第3章

Yannwasacapitalwaltzer，asstraightasayoungoak，movingwithagracefulyetdignifiedbearing，hisheadthrownwellback，hisbrown，curledlocksfallinguponhisbrow，andfloatingwiththemotionofthedance。Gaud，whowasrathertallherself，felttheircontactuponhercap，ashebenttowardshertograsphermoretightlyduringtheswiftmovements。

NowandthenhepointedouttoherhislittlesisterMarie，dancingwithSylvestre，whowasher/fiance/。Hesmiledwithaverytenderlookatseeingthembothsoyoungandyetsoreservedtowardsoneanother，bowinggravely，andputtingonverytimidairsastheycommunedlowly，onmostamiablesubjects，nodoubt。

Ofcourse，Yannwouldneverhaveallowedittobeotherwise；yetitamusedhim，venturesomeandboldashewas，tofindthemsocoy；andheandGaudexchangedoneoftheirconfidentialsmiles，seemingtosay:"Howpretty，buthowfunny/our/littlebrotheris!"

Towardsthecloseoftheevening，allthegirlsreceivedthebreaking-

upkiss；cousins，betrothed，andlovers，all，inagoodfrank，honestway，beforeeverybody。But，ofcourse，YannhadnotkissedGaud；nonemighttakethatlibertywiththedaughterofM。Mevel；butheseemedtostrainheralittlemoretightlytohimduringthelastwaltzes，andshe，trustinghim，didnotresist，butyieldedcloserstill，givingupherwholesoul，inthesudden，deep，andjoyousattractionthatboundhertohim。

"Didyouseethesaucyminx，whateyesshemadeathim？"queriedtwoorthreegirls，withtheirowneyestimidlybentundertheirgoldenorblackbrows，thoughtheyhadamongthedancersoneortwolovers，tosaytheleast。AndtrulyGauddidlookatYannveryhard，onlyshehadtheexcusethathewasthefirstandonlyyoungmanwhomsheeverhadnoticedinherlife。

Atdawn，whenthepartybrokeupandleftinconfusion，theyhadtakenleaveofoneanother，likebetrothedones，whoaresuretomeetthefollowingday。Toreturnhome，shehadcrossedthissamemarket-placewithherfather，littlefatigued，feelinglightandgay，happytobreathethefrostyfog，andlovingthesaddawnitself，sosweetandenjoyableseemedbarelife。

TheMaynighthadlongsincefallen；nearlyallthewindowshadclosedwithagratingof

theirironfittings，butGaudremainedatherplace，leavinghersopen。Thelastpassers-by，whocoulddistinguishthewhitecapinthedarkness，mightsaytothemselves，"That"ssurelysomegirl，dreamingofhersweetheart。"Itwastrue，forshewasdreamingofhers，withawilddesiretoweep；hertinyteethbitherlipsandcontinuallyopenedandpursedupthedeepdimplethatoutlinedtheunderlipofherfresh，puremouth。Hereyesremainedfixedonthedarkness，seeingnothingoftangiblethings。

But，aftertheball，whyhadhenotreturned？Whatchangehadcomeoverhim？Meetinghimbychance，heseemedtoavoidher，turningasidehislook，whichwasalwaysfleeting，bytheway。ShehadoftendebatedthiswithSylvestre，whocouldnotunderstandeither。

"Butstill，he"stheladforyoutomarry，Gaud，"saidSylvestre，"ifyourfatherallowedye。Inthewholecountryroundyou"dnotfindhislike。First，letmetell"ee，he"sararegoodone，thoughhemayn"tlookit。Heseldomgetstipsy。Hesometimesisstubborn，butisverypliableforallthat。No，Ican"ttell"eehowgoodheis!AndsuchanA。B。seaman!Everynewfishingseasontheskippersregularlyfighttohavehim。"

Shewasquitesureofherfather"spermission，forsheneverhadbeenthwartedinanyofherwhims。AnditmatteredlittletoherwhetherYannwererichornot。Tobeginwith，asailorlikehimwouldneedbutalittlemoneyinadvancetoattendtheclassesofthecoastnavigationschool，andmightshortlybecomeacaptainwhomallshipownerswouldgladlyintrustwiththeirvessels。Italsomatteredlittletoherthathewassuchagiant；greatstrengthmaybecomeadefectinawoman，butinamanisnotprejudicialtogoodlooks。

Withoutseemingtocaremuch，shehadquestionedthegirlsofthecountryroundabout，whoknewallthelovestoriesgoing；buthehadnorecognizedengagementwithanyone，hepaidnomoreattentiontoonethananother，butrovedfromrighttoleft，toLezardrieuxaswellastoPaimpol，toallthebeautieswhocaredtoreceivehisaddress。

OneSundayevening，verylate，shehadseenhimpassunderherwindows，incompanywithoneJeannieCaroff，whomhetuckedunderhiswingveryclosely；shewaspretty，certainly，buthadaverybadreputation。ThishadpainedGaudverymuchindeed。Shehadbeentoldthathewasveryquick-tempered:onenightbeingrathertipsyinatavernofPaimpol，wheretheIcelandersheldtheirrevels，hehadthrownagreatmarbletablethroughadoorthattheywouldnotopentohim。Butsheforgavehimallthat；weallknowwhatsailorsaresometimeswhenthefittakesthem。Butifhisheartweregood，whyhadhesoughtoneoutwhoneverhadthoughtofhim，toleaveherafterward；whatreasonhadhehadtolookatherforawholeeveningwithhisfair，opensmile，andtousehissoftest，tenderestvoicetospeaktoherofhisaffairsastoabetrothed？Now，itwasimpossibleforhertobecomeattachedtoanother，ortochange。Inthissamecountry，whenquiteachild，shewasusedtobeingscoldedwhennaughtyandcalledmorestubbornthananyotherchildinherideas；

andshehadnotaltered。Fineladyasshewasnow，ratherseriousandproudinherways，nonehadrefashionedher，andsheremainedalwaysthesame。

