第4章

AhChodidnotunderstandFrench。Hesatinthecrowdedcourtroom，verywearyandbored，listeningtotheunceasing，explosiveFrenchthatnowoneofficialandnowanotheruttered。ItwasjustsomuchgabbletoAhCho，andhemarvelledatthestupidityoftheFrenchmenwhotooksolongtofindoutthemurdererofChungGa，andwhodidnotfindhimatall。ThefivehundredcooliesontheplantationknewthatAhSanhaddonethekilling，andherewasAhSannotevenarrested。Itwastruethatallthecoolieshadagreedsecretlynottotestifyagainstoneanother；butthen，itwassosimple，theFrenchmenshouldhavebeenabletodiscoverthatAhSanwastheman。Theywereverystupid，theseFrenchmen。

AhChohaddonenothingofwhichtobeafraid。Hehadhadnohandinthekilling。Itwastruehehadbeenpresentatit，andSchemmer，theoverseerontheplantation，hadrushedintothebarracksimmediatelyafterwardandcaughthimthere，alongwithfourorfiveothers；butwhatofthat？ChungGahadbeenstabbedonlytwice。Itstoodtoreasonthatfiveorsixmencouldnotinflicttwostabwounds。Atthemost，ifamanhadstruckbutonce，onlytwomencouldhavedoneit。

SoitwasthatAhChoreasoned，whenhe，alongwithhisfourcompanions，hadliedandblockedandobfuscatedintheirstatementstothecourtconcerningwhathadtakenplace。Theyhadheardthesoundsofthekilling，and，likeSchemmer，theyhadruntothespot。TheyhadgottherebeforeSchemmer——thatwasall。True，Schemmerhadtestifiedthat，attractedbythesoundofquarrellingashechancedtopassby，hehadstoodforatleastfiveminutesoutside；thatthen，whenheentered，hefoundtheprisonersalreadyinside；andthattheyhadnotenteredjustbefore，becausehehadbeenstandingbytheonedoortothebarracks。Butwhatofthat？AhChoandhisfourfellow-prisonershadtestifiedthatSchemmerwasmistaken。Intheendtheywouldbeletgo。Theywereallconfidentofthat。Fivemencouldnothavetheirheadscutofffortwostabwounds。

Besides，noforeigndevilhadseenthekilling。ButtheseFrenchmenweresostupid。InChina，asAhChowellknew，themagistratewouldorderallofthemtothetortureandlearnthetruth。Thetruthwasveryeasytolearnundertorture。ButtheseFrenchmendidnottorture——biggerfoolsthey!ThereforetheywouldneverfindoutwhokilledChungGa。

ButAhChodidnotunderstandeverything。TheEnglishCompanythatownedtheplantationhadimportedintoTahiti，atgreatexpense，thefivehundredcoolies。Thestockholderswereclamouringfordividends，andtheCompanyhadnotyetpaidany；whereforetheCompanydidnotwantitscostlycontractlabourerstostartthepracticeofkillingoneanother。Also，thereweretheFrench，eagerandwillingtoimposeupontheChinagosthevirtuesandexcellencesofFrenchlaw。Therewasnothinglikesettinganexampleonceinawhile；and，besides，ofwhatusewasNewCaledoniaexcepttosendmentoliveouttheirdaysinmiseryandpaininpaymentofthepenaltyforbeingfrailandhuman？

AhChodidnotunderstandallthis。Hesatinthecourtroomandwaitedforthebaffledjudgmentthatwouldsethimandhiscomradesfreetogobacktotheplantationandworkoutthetermsoftheircontracts。Thisjudgmentwouldsoonberendered。Proceedingsweredrawingtoaclose。Hecouldseethat。Therewasnomoretestifying，nomoregabbleoftongues。

TheFrenchdevilsweretired，too，andevidentlywaitingforthejudgment。

AndashewaitedherememberedbackinhislifetothetimewhenhehadsignedthecontractandsetsailintheshipforTahiti。Timeshadbeenhardinhissea-coastvillage，andwhenheindenturedhimselftolabourforfiveyearsintheSouthSeasatfiftycentsMexicanaday，hehadthoughthimselffortunate。ThereweremeninhisvillagewhotoiledawholeyearfortendollarsMexican，andtherewerewomenwhomadenetsalltheyearroundforfivedollars，whileinthehousesofshopkeepersthereweremaidservantswhoreceivedfourdollarsforayearofservice。Andherehewastoreceivefiftycentsaday；foroneday，onlyoneday，hewastoreceivethatprincelysum!Whatiftheworkwerehard？Attheendofthefiveyearshewouldreturnhome——thatwasinthecontract——andhewouldneverhavetoworkagain。Hewouldbearichmanforlife，withahouseofhisown，awife，andchildrengrowinguptoveneratehim。Yes，andbackofthehousehewouldhaveasmallgarden，aplaceofmeditationandrepose，withgoldfishinatinylakelet，andwindbellstinklingintheseveraltrees，andtherewouldbeahighwallallaroundsothathismeditationandreposeshouldbeundisturbed。

Well，hehadworkedoutthreeofthosefiveyears。Hewasalreadyawealthyman(inhisowncountry)throughhisearnings，andonlytwoyearsmoreintervenedbetweenthecottonplantationonTahitiandthemeditationandreposethatawaitedhim。ButjustnowhewaslosingmoneybecauseoftheunfortunateaccidentofbeingpresentatthekillingofChungGa。Hehadlainthreeweeksinprison，andforeachdayofthosethreeweekshehadlostfiftycents。Butnowjudgmentwouldsoonbegiven，andhewouldgobacktowork。

AhChowastwenty-twoyearsold。Hewashappyandgood-natured，anditwaseasyforhimtosmile。WhilehisbodywasslimintheAsiaticway，hisfacewasrotund。Itwasround，likethemoon，anditirradiatedagentlecomplacenceandasweetkindlinessofspiritthatwasunusualamonghiscountrymen。Nordidhislooksbeliehim。Henevercausedtrouble，nevertookpartinwrangling。Hedidnotgamble。Hissoulwasnotharshenoughforthesoulthatmustbelongtoagambler。Hewascontentwithlittlethingsandsimplepleasures。Thehushandquietinthecoolofthedayaftertheblazingtoilinthecottonfieldwastohimaninfinitesatisfaction。Hecouldsitforhoursgazingatasolitaryflowerandphilosophizingaboutthemysteriesandriddlesofbeing。Ablueherononatinycrescentofsandybeach，asilverysplatterofflyingfish，orasunsetofpearlandroseacrossthelagoon，couldentrancehimtoallforgetfulnessoftheprocessionofwearisomedaysandoftheheavylashofSchemmer。

