Buthe’sjustthesortofmanwho’scapableofcarryingyouofffarawaysomewhereandthencuttingyourthroatsomedayforyourmoney。\"
Therewasagoodhalfofthelengthoftheverandahbetweentheirchairs。Icameoutandsatdownfiercelymidwaybetweenthem。
\"Yes，that’swhatwedowithgirlsinEurope，\"Ibeganinagrimlymatter—of—facttone。IthinkMissJacobuswasdisconcertedbymysuddenappearance。Iturneduponherwithcoldferocity：
\"Astoobjectionableoldwomen，theyarefirststrangledquietly，thencutupintosmallpiecesandthrownaway，abithereandabitthere。Theyvanish—\"
IcannotgosofarastosayIhadterrifiedher。Butshewastroubledbymytruculence，themoresobecauseIhadbeenalwaysaddressingherwithapolitenessshedidnotdeserve。Herplump，knittinghandsfellslowlyonherknees。ShesaidnotawordwhileIfixedherwithseveredetermination。ThenasIturnedawayfromheratlast，shelaiddownherworkgentlyand，withnoiselessmovements，retreatedfromtheverandah。Infact，shevanished。
ButIwasnotthinkingofher。Iwaslookingatthegirl。ItwaswhatIwascomingfordaily；troubled，ashamed，eager；findinginmynearnesstoherauniquesensationwhichIindulgedwithdread，self—contempt，anddeeppleasure，asifitwereasecretviceboundtoendinmyundoing，likethehabitofsomedrugorotherwhichruinsanddegradesitsslave。
Ilookedherover，fromthetopofherdishevelledhead，downthelovelylineoftheshoulder，followingthecurveofthehip，thedrapedformofthelonglimb，rightdowntoherfineanklebelowatorn，soiledflounce；andasfarasthepointoftheshabby，high—
heeled，blueslipper，danglingfromherwell—shapedfoot，whichshemovedslightly，withquick，nervousjerks，asifimpatientofmypresence。AndinthescentofthemassedflowersIseemedtobreatheherspecialandinexplicablecharm，theheadyperfumeoftheeverlastinglyirritatedcaptiveofthegarden。
Ilookedatherroundedchin，theJacobuschin；atthefull，redlipspoutinginthepowdered，sallowface；atthefirmmodellingofthecheek，thegrainsofwhiteinthehairsofthestraightsombreeyebrows；atthelongeyes，anarrowedgleamofliquidwhiteandintensemotionlessblack，withtheirgazesoemptyofthought，andsoabsorbedintheirfixitythatsheseemedtobestaringatherownlonelyimage，insomefar—offmirrorhiddenfrommysightamongstthetrees。
Andsuddenly，withoutlookingatme，withtheappearanceofapersonspeakingtoherself，sheasked，inthatvoiceslightlyharshyetmellowandalwaysirritated：
\"Whydoyoukeeponcominghere？\"
\"WhydoIkeeponcominghere？\"Irepeated，takenbysurprise。I
couldnothavetoldher。IcouldnoteventellmyselfwithsinceritywhyIwascomingthere。\"What’sthegoodofyouaskingaquestionlikethat？\"
\"Nothingisanygood，\"sheobservedscornfullytotheemptyair，herchinproppedonherhand，thathandneverextendedtoanyman，thatnoonehadevergrasped—forIhadonlygraspedhershoulderonce—thatgenerous，fine，somewhatmasculinehand。Iknewwellthepeculiarlyefficientshape—broadatthebase，taperingatthefingers—ofthathand，forwhichtherewasnothingintheworldtolayholdof。Ipretendedtobeplayful。
\"No！Butdoyoureallycaretoknow？\"
Sheshruggedindolentlyhermagnificentshoulders，fromwhichthedingythinwrapperwasslippingalittle。
\"Oh—nevermind—nevermind！\"
Therewassomethingsmoulderingunderthoseairsoflassitude。Sheexasperatedmebytheprovocationofhernonchalance，bysomethingelusiveanddefiantinherveryformwhichIwantedtoseize。I
saidroughly：
\"Why？Don’tyouthinkIshouldtellyouthetruth？\"
Hereyesglidedmywayforasidelonglook，andshemurmured，movingonlyherfull，poutinglips：
\"Ithinkyouwouldnotdare。\"
\"DoyouimagineIamafraidofyou？Whatonearth……Well，it’spossible，afterall，thatIdon’tknowexactlywhyIamcominghere。Letussay，withMissJacobus，thatitisfornogood。Youseemtobelievetheoutrageousthingsshesays，ifyoudohavearowwithhernowandthen。\"
Shesnappedoutviciously：
\"WhoelseamItobelieve？
\"Idon’tknow，\"Ihadtoown，seeinghersuddenlyveryhelplessandcondemnedtomoralsolitudebytheverdictofarespectablecommunity。\"Youmightbelieveme，ifyouchose。\"
Shemadeaslightmovementandaskedmeatonce，withaneffortasifmakinganexperiment：
\"Whatisthebusinessbetweenyouandpapa？\"
\"Don’tyouknowthenatureofyourfather’sbusiness？Come！Hesellsprovisionstoships。\"
Shebecamerigidagaininhercrouchingpose。
\"Notthat。Whatbringsyouhere—tothishouse？\"
\"Andsupposeit’syou？Youwouldnotcallthatbusiness？Wouldyou？Andnowletusdropthesubject。It’snouse。Myshipwillbereadyforseathedayafterto—morrow。\"
Shemurmuredadistinctlyscared\"Sosoon，\"andgettingupquickly，wenttothelittletableandpouredherselfaglassofwater。Shewalkedwithrapidstepsandwithanindolentswayingofherwholeyoungfigureabovethehips；whenshepassednearmeIfeltwithtenfoldforcethecharmofthepeculiar，promisingsensationIhadformedthehabittoseeknearher。Ithoughtwithsuddendismaythatthiswastheendofit；thatafteronemoredayIwouldbenolongerabletocomeintothisverandah，sitonthischair，andtasteperverselytheflavourofcontemptinherindolentposes，drinkintheprovocationofherscornfullooks，andlistentothecurt，insolentremarksutteredinthatharshandseductivevoice。
Asifmyinnermostnaturehadbeenalteredbytheactionofsomemoralpoison，Ifeltanabjectdreadofgoingtosea。
Ihadtoexerciseasuddenself—control，asoneputsonabrake，topreventmyselfjumpinguptostrideabout，shout，gesticulate，makeherascene。Whatfor？Whatabout？Ihadnoidea。ItwasjustthereliefofviolencethatIwanted；andIlolledbackinmychair，tryingtokeepmylipsformedinasmile；thathalf—
indulgent，half—mockingsmilewhichwasmyshieldagainsttheshaftsofhercontemptandtheinsultingsalliesflungatmebytheoldwoman。
Shedrankthewateratadraught，withtheavidityofragingthirst，andletherselffallonthenearestchair，asifutterlyovercome。Herattitude，likecertaintonesofhervoice，hadinitsomethingmasculine：thekneesapartintheamplewrapper，theclaspedhandshangingbetweenthem，herbodyleaningforward，withdroopinghead。Istaredattheheavyblackcoiloftwistedhair。
