第3章

Yannwasacapitalwaltzer，asstraightasayoungoak，movingwithagracefulyetdignifiedbearing，hisheadthrownwellback，hisbrown，curledlocksfallinguponhisbrow，andfloatingwiththemotionofthedance。Gaud，whowasrathertallherself，felttheircontactuponhercap，ashebenttowardshertograsphermoretightlyduringtheswiftmovements。 NowandthenhepointedouttoherhislittlesisterMarie，dancingwithSylvestre，whowasher/fiance/。Hesmiledwithaverytenderlookatseeingthembothsoyoungandyetsoreservedtowardsoneanother，bowinggravely，andputtingonverytimidairsastheycommunedlowly，onmostamiablesubjects，nodoubt。 Ofcourse，Yannwouldneverhaveallowedittobeotherwise；yetitamusedhim，venturesomeandboldashewas，tofindthemsocoy；andheandGaudexchangedoneoftheirconfidentialsmiles，seemingtosay:\"Howpretty，buthowfunny/our/littlebrotheris!\" Towardsthecloseoftheevening，allthegirlsreceivedthebreaking- upkiss；cousins，betrothed，andlovers，all，inagoodfrank，honestway，beforeeverybody。But，ofcourse，YannhadnotkissedGaud；nonemighttakethatlibertywiththedaughterofM。Mevel；butheseemedtostrainheralittlemoretightlytohimduringthelastwaltzes，andshe，trustinghim，didnotresist，butyieldedcloserstill，givingupherwholesoul，inthesudden，deep，andjoyousattractionthatboundhertohim。 \"Didyouseethesaucyminx，whateyesshemadeathim？\"queriedtwoorthreegirls，withtheirowneyestimidlybentundertheirgoldenorblackbrows，thoughtheyhadamongthedancersoneortwolovers，tosaytheleast。AndtrulyGauddidlookatYannveryhard，onlyshehadtheexcusethathewasthefirstandonlyyoungmanwhomsheeverhadnoticedinherlife。 Atdawn，whenthepartybrokeupandleftinconfusion，theyhadtakenleaveofoneanother，likebetrothedones，whoaresuretomeetthefollowingday。Toreturnhome，shehadcrossedthissamemarket-placewithherfather，littlefatigued，feelinglightandgay，happytobreathethefrostyfog，andlovingthesaddawnitself，sosweetandenjoyableseemedbarelife。 TheMaynighthadlongsincefallen；nearlyallthewindowshadclosedwithagratingof theirironfittings，butGaudremainedatherplace，leavinghersopen。Thelastpassers-by，whocoulddistinguishthewhitecapinthedarkness，mightsaytothemselves，\"That\'ssurelysomegirl，dreamingofhersweetheart。\"Itwastrue，forshewasdreamingofhers，withawilddesiretoweep；hertinyteethbitherlipsandcontinuallyopenedandpursedupthedeepdimplethatoutlinedtheunderlipofherfresh，puremouth。Hereyesremainedfixedonthedarkness，seeingnothingoftangiblethings。 But，aftertheball，whyhadhenotreturned？Whatchangehadcomeoverhim？Meetinghimbychance，heseemedtoavoidher，turningasidehislook，whichwasalwaysfleeting，bytheway。ShehadoftendebatedthiswithSylvestre，whocouldnotunderstandeither。 \"Butstill，he\'stheladforyoutomarry，Gaud，\"saidSylvestre，\"ifyourfatherallowedye。Inthewholecountryroundyou\'dnotfindhislike。First，letmetell\'ee，he\'sararegoodone，thoughhemayn\'tlookit。Heseldomgetstipsy。Hesometimesisstubborn，butisverypliableforallthat。No，Ican\'ttell\'eehowgoodheis!AndsuchanA。B。seaman!Everynewfishingseasontheskippersregularlyfighttohavehim。\" Shewasquitesureofherfather\'spermission，forsheneverhadbeenthwartedinanyofherwhims。AnditmatteredlittletoherwhetherYannwererichornot。Tobeginwith，asailorlikehimwouldneedbutalittlemoneyinadvancetoattendtheclassesofthecoastnavigationschool，andmightshortlybecomeacaptainwhomallshipownerswouldgladlyintrustwiththeirvessels。Italsomatteredlittletoherthathewassuchagiant；greatstrengthmaybecomeadefectinawoman，butinamanisnotprejudicialtogoodlooks。 Withoutseemingtocaremuch，shehadquestionedthegirlsofthecountryroundabout，whoknewallthelovestoriesgoing；buthehadnorecognizedengagementwithanyone，hepaidnomoreattentiontoonethananother，butrovedfromrighttoleft，toLezardrieuxaswellastoPaimpol，toallthebeautieswhocaredtoreceivehisaddress。 OneSundayevening，verylate，shehadseenhimpassunderherwindows，incompanywithoneJeannieCaroff，whomhetuckedunderhiswingveryclosely；shewaspretty，certainly，buthadaverybadreputation。ThishadpainedGaudverymuchindeed。Shehadbeentoldthathewasveryquick-tempered:onenightbeingrathertipsyinatavernofPaimpol，wheretheIcelandersheldtheirrevels，hehadthrownagreatmarbletablethroughadoorthattheywouldnotopentohim。Butsheforgavehimallthat；weallknowwhatsailorsaresometimeswhenthefittakesthem。Butifhisheartweregood，whyhadhesoughtoneoutwhoneverhadthoughtofhim，toleaveherafterward；whatreasonhadhehadtolookatherforawholeeveningwithhisfair，opensmile，andtousehissoftest，tenderestvoicetospeaktoherofhisaffairsastoabetrothed？