CHAPTERXXIII——AMESSAGEFROMTHEBUSH
　　NeverhadrunawaysfromBerandebeenmorezealouslyhunted。ThedeedsofGogoomyandhisfellowshadbeenabadexamplefortheonehundredandfiftynewrecruits。Murderhadbeenplanned，agang-
　　bosshadbeenkilled，andthemurderershadbrokentheircontractsbyfleeingtothebush。Sheldonsawhowimperativeitwastoteachhisnew-caughtcannibalsthatbadexamplesweredisastrousthingstopatternafter，andheurgedSeeleeonnightandday，whilewiththeTahitianshepracticallylivedinthebush，leavingJoaninchargeoftheplantation。TothenorthBoucherdidgoodwork，twiceturningthefugitivesbackwhentheyattemptedtogainthecoast。
　　Onebyonetheboyswerecaptured。Inthefirstman-drivethroughthemangroveswampSeeleecaughttwo。Circlingaroundtothenorth，athirdwaswoundedinthethighbyBoucher，andthisone，draggingbehindinthechase，waslatergatheredinbySeelee'shunters。Thethreecaptives，heavilyironed，wereexposedeachdayinthecompound，asgoodexamplesofwhathappenedtobadexamples，allfortheedificationofthesevenscoreandtenhalf-wildPoonga-Poongamen。ThentheMinerva，runningpastforTulagi，wassignalledtosendaboat，andthethreeprisonerswerecarriedawaytoprisontoawaittrial。
　　Fivewerestillatlarge，butescapewasimpossible。Theycouldnotgetdowntothecoast，nordaredtheyventuretoofarinlandforfearofthewildbushmen。Thenoneofthefivecameinvoluntarilyandgavehimselfup，andSheldonlearnedthatGogoomyandtwootherswereallthatwereatlarge。Thereshouldhavebeenafourth，butaccordingtothemanwhohadgivenhimselfup，thefourthmanhadbeenkilledandeaten。Ithadbeenfearofasimilarfatethathaddrivenhimin。HewasaMaluman，fromnorth-westernMalaita，aslikewisehadbeentheonethatwaseaten。
　　Gogoomy'stwoothercompanionswerefromPortAdams。Asforhimself，theblackdeclaredhispreferenceforgovernmenttrialandpunishmenttobeingeatenbyhiscompanionsinthebush。
　　"CloseupGogoomykai-kaime，"hesaid。"Myword，menolikeboykai-kaime。"
　　ThreedayslaterSheldoncaughtoneoftheboys，helplessfromswampfever，andunabletofightorrunaway。OnthesamedaySeeleecaughtthesecondboyinsimilarcondition。Gogoomyaloneremainedatlarge；and，asthepursuitclosedinonhim，heconqueredhisfearofthebushmenandheadedstraightinforthemountainousbackboneoftheisland。SheldonwithfourTahitians，andSeeleewiththirtyofhishunters，followedGogoomy'strailadozenmilesintotheopengrass-lands，andthenSeeleeandhispeoplelostheart。Heconfessedthatneitherhenoranyofhistribehadeverventuredsofarinlandbefore，andhenarrated，forSheldon'sbenefit，mosthorribletalesofthehorriblebushmen。Intheolddays，hesaid，theyhadcrossedthegrasslandsandattackedthesalt-waternatives；butsincethecomingofthewhitementothecoasttheyhadremainedintheirinteriorfastnesses，andnosalt-waternativehadeverseenthemagain。
　　"Gogoomyhefinishalongthemfellabushmen，"heassuredSheldon。
　　"Myword，hefinishcloseup，kai-kaialtogether。"
　　Sotheexpeditionturnedback。Nothingcouldpersuadethecoastnativestoventurefarther，andSheldon，withhisfourTahitians，knewthatitwasmadnesstogoonalone。Sohestoodwaist-deepinthegrassandlookedregretfullyacrosstherollingsavannahandthesoft-swellingfoothillstotheLion'sHead，amassivepeakofrockthatuprearedintotheazurefromthemidmostcentreofGuadalcanar，alandmarkusedforbearingsbyeverycoastingmariner，amountainasyetuntrodbythefootofawhiteman。
　　Thatnight，afterdinner，SheldonandJoanwereplayingbilliards，whenSatanbarkedinthecompound，andLalaperu，senttosee，broughtbackatiredandtravel-stainednative，whowantedtotalkwiththe"bigfellawhitemarster。"Itwasonlytheman'sinsistencethatprocuredhimadmittanceatsuchanhour。Sheldonwentoutontheverandatoseehim，andatfirstglanceatthegauntfeaturesandwastedbodyofthemanknewthathiserrandwaslikelytoproveimportant。Nevertheless，Sheldondemandedroughly，-
　　"Whatnameyoucomealonghousebelongmesunhegodown？"
　　"MeCharley，"themanmutteredapologeticallyandwearily。"MestopalongBinu。"
　　"Ah，BinuCharley，eh？Well，whatnameyoutalkalongme？Whatplacebigfellamarsteralongwhitemanhestop？"
　　JoanandSheldontogetherlistenedtothetaleBinuCharleyhadbrought。HedescribedTudor'sexpeditionuptheBalesuna；thedraggingoftheboatsuptherapids；thepassageuptheriverwhereitthreadedthegrass-lands；theinnumerablewashingsofgravelbythewhitemeninsearchofgold；thefirstrollingfoothills；theman-trapsofspear-stakedpitsinthejungletrails；thefirstmeetingwiththebushmen，whohadneverseentobacco，andknewnotthevirtuesofsmoking；theirfriendliness；thedeeperpenetrationoftheinterioraroundtheflanksoftheLion'sHead；thebush-
　　soresandthefeversofthewhitemen，andtheirmadnessintrustingthebushmen。
　　"AlleetimeItalkalongwhitefellamarster，"hesaid。"Metalk，'Thatfellabushmanhelook'meyebelonghim。Hesavveetoomuch。
　　S'posemuskethestopalongyou，thatfellabushmanhetoomuchgoodfriendalongyou。Alleetimehelooksharpeyebelonghim。
　　S'posemuskethenostopalongyou，myword，thatfellabushmanhechop'moffheadbelongyou。Hekai-kaiyoualtogether。'"
　　Butthepatienceofthebushmenhadexceededthatofthewhitemen。
　　Theweekshadgoneby，andnoovertactshadbeenattempted。Thebushmenswarmedinthecampinincreasingnumbers，andtheywerealwaysmakingpresentsofyamsandtaro，ofpigandfowl，andofwildfruitsandvegetables。Wheneverthegold-huntersmovedtheircamp，thebushmenvolunteeredtocarrytheluggage。Andthewhitemenwaxedevermorecareless。Theygrewwearyprospecting，andatthesametimecarryingtheirriflesandtheheavycartridge-belts，andthepracticebeganofleavingtheirweaponsbehindthemincamp。
　　"Itell'mplentyfellawhitemarsterlooksharpeyebelonghim。
　　Andplentyfellawhitemarstermake'mbiglaughalongme，sayBinuCharleyalleesamepickaninny——myword，theyspeakalongmealleesamepickaninny。"
