第1章
Hewasaverysickwhiteman。Herodepick-a-backonawoolly-
headed，black-skinnedsavage，thelobesofwhoseearshadbeenpiercedandstretcheduntilonehadtornout，whiletheothercarriedacircularblockofcarvedwoodthreeinchesindiameter。
Thetornearhadbeenpiercedagain，butthistimenotsoambitiously，fortheholeaccommodatednomorethanashortclaypipe。Theman-horsewasgreasyanddirty，andnakedsaveforanexceedinglynarrowanddirtyloin-cloth；butthewhitemanclungtohimcloselyanddesperately。Attimes，fromweakness，hisheaddroopedandrestedonthewoollypate。Atothertimesheliftedhisheadandstaredwithswimmingeyesatthecocoanutpalmsthatreeledandswungintheshimmeringheat。Hewascladinathinundershirtandastripofcottoncloth，thatwrappedabouthiswaistanddescendedtohisknees。OnhisheadwasabatteredStetson，knowntothetradeasaBaden-Powell。Abouthismiddlewasstrappedabelt，whichcarriedalarge-calibredautomaticpistolandseveralspareclips，loadedandreadyforquickwork。
Therearwasbroughtupbyablackboyoffourteenorfifteen，whocarriedmedicinebottles，apailofhotwater，andvariousotherhospitalappurtenances。Theypassedoutofthecompoundthroughasmallwickergate，andwentonundertheblazingsun，windingaboutamongnew-plantedcocoanutsthatthrewnoshade。Therewasnotabreathofwind，andthesuperheated，stagnantairwasheavywithpestilence。Fromthedirectiontheyweregoingaroseawildclamour，asoflostsoulswailingandofmenintorment。Along，lowshedshowedahead，grass-walledandgrass-thatched，anditwasfromherethatthenoiseproceeded。Therewereshrieksandscreams，someunmistakablyofgrief，othersunmistakablyofunendurablepain。Asthewhitemandrewcloserhecouldhearalowandcontinuousmoaningandgroaning。Heshudderedatthethoughtofentering，andforamomentwasquitecertainthathewasgoingtofaint。ForthatmostdreadedofSolomonIslandscourges，dysentery，hadstruckBerandeplantation，andhewasallalonetocopewithit。Also，hewasafflictedhimself。
Bystoopingclose，stillonman-back，hemanagedtopassthroughthelowdoorway。Hetookasmallbottlefromhisfollower，andsniffedstrongammoniatoclearhissensesfortheordeal。Thenheshouted，"Shutup!"andtheclamourstilled。Araisedplatformofforestslabs，sixfeetwide，withaslightpitch，extendedthefulllengthoftheshed。Alongsideofitwasayard-widerun-way。
Stretchedontheplatform，sidebysideandcrowdedclose，layascoreofblacks。Thattheywerelowintheorderofhumanlifewasapparentataglance。Theywereman-eaters。Theirfaceswereasymmetrical，bestial；theirbodieswereuglyandape-like。Theyworenose-ringsofclam-shellandturtle-shell，andfromtheendsoftheirnoseswhichwerealsopierced，projectedhornsofbeadsstrungonstiffwire。Theirearswerepiercedanddistendedtoaccommodatewoodenplugsandsticks，pipes，andallmannerofbarbaricornaments。Theirfacesandbodiesweretattooedorscarredinhideousdesigns。Intheirsicknesstheyworenoclothing，notevenloin-cloths，thoughtheyretainedtheirshellarmlets，theirbeadnecklaces，andtheirleatherbelts，betweenwhichandtheskinwerethrustnakedknives。Thebodiesofmanywerecoveredwithhorriblesores。Swarmsoffliesroseandsettled，orflewbackandforthinclouds。
Thewhitemanwentdowntheline，dosingeachmanwithmedicine。
Tosomehegavechlorodyne。Hewasforcedtoconcentratewithallhiswillinordertorememberwhichofthemcouldstandipecacuanha，andwhichofthemwereconstitutionallyunabletoretainthatpowerfuldrug。Onewholaydeadheorderedtobecarriedout。Hespokeinthesharp，peremptorymannerofamanwhowouldtakenononsense，andthewellmenwhoobeyedhisordersscowledmalignantly。Onemuttereddeepinhischestashetookthecorpsebythefeet。Thewhitemanexplodedinspeechandaction。
Itcosthimapainfuleffort，buthisarmshotout，landingaback-
handblowontheblack"smouth。
"Whatnameyou，Angara？"heshouted。"Whatfortalk"longyou，eh？
Iknocksevenbellsoutofyou，toomuch，quick!"
