"Yes，liketheNorthAmericanIndian，whowasafarnoblertypethantheMelanesian。Theworldisonlysolarge，youknow，anditisfillingup——"
　　"Andtheunfitmustperish？"
　　"Preciselyso。Theunfitmustperish。"
　　InthemorningJoanwasrousedbyagreatrowandhullabaloo。Herfirstactwastoreachforherrevolver，butwhensheheardNoaNoah，whowasonguard，laughingoutside，sheknewtherewasnodanger，andwentouttoseethefun。CaptainYounghadlandedSatanatthemomentwhenthebridge-buildingganghadstartedalongthebeach。Satanwasbigandblack，short-hairedandmuscular，andweighedfullyseventypounds。Hedidnotlovetheblacks。TommyJoneshadtrainedhimwell，tyinghimupdailyforseveralhoursandtellingoffoneortwoblackboysatatimetoteasehim。SoSatanhaditinforthewholeblackrace，andthesecondafterhelandedonthebeachthebridge-buildinggangwasstampedingoverthecompoundfenceandswarmingupthecocoanutpalms。
　　"Goodmorning，"Sheldoncalledfromtheveranda。"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthenigger-chaser？"
　　"I'mthinkingwehaveataskbeforeustotrainhimintothehouse-boys，"shecalledback。
　　"AndtoyourTahitians，too。Lookout，Noah!Runforit!"
　　Satan，havingsatisfiedhimselfthatthetree-percheswereunassailable，waschargingstraightforthebigTahitian。
　　ButNoahstoodhisground，thoughsomewhatirresolutely，andSatan，toeveryone'ssurprise，dancedandfriskedabouthimwithlaughingeyesandwaggingtail。
　　"Now，thatiswhatImightcallaproperdog，"wasJoan'scomment。
　　"Heisatleastwiserthanyou，Mr。Sheldon。Hedidn'trequireanyteachingtorecognizethedifferencebetweenaTahitianandablackboy。Whatdoyouthink，Noah？Whydon'thebiteyou？HesavveeyouTahitianeh？"
　　NoaNoahshookhisheadandgrinned。
　　"HenosavveemeTahitian，"heexplained。"Hesavveemewearpantsallthesamewhiteman。"
　　"You'llhavetogivehimacoursein'SartorResartus，'"Sheldonlaughed，ashecamedownandbegantomakefriendswithSatan。
　　ItchancedjustthenthatAdamuAdamandMatauare，twoofJoan'ssailors，enteredthecompoundfromthefarside-gate。TheyhadbeendowntotheBalesunamakinganalligatortrap，and，insteadoftrousers，werecladinlava-lavasthatflappedgracefullyabouttheirstalwartlimbs。Satansawthem，andadvertisedhisfindbybreakingawayfromSheldon'shandsandcharging。
　　"Nogotpants，"NoahannouncedwithagrinthatbroadenedasAdamuAdamtooktoflight。
　　Heclimbeduptheplatformthatsupportedthegalvanizedirontankswhichheldthewatercollectedfromtheroof。Foiledhere，SatanturnedandchargedbackonMatauare。
　　"Run，Matauare!Run!"Joancalled。
　　Butheheldhisgroundandwaitedthedog。
　　"HeistheFearlessOne——thatiswhathisnamemeans，"JoanexplainedtoSheldon。
　　TheTahitianwatchedSatancoolly，andwhenthatsanguine-mouthedcreatureliftedintotheairinthefinalleap，theman'shandshotout。Itwasafairgriponthelowerjaw，andSatandescribedahalfcircleandwasflungtotherear，turningoverintheairandfallingheavilyonhisback。Threetimesheleaped，andthreetimesthatgriponhisjawflunghimtodefeat。ThenhecontentedhimselfwithtrottingatMatauare'sheels，eyeinghimandsniffinghimsuspiciously。
　　"It'sallright，Satan；it'sallright，"Sheldonassuredhim。
　　"Thatgoodfellabelongalongme。"
　　ButSatandoggedtheTahitian'smovementsforafullhourbeforehemadeuphismindthatthemanwasanappurtenanceoftheplace。
　　Thenheturnedhisattentiontothethreehouse-boys，corneringOrnfiriinthekitchenandrushinghimagainstthehotstove，strippingthelava-lavafromLalaperuwhenthatexcitedyouthclimbedaveranda-post，andfollowingViaburiontopthebilliard-
　　table，wherethebattlerageduntilJoanmanagedarescue。
　　CHAPTERIX——ASBETWEENAMANANDAWOMAN
　　ItwasSatan'sinexhaustibleenergyandgoodspiritsthatmostimpressedthem。Histeethseemedperpetuallytoachewithdesire，andinlieuofblacklegshehuskedthecocoanutsthatfellfromthetreesinthecompound，kepttheenclosureclearofintrudinghens，andmadeahostileacquaintancewitheveryboss-boywhocametoreport。Hewasunabletoforgetthetormentofhispuppyhood，whereineverlastinghatredoftheblackhadbeenwovenintothefibresofconsciousness；andsuchaterrordidhemakehimselfthatSheldonwasforcedtoshuthimupinthelivingroomwhen，foranyreason，strangenativeswerepermittedinthecompound。ThisalwayshurtSatan'sfeelingsandfannedhiswrath，sothateventhehouse-boyshadtowatchoutforhimwhenhewasfirstreleased。
