"Ifonlythepupcouldspeak，"hecomplained。"He’dtellwhoitwas。"

HebentsuddenlydowntoJerry，whowasstandingascloseagainsthislegsashecould，soclosethathiswetforepawsrestedonSkipper’sbarefeet。

"Youknow’m，Jerry，youknowntheblackfellaboy，"hesaid，hiswordsquickandexciting，hishandmovinginquestingcirclestowardtheblacks。

Jerrywasallaliveontheinstant，jumpingabout，barkingwithshortyelpsofeagerness。

"Idobelievethedogcouldleadmetohim，"VanHornconfidedtothemate。"Comeon，Jerry，find’m，sick’m，shake’mdown。Whereishe，Jerry？Find’m。Find’m。"

AllthatJerryknewwasthatSkipperwantedsomething。HemustfindsomethingthatSkipperwanted，andhewaseagertoserve。Heprancedaboutaimlesslyandwillinglyforaspace，whileSkipper’surgingcriesincreasedhisexcitement。Thenhewasstruckbyanidea，andamostdefiniteideaitwas。Thecircleofboysbroketolethimthroughasheracedfor’ardalongthestarboardsidetothetight—lashedheapoftrade—boxes。Heputhisnoseintotheopeningwherethewild—doglaired，andsniffed。Yes，thewild—dogwasinside。Notonlydidhesmellhim，butheheardthemenaceofhissnarl。

HelookeduptoSkipperquestioningly。WasitthatSkipperwantedhimtogoinafterthewild—dog？ButSkipperlaughedandwavedhishandtoshowthathewantedhimtosearchinotherplacesforsomethingelse。

Heleapedaway，sniffinginlikelyplaceswhereexperiencehadtaughthimcockroachesandratsmightbe。YetitquicklydawnedonhimthatitwasnotsuchthingsSkipperwasafter。Hisheartwaswildwithdesiretoserve，and，withoutclearpurpose，hebegansniffinglegsofblackboys。

ThisbroughtlivelierurgingsandencouragementsfromSkipper，andmadehimalmostfrantic。Thatwasit。Hemustidentifytheboat’screwandthereturnboysbytheirlegs。Hehurriedthetask，passingswiftlyfromboytoboy，untilhecametoLerumie。

AndthenheforgotthatSkipperwantedhimtodosomething。AllheknewwasthatitwasLerumiewhohadbrokenthetabooofhissacredpersonbylayinghandsonhim，andthatitwasLerumiewhohadthrownhimoverboard。

Withacryofrage，aflashofwhiteteeth，andabristleofshortneck—hair，hesprangfortheblack。Lerumiefleddownthedeck，andJerrypursuedamidthelaughterofalltheblacks。Severaltimes，inmakingthecircuitofthedeck，hemanagedtoscratchtheflyingcalveswithhisteeth。ThenLerumietooktothemainrigging，leavingJerryimpotentlytorageonthedeckbeneathhim。

Aboutthispointtheblacksgroupedinasemi—circleatarespectfuldistance，withVanHorntotheforebesideJerry。VanHorncentredhiselectrictorchontheblackintherigging，andsawthelongparallelscratchesonthefingersofthehandthathadinvadedJerry’sblanket。HepointedthemoutsignificantlytoBorckman，whostoodoutsidethecirclesothatnoblackshouldbeabletocomeathisback。

SkipperpickedJerryupandsoothedhisangerwith：

"Goodboy，Jerry。Youmarkedandsealedhim。Somedog，you，somebigman—dog。"

HeturnedbacktoLerumie，illuminatinghimasheclungintherigging，andhisvoicewasharshandcoldasheaddressedhim。

"Whatnamebelongalongyoufellaboy？"hedemanded。

"MefellaLerumie，"camethechirping，quaveringanswer。

"YoucomealongPennduffryn？"

"MecomealongMeringe。"

CaptainVanHorndebatedthewhilehefondledthepuppyinhisarms。

Afterall，itwasareturnboy。Inaday，intwodaysatmost，hewouldhavehimlandedandbequitofhim。

"Myword，"heharangued，"meangryalongyou。Meangrybigfellatoomuchalongyou。Meangryalongyouanyamount。Whatnameyoufellaboymake’mpickaninnydogbelongalongmewalkaboutalongwater？"

Lerumiewasunabletoanswer。Herolledhiseyeshelplessly，resignedtoreceiveawhippingsuchashehadlongsincebitterlylearnedwhitemasterswerewonttoadminister。

CaptainVanHornrepeatedthequestion，andtheblackrepeatedthehelplessrollingofhiseyes。

"FortwostickstobaccoIknock’msevenbellsoutayou，"theskipperbullied。"Nowmegiveyoustrongfellatalktoomuch。Youlook’meyebelongyouonetimealongthisfelladogbelongme，I

knock’msevenbellsandwholestarboardwatchoutayou。Savve？"

"Mesavve，"Lerumie，plaintivelyreplied；andtheepisodewasclosed。

Thereturnboyswentbelowtosleepinthecabin。Borckmanandtheboat’screwhoistedthemainsailandputtheArangionhercourse。

AndSkipper，underadryblanketfrombelow，laydowntosleepwithJerry，headonhisshoulder，inthehollowofhisarm。

CHAPTERVII

Atseveninthemorning，whenSkipperrolledhimoutoftheblanketandgotup，Jerrycelebratedthenewdaybychasingthewild—dogbackintohisholeandbydrawingasnickerfromtheblacksondeck，when，withagrowlandaflashofteeth，hemadeLerumieside—stephalfadozenfeetandyieldthedecktohim。

HesharedbreakfastwithSkipper，who，insteadofeating，washeddownwithacupofcoffeefiftygrainsofquininewrappedinacigarettepaper，andwhocomplainedtothematethathewouldhavetogetundertheblanketsandsweatoutthefeverthatwasattackinghim。Despitehischill，anddespitehisteeththatwerealreadybeginningtochatterwhiletheburningsunextractedthemoistureincurlingmist—wreathsfromthedeckplanking，VanHorncuddledJerryinhisarmsandcalledhimprinceling，andprince，andaking，andasonofkings。

ForVanHornhadoftenlistenedtotherecitalsofJerry’spedigreebyTomHaggin，overScotch—and—sodas，whenitwastoopestilentiallyhottogotobed。Andthepedigreewasasroyal—bloodedaswaspossibleforanIrishterriertopossess，whosebreed，beginningwiththeancientIrishwolf—hound，hadbeenmouldedandestablishedbymaninlessthantwogenerationsofmen。

TherewasTerrencetheMagnificent——descended，asVanHornremembered，fromtheAmerican—bredMiltonDroleen，outoftheQueenofCountyAntrim，BredaMuddler，whichroyalbitch，aseveryonewhoisfamiliarwiththestudbookknows，goesbackasfarasthealmostmythicalSpuds，withalongthewaynoprimrosedallyingswithblack—

and—tanKilleneyBoysandWelshnondescripts。AnddidnotBiddytracetoErin，motherandstarofthebreed，throughalongdescendantoutofBredaMixer，herselfanancestressofBredaMuddler？Norcouldbeomittedfromthepurplerecordthelaterancestress，MoyaDoolen。

