THEmaincharacteristicofthisvolumeconsistsinthis，thatallthestoriescomposingitbelongnotonlytothesameperiodbuthavebeenwrittenoneafteranotherintheorderinwhichtheyappearinthebook。
　　TheperiodisthatwhichfollowsonmyconnectionwithBlackwood'sMagazine。Ihadjustfinishedwriting"TheEndoftheTether"andwascastingaboutforsomesubjectwhichcouldbedevelopedinashorterformthanthetalesinthevolumeof"Youth"whentheinstanceofasteamshipfullofreturningcooliesfromSingaporetosomeportinnorthernChinaoccurredtomyrecollection。YearsbeforeIhadhearditbeingtalkedaboutintheEastasarecentoccurrence。Itwasforusmerelyonesubjectofconversationamongstmanyothersofthekind。Menearningtheirbreadinanyveryspecializedoccupationwilltalkship，notonlybecauseitisthemostvitalinterestoftheirlivesbutalsobecausetheyhavenotmuchknowledgeofothersubjects。Theyhaveneverhadthetimetogetacquaintedwiththem。Life，formostofus，isnotsomuchahardasanexactingtaskmaster。
　　Inevermetanybodypersonallyconcernedinthisaffair，theinterestofwhichforuswas，ofcourse，notthebadweatherbuttheextraordinarycomplicationbroughtintotheship'slifeatamomentofexceptionalstressbythehumanelementbelowherdeck。
　　Neitherwasthestoryitselfeverenlargeduponinmyhearing。Inthatcompanyeachofuscouldimagineeasilywhatthewholethingwaslike。Thefinancialdifficultyofit，presentingalsoahumanproblem，wassolvedbyamindmuchtoosimpletobeperplexedbyanythingintheworldexceptmen'sidletalkforwhichitwasnotadapted。
　　Fromthefirstthemereanecdote，themerestatementImightsay，thatsuchathinghadhappenedonthehighseas，appearedtomeasufficientsubjectformeditation。Yetitwasbutabitofaseayarnafterall。Ifeltthattobringoutitsdeepersignificancewhichwasquiteapparenttome，somethingother，somethingmorewasrequired；aleadingmotivethatwouldharmonizealltheseviolentnoises，andapointofviewthatwouldputallthatelementalfuryintoitsproperplace。
　　WhatwasneededofcoursewasCaptainMacWhirr。DirectlyI
　　perceivedhimIcouldseethathewasthemanforthesituation。
　　Idon'tmeantosaythatIeversawCaptainMacWhirrintheflesh，orhadevercomeincontactwithhisliteralmindandhisdauntlesstemperament。MacWhirrisnotanacquaintanceofafewhours，orafewweeks，orafewmonths。Heistheproductoftwentyyearsoflife。Myownlife。Consciousinventionhadlittletodowithhim。IfitistruethatCaptainMacWhirrneverwalkedandbreathedonthisearthwhichIfindformypartextremelydifficulttobelieveIcanalsoassuremyreadersthatheisperfectlyauthentic。Imayventuretoassertthesameofeveryaspectofthestory，whileIconfessthattheparticulartyphoonofthetalewasnotatyphoonofmyactualexperience。
　　Atitsfirstappearance"Typhoon，"thestory，wasclassedbysomecriticsasadeliberatelyintendedstorm-piece。OtherspickedoutMacWhirr，inwhomtheyperceivedadefinitesymbolicintention。Neitherwasexclusivelymyintention。BoththetyphoonandCaptainMacWhirrpresentedthemselvestomeasthenecessitiesofthedeepconvictionwithwhichIapproachedthesubjectofthestory。Itwastheiropportunity。Itwasalsomyopportunity；anditwouldbevaintodiscourseaboutwhatImadeofitinahandfulofpages，sincethepagesthemselvesarehere，betweenthecoversofthisvolume，tospeakforthemselves。
　　Thisisabelatedreflection。IfithadoccurredtomebeforeitwouldhaveperhapsdoneawaywiththeexistenceofthisAuthor'sNote；for，indeed，thesameremarkappliestoeverystoryinthisvolume。Noneofthemarestoriesofexperienceintheabsolutesenseoftheword。Experienceinthemisbutthecanvasoftheattemptedpicture。Eachofthemhasitsmorethanoneintention。
　　Witheachthequestioniswhatthewriterhasdonewithhisopportunity；andeachanswersthequestionforitselfinwordswhich，ifImaysaysowithoutunduesolemnity，werewrittenwithaconscientiousregardforthetruthofmyownsensations。Andeachofthosestories，tomeansomething，mustjustifyitselfinitsownwaytotheconscienceofeachsuccessivereader。
　　"Falk"——thesecondstoryinthevolume——offendedthedelicacyofonecriticatleastbycertainpeculiaritiesofitssubject。
　　Butwhatisthesubjectof"Falk"？Ipersonallydonotfeelsoverycertainaboutit。Hewhoreadsmustfindoutforhimself。
　　Myintentioninwriting"Falk"wasnottoshockanybody。AsinmostofmywritingsIinsistnotontheeventsbutontheireffectuponthepersonsinthetale。ButineverythingIhavewrittenthereisalwaysoneinvariableintention，andthatistocapturethereader'sattention，bysecuringhisinterestandenlistinghissympathiesforthematterinhand，whateveritmaybe，withinthelimitsofthevisibleworldandwithintheboundariesofhumanemotions。
　　ImaysafelysaythatFalkisabsolutelytruetomyexperienceofcertainstraightforwardcharacterscombiningaperfectlynaturalruthlessnesswithacertainamountofmoraldelicacy。Falkobeysthelawofself-preservationwithouttheslightestmisgivingsastohisright，butatacrucialturnofthatruthlesslypreservedlifehewillnotcondescendtododgethetruth。Asheispresentedassensitiveenoughtobeaffectedpermanentlybyacertainunusualexperience，thatexperiencehadtobesetbymebeforethereadervividly；butitisnotthesubjectofthetale。
　　IfwegobymerefactsthenthesubjectisFalk'sattempttogetmarried；inwhichthenarratorofthetalefindshimselfunexpectedlyinvolvedbothonitsruthlessanditsdelicateside。
　　"Falk"shareswithoneotherofmystories"TheReturn"inthe"TalesofUnrest"volumethedistinctionofneverhavingbeenserialized。Ithinkthecopywasshowntotheeditorofsomemagazinewhorejecteditindignantlyonthesolegroundthat"thegirlneversaysanything。"Thisisperfectlytrue。FromfirsttolastHermann'snieceuttersnowordinthetale——anditisnotbecausesheisdumb，butforthesimplereasonthatwhenevershehappenstocomeundertheobservationofthenarratorshehaseithernooccasionoristooprofoundlymovedtospeak。Theeditor，whoobviouslyhadreadthestory，mighthaveperceivedthatforhimself。Apparentlyhedidnot，andIrefrainedfrompointingouttheimpossibilitytohimbecause，sincehedidnotventuretosaythat"thegirl"didnotlive，Ifeltnoconcernathisindignation。
