Contents：
TheHouseofPrideKoolautheLeperGood—bye，JackAlohaOeChunAhChunTheSheriffofKonaJackLondonTHEHOUSEOFPRIDE
PercivalFordwonderedwhyhehadcome。Hedidnotdance。Hedidnotcaremuchforarmypeople。Yetheknewthemall——glidingandrevolvingthereonthebroadlanaioftheSeaside，theofficersintheirfresh—starcheduniformsofwhite，theciviliansinwhiteandblack，andthewomenbareofshouldersandarms。AftertwoyearsinHonolulutheTwentiethwasdepartingtoitsnewstationinAlaska，andPercivalFord，asoneofthebigmenoftheIslands，couldnothelpknowingtheofficersandtheirwomen。
Butbetweenknowingandlikingwasavastgulf。Thearmywomenfrightenedhimjustalittle。Theywereinwaysquitedifferentfromthewomenhelikedbest——theelderlywomen，thespinstersandthebespectacledmaidens，andtheveryseriouswomenofallageswhomhemetonchurchandlibraryandkindergartencommittees，whocamemeeklytohimforcontributionsandadvice。Heruledthosewomenbyvirtueofhissuperiormentality，hisgreatwealth，andthehighplaceheoccupiedinthecommercialbaronageofHawaii。Andhewasnotafraidofthemintheleast。Sex，withthem，wasnotobtrusive。Yes，thatwasit。Therewasinthemsomethingelse，ormore，thantheassertivegrossnessoflife。Hewasfastidious；heacknowledgedthattohimself；andthesearmywomen，withtheirbareshouldersandnakedarms，theirstraight—lookingeyes，theirvitalityandchallengingfemaleness，jarreduponhissensibilities。
Nordidhegetonbetterwiththearmymen，whotooklifelightly，drinkingandsmokingandswearingtheirwaythroughlifeandassertingtheessentialgrossnessoffleshnolessshamelesslythantheirwomen。Hewasalwaysuncomfortableinthecompanyofthearmymen。Theyseemeduncomfortable，too。Andhefelt，always，thattheywerelaughingathimuptheirsleeves，orpityinghim，ortoleratinghim。Then，too，theyseemed，bymerecontiguity，toemphasizealackinhim，tocallattentiontothatinthemwhichhedidnotpossessandwhichhethankedGodhedidnotpossess。Faugh!
Theywereliketheirwomen!
Infact，PercivalFordwasnomoreawoman’smanthanhewasaman’sman。Aglanceathimtoldthereason。Hehadagoodconstitution，neverwasonintimatetermswithsickness，norevenmilddisorders；
buthelackedvitality。Hiswasanegativeorganism。Nobloodwithafermentinitcouldhavenourishedandshapedthatlongandnarrowface，thosethinlips，leancheeks，andthesmall，sharpeyes。Thethatchofhair，dust—coloured，straightandsparse，advertisedtheniggardsoil，asdidthenose，thin，delicatelymodelled，andjusthintingthesuggestionofabeak。Hismeagrebloodhaddeniedhimmuchoflife，andpermittedhimtobeanextremistinonethingonly，whichthingwasrighteousness。Overrightconductheponderedandagonized，andthatheshoulddorightwasasnecessarytohisnatureaslovingandbeinglovedwerenecessarytocommonerclay。
Hewassittingunderthealgarobatreesbetweenthelanaiandthebeach。Hiseyeswanderedoverthedancersandheturnedhisheadawayandgazedseawardacrossthemellow—soundingsurftotheSouthernCrossburninglowonthehorizon。Hewasirritatedbythebareshouldersandarmsofthewomen。Ifhehadadaughterhewouldneverpermitit，never。Buthishypothesiswasthesheerestabstraction。Thethoughtprocesshadbeenaccompaniedbynoinnervisionofthatdaughter。Hedidnotseeadaughterwitharmsandshoulders。Instead，hesmiledattheremotecontingencyofmarriage。Hewasthirty—five，and，havinghadnopersonalexperienceoflove，helookeduponit，notasmythical，butasbestial。Anybodycouldmarry。TheJapaneseandChinesecoolies，toilingonthesugarplantationsandintherice—fields，married。
Theyinvariablymarriedatthefirstopportunity。Itwasbecausetheyweresolowinthescaleoflife。Therewasnothingelseforthemtodo。Theywerelikethearmymenandwomen。Butforhimtherewereotherandhigherthings。Hewasdifferentfromthem——
fromallofthem。Hewasproudofhowhehappenedtobe。Hehadcomeofnopettylove—match。Hehadcomeofloftyconceptionofdutyandofdevotiontoacause。Hisfatherhadnotmarriedforlove。LovewasamadnessthathadneverperturbedIsaacFord。Whenheansweredthecalltogototheheathenwiththemessageoflife，hehadhadnothoughtandnodesireformarriage。Inthistheywerealike，hisfatherandhe。ButtheBoardofMissionswaseconomical。
WithNewEnglandthriftitweighedandmeasuredanddecidedthatmarriedmissionarieswerelessexpensivepercapitaandmoreefficacious。SotheBoardcommandedIsaacFordtomarry。
Furthermore，itfurnishedhimwithawife，anotherzealoussoulwithnothoughtofmarriage，intentonlyondoingtheLord’sworkamongtheheathen。TheysaweachotherforthefirsttimeinBoston。TheBoardbroughtthemtogether，arrangedeverything，andbytheendoftheweektheyweremarriedandstartedonthelongvoyagearoundtheHorn。
PercivalFordwasproudthathehadcomeofsuchaunion。Hehadbeenbornhigh，andhethoughtofhimselfasaspiritualaristocrat。
Andhewasproudofhisfather。Itwasapassionwithhim。Theerect，austerefigureofIsaacFordhadburneditselfuponhispride。OnhisdeskwasaminiatureofthatsoldieroftheLord。InhisbedroomhungtheportraitofIsaacFord，paintedatthetimewhenhehadservedundertheMonarchyasprimeminister。NotthatIsaacFordhadcovetedplaceandworldlywealth，butthat，asprimeminister，and，later，asbanker，hehadbeenofgreaterservicetothemissionarycause。TheGermancrowd，andtheEnglishcrowd，andalltherestofthetradingcrowd，hadsneeredatIsaacFordasacommercialsoul—saver；buthe，hisson，knewdifferent。Whenthenatives，emergingabruptlyfromtheirfeudalsystem，withnoconceptionofthenatureandsignificanceofpropertyinland，werelettingtheirbroadacresslipthroughtheirfingers，itwasIsaacFordwhohadsteppedinbetweenthetradingcrowdanditspreyandtakenpossessionoffat，vastholdings。Smallwonderthetradingcrowddidnotlikehismemory。Buthehadneverlookeduponhisenormouswealthashisown。HehadconsideredhimselfGod’ssteward。Outoftherevenueshehadbuiltschools，andhospitals，andchurches。Norwasithisfaultthatsugar，aftertheslump，hadpaidfortypercent；thatthebankhefoundedhadprosperedintoarailroad；andthat，amongotherthings，fiftythousandacresofOahupastureland，whichhehadboughtforadollaranacre，greweighttonsofsugartotheacreeveryeighteenmonths。No，inalltruth，IsaacFordwasanheroicfigure，fit，soPercivalFordthoughtprivately，tostandbesidethestatueofKamehamehaI。infrontoftheJudiciaryBuilding。IsaacFordwasgone，buthe，hisson，carriedonthegoodworkatleastasinflexiblyifnotasmasterfully。
Heturnedhiseyesbacktothelanai。Whatwasthedifference，heaskedhimself，betweentheshameless，grass—girdledhuladancesandthedecolletedancesofthewomenofhisownrace？Wasthereanessentialdifference？orwasitamatterofdegree？
Asheponderedtheproblemahandrestedonhisshoulder。
\"Hello，Ford，whatareyoudoinghere？Isn’tthisabitfestive？\"
\"Itrytobelenient，Dr。Kennedy，evenasIlookon，\"PercivalFordansweredgravely。\"Won’tyousitdown？\"
Dr。Kennedysatdown，clappinghispalmssharply。Awhite—cladJapaneseservantansweredswiftly。
ScotchandsodawasKennedy’sorder；then，turningtotheother，hesaid：—
\"Ofcourse，Idon’taskyou。\"
\"ButIwilltakesomething，\"Fordsaidfirmly。Thedoctor’seyesshowedsurprise，andtheservantwaited。\"Boy，alemonade，please。\"
Thedoctorlaughedatitheartily，asajokeonhimself，andglancedatthemusiciansunderthehautree。
\"Why，it’stheAlohaOrchestra，\"hesaid。\"IthoughttheywerewiththeHawaiianHotelonTuesdaynights。Somerumpus，Iguess。\"
Hiseyespausedforamoment，anddweltupontheonewhowasplayingaguitarandsingingaHawaiiansongtotheaccompanimentofalltheinstruments。
Hisfacebecamegraveashelookedatthesinger，anditwasstillgraveasheturnedittohiscompanion。
\"Lookhere，Ford，isn’tittimeyouletuponJoeGarland？I
understandyouareinoppositiontothePromotionCommittee’ssendinghimtotheStatesonthissurf—boardproposition，andI’vebeenwantingtospeaktoyouaboutit。Ishouldhavethoughtyou’dbegladtogethimoutofthecountry。Itwouldbeagoodwaytoendyourpersecutionofhim。\"
\"Persecution？\"PercivalFord’seyebrowsliftedinterrogatively。
\"Callitbyanynameyouplease，\"Kennedywenton。\"You’vehoundedthatpoordevilforyears。It’snothisfault。Evenyouwilladmitthat。\"
\"Nothisfault？\"PercivalFord’sthinlipsdrewtightlytogetherforthemoment。\"JoeGarlandisdissoluteandidle。Hehasalwaysbeenawastrel，aprofligate。\"
\"Butthat’snoreasonyoushouldkeeponafterhimthewayyoudo。
I’vewatchedyoufromthebeginning。Thefirstthingyoudidwhenyoureturnedfromcollegeandfoundhimworkingontheplantationasoutsidelunawastofirehim——youwithyourmillions，andhewithhissixtydollarsamonth。\"
\"Notthefirstthing，\"PercivalFordsaidjudicially，inatonehewasaccustomedtouseincommitteemeetings。\"Igavehimhiswarning。Thesuperintendentsaidhewasacapableluna。Ihadnoobjectiontohimonthatground。Itwaswhathedidoutsideworkinghours。HeundidmyworkfasterthanIcouldbuilditup。OfwhatuseweretheSundayschools，thenightschools，andthesewingclasses，whenintheeveningstherewasJoeGarlandwithhisinfernalandeternaltum—tummingofguitarandukulele，hisstrongdrink，andhishuladancing？AfterIwarnedhim，Icameuponhim——I
shallneverforgetit——cameuponhim，downatthecabins。Itwasevening。IcouldhearthehulasongsbeforeIsawthescene。AndwhenIdidseeit，therewerethegirls，shamelessinthemoonlightanddancing——thegirlsuponwhomIhadworkedtoteachcleanlivingandrightconduct。Andtherewerethreegirlsthere，Iremember，justgraduatedfromthemissionschool。OfcourseIdischargedJoeGarland。IknowitwasthesameatHilo。PeoplesaidIwentoutofmywaywhenIpersuadedMasonandFitchtodischargehim。Butitwasthemissionarieswhorequestedmetodoso。Hewasundoingtheirworkbyhisreprehensibleexample。\"
\"Afterwards，whenhegotontherailroad，yourrailroad，hewasdischargedwithoutcause，\"Kennedychallenged。
\"Notso，\"wasthequickanswer。\"Ihadhimintomyprivateofficeandtalkedwithhimforhalfanhour。\"
\"Youdischargedhimforinefficiency？\"
\"Forimmoralliving，ifyouplease。\"
Dr。Kennedylaughedwithagratingsound。\"Whothedevilgaveittoyoutobejudgeandjury？Doeslandlordismgiveyoucontroloftheimmortalsoulsofthosethattoilforyou？Ihavebeenyourphysician。AmItoexpecttomorrowyourukasethatIgiveupScotchandsodaoryourpatronage？Bah!Ford，youtakelifetooseriously。Besides，whenJoegotintothatsmugglingscrape（hewasn’tinyouremploy，either），andhesentwordtoyou，askedyoutopayhisfine，youlefthimtodohissixmonths’hardlabouronthereef。Don’tforget，youleftJoeGarlandinthelurchthattime。Youthrewhimdown，hard；andyetIrememberthefirstdayyoucametoschool——weboarded，youwereonlyadayscholar——youhadtobeinitiated。Threetimesunderintheswimmingtank——youremember，itwastheregulardoseeverynewboygot。Andyouheldback。Youdeniedthatyoucouldswim。Youwerefrightened，hysterical——\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"PercivalFordsaidslowly。\"Iwasfrightened。Anditwasalie，forIcouldswim……AndIwasfrightened。\"
\"Andyourememberwhofoughtforyou？wholiedforyouharderthanyoucouldlie，andsworeheknewyoucouldn’tswim？Whojumpedintothetankandpulledyououtafterthefirstunderandwasnearlydrownedforitbytheotherboys，whohaddiscoveredbythattimethatyouCOULDswim？\"
\"OfcourseIknow，\"theotherrejoinedcoldly。\"Butagenerousactasaboydoesnotexcusealifetimeofwrongliving。\"
\"Hehasneverdonewrongtoyou？——personallyanddirectly，Imean？\"
\"No，\"wasPercivalFord’sanswer。\"Thatiswhatmakesmypositionimpregnable。Ihavenopersonalspiteagainsthim。Heisbad，thatisall。Hislifeisbad——\"
\"Whichisanotherwayofsayingthathedoesnotagreewithyouinthewaylifeshouldbelived，\"thedoctorinterrupted。
\"Haveitthatway。Itisimmaterial。Heisanidler——\"
\"Withreason，\"wastheinterruption，\"consideringthejobsoutofwhichyouhaveknockedhim。\"
\"Heisimmoral——\"
\"Oh，holdonnow，Ford。Don’tgoharpingonthat。YouarepureNewEnglandstock。JoeGarlandishalfKanaka。Yourbloodisthin。
Hisiswarm。Lifeisonethingtoyou，anotherthingtohim。Helaughsandsingsanddancesthroughlife，genial，unselfish，childlike，everybody’sfriend。Yougothroughlifelikeaperambulatingprayer—wheel，afriendofnobodybuttherighteous，andtherighteousarethosewhoagreewithyouastowhatisright。
Andafterall，whoshallsay？Youlivelikeananchorite。JoeGarlandliveslikeagoodfellow。Whohasextractedthemostfromlife？Wearepaidtolive，youknow。Whenthewagesaretoomeagrewethrowupthejob，whichisthecause，believeme，ofallrationalsuicide。JoeGarlandwouldstarvetodeathonthewagesyougetfromlife。Yousee，heismadedifferently。Sowouldyoustarveonhiswages，whicharesinging，andlove——\"
\"Lust，ifyouwillpardonme，\"wastheinterruption。
Dr。Kennedysmiled。
\"Love，toyou，isawordoffourlettersandadefinitionwhichyouhaveextractedfromthedictionary。Butlove，reallove，dewyandpalpitantandtender，youdonotknow。IfGodmadeyouandme，andmenandwomen，believemeHemadelove，too。Buttocomeback。
It’sabouttimeyouquithoundingJoeGarland。Itisnotworthyofyou，anditiscowardly。Thethingforyoutodoistoreachoutandlendhimahand。\"
\"WhyI，anymorethanyou？\"theotherdemanded。\"Whydon’tyoureachhimahand？\"
\"Ihave。I’mreachinghimahandnow。I’mtryingtogetyounottodownthePromotionCommittee’spropositionofsendinghimaway。I
gothimthejobatHilowithMasonandFitch。I’vegothimhalfadozenjobs，outofeveryoneofwhichyoudrovehim。Butnevermindthat。Don’tforgetonething——andalittlefranknesswon’thurtyou——itisnotfairplaytosaddleanotherfaultonJoeGarland；andyouknowthatyou，leastofall，arethemantodoit。Why，man，it’snotgoodtaste。It’spositivelyindecent。\"
\"NowIdon’tfollowyou，\"PercivalFordanswered。\"You’reupintheairwithsomeobscurescientifictheoryofheredityandpersonalirresponsibility。ButhowanytheorycanholdJoeGarlandirresponsibleforhiswrongdoingsandatthesametimeholdmepersonallyresponsibleforthem——moreresponsiblethananyoneelse，includingJoeGarland——isbeyondme。\"
\"It’samatterofdelicacy，Isuppose，oroftaste，thatpreventsyoufromfollowingme，\"Dr。Kennedysnappedout。\"It’sallverywell，forthesakeofsociety，tacitlytoignoresomethings，butyoudomorethantacitlyignore。\"
\"Whatisit，pray，thatItacitlyignore!\"
Dr。Kennedywasangry。AdeeperredthanthatofconstitutionalScotchandsodasuffusedhisface，asheanswered：
\"Yourfather’sson。\"
\"Nowjustwhatdoyoumean？\"
\"Damnit，man，youcan’taskmetobeplainerspokenthanthat。Butifyouwill，allright——IsaacFord’sson——JoeGarland——yourbrother。\"
PercivalFordsatquietly，anannoyedandshockedexpressiononhisface。Kennedylookedathimcuriously，then，astheslowminutesdraggedby，becameembarrassedandfrightened。
\"MyGod!\"hecriedfinally，\"youdon’tmeantotellmethatyoudidn’tknow!\"
Asinanswer，PercivalFord’scheeksturnedslowlygrey。
\"It’saghastlyjoke，\"hesaid；\"aghastlyjoke。\"
Thedoctorhadgothimselfinhand。
\"Everybodyknowsit，\"hesaid。\"Ithoughtyouknewit。Andsinceyoudon’tknowit，it’stimeyoudid，andI’mgladofthechanceofsettingyoustraight。JoeGarlandandyouarebrothers——half—
brothers。\"
\"It’salie，\"Fordcried。\"Youdon’tmeanit。JoeGarland’smotherwasElizaKunilio。\"（Dr。Kennedynodded。）\"Irememberherwell，withherduckpondandtaropatch。HisfatherwasJosephGarland，thebeach—comber。\"（Dr。Kennedyshookhishead。）\"Hediedonlytwoorthreeyearsago。Heusedtogetdrunk。There’swhereJoegothisdissoluteness。There’stheheredityforyou。\"
\"Andnobodytoldyou，\"Kennedysaidwonderingly，afterapause。
\"Dr。Kennedy，youhavesaidsomethingterrible，whichIcannotallowtopass。Youmusteitherproveor，or……\"
\"Proveityourself。Turnaroundandlookathim。You’vegothiminprofile。Lookathisnose。That’sIsaacFord’s。Yoursisathineditionofit。That’sright。Look。Thelinesarefuller，buttheyareallthere。\"
PercivalFordlookedattheKanakahalf—breedwhoplayedunderthehautree，anditseemed，asbysomeillumination，thathewasgazingonawraithofhimself。Featureafterfeatureflashedupanunmistakableresemblance。Or，rather，itwashewhowasthewraithofthatotherfull—muscledandgenerouslymouldedman。Andhisfeatures，andthatotherman’sfeatures，wereallreminiscentofIsaacFord。Andnobodyhadtoldhim。EverylineofIsaacFord’sfaceheknew。Miniatures，portraits，andphotographsofhisfatherwerepassinginreviewthroughhismind，andhereandthere，overandagain，inthefacebeforehim，hecaughtresemblancesandvaguehintsoflikeness。Itwasdevil’sworkthatcouldreproducetheausterefeaturesofIsaacFordinthelooseandsensuousfeaturesbeforehim。Once，themanturned，andforoneflashinginstantitseemedtoPercivalFordthathesawhisfather，deadandgone，peeringathimoutofthefaceofJoeGarland。
\"It’snothingatall，\"hecouldfaintlyhearDr。Kennedysaying，\"Theywereallmixedupintheolddays。Youknowthat。You’veseenitallyourlife。Sailorsmarriedqueensandbegatprincessesandalltherestofit。ItwastheusualthingintheIslands。\"
\"Butnotwithmyfather，\"PercivalFordinterrupted。
\"Thereyouare。\"Kennedyshruggedhisshoulders。\"Cosmicsapandsmokeoflife。OldIsaacFordwasstraitlacedandalltherest，andIknowthere’snoexplainingit，leastofalltohimself。Heunderstooditnomorethanyoudo。Smokeoflife，that’sall。Anddon’tforgetonething，Ford。TherewasadabofunrulybloodinoldIsaacFord，andJoeGarlandinheritedit——allofit，smokeoflifeandcosmicsap；whileyouinheritedallofoldIsaac’sasceticblood。Andjustbecauseyourbloodiscold，well—ordered，andwell—
disciplined，isnoreasonthatyoushouldfrownuponJoeGarland。
WhenJoeGarlandundoestheworkyoudo，rememberthatitisonlyoldIsaacFordonbothsides，undoingwithonehandwhathedoeswiththeother。YouareIsaacFord’srighthand，letussay；JoeGarlandishislefthand。\"
PercivalFordmadenoanswer，andinthesilenceDr。KennedyfinishedhisforgottenScotchandsoda。Fromacrossthegroundsanautomobilehootedimperatively。
\"There’sthemachine，\"Dr。Kennedysaid，rising。\"I’vegottorun。
I’msorryI’veshakenyouup，andatthesametimeI’mglad。Andknowonething，IsaacFord’sdabofunrulybloodwasremarkablysmall，andJoeGarlandgotitall。Andoneotherthing。Ifyourfather’slefthandoffendyou，don’tsmiteitoff。Besides，Joeisallright。Frankly，ifIcouldchoosebetweenyouandhimtolivewithmeonadesertisle，I’dchooseJoe。\"
Littlebare—leggedchildrenranabouthim，playing，onthegrass；
butPercivalForddidnotseethem。Hewasgazingsteadilyatthesingerunderthehautree。Heevenchangedhispositiononce，togetcloser。TheclerkoftheSeasidewentby，limpingwithageanddragginghisreluctantfeet。HehadlivedfortyyearsontheIslands。PercivalFordbeckonedtohim，andtheclerkcamerespectfully，andwonderingthatheshouldbenoticedbyPercivalFord。
\"John，\"Fordsaid，\"Iwantyoutogivemesomeinformation。Won’tyousitdown？\"
Theclerksatdownawkwardly，stunnedbytheunexpectedhonour。Heblinkedattheotherandmumbled，\"Yes，sir，thankyou。\"
\"John，whoisJoeGarland？\"
Theclerkstaredathim，blinked，clearedhisthroat，andsaidnothing。
\"Goon，\"PercivalFordcommanded。
\"Whoishe？\"
\"You’rejokingme，sir，\"theothermanagedtoarticulate。
\"Ispoketoyouseriously。\"
Theclerkrecoiledfromhim。
\"Youdon’tmeantosayyoudon’tknow？\"hequestioned，hisquestioninitselftheanswer。
\"Iwanttoknow。\"
\"Why，he’s——\"Johnbrokeoffandlookedabouthimhelplessly。
\"Hadn’tyoubetterasksomebodyelse？Everybodythoughtyouknew。
Wealwaysthought……\"
\"Yes，goahead。\"
\"Wealwaysthoughtthatthatwaswhyyouhaditinforhim。\"
PhotographsandminiaturesofIsaacFordweretroopingthroughhisson’sbrain，andghostsofIsaacFordseemedintheairabouthint\"Iwishyougoodnight，sir，\"hecouldheartheclerksaying，andhesawhimbeginningtolimpaway。
\"John，\"hecalledabruptly。
Johncamebackandstoodnearhim，blinkingandnervouslymoisteninghislips。
\"Youhaven’ttoldmeyet，youknow。\"
\"Oh，aboutJoeGarland？\"
\"Yes，aboutJoeGarland。Whoishe？\"
\"He’syourbrother，sir，ifIsayitwhoshouldn’t。\"
\"Thankyou，John。Goodnight。\"
\"Andyoudidn’tknow？\"theoldmanqueried，contenttolinger，nowthatthecrucialpointwaspast。
\"Thankyou，John。Goodnight，\"wastheresponse。
\"Yes，sir，thankyou，sir。Ithinkit’sgoingtorain。Goodnight，sir。\"
Outoftheclearsky，filledonlywithstarsandmoonlight，fellarainsofineandattenuatedastoresembleavapourspray。Nobodymindedit；thechildrenplayedon，runningbare—leggedoverthegrassandleapingintothesand；andinafewminutesitwasgone。
Inthesouth—east，DiamondHead，ablackblot，sharplydefined，silhouetteditscrater—formagainstthestars。Atsleepyintervalsthesurfflungitsfoamacrossthesandstothegrass，andfaroutcouldbeseentheblackspecksofswimmersunderthemoon。Thevoicesofthesingers，singingawaltz，diedaway；andinthesilence，fromsomewhereunderthetrees，arosethelaughofawomanthatwasalove—cry。ItstartledPercivalFord，anditremindedhimofDr。Kennedy’sphrase。Downbytheoutriggercanoes，wheretheylayhauledoutonthesand，hesawmenandwomen，Kanakas，reclininglanguorously，likelotus—eaters，thewomeninwhiteholokus；andagainstonesuchholokuhesawthedarkheadofthesteersmanofthecanoerestinguponthewoman’sshoulder。Fartherdown，wherethestripofsandwidenedattheentrancetothelagoon，hesawamanandwomanwalkingsidebyside。Astheydrewnearthelightlanai，hesawthewoman’shandgodowntoherwaistanddisengageagirdlingarm。Andastheypassedhim，PercivalFordnoddedtoacaptainheknew，andtoamajor’sdaughter。Smokeoflife，thatwasit，anamplephrase。Andagain，fromunderthedarkalgarobatreearosethelaughofawomanthatwasalove—cry；andpasthischair，onthewaytobed，abare—leggedyoungsterwasledbyachidingJapanesenurse—maid。ThevoicesofthesingersbrokesoftlyandmeltinglyintoanHawaiianlove—song，andofficersandwomen，withencirclingarms，wereglidingandwhirlingonthelanai；andonceagainthewomanlaughedunderthealgarobatrees。
AndPercivalFordknewonlydisapprovalofitall。Hewasirritatedbythelove—laughofthewoman，bythesteersmanwithpillowedheadonthewhiteholoku，bythecouplesthatwalkedonthebeach，bytheofficersandwomenthatdanced，andbythevoicesofthesingerssingingoflove，andhisbrothersingingtherewiththemunderthehautree。Thewomanthatlaughedespeciallyirritatedhim。A
curioustrainofthoughtwasaroused。HewasIsaacFord’sson，andwhathadhappenedwithIsaacFordmighthappenwithhim。Hefeltinhischeeksthefaintheatofablushatthethought，andexperiencedapoignantsenseofshame。Hewasappalledbywhatwasinhisblood。Itwaslikelearningsuddenlythathisfatherhadbeenaleperandthathisownbloodmightbearthetaintofthatdreaddisease。IsaacFord，theausteresoldieroftheLord——theoldhypocrite!Whatdifferencebetweenhimandanybeach—comber？ThehouseofpridethatPercivalFordhadbuildedwastumblingabouthisears。
Thehourspassed，thearmypeoplelaughedanddanced，thenativeorchestraplayedon，andPercivalFordwrestledwiththeabruptandoverwhelmingproblemthathadbeenthrustuponhim。Heprayedquietly，hiselbowonthetable，hisheadboweduponhishand，withalltheappearanceofanytiredonlooker。Betweenthedancesthearmymenandwomenandtheciviliansfluttereduptohimandbuzzedconventionally，andwhentheywentbacktothelanaihetookuphiswrestlingwherehehadleftitoff。
HebegantopatchtogetherhisshatteredidealofIsaacFord，andforcementheusedacunningandsubtlelogic。Itwasofthesortthatiscompoundedinthebrainlaboratoriesofegotists，anditworked。Itwasincontrovertiblethathisfatherhadbeenmadeoffinerclaythanthoseabouthim；butstill，oldIsaachadbeenonlyintheprocessofbecoming，whilehe，PercivalFord，hadbecome。Asproofofit，herehabilitatedhisfatherandatthesametimeexaltedhimself。Hisleanlittleegowaxedtocolossalproportions。
Hewasgreatenoughtoforgive。Heglowedatthethoughtofit。
IsaacFordhadbeengreat，buthewasgreater，forhecouldforgiveIsaacFordandevenrestorehimtotheholyplaceinhismemory，thoughtheplacewasnotquitesoholyasithadbeen。Also，heapplaudedIsaacFordforhavingignoredtheoutcomeofhisonestepaside。Verywell，he，too，wouldignoreit。
Thedancewasbreakingup。Theorchestrahadfinished\"AlohaOe\"
andwaspreparingtogohome。PercivalFordclappedhishandsfortheJapaneseservant。
\"YoutellthatmanIwanttoseehim，\"hesaid，pointingoutJoeGarland。\"Tellhimtocomehere，now。\"
JoeGarlandapproachedandhaltedrespectfullyseveralpacesaway，nervouslyfingeringtheguitarwhichhestillcarried。Theotherdidnotaskhimtositdown。
\"Youaremybrother，\"hesaid。
\"Why，everybodyknowsthat，\"wasthereply，intonesofwonderment。
\"Yes，soIunderstand，\"PercivalFordsaiddryly。\"ButIdidnotknowittillthisevening。\"
Thehalf—brotherwaiteduncomfortablyinthesilencethatfollowed，duringwhichPercivalFordcoollyconsideredhisnextutterance。
\"YourememberthatfirsttimeIcametoschoolandtheboysduckedme？\"heasked。\"Whydidyoutakemypart？\"
Thehalf—brothersmiledbashfully。
\"Becauseyouknew？\"
\"Yes，thatwaswhy。\"
\"ButIdidn’tknow，\"PercivalFordsaidinthesamedryfashion。
\"Yes，\"theothersaid。
Anothersilencefell。Servantswerebeginningtoputoutthelightsonthelanai。
\"Youknow……now，\"thehalf—brothersaidsimply。
PercivalFordfrowned。Thenhelookedtheotheroverwithaconsideringeye。
\"HowmuchwillyoutaketoleavetheIslandsandnevercomeback？\"
hedemanded。
\"Andnevercomeback？\"JoeGarlandfaltered。\"ItistheonlylandI
know。Otherlandsarecold。Idonotknowotherlands。Ihavemanyfriendshere。Inotherlandstherewouldnotbeonevoicetosay，’Aloha，Joe，myboy。’\"
\"Isaidnevertocomeback，\"PercivalFordreiterated。\"TheAlamedasailstomorrowforSanFrancisco。\"
JoeGarlandwasbewildered。
\"Butwhy？\"heasked。\"Youknownowthatwearebrothers。\"
\"Thatiswhy，\"wastheretort。\"Asyousaidyourself，everybodyknows。Iwillmakeitworthyourwhile。\"
AllawkwardnessandembarrassmentdisappearedfromJoeGarland。
Birthandstationwerebridgedandreversed。
\"Youwantmetogo？\"hedemanded。
\"Iwantyoutogoandnevercomeback，\"PercivalFordanswered。
Andinthatmoment，flashingandfleeting，itwasgivenhimtoseehisbrothertowerabovehimlikeamountain，andtofeelhimselfdwindleanddwarftomicroscopicinsignificance。Butitisnotwellforonetoseehimselftruly，norcanonesoseehimselfforlongandlive；andonlyforthatflashingmomentdidPercivalFordseehimselfandhisbrotherintrueperspective。Thenextmomenthewasmasteredbyhismeagreandinsatiableego。
\"AsIsaid，Iwillmakeitworthyourwhile。Youwillnotsuffer。
Iwillpayyouwell。\"
\"Allright，\"JoeGarlandsaid。\"I’llgo。\"
Hestartedtoturnaway。
\"Joe，\"theothercalled。\"Youseemylawyertomorrowmorning。Fivehundreddownandtwohundredamonthaslongasyoustayaway。\"
\"Youareverykind，\"JoeGarlandansweredsoftly。\"Youaretookind。Andanyway，IguessIdon’twantyourmoney。IgotomorrowontheAlameda。\"
Hewalkedaway，butdidnotsaygoodbye。
PercivalFordclappedhishands。
\"Boy，\"hesaidtotheJapanese，\"alemonade。\"
Andoverthelemonadehesmiledlongandcontentedlytohimself。
KOOLAUTHELEPER
\"Becausewearesicktheytakeawayourliberty。Wehaveobeyedthelaw。Wehavedonenowrong。Andyettheywouldputusinprison。
Molokaiisaprison。Thatyouknow。Niuli，there，hissisterwassenttoMolokaisevenyearsago。Hehasnotseenhersince。Norwillheeverseeher。Shemuststaythereuntilshedies。Thisisnotherwill。ItisnotNiuli’swill。Itisthewillofthewhitemenwhoruletheland。Andwhoarethesewhitemen？
\"Weknow。Wehaveitfromourfathersandourfathers’fathers。
Theycamelikelambs，speakingsoftly。Wellmighttheyspeaksoftly，forweweremanyandstrong，andalltheislandswereours。
AsIsay，theyspokesoftly。Theywereoftwokinds。Theonekindaskedourpermission，ourgraciouspermission，topreachtousthewordofGod。Theotherkindaskedourpermission，ourgraciouspermission，totradewithus。Thatwasthebeginning。Todayalltheislandsaretheirs，alltheland，allthecattle——everythingistheirs。TheythatpreachedthewordofGodandtheythatpreachedthewordofRumhavefore—gatheredandbecomegreatchiefs。Theylivelikekingsinhousesofmanyrooms，withmultitudesofservantstocareforthem。Theywhohadnothinghaveeverything，andifyou，orI，oranyKanakabehungry，theysneerandsay，’Well，whydon’tyouwork？Therearetheplantations。’
Koolaupaused。Heraisedonehand，andwithgnarledandtwistedfingerslifteduptheblazingwreathofhibiscusthatcrownedhisblackhair。Themoonlightbathedthesceneinsilver。Itwasanightofpeace，thoughthosewhosatabouthimandlistenedhadalltheseemingofbattle—wrecks。Theirfaceswereleonine。Hereaspaceyawnedinafacewhereshouldhavebeenanose，andthereanarm—stumpshowedwhereahandhadrottedoff。Theyweremenandwomenbeyondthepale，thethirtyofthem，foruponthemhadbeenplacedthemarkofthebeast。
Theysat，flower—garlanded，intheperfumed，luminousnight，andtheirlipsmadeuncouthnoisesandtheirthroatsraspedapprovalofKoolau’sspeech。Theywerecreatureswhooncehadbeenmenandwomen。Buttheyweremenandwomennolonger。Theyweremonsters——
infaceandformgrotesquecaricaturesofeverythinghuman。Theywerehideouslymaimedanddistorted，andhadtheseemingofcreaturesthathadbeenrackedinmillenniumsofhell。Theirhands，whentheypossessedthem，werelikeharpyclaws。Theirfaceswerethemisfitsandslips，crushedandbruisedbysomemadgodatplayinthemachineryoflife。Hereandtherewerefeatureswhichthemadgodhadsmearedhalfaway，andonewomanweptscaldingtearsfromtwinpitsofhorror，wherehereyesoncehadbeen。Somewereinpainandgroanedfromtheirchests。Otherscoughed，makingsoundslikethetearingoftissue。Twowereidiots，morelikehugeapesmarredinthemaking，untilevenanapewereanangel。Theymowedandgibberedinthemoonlight，undercrownsofdrooping，goldenblossoms。One，whosebloatedear—lobeflappedlikeafanuponhisshoulder，caughtupagorgeousfloweroforangeandscarletandwithitdecoratedthemonstrousearthatflip—flappedwithhiseverymovement。
AndoverthesethingsKoolauwasking。Andthiswashiskingdom，——aflower—throttledgorge，withbeetlingcliffsandcrags，fromwhichfloatedtheblattingsofwildgoats。Onthreesidesthegrimwallsrose，festoonedinfantasticdraperiesoftropicvegetationandpiercedbycave—entrances——therockylairsofKoolau’ssubjects。Onthefourthsidetheearthfellawayintoatremendousabyss，and，farbelow，couldbeseenthesummitsoflesserpeaksandcrags，atwhosebasesfoamedandrumbledthePacificsurge。InfineweatheraboatcouldlandontherockybeachthatmarkedtheentranceofKalalauValley，buttheweathermustbeveryfine。Andacool—
headedmountaineermightclimbfromthebeachtotheheadofKalalauValley，tothispocketamongthepeakswhereKoolauruled；butsuchamountaineermustbeverycoolofhead，andhemustknowthewild—
goattrailsaswell。ThemarvelwasthatthemassofhumanwreckagethatconstitutedKoolau’speopleshouldhavebeenabletodragitshelplessmiseryoverthegiddygoat—trailstothisinaccessiblespot。
\"Brothers，\"Koolaubegan。
Butoneofthemowing，apeliketravestiesemittedawildshriekofmadness，andKoolauwaitedwhiletheshrillcachinationwastossedbackandforthamongtherockywallsandechoeddistantlythroughthepulselessnight。
\"Brothers，isitnotstrange？Ourswastheland，andbehold，thelandisnotours。WhatdidthesepreachersofthewordofGodandthewordofRumgiveusfortheland？Haveyoureceivedonedollar，asmuchasonedollar，anyoneofyou，fortheland？Yetitistheirs，andinreturntheytelluswecangotoworkontheland，theirland，andthatwhatweproducebyourtoilshallbetheirs。
Yetintheolddayswedidnothavetowork。Also，whenwearesick，theytakeawayourfreedom。\"
\"Whobroughtthesickness，Koolau？\"demandedKiloliana，aleanandwirymanwithafacesolikealaughingfaun’sthatonemightexpecttoseetheclovenhoofsunderhim。Theywerecloven，itwastrue，butthecleavagesweregreatulcersandlividputrefactions。YetthiswasKiloliana，themostdaringclimberofthemall，themanwhokneweverygoat—trailandwhohadledKoolauandhiswretchedfollowersintotherecessesofKalalau。
\"Ay，wellquestioned，\"Koolauanswered。\"Becausewewouldnotworkthemilesofsugar—canewhereonceourhorsespastured，theybroughttheChineseslavesfromoverseas。AndwiththemcametheChinesesickness——thatwhichwesufferfromandbecauseofwhichtheywouldimprisonusonMolokai。WewerebornonKauai。Wehavebeentotheotherislands，somehereandsomethere，toOahu，toMaui，toHawaii，toHonolulu。YetalwaysdidwecomebacktoKauai。Whydidwecomeback？Theremustbeareason。BecauseweloveKauai。Wewerebornhere。Herewehavelived。Andhereshallwedie——unless—
—unless——therebeweakheartsamongstus。Suchwedonotwant。
TheyarefitforMolokai。Andiftherebesuch，letthemnotremain。Tomorrowthesoldierslandontheshore。Lettheweakheartsgodowntothem。TheywillbesentswiftlytoMolokai。Asforus，weshallstayandfight。Butknowthatwewillnotdie。Wehaverifles。Youknowthenarrowtrailswheremenmustcreep，onebyone。I，alone，Koolau，whowasonceacowboyonNiihau，canholdthetrailagainstathousandmen。HereisKapalei，whowasonceajudgeovermenandamanwithhonour，butwhoisnowahuntedrat，likeyouandme。Hearhim。Heiswise。\"
Kapaleiarose。Oncehehadbeenajudge。HehadgonetocollegeatPunahou。Hehadsatatmeatwithlordsandchiefsandthehighrepresentativesofalienpowerswhoprotectedtheinterestsoftradersandmissionaries。SuchhadbeenKapalei。Butnow，asKoolauhadsaid，hewasahuntedrat，acreatureoutsidethelaw，sunksodeepinthemireofhumanhorrorthathewasabovethelawaswellasbeneathit。Hisfacewasfeatureless，saveforgapingorificesandforthelidlesseyesthatburnedunderhairlessbrows。
\"Letusnotmaketrouble，\"hebegan。\"Weasktobeleftalone。Butiftheydonotleaveusalone，thenisthetroubletheirsandthepenalty。Myfingersaregone，asyousee。\"Hehelduphisstumpsofhandsthatallmightsee。\"YethaveIthejointofonethumbleft，anditcanpullatriggerasfirmlyasdiditslostneighbourintheolddays。WeloveKauia。Letuslivehere，ordiehere，butdonotletusgototheprisonofMolokai。Thesicknessisnotours。Wehavenotsinned。ThemenwhopreachedthewordofGodandthewordofRumbroughtthesicknesswiththecoolieslaveswhoworkthestolenland。Ihavebeenajudge。Iknowthelawandthejustice，andIsaytoyouitisunjusttostealaman’sland，tomakethatmansickwiththeChinesesickness，andthentoputthatmaninprisonforlife。\"
\"Lifeisshort，andthedaysarefilledwithpain，\"saidKoolau。
\"Letusdrinkanddanceandbehappyaswecan。\"
Fromoneoftherockylairscalabasheswereproducedandpassedround。Thecalabasheswerefilledwiththefiercedistillationoftherootoftheti—plant；andastheliquidfirecoursedthroughthemandmountedtotheirbrains，theyforgotthattheyhadoncebeenmenandwomen，fortheyweremenandwomenoncemore。Thewomanwhoweptscaldingtearsfromopeneye—pitswasindeedawomanapulsewithlifeasshepluckedthestringsofanukuleleandliftedhervoiceinabarbariclove—callsuchasmighthavecomefromthedarkforest—depthsoftheprimevalworld。Theairtingledwithhercry，softlyimperiousandseductive。Uponamat，timinghisrhythmtothewoman’ssongKilolianadanced。Itwasunmistakable。Lovedancedinallhismovements，and，next，dancingwithhimonthemat，wasawomanwhoseheavyhipsandgenerousbreastgavethelietoherdisease—corrodedface。Itwasadanceofthelivingdead，forintheirdisintegratingbodieslifestilllovedandlonged。Everthewomanwhosesightlesseyesranscaldingtearschantedherlove—cry，everthedancersoflovedancedinthewarmnight，andeverthecalabasheswentaroundtillinalltheirbrainsweremaggotscrawlingofmemoryanddesire。Andwiththewomanonthematdancedaslendermaidwhosefacewasbeautifulandunmarred，butwhosetwistedarmsthatroseandfellmarkedthedisease’sravage。Andthetwoidiots，gibberingandmouthingstrangenoises，dancedapart，grotesque，fantastic，travestyingloveastheythemselveshadbeentravestiedbylife。
Butthewoman’slove—crybrokemidway，thecalabasheswerelowered，andthedancersceased，asallgazedintotheabyssabovethesea，wherearocketflaredlikeawanphantomthroughthemoonlitair。
\"Itisthesoldiers，\"saidKoolau。\"Tomorrowtherewillbefighting。Itiswelltosleepandbeprepared。\"
Thelepersobeyed，crawlingawaytotheirlairsinthecliff，untilonlyKoolauremained，sittingmotionlessinthemoonlight，hisrifleacrosshisknees，ashegazedfardowntotheboatslandingonthebeach。
ThefarheadofKalalauValleyhadbeenwellchosenasarefuge。
ExceptKiloliana，whoknewback—trailsuptheprecipitouswalls，nomancouldwintothegorgesavebyadvancingacrossaknife—edgedridge。Thispassagewasahundredyardsinlength。Atbest，itwasascanttwelveincheswide。Oneithersideyawnedtheabyss。A
slip，andtorightorleftthemanwouldfalltohisdeath。Butonceacrosshewouldfindhimselfinanearthlyparadise。Aseaofvegetationlavedthelandscape，pouringitsgreenbillowsfromwalltowall，drippingfromthecliff—lipsingreatvine—masses，andflingingasprayoffernsandair—plantsintothemultitudinouscrevices。DuringthemanymonthsofKoolau’srule，heandhisfollowershadfoughtwiththisvegetablesea。Thechokingjungle，withitsriotofblossoms，hadbeendrivenbackfromthebananas，oranges，andmangoesthatgrewwild。Inlittleclearingsgrewthewildarrowroot；onstoneterraces，filledwithsoilscrapings，werethetaropatchesandthemelons；andineveryopenspacewherethesunshinepenetratedwerepapaiatreesburdenedwiththeirgoldenfruit。
Koolauhadbeendriventothisrefugefromthelowervalleybythebeach。Andifheweredrivenfromitinturn，heknewofgorgesamongthejumbledpeaksoftheinnerfastnesseswherehecouldleadhissubjectsandlive。Andnowhelaywithhisriflebesidehim，peeringdownthroughatangledscreenoffoliageatthesoldiersonthebeach。Henotedthattheyhadlargegunswiththem，fromwhichthesunshineflashedasfrommirrors。Theknife—edgedpassagelaydirectlybeforehim。Crawlingupwardalongthetrailthatledtoithecouldseetinyspecksofmen。Heknewtheywerenotthesoldiers，butthepolice。Whentheyfailed，thenthesoldierswouldenterthegame。
Heaffectionatelyrubbedatwistedhandalonghisriflebarrelandmadesurethatthesightswereclean。Hehadlearnedtoshootasawild—cattlehunteronNiihau，andonthatislandhisskillasamarksmanwasunforgotten。Asthetoilingspecksofmengrewnearerandlarger，heestimatedtherange，judgedthedeflectionofthewindthatsweptatrightanglesacrossthelineoffire，andcalculatedthechancesofovershootingmarksthatweresofarbelowhislevel。Buthedidnotshoot。Notuntiltheyreachedthebeginningofthepassagedidhemakehispresenceknown。Hedidnotdisclosehimself，butspokefromthethicket。
\"Whatdoyouwant？\"hedemanded。
\"WewantKoolau，theleper，\"answeredthemanwholedthenativepolice，himselfablue—eyedAmerican。
\"Youmustgoback，\"Koolausaid。
Heknewtheman，adeputysheriff，foritwasbyhimthathehadbeenharriedoutofNiihau，acrossKauai，toKalalauValley，andoutofthevalleytothegorge。
\"Whoareyou？\"thesheriffasked。
\"IamKoolau，theleper，\"wasthereply。
\"Thencomeout。Wewantyou。Deadoralive，thereisathousanddollarsonyourhead。Youcannotescape。\"
Koolaulaughedaloudinthethicket。
\"Comeout!\"thesheriffcommanded，andwasansweredbysilence。
Heconferredwiththepolice，andKoolausawthattheywerepreparingtorushhim。
\"Koolau，\"thesheriffcalled。\"Koolau，Iamcomingacrosstogetyou。\"
\"Thenlookfirstandwellaboutyouatthesunandseaandsky，foritwillbethelasttimeyoubeholdthem。\"
\"That’sallright，Koolau，\"thesheriffsaidsoothingly。\"Iknowyou’readeadshot。Butyouwon’tshootme。Ihaveneverdoneyouanywrong。\"
Koolaugruntedinthethicket。
\"Isay，youknow，I’veneverdoneyouanywrong，haveI？\"thesheriffpersisted。
\"Youdomewrongwhenyoutrytoputmeinprison，\"wasthereply。
\"Andyoudomewrongwhenyoutryforthethousanddollarsonmyhead。Ifyouwilllive，staywhereyouare。\"
\"I’vegottocomeacrossandgetyou。I’msorry。Butitismyduty。\"
\"Youwilldiebeforeyougetacross。\"
Thesheriffwasnocoward。Yetwasheundecided。Hegazedintothegulfoneithersideandranhiseyesalongtheknife—edgehemusttravel。Thenhemadeuphismind。
\"Koolau，\"hecalled。
Butthethicketremainedsilent。
\"Koolau，don’tshoot。Iamcoming。\"
Thesheriffturned，gavesomeorderstothepolice，thenstartedonhisperilousway。Headvancedslowly。Itwaslikewalkingatightrope。Hehadnothingtoleanuponbuttheair。Thelavarockcrumbledunderhisfeet，andoneithersidethedislodgedfragmentspitcheddownwardthroughthedepths。Thesunblazeduponhim，andhisfacewaswetwithsweat。Stillheadvanced，untilthehalfwaypointwasreached。
\"Stop!\"Koolaucommandedfromthethicket。\"OnemorestepandI
shoot。\"
Thesheriffhalted，swayingforbalanceashestoodpoisedabovethevoid。Hisfacewaspale，buthiseyesweredetermined。Helickedhisdrylipsbeforehespoke。
\"Koolau，youwon’tshootme。Iknowyouwon’t。\"
Hestartedoncemore。Thebulletwhirledhimhalfabout。Onhisfacewasanexpressionofqueruloussurpriseashereeledtothefall。Hetriedtosavehimselfbythrowinghisbodyacrosstheknife—edge；butatthatmomentheknewdeath。Thenextmomenttheknife—edgewasvacant。Thencametherush，fivepolicemen，insinglefile，withsuperbsteadiness，runningalongtheknife—edge。
Atthesameinstanttherestoftheposseopenedfireonthethicket。Itwasmadness。FivetimesKoolaupulledthetrigger，sorapidlythathisshotsconstitutedarattle。Changinghispositionandcrouchinglowunderthebulletsthatwerebitingandsingingthroughthebushes，hepeeredout。Fourofthepolicehadfollowedthesheriff。Thefifthlayacrosstheknife—edgestillalive。Onthefartherside，nolongerfiring，werethesurvivingpolice。Onthenakedrocktherewasnohopeforthem。BeforetheycouldclamberdownKoolaucouldhavepickedoffthelastman。Buthedidnotfire，and，afteraconference，oneofthemtookoffawhiteundershirtandwaveditasaflag。Followedbyanother，headvancedalongtheknife—edgetotheirwoundedcomrade。Koolaugavenosign，butwatchedthemslowlywithdrawandbecomespecksastheydescendedintothelowervalley。
Twohourslater，fromanotherthicket，Koolauwatchedabodyofpolicetryingtomaketheascentfromtheoppositesideofthevalley。Hesawthewildgoatsfleebeforethemastheyclimbedhigherandhigher，untilhedoubtedhisjudgmentandsentforKiloliana，whocrawledinbesidehim。
\"No，thereisnoway，\"saidKiloliana。
\"Thegoats？\"Koolauquestioned。
\"Theycomeoverfromthenextvalley，buttheycannotpasstothis。
Thereisnoway。Thosemenarenotwiserthangoats。Theymayfalltotheirdeaths。Letuswatch。\"
\"Theyarebravemen，\"saidKoolau。\"Letuswatch。\"
Sidebysidetheylayamongthemorning—glories，withtheyellowblossomsofthehaudroppinguponthemfromoverhead，watchingthemotesofmentoilupward，tillthethinghappened，andthreeofthem，slipping，rolling，sliding，dashedoveracliff—lipandfellsheerhalfathousandfeet。
Kilolianachuckled。
\"Wewillbebotherednomore，\"hesaid。
\"Theyhavewarguns，\"Koolaumadeanswer。\"Thesoldiershavenotyetspoken。\"
Inthedrowsyafternoon，mostoftheleperslayintheirrockdensasleep。Koolau，hisrifleonhisknees，fresh—cleanedandready，dozedintheentrancetohisownden。Themaidwiththetwistedarmslaybelowinthethicketandkeptwatchontheknife—edgepassage。SuddenlyKoolauwasstartledwideawakebythesoundofanexplosiononthebeach。Thenextinstanttheatmospherewasincrediblyrentasunder。Theterriblesoundfrightenedhim。Itwasasifallthegodshadcaughttheenvelopeoftheskyintheirhandsandwererippingitapartasawomanripsapartasheetofcottoncloth。Butitwassuchanimmenseripping，growingswiftlynearer。
Koolauglancedupapprehensively，asifexpectingtoseethething。
Thenhighuponthecliffoverheadtheshellburstinafountainofblacksmoke。Therockwasshattered，thefragmentsfallingtothefootofthecliff。
Koolaupassedhishandacrosshissweatybrow。Hewasterriblyshaken。Hehadhadnoexperiencewithshell—fire，andthiswasmoredreadfulthananythinghehadimagined。
\"One，\"saidKapahei，suddenlybethinkinghimselftokeepcount。
Asecondandathirdshellflewscreamingoverthetopofthewall，burstingbeyondview。Kapaheimethodicallykeptthecount。Theleperscrowdedintotheopenspacebeforethecaves。Atfirsttheywerefrightened，butastheshellscontinuedtheirflightoverheadtheleperfolkbecamereassuredandbegantoadmirethespectacle。
Thetwoidiotsshriekedwithdelight，prancingwildanticsaseachair—tormentingshellwentby。Koolaubegantorecoverhisconfidence。Nodamagewasbeingdone。Evidentlytheycouldnotaimsuchlargemissilesatsuchlongrangewiththeprecisionofarifle。
Butachangecameoverthesituation。Theshellsbegantofallshort。Oneburstbelowinthethicketbytheknife—edge。Koolaurememberedthemaidwholaythereonwatch，andrandowntosee。
Thesmokewasstillrisingfromthebusheswhenhecrawledin。Hewasastounded。Thebranchesweresplinteredandbroken。Wherethegirlhadlainwasaholeintheground。Thegirlherselfwasinshatteredfragments。Theshellhadburstrightonher。
Firstpeeringouttomakesurenosoldierswereattemptingthepassage，Koolaustartedbackontherunforthecaves。Allthetimetheshellsweremoaning，whining，screamingby，andthevalleywasrumblingandreverberatingwiththeexplosions。Ashecameinsightofthecaves，hesawthetwoidiotscavortingabout，clutchingeachother’shandswiththeirstumpsoffingers。Evenasheran，Koolausawaspoutofblacksmokerisefromtheground，neartotheidiots。
Theywereflungapartbodilybytheexplosion。Onelaymotionless，buttheotherwasdragginghimselfbyhishandstowardthecave。
Hislegstrailedouthelplesslybehindhim，whilethebloodwaspouringfromhisbody。Heseemedbathedinblood，andashecrawledhecriedlikealittledog。Therestofthelepers，withtheexceptionofKapahei，hadfledintothecaves。
\"Seventeen，\"saidKapahei。\"Eighteen，\"headded。
Thislastshellhadfairlyenteredintooneofthecaves。Theexplosioncausedthecavestoempty。Butfromtheparticularcavenooneemerged。Koolaucreptinthroughthepungent，acridsmoke。
Fourbodies，frightfullymangled，layabout。Oneofthemwasthesightlesswomanwhosetearstillnowhadneverceased。
Outside，Koolaufoundhispeopleinapanicandalreadybeginningtoclimbthegoat—trailthatledoutofthegorgeandonamongthejumbledheightsandchasms。Thewoundedidiot，whiningfeeblyanddragginghimselfalongonthegroundbyhishands，wastryingtofollow。Butatthefirstpitchofthewallhishelplessnessovercamehimandhefellback。
\"Itwouldbebettertokillhim，\"saidKoolautoKapahei，whostillsatinthesameplace。
\"Twenty—two，\"Kapaheianswered。\"Yes，itwouldbeawisethingtokillhim。Twenty—three——twenty—four。\"
Theidiotwhinedsharplywhenhesawtheriflelevelledathim。
Koolauhesitated，thenloweredthegun。
\"Itisahardthingtodo，\"hesaid。