　　ChristianYoungsailedawayintheMinerva，carryinganinvitationthatwouldbedeliverednobodyknewwhentoTommyJonestodropinatBerandethenexttimehewaspassing。
　　"WhatareyourplanswhenyougettoSydney？"Sheldonasked，thatnight，atdinner。
　　"FirstI'veheardthatI'mgoingtoSydney，"Joanretorted。"I
　　supposeyou'vereceivedinformation，bybush-telegraph，thatthatthirdassistantunderstrapperandex-sailormanatTulagiisgoingtodeportmeasanundesirableimmigrant。"
　　"Oh，no，nothingofthesort，Iassureyou，"Sheldonbeganwithawkwardhaste，fearfulofhavingoffended，thoughheknewnothow。
　　"Iwasjustwondering，thatwasall。Yousee，withthelossoftheschoonerand……andalltherest……youunderstand……Iwasthinkingthatif——a——if——hangitall，untilyoucouldcommunicatewithyourfriends，myagentsatSydneycouldadvanceyoualoan，temporaryyousee，whyI'dbeonlytoogladandalltherest，youknow。Theproper——"
　　Buthisjawdroppedandheregardedherirritablyandwithapprehension。
　　"WhatISthematter？"hedemanded，withashowofheat。"WhatHAVE
　　Idonenow？"
　　Joan'seyeswerebrightwithbattle，thecurveofherlipssharpwithmockery。
　　"Certainlynottheunexpected，"shesaidquietly。"Merelyignoredmeinyourordinary，every-day，man-god，superiorfashion。
　　Naturallyitcountedfornothing，mytellingyouthatIhadnoideaofgoingtoSydney。GotoSydneyImust，becauseyou，inyoursuperiorwisdom，havesodecreed。"
　　Shepausedandlookedathimcuriously，asthoughheweresomestrangebreedofanimal。
　　"OfcourseIamgratefulforyourofferofassistance；buteventhatisnosalvetowoundedpride。Forthatmatter，itisnomorethanonewhitemanshouldexpectfromanother。Shipwreckedmarinersarealwayshelpedalongtheirway。Onlythisparticularmarinerdoesn'tneedanyhelp。Furthermore，thismarinerisnotgoingtoSydney，thankyou。"
　　"Butwhatdoyouintendtodo？"
　　"FindsomespotwhereIshallescapetheindignityofbeingpatronizedandbossedbythesuperiorsex。"
　　"Comenow，thatisputtingitabittoostrongly。"Sheldonlaughed，butthestraininhisvoicedestroyedtheeffectofspontaneity。"Youknowyourselfhowimpossiblethesituationis。"
　　"Iknownothingofthesort，sir。Andifitisimpossible，well，haven'tIachievedit？"
　　"Butitcannotcontinue。Really——"
　　"Oh，yes，itcan。Havingachievedit，Icangoonachievingit。I
　　intendtoremainintheSolomons，butnotonBerande。To-morrowI
　　amgoingtotakethewhale-boatovertoPari-Sulay。IwastalkingwithCaptainYoungaboutit。Hesaysthereareatleastfourhundredacres，andeveryfootofitgoodforplanting。Beinganisland，hesaysIwon'thavetobotheraboutwildpigsdestroyingtheyoungtrees。AllI'llhavetodoistokeeptheweedshoeduntilthetreescomeintobearing。First，I'llbuytheisland；
　　next，getfortyorfiftyrecruitsandstartclearingandplanting；
　　andatthesametimeI'llrunupabungalow；andthenyou'llberelievedofmyembarrassingpresence——nowdon'tsaythatitisn't。"
　　"Itisembarrassing，"hesaidbluntly。"Butyourefusetoseemypointofview，sothereisnouseindiscussingit。Nowpleaseforgetallaboutit，andconsidermeatyourserviceconcerningthis……thisprojectofyours。Iknowmoreaboutcocoanut-
　　plantingthanyoudo。Youspeaklikeacapitalist。Idon'tknowhowmuchmoneyyouhave，butIdon'tfancyyouarerollinginwealth，asyouAmericanssay。ButIdoknowwhatitcoststoclearland。SupposethegovernmentsellsyouPari-Sulayatapoundanacre；clearingwillcostyouatleastfourpoundsmore；thatis，fivepoundsforfourhundredacres，or，say，tenthousanddollars。
　　Haveyouthatmuch？"
　　Shewaskeenlyinterested，andhecouldseethatthepreviousclashbetweenthemwasalreadyforgotten。Herdisappointmentwasplainassheconfessed:
　　"No；Ihaven'tquiteeightthousanddollars。"
　　"Thenhere'sanotherwayoflookingatit。You'llneed，asyousaid，atleastfiftyboys。Notcountingpremiums，theirwagesarethirtydollarsayear。"
　　"IpaymyTahitiansfifteenamonth，"sheinterpolated。
　　"Theywon'tdoonstraightplantationwork。Buttoreturn。Thewagesoffiftyboyseachyearwillcometothreehundredpounds——
　　thatis，fifteenhundreddollars。Verywell。Itwillbesevenyearsbeforeyourtreesbegintobear。Seventimesfifteenhundredistenthousandfivehundreddollars——morethanyoupossess，andalleatenupbytheboys'wages，withnothingtopayforbungalow，building，tools，quinine，tripstoSydney，andsoforth。"
　　Sheldonshookhisheadgravely。"You'llhavetoabandontheidea。"
　　"ButIwon'tgotoSydney，"shecried。"Isimplywon't。I'llbuyintotheextentofmymoneyasasmallpartnerinsomeotherplantation。LetmebuyininBerande!"
