Earlylife——Leavinghome——ImeetJensen——Igopearling——Dailyroutine——Submarinebeauties——Afortuneinpearls——Seizedbyanoctopus——Shark-killingextraordinary——Tradingwiththenatives——
Impendingtrouble——Preparingfortheattack——Bafflingthesavages。
IwasborninornearParis，intheyear1844。Myfatherwasafairlyprosperousmanofbusiness——ageneralmerchant，tobeprecise，whodealtlargelyinshoes；butwhenIwasabouttenyearsold，mymother，inconsequenceofcertaindomesticdifferences，tookmetolivewithheratMontreux，andotherplacesinSwitzerland，whereIwaseducated。IvisitedmanyofthetownsnearMontreux，includingLausanne，Geneva，Neufchatel，&c。ThewholeofthetimeIwasatschoolImixedextensivelywithEnglishboysonaccountoftheirlanguageandsports，bothofwhichattractedme。
Boyssoonbegintodisplaytheirbent，andmine，curiouslyenough，wasinthedirectionofgeology。Iwasconstantlybringinghomepiecesofstoneandmineralspickedupinthestreetsandonthemountains，andaskingquestionsabouttheiroriginandhistory。Mydearmotherencouragedmeinthis，andlateronIfrequentlywenttoFreiburg，intheBlackForest，togetapracticalinsightintosmelting。WhenIwasaboutnineteen，however，amessagearrivedfrommyfather，directingmetoreturntoFranceandreportmyselfasaconscript；butagainstthismymotherresolutelysetherface。
Ifancymyfatherwantedmetotakeupthearmyasacareer，butindeferencetomymother”swishesIremainedwithherinSwitzerlandforsometimelonger。SheandIhadmanytalksaboutmyfuture，andsheatlengthadvisedmetotakeatriptotheEast，andseewhattheexperienceoftravelwoulddoforme。Neitherofushadanydefiniteprojectinview，butatlengthmymothergavemeabout7000francsandIsetoutforCairo，intendingeventuallytovisitandmakemyselfacquaintedwiththeFrenchpossessionsintheFarEast。MyideawastovisitsuchplacesasTonkin，Cochin-China，Madagascar，Mauritius，Seychelles，&c。MymotherwasoftheopinionthatifIsawabitoftheworldinthiswayIwouldbemoreinclinedtosettledownathomewithherattheendofmywanderings。Theprimarycauseofmygoingawaywasalittleloveepisode。WhilstatMontreuxIfellinlovewithacharmingyoungladyataboarding-schoolnearmyhome。ShewasthedaughterofsomehighpersonageinthecourtofRussia——butexactlywhatpositionheheldIcannotsay。Mymotherwasquitecharmedwiththeyoungladyandviewedourattachmentwithdelight。Butwhenmyfatherheardofthematterheraisedadecidedobjectiontoit，andorderedmetoreturntoFranceandjointhearmy。Hehad，asI
havepreviouslyintimated，madehisownplansformyfuture，eventothepointofdecidinguponafuturewifeforme，asiscustomaryinFrance；butIresolutelydeclinedtoconformtohiswishesinthisrespect，andmymotherquitesidedwithme。Ineverquiteknewhowhegottohearofmyloveaffair，butIconcludethatmymothermusthavementionedittohim。IonlystayedafewdaysinthewonderfulmetropolisofEgypt；itsnoises，itscosmopolitanism，itscrowds——these，andmanyotherconsiderations，drovemefromthecity，andIsetoutforSingapore。
Ihadnotbeenmanydaysinthatplacewhen，chancingtomakeinquiriesatastorekeptbyaMr。Shakespeare，IwascasuallyintroducedtoaDutchpearl-fishernamedPeterJensen。AlthoughI
describehimasaDutchpearlerIamsomewhatuncertainastohisexactnationality。IamundertheimpressionthathetoldmehecamefromCopenhagen，butinthosedaysthephrase“Dutchman“hadaverywideapplication。IfamanhailedfromHolland，Sweden，Norway，oranyneighbouringcountry，hewasalwaysreferredtoasaDutchman。Thiswasin1863。Wegrewquitefriendly，JensenandI，andhetoldmehehadasmallforty-tonschooneratBatavia，inwhichsturdylittlecraftheusedtogoonhispearlingexpeditions。
“Iamnow，“hesaid，“abouttoorganiseatriptosomeuntouchedpearlinggroundsoffthesouthofNewGuinea，buthavenotsufficientcapitaltodefraythepreliminaryexpenses。”
ThishintItook，andIofferedtojoinhim。Heonceagreed，andwecommencedourpreparationswithoutdelay——inBatavia。Nowwhenapearlerengagedacrewofnativediversthereinthosedays，hehadtodepositbeforehandwiththeDutchGovernmentacertainsumforeachmanenteringhisservice，thismoneybeingaguaranteethatthemanwouldgethiswages。Well，IplacedallthemoneythatIhadwithmeatCaptainJensen”sdisposal，providedhegavemeashareintheventurewewereabouttoundertake。“Wewillnot，“hesaidtomeinSingapore，“drawupanagreementhere，butwilldosoatBatavia，“andforthwithwesetsailforthatplace。
BeforeleavingSingapore，however，JensenboughtsomenauticalinstrumentshecouldnotgetatBatavia——includingcompasses，quadrant，chronometer，&c。Strangetosay，hedidnottellmethathisshipwasnamedtheVeiellanduntilwehadarrivedatBatavia。
Herethecontractwasdulydrawnup，andthevesselfittedoutforthevoyage。IfancythiswasthefirsttimeJensenhadembarkedonapearlingexpeditiononacraftofthesizeoftheVeielland，hisprevioustripshavingbeenundertakenonmuchsmallervessels，sayofabouttentons。Althoughthefittingoutoftheshipwasleftentirelyinhishands，Iinsisteduponhavingasupplyofcertainstoresformyselfputaboard——thingshewouldneverhavethoughtabout。Theseincludedsuchluxuriesastinnedandcompressedvegetables，condensedmilk，&c。Jensendidnoteventhinkofship”sbiscuitsuntilIcalledhisattentiontotheoversight。Hedemurredatfirstaboutbuyingthem，butItoldhimIwouldnotgountilwehadthebiscuitsaboard。Jensenwasaverybluff，enigmaticsortoffellow，asIafterwardsfoundout。Hewasofasullen，morosenature，andIcouldnevergetmuchoutofhimabouthispast。Hewouldnotspeakabouthimselfunderanycircumstances，andatnotimeofouracquaintancewasheanysortofasociablecompanion。Hewasveryharduponthesailorsunderhim，andwasmuchaddictedtotheuseofstronglanguage。IadmitthatIwasanabsolute“muff“inthosedays，andJensenwasquicktograspthefact。Hewasveryfondofschnapps，whilstIhatedthesmellofthestuff。Moreover，hewasagreatsmoker，andhereagainourtastesdiffered。
OurpreparationsinBataviacomplete，wenextwentovertotheislandsoftheDutchArchipelago，andengagedfortyexperiencedMalaydiverstoaccompanyus。Jensenwasveryparticularinselectingthemen，eachbeingrequiredtodemonstratehiscapabilitiesbeforeus。Thewayhetestedthempriortoactuallyengagingthemwastomakeeachdiveafterabrighttinobjectthrownintosomanyfathomsofwater。Altogetherhespentseveralweekschoosinghiscrew。HehadengagedacoupleofMalaysatBataviatohelpintheworkofnavigatingtheship，butbesidesbeingsailorsthesemenwerealsogooddivers。ThemajorityoftheotherMalayswereonlyusefulasdivers，andtooknopartintheworkingoftheship。AnativeSERANG，or“boss，“wasappointedaschief，orforeman，overtheMalays，andhewaspermittedtotakewithhimhiswifeandhermaid。This“serang“hadtobeafirst-
classdiverhimself，andhadalsotobeacquaintedwiththemanoeuvringofasmallboat。Hewasalsorequiredtohaveasmatteringofnavigationgenerally。Aboveall，hehadtobeabletoassertauthorityovertheotherdivers；andinalltheserespectsourserangwasthoroughlyproficient。
ImayhereexplainthatshortlyafterleavingBataviathecaptainhadtheshiprepaintedagreyish-whitecolourallover。Inevertroubledtolookforhername，butonedayIsawJensenpaintingthewordVeiellandonher。Therewasatotallydifferentnameonthelifeboat，butIcannotrememberit。WhatJensen”smotivewasinsailingtheshipunderanothernameIneverunderstood；
certainlyitwasaverysuspiciouscircumstance。Perhapstheshipasoriginallynamedhadabadname，andifsuchwerethecase——mindyou，Idon”tsaythatithad——theMalayscouldneverhavebeeninducedtogoaboard。Onceoutatsea，however，theywouldbeabsolutelyatthemercyofthecaptain，andhecouldtreatthemjustashepleased。Thefirstthingtheydidbeforecomingaboardwastolookatthenameforthemselves。Nodoubttheyknewthereputationofeverypearler。JensendidononeoccasionexercisehisauthoritytotheextentoftransferringsomeofhisownMalaydiverstoanothershipwhenwewereoutatsea。
Atlasteverythingwasready，andwhenwesailedforthepearlinggrounds，ourcrewnumberedforty-fouralltold，notincludingafinedogthatbelongedtothecaptain。Thisdog，whichplayedsoimportant——nay，sovitallyimportant——apartinmystrangeafterlife，wasgiventoJensenatBataviabyaCaptainCadell，awell-knownAustralianseaman，whohadgainedsomenotorietybynavigatingtheMurrayRiverforthefirsttime。Cadell，whowasagreatfriendofJensen，washimselfapearler。Buthemetwithasadend。HewasinapearlingexpeditionintheneighbourhoodofThursdayIsland，andamonghiscrewweresomeoftheveryAustralianBlackswhoinafteryearsprovedsofriendlytome。
Cadelltreatedthesemenverybadly，keepingthematworklongafterthetimefortheirreturnhomehadexpired，andonedaytheymutiniedandmurderedhimwhilsthewasasleep。Theblackfellowwhocalledhimself“CaptainJackDavies，“ofwhomIshallhavemoretosayhereafter，wasamongstthecrewatthetime。IobtainedthisinformationinSydneyfromCaptainTucker，awell-knownTorresStraitspearler。Bruno，Jensen”sdog，wassomethingofagreyhoundinbuild，onlythathishind-quarterswereheavier。
Asyoumaysuppose，myknowledgeofseamanshipwasverylimitedindeed，butJenseninterestedhimselfinme，sothatIsoonbegantopickupagooddealofusefulknowledge。Hetaughtmehowtotakethesun，Iusinghisoldinstruments；butIcouldnevergraspthetakingofthelunars。OnourvoyageoutIhadnodutiestoperformonboard，butIfoundmuchtointerestmyselfinthebeautifultropicalislandsamongwhichwethreadedourway；andI
tookquiteachildishdelightineverythingIsaw。Itwasreallyagrandtimeforme。Iconstantlywrotehometomymother，thelastletterIforwardedtoherbeingfromKoopang。Occasionallywelandedononeoftheislandstobuyfreshprovisions，intheshapeoffowls，pigs，fruit，&c。WethensetsailforthecoastofNewGuinea。Thevoyagethencewasaccomplishedwithouttheslightesthitch，thediversspendingmostoftheirtimeinsingingandplayinglikelittlechildren，——allinthebestofgoodspirits。
Theirfavouriteformofamusementwastositroundalargefire，eithertellingstoriesofthegirlstheyhadleftbehind，orsinginglovemelodies。Whentheweatherwasatallcold，theywouldmakeafireinarathershallowtub，thesidesofwhichwerelinedwithalayerofsand。Theywereawonderfullylight-heartedlotoffellows，andIgreatlyenjoyedlisteningtotheirchantsandyarns。IwasmoreoftenwiththemthaninJensen”scompany，anditdidnottakemelongtopickupbitsoftheirlanguage。
TheVeiellandonlydrewbetweensevenfeetandeightfeetofwater，sothatwewereabletoventureveryclosein-shorewheneveritwasnecessary。Atlength，aboutamonthafterstarting，wereachedalikelyspotwherethecaptainthoughtthatthepreciousshellsmightbefound；hereweanchored，andthediversquicklygottowork。Ioughttohavementionedthatwecarriedalargewhale-
boat，andabouthalf-a-dozenfraillittle“shell“boatsfortheuseofthedivers。
Thecomingsandgoingsofthevariouspearlingexpeditionswereofcourseregulatedbytheweatherandthestateofthetide。Thecaptainhimselfwentoutfirstofallinthewhale-boat，andfromitprospectedforshellsatthebottomofthecrystalsea。Thewaterwasmarvellouslytransparent，andleaningoverthesideoftheboat，Jensenpeeredeagerlyintohissea-telescope，whichissimplyametalcylinderwithalensofordinaryglassatthebottom。Someofthesea-telescopeswouldevenbewithoutthislens，beingsimplyametalcylinderopenatbothends。Althoughtheydidnotbringtheobjectslookedatnearerthevision，yettheyenabledtheprospectortoseebelowtheruffledsurfaceofthewater。
Thebigwhale-boatwasfollowedatarespectfuldistancebytheflotillaofsmallerboats，eachcontainingfromfourtosixMalays。
WhenJensendiscernedalikelyspotthroughhispeculiartelescope，hegavethesignalforahalt，andbeforeyoucouldrealisewhatwasgoingtohappen，thenativedivershadtumbledoutoftheirboats，andwereSWIMMINGinaweirdwaydowntothebottomofthetranslucentsea。Asarule，onemanwasleftineachlittleboattofollowthemovementsofthediversastheyreturnedtothesurface。Notonlydidthesediverswearnomechanical“dress，“buttheyusednostimulantsorpalliativesofanykindtoaidthemintheirwork。Alltheycarriedwasasmallsheath-knifehungfromthewaistbyapieceofstring。Thewaterforthemostpartwasonlytwoorthreefathomsdeep，butsometimesitwouldbeasmuchaseightfathoms，——whichwasthegreatestdepthtowhichthemencaredtogo。Whenhereachedthebottom，thediverwouldgropeaboutforshells，andgenerallyreturntothesurfacewithacouple，heldinhislefthandandhuggedagainsthisbreast；therighthandwaskeptfreeanddirectedhismovementsinswimming。
Eachdiverseldomremainedunderwatermorethanoneminute，andoncomingtothesurfacehewouldtakea“spell“ofperhapsaquarterofanhourbeforegoingdownagain。
Asfastaseachmanbroughthisshellsintotheboat，theywereputintoaseparatelittlepile，whichwasrespectedabsolutely，andalwaysrecognisedasbelongingtoitsowner。Thebedoftheseaatthesepearlinggroundsisusuallycoral，withinnumerableholesofdifferentdepthsandsizesdottedalloverit。Itwasintheserecessesthatthebestshellsweremostlyfound。
Themarinevegetationdownintheseseaswasalwaysofextremebeauty；therewerestately“trees“thatwavedbackwardsandforwards，asthoughundertheinfluenceofagentlebreeze；therewerehigh，luxuriantgrasses，andinnumerableplantsofendlessvarietyandcolour。Thecoralrocks，too，wereofgorgeoushues——
yellow，blue，red，andwhite；butapeculiarthingwasthatthemomentyoubroughtapieceofthisrockuptothesurface，thelovelycolouritpossessedwhilstinthewatergraduallyfadedaway。SomeofthecoralIsawhadcuriouslittleshootshangingfromitsnumerousprojectionsbearingastrikingresemblancetobluebells。
Theillusionofasubmarineforestwasfurtherheightenedbythedrovesofgaily-colouredfishthatflittedinandoutamongthebranches。Perhapsthemostbeautifulofallwerethelittledolphins。Thedivingexpeditionswentawayfromtheshipwiththeebbtide，andreturnedwiththeflow。Sometimestheirsearchwouldtakethemlongdistancesaway，andononeoccasiontheywereworkingfullytenmilesfromtheVeielland。Whenthewatersuddenlybecamerough，renderingthediversunabletopaddletheirownlittleskiffsbacktotheship，theymadetheirwaytothewhale-boat，clamberedaboard，andreturnedinher，trailingtheirowncraftatthestern。Theboats，however，werenotalwaysbroughtbacktotheshipatnight；asaruletheywerebuoyednearthepearlingbeds，whilstthediversreturnedtotheirquartersaboard。ImighthereexplainthatthesleepingaccommodationfortheMalayswasbothampleandcomfortable。Alargeroominwhichthecasksoffreshwaterwerestoredwassetapartfortheiruse。
Thesecaskswereturnedonendandadeckofplanksplacedoverthem，onwhichtheMalayslaidtheirsleepingmatsandlittlewoodenpillows。Theyrangedthemselvestwentyaside。Butyoumaybeasking，whatwasIdoingduringthesepearlingexpeditions？
Well，Iwasintrustedwiththeimportantdutyofreceivingtheshellsfromthemen，andcreditingeachwiththenumberhedelivered。ThusIwasnearlyalwaysleftaloneontheship——saveforthedog；becauseeventhetwoMalaywomenfrequentlywentoutdiving，andtheywerecreditedforworkdonepreciselyasthemenwere。
IfIhadnoshellstoopenwhilstthediverswereabsent，Ifilledinmytimebysewingsails，whichJensenhimselfwouldcuttotherequiredshape——andreading，&c。Mylibraryconsistedofonlyfivebooks——acopyoftheBible，andafour-volumemedicalworkinEnglishbyBell，whichIhadpurchasedatSingapore。Imadequiteastudyofthecontentsofthiswork，andacquiredmuchvaluableinformation，whichIwasabletoputtogooduseinafteryears，moreparticularlyduringmysojournamongsttheBlacks。BrunogenerallysatbymysideondeckwhenIwasalone，——infacthewasnearlyalwayswithme。HetooktomemorethantoJensenfromthefirst。Jensenrarelytriedtobullyme，thoughofcourseIwasnowverymuchinhispower，asheemphaticallyillustratedoneday。A
Malaydiverhadverymuchannoyedhim，andinhisfuryhepickedupaheavybroomwithastickfullyfourfeetlong，andfelledthepoorfellowsenselesstothedeckwithit。Iwasshockedatsuchawfulbrutality，andventuredtoprotestagainstit。“Captain，“I
said，“don”tdoanythinglikethatagainwhilstIamaboard。”
Turningroundinagreatpassionheorderedmetokeepmyowncounsel，otherwisehewouldhavemeputinirons。ButforallthatJensenneveragainlethistempergetthebetterofhimtosuchanextentinmypresence。Hewasalwaysverygruffinhismanner，andlookeduponmeasthe“darndestfoolhehadevermet。”
Thesedivers，bytheway，neverseemedtotroubleaboutthevalueofthetreasuretheywereconstantlybringingtothesurface。Theythoughtthemselveswellpaidiftheyweregivenplentyofriceandfish，turtles”eggsandfowls，inadditiontosuchluxuriesasspices，coffee，and“Brummagem“jewellery，ofakindwhichistoowellknowntoneeddescription。Atthesametimeitmustbeadmittedthatinadditiontotheirwages，whichwerepaidthemwhentheyweredischargedfromtheship，theMalayshadpracticallynoopportunityofbeingdishonest，eventhoughtheymighthavebeeninclinedthatway。Theynevercameintoactualcontactwiththepearls；theywererewardedaccordingtothenumberofshellsbroughttothesurface，andnotthevalueofthepearlstheymightcontain。Alltheshellswereopenedbyme。Ahealthyspiritofrivalrywasmaintainedamongthedivers，andthemanwhohadthebestrecordofshellseachweekwasrewardedwithanextraallowanceofrumortobacco；achoiceofsomearticleofjewellery，oranythingelsehefanciedfromamongthestockwehadonboard。
Abottleofchutneyorpickleswasconsideredaspeciallyvaluabledelicacy。Nomoneywasevergiventothediversaswageswhilstatsea，remunerationinkindbeingalwaysgiveninstead。Eachexpeditionwouldbeabsentperhapssixhours，andonitsreturneachdivergenerallyhadbetweentwentyandfortyshellstohandovertome。TheseIarrangedinlongrowsonthedeck，andallowedthemtoremainthereallnight。NextdayIcleanedthembyscrapingoffthecoralfromtheshells，andthenopenedthemwithanordinarydinner-knife。Ofcourse，everyoysterdidnotproduceapearl；infact，Ihaveopenedasmanyasahundredconsecutiveshellswithoutfindingasinglepearl。Thegemsarehiddenawayinthefleshypartoftheoyster，andhavetoberemovedbypressureofthethumb。Theemptyshellsarethenthrowninaheapononeside，andafterwardscarefullystowedawayinthehold，astheyconstituteavaluablecargointhemselves，beingworth——atthattime，atanyrate(1864)——from200poundsto250pounds，andeven350poundsaton。AllthepearlsIfoundIplacedinawalnutjewel-case，measuringaboutfourteeninchesbyeightinchesbysixinches。Thevalueofthetreasureincreaseddaybyday，untilitamountedtomanythousandsofpounds；butofthismorehereafter。
Ididnotknowmuchofthevalueofpearlsthen——howcouldI，havinghadnopreviousexperience？
CaptainJensen，however，assuredmeattheendoftheseasonthatwehadsomethinglike50，000poundsworthofpearlsaboard，tosaynothingaboutthevalueoftheshells，ofwhichwehadaboutthirtytons。ItmustbeclearlyunderstoodthatthisisCaptainJensen”sestimate——Iamutterlyunabletogiveone。Theoystersthemselveswefoundverypooreating，andnooneonboardcaredaboutthem。
Someoftheshellscontainedonepearl，otherstwo，three，andevenfour。OnemagnificentspecimenIcameacrossproducednofewerthanadozenfinepearls，butthatofcoursewasveryexceptional。
ThelargestgemIeverfoundwasshapedjustlikeabigcube，morethananinchsquare。Itwas，however，comparativelyworthless。
Actuallythefinestspecimenthatpassedthroughmyhandswasaboutthesizeofapigeon”segg，andofexquisitecolourandshape。
Someofthepearlswereofabeautifulrosecolour，othersyellow；
butmostwerepurewhite。
Thegreatestenemythedivershadtofearinthosewaterswasthedreadedoctopus，whosepresenceoccasionedfargreaterpanicthantheappearanceofamereshark。
Theseloathsomemonsters——callthemsquids，ordevil-fish，orwhatyouwill——wouldsometimescomeandthrowtheirhorribletentaclesoverthesideofthefrailcraftfromwhichthediverswereworking，andactuallyfastenontothementhemselves，draggingthemoutintothewater。Atothertimesoctopuseshavebeenknowntoattackthediversdownbelow，andholdthemrelentlesslyunderwateruntillifewasextinct。Oneofourownmenhadaterriblynarrowescapefromoneofthesefearfulcreatures。Imustexplain，however，thatoccasionallywhenthediversreturnedfrompearl-
fishing，theyusedtoropealltheirlittleskiffstogetherandletthemlieasternoftheschooner。Well，onenightthewindroseandrainfellheavily，withtheresultthatnextmorningallthelittleboatswerefoundmoreorlesswater-logged。SomeoftheMalaysweretoldofftogoandbalethemout。Whilsttheywereatworkoneofthemensawamysterious-lookingblackobjectinthesea，whichsoattractedhiscuriositythathedivedoverboardtofindoutwhatitwas。Hehadbarelyreachedthewater，however，whenanimmenseoctopusroseintoview，andatoncemadefortheterrifiedman，whoinstantlysawhisdanger，andwithgreatpresenceofmindpromptlyturnedandscrambledbackintotheboat。
Theterriblecreaturewasafterhim，however，andtothehorroroftheonlookersitextendeditsgreatflexibletentacles，envelopedtheentireboat，manandall，andthendraggedthewholedownintothecleardepths。Thediver”shorrifiedcomradesrushedtohisassistance，andanattemptwasmadetokilltheoctopuswithaharpoon，butwithoutsuccess。Severalofhismoreresourcefulcompanionsthendivedintothewaterwithabignetmadeofstouttwine，whichtheytookrightunderneaththeoctopus，entanglingthecreatureanditsstilllivingprey。Thenextstepwastodragupbothmanandoctopusintothewhale-boat，andthisdone，theunfortunateMalaywasatlengthseizedbyhislegs，anddraggedbysheerforceoutofthefrightfulembrace，moredeadthanalive，asyoumaysuppose。However，wesoonrevivedhimbyputtinghimintoaveryhotbath，thewaterbeingatsuchatemperatureasactuallytoblisterhisskin。Itismostremarkablethatthemanwasnotaltogetherdrowned，ashehadbeenheldunderwaterbythetentaclesoftheoctopusforrathermorethantwominutes。But，likealltheMalaysofourparty，thismancarriedaknife，whichheusedtoverygoodpurposeonthemonster”sbodywhenfirstitdraggedhimunderthewater。Theserepeatedstabscausedthecreaturetokeeprollingaboutonthesurface，andtheunhappymanwasinthiswayenabledtogetanoccasionalbreathofair；
otherwisehemustinfalliblyhavebeendrowned。Itwasahorrible-
lookingcreature，withaslimybody，andahideouscavityofamouth。Itisthetentaclesofthecreaturethataresodreaded，onaccountoftheimmensesuckingpowerwhichtheypossess。
Afterthisincidentthediversalwaystookatomahawkwiththemontheirexpeditions，inordertolopoffthetentaclesofanyoctopusthatmighttrytoattackthemintheboats。And，bytheway，wesawmanyextraordinarycreaturesduringourcruise。Imyselfhadaseriousfrightonedaywhilstindulginginaswim。
Wehadanchoredinaboutfivefathoms，andasIwasproceedingleisurelyawayfromthevesselataslowbreaststroke，amonstrousfish，fullytwentyfeetlong，withanenormoushairyheadandfierce，fantasticmoustaches，suddenlyrearedupoutofthewater，highintotheair。Imustsaythatthesightabsolutelyunmannedmeforthemoment，andwhenthisextraordinarycreatureopenedhisenormousmouthinmydirection，Igavemyselfupforlost。Itdidnotmolestme，however，andIgotbacktotheshipsafely，butitwassomelittletimebeforeIrecoveredfromtheterriblefright。
Occasionallytooweweretroubledwithsharks，buttheMalaysdidnotappeartobeverymuchafraidofthem。Theirgreatdreadwasthegroundshark，whichlaymotionlessatthebottomofthesea，andgavenoindicationofhispresence。Theresultwasthatoccasionallythediverswouldsinkdowntotheirworkquiteunknowinglyalmostbythesideofoneofthesefearfulcreatures，andinsuchcasesthediverrarelyescapedwithoutinjuryofsomekind。Withregardtotheordinaryshark，however，ourdiversactuallysoughtthem。Theirmethodofcapturingthemwasalmostincredibleinitssimplicityanddaring。Threeorfourofourdiverswouldgooutinaboatandallowthemselvestodriftintoabigschoolofsharks。Thenoneman，possessedofmorenervethantherest，wouldbendoverthesideandsmartlyprickthefirstonehecameacrosswithaspeartakenoutforthepurpose。Themomenthehadsucceededinthistheotheroccupantsoftheboatwouldcommenceyellingandhowlingatthetopoftheirvoices，atthesametimebeatingthewaterwiththeirpaddles，inordertofrightenawaythesharks。Thisinvariablysucceeded，but，amazingtorelate，thesharkthathadbeenprickedalwayscamebackaloneafewminuteslatertoseewhatitwasthathadprickedhim。Carehastobetakennottoinflictaveryseverewound，becausethemomenttheothersharkstastethebloodofawoundedcompanion，theywillimmediatelyturnuponhimandeathim。Whentheinquisitivesharkisseencominginthedirectionoftheboat，theMalaywhohasaccostedhiminthiswayquietlyjumpsoverboard，armedonlywithhissmallknifeandashortstickofhardwood，exactlylikeabutcher”sskewer，aboutfiveinchesinlength，andpointedateachend。
Themanfloatsstationaryonthesurfaceofthesea，and，naturally，thesharkmakesforhim。Asthecreaturerollsovertobite，thewilyMalayglidesoutofhiswaywithafewdeftstrokesofthelefthand，whilstwiththerighthedeliberatelyplantsthepointedskewerinanuprightpositionbetweentheopenjawsoftheexpectantmonster。Theresultissimple，butsurprising。Thesharkis，ofcourse，unabletocloseitsmouth，andthewaterjustrushesdownhisthroatandchokeshim，inconsequenceofthegillsbeingforcedbacksotightlyastopreventtheescapeofwaterthroughtheminthenaturalway。Needlesstoremark，itrequiresthegreatestpossiblecoolnessandnervetokillasharkinthisway，buttheMalayslookuponitasafavouriterecreationandanexcitingsport。Whenthemonsterisdeaditsslayerdexterouslyclimbsontoitsback，andthen，digginghisknifeintotheshark”sheadtoserveasasupportandmeansofbalance，theconqueroristowedbacktotheshipastridehisvictimbymeansofaropehauledbyhiscompanionsintheirboats。
Aftermanyadventuresandmuchluckinthewayofgettingpearls，ourfoodandwatersupplybegantogiveout。ThisinducedCaptainJensentomakefortheNewGuineamaininordertoreplenishhisstores。Wesoonreachedalikelyspotonthecoast，andobtainedallthatwewantedfromthenativesbymeansofbarter。
Wegavethemtomahawks，knives，hoop-iron，beads，turtles，andbright-colouredcloth。Indeed，sofriendlydidourintercoursebecomethatpartiesofourdiversoftenwentashoreandjoinedthePapuansintheirsportsandgames。OnoneoftheseoccasionsI
cameacrossacuriousanimalthatboreastrikingresemblancetoakangaroo，andyetwasnotmorethantwofeethigh。Itcouldclimbtreeslikeanopossumandwasofthemarsupialfamily。Thepigeons，too，whichwereveryplentifulintheseparts，wereaslargeasabigfowl。Theheadman，orchief，tookquiteaninterestinme，andneverseemedtiredofconversingwithme，andpointingoutthebeautiesofthecountry。Heevenshowedmeacertainboundarywhichheadvisedusnottopass，asthenativesbeyondwerenotunderhiscontrol。Oneday，however，apartyofourMalays，accompaniedbymyself，imprudentlyventuredintotheforbiddencountry，andsooncametoanativevillage，atwhichwehalted。Thepeoplehereweresuspiciousofusfromthefirst，andwhenoneofmymenindiscreetlyoffendedanative，halfthevillageroseagainstus，andwehadtobeataretreat。Weweremakingthebestofourwaytothecoastagain，whenthefriendlychiefcameandmetus。Heintercededwiththeindignanttribesmenonourbehalf，andsucceededinpacifyingthem。Onreachingtheship，whichwasanchoredwithinamileofthecoast，Jensencomplainedtomeominouslythathewasgettingfairlyswampedwithnatives，whopersistedincomingonboardwithfruitandvegetablesforbarter。
Hesaidhewasgettingquitenervousaboutthecrowdsthatswarmedoverthevessel，thenativesgoingupanddownasthoughtheyhadaperfectrighttodoso。
“Idon”tlikeit，“saidthecaptain，“andshallhavetoputmyfootdown。”
Nextmorning，whentheusualbatchofnativecanoescamealongside，wedeclinedtoallowasinglemanonboard。Whilewewereexplainingthistothem，ourfriendthechiefhimselfarrived，accompaniedbyhalf-a-dozennotables，mostofwhomIknew，togetherwiththenowfriendlydignitarywhosewrathwehadarousedthepreviousday。Theywereallfullofdignityandanticipation。
CaptainJensen，however，wasobdurate，andrefusedpermissiontoanyonetocomeaboard。Thatwasenoughforthechiefs。Theywentawayinhighdudgeon，followedimmediatelybyalltheothercanoesandtheiroccupants。Whenallhaddisappeared，acuriousstillnesscameovertheship，thesea，andthetropicalcoast，andastrangesenseofimpendingdangerseemedtooppressallofus。Weknewthatwehadoffendedthenatives，andaswecouldnotseeasingleoneofthemonthebeach，itwasprettyevidentthattheywerebroodingovertheirgrievance。Wemighthaveweighedanchorandmadefortheopensea，onlyunfortunatelytherewasaperfectcalm，andoursails，whichweresetinreadinessforahastydeparture，hunglimpandmotionless。Suddenly，aswestoodlookingoutanxiouslyoverthesideinthedirectionoftheshore，wewereamazedtoseeatleasttwentyfully-equippedwar-canoes，eachcarryingfromthirtytofortywarriors，roundingtheheadland，somelittledistanceaway，andmakingstraightforourship。NowmyshrewdDutchpartnerhadanticipatedapossibleattack，andhadaccordinglyarmedalltheMalayswithtomahawks，inreadinessforanyattemptthatmightbemadetoboardtheschooner。Wehadalsotakenoffthehatches，andmadeasortoffortificationwiththemroundthewheel。
JensenandIarmedourselveswithguns，loadedourlittlecannon，andpreparedtomakeadesperatefightforourlivesagainsttheoverwhelmingodds。Inspiteofthedangerofourposition，Icouldnothelpbeingstruckwiththemagnificenceofthespectaclepresentedbythegreatfleetofboatsnowfastadvancingtowardsus。Thewarriorshadallassumedtheirfightingdecorations，withwhitestripespaintedroundtheirduskybodiestostriketerrorintothebeholder。Theirhead-dressconsistedofmany-colouredfeathersprojectingfromthehair，whichtheyhadmattedandcausedtostandboltuprightfromthehead。Eachboathadaprowaboutthreefeethigh，surmountedbyagrotesquelycarvedfigure-head。
Thewar-canoeswerepropelledbytwelvemen，paddlingoneitherside。WhenthefirstcamewithinhailingdistanceIcalledoutandmadesignsthattheywerenottoadvanceunlesstheirintentionswerepeaceful。Bywayofreply，theymerelybrandishedtheirbowsandarrowsatus。Therewasnomistakingtheirmission。
Itwasnowquiteevidentthatweshouldhavetomakeafightforit，andthenativeswerecomingtotheattackinsuchnumbersaseasilytooverwhelmusiftheyoncegotonboard。Ourpositionwasrenderedstillmoreawkwardbythefactthatallroundtheshipropeswerehangingdowntothewater，upwhichourdiversusedtoclimbontheirreturnfromtheday”spearling。Theseropeswereattachedtoasortofhawserrunningroundtheoutsidebulwarksoftheship。Wehadnoteventimetohaultheseup，andtheenemywouldcertainlyhavefoundthemveryusefulforboardingpurposeshadtheybeenallowedtogetnearenough。Itwasthereforeverynecessarythatsomedecisivestepshouldbetakenatonce。Whileweweredebatingwhatwasbesttobedone，weweresuddenlygreetedbyashowerofarrowsfromtheleadingwar-canoe。WithoutwaitinganylongerIfiredattheleader，whowasstandingintheprow，andbowledhimover。Thebulletwentrightthroughhisbody，andthenboredaholelowdowninthesideofthecanoe。Theamazementofthewarriorsonhearingthereportandseeingthemysteriousdamagedoneisquitebeyonddescription；andbeforetheycouldrecoverfromtheirastonishment，Jensensentachargeofgrape-shotrightintotheirmidst，whichshatteredseveralofthecanoesandcausedageneralhaltintheadvance。
AgainImadesignstothemnottocomenearer，andtheyseemedundecidedwhattodo。Jabberingconsultationswereheld，butwhiletheywerethushesitatingtenmorecanoesswungroundtheheadland，andtheirappearanceseemedtogivetheadvance-guardfreshcourage。
Oncemoretheymadeforourship，butIwasreadyforthemwiththelittlecannonwehadonboard；ithadbeenreloadedwithgrapeafterthefirstdischarge。Witharoarthegunbelchedforthaseconddeadlyhailagainsttheadvancingsavages，andtheeffectwastodemoralisethemcompletely。Oneofthecanoeswasshatteredtopieces，andnearlyallthemeninitmoreorlessseriouslywounded；whilsttheoccupantsofseveralothercanoesreceivedinjuries。
Quiteapanicnowensued，andthefleetofcanoesgotinextricablymixed。Severalshowersofarrows，however，descendedonourdeck，andsomeofthempenetratedthesails，butnoonewasinjured。Thenativesweretoomuchafraidtoadvanceanyfarther，andasawindhadnowsprungupwedeemedittimetomakeadashforliberty。Wethereforequietlyslippedouranchorand，headingtheshipfortheopensea，glidedswiftlypasttheenemy”sfleet，whosegailydecked，thoughsorelybewildered，warriorsgreeteduswithaParthianflightofarrowsasweracedby。Inanotherhalf-hourwewerewellouttosea，andabletobreathefreelyoncemore。
CHAPTERII
Thethreeblackpearls——Thefatalmorning——Jensenandhisflotilladriftaway——Aloneontheship”Oilonthetroubledwaters“——A
substituteforarudder——Smokesignals——Thewhirlpool——Thesavagesattack——Iescapefromtheblacks——Astrangemonster——TheVeiellandstrikesareef——Stonedeafthroughthebigwave——Ileapintothesea——HowBrunohelpedmeashore——Thedrearyisland——Myraft——A
horriblediscovery。
ThisadventuremadeourMalaycrewveryanxioustoleavetheseregions。Theyhadnotforgottentheoctopusincidenteither，andtheynowappointedtheirserangtowaituponthecaptain——akindof“one-man“deputation——topersuadehim，ifpossible，tosailforfreshfishing-grounds。AtfirstJensentriedtopersuadethemtoremaininthesamelatitudes，whichisnottobewonderedat，seeingtheharvesthehadsecured；buttheywouldnotlistentothis，andatlasthewascompelledtodirecthisshiptowardssomeotherquarter。WherehetookustoIcannotsay，butinthecourseofanotherweekwedroppedanchorinsomepracticallyunexploredpearlinggrounds，andgottoworkoncemore。Ourluckwasstillwithus，andwecontinuedincreasingeverydaythevalueofouralreadysubstantialtreasure。Inthesenewgroundswefoundaparticularlysmallshellveryrichinpearls，whichrequirednodivingforatall。Theyweresecuredbymeansofatrawlorscoopdraggedfromthesternofthelifeboat；andwhenthetidewaslowthemenjumpedintotheshallowwaterandpickedthemupattheirease。
Onemorning，asIwasopeningtheshellsasusual，outfromonedroppedthreemagnificentblackpearls。Igazedatthem，fascinated——why，Iknownot。Ah！thoseterriblethreeblackpearls；wouldtoGodtheyhadneverbeenfound！WhenIshowedthemtothecaptainhebecameveryexcited，andsaidthat，astheywereworthnearlyalltheothersputtogether，itwouldbewellworthourwhiletryingtofindmorelikethem。Now，thismeantstoppingatsealongerthanwaseithercustomaryoradvisable。Thepearlingseasonwaspracticallyatanend，andtheyearlycyclonicchangeswereactuallydue，butthecaptainhadgotthe“pearlfever“verybadlyandflatlyrefusedtoleave。Alreadywehadmadeanenormoushaul，andinadditiontothestockinmychargeJensenhadrowsofpicklebottlesfullofpearlsinhiscabin，whichhewouldsitandgloatoverforhourslikeamiserwithhisgold。HekeptonsayingthatthereMUSTbemoreoftheseblackpearlstobeobtained；thethreewehadfoundcouldnotpossiblybeisolatedspecimensandsoon。Accordingly，wekeptourdiversatworkdayafterdayasusual。Ofcourse，Ididnotknowmuchabouttheawfuldangerstowhichwewereexposingourselvesbyremainingoutinsuchuncertainseaswhenthecyclonesweredue；andIdidnot，Iconfess，seeanygreatreasonwhyweshouldNOTcontinuepearling。Iwasinexperienced，yousee。
Thepearl-fishingseason，asIafterwardslearned，extendsfromNovembertoMay。Well，Maycameandwent，andwewerestillhardatwork，hopingthateachdaywouldbringanotherhaulofblackpearlstoourstoreoftreasure；inthis，however，weweredisappointed。Andyetthecaptainbecamemoredeterminedthanevertofindsome。Hecontinuedtotakechargeofthewhale-boatwheneverthediverswentouttowork，andhepersonallysuperintendedtheiroperations。Heknewverywellthathehadalreadykeptthematworklongerthanheoughttohavedone，anditwasonlybyajudiciousdistributionofmorejewellery，piecesofcloth，&c。，thathewithheldthemfromopenlyrebellingagainsttheextendedstay。Theserangtoldhimthatifthemendidoncegoonstrike，nothingwouldinducethemtoresumework，theywouldsimplysulk，hesaid；anddieoutofsheerdisappointmentandpettishness。
Sothecaptainwascompelledtotreatthemmoreamiablythanusual。
Attheveryoutsidetheircontractwouldonlybeforninemonths。
Sometimeswhenheshowedsignsofbeinginacantankerousmoodbecausethehaulofshellsdidnotpleasehim，theserangwouldsaytohimdefiantly，“Comeon；takeitoutofmeifyouarenotsatisfied。”ButJensenneveracceptedthechallenge。Asthedayspassed，Ithoughttheweathershowedindicationsofachange；foronething，theaneroidbeganjumpingaboutinaveryuneasymanner。
IcalledJensen”sattentiontothematter，buthewastoomuchinterestedinhishuntforblackpearlstolistentome。
AndnowIpasstothefataldaythatmademeanoutcastfromcivilisationforsomanywearyyears。EarlyonemorninginJuly1864，Jensenwentoffasusualwiththewholeofhiscrew，leavingmeabsolutelyaloneinchargeoftheship。Thewomenhadoftenaccompaniedthediversontheirexpeditions，anddidsoonthisoccasion，beingratherexpertatthework，whichtheylookeduponassport。
WheneverIlookbackupontheeventsofthatdreadfulday，Iamfilledwithastonishmentthatthecaptainshouldhavebeensomadastoleavetheshipatall。Onlyanhourbeforeheleft，atidalwavebrokeoverthestern，andfloodedthecabinswithaperfectdeluge。BothJensenandIweredownbelowatthetime，andcameinforanawfuldrenching。Thisinitselfwasaclearandominousindicationofatmosphericdisturbance；butallthatpoorJensendidwastohavethepumpssettowork，andafterthecabinswerecomparativelydryheproceededoncemoretothepearlbanksthatfascinatedhimso，andonwhichheprobablysleepstothisday。
Thetidewasfavourablewhenheleft，andIwatchedthefleetoflittleboatsfollowinginthewakeofthewhale-boat，untiltheyweresomethreemilesdistantfromtheship，whentheystoppedforpreparationstobemadefortheworkofdiving。Ihadnopresentimentwhateverofthecatastrophethatawaitedthemandme。
Acool，refreshingbreezehadbeenblowinguptohistime，butthewindnowdevelopedasuddenviolence，andtheseawaslashedintohugewavesthatquicklyswampednearlyeveryoneofthelittlecockle-shellboats。Fortunately，theycouldnotsink，andasI
watchedIsawthattheMalayswhowerethusthrownintothewaterclungtothesidesofthelittleboats，andmadethebestoftheirwaytothebigcraftinchargeofCaptainJensen。Everymomenttheseabecamemoreandmoreturbulentasthewindquickenedtoahurricane。WhenalltheMalayshadscrambledintothewhale-boat，theyattemptedtopullbacktotheship，butIcouldseethattheywereunabletomaketheslightestheadwayagainstthetremendousseathatwasrunning，althoughtheyworkedfranticallyattheoars。
Onthecontrary，IwashorrifiedtoseethattheyweregraduallydriftingAWAYFROMME，andbeingcarriedfartherandfartheroutacrosstheillimitablesea。Iwasnearlydistractedatthesight，andIrackedmybrainstodevisesomemeansofhelpingthem，butcouldthinkofnothingfeasible。Ithoughtfirstofalloftryingtosliptheanchorandlettheshipdriftintheirdirection，butI
wasbynomeanssurethatshewouldactuallydothis。Besides，I
reflected，shemightstrikeonsomeoftheinsidiouscoralreefsthataboundinthosefairbutterriblydangerousseas。SoIcametotheconclusionthatitwouldbebettertoletherremainwhereshewas——atleast，forthetimebeing。Moreover，Ifeltsurethatthecaptain，withhisknowledgeofthoseregions，wouldknowofsomeislandorconvenientsandbank，perhapsnotveryfardistant，onwhichhemightrunhisboatforsafetyuntilthestormhadpassed。
Theboatsrecededfartherandfartherfromview，until，aboutnineinthemorning，Ilostsightofthemaltogether。Theyhadstartedoutsoonaftersunrise。ItthenoccurredtomethatIoughttoputtheshipintosomesortofconditiontoenablehertoweatherthestorm，whichwasincreasinginsteadofabating。ThiswasnotthefirststormIhadexperiencedonboardtheVeielland，soIknewprettywellwhattodo。Firstofall，then，Ibatteneddownthehatches；thisdone，ImadeeverymovablethingondeckassecureasIpossiblycould。Fortunatelyallthesailswerefurledatthetime，soIhadnotroublewiththem。Bymid-dayitwasblowingsohardthatIpositivelycouldnotstandupright，buthadtocrawlaboutonmyhandsandknees，otherwiseIshouldhavebeenhurledoverboard。Ialsoattachedmyselftoalongrope，andfastenedtheotherendtooneofthemasts，sothatintheeventofmybeingwashedintotheragingsea，Icouldpullmyselfonboardagain。
Blindingrainhadbeenfallingmostofthetime，andthewavescamedashingoverthedeckasthoughlongingtoengulfthelittleship；
butsherodethemallinsplendidstyle。Theclimaxwasreachedabouttwoo”clock，whenaperfectcyclonewasraging，andtheendseemedverynearforme。Itmademeshuddertolistentothewindscreamingandmoaningroundthebarepolesofthesturdylittlevessel，whichroseonveritablemountainsofwaterandcrashedassuddenlyintoseethingabyssesthatmademyheartstandstill。
Thentheweathersuddenlybecamecalmoncemore——achangethatwasasunexpectedastheadventofthestormitself。Thesky，however，continuedveryblackandthreatening，andtheseawasstillsomewhatboisterous；butbothwindandrainhadpracticallysubsided，andIcouldnowlookaroundmewithoutfeelingthatifI
stirredIwasadoomedman。Iclamberedupthelowerportionofthemainrigging，butonlysawblack，turbulentwaters，hissingandheaving，andragingoneveryside，andseeminglystretchingawayintoinfinity。Withterribleforcetheutterawfulnessandhopelessnessofmypositiondawneduponme，yetIdidnotdespair。
Inextthoughtitadvisabletotryandslipmyanchor，andlettheshipdrift，forIstillhalf-fanciedthatperhapsImightcomeacrossmycompanionssomewhere。BeforeIcouldfreethevessel，however，thewindveeredcompletelyround，and，tomyhorroranddespair，sentaveritablemountainofwateronboard，thatcarriedawaynearlyallthebulwarks，thegalley，thetopofthecompanion-
way，and，worstofall，completelywrenchedoffthewheel。
Compassesandchartswereallstoredinthecompanion-way，andwerethereforelostforever。Then，indeed，Ifelttheendwasnear。
Fortunately，Iwasfor”ardatthetime，orImustinevitablyhavebeensweptintotheappallingwasteofwhirling，mountainouswaters。Thislashingofmyselftothemast，bytheway，wasthemeansofsavingmylifetimeaftertime。Soonafterthebigsea——
whichIhadhopedwasafinaleffortoftheterriblestorm——thegalereturnedandblewintheoppositedirectionwithevengreaterfurythanbefore。Ispentanawfultimeofitthewholenightlong，withoutasoultospeaktoorhelpme，andeverymomentI
thoughttheshipmustgodown，inthatfearfulsea。Theonlylivingthingonboardbesidemyselfwasthecaptain”sdog，whichI
couldoccasionallyhearhowlingdismallyinthecabinbelow，whereIhadshuthiminwhenthecyclonefirstburstuponme。
Amongthearticlescarriedoverboardbythebigseathatsmashedthewheelwasalargecaskfullofoil，madefromturtlefat，inwhichwealwayskeptasupplyoffreshmeats，consistingmainlyofporkandfowls。Thiscaskcontainedperhapstwentygallons，andwhenitoverturned，theoilflowedalloverthedecksandtrickledintothesea。Theeffectwassimplymagical。Almostimmediatelythestorm-tossedwavesinthevicinityoftheship，whichhithertohadbeenragingmountainshigh，quieteddowninawaythatfilledmewithastonishment。Thistranquillityprevailedaslongastheoillasted；butassoonasthesupplywasexhaustedthegiantwavesbecameasturbulentandmountainousasever。
Allnightlongthegaleblewtheshipblindlyhitherandthither，anditwasnotuntiljustbeforedaybreakthatthestormshowedanysignsofabating。Bysixo”clock，however，onlyaslightwindwasblowing，andtheseanolongerthreatenedtoengulfmeandmylittlevessel。Iwasnowabletolookaboutme，andseewhatdamagehadbeendone；andyoumayimaginemyreliefwhenIfoundthattheshipwasstillsoundandwater-tight，althoughthebulwarkswereallgone，andshehadalltheappearanceofaderelict。OneofthefirstthingsIdidwastogodownandunloosethedog——poorBruno。Thedelightofthepoorcreatureknewnobounds，andherushedmadlyupondeck，barkingfranticallyforhisabsentmaster。Heseemedverymuchsurprisedtofindnooneaboardbesidesmyself。
Alas！IneversawPeterJensenagain，northefortyMalaysandthetwowomen。JensenMAYhaveescaped；hemayevenhavelivedtoreadtheselines；Godonlyknowswhatwasthefateoftheunfortunatefleetofpearl-fishers。Priggishanduncharitablepeoplemayejaculate：“Therewardofcupidity！“ButIsay，“judgenot，lestyealsobejudged。”
Asthemorninghadnowbecomebeautifullyfine，IthoughtImightattempttogetoutsomesparesails。IobtainedwhatIwantedfromthefo”c”sle，andafteragooddealofworkmanagedto“bend“amainsailandstaysail。Beingwithoutcompassorchart，however，I
knewnotwhereIwas，norcouldIdecidewhatcoursetotakeinordertoreachland。Ihadavagueideathattheseasinthoseregionswerestuddedwithinnumerablelittleislandsandsandbanksknownonlytothepearl-fishers，anditseemedinevitablethatI
mustrunagroundsomewhereorgetstrandeduponacoralreefafterIhadslippedthecable。
However，IdidnotseewhatadvantagewastobegainedbyremainingwhereIwas，soIfixedfromthesternacoupleoflongsweeps，orsteeringoars，twenty-sixfeetlong，andmadethemanswerthepurposeofarudder。Thesearrangementsoccupiedmetwoorthreedays，andthen，wheneverythingwascompletedtomysatisfaction，andtheshipwasinsailingtrim，IgavetheVeiellandherfreedom。
ThisImanagedasfollows：Themomentthechainwasatitstautest——atitsgreatesttension——Igaveitaviolentblowwithabigaxe，anditparted。Isteeredduewest，takingmyobservationsbythesunandmyownshadowatmorning，noon，andevening。ForI
hadbeentaughttoreckonthedegreeoflatitudefromthenumberofinchesofmyshadow。AfteratimeIalteredmycoursetowestbysouth，hopingthatImightcomeupononeoftheislandsoftheDutchIndies，——Timorland，forinstance，butdayafterdaypassedwithoutlandcominginsight。
Imaginethesituation，ifyoucan：aloneonadisabledshipinthelimitlessocean，——torturedwithdoubtsandfearsaboutthefateofmycomrades，andfilledwithhorroranddespairatmyownmiserableprospectsforthefuture。
Ididnotsailtheshipatnight，butgotoutasea-anchor(usingafloatandalongcoirrope)，andlay-towhileIturnedinforasleep。Iwouldbeupatday-breaknextmorning，andastheweathercontinuedbeautifullyfine，Ihadnodifficultyingettingunderwayagain。Atlasttheexpectedhappened。Oneafternoon，withoutanywarningwhatsoever，thevesselstruckheavilyonareef。I
hurriedlyconstructedaraftoutofthehatchesandsparespars，andputbiscuitsandwateraboard，afterwhichIlandedontherocks。WhenthetidereacheditslowestpointthesternoftheVeiellandwasleftfullyTWENTYFEETOUTOFWATER，securelyjammedbetweentwohighpinnaclesofcoralrock。Thesightwasremarkableintheextreme。Thesailswerestillset，andthestiffbreezethatwasblowingdeadagainstthemcausedthemtobellyoutjustasthoughthecraftwereafloat，andpracticallyhelpedtokeepthevesselinposition。Thebowsweremuchhigherthanthestern，thelineofthedecksbeingatanangleofaboutforty-fivedegrees。
Inthisremarkablesituationsheremainedsecureuntiltheturningofthetide。Myonlyhopewasthatshewouldnotsufferfromthetremendousstraintowhichshewasnecessarilybeingsubjected。Itseemedtomeeveryminutethatshewouldfreeherselffromhersingularpositionbetweentherocks，andglidedownbowsforemostintotheseatodisappearforever。Butthesailskeptherback。
HowearnestlyIwatchedtherisingofthewaters；andnightcameonasIwaited。Slowlyandsurelytheycreptupthebows，andtheshipgraduallyassumedhernaturalleveluntilatlengththestanchlittlecraftfloatedsafeandsoundoncemore，apparentlyverylittletheworseforherstrangeexperience。AndthenawayIwentonmyway——bythistimealmostschooledtoindifference。HadshegonedownImustinevitablyhavesuccumbedonthosecoralreefs，forthestockofbiscuitsandwaterIhadbeenabletoputaboardtheraftwouldonlyhavelastedaveryfewdays。
FornearlyafortnightafterthedayofthegreatstormIkeptonthesamecoursewithoutexperiencinganyunpleasantincidentorcheck，alwaysexceptingthecuriousthreatenedwreckwhichIhavejustmentioned。
Justbeforeduskontheeveningofthethirteenthday，Icaughtsightofanislandinthedistance——MelvilleIslandInowknowittobe；andIwasgreatlypuzzledtoseesmokefloatingupwardsapparentlyfrommanyfireskindledonthebeach。Iknewthattheyweresignalsofsomekind，andatfirstIfanciedthatitmustbeoneofthefriendlyMalayislandsthatIwasapproaching。Acloserscrutinyofthesmokesignals，however，soonconvincedmethatI
wasmistaken。AsIdrewnearer，Isawanumberofnatives，perfectlynude，runningwildlyaboutonthebeachandbrandishingtheirspearsinmydirection。
Ididnotlikethelookofthingsatall，butwhenItriedtoturntheheadoftheshiptoskirttheislandinsteadofheadingstraighton，IfoundtomyvexationthatIwasbeingcarriedforwardbyastrongtideorcurrentstraightintowhatappearedtobealargebayorinlet。Ihadnoalternativebuttoletmyselfdrift，andsoonafterwardsfoundmyselfinasortofnaturalharbourthreeorfourmileswide，withverythreateningcoralreefsshowingabovethesurface。Stillthecurrentdrewmehelplesslyonward，andinafewminutestheshipwascaughtinadangerouswhirlpool，roundwhichshewascarriedseveraltimesbeforeI
managedtoextricateher。Nextweweredrawncloseintosomerocks，andIhadtostandresolutelybywithanoarinordertokeepthevessel”sheadfromstriking。Itwasatimeofmosttryingexcitementforme，andIwondertothisdayhowitwasthattheVeiellanddidnotstrikeandfounderthenandthere，considering，firstly，thatshewasvirtuallyaderelict，andsecondly，thattherewasnolivingcreatureonboardtonavigatehersavemyself。
Iwasbeginningtodespairofeverpullingthevesselthrough，whenwesuddenlyenteredanarrowstrait。IknewthatIwasinawaterwaybetweentwoislands——ApsleyStrait，dividingMelvilleandBathurstIslands，asIhavesincelearned。
Thewarlikeandthreateningnativeshadnowbeenleftbehindlongago，andIneverthoughtofmeetinganyotherhostilepeople，whenjustasIhadreachedthenarrowestpartofthewaterway，Iwasstartledbytheappearanceofagreathordeofnakedblacks——
giants，everyoneofthem——ontherocksaboveme。
Theyweretremendouslyexcited，andgreetedmefirstofallwithashowerofspears。Fortunately，onencounteringthefirstlotofthreateningblacks，Ihadpreparedashelterformyselfondeckbymeansofthehatchesrearedupendwiseagainstthestanchions，andsothespearsfellharmlesslyaroundme。Next，thenativessentavolleyofboomerangsonboard，butwithoutanyresult。Someofthesecuriousweaponshitthesailsandfellimpotentlyonthedeck，whilstsomereturnedtotheirthrowers，whowerestandingontherocksaboutfiftyyardsaway，neartheedgeofthewater。I
afterwardssecuredtheboomerangsthatcameonboard，andfoundthattheywereabouttwenty-fourinchesinlength，shapedlikethebladeofasickle，andmeasuredthreeorfourinchesacrossatthewidestpart。
Theyweremadeofextremelyhardwood，andwereundoubtedlycapableofdoingconsiderableinjurywhendexterouslyandaccuratelythrown。Theblackskeptupaterrifichubbubonshore，yellinglikemadmen，andhurlingatmeshowersofbarbedspears。ThefactthattheyhadboomerangsconvincedmethatImustbenearingtheAustralianmainland。AllthistimethecurrentwascarryingtheVeiellandrapidlyalong，andIhadsoonleftthenativesjabberingfuriouslyfarbehindme。
AtlastIcouldseetheopenseaoncemore，andatthemouthofthestraitwasalittlelow，woodedisland，whereIthoughtImightventuretoland。AsIwasapproachingit，however，yetanothercrowdofblacks，allarmed，camerushingdowntothebeach；theyjumpedintotheircatamarans，or“floats，“andpaddledouttowardsme。
AftermypreviousexperienceIdeemeditadvisablenottoletthemgettoonear，soIhoistedthemainsailagainandstoodfortheopensea。Therewasagoodsupplyofgunsandammunitiononboard，anditwouldhavebeenaneasymatterformetohavesunkoneortwoofthenativecatamarans，whicharemereprimitiveraftsorfloats，andsocooledtheirenthusiasmabit；butIrefrained，onreflectingthatIshouldnotgainanythingbythisaction。
BythistimeIhadabandonedallhopeofevercomingupwithmyfriends，but，ofcourse，Ididnotdespairofreachingland——
althoughIhardlyknewinwhatdirectionIoughttoshapemycourse。Still，IthoughtthatifIkeptduewest，IshouldeventuallysightTimororsomeotherislandoftheDutchIndies，andso，forthenextthreeorfourdays，Isailedsteadilyonwithoutfurtherincident。
Aboutaweekaftermeetingwiththehostileblacks，halfagalesprangup，andIbusiedmyselfinputtingtheshipintotrimtoweatherthestorm，whichIknewwasinevitable。Ihappenedtobelookingoverthesternwatchingthecloudsgatheringindark，blackmasses，whenastrangeupheavalofthewaterstookplacealmostatmyfeet，andahugeblackfish，likeanexaggeratedporpoise，leapedintotheairclosetothesternofmylittlevessel。
Itwasamonstrous，ungainlylookingcreature，nearlythesizeofasmallwhale。Thestrangewayitdisporteditselfalongsidetheshipfilledmewithallmannerofdoubtings，andIwasheartilythankfulwhenitsuddenlydisappearedfromsight。Theweatherthenbecamemoreboisterous，andasthedayadvancedIstrovemyutmosttokeeptheship”sheadwellbeforethewind；itwasveryexhaustingwork。Iwasunabletokeepanythinglikeanadequatelook-outahead，andhadtotrusttoProvidencetopullmethroughsafely。
AllthistimeIdidnotwantforfood。CertainlyIcouldnotcookanything，buttherewasanyquantityoftinnedprovisions。AndI
fedBruno，too。Iconversedwithhimalmosthourly，andderivedmuchencouragementandsympathytherefrom。Onemorningsometimebetweenthefifteenthandtwentiethday，Iwasscanningthehorizonwithmycustomaryeagerness，whensuddenly，onlookingahead，I
foundtheseawhitewiththefoamofcrashingbreakers；IknewI
mustbeinthevicinityofasunkenreef。Itriedtogettheshipround，butitwastoolate。Icouldn”tmaketheslightestimpressionuponher，andsheforgedstolidlyforwardtoherdoom。
Afewminuteslaterherkeelcameintoviolentcontactwithacoralreef，andasshegratedslowlyoverit，thepoorthingseemedtoshiverfromstemtostern。TheshockwassoseverethatIwasthrownheavilytothedeck。Brunocouldmakenothingwhateverofit，sohefoundreliefindolefulhowls。Whilethevesselremainedstuckontherocks，Iwaslookingoutanxiouslyfromtherigging，when，withoutamoment”swarning，agiganticwavecametopplingandcrashingoverboardfromthestern，overwhelmingmeinthegeneraldestructionthatfollowed。Iwasdashedwithtremendousforceontothedeck，andwhenIpickedmyselfup，bruisedandbleeding，thefirstthingIwasconsciousofwasadeathlystillness，whichfilledmewithvagueamazement，consideringthatbutafewmomentsbeforemyearshadbeenfilledwiththeroarandcrashofthebreakers。AndIcouldseethatthestormwasstillragingwithgreatfury，althoughnotasoundreachedmyears。
Graduallythehorribletruthdawneduponme——IWASSTONEDEAF！Theblowontheheadfromthegreatwavehadcompletelydeprivedmeofallsenseofhearing。HowdepressedIfeltwhenIrealisedthisawfulfactnoonecanimagine。Nevertheless，thingswerenotaltogetherhopeless，fornextmorningIfeltasuddencrackinmyleftear，andimmediatelyafterwardsIheardoncemorethedullroarofthesurf，thewhistlingofthewind，andthebarkingofmyaffectionatedog。Myrightear，however，waspermanentlyinjured，andtothisdayIamdecidedlydeafinthatorgan。Iwasjustbeginningtothinkthatwehadpassedoverthemostseriouspartofthedanger，whentomyutterdespairIagainheardthathideousgratingsound，andknewshehadstruckuponanotherreef。Shestuckthereforatime，butwasagainforcedon，andpresentlyfloatedindeepwater。Thepitilessreefswerenowplainlyvisibleonallsides，andsomedistanceawayIcouldseewhatappearedtobenothingmorethanalittlesandbankrisingafewfeetabovethewatersofthelagoon。
WhileIwaswatchingandwaitingfordevelopmentsthedeckofthevesselsuddenlystarted，andshebeganrapidlytosettledownbythestern。Fortunately，however，atthatpointthewaterwasnotexcessivelydeep。WhenIsawthatnothingcouldsavetheship，andthatherdeckwasallbutflushwiththewater，Iloosenedseveralofthefittings，aswellassomespars，casks，andchests，inthehopethattheymightdrifttolandandperhapsbeofservicetomeafterwards。IremainedonboardaslongasIpossiblycould，tryingtobuildaraftwithwhichtogetsomethingsashore，butI
hadn”ttimetofinishit。
Upandupcametheinexorablewater，andatlast，signallingtoBrunotofollowme，Ileapedintotheseaandcommencedtoswimtowardsthesandbank。Ofcourse，alltheboatshadbeenlostwhenthepearlingfleetdisappeared。Theseawasstillveryrough，andasthetidewasagainstus，Ifounditextremelyexhaustingwork。
ThedogseemedtounderstandthatIwasfindingitadreadfulstrain，forheswamimmediatelyinfrontofme，andkeptturningroundagainandagainasthoughtoseeifIwerefollowingsafely。
BydintoftremendousstrugglingImanagedtogetcloseuptotheshore，butfounditutterlyimpossibletoclimbupandland。EverytimeIessayedtoplantmylegsonthebeach，theirresistiblebackwashsweptmedown，rollingmeheadoverheels，andinmyexhaustedconditionthisfilledmewithdespair。Ononeoccasionthisbackwashsentmespinningintodeepwateragain，andIamsureIshouldhavebeendrownedhadnotmybravedogcometomyrescueandseizedmebymyhair——which，Ishouldhaveexplained，Ihadalwayswornlongfromthedaysofmychildhood。Well，mydogtuggedandtuggedatmeuntilhehadgotmehalf-waythroughthebreakers，nordidthisexertionseemtocausehimmuchtroubleinswimming。
Ithenexertedmyselfsufficientlytoallowofhislettinggomyhair，whilstItooktheendofhistailbetweenmyteeth，andlethimhelpmeashoreinthispeculiarway。Hewasaremarkablystrongandsagaciousbrute——anAustraliandog——andheseemedtoenjoythetask。AtlengthIfoundmyselfonmylegsuponthebeach，thoughhardlyabletomovefromexhaustionofmindandbody。
WhenatlengthIhadrecoveredsufficientlytowalkabout，ImadeahastysurveyofthelittleislandorsandbankuponwhichIfoundmyself。ThankGod，IdidnotrealiseatthatmomentthatIwasdoomedtospendasoul-killingTWOANDAHALFYEARSonthatdesolate，microscopicalstripofsand！HadIdonesoImusthavegoneravingmad。Itwasanappalling，dreary-lookingspot，withoutonesingletreeorbushgrowinguponittorelievetheterriblemonotony。Itellyou，wordscanneverdescribethehorroroftheagonisingmonthsastheycrawledby。“Myisland“wasnothingbutalittlesand-spit，withhereandthereafewtuftsofgrassstrugglingthroughitsparchedsurface。Asamatteroffactthesandwasonlyfourorfiveinchesdeepinmostplaces，andunderneathwassolidcoralrock。
Thinkofit，yewhohaveenviedthefateofthecastawayonagorgeousandfertiletropicalislandperhapsmilesinextent！ItwasBARELYAHUNDREDYARDSINLENGTH，TENYARDSWIDE，ANDONLY
EIGHTFEETABOVESEA-LEVELATHIGHWATER！Therewasnosignofanimallifeuponit，butbirdswereplentifulenough——particularlypelicans。Mytouroftheislandoccupiedperhapstenminutes；andyoumayperhapsformsomeconceptionofmyutterdismayonfailingtocomeacrossanytraceoffreshwater。
WithwhateagereyesdidIlooktowardstheshipthen！SolongasshedidnotbreakupIwassafebecausetherewerewaterandprovisionsinplentyonboard。AndhowIthankedmyGodfortheadamantbulwarksofcoralthatprotectedmyarkfromthefuryofthetreacherousseas！Astheweatherbecamecalmer，andabrilliantmoonhadrisen，Idecidedtoswimbacktotheship，andbringsomefoodandclothingashorefromher。
Ireachedthewreckwithoutmuchtrouble，andclamberedonboard，butcoulddoverylittleinthewayofsavinggoods，asthedeckswerestillbelowwater。However，Idived，orratherducked，forthedepthofwaterwasonlyfourorfivefeet，intothecabinandsecuredsomeblankets，butIcouldnotlaymyhandsonanyfood。
AfterinfinitetroubleImanagedtomakesomesortofaraftoutofpiecesofwoodIfoundlyinglooseandfloatingabout，anduponthisplatformIplacedtheblankets，anoakchest，andoneortwootherarticlesIproposedtakingashore。Intheoakchestwereanumberofflags，someclothingandmedicinetogetherwithmycaseofpearlsandthefourmedicalbooks。ButafterIhadlaunchedit，Ifoundthatthetidewasstillrunningout，anditwasimpossibleformetogetanythingashorethatnight。Theweatherwasbeautifullyfine，however，andastheforepartoftheshipwaswelloutofwater，Idecidedtoremainonboardandgetanhourortwo”ssleep，whichIneededbadly。Thenightpassedwithoutincident，andIwasastiralittlebeforedawn。
Asthetidewasnowfavourable，Iloosedmyraftandswamitashore。WhenIgainedtheisland，Imadeanothersurveyofit，tofindthemostsuitablespotforpitchingmycamp，andinthecourseofmywanderingsImadeadiscoverythatfilledmewithhorrorandtheanguishofblackestdespair。Mycuriositywasfirstattractedbyahumanskullthatlaynearalargecirculardepressioninthesandabouttwofeetdeep。Icommencedscratchingwithmyfingersatoneside，andhadonlygoneafewinchesdown，whenIcameuponaquantityofhumanremains。
Thesightstruckterrortomyheart，andfilledmewiththemostdismalforebodings。“Myownbones，“Ithought，“willsoonbeaddedtothepile。”SogreatwasmyagonyofmindthatIhadtoleavethespot，andinterestmyselfinotherthings；butsometimeafterwards，whenIhadgotovermynervousness，Irenewedmydiggingoperations，andinanhourorsohadunearthednofewerthansixteencompleteskeletons——fourteenadults，andtwoyoungerpeople，possiblywomen！Theylayalongsideoneanother，coveredbysandthathadbeenblownoverthembythewind。
CHAPTERIII
Onthewreck——Effortstokindleafire——Myflagstaff——Clothingimpossible——Growingcorninturtles”blood——Myhouseofpearlshells——Howthepelicansfishedforme——Stungbya“sting-rae“——Myamusements——Apeculiarclock——Threatenedmadness——Ibegintobuildaboat——Anappallingblunder——Ridingonturtles——PreachingtoBruno——Caninesympathy——Asail——HowIgotfreshwater——Sendingmessagesbythepelicans——Awonderfulalmanac——Amysteriousvoiceofhope——Humanbeingsatlast。
ThatmorningImademybreakfastoffrawsea-gulls”eggs，butwasunabletogetanythingtodrink。Betweennineandteno”clock，asthetidewasthenverylow，Iwasdelightedtofindthatitwaspossibletoreachthewreckbywalkingalongtherocks。So，scramblingaboard，IcollectedasmanythingsasIcouldpossiblytransferashore。Ihadtotakedangerousheadersintothecabin，asthewholeship”sinteriorwasnowfullofwater，butallIcouldmanagetosecurewereatomahawkandmybowandarrows，whichhadbeengivenmebythePapuans。Ihadalwaystakenakeeninterestinarchery，bytheway，andhadmadequiteanameformyselfinthisdirectionlongbeforeIleftSwitzerland。Ialsotookoutacooking-kettle。Alltheseseeminglyunimportantfindswereofvitalimportanceinthemostliteralsenseofthephrase，particularlythetomahawkandthebow，whichwereinafteryearsmyverysalvationtimeaftertime。
IwasverydelightedwhenIsecuredmybowandarrows，forIknewthatwiththemIcouldalwaysbecertainofkillingsea-fowlforfood。Therewasastockofgunpowderonboardandanumberofriflesandshot-guns，butastheformerwashopelesslyspoiled，I
didnottroubleabouteither。WithmytomahawkIcutawaysomeoftheship”swoodwork，whichIthrewoverboardandletdrifttolandtoserveasfuel。WhenIdideventuallyreturntomylittleisland，Iunravelledapieceofrope，andthentriedtoproducefirebyrubbingtwopiecesofwoodsmartlytogetheramidsttheinflammablematerial。Itwasahopelessbusiness，however；afullhalf-hour”sfrictiononlymadethestickshot，andrubashardasI
wouldIcouldnotproducethefaintestsuspicionofaspark。Isatdownhelplessly，andwonderedhowthesavagesIhadreadofevergotfireinthisway。
UptothistimeIhadnotbuiltmyselfashelterofanykind。AtnightIsimplysleptintheopenaironthesand，withonlymyblanketsroundme。OnemorningIwasabletogetoutofthevesselsomekegsofpreciouswater，asmallbarrelofflour，andaquantityoftinnedfoods。Allthese，togetherwithsomesails，spars，andropes，Igotsafelyashore，andintheafternoonI
riggedmyselfupasortofcanvasawningasasleeping-place，usingonlysomesailsandspars。
AmongthethingsIbroughtfromtheshiponasubsequentvisitwereastilettothathadoriginallybeengiventomebymymother。Itwasanoldfamilyrelicwithablackebonyhandleandafinelytemperedsteelbladefourorfiveinchesinlength。Ialsogotastonetomahawk——amerecurio，obtainedfromthePapuans；andaquantityofaspecialkindofwood，alsotakenonboardatNewGuinea。Thiswoodpossessedthepeculiarpropertyofsmoulderingforhourswhenonceignited，withoutactuallyburstingintoflame。
Wetookitonboardbecauseitmadesuchgoodfuel。
Asthemosturgentmatterwastokindleafire，Ibeganexperimentswithmytwoweapons，strikingthesteeltomahawkagainstthestoneoneoveraheapoffluffymaterialmadebyunravellingandteasingoutapieceofblanket。Successattendedmypatienteffortsthistime，andtomyinexpressiblereliefandjoyIsoonhadacheerfulfireblazingalongsidemyimprovisedshelter——and，whatismore，I
tookgoodcareNEVERTOLETITGOOUTDURINGTHEWHOLELIMEI
REMAINEDAPRISONERONTHEISLAND。Thefirewasalwaysmyfirstthought，andnightanddayitwaskeptatleastsmoulderingbymeansoftheNewGuineawoodIhavealreadymentioned，andofwhichIfoundalargestockonboard。Theshipitself，Ishouldmention，providedmewithallthefuelthatwasrequiredintheordinaryway，and，moreover，Iwasconstantlyfindingpiecesofwreckagealongtheshorethathadbeengatheredinbytherestlesswaves。
Often——oh！often——Ireflectedwithashudderwhatmyfatewouldhavebeenhadtheshipgonedownindeepwater，leavingmesafe，butdeprivedofallthestoresshecontained。Thelong，lingeringagony，thestarvation，themadnessofthirst，andfinallyahorribledeathonthatfar-awaystripofsand，andanotherskeletonaddedtothatgrislypile！
Thedayspassedslowlyby。InwhatpartoftheworldIwaslocatedIhadnottheremotestidea。IfeltthatIwasaltogetheroutofthebeatentrackofshipsbecauseofthereefsthatstuddedtheseseas，andthereforetheprospectofmybeingrescuedwasveryremoteindeed——athoughtthatoftencausedmeakindofdullagony，moreterriblethananymerephysicalpain。
However，Ifixedupaflagstaffonthehighestpointoftheisland——
(poor“island，“——THATwasnotmanyinches)——andfloatedanensignUPSIDEDOWNfromit，inthehopethatthissignalofdistressmightbesightedbysomestrayvessel，andindicatethepresenceofacastawaytothoseonboard。EverymorningImademywaytotheflagstaff，andscannedthehorizonforapossiblesail，butI
alwayshadtocomeawaydisappointed。Thisbecameahabit；yet，soeternalishope，thatdaybyday，weekbyweek，andmonthbymonththebitterdisappointmentwasalwaysakeentorture。Bytheway，theveryreefsthatmadethoseseassodangerousservedcompletelytoprotectmylittleislandinstormyweather。Thefuryofthebillowslostitselfuponthem，sothateventhesurfveryrarelyreachedme。Iwasusuallyastiraboutsunrise。Iknewthatthesunroseabout6A。M。inthosetropicalseasandsetat6P。M。；
therewasverylittlevariationalltheyearround。Aheavydewdescendedatnight，whichmadetheairdelightfullycool；butinthedayitwassofrightfullyhotthatIcouldnotbeartheweightofordinaryclothesuponmyperson，soItooktowearingasilkshawlinstead，hunglooselyroundmywaist。
AnotherreasonwhyIabandonedclotheswasbecauseIfoundthatwhenarentappearedthesunblazeddownthroughitandraisedapainfulblister。Ontheotherhand，bymerelywearingawaist-
cloth，andtakingconstantseabaths，Isufferedscarcelyatallfromthescorchingtropicalsun。InowdevotedallmyenergiestothewreckoftheVeielland，lestanythingshouldhappentoit，andworkedwithfeverishenergytogeteverythingIpossiblycouldoutoftheship。Ittookmesomemonthstoaccomplishthis，buteventuallyIhadremovedeverything——eventhegreaterpartofthecargoofpearlshells。Theworkwasrenderedparticularlyarduousinconsequenceofthedecksbeingsofrequentlyunderwater；andI
founditwasonlyatthefullandnewmoonsthatIcouldactuallyWALKroundontherockstothewreck。Incourseoftimetheshipbegantobreakup，andImateriallyassistedtheoperationwithanaxe。Iwantedhertimberstobuildaboatinwhichtoescape。
ThecasksofflourIfloatedashorewereverylittletheworsefortheirimmersion；infact，thewaterhadonlysoakedthroughtothedepthofacoupleofinches，formingakindofprotectingwetcrust，andleavingtheinnerpartperfectlydryandgood。Muchofthisflour，however，wasafterwardsspoiledbyweevils；nordidmyspreadingoutthepreciousgraininthesunlightontarpaulinsandsailssaveitfromatleastpartialdestruction。Ialsobroughtashorebagsofbeans，rice，andmaize；casesofpreservedmilkandvegetables，andinnumerableotherarticlesoffood，besidessomesmallcasksofoilandrum。Infact，Istrippedtheship”sinteriorofeverything，andattheendofninemonthsverylittleremainedofherontherocksbutthebareskeletonofthehull。I
movedallthethingsoutdaybydayaccordingtothetides。
Inalargechestthatcameashorefromthecaptain”scabinIfoundastockofallkindsofseeds，andIresolvedtoseewhetherI
couldgrowalittlecorn。Jensenhimselfhadputtheseedsaboardinordertoplantthemonsomeoftheislandsnearwhichwemightbecompelledtoanchorforsomelengthoftime。AnotherobjectwastogrowplantsonboardfortheamusementoftheMalays。Theseedsincludedvegetables，flowers，andIndiancorn，thelastnamedbeinginthecob。TheMalaysareveryfondofflowers，andthecaptaintoldthemthattheymighttryandcultivatesomeinboxesonboard；
butwhenhesawthatthiswouldmeananadditionaldrainuponhissupplyoffreshwaterhewithdrewthepermission。Iknewthatsaltwaterwouldnotnourishplants，andIwasequallycertainIcouldnotsparefreshwaterfrommyownstockforthispurpose。
Nevertheless，Isetmywitstowork，andatlengthdecideduponaninterestingexperiment。Ifilledalargeturtleshellwithsandandalittleclay，andthoroughlywettedthemixturewithturtle”sblood，thenstirringthemassintoapuddleandplantingcorninit。
Thegrainquicklysprouted，andflourishedsorapidly，thatwithinaveryshorttimeIwasabletotransplantit——always，however，nourishingitwiththebloodofturtles。Thismostsatisfactoryresultinducedmetoextendmyoperation，andIsoonhadquaintlittlecropsofmaizeandwheatgrowinginhugeturtleshells；thewheat-plants，however，didnotreachmaturity。
ForalongtimeIwascontentwiththesimpleawningIhavedescribedasaplaceofshelter，butwhenIbegantorecoverthepearlshellsfromtheship，itoccurredtomethatImightusethemasmaterialwithwhichtobuildsomekindofahut。Altogethertherewereaboutthirtytonsofpearlshellsonboard，andatfirstItooktodivingforthemmerelyasasortofpastime。
Ispentmanyweeksgettingenoughshellsashoretobuildacoupleofparallelwalls，eachaboutsevenfeethigh，threefeetthick，andtenfeetinlength。Thebreezeblewgratefullythroughthem。
Ifilledtheintersticesofthesewallswithapuddleofclayeysandandwater，coveredinthetopwithcanvas，andmadequiteacomfortableliving-placeoutofit。Thewallsatanyratehadahighcommercialvalue！WhenthewetseasonsetinIbuiltathirdwallatoneend，anderectedasortofdoubleawninginfront，underwhichIalwayskeptmyfireburning。Ialsoputastrawthatchoverthehut，proudlyusingmyownstrawwhichIhadgrownwithblood。
IncourseoftimeImademyselfcrudearticlesoffurniture，includingatable，somechairs，abed，&c。Mybeddingatfirstconsistedofsails，butafterwardsIwasabletohaveamattressfilledwithstrawfrommycornpatch。ThekettleIhadsavedfromthewreckwasforalongtimemyonlycookingutensil，sowhenI
hadanythingtoprepareIgenerallymadeanoveninthesand，afterthemannerofthenativesIhadmetontheNewGuineamain。I
couldalwayscatchplentyoffish——principallymullet；andasforsea-fowls，allthatIhadtodowaswalkovertothatpartoftheislandwheretheywerefeedingandbreeding，andknockthemoverwithastick。Imadedough-cakesfromtheflourwhilstitlasted；
andIhaddeputiestofishforme——Imeanthehundredsofpelicans。
Thebirdswhohadlittleonestofeedwentoutinthemorning，andreturnedintheafternoon，withfromthreetotenpoundsofdeliciousfreshfishintheircuriouspouches。
Onalightingontheislandtheyemptiedtheirpouchesonthesand——
toooften，Imustconfess，solelyformybenefit。Selfishbachelorbirdsonreturningwithfullpouchesjerkedtheircatchintotheair，andsoswallowedit。Itusedtoamuseme，however，towatcharobbergull，perchedontheirback，cleverlyandneatlyinterceptingthefishasitascended。Thesefish，withbroiledturtlemeatandtinnedfruits，madequiteasumptuousrepast。
AfterbreakfastIwouldhaveaswimwhenthetidewaslowandtherewasnolikelihoodofsharksbeingabout。ArunalongthebeachinthesununtilIwasdryfollowed，andthenIreturnedtomyawningandreadaloudtomyselfinEnglish，frommymedicalbooksandmyEnglish-FrenchTestament，simplyforthepleasureofhearingmyownvoice。Iwasaverygoodlinguistinthosedays，andspokeEnglishparticularlywelllongbeforeIleftSwitzerland。Afterbreakfast，mydogandIwouldgoouttocatchapeculiarsortoffishcalledthe“sting-rae。”ThesecuriouscreatureshaveasharpbonyspikeabouttwoinchesinlengthnearthetailandthisIfoundadmirablyadaptedforarrow-heads。Thebodyofthefishresembledahugeflounder，butthetailwaslongandtapering。Theywouldcomeclosein-shore，andIwouldspearthemfromtherockswithaPapuanfishing-spear。ThesmallestIevercaughtweighedfifteenpounds，andIcouldnevercarryhomemorethanacoupleofaverageweight。
Theyhavethepowerofstinging，Ibelieve，electrically，hencetheirname。Atallevents，Iwasoncestungbyoneofthesefish，anditwasanexperienceIshallneverforget。Itfortunatelyhappenedatatimewhensomefriendlyblackswereathand，otherwiseIquestionverymuchwhetherIshouldbealiveto-day。
Iwaswadingslowlyalongthebeachinratherdeepwater，whenI
suddenlyfeltamostexcruciatingpaininmyleftankle。ItseemedasthoughIhadjustreceivedaparalysingshockfromapowerfulbattery，anddownIfellinastateofabsolutecollapse，unabletostirafingertosavemyself，althoughIknewIwasrapidlydrowning。Fortunatelytheblackswhowerewithmecameandpulledmeashore，whereIslowlyrecovered。Therewasonlyaslightscratchonmyankle，butforalongtimemywholebodywasrackedwithpain，andwhenthenativesgottoknowofthesymptomstheytoldmethatIhadbeenattackedbya“sting-rae。”Thespikeorstingmeasuresfromtwotosixinchesinlengthaccordingtothesizeofthefish。
Buttoreturntomysolitarylifeontheisland。Thefleshofthesting-raewasnotpleasanttoeat，beingrathertoughandtasteless，soIuseditasabaitforsharks。Turtlesvisitedtheislandingreatnumbers，anddepositedtheireggsinholesmadeinthesandabovehigh-watermark。Theyonlycameonlandduringthenight，athightide；andwheneverIwantedaspecialdelicacy，I
turnedoneoveronitsbacktillmorning，whenIdespatcheditleisurelywithmytomahawk。Thecreatures”shellsIalwaysdevotedtotheextensionofmygarden，whichbecameverylarge，andeventuallycoveredfullytwo-thirdsoftheisland。Themaizeandcob-cornflourishedremarkablywell，andIgenerallymanagedtogetthreecropsinthecourseofayear。Thestrawcameinusefulforbeddingpurposes，butasIfoundthesand-fliesandotherinsectsbecomingmoreandmoretroublesomewhilstIlayontheground，I
decidedtotryahammock。Imadeoneoutofshark”shide，andslungitinmyhut，whenIfoundthatitansweredmypurposesplendidly。
Thegreatthingwastowardoffthedullagony，thekillingdepression，andmaniasgenerally。FortunatelyIwasofaveryactivedisposition，andasapastimeItooktogymnastics，evenasIhadatMontreux。Ibecameamostproficienttumblerandacrobat，andcouldturntwoorthreesomersaultsondashingdownfromtheslopingroofofmypearl-shellhut；besides，Ibecameasplendidhighjumper，withandwithoutthepole。AnotherthingIinterestedmyselfinwastheconstructionofasun-dial。
Indeed，IspentmanyhoursdevisingsomemeanswherebyIcouldfashionareliable“clock，“andatlastIworkedouttheprincipleofthesun-dialonthesand。Ifixedalongstickperfectlyuprightintheground，andthenmarkedoffcertainspacesrounditbymeansofpegsandpearlshells。Icalculatedthehoursaccordingtothelengthoftheshadowscastbythesun。
But，inspiteofallthatIcoulddotointerestoramusemyself，I
wasfrequentlyoverwhelmedwithfitsofdepressionanddespair，andmorethanonceIfearedIshouldlosemymentalbalanceandbecomeamaniac。Areligiouscrazetookpossessionofme，and，striveasImight，Icouldnotkeepmymindfromdwellinguponcertainapparentdiscrepanciesinthevariousapostles”versionsoftheGospel！
IfoundmyselfconstantlybroodingoverstatementsmadeinoneformbySt。Matthew，andinanotherbySt。Luke；andIconjuredupendlesstheologicalargumentsandtheories，untilIwasdrivennearlyfrantic。MuchasIregrettedit，IwascompelledatlasttogiveupreadingmyNewTestament，andbytheexerciseofastrongwillIforcedmyselftothinkaboutsomethingtotallydifferent。
Ittookmealongtimetoovercomethisreligiousmelancholia，butImastereditinthelongrun，andwasgreatlydelightedwhenI
foundIcouldoncemorereadwithoutbeinghypercriticalanddoubtfulofeverything。HadIbeencastonaluxuriantisland，growingfruitsandflowers，andinhabitedatleastbyanimals——howdifferentwouldithavebeen！Butheretherewasnothingtosavethemindfrommadness——merelyatinystripofsand，invisibleafewhundredyardsoutatsea。
WhenthefitsofdepressioncameuponmeIinvariablyconcludedthatlifewasunbearable，andwouldactuallyrushintothesea，withthedeliberateobjectofputtinganendtomyself。Atthesetimesmyagonyofmindwasfarmoredreadfulthatanydegreeofphysicalsufferingcouldhavebeen，anddeathseemedtohaveafascinationformethatIcouldnotresist。YetwhenIfoundmyselfuptomyneckinwater，asuddenrevulsionoffeelingwouldcomeoverme，andinsteadofdrowningmyselfIwouldindulgeinaswimorarideonaturtle”sbackbywayofdivertingmythoughtsintodifferentchannels。
BrunoalwaysseemedtounderstandwhenIhadanattackofmelancholia，andhewouldwatchmyeverymovement。Whenhesawmerushingintothewater，hewouldfollowatmysidebarkingandyellinglikeamadthing，untilheactuallymademeforgetthedreadfulobjectIhadinview。Andwewouldperhapsconcludebyhavingaswimmingrace。Thesefitsofdepressionalwayscameuponmetowardsevening，andgenerallyaboutthesamehour。
Inspiteoftheapparenthopelessnessofmyposition，Ineverrelinquishedtheideaofescapingfromtheislandsomeday，andaccordinglyIstartedbuildingaboatwithinamonthofmyshipwreck。
NotthatIknewanythingwhateveraboutboat-building；butIwasconvincedthatIcouldatleastmakeacraftofsomesortthatwouldfloat。Isettoworkwithalightheart，butlateronpaiddearlyformyignoranceinbitter，bitterdisappointmentandimpotentregrets。Foronething，Imadethekeeltooheavy；then，again，Iusedplanksthatwereabsurdlythickfortheshell，though，ofcourse，Iwasnotawareofthesethingsatthetime。
Thewreck，ofcourse，providedmewithallthewoodworkIrequired。
Inordertomakethestavespliable，Isoakedtheminwaterforaweek，andthenheatedthemoverafire，afterwardsbendingthemtotherequiredshape。Attheendofninemonthsofunremittinglabour，towhich，latterly，considerableanxiety——glorioushopesandsickeningfears——wasadded，IhadbuiltwhatIconsideredasubstantialandsea-worthysailingboat，fullyfifteenfeetlongbyfourfeetwide。Itwasaheavyungainlylookingobjectwhenfinished，anditrequiredmuchingenuityonmyparttolaunchit。
ThisIeventuallymanaged，however，bymeansofrollersandlevers；
buttheboatwasfrightfullylowinthewateratthestern。Itwasquitewatertightthough，havinganoutercoveringofsharks”greenhide，wellsmearedwithStockholmtar，andaninsideliningofstoutcanvas。Ialsoriggedupamast，andmadeasail。WhenmyboatfloatedIfairlyscreamedaloudwithwilddelight，andsympatheticBrunojumpedandyelpedinunison。
Butwhenallmypreparationswerecomplete，andIhadrowedoutalittleway，Imadeadiscoverythatnearlydrovemecrazy。IfoundIhadlaunchedtheboatinasortoflagoonseveralmilesinextent，barredbyacrescentofcoralrocks，overwhichICOULDNOT
POSSIBLYDRAGMYCRAFTINTOTHEOPENSEA。Althoughthewatercoveredthereefsathightideitwasneverofsufficientdepthtoallowmetosailtheboatoverthem。Itriedeverypossibleopening，butwasalwaysarrestedatsomepointorother。Afterthefirstacuteparoxysmofdespair——beatingmyheadwithmyclenchedfists——Iconsoledmyselfwiththethoughtthatwhenthehightidescame，theywouldperhapslifttheboatoverthatterriblebarrier。
Iwaited，andwaited，andwaited，butalas！onlytobedisappointed。Myninewearymonthsofarduoustravailandhalf-
franticanticipationwerecruellywasted。AtnotimecouldIgettheboatoutintotheopenseainconsequenceoftherocks，anditwasequallyimpossibleformeunaidedtodragherbackupthesteepslopeagainandacrosstheisland，whereshecouldbelaunchedoppositeanopeningintheencirclingreefs。Sotheremydarlingboatlayidlyinthelagoon——auselessthing，whosesightfilledmewithheartacheanddespair。Andyet，inthisverylagoonIsoonfoundamusementandpleasure。WhenIhadinsomemeasuregotoverthedisappointmentabouttheboat，Itooktosailingheraboutinthelagoon。IalsoplayedthepartofNeptuneintheveryextraordinarywayIhavealreadyindicated。Iusedtowadeouttowheretheturtleswere，andoncatchingabigsix-hundred-pounder，Iwouldcalmlysitastrideonhisback。
Awaywouldswimthestartledcreature，mostlyafootorsobelowthesurface。WhenhediveddeeperIsimplysatfarbackontheshell，andthenhewasforcedtocomeup。Isteeredmyqueersteedsinacuriousway。WhenIwantedmyturtletoturntotheleft，Isimplythrustmyfootintohisrighteye，andviceversaforthecontrarydirection。Mytwobigtoesplacedsimultaneouslyoverbothhisopticscausedahaltsoabruptasalmosttounseatme。SometimesIwouldgofullyamileouttoseaononeofthesestrangesteeds。Italwaysfrightenedthemtohavemeastride，andintheirterrortheyswamatatremendouspaceuntilcompelledtodesistthroughsheerexhaustion。
BeforethewetseasoncommencedIputastrawthatchontheroofofmyhut，asbeforestated，andmademyquartersassnugaspossible。
Anditwasaverynecessaryprecaution，too，forsometimesitrainedfordaysatastretch。Therainneverkeptmeindoors，however，andItookexercisejustthesame，asIdidn”tbotheraboutclothes，andratherenjoyedtheshowerbath。Iwasalwaysdevisingmeansofmakinglifemoretolerable，andamongstotherthingsImadeasortofswing，whichIfoundextremelyusefulinbeguilingtime。Iwouldalsopractisejumpingwithlongpoles。
OnedayIcapturedayoungpelican，andtrainedhimtoaccompanymeinmywalksandassistmeinmyfishingoperations。Healsoactedasadecoy。FrequentlyIwouldhidemyselfinsomegrass，whilstmypetbirdwalkedafewyardsawaytoattracthisfellows。
Presentlyhewouldbejoinedbyawholeflock，manyofwhichI
lassoed，orshotwithmybowandarrows。
Butformydog——myalmosthumanBruno——IthinkImusthavedied。I
usedtotalktohimpreciselyasthoughhewereahumanbeing。Wewereabsolutelyinseparable。IpreachedlongsermonstohimfromGospeltexts。Itoldhiminaloudvoiceallaboutmyearlylifeandschool-daysatMontreux；Irecountedtohimallmyadventures，fromthefatalmeetingwithpoorPeterJenseninSingapore，rightuptothepresent；Isanglittlechansonstohim，andamongthesehehadhisfavouritesaswellasthosehedislikedcordially。Ifhedidnotcareforasong，hewouldsetupapitifulhowl。Ifeelconvincedthatthisconstantcommuningaloudwithmydogsavedmyreason。BrunoseemedalwaystobeinsuchgoodspiritsthatI
neverdreamedofanythinghappeningtohim；andhisquiet，sympatheticcompanionshipwasoneofthegreatestblessingsIknewthroughoutmanyweirdandterribleyears。AsItalkedtohimhewouldsitatmyfeet，lookingsointelligentlyatmethatIfanciedheunderstoodeverywordofwhatIwassaying。
Whenthereligiousmaniawasuponme，ItalkedoverallsortsoftheologicalsubjectswithmyBruno，anditseemedtorelieveme，eventhoughIneverreceivedanyenlightenmentfromhimupontheknottypointthatwouldbepuzzlingmeatthatparticulartime。
WhatdelightedhimmostofallwasformetotellhimthatIlovedhimverydearly，andthathewasevenmorevaluabletomethanthefamousdogsofSt。Bernardweretobenightedtravellersinthesnow。