SoJerryknewtheecstasyoflovingandofbeinglovedinthearmsofhislove—god，althoughlittleheknewofsuchphrasesas"king’sson"and"sonofkings，"savethattheyconnotedloveforhiminthesamewaythatLerumie’shissingnoisesconnotedhate。OnethingJerryknewwithoutknowingthatheknew，namely，thatinthefewhourshehadbeenwithSkipperhelovedhimmorethanhehadlovedDerbyandBob，who，withtheexceptionofMisterHaggin，weretheonlyotherwhite—godshehadeverknown。Hewasnotconsciousofthis。Hemerelyloved，merelyactedonthepromptingofhisheart，orhead，orwhateverorganicoranatomicalpartofhimthatdevelopedthemysterious，delicious，andinsatiablehungercalled"love。"

Skipperwentbelow。HewentallunheedingofJerry，whopaddedsoftlyathisheelsuntilthecompanionwaywasreached。SkipperwasunheedingofJerrybecauseofthefeverthatwrenchedhisfleshandchilledhisbones，thatmadehisheadseemtoswellmonstrously，thatglazedtheworldtohisswimmingeyesandmadehimwalkfeeblyandtotteringlylikeadrunkenmanoramanveryaged。AndJerrysensedthatsomethingwaswrongwithSkipper。

Skipper，beginningthebabblingsofdeliriumwhichalternatedwithsilentmomentsofcontrolinordertogetbelowandunderblankets，descendedtheladder—likestairs，andJerry，all—yearning，controlledhimselfinsilenceandwatchedtheslowdescentwiththehopethatwhenSkipperreachedthebottomhewouldraisehisarmsandlifthimdown。ButSkipperwastoofargonetorememberthatJerryexisted。Hestaggered，withwide—spreadarmstokeepfromfalling，alongthecabinfloorfor’ardtothebunkinthetinystateroom。

Jerrywastrulyofakinglyline。Hewantedtocalloutandbegtobetakendown。Buthedidnot。Hecontrolledhimself，heknewnotwhy，savethathewaspossessedbyanebulousawarenessthatSkippermustbeconsideredasagodshouldbeconsidered，andthatthiswasnotimetoobtrudehimselfonSkipper。Hisheartwastornwithdesire，althoughhemadenosound，andhecontinuedonlytoyearnoverthecompanioncombingandtolistentothefaintsoundsofSkipper’sprogressfor’ard。

Butevenkingsandtheirdescendantshavetheirlimitations，andattheendofaquarterofanhourJerrywasripetoceasefromhissilence。WiththegoingbelowofSkipper，evidentlyingreattrouble，thelighthadgoneoutofthedayforJerry。Hemighthavestalkedthewild—dog，butnoinducementlaythere。Lerumiepassedbyunnoticed，althoughheknewhecouldbullyhimandmakehimgivedeckspace。Themyriadscentsofthelandenteredhiskeennostrils，buthemadenonoteofthem。Noteventheflopping，bellyingmainsailoverhead，astheArangirolledbecalmed，coulddrawaglanceofquizzicalregardfromhim。

JustasitwastremblinglyimperativethatJerrymustsuddenlysquatdown，pointhisnoseatthezenith，andvocalizehisheart—rendingwoe，anideacametohim。Thereisnoexplaininghowthisideacame。Nomorecanitbeexplainedthancanahumanexplainwhy，atluncheonto—day，heselectsgreenpeasandrejectsstringbeans，whenonlyyesterdayheelectedtochoosestringbeansandtorejectgreenpeas。Nomorecanitbeexplainedthancanahumanjudge，sentencingaconvictedcriminalandimposingeightyearsimprisonmentinsteadofthefiveornineyearsthatalsoatthesametimefloatedupwardinhisbrain，explainwhyhecategoricallydeterminedoneightyearsasthejust，adequatepunishment。Sincenotevenhumans，whoarealmosthalf—gods，canfathomthemysteryofthegenesisofideasandthedictatesofchoice，appearingintheirconsciousnessasideas，itisnottobeexpectedofamoredogtoknowthewhyoftheideasthatanimateittodefiniteactstowarddefiniteends。

AndsoJerry。Justashemustimmediatelyhowl，hewasawarethattheidea，anentirelydifferentidea，wasthere，intheinnermostcentreofthequick—thinkingnessofhim，withallitscompulsion。

Heobeyedtheideaasamarionetteobeysthestrings，andstartedforthwithdownthedeckaftinquestofthemate。

HehadanappealtomaketoBorckman。Borckmanwasalsoatwo—

leggedwhite—god。EasilycouldBorckmanlifthimdowntheprecipitousladder，whichwastohim，unaided，ataboo，theviolationofwhichwaspregnantwithdisaster。ButBorckmanhadinhimlittleoftheheartoflove，whichisunderstanding。Also，Borckmanwasbusy。Besidesoverseeingthecontinuousadjustment，bytrimmingofsailsandorderstothehelmsman，oftheArangitoherwayonthesea，andoverseeingtheboat’screwatitstaskofwashingdeckandpolishingbrasswork，hewasengagedinsteadilynippingfromastolenbottleofhiscaptain’swhiskeywhichhehadstowedawayinthehollowbetweenthetwosacksofyamslashedondeckaftthemizzenmast。

Borckmanwasonhiswayforanothernip，afterhavingthicklythreatenedtoknocksevenbellsandthetencommandmentsoutoftheblackatthewheelforfaultysteering，whenJerryappearedbeforehimandblockedthewaytohisdesire。ButJerrydidnotblockhimashewouldhaveblockedLerumie，forinstance。Therewasnoshowingofteeth，nobristlingofneckhair。Instead，Jerrywasallplacationandappeal，allsoftnessofpleadinginabodydeniedspeechthatneverthelesswasarticulate，fromwaggingtailandwrigglingsidestoflat—laidearsandeyesthatalmostspoke，toanyhumansensitiveofunderstanding。

ButBorckmansawinhiswayonlyafour—leggedcreatureofthebruteworld，which，inhisarrogantbrutalnessheesteemedmorebrutethanhimself。Alltheprettypictureofthesoftpuppy，instinctwithcommunicativeness，burstingwithtendernessofpetition，wasveiledtohisvision。Whathesawwasmerelyafour—leggedanimaltobethrustasidewhilehecontinuedhislordlytwo—leggedprogresstowardthebottlethatcouldsetmaggotscrawlinginhisbrainandmakehimdreamdreamsthathewasprince，notpeasant，thathewasamasterofmatterratherthanaslaveofmatter。

AndthrustasideJerrywas，byaroughandnakedfoot，asharshandunfeelinginitsimpactasaninanimatebreakingseaonabeach—jutofinsensaterock。Hehalf—sprawledontheslipperydeck，regainedhisbalance，andstoodstillandlookedatthewhite—godwhohadtreatedhimsocavalierly。ThemeannessandunfairnesshadbroughtfromJerrynosnarlingthreatofretaliation，suchashewouldhaveofferedLerumieoranyotherblack。Norinhisbrainwasanythoughtofretaliation。ThiswasnoLerumie。Thiswasasuperiorgod，two—legged，white—skinned，likeSkipper，likeMisterHagginandthecoupleofothersuperiorgodshehadknown。Onlydidheknowhurt，suchasanychildknowsundertheblowofathoughtlessorunlovingmother。

