Itmayinterestreadersofthisstorytoknowthatitsauthorbelievesittohaveacertainfoundationinfact。
　　Itwassaidaboutfive-and-twentyorthirtyyearsagothatanadventuroustrader，hearingfromsomenativesintheterritorythatliesatthebackofQuilimane，thelegendofagreattreasureburiedinoraboutthesixteenthcenturybyapartyofPortuguesewhowereafterwardsmassacred，asalastresourceattempteditsdiscoverybythehelpofamesmerist。Accordingtothishistorythechildwhowasusedasasubjectintheexperiment，wheninastateoftrance，detailedtheadventuresanddeathoftheunhappyPortuguesemenandwomen，twoofwhomleaptfromthepointofahighrockintotheZambesi。AlthoughheknewnotonguebutEnglish，thisclairvoyantchildisdeclaredtohaverepeatedinPortuguesetheprayerstheseunfortunatesofferedup，andeventohavesungtheveryhymnstheysang。Moreover，withmuchotherdetail，hedescribedtheburialofthegreattreasureanditsexactsituationsoaccuratelythatthewhitemanandthemesmeristwereabletodigforandfindtheplacewhere/ithadbeen/——forthebagsweregone，sweptoutbythefloodsoftheriver。
　　Somegoldcoinsremained，however，oneofthemaducatofAloysiusMocenigo，DogeofVenice。Afterwardstheboywasagainthrownintoatranceinallhewasmesmerizedeighttimes，andrevealedwherethesacksstilllay；butbeforethewhitetradercouldrenewhissearchforthem，thepartywashuntedoutofthecountrybynativeswhosesuperstitiousfearswerearoused，barelyescapingwiththeirlives。
　　Itshouldbeaddedthat，asinthefollowingtale，thechiefwhowasrulingtherewhenthetragedyhappened，declaredtheplacetobesacred，andthatifitwereenteredevilwouldbefallhistribe。Thusitcameaboutthatforgenerationsitwasneverviolated，untilatlengthhisdescendantsweredrivenfartherfromtheriverbywar，andfromoneofthemthewhitemanheardthelegend。
　　BENITA
　　ANAFRICANROMANCE
　　I
　　CONFIDENCES
　　Beautiful，beautifulwasthatnight！Noairthatstirred；theblacksmokefromthefunnelsofthemailsteamer/Zanzibar/laylowoverthesurfaceofthesealikevast，floatingostrichplumesthatvanishedonebyoneinthestarlight。BenitaBeatrixClifford，forthatwasherfullname，whohadbeenchristenedBenitaafterhermotherandBeatrixafterherfather’sonlysister，leaningidlyoverthebulwarkrail，thoughttoherselfthatachildmighthavesailedthatseainaboatofbarkandcomesafelyintoport。
　　Thenatallmanofaboutthirtyyearsofage，whowassmokingacigar，strolleduptoher。Athiscomingshemovedalittleasthoughtomakeroomforhimbesideher，andtherewassomethinginthemotionwhich，hadanyonebeentheretoobserveit，mighthavesuggestedthatthesetwowereupontermsoffriendship，orstillgreaterintimacy。Foramomenthehesitated，andwhilehedidsoanexpressionofdoubt，ofdistresseven，gatheredonhisface。Itwasasthoughheunderstoodthatagreatdealdependedonwhetherheacceptedordeclinedthatgentleinvitation，andknewnotwhichtodo。
　　Indeed，muchdiddependuponit，nolessthanthedestiniesofbothofthem。IfRobertSeymourhadgonebytofinishhiscigarinsolitude，whythenthisstorywouldhavehadaverydifferentending；or，rather，whocansayhowitmighthaveended？Thedread，foredoomedeventwithwhichthatnightwasbigwouldhavecometoitsawfulbirthleavingcertainwordsunspoken。Violentseparationmusthaveensued，andevenifbothofthemhadsurvivedtheterror，whatprospectwastherethattheirliveswouldagainhavecrossedeachotherinthatwideAfrica？
　　Butitwasnotsofated，forjustasheputhisfootforwardtocontinuehismarchBenitaspokeinherlowandpleasantvoice。”Areyougoingtothesmoking-roomortothesaloontodance，Mr。
　　Seymour？Oneoftheofficersjusttoldmethatthereistobeadance，”sheadded，inexplanation，”becauseitissocalmthatwemightfancyourselvesashore。””Neither，”heanswered。”Thesmoking-roomisstuffy，andmydancingdaysareover。No；Iproposedtotakeexerciseafterthatbigdinner，andthentositinachairandfallasleep。But，”headded，andhisvoicegrewinterested，”howdidyouknowthatitwasI？Youneverturnedyourhead。””Ihaveearsinmyheadaswellaseyes，”sheansweredwithalittlelaugh，”andafterwehavebeennearlyamonthtogetheronthisshipI
　　oughttoknowyourstep。””Ineverrememberthatanyoneeverrecognizeditbefore，”hesaid，moretohimselfthantoher，thencameandleanedovertherailatherside。Hisdoubtsweregone。Fatehadspoken。
　　Forawhiletherewassilencebetweenthem，thenheaskedherifshewerenotgoingtothedance。
　　Benitashookherhead。”Whynot？Youarefondofdancing，andyoudanceverywell。Alsothereareplentyofofficersforpartners，especiallyCaptain——”andhecheckedhimself。”Iknow，”shesaid；”itwouldbepleasant，but——Mr。Seymour，willyouthinkmefoolishifItellyousomething？””Ihaveneverthoughtyoufoolishyet，MissClifford，soIdon’tknowwhyIshouldbeginnow。Whatisit？””IamnotgoingtothedancebecauseIamafraid，yes，horriblyafraid。””Afraid！Afraidofwhat？””Idon’tquiteknow，but，Mr。Seymour，Ifeelasthoughwewereallofusupontheedgeofsomedreadfulcatastrophe——asthoughtherewereabouttobeamightychange，andbeyonditanotherlife，somethingnewandunfamiliar。Itcameovermeatdinner——thatwaswhyIleftthetable。QuitesuddenlyIlooked，andallthepeopleweredifferent，yes，allexceptafew。””WasIdifferent？”heaskedcuriously。”No，youwerenot，”andhethoughtheheardheradd”ThankGod！”
　　beneathherbreath。”Andwereyoudifferent？””Idon’tknow。Ineverlookedatmyself；Iwastheseer，nottheseen。
　　Ihavealwaysbeenlikethat。””Indigestion，”hesaidreflectively。”Weeattoomuchonboardship，andthedinnerwasverylongandheavy。Itoldyouso，that’swhyI’mtaking——ImeanwhyIwantedtotakeexercise。””Andtogotosleepafterwards。””Yes，firsttheexercise，thenthesleep。MissClifford，thatistheruleoflife——anddeath。Withsleepthoughtends，thereforeforsomeofusyourcatastropheismuchtobedesired，foritwouldmeanlongsleepandnothought。””Isaidthattheywerechanged，notthattheyhadceasedtothink。
　　Perhapstheythoughtthemore。””Thenletuspraythatyourcatastrophemaybeaverted。Iprescribeforyoubismuthandcarbonateofsoda。Alsointhisweatheritseemsdifficulttoimaginesuchathing。Looknow，MissClifford，”headded，withanoteofenthusiasminhisvoice，pointingtowardstheeast，”look。”
　　Hereyesfollowedhisoutstretchedhand，andthere，abovethelevelocean，rosethegreatorboftheAfricanmoon。Lo！ofasuddenallthatoceanturnedtosilver，awidepathofripplingsilverstretchedfromittothem。Itmighthavebeentheroadofangels。Thesweetsoftlightbeatupontheirship，showingitstaperingmastsandeverydetailoftherigging。Itpassedonbeyondthem，andrevealedthelow，foam-fringedcoast-linerisinghereandthere，dottedwithkloofsandtheirclingingbush。EventheroundhutsofKaffirkraalsbecamefaintlyvisibleinthatradiance。Otherthingsbecamevisiblealso——