Itwasenormous，crowningthebowedheadwithacrushinganddisdainedglory。Theescapedwispshungstraightdown。AndsuddenlyIperceivedthatthegirlwastremblingfromheadtofoot，asthoughthatglassoficedwaterhadchilledhertothebone。
\"What’sthematternow？\"Isaid，startled，butinnoverysympatheticmood。
Sheshookherbowed，overweightedheadandcriedinastifledvoicebutwitharisinginflection：
\"Goaway！Goaway！Goaway！\"
Igotupthenandapproachedher，withastrangesortofanxiety。
Ilookeddownatherround，strongneck，thenstoopedlowenoughtopeepatherface。AndIbegantotremblealittlemyself。
\"Whatonearthareyougonewildabout，MissDon’tCare？\"
Sheflungherselfbackwardsviolently，herheadgoingoverthebackofthechair。Andnowitwashersmooth，full，palpitatingthroatthatlayexposedtomybewilderedstare。Hereyeswerenearlyclosed，withonlyahorriblewhitegleamunderthelidsasifsheweredead。
\"Whathascometoyou？\"Iaskedinawe。\"Whatareyouterrifyingyourselfwith？\"
Shepulledherselftogether，hereyesopenfrightfullywidenow。
Thetropicalafternoonwaslengtheningtheshadowsonthehot，wearyearth，theabodeofobscuredesires，ofextravaganthopes，ofunimaginableterrors。
\"Nevermind！Don’tcare！\"Then，afteragasp，shespokewithsuchfrightfulrapiditythatIcouldhardlymakeouttheamazingwords：
\"Forifyouweretoshutmeupinanemptyplaceassmoothallroundasthepalmofmyhand，Icouldalwaysstranglemyselfwithmyhair。\"
Foramoment，doubtingmyears，Iletthisinconceivabledeclarationsinkintome。Itiseverimpossibletoguessatthewildthoughtsthatpassthroughtheheadsofourfellow—creatures。
Whatmonstrousimaginingsofviolencecouldhavedweltunderthelowforeheadofthatgirlwhohadbeentaughttoregardherfatheras\"capableofanything\"moreinthelightofamisfortunethanthatofadisgrace；as，evidently，somethingtoberesentedandfearedratherthantobeashamedof？Sheseemed，indeed，asunawareofshameasofanythingelseintheworld；butinherignorance，herresentmentandfeartookachildishandviolentshape。
Ofcourseshespokewithoutknowingthevalueofwords。Whatcouldsheknowofdeath—shewhoknewnothingoflife？Itwasmerelyastheproofofherbeingbesideherselfwithsomeodiousapprehension，thatthisextraordinaryspeechhadmovedme，nottopity，buttoafascinated，horrifiedwonder。Ihadnoideawhatnotionshehadofherdanger。Somesortofabduction。Itwasquitepossiblewiththetalkofthatatrociousoldwoman。Perhapsshethoughtshecouldbecarriedoff，boundhandandfootandevengagged。AtthatsurmiseIfeltasifthedoorofafurnacehadbeenopenedinfrontofme。
\"Uponmyhonour！\"Icried。\"Youshallendbygoingcrazyifyoulistentothatabominableoldauntofyours—\"
Istudiedherhaggardexpression，hertremblinglips。Hercheeksevenseemedsunkalittle。ButhowI，theassociateofherdisreputablefather，the\"lowestofthelow\"fromthecriminalEurope，couldmanagetoreassureherIhadnoconception。Shewasexasperating。
\"Heavensandearth！WhatdoyouthinkIcando？\"
\"Idon’tknow。\"
Herchincertainlytrembled。Andshewaslookingatmewithextremeattention。Imadeastepnearertoherchair。
\"Ishalldonothing。Ipromiseyouthat。Willthatdo？Doyouunderstand？Ishalldonothingwhatever，ofanykind；andthedayafterto—morrowIshallbegone。\"
WhatelsecouldIhavesaid？Sheseemedtodrinkinmywordswiththethirstyaviditywithwhichshehademptiedtheglassofwater。
Shewhisperedtremulously，inthattouchingtoneIhadheardoncebeforeonherlips，andwhichthrilledmeagainwiththesameemotion：
\"Iwouldbelieveyou。Butwhataboutpapa—\"
\"Hebehanged！\"Myemotionbetrayeditselfbythebrutalityofmytone。\"I’vehadenoughofyourpapa。AreyousostupidastoimaginethatIamfrightenedofhim？Hecan’tmakemedoanything。\"
Allthatsoundedfeebletomeinthefaceofherignorance。ButI
mustconcludethatthe\"accentofsincerity\"has，assomepeoplesay，areallyirresistiblepower。Theeffectwasfarbeyondmyhopes，—andevenbeyondmyconception。Towatchthechangeinthegirlwaslikewatchingamiracle—thegradualbutswiftrelaxationofhertenseglance，ofherstiffenedmuscles，ofeveryfibreofherbody。Thatblack，fixedstareintowhichIhadreadatragicmeaningmorethanonce，inwhichIhadfoundasombreseduction，wasperfectlyemptynow，voidofallconsciousnesswhatever，andnotevenawareanylongerofmypresence；ithadbecomealittlesleepy，intheJacobusfashion。
But，manbeingaperverseanimal，insteadofrejoicingatmycompletesuccess，Ibehelditwithastoundedandindignanteyes。
Therewassomethingcynicalinthatunconcealedalteration，thetrueJacobusshamelessness。IfeltasthoughIhadbeencheatedinsomerathercomplicateddealintowhichIhadenteredagainstmybetterjudgment。Yes，cheatedwithoutanyregardfor，atleast，theformsofdecency。
Withaneasy，indolent，andinitsindolencesupple，felinemovement，sherosefromthechair，soprovokinglyignoringmenow，thatforveryrageIheldmygroundwithinlessthanafootofher。
Leisurelyandtranquil，behavingrightbeforemewiththeeaseofapersonaloneinaroom，sheextendedherbeautifularms，withherhandsclenched，herbodyswaying，herheadthrownbackalittle，revellingcontemptuouslyinasenseofrelief，easingherlimbsinfreedomafterallthesedaysofcrouching，motionlessposeswhenshehadbeensofuriousandsoafraid。
Allthiswithsupremeindifference，incredible，offensive，exasperating，likeingratitudedoubledwithtreachery。
Ioughttohavebeenflattered，perhaps，but，onthecontrary，myangergrew；hermovementtopassbymeasifIwereawoodenpostorapieceoffurniture，thatunconcernedmovementbroughtittoahead。
Iwon’tsayIdidnotknowwhatIwasdoing，but，certainly，coolreflectionhadnothingtodowiththecircumstancethatnextmomentbothmyarmswereroundherwaist。Itwasanimpulsiveaction，asonesnatchesatsomethingfallingorescaping；andithadnohypocriticalgentlenessaboutiteither。Shehadnotimetomakeasound，andthefirstkissIplantedonherclosedlipswasviciousenoughtohavebeenabite。