Schemmer，KarlSchemmer，wasabrute，abrutishbrute。Butheearnedhissalary。Hegotthelastparticleofstrengthoutofthefivehundredslaves；forslavestheywereuntiltheirtermofyearswasup。Schemmerworkedhardtoextractthestrengthfromthosefivehundredsweatingbodiesandtotransmuteitintobalesoffluffycottonreadyforexport。Hisdominant，iron-clad，primevalbrutishnesswaswhatenabledhimtoeffectthetransmutation。Also，hewasassistedbyathickleatherbelt，threeincheswideandayardinlength，withwhichhealwaysrodeandwhich，onoccasion，couldcomedownonthenakedbackofastoopingcooliewithareportlikeapistol-shot。ThesereportswerefrequentwhenSchemmerrodedownthefurrowedfield。

Once，atthebeginningofthefirstyearofcontractlabour，hehadkilledacooliewithasingleblowofhisfist。Hehadnotexactlycrushedtheman"sheadlikeanegg-shell，buttheblowhadbeensufficienttoaddlewhatwasinside，and，afterbeingsickforaweek，themanhaddied。ButtheChinesehadnotcomplainedtotheFrenchdevilsthatruledoverTahiti。

Itwastheirownlookout。Schemmerwastheirproblem。Theymustavoidhiswrathastheyavoidedthevenomofthecentipedesthatlurkedinthegrassorcreptintothesleepingquartersonrainynights。TheChinagos——

suchtheywerecalledbytheindolent，brown-skinnedislandfolk——sawtoitthattheydidnotdispleaseSchemmertoogreatly。Thiswasequivalenttorenderinguptohimafullmeasureofefficienttoil。ThatblowofSchemmer"sfisthadbeenworththousandsofdollarstotheCompany，andnotroubleevercameofittoSchemmer。

TheFrench，withnoinstinctforcolonization，futileintheirchildishplaygameofdevelopingtheresourcesoftheisland，wereonlytoogladtoseetheEnglishCompanysucceed。WhatmatterofSchemmerandhisredoubtablefist？TheChinagothatdied？Well，hewasonlyaChinago。

Besides，hediedofsunstroke，asthedoctor"scertificateattested。True，inallthehistoryofTahitinoonehadeverdiedofsunstroke。Butitwasthat，preciselythat，whichmadethedeathofthisChinagounique。Thedoctorsaidasmuchinhisreport。Hewasverycandid。Dividendsmustbepaid，orelseonemorefailurewouldbeaddedtothelonghistoryoffailureinTahiti。

Therewasnounderstandingthesewhitedevils。AhChoponderedtheirinscrutablenessashesatinthecourtroomwaitingthejudgment。Therewasnotellingwhatwentonatthebackoftheirminds。Hehadseenafewofthewhitedevils。Theywereallalike——theofficersandsailorsontheship，theFrenchofficials，theseveralwhitemenontheplantation，includingSchemmer。Theirmindsallmovedinmysteriouswaystherewasnogettingat。Theygrewangrywithoutapparentcause，andtheirangerwasalwaysdangerous。Theywerelikewildbeastsatsuchtimes。Theyworriedaboutlittlethings，andonoccasioncouldout-toilevenaChinago。TheywerenottemperateasChinagosweretemperate；theyweregluttons，eatingprodigiouslyanddrinkingmoreprodigiously。AChinagoneverknewwhenanactwouldpleasethemorarouseastormofwrath。AChinagocouldnevertell。Whatpleasedonetime，theverynexttimemightprovokeanoutburstofanger。TherewasacurtainbehindtheeyesofthewhitedevilsthatscreenedthebacksoftheirmindsfromtheChinago"sgaze。Andthen，ontopofitall，wasthatterribleefficiencyofthewhitedevils，thatabilitytodothings，tomakethingsgo，toworkresults，tobendtotheirwillsallcreeping，crawlingthings，andthepowersoftheveryelementsthemselves。Yes，thewhitemenwerestrangeandwonderful，andtheyweredevils。LookatSchemmer。

AhChowonderedwhythejudgmentwassolonginforming。NotamanontrialhadlaidhandonChungGa。AhSanalonehadkilledhim。AhSanhaddoneit，bendingChungGa"sheadbackwithonehandbyagripofhisqueue，andwiththeotherhand，frombehind，reachingoveranddrivingtheknifeintohisbody。Twicehadhedrivenitin。Thereinthecourtroom，withclosedeyes，AhChosawthekillingactedoveragain——thesquabble，thevilewordsbandiedbackandforth，thefilthandinsultflunguponvenerableancestors，thecurseslaiduponunbegottengenerations，theleapofAhSan，thegriponthequeueofChungGa，theknifethatsanktwiceintohisflesh，theburstingopenofthedoor，theirruptionofSchemmer，thedashforthedoor，theescapeofAhSan，theflyingbeltofSchemmerthatdrovetherestintothecorner，andthefiringoftherevolverasasignalthatbroughthelptoSchemmer。AhChoshiveredasheliveditover。

Oneblowofthebelthadbruisedhischeek，takingoffsomeoftheskin。

Schemmerhadpointedtothebruiseswhen，onthewitness-stand，hehadidentifiedAhCho。Itwasonlyjustnowthatthemarkshadbecomenolongervisible。Thathadbeenablow。Halfaninchnearerthecentreanditwouldhavetakenouthiseye。ThenAhChoforgotthewholehappeninginavisionhecaughtofthegardenofmeditationandreposethatwouldbehiswhenhereturnedtohisownland。

Hesatwithimpassiveface，whilethemagistraterenderedthejudgment。

Likewisewerethefacesofhisfourcompanionsimpassive。AndtheyremainedimpassivewhentheinterpreterexplainedthatthefiveofthemhadbeenfoundguiltyofthemurderofChungGa，andthatAhChowshouldhavehisheadcutoff，AhChoservetwentyyearsinprisoninNewCaledonia，WongLitwelveyears，andAhTongtenyears。Therewasnouseingettingexcitedaboutit。EvenAhChowremainedexpressionlessasamummy，thoughitwashisheadthatwastobecutoff。Themagistrateaddedafewwords，andtheinterpreterexplainedthatAhChow"sfacehavingbeenmostseverelybruisedbySchemmer"sstraphadmadehisidentificationsopositivethat，sinceonemanmustdie，hemightaswellbethatman。Also，thefactthatAhCho"sfacelikewisehadbeenseverelybruised，conclusivelyprovinghispresenceatthemurderandhisundoubtedparticipation，hadmeritedhimthetwentyyearsofpenalservitude。AnddowntothetenyearsofAhTong，theproportionedreasonforeachsentencewasexplained。LettheChinagostakethelessontoheart，theCourtsaidfinally，fortheymustlearnthatthelawwouldbefulfilledinTahitithoughtheheavensfell。

