第17章
OnthisDr。Philipbeggedthemaidstogonearheraslittleaspossible。"Youarenotawareofit，"saidhe，"butyourlooks，andyourmannerofspeaking，rouseherattention，andsheisquickerthanIthoughtshewas，andobservesverysubtly。"
Thiswasdone；andthenshecomplainedthatnobodycamenearher。
Sheinsistedoncomingdown-stairs；itwassodull。
Dr。Philipconsented，ifshewouldbecontenttoreceivenovisitsforaweek。
Sheassentedtothat；andnowpassedsomehourseverydayinthedrawing-room。Inhermorningwrappers，sofreshandcrisp，shelookedlovely，andincreasedinhealthandstrengtheveryday。
Dr。Philipusedtolookather，andhisveryfleshwouldcreepatthethoughtthat，erelong，hemusthurlthisfaircreatureintothedustofaffliction；must，withaword，taketherubyfromherlips，therosefromhercheeks，thesparklefromhergloriouseyes——
eyesthatbeamedonhimwithsweetaffection，andamouththatneveropened，buttoshowsomesimplicityofmind，orsomeprettyburstofthesensitiveheart。
Heputoff，andputoff，andatlastcowardicebegantowhisper，"Whytellherthewholetruthatall?Whynottakeherthroughstagesofdoubt，alarm，and，afterall，leaveagrainofhopetillherchildgetssorootedinherheartthat"——Butconscienceandgoodsenseinterruptedthistemporarythought，andmadehimseetowhatahorriblelifeofsuspenseheshouldcondemnahumancreature，andliveaperpetuallie，andbealwaysattheedgeofsomepitfallorother。
Oneday，whilehesatlookingather，withallthesethoughts，andmanymore，coursingthroughhismind，shelookedupathim，andsurprisedhim。"Ah!"saidshegravely。
"Whatisthematter，mydear?"
"Oh，nothing，"saidshecunningly。
"Uncle，dear，"saidshepresently，"whendowegotoHerneBay?"
Now，Dr。Philiphadgiventhatup。HehadgottheservantsatKentVillaonhisside，andhefeltsaferherethaninanystrangeplace:sohesaid，"Idon"tknow:thatalldepends。Thereisplentyoftime。"
"No，uncle，"saidRosagravely。"Iwishtoleavethishouse。I
canhardlybreatheinit。"
"What!yournativeair?"
"Mysteryisnotmynativeair；andthishouseisfullofmystery。
Voiceswhisperatmydoor，andthepeopledon"tcomein。Themaidscaststrangelooksatme，andhurryaway。IscoldedthatpertgirlJane，andsheansweredmeasmeekasMoses。Icatchyoulookingatme，withlove，andsomethingelse。Whatisthatsomething——?ItisPity:thatiswhatitis。Doyouthink，becauseIamcalledasimpleton，thatIhavenoeyes，norears，norsense?Whatisthissecretwhichyouareallhidingfromoneperson，andthatisme?
Ah!Christopherhasnotwrittenthesefiveweeks。Tellmethetruth，forIwillknowit，"andshestartedupinwildexcitement。
ThenDr。Philipsawthehourwascome。
Hesaid，"Mypoorgirl，youhavereadusright。IamanxiousaboutChristopher，andalltheservantsknowit。"
"Anxious，andnottellME；hiswife；thewomanwhoselifeisboundupinhis。"
"Wasitforustoretardyourconvalescence，andsetyoufretting，andperhapsdestroyyourchild?Rosa，mydarling，thinkwhatatreasureHeavenhassentyou，toloveandcarefor。"
"Yes，"saidshe，trembling，"Heavenhasbeengoodtome；IhopeHeavenwillalwaysbeasgoodtome。Idon"tdeserveit；butthenItellGodso。Iamverygrateful，andverypenitent。Ineverforgetthat，ifIhadbeenagoodwife，myhusband——fiveweeksisalongtime。Whydoyoutrembleso?Whyareyousopale——astrongmanlikeyou?CALAMITY!CALAMITY!"
