatthetalkwasrelatedtothevagueandunguessablyterriblethingthatwashappeningtohim。Hewriggledmoredeterminedly，andVanHornsethimdownonthedeck。Hesprangtotherailwithmorequicknessthanwastobeexpectedofanawkwardpuppyofsixmonths，andnotthequickattemptofVanHorntocheekhimwouldhavesucceeded。ButJerryrecoiledfromtheopenwaterlappingtheArangi’sside。Thetaboowasuponhim。Itwastheimageofthelogawashthatwasnotalogbutthatwasalive，luminousinhisbrain，thatcheckedhim。Itwasnotreasononhispart，butinhibitionwhichhadbecomehabit。

Heplumpeddownonhisbobtail，liftedgoldenmuzzleskyward，andemittedalongpuppy—wailofdismayandgrief。

"It’sallright，Jerry，oldman，braceupandbeaman—dog，"VanHornsoothedhim。

ButJerrywasnottobereconciled。Whilethisindubitablywasawhite—skinnedgod，itwasnothisgod。MisterHagginwashisgod，andasuperiorgodatthat。Evenhe，withoutthinkingaboutitatall，recognizedthat。HisMisterHagginworepantsandshoes。Thisgodonthedeckbesidehimwasmorelikeablack。Notonlydidhenotwearpants，andwasbarefootedandbarelegged，butabouthismiddle，justlikeanyblack，heworeabrilliant—colouredloin—

cloth，that，likeakilt，fellnearlytohissunburntknees。

CaptainVanHornwasahandsomemanandastrikingman，althoughJerrydidnotknowit。IfeveraHollandDutchmansteppedoutofaRembrandtframe，CaptainVanHornwasthatone，despitethefactthathewasNewYorkborn，ashadbeenhisknickerbockerancestorsbeforehimclearbacktothetimewhenNewYorkwasnotNewYorkbutNewAmsterdam。Tocompletehiscostume，afloppyfelthat，distinctlyRembrandtishineffect，perchedhalfonhisheadandmostlyoveroneear；asixpenny，whitecottonundershirtcoveredhistorso；andfromabeltabouthismiddledangledatobaccopouch，asheath—knife，filledclipsofcartridges，andahugeautomaticpistolinaleatherholster。

Onthebeach，Biddy，whohadhushedhergrief，lifteditagainwhensheheardJerry’swail。AndJerry，desistingamomenttolisten，heardMichaelbesideher，barkinghischallenge，andsaw，withoutbeingconsciousofit，Michael’switheredearwithitspersistentupwardcock。Again，whileCaptainVanHornandthemate，Borckman，gaveorders，andwhiletheArangi’smainsailandspankerbegantoriseupthemasts，JerryloosedallhisheartofwoeinwhatBobtoldDerbyonthebeachwasthe"grandestvocaleffort"hehadeverheardfromanydog，andthat，exceptforbeingabitthin，Carusodidn’thaveanythingonJerry。ButthesongwastoomuchforHaggin，who，assoonashehadlanded，whistledBiddytohimandstroderapidlyawayfromthebeach。

Atsightofherdisappearing，JerrywasguiltyofevenmoreCaruso—

likeeffects，whichgavegreatjoytoaPennduffrynreturnboywhostoodbesidehim。HelaughedandjeeredatJerrywithfalsettochucklingsthatweremorelikethejungle—noisesoftree—dwellingcreatures，half—birdandhalf—man，thanofaman，allman，andthereforeagod。Thisservedasanexcellentcounter—irritant。

IndignationthatamereblackshouldlaughathimmasteredJerry，andthenextmomenthispuppyteeth，sharp—pointedasneedles，hadscoredtheastonishedblack’snakedcalfinlongparallelscratchesfromeachofwhichleapedtheinstantblood。Theblacksprangawayintrepidation，butthebloodofTerrencetheMagnificentwastrueinJerry，and，likehisfatherbeforehim，hefollowedup，slashingtheblack’sothercalfintoaruddypattern。

Atthismoment，anchorbrokenoutandheadsailsrunningup，CaptainVanHorn，whosequickeyehadmissednodetailoftheincident，withanordertotheblackhelmsmanturnedtoapplaudJerry。