ThefiveChinagosweretakenbacktojail。Theywerenotshockednorgrieved。Thesentencesbeingunexpectedwasquitewhattheywereaccustomedtointheirdealingswiththewhitedevils。FromthemaChinagorarelyexpectedmorethantheunexpected。Theheavypunishmentforacrimetheyhadnotcommittedwasnostrangerthanthecountlessstrangethingsthatwhitedevilsdid。Intheweeksthatfollowed，AhChooftencontemplatedAhChowwithmildcuriosity。

Hisheadwastobecutoffbytheguillotinethatwasbeingerectedontheplantation。Forhimtherewouldbenodecliningyears，nogardensoftranquillity。AhChophilosophizedandspeculatedaboutlifeanddeath。Asforhimself，hewasnotperturbed。Twentyyearsweremerelytwentyyears。Bythatmuchwashisgardenremovedfromhim——thatwasall。Hewasyoung，andthepatienceofAsiawasinhisbones。Hecouldwaitthosetwentyyears，andbythattimetheheatsofhisbloodwouldbeassuagedandhewouldbebetterfittedforthatgardenofcalmdelight。Hethoughtofanameforit；hewouldcallitTheGardenoftheMorningCalm。Hewasmadehappyalldaybythethought，andhewasinspiredtodeviseamoralmaximonthevirtueofpatience，whichmaximprovedagreatcomfort，especiallytoWongLiandAhTong。AhChow，however，didnotcareforthemaxim。Hisheadwastobeseparatedfromhisbodyinsoshortatimethathehadnoneedforpatiencetowaitforthatevent。Hesmokedwell，atewell，sleptwell，anddidnotworryabouttheslowpassageoftime。

Cruchotwasagendarme。Hehadseentwentyyearsofserviceinthecolonies，fromNigeriaandSenegaltotheSouthSeas，andthosetwentyyearshadnotperceptiblybrightenedhisdullmind。Hewasasslow-wittedandstupidasinhispeasantdaysinthesouthofFrance。Heknewdisciplineandfearofauthority，andfromGoddowntothesergeantofgendarmestheonlydifferencetohimwasthemeasureofslavishobediencewhichherendered。Inpointoffact，thesergeantbulkedbiggerinhismindthanGod，exceptonSundayswhenGod"smouthpieceshadtheirsay。Godwasusuallyveryremote，whilethesergeantwasordinarilyverycloseathand。

CruchotitwaswhoreceivedtheorderfromtheChiefJusticetothejailercommandingthatfunctionarytodeliverovertoCruchotthepersonofAhChow。Now，ithappenedthattheChiefJusticehadgivenadinnerthenightbeforetothecaptainandofficersoftheFrenchman-of-war。Hishandwasshakingwhenhewroteouttheorder，andhiseyeswereachingsodreadfullythathedidnotreadovertheorder。ItwasonlyaChinago"slifehewassigningaway，anyway。SohedidnotnoticethathehadomittedthefinalletterinAhChow"sname。Theorderread"AhCho，"and，whenCruchotpresentedtheorder，thejailerturnedovertohimthepersonofAhCho。

Cruchottookthatpersonbesidehimontheseatofawagon，behindtwomules，anddroveaway。

AhChowasgladtobeoutinthesunshine。Hesatbesidethegendarmeandbeamed。HebeamedmoreardentlythaneverwhenhenotedthemulesheadedsouthtowardAtimaono。UndoubtedlySchemmerhadsentforhimtobebroughtback。Schemmerwantedhimtowork。Verywell，hewouldworkwell。

Schemmerwouldneverhavecausetocomplain。Itwasahotday。Therehadbeenastoppageofthetrades。Themulessweated，Cruchotsweated，andAhChosweated。ButitwasAhChothatboretheheatwiththeleastconcern。

Hehadtoiledthreeyearsunderthatsunontheplantation。HebeamedandbeamedwithsuchgenialgoodnaturethatevenCruchot"sheavymindwasstirredtowonderment。

"Youareveryfunny，"hesaidatlast。

AhChonoddedandbeamedmoreardently。Unlikethemagistrate，CruchotspoketohimintheKanakatongue，andthis，likeallChinagosandallforeigndevils，AhChounderstood。

"Youlaughtoomuch，"Cruchotchided。"One"sheartshouldbefulloftearsonadaylikethis。"

"Iamgladtogetoutofthejail。"

"Isthatall？"Thegendarmeshruggedhisshoulders。

"Isitnotenough？"wastheretort。

"Thenyouarenotgladtohaveyourheadcutoff？"

AhCholookedathiminabruptperplexity，andsaid——

"Why，IamgoingbacktoAtimaonotoworkontheplantationforSchemmer。

AreyounottakingmetoAtimaono？"

Cruchotstrokedhislongmoustachesreflectively。"Well，well，"hesaidfinally，withaflickofthewhipattheoffmule，"soyoudon"tknow？"

"Knowwhat？"AhChowasbeginningtofeelavaguealarm。"Won"tSchemmerletmeworkforhimanymore？"

"Notafterto-day。"Cruchotlaughedheartily。Itwasagoodjoke。"Yousee，youwon"tbeabletoworkafterto-day。Amanwithhisheadoffcan"twork，eh？"HepokedtheChinagointheribs，andchuckled。

AhChomaintainedsilencewhilethemulestrottedahotmile。Thenhespoke:"IsSchemmergoingtocutoffmyhead？"

Cruchotgrinnedashenodded。

"Itisamistake，"saidAhCho，gravely。"IamnottheChinagothatistohavehisheadcutoff。IamAhCho。ThehonourablejudgehasdeterminedthatIamtostoptwentyyearsinNewCaledonia。"

Thegendarmelaughed。Itwasagoodjoke，thisfunnyChinagotryingtocheattheguillotine。ThemulestrottedthroughacoconutgroveandforhalfamilebesidethesparklingseabeforeAhChospokeagain。

"ItellyouIamnotAhChow。Thehonourablejudgedidnotsaythatmyheadwastogooff。"

"Don"tbeafraid，"saidCruchot，withthephilanthropicintentionofmakingiteasierforhisprisoner。"Itisnotdifficulttodiethatway。"Hesnappedhisfingers。"Itisquick——likethat。Itisnotlikehangingontheendofaropeandkickingandmakingfacesforfiveminutes。Itislikekillingachickenwithahatchet。Youcutitsheadoff，thatisall。

Anditisthesamewithaman。Pouf!——itisover。Itdoesn"thurt。Youdon"teventhinkithurts。Youdon"tthink。Yourheadisgone，soyoucannotthink。Itisverygood。ThatisthewayIwanttodie——quick，ah，quick。Youareluckytodiethatway。Youmightgettheleprosyandfalltopiecesslowly，afingeratatime，andnowandagainathumb，alsothetoes。Iknewamanwhowasburnedbyhotwater。Ittookhimtwodaystodie。Youcouldhearhimyellingakilometreaway。Butyou？Ah!soeasy!

