第4章
Wilbur’srevolverwasaself-cocker。Heraiseditagain，drawinghardonthetriggerashedidso。Itroaredandleapedinhishand，andawhiffofburnedpowdercametohisnostrils。ThenWilburwasastonishedtohearhimselfshoutatthetopofhisvoice：
"Comeonnow，getintothem——getintothemnow，everybody！"
The"Bertha’s"Chinamenwereallrunningforward，threeofthemwellinadvanceoftheothers。IntherearCharliewasatgrappleswithabeach-comberwhofoughtwithaknifeineachhand，andWilburhadasuddenglimpseofanothersittingonthesandwithhishandtohismouth，thebloodspurtingbetweenhisfingers。
Wilbursuddenlyrealizedthatheheldaknife，andthathewasdirectlyabreastthesandrampart。Howhegottheknifehecouldnottell，thoughheafterwarddistinctlyrememberedthrowingawayhisrevolver，loadedasitwas。Hehadleapedthebreastworks，heknewthat，andbetweenhimandthevastbrightbluroftheoceanhesawoneofthebeach-combersbackingawayandwatchinghimintently，hishatchetinhishand。Wilburhadonlytimetothinkthathehimselfwouldnodoubtbekilledwithinthenextfewmoments，whenthislatterhaltedabruptly，tookastepforward，and。insteadofstrikingdownward，asWilburhadanticipated，droppeduponhiskneeandstruckwithallhismightatthecalfofWilbur’sleg。ItwasonlythethicknessofhisbootsthatsavedWilburfrombeinghamstrungwherehestood。Asitwas，hefeltthebladebitealmosttothebone，andheardthebloodsquelchinthesoleofhisboot，ashestaggeredforthemoment，almosttrippingoverthemaninfrontofhim。
TheChinamansprangtohisfeetagain，butWilburwasathiminaninstant，feelinginstinctivelythathischancewastoclosewithhisman，andsobringhisownsuperiorweightandstrengthtobear。Againandagainhetriedtoruninandgriptheslimyellowbody，buttheotherdodgedandbackedaway，ashardtoholdasanyfish。AllaroundandbackofhimnowWilburheardthehideoussoundofstampingandstruggling，andthenoiseofhoarse，quickshoutsandthereboundofbodiesfallingandrollinguponthehard，smoothbeach。Thethinghadnotbeenafarce，afterall。
Thiswasfightingatlast，andtherewithinarm’slengthweremengrapplingandgrippingandhittingoneanother，eachhonestlystrivingtokillhisfellow——Chinamenall，fightinginbarbarousOrientalfashionwithnailsandteethwhentheknifeorhatchetfailed。Whatdidhe，clubmanandcollegeman，inthathideoustroublethatwroughtitselfoutthereonthatheat-strickentropicbeachunderthatmorning’ssun？
Suddenlytherewasaflashofredflame，andabillowofthick，yellowsmokefilledalltheair。Thecabinwasafire。Thehatchet-manwithwhomWilburwasfightinghadbeenbackinginthisdirection。Hewascloseinwhenthefirebegantoleapfromtheonewindow;nowhecouldgonofurther。Heturnedtorunsidewisebetweenhisenemyandtheburningcabin。Wilburthrusthisfootsharplyforward;thebeach-combertripped，staggered，andbeforehehadreachedthegroundWilburhaddrivenhometheknife。
Thensuddenly，atthesightofhissmittenenemyrollingonthegroundathisfeet，theprimitiveman，thehalf-bruteofthestoneage，leapedtolifeinWilbur’sbreast——hefelthismusclesthrillingwithastrengththeyhadnotknownbefore。Hisnerves，stretchedtenseasharp-strings，werevibratingtoanewtune。
Hisbloodspunthroughhisveinstillhisearsroaredwiththerushofit。Neverhadheconceivedofsuchsavageexultationasthatwhichmasteredhimatthatinstant。Theknowledgethathecouldkillfilledhimwithasenseofpowerthatwasveritablyroyal。Hefeltphysicallylarger。Itwasthejoyofbattle，thehorridexhilarationofkilling，theanimaloftherace，thehumanbrutesuddenlyarousedanddominatingeveryinstinctandtraditionofcenturiesofcivilization。Thefightstillwasgoingforward。
Wilburcouldhearthesoundsofit，thoughfromwherehestoodallsightwasshutoffbythesmokeoftheburninghouse。Asheturnedabout，knifeinhand，debatingwhatnextheshoulddo，afigureburstdownuponhim，shadowyanddistortedthroughthehaze。
ItwasMoran，butMoranasWilburhadneverseenherbefore。Hereyeswereblazingunderherthickfrownlikefireunderabush。
Herarmswerebaredtotheelbow，herheavyropesofhairflyingandcoilingfromherinalldirections，whilewithavoicehoarsefromshoutingshesang，orratherchanted，inherlong-forgottenNorsetongue，fragmentsofoldsagas，words，andsentences，meaninglesseventoherself。Thefuryofbattlehadexaltedhertoasortoffrenzy。Shewasbesideherselfwithexcitement。
OncemoreshehadlapsedbacktotheVikingsandsea-roversofthetenthcentury——shewasBrunhildeagain，ashield-maiden，aValkyrie，aBerserkerandthedaughterofBerserkers，andlikethemshefoughtinaveritablefrenzy，seeingnothing，hearingnothing，everysenseexalted，everyforcedoubled，insensibletopain，deaftoallreason。
Herdirkuplifted，sherusheduponWilbur，neveroncepausinginherchant。Wilburshoutedawarningtoherasshecameon，puzzledbeyondwords，startledbacktoaconsciousnessofhimselfagainbythisinsensateattack。
"Moran！Moran！"hecalled。"Whatisit——you’rewrong！It-sI。
It’sWilbur——yourmate，can’tyousee？"
Morancouldnotsee——blindtofriendorfoe，asshewasdeaftoreason，shestruckathimwithallthestrengthofherarm。Buttherewasnoskillinherfightingnow。Wilburdroppedhisownknifeandgrippedherrightwrist。Sheclosedwithhimupontheinstant，clutchingathisthroatwithheronefreehand;andashefeltherstrength——doubledandtripledinthefuryofhermadness——
Wilburknewthat，howevereasilyhehadovercomehisenemyofamomentbefore，hewasnowfightingforhisverylife。
Atfirst，Wilburmerelystruggledtokeepherfromhim——topreventherusingherdirk。Hetriednottohurther。Butwhatwiththespiritshehaddrunkbeforetheattack，whatwiththeexcitementoftheattackitselfandthesuddenunleashingofthebruteinhimaninstantbefore，thewholeaffairgrewdimandhazyinhismind。
Heceasedtoseethingsintheirproportion。Hisnew-foundstrengthgloriedinmatchingitselfwithanotherstrengththatwasitsequal。HefoughtwithMoran——notashewouldfightwitheitherwomanorman，orwithanythinghuman，forthematterofthat。Hefoughtwithherasagainstsomeimpersonalforcethatitwasincumbentuponhimtoconquer——thatitwasimperativeheshouldconquerifhewishedtolive。Whenshestruck，hestruckblowforblow，forceforforce，hisstrengthagainsthers，gloryinginthatstrangecontest，thoughheneveronceforgotthatthislastenemywasthegirlheloved。ItwasnotMoranwhomhefought;itwasherforce，herdetermination，herwill，hersplendidindependence，thathesethimselftoconquer。
Alreadyshehaddroppedorflungawaythedirk，andtheirbattlehadbecomeanissueofsheerphysicalstrengthbetweenthem。Itwasaquestionnowastowhoshouldmastertheother。TwiceshehadfoughtWilburtohisknees，theheelofherhanduponhisface，hisheadthrustbackbetweenhisshoulders，andtwicehehadwrenchedaway，risingtohisfeetagain，panting，bleedingeven，butwithhisteethsetandallhisresolutionatthesticking-
point。Oncehesawhischance，andplantedhisknucklessquarelybetweenhereyeswhereherfrownwasknottedhard，hopingtostunherandendthefightonceandforall。Buttheblowdidnotseemtoaffectherintheleast。BythistimehesawthatherBerserkerragehadworkeditselfclearasfermentingwineclearsitself，andthatsheknewnowwithwhomshewasfighting;andheseemednowtounderstandtheincomprehensible，andtosympathizewithherjoyinmeasuringherstrengthagainsthis;andyetheknewthatthecombatwasdeadlyserious，andthatmorethanlifewasatstake。Morandespisedaweakling。
Foraninstant，astheyfellapart，shestoodoff，breathinghardandrollinguphersleeve;then，asshestartedforwardagain，Wilburmetherhalf-way，caughtherroundtheneckandunderthearm，grippingherleftwristwithhisrighthandbehindher;then，exertingeveryounceofstrengthheyetretained，hethrustherdownandfromhim，untilatlength，usinghishipasapivot，heswungheroffherfeet，threwherfairlyonherback，andheldherso，onekneeuponherchest，hishandsclosedvise-likeonherwrists。
ThensuddenlyMorangaveup，relaxinginhisgraspallinasecond，and，tohisgreatsurprise，suddenlysmiled。
"Ho！mate，"sheexclaimed;"thatwasatoughone;butI’mbeaten——
you’restrongerthanIthoughtfor。"
Wilburreleasedherandrosetohisfeet。
"Here，"shecontinued，"givemeyourhand。I’masweakasakitten。"AsWilburhelpedhertoherfeet，sheputherhandtoherforehead，wherehisknuckleshadlefttheirmark，andfrownedathim，butnotill-naturedly。
"Nexttimeyoudothat，"shesaid，"usearockorabelaying-pin，orsomethingthatwon’thurt——notyourfist，mate。"Shelookedathimadmiringly。"Whatatwo-fisted，brawnydray-horseitis！I
toldyouIwasstrongerthanmostmen，didn’tI？ButI’mtheweakerofustwo，andthat’safact。You’vebeaten，mate——Iadmitit;you’veconqueredme，and，"shecontinued，smilingagainandshakinghimbytheshoulder——"and，mate，doyouknow，Iloveyouforit。"
XI
ACHANGEINLEADERS
"Well，"exclaimedWilburatlength，theexcitementofthefightreturninguponhim。"Wehaveplentytodoyet。Comeon，Moran。"
ItwasnolongerMoranwhotooktheinitiative——whowastheleader。Thebrieffightupontheshorehadchangedallthat。ItwasWilburwhowasnowthemaster，itwasWilburwhowasaggressive。Hehadknownwhatitmeanttokill。Hewasnolongerafraidofanything，nolongerhesitating。Hehadfeltasuddenquadruplingofallhisstrength，moralandphysical。
Allthatwasstrongandvirileandbrutalinhimseemedtohardenandstiffeninthemomentafterhehadseenthebeach-combercollapselimplyonthesandunderthelaststrongknife-blow;andasenseoftriumph，ofboundlessself-confidence，leapedwithinhim，sothatheshoutedaloudinaveryexcessofexhilaration;
andsnatchingupaheavycutting-inspade，thathadbeendroppedinthefightneartheburningcabin，tossedithighintotheair，catchingitagainasitdescended，likeanyexultantsavage。
"Comeon！"hecriedtoMoran;"wherearethebeach-combersgone？
I’mgoingtogetonemorebeforetheshowisover。"
Thetwopassedoutofthezoneofsmoke，andreachedtheothersideoftheburningcabinjustintimetoseethelastofthestruggle。Thewholeaffairhadnottakenmorethanaquarterofanhour。Intheendthebeach-combershadbeenbeaten。Fourhadfledintothewasteofsandandsagethatlaybackoftheshore，andhadnotbeenpursued。Afifthhadbeenalmosthamstrungbyoneofthe"Bertha’s"coolies，andhadgivenhimselfup。Asixth，squealingandshriekinglikeatiger-cat，hadbeenmadeprisoner;
andWilburhimselfhadaccountedfortheseventh。
AsWilburandMorancamearoundthecabintheysawthe"BerthaMillner’s"Chinameninagroup，notfarfromthewater’sedge，reassembledafterthefight——pantingandbloody，someofthembaretothebelt，theirweaponsstillintheirhands。Hereandtherewasabandagedarmorhead;buttheirnumberwascomplete——orno，wasitcomplete？
"Oughttobeonemore，"saidWilbur，anxiouslyhasteningfor-ward。
Asthetwocameupthecooliesparted，andWilbursawoneofthem，hisheadproppeduponarolled-upblouse，lyingominouslystillonthetrampledsand。
"It’sCharlie！"exclaimedMoran。
"Where’shehurt？"criedWilburtothegroupofcoolies。"Jim！——
where’sJim？Where’shehurt，Jim？"
Jim，theonlymemberofthecrewbesidesCharliewhocouldunderstandorspeakEnglish，answered：
"Kai-ginghhimfin’pistol，you’pistol;Charliehimfightplenty;
bime-by，whenhenosee，one-pieceeKai-ginghhecomeupbehin’，shootumCharlieinside——savvy？"
"Didhekillhim？Ishedead？"
"No，Itinkumdieplentysoon;himnosavvynuttin’now，himall-
samesleep。Plentysoonbime-byhimsleepforgood，Itink。"
TherewaslittlebloodtobeseenwhenWilburgentlyunwrappedthetornsleeveofablousethathadbeenusedasabandage。Justunderthearmpitwasthemarkofthebullet——asmallpuncturealreadyclosed，halfhiddenunderaclotortwoofblood。Thecoolielayquiteunconscious，hiseyeswideopen，drawingafaint，quickbreathatirregularintervals。
"Whatdoyouthink，mate？"askedMoraninalowvoice。
"Ithinkhe’sgotitthroughthelungs，"answeredWilbur，frowningindistressandperplexity。"PooroldCharlie！"
Moranwentdownonaknee，andputafingerontheslim，cordedwrist，yellowasoldivory。
"Charlie，"shecalled——"Charlie，here，don’tyouknowme？Wakeup，oldchap！It’sMoran。You’renothurtsoverybad，areyou？"
Charlie’seyesclosedandopenedacoupleoftimes。
"Nocantell，"heansweredfeebly;"hurtplentybig";thenhebegantocough。
Wilburdrewasighofrelief。"He’sallright！"heexclaimed。
"Yes，Ithinkhe’sallright，"assentedMoran。
"Firstthingtodonowistogethimaboardtheschooner，"saidWilbur。"We’lltakehimrightacrossinthebeach-combers’doryhere。ByJove！"heexclaimedonasudden。"Theambergris——I’dforgottenallaboutit。"Hisheartsank。Inthehideousconfusionofthatmorning’swork，allthoughtoftheloothadbeenforgotten。Hadthebattlebeenfornothing，afterall？Themomentthebeach-combershadbeenmadeawareofthemeditatedattack，itwouldhavebeenaneasymatterforthemtohavehiddentheambergris——destroyediteven。
IntwostridesWilburhadreachedthebeach-combers’doryandwasgropingintheforwardcuddy。Thenheutteredagreatshoutofsatisfaction。The"stuff"wasthere，allofit，thoughthemasshadbeencutintoquarters，threepartsofitstowedintea-
flails，thefourthstillreevedupinthehammocknetting。
"We’vegotit！"hecriedtoMoran，whohadfollowedhim。"We’vegotit，Moran！Over$100，000。We’rerich——richasboodlers，youandI。Oh，itwasworthfightingfor，afterall，wasn’tit？Nowwe’llgetoutofhere——nowwe’llcutforhome。"
"It’sonlyCharlieI’mthinkingabout，"answeredMoran，hesitating。"Ifitwasn’tforthatwe’dbeallright。Idon’tknowwhetherwedidright，afterall，injumpingthecamphere。I
wouldn’tliketofeelthatI’dgotCharlieintoourquarrelonlytohavehimkilled。"
WilburstaredatthisnewMoraninnolittleamazement。Wherewasthereckless，untamedgirlofthepreviousnight，whohadswornathimanddenouncedhisnigglingmisgivingsastorightandwrong？
"Hoh！"heretortedimpatiently，"Charlie’srightenough。And，besides，Ididn’tforcehimtoanything。I——we，thatis——tookthesamechances。IfIhadn’tdoneformymantherebehindthecabin，hewouldhavedoneforme。Atallevents，wecarriedourpoint。
Wegottheloot。Theytookitfromus，andwewerestrongenoughtogetitback。"
Moranmerelynodded，asthoughsatisfiedwithhisdecision，andadded：
"Well，whatnext，mate？"
"We’llgetbacktothe’Bertha’nowandputtoseaassoonaswecancatchthetide。I’llsendJimandtwooftheothermenacrossinthedorywithCharlie。Therestofuswillgoaroundbytheshore。We’vegottohaveachin-chinwithHoang，ifhedon’tgetlooseaboardthereandfiretheboatbeforewecangetback。I
don’tproposetakingthesebeach-combersbackto’Friscowithus。"
"Whatwillwedowiththetwoprisoners？"sheasked。
"Letthemgo;we’vegottheirarms。"
Thepositionsofthetwowerereversed。ItwasWilburwhoassumedcontrolanddirectionofwhatwentforward，Morantakinghisadviceandrelyinguponhisjudgment。
InaccordancewithWilbur’sorders，Charliewascarriedaboardthedory;which，withtwoChinamenattheoars，andtheambergrisstowedagainintothecuddy，atoncesetofffortheschooner。
Wilburhimselfcuttheropesonthetwoprisoners，andbadethemshiftforthemselves。Therestofthepartyreturnedtothe"BerthaMillner"aroundthewidesweepofthebeach。
Itwasonlybyhighnoon，underthefloggingofamercilesssun，thattheentirecrewofthelittleschooneroncemorereassembledundertheshadowofherstrandedhulk。Theywerequitewornout;
andassoonasCharliewasliftedaboard，andtheambergris——or，astheyspokeofitnow，the"loot"——wassafelystowedinthecabin，WilburallowedtheChinamenthreeorfourhours’rest。
Theyhadhadneitherbreakfastnordinner;buttheirexhaustionwasgreaterthantheirhunger，andinafewmomentstheentirehalf-dozenwerestretchedoutasleepontheforwarddeckintheshadowoftheforesailraisedforthepurposeofshelteringthem。
However，WilburandMoransoughtoutHoang，whomtheyfoundastheyhadlefthim——bounduponthefloorofthecabin。
"Nowwehaveatalk——savvy？"Wilburtoldhimasheloosedtheropesabouthiswristsandankles。"Wegotourlootbackfromyou，oldman，andwegotoneofyourmenintothebargain。Youwokeupthewrongcrowd，Hoang，whenyouwentupagainstthisoutfit。You’reinabadway，myfriend。Yourjunkiswrecked;
allyouroilandblubberfromthewhaleislost;fourofyourmenhaverunaway，oneiskilled，anotheronewecaughtandletgo，anotheronehasbeenhamstrung;andyouyourselfareourprisoner，withyourteethfileddowntoyourgums。Now，"continuedWilbur，withtheprofoundestgravity，"Ihopethiswillbealessontoyou。Don’ttryandgettoomuchthenexttime。Justbecontentwithwhatisyoursbyright，orwhatyouarestrongenoughtokeep，anddon’ttrytofightwithwhitepeople。Othercoolies，I
don’tsay。Butwhenyoutrytogetthebetterofwhitepeopleyouareoutofyourclass。"
Thelittlebeach-comber（hewasscarcelyabovefivefeet）rubbedhischafedwrists，andfixedWilburwithhistiny，twinklingeyes。
"Whatyoudonow？"
"Wegohome。I’mgoingtomaroonyouandyourpeoplehereonthisbeach。YoudeservethatIshouldletyoueatyourfistsbywayoftable-board;butI’mnosuchdirtasyou。Whenourmenlefttheschoonertheybroughtoffwiththemagoodshareofourprovisions。I’llleavethemhereforyou——andthere’splentyofturtleandabalonetobehadforthecatching。SomeoftheAmericanmen-of-war，Ibelieve，comedowntothisbayfortarget-
practicetwiceayear，andifwespeakanyonthewayupwe’llaskthemtocallhereforcastaways。That’swhatI’lldoforyou，andthat’sall！Ifyoudon’tlikeit，youcansetouttomarchupthecoasttillyouhitatown;butIwouldn’tadviseyoutotryit。
Nowwhathaveyougottosay？"
Hoangwassilent。Hisqueuehadbecomeunboundforhalfitslength，andheplaiteditanew，winkinghiseyesthoughtfully。
"Well，whatdoyousay？"saidMoran。
"Iloseface，"answeredHoangatlength，calmly。
"Youloseface？Whatdoyoumean？"
"Iloseface，"heinsisted;thenadded："Iheap’shamed。YoufighteemyChinaboy，youcatcheeme。Myboynomo’habmefo’
boss——savvy？Igoback，himnolikeeme。Mebbeallsamekilleeme。Iloseface——nomo’boss。"
"Whataherdofwildcattle！"mutteredWilbur。
"There’ssomethinginwhathesays，don’tyouthink，mate？"
observedMoran，bringingabraidovereachshoulderandstrokingitaccordingtoherhabit。
"We’llaskJimaboutit，"decidedWilbur。
ButJimatonceconfirmedHoang’sstatement。"Oh，Kai-ginghkillumno-goodboss，fo’sure，"hedeclared。
"Don’tyouthink，mate，"saidMoran，"we’dbettertakehimupto’Friscowithus？We’vehadenoughfightingandkilling。"
Soitwasarrangedthatthedefeatedbeach-comber，thewhippedbuccaneer，whohad"lostface"andnolongerdaredlookhismenintheeye，shouldbetakenaboard。
Byfouro’clocknextmorningWilburhadthehandsatworkdiggingthesandfromaroundthe"BerthaMillner’s"bow。Thelinebywhichshewastobewarpedoffwasrunouttotheledgeoftherock;freshwaterwastakenon;provisionsforthemaroonedbeach-
comberswerecacheduponthebeach;thedorywastakenaboard，gasketswerecastoff，andhatchesbatteneddown。
Athightide，allhandsstraininguponthewarp，theschoonerwasfloatedoff，andundertouchofthelightestairsdrewalmostimperceptiblyawayfromtheland。Theywerequiteanhourcrawlingouttotheheadsofthebay。Butherethebreezewasfreshening。Morantookthewheel;theflying-jibandstaysailwereset;thewakebegantowhitenundertheschooner’sstern，theforefootsang;thePacificopenedoutmoreandmore;andby12：30
o’clockMoranputthewheelover，and，astheschooner’sbowswungtothenorthward，criedtoWilbur：
"Mate，lookyourlastofMagdalenaBay！"
Standingatherside，Wilburturnedandsweptthecurveofthecoastwithasingleglance。Thevast，heat-scourgedhoopofyellowsand，thestill，smoothshieldofindigowater，withitsbedsofkelp，hadbecomeinsensiblydeartohim。Itwasallfamiliar，friendly，andhospitable。Hardlyanacreofthatsweepofbeachthatdidnotholdtheimpressofhisfoot。TherewasthepointnearbythecreekwhereheandMoranfirstlandedtofillthewater-casksandtogatherabalones;thecreekitself，wherehehadsnaredquail;thesandspitwithitswhitenedwhale’sskull，whereheandMoranhadbeachedtheschooner;andthere，lastofall，thatspotofblackoverwhichstillhungahazeofbrown-graysmoke，thecharredruinsoftheoldPortuguesewhaling-cabin，wheretheyhadoutfoughtthebeach-combers。
ForamomentWilburandMoranlookedbackwithoutspeaking。Theystoodonthequarter-deck;intheshadowofthemain-sail，shutofffromthesightoftheschooner’screw，andfortheinstantquitealone。
"Well，Moran，it’sgood-bytotheoldplaces，isn’tit？"saidWilburatlength。
"Yes，"shesaid，herdeepvoicepitchedevendeeperthanusual。
"Mate，greatthingshavehappenedthere。"
"Itdoesn’tlooklikeaplaceforaTongrowwithChinesepirates，though，doesit？"hesaid;butevenashespokethewords，heguessedthatthatwasnotwhathemeant。
"Oh，whatdidthatamountto？"shesaid，withanimpatientmovementofherhead。"ItwastherethatIfirstknewmyself;andknewthat，afterall，youwereamanandIwasawoman;andthattherewasjustus——youandI——intheworld;andthatyoulovedmeandIlovedyou，andthatnothingelsewasworththinkingof。"
Wilburshuthishanddownoverhersasitgrippedaspokeofthewheel。
"Moran，Iknewthatlongsince，"hesaid。"Suchamonthasthishasbeen！Why，IfeelasthoughIhadonlybeguntolivesinceI
begantoloveyou。"
"Andyoudo，mate？"sheanswered——"youdoloveme，andalwayswill？Oh，youdon’tknow，"shewenton，interruptinghisanswer，"youhaven’taguess，howthelasttwodayshavechangedme。
Somethinghashappenedhere"——andsheputbothherhandsoverherbreast。"I’malldifferenthere，mate。It’sallyouinsidehere——
allyou！Andithurts，andI’mproudthatitdoeshurt。Oh！"shecried，ofasudden，"Idon’tknowhowtoloveyet，andIdoitverybadly，andIcan’ttellyouhowIfeel，becauseIcan’teventellittomyself。Butyoumustbegoodtomenow。"Thedeepvoicetrembledalittle。"Goodtome，mate，andtruetome，mate，becauseI’veonlyyou，andallofmeisyours。Mate，begoodtome，andalwaysbekindtome。I’mnotMorananymore。I’mnotproudandstrongandindependent，andIdon’twanttobelonely。
Iwantyou——Iwantyoualwayswithme。I’mjustawomannow，dear——justawomanthatlovesyouwithaheartshe’sjustfound。"
Wilburcouldfindnowordstoanswer。TherewassomethingsopatheticandatthesametimesonobleinMoran’scompletesurrenderofherself，andherdependenceuponhim，herunquestionedtrustinhimandhisgoodness，thathewassuddenlysmittenwithaweatthesacrednessoftheobligationthusimposedonhim。Shewashisnow，tohaveandtohold，tokeep，toprotect，andtodefend——shewhowasoncesogloriousofherstrength，ofhersavageisolation，herinviolate，pristinemaidenhood。Allwordsseemedfutileandinadequatetohim。
Shecameclosetohim，andputherhandsuponhisshoulders，and，lookinghimsquarelyintheeye，said：
"Youdoloveme，mate，andyoualwayswill？"
"Always，Moran，"saidWilbur，simply。Hetookherinhisarms，andshelaidhercheekagainsthisforamoment，thentookhisheadbetweenherhandsandkissedhim。
Twodayspassed。The"BerthaMillner"heldsteadilytohernorthwardcourse，Morankeepingherwellintowardtheland。
Wilburmaintainedalookoutfromthecrow’s-nestinthehopeofsightingsomewhitecruiserorbattleshiponherwaysouthfortarget-practice。Inthecacheofprovisionshehadleftforthebeach-combershehadinsertedamessage，writtenbyHoang，totheeffectthattheymightexpecttobetakenoffbyaUnitedStatesman-of-warwithinthemonth。
Hoangdidnotreadilyrecoverhis"lossofface。"The"Bertha’s"
ChinamenwouldhavenothingtodowiththismemberofahostileTong;andthehumiliatedbeach-comberkeptalmostentirelytohimself，sittingontheforecastle-headalldaylong，smokinghissui-yen-huandbroodingsilentlytohimself。
MoranhadtakenthelumpofambergrisfromoutKitchell’soldhammock，andhadslungthehammockitselfintheschooner’swaist，andCharliewasmadeascomfortableaspossibletherein。Theycoulddobutlittleforhim，however;andhewastakenfromtimetotimewithspellsofcoughingthatrackedhimwithadreadfulagony。Atlengthonenoon，justafterMoranhadtakenthesunandhadcalculatedthatthe"Bertha"wassomeeightmilestothesouthwestofSanDiego，shewassurprisedtohearWilburcallinghersharply。Sherantohim，andfoundhimstandinginthewaistbyCharlie’shammock。
TheChinamanwasdying，andknewit。HewastalkinginafaintandfeeblevoicetoWilburasshecameup，andwastryingtoexplaintohimthathewassorryhehaddesertedtheschoonerduringthescareinthebay。
"Plantymucheesolly，"hesaid;"Chinaboy，himheapflaidofFeng-shui。WhenFeng-shuinolikee，wethenmustgochop-chop。
PlentymuchsollyIleave-umschoonerthatnight;sollyplenty——
savvy？"
"Ofcoursewesavvy，Charlie，"saidMoran。"Youweren’tafraidwhenitcametofighting。"
"Idieplettysoon，"saidCharliecalmly。"Yousayyougibmefifteenhundleddollah？"
"Yes，yes;thatwasourpromise。Whatdoyouwantdonewithit，Charlie？"
"IwantplentyfinefuneralinChinatowninSanFrancisco。Oh，heapfine！Youbuyumfirst-chopcoffin——savvy？Silverheapmuch——
costumbigmoney。YougibmymoneytoHopSingAssociation，topsideMingYentemple。YousavvyHopSing？——oneSixCompanies。"
"Yes，yes。"
"TellumHopSingIwantfuneral——four-pieceehorse。Younoflogetteehorse？"headdedapprehensively。
"No，I’llnotforgetthehorsesCharlie。Youshallhavefour。"
"Wantsix-pieceebandmusicians——Chinamusic——heapplentygong。
Younoflogettee？Twopieceepriest，alldressumwhite——savvy？Youmus’buyumcoffinyo’self。Vellyfinecoffin，heapmuchsilver，an’four-pieceehorse。Youcatchumfireclacker——one，five，sevenhundledfireclacker，makeumbignoise;an’loastpig，an’plentylicean’Chinablandy。Heapfinefuneral，costumfifteenhundleddollah。IbeburyallsameMandarin——allsameLittlePete。Youplomise，sure？"
"Ipromiseyou，Charlie。YoushallhaveafuneralfinerthanlittlePete’s。"
Charlienoddedhisheadcontentedly，drawingabreathofsatisfaction。
"BimebyHopSingsendumbodybackChina。"Heclosedhiseyesandlayforalongtime，wornoutwiththeeffortofspeaking，asifasleep。Suddenlyheopenedhiseyeswide。"Younoflogetteehorse？"
"Fourhorses，Charlie。I’llremember。"
Hedroopedoncemore，onlytorouseagainattheendofafewminuteswith：
"First-chopcoffin，plentymuchsilver";andagain，alittlelaterandveryfeebly："Six-piecee——bandmusic——Chinamusic——four-
piecee——gong——four。"
"Ipromiseyou，Charlie，"saidWilbur。
"Now，"answeredCharlie——"nowIdie。"
Andthelow-casteCantonesecoolie，withallthedignityandcalmnessofaCicero，composedhimselffordeath。
AnhourlaterWilburandMoranknewthathewasdead。Yet，thoughtheyhadneverleftthehammock，theycouldnothavetoldatjustwhatmomenthedied。
Later，onthatsameafternoon，Wilbur，fromthecrow’s-nest，sawthelighthouseonPointLomaandthehugeramblingbulkoftheCoronadoHotelspreadingoutandalongthebeach。
Itwastheoutpostofcivilization。Theyweregettingbacktotheworldagain。Withinanhour’srideofthehotelwereSanDiego，railroads，newspapers，andpolicemen。Justoffthehotel，however，WilburcoulddiscernthegleamingwhitehullofaUnitedStatesman-of-war。Withtheglasshecouldmakeherouttobeoneofthemonitors——the"Monterey"inallprobability。
AfteradvisingwithMoran，itwasdecidedtoputintoland。Thereportastothecastawayscouldbemadetothe"Monterey，"andCharlie’sbodyforwardedtohisTonginSanFrancisco。
Intwohours’timetheschoonerwaswellup，andWilburstoodbyMoran’ssideatthewheel。watchingandstudyingthefamiliaraspectofCoronadoBeach。
"It’sagreatwinterresort，"hetoldher。"Iwasdownherewithapartytwoyearsago。Nothinghaschanged。Youseethatbigsortofroundwing，Moran，allfullofwindows？That’sthedining-
room。Andthere’sthebathhouseandthebowling-alley。Seethepeopleonthebeach，andthegirlsinwhiteduckskirts;andlookuptherebytheveranda——letmetaketheglass——yes，there’satally-hocoach。Isn’titqueertogetbacktothissortofthingafterMagdalenaBayandthebeach-combers？"
Moranspunthewheelwithoutreply，andgaveanordertoJimtoeaseofftheforesheet。
XII
NEWCONDITIONS
ThewinterseasonattheHoteldelCoronadohadbeenunusuallygaythatyear，andtheyoungladywhowrotethesocietynewsindiaryformforoneoftheSanFranciscoweeklypapershadheldforthatmuchlengthuponthehotel’s"unbrokensuccessionoffestivities。"
Shehadalsonotedthat"prominentamongthenewestarrivals"hadbeenMr。NatRidgeway，ofSanFrancisco，whohadbroughtdownfromthecity，aboardhiselegantandsumptuouslyfittedyacht"Petrel，"ajollyparty，composedlargelyoftheseason’sdebutantes。TobementionedinthelattercategorywasMissJosieHerrick，whoselavendercoming-outteaatthebeginningoftheseasonwasstillasubjectofcommentamongthegossips——andalltherestofit。
The"Petrel"hadbeenintheharborbutafewdays，andonthiseveningadancewasgivenatthehotelinhonorofherarrival。
Itwastobeacotillon，andNatRidgewaywasgoingtoleadwithJosieHerrick。TherehadbeenacoachingpartytoTiaJuanathatday，andMissHerrickhadreturnedtothehotelonlyintimetodress。By9：30sheemergedfromtheprocess——whichhadinvolvedhermother，heryoungersister，hermaid，andoneofthehotelchambermaids——adainty，firm-corsetedlittlebody，alltulle，whitesatin，andhigh-piledhair。ShecarriedMarechalNielroses，orderedbywirefromMonterey;andaboutanhourlater，whenRidgewaygavethenodtothewaitingmusicians，andswungherofftothebeatofatwo-step，therewasnotamoregracefullittlefigureupontheflooroftheincomparableroundballroomoftheCoronadoHotel。
Thecotillonwasagreatsuccess。Theensignsandyoungerofficersofthemonitor——atthattimeanchoredoffthehotel——
attendedinuniform;andenoughofthemembersofwhatwasknowninSanFranciscoasthe"dancingset"werepresenttogivetheaffairthenecessaryentrain。EvenJerryHaight，whobelongedmoredistinctlytothe"country-clubset，"andwhohadspenttheearlypartofthatwintershootingelkinOregon，wasamongtheranksofthe"rovers，"whogroupedthemselvesaboutthedraughtydoorways，andendeavoredtoappearunconsciouseachtimeRidgewaygavethesignalfora"break。"
Thefigureshadgoneroundthehallonce。The"firstset"wasoutagain，andasRidgewayguidedMissHerrickbythe"rovers"shelookedoverthearrayofshirt-fronts，searchingforJerryHaight。
"DoyouseeMr。Haight？"sheaskedofRidgeway。"Iwantedtofavorhimthisbreak。Iowehimtwoalready，andhe’llneverforgivemeifIoverlookhimnow。"
JerryHaighthadgonetothehotelofficeforafewmoments’restandacigarette，andwasnowhereinsight。Butwhenthesetbroke，andMissHerrick，despairingofJerry，hadstartedouttofavoroneoftheyoungerensigns，shesuddenlyjostledagainsthim，pushinghiswayeagerlyacrossthefloorinthedirectionofthemusicians’platform。
"Oh！"shecried，"Mr。Haight，you’vemissedyourchance——I’vebeenlookingforyou。"
ButJerrydidnothear——heseemedveryexcited。Hecrossedthefloor，almostrunning，andwentupontheplatformwherethemusiciansweremeanderingsoftlythroughthemazesof"LaPaloma，"
andbroughtthemtoanabruptsilence。
"Here，Isay，Haight！"exclaimedRidgeway，whowasnearby，"youcan’tbreakupmyfigurelikethat。"
"Gi’meacallthereonthebugle，"saidHaightrapidlytothecornetist。"Anythingtomake’emkeepquietamoment。"
Thecornetistsoundedacoupleofnotes，andthecotillonpausedintheveryactofthebreak。Theshufflingoffeetgrewstill，andtheconversationceased。Adiamondbroochhadbeenfound，nodoubt，orsomesupperannouncementwastobemade。ButJerryHaight，withagreatsweepofhisarm，theforgottencigarettebetweenhisfingers，shoutedoutbreathlessly：
"RossWilburisoutintheofficeofthehotel！"
Therewasaninstant’ssilence，andthenagreatshout。Wilburfound！RossWilburcomebackfromthedead！RossWilbur，huntedforandbootlesslytracedfromBuenosAyresinthesouthtotheAleutianIslandsinthenorth。RossWilbur，thepuzzleofeverydetectivebureauonthecoast;thesubjectofathousandtheories;
whosenamehadfiguredinthescareheadsofeverynewspaperwestoftheMississippi。RossWilbur，seenatafashionableteaandhisclubofanafternoon，thensuddenlyblottedoutfromtheworldofmen;swallowedupandengulfedbytheunknown，withnotsomuchasabuttonleftbehind。RossWilburthesuicide;RossWilbur，themurdered;RossWilbur，victimofabandofkidnappers，theheroofsomedreadfulstorythatwasnevertobetold，themystery，thelegend——beholdhewasthere！Backfromtheunknown，droppedfromtheclouds，spewedupagainfromthebowelsoftheearth——averitablegodfromthemachinewhoinasingleinstantwastodisentanglealltheunexplainedcomplicationsofthosepastwintermonths。
"Herehecomes！"shoutedJerry，hiseyescaughtbyagroupofmeninfulldressandgoldlacewhocametrampingdownthehalltotheballroom，bearinganondescriptfigureontheirshoulders。"Herehecomes——theboysarebringinghiminhere！Oh！"hecried，turningtothemusicians，"can’tyouplaysomething？——any-thing！
Hititupforallyou’reworth！Ridgeway——Nat，lookhere！RosswasYale，y’know——Yale’95;ain’tweenoughYalemenheretogivehimtheyell？"
Outofalltimeandtune，butwithavigorthatmadeupforboth，themusiciansbangedintoapatrioticair。Jerry，standingonachairthatitselfwasstandingontheplatform，ledhalfadozenfranticmeninthelongthunderofthe"Brek-kek-kek-kek，co-ex，co-ex。"
Aroundtheedgesofthehallexcitedgirls，andchaperonsthemselvesnolessagitated，werestandinguponchairsandbenches，splittingtheirglovesandbreakingtheirfansintheirenthusiasm;whileeverymaledanceronthefloor——ensignsintheirgold-faceduniformsand"rovers"instarchedandimmaculateshirt-
bosoms——cheeredandcheeredandstruggledwithoneanothertoshakehandswithamanwhomtwooftheirnumberoldYalegrads，withmemoriesofathletictriumphsyetintheirminds——carriedintothatball-room，bornehighupontheirshoulders。
Andtheherooftheoccasion，thecentreofallthisenthusiasm——
thuscarriedasifintriumphintothisassemblyineveningdress，inwhitetulleandwhiterkid，odorousofdelicatesachetsandscarce-perceptibleperfumes——wasafigureunhandsomeandunkemptbeyonddescription。Hishairwaslong，andhangingoverhiseyes。
Athick，uncared-forbeardconcealedthemouthandchin。HewasdressedinaChinaman’sblouseandjeans——thelatterthrustintoslashedandtatteredboots。Thetanandweatherbeatingsofnearlyhalfayearofthetropicswerespreadoverhisface;apartlyhealedscardisfiguredonetempleandcheek-bone;thehands，totheveryfinger-nails，weregraywithgrime;thejeansandblouseandbootswerefouledwithgrease，withoil，withpitch，andallmannerofthedirtofanuncared-forship。Andasthedancersofthecotillonpressedabout，andahundredkid-glovedhandsstretchedtowardhisownpalms，therefellfromWilbur’sbeltuponthewaxedflooroftheballroomtheknifehehadsogrimlyusedinthefightuponthebeach，theuglystainsstillblackeningonthehaft。
Therewasnomorecotillonthatnight。Theyputhimdownatlast;
andinhalfadozensentencesWilburtoldthemofhowhehadbeenshanghaied——toldthemofMagdalenaBay，hisfortuneintheambergris，andthefightwiththebeach-combers。
"Youpeoplearegoingdowntherefortarget-practice，aren’tyou？"
hesaid，turningtooneofthe"Monterey’s"officersinthecrowdabouthim。"Yes？Well，you’llfindthecooliesthere，onthebeach，waitingforyou。Allbutone，"headded，grimly。
"Wemaroonedsixofthem，buttheseventhdidn’tneedtobemarooned。Theytriedtoplunderusofourboat，but，by————-，wemadeitinterestingfor’em！"
"Isay，steady，oldman！"exclaimedNatRidgeway，glancingnervouslytowardthegirlsinthesurroundinggroup。"Thisisn’tMagdalenaBay，youknow。"
AndforthefirsttimeWilburfeltagenuinepangofdisappointmentandregretasherealizedthatitwasnot。
Halfanhourlater，Ridgewaydrewhimaside。"Isay，Ross，let’sgetoutofhere。Youcan’tstandheretalkingallnight。JerryandyouandIwillgouptomyrooms，andwecantalkthereinpeace。I’llorderupthreequartsoffizz，and——"
"Oh，rotyourfizz！"declaredWilbur。"Ifyouloveme，givemeChristiantobacco。"
Astheyweregoingoutoftheballroom，WilburcaughtsightofJosieHerrick，and，breakingawayfromtheothers，ranovertoher。
"Oh！"shecried，breathless。"Tothinkandtothinkofyourcomingbackafterall！No，Idon’trealizeit——Ican’t。Itwilltakemeuntilmorningtofindoutthatyou’vereallycomeback。I
justknownowthatI’mhappierthanIeverwasinmylifebefore。
Oh！"shecried，"doIneedtotellyouhowgladIam？It’sjusttoosplendidforwords。Doyouknow，Iwasthoughttobethelastpersonyouhadeverspokentowhilealive，andthereportersandall——oh，butwemusthavesuchatalkwhenallisquietagain！Andourdance——we’veneverhadourdance。I’vegotyourcardyet。
Remembertheoneyouwroteformeatthetea——afacsimileofitwaspublishedinallthepapers。YouaregoingtobeaherowhenyougetbacktoSanFrancisco。Oh，Ross！Ross！"shecried，thetearsstartingtohereyes，"you’vereallycomeback，andyouarejustasgladasIam，aren’tyou——gladthatyou’vecomeback——comebacktome？"
Lateron，inRidgeway’sroom，WilburtoldhisstoryagainmoreindetailtoRidgewayandJerry。Allbutoneportionofit。Hecouldnotmakeuphismindtospeaktothem——thesesocietyfellows，clubmenandcitybred——ofMoran。Howhewasgoingtoorderhislifehenceforward——hislife，thathefelttobevoidofinterestwithouther——hedidnotknow。Thatwasaquestionforlaterconsideration。
"We’llgiveanothercotillon！"exclaimedRidgeway，"upinthecity——giveitforyou，Ross，andyou’lllead。It’llbetheeventoftheseason！"
Wilburutteredanexclamationofcontempt。"I’vedonewiththatsortoffoolery，"heanswered。
"Nonsense;why，think，we’llhaveitinyourhonor。Everysmartgirlintownwillcome，andyou’llbethelionof——"
"Youdon’tseemtounderstand！"criedWilburimpatiently。"Doyouthinkthere’sanyfuninthatformenow？Why，man，I’vefought——
foughtwithanakeddirk，foughtwithacooliewhosnappedatmelikeanape——andyoutalktomeofdancingandfunctionsandgermanfavors！Itwouldn’tdosomeofyoupeopleabitofharmifyouwereshanghaiedyourselves。Thatsortoflife，ifitdon’tdoanythingelse，knocksabigbitofseriousnessintoyou。Youfellowsmakemesick，"hewentonvehemently。"Asthoughtherewasn’tanythingelsetodobutleadcotillonsandgetupnewfigures！"
"Well，whatdoyouproposetodo？"askedNatRidgeway。"Whereareyougoingnow——backtoMagdalenaBay？"
"No。"
"Where，then？"
Wilbursmotethetablewithhisfist。
"Cuba！"hecried。"I’vegotacracklittleschooneroutinthebayhere，andI’vegotahundredthousanddollars’worthoflootaboardofher。I’vetriedbeach-combingforawhile，andnowI’lltryfilibustering。Itmaybeacrazyidea，butit’sbetterthandancing。I’dratherleadanexpeditionthanagerman，andyoucanchewonthat，NathanielRidgeway。"
Jerrylookedathimashestoodtherebeforetheminthefilthy，reekingblouseandjeans，theraggedboots，andthemaneofhairandtangledbeard，andrememberedtheWilburheusedtoknow——theWilburofthecarefullycreasedtrousers，thesatinscarfsandfancywaistcoats。
"You’readifferentsortthanwhenyouwentaway，Ross，"saidJerry。
"Rightyouare，"answeredWilbur。
"ButIwillventureaprophecy，"continuedJerry，lookingkeenlyathim。
"Ross，youareaborn-and-bredcityman。It’sinthebloodofyouandthebonesofyou。I’llgiveyouthreeyearsforthisnewnotionofyourstowearitselfout。Youthinkjustnowyou’regoingtospendtherestofyourlifeasanamateurbuccaneer。Inthreeyears，attheoutside，you’llbeusingyour’loot，’asyoucallit，ortheinterestofit，topayyourtaxesandyourtailor，yourpewrentandyourclubdues，andyou’llbewhatthebiographerscall’arespectablememberofthecommunity。’"
"Didyoueverkillaman，Jerry？"askedWilbur。"No？Well，youkillonesomeday——killhiminafairgive-and-takefight——andseehowitmakesyoufeel，andwhatinfluenceithasonyou，andthencomebackandtalktome。"
Itwaslongaftermidnight。Wilburrose。
"We’llringforaboy，"saidRidgeway，"andgetyouaroom。Icanfixyououtwithclothesenoughinthemorning"
Wilburstaredinsomesurprise，andthensaid：
"Why，I’vegottheschoonertolookafter。Ican’tleavethosecooliesaloneallnight。"
"Youdon’tmeantosayyou’regoingonboardatthistimeinthemorning？"
"Ofcourse！"
"Why——but——butyou’llcatchyourdeathofcold。"
WilburstaredatRidgeway，thennoddedhelplessly，and，scratchinghishead，said，halfaloud：
"No，what’stheuse;Ican’tmake’emunderstand。Good-nightI’llseeyouinthemorning。"
"We’llallcomeoutandvisityouonyouryacht，"Ridgewaycalledafterhim;butWilburdidnothear。
InanswertoWilbur’swhistle，Jimcameinwiththedoryandtookhimofftotheschooner。Moranmethimashecameovertheside。
"Itookthewatchmyselfto-nightandlettheboyturnin，"shesaid。"Howisitashore，mate？"
"We’vecomebacktotheworldoflittlethings，Moran，"saidWilbur。"Butwe’llpulloutofhereinthemorningandgetbacktotheplaceswherethingsarereal。"
"Andthat’sagoodhearing，mate。"
"Let’sgetuphereonthequarterdeck，"addedWilbur。"I’vesomethingtoproposetoyou。"
Moranlaidanarmacrosshisshoulder，andthetwowalkedaft。
ForhalfanhourWilburtalkedtoherearnestlyabouthisnewideaoffilibustering;andashetoldherofthewarhewarmedtothesubject，hisfaceglowing，hiseyessparkling。Suddenly，however，hebrokeoff。