Afterthisball，thepastwinterhadbeenspentinwaitingtoseehimagain，buthehadnotevencometosaygood-byebeforehisdepartureforIceland。Sincehewasnolongerby，nothingelseexistedinhereyes；slowlytimeseemedtodraguntilthereturninautumn，whenshehadmadeuphermindtoputanendtoherdoubts。

Thetown-hallclockstruckeleven，withthatpeculiarresonancethatbellshaveduringthequietspringnights。AtPaimpoleleveno"clockisverylate；soGaudclosedherwindowandlitherlamp，togotobed。

PerhapsitwasonlyshynessinYann，afterall，orwasitbecause，beingproudalso，hewasafraidofarefusal，asshewassorich？Shewantedtoaskhimthisherselfstraightforwardly，butSylvestrethoughtthatitwouldnotbetherightthing，anditwouldnotlookwellforhertoappearsobold。InPaimpolalreadyhermannersanddressweresufficientlycriticised。

Sheundressedslowlyasifinadream；firsthermuslincap，thenhertown-cutdress，whichshethrewcarelesslyonachair。Thelittlelamp，alonetoburnatthislatehour，bathedhershouldersandbosominitsmysteriouslight，herperfectform，whichnoeyeeverhadcontemplated，andnevercouldcontemplateifYanndidnotmarryher。

Sheknewherfacewasbeautiful，butshewasunconsciousofthebeautyofherfigure。Inthisremoteland，amongdaughtersoffishers，beautyofshapeisalmostpartoftherace；itisscarcelyevernoticed，andeventheleastrespectablewomenareashamedtoparadeit。

Gaudbegantounbraidhertresses，coiledintheshapeofasnail-

shellandrolledroundherears，andtwoplaitsfelluponhershoulderslikeweightyserpents。Shedrewthemupintoacrownonthetopofherhead——thiswascomfortableforsleeping——sothat，byreasonofherstraightprofile，shelookedlikeaRomanvestal。

Shestillheldupherarms，andbitingherlip，sheslowlyranherfingersthroughthegoldenmass，likeachildplayingwithatoy，whilethinkingofsomethingelse；andagainlettingitfall，shequicklyunplaitedittospreaditout；soonshewascoveredwithherownlocks，whichfelltoherknees，lookinglikesomeDruidess。

Andsleephavingcome，notwithstandingloveandanimpulsetoweep，shethrewherselfroughlyinherbed，hidingherfaceinthesilkenmassesfloatingroundheroutspreadlikeaveil。

InherhutinPloubazlanec，GrannyMoan，whowasontheotheranddarkersideofherlife，hadalsofallentosleep——thefrozensleepofoldage——dreamingofhergrandsonandofdeath。

Andatthissamehour，onboardthe/Marie/，ontheNorthernSea，whichwasveryheavyonthisparticularevening，YannandSylvestre——

thetwolonged-forrovers——sangdittiestooneanother，andwentongailywiththeirfishingintheeverlastingdaylight。

CHAPTERVI

NEWSFROMHOME

Aboutamonthlater，aroundIceland，theweatherwasofthatrarekindthatthesailorscalladeadcalm；inotherwords，intheairnothingmoved，asifallthebreezeswereexhaustedandtheirtaskdone。

Theskywascoveredwithawhiteveil，whichdarkenedtowardsitslowerbordernearthehorizon，andgraduallypassedintodullgrayleadentints；overthisthestillwatersthrewapalelight，whichfatiguedtheeyesandchilledthegazerthroughandthrough。Allatonce，liquiddesignsplayedoverthesurface，suchlightevanescentringsasoneformsbybreathingonamirror。Thesheenofthewatersseemedcoveredwithanetoffaintpatterns，whichintermingledandreformed，rapidlydisappearing。Everlastingnightoreverlastingday，onecouldscarcelysaywhatitwas；thesun，whichpointedtonospecialhour，remainedfixed，asifpresidingoverthefadinggloryofdeadthings；itappearedbutasamerering，beingalmostwithoutsubstance，andmagnifiedenormouslybyashiftinghalo。

YannandSylvestre，leaningagainstoneanother，sang"Jean-FrancoisdeNantes，"thesongwithoutanend；amusedbyitsverymonotony，lookingatoneanotherfromthecorneroftheireyesasiflaughingatthechildishfun，withwhichtheybegantheversesoverandoveragain，tryingtoputfreshspiritintothemeachtime。Theircheekswererosyunderthesharpfreshnessofthemorning:thepureairtheybreathedwasstrengthening，andtheyinhaleditdeepdownintheirchests，theveryfountainofallvigorousexistence。Andyet，aroundthem，wasasemblanceofnon-existence，ofaworldeitherfinishedornotyetcreated；thelightitselfhadnowarmth；allthingsseemedwithoutmotion，andasifchilledforeternityunderthegreatghostlyeyethatrepresentedthesun。

