第4章
"Yes，liketheNorthAmericanIndian，whowasafarnoblertypethantheMelanesian。Theworldisonlysolarge，youknow，anditisfillingup——"
"Andtheunfitmustperish？"
"Preciselyso。Theunfitmustperish。"
InthemorningJoanwasrousedbyagreatrowandhullabaloo。Herfirstactwastoreachforherrevolver，butwhensheheardNoaNoah，whowasonguard，laughingoutside，sheknewtherewasnodanger，andwentouttoseethefun。CaptainYounghadlandedSatanatthemomentwhenthebridge-buildingganghadstartedalongthebeach。Satanwasbigandblack，short-hairedandmuscular，andweighedfullyseventypounds。Hedidnotlovetheblacks。TommyJoneshadtrainedhimwell，tyinghimupdailyforseveralhoursandtellingoffoneortwoblackboysatatimetoteasehim。SoSatanhaditinforthewholeblackrace，andthesecondafterhelandedonthebeachthebridge-buildinggangwasstampedingoverthecompoundfenceandswarmingupthecocoanutpalms。
"Goodmorning，"Sheldoncalledfromtheveranda。"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthenigger-chaser？"
"I"mthinkingwehaveataskbeforeustotrainhimintothehouse-boys，"shecalledback。
"AndtoyourTahitians，too。Lookout，Noah!Runforit!"
Satan，havingsatisfiedhimselfthatthetree-percheswereunassailable，waschargingstraightforthebigTahitian。
ButNoahstoodhisground，thoughsomewhatirresolutely，andSatan，toeveryone"ssurprise，dancedandfriskedabouthimwithlaughingeyesandwaggingtail。
"Now，thatiswhatImightcallaproperdog，"wasJoan"scomment。
"Heisatleastwiserthanyou，Mr。Sheldon。Hedidn"trequireanyteachingtorecognizethedifferencebetweenaTahitianandablackboy。Whatdoyouthink，Noah？Whydon"thebiteyou？HesavveeyouTahitianeh？"
NoaNoahshookhisheadandgrinned。
"HenosavveemeTahitian，"heexplained。"Hesavveemewearpantsallthesamewhiteman。"
"You"llhavetogivehimacoursein"SartorResartus，""Sheldonlaughed，ashecamedownandbegantomakefriendswithSatan。
ItchancedjustthenthatAdamuAdamandMatauare，twoofJoan"ssailors，enteredthecompoundfromthefarside-gate。TheyhadbeendowntotheBalesunamakinganalligatortrap，and，insteadoftrousers，werecladinlava-lavasthatflappedgracefullyabouttheirstalwartlimbs。Satansawthem，andadvertisedhisfindbybreakingawayfromSheldon"shandsandcharging。
"Nogotpants，"NoahannouncedwithagrinthatbroadenedasAdamuAdamtooktoflight。
Heclimbeduptheplatformthatsupportedthegalvanizedirontankswhichheldthewatercollectedfromtheroof。Foiledhere，SatanturnedandchargedbackonMatauare。
"Run，Matauare!Run!"Joancalled。
Butheheldhisgroundandwaitedthedog。
"HeistheFearlessOne——thatiswhathisnamemeans，"JoanexplainedtoSheldon。
TheTahitianwatchedSatancoolly，andwhenthatsanguine-mouthedcreatureliftedintotheairinthefinalleap，theman"shandshotout。Itwasafairgriponthelowerjaw，andSatandescribedahalfcircleandwasflungtotherear，turningoverintheairandfallingheavilyonhisback。Threetimesheleaped，andthreetimesthatgriponhisjawflunghimtodefeat。ThenhecontentedhimselfwithtrottingatMatauare"sheels，eyeinghimandsniffinghimsuspiciously。
"It"sallright，Satan；it"sallright，"Sheldonassuredhim。
"Thatgoodfellabelongalongme。"
ButSatandoggedtheTahitian"smovementsforafullhourbeforehemadeuphismindthatthemanwasanappurtenanceoftheplace。
Thenheturnedhisattentiontothethreehouse-boys，corneringOrnfiriinthekitchenandrushinghimagainstthehotstove，strippingthelava-lavafromLalaperuwhenthatexcitedyouthclimbedaveranda-post，andfollowingViaburiontopthebilliard-
table，wherethebattlerageduntilJoanmanagedarescue。
CHAPTERIX——ASBETWEENAMANANDAWOMAN
ItwasSatan"sinexhaustibleenergyandgoodspiritsthatmostimpressedthem。Histeethseemedperpetuallytoachewithdesire，andinlieuofblacklegshehuskedthecocoanutsthatfellfromthetreesinthecompound，kepttheenclosureclearofintrudinghens，andmadeahostileacquaintancewitheveryboss-boywhocametoreport。Hewasunabletoforgetthetormentofhispuppyhood，whereineverlastinghatredoftheblackhadbeenwovenintothefibresofconsciousness；andsuchaterrordidhemakehimselfthatSheldonwasforcedtoshuthimupinthelivingroomwhen，foranyreason，strangenativeswerepermittedinthecompound。ThisalwayshurtSatan"sfeelingsandfannedhiswrath，sothateventhehouse-boyshadtowatchoutforhimwhenhewasfirstreleased。