"Gotoit，Jerry！"heencouraged。"Gethim！Shakehimdown！Sickhim！Gethim！Gethim！"

Theblack，indefence，aimedakickatJerry，who，leapingininsteadofaway——anotherinheritancefromTerrence——avoidedthebarefootandprintedafurtherredseriesofparallellinesonthedarkleg。Thiswastoomuch，andtheblack，afraidmoreofVanHornthanofJerry，turnedandfledfor’ard，leapingtosafetyontopoftheeightLee—Enfieldriflesthatlayontopofthecabinskylightandthatwereguardedbyonememberoftheboat’screw。AbouttheskylightJerrystormed，leapingupandfallingback，untilCaptainVanHorncalledhimoff。

"Somenigger—chaser，thatpup，somenigger—chaser！"VanHornconfidedtoBorckman，ashebenttopatJerryandgivehimduerewardofpraise。

AndJerry，underthiscaressinghandofagod，albeititdidnotwearpants，forgotforamomentlongerthefatethatwasuponhim。

"He’salion—dog——morelikeanAiredalethananIrishterrier，"VanHornwentontohismate，stillpetting。"Lookatthesizeofhimalready。Lookattheboneofhim。Somechestthat。He’sgottheendurance。Andhe’llbesomedogwhenhegrowsuptothosefeetofhis。"

JerryhadjustrememberedhisgriefandwasstartingarushacrossthedecktotherailtogazeatMeringegrowingsmallereverysecondinthedistance，whenagustoftheSouth—eastTradesmotethesailsandpressedtheArangidown。Anddownthedeck，slantedforthemomenttoforty—fivedegrees，Jerryslippedandslid，vainlyclawingatthesmoothsurfaceforahold。Hefetchedupagainstthefootofthemizzenmast，whileCaptainVanHorn，withthesailor’seyeforthecoralpatchunderhisbow，gavetheorder"Harda—lee！"

Borckmanandtheblacksteersmanechoedhiswords，and，asthewheelspundown，theArangi，withtheswiftnessofawitch，roundedintothewindandattainedamomentaryevenkeeltotheflappingofherheadsailsandashiftingofheadsheets。

Jerry，stillintentonMeringe，tookadvantageofthelevelfootingtorecoverhimselfandscrambletowardtherail。Buthewasdeflectedbythecrashofthemainsheetblocksonthestoutdeck—

traveller，asthemainsail，emptiedofthewindandfeelingthewindontheotherside，swungcrazilyacrossabovehim。Heclearedthedangerofthemainsheetwithawildleap（althoughnolesswildhadbeenVanHorn’sleaptorescuehim），andfoundhimselfdirectlyunderthemainboomwiththehugesailloomingabovehimasifabouttofalluponhimandcrushhim。

ItwasJerry’sfirstexperiencewithsailsofanysort。Hedidnotknowthebeasts，muchlessthewayofthem，but，inhisvividrecollection，whenhehadbeenatinypuppy，burnedthememoryofthehawk，inthemiddleofthecompound，thathaddroppeddownuponhimfromoutofthesky。Underthatcolossalthreatenedimpacthecroucheddowntothedeck。Abovehim，fallinguponhimlikeaboltfromtheblue，wasawingedhawkunthinkablyvasterthantheonehehadencountered。Butinhiscrouchwasnohintofcower。Hiscrouchwasagatheringtogether，anassemblingofallthepartsofhimundertheruleofthespiritofhim，forthespringupwardtomeetinmidcareerthismonstrous，menacingthing。

But，thesucceedingfractionofamoment，sothatJerry，leaping，missedeventheshadowofit，themainsail，withasecondcrashofblocksontraveller，hadswungacrossandfilledontheothertack。

VanHornhadmissednothingofit。Before，inhistime，hehadseenyoungdogsfrightenedintogenuinefitsbytheirfirstencounterswithheaven—filling，sky—obscuring，down—impendingsails。Thiswasthefirstdoghehadseenleapwithbaredteeth，undismayed，tograpplewiththehugeunknown。

Withspontaneityofadmiration，VanHornsweptJerryfromthedeckandgatheredhimintohisarms。