Now，itwasimpossibleforhertobecomeattachedtoanother，ortochange。Inthissamecountry，whenquiteachild，shewasusedtobeingscoldedwhennaughtyandcalledmorestubbornthananyotherchildinherideas； andshehadnotaltered。Fineladyasshewasnow，ratherseriousandproudinherways，nonehadrefashionedher，andsheremainedalwaysthesame。 Afterthisball，thepastwinterhadbeenspentinwaitingtoseehimagain，buthehadnotevencometosaygood-byebeforehisdepartureforIceland。Sincehewasnolongerby，nothingelseexistedinhereyes；slowlytimeseemedtodraguntilthereturninautumn，whenshehadmadeuphermindtoputanendtoherdoubts。 Thetown-hallclockstruckeleven，withthatpeculiarresonancethatbellshaveduringthequietspringnights。AtPaimpoleleveno\'clockisverylate；soGaudclosedherwindowandlitherlamp，togotobed。 PerhapsitwasonlyshynessinYann，afterall，orwasitbecause，beingproudalso，hewasafraidofarefusal，asshewassorich？Shewantedtoaskhimthisherselfstraightforwardly，butSylvestrethoughtthatitwouldnotbetherightthing，anditwouldnotlookwellforhertoappearsobold。InPaimpolalreadyhermannersanddressweresufficientlycriticised。 Sheundressedslowlyasifinadream；firsthermuslincap，thenhertown-cutdress，whichshethrewcarelesslyonachair。Thelittlelamp，alonetoburnatthislatehour，bathedhershouldersandbosominitsmysteriouslight，herperfectform，whichnoeyeeverhadcontemplated，andnevercouldcontemplateifYanndidnotmarryher。 Sheknewherfacewasbeautiful，butshewasunconsciousofthebeautyofherfigure。Inthisremoteland，amongdaughtersoffishers，beautyofshapeisalmostpartoftherace；itisscarcelyevernoticed，andeventheleastrespectablewomenareashamedtoparadeit。 Gaudbegantounbraidhertresses，coiledintheshapeofasnail- shellandrolledroundherears，andtwoplaitsfelluponhershoulderslikeweightyserpents。Shedrewthemupintoacrownonthetopofherhead——thiswascomfortableforsleeping——sothat，byreasonofherstraightprofile，shelookedlikeaRomanvestal。 Shestillheldupherarms，andbitingherlip，sheslowlyranherfingersthroughthegoldenmass，likeachildplayingwithatoy，whilethinkingofsomethingelse；andagainlettingitfall，shequicklyunplaitedittospreaditout；soonshewascoveredwithherownlocks，whichfelltoherknees，lookinglikesomeDruidess。 Andsleephavingcome，notwithstandingloveandanimpulsetoweep，shethrewherselfroughlyinherbed，hidingherfaceinthesilkenmassesfloatingroundheroutspreadlikeaveil。 InherhutinPloubazlanec，GrannyMoan，whowasontheotheranddarkersideofherlife，hadalsofallentosleep——thefrozensleepofoldage——dreamingofhergrandsonandofdeath。 Andatthissamehour，onboardthe/Marie/，ontheNorthernSea，whichwasveryheavyonthisparticularevening，YannandSylvestre—— thetwolonged-forrovers——sangdittiestooneanother，andwentongailywiththeirfishingintheeverlastingdaylight。 CHAPTERVI NEWSFROMHOME Aboutamonthlater，aroundIceland，theweatherwasofthatrarekindthatthesailorscalladeadcalm；inotherwords，intheairnothingmoved，asifallthebreezeswereexhaustedandtheirtaskdone。 Theskywascoveredwithawhiteveil，whichdarkenedtowardsitslowerbordernearthehorizon，andgraduallypassedintodullgrayleadentints；overthisthestillwatersthrewapalelight，whichfatiguedtheeyesandchilledthegazerthroughandthrough。Allatonce，liquiddesignsplayedoverthesurface，suchlightevanescentringsasoneformsbybreathingonamirror。Thesheenofthewatersseemedcoveredwithanetoffaintpatterns，whichintermingledandreformed，rapidlydisappearing。Everlastingnightoreverlastingday，onecouldscarcelysaywhatitwas；thesun，whichpointedtonospecialhour，remainedfixed，asifpresidingoverthefadinggloryofdeadthings；itappearedbutasamerering，beingalmostwithoutsubstance，andmagnifiedenormouslybyashiftinghalo。 YannandSylvestre，leaningagainstoneanother，sang\"Jean-FrancoisdeNantes，\"thesongwithoutanend；amusedbyitsverymonotony，lookingatoneanotherfromthecorneroftheireyesasiflaughingatthechildishfun，withwhichtheybegantheversesoverandoveragain，tryingtoputfreshspiritintothemeachtime。Theircheekswererosyunderthesharpfreshnessofthemorning:thepureairtheybreathedwasstrengthening，andtheyinhaleditdeepdownintheirchests，theveryfountainofallvigorousexistence。Andyet，aroundthem，wasasemblanceofnon-existence，ofaworldeitherfinishedornotyetcreated；thelightitselfhadnowarmth；allthingsseemedwithoutmotion，andasifchilledforeternityunderthegreatghostlyeyethatrepresentedthesun。 