Withtheautomaticswiftnessofawildanimaltheblackgatheredhimselftospring。Theangerofawildanimalwasinhiseyes；buthesawthewhiteman"shanddroppingtothepistolinhisbelt。
Thespringwasnevermade。Thetensedbodyrelaxed，andtheblack，stoopingoverthecorpse，helpedcarryitout。Thistimetherewasnomuttering。
"Swine!"thewhitemangrittedoutthroughhisteethatthewholebreedofSolomonIslanders。
Hewasverysick，thiswhiteman，assickastheblackmenwholayhelplessabouthim，andwhomheattended。Heneverknew，eachtimeheenteredthefesteringshambles，whetherornothewouldbeabletocompletetheround。Buthedidknowinlargedegreeofcertaintythat，ifheeverfaintedthereinthemidstoftheblacks，thosewhowereablewouldbeathisthroatlikeraveningwolves。
Partwaydownthelineamanwasdying。Hegaveordersforhisremovalassoonashehadbreathedhislast。Ablackstuckhisheadinsidethesheddoor，saying，-
"Fourfellasicktoomuch。"
Freshcases，stillabletowalk，theyclusteredaboutthespokesman。Thewhitemansingledouttheweakest，andputhimintheplacejustvacatedbythecorpse。Also，heindicatedthenextweakest，tellinghimtowaitforaplaceuntilthenextmandied。
Then，orderingoneofthewellmentotakeasquadfromthefield-
forceandbuildalean-toadditiontothehospital，hecontinuedalongtherun-way，administeringmedicineandcrackingjokesinbeche-de-merEnglishtocheerthesufferers。Nowandagain，fromthefarend，aweirdwailwasraised。Whenhearrivedtherehefoundthenoisewasemittedbyaboywhowasnotsick。Thewhiteman"swrathwasimmediate。
"Whatnameyousingoutallatime？"hedemanded。
"Himfellamybrotherbelongme，"wastheanswer。"Himfelladietoomuch。"
"Yousingout，himfellabrotherbelongyoudietoomuch，"thewhitemanwentoninthreateningtones。"Icrosstoomuchalongyou。Whatnameyousingout，eh？Youfat-headmakeumbrotherbelongyoudiedoseuptoomuch。Youfellafinishsingout，savvee？YoufellanofinishsingoutImakefinishdamnquick。"
Hethreatenedthewailerwithhisfist，andtheblackcowereddown，glaringathimwithsulleneyes。
"Singoutnogoodlittlebit，"thewhitemanwenton，moregently。
"Younosingout。Youchaseumfellafly。Toomuchstrongfellafly。Youcatchwater，washeebrotherbelongyou；washeeplentytoomuch，bimebyebrotherbelongyouallright。Jump!"heshoutedfiercelyattheend，hiswillpenetratingthelowintelligenceoftheblackwithdynamicforcethatmadehimjumptothetaskofbrushingtheloathsomeswarmsoffliesaway。
Againherodeoutintothereekingheat。Heclutchedtheblack"snecktightly，anddrewalongbreath；butthedeadairseemedtoshrivelhislungs，andhedroppedhisheadanddozedtillthehousewasreached。Everyeffortofwillwastorture，yethewascalleduponcontinuallytomakeeffortsofwill。Hegavetheblackhehadriddenanipoftrade-gin。Viaburi，thehouse-boy，broughthimcorrosivesublimateandwater，andhetookathoroughantisepticwash。Hedosedhimselfwithchlorodyne，tookhisownpulse，smokedathermometer，andlaybackonthecouchwithasuppressedgroan。
Itwasmid-afternoon，andhehadcompletedhisthirdroundthatday。Hecalledthehouse-boy。
"TakeumbigfellalookalongJessie，"hecommanded。
Theboycarriedthelongtelescopeoutontheveranda，andsearchedthesea。
"Onefellaschoonerlongwaylittlebit，"heannounced。"OnefellaJessie。"
Thewhitemangavealittlegaspofdelight。
"YoumakeumJessie，fivestickstobaccoalongyou，"hesaid。
Therewassilenceforatime，duringwhichhewaitedwitheagerimpatience。
"MaybeJessie，maybeotherfellaschooner，"camethefalteringadmission。
Themanwormedtotheedgeofthecouch，andslippedofftotheflooronhisknees。Bymeansofachairhedrewhimselftohisfeet。Stillclingingtothechair，supportingmostofhisweightonit，heshovedittothedoorandoutupontheveranda。Thesweatfromtheexertionstreameddownhisfaceandshowedthroughtheundershirtacrosshisshoulders。Hemanagedtogetintothechair，wherehepantedinastateofcollapse。Inafewminutesherousedhimself。Theboyheldtheendofthetelescopeagainstoneoftheverandascantlings，whilethemangazedthroughitatthesea。Atlasthepickedupthewhitesailsoftheschoonerandstudiedthem。
"NoJessie，"hesaidveryquietly。"That"stheMalakula。"
Hechangedhisseatforasteamerreclining-chair。Threehundredfeetawaytheseabrokeinasmallsurfuponthebeach。TothelefthecouldseethewhitelineofbreakersthatmarkedthebaroftheBalesunaRiver，and，beyond，theruggedoutlineofSavoIsland。