Chck!——theknifecutsyournecklikethat。Itisfinished。Theknifemayeventickle。Whocansay？Nobodywhodiedthatwayevercamebacktosay。"

Heconsideredthislastanexcruciatingjoke，andpermittedhimselftobeconvulsedwithlaughterforhalfaminute。Partofhismirthwasassumed，butheconsideredithishumanedutytocheeruptheChinago。

"ButItellyouIamAhCho，"theotherpersisted。"Idon"twantmyheadcutoff。"

Cruchotscowled。TheChinagowascarryingthefoolishnesstoofar。

"IamnotAhChow——"AhChobegan。

"Thatwilldo，"thegendarmeinterrupted。Hepuffeduphischeeksandstrovetoappearfierce。

"ItellyouIamnot——"AhChobeganagain。

"Shutup!"bawledCruchot。

Afterthattheyrodealonginsilence。ItwastwentymilesfromPapeetetoAtimaono，andoverhalfthedistancewascoveredbythetimetheChinagoagainventuredintospeech。

"Isawyouinthecourtroom，whenthehonourablejudgesoughtafterourguilt，"hebegan。"Verygood。AnddoyourememberthatAhChow，whoseheadistobecutoff——doyourememberthathe——AhChow——wasatallman？

Lookatme。"

Hestoodupsuddenly，andCruchotsawthathewasashortman。AndjustassuddenlyCruchotcaughtaglimpseofamemorypictureofAhChow，andinthatpictureAhChowwastall。TothegendarmeallChinagoslookedalike。

Onefacewaslikeanother。Butbetweentallnessandshortnesshecoulddifferentiate，andheknewthathehadthewrongmanbesidehimontheseat。Hepulledupthemulesabruptly，sothatthepoleshotaheadofthem，elevatingtheircollars。

"Yousee，itwasamistake，"saidAhCho，smilingpleasantly。

ButCruchotwasthinking。Alreadyheregrettedthathehadstoppedthewagon。HewasunawareoftheerroroftheChiefJustice，andhehadnowayofworkingitout；buthedidknowthathehadbeengiventhisChinagototaketoAtimaonoandthatitwashisdutytotakehimtoAtimaono。Whatifhewasthewrongmanandtheycuthisheadoff？ItwasonlyaChinagowhenallwassaid，andwhatwasaChinago，anyway？Besides，itmightnotbeamistake。Hedidnotknowwhatwentoninthemindsofhissuperiors。Theyknewtheirbusinessbest。Whowashetodotheirthinkingforthem？Once，inthelongago，hehadattemptedtothinkforthem，andthesergeanthadsaid:"Cruchot，youareafool？Thequickeryouknowthat，thebetteryouwillgeton。Youarenottothink；youaretoobeyandleavethinkingtoyourbetters。"Hesmartedundertherecollection。Also，ifheturnedbacktoPapeete，hewoulddelaytheexecutionatAtimaono，andifhewerewronginturningback，hewouldgetareprimandfromthesergeantwhowaswaitingfortheprisoner。And，furthermore，hewouldgetareprimandatPapeeteaswell。

Hetouchedthemuleswiththewhipanddroveon。Helookedathiswatch。

Hewouldbehalfanhourlateasitwas，andthesergeantwasboundtobeangry。Heputthemulesintoafastertrot。ThemoreAhChopersistedinexplainingthemistake，themorestubbornCruchotbecame。Theknowledgethathehadthewrongmandidnotmakehistemperbetter。Theknowledgethatitwasthroughnomistakeofhisconfirmedhiminthebeliefthatthewronghewasdoingwastheright。And，ratherthanincurthedispleasureofthesergeant，hewouldwillinglyhaveassistedadozenwrongChinagostotheirdoom。

AsforAhCho，afterthegendarmehadstruckhimovertheheadwiththebuttofthewhipandcommandedhiminaloudvoicetoshutup，thereremainednothingforhimtodobuttoshutup。Thelongridecontinuedinsilence。AhChoponderedthestrangewaysoftheforeigndevils。Therewasnoexplainingthem。Whattheyweredoingwithhimwasofapiecewitheverythingtheydid。Firsttheyfoundguiltyfiveinnocentmen，andnexttheycutofftheheadofthemanthateventhey，intheirbenightedignorance，haddeemedmeritoriousofnomorethantwentyyears"

imprisonment。Andtherewasnothinghecoulddo。Hecouldonlysitidlyandtakewhattheselordsoflifemeasuredouttohim。Once，hegotinapanic，andthesweatuponhisbodyturnedcold；buthefoughthiswayoutofit。Heendeavouredtoresignhimselftohisfatebyrememberingandrepeatingcertainpassagesfromthe"YinChihWen"("TheTractoftheQuietWay")；but，instead，hekeptseeinghisdream-gardenofmeditationandrepose。Thisbotheredhim，untilheabandonedhimselftothedreamandsatinhisgardenlisteningtothetinklingofthewindbellsintheseveraltrees。Andlo!sittingthus，inthedream，hewasabletorememberandrepeatthepassagesfrom"TheTractoftheQuietWay。"

SothetimepassednicelyuntilAtimaonowasreachedandthemulestrotteduptothefootofthescaffold，intheshadeofwhichstoodtheimpatientsergeant。AhChowashurrieduptheladderofthescaffold。Beneathhimononesidehesawassembledallthecooliesoftheplantation。Schemmerhaddecidedthattheeventwouldbeagoodobject-lesson，andsohecalledinthecooliesfromthefieldsandcompelledthemtobepresent。AstheycaughtsightofAhChotheygabbledamongthemselvesinlowvoices。Theysawthemistake；buttheykeptittothemselves。Theinexplicablewhitedevilshaddoubtlesslychangedtheirminds。Insteadoftakingthelifeofoneinnocentman，theyweretakingthelifeofanotherinnocentman。AhChoworAhCho——whatdiditmatterwhich？Theycouldneverunderstandthewhitedogsanymorethancouldthewhitedogsunderstandthem。AhChowasgoingtohavehisheadcutoff，butthey，whentheirtworemainingyearsofservitudewereup，weregoingbacktoChina。