The/Marie/projectedovertheseaashadowlongandblackasnight，orratherappearingdeepgreeninthemidstofthepolishedsurface，whichreflectedallthepurityoftheheavens；inthisshadowedpart，whichhadnoglitter，couldbeplainlydistinguishedthroughthetransparency，myriadsuponmyriadsoffish，allalike，glidingslowlyinthesamedirection，asifbenttowardsthegoaloftheirperpetualtravels。Theywerecod，performingtheirevolutionsallaspartsofasinglebody，stretchedfulllengthinthesamedirection，exactlyparallel，offeringtheeffectofgraystreaks，unceasinglyagitatedbyaquickmotionthatgavealookoffluiditytothemassofdumblives。 Sometimes，withasuddenquickmovementofthetail，allturnedroundatthesametime，showingthesheenoftheirsilveredsides；andthesamemovementwasrepeatedthroughouttheentireshoalbyslowundulations，asifathousandmetalbladeshadeachthrownatinyflashoflightningfromunderthesurface。 Thesun，alreadyverylow，loweredfurther；sonighthaddecidedlycome。Asthegreatballofflamedescendedintotheleaden-colouredzonesthatsurroundedthesea，itgrewyellow，anditsouterrimbecamemoreclearandsolid。Nowitcouldbelookedstraightat，asifitwerebutthemoon。Yetitstillgaveoutlightandlookedquitenearintheimmensity；itseemedthatbygoinginaship，onlysofarastheedgeofthehorizon，onemightcollidewiththegreatmournfulglobe，floatingintheairjustafewyardsabovethewater。 Fishingwasgoingonwell；lookingintothecalmwater，onecouldseeexactlywhattookplace；howthecodcametobite，withagreedyspring；then，feelingthemselveshooked，wriggledabout，asiftohookthemselvesstillfirmer。Andeverymoment，withrapidaction，thefishermenhauledintheirlines，handoverhand，throwingthefishtothemanwhowastocleanthemandflattenthemout。 ThePaimpolfleetwerescatteredoverthequietmirror，animatingthedesert。Hereandthereappeareddistantsails，unfurledformereform\'ssake，consideringtherewasnobreeze。Theywerelikeclearwhiteoutlinesuponthegreysofthehorizon。Inthisdeadcalm，fishingoffIcelandseemedsoeasyandtranquilatradethatladies\' yachtingwasnonameforit。 \"JeanFrancoisdeNantes； JeanFrancois，JeanFrancois!\" Sotheysang，likeacoupleofchildren。 Yannlittletroubledwhetherornohewashandsomeandgood-looking。 HewasboyishonlywithSylvestre，itistrue，andsangandjokedwithnoother；onthecontrary，hewasratherdistantwiththeothersandproudanddisdainful——verywillingthough，whenhishelpwasrequired，andalwayskindandobligingwhennotirritated。 Sothetwainwentonsingingtheirsong，withtwoothers，afewstepsoff，singinganother，adirge——aclashingofsleepiness，health，andvaguemelancholy。Buttheydidnotfeeldull，andthehoursflewby。 Downinthecabinafirestillsmoulderedintheironrange，andthehatchwaskeptshut，soastogivetheappearanceofnightthereforthosewhoneededsleep。Theyrequiredbutlittleairtosleep；indeed，lessrobustfellows，broughtupintowns，wouldhavewantedmore。Theyusedtogotobedafterthewatchatirregulartimes，justwhentheyfeltinclined，hourscountingforlittleinthisnever-fadinglight。 Andtheyalwayssleptsoundlyandpeacefullywithoutrestlessnessorbaddreams。 \"JeanFrancoisdeNantes； JeanFrancois，JeanFrancois!\" Theylookedattentivelyatsomealmostimperceptibleobject，faroffonthehorizon，somefaintsmokerisingfromthewaterslikeatinyjotofanothergraytintslightlydarkerthanthesky\'s。Theireyeswereusedtoplumbingdepths，andtheyhadseenit。 \"Asail，asail，thereaway!\" \"Ihaveanidea，\"saidtheskipper，staringattentively，\"thatit\'sagovernmentcruisercomingonherinspection-round。\" Thisfaintsmokebroughtnewsofhometothesailors，andamongothers，aletterwewroteof，fromanoldgrandam，writtenbythehandofabeautifulgirl。Slowlythesteamerapproachedtilltheyperceivedherblackhull。Yes，itwasthecruiser，makingtheinspectioninthesewesternfjords。 Atthesametime，aslightbreezesprangup，fresheryettoinhale，andbegantotarnishthesurfaceofthestillwatersinpatches；ittraceddesignsinabluishgreentintovertheshiningmirror，andscatteringintrails，thesefannedoutorbranchedofflikeacoraltree；allveryrapidlywithalowmurmur；itwaslikeasignalofawakeningforetellingtheendofthisintensetorpor。Thesky，itsveilbeingrentasunder，grewclear；thevapoursfelldownonthehorizon，massinginheapslikeslate-colouredwadding，asiftoformasoftbanktothesea。Thetwoever-duringmirrorsbetweenwhichthefishermenlived，theoneonhighandtheonebeneath，recoveredtheirdeeplucidity，asifthemiststarnishingthemhadbeenbrushedaway。 Theweatherwaschanginginarapidwaythatforetoldnogood。