Inthehurtwasmingledaresentment。Hewaskeenlyawarethatthereweretwosortsofroughness。Therewasthekindlyroughnessoflove，suchaswhenSkippergrippedhimbythejowl，shookhimtillhisteethrattled，andthrusthimawaywithanunmistakableinvitationtocomebackandbesoshakenagain。Suchroughness，toJerry，washeaven。Initwastheintimacyofcontactwithabelovedgodwhoinsuchmannerelectedtoexpressareciprocallove。

ButthisroughnessofBorckmanwasdifferent。Itwastheotherkindofroughnessinwhichresidednowarmaffection，noheart—touchoflove。Jerrydidnotquiteunderstand，buthesensedthedifferenceandresented，withoutexpressinginaction，thewrongnessandunfairnessofit。Sohestood，afterregainingbalance，andsoberlyregarded，inavainefforttounderstand，thematewithabottle—

bottominvertedskyward，themouthtohislips，thewhilehisthroatmadegulpingcontractionsandnoises。Andsoberlyhecontinuedtoregardthematewhenhewentaftandthreatenedtoknockthe"SongofSongs"andtherestoftheOldTestamentoutoftheblackhelmsmanwhosesmileofteethwasashumblygentleandplacatingasJerry’shadbeenwhenhemadehisappeal。

Leavingthisgodasagodunlikedandnotunderstood，JerrysadlytrottedbacktothecompanionwayandyearnedhisheadoverthecombinginthedirectioninwhichhehadseenSkipperdisappear。

Whatbitathisconsciousnessandwasapainfulincitementinit，washisdesiretobewithSkipperwhowasnotright，andwhowasintrouble。HewantedSkipper。Hewantedtobewithhim，firstandsharply，becausehelovedhim，and，secondanddimly，becausehemightservehim。And，wantingSkipper，inhishelplessnessandyoungnessinexperienceoftheworld，hewhimperedandcriedhisheartoutacrossthecompanioncombing，andwastoocleananddirectinhissorrowtobedeflectedbyanoutburstofangeragainsttheniggers，ondeckandbelow，whochuckledathimandderidedhim。

Fromthecrestofthecombingtothecabinfloorwassevenfeet。Hehad，onlyafewhoursbefore，climbedtheprecipitousstairway；butitwasimpossible，andheknewit，todescendthestairway。Andyet，atthelast，hedaredit。SocompulsivewastheprodofhishearttogaintoSkipperatanycost，soclearwashiscomprehensionthathecouldnotclimbdowntheladderheadfirst，withnogrippingnessoflegsandfeetandmusclessuchaswerepossibleintheascent，thathedidnotattemptit。Helaunchedoutwardanddown，inonemagnificentandlove—heroicleap。Heknewthathewasviolatingataboooflife，justasheknewhewasviolatingatabooifhesprangintoMeringeLagoonwhereswamthedreadfulcrocodiles。

Greatloveisalwayscapableofexpressingitselfinsacrificeandself—immolation。Andonlyforlove，andfornolesserreason，couldJerryhavemadetheleap。

Hestruckonhissideandhead。Theoneimpactknockedthebreathoutofhim；theotherstunnedhim。Eveninhisunconsciousness，lyingonhissideandquivering，hemaderapid，spasmodicmovementsofhislegsasifrunningfor’ardtoSkipper。Theboyslookedonandlaughed，andwhenhenolongerquiveredandchurnedhislegstheycontinuedtolaugh。Borninsavagery，havinglivedinsavageryalltheirlivesandknownnaughtelse，theirsenseofhumourwascorrespondinglysavage。Tothem，thesightofastunnedandpossiblydeadpuppywasaside—splitting，ludicrousevent。

NotuntilthefourthminutetickedoffdidreturningconsciousnessenableJerrytocrawltohisfeetandwithwide—spreadlegsandswimmingeyesadjusthimselftotheArangi’sroll。YetwiththefirstglimmeringsofconsciousnesspersistedtheoneideathathemustgaintoSkipper。Blacks？Inhisanxietyandsolicitudeandlovetheydidnotcount。Heignoredthechuckling，grinning，girdingblackboys，who，butforthefactthathewasundertheterribleaegisofthebigfellawhitemarster，wouldhavedelightedtokillandeatthepuppywho，intheprocessoftraining，wasprovingamostcapablenigger—chaser。Withoutaturnofheadorrollofeye，aristocraticallypositingtheirnon—existingnesstotheirfaces，hetrottedfor’ardalongthecabinfloorandintothestateroomwhereSkipperbabbledmaniacallyinthebunk。

Jerry，whohadneverhadmalaria，didnotunderstand。ButinhisheartheknewgreattroubleinthatSkipperwasintrouble。Skipperdidnotrecognizehim，evenwhenhesprangintothebunk，walkedacrossSkipper’sheavingchest，andlickedtheacridsweatoffeverfromSkipper’sface。Instead，Skipper’swildly—thrashingarmsbrushedhimawayandflunghimviolentlyagainstthesideofthebunk。

Thiswasroughnessthatwasnotlove—roughness。NorwasittheroughnessofBorckmanspurninghimawaywithhisfoot。ItwaspartofSkipper’strouble。Jerrydidnotreasonthisconclusion。But，andtothepoint，heacteduponitasifhehadreasonedit。Intruth，throughinadequacyofoneofthemostadequatelanguagesintheworld，itcanonlybesaidthatJerrysensedthenewdifferenceofthisroughness。

Hesatup，justoutofrangeofonerestless，beatingarm，yearnedtocomecloserandlickagainthefaceofthegodwhoknewhimnot，andwho，heknew，lovedhimwell，andpalpitatinglysharedandsufferedallSkipper’strouble。

"Eh，Clancey，"Skipperbabbled。"It’safinejobthisday，andnobettercrewtocleanupafterthedubsofmotormen……Numberthreejack，Clancey。Getunderthefor’ardend。"And，asthespectresofhisnightmaremetamorphosed："Hush，darling，talkingtoyourdadlikethat，tellinghimthecombingofyoursweetandgoldenhair。AsifIcouldn’t，thathavecombeditthesesevenyears——

betterthanyourmother，darling，betterthanyourmother。I’mtheonegold—medalprize—winnerinthecombingofhislovelydaughter’slovelyhair……She’sbrokenout！Giveherthewheelaftthere！

Jibandfore—topsailhalyards！Fullandby，there！Agoodfull！……Ah，shetakesitlikethebeautyfairyboatthatsheisuponthesea……I’lljustliftthat——sure，thelimit。Blackey，whenyoupayasmuchtoseemycardsasI’mgoingtopaytoseeyours，you’regoingtoseesomecards，believeme！"