　　Alltheotherstorieswereserialized。The"Typhoon"appearedintheearlynumbersofthePallMallMagazine，thenunderthedirectionofthelateMr。Halkett。Itwasonthatoccasion，too，thatIsawforthefirsttimemyconceptionsrenderedbyanartistinanothermedium。Mr。MauriceGrieffenhagenknewhowtocombineinhisillustrationstheeffectofhisownmostdistinguishedpersonalvisionwithanabsolutefidelitytotheinspirationofthewriter。"AmyFoster"waspublishedinTheIllustratedLondonNewswithafinedrawingofAmyonherdayoutgivingteatothechildrenatherhome，inahatwithabigfeather。"To-morrow"appearedfirstinthePallMallMagazine。
　　OfthatstoryIwillonlysaythatitstruckmanypeoplebyitsadaptabilitytothestageandthatIwasinducedtodramatizeitunderthetitleof"OneDayMore"；uptothepresentmyonlyeffortinthatdirection。Imayalsoaddthateachofthefourstoriesontheirappearanceinbookformwaspickedoutonvariousgroundsasthe"bestofthelot"bydifferentcritics，whoreviewedthevolumewithawarmthofappreciationandunderstanding，asympatheticinsightandafriendlinessofexpressionforwhichIcannotbesufficientlygrateful。
　　1919。J。C。
　　TYPHOON
　　I
　　CAPTAINMACWHIRR，ofthesteamerNan-Shan，hadaphysiognomythat，intheorderofmaterialappearances，wastheexactcounterpartofhismind:itpresentednomarkedcharacteristicsoffirmnessorstupidity；ithadnopronouncedcharacteristicswhatever；itwassimplyordinary，irresponsive，andunruffled。
　　Theonlythinghisaspectmighthavebeensaidtosuggest，attimes，wasbashfulness；becausehewouldsit，inbusinessofficesashore，sunburntandsmilingfaintly，withdowncasteyes。Whenheraisedthem，theywereperceivedtobedirectintheirglanceandofbluecolour。Hishairwasfairandextremelyfine，claspingfromtempletotemplethebalddomeofhisskullinaclampasoffluffysilk。Thehairofhisface，onthecontrary，carrotyandflaming，resembledagrowthofcopperwireclippedshorttothelineofthelip；while，nomatterhowcloseheshaved，fierymetallicgleamspassed，whenhemovedhishead，overthesurfaceofhischeeks。Hewasratherbelowthemediumheight，abitround-shouldered，andsosturdyoflimbthathisclothesalwayslookedashadetootightforhisarmsandlegs。
　　Asifunabletograspwhatisduetothedifferenceoflatitudes，heworeabrownbowlerhat，acompletesuitofabrownishhue，andclumsyblackboots。Theseharbourtogsgavetohisthickfigureanairofstiffanduncouthsmartness。Athinsilverwatchchainloopedhiswaistcoat，andheneverlefthisshipfortheshorewithoutclutchinginhispowerful，hairyfistanelegantumbrellaoftheverybestquality，butgenerallyunrolled。YoungJukes，thechiefmate，attendinghiscommandertothegangway，wouldsometimesventuretosay，withthegreatestgentleness，"Allowme，sir"——andpossessinghimselfoftheumbrelladeferentially，wouldelevatetheferule，shakethefolds，twirlaneatfurlinajiffy，andhanditback；goingthroughtheperformancewithafaceofsuchportentousgravity，thatMr。SolomonRout，thechiefengineer，smokinghismorningcigarovertheskylight，wouldturnawayhisheadinordertohideasmile。"Oh!aye!Theblessedgamp……Thank'ee，Jukes，thank'ee，"wouldmutterCaptainMacWhirr，heartily，withoutlookingup。
　　Havingjustenoughimaginationtocarryhimthrougheachsuccessiveday，andnomore，hewastranquillysureofhimself；
　　andfromtheverysamecausehewasnotintheleastconceited。
　　Itisyourimaginativesuperiorwhoistouchy，overbearing，anddifficulttoplease；buteveryshipCaptainMacWhirrcommandedwasthefloatingabodeofharmonyandpeace。Itwas，intruth，asimpossibleforhimtotakeaflightoffancyasitwouldbeforawatchmakertoputtogetherachronometerwithnothingexceptatwo-poundhammerandawhip-sawinthewayoftools。
　　Yettheuninterestinglivesofmensoentirelygiventotheactualityofthebareexistencehavetheirmysteriousside。ItwasimpossibleinCaptainMacWhirr'scase，forinstance，tounderstandwhatunderheavencouldhaveinducedthatperfectlysatisfactorysonofapettygrocerinBelfasttorunawaytosea。
　　Andyethehaddonethatverythingattheageoffifteen。Itwasenough，whenyouthoughtitover，togiveyoutheideaofanimmense，potent，andinvisiblehandthrustintotheant-heapoftheearth，layingholdofshoulders，knockingheadstogether，andsettingtheunconsciousfacesofthemultitudetowardsinconceivablegoalsandinundreamt-ofdirections。
　　Hisfatherneverreallyforgavehimforthisundutifulstupidity。
　　"Wecouldhavegotonwithouthim，"heusedtosaylateron，"butthere'sthebusiness。Andheanonlyson，too!"Hismotherweptverymuchafterhisdisappearance。Asithadneveroccurredtohimtoleavewordbehind，hewasmournedoverfordeadtill，aftereightmonths，hisfirstletterarrivedfromTalcahuano。Itwasshort，andcontainedthestatement:"Wehadveryfineweatheronourpassageout。"Butevidently，inthewriter'smind，theonlyimportantintelligencewastotheeffectthathiscaptainhad，ontheverydayofwriting，enteredhimregularlyontheship'sarticlesasOrdinarySeaman。"BecauseIcandothework，"
　　heexplained。Themotheragainweptcopiously，whiletheremark，"Tom'sanass，"expressedtheemotionsofthefather。Hewasacorpulentman，withagiftforslychaffing，whichtotheendofhislifeheexercisedinhisintercoursewithhisson，alittlepityingly，asifuponahalf-wittedperson。
　　MacWhirr'svisitstohishomewerenecessarilyrare，andinthecourseofyearshedespatchedotherletterstohisparents，informingthemofhissuccessivepromotionsandofhismovementsuponthevastearth。Inthesemissivescouldbefoundsentenceslikethis:"Theheathereisverygreat。"Or:"OnChristmasdayat4P。M。wefellinwithsomeicebergs。"Theoldpeopleultimatelybecameacquaintedwithagoodmanynamesofships，andwiththenamesoftheskipperswhocommandedthem——withthenamesofScotsandEnglishshipowners——withthenamesofseas，oceans，straits，promontories——withoutlandishnamesoflumber-ports，ofrice-ports，ofcotton-ports——withthenamesofislands——withthenameoftheirson'syoungwoman。ShewascalledLucy。Itdidnotsuggestitselftohimtomentionwhetherhethoughtthenamepretty。Andthentheydied。
　　ThegreatdayofMacWhirr'smarriagecameinduecourse，followingshortlyuponthegreatdaywhenhegothisfirstcommand。
　　Alltheseeventshadtakenplacemanyyearsbeforethemorningwhen，inthechart-roomofthesteamerNan-Shan，hestoodconfrontedbythefallofabarometerhehadnoreasontodistrust。Thefall——takingintoaccounttheexcellenceoftheinstrument，thetimeoftheyear，andtheship'spositionontheterrestrialglobe——wasofanatureominouslyprophetic；buttheredfaceofthemanbetrayednosortofinwarddisturbance。
　　Omenswereasnothingtohim，andhewasunabletodiscoverthemessageofaprophecytillthefulfilmenthadbroughtithometohisverydoor。"That'safall，andnomistake，"hethought。
　　"Theremustbesomeuncommonlydirtyweatherknockingabout。"
　　TheNan-ShanwasonherwayfromthesouthwardtothetreatyportofFu-chau，withsomecargoinherlowerholds，andtwohundredChinesecooliesreturningtotheirvillagehomesintheprovinceofFo-kien，afterafewyearsofworkinvarioustropicalcolonies。Themorningwasfine，theoilyseaheavedwithoutasparkle，andtherewasaqueerwhitemistypatchintheskylikeahaloofthesun。Thefore-deck，packedwithChinamen，wasfullofsombreclothing，yellowfaces，andpigtails，sprinkledoverwithagoodmanynakedshoulders，fortherewasnowind，andtheheatwasclose。Thecoolieslounged，talked，smoked，orstaredovertherail；some，drawingwaterovertheside，sluicedeachother；afewsleptonhatches，whileseveralsmallpartiesofsixsatontheirheelssurroundingirontrayswithplatesofriceandtinyteacups；andeverysingleCelestialofthemwascarryingwithhimallhehadintheworld——awoodenchestwitharinginglockandbrassonthecorners，containingthesavingsofhislabours:someclothesofceremony，sticksofincense，alittleopiummaybe，bitsofnamelessrubbishofconventionalvalue，andasmallhoardofsilverdollars，toiledforincoallighters，woningambling-housesorinpettytrading，grubbedoutofearth，sweatedoutinmines，onrailwaylines，indeadlyjungle，underheavyburdens——amassedpatiently，guardedwithcare，cherishedfiercely。
　　AcrossswellhadsetinfromthedirectionofFormosaChannelaboutteno'clock，withoutdisturbingthesepassengersmuch，becausetheNan-Shan，withherflatbottom，rollingchocksonbilges，andgreatbreadthofbeam，hadthereputationofanexceptionallysteadyshipinasea-way。Mr。Jukes，inmomentsofexpansiononshore，wouldproclaimloudlythatthe"oldgirlwasasgoodasshewaspretty。"ItwouldneverhaveoccurredtoCaptainMacWhirrtoexpresshisfavourableopinionsoloudorintermssofanciful。
　　Shewasagoodship，undoubtedly，andnotoldeither。ShehadbeenbuiltinDumbartonlessthanthreeyearsbefore，totheorderofafirmofmerchantsinSiam-Messrs。SiggandSon。Whenshelayafloat，finishedineverydetailandreadytotakeuptheworkofherlife，thebuilderscontemplatedherwithpride。
　　"Sigghasaskedusforareliableskippertotakeherout，"
　　remarkedoneofthepartners；andtheother，afterreflectingforawhile，said:"IthinkMacWhirrisashorejustatpresent。""Ishe？Thenwirehimatonce。He'stheveryman，"declaredthesenior，withoutamoment'shesitation。
　　NextmorningMacWhirrstoodbeforethemunperturbed，havingtravelledfromLondonbythemidnightexpressafterasuddenbutundemonstrativepartingwithhiswife。Shewasthedaughterofasuperiorcouplewhohadseenbetterdays。
　　"Wehadbetterbegoingtogetherovertheship，Captain，"saidtheseniorpartner；andthethreemenstartedtoviewtheperfectionsoftheNan-Shanfromstemtostern，andfromherkeelsontothetrucksofhertwostumpypole-masts。
　　CaptainMacWhirrhadbegunbytakingoffhiscoat，whichhehungontheendofasteamwindlessembodyingallthelatestimprovements。
　　"Myunclewroteofyoufavourablybyyesterday'smailtoourgoodfriends——Messrs。Sigg，youknow-anddoubtlessthey'llcontinueyououtthereincommand，"saidthejuniorpartner。"You'llbeabletoboastofbeinginchargeofthehandiestboatofhersizeonthecoastofChina，Captain，"headded。
　　"Haveyou？Thank'ee，"mumbledvaguelyMacWhirr，towhomtheviewofadistanteventualitycouldappealnomorethanthebeautyofawidelandscapetoapurblindtourist；andhiseyeshappeningatthemomenttobeatrestuponthelockofthecabindoor，hewalkeduptoit，fullofpurpose，andbegantorattlethehandlevigorously，whileheobserved，inhislow，earnestvoice，"Youcan'ttrusttheworkmennowadays。Abrand-newlock，anditwon'tactatall。Stuckfast。See？See？"
　　Assoonastheyfoundthemselvesaloneintheirofficeacrosstheyard:"YoupraisedthatfellowuptoSigg。Whatisityouseeinhim？"askedthenephew，withfaintcontempt。
　　"Iadmithehasnothingofyourfancyskipperabouthim，ifthat'swhatyoumean，"saidtheelderman，curtly。"IstheforemanofthejoinersontheNan-Shanoutside？……Comein，Bates。HowisitthatyouletTait'speopleputusoffwithadefectivelockonthecabindoor？TheCaptaincouldseedirectlyheseteyeonit。Haveitreplacedatonce。Thelittlestraws，Bates……thelittlestraws……"
　　Thelockwasreplacedaccordingly，andafewdaysafterwardstheNan-ShansteamedouttotheEast，withoutMacWhirrhavingofferedanyfurtherremarkastoherfittings，orhavingbeenheardtoutterasinglewordhintingatprideinhisship，gratitudeforhisappointment，orsatisfactionathisprospects。
　　Withatemperamentneitherloquaciousnortaciturnhefoundverylittleoccasiontotalk。Thereweremattersofduty，ofcourse——directions，orders，andsoon；butthepastbeingtohisminddonewith，andthefuturenotthereyet，themoregeneralactualitiesofthedayrequirednocomment——becausefactscanspeakforthemselveswithoverwhelmingprecision。
　　OldMr。Sigglikedamanoffewwords，andonethat"youcouldbesurewouldnottrytoimproveuponhisinstructions。"MacWhirrsatisfyingtheserequirements，wascontinuedincommandoftheNan-Shan，andappliedhimselftothecarefulnavigationofhisshipintheChinaseas。ShehadcomeoutonaBritishregister，butaftersometimeMessrs。SiggjudgeditexpedienttotransferhertotheSiameseflag。
　　AtthenewsofthecontemplatedtransferJukesgrewrestless，asifunderasenseofpersonalaffront。Hewentaboutgrumblingtohimself，andutteringshortscornfullaughs。"FancyhavingaridiculousNoah'sArkelephantintheensignofone'sship，"hesaidonceattheengine-roomdoor。"DashmeifIcanstandit:
　　I'llthrowupthebillet。Don'titmakeyousick，Mr。Rout？"
　　Thechiefengineeronlyclearedhisthroatwiththeairofamanwhoknowsthevalueofagoodbillet。