Smacksbegantoarrivefromallpointsoftheimmenseplane；first，alltheFrenchsmacksinthevicinity，fromBrittany，Normandy，Boulogne，orDunkirk。Likebirdsflockingtoacall，theyassembledroundthecruiser；fromtheapparentlyemptycornersofthehorizon，othersappearedoneveryside；theirtinygraywingswereseentilltheypeopledthepallidwaste。 Nolongerslowlydrifting，fortheyhadspreadouttheirsailstothenewandcoolbreeze，andcrackedonalltoapproach。 Far-offIcelandalsoreappeared，asifshewouldfaincomenearthemalso；showinghergreatmountainsofbarestonesmoredistinctlythanever。 AndtherearoseanewIcelandofsimilarcolour，whichlittlebylittletookamoredefiniteform，andnonethelesswaspurelyillusive，itsgiganticmountainsmerelyacondensationofmists。Thesun，sinkinglow，seemedincapableofeverrisingoverallthings，thoughglowingthroughthisphantomislandsotangiblethatitseemedplacedinfrontofit。Incomprehensiblesight!nolongerwasitsurroundedbyahalo，butitsdischadbecomefirmlyspread，ratherlikesomefadedyellowplanetslowlydecayingandsuddenlycheckedthereintheheartofchaos。 Thecruiser，whichhadstopped，wasfullysurroundedbythefleetofIcelanders。Fromallboatswerelowered，likesomanynut-shells，andconveyedtheirstrong，long-beardedmen，inbarbaric-lookingdresses，tothesteamer。 Likechildren，allhadsomethingtobegfor；remediesforpettyailments，materialsforrepairs，changeofdiet，andhomeletters。 Otherscame，sentbytheircaptains，tobeclappedinirons，toexpiatesomefault；astheyhadallbeeninthenavy，theytookthisasamatterofcourse。Whenthenarrowdeckofthecruiserwasblocked-upbyfourorfiveofthesehulkingfellows，stretchedoutwiththebilboesroundtheirfeet，theoldsailorwhohadjustchainedthemupcalledouttothem，\"Rollo\'oneside，mylads，toletuswork，d\'yehear？\"whichtheyobedientlydidwithagrin。 TherewereagreatmanylettersthistimefortheIcelandfleet。Amongtherest，twofor\"/LaMarie/，CaptainGuermeur\"；oneaddressedto\"MonsieurGaos，Yann，\"theotherto\"MonsieurMoan，Sylvestre。\"ThelatterhadcomebywayofRykavyk，wherethecruiserhadtakeniton。 Thepurser，divingintohispost-bagsofsailcloth，distributedthemallround，oftenfindingithardtoreadtheaddresses，whichwerenotalwayswrittenveryskilfully，whilethecaptainkeptonsaying:\"Lookalivethere，lookalive!thebarometerisfalling。\" Hewasratheranxioustoseeallthetinyyawlsafloat，andsomanyvesselsassembledinthatdangerousregion。 YannandSylvestreusedtoreadtheirletterstogether。Thistimetheyreadthembythelightofthemidnightsun，shiningabovethehorizon，stilllikeadeadluminary。Sittingtogether，alittletooneside，inaretirednookofthedeck，theirarmsabouteachother\'sshoulders，theyveryslowlyread，asiftoenjoymorethoroughlythenewssentthemfromhome。 InYann\'sletterSylvestregotnewsofMarieGaos，hislittlesweetheart；inSylvestre\'s，YannreadallGrannyMoan\'sfunnystories，forshehadnotherlikeforamusingtheabsentonesyouwillremember；andthelastparagraphconcerninghimcameup:the\"wordofgreetingtoyoungGaos。\" Whenthelettersweregotthrough，Sylvestretimidlyshowedhistohisbigfriend，totryandmakehimadmirethewritingofit。 \"Look，isitnotprettywriting，Yann？\" ButYann，whoknewverywellwhosehandhadtracedit，turnedaside，shrugginghisshoulders，asmuchastosaythathewasworriedtoooftenaboutthisGaudgirl。 SoSylvestrecarefullyfoldedupthepoor，rejectedpaper，putitintoitsenvelopeandallinhisjersey，nexthisbreast，sayingtohimselfsadly:\"Forsure，they\'llnevermarry。Butwhatonearthcanhehavetosayagainsther？\" Midnightwasstruckonthecruiser\'sbell。Andyetourcoupleremainedsittingthere，thinkingofhome，theabsentones，athousandthingsinreverie。Atthissamemomenttheeverlastingsun，whichhaddippeditsloweredgeintothewaters，beganslowlytoreascend，andlo!thiswasmorning。 PARTII INTHEBRETONLAND CHAPTERI THEPLAYTHINGOFTHESTORM TheNorthernsunhadtakenanotheraspectandchangeditscolour，openingthenewdaybyasinistermorn。Completelyfreefromitsveil，itgaveforthitsgrandrays，crossingtheskyinfitfulflashes，foretellingnastyweather。Duringthepastfewdaysithadbeentoofinetolast。Thewindsblewuponthatswarmofboats，asiftocleartheseaofthem；andtheybegantodisperseandflee，likeanarmyputtorout，beforethewarningwrittenintheair，beyondpossibilitytomisread。Harderandharderitblew，makingmenandshipsquakealike。 Andthestilltinywavesbegantorunoneafteranotherandtomelttogether；atfirsttheywerefrostedoverwithwhitefoamspreadoutinpatches；andthen，withawhizzingsound，arosesmokeasthoughtheyburnedandscorched，andthewhistlinggrewloudereverymoment。 Fish-catchingwasnolongerthoughtof；itwastheirworkondeck。Thefishinglineshadbeendrawnin，andallhurriedtomakesailandsometoseekforshelterinthefjords，whileyetotherspreferredtoroundthesouthernpointofIceland，findingitsafertostandfortheopensea，withthefreespaceaboutthem，andrunbeforethesternwind。 Theycouldstillseeeachotherawhile:hereandthere，abovethetroughofthesea，sailswaggedaspoorweariedbirdsfleeing；themaststipped，buteverandanonrighted，liketheweightedpithfiguresthatsimilarlyresumeanerectattitudewhenreleasedafterbeingblowndown。 Theillimitablecloudyroof，erstwhilecompactedtowardsthewesternhorizon，inanislandform，begantobreakuponhighandsenditsfragmentsoverthesurface。Itseemedindestructible，forvainlydidthewindsstretchit，pullandtossitasunder，continuallytearingawaydarkstrips，whichtheywavedoverthepaleyellowsky，graduallybecomingintenselyandicilylivid。Evermorestronglygrewthewindthatthrewallthingsinturmoil。 ThecruiserhaddepartedforshelteratIceland；somefishersaloneremainedupontheseethingsea，whichnowtookanill-bodinglookandadreadfulcolour。Allhastilymadepreparationsforbadweather。 Betweenoneandanotherthedistancegrewgreater，tillsomewerelostsightof。 Thewaves，curlingupinscrolls，continuedtorunaftereachother，toreassembleandclimbononeanother，andbetweenthemthehollowsdeepened。 Inafewhours，everythingwasbelabouredandoverthrownintheseregionsthathadbeensocalmthedaybefore，andinsteadofthepastsilence，theuproarwasdeafening。Thepresentagitationwasadissolvingview，unconscientiousanduseless，andquicklyaccomplished。Whatwastheobjectofitall？Whatamysteryofblinddestructionitwas! Thecloudscontinuedtostreamoutonhigh，outofthewestcontinually，racinganddarkeningall。Afewyellowcleftsremained，throughwhichthesunshotitsraysinvolleys。Andthenowgreenishwaterwasstripedmorethicklywithsnowyfroth。 Bymiddaythe/Marie/wasmadecompletelysnugfordirtyweather:herhatchesbatteneddown，andhersailsstorm-reefed；sheboundedlightlyandelastic；forallthehorridconfusion，sheseemedtobeplayingliketheporpoises，alsoamusedinstorms。Withherforesailtakenin，shesimplyscuddedbeforethewind。 Ithadbecomequitedarkoverhead，wherestretchedtheheavilycrushingvault。Studdedwithshapelessgloomyspots，itappearedasetdome，unlessasteadiergazeascertainedthateverythingwasinthefullrushofmotion；endlessgrayveilsweredrawnalong，unceasinglyfollowedbyothers，fromtheprofunditiesofthesky-line——draperiesofdarkness，pulledfromanever-endingroll。 The/Marie/fledfasterandfasterbeforethewind；andtimefledalso——beforesomeinvisibleandmysteriouspower。Thegale，thesea，the/Marie/，andthecloudswerealllashedintoonegreatmadnessofhastyflighttowardsthesamepoint。Thefastestofallwasthewind； thenthehugeseethingbillows，heavierandslower，toilingafter； and，lastly，thesmack，draggedintothegeneralwhirl。Thewavestrackedherdownwiththeirwhitecrests，tumblingonwardincontinualmotion，andshe——thoughalwaysbeingcaughtuptoandoutrun——stillmanagedtoeludethembymeansoftheeddyingwatersshespurnedinherwake，uponwhichtheyventedtheirfury。Inthissimilitudeofflightthesensationparticularlyexperiencedwasofbuoyancy，thedelightofbeingcarriedalongwithouteffortortrouble，inaspringysortofway。The/Marie/mountedoverthewaveswithoutanyshaking，asifthewindhadliftedhercleanup；andhersubsequentdescentwasaslide。Shealmostslidbackward，though，attimes，themountainsloweringbeforeherasifcontinuingtorun，andthenshesuddenlyfoundherselfdroppedintooneofthemeasurelesshollowsthatevadedheralso；withoutinjuryshesoundeditshorribledepths，amidaloudsplashingofwater，whichdidnotevensprinkleherdecks，butwasblownonandonlikeeverythingelse，evaporatinginfinerandfinersprayuntilitwasthinnedawaytonothing。Inthetroughitwasdarker，andwheneachwavehadpassedthemenlookedbehindthemtoseeifthenexttoappearwerehigher；itcameuponthemwithfuriouscontortions，andcurlingcrests，overitstransparentemeraldbody，seemingtoshriek:\"Onlyletmecatchyou，andI\'llswallowyouwhole!\" Butthisnevercametopass，for，asafeather，thebillowssoftlyborethemupandthendownsogently；theyfeltitpassunderthem，withallitsboilingsurfandthunderousroar。Andsooncontinually，buttheseagettingheavierandheavier。Oneafteranotherrushedthewaves，moreandmoregigantic，likealongchainofmountains，withyawningvalleys。Andthemadnessofallthismovement，undertheever- darkeningsky，acceleratedtheheightoftheintolerableclamour。 YannandSylvestrestoodatthehelm，stillsinging，\"JeanFrancoisdeNantes\"；intoxicatedwiththequiverofspeed，theysangoutloudly，laughingattheirinabilitytohearthemselvesinthisprodigiouswrathofthewind。 \"Isay，lads，doesitsmellmustyupheretoo？\"calledoutGuermeurtothem，passinghisbeardedfaceupthroughthehalf-openhatchway，likeJack-in-the-box。 Oh，no!itcertainlydidnotsmellmustyondeck。Theywerenotatallfrightened，beingquiteconsciousofwhatmencancopewith，havingfaithinthestrengthoftheirbarkeyandtheirarms。AndtheyfurthermorereliedupontheprotectionofthatchinaVirgin，whichhadvoyagedfortyyearstoIceland，andsooftenhaddancedthedanceofthisday，smilingperpetuallybetweenherbranchesofartificialflowers。 Generallyspeaking，theycouldnotseefararoundthem；afewhundredyardsoff，allseemedentombedinthefearfullybigbillows，withtheirfrothingcrestsshuttingouttheview。Theyfeltasifinanenclosure，continuallyalteringshape；and，besides，allthingsseemeddrownedintheaqueoussmoke，whichfledbeforethemlikeacloudwiththegreatestrapidityovertheheavingsurface。Butfromtimetotimeagleamofsunlightpiercedthroughthenorth-westsky，throughwhichasquallthreatened；ashudderinglightwouldappearfromabove，aratherspun-outdimness，makingthedomeoftheheavensdenserthanbefore，andfeeblylightingupthesurge。Thisnewlightwassadtobehold；far-offglimpsesastheywere，thatgavetoostronganunderstandingthatthesamechaosandthesamefurylayonallsides，evenfar，farbehindtheseeminglyvoidhorizon；therewasnolimittoitsexpanseofstorm，andtheystoodaloneinitsmidst! Atremendoustumultaroseallabout，likethepreludeofanapocalypse，spreadingtheterroroftheultimateendoftheearth。Andamidstitthousandsofvoicescouldbeheardabove，shrieking，bellowing，calling，asfromagreatdistance。Itwasonlythewind，thegreatmotivebreathofallthisdisorder，thevoiceoftheinvisiblepowerrulingall。Thencameothervoices，nearerandlessindefinite，threateningdestruction，andmakingthewatershudderandhissasifonburningcoals；thedisturbanceincreasedinterror。 Notwithstandingtheirflight，theseabegantogainonthem，to\"burythemup，\"astheyphrasedit:firstthesprayfelldownonthemfrombehind，andmassesofwaterthrownwithsuchviolenceastobreakeverythingintheircourse。Thewaveswereeverincreasing，andthetempesttoreofftheirridgesandhurledthem，too，uponthepoop，likeademon\'sgameofsnowballing，tilldashedtoatomsonthebulwarks。Heaviermassesfellontheplankswithahammeringsound，tillthe/Marie/shiveredthroughout，asifinpain。Nothingcouldbedistinguishedovertheside，becauseofthescreenofcreamyfoam；andwhenthewindssoughedmoreloudly，thisfoamformedintowhirlingspouts，likethedustofthewayinsummertime。Atlengthaheavyrainfellcrossways，andsoonstraightupanddown，andhowalltheseelementsofdestructionyelledtogether，clashedandinterlocked，notonguecantell。 YannandSylvestrestuckstaunchlytothehelm，coveredwiththeirwaterproofs，hardandshinyassharkskin；theyhadfirmlysecuredthematthethroatbytarredstrings，andlikewiseatwristsandanklestopreventthewaterfromrunningin，andtherainonlypouredoffthem； whenitfelltooheavily，theyarchedtheirbacks，andheldallthemorestoutly，nottobethrownovertheboard。Theircheeksburned，andeveryminutetheirbreathwasbeatenoutorstopped。 Aftereachseawasshippedandrushedover，theyexchangedglances，grinningatthecrustofsaltsettledintheirbeards。 Inthelongrunthough，thisbecametiresome，anunceasingfury，whichalwayspromisedaworsevisitation。Thefuryofmenandbeastssoonfallsanddiesaway；butthefuryoflifelessthings，withoutcauseorobject，isasmysteriousaslifeanddeath，andhastobeborneforverylong。 \"JeanFrancoisdeNantes； JeanFrancois，JeanFrancois!\" Throughtheirpalelipsstillcametherefrainoftheoldsong，butasfromaspeakingautomaton，unconsciouslytakenupfromtimetotime。 Theexcessofmotionanduproarhadmadethemdumb，anddespitetheiryouththeirsmileswereinsincere，andtheirteethchatteredwithcold；theireyes，half-closedundertheirraw，throbbingeyelids，remainedglazedinterror。Lashedtothehelm，likemarblecaryatides，theyonlymovedtheirnumbedbluehands，almostwithoutthinking，bysheermuscularhabit。Withtheirhairstreamingandmouthscontracted，theyhadbecomechanged，alltheprimitivewildnessinmanappearingagain。Theycouldnotseeoneanothertruly，butstillwereawareofbeingcompanioned。Intheinstantsofgreatestdanger，eachtimethatafreshmountainofwaterrosebehindthem，cametoovertowerthem，andcrashhorriblyagainsttheirboat，oneoftheirhandswouldmoveasifinvoluntarily，toformthesignofthecross。