AndsothefarragoofunrelatedmemoriescontinuedtorisevocalonSkipper’slipstotheheaveofhisbodyandthebeatofhisarms，whileJerry，crouchedagainstthesideofthebunkmournedandmournedhisgriefandinabilitytobeofhelp。Allthatwasoccurringwasbeyondhim。Heknewnomoreofpokerhandsthandidheknowofgettingshipsunderway，ofclearingupsurfacecarwrecksinNewYork，orofcombingthelongyellowhairofaloveddaughterinaHarlemflat。

"Bothdead，"Skippersaidinachangeofdelirium。Hesaiditquietly，asifannouncingthetimeofday，thenwailed："But，oh，thebonnie，bonniebraidsofallthegoldenhairofher！"

Helaymotionlesslyforaspaceandsobbedoutabreakingheart。

ThiswasJerry’schance。Hecreptinsidethearmthattossed，snuggledagainstSkipper’sside，laidhisheadonSkipper’sshoulder，hiscoolnosebarelytouchingSkipper’scheek，andfeltthearmcurlabouthimandpresshimcloser。Thehandbentfromthewristandcaressedhimprotectingly，andthewarmcontactofhisvelvetbodyputachangeinSkipper’ssickdreams，forhebegantomutterincoldandbitterominousness："Anyniggerthatasmuchasbatsaneyeatthatpuppy……"

CHAPTERVIII

When，inhalfanhour，VanHorn’ssweatculminatedinprofusion，itmarkedthebreakingofthemalarialattack。Greatphysicalreliefwashis，andthelastmistsofdeliriumebbedfromhisbrain。Buthewasleftlimplyweak，and，aftertossingofftheblanketsandrecognizingJerry，hefellintoarefreshingnaturalsleep。

Nottilltwohourslaterdidheawakeandstarttogoondeck。

Half—wayupthecompanion，hedepositedJerryondeckandwentbacktothestateroomforaforgottenbottleofquinine。ButhedidnotimmediatelyreturntoJerry。ThelongdrawerunderBorckman’sbunkcaughthiseye。Thewoodenbuttonthathelditshutwasgone，anditwasfaroutandhangingatananglethatjammeditandpreventeditfromfallingtothefloor。Thematterwasserious。Therewaslittledoubtinhismind，hadthedrawer，inthemidstofthesquallofthepreviousnight，fallentothefloor，thatnoArangiandnosouloftheeightysoulsonboardwouldhavebeenleft。Forthedrawerwasfilledwithaheterogeneousmessofdynamitesticks，boxesoffulminatingcaps，coilsoffuses，leadsinkers，irontools，andmanyboxesofrifle，revolverandpistolcartridges。Hesortedandarrangedthevariedcontents，andwithascrewdriverandalongerscrewreattachedthebutton。

Inthemeantime，Jerrywasencounteringnewadventurenotofthepleasantest。WhilewaitingforSkippertoreturn，Jerrychancedtoseethewild—dogbrazenlylyingondeckadozenfeetfromhislairinthetrade—boxes。Instantlystifflycrouching，Jerrybegantostalk。Successseemedassured，forthewild—dog，withclosedeyes，wasapparentlyasleep。

Andatthismomentthemate，two—leggingitalongthedeckfromfor’ardinthedirectionofthebottlestoredbetweentheyamsacks，called，"Jerry，"inaremarkablyhuskyvoice。Jerryflattenedhisfilbert—shapedearsandwaggedhistailinacknowledgment，butadvertisedhisintentionofcontinuingtostalkhisenemy。Andatsoundofthemate’svoicethewild—dogflungquick—openedeyesinJerry’sdirectionandflashedintohisburrow，whereheimmediatelyturnedaround，thrusthisheadoutwithashowofteeth，andsnarledtriumphantdefiance。

Baulkedofhisquarrybytheinconsideratenessofthemate，JerrytrottedbacktotheheadofthecompaniontowaitforSkipper。ButBorckman，whosebrainwaswella—crawlbyvirtueofthemanynips，clungtoapettyideaafterthefashionofdrunkenmen。Twiceagain，imperatively，hecalledJerrytohim，andtwiceagain，withflattenedearsofgentlenessandwaggingtail，Jerrygood—naturedlyexpressedhisdisinclination。Next，heyearnedhisheadoverthecomingandintothecabinafterSkipper。

Borckmanrememberedhisfirstideaandcontinuedtothebottle，whichhegenerouslyinvertedskyward。Butthesecondidea，pettyasitwas，persisted；and，afterswayingandmumblingtohimselfforatime，afterunseeinglymakingbelievetostudythecrispfreshbreezethatfilledtheArangi’ssailsandslantedherdeck，and，aftersillilyattemptingonthehelmsmantoportrayeagle—likevigilanceinhisdrink—swimmingeyes，helurchedamidshipstowardJerry。

Jerry’sfirstintimationofBorckman’sarrivalwasacruelandpainfulclutchonhisflankandgrointhatmadehimcryoutinpainandwhirlaround。Next，asthematehadseenSkipperdoinplay，Jerryhadhisjowlsseizedinatooth—clatteringshakethatwasabsolutelydifferentfromtheSkipper’sroughlove—shake。Hisheadandbodywereshaken，histeethclatteredpainfully，andwiththeroughestofroughnesshewasflungpartwaydowntheslipperyslopeofdeck。

NowJerrywasagentleman。Allthesoulofcourtesywasinhim，forequalsandsuperiors。Afterall，eveninaninferiorlikethewild—

dog，hedidnotconsciouslypressanadvantageveryfar——neverextremelyfar。Inhisstalkingandrushingofthewild—dog，hehadbeenmoresoundandfurythananoverbearingbully。Butwithasuperior，withatwo—leggedwhite—godlikeBorckman，therewasmoreademanduponhiscontrol，restraint，andinhibitionofprimitivepromptings。HedidnotwanttoplaywiththemateagamethatheecstaticallyplayedwithSkipper，becausehehadexperiencednosimilarlikingforthemate，two—leggedwhite—godthathewas。

AndstillJerrywasallgentleness。Hecamebackinafeebleimitationrushofthewhole—heartedrushthathehadlearnedtomakeonSkipper。Hewas，intruth，acting，play—acting，attemptingtodowhathehadnoheart—promptingtodo。Hemadebelievetoplay，andutteredsimulatedgrowlsthatfailedoftheverityofsimulation。

Hebobbedhistailgood—naturedlyandfriendly，andgrowledferociouslyandfriendly；butthekeennessofthedrunkennessofthematediscernedthedifferenceandarousedinhim，vaguely，theintuitionofdifference，ofplay—acting，ofcheating。Jerrywascheating——outofhisheartofconsideration。Borckmandrunkenlyrecognizedthecheatingwithoutcreditingtheheartofgoodbehindit。Ontheinstanthewasantagonistic。Forgettingthathewasonlyabrute，hepositedthatthiswasnomorethanabrutewithwhichhestrovetoplayinthegenialcomradelywaythattheSkipperplayed。

