"Womenarewomenandmenaremen——itisstrangetherearenomarriages。Perhapstheyoungmendonotlikeourdaughters。"
"Ah，theylikethemwellenough，"MammaChunanswered；"butyousee，theycannotforgetthatyouareyourdaughters’father。"
"Yetyouforgotwhomyfatherwas，"AhChunsaidgravely。"Allyouaskedwasformetocutoffmyqueue。"
"TheyoungmenaremoreparticularthanIwas，Ifancy。"
"Whatisthegreatestthingintheworld？"AhChundemandedwithabruptirrelevance。
MammaAchunponderedforamoment，thenreplied："God。"
Henodded。"Therearegodsandgods。Somearepaper，somearewood，somearebronze。Iuseasmalloneintheofficeforapaper—
weight。IntheBishopMuseumaremanygodsofcoralrockandlavastone。"
"ButthereisonlyoneGod，"sheannounceddecisively，stiffeningherampleframeargumentatively。
AhChunnotedthedangersignalandsheeredoff。
"WhatisgreaterthanGod，then？"heasked。"Iwilltellyou。Itismoney。InmytimeIhavehaddealingswithJewsandChristians，MohammedansandBuddhists，andwithlittleblackmenfromtheSolomonsandNewGuineawhocarriedtheirgodaboutthem，wrappedinoiledpaper。Theypossessedvariousgods，thesemen，buttheyallworshippedmoney。ThereisthatCaptainHigginson。HeseemstolikeHenrietta。"
"Hewillnevermarryher，"retortedMammaAchun。"Hewillbeanadmiralbeforehedies——"
"Arear—admiral，"AhChuninterpolated。
"Yes，Iknow。Thatisthewaytheyretire。"
"HisfamilyintheUnitedStatesisahighone。Theywouldnotlikeitifhemarried……ifhedidnotmarryanAmericangirl。"
AhChunknockedtheashesoutofhispipe，thoughtfullyrefillingthesilverbowlwithatinyplegetoftobacco。Helighteditandsmokeditoutbeforehespoke。
"Henriettaistheoldestgirl。ThedayshemarriesIwillgiveherthreehundredthousanddollars。ThatwillfetchthatCaptainHigginsonandhishighfamilyalongwithhim。Letthewordgoouttohim。Ileaveittoyou。"
AndAhChunsatandsmokedon，andinthecurlingsmoke—wreathshesawtakeshapethefaceandfigureofToyShuey——ToyShuey，themaidofallworkinhisuncle’shouseintheCantonesevillage，whoseworkwasneverdoneandwhoreceivedforawholeyear’sworkonedollar。Andhesawhisyouthfulselfariseinthecurlingsmoke，hisyouthfulselfwhohadtoiledeighteenyearsinhisuncle’sfieldforlittlemore。Andnowhe，AhChun，thepeasant，doweredhisdaughterwiththreehundredthousandyearsofsuchtoil。Andshewasbutonedaughterofadozen。Hewasnotelatedatthethought。
Itstruckhimthatitwasafunny，whimsicalworld，andhechuckledaloudandstartledMammaAchunfromareverywhichheknewlaydeepinthehiddencryptsofherbeingwherehehadneverpenetrated。
ButAhChun’swordwentforth，asawhisper，andCaptainHigginsonforgothisrear—admiralshipandhishighfamilyandtooktowifethreehundredthousanddollarsandarefinedandculturedgirlwhowasonethirty—secondPolynesian，one—sixteenthItalian，one—
sixteenthPortuguese，eleventhirty—secondsEnglishandYankee，andone—halfChinese。
AhChun’smunificencehaditseffect。Hisdaughtersbecamesuddenlyeligibleanddesirable。Clarawasthenext，butwhentheSecretaryoftheTerritoryformallyproposedforher，AhChuninformedhimthathemustwaithisturn，thatMaudwastheoldestandthatshemustbemarriedfirst。Itwasshrewdpolicy。ThewholefamilywasmadevitallyinterestedinmarryingoffMaud，whichitdidinthreemonths，toNedHumphreys，theUnitedStatesimmigrationcommissioner。BothheandMaudcomplained，forthedowrywasonlytwohundredthousand。AhChunexplainedthathisinitialgenerosityhadbeentobreaktheice，andthatafterthathisdaughterscouldnotexpectotherwisethantogomorecheaply。
ClarafollowedMaud，andthereafter，foraspaceoftwoyears；therewasacontinuousroundofweddingsinthebungalow。InthemeantimeAhChunhadnotbeenidle。Investmentafterinvestmentwascalledin。Hesoldouthisinterestsinascoreofenterprises，andstepbystep，soasnottocauseaslumpinthemarket，hedisposedofhislargeholdingsinrealestate。Towardthelasthedidprecipitateaslumpandsoldatsacrifice。Whatcausedthishastewerethesquallshesawalreadyrisingabovethehorizon。BythetimeLucillewasmarried，echoesofbickeringsandjealousieswerealreadyrumblinginhisears。Theairwasthickwithschemesandcounter—schemestogainhisfavourandtoprejudicehimagainstoneoranotherorallbutoneofhissons—in—law。Allofwhichwasnotconducivetothepeaceandreposehehadplannedforhisoldage。
Hehastenedhisefforts。ForalongtimehehadbeenincorrespondencewiththechiefbanksinShanghaiandMacao。Everysteamerforseveralyearshadcarriedawaydraftsdrawninfavourofone，ChunAhChun，fordepositinthoseFarEasternbanks。Thedraftsnowbecameheavier。Histwoyoungestdaughterswerenotyetmarried。Hedidnotwait，butdoweredthemwithahundredthousandeach，whichsumslayintheBankofHawaii，drawinginterestandawaitingtheirweddingday。AlberttookoverthebusinessofthefirmofAhChunandAhYung，Harold，theeldest，havingelectedtotakeaquarterofamillionandgotoEnglandtolive。Charles，theyoungest，tookahundredthousand，alegalguardian，andacourseinaKeeleyinstitute。ToMammaAchunwasgiventhebungalow，themountainHouseonTantalus，andanewseasideresidenceinplaceoftheoneAhChunsoldtothegovernment。Also，toMammaAchunwasgivenhalfamillioninmoneywellinvested。
AhChunwasnowreadytocrackthenutoftheproblem。Onefinemorningwhenthefamilywasatbreakfast——hehadseentoitthatallhissons—in—lawandtheirwiveswerepresent——heannouncedthathewasreturningtohisancestralsoil。Inaneatlittlehomilyheexplainedthathehadmadeampleprovisionforhisfamily，andhelaiddownvariousmaximsthathewassure，hesaid，wouldenablethemtodwelltogetherinpeaceandharmony。Also，hegavebusinessadvicetohissons—in—law，preachedthevirtuesoftemperatelivingandsafeinvestments，andgavethemthebenefitofhisencyclopedicknowledgeofindustrialandbusinessconditionsinHawaii。Thenhecalledforhiscarriage，and，inthecompanyoftheweepingMammaAchun，wasdrivendowntothePacificMailsteamer，leavingbehindhimapanicinthebungalow。CaptainHigginsonclamouredwildlyforaninjunction。Thedaughtersshedcopioustears。Oneoftheirhusbands，anex—Federaljudge，questionedAhChun’ssanity，andhastenedtotheproperauthoritiestoinquireintoit。HereturnedwiththeinformationthatAhChunhadappearedbeforethecommissionthedaybefore，demandedanexamination，andpassedwithflyingcolours。Therewasnothingtobedone，sotheywentdownandsaidgood—byetothelittleoldman，whowavedfarewellfromthepromenadedeckasthebigsteamerpokedhernoseseawardthroughthecoralreef。
ButthelittleoldmanwasnotboundforCanton。Heknewhisowncountrytoowell，andthesqueezeoftheMandarins，toventureintoitwiththetidybulkofwealththatremainedtohim。HewenttoMacao。NowAhChunhadlongexercisedthepowerofakingandhewasasimperiousasaking。WhenhelandedatMacaoandwentintotheofficeofthebiggestEuropeanhoteltoregister，theclerkclosedthebookonhim。Chinesewerenotpermitted。AhChuncalledforthemanagerandwastreatedwithcontumely。Hedroveaway，butintwohourshewasbackagain。Hecalledtheclerkandmanagerin，gavethemamonth’ssalary，anddischargedthem。Hehadmadehimselftheownerofthehotel；andinthefinestsuitehesettleddownduringthemanymonthsthegorgeouspalaceinthesuburbswasbuildingforhim。Inthemeantime，withtheinevitableabilitythatwashis，heincreasedtheearningsofhisbighotelfromthreepercenttothirty。
ThetroublesAhChunhadflownbeganearly。Thereweresons—in—lawthatmadebadinvestments，othersthatplayedducksanddrakeswiththeAchundowries。AhChunbeingoutofit，theylookedatMammaAhChunandherhalfmillion，and，looking，engenderednotthebestoffeelingtowardoneanother。Lawyerswaxedfatinthestrivingtoascertaintheconstructionoftrustdeeds。Suits，cross—suits，andcounter—suitsclutteredtheHawaiiancourts。Nordidthepolicecourtsescape。Therewereangryencountersinwhichharshwordsandharsherblowswerestruck。Thereweresuchthingsasflowerpotsbeingthrowntoaddemphasistowingedwords。AndsuitsforlibelarosethatdraggedtheirwaythroughthecourtsandkeptHonoluluagogwithexcitementovertherevelationsofthewitnesses。
Inhispalace，surroundedbyalldeardelightsoftheOrient，AhChunsmokeshisplacidpipeandlistenstotheturmoiloverseas。Byeachmailsteamer，infaultlessEnglish，typewrittenonanAmericanmachine，alettergoesfromMacaotoHonolulu，inwhich，byadmirabletextsandprecepts，AhChunadviseshisfamilytoliveinunityandharmony。Asforhimself，heisoutofitall，andwellcontent。Hehaswontopeaceandrepose。Attimeshechucklesandrubshishands，andhisslantlittleblackeyestwinklemerrilyatthethoughtofthefunnyworld。Foroutofallhislivingandphilosophizing，thatremainstohim——theconvictionthatitisaveryfunnyworld。
THESHERIFFOFKONA
"Youcannotescapelikingtheclimate，"Cudworthsaid，inreplytomypanegyricontheKonacoast。"Iwasayoungfellow，justoutofcollege，whenIcamehereeighteenyearsago。Ineverwentback，except，ofcourse，tovisit。AndIwarnyou，ifyouhavesomespotdeartoyouonearth，nottolingerheretoolong，elseyouwillfindthisdearer。"
Wehadfinisheddinner，whichhadbeenservedonthebiglanai，theonewithanortherlyexposure，thoughexposureisindeedamisnomerinsodelectableaclimate。
Thecandleshadbeenputout，andaslim，white—cladJapaneseslippedlikeaghostthroughthesilverymoonlight，presenteduswithcigars，andfadedawayintothedarknessofthebungalow。I
lookedthroughascreenofbananaandlehuatrees，anddownacrosstheguavascrubtothequietseaathousandfeetbeneath。Foraweek，eversinceIhadlandedfromthetinycoasting—steamer，IhadbeenstoppingwithCudworth，andduringthattimenowindhadruffledthatunvexedsea。True，therehadbeenbreezes，buttheywerethegentlestzephyrsthateverblewthroughsummerisles。Theywerenotwinds；theyweresighs——long，balmysighsofaworldatrest。
"Alotusland，"Isaid。
"Whereeachdayislikeeveryday，andeverydayisaparadiseofdays，"heanswered。"Nothingeverhappens。Itisnottoohot。Itisnottoocold。Itisalwaysjustright。Haveyounoticedhowthelandandtheseabreatheturnandturnabout？"
Indeed，Ihadnoticedthatdeliciousrhythmic，breathing。EachmorningIhadwatchedthesea—breezebeginattheshoreandslowlyextendseawardasitblewthemildest，softestwhiffofozonetotheland。Itplayedoverthesea，justfaintlydarkeningitssurface，withhereandthereandeverywherelonglanesofcalm，shifting，changing，drifting，accordingtothecapriciouskissesofthebreeze。AndeacheveningIhadwatchedtheseabreathdieawaytoheavenlycalm，andheardthelandbreathsoftlymakeitswaythroughthecoffeetreesandmonkey—pods。
"Itisalandofperpetualcalm，"Isaid。"Doesiteverblowhere？—
—everreallyblow？YouknowwhatImean。"
Cudworthshookhisheadandpointedeastward。
"Howcanitblow，withabarrierlikethattostopit？"
FarabovetoweredthehugebulksofMaunaKeaandMaunaLoa，seemingtoblotouthalfthestarrysky。Twomilesandahalfaboveourheadstheyrearedtheirownheads，whitewithsnowthatthetropicsunhadfailedtomelt。
"Thirtymilesaway，rightnow，I’llwager，itisblowingfortymilesanhour。"
Ismiledincredulously。
Cudworthsteppedtothelanaitelephone。Hecalledup，insuccession，Waimea，Kohala，andHamakua。Snatchesofhisconversationtoldmethatthewindwasblowing："Rip—snortingandback—jumping，eh？……Howlong？……Onlyaweek？……Hello，Abe，isthatyou？……Yes，yes……YouWILLplantcoffeeontheHamakuacoast……Hangyourwind—breaks!YoushouldseeMY
trees。"
"Blowingagale，"hesaidtome，turningfromhangingupthereceiver。"IalwayshavetojokeAbeonhiscoffee。Hehasfivehundredacres，andhe’sdonemarvelsinwind—breaking，buthowhekeepstherootsinthegroundisbeyondme。Blow？ItalwaysblowsontheHamakuaside。KohalareportsaschoonerunderdoublereefsbeatingupthechannelbetweenHawaiiandMaui，andmakingheavyweatherofit。"
"Itishardtorealize，"Isaidlamely。"Doesn’talittlewhiffofitevereddyaroundsomehow，andgetdownhere？"
