"H'm!Verywell，then。CaptainHarrylooksverystern，andGeorgecrumplesallupinside……Heseesthroughme，hethinks……Ofcourseitcouldnotbe；butGeorge，bythattime，wasscaredathisownshadow。HeisshirkingitwithCloete，too。Giveshispartnertounderstandthathisbrotherhashalfamindtotryaspellonshore，andsoon。Cloetewaits，gnawinghisfingers；soanxious。
　　Cloetereallyhadfoundamanforthejob。Believeitornot，hehadfoundhiminsidetheveryboarding-househelodgedin-
　　somewhereaboutTottenhamCourtRoad。Hehadnoticeddown-stairsafellow-aboarderandnotaboarder-hangingaboutthedark-
　　partofthepassagemostly；sortof'manofthehouse，'aslinkingchap。Blackeyes。Whiteface。Thewomanofthehouse-awidowlady，shecalledherself-veryfullofMr。Stafford；Mr。StaffordthisandMr。Staffordthat……Anyhow，Cloeteoneeveningtakeshimouttohaveadrink。Cloetemostlypassedawayhiseveningsinsaloonbars。Nodrunkard，though，Cloete；forcompany；likedtotalktoallsortsthere；justhabit；Americanfashion。
　　"SoCloetetakesthatchapoutmorethanonce。Notverygoodcompany，though。Littletosayforhimself。Sitsquietanddrinkswhat'sgiventohim，eyesalwayshalfclosed，speakssortofdemure……I'vehadmisfortunes，hesays。Thetruthwastheyhadkickedhimoutofabigsteam-shipcompanyfordisgracefulconduct；
　　nothingtoaffecthiscertificate，youunderstand；andhehadgonedownquiteeasily。Likedit，Iexpect。Anything'sbetterthanwork。Livedonthewidowladywhokeptthatboarding-house。"
　　"That'salmostincredible，"Iventuredtointerrupt。"Amanwithamaster'scertificate，doyoumean？"
　　"Ido；I'veknownthem'buscads，"hegrowled，contemptuously。
　　"Yes。Swingonthetail-boardbythestrapandyell，'tuppencealltheway。'Throughdrink。ButthisStaffordwasofanotherkind。
　　Hell'sfullofsuchStaffords；Cloetewouldmakefunofhim，andthentherewouldbeanastygleaminthefellow'shalf-shuteye。
　　ButCloetewasgenerallykindtohim。Cloetewasafellowthatwouldbekindtoamangydog。Anyhow，heusedtostanddrinkstothatobject，andnowandthengavehimhalfacrown-becausethewidowladykeptMr。Staffordshortofpocket-money。Theyhadrowsalmosteverydaydowninthebasement……
　　ItwasthefellowbeingasailorthatputintoCloete'smindthefirstnotionofdoingawaywiththeSagamore。Hestudieshimabit，thinksthere'senoughdevilinhimyettobetempted，andoneeveninghesaystohim……Isupposeyouwouldn'tmindgoingtoseaagain，foraspell？……Theotherneverraiseshiseyes；saysit'sscarcelyworthone'swhileforthemiserablesalaryonegets……Well，butwhatdoyousaytocaptain'swagesforatime，andacoupleofhundredextraifyouarecompelledtocomehomewithouttheship。Accidentswillhappen，saysCloete……Oh!sureto，saysthatStafford；andgoesontakingsipsofhisdrinkasifhehadnointerestinthematter。
　　"Cloetepresseshimabit；buttheotherobserves，impudentandlanguidlike:Yousee，there'snofutureinathinglikethat-isthere？……Oh!no，saysCloete。Certainlynot。Idon'tmeanthistohaveanyfuture-asfarasyouareconcerned。It'sa'onceforall'transaction。Well，whatdoyouestimateyourfutureat？heasks……Thefellowmorelistlessthanever-nearlyasleep-I
　　believetheskunkwasreallytoolazytocare。Smallcheatingatcards，wheedlingorbullyinghislivingoutofsomewomanorother，wasmorehisstyle。Cloeteswearsathiminwhisperssomethingawful。AllthisinthesaloonbaroftheHorseShoe，TottenhamCourtRoad。Finallytheyagree，overthesecondsixpennyworthofScotchhot，onfivehundredpoundsasthepriceoftomahawkingtheSagamore。AndCloetewaitstoseewhatGeorgecando。
　　"Aweekortwogoesby。Theotherfellowloafsaboutthehouseasiftherehadbeennothing，andCloetebeginstodoubtwhetherhereallymeansevertotacklethatjob。ButonedayhestopsCloeteatthedoor，withhisdowncasteyes:Whataboutthatemploymentyouwishedtogiveme？heasks……Yousee，hehadplayedsomemorethanusualdirtytrickonthewomanandexpectedawfulructionspresently；andtobefiredoutforsure。Cloeteverypleased。Georgehadbeenprevaricatingtohimsuchalotthathereallythoughtthethingwasaswellassettled。Andhesays:
　　Yes。It'stimeIintroducedyoutomyfriend。Justgetyourhatandwewillgonow……
　　"Thetwocomeintotheoffice，andGeorgeathisdesksitsupinasuddenpanic-staring。Seesatallishfellow，sortofnasty-
　　handsomeface，heavyeyes，halfshut；shortdrabovercoat，shabbybowlerhat，verycareful-likeinhismovements。Andhethinkstohimself，Isthathowsuchamanlooks!No，thething'simpossible……Cloetedoestheintroduction，andthefellowturnsroundtolookbehindhimatthechairbeforehesitsdown……Athoroughlycompetentman，Cloetegoeson……Themansaysnothing，sitsperfectlyquiet。AndGeorgecan'tspeak，throattoodry。Thenhemakesaneffort:H'm!H'm!Ohyes-unfortunately-sorrytodisappoint-mybrother-madeotherarrangements-goinghimself。
　　"Thefellowgetsup，neverraisinghiseyesofftheground，likeamodestgirl，andgoesoutsoftly，rightoutoftheofficewithoutasound。Cloetestickshischininhishandandbitesallhisfingersatonce。George'sheartslowsdownandhespeakstoCloete……Thiscan'tbedone。Howcanitbe？DirectlytheshipislostHarrywouldseethroughit。Youknowheisamantogototheunderwritershimselfwithhissuspicions。Andhewouldbreakhisheartoverme。HowcanIplaythatonhim？There'sonlytwoofusintheworldbelongingtoeachother……
　　"Cloeteletsoutahorridcuss-word，jumpsup，boltsawayintohisroom，andGeorgehearshimtherebangingthingsaround。Afterawhilehegoestothedoorandsaysinatremblingvoice:Youaskmeforanimpossibility……Cloeteinsidereadytoflyoutlikeatigerandrendhim；butheopensthedooralittlewayandsayssoftly:Talkingofhearts，yoursisnobiggerthanamouse's，letmetellyou……ButGeorgedoesn'tcare-loadofftheheart，anyhow。AndjustthenCaptainHarrycomesin……Hallo，Georgeboy。Iamlittlelate。WhataboutachopattheCheshire，now？……Rightyouare，oldman……Andofftheygotolunchtogether。
