Amealwasbeingservedondeckintheshadeofthespanker，andJerry，sittingbetweenthetwomenreceivedhisshare。Alreadyhehadmadethegeneralizationthatofthetwo，thecaptainwasthesuperiorgod，givingmanyordersthatthemateobeyed。Themate，ontheotherhand，gaveorderstotheblacks，butneverdidhegiveorderstothecaptain。Furthermore，Jerrywasdevelopingalikingforthecaptain，sohesnuggledclosetohim。Whenheputhisnoseintothecaptain’splate，hewasgentlyreprimanded。Butonce，whenhemerelysniffedatthemate’ssteamingtea—cup，herreceivedasnubonthenosefromthemate’sgrimyforefinger。Also，thematedidnotofferhimfood。

CaptainVanHorngavehim，firstofall，apannikinofoatmealmush，generouslyfloodedwithcondensedcreamandsweetenedwithaheapingspoonfulofsugar。Afterthat，onoccasion，hegavehimmorselsofbutteredbreadandsliversoffriedfishfromwhichhefirstcarefullypickedthetinybones。

HisbelovedMisterHagginhadneverfedhimfromthetableatmealtime，andJerrywasbesidehimselfwiththejoyofthisdelightfulexperience。And，beingyoung，heallowedhiseagernesstotakepossessionofhim，sothatsoonhewasundulyurgingthecaptainformorepiecesoffishandofbreadandbutter。Once，heevenbarkedhisdemand。Thisputtheideaintothecaptain’shead，whobeganimmediatelytoteachhimto"speak。"

Attheendoffiveminuteshehadlearnedtospeaksoftly，andtospeakonlyonce——alow，mellow，bell—likebarkofasinglesyllable。

Also，inthisfirstfiveminutes，hehadlearnedto"sitdown，"asdistinctlydifferentfrom"liedown"；andthathemustsitdownwheneverhespoke，andthathemustspeakwithoutjumpingormovingfromthesittingposition，andthenmustwaituntilthepieceoffoodwaspassedtohim。

Further，hehadaddedthreewordstohisvocabulary。Foreverafter，"speak"wouldmeantohim"speak，"and"sitdown"wouldmean"sitdown"andwouldnotmean"liedown。"Thethirdadditiontohisvocabularywas"Skipper。"ThatwasthenamehehadheardthematerepeatedlycallCaptainVanHorn。AndjustasJerryknewthatwhenahumancalled"Michael，"thatthecallreferredtoMichaelandnottoBiddy，orTerrence，orhimself，soheknewthatSkipperwasthenameofthetwo—leggedwhitemasterofthisnewfloatingworld。

"Thatisn’tjustadog，"wasVanHorn’sconclusiontothemate。

"There’sasureenoughhumanbraintherebehindthosebrowneyes。

He’ssixmonthsold。Anyboyofsixyearswouldbeaninfantphenomenontolearninfiveminutesallthathe’sjustlearned。

Why，Gott—fer—dang，adog’sbrainhastobelikeaman’s。Ifhedoesthingslikeaman，he’sgottothinklikeaman。"

CHAPTERIV

Thecompanionwayintothemaincabinwasasteepladder，anddownthis，afterhismeal，Jerrywascarriedbythecaptain。Thecabinwasalongroom，extendingforthefullwidthoftheArangifromalazaretteafttoatinyroomfor’ard。For’ardofthisroom，separatedbyatightbulkhead，wastheforecastlewherelivedtheboat’screw。ThetinyroomwassharedbetweenVanHornandBorckman，whilethemaincabinwasoccupiedbythethree—scoreandoddreturnboys。TheysquattedaboutandlayeverywhereonthefloorandonthelonglowbunksthatranthefulllengthofthecabinInthelittlestateroomthecaptaintossedablanketonthefloorinacorner，andhedidnotfinditdifficulttogetJerrytounderstandthatthatwashisbed。NordidJerry，withafullstomachandwearyfromsomuchexcitement，finditdifficulttofallimmediatelyasleep。

AnhourlaterhewasawakenedbytheentranceofBorckman。Whenhewaggedhisstubofatailandsmiledfriendlywithhiseyes，thematescowledathimandmutteredangrilyinhisthroat。Jerrymadenofurtherovertures，butlayquietlywatching。Thematehadcometotakeadrink。Intruth，hewasstealingthedrinkfromVanHorn’ssupply。Jerrydidnotknowthis。Often，ontheplantation，hehadseenthewhitementakedrinks。ButtherewassomethingsomehowdifferentinthemannerofBorckman’stakingadrink。Jerrywasaware，vaguely，thattherewassomethingsurreptitiousaboutit。

Whatwaswronghedidnotknow，yethesensedthewrongnessandwatchedsuspiciously。

Afterthematedeparted，Jerrywouldhavesleptagainhadnotthecarelesslylatcheddoorswungopenwithabang。Openinghiseyes，preparedforanyhostileinvasionfromtheunknown，hefelltowatchingalargecockroachcrawlingdownthewall。Whenhegottohisfeetandwarilystalkedtowardit，thecockroachscuttledawaywithaslightrustlingnoiseanddisappearedintoacrack。Jerryhadbeenacquaintedwithcockroachesallhislife，buthewasdestinedtolearnnewthingsaboutthemfromtheparticularbreedthatdweltontheArangi。

Afteracursoryexaminationofthestateroomhewanderedoutintothecabin。Theblacks，sprawledabouteverywhere，but，conceivingittobehisdutytohisSkipper，Jerrymadeitapointtoidentifyeachone。Theyscowledandutteredlowthreateningnoiseswhenhesniffedclosetothem。Onedaredtomenacehimwithablow，butJerry，insteadofslinkingaway，showedhisteethandpreparedtospring。Theblackhastilydroppedtheoffendinghandtohissideandmadesoothing，penitentnoises，whileotherschuckled；andJerrypassedonhisway。Itwasnothingnew。Alwaysablowwastobeexpectedfromblackswhenwhitemenwerenotaround。Boththemateandthecaptainwereondeck，andJerry，thoughunafraid，continuedhisinvestigationscautiously。

Butatthedoorlessentrancetothelazaretteaft，hethrewcautiontothewindsanddartedininpursuitofthenewscentthatcametohisnostrils。Astrangepersonwasinthelow，darkspacewhomhehadneversmelled。Cladinasingleshiftandlyingonacoarsegrass—matspreaduponapileoftobaccocasesandfifty—poundtinsofflour，wasayoungblackgirl。

TherewassomethingfurtiveandlurkingaboutherthatJerrydidnotfailtosense，andhehadlongsincelearnedthatsomethingwaswrongwhenanyblacklurkedorskulked。Shecriedoutwithfearashebarkedanalarmandpounceduponher。Eventhoughhisteethscratchedherbarearm，shedidnotstrikeathim。Notdidshecryoutagain。Shecowereddownandtrembledanddidnotfightback。

Keepinghisteethlockedintheholdhehadgotonherflimsyshift，heshookanddraggedather，allthewhilegrowlingandscoldingforherbenefitandyelpingahighclamourtobringSkipperorthemate。

Inthecourseofthestrugglethegirlover—balancedontheboxesandtinsandtheentireheapcollapsed。ThiscausedJerrytoyelpamorefrenziedalarm，whiletheblacks，peeringinfromthecabin，laughedwithcruelenjoyment。

WhenSkipperarrived，Jerrywaggedhisstumptailand，withearslaidback，draggedandtuggedharderthaneveratthethincottonofthegirl’sgarment。Heexpectedpraiseforwhathehaddone，butwhenSkippermerelytoldhimtoletgo，heobeyedwiththerealizationthatthislurking，fear—struckcreaturewassomehowdifferent，andmustbetreateddifferently，fromotherlurkingcreatures。

Fear—struckshewas，asitisgiventofewhumanstobeandstilllive。VanHorncalledherhisparceloftrouble，andhewasanxioustoberidoftheparcel，without，however，theutterannihilationoftheparcel。Itwasthisannihilationwhichhehadsavedherfromwhenheboughtherinevenexchangeforafatpig。

Stupid，worthless，spiritless，sick，notmorethanadozenyearsold，nodelightintheeyesoftheyoungmenofhervillage，shehadbeenconsignedbyherdisappointedparentstothecooking—pot。WhenCaptainVanHornfirstencounteredherhadbeenwhenshewasthecentralfigureinalugubriousprocessiononthebanksoftheBalebuliRiver。

Anythingbutabeauty——hadbeenhisappraisalwhenhehaltedtheprocessionforapow—wow。Leanfromsickness，herskinmangywiththedryscalesofthediseasecalledbukua，shewastiedhandandfootand，likeapig，slungfromastoutpolethatrestedontheshouldersofthebearers，whointendedtodineoffofher。Toohopelesstoexpectmercy，shemadenoappealforhelp，thoughthehorriblefearthatpossessedherwaseloquentinherwild—staringeyes。

Intheuniversalbeche—de—merEnglish，CaptainVanHornhadlearnedthatshewasnotregardedwithrelishbyhercompanions，andthattheywereontheirwaytostakeheroutuptoherneckintherunningwateroftheBalebuli。Butfirst，beforetheystakedher，theirplanwastodislocateherjointsandbreakthebigbonesofthearmsandlegs。Thiswasnoreligiousrite，noplacationofthebrutishjunglegods。Merelywasitamatterofgastronomy。Livingmeat，sotreated，wasmadetenderandtasty，and，ashercompanionspointedout，shecertainlyneededtobeputthroughsuchaprocess。

Twodaysinthewater，theytoldthecaptain，oughttodothebusiness。Thentheywouldkillher，buildthefire，andinviteinafewfriends。

Afterhalfanhourofbargaining，duringwhichCaptainVanHornhadinsistedontheworthlessnessoftheparcel，hehadboughtafatpigworthfivedollarsandexchangeditforher。Thus，sincehehadpaidforthepigintradegoods，andsincetradegoodswereratedatahundredpercent。profit，thegirlhadactuallycosthimtwodollarsandfiftycents。

AndthenCaptainVanHorn’stroubleshadbegun。Hecouldnotgetridofthegirl。ToowellheknewthenativesofMalaitatoturnherovertothemanywhereontheisland。ChiefIshikolaofSu’uhadofferedfivetwentiesofdrinkingcoconutsforher，andBau，abushchief，hadofferedtwochickensonthebeachatMalu。Butthislastofferhadbeenaccompaniedbyasneer，andhadtokenedtheoldrascal’sscornofthegirl’sscrawniness。Failingtoconnectwiththemissionarybrig，theWesternCross，onwhichshewouldnothavebeeneaten，CaptainVanHornhadbeencompelledtokeepherinthecrampedquartersoftheArangiagainstaproblematicalfuturetimewhenhewouldbeabletoturnherovertothemissionaries。

Buttowardhimthegirlhadnoheartofgratitudebecauseshehadnobrainofunderstanding。She，whohadbeensoldforafatpig，consideredherpitifulroleintheworldtobeunchanged。Eateeshehadbeen。Eateesheremained。Herdestinationmerelyhadbeenchanged，andthisbigfellawhitemarsteroftheArangiwouldundoubtedlybeherdestinationwhenshehadsufficientlyfattened。

Hisdesignsonherhadbeentransparentfromthefirst，whenhehadtriedtofeedherup。Andshehadoutwittedhimbyresolutelyeatingnomorethanwouldbarelykeepheralive。

Asaresult，she，whohadlivedinthebushallherdaysandneversomuchassetfootinacanoe，rockedandrolledunendinglyoverthebroadoceaninaperpetualnightmareoffear。Inthebeche—de—

merthatwascurrentamongtheblacksofathousandislandsandtenthousanddialects，theArangi’sprocessionofpassengersassuredherofherfate。"Myword，youfellaMary，"onewouldsaytoher，"shorttimelittlebitthatbigfellawhitemarsterkai—kaialongyou。"Or，another："Bigfellawhitemarsterkai—kaialongyou，myword，bellybelonghimwalkabouttoomuch。"

Kai—kaiwasthebeche—de—merfor"eat。"EvenJerryknewthat。

"Eat"didnotobtaininhisvocabulary；butkai—kaidid，anditmeantallandmorethan"eat，"foritservedforbothnounandverb。

Butthegirlneverrepliedtothejeeringoftheblacks。Forthatmatter，sheneverspokeatall，noteventoCaptainVanHorn，whodidnotsomuchasknowhername。

Itwaslateafternoon，afterdiscoveringthegirlinthelazarette，whenJerryagaincameondeck。ScarcelyhadSkipper，whohadcarriedhimupthesteepladder，droppedhimondeckthanJerrymadeanewdiscovery——land。Hedidnotseeit，buthesmelledit。Hisnosewentupintheairandquestedtowindwardalongthewindthatbroughtthemessage，andhereadtheairwithhisnoseasamanmightreadanewspaper——thesaltsmellsoftheseashoreandofthedankmuckofmangroveswampsatlowtide，thespicyfragrancesoftropicvegetation，andthefaint，mostfaint，acridtingleofsmokefromsmudgyfires。

Thetrade，whichhadlaidtheArangiwellupundertheleeofthisoutjuttingpointofMalaita，wasnowfailing，sothatshebegantorollintheeasyswellswithcrashingsofsheetsandtacklesandthunderousflappingsofhersails。Jerrynomorethancockedacontemptuousquizzicaleyeatthemainsailantickingabovehim。Heknewalreadytheemptywindinessofitsthreats，buthewascarefulofthemainsheetblocks，andwalkedaroundthetravellerinsteadofoverit。

WhileCaptainVanHorn，takingadvantageofthecalmtoexercisetheboat’screwwiththefire—armsandtolimberuptheweapons，waspassingouttheLee—Enfieldsfromtheirplaceontopthecabinskylight，Jerrysuddenlycrouchedandbegantostalkstiff—legged。

Butthewild—dog，threefeetfromhislairunderthetrade—boxes，wasnotunobservant。Hewatchedandsnarledthreateningly。Itwasnotanicesnarl。Infact，itwasasnastyandsavageasnarlasallhislifehadbeennastyandsavage。Mostsmallcreatureswereafraidofthatsnarl，butithadnodeterrenteffectonJerry，whocontinuedhissteadystalking。Whenthewild—dogsprangfortheholeundertheboxes，Jerrysprangafter，missinghisenemybyinches。Tossingoverboardbitsofwood，bottlesandemptytins，CaptainVanHornorderedtheeighteagerboat’screwwithriflestoturnloose。Jerrywasexcitedanddelightedwiththefusillade，andaddedhispuppyyelpingstothenoise。Astheemptybrasscartridgeswereejected，thereturnboysscrambledonthedeckforthem，esteemingthemasverypreciousobjectsandthrustingthem，stillwarm，intotheemptyholesintheirears。Theirearswereperforatedwithmanyoftheseholes，thesmallestcapableofreceivingacartridge，whilethelargeronescontained—claypipes，sticksoftobacco，andevenboxesofmatches。Someoftheholesintheear—lobesweresohugethattheywerepluggedwithcarvedwoodencylindersthreeinchesindiameter。

Mateandcaptaincarriedautomaticsintheirbelts，andwiththesetheyturnedloose，shootingawayclipaftercliptothebreathlessadmirationoftheblacksforsuchmarvellousrapidityoffire。Theboat’screwwerenotevenfairshots，butVanHorn，likeeverycaptainintheSolomons，knewthatthebushnativesandsalt—watermenweresomuchworseshots，andknewthattheshootingofhisboat’screwcouldbedependedupon——iftheboat’screwitselfdidnotturnagainsttheshipinapinch。

Atfirst，Borckman’sautomaticjammed，andhereceivedacautionfromVanHornforhiscarelessnessinnotkeepingitcleanandthin—

oiled。Also，Borckmanwastwittinglyaskedhowmanydrinkshehadtaken，andifthatwaswhataccountedforhisshootingbeingunderhisaverage。Borckmanexplainedthathehadatouchoffever，andVanHorndeferredstatinghisdoubtsuntilafewminuteslater，squattingintheshadeofthespankerwithJerryinhisarms，hetoldJerryallaboutit。

"Thetroublewithhimistheschnapps，Jerry，"heexplained。"Gott—

fer—dang，itmakesmekeepallmywatchesandhalfofhis。Andhesaysit’sthefever。Neverbelieveit，Jerry。It’stheschnapps——

justtheplains—c—h—n—a—p—p—sschnapps。An’he’sagoodsailor—

man，Jerry，whenhe’ssober。Butwhenhe’sschnappyhe’ssheerlunatic。Thenhisnoddlegoespinwheelingandhe’sablightedfool，andhe’dsnoreinagaleandsufferforsleepinadeadcalm。——

Jerry，you’rejustbeginningtopadthosefourlittlesoftfeetofyoursintotheworld，sotaketheadviceofonewhoknowsandleavetheschnappsalone。Believeme，Jerry，boy——listentoyourfather——

schnappswillneverbuyyouanything。"

Whereupon，leavingJerryondecktostalkthewild—dog，CaptainVanHornwentbelowintothetinystateroomandtookalongdrinkfromtheverybottlefromwhichBorckmanwasstealing。

Thestalkingofthewild—dogbecameagame，atleasttoJerry，whowassomadethathisheartborenomalice，andwhohugelyenjoyedit。Also，itgavehimadelightfulconsciousnessofhisownmastery，forthewild—dogalwaysfledfromhim。Atleastsofarasdogswereconcerned，JerrywascockofthedeckoftheArangi。Itdidnotenterhisheadtoqueryhowhisconductaffectedthewild—

dog，though，intruth，heledthatindividualawretchedexistence。

Never，exceptwhenJerrywasbelow，didthewildonedareventuremorethanseveralfeetfromhisretreat，andhewentaboutinfearandtremblingofthefatroly—polypuppywhowasunafraidofhissnarl。

Inthelateafternoon，Jerrytrottedaft，afterhavingadministeredanotherlessontothewild—dog，andfoundSkipperseatedonthedeck，backagainstthelowrail，kneesdrawnup，andgazingabsentlyofftoleeward。Jerrysniffedhisbarecalf——notthatheneededtoidentifyit，butjustbecausehelikedto，andinasortoffriendlygreeting。ButVanHorntooknonotice，continuingtostareoutacrossthesea。Norwasheawareofthepuppy’spresence。

JerryrestedthelengthofhischinonSkipper’skneeandgazedlongandearnestlyintoSkipper’sface。ThistimeSkipperknew，andwaspleasantlythrilled；butstillhegavenosign。Jerrytriedanewtack。Skipper’shanddroopedidly，halfopen，fromwheretheforearmrestedontheotherknee。Intothepart—openhandJerrythrusthissoftgoldenmuzzletotheeyesandremainedquitestill。

Hadhebeensituatedtosee，hewouldhaveseenatwinkleinSkipper’seyes，whichhadbeenwithdrawnfromtheseaandwerelookingdownuponhim。ButJerrycouldnotsee。Hekeptquietalittlelonger，andthengaveaprodigioussniff。

ThiswastoomuchforSkipper，wholaughedwithsuchgenialheartinessastolayJerry’ssilkyearsbackanddowninself—

deprecationofaffectionandpleadingnesstobaskinthesunshineofthegod’ssmile。Also，Skipper’slaughtersetJerry’stailwildlybobbing。Thehalf—openhandclosedinafirmgripthatgatheredintheslackoftheskinofonesideofJerry’sheadandjowl。Thenthehandbegantoshakehimbackandforthwithsuchgoodwillthathewascompelledtobalancebackandforthonallhisfourfeet。

ItwasblisstoJerry。Nay，more，itwasecstasy。ForJerryknewtherewasneitherangernordangerintheroughnessoftheshake，andthatitwasplayofthesortthatheandMichaelhadindulgedin。Onoccasion，hehadsoplayedwithBiddyandlovinglymauledherabout。And，onveryrareoccasion，MisterHagginhadlovinglymauledhimabout。ItwasspeechtoJerry，fullofunmistakablemeaning。

Astheshakegrewrougher，Jerryemittedhismostferociousgrowl，whichgrewmoreferociouswiththeincreasingviolenceoftheshaking。Butthat，too，wasplay，amakingbelievetohurttheonehelikedtoowelltohurt。Hestrainedandtuggedatthegrip，tryingtotwisthisjowlintheslackofskinsoastoreachabite。

WhenSkipper，withaquickthrust，releasedhimandshovedhimclear，hecameback，allteethandgrowl，tobeagaincaughtandshaken。Theplaycontinued，withrisingexcitementtoJerry。Once，tooquickforSkipper，hecaughthishandbetweenteeth；buthedidnotbringthemtogether。Theypressedlovingly，dentingtheskin，buttherewasnobiteinthem。