"Butno！"heexclaimed。"Youdon’tunderstand，Moran。Howcanyou——you’reforeign-born。It’snoaffairofyours！"
"Mate！mate！"criedMoran，herhandsuponhisshoulders。"It’syouwhodon’tunderstand——don’tunderstandme。Don’tyouknow——
can’tyousee？Yourpeopleareminenow。I’mhappyonlyinyourhappiness。Youwereright——thebesthappinessisthehappinessoneshares。Andyoursorrowsbelongtome，justasIbelongtoyou，dear。Yourenemiesaremine，andyourquarrelsaremyquarrels。"Shedrewhisheadquicklytowardherandkissedhim。
Inthemorningthetwohadmadeuptheirmindstoacertainvaguecourseofaction。Togetaway——anywhere——wastheironeaim。
Moranwasbynatureacreatureunfitforcivilization，andtheloveofadventureandthedesireforactionhadsuddenlyleapedtolifeinWilbur’sbloodandwasnottoberesisted。TheywouldgetuptoSanFrancisco，disposeoftheir"loot，"outfitthe"BerthaMillner"asafilibuster，andputtoseaagain。TheyhaddiscussedtheadvisabilityofroundingtheHorninsosmallashipasthe"BerthaMillner，"butMoranhadsettledthatatonce。
"I’vegottoknowherprettywell，"shetoldWilbur。"She’ssoundasanut。Onlylet’sgetawayfromthisplace。"
Buttowardteno’clockonthemorningaftertheirarrivaloffCoronado，andjustastheywerepreparingtogetunderway，HoangtouchedWilbur’selbow。
"Seeumlilone-piecesmoke-boat;himcomechop-chop。"
Infact，alittlesteam-launchwasrapidlyapproachingtheschooner。Inanotherinstantshewasalongside。Jerry，NatRidgeway，JosieHerrick，andanelderlywoman，whomWilburbarelyknewasMissHerrick’smarriedsister，wereaboard。
"We’vecomeofftoseeyouryacht！"criedMissHerricktoWilburasthelaunchbumpedalongtheschooner’scounter。"Canwecomeaboard？"Shelookedveryprettyinhercrisppinkshirt-waistherwhiteduckskirt，andwhitekidshoes，hersailorhattiltedatabarelyperceptibleangle。Themenwereinwhiteflannelsandsmartyachtingsuits。"Canwecomeaboard？"sherepeated。
Wilburgaspedandstared。"GoodLord！"hemuttered。"Oh，comealong，"headded，desperately。
Thepartycameovertheside。
"Oh，my！"saidMissHerrickblankly，stoppingshort。
Thedecks，masts，andrailsoftheschoonerwereshinywithablackcoatingofdirtandgrease;thesailsweregraywithgrime;
astranglingodorofoilandtar，ofcookingandofopium，ofChinesepunkanddryingfish，pervadedalltheair。Inthewaist，HoangandJim，baretothebelt，theirqueuesloopedaroundtheirneckstobeoutoftheway，werestowingthedoryandexchanginghigh-pitchedmonosyllables。MissHerrick’ssisterhadnotcomeaboard。Thethreevisitors——Jerry，Ridgeway，andJosie——stoodnervouslyhuddledtogether，theirelbowsclosein，asiftoavoidcontactwiththeprevailingfilth，theirimmaculatewhiteouting-
clothesdetachingthemselvesviolentlyagainstthesqualorandsordidgrimeoftheschooner’sbackground。
"Oh，my！"repeatedMissHerrickindismay，halfclosinghereyes。
"Tothinkofwhatyoumusthavebeenthrough！Ithoughtyouhadsomekindofayacht。Ihadnoideaitwouldbelikethis。"Andasshespoke，Morancamesuddenlyuponthegroupfrombehindtheforesail，andpausedinabruptsurprise，herthumbsinherbelt。
Shestillworemen’sclothesandwasbootedtotheknee。Theheavybluewoolenshirtwasopenatthethroat，thesleevesrolledhalf-wayupherlargewhitearms。InherbeltshecarriedherhaftlessScandinaviandirk。Shewashatlessasever，andherheavy，fragrantcablesofrye-huedhairfelloverhershouldersandbreasttofarbelowherbelt。
MissHerrickstartedsharply，andMoranturnedaninquiringglanceuponWilbur。Wilburtookhisresolutioninbothhands。
"MissHerrick，"hesaid，"thisisMoran——MoranSternersen。"
Morantookastepforward，holdingoutherhand。Josie，allbewildered，puthertight-glovedfingersintothecallousedpalm，lookingupnervouslyintoMoran’sface。
"I’msure，"shesaidfeebly，almostbreathlessly，"I——I’msureI’mverypleasedtomeetMissSternersen。"
ItwaslongbeforethepictureleftWilbur’simagination。JosieHerrick，petite，gownedinwhite，crispfromhermaid’sgrooming;
andMoran，sea-roveranddaughterofahundredVikings，toweringaboveher，bootedandbelted，gravelyclaspingJosie’shandinherownhugefist。
XIII
MORANSTERNERSEN
SanFranciscooncemore！Fortwodaysthe"BerthaMillner"hadbeenbeatingupthecoast，fightingherwayagainstnortherlywinds，buttingintoheadseas。
Thewarmth，thestillness，theplacid，drowsingquietofMagdalenaBay，steamingunderthegoldeneyeofatropicheaven，thewhite，bakedbeach，thebay-heads，striatedwiththemirageinthemorning，thecoruscatingsunset，theenchantedmysteryofthepurplenight，withitssheenofstarsandridingmoon，werenowreplacedbythehaleandvigoroussnortingoftheTrades，therollofbreakerstolandward，andtheunremittinggallopoftheunnumberedmultitudesofgray-greenseas，careeringsilentlypasttheschooner，theircrestsoccasionallyhissingintobrusqueeruptionsofwhitefroth，orsmitingbroadonunderhercounter，showeringherdeckswithasproutoficyspray。Itwascold;attimesthickfogscloakedalltheworldofwater。Totheeastaprocessionofbleakhillsdefiledslowlysouthward;lighthouseswerepassed;streamersofsmokeonthewesternhorizonmarkedthepassageofsteamships;andoncetheymetandpassedclosebyahugeCapeHorner，agreatdeep-seatramp，allsailssetanddrawing，rollingslowlyandleisurelyinseasthatmadetheschoonerdance。
AtlasttheFaralloneslookedovertheocean’sedgetothenorth;
thencamethewhistling-buoy，theSealRocks，theHeads，PointReyes，theGoldenGateflankedwiththeoldredPresidio，LimePointwithitswatchingcannon;andbynoonofagrayandboisterousday，underalustywindandaslantofrain，justfivemonthsafterherdeparture，the"BerthaMillner"letgoheranchorinSanFranciscoBaysomefewhundredyardsofftheLifeboatStation。
Inthisberththeschoonerwasstillthreeorfourmilesfromthecityandthewater-front。ButMorandetestedanynearerapproachtocivilization，andWilburhimselfwaswillingtoavoid，atleastforoneday，thepublicitywhichhebelievedthe"Bertha’s"
reappearancewassuretoattract。Heremembered，too，thatthelittleboatcarriedwithherafortuneof$100，000，anddecidedthatuntilitcouldbesafelylandedandstoreditwasnotdesirablethatitsexistenceshouldbeknownalong"theFront。"
Fordays，weekseven，Wilburhadlookedeagerlyforwardtothisreturntohishome。Hehadseenhimselfagaininhisformerhaunts，inhisclub，andinthehousesalongPacificavenuewherehewasreceived;butnosoonerhadtheanchor-chainceasedrattlinginthe"Bertha’s"hawse-pipethanastrangerevulsioncameuponhim。Thenewmanthatseemedtohavesosuddenlysprungtolifewithinhim，theWilburwhowasthemateofthe"BerthaMillner，"theWilburwhobelongedtoMoran，believedthathecouldseenothingtobedesiredincitylife。Forhimwastheunsteadydeckofaschooner，andthegreatwindsandthetremendouswheeloftheocean’srim，andthehorizonthateverfledbeforehisfollowingprow;sohetoldhimself，sohebelieved。Whatattractionscouldthecityofferhim？Whatamusements？whatexcitements？Hehadbeenflungoffthesmoothlyspinningcircumferenceofwell-orderedlifeoutintothevoid。
Hehadknownromance，andthespellofthegreat，simple，andprimitiveemotions;hehadsatdowntoeatwithbuccaneers;hehadseenthefierce，quickleapofunleashedpassions，andhadfeltdeathswoopcloseathisnapeandpasslikeaswiftspurtofcoldair。Citylife，hisoldlife，hadnocharmforhimnow。Wilburhonestlybelievedthathewaschangedtohisheart’score。Hethoughtthat，likeMoran，hewashenceforthtobeasailorofthesea，arover，andhesawtherestofhisexistencepassedwithher，aboardtheirfaithfullittleschooner。Theywouldhavethewholeroundworldastheirplayground;theyheldtheearthandthegreatseasinfief;therewasnoonetoletortohinder。Theytwobelongedtoeachother。OnceoutsidetheHeadsagain，andtheysweptthelandofcitiesandoflittlethingsbehindthem，andtheytwowereleftaloneoncemore;aloneinthegreatworldofromance。
Aboutanhourafterherarrivaloffthestation，whileHoangandthehandswerefurlingthejibandforesailandgettingthedoryovertheside，MoranremarkedtoWilbur：