　　Cloetehasnothingtoeatthatday。
　　"Georgefeelsanewmanforatime；butallofasuddenthatfellowStaffordbeginstohangaboutthestreet，insightofthehousedoor。ThefirsttimeGeorgeseeshimhethinkshemadeamistake。
　　Butno；nexttimehehastogoout，thereistheveryfellowskulkingontheothersideoftheroad。ItmakesGeorgenervous；
　　buthemustgooutonbusiness，andwhenthefellowcutsacrosstheroad-wayhedodgeshim。Hedodgeshimonce，twice，threetimes；
　　butatlasthegetsnabbedinhisverydoorway……Whatdoyouwant？hesays，tryingtolookfierce。
　　"Itseemsthatructionshadcomeinthebasementofthatboarding-
　　house，andthewidowladyhadturnedonhimbeingjealousmad，totheextentoftalkingofthepolice。THATMr。Staffordcouldn'tstand；soheclearedoutlikeascaredstag，andtherehewas，chuckedintothestreets，sotospeak。Cloetelookedsosavageashewenttoandfrothathehadn'tthespunktotacklehim；butGeorgeseemedasofterkindtohiseye。Hewouldhavebeengladofhalfaquid，anything……I'vehadmisfortunes，hesayssoftly，inhisdemureway，whichfrightensGeorgemorethanarowwouldhavedone……Considertheseverityofmydisappointment，hesays……
　　"George，insteadoftellinghimtogotothedevil，loseshishead……Idon'tknowyou。Whatdoyouwant？hecries，andboltsup-
　　stairstoCloete……Lookwhat'scomeofit，hegasps；nowweareatthemercyofthathorridfellow……Cloetetriestoshowhimthatthefellowcandonothing；butGeorgethinksthatsomesortofscandalmaybeforcedon，anyhow。Saysthathecan'tlivewiththathorrorhauntinghim。Cloetewouldlaughifheweren'ttoowearyofitall。Thenathoughtstrikeshimandhechangeshistune……Well，perhaps!Iwillgodown-stairsandsendhimawaytobeginwith……Hecomesback……He'sgone。Butperhapsyouareright。Thefellow'shardup，andthat'swhatmakespeopledesperate。Thebestthingwouldbetogethimoutofthecountryforatime。Lookhere，thepoordevilisreallyinwantofemployment。Iwon'taskyoumuchthistime:onlytoholdyourtongue；andIshalltrytogetyourbrothertotakehimaschiefofficer。AtthisGeorgelayshisarmsandhisheadonhisdesk，sothatCloetefeelssorryforhim。ButaltogetherCloetefeelsmorecheerfulbecausehehasshakentheghostabitintothatStafford。
　　Thatveryafternoonhebuyshimasuitofblueclothes，andtellshimthathewillhavetoturntoandworkforhislivingnow。GotoseaasmateoftheSagamore。Theskunkwasn'tverywilling，butwhatwithhavingnothingtoeatandnoplacetosleepin，andthewomanhavingfrightenedhimwiththetalkofsomeprosecutionorother，hehadnochoice，properlyspeaking。Cloetetakescareofhimforacoupleofdays……Ourarrangementstillstands，sayshe。Here'stheshipboundforPortElizabeth；notasafeanchorageatall。Shouldshebychancepartfromheranchorsinanorth-eastgaleandgetlostonthebeach，asmanyofthemdo，why，it'sfivehundredinyourpocket-andaquickreturnhome。Youareuptothejob，ain'tyou？
　　"OurMr。Staffordtakesitallinwithdowncasteyes……Iamacompetentseaman，hesays，withhissly，modestair。Aship'schiefmatehasnodoubtmanyopportunitiestomanipulatethechainsandanchorstosomepurpose……AtthisCloetethumpshimontheback:You'lldo，mynoblesailor。Goinandwin……
　　"NextthingGeorgeknows，hisbrothertellshimthathehadoccasiontoobligehispartner。Andgladofit，too。Likesthepartnernoend。Tookafriendofhisasmate。Manhadhistroubles，beenashoreayearnursingadyingwife，itseems。Downonhisluck……Georgeprotestsearnestlythatheknowsnothingoftheperson。Sawhimonce。Notveryattractivetolookat……AndCaptainHarrysaysinhisheartyway，That'sso，butmustgivethepoordevilachance……
　　"SoMr。Staffordjoinsindock。Anditseemsthathedidmanagetomonkeywithoneofthecables-keepinghismindonPortElizabeth。
　　Theriggershadallthecablerangedondecktocleanlockers。Thenewmatewatchesthemgoashore-dinnerhour-andsendstheship-
　　keeperoutoftheshiptofetchhimabottleofbeer。Thenhegoestoworkwhittlingawaytheforelockoftheforty-five-fathomshackle-pin，givesitataportwowithahammerjusttomakeitloose，andofcoursethatcablewasn'tsafeanymore。Riggerscomeback-youknowwhatriggersare:comeday，goday，andGodsendSunday。Downgoesthechainintothelockerwithouttheirforemanlookingattheshacklesatall。Whatdoeshecare？Heain'tgoingintheship。Andtwodayslatertheshipgoestosea……"
　　AtthispointIwasincautiousenoughtobreatheoutanother"I
　　see，"whichgaveoffenceagain，andbroughtonmearude"No，youdon't"-asbefore。Butinthepauseherememberedtheglassofbeerathiselbow。Hedrankhalfofit，wipedhismustaches，andremarkedgrimly-
　　"Don'tyouthinkthattherewillbeanysealifeinthis，becausethereain't。Ifyou'regoingtoputinanyoutofyourownhead，now'syourchance。IsupposeyouknowwhattendaysofbadweatherintheChannelarelike？Idon't。Anyway，tenwholedaysgoby。
　　OneMondayCloetecomestotheofficealittlelate-hearsawoman'svoiceinGeorge'sroomandlooksin。Newspapersonthedesk，onthefloor；CaptainHarry'swifesittingwithredeyesandabagonthechairnearher……Lookatthis，saysGeorge，ingreatexcitement，showinghimapaper。Cloete'sheartgivesajump。Ha!WreckinWestportBay。TheSagamoregoneashoreearlyhoursofSunday，andsothenewspapermenhadtimetoputinsomeoftheirwork。Columnsofit。Lifeboatouttwice。Captainandcrewremainbytheship。Tugssummonedtoassist。Iftheweatherimproves，thiswell-knownfineshipmayyetbesaved……Youknowthewaythesechapsputit……Mrs。HarrythereonherwaytocatchatrainfromCannonStreet。Gotanhourtowait。
