Hewasaverysickwhiteman。Herodepick-a-backonawoolly-
　　headed，black-skinnedsavage，thelobesofwhoseearshadbeenpiercedandstretcheduntilonehadtornout，whiletheothercarriedacircularblockofcarvedwoodthreeinchesindiameter。
　　Thetornearhadbeenpiercedagain，butthistimenotsoambitiously，fortheholeaccommodatednomorethanashortclaypipe。Theman-horsewasgreasyanddirty，andnakedsaveforanexceedinglynarrowanddirtyloin-cloth；butthewhitemanclungtohimcloselyanddesperately。Attimes，fromweakness，hisheaddroopedandrestedonthewoollypate。Atothertimesheliftedhisheadandstaredwithswimmingeyesatthecocoanutpalmsthatreeledandswungintheshimmeringheat。Hewascladinathinundershirtandastripofcottoncloth，thatwrappedabouthiswaistanddescendedtohisknees。OnhisheadwasabatteredStetson，knowntothetradeasaBaden-Powell。Abouthismiddlewasstrappedabelt，whichcarriedalarge-calibredautomaticpistolandseveralspareclips，loadedandreadyforquickwork。
　　Therearwasbroughtupbyablackboyoffourteenorfifteen，whocarriedmedicinebottles，apailofhotwater，andvariousotherhospitalappurtenances。Theypassedoutofthecompoundthroughasmallwickergate，andwentonundertheblazingsun，windingaboutamongnew-plantedcocoanutsthatthrewnoshade。Therewasnotabreathofwind，andthesuperheated，stagnantairwasheavywithpestilence。Fromthedirectiontheyweregoingaroseawildclamour，asoflostsoulswailingandofmenintorment。Along，lowshedshowedahead，grass-walledandgrass-thatched，anditwasfromherethatthenoiseproceeded。Therewereshrieksandscreams，someunmistakablyofgrief，othersunmistakablyofunendurablepain。Asthewhitemandrewcloserhecouldhearalowandcontinuousmoaningandgroaning。Heshudderedatthethoughtofentering，andforamomentwasquitecertainthathewasgoingtofaint。ForthatmostdreadedofSolomonIslandscourges，dysentery，hadstruckBerandeplantation，andhewasallalonetocopewithit。Also，hewasafflictedhimself。
　　Bystoopingclose，stillonman-back，hemanagedtopassthroughthelowdoorway。Hetookasmallbottlefromhisfollower，andsniffedstrongammoniatoclearhissensesfortheordeal。Thenheshouted，"Shutup!"andtheclamourstilled。Araisedplatformofforestslabs，sixfeetwide，withaslightpitch，extendedthefulllengthoftheshed。Alongsideofitwasayard-widerun-way。
　　Stretchedontheplatform，sidebysideandcrowdedclose，layascoreofblacks。Thattheywerelowintheorderofhumanlifewasapparentataglance。Theywereman-eaters。Theirfaceswereasymmetrical，bestial；theirbodieswereuglyandape-like。Theyworenose-ringsofclam-shellandturtle-shell，andfromtheendsoftheirnoseswhichwerealsopierced，projectedhornsofbeadsstrungonstiffwire。Theirearswerepiercedanddistendedtoaccommodatewoodenplugsandsticks，pipes，andallmannerofbarbaricornaments。Theirfacesandbodiesweretattooedorscarredinhideousdesigns。Intheirsicknesstheyworenoclothing，notevenloin-cloths，thoughtheyretainedtheirshellarmlets，theirbeadnecklaces，andtheirleatherbelts，betweenwhichandtheskinwerethrustnakedknives。Thebodiesofmanywerecoveredwithhorriblesores。Swarmsoffliesroseandsettled，orflewbackandforthinclouds。
　　Thewhitemanwentdowntheline，dosingeachmanwithmedicine。
　　Tosomehegavechlorodyne。Hewasforcedtoconcentratewithallhiswillinordertorememberwhichofthemcouldstandipecacuanha，andwhichofthemwereconstitutionallyunabletoretainthatpowerfuldrug。Onewholaydeadheorderedtobecarriedout。Hespokeinthesharp，peremptorymannerofamanwhowouldtakenononsense，andthewellmenwhoobeyedhisordersscowledmalignantly。Onemuttereddeepinhischestashetookthecorpsebythefeet。Thewhitemanexplodedinspeechandaction。
　　Itcosthimapainfuleffort，buthisarmshotout，landingaback-
　　handblowontheblack'smouth。
　　"Whatnameyou，Angara？"heshouted。"Whatfortalk'longyou，eh？
　　Iknocksevenbellsoutofyou，toomuch，quick!"