The/Marie/projectedovertheseaashadowlongandblackasnight，orratherappearingdeepgreeninthemidstofthepolishedsurface，whichreflectedallthepurityoftheheavens；inthisshadowedpart，whichhadnoglitter，couldbeplainlydistinguishedthroughthetransparency，myriadsuponmyriadsoffish，allalike，glidingslowlyinthesamedirection，asifbenttowardsthegoaloftheirperpetualtravels。Theywerecod，performingtheirevolutionsallaspartsofasinglebody，stretchedfulllengthinthesamedirection，exactlyparallel，offeringtheeffectofgraystreaks，unceasinglyagitatedbyaquickmotionthatgavealookoffluiditytothemassofdumblives。

Sometimes，withasuddenquickmovementofthetail，allturnedroundatthesametime，showingthesheenoftheirsilveredsides；andthesamemovementwasrepeatedthroughouttheentireshoalbyslowundulations，asifathousandmetalbladeshadeachthrownatinyflashoflightningfromunderthesurface。

Thesun，alreadyverylow，loweredfurther；sonighthaddecidedlycome。Asthegreatballofflamedescendedintotheleaden-colouredzonesthatsurroundedthesea，itgrewyellow，anditsouterrimbecamemoreclearandsolid。Nowitcouldbelookedstraightat，asifitwerebutthemoon。Yetitstillgaveoutlightandlookedquitenearintheimmensity；itseemedthatbygoinginaship，onlysofarastheedgeofthehorizon，onemightcollidewiththegreatmournfulglobe，floatingintheairjustafewyardsabovethewater。

Fishingwasgoingonwell；lookingintothecalmwater，onecouldseeexactlywhattookplace；howthecodcametobite，withagreedyspring；then，feelingthemselveshooked，wriggledabout，asiftohookthemselvesstillfirmer。Andeverymoment，withrapidaction，thefishermenhauledintheirlines，handoverhand，throwingthefishtothemanwhowastocleanthemandflattenthemout。

ThePaimpolfleetwerescatteredoverthequietmirror，animatingthedesert。Hereandthereappeareddistantsails，unfurledformereform"ssake，consideringtherewasnobreeze。Theywerelikeclearwhiteoutlinesuponthegreysofthehorizon。Inthisdeadcalm，fishingoffIcelandseemedsoeasyandtranquilatradethatladies"

yachtingwasnonameforit。

"JeanFrancoisdeNantes；

JeanFrancois，JeanFrancois!"

Sotheysang，likeacoupleofchildren。

Yannlittletroubledwhetherornohewashandsomeandgood-looking。

HewasboyishonlywithSylvestre，itistrue，andsangandjokedwithnoother；onthecontrary，hewasratherdistantwiththeothersandproudanddisdainful——verywillingthough，whenhishelpwasrequired，andalwayskindandobligingwhennotirritated。

Sothetwainwentonsingingtheirsong，withtwoothers，afewstepsoff，singinganother，adirge——aclashingofsleepiness，health，andvaguemelancholy。Buttheydidnotfeeldull，andthehoursflewby。

Downinthecabinafirestillsmoulderedintheironrange，andthehatchwaskeptshut，soastogivetheappearanceofnightthereforthosewhoneededsleep。Theyrequiredbutlittleairtosleep；indeed，lessrobustfellows，broughtupintowns，wouldhavewantedmore。Theyusedtogotobedafterthewatchatirregulartimes，justwhentheyfeltinclined，hourscountingforlittleinthisnever-fadinglight。

Andtheyalwayssleptsoundlyandpeacefullywithoutrestlessnessorbaddreams。

"JeanFrancoisdeNantes；

JeanFrancois，JeanFrancois!"

Theylookedattentivelyatsomealmostimperceptibleobject，faroffonthehorizon，somefaintsmokerisingfromthewaterslikeatinyjotofanothergraytintslightlydarkerthanthesky"s。Theireyeswereusedtoplumbingdepths，andtheyhadseenit。

"Asail，asail，thereaway!"

"Ihaveanidea，"saidtheskipper，staringattentively，"thatit"sagovernmentcruisercomingonherinspection-round。"

Thisfaintsmokebroughtnewsofhometothesailors，andamongothers，aletterwewroteof，fromanoldgrandam，writtenbythehandofabeautifulgirl。Slowlythesteamerapproachedtilltheyperceivedherblackhull。Yes，itwasthecruiser，makingtheinspectioninthesewesternfjords。

Atthesametime，aslightbreezesprangup，fresheryettoinhale，andbegantotarnishthesurfaceofthestillwatersinpatches；ittraceddesignsinabluishgreentintovertheshiningmirror，andscatteringintrails，thesefannedoutorbranchedofflikeacoraltree；allveryrapidlywithalowmurmur；itwaslikeasignalofawakeningforetellingtheendofthisintensetorpor。Thesky，itsveilbeingrentasunder，grewclear；thevapoursfelldownonthehorizon，massinginheapslikeslate-colouredwadding，asiftoformasoftbanktothesea。Thetwoever-duringmirrorsbetweenwhichthefishermenlived，theoneonhighandtheonebeneath，recoveredtheirdeeplucidity，asifthemiststarnishingthemhadbeenbrushedaway。