Theplaygrewrougher，andJerrylosthimselfintheplay。Stillplaying，hegrewsoexcitedthatallthathadbeenfeignedbecameactual。Thiswasbattleastruggleagainstthehandthatseizedandshookhimandthrusthimaway。Themake—believeofferocitypassedoutofhisgrowls；theferocityinthembecamereal。Also，inthemomentswhenhewasshovedawayandwasspringingbacktotheattack，heyelpedinhigh—pitchedpuppyhysteria。AndCaptainVanHorn，realizing，suddenly，insteadofclutching，extendedhishandwideopeninthepeacesignthatisasancientasthehumanhand。

Atthesametimehisvoicerangoutthesingleword，"Jerry！"Initwasalltheimperativenessofreproofandcommandandallthesolicitousinsistenceoflove。

Jerryknewandwascheckedbacktohimself。Hewasinstantlycontrite，allsofthumility，earslaidbackwithpleadingnessforforgivenessandprotestationofawarmthrobbingheartoflove。

Instantly，fromanopen—mouthed，fang—bristlingdoginfullcareerofattack，hemeltedintoabundleofsoftnessandsilkiness，thattrottedtotheopenhandandkisseditwithatonguethatflashedoutbetweenwhitegleamingteethlikearose—redjewel。AndthenextmomenthewasinSkipper’sarms，jowlagainstcheek，andthetonguewasagainflashingoutinallthearticulatenesspossibleforacreaturedeniedspeech。Itwasaveritablelove—feast，asdeartooneastotheother。

"Gott—fer—dang！"CaptainVanHorncrooned。"You’renothingbutabunchofhigh—strungsensitiveness，withagoldenheartinthemiddleandagoldencoatwrappedallaround。Gott—fer—dang，Jerry，you’regold，puregold，insideandout，andnodogwasevermintedlikeyouinalltheworld。You’reheartofgold，yougoldendog，andbegoodtomeandlovemeasIshallalwaysbegoodtoyouandloveyouforeverandforever。"

AndCaptainVanHorn，whoruledtheArangiinbarelegs，aloincloth，andasixpennyunder—shirt，andrancannibalblacksbackandforthintheblackbirdtradewithanautomaticstrappedtohisbodywakingandsleepingandwithhisheadforfeitinscoresofsalt—

watervillagesandbushstrongholds，andwhowasesteemedthetoughestskipperintheSolomonswhereonlymenwhoaretoughmaycontinuetoliveandesteemtoughness，blinkedwithsuddenmoistureinhiseyes，andcouldnotseeforthemomentthepuppythatquiveredallitsbodyofloveinhisarmsandkissedawaythesaltysoftnessofhiseyes。

CHAPTERV

AndswifttropicnightsmotetheArangi，asshealternatelyrolledincalmsandheeledandplungedaheadinsquallsundertheleeofthecannibalislandofMalaita。Itwasastoppageofthesouth—easttradewindthatmadeforvariableweather，andthatmadecookingontheexposeddeckgalleyamiseryandsentthereturnboys，whohadnothingtowetbuttheirskins，scuttlingbelow。

Thefirstwatch，fromeighttotwelve，wasthemate’s；andCaptainVanHorn，forcedbelowbythedrivingwetofaheavyrainsquall，tookJerrywithhimtosleepinthetinystateroom。Jerrywaswearyfromthemanifoldexcitementsofthemostexcitingdayinhislife；

andhewasasleepandkickingandgrowlinginhissleep，ereSkipper，withalastlookathimandagrinasheturnedthelamplow，mutteredaloud："It’sthatwild—dog，Jerry。Gethim。Shakehim。Shakehimhard。"

SosoundlydidJerrysleep，thatwhentherain，havingrobbedtheatmosphereofitslastbreathofwind，ceasedandleftthestateroomasteaming，suffocatingfurnace，hedidnotknowwhenSkipper，pantingforair，hisloinclothandundershirtsoakedwithsweat，arose，tuckedblanketandpillowunderhisarm，andwentondeck。

Jerryonlyawakenedwhenahugethree—inchcockroachnibbledatthesensitiveandhairlessskinbetweenhistoes。Heawokekickingtheoffendedfoot，andgazedatthecockroachthatdidnotscuttle，butthatwalkeddignifiedlyaway。Hewatcheditjoinothercockroachesthatparadedthefloor。Neverhadheseensomanygatheredtogetheratonetime，andneverhadheseensuchlargeones。Theywereallofasize，andtheywereeverywhere。Longlinesofthempouredoutofcracksinthewallsanddescendedtojointheirfellowsonthefloor。

Thethingwasindecent——atleast，inJerry’smind，itwasnottobetolerated。MisterHaggin，Derby，andBobhadnevertoleratedcockroaches，andtheirruleswerehisrules。Thecockroachwastheeternaltropicenemy。Hesprangatthenearest，pouncingtocrushittothefloorunderhispaws。Butthethingdidwhathehadneverknownacockroachtodo。Itaroseintheairstrong—flightedasabird。Andasifatasignal，allthemultitudeofcockroachestookwingsofflightandfilledtheroomwiththeirflutteringsandcirclings。

Heattackedthewingedhost，leapingintotheair，snappingattheflyingvermin，tryingtoknockthemdownwithhispaws。

Occasionallyhesucceededanddestroyedone；nordidthecombatceaseuntilallthecockroaches，asifatanothersignal，disappearedintothemanycracks，leavingtheroomtohim。

Quickly，hisnextthoughtwas：WhereisSkipper？Heknewhewasnotintheroom，thoughhestooduponhishind—legsandinvestigatedthelowbunk，hiskeenlittlenosequiveringdelightedlywhilehemadelittlesniffsofdelightashesmelledtherecentpresenceofSkipper。Andwhatmadehisnosequiverandsniff，likewisemadehisstumpofatailbobbackandforth。

ButwherewasSkipper？Itwasathoughtinhisbrainthatwasassharpanddefiniteasasimilarthoughtwouldbeinahumanbrain。

Anditsimilarlyprecededaction。Thedoorhadbeenlefthookedopen，andJerrytrottedoutintothecabinwherehalfahundredblacksmadequeersleep—moanings，andsighings，andsnorings。Theywerepackedcloselytogether，coveringtheflooraswellasthelongsweepofbunks，sothathewascompelledtocrawlovertheirnakedlegs。Andtherewasnowhitegodabouttoprotecthim。Heknewit，butwasunafraid。

HavingmadesurethatSkipperwasnotinthecabin，Jerrypreparedfortheperilousascentofthesteepstepsthatwerealmostaladder，thenrecollectedthelazarette。InhetrottedandsniffedatthesleepinggirlinthecottonshiftwhobelievedthatVanHornwasgoingtoeatherifhecouldsucceedinfatteningher。

Backattheladder—steps，helookedupandwaitedinthehopethatSkippermightappearfromaboveandcarryhimup。Skipperhadpassedthatway，heknew，andheknewfortworeasons。Itwastheonlywayhecouldhavepassed，andJerry’snosetoldhimthathehadpassed。Hisfirstattempttoclimbthestepsbeganwell。Notuntilathirdofthewayup，astheArangirolledinaseaandrecoveredwithajerk，didheslipandfall。Twoorthreeboysawokeandwatchedhimwhiletheypreparedandchewedbetelnutandlimewrappedingreenleaves。