Directlybeforehim，acrossthetwelve-milechannel，layFloridaIsland；and，farthertotheright，diminthedistance，hecouldmakeoutportionsofMalaita——thesavageisland，theabodeofmurder，androbbery，andman-eating——theplacefromwhichhisowntwohundredplantationhandshadbeenrecruited。Betweenhimandthebeachwasthecane-grassfenceofthecompound。Thegatewasajar，andhesentthehouse-boytocloseit。Withinthefencegrewanumberofloftycocoanutpalms。Oneithersidethepaththatledtothegatestoodtwotallflagstaffs。Theywererearedonartificialmoundsofearththatweretenfeethigh。Thebaseofeachstaffwassurroundedbyshortposts，paintedwhiteandconnectedbyheavychains。Thestaffsthemselveswerelikeships"
masts，withtopmastssplicedonintruenauticalfashion，withshrouds，ratlines，gaffs，andflag-halyards。Fromthegaffofone，twogayflagshunglimply，oneacheckerboardofblueandwhitesquares，theotherawhitepennantcentredwithareddisc。Itwastheinternationalcodesignalofdistress。
Onthefarcornerofthecompoundfenceahawkbrooded。Themanwatchedit，andknewthatitwassick。Hewonderedidlyifitfeltasbadashefelt，andwasfeeblyamusedatthethoughtofkinshipthatsomehowpenetratedhisfancy。Herousedhimselftoorderthegreatbelltoberungasasignalfortheplantationhandstoceaseworkandgototheirbarracks。Thenhemountedhisman-horseandmadethelastroundoftheday。
Inthehospitalweretwonewcases。Tothesehegavecastor-oil。
Hecongratulatedhimself。Ithadbeenaneasyday。Onlythreehaddied。Heinspectedthecopra-dryingthathadbeengoingon，andwentthroughthebarrackstoseeiftherewereanysicklyinghiddenanddefyinghisruleofsegregation。Returnedtothehouse，hereceivedthereportsoftheboss-boysandgaveinstructionsfornextday"swork。Theboat"screwbossalsohehadin，togiveassurance，aswasthecustomnightly，thatthewhale-boatswerehauledupandpadlocked。Thiswasamostnecessaryprecaution，fortheblackswereinafunk，andawhale-boatleftlyingonthebeachintheeveningmeantalossoftwentyblacksbymorning。Sincetheblackswereworththirtydollarsapiece，orless，accordingtohowmuchoftheirtimehadbeenworkedout，Berandeplantationcouldillaffordtheloss。Besides，whale-boatswerenotcheapintheSolomons；and，also，thedeathsweredailyreducingtheworkingcapital。Sevenblackshadfledintothebushtheweekbefore，andfourhaddraggedthemselvesback，helplessfromfever，withthereportthattwomorehadbeenkilledandkai-kai"d{1}bythehospitablebushmen。Theseventhmanwasstillatlarge，andwassaidtobeworkingalongthecoastonthelookouttostealacanoeandgetawaytohisownisland。
Viaburibroughttwolightedlanternstothewhitemanforinspection。Heglancedatthemandsawthattheywereburningbrightlywithclear，broadflames，andnoddedhishead。Onewashoisteduptothegaffoftheflagstaff，andtheotherwasplacedonthewideveranda。TheyweretheleadinglightstotheBerandeanchorage，andeverynightintheyeartheyweresoinspectedandhungout。
Herolledbackonhiscouchwithasighofrelief。Theday"sworkwasdone。Ariflelayonthecouchbesidehim。Hisrevolverwaswithinreachofhishand。Anhourpassed，duringwhichhedidnotmove。Helayinastateofhalf-slumber，half-coma。Hebecamesuddenlyalert。Acreakonthebackverandawasthecause。TheroomwasL-shaped；thecornerinwhichstoodhiscouchwasdim，butthehanginglampinthemainpartoftheroom，overthebilliardtableandjustaroundthecorner，sothatitdidnotshineonhim，wasburningbrightly。Likewisetheverandaswerewelllighted。Hewaitedwithoutmovement。Thecreakswererepeated，andheknewseveralmenlurkedoutside。
"Whatname？"hecriedsharply。
Thehouse，raisedadozenfeetabovetheground，shookonitspilefoundationstotherushofretreatingfootsteps。
"They"regettingbold，"hemuttered。"Somethingwillhavetobedone。"
ThefullmoonroseoverMalaitaandshonedownonBerande。Nothingstirredinthewindlessair。Fromthehospitalstillproceededthemoaningofthesick。Inthegrass-thatchedbarracksnearlytwohundredwoolly-headedman-eaterssleptoffthewearinessoftheday"stoil，thoughseveralliftedtheirheadstolistentothecursesofonewhocursedthewhitemanwhoneverslept。Onthefourverandasofthehousethelanternsburned。Inside，betweenrifleandrevolver，themanhimselfmoanedandtossedinintervalsoftroubledsleep。
CHAPTERII——SOMETHINGISDONE
InthemorningDavidSheldondecidedthathewasworse。Thathewasappreciablyweakertherewasnodoubt，andtherewereothersymptomsthatwereunfavourable。Hebeganhisroundslookingfortrouble。Hewantedtrouble。Infullhealth，thestrainedsituationwouldhavebeenseriousenough；butasitwas，himselfgrowinghelpless，somethinghadtobedone。Theblacksweregettingmoresullenanddefiant，andtheappearanceofthementhepreviousnightonhisveranda——oneofthegravestofoffencesonBerande——wasominous。Soonerorlatertheywouldgethim，ifhedidnotgetthemfirst，ifhedidnotonceagainsearontheirdarksoulstheflamingmasteryofthewhiteman。