　　CamethemorningwhenBinuCharleynoticedthatthewomenandchildrenhaddisappeared。Tudor，atthetime，waslyinginastuporwithfeverinalatecampfivemilesaway，themaincamphavingmovedonthosefivemilesinordertoprospectanoutcropoflikelyquartz。BinuCharleywasmidwaybetweenthetwocampswhentheabsenceofthewomenandchildrenstruckhimassuspicious。
　　"Myword，"hesaid，"met'inklikehell。HimblackMary，himpickaninny，walkaboutlongwaybigbit。Whatname？Mesavveetoomuchtroublecloseup。Mefrightlikehell。Merun。Myword，merun。"
　　Tudor，quiteunconscious，wasslungacrosshisshoulder，andcarriedamiledownthetrail。Here，hidingnewtrail，BinuCharleyhadcarriedhimforaquarterofamileintotheheartofthedeepestjungle，andhiddenhiminabigbanyantree。Returningtotrytosavetheriflesandpersonaloutfit，BinuCharleyhadseenapartyofbushmentrottingdownthetrail，andhadhiddeninthebush。Here，andfromthedirectionofthemaincamp，hehadheardtworifleshots。Andthatwasall。Hehadneverseenthewhitemenagain，norhadheventuredneartheiroldcamp。HehadgonebacktoTudor，andhiddenwithhimforaweek，livingonwildfruitsandthefewpigeonsandcockatooshehadbeenabletoshootwithbowandarrow。ThenhehadjourneyeddowntoBerandetobringthenews。Tudor，hesaid，wasverysick，lyingunconsciousfordaysatatime，and，wheninhisrightmind，tooweaktohelphimself。
　　"Whatnameyounokill'mthatbigfellamarster？"Joandemanded。
　　"Hehave'mgoodfellamusket，plentycalico，plentytobacco，plentyknife-fee，andtwofellapickaninnymusketshootquick，bang-bang-bang——justlikethat。"
　　Theblacksmiledcunningly。
　　"Mesavveetoomuch。S'posemekill'mbigfellamarster，bimebyplentywhitefellamarsterwalkaboutBinucrosslikehell。'Whatnamethisfellowmusket？'thoseplentyfellawhitemarstertalk'malongme。Myword，BinuCharleyfinishaltogether。S'posemekill'mhim，nogoodalongme。Plentywhitefellamarstercrossalongme。S'posemenokill'mhim，bimebyhegivemeplentytobacco，plentycalico，plentyeverythingtoomuch。"
　　"Thereisonlytheonethingtodo，"SheldonsaidtoJoan。
　　Shedrummedwithherhandandwaited，whileBinuCharleygazedwearilyatherwithunblinkingeyes。
　　"I'llstartthefirstthinginthemorning，"Sheldonsaid。
　　"We'llstart，"shecorrected。"IcangettwiceasmuchoutofmyTahitiansasyoucan，and，besides，onewhiteshouldneverbealoneundersuchcircumstances。"
　　Heshruggedhisshouldersintoken，notofconsent，butofsurrender，knowingtheuselessnessofattemptingtoarguethequestionwithher，andconsolinghimselfwiththereflectionthatheavenaloneknewwhatadventuresshewasliabletoengageinifleftaloneonBerandeforaweek。Heclappedhishands，andforthenextquarterofanhourthehouse-boyswerekeptbusycarryingmessagestothebarracks。AmanwassenttoBalesunavillagetocommandoldSeelee'simmediatepresence。Aboat's-crewwasstartedinawhale-boatwithwordforBouchertocomedown。AmmunitionwasissuedtotheTahitians，andthestoreroomoverhauledforafewdays'tinnedprovisions。Viaburiturnedyellowwhentoldthathewastoaccompanytheexpedition，and，toeverybody'ssurprise，Lalaperuvolunteeredtotakehisplace。
　　Seeleearrived，proudinhisimportancethatthegreatmasterofBerandeshouldsummonhiminthenight-timeforcouncil，andfirminhisrefusaltosteponeinchwithinthedreaddomainofthebushmen。Ashesaid，ifhisopinionhadbeenaskedwhenthegold-
　　huntersstarted，hewouldhaveforetoldtheirdisastrousend。
　　Therewasonlyonethingthathappenedtoanyonewhoventuredintothebushmen'sterritory，andthatwasthathewaseaten。Andhewouldfurthersay，withoutbeingasked，thatifSheldonwentupintothebushhewouldbeeatentoo。
　　Sheldonsentforagang-bossandtoldhimtobringtenofthebiggest，best，andstrongestPoonga-Poongamen。
　　"Notsalt-waterboys，"Sheldoncautioned，"butbushboys——legbelonghimstrongfellaleg。Boynosavveemusket，nogood。Youbring'mboyshootmusketstrongfella。"
　　Theyweretenpickedmenthatfiledupontheverandaandstoodintheglareofthelanterns。Theirheavy，muscularlegsadvertisedthattheywerebushmen。Eachclaimedlongexperienceinbush-
　　fighting，mostofthemshowedscarsofbulletorspear-thrustinproof，andallwerewildforachancetobreakthehumdrummonotonyofplantationlabourbygoingonakillingexpedition。Killingwastheirnaturalvocation，notwood-cutting；andwhiletheywouldnothaveventuredtheGuadalcanarbushalone，withawhitemanlikeSheldonbehindthem，andawhiteMarysuchastheyknewJoantobe，theycouldexpectasafeanddelightfultime。Besides，thegreatmasterhadtoldthemthattheeightgiganticTahitiansweregoingalong。
　　ThePoonga-Poongavolunteersstoodwithglisteningeyesandgrinningfaces，nakedsavefortheirloin-cloths，andbarbarouslyornamented。Eachworeaflat，turtle-shellringsuspendedthroughhisnose，andeachcarriedaclaypipeinanear-holeorthrustinsideabeadedbicepsarmlet。Apairofmagnificentboartusksgracedthechestofone。Onthechestofanotherhungahugediscofpolishedfossilclam-shell。
　　"Plentystrongfellafight，"Sheldonwarnedtheminconclusion。
　　Theygrinnedandshifteddelightedly。
　　"S'posebushmenkai-kaialongyou？"hequeried。
　　"Nofear，"answeredtheirspokesman，oneKoogoo，astrapping，thick-lippedEthiopian-lookingman。"S'posePoonga-Poongaboykai-
　　kaibush-boy？"
　　Sheldonshookhishead，laughing，anddismissedthem，andwenttooverhaulthedunnage-roomforasmallsheltertentforJoan'suse。
　　CHAPTERXXIV——INTHEBUSH
　　ItwasquiteaformidableexpeditionthatdepartedfromBerandeatbreakofdaynextmorninginafleetofcanoesanddinghies。TherewereJoanandSheldon，withBinuCharleyandLalaperu，theeightTahitians，andthetenPoonga-Poongamen，eachproudinthepossessionofabrightandshiningmodernrifle。Inaddition，thereweretwooftheplantationboat's-crewsofsixmeneach。
　　These，however，weretogonofartherthanCarli，wherewatertransportationceasedandwheretheyweretowaitwiththeboats。