Twice，barelystarted，Jerryslippedback，andmoreboys，awakenedbytheirfellows，satupandenjoyedhisplight。Inthefourthattempthemanagedtogainhalfwayupbeforehefell，comingdownheavilyonhisside。Thiswashailedwithlowlaughterandquerulouschirpingsthatmightwellhavecomefromthethroatsofhugebirds。Heregainedhisfeet，absurdlybristledthehaironhisshouldersandabsurdlygrowledhishighdisdainoftheselesser，two—leggedthingsthatcameandwentandobeyedthewillsofgreat，white—skinned，two—leggedgodssuchasSkipperandMisterHaggin。

Undeterredbyhisheavyfall，Jerryessayedtheladderagain。A

temporaryeasementoftheArangi’srollinggavehimhisopportunity，sothathisforefeetwereoverthehighcombingofthecompanionwhenthenextbigrollcame。Heheldonbymainstrengthofhisbentforelegs，thenscrambledoverandoutondeck。

Amidships，squattingonthedecknearthesky—light，heinvestigatedseveraloftheboat’screwandLerumie。Heidentifiedthemcircumspectly，goingsuddenlystiff—leggedasLerumiemadealow，hissing，menacingnoise。Aft，atthewheel，hefoundablacksteering，and，nearhim，thematekeepingthewatch。Justasthematespoketohimandstoopedtopathim，JerrywhiffedSkippersomewherenearathand。Withaconciliating，apologeticbobofhistail，hetrottedonupwindandcameuponSkipperonhisback，rolledinablanketsothatonlyhisheadstuckout，andsoundasleep。

FirstofallJerryneedsmustjoyfullysniffhimandjoyfullywaghistail。ButSkipperdidnotawakeandafinesprayofrain，almostasthinasmist，madeJerrycurlupandpresscloselyintotheangleformedbySkipper’sheadandshoulder。Thisdidawakehim，forheuttered"Jerry"inalow，crooningvoice，andJerryrespondedwithatouchofhiscolddampnosetotheother’scheek。

AndthenSkipperwenttosleepagain。ButnotJerry。Heliftedtheedgeoftheblanketwithhisnoseandcrawledacrosstheshoulderuntilhewasaltogetherinside。ThisrousedSkipper，who，half—

asleep，helpedhimtocurlup。

StillJerrywasnotsatisfied，andhesquirmedarounduntilhelayinthehollowofSkipper’sarm，hisheadrestingonSkipper’sshoulder，when，withaprofoundsighofcontent，hefellasleep。

Severaltimesthenoisesmadebytheboat’screwintrimmingthesheetstotheshiftingdraughtofairrousedVanHorn，andeachtime，rememberingthepuppy，hepressedhimcaressinglywithhishollowedarm。Andeachtime，inhissleep，Jerrystirredresponsivelyandsnuggledcosilytohim。

Forallthathewasaremarkablepuppy，Jerryhadhislimitations，andhecouldneverknowtheeffectproducedonthehard—bittencaptainbythesoftwarmcontactofhisvelvetbody。Butitmadethecaptainrememberbackacrosstheyearstohisowngirlbabeasleeponhisarm。Andsopoignantlydidheremember，thathebecamewideawake，andmanypictures，beginning，withthegirlbabe，burnedtheirtormentinhisbrain。NowhitemanintheSolomonsknewwhathecarriedaboutwithhim，wakingandoftensleeping；anditwasbecauseofthesepicturesthathehadcometotheSolomonsinavainefforttoerasethem。

First，memory—proddedbythesoftpuppyinhisarm，hesawthegirlandthemotherinthelittleHarlemflat。Small，itwastrue，buttight—packedwiththehappinessofthreethatmadeitheaven。

Hesawthegirl’sflaxen—yellowhairdarkentohermother’sgoldasitlengthenedintocurlsandringletsuntilfinallyitbecametwothicklongbraids。Fromstrivingnottoseethesemanypictureshecameeventodwellinguponthemintheeffortsotofillhisconsciousnessastokeepouttheonepicturehedidnotwanttosee。

Herememberedhiswork，thewreckingcar，andthewreckingcrewthathadtoiledunderhim，andhewonderedwhathadbecomeofClancey，hisright—handman。Camethelongday，when，routedfrombedatthreeinthemorningtodigasurfacecaroutofthewreckedshowwindowsofadrugstoreandgetitbackonthetrack，theyhadlabouredalldayclearingupahalf—dozensmash—upsandarrivedatthecarhouseatnineatnightjustasanothercallcamein。

"Glorybe！"saidClancey，wholivedinthenextblockfromhim。Hecouldseehimsayingitandwipingthesweatfromhisgrimyface。

"Glorybe，’tisasmallmatteratmost，an’rightinourneighbourhood——notadozenblocksaway。Soonasit’sdonewecanbeatitforhomean’letthedown—townboystakethecarbacktotheshop。"

"We’veonlytojackherupforamoment，"hehadanswered。

"Whatisit？"BillyJaffers，anotherofthecrew，asked。

"Somebodyrunover——can’tgetthemout，"hesaid，astheyswungonboardthewrecking—carandstarted。

Hesawagainalltheincidentsofthelongrun，notomittingthedelaycausedbyhose—cartsandahook—and—ladderrunningtoacross—

townfire，duringwhichtimeheandClanceyhadjokedJaffersoverthedateswithvariousfictitiousdamselsoutofwhichhehadbeencheatedbythenight’sextrawork。

Camethelonglineofstalledstreet—cars，thecrowd，thepoliceholdingitback，thetwoambulancesdrawnupandwaitingtheirfreight，andtheyoungpoliceman，whosebeatitwas，whiteandshaken，greetinghimwith："It’shorrible，man。It’sfairsickening。Twoofthem。Wecan’tgetthemout。Itried。Onewasstillliving，Ithink。"

Buthe，strongmanandhearty，usedtosuchwork，wearywiththeharddayandwithapleasantpictureofthebrightlittleflatwaitinghimadozenblocksawaywhenthejobwasdone，spokecheerfully，confidently，sayingthathe’dhavethemoutinajiffy，ashestoopedandcrawledunderthecaronhandsandknees。

Againhesawhimselfashepressedtheswitchofhiselectrictorchandlooked。Againhesawthetwinbraidsofheavygoldenhairerehisthumbrelaxedfromtheswitch，leavinghimindarkness。

"Istheonealiveyet？"theshakenpolicemanasked。

Andthequestionwasrepeated，whilehestruggledforwillpowersufficienttopressonthelight。

Heheardhimselfreply，"I’lltellyouinaminute。"

Againhesawhimselflook。Foralongminutehelooked。

"Bothdead，"heansweredquietly。"Clancey，passinanumberthreejack，andgetunderyourselfwithanotherattheotherendofthetruck。"

Helayonhisback，staringstraightupatonesinglestarthatrockedmistilythroughathinningofcloud—stuffoverhead。Theoldachewasinhisthroat，theoldharshdrynessinmouthandeyes。