ChristianYoungsailedawayintheMinerva，carryinganinvitation(thatwouldbedeliverednobodyknewwhen)toTommyJonestodropinatBerandethenexttimehewaspassing。
"WhatareyourplanswhenyougettoSydney？"Sheldonasked，thatnight，atdinner。
"FirstI"veheardthatI"mgoingtoSydney，"Joanretorted。"I
supposeyou"vereceivedinformation，bybush-telegraph，thatthatthirdassistantunderstrapperandex-sailormanatTulagiisgoingtodeportmeasanundesirableimmigrant。"
"Oh，no，nothingofthesort，Iassureyou，"Sheldonbeganwithawkwardhaste，fearfulofhavingoffended，thoughheknewnothow。
"Iwasjustwondering，thatwasall。Yousee，withthelossoftheschoonerand……andalltherest……youunderstand……Iwasthinkingthatif——a——if——hangitall，untilyoucouldcommunicatewithyourfriends，myagentsatSydneycouldadvanceyoualoan，temporaryyousee，whyI"dbeonlytoogladandalltherest，youknow。Theproper——"
Buthisjawdroppedandheregardedherirritablyandwithapprehension。
"WhatISthematter？"hedemanded，withashowofheat。"WhatHAVE
Idonenow？"
Joan"seyeswerebrightwithbattle，thecurveofherlipssharpwithmockery。
"Certainlynottheunexpected，"shesaidquietly。"Merelyignoredmeinyourordinary，every-day，man-god，superiorfashion。
Naturallyitcountedfornothing，mytellingyouthatIhadnoideaofgoingtoSydney。GotoSydneyImust，becauseyou，inyoursuperiorwisdom，havesodecreed。"
Shepausedandlookedathimcuriously，asthoughheweresomestrangebreedofanimal。
"OfcourseIamgratefulforyourofferofassistance；buteventhatisnosalvetowoundedpride。Forthatmatter，itisnomorethanonewhitemanshouldexpectfromanother。Shipwreckedmarinersarealwayshelpedalongtheirway。Onlythisparticularmarinerdoesn"tneedanyhelp。Furthermore，thismarinerisnotgoingtoSydney，thankyou。"
"Butwhatdoyouintendtodo？"
"FindsomespotwhereIshallescapetheindignityofbeingpatronizedandbossedbythesuperiorsex。"
"Comenow，thatisputtingitabittoostrongly。"Sheldonlaughed，butthestraininhisvoicedestroyedtheeffectofspontaneity。"Youknowyourselfhowimpossiblethesituationis。"
"Iknownothingofthesort，sir。Andifitisimpossible，well，haven"tIachievedit？"
"Butitcannotcontinue。Really——"
"Oh，yes，itcan。Havingachievedit，Icangoonachievingit。I
intendtoremainintheSolomons，butnotonBerande。To-morrowI
amgoingtotakethewhale-boatovertoPari-Sulay。IwastalkingwithCaptainYoungaboutit。Hesaysthereareatleastfourhundredacres，andeveryfootofitgoodforplanting。Beinganisland，hesaysIwon"thavetobotheraboutwildpigsdestroyingtheyoungtrees。AllI"llhavetodoistokeeptheweedshoeduntilthetreescomeintobearing。First，I"llbuytheisland；
next，getfortyorfiftyrecruitsandstartclearingandplanting；
andatthesametimeI"llrunupabungalow；andthenyou"llberelievedofmyembarrassingpresence——nowdon"tsaythatitisn"t。"
"Itisembarrassing，"hesaidbluntly。"Butyourefusetoseemypointofview，sothereisnouseindiscussingit。Nowpleaseforgetallaboutit，andconsidermeatyourserviceconcerningthis……thisprojectofyours。Iknowmoreaboutcocoanut-
plantingthanyoudo。Youspeaklikeacapitalist。Idon"tknowhowmuchmoneyyouhave，butIdon"tfancyyouarerollinginwealth，asyouAmericanssay。ButIdoknowwhatitcoststoclearland。SupposethegovernmentsellsyouPari-Sulayatapoundanacre；clearingwillcostyouatleastfourpoundsmore；thatis，fivepoundsforfourhundredacres，or，say，tenthousanddollars。
Haveyouthatmuch？"
Shewaskeenlyinterested，andhecouldseethatthepreviousclashbetweenthemwasalreadyforgotten。Herdisappointmentwasplainassheconfessed:
"No；Ihaven"tquiteeightthousanddollars。"
"Thenhere"sanotherwayoflookingatit。You"llneed，asyousaid，atleastfiftyboys。Notcountingpremiums，theirwagesarethirtydollarsayear。"
"IpaymyTahitiansfifteenamonth，"sheinterpolated。
"Theywon"tdoonstraightplantationwork。Buttoreturn。Thewagesoffiftyboyseachyearwillcometothreehundredpounds——
thatis，fifteenhundreddollars。Verywell。Itwillbesevenyearsbeforeyourtreesbegintobear。Seventimesfifteenhundredistenthousandfivehundreddollars——morethanyoupossess，andalleatenupbytheboys"wages，withnothingtopayforbungalow，building，tools，quinine，tripstoSydney，andsoforth。"
Sheldonshookhisheadgravely。"You"llhavetoabandontheidea。"
"ButIwon"tgotoSydney，"shecried。"Isimplywon"t。I"llbuyintotheextentofmymoneyasasmallpartnerinsomeotherplantation。LetmebuyininBerande!"