　　"CloetetakesGeorgeasideandwhispers:Shipsavedyet!Oh，damn!Thatmustneverbe；youhear？ButGeorgelooksathimdazed，andMrs。Harrykeepsonsobbingquietly:……Ioughttohavebeenwithhim。ButIamgoingtohim……Weareallgoingtogether，criesCloete，allofasudden。Herushesout，sendsthewomanacupofhotbovrilfromtheshopacrosstheroad，buysarugforher，thinksofeverything；andinthetraintucksherinandkeepsontalking，thirteentothedozen，alltheway，tokeepherspiritsup，asitwere；butreallybecausehecan'tholdhispeaceforveryjoy。Here'sthethingdoneallatonce，andnothingtopay。Done。Actuallydone。Hisheadswimsnowandagainwhenhethinksofit。Whatenormousluck!Italmostfrightenshim。Hewouldliketoyellandsing。MeantimeGeorgeDunbarsitsinhiscorner，lookingsodeadlymiserablethatatlastpoorMrs。Harrytriestocomforthim，andsocheersherselfupatthesametimebytalkingabouthowherHarryisaprudentman；notlikelytoriskhiscrew'slifeorhisownunnecessarily-andsoon。
　　"FirstthingtheyhearatWestportstationisthatthelife-boathasbeenouttotheshipagain，andhasbroughtoffthesecondofficer，whohadhurthimself，andafewsailors。Captainandtherestofthecrew，aboutfifteeninall，arestillonboard。Tugsexpectedtoarriveeverymoment。
　　"TheytakeMrs。Harrytotheinn，nearlyoppositetherocks；sheboltsstraightup-stairstolookoutofthewindow，andsheletsoutagreatcrywhensheseesthewreck。Shewon'tresttillshegetsonboardtoherHarry。Cloetesoothesherallhecan……Allright；youtrytoeatamouthful，andwewillgotomakeinquiries。
　　"HedrawsGeorgeoutoftheroom:Lookhere，shecan'tgoonboard，butIshall。I'llseetoitthathedoesn'tstopintheshiptoolong。Let'sgoandfindthecoxswainofthelife-boat……Georgefollowshim，shiveringfromtimetotime。Thewavesarewashingovertheoldpier；notmuchwind，awild，gloomyskyoverthebay。Inthewholeworldonlyonetugawayoff，headingtotheseas，tossedinandoutofsighteveryminuteasregularasclockwork。
　　"Theymeetthecoxswainandhetellsthem:Yes!He'sgoingoutagain。No，theyain'tindangeronboard-notyet。Buttheship'schanceisverypoor。Still，ifthewinddoesn'tpipeupagainandtheseagoesdownsomethingmightbetried。AftersometalkheagreestotakeCloeteonboard；supposedtobewithanurgentmessagefromtheownerstothecaptain。
　　"WheneverCloetelooksattheskyhefeelscomforted；itlookssothreatening。GeorgeDunbarfollowshimaboutwithawhitefaceandsayingnothing。Cloetetakeshimtohaveadrinkortwo，andbyandbyhebeginstopickup……That'sbetter，saysCloete；dashmeifitwasn'tlikewalkingaboutwithadeadmanbefore。Yououghttobethrowingupyourcap，man。IfeelasifIwantedtostandinthestreetandcheer。Yourbrotherissafe，theshipislost，andwearemademen。
　　"Areyoucertainshe'slost？asksGeorge。ItwouldbeanawfulblowafteralltheagoniesIhavegonethroughinmymind，sinceyoufirstspoketome，ifsheweretobegotoff-and-and-allthistemptationtobeginoveragain……Forwehadnothingtodowiththis；hadwe？
　　"Ofcoursenot，saysCloete。Wasn'tyourbrotherhimselfincharge？It'sprovidential……Oh!criesGeorge，shocked……
　　Well，sayit'sthedevil，saysCloete，cheerfully。Idon'tmind!
　　Youhadnothingtodowithitanymorethanababyunborn，yougreatsofty，you……CloetehasgotsothathealmostlovedGeorgeDunbar。Well。Yes。Thatwasso。Idon'tmeanherespectedhim。
　　Hewasjustfondofhispartner。
　　"Theygoback，youmaysayfairlyskipping，tothehotel，andfindthewifeofthecaptainattheopenwindow，withhereyesontheshipasifshewantedtoflyacrossthebayoverthere……Nowthen，Mrs。Dunbar，criesCloete，youcan'tgo，butIamgoing。Anymessages？Don'tbeshy。I'lldelivereverywordfaithfully。Andifyouwouldliketogivemeakissforhim，I'lldeliverthattoo，dashmeifIdon't。
　　"HemakesMrs。Harrylaughwithhispatter……Oh，dearMr。
　　Cloete，youareacalm，reasonableman。Makehimbehavesensibly。
　　He'sabitobstinate，youknow，andhe'ssofondoftheship，too。
　　TellhimIamhere-lookingon……Trustme，Mrs。Dunbar。Onlyshutthatwindow，that'sagoodgirl。Youwillbesuretocatchcoldifyoudon't，andtheCaptainwon'tbepleasedcomingoffthewrecktofindyoucoughingandsneezingsothatyoucan'ttellhimhowhappyyouare。Andnowifyoucangetmeabitoftapetofastenmyglassesongoodtomyears，Iwillbegoing……
　　"HowhegetsonboardIdon'tknow。Allwetandshakenandexcitedandoutofbreath，hedoesgetonboard。Shiplyingover，smotheredinsprays，butnotmovingverymuch；justenoughtojagone'snerveabit。Hefindsthemallcrowdedonthedeck-houseforward，intheirshinyoilskins，withfaceslikesickmen。
　　CaptainHarrycan'tbelievehiseyes。What!Mr。Cloete!Whatareyoudoinghere，inGod'sname？……Yourwife'sashorethere，lookingon，gaspsoutCloete；andaftertheyhadtalkedabit，CaptainHarrythinksit'suncommonlypluckyandkindofhisbrother'spartnertocomeofftohimlikethis。Mangladtohavesomebodytotalkto……It'sabadbusiness，Mr。Cloete，hesays。
　　AndCloeterejoicestohearthat。CaptainHarrythinkshehaddonehisbest，butthecablehadpartedwhenhetriedtoanchorher。Itwasagreattrialtolosetheship。Well，hewouldhavetofaceit。Hefetchesadeepsighnowandthen。Cloetealmostsorryhehadcomeonboard，becausetobeonthatwreckkeepshischestinatightbandallthetime。Theycrouchoutofthewindundertheportboat，alittleapartfromthemen。Thelife-boathadgoneawayafterputtingCloeteonboard，butwascomingbacknexthighwatertotakeoffthecrewifnoattemptatgettingtheshipafloatcouldbemade。Duskwasfalling；winter'sday；blacksky；windrising。CaptainHarryfeltmelancholy。God'swillbedone。Ifshemustbeleftontherocks-why，shemust。AmanshouldtakewhatGodsendshimstandingup……Suddenlyhisvoicebreaks，andhesqueezesCloete'sarm:ItseemsasifIcouldn'tleaveher，hewhispers。Cloetelooksroundatthemenlikealotofhuddledsheepandthinkstohimself:Theywon'tstay……Suddenlytheshipliftsalittleandsetsdownwithathump。Tiderising。