Theweatherwaschanginginarapidwaythatforetoldnogood。Smacksbegantoarrivefromallpointsoftheimmenseplane；first，alltheFrenchsmacksinthevicinity，fromBrittany，Normandy，Boulogne，orDunkirk。Likebirdsflockingtoacall，theyassembledroundthecruiser；fromtheapparentlyemptycornersofthehorizon，othersappearedoneveryside；theirtinygraywingswereseentilltheypeopledthepallidwaste。

Nolongerslowlydrifting，fortheyhadspreadouttheirsailstothenewandcoolbreeze，andcrackedonalltoapproach。

Far-offIcelandalsoreappeared，asifshewouldfaincomenearthemalso；showinghergreatmountainsofbarestonesmoredistinctlythanever。

AndtherearoseanewIcelandofsimilarcolour，whichlittlebylittletookamoredefiniteform，andnonethelesswaspurelyillusive，itsgiganticmountainsmerelyacondensationofmists。Thesun，sinkinglow，seemedincapableofeverrisingoverallthings，thoughglowingthroughthisphantomislandsotangiblethatitseemedplacedinfrontofit。Incomprehensiblesight!nolongerwasitsurroundedbyahalo，butitsdischadbecomefirmlyspread，ratherlikesomefadedyellowplanetslowlydecayingandsuddenlycheckedthereintheheartofchaos。

Thecruiser，whichhadstopped，wasfullysurroundedbythefleetofIcelanders。Fromallboatswerelowered，likesomanynut-shells，andconveyedtheirstrong，long-beardedmen，inbarbaric-lookingdresses，tothesteamer。

Likechildren，allhadsomethingtobegfor；remediesforpettyailments，materialsforrepairs，changeofdiet，andhomeletters。

Otherscame，sentbytheircaptains，tobeclappedinirons，toexpiatesomefault；astheyhadallbeeninthenavy，theytookthisasamatterofcourse。Whenthenarrowdeckofthecruiserwasblocked-upbyfourorfiveofthesehulkingfellows，stretchedoutwiththebilboesroundtheirfeet，theoldsailorwhohadjustchainedthemupcalledouttothem，"Rollo"oneside，mylads，toletuswork，d"yehear？"whichtheyobedientlydidwithagrin。

TherewereagreatmanylettersthistimefortheIcelandfleet。Amongtherest，twofor"/LaMarie/，CaptainGuermeur"；oneaddressedto"MonsieurGaos，Yann，"theotherto"MonsieurMoan，Sylvestre。"ThelatterhadcomebywayofRykavyk，wherethecruiserhadtakeniton。

Thepurser，divingintohispost-bagsofsailcloth，distributedthemallround，oftenfindingithardtoreadtheaddresses，whichwerenotalwayswrittenveryskilfully，whilethecaptainkeptonsaying:"Lookalivethere，lookalive!thebarometerisfalling。"

Hewasratheranxioustoseeallthetinyyawlsafloat，andsomanyvesselsassembledinthatdangerousregion。

YannandSylvestreusedtoreadtheirletterstogether。Thistimetheyreadthembythelightofthemidnightsun，shiningabovethehorizon，stilllikeadeadluminary。Sittingtogether，alittletooneside，inaretirednookofthedeck，theirarmsabouteachother"sshoulders，theyveryslowlyread，asiftoenjoymorethoroughlythenewssentthemfromhome。

InYann"sletterSylvestregotnewsofMarieGaos，hislittlesweetheart；inSylvestre"s，YannreadallGrannyMoan"sfunnystories，forshehadnotherlikeforamusingtheabsentonesyouwillremember；andthelastparagraphconcerninghimcameup:the"wordofgreetingtoyoungGaos。"

Whenthelettersweregotthrough，Sylvestretimidlyshowedhistohisbigfriend，totryandmakehimadmirethewritingofit。

"Look，isitnotprettywriting，Yann？"

ButYann，whoknewverywellwhosehandhadtracedit，turnedaside，shrugginghisshoulders，asmuchastosaythathewasworriedtoooftenaboutthisGaudgirl。

SoSylvestrecarefullyfoldedupthepoor，rejectedpaper，putitintoitsenvelopeandallinhisjersey，nexthisbreast，sayingtohimselfsadly:"Forsure，they"llnevermarry。Butwhatonearthcanhehavetosayagainsther？"

Midnightwasstruckonthecruiser"sbell。Andyetourcoupleremainedsittingthere，thinkingofhome，theabsentones，athousandthingsinreverie。Atthissamemomenttheeverlastingsun，whichhaddippeditsloweredgeintothewaters，beganslowlytoreascend，andlo!thiswasmorning。

PARTII

INTHEBRETONLAND

CHAPTERI

THEPLAYTHINGOFTHESTORM

TheNorthernsunhadtakenanotheraspectandchangeditscolour，openingthenewdaybyasinistermorn。Completelyfreefromitsveil，itgaveforthitsgrandrays，crossingtheskyinfitfulflashes，foretellingnastyweather。Duringthepastfewdaysithadbeentoofinetolast。Thewindsblewuponthatswarmofboats，asiftocleartheseaofthem；andtheybegantodisperseandflee，likeanarmyputtorout，beforethewarningwrittenintheair，beyondpossibilitytomisread。Harderandharderitblew，makingmenandshipsquakealike。

Andthestilltinywavesbegantorunoneafteranotherandtomelttogether；atfirsttheywerefrostedoverwithwhitefoamspreadoutinpatches；andthen，withawhizzingsound，arosesmokeasthoughtheyburnedandscorched，andthewhistlinggrewloudereverymoment。