"Notawhiff。Ourland—breezeisabsolutelyofnokin，foritbeginsthissideofMaunaKeaandMaunaLoa。Yousee，thelandradiatesitsheatquickerthanthesea，andso，atnight，thelandbreathesoverthesea。Inthedaythelandbecomeswarmerthanthesea，andtheseabreathesovertheland……Listen!Herecomestheland—breathnow，themountainwind。"
Icouldhearitcoming，rustlingsoftlythroughthecoffeetrees，stirringthemonkey—pods，andsighingthroughthesugar—cane。Onthelanaithehushstillreigned。Thenitcame，thefirstfeelofthemountainwind，faintlybalmy，fragrantandspicy，andcool，deliciouslycool，asilkencoolness，awine—likecoolness——coolasonlythemountainwindofKonacanbecool。
"DoyouwonderthatIlostmyhearttoKonaeighteenyearsago？"hedemanded。"Icouldneverleaveitnow。IthinkIshoulddie。Itwouldbeterrible。Therewasanothermanwholovedit，evenasI。
Ithinkheloveditmore，forhewasbornhereontheKonacoast。
Hewasagreatman，mybestfriend，mymorethanbrother。Butheleftit，andhedidnotdie。"
"Love？"Iqueried。"Awoman？"
Cudworthshookhishead。
"Norwillheevercomeback，thoughhisheartwillbehereuntilhedies。"
HepausedandgazeddownuponthebeachlightsofKailua。Ismokedsilentlyandwaited。
"Hewasalreadyinlove……withhiswife。Also，hehadthreechildren，andhelovedthem。TheyareinHonolulunow。Theboyisgoingtocollege。"
"Somerashact？"Iquestioned，afteratime，impatiently。
Heshookhishead。"Neitherguiltyofanythingcriminal，norchargedwithanythingcriminal。HewastheSheriffofKona。"
"Youchoosetobeparadoxical，"Isaid。
"Isupposeitdoessoundthatway，"headmitted，"andthatistheperfecthellofit。"
Helookedatmesearchinglyforamoment，andthenabruptlytookupthetale。
"Hewasaleper。No，hewasnotbornwithit——nooneisbornwithit；itcameuponhim。Thisman——whatdoesitmatter？LyteGregorywashisname。Everykamainaknowsthestory。HewasstraightAmericanstock，buthewasbuiltlikethechieftainsofoldHawaii。
Hestoodsixfeetthree。Hisstrippedweightwastwohundredandtwentypounds，notanounceofwhichwasnotcleanmuscleorbone。
HewasthestrongestmanIhaveeverseen。Hewasanathleteandagiant。Hewasagod。Hewasmyfriend。Andhisheartandhissoulwereasbigandasfineashisbody。
"Iwonderwhatyouwoulddoifyousawyourfriend，yourbrother，ontheslipperylipofaprecipice，slipping，slipping，andyouwereabletodonothing。Thatwasjustit。Icoulddonothing。Isawitcoming，andIcoulddonothing。MyGod，man，whatcouldIdo？
Thereitwas，malignantandincontestable，themarkofthethingonhisbrow。Nooneelsesawit。ItwasbecauseIlovedhimso，Idobelieve，thatIalonesawit。Icouldnotcreditthetestimonyofmysenses。Itwastooincrediblyhorrible。Yetthereitwas，onhisbrow，onhisears。Ihadseenit，theslightpuffoftheearlobes——oh，soimperceptiblyslight。Iwatcheditformonths。
Then，next，hopingagainsthope，thedarkeningoftheskinabovebotheyebrows——oh，sofaint，justlikethedimmesttouchofsunburn。
Ishouldhavethoughtitsunburnbutthattherewasashinetoit，suchaninvisibleshine，likealittlehighlightseenforamomentandgonethenext。Itriedtobelieveitwassunburn，onlyIcouldnot。Iknewbetter。Noonenoticeditbutme。NooneevernoticeditexceptStephenKaluna，andIdidnotknowthattillafterward。
ButIsawitcoming，thewholedamnable，unnamableawfulnessofit；
butIrefusedtothinkaboutthefuture。Iwasafraid。Icouldnot。AndofnightsIcriedoverit。
"Hewasmyfriend。WefishedsharksonNiihautogether。WehuntedwildcattleonMaunaKeaandMaunaLoa。WebrokehorsesandbrandedsteersontheCarterRanch。WehuntedgoatsthroughHaleakala。HetaughtmedivingandsurfinguntilIwasnearlyascleverashe，andhewasclevererthantheaverageKanaka。Ihaveseenhimdiveinfifteenfathoms，andhecouldstaydowntwominutes。Hewasanamphibianandamountaineer。Hecouldclimbwhereveragoatdaredclimb。Hewasafraidofnothing。HewasonthewreckedLuga，andheswamthirtymilesinthirty—sixhoursinaheavysea。Hecouldfighthiswayoutthroughbreakingcombersthatwouldbatteryouandmetoajelly。Hewasagreat，gloriousman—god。WewentthroughtheRevolutiontogether。Wewerebothromanticloyalists。Hewasshottwiceandsentencedtodeath。Buthewastoogreatamanfortherepublicanstokill。Helaughedatthem。Later，theygavehimhonourandmadehimSheriffofKona。Hewasasimpleman，aboythatnevergrewup。Hiswasnointricatebrainpattern。Hehadnotwistsnorquirksinhismentalprocesses。Hewentstraighttothepoint，andhispointswerealwayssimple。
"Andhewassanguine。NeverhaveIknownsoconfidentaman，noramansosatisfiedandhappy。Hedidnotaskanythingfromlife。
Therewasnothinglefttobedesired。Forhimlifehadnoarrears。
Hehadbeenpaidinfull，cashdown，andinadvance。Whatmorecouldhepossiblydesirethanthatmagnificentbody，thatironconstitution，thatimmunityfromallordinaryills，andthatlowlywholesomenessofsoul？Physicallyhewasperfect。Hehadneverbeensickinhislife。Hedidnotknowwhataheadachewas。WhenI
wassoafflictedheusedtolookatmeinwonder，andmakemelaughwithhisclumsyattemptsatsympathy。Hedidnotunderstandsuchathingasaheadache。Hecouldnotunderstand。Sanguine？Nowonder。Howcouldhebeotherwisewiththattremendousvitalityandincrediblehealth？
"Justtoshowyouwhatfaithhehadinhisgloriousstar，and，also，whatsanctionhehadforthatfaith。Hewasayoungsteratthetime——Ihadjustmethim——whenhewentintoapokergameatWailuku。
TherewasabigGermaninit，Schultzhisnamewas，andheplayedabrutal，domineeringgame。Hehadhadarunofluckaswell，andhewasquiteinsufferable，whenLyteGregorydroppedinandtookahand。TheveryfirsthanditwasSchultz’sblind。Lytecamein，aswellastheothers，andSchultzraisedthemout——allexceptLyte。
HedidnotliketheGerman’stone，andheraisedhimback。Schultzraisedinturn，andinturnLyteraisedSchultz。Sotheywent，backandforth。Thestakeswerebig。AnddoyouknowwhatLyteheld？A
pairofkingsandthreelittleclubs。Itwasn’tpoker。Lytewasn’tplayingpoker。Hewasplayinghisoptimism。Hedidn’tknowwhatSchultzheld，butheraisedandraiseduntilhemadeSchultzsqueal，andSchultzheldthreeacesallthetime。Thinkofit!Amanwithapairofkingscompellingthreeacestoseebeforethedraw!