"Heavenforbid!"hecriedinsuchgenuinedismaythatshebrokeintoheartylaughter。
"There，Iwon"tteaseyou。Really，youknow，I"mnotaccustomedtoforcingmypresencewhereitisnotdesired。Yes，yes；Iknowyou"rejustachingtopointoutthatI"veforcedmyselfuponyoueversinceIlanded，onlyyouaretoopolitetosayso。Yetasyousaidyourself，itwasimpossibleformetogoaway，soIhadtostay。Youwouldn"tletmegotoTulagi。Youcompelledmetoforcemyselfuponyou。ButIwon"tbuyinaspartnerwithanyone。I"llbuyPari-Sulay，butI"llputonlytenboysonitandclearslowly。
Also，I"llinvestinsomeoldketchandtakeoutatradinglicense。
Forthatmatter，I"llgorecruitingonMalaita。"
Shelookedforprotest，andfounditinSheldon"sclenchedhandandineverylineofhisclean-cutface。
"Goaheadandsayit，"shechallenged。"Pleasedon"tmindme。
I"m——I"mgettingusedtoit，youknow。ReallyIam。"
"IwishIwereawomansoastotellyouhowpreposterouslyinsaneandimpossibleitis，"heblurtedout。
Shesurveyedhimwithdeliberation，andsaid:
"Betterthanthat，youareaman。Sothereisnothingtopreventyourtellingme，forIdemandtobeconsideredasaman。Ididn"tcomedownheretotrailmywoman"sskirtsovertheSolomons。
PleaseforgetthatIamaccidentallyanythingelsethanamanwithaman"slivingtomake。"
InwardlySheldonfumedandfretted。Wasshemakinggameofhim？
Ordidtherelurkinhertheinsidiousunhealthfulnessofunwomanliness？Orwasitmerelyacaseofblank，staring，sentimental，idioticinnocence？
"Ihavetoldyou，"hebeganstiffly，"thatrecruitingonMalaitaisimpossibleforawoman，andthatisallIcaretosay——ordare。"
"AndItellyou，inturn，thatitisnothingofthesort。I"vesailedtheMielehere，master，ifyouplease，allthewayfromTahiti——evenifIdidloseher，whichwasthefaultofyourAdmiraltycharts。Iamanavigator，andthatismorethanyourSolomonscaptainsare。CaptainYoungtoldmeallaboutit。AndI
amaseaman——abetterseamanthanyou，whenitcomesrightdowntoit，andyouknowit。Icanshoot。Iamnotafool。Icantakecareofmyself。AndIshallmostcertainlybuyaketch，runhermyself，andgorecruitingonMalaita。"
Sheldonmadeahopelessgesture。
"That"sright，"sherattledon。"Washyourhandsofme。ButasVonusedtosay，"Youjustwatchmysmoke!""
"There"snouseindiscussingit。Letushavesomemusic。"
Hearoseandwentovertothebigphonograph；butbeforethediscstarted，andwhilehewaswindingthemachine，heheardhersaying:
"Isupposeyou"vebeenaccustomedtoJaneEyresallyourlife。
That"swhyyoudon"tunderstandme。Comeon，Satan；let"sleavehimtohisoldmusic。"
Hewatchedhermoroselyandwithoutintentionofspeaking，tillhesawhertakeariflefromthestand，examinethemagazine，andstartforthedoor。
"Whereareyougoing？"heaskedperemptorily。
"Asbetweenmanandwoman，"sheanswered，"itwouldbetooterribly——er——indecentforyoutotellmewhyIshouldn"tgoalligatoring。Good-night。Sleepwell。"
Heshutoffthephonographwithasnap，startedtowardthedoorafterher，thenabruptlyflunghimselfintoachair。
"You"rehopinga"gatorcatchesme，aren"tyou？"shecalledfromtheveranda，andasshewentdownthestepsherripplinglaughterdriftedtantalizinglybackthroughthewidedoorway。
CHAPTERX——AMESSAGEFROMBOUCHER
ThenextdaySheldonwasleftallalone。JoanhadgoneexploringPari-Sulay，andwasnottobeexpectedbackuntilthelateafternoon。Sheldonwasvaguelyoppressedbyhisloneliness，andseveralheavysquallsduringtheafternoonbroughthimfrequentlyontotheveranda，telescopeinhand，toscantheseaanxiouslyforthewhale-boat。Betweenwhileshescowledovertheplantationaccount-books，maderoughestimates，addedandbalanced，andscowledtheharder。ThelossoftheJessiehadhitBerandeseverely。Notalonewashiscapitaldepletedbytheamountofhervalue，butherearningswerenolongertobereckonedon，anditwasherearningsthatlargelypaidtherunningexpensesoftheplantation。
"PooroldHughie，"hemutteredaloud，once。"I"mgladyoudidn"tlivetoseeit，oldman。Whatacropper，whatacropper!"