"It’sgoodwecameinwhenwedid，mate;theglassisgoingdownfast，andthewind’sbreezingupfromthewest;we’regoingtohaveablow;thetidewillbegoingoutinalittlewhile，andwenevercouldhavecomeinagainstwindandtide。"
"Moran，"saidWilbur，"I’mgoingashore——intothestationhere;
there’satelephonelinethere;seethewires？Ican’tsomuchasturnmyhandoverbeforeIhavesomeshore-goingclothes。WhatdoyousupposetheywoulddotomeifIappearedonKearneyStreetinthisoutfit？I’llringupLangley&Michaels——theyarethewholesalechemistsintown——andhavetheiragentcomeouthereandtalkbusinesstousaboutourambergris。We’vegottopaythementheirprize-money;thenassoonaswegetourownmoneyinhandwecantalkaboutoverhaulingandoutfittingthe’Bertha。’"
MoranrefusedtoaccompanyhimashoreandintotheLifeboatStation。Roofedhouseswereanobjectofsuspiciontoher。
AlreadyshehadbeguntobeuneasyatthedistantsightofthecityofSanFrancisco，Nob，Telegraph，Russian，andRinconhills，allswarmingwithbuildingsandgroovedwithstreets;eventheland-lockedharborfrettedher。Wilburcouldseeshefeltimprisoned，confined。WhenhehadpointedoutthePalaceHoteltoher——avastgraycubeinthedistance，overtoppingthesurroundingroofs——shehadswornunderherbreath。
"Andpeoplecanlivethere，goodheavens！Whynotrabbit-burrows，andbedonewithit？Mate，howsooncanwebeouttoseaagain？I
hatethisplace。"
WilburfoundthecaptainoftheLifeboatStationintheactofsittingdowntoadinnerofboiledbeefandcabbage。Hewasastronglybuiltwell-lookingman，withtheairmoreofasoldierthanasailor。Hehadalreadybeenstudyingtheschoonerthroughhisfrontwindowandhadrecognizedher，andatonceaskedWilburnewsofCaptainKitchell。Wilburtoldhimasmuchofhisstoryaswasnecessary，butfromthecaptain’stalkhegatheredthatthenewsofhisreturnhadlongsincebeenwiredfromCoronado，andthatitwouldbeimpossibletoavoidaninedays’notoriety。Thecaptainofthestation（hisnamewasHodgson）madeWilburroyallywelcome，insisteduponhisdiningwithhim，andhimselfcalledupLangley&Michaelsassoonasthemealwasover。
Itwashewhoofferedtheonlyplausiblesolutionofthemysteryoftheliftingandshakingoftheschoonerandthewreckingofthejunk。ThoughWilburwasnotsatisfiedwithHodgson’sexplanation，itwastheonlyoneheeverheard。
Whenhehadspokenofthematter，Hodgsonhadnoddedhishead。
"Sulphur-bottoms，"hesaid。
"Sulphur-bottoms？"
"Yes;they’reakindofright-whale;theygetbarnaclesandakindofmarineliceontheirbacks，andcomeupandscratchthemselvesagainstaship’skeel，justlikeahogunderafence。"
WhenWilbur’sbusinesswasdone，andhewasmakingreadytoreturntotheschooner，Hodgsonremarkedsuddenly："Hearyou’vegotastrappingfinegirlaboardwithyou。Wheredidyoufallinwithher？"andhewinkedandgrinned。
Wilburstartedasthoughstruck，andtookhimselfhurriedlyaway;
buttheman’swordshadtouchedoffinhisbrainaveritablemineofconjecture。MoraninMagdalenaBaywasconsistent，congruous，andfittedintoherenvironment。Buthow——howwasWilburtoexplainhertoSanFrancisco，andhowcouldhisbehaviorseemelsethanridiculoustothemenofhisclubandtothewomenwhosedinnerinvitationshewaswonttoreceive？Theycouldnotunderstandthechangethathadbeenwroughtinhim;theydidnotknowMoran，thesavage，half-tamedValkyriesosuddenlybecomeawoman。Hurryashewould，theschoonercouldnotbeputtoseaagainwithinafortnight。Eventhoughheelectedtoliveaboardinthemeanwhile，theverybusinessofherpreparationwouldcallhimtothecityagainandagain。Morancouldnotbekeptasecret。Asitwas，alltheworldknewofherbynow。Ontheotherhandhecouldeasilyunderstandherposition;toheritseemedsimplicityitselfthattheytwowholovedeachothershouldsailawayandpasstheirlivestogetheruponthesea，assheandherfatherhaddonebefore。
Likemostmen，Wilburhadtowalkwhenhewasthinkinghard。HesentthedorybacktotheschoonerwithwordtoMoranthathewouldtakeawalkaroundthebeachandreturninanhourortwo。
HesetoffalongtheshoreinthedirectionofFortMason，theoldred-brickfortattheentrancetotheGoldenGate。AtthispointinthePresidioGovernmentreservationthelandissolitary。
Wilburfollowedthelineofthebeachtotheoldfort;andthere，ontheverythresholdoftheWesternworld，attheveryoutpostofcivilization，satdownintheleeofthecrumblingfortification，andscenebyscenereviewedtheextraordinaryeventsofthepastsixmonths。
InfrontofhimranthenarrowchanneloftheGoldenGate;tohisrightwasthebayandthecity;athislefttheopenPacific。
Hesawhimselfthedayofhisadventaboardthe"Bertha"inhistophatandfrockcoat;sawhimselflater"brakingdown"atthewindlass，the"Petrel"withinhailingdistance。
Thenthepicturesbegantothickenfast：thederelictbark"LadyLetty"rollingtoherscuppers，abandonedandlonely;the"boy"inthewheel-box;Kitchellwrenchingopenthedeskinthecaptain’sstateroom;CaptainSternersenburiedatsea，hisfalseteethupsidedown;theblackfuryofthesquall，andMoranatthewheel;
Moranlyingatfulllengthonthedeck，gettingthealtitudeofastar;MagdalenaBay;theshark-fishing;themysteriousliftingandshudderingoftheschooner;thebeach-combers’junk，withitsstaringredeyes;Hoang，nakedtothewaist，gleamingwithsweatandwhale-oil;theambergris;theracetobeachthesinkingschooner;thenever-to-be-forgottennightwhenheandMoranhadcampedtogetheronthebeach;Hoangtakenprisoner，andthehideousfilingofhisteeth;thebeach-combers，silentandwatchfulbehindtheirsandbreastworks;theChinamanhehadkilledtwitchingandhic-coughingathisfeet;MoranturnedBerserker，burstingdownuponhimthroughahazeofsmoke;Charliedyinginthehammockaboardtheschooner，orderinghisfuneralwithits"four-pieceehorse";Coronado;theincongruoussceneintheballroom;and，lastofall，JosieHerrickinwhiteduckandkidshoes，givingherhandtoMoraninherbootsandbelt，hatlessasever，hersleevesrolleduptoabovetheelbows，herwhite，strongarmextended，herruddyface，andpale，milk-blueeyesgravelyobservant，herheavybraids，yellowasripeningrye，hangingoverhershoulderandbreast。
Asuddenexplosionofcoldwind，strikingdownblanket-wiseandbewilderingfromoutthewest，madeWilburlookupquickly。Thegrayskyseemedscuddingalongcloseoverhead。Thebay，thenarrowchanneloftheGoldenGate，theoutsideocean，wereallwhiteningwithcrestsofwaves。Athisfeetthehugegreenground-swellsthunderedtotheattackofthefort’sgranitefoundations。ThroughtheGate，thebayseemedrushingouttothePacific。Abewilderedgullshotby，tackingandslantingagainsttheguststhatwoulddriveitouttosea。Evidentlythestormwasnotfaroff。Wilburrosetohisfeet，andsawthe"BerthaMillner，"closein，unbridledandfreeasarunawayhorse，headeddirectlyfortheopensea，andrushingonwithalltheimpetusofwindandtide！
XIV
THEOCEANISCALLINGFORYOU
AlittlewhileafterWilburhadsetoffforthestation，whileMoranwasmakingthelastentriesinthelog-book，seatedatthetableinthecabin，Jimappearedatthedoor。
"Well，"shesaid，lookingup。
"Chinaboyhimwantgoasho’plentybig，seeumflenupChinatowninumcity。"
"Shoreleave，isit？"saidMoran。"Youdesertedoncebeforewithoutevensayinggood-by;andmyhandinthefire，you’llcomebackthistimedottywithopium。Getawaywithyou。We’llhavemenaboardhereinafewdays。"
"Cango？"inquiredJimsuavely。
"Isaidso。ReportourarrivaltoyourSixCompanies。"
HoangrowedJimandthecooliesashore，andthenreturnedtotheschoonerwiththedoryandstreamedherastern。Ashepassedthecabindooronhiswayforward，Moranhailedhim。
"Ithoughtyouwentashore？"shecried。
"Heapflaid，"heanswered。"HimotherboygoupChinatown;himtellSamYup;ItinkSamYupallasamekilleeme。Inoleaveumshiptwo，thleeday;bimebyIgoOlegon。Istaytopsideship。
Youwantumcook。Icookplentyfine;standumwatchforyou。"
Indeed，eversinceleavingCoronadotheex-beach-comberhadmadehimselfveryusefulabouttheschooner;hadbeen，infact，obsequiousnessitself，andseemedtobeparticularlydesirousofgainingthegood-willofthe"Bertha’s"officers。HeunderstoodpigeonEnglishbetterthanJim，andspokeitevenbetterthanCharliehaddone。HeactedthepartofinterpreterbetweenWilburandthehands;eventurnedtointhegalleyuponoccasion;andofhisownaccordofferedtogivethevesselacoatofpaintabovethewater-line。Moranturnedbacktoherlog，andHoangwentforward。Standingontheforwarddeck，helookedafterthe"Bertha’s"cooliesuntiltheydisappearedbehindarowofpine-