　　forinstance，thefeaturesofthispair。
　　Themanwaslightinhiscolouring，fair-skinned，withfairhairwhichalreadyshowedatendencytowardsgreyness，especiallyinthemoustache，forheworenobeard。Hisfacewascleancut，notparticularlyhandsome，since，theirfinenessnotwithstanding，hisfeatureslackedregularity；thecheekbonesweretoohighandthechinwastoosmall，smallfaultsredeemedtosomeextentbythesteadyandcheerfulgreyeyes。Fortherest，hewasbroad-shoulderedandwell-
　　set-up，sealedwiththeindescribablestampoftheEnglishgentleman。
　　SuchwastheappearanceofRobertSeymour。
　　Inthatlightthegirlathissidelookedlovely，though，infact，shehadnorealclaimstoloveliness，exceptperhapsasregardsherfigure，whichwasagile，rounded，andpeculiarlygraceful。Herforeign-lookingfacewasunusual，dark-eyed，asomewhatlargeandverymobilemouth，fairandwavinghair，abroadforehead，asweetandattimeswistfulface，thoughtfulforthemostpart，butapttobeirradiatedbysuddensmiles。Notabeautifulwomanatall，butexceedinglyattractive，onepossessingmagnetism。
　　Shegazed，firstatthemoonandthesilverroadbeneathit，then，turning，atthelandbeyond。”WeareveryneartoAfrica，atlast，”shesaid。”Toonear，Ithink，”heanswered。”IfIwerethecaptainIshouldstandoutapointortwo。Itisastrangecountry，fullofsurprises。
　　MissClifford，willyouthinkmerudeifIaskyouwhyyouaregoingthere？Youhavenevertoldme——quite。””No，becausethestoryisratherasadone；butyoushallhearitifyouwish。Doyou？”
　　Henodded，anddrewuptwodeckchairs，inwhichtheysettledthemselvesinacornermadebyoneoftheinboardboats，theirfacesstilltowardsthesea。”YouknowIwasborninAfrica，”shesaid，”andlivedtheretillIwasthirteenyearsold——why，IfindIcanstillspeakZulu；Ididsothisafternoon。MyfatherwasoneoftheearlysettlersinNatal。Hisfatherwasaclergyman，ayoungersonoftheLincolnshireCliffords。
　　Theyaregreatpeopletherestill，thoughIdon’tsupposethattheyareawareofmyexistence。””Iknowthem，”answeredRobertSeymour。”Indeed，IwasshootingattheirplacelastNovember——whenthesmashcame，”andhesighed；”butgoon。””Well，myfatherquarrelledwithhisfather，Idon’tknowwhatabout，andemigrated。InNatalhemarriedmymother，aMissFerreira，whosename——likemineandhermother’s——wasBenita。Shewasoneoftwosisters，andherfather，AndreasFerreira，whomarriedanEnglishlady，washalfDutchandhalfPortuguese。Irememberhimwell，afineoldmanwithdarkeyesandaniron-greybeard。Hewaswealthyasthingswentinthosedays——thatistosay，hehadlotsoflandinNatalandtheTransvaal，andgreatherdsofstock。SoyouseeIamhalfEnglish，someDutch，andmorethanaquarterPortuguese——quiteamixtureofraces。Myfatherandmotherdidnotgetonwelltogether。
　　Mr。Seymour，Imayaswelltellyouallthetruth:hedrank，andalthoughhewaspassionatelyfondofher，shewasjealousofhim。Alsohegambledawaymostofherpatrimony，andafteroldAndreasFerreira’sdeaththeygrewpoor。Onenighttherewasadreadfulscenebetweenthem，andinhismadnesshestruckher。”Well，shewasaveryproudwoman，determined，too，andsheturnedonhimandsaid——forIheardher——’Iwillneverforgiveyou；wehavedonewitheachother。’Nextmorning，whenmyfatherwassober，hebeggedherpardon，butshemadenoanswer，althoughhewasstartingsomewhereonafortnight’strek。WhenhehadgonemymotherorderedtheCapecart，packedupherclothes，tooksomemoneythatshehadputaway，drovetoDurban，andaftermakingarrangementsatthebankaboutasmallprivateincomeofherown，sailedwithmeforEngland，leavingaletterformyfatherinwhichshesaidthatshewouldneverseehimagain，andifhetriedtointerferewithmeshewouldputmeundertheprotectionoftheEnglishcourt，whichwouldnotallowmetobetakentothehomeofadrunkard。”InEnglandwewenttoliveinLondonwithmyaunt，whohadmarriedaMajorKing，butwasawidowwithfivechildren。Myfatheroftenwrotetopersuademymothertogobacktohim，butsheneverwould，whichI
　　thinkwaswrongofher。Sothingswentonfortwelveyearsormore，tillonedaymymothersuddenlydied，andIcameintoherlittlefortuneofbetween￡200and￡300ayear，whichshehadtiedupsothatnobodycantouchit。Thatwasaboutayearago。Iwrotetotellmyfatherofherdeath，andreceivedapitifulletter；indeed，Ihavehadseveralofthem。Heimploredmetocomeouttohimandnottoleavehimtodieinhisloneliness，ashesoonwoulddoofabrokenheart，ifIdidnot。Hesaidthathehadlongagogivenupdrinking，whichwasthecauseoftheruinofhislife，andsentacertificatesignedbyamagistrateandadoctortothateffect。Well，intheend，althoughallmycousinsandtheirmotheradvisedmeagainstit，I
　　consented，andhereIam。HeistomeetmeatDurban，buthowweshallgetontogetherismorethanIcansay，thoughIlongtoseehim，forafterallheismyfather。””Itwasgoodofyoutocome，underallthecircumstances。Youmusthaveabraveheart，”saidRobertreflectively。”Itismyduty，”sheanswered。”Andfortherest，IamnotafraidwhowasborntoAfrica。Indeed，oftenandoftenhaveIwishedtobebackthereagain，outontheveld，farawayfromtheLondonstreetsandfog。Iamyoungandstrong，andIwanttoseethings，naturalthings——
　　notthosemadebyman，youknow——thethingsIrememberasachild。OnecanalwaysgobacktoLondon。””Yes，oratleastsomepeoplecan。Itisacuriousthing，MissClifford，butasithappensIhavemetyourfather。Youalwaysremindedmeoftheman，butIhadforgottenhisname。Nowitcomesbacktome；it/was/Clifford。””Whereonearth？”sheasked，astonished。”Inaqueerplace。AsItoldyou，IhavevisitedSouthAfricabefore，underdifferentcircumstances。FouryearsagoIwasoutherebig-gameshooting。GoinginfromtheEastcoastmybrotherandI——heisdeadnow，poorfellow——gotupsomewhereintheMatabelecountry，onthebanksoftheZambesi。Aswedidn’tfindmuchgamethereweweregoingtostrikesouth，whensomenativestoldusofawonderfulruinthatstoodonahilloverhangingtheriverafewmilesfartheron。So，leavingthewaggononthehithersideofthesteepnek，overwhichitwouldhavebeendifficulttodragit，mybrotherandItookourriflesandabagoffoodandstarted。Theplacewasfartheroffthanwethought，althoughfromthetopofthenekwecouldseeitclearlyenough，andbeforewereacheditdarkhadfallen。”Nowwehadobservedawaggonandatentoutsidethewallwhichwethoughtmustbelongtowhitemen，andheadedforthem。Therewasalightinthetent，andtheflapwasopen，thenightbeingveryhot。