Schemmerhadmadetheguillotinehimself。Hewasahandyman，andthoughhehadneverseenaguillotine，theFrenchofficialshadexplainedtheprincipletohim。ItwasonhissuggestionthattheyhadorderedtheexecutiontotakeplaceatAtimaonoinsteadofatPapeete。Thesceneofthecrime，Schemmerhadargued，wasthebestpossibleplaceforthepunishment，and，inaddition，itwouldhaveasalutaryinfluenceuponthehalf-thousandChinagosontheplantation。Schemmerhadalsovolunteeredtoactasexecutioner，andinthatcapacityhewasnowonthescaffold，experimentingwiththeinstrumenthehadmade。Abananatree，ofthesizeandconsistencyofaman"sneck，layundertheguillotine。AhChowatchedwithfascinatedeyes。TheGerman，turningasmallcrank，hoistedthebladetothetopofthelittlederrickhehadrigged。Ajerkonastoutpieceofcordloosedthebladeanditdroppedwithaflash，neatlyseveringthebananatrunk。

"Howdoesitwork？"Thesergeant，comingoutontopthescaffold，hadaskedthequestion。

"Beautifully，"wasSchemmer"sexultantanswer。"Letmeshowyou。"

Againheturnedthecrankthathoistedtheblade，jerkedthecord，andsentthebladecrashingdownonthesofttree。Butthistimeitwentnomorethantwo-thirdsofthewaythrough。

Thesergeantscowled。"Thatwillnotserve，"hesaid。

Schemmerwipedthesweatfromhisforehead。"Whatitneedsismoreweight，"heannounced。Walkinguptotheedgeofthescaffold，hecalledhisorderstotheblacksmithforatwenty-five-poundpieceofiron。Ashestoopedovertoattachtheirontothebroadtopoftheblade，AhChoglancedatthesergeantandsawhisopportunity。

"ThehonourablejudgesaidthatAhChowwastohavehisheadcutoff，"hebegan。

Thesergeantnoddedimpatiently。Hewasthinkingofthefifteen-mileridebeforehimthatafternoon，tothewindwardsideoftheisland，andofBerthe，theprettyhalf-castedaughterofLafiere，thepearl-trader，whowaswaitingforhimattheendofit。

"Well，IamnotAhChow。IamAhCho。Thehonourablejailerhasmadeamistake。AhChowisatallman，andyouseeIamshort。"

Thesergeantlookedathimhastilyandsawthemistake。"Schemmer!"hecalled，imperatively。"Comehere。"

TheGermangrunted，butremainedbentoverhistasktillthechunkofironwaslashedtohissatisfaction。"IsyourChinagoready？"hedemanded。

"Lookathim，"wastheanswer。"IshetheChinago？"

Schemmerwassurprised。Hesworeterselyforafewseconds，andlookedregretfullyacrossatthethinghehadmadewithhisownhandsandwhichhewaseagertoseework。"Lookhere，"hesaidfinally，"wecan"tpostponethisaffair。I"velostthreehours"workalreadyoutofthosefivehundredChinagos。Ican"taffordtoloseitalloveragainfortherightman。

Let"sputtheperformancethroughjustthesame。ItisonlyaChinago。"

Thesergeantrememberedthelongridebeforehim，andthepearl-trader"sdaughter，anddebatedwithhimself。

"TheywillblameitonCruchot——ifitisdiscovered，"theGermanurged。

"Butthere"slittlechanceofitsbeingdiscovered。AhChowwon"tgiveitaway，atanyrate。"

"Theblamewon"tliewithCruchot，anyway，"thesergeantsaid。"Itmusthavebeenthejailer"smistake。"

"Thenlet"sgoonwithit。Theycan"tblameus。WhocantelloneChinagofromanother？WecansaythatwemerelycarriedoutinstructionswiththeChinagothatwasturnedovertous。Besides，Ireallycan"ttakeallthosecooliesasecondtimeawayfromtheirlabour。"

TheyspokeinFrench，andAhCho，whodidnotunderstandawordofit，neverthelessknewthattheyweredetermininghisdestiny。Heknew，also，thatthedecisionrestedwiththesergeant，andhehunguponthatofficial"slips。

"Allright，"announcedthesergeant。"Goaheadwithit。HeisonlyaChinago。"

"I"mgoingtotryitoncemore，justtomakesure。"Schemmermovedthebananatrunkforwardundertheknife，whichhehadhoistedtothetopofthederrick。

AhChotriedtoremembermaximsfrom"TheTractoftheQuietWay。""Liveinconcord，"cametohim；butitwasnotapplicable。Hewasnotgoingtolive。Hewasabouttodie。No，thatwouldnotdo。"Forgivemalice"——yes，buttherewasnomalicetoforgive。Schemmerandtherestweredoingthisthingwithoutmalice。Itwastothemmerelyapieceofworkthathadtobedone，justasclearingthejungle，ditchingthewater，andplantingcottonwerepiecesofworkthathadtobedone。Schemmerjerkedthecord，andAhChoforgot"TheTractoftheQuietWay。"Theknifeshotdownwithathud，makingacleansliceofthetree。

"Beautiful!"exclaimedthesergeant，pausingintheactoflightingacigarette。"Beautiful，myfriend。"

Schemmerwaspleasedatthepraise。

"Comeon，AhChow，"hesaid，intheTahitiantongue。

"ButIamnotAhChow——"AhChobegan。

"Shutup!"wastheanswer。"Ifyouopenyourmouthagain，I"llbreakyourhead。"

Theoverseerthreatenedhimwithaclenchedfist，andheremainedsilent。

Whatwasthegoodofprotesting？Thoseforeigndevilsalwayshadtheirway。Heallowedhimselftobelashedtotheverticalboardthatwasthesizeofhisbody。Schemmerdrewthebucklestight——sotightthatthestrapscutintohisfleshandhurt。Buthedidnotcomplain。Thehurtwouldnotlastlong。Hefelttheboardtiltingoverintheairtowardthehorizontal，andclosedhiseyes。Andinthatmomenthecaughtalastglimpseofhisgardenofmeditationandrepose。Itseemedtohimthathesatinthegarden。Acoolwindwasblowing，andthebellsintheseveraltreesweretinklingsoftly。Also，birdsweremakingsleepynoises，andfrombeyondthehighwallcamethesubduedsoundofvillagelife。

Thenhewasawarethattheboardhadcometorest，andfrommuscularpressuresandtensionsheknewthathewaslyingonhisback。Heopenedhiseyes。Straightabovehimhesawthesuspendedknifeblazinginthesunshine。Hesawtheweightwhichhadbeenadded，andnotedthatoneofSchemmer"sknotshadslipped。Thenheheardthesergeant"svoiceinsharpcommand。AhChoclosedhiseyeshastily。Hedidnotwanttoseethatknifedescend。Buthefeltit——foronegreatfleetinginstant。AndinthatinstantherememberedCruchotandwhatCruchothadsaid。ButCruchotwaswrong。Theknifedidnottickle。Thatmuchheknewbeforeheceasedtoknow。

