Thesecomfortablylargecounties!Theyareveritableempires。
TakeHumboldt，forinstance。ItisthreetimesaslargeasRhodeIsland，oneandahalftimesaslargeasDelaware，almostaslargeasConnecticut，andhalfaslargeasMassachusetts。Thepioneerhasdonehisworkinthisnorthofthebayregion，thefoundationsarelaid，andallisreadyfortheinevitableinrushofpopulationandadequatedevelopmentofresourceswhichsofarhavebeennomorethanskimmed，andcasuallyandcarelesslyskimmedatthat。
Thisregionofthesixcountiesalonewillsomedaysupportapopulationofmillions。Inthemeanwhile，Oyouhome—seekers，youwealth—seekers，and，aboveall，youclimate—seekers，nowisthetimetogetinonthegroundfloor。
RobertIngersolloncesaidthatthegenialclimateofCaliforniawouldinafairlybrieftimeevolvearaceresemblingtheMexicans，andthatintwoorthreegenerationstheCalifornianswouldbeseenofaSundaymorningontheirwaytoacockfightwitharoosterundereacharm。Neverwasmadearashergeneralisation，basedonsoabsoluteanignoranceoffacts。Itistolaugh。Hereisaclimatethatbreedsvigour，withjustsufficientgenialitytopreventtheexpenditureofmostofthatvigourinfightingtheelements。Hereisaclimatewhereamancanworkthreehundredandsixty—fivedaysintheyearwithouttheslightesthintofenervation，andwhereforthreehundredandsixty—fivenightshemustperforcesleepunderblankets。Whatmorecanonesay？I
considermyselfsomewhatofclimateexpert，havingadventuredamongmostoftheclimatesoffiveoutofthesixzones。IhavenotyetbeenintheAntarctic，butwhateverclimateobtainstherewillnotdetermefromdrawingtheconclusionthatnowhereisthereaclimatetocomparewiththatofthisregion。MaybeIamaswrongasIngersollwas。NeverthelessItakemymedicinebycontinuingtoliveinthisclimate。Also，itistheonlymedicineIevertake。
Buttoreturntothehorses。Thereissomeimprovement。Mildahasactuallylearnedtowalk。Maidhasprovedherthoroughbrednessbynevertiringonthelongestdays，and，whilebeingthestrongestandhighestspiritedofall，bynevercausinganytroublesaveforanoccasionalkickattheOutlaw。AndtheOutlawrarelygallops，nolongerbutts，onlyperiodicallykicks，comesintothepoleanddoesherworkwithoutattemptingtovivisectMaid’smedullaoblongata，and——marvelofmarvels——isreallyandtrulygettinglazy。ButPrinceremainsthesameincorrigible，lovingandlovableroguehehasalwaysbeen。
Andthecountrywe’vebeenover!ThedrivesthroughNapaandLakeCounties!One，fromSonomaValley，viaSantaRosa，wecouldnotrefrainfromtakingseveralways，andonallthewayswefoundtheroadsexcellentformachinesaswellashorses。Oneroute，andamoredelightfuloneforanautomobilecannotbefound，isoutfromSantaRosa，pastoldAltruriaandMarkWestSprings，thentotherightandacrosstoCalistogainNapaValley。Bykeepingtotheleft，thedriveholdsonuptheRussianRiverValley，throughthemilesofthenotedAstiVineyardstoCloverdale，andthenbywayofPieta，Witter，andHighlandSpringstoLakeport。Stillanotherwaywetook，wasdownSonomaValley，skirtingSanPabloBay，andupthelovelyNapaValley。FromNapaweresideexcursionsthroughPopeandBerryessaValleys，ontoAEtnaSprings，andstillon，intoLakeCounty，crossingthefamousLangtryRanch。
ContinuinguptheNapaValley，walledoneitherhandbygreatrockpalisadesandredwoodforestsandcarpetedwithendlessvineyards，andcrossingthemanystonebridgesforwhichtheCountyisnotedandwhichareajoytothebeauty—lovingeyesaswellastothefour—horsetyrodriver，pastCalistogawithitsoldmud—bathsandchicken—soupsprings，withSt。Helenaanditsgiantsaddleevertoweringbeforeus，weclimbedthemountainsonagoodgradeanddroppeddownpastthequicksilverminestothecanyonoftheGeysers。Afterastopovernightandanexplorationoftheminiature—grandvolcanicscene，wepulledonacrossthecanyonandtookthegradewherethecicadassimmeredaudiblyinthenoonsunshineamongthehillsidemanzanitas。Then，higher，camethebigcattle—dotteduplandpastures，andtherockysummit。Andhereonthesummit，abruptly，wecaughtavision，orwhatseemedamirage。Theoceanwehadleftlongdaysbefore，yetfardownandawayshimmeredabluesea，framedonthefarthershorebyruggedmountains，onthenearshorebyfatandrollingfarmlands。ClearLakewasbeforeus，andlikepropersailorswereturnedtooursea，goingforasail，afish，andaswimerethedaywasdoneandturningintotiredLakeportblanketsintheearlyevening。WellhasLakeCountybeencalledtheWalled—inCounty。Buttherailroadiscoming。TheysaytheapproachwemadetoClearLakeissimilartotheapproachtoLakeLucerne。Bethatasitmay，thescenery，withitsdistantsnow—cappedpeaks，canwellbecalledAlpine。
AndwhatcanbemoreexquisitethanthedriveoutfromClearLaketoUkiahbywayoftheBlueLakeschain!——everyturnbringingintoviewapictureofbreathlessbeauty；everyglancebackwardrevealingsomeperfectcompositioninlineandcolour，theintenseblueofthewatermarginedwithsplendidoaks，greenfields，andswathsoforangepoppies。Butthosesideglancesandbackwardglanceswereprovocativeoftrouble。CharmianandIdisagreedastowhichwaytheconnectingstreamofwaterran。Westilldisagree，foratthehotel，wherewesubmittedtheaffairtoarbitration，thehotelmanagerandtheclerklikewisedisagreed。
Iassume，now，thatweneverwillknowwhichwaythatstreamruns。
Charmiansuggests"bothways。"Irefusesuchacompromise。NostreamofwaterIeversawcouldaccomplishthatfeatatoneandthesametime。ThegreatestconcessionIcanmakeisthatsometimesitmayrunonewayandsometimestheother，andthatinthemeantimeweshouldbothconsultanoculist。
MorevalleyfromUkiahtoWillits，andthenweturnedwestwardthroughthevirginSherwoodForestofmagnificentredwood，stoppingatAlpineforthenightandcontinuingonthroughMendocinoCountytoFortBraggand"saltwater。"WealsocametoFortBraggupthecoastfromFortRoss，keepingourcoastjourneyintactfromtheGoldenGate。Thecoastweatherwascoolanddelightful，thecoastdrivingsuperb。EspeciallyintheFortRosssectiondidwefindtheroadsthrilling，whileallthewayalongwefollowedthesea。Ateverystream，theroadskirteddizzycliff—edges，diveddownintolushgrowthsofforestandfernsandclimbedoutalongthecliff—edgesagain。Thewaywaslinedwithflowers——wildlilac，wildroses，poppies，andlupins。Suchlupins!——giantclumpsofthem，ofeverylupin—shadeand—colour。
AnditwasalongtheMendocinoroadsthatCharmiancausedmanydelaysbyinsistingongettingouttopickthewildblackberries，strawberries，andthimble—berrieswhichgrewsoprofusely。Andeverwecaughtpeeps，fardown，ofsteamschoonersloadinglumberintherockycoves；everweskirtedthecliffs，dayafterday，crossingstretchesofrollingfarmlandsandpassingthroughthrivingvillagesandsaw—milltowns。Memorablewasourlaunch—
tripfromMendocinoCityupBigRiver，wherethesteeringgearsofthelaunchesworkthereverseofanywhereelseintheworld；wherewesawastreamoflogs，ofsixtotwelveandfifteenfeetindiameter，whichfilledtheriverbedformilestotheobliterationofanysignofwater；andwhereweweretoldofawhiteoralbinoredwoodtree。Wedidnotseethislast，socannotvouchforit。
Allthestreamswerefilledwithtrout，andmorethanoncewesawtheside—hillsalmonontheslopes。No，side—hillsalmonisnotaperipateticfish；itisadeeroutofseason。Butthetrout!AtGualalaCharmiancaughtherfirstone。OncebeforeinmylifeI
hadcaughttwo……onangleworms。OnoccasionIhadtriedflyandspinnerandnevergotastrike，andIhadcometobelievethatallthistalkoffly—fishingwasjustsomuchnature—faking。ButontheGualalaRiverIcaughttrout——alotofthem——onflyandspinners；andIwasbeginningtofeelquiteanexpert，untilNakata，fishingonbottomwithapelletofbreadforbait，caughtthebiggesttroutofall。Inowaffirmthereisnothinginsciencenorinart。Nevertheless，sincethatdaypolesandbasketshavebeenaddedtoourbaggage，wetackleeverystreamwecometo，andwenolongerareabletorememberthegrandtotalofourcatch。
AtUsal，manyhillyandpicturesquemilesnorthofFortBragg，weturnedagainintotheinteriorofMendocino，crossingtherangesandcomingoutinHumboldtCountyonthesouthforkofEelRiveratGarberville。Throughoutthetrip，fromMarinCountynorth，wehadbeenwarnedof"badroadsahead。"Yetweneverfoundthosebadroads。Weseemedalwaystobejustaheadofthemorbehindthem。Thefartherwecamethebettertheroadsseemed，thoughthiswasprobablyduetothefactthatwewerelearningmoreandmorewhatfourhorsesandalightrigcoulddoonaroad。AndthusdoIsavemyfacewithallthecounties。Irefusetomakeinvidiousroadcomparisons。Icanaddthatwhile，saveinrareinstancesonsteeppitches，Ihavetrottedmyhorsesdownallthegrades，IhaveneverhadonehorsefalldownnorhaveIhadtosendtherigtoablacksmithshopforrepairs。
Also，Iamlearningtothrowleather。Ifanytyrothinksitiseasytotakeashort—handled，long—lashedwhip，andthrowtheendofthatlashjustwherehewantsit，lethimputonautomobilegogglesandtryit。Onreconsideration，Iwouldsuggestthesubstitutionofawirefencing—maskforthegoggles。FordaysI
lookedatthatwhip。Itfascinatedme，andthefascinationwascomposedmostlyoffear。Atmyfirstattempt，CharmianandNakatabecameafflictedwiththesamesortoffascination，andforalongtimeafterward，whenevertheysawmereachforthewhip，theyclosedtheireyesandshieldedtheirheadswiththeirarms。
Here’stheproblem。Insteadofpullinghonestly，PrinceislaggingbackandmanoeuvringforabiteatMilda’sneck。Ihavefourreinsinmyhands。Imustputthesefourreinsintomylefthand，properlygatherthewhiphandleandthebightofthelashinmyrighthand，andthrowthatlashpastMaidwithoutstrikingherandintoPrince。IfthelashstrikesMaid，herthoroughbrednesswillgoupintheair，andI’llhaveacaseofhorsehysteriaonmyhandsforthenexthalfhour。Butfollow。Thewholeproblemisnotyetstated。SupposethatImissMaidandreachtheintendedtarget。Theinstantthelashcracks，thefourhorsesjump，Princemostofall，andhisjump，withspreadwickedteeth，isforthebackofMilda’sneck。Shejumpstoescape——whichishersecondjump，forthefirstonecamewhenthelashexploded。
TheOutlawreachesforMaid’sneck，andMaid，whohasalreadyjumpedandtriedtobolt，triestoboltharder。AndallthisinfinitesimalfractionoftimeIamtryingtoholdthefouranimalswithmylefthand，whilemywhip—lash，writhingthroughtheair，iscomingbacktome。ThreesimultaneousthingsImustdo：keepholdofthefourreinswithmylefthand；slamonthebrakewithmyfoot；andonthereboundcatchthatflyinglashinthehollowofmyrightarmandgetthebightofitsafelyintomyrighthand。ThenImustgettwoofthefourlinesbackintomyrighthandandkeepthehorsesfromrunningawayorgoingoverthegrade。Tryitsometime。Youwillfindlifeanythingbutwearisome。Why，thefirsttimeIhitthemarkandmadethelashgoofflikearevolvershot，IwassoastoundedanddelightedthatIwasparalysed。Iforgottodoanyofthemultitudinousotherthings，tangledthewhiplashinMaid’sharness，andwasforcedtocalluponCharmianforassistance。Andnow，confession。Icarryafewpebbleshandy。They’regreatforreachingPrinceinatightplace。ButjustthesameI’mlearningthatwhipeveryday，andbeforeIgethomeIhopetodiscardthepebbles。AndaslongasI
relyonpebbles，Icannottruthfullyspeakofmyselfas"toolingafour—in—hand。"
FromGarberville，whereweateeeltorepletionandgotacquaintedwiththeaborigines，wedrovedowntheEelRiverValleyfortwodaysthroughthemostunthinkablygloriousbodyofredwoodtimbertobeseenanywhereinCalifornia。FromDyervilleontoEureka，wecaughtglimpsesofrailroadconstructionandofgreatconcretebridgesinthecourseofbuilding，whichadvertisedthatatleastHumboldtCountywasgoingtobelinkedtotherestoftheworld。
Westillconsiderourtripisjustbegun。AssoonasthisismailedfromEureka，it’sheighho!forthehorsesandpullon。Weshallcontinueupthecoast，turninforHoopaReservationandthegoldmines，andshootdowntheTrinityandKlamathriversinIndiancanoestoRequa。Afterthat，weshallgoonthroughDelNorteCountyandintoOregon。Thetripsofarhasjustifiedusintakingtheattitudethatwewon’tgohomeuntilthewinterrainsdriveusin。And，finally，IamgoingtotrytheexperimentofputtingtheOutlawintheleadandrelegatingPrincetohisoldpositioninthenearwheel。Iwon’tneedanypebblesthen。
NOTHINGTHATEVERCAMETOANYTHING
ItwasatQuito，themountaincapitalofEcuador，thatthefollowingpassageatcorrespondencetookplace。Havingoccasiontobuyapairofshoesinashopsixfeetbyeightinsizeandwithwallsthreefeetthick，Inoticedamangyleopardskinonthefloor。IhadnoSpanish。Theshop—keeperhadnoEnglish。ButI
wasanadeptatsignlanguage。IwantedtoknowwhereIshouldgotobuyleopardskins。Onmyscribble—padIdrewtheinterestingstreetsofacity。ThenIdrewasmallshop，which，aftermucheffort，Ipersuadedtheproprietorintorecognisingashisshop。
Next，Iindicatedinmydrawingthatonthemanystreetsthereweremanyshops。And，finally，Imademyselfintoalivinginterrogationmark，pointingallthewhilefromthemangyleopardskintothemanyshopsIhadsketched。
Buttheproprietorfailedtofollowme。Sodidhisassistant。
Thestreetcameintohelp——thatis，asmanyascouldcrowdintothesix—by—eightshop；whilethosethatcouldnotforcetheirwayinheldanoverflowmeetingonthesidewalk。Theproprietorandtheresttookturnsattalkingtomeinrapid—fireSpanish，and，fromtheexpressionsontheirfaces，allconcludedthatIwasremarkablystupid。AgainIwentthroughmyprogramme，pointingonthesketchfromtheoneshoptothemanyshops，pointingoutthatinthisparticularshopwasoneleopardskin，andthenquestinginterrogativelywithmypencilamongalltheshops。Allregardedmeinblanksilence，untilIsawcomprehensionsuddenlydawnonthefaceofasmallboy。
"Tigresmontanya!"hecried。
Thisappealedtomeasmountaintigers，namely，leopards；andintokenthatheunderstood，theboymadesignsformetofollowhim，whichIobeyed。Heledmeforaquarterofamile，andpausedbeforethedoorwayofalargebuildingwheresoldiersslouchedonsentrydutyandinandoutofwhichwentothersoldiers。
Motioningformetoremain，heraninside。
Fifteenminuteslaterhewasoutagain，withoutleopardskins，butfullofinformation。Bymeansofmycard，ofmyhotelcard，ofmywatch，andoftheboy’sfingers，Ilearnedthefollowing：thatatsixo’clockthateveninghewouldarriveatmyhotelwithtenleopardskinsformyinspection。Further，IlearnedthattheskinswerethepropertyofoneCaptainErnestoBecucci。Also，I
learnedthattheboy’snamewasEliceo。
Theboywasprompt。Atsixo’clockhewasatmyroom。Inhishandwasasmallrolladdressedtome。OnopeningitIfoundittobemanuscriptpianomusic，theHoraTranquilaValse，or"TranquilHourWaltz，"byErnestoBecucci。Icameforleopardskins，thoughtI，andtheownersendsmesheetmusicinstead。Buttheboyassuredmethathewouldhavetheskinsatthehotelatninenextmorning，andIentrustedtohimthefollowingletterofacknowledgment：
"DEARCAPTAINBECUCCI：
"AthousandthanksforyourkindpresentationofHoraTranquilaValse。Mrs。Londonwillplayitformethisevening。
Sincerelyyours，"JackLondon。"
NextmorningEliceowasback，butwithouttheskins。Instead，hegavemealetter，writteninSpanish，ofwhichthefollowingisafreetranslation：
"Tomydearestandalwaysappreciatedfriend，Isubmitmyself—
"DEARSIR：
"Isentyoulastnightanofferingbythebearerofthisnote，andyoureturnedmealetterwhichItranslated。
"Beitknowntoyou，sir，thatIamgivingthiswaltzawayinthebestsociety，andthereforetoyourhonouredself。Thereforeitisbeholdentoyoutorecognisetheattention，Imeanbyatangiblereturn，asthiscompositionwasmadebymyself。Youwillthereforesendbyyourhumbleservant，thebearer，anyoffering，howeverminute，thatyoumaybepromptedtomake。Senditundercoverofanenvelope。Thebearermaybetrusted。
"Ididnotindulgeinthepleasureofvisitingyourhonourableselfthismorning，asIfindmybodynottobeenjoyingthenormalexerciseofitsfunctions。
"Asregardstheskinsfromthemountain，youshallbewaitedonbyasmallboyatseveno’clockatnightwithtenskinsfromwhichyoumayselectthosewhichmostsatisfyyouraspirations。
"Inthehopethatyouwilllookuponthisinthesamelightasmyself，Ibegtobeallowedtoremain，"Yourmostfaithfulservant，"CAPTAINERNESTOBECUCCI。"
Well，thoughtI，thisCaptainErnestoBecuccihasshownhimselftobesuchanundependableperson，that，whileIdon’tmindrewardinghimforhiscomposition，IfearmeifIdoInevershalllayeyesonthoseleopardskins。SotoEliceoIgavethisletterfortheCaptain：
"MYDEARCAPTAINBECUCCI：
"Havetheboybringtheskinsatseveno’clockthisevening，whenIshallbegladtolookatthem。Thiseveningwhentheboybringstheskins，Ishallbepleasedtogivehim，inanenvelope，foryou，atangiblereturnforyourmusicalcomposition。
"Pleaseputthepriceoneachskin，andalsoletmeknowforwhatsumalltheskinswillselltogether。
"Sincerelyyours，"JACKLONDON。"
Now，thoughtI，Ihavehim。Noskins，notangiblereturn；andevidentlyheissetonreceivingthattangiblereturn。
Atseveno’clockEliceowasback，butwithoutleopardskins。Hehandedmethisletter：
"SENORLONDON：
"IwishtoinstilinyouthebeliefthatIlostto—day，athalfpastthreeintheafternoon，thekeytomycubicle。WhiledistributingrationstothesoldiersIdroppedit。IseeinthislosstheactofGod。
"Ireceivedaletterfromyourhonourableself，deliveredbytheonewhobearsyouthispoorresponseofmine。To—morrowIwillburstopenthedoortopermitmetokeepmywordwithyou。Ifeelmyselfeternallyshamednottobeabletodominatetheevilsthatafflictcolonialmankind。Pleasesendmethetriflethatyouofferedme。Sendmethisproofofyourappreciationbythebearer，whoistobetrusted。Alsogivetohimasmallsumofmoneyforhimself，andearntheundyinggratitudeofYourmostfaithfulservant，"CAPTAINERNESTOBECUCCI。"
Also，inclosedintheforegoingletterwasthefollowingoriginalpoem，eproposneitherofleopardskinsnortangiblereturns，sofarasIcanmakeout：
EFFUSION
Thoucanstnotweep；
NoraskIforayearToridmeofmywoesOrmakemylifemoredear。
ThemysticchainsthatboundThyall—fondhearttomine，Alas!asunderedareFornowandforalltime。
Invainyoustrovetohide，Fromvulgargazeofman，TheburningglanceofloveThatnonebutLovecanscan。
GoonthystarlitwayAndleavemetomyfate；
Oursoulsmustneedsunite—
But，God!’twillbetoolate。
ToallandsundryofwhichIreplied：
"MYDEARCAPTAINBECUCCI：
"IregretexceedinglytohearthatbyactofGod，athalfpastthreethisafternoon，youlostthekeytoyourcubicle。Pleasehavetheboybringtheskinsatseveno’clockto—morrowmorning，atwhichtime，whenhebringstheskins，Ishallbegladtomakeyouthattangiblereturnforyour"TranquilHourWaltz。"
"Sincerelyyours，"JACKLONDON。"
Atseveno’clockcamenoskins，butthefollowing：
"SIR：
"Afterofferingyoumymostsincererespects，Ibegtocontinuebytellingyouthatnoone，uptothetimeofwriting，hastreatedmewithsuchlackofattention。ItwasapresenttoGENTLEMENwhoweretoretainthepieceofmusic，andwhohaveall，withoutexception，mademeapresentoffivedollars。Itisbeyondmyhumblecapacitytobelievethatyou，afterhavingofferedtosendmemoneyinanenvelope，shouldfailtodoso。
"Sendme，Iprayofyou，themoneytoremuneratethesmallboyforhisrepeatedvisitstoyou。Pleasebediscreetandsenditinanenvelopebythebearer。
"LastnightIcametothehotelwiththeboy。Youweredining。I
waitedmorethananhourforyouandthenwenttothetheatre。
Givetheboysomesmallamount，andsendmealikeofferingoflargerproportions。
"Awaitingincessantlyaslightattentiononyourpart，"CAPTAINERNESTOBECUCCI。"
Andhere，likeoneofGeorgeMoore’srealisticstudies，endsthisintercoursewithCaptainErnestoBecucci。Nothinghappened。
Nothingevercametoanything。Hegotnotangiblereturn，andI
gotnoleopardskins。Thetangiblereturnhemighthavegot，I
presentedtoEliceo，whopromptlyinvesteditinapairoftrousersandatickettothebull—fight。
（NOTETOEDITOR。——ThisisafaithfulnarrationofwhatactuallyhappenedinQuito，Ecuador。）
THATDEADMENRISEUPNEVER
ThemonthinwhichmyseventeenthbirthdayarrivedIsignedonbeforethemastontheSophieSutherland，athree—topmastschoonerboundonaseven—months’seal—huntingcruisetothecoastofJapan。WesailedfromSanFrancisco，andimmediatelyIfoundconfrontingmeaproblemofnoinconsiderableproportions。Thereweretwelvemenofusintheforecastle，tenofwhomwerehardened，tarry—thumbedsailors。NotalonewasIayouthandonmyfirstvoyage，butIhadforshipmatesmenwhohadcomethroughthehardschoolofthemerchantserviceofEurope。Asboys，theyhadhadtoperformtheirship’sduty，and，inaddition，byimmemorialseacustom，theyhadhadtobetheslavesoftheordinaryandable—bodiedseamen。Whentheybecameordinaryseamentheywerestilltheslavesoftheable—bodied。Thus，intheforecastle，withthewatchbelow，anableseaman，lyinginhisbunk，willorderanordinaryseamantofetchhimhisshoesorbringhimadrinkofwater。NowtheordinaryseamanmaybelyinginHISbunk。Heisjustastiredastheableseaman。Yethemustgetoutofhisbunkandfetchandcarry。Ifherefuses，hewillbebeaten。If，perchance，heissostrongthathecanwhiptheableseaman，thenalltheableseamen，orasmanyasmaybenecessary，pitchuponthelucklessdevilandadministerthebeating。
Myproblemnowbecomesapparent。Thesehard—bitScandinaviansailorshadcomethroughahardschool。Asboystheyhadservedtheirmates，andasableseamentheylookedtobeservedbyotherboys。Iwasaboy——withalwithaman’sbody。Ihadneverbeentoseabefore——withalIwasagoodsailorandknewmybusiness。Itwaseitheracaseofholdingmyownwiththemorofgoingunder。
Ihadsignedonasanequal，andanequalImustmaintainmyself，orelseenduresevenmonthsofhellattheirhands。Anditwasthisveryequalitytheyresented。BywhatrightwasIanequal？
Ihadnotearnedthathighprivilege。Ihadnotenduredthemiseriestheyhadenduredasmaltreatedboysorbulliedordinaries。Worsethanthat，Iwasaland—lubbermakinghisfirstvoyage。Andyet，bytheinjusticeoffate，ontheship’sarticlesIwastheirequal。
Mymethodwasdeliberate，andsimple，anddrastic。Inthefirstplace，Iresolvedtodomywork，nomatterhowhardordangerousitmightbe，sowellthatnomanwouldbecalledupontodoitforme。Further，Iputgingerinmymuscles。Inevermalingeredwhenpullingonarope，forIknewtheeagleeyesofmyforecastlematesweresquintingforjustsuchevidencesofmyinferiority。I
madeitapointtobeamongthefirstofthewatchgoingondeck，amongthelastgoingbelow，neverleavingasheetortackleforsomeoneelsetocoiloverapin。Iwasalwayseagerfortherunaloftfortheshiftingoftopsailsheetsandtacks，orforthesettingortakinginoftopsails；andinthesemattersIdidmorethanmyshare。
Furthermore，Iwasonahair—triggerofresentmentmyself。Iknewbetterthantoacceptanyabuseortheslightestpatronizing。Atthefirsthintofsuch，Iwentoff——Iexploded。Imightbebeateninthesubsequentfight，butIlefttheimpressionthatI
wasawild—catandthatIwouldjustaswillinglyfightagain。MyintentionwastodemonstratethatIwouldtoleratenoimposition。
Iprovedthatthemanwhoimposedonmemusthaveafightonhishands。Anddoingmyworkwell，theinnatejusticeofthemen，assistedbytheirwholesomedislikeforaclawingandrendingwild—catruction，soonledthemtogiveovertheirhectoring。
Afterabitofstrife，myattitudewasaccepted，anditwasmypridethatIwastakeninasanequalinspiritaswellasinfact。Fromthenon，everythingwasbeautiful，andthevoyagepromisedtobeahappyone。
Buttherewasoneothermanintheforecastle。CountingtheScandinaviansasten，andmyselfastheeleventh，thismanwasthetwelfthandlast。Weneverknewhisname，contentingourselveswithcallinghimthe"Bricklayer。"HewasfromMissouri——atleasthesoinformedusintheonemeagreconfidencehewasguiltyofintheearlydaysofthevoyage。Also，atthattime，welearnedseveralotherthings。Hewasabrick—layerbytrade。Hehadneverevenseensaltwateruntiltheweekbeforehejoinedus，atwhichtimehehadarrivedinSanFranciscoandlookeduponSanFranciscoBay。Whyhe，ofallmen，atfortyyearsofage，shouldhavefelttheprodtogotosea，wasbeyondallofus；foritwasourunanimousconvictionthatnomanlessfittedfortheseahadeverembarkedonit。Buttoseahehadcome。Afteraweek’sstayinasailors’boarding—house，hehadbeenshovedaboardofusasanableseaman。
Allhandshadtodohisworkforhim。Notonlydidheknownothing，butheprovedhimselfunabletolearnanything。Tryastheywould，theycouldneverteachhimtosteer。Tohimthecompassmusthavebeenaprofoundandawfulwhirligig。Henevermastereditscardinalpoints，muchlessthecheckingandsteadyingoftheshiponhercourse。Heneverdidcometoknowwhetherropesshouldbecoiledfromlefttorightorfromrighttoleft。
Itwasmentallyimpossibleforhimtolearntheeasymusculartrickofthrowinghisweightonaropeinpullingandhauling。
Thesimplestknotsandturnswerebeyondhiscomprehension，whilehewasmortallyafraidofgoingaloft。Bulliedbycaptainandmate，hewasonedayforcedaloft。Hemanagedtogetunderneaththecrosstrees，andtherehefrozetotheratlines。Twosailorshadtogoafterhimtohelphimdown。
Allofwhichwasbadenoughhadtherebeennoworse。Buthewasvicious，malignant，dirty，andwithoutcommondecency。Hewasatall，powerfulman，andhefoughtwitheverybody。Andtherewasnofairnessinhisfighting。Hisfirstfightonboard，thefirstdayout，waswithme，whenhe，desiringtocutaplugofchewingtobacco，tookmypersonaltable—knifeforthepurpose，andwhereupon，I，onahair—trigger，promptlyexploded。Afterthathefoughtwithnearlyeverymemberofthecrew。Whenhisclothingbecametoofilthytobebearablebytherestofus，weputittosoakandstoodoverhimwhilehewashedit。Inshort，theBricklayerwasoneofthosehorribleandmonstrousthingsthatonemustseeinordertobeconvincedthattheyexist。
Iwillonlysaythathewasabeast，andthatwetreatedhimlikeabeast。ItisonlybylookingbackthroughtheyearsthatI
realisehowheartlessweweretohim。Hewaswithoutsin。Hecouldnot，bytheverynatureofthings，havebeenanythingelsethanhewas。Hehadnotmadehimself，andforhismakinghewasnotresponsible。Yetwetreatedhimasafreeagentandheldhimpersonallyresponsibleforallthathewasandthatheshouldnothavebeen。Asaresult，ourtreatmentofhimwasasterribleashewashimselfterrible。Finallywegavehimthesilenttreatment，andforweeksbeforehediedweneitherspoketohimnordidhespeaktous。Andforweekshemovedamongus，orlayinhisbunkinourcrowdedhouse，grinningatushishatredandmalignancy。Hewasadyingman，andheknewit，andweknewit。
Andfurthermore，heknewthatwewantedhimtodie。Hecumberedourlifewithhispresence，andourswasaroughlifethatmaderoughmenofus。Andsohedied，inasmallspacecrowdedbytwelvemenandasmuchaloneasifhehaddiedonsomedesolatemountainpeak。Nokindlyword，nolastword，waspassedbetween。
Hediedashehadlived，abeast，andhediedhatingusandhatedbyus。
AndnowIcometothemoststartlingmomentofmylife。Nosoonerwashedeadthanhewasflungoverboard。Hediedinanightofwind，drawinghislastbreathasthementumbledintotheiroilskinstothecryof"Allhands!"Andhewasflungoverboard，severalhourslater，onadayofwind。Notevenacanvaswrappinggracedhismortalremains；norwashedeemedworthyofbarsofironathisfeet。Wesewedhimupintheblanketsinwhichhediedandlaidhimonahatch—coverfor’ardofthemain—hatchontheportside。Agunnysack，halffullofgalleycoal，wasfastenedtohisfeet。
Itwasbittercold。Theweather—sideofeveryrope，spar，andstaywascoatedwithice，whilealltheriggingwasaharp，singingandshoutingunderthefiercehandofthewind。Theschooner，hoveto，lurchedandflounderedthroughthesea，rollingherscuppersunderandperpetuallyfloodingthedeckwithicysaltwater。Weoftheforecastlestoodinsea—bootsandoilskins。Ourhandsweremittened，butourheadswerebaredinthepresenceofthedeathwedidnotrespect。Ourearsstungandnumbedandwhitened，andweyearnedforthebodytobegone。Buttheinterminablereadingoftheburialservicewenton。Thecaptainhadmistakenhisplace，andwhilehereadonwithoutpurposewefrozeourearsandresentedthisfinalhardshipthrustuponusbythehelplesscadaver。Asfromthebeginning，sototheend，everythinghadgonewrongwiththeBricklayer。Finally，thecaptain’sson，irritatedbeyondmeasure，jerkedthebookfromthepalsiedfingersoftheoldmanandfoundtheplace。Againthequaveringvoiceofthecaptainarose。Thencamethecue："Andthebodyshallbecastintothesea。"Weelevatedoneendofthehatch—cover，andtheBricklayerplungedoutboardandwasgone。
Backintotheforecastlewecleanedhouse，washingoutthedeadman’sbunkandremovingeveryvestigeofhim。Bysealawandseacustom，weshouldhavegatheredhiseffectstogetherandturnedthemovertothecaptain，who，later，wouldhaveheldanauctioninwhichweshouldhavebidforthevariousarticles。Butnomanwantedthem，sowetossedthemupondeckandoverboardinthewakeofthedepartedbody——thelastill—treatmentwecoulddevisetowreakupontheonewehadhatedso。Oh，itwasraw，believeme；butthelifewelivedwasraw，andwewereasrawasthelife。
TheBricklayer’sbunkwasbetterthanmine。Lessseawaterleakeddownthroughthedeckintoit，andthelightwasbetterforlyinginbedandreading。PartlyforthisreasonIproceededtomoveintohisbunk。Myotherreasonwaspride。Isawthesailorsweresuperstitious，andbythisactIdeterminedtoshowthatIwasbraverthanthey。Iwouldcapmyprovedequalitybyadeedthatwouldcompeltheirrecognitionofmysuperiority。Oh，thearroganceofyouth!Butletthatpass。Thesailorswereappalledbymyintention。Oneandall，theywarnedmethatinthehistoryoftheseanomanhadtakenadeadman’sbunkandlivedtotheendofthevoyage。Theyinstancedcaseaftercaseintheirpersonalexperience。Iwasobdurate。Thentheybeggedandpleadedwithme，andmypridewastickledinthattheyshowedtheyreallylikedmeandwereconcernedaboutme。Thisbutservedtoconfirmmeinmymadness。Imovedin，and，lyinginthedeadman’sbunk，allafternoonandeveninglistenedtodirepropheciesofmyfuture。
Alsoweretoldstoriesofawfuldeathsandgruesomeghoststhatsecretlyshiveredtheheartsofallofus。Saturatedwiththis，yetscoffingatit，Irolledoverattheendoftheseconddog—
watchandwenttosleep。
AttenminutestotwelveIwascalled，andattwelveIwasdressedandondeck，relievingthemanwhohadcalledme。Onthesealinggrounds，whenhoveto，awatchofonlyasinglemaniskeptthroughthenight，eachmanholdingthedeckforanhour。Itwasadarknight，thoughnotablackone。Thegalewasbreakingup，andthecloudswerethinning。Thereshouldhavebeenamoon，and，thoughinvisible，insomewayadim，suffusedradiancecamefromit。Ipacedbackandforthacrossthedeckamidships。Mymindwasfilledwiththeeventofthedayandwiththehorribletalesmyshipmateshadtold，andyetIdaretosay，hereandnow，thatI
wasnotafraid。Iwasahealthyanimal，andfurthermore，intellectually，IagreedwithSwinburnethatdeadmenriseupnever。TheBricklayerwasdead，andthatwastheendofit。Hewouldriseupnever——atleast，neveronthedeckoftheSophieSutherland。Eventhenhewasintheoceandepthsmilestowindwardofourleewarddrift，andthelikelihoodwasthathewasalreadyportionedoutinthemawsofmanysharks。Still，mymindponderedonthetalesoftheghostsofdeadmenIhadheard，andI
speculatedonthespiritworld。Myconclusionwasthatifthespiritsofthedeadstillroamedtheworldtheycarriedthegoodnessorthemalignancyoftheearth—lifewiththem。
Therefore，grantingthehypothesis（whichIdidn’tgrantatall），theghostoftheBricklayerwasboundtobeashatefulandmalignantasheinlifehadbeen。Buttherewasn’tanyBricklayer’sghost——thatIinsistedupon。
Afewminutes，thinkingthus，Ipacedupanddown。Then，glancingcasuallyfor’ard，alongtheportside，Ileapedlikeastartleddeerandinablindmadnessofterrorrushedaftalongthepoop，headingforthecabin。Gonewasallmyarroganceofyouthandmyintellectualcalm。Ihadseenaghost。There，inthedimlight，wherewehadflungthedeadmanoverboard，Ihadseenafaintandwaveringform。Six—feetinlengthitwas，slender，andofsubstancesoattenuatedthatIhaddistinctlyseenthroughitthetraceryofthefore—rigging。
Asforme，Iwasaspanic—strickenasafrightenedhorse。I，asI，hadceasedtoexist。Throughmewerevibratingthefibre—
instinctsoftenthousandgenerationsofsuperstitiousforebearswhohadbeenafraidofthedarkandthethingsofthedark。IwasnotI。Iwas，intruth，thosetenthousandforebears。Iwastherace，thewholehumanrace，initssuperstitiousinfancy。Notuntilpartwaydownthecabin—companionwaydidmyidentityreturntome。Icheckedmyflightandclungtothesteepladder，suffocating，trembling，anddizzy。Never，beforenorsince，haveIhadsuchashock。Iclungtotheladderandconsidered。I
couldnotdoubtmysenses。ThatIhadseensomethingtherewasnodiscussion。Butwhatwasit？Eitheraghostorajoke。Therecouldbenothingelse。Ifaghost，thequestionwas：woulditappearagain？Ifitdidnot，andIarousedtheship’sofficers，I
wouldmakemyselfthelaughingstockofallonboard。Andbythesametoken，ifitwereajoke，mypositionwouldbestillmoreridiculous。IfIweretoretainmyhard—wonplaceofequality，itwouldneverdotoarouseanyoneuntilIascertainedthenatureofthething。
Iamabraveman。Idaretosayso；forinfearandtremblingI
creptupthecompanion—wayandwentbacktothespotfromwhichI
hadfirstseenthething。Ithadvanished。Mybraverywasqualified，however。ThoughIcouldseenothing，Iwasafraidtogofor’ardtothespotwhereIhadseenthething。Iresumedmypacingupanddown，andthoughIcastmanyananxiousglancetowardthedreadspot，nothingmanifesteditself。Asmyequanimityreturnedtome，IconcludedthatthewholeaffairhadbeenatrickoftheimaginationandthatIhadgotwhatIdeservedforallowingmymindtodwellonsuchmatters。
Oncemoremyglancesfor’ardwerecasual，andnotanxious；andthen，suddenly，Iwasamadman，rushingwildlyaft。Ihadseenthethingagain，thelong，waveringattenuatedsubstancethroughwhichcouldbeseenthefore—rigging。ThistimeIhadreachedonlythebreakofthepoopwhenIcheckedmyself。AgainI
reasonedoverthesituation，anditwaspridethatcounselledstrongest。Icouldnotaffordtomakemyselfalaughing—stock。
Thisthing，whateveritwas，Imustfacealone。Imustworkitoutmyself。IlookedbacktothespotwherewehadtiltedtheBricklayer。Itwasvacant。Nothingmoved。AndforathirdtimeIresumedmyamid—shipspacing。
Intheabsenceofthethingmyfeardiedawayandmyintellectualpoisereturned。Ofcourseitwasnotaghost。Deadmendidnotriseup。Itwasajoke，acrueljoke。Mymatesoftheforecastle，bysomeunknownmeans，werefrighteningme。Twicealreadymusttheyhaveseenmerunaft。Mycheeksburnedwithshame。InfancyIcouldhearthesmotheredchucklingandlaughtereventhengoingonintheforecastle。Ibegantogrowangry。
Jokeswereallverywell，butthiswascarryingthethingtoofar。
Iwastheyoungestonboard，onlyayouth，andtheyhadnorighttoplaytricksonmeoftheorderthatIwellknewinthepasthadmaderavingmaniacsofmenandwomen。Igrewangrierandangrier，andresolvedtoshowthemthatIwasmadeofsternerstuffandatthesametimetowreakmyresentmentuponthem。Ifthethingappearedagain，ImademymindupthatIwouldgouptoit——
furthermore，thatIwouldgouptoitknifeinhand。Whenwithinstrikingdistance，Iwouldstrike。Ifaman，hewouldgettheknife—thrusthedeserved。Ifaghost，well，itwouldn’thurttheghostany，whileIwouldhavelearnedthatdeadmendidriseup。
NowIwasveryangry，andIwasquitesurethethingwasatrick；
butwhenthethingappearedathirdtime，inthesamespot，long，attenuated，andwavering，fearsurgedupinmeanddrovemostofmyangeraway。ButIdidnotrun。NordidItakemyeyesfromthething。Bothtimesbefore，ithadvanishedwhileIwasrunningaway，soIhadnotseenthemannerofitsgoing。Idrewmysheath—knifefrommybeltandbeganmyadvance。Stepbystep，nearerandnearer，theefforttocontrolmyselfgrewmoresevere。
Thestrugglewasbetