第4章

"Hewillturnoutthecookandthestewardatfour，"Iconcluded，"andthengiveyouacall。Ofcourseattheslightestsignofanysortofwindwe’llhavethehandsupandmakeastartatonce。"

Heconcealedhisastonishment。"Verywell，sir。"Outsidethecuddyheputhisheadinthesecondmate’sdoortoinformhimofmyunheard—ofcapricetotakeafivehours’anchor—watchonmyself。I

heardtheotherraisehisvoiceincredulously—"What？Thecaptainhimself？"Thenafewmoremurmurs，adoorclosed，thenanother。A

fewmomentslaterIwentondeck。

Mystrangeness，whichhadmademesleepless，hadpromptedthatunconventionalarrangement，asifIhadexpectedinthosesolitaryhoursofthenighttogetontermswiththeshipofwhichIknewnothing，mannedbymenofwhomIknewverylittlemore。Fastalongsideawharf，litteredlikeanyshipinportwithatangleofunrelatedthings，invadedbyunrelatedshorepeople，Ihadhardlyseenheryetproperly。Now，asshelayclearedforsea，thestretchofhermaindeckseemedtomeveryfineunderthestars。

Veryfine，veryroomyforhersize，andveryinviting。Idescendedthepoopandpacedthewaist，mymindpicturingtomyselfthecomingpassagethroughtheMalayArchipelago，downtheIndianOcean，anduptheAtlantic。Allitsphaseswerefamiliarenoughtome，everycharacteristic，allthealternativeswhichwerelikelytofacemeonthehighseas—everything！……exceptthenovelresponsibilityofcommand。ButItookheartfromthereasonablethoughtthattheshipwaslikeotherships，themenlikeothermen，andthattheseawasnotlikelytokeepanyspecialsurprisesexpresslyformydiscomfiture。

Arrivedatthatcomfortingconclusion，Ibethoughtmyselfofacigarandwentbelowtogetit。Allwasstilldownthere。

Everybodyattheafterendoftheshipwassleepingprofoundly。I

cameoutagainonthequarter—deck，agreeablyateaseinmysleeping—suitonthatwarmbreathlessnight，barefooted，aglowingcigarinmyteeth，and，goingforward，Iwasmetbytheprofoundsilenceoftheforeendoftheship。OnlyasIpassedthedooroftheforecastleIheardadeep，quiet，trustfulsighofsomesleeperinside。AndsuddenlyIrejoicedinthegreatsecurityoftheseaascomparedwiththeunrestoftheland，inmychoiceofthatuntemptedlifepresentingnodisquietingproblems，investedwithanelementarymoralbeautybytheabsolutestraightforwardnessofitsappealandbythesinglenessofitspurpose。

Theriding—lightinthefore—riggingburnedwithaclear，untroubled，asifsymbolic，flame，confidentandbrightinthemysteriousshadesofthenight。Passingonmywayaftalongtheothersideoftheship，Iobservedthattheropeside—ladder，putover，nodoubt，forthemasterofthetugwhenhecametofetchawayourletters，hadnotbeenhauledinasitshouldhavebeen。I

becameannoyedatthis，forexactitudeinsmallmattersistheverysoulofdiscipline。ThenIreflectedthatIhadmyselfperemptorilydismissedmyofficersfromduty，andbymyownacthadpreventedtheanchor—watchbeingformallysetandthingsproperlyattendedto。Iaskedmyselfwhetheritwaswiseevertointerferewiththeestablishedroutineofdutiesevenfromthekindestofmotives。Myactionmighthavemademeappeareccentric。Goodnessonlyknewhowthatabsurdlywhiskeredmatewould"account"formyconduct，andwhatthewholeshipthoughtofthatinformalityoftheirnewcaptain。Iwasvexedwithmyself。

Notfromcompunctioncertainly，but，asitweremechanically，I

proceededtogettheladderinmyself。Nowaside—ladderofthatsortisalightaffairandcomesineasily，yetmyvigoroustug，whichshouldhavebroughtitflyingonboard，merelyrecoileduponmybodyinatotallyunexpectedjerk。Whatthedevil！……IwassoastoundedbytheimmovablenessofthatladderthatIremainedstock—still，tryingtoaccountforittomyselflikethatimbecilemateofmine。Intheend，ofcourse，Iputmyheadovertherail。

Thesideoftheshipmadeanopaquebeltofshadowonthedarklingglassyshimmerofthesea。ButIsawatoncesomethingelongatedandpalefloatingveryclosetotheladder。BeforeIcouldformaguessafaintflashofphosphorescentlight，whichseemedtoissuesuddenlyfromthenakedbodyofaman，flickeredinthesleepingwaterwiththeelusive，silentplayofsummerlightninginanightsky。WithagaspIsawrevealedtomystareapairoffeet，thelonglegs，abroadlividbackimmersedrightuptotheneckinagreenishcadaverousglow。Onehand，awash，clutchedthebottomrungoftheladder。Hewascompletebutforthehead。Aheadlesscorpse！Thecigardroppedoutofmygapingmouthwithatinyplopandashorthissquiteaudibleintheabsolutestillnessofallthingsunderheaven。AtthatIsupposeheraiseduphisface，adimlypaleovalintheshadowoftheship’sside。ButeventhenI

couldonlybarelymakeoutdowntheretheshapeofhisblack—hairedhead。However，itwasenoughforthehorrid，frost—boundsensationwhichhadgrippedmeaboutthechesttopassoff。Themomentofvainexclamationswaspast，too。IonlyclimbedonthesparesparandleanedovertherailasfarasIcould，tobringmyeyesnearertothatmysteryfloatingalongside。

Ashehungbytheladder，likearestingswimmer，thesea—lightningplayedabouthislimbsateverystir；andheappearedinitghastly，silvery，fish—like。Heremainedasmuteasafish，too。

Hemadenomotiontogetoutofthewater，either。Itwasinconceivablethatheshouldnotattempttocomeonboard，andstrangelytroublingtosuspectthatperhapshedidnotwantto。

Andmyfirstwordswerepromptedbyjustthattroubledincertitude。

"What’sthematter？"Iaskedinmyordinarytone，speakingdowntothefaceupturnedexactlyundermine。

"Cramp，"itanswered，nolouder。Thenslightlyanxious，"Isay，noneedtocallanyone。"

"Iwasnotgoingto，"Isaid。

"Areyoualoneondeck？"

"Yes。"

Ihadsomehowtheimpressionthathewasonthepointoflettinggotheladdertoswimawaybeyondmyken—mysteriousashecame。

But，forthemoment，thisbeingappearingasifhehadrisenfromthebottomofthesea（itwascertainlythenearestlandtotheship）wantedonlytoknowthetime。Itoldhim。Andhe，downthere，tentatively：

"Isupposeyourcaptain’sturnedin？"

"Iamsureheisn’t，"Isaid。

Heseemedtostrugglewithhimself，forIheardsomethinglikethelow，bittermurmurofdoubt。"What’sthegood？"Hisnextwordscameoutwithahesitatingeffort。

"Lookhere，myman。Couldyoucallhimoutquietly？"

Ithoughtthetimehadcometodeclaremyself。

"Iamthecaptain。"

Ihearda"ByJove！"whisperedatthelevelofthewater。Thephosphorescenceflashedintheswirlofthewaterallabouthislimbs，hisotherhandseizedtheladder。

"Myname’sLeggatt。"

Thevoicewascalmandresolute。Agoodvoice。Theself—

possessionofthatmanhadsomehowinducedacorrespondingstateinmyself。ItwasveryquietlythatIremarked：

"Youmustbeagoodswimmer。"

"Yes。I’vebeeninthewaterpracticallysincenineo’clock。ThequestionformenowiswhetherIamtoletgothisladderandgoonswimmingtillIsinkfromexhaustion，or—tocomeonboardhere。"

Ifeltthiswasnomereformulaofdesperatespeech，butarealalternativeintheviewofastrongsoul。Ishouldhavegatheredfromthisthathewasyoung；indeed，itisonlytheyoungwhoareeverconfrontedbysuchclearissues。Butatthetimeitwaspureintuitiononmypart。Amysteriouscommunicationwasestablishedalreadybetweenustwo—inthefaceofthatsilent，darkenedtropicalsea。Iwasyoung，too；youngenoughtomakenocomment。

Themaninthewaterbegansuddenlytoclimbuptheladder，andI

hastenedawayfromtherailtofetchsomeclothes。

BeforeenteringthecabinIstoodstill，listeninginthelobbyatthefootofthestairs。Afaintsnorecamethroughthecloseddoorofthechiefmate’sroom。Thesecondmate’sdoorwasonthehook，butthedarknessintherewasabsolutelysoundless。He，too，wasyoungandcouldsleeplikeastone。Remainedthesteward，buthewasnotlikelytowakeupbeforehewascalled。Igotasleeping—

suitoutofmyroomand，comingbackondeck，sawthenakedmanfromtheseasittingonthemain—hatch，glimmeringwhiteinthedarkness，hiselbowsonhiskneesandhisheadinhishands。Inamomenthehadconcealedhisdampbodyinasleeping—suitofthesamegrey—stripepatternastheoneIwaswearingandfollowedmelikemydoubleonthepoop。Togetherwemovedrightaft，barefooted，silent。

"Whatisit？"Iaskedinadeadenedvoice，takingthelightedlampoutofthebinnacle，andraisingittohisface。

"Anuglybusiness。"

Hehadratherregularfeatures；agoodmouth；lighteyesundersomewhatheavy，darkeyebrows；asmooth，squareforehead；nogrowthonhischeeks；asmall，brownmoustache，andawell—shaped，roundchin。Hisexpressionwasconcentrated，meditative，undertheinspectinglightofthelampIhelduptohisface；suchasamanthinkinghardinsolitudemightwear。Mysleeping—suitwasjustrightforhissize。Awell—knityoungfellowoftwenty—fiveatmost。Hecaughthislowerlipwiththeedgeofwhite，eventeeth。

"Yes，"Isaid，replacingthelampinthebinnacle。Thewarm，heavytropicalnightcloseduponhisheadagain。

"There’sashipoverthere，"hemurmured。

"Yes，Iknow。TheSephora。Didyouknowofus？"

"Hadn’ttheslightestidea。Iamthemateofher—"Hepausedandcorrectedhimself。"IshouldsayIWAS。"

"Aha！Somethingwrong？"

"Yes。Verywrongindeed。I’vekilledaman。"

"Whatdoyoumean？Justnow？"

"No，onthepassage。Weeksago。Thirty—ninesouth。WhenIsayaman—"

"Fitoftemper，"Isuggested，confidently。

Theshadowy，darkhead，likemine，seemedtonodimperceptiblyabovetheghostlygreyofmysleeping—suit。Itwas，inthenight，asthoughIhadbeenfacedbymyownreflectioninthedepthsofasombreandimmensemirror。

"AprettythingtohavetoownuptoforaConwayboy，"murmuredmydouble，distinctly。

"You’reaConwayboy？"

"Iam，"hesaid，asifstartled。Then，slowly……"Perhapsyoutoo—"

Itwasso；butbeingacoupleofyearsolderIhadleftbeforehejoined。Afteraquickinterchangeofdatesasilencefell；andI

thoughtsuddenlyofmyabsurdmatewithhisterrificwhiskersandthe"Blessmysoul—youdon’tsayso"typeofintellect。Mydoublegavemeaninklingofhisthoughtsbysaying：

"Myfather’saparsoninNorfolk。Doyouseemebeforeajudgeandjuryonthatcharge？FormyselfIcan’tseethenecessity。Therearefellowsthatanangelfromheaven—AndIamnotthat。Hewasoneofthosecreaturesthatarejustsimmeringallthetimewithasillysortofwickedness。Miserabledevilsthathavenobusinesstoliveatall。Hewouldn’tdohisdutyandwouldn’tletanybodyelsedotheirs。Butwhat’sthegoodoftalking！Youknowwellenoughthesortofill—conditionedsnarlingcur—"

Heappealedtomeasifourexperienceshadbeenasidenticalasourclothes。AndIknewwellenoughthepestiferousdangerofsuchacharacterwheretherearenomeansoflegalrepression。AndI

knewwellenoughalsothatmydoubletherewasnohomicidalruffian。Ididnotthinkofaskinghimfordetails，andhetoldmethestoryroughlyinbrusque，disconnectedsentences。Ineedednomore。IsawitallgoingonasthoughIweremyselfinsidethatothersleeping—suit。

"Ithappenedwhileweweresettingareefedforesail，atdusk。

Reefedforesail！Youunderstandthesortofweather。Theonlysailwehadlefttokeeptheshiprunning；soyoumayguesswhatithadbeenlikefordays。Anxioussortofjob，that。Hegavemesomeofhiscursedinsolenceatthesheet。ItellyouIwasoverdonewiththisterrificweatherthatseemedtohavenoendtoit。Terrific，Itellyou—andadeepship。Ibelievethefellowhimselfwashalfcrazedwithfunk。Itwasnotimeforgentlemanlyreproof，soIturnedroundandfelledhimlikeanox。Heupandatme。Weclosedjustasanawfulseamadefortheship。Allhandssawitcomingandtooktotherigging，butIhadhimbythethroat，andwentonshakinghimlikearat，themenaboveusyelling，"Lookout！lookout！"Thenacrashasiftheskyhadfallenonmyhead。

Theysaythatforovertenminuteshardlyanythingwastobeseenoftheship—justthethreemastsandabitoftheforecastleheadandofthepoopallawashdrivingalonginasmotheroffoam。Itwasamiraclethattheyfoundus，jammedtogetherbehindtheforebits。It’sclearthatImeantbusiness，becauseIwasholdinghimbythethroatstillwhentheypickedusup。Hewasblackintheface。Itwastoomuchforthem。Itseemstheyrushedusafttogether，grippedaswewere，screaming"Murder！"likealotoflunatics，andbrokeintothecuddy。Andtheshiprunningforherlife，touchandgoallthetime，anyminuteherlastinaseafittoturnyourhairgreyonlya—lookingatit。Iunderstandthattheskipper，too，startedravingliketherestofthem。Themanhadbeendeprivedofsleepformorethanaweek，andtohavethissprungonhimattheheightofafuriousgalenearlydrovehimoutofhismind。Iwondertheydidn’tflingmeoverboardaftergettingthecarcassoftheirpreciousship—mateoutofmyfingers。Theyhadratherajobtoseparateus，I’vebeentold。Asufficientlyfiercestorytomakeanoldjudgeandarespectablejurysitupabit。ThefirstthingIheardwhenIcametomyselfwasthemaddeninghowlingofthatendlessgale，andonthatthevoiceoftheoldman。Hewashangingontomybunk，staringintomyfaceoutofhissou’wester。

"’Mr。Leggatt，youhavekilledaman。Youcanactnolongeraschiefmateofthisship。’"

Hiscaretosubduehisvoicemadeitsoundmonotonous。Herestedahandontheendoftheskylighttosteadyhimselfwith，andallthattimedidnotstiralimb，sofarasIcouldsee。"Nicelittletaleforaquiettea—party，"heconcludedinthesametone。

Oneofmyhands，too，restedontheendoftheskylight；neitherdidIstiralimb，sofarasIknew。Westoodlessthanafootfromeachother。Itoccurredtomethatifold"Blessmysoul—

youdon’tsayso"weretoputhisheadupthecompanionandcatchsightofus，hewouldthinkhewasseeingdouble，orimaginehimselfcomeuponasceneofweirdwitchcraft；thestrangecaptainhavingaquietconfabulationbythewheelwithhisowngreyghost。

Ibecameverymuchconcernedtopreventanythingofthesort。I

heardtheother’ssoothingundertone。

"Myfather’saparsoninNorfolk，"itsaid。Evidentlyhehadforgottenhehadtoldmethisimportantfactbefore。Trulyanicelittletale。

"Youhadbetterslipdownintomystateroomnow，"Isaid，movingoffstealthily。Mydoublefollowedmymovements；ourbarefeetmadenosound；Ilethimin，closedthedoorwithcare，and，aftergivingacalltothesecondmate，returnedondeckformyrelief。

"Notmuchsignofanywindyet，"Iremarkedwhenheapproached。

"No，sir。Notmuch，"heassented，sleepily，inhishoarsevoice，withjustenoughdeference，nomore，andbarelysuppressingayawn。

"Well，that’sallyouhavetolookoutfor。Youhavegotyourorders。"

"Yes，sir。"

Ipacedaturnortwoonthepoopandsawhimtakeuphispositionfaceforwardwithhiselbowintheratlinesofthemizzen—riggingbeforeIwentbelow。Themate’sfaintsnoringwasstillgoingonpeacefully。Thecuddylampwasburningoverthetableonwhichstoodavasewithflowers，apoliteattentionfromtheship’sprovisionmerchant—thelastflowersweshouldseeforthenextthreemonthsattheveryleast。Twobunchesofbananashungfromthebeamsymmetrically，oneoneachsideoftherudder—casing。

Everythingwasasbeforeintheship—exceptthattwoofhercaptain’ssleeping—suitsweresimultaneouslyinuse，onemotionlessinthecuddy，theotherkeepingverystillinthecaptain’sstateroom。

ItmustbeexplainedherethatmycabinhadtheformofthecapitalletterLthedoorbeingwithintheangleandopeningintotheshortpartoftheletter。Acouchwastotheleft，thebed—placetotheright；mywriting—deskandthechronometers’tablefacedthedoor。

Butanyoneopeningit，unlesshesteppedrightinside，hadnoviewofwhatIcallthelong（orvertical）partoftheletter。Itcontainedsomelockerssurmountedbyabookcase；andafewclothes，athickjacketortwo，caps，oilskincoat，andsuchlike，hungonhooks。Therewasatthebottomofthatpartadooropeningintomybath—room，whichcouldbeenteredalsodirectlyfromthesaloon。

Butthatwaywasneverused。

Themysteriousarrivalhaddiscoveredtheadvantageofthisparticularshape。Enteringmyroom，lightedstronglybyabigbulkheadlampswungongimbalsabovemywriting—desk，Ididnotseehimanywheretillhesteppedoutquietlyfrombehindthecoatshungintherecessedpart。

"Iheardsomebodymovingabout，andwentinthereatonce，"hewhispered。

I，too，spokeundermybreath。

"Nobodyislikelytocomeinherewithoutknockingandgettingpermission。"

Henodded。Hisfacewasthinandthesunburnfaded，asthoughhehadbeenill。Andnowonder。Hehadbeen，Iheardpresently，keptunderarrestinhiscabinfornearlysevenweeks。Buttherewasnothingsicklyinhiseyesorinhisexpression。Hewasnotabitlikeme，really；yet，aswestoodleaningovermybed—place，whisperingsidebyside，withourdarkheadstogetherandourbackstothedoor，anybodyboldenoughtoopenitstealthilywouldhavebeentreatedtotheuncannysightofadoublecaptainbusytalkinginwhisperswithhisotherself。

"Butallthisdoesn’ttellmehowyoucametohangontoourside—

ladder，"Iinquired，inthehardlyaudiblemurmursweused，afterhehadtoldmesomethingmoreoftheproceedingsonboardtheSephoraoncethebadweatherwasover。

"WhenwesightedJavaHeadIhadhadtimetothinkallthosemattersoutseveraltimesover。Ihadsixweeksofdoingnothingelse，andwithonlyanhourorsoeveryeveningforatramponthequarter—deck。"

Hewhispered，hisarmsfoldedonthesideofmybed—place，staringthroughtheopenport。AndIcouldimagineperfectlythemannerofthisthinkingout—astubbornifnotasteadfastoperation；

somethingofwhichIshouldhavebeenperfectlyincapable。

"Ireckoneditwouldbedarkbeforeweclosedwiththeland，"hecontinued，solowthatIhadtostrainmyhearing，nearasweweretoeachother，shouldertouchingshoulderalmost。"SoIaskedtospeaktotheoldman。Healwaysseemedverysickwhenhecametoseeme—asifhecouldnotlookmeintheface。Youknow，thatforesailsavedtheship。Shewastoodeeptohaverunlongunderbarepoles。AnditwasIthatmanagedtosetitforhim。Anyway，hecame。WhenIhadhiminmycabin—hestoodbythedoorlookingatmeasifIhadthehalterroundmyneckalready—IaskedhimrightawaytoleavemycabindoorunlockedatnightwhiletheshipwasgoingthroughSundaStraits。TherewouldbetheJavacoastwithintwoorthreemiles，offAngierPoint。Iwantednothingmore。I’vehadaprizeforswimmingmysecondyearintheConway。"

"Icanbelieveit，"Ibreathedout。

"Godonlyknowswhytheylockedmeineverynight。Toseesomeoftheirfacesyou’dhavethoughttheywereafraidI’dgoaboutatnightstranglingpeople。AmIamurderingbrute？DoIlookit？

ByJove！ifIhadbeenhewouldn’thavetrustedhimselflikethatintomyroom。You’llsayImighthavechuckedhimasideandboltedout，thereandthen—itwasdarkalready。Well，no。AndforthesamereasonIwouldn’tthinkoftryingtosmashthedoor。Therewouldhavebeenarushtostopmeatthenoise，andIdidnotmeantogetintoaconfoundedscrimmage。Somebodyelsemighthavegotkilled—forIwouldnothavebrokenoutonlytogetchuckedback，andIdidnotwantanymoreofthatwork。Herefused，lookingmoresickthanever。Hewasafraidofthemen，andalsoofthatoldsecondmateofhiswhohadbeensailingwithhimforyears—agrey—headedoldhumbug；andhissteward，too，hadbeenwithhimdevilknowshowlong—seventeenyearsormore—adogmaticsortofloaferwhohatedmelikepoison，justbecauseIwasthechiefmate。

NochiefmateevermademorethanonevoyageintheSephora，youknow。Thosetwooldchapsrantheship。Devilonlyknowswhattheskipperwasn’tafraidof（allhisnervewenttopiecesaltogetherinthathellishspellofbadweatherwehad）—ofwhatthelawwoulddotohim—ofhiswife，perhaps。Oh，yes！she’sonboard。

ThoughIdon’tthinkshewouldhavemeddled。Shewouldhavebeenonlytoogladtohavemeoutoftheshipinanyway。The’brandofCain’business，don’tyousee。That’sallright。Iwasreadyenoughtogooffwanderingonthefaceoftheearth—andthatwaspriceenoughtopayforanAbelofthatsort。Anyhow，hewouldn’tlistentome。’Thisthingmusttakeitscourse。Irepresentthelawhere。’Hewasshakinglikealeaf。’Soyouwon’t？’’No！’

’ThenIhopeyouwillbeabletosleeponthat，’Isaid，andturnedmybackonhim。’IwonderthatYOUcan，’crieshe，andlocksthedoor。

"Well，afterthat，Icouldn’t。Notverywell。Thatwasthreeweeksago。WehavehadaslowpassagethroughtheJavaSea；

driftedaboutCarimatafortendays。Whenweanchoredheretheythought，Isuppose，itwasallright。Thenearestland（andthat’sfivemiles）istheship’sdestination；theconsulwouldsoonsetaboutcatchingme；andtherewouldhavebeennoobjectinboltingtotheseisletsthere。Idon’tsupposethere’sadropofwateronthem。Idon’tknowhowitwas，butto—nightthatsteward，afterbringingmemysupper，wentouttoletmeeatit，andleftthedoorunlocked。AndIateit—alltherewas，too。AfterIhadfinishedIstrolledoutonthequarterdeck。Idon’tknowthatImeanttodoanything。AbreathoffreshairwasallIwanted，Ibelieve。Thenasuddentemptationcameoverme。IkickedoffmyslippersandwasinthewaterbeforeIhadmadeupmymindfairly。Somebodyheardthesplashandtheyraisedanawfulhullabaloo。’He’sgone！Lowertheboats！He’scommittedsuicide！No，he’sswimming。’CertainlyIwasswimming。It’snotsoeasyforaswimmerlikemetocommitsuicidebydrowning。Ilandedonthenearestisletbeforetheboatlefttheship’sside。Iheardthempullingaboutinthedark，hailing，andsoon，butafterabittheygaveup。Everythingquieteddownandtheanchoragebecameasstillasdeath。Isatdownonastoneandbegantothink。Ifeltcertaintheywouldstartsearchingformeatdaylight。Therewasnoplacetohideonthosestonythings—andiftherehadbeen，whatwouldhavebeenthegood？ButnowIwasclearofthatship，Iwasnotgoingback。

SoafterawhileItookoffallmyclothes，tiedthemupinabundlewithastoneinside，anddroppedtheminthedeepwaterontheoutersideofthatislet。Thatwassuicideenoughforme。Letthemthinkwhattheyliked，butIdidn’tmeantodrownmyself。I

meanttoswimtillIsank—butthat’snotthesamething。I

struckoutforanotheroftheselittleislands，anditwasfromthatonethatIfirstsawyourriding—light。Somethingtoswimfor。Iwentoneasily，andonthewayIcameuponaflatrockafootortwoabovewater。Inthedaytime，Idaresay，youmightmakeitoutwithaglassfromyourpoop。Iscrambleduponitandrestedmyselfforabit。ThenImadeanotherstart。Thatlastspellmusthavebeenoveramile。"

Hiswhisperwasgettingfainterandfainter，andallthetimehestaredstraightoutthroughtheport—hole，inwhichtherewasnotevenastartobeseen。Ihadnotinterruptedhim。Therewassomethingthatmadecommentimpossibleinhisnarrative，orperhapsinhimself；asortoffeeling，aquality，whichIcan’tfindanamefor。Andwhenheceased，allIfoundwasafutilewhisper："Soyouswamforourlight？"

"Yes—straightforit。Itwassomethingtoswimfor。Icouldn’tseeanystarslowdownbecausethecoastwasintheway，andI

couldn’tseetheland，either。Thewaterwaslikeglass。Onemighthavebeenswimminginaconfoundedthousand—feetdeepcisternwithnoplaceforscramblingoutanywhere；butwhatIdidn’tlikewasthenotionofswimmingroundandroundlikeacrazedbullockbeforeIgaveout；andasIdidn’tmeantogoback……No。Doyouseemebeinghauledback，starknaked，offoneoftheselittleislandsbythescruffoftheneckandfightinglikeawildbeast？

Somebodywouldhavegotkilledforcertain，andIdidnotwantanyofthat。SoIwenton。Thenyourladder—"

"Whydidn’tyouhailtheship？"Iasked，alittlelouder。

Hetouchedmyshoulderlightly。Lazyfootstepscamerightoverourheadsandstopped。Thesecondmatehadcrossedfromtheothersideofthepoopandmighthavebeenhangingovertherail，forallweknew。

"Hecouldn’thearustalking—couldhe？"Mydoublebreathedintomyveryear，anxiously。

Hisanxietywasananswer，asufficientanswer，tothequestionI

hadputtohim。Ananswercontainingallthedifficultyofthatsituation。Iclosedtheport—holequietly，tomakesure。Alouderwordmighthavebeenoverheard。

"Who’sthat？"hewhisperedthen。

"Mysecondmate。ButIdon’tknowmuchmoreofthefellowthanyoudo。"

AndItoldhimalittleaboutmyself。IhadbeenappointedtotakechargewhileIleastexpectedanythingofthesort，notquiteafortnightago。Ididn’tknoweithertheshiporthepeople。

Hadn’thadthetimeinporttolookaboutmeorsizeanybodyup。

Andastothecrew，alltheyknewwasthatIwasappointedtotaketheshiphome。Fortherest，Iwasalmostasmuchofastrangeronboardashimself，Isaid。AndatthemomentIfeltitmostacutely。Ifeltthatitwouldtakeverylittletomakemeasuspectpersonintheeyesoftheship’scompany。

Hehadturnedaboutmeantime；andwe，thetwostrangersintheship，facedeachotherinidenticalattitudes。

"Yourladder—"hemurmured，afterasilence。"Who’dhavethoughtoffindingaladderhangingoveratnightinashipanchoredouthere！Ifeltjustthenaveryunpleasantfaintness。AfterthelifeI’vebeenleadingfornineweeks，anybodywouldhavegotoutofcondition。Iwasn’tcapableofswimmingroundasfarasyourrudder—chains。And，loandbehold！therewasaladdertogetholdof。AfterIgrippeditIsaidtomyself，’What’sthegood？’WhenIsawaman’sheadlookingoverIthoughtIwouldswimawaypresentlyandleavehimshouting—inwhateverlanguageitwas。I

didn’tmindbeinglookedat。I—Ilikedit。Andthenyouspeakingtomesoquietly—asifyouhadexpectedme—mademeholdonalittlelonger。Ithadbeenaconfoundedlonelytime—I

don’tmeanwhileswimming。Iwasgladtotalkalittletosomebodythatdidn’tbelongtotheSephora。Astoaskingforthecaptain，thatwasamereimpulse。Itcouldhavebeennouse，withalltheshipknowingaboutmeandtheotherpeopleprettycertaintoberoundhereinthemorning。Idon’tknow—Iwantedtobeseen，totalkwithsomebody，beforeIwenton。Idon’tknowwhatIwouldhavesaid……’Finenight，isn’tit？’orsomethingofthesort。"

"Doyouthinktheywillberoundherepresently？"Iaskedwithsomeincredulity。

"Quitelikely，"hesaid，faintly。

Helookedextremelyhaggardallofasudden。Hisheadrolledonhisshoulders。

"H’m。Weshallseethen。Meantimegetintothatbed，"I

whispered。"Wanthelp？There。"

Itwasaratherhighbed—placewithasetofdrawersunderneath。

ThisamazingswimmerreallyneededtheliftIgavehimbyseizinghisleg。Hetumbledin，rolledoveronhisback，andflungonearmacrosshiseyes。Andthen，withhisfacenearlyhidden，hemusthavelookedexactlyasIusedtolookinthatbed。Igazeduponmyotherselfforawhilebeforedrawingacrosscarefullythetwogreensergecurtainswhichranonabrassrod。Ithoughtforamomentofpinningthemtogetherforgreatersafety，butIsatdownonthecouch，andoncethereIfeltunwillingtoriseandhuntforapin。Iwoulddoitinamoment。Iwasextremelytired，inapeculiarlyintimateway，bythestrainofstealthiness，bytheeffortofwhisperingandthegeneralsecrecyofthisexcitement。

Itwasthreeo’clockbynowandIhadbeenonmyfeetsincenine，butIwasnotsleepy；Icouldnothavegonetosleep。Isatthere，faggedout，lookingatthecurtains，tryingtoclearmymindoftheconfusedsensationofbeingintwoplacesatonce，andgreatlybotheredbyanexasperatingknockinginmyhead。Itwasarelieftodiscoversuddenlythatitwasnotinmyheadatall，butontheoutsideofthedoor。BeforeIcouldcollectmyselfthewords"Comein"wereoutofmymouth，andthestewardenteredwithatray，bringinginmymorningcoffee。Ihadslept，afterall，andIwassofrightenedthatIshouted，"Thisway！Iamhere，steward，"asthoughhehadbeenmilesaway。Heputdownthetrayonthetablenextthecouchandonlythensaid，veryquietly，"Icanseeyouarehere，sir。"Ifelthimgivemeakeenlook，butIdarednotmeethiseyesjustthen。HemusthavewonderedwhyIhaddrawnthecurtainsofmybedbeforegoingtosleeponthecouch。Hewentout，hookingthedooropenasusual。

Iheardthecrewwashingdecksaboveme。IknewIwouldhavebeentoldatonceiftherehadbeenanywind。Calm，Ithought，andI

wasdoublyvexed。Indeed，Ifeltdualmorethanever。Thestewardreappearedsuddenlyinthedoorway。Ijumpedupfromthecouchsoquicklythathegaveastart。

"Whatdoyouwanthere？"

"Closeyourport，sir—theyarewashingdecks。"

"Itisclosed，"Isaid，reddening。

"Verywell，sir。"Buthedidnotmovefromthedoorwayandreturnedmystareinanextraordinary，equivocalmannerforatime。

Thenhiseyeswavered，allhisexpressionchanged，andinavoiceunusuallygentle，almostcoaxingly：

"MayIcomeintotaketheemptycupaway，sir？"

"Ofcourse！"Iturnedmybackonhimwhilehepoppedinandout。

ThenIunhookedandclosedthedoorandevenpushedthebolt。Thissortofthingcouldnotgoonverylong。Thecabinwasashotasanoven，too。Itookapeepatmydouble，anddiscoveredthathehadnotmoved，hisarmwasstilloverhiseyes；buthischestheaved；hishairwaswet；hischinglistenedwithperspiration。I

reachedoverhimandopenedtheport。

"Imustshowmyselfondeck，"Ireflected。

Ofcourse，theoretically，IcoulddowhatIliked，withnoonetosaynaytomewithinthewholecircleofthehorizon；buttolockmycabindoorandtakethekeyawayIdidnotdare。DirectlyIputmyheadoutofthecompanionIsawthegroupofmytwoofficers，thesecondmatebarefooted，thechiefmateinlongindia—rubberboots，nearthebreakofthepoop，andthestewardhalf—waydownthepoop—laddertalkingtothemeagerly。Hehappenedtocatchsightofmeanddived，thesecondrandownonthemain—deckshoutingsomeorderorother，andthechiefmatecametomeetme，touchinghiscap。

TherewasasortofcuriosityinhiseyethatIdidnotlike。I

don’tknowwhetherthestewardhadtoldthemthatIwas"queer"

only，ordownrightdrunk，butIknowthemanmeanttohaveagoodlookatme。Iwatchedhimcomingwithasmilewhich，ashegotintopoint—blankrange，tookeffectandfrozehisverywhiskers。I

didnotgivehimtimetoopenhislips。

"Squaretheyardsbyliftsandbracesbeforethehandsgotobreakfast。"

ItwasthefirstparticularorderIhadgivenonboardthatship；

andIstayedondecktoseeitexecuted，too。Ihadfelttheneedofassertingmyselfwithoutlossoftime。Thatsneeringyoungcubgottakendownapegortwoonthatoccasion，andIalsoseizedtheopportunityofhavingagoodlookatthefaceofeveryforemastmanastheyfiledpastmetogototheafterbraces。Atbreakfasttime，eatingnothingmyself，Ipresidedwithsuchfrigiddignitythatthetwomateswereonlytoogladtoescapefromthecabinassoonasdecencypermitted；andallthetimethedualworkingofmyminddistractedmealmosttothepointofinsanity。Iwasconstantlywatchingmyself，mysecretself，asdependentonmyactionsasmyownpersonality，sleepinginthatbed，behindthatdoorwhichfacedmeasIsatattheheadofthetable。Itwasverymuchlikebeingmad，onlyitwasworsebecauseonewasawareofit。

Ihadtoshakehimforasolidminute，butwhenatlastheopenedhiseyesitwasinthefullpossessionofhissenses，withaninquiringlook。

"All’swellsofar，"Iwhispered。"Nowyoumustvanishintothebath—room。"

Hedidso，asnoiselessasaghost，andIthenrangforthesteward，andfacinghimboldly，directedhimtotidyupmystateroomwhileIwashavingmybath—"andbequickaboutit。"Asmytoneadmittedofnoexcuses，hesaid，"Yes，sir，"andranofftofetchhisdust—panandbrushes。Itookabathanddidmostofmydressing，splashing，andwhistlingsoftlyforthesteward’sedification，whilethesecretsharerofmylifestooddrawnupboltuprightinthatlittlespace，hisfacelookingverysunkenindaylight，hiseyelidsloweredunderthestern，darklineofhiseyebrowsdrawntogetherbyaslightfrown。

WhenIlefthimtheretogobacktomyroomthestewardwasfinishingdusting。Isentforthemateandengagedhiminsomeinsignificantconversation。Itwas，asitwere，triflingwiththeterrificcharacterofhiswhiskers；butmyobjectwastogivehimanopportunityforagoodlookatmycabin。AndthenIcouldatlastshut，withaclearconscience，thedoorofmystateroomandgetmydoublebackintotherecessedpart。Therewasnothingelseforit。Hehadtositstillonasmallfoldingstool，halfsmotheredbytheheavycoatshangingthere。Welistenedtothestewardgoingintothebath—roomoutofthesaloon，fillingthewater—bottlesthere，scrubbingthebath，settingthingstorights，whisk，bang，clatter—outagainintothesaloon—turnthekey—

click。Suchwasmyschemeforkeepingmysecondselfinvisible。

Nothingbettercouldbecontrivedunderthecircumstances。Andtherewesat；Iatmywriting—deskreadytoappearbusywithsomepapers，hebehindme，outofsightofthedoor。Itwouldnothavebeenprudenttotalkindaytime；andIcouldnothavestoodtheexcitementofthatqueersenseofwhisperingtomyself。Nowandthenglancingovermyshoulder，Isawhimfarbackthere，sittingrigidlyonthelowstool，hisbarefeetclosetogether，hisarmsfolded，hisheadhangingonhisbreast—andperfectlystill。

Anybodywouldhavetakenhimforme。

Iwasfascinatedbyitmyself。EverymomentIhadtoglanceovermyshoulder。Iwaslookingathimwhenavoiceoutsidethedoorsaid：

"Begpardon，sir。"

"Well！"……Ikeptmyeyesonhim，andso，whenthevoiceoutsidethedoorannounced，"There’saship’sboatcomingourway，sir，"I

sawhimgiveastart—thefirstmovementhehadmadeforhours。

Buthedidnotraisehisbowedhead。

"Allright。Gettheladderover。"

Ihesitated。ShouldIwhispersomethingtohim？Butwhat？Hisimmobilityseemedtohavebeenneverdisturbed。WhatcouldItellhimhedidnotknowalready？……FinallyIwentondeck。

CHAPTERII

TheskipperoftheSephorahadathinredwhiskerallroundhisface，andthesortofcomplexionthatgoeswithhairofthatcolour；alsotheparticular，rathersmearyshadeofblueintheeyes。Hewasnotexactlyashowyfigure；hisshoulderswerehigh，hisstaturebutmiddling—onelegslightlymorebandythantheother。Heshookhands，lookingvaguelyaround。Aspiritlesstenacitywashismaincharacteristic，Ijudged。Ibehavedwithapolitenesswhichseemedtodisconcerthim。Perhapshewasshy。Hemumbledtomeasifhewereashamedofwhathewassaying；gavehisname（itwassomethinglikeArchbold—butatthisdistanceofyearsIhardlyamsure），hisship’sname，andafewotherparticularsofthatsort，inthemannerofacriminalmakingareluctantanddolefulconfession。Hehadhadterribleweatheronthepassageout—terrible—terrible—wifeaboard，too。

Bythistimewewereseatedinthecabinandthestewardbroughtinatraywithabottleandglasses。"Thanks！No。"Nevertookliquor。Wouldhavesomewater，though。Hedranktwotumblerfuls。

Terriblethirstywork。Eversincedaylighthadbeenexploringtheislandsroundhisship。

"Whatwasthatfor—fun？"Iasked，withanappearanceofpoliteinterest。

"No！"Hesighed。"Painfulduty。"

AshepersistedinhismumblingandIwantedmydoubletoheareveryword，IhituponthenotionofinforminghimthatIregrettedtosayIwashardofhearing。

"Suchayoungman，too！"henodded，keepinghissmearyblue，unintelligenteyesfasteneduponme。Whatwasthecauseofit—

somedisease？heinquired，withouttheleastsympathyandasifhethoughtthat，ifso，I’dgotnomorethanIdeserved。

"Yes；disease，"Iadmittedinacheerfultonewhichseemedtoshockhim。Butmypointwasgained，becausehehadtoraisehisvoicetogivemehistale。Itisnotworthwhiletorecordthatversion。

Itwasjustovertwomonthssinceallthishadhappened，andhehadthoughtsomuchaboutitthatheseemedcompletelymuddledastoitsbearings，butstillimmenselyimpressed。

"Whatwouldyouthinkofsuchathinghappeningonboardyourownship？I’vehadtheSephoraforthesefifteenyears。Iamawell—

knownshipmaster。"

Hewasdenselydistressed—andperhapsIshouldhavesympathisedwithhimifIhadbeenabletodetachmymentalvisionfromtheunsuspectedsharerofmycabinasthoughheweremysecondself。

Therehewasontheothersideofthebulkhead，fourorfivefeetfromus，nomore，aswesatinthesaloon。IlookedpolitelyatCaptainArchbold（ifthatwashisname），butitwastheotherI

saw，inagreysleeping—suit，seatedonalowstool，hisbarefeetclosetogether，hisarmsfolded，andeverywordsaidbetweenusfallingintotheearsofhisdarkheadbowedonhischest。

"Ihavebeenatseanow，manandboy，forseven—and—thirtyyears，andI’veneverheardofsuchathinghappeninginanEnglishship。

Andthatitshouldbemyship。Wifeonboard，too。"

Iwashardlylisteningtohim。

"Don’tyouthink，"Isaid，"thattheheavyseawhich，youtoldme，cameaboardjustthenmighthavekilledtheman？Ihaveseenthesheerweightofaseakillamanveryneatly，bysimplybreakinghisneck。"

"GoodGod！"heuttered，impressively，fixinghissmearyblueeyesonme。"Thesea！Nomankilledbytheseaeverlookedlikethat。"

Heseemedpositivelyscandalisedatmysuggestion。AndasIgazedathim，certainlynotpreparedforanythingoriginalonhispart，headvancedhisheadclosetomineandthrusthistongueoutatmesosuddenlythatIcouldn’thelpstartingback。

Afterscoringovermycalmnessinthisgraphicwayhenoddedwisely。IfIhadseenthesight，heassuredme，IwouldneverforgetitaslongasIlived。Theweatherwastoobadtogivethecorpseaproperseaburial。Sonextdayatdawntheytookituponthepoop，coveringitsfacewithabitofbunting；hereadashortprayer，andthen，justasitwas，initsoilskinsandlongboots，theylauncheditamongstthosemountainousseasthatseemedreadyeverymomenttoswallowuptheshipherselfandtheterrifiedlivesonboardofher。

"Thatreefedforesailsavedyou，"Ithrewin。

"UnderGod—itdid，"heexclaimedfervently。"Itwasbyaspecialmercy，Ifirmlybelieve，thatitstoodsomeofthosehurricanesqualls。"

"Itwasthesettingofthatsailwhich—"Ibegan。

"God’sownhandinit，"heinterruptedme。"Nothinglesscouldhavedoneit。Idon’tmindtellingyouthatIhardlydaredgivetheorder。Itseemedimpossiblethatwecouldtouchanythingwithoutlosingit，andthenourlasthopewouldhavebeengone。"

Theterrorofthatgalewasonhimyet。Ilethimgoonforabit，thensaid，casually—asifreturningtoaminorsubject：

"Youwereveryanxioustogiveupyourmatetotheshorepeople，I

believe？"

Hewas。Tothelaw。Hisobscuretenacityonthatpointhadinitsomethingincomprehensibleandalittleawful；something，asitwere，mystical，quiteapartfromhisanxietythatheshouldnotbesuspectedof"countenancinganydoingsofthatsort。"Seven—and—

thirtyvirtuousyearsatsea，ofwhichovertwentyofimmaculatecommand，andthelastfifteenintheSephora，seemedtohavelaidhimundersomepitilessobligation。

"Andyouknow，"hewenton，gropingshamefacedlyamongsthisfeelings，"Ididnotengagethatyoungfellow。Hispeoplehadsomeinterestwithmyowners。Iwasinawayforcedtotakehimon。Helookedverysmart，verygentlemanly，andallthat。Butdoyouknow—Ineverlikedhim，somehow。Iamaplainman。Yousee，hewasn’texactlythesortforthechiefmateofashipliketheSephora。"

IhadbecomesoconnectedinthoughtsandimpressionswiththesecretsharerofmycabinthatIfeltasifI，personally，werebeinggiventounderstandthatI，too，wasnotthesortthatwouldhavedoneforthechiefmateofashipliketheSephora。Ihadnodoubtofitinmymind。

"Notatallthestyleofman。Youunderstand，"heinsisted，superfluously，lookinghardatme。

Ismiledurbanely。Heseemedatalossforawhile。

"IsupposeImustreportasuicide。"

"Begpardon？"

"Suicide！That’swhatI’llhavetowritetomyownersdirectlyI

getin。"

"Unlessyoumanagetorecoverhimbeforeto—morrow，"Iassented，dispassionately……"Imean，alive。"

HemumbledsomethingwhichIreallydidnotcatch，andIturnedmyeartohiminapuzzledmanner。Hefairlybawled：

"Theland—Isay，themainlandisatleastsevenmilesoffmyanchorage。"

"Aboutthat。"

Mylackofexcitement，ofcuriosity，ofsurprise，ofanysortofpronouncedinterest，begantoarousehisdistrust。ButexceptforthefelicitouspretenceofdeafnessIhadnottriedtopretendanything。Ihadfeltutterlyincapableofplayingthepartofignoranceproperly，andthereforewasafraidtotry。Itisalsocertainthathehadbroughtsomeready—madesuspicionswithhim，andthatheviewedmypolitenessasastrangeandunnaturalphenomenon。AndyethowelsecouldIhavereceivedhim？Notheartily！Thatwasimpossibleforpsychologicalreasons，whichI

neednotstatehere。Myonlyobjectwastokeepoffhisinquiries。

Surlily？Yes，butsurlinessmighthaveprovokedapoint—blankquestion。Fromitsnoveltytohimandfromitsnature，punctiliouscourtesywasthemannerbestcalculatedtorestraintheman。Buttherewasthedangerofhisbreakingthroughmydefencebluntly。I

couldnot，Ithink，havemethimbyadirectlie，alsoforpsychological（notmoral）reasons。IfhehadonlyknownhowafraidIwasofhisputtingmyfeelingofidentitywiththeothertothetest！But，strangelyenough—（Ithoughtofitonlyafterward）—I

believethathewasnotalittledisconcertedbythereversesideofthatweirdsituation，bysomethinginmethatremindedhimofthemanhewasseeking—suggestedamysterioussimilitudetotheyoungfellowhehaddistrustedanddislikedfromthefirst。

Howeverthatmighthavebeen，thesilencewasnotveryprolonged。

Hetookanotherobliquestep。

"IreckonIhadnomorethanatwo—milepulltoyourship。Notabitmore。"

"Andquiteenough，too，inthisawfulheat，"Isaid。

Anotherpausefullofmistrustfollowed。Necessity，theysay，ismotherofinvention，butfear，too，isnotbarrenofingenioussuggestions。AndIwasafraidhewouldaskmepoint—blankfornewsofmyotherself。

"Nicelittlesaloon，isn’tit？"Iremarked，asifnoticingforthefirsttimethewayhiseyesroamedfromonecloseddoortotheother。"Andverywellfittedouttoo。Here，forinstance，"I

continued，reachingoverthebackofmyseatnegligentlyandflingingthedooropen，"ismybath—room。"

Hemadeaneagermovement，buthardlygaveitaglance。Igotup，shutthedoorofthebath—room，andinvitedhimtohavealookround，asifIwereveryproudofmyaccommodation。Hehadtoriseandbeshownround，buthewentthroughthebusinesswithoutanyraptureswhatever。

"Andnowwe’llhavealookatmystateroom，"Ideclared，inavoiceasloudasIdaredtomakeit，crossingthecabintothestarboardsidewithpurposelyheavysteps。

Hefollowedmeinandgazedaround。Myintelligentdoublehadvanished。Iplayedmypart。

"Veryconvenient—isn’tit？"

"Verynice。Verycomf……"Hedidn’tfinish，andwentoutbrusquelyasiftoescapefromsomeunrighteouswilesofmine。Butitwasnottobe。Ihadbeentoofrightenednottofeelvengeful；

IfeltIhadhimontherun，andImeanttokeephimontherun。

Mypoliteinsistencemusthavehadsomethingmenacinginit，becausehegaveinsuddenly。AndIdidnotlethimoffasingleitem；mate’sroom，pantry，storerooms，theverysail—lockerwhichwasalsounderthepoop—hehadtolookintothemall。WhenatlastIshowedhimoutonthequarter—deckhedrewalong，spiritlesssigh，andmumbleddismallythathemustreallybegoingbacktohisshipnow。Idesiredmymate，whohadjoinedus，toseetothecaptain’sboat。

Themanofwhiskersgaveablastonthewhistlewhichheusedtowearhangingroundhisneck，andyelled，"Sephorasaway！"Mydoubledownthereinmycabinmusthaveheard，andcertainlycouldnotfeelmorerelievedthanI。Fourfellowscamerunningoutfromsomewhereforwardandwentovertheside，whilemyownmen，appearingondecktoo，linedtherail。Iescortedmyvisitortothegangwayceremoniously，andnearlyoverdidit。Hewasatenaciousbeast。Ontheveryladderhelingered，andinthatunique，guiltilyconscientiousmannerofstickingtothepoint：

"Isay……you……youdon’tthinkthat—"

Icoveredhisvoiceloudly：

"Certainlynot……Iamdelighted。Good—bye。"

Ihadanideaofwhathemeanttosay，andjustsavedmyselfbytheprivilegeofdefectivehearing。Hewastooshakengenerallytoinsist，butmymate，closewitnessofthatparting，lookedmystifiedandhisfacetookonathoughtfulcast。AsIdidnotwanttoappearasifIwishedtoavoidallcommunicationwithmyofficers，hehadtheopportunitytoaddressme。

"Seemsaveryniceman。Hisboat’screwtoldourchapsaveryextraordinarystory，ifwhatIamtoldbythestewardistrue。I

supposeyouhaditfromthecaptain，sir？"

"Yes。Ihadastoryfromthecaptain。"

"Averyhorribleaffair—isn’tit，sir？"

"Itis。"

"BeatsallthesetaleswehearaboutmurdersinYankeeships。"

"Idon’tthinkitbeatsthem。Idon’tthinkitresemblesthemintheleast。"

"Blessmysoul—youdon’tsayso！ButofcourseI’venoacquaintancewhateverwithAmericanships，notI，soIcouldn’tgoagainstyourknowledge。It’shorribleenoughforme……Butthequeerestpartisthatthosefellowsseemedtohavesomeideathemanwashiddenaboardhere。Theyhadreally。Didyoueverhearofsuchathing？"

"Preposterous—isn’tit？"

Wewerewalkingtoandfroathwartthequarterdeck。Nooneofthecrewforwardcouldbeseen（thedaywasSunday），andthematepursued：

"Therewassomelittledisputeaboutit。Ourchapstookoffence。

’Asifwewouldharbourathinglikethat，’theysaid。’Wouldn’tyouliketolookforhiminourcoal—hole？’Quiteatiff。Buttheymadeitupintheend。Isupposehediddrownhimself。Don’tyou，sir？"

"Idon’tsupposeanything。"

"Youhavenodoubtinthematter，sir？"

"Nonewhatever。"

Ilefthimsuddenly。IfeltIwasproducingabadimpression，butwithmydoubledownthereitwasmosttryingtobeondeck。Anditwasalmostastryingtobebelow。Altogetheranerve—tryingsituation。ButonthewholeIfeltlesstornintwowhenIwaswithhim。TherewasnooneinthewholeshipwhomIdaredtakeintomyconfidence。Sincethehandshadgottoknowhisstory，itwouldhavebeenimpossibletopasshimoffforanyoneelse，andanaccidentaldiscoverywastobedreadednowmorethanever……

Thestewardbeingengagedinlayingthetablefordinner，wecouldtalkonlywithoureyeswhenIfirstwentdown。Laterintheafternoonwehadacautioustryatwhispering。TheSundayquietnessoftheshipwasagainstus；thestillnessofairandwateraroundherwasagainstus；theelements，themenwereagainstus—everythingwasagainstusinoursecretpartnership；timeitself—forthiscouldnotgoonforever。TheverytrustinProvidencewas，Isuppose，deniedtohisguilt。ShallIconfessthatthisthoughtcastmedownverymuch？Andastothechapterofaccidentswhichcountsforsomuchinthebookofsuccess，Icouldonlyhopethatitwasclosed。Forwhatfavourableaccidentcouldbeexpected？

"Didyouheareverything？"weremyfirstwordsassoonaswetookupourpositionsidebyside，leaningovermybed—place。

Hehad。Andtheproofofitwashisearnestwhisper，"Themantoldyouhehardlydaredtogivetheorder。"

Iunderstoodthereferencetobetothatsavingforesail。

"Yes。Hewasafraidofitbeinglostinthesetting。"

"Iassureyouhenevergavetheorder。Hemaythinkhedid，buthenevergaveit。Hestoodtherewithmeonthebreakofthepoopafterthemaintopsailblewaway，andwhimperedaboutourlasthope—positivelywhimperedaboutitandnothingelse—andthenightcomingon！Tohearone’sskippergoonlikethatinsuchweatherwasenoughtodriveanyfellowoutofhismind。Itworkedmeupintoasortofdesperation。Ijusttookitintomyownhandsandwentawayfromhim，boiling，and—Butwhat’stheusetellingyou？

YOUknow！……DoyouthinkthatifIhadnotbeenprettyfiercewiththemIshouldhavegotthementodoanything？Notit！Thebo’s’nperhaps？Perhaps！Itwasn’taheavysea—itwasaseagonemad！Isupposetheendoftheworldwillbesomethinglikethat；andamanmayhavethehearttoseeitcomingonceandbedonewithit—buttohavetofaceitdayafterday—Idon’tblameanybody。Iwaspreciouslittlebetterthantherest。Only—Iwasanofficerofthatoldcoal—waggon，anyhow—"

"Iquiteunderstand，"Iconveyedthatsincereassuranceintohisear。Hewasoutofbreathwithwhispering；Icouldhearhimpantslightly。Itwasallverysimple。Thesamestrung—upforcewhichhadgiventwenty—fourmenachance，atleast，fortheirlives，had，inasortofrecoil，crushedanunworthymutinousexistence。

ButIhadnoleisuretoweighthemeritsofthematter—footstepsinthesaloon，aheavyknock。"There’senoughwindtogetunderwaywith，sir。"Herewasthecallofanewclaimuponmythoughtsandevenuponmyfeelings。