BetweensquallstheFlibberty-Gibbetranintoanchorage，andherskipper，PeteOleson(brothertotheOlesonoftheJessie)，ancient，grizzled，wild-eyed，emaciatedbyfever，draggedhiswearyframeuptheverandastepsandcollapsedinasteamer-chair。
Whiskyandsodakepthimgoingwhilehemadereportandturnedinhisaccounts。
"You"rerottenwithfever，"Sheldonsaid。"Whydon"tyourundowntoSydneyforablowofdecentclimate？"
Theoldskippershookhishead。
"Ican"t。I"vebenintheislandstoolong。I"ddie。Thefevercomesoutworsedownthere。"
"Killorcure，"Sheldoncounselled。
"It"sstraightkillforme。Itrieditthreeyearsago。ThecoolweatherputmeonmybackbeforeIlanded。Theycarriedmeashoreandintohospital。Iwasunconsciousonestretchfortwoweeks。
Afterthatthedoctorssentmebacktotheislands——saiditwastheonlythingthatwouldsaveme。Well，I"mstillalive；butI"mtoosoakedwithfever。AmonthinAustraliawouldfinishme。"
"Butwhatareyougoingtodo？"Sheldonqueried。"Youcan"tstayhereuntilyoudie。"
"That"sallthat"slefttome。I"dliketogobacktotheoldcountry，butIcouldn"tstandit。I"lllastlongerhere，andhereI"llstayuntilIpegout；butIwishtoGodI"dneverseentheSolomons，that"sall。"
Hedeclinedtosleepashore，tookhisorders，andwentbackonboardthecutter。Aluridsunsetwasblottedoutbytheheaviestsqualloftheday，andSheldonwatchedthewhale-boatarriveinthethickofit。Asthespritsailwastakeninandtheboatheadedontothebeach，hewasawareofadistincthurtatsightofJoanatthesteering-oar，standingerectandswayingherstrengthtoitassheresistedthepressuresthattendedtothrowthecraftbroadsideinthesurf。HerTahitiansleapedoutandrushedtheboathighupthebeach，andsheledherbizarrefollowingthroughthegateofthecompound。
Thefirstdropsofrainweredrivinglikehail-stones，thetallcocoanutpalmswerebendingandwrithinginthegripofthewind，whilethethickcloud-massofthesquallturnedthebrieftropictwilightabruptlytonight。
QuiteunconsciouslythebroodinganxietyoftheafternoonslippedfromSheldon，andhefeltstrangelycheeredatthesightofherrunningupthestepslaughing，faceflushed，hairflying，herbreastheavingfromtheviolenceofherlateexertions。
"Lovely，perfectlylovely——Pari-Sulay，"shepanted。"Ishallbuyit。I"llwritetotheCommissionerto-night。Andthesiteforthebungalow——I"veselecteditalready——iswonderful。Youmustcomeoversomedayandadviseme。Youwon"tmindmystayinghereuntilIcangetsettled？Wasn"tthatsquallbeautiful？AndIsupposeI"mlatefordinner。I"llrunandgetclean，andbewithyouinaminute。"
Andinthebriefintervalofherabsencehefoundhimselfwalkingaboutthebigliving-roomandimpatientlyandwithanticipationawaitinghercoming。
"Doyouknow，I"mnevergoingtosquabblewithyouagain，"heannouncedwhentheywereseated。
"Squabble!"wastheretort。"It"ssuchasordidword。Itsoundscheapandnasty。Ithinkit"smuchnicertoquarrel。"
"Callitwhatyouplease，butwewon"tdoitanymore，willwe？"
Heclearedhisthroatnervously，forhereyesadvertisedtheimmediatebeginningofhostilities。"Ibegyourpardon，"hehurriedon。"Ishouldhavespokenformyself。WhatImeanisthatIrefusetoquarrel。Youhavethemosthorribleway，withoututteringaword，ofmakingmeplaythefool。Why，Ibeganwiththekindestintentions，andhereIamnow——"
"Makingnastyremarks，"shecompletedforhim。
"It"sthewayyouhaveofcatchingmeup，"hecomplained。
"Why，Ineversaidaword。Iwasmerelysittinghere，beingsweetlyluredonbypromisesofpeaceonearthandalltherestofit，whensuddenlyyoubegantocallmenames。"
"Hardlythat，Iamsure。"
"Well，yousaidIwashorrible，orthatIhadahorriblewayaboutme，whichisthesamething。Iwishmybungalowwereup。I"dmoveto-morrow。"
Buthertwitchinglipsbeliedherwords，andthenextmomentthemanwasmoreuncomfortablethanever，beingmadesobyherlaughter。
"Iwasonlyteasingyou。HonestInjun。Andifyoudon"tlaughI"llsuspectyouofbeinginatemperwithme。That"sright，laugh。Butdon"t——"sheaddedinalarm，"don"tifithurtsyou。
Youlookasthoughyouhadatoothache。There，there——don"tsayit。Youknowyoupromisednottoquarrel，whileIhavetheprivilegeofgoingonbeingashatefulasIplease。Andtobeginwith，there"stheFlibberty-Gibbet。Ididn"tknowshewassolargeacutter；butshe"sindisgracefulcondition。Herriggingissomethingqueer，andthenextsharpsquallwillbringherhead-gearallabouttheshop。IwatchedNoaNoah"sfaceaswesailedpast。
Hedidn"tsayanything。Hejustsneered。AndIdon"tblamehim。"
"Herskipper"srottenbadwithfever，"Sheldonexplained。"AndhehadtodrophismateofftotakeholdofthingsatUgi——that"swhereIlostOscar，mytrader。Andyouknowwhatsortofsailorstheniggersare。"
Shenoddedherheadjudicially，andwhilesheseemedtodebateaweightyjudgmentheaskedforasecondhelpingoftinnedbeef——notbecausehewashungry，butbecausehewantedtowatchherslim，firmfingers，nakedofjewelsandbandedmetals，whilehiseyespleasuredintheswelloftheforearm，appearingfromunderthesleeveandlosingidentityinthesmooth，roundwristundisfiguredbythenettedveinsthatcometoyouthwhenyouthisgone。Thefingerswerebrownwithtanandlookedexceedinglyboyish。Then，andwithouteffort，theconceptcametohim。Yes，thatwasit。Hehadstumbleduponthecluetohertantalizingpersonality。Herfingers，sunburnedandboyish，toldthestory。Nowondershehadexasperatedhimsofrequently。Hehadtriedtotreatwithherasawoman，whenshewasnotawoman。Shewasameregirl——andaboyishgirlatthat——withsunburnedfingersthatdelightedindoingwhatboys"fingersdid；withabodyandmusclesthatlikedswimmingandviolentendeavourofallsorts；withamindthatwasdaring，butthatdarednofartherthanboys"adventures，andthatdelightedinriflesandrevolvers，Stetsonhats，andasexlesscamaraderiewithmen。
Somehow，asheponderedandwatchedher，itseemedasifhesatinchurchathomelisteningtothechoir-boyschanting。Sheremindedhimofthoseboys，ortheirvoices，rather。Thesamesexlessqualitywasthere。Inthebodyofhershewaswoman；inthemindofhershehadnotgrownup。Shehadnotbeenexposedtoripeninginfluencesofthatsort。Shehadhadnomother。Von，herfather，nativeservants，androughislandlifehadconstitutedhertraining。Horsesandrifleshadbeenhertoys，campandtrailhernursery。Fromwhatshehadtoldhim，herseminarydayshadbeenanexile，devotedtostudyandtoceaselesslongingforthewildridingandswimmingofHawaii。Aboy"straining，andaboy"spointofview!Thatexplainedherchafeatpetticoats，herrevoltatwhatwasonlydecentlyconventional。Somedayshewouldgrowup，butasyetshewasonlyintheprocess。
Well，therewasonlyonethingforhimtodo。Hemustmeetheronherownbasisofboyhood，andnotmakethemistakeoftreatingherasawoman。Hewonderedifhecouldlovethewomanshewouldbewhenhernatureawoke；andhewonderedifhecouldloveherjustasshewasandhimselfwakeherup。Afterall，whateveritwas，shehadcometofillquitealargeplaceinhislife，ashehaddiscoveredthatafternoonwhilescanningtheseabetweenthesqualls。ThenherememberedtheaccountsofBerande，andthecropperthatwascoming，andscowled。
Hebecameawarethatshewasspeaking。
"Ibegpardon，"hesaid。"What"sthatyouweresaying？"
"Youweren"tlisteningtoaword——Iknewit，"shechided。"IwassayingthattheconditionoftheFlibberty-Gibbetwasdisgraceful，andthatto-morrow，whenyou"vetoldtheskipperandnothurthisfeelings，Iamgoingtotakemymenoutandgiveheranoverhauling。We"llscrubherbottom，too。Why，there"swhiskersonhercopperfourincheslong。Isawitwhensherolled。Don"tforget，I"mgoingcruisingontheFlibbertysomeday，evenifI
havetorunawaywithher。"
Whileattheircoffeeontheveranda，Satanraisedacommotioninthecompoundnearthebeachgate，andSheldonfinallyrescuedamauledandfrightenedblackanddraggedhimontheporchforinterrogation。
"Whatfellamarsteryoubelong？"hedemanded。"Whatnameyoucomealongthisfellaplacesunhegodown？"
"Meb"longBoucher。ToomanyboybelongalongPortAdamsstopalongmyfellamarster。Toomuchwalkabout。"
Theblackdrewascrapofnotepaperfromunderhisbeltandpasseditover。Sheldonscannedithurriedly。
"It"sfromBoucher，"heexplained，"thefellowwhotookPackard"splace。PackardwastheoneItoldyouaboutwhowaskilledbyhisboat"s-crew。HesaysthePortAdamscrowdisout——fiftyofthem，inbigcanoes——andcampingonhisbeach。They"vekilledhalfadozenofhispigsalready，andseemtobelookingfortrouble。Andhe"safraidtheymayconnectwiththefifteenrunawaysfromLunga。"
"Inwhichcase？"shequeried。
"InwhichcaseBillyPapewillbecompelledtosendBoucher"ssuccessor。It"sPape"sstation，youknow。IwishIknewwhattodo。Idon"tliketoleaveyouherealone。"
"Takemealongthen。"
Hesmiledandshookhishead。
"Thenyou"dbettertakemymenalong，"sheadvised。"They"regoodshots，andthey"renotafraidofanything——exceptUtami，andhe"safraidofghosts。"
Thebigbellwasrung，andfiftyblackboyscarriedthewhale-boatdowntothewater。Theregularboat"s-crewmannedher，andMatauareandthreeotherTahitians，beltedwithcartridgesandarmedwithrifles，satinthestern-sheetswhereSheldonstoodatthesteering-oar。
"My，IwishIcouldgowithyou，"Joansaidwistfully，astheboatshovedoff。
Sheldonshookhishead。
"I"masgoodasaman，"sheurged。
"Youreallyareneededhere，"hereplied。
"There"sthatLungacrowd；theymightreachthecoastrighthere，andwithbothofusabsentrushtheplantation。Good-bye。We"llgetbackinthemorningsometime。It"sonlytwelvemiles。"
WhenJoanstartedtoreturntothehouse，shewascompelledtopassamongtheboat-carriers，wholingeredonthebeachtochatterinqueer，ape-likefashionabouttheeventsofthenight。Theymadewayforher，buttherecametoher，asshewasinthemidstofthem，afeelingofherownhelplessness。Thereweresomanyofthem。Whatwastopreventthemfromdraggingherdowniftheysowilled？ThensherememberedthatonecryofherswouldfetchNoaNoahandherremainingsailors，eachoneofwhomwasworthadozenblacksinastruggle。Assheopenedthegate，oneoftheboyssteppeduptoher。Inthedarknessshecouldnotmakehimout。
"Whatname？"sheaskedsharply。"Whatnamebelongyou？"
"MeAroa，"hesaid。
Sherememberedhimasoneofthetwosickboysshehadnursedatthehospital。Theotheronehaddied。
"Metake"mplentyfellamedicinetoomuch，"Aroawassaying。
"Well，andyouallrightnow，"sheanswered。
"Mewant"mtobacco，plentyfellatobacco；mewant"mcalico；mewant"mporpoiseteeth；mewant"monefellabelt。"
Shelookedathimhumorously，expectingtoseeasmile，oratleastagrin，onhisface。Instead，hisfacewasexpressionless。Saveforanarrowbreech-clout，apairofear-plugs，andabouthiskinkyhairachapletofwhitecowrie-shells，hewasnaked。Hisbodywasfresh-oiledandshiny，andhiseyesglistenedinthestarlightlikesomewildanimal"s。Therestoftheboyshadcrowdedupathisbackinasolidwall。Someoneofthemgiggled，buttheremainderregardedherinmoroseandintensesilence。
"Well？"shesaid。"Whatforyouwantplentyfellathings？"
"Metake"mmedicine，"quothAroa。"Youpayme。"
Andthiswasasampleoftheirgratitude，shethought。ItlookedasifSheldonhadbeenrightafterall。Aroawaitedstolidly。A
leapingfishsplashedfaroutonthewater。Atinywaveletmurmuredsleepilyonthebeach。Theshadowofaflying-foxdriftedbyinvelvetsilenceoverhead。Alightairfannedcoollyonhercheek；itwastheland-breezebeginningtoblow。
"Yougoalongquarters，"shesaid，startingtoturnonherheeltoenterthegate。
"Youpayme，"saidtheboy。
"Aroa，youallthesameonebigfool。Inopayyou。Nowyougo。"
Buttheblackwasunmoved。Shefeltthathewasregardingheralmostinsolentlyasherepeated:
"Itake"mmedicine。Youpayme。Youpaymenow。"
Thenitwasthatshelosthertemperandcuffedhisearssosoundlyastodrivehimbackamonghisfellows。Buttheydidnotbreakup。
Anotherboysteppedforward。
"Youpayme，"hesaid。
Hiseyeshadthequerulous，troubledlooksuchasshehadnoticedinmonkeys；butwhilehewaspatentlyuncomfortableunderherscrutiny，histhicklipsweredrawnfirmlyinaneffortatsullendetermination。
"Whatfor？"sheasked。
"MeGogoomy，"hesaid。"Bawobrotherbelongme。"
Bawo，sheremembered，wasthesickboywhohaddied。
"Goon，"shecommanded。
"Bawotake"mmedicine。Bawofinish。Bawomybrother。Youpayme。FatherbelongmeonebigfellachiefalongPortAdams。Youpayme。"
Joanlaughed。
"Gogoomy，youjustthesameasAroa，onebigfool。Myword，whopaymeformedicine？"
Shedismissedthematterbypassingthroughthegateandclosingit。ButGogoomypressedupagainstitandsaidimpudently:
"Fatherbelongmeonebigfellachief。Younobang"mheadbelongme。Myword，youfrighttoomuch。"
"Mefright？"shedemanded，whileangertingledallthroughher。
"Toomuchfrightbang"mheadbelongme，"Gogoomysaidproudly。
Andthenshereachedforhimacrossthegateandgothim。Itwasasweeping，broad-handedslap，soheavythathestaggeredsidewaysandnearlyfell。Hesprangforthegateasiftoforceitopen，whilethecrowdsurgedforwardagainstthefence。Joanthoughtrapidly。Herrevolverwashangingonthewallofhergrasshouse。
Yetonecrywouldbringhersailors，andsheknewshewassafe。Soshedidnotcryforhelp。Instead，shewhistledforSatan，atthesametimecallinghimbyname。Sheknewhewasshutupinthelivingroom，buttheblacksdidnotwaittosee。Theyfledwithwildyellsthroughthedarkness，followedreluctantlybyGogoomy；
whilesheenteredthebungalow，laughingatfirst，butfinallyvexedtothevergeoftearsbywhathadtakenplace。Shehadsatupawholenightwiththeboywhohaddied，andyethisbrotherdemandedtobepaidforhislife。
"Ugh!theungratefulbeast!"shemuttered，whileshedebatedwhetherornotshewouldconfesstheincidenttoSheldon。
CHAPTERXI——THEPORTADAMSCROWD
"Andsoitwasallsettledeasilyenough，"Sheldonwassaying。Hewasontheveranda，drinkingcoffee。Thewhale-boatwasbeingcarriedintoitsshed。"Boucherwasabittimidatfirsttocarryoffthesituationwithastronghand，buthedidverywelloncewegotstarted。Wemadeaplayatholdingacourt，andTelepasse，theoldscoundrel，acceptedthefindings。He"saPortAdamschief，afilthybeggar。Wefinedhimtentimesthevalueofthepigs，andmadehimmoveonwithhismob。Oh，they"reasweetlot，Imustsay，atleastsixtyofthem，infivebigcanoes，andoutfortrouble。They"vegotadozenSnidersthatoughttobeconfiscated。"
"Whydidn"tyou？"Joanasked。
"AndhavearowonmyhandswiththeCommissioner？He"sterriblytouchyabouthisblackwards，ashecallsthem。Well，westartedthemalongtheirway，thoughtheywentinonthebeachtokai-kaiseveralmilesback。Theyoughttopassheresometimeto-day。"
Twohourslaterthecanoesarrived。Noonesawthemcome。Thehouse-boyswerebusyinthekitchenattheirownbreakfast。Theplantationhandsweresimilarlyoccupiedintheirquarters。Satanlaysoundasleeponhisbackunderthebilliardtable，inhissleepbrushingatthefliesthatpesteredhim。Joanwasrummaginginthestore-room，andSheldonwastakinghissiestainahammockontheveranda。Heawokegently。Insomeoccult，subtlewayawarningthatallwasnotwellhadpenetratedhissleepandarousedhim。
Withoutmoving，heglanceddownandsawthegroundbeneathcoveredwitharmedsavages。Theywerethesameoneshehadpartedwiththatmorning，thoughhenotedanaccessioninnumbers。Thereweremenhehadnotseenbefore。
Heslippedfromthehammockandwithdeliberateslownesssaunteredtotherailing，whereheyawnedsleepilyandlookeddownonthem。
Itcametohimcuriouslythatitwashisdestinyevertostandonthishighplace，lookingdownonunendinghordesofblacktroublethatrequiredcontrol，bullying，andcajolery。Butwhileheglancedcarelesslyoverthem，hewaskeenlytakingstock。Thenewmenwereallarmedwithmodernrifles。Ah，hehadthoughtso。
Therewerefifteenofthem，undoubtedlytheLungarunaways。Inaddition，adozenoldSniderswereinthehandsoftheoriginalcrowd。Therestwerearmedwithspears，clubs，bowsandarrows，andlong-handledtomahawks。Beyond，drawnuponthebeach，hecouldseethebigwar-canoes，withhighandfantasticallycarvedbowsandsterns，ornamentedwithscrollsandbandsofwhitecowrieshells。Thesewerethemenwhohadkilledhistrader，Oscar，atUgi。
"Whatnameyouwalkaboutthisplace？"hedemanded。
AtthesametimehestoleaglanceseawardtowheretheFlibberty-
Gibbetreflectedherselfintheglassycalmofthesea。Notasoulwasvisibleunderherawnings，andhesawthewhale-boatwasmissingfromalongside。TheTahitianshadevidentlygoneshootingfishuptheBalesuna。Hewasallaloneinhishighplaceabovethistrouble，whilehisworldslumberedpeacefullyunderthebreathlesstropicnoon。
Nobodyreplied，andherepeatedhisdemand，moreofmasteryinhisvoicethistime，andahintofgrowinganger。Theblacksmoveduneasily，likeaherdofcattle，atthesoundofhisvoice。Butnotonespoke。Alleyes，however，werestaringathimincertitudeofexpectancy。Somethingwasabouttohappen，andtheywerewaitingforit，waitingwiththeunanimous，unstablemob-mindfortheoneofthemwhowouldmakethefirstactionthatwouldprecipitateallofthemintoacommonaction。Sheldonlookedforthisone，forsuchwastheonetofear。Directlybeneathhimhecaughtsightofthemuzzleofarifle，barelyprojectingbetweentwoblackbodies，thatwasslowlyelevatingtowardhim。Itwasheldatthehipbyamaninthesecondrow。
"Whatnameyou？"Sheldonsuddenlyshouted，pointingdirectlyatthemanwhoheldthegun，whostartledandloweredthemuzzle。
Sheldonstillheldthewhiphand，andheintendedtokeepit。
"Clearout，allyoufellaboys，"heordered。"Clearoutandwalkalongsaltwater。Savvee!"
"Metalk，"spokeupafatandfilthysavagewhosehairychestwascakedwiththeunwasheddirtofyears。
"Oh，isthatyou，Telepasse？"thewhitemanqueriedgenially。"Youtell"mboysclearout，andyoustopandtalkalongme。"
"Himgoodfellaboy，"wasthereply。"Himstopalong。"
"Well，whatdoyouwant？"Sheldonasked，strivingtohideunderassumedcarelessnesstheweaknessofconcession。
"Thatfellaboybelongalongme。"TheoldchiefpointedoutGogoomy，whomSheldonrecognized。
"WhiteMarybelongyoutoomuchnogood，"Telepassewenton。"Bang"mheadbelongGogoomy。Gogoomyallthesamechief。Bimebymefinish，Gogoomybigfellachief。WhiteMarybang"mhead。Nogood。Youpaymeplentytobacco，plentypowder，plentycalico。"
"Youoldscoundrel，"wasSheldon"scomment。Anhourbefore，hehadbeenchucklingoverJoan"srecitaloftheepisode，andhere，anhourlater，wasTelepassehimselfcometocollectdamages。
"Gogoomy，"Sheldonordered，"whatnameyouwalkabouthere？Yougetalongquartersplentyquick。"
"Mestop，"wasthedefiantanswer。
"WhiteMaryb"longyoubang"mhead，"oldTelepassebeganagain。
"Myword，plentybigfellatroubleyounopay。"
"Youtalkalongboys，"Sheldonsaid，withincreasingirritation。
"Youtell"mgettohellalongbeach。ThenItalkwithyou。"
Sheldonfeltaslightvibrationoftheveranda，andknewthatJoanhadcomeoutandwasstandingbyhisside。Buthedidnotdareglanceather。Thereweretoomanyriflesdownbelowthere，andrifleshadawayofgoingofffromthehip。
Againtheverandavibratedwithhermovingweight，andheknewthatJoanhadgoneintothehouse。Aminutelatershewasbackbesidehim。Hehadneverseenhersmoke，anditstruckhimaspeculiarthatsheshouldbesmokingnow。Thenheguessedthereason。Withaquickglance，henotedthehandatherside，andinitthefamiliar，paper-wrappeddynamite。Henoted，also，theendoffuse，splitproperly，intowhichhadbeeninsertedtheheadofawaxmatch。