Hereturnedtothehousedisappointed。Noopportunityhadpresenteditselfofmakinganexampleofinsolenceorinsubordination——suchashadoccurredoneveryotherdaysincethesicknesssmoteBerande。Thefactthatnonehadoffendedwasinitselfsuspicious。Theyweregrowingcrafty。Heregrettedthathehadnotwaitedthenightbeforeuntiltheprowlershadentered。
Thenhemighthaveshotoneortwoandgiventherestanewlesson，writinred，forthemtocon。Itwasonemanagainsttwohundred，andhewashorriblyafraidofhissicknessoverpoweringhimandleavinghimattheirmercy。Hesawvisionsoftheblackstakingchargeoftheplantation，lootingthestore，burningthebuildings，andescapingtoMalaita。Also，onegruesomevisionhecaughtofhisownhead，sun-driedandsmoke-cured，ornamentingthecanoehouseofacannibalvillage。EithertheJessiewouldhavetoarrive，orhewouldhavetodosomething。
Thebellhadhardlyrung，sendingthelabourersintothefields，whenSheldonhadavisitor。Hehadhadthecouchtakenoutontheveranda，andhewaslyingonitwhenthecanoespaddledinandhauledoutonthebeach。Fortymen，armedwithspears，bowsandarrows，andwar-clubs，gatheredoutsidethegateofthecompound，butonlyoneentered。TheyknewthelawofBerande，aseverynativeknewthelawofeverywhiteman"scompoundinallthethousandmilesofthefar-flungSolomons。Theonemanwhocameupthepath，SheldonrecognizedasSeelee，thechiefofBalesunavillage。Thesavagedidnotmountthesteps，butstoodbeneathandtalkedtothewhitelordabove。
Seeleewasmoreintelligentthantheaverageofhiskind，buthisintelligenceonlyemphasizedthelownessofthatkind。Hiseyes，closetogetherandsmall，advertisedcrueltyandcraftiness。A
gee-stringandacartridge-beltwerealltheclotheshewore。Thecarvedpearl-shellornamentthathungfromnosetochinandimpededspeechwaspurelyornamental，asweretheholesinhisearsmereutilitiesforcarryingpipeandtobacco。Hisbroken-fangedteethwerestainedblackbybetel-nut，thejuiceofwhichhespatupontheground。
Ashetalkedorlistened，hemadegrimaceslikeamonkey。Hesaidyesbydroppinghiseyelidsandthrustinghischinforward。Hespokewithchildisharrogancestrangelyatvariancewiththesubservientpositionheoccupiedbeneaththeveranda。He，withhismanyfollowers，waslordandmasterofBalesunavillage。Butthewhiteman，withoutfollowers，waslordandmasterofBerande——ay，andonoccasion，single-handed，hadmadehimselflordandmasterofBalesunavillageaswell。Seeleedidnotliketorememberthatepisode。Ithadoccurredinthecourseoflearningthenatureofwhitemenandoflearningtoabominatethem。HehadoncebeenguiltyofshelteringthreerunawaysfromBerande。TheyhadgivenhimalltheypossessedinreturnfortheshelterandforpromisedaidingettingawaytoMalaita。Thishadgivenhimaglimpseofaprofitablefuture，inwhichhisvillagewouldserveastheonedepotontheundergroundrailwaybetweenBerandeandMalaita。
Unfortunately，hewasignorantofthewaysofwhitemen。Thisparticularwhitemaneducatedhimbyarrivingathisgrasshouseinthegrayofdawn。Inthefirstmomenthehadfeltamused。Hewassoperfectlysafeinthemidstofhisvillage。Butthenextmoment，andbeforehecouldcryout，apairofhandcuffsonthewhiteman"sknuckleshadlandedonhismouth，knockingthecryofalarmbackdownhisthroat。Also，thewhiteman"sotherfisthadcaughthimundertheearandlefthimwithoutfurtherinterestinwhatwashappening。Whenhecameto，hefoundhimselfinthewhiteman"swhale-boatonthewaytoBerande。AtBerandehehadbeentreatedasoneofnoconsequence，withhandcuffsonhandsandfeet，tosaynothingofchains。Whenhistribehadreturnedthethreerunaways，hewasgivenhisfreedom。Andfinally，theterriblewhitemanhadfinedhimandBalesunavillagetenthousandcocoanuts。AfterthathehadshelterednomorerunawayMalaitamen。Instead，hehadgoneintothebusinessofcatchingthem。Itwassafer。Besides，hewaspaidonecaseoftobaccoperhead。Butifheevergotachanceatthatwhiteman，ifheevercaughthimsickorstoodathisbackwhenhestumbledandfellonabush-
trail——well，therewouldbeaheadthatwouldfetchapriceinMalaita。
SheldonwaspleasedwithwhatSeeleetoldhim。Theseventhmanofthelastbatchofrunawayshadbeencaughtandwaseventhenatthegate。Hewasbroughtin，heavy-featuredanddefiant，hisarmsboundwithcocoanutsennit，thedrybloodstillonhisbodyfromthestrugglewithhiscaptors。