Andheknew——whatnoothermanknew——whyhewasintheSolomons，skipperoftheteak—builtyachtArangi，runningniggers，riskinghishead，anddrinkingmoreScotchwhiskeythanwasgoodforanyman。

Notsincethatnighthadhelookedwithwarmeyesonanywoman。Andhehadbeennotedbyotherwhitesasnotoriouslycoldtowardpickanninnieswhiteorblack。

But，havingvisionedtheultimatehorrorofmemory，VanHornwassoonabletofallasleepagain，delightfullyaware，ashedrowsedoff，ofJerry’sheadonhisshoulder。Once，whenJerry，dreamingofthebeachatMeringeandofMisterHaggin，Biddy，Terrence，andMichael，setupalowwhimpering，VanHornrousedsufficientlytosoothehimclosertohim，andtomutterominously："Anyniggerthat’dhurtthatpup……"

Atmidnightwhenthematetouchedhimontheshoulder，inthemomentofawakeningandbeforehewasawakeVanHorndidtwothingsautomaticallyandswiftly。Hedartedhisrighthanddowntothepistolathiship，andmuttered："Anyniggerthat’dhurtthatpup……"

"That’llbeKopoPointabreast，"Borckmanexplained，asbothmenstaredtowindwardatthehighloomoftheland。"Shehasn’tmademorethantenmiles，andnopromiseofanythingsteady。"

"There’splentyofstuffmakingupthere，ifit’llevercomedown，"

VanHornsaid，asbothmentransferredtheirgazetothecloudsdriftingwithmanybreaksacrossthedimstars。

Scarcelyhadthematefetchedablanketfrombelowandturnedinondeck，thanabrisksteadybreezesprangupfromofftheland，sendingtheArangithroughthesmoothwateratanine—knotclip。

ForatimeJerrytriedtostandthewatchwithSkipper，buthesooncurledupanddozedoff，partlyonthedeckandpartlyonSkipper’sbarefeet。

WhenSkippercarriedhimtotheblanketandrolledhimin，hewasquicklyasleepagain；andhewasquicklyawake，outoftheblanket，andpaddingafteralongthedeckasSkipperpacedupanddown。Herebegananotherlesson，andinfiveminutesJerrylearneditwasthewillofSkipperthatheshouldremainintheblanket，thateverythingwasallright，andthatSkipperwouldbeupanddownandnearhimallthetime。

Atfourthematetookchargeofthedeck。

"Reeledoffthirtymiles，"VanHorntoldhim。"Butnowitisbafflingagain。Keepaneyeforsquallsundertheland。Betterthrowthehalyardsdownondeckandmakethewatchstandby。Ofcoursethey’llsleep，butmakethemsleeponthehalyardsandsheets。"

JerryrousedtoSkipper’sentranceundertheblanket，and，quiteasifitwerealong—establishedcustom，curledinbetweenhisarmandside，and，afteronehappysniffandonekissofhiscoollittletongue，asSkipperpressedhischeekagainsthimcaressingly，dozedofftosleep。

Halfanhourlater，toallintentsandpurposes，sofarasJerrycouldorcouldnotcomprehend，theworldmightwellhaveseemedsuddenlycomingtoanend。WhatawokehimwastheflyingleapofSkipperthatsenttheblanketonewayandJerrytheother。ThedeckoftheArangihadbecomeawall，downwhichJerryslippedthroughtheroaringdark。Everyropeandshroudwasthrummingandscreechinginresistancetothefierceweightofthesquall。

"Standbymainhalyards！——Jump！"hecouldhearSkippershoutingloudly；alsoheheardthehighnoteofthemainsheetscreamingacrossthesheavesasVanHorn，bendingbracesinthedark，wasswiftlyslackingthesheetthroughhisscorchingpalmswithasingleturnonthecleat。

Whileallthis，alongwithmanyothernoises，squealingsofboat—

boysandshoutsofBorckman，wasimpactingonJerry’sear—drums，hewasstillslidingdownthesteepdeckofhisnewandunstableworld。

Buthedidnotbringupagainsttherailwherehisfragileribsmightwellhavebeenbroken。Instead，thewarmoceanwater，pouringinboardacrosstheburiedrailinafloodofpalephosphorescentfire，cushionedhisfall。Araffleoftrailingropesentangledhimashestruckouttoswim。

Andheswam，nottosavehislife，notwiththefearofdeathuponhim。Therewasbutoneideainhismind。WherewasSkipper？NotthathehadanythoughtoftryingtosaveSkipper，northathemightbeofassistancetohim。Itwastheheartoflovethatdrivesonealwaystowardthebeloved。Asthemotherincatastrophetriestogainherbabe，astheGreekwho，dying，rememberedsweetArgos，assoldiersonastrickenfieldpasswiththenamesoftheirwomenupontheirlips，soJerry，inthiswreckofaworld，yearnedtowardSkipper。

Thesquallceasedasabruptlyasithadstruck。TheArangirightedwithajerktoanevenkeel，leavingJerrystrandedinthestarboardscuppers。HetrottedacrosstheleveldecktoSkipper，who，standingerectonwide—spreadlegs，thebightofthemainsheetstillinhishand，wasexclaiming：

"Gott—fer—dang！Windhego！Rainhenocome！"

HefeltJerry’scoolnoseagainsthisbarecalf，heardhisjoyoussniff，andbentandcaressedhim。Inthedarknesshecouldnotsee，buthisheartwarmedwithknowledgethatJerry’stailwassurelybobbing。

Manyofthefrightenedreturnboyshadcrowdedondeck，andtheirplaintive，querulousvoicessoundedlikethesleepynoisesofaroostofbirds。BorckmancameandstoodbyVanHorn’sshoulder，andbothmen，strungtotheirtonesinthetensenessofapprehension，strovetopenetratethesurroundingblacknesswiththeireyes，whiletheylistenedwithalltheirearsforanymessageoftheelementsfromseaandair。

"Where’stherain？"Borckmandemandedpeevishly。"Alwayswindfirst，therainfollowsandkillsthewind。Thereisnorain。"

VanHornstillstaredandlistened，andmadenoanswer。

TheanxietyofthetwomenwassensedbyJerry，who，too，wasonhistoes。HepressedhiscoolnosetoSkipper’sleg，andtherose—kissofhistonguebroughthimthesalttasteofsea—water。

Skipperbentsuddenly，rolledJerrywithquicktoughnessintotheblanket，anddepositedhiminthehollowbetweentwosacksofyamslashedondeckaftofthemizzenmast。Asanafterthought，hefastenedtheblanketwithapieceofropeyarn，sothatJerrywasasiftiedinasack。

Scarcelywasthisfinishedwhenthespankersmashedacrossoverhead，theheadsailsthunderedwithasuddenfilling，andthegreatmainsail，withallthescopeintheboom—tacklecausedbyVanHorn’sgivingofthesheet，cameacrossandfetcheduptotautnessonthetacklewithacrashthatshookthevesselandheeledherviolentlytoport。Thissecondknock—downhadcomefromtheoppositedirection，anditwasmightierthanthefirst。