　　BoucherremainedbehindinchargeofBerande。
　　ByeleveninthemorningtheexpeditionarrivedatBinu，aclusteroftwentyhousesontheriverbank。AndfromherethirtyoddBinumenaccompaniedthem，armedwithspearsandarrows，chatteringandgrimacingwithdelightatthewarlikearray。Thelongquietstretchesofrivergavewaytoswifterwater，andprogresswasslowerandmoredogged。TheBalesunagrewshallowaswell，andoftenerweretheloadedboatsbumpedalongandhalf-liftedoverthebottom。Inplacestimber-fallsblockedthepassageofthenarrowstream，andtheboatsandcanoeswereportagedaround。NightbroughtthemtoCarli，andtheyhadthesatisfactionofknowingthattheyhadaccomplishedinonedaywhathadrequiredtwodaysforTudor'sexpedition。
　　HereatCarli，nextmorning，half-waythroughthegrass-lands，theboat's-crewswereleft，andwiththemthehordeofBinumen，theboldestofwhichheldonforabaremileandthenranscamperingback。BinuCharley，however，wasatthefore，andledthewayonwardintotherollingfoot-hills，followingthetrailmadebyTudorandhismenweeksbefore。Thatnighttheycampedwellintothehillsanddeepinthetropicjungle。Thethirddayfoundthemontherun-waysofthebushmen——narrowpathsthatcompelledsinglefileandthatturnedandtwistedwithendlessconvolutionsthroughthedenseundergrowth。Forthemostpartitwasasilentforest，lushanddank，whereonlyoccasionallyawood-pigeoncooedorsnow-
　　whitecockatooslaughedharshlyinlaboriousflight。
　　Here，inthemid-morning，thefirstcasualtyoccurred。BinuCharleyhaddroppedbehindforatime，andKoogoo，thePoonga-
　　Poongamanwhohadboastedthathewouldeatthebushmen，wasinthelead。JoanandSheldonheardthetwangingthrumandsawKoogoothrowouthisarms，atthesametimedroppinghisrifle，stumbleforward，andsinkdownonhishandsandknees。Betweenhisnakedshoulders，lowdownandtotheleft，appearedthebone-barbedheadofanarrow。Hehadbeenshotthroughandthrough。Cockedriflessweptthebushwithnervousapprehension。Buttherewasnorustle，nomovement；nothingbutthehumidoppressivesilence。
　　"Bushmenhenostop，"BinuCharleycalledout，thesoundofhisvoicestartlingmorethanoneofthem。"Alleesamedamnfunnybusiness。ThatfellaKoogoonolook'meyebelonghim。Henosavveelittlebit。"
　　Koogoo'sarmshadcrumpledunderhim，andhelayquiveringwherehehadfallen。EvenasBinuCharleycametothefrontthestrickenblack'sbreathpassedfromhim，andwithafinalconvulsivestirhelaystill。
　　"Rightthroughtheheart，"Sheldonsaid，straighteningupfromthestoopingexamination。"Itmusthavebeenatrapofsomesort。"
　　HenoticedJoan'swhite，tenseface，andthewideeyeswithwhichshestaredatthewreckofwhathadbeenamantheminutebefore。
　　"Irecruitedthatboymyself，"shesaidinawhisper。"HecamedownoutofthebushatPoonga-PoongaandrightonboardtheMarthaandofferedhimself。AndIwasproud。Hewasmyveryfirstrecruit——"
　　"Myword!Look'mthatfella，"BinuCharleyinterrupted，brushingasidetheleafywalloftherun-wayandexposingabowsomassivethatnoonebushmancouldhavebentit。
　　TheBinumantracedoutthemechanicsofthetrap，andexposedthehiddenfibreinthetangledundergrowththatatcontactwithKoogoo'sfoothadreleasedthetautbow。
　　Theyweredeepintheprimevalforest。Adimtwilightprevailed，fornorandomshaftofsunlightbrokethroughthethickroofofleavesandcreepersoverhead。TheTahitianswereplainlyawedbythesilenceandgloomandmysteryoftheplaceandhappening，buttheyshowedthemselvesdoggedlyunafraid，andwereforpushingon。
　　ThePoonga-Poongamen，onthecontrary，werenotawed。Theywerebushmenthemselves，andtheywereusedtothissilentwarfare，thoughthedevicesweredifferentfromthoseemployedbythemintheirownbush。MostawedofallwereJoanandSheldon，but，beingwhites，theywerenotsupposedtobesubjecttosuchcommonplaceemotions，andtheirtaskwastocarrythesituationoffwithcarelessbravadoasbefitted"bigfellamarsters"ofthedominantbreed。
　　BinuCharleytooktheleadastheypushedon，andtrapaftertrapyieldeditssecretlurking-placetohiskeenscrutiny。Thewaywasbesetwithathousandannoyances，chiefestamongwhichwerethorns，cunninglyconcealed，thatpenetratedthebarefeetoftheinvaders。
　　Once，duringtheafternoon，BinuCharleybarelymissedbeingimpaledinastakedpitthatunderminedthetrail。ThereweretimeswhenallstoodstillandwaitedforhalfanhourormorewhileBinuCharleyprospectedsuspiciouspartsofthetrail。
　　Sometimeshewascompelledtoleavethetrailandcreepandclimbthroughthejunglesoastoapproachtheman-trapsfrombehind；andononeoccasion，inspiteofhisprecaution，aspring-bowwasdischarged，theflyingarrowbarelyclippingtheshoulderofoneofthewaitingPoonga-Poongaboys。
　　Whereaslightrun-wayenteredthemainone，SheldonpausedandaskedBinuCharleyifheknewwhereitled。
　　"Plentybushfellagardenhestopalongthereshortwaylittlebit，"wastheanswer。"Allrightyoulike'mgolook'malong。"
　　"'Walk'measy，"hecautioned，afewminuteslater。"Closeup，thatfellagarden。S'posesomebushfellahestop，wecatch'm。"
　　Creepingaheadandpeeringintotheclearingforamoment，BinuCharleybeckonedSheldontocomeoncautiously。Joancrouchedbesidehim，andtogethertheypeepedout。Theclearedspacewasfullyhalfanacreinextentandcarefullyfencedagainstthewildpigs。Paw-pawandbanana-treeswerejustripeningtheirfruit，whilebeneathgrewsweetpotatoesandyams。Ononeedgeoftheclearingwasasmallgrasshouse，open-sided，amererain-shelter。
　　Infrontofit，crouchedonhishamsbeforeafire，wasagauntandbeardedbushman。Thefireseemedtosmokeexcessively，andinthethickofthesmokearounddarkobjecthungsuspended。Thebushmanseemedabsorbedincontemplationofthisobject。
　　Warningthemnottoshootunlessthemanwassuccessfullyescaping，SheldonbeckonedthePoonga-Poongamenforward。JoansmiledappreciativelytoSheldon。Itwashead-huntersagainsthead-
　　hunters。Theblackstrodnoiselesslytotheirstations，whichwerearrangedsothattheycouldspringsimultaneouslyintotheopen。
　　Theirfaceswerekeenandserious，theireyeseloquentwiththeecstasyoflivingthatwasuponthem——forthiswasliving，thisgameoflifeanddeath，andtothemitwastheonlygameamanshouldplay，withaltheyplayeditinlowandcowardlyways，killingfrombehindinthedimforestgloomandrarelycomingoutintotheopen。
　　Sheldonwhisperedtheword，andthetenrunnersleapedforward——forBinuCharleyranwiththem。Thebushman'skeenearswarnedhim，andhesprangtohisfeet，bowandarrowinhand，thearrowfixedinthenotchandthebowbendingashesprang。Themanheletdriveatdodgedthearrow，andbeforehecouldshootanotherhisenemieswereuponhim。Hewasrolledoverandoveranddraggedtohisfeet，disarmedandhelpless。
　　"Why，he'sanancientBabylonian!"Joancried，regardinghim。
　　"He'sanAssyrian，aPhoenician!Lookatthatstraightnose，thatnarrowface，thosehighcheek-bones——andthatslanting，ovalforehead，andthebeard，andtheeyes，too。"
　　"Andthesnakylocks，"Sheldonlaughed。
　　Thebushmanwasinmortalfear，ledbyallhistrainingtoexpectnothinglessthandeath；yethedidnotcowerawayfromthem。
　　Instead，hereturnedtheirlookswithleanself-sufficiency，andfinallycentredhisgazeuponJoan，thefirstwhitewomanhehadeverseen。
　　"Myword，bushfellakai-kaialongthatfellaboy，"BinuCharleyremarked。
　　SostolidwashismannerofutterancethatJoanturnedcarelesslytoseewhathadattractedhisattention，andfoundherselffacetofacewithGogoomy。Atleast，itwastheheadofGogoomy——thedarkobjecttheyhadseenhanginginthesmoke。Itwasfresh——thesmoke-curinghadjustbegun——and，savefortheclosedeyes，allthesullenhandsomenessandanimalvirilityoftheboy，asJoanhadknownit，wasstilltobeseeninthemonstrousthingthattwistedanddangledintheeddyingsmoke。
　　NorwasJoan'shorrorlessenedbytheconductofthePoonga-Poongaboys。Ontheinstanttheyrecognizedthehead，andontheinstantrosetheirwildheartylaughterastheyexplainedtooneanotherinshrillfalsettovoices。Gogoomy'sendwasajoke。Hehadbeenfoiledinhisattempttoescape。Hehadplayedthegameandlost。
　　Andwhatgreaterjokecouldtherebethanthatthebushmenshouldhaveeatenhim？Itwasthefunniestincidentthathadcomeundertheirnoticeinmanyaday。Andtothemtherewascertainlynothingunusualnorbizarreintheevent。Gogoomyhadcompletedthelife-cycleofthebushman。Hehadtakenheads，andnowhisownheadhadbeentaken。Hehadeatenmen，andnowhehadbeeneatenbymen。
　　ThePoonga-Poongamen'slaughterdieddown，andtheyregardedthespectaclewithglitteringeyesandgluttonousexpressions。TheTahitians，ontheotherhand，wereshocked，andAdamuAdamwasshakinghisheadslowlyandgruntingforthhisdisgust。Joanwasangry。Herfacewaswhite，butineachcheekwasavividsprayofred。Disgusthadbeendisplacedbywrath，andhermoodwasclearlyvengeful。
　　Sheldonlaughed。
　　"It'snothingtobeangryover，"hesaid。"Youmustn'tforgetthathehackedoffKwaque'shead，andthatheateoneofhisowncomradesthatranawaywithhim。Besides，hewasborntoit。Hehasbutbeeneatenoutofthesametroughfromwhichhehimselfhaseaten。"
　　Joanlookedathimwithlipsthattrembledonthevergeofspeech。
　　"Anddon'tforget，"Sheldonadded，"thatheisthesonofachief，andthatassureasfatehisPortAdamstribesmenwilltakeawhiteman'sheadinpayment。"
　　"Itisallsoghastlyridiculous，"Joanfinallysaid。
　　"And——er——romantic，"hesuggestedslyly。
　　Shedidnotanswer，andturnedaway；butSheldonknewthattheshafthadgonehome。
　　"Thatfellaboyhesick，bellybelonghimwalkabout，"BinuCharleysaid，pointingtothePoonga-Poongamanwhoseshoulderhadbeenscratchedbythearrowanhourbefore。
　　Theboywassittingdownandgroaning，hisarmsclaspinghisbentknees，hisheaddroopedforwardandrollingpainfullybackandforth。Forfearofpoison，Sheldonhadimmediatelyscarifiedthewoundandinjectedpermanganateofpotash；butinspiteoftheprecautiontheshoulderwasswellingrapidly。
　　"We'lltakehimontowhereTudorislying，"Joansaid。"Thewalkingwillhelptokeepuphiscirculationandscatterthepoison。AdamuAdam，youtakeholdthatboy。Maybehewillwanttosleep。Shakehimup。Ifhesleephedie。"
　　Theadvancewasmorerapidnow，forBinuCharleyplacedthecaptivebushmaninfrontofhimandmadehimcleartherun-wayoftraps。
　　Once，atasharpturnwhereaman'sshoulderwouldunavoidablybrushagainstascreenofleaves，thebushmandisplayedgreatcautionashespreadtheleavesasideandexposedtheheadofasharp-pointedspear，sosetthatthecasualpasser-bywouldreceiveattheleastanastyscratch。
　　"Myword，"saidBinuCharley，"thatfellaspearalleesamedevil-
　　devil。"
　　Hetookthespearandwasexaminingitwhensuddenlyhemadeasiftostickitintothebushman。Itwasabitofsimulatedplayfulness，butthebushmansprangbackinevidentfright。
　　Poisonedtheweaponwasbeyondanydoubt，andthereafterBinuCharleycarrieditthreateninglyattheprisoner'sback。
　　Thesun，sinkingbehindaloftywesternpeak，broughtonanearlybutlingeringtwilight，andtheexpeditionploddedonthroughtheevilforest——theplaceofmysteryandfear，ofdeathswiftandsilentandhorrible，ofbrutishappetiteanddegradedinstinct，ofhumanlifethatstillwallowedintheprimevalslime，ofsavagerydegenerateandabysmal。Noslightestbreezesblewinthegloomysilence，andtheairwasstaleandhumidandsuffocating。Thesweatpouredunceasinglyfromtheirbodies，andintheirnostrilswastheheavysmellofrottingvegetationandofblackearththatwasa-crawlwithfecundlife。
　　Theyturnedasidefromtherun-wayataplaceindicatedbyBinuCharley，and，sometimescrawlingonhandsandkneesthroughthedampblackmuck，atothertimescreepingandclimbingthroughthetangledundergrowthadozenfeetfromtheground，theycametoanimmensebanyantree，halfanacreinextent，thatmadeintheinnermostheartofthejungleadenserjungleofitsown。Fromoutofitsblackdepthscamethevoiceofamansinginginacracked，eerievoice。
　　"Myword，thatbigfellamarsterhenodie!"