　　Withtheautomaticswiftnessofawildanimaltheblackgatheredhimselftospring。Theangerofawildanimalwasinhiseyes；buthesawthewhiteman'shanddroppingtothepistolinhisbelt。
　　Thespringwasnevermade。Thetensedbodyrelaxed，andtheblack，stoopingoverthecorpse，helpedcarryitout。Thistimetherewasnomuttering。
　　"Swine!"thewhitemangrittedoutthroughhisteethatthewholebreedofSolomonIslanders。
　　Hewasverysick，thiswhiteman，assickastheblackmenwholayhelplessabouthim，andwhomheattended。Heneverknew，eachtimeheenteredthefesteringshambles，whetherornothewouldbeabletocompletetheround。Buthedidknowinlargedegreeofcertaintythat，ifheeverfaintedthereinthemidstoftheblacks，thosewhowereablewouldbeathisthroatlikeraveningwolves。
　　Partwaydownthelineamanwasdying。Hegaveordersforhisremovalassoonashehadbreathedhislast。Ablackstuckhisheadinsidethesheddoor，saying，-
　　"Fourfellasicktoomuch。"
　　Freshcases，stillabletowalk，theyclusteredaboutthespokesman。Thewhitemansingledouttheweakest，andputhimintheplacejustvacatedbythecorpse。Also，heindicatedthenextweakest，tellinghimtowaitforaplaceuntilthenextmandied。
　　Then，orderingoneofthewellmentotakeasquadfromthefield-
　　forceandbuildalean-toadditiontothehospital，hecontinuedalongtherun-way，administeringmedicineandcrackingjokesinbeche-de-merEnglishtocheerthesufferers。Nowandagain，fromthefarend，aweirdwailwasraised。Whenhearrivedtherehefoundthenoisewasemittedbyaboywhowasnotsick。Thewhiteman'swrathwasimmediate。
　　"Whatnameyousingoutallatime？"hedemanded。
　　"Himfellamybrotherbelongme，"wastheanswer。"Himfelladietoomuch。"
　　"Yousingout，himfellabrotherbelongyoudietoomuch，"thewhitemanwentoninthreateningtones。"Icrosstoomuchalongyou。Whatnameyousingout，eh？Youfat-headmakeumbrotherbelongyoudiedoseuptoomuch。Youfellafinishsingout，savvee？YoufellanofinishsingoutImakefinishdamnquick。"
　　Hethreatenedthewailerwithhisfist，andtheblackcowereddown，glaringathimwithsulleneyes。
　　"Singoutnogoodlittlebit，"thewhitemanwenton，moregently。
　　"Younosingout。Youchaseumfellafly。Toomuchstrongfellafly。Youcatchwater，washeebrotherbelongyou；washeeplentytoomuch，bimebyebrotherbelongyouallright。Jump!"heshoutedfiercelyattheend，hiswillpenetratingthelowintelligenceoftheblackwithdynamicforcethatmadehimjumptothetaskofbrushingtheloathsomeswarmsoffliesaway。
　　Againherodeoutintothereekingheat。Heclutchedtheblack'snecktightly，anddrewalongbreath；butthedeadairseemedtoshrivelhislungs，andhedroppedhisheadanddozedtillthehousewasreached。Everyeffortofwillwastorture，yethewascalleduponcontinuallytomakeeffortsofwill。Hegavetheblackhehadriddenanipoftrade-gin。Viaburi，thehouse-boy，broughthimcorrosivesublimateandwater，andhetookathoroughantisepticwash。Hedosedhimselfwithchlorodyne，tookhisownpulse，smokedathermometer，andlaybackonthecouchwithasuppressedgroan。
　　Itwasmid-afternoon，andhehadcompletedhisthirdroundthatday。Hecalledthehouse-boy。
　　"TakeumbigfellalookalongJessie，"hecommanded。
　　Theboycarriedthelongtelescopeoutontheveranda，andsearchedthesea。
　　"Onefellaschoonerlongwaylittlebit，"heannounced。"OnefellaJessie。"
　　Thewhitemangavealittlegaspofdelight。
　　"YoumakeumJessie，fivestickstobaccoalongyou，"hesaid。
　　Therewassilenceforatime，duringwhichhewaitedwitheagerimpatience。
　　"MaybeJessie，maybeotherfellaschooner，"camethefalteringadmission。
　　Themanwormedtotheedgeofthecouch，andslippedofftotheflooronhisknees。Bymeansofachairhedrewhimselftohisfeet。Stillclingingtothechair，supportingmostofhisweightonit，heshovedittothedoorandoutupontheveranda。Thesweatfromtheexertionstreameddownhisfaceandshowedthroughtheundershirtacrosshisshoulders。Hemanagedtogetintothechair，wherehepantedinastateofcollapse。Inafewminutesherousedhimself。Theboyheldtheendofthetelescopeagainstoneoftheverandascantlings，whilethemangazedthroughitatthesea。Atlasthepickedupthewhitesailsoftheschoonerandstudiedthem。
　　"NoJessie，"hesaidveryquietly。"That'stheMalakula。"
　　Hechangedhisseatforasteamerreclining-chair。Threehundredfeetawaytheseabrokeinasmallsurfuponthebeach。TothelefthecouldseethewhitelineofbreakersthatmarkedthebaroftheBalesunaRiver，and，beyond，theruggedoutlineofSavoIsland。