　　Insidetwomenwereseated，oneold，withagreybeard，andtheother，agood-lookingfellow——underforty，Ishouldsay——withaJewishface，dark，piercingeyes，andablack，pointedbeard。Theywereengagedinexaminingaheapofgoldbeadsandbangles，whichlayonthetablebetweenthem。AsIwasabouttospeak，theblack-beardedmanheardorcaughtsightofus，andseizingariflethatleanedagainstthetable，swungroundandcoveredme。”’ForGod’ssakedon’tshoot，Jacob，’saidtheoldman；’theyareEnglish。’”’Bestdead，anyway，’answeredtheother，inasoftvoice，withaslightforeignaccent，’wedon’twantspiesorthieveshere。’”’Weareneither，butIcanshootaswellasyou，friend，’Iremarked，forbythistimemyriflewasonhim。”Thenhethoughtbetterofit，anddroppedhisgun，andweexplainedthatweweremerelyonanarch？ologicalexpedition。Theendofitwasthatwebecamecapitalfriends，thoughneitherofuscouldcottonmuchtoMr。Jacob——Iforgethisothername。Hestruckmeastoohandywithhisrifle，andwas，Igathered，anindividualwithamysteriousandratherluridpast。Tocutalongstoryshort，whenhefoundoutthatwehadnointentionofpoaching，yourfather，foritwashe，toldusfranklythattheyweretreasure-hunting，havinggotholdofsomestoryaboutavaststoreofgoldwhichhadbeenhiddenawaytherebyPortuguesetwoorthreecenturiesbefore。Theirtroublewas，however，thattheMakalanga，wholivedinthefortress，whichwascalledBambatse，wouldnotallowthemtodig，becausetheysaidtheplacewashaunted，andiftheydidsoitwouldbringbadlucktotheirtribe。””Anddidtheyevergetin？”askedBenita。”IamsureIdon’tknow，forwewentnextday，thoughbeforeweleftwecalledontheMakalanga，whoadmittedusallreadilyenoughsolongaswebroughtnospadeswithus。Bytheway，thegoldwesawyourfatherandhisfriendexaminingwasfoundinsomeancientgravesoutsidethewalls，buthadnothingtodowiththebigandmythicaltreasure。””Whatwastheplacelike？Iloveoldruins，”brokeinBenitaagain。”Oh！wonderful。Agigantic，circularwallbuiltbyheavenknowswho，thenhalf-wayupthehillanotherwall，andnearthetopathirdwallwhich，Iunderstood，surroundedasortofholyofholies，andaboveeverything，onthebrinkoftheprecipice，agreatconeofgranite。””Artificialornatural？””Idon’tknow。Theywouldnotletusupthere，butwewereintroducedtotheirchiefandhighpriest，ChurchandStateinone，andawonderfuloldmanhewas，verywiseandverygentle。Irememberhetoldmehebelievedweshouldmeetagain，whichseemedanoddthingforhimtosay。Iaskedhimaboutthetreasureandwhyhewouldnotlettheotherwhitemenlookforit。Heansweredthatitwouldneverbefoundbyanyman，whiteorblack，thatonlyawomanwouldfinditattheappointedtime，whenitpleasedtheSpiritofBambatse，underwhoseguardianshipitwas。””WhowastheSpiritofBambatse，Mr。Seymour？””Ican’ttellyou，couldn’tmakeoutanythingdefiniteabouther，exceptthatshewassaidtobewhite，andtoappearsometimesatsunrise，orinthemoonlight，standinguponthetallpointofrockofwhichItoldyou。IrememberthatIgotupbeforethedawntolookforher——likeanidiot，forofcourseIsawnothing——andthat’sallIknowaboutthematter。””Didyouhaveanytalkwithmyfather，Mr。Seymour——alone，Imean？””Yes，alittle。Thenextdayhewalkedbacktoourwaggonwithus，beingglad，Ifancy，ofachangefromtheperpetualsocietyofhispartnerJacob。Thatwasn’twonderfulinamanwhohadbeenbroughtupatEtonandOxford，asIfoundouthehad，likemyself，andwhateverhisfailingsmayhavebeen——althoughwesawnosignofthem，forhewouldnottouchadropofspirits——wasagentleman，whichJacobwasn’t。Still，he——Jacob——hadreadalot，especiallyonout-of-the-waysubjects，andcouldtalkeverylanguageunderthesun——acleverandagreeablescoundrelinshort。””Didmyfathersayanythingabouthimself？””Yes；hetoldmethathehadbeenanunsuccessfulmanallhislife，andhadmuchtoreproachhimselfwith，forwegotquiteconfidentialatlast。HeaddedthathehadafamilyinEngland——whatfamilyhedidn’tsay——whomhewasanxioustomakewealthybywayofreparationforpastmisdeeds，andthatwaswhyhewastreasure-hunting。However，fromwhatyoutellme，Ifearheneverfoundanything。””No，Mr。Seymour，heneverfounditandneverwill，butallthesameI
　　amgladtohearthathewasthinkingofus。AlsoIshouldliketoexplorethatplace，Bambatse。””SoshouldI，MissClifford，inyourcompany，andyourfather’s，butnotinthatofJacob。Ifeveryoushouldgotherewithhim，Isay:——
　　’BewareofJacob。’””Oh！IamnotafraidofJacob，”sheansweredwithalaugh，”althoughI
　　believethatmyfatherstillhassomethingtodowithhim——atleastinoneofhislettershementionedhispartner，whowasaGerman。””AGerman！IthinkthathemusthavemeantaGermanJew。”
　　Afterthistherewassilencebetweenthemforatime，thenhesaidsuddenly，”Youhavetoldmeyourstory，wouldyouliketohearmine？””Yes，”sheanswered。”Well，itwon’ttakeyoulongtolistentoit，for，MissClifford，likeCanning’sneedyknife-grinder，Ihavereallynonetotell。Youseebeforeyouoneofthemostuselesspersonsintheworld，anundistinguishedmemberofwhatiscalledinEnglandthe’leisuredclass，’whocandoabsolutelynothingthatisworthdoing，exceptshootstraight。””Indeed，”saidBenita。”Youdonotseemimpressedwiththataccomplishment，”hewenton，”yetitisanhonestfactthatforthelastfifteenyears——Iwasthirty-twothismonth——practicallymywholetimehasbeengivenuptoit，withalittlefishingthrownininthespring。AsIwanttomakethemostofmyself，IwilladdthatIamsupposedtobeamongthesixbestshotsinEngland，andthatmyambition——yes，greatHeavens！myambition——wastobecomebetterthantheotherfive。Bythatsinfellthepoormanwhospeakstoyou。Iwassupposedtohaveabilities，butIneglectedthemalltopursuethisformofidleness。Ienterednoprofession，I
　　didnowork，withtheresultthatatthirty-twoIamruinedandalmosthopeless。””Whyruinedandhopeless？”sheaskedanxiously，forthewayinwhichtheywerespokengrievedhermorethanthewordsthemselves。”Ruinedbecausemyolduncle，theHonourableJohnSeymourSeymour，whoseheirIwas，committedtheindiscretionofmarryingayoungladywhohaspresentedhimwiththrivingtwins。Withtheappearanceofthosetwinsmyprospectsdisappeared，asdidtheallowanceof￡1，500ayearthathewasgoodenoughtomakemeonwhichtokeepupapositionashisnext-of-kin。Ihadsomethingofmyown，butalsoIhaddebts，andatthepresentmomentadraftinmypocketfor￡2，16314s。5d。，andalittleloosecash，representsthetotalofmyworldlygoods，justaboutthesumIhavebeenaccustomedtospendperannum。””Idon’tcallthatruin，Icallthatriches，”saidBenita，relieved。”With￡2，000tobeginonyoumaymakeafortuneinAfrica。Buthowaboutthehopelessness？””IamhopelessbecauseIhaveabsolutelynothingtowhichtolookforward。Really，whenthat￡2，000isgoneIdonotknowhowtoearnasixpence。InthisdilemmaitoccurredtomethattheonlythingI