treesonthePresidioReservation，goingcityward。Wilburwasnowhereinsight。ForalongtimeHoangstudiedtheLifeboatStationnarrowly，whilehemadeagreatshowofcoilingalengthofrope。Thestationwasjustoutofhailingdistance。Nobodyseemedstirring。Thewholeshoreandbacklandthereaboutwasdeserted;theedgeofthecitywasfourmilesdistant。Hoangreturnedtotheforecastle-hatchandwentbelow，gropingunderhisbunkinhisditty-box。
"Well，whatisit？"exclaimedMoranamomentlater，asthebeach-
comberenteredthecabin，andshutthedoorbehindhim。
Hoangdidnotanswer;butshedidnotneedtorepeatthequestion。
InaninstantMoranknewverywellwhathehadcomefor。
"God！"sheexclaimedunderherbreath，springingtoherfeet。
"Whydidn’twethinkofthis！"
Hoangslippedhisknifefromthesleeveofhisblouse。Foraninstanttheoldimperiousness，theoldsavageprideandanger，leapedagaininMoran’sbreast——thendiedawayforever。ShewasnolongerthesameMoranofthatfirstfightonboardtheschooner，whenthebeach-combershadplunderedherofher"loot。"
Onlyafewweeksago，andshewouldhavefoughtwithHoangwithouthesitationandwithoutmercy;wouldhavewrenchedalegfromthetableandbrainedhimwherehestood。Butshehadlearnedsincetoknowwhatitmeanttobedependent;torelyforprotectionuponsomeonewhowasstrongerthanshe;toknowherweakness;toknowthatshewasatlastawoman，andtobeproudofit。
Shedidnotfight;shehadnothoughtoffighting。Instinctivelyshecriedaloud，"Mate——mate！——Oh，mate，whereareyou？Helpme！"
andHoang’sknifenailedthewordswithinherthroat。
The"loot"wasinabrass-boundchestunderoneofthecabin’sbunks，stowedintwogunny-bags。Hoangdrewthemout，knottedthetwotogether，and，slingingthemoverhisshoulder，regainedthedeck。
Helookedcarefullyattheangryskyandswellingseas，notingthedirectionofthewindandsetofthetide;thenwentforwardandcasttheanchor-chainsfromthewindlassinsuchamannerthattheschoonermustinevitablywrenchfreewiththefirstheavystrain。
Thedorywasstilltuggingatthelineastern。Hoangdroppedthesacksintheboat，swunghimselfovertheside，androwedcalmlytowardthestation’swharf。Ifanynotionofputtingtoseawiththeschoonerhadenteredtheobscure，pervertedcunningofhismind，hehadalmostinstantlyrejectedit。Chinatownwashisaim;
oncethereandundertheprotectionofhisTong，Hoangknewthathewassafe。Heknewthehiding-placesthattheSeeYupAssociationprovidedforitsmembers——hidingplaceswhoseveryexistencewasunknowntothepoliceoftheWhiteDevil。
Nooneinterrupted——nooneevennoticed——hispassagetothestation。Atbest，itwasnothingmorethanacooliecarryingacoupleofgunny-sacksacrosshisshoulder。Twohourslater，HoangwaslostinSanFrancisco’sChinatown。
**********
Atthesightoftheschoonersweepingouttosea，Wilburwasforaninstantsmittenrigid。Whathadhappened？WherewasMoran？Whywastherenobodyonboard？Aswift，sharpsenseofsomeunnamedcalamityleapedsuddenlyathisthroat。Thenhewasawareofacratteringofhoofsalongtheroadthatledtothefort。Hodgsonthrewhimselffromoneofthehorsesthatwereusedinhandlingthesurf-boat，andrantohimhatlessandpanting。
"MyGod！"heshouted。"Look，yourschooner，doyouseeher？ShebrokeawayafterI’dstartedtotellyou——totellyou——totellyou——yourgirlthereonboard——Itwashorrible！"
"Issheallright？"criedWilbur，attopvoice，fortheclamorofthegalewasincreasingeverysecond。
"Allright！No;they’vekilledher——somebody——thecoolies，I
think——knifedher！Iwentouttoaskyoupeopletocomeintothestationtohavesupperwithme——"
"Killedher——killedher！Who？Idon’tbelieveyou——"
"Wait——tohavesupperwithme，andIfoundherthereonthecabinfloor。Shewasstillbreathing。Icarriedherupondeck——therewasnobodyelseaboard。Icarriedherupandlaidheronthedeck——andshediedthere。JustnowIcameafteryoutotellyou，and——"
"GoodGodAlmighty，man！whokilledher？Whereisshe？Oh——butofcourseitisn’ttrue！Howdidyouknow？Morankilled！Morankilled！"
"AndtheschoonerbrokeawayafterIstarted！"
"Morankilled！But——but——she’snotdeadyet;we’llhavetosee——"
"Shediedonthedeck;Ibroughtherupandlaidheron——"
"Howdoyouknowshe’sdead？Whereisshe？Comeon，we’llgorightbacktoher——tothestation！"
"She’sonboard——outthere！"
"Where——whereisshe？MyGod，man，tellmewheresheis！"
"Outthereaboardtheschooner。Ibroughtherupondeck——Ileftherontheschooner——onthedeck——shewasstabbedinthethroat——
andthencameafteryoutotellyou。ThentheschoonerbrokeawaywhileIwascoming;she’sdriftingouttoseanow！"
"Whereisshe？Whereisshe？"
"Who——thegirl——theschooner——whichone？Thegirlisontheschooner——andtheschooner——that’sher，rightthere——she’sdriftingouttosea！"
Wilburputbothhandstohistemples，closinghiseyes。
"I’llgoback！"exclaimedHodgson。"We’llhavethesurf-boatoutandgetafterher;we’llbringthebodyback！"
"No，no！"criedWilbur，"it’sbetter——thisway。Leaveher，lethergo——she’sgoingouttoseaagain！"
"Buttheschoonerwon’tlivetwohoursoutsideinthisweather;
she’llgodown！"
"It’sbetter——thatway——lethergo。Iwantitso！"
"Ican’tstay！"criedtheotheragain。"Ifthepatrolshouldsig-
stormcomingup，andI’vegottobeatmystation。"
Wilburdidnotanswer;hewaswatchingtheschooner。
"Ican’tstay！"criedtheotheragain。"Ifthepatrolshouldsignal——Ican’tstophere，Imustbeonduty。Comeback，youcan’tdoanything！"
"No！"
"Ihavegottogo！"Hodgsonranback，swunghimselfonthehorse，androdeawayatafuriousgallop，inclininghisheadagainstthegusts。
Andtheschoonerinaworldofflyingspray，whitescud，anddrivingspoondrift，hercordagehumming，herforefootchurning，theflagatherpeakstrainingstiffinthegale，cameupintothenarrowpassageoftheGoldenGate，ridinghighupontheoutgoingtide。Onshecame，swingingfromcresttocrestofthewavesthatkepthercompanyandthatrantomeettheocean，shoutingandcallingoutbeyondthereunderthelow，scuddingclouds。
Wilburhadclimbedtothetopoftheoldfort。Erectuponitsgraniteledgehestood，andwatchedandwaited。
Notoncedidthe"BerthaMillner"falterinherrace。Likeanunbittedhorse，allrestraintshakenoff，sheranfreetowardtheoceanastoherpasture-land。Shecamenearer，nearer，risingandrollingwiththeseas，herbowspritheldduewest，pointinglikeafingerouttosea，tothewest——outtotheworldofromance。Andthenatlast，asthelittlevesseldrewoppositetheoldfortandpassednotonehundredyardsaway，Wilbur，watchingfromtherampart，sawMoranlyinguponthedeckwithoutstretchedarmsandcalm，upturnedface;lyinguponthedeckofthatlonelyfleeingschoonerasuponabedofhonor，stillandcalm，hergreatbraidssmoothuponherbreast，herarmswide;alonewiththesea;aloneindeathasshehadbeeninlife。Shepassedoutofhislifeasshehadcomeintoit——alone，uponaderelictship，abandonedtothesea。Shewentoutwiththetide，outwiththestorms;out，out，outtothegreatgrayPacificthatknewherandlovedher，andthatshoutedandcalledforher，andthunderedinthejoyofherasshecametomeethimlikeabridetomeetabridegroom。
"Good-by，Moran！"shoutedWilburasshepassed。"Good-by，good-
by，Moran！Youwerenotforme——notforme！Theoceaniscallingforyou，dear;don’tyouhearhim？Don’tyouhearhim？Good-by，good-by，good-by！"
Theschoonersweptby，shotlikeanarrowthroughtheswirlingcurrentsoftheGoldenGate，anddippedandbowedandcourtesiedtothePacificthatreachedtowardherhismyriadcurlingfingers。
Theyinfoldedher，heldherclose，anddrewherswiftly，swiftlyouttothegreatheavingbosom，tumultuousandbeatinginitsmightyjoy，itssavageexultationofpossession。
Wilburstoodwatching。Thelittleschoonerlessenedinthedistance——becameashadowinmistandflyingspray——ashadowmovinguponthefaceofthegreatwasteofwater。Fainterandfaintershegrew，vanished，reappeared，washeavedupagain——amerespeckuponthewesternsky——aspeckthatdwindledanddwindled，thenslowlymeltedawayintothegrayofthehorizon。