　　Directlybeforehim，acrossthetwelve-milechannel，layFloridaIsland；and，farthertotheright，diminthedistance，hecouldmakeoutportionsofMalaita——thesavageisland，theabodeofmurder，androbbery，andman-eating——theplacefromwhichhisowntwohundredplantationhandshadbeenrecruited。Betweenhimandthebeachwasthecane-grassfenceofthecompound。Thegatewasajar，andhesentthehouse-boytocloseit。Withinthefencegrewanumberofloftycocoanutpalms。Oneithersidethepaththatledtothegatestoodtwotallflagstaffs。Theywererearedonartificialmoundsofearththatweretenfeethigh。Thebaseofeachstaffwassurroundedbyshortposts，paintedwhiteandconnectedbyheavychains。Thestaffsthemselveswerelikeships'
　　masts，withtopmastssplicedonintruenauticalfashion，withshrouds，ratlines，gaffs，andflag-halyards。Fromthegaffofone，twogayflagshunglimply，oneacheckerboardofblueandwhitesquares，theotherawhitepennantcentredwithareddisc。Itwastheinternationalcodesignalofdistress。
　　Onthefarcornerofthecompoundfenceahawkbrooded。Themanwatchedit，andknewthatitwassick。Hewonderedidlyifitfeltasbadashefelt，andwasfeeblyamusedatthethoughtofkinshipthatsomehowpenetratedhisfancy。Herousedhimselftoorderthegreatbelltoberungasasignalfortheplantationhandstoceaseworkandgototheirbarracks。Thenhemountedhisman-horseandmadethelastroundoftheday。
　　Inthehospitalweretwonewcases。Tothesehegavecastor-oil。
　　Hecongratulatedhimself。Ithadbeenaneasyday。Onlythreehaddied。Heinspectedthecopra-dryingthathadbeengoingon，andwentthroughthebarrackstoseeiftherewereanysicklyinghiddenanddefyinghisruleofsegregation。Returnedtothehouse，hereceivedthereportsoftheboss-boysandgaveinstructionsfornextday'swork。Theboat'screwbossalsohehadin，togiveassurance，aswasthecustomnightly，thatthewhale-boatswerehauledupandpadlocked。Thiswasamostnecessaryprecaution，fortheblackswereinafunk，andawhale-boatleftlyingonthebeachintheeveningmeantalossoftwentyblacksbymorning。Sincetheblackswereworththirtydollarsapiece，orless，accordingtohowmuchoftheirtimehadbeenworkedout，Berandeplantationcouldillaffordtheloss。Besides，whale-boatswerenotcheapintheSolomons；and，also，thedeathsweredailyreducingtheworkingcapital。Sevenblackshadfledintothebushtheweekbefore，andfourhaddraggedthemselvesback，helplessfromfever，withthereportthattwomorehadbeenkilledandkai-kai'd{1}bythehospitablebushmen。Theseventhmanwasstillatlarge，andwassaidtobeworkingalongthecoastonthelookouttostealacanoeandgetawaytohisownisland。
　　Viaburibroughttwolightedlanternstothewhitemanforinspection。Heglancedatthemandsawthattheywereburningbrightlywithclear，broadflames，andnoddedhishead。Onewashoisteduptothegaffoftheflagstaff，andtheotherwasplacedonthewideveranda。TheyweretheleadinglightstotheBerandeanchorage，andeverynightintheyeartheyweresoinspectedandhungout。
　　Herolledbackonhiscouchwithasighofrelief。Theday'sworkwasdone。Ariflelayonthecouchbesidehim。Hisrevolverwaswithinreachofhishand。Anhourpassed，duringwhichhedidnotmove。Helayinastateofhalf-slumber，half-coma。Hebecamesuddenlyalert。Acreakonthebackverandawasthecause。TheroomwasL-shaped；thecornerinwhichstoodhiscouchwasdim，butthehanginglampinthemainpartoftheroom，overthebilliardtableandjustaroundthecorner，sothatitdidnotshineonhim，wasburningbrightly。Likewisetheverandaswerewelllighted。Hewaitedwithoutmovement。Thecreakswererepeated，andheknewseveralmenlurkedoutside。
　　"Whatname？"hecriedsharply。
　　Thehouse，raisedadozenfeetabovetheground，shookonitspilefoundationstotherushofretreatingfootsteps。
　　"They'regettingbold，"hemuttered。"Somethingwillhavetobedone。"
　　ThefullmoonroseoverMalaitaandshonedownonBerande。Nothingstirredinthewindlessair。Fromthehospitalstillproceededthemoaningofthesick。Inthegrass-thatchedbarracksnearlytwohundredwoolly-headedman-eaterssleptoffthewearinessoftheday'stoil，thoughseveralliftedtheirheadstolistentothecursesofonewhocursedthewhitemanwhoneverslept。Onthefourverandasofthehousethelanternsburned。Inside，betweenrifleandrevolver，themanhimselfmoanedandtossedinintervalsoftroubledsleep。
　　CHAPTERII——SOMETHINGISDONE
　　InthemorningDavidSheldondecidedthathewasworse。Thathewasappreciablyweakertherewasnodoubt，andtherewereothersymptomsthatwereunfavourable。Hebeganhisroundslookingfortrouble。Hewantedtrouble。Infullhealth，thestrainedsituationwouldhavebeenseriousenough；butasitwas，himselfgrowinghelpless，somethinghadtobedone。Theblacksweregettingmoresullenanddefiant，andtheappearanceofthementhepreviousnightonhisveranda——oneofthegravestofoffencesonBerande——wasominous。Soonerorlatertheywouldgethim，ifhedidnotgetthemfirst，ifhedidnotonceagainsearontheirdarksoulstheflamingmasteryofthewhiteman。