MAKEWESTING

Whateveryoudo，makewesting!makewesting!——

SailingdirectionsforCapeHorn。

ForsevenweekstheMaryRogershadbeenbetween5OdegreessouthintheAtlanticand5OdegreessouthinthePacific，whichmeantthatforsevenweeksshehadbeenstrugglingtoroundCapeHorn。Forsevenweeksshehadbeeneitherindirt，orclosetodirt，saveonce，andthen，followinguponsixdaysofexcessivedirt，whichshehadriddenoutundertheshelteroftheredoubtableTerradelFuegocoast，shehadalmostgoneashoreduringaheavyswellinthedeadcalmthathadsuddenlyfallen。ForsevenweeksshehadwrestledwiththeCapeHorngraybeards，andinreturnbeenbuffetedandsmashedbythem。Shewasawoodenship，andherceaselessstraininghadopenedherseams，sothattwiceadaythewatchtookitsturnatthepumps。

TheMaryRogerswasstrained，thecrewwasstrained，andbigDanCullen，master，waslikewisestrained。Perhapshewasstrainedmostofall，foruponhimrestedtheresponsibilityofthattitanicstruggle。Hesleptmostofthetimeinhisclothes，thoughherarelyslept。Hehauntedthedeckatnight，agreat，burly，robustghost，blackwiththesunburnofthirtyyearsofseaandhairyasanorang-outang。He，inturn，washauntedbyonethoughtofaction，asailingdirectionfortheHorn:Whateveryoudo，makewesting!makewesting!Itwasanobsession。Hethoughtofnothingelse，except，attimes，toblasphemeGodforsendingsuchbitterweather。

Makewesting!HehuggedtheHorn，andadozentimeslayhovetowiththeironCapebearingeast-by-north，ornorth-north-east，ascoreofmilesaway。Andeachtimetheeternalwestwindsmotehimbackandhemadeeasting。Hefoughtgaleaftergale，southto64degrees，insidetheantarcticdrift-ice，andpledgedhisimmortalsoultothePowersofDarknessforabitofwesting，foraslanttotakehimaround。Andhemadeeasting。Indespair，hehadtriedtomakethepassagethroughtheStraitsofLeMaire。Halfwaythrough，thewindhauledtothenorth"ardofnorth-

west，theglassdroppedto28。88，andheturnedandranbeforeagaleofcyclonicfury，missing，byahair"s-breadth，pilinguptheMaryRogersontheblack-toothedrocks。TwicehehadmadewesttotheDiegoRamirezRocks，oneofthetimessavedbetweentwosnow-squallsbysightingthegravestonesofshipsaquarterofamiledeadahead。

Blow!CaptainDanCulleninstancedallhisthirtyyearsatseatoprovethatneverhaditblownsobefore。TheMaryRogerswashovetoatthetimehegavetheevidence，and，toclinchit，insidehalfanhourtheMaryRogerswashovedowntothehatches。Hernewmaintopsailandbrandnewspencerwereblownawayliketissuepaper；andfivesails，furledandfastunderdoublegaskets，wereblownlooseandstrippedfromtheyards。AndbeforemorningtheMaryRogerswashovedowntwiceagain，andholeswereknockedinherbulwarkstoeaseherdecksfromtheweightofoceanthatpressedherdown。

OnanaverageofonceaweekCaptainDanCullencaughtglimpsesofthesun。

Once，fortenminutes，thesunshoneatmidday，andtenminutesafterwardanewgalewaspipingup，bothwatcheswereshorteningsail，andallwasburiedintheobscurityofadrivingsnow-squall。Forafortnight，once，CaptainDanCullenwaswithoutameridianorachronometersight。Rarelydidheknowhispositionwithinhalfofadegree，exceptwheninsightofland；forsunandstarsremainedhiddenbehindthesky，anditwassogloomythatevenatthebestthehorizonswerepoorforaccurateobservations。Agraygloomshroudedtheworld。Thecloudsweregray；thegreatdrivingseaswereleadengray；thesmokingcrestswereagraychurning；eventheoccasionalalbatrossesweregray，whilethesnow-

flurrieswerenotwhite，butgray，underthesombrepalloftheheavens。

LifeonboardtheMaryRogerswasgray——grayandgloomy。Thefacesofthesailorswereblue-gray；theywereafflictedwithsea-cutsandsea-boils，andsufferedexquisitely。Theywereshadowsofmen。Forsevenweeks，intheforecastleorondeck，theyhadnotknownwhatitwastobedry。Theyhadforgottenwhatitwastosleepoutawatch，andallwatchesitwas，"Allhandsondeck!"Theycaughtsnatchesofagonizedsleep，andtheysleptintheiroilskinsreadyfortheeverlastingcall。Soweakandwornweretheythatittookbothwatchestodotheworkofone。Thatwaswhybothwatcheswereondecksomuchofthetime。Andnoshadowofamancouldshirkduty。Nothinglessthanabrokenlegcouldenableamantoknockoffwork；andthereweretwosuch，whohadbeenmauledandpulpedbytheseasthatbrokeaboard。

OneothermanwhowastheshadowofamanwasGeorgeDorety。Hewastheonlypassengeronboard，afriendofthefirm，andhehadelectedtomakethevoyageforhishealth。ButsevenweeksofCapeHornhadnotbetteredhishealth。Hegaspedandpantedinhisbunkthroughthelong，heavingnights；andwhenondeckhewassobundledupforwarmththatheresembledaperipateticold-clothesshop。Atmidday，eatingatthecabintableinagloomsodeepthattheswingingsea-lampsburnedalways，helookedasblue-

grayasthesickest，saddestmanfor"ard。NordidgazingacrossthetableatCaptainDanCullenhaveanycheeringeffectuponhim。CaptainCullenchewedandscowledandkeptsilent。ThescowlswereforGod，andwitheverychewhereiteratedthesolethoughtofhisexistence，whichwasmakewesting。Hewasabig，hairybrute，andthesightofhimwasnotstimulatingtotheother"sappetite。HelookeduponGeorgeDoretyasaJonah，andtoldhimso，onceeachmeal，savagelytransferringthescowlfromGodtothepassengerandbackagain。