　　"Heavenforbid!"hecriedinsuchgenuinedismaythatshebrokeintoheartylaughter。
　　"There，Iwon'tteaseyou。Really，youknow，I'mnotaccustomedtoforcingmypresencewhereitisnotdesired。Yes，yes；Iknowyou'rejustachingtopointoutthatI'veforcedmyselfuponyoueversinceIlanded，onlyyouaretoopolitetosayso。Yetasyousaidyourself，itwasimpossibleformetogoaway，soIhadtostay。Youwouldn'tletmegotoTulagi。Youcompelledmetoforcemyselfuponyou。ButIwon'tbuyinaspartnerwithanyone。I'llbuyPari-Sulay，butI'llputonlytenboysonitandclearslowly。
　　Also，I'llinvestinsomeoldketchandtakeoutatradinglicense。
　　Forthatmatter，I'llgorecruitingonMalaita。"
　　Shelookedforprotest，andfounditinSheldon'sclenchedhandandineverylineofhisclean-cutface。
　　"Goaheadandsayit，"shechallenged。"Pleasedon'tmindme。
　　I'm——I'mgettingusedtoit，youknow。ReallyIam。"
　　"IwishIwereawomansoastotellyouhowpreposterouslyinsaneandimpossibleitis，"heblurtedout。
　　Shesurveyedhimwithdeliberation，andsaid:
　　"Betterthanthat，youareaman。Sothereisnothingtopreventyourtellingme，forIdemandtobeconsideredasaman。Ididn'tcomedownheretotrailmywoman'sskirtsovertheSolomons。
　　PleaseforgetthatIamaccidentallyanythingelsethanamanwithaman'slivingtomake。"
　　InwardlySheldonfumedandfretted。Wasshemakinggameofhim？
　　Ordidtherelurkinhertheinsidiousunhealthfulnessofunwomanliness？Orwasitmerelyacaseofblank，staring，sentimental，idioticinnocence？
　　"Ihavetoldyou，"hebeganstiffly，"thatrecruitingonMalaitaisimpossibleforawoman，andthatisallIcaretosay——ordare。"
　　"AndItellyou，inturn，thatitisnothingofthesort。I'vesailedtheMielehere，master，ifyouplease，allthewayfromTahiti——evenifIdidloseher，whichwasthefaultofyourAdmiraltycharts。Iamanavigator，andthatismorethanyourSolomonscaptainsare。CaptainYoungtoldmeallaboutit。AndI
　　amaseaman——abetterseamanthanyou，whenitcomesrightdowntoit，andyouknowit。Icanshoot。Iamnotafool。Icantakecareofmyself。AndIshallmostcertainlybuyaketch，runhermyself，andgorecruitingonMalaita。"
　　Sheldonmadeahopelessgesture。
　　"That'sright，"sherattledon。"Washyourhandsofme。ButasVonusedtosay，'Youjustwatchmysmoke!'"
　　"There'snouseindiscussingit。Letushavesomemusic。"
　　Hearoseandwentovertothebigphonograph；butbeforethediscstarted，andwhilehewaswindingthemachine，heheardhersaying:
　　"Isupposeyou'vebeenaccustomedtoJaneEyresallyourlife。
　　That'swhyyoudon'tunderstandme。Comeon，Satan；let'sleavehimtohisoldmusic。"
　　Hewatchedhermoroselyandwithoutintentionofspeaking，tillhesawhertakeariflefromthestand，examinethemagazine，andstartforthedoor。
　　"Whereareyougoing？"heaskedperemptorily。
　　"Asbetweenmanandwoman，"sheanswered，"itwouldbetooterribly——er——indecentforyoutotellmewhyIshouldn'tgoalligatoring。Good-night。Sleepwell。"
　　Heshutoffthephonographwithasnap，startedtowardthedoorafterher，thenabruptlyflunghimselfintoachair。
　　"You'rehopinga'gatorcatchesme，aren'tyou？"shecalledfromtheveranda，andasshewentdownthestepsherripplinglaughterdriftedtantalizinglybackthroughthewidedoorway。
　　CHAPTERX——AMESSAGEFROMBOUCHER
　　ThenextdaySheldonwasleftallalone。JoanhadgoneexploringPari-Sulay，andwasnottobeexpectedbackuntilthelateafternoon。Sheldonwasvaguelyoppressedbyhisloneliness，andseveralheavysquallsduringtheafternoonbroughthimfrequentlyontotheveranda，telescopeinhand，toscantheseaanxiouslyforthewhale-boat。Betweenwhileshescowledovertheplantationaccount-books，maderoughestimates，addedandbalanced，andscowledtheharder。ThelossoftheJessiehadhitBerandeseverely。Notalonewashiscapitaldepletedbytheamountofhervalue，butherearningswerenolongertobereckonedon，anditwasherearningsthatlargelypaidtherunningexpensesoftheplantation。
　　"PooroldHughie，"hemutteredaloud，once。"I'mgladyoudidn'tlivetoseeit，oldman。Whatacropper，whatacropper!"