　　ThefirstmorningthenewflagfloatedoverthesternoftheNan-ShanJukesstoodlookingatitbitterlyfromthebridge。Hestruggledwithhisfeelingsforawhile，andthenremarked，"Queerflagforamantosailunder，sir。"
　　"What'sthematterwiththeflag？"inquiredCaptainMacWhirr。
　　"Seemsallrighttome。"Andhewalkedacrosstotheendofthebridgetohaveagoodlook。
　　"Well，itlooksqueertome，"burstoutJukes，greatlyexasperated，andflungoffthebridge。
　　CaptainMacWhirrwasamazedatthesemanners。Afterawhilehesteppedquietlyintothechart-room，andopenedhisInternationalSignalCode-bookattheplatewheretheflagsofallthenationsarecorrectlyfiguredingaudyrows。Heranhisfingeroverthem，andwhenhecametoSiamhecontemplatedwithgreatattentiontheredfieldandthewhiteelephant。Nothingcouldbemoresimple；buttomakesurehebroughtthebookoutonthebridgeforthepurposeofcomparingthecoloureddrawingwiththerealthingattheflagstaffastern。WhennextJukes，whowascarryingonthedutythatdaywithasortofsuppressedfierceness，happenedonthebridge，hiscommanderobserved:
　　"There'snothingamisswiththatflag。"
　　"Isn'tthere？"mumbledJukes，fallingonhiskneesbeforeadeck-lockerandjerkingtherefromviciouslyasparelead-line。
　　"No。Ilookedupthebook。Lengthtwicethebreadthandtheelephantexactlyinthemiddle。Ithoughtthepeopleashorewouldknowhowtomakethelocalflag。Standstoreason。Youwerewrong，Jukes……"
　　"Well，sir，"beganJukes，gettingupexcitedly，"allIcansay——"Hefumbledfortheendofthecoiloflinewithtremblinghands。
　　"That'sallright。"CaptainMacWhirrsoothedhim，sittingheavilyonalittlecanvasfolding-stoolhegreatlyaffected。
　　"Allyouhavetodoistotakecaretheydon'thoisttheelephantupside-downbeforetheygetquiteusedtoit。"
　　Jukesflungthenewlead-lineoveronthefore-deckwithaloud"Hereyouare，bo'ss'en——don'tforgettowetitthoroughly，"
　　andturnedwithimmenseresolutiontowardshiscommander；butCaptainMacWhirrspreadhiselbowsonthebridge-railcomfortably。
　　"Becauseitwouldbe，Isuppose，understoodasasignalofdistress，"hewenton。"Whatdoyouthink？Thatelephantthere，Itakeit，standsforsomethinginthenatureoftheUnionJackintheflag……"
　　"Doesit!"yelledJukes，sothateveryheadontheNan-Shan'sdeckslookedtowardsthebridge。Thenhesighed，andwithsuddenresignation:"Itwouldcertainlybeadam'distressfulsight，"hesaid，meekly。
　　Laterinthedayheaccostedthechiefengineerwithaconfidential，"Here，letmetellyoutheoldman'slatest。"
　　Mr。SolomonRoutfrequentlyalludedtoasLongSol，OldSol，orFatherRout，fromfindinghimselfalmostinvariablythetallestmanonboardeveryshiphejoined，hadacquiredthehabitofastooping，leisurelycondescension。Hishairwasscantandsandy，hisflatcheekswerepale，hisbonywristsandlongscholarlyhandswerepale，too，asthoughhehadlivedallhislifeintheshade。
　　HesmiledfromonhighatJukes，andwentonsmokingandglancingaboutquietly，inthemannerofakindunclelendinganeartothetaleofanexcitedschoolboy。Then，greatlyamusedbutimpassive，heasked:
　　"Anddidyouthrowupthebillet？"
　　"No，"criedJukes，raisingaweary，discouragedvoiceabovetheharshbuzzoftheNan-Shan'sfrictionwinches。Allofthemwerehardatwork，snatchingslingsofcargo，highup，totheendoflongderricks，only，asitseemed，toletthemripdownrecklesslybytherun。Thecargochainsgroanedinthegins，clinkedoncoamings，rattledovertheside；andthewholeshipquivered，withherlonggrayflankssmokinginwreathsofsteam。
　　"No，"criedJukes，"Ididn't。What'sthegood？Imightjustaswellflingmyresignationatthisbulkhead。Idon'tbelieveyoucanmakeamanlikethatunderstandanything。Hesimplyknocksmeover。"
　　AtthatmomentCaptainMacWhirr，backfromtheshore，crossedthedeck，umbrellainhand，escortedbyamournful，self-possessedChinaman，walkingbehindinpaper-soledsilkshoes，andwhoalsocarriedanumbrella。
　　ThemasteroftheNan-Shan，speakingjustaudiblyandgazingathisbootsashismannerwas，remarkedthatitwouldbenecessarytocallatFu-chauthistrip，anddesiredMr。Routtohavesteamupto-morrowafternoonatoneo'clocksharp。Hepushedbackhishattowipehisforehead，observingatthesametimethathehatedgoingashoreanyhow；whileovertoppinghimMr。Rout，withoutdeigningaword，smokedausterely，nursinghisrightelbowinthepalmofhislefthand。ThenJukeswasdirectedinthesamesubduedvoicetokeeptheforward'tween-deckclearofcargo。Twohundredcooliesweregoingtobeputdownthere。TheBunHinCompanyweresendingthatlothome。Twenty-fivebagsofricewouldbecomingoffinasampandirectly，forstores。Allseven-years'-mentheywere，saidCaptainMacWhirr，withacamphor-woodchesttoeveryman。Thecarpentershouldbesettoworknailingthree-inchbattensalongthedeckbelow，foreandaft，tokeeptheseboxesfromshiftinginasea-way。Jukeshadbetterlooktoitatonce。"D'yehear，Jukes？"ThischinamanherewascomingwiththeshipasfarasFu-chau——asortofinterpreterhewouldbe。BunHin'sclerkhewas，andwantedtohavealookatthespace。Jukeshadbettertakehimforward。
　　"D'yehear，Jukes？"
　　Jukestookcaretopunctuatetheseinstructionsinproperplaceswiththeobligatory"Yes，sir，"ejaculatedwithoutenthusiasm。
　　Hisbrusque"Comealong，John；makelooksee"settheChinamaninmotionathisheels。
　　"Wancheelooksee，allsamelookseecando，"saidJukes，whohavingnotalentforforeignlanguagesmangledtheverypidgin-Englishcruelly。Hepointedattheopenhatch。"Catcheenumberonepiecieplacetosleepin。Eh？"
　　Hewasgruff，asbecamehisracialsuperiority，butnotunfriendly。TheChinaman，gazingsadandspeechlessintothedarknessofthehatchway，seemedtostandattheheadofayawninggrave。
　　"Nocatcheeraindownthere——savee？"pointedoutJukes。
　　"Supposeall'eesamefineweather，onepieciecoolie-mancometopside，"hepursued，warmingupimaginatively。"Makeso——
　　Phooooo!"Heexpandedhischestandblewouthischeeks。
　　"Savee，John？Breathe——freshair。Good。Eh？Washeehimpieciepants，chow-chowtop-side——see，John？"
　　Withhismouthandhandshemadeexuberantmotionsofeatingriceandwashingclothes；andtheChinaman，whoconcealedhisdistrustofthispantomimeunderacollecteddemeanourtingedbyagentleandrefinedmelancholy，glancedoutofhisalmondeyesfromJukestothehatchandbackagain。"Vellygood，"hemurmured，inadisconsolateundertone，andhastenedsmoothlyalongthedecks，dodgingobstaclesinhiscourse。Hedisappeared，duckinglowunderaslingoftendirtygunny-bagsfullofsomecostlymerchandiseandexhalingarepulsivesmell。