CHAPTERIII

JerryquiteforgotMeringeforthetimebeing。Ashewellremembered，thehawkhadbeensharpofbeakandclaw。Thisair—

flapping，thunder—crashingmonsterneededwatching。AndJerry，crouchingforthespringandeverstrugglingtomaintainhisfootingontheslippery，heelingdeck，kepthiseyesonthemainsailandutteredlowgrowlsatanydisplayofmovementonitspart。

TheArangiwasbeatingoutbetweenthecoralpatchesofthenarrowchannelintotheteethofthebrisktradewind。Thisnecessitatedfrequenttacks，sothat，overhead，themainsailwaseverswoopingacrossfromporttacktostarboardtackandbackagain，makingair—

noisesliketheswishofwings，sharplyrat—tat—tattingitsreefpointsandloudlycrashingitsmainsheetgearalongthetraveller。

Halfadozentimes，asitswoopedoverhead，Jerryleapedforit，mouthopentogrip，lipswrithedclearofthecleanpuppyteeththatshoneinthesunlikegemsofivory。

Failingineveryleap，Jerryachievedajudgment。Inpassing，itmustbenotedthatthisjudgmentwasonlyarrivedatbyadefiniteactofreasoning。Outofaseriesofobservationsofthething，inwhichithadthreatened，alwaysinthesameway，aseriesofattacks，hehadfoundthatithadnothurthimnorcomeincontactwithhimatall。Therefore——althoughhedidnotstoptothinkthathewasthinking——itwasnotthedangerous，destroyingthinghehadfirstdeemedit。Itmightbewelltobewaryofit，thoughalreadyithadtakenitsplaceinhisclassificationofthingsthatappearedterriblebutwerenotterrible。Thus，hehadlearnednottofeartheroarofthewindamongthepalmswhenhelaysnugontheplantation—houseveranda，northeonslaughtofthewaves，hissingandrumblingintoharmlessfoamonthebeachathisfeet。

Manytimes，inthecourseoftheday，alertlyandnonchalantly，almostwithaquizzicalknowingness，Jerrycockedhisheadatthemainsailwhenitmadesuddenswoopingmovementsorslackedandtauteneditscrashingsheet—gear。Buthenolongercrouchedtospringforit。Thathadbeenthefirstlesson，andquicklymastered。

Havingsettledthemainsail，JerryreturnedinmindtoMeringe。ButtherewasnoMeringe，noBiddyandTerrenceandMichaelonthebeach；noMisterHagginandDerbyandBob；nobeach：nolandwiththepalm—treesnearandthemountainsafaroffeverlastinglyliftingtheirgreenpeaksintothesky。Always，tostarboardortoport，attheboworoverthestern，whenhestooduprestinghisfore—feetonthesix—inchrailandgazing，hesawonlytheocean，broken—facedandturbulent，yetorderlymarchingitswhite—crestedseasbeforethedriveofthetrade。

Hadhehadtheeyesofaman，nearlytwoyardshigherthanhisownfromthedeck，andhadtheybeenthetrainedeyesofaman，sailor—

manatthat，JerrycouldhaveseenthelowblurofYsabeltothenorthandtheblurofFloridatothesouth，evertakingondefinitenessofdetailastheArangisaggedclose—hauled，withagoodfull，port—tackedtothesouth—easttrade。AndhadhehadtheadvantageofthemarineglasseswithwhichCaptainVanHornelongatedtherangeofhiseyes，hecouldhaveseen，totheeast，thefarpeaksofMalaitaliftinglife—shadowedpinkcloud—puffsabovethesea—rim。

ButthepresentwasveryimmediatewithJerry。Hehadearlylearnedtheironlawoftheimmediate，andtoacceptwhatwaswhenitwas，ratherthantostrainafterfarotherthings。Theseawas。Thelandnolongerwas。TheArangicertainlywas，alongwiththelifethatclutteredherdeck。Andheproceededtogetacquaintedwithwhatwas——inshort，toknowandtoadjusthimselftohisnewenvironment。

Hisfirstdiscoverywasdelightful——awild—dogpuppyfromtheYsabelbush，beingtakenbacktoMalaitabyoneoftheMeringereturnboys。