TheynomorethoughtofGaudthanofanyotherwoman，oranymarrying。Thetravailwaslastingtoolong，andtheyhadnothoughtsleft。Theintoxicationofnoise，cold，andfatiguedrownedallintheirbrain。Theyweremerelytwopillarsofstiffenedhumanflesh，heldupbythehelm；twostrongbeasts，cowering，butdeterminedtheywouldnotbeoverwhelmed。 CHAPTERII APARDONABLERUSE InBrittany，towardstheendofSeptember，onanalreadychillyday，GaudwaswalkingaloneacrossthecommonofPloubazlanec，inthedirectionofPors-Even。 TheIcelandershadreturnedamonthback，excepttwo，whichhadperishedinthatJunegale。Butthe/Marie/hadheldherown，andYannandallhercrewwerepeacefullyathome。 GaudfeltverytroubledattheideaofgoingtoYann\'shouse。ShehadseenhimoncesincethereturnfromIceland，whentheyhadallgonetogethertoseepoorlittleSylvestreofftothenavy。Theyaccompaniedhimtothecoaching-house，heblubberingalittleandhisgrandmotherweeping，andhehadstartedtojointhefleetatBrest。 Yann，whohadcomealsotobidgood-byetohislittlefriend，hadfeignedtolookasidewhenGaudlookedathim，andasthereweremanypeopleroundthecoachtoseetheothersailorsoff，andparentsassembledtosaygood-bye，thepairhadnotachancetospeak。So，atlast，shehadformedastrongresolution，andrathertimidlywendedherwaytowardstheGaos\'shome。 HerfatherhadformerlyhadmutualinterestswithYann\'sfather(complicatedbusiness，which，withpeasantsandfishersalike，seemstobeendless)，andowedhimahundredfrancsforthesaleofaboat，whichhadjusttakenplaceinaraffle。 \"Yououghttoletmecarrythemoneytohim，father，\"shehadsaid。\"I shallbepleasedtoseeMarieGaos。IneverhavebeensofarinPloubazlanec，either，andIshallenjoythelongwalk。\" Tospeakthetruth，shewascuriouslyanxioustoknowYann\'sfamily，whichshemightsomedayenter；andshealsowantedtoseethehouseandvillage。 Inoneoftheirlastchats，beforehisdeparture，Sylvestrehadexplainedtoher，inhisownway，hisfriend\'sshyness。 \"D\'yesee，Gaud，he\'slikethis，hewon\'tmarryanybody，that\'shisidea；heonlylovesthesea，andonedayeven，infun，hesaidhehadpromisedtobeweddedtoit。\" Whereupon，sheforgavehimallhispeculiarways，andrememberedonlyhisbeautifulopensmileonthenightoftheball，andshehopedonandon。 Ifsheweretomeethiminhishome，ofcourseshewouldsaynothing； shehadnointentionofbeingsobold。Butifhesawhercloselyagain，perhapshemightspeak。 CHAPTERIII OFSINISTERPORTENT Shehadbeenwalkingforthelasthour，lightlyyetoppressed，inhalingthehealthyopenbreezewhistlinguptheroadstowheretheycrossedand/Calvaires/wereerected，ghastlyhighwayornamentsofourSaviouronHiscross，towhichBretonsaregiven。 Fromtimetotimeshepassedthroughsmallfishingvillages，whicharebeatenaboutbythewindsthewholeyearthroughtillofthecolouroftherocks。Inoneofthesehamlets，wherethepathnarrowssuddenlybetweendarkwalls，andbetweenthewhitewashedroofs，highandpointedlikeCeltichuts，atavernsign-boardmadehersmile。Itwas\"TheChineseCiderCellars。\"Onitwerepaintedtwogrotesquefigures，dressedingreenandpinkrobes，withpigtails，drinkingcider。NodoubtthewhimofsomeoldsailorwhohadbeeninChina。Shesawallonherway；peoplewhoaregreatlyengrossedintheobjectofajourneyalwaysfindmoreamusementthanothersinitsthousanddetails。 Thetinyvillagewasfarbehindhernow，andassheadvancedinthislastpromontoryoftheBretonland，thetreesaroundherbecamemorescarce，andthecountrymoremournful。 Thegroundwasundulatingandrocky，andfromalltheheightstheopenseacouldbeseen。Nomoretreesnow；nothingbuttheshornheathswiththeirgreenreeds，andhereandtheretheconsecratedcrossesrose，theiroutstretchedarmsoutlinedagainstthesky，givingthewholecountrytheaspectofacemetery。 Atoneofthecross-ways，guardedbyacolossalimageofChrist，shehesitatedbetweentworoadsrunningamongthornyslopes。 Achildhappeningtopass，cametoherrescue:\"Good-day，MademoiselleGaud!\" ItwasoneofthelittleGaoses，oneofYann\'sweesisters。Gaudkissedherandaskedherifherparentswereathome。 \"Fatherandmotherare，yes。ButbrotherYann，\"saidthelittleone，withoutintent，ofcourse，\"hasgonetoLoguivy；butIdon\'tthinkhe\'llbeverylatehomeagain。\" Sohewasnotthere？Againdestinywasbetweenthem，everywhereandalways。Shethoughtatfirstofputtingoffhervisittoanotherday。 Butthelittlelasswhohadmethermightmentionthefact。WhatwouldtheythinkatPors-Even？Soshedecidedtogoon，butloiteringsoastogiveYanntimetoreturn。 Asshenearedhisvillage，inthislostcountry，allthingsseemedrougherandmoredesolate。Seabreezesthatmademenstronger，madeshorterandmorestubblyplants。Seaweedsofallkindswerescatteredoverthepaths，leavesfromgrowthsinanotherelement，provingtheexistenceofaneighbouringworld；theirbrinyodourmingledwiththeperfumeoftheheather。 NowandagainGaudmetpassers-by，sea-folk，whocouldbeseenalongwayoff，overthebarecountry，outlinedandmagnifiedagainstthehighsea-line。Pilotsorfishers，seemingtowatchthegreatsea，inpassingherwishedhergood-day。Broadsun-burntfacesweretheirs，manlyanddeterminedundertheireasycaps。 Timedidnotgoquicklyenough，andshereallydidnotknowwhattodotolengthentheway；thesepeopleseemedsurprisedatseeingherwalksoslowly。 WhatcouldYannbedoingatLoguivy？Courtingthegirls，perhaps。 Ah!ifsheonlyhadknownhowlittlehetroubledhisheadaboutthem! HehadsimplygonetoLoguivytogiveanordertoabasket-maker，whowastheonlyoneinthecountryknowinghowtoweavelobsterpots。Hismindwasveryfreefromlovejustnow。 Shepassedachapel，atsuchaheightitcouldbeseenremotely。Itwasalittlegrayoldchapelinthemidstofthebarren。Aclumpoftrees，graytoo，andalmostleafless，seemedlikehairtoit，pushedbysomeinvisiblehandallononeside。 Itwasthatsamehandthathadwreckedthefishers\'boats，theeternalhandofthewesternwinds，andhadtwistedallthebranchesofthecoasttreesinthedirectionofthewavesandoftheoff-seabreezes。 Theoldtreeshadgrownawryanddishevelled，bendingtheirbacksunderthetime-honouredstrengthofthathand。 Gaudwasalmostattheendofherwalk，asthechapelinsightwasthatofPors-Even；soshestoppedtheretowinalittlemoretime。 Apettymoulderingwallranroundanenclosurecontainingtombstones。 Everythingwasofthesamecolour，chapel，trees，andgraves；thewholespotseemedfadedandeatenintobythesea-wind；thestones，theknottybranches，andthegranitesaints，placedinthewallniches，werecoveredbythesamegrayishlichen，splashedpaleyellow。 Ononeofthewoodencrossesthisnamewaswritteninlargeletters: \"GAOS——GAOS，JOEL，80years。\" Yes，thiswastheoldgrandfather——sheknewthat——fortheseahadnotwantedthisoldsailor。AndmanyofYann\'srelatives，besides，slepthere；itwasonlynatural，andshemighthaveexpectedit； nevertheless，thenameuponthetombhadmadeasadimpression。 Towastealittlemoretime，sheenteredtosayaprayerundertheoldcrampedporch，wornawayanddaubedoverwithwhitewash。Butshestoppedagainwithasharppainatherheart。\"Gaos\"——againthatname，engravedupononeoftheslabserectedinmemoryofthosewhodieatsea。 Shereadthisinscription: \"TotheMemoryofGAOS，JEAN-LOUIS，Aged24years；seamanonboardthe/Marguerite/。 DisappearedoffIceland，August3d，1877。 Mayherestinpeace!\" Iceland——alwaysIceland!Allovertheporchwerewoodenslabsbearingthenamesofdeadsailors。ItwastheplacereservedfortheshipwreckedofPors-Even。Filledwithadarkforebodingshewassorrytohavegonethere。 InPaimpolchurchshehadseenmanysuchinscriptions；butinthisvillagetheemptytomboftheIcelandfishersseemedmoresadbecausesoloneandhumble。Oneachsideofthedoorwaywasagraniteseatforthewidowsandmothers；andthisshadyspot，irregularlyshapedlikeagrotto，wasguardedbyanoldimageoftheVirgin，colouredred，withlargestaringeyes，lookingmostlikeCybele——thefirstgoddessoftheearth。 \"Gaos!\"Again! \"TotheMemoryofGAOS，FRANCOIS，HusbandofAnne-MarieleGoaster，Captainonboardthe/Paimpolais/，LostoffIceland，betweenthe1stand3dofMay，1877，Withthetwenty-threemenofhiscrew。 Maytheyrestinpeace!\" And，lowerdown，weretwocross-bonesunderablackskullwithgreeneyes，asimplebutghastlyemblem，remindingoneofallthebarbarismofabygoneage。 \"Gaos，Gaos!\"Thenamewaseverywhere。Assheread，thrillsofsweettendernesscameoverherforthisYannofherchoice，dampedbyafeelingofhopelessness。Nay，hewouldneverbehers!HowcouldshetearhimfromtheseawheresomanyotherGaoseshadgonedown，ancestorsandbrothers，whomusthavelovedthesealikehe!Sheenteredthechapel。Itwasalmostdark，badlylitbylowwindowswithheavyframes。Andthere，herheartfulloftearsthatwouldbetterhavefallen，sheknelttopraybeforethecolossalsaints，surroundedbycommonflowers，touchingthevaultedroofwiththeirmassiveheads。 Outside，therisingwindbegantosobasifitbroughtthedeath-gaspsofthedrownedmenbacktotheirFatherland。 Nightdrewnear；sheroseandwentonherway。Afterhavingaskedinthevillage，shefoundthehomeoftheGaosfamily，whichwasbuiltupagainstahighcliff。Adozengranitestepsleduptoit。TremblingalittleatthethoughtthatYannmighthavereturned，shecrossedthesmallgardenwherechrysanthemumsandveronicasgrew。