　　BetweensquallstheFlibberty-Gibbetranintoanchorage，andherskipper，PeteOlesonbrothertotheOlesonoftheJessie，ancient，grizzled，wild-eyed，emaciatedbyfever，draggedhiswearyframeuptheverandastepsandcollapsedinasteamer-chair。
　　Whiskyandsodakepthimgoingwhilehemadereportandturnedinhisaccounts。
　　"You'rerottenwithfever，"Sheldonsaid。"Whydon'tyourundowntoSydneyforablowofdecentclimate？"
　　Theoldskippershookhishead。
　　"Ican't。I'vebenintheislandstoolong。I'ddie。Thefevercomesoutworsedownthere。"
　　"Killorcure，"Sheldoncounselled。
　　"It'sstraightkillforme。Itrieditthreeyearsago。ThecoolweatherputmeonmybackbeforeIlanded。Theycarriedmeashoreandintohospital。Iwasunconsciousonestretchfortwoweeks。
　　Afterthatthedoctorssentmebacktotheislands——saiditwastheonlythingthatwouldsaveme。Well，I'mstillalive；butI'mtoosoakedwithfever。AmonthinAustraliawouldfinishme。"
　　"Butwhatareyougoingtodo？"Sheldonqueried。"Youcan'tstayhereuntilyoudie。"
　　"That'sallthat'slefttome。I'dliketogobacktotheoldcountry，butIcouldn'tstandit。I'lllastlongerhere，andhereI'llstayuntilIpegout；butIwishtoGodI'dneverseentheSolomons，that'sall。"
　　Hedeclinedtosleepashore，tookhisorders，andwentbackonboardthecutter。Aluridsunsetwasblottedoutbytheheaviestsqualloftheday，andSheldonwatchedthewhale-boatarriveinthethickofit。Asthespritsailwastakeninandtheboatheadedontothebeach，hewasawareofadistincthurtatsightofJoanatthesteering-oar，standingerectandswayingherstrengthtoitassheresistedthepressuresthattendedtothrowthecraftbroadsideinthesurf。HerTahitiansleapedoutandrushedtheboathighupthebeach，andsheledherbizarrefollowingthroughthegateofthecompound。
　　Thefirstdropsofrainweredrivinglikehail-stones，thetallcocoanutpalmswerebendingandwrithinginthegripofthewind，whilethethickcloud-massofthesquallturnedthebrieftropictwilightabruptlytonight。
　　QuiteunconsciouslythebroodinganxietyoftheafternoonslippedfromSheldon，andhefeltstrangelycheeredatthesightofherrunningupthestepslaughing，faceflushed，hairflying，herbreastheavingfromtheviolenceofherlateexertions。
　　"Lovely，perfectlylovely——Pari-Sulay，"shepanted。"Ishallbuyit。I'llwritetotheCommissionerto-night。Andthesiteforthebungalow——I'veselecteditalready——iswonderful。Youmustcomeoversomedayandadviseme。Youwon'tmindmystayinghereuntilIcangetsettled？Wasn'tthatsquallbeautiful？AndIsupposeI'mlatefordinner。I'llrunandgetclean，andbewithyouinaminute。"
　　Andinthebriefintervalofherabsencehefoundhimselfwalkingaboutthebigliving-roomandimpatientlyandwithanticipationawaitinghercoming。
　　"Doyouknow，I'mnevergoingtosquabblewithyouagain，"heannouncedwhentheywereseated。
　　"Squabble!"wastheretort。"It'ssuchasordidword。Itsoundscheapandnasty。Ithinkit'smuchnicertoquarrel。"
　　"Callitwhatyouplease，butwewon'tdoitanymore，willwe？"
　　Heclearedhisthroatnervously，forhereyesadvertisedtheimmediatebeginningofhostilities。"Ibegyourpardon，"hehurriedon。"Ishouldhavespokenformyself。WhatImeanisthatIrefusetoquarrel。Youhavethemosthorribleway，withoututteringaword，ofmakingmeplaythefool。Why，Ibeganwiththekindestintentions，andhereIamnow——"
　　"Makingnastyremarks，"shecompletedforhim。
　　"It'sthewayyouhaveofcatchingmeup，"hecomplained。
　　"Why，Ineversaidaword。Iwasmerelysittinghere，beingsweetlyluredonbypromisesofpeaceonearthandalltherestofit，whensuddenlyyoubegantocallmenames。"
　　"Hardlythat，Iamsure。"
　　"Well，yousaidIwashorrible，orthatIhadahorriblewayaboutme，whichisthesamething。Iwishmybungalowwereup。I'dmoveto-morrow。"
　　Buthertwitchinglipsbeliedherwords，andthenextmomentthemanwasmoreuncomfortablethanever，beingmadesobyherlaughter。
　　"Iwasonlyteasingyou。HonestInjun。Andifyoudon'tlaughI'llsuspectyouofbeinginatemperwithme。That'sright，laugh。Butdon't——"sheaddedinalarm，"don'tifithurtsyou。
　　Youlookasthoughyouhadatoothache。There，there——don'tsayit。Youknowyoupromisednottoquarrel，whileIhavetheprivilegeofgoingonbeingashatefulasIplease。Andtobeginwith，there'stheFlibberty-Gibbet。Ididn'tknowshewassolargeacutter；butshe'sindisgracefulcondition。Herriggingissomethingqueer，andthenextsharpsquallwillbringherhead-gearallabouttheshop。IwatchedNoaNoah'sfaceaswesailedpast。
　　Hedidn'tsayanything。Hejustsneered。AndIdon'tblamehim。"
　　"Herskipper'srottenbadwithfever，"Sheldonexplained。"AndhehadtodrophismateofftotakeholdofthingsatUgi——that'swhereIlostOscar，mytrader。Andyouknowwhatsortofsailorstheniggersare。"
　　Shenoddedherheadjudicially，andwhilesheseemedtodebateaweightyjudgmentheaskedforasecondhelpingoftinnedbeef——notbecausehewashungry，butbecausehewantedtowatchherslim，firmfingers，nakedofjewelsandbandedmetals，whilehiseyespleasuredintheswelloftheforearm，appearingfromunderthesleeveandlosingidentityinthesmooth，roundwristundisfiguredbythenettedveinsthatcometoyouthwhenyouthisgone。Thefingerswerebrownwithtanandlookedexceedinglyboyish。Then，andwithouteffort，theconceptcametohim。Yes，thatwasit。Hehadstumbleduponthecluetohertantalizingpersonality。Herfingers，sunburnedandboyish，toldthestory。Nowondershehadexasperatedhimsofrequently。Hehadtriedtotreatwithherasawoman，whenshewasnotawoman。Shewasameregirl——andaboyishgirlatthat——withsunburnedfingersthatdelightedindoingwhatboys'fingersdid；withabodyandmusclesthatlikedswimmingandviolentendeavourofallsorts；withamindthatwasdaring，butthatdarednofartherthanboys'adventures，andthatdelightedinriflesandrevolvers，Stetsonhats，andasexlesscamaraderiewithmen。
　　Somehow，asheponderedandwatchedher，itseemedasifhesatinchurchathomelisteningtothechoir-boyschanting。Sheremindedhimofthoseboys，ortheirvoices，rather。Thesamesexlessqualitywasthere。Inthebodyofhershewaswoman；inthemindofhershehadnotgrownup。Shehadnotbeenexposedtoripeninginfluencesofthatsort。Shehadhadnomother。Von，herfather，nativeservants，androughislandlifehadconstitutedhertraining。Horsesandrifleshadbeenhertoys，campandtrailhernursery。Fromwhatshehadtoldhim，herseminarydayshadbeenanexile，devotedtostudyandtoceaselesslongingforthewildridingandswimmingofHawaii。Aboy'straining，andaboy'spointofview!Thatexplainedherchafeatpetticoats，herrevoltatwhatwasonlydecentlyconventional。Somedayshewouldgrowup，butasyetshewasonlyintheprocess。
　　Well，therewasonlyonethingforhimtodo。Hemustmeetheronherownbasisofboyhood，andnotmakethemistakeoftreatingherasawoman。Hewonderedifhecouldlovethewomanshewouldbewhenhernatureawoke；andhewonderedifhecouldloveherjustasshewasandhimselfwakeherup。Afterall，whateveritwas，shehadcometofillquitealargeplaceinhislife，ashehaddiscoveredthatafternoonwhilescanningtheseabetweenthesqualls。ThenherememberedtheaccountsofBerande，andthecropperthatwascoming，andscowled。
　　Hebecameawarethatshewasspeaking。
　　"Ibegpardon，"hesaid。"What'sthatyouweresaying？"
　　"Youweren'tlisteningtoaword——Iknewit，"shechided。"IwassayingthattheconditionoftheFlibberty-Gibbetwasdisgraceful，andthatto-morrow，whenyou'vetoldtheskipperandnothurthisfeelings，Iamgoingtotakemymenoutandgiveheranoverhauling。We'llscrubherbottom，too。Why，there'swhiskersonhercopperfourincheslong。Isawitwhensherolled。Don'tforget，I'mgoingcruisingontheFlibbertysomeday，evenifI
　　havetorunawaywithher。"
　　Whileattheircoffeeontheveranda，Satanraisedacommotioninthecompoundnearthebeachgate，andSheldonfinallyrescuedamauledandfrightenedblackanddraggedhimontheporchforinterrogation。
　　"Whatfellamarsteryoubelong？"hedemanded。"Whatnameyoucomealongthisfellaplacesunhegodown？"
　　"Meb'longBoucher。ToomanyboybelongalongPortAdamsstopalongmyfellamarster。Toomuchwalkabout。"
　　Theblackdrewascrapofnotepaperfromunderhisbeltandpasseditover。Sheldonscannedithurriedly。
　　"It'sfromBoucher，"heexplained，"thefellowwhotookPackard'splace。PackardwastheoneItoldyouaboutwhowaskilledbyhisboat's-crew。HesaysthePortAdamscrowdisout——fiftyofthem，inbigcanoes——andcampingonhisbeach。They'vekilledhalfadozenofhispigsalready，andseemtobelookingfortrouble。Andhe'safraidtheymayconnectwiththefifteenrunawaysfromLunga。"
　　"Inwhichcase？"shequeried。
　　"InwhichcaseBillyPapewillbecompelledtosendBoucher'ssuccessor。It'sPape'sstation，youknow。IwishIknewwhattodo。Idon'tliketoleaveyouherealone。"
　　"Takemealongthen。"
　　Hesmiledandshookhishead。
　　"Thenyou'dbettertakemymenalong，"sheadvised。"They'regoodshots，andthey'renotafraidofanything——exceptUtami，andhe'safraidofghosts。"
　　Thebigbellwasrung，andfiftyblackboyscarriedthewhale-boatdowntothewater。Theregularboat's-crewmannedher，andMatauareandthreeotherTahitians，beltedwithcartridgesandarmedwithrifles，satinthestern-sheetswhereSheldonstoodatthesteering-oar。
　　"My，IwishIcouldgowithyou，"Joansaidwistfully，astheboatshovedoff。
　　Sheldonshookhishead。
　　"I'masgoodasaman，"sheurged。
　　"Youreallyareneededhere，"hereplied。
　　"There'sthatLungacrowd；theymightreachthecoastrighthere，andwithbothofusabsentrushtheplantation。Good-bye。We'llgetbackinthemorningsometime。It'sonlytwelvemiles。"
　　WhenJoanstartedtoreturntothehouse，shewascompelledtopassamongtheboat-carriers，wholingeredonthebeachtochatterinqueer，ape-likefashionabouttheeventsofthenight。Theymadewayforher，buttherecametoher，asshewasinthemidstofthem，afeelingofherownhelplessness。Thereweresomanyofthem。Whatwastopreventthemfromdraggingherdowniftheysowilled？ThensherememberedthatonecryofherswouldfetchNoaNoahandherremainingsailors，eachoneofwhomwasworthadozenblacksinastruggle。Assheopenedthegate，oneoftheboyssteppeduptoher。Inthedarknessshecouldnotmakehimout。
　　"Whatname？"sheaskedsharply。"Whatnamebelongyou？"
　　"MeAroa，"hesaid。
　　Sherememberedhimasoneofthetwosickboysshehadnursedatthehospital。Theotheronehaddied。
　　"Metake'mplentyfellamedicinetoomuch，"Aroawassaying。
　　"Well，andyouallrightnow，"sheanswered。
　　"Mewant'mtobacco，plentyfellatobacco；mewant'mcalico；mewant'mporpoiseteeth；mewant'monefellabelt。"
　　Shelookedathimhumorously，expectingtoseeasmile，oratleastagrin，onhisface。Instead，hisfacewasexpressionless。Saveforanarrowbreech-clout，apairofear-plugs，andabouthiskinkyhairachapletofwhitecowrie-shells，hewasnaked。Hisbodywasfresh-oiledandshiny，andhiseyesglistenedinthestarlightlikesomewildanimal's。Therestoftheboyshadcrowdedupathisbackinasolidwall。Someoneofthemgiggled，buttheremainderregardedherinmoroseandintensesilence。
　　"Well？"shesaid。"Whatforyouwantplentyfellathings？"
　　"Metake'mmedicine，"quothAroa。"Youpayme。"
　　Andthiswasasampleoftheirgratitude，shethought。ItlookedasifSheldonhadbeenrightafterall。Aroawaitedstolidly。A
　　leapingfishsplashedfaroutonthewater。Atinywaveletmurmuredsleepilyonthebeach。Theshadowofaflying-foxdriftedbyinvelvetsilenceoverhead。Alightairfannedcoollyonhercheek；itwastheland-breezebeginningtoblow。
　　"Yougoalongquarters，"shesaid，startingtoturnonherheeltoenterthegate。
　　"Youpayme，"saidtheboy。
　　"Aroa，youallthesameonebigfool。Inopayyou。Nowyougo。"
　　Buttheblackwasunmoved。Shefeltthathewasregardingheralmostinsolentlyasherepeated:
　　"Itake'mmedicine。Youpayme。Youpaymenow。"
　　Thenitwasthatshelosthertemperandcuffedhisearssosoundlyastodrivehimbackamonghisfellows。Buttheydidnotbreakup。
　　Anotherboysteppedforward。
　　"Youpayme，"hesaid。
　　Hiseyeshadthequerulous，troubledlooksuchasshehadnoticedinmonkeys；butwhilehewaspatentlyuncomfortableunderherscrutiny，histhicklipsweredrawnfirmlyinaneffortatsullendetermination。
　　"Whatfor？"sheasked。
　　"MeGogoomy，"hesaid。"Bawobrotherbelongme。"
　　Bawo，sheremembered，wasthesickboywhohaddied。
　　"Goon，"shecommanded。
　　"Bawotake'mmedicine。Bawofinish。Bawomybrother。Youpayme。FatherbelongmeonebigfellachiefalongPortAdams。Youpayme。"
　　Joanlaughed。
　　"Gogoomy，youjustthesameasAroa，onebigfool。Myword，whopaymeformedicine？"
　　Shedismissedthematterbypassingthroughthegateandclosingit。ButGogoomypressedupagainstitandsaidimpudently:
　　"Fatherbelongmeonebigfellachief。Younobang'mheadbelongme。Myword，youfrighttoomuch。"
　　"Mefright？"shedemanded，whileangertingledallthroughher。
　　"Toomuchfrightbang'mheadbelongme，"Gogoomysaidproudly。
　　Andthenshereachedforhimacrossthegateandgothim。Itwasasweeping，broad-handedslap，soheavythathestaggeredsidewaysandnearlyfell。Hesprangforthegateasiftoforceitopen，whilethecrowdsurgedforwardagainstthefence。Joanthoughtrapidly。Herrevolverwashangingonthewallofhergrasshouse。
　　Yetonecrywouldbringhersailors，andsheknewshewassafe。Soshedidnotcryforhelp。Instead，shewhistledforSatan，atthesametimecallinghimbyname。Sheknewhewasshutupinthelivingroom，buttheblacksdidnotwaittosee。Theyfledwithwildyellsthroughthedarkness，followedreluctantlybyGogoomy；
　　whilesheenteredthebungalow，laughingatfirst，butfinallyvexedtothevergeoftearsbywhathadtakenplace。Shehadsatupawholenightwiththeboywhohaddied，andyethisbrotherdemandedtobepaidforhislife。
　　"Ugh!theungratefulbeast!"shemuttered，whileshedebatedwhetherornotshewouldconfesstheincidenttoSheldon。
　　CHAPTERXI——THEPORTADAMSCROWD
　　"Andsoitwasallsettledeasilyenough，"Sheldonwassaying。Hewasontheveranda，drinkingcoffee。Thewhale-boatwasbeingcarriedintoitsshed。"Boucherwasabittimidatfirsttocarryoffthesituationwithastronghand，buthedidverywelloncewegotstarted。Wemadeaplayatholdingacourt，andTelepasse，theoldscoundrel，acceptedthefindings。He'saPortAdamschief，afilthybeggar。Wefinedhimtentimesthevalueofthepigs，andmadehimmoveonwithhismob。Oh，they'reasweetlot，Imustsay，atleastsixtyofthem，infivebigcanoes，andoutfortrouble。They'vegotadozenSnidersthatoughttobeconfiscated。"
　　"Whydidn'tyou？"Joanasked。
　　"AndhavearowonmyhandswiththeCommissioner？He'sterriblytouchyabouthisblackwards，ashecallsthem。Well，westartedthemalongtheirway，thoughtheywentinonthebeachtokai-kaiseveralmilesback。Theyoughttopassheresometimeto-day。"
　　Twohourslaterthecanoesarrived。Noonesawthemcome。Thehouse-boyswerebusyinthekitchenattheirownbreakfast。Theplantationhandsweresimilarlyoccupiedintheirquarters。Satanlaysoundasleeponhisbackunderthebilliardtable，inhissleepbrushingatthefliesthatpesteredhim。Joanwasrummaginginthestore-room，andSheldonwastakinghissiestainahammockontheveranda。Heawokegently。Insomeoccult，subtlewayawarningthatallwasnotwellhadpenetratedhissleepandarousedhim。
　　Withoutmoving，heglanceddownandsawthegroundbeneathcoveredwitharmedsavages。Theywerethesameoneshehadpartedwiththatmorning，thoughhenotedanaccessioninnumbers。Thereweremenhehadnotseenbefore。
　　Heslippedfromthehammockandwithdeliberateslownesssaunteredtotherailing，whereheyawnedsleepilyandlookeddownonthem。
　　Itcametohimcuriouslythatitwashisdestinyevertostandonthishighplace，lookingdownonunendinghordesofblacktroublethatrequiredcontrol，bullying，andcajolery。Butwhileheglancedcarelesslyoverthem，hewaskeenlytakingstock。Thenewmenwereallarmedwithmodernrifles。Ah，hehadthoughtso。
　　Therewerefifteenofthem，undoubtedlytheLungarunaways。Inaddition，adozenoldSniderswereinthehandsoftheoriginalcrowd。Therestwerearmedwithspears，clubs，bowsandarrows，andlong-handledtomahawks。Beyond，drawnuponthebeach，hecouldseethebigwar-canoes，withhighandfantasticallycarvedbowsandsterns，ornamentedwithscrollsandbandsofwhitecowrieshells。Thesewerethemenwhohadkilledhistrader，Oscar，atUgi。
　　"Whatnameyouwalkaboutthisplace？"hedemanded。
　　AtthesametimehestoleaglanceseawardtowheretheFlibberty-
　　Gibbetreflectedherselfintheglassycalmofthesea。Notasoulwasvisibleunderherawnings，andhesawthewhale-boatwasmissingfromalongside。TheTahitianshadevidentlygoneshootingfishuptheBalesuna。Hewasallaloneinhishighplaceabovethistrouble，whilehisworldslumberedpeacefullyunderthebreathlesstropicnoon。
　　Nobodyreplied，andherepeatedhisdemand，moreofmasteryinhisvoicethistime，andahintofgrowinganger。Theblacksmoveduneasily，likeaherdofcattle，atthesoundofhisvoice。Butnotonespoke。Alleyes，however，werestaringathimincertitudeofexpectancy。Somethingwasabouttohappen，andtheywerewaitingforit，waitingwiththeunanimous，unstablemob-mindfortheoneofthemwhowouldmakethefirstactionthatwouldprecipitateallofthemintoacommonaction。Sheldonlookedforthisone，forsuchwastheonetofear。Directlybeneathhimhecaughtsightofthemuzzleofarifle，barelyprojectingbetweentwoblackbodies，thatwasslowlyelevatingtowardhim。Itwasheldatthehipbyamaninthesecondrow。
　　"Whatnameyou？"Sheldonsuddenlyshouted，pointingdirectlyatthemanwhoheldthegun，whostartledandloweredthemuzzle。
　　Sheldonstillheldthewhiphand，andheintendedtokeepit。
　　"Clearout，allyoufellaboys，"heordered。"Clearoutandwalkalongsaltwater。Savvee!"
　　"Metalk，"spokeupafatandfilthysavagewhosehairychestwascakedwiththeunwasheddirtofyears。
　　"Oh，isthatyou，Telepasse？"thewhitemanqueriedgenially。"Youtell'mboysclearout，andyoustopandtalkalongme。"
　　"Himgoodfellaboy，"wasthereply。"Himstopalong。"
　　"Well，whatdoyouwant？"Sheldonasked，strivingtohideunderassumedcarelessnesstheweaknessofconcession。
　　"Thatfellaboybelongalongme。"TheoldchiefpointedoutGogoomy，whomSheldonrecognized。
　　"WhiteMarybelongyoutoomuchnogood，"Telepassewenton。"Bang'mheadbelongGogoomy。Gogoomyallthesamechief。Bimebymefinish，Gogoomybigfellachief。WhiteMarybang'mhead。Nogood。Youpaymeplentytobacco，plentypowder，plentycalico。"
　　"Youoldscoundrel，"wasSheldon'scomment。Anhourbefore，hehadbeenchucklingoverJoan'srecitaloftheepisode，andhere，anhourlater，wasTelepassehimselfcometocollectdamages。
　　"Gogoomy，"Sheldonordered，"whatnameyouwalkabouthere？Yougetalongquartersplentyquick。"
　　"Mestop，"wasthedefiantanswer。
　　"WhiteMaryb'longyoubang'mhead，"oldTelepassebeganagain。
　　"Myword，plentybigfellatroubleyounopay。"
　　"Youtalkalongboys，"Sheldonsaid，withincreasingirritation。
　　"Youtell'mgettohellalongbeach。ThenItalkwithyou。"
　　Sheldonfeltaslightvibrationoftheveranda，andknewthatJoanhadcomeoutandwasstandingbyhisside。Buthedidnotdareglanceather。Thereweretoomanyriflesdownbelowthere，andrifleshadawayofgoingofffromthehip。
　　Againtheverandavibratedwithhermovingweight，andheknewthatJoanhadgoneintothehouse。Aminutelatershewasbackbesidehim。Hehadneverseenhersmoke，anditstruckhimaspeculiarthatsheshouldbesmokingnow。Thenheguessedthereason。Withaquickglance，henotedthehandatherside，andinitthefamiliar，paper-wrappeddynamite。Henoted，also，theendoffuse，splitproperly，intowhichhadbeeninsertedtheheadofawaxmatch。