"Mesavveeyougoodfella，Seelee，"Sheldonsaid，asthechiefgulpeddownaquarter-tumblerofrawtrade-gin。"Fellaboybelongmeyoucatchshorttimelittlebit。Thisfellaboystrongfellatoomuch。Igiveyoufellaonecasetobacco——myword，onecasetobacco。Then，yougoodfellaalongme，Igiveyouthreefathomcalico，onefellaknifebigfellatoomuch。"
Thetobaccoandtradegoodswerebroughtfromthestore-roombytwohouse-boysandturnedovertothechiefofBalesunavillage，whoacceptedtheadditionalrewardwithanon-committalgruntandwentawaydownthepathtohiscanoes。UnderSheldon"sdirectionsthehouse-boyshandcuffedtheprisoner，byhandsandfeet，aroundoneofthepilesupportsofthe
house。
Ateleveno"clock，whenthelabourerscameinfromthefield，Sheldonhadthemassembledinthecompoundbeforetheveranda。Everyablemanwasthere，includingthosewhowerehelpingaboutthehospital。Eventhewomenandtheseveralpickaninniesoftheplantationwerelinedupwiththerest，twodeep——ahordeofnakedsavagesatrifleundertwohundredstrong。Inadditiontotheirornamentsofbeadandshellandbone，theirpiercedearsandnostrilswereburdenedwithsafety-pins，wirenails，metalhair-pins，rustyironhandlesofcookingutensils，andthepatentkeysforopeningcornedbeeftins。Someworepenknivesclaspedontheirkinkylocksforsafety。Onthechestofoneachinadoor-knobwassuspended，onthechestofanotherthebrasswheelofanalarmclock。
Facingthem，clingingtotherailingoftheverandaforsupport，stoodthesickwhiteman。Anyoneofthemcouldhaveknockedhimoverwiththeblowofalittlefinger。Despitehisfirearms，thegangcouldhaverushedhimanddeliveredthatblow，whenhisheadandtheplantationwouldhavebeentheirs。Hatredandmurderandlustforrevengetheypossessedtooverflowing。Butonethingtheylacked，thethingthathepossessed，theflameofmasterythatwouldnotquench，thatburnedfiercelyaseverinthedisease-
wastedbody，andthatwaseverreadytoflareforthandscorchandsingethemwithitsire。
"Narada!Billy!"Sheldoncalledsharply。
Twomenslunkunwillinglyforwardandwaited。
Sheldongavethekeysofthehandcuffstoahouse-boy，whowentunderthehouseandloosedtheprisoner。
"YoufellaNarada，youfellaBilly，takeumthisfellaboyalongtreeandmakefast，handshighup，"wasSheldon"scommand。
Whilethiswasbeingdone，slowly，amidstmutteringsandrestlessnessonthepartoftheonlookers，oneofthehouse-boysfetchedaheavy-handled，heavy-lashedwhip。Sheldonbeganaspeech。
"ThisfellaArunga，mecrossalonghimtoomuch。InostealthisfellaArunga。Inogammon。Isay，"Allright，youcomealongmeBerande，workthreefellayear。"Hesay，"Allright，mecomealongyouworkthreefellayear。"Hecome。Hecatchplentygoodfellakai-kai，{2}plentygoodfellamoney。Whatnameherunaway？Metoomuchcrossalonghim。Iknockwhatnameoutahimfella。IpaySeelee，bigfellamasteralongBalesuna，onecasetobaccocatchthatfellaArunga。Allright。Arungapaythatfellacasetobacco。
SixpoundsthatfellaArungapay。AllesameoneyearmorethatfellaArungaworkBerande。Allright。Nowhecatchtenfellawhipthreetimes。YoufellaBillycatchwhip，givethatfellaArungatenfellathreetimes。Allfellaboyslooksee，allfellaMarys{3}looksee；bimebye，theylikerunawaytheythinkstrongfellatoomuch，norunaway。Billy，strongfellatoomuchtenfellathreetimes。"
Thehouse-boyextendedthewhiptohim，butBillydidnottakeit。
Sheldonwaitedquietly。Theeyesofallthecannibalswerefixeduponhimindoubtandfearandeagerness。Itwasthemomentoftest，wherebythelonewhitemanwastoliveorbelost。
"Tenfellathreetimes，Billy，"Sheldonsaidencouragingly，thoughtherewasacertainmetallicraspinhisvoice。
Billyscowled，lookedupandlookeddown，butdidnotmove。
"Billy!"
Sheldon"svoiceexplodedlikeapistolshot。Thesavagestartedphysically。Grinsoverspreadthegrotesquefeaturesoftheaudience，andtherewasasoundoftittering。
"S"poseyouliketoomuchlashthatfellaArunga，youtakehimfellaTulagi，"Billysaid。"Onefellagovernmentagentmakeplentylash。Thatumfellalaw。Mesavveeumfellalaw。"
Itwasthelaw，andSheldonknewit。Buthewantedtolivethisdayandthenextdayandnottodiewaitingforthelawtooperatethenextweekortheweekafter。
"Toomuchtalkalongyou!"hecriedangrily。"Whatnameeh？Whatname？"
"Mesavveelaw，"thesavagerepeatedstubbornly。
"Astoa!"
Anothermansteppedforwardinalmostasprightlywayandglancedinsolentlyup。Sheldonwasselectingtheworstcharactersforthelesson。
"YoufellaAstoa，youfellaNarada，tieupthatfellaBillyalongsideotherfellasamefellaway。"
"Strongfellatie，"hecautionedthem。
"YoufellaAstoatakethatfellawhip。Plentystrongbigfellatoomuchtenfellathreetimes。Savvee!"