Shedidnotresist，andofcourseIdidnotstopatone。Sheletmegoon，notasifshewereinanimate—Ifeltherthere，closeagainstme，young，fullofvigour，oflife，astrongdesirablecreature，butasifshedidnotcareintheleast，intheabsoluteassuranceofhersafety，whatIdidorleftundone。Ourfacesbroughtclosetogetherinthisstormofhaphazardcaresses，herbig，black，wide—openeyeslookedintominewithoutthegirlappearingeitherangryorpleasedormovedinanyway。InthatsteadygazewhichseemedimpersonallytowatchmymadnessIcoulddetectaslightsurprise，perhaps—nothingmore。Ishoweredkissesuponherfaceandtheredidnotseemtobeanyreasonwhythisshouldnotgoonforever。
Thatthoughtflashedthroughmyhead，andIwasonthepointofdesisting，when，allatonce，shebegantostrugglewithasuddenviolencewhichallbutfreedherinstantly，whichrevivedmyexasperationwithher，indeedafiercedesirenevertolethergoanymore。Itightenedmyembraceintime，gaspingout：\"No—youdon’t！\"asifsheweremymortalenemy。Onherpartnotawordwassaid。Puttingherhandsagainstmychest，shepushedwithallhermightwithoutsucceedingtobreakthecircleofmyarms。Exceptthatsheseemedthoroughlyawakenow，hereyesgavemenocluewhatever。Tomeetherblackstarewaslikelookingintoadeepwell，andIwastotallyunpreparedforherchangeoftactics。
Insteadoftryingtotearmyhandsapart，sheflungherselfuponmybreastandwithadownward，undulating，serpentinemotion，aquickslidingdive，shegotawayfrommesmoothly。Itwasallveryswift；Isawherpickupthetailofherwrapperandrunforthedoorattheendoftheverandahnotverygracefully。Sheappearedtobelimpingalittle—andthenshevanished；thedoorswungbehindhersonoiselesslythatIcouldnotbelieveitwascompletelyclosed。IhadadistinctsuspicionofherblackeyebeingatthecracktowatchwhatIwoulddo。Icouldnotmakeupmymindwhethertoshakemyfistinthatdirectionorblowakiss。
CHAPTERVI
Eitherwouldhavebeenperfectlyconsistentwithmyfeelings。I
gazedatthedoor，hesitating，butintheendIdidneither。Themonitionofsomesixthsense—thesenseofguilt，maybe，thatsensewhichalwaysactstoolate，alas！—warnedmetolookround；
andatonceIbecameawarethattheconclusionofthistumultuousepisodewaslikelytobeamatteroflivelyanxiety。Jacobuswasstandinginthedoorwayofthedining—room。Howlonghehadbeenthereitwasimpossibletoguess；andrememberingmystrugglewiththegirlIthoughthemusthavebeenitsmutewitnessfrombeginningtoend。Butthissuppositionseemedalmostincredible。
Perhapsthatimpenetrablegirlhadheardhimcomeinandhadgotawayintime。
Hesteppedontotheverandahinhisusualmanner，heavy—eyed，withgluedlips。Imarvelledatthegirl’sresemblancetothisman。
Thoselong，Egyptianeyes，thatlowforeheadofastupidgoddess，shehadfoundinthesawdustofthecircus；butalltherestoftheface，thedesignandthemodelling，theroundedchin，theverylips—allthatwasJacobus，fineddown，morefinished，moreexpressive。
Histhickhandfellonandgraspedwithforcethebackofalightchair（therewereseveralstandingabout）andIperceivedthechanceofabrokenheadattheendofallthis—mostlikely。Mymortificationwasextreme。Thescandalwouldbehorrible；thatwasunavoidable。ButhowtoactsoastosatisfymyselfIdidnotknow。Istoodonmyguardandatanyratefacedhim。Therewasnothingelseforit。OfonethingIwascertain，that，howeverbrazenmyattitude，itcouldneverequalthecharacteristicJacobusimpudence。
Hegavemehismelancholy，gluedsmileandsatdown。IownIwasrelieved。Theperspectiveofpassingfromkissestoblowshadnothingparticularlyattractiveinit。Perhaps—perhapshehadseennothing？Hebehavedasusual，buthehadneverbeforefoundmealoneontheverandah。Ifhehadalludedtoit，ifhehadasked：\"Where’sAlice？\"orsomethingofthesort，Iwouldhavebeenabletojudgefromthetone。Hewouldgivemenoopportunity。
Thestrikingpeculiaritywasthathehadneverlookedupatmeyet。
\"Heknows，\"Isaidtomyselfconfidently。Andmycontemptforhimrelievedmydisgustwithmyself。
\"Youareearlyhome，\"Iremarked。
\"Thingsareveryquiet；nothingdoingatthestoreto—day，\"heexplainedwithacast—downair。
\"Oh，well，youknow，Iamoff，\"Isaid，feelingthatthis，perhaps，wasthebestthingtodo。
\"Yes，\"hebreathedout。\"Dayafterto—morrow。\"
ThiswasnotwhatIhadmeant；butashegazedpersistentlyonthefloor，Ifollowedthedirectionofhisglance。Intheabsolutestillnessofthehousewestaredatthehigh—heeledslipperthegirlhadlostinherflight。Westared。Itlayoverturned。
Afterwhatseemedaverylongtimetome，Jacobushitchedhischairforward，stoopedwithextendedarmandpickeditup。Itlookedaslenderthinginhisbig，thickhands。Itwasnotreallyaslipper，butalowshoeofblue，glazedkid，rubbedandshabby。Ithadstrapstogoovertheinstep，butthegirlonlythrustherfeetin，afterherslovenlymanner。Jacobusraisedhiseyesfromtheshoetolookatme。
\"Sitdown，Captain，\"hesaidatlast，inhissubduedtone。
Asifthesightofthatshoehadrenewedthespell，Igaveupsuddenlytheideaofleavingthehousethereandthen。Ithadbecomeimpossible。Isatdown，keepingmyeyesonthefascinatingobject。Jacobusturnedhisdaughter’sshoeoverandoverinhiscushionedpawsasifstudyingthewaythethingwasmade。Hecontemplatedthethinsoleforatime；thenglancinginsidewithanabsorbedair：
\"IamgladIfoundyouhere，Captain。\"
Iansweredthisbysomesortofgrunt，watchinghimcovertly。ThenIadded：\"Youwon’thavemuchmoreofmenow。\"
Hewasstilldeepintheinteriorofthatshoeonwhichmyeyestoowereresting。
\"HaveyouthoughtanymoreofthisdealinpotatoesIspoketoyouabouttheotherday？\"
\"No，Ihaven’t，\"Iansweredcurtly。Hecheckedmymovementtorisebyanaustere，commandinggestureofthehandholdingthatfatalshoe。Iremainedseatedandglaredathim。\"YouknowIdon’ttrade。\"
\"Yououghtto，Captain。Yououghtto。\"
