AhChodidnotunderstandFrench。Hesatinthecrowdedcourtroom，verywearyandbored，listeningtotheunceasing，explosiveFrenchthatnowoneofficialandnowanotheruttered。ItwasjustsomuchgabbletoAhCho，andhemarvelledatthestupidityoftheFrenchmenwhotooksolongtofindoutthemurdererofChungGa，andwhodidnotfindhimatall。ThefivehundredcooliesontheplantationknewthatAhSanhaddonethekilling，andherewasAhSannotevenarrested。Itwastruethatallthecoolieshadagreedsecretlynottotestifyagainstoneanother；butthen，itwassosimple，theFrenchmenshouldhavebeenabletodiscoverthatAhSanwastheman。Theywereverystupid，theseFrenchmen。
AhChohaddonenothingofwhichtobeafraid。Hehadhadnohandinthekilling。Itwastruehehadbeenpresentatit，andSchemmer，theoverseerontheplantation，hadrushedintothebarracksimmediatelyafterwardandcaughthimthere，alongwithfourorfiveothers；butwhatofthat？ChungGahadbeenstabbedonlytwice。Itstoodtoreasonthatfiveorsixmencouldnotinflicttwostabwounds。Atthemost，ifamanhadstruckbutonce，onlytwomencouldhavedoneit。
SoitwasthatAhChoreasoned，whenhe，alongwithhisfourcompanions，hadliedandblockedandobfuscatedintheirstatementstothecourtconcerningwhathadtakenplace。Theyhadheardthesoundsofthekilling，and，likeSchemmer，theyhadruntothespot。TheyhadgottherebeforeSchemmer——thatwasall。True，Schemmerhadtestifiedthat，attractedbythesoundofquarrellingashechancedtopassby，hehadstoodforatleastfiveminutesoutside；thatthen，whenheentered，hefoundtheprisonersalreadyinside；andthattheyhadnotenteredjustbefore，becausehehadbeenstandingbytheonedoortothebarracks。Butwhatofthat？AhChoandhisfourfellow-prisonershadtestifiedthatSchemmerwasmistaken。Intheendtheywouldbeletgo。Theywereallconfidentofthat。Fivemencouldnothavetheirheadscutofffortwostabwounds。
Besides，noforeigndevilhadseenthekilling。ButtheseFrenchmenweresostupid。InChina，asAhChowellknew，themagistratewouldorderallofthemtothetortureandlearnthetruth。Thetruthwasveryeasytolearnundertorture。ButtheseFrenchmendidnottorture——biggerfoolsthey!ThereforetheywouldneverfindoutwhokilledChungGa。
ButAhChodidnotunderstandeverything。TheEnglishCompanythatownedtheplantationhadimportedintoTahiti，atgreatexpense，thefivehundredcoolies。Thestockholderswereclamouringfordividends，andtheCompanyhadnotyetpaidany；whereforetheCompanydidnotwantitscostlycontractlabourerstostartthepracticeofkillingoneanother。Also，thereweretheFrench，eagerandwillingtoimposeupontheChinagosthevirtuesandexcellencesofFrenchlaw。Therewasnothinglikesettinganexampleonceinawhile；and，besides，ofwhatusewasNewCaledoniaexcepttosendmentoliveouttheirdaysinmiseryandpaininpaymentofthepenaltyforbeingfrailandhuman？
AhChodidnotunderstandallthis。Hesatinthecourtroomandwaitedforthebaffledjudgmentthatwouldsethimandhiscomradesfreetogobacktotheplantationandworkoutthetermsoftheircontracts。Thisjudgmentwouldsoonberendered。Proceedingsweredrawingtoaclose。Hecouldseethat。Therewasnomoretestifying，nomoregabbleoftongues。
TheFrenchdevilsweretired，too，andevidentlywaitingforthejudgment。
AndashewaitedherememberedbackinhislifetothetimewhenhehadsignedthecontractandsetsailintheshipforTahiti。Timeshadbeenhardinhissea-coastvillage，andwhenheindenturedhimselftolabourforfiveyearsintheSouthSeasatfiftycentsMexicanaday，hehadthoughthimselffortunate。ThereweremeninhisvillagewhotoiledawholeyearfortendollarsMexican，andtherewerewomenwhomadenetsalltheyearroundforfivedollars，whileinthehousesofshopkeepersthereweremaidservantswhoreceivedfourdollarsforayearofservice。Andherehewastoreceivefiftycentsaday；foroneday，onlyoneday，hewastoreceivethatprincelysum!Whatiftheworkwerehard？Attheendofthefiveyearshewouldreturnhome——thatwasinthecontract——andhewouldneverhavetoworkagain。Hewouldbearichmanforlife，withahouseofhisown，awife，andchildrengrowinguptoveneratehim。Yes，andbackofthehousehewouldhaveasmallgarden，aplaceofmeditationandrepose，withgoldfishinatinylakelet，andwindbellstinklingintheseveraltrees，andtherewouldbeahighwallallaroundsothathismeditationandreposeshouldbeundisturbed。
Well，hehadworkedoutthreeofthosefiveyears。Hewasalreadyawealthyman(inhisowncountry)throughhisearnings，andonlytwoyearsmoreintervenedbetweenthecottonplantationonTahitiandthemeditationandreposethatawaitedhim。ButjustnowhewaslosingmoneybecauseoftheunfortunateaccidentofbeingpresentatthekillingofChungGa。Hehadlainthreeweeksinprison，andforeachdayofthosethreeweekshehadlostfiftycents。Butnowjudgmentwouldsoonbegiven，andhewouldgobacktowork。
AhChowastwenty-twoyearsold。Hewashappyandgood-natured，anditwaseasyforhimtosmile。WhilehisbodywasslimintheAsiaticway，hisfacewasrotund。Itwasround，likethemoon，anditirradiatedagentlecomplacenceandasweetkindlinessofspiritthatwasunusualamonghiscountrymen。Nordidhislooksbeliehim。Henevercausedtrouble，nevertookpartinwrangling。Hedidnotgamble。Hissoulwasnotharshenoughforthesoulthatmustbelongtoagambler。Hewascontentwithlittlethingsandsimplepleasures。Thehushandquietinthecoolofthedayaftertheblazingtoilinthecottonfieldwastohimaninfinitesatisfaction。Hecouldsitforhoursgazingatasolitaryflowerandphilosophizingaboutthemysteriesandriddlesofbeing。Ablueherononatinycrescentofsandybeach，asilverysplatterofflyingfish，orasunsetofpearlandroseacrossthelagoon，couldentrancehimtoallforgetfulnessoftheprocessionofwearisomedaysandoftheheavylashofSchemmer。
Schemmer，KarlSchemmer，wasabrute，abrutishbrute。Butheearnedhissalary。Hegotthelastparticleofstrengthoutofthefivehundredslaves；forslavestheywereuntiltheirtermofyearswasup。Schemmerworkedhardtoextractthestrengthfromthosefivehundredsweatingbodiesandtotransmuteitintobalesoffluffycottonreadyforexport。Hisdominant，iron-clad，primevalbrutishnesswaswhatenabledhimtoeffectthetransmutation。Also，hewasassistedbyathickleatherbelt，threeincheswideandayardinlength，withwhichhealwaysrodeandwhich，onoccasion，couldcomedownonthenakedbackofastoopingcooliewithareportlikeapistol-shot。ThesereportswerefrequentwhenSchemmerrodedownthefurrowedfield。
Once，atthebeginningofthefirstyearofcontractlabour，hehadkilledacooliewithasingleblowofhisfist。Hehadnotexactlycrushedtheman\'sheadlikeanegg-shell，buttheblowhadbeensufficienttoaddlewhatwasinside，and，afterbeingsickforaweek，themanhaddied。ButtheChinesehadnotcomplainedtotheFrenchdevilsthatruledoverTahiti。
Itwastheirownlookout。Schemmerwastheirproblem。Theymustavoidhiswrathastheyavoidedthevenomofthecentipedesthatlurkedinthegrassorcreptintothesleepingquartersonrainynights。TheChinagos——
suchtheywerecalledbytheindolent，brown-skinnedislandfolk——sawtoitthattheydidnotdispleaseSchemmertoogreatly。Thiswasequivalenttorenderinguptohimafullmeasureofefficienttoil。ThatblowofSchemmer\'sfisthadbeenworththousandsofdollarstotheCompany，andnotroubleevercameofittoSchemmer。
TheFrench，withnoinstinctforcolonization，futileintheirchildishplaygameofdevelopingtheresourcesoftheisland，wereonlytoogladtoseetheEnglishCompanysucceed。WhatmatterofSchemmerandhisredoubtablefist？TheChinagothatdied？Well，hewasonlyaChinago。
Besides，hediedofsunstroke，asthedoctor\'scertificateattested。True，inallthehistoryofTahitinoonehadeverdiedofsunstroke。Butitwasthat，preciselythat，whichmadethedeathofthisChinagounique。Thedoctorsaidasmuchinhisreport。Hewasverycandid。Dividendsmustbepaid，orelseonemorefailurewouldbeaddedtothelonghistoryoffailureinTahiti。
Therewasnounderstandingthesewhitedevils。AhChoponderedtheirinscrutablenessashesatinthecourtroomwaitingthejudgment。Therewasnotellingwhatwentonatthebackoftheirminds。Hehadseenafewofthewhitedevils。Theywereallalike——theofficersandsailorsontheship，theFrenchofficials，theseveralwhitemenontheplantation，includingSchemmer。Theirmindsallmovedinmysteriouswaystherewasnogettingat。Theygrewangrywithoutapparentcause，andtheirangerwasalwaysdangerous。Theywerelikewildbeastsatsuchtimes。Theyworriedaboutlittlethings，andonoccasioncouldout-toilevenaChinago。TheywerenottemperateasChinagosweretemperate；theyweregluttons，eatingprodigiouslyanddrinkingmoreprodigiously。AChinagoneverknewwhenanactwouldpleasethemorarouseastormofwrath。AChinagocouldnevertell。Whatpleasedonetime，theverynexttimemightprovokeanoutburstofanger。TherewasacurtainbehindtheeyesofthewhitedevilsthatscreenedthebacksoftheirmindsfromtheChinago\'sgaze。Andthen，ontopofitall，wasthatterribleefficiencyofthewhitedevils，thatabilitytodothings，tomakethingsgo，toworkresults，tobendtotheirwillsallcreeping，crawlingthings，andthepowersoftheveryelementsthemselves。Yes，thewhitemenwerestrangeandwonderful，andtheyweredevils。LookatSchemmer。
AhChowonderedwhythejudgmentwassolonginforming。NotamanontrialhadlaidhandonChungGa。AhSanalonehadkilledhim。AhSanhaddoneit，bendingChungGa\'sheadbackwithonehandbyagripofhisqueue，andwiththeotherhand，frombehind，reachingoveranddrivingtheknifeintohisbody。Twicehadhedrivenitin。Thereinthecourtroom，withclosedeyes，AhChosawthekillingactedoveragain——thesquabble，thevilewordsbandiedbackandforth，thefilthandinsultflunguponvenerableancestors，thecurseslaiduponunbegottengenerations，theleapofAhSan，thegriponthequeueofChungGa，theknifethatsanktwiceintohisflesh，theburstingopenofthedoor，theirruptionofSchemmer，thedashforthedoor，theescapeofAhSan，theflyingbeltofSchemmerthatdrovetherestintothecorner，andthefiringoftherevolverasasignalthatbroughthelptoSchemmer。AhChoshiveredasheliveditover。
Oneblowofthebelthadbruisedhischeek，takingoffsomeoftheskin。
Schemmerhadpointedtothebruiseswhen，onthewitness-stand，hehadidentifiedAhCho。Itwasonlyjustnowthatthemarkshadbecomenolongervisible。Thathadbeenablow。Halfaninchnearerthecentreanditwouldhavetakenouthiseye。ThenAhChoforgotthewholehappeninginavisionhecaughtofthegardenofmeditationandreposethatwouldbehiswhenhereturnedtohisownland。
Hesatwithimpassiveface，whilethemagistraterenderedthejudgment。
Likewisewerethefacesofhisfourcompanionsimpassive。AndtheyremainedimpassivewhentheinterpreterexplainedthatthefiveofthemhadbeenfoundguiltyofthemurderofChungGa，andthatAhChowshouldhavehisheadcutoff，AhChoservetwentyyearsinprisoninNewCaledonia，WongLitwelveyears，andAhTongtenyears。Therewasnouseingettingexcitedaboutit。EvenAhChowremainedexpressionlessasamummy，thoughitwashisheadthatwastobecutoff。Themagistrateaddedafewwords，andtheinterpreterexplainedthatAhChow\'sfacehavingbeenmostseverelybruisedbySchemmer\'sstraphadmadehisidentificationsopositivethat，sinceonemanmustdie，hemightaswellbethatman。Also，thefactthatAhCho\'sfacelikewisehadbeenseverelybruised，conclusivelyprovinghispresenceatthemurderandhisundoubtedparticipation，hadmeritedhimthetwentyyearsofpenalservitude。AnddowntothetenyearsofAhTong，theproportionedreasonforeachsentencewasexplained。LettheChinagostakethelessontoheart，theCourtsaidfinally，fortheymustlearnthatthelawwouldbefulfilledinTahitithoughtheheavensfell。
ThefiveChinagosweretakenbacktojail。Theywerenotshockednorgrieved。Thesentencesbeingunexpectedwasquitewhattheywereaccustomedtointheirdealingswiththewhitedevils。FromthemaChinagorarelyexpectedmorethantheunexpected。Theheavypunishmentforacrimetheyhadnotcommittedwasnostrangerthanthecountlessstrangethingsthatwhitedevilsdid。Intheweeksthatfollowed，AhChooftencontemplatedAhChowwithmildcuriosity。
Hisheadwastobecutoffbytheguillotinethatwasbeingerectedontheplantation。Forhimtherewouldbenodecliningyears，nogardensoftranquillity。AhChophilosophizedandspeculatedaboutlifeanddeath。Asforhimself，hewasnotperturbed。Twentyyearsweremerelytwentyyears。Bythatmuchwashisgardenremovedfromhim——thatwasall。Hewasyoung，andthepatienceofAsiawasinhisbones。Hecouldwaitthosetwentyyears，andbythattimetheheatsofhisbloodwouldbeassuagedandhewouldbebetterfittedforthatgardenofcalmdelight。Hethoughtofanameforit；hewouldcallitTheGardenoftheMorningCalm。Hewasmadehappyalldaybythethought，andhewasinspiredtodeviseamoralmaximonthevirtueofpatience，whichmaximprovedagreatcomfort，especiallytoWongLiandAhTong。AhChow，however，didnotcareforthemaxim。Hisheadwastobeseparatedfromhisbodyinsoshortatimethathehadnoneedforpatiencetowaitforthatevent。Hesmokedwell，atewell，sleptwell，anddidnotworryabouttheslowpassageoftime。
Cruchotwasagendarme。Hehadseentwentyyearsofserviceinthecolonies，fromNigeriaandSenegaltotheSouthSeas，andthosetwentyyearshadnotperceptiblybrightenedhisdullmind。Hewasasslow-wittedandstupidasinhispeasantdaysinthesouthofFrance。Heknewdisciplineandfearofauthority，andfromGoddowntothesergeantofgendarmestheonlydifferencetohimwasthemeasureofslavishobediencewhichherendered。Inpointoffact，thesergeantbulkedbiggerinhismindthanGod，exceptonSundayswhenGod\'smouthpieceshadtheirsay。Godwasusuallyveryremote，whilethesergeantwasordinarilyverycloseathand。
CruchotitwaswhoreceivedtheorderfromtheChiefJusticetothejailercommandingthatfunctionarytodeliverovertoCruchotthepersonofAhChow。Now，ithappenedthattheChiefJusticehadgivenadinnerthenightbeforetothecaptainandofficersoftheFrenchman-of-war。Hishandwasshakingwhenhewroteouttheorder，andhiseyeswereachingsodreadfullythathedidnotreadovertheorder。ItwasonlyaChinago\'slifehewassigningaway，anyway。SohedidnotnoticethathehadomittedthefinalletterinAhChow\'sname。Theorderread\"AhCho，\"and，whenCruchotpresentedtheorder，thejailerturnedovertohimthepersonofAhCho。
Cruchottookthatpersonbesidehimontheseatofawagon，behindtwomules，anddroveaway。
AhChowasgladtobeoutinthesunshine。Hesatbesidethegendarmeandbeamed。HebeamedmoreardentlythaneverwhenhenotedthemulesheadedsouthtowardAtimaono。UndoubtedlySchemmerhadsentforhimtobebroughtback。Schemmerwantedhimtowork。Verywell，hewouldworkwell。
Schemmerwouldneverhavecausetocomplain。Itwasahotday。Therehadbeenastoppageofthetrades。Themulessweated，Cruchotsweated，andAhChosweated。ButitwasAhChothatboretheheatwiththeleastconcern。
Hehadtoiledthreeyearsunderthatsunontheplantation。HebeamedandbeamedwithsuchgenialgoodnaturethatevenCruchot\'sheavymindwasstirredtowonderment。
\"Youareveryfunny，\"hesaidatlast。
AhChonoddedandbeamedmoreardently。Unlikethemagistrate，CruchotspoketohimintheKanakatongue，andthis，likeallChinagosandallforeigndevils，AhChounderstood。
\"Youlaughtoomuch，\"Cruchotchided。\"One\'sheartshouldbefulloftearsonadaylikethis。\"
\"Iamgladtogetoutofthejail。\"
\"Isthatall？\"Thegendarmeshruggedhisshoulders。
\"Isitnotenough？\"wastheretort。
\"Thenyouarenotgladtohaveyourheadcutoff？\"
AhCholookedathiminabruptperplexity，andsaid——
\"Why，IamgoingbacktoAtimaonotoworkontheplantationforSchemmer。
AreyounottakingmetoAtimaono？\"
Cruchotstrokedhislongmoustachesreflectively。\"Well，well，\"hesaidfinally，withaflickofthewhipattheoffmule，\"soyoudon\'tknow？\"
\"Knowwhat？\"AhChowasbeginningtofeelavaguealarm。\"Won\'tSchemmerletmeworkforhimanymore？\"
\"Notafterto-day。\"Cruchotlaughedheartily。Itwasagoodjoke。\"Yousee，youwon\'tbeabletoworkafterto-day。Amanwithhisheadoffcan\'twork，eh？\"HepokedtheChinagointheribs，andchuckled。
AhChomaintainedsilencewhilethemulestrottedahotmile。Thenhespoke:\"IsSchemmergoingtocutoffmyhead？\"
Cruchotgrinnedashenodded。
\"Itisamistake，\"saidAhCho，gravely。\"IamnottheChinagothatistohavehisheadcutoff。IamAhCho。ThehonourablejudgehasdeterminedthatIamtostoptwentyyearsinNewCaledonia。\"
Thegendarmelaughed。Itwasagoodjoke，thisfunnyChinagotryingtocheattheguillotine。ThemulestrottedthroughacoconutgroveandforhalfamilebesidethesparklingseabeforeAhChospokeagain。
\"ItellyouIamnotAhChow。Thehonourablejudgedidnotsaythatmyheadwastogooff。\"
\"Don\'tbeafraid，\"saidCruchot，withthephilanthropicintentionofmakingiteasierforhisprisoner。\"Itisnotdifficulttodiethatway。\"Hesnappedhisfingers。\"Itisquick——likethat。Itisnotlikehangingontheendofaropeandkickingandmakingfacesforfiveminutes。Itislikekillingachickenwithahatchet。Youcutitsheadoff，thatisall。
Anditisthesamewithaman。Pouf!——itisover。Itdoesn\'thurt。Youdon\'teventhinkithurts。Youdon\'tthink。Yourheadisgone，soyoucannotthink。Itisverygood。ThatisthewayIwanttodie——quick，ah，quick。Youareluckytodiethatway。Youmightgettheleprosyandfalltopiecesslowly，afingeratatime，andnowandagainathumb，alsothetoes。Iknewamanwhowasburnedbyhotwater。Ittookhimtwodaystodie。Youcouldhearhimyellingakilometreaway。Butyou？Ah!soeasy!
Chck!——theknifecutsyournecklikethat。Itisfinished。Theknifemayeventickle。Whocansay？Nobodywhodiedthatwayevercamebacktosay。\"
Heconsideredthislastanexcruciatingjoke，andpermittedhimselftobeconvulsedwithlaughterforhalfaminute。Partofhismirthwasassumed，butheconsideredithishumanedutytocheeruptheChinago。
\"ButItellyouIamAhCho，\"theotherpersisted。\"Idon\'twantmyheadcutoff。\"
Cruchotscowled。TheChinagowascarryingthefoolishnesstoofar。
\"IamnotAhChow——\"AhChobegan。
\"Thatwilldo，\"thegendarmeinterrupted。Hepuffeduphischeeksandstrovetoappearfierce。
\"ItellyouIamnot——\"AhChobeganagain。
\"Shutup!\"bawledCruchot。
Afterthattheyrodealonginsilence。ItwastwentymilesfromPapeetetoAtimaono，andoverhalfthedistancewascoveredbythetimetheChinagoagainventuredintospeech。
\"Isawyouinthecourtroom，whenthehonourablejudgesoughtafterourguilt，\"hebegan。\"Verygood。AnddoyourememberthatAhChow，whoseheadistobecutoff——doyourememberthathe——AhChow——wasatallman？
Lookatme。\"
Hestoodupsuddenly，andCruchotsawthathewasashortman。AndjustassuddenlyCruchotcaughtaglimpseofamemorypictureofAhChow，andinthatpictureAhChowwastall。TothegendarmeallChinagoslookedalike。
Onefacewaslikeanother。Butbetweentallnessandshortnesshecoulddifferentiate，andheknewthathehadthewrongmanbesidehimontheseat。Hepulledupthemulesabruptly，sothatthepoleshotaheadofthem，elevatingtheircollars。
\"Yousee，itwasamistake，\"saidAhCho，smilingpleasantly。
ButCruchotwasthinking。Alreadyheregrettedthathehadstoppedthewagon。HewasunawareoftheerroroftheChiefJustice，andhehadnowayofworkingitout；buthedidknowthathehadbeengiventhisChinagototaketoAtimaonoandthatitwashisdutytotakehimtoAtimaono。Whatifhewasthewrongmanandtheycuthisheadoff？ItwasonlyaChinagowhenallwassaid，andwhatwasaChinago，anyway？Besides，itmightnotbeamistake。Hedidnotknowwhatwentoninthemindsofhissuperiors。Theyknewtheirbusinessbest。Whowashetodotheirthinkingforthem？Once，inthelongago，hehadattemptedtothinkforthem，andthesergeanthadsaid:\"Cruchot，youareafool？Thequickeryouknowthat，thebetteryouwillgeton。Youarenottothink；youaretoobeyandleavethinkingtoyourbetters。\"Hesmartedundertherecollection。Also，ifheturnedbacktoPapeete，hewoulddelaytheexecutionatAtimaono，andifhewerewronginturningback，hewouldgetareprimandfromthesergeantwhowaswaitingfortheprisoner。And，furthermore，hewouldgetareprimandatPapeeteaswell。
Hetouchedthemuleswiththewhipanddroveon。Helookedathiswatch。
Hewouldbehalfanhourlateasitwas，andthesergeantwasboundtobeangry。Heputthemulesintoafastertrot。ThemoreAhChopersistedinexplainingthemistake，themorestubbornCruchotbecame。Theknowledgethathehadthewrongmandidnotmakehistemperbetter。Theknowledgethatitwasthroughnomistakeofhisconfirmedhiminthebeliefthatthewronghewasdoingwastheright。And，ratherthanincurthedispleasureofthesergeant，hewouldwillinglyhaveassistedadozenwrongChinagostotheirdoom。
AsforAhCho，afterthegendarmehadstruckhimovertheheadwiththebuttofthewhipandcommandedhiminaloudvoicetoshutup，thereremainednothingforhimtodobuttoshutup。Thelongridecontinuedinsilence。AhChoponderedthestrangewaysoftheforeigndevils。Therewasnoexplainingthem。Whattheyweredoingwithhimwasofapiecewitheverythingtheydid。Firsttheyfoundguiltyfiveinnocentmen，andnexttheycutofftheheadofthemanthateventhey，intheirbenightedignorance，haddeemedmeritoriousofnomorethantwentyyears\'
imprisonment。Andtherewasnothinghecoulddo。Hecouldonlysitidlyandtakewhattheselordsoflifemeasuredouttohim。Once，hegotinapanic，andthesweatuponhisbodyturnedcold；buthefoughthiswayoutofit。Heendeavouredtoresignhimselftohisfatebyrememberingandrepeatingcertainpassagesfromthe\"YinChihWen\"(\"TheTractoftheQuietWay\")；but，instead，hekeptseeinghisdream-gardenofmeditationandrepose。Thisbotheredhim，untilheabandonedhimselftothedreamandsatinhisgardenlisteningtothetinklingofthewindbellsintheseveraltrees。Andlo!sittingthus，inthedream，hewasabletorememberandrepeatthepassagesfrom\"TheTractoftheQuietWay。\"
SothetimepassednicelyuntilAtimaonowasreachedandthemulestrotteduptothefootofthescaffold，intheshadeofwhichstoodtheimpatientsergeant。AhChowashurrieduptheladderofthescaffold。Beneathhimononesidehesawassembledallthecooliesoftheplantation。Schemmerhaddecidedthattheeventwouldbeagoodobject-lesson，andsohecalledinthecooliesfromthefieldsandcompelledthemtobepresent。AstheycaughtsightofAhChotheygabbledamongthemselvesinlowvoices。Theysawthemistake；buttheykeptittothemselves。Theinexplicablewhitedevilshaddoubtlesslychangedtheirminds。Insteadoftakingthelifeofoneinnocentman，theyweretakingthelifeofanotherinnocentman。AhChoworAhCho——whatdiditmatterwhich？Theycouldneverunderstandthewhitedogsanymorethancouldthewhitedogsunderstandthem。AhChowasgoingtohavehisheadcutoff，butthey，whentheirtworemainingyearsofservitudewereup，weregoingbacktoChina。
Schemmerhadmadetheguillotinehimself。Hewasahandyman，andthoughhehadneverseenaguillotine，theFrenchofficialshadexplainedtheprincipletohim。ItwasonhissuggestionthattheyhadorderedtheexecutiontotakeplaceatAtimaonoinsteadofatPapeete。Thesceneofthecrime，Schemmerhadargued，wasthebestpossibleplaceforthepunishment，and，inaddition，itwouldhaveasalutaryinfluenceuponthehalf-thousandChinagosontheplantation。Schemmerhadalsovolunteeredtoactasexecutioner，andinthatcapacityhewasnowonthescaffold，experimentingwiththeinstrumenthehadmade。Abananatree，ofthesizeandconsistencyofaman\'sneck，layundertheguillotine。AhChowatchedwithfascinatedeyes。TheGerman，turningasmallcrank，hoistedthebladetothetopofthelittlederrickhehadrigged。Ajerkonastoutpieceofcordloosedthebladeanditdroppedwithaflash，neatlyseveringthebananatrunk。
\"Howdoesitwork？\"Thesergeant，comingoutontopthescaffold，hadaskedthequestion。
\"Beautifully，\"wasSchemmer\'sexultantanswer。\"Letmeshowyou。\"
Againheturnedthecrankthathoistedtheblade，jerkedthecord，andsentthebladecrashingdownonthesofttree。Butthistimeitwentnomorethantwo-thirdsofthewaythrough。
Thesergeantscowled。\"Thatwillnotserve，\"hesaid。
Schemmerwipedthesweatfromhisforehead。\"Whatitneedsismoreweight，\"heannounced。Walkinguptotheedgeofthescaffold，hecalledhisorderstotheblacksmithforatwenty-five-poundpieceofiron。Ashestoopedovertoattachtheirontothebroadtopoftheblade，AhChoglancedatthesergeantandsawhisopportunity。
\"ThehonourablejudgesaidthatAhChowwastohavehisheadcutoff，\"hebegan。
Thesergeantnoddedimpatiently。Hewasthinkingofthefifteen-mileridebeforehimthatafternoon，tothewindwardsideoftheisland，andofBerthe，theprettyhalf-castedaughterofLafiere，thepearl-trader，whowaswaitingforhimattheendofit。
\"Well，IamnotAhChow。IamAhCho。Thehonourablejailerhasmadeamistake。AhChowisatallman，andyouseeIamshort。\"
Thesergeantlookedathimhastilyandsawthemistake。\"Schemmer!\"hecalled，imperatively。\"Comehere。\"
TheGermangrunted，butremainedbentoverhistasktillthechunkofironwaslashedtohissatisfaction。\"IsyourChinagoready？\"hedemanded。
\"Lookathim，\"wastheanswer。\"IshetheChinago？\"
Schemmerwassurprised。Hesworeterselyforafewseconds，andlookedregretfullyacrossatthethinghehadmadewithhisownhandsandwhichhewaseagertoseework。\"Lookhere，\"hesaidfinally，\"wecan\'tpostponethisaffair。I\'velostthreehours\'workalreadyoutofthosefivehundredChinagos。Ican\'taffordtoloseitalloveragainfortherightman。
Let\'sputtheperformancethroughjustthesame。ItisonlyaChinago。\"
Thesergeantrememberedthelongridebeforehim，andthepearl-trader\'sdaughter，anddebatedwithhimself。
\"TheywillblameitonCruchot——ifitisdiscovered，\"theGermanurged。
\"Butthere\'slittlechanceofitsbeingdiscovered。AhChowwon\'tgiveitaway，atanyrate。\"
\"Theblamewon\'tliewithCruchot，anyway，\"thesergeantsaid。\"Itmusthavebeenthejailer\'smistake。\"
\"Thenlet\'sgoonwithit。Theycan\'tblameus。WhocantelloneChinagofromanother？WecansaythatwemerelycarriedoutinstructionswiththeChinagothatwasturnedovertous。Besides，Ireallycan\'ttakeallthosecooliesasecondtimeawayfromtheirlabour。\"
TheyspokeinFrench，andAhCho，whodidnotunderstandawordofit，neverthelessknewthattheyweredetermininghisdestiny。Heknew，also，thatthedecisionrestedwiththesergeant，andhehunguponthatofficial\'slips。
\"Allright，\"announcedthesergeant。\"Goaheadwithit。HeisonlyaChinago。\"
\"I\'mgoingtotryitoncemore，justtomakesure。\"Schemmermovedthebananatrunkforwardundertheknife，whichhehadhoistedtothetopofthederrick。
AhChotriedtoremembermaximsfrom\"TheTractoftheQuietWay。\"\"Liveinconcord，\"cametohim；butitwasnotapplicable。Hewasnotgoingtolive。Hewasabouttodie。No，thatwouldnotdo。\"Forgivemalice\"——yes，buttherewasnomalicetoforgive。Schemmerandtherestweredoingthisthingwithoutmalice。Itwastothemmerelyapieceofworkthathadtobedone，justasclearingthejungle，ditchingthewater，andplantingcottonwerepiecesofworkthathadtobedone。Schemmerjerkedthecord，andAhChoforgot\"TheTractoftheQuietWay。\"Theknifeshotdownwithathud，makingacleansliceofthetree。
\"Beautiful!\"exclaimedthesergeant，pausingintheactoflightingacigarette。\"Beautiful，myfriend。\"
Schemmerwaspleasedatthepraise。
\"Comeon，AhChow，\"hesaid，intheTahitiantongue。
\"ButIamnotAhChow——\"AhChobegan。
\"Shutup!\"wastheanswer。\"Ifyouopenyourmouthagain，I\'llbreakyourhead。\"
Theoverseerthreatenedhimwithaclenchedfist，andheremainedsilent。
Whatwasthegoodofprotesting？Thoseforeigndevilsalwayshadtheirway。Heallowedhimselftobelashedtotheverticalboardthatwasthesizeofhisbody。Schemmerdrewthebucklestight——sotightthatthestrapscutintohisfleshandhurt。Buthedidnotcomplain。Thehurtwouldnotlastlong。Hefelttheboardtiltingoverintheairtowardthehorizontal，andclosedhiseyes。Andinthatmomenthecaughtalastglimpseofhisgardenofmeditationandrepose。Itseemedtohimthathesatinthegarden。Acoolwindwasblowing，andthebellsintheseveraltreesweretinklingsoftly。Also，birdsweremakingsleepynoises，andfrombeyondthehighwallcamethesubduedsoundofvillagelife。
Thenhewasawarethattheboardhadcometorest，andfrommuscularpressuresandtensionsheknewthathewaslyingonhisback。Heopenedhiseyes。Straightabovehimhesawthesuspendedknifeblazinginthesunshine。Hesawtheweightwhichhadbeenadded，andnotedthatoneofSchemmer\'sknotshadslipped。Thenheheardthesergeant\'svoiceinsharpcommand。AhChoclosedhiseyeshastily。Hedidnotwanttoseethatknifedescend。Buthefeltit——foronegreatfleetinginstant。AndinthatinstantherememberedCruchotandwhatCruchothadsaid。ButCruchotwaswrong。Theknifedidnottickle。Thatmuchheknewbeforeheceasedtoknow。
MAKEWESTING
Whateveryoudo，makewesting!makewesting!——
SailingdirectionsforCapeHorn。
ForsevenweekstheMaryRogershadbeenbetween5OdegreessouthintheAtlanticand5OdegreessouthinthePacific，whichmeantthatforsevenweeksshehadbeenstrugglingtoroundCapeHorn。Forsevenweeksshehadbeeneitherindirt，orclosetodirt，saveonce，andthen，followinguponsixdaysofexcessivedirt，whichshehadriddenoutundertheshelteroftheredoubtableTerradelFuegocoast，shehadalmostgoneashoreduringaheavyswellinthedeadcalmthathadsuddenlyfallen。ForsevenweeksshehadwrestledwiththeCapeHorngraybeards，andinreturnbeenbuffetedandsmashedbythem。Shewasawoodenship，andherceaselessstraininghadopenedherseams，sothattwiceadaythewatchtookitsturnatthepumps。
TheMaryRogerswasstrained，thecrewwasstrained，andbigDanCullen，master，waslikewisestrained。Perhapshewasstrainedmostofall，foruponhimrestedtheresponsibilityofthattitanicstruggle。Hesleptmostofthetimeinhisclothes，thoughherarelyslept。Hehauntedthedeckatnight，agreat，burly，robustghost，blackwiththesunburnofthirtyyearsofseaandhairyasanorang-outang。He，inturn，washauntedbyonethoughtofaction，asailingdirectionfortheHorn:Whateveryoudo，makewesting!makewesting!Itwasanobsession。Hethoughtofnothingelse，except，attimes，toblasphemeGodforsendingsuchbitterweather。
Makewesting!HehuggedtheHorn，andadozentimeslayhovetowiththeironCapebearingeast-by-north，ornorth-north-east，ascoreofmilesaway。Andeachtimetheeternalwestwindsmotehimbackandhemadeeasting。Hefoughtgaleaftergale，southto64degrees，insidetheantarcticdrift-ice，andpledgedhisimmortalsoultothePowersofDarknessforabitofwesting，foraslanttotakehimaround。Andhemadeeasting。Indespair，hehadtriedtomakethepassagethroughtheStraitsofLeMaire。Halfwaythrough，thewindhauledtothenorth\'ardofnorth-
west，theglassdroppedto28。88，andheturnedandranbeforeagaleofcyclonicfury，missing，byahair\'s-breadth，pilinguptheMaryRogersontheblack-toothedrocks。TwicehehadmadewesttotheDiegoRamirezRocks，oneofthetimessavedbetweentwosnow-squallsbysightingthegravestonesofshipsaquarterofamiledeadahead。
Blow!CaptainDanCulleninstancedallhisthirtyyearsatseatoprovethatneverhaditblownsobefore。TheMaryRogerswashovetoatthetimehegavetheevidence，and，toclinchit，insidehalfanhourtheMaryRogerswashovedowntothehatches。Hernewmaintopsailandbrandnewspencerwereblownawayliketissuepaper；andfivesails，furledandfastunderdoublegaskets，wereblownlooseandstrippedfromtheyards。AndbeforemorningtheMaryRogerswashovedowntwiceagain，andholeswereknockedinherbulwarkstoeaseherdecksfromtheweightofoceanthatpressedherdown。
OnanaverageofonceaweekCaptainDanCullencaughtglimpsesofthesun。
Once，fortenminutes，thesunshoneatmidday，andtenminutesafterwardanewgalewaspipingup，bothwatcheswereshorteningsail，andallwasburiedintheobscurityofadrivingsnow-squall。Forafortnight，once，CaptainDanCullenwaswithoutameridianorachronometersight。Rarelydidheknowhispositionwithinhalfofadegree，exceptwheninsightofland；forsunandstarsremainedhiddenbehindthesky，anditwassogloomythatevenatthebestthehorizonswerepoorforaccurateobservations。Agraygloomshroudedtheworld。Thecloudsweregray；thegreatdrivingseaswereleadengray；thesmokingcrestswereagraychurning；eventheoccasionalalbatrossesweregray，whilethesnow-
flurrieswerenotwhite，butgray，underthesombrepalloftheheavens。
LifeonboardtheMaryRogerswasgray——grayandgloomy。Thefacesofthesailorswereblue-gray；theywereafflictedwithsea-cutsandsea-boils，andsufferedexquisitely。Theywereshadowsofmen。Forsevenweeks，intheforecastleorondeck，theyhadnotknownwhatitwastobedry。Theyhadforgottenwhatitwastosleepoutawatch，andallwatchesitwas，\"Allhandsondeck!\"Theycaughtsnatchesofagonizedsleep，andtheysleptintheiroilskinsreadyfortheeverlastingcall。Soweakandwornweretheythatittookbothwatchestodotheworkofone。Thatwaswhybothwatcheswereondecksomuchofthetime。Andnoshadowofamancouldshirkduty。Nothinglessthanabrokenlegcouldenableamantoknockoffwork；andthereweretwosuch，whohadbeenmauledandpulpedbytheseasthatbrokeaboard。
OneothermanwhowastheshadowofamanwasGeorgeDorety。Hewastheonlypassengeronboard，afriendofthefirm，andhehadelectedtomakethevoyageforhishealth。ButsevenweeksofCapeHornhadnotbetteredhishealth。Hegaspedandpantedinhisbunkthroughthelong，heavingnights；andwhenondeckhewassobundledupforwarmththatheresembledaperipateticold-clothesshop。Atmidday，eatingatthecabintableinagloomsodeepthattheswingingsea-lampsburnedalways，helookedasblue-
grayasthesickest，saddestmanfor\'ard。NordidgazingacrossthetableatCaptainDanCullenhaveanycheeringeffectuponhim。CaptainCullenchewedandscowledandkeptsilent。ThescowlswereforGod，andwitheverychewhereiteratedthesolethoughtofhisexistence，whichwasmakewesting。Hewasabig，hairybrute，andthesightofhimwasnotstimulatingtotheother\'sappetite。HelookeduponGeorgeDoretyasaJonah，andtoldhimso，onceeachmeal，savagelytransferringthescowlfromGodtothepassengerandbackagain。
Nordidthemateproveafirstaidtoalanguidappetite。JoshuaHigginsbyname，aseamanbyprofessionandpull，butapot-wolloperbycapacity，hewasaloose-jointed，snifflingcreature，heartlessandselfishandcowardly，withoutasoul，infearofhislifeofDanCullen，andabullyoverthesailors，whoknewthatbehindthematewasCaptainCullen，thelaw-giverandcompeller，thedriverandthedestroyer，theincarnationofadozenbuckomates。Inthatwildweatheratthesouthernendoftheearth，JoshuaHigginsceasedwashing。HisgrimyfaceusuallyrobbedGeorgeDoretyofwhatlittleappetitehemanagedtoaccumulate。OrdinarilythislavatorialderelictionwouldhavecaughtCaptainCullen\'seyeandvocabulary，butinthepresenthismindwasfilledwithmakingwesting，totheexclusionofallotherthingsnotcontributorythereto。Whetherthemate\'sfacewascleanordirtyhadnobearinguponwesting。Lateron，when5OdegreessouthinthePacifichadbeenreached，JoshuaHigginswouldwashhisfaceveryabruptly。Inthemeantime，atthecabintable，wheregraytwilightalternatedwithlamplightwhilethelampswerebeingfilled，GeorgeDoretysatbetweenthetwomen，oneatigerandtheotherahyena，andwonderedwhyGodhadmadethem。Thesecondmate，MatthewTurner，wasatruesailorandaman，butGeorgeDoretydidnothavethesolaceofhiscompany，forheatebyhimself，solitary，whentheyhadfinished。
OnSaturdaymorning，July24，GeorgeDoretyawoketoafeelingoflifeandheadlongmovement。OndeckhefoundtheMaryRogersrunningoffbeforeahowlingsouth-easter。Nothingwassetbutthelowertopsailsandtheforesail。Itwasallshecouldstand，yetshewasmakingfourteenknots，asMr。TurnershoutedinDorety\'searwhenhecameondeck。Anditwasallwesting。ShewasgoingaroundtheHornatlast……ifthewindheld。
Mr。Turnerlookedhappy。Theendofthestrugglewasinsight。ButCaptainCullendidnotlookhappy。HescowledatDoretyinpassing。
CaptainCullendidnotwantGodtoknowthathewaspleasedwiththatwind。
HehadaconceptionofamaliciousGod，andbelievedinhissecretsoulthatifGodknewitwasadesirablewind，Godwouldpromptlyeffaceitandsendasnorterfromthewest。SohewalkedsoftlybeforeGod，smotheringhisjoydownunderscowlsandmutteredcurses，and，so，foolingGod，forGodwastheonlythingintheuniverseofwhichDanCullenwasafraid。
AllSaturdayandSaturdaynighttheMaryRogersracedherwesting。
Persistentlysheloggedherfourteenknots，sothatbySundaymorningshehadcoveredthreehundredandfiftymiles。Ifthewindheld，shewouldmakearound。Ifitfailed，andthesnortercamefromanywherebetweensouth-westandnorth，backtheMaryRogerswouldbehurledandbenobetteroffthanshehadbeensevenweeksbefore。AndonSundaymorningthewindwasfailing。Thebigseawasgoingdownandrunningsmooth。Bothwatcheswereondecksettingsailaftersailasfastastheshipcouldstandit。
AndnowCaptainCullenwentaroundbrazenlybeforeGod，smokingabigcigar，smilingjubilantly，asifthefailingwinddelightedhim，whiledownunderneathhewasragingagainstGodfortakingthelifeoutoftheblessedwind。Makewesting!Sohewould，ifGodwouldonlyleavehimalone。
Secretly，hepledgedhimselfanewtothePowersofDarkness，iftheywouldlethimmakewesting。HepledgedhimselfsoeasilybecausehedidnotbelieveinthePowersofDarkness。HereallybelievedonlyinGod，thoughhedidnotknowit。AndinhisinvertedtheologyGodwasreallythePrinceofDarkness。CaptainCullenwasadevil-worshipper，buthecalledthedevilbyanothername，thatwasall。
Atmidday，aftercallingeightbells，CaptainCullenorderedtheroyalson。
Themenwentaloftfasterthantheyhadgoneinweeks。Notaloneweretheynimblebecauseofthewesting，butabenignantsunwasshiningdownandlimberingtheirstiffbodies。GeorgeDoretystoodaft，nearCaptainCullen，lessbundledinclothesthanusual，soakinginthegratefulwarmthashewatchedthescene。Swiftlyandabruptlytheincidentoccurred。
Therewasacryfromtheforeroyal-yardof\"Manoverboard!\"Somebodythrewalife-buoyovertheside，andatthesameinstantthesecondmate\'svoicecameaft，ringingandperemptory——
\"Harddownyourhelm!\"
Themanatthewheelnevermovedaspoke。Heknewbetter，forCaptainDanCullenwasstandingalongsideofhim。Hewantedtomoveaspoke，tomoveallthespokes，togrindthewheeldown，harddown，forhiscomradedrowninginthesea。HeglancedatCaptainDanCullen，andCaptainDanCullengavenosign。
\"Down!Harddown!\"thesecondmateroared，ashesprangaft。
Butheceasedspringingandcommanding，andstoodstill，whenhesawDanCullenbythewheel。AndbigDanCullenpuffedathiscigarandsaidnothing。Astern，andgoingasternfast，couldbeseenthesailor。Hehadcaughtthelife-buoyandwasclingingtoit。Nobodyspoke。Nobodymoved。
Themenaloftclungtotheroyalyardsandwatchedwithterror-strickenfaces。AndtheMaryRogersracedon，makingherwesting。Along，silentminutepassed。
\"Whowasit？\"CaptainCullendemanded。
\"Mops，sir，\"eagerlyansweredthesailoratthewheel。
Mopstoppedawaveasternanddisappearedtemporarilyinthetrough。Itwasalargewave，butitwasnograybeard。Asmallboatcouldliveeasilyinsuchasea，andinsuchaseatheMaryRogerscouldeasilycometo。Butshecouldnotcometoandmakewestingatthesametime。
Forthefirsttimeinallhisyears，GeorgeDoretywasseeingarealdramaoflifeanddeath——asordidlittledramainwhichthescalesbalancedanunknownsailornamedMopsagainstafewmilesoflongitude。Atfirsthehadwatchedthemanastern，butnowhewatchedbigDanCullen，hairyandblack，vestedwithpoweroflifeanddeath，smokingacigar。
CaptainDanCullensmokedanotherlong，silentminute。Thenheremovedthecigarfromhismouth。HeglancedaloftatthesparsoftheMaryRogers，andoversideatthesea。
\"Sheethometheroyals!\"hecried。
Fifteenminuteslatertheysatattable，inthecabin，withfoodservedbeforethem。OnonesideofGeorgeDoretysatDanCullen，thetiger，ontheotherside，JoshuaHiggins，thehyena。Nobodyspoke。Ondeckthemenweresheetinghometheskysails。GeorgeDoretycouldheartheircries，whileapersistentvisionhauntedhimofamancalledMops，aliveandwell，clingingtoalife-buoymilesasterninthatlonelyocean。HeglancedatCaptainCullen，andexperiencedafeelingofnausea，forthemanwaseatinghisfoodwithrelish，almostboltingit。
\"CaptainCullen，\"Doretysaid，\"youareincommandofthisship，anditisnotproperformetocommentnowuponwhatyoudo。ButIwishtosayonething。Thereisahereafter，andyourswillbeahotone。\"
CaptainCullendidnotevenscowl。Inhisvoicewasregretashesaid——
\"Itwasblowingalivinggale。Itwasimpossibletosavetheman。\"
\"Hefellfromtheroyal-yard，\"Doretycriedhotly。\"Youweresettingtheroyalsatthetime。Fifteenminutesafterwardyouweresettingtheskysails。\"
\"Itwasalivinggale，wasn\'tit，Mr。Higgin？\"CaptainCullensaid，turningtothemate。
\"Ifyou\'dbroughtherto，it\'dhavetakenthesticksoutofher，\"wasthemate\'sanswer。\"Youdidtheproperthing，CaptainCullen。Themanhadn\'taghostofashow。\"
GeorgeDoretymadenoanswer，andtothemeal\'sendnoonespoke。Afterthat，Doretyhadhismealsservedinhisstate-room。CaptainCullenscowledathimnolonger，thoughnospeechwasexchangedbetweenthem，whiletheMaryRogersspednorthtowardwarmerlatitudes。Attheendoftheweek，DanCullencorneredDoretyondeck。
\"Whatareyougoingtodowhenwegetto\'Frisco？\"hedemandedbluntly。
\"Iamgoingtoswearoutawarrantforyourarrest，\"Doretyansweredquietly。\"Iamgoingtochargeyouwithmurder，andIamgoingtoseeyouhangedforit。\"
\"You\'realmightysureofyourself，\"CaptainCullensneered，turningonhisheel。
Asecondweekpassed，andonemorningfoundGeorgeDoretystandinginthecoach-housecompanionwayatthefor\'ardendofthelongpoop，takinghisfirstgazearoundthedeck。TheMaryRogerswasreachingfull-and-by，inastiffbreeze。Everysailwassetanddrawing，includingthestaysails。
CaptainCullenstrolledfor\'ardalongthepoop。Hestrolledcarelessly，glancingatthepassengeroutofthecornerofhiseye。Doretywaslookingtheotherway，standingwithheadandshouldersoutsidethecompanionway，andonlythebackofhisheadwastobeseen。CaptainCullen，withswifteye，embracedthemainstaysail-blockandtheheadandestimatedthedistance。Heglancedabouthim。Nobodywaslooking。Aft，JoshuaHiggins，pacingupanddown，hadjustturnedhisbackandwasgoingtheotherway。
CaptainCullenbentoversuddenlyandcastthestaysail-sheetofffromitspin。Theheavyblockhurtledthroughtheair，smashingDorety\'sheadlikeanegg-shellandhurtlingonandbackandforthasthestaysailwhippedandslattedinthewind。JoshuaHigginsturnedaroundtoseewhathadcarriedaway，andmetthefullblastofthevilestportionofCaptainCullen\'sprofanity。
\"Imadethesheetfastmyself，\"whimperedthemateinthefirstlull，\"withanextraturntomakesure。Irememberitdistinctly。\"
\"Madefast？\"theCaptainsnarledback，forthebenefitofthewatchasitstruggledtocapturetheflyingsailbeforeittoretoribbons。\"Youcouldn\'tmakeyourgrandmotherfast，youuselesshell\'sscullion。Ifyoumadethatsheetfastwithanextraturn，whyinhelldidn\'titstayfast？
That\'swhatIwanttoknow。Whyinhelldidn\'titstayfast？\"
Thematewhinedinarticulately。
\"Oh，shutup!\"wasthefinalwordofCaptainCullen。
HalfanhourlaterhewasassurprisedasanywhenthebodyofGeorgeDoretywasfoundinsidethecompanionwayonthefloor。Intheafternoon，aloneinhisroom，hedoctoredupthelog。
\"Ordinaryseaman，KarlBrun，\"hewrote，\"lostoverboardfromforeroyal-yardinagaleofwind。Wasrunningatthetime，andforthesafetyoftheshipdidnotdarecomeuptothewind。Norcouldaboathavelivedintheseathatwasrunning。\"
Onanotherpage，hewrote\"HadoftenwarnedMr。Doretyaboutthedangerheranbecauseofhiscarelessnessondeck。Itoldhim，once，thatsomedayhewouldgethisheadknockedoffbyablock。Acarelesslyfastenedmainstaysailsheetwasthecauseoftheaccident，whichwasdeeplytoberegrettedbecauseMr。
Doretywasafavouritewithallofus。\"
CaptainDanCullenreadoverhisliteraryeffortwithadmiration，blottedthepage，andclosedthelog。Helightedacigarandstaredbeforehim。
HefelttheMaryRogerslift，andheel，andsurgealong，andknewthatshewasmakingnineknots。Asmileofsatisfactionslowlydawnedonhisblackandhairyface。Well，anyway，hehadmadehiswestingandfooledGod。
SEMPERIDEM
DoctorBicknellwasinaremarkablygraciousmood。Throughaminoraccident，aslightbitofcarelessness，thatwasall，amanwhomighthavepulledthroughhaddiedtheprecedingnight。Thoughithadbeenonlyasailorman，oneoftheinnumerableunwashed，thestewardofthereceivinghospitalhadbeenontheanxiousseatallthemorning。Itwasnotthatthemanhaddiedthatgavehimdiscomfort，heknewtheDoctortoowellforthat，buthisdistresslayinthefactthattheoperationhadbeendonesowell。Oneofthemostdelicateinsurgery，ithadbeenassuccessfulasitwascleverandaudacious。Allhadthendependeduponthetreatment，thenurses，thesteward。Andthemanhaddied。Nothingmuch，abitofcarelessness，yetenoughtobringtheprofessionalwrathofDoctorBicknellabouthisearsandtoperturbtheworkingofthestaffandnursesfortwenty-fourhourstocome。
But，asalreadystated，theDoctorwasinaremarkablygraciousmood。Wheninformedbythesteward，infearandtrembling，oftheman\'sunexpectedtake-off，hislipsdidnotsomuchasformonesyllableofcensure；nay，theyweresopursedthatsnatchesofrag-timefloatedsoftlyfromthem，tobebrokenonlybyapleasantqueryafterthehealthoftheother\'seldest-
born。Thesteward，deemingitimpossiblethathecouldhavecaughtthegistofthecase，repeatedit。
\"Yes，yes，\"DoctorBicknellsaidimpatiently；\"Iunderstand。ButhowaboutSemperIdem？Ishereadytoleave？\"
\"Yes。They\'rehelpinghimdressnow，\"thestewardanswered，passingontotheroundofhisduties，contentthatpeacestillreignedwithintheiodine-saturatedwalls。