Dr。Philiphunghishead。
Shelookedathim，startedwildlyup，thensankbackintoherchair。Sothestrickendeerleaps，thenfalls。Yetevennowsheputonadeceitfulcalm，andsaid，"Tellmethetruth。Ihavearighttoknow。"
Hestammeredout，"Thereisareportofanaccidentatsea。"
Shekeptsilence。
"Ofapassengerdrowned——outofthatship。This，coupledwithhissilence，fillsourheartswithfear。"
"Itisworse——youarebreakingittome——youhavegonetoofartostop。Oneword:ishealive?Oh，sayheisalive!"
Philiprangthebellhard，andsaidinatroubledvoice，"Rosa，thinkofyourchild。"
"Notwhenmyhusband——Ishealiveordead?"
"Itishardtosay，withsuchaterriblereportabout，andnoletters，"falteredtheoldman，hiscouragefailinghim。
"Whatareyouafraidof?DoyouthinkIcan"tdie，andgotohim?
Alive，ordead?"andshestoodbeforehim，ragingandquiveringineverylimb。
Thenursecamein。
"Fetchherchild，"hecried；"Godhavemercyonher。"
"Ah，thenheisdead，"saidshe，withstonycalmness。"Idrovehimtosea，andheisdead。"
Thenurserushedin，andheldthechildtoher。
Shewouldnotlookatit。
"Dead!"
"Yes，ourpoorChristieisgone——buthischildishere——theimageofhim。Donotforgetthemother。Havepityonhischildandyours。"
"Takeitoutofmysight!"shescreamed。"Awaywithit，orIshallmurderit，asIhavemurdereditsfather。MydearChristie，beforeallthatlive!Ihavekilledhim。Ishalldieforhim。Ishallgotohim。"Sheravedandtoreherhair。Servantsrushedin。
Rosawascarriedtoherbed，screamingandraving，andherblackhairalldownonbothsides，apiteoussight。
Swoonfollowedswoon，andthatverynightbrainfeversetinwithallitssadaccompaniments；apoorbereavedcreature，tossingandmoaning；pale，anxious，butresolutefacesofthenurseandthekitchen-maidwatching:ononetableapailofice，andonanotherthelong，thickravenhairofourpoorSimpleton，lyingoncleansilverpaper。Dr。Philiphadcutitalloffwithhisownhand，andhewasnowfoldingitup，andcryingoverit；forhethoughttohimself，"Perhapsinafewdaysmoreonlythiswillbeleftofheronearth。"
CHAPTERXV。
Stainesfellhead-foremostintotheseawithaheavyplunge。Beinganexcellentswimmer，hestruckoutthemomenthetouchedthewater，andthatarrestedhisdive，andbroughthimupwithaslant，shockedandpanting，drenchedandconfused。Thenextmomenthesaw，asthroughafog——hiseyesbeingfullofwater——somethingfallfromtheship。Hebreastedthebigwaves，andswamtowardsit:itroseonthetopofawave，andhesawitwasalife-buoy。
Encumberedwithwetclothes，heseemedimpotentinthebigwaves；
theythrewhimupsohigh，anddownsolow。
Almostexhausted，hegottothelife-buoy，andclutcheditwithafiercegraspandawildcryofdelight。Hegotitoverhishead，and，placinghisarmsroundthebuoyantcircle，stoodwithhisbreastandheadoutofwater，gasping。
Henowdrewalongbreath，andgothiswethairoutofhiseyes，alreadysmartingwithsaltwater，and，raisinghimselfonthebuoy，lookedoutforhelp。
Hesaw，tohisgreatconcern，theshipalreadyatadistance。Sheseemedtohaveflown，andshewasstilldriftingfastawayfromhim。
Hesawnosignsofhelp。Hisheartbegantoturnascoldashisdrenchedbody。Ahorriblefearcrossedhim。
Butpresentlyhesawtheweather-boatfilled，andfallintothewater；andthenawaverolledbetweenhimandtheship，andheonlysawhertopmast。
Thenexttimeheroseonamightywavehesawtheboatstogetherasternofthevessel，butnotcominghisway；andthegloomwasthickening，theshipbecomingindistinct，andallwasdoubtandhorror。
Alifeofagonypassedinafewminutes。
Heroseandfelllikeacorkonthebuoyantwaves——roseandfell，andsawnothingbuttheship"slights，nowterriblydistant。
Butatlast，asheroseandfell，hecaughtafewfitfulglimpsesofasmallerlightrisingandfallinglikehimself。"Aboat!"hecried，andraisinghimselfashighashecould，shouted，cried，imploredforhelp。Hestretchedhishandsacrossthewater。"Thisway!thisway!"