JerryheardSkipper’svoiceringout，first，tothemate："Standbymain—halyards！Throwofftheturns！I’lltakecareofthetackle！"；and，next，tosomeoftheboat’screw："Batto！youfellaslackspankertacklequickfella！Ranga！youfellaletgospankersheet！"

HereVanHornwassweptoffhislegsbyanavalancheofreturnboyswhohadclutteredthedeckwiththefirstsquall。Thesquirmingmass，ofwhichhewaspart，sliddownintothebarbedwireoftheportrailbeneaththesurfaceofthesea。

Jerrywassosecureinhisnookthathedidnotrollaway。ButwhenheheardSkipper’scommandscease，and，secondslater，heardhiscursingsinthebarbedwire，hesetupashrillyelpingandclawedandscratchedfranticallyattheblankettogetout。SomethinghadhappenedtoSkipper。Heknewthat。Itwasallthatheknew，forhehadnothoughtofhimselfinthechaosoftheruiningworld。

Butheceasedhisyelpingtolistentoanewnoise——athunderousslattingofcanvasaccompaniedbyshoutsandcries。Hesensed，andsensedwrongly，thatitbodedill，forhedidnotknowthatitwasthemainsailbeingloweredontherunafterSkipperhadslashedtheboom—tackleacrosswithhissheath—knife。

Asthepandemoniumgrew，headdedhisownyelpingtoituntilhefeltafumblinghandwithouttheblanket。Hestilledandsniffed。

No，itwasnotSkipper。Hesniffedagainandrecognizedtheperson。

ItwasLerumie，theblackwhomhehadseenrolledonthebeachbyBiddyonlythepreviousmorning，who，stillwererecently，hadkickedhimonhisstubofatail，andwhonotmorethanaweekbeforehehadseenthrowarockatTerrence。

Theropeyarnhadbeenparted，andLerumie’sfingerswerefeelinginsidetheblanketforhim。Jerrysnarledhiswickedest。Thethingwassacrilege。He，asawhiteman’sdog，wastabootoallblacks。

Hehadearlylearnedthelawthatnoniggermustevertouchawhite—

god’sdog。YetLerumie，whowasallofevil，atthismomentwhentheworldcrashedabouttheirears，wasdaringtotouchhim。

Andwhenthefingerstouchedhim，histeethcloseduponthem。Next，hewascloutedbytheblack’sfreehandwithsuchforceastotearhisclenchedteethdownthefingersthroughskinandfleshuntilthefingerswentclear。

Raginglikeatinyfiend，Jerryfoundhimselfpickedupbytheneck，half—throttled，andflungthroughtheair。Andwhileflyingthroughtheair，hecontinuedtosquallhisrage。Hefellintotheseaandwentunder，gulpingamouthfulofsaltwaterintohislungs，andcameupstranglingbutswimming。Swimmingwasoneofthethingshedidnothavetothinkabout。Hehadneverhadtolearntoswim，anymorethanhehadhadtolearntobreathe。Infact，hehadbeencompelledtolearntowalk；butheswamasamatterofcourse。

Thewindscreamedabouthim。Flyingfroth，drivenonthewind’sbreath，filledhismouthandnostrilsandbeatintohiseyes，stingingandblindinghim。Inthestruggletobreathehe，allunlearnedinthewaysofthesea，liftedhismuzzlehighintheairtogetoutofthesuffocatingwelter。Asaresult，offthehorizontal，thechurningofhislegsnolongersustainedhim，andhewentdownandunderperpendicularly。Againheemerged，stranglingwithmoresaltwaterinhiswindpipe。Thistime，withoutreasoningitout，merelymovingalongthelineofleastresistance，whichwastohimthelineofgreatestcomfort，hestraightenedoutintheseaandcontinuedsotoswimastoremainstraightenedout。

Throughthedarkness，asthesquallspentitself，cametheslattingofthehalf—loweredmainsail，theshrillvoicesoftheboat’screw，acurseofBorckman’s，and，dominatingall，Skipper’svoice，shouting：

"Grabtheleech，youfellaboys！Hangon！Dragdownstrongfella！

Comeinmainsheettwoblocks！Jump，damnyou，jump！"

CHAPTERVI

AtrecognitionofSkipper’svoice，Jerry，flounderinginthestiffandcrispingseathatsprangupwiththeeasementofthewind，yelpedeagerlyandyearningly，allhisloveforhisnew—foundbelovedeloquentinhisthroat。ButquicklyallsoundsdiedawayastheArangidriftedfromhim。Andthen，inthelonelinessofthedark，ontheheavingbreastoftheseathatherecognizedasonemoreoftheeternalenemies，hebegantowhimperandcryplaintivelylikealostchild。

Further，bythedim，shadowywaysofintuition，heknewhisweaknessinthatmercilessseawithnoheartofwarmth，thatthreatenedtheunknowablething，vaguelybutterriblyguessed，namely，death。Asregardedhimself，hedidnotcomprehenddeath。He，whohadneverknownthetimewhenhewasnotalive，couldnotconceiveofthetimewhenhewouldceasetobealive。

Yetitwasthere，shoutingitsmessageofwarningthrougheverytissuecell，everynervequicknessandbrainsensitivityofhim——atotalityofsensationthatforebodedtheultimatecatastropheoflifeaboutwhichheknewnothingatall，butwhich，nevertheless，hefelttobetheconclusivesupremedisaster。Althoughhedidnotcomprehendit，heapprehendeditnolesspoignantlythandomenwhoknowandgeneralizefarmoredeeplyandwidelythanmerefour—leggeddogs。

Asamanstrugglesinthethroesofnightmare，soJerrystruggledinthevexed，salt—suffocatingsea。Andsohewhimperedandcried，lostchild，lostpuppy—dogthathewas，onlyhalfayearexistentinthefairworldsharpwithjoyandsuffering。AndhewantedSkipper。

Skipperwasagod。

OnboardtheArangi，relievedbytheloweringofhermainsail，asthefiercenesswentoutofthewindandthecloudburstoftropicrainbegantofall，VanHornandBorckmanlurchedtowardeachotherintheblackness。

"Adoublesquall，"saidVanHorn。"Hitustostarboardandtoport。"

"Musta—splitinhalfjustbeforeshehitus，"themateconcurred。

"Andkeptalltheraininthesecondhalf——"

VanHornbrokeoffwithanoath。

"Hey！What’sthematteralongyoufellaboy？"heshoutedtothemanatthewheel。

Fortheketch，underherspankerwhichhadjustthenbeenflat—

hauled，hadcomeintothewind，emptyingherafter—sailandpermittingherheadsailstofillontheothertack。TheArangiwasbeginningtoworkbackapproximatelyoverthecourseshehadjusttraversed。AndthismeantthatshewasgoingbacktowardJerryflounderinginthesea。Thus，thebalance，onwhichhislifetitubated，wasinclinedinhisfavourbytheblunderofablacksteersman。

KeepingtheArangionthenewtack，VanHornsetBorckmanclearingthemessofropesondeck，himself，squattingintherain，undertakingtolong—splicethetacklehehadcut。Astherainthinned，sothatthecrackleofitondeckbecamelessnoisy，hewasattractedbyasoundfromoutoverthewater。Hesuspendedtheworkofhishandstolisten，and，whenherecognizedJerry’swailing，sprangtohisfeet，galvanizedintoaction。

"Thepup’soverboard！"heshoutedtoBorckman。"Backyourjibtowind’ard！"

Hesprangaft，scatteringaclusterofreturnboysrightandleft。

"Hey！Youfellaboat’screw！Comeinspankersheet！Flattenherdowngoodfella！"

HedartedalookintothebinnacleandtookahurriedcompassbearingofthesoundsJerrywasmaking。

"Harddownyourwheel！"heorderedthehelmsman，thenleapedtothewheelandputitdownhimself，repeatingoverandoveraloud，"Nor’eastbyeastaquarter，nor’eastbyeastaquarter。"

Backandpeeringintothebinnacle，helistenedvainlyforanotherwailfromJerryinthehopeofverifyinghisfirsthastybearing。

Butnotlonghewaited。DespitethefactthatbyhismanoeuvretheArangihadbeenhoveto，heknewthatwindageandsea—driftagewouldquicklysendherawayfromtheswimmingpuppy。HeshoutedBorckmantocomeaftandhaulinthewhaleboat，whilehehurriedbelowforhiselectrictorchandaboatcompass。

Theketchwassosmallthatshewascompelledtotowheronewhaleboatasternonlongdoublepainters，andbythetimethematehadithauledinunderthestern，VanHornwasback。Hewasundeterredbythebarbedwire，liftingboyafterboyoftheboat’screwoveritanddroppingthemsprawlingintotheboat，followinghimself，asthelast，byswingingoveronthespankerboom，andcallinghislastinstructionsasthepainterswerecastoff。

"Getaridinglightondeck，Borckman。Keepherhoveto。Don’thoistthemainsail。Cleanupthedecksandbendthewatchtackleonthemainboom。"

Hetookthesteering—sweepandencouragedtherowerswith："Washee—

washee，goodfella，washee—washee！"——whichisthebeche—de—merfor"rowhard。"

Ashesteered，hekeptflashingthetorchontheboatcompasssothathecouldkeepheadednorth—eastbyeastaquartereast。Thenherememberedthattheboatcompass，onsuchcourse，deviatedtwowholepointsfromtheArangi’scompass，andalteredhisowncourseaccordingly。

Occasionallyhebadetherowerscease，whilehelistenedandcalledforJerry。Hehadthemrowincircles，andworkbackandforth，uptowindwardanddowntoleeward，overtheareaofdarkseathathereasonedmustcontainthepuppy。

"Nowyoufellaboylistenearbelongyou，"hesaid，towardthefirst。"Maybeonefellaboyhear’mpickaninnydogsingout，Igive’mthatfellaboyfivefathomcalico，twotenstickstobacco。"

Attheendofhalfanhourhewasoffering"Twotenfathomscalicoandtentenstickstobacco"totheboywhofirstheard"pickaninnydogsingout。"

Jerrywasinbadshape。Notaccustomedtoswimming，strangledbythesaltwaterthatlappedintohisopenmouth，hewasgettingloggywhenfirsthechancedtoseetheflashofthecaptain’storch。

This，however，hedidnotconnectwithSkipper，andsotooknomorenoticeofitthanhedidofthefirststarsshowinginthesky。Itneverenteredhismindthatitmightbeastarnoreventhatitmightnotbeastar。Hecontinuedtowailandtostranglewithmoresaltwater。ButwhenheatlengthheardSkipper’svoicehewentimmediatelywild。HeattemptedtostandupandtoresthisforepawsonSkipper’svoicecomingoutofthedarkness，ashewouldhaverestedhisforepawsonSkipper’sleghadhebeennear。Theresultwasdisastrous。Outofthehorizontal，hesankdownandunder，comingupwithanewspasmofstrangling。

Thislastedforashorttime，duringwhichthestranglingpreventedhimfromansweringSkipper’scry，whichcontinuedtoreachhim。Butwhenhecouldanswerheburstforthinajoyousyelp。Skipperwascomingtotakehimoutofthestinging，bitingseathatblindedhiseyesandhurthimtobreathe。Skipperwastrulyagod，hisgod，withagod’spowertosave。

Soonheheardtherhythmicclackoftheoarsonthethole—pins，andthejoyinhisownyelpwasduplicatedbythejoyinSkipper’svoice，whichkeptuparunningencouragement，brokenbyobjurgationstotherowers。

"Allright，Jerry，oldman。Allright，Jerry。Allright。——Washee—

washee，youfellaboy！——Coming，Jerry，coming。Stickitout，oldman。Staywithit。——Washee—washeelikehell！——Hereweare，Jerry。

Staywithit。Hangon，oldboy，we’llgetyou。——Easy……easy。

’Vastwashee。"

Andthen，withamazingabruptness，Jerrysawthewhaleboatdimlyemergefromthegloomcloseuponhim，wasblindedbythestabofthetorchfullinhiseyes，and，evenasheyelpedhisjoy，feltandrecognizedSkipper’shandclutchinghimbytheslackoftheneckandliftinghimintotheair。

HelandedwetandsoppilyagainstSkipper’srain—wetchest，histailbobbingfranticallyagainstSkipper’scontainingarm，hisbodywriggling，histonguedabbingmadlyalloverSkipper’schinandmouthandcheeksandnose。AndSkipperdidnotknowthathewashimselfwet，andthathewasinthefirstshockofrecurrentmalariaprecipitatedbythewetandtheexcitement。Heknewonlythatthepuppy—dog，givenhimonlythepreviousmorning，wassafebackinhisarms。

Whiletheboat’screwbenttotheoars，hesteeredwiththesweepbetweenhisarmandhissideinorderthathemightholdJerrywiththeotherarm。

"Youlittlesonofagun，"hecrooned，andcontinuedtocroon，overandover。"Youlittlesonofagun。"

AndJerryrespondedwithtongue—kisses，whimperingandcryingasisthewayoflostchildrenimmediatelyaftertheyarefound。Also，heshiveredviolently。Butitwasnotfromthecold。Ratherwasitduetohisover—strung，sensitivenerves。

Againonboard，VanHornstatedhisreasoningtothemate。

"Thepupdidn’tjustcalmlywalkoverboard。Norwashewashedoverboard。Ihadhimfastandtricedintheblanketwitharopeyarn。"

Hewalkedover，thecentreoftheboat’screwandofthethree—scorereturnboyswhowereallondeck，andflashedhistorchontheblanketstilllyingontheyams。

"Thatprovesit。Therope—yarn’scut。Theknot’sstillinit。Nowwhatniggerisresponsible？"

Helookedaboutatthecircleofdarkfaces，flashingthelightonthem，andsuchwastheaccusationandangerinhiseyes，thatalleyesfellbeforehisorlookedaway。

【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