　　coulddowastoturnmyshootingtopracticalaccount，andbecomeahunterofbiggame。ThereforeIproposetokillelephantsuntilanelephantkillsme。Atleast，”headdedinachangedvoice，”Ididsoproposeuntilhalfanhourago。”
　　II
　　THEENDOFTHE”ZANZIBAR。””Untilhalfanhourago？Thenwhy——”andBenitastopped。”HaveIchangedmyverymodestschemeoflife？MissClifford，asyouaresogoodastobesufficientlyinterested，Iwilltellyou。ItisbecauseatemptationwhichhithertoIhavebeenabletoresist，hasduringthelastthirtyminutesbecometoostrongforme。Youknoweverythinghasitsbreakingstrain。”Hepuffednervouslyathiscigar，threwitintothesea，paused，thenwenton:”MissClifford，Ihavedaredtofallinlovewithyou。No；hearmeout。WhenIhavedoneitwillbequitetimeenoughtogivemetheanswerthatIexpect。
　　Meanwhile，forthefirsttimeinmylife，allowmetheluxuryofbeinginearnest。Tomeitisanewsensation，andthereforeverypriceless。
　　MayIgoon？”
　　Benitamadenoanswer。Herosewithacertaindeliberatenesswhichcharacterizedallhismovements——forRobertSeymourneverseemedtobeinahurry——andstoodinfrontofhersothatthemoonlightshoneuponherface，whilehisownremainedinshadow。”Beyondthat￡2，000ofwhichIhavespoken，andincidentallyitsowner，Ihavenothingwhatsoevertooffertoyou。Iamanindigentandworthlessperson。Eveninmyprosperousdays，whenIcouldlookforwardtoalargeestate，althoughitwasoftensuggestedtome，I
　　neverconsideredmyselfjustifiedinaskinganyladytoshare——theprospectiveestate。IthinknowthattherealreasonwasthatInevercaredsufficientlyforanylady，sinceotherwisemyselfishnesswouldprobablyhaveovercomemyscruples，asitdoesto-night。Benita，forI
　　willcallyouso，ifforthefirstandlasttime，I——I——loveyou。”Listennow，”hewenton，droppinghismeasuredmanner，andspeakinghurriedly，likeamanwithanearnestmessageandlittletimeinwhichtodeliverit，”itisanoddthing，anincomprehensiblething，buttrue，true——IfellinlovewithyouthefirsttimeIsawyourface。
　　Youremember，youstoodthereleaningoverthebulwarkwhenIcameonboardatSouthampton，andasIwalkedupthegangway，Ilookedandmyeyesmetyours。ThenIstopped，andthatstoutoldladywhogotoffatMadeirabumpedintome，andaskedmetobegoodenoughtomakeupmymindifIweregoingbackwardorforward。Doyouremember？””Yes，”sheansweredinalowvoice。”Whichthingsareanallegory，”hecontinued。”Ifeltitsoatthetime。Yes，Ihadhalfamindtoanswer’Backward’andgiveupmyberthinthisship。ThenIlookedatyouagain，andsomethinginsideofmesaid’Forward。’SoIcameuptherestofthegangwayandtookoffmyhattoyou，asalutationIhadnorighttomake，butwhich，Irecall，youacknowledged。”
　　Hepaused，thencontinued:”Asitbegan，soithasgoneon。Itisalwayslikethat，isitnot？Thebeginningiseverything，theendmustfollow。Andnowithascomeout，asIwasfullydeterminedthatitshouldnotdohalfanhourago，whensuddenlyyoudevelopedeyesinthebackofyourhead，and——oh！dearest，Iloveyou。No，pleasebequiet；Ihavenotdone。IhavetoldyouwhatIam，andreallythereisn’tmuchmoretosayaboutme，forIhavenoparticularvicesexcepttheworstofthemall，idleness，andnottheslightesttraceofanyvirtuethatIcandiscover。ButIhaveacertainknowledgeoftheworldacquiredinalongcourseofshootingparties，andasamanoftheworldIwillventuretogiveyouabitofadvice。Itispossiblethattoyoumylifeanddeathaffairisamerematterofboard-shipamusement。Yetitispossiblealsothatyoumighttakeanotherviewofthematter。Inthatcase，asafriendandamanoftheworld，I
　　entreatyou——don’t。Havenothingtodowithme。Sendmeaboutmybusiness；youwillneverregretit。””Areyoumakingfun，orisallthismeant，Mr。Seymour？”askedBenita，stillspeakingbeneathherbreath，andlookingstraightbeforeher。”Meant？Ofcourseitismeant。Howcanyouask？””BecauseIhavealwaysunderstoodthatonsuchoccasionspeoplewishtomakethebestofthemselves。””Quiteso，butIneverdowhatIought，afactforwhichIamgratefulnowcometothinkofit，sinceotherwiseIshouldnotbehereto-night。Iwishtomaketheworstofmyself，theveryworst，forwhateverIamnot，atleastIamhonest。NowhavingtoldyouthatI
　　am，orwashalfanhourago，anidler，agood-for-nothing，prospectlessfailure，Iaskyou——ifyoucaretohearanymore？”
　　Shehalfrose，and，glancingathimforthefirsttime，sawhisfacecontractitselfandturnpaleinthemoonlight。Itmaybethatthesightofitaffectedher，eventotheextentofremovingsomeadverseimpressionleftbythebittermockingofhisself-blame。Atanyrate，Benitaseemedtochangehermind，andsatdownagain，saying:”Goon，ifyouwish。”
　　Hebowedslightly，andsaid:”Ithankyou。IhavetoldyouwhatI/was/halfanhourago；now，hopingthatyouwillbelieveme，IwilltellyouwhatI/am/。Iamatrulyrepentantman，oneuponwhomanewlighthasrisen。Iamnotveryold，andIthinkthatunderneathitallIhavesomeability。
　　Opportunitymaystillcomemyway；ifitdoesnot，foryoursakeI
　　willmaketheopportunity。Idonotbelievethatyoucaneverfindanyonewhowouldloveyoubetterorcareforyoumoretenderly。I
　　desiretoliveforyouinthefuture，morecompletelyeventhaninthepastIhavelivedformyself。Idonotwishtoinfluenceyoubypersonalappeals，butinfactIstandatthepartingoftheways。IfyouwillgiveyourselftomeIfeelasthoughImightstillbecomeahusbandofwhomyoucouldbeproud——ifnot，Iwrite’Finis’uponthetombstoneofthepossibilitiesofRobertSeymour。Iadoreyou。YouaretheonewomanwithwhomIdesiretopassmydays；itisyouwhohavealwaysbeenlackingtomylife。Iaskyoutobebrave，totaketheriskofmarryingme，althoughIcanseenothingbutpovertyaheadofus，forIamanadventurer。””Don’tspeaklikethat，”shesaidquickly。”Weareallofusadventurersinthisworld，andImorethanyou。Wehavejusttoconsiderourselves，notwhatwehaveorhavenot。””Sobeit，MissClifford。ThenIhavenothingmoretosay；nowitisforyoutoanswer。”
　　Justthenthesoundofthepianoandthefiddleinthesaloonceased。
　　Oneofthewaltzeswasover，andsomeofthedancerscameupondecktoflirtortocoolthemselves。Onepair，engagedveryobviouslyintheformeroccupation，stationedthemselvessoneartoRobertandBenitathatfurtherconversationbetweenthemwasimpossible，andthereproceededtointerchangetheremarkscommontosuchoccasions。