　　Everybodybeginningtolookoutforthelife-boat。Someofthemenmadeheroutfarawayandalsotwomoretugs。Butthegalehascomeonagain，andeverybodyknowsthatnotugwilleverdarecomeneartheship。
　　"That'stheend，CaptainHarrysays，verylow……Cloetethinksheneverfeltsocoldinallhislife……AndIfeelasifI
　　didn'tcaretoliveonjustnow，muttersCaptainHarry……Yourwife'sashore，lookingon，saysCloete……Yes。Yes。Itmustbeawfulforhertolookatthepooroldshiplyingheredonefor。
　　Why，that'sourhome。
　　"CloetethinksthataslongastheSagamore'sdoneforhedoesn'tcare，andonlywisheshimselfsomewhereelse。Theslightestmovementoftheshipcutshisbreathlikeablow。Andhefeelsexcitedbythedanger，too。Thecaptaintakeshimaside……Thelife-boatcan'tcomenearusformorethananhour。Lookhere，Cloete，sinceyouarehere，andsuchapluckyone-dosomethingforme……Hetellshimthenthatdowninhiscabinaftinacertaindrawerthereisabundleofimportantpapersandsomesixtysovereignsinasmallcanvasbag。AsksCloetetogoandgetthesethingsout。Hehasn'tbeenbelowsincetheshipstruck，anditseemstohimthatifheweretotakehiseyesoffhershewouldfalltopieces。Andthenthemen-ascaredlotbythistime-ifheweretoleavethembythemselvestheywouldattempttolaunchoneoftheship'sboatsinapanicatsomeheavierthump-andthensomeofthemboundtogetdrowned……Therearetwoorthreeboxesofmatchesaboutmyshelvesinmycabinifyouwantalight，saysCaptainHarry。Onlywipeyourwethandsbeforeyoubegintofeelforthem……
　　"Cloetedoesn'tlikethejob，butdoesn'tliketoshowfunk，either-andhegoes。Lotsofwateronthemain-deck，andhesplashesalong；itwasgettingdark，too。Allatonce，bythemainmast，somebodycatcheshimbythearm。Stafford。Hewasn'tthinkingofStaffordatall。CaptainHarryhadsaidsomethingastothematenotbeingquitesatisfactory，butitwasn'tmuch。Cloetedoesn'trecognisehiminhisoilskinsatfirst。Heseesawhitefacewithbigeyespeeringathim……Areyoupleased，Mr。Cloete……？
　　"Cloeteismovedtolaughatthewhine，andshakeshimoff。Butthefellowscramblesonafterhimonthepoopandfollowshimdownintothecabinofthatwreckedship。Andtheretheyare，thetwoofthem；canhardlyseeeachother……Youdon'tmeantomakemebelieveyouhavehadanythingtodowiththis，saysCloete……
　　"Theybothshiver，nearlyoutoftheirwitswiththeexcitementofbeingonboardthatship。Shethumpsandlurches，andtheystaggertogether，feelingsick。CloeteagainburstsoutlaughingatthatwretchedcreatureStaffordpretendingtohavebeenuptosomethingsodesperate……Isthathowyouthinkyoucantreatmenow？yellstheothermanallofasudden……
　　"Aseastrikesthestern，theshiptremblesandgroansallroundthem，there'sthenoiseoftheseasaboutandoverhead，confusingCloete，andhehearstheotherscreamingasifcrazy……Ah，youdon'tbelieveme!Goandlookattheportchain。Parted？Eh？Goandseeifit'sparted。Goandfindthebrokenlink。Youcan't。
　　There'snobrokenlink。Thatmeansathousandpoundsforme。Noless。Athousandthedayafterwegetashore-prompt。Iwon'twaittillshebreaksup，Mr。Cloete。TotheunderwritersIgoifI'vetowalktoLondononmybarefeet。Portcable!Lookatherportcable，Iwillsaytothem。Idoctoredit-fortheowners-
　　temptedbyalowrascalcalledCloete。
　　"Cloetedoesnotunderstandwhatitmeansexactly。Allheseesisthatthefellowmeanstomakemischief。Heseestroubleahead……
　　Doyouthinkyoucanscareme？heasks，-youpoormiserableskunk……AndStaffordfaceshimout-bothholdingontothecabintable:No，damnyou，youareonlyadirtyvagabond；butIcanscaretheother，thechapintheblackcoat……
　　"MeaningGeorgeDunbar。Cloete'sbrainreelsatthethought。Hedoesn'timaginethefellowcandoanyrealharm，butheknowswhatGeorgeis；givetheshowaway；upsetthewholebusinesshehadsethishearton。Hesaysnothing；hehearstheother，whatwiththefunkandstrainandexcitement，pantinglikeadog-andthenasnarl……Athousanddown，twenty-fourhoursafterwegetashore；
　　dayafterto-morrow。That'smylastword，Mr。Cloete……A
　　thousandpounds，dayafterto-morrow，saysCloete。Ohyes。Andto-daytakethis，youdirtycur……Hehitsstraightfromtheshoulderinsheerrage，nothingelse。Staffordgoesawayspinningalongthebulk-head。Seeingthis，Cloetestepsoutandlandshimanotheronesomewhereaboutthejaw。Thefellowstaggersbackwardrightintothecaptain'scabinthroughtheopendoor。Cloete，followinghimup，hearshimfalldownheavilyandrolltoleeward，thenslamsthedoortoandturnsthekey……There!sayshetohimself，thatwillstopyoufrommakingtrouble。"
　　"ByJove!"Imurmured。
　　Theoldfellowdepartedfromhisimpressiveimmobilitytoturnhisrakishlyhattedheadandlookatmewithhisold，black，lack-
　　lustreeyes。
　　"Hedidleavehimthere，"heuttered，weightily，returningtothecontemplationofthewall。"Cloetedidn'tmeantoallowanybody，letaloneathinglikeStafford，tostandinthewayofhisgreatnotionofmakingGeorgeandhimself，andCaptainHarry，too，forthatmatter，richmen。Andhedidn'tthinkmuchofconsequences。
　　Thesepatent-medicinechapsdon'tcarewhattheysayorwhattheydo。Theythinktheworld'sboundtoswallowanystorytheyliketotell……Hestandslisteningforabit。Anditgiveshimquiteaturntohearathumpatthedoorandasortofmuffledravingscreechinsidethecaptain'sroom。Hethinkshehearshisownname，too，throughtheawfulcrashastheoldSagamorerisesandfallstoasea。Thatnoiseandthatawfulshockmakehimclearoutofthecabin。Hecollectshissensesonthepoop。Buthisheartsinksalittleattheblackwildnessofthenight。Chancesthathewillgetdrownedhimselfbeforelong。Putshisheaddownthecompanion。ThroughthewindandbreakingseashecanhearthenoiseofStafford'sbeatingagainstthedoorandcursing。Helistensandsaystohimself:No。Can'ttrusthimnow……
　　"Whenhegetsbacktothetopofthedeck-househesaystoCaptainHarry，whoaskshimifhegotthethings，thatheisverysorry。
　　Therewassomethingwrongwiththedoor。Couldn'topenit。Andtotellyouthetruth，sayshe，Ididn'tliketostopanylongerinthatcabin。Therearenoisesthereasiftheshipweregoingtopieces……CaptainHarrythinks:Nervous；can'tbeanythingwrongwiththedoor。Buthesays:Thanks-nevermind，nevermind……
　　Allhandslookingoutnowforthelife-boat。Everybodythinkingofhimselfrather。Cloeteaskshimself，willtheymisshim？ButthefactisthatMr。Staffordhadmadesuchpoorshowatseathataftertheshipstrucknobodyeverpaidanyattentiontohim。Nobodycaredwhathedidorwherehewas。Pitchdark，too-nocountingofheads。Thelightofthetugwiththelifeboatintowisseenmakingfortheship，andCaptainHarryasks:Areweallthere？……Somebodyanswers:Allhere，sir……Standbytoleavetheship，then，saysCaptainHarry；andtwoofyouhelpthegentlemanoverfirst……Aye，aye，sir……CloetewasmovedtoaskCaptainHarrytolethimstaytilllast，butthelife-boatdropsonagrapnelabreastthefore-rigging，twochapslayholdofhim，watchtheirchance，anddrophimintoher，allsafe。
　　"He'snearlyexhausted；notusedtothatsortofthing，yousee。
　　Hesitsinthestern-sheetswithhiseyesshut。Don'twanttolookatthewhitewaterboilingallaround。Themendropintotheboatoneafteranother。ThenhehearsCaptainHarry'svoiceshoutinginthewindtothecoxswain，toholdonamoment，andsomeotherwordshecan'tcatch，andthecoxswainyellingback:Don'tbelong，sir……Whatisit？Cloeteasksfeelingfaint……Somethingabouttheship'spapers，saysthecoxswain，veryanxious。It'snotimetobefoolingaboutalongside，youunderstand。Theyhaultheboatoffalittleandwait。Thewaterfliesoverherinsheets。Cloete'ssensesalmostleavehim。Hethinksofnothing。He'snumballover，tillthere'sashout:Hereheis!……Theyseeafigureinthefore-riggingwaiting-theyslackawayonthegrapnel-lineandgethimintheboatquiteeasy。Thereisalittleshouting-it'sallmixedupwiththenoiseofthesea。CloetefanciesthatStafford'svoiceistalkingawayquiteclosetohisear。There'salullinthewind，andStafford'svoiceseemstobespeakingveryfasttothecoxswain；hetellshimthatofcoursehewasnearhisskipper，wasallthetimenearhim，tilltheoldmansaidatthelastmomentthathemustgoandgettheship'spapersfromaft；
　　wouldinsistongoinghimself；toldhim，Stafford，togetintothelife-boat……Hehadmeanttowaitforhisskipper，onlytherecamethissmoothoftheseas，andhethoughthewouldtakehischanceatonce。
　　"Cloeteopenshiseyes。Yes。There'sStaffordsittingclosebyhiminthatcrowdedlife-boat。ThecoxswainstoopsoverCloeteandcries:Didyouhearwhatthematesaid，sir？……Cloete'sfacefeelsasifitweresetinplaster，lipsandall。Yes，Idid，heforceshimselftoanswer。Thecoxswainwaitsamoment，thensays:
　　Idon'tlikeit……Andheturnstothemate，tellinghimitwasapityhedidnottrytorunalongthedeckandhurryupthecaptainwhenthelullcame。Staffordanswersatoncethathedidthinkofit，onlyhewasafraidofmissinghimonthedeckinthedark。
　　For，sayshe，thecaptainmighthavegotoveratonce，thinkingI
　　wasalreadyinthelife-boat，andyouwouldhavehauledoffperhaps，leavingmebehind……Trueenough，saysthecoxswain。A
　　minuteorsopasses。Thiswon'tdo，muttersthecoxswain。
　　SuddenlyStaffordspeaksupinasortofhollowvoice:IwasbywhenhetoldMr。Cloeteherethathedidn'tknowhowhewouldeverhavethecouragetoleavetheoldship；didn'the，now？……AndCloetefeelshisarmbeinggrippedquietlyinthedark……Didn'thenow？Wewerestandingtogetherjustbeforeyouwentover，Mr。
　　Cloete？……
　　"Justthenthecoxswaincriesout:I'mgoingonboardtosee……
　　Cloetetearshisarmaway:Iamgoingwithyou……
　　"Whentheygetaboard，thecoxswaintellsCloetetogoaftalongonesideoftheshipandhewouldgoalongtheothersoasnottomissthecaptain……Andfeelaboutwithyourhands，too，sayshe；
　　hemighthavefallenandbelyinginsensiblesomewhereonthedeck……WhenCloetegetsatlasttothecabincompaniononthepoopthecoxswainisalreadythere，peeringdownandsniffing。Idetectasmellofsmokedownthere，sayshe。Andheyells:Areyouthere，sir？……Thisisnotacaseforshouting，saysCloete，feelinghisheartgostony，asitwere……Downtheygo。Pitchdark；theinclinationsosharpthatthecoxswain，gropinghiswayintothecaptain'sroom，slipsandgoestumblingdown。Cloetehearshimcryoutasthoughhehadhurthimself，andaskswhat'sthematter。Andthecoxswainanswersquietlythathehadfallenonthecaptain，lyingthereinsensible。Cloetewithoutawordbeginstogropeallovertheshelvesforaboxofmatches，findsone，andstrikesalight。HeseesthecoxswaininhiscorkjacketkneelingoverCaptainHarry……Blood，saysthecoxswain，lookingup，andthematchgoesout……
　　"Waitabit，saysCloete；I'llmakepaperspills……Hehadfeltthebackofbooksontheshelves。AndsohestandslightingonespillfromanotherwhilethecoxswainturnspoorCaptainHarryover。Dead，hesays。Shotthroughtheheart。Here'stherevolver……HehandsituptoCloete，wholooksatitbeforeputtingitinhispocket，andseesaplateonthebuttwithH。
　　DUNBARonit……Hisown，hemutters……Whoseelserevolverdidyouexpecttofind？snapsthecoxswain。Andlook，hetookoffhislongoilskininthecabinbeforehewentin。Butwhat'sthislotofburntpaper？Whatcouldhewanttoburntheship'spapersfor？……
　　Cloeteseesall，thelittledrawersdrawnout，andasksthecoxswaintolookwellintothem……There'snothing，saystheman。
　　Cleanedout。Seemstohavepulledoutallhecouldlayhishandsonandsetfiretothelot。Mad-that'swhatitis-wentmad。
　　Andnowhe'sdead。You'llhavetobreakittohiswife……
　　"IfeelasifIweregoingmadmyself，saysCloete，suddenly，andthecoxswainbegshimforGod'ssaketopullhimselftogether，anddragshimawayfromthecabin。Theyhadtoleavethebody，andasitwastheywerejustintimebeforeafurioussquallcameon。
　　Cloeteisdraggedintothelife-boatandthecoxswaintumblesin。
　　Haulawayonthegrapnel，heshouts；thecaptainhasshothimself……
　　"Cloetewaslikeadeadman-didn'tcareforanything。HeletthatStaffordpinchhisarmtwicewithoutmakingasign。MostofWestportwasontheoldpiertoseethemenoutofthelife-boat，andatfirsttherewasasortofconfusedcheeryuproarwhenshecamealongside；butafterthecoxswainhasshoutedsomethingthevoicesdieout，andeverybodyisveryquiet。AssoonasCloetehassetfootonsomethingfirmhebecomeshimselfagain。Thecoxswainshakeshandswithhim:Poorwoman，poorwoman，I'dratheryouhadthejobthanI……
　　"Where'sthemate？"asksCloete。He'sthelastmanwhospoketothemaster……Somebodyranalong-thecrewwerebeingtakentotheMissionHall，wheretherewasafireandshake-downsreadyforthem-somebodyranalongthepierandcaughtupwithStafford……
　　Here!Theowner'sagentwantsyou……Cloetetucksthefellow'sarmunderhisownandwalksawaywithhimtotheleft，wherethefishing-harbouris……IsupposeIhaven'tmisunderstoodyou。Youwishmetolookafteryouabit，sayshe。Theotherhangsonhimratherlimp，butgivesanastylittlelaugh:Youhadbetter，hemumbles；butmind，notricks；notricks，Mr。Cloete；weareonlandnow。
　　"There'sapoliceofficewithinfiftyyardsfromhere，saysCloete。
　　Heturnsintoalittlepublichouse，pushesStaffordalongthepassage。Thelandlordrunsoutofthebar……Thisisthemateoftheshipontherocks，Cloeteexplains；Iwishyouwouldtakecareofhimabitto-night……What'sthematterwithhim？askstheman。Staffordleansagainstthewallinthepassage，lookingghastly。AndCloetesaysit'snothing-doneup，ofcourse……I
　　willberesponsiblefortheexpense；Iamtheowner'sagent。I'llberoundinanhourortwotoseehim。
　　AndCloetegetsbacktothehotel。Thenewshadtravelledtherealready，andthefirstthingheseesisGeorgeoutsidethedooraswhiteasasheetwaitingforhim。Cloetejustgiveshimanodandtheygoin。Mrs。Harrystandsattheheadofthestairs，and，whensheseesonlythesetwocomingup，flingsherarmsaboveherheadandrunsintoherroom。Nobodyhaddaredtellher，butnotseeingherhusbandwasenough。Cloetehearsanawfulshriek……Gotoher，hesaystoGeorge。
　　"Whilehe'saloneintheprivateparlourCloetedrinksaglassofbrandyandthinksitallout。ThenGeorgecomesin……Thelandlady'swithher，hesays。Andhebeginstowalkupanddowntheroom，flinginghisarmsaboutandtalking，disconnectedlike，hisfacesethardasCloetehasneverseenitbefore……Whatmustbe，mustbe。Dead-onlybrother。Well，dead-histroublesover。
　　Butweareliving，hesaystoCloete；andIsuppose，sayshe，glaringathimwithhot，dryeyes，thatyouwon'tforgettowireinthemorningtoyourfriendthatwearecominginforcertain……
　　"Meaningthepatent-medicinefellow……Deathisdeathandbusinessisbusiness，Georgegoeson；andlook-myhandsareclean，hesays，showingthemtoCloete。Cloetethinks:He'sgoingcrazy。Hecatchesholdofhimbytheshouldersandbeginstoshakehim:Damnyou-ifyouhadhadthesensetoknowwhattosaytoyourbrother，ifyouhadhadthespunktospeaktohimatall，youmoralcreatureyou，hewouldbealivenow，heshouts。
　　"AtthisGeorgestares，thenburstsoutweepingwithagreatbellow。Hethrowshimselfonthecouch，burieshisfaceinacushion，andhowlslikeakid……That'sbetter，thinksCloete，andheleaveshim，tellingthelandlordthathemustgoout，ashehassomelittlebusinesstoattendtothatnight。Thelandlord'swife，weepingherself，catcheshimonthestairs:Oh，sir，thatpoorladywillgooutofhermind……
　　"Cloeteshakesheroff，thinkingtohimself:Ohno!Shewon't。
　　Shewillgetoverit。NobodywillgomadaboutthisaffairunlessIdo。Itisn'tsorrowthatmakespeoplegomad，butworry。
　　"ThereCloetewaswrong。WhataffectedMrs。Harrywasthatherhusbandshouldtakehisownlife，withher，asitwere，lookingon。
　　ShebroodedoveritsothatinlessthanayeartheyhadtoputherintoaHome。Shewasvery，veryquiet；justgentlemelancholy。
　　Shelivedforquitealongtime。
　　"Well，Cloetesplashesalonginthewindandrain。Nobodyinthestreets-alltheexcitementover。Thepublicanrunsouttomeethiminthepassageandsaystohim:Notthisway。Heisn'tinhisroom。Wecouldn'tgethimtogotobednohow。He'sinthelittleparlourthere。We'velightedhimafire……Youhavebeengivinghimdrinkstoo，saysCloete；IneversaidIwouldberesponsiblefordrinks。Howmany？……Two，saystheother。It'sallright。
　　Idon'tminddoingthatmuchforashipwreckedsailor……Cloetesmileshisfunnysmile:Eh？Come。Hepaidforthem……Thepublicanjustblinks……Gaveyougold，didn'the？Speakup!……Whatofthat!criestheman。Whatareyouafter，anyway？Hehadtherightchangeforhissovereign。
　　"Justso，saysCloete。Hewalksintotheparlour，andthereheseesourStafford；hairalluponend，landlord'sshirtandpantson，barefeetinslippers，sittingbythefire。WhenheseesCloetehecastshiseyesdown。
　　"Youdidn'tmeanusevertomeetagain，Mr。Cloete，Staffordsays，demurely……Thatfellow，whenhehadthedrinkhewanted-hewasn'tadrunkard-wouldputonthissortofsly，modestair……
　　Butsincethecaptaincommittedsuicide，hesays，Ihavebeensittingherethinkingitout。Allsortsofthingshappen。
　　Conspiracytolosetheship-attemptedmurder-andthissuicide。
　　Forifitwasnotsuicide，Mr。Cloete，thenIknowofavictimofthemostcruel，cold-bloodedattemptatmurder；somebodywhohassufferedathousanddeaths。Andthatmakesthethousandpoundsofwhichwespokeonceaquiteinsignificantsum。Lookhowveryconvenientthissuicideis……
　　"HelooksupatCloetethen，whosmilesathimandcomesquiteclosetothetable。
　　"YoukilledHarryDunbar，hewhispers……Thefellowglaresathimandshowshisteeth:OfcourseIdid!Ihadbeeninthatcabinforanhourandahalflikearatinatrap……Shutupandlefttodrowninthatwreck。Letfleshandbloodjudge。OfcourseI