　　CaptainMacWhirrmeantimehadgoneonthebridge，andintothechart-room，wherealetter，commencedtwodaysbefore，awaitedtermination。Theselonglettersbeganwiththewords，"Mydarlingwife，"andthesteward，betweenthescrubbingofthefloorsandthedustingofchronometer-boxes，snatchedateveryopportunitytoreadthem。Theyinterestedhimmuchmorethantheypossiblycouldthewomanforwhoseeyetheywereintended；
　　andthisforthereasonthattheyrelatedinminutedetaileachsuccessivetripoftheNan-Shan。
　　Hermaster，faithfultofacts，whichalonehisconsciousnessreflected，wouldsetthemdownwithpainstakingcareuponmanypages。Thehouseinanorthernsuburbtowhichthesepageswereaddressedhadabitofgardenbeforethebow-windows，adeepporchofgoodappearance，colouredglasswithimitationleadframeinthefrontdoor。Hepaidfive-and-fortypoundsayearforit，anddidnotthinktherenttoohigh，becauseMrs。
　　MacWhirrapretentiouspersonwithascraggyneckandadisdainfulmannerwasadmittedlyladylike，andintheneighbourhoodconsideredas"quitesuperior。"Theonlysecretofherlifewasherabjectterrorofthetimewhenherhusbandwouldcomehometostayforgood。UnderthesamerooftheredweltalsoadaughtercalledLydiaandason，Tom。Thesetwowerebutslightlyacquaintedwiththeirfather。Mainly，theyknewhimasararebutprivilegedvisitor，whoofaneveningsmokedhispipeinthedining-roomandsleptinthehouse。Thelankygirl，uponthewhole，wasratherashamedofhim；theboywasfranklyandutterlyindifferentinastraightforward，delightful，unaffectedwaymanlyboyshave。
　　AndCaptainMacWhirrwrotehomefromthecoastofChinatwelvetimeseveryyear，desiringquaintlytobe"rememberedtothechildren，"andsubscribinghimself"yourlovinghusband，"ascalmlyasifthewordssolongusedbysomanymenwere，apartfromtheirshape，worn-outthings，andofafadedmeaning。
　　TheChinaseasnorthandsoutharenarrowseas。Theyareseasfullofevery-day，eloquentfacts，suchasislands，sand-banks，reefs，swiftandchangeablecurrents——tangledfactsthatneverthelessspeaktoaseamaninclearanddefinitelanguage。
　　TheirspeechappealedtoCaptainMacWhirr'ssenseofrealitiessoforciblythathehadgivenuphisstate-roombelowandpracticallylivedallhisdaysonthebridgeofhisship，oftenhavinghismealssentup，andsleepingatnightinthechart-room。Andheinditedtherehishomeletters。Eachofthem，withoutexception，containedthephrase，"Theweatherhasbeenveryfinethistrip，"orsomeotherformofastatementtothateffect。Andthisstatement，too，initswonderfulpersistence，wasofthesameperfectaccuracyasalltheotherstheycontained。
　　Mr。Routlikewisewroteletters；onlynooneonboardknewhowchattyhecouldbepeninhand，becausethechiefengineerhadenoughimaginationtokeephisdesklocked。Hiswiferelishedhisstylegreatly。Theywereachildlesscouple，andMrs。Rout，abig，high-bosomed，jollywomanofforty，sharedwithMr。Rout'stoothlessandvenerablemotheralittlecottagenearTeddington。
　　Shewouldrunoverhercorrespondence，atbreakfast，withlivelyeyes，andscreamoutinterestingpassagesinajoyousvoiceatthedeafoldlady，prefacingeachextractbythewarningshout，"Solomonsays!"ShehadthetrickoffiringoffSolomon'sutterancesalsouponstrangers，astonishingthemeasilybytheunfamiliartextandtheunexpectedlyjocularveinofthesequotations。Onthedaythenewcuratecalledforthefirsttimeatthecottage，shefoundoccasiontoremark，"AsSolomonsays:
　　'theengineersthatgodowntotheseainshipsbeholdthewondersofsailornature'；"whenachangeinthevisitor'scountenancemadeherstopandstare。
　　"Solomon……Oh!……Mrs。Rout，"stutteredtheyoungman，veryredintheface，"Imustsay……Idon't……"
　　"He'smyhusband，"sheannouncedinagreatshout，throwingherselfbackinthechair。Perceivingthejoke，shelaughedimmoderatelywithahandkerchieftohereyes，whilehesatwearingaforcedsmile，and，fromhisinexperienceofjollywomen，fullypersuadedthatshemustbedeplorablyinsane。Theywereexcellentfriendsafterwards；for，absolvingherfromirreverentintention，hecametothinkshewasaveryworthypersonindeed；andhelearnedintimetoreceivewithoutflinchingotherscrapsofSolomon'swisdom。
　　"Formypart，"Solomonwasreportedbyhiswifetohavesaidonce，"givemethedullestassforaskipperbeforearogue。
　　Thereisawaytotakeafool；butarogueissmartandslippery。"ThiswasanairygeneralizationdrawnfromtheparticularcaseofCaptainMacWhirr'shonesty，which，initself，hadtheheavyobviousnessofalumpofclay。Ontheotherhand，Mr。Jukes，unabletogeneralize，unmarried，andunengaged，wasinthehabitofopeninghisheartafteranotherfashiontoanoldchumandformershipmate，actuallyservingassecondofficeronboardanAtlanticliner。
　　FirstofallhewouldinsistupontheadvantagesoftheEasterntrade，hintingatitssuperioritytotheWesternoceanservice。
　　Heextolledthesky，theseas，theships，andtheeasylifeoftheFarEast。TheNanShan，heaffirmed，wassecondtononeasasea-boat。
　　"Wehavenobrass-bounduniforms，butthenwearelikebrothershere，"hewrote。"Weallmesstogetherandlivelikefighting-cocks……Allthechapsoftheblack-squadareasdecentastheymakethatkind，andoldSol，theChief，isadrystick。Wearegoodfriends。Astoouroldman，youcouldnotfindaquieterskipper。Sometimesyouwouldthinkhehadn'tsenseenoughtoseeanythingwrong。Andyetitisn'tthat。Can'tbe。Hehasbeenincommandforagoodfewyearsnow。Hedoesn'tdoanythingactuallyfoolish，andgetshisshipalongallrightwithoutworryinganybody。Ibelievehehasn'tbrainsenoughtoenjoykickinguparow。Idon'ttakeadvantageofhim。Iwouldscornit。Outsidetheroutineofdutyhedoesn'tseemtounderstandmorethanhalfofwhatyoutellhim。Wegetalaughoutofthisattimes；butitisdull，too，tobewithamanlikethis——inthelong-run。OldSolsayshehasn'tmuchconversation。Conversation!OLord!Henevertalks。TheotherdayIhadbeenyarningunderthebridgewithoneoftheengineers，andhemusthaveheardus。WhenIcameuptotakemywatch，hestepsoutofthechart-roomandhasagoodlookallround，peepsoveratthesidelights，glancesatthecompass，squintsupwardatthestars。That'shisregularperformance。