　　Thesingingstopped，andthevoice，faintandweak，calledoutahello。Joananswered，andthenthevoiceexplained。
　　"I'mnotwandering。Iwasjustsingingtokeepmyspiritsup。
　　Haveyougotanythingtoeat？"
　　Afewminutessawtherescuedmanlyingamongblankets，whilefireswerebuilding，waterwasbeingcarried，Joan'stentwasgoingup，andLalaperuwasoverhaulingthepacksandopeningtinsofprovisions。Tudor，havingpulledthroughthefeverandstartedtomend，wasstillfrightfullyweakandverymuchstarved。Sobadlyswollenwashefrommosquito-bitesthathisfacewasunrecognizable，andtheacceptanceofhisidentitywaslargelyamatteroffaith。Joanhadherownointmentsalong，andsheprefacedtheirapplicationbyfomentinghisswollenfeatureswithhotcloths。Sheldon，withaneyetothecampandthepreparationsforthenight，lookedonandfeltthepangsofjealousyateverycontactofherhandswithTudor'sfaceandbody。Somehow，engagedintheirhealingministrations，theynolongerseemedtohimboy'shands，thehandsofJoanwhohadgazedatGogoomy'sheadwithpalecheekssprayedwithangryflame。Thehandswerenowawoman'shands，andSheldongrinnedtohimselfashisfancysuggestedthatsomenighthemustlieoutsidethemosquito-nettinginordertohaveJoanapplysoothingfomentationsinthemorning。
　　CHAPTERXXV——THEHEAD-HUNTERS
　　Themorning'sactionhadbeensettledthenightbefore。Tudorwastostaybehindinhisbanyanrefugeandgatherstrengthwhiletheexpeditionproceeded。OnthefarchancethattheymightrescueevenonesolitarysurvivorofTudor'sparty，Joanwasfixedinherdeterminationtopushon；andneitherSheldonnorTudorcouldpersuadehertoremainquietlyatthebanyantreewhileSheldonwentonandsearched。WithTudor，AdamuAdamandArahuweretostopasguards，thelatterTahitianbeingselectedtoremainbecauseofabadfootwhichhadbeenbroughtaboutbysteppingononeofthethornsconcealedbythebushmen。Itwasevidentlyaslowpoison，andnottoostrong，thatthebushmenused，forthewoundedPoonga-Poongamanwasstillalive，andthoughhisswollenshoulderwasenormous，theinflammationhadalreadybeguntogodown。He，too，remainedwithTudor。
　　BinuCharleyledtheway，byproxy，however，for，bymeansofthepoisonedspear，hedrovethecaptivebushmanahead。Therun-waystillranthroughthedankandrottenjungle，andtheyknewnovillageswouldbeencounteredtillrisinggroundwasgained。Theyploddedon，pantingandsweatinginthehumid，stagnantair。Theywereimmersedinaseaofwanton，prodigalvegetation。Allaboutthemthehuge-rootedtreesblockedtheirfooting，whilecoiledandknottedclimbers，ofthegirthofaman'sarm，werethrownfromloftybranchtoloftybranch，orhungintangledmasseslikesomanymonstroussnakes。Lush-stalkedplants，larger-leavedthanthebodyofaman，exudedasweatymoisturefromalltheirsurfaces。
　　Hereandthere，banyantrees，likerockyislands，shoulderedasidethestreamingriotofvegetationbetweentheircrowdedcolumns，showingportalsandpassageswhereinalldaylightwaslostandonlymidnightgloomremained。Tree-fernsandmossesandamyriadotherparasiticformsjostledwithgay-colouredfungoidgrowthsforroomtolive，andtheveryatmosphereitselfseemedtoaffordclingingspacetoairyfairycreepers，lightanddelicateasgem-dust，tremulouswithmicroscopicblooms。Pale-goldenandvermilionorchidsflauntedtheirunhealthyblossomsinthegolden，drippingsunshinethatfilteredthroughthemattedroof。Itwasthemysterious，evilforest，acharnelhouseofsilence，whereinnaughtmovedsavestrangetinybirds——thestrangenessofthemmakingthemysterymoreprofound，fortheyflittedonnoiselesswings，emittingneithersongnorchirp，andtheyweremottledwithmorbidcolours，havingalltheseemingoforchids，flyingblossomsofsicknessanddecay。
　　Hewascaughtbysurprise，fifteenfeetintheairabovethepath，intheforksofamany-branchedtree。Allsawhimashedroppedlikeashadow，nakedasonhisnatalmorn，landingspringilyonhisbentknees，andlikeashadowleapingalongtherun-way。Itwashardforthemtorealizethatitwasaman，forheseemedaweirdjunglespirit，agoblinoftheforest。OnlyBinuCharleywasnotperturbed。Heflunghispoisonedspearovertheheadofthecaptiveattheflittingform。Itwasamightycast，wellintended，buttheshadow，leaping，receivedthespearharmlesslybetweenthelegs，and，trippinguponit，wasflungsprawling。Beforehecouldgetaway，BinuCharleywasuponhim，clutchinghimbyhissnow-
　　whitehair。Hewasonlyayoungman，andadandyatthat，hisfaceblackenedwithcharcoal，hishairwhitenedwithwood-ashes，withthefreshlyseveredtailofawildpigthrustthroughhisperforatednose，andtwomorethrustthroughhisears。Hisonlyotherornamentwasanecklaceofhumanfinger-bones。Atsightoftheirotherprisonerhechatteredinahighquerulousfalsetto，withpuckeredbrowsandtroubled，wild-animaleyes。Hewasdisposedofalongthemiddleoftheline，oneofthePoonga-Poongamenleadinghimattheendofalengthofbark-rope。
　　Thetrailbegantoriseoutofthejungle，dippingattimesintofesteringhollowsofunwholesomevegetation，butrisingmoreandmoreoverswelling，unseenhill-slopesorclimbingsteephog-backsandrockyhummockswheretheforestthinnedandbluepatchesofskyappearedoverhead。
　　"Closeuphestop，"BinuCharleywarnedtheminawhisper。
　　Evenashespoke，fromhighoverheadcamethedeepresonantboomofavillagedrum。Butthebeatwasslow，therewasnopanicinthesound。Theyweredirectlybeneaththevillage，andtheycouldhearthecrowingofroosters，twowomen'svoicesraisedinbriefdispute，and，once，thecryingofachild。Therun-waynowbecameadeeplywornpath，risingsosteeplythatseveraltimesthepartypausedforbreath。Thepathneverwidened，andinplacesthefeetandtherainsofgenerationshadscouredittillitwassunkentwentyfeetbeneaththesurface。
　　"Onemanwithariflecouldholditagainstathousand，"SheldonwhisperedtoJoan。"Andtwentymencouldholditwithspearsandarrows。"