Redwarwasinevitable——notfirstonJerry’spart，butonBorckman’spart。Borckmanfelttheabysmalurgingsofthebeast，asabeast，toprovehimselfmasterofthisfour—leggedbeast。Jerryfelthisjowlandjawclutchedstillmoreharshlyandhardly，and，withincreaseofharshnessandhardness，hewasflungfartherdownthedeck，which，onaccountofitsgrowingslantduetoheaviergustsofwind，hadbecomeasteepandslipperyhill。

Hecameback，clawingfranticallyuptheslopethatgavehimlittlefooting；andhecameback，nolongerwithpoorlyattemptedsimulationofferocity，butimpelledbythefirstflickeringsofrealferocity。Hedidnotknowthis。Ifhethoughtatall，hewasundertheimpressionthathewasplayingthegameashehadplayeditwithSkipper。Inshort，hewastakinganinterestinthegame，althougharadicallydifferentinterestfromwhathehadtakenwithSkipper。

Thistimehisteethflashedquickerandwithdeeperintentatthejowl—clutchinghand，and，missing，hewasseizedandflungdownthesmoothinclineharderandfartherthanbefore。Hewasgrowingangry，asheclawedback，thoughhewasnotconsciousofit。Butthemate，beingaman，albeitadrunkenone，sensedthechangeinJerry’sattackereJerrydreamedtherewasanychangeinit。AndnotonlydidBorckmansenseit，butitservedasaspurtodrivehimbackintoprimitivebeastliness，andtofighttomasterthispuppyasaprimitiveman，underdissimilarprovocation，mighthavefoughtwiththemembersofthefirstlitterstolenfromawolf—denamongtherocks。

True，Jerrycouldtraceasfarback。HisancientancestorshadbeenIrishwolf—hounds，and，longbeforethat，theancestorsofthewolf—

houndshadbeenwolves。ThenoteinJerry’sgrowlschanged。Theunforgottenandineffaceablepaststrummedthefibresofhisthroat。

Histeethflashedwithfierceintent，inthedesireofsinkingasdeepintheman’shandaspassioncoulddrive。ForJerrybythistimewasallpassion。HehadleapedbackintothedarkstarkrawnessoftheearlyworldalmostasswiftlyashadBorckman。Andthistimehisteethscored，rippingthetenderandsensitiveandfleshofalltheinsideofthefirstandsecondjointsofBorckman’srighthand。Jerry’steethwereneedlesthatstung，andBorckman，gainingthegrasponJerry’sjaw，flunghimawayanddownsothatalmosthehittheArangi’stiny—railerehisclawingfeetstoppedhim。

AndVanHorn，havingfinishedhisrearrangementandrepairoftheexplosive—filleddrawerunderthemate’sbunk，climbedupthecompanionsteps，sawthebattle，paused，andquietlylookedon。

Buthelookedacrossamillionyears，attwomadcreatureswhohadslippedtheleachofthegenerationsandwhowerebackinthedarknessofspawninglifeeredawningintelligencehadmodifiedthechemistryofsuchlifetosoftnessofconsideration。WhatstirredinthebraincryptsofBorckman’sheredity，stirredinthebrain—

cryptsofJerry’sheredity。Timehadgonebackwardforboth。Alltheendeavourandachievementofthetenthousandgenerationswasnot，and，aswolf—dogandwild—man，thecombatwasbetweenJerryandthemate。NeithersawVanHorn，whowasinsidethecompanionwayhatch，hiseyeslevelwiththecombing。

ToJerry，Borckmanwasnownomoreagodthanwashehimselfamere，smooth—coatedIrishterrier。Bothhadforgottenthemillionyearsstampedintotheirhereditymorefeebly，lesseraseably，thanwhathadbeenstampedinpriortothemillionyears。Jerrydidnotknowdrunkenness，buthedidknowunfairness；anditwaswithragingindignationthatheknewit。BorckmanfumbledhisnextcountertoJerry’sattack，missed，andhadbothhandsslashedinquicksuccessionerehemanagedtosendthepuppysliding。

AndstillJerrycameback。Asanyscreamingcreatureofthejungle，hehystericallysqualledhisindignation。Buthemadenowhimper。

Nordidhewinceorcringetotheblows。Heboredstraightin，striving，withoutavoidingablow，tobeatandmeettheblowwithhisteeth。Sohardwasheflungdownthelasttimethathissidesmashedpainfullyagainsttherail，andVanHorncriedout：

"Cutthatout，Borckman！Leavethepuppyalone！"

Themateturnedinthestartleofsurpriseatbeingobserved。Thesharp，authoritativewordsofVanHornwereacallacrossthemillionyears。Borckman’sanger—convulsedfaceludicrouslyattemptedasheepish，deprecatinggrin，andhewasjustmumbling，"Wewasonlyplaying，"whenJerryarrivedback，leapedintheair，andsankhisteethintotheoffendinghand。

Borckmanimmediatelyandinsanelywentbackacrossthemillionyears。Anattemptedkickgothisanklescoredforhispains。Hegibberedhisownrageandhurt，and，stooping，dealtJerryatremendousblowalongsidetheheadandneck。Beinginmid—leapwhenhereceivedtheblowJerrywastwistinglysomersaultedsidewisebeforehestruckthedeckonhisback。Asswiftlyashecouldscrambletofootingandcharge，hereturnedtotheattack，butwascheckedbySkipper’s：

"Jerry！Stopit！Comehere！"

Heobeyed，butonlybyprodigiouseffort，hisneckbristlingandhislipswrithingclearofhisteethashepassedthemate。Forthefirsttimetherewasawhimperinhisthroat；butitwasnotthewhimperoffear，norofpain，butofoutrage，andofdesiretocontinuethebattlewhichhestruggledtocontrolatSkipper’sbehest。

Steppingoutondeck，Skipperpickedhimupandpattedandsoothedhimthewhileheexpressedhismindtothemate。

"Borckman，yououghttobeashamed。Yououghttobeshotorhaveyourblockknockedoffforthis。Apuppy，alittlepuppyscarcelyweaned。FortwocentsI’dgiveyouwhat—formyself。Theideaofit。Alittlepuppy，aweanlinglittlepuppy。Gladyourhandsareripped。Youdeservedit。Hopeyougetblood—poisoninginthem。

Besides，you’redrunk。Gobelowandturnin，anddon’tyoudarecomeondeckuntilyou’resober。Savve？"

AndJerry，far—journeyeracrosslifeandacrossthehistoryofalllifethatgoestomaketheworld，strugglinglymasteringtheabysmalslimeoftheprehistoricwiththelovethathadcomeintoexistenceandhadbecomewarpandwoofofhiminfarlatertime，hiswrathofancientnessstillfaintlyreverberatinginhisthroatliketherumblingsofapassingthunder—storm，knew，inthewidewarmwaysoffeeling，theaugustnessandrighteousnessofSkipper。Skipperwasintruthagodwhodidright，whowasfair，whoprotected，andwhoimperiouslycommandedthisotherandlessergodthatslunkawaybeforehisanger。

CHAPTERIX

JerryandSkippersharedthelongafternoon—watchtogether，thelatterbeingguiltyofrecurrentchucklesandexclamationssuchas：

"Gott—fer—dang，Jerry，believeme，you’resomefighterandalldog"；

or，"You’reaproperman’sdog，youare，aliondog。Ibettheliondon’tlivethatcouldgetyourgoat。"

AndJerry，understandingnoneofthewords，withtheexceptionofhisownname，neverthelessknewthatthesoundsmadebySkipperwerebroadofpraiseandwarmoflove。AndwhenSkipperstoopedandrubbedhisears，orreceivedarose—kissonextendedfingers，orcaughthimupinhisarms，Jerry’sheartwasnightobursting。Forwhatgreaterecstasycanbetheportionofanycreaturethanthatitbelovedbyagod？ThiswasjustpreciselyJerry’secstasy。Thiswasagod，atangible，real，three—dimensionedgod，whowentaboutandruledhisworldinaloin—clothandontwobarelegs，andwholovedhimwithcrooningnoisesinthroatandmouthandwithtwowide—spreadarmsthatfoldedhimin。

Atfouro’clock，measuringaglanceattheafternoonsunandgaugingthespeedoftheArangithroughthewaterinrelationtotheclosenessofSu’u，VanHornwentbelowandroughlyshookthemateawake。Untilbothreturned，Jerryheldthedeckalone。Butforthefactthatthewhite—godsweretherebelowandwerecertaintobebackatanymoment，notmanymomentswouldJerryhaveheldthedeck，foreverylessenedmilebetweenthereturnboysandMalaitacontributedarisingoftheirspirits，andundertheimminenceoftheirold—timeindependence，Lerumie，asaninstanceofmanyofthem，withstronggustatorysensationsandapositivedroolingatthemouth，regardedJerryintermsoffoodandvengeancethatwereidentical。

Flat—hauledonthecrispbreeze，theArangiclosedinrapidlywiththeland。Jerrypeeredthroughthebarbedwire，sniffingtheair，Skipperbesidehimandgivingorderstothemateandhelmsman。Theheapoftrade—boxeswasnowunlashed，andtheboysbeganopeningandshuttingthem。Whatgavethemparticulardelightwastheringingofthebellwithwhicheachboxwasequippedandwhichrangwheneveralidwasraised。Theirpleasureinthetoy—likecontrivancewasthatofchildren，andeachwentbackagainandagaintounlockhisownboxandmakethebellring。

FifteenoftheboysweretobelandedatSu’uandwithwildgesticulationsandcriestheybegantorecognizeandpointouttheinfinitesimaldetailsofthelandfalloftheonlyspottheyhadknownonearthpriortotheday，threeyearsbefore，whentheyhadbeensoldintoslaverybytheirfathers，uncles，andchiefs。

Anarrowneckofwater，scarcelyahundredyardsacross，gaveentrancetoalongandtinybay。Theshorewasmassedwithmangrovesanddense，tropicalvegetation。Therewasnosignofhousesnorofhumanoccupancy，althoughVanHorn，staringatthedensejunglesocloseathand，knewasamatterofcoursethatscores，andperhapshundreds，ofpairsofhumaneyeswerelookingathim。

"Smell’m，Jerry，smell’m，"heencouraged。

AndJerry’shairbristledashebarkedatthemangrovewall，fortrulyhiskeenscentinformedhimoflurkingniggers。

"IfIcouldsmelllikehim，"thecaptainsaidtothemate，"therewouldn’tbeanyriskatallofmyeverlosingmyhead。"

ButBorckmanmadenoreplyandsullenlywentabouthiswork。Therewaslittlewindinthebay，andtheArangislowlyforgedinanddroppedanchorinthirtyfathoms。SosteepwastheslopeoftheharbourbedfromthebeachthateveninsuchexcessivedepththeArangi’ssternswunginwithinahundredfeetofthemangroves。

VanHorncontinuedtocastanxiousglancesatthewoodedshore。ForSu’uhadanevilname。SincetheschoonerFairHathaway，recruitinglabourfortheQueenslandplantations，hadbeencapturedbythenativesandallhandsslainfifteenyearsbefore，novessel，withtheexceptionoftheArangi，haddaredtoventureintoSu’u。AndmostwhitemencondemnedVanHorn’srecklessnessforsoventuring。

Farupthemountains，thattoweredmanythousandsoffeetintothetrade—windclouds，arosemanysignalsmokesthatadvertisedthecomingofthevessel。Farandnear，theArangi’spresencewasknown；yetfromthejunglesonearathandonlyshrieksofparrotsandchatteringsofcockatooscouldbeheard。

Thewhaleboat，mannedwithsixoftheboat’screw，wasdrawnalongside，andthefifteenSu’uboysandtheirboxeswereloadedin。

Underthecanvasflapsalongthethwarts，readytohandfortherowers，werelaidfiveoftheLee—Enfields。Ondeck，anotheroftheboat’screw，rifleinhand，guardedtheremainingweapons。Borckmanhadbroughtuphisownrifletobereadyforinstantuse。VanHorn’sriflelayhandyinthesternsheetswherehestoodnearTambi，whosteeredwithalongsweep。JerryraisedalowwhineandyearnedovertherailafterSkipper，whoyieldedandliftedhimdown。

Theplaceofdangerwasintheboat；fortherewaslittlelikelihood，atthisparticulartime，ofarisingofthereturnboysontheArangi。BeingofSomo，No—ola，Langa—Langa，andfarMalutheywereinwholesomefear，didtheylosetheprotectionoftheirwhitemasters，ofbeingeatenbytheSu’ufolk，justastheSu’uboyswouldhavefearedbeingeatenbytheSomoandLanga—LangaandNo—olafolk。

Whatincreasedthedangeroftheboatwastheabsenceofacoveringboat。Theinvariablecustomofthelargerrecruitingvesselswastosendtwoboatsonanyshoreerrand。Whileonelandedonthebeach，theotherlayoffashortdistancetocovertheretreatoftheshoreparty，iftroublebrokeout。Toosmalltocarryoneboatondeck，theArangicouldnotconvenientlytowtwoastern；soVanHorn，whowasthemostdaringoftherecruiters，lackedthisessentialsafeguard。

Tambi，underVanHorn’slow—utteredcommands，steeredaparallelcoursealongtheshore。Wherethemangrovesceased，andwherehighgroundandabeatenrunwaycamedowntothewater’sedge，VanHornmotionedtherowerstobackwaterandlayontheiroars。Highpalmsandlofty，wide—branchedtreesroseabovethejungleatthisspot，andtherunwayshowedliketheentranceofatunnelintothedense，greenwalloftropicalvegetation。

VanHorn，regardingtheshoreforsomesignoflife，lightedacigarandputonehandtothewaist—lineofhisloin—clothtoreassurehimselfofthepresenceofthestickofdynamitethatwastuckedbetweentheloin—clothandhisskin。Thelightedcigarwasforthepurpose，ifemergencyarose，ofignitingthefuseofthedynamite。

Andthefusewassoshort，withitsendsplittoaccommodatetheinsertedheadofasafetymatch，thatbetweenthetimeoftouchingitoffwiththelivecigartothetimeoftheexplosionnotmorethanthreesecondscouldelapse。ThisrequiredquickcoolworkonVanHorn’spart，incaseneedarose。Inthreesecondshewouldhavetolightthefuseandthrowthesputteringstickwithdirectedaimtoitsobjective。However，hedidnotexpecttouseit，andhaditreadymerelyasaprecautionarymeasure。

