TheyareMalaita-men，andtheyareafraidofbeingeaten。Theywoulddesertyouatthefirstopportunity。YoucouldgettheBinumentoaccompanyyouanotherday'sjourney，throughthegrass-
　　lands，butatthefirstrollofthefoothillslookforthemtoturnback。Theylikewisearedisinclinedtobeingeaten。"
　　"Isitasbadasthat？"askedVonBlix。
　　"TheinteriorofGuadalcanarhasneverbeenexplored，"Sheldonexplained。"Thebushmenareaswildmenasaretobefoundanywhereintheworldto-day。Ihaveneverseenone。Ihaveneverseenamanwhohasseenone。Theynevercomedowntothecoast，thoughtheirscoutingpartiesoccasionallyeatacoastnativewhohaswanderedtoofarinland。Nobodyknowsanythingaboutthem。
　　Theydon'tevenusetobacco——haveneverlearneditsuse。TheAustrianexpedition——scientists，youknow——gotpartwayinbeforeitwascuttopieces。Themonumentisupthebeachthereseveralmiles。Onlyonemangotbacktothecoasttotellthetale。AndnowyouhaveallIoranyothermanknowsoftheinsideofGuadalcanar。"
　　"Butgold——haveyouheardofgold？"Tudoraskedimpatiently。"Doyouknowanythingaboutgold？"
　　Sheldonsmiled，whilethetwovisitorshungeagerlyuponhiswords。
　　"YoucangotwomilesuptheBalesunaandwashcoloursfromthegravel。I'vedoneitoften。Thereisgoldundoubtedlybackinthemountains。"
　　TudorandVonBlixlookedtriumphantlyateachother。
　　"OldWheatsheaf'syarnwastrue，then，"Tudorsaid，andVonBlixnodded。"AndifMalaitaturnsoutaswell——"
　　TudorbrokeoffandlookedatJoan。
　　"Itwasthetaleofthisoldbeachcomberthatbroughtushere，"heexplained。"VonBlixbefriendedhimandwastoldthesecret。"HeturnedandaddressedSheldon。"IthinkweshallprovethatwhitemenhavebeenthroughtheheartofGuadalcanarlongbeforethetimeoftheAustrianexpedition。"
　　Sheldonshruggedhisshoulders。
　　"Wehaveneverheardofitdownhere，"hesaidsimply。ThenheaddressedVonBlix。"Astotheboys，youcouldn'tusethemfartherthanBinu，andI'lllendyouasmanyasyouwantasfarasthat。
　　Howmanyofyourpartyaregoing，andhowsoonwillyoustart？"
　　"Ten，"saidTudor；"ninemenandmyself。"
　　"Andyoushouldbeabletostartdayafterto-morrow，"VonBlixsaidtohim。"Theboatsshouldpracticallybeknockedtogetherthisafternoon。To-morrowshouldseetheoutfitportionedandpacked。AsfortheMartha，Mr。Sheldon，we'llrushthestuffashorethisafternoonandsailbysundown。"
　　Asthetwomenreturneddownthepathtotheirboat，SheldonregardedJoanquizzically。
　　"There'sromanceforyou，"hesaid，"andadventure——gold-huntingamongthecannibals。"
　　"Atitleforabook，"shecried。"Or，betteryet，'Gold-HuntingAmongtheHead-Hunters。'My!wouldn'titsell!"
　　"Andnowaren'tyousorryyoubecameacocoanutplanter？"heteased。"Thinkofinvestinginsuchanadventure。"
　　"IfIdid，"sheretorted，"VonBlixwouldn'tbefinickyaboutmyjoininginthecruisetoMalaita。"
　　"Idon'tdoubtbutwhathewouldjumpatit。"
　　"Whatdoyouthinkofthem？"sheasked。
　　"Oh，oldVonBlixisallright，asolidsortofchapinhisfashion；butTudorisfly-away——toomuchonthesurface，youknow。
　　Ifitcametobeingwreckedonadesertisland，I'dpreferVonBlix。"
　　"Idon'tquiteunderstand，"Joanobjected。"WhathaveyouagainstTudor？"
　　"YourememberBrowning's'LastDuchess'？"
　　Shenodded。
　　"Well，Tudorremindsmeofher——"
　　"Butshewasdelightful。"
　　"Soshewas。Butshewasawoman。Oneexpectssomethingdifferentfromaman——morecontrol，youknow，morerestraint，moredeliberation。Amanmustbemoresolid，moresolidandsteady-
　　goingandlesseffervescent。AmanofTudor'stypegetsonmynerves。Onedemandsmorereposefromaman。"
　　Joanfeltthatshedidnotquiteagreewithhisjudgment；and，somehow，Sheldoncaughtherfeelingandwasdisturbed。Herememberednotinghowhereyeshadbrightenedasshetalkedwiththenewcomer——confounditall，washegettingjealous？heaskedhimself。Whyshouldn'thereyesbrighten？Whatconcernwasitofhis？
　　Asecondboathadbeenlowered，andtheoutfitoftheshorepartywaslandedrapidly。Adozenofthecrewputtheknocked-downboatstogetheronthebeach。Therewerefiveofthesecraft——leanandnarrow，withflaringsides，andremarkablylong。Eachwasequippedwiththreepaddlesandseveraliron-shodpoles。
　　"Youchapscertainlyseemtoknowriver-work，"Sheldontoldoneofthecarpenters。
　　Themanspatamouthfuloftobacco-juiceintothewhitesand，andanswered，-
　　"Weuse'eminAlaska。They'remodelledaftertheYukonpoling-
　　boats，andyoucanbetyourlifethey'recrackerjacks。Thiscreek'llbeasnapalongsidesomeofthemNorthernstreams。Fivehundredpoundsinoneofthemboats，an'twomencansnakeitalonginawaythat'dsurpriseyou。"
　　AtsunsettheMarthabrokeoutheranchorandgotunderway，dippingherflagandsalutingwithabombgun。TheUnionJackranupanddownthestaff，andSheldonrepliedwithhisbrasssignal-
　　cannon。Theminerspitchedtheirtentsinthecompound，andcookedonthebeach，whileTudordinedwithJoanandSheldon。