　　Hereturnedtothehousedisappointed。Noopportunityhadpresenteditselfofmakinganexampleofinsolenceorinsubordination——suchashadoccurredoneveryotherdaysincethesicknesssmoteBerande。Thefactthatnonehadoffendedwasinitselfsuspicious。Theyweregrowingcrafty。Heregrettedthathehadnotwaitedthenightbeforeuntiltheprowlershadentered。
　　Thenhemighthaveshotoneortwoandgiventherestanewlesson，writinred，forthemtocon。Itwasonemanagainsttwohundred，andhewashorriblyafraidofhissicknessoverpoweringhimandleavinghimattheirmercy。Hesawvisionsoftheblackstakingchargeoftheplantation，lootingthestore，burningthebuildings，andescapingtoMalaita。Also，onegruesomevisionhecaughtofhisownhead，sun-driedandsmoke-cured，ornamentingthecanoehouseofacannibalvillage。EithertheJessiewouldhavetoarrive，orhewouldhavetodosomething。
　　Thebellhadhardlyrung，sendingthelabourersintothefields，whenSheldonhadavisitor。Hehadhadthecouchtakenoutontheveranda，andhewaslyingonitwhenthecanoespaddledinandhauledoutonthebeach。Fortymen，armedwithspears，bowsandarrows，andwar-clubs，gatheredoutsidethegateofthecompound，butonlyoneentered。TheyknewthelawofBerande，aseverynativeknewthelawofeverywhiteman'scompoundinallthethousandmilesofthefar-flungSolomons。Theonemanwhocameupthepath，SheldonrecognizedasSeelee，thechiefofBalesunavillage。Thesavagedidnotmountthesteps，butstoodbeneathandtalkedtothewhitelordabove。
　　Seeleewasmoreintelligentthantheaverageofhiskind，buthisintelligenceonlyemphasizedthelownessofthatkind。Hiseyes，closetogetherandsmall，advertisedcrueltyandcraftiness。A
　　gee-stringandacartridge-beltwerealltheclotheshewore。Thecarvedpearl-shellornamentthathungfromnosetochinandimpededspeechwaspurelyornamental，asweretheholesinhisearsmereutilitiesforcarryingpipeandtobacco。Hisbroken-fangedteethwerestainedblackbybetel-nut，thejuiceofwhichhespatupontheground。
　　Ashetalkedorlistened，hemadegrimaceslikeamonkey。Hesaidyesbydroppinghiseyelidsandthrustinghischinforward。Hespokewithchildisharrogancestrangelyatvariancewiththesubservientpositionheoccupiedbeneaththeveranda。He，withhismanyfollowers，waslordandmasterofBalesunavillage。Butthewhiteman，withoutfollowers，waslordandmasterofBerande——ay，andonoccasion，single-handed，hadmadehimselflordandmasterofBalesunavillageaswell。Seeleedidnotliketorememberthatepisode。Ithadoccurredinthecourseoflearningthenatureofwhitemenandoflearningtoabominatethem。HehadoncebeenguiltyofshelteringthreerunawaysfromBerande。TheyhadgivenhimalltheypossessedinreturnfortheshelterandforpromisedaidingettingawaytoMalaita。Thishadgivenhimaglimpseofaprofitablefuture，inwhichhisvillagewouldserveastheonedepotontheundergroundrailwaybetweenBerandeandMalaita。
　　Unfortunately，hewasignorantofthewaysofwhitemen。Thisparticularwhitemaneducatedhimbyarrivingathisgrasshouseinthegrayofdawn。Inthefirstmomenthehadfeltamused。Hewassoperfectlysafeinthemidstofhisvillage。Butthenextmoment，andbeforehecouldcryout，apairofhandcuffsonthewhiteman'sknuckleshadlandedonhismouth，knockingthecryofalarmbackdownhisthroat。Also，thewhiteman'sotherfisthadcaughthimundertheearandlefthimwithoutfurtherinterestinwhatwashappening。Whenhecameto，hefoundhimselfinthewhiteman'swhale-boatonthewaytoBerande。AtBerandehehadbeentreatedasoneofnoconsequence，withhandcuffsonhandsandfeet，tosaynothingofchains。Whenhistribehadreturnedthethreerunaways，hewasgivenhisfreedom。Andfinally，theterriblewhitemanhadfinedhimandBalesunavillagetenthousandcocoanuts。AfterthathehadshelterednomorerunawayMalaitamen。Instead，hehadgoneintothebusinessofcatchingthem。Itwassafer。Besides，hewaspaidonecaseoftobaccoperhead。Butifheevergotachanceatthatwhiteman，ifheevercaughthimsickorstoodathisbackwhenhestumbledandfellonabush-
　　trail——well，therewouldbeaheadthatwouldfetchapriceinMalaita。
　　SheldonwaspleasedwithwhatSeeleetoldhim。Theseventhmanofthelastbatchofrunawayshadbeencaughtandwaseventhenatthegate。Hewasbroughtin，heavy-featuredanddefiant，hisarmsboundwithcocoanutsennit，thedrybloodstillonhisbodyfromthestrugglewithhiscaptors。