Fiveminutespassed，andthesilenceoftheshoreremainedprofound。

JerrysniffedSkipper’sbarelegasiftoassurehimthathewasbesidehimnomatterwhatthreatenedfromthehostilesilenceoftheland，thenstoodupwithhisforepawsonthegunwaleandcontinuedtosniffeagerlyandaudibly，toprickhisneckhair，andtoutterlowgrowls。

"They’rethere，allright，"Skipperconfidedtohim；andJerry，withasidewardglanceofsmilingeyes，withabobbingofhistailandaquicklove—flatteningofhisears，turnedhisnoseshorewardagainandresumedhisreadingofthejungletalethatwaswaftedtohimonthelightfansofthestiflingandalmoststagnantair。

"Hey！"VanHornsuddenlyshouted。"Hey，youfellaboystick’mheadoutbelongyou！"

Asifinatransformationscene，theapparentlytenantlessjunglespawnedintolife。Ontheinstantahundredstarksavagesappeared。

Theybrokefortheverywherefromthevegetation。Allwerearmed，somewithSniderriflesandancienthorsepistols，otherswithbowsandarrows，withlongthrowingspears，withwar—clubs，andwithlong—handledtomahawks。Inaflash，oneofthemleapedintothesunlightintheopenspacewhererunwayandwatermet。Savefordecorations，hewasnakedasAdambeforetheFall。Asolitarywhitefeatheruprosefromhiskinky，glossy，blackhair。Apolishedbodkinofwhitepetrifiedshell，withsharp—pointedends，thrustthroughaholeinthepartitionofhisnostrils，extendedfiveinchesacrosshisface。Abouthisneck，fromacordoftwistedcoconutsennit，hunganivory—whitenecklaceofwild—boar’stusks。

Agarterofwhitecowrieshellsencircledonelegjustbelowtheknee。Aflamingscarletflowerwascoquettishlystuckoveroneear，andthroughaholeintheotherearwasthreadedapig’stailsorecentlyseveredthatitstillbled。

AsthisdandyofMelanesialeapedintothesunshine，theSniderrifleinhishandscameintoposition，aimedfromhiship，thegenerousmuzzlebearingdirectlyonVanHorn。NolessquickwasVanHorn。Withequalspeedhehadsnatchedhisrifleandbroughtittobearfromhiship。Sotheystoodandfacedeachother，deathintheirfinger—tips，fortyfeetapart。Themillionyearsbetweenbarbarismandcivilizationalsoyawnedbetweenthemacrossthatnarrowgulfoffortyfeet。Thehardestthingformodern，evolvedmantodoistoforgethisancienttraining。Easiestofallthingsisitforhimtoforgethismodernityandslipbackacrosstimetothehowlingages。Alieintheteeth，ablowintheface，alove—

thrustofjealousytotheheart，inafractionofaninstantcanturnatwentieth—centuryphilosopherintoanape—likearboreanpoundinghischest，gnashinghisteeth，andseeingred。

SoVanHorn。Butwithadifference。Hestraddledtime。Hewasatoneandthesameinstantallmodern，allimminentlyprimitive，capableoffightinginrednessoftoothandclaw，desirousofremainingmodernforaslongashecouldwithhiswillmasterthestudyofebonblackofskinanddazzlingwhiteofdecorationthatconfrontedhim。

Alongtensecondsofsilenceendured。EvenJerry，heknewnotwhy，stilledthegrowlinhisthroat。Fivescoreofhead—huntingcannibalsonthefringeofthejungle，fifteenSu’ureturnblacksintheboat，sevenblackboat’screw，andasolitarywhitemanwithacigarinhismouth，arifleathiship，andanIrishterrierbristlingagainsthisbarecalf，keptthesolemnpactofthosetenseconds，andnooneofthemkneworguessedwhattheoutcomewouldbe。

Oneofthereturnboys，inthebowofthewhaleboat，madethepeacesignwithhispalmextendedoutwardandweaponless，andbegantochirpintheunknownSu’udialect。VanHornheldhisaimandwaited。ThedandyloweredhisSnider，andbreathcamemoreeasilytothechestsofallwhocomposedthepicture。

"Megoodfellaboy，"thedandypiped，halfbird—likeandhalfelf。

"Youbigfellafooltoomuch，"VanHornretortedharshly，droppinghisgunintothestern—sheets，motioningtorowersandsteersmantoturntheboataround，andpuffinghiscigarascarelesslycasualasif，themomentbefore，lifeanddeathhadnotbeenthedebate。

"Myword，"hewentonwithfineirritableassumption。"Whatnameyoustick’mgunalongme？Menokai—kai（eat）alongyou。Mekai—

kaialongyou，stomachbelongmewalkabout。Youkai—kaialongme，stomachbelongyouwalkabout。Younolike’mkai—kaiSu’uboybelongalongyou？Su’uboybelongyouallthesamebrotheralongyou。Longtimebefore，threemonsoonbefore，mespeak’mtruespeak。Mesaythreemonsoonboycomeback。Myword，threemonsoonfinish，boystopalongmecomeback。"

Bythistimetheboathadswungaround，reversingbowandstern，VanHornpivotingsoastofacetheSnider—armeddandy。AtanothersignalfromVanHorntherowersbackedwaterandforcedtheboat，sternin，uptothesolidgroundoftherunway。Andeachrower，hisoarinpositionincaseofattack，privilyfeltunderthecanvasflaptomakesureoftheexactlocationofhisconcealedLee—

Enfield。

"Allrightboybelongyouwalkabout？"VanHornqueriedofthedandy，whosignifiedtheaffirmativeintheSolomonIslandsfashionbyhalf—closinghiseyesandnoddinghisheadupward，inaqueer，perkyway；

"Nokai—kai’mSu’ufellaboysupposewalkaboutalongyou？"

"Nofear，"thedandyanswered。"Suppose’mSu’ufellaboy，allright。Suppose’mnofellaSu’uboy，myword，bigtrouble。

Ishikola，bigfellablackmarsteralongthisplace，himtalk’mmetalkalongyou。Himsayanyamountbadfellaboystop’malongbush。Himsaybigfellawhitemarsternowalkabout。Himsayjollygoodbigfellawhitemarsterstop’malongship。"

VanHornnoddedinanoff—handway，asiftheinformationwereoflittlevalue，althoughheknewthatforthistimeSu’uwouldfurnishhimnofreshrecruits。Oneatatime，compellingtheotherstoremainintheirplaces，hedirectedthereturnboysasternandashore。ItwasSolomonIslandstactics。Crowdingwasdangerous。

Nevercouldtheblacksberiskedtoconfusioninnumbers。AndVanHorn，smokinghiscigarinlordlyindifferentfashion，kepthisapparentlyuninterestedeyesgluedtoeachboywhomadehiswayaft，boxonshoulder，andsteppedoutontheland。Onebyonetheydisappearedintotherunwaytunnel，andwhenthelastwasashoreheorderedtheboatbacktotheship。