Ireflected。IfIleftthathousenowIwouldneverseethegirlagain。AndIfeltImustseeheroncemore，ifonlyforaninstant。Itwasaneed，nottobereasonedwith，nottobedisregarded。No，Ididnotwanttogoaway。Iwantedtostayforonemoreexperienceofthatstrangeprovokingsensationandofindefinitedesire，thehabitofwhichhadmademe—meofallpeople！—dreadtheprospectofgoingtosea。
\"Mr。Jacobus，\"Ipronouncedslowly。\"Doyoureallythinkthatuponthewholeandtakingvarious’mattersintoconsideration—Imeaneverything，doyouunderstand？—itwouldbeagoodthingformetotrade，letussay，withyou？\"
Iwaitedforawhile。Hewentonlookingattheshoewhichheheldnowcrushedinthemiddle，thewornpointofthetoeandthehighheelprotrudingoneachsideofhisheavyfist。
\"Thatwillbeallright，\"hesaid，facingmesquarelyatlast。
\"Areyousure？\"
\"You’llfinditquitecorrect，Captain。\"Hehadutteredhishabitualphrasesinhisusualplacid，breath—savingvoiceandstoodmyhard，inquisitivestaresleepilywithoutasmuchasawink。
\"Thenletustrade，\"Isaid，turningmyshouldertohim。\"Iseeyouarebentonit。\"
Ididnotwantanopenscandal，butIthoughtthatoutwarddecencymaybeboughttoodearlyattimes。IincludedJacobus，myself，thewholepopulationoftheisland，inthesamecontemptuousdisgustasthoughwehadbeenpartnersinanignobletransaction。Andtherememberedvisionatsea，diaphanousandblue，ofthePearloftheOceanatsixtymilesoff；theunsubstantial，clearmarvelofitasifevokedbytheartofabeautifulandpuremagic，turnedintoathingofhorrorstoo。Wasthisthefortunethisvaporousandrareapparitionhadheldformeinitshardheart，hiddenwithintheshapeasoffairdreamsandmist？Wasthismyluck？
\"Ithink\"—Jacobusbecamesuddenlyaudibleafterwhatseemedthesilenceofvilemeditation—\"thatyoumightconvenientlytakesomethirtytons。Thatwouldbeaboutthelot，Captain。\"
\"Wouldit？Thelot！Idaresayitwouldbeconvenient，butI
haven’tgotenoughmoneyforthat。\"
Ihadneverseenhimsoanimated。
\"No！\"heexclaimedwithwhatItookfortheaccentofgrimmenace。
\"That’sapity。\"Hepaused，then，unrelenting：\"Howmuchmoneyhaveyougot，Captain？\"heinquiredwithawfuldirectness。
Itwasmyturntofacehimsquarely。IdidsoandmentionedtheamountIcoulddisposeof。AndIperceivedthathewasdisappointed。Hethoughtitover，hiscalculatinggazelostinmine，forquitealongtimebeforehecameoutinathoughtfultonewiththerapacioussuggestion：
\"Youcoulddrawsomemorefromyourcharterers。Thatwouldbequiteeasy，Captain。\"
\"No，Icouldn’t，\"Iretortedbrusquely。\"I’vedrawnmysalaryuptodate，andbesides，theship’saccountsareclosed。\"
Iwasgrowingfurious。Ipursued：\"AndI’lltellyouwhat：ifI
coulddoitIwouldn’t。\"Thenthrowingoffallrestraint，Iadded：
\"YouareabittoomuchofaJacobus，Mr。Jacobus。\"
Thetonealonewasinsultingenough，butheremainedtranquil，onlyalittlepuzzled，tillsomethingseemedtodawnuponhim；buttheunwontedlightinhiseyesdiedoutinstantly。AsaJacobusonhisnativeheath，whatamereskipperchosetosaycouldnottouchhim，outcastashewas。Asaship—chandlerhecouldstandanything。
AllIcaughtofhismumblewasavague—\"quitecorrect，\"thanwhichnothingcouldhavebeenmoreegregiouslyfalseatbottom—tomyview，atleast。ButIremembered—Ihadneverforgotten—thatImustseethegirl。Ididnotmeantogo。ImeanttostayinthehousetillIhadseenheroncemore。
\"Lookhere！\"Isaidfinally。\"I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo。I’lltakeasmanyofyourconfoundedpotatoesasmymoneywillbuy，onconditionthatyougooffatoncedowntothewharftoseethemloadedinthelighterandsentalongsidetheshipstraightaway。
Taketheinvoiceandasignedreceiptwithyou。Here’sthekeyofmydesk。GiveittoBurns。Hewillpayyou。
HegotupfromhischairbeforeIhadfinishedspeaking，butherefusedtotakethekey。Burnswouldneverdoit。Hewouldn’tliketoaskhimeven。
\"Well，then，\"Isaid，eyeinghimslightingly，\"there’snothingforit，Mr。Jacobus，butyoumustwaitonboardtillIcomeofftosettlewithyou。\"
\"Thatwillbeallright，Captain。Iwillgoatonce。\"
Heseemedatalosswhattodowiththegirl’sshoehewasstillholdinginhisfist。Finally，lookingdullyatme，heputitdownonthechairfromwhichhehadrisen。
\"Andyou，Captain？Won’tyoucomealong，too，justtosee—\"
\"Don’tbotheraboutme。I’lltakecareofmyself。\"
Heremainedperplexedforamoment，asiftryingtounderstand；andthenhisweighty：\"Certainly，certainly，Captain，\"seemedtobetheoutcomeofsomesuddenthought。Hisbigchestheaved。Wasitasigh？Ashewentouttohurryoffthosepotatoesheneverlookedbackatme。
Iwaitedtillthenoiseofhisfootstepshaddiedoutofthedining—room，andIwaitedalittlelonger。ThenturningtowardsthedistantdoorIraisedmyvoicealongtheverandah：
\"Alice！\"
Nothingansweredme，notevenastirbehindthedoor。Jacobus’shousemighthavebeenmadeemptyformetomakemyselfathomein。
Ididnotcallagain。Ihadbecomeawareofagreatdiscouragement。Iwasmentallyjaded，morallydejected。Iturnedtothegardenagain，sittingdownwithmyelbowsspreadonthelowbalustrade，andtookmyheadinmyhands。
Theeveningcloseduponme。Theshadowslengthened，deepened，mingledtogetherintoapooloftwilightinwhichtheflower—bedsglowedlikecolouredembers；whiffsofheavyscentcametomeasiftheduskofthishemispherewerebutthedimnessofatempleandthegardenanenormouscenserswingingbeforethealtarofthestars。Thecoloursoftheblossomsdeepened，losingtheirglowonebyone。
Thegirl，whenIturnedmyheadataslightnoise，appearedtomeverytallandslender，advancingwithaswayinglimp，afloatingandunevenmotionwhichendedinthesinkingofhershadowyformintothedeeplowchair。AndIdon’tknowwhyorwhenceIreceivedtheimpressionthatshehadcometoolate。Sheoughttohaveappearedatmycall。Sheoughttohave……Itwasasifasupremeopportunityhadbeenmissed。
Iroseandtookaseatclosetoher，nearlyoppositeherarm—chair。
Hereverdiscontentedvoiceaddressedmeatonce，contemptuously：
\"Youarestillhere。\"
Ipitchedminelow。
\"Youhavecomeoutatlast。\"
\"Icametolookformyshoe—beforetheybringinthelights。\"
Itwasherharsh，enticingwhisper，subdued，notverysteady，butitslowtremulousnessgavemenothrillnow。Icouldonlymakeouttheovalofherface，heruncoveredthroat，thelong，whitegleamofhereyes。Shewasmysteriousenough。Herhandswererestingonthearmsofthechair。Butwherewasthemysteriousandprovokingsensationwhichwasliketheperfumeofherflower—likeyouth？I
saidquietly：
\"Ihavegotyourshoehere。\"ShemadenosoundandIcontinued：
\"YouhadbettergivemeyourfootandIwillputitonforyou。\"
Shemadenomovement。Ibentlowdownandgropedforherfootundertheflouncesofthewrapper。ShedidnotwithdrawitandI
putontheshoe，buttoningtheinstep—strap。Itwasaninanimatefoot。Ilowereditgentlytothefloor。
\"Ifyoubuttonedthestrapyouwouldnotbelosingyourshoe，MissDon’tCare，\"Isaid，tryingtobeplayfulwithoutconviction。I
feltmorelikewailingoverthelostillusionofvaguedesire，overthesuddenconvictionthatIwouldneverfindagainnearherthestrange，half—evil，half—tendersensationwhichhadgivenitsacridflavourtosomanydays，whichhadmadeherappeartragicandpromising，pitifulandprovoking。Thatwasallover。
\"Yourfatherpickeditup，\"Isaid，thinkingshemayjustaswellbetoldofthefact。
\"Iamnotafraidofpapa—byhimself，\"shedeclaredscornfully。
\"Oh！It’sonlyinconjunctionwithhisdisreputableassociates，strangers，the’riff—raffofEurope’asyourcharmingauntorgreat—auntsays—menlikeme，forinstance—thatyou—\"
\"Iamnotafraidofyou，\"shesnappedout。
\"That’sbecauseyoudon’tknowthatIamnowdoingbusinesswithyourfather。Yes，Iaminfactdoingexactlywhathewantsmetodo。I’vebrokenmypromisetoyou。That’sthesortofmanIam。
Andnow—aren’tyouafraid？Ifyoubelievewhatthatdear，kind，truthfuloldladysaysyououghttobe。\"
Itwaswithunexpectedmodulatedsoftnessthattheaffirmed：
\"No。Iamnotafraid。\"Shehesitated……\"Notnow。\"
\"Quiteright。Youneedn’tbe。IshallnotseeyouagainbeforeI
gotosea。\"Iroseandstoodnearherchair。\"ButIshalloftenthinkofyouinthisoldgarden，passingunderthetreesoverthere，walkingbetweenthesegorgeousflower—beds。Youmustlovethisgarden—\"
\"Ilovenothing。\"
IheardinhersullentonethefaintechoofthatresentfullytragicnotewhichIhadfoundoncesoprovoking。ButitleftmeunmovedexceptforasuddenandwearyconvictionoftheemptinessofallthingsunderHeaven。
\"Good—bye，Alice，\"Isaid。
Shedidnotanswer，shedidnotmove。Tomerelytakeherhand，shakeit，andgoawayseemedimpossible，almostimproper。I
stoopedwithouthasteandpressedmylipstohersmoothforehead。
ThiswasthemomentwhenIrealisedclearlywithasortofterrormycompletedetachmentfromthatunfortunatecreature。AndasI
lingeredinthatcruelself—knowledgeIfeltthelighttouchofherarmsfallinglanguidlyonmyneckandreceivedahasty，awkward，haphazardkisswhichmissedmylips。No！Shewasnotafraid；butIwasnolongermoved。Herarmsslippedoffmyneckslowly，shemadenosound，thedeepwickerarm—chaircreakedslightly；onlyasenseofmydignitypreventedmefleeingheadlongfromthatcatastrophicrevelation。
Itraversedthedining—roomslowly。Ithought：She’slisteningtomyfootsteps；shecan’thelpit；she’llhearmeopenandshutthatdoor。AndIcloseditasgentlybehindmeasifIhadbeenathiefretreatingwithhisill—gottenbooty。DuringthatstealthyactI
experiencedthelasttouchofemotioninthathouse，atthethoughtofthegirlIhadleftsittingthereintheobscurity，withherheavyhairandemptyeyesasblackasthenightitself，staringintothewalledgarden，silent，warm，odorouswiththeperfumeofimprisonedflowers，which，likeherself，werelosttosightinaworldburiedindarkness。
Thenarrow，ill—lighted，rusticstreetsIknewsowellonmywaytotheharbourwereextremelyquiet。Ifeltinmyheartthatthefurtheroneventuresthebetteroneunderstandshoweverythinginourlifeiscommon，short，andempty；thatitisinseekingtheunknowninoursensationsthatwediscoverhowmediocreareourattemptsandhowsoondefeated！Jacobus’sboatmanwaswaitingatthestepswithanunusualairofreadiness。Heputmealongsidetheship，butdidnotgivemehisconfidential\"Good—evening，sah，\"
and，insteadofshovingoffatonce，remainedholdingbytheladder。
Iwasathousandmilesfromcommercialaffairs，whenonthedarkquarter—deckMr。Burnspositivelyrushedatme，stammeringwithexcitement。Hehadbeenpacingthedeckdistractedlyforhoursawaitingmyarrival。Justbeforesunsetalighterloadedwithpotatoeshadcomealongsidewiththatfatship—chandlerhimselfsittingonthepileofsacks。Hewasnowstuckimmovableinthecabin。Whatwasthemeaningofitall？SurelyIdidnot—
\"Yes，Mr。Burns，Idid，\"Icuthimshort。HewasbeginningtomakegesturesofdespairwhenIstoppedthat，too，bygivinghimthekeyofmydeskanddesiringhim，inatonewhichadmittedofnoargument，togobelowatonce，payMr。Jacobus’sbill，andsendhimoutoftheship。
\"Idon’twanttoseehim，\"Iconfessedfrankly，climbingthepoop—
ladder。Ifeltextremelytired。Droppingontheseatoftheskylight，Igavemyselfuptoidlegazingatthelightsaboutthequayandattheblackmassofthemountainonthesouthsideoftheharbour。IneverheardJacobusleavetheshipwitheverysinglesovereignofmyreadycashinhispocket。Ineverheardanythingtill，alongtimeafterwards，Mr。Burns，unabletocontainhimselfanylonger，intrudeduponmewithhisridiculouslyangrylamentationsatmyweaknessandgoodnature。
\"Ofcourse，there’splentyofroomintheafter—hatch。Buttheyaresuretogorottendownthere。Well！Ineverheard……
seventeentons！IsupposeImusthoistinthatlotfirstthingto—
morrowmorning。\"
\"Isupposeyoumust。Unlessyoudropthemoverboard。ButI’mafraidyoucan’tdothat。Iwouldn’tmindmyself，butit’sforbiddentothrowrubbishintotheharbour，youknow。\"
\"Thatisthetruestwordyouhavesaidformanyaday，sir—
rubbish。That’sjustwhatIexpecttheyare。Nearlyeightygoodgoldsovereignsgone；aperfectlycleansweepofyourdrawer，sir。