Fish-catchingwasnolongerthoughtof；itwastheirworkondeck。Thefishinglineshadbeendrawnin，andallhurriedtomakesailandsometoseekforshelterinthefjords，whileyetotherspreferredtoroundthesouthernpointofIceland，findingitsafertostandfortheopensea，withthefreespaceaboutthem，andrunbeforethesternwind。

Theycouldstillseeeachotherawhile:hereandthere，abovethetroughofthesea，sailswaggedaspoorweariedbirdsfleeing；themaststipped，buteverandanonrighted，liketheweightedpithfiguresthatsimilarlyresumeanerectattitudewhenreleasedafterbeingblowndown。

Theillimitablecloudyroof，erstwhilecompactedtowardsthewesternhorizon，inanislandform，begantobreakuponhighandsenditsfragmentsoverthesurface。Itseemedindestructible，forvainlydidthewindsstretchit，pullandtossitasunder，continuallytearingawaydarkstrips，whichtheywavedoverthepaleyellowsky，graduallybecomingintenselyandicilylivid。Evermorestronglygrewthewindthatthrewallthingsinturmoil。

ThecruiserhaddepartedforshelteratIceland；somefishersaloneremainedupontheseethingsea，whichnowtookanill-bodinglookandadreadfulcolour。Allhastilymadepreparationsforbadweather。

Betweenoneandanotherthedistancegrewgreater，tillsomewerelostsightof。

Thewaves，curlingupinscrolls，continuedtorunaftereachother，toreassembleandclimbononeanother，andbetweenthemthehollowsdeepened。

Inafewhours，everythingwasbelabouredandoverthrownintheseregionsthathadbeensocalmthedaybefore，andinsteadofthepastsilence，theuproarwasdeafening。Thepresentagitationwasadissolvingview，unconscientiousanduseless，andquicklyaccomplished。Whatwastheobjectofitall？Whatamysteryofblinddestructionitwas!

Thecloudscontinuedtostreamoutonhigh，outofthewestcontinually，racinganddarkeningall。Afewyellowcleftsremained，throughwhichthesunshotitsraysinvolleys。Andthenowgreenishwaterwasstripedmorethicklywithsnowyfroth。

Bymiddaythe/Marie/wasmadecompletelysnugfordirtyweather:herhatchesbatteneddown，andhersailsstorm-reefed；sheboundedlightlyandelastic；forallthehorridconfusion，sheseemedtobeplayingliketheporpoises，alsoamusedinstorms。Withherforesailtakenin，shesimplyscuddedbeforethewind。

Ithadbecomequitedarkoverhead，wherestretchedtheheavilycrushingvault。Studdedwithshapelessgloomyspots，itappearedasetdome，unlessasteadiergazeascertainedthateverythingwasinthefullrushofmotion；endlessgrayveilsweredrawnalong，unceasinglyfollowedbyothers，fromtheprofunditiesofthesky-line——draperiesofdarkness，pulledfromanever-endingroll。

The/Marie/fledfasterandfasterbeforethewind；andtimefledalso——beforesomeinvisibleandmysteriouspower。Thegale，thesea，the/Marie/，andthecloudswerealllashedintoonegreatmadnessofhastyflighttowardsthesamepoint。Thefastestofallwasthewind；

thenthehugeseethingbillows，heavierandslower，toilingafter；

and，lastly，thesmack，draggedintothegeneralwhirl。Thewavestrackedherdownwiththeirwhitecrests，tumblingonwardincontinualmotion，andshe——thoughalwaysbeingcaughtuptoandoutrun——stillmanagedtoeludethembymeansoftheeddyingwatersshespurnedinherwake，uponwhichtheyventedtheirfury。Inthissimilitudeofflightthesensationparticularlyexperiencedwasofbuoyancy，thedelightofbeingcarriedalongwithouteffortortrouble，inaspringysortofway。The/Marie/mountedoverthewaveswithoutanyshaking，asifthewindhadliftedhercleanup；andhersubsequentdescentwasaslide。Shealmostslidbackward，though，attimes，themountainsloweringbeforeherasifcontinuingtorun，andthenshesuddenlyfoundherselfdroppedintooneofthemeasurelesshollowsthatevadedheralso；withoutinjuryshesoundeditshorribledepths，amidaloudsplashingofwater，whichdidnotevensprinkleherdecks，butwasblownonandonlikeeverythingelse，evaporatinginfinerandfinersprayuntilitwasthinnedawaytonothing。Inthetroughitwasdarker，andwheneachwavehadpassedthemenlookedbehindthemtoseeifthenexttoappearwerehigher；itcameuponthemwithfuriouscontortions，andcurlingcrests，overitstransparentemeraldbody，seemingtoshriek:"Onlyletmecatchyou，andI"llswallowyouwhole!"

Butthisnevercametopass，for，asafeather，thebillowssoftlyborethemupandthendownsogently；theyfeltitpassunderthem，withallitsboilingsurfandthunderousroar。Andsooncontinually，buttheseagettingheavierandheavier。Oneafteranotherrushedthewaves，moreandmoregigantic，likealongchainofmountains，withyawningvalleys。Andthemadnessofallthismovement，undertheever-

darkeningsky，acceleratedtheheightoftheintolerableclamour。

YannandSylvestrestoodatthehelm，stillsinging，"JeanFrancoisdeNantes"；intoxicatedwiththequiverofspeed，theysangoutloudly，laughingattheirinabilitytohearthemselvesinthisprodigiouswrathofthewind。

"Isay，lads，doesitsmellmustyupheretoo？"calledoutGuermeurtothem，passinghisbeardedfaceupthroughthehalf-openhatchway，likeJack-in-the-box。

Oh，no!itcertainlydidnotsmellmustyondeck。Theywerenotatallfrightened，beingquiteconsciousofwhatmencancopewith，havingfaithinthestrengthoftheirbarkeyandtheirarms。AndtheyfurthermorereliedupontheprotectionofthatchinaVirgin，whichhadvoyagedfortyyearstoIceland，andsooftenhaddancedthedanceofthisday，smilingperpetuallybetweenherbranchesofartificialflowers。

Generallyspeaking，theycouldnotseefararoundthem；afewhundredyardsoff，allseemedentombedinthefearfullybigbillows，withtheirfrothingcrestsshuttingouttheview。Theyfeltasifinanenclosure，continuallyalteringshape；and，besides，allthingsseemeddrownedintheaqueoussmoke，whichfledbeforethemlikeacloudwiththegreatestrapidityovertheheavingsurface。Butfromtimetotimeagleamofsunlightpiercedthroughthenorth-westsky，throughwhichasquallthreatened；ashudderinglightwouldappearfromabove，aratherspun-outdimness，makingthedomeoftheheavensdenserthanbefore，andfeeblylightingupthesurge。Thisnewlightwassadtobehold；far-offglimpsesastheywere，thatgavetoostronganunderstandingthatthesamechaosandthesamefurylayonallsides，evenfar，farbehindtheseeminglyvoidhorizon；therewasnolimittoitsexpanseofstorm，andtheystoodaloneinitsmidst!

Atremendoustumultaroseallabout，likethepreludeofanapocalypse，spreadingtheterroroftheultimateendoftheearth。Andamidstitthousandsofvoicescouldbeheardabove，shrieking，bellowing，calling，asfromagreatdistance。Itwasonlythewind，thegreatmotivebreathofallthisdisorder，thevoiceoftheinvisiblepowerrulingall。Thencameothervoices，nearerandlessindefinite，threateningdestruction，andmakingthewatershudderandhissasifonburningcoals；thedisturbanceincreasedinterror。

Notwithstandingtheirflight，theseabegantogainonthem，to"burythemup，"astheyphrasedit:firstthesprayfelldownonthemfrombehind，andmassesofwaterthrownwithsuchviolenceastobreakeverythingintheircourse。Thewaveswereeverincreasing，andthetempesttoreofftheirridgesandhurledthem，too，uponthepoop，likeademon"sgameofsnowballing，tilldashedtoatomsonthebulwarks。Heaviermassesfellontheplankswithahammeringsound，tillthe/Marie/shiveredthroughout，asifinpain。Nothingcouldbedistinguishedovertheside，becauseofthescreenofcreamyfoam；andwhenthewindssoughedmoreloudly，thisfoamformedintowhirlingspouts，likethedustofthewayinsummertime。Atlengthaheavyrainfellcrossways，andsoonstraightupanddown，andhowalltheseelementsofdestructionyelledtogether，clashedandinterlocked，notonguecantell。

YannandSylvestrestuckstaunchlytothehelm，coveredwiththeirwaterproofs，hardandshinyassharkskin；theyhadfirmlysecuredthematthethroatbytarredstrings，andlikewiseatwristsandanklestopreventthewaterfromrunningin，andtherainonlypouredoffthem；

whenitfelltooheavily，theyarchedtheirbacks，andheldallthemorestoutly，nottobethrownovertheboard。Theircheeksburned，andeveryminutetheirbreathwasbeatenoutorstopped。

Aftereachseawasshippedandrushedover，theyexchangedglances，grinningatthecrustofsaltsettledintheirbeards。

Inthelongrunthough，thisbecametiresome，anunceasingfury，whichalwayspromisedaworsevisitation。Thefuryofmenandbeastssoonfallsanddiesaway；butthefuryoflifelessthings，withoutcauseorobject，isasmysteriousaslifeanddeath，andhastobeborneforverylong。

"JeanFrancoisdeNantes；

JeanFrancois，JeanFrancois!"

Throughtheirpalelipsstillcametherefrainoftheoldsong，butasfromaspeakingautomaton，unconsciouslytakenupfromtimetotime。

Theexcessofmotionanduproarhadmadethemdumb，anddespitetheiryouththeirsmileswereinsincere，andtheirteethchatteredwithcold；theireyes，half-closedundertheirraw，throbbingeyelids，remainedglazedinterror。Lashedtothehelm，likemarblecaryatides，theyonlymovedtheirnumbedbluehands，almostwithoutthinking，bysheermuscularhabit。Withtheirhairstreamingandmouthscontracted，theyhadbecomechanged，alltheprimitivewildnessinmanappearingagain。Theycouldnotseeoneanothertruly，butstillwereawareofbeingcompanioned。Intheinstantsofgreatestdanger，eachtimethatafreshmountainofwaterrosebehindthem，cametoovertowerthem，andcrashhorriblyagainsttheirboat，oneoftheirhandswouldmoveasifinvoluntarily，toformthesignofthecross。TheynomorethoughtofGaudthanofanyotherwoman，oranymarrying。Thetravailwaslastingtoolong，andtheyhadnothoughtsleft。Theintoxicationofnoise，cold，andfatiguedrownedallintheirbrain。Theyweremerelytwopillarsofstiffenedhumanflesh，heldupbythehelm；twostrongbeasts，cowering，butdeterminedtheywouldnotbeoverwhelmed。

CHAPTERII

APARDONABLERUSE

InBrittany，towardstheendofSeptember，onanalreadychillyday，GaudwaswalkingaloneacrossthecommonofPloubazlanec，inthedirectionofPors-Even。

TheIcelandershadreturnedamonthback，excepttwo，whichhadperishedinthatJunegale。Butthe/Marie/hadheldherown，andYannandallhercrewwerepeacefullyathome。

GaudfeltverytroubledattheideaofgoingtoYann"shouse。ShehadseenhimoncesincethereturnfromIceland，whentheyhadallgonetogethertoseepoorlittleSylvestreofftothenavy。Theyaccompaniedhimtothecoaching-house，heblubberingalittleandhisgrandmotherweeping，andhehadstartedtojointhefleetatBrest。

Yann，whohadcomealsotobidgood-byetohislittlefriend，hadfeignedtolookasidewhenGaudlookedathim，andasthereweremanypeopleroundthecoachtoseetheothersailorsoff，andparentsassembledtosaygood-bye，thepairhadnotachancetospeak。So，atlast，shehadformedastrongresolution，andrathertimidlywendedherwaytowardstheGaos"shome。

HerfatherhadformerlyhadmutualinterestswithYann"sfather(complicatedbusiness，which，withpeasantsandfishersalike，seemstobeendless)，andowedhimahundredfrancsforthesaleofaboat，whichhadjusttakenplaceinaraffle。

"Yououghttoletmecarrythemoneytohim，father，"shehadsaid。"I

shallbepleasedtoseeMarieGaos。IneverhavebeensofarinPloubazlanec，either，andIshallenjoythelongwalk。"

Tospeakthetruth，shewascuriouslyanxioustoknowYann"sfamily，whichshemightsomedayenter；andshealsowantedtoseethehouseandvillage。

Inoneoftheirlastchats，beforehisdeparture，Sylvestrehadexplainedtoher，inhisownway，hisfriend"sshyness。

"D"yesee，Gaud，he"slikethis，hewon"tmarryanybody，that"shisidea；heonlylovesthesea，andonedayeven，infun，hesaidhehadpromisedtobeweddedtoit。"

Whereupon，sheforgavehimallhispeculiarways，andrememberedonlyhisbeautifulopensmileonthenightoftheball，andshehopedonandon。

Ifsheweretomeethiminhishome，ofcourseshewouldsaynothing；

shehadnointentionofbeingsobold。Butifhesawhercloselyagain，perhapshemightspeak。

CHAPTERIII

OFSINISTERPORTENT

Shehadbeenwalkingforthelasthour，lightlyyetoppressed，inhalingthehealthyopenbreezewhistlinguptheroadstowheretheycrossedand/Calvaires/wereerected，ghastlyhighwayornamentsofourSaviouronHiscross，towhichBretonsaregiven。

Fromtimetotimeshepassedthroughsmallfishingvillages，whicharebeatenaboutbythewindsthewholeyearthroughtillofthecolouroftherocks。Inoneofthesehamlets，wherethepathnarrowssuddenlybetweendarkwalls，andbetweenthewhitewashedroofs，highandpointedlikeCeltichuts，atavernsign-boardmadehersmile。Itwas"TheChineseCiderCellars。"Onitwerepaintedtwogrotesquefigures，dressedingreenandpinkrobes，withpigtails，drinkingcider。NodoubtthewhimofsomeoldsailorwhohadbeeninChina。Shesawallonherway；peoplewhoaregreatlyengrossedintheobjectofajourneyalwaysfindmoreamusementthanothersinitsthousanddetails。

Thetinyvillagewasfarbehindhernow，andassheadvancedinthislastpromontoryoftheBretonland，thetreesaroundherbecamemorescarce，andthecountrymoremournful。

Thegroundwasundulatingandrocky，andfromalltheheightstheopenseacouldbeseen。Nomoretreesnow；nothingbuttheshornheathswiththeirgreenreeds，andhereandtheretheconsecratedcrossesrose，theiroutstretchedarmsoutlinedagainstthesky，givingthewholecountrytheaspectofacemetery。

Atoneofthecross-ways，guardedbyacolossalimageofChrist，shehesitatedbetweentworoadsrunningamongthornyslopes。

Achildhappeningtopass，cametoherrescue:"Good-day，MademoiselleGaud!"

ItwasoneofthelittleGaoses，oneofYann"sweesisters。Gaudkissedherandaskedherifherparentswereathome。

"Fatherandmotherare，yes。ButbrotherYann，"saidthelittleone，withoutintent，ofcourse，"hasgonetoLoguivy；butIdon"tthinkhe"llbeverylatehomeagain。"

Sohewasnotthere？Againdestinywasbetweenthem，everywhereandalways。Shethoughtatfirstofputtingoffhervisittoanotherday。

Butthelittlelasswhohadmethermightmentionthefact。WhatwouldtheythinkatPors-Even？Soshedecidedtogoon，butloiteringsoastogiveYanntimetoreturn。

Asshenearedhisvillage，inthislostcountry，allthingsseemedrougherandmoredesolate。Seabreezesthatmademenstronger，madeshorterandmorestubblyplants。Seaweedsofallkindswerescatteredoverthepaths，leavesfromgrowthsinanotherelement，provingtheexistenceofaneighbouringworld；theirbrinyodourmingledwiththeperfumeoftheheather。

NowandagainGaudmetpassers-by，sea-folk，whocouldbeseenalongwayoff，overthebarecountry，outlinedandmagnifiedagainstthehighsea-line。Pilotsorfishers，seemingtowatchthegreatsea，inpassingherwishedhergood-day。Broadsun-burntfacesweretheirs，manlyanddeterminedundertheireasycaps。

Timedidnotgoquicklyenough，andshereallydidnotknowwhattodotolengthentheway；thesepeopleseemedsurprisedatseeingherwalksoslowly。

WhatcouldYannbedoingatLoguivy？Courtingthegirls，perhaps。

Ah!ifsheonlyhadknownhowlittlehetroubledhisheadaboutthem!

HehadsimplygonetoLoguivytogiveanordertoabasket-maker，whowastheonlyoneinthecountryknowinghowtoweavelobsterpots。Hismindwasveryfreefromlovejustnow。

Shepassedachapel，atsuchaheightitcouldbeseenremotely。Itwasalittlegrayoldchapelinthemidstofthebarren。Aclumpoftrees，graytoo，andalmostleafless，seemedlikehairtoit，pushedbysomeinvisiblehandallononeside。

Itwasthatsamehandthathadwreckedthefishers"boats，theeternalhandofthewesternwinds，andhadtwistedallthebranchesofthecoasttreesinthedirectionofthewavesandoftheoff-seabreezes。

Theoldtreeshadgrownawryanddishevelled，bendingtheirbacksunderthetime-honouredstrengthofthathand。

Gaudwasalmostattheendofherwalk，asthechapelinsightwasthatofPors-Even；soshestoppedtheretowinalittlemoretime。

Apettymoulderingwallranroundanenclosurecontainingtombstones。

Everythingwasofthesamecolour，chapel，trees，andgraves；thewholespotseemedfadedandeatenintobythesea-wind；thestones，theknottybranches，andthegranitesaints，placedinthewallniches，werecoveredbythesamegrayishlichen，splashedpaleyellow。

Ononeofthewoodencrossesthisnamewaswritteninlargeletters:

"GAOS——GAOS，JOEL，80years。"

Yes，thiswastheoldgrandfather——sheknewthat——fortheseahadnotwantedthisoldsailor。AndmanyofYann"srelatives，besides，slepthere；itwasonlynatural，andshemighthaveexpectedit；

nevertheless，thenameuponthetombhadmadeasadimpression。

Towastealittlemoretime，sheenteredtosayaprayerundertheoldcrampedporch，wornawayanddaubedoverwithwhitewash。Butshestoppedagainwithasharppainatherheart。"Gaos"——againthatname，engravedupononeoftheslabserectedinmemoryofthosewhodieatsea。

Shereadthisinscription:

"TotheMemoryofGAOS，JEAN-LOUIS，Aged24years；seamanonboardthe/Marguerite/。

DisappearedoffIceland，August3d，1877。

Mayherestinpeace!"

Iceland——alwaysIceland!Allovertheporchwerewoodenslabsbearingthenamesofdeadsailors。ItwastheplacereservedfortheshipwreckedofPors-Even。Filledwithadarkforebodingshewassorrytohavegonethere。

InPaimpolchurchshehadseenmanysuchinscriptions；butinthisvillagetheemptytomboftheIcelandfishersseemedmoresadbecausesoloneandhumble。Oneachsideofthedoorwaywasagraniteseatforthewidowsandmothers；andthisshadyspot，irregularlyshapedlikeagrotto，wasguardedbyanoldimageoftheVirgin，colouredred，withlargestaringeyes，lookingmostlikeCybele——thefirstgoddessoftheearth。

"Gaos!"Again!

"TotheMemoryofGAOS，FRANCOIS，HusbandofAnne-MarieleGoaster，Captainonboardthe/Paimpolais/，LostoffIceland，betweenthe1stand3dofMay，1877，Withthetwenty-threemenofhiscrew。

Maytheyrestinpeace!"

And，lowerdown，weretwocross-bonesunderablackskullwithgreeneyes，asimplebutghastlyemblem，remindingoneofallthebarbarismofabygoneage。

"Gaos，Gaos!"Thenamewaseverywhere。Assheread，thrillsofsweettendernesscameoverherforthisYannofherchoice，dampedbyafeelingofhopelessness。Nay，hewouldneverbehers!HowcouldshetearhimfromtheseawheresomanyotherGaoseshadgonedown，ancestorsandbrothers，whomusthavelovedthesealikehe!Sheenteredthechapel。Itwasalmostdark，badlylitbylowwindowswithheavyframes。Andthere，herheartfulloftearsthatwouldbetterhavefallen，sheknelttopraybeforethecolossalsaints，surroundedbycommonflowers，touchingthevaultedroofwiththeirmassiveheads。

Outside，therisingwindbegantosobasifitbroughtthedeath-gaspsofthedrownedmenbacktotheirFatherland。

Nightdrewnear；sheroseandwentonherway。Afterhavingaskedinthevillage，shefoundthehomeoftheGaosfamily，whichwasbuiltupagainstahighcliff。Adozengranitestepsleduptoit。TremblingalittleatthethoughtthatYannmighthavereturned，shecrossedthesmallgardenwherechrysanthemumsandveronicasgrew。