　　Theycameoutonthevillage，situatedonasmall，uplandplateau，grass-covered，andwithonlyoccasionaltrees。Therewasawildchorusofwarningcriesfromthewomen，whoscurriedoutofthegrasshouses，andlikefrightenedquaildivedovertheoppositeedgeoftheclearing，gatheringuptheirbabiesandchildrenastheyran。Atthesametimespearsandarrowsbegantofallamongtheinvaders。AtSheldon'scommand，theTahitiansandPoonga-
　　Poongamengotintoactionwiththeirrifles。Thespearsandarrowsceased，thelastbushmandisappeared，andthefightwasoveralmostassoonasithadbegun。Ontheirownsidenoonehadbeenhurt，whilehalfadozenbushmenhadbeenkilled。Thesealoneremained，thewoundedhavingbeencarriedoff。TheTahitiansandPoonga-Poongamenhadwarmedupandwereforpursuit，butthisSheldonwouldnotpermit。Tohispleasedsurprise，Joanbackedhimupinthedecision；for，glancingatheronceduringthefiring，hehadseenherwhiteface，likeaglitteringswordinitsfightingintensity，thenostrilsdilated，theeyesbrightandsteadyandshining。
　　"Poorbrutes，"shesaid。"Theyactonlyaccordingtotheirnatures。Toeattheirkindandtakeheadsisgoodmoralityforthem。"
　　"Buttheyshouldbetaughtnottotakewhitemen'sheads，"Sheldonargued。
　　Shenoddedapproval，andsaid，"Ifwefindoneheadwe'llburnthevillage。Hey，you，Charley!Whatfellaplaceheadhestop？"
　　"S'posehestopalongdevil-devilhouse，"wastheanswer。"Thatbigfellahouse，hedevil-devil。"
　　Itwasthelargesthouseinthevillage，ambitiouslyornamentedwithfancy-plaitedmatsandking-postscarvedintoobsceneandmonstrousformshalf-humanandhalf-animal。Intoittheywent，intheobscurelightstumblingacrossthesleeping-logsofthevillagebachelorsandknockingtheirheadsagainststringsofweirdvotive-
　　offerings，driedandshrivelled，thathungfromtheroof-beams。Oneithersidewererudegods，somegrotesquelycarved，othersnomorethanshapelesslogsswathedinrottenandindescribablyfilthymatting。Theairwasmouldyandheavywithdecay，whilestringsoffish-tailsandofhalf-cleaneddogandcrocodileskullsdidnotaddtothewholesomenessoftheplace。
　　Inthecentre，crouchedbeforeaslow-smokingfire，inthelitteredashesofathousandfires，wasanoldmanwhoblinkedapatheticallyattheinvaders。Hewasextremelyold——sooldthathiswitheredskinhungabouthiminloosefoldsanddidnotlooklikeskin。Hishandswerebonyclaws，hisemaciatedfaceasheerdeath's-head。
　　Histask，itseemed，wastotendthefire，andwhileheblinkedatthemheaddedtoitahandfulofdeadandmouldywood。Andhunginthesmoketheyfoundtheobjectoftheirsearch。Joanturnedandstumbledouthastily，deathlysick，reelingintothesunshineandclutchingattheairforsupport。
　　"Seeifallarethere，"shecalledbackfaintly，andtotteredaimlesslyonforafewsteps，breathingtheairingreatdraughtsandtryingtoforgetthesightshehadseen。
　　UponSheldonfelltheunpleasanttaskoftallyingtheheads。Theywereallthere，nineofthem，whitemen'sheads，thefacesofwhichhehadbeenfamiliarwithwhentheirownershadcampedinBerandecompoundandsetupthepoling-boats。BinuCharley，hugelyinterested，lentahand，turningtheheadsaroundforidentification，notingthehatchet-strokes，andremarkingthedistortedexpressions。ThePoonga-Poongamengloatedasusual，andasusualtheTahitianswereshockedandangry，severalofthemcursingandmutteringinundertones。SoangrywasMatapuu，thathestrodesuddenlyovertothefire-tenderandkickedhimintheribs，whereupontheoldsavageemittedanappallingsqueal，pig-likeinitswild-animalfear，andfellfacedownwardintheashesandlayquiveringinmomentaryexpectationofdeath。
　　Otherheads，thoroughlysun-driedandsmoke-cured，werefoundinabundance，but，withtwoexceptions，theyweretheheadsofblacks。
　　Sothiswasthemannerofhuntingthatwentoninthedarkandevilforest，Sheldonthought，asheregardedthem。Theatmosphereoftheplacewassickening，yethecouldnotforbeartopausebeforeoneofBinuCharley'sfinds。
　　"MesavveeblackMary，mesavveewhiteMary，"quothBinuCharley。
　　"MenosavveethatfellaMary。Whatnamebelonghim？"
　　Sheldonlooked。Ancientandwithered，blackenedbymanyyearsofthesmokeofthedevil-devilhouse，neverthelesstheshrunken，mummy-likefacewasunmistakablyChinese。Howithadcometherewasthemystery。Itwasawoman'shead，andhehadneverheardofaChinesewomaninthehistoryoftheSolomons。Fromtheearshungtwo-inch-longear-rings，andatSheldon'sdirectiontheBinumanrubbedawaytheaccretionsofsmokeanddirt，andfromunderhisfingersappearedthepolishedgreenofjade，thesheenofpearl，andthewarmredofOrientalgold。Theotherhead，equallyancient，wasawhiteman's，astheheavyblondmoustache，twistedandaskewontheshrivelledupperlip，gavesufficientadvertisement；andSheldonwonderedwhatforgottenbeche-de-merfishermanorsandalwoodtraderhadgonetofurnishthatghastlytrophy。
　　TellingBinuCharleytoremovetheear-rings，anddirectingthePoonga-Poongamentocarryouttheoldfire-tender，Sheldonclearedthedevil-devilhouseandsetfiretoit。Sooneveryhousewasblazingmerrily，whiletheancientfire-tendersatuprightinthesunshineblinkingatthedestructionofhisvillage。Fromtheheightsabove，wherewereevidentlyothervillages，cametheboomingofdrumsandawildblowingofwar-conchs；butSheldonhaddaredallhecaredtowithhissmallfollowing。Besides，hismissionwasaccomplished。EverymemberofTudor'sexpeditionwasaccountedfor；anditwasalong，darkwayoutofthehead-hunters'
　　country。Releasingtheirtwoprisoners，wholeapedawaylikestartleddeer，theyplungeddownthesteeppathintothesteamingjungle。
　　Joan，stillshockedbywhatshehadseen，walkedoninfrontofSheldon，subduedandsilent。Attheendofhalfanhoursheturnedtohimwithawansmileandsaid，-
　　"Idon'tthinkIcaretovisitthehead-huntersanymore。It'sadventure，Iknow；butthereissuchathingashavingtoomuchofagoodthing。Ridingaroundtheplantationwillhenceforthbegoodenoughforme，orperhapssalvinganotherMartha；butthebushmenofGuadalcanarneedneverworryforfearthatIshallvisitthemagain。Ishallhavenightmaresformonthstocome，IknowIshall。
　　Ugh!——thehorridbeasts!"