　　shothim!Ithoughtitwasyou，youmurderingscoundrel，comebacktosettleme。Heopensthedoorflyingandtumblesrightdownuponme；Ihadarevolverinmyhand，andIshothim。Iwascrazy。Menhavegonecrazyforless。
　　"Cloetelooksathimwithoutflinching。Aha!That'syourstory，isit？……Andheshakesthetablealittleinhispassionashespeaks……Nowlistentomine。What'sthisconspiracy？Who'sgoingtoproveit？Youweretheretorob。Youwereriflinghiscabin；hecameuponyouunawareswithyourhandsinthedrawer；andyoushothimwithhisownrevolver。Youkilledtosteal-tosteal!Hisbrotherandtheclerksintheofficeknowthathetooksixtypoundswithhimtosea。Sixtypoundsingoldinacanvasbag。Hetoldmewheretheywere。Thecoxswainofthelife-boatcansweartoitthatthedrawerswereallempty。Andyouaresuchafoolthatbeforeyou'rehalfanhourashoreyouchangeasovereigntopayforadrink。Listentome。Ifyoudon'tturnupdayafterto-morrowatGeorgeDunbar'ssolicitors，tomaketheproperdepositionastothelossoftheship，Ishallsetthepoliceonyourtrack。Dayafterto-morrow……
　　"Andthenwhatdoyouthink？ThatStaffordbeginstotearhishair。Justso。Tugsatitwithbothhandswithoutsayinganything。Cloetegivesapushtothetablewhichnearlysendsthefellowoffhischair，tumblinginsidethefender；sothathehasgottocatchholdofittosavehimself……
　　"YouknowthesortofmanIam，Cloetesays，fiercely。I'vegottoapointthatIdon'tcarewhathappenstome。Iwouldshootyounowfortuppence。
　　"Atthisthecurdodgesunderthetable。ThenCloetegoesout，andasheturnsinthestreet-youknow，littlefishermen'scottages，alldark；rainingintorrents，too-theotheropensthewindowoftheparlourandspeaksinasortofcryingvoice-
　　"YoulowYankeefiend-I'llpayyouoffsomeday。
　　"Cloetepassesbywithadamnbitterlaugh，becausehethinksthatthefellowinawayhaspaidhimoffalready，ifheonlyknewit。"
　　Myimpressiveruffiandrankwhatremainedofhisbeer，whilehisblack，sunkeneyeslookedatmeovertherim。
　　"Idon'tquiteunderstandthis，"Isaid。"Inwhatway？"
　　HeunbentalittleandexplainedwithouttoomuchscornthatCaptainHarrybeingdead，hishalfoftheinsurancemoneywenttohiswife，andhertrusteesofcourseboughtconsolswithit。
　　Enoughtokeephercomfortable。GeorgeDunbar'shalf，asCloetefearedfromthefirst，didnotprovesufficienttolaunchthemedicinewell；othermoneyedmensteppedin，andthesetwohadtogooutofthatbusiness，prettynearlyshornofeverything。
　　"Iamcurious，"Isaid，"tolearnwhatthemotiveforceofthistragicaffairwas-Imeanthepatentmedicine。Doyouknow？"
　　Henamedit，andIwhistledrespectfully。NothinglessthanParker'sLivelyLumbagoPills。Enormousproperty!Youknowit；
　　alltheworldknowsit。Everysecondman，atleast，onthisglobeofourshastriedit。
　　"Why!"Icried，"theymissedanimmensefortune。"
　　"Yes，"hemumbled，"bythepriceofarevolver-shot。"
　　HetoldmealsothateventuallyCloetereturnedtotheStates，passengerinacargo-boatfromAlbertDock。Thenightbeforehesailedhemethimwanderingaboutthequays，andtookhimhomeforadrink。"Funnychap，Cloete。Wesatallnightdrinkinggrogs，tillitwastimeforhimtogoonboard。"
　　ItwasthenthatCloete，unembitteredbutweary，toldhimthisstory，withthatutterlyunconsciousfranknessofapatent-medicinemanstrangertoallmoralstandards。Cloeteconcludedbyremarkingthathe，had"hadenoughoftheoldcountry。"GeorgeDunbarhadturnedonhim，too，intheend。Cloetewasclearlysomewhatdisillusioned。
　　AstoStafford，hedied，professedloafer，insomeEastEndhospitalorother，andonhislastdayclamoured"foraparson，"
　　becausehisconscienceworriedhimforkillinganinnocentman。
　　"Wantedsomebodytotellhimitwasallright，"growledmyoldruffian，contemptuously。"HetoldtheparsonthatIknewthisCloetewhohadtriedtomurderhim，andsotheparsonheworkedamongthedocklabourersoncespoketomeaboutit。Thatskunkofafellowfindinghimselftrappedyelledformercy……Promisedtobegoodandsoon……Thenhewentcrazy……screamedandthrewhimselfabout，beathisheadagainstthebulkheads……youcanguessallthat-eh？……tillhewasexhausted。Gaveup。Threwhimselfdown，shuthiseyes，andwantedtopray。Sohesays。
　　Triedtothinkofsomeprayerforaquickdeath-hewasthatterrified。Thoughtthatifhehadaknifeorsomethinghewouldcuthisthroat，andbedonewithit。Thenhethinks:No!Wouldtrytocutawaythewoodaboutthelock……Hehadnoknifeinhispocket……hewasweepingandcallingonGodtosendhimatoolofsomekindwhensuddenlyhethinks:Axe!Inmostshipsthereisaspareemergencyaxekeptinthemaster'sroominsomelockerorother……Uphejumps……Pitchdark。"Pullsatthedrawerstofindmatchesand，gropingforthem，thefirstthinghecomesupon-
　　CaptainHarry'srevolver。Loadedtoo。Hegoesperfectlyquietallover。Canshootthelocktopieces。See？Saved!God'sprovidence!Thereareboxesofmatchestoo。Thinkshe:ImayjustaswellseewhatIamabout。
　　"Strikesalightandseesthelittlecanvasbagtuckedawayatthebackofthedrawer。Knewatoncewhatthatwas。Ramsitintohispocketquick。Aha!sayshetohimself:thisrequiresmorelight。
　　Sohepitchesalotofpaperonthefloor，setfiretoit，andstartsinahurryrummagingformorevaluables。Didyouever？HetoldthatEast-Endparsonthatthedeviltemptedhim。FirstGod'smercy-thendevil'swork。Turnandturnabout……
　　"Anysquirmingskunkcantalklikethat。Hewassobusywiththedrawersthatthefirstthingheheardwasashout，GreatHeavens。
　　HelooksupandtherewasthedooropenCloetehadleftthekeyinthelockandCaptainHarryholdingon，wellabovehim，veryfierceinthelightoftheburningpapers。Hiseyeswerestartingoutofhishead。Thieving，hethundersathim。Asailor!Anofficer!