　　"Mesavveeyougoodfella，Seelee，"Sheldonsaid，asthechiefgulpeddownaquarter-tumblerofrawtrade-gin。"Fellaboybelongmeyoucatchshorttimelittlebit。Thisfellaboystrongfellatoomuch。Igiveyoufellaonecasetobacco——myword，onecasetobacco。Then，yougoodfellaalongme，Igiveyouthreefathomcalico，onefellaknifebigfellatoomuch。"
　　Thetobaccoandtradegoodswerebroughtfromthestore-roombytwohouse-boysandturnedovertothechiefofBalesunavillage，whoacceptedtheadditionalrewardwithanon-committalgruntandwentawaydownthepathtohiscanoes。UnderSheldon'sdirectionsthehouse-boyshandcuffedtheprisoner，byhandsandfeet，aroundoneofthepilesupportsofthe
　　house。
　　Ateleveno'clock，whenthelabourerscameinfromthefield，Sheldonhadthemassembledinthecompoundbeforetheveranda。Everyablemanwasthere，includingthosewhowerehelpingaboutthehospital。Eventhewomenandtheseveralpickaninniesoftheplantationwerelinedupwiththerest，twodeep——ahordeofnakedsavagesatrifleundertwohundredstrong。Inadditiontotheirornamentsofbeadandshellandbone，theirpiercedearsandnostrilswereburdenedwithsafety-pins，wirenails，metalhair-pins，rustyironhandlesofcookingutensils，andthepatentkeysforopeningcornedbeeftins。Someworepenknivesclaspedontheirkinkylocksforsafety。Onthechestofoneachinadoor-knobwassuspended，onthechestofanotherthebrasswheelofanalarmclock。
　　Facingthem，clingingtotherailingoftheverandaforsupport，stoodthesickwhiteman。Anyoneofthemcouldhaveknockedhimoverwiththeblowofalittlefinger。Despitehisfirearms，thegangcouldhaverushedhimanddeliveredthatblow，whenhisheadandtheplantationwouldhavebeentheirs。Hatredandmurderandlustforrevengetheypossessedtooverflowing。Butonethingtheylacked，thethingthathepossessed，theflameofmasterythatwouldnotquench，thatburnedfiercelyaseverinthedisease-
　　wastedbody，andthatwaseverreadytoflareforthandscorchandsingethemwithitsire。
　　"Narada!Billy!"Sheldoncalledsharply。
　　Twomenslunkunwillinglyforwardandwaited。
　　Sheldongavethekeysofthehandcuffstoahouse-boy，whowentunderthehouseandloosedtheprisoner。
　　"YoufellaNarada，youfellaBilly，takeumthisfellaboyalongtreeandmakefast，handshighup，"wasSheldon'scommand。
　　Whilethiswasbeingdone，slowly，amidstmutteringsandrestlessnessonthepartoftheonlookers，oneofthehouse-boysfetchedaheavy-handled，heavy-lashedwhip。Sheldonbeganaspeech。
　　"ThisfellaArunga，mecrossalonghimtoomuch。InostealthisfellaArunga。Inogammon。Isay，'Allright，youcomealongmeBerande，workthreefellayear。'Hesay，'Allright，mecomealongyouworkthreefellayear。'Hecome。Hecatchplentygoodfellakai-kai，{2}plentygoodfellamoney。Whatnameherunaway？Metoomuchcrossalonghim。Iknockwhatnameoutahimfella。IpaySeelee，bigfellamasteralongBalesuna，onecasetobaccocatchthatfellaArunga。Allright。Arungapaythatfellacasetobacco。
　　SixpoundsthatfellaArungapay。AllesameoneyearmorethatfellaArungaworkBerande。Allright。Nowhecatchtenfellawhipthreetimes。YoufellaBillycatchwhip，givethatfellaArungatenfellathreetimes。Allfellaboyslooksee，allfellaMarys{3}looksee；bimebye，theylikerunawaytheythinkstrongfellatoomuch，norunaway。Billy，strongfellatoomuchtenfellathreetimes。"
　　Thehouse-boyextendedthewhiptohim，butBillydidnottakeit。
　　Sheldonwaitedquietly。Theeyesofallthecannibalswerefixeduponhimindoubtandfearandeagerness。Itwasthemomentoftest，wherebythelonewhitemanwastoliveorbelost。
　　"Tenfellathreetimes，Billy，"Sheldonsaidencouragingly，thoughtherewasacertainmetallicraspinhisvoice。
　　Billyscowled，lookedupandlookeddown，butdidnotmove。
　　"Billy!"
　　Sheldon'svoiceexplodedlikeapistolshot。Thesavagestartedphysically。Grinsoverspreadthegrotesquefeaturesoftheaudience，andtherewasasoundoftittering。
　　"S'poseyouliketoomuchlashthatfellaArunga，youtakehimfellaTulagi，"Billysaid。"Onefellagovernmentagentmakeplentylash。Thatumfellalaw。Mesavveeumfellalaw。"
　　Itwasthelaw，andSheldonknewit。Buthewantedtolivethisdayandthenextdayandnottodiewaitingforthelawtooperatethenextweekortheweekafter。
　　"Toomuchtalkalongyou!"hecriedangrily。"Whatnameeh？Whatname？"
　　"Mesavveelaw，"thesavagerepeatedstubbornly。
　　"Astoa!"
　　Anothermansteppedforwardinalmostasprightlywayandglancedinsolentlyup。Sheldonwasselectingtheworstcharactersforthelesson。
　　"YoufellaAstoa，youfellaNarada，tieupthatfellaBillyalongsideotherfellasamefellaway。"
　　"Strongfellatie，"hecautionedthem。
　　"YoufellaAstoatakethatfellawhip。Plentystrongbigfellatoomuchtenfellathreetimes。Savvee!"