　　Foragoodtenminutesdidtheystandthus，carryingonamockquarrelastoadanceofwhichoneofthemwassupposedtohavebeendefrauded，untilRobertSeymour，generallyaveryphilosophicalperson，couldhaveslainthoseinnocentlovers。Hefelt，heknewnotwhy，thathischanceswereslippingawayfromhim；thatsensationofsomethingbadabouttohappen，ofwhichBenitahadspoken，spreadfromhertohim。Thesuspensegrewexasperating，terribleeven，norcoulditbeended。Toaskhertocomeelsewherewasunderthecircumstancesnotfeasible，especiallyashewouldalsohavebeenobligedtorequesttheotherpairtomakewayforthem，andallthistime，withasinkingoftheheart，hefeltthatprobablyBenitawasbeatingdownanytendernesswhichshemightfeeltowardshim；thatwhenherlong-
　　delayedanswerdidcomethechanceswereitwouldbe”No。”
　　Thepianobegantoplayagaininthesaloon，andtheyoungpeople，stillsquabblingarchly，atlengthpreparedtodepart。Suddenlytherewasastiruponthebridge，andagainstthetenderskyRobertsawamandashforward。Nextinstanttheengine-roombellrangfiercely。Heknewthesignal——itwas”Stop，”followedatoncebyotherringingsthatmeant”Fullspeedastern。””Iwonderwhatisup？”saidtheyoungmantotheyoungwoman。
　　Beforethewordshadlefthislipstheyknew。Therewasasensationasthoughallthehullofthegreatshiphadcometoacompletestandstill，whilethetoppartofhercontinuedtotravelforward；
　　followedbyanothersensationstillmoreterribleandsickeninginitsnature——thatofslippingoversomething，helplessly，heavily，asamanslipsuponiceorapolishedfloor。Sparscracked，ropesflewintwowithanoiseasofpistolshots。Heavyobjectsrushedaboutthedeck，travellingforwardsallofthem。BenitawashurledfromherchairagainstRobertsothatthetwoofthemrolledintothescuppers。Hewasunhurtandpickedhimselfup，butshelaystill，andhesawthatsomethinghadstruckheruponthehead，forbloodwasrunningdownhercheek。Heliftedher，and，filledwithblackhorroranddespair——forhethoughthergone——pressedhishanduponherheart。ThankGod！itbegantobeatagain——shestilllived。
　　Themusicinthesaloonhadstopped，andforalittlewhiletherewassilence。Thenofaninstanttherearosethehorribleclamourofshipwreck；wild-eyedpeoplerushedtoandfroaimlessly；hereandtherewomenandchildrenshrieked；aclergymanfelluponhiskneesandbegantopray。
　　Thiswentonforaspace，tillpresentlythesecondofficerappearedand，affectinganunconcernedair，calledoutthatitwasallright，thecaptainsaidnoonewastobeafraid。Headdedthattheywerenotmorethansixmilesfromtheshore，andthattheshipwouldbebeachedinhalfanhour。Indeed，ashespoketheengines，whichhadbeenstopped，commencedtoworkagain，andherheadswungroundinawidecircle，pointingtotheland。Evidentlytheyhadpassedovertherockandwereoncemoreindeepwater，throughwhichtheytravelledatagoodspeedbutwithaheavylisttostarboard。Thepumpsgottoworkalsowithamonotonous，clangingbeat，throwingoutgreatcolumnsoffoamingwaterontotheoilysea。Menbegantocutthecoversofftheboats，andtoswingsomeofthemoutboard。Suchwerethethingsthatwentonaboutthem。
　　WiththesenselessBenitaclaspedtohisbreast，thebloodfromhercutheadrunningdownhisshoulder，Robertstoodstillawhile，thinking。Thenhemadeuphismind。Asitchanced，shehadadeckcabin，andthitherheforcedhisway，carryinghertenderlyandwithpatiencethroughthedistractedthrongofpassengers，fortherewerefivehundredsoulsonboardthatship。Hereachedtheplacetofindthatitwasquiteempty，hercabinmatehavingfled。LayingBenitauponthelowerbunk，helittheswingingcandle。Assoonasitburneduphesearchedforthelifebeltsandbygoodfortunefoundtwoofthem，oneofwhich，notwithoutgreatdifficulty，hesucceededinfasteningroundher。Thenhetookaspongeandbathedherheadwithwater。Therewasagreatbruiseuponhertemplewheretheblockorwhateveritwashadstruckher，andthebloodstillflowed；butthewoundwasnotverydeeporextensive，nor，sofarashecoulddiscover，didtheboneappeartobebrokenordrivenin。Hehadgoodhopethatshewasonlystunned，andwouldrevivepresently。Unabletodomoreforher，athoughtstruckhim。Onthefloorofthecabin，thrownbytheshockfromtherack，layherwritingcase。Heopenedit，andtakingapieceofpaperwrotethesewordshurriedlyinpencil:”Yougavemenoanswer，anditismorethanprobablethatIshallreceivenoneinthisworldwhichoneorbothofusmaybeuponthevergeofleaving。Inthelattercasewecansettlethematterelsewhere——perhaps。Intheformer，shoulditbemylottogoandyourstostay，Ihopethatyouwillthinkkindlyofmeattimesasofonewholovedyoutruly。Shoulditbeyourstogo，thenyouwillneverreadthesewords。Yetiftothedeadisgivenknowledge，beassuredthatasyouleftmesoyoushallfindme，yoursandyoursalone。Orperhapswebothmaylive；Iprayso——S。R。S。”
　　Foldingupthepaper，heundidabuttonofBenita’sblouseandthrustitawaythere，knowingthatthusshewouldcertainlyfinditshouldshesurvive。Thenhesteppedoutontothedecktoseewhatwashappening。Thevesselstillsteamed，butmadeslowprogress；moreover，thelisttostarboardwasnowsopronouncedthatitwasdifficulttostandupright。Onaccountofitnearlyallthepassengerswerehuddledtogetherupontheportside，havinginstinctivelytakenrefugeasfaraspossibleabovethewater。Amanwithawhite，distraughtfacestaggeredtowardshim，supportinghimselfbythebulwarks。Itwasthecaptain。Foramomenthepausedasthoughtothink，holdingtoastanchion。RobertSeymoursawhisopportunityandaddressedhim。”Forgiveme，”hesaid；”Idonotlikeinterferingwithotherpeople’sbusiness，butforreasonsunconnectedwithmyselfIsuggesttoyouthatitwouldbewisetostopthisshipandgetouttheboats。Theseaiscalm；ifitisnotlefttilltoolatethereshouldbenodifficultyinlaunchingthem。”
　　Themanstaredathimabsently，thensaid:”Theywon’tholdeverybody，Mr。Seymour。Ihopetobeachher。””Atleasttheywillholdsome，”heanswered，”whereas——”Andhepointedtothewater，whichbynowwasalmostlevelwiththedeck。”Perhapsyouareright，Mr。Seymour。Itdoesn’tmattertome，anyway。
　　Iamaruinedman；butthepoorpassengers——thepoorpassengers！”Andhescrambledawayfiercelytowardsthebridgelikeawoundedcatalongtheboughofatree，whenceinafewsecondsRobertheardhimshoutingorders。
　　Aminuteorsoafterwardsthesteamerstopped。Toolatethecaptainhaddecidedtosacrificehisshipandsavethoseshecarried。Theywerebeginningtogetouttheboats。NowRobertreturnedtothecabinwhereBenitawaslyingsenseless，andwrappedherupinacloakandsomeblankets。Then，seeingthesecondlifebeltonthefloor，byanafterthoughtheputiton，knowingthattherewastimetospare。NextheliftedBenita，andfeelingsurethattherushwouldbeforthestarboardside，onwhichtheboatswerequitenearthewater，carriedher，withdifficulty，fortheslopewassteep，totheport-cutter，whichheknewwouldbeinthechargeofagoodman，thesecondofficer，whomhehadseenincommandthereatSundayboat-drills。
　　Here，ashehadanticipated，thecrowdwassmall，sincemostpeoplethoughtthatitwouldnotbepossibletogetthisboatdownsafelytothewater；oriftheirpowersofreflectionweregone，instincttoldthemso。Thatskilfulseaman，thesecondofficer，andhisappointedcrew，werealreadyatworkloweringthecutterfromthedavits。”Now，”hesaid，”womenandchildrenfirst。”
　　Anumberrushedin，andRobertsawthattheboatwouldsoonbefull。”Iamafraid，”hesaid，”thatImustcountmyselfawomanasIcarryone，”andbyagreateffort，holdingBenitawithonearm，withtheotherhelethimselfdownthefallsand，assistedbyaquartermaster，gainedtheboatinsafety。
　　Oneortwoothermenscrambledafterhim。”Pushheroff，”saidtheofficer；”shecanholdnomore，”andtheropeswereletgo。
　　Whentheywereabouttwelvefeetfromtheship’sside，fromwhichtheythrustthemselvesclearwithoars，therecamearushofpeople，disappointedofplacesinthestarboardboats。Afewoftheboldestoftheseswarmeddownthefalls，othersjumpedandfellamongthem，ormissedanddroppedintothesea，orstruckuponthesidesoftheboatandwerekilled。Stillshereachedthewateruponanevenkeel，thoughnowmuchoverladen。Theoarsweregotout，andtheyrowedroundthebowofthegreatshipwallowinginherdeath-throes，theirfirstideabeingtomakefortheshore，whichwasnotthreemilesaway。
　　Thisbroughtthemtothestarboardside，wheretheysawahideousscene。Hundredsofpeopleseemedtobefightingforroom，withtheresultthatsomeoftheboatswereoverturned，precipitatingtheiroccupantsintothewater。Othershungbytheproworthestern，theropeshavingjammedinthedavitsinthefrantichasteandconfusion，whilefromthemhumanbeingsdroppedonebyone。Roundothersnotyetlaunchedahellishstrugglewasinprogress，thestruggleofmen，women，andchildrenbattlingfortheirlives，inwhichthestrong，madwithterror，showednomercytotheweak。
　　Fromthatmassofhumanity，mostofthemabouttoperish，wentupababelofsoundswhichinitssumshapeditselftooneprolongedscream，suchasmightproceedfromaTitaninhisagony。Allthisbeneathabrooding，moonlitsky，andonaseaassmoothasglass。Upontheship，whichnowlayuponherside，thesirenstillsentupitsyellsforsuccour，andsomebravemancontinuedtofirerockets，whichrushedheavenwardsandburstinshowersofstars。
　　Robertrememberedthatthelastrockethehadseenwasfiredatanevening/fête/fortheamusementoftheaudience。Thecontraststruckhimasdreadful。Hewonderedwhethertherewereanypowerorinfernalpopulationthatcouldbeamusedbyatragedysuchasenacteditselfbeforehiseyes；howitcameaboutalsothatsuchatragedywaspermittedbythemercifulStrengthinwhichmankindputtheirfaith。
　　Thevesselwasturningover，compressedairorsteamburstupthedeckswithloudreports；fragmentsofwreckageflewintotheair。
　　Therethepoorcaptainstillclungtotherailofthebridge。Seymourcouldseehiswhiteface——themoonlightseemedtopaintitwithaghastlysmile。Theofficerincommandoftheirboatshoutedtothecrewtogivewaylesttheyshouldbesuckeddownwiththesteamer。
　　Look！Nowshewallowedlikeadyingwhale，themoonraysshonewhiteuponherbottom，showingthejaggedrentmadeinitbytherockonwhichshehadstruck，andnowshewasgone。Onlyalittlecloudofsmokeandsteamremainedtomarkwherethe/Zanzibar/hadbeen。
　　III
　　HOWROBERTCAMEASHORE
　　Inplaceofthe/Zanzibar/agreatpitonthefaceoftheocean，inwhichthewatersboiledandblackobjectsappearedanddisappeared。”Sitstill，foryourlives’sake，”saidtheofficerinaquietvoice；”thesuckiscoming。”
　　Inanotherminuteitcame，draggingthemdownwardtillthewatertrickledoverthesidesoftheboat，andbackwardtowardsthepit。Butbeforeevertheyreacheditthedeephaddigesteditsprey，and，saveforthegreatair-bubbleswhichburstaboutthemandamixed，unnaturalswell，wascalmagain。Forthemomenttheyweresafe。”Passengers，”saidtheofficer，”Iamgoingtoputouttosea——atanyrate，tilldaylight。Wemaymeetavesselthere，andifwetrytorowashoreweshallcertainlybeswampedinthebreakers。”
　　Nooneobjected；theyseemedtoostunnedtospeak，butRobertthoughttohimselfthatthemanwaswise。Theybegantomove，butbeforetheyhadgoneadozenyardssomethingdarkrosebesidethem。Itwasapieceofwreckage，andclingingtoitawoman，whoclaspedabundletoherbreast。More，shewasalive，forshebegantocrytothemtotakeherin。”Savemeandmychild！”shecried。”ForGod’ssakesaveme！”
　　Robertrecognizedthechokingvoice；itwasthatofayoungmarriedladywithwhomhehadbeenveryfriendly，whowasgoingoutwithherbabytojoinherhusbandinNatal。Hestretchedouthishandandcaughtholdofher，whereontheofficersaid，heavily:”Theboatisalreadyoverladen。Imustwarnyouthattotakemoreaboardisnotsafe。”
　　Thereonthepassengersawokefromtheirstupor。”Pushheroff，”criedavoice；”shemusttakeherchance。”Andtherewasamurmurofapprovalatthedreadfulwords。”ForChrist’ssake——forChrist’ssake！”wailedthedrowningwoman，whoclungdesperatelytoRobert’shand。”Ifyoutrytopullherin，wewillthrowyouoverboard，”saidthevoiceagain，andaknifewasliftedasthoughtohackathisarm。Thentheofficerspokeoncemore。”Thisladycannotcomeintotheboatunlesssomeonegoesoutofit。I
　　wouldmyself，butitismydutytostay。Isthereanymanherewhowillmakeplaceforher？”
　　Butallthementhere——sevenofthem，besidesthecrew——hungtheirheadsandweresilent。”Giveway，”saidtheofficerinthesameheavyvoice；”shewilldropoffpresently。”
　　WhilethewordspassedhislipsRobertseemedtoliveayear。Herewasanopportunityofatonementforhisidleandluxuriouslife。Anhouragohewouldhavetakenitgladly，butnow——now，withBenitasenselessonhisbreast，andthatanswerstilllockedinhersleepingheart？YetBenitawouldapproveofsuchadeathasthis，andevenifshelovedhimnotinlife，wouldlearntolovehismemory。Inaninstanthismindwasmadeup，andhewasspeakingrapidly。”Thompson，”hesaidtotheofficer，”ifIgo，willyousweartotakeherinandherchild？””Certainly，Mr。Seymour。””Thenlayto；Iamgoing。Ifanyofyoulive，tellthisladyhowI
　　died，”andhepointedtoBenita，”andsayIthoughtthatshewouldwishit。””Sheshallbetold，”saidtheofficeragain，”andsaved，too，ifIcandoit。””HoldMrs。Jeffreys，then，tillIamoutofthis。I’llleavemycoattocoverher。”
　　Asailorobeyed，andwithdifficultyRobertwrenchedfreehishand。
　　VerydeliberatelyhepressedBenitatohisbreastandkissedherontheforehead，thenlethergentlyslideontothebottomoftheboat。
　　Nextheslippedoffhisovercoatandslowlyrolledhimselfoverthegunwaleintothesea。”Now，”hesaid，”pullMrs。Jeffreysin。””Godblessyou；youareabraveman，”saidThompson。”IshallrememberyouifIliveahundredyears。”
　　Butnooneelsesaidanything；perhapstheywerealltoomuchashamed，eventhen。”Ihaveonlydonemyduty，”Seymouransweredfromthewater。”Howfarisittotheshore？””Aboutthreemiles，”shoutedThompson。”Butkeeponthatplank，oryouwillneverlivethroughtherollers。Good-bye。””Good-bye，”answeredRobert。
　　Thentheboatpassedawayfromhimandsoonvanishedinthemistyfaceofthedeep。
　　RestingontheplankwhichhadsavedthelifeofMrs。Jeffreys，RobertSeymourlookedabouthimandlistened。Nowandagainheheardafaint，chokingscreamutteredbysomedrowningwretch，andafewhundredyardsawaycaughtsightofablackobjectwhichhethoughtmightbeaboat。Ifso，hereflectedthatitmustbefull。Moreover，hecouldnotovertakeit。No；hisonlychancewastomakefortheshore。Hewasastrongswimmer，andhappilythewaterwasalmostaswarmasmilk。
　　Thereseemedtobenoreasonwhyheshouldnotreachit，supportedashewasbyalifebelt，ifthesharkswouldleavehimalone，whichtheymight，astherewasplentyforthemtofeedon。Thedirectionheknewwellenough，fornowinthegreatsilenceoftheseahecouldheartheboomofthemightyrollersbreakingonthebeach。
　　Ah，thoserollers！HerememberedhowthatveryafternoonBenitaandhehadwatchedthemthroughhisfieldglasssproutingupagainstthecruelwallsofrock，andwonderedthatwhentheoceanwassocalmtheyhadstillsuchpower。Now，shouldhelivetoreachthem，hewasdoomedtomatchhimselfagainstthatpower。Well，thesoonerhedidsothesooneritwouldbeover，onewayortheother。Thiswasinhisfavour:
　　thetidehadturned，andwasflowingshorewards。Indeed，hehadlittletodobuttorestuponhisplank，whichheplacedcrosswisebeneathhisbreast，andsteeredhimselfwithhisfeet。Eventhushemadegoodprogress，nearlyamileanhourperhaps。Hecouldhavegonefasterhadheswum，buthewassavinghisstrength。
　　Itwasastrangejourneyuponthatsilentseabeneaththosesilentstars，andstrangethoughtscameintoRobert’ssoul。HewonderedwhetherBenitawouldliveandwhatshewouldsay。Perhaps，however，shewasalreadydead，andhewouldmeetherpresently。Hewonderedifheweredoomedtodie，andwhetherthissacrificeofhiswouldbeallowedtoatoneforhispasterrors。Hehopedso，andputupapetitiontothateffect，forhimselfandforBenita，andforallthepoorpeoplewhohadgonebefore，hurledfromtheirpleasureintothehallsofDeath。
　　Sohefloatedonwhiletheboomofthebreakersgrewevernearer，companionedbyhiswild，fretfulthoughts，tillatlengthwhathetooktobeasharkappearedquiteclosetohim，andintheurgencyofthemomenthegaveupwondering。Itprovedtobeonlyapieceofwood，butlateronarealsharkdidcome，forhesawitsbackfin。However，thiscruelcreaturewaseithergorgedortimid，forwhenhesplasheduponthewaterandshouted，itwentaway，toreturnnomore。
　　Now，atlength，Robertentereduponthedeephillandvalleyswellwhichprecededthefieldoftherollers。Suddenlyheshotdownasmoothslope，andwithouteffortofhisownfoundhimselfborneupanopposingsteep，fromthecrestofwhichhehadaviewofwhitelinesoffoam，andbeyondthemofadimandrockyshore。Atonespot，alittletohisright，thefoamseemedthinnerandthelineofclifftobebroken，asthoughheretherewasacleft。Forthiscleft，then，hesteeredhisplank，takingtheswellobliquely，whichbygoodfortunethesetofthetideenabledhimtodowithoutanygreatexertion。
　　Thevalleysgrewdeeper，andthetopsoftheopposingridgeswerecrestedwithfoam。Hehadenteredtherollers，andthestruggleforlifebegan。Beforehimtheyrushedsolemnandmighty。Viewedfromsomesafeplaceeventhesightofthesecombersisterrible，asanywhohavewatchedthemfromthiscoast，orfromthatoftheIslandofAscension，canbearwitness。Whattheiraspectwastothisshipwreckedman，supportedbyasingleplank，maythereforebeimagined，seen，ashesawthem，inthemysteriousmoonlightandinutterloneliness。Yethisspiritrosetomeetthedreademergency；ifheweretodie，hewoulddiefighting。Hehadgrowncoldandtired，butnowthechillandwearinesslefthim；hefeltwarmandstrong。Fromthecrestofoneofthehighrollershethoughthesawthatabouthalfamileawayfromhimalittleriverrandownthecentreofthegorge，andforthemouthofthisriverhelaidhiscourse。
　　Atfirstallwentwell。Hewasborneuptheseas；hesliddowntheseasinalatherofwhitefoam。Presentlytheriseandfallgrewsteeper，andthefoambegantobreakoverhishead。Robertcouldnolongerguidehimself；hemustgoashewascarried。Theninaninstanthewascarriedintoahellofwaterswhere，haditnotbeenforhislifebeltandtheplank，hemusthavebeenbeatendownandhaveperished。Asitwas，nowhewasdrivenintothedepths，andnowheemergedupontheirsurfacetoheartheirseethinghissaroundhim，andaboveitallacontinuousboomasofgreatguns——theboomofthebreakingseas。
　　Theplankwasalmosttwistedfromhisgrasp，butheclungtoitdesperately，althoughitsedgestorehisarms。Whentherollersbrokeoverhimheheldhisbreath，andwhenhewastossedskywardsontheircurves，drewitagaininquick，sweetgasps。Nowhesatupontheverybrowofoneofthemasamermanmight；nowhedivedlikeadolphin，andnow，justashissenseswereleavinghim，hisfeettouchedbottom。
　　AnothermomentandRobertwasbeingrolledalongthatbottomwithaweightonhimliketheweightofmountains。Theplankwasrentfromhim，buthiscorkjacketbroughthimup。Thebackwashdrewhimwithitintodeeperwater，wherehelayhelplessanddespairing，forhenolongerhadanystrengthtostruggleagainsthisdoom。
　　Thenitwasthattherecameamightyroller，biggerthananythathehadseen——suchaoneasonthatcoasttheKaffirscall”afatherofwaves。”Itcaughthimintheembraceofitsvastgreencurve。Itborehimforwardasthoughhewerebutastraw，farforwardoverthestretchofcruelrocks。Itbrokeinthunder，dashinghimagainuponthestonesandsandofthelittleriverbar，rollinghimalongwithitsresistlessmight，tilleventhatmightwasexhausted，anditsfoambegantoreturnseawards，suckinghimwithit。
　　Robert’smindwasalmostgone，butenoughofitremainedtotellhimthatifoncemorehewasdraggedintothedeepwaterhemustbelost。
　　Asthecurrenthaledhimalonghegrippedatthebottomwithhishands，andbythemercyofHeaventheyclosedonsomething。Itmayhavebeenatree-stumpembeddedthere，orarock——heneverknew。Atleast，itwasfirm，andtoithehungdespairingly。Wouldthatrushnevercease？Hislungswerebursting；hemustletgo！Oh！thefoamwasthinning；hisheadwasaboveitnow；nowithaddeparted，leavinghimlikeastrandedfishupontheshingle。Forhalfaminuteormorehelaytheregasping，thenlookedbehindhimtoseeanothercomberapproachingthroughthegloom。Hestruggledtohisfeet，fell，roseagain，andran，orrather，staggeredforwardwiththattigerishwaterhissingathisheels。Forward，stillforward，tillhewasbeyonditsreach——yes，ondrysand。Thenhisvitalforcesfailedhim；oneofhislegsgaveway，and，bleedingfromahundredhurts，hefellheavilyontohisface，andtherewasstill。
　　TheboatinwhichBenitalay，beingsodeepinthewater，provedveryhardtorowagainstthetide，forthenumberofitspassengersencumberedtheoarsmen。Afterawhilealightofflandbreezesprangup，ashereitoftendoestowardsmorning；andtheofficer，Thompson，determinedtoriskhoistingthesail。Accordinglythiswasdone——withsomedifficulty，forthemasthadtobedrawnoutandshipped——
　　althoughthewomenscreamedastheweightoftheairbenttheirfrailcraftovertillthegunwalewasalmostlevelwiththewater。”Anyonewhomovesshallbethrownoverboard！”saidtheofficer，whosteered，afterwhichtheywerequiet。
　　Nowtheymadegoodprogressseawards，buttheanxietiesofthosewhoknewwereverygreat，sincethewindshowedsignsofrising，andifanyswellshouldspringupthatcrowdedcuttercouldscarcelyhopetolive。Infact，twohourslatertheywereforcedtolowerthesailagainanddrift，waitingforthedawn。Mr。Thompsonstrovetocheerthem，sayingthatnowtheywereinthetrackofvessels，andiftheycouldseenonewhenthelightcame，hewouldrunalongtheshoreinthehopeoffindingaplacefreeofbreakerswheretheymightland。Iftheydidnotinspirehope，atleasthiswordscalmedthem，andtheysatinheavysilence，watchingthesky。
　　Atlengthitgrewgrey，andthen，withasuddenglorypeculiartoSouthAfrica，thegreatredsunaroseandbegantodispelthemistfromthesurfaceofthesea。Halfanhourmoreandthiswasgone，andnowthebrightraysbroughtlifebackintotheirchilledframesastheystaredateachothertoseewhichoftheircompanywerestillleftalive。Theyevenaskedforfood，andbiscuitwasgiventothemwithwater。
　　AllthiswhileBenitaremainedunconscious。Indeed，onecallousfellow，whohadbeenusingherbodyasafootstool，saidthatshemustbedead，andhadbetterbethrownoverboard，asitwouldlightentheboat。”Ifyouthrowthatladyintothesea，livingordead，”saidMr。
　　Thompson，withanominousliftofhiseye，”yougowithher，Mr。
　　Batten。Rememberwhobroughtherhereandhowhedied。”
　　ThenMr。Battenheldhispeace，whileThompsonstoodupandscannedthewideexpanseofsea。Presentlyhewhisperedtoasailornearhim，whoalsostoodup，looked，andnodded。”ThatwillbetheotherLine’sintermediateboat，”hesaid，andthepassengers，craningtheirheadsround，sawfarawaytotherightastreakofsmokeuponthehorizon。Ordersweregiven，alittlecornerofsailwashoisted，withawhiteclothofsomesorttiedaboveit，andtheoarsweregotout。Oncemorethecuttermovedforward，bearingtotheleftinthehopeofinterceptingthesteamer。
　　Shecameonwithterribleswiftness，andtheywhohadmilesofwatertocover，daredhoistnomoresailinthatbreeze。Inhalfanhourshewasnearlyoppositetothem，andtheywerestillfaraway。Alittlemoresailwasletout，drivingthemthroughthewateratasquickarateastheycouldventuretogo。Thesteamerwaspassingthreemilesorsoaway，andblackdespairtookholdofthem。NowtheresourcefulThompson，withoutapologies，undressed，andremovingthewhiteshirtthathehadwornatthedance，badeasailortotieittoanoarandwaveittoandfro。
　　Stillthesteamerwenton，untilpresentlytheyheardhersirengoing，andsawthatshewasputtingabout。”Shehasseenus，”saidThompson。”ThankGod，allofyou，forthereiswindcomingup。Pulldownthatsail；weshan’tneeditanymore。”
　　Halfanhourlater，withmanyprecautions，forthewindheprophesiedwasalreadytroublingtheseaandsendinglittlesplashesofwateroverthesternoftheirdeeplyladenboat，theywerefasttoalinethrownfromthedeckofthethreethousandtonsteamer/Castle/，boundforNatal。Then，witharattle，downcametheaccommodationladder，andstrong-armedmen，standingonitsgrating，draggedthemonebyonefromthedeathtowhichtheyhadbeensonear。Thelasttobeliftedup，exceptThompson，wasBenita，roundwhomitwasnecessarytoreevearope。”Anyuse？”askedtheofficeronthegratingasheglancedatherquietform。”Can’tsay；Ihopeso，”answeredThompson。”Callyourdoctor。”Andgentlyenoughshewasborneuptheship’sside。
　　Theywantedtocastofftheboat，butThompsonremonstrated，andintheendthatalsowasdraggedtodeck。Meanwhilethenewshadspread，andtheawakenedpassengersofthe/Castle/，cladinpyjamas，dressing-gowns，andevenblankets，werecrowdingroundthepoorcastawaysorhelpingthemtotheircabins。”Iamateetotaller，”saidsecondofficerThompsonwhenhehadmadeabriefreporttothecaptainofthe/Castle/，”butifanyonewillstandmeawhiskeyandsodaIshallbeobligedtohim。”
　　IV
　　MR。CLIFFORD
　　Althoughtheshockoftheblowshehadreceiveduponherheadwassufficienttomakeherinsensibleforsomanyhours，Benita’sinjurieswerenotofareallyseriousnature，forasithappenedthefallingblock，orwhateveritmayhavebeen，hadhitherforeheadslantwise，andnotfull，towhichaccidentsheoweditthat，althoughtheskinwastornandthescalpbruised，herskullhadescapedfracture。Underpropermedicalcarehersensessooncamebacktoher，butasshewasquitedazedandthoughtherselfstillonboardthe/Zanzibar/，thedoctorconsidereditwisetopreserveherinthatillusionforawhile。Soaftershehadswallowedsomebrothhegaveherasleepingdraught，theeffectsofwhichshedidnotshakeofftillthefollowingmorning。
　　Thenshecametoherselfcompletely，andwasastonishedtofeelthepaininherhead，whichhadbeenbandaged，andtoseeastrangestewardesssittingbyherwithacupofbeef-teainherhand。”WhereamI？Isitadream？”sheasked。”DrinkthisandIwilltellyou，”answeredthestewardess。
　　Benitaobeyed，forshefelthungry，thenrepeatedherquestion。”Yoursteamerwasshipwrecked，”saidthestewardess，”andagreatmanypoorpeopleweredrowned，butyouweresavedinaboat。Look，thereareyourclothes；theywereneverinthewater。””Whocarriedmeintotheboat？”askedBenitainalowvoice。”Agentleman，theysay，Miss，whohadwrappedyouinablanketandputalifebeltonyou。”
　　NowBenitarememberedeverythingthathappenedbeforethedarknessfell——thequestiontowhichshehadgivennoanswer，theyoungcouplewhostoodflirtingbyher——allcamebacktoher。”WasMr。Seymoursaved？”shewhispered，herfacegreywithdread。”Idaresay，Miss，”answeredthestewardessevasively。”Butthereisnogentlemanofthatnameaboardthisship。”
　　Atthatmomentthedoctorcamein，andhim，too，shepliedwithquestions。ButhavinglearnedthestoryofRobert’sself-sacrificefromMr。Thompsonandtheothers，hewouldgivehernoanswer，forheguessedhowmattershadstoodbetweenthem，andfearedtheeffectsoftheshock。AllhecouldsaywasthathehopedMr。Seymourhadescapedinsomeotherboat。