"Well，Schultzcalledfortwocards。AnotherGermanwasdealing，Schultz’sfriendatthat。Lyteknewthenthathewasupagainstthreeofakind。Nowwhatdidhedo？Whatwouldyouhavedone？
Drawnthreecardsandheldupthekings，ofcourse。NotLyte。Hewasplayingoptimism。Hethrewthekingsaway，heldupthethreelittleclubs，anddrewtwocards。Heneverlookedatthem。HelookedacrossatSchultztobet，andSchultzdidbet，big。SincehehimselfheldthreeacesheknewhehadLyte，becauseheplayedLyteforthrees，and，necessarily，theywouldhavetobesmallerthrees。
PoorSchultz!Hewasperfectlycorrectunderthepremises。HismistakewasthathethoughtLytewasplayingpoker。Theybetbackandforthforfiveminutes，untilSchultz’scertaintybegantooozeout。AndallthetimeLytehadneverlookedathistwocards，andSchultzknewit。IcouldseeSchultzthink，andrevive，andsplurgewithhisbetsagain。Butthestrainwastoomuchforhim。"
"’Holdon，Gregory，’hesaidatlast。’I’vegotyoubeatenfromthestart。Idon’twantanyofyourmoney。I’vegot——’"
"’Nevermindwhatyou’vegot，’Lyteinterrupted。’Youdon’tknowwhatI’vegot。IguessI’lltakealook。’"
"Helooked，andraisedtheGermanahundreddollars。Thentheywentatitagain，backandforthandbackandforth，untilSchultzweakenedandcalled，andlaiddownhisthreeaces。Lytefacedhisfivecards。Theywereallblack。Hehaddrawntwomoreclubs。Doyouknow，hejustaboutbrokeSchultz’snerveasapokerplayer。Heneverplayedinthesameformagain。Helackedconfidenceafterthat，andwasabitwobbly。"
"’Buthowcouldyoudoit？’IaskedLyteafterwards。’Youknewhehadyoubeatenwhenhedrewtwocards。Besides，youneverlookedatyourowndraw。’"
"’Ididn’thavetolook，’wasLyte’sanswer。’Iknewtheyweretwoclubsallthetime。Theyjusthadtobetwoclubs。DoyouthinkI
wasgoingtoletthatbigDutchmanbeatme？Itwasimpossiblethatheshouldbeatme。Itisnotmywaytobebeaten。Ijusthavetowin。Why，I’dhavebeenthemostsurprisedmaninthisworldiftheyhadn’tbeenallclubs。’"
"ThatwasLyte’sway，andmaybeitwillhelpyoutoappreciatehiscolossaloptimism。Asheputithejusthadtosucceed，tofarewell，toprosper。Andinthatsameincident，asintenthousandothers，hefoundhissanction。Thethingwasthathedidsucceed，didprosper。Thatwaswhyhewasafraidofnothing。Nothingcouldeverhappentohim。Heknewit，becausenothinghadeverhappenedtohim。ThattimetheLugawaslostandheswamthirtymiles，hewasinthewatertwowholenightsandaday。Andduringallthatterriblestretchoftimeheneverlosthopeonce，neveroncedoubtedtheoutcome。Hejustknewhewasgoingtomaketheland。Hetoldmesohimself，andIknowitwasthetruth。
"Well，thatisthekindofamanLyteGregorywas。Hewasofadifferentracefromordinary，ailingmortals。Hewasalordlybeing，untouchedbycommonillsandmisfortunes。Whateverhewantedhegot。Hewonhiswife——oneoftheCaruthers，alittlebeauty——
fromadozenrivals。Andshesettleddownandmadehimthefinestwifeintheworld。Hewantedaboy。Hegotit。Hewantedagirlandanotherboy。Hegotthem。Andtheywerejustright，withoutspotorblemish，withchestslikelittlebarrels，andwithalltheinheritanceofhisownhealthandstrength。
"Andthenithappened。Themarkofthebeastwaslaiduponhim。I
watcheditforayear。Itbrokemyheart。Buthedidnotknowit，nordidanybodyelseguessitexceptthatcursedhapa—haole，StephenKaluna。Heknewit，butIdidnotknowthathedid。And——yes——DocStrowbridgeknewit。Hewasthefederalphysician，andhehaddevelopedthelepereye。Yousee，partofhisbusinesswastoexaminesuspectsandorderthemtothereceivingstationatHonolulu。AndStephenKalunahaddevelopedthelepereye。Thediseaseranstronginhisfamily，andfourorfiveofhisrelativeswerealreadyonMolokai。
"ThetroublearoseoverStephenKaluna’ssister。Whenshebecamesuspect，andbeforeDocStrowbridgecouldgetholdofher，herbrotherspiritedherawaytosomehiding—place。LytewasSheriffofKona，anditwashisbusinesstofindher。
"WewerealloveratHilothatnight，inNedAustin’s。StephenKalunawastherewhenwecamein，byhimself，inhiscups，andquarrelsome。Lytewaslaughingoversomejoke——thathuge，happylaughofagiantboy。Kalunaspatcontemptuouslyonthefloor。
Lytenoticed，sodideverybody；butheignoredthefellow。Kalunawaslookingfortrouble。HetookitasapersonalgrudgethatLytewastryingtoapprehendhissister。InhalfadozenwaysheadvertisedhisdispleasureatLyte’spresence，butLyteignoredhim。
IimaginedLytewasabitsorryforhim，forthehardestdutyofhisofficewastheapprehensionoflepers。Itisnotanicethingtogointoaman’shouseandtearawayafather，mother，orchild，whohasdonenowrong，andtosendsuchaonetoperpetualbanishmentonMolokai。Ofcourse，itisnecessaryasaprotectiontosociety，andLyte，Idobelieve，wouldhavebeenthefirsttoapprehendhisownfatherdidhebecomesuspect。
"Finally，Kalunablurtedout：’Lookhere，Gregory，youthinkyou’regoingtofindKalaniweo，butyou’renot。’
"Kalaniweowashissister。Lyteglancedathimwhenhisnamewascalled，buthemadenoanswer。Kalunawasfurious。Hewasworkinghimselfupallthetime。
"’I’lltellyouonething，’heshouted。’You’llbeonMolokaiyourselfbeforeeveryougetKalaniweothere。I’lltellyouwhatyouare。You’venorighttobeinthecompanyofhonestmen。
You’vemadeaterriblefusstalkingaboutyourduty，haven’tyou？
You’vesentmanyleperstoMolokai，andknowingallthetimeyoubelongedthereyourself。’
"I’dseenLyteangrymorethanonce，butneverquitesoangryasatthatmoment。Leprosywithus，youknow，isnotathingtojestabout。Hemadeoneleapacrossthefloor，draggingKalunaoutofhischairwithaclutchonhisneck。Heshookhimbackandforthsavagely，tillyoucouldhearthehalf—caste’steethrattling。
"’Whatdoyoumean？’Lytewasdemanding。’Spititout，man，orI’llchokeitoutofyou!’