Thelightkeptmoving，butitcamenonearer。Theyhadgreatlyunderratedthedrift。Theotherboathadnolight。
Minutespassedofsuspense，hope，doubt，dismay，terror。Thoseminutesseemedhours。
Intheagonyofsuspensethequakingheartsentbeadsofsweattothebrow，thoughthebodywasimmersed。
Andthegloomdeepened，andthecoldwavesflunghimuptoheavenwiththeirgiantarms，andthendownagaintohell:andstillthatlight，hisonlyhope，wasseveralhundredyardsfromhim。
Onlyforamomentatatimecouldhiseyeballs，strainingwithagony，catchthiswill-o"-the-wisp，theboat"slight。Itgropedtheseaupanddown，butcamenonear。
Whenwhatseemeddaysofagonyhadpassed，suddenlyarocketroseinthehorizon——soitseemedtohim。
Thelostmangaveashriekofjoy；sopronearewetointerpretthingshopefully。
Misery!Thenexttimehesawthatlittlelight，thatsolitarysparkofhope，itwasnotquitesonearasbefore。Amortalsicknessfellonhisheart。Theshiphadrecalledtheboatsbyrocket。
Heshrieked，hecried，hescreamed，heraved。"Oh，Rosa!Rosa!forhersake，men，men，donotleaveme。Iamhere!here!"
Invain。Themiserablemansawtheboat"slittlelightretire，recede，andmeltintotheship"slargerlight，andthatlightglidedaway。
Then，acold，deadlystuporfellonhim。Then，death"sicyclawseizedhisheart，andseemedtorunfromittoeverypartofhim。
Hewasadeadman。Onlyaquestionoftime。Nothingtogainbyfloating。
Butthedespairingmindcouldnotquittheworldinpeace，andevenhereinthecold，cruelsea，thequiveringbodyclungtothisfragmentoflife，andwincedatdeath"stouch，thoughmoremerciful。
Hedespisedthisweakness；heragedatit；hecouldnotovercomeit。
Unabletoliveortodie，condemnedtofloatslowly，hourbyhour，downintodeath"sjaws。
Toalong，death-likestuporsucceededfrenzy。Furyseizedthisgreatandlong-sufferingmind。Itroseagainstthecrueltyandinjusticeofhisfate。Hecursedtheworld，whosestupidityhaddrivenhimtosea，hecursedremorselessnature；andatlastherailedontheGodwhomadehim，andmadethecruelwater，thatwaswaitingforhisbody。"God"sjustice!God"smercy!God"spower!
theyarealllies，"heshouted，"dreams，chimeras，likeHimtheall-powerfulandgood，menbabbleofbythefire。IftherewasaGodmorepowerfulthanthesea，andonlyhalfasgoodasmenare，hewouldpitymypoorRosaandme，andsendahurricanetodrivethosecaitiffsbacktothewretchtheyhaveabandoned。Naturealoneismighty。Oh，ifIcouldhaveheronmyside，andonlyGodagainstme!ButsheisasdeaftoprayerasHeis:asmechanicalandremorseless。Iamabubblemeltingintothesea。SoulIhavenone；mybodywillsoonbenothing，nothing。Soendsanhonest，lovinglife。Ialwaystriedtolovemyfellow-creatures。Cursethem!cursethem!Cursetheearth!Cursethesea!Curseallnature:thereisnootherGodformetocurse。"
Themooncameout。
Heraisedhisheadandstaringeyeballs，andcursedher。
Thewindbegantowhistle，andflungsprayinhisface。
Heraisedhisfallenheadandstaringeyeballs，andcursedthewind。
Whilehewasthusraving，hebecamesensibleofablackobjecttowindward。
Itlookedlikearail，andamanleaningonit。
Hestared，heclearedthewethairfromhiseyes，andstaredagain。
Thething，beinglargerthanhimselfandpartlyoutofwater，wasdriftingtoleewardfasterthanhimself。
Hestaredandtrembled，andatlastitcamenearlyabreast，black，black。
Hegavealoudcry，andtriedtoswimtowardsit；butencumberedwithhislife-buoy，hemadelittleprogress。Thethingdriftedabreastofhim，buttenyardsdistant。
Astheyeachrosehighuponthewaves，hesawitplainly。
Itwastheveryraftthathadbeentheinnocentcauseofhissadfate。
Heshoutedwithhope，heswam，hestruggled；hegotnearit，butnottoit；itdriftedpast，andhelosthischanceofinterceptingit。Hestruggledafterit。Thelife-buoywouldnotlethimcatchit。
Thenhegaveacryofagony，rage，despair，andflungoffthelife-
buoy，andriskedallonthisonechance。
Hegainsalittleontheraft。
Heloses。
Hegains:hecries，"Rosa!Rosa!"andstruggleswithallhissoul，aswellashisbody:hegains。
Butwhenalmostwithinreach，awavehalfdrownshim，andheloses。
Hecries，"Rosa!Rosa!"andswimshighandstrong。"Rosa!Rosa!