Inagetheywerethesame，buttheirbreedingwasdifferent。Thewild—dogwaswhathewas，awild—dog，cringingandsneaking，hisearsforeverdown，histailforeverbetweenhislegs，foreverapprehendingfreshmisfortuneandill—treatmenttofallonhim，foreverfearingandresentful，fendingoffthreatenedhurtwithlipscurlingmalignantlyfromhispuppyfangs，cringingunderablow，squallinghisfearandhispain，andreadyalwaysforatreacherousslashifluckandsafetyfavoured。

Thewild—dogwasmaturerthanJerry，larger—bodied，andwiserinwickedness；butJerrywasblue—blooded，right—selected，andvaliant。

Thewild—doghadcomeoutofaselectionequallyrigid；butitwasadifferentsortofselection。Thebushancestorsfromwhomhehaddescendedhadsurvivedbybeingfear—selected。Theyhadnevervoluntarilyfoughtagainstodds。Intheopentheyhadneverattackedsavewhenthepreywasweakordefenceless。Inplaceofcourage，theyhadlivedbycreeping，andslinking，andhidingfromdanger。Theyhadbeenselectedblindlybynature，inacruelandignobleenvironment，wheretheprizeoflivingwastobegained，inthemain，bythecunningofcowardice，and，onoccasion，bydesperatenessofdefencewheninacorner。

ButJerryhadbeenlove—selectedandcourage—selected。Hisancestorshadbeendeliberatelyandconsciouslychosenbymen，who，somewhereintheforgottenpast，hadtakenthewild—dogandmadeitintothethingtheyvisionedandadmiredanddesiredittobe。Itmustneverfightlikearatinacorner，becauseitmustneverberat—likeandslinkintoacorner。Retreatmustbeunthinkable。Thedogsinthepastwhoretreatedhadbeenrejectedbymen。TheyhadnotbecomeJerry’sancestors。ThedogsselectedforJerry’sancestorshadbeenthebraveones，theup—standingandout—dashingones，whoflewintothefaceofdangerandbattledanddied，butwhonevergaveground。And，sinceitisthewayofkindtobegetkind，JerrywaswhatTerrencewasbeforehim，andwhatTerrence’sforefathershadbeenforalongwayback。

SoitwasthatJerry，whenhechanceduponthewild—dogstowedshrewdlyawayfromthewindinthelee—cornermadebythemainmastandthecabinskylight，didnotstoptoconsiderwhetherthecreaturewasbiggerorfiercerthanhe。Allheknewwasthatitwastheancientenemy——thewild—dogthathadnotcomeintothefiresofman。WithawildpaeanofjoythatattractedCaptainVanHorn’sall—hearingearsandall—seeingeyes，Jerrysprangtotheattack。

Thewildpuppygainedhisfeetinfullretreatwithincredibleswiftness，butwascaughtbytherushofJerry’sbodyandrolledoverandoverontheslopingdeck。Andasherolled，andfeltsharpteethprickinghim，hesnappedandsnarled，alternatingsnarlswithwhimperingsandsquallingsofterror，pain，andabjecthumility。

AndJerrywasagentleman，whichistosayhewasagentledog。Hehadbeensoselected。Becausethethingdidnotfightback，becauseitwasabjectandwhining，becauseitwashelplessunderhim，heabandonedtheattack，disengaginghimselffromthetopofthetangleintowhichhehadslidintheleescuppers。Hedidnotthinkaboutit。Hediditbecausehewassomade。Hestooduponthereelingdeck，feelingexcellentlysatisfiedwiththedelicious，wild—doggysmellofhairinhismouthandconsciousness，andinhisearsandconsciousnessthepraisingcryofCaptainVanHorn："Goodboy，Jerry！You’rethegoods，Jerry！Somedog，eh！Somedog！"

Ashestalkedaway，itmustbeadmittedthatJerrydisplayedprideinhimself，hisgaitbeingatriflestiff—legged，thecockingofhisheadbackoverhisshoulderatthewhiningwild—doghavingallthearticulatenessof："Well，IguessIgaveyouenoughthistime。