BlessmeifIunderstand！\"
AsitwasimpossibletothrowtherightlightonthiscommercialtransactionIlefthimtohislamentationsandundertheimpressionthatIwasahopelessfool。NextdayIdidnotgoashore。Foronething，Ihadnomoneytogoashorewith—no，notenoughtobuyacigarette。Jacobushadmadeacleansweep。Butthatwasnottheonlyreason。ThePearloftheOceanhadinafewshorthoursgrownodioustome。AndIdidnotwanttomeetanyone。Myreputationhadsuffered。IknewIwastheobjectofunkindandsarcasticcomments。
Thefollowingmorningatsunrise，justasourstern—fastshadbeenletgoandthetugpluckedusoutfrombetweenthebuoys，IsawJacobusstandingupinhisboat。Theniggerwaspullinghard；
severalbasketsofprovisionsforshipswerestowedbetweenthethwarts。ThefatherofAlicewasgoinghismorninground。Hiscountenancewastranquilandfriendly。Heraisedhisarmandshoutedsomethingwithgreatheartiness。Buthisvoicewasofthesortthatdoesn’tcarryanydistance；allIcouldcatchfaintly，orratherguessat，werethewords\"nexttime\"and\"quitecorrect。\"
AnditwasonlyoftheselastthatIwascertain。Raisingmyarmperfunctorilyforallresponse，Iturnedaway。Iratherresentedthefamiliarityofthething。Hadn’tIsettledaccountsfinallywithhimbymeansofthatpotatobargain？
Thisbeingaharbourstoryitisnotmypurposetospeakofourpassage。Iwasgladenoughtobeatsea，butnotwiththegladnessofolddays。FormerlyIhadnomemoriestotakeawaywithme。I
sharedintheblessedforgetfulnessofsailors，thatforgetfulnessnaturalandinvincible，whichresemblesinnocenceinsofarthatitpreventsself—examination。NowhoweverIrememberedthegirl。
DuringthefirstfewdaysIwasforeverquestioningmyselfastothenatureoffactsandsensationsconnectedwithherpersonandwithmyconduct。
AndImustsayalsothatMr。Burns’intolerablefussingwiththosepotatoeswasnotcalculatedtomakemeforgetthepartwhichIhadplayed。Helookeduponitasapurelycommercialtransactionofaparticularlyfoolishkind，andhisdevotion—ifitwasdevotionandnotmerecussednessasIcametoregarditbeforelong—
inspiredhimwithazealtominimisemylossasmuchaspossible。
Oh，yes！Hetookcareofthoseinfamouspotatoeswithavengeance，asthesayinggoes。
Everlastingly，therewasatackleovertheafter—hatchandeverlastinglythewatchondeckwerepullingup，spreadingout，pickingover，rebagging，andloweringdownagain，somepartofthatlotofpotatoes。Mybargainwithallitsremotestassociations，mentalandvisual—thegardenofflowersandscents，thegirlwithherprovokingcontemptandhertragiclonelinessofahopelesscastaway—waseverlastinglydangledbeforemyeyes，forthousandsofmilesalongtheopensea。Andasifbyasatanicrefinementofironyitwasaccompaniedbyamostawfulsmell。Whiffsfromdecayingpotatoespursuedmeonthepoop，theymingledwithmythoughts，withmyfood，poisonedmyverydreams。Theymadeanatmosphereofcorruptionfortheship。
IremonstratedwithMr。Burnsaboutthisexcessivecare。Iwouldhavebeenwellcontenttobattenthehatchdownandletthemperishunderthedeck。
Thatperhapswouldhavebeenunsafe。Thehorridemanationsmighthaveflavouredthecargoofsugar。Theyseemedstrongenoughtotainttheveryironwork。InadditionMr。Burnsmadeitapersonalmatter。Heassuredmeheknewhowtotreatacargoofpotatoesatsea—hadbeeninthetradeasaboy，hesaid。Hemeanttomakemylossassmallaspossible。Whatbetweenhisdevotion—itmusthavebeendevotion—andhisvanity，Ipositivelydarednotgivehimtheordertothrowmycommercial—ventureoverboard。Ibelievehewouldhaverefusedpointblanktoobeymylawfulcommand。AnunprecedentedandcomicalsituationwouldhavebeencreatedwithwhichIdidnotfeelequaltodeal。
Iwelcomedthecomingofbadweatherasnosailorhadeverdone。
WhenatlastIhovetheshipto，topickupthepilotoutsidePortPhilipHeads，theafter—hatchhadnotbeenopenedformorethanaweekandImighthavebelievedthatnosuchthingasapotatohadeverbeenonboard。
Itwasanabominableday，raw，blustering，withgreatsquallsofwindandrain；thepilot，acheeryperson，lookedaftertheshipandchattedtome，streamingfromheadtofoot；andtheheavierthelashofthedownpourthemorepleasedwithhimselfandeverythingaroundhimheseemedtobe。Herubbedhiswethandswithasatisfaction，whichtome，whohadstoodthatkindofthingforseveraldaysandnights，seemedinconceivableinanynon—aquaticcreature。
\"Youseemtoenjoygettingwet，Pilot，\"Iremarked。
Hehadabitoflandroundhishouseinthesuburbsanditwasofhisgardenhewasthinking。Atthesoundofthewordgarden，unheard，unspokenforsomanydays，Ihadavisionofgorgeouscolour，ofsweetscents，ofagirlishfigurecrouchinginachair。
Yes。ThatwasadistinctemotionbreakingintothepeaceIhadfoundinthesleeplessanxietiesofmyresponsibilityduringaweekofdangerousbadweather。TheColony，thepilotexplained，hadsufferedfromunparalleleddrought。Thiswasthefirstdecentdropofwatertheyhadhadforsevenmonths。Therootcropswerelost。
And，tryingtobecasual，butwithvisibleinterest，heaskedmeifIhadperchanceanypotatoestospare。
Potatoes！Ihadmanagedtoforgetthem。InamomentIfeltplungedintocorruptionuptomyneck。Mr。Burnswasmakingeyesatmebehindthepilot’sback。
Finally，heobtainedaton，andpaidtenpoundsforit。ThiswastwicethepriceofmybargainwithJacobus。Thespiritofcovetousnesswokeupinme。Thatnight，inharbour，beforeI
slept，theCustomHousegalleycamealongside。Whilehisunderlingswereputtingsealsonthestorerooms，theofficerinchargetookmeasideconfidentially。\"Isay，Captain，youdon’thappentohaveanypotatoestosell。\"
Clearlytherewasapotatofamineintheland。Ilethimhaveatonfortwelvepoundsandhewentawayjoyfully。ThatnightI
dreamtofapileofgoldintheformofagraveinwhichagirlwasburied，andwokeupcallouswithgreed。Oncallingatmyship—
broker’soffice，thatman，aftertheusualbusinesshadbeentransacted，pushedhisspectaclesuponhisforehead。
\"Iwasthinking，Captain，thatcomingfromthePearloftheOceanyoumayhavesomepotatoestosell。\"