"Youknow，intheWestthereisacertainphrasethatamanmustsmilewhileuttering。Sowithusoftheislands，onlyourphraseisrelatedtoleprosy。NomatterwhatKalunawas，hewasnocoward。
AssoonasLyteeasedthegriponhisthroatheanswered：—
"’I’lltellyouwhatImean。Youarealeperyourself。’
Lytesuddenlyflungthehalf—castesidewaysintoachair，lettinghimdowneasilyenough。ThenLytebrokeoutintohonest，heartylaughter。Buthelaughedalone，andwhenhediscoveredithelookedaroundatourfaces。Ihadreachedhissideandwastryingtogethimtocomeaway，buthetooknonoticeofme。Hewasgazing，fascinated，atKaluna，whowasbrushingathisownthroatinaflurried，nervousway，asiftobrushoffthecontaminationofthefingersthathadclutchedhim。Theactionwasunreasoned，genuine。
"Lytelookedaroundatus，slowlypassingfromfacetoface。
"’MyGod，fellows!MyGod!’hesaid。
"Hedidnotspeakit。Itwasmoreahoarsewhisperoffrightandhorror。Itwasfearthatflutteredinhisthroat，andIdon’tthinkthateverinhislifebeforehehadknownfear。
"Thenhiscolossaloptimismasserteditself，andhelaughedagain。
"’Agoodjoke——whoeverputitup，’hesaid。’Thedrinksareonme。
Ihadascareforamoment。But，fellows，don’tdoitagain，toanybody。It’stooserious。ItellyouIdiedathousanddeathsinthatmoment。Ithoughtofmywifeandthekids，and……’
"Hisvoicebroke，andthehalf—caste，stillthroat—brushing，drewhiseyes。Hewaspuzzledandworried。
"’John，’hesaid，turningtowardme。
"Hisjovial，rotundvoiceranginmyears。ButIcouldnotanswer。
Iwasswallowinghardatthatmoment，andbesides，Iknewmyfacedidn’tlookjustright。
"’John，’hecalledagain，takingastepnearer。
"Hecalledtimidly，andofallnightmaresofhorrorsthemostfrightfulwastoheartimidityinLyteGregory’svoice。
"’John，John，whatdoesitmean？’hewenton，stillmoretimidly。
’It’sajoke，isn’tit？John，here’smyhand。IfIwerealeperwouldIofferyoumyhand？AmIaleper，John？’
"Heheldouthishand，andwhatinhighheavenorhelldidIcare？
Hewasmyfriend。Itookhishand，thoughitcutmetothehearttoseethewayhisfacebrightened。
"’Itwasonlyajoke，Lyte，’Isaid。’Wefixedituponyou。Butyou’reright。It’stooserious。Wewon’tdoitagain。’
"Hedidnotlaughthistime。Hesmiled，asamanawakenedfromabaddreamandstilloppressedbythesubstanceofthedream。
"’Allright，then，’hesaid。’Don’tdoitagain，andI’llstandforthedrinks。ButImayaswellconfessthatyoufellowshadmegoingsouthforamoment。LookatthewayI’vebeensweating。’
"Hesighedandwipedthesweatfromhisforeheadashestartedtosteptowardthebar。
"’Itisnojoke，’Kalunasaidabruptly。Ilookedmurderathim，andIfeltmurder，too。ButIdarednotspeakorstrike。ThatwouldhaveprecipitatedthecatastrophewhichIsomehowhadamadhopeofstillaverting。
"’Itisnojoke，’Kalunarepeated。’Youarealeper，LyteGregory，andyou’venorightputtingyourhandsonhonestmen’sflesh——onthecleanfleshofhonestmen。’
"ThenGregoryflaredup。
"’Thejokehasgonefarenough!Quitit!Quitit，Isay，Kaluna，orI’llgiveyouabeating!’
"’Youundergoabacteriologicalexamination，’Kalunaanswered，’andthenyoucanbeatme——todeath，ifyouwantto。Why，man，lookatyourselfthereintheglass。Youcanseeit。Anybodycanseeit。
You’redevelopingthelionface。Seewheretheskinisdarkenedthereoveryoureyes。
"Lytepeeredandpeered，andIsawhishandstrembling。
"’Icanseenothing，’hesaidfinally，thenturnedonthehapa—
haole。’Youhaveablackheart，Kaluna。AndIamnotashamedtosaythatyouhavegivenmeascarethatnomanhasarighttogiveanother。Itakeyouatyourword。Iamgoingtosettlethisthingnow。IamgoingstraighttoDocStrowbridge。AndwhenIcomeback，watchout。’
"Heneverlookedatus，butstartedforthedoor。
"’Youwaithere，John，’hesaid，wavingmebackfromaccompanyinghim。
"Westoodaroundlikeagroupofghosts。
"’Itisthetruth，’Kalunasaid。’Youcouldseeitforyourselves。’
"Theylookedatme，andInodded。HarryBurnleyliftedhisglasstohislips，butloweredituntasted。Hespilledhalfofitoverthebar。Hislipsweretremblinglikeachildthatisabouttocry。
NedAustinmadeaclatterintheice—chest。Hewasn’tlookingforanything。Idon’tthinkheknewwhathewasdoing。Nobodyspoke。
HarryBurnley’slipsweretremblingharderthanever。Suddenly，withamosthorrible，malignantexpressionhedrovehisfistintoKaluna’sface。Hefolloweditup。Wemadenoattempttoseparatethem。Wedidn’tcareifhekilledthehalf—caste。Itwasaterriblebeating。Weweren’tinterested。Idon’tevenrememberwhenBurnleyceasedandletthepoordevilcrawlaway。Wewerealltoodazed。
"DocStrowbridgetoldmeaboutitafterward。HewasworkinglateoverareportwhenLytecameintohisoffice。Lytehadalreadyrecoveredhisoptimism，andcameswingingin，atrifleangrywithKalunatobesure，butverycertainofhimself。’WhatcouldIdo？’
Docaskedme。’Iknewhehadit。Ihadseenitcomingonformonths。Icouldn’tanswerhim。Icouldn’tsayyes。Idon’tmindtellingyouIbrokedownandcried。Hepleadedforthebacteriologicaltest。"Snipoutapiece，Doc，"hesaid，overandover。"Snipoutapieceofskinandmakethetest。"
"ThewayDocStrowbridgecriedmusthaveconvincedLyte。TheClaudinewasleavingnextmorningforHonolulu。Wecaughthimwhenhewasgoingaboard。Yousee，hewasheadedforHonolulutogivehimselfuptotheBoardofHealth。Wecoulddonothingwithhim。
HehadsenttoomanytoMolokaitohangbackhimself。WearguedforJapan。Buthewouldn’thearofit。’I’vegottotakemymedicine，fellows，’wasallhewouldsay，andhesaiditoverandover。Hewasobsessedwiththeidea。
"HewoundupallhisaffairsfromtheReceivingStationatHonolulu，andwentdowntoMolokai。Hedidn’tgetonwellthere。Theresidentphysicianwroteusthathewasashadowofhisoldself。