You’llkeepoutofmywayafterthis。"

Jerrycontinuedtheexplorationofhisnewandtinyworldthatwasneveratrest，foreverlifting，heeling，andlungingontherollingfaceofthesea。ThereweretheMeringereturnboys。Hemadeitapointtoidentifyallofthem，receiving，whilehedidso，scowlsandmutterings，andreciprocatingwithcockybullyingsandthreatenings。Beingsotrained，hewalkedonhisfourlegssuperiortothem，two—leggedthoughtheywere；forhehadmovedandlivedalwaysundertheaegisofthegreattwo—leggedandbe—trouseredgod，MisterHaggin。

Thentherewerethestrangereturnboys，fromPennduffrynandtheBayofaThousandShips。Heinsistedonknowingthemall。Hemightneedtoknowtheminsomefuturetime。Hedidnotthinkthis。Hemerelyequippedhimselfwithknowledgeofhisenvironmentwithoutanyawarenessofprovisionorwithoutbotheringaboutthefuture。

Inhisownwayofacquiringknowledge，hequicklydiscovered，justasontheplantationhouse—boysweredifferentfromfield—boys，thatontheArangitherewasaclassificationofboysdifferentfromthereturnboys。Thiswastheboat’screw。ThefifteenblackswhocomposeditwerecloserthantheotherstoCaptainVanHorn。TheyseemedmoredirectlytobelongtotheArangiandtohim。Theylabouredunderhimatwordofcommand，steeringatthewheel，pullingandhaulingonropes，healingwateruponthedeckfromoversideandscrubbingwithbrooms。

JustasJerryhadlearnedfromMisterHagginthathemustbemoretolerantofthehouse—boysthanofthefield—boysiftheytrespassedonthecompound，so，fromCaptainVanHorn，helearnedthathemustbemoretolerantoftheboat’screwthanofthereturnboys。Hehadlesslicensewiththem，morelicensewiththeothers。AslongasCaptainVanHorndidnotwanthisboat’screwchased，itwasJerry’sdutynottochase。Ontheotherhandheneverforgotthathewasawhite—god’sdog。Whilehemightnotchasetheseparticularblacks，hedeclinedfamiliaritywiththem。Hekepthiseyeonthem。Hehadseenblacksastoleratedasthese，linedupandwhippedbyMisterHaggin。Theyoccupiedanintermediateplaceintheschemeofthings，andtheyweretobewatchedincasetheydidnotkeeptheirplace。Heaccordedthemroom，buthedidnotaccordthemequality。

Atthebest，hecouldbestand—offishlyconsiderateofthem。

Hemadethoroughexaminationofthegalley，arudeaffair，openontheopendeck，exposedtowindandrainandstorm，asmallstovethatwasnotevenaship’sstove，onwhichsomehow，aidedbystringsandwedges，commingledwithmuchsmoke，twoblacksmanagedtocookthefoodforthefour—scorepersonsonboard。

Next，hewasinterestedbyastrangeproceedingonthepartoftheboat’screw。Uprightpipes，servingasstanchions，werebeingscrewedintothetopoftheArangi’srailsothattheyservedtosupportthreestrandsofbarbedwirethatrancompletelyaroundthevessel，beingbrokenonlyatthegangwayforanarrowspaceoffifteeninches。Thatthiswasaprecautionagainstdanger，Jerrysensedwithoutapassingthoughttoit。Allhislife，fromhisfirstimpressionsoflife，hadbeenpassedintheheartofdanger，ever—impending，fromtheblacks。IntheplantationhouseatMeringe，alwaystheseveralwhitemenhadlookedaskanceatthemanyblackswhotoiledforthemandbelongedtothem。Intheliving—

room，whereweretheeating—table，thebilliard—table，andthephonograph，stoodstandsofrifles，andineachbedroom，besideeachbed，readytohand，hadbeenrevolversandrifles。Aswell，MisterHagginandDerbyandBobhadalwayscarriedrevolversintheirbeltswhentheyleftthehousetogoamongtheirblacks。