　　No!Awretchlikeyoudeservesnobetterthantobeleftheretodrown。
　　"ThisStafford-onhisdeath-bed-toldtheparsonthatwhenheheardthesewordshewentcrazyagain。Hesnatchedhishandwiththerevolverinitoutofthedrawer，andfiredwithoutaiming。
　　CaptainHarryfellrightinwithacrashlikeastoneontopoftheburningpapers，puttingtheblazeout。Alldark。Notasound。Helistenedforabitthendroppedtherevolverandscrambledoutondecklikemad。"
　　Theoldfellowstruckthetablewithhisponderousfist。
　　"Whatmakesmesickistohearthesesillyboat-mentellingpeoplethecaptaincommittedsuicide。Pah!CaptainHarrywasamanthatcouldfacehisMakeranytimeupthere，andherebelow，too。Hewasn'tthesorttoslinkoutoflife。Nothe!Hewasagoodmandowntotheground。HegavememyfirstjobasstevedoreonlythreedaysafterIgotmarried。"
　　AsthevindicationofCaptainHarryfromthechargeofsuicideseemedtobehisonlyobject，Ididnotthankhimveryeffusivelyforhismaterial。Andthenitwasnotworthmanythanksinanycase。
　　ForitistoostartlingeventothinkofsuchthingshappeninginourrespectableChannelinfullview，sotospeak，oftheluxuriouscontinentaltraffictoSwitzerlandandMonteCarlo。ThisstorytobeacceptableshouldhavebeentransposedtosomewhereintheSouthSeas。Butitwouldhavebeentoomuchtroubletocookitfortheconsumptionofmagazinereaders。Sohereitisraw，sotospeak-
　　justasitwastoldtome-butunfortunatelyrobbedofthestrikingeffectofthenarrator；themostimposingoldruffianthateverfollowedtheunromantictradeofmasterstevedoreintheportofLondon。
　　Oct。1910。
　　THEINNOFTHETWOWITCHES-AFIND
　　Thistale，episode，experience-callithowyouwill-wasrelatedinthefiftiesofthelastcenturybyamanwho，byhisownconfession，wassixtyyearsoldatthetime。Sixtyisnotabadage-unlessinperspective，whennodoubtitiscontemplatedbythemajorityofuswithmixedfeelings。Itisacalmage；thegameispracticallyoverbythen；andstandingasideonebeginstorememberwithacertainvividnesswhatafinefellowoneusedtobe。Ihaveobservedthat，byanamiableattentionofProvidence，mostpeopleatsixtybegintotakearomanticviewofthemselves。
　　Theirveryfailuresexhaleacharmofpeculiarpotency。Andindeedthehopesofthefutureareafinecompanytolivewith，exquisiteforms，fascinatingifyoulike，but-sotospeak-naked，strippedforarun。Therobesofglamourareluckilythepropertyoftheimmovablepastwhich，withoutthem，wouldsit，ashiverysortofthing，underthegatheringshadows。
　　Isupposeitwastheromanticismofgrowingagewhichsetourmantorelatehisexperienceforhisownsatisfactionorforthewonderofhisposterity。Itcouldnothavebeenforhisglory，becausetheexperiencewassimplythatofanabominablefright-terrorhecallsit。Youwouldhaveguessedthattherelationalludedtointheveryfirstlineswasinwriting。
　　ThiswritingconstitutestheFinddeclaredinthesub-title。Thetitleitselfismyowncontrivance，can'tcallitinvention，andhasthemeritofveracity。Wewillbeconcernedwithaninnhere。
　　Astothewitchesthat'smerelyaconventionalexpression，andwemusttakeourman'swordforitthatitfitsthecase。
　　TheFindwasmadeinaboxofbooksboughtinLondon，inastreetwhichnolongerexists，fromasecond-handbooksellerinthelaststageofdecay。Astothebooksthemselvestheywereatleasttwentieth-hand，andoninspectionturnedoutnotworththeverysmallsumofmoneyIdisbursed。Itmighthavebeensomepremonitionofthatfactwhichmademesay:"ButImusthavetheboxtoo。"Thedecayedbooksellerassentedbythecareless，tragicgestureofamanalreadydoomedtoextinction。
　　Alitterofloosepagesatthebottomoftheboxexcitedmycuriositybutfaintly。Theclose，neat，regularhandwritingwasnotattractiveatfirstsight。ButinoneplacethestatementthatinA。D。1813thewriterwastwenty-twoyearsoldcaughtmyeye。
　　Twoandtwentyisaninterestingageinwhichoneiseasilyrecklessandeasilyfrightened；thefacultyofreflectionbeingweakandthepowerofimaginationstrong。
　　Inanotherplacethephrase:"Atnightwestoodinagain，"
　　arrestedmylanguidattention，becauseitwasaseaphrase。"Let'sseewhatitisallabout，"Ithought，withoutexcitement。
　　Oh!butitwasadull-facedMS。，eachlineresemblingeveryotherlineintheirclose-setandregularorder。Itwaslikethedroneofamonotonousvoice。Atreatiseonsugar-refiningthedreariestsubjectIcanthinkofcouldhavebeengivenamorelivelyappearance。"InA。D。1813，Iwastwenty-twoyearsold，"hebeginsearnestlyandgoesonwitheveryappearanceofcalm，horribleindustry。Don'timagine，however，thatthereisanythingarchaicinmyfind。Diabolicingenuityininventionthoughasoldastheworldisbynomeansalostart。Lookatthetelephonesforshatteringthelittlepeaceofmindgiventousinthisworld，oratthemachinegunsforlettingwithdispatchlifeoutofourbodies。Now-a-daysanyblear-eyedoldwitchifonlystrongenoughtoturnaninsignificantlittlehandlecouldlaylowahundredyoungmenoftwentyinthetwinklingofaneye。
　　Ifthisisn'tprogress!……Whyimmense!Wehavemovedon，andsoyoumustexpecttomeethereacertainnaivenessofcontrivanceandsimplicityofaimappertainingtotheremoteepoch。Andofcoursenomotoringtouristcanhopetofindsuchaninnanywhere，now。Thisone，theoneofthetitle，wassituatedinSpain。ThatmuchIdiscoveredonlyfrominternalevidence，becauseagoodmanypagesofthatrelationweremissing-perhapsnotagreatmisfortuneafterall。Thewriterseemedtohaveenteredintoamostelaboratedetailofthewhyandwhereforeofhispresenceonthatcoast-presumablythenorthcoastofSpain。Hisexperiencehasnothingtodowiththesea，though。AsfarasIcanmakeitout，hewasanofficeronboardasloop-of-war。There'snothingstrangeinthat。AtallstagesofthelongPeninsularcampaignmanyofourmen-of-warofthesmallerkindwerecruisingoffthenorthcoastofSpain-asriskyanddisagreeableastationascanbewellimagined。
　　Itlooksasthoughthatshipofhishadhadsomespecialservicetoperform。Acarefulexplanationofallthecircumstanceswastobeexpectedfromourman，only，asI'vesaid，someofhispagesgoodtoughpapertooweremissing:goneincoversforjampotsorinwaddingforthefowling-piecesofhisirreverentposterity。Butitistobeseenclearlythatcommunicationwiththeshoreandeventhesendingofmessengersinlandwaspartofherservice，eithertoobtainintelligencefromortotransmitordersoradvicetopatrioticSpaniards，guerillerosorsecretjuntasoftheprovince。
　　Somethingofthesort。Allthiscanbeonlyinferredfromthepreservedscrapsofhisconscientiouswriting。
　　Nextwecomeuponthepanegyricofaveryfinesailor，amemberoftheship'scompany，havingtheratingofthecaptain'scoxswain。