"No，"Astoagrunted。
Sheldonpickeduptheriflethathadleanedagainsttherail，andcockedit。
"Iknowyou，Astoa，"hesaidcalmly。"YouworkalongQueenslandsixyears。"
"Mefellamissionary，"theblackinterruptedwithdeliberateinsolence。
"Queenslandyoustopjailonefellayear。Whitefellamasterdamnfoolnohangyou。Youtoomuchbadfella。Queenslandyoustopjailsixmonthstwofellatime。Twofellatimeyousteal。Allright，youmissionary。Yousavveeonefellaprayer？"
"Yes，mesavveeprayer，"wasthereply。
"Allright，thenyoupraynow，shorttimelittlebit。Yousayonefellaprayerdamnquick，thenmekillyou。"
Sheldonheldtherifleonhimandwaited。Theblackglancedaroundathisfellows，butnonemovedtoaidhim。Theywereintentuponthecomingspectacle，staringfascinatedatthewhitemanwithdeathinhishandswhostoodaloneonthegreatveranda。Sheldonhaswon，andheknewit。Astoachangedhisweightirresolutelyfromonefoottotheother。Helookedatthewhiteman，andsawhiseyesgleaminglevelalongthesights。
"Astoa，"Sheldonsaid，seizingthepsychologicalmoment，"Icountthreefellatime。ThenIshootyoufelladead，good-bye，allfinishyou。"
AndSheldonknewthatwhenhehadcountedthreehewoulddrophiminhistracks。Theblackknewit，too。ThatwaswhySheldondidnothavetodoit，forwhenhehadcountedone，Astoareachedouthishandandtookthewhip。AndrightwellAstoalaidonthewhip，angeredathisfellowsfornotsupportinghimandventinghisangerwitheverystroke。FromtheverandaSheldoneggedhimontostrikewithstrength，tillthetwotricedsavagesscreamedandhowledwhilethebloodoozeddowntheirbacks。Thelessonwasbeingwellwritteninred。
Whenthelastofthegang，includingthetwohowlingculprits，hadpassedoutthroughthecompoundgate，Sheldonsankdownhalf-
faintingonhiscouch。
"You"reasickman，"hegroaned。"Asickman。"
"Butyoucansleepateaseto-night，"headded，halfanhourlater。
CHAPTERIII——THEJESSIE
Twodayspassed，andSheldonfeltthathecouldnotgrowanyweakerandlive，muchlessmakehisfourdailyroundsofthehospital。
Thedeathswereaveragingfouraday，andthereweremorenewcasesthanrecoveries。Theblackswereinafunk。Eachone，whentakensick，seemedtomakeeveryefforttodie。Oncedownontheirbackstheylackedthegrittomakeastruggle。Theybelievedtheyweregoingtodie，andtheydidtheirbesttovindicatethatbelief。
Eventhosethatwerewellweresurethatitwasonlyamaterofdayswhenthesicknesswouldcatchthemandcarrythemoff。Andyet，believingthiswithabsoluteconviction，theysomehowlackedthenervetorushthefrailwraithofamanwiththewhiteskinandescapefromthecharnelhousebythewhale-boats。Theychosethelingeringdeaththeyweresureawaitedthem，ratherthantheimmediatedeaththeywereverysurewouldpounceuponthemiftheywentupagainstthemaster。Thatheneverslept，theyknew。Thathecouldnotbeconjuredtodeath，theywereequallysure——theyhadtriedit。Andeventhesicknessthatwassweepingthemoffcouldnotkillhim。
Withthewhippinginthecompound，disciplinehadimproved。Theycringedundertheironhandofthewhiteman。Theygavetheirscowlsormalignantlookswithavertedfacesorwhenhisbackwasturned。Theysavedtheirmutteringsforthebarracksatnight，wherehecouldnothear。Andtherewerenomorerunawaysandnomorenight-prowlersontheveranda。
DawnofthethirddayafterthewhippingbroughttheJessie"swhitesailsinsight。Eightmilesaway，itwasnottilltwointheafternoonthatthelightair-fansenabledhertodropanchoraquarterofamileofftheshore。ThesightofhergaveSheldonfreshcourage，andthetedioushoursofwaitingdidnotirkhim。
Hegavehisorderstotheboss-boysandmadehisregulartripstothehospital。Nothingmatterednow。Histroubleswereatanend。
Hecouldliedownandtakecareofhimselfandproceedtogetwell。
TheJessiehadarrived。Hispartnerwasonboard，vigorousandheartyfromsixweeks"recruitingonMalaita。Hecouldtakechargenow，andallwouldbewellwithBerande。
Sheldonlayinthesteamer-chairandwatchedtheJessie"swhale-
boatpullinforthebeach。Hewonderedwhyonlythreesweepswerepulling，andhewonderedstillmorewhen，beached，therewassomuchdelayingettingoutoftheboat。Thenheunderstood。Thethreeblackswhohadbeenpullingstartedupthebeachwithastretcherontheirshoulders。Awhiteman，whomherecognizedastheJessie"scaptain，walkedinfrontandopenedthegate，thendroppedbehindtocloseit。SheldonknewthatitwasHughieDrummondwholayinthestretcher，andamistcamebeforehiseyes。
Hefeltanoverwhelmingdesiretodie。Thedisappointmentwastoogreat。InhisownstateofterribleweaknesshefeltthatitwasimpossibletogoonwithhistaskofholdingBerandeplantationtight-grippedinhisfist。Thenthewillofhimflamedupagain，andhedirectedtheblackstolaythestretcherbesidehimonthefloor。HughieDrummond，whomhehadlastseeninhealth，wasanemaciatedskeleton。Hisclosedeyesweredeep-sunken。Theshrivelledlipshadfallenawayfromtheteeth，andthecheek-bonesseemedburstingthroughtheskin。Sheldonsentahouse-boyforhisthermometerandglancedquestioninglyatthecaptain。
"Black-waterfever，"thecaptainsaid。"He"sbeenlikethisforsixdays，unconscious。Andwe"vegotdysenteryonboard。What"sthematterwithyou？"
"I"mburyingfouraday，"Sheldonanswered，ashebentoverfromthesteamer-chairandinsertedthethermometerunderhispartner"stongue。
CaptainOlesonsworeblasphemously，andsentahouse-boytobringwhiskyandsoda。Sheldonglancedatthethermometer。
"Onehundredandseven，"hesaid。"PoorHughie。"
CaptainOlesonofferedhimsomewhisky。
"Couldn"tthinkofit——perforation，youknow，"Sheldonsaid。
Hesentforaboss-boyandorderedagravetobedug，alsosomeofthepacking-casestobeknockedtogetherintoacoffin。Theblacksdidnotgetcoffins。Theywereburiedastheydied，beingcartedonasheetofgalvanizediron，intheirnakedness，fromthehospitaltotheholeintheground。Havinggiventheorders，Sheldonlaybackinhischairwithclosedeyes。
"It"sbenfairhell，sir，"CaptainOlesonbegan，thenbrokeofftohelphimselftomorewhisky。"It"sbenfairhell，Mr。Sheldon，I
tellyou。Contrarywindsandcalms。We"vebendriftin"allabouttheshopfortendays。There"stenthousandsharksfollowingusforthetuckerwe"vebenthrowin"overtothem。Theywassnappin"
attheoarswhenwestartedtocomeashore。IwishttoGodanor"wester"dcomealongan"blowtheSolomonscleantohell。"
"Wegotitfromthewater——waterfromOwgacreek。Filledmycaskswithit。Howwaswetoknow？I"vefilledtherebeforean"itwasallright。Wehadsixtyrecruits-fullup；andmycrewoffifteen。
We"vebenburyin"themdayan"night。Thebeggarswon"tlive，damnthem!Theydieoutofspite。Onlythreeofmycrewleftonitslegs。Fivemoredown。Sevendead。Oh，hell!What"sthegoodoftalkin"？"
"Howmanyrecruitsleft？"Sheldonasked。
"Losthalf。Thirtyleft。Twentydown，andtentotteringaround。"
Sheldonsighed。
"Thatmeansanotheradditiontothehospital。We"vegottogetthemashoresomehow——Viaburi!Hey，you，Viaburi，ringbigfellabellstrongfellatoomuch。"
Thehands，calledinfromthefieldsatthatunwontedhour，weresplitintodetachments。Someweresentintothewoodstocuttimberforhouse-beams，otherstocuttingcane-grassforthatching，andfortyofthemliftedawhale-boatabovetheirheadsandcarrieditdowntothesea。Sheldonhadgrittedhisteeth，pulledhiscollapsingsoultogether，andtakenBerandeplantationintohisfistoncemore。
"Haveyouseenthebarometer？"CaptainOlesonasked，pausingatthebottomofthestepsonhiswaytooverseethedisembarkationofthesick。
"No，"Sheldonanswered。"Isitdown？"
"It"sgoingdown。"
"Thenyou"dbettersleepaboardto-night，"wasSheldon"sjudgment。
"Nevermindthefuneral。I"llseetopoorHughie。"
"AniggerwaskickingthebucketwhenIdroppedanchor。"
Thecaptainmadethestatementasasimplefact，butobviouslywaitedforasuggestion。Theotherfeltasuddenwaveofirritationrushthroughhim。
"Dumphimover，"hecried。"GreatGod，man!don"tyouthinkI"vegotenoughgravesashore？"
"Ijustwantedtoknow，thatwasall，"thecaptainanswered，innowiseoffended。
Sheldonregrettedhischildishness。
"Oh，CaptainOleson，"hecalled。"Ifyoucanseeyourwaytoit，comeashoreto-morrowandlendmeahand。Ifyoucan"t，sendthemate。"
"RightO。I"llcomemyself。Mr。Johnson"sdead，sir。Iforgottotellyou——threedaysago。"
SheldonwatchedtheJessie"scaptaingodownthepath，withwavingarmsandloudcursescallinguponGodtosinktheSolomons。Next，SheldonnotedtheJessierollinglazilyontheglassyswell，andbeyond，inthenorth-west，highoverFloridaIsland，analpinechainofdark-massedclouds。Thenheturnedtohispartner，callingforboystocarryhimintothehouse。ButHughieDrummondhadreachedtheend。Hisbreathingwasimperceptible。Bymeretouch，Sheldoncouldascertainthatthedyingman"stemperaturewasgoingdown。Itmusthavebeengoingdownwhenthethermometerregisteredonehundredandseven。Hehadburnedout。Sheldonkneltbesidehim，thehouse-boysgroupedaround，theirwhitesingletsandloin-clothspeculiarlyatvariancewiththeirdarkskinsandsavagecountenances，theirhugeear-plugsandcarvedandglisteningnose-rings。Sheldontotteredtohisfeetatlast，andhalf-fellintothesteamer-chair。Oppressiveastheheathadbeen，itwasnowevenmoreoppressive。Itwasdifficulttobreathe。Hepantedforair。Thefacesandnakedarmsofthehouse-boyswerebeadedwithsweat。
"Marster，"oneofthemventured，"bigfellawindhecome，strongfellatoomuch。"
Sheldonnoddedhisheadbutdidnotlook。MuchashehadlovedHughieDrummond，hisdeath，andthefuneralitentailed，seemedanintolerableburdentoaddtowhathewasalreadysinkingunder。Hehadafeeling——nay，itwasacertitude——thatallhehadtodowastoshuthiseyesandletgo，andthathewoulddie，sinkintoimmensityofrest。Heknewit；itwasverysimple。Allhehadtodowasclosehiseyesandletgo；forhehadreachedthestagewherehelivedbywillalone。Hiswearybodyseemedtornbytheoncomingpangsofdissolution。Hewasafooltohangon。Hehaddiedascoreofdeathsalready，andwhatwastheuseofprolongingittotwo-scoredeathsbeforehereallydied。Notonlywashenotafraidtodie，buthedesiredtodie。Hiswearyfleshandwearyspiritdesiredit，andwhyshouldtheflameofhimnotgoutterlyout？
Buthismindthatcouldwilllifeordeath，stillpulsedon。Hesawthetwowhale-boatslandonthebeach，andthesick，onstretchersorpick-a-back，groaningandwailing，gobyinlugubriousprocession。Hesawthewindmakingonthecloudedhorizon，andthoughtofthesickinthehospital。Herewassomethingwaitinghishandtobedone，anditwasnotinhisnaturetoliedownandsleep，ordie，whenanytaskremainedundone。
Theboss-boyswerecalledandgiventheirorderstoropedownthehospitalwithitstwoadditions。Herememberedthespareanchor-
chain，newandblack-painted，thathungunderthehousesuspendedfromthefloor-beams，andorderedittobeusedonthehospitalaswell。Otherboysbroughtthecoffin，agrotesquepatchworkofpacking-cases，andunderhisdirectionstheylaidHughieDrummondinit。Halfadozenboyscarrieditdownthebeach，whileherodeonthebackofanother，hisarmsaroundtheblack"sneck，onehandclutchingaprayer-book。
Whilehereadtheservice，theblacksgazedapprehensivelyatthedarklineonthewater，abovewhichrolledandtumbledtheracingclouds。Thefirstbreathofthewind，faintandsilken，tonicwithlife，fannedthroughhisdry-bakedbodyashefinishedreading。
Thencamethesecondbreathofthewind，anangrygust，astheshovelsworkedrapidly，fillinginthesand。SoheavywasthegustthatSheldon，stillonhisfeet，seizedholdofhisman-horsetoescapebeingblownaway。TheJessiewasblottedout，andastrangeominoussoundaroseasmultitudinouswaveletsstruckfoamingonthebeach。Itwaslikethebubblingofsomecolossalcauldron。Fromallaboutcouldbeheardthedullthuddingoffallingcocoanuts。
Thetall，delicate-trunkedtreestwistedandsnappedaboutlikewhip-lashes。Theairseemedfilledwiththeirflyingleaves，anyoneofwhich，stem-oncouldbrainaman。Thencametherain，adeluge，astraight，horizontalsheetthatpouredalonglikeariver，defyinggravitation。Theblack，withSheldonmountedonhim，plungedaheadintothethickofit，stoopingfarforwardandlowtothegroundtoavoidbeingtoppledoverbackward。
""He"ssleepingoutandfarto-night，""Sheldonquoted，ashethoughtofthedeadmaninthesandandtherainwatertricklingdownuponthecoldclay。
Sotheyfoughttheirwaybackupthebeach。Theotherblackscaughtholdoftheman-horseandpulledandtugged。Therewereamongthemthosewhosefondestdesirewastodragtheriderinthesandandspringuponhimandmashhimintorepulsivenothingness。
Buttheautomaticpistolinhisbeltwithitsrattling，quick-
dealingdeath，andtheautomatic，death-defyingspiritinthemanhimself，madethemrefrainandbuckledowntothetaskofhaulinghimtosafetythroughthestorm。
Wetthroughandexhausted，hewasneverthelesssurprisedattheeasewithwhichhegotintoachangeofclothing。Thoughhewasfearfullyweak，hefoundhimselfactuallyfeelingbetter。Thediseasehadspentitself，andthemendhadbegun。
"NowifIdon"tgetthefever，"hesaidaloud，andatthesamemomentresolvedtogototakingquinineassoonashewasstrongenoughtodare。
Hecrawledoutontheveranda。Therainhadceased，butthewind，whichhaddwindledtoahalf-gale，wasincreasing。Abigseahadsprungup，andthemile-longbreakers，curlinguptotheover-falltwohundredyardsfromshore，werecrashingonthebeach。TheJessiewasplungingmadlytotwoanchors，andeverysecondorthirdseabrokeclearoverherbow。Twoflagswerestifflyundulatingfromthehalyardslikesquaresofflexiblesheet-iron。Onewasblue，theotherred。HeknewtheirmeaningintheBerandeprivatecode——"Whatareyourinstructions？ShallIattempttolandboat？"
Tackedonthewall，betweenthesignallockerandthebilliardrules，wasthecodeitself，bywhichheverifiedthesignalbeforemakinganswer。Ontheflagstaffgaffaboyhoistedawhiteflagoverared，whichstoodfor——"RuntoNealIslandforshelter。"
ThatCaptainOlesonhadbeenexpectingthissignalwasapparentbytheceleritywithwhichtheshackleswereknockedoutofbothanchor-chains。Heslippedhisanchors，leavingthembuoyedtobepickedupinbetterweather。TheJessieswungoffunderherfullstaysail，thentheforesail，double-reefed，wasrunup。Shewasawaylikearacehorse，clearingBalesunaShoalwithhalfacable-
lengthtospare。Justbeforesheroundedthepointshewasswallowedupinaterrificsquallthatfarout-blewthefirst。
Allthatnight，whilesquallaftersquallsmoteBerande，uprootingtrees，overthrowingcopra-sheds，androckingthehouseonitstallpiles，Sheldonslept。Hewasunawareofthecommotion。Heneverwakened。Nordidhechangehispositionordream。Heawoke，anewman。Furthermore，hewashungry。Itwasoveraweeksincefoodhadpassedhislips。Hedrankaglassofcondensedcream，thinnedwithwater，andbyteno"clockhedaredtotakeacupofbeef-tea。
Hewascheered，also，bythesituationinthehospital。Despitethestormtherehadbeenbutonedeath，andtherewasonlyonefreshcase，whilehalfadozenboyscrawledweaklyawaytothebarracks。Hewonderedifitwasthewindthatwasblowingthediseaseawayandcleansingthepestilentialland。