　　Theirguestseemedtohavebeeneverywhereandseeneverythingandmeteverybody，and，encouragedbyJoan，histalkwaslargelyuponhisownadventures。Hewasanadventurerofadventurers，andbyhisownaccounthadbeenbornintoadventure。DescendedfromoldNewEnglandstock，hisfatheraconsul-general，hehadbeenborninGermany，inwhichcountryhehadreceivedhisearlyeducationandhisaccent。Then，stillaboy，hehadrejoinedhisfatherinTurkey，andaccompaniedhimlatertoPersia，hisfatherhavingbeenappointedMinistertothatcountry。
　　Tudorhadalwaysbeenawanderer，andwithfacilewitandquickvividdescriptionheleapedfromepisodeandplacetoepisodeandplace，relatinghisexperiencesseeminglynotbecausetheywerehis，butforthesakeoftheirbizarrenessanduniqueness，fortheunusualincidentorthelaughablesituation。HehadgonethroughSouthAmericanrevolutions，beenaRoughRiderinCuba，ascoutinSouthAfrica，awarcorrespondentintheRusso-Japanesewar。HehadmusheddogsintheKlondike，washedgoldfromthesandsofNome，andeditedanewspaperinSanFrancisco。ThePresidentoftheUnitedStateswashisfriend。HewasequallyathomeintheclubsofLondonandtheContinent，theGrandHotelatYokohama，andtheselector'sshantiesintheNever-Nevercountry。HehadshotbiggameinSiam，pearledinthePaumotus，visitedTolstoy，seenthePassionPlay，andcrossedtheAndesonmule-back；whilehewasalivingdirectoryofthefeverholesofWestAfrica。
　　Sheldonleanedbackinhischairontheveranda，sippinghiscoffeeandlistening。Inspiteofhimselfhefelttouchedbythecharmofthemanwhohadledsovariedalife。AndyetSheldonwasnotcomfortable。ItseemedtohimthatthemanaddressedhimselfparticularlytoJoan。Hiswordsandsmilesweredirectedimpartiallytowardbothofthem，yetSheldonwascertain，hadthetwomenofthembeenalone，thattheconversationwouldhavebeenalongdifferentlines。TudorhadseentheeffectonJoananddeliberatelycontinuedtheflowofreminiscence，nettingherintheglamourofromance。Sheldonwatchedherraptattention，listenedtoherspontaneouslaughter，quickquestions，andpassingjudgments，andfeltgrowwithinhimthedawningconsciousnessthathelovedher。
　　Sohewasveryquietandalmostsad，thoughattimeshewasawareofadistinctirritationagainsthisguest，andheevenspeculatedastowhatpercentageofTudor'stalewastrueandhowanyofitcouldbeprovedordisproved。Inthisconnection，asifthescenehadbeenpreparedbyacleverplaywright，UtamicameupontheverandatoreporttoJoanthecaptureofacrocodileinthetraptheyhadmadeforher。
　　Tudor'sface，illuminatedbythematchwithwhichhewaslightinghiscigarette，caughtUtami'seye，andUtamiforgottoreporttohismistress。
　　"Hello，Tudor，"hesaid，withafamiliaritythatstartledSheldon。
　　ThePolynesian'shandwentout，andTudor，shakingit，wasstaringintohisface。
　　"Whoisit？"heasked。"Ican'tseeyou。"
　　"Utami。"
　　"AndwhothedickensisUtami？WheredidIevermeetyou，myman？"
　　"YounoforgettheHuahine？"Utamichided。"LasttimeHuahinesail？"
　　TudorgrippedtheTahitian'shandasecondtimeandshookitwithgenuineheartiness。
　　"TherewasonlyonekanakawhocameoutoftheHuahinethatlastvoyage，andthatkanakawasJoe。Thedeucetakeit，man，I'mgladtoseeyou，thoughIneverheardyournewnamebefore。"
　　"Yes，everybodyspeakmeJoealongtheHuahine。Utamimynameallthetime，justthesame。"
　　"Butwhatareyoudoinghere？"Tudorasked，releasingthesailor'shandandleaningeagerlyforward。
　　"MesailalongMissieLackalannaherschoonerMiele。WegoTahiti，Raiatea，Tahaa，Bora-Bora，Manua，Tutuila，Apia，Savaii，andFijiIslands——plentyFijiIslands。MestopalongMissieLackalannainSolomons。Verysoonshecatchotherschooner。"
　　"HeandIwerethetwosurvivorsofthewreckoftheHuahine，"
　　Tudorexplainedtotheothers。"Fifty-sevenalltoldonboardwhenwesailedfromHuapa，andJoeandIweretheonlytwothateversetfootonlandagain。Hurricane，youknow，inthePaumotus。ThatwaswhenIwasafterpearls。"
　　"Andyounevertoldme，Utami，thatyou'dbeenwreckedinahurricane，"Joansaidreproachfully。
　　ThebigTahitianshiftedhisweightandflashedhisteethinaconciliatingsmile。
　　"Menot'inknothing'tall，"hesaid。
　　Hehalf-turned，asiftodepart，byhismannerindicatingthatheconsideredittimetogowhileyethedesiredtoremain。
　　"Allright，Utami，"Tudorsaid。"I'llseeyouinthemorningandhaveayarn。"
　　"Hesavedmylife，thebeggar，"Tudorexplained，astheTahitianstrodeawayandwithheavysoftnessoffootwentdownthesteps。
　　"Swim!Inevermetabetterswimmer。"
　　Andthereat，solicitedbyJoan，TudornarratedthewreckoftheHuahine；whileSheldonsmokedandpondered，anddecidedthatwhatevertheman'sshortcomingswere，hewasatleastnotaliar。
　　CHAPTERXV——ADISCOURSEONMANNERS
　　Thedayspassed，andTudorseemedloathtoleavethehospitalityofBerande。Everythingwasreadyforthestart，buthelingeredon，spendingmuchtimeinJoan'scompanyandtherebyincreasingthedislikeSheldonhadtakentohim。Hewentswimmingwithher，inpointofrashnessexceedingher；anddynamitedfishwithher，divingamongthehungryground-sharksandcontestingwiththemforpossessionofthestunnedprey，untilheearnedtheapprovalofthewholeTahitiancrew。Arahuchallengedhimtotearafishfromashark'sjaws，leavinghalftothesharkandbringingtheotherhalfhimselftothesurface；andTudorperformedthefeat，aflipfromthesandpaperhideoftheastonishedsharkscrapingseveralinchesofskinfromhisshoulder。AndJoanwasdelighted，whileSheldon，lookingon，realizedthatherewastheheroofheradventure-dreamscomingtrue。Shedidnotcareforlove，buthefeltthatifevershedidloveitwouldbethatsortofaman——"amanwhoexhibited，"