　　By-and-byhesays:'Wasthatyoutalkingjustnowintheportalleyway？''Yes，sir。''Withthethirdengineer？''Yes，sir。'
　　Hewalksofftostarboard，andsitsunderthedodgeronalittlecampstoolofhis，andforhalfanhourperhapshemakesnosound，exceptthatIheardhimsneezeonce。ThenafterawhileIhearhimgettingupoverthere，andhestrollsacrosstoport，whereI
　　was。'Ican'tunderstandwhatyoucanfindtotalkabout，'sayshe。'Twosolidhours。Iamnotblamingyou。Iseepeopleashoreatitalldaylong，andthenintheeveningtheysitdownandkeepatitoverthedrinks。Mustbesayingthesamethingsoverandoveragain。Ican'tunderstand。'
　　"Didyoueverhearanythinglikethat？Andhewassopatientaboutit。Itmademequitesorryforhim。Butheisexasperating，too，sometimes。Ofcourseonewouldnotdoanythingtovexhimevenifitwereworthwhile。Butitisn't。
　　He'ssojollyinnocentthatifyouweretoputyourthumbtoyournoseandwaveyourfingersathimhewouldonlywondergravelytohimselfwhatgotintoyou。Hetoldmeoncequitesimplythathefounditverydifficulttomakeoutwhatmadepeoplealwaysactsoqueerly。He'stoodensetotroubleabout，andthat'sthetruth。"
　　ThuswroteMr。JukestohischumintheWesternoceantrade，outofthefulnessofhisheartandthelivelinessofhisfancy。
　　Hehadexpressedhishonestopinion。Itwasnotworthwhiletryingtoimpressamanofthatsort。Iftheworldhadbeenfullofsuchmen，lifewouldhaveprobablyappearedtoJukesanunentertainingandunprofitablebusiness。Hewasnotaloneinhisopinion。Theseaitself，asifsharingMr。Jukes'
　　good-naturedforbearance，hadneverputitselfouttostartlethesilentman，whoseldomlookedup，andwanderedinnocentlyoverthewaterswiththeonlyvisiblepurposeofgettingfood，raiment，andhouse-roomforthreepeopleashore。Dirtyweatherhehadknown，ofcourse。Hehadbeenmadewet，uncomfortable，tiredintheusualway，feltatthetimeandpresentlyforgotten。Sothatuponthewholehehadbeenjustifiedinreportingfineweatherathome。Buthehadneverbeengivenaglimpseofimmeasurablestrengthandofimmoderatewrath，thewraththatpassesexhaustedbutneverappeased——thewrathandfuryofthepassionatesea。Heknewitexisted，asweknowthatcrimeandabominationsexist；hehadheardofitasapeaceablecitizeninatownhearsofbattles，famines，andfloods，andyetknowsnothingofwhatthesethingsmean——though，indeed，hemayhavebeenmixedupinastreetrow，havegonewithouthisdinneronce，orbeensoakedtotheskininashower。CaptainMacWhirrhadsailedoverthesurfaceoftheoceansassomemengoskimmingovertheyearsofexistencetosinkgentlyintoaplacidgrave，ignorantoflifetothelast，withouteverhavingbeenmadetoseeallitmaycontainofperfidy，ofviolence，andofterror。
　　Thereareonseaandlandsuchmenthusfortunate——orthusdisdainedbydestinyorbythesea。
　　II
　　OBSERVINGthesteadyfallofthebarometer，CaptainMacWhirrthought，"There'ssomedirtyweatherknockingabout。"Thisispreciselywhathethought。Hehadhadanexperienceofmoderatelydirtyweather——thetermdirtyasappliedtotheweatherimplyingonlymoderatediscomforttotheseaman。Hadhebeeninformedbyanindisputableauthoritythattheendoftheworldwastobefinallyaccomplishedbyacatastrophicdisturbanceoftheatmosphere，hewouldhaveassimilatedtheinformationunderthesimpleideaofdirtyweather，andnoother，becausehehadnoexperienceofcataclysms，andbeliefdoesnotnecessarilyimplycomprehension。ThewisdomofhiscountyhadpronouncedbymeansofanActofParliamentthatbeforehecouldbeconsideredasfittotakechargeofashipheshouldbeabletoanswercertainsimplequestionsonthesubjectofcircularstormssuchashurricanes，cyclones，typhoons；andapparentlyhehadansweredthem，sincehewasnowincommandoftheNan-ShanintheChinaseasduringtheseasonoftyphoons。Butifhehadansweredherememberednothingofit。Hewas，however，consciousofbeingmadeuncomfortablebytheclammyheat。Hecameoutonthebridge，andfoundnorelieftothisoppression。Theairseemedthick。Hegaspedlikeafish，andbegantobelievehimselfgreatlyoutofsorts。
　　TheNan-Shanwasploughingavanishingfurrowuponthecircleoftheseathathadthesurfaceandtheshimmerofanundulatingpieceofgraysilk。Thesun，paleandwithoutrays，poureddownleadenheatinastrangelyindecisivelight，andtheChinamenwerelyingprostrateaboutthedecks。Theirbloodless，pinched，yellowfaceswerelikethefacesofbiliousinvalids。CaptainMacWhirrnoticedtwoofthemespecially，stretchedoutontheirbacksbelowthebridge。Assoonastheyhadclosedtheireyestheyseemeddead。Threeothers，however，werequarrellingbarbarouslyawayforward；andonebigfellow，halfnaked，withherculeanshoulders，washanginglimplyoverawinch；another，sittingonthedeck，hiskneesupandhisheaddroopingsidewaysinagirlishattitude，wasplaitinghispigtailwithinfinitelanguordepictedinhiswholepersonandintheverymovementofhisfingers。Thesmokestruggledwithdifficultyoutofthefunnel，andinsteadofstreamingawayspreaditselfoutlikeaninfernalsortofcloud，smellingofsulphurandrainingsootalloverthedecks。
　　"Whatthedevilareyoudoingthere，Mr。Jukes？"askedCaptainMacWhirr。
　　Thisunusualformofaddress，thoughmumbledratherthanspoken，causedthebodyofMr。Jukestostartasthoughithadbeenproddedunderthefifthrib。Hehadhadalowbenchbroughtonthebridge，andsittingonit，withalengthofropecurledabouthisfeetandapieceofcanvasstretchedoverhisknees，waspushingasail-needlevigorously。Helookedup，andhissurprisegavetohiseyesanexpressionofinnocenceandcandour。
　　"Iamonlyropingsomeofthatnewsetofbagswemadelasttripforwhippingupcoals，"heremonstrated，gently。"Weshallwantthemforthenextcoaling，sir。"
　　"Whatbecameoftheothers？"
　　"Why，wornoutofcourse，sir。"
　　CaptainMacWhirr，afterglaringdownirresolutelyathischiefmate，disclosedthegloomyandcynicalconvictionthatmorethanhalfofthemhadbeenlostoverboard，"ifonlythetruthwasknown，"andretiredtotheotherendofthebridge。Jukes，exasperatedbythisunprovokedattack，broketheneedleatthesecondstitch，anddroppinghisworkgotupandcursedtheheatinaviolentundertone。