Youseehewasgrievingabouthiswifeandthekids。Heknewweweretakingcareofthem，butithurthimjustthesame。AftersixmonthsorsoIwentdowntoMolokai。Isatononesideaplate—
glasswindow，andheontheother。Welookedateachotherthroughtheglassandtalkedthroughwhatmightbecalledaspeakingtube。
Butitwashopeless。Hehadmadeuphismindtoremain。FourmortalhoursIargued。Iwasexhaustedattheend。Mysteamerwaswhistlingforme，too。
"Butwecouldn’tstandforit。ThreemonthslaterwecharteredtheschoonerHalcyon。Shewasanopiumsmuggler，andshesailedlikeawitch。Hermasterwasasquareheadwhowoulddoanythingformoney，andwemadeachartertoChinaworthhiswhile。HesailedfromSanFrancisco，andafewdayslaterwetookoutLandhouse’ssloopforacruise。Shewasonlyafive—tonyacht，butweslammedherfiftymilestowindwardintothenorth—easttrade。Seasick？Ineversufferedsoinmylife。OutofsightoflandwepickeduptheHalcyon，andBurnleyandIwentaboard。
"WerandowntoMolokai，arrivingaboutelevenatnight。Theschoonerhovetoandwelandedthroughthesurfinawhale—boatatKalawao——theplace，youknow，whereFatherDamiendied。Thatsquareheadwasgame。Withacoupleofrevolversstrappedonhimhecamerightalong。ThethreeofuscrossedthepeninsulatoKalaupapa，somethingliketwomiles。Justimaginehuntinginthedeadofnightforamaninasettlementofoverathousandlepers。
Yousee，ifthealarmwasgiven，itwasalloffwithus。Itwasstrangeground，andpitchdark。Theleper’sdogscameoutandbayedatus，andwestumbledaroundtillwegotlost。
"Thesquareheadsolvedit。Heledthewayintothefirstdetachedhouse。Weshutthedoorafterusandstruckalight。Thereweresixlepers。Weroutedthemup，andItalkedinnative。WhatI
wantedwasakokua。Akokuais，literally，ahelper，anativewhoiscleanthatlivesinthesettlementandispaidbytheBoardofHealthtonursethelepers，dresstheirsores，andsuchthings。Westayedinthehousetokeeptrackoftheinmates，whilethesquareheadledoneofthemofftofindakokua。Hegothim，andhebroughthimalongatthepointofhisrevolver。Butthekokuawasallright。Whilethesquareheadguardedthehouse，BurnleyandI
wereguidedbythekokuatoLyte’shouse。Hewasallalone。
"’Ithoughtyoufellowswouldcome，’Lytesaid。’Don’ttouchme，John。How’sNed，andCharley，andallthecrowd？Nevermind，tellmeafterward。Iamreadytogonow。I’vehadninemonthsofit。
Where’stheboat？’
"Westartedbackfortheotherhousetopickupthesquarehead。Butthealarmhadgotout。Lightswereshowinginthehouses，anddoorswereslamming。Wehadagreedthattherewastobenoshootingunlessabsolutelynecessary，andwhenwewerehaltedwewentatitwithourfistsandthebuttsofourrevolvers。Ifoundmyselftangledupwithabigman。Icouldn’tkeephimoffme，thoughtwiceIsmashedhimfairlyinthefacewithmyfist。Hegrappledwithme，andwewentdown，rollingandscramblingandstrugglingforgrips。
Hewasgettingawaywithme，whensomeonecamerunningupwithalantern。ThenIsawhisface。HowshallIdescribethehorrorofit。Itwasnotaface——onlywastedorwastingfeatures——alivingravage，noseless，lipless，withoneearswollenanddistorted，hangingdowntotheshoulder。Iwasfrantic。Inaclinchhehuggedmeclosetohimuntilthatearflappedinmyface。ThenIguessI
wentinsane。Itwastooterrible。Ibeganstrikinghimwithmyrevolver。HowithappenedIdon’tknow，butjustasIwasgettingclearhefasteneduponmewithhisteeth。Thewholesideofmyhandwasinthatliplessmouth。ThenIstruckhimwiththerevolverbuttsquarelybetweentheeyes，andhisteethrelaxed。"
Cudworthheldhishandtomeinthemoonlight，andIcouldseethescars。Itlookedasifithadbeenmangledbyadog。
"Weren’tyouafraid？"Iasked。
"Iwas。SevenyearsIwaited。Youknow，ittakesthatlongforthediseasetoincubate。HereinKonaIwaited，anditdidnotcome。
Buttherewasneveradayofthosesevenyears，andneveranight，thatIdidnotlookouton……onallthis……"Hisvoicebrokeasheswepthiseyesfromthemoon—bathedseabeneathtothesnowysummitsabove。"Icouldnotbeartothinkoflosingit，ofneveragainbeholdingKona。Sevenyears!Istayedclean。ButthatiswhyIamsingle。Iwasengaged。IcouldnotdaretomarrywhileIwasindoubt。Shedidnotunderstand。ShewentawaytotheStatesandmarried。Ihaveneverseenhersince。
"JustatthemomentIgotclearoftheleperpolicemantherewasarushandclatterofhoofslikeacavalrycharge。Itwasthesquarehead。Hehadbeenafraidofarumpusandhehadimprovedhistimebymakingthoseblessedlepershewasguardingsaddleupfourhorses。Wewerereadyforhim。Lytehadaccountedforthreekokuas，andbetweenusweuntangledBurnleyfromacouplemore。Thewholesettlementwasinanuproarbythattime，andaswedashedawaysomebodyopeneduponuswithaWinchester。ItmusthavebeenJackMcVeigh，thesuperintendentofMolokai。
"Thatwasaride!Leperhorses，lepersaddles，leperbridles，pitch—blackdarkness，whistlingbullets，andaroadnoneofthebest。Andthesquarehead’shorsewasamule，andhedidn’tknowhowtoride，either。Butwemadethewhaleboat，andasweshovedoffthroughthesurfwecouldhearthehorsescomingdownthehillfromKalaupapa。
"You’regoingtoShanghai。YoulookLyteGregoryup。HeisemployedinaGermanfirmthere。Takehimouttodinner。Openupwine。Givehimeverythingofthebest，butdon’tlethimpayforanything。Sendthebilltome。HiswifeandthekidsareinHonolulu，andheneedsthemoneyforthem。Iknow。Hesendsmostofhissalary，andliveslikeananchorite。AndtellhimaboutKona。There’swherehisheartis。TellhimallyoucanaboutKona。"
JACKLONDON
BYHIMSELF
IwasborninSanFranciscoin1876。AtfifteenIwasamanamongmen，andifIhadasparenickelIspentitonbeerinsteadofcandy，becauseIthoughtitwasmoremanlytobuybeer。Now，whenmyyearsarenearlydoubled，IamoutonahuntfortheboyhoodwhichIneverhad，andIamlessseriousthanatanyothertimeofmylife。GuessI’llfindthatboyhood!AlmostthefirstthingsI