Nordidthemateproveafirstaidtoalanguidappetite。JoshuaHigginsbyname，aseamanbyprofessionandpull，butapot-wolloperbycapacity，hewasaloose-jointed，snifflingcreature，heartlessandselfishandcowardly，withoutasoul，infearofhislifeofDanCullen，andabullyoverthesailors，whoknewthatbehindthematewasCaptainCullen，thelaw-giverandcompeller，thedriverandthedestroyer，theincarnationofadozenbuckomates。Inthatwildweatheratthesouthernendoftheearth，JoshuaHigginsceasedwashing。HisgrimyfaceusuallyrobbedGeorgeDoretyofwhatlittleappetitehemanagedtoaccumulate。OrdinarilythislavatorialderelictionwouldhavecaughtCaptainCullen"seyeandvocabulary，butinthepresenthismindwasfilledwithmakingwesting，totheexclusionofallotherthingsnotcontributorythereto。Whetherthemate"sfacewascleanordirtyhadnobearinguponwesting。Lateron，when5OdegreessouthinthePacifichadbeenreached，JoshuaHigginswouldwashhisfaceveryabruptly。Inthemeantime，atthecabintable，wheregraytwilightalternatedwithlamplightwhilethelampswerebeingfilled，GeorgeDoretysatbetweenthetwomen，oneatigerandtheotherahyena，andwonderedwhyGodhadmadethem。Thesecondmate，MatthewTurner，wasatruesailorandaman，butGeorgeDoretydidnothavethesolaceofhiscompany，forheatebyhimself，solitary，whentheyhadfinished。

OnSaturdaymorning，July24，GeorgeDoretyawoketoafeelingoflifeandheadlongmovement。OndeckhefoundtheMaryRogersrunningoffbeforeahowlingsouth-easter。Nothingwassetbutthelowertopsailsandtheforesail。Itwasallshecouldstand，yetshewasmakingfourteenknots，asMr。TurnershoutedinDorety"searwhenhecameondeck。Anditwasallwesting。ShewasgoingaroundtheHornatlast……ifthewindheld。

Mr。Turnerlookedhappy。Theendofthestrugglewasinsight。ButCaptainCullendidnotlookhappy。HescowledatDoretyinpassing。

CaptainCullendidnotwantGodtoknowthathewaspleasedwiththatwind。

HehadaconceptionofamaliciousGod，andbelievedinhissecretsoulthatifGodknewitwasadesirablewind，Godwouldpromptlyeffaceitandsendasnorterfromthewest。SohewalkedsoftlybeforeGod，smotheringhisjoydownunderscowlsandmutteredcurses，and，so，foolingGod，forGodwastheonlythingintheuniverseofwhichDanCullenwasafraid。

AllSaturdayandSaturdaynighttheMaryRogersracedherwesting。

Persistentlysheloggedherfourteenknots，sothatbySundaymorningshehadcoveredthreehundredandfiftymiles。Ifthewindheld，shewouldmakearound。Ifitfailed，andthesnortercamefromanywherebetweensouth-westandnorth，backtheMaryRogerswouldbehurledandbenobetteroffthanshehadbeensevenweeksbefore。AndonSundaymorningthewindwasfailing。Thebigseawasgoingdownandrunningsmooth。Bothwatcheswereondecksettingsailaftersailasfastastheshipcouldstandit。

AndnowCaptainCullenwentaroundbrazenlybeforeGod，smokingabigcigar，smilingjubilantly，asifthefailingwinddelightedhim，whiledownunderneathhewasragingagainstGodfortakingthelifeoutoftheblessedwind。Makewesting!Sohewould，ifGodwouldonlyleavehimalone。

Secretly，hepledgedhimselfanewtothePowersofDarkness，iftheywouldlethimmakewesting。HepledgedhimselfsoeasilybecausehedidnotbelieveinthePowersofDarkness。HereallybelievedonlyinGod，thoughhedidnotknowit。AndinhisinvertedtheologyGodwasreallythePrinceofDarkness。CaptainCullenwasadevil-worshipper，buthecalledthedevilbyanothername，thatwasall。

Atmidday，aftercallingeightbells，CaptainCullenorderedtheroyalson。

Themenwentaloftfasterthantheyhadgoneinweeks。Notaloneweretheynimblebecauseofthewesting，butabenignantsunwasshiningdownandlimberingtheirstiffbodies。GeorgeDoretystoodaft，nearCaptainCullen，lessbundledinclothesthanusual，soakinginthegratefulwarmthashewatchedthescene。Swiftlyandabruptlytheincidentoccurred。

Therewasacryfromtheforeroyal-yardof"Manoverboard!"Somebodythrewalife-buoyovertheside，andatthesameinstantthesecondmate"svoicecameaft，ringingandperemptory——

"Harddownyourhelm!"

Themanatthewheelnevermovedaspoke。Heknewbetter，forCaptainDanCullenwasstandingalongsideofhim。Hewantedtomoveaspoke，tomoveallthespokes，togrindthewheeldown，harddown，forhiscomradedrowninginthesea。HeglancedatCaptainDanCullen，andCaptainDanCullengavenosign。

"Down!Harddown!"thesecondmateroared，ashesprangaft。

Butheceasedspringingandcommanding，andstoodstill，whenhesawDanCullenbythewheel。AndbigDanCullenpuffedathiscigarandsaidnothing。Astern，andgoingasternfast，couldbeseenthesailor。Hehadcaughtthelife-buoyandwasclingingtoit。Nobodyspoke。Nobodymoved。

Themenaloftclungtotheroyalyardsandwatchedwithterror-strickenfaces。AndtheMaryRogersracedon，makingherwesting。Along，silentminutepassed。

"Whowasit？"CaptainCullendemanded。

"Mops，sir，"eagerlyansweredthesailoratthewheel。

Mopstoppedawaveasternanddisappearedtemporarilyinthetrough。Itwasalargewave，butitwasnograybeard。Asmallboatcouldliveeasilyinsuchasea，andinsuchaseatheMaryRogerscouldeasilycometo。Butshecouldnotcometoandmakewestingatthesametime。

Forthefirsttimeinallhisyears，GeorgeDoretywasseeingarealdramaoflifeanddeath——asordidlittledramainwhichthescalesbalancedanunknownsailornamedMopsagainstafewmilesoflongitude。Atfirsthehadwatchedthemanastern，butnowhewatchedbigDanCullen，hairyandblack，vestedwithpoweroflifeanddeath，smokingacigar。

CaptainDanCullensmokedanotherlong，silentminute。Thenheremovedthecigarfromhismouth。HeglancedaloftatthesparsoftheMaryRogers，andoversideatthesea。

"Sheethometheroyals!"hecried。

Fifteenminuteslatertheysatattable，inthecabin，withfoodservedbeforethem。OnonesideofGeorgeDoretysatDanCullen，thetiger，ontheotherside，JoshuaHiggins，thehyena。Nobodyspoke。Ondeckthemenweresheetinghometheskysails。GeorgeDoretycouldheartheircries，whileapersistentvisionhauntedhimofamancalledMops，aliveandwell，clingingtoalife-buoymilesasterninthatlonelyocean。HeglancedatCaptainCullen，andexperiencedafeelingofnausea，forthemanwaseatinghisfoodwithrelish，almostboltingit。