Jerryknewthesenoise—makingthingsforwhattheywere——instrumentsofdestructionanddeath。Hehadseenlivethingsdestroyedbythem，suchaspuarkas，goats，birds，andcrocodiles。Bymeansofsuchthingsthewhite—godsbytheirwillcrossedspacewithoutcrossingitwiththeirbodies，anddestroyedlivethings。Nowhe，inordertodamageanything，hadtocrossspacewithhisbodytogettoit。Hewasdifferent。Hewaslimited。Allimpossiblethingswerepossibletotheunlimited，two—leggedwhite—gods。Inaway，thisabilityoftheirstodestroyacrossspacewasanelongationofclawandfang。Withoutponderingit，orbeingconsciousofit，heaccepteditasheacceptedtherestofthemysteriousworldabouthim。

Once，even，hadJerryseenhisMisterHaggindealdeathatadistanceinanothernoise—way。FromtheverandahehadseenhimflingsticksofexplodingdynamiteintoascreechingmassofblackswhohadcomeraidingfromtheBeyondinthelongwarcanoes，beakedandblack，carvedandinlaidwithmother—of—pearl，whichtheyhadlefthauleduponthebeachatthedoorofMeringe。

Manyprecautionsbythewhite—godshadJerrybeenawareof，andso，sensingitalmostinintangibleways，asamatterofcourseheacceptedthisbarbed—wirefenceonthefloatingworldasamarkofthepersistenceofdanger。Disasteranddeathhoveredcloseabout，waitingthechancetoleapuponlifeanddragitdown。LifehadtobeveryaliveinordertolivewasthelawJerryhadlearnedfromthelittleoflifeheknew。

Watchingtheriggingupofthebarbedwire，Jerry’snextadventurewasanencounterwithLerumie，thereturnboyfromMeringe，who，onlythatmorning，onthebeachembarking，hadbeenrolledbyBiddy，alongwithhispossessionsintothesurf。Theencounteroccurredonthestarboardsideoftheskylight，alongsideofwhichLerumiewasstandingashegazedintoacheaptrade—mirrorandcombedhiskinkyhairwithahand—carvedcombofwood。

Jerry，scarcelyawareofLerumie’spresence，wastrottingpastonhiswayafttowhereBorckman，themate，wassuperintendingthestringingofthebarbedwiretothestanchions。AndLerumie，withaside—longlooktoseeifthedeedmeditatedforhisfootwasscreenedfromobservation，aimedakickatthesonofhisfour—

leggedenemy。HisbarefootcaughtJerryonthesensitiveendofhisrecentlybobbedtail，andJerry，outraged，withthesenseofsacrilegecommitteduponhim，wentinstantlywild。

CaptainVanHorn，standingaftontheportquarter，gaugingtheslantofthewindonthesailsandtheinadequatesteeringoftheblackatthewheel，hadnotseenJerrybecauseoftheinterveningskylight。ButhiseyeshadtakenintheshouldermovementofLerumiethatadvertisedthebalancingononefootwhiletheotherfoothadkicked。Andfromwhatfollowed，hedivinedwhathadalreadyoccurred。

Jerry’soutcry，ashesprawled，whirled，sprang，andslashed，wasaveritablepuppy—screamofindignation。Heslashedankleandfootashereceivedthesecondkickinmid—air；and，althoughheslidcleardowntheslopeofdeckintothescuppers，heleftontheblackskintheredtraceryofhispuppy—needleteeth。Stillscreaminghisindignation，heclawedhiswaybackupthesteepwoodenhill。

Lerumie，withanotherside—longlook，knewthathewasobservedandthathedarenotgotoextremes。Hefledalongtheskylighttoescapedownthecompanionway，butwascaughtbyJerry’ssharpteethinhiscalf。Jerry，attackingblindly，gotinthewayoftheblack’sfeet。Along，stumblingfall，acceleratedbyasuddenincreaseofwindinthesails，ensued，andLerumie，vainlytryingtocatchhisfooting，fetchedupagainstthethreestrandsofbarbedwireontheleerail。

Thedeck—fullofblacksshriekedtheirmerriment，andJerry，hisrageundiminished，hisimmediateantagonistoutofthebattle，mistakinghimselfastheobjectofthelaughteroftheblacks，turneduponthem，chargingandslashingthemanylegsthatfledbeforehim。Theydroppeddownthecabinandforecastlecompanionways，ranoutthebowsprit，andsprangintotheriggingtilltheywereperchedeverywhereintheairlikemonstrousbirds。