　　"No，"Astoagrunted。
　　Sheldonpickeduptheriflethathadleanedagainsttherail，andcockedit。
　　"Iknowyou，Astoa，"hesaidcalmly。"YouworkalongQueenslandsixyears。"
　　"Mefellamissionary，"theblackinterruptedwithdeliberateinsolence。
　　"Queenslandyoustopjailonefellayear。Whitefellamasterdamnfoolnohangyou。Youtoomuchbadfella。Queenslandyoustopjailsixmonthstwofellatime。Twofellatimeyousteal。Allright，youmissionary。Yousavveeonefellaprayer？"
　　"Yes，mesavveeprayer，"wasthereply。
　　"Allright，thenyoupraynow，shorttimelittlebit。Yousayonefellaprayerdamnquick，thenmekillyou。"
　　Sheldonheldtherifleonhimandwaited。Theblackglancedaroundathisfellows，butnonemovedtoaidhim。Theywereintentuponthecomingspectacle，staringfascinatedatthewhitemanwithdeathinhishandswhostoodaloneonthegreatveranda。Sheldonhaswon，andheknewit。Astoachangedhisweightirresolutelyfromonefoottotheother。Helookedatthewhiteman，andsawhiseyesgleaminglevelalongthesights。
　　"Astoa，"Sheldonsaid，seizingthepsychologicalmoment，"Icountthreefellatime。ThenIshootyoufelladead，good-bye，allfinishyou。"
　　AndSheldonknewthatwhenhehadcountedthreehewoulddrophiminhistracks。Theblackknewit，too。ThatwaswhySheldondidnothavetodoit，forwhenhehadcountedone，Astoareachedouthishandandtookthewhip。AndrightwellAstoalaidonthewhip，angeredathisfellowsfornotsupportinghimandventinghisangerwitheverystroke。FromtheverandaSheldoneggedhimontostrikewithstrength，tillthetwotricedsavagesscreamedandhowledwhilethebloodoozeddowntheirbacks。Thelessonwasbeingwellwritteninred。
　　Whenthelastofthegang，includingthetwohowlingculprits，hadpassedoutthroughthecompoundgate，Sheldonsankdownhalf-
　　faintingonhiscouch。
　　"You'reasickman，"hegroaned。"Asickman。"
　　"Butyoucansleepateaseto-night，"headded，halfanhourlater。
　　CHAPTERIII——THEJESSIE
　　Twodayspassed，andSheldonfeltthathecouldnotgrowanyweakerandlive，muchlessmakehisfourdailyroundsofthehospital。
　　Thedeathswereaveragingfouraday，andthereweremorenewcasesthanrecoveries。Theblackswereinafunk。Eachone，whentakensick，seemedtomakeeveryefforttodie。Oncedownontheirbackstheylackedthegrittomakeastruggle。Theybelievedtheyweregoingtodie，andtheydidtheirbesttovindicatethatbelief。
　　Eventhosethatwerewellweresurethatitwasonlyamaterofdayswhenthesicknesswouldcatchthemandcarrythemoff。Andyet，believingthiswithabsoluteconviction，theysomehowlackedthenervetorushthefrailwraithofamanwiththewhiteskinandescapefromthecharnelhousebythewhale-boats。Theychosethelingeringdeaththeyweresureawaitedthem，ratherthantheimmediatedeaththeywereverysurewouldpounceuponthemiftheywentupagainstthemaster。Thatheneverslept，theyknew。Thathecouldnotbeconjuredtodeath，theywereequallysure——theyhadtriedit。Andeventhesicknessthatwassweepingthemoffcouldnotkillhim。
　　Withthewhippinginthecompound，disciplinehadimproved。Theycringedundertheironhandofthewhiteman。Theygavetheirscowlsormalignantlookswithavertedfacesorwhenhisbackwasturned。Theysavedtheirmutteringsforthebarracksatnight，wherehecouldnothear。Andtherewerenomorerunawaysandnomorenight-prowlersontheveranda。
　　DawnofthethirddayafterthewhippingbroughttheJessie'swhitesailsinsight。Eightmilesaway，itwasnottilltwointheafternoonthatthelightair-fansenabledhertodropanchoraquarterofamileofftheshore。ThesightofhergaveSheldonfreshcourage，andthetedioushoursofwaitingdidnotirkhim。
　　Hegavehisorderstotheboss-boysandmadehisregulartripstothehospital。Nothingmatterednow。Histroubleswereatanend。
　　Hecouldliedownandtakecareofhimselfandproceedtogetwell。
　　TheJessiehadarrived。Hispartnerwasonboard，vigorousandheartyfromsixweeks'recruitingonMalaita。Hecouldtakechargenow，andallwouldbewellwithBerande。
　　Sheldonlayinthesteamer-chairandwatchedtheJessie'swhale-
　　boatpullinforthebeach。Hewonderedwhyonlythreesweepswerepulling，andhewonderedstillmorewhen，beached，therewassomuchdelayingettingoutoftheboat。Thenheunderstood。Thethreeblackswhohadbeenpullingstartedupthebeachwithastretcherontheirshoulders。Awhiteman，whomherecognizedastheJessie'scaptain，walkedinfrontandopenedthegate，thendroppedbehindtocloseit。SheldonknewthatitwasHughieDrummondwholayinthestretcher，andamistcamebeforehiseyes。
　　Hefeltanoverwhelmingdesiretodie。Thedisappointmentwastoogreat。InhisownstateofterribleweaknesshefeltthatitwasimpossibletogoonwithhistaskofholdingBerandeplantationtight-grippedinhisfist。Thenthewillofhimflamedupagain，andhedirectedtheblackstolaythestretcherbesidehimonthefloor。HughieDrummond，whomhehadlastseeninhealth，wasanemaciatedskeleton。Hisclosedeyesweredeep-sunken。Theshrivelledlipshadfallenawayfromtheteeth，andthecheek-bonesseemedburstingthroughtheskin。Sheldonsentahouse-boyforhisthermometerandglancedquestioninglyatthecaptain。
　　"Black-waterfever，"thecaptainsaid。"He'sbeenlikethisforsixdays，unconscious。Andwe'vegotdysenteryonboard。What'sthematterwithyou？"
　　"I'mburyingfouraday，"Sheldonanswered，ashebentoverfromthesteamer-chairandinsertedthethermometerunderhispartner'stongue。
　　CaptainOlesonsworeblasphemously，andsentahouse-boytobringwhiskyandsoda。Sheldonglancedatthethermometer。
　　"Onehundredandseven，"hesaid。"PoorHughie。"
　　CaptainOlesonofferedhimsomewhisky。
　　"Couldn'tthinkofit——perforation，youknow，"Sheldonsaid。
　　Hesentforaboss-boyandorderedagravetobedug，alsosomeofthepacking-casestobeknockedtogetherintoacoffin。Theblacksdidnotgetcoffins。Theywereburiedastheydied，beingcartedonasheetofgalvanizediron，intheirnakedness，fromthehospitaltotheholeintheground。Havinggiventheorders，Sheldonlaybackinhischairwithclosedeyes。
　　"It'sbenfairhell，sir，"CaptainOlesonbegan，thenbrokeofftohelphimselftomorewhisky。"It'sbenfairhell，Mr。Sheldon，I
　　tellyou。Contrarywindsandcalms。We'vebendriftin'allabouttheshopfortendays。There'stenthousandsharksfollowingusforthetuckerwe'vebenthrowin'overtothem。Theywassnappin'
　　attheoarswhenwestartedtocomeashore。IwishttoGodanor'wester'dcomealongan'blowtheSolomonscleantohell。"
　　"Wegotitfromthewater——waterfromOwgacreek。Filledmycaskswithit。Howwaswetoknow？I'vefilledtherebeforean'itwasallright。Wehadsixtyrecruits-fullup；andmycrewoffifteen。
　　We'vebenburyin'themdayan'night。Thebeggarswon'tlive，damnthem!Theydieoutofspite。Onlythreeofmycrewleftonitslegs。Fivemoredown。Sevendead。Oh，hell!What'sthegoodoftalkin'？"
　　"Howmanyrecruitsleft？"Sheldonasked。
　　"Losthalf。Thirtyleft。Twentydown，andtentotteringaround。"
　　Sheldonsighed。
　　"Thatmeansanotheradditiontothehospital。We'vegottogetthemashoresomehow——Viaburi!Hey，you，Viaburi，ringbigfellabellstrongfellatoomuch。"
　　Thehands，calledinfromthefieldsatthatunwontedhour，weresplitintodetachments。Someweresentintothewoodstocuttimberforhouse-beams，otherstocuttingcane-grassforthatching，andfortyofthemliftedawhale-boatabovetheirheadsandcarrieditdowntothesea。Sheldonhadgrittedhisteeth，pulledhiscollapsingsoultogether，andtakenBerandeplantationintohisfistoncemore。
　　"Haveyouseenthebarometer？"CaptainOlesonasked，pausingatthebottomofthestepsonhiswaytooverseethedisembarkationofthesick。
　　"No，"Sheldonanswered。"Isitdown？"
　　"It'sgoingdown。"
　　"Thenyou'dbettersleepaboardto-night，"wasSheldon'sjudgment。
　　"Nevermindthefuneral。I'llseetopoorHughie。"
　　"AniggerwaskickingthebucketwhenIdroppedanchor。"
　　Thecaptainmadethestatementasasimplefact，butobviouslywaitedforasuggestion。Theotherfeltasuddenwaveofirritationrushthroughhim。
　　"Dumphimover，"hecried。"GreatGod，man!don'tyouthinkI'vegotenoughgravesashore？"
　　"Ijustwantedtoknow，thatwasall，"thecaptainanswered，innowiseoffended。
　　Sheldonregrettedhischildishness。
　　"Oh，CaptainOleson，"hecalled。"Ifyoucanseeyourwaytoit，comeashoreto-morrowandlendmeahand。Ifyoucan't，sendthemate。"
　　"RightO。I'llcomemyself。Mr。Johnson'sdead，sir。Iforgottotellyou——threedaysago。"
　　SheldonwatchedtheJessie'scaptaingodownthepath，withwavingarmsandloudcursescallinguponGodtosinktheSolomons。Next，SheldonnotedtheJessierollinglazilyontheglassyswell，andbeyond，inthenorth-west，highoverFloridaIsland，analpinechainofdark-massedclouds。Thenheturnedtohispartner，callingforboystocarryhimintothehouse。ButHughieDrummondhadreachedtheend。Hisbreathingwasimperceptible。Bymeretouch，Sheldoncouldascertainthatthedyingman'stemperaturewasgoingdown。Itmusthavebeengoingdownwhenthethermometerregisteredonehundredandseven。Hehadburnedout。Sheldonkneltbesidehim，thehouse-boysgroupedaround，theirwhitesingletsandloin-clothspeculiarlyatvariancewiththeirdarkskinsandsavagecountenances，theirhugeear-plugsandcarvedandglisteningnose-rings。Sheldontotteredtohisfeetatlast，andhalf-fellintothesteamer-chair。Oppressiveastheheathadbeen，itwasnowevenmoreoppressive。Itwasdifficulttobreathe。Hepantedforair。Thefacesandnakedarmsofthehouse-boyswerebeadedwithsweat。
　　"Marster，"oneofthemventured，"bigfellawindhecome，strongfellatoomuch。"
　　Sheldonnoddedhisheadbutdidnotlook。MuchashehadlovedHughieDrummond，hisdeath，andthefuneralitentailed，seemedanintolerableburdentoaddtowhathewasalreadysinkingunder。Hehadafeeling——nay，itwasacertitude——thatallhehadtodowastoshuthiseyesandletgo，andthathewoulddie，sinkintoimmensityofrest。Heknewit；itwasverysimple。Allhehadtodowasclosehiseyesandletgo；forhehadreachedthestagewherehelivedbywillalone。Hiswearybodyseemedtornbytheoncomingpangsofdissolution。Hewasafooltohangon。Hehaddiedascoreofdeathsalready，andwhatwastheuseofprolongingittotwo-scoredeathsbeforehereallydied。Notonlywashenotafraidtodie，buthedesiredtodie。Hiswearyfleshandwearyspiritdesiredit，andwhyshouldtheflameofhimnotgoutterlyout？
　　Buthismindthatcouldwilllifeordeath，stillpulsedon。Hesawthetwowhale-boatslandonthebeach，andthesick，onstretchersorpick-a-back，groaningandwailing，gobyinlugubriousprocession。Hesawthewindmakingonthecloudedhorizon，andthoughtofthesickinthehospital。Herewassomethingwaitinghishandtobedone，anditwasnotinhisnaturetoliedownandsleep，ordie，whenanytaskremainedundone。
　　Theboss-boyswerecalledandgiventheirorderstoropedownthehospitalwithitstwoadditions。Herememberedthespareanchor-
　　chain，newandblack-painted，thathungunderthehousesuspendedfromthefloor-beams，andorderedittobeusedonthehospitalaswell。Otherboysbroughtthecoffin，agrotesquepatchworkofpacking-cases，andunderhisdirectionstheylaidHughieDrummondinit。Halfadozenboyscarrieditdownthebeach，whileherodeonthebackofanother，hisarmsaroundtheblack'sneck，onehandclutchingaprayer-book。
　　Whilehereadtheservice，theblacksgazedapprehensivelyatthedarklineonthewater，abovewhichrolledandtumbledtheracingclouds。Thefirstbreathofthewind，faintandsilken，tonicwithlife，fannedthroughhisdry-bakedbodyashefinishedreading。
　　Thencamethesecondbreathofthewind，anangrygust，astheshovelsworkedrapidly，fillinginthesand。SoheavywasthegustthatSheldon，stillonhisfeet，seizedholdofhisman-horsetoescapebeingblownaway。TheJessiewasblottedout，andastrangeominoussoundaroseasmultitudinouswaveletsstruckfoamingonthebeach。Itwaslikethebubblingofsomecolossalcauldron。Fromallaboutcouldbeheardthedullthuddingoffallingcocoanuts。
　　Thetall，delicate-trunkedtreestwistedandsnappedaboutlikewhip-lashes。Theairseemedfilledwiththeirflyingleaves，anyoneofwhich，stem-oncouldbrainaman。Thencametherain，adeluge，astraight，horizontalsheetthatpouredalonglikeariver，defyinggravitation。Theblack，withSheldonmountedonhim，plungedaheadintothethickofit，stoopingfarforwardandlowtothegroundtoavoidbeingtoppledoverbackward。
　　"'He'ssleepingoutandfarto-night，'"Sheldonquoted，ashethoughtofthedeadmaninthesandandtherainwatertricklingdownuponthecoldclay。
　　Sotheyfoughttheirwaybackupthebeach。Theotherblackscaughtholdoftheman-horseandpulledandtugged。Therewereamongthemthosewhosefondestdesirewastodragtheriderinthesandandspringuponhimandmashhimintorepulsivenothingness。
　　Buttheautomaticpistolinhisbeltwithitsrattling，quick-
　　dealingdeath，andtheautomatic，death-defyingspiritinthemanhimself，madethemrefrainandbuckledowntothetaskofhaulinghimtosafetythroughthestorm。
　　Wetthroughandexhausted，hewasneverthelesssurprisedattheeasewithwhichhegotintoachangeofclothing。Thoughhewasfearfullyweak，hefoundhimselfactuallyfeelingbetter。Thediseasehadspentitself，andthemendhadbegun。
　　"NowifIdon'tgetthefever，"hesaidaloud，andatthesamemomentresolvedtogototakingquinineassoonashewasstrongenoughtodare。
　　Hecrawledoutontheveranda。Therainhadceased，butthewind，whichhaddwindledtoahalf-gale，wasincreasing。Abigseahadsprungup，andthemile-longbreakers，curlinguptotheover-falltwohundredyardsfromshore，werecrashingonthebeach。TheJessiewasplungingmadlytotwoanchors，andeverysecondorthirdseabrokeclearoverherbow。Twoflagswerestifflyundulatingfromthehalyardslikesquaresofflexiblesheet-iron。Onewasblue，theotherred。HeknewtheirmeaningintheBerandeprivatecode——"Whatareyourinstructions？ShallIattempttolandboat？"
　　Tackedonthewall，betweenthesignallockerandthebilliardrules，wasthecodeitself，bywhichheverifiedthesignalbeforemakinganswer。Ontheflagstaffgaffaboyhoistedawhiteflagoverared，whichstoodfor——"RuntoNealIslandforshelter。"
　　ThatCaptainOlesonhadbeenexpectingthissignalwasapparentbytheceleritywithwhichtheshackleswereknockedoutofbothanchor-chains。Heslippedhisanchors，leavingthembuoyedtobepickedupinbetterweather。TheJessieswungoffunderherfullstaysail，thentheforesail，double-reefed，wasrunup。Shewasawaylikearacehorse，clearingBalesunaShoalwithhalfacable-
　　lengthtospare。Justbeforesheroundedthepointshewasswallowedupinaterrificsquallthatfarout-blewthefirst。
　　Allthatnight，whilesquallaftersquallsmoteBerande，uprootingtrees，overthrowingcopra-sheds，androckingthehouseonitstallpiles，Sheldonslept。Hewasunawareofthecommotion。Heneverwakened。Nordidhechangehispositionordream。Heawoke，anewman。Furthermore，hewashungry。Itwasoveraweeksincefoodhadpassedhislips。Hedrankaglassofcondensedcream，thinnedwithwater，andbyteno'clockhedaredtotakeacupofbeef-tea。
　　Hewascheered，also，bythesituationinthehospital。Despitethestormtherehadbeenbutonedeath，andtherewasonlyonefreshcase，whilehalfadozenboyscrawledweaklyawaytothebarracks。Hewonderedifitwasthewindthatwasblowingthediseaseawayandcleansingthepestilentialland。