Isaidnegligently：\"Oh，yes，Icouldspareyouaton。Fifteenpounds。\"
Heexclaimed：\"Isay！\"Butafterstudyingmyfaceforawhileacceptedmytermswithafaintgrimace。Itseemsthatthesepeoplecouldnotexistwithoutpotatoes。Icould。Ididn’twanttoseeapotatoaslongasIlived；butthedemonoflucrehadtakenpossessionofme。HowthenewsgotaboutIdon’tknow，but，returningonboardratherlate，Ifoundasmallgroupofmenofthecostertypehangingaboutthewaist，whileMr。Burnswalkedtoandfrothequarterdeckloftily，keepingatriumphanteyeonthem。
Theyhadcometobuypotatoes。
\"Thesechapshavebeenwaitinghereinthesunforhours，\"Burnswhisperedtomeexcitedly。\"Theyhavedrankthewater—caskdry。
Don’tyouthrowawayyourchances，sir。Youaretoogood—natured。\"
Iselectedamanwiththicklegsandamanwithacastinhiseyetonegotiatewith；simplybecausetheywereeasilydistinguishablefromtherest。\"Youhavethemoneyonyou？\"Iinquired，beforetakingthemdownintothecabin。
\"Yes，sir，\"theyansweredinonevoice，slappingtheirpockets。I
likedtheirairofquietdetermination。LongbeforetheendofthedayallthepotatoesweresoldataboutthreetimesthepriceIhadpaidforthem。Mr。Burns，feverishandexulting，congratulatedhimselfonhisskilfulcareofmycommercialventure，buthintedplainlythatIoughttohavemademoreofit。
ThatnightIdidnotsleepverywell。IthoughtofJacobusbyfitsandstarts，betweensnatchesofdreamsconcernedwithcastawaysstarvingonadesertislandcoveredwithflowers。Itwasextremelyunpleasant。Inthemorning，tiredandunrefreshed，Isatdownandwrotealonglettertomyowners，givingthemacarefully—thought—
outschemefortheship’semploymentintheEastandabouttheChinaSeasforthenexttwoyears。Ispentthedayatthattaskandfeltsomewhatmoreatpeacewhenitwasdone。
Theirreplycameinduecourse。Theyweregreatlystruckwithmyproject；butconsideringthat，notwithstandingtheunfortunatedifficultywiththebags（whichtheytrustedIwouldknowhowtoguardagainstinthefuture），thevoyageshowedaveryfairprofit，theythoughtitwouldbebettertokeeptheshipinthesugartrade—atleastforthepresent。
Iturnedoverthepageandreadon：
\"WehavehadaletterfromourgoodfriendMr。Jacobus。Wearepleasedtoseehowwellyouhavehititoffwithhim；for，nottospeakofhisassistanceintheunfortunatematterofthebags，hewritesusthatshouldyou，byusingallpossibledispatch，managetobringtheshipbackearlyintheseasonhewouldbeabletogiveusagoodrateoffreight。Wehavenodoubtthatyourbestendeavours……etc……etc。\"
Idroppedtheletterandsatmotionlessforalongtime。ThenI
wrotemyanswer（itwasashortone）andwentashoremyselftopostit。ButIpassedoneletter—box，thenanother，andintheendfoundmyselfgoingupCollinsStreetwiththeletterstillinmypocket—againstmyheart。CollinsStreetatfouro’clockintheafternoonisnotexactlyadesertsolitude；butIhadneverfeltmoreisolatedfromtherestofmankindaswhenIwalkedthatdayitscrowdedpavement，battlingdesperatelywithmythoughtsandfeelingalreadyvanquished。
TherecameamomentwhentheawfultenacityofJacobus，themanofonepassionandofoneidea，appearedtomealmostheroic。Hehadnotgivenmeup。Hehadgoneagaintohisodiousbrother。Andthenheappearedtomeodioushimself。Wasitforhisownsakeorforthesakeofthepoorgirl？Andonthatlastsuppositionthememoryofthekisswhichmissedmylipsappalledme；forwhateverhehadseen，orguessedat，orrisked，heknewnothingofthat。
Unlessthegirlhadtoldhim。HowcouldIgobacktofanthatfatalsparkwithmycoldbreath？No，no，thatunexpectedkisshadtobepaidforatitsfullprice。
Atthefirstletter—boxIcametoIstoppedandreachingintomybreast—pocketItookouttheletter—itwasasifIwerepluckingoutmyveryheart—anddroppeditthroughtheslit。ThenIwentstraightonboard。
IwonderedwhatdreamsIwouldhavethatnight；butasitturnedoutIdidnotsleepatall。AtbreakfastIinformedMr。BurnsthatIhadresignedmycommand。
Hedroppedhisknifeandforkandlookedatmewithindignation。
\"Youhave，sir！Ithoughtyoulovedtheship。\"
\"SoIdo，Burns，\"Isaid。\"ButthefactisthattheIndianOceanandeverythingthatisinithaslostitscharmforme。IamgoinghomeaspassengerbytheSuezCanal。\"
\"Everythingthatisinit，\"herepeatedangrily。\"I’veneverheardanybodytalklikethis。Andtotellyouthetruth，sir，allthetimewehavebeentogetherI’veneverquitemadeyouout。What’soneoceanmorethananother？Charm，indeed！\"
Hewasreallydevotedtome，Ibelieve。ButhecheeredupwhenI
toldhimthatIhadrecommendedhimformysuccessor。
\"Anyhow，\"heremarked，\"letpeoplesaywhattheylike，thisJacobushasservedyourturn。Imustadmitthatthispotatobusinesshaspaidextremelywell。Ofcourse，ifonlyyouhad—\"
\"Yes，Mr。Burns，\"Iinterrupted。\"Quiteasmileoffortune。\"
ButIcouldnottellhimthatitwasdrivingmeoutoftheshipI
hadlearnedtolove。AndasIsatheavy—heartedatthatparting，seeingallmyplansdestroyed，mymodestfutureendangered—forthiscommandwaslikeafootinthestirrupforayoungman—hegaveupcompletelyforthefirsttimehiscriticalattitude。
\"Awonderfulpieceofluck！\"hesaid。
THESECRETSHARER—ANEPISODEFROMTHECOAST