　　ThatnightfoundthembackincampwithTudor，who，whileimproved，wouldstillhavetobecarrieddownonastretcher。TheswellingofthePoonga-Poongaman'sshoulderwasgoingdownslowly，butArahustilllimpedonhisthorn-poisonedfoot。
　　TwodayslatertheyrejoinedtheboatsatCarli；andathighnoonofthethirdday，travellingwiththecurrentandshootingtherapids，theexpeditionarrivedatBerande。Joan，withasigh，unbuckledherrevolver-beltandhungitonthenailintheliving-
　　room，whileSheldon，whohadbeenlurkingaboutforthesheerjoyofseeingherperformthatparticularhome-comingact，sighed，too，withsatisfaction。Butthehome-comingwasnotalljoytohim，forJoansetaboutnursingTudor，andspentmuchtimeontheverandawherehelayinthehammockunderthemosquito-netting。
　　CHAPTERXXVI——BURNINGDAYLIGHT
　　ThetendaysofTudor'sconvalescencethatfollowedwerepeacefuldaysonBerande。Theworkoftheplantationwentonlikeclock-
　　work。WiththecrushingoftheprematureoutbreakofGogoomyandhisfollowing，allinsubordinationseemedtohavevanished。Twentymoreoftheold-timeboys，theirtermofserviceup，werecarriedawaybytheMartha，andthefreshstockoflabour，treatedfairly，wasprovingofexcellentquality。AsSheldonrodeabouttheplantation，acknowledgingtohimselfthecomfortandconvenienceofahorseandwonderingwhyhehadnotthoughtofgettingonehimself，heponderedthevariousimprovementsforwhichJoanwasresponsible——thesplendidPoonga-Poongarecruits；thefruitsandvegetables；theMarthaherself，snatchedfromtheseaforasongandearningmoneyhandoverfistdespiteoldKinross'sslowandsafemethodofrunningher；andBerande，oncemorefinanciallysecure，approachingeachdaynearerthedividend-payingtime，andgrowingeachdayastheblacktoilersclearedthebush，cutthecane-grass，andplantedmorecocoanutpalms。
　　IntheseandathousandwaysSheldonwasmadeawareofhowmuchhewasindebtedformaterialprosperitytoJoan——totheslender，level-browedgirlwithromanceshiningoutofhergrayeyesandadventureshoutingfromthelong-barrelledColt'sonherhip，whohadlandedonthebeachthatpipinggale，alongwithherstalwartTahitiancrew，andwhohadenteredhisbungalowtohangwithboy'shandsherrevolver-beltandBaden-Powellhatonthenailbythebilliardtable。Heforgotalltheearlyexasperations，rememberingonlyhercharmsandsweetnessesandgloryingmuchinthetraitsheatfirsthaddislikedmost——herboyishnessandadventurousness，herdelighttoswimandriskthesharks，herdesiretogorecruiting，herloveoftheseaandships，hersharpauthoritativewordswhenshelaunchedthewhale-boatand，withfirestickinonehandanddynamite-stickintheother，departedwithherpicturesquecrewtoshootfishintheBalesuna；hersuper-innocentdisdainforthecommonestconventions，herjuvenilejoyinargument，herfluttering，wild-birdloveoffreedomandmadpassionforindependence。Allthishenowloved，andhenolongerdesiredtotameandholdher，thoughtheparadoxwasthewinningofherwithoutthetamingandtheholding。
　　Thereweretimeswhenhewasdizzywiththoughtofherandloveofher，whenhewouldstophishorseandwithclosedeyespictureherashehadseenherthatfirstday，inthestern-sheetsofthewhale-boat，dashingmadlyintoshoreandmarchingbelligerentlyalonghisverandatoremarkthatitwasprettyhospitalitythislettingstrangerssinkorswiminhisfrontyard。Andasheopenedhiseyesandurgedhishorseonward，hewouldponderforthetenthousandthtimehowpossiblyhewasevertoholdherwhenshewassowildandbird-likethatshewasboundtoflutteroutandawayfromunderhishand。
　　ItwaspatenttoSheldonthatTudorhadbecomeinterestedinJoan。
　　Thatconvalescentvisitorpracticallylivedontheveranda，though，whilepreposterouslyweakandshakyinthelegs，hehadforsometimeinsistedoncomingintojointhematthetableatmeals。ThefirstwarningSheldonhadoftheother'sgrowinginterestinthegirlwaswhenTudoreaseddownandfinallyceasedprickinghimwithhishabitualsharpnessofquipandspeech。Thiscessationofverbalsparringwaslikethebreakingoffofdiplomaticrelationsbetweencountriesatthebeginningofwar，and，onceSheldon'ssuspicionswerearoused，hewasnotlonginfindingotherconfirmations。TudortooobviouslyjoyedinJoan'spresence，tooobviouslylaidhimselfouttoamuseandfascinateherwithhisowngloriousandadventurouspersonality。Often，afterhismorningrideovertheplantation，orcominginfromthestoreorfrominspectionofthecopra-drying，Sheldonfoundthepairofthemtogetherontheveranda，Joanlistening，intentandexcited，andTudordeepinsomerecitalofpersonaladventureattheendsoftheearth。
　　Sheldonnoticed，too，thewayTudorlookedatherandfollowedheraboutwithhiseyes，andinthoseeyeshenotedacertainhungrylook，andonthefaceacertainwistfulexpression；andhewonderedifonhisownfacehecarriedasimilarinvoluntaryadvertisement。
　　Hewassureofseveralthings:first，thatTudorwasnottherightmanforJoanandcouldnotpossiblymakeherpermanentlyhappy；
　　next，thatJoanwastoosensibleagirlreallytofallinlovewithamanofsuchsuperficialstamp；and，finally，thatTudorwouldblunderhislove-makingsomehow。Andatthesametime，withtruelover'sanxiety，Sheldonfearedthattheothermightsomehowfailtoblunder，andwinthegirlwithpurelyfortuitousandsuccessfulmeretriciousshow。ButoftheonethingSheldonwassure:Tudorhadnointimateknowledgeofherandwasunawareofhowvitalinherwasherwildnessandloveofindependence。Thatwaswherehewouldblunder——inthecatchingandtheholdingofher。Andthen，inspiteofallhiscertitude，SheldoncouldnotforbearwonderingifhistheoriesofJoanmightnotbewrong，andifTudorwasnotgoingtherightwayaboutafterall。
　　Thesituationwasveryunsatisfactoryandperplexing。Sheldonplayedthedifficultpartofwaitingandlookingon，whilehisrivaldevotedhimselfenergeticallytoreachingoutandgraspingattheflutteringprize。Then，again，Tudorhadsuchanirritatingwayabouthim。Ithadbecomequiteelusiveandintangible，nowthathehadtacitlysevereddiplomaticrelations；butSheldonsensedwhathedeemedagrowingantagonismandpromptlymagnifieditthroughthejealouslensesofhisownlover'seyes。Theotherwasaninterloper。HedidnotbelongtoBerande，andnowthathewaswellandstrongagainitwastimeforhimtogo。Insteadofwhich，anddespitethecallinginofthemailsteamerboundforSydney，Tudorhadsettledhimselfdowncomfortably，resumedswimming，wentdynamitingfishwithJoan，spenthourswithherhuntingpigeons，trappingcrocodiles，andattargetpracticewithrifleandrevolver。