realizedwereresponsibilities。Ihavenorecollectionofbeingtaughttoreadorwrite——Icoulddobothattheageoffive——butI
knowthatmyfirstschoolwasinAlamedabeforeIwentoutonaranchwithmyfolksandasaranchboyworkedhardfrommyeighthyear。
ThesecondschoolwereItriedtopickupalittlelearningwasanirregularhitormissaffairatSanMateo。Eachclasssatinaseparatedesk，butthereweredayswhenwedidnotsitatall，forthemasterusedtogetdrunkveryoften，andthenoneoftheelderboyswouldthrashhim。Toeventhingsup，themasterwouldthenthrashtheyoungerlads，soyoucanthinkwhatsortofschoolitwas。Therewasnoonebelongingtome，orassociatedwithmeinanyway，whohadliterarytastesorideas，thenearestIcanmaketoitisthatmygreat—grandfatherwasacircuitwriter，aWelshman，knownas"Priest"Jonesinthebackwoods，wherehisenthusiasmledhimtoscattertheGospel。
Oneofmyearliestandstrongestimpressionswasoftheignoranceofotherpeople。IhadreadandabsorbedWashingtonIrving’s"Alhambra"beforeIwasnine，butcouldneverunderstandhowitwasthattheotherranchersknewnothingaboutit。LaterIconcludedthatthisignorancewaspeculiartothecountry，andfeltthatthosewholivedincitieswouldnotbesodense。Onedayamanfromthecitycametotheranch。Heworeshinyshoesandaclothcoat，andI
feltthatherewasagoodchanceformetoexchangethoughtswithanenlightenedmind。FromthebricksofanoldfallenchimneyIhadbuiltanAlhambraofmyown；towers，terraces，andallwerecomplete，andchalkinscriptionsmarkedthedifferentsections。
HereIledthecitymanandquestionedhimabout"TheAlhambra，"buthewasasignorantasthemanontheranch，andthenIconsoledmyselfwiththethoughtthattherewereonlytwocleverpeopleintheworld——WashingtonIrvingandmyself。
Myotherreading—matteratthattimeconsistedmainlyofdimenovels，borrowedfromthehiredmen，andnewspapersinwhichtheservantsgloatedovertheadventuresofpoorbutvirtuousshop—
girls。
Throughreadingsuchstuffmymindwasnecessarilyridiculouslyconventional，butbeingverylonelyIreadeverythingthatcamemyway，andwasgreatlyimpressedbyOuida’sstory"Signa，"whichI
devouredregularlyforacoupleofyears。IneverknewthefinishuntilIgrewup，fortheclosingchaptersweremissingfrommycopy，soIkeptondreamingwiththehero，and，likehim，unabletoseeNemesis，attheend。Myworkontheranchatonetimewastowatchthebees，andasIsatunderatreefromsunrisetilllateintheafternoon，waitingfortheswarming，Ihadplentyoftimetoreadanddream。LivermoreValleywasveryflat，andeventhehillsaroundwerethentomedevoidofinterest，andtheonlyincidenttobreakinonmyvisionswaswhenIgavethealarmofswarming，andtheranchfolksrushedoutwithpots，pans，andbucketsofwater。I
thinktheopeninglineof"Signa"was"Itwasonlyalittlelad，"
yethehaddreamsofbecomingagreatmusician，andhavingallEuropeathisfeet。Well，Iwasonlyalittlelad，too，butwhycouldnotIbecomewhat"Signa"dreamedofbeing？
LifeonaCalifornianranchwasthentomethedullestpossibleexistence，andeverydayIthoughtofgoingoutbeyondthesky—linetoseetheworld。Eventhentherewerewhispers，promptings；mymindinclinedtothingsbeautiful，althoughmyenvironmentwasunbeautiful。Thehillsandvalleysaroundwereeyesoresandachingpits，andIneverlovedthemtillIleftthem。
BeforeIwaselevenIlefttheranchandcametoOakland，whereI
spentsomuchofmytimeintheFreePublicLibrary，eagerlyreadingeverythingthatcametohand，thatIdevelopedthefirststagesofSt。Vitus’dancefromlackofexercise。Disillusionsquicklyfollowed，asIlearnedmoreoftheworld。AtthistimeImademylivingasanewsboy，sellingpapersinthestreets；andfromthenonuntilIwassixteenIhadathousandandonedifferentoccupations——
workandschool，schoolandwork——andsoitran。
***
Thentheadventure—lustwasstrongwithinme，andIlefthome。I
didn’trun，Ijustleft——wentoutinthebay，andjoinedtheoysterpirates。Thedaysoftheoysterpiratesarenowpast，andifIhadgotmyduesforpiracy，Iwouldhavebeengivenfivehundredyearsinprison。Later，Ishippedasasailoronaschooner，andalsotookaturnatsalmonfishing。Oddlyenough，mynextoccupationwasonafish—patrol，whereIwasentrustedwiththearrestofanyviolatorsofthefishinglaws。NumbersoflawlessChinese，Greeks，andItalianswereatthattimeengagedinillegalfishing，andmanyapatrolmanpaidhislifeforhisinterference。Myonlyweaponondutywasasteeltable—fork，butIfeltfearlessandamanwhenI
climbedoverthesideofaboattoarrestsomemarauder。
SubsequentlyIshippedbeforethemastandsailedfortheJapanesecoastonaseal—huntingexpedition，latergoingtoBehringSea。
AftersealingforsevenmonthsIcamebacktoCaliforniaandtookoddjobsatcoalshovellingandlongshoringandalsoinajutefactory，whereIworkedfromsixinthemorninguntilsevenatnight。Ihadplannedtojointhesamelotforanothersealingtripthefollowingyear，butsomehowImissedthem。TheysailedawayontheMaryThomas，whichwaslostwithallhands。
Inmyfitfulschool—daysIhadwrittentheusualcompositions，whichhadbeenpraisedintheusualway，andwhileworkinginthejutemillsIstillmadeanoccasionaltry。Thefactoryoccupiedthirteenhoursofmyday，andbeingyoungandhusky，Iwantedalittletimeformyself，sotherewaslittleleftforcomposition。TheSanFranciscoCallofferedaprizeforadescriptivearticle。Mymotherurgedmetotryforit，andIdid，takingformysubject"TyphoonofftheCoastofJapan。"Verytiredandsleepy，knowingIhadtobeupathalf—pastfive，IbeganthearticleatmidnightandworkedstraightonuntilIhadwrittentwothousandwords，thelimitofthearticle，butwithmyideaonlyhalfworkedout。Thenextnight，underthesameconditions，Icontinued，addinganothertwothousandwordsbeforeIfinished，andthenthethirdnightIspentincuttingouttheexcess，soastobringthearticlewithintheconditionsofthecontest。Thefirstprizecametome，andthesecondandthirdwenttostudentsoftheStanfordandBerkeleyUniversities。
MysuccessintheSanFranciscoCallcompetitionseriouslyturnedmythoughtstowriting，butmybloodwasstilltoohotforasettledroutine，soIpracticallydeferredliterature，beyondwritingalittlegushfortheCall，whichthatjournalpromptlyrejected。
ItrampedallthroughtheUnitedStates，fromCaliforniatoBoston，andupanddown，returningtothePacificcoastbywayofCanada，whereIgotintojailandservedatermforvagrancy，andthewholetrampingexperiencemademebecomeaSocialist。PreviouslyIhadbeenimpressedbythedignityoflabour，and，withouthavingreadCarlyleorKipling，Ihadformulatedagospelofworkwhichputtheirsintheshade。Workwaseverything。Itwassanctificationandsalvation。TheprideItookinahardday’sworkwelldonewouldbeinconceivabletoyou。Iwasasfaithfulawage—slaveaseveracapitalistexploited。Inshort，myjoyousindividualismwasdominatedbytheorthodoxbourgeoisethics。Ihadfoughtmywayfromtheopenwest，wheremenbuckedbigandthejobhuntedtheman，tothecongestedlabourcentresoftheeasternstates，wheremenweresmallpotatoesandhuntedthejobforalltheywereworth，andIfoundmyselflookinguponlifefromanewandtotallydifferentangle。IsawtheworkersintheshamblesatthebottomoftheSocialPit。IsworeIwouldneveragaindoahardday’sworkwithmybodyexceptwhereabsolutelycompelledto，andIhavebeenbusyeversincerunningawayfromhardbodilylabour。
InmynineteenthyearIreturnedtoOaklandandstartedattheHighSchool，whichrantheusualschoolmagazine。Thispublicationwasaweekly——no，Iguessamonthly——one，andIwrotestoriesforit，verylittleimaginary，justrecitalsofmyseaandtrampingexperiences。
Iremainedthereayear，doingjanitorworkasameansoflivelihood，andleavingeventuallybecausethestrainwasmorethanIcouldbear。Atthistimemysocialisticutteranceshadattractedconsiderableattention，andIwasknownasthe"BoySocialist，"adistinctionthatbroughtaboutmyarrestforstreet—talking。AfterleavingtheHighSchool，inthreemonthscrammingbymyself，Itookthethreeyears’workforthattimeandenteredtheUniversityofCalifornia。IhatedtogiveupthehopeofaUniversityeducationandworkedinalaundryandwithmypentohelpmekeepon。ThiswastheonlytimeIworkedbecauseIlovedit，butthetaskwastoomuch，andwhenhalf—waythroughmyFreshmanyearIhadtoquit。
Iworkedawayironingshirtsandotherthingsinthelaundry，andwroteinallmysparetime。Itriedtokeeponatboth，butoftenfellasleepwiththepeninmyhand。ThenIleftthelaundryandwroteallthetime，andlivedanddreamedagain。Afterthreemonths’trialIgaveupwriting，havingdecidedthatIwasafailure，andleftfortheKlondiketoprospectforgold。Attheendoftheyear，owingtotheoutbreakofscurvy，Iwascompelledtocomeout，andonthehomewardjourneyof1，900milesinanopenboatmadetheonlynotesofthetrip。ItwasintheKlondikeIfoundmyself。Therenobodytalks。Everybodythinks。Yougetyourtrueperspective。Igotmine。
WhileIwasintheKlondikemyfatherdied，andtheburdenofthefamilyfellonmyshoulders。TimeswerebadinCalifornia，andI
couldgetnowork。WhiletryingforitIwrote"DowntheRiver，"
whichwasrejected。DuringthewaitforthisrejectionIwroteatwenty—thousandwordserialforanewscompany，whichwasalsorejected。PendingeachrejectionIstillkeptonwritingfreshstuff。Ididnotknowwhataneditorlookedlike。Ididnotknowasoulwhohadeverpublishedanything。FinallyastorywasacceptedbyaCalifornianmagazine，forwhichIreceivedfivedollars。Soonafterwards"TheBlackCat"offeredmefortydollarsforastory。
Thenthingstookaturn，andIshallprobablynothavetoshovelcoalforalivingforsometimetocome，althoughIhavedoneit，andcoulddoitagain。
Myfirstbookwaspublishedin1900。Icouldhavemadeagooddealatnewspaperwork；butIhadsufficientsensetorefusetobeaslavetothatman—killingmachine，forsuchIheldanewspapertobetoayoungmaninhisformingperiod。NotuntilIwaswellonmyfeetasamagazine—writerdidIdomuchworkfornewspapers。Iamabelieverinregularwork，andneverwaitforaninspiration。
TemperamentallyIamnotonlycarelessandirregular，butmelancholy；stillIhavefoughtbothdown。ThedisciplineIhadasasailorhadfulleffectonme。Perhapsmyoldseadaysarealsoresponsiblefortheregularityandlimitationsofmysleep。FiveandahalfhoursisthepreciseaverageIallowmyself，andnocircumstancehasyetariseninmylifethatcouldkeepmeawakewhenthetimecomesto"turnin。"
Iamveryfondofsport，anddelightinboxing，fencing，swimming，riding，yachting，andevenkite—flying。Althoughprimarilyofthecity，Iliketobenearitratherthaninit。Thecountry，though，isthebest，theonlynaturallife。Inmygrown—upyearsthewriterswhohaveinfluencedmemostareKarlMarxinaparticular，andSpencerinageneral，way。Inthedaysofmybarrenboyhood，ifIhadhadachance，Iwouldhavegoneinformusic；now，inwhataremoregenuinelythedaysofmyyouth，ifIhadamillionortwoI
woulddevotemyselftowritingpoetryandpamphlets。IthinkthebestworkIhavedoneisinthe"LeagueoftheOldMen，"andpartsof"TheKempton—WaceLetters。"Otherpeopledon’tliketheformer。
Theypreferbrighterandmorecheerfulthings。PerhapsIshallfeellikethat，too，whenthedaysofmyyoutharebehindme。
Footnotes：
{1}Malahini——new—comer。