"CaptainCullen，"Doretysaid，"youareincommandofthisship，anditisnotproperformetocommentnowuponwhatyoudo。ButIwishtosayonething。Thereisahereafter，andyourswillbeahotone。"

CaptainCullendidnotevenscowl。Inhisvoicewasregretashesaid——

"Itwasblowingalivinggale。Itwasimpossibletosavetheman。"

"Hefellfromtheroyal-yard，"Doretycriedhotly。"Youweresettingtheroyalsatthetime。Fifteenminutesafterwardyouweresettingtheskysails。"

"Itwasalivinggale，wasn"tit，Mr。Higgin？"CaptainCullensaid，turningtothemate。

"Ifyou"dbroughtherto，it"dhavetakenthesticksoutofher，"wasthemate"sanswer。"Youdidtheproperthing，CaptainCullen。Themanhadn"taghostofashow。"

GeorgeDoretymadenoanswer，andtothemeal"sendnoonespoke。Afterthat，Doretyhadhismealsservedinhisstate-room。CaptainCullenscowledathimnolonger，thoughnospeechwasexchangedbetweenthem，whiletheMaryRogersspednorthtowardwarmerlatitudes。Attheendoftheweek，DanCullencorneredDoretyondeck。

"Whatareyougoingtodowhenwegetto"Frisco？"hedemandedbluntly。

"Iamgoingtoswearoutawarrantforyourarrest，"Doretyansweredquietly。"Iamgoingtochargeyouwithmurder，andIamgoingtoseeyouhangedforit。"

"You"realmightysureofyourself，"CaptainCullensneered，turningonhisheel。

Asecondweekpassed，andonemorningfoundGeorgeDoretystandinginthecoach-housecompanionwayatthefor"ardendofthelongpoop，takinghisfirstgazearoundthedeck。TheMaryRogerswasreachingfull-and-by，inastiffbreeze。Everysailwassetanddrawing，includingthestaysails。

CaptainCullenstrolledfor"ardalongthepoop。Hestrolledcarelessly，glancingatthepassengeroutofthecornerofhiseye。Doretywaslookingtheotherway，standingwithheadandshouldersoutsidethecompanionway，andonlythebackofhisheadwastobeseen。CaptainCullen，withswifteye，embracedthemainstaysail-blockandtheheadandestimatedthedistance。Heglancedabouthim。Nobodywaslooking。Aft，JoshuaHiggins，pacingupanddown，hadjustturnedhisbackandwasgoingtheotherway。

CaptainCullenbentoversuddenlyandcastthestaysail-sheetofffromitspin。Theheavyblockhurtledthroughtheair，smashingDorety"sheadlikeanegg-shellandhurtlingonandbackandforthasthestaysailwhippedandslattedinthewind。JoshuaHigginsturnedaroundtoseewhathadcarriedaway，andmetthefullblastofthevilestportionofCaptainCullen"sprofanity。

"Imadethesheetfastmyself，"whimperedthemateinthefirstlull，"withanextraturntomakesure。Irememberitdistinctly。"

"Madefast？"theCaptainsnarledback，forthebenefitofthewatchasitstruggledtocapturetheflyingsailbeforeittoretoribbons。"Youcouldn"tmakeyourgrandmotherfast，youuselesshell"sscullion。Ifyoumadethatsheetfastwithanextraturn，whyinhelldidn"titstayfast？

That"swhatIwanttoknow。Whyinhelldidn"titstayfast？"

Thematewhinedinarticulately。

"Oh，shutup!"wasthefinalwordofCaptainCullen。

HalfanhourlaterhewasassurprisedasanywhenthebodyofGeorgeDoretywasfoundinsidethecompanionwayonthefloor。Intheafternoon，aloneinhisroom，hedoctoredupthelog。

"Ordinaryseaman，KarlBrun，"hewrote，"lostoverboardfromforeroyal-yardinagaleofwind。Wasrunningatthetime，andforthesafetyoftheshipdidnotdarecomeuptothewind。Norcouldaboathavelivedintheseathatwasrunning。"

Onanotherpage，hewrote"HadoftenwarnedMr。Doretyaboutthedangerheranbecauseofhiscarelessnessondeck。Itoldhim，once，thatsomedayhewouldgethisheadknockedoffbyablock。Acarelesslyfastenedmainstaysailsheetwasthecauseoftheaccident，whichwasdeeplytoberegrettedbecauseMr。

Doretywasafavouritewithallofus。"

CaptainDanCullenreadoverhisliteraryeffortwithadmiration，blottedthepage，andclosedthelog。Helightedacigarandstaredbeforehim。

HefelttheMaryRogerslift，andheel，andsurgealong，andknewthatshewasmakingnineknots。Asmileofsatisfactionslowlydawnedonhisblackandhairyface。Well，anyway，hehadmadehiswestingandfooledGod。

SEMPERIDEM

DoctorBicknellwasinaremarkablygraciousmood。Throughaminoraccident，aslightbitofcarelessness，thatwasall，amanwhomighthavepulledthroughhaddiedtheprecedingnight。Thoughithadbeenonlyasailorman，oneoftheinnumerableunwashed，thestewardofthereceivinghospitalhadbeenontheanxiousseatallthemorning。Itwasnotthatthemanhaddiedthatgavehimdiscomfort，heknewtheDoctortoowellforthat，buthisdistresslayinthefactthattheoperationhadbeendonesowell。Oneofthemostdelicateinsurgery，ithadbeenassuccessfulasitwascleverandaudacious。Allhadthendependeduponthetreatment，thenurses，thesteward。Andthemanhaddied。Nothingmuch，abitofcarelessness，yetenoughtobringtheprofessionalwrathofDoctorBicknellabouthisearsandtoperturbtheworkingofthestaffandnursesfortwenty-fourhourstocome。

But，asalreadystated，theDoctorwasinaremarkablygraciousmood。Wheninformedbythesteward，infearandtrembling，oftheman"sunexpectedtake-off，hislipsdidnotsomuchasformonesyllableofcensure；nay，theyweresopursedthatsnatchesofrag-timefloatedsoftlyfromthem，tobebrokenonlybyapleasantqueryafterthehealthoftheother"seldest-

born。Thesteward，deemingitimpossiblethathecouldhavecaughtthegistofthecase，repeatedit。

"Yes，yes，"DoctorBicknellsaidimpatiently；"Iunderstand。ButhowaboutSemperIdem？Ishereadytoleave？"

"Yes。They"rehelpinghimdressnow，"thestewardanswered，passingontotheroundofhisduties，contentthatpeacestillreignedwithintheiodine-saturatedwalls。