　　Thepropellerthumped，thethreeChinamenforwardhadgivenupsquabblingverysuddenly，andtheonewhohadbeenplaitinghistailclaspedhislegsandstareddejectedlyoverhisknees。Theluridsunshinecastfaintandsicklyshadows。Theswellranhigherandswiftereverymoment，andtheshiplurchedheavilyinthesmooth，deephollowsofthesea。
　　"Iwonderwherethatbeastlyswellcomesfrom，"saidJukesaloud，recoveringhimselfafterastagger。
　　"North-east，"gruntedtheliteralMacWhirr，fromhissideofthebridge。"There'ssomedirtyweatherknockingabout。Goandlookattheglass。"
　　WhenJukescameoutofthechart-room，thecastofhiscountenancehadchangedtothoughtfulnessandconcern。Hecaughtholdofthebridge-railandstaredahead。
　　Thetemperatureintheengine-roomhadgoneuptoahundredandseventeendegrees。Irritatedvoiceswereascendingthroughtheskylightandthroughthefiddleofthestokeholdinaharshandresonantuproar，mingledwithangryclangsandscrapesofmetal，asifmenwithlimbsofironandthroatsofbronzehadbeenquarrellingdownthere。Thesecondengineerwasfallingfoulofthestokersforlettingthesteamgodown。Hewasamanwitharmslikeablacksmith，andgenerallyfeared；butthatafternoonthestokerswereansweringhimbackrecklessly，andslammedthefurnace23
　　doorswiththefuryofdespair。Thenthenoiseceasedsuddenly，andthesecondengineerappeared，emergingoutofthestokeholdstreakedwithgrimeandsoakingwetlikeachimney-sweepcomingoutofawell。AssoonashisheadwasclearofthefiddlehebegantoscoldJukesfornottrimmingproperlythestokeholdventilators；andinanswerJukesmadewithhishandsdeprecatorysoothingsignsmeaning:"Nowind——can'tbehelped——youcanseeforyourself。"Buttheotherwouldn'thearreason。Histeethflashedangrilyinhisdirtyface。Hedidn'tmind，hesaid，thetroubleofpunchingtheirblankedheadsdownthere，blankhissoul，butdidthecondemnedsailorsthinkyoucouldkeepsteamupintheGod-forsakenboilerssimplybyknockingtheblankedstokersabout？No，byGeorge!Youhadtogetsomedraught，too——mayhebeeverlastinglyblankedforaswab-headeddeck-handifyoudidn't!Andthechief，too，rampagingbeforethesteam-gaugeandcarryingonlikealunaticupanddowntheengine-roomeversincenoon。WhatdidJukesthinkhewasstuckuptherefor，ifhecouldn'tgetoneofhisdecayed，good-for-nothingdeck-cripplestoturntheventilatorstothewind？
　　Therelationsofthe"engine-room"andthe"deck"oftheNan-Shanwere，asisknown，ofabrotherlynature；thereforeJukesleanedoverandbeggedtheotherinarestrainedtonenottomakeadisgustingassofhimself；theskipperwasontheothersideofthebridge。Buttheseconddeclaredmutinouslythathedidn'tcarearapwhowasontheothersideofthebridge，andJukes，passinginaflashfromloftydisapprovalintoastateofexaltation，invitedhiminunflatteringtermstocomeupandtwistthebeastlythingstopleasehimself，andcatchsuchwindasadonkeyofhissortcouldfind。Thesecondrusheduptothefray。Heflunghimselfattheportventilatorasthoughhemeanttotearitoutbodilyandtossitoverboard。Allhedidwastomovethecowlroundafewinches，withanenormousexpenditureofforce，andseemedspentintheeffort。Heleanedagainstthebackofthewheelhouse，andJukeswalkeduptohim。
　　"Oh，Heavens!"ejaculatedtheengineerinafeeblevoice。Heliftedhiseyestothesky，andthenlethisglassystaredescendtomeetthehorizonthat，tiltinguptoanangleoffortydegrees，seemedtohangonaslantforawhileandsettleddownslowly。"Heavens!Phew!What'sup，anyhow？"
　　Jukes，straddlinghislonglegslikeapairofcompasses，putonanairofsuperiority。"We'regoingtocatchitthistime，"hesaid。"Thebarometeristumblingdownlikeanything，Harry。Andyoutryingtokickupthatsillyrow……"
　　Theword"barometer"seemedtorevivethesecondengineer'smadanimosity。Collectingafreshallhisenergies，hedirectedJukesinalowandbrutaltonetoshovetheunmentionableinstrumentdownhisgorythroat。Whocaredforhiscrimsonbarometer？Itwasthesteam——thesteam——thatwasgoingdown；andwhatbetweenthefiremengoingfaintandthechiefgoingsilly，itwasworsethanadog'slifeforhim；hedidn'tcareatinker'scursehowsoonthewholeshowwasblownoutofthewater。Heseemedonthepointofhavingacry，butafterregaininghisbreathhemuttereddarkly，"I'llfaintthem，"anddashedoff。Hestoppeduponthefiddlelongenoughtoshakehisfistattheunnaturaldaylight，anddroppedintothedarkholewithawhoop。
　　WhenJukesturned，hiseyesfellupontheroundedbackandthebigredearsofCaptainMacWhirr，whohadcomeacross。Hedidnotlookathischiefofficer，butsaidatonce，"That'saveryviolentman，thatsecondengineer。"
　　"Jollygoodsecond，anyhow，"gruntedJukes。"Theycan'tkeepupsteam，"headded，rapidly，andmadeagrabattherailagainstthecominglurch。
　　CaptainMacWhirr，unprepared，tookarunandbroughthimselfupwithajerkbyanawningstanchion。
　　"Aprofaneman，"hesaid，obstinately。"Ifthisgoeson，I'llhavetogetridofhimthefirstchance。"
　　"It'stheheat，"saidJukes。"Theweather'sawful。Itwouldmakeasaintswear。EvenuphereIfeelexactlyasifIhadmyheadtiedupinawoollenblanket。"
　　CaptainMacWhirrlookedup。"D'yemeantosay，Mr。Jukes，youeverhadyourheadtiedupinablanket？Whatwasthatfor？"
　　"It'samannerofspeaking，sir，"saidJukes，stolidly。
　　"Someofyoufellowsdogoon!What'sthataboutsaintsswearing？Iwishyouwouldn'ttalksowild。Whatsortofsaintwouldthatbethatwouldswear？Nomoresaintthanyourself，I
　　expect。Andwhat'sablanketgottodowithit——ortheweathereither……Theheatdoesnotmakemeswear——doesit？It'sfilthybadtemper。That'swhatitis。Andwhat'sthegoodofyourtalkinglikethis？"
　　ThusCaptainMacWhirrexpostulatedagainsttheuseofimagesinspeech，andattheendelectrifiedJukesbyacontemptuoussnort，followedbywordsofpassionandresentment:"Damme!I'llfirehimoutoftheshipifhedon'tlookout。"
　　AndJukes，incorrigible，thought:"Goodnessme!Somebody'sputanewinsidetomyoldman。Here'stemper，ifyoulike。Ofcourseit'stheweather；whatelse？Itwouldmakeanangelquarrelsome——letaloneasaint。"
　　AlltheChinamenondeckappearedattheirlastgasp。