Onmyrighthandtherewerelinesoffishing—stakesresemblingamysterioussystemofhalf—submergedbamboofences，incomprehensibleinitsdivisionofthedomainoftropicalfishes，andcrazyofaspectasifabandonedforeverbysomenomadtribeoffishermennowgonetotheotherendoftheocean；fortherewasnosignofhumanhabitationasfarastheeyecouldreach。Totheleftagroupofbarrenislets，suggestingruinsofstonewalls，towers，andblockhouses，haditsfoundationssetinablueseathatitselflookedsolid，sostillandstablediditliebelowmyfeet；eventhetrackoflightfromthewesteringsunshonesmoothly，withoutthatanimatedglitterwhichtellsofanimperceptibleripple。AndwhenIturnedmyheadtotakeapartingglanceatthetugwhichhadjustleftusanchoredoutsidethebar，Isawthestraightlineoftheflatshorejoinedtothestablesea，edgetoedge，withaperfectandunmarkedcloseness，inonelevelledfloorhalfbrown，halfblueundertheenormousdomeofthesky。Correspondingintheirinsignificancetotheisletsofthesea，twosmallclumpsoftrees，oneoneachsideoftheonlyfaultintheimpeccablejoint，markedthemouthoftheriverMeinamwehadjustleftonthefirstpreparatorystageofourhomewardjourney；and，farbackontheinlandlevel，alargerandloftiermass，thegrovesurroundingthegreatPaknampagoda，wastheonlythingonwhichtheeyecouldrestfromthevaintaskofexploringthemonotonoussweepofthehorizon。Hereandtheregleamsasofafewscatteredpiecesofsilvermarkedthewindingsofthegreatriver；andonthenearestofthem，justwithinthebar，thetugsteamingrightintothelandbecamelosttomysight，hullandfunnelandmasts，asthoughtheimpassiveearthhadswallowedherupwithoutaneffort，withoutatremor。Myeyefollowedthelightcloudofhersmoke，nowhere，nowthere，abovetheplain，accordingtothedeviouscurvesofthestream，butalwaysfainterandfartheraway，tillIlostitatlastbehindthemitre—shapedhillofthegreatpagoda。AndthenIwasleftalonewithmyship，anchoredattheheadoftheGulfofSiam。
Shefloatedatthestarting—pointofalongjourney，verystillinanimmensestillness，theshadowsofhersparsflungfartotheeastwardbythesettingsun。AtthatmomentIwasaloneonherdecks。Therewasnotasoundinher—andaroundusnothingmoved，nothinglived，notacanoeonthewater，notabirdintheair，notacloudinthesky。Inthisbreathlesspauseatthethresholdofalongpassageweseemedtobemeasuringourfitnessforalongandarduousenterprise，theappointedtaskofbothourexistencestobecarriedout，farfromallhumaneyes，withonlyskyandseaforspectatorsandforjudges。
Theremusthavebeensomeglareintheairtointerferewithone’ssight，becauseitwasonlyjustbeforethesunleftusthatmyroamingeyesmadeoutbeyondthehighestridgeoftheprincipalisletofthegroupsomethingwhichdidawaywiththesolemnityofperfectsolitude。Thetideofdarknessflowedonswiftly；andwithtropicalsuddennessaswarmofstarscameoutabovetheshadowyearth，whileIlingeredyet，myhandrestinglightlyonmyship’srailasifontheshoulderofatrustedfriend。But，withallthatmultitudeofcelestialbodiesstaringdownatone，thecomfortofquietcommunionwithherwasgoneforgood。Andtherewerealsodisturbingsoundsbythistime—voices，footstepsforward；thestewardflittedalongthemaindeck，abusilyministeringspirit；ahand—belltinkledurgentlyunderthepoop—deck……
Ifoundmytwoofficerswaitingformenearthesuppertable，inthelightedcuddy。Wesatdownatonce，andasIhelpedthechiefmate，Isaid：
\"Areyouawarethatthereisashipanchoredinsidetheislands？I
sawhermastheadsabovetheridgeasthesunwentdown。\"
Heraisedsharplyhissimpleface，overchargedbyaterriblegrowthofwhisker，andemittedhisusualejaculations：\"Blessmysoul，sir！Youdon’tsayso！\"
Mysecondmatewasaround—cheeked，silentyoungman，gravebeyondhisyears，Ithought；butasoureyeshappenedtomeetIdetectedaslightquiveronhislips。Ilookeddownatonce。Itwasnotmyparttoencouragesneeringonboardmyship。Itmustbesaid，too，thatIknewverylittleofmyofficers。Inconsequenceofcertaineventsofnoparticularsignificance，excepttomyself，Ihadbeenappointedtothecommandonlyafortnightbefore。NeitherdidI
knowmuchofthehandsforward。Allthesepeoplehadbeentogetherforeighteenmonthsorso，andmypositionwasthatoftheonlystrangeronboard。Imentionthisbecauseithassomebearingonwhatistofollow。ButwhatIfeltmostwasmybeingastrangertotheship；andifallthetruthmustbetold，Iwassomewhatofastrangertomyself。Theyoungestmanonboard（barringthesecondmate），anduntriedasyetbyapositionofthefullestresponsibility，Iwaswillingtotaketheadequacyoftheothersforgranted。Theyhadsimplytobeequaltotheirtasks；butI
wonderedhowfarIshouldturnoutfaithfultothatidealconceptionofone’sownpersonalityeverymansetsupforhimselfsecretly。
Meantimethechiefmate，withanalmostvisibleeffectofcollaborationonthepartofhisroundeyesandfrightfulwhiskers，wastryingtoevolveatheoryoftheanchoredship。Hisdominanttraitwastotakeallthingsintoearnestconsideration。Hewasofapainstakingturnofmind。Asheusedtosay，he\"likedtoaccounttohimself\"forpracticallyeverythingthatcameinhisway，downtoamiserablescorpionhehadfoundinhiscabinaweekbefore。Thewhyandthewhereforeofthatscorpion—howitgotonboardandcametoselecthisroomratherthanthepantry（whichwasadarkplaceandmorewhatascorpionwouldbepartialto），andhowonearthitmanagedtodrownitselfintheinkwellofhiswriting—
desk—hadexercisedhiminfinitely。Theshipwithintheislandswasmuchmoreeasilyaccountedfor；andjustaswewereabouttorisefromtablehemadehispronouncement。Shewas，hedoubtednot，ashipfromhomelatelyarrived。Probablyshedrewtoomuchwatertocrossthebarexceptatthetopofspringtides。
Thereforeshewentintothatnaturalharbourtowaitforafewdaysinpreferencetoremaininginanopenroadstead。
\"That’sso，\"confirmedthesecondmate，suddenly，inhisslightlyhoarsevoice。\"Shedrawsovertwentyfeet。She’stheLiverpoolshipSephorawithacargoofcoal。Hundredandtwenty—threedaysfromCardiff。\"
Welookedathiminsurprise。
\"Thetugboatskippertoldmewhenhecameonboardforyourletters，sir，\"explainedtheyoungman。\"Heexpectstotakeheruptheriverthedayafterto—morrow。\"
Afterthusoverwhelminguswiththeextentofhisinformationheslippedoutofthecabin。Themateobservedregretfullythathe\"couldnotaccountforthatyoungfellow’swhims。\"Whatpreventedhimtellingusallaboutitatonce，hewantedtoknow。
Idetainedhimashewasmakingamove。Forthelasttwodaysthecrewhadhadplentyofhardwork，andthenightbeforetheyhadverylittlesleep。IfeltpainfullythatI—astranger—wasdoingsomethingunusualwhenIdirectedhimtoletallhandsturninwithoutsettingananchor—watch。Iproposedtokeepondeckmyselftilloneo’clockorthereabouts。Iwouldgetthesecondmatetorelievemeatthathour。