　　ButtherewerecertaintraditionsofhospitalitythatpreventedSheldonfrombreathingahintthatitwastimeforhisguesttotakehimselfoff。Andinsimilarfashion，feelingthatitwasnotplayingthegame，hefoughtdownthetemptationtowarnJoan。Hadheknownanything，nottooserious，toTudor'sdetriment，hewouldhavebeenunabletoutterit；buttheworstofitwasthatheknewnothingatallagainsttheman。Thatwastheconfoundedpartofit，andsometimeshewassobaffledandoverwroughtbyhisfeelingsthatheassumedasuper-judicialcalmandassuredhimselfthathisdislikeofTudorwasamatterofunsubstantialprejudiceandjealousy。
　　Outwardly，hemaintainedacalmandsmilingaspect。Theworkoftheplantationwenton。TheMarthaandtheFlibberty-Gibbetcameandwent，asdidallthemiscellanyofcoastingcraftthatdroppedintowaitforabreezeandhaveagossip，adrinkortwo，andagameofbilliards。Satankeptthecompoundfreeofniggers。
　　Bouchercamedownregularlyinhiswhale-boattopassSunday。
　　Twiceaday，atbreakfastanddinner，JoanandSheldonandTudormetamicablyattable，andtheeveningswereasamicablyspentontheveranda。
　　Andthenithappened。Tudormadehisblunder。NeverdiviningJoan'sflutteringwildness，herblindhatredofrestraintandcompulsion，herabhorrenceofmasterybyanother，andmistakingthewarmthandenthusiasminhereyesarousedbyhislatesttaleforsomethingtenderandacquiescent，hedrewhertohim，laidaforcibledetainingarmaboutherwaist，andmisapprehendedherfranticrevoltforanexhibitionofmaidenlyreluctance。Itoccurredontheveranda，afterbreakfast，andSheldon，within，ponderingaSydneywholesaler'scatalogueandmakinguphisordersfornextsteamer-day，heardthesharpexclamationofJoan，followedbytheequallysharpimpactofanopenhandagainstacheek。
　　Jerkingfreefromthearmthatwasalldistastefulcompulsion，JoanhadslappedTudor'sfaceresoundinglyandwithfarmorevimandweightthanwhenshehadcuffedGogoomy。
　　Sheldonhadhalf-startedup，thencontrolledhimselfandsunkbackinhischair，sothatbythetimeJoanenteredthedoorhiscomposurewasrecovered。Herrightfore-armwasclutchedtightlyinherlefthand，whilethewhitecheeks，centredwiththespotsofflamingred，remindedhimofthetimehehadfirstseenherangry。
　　"Hehurtmyarm，"sheblurtedout，inreplytohislookofinquiry。
　　Hesmiledinvoluntarily。Itwassolikeher，soliketheboyshewas，tocomerunningtocomplainofthephysicalhurtwhichhadbeendoneher。Shewascertainlynotawomanversedinthewaysofmanandinthewaysofhandlingman。TheresoundingslapshehadgivenTudorseemedstillechoinginSheldon'sears，andashelookedatthegirlbeforehimcryingoutthatherarmwashurt，hissmilegrewbroader。
　　Itwasthesmilethatdidit，convictingJoaninherowneyesofthesillinessofhercryandsendingoverherfacethemostamazingblushhehadeverseen。Throat，cheeks，andforeheadflamedwiththerushoftheshamedblood。
　　"He——he——"sheattemptedtovindicateherdeeperindignation，thenwhirledabruptlyawayandpassedoutthereardooranddownthesteps。
　　Sheldonsatandmused。Hewasatrifleangry，andthemorehedweltuponthehappeningtheangrierhegrew。IfithadbeenanywomanexceptJoanitwouldhavebeenamusing。ButJoanwasthelastwomanintheworldtoattempttokissforcibly。Thethingsmackedofthebackstairsanyway——asordidlittlecomedyperhaps，buttohavetrieditonJoanwasnothinglessthansacrilege。Themanshouldhavehadbettersense。Then，too，Sheldonwaspersonallyaggrieved。Hehadbeenfilchedofsomethingthathefeltwasalmosthis，andhislover'sjealousywasrampantatthoughtofthisforcedfamiliarity。
　　ItwaswhileinthismoodthatthescreendoorbangedloudlybehindtheheelsofTudor，whostrodeintotheroomandpausedbeforehim。
　　Sheldonwasunprepared，thoughitwasveryapparentthattheotherwasfurious。
　　"Well？"Tudordemandeddefiantly。
　　AndontheinstantspeechrushedtoSheldon'slips。
　　"Ihopeyouwon'tattemptanythinglikeitagain，that'sall——
　　exceptthatIshallbeonlytoohappyanytimetoextendtoyouthecourtesyofmywhale-boat。ItwilllandyouinTulagiinafewhours。"
　　"Asifthatwouldsettleit，"wastheretort。
　　"Idon'tunderstand，"Sheldonsaidsimply。
　　"Thenitisbecauseyoudon'twishtounderstand。"
　　"StillIdon'tunderstand，"Sheldonsaidinsteady，leveltones。
　　"Allthatiscleartomeisthatyouareexaggeratingyourownblunderintosomethingserious。"
　　Tudorgrinnedmaliciouslyandreplied，-
　　"Itwouldseemthatyouaredoingtheexaggerating，invitingmetoleaveinyourwhale-boat。ItistellingmethatBerandeisnotbigenoughforthepairofus。NowletmetellyouthattheSolomonIslandsisnotbigenoughforthepairofus。Thisthing'sgottobesettledbetweenus，anditmayaswellbesettledrighthereandnow。"
　　"Icanunderstandyourfire-eatingmannersasbeingnaturaltoyou，"Sheldonwentonwearily，"butwhyyoushouldtrythemonmeiswhatIcan'tcomprehend。Yousurelydon'twanttoquarrelwithme。"
　　"Icertainlydo。"
　　"Butwhatinheaven'snamefor？"
　　Tudorsurveyedhimwithwitheringdisgust。
　　"Youhaven'tthesoulofalouse。Isupposeanymancouldmakelovetoyourwife——"
　　"ButIhavenowife，"Sheldoninterrupted。
　　"Thenyououghttohave。Thesituationisoutrageous。Youmightatleastmarryher，asIamhonourablywillingtodo。"
　　ForthefirsttimeSheldon'srisingangerboiledover。
　　"You——"hebeganviolently，thenabruptlycaughtcontrolofhimselfandwentonsoothingly，"you'dbettertakeadrinkandthinkitover。That'smyadvicetoyou。Ofcourse，whenyoudogetcool，aftertalkingtomeinthisfashionyouwon'twanttostayonanylonger，sowhileyou'regettingthatdrinkI'llcalltheboat's-
　　crewandlaunchaboat。You'llbeinTulagibyeightthisevening。"
　　Heturnedtowardthedoor，asiftoputhiswordsintoexecution，buttheothercaughthimbytheshoulderandtwirledhimaround。
　　"Lookhere，Sheldon，ItoldyoutheSolomonsweretoosmallforthepairofus，andImeantit。"
　　"IsthatanoffertobuyBerande，lock，stock，andbarrel？"Sheldonqueried。