　　Atitssettingthesunhadadiminisheddiameterandanexpiringbrown，raylessglow，asifmillionsofcenturieselapsingsincethemorninghadbroughtitnearitsend。Adensebankofcloudbecamevisibletothenorthward；ithadasinisterdarkolivetint，andlaylowandmotionlessuponthesea，resemblingasolidobstacleinthepathoftheship。Shewentflounderingtowardsitlikeanexhaustedcreaturedriventoitsdeath。Thecopperytwilightretiredslowly，andthedarknessbroughtoutoverheadaswarmofunsteady，bigstars，that，asifblownupon，flickeredexceedinglyandseemedtohangveryneartheearth。Ateighto'clockJukeswentintothechart-roomtowriteuptheship'slog。
　　Hecopiesneatlyoutoftherough-bookthenumberofmiles，thecourseoftheship，andinthecolumnfor"wind"scrawledtheword"calm"fromtoptobottomoftheeighthourssincenoon。Hewasexasperatedbythecontinuous，monotonousrollingoftheship。Theheavyinkstandwouldslideawayinamannerthatsuggestedperverseintelligenceindodgingthepen。Havingwritteninthelargespaceundertheheadof"Remarks""Heatveryoppressive，"hestucktheendofthepenholderinhisteeth，pipefashion，andmoppedhisfacecarefully。
　　"Shiprollingheavilyinahighcrossswell，"hebeganagain，andcommentedtohimself，"Heavilyisnowordforit。"Thenhewrote:"Sunsetthreatening，withalowbankofcloudstoN。andE。Skyclearoverhead。"
　　Sprawlingoverthetablewitharrestedpen，heglancedoutofthedoor，andinthatframeofhisvisionhesawallthestarsflyingupwardsbetweentheteakwoodjambsonablacksky。Thewholelottookflighttogetheranddisappeared，leavingonlyablacknessfleckedwithwhiteflashes，fortheseawasasblackastheskyandspeckledwithfoamafar。Thestarsthathadflowntotherollcamebackonthereturnswingoftheship，rushingdownwardsintheirglitteringmultitude，notoffierypoints，butenlargedtotinydiscsbrilliantwithaclearwetsheen。
　　Jukeswatchedtheflyingbigstarsforamoment，andthenwrote:
　　"8P。M。Swellincreasing。Shiplabouringandtakingwateronherdecks。Batteneddownthecooliesforthenight。Barometerstillfalling。"Hepaused，andthoughttohimself，"Perhapsnothingwhatever'llcomeofit。"Andthenheclosedresolutelyhisentries:"Everyappearanceofatyphooncomingon。"
　　Ongoingouthehadtostandaside，andCaptainMacWhirrstrodeoverthedoorstepwithoutsayingawordormakingasign。
　　"Shutthedoor，Mr。Jukes，willyou？"hecriedfromwithin。
　　Jukesturnedbacktodoso，mutteringironically:"Afraidtocatchcold，Isuppose。"Itwashiswatchbelow，butheyearnedforcommunionwithhiskind；andheremarkedcheerilytothesecondmate:"Doesn'tlooksobad，afterall——doesit？"
　　Thesecondmatewasmarchingtoandfroonthebridge，trippingdownwithsmallstepsonemoment，andthenextclimbingwithdifficultytheshiftingslopeofthedeck。AtthesoundofJukes'voicehestoodstill，facingforward，butmadenoreply。
　　"Hallo!That'saheavyone，"saidJukes，swayingtomeetthelongrolltillhisloweredhandtouchedtheplanks。Thistimethesecondmatemadeinhisthroatanoiseofanunfriendlynature。
　　Hewasanoldish，shabbylittlefellow，withbadteethandnohaironhisface。HehadbeenshippedinahurryinShanghai，thattripwhenthesecondofficerbroughtfromhomehaddelayedtheshipthreehoursinportbycontrivinginsomemannerCaptainMacWhirrcouldneverunderstandtofalloverboardintoanemptycoal-lighterlyingalongside，andhadtobesentashoretothehospitalwithconcussionofthebrainandabrokenlimbortwo。
　　Jukeswasnotdiscouragedbytheunsympatheticsound。"TheChinamenmustbehavingalovelytimeofitdownthere，"hesaid。
　　"It'sluckyforthemtheoldgirlhastheeasiestrollofanyshipI'veeverbeenin。Therenow!Thisonewasn'tsobad。"
　　"Youwait，"snarledthesecondmate。
　　Withhissharpnose，redatthetip，andhisthinpinchedlips，healwayslookedasthoughhewereraginginwardly；andhewasconciseinhisspeechtothepointofrudeness。Allhistimeoffdutyhespentinhiscabinwiththedoorshut，keepingsostillintherethathewassupposedtofallasleepassoonashehaddisappeared；butthemanwhocameintowakehimforhiswatchondeckwouldinvariablyfindhimwithhiseyeswideopen，flatonhisbackinthebunk，andglaringirritablyfromasoiledpillow。
　　Heneverwroteanyletters，didnotseemtohopefornewsfromanywhere；andthoughhehadbeenheardoncetomentionWestHartlepool，itwaswithextremebitterness，andonlyinconnectionwiththeextortionatechargesofaboarding-house。Hewasoneofthosemenwhoarepickedupatneedintheportsoftheworld。Theyarecompetentenough，appearhopelesslyhardup，shownoevidenceofanysortofvice，andcarryaboutthemallthesignsofmanifestfailure。Theycomeaboardonanemergency，carefornoshipafloat，liveintheirownatmosphereofcasualconnectionamongsttheirshipmateswhoknownothingofthem，andmakeuptheirmindstoleaveatinconvenienttimes。TheyclearoutwithnowordsofleavetakinginsomeGod-forsakenportothermenwouldfeartobestrandedin，andgoashoreincompanyofashabbysea-chest，cordedlikeatreasure-box，andwithanairofshakingtheship'sdustofftheirfeet。
　　"Youwait，"herepeated，balancedingreatswingswithhisbacktoJukes，motionlessandimplacable。
　　"Doyoumeantosaywearegoingtocatchithot？"askedJukeswithboyishinterest。
　　"Say？……Isaynothing。Youdon'tcatchme，"snappedthelittlesecondmate，withamixtureofpride，scorn，andcunning，asifJukes'questionhadbeenatrapcleverlydetected。"Oh，no!NoneofyouhereshallmakeafoolofmeifIknowit，"hemumbledtohimself。
　　Jukesreflectedrapidlythatthissecondmatewasameanlittlebeast，andinhishearthewishedpoorJackAllenhadneversmashedhimselfupinthecoal-lighter。Thefar-offblacknessaheadoftheshipwaslikeanothernightseenthroughthestarrynightoftheearth——thestarlessnightoftheimmensitiesbeyondthecreateduniverse，revealedinitsappallingstillnessthroughalowfissureintheglitteringsphereofwhichtheearthisthekernel。
　　"Whatevertheremightbeabout，"saidJukes，"wearesteamingstraightintoit。"
　　"You'vesaidit，"caughtupthesecondmate，alwayswithhisbacktoJukes。"You'vesaidit，mind——notI。"
　　"Oh，gotoJericho!"saidJukes，frankly；andtheotheremittedatriumphantlittlechuckle。
　　"You'vesaidit，"herepeated。
　　"Andwhatofthat？"
　　"I'veknownsomerealgoodmengetintotroublewiththeirskippersforsayingadam'sightless，"answeredthesecondmatefeverishly。"Oh，no!Youdon'tcatchme。"
　　"Youseemdeucedlyanxiousnottogiveyourselfaway，"saidJukes，completelysouredbysuchabsurdity。"Iwouldn'tbeafraidtosaywhatIthink。"
　　"Aye，tome!That'snogreattrick。Iamnobody，andwellI
　　knowit。"