Intheend，thedeckbelongedtoJerry，savefortheboat’screw；

forhehadalreadylearnedtodifferentiate。CaptainVanHornwashilariouslyvocalofhispraise，callingJerrytohimandgivinghimman—thumpsofjoyfuladmiration。Next，thecaptainturnedtohismanypassengersandoratedinbeche—de—merEnglish。

"Hey！Youfellaboy！Imake’mbigfellatalk。Thisfelladoghebelongalongme。Onefellaboyhurt’mthatfelladog——myword！——mecrosstoomuchalongthatfellaboy。Iknock’msevenbellsoutathatfellaboy。Youtake’mcarelegbelongyou。Itake’mcaredogbelongme。Savve？"

Andthepassengers，stillperchedintheair，withgleamingblackeyesandwithqueruleruschirpingsonetoanother，acceptedthewhiteman’slaw。EvenLerumie，variouslylaceratedbythebarbedwire，didnotscowlnormutterthreats。Instead，andbringingaroaroflaughterfromhisfellowsandatwinkleintotheskipper’seyes，herubbedquestingfingersoverhisscratchesandmurmured：

"Myword！Somebigfelladogthatfella！"

ItwasnotthatJerrywasunkindly。LikeBiddyandTerrence，hewasfierceandunafraid；whichattributeswerewrappedupinhisheredity。And，likeBiddyandTerrence，hedelightedinnigger—

chasing，which，inturn，wasamatteroftraining。Fromhisearliestpuppyhoodhehadbeensotrained。Niggerswereniggers，butwhitemenweregods，anditwasthewhite—godswhohadtrainedhimtochaseniggersandkeepthemintheirproperlesserplaceintheworld。Alltheworldwasheldinthehollowofthewhiteman’shands。Theniggers——well，hadnotheseenthemalwayscompelledtoremainintheirlesserplace？Hadhenotseenthem，onoccasion，triceduptothepalm—treesoftheMeringecompoundandtheirbackslashedtoribbonsbythewhite—gods？Smallwonderthatahigh—bornIrishterrier，inthearmsofloveofthewhite—god，shouldlookatniggersthroughwhite—god’seyes，andacttowardniggersinthewaythatearnedthewhite—god’srewardofpraise。

ItwasabusydayforJerry。EverythingabouttheArangiwasnewandstrange，andsocrowdedwasshethatexcitingthingswerecontinuallyhappening。Hehadanotherencounterwiththewild—dog，whotreacherouslyattackedhiminflankfromambuscade。Tradeboxesbelongingtotheblackshadbeenirregularlypiledsothatasmallspacewasleftbetweentwoboxesinthelowertier。Fromthishole，asJerrytrottedpastinresponsetoacallfromtheskipper，thewild—dogsprang，scratchedhissharppuppy—teethintoJerry’syellow—velvethide，andscuttledbackintohislair。

AgainJerry’sfeelingswereoutraged。Hecouldunderstandflankattack。OftenheandMichaelhadplayedatthat，althoughithadonlybeenplaying。ButtoretreatwithoutfightingfromafightoncestartedwasalientoJerry’swaysandnature。Withrighteouswrathhechargedintotheholeafterhisenemy。Butthiswaswherethewild—dogfoughttobestadvantage——inacorner。WhenJerrysprangupintheconfinedspacehebumpedhisheadontheboxabove，andthenextmomentfeltthesnarlingimpactoftheother’steethagainsthisownteethandjaw。

Therewasnogettingatthewild—dog，nochancetorushagainsthimwholeheartedly，withgenerousfullweightintheattack。AllJerrycoulddowastocrawlandsquirmandbellyforward，andalwayshewasmetbyasnarlingmouthfulofteeth。Evenso，hewouldhavegotthewild—dogintheend，hadnotBorckman，inpassing，reachedinanddraggedJerryoutbyahind—leg。AgaincameCaptainVanHorn’scall，andJerry，obedient，trottedonaft。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读