Rosa!"
Heisnearit。Hecries，"Rosa!Rosa!"andwithalltheenergyofloveandlifeflingshimselfalmostoutofthewater，andcatchesholdofthenearestthingontheraft。
Itwasthedeadman"sleg。
Itseemedasifitwouldcomeawayinhisgrasp。Hedarednottrytopullhimselfupbythat。Butheheldonbyit，panting，exhausting，faint。
Thisfaintnessterrifiedhim。"Oh，"thoughthe，"ifIfaintnow，allisover。"
Holdingbythatterribleandstrangesupport，hemadeagrasp，andcaughtholdofthewoodworkatthebottomoftherail。Hetriedtodrawhimselfup。Impossible。
Hewasnobetteroffthanwithhislife-buoy。
Butinsituationssodreadful，menthinkfast；heworkedgraduallyroundthebottomoftheraftbyhishands，tillhegottoleeward，stillholdingon。Therehefoundasolidblockofwoodattheedgeoftheraft。Heprisedhimselfcarefullyup；theraftinthatpartthensankalittle:hegothiskneeuponthetimberoftheraft，andwithawildcryseizedthenearestupright，andthrewbotharmsrounditandclungtight。Thenfirsthefoundbreathtospeak。
"THANKGOD!"hecried，kneelingonthetimber，andgraspingtheuprightpost——"OH，THANKGOD!THANKGOD!"
CHAPTERXVI。
"ThankGod!"why，accordingtohistheory，itshouldhavebeen"ThankNature。"ButIobservethat，insuchcases，evenphilosophersareungratefultothemistresstheyworship。
OurphilosophernotonlythankedGod，butbeingonhisknees，prayedforgivenessforhislateravings，prayedhard，withonearmcurledroundtheupright，lestthesea，whicheverandanonrushedoverthebottomoftheraft，shouldswallowhimupinamoment。
Thenherosecarefully，andwedgedhimselfintothecorneroftheraftoppositetothatotherfigure，ominousrelicofthewildvoyagethenew-comerhadenteredupon；heputbotharmsovertherail，andstooderect。
Themoonwasnowup；butsowasthebreeze:fleecycloudsflewwithvastrapidityacrossherbrightface，anditwasbyfitfulthoughvividglancesStainesexaminedtheraftandhiscompanion。
Theraftwaslarge，andwellmadeoftimberstiedandnailedtogether，andastrongrailranrounditrestingonseveraluprights。Therewerealsosomeblocksofaverylightwoodscrewedtothehorizontaltimbers，andthesemadeitfloathigh。
Butwhatarrestedandfascinatedtheman"sgazewashisdeadcompanion，solesurvivor，doubtless，ofahorriblevoyage，sincetheraftwasnotmadeforone，norbyone。
Itwasaskeleton，ornearly，whoseclothestheseabirdshadtorn，andpeckedeverylimbinallthefleshyparts；therestofthebodyhaddriedtodarkleatheronthebones。Theheadwaslittlemorethananeyelessskull；butinthefitfulmoonlight，thosehugehollowcavernsseemedgiganticlamp-likeeyes，andglaredathimfiendishly，appallingly。
Hesickenedatthesight。Hetriednottolookatit；butitwouldbelookedat，andthreatenhiminthemoonlight，withgreatlack-
lustreeyes。
Thewindwhistled，andlashedhisfacewithspraytornoffthebigwaves，andthewaterwasnearlyuptohisknees，andtherafttossedsowildly，itwasallhecoulddotoholdoninhiscorner:
inwhichstruggle，stillthosemonstrouslack-lustreeyes，likelampsofdeath，glaredathiminthemoon；allelsewasdark，exceptthefierycrestsoftheblackmountain-billows，tumblingandragingallaround。
Whatanight!