"Nothingdoingherethistrip，"hetoldthemate。"We’lluphookandoutinthemorning。"

Thequicktropictwilightswiftlyblentdayanddarkness。Overheadallstarswereout。Nofaintestbreathofairmovedoverthewater，andthehumidheatbeadedthefacesandbodiesofbothmenwithprofusesweat。Theyatetheirdeck—spreadsupperlanguidlyandeverandanonusedtheirforearmstowipethestingingsweatfromtheireyes。

"WhyamanshouldcometotheSolomons——beastlyhole，"thematecomplained。

"Orstayon，"thecaptainrejoined。

"I’mtoorottenwithfever，"themategrumbled。"I’ddieifIleft。

Remember，Itriedittwoyearsago。Ittakesthecoldweathertobringoutthefever。IarrivedinSydneyonmyback。Theyhadtotakemetohospitalinanambulance。Igotworseandworse。ThedoctorstoldmetheonlythingtodowastoheadbackwhereIgotthefever。IfIdidImightlivealongtime。IfIhungoninSydneyitmeantaquickfinish。Theypackedmeonboardinanotherambulance。Andthat’sallIsawofAustraliaformyholiday。I

don’twanttostayintheSolomons。It’splainhell。ButIgotto，orcroak。"

Herolled，ataroughestimate，thirtygrainsofquinineinacigarettepaper，regardedtheresultsourlyforamoment，thenswalloweditatagulp。ThisremindedVanHorn，whoreachedforthebottleandtookasimilardose。

"Betterputupacoveringcloth，"hesuggested。

Borckmandirectedseveraloftheboat’screwintheriggingupofathintarpaulin，likeacurtainalongtheshoresideoftheArangi。

Thiswasaprecautionagainstanybushwhackingbulletfromthemangrovesonlyahundredfeetaway。

VanHornsentTambibelowtobringupthesmallphonographandrunoffthedozenorsoscratchy，screechyrecordsthathadalreadybeenundertheneedleathousandtimes。Betweenrecords，VanHornrecollectedthegirl，andhadherhaledoutofherdarkholeinthelazarettetolistentothemusic。Sheobeyedinfear，apprehensivethathertimehadcome。Shelookeddumblyatthebigfellawhitemaster，hereyeslargewithfright；nordidthetremblingofherbodyceaseforalongtimeafterhehadmadeherliedown。Thephonographmeantnothingtoher。Sheknewonlyfear——fearofthisterriblewhitemanthatshewascertainwasdestinedtoeather。

JerryleftthecaressinghandofSkipperforamomenttogooverandsniffher。Thiswasanactofduty。Hewasidentifyingheronceagain。Nomatterwhathappened，nomatterwhatmonthsoryearsmightelapse，hewouldknowheragainandforeverknowheragain。

HereturnedtothefreehandofSkipperthatresumeditscaressing。

Theotherhandheldthecigarwhichhewassmoking。

Thewetsultryheatgrewmoreoppressive。Theairwasnauseouswiththedankmuckyodourthatcookedoutofthemangroveswamp。

Rowelledbythesqueakymusictorecollectionofold—worldportsandplaces，Borckmanlayonhisfaceonthehotplanking，beatatattoowithhisnakedtoes，andgutturallymutteredanunendingmonologueofcurses。ButVanHorn，withJerrypantingunderhishand，placidlyandphilosophicallycontinuedtosmoke，lightingafreshcigarwhenthefirstgaveout。

Herousedabruptlyatthefaintwashofpaddleswhichhewasthefirstonboardtohear。Infact，itwasJerry’slowgrowlandneck—

ripplingofhairthathadkeyedVanHorntohear。Pullingthestickofdynamiteoutfromthetwistofhisloinclothandglancingatthecigartobecertainitwasalight，herosetohisfeetwithleisurelyswiftnessandwithleisurelyswiftnessgainedtherail。

"Whatnamebelongyou？"washischallengetothedark。

"MefellaIshikola，"cametheanswerinthequaveringfalsettoofage。

VanHorn，beforespeakingagain，loosenedhisautomaticpistolhalfoutofitsholster，andslippedtheholsteraroundfromhishiptillitrestedonhisgroinconvenientlyclosetohishand。

"Howmanyfellaboystopalongyou？"hedemanded。

"Onefellaten—boyaltogetherhestop，"cametheagedvoice。

"Comealongsidethen。"Withoutturninghishead，hisrighthandunconsciouslydroppingclosetothebuttoftheautomatic，VanHorncommanded："YoufellaTambi。Fetch’mlantern。Nofetch’mthisplace。Fetch’maftalongmizzenriggingandlooksharpeyebelongyou。"

Tambiobeyed，exposingthelanterntwentyfeetawayfromwherehiscaptainstood。ThisgaveVanHorntheadvantageovertheapproachingcanoe—men，forthelantern，suspendedthroughthebarbedwireacrosstherailandwelldown，wouldclearlyilluminatetheoccupantsofthecanoewhilehewasleftinsemi—darknessandshadow。

"Washee—washee！"heurgedperemptorily，whilethoseintheinvisiblecanoestillhesitated。

Camethesoundofpaddles，and，next，emergingintothelantern’sareaoflight，thehigh，blackbowofawarcanoe，curvedlikeagondola，inlaidwithsilvery—glisteningmother—of—pearl；thelongleanlengthofthecanoewhichwaswithoutoutrigger；theshiningeyesandtheblack—shiningbodiesofthestarkblackswhokneltinthebottomandpaddled；Ishikola，theoldchief，squattingamidshipsandnotpaddling，anunlighted，empty—bowled，short—stemmedclaypipeupside—downbetweenhistoothlessgums；and，inthestern，ascoxswain，thedandy，allnakednessofblackness，allwhitenessofdecoration，saveforthepig’stailinoneearandthescarlethibiscusthatstillflamedovertheotherear。

Lessthantenblackshadbeenknowntorushablackbirderofficeredbynomorethantwowhitemen，andVanHorn’shandclosedonthebuttofhisautomatic，althoughhedidnotpullitclearoftheholster，andalthough，withhislefthand，hedirectedthecigartohismouthandpuffeditlivelyalight。

"Hello，Ishikola，youbloomingoldblighter，"wasVanHorn’sgreetingtotheoldchief，asthedandy，withapryofhissteering—

paddleagainstthesideofthecanoeandpartunderitsbottom，broughtthedug—outbroadside—ontotheArangisothatthesidesofbothcraftstouched。

Ishikolasmiledupwardinthelanternlight。Hesmiledwithhisrighteye，whichwasallhehad，thelefthavingbeendestroyedbyanarrowinayouthfuljungle—skirmish。

"Myword！"hegreetedback。"Longtimeyounostopeyebelongme。"

VanHornjokedhiminunderstandabletermsaboutthelatestwiveshehadaddedtohisharemandwhatpricehehadpaidfortheminpigs。

"Myword，"heconcluded，"yourichfellatoomuchtogether。"

"Melike’mcomeonboardgammonalongyou，"Ishikolameeklysuggested。

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