第5章

"Turnthehandsup，"Icriedthroughthedoor。"I’llbeondeckdirectly。"

Iwasgoingouttomaketheacquaintanceofmyship。BeforeIleftthecabinoureyesmet—theeyesoftheonlytwostrangersonboard。Ipointedtotherecessedpartwherethelittlecamp—stoolawaitedhimandlaidmyfingeronmylips。Hemadeagesture—

somewhatvague—alittlemysterious，accompaniedbyafaintsmile，asifofregret。

Thisisnottheplacetoenlargeuponthesensationsofamanwhofeelsforthefirsttimeashipmoveunderhisfeettohisownindependentword。Inmycasetheywerenotunalloyed。Iwasnotwhollyalonewithmycommand；fortherewasthatstrangerinmycabin。Orrather，Iwasnotcompletelyandwhollywithher。Partofmewasabsent。Thatmentalfeelingofbeingintwoplacesatonceaffectedmephysicallyasifthemoodofsecrecyhadpenetratedmyverysoul。Beforeanhourhadelapsedsincetheshiphadbeguntomove，havingoccasiontoaskthemate（hestoodbymyside）totakeacompassbearingofthePagoda，Icaughtmyselfreachinguptohisearinwhispers。IsayIcaughtmyself，butenoughhadescapedtostartletheman。Ican’tdescribeitotherwisethanbysayingthatheshied。Agrave，preoccupiedmanner，asthoughhewereinpossessionofsomeperplexingintelligence，didnotleavehimhenceforth。AlittlelaterImovedawayfromtherailtolookatthecompasswithsuchastealthygaitthatthehelmsmannoticedit—andIcouldnothelpnoticingtheunusualroundnessofhiseyes。Thesearetriflinginstances，thoughit’stonocommander’sadvantagetobesuspectedofludicrouseccentricities。ButIwasalsomoreseriouslyaffected。

Therearetoaseamancertainwords，gestures，thatshouldingivenconditionscomeasnaturally，asinstinctivelyasthewinkingofamenacedeye。Acertainordershouldspringontohislipswithoutthinking；acertainsignshouldgetitselfmade，sotospeak，withoutreflection。Butallunconsciousalertnesshadabandonedme。Ihadtomakeaneffortofwilltorecallmyselfback（fromthecabin）totheconditionsofthemoment。IfeltthatIwasappearinganirresolutecommandertothosepeoplewhowerewatchingmemoreorlesscritically。

And，besides，therewerethescares。Ontheseconddayout，forinstance，comingoffthedeckintheafternoon（Ihadstrawslippersonmybarefeet）Istoppedattheopenpantrydoorandspoketothesteward。Hewasdoingsomethingtherewithhisbacktome。Atthesoundofmyvoicehenearlyjumpedoutofhisskin，asthesayingis，andincidentallybrokeacup。

"Whatonearth’sthematterwithyou？"Iasked，astonished。

Hewasextremelyconfused。"Begyourpardon，sir。Imadesureyouwereinyourcabin。"

"YouseeIwasn’t。"

"No，sir。IcouldhaveswornIhadheardyoumovingintherenotamomentago。It’smostextraordinary……verysorry，sir。"

Ipassedonwithaninwardshudder。IwassoidentifiedwithmysecretdoublethatIdidnotevenmentionthefactinthosescanty，fearfulwhispersweexchanged。Isupposehehadmadesomeslightnoiseofsomekindorother。Itwouldhavebeenmiraculousifhehadn’tatonetimeoranother。Andyet，haggardasheappeared，helookedalwaysperfectlyself—controlled，morethancalm—almostinvulnerable。Onmysuggestionheremainedalmostentirelyinthebathroom，which，uponthewhole，wasthesafestplace。Therecouldbereallynoshadowofanexcuseforanyoneeverwantingtogointhere，oncethestewardhaddonewithit。Itwasaverytinyplace。Sometimeshereclinedonthefloor，hislegsbent，hisheadsustainedononeelbow。AtothersIwouldfindhimonthecamp—

stool，sittinginhisgreysleeping—suitandwithhiscroppeddarkhairlikeapatient，unmovedconvict。AtnightIwouldsmugglehimintomybed—place，andwewouldwhispertogether，withtheregularfootfallsoftheofficerofthewatchpassingandrepassingoverourheads。Itwasaninfinitelymiserabletime。Itwasluckythatsometinsoffinepreserveswerestowedinalockerinmystateroom；hardbreadIcouldalwaysgetholdof；andsohelivedonstewedchicken，patedefoiegras，asparagus，cookedoysters，sardines—onallsortsofabominableshamdelicaciesoutoftins。

Myearlymorningcoffeehealwaysdrank；anditwasallIdareddoforhiminthatrespect。

Everydaytherewasthehorriblemanoeuvringtogothroughsothatmyroomandthenthebath—roomshouldbedoneintheusualway。I

cametohatethesightofthesteward，toabhorthevoiceofthatharmlessman。Ifeltthatitwashewhowouldbringonthedisasterofdiscovery。Ithunglikeaswordoverourheads。

Thefourthdayout，Ithink（wewerethenworkingdowntheeastsideoftheGulfofSiam，tackfortack，inlightwindsandsmoothwater）—thefourthday，Isay，ofthismiserablejugglingwiththeunavoidable，aswesatatoureveningmeal，thatman，whoseslightestmovementIdreaded，afterputtingdownthedishesranupondeckbusily。Thiscouldnotbedangerous。Presentlyhecamedownagain；andthenitappearedthathehadrememberedacoatofminewhichIhadthrownoverarailtodryafterhavingbeenwettedinashowerwhichhadpassedovertheshipintheafternoon。

SittingstolidlyattheheadofthetableIbecameterrifiedatthesightofthegarmentonhisarm。Ofcoursehemadeformydoor。

Therewasnotimetolose。

"Steward，"Ithundered。MynervesweresoshakenthatIcouldnotgovernmyvoiceandconcealmyagitation。Thiswasthesortofthingthatmademyterrificallywhiskeredmatetaphisforeheadwithhisforefinger。Ihaddetectedhimusingthatgesturewhiletalkingondeckwithaconfidentialairtothecarpenter。Itwastoofartohearaword，butIhadnodoubtthatthispantomimecouldonlyrefertothestrangenewcaptain。

"Yes，sir，"thepale—facedstewardturnedresignedlytome。Itwasthismaddeningcourseofbeingshoutedat，checkedwithoutrhymeorreason，arbitrarilychasedoutofmycabin，suddenlycalledintoit，sentflyingoutofhispantryonincomprehensibleerrands，thataccountedforthegrowingwretchednessofhisexpression。

"Whereareyougoingwiththatcoat？"

"Toyourroom，sir。"

"Isthereanothershowercoming？"

"I’msureIdon’tknow，sir。ShallIgoupagainandsee，sir？"

"No！nevermind。"

Myobjectwasattained，asofcoursemyotherselfintherewouldhaveheardeverythingthatpassed。Duringthisinterludemytwoofficersneverraisedtheireyesofftheirrespectiveplates；butthelipofthatconfoundedcub，thesecondmate，quiveredvisibly。

Iexpectedthestewardtohookmycoatonandcomeoutatonce。Hewasveryslowaboutit；butIdominatedmynervousnesssufficientlynottoshoutafterhim。SuddenlyIbecameaware（itcouldbeheardplainlyenough）thatthefellowforsomereasonorotherwasopeningthedoorofthebath—room。Itwastheend。Theplacewasliterallynotbigenoughtoswingacatin。MyvoicediedinmythroatandIwentstonyallover。Iexpectedtohearayellofsurpriseandterror，andmadeamovement，buthadnotthestrengthtogetonmylegs。Everythingremainedstill。Hadmysecondselftakenthepoorwretchbythethroat？Idon’tknowwhatIwouldhavedonenextmomentifIhadnotseenthestewardcomeoutofmyroom，closethedoor，andthenstandquietlybythesideboard。

"Saved，"Ithought。"But，no！Lost！Gone！Hewasgone！"

Ilaidmyknifeandforkdownandleanedbackinmychair。Myheadswam。Afterawhile，whensufficientlyrecoveredtospeakinasteadyvoice，Iinstructedmymatetoputtheshiproundateighto’clockhimself。

"Iwon’tcomeondeck，"Iwenton。"IthinkI’llturnin，andunlessthewindshiftsIdon’twanttobedisturbedbeforemidnight。Ifeelabitseedy。"

"Youdidlookmiddlingbadalittlewhileago，"thechiefmateremarkedwithoutshowinganygreatconcern。

Theybothwentout，andIstaredatthestewardclearingthetable。

Therewasnothingtobereadonthatwretchedman’sface。ButwhydidheavoidmyeyesIaskedmyself。ThenIthoughtIshouldliketohearthesoundofhisvoice。

"Steward！"

"Sir！"Startledasusual。

"Wheredidyouhangupthatcoat？"

"Inthebath—room，sir。"Theusualanxioustone。"It’snotquitedryyet，sir。"

ForsometimelongerIsatinthecuddy。Hadmydoublevanishedashehadcome？Butofhiscomingtherewasanexplanation，whereashisdisappearancewouldbeinexplicable……Iwentslowlyintomydarkroom，shutthedoor，lightedthelamp，andforatimedarednotturnround。WhenatlastIdidIsawhimstandingbolt—uprightinthenarrowrecessedpart。ItwouldnotbetruetosayIhadashock，butanirresistibledoubtofhisbodilyexistenceflittedthroughmymind。Canitbe，Iaskedmyself，thatheisnotvisibletoothereyesthanmine？Itwaslikebeinghaunted。Motionless，withagraveface，heraisedhishandsslightlyatmeinagesturewhichmeantclearly，"Heavens！whatanarrowescape！"Narrowindeed。IthinkIhadcomecreepingquietlyasnearinsanityasanymanwhohasnotactuallygoneovertheborder。Thatgesturerestrainedme，sotospeak。

Thematewiththeterrificwhiskerswasnowputtingtheshipontheothertack。InthemomentofprofoundsilencewhichfollowsuponthehandsgoingtotheirstationsIheardonthepoophisraisedvoice："Hardalee！"andthedistantshoutoftheorderrepeatedonthemaindeck。Thesails，inthatlightbreeze，madebutafaintflutteringnoise。Itceased。Theshipwascomingroundslowly；I

heldmybreathintherenewedstillnessofexpectation；onewouldn’thavethoughtthattherewasasinglelivingsoulonherdecks。Asuddenbriskshout，"Mainsailhaul！"brokethespell，andinthenoisycriesandrushoverheadofthemenrunningawaywiththemain—bracewetwo，downinmycabin，cametogetherinourusualpositionbythebed—place。

Hedidnotwaitformyquestion。"Iheardhimfumblinghereandjustmanagedtosquatmyselfdowninthebath，"hewhisperedtome。

"Thefellowonlyopenedthedoorandputhisarmintohangthecoatup。Allthesame—"

"Ineverthoughtofthat，"Iwhisperedback，evenmoreappalledthanbeforeattheclosenessoftheshave，andmarvellingatthatsomethingunyieldinginhischaracterwhichwascarryinghimthroughsofinely。Therewasnoagitationinhiswhisper。Whoeverwasbeingdrivendistracted，itwasnothe。Hewassane。Andtheproofofhissanitywascontinuedwhenhetookupthewhisperingagain。

"Itwouldneverdoformetocometolifeagain。"

Itwassomethingthataghostmighthavesaid。Butwhathewasalludingtowashisoldcaptain’sreluctantadmissionofthetheoryofsuicide。Itwouldobviouslyservehisturn—ifIhadunderstoodatalltheviewwhichseemedtogoverntheunalterablepurposeofhisaction。

"YoumustmaroonmeassoonaseveryoucangetamongsttheseislandsofftheCambodjeshore，"hewenton。

"Maroonyou！Wearenotlivinginaboy’sadventuretale，"I

protested。Hisscornfulwhisperingtookmeup。

"Wearen’tindeed！There’snothingofaboy’staleinthis。Butthere’snothingelseforit。Iwantnomore。Youdon’tsupposeI

amafraidofwhatcanbedonetome？Prisonorgallowsorwhatevertheymayplease。Butyoudon’tseemecomingbacktoexplainsuchthingstoanoldfellowinawigandtwelverespectabletradesmen，doyou？WhatcantheyknowwhetherIamguiltyornot—orofWHAT

Iamguilty，either？That’smyaffair。WhatdoestheBiblesay？

’Drivenoffthefaceoftheearth。’Verywell。Iamoffthefaceoftheearthnow。AsIcameatnightsoIshallgo。"

"Impossible！"Imurmured。"Youcan’t。"

"Can’t？……NotnakedlikeasoulontheDayofJudgment。I

shallfreezeontothissleeping—suit。TheLastDayisnotyet—

andyouhaveunderstoodthoroughly。Didn’tyou？"

Ifeltsuddenlyashamedofmyself。ImaysaytrulythatI

understood—andmyhesitationinlettingthatmanswimawayfrommyship’ssidehadbeenamereshamsentiment，asortofcowardice。

"Itcan’tbedonenowtillnextnight，"Ibreathedout。"Theshipisontheoff—shoretackandthewindmayfailus。"

"AslongasIknowthatyouunderstand，"hewhispered。"Butofcourseyoudo。It’sagreatsatisfactiontohavegotsomebodytounderstand。Youseemtohavebeenthereonpurpose。"Andinthesamewhisper，asifwetwowheneverwetalkedhadtosaythingstoeachotherwhichwerenotfitfortheworldtohear，headded，"It’sverywonderful。"Weremainedsidebysidetalkinginoursecretway—butsometimessilentorjustexchangingawhisperedwordortwoatlongintervals。Andasusualhestaredthroughtheport。Abreathofwindcamenowandagainintoourfaces。Theshipmighthavebeenmooredindock，sogentlyandonanevenkeelsheslippedthroughthewater，thatdidnotmurmurevenatourpassage，shadowyandsilentlikeaphantomsea。

AtmidnightIwentondeck，andtomymate’sgreatsurpriseputtheshiproundontheothertack。Histerriblewhiskersflittedroundmeinsilentcriticism。Icertainlyshouldnothavedoneitifithadbeenonlyaquestionofgettingoutofthatsleepygulfasquicklyaspossible。Ibelievehetoldthesecondmate，whorelievedhim，thatitwasagreatwantofjudgment。Theotheronlyyawned。Thatintolerablecubshuffledaboutsosleepilyandlolledagainsttherailsinsuchaslack，improperfashionthatIcamedownonhimsharply。

"Aren’tyouproperlyawakeyet？"

"Yes，sir！Iamawake。"

"Well，then，begoodenoughtoholdyourselfasifyouwere。Andkeepalook—out。Ifthere’sanycurrentwe’llbeclosingwithsomeislandsbeforedaylight。"

Theeastsideofthegulfisfringedwithislands，somesolitary，othersingroups。Onthebluebackgroundofthehighcoasttheyseemtofloatonsilverypatchesofcalmwater，aridandgrey，ordarkgreenandroundedlikeclumpsofevergreenbushes，withthelargerones，amileortwolong，showingtheoutlinesofridges，ribsofgreyrockunderthedankmantleofmattedleafage。Unknowntotrade，totravel，almosttogeography，themanneroflifetheyharbourisanunsolvedsecret。Theremustbevillages—

settlementsoffishermenatleast—onthelargestofthem，andsomecommunicationwiththeworldisprobablykeptupbynativecraft。Butallthatforenoon，asweheadedforthem，fannedalongbythefaintestofbreezes，IsawnosignofmanorcanoeinthefieldofthetelescopeIkeptonpointingatthescatteredgroup。

AtnoonIgavenoordersforachangeofcourse，andthemate’swhiskersbecamemuchconcernedandseemedtobeofferingthemselvesundulytomynotice。AtlastIsaid：

"Iamgoingtostandrightin。Quitein—asfarasIcantakeher。"

Thestareofextremesurpriseimpartedanairofferocityalsotohiseyes，andhelookedtrulyterrificforamoment。

"We’renotdoingwellinthemiddleofthegulf，"Icontinued，casually。"Iamgoingtolookforthelandbreezesto—night。"

"Blessmysoul！Doyoumean，sir，inthedarkamongstthelotofallthemislandsandreefsandshoals？"

"Well—ifthereareanyregularlandbreezesatallonthiscoastonemustgetcloseinshoretofindthem，mustn’tone？"

"Blessmysoul！"heexclaimedagainunderhisbreath。Allthatafternoonheworeadreamy，contemplativeappearancewhichinhimwasamarkofperplexity。AfterdinnerIwentintomystateroomasifImeanttotakesomerest。Therewetwobentourdarkheadsoverahalf—unrolledchartlyingonmybed。

"There，"Isaid。"It’sgottobeKoh—ring。I’vebeenlookingatiteversincesunrise。Ithasgottwohillsandalowpoint。Itmustbeinhabited。Andonthecoastoppositethereiswhatlookslikethemouthofabiggishriver—withsometown，nodoubt，notfarup。It’sthebestchanceforyouthatIcansee。"

"Anything。Koh—ringletitbe。"

Helookedthoughtfullyatthechartasifsurveyingchancesanddistancesfromaloftyheight—andfollowingwithhiseyeshisownfigurewanderingontheblanklandofCochin—China，andthenpassingoffthatpieceofpapercleanoutofsightintounchartedregions。Anditwasasiftheshiphadtwocaptainstoplanhercourseforher。IhadbeensoworriedandrestlessrunningupanddownthatIhadnothadthepatiencetodressthatday。Ihadremainedinmysleeping—suit，withstrawslippersandasoftfloppyhat。Theclosenessoftheheatinthegulfhadbeenmostoppressive，andthecrewwereusedtoseemewanderinginthatairyattire。

"Shewillclearthesouthpointassheheadsnow，"Iwhisperedintohisear。"Goodnessonlyknowswhen，though，butcertainlyafterdark。I’lledgeherintohalfamile，asfarasImaybeabletojudgeinthedark—"

"Becareful，"hemurmured，warningly—andIrealisedsuddenlythatallmyfuture，theonlyfutureforwhichIwasfit，wouldperhapsgoirretrievablytopiecesinanymishaptomyfirstcommand。

Icouldnotstopamomentlongerintheroom。Imotionedhimtogetoutofsightandmademywayonthepoop。Thatunplayfulcubhadthewatch。Iwalkedupanddownforawhilethinkingthingsout，thenbeckonedhimover。

"Sendacoupleofhandstoopenthetwoquarterdeckports，"Isaid，mildly。

Heactuallyhadtheimpudence，orelsesoforgothimselfinhiswonderatsuchanincomprehensibleorder，astorepeat：

"Openthequarter—deckports！Whatfor，sir？"

"TheonlyreasonyouneedconcernyourselfaboutisbecauseItellyoutodoso。Havethemopenwideandfastenedproperly。"

Hereddenedandwentoff，butIbelievemadesomejeeringremarktothecarpenterastothesensiblepracticeofventilatingaship’squarter—deck。Iknowhepoppedintothemate’scabintoimpartthefacttohimbecausethewhiskerscameondeck，asitwerebychance，andstoleglancesatmefrombelow—forsignsoflunacyordrunkenness，Isuppose。

Alittlebeforesupper，feelingmorerestlessthanever，I

rejoined，foramoment，mysecondself。Andtofindhimsittingsoquietlywassurprising，likesomethingagainstnature，inhuman。

Idevelopedmyplaninahurriedwhisper。

"IshallstandinascloseasIdareandthenputherround。I

shallpresentlyfindmeanstosmuggleyououtofhereintothesail—locker，whichcommunicateswiththelobby。Butthereisanopening，asortofsquareforhaulingthesailsout，whichgivesstraightonthequarter—deckandwhichisneverclosedinfineweather，soastogiveairtothesails。’Whentheship’swayisdeadenedinstaysandallthehandsareaftatthemain—bracesyoushallhaveaclearroadtoslipoutandgetoverboardthroughtheopenquarter—deckport。I’vehadthembothfastenedup。Usearope’sendtoloweryourselfintothewatersoastoavoidasplash—youknow。Itcouldbeheardandcausesomebeastlycomplication。"

Hekeptsilentforawhile，thenwhispered，"Iunderstand。"

"Iwon’tbetheretoseeyougo，"Ibeganwithaneffort。"Therest……IonlyhopeIhaveunderstood，too。"

"Youhave。Fromfirsttolast"—andforthefirsttimethereseemedtobeafaltering，somethingstrainedinhiswhisper。Hecaughtholdofmyarm，buttheringingofthesupperbellmademestart。Hedidn’t，though；heonlyreleasedhisgrip。

AftersupperIdidn’tcomebelowagaintillwellpasteighto’clock。Thefaint，steadybreezewasloadedwithdew；andthewet，darkenedsailsheldalltherewasofpropellingpowerinit。

Thenight，clearandstarry，sparkleddarkly，andtheopaque，lightlesspatchesshiftingslowlyagainstthelowstarswerethedriftingislets。Ontheportbowtherewasabigonemoredistantandshadowilyimposingbythegreatspaceofskyiteclipsed。

OnopeningthedoorIhadabackviewofmyveryownselflookingatachart。Hehadcomeoutoftherecessandwasstandingnearthetable。

"Quitedarkenough，"Iwhispered。

Hesteppedbackandleanedagainstmybedwithalevel，quietglance。Isatonthecouch。Wehadnothingtosaytoeachother。

Overourheadstheofficerofthewatchmovedhereandthere。ThenIheardhimmovequickly。Iknewwhatthatmeant。Hewasmakingforthecompanion；andpresentlyhisvoicewasoutsidemydoor。

"Wearedrawinginprettyfast，sir。Landlooksratherclose。"

"Verywell，"Ianswered。"Iamcomingondeckdirectly。"

Iwaitedtillhewasgoneoutofthecuddy，thenrose。Mydoublemovedtoo。Thetimehadcometoexchangeourlastwhispers，forneitherofuswasevertoheareachother’snaturalvoice。

"Lookhere！"Iopenedadrawerandtookoutthreesovereigns。

"Takethis，anyhow。I’vegotsixandI’dgiveyouthelot，onlyI

mustkeepalittlemoneytobuysomefruitandvegetablesforthecrewfromnativeboatsaswegothroughSundaStraits。"

Heshookhishead。

"Takeit，"Iurgedhim，whisperingdesperately。"Noonecantellwhat—"

Hesmiledandslappedmeaninglytheonlypocketofthesleeping—

jacket。Itwasnotsafe，certainly。ButIproducedalargeoldsilkhandkerchiefofmine，andtyingthethreepiecesofgoldinacorner，presseditonhim。Hewastouched，Isuppose，becausehetookitatlastandtieditquicklyroundhiswaistunderthejacket，onhisbareskin。

Oureyesmet；severalsecondselapsed，till，ourglancesstillmingled，Iextendedmyhandandturnedthelampout。ThenIpassedthroughthecuddy，leavingthedoorofmyroomwideopen……

"Steward！"

Hewasstilllingeringinthepantryinthegreatnessofhiszeal，givingarub—uptoaplatedcruetstandthelastthingbeforegoingtobed。Beingcarefulnottowakeupthemate，whoseroomwasopposite，Ispokeinanundertone。

Helookedroundanxiously。"Sir！"

"Canyougetmealittlehotwaterfromthegalley？"

"Iamafraid，sir，thegalleyfire’sbeenoutforsometimenow。"

"Goandsee。"

Hefledupthestairs。

"Now，"Iwhispered，loudly，intothesaloon—tooloudly，perhaps，butIwasafraidIcouldn’tmakeasound。Hewasbymysideinaninstant—thedoublecaptainslippedpastthestairs—throughatinydarkpassage……aslidingdoor。Wewereinthesail—

locker，scramblingonourkneesoverthesails。Asuddenthoughtstruckme。Isawmyselfwanderingbarefooted，bareheaded，thesunbeatingonmydarkpoll。Isnatchedoffmyfloppyhatandtriedhurriedlyinthedarktoramitonmyotherself。Hedodgedandfendedoffsilently。Iwonderwhathethoughthadcometomebeforeheunderstoodandsuddenlydesisted。Ourhandsmetgropingly，lingeredunitedinasteady，motionlessclaspforasecond……Nowordwasbreathedbyeitherofuswhentheyseparated。

Iwasstandingquietlybythepantrydoorwhenthestewardreturned。

"Sorry，sir。Kettlebarelywarm。ShallIlightthespirit—lamp？"

"Nevermind。"

Icameoutondeckslowly。Itwasnowamatterofconsciencetoshavethelandascloseaspossible—fornowhemustgooverboardwhenevertheshipwasputinstays。Must！Therecouldbenogoingbackforhim。AfteramomentIwalkedovertoleewardandmyheartflewintomymouthatthenearnessofthelandonthebow。UnderanyothercircumstancesIwouldnothaveheldonaminutelonger。

Thesecondmatehadfollowedmeanxiously。

IlookedontillIfeltIcouldcommandmyvoice。"Shewillweather，"Isaidtheninaquiettone。"Areyougoingtotrythat，sir？"hestammeredoutincredulously。

Itooknonoticeofhimandraisedmytonejustenoughtobeheardbythehelmsman。

"Keephergoodfull。"

"Goodfull，sir。"

Thewindfannedmycheek，thesailsslept，theworldwassilent。

Thestrainofwatchingthedarkloomofthelandgrowbiggeranddenserwastoomuchforme。Ihadshutmyeyes—becausetheshipmustgocloser。Shemust！Thestillnesswasintolerable。Werewestandingstill？

WhenIopenedmyeyesthesecondviewstartedmyheartwithathump。TheblacksouthernhillofKoh—ringseemedtohangrightovertheshiplikeatoweringfragmentoftheeverlastingnight。

Onthatenormousmassofblacknesstherewasnotagleamtobeseen，notasoundtobeheard。Itwasglidingirresistiblytowardusandyetseemedalreadywithinreachofthehand。Isawthevaguefiguresofthewatchgroupedinthewaist，gazinginawedsilence。

"Areyougoingon，sir，"inquiredanunsteadyvoiceatmyelbow。

Iignoredit。Ihadtogoon。

"Keepherfull。Don’tcheckherway。Thatwon’tdonow，"Isaid，warningly。

"Ican’tseethesailsverywell，"thehelmsmanansweredme，instrange，quaveringtones。

Wasshecloseenough？Alreadyshewas，Iwon’tsayintheshadowoftheland，butintheveryblacknessofit，alreadyswallowedupasitwere，gonetooclosetoberecalled，gonefrommealtogether。

"Givethemateacall，"Isaidtotheyoungmanwhostoodatmyelbowasstillasdeath。"Andturnallhandsup。"

Mytonehadaborrowedloudnessreverberatedfromtheheightoftheland。Severalvoicescriedouttogether："Weareallondeck，sir。"

Thenstillnessagain，withthegreatshadowglidingcloser，toweringhigher，withoutalight，withoutasound。SuchahushhadfallenontheshipthatshemighthavebeenabarkofthedeadfloatinginslowlyundertheverygateofErebus。

"MyGod！Wherearewe？"

Itwasthematemoaningatmyelbow。Hewasthunderstruck，andasitweredeprivedofthemoralsupportofhiswhiskers。Heclappedhishandsandabsolutelycriedout，"Lost！"

"Bequiet，"Isaid，sternly。

Heloweredhistone，butIsawtheshadowygestureofhisdespair。

"Whatarewedoinghere？"

"Lookingforthelandwind。"

Hemadeasiftotearhishair，andaddressedmerecklessly。

"Shewillnevergetout。Youhavedoneit，sir。Iknewit’dendinsomethinglikethis。Shewillneverweather，andyouaretooclosenowtostay。She’lldriftashorebeforeshe’sround。OmyGod！"

Icaughthisarmashewasraisingittobatterhispoordevotedhead，andshookitviolently。

"She’sashorealready，"hewailed，tryingtotearhimselfaway。

"Isshe？……Keepgoodfullthere！"

"Goodfull，sir，"criedthehelmsmaninafrightened，thin，child—

likevoice。

Ihadn’tletgothemate’sarmandwentonshakingit。"Readyabout，doyouhear？Yougoforward"—shake—"andstopthere"—

shake—"andholdyournoise"—shake—"andseethesehead—sheetsproperlyoverhauled"—shake，shake—shake。

AndallthetimeIdarednotlooktowardthelandlestmyheartshouldfailme。Ireleasedmygripatlastandheranforwardasiffleeingfordearlife。

Iwonderedwhatmydoublethereinthesail—lockerthoughtofthiscommotion。Hewasabletoheareverything—andperhapshewasabletounderstandwhy，onmyconscience，ithadtobethusclose—

noless。Myfirstorder"Hardalee！"re—echoedominouslyunderthetoweringshadowofKoh—ringasifIhadshoutedinamountaingorge。AndthenIwatchedthelandintently。Inthatsmoothwaterandlightwinditwasimpossibletofeeltheshipcoming—to。No！

Icouldnotfeelher。Andmysecondselfwasmakingnowreadytoslipoutandlowerhimselfoverboard。Perhapshewasgonealready……？

Thegreatblackmassbroodingoverourverymastheadsbegantopivotawayfromtheship’ssidesilently。AndnowIforgotthesecretstrangerreadytodepart，andrememberedonlythatIwasatotalstrangertotheship。Ididnotknowher。Wouldshedoit？

Howwasshetobehandled？

Iswungthemainyardandwaitedhelplessly。Shewasperhapsstopped，andherveryfatehunginthebalance，withtheblackmassofKoh—ringlikethegateoftheeverlastingnighttoweringoverhertaffrail。Whatwouldshedonow？Hadshewayonheryet？I

steppedtothesideswiftly，andontheshadowywaterIcouldseenothingexceptafaintphosphorescentflashrevealingtheglassysmoothnessofthesleepingsurface。Itwasimpossibletotell—

andIhadnotlearnedyetthefeelofmyship。Wasshemoving？

WhatIneededwassomethingeasilyseen，apieceofpaper，whichI

couldthrowoverboardandwatch。Ihadnothingonme。TorundownforitIdidn’tdare。Therewasnotime。Allatoncemystrained，yearningstaredistinguishedawhiteobjectfloatingwithinayardoftheship’sside。Whiteontheblackwater。Aphosphorescentflashpassedunderit。Whatwasthatthing？……Irecognisedmyownfloppyhat。Itmusthavefallenoffhishead……andhedidn’tbother。

NowIhadwhatIwanted—thesavingmarkformyeyes。ButI

hardlythoughtofmyotherself，nowgonefromtheship，tobehiddenforeverfromallfriendlyfaces，tobeafugitiveandavagabondontheearth，withnobrandofthecurseonhissaneforeheadtostayaslayinghand……tooproudtoexplain。

AndIwatchedthehat—theexpressionofmysuddenpityforhismereflesh。Ithadbeenmeanttosavehishomelessheadfromthedangersofthesun。Andnow—behold—itwassavingtheship，byservingmeforamarktohelpouttheignoranceofmystrangeness。

Ha！Itwasdriftingforward，warningmejustintimethattheshiphadgatheredsternway。

"Shiftthehelm，"Isaidinalowvoicetotheseamanstandingstilllikeastatue。

Theman’seyesglistenedwildlyinthebinnaclelightashejumpedroundtotheothersideandspunroundthewheel。

Iwalkedtothebreakofthepoop。Ontheovershadoweddeckallhandsstoodbytheforebraceswaitingformyorder。Thestarsaheadseemedtobeglidingfromrighttoleft。AndallwassostillintheworldthatIheardthequietremark"She’sround，"

passedinatoneofintensereliefbetweentwoseamen。

"Letgoandhaul。"

Theforeyardsranroundwithagreatnoise，amidstcheerycries。

Andnowthefrightfulwhisker’smadethemselvesheardgivingvariousorders。Alreadytheshipwasdrawingahead。AndIwasalonewithher。Nothing！nooneintheworldshouldstandnowbetweenus，throwingashadowonthewayofsilentknowledgeandmuteaffection，theperfectcommunionofaseamanwithhisfirstcommand。

Walkingtothetaffrail，Iwasintimetomakeout，ontheveryedgeofadarknessthrownbyatoweringblackmassliketheverygatewayofErebus—yes，Iwasintimetocatchanevanescentglimpseofmywhitehatleftbehindtomarkthespotwherethesecretsharerofmycabinandofmythoughts，asthoughheweremysecondself，hadloweredhimselfintothewatertotakehispunishment：afreeman，aproudswimmerstrikingoutforanewdestiny。

FREYAOFTHESEVENISLES

Oneday—andthatdaywasmanyyearsagonow—Ireceivedalong，chattyletterfromoneofmyoldchumsandfellow—wanderersinEasternwaters。Hewasstilloutthere，butsettleddown，andmiddle—aged；Iimaginedhim—grownportlyinfigureanddomesticinhishabits；inshort，overtakenbythefatecommontoallexcepttothosewho，beingspeciallybelovedbythegods，getknockedontheheadearly。Theletterwasofthereminiscent"doyouremember"kind—awistfulletterofbackwardglances。And，amongstotherthings，"surelyyourememberoldNelson，"hewrote。

RememberoldNelson！Certainly。Andtobeginwith，hisnamewasnotNelson。TheEnglishmenintheArchipelagocalledhimNelsonbecauseitwasmoreconvenient，Isuppose，andheneverprotested。

Itwouldhavebeenmerepedantry。ThetrueformofhisnamewasNielsen。HehadcomeoutEastlongbeforetheadventoftelegraphcables，hadservedEnglishfirms，hadmarriedanEnglishgirl，hadbeenoneofusforyears，tradingandsailinginalldirectionsthroughtheEasternArchipelago，acrossandaround，transversely，diagonally，perpendicularly，insemi—circles，andzigzags，andfiguresofeights，foryearsandyears。

TherewasnonookorcrannyofthesetropicalwatersthattheenterpriseofoldNelson（orNielsen）hadnotpenetratedinaneminentlypacificway。Histracks，ifplottedout，wouldhavecoveredthemapoftheArchipelagolikeacobweb—allofit，withthesoleexceptionofthePhilippines。Hewouldneverapproachthatpart，fromastrangedreadofSpaniards，or，tobeexact，oftheSpanishauthorities。Whatheimaginedtheycoulddotohimitisimpossibletosay。PerhapsatsometimeinhislifehehadreadsomestoriesoftheInquisition。

Buthewasingeneralafraidofwhathecalled"authorities"；nottheEnglishauthorities，whichhetrustedandrespected，buttheothertwoofthatpartoftheworld。HewasnotsohorrifiedattheDutchashewasattheSpaniards，buthewasevenmoremistrustfulofthem。Verymistrustfulindeed。TheDutch，inhisview，werecapableof"playinganyuglytrickonaman"whohadthemisfortunetodispleasethem。Thereweretheirlawsandregulations，buttheyhadnonotionoffairplayinapplyingthem。

Itwasreallypitiabletoseetheanxiouscircumspectionofhisdealingswithsomeofficialorother，andrememberthatthismanhadbeenknowntostrolluptoavillageofcannibalsinNewGuineainaquiet，fearlessmanner（andnotethathewasalwaysfleshyallhislife，and，ifImaysayso，anappetisingmorsel）onsomematterofbarterthatdidnotamountperhapstofiftypoundsintheend。

RememberoldNelson！Rather！Truly，noneofusinmygenerationhadknownhiminhisactivedays。Hewas"retired"inourtime。

Hehadbought，orelseleased，partofasmallislandfromtheSultanofalittlegroupcalledtheSevenIsles，notfarnorthfromBanka。Itwas，Isuppose，alegitimatetransaction，butIhavenodoubtthathadhebeenanEnglishmantheDutchwouldhavediscoveredareasontofirehimoutwithoutceremony。Inthisconnectiontherealformofhisnamestoodhimingoodstead。InthecharacterofanunassumingDanewhoseconductwasmostcorrect，theylethimbe。Withallhismoneyengagedincultivationhewasnaturallycarefulnottogiveeventheshadowofoffence，anditwasmostlyforprudentialreasonsofthatsortthathedidnotlookwithafavourableeyeonJasperAllen。Butofthatlater。Yes！

OnerememberedwellenougholdNelson’sbig，hospitablebungalowerectedonashelvingpointofland，hisportlyform，costumedgenerallyinawhiteshirtandtrousers（hehadaconfirmedhabitoftakingoffhisalpacajacketontheslightestprovocation），hisroundblueeyes，hisstraggly，sandy—whitemoustachestickingoutallwayslikethequillsofthefretfulporcupine，hispropensitytositdownsuddenlyandfanhimselfwithhishat。Butthere’snouseconcealingthefactthatwhatonerememberedreallywashisdaughter，whoatthattimecameouttolivewithhim—andbeasortofLadyoftheIsles。

FreyaNelson（orNielsen）wasthekindofgirloneremembers。Theovalofherfacewasperfect；andwithinthatfascinatingframethemosthappydispositionoflineandfeature，withanadmirablecomplexion，gaveanimpressionofhealth，strength，andwhatI

mightcallunconsciousself—confidence—amostpleasantand，asitwere，whimsicaldetermination。Iwillnotcomparehereyestoviolets，becausetherealshadeoftheircolourwaspeculiar，notsodarkandmorelustrous。Theywereofthewide—openkind，andlookedatonefranklyineverymood。Ineverdidseethelong，darkeyelasheslowered—IdaresayJasperAllendid，beingaprivilegedperson—butIhavenodoubtthattheexpressionmusthavebeencharminginacomplexway。Shecould—Jaspertoldmeoncewithatouchinglyimbecileexultation—sitonherhair。I

daresay，Idaresay。Itwasnotformetobeholdthesewonders；I

wascontenttoadmiretheneatandbecomingwaysheusedtodoitupsoasnottoconcealthegoodshapeofherhead。Andthiswealthofhairwassoglossythatwhenthescreensofthewestverandahweredown，makingapleasanttwilightthere，orintheshadeofthegroveoffruit—treesnearthehouse，itseemedtogiveoutagoldenlightofitsown。

Shedressedgenerallyinawhitefrock，withaskirtofwalkinglength，showingherneat，laced，brownboots。Iftherewasanycolourabouthercostumeitwasjustabitofblueperhaps。Noexertionseemedtodistressher。Ihaveseenherlandfromthedinghyafteralongpullinthesun（sherowedherselfaboutagooddeal）withnoquickenedbreathandnotasinglehairoutofitsplace。Inthemorningwhenshecameoutontheverandahforthefirstlookwestward，Sumatraway，overthesea，sheseemedasfreshandsparklingasadewdrop。Butadewdropisevanescent，andtherewasnothingevanescentaboutFreya。Irememberherround，solidarmswiththefinewrists，andherbroad，capablehandswithtaperingfingers。

Idon’tknowwhethershewasactuallybornatsea，butIdoknowthatuptotwelveyearsofageshesailedaboutwithherparentsinvariousships。AfteroldNelsonlosthiswifeitbecameamatterofseriousconcernforhimwhattodowiththegirl。AkindladyinSingapore，touchedbyhisdumbgriefanddeplorableperplexity，offeredtotakechargeofFreya。Thisarrangementlastedsomesixyears，duringwhicholdNelson（orNielsen）"retired"andestablished，himselfonhisisland，andthenitwassettled（thekindladygoingawaytoEurope）thathisdaughtershouldjoinhim。

AsthefirstandmostimportantpreparationforthateventtheoldfelloworderedfromhisSingaporeagentaSteynandEbhart’s"uprightgrand。"Iwasthencommandingalittlesteamerintheislandtrade，anditfelltomylottotakeitouttohim，soI

knowsomethingofFreya’s"uprightgrand。"Welandedtheenormouspacking—casewithdifficultyonaflatpieceofrockamongstsomebushes，nearlyknockingthebottomoutofoneofmyboatsinthecourseofthatnauticaloperation。Then，allmycrewassisting，engineersandfiremenincluded，bytheexerciseofmuchanxiousingenuity，andbymeansofrollers，levers，tackles，andinclinedplanesofsoapedplanks，toilinginthesunlikeancientEgyptiansatthebuildingofapyramid，wegotitasfarasthehouseandupontotheedgeofthewestverandah—whichwastheactualdrawing—

roomofthebungalow。There，thecasebeingrippedoffcautiously，thebeautifulrosewoodmonsterstoodrevealedatlast。Inreverentexcitementwecoaxeditagainstthewallanddrewthefirstfreebreathoftheday。Itwascertainlytheheaviestmovableobjectonthatisletsincethecreationoftheworld。Thevolumeofsounditgaveoutinthatbungalow（whichactedasasounding—board）wasreallyastonishing。Itthunderedsweetlyrightoverthesea。

JasperAllentoldmethatearlyofamorningonthedeckoftheBonito（hiswonderfullyfastandprettybrig）hecouldhearFreyaplayingherscalesquitedistinctly。Butthefellowalwaysanchoredfoolishlyclosetothepoint，asItoldhimmorethanonce。Ofcourse，theseseasarealmostuniformlyserene，andtheSevenIslesisaparticularlycalmandcloudlessspotasarule。

Butstill，nowandagain，anafternoonthunderstormoverBanka，orevenoneoftheseviciousthicksqualls，fromthedistantSumatracoast，wouldmakeasuddensallyuponthegroup，envelopingitforacoupleofhoursinwhirlwindsandbluish—blackmurkofaparticularlysinisteraspect。Then，withtheloweredrattan—

screensrattlingdesperatelyinthewindandthebungalowshakingallover，FreyawouldsitdowntothepianoandplayfierceWagnermusicintheflickerofblindingflashes，withthunderboltsfallingallround，enoughtomakeyourhairstandonend；andJasperwouldremainstockstillontheverandah，adoringthebackviewofhersupple，swayingfigure，themiraculoussheenofherfairhead，therapidhandsonthekeys，thewhitenapeofherneck—whilethebrig，downatthepointthere，surgedathercableswithinahundredyardsofnasty，shiny，blackrock—heads。Ugh！

Andthis，ifyouplease，fornoreasonbutthat，whenhewentonboardatnightandlaidhisheadonthepillow，heshouldfeelthathewasasnearashecouldconvenientlygettohisFreyaslumberinginthebungalow。Didyouever！And，mind，thisbrigwasthehometobe—theirhome—thefloatingparadisewhichhewasgraduallyfittingoutlikeayachttosailhislifeblissfullyawayinwithFreya。Imbecile！Butthefellowwasalwaystakingchances。

Oneday，IrememberIwatchedwithFreyaontheverandahthebrigapproachingthepointfromthenorthward。IsupposeJaspermadethegirloutwithhislongglass。Whatdoeshedo？Insteadofstandingonforanothermileandahalfalongtheshoalsandthentackingfortheanchorageinaproperandseamanlikemanner，hespiesagapbetweentwodisgustingoldjaggedreefs，putsthehelmdownsuddenly，andshootsthebrigthrough，withallhersailsshakingandrattling，sothatwecouldheartheracketontheverandah。Idrewmybreaththroughmyteeth，Icantellyou，andFreyaswore。Yes！Sheclenchedhercapablefistsandstampedwithherprettybrownbootandsaid"Damn！"Then，lookingatmewithalittleheightenedcolour—notmuch—sheremarked，"Iforgotyouwerethere，"andlaughed。Tobesure，tobesure。WhenJasperwasinsightshewasnotlikelytorememberthatanybodyelseintheworldwasthere。InmyconcernatthismadtrickIcouldn’thelpappealingtohersympatheticcommonsense。

"Isn’theafool？"Isaidwithfeeling。

"Perfectidiot，"sheagreedwarmly，lookingatmestraightwithherwide—open，earnesteyesandthedimpleofasmileonhercheek。

"Andthat，"Ipointedouttoher，"justtosavetwentyminutesorsoinmeetingyou。"

Weheardtheanchorgodown，andthenshebecameveryresoluteandthreatening。

"Waitabit。I’llteachhim。"

Shewentintoherownroomandshutthedoor，leavingmealoneontheverandahwithmyinstructions。Longbeforethebrig’ssailswerefurled，Jaspercameupthreestepsatatime，forgettingtosayhowd’yedo，andlookingrightandlefteagerly。

"Where’sFreya？Wasn’tsheherejustnow？"

WhenIexplainedtohimthathewastobedeprivedofMissFreya’spresenceforawholehour，"justtoteachhim，"hesaidIhadputheruptoit，nodoubt，andthathefearedhewouldhaveyettoshootmesomeday。SheandIweregettingtoothicktogether。

Thenheflunghimselfintoachair，andtriedtotalktomeabouthistrip。Butthefunnythingwasthatthefellowactuallysuffered。Icouldseeit。Hisvoicefailedhim，andhesattheredumb，lookingatthedoorwiththefaceofamaninpain。Fact……Andthenextstillfunnierthingwasthatthegirlcalmlywalkedoutofherroominlessthantenminutes。AndthenIleft。

ImeantosaythatIwentawaytoseekoldNelson（orNielsen）onthebackverandah，whichwashisownspecialnookinthedistributionofthathouse，withthekindpurposeofengaginghiminconversationlestheshouldstartroamingaboutandintrudeunwittinglywherehewasnotwantedjustthen。

Heknewthatthebrighadarrived，thoughhedidnotknowthatJasperwasalreadywithhisdaughter。Isupposehedidn’tthinkitwaspossibleinthetime。Afathernaturallywouldn’t。HesuspectedthatAllenwassweetonhisgirl；thefowlsoftheairandthefishesofthesea，mostofthetradersintheArchipelago，andallsortsandconditionsofmeninthetownofSingaporewereawareofit。Buthewasnotcapableofappreciatinghowfarthegirlwasgoneonthefellow。HehadanideathatFreyawastoosensibletoeverbegoneonanybody—Imeantoanunmanageableextent。No；itwasnotthatwhichmadehimsitonthebackverandahandworryhimselfinhisunassumingmannerduringJasper’svisits。WhatheworriedaboutweretheDutch"authorities。"ForitisafactthattheDutchlookedaskanceatthedoingsofJasperAllen，ownerandmasterofthebrigBonito。Theyconsideredhimmuchtooenterprisinginhistrading。Idon’tknowthatheeverdidanythingillegal；butitseemstomethathisimmenseactivitywasrepulsivetotheirstolidcharacterandslow—goingmethods。

Anyway，inoldNelson’sopinion，thecaptainoftheBonitowasasmartsailor，andaniceyoungman，butnotadesirableacquaintanceuponthewhole。Somewhatcompromising，youunderstand。Ontheotherhand，hedidnotliketotellJasperinsomanywordstokeepaway。PooroldNelsonhimselfwasanicefellow。Ibelievehewouldhaveshrunkfromhurtingthefeelingsevenofamop—headedcannibal，unless，perhaps，underverystrongprovocation。Imeanthefeelings，notthebodies。Asagainstspears，knives，hatchets，clubs，orarrows，oldNelsonhadprovedhimselfcapableoftakinghisownpart。Ineveryotherrespecthehadatimoroussoul。Sohesatonthebackverandahwithaconcernedexpression，andwheneverthevoicesofhisdaughterandJasperAllenreachedhim，hewouldblowouthischeeksandlettheairescapewithadismalsound，likeamuchtriedman。

NaturallyIderidedhisfearswhichhe，moreorless，confidedtome。Hehadacertainregardformyjudgment，andacertainrespect，notformymoralqualities，however，butforthegoodtermsIwassupposedtobeonwiththeDutch"authorities。"Iknewforafactthathisgreatestbugbear，theGovernorofBanka—acharming，peppery，hearty，retiredrear—admiral—hadadistinctlikingforhim。ThisconsolingassurancewhichIusedalwaystoputforward，madeoldNelson（orNielsen）brightenupforamoment；

butintheendhewouldshakehisheaddoubtfully，asmuchastosaythatthiswasallverywell，butthatthereweredepthsintheDutchofficialnaturewhichnoonebuthimselfhadeverfathomed。

Perfectlyridiculous。

OnthisoccasionIamspeakingof，oldNelsonwasevenfretty；forwhileIwastryingtoentertainhimwithaveryfunnyandsomewhatscandalousadventurewhichhappenedtoacertainacquaintanceofoursinSaigon，heexclaimedsuddenly：

"Whatthedevilhewantstoturnupherefor！"

Clearlyhehadnotheardawordoftheanecdote。Andthisannoyedme，becausetheanecdotewasreallygood。Istaredathim。

"Come，come！"Icried。"Don’tyouknowwhatJasperAllenisturningupherefor？"

ThiswasthefirstopenallusionIhadevermadetothetruestateofaffairsbetweenJasperandhisdaughter。Hetookitverycalmly。

"Oh，Freyaisasensiblegirl！"hemurmuredabsently，hismind’seyeobviouslyfixedonthe"authorities。"No；Freyawasnofool。

Hewasnotconcernedaboutthat。Hedidn’tminditintheleast。

Thefellowwasjustcompanyforher；heamusedthegirl；nothingmore。

Whentheperspicaciousoldchapleftoffmumbling，allwasstillinthehouse。Theothertwowereamusingthemselvesveryquietly，andnodoubtveryheartily。Whatmoreabsorbingandlessnoisyamusementcouldtheyhavefoundthantoplantheirfuture？Sidebysideontheverandahtheymusthavebeenlookingatthebrig，thethirdpartyinthatfascinatinggame。Withouthertherewouldhavebeennofuture。Shewasthefortuneandthehome，andthegreatfreeworldforthem。Whowasitthatlikenedashiptoaprison？

MayIbeignominiouslyhangedatayardarmifthat’strue。Thewhitesailsofthatcraftwerethewhitewings—pinions，I

believe，wouldbethemorepoeticalstyle—well，thewhitepinions，oftheirsoaringlove。SoaringasregardsJasper。Freya，beingawoman，keptabetterholdofthemundaneconnectionsofthisaffair。

ButJasperwaselevatedinthetruesenseofthewordeversincethedaywhen，aftertheyhadbeengazingatthebriginoneofthosedecisivesilencesthataloneestablishaperfectcommunionbetweencreaturesgiftedwithspeech，heproposedthatsheshouldsharetheownershipofthattreasurewithhim。Indeed，hepresentedthebrigtoheraltogether。ButthenhisheartwasinthebrigsincethedayheboughtherinManillafromacertainmiddle—agedPeruvian，inasobersuitofblackbroadcloth，enigmaticandsententious，who，forallIknow，mighthavestolenherontheSouthAmericancoast，whencehesaidhehadcomeovertothePhilippines"forfamilyreasons。"This"forfamilyreasons"

wasdistinctlygood。NotrueCABALLEROwouldcaretopushoninquiriesaftersuchastatement。

Indeed，JasperwasquitetheCABALLERO。Thebrigherselfwasthenallblackandenigmatical，andverydirty；atarnishedgemofthesea，or，rather，aneglectedworkofart。Forhemusthavebeenanartist，theobscurebuilderwhohadputherbodytogetheronlovelylinesoutofthehardesttropicaltimberfastenedwiththepurestcopper。Goodnessonlyknowsinwhatpartoftheworldshewasbuilt。Jasperhimselfhadnotbeenabletoascertainmuchofherhistoryfromhissententious，saturninePeruvian—ifthefellowwasaPeruvian，andnotthedevilhimselfindisguise，asJasperjocularlypretendedtobelieve。Myopinionisthatshewasoldenoughtohavebeenoneofthelastpirates，aslaverperhaps，orelseanopiumclipperoftheearlydays，ifnotanopiumsmuggler。

Howeverthatmaybe，shewasassoundasonthedayshefirsttookthewater，sailedlikeawitch，steeredlikealittleboat，and，likesomefairwomenofadventurouslifefamousinhistory，seemedtohavethesecretofperpetualyouth；sothattherewasnothingunnaturalinJasperAllentreatingherlikealover。Andthattreatmentrestoredthelustreofherbeauty。Heclothedherinmanycoatsoftheverybestwhitepaintsoskilfully，carefully，artisticallyputonandkeptcleanbyhisbadgeredcrewofpickedMalays，thatnocostlyenamelsuchasjewellersusefortheirworkcouldhavelookedbetterandfeltsmoothertothetouch。Anarrowgiltmouldingdefinedherelegantsheerasshesatonthewater，eclipsingeasilytheprofessionalgoodlooksofanypleasureyachtthatevercametotheEastinthosedays。Formyself，ImustsayI

preferamouldingofdeepcrimsoncolouronawhitehull。Itgivesastrongerreliefbesidesbeinglessexpensive；andItoldJasperso。Butno，nothinglessthanthebestgold—leafwoulddo，becausenodecorationcouldbegorgeousenoughforthefutureabodeofhisFreya。

Hisfeelingsforthebrigandforthegirlwereasindissolublyunitedinhisheartasyoumayfusetwopreciousmetalstogetherinonecrucible。Andtheflamewasprettyhot，Icanassureyou。Itinducedinhimafierceinwardrestlessnessbothofactivityanddesire。Toofineinface，withalateralwaveinhischestnuthair，spare，long—limbed，withaneagerglintinhissteelyeyesandquick，brusquemovements，hemademethinksometimesofaflashingsword—bladeperpetuallyleapingoutofthescabbard。Itwasonlywhenhewasnearthegirl，whenhehadhertheretolookat，thatthispeculiarlytenseattitudewasreplacedbyagravedevoutwatchfulnessofherslightestmovementsandutterances。Hercool，resolute，capable，good—humouredself—possessionseemedtosteadyhisheart。Wasitthemagicofherface，ofhervoice，ofherglanceswhichcalmedhimso？Yettheseweretheverythingsonemustbelievewhichhadsethisimaginationablaze—iflovebeginsinimagination。ButIamnomantodiscusssuchmysteries，anditstrikesmethatwehaveneglectedpooroldNelsoninflatinghischeeksinastateofworryonthebackverandah。

Ipointedouttohimthat，afterall，Jasperwasnotaveryfrequentvisitor。HeandhisbrigworkedhardallovertheArchipelago。ButalloldNelsonsaid，andhesaidituneasily，was：

"IhopeHeemskirkwon’tturnupherewhilethebrig’sabout。"

GettingupascareaboutHeemskirknow！Heemskirk！……Really，onehadn’tthepatience—

CHAPTERII

For，pray，whowasHeemskirk？YoushallseeatoncehowunreasonablethisdreadofHeemskirk……Certainly，hisnaturewasmalevolentenough。Thatwasobvious，directlyyouheardhimlaugh。Nothinggivesawaymoreaman’ssecretdispositionthantheunguardedringofhislaugh。But，blessmysoul！ifweweretostartateveryevilguffawlikeahareateverysound，weshouldn’tbefitforanythingbutthesolitudeofadesert，ortheseclusionofahermitage。Andeventhereweshouldhavetoputupwiththeunavoidablecompanyofthedevil。

However，thedevilisaconsiderablepersonage，whohasknownbetterdaysandhasmovedhighupinthehierarchyofCelestialHost；butinthehierarchyofmereearthlyDutchmen，Heemskirk，whoseearlydayscouldnothavebeenverysplendid，wasmerelyanavalofficerfortyyearsofage，ofnoparticularconnectionsorabilitytoboastof。HewascommandingtheNeptun，alittlegunboatemployedondrearypatroldutyupanddowntheArchipelago，tolookafterthetraders。Notaveryexaltedpositiontruly。I

tellyou，justacommonmiddle—agedlieutenantofsometwenty—fiveyears’serviceandsuretoberetiredbeforelong—that’sall。

HeneverbotheredhisheadverymuchastowhatwasgoingonintheSevenIslesgrouptillhelearnedfromsometalkinMintokorPalembang，Isuppose，thattherewasaprettygirllivingthere。

Curiosity，Ipresume，causedhimtogopokingaroundthatway，andthen，afterhehadonceseenFreya，hemadeapracticeofcallingatthegroupwheneverhefoundhimselfwithinhalfaday’ssteamingfromit。