But，beforemorning，thebreezesank，themoonset，andasombrequietsucceeded，withonlythatgrimfigureinoutlinedimlyvisible。Owingtothemotionstillretainedbythewaves，itseemedtonodandrear，andbeeverpreparingtorushuponhim。
Thesunroseglorious，onalovelyscene；theskywasaverymosaicofcolorssweetandvivid，andthetranquil，ripplingsea，peach-
coloredtothehorizon，withlinesofdiamondswherethemyriadripplesbrokeintosmiles。
Staineswasasleep，exhausted。Soonthelightawokehim，andhelookedup。Whatanincongruouspicturemethiseye:thatheavenofcolorallaboveandaround，andrightbeforehim，likeadevilstuckinmid-heaven，thatgrinningcorpse，whosefateforeshadowedhisown。
Butdaylightisagreatstrengthenerofthenerves；thefigurenolongerappalledhim——amanwhohadlonglearnedtolookwithScience"scalmeyeuponthedead。Whentheseabecamelikeglass，andfrompeach-colordeepenedtorose，hewalkedalongtheraft，andinspectedthedeadman。Hefounditwasamanofcolor，butnotablack。Thebodywasnotkeptinitsplace，ashehadsupposed，merelybybeingjammedintotheanglecausedbytherail；
itwasalsolashedtothecorneruprightbyalong，stoutbelt。
Stainesconcludedthishadkeptthebodythere，anditscompanionshadbeensweptaway。
Thiswasnotlostonhim:heremovedthebeltforhisownuse:hethenfounditwasnotonlyabelt，butareceptacle；itwasnearlyfullofsmall，hardsubstancesthatfeltlikestones。
Whenhehadtakenitoffthebody，hefeltacompunction。"Oughthetorobthedead，andexposeittobesweptintotheseaatthefirstwave，likeadeaddog?"
Hewasabouttoreplacethebelt，whenamiddlecourseoccurredtohim。Hewasamanwhoalwayscarriedcertainusefullittlethingsabouthim，viz。，needles，thread，scissors，andstring。Hetookapieceofstring，andeasilysecuredthispoorlightskeletontotheraft。Thebelthestrappedtotherail，andkeptforhisownneed。
Andnowhungergnawedhim。Nofoodwasnear。Therewasnothingbutthelovelyseaandsky，mosaicwithcolor，andthatgrim，ominousskeleton。
Hungercomesandgoesmanytimesbeforeitbecomesinsupportable。
Allthatdayandnight，andthenextday，hesuffereditspangs；
andthenitbecametorture，butthethirstmaddening。
Towardsnightfellagentlerain。Hespreadahandkerchiefandcaughtit。Hesuckedthehandkerchief。
Thisrevivedhim，andevenallayedinsomedegreethepangsofhunger。
Nextdaywascloudless。Ahotsunglaredonhisunprotectedhead，andbattereddownhisenfeebledframe。
Heresistedaswellashecould。Heoftendippedhishead，andasoftenthepersistentsun，withcruelglare，madeitsmokeagain。
Nextdaythesame:butthestrengthtomeetitwaswaning。HelaydownandthoughtofRosa，andweptbitterly。Hetookthedeadman"sbelt，andlashedhimselftotheupright。Thatact，andhistearsforhisbeloved，werealmosthislastactsofperfectreason:
fornextdaycamethedelusionsandthedreamsthatsucceedwhenhungerceasestotorture，andthevitalpowersbegintoebb。Helayandsawpleasantmeadowswithmeanderingstreams，andclustersofrichfruitthatcourtedthehandandmeltedinthemouth。
Everandanontheyvanished，andhesawgrimdeathlookingdownonhimwiththosebigcavernouseyes。
Byandby，whetherhisbody"seyesawthegrimskeleton，orhismind"seyethejuicyfruits，greenmeadows，andpearlybrooks，allwasshadowy。