　　washiswayofputtingit。
　　HefelthimselfhandicappedinthepresenceofTudor，whohadthegiftofmakingashowofallhisqualities。Sheldonknewhimselfforabraveman，whereforehemadenoadvertisementofthefact。
　　Heknewthatjustasreadilyastheotherwouldhediveamongground-sharkstosavealife，butinthatfacthecouldfindnosanctionforthefoolhardyactofdivingamongsharksforthehalfofafish。Thedifferencebetweenthemwasthathekeptthecurtainofhisshopwindowdown。Lifepulsedsteadilyanddeepinhim，anditwasnothisnatureneedlesslytoagitatethesurfacesothattheworldcouldseethesplashhewasmaking。Andtheeffectoftheother'samazingexhibitionswastomakehimretreatmoredeeplywithinhimselfandwraphimselfmorethicklythaneverinthenerveless，stoicalcalmofhisrace。
　　"Youaresostupidthelastfewdays，"Joancomplainedtohim。
　　"Onewouldthinkyouweresick，orbilious，orsomething。Youdon'tseemtohaveanideainyourheadaboveblacklabourandcocoanuts。Whatisthematter？"
　　Sheldonsmiledandbeatafurtherretreatwithinhimself，listeningthewhiletoJoanandTudorpropoundingthetheoryofthestrongarmbywhichthewhitemanorderedlifeamongthelesserbreeds。
　　AshelistenedSheldonrealized，asbyrevelation，thatthatwaspreciselywhathewasdoing。Whiletheyphilosophizedaboutithewaslivingit，placingthestronghandofhisracefirmlyontheshouldersofthelesserbreedsthatlabouredonBerandeormenaceditfromafar。Butwhytalkaboutit？heaskedhimself。Itwassufficienttodoitandbedonewithit。
　　Hesaidasmuch，drylyandquietly，andfoundhimselfinvolvedinadiscussion，withJoanandTudorsidingagainsthim，inwhichamoreastoundingchargethaneverhehaddreamedofwasmadeagainsttheveryEnglishcontrolandreserveofwhichhewassecretlyproud。
　　"TheYankeestalkalotaboutwhattheydoandhavedone，"Tudorsaid，"andarelookeddownuponbytheEnglishasbraggarts。ButtheYankeeisonlyachild。Hedoesnotknoweffectuallyhowtobrag。Hetalksaboutit，yousee。ButtheEnglishmangoeshimonebetterbynottalkingaboutit。TheEnglishman'sproverbiallackofbraggingisasubtlerformofbragafterall。Itisreallyclever，asyouwillagree。"
　　"Ineverthoughtofitbefore，"Joancried。"Ofcourse。AnEnglishmanperformssometerrificallyheroicexploit，andisverymodestandreserved——refusestotalkaboutitatall——andtheeffectisthatbyhissilenceheasmuchassays，'Idothingslikethiseveryday。Itisaseasyasrollingoffalog。YououghttoseethereallyheroicthingsIcoulddoiftheyevercamemyway。
　　Butthislittlething，thislittleepisode——really，don'tyouknow，Ifailtoseeanythinginitremarkableorunusual。'Asforme，ifIwentupinapowderexplosion，orsavedahundredlives，I'dwantallmyfriendstohearaboutit，andtheirfriendsaswell。I'dbeprouderthanLuciferovertheaffair。Confess，Mr。Sheldon，don'tyoufeelprouddowninsidewhenyou'vedonesomethingdaringorcourageous？"
　　Sheldonnodded。
　　"Then，"shepressedhomethepoint，"isn'tdisguisingthatprideunderamaskofcarelessindifferenceequivalenttotellingalie？"
　　"Yes，itis，"headmitted。"Butwetellsimilarlieseveryday。
　　Itisamatteroftraining，andtheEnglisharebettertrained，thatisall。Yourcountrymenwillbetrainedaswellintime。AsMr。Tudorsaid，theYankeesareyoung。"
　　"Thankgoodnesswehaven'tbeguntotellsuchliesyet!"wasJoan'sejaculation。
　　"Oh，butyouhave，"Sheldonsaidquickly。"Youweretellingmealieofthatorderonlytheotherday。Yourememberwhenyouweregoingupthelantern-halyardshandoverhand？Yourfacewasthepersonificationofduplicity。"
　　"Itwasnosuchthing。"
　　"Pardonmeamoment，"hewenton。"Yourfacewasascalmandpeacefulasthoughyouwerereclininginasteamer-chair。Tolookatyourfaceonewouldhaveinferredthatcarryingtheweightofyourbodyuparopehandoverhandwasaverycommonplaceaccomplishment——aseasyasrollingoffalog。Andyouneedn'ttellme，MissLackland，thatyoudidn'tmakefacesthefirsttimeyoutriedtoclimbarope。But，likeanycircusathlete，youtrainedyourselfoutoftheface-makingperiod。Youtrainedyourfacetohideyourfeelings，tohidetheexhaustingeffortyourmusclesweremaking。Itwas，toquoteMr。Tudor，asubtlerexhibitionofphysicalprowess。AndthatisallourEnglishreserveis——amerematteroftraining。Certainlyweareproudinsideofthethingswedoandhavedone，proudasLucifer——yes，andprouder。Butwehavegrownup，andnolongertalkaboutsuchthings。"
　　"Isurrender，"Joancried。"Youarenotsostupidafterall。"
　　"Yes，youhaveusthere，"Tudoradmitted。"Butyouwouldn'thavehadusifyouhadn'tbrokenyourtrainingrules。"
　　"Howdoyoumean？"
　　"Bytalkingaboutit。"
　　Joanclappedherhandsinapproval。Tudorlightedafreshcigarette，whileSheldonsaton，imperturbablysilent。
　　"Hegotyouthere，"Joanchallenged。"Whydon'tyoucrushhim？"
　　"Really，Ican'tthinkofanythingtosay，"Sheldonsaid。"Iknowmypositionissound，andthatissatisfactoryenough。"
　　"Youmightretort，"shesuggested，"thatwhenanadultiswithkindergartenchildrenhemustdescendtokindergartenidiomsinordertomakehimselfintelligible。Thatwaswhyyoubroketrainingrules。Itwastheonlywaytomakeuschildrenunderstand。"
　　"You'vedesertedintheheatofthebattle，MissLackland，andgoneovertotheenemy，"Tudorsaidplaintively。
　　Butshewasnotlistening。Instead，shewaslookingintentlyacrossthecompoundandouttosea。Theyfollowedhergaze，andsawagreenlightandtheloomofavessel'ssails。
　　"Iwonderifit'stheMarthacomeback，"Tudorhazarded。
　　"No，thesidelightistoolow，"Joananswered。"Besides，they'vegotthesweepsout。Don'tyouhearthem？Theywouldn'tbesweepingabigvesselliketheMartha。"
　　"Besides，theMarthahasagasolineengine——twenty-fivehorse-
　　power，"Tudoradded。
　　"Justthesortofacraftforus，"JoansaidwistfullytoSheldon。
　　"IreallymustseeifIcan'tgetaschoonerwithanengine。I
　　mightgetasecond-handengineputin。"
　　"Thatwouldmeantheadditionalexpenseofanengineer'swages，"heobjected。
　　"Butitwouldpayforitselfbyquickerpassages，"sheargued；"anditwouldbeasgoodasinsurance。Iknow。I'veknockedaboutamongstreefsmyself。Besides，ifyouweren'tsomediaeval，I
　　couldbeskipperandsavemorethantheengineer'swages。"
　　Hedidnotreplytoherthrust，andsheglancedathim。Hewaslookingoutoverthewater，andinthelanternlightshenotedthelinesofhisface——strong，stern，dogged，themouthalmostchastebutfirmerandthinner-lippedthanTudor's。Forthefirsttimesherealizedthequalityofhisstrength，thecalmandquietofit，itssimpleintegrityandreposefuldetermination。SheglancedquicklyatTudorontheothersideofher。Itwasahandsomerface，onethatwasmoreimmediatelypleasing。Butshedidnotlikethemouth。Itwasmadeforkissing，andsheabhorredkisses。Thiswasnotadeliberatelyachievedconcept；itcametoherintheformofafaintandvaguelyintangiblerepulsion。Forthemomentsheknewafleetingdoubtoftheman。PerhapsSheldonwasrightinhisjudgmentoftheother。Shedidnotknow，anditconcernedherlittle；forboats，andthesea，andthethingsandhappeningsoftheseawereoffarmorevitalinteresttoherthanmen，andthenextmomentshewasstaringthroughthewarmtropicdarknessattheloomofthesailsandthesteadygreenofthemovingsidelight，andlisteningeagerlytotheclickofthesweepsintherowlocks。Inhermind'seyeshecouldseethestrainingnakedformsofblackmenbendingrhythmicallytothework，andsomewhereonthatstrangedecksheknewwastheinevitablemaster-man，conningthevesselintoitsanchorage，peeringatthedimtree-lineoftheshore，judgingthedeceitfulnight-distances，feelingonhischeekthefirstfansofthelandbreezethatwaseventhenbeginningtoblow，weighing，thinking，measuring，gaugingthescoreormoreofever-
　　shiftingforces，throughwhich，bywhich，andinspiteofwhichhedirectedthesteadyequilibriumofhiscourse。Sheknewitbecauseshelovedit，andshewasalivetoitasonlyasailorcouldbe。
　　Twicesheheardthesplashofthelead，andlistenedintentlyforthecrythatfollowed。Onceaman'svoicespoke，low，imperative，issuinganorder，andshethrilledwiththedelightofit。Itwasonlyadirectiontothemanatthewheeltoporthishelm。Shewatchedtheslightalteringofthecourse，andknewthatitwasforthepurposeofenablingtheflat-hauledsailstocatchthosefirstfansofthelandbreeze，andshewaitedforthesamelowvoicetouttertheoneword"Steady!"Andagainshethrilledwhenitdidutterit。Oncemoretheleadsplashed，and"Elevenfadom"wastheresultingcry。"Letgo!"thelowvoicecametoherthroughthedarkness，followedbythesurgingrumbleoftheanchor-chain。Theclickingofthesheavesintheblocksasthesailsrandown，head-
　　sailsfirst，wasmusictoher；andshedetectedontheinstantthejammingofajib-downhaul，andalmostsawtheimpatientjerkwithwhichthesailormusthaveclearedit。Nordidshetakeinterestinthetwomenbesidehertillbothlights，redandgreen，cameintoviewastheanchorcheckedtheonwardway。
　　Sheldonwaswonderingastotheidentityofthecraft，whileTudorpersistedinbelievingitmightbetheMartha。
　　"It'stheMinerva，"Joansaiddecidedly。
　　"Howdoyouknow？"Sheldonasked，scepticalofhercertitude。
　　"It'saketchtobeginwith。Andbesides，Icouldtellanywheretherattleofhermainpeak-blocks——they'retoolargeforthehalyard。"
　　Adarkfigurecrossedthecompounddiagonallyfromthebeachgate，wherewhoeveritwashadbeenwatchingthevessel。
　　"Isthatyou，Utami？"Joancalled。
　　"No，Missie；meMatapuu，"wastheanswer。
　　"Whatvesselisit？"
　　"Met'inkMinerva。"
　　JoanlookedtriumphantlyatSheldon，whobowed。
　　"IfMatapuusayssoitmustbeso，"hemurmured。
　　"ButwhenJoanLacklandsaysso，youdoubt，"shecried，"justasyoudoubtherabilityasaskipper。Butnevermind，you'llbesorrysomedayforallyourunkindness。There'stheboatloweringnow，andinfiveminuteswe'llbeshakinghandswithChristianYoung。"
　　Lalaperubroughtouttheglassesandcigarettesandtheeternalwhiskyandsoda，andbeforethefiveminuteswerepastthegateclickedandChristianYoung，tawnyandgolden，gentleofvoiceandlookandhand，cameupthebungalowstepsandjoinedthem。
　　CHAPTERXVI——THEGIRLWHOHADNOTGROWNUP
　　News，asusual，ChristianYoungbrought——newsofthedrinkingatGuvutu，wherethemenboastedthattheydrankbetweendrinks；newsofthenewriflesadriftonYsabel，ofthelatestmurdersonMalaita，ofTomButler'ssicknessonSantaAna；andlastandmostimportant，newsthattheMatambohadgoneonareefintheShortlandsandwouldbelaidoffonerunforrepairs。
　　"ThatmeansfiveweeksmorebeforeyoucansailforSydney，"
　　SheldonsaidtoJoan。
　　"Andthatwearelosingprecioustime，"sheaddedruefully。
　　"IfyouwanttogotoSydney，theUpolusailsfromTulagito-morrowafternoon，"Youngsaid。
　　"ButIthoughtshewasrunningrecruitsfortheGermansinSamoa，"
　　sheobjected。"Atanyrate，IcouldcatchhertoSamoa，andchangeatApiatooneoftheWeirLinefreighters。It'salongwayaround，butstillitwouldsavetime。"
　　"ThistimetheUpoluisgoingstraighttoSydney，"Youngexplained。
　　"She'sgoingtodry-dock，yousee；andyoucancatchheraslateasfiveto-morrowafternoon——atleast，soherfirstofficertoldme。"
　　"ButI'vegottogotoGuvutufirst。"Joanlookedatthemenwithawhimsicalexpression。"I'vesomeshoppingtodo。Ican'tweartheseBerandecurtainsintoSydney。ImustbuyclothatGuvutuandmakemyselfadressduringthevoyagedown。I'llstartimmediately——inanhour。Lalaperu，youbring'monefellaAdamuAdamalongme。Tell'mthatfellaOrnfirimake'mkai-kaitakealongwhale-boat。"Sherosetoherfeet，lookingatSheldon。"Andyou，please，havetheboyscarrydownthewhale-boat——myboat，youknow。I'llbeoffinanhour。"
　　BothSheldonandTudorlookedattheirwatches。
　　"It'sanall-nightrow，"Sheldonsaid。"Youmightwaittillmorning——"
　　"Andmissmyshopping？No，thankyou。Besides，theUpoluisnotaregularpassengersteamer，andsheisjustasliabletosailaheadoftimeasontime。AndfromwhatIhearaboutthoseGuvutusybarites，thebesttimetoshopwillbeinthemorning。Andnowyou'llhavetoexcuseme，forI'vegottopack。"
　　"I'llgooverwithyou，"Sheldonannounced。
　　"LetmerunyouoverintheMinerva，"saidYoung。
　　Sheshookherheadlaughingly。
　　"I'mgoinginthewhale-boat。Onewouldthink，fromallyoursolicitude，thatI'dneverbeenawayfromhomebefore。You，Mr。
　　Sheldon，asmypartner，IcannotpermittodesertBerandeandyourworkoutofamistakennotionofcourtesy。Ifyouwon'tpermitmetobeskipper，Iwon'tpermityourgalivantingovertheseaasprotectorofyoungwomenwhodon'tneedprotection。Andasforyou，CaptainYoung，youknowverywellthatyoujustleftGuvututhismorning，thatyouareboundforMarau，andthatyousaidyourselfthatintwohoursyouaregettingunderwayagain。"
　　"ButmayInotseeyousafelyacross？"Tudorasked，apleadingnoteinhisvoicethatraspedonSheldon'snerves。
　　"No，no，andagainno，"shecried。"You'veallgotyourworktodo，andsohaveI。IcametotheSolomonstowork，nottobeescortedaboutlikeadoll。Forthatmatter，here'smyescort，andtherearesevenmorelikehim。"
　　AdamuAdamstoodbesideher，toweringaboveher，ashetoweredabovethethreewhitemen。Theclingingcottonundershirtheworecouldnothidethebulgeofhistremendousmuscles。
　　"Lookathisfist，"saidTudor。"I'dhatetoreceiveapunchfromit。"
　　"Idon'tblameyou。"Joanlaughedreminiscently。"IsawhimhitthecaptainofaSwedishbarkonthebeachatLevuka，intheFijis。
　　Itwasthecaptain'sfault。Isawitallmyself，anditwassplendid。Adamuonlyhithimonce，andhebroketheman'sarm。
　　Youremember，Adamu？"
　　ThebigTahitiansmiledandnodded，hisblackeyes，softanddeer-
　　like，seemingtogivethelietosobelligerentanature。
　　"Westartinanhourinthewhale-boatforGuvutu，bigbrother，"
　　Joansaidtohim。"Tellyourbrothers，allofthem，sothattheycangetready。WecatchtheUpoluforSydney。Youwillallcomealong，andsailbacktotheSolomonsinthenewschooner。Takeyourextrashirtsanddungareesalong。Plentycoldweatherdownthere。Nowrunalong，andtellthemtohurry。Leavethegunsbehind。TurnthemovertoMr。Sheldon。Wewon'tneedthem。"
　　"Ifyouarereallybentupongoing——"Sheldonbegan。
　　"That'ssettledlongago，"sheansweredshortly。"I'mgoingtopacknow。ButI'lltellyouwhatyoucandoforme——issuesometobaccoandotherstufftheywanttomymen。"
　　AnhourlaterthethreemenhadshakenhandswithJoandownonthebeach。Shegavethesignal，andtheboatshovedoff，sixmenattheoars，theseventhmanfor'ard，andAdamuAdamatthesteering-
　　sweep。Joanwasstandingupinthestern-sheets，reiteratinghergood-byes——aslimfigureofawomaninthetight-fittingjacketshehadwornashorefromthewreck，thelong-barrelledColt'srevolverhangingfromtheloosebeltaroundherwaist，herclear-cutfacelikeaboy'sundertheStetsonhatthatfailedtoconcealtheheavymassesofhairbeneath。
　　"You'dbettergetintoshelter，"shecalledtothem。"There'sabigsquallcoming。AndIhopeyou'vegotplentyofchainout，CaptainYoung。Good-bye!Good-bye，everybody!"
　　Herlastwordscameoutofthedarkness，whichwrappeditselfsolidlyabouttheboat。Yettheycontinuedtostareintotheblacknessinthedirectioninwhichtheboathaddisappeared，listeningtothesteadyclickoftheoarsintherowlocksuntilitfadedawayandceased。
　　"Sheisonlyagirl，"ChristianYoungsaidwithslowsolemnity。
　　Thediscoveryseemedtohavebeenmadeonthespurofthemoment。
　　"Sheisonlyagirl，"herepeatedwithgreatersolemnity。
　　"Adashedprettyone，andagoodtraveller，"Tudorlaughed。"Shecertainlyhasspunk，eh，Sheldon？"
　　"Yes，sheisbrave，"wasthereluctantanswerforSheldondidnotfeeldisposedtotalkabouther。
　　"That'stheAmericanofit，"Tudorwenton。"Push，andgo，andenergy，andindependence。Whatdoyouthink，skipper？"
　　"Ithinksheisyoung，veryyoung，onlyagirl，"repliedthecaptainoftheMinerva，continuingtostareintotheblacknessthathidthesea。
　　Theblacknessseemedsuddenlytoincreaseindensity，andtheystumbledupthebeach，feelingtheirwaytothegate。
　　"Watchoutfornuts，"Sheldonwarned，asthefirstblastofthesquallshriekedthroughthepalms。Theyjoinedhandsandstaggeredupthepath，withtheripecocoanutsthuddinginamonstrousrainallaroundthem。Theygainedtheveranda，wheretheysatinsilenceovertheirwhisky，eachmanstaringstraightouttosea，wherethewildlyswingingriding-lightoftheMinervacouldbeseeninthelullsofthedrivingrain。
　　Somewhereoutthere，Sheldonreflected，wasJoanLackland，thegirlwhohadnotgrownup，thewomangoodtolookupon，withonlyaboy'smindandaboy'sdesires，leavingBerandeamidstormandconflictinmuchthesamemannerthatshehadfirstarrived，inthestern-sheetsofherwhale-boat，AdamuAdamsteering，hersavagecrewbendingtotheoars。AndshewastakingherStetsonhatwithher，alongwiththecartridge-beltandthelong-barrelledrevolver。
　　Hesuddenlydiscoveredanimmenseaffectionforthosefripperiesofhersatwhichhehadsecretlylaughedwhenfirsthesawthem。Hebecameawareofthesentimentaldirectioninwhichhisfancywasleadinghim，andfeltinclinedtolaugh。Buthedidnotlaugh。
　　Thenextmomenthewasbusyvisioningthehat，andbelt，andrevolver。Undoubtedlythiswaslove，hethought，andhefeltatinyglowofprideinhiminthattheSolomonshadnotsucceededinkillingallhissentiment。
　　Anhourlater，ChristianYoungstoodup，knockedouthispipe，andpreparedtogoaboardandgetunderway。
　　"She'sallright，"hesaid，aproposofnothingspoken，andyetdistinctlyrelevanttowhatwasineachoftheirminds。"She'sgotagoodboat's-crew，andshe'sasailorherself。Good-night，Mr。
　　Sheldon。AnythingIcandoforyoudownMarau-way？"Heturnedandpointedtoawideningspaceofstarrysky。"It'sgoingtobeafinenightafterall。Withthisfavouringbitofbreezeshehassailonalready，andshe'llmakeGuvutubydaylight。Good-night。"
　　"IguessI'llturnin，oldman，"Tudorsaid，risingandplacinghisglassonthetable。"I'llstartthefirstthinginthemorning。
　　It'sbeendisgracefulthewayI'vebeenhangingonhere。Good-
　　night。"
　　Sheldon，sittingonalone，wonderediftheothermanwouldhavedecidedtopulloutinthemorninghadJoannotsailedaway。Well，therewasonebitofconsolationinit:JoanhadcertainlylingeredatBerandefornoman，notevenTudor。"Istartinanhour"——herwordsranginhisbrain，andunderhiseyelidshecouldseeherasshestoodupandutteredthem。Hesmiled。Theinstantsheheardthenewsshehadmadeuphermindtogo。Itwasnotveryflatteringtoman，butwhatcouldanymancountinhereyeswhenaschoonerwaitingtobeboughtinSydneywasinthewind？Whatacreature!Whatacreature!
　　BerandewasalonelyplacetoSheldoninthedaysthatfollowed。
　　InthemorningafterJoan'sdeparture，hehadseenTudor'sexpeditionoffonitswayuptheBalesuna；inthelateafternoon，throughhistelescope，hehadseenthesmokeoftheUpoluthatwasbearingJoanawaytoSydney；andintheeveninghesatdowntodinnerinsolitarystate，devotingmoreofhistimetolookingatheremptychairthantohisfood。Henevercameoutontheverandawithoutglancingfirstofallathergrasshouseinthecornerofthecompound；andoneevening，idlyknockingtheballsaboutonthebilliardtable，hecametohimselftofindhimselfstandingstaringatthenailuponwhichfromthefirstshehadhungherStetsonhatandherrevolver-belt。
　　Whyshouldhecareforher？hedemandedofhimselfangrily。Shewascertainlythelastwomanintheworldhewouldhavethoughtofchoosingforhimself。Neverhadheencounteredonewhohadsothoroughlyirritatedhim，raspedhisfeelings，smashedhisconventions，andviolatednearlyeveryattributeofwhathadbeenhisidealofwoman。Hadhebeentoolongawayfromtheworld？Hadheforgottenwhattheraceofwomenwaslike？Wasitmerelyacaseofpropinquity？Andshewasn'treallyawoman。Shewasamasquerader。Underallherseemingofwoman，shewasaboy，playingaboy'spranks，divingforfishamongstsharks，sportingarevolver，longingforadventure，and，whatwasmore，goingoutinsearchofitinherwhale-boat，alongwithhersavageislandersandherbagofsovereigns。Buthelovedher——thatwasthepointofitall，andhedidnottrytoevadeit。Hewasnotsorrythatitwasso。Helovedher——thatwastheoverwhelming，astoundingfact。
　　OnceagainhediscoveredabigenthusiasmforBerande。Allthebubble-illusionsconcerningthelifeofthetropicalplanterhadbeenprickedbythesternfactsoftheSolomons。FollowingthedeathofHughie，hehadresolvedtomuddlealongsomehowwiththeplantation；butthisresolvehadnotbeenbasedupondesire。
　　Instead，itwasbasedupontheinherentstubbornnessofhisnatureandhisdisliketogiveoveranattemptedtask。
　　Butnowitwasdifferent。Berandemeanteverything。Itmustsucceed——notmerelybecauseJoanwasapartnerinit，butbecausehewantedtomakethatpartnershippermanentlybinding。Threemoreyearsandtheplantationwouldbeasplendid-payinginvestment。
　　TheycouldthentakeyearlytripstoAustralia，andoftener；andanoccasionalrunhometoEngland——orHawaii，wouldcomeasamatterofcourse。
　　Hespenthiseveningsporingoveraccounts，ormakingendlesscalculationsbasedoncheaperfreightsforcopraandonthepossiblemaximumandminimummarketpricesforthatstapleofcommerce。Hisdayswerespentoutontheplantation。Heundertookmoreclearingofbush；andclearingandplantingwenton，underhispersonalsupervision，atafasterpacethaneverbefore。Heexperimentedwithpremiumsforextraworkperformedbytheblackboys，andyearnedcontinuallyformoreofthemtoputtowork。NotuntilJoancouldreturnontheschoonerwouldthisbepossible，fortheprofessionalrecruiterswereallunderlongcontractstotheFulcrumBrothers，MorganandRaff，andtheFires，PhilpCompany；
　　whiletheFlibberty-Gibbetwaswhollyoccupiedinrunningaboutamonghiswidelyscatteredtradingstations，whichextendedfromthecoastofNewGeorgiainonedirectiontoUlavaandSikianaintheother。Blackshemusthave，and，ifJoanwerefortunateingettingaschooner，threemonthsatleastmustelapsebeforethefirstrecruitscouldbelandedonBerande。
　　AweekaftertheUpolu'sdeparture，theMalakuladroppedanchorandherskippercameashoreforagameofbilliardsandtogossipuntilthelandbreezesprangup。Besides，ashetoldhissuper-cargo，hesimplyhadtocomeashore，notmerelytodeliverthelargepackageofseedswithfullinstructionsforplantingfromJoan，buttoshockSheldonwiththelittlesurprisebornofinformationhewasbringingwithhim。
　　CaptainAucklandplayedthebilliardsfirst，anditwasnotuntilhewascomfortablyseatedinasteamer-chair，hissecondwhiskysecurelyinhishand，thatheletoffhisbomb。
　　"Agreatpiece，thatMissLacklandofyours，"hechuckled。"Claimstobeapart-ownerofBerande。Saysshe'syourpartner。Isthatstraight？"
　　Sheldonnoddedcoldly。
　　"Youdon'tsay？Thatisasurprise!Well，shehasn'tconvincedGuvutuorTulagiofit。They'reprettyusedtoirregularthingsoverthere，but——ha!ha!-"hestoppedtohavehislaughoutandtomophisbaldheadwithatradehandkerchief。"Butthatpartnershipyarnofherswastoobigtoswallow，thoughitgavethemtheexcuseforafewmoredrinks。"
　　"Thereisnothingirregularaboutit。Itisanordinarybusinesstransaction。"SheldonstrovetoactasthoughsuchtransactionswerequitethecommonplacethingonplantationsintheSolomons。
　　"SheinvestedsomethinglikefifteenhundredpoundsinBerande——"
　　"Soshesaid。"
　　"AndshehasgonetoSydneyonbusinessfortheplantation。"
　　"Oh，no，shehasn't。"
　　"Ibegpardon？"Sheldonqueried。
　　"Isaidshehasn't，that'sall。"
　　"Butdidn'ttheUpolusail？IcouldhaveswornIsawhersmokelastTuesdayafternoon，late，asshepassedSavo。"
　　"TheUpolusailedallright。"CaptainAucklandsippedhiswhiskywithprovokingslowness。"OnlyMissLacklandwasn'tapassenger。"
　　"Thenwhereisshe？"
　　"AtGuvutu，lastIsawofher。ShewasgoingtoSydneytobuyaschooner，wasn'tshe？"
　　"Yes，yes。"
　　"That'swhatshesaid。Well，she'sboughtone，thoughIwouldn'tgivehertenshillingsforitifanor'westerblowsup，andit'sabouttimewehadone。Thishasbeentoolongaspellofgoodweathertolast。"
　　"Ifyoucameheretoexcitemycuriosity，oldman，"Sheldonsaid，"you'vecertainlysucceeded。Nowgoaheadandtellmeinastraightforwardwaywhathashappened。Whatschooner？Whereisit？Howdidshehappentobuyit？"
　　"First，theschoonerMartha，"theskipperanswered，checkinghisrepliesoffonhisfingers。"Second，theMarthaisontheoutsidereefatPoonga-Poonga，lootedcleanofeverythingportable，andreadytogotopieceswiththefirstbitoflivelysea。Andthird，MissLacklandboughtheratauction。Shewasknockeddowntoherforfifty-fivequidbythethird-assistant-resident-commissioner。
　　Ioughttoknow。Ibidfiftymyself，forMorganandRaff。Myword，weren'ttheyhot!Itoldthemtogotothedevil，andthatitwastheirfaultforlimitingmetofiftyquidwhentheythoughtthechancetosalvetheMarthawasworthmore。Yousee，theyweren'texpectingcompetition。FulcrumBrothershadnorepresentativepresent，neitherhadFires，PhilpCompany，andtheonlymantobeafraidofwasNielsen'sagent，Squires，andhimtheygotdrunkandsoundasleepoverinGuvutu。
　　"'Twenty，'saysI，formybid。'Twenty-five，'saysthelittlegirl。'Thirty，'saysI。'Forty，'saysshe。'Fifty，'saysI。
　　'Fifty-five，'saysshe。AndthereIwasstuck。'Holdon，'saysI；
　　'waittillIseemyowners。''No，youdon't，'saysshe。'It'scustomary，'saysI。'Notanywhereintheworld，'saysshe。'Thenit'scourtesyintheSolomons，'saysI。
　　"Andd'yeknow，onmyfaithIthinkBurnett'dhavedoneit，onlyshepipesup，sweetandpertasyouplease:'Mr。Auctioneer，willyoukindlyproceedwiththesaleinthecustomarymanner？I'veotherbusinesstoattendto，andIcan'taffordtowaitallnightonmenwhodon'tknowtheirownminds。'AndthenshesmilesatBurnett，aswell——youknow，oneofthosefetchingsmiles，anddammeifBurnettdoesn'tbeginsingingout:'Goin'，goin'，goin'——lastbid——goin'，goin'forfifty-fivesovereigns——goin'，goin'，gone——toyou，Miss——er——whatname，please？'
　　"'JoanLackland，'saysshe，withasmiletome；andthat'showsheboughttheMartha。"
　　Sheldonexperiencedasuddenthrill。TheMartha!——afinerschoonerthantheMalakula，and，forthatmatter，thefinestintheSolomons。Shewasjustthethingforrecruits，andshewasrightonthespot。Thenherealizedthatforsuchacrafttosellatauctionforfifty-fivepoundsmeantthattherewassmallchanceforsavingher。
　　"Buthowdidithappen？"heasked。"Weren'ttheyratherquickinsellingtheMartha？"
　　"Hadto。YouknowthereefatPoonga-Poonga。She'snotworthtuppenceonitifanykindofaseakicksup，andit'sripeforanor'westeranymomentnow。Thecrowdabandonedhercompletely。
　　Didn'tevendreamofauctioningher。MorganandRaffpersuadedthemtoputherup。They'reaco-operativecrowd，youknow，anorganizedbusinesscorporation，foreandaft，allhandsandthecook。Theyheldameetingandvotedtosell。"
　　"Butwhydidn'ttheystandbyandtrytosaveher？"
　　"Standby!YouknowMalaita。AndyouknowPoonga-Poonga。That'swheretheycutofftheScottishChiefsandkilledallhands。Therewasnothingtodobuttaketotheboats。TheMarthamissedstaysgoingin，andinsidefiveminutesshewasonthereefandinpossession。Theniggersswarmedoverher，andtheyjustthrewthecrewintotheboats。Italkedwithsomeofthemen。Theyswearthereweretwohundredwarcanoesaroundherinsidehalfanhour，andfivethousandbushmenonthebeach。Saidyoucouldn'tseeMalaitaforthesmokeofthesignalfires。Anyway，theyclearedoutforTulagi。"
　　"Butwhydidn'ttheyfight？"Sheldonasked。
　　"Itwasfunnytheydidn't，buttheygotseparated。Yousee，two-
　　thirdsofthemwereintheboats，withoutweapons，runninganchorsandneverdreamingthenativeswouldattack。Theyfoundouttheirmistaketoolate。Thenativeshadcharge。That'sthetroubleofnewchumsonthecoast。Itwouldneverhavehappenedwithyouormeoranyold-timer。"
　　"ButwhatisMissLacklandintendingtodo？"CaptainAucklandgrinned。
　　"She'sgoingtotrytogettheMarthaoff，Ishouldsay。Orelsewhydidshepayfifty-fivequidforher？Andifshefails，she'lltrytogethermoneybackbysavingthegear——spars，youknow，andpatentsteering-gear，andwinches，andsuchthings。Atleastthat'swhatI'ddoifIwasinherplace。WhenIsailed，thelittlegirlhadcharteredtheEmily——'I'mgoingrecruiting，'saysMunster——he'stheskipperandownernow。'Andhowmuchwillyounetonthecruise？'asksshe。'Oh，fiftyquid，'sayshe。'Good，'
　　saysshe；'youbringyourEmilyalongwithmeandyou'llgetseventy-five。'Youknowthatbigship'sanchorandchainpiledupbehindthecoal-sheds？ShewasjustbuyingthatwhenIleft。