So，inaplacidcalm，beneathabluesky，theraftdrifteddead，withitsdeadfreight，upontheglassypurple，andhedrifted，too，towardstheworldunknown。
Therecameacrossthewaterstothatdismalraftathingnonetoocommon，byseaorland——agoodman。
Hewastall，stalwart，bronzed，andhadhairlikesnow，beforehistime，forhehadknowntrouble。Hecommandedamerchantsteamer，boundforCalcutta，ontheoldroute。
Themanatthemast-headdescriedafloatingwreck，andhailedthedeckaccordingly。Thecaptainalteredhiscoursewithoutonemoment"shesitation，andbroughtupalongside，loweredaboat，andbroughtthedead，andthebreathingman，onboard。
AyoungmiddyliftedStainesinhisarmsfromthewrecktotheboat；hewhosepersonIdescribedinchapteroneweighednownomorethanthat。
Menarenotalwaysrougherthanwomen。Theirstrengthandnerveenablethemnowandthentobegentlerthanbuttery-fingeredangels，whodropfrailthingsthroughsensitiveagitation，andbreakthem。TheseroughmensawStaineswashoveringbetweenlifeanddeath，andtheyhandledhimlikeathingtheebbinglifemightbeshakenoutofinamoment。Itwasprettytoseehowgingerlythesailorscarriedthesinkingmanuptheladder，andonefetchedswabs，andtheotherslaidhimdownsoftlyonthemattheircaptain"sfeet。
"Welldone，men，"saidhe。"Poorfellow!PrayHeaven，wemaynothavecometoolate。Nowstandaloofabit。Sendthesurgeonaft。"
Thesurgeoncame，andlooked，andfelttheheart。Heshookhishead，andcalledforbrandy。HehadStaines"sheadraised，andgothalfaspoonfulofdilutedbrandydownhisthroat。Buttherewasanominousgurgling。
Afterseveralsuchattemptsatintervals，hesaidplainlytheman"slifecouldnotbesavedbyordinarymeans。
"Thentryextraordinary，"saidthecaptain。"Myordersarethatheistobesaved。Thereislifeinhim。Youhaveonlygottokeepitthere。HeMUSTbesaved；heSHALLbesaved。"
"IshouldliketotryDr。Staines"sremedy，"saidthesurgeon。
"Tryit，thenwhatisit?"
"Abathofbeef-tea。Dr。Stainessaysheappliedittoastarvedchild——intheLancet。"
"Takeahundred-weightofbeef，andboilitinthecoppers。"
Thusencouraged，thesurgeonwenttothecook，andverysoonbeefwassteamingonascaleandatarateunparalleled。
Meantime，CaptainDoddhadthepatienttakentohisowncabin，andheandhisservantadministeredweakbrandyandwaterwithgreatcautionandskill。
Therewasnoperceptibleresult。Butatalleventstherewaslifeandvitalinstinctleft，orhecouldnothaveswallowed。
Thustheyhoveredabouthimforsomehours，andthenthebathwasready。
Thecaptaintookchargeofthepatient"sclothes:thesurgeonandasailorbathedhiminlukewarmbeef-tea，andthencoveredhimverywarmwithblanketsnexttheskin。Guesshownearathingitseemedtothem，whenItellyoutheydarednotrubhim。
Justbeforesunsethispulsebecameperceptible。Thesurgeonadministeredhalfaspoonfulofegg-flip。Thepatientswallowedit。
Byandbyhesighed。
"Hemustnotbeleft，dayornight，"saidthecaptain。"Idon"tknowwhoorwhatheis，butheisaman；andIcouldnotbearhimtodienow。"
ThatnightCaptainDoddoverhauledthepatient"sclothes，andlookedformarksonhislinen。Therewerenone。
"Poordevil"saidCaptainDodd。"Heisabachelor。"
CaptainDoddfoundhispocket-book，withbank-notes，twohundredpounds。Hetookthenumbers，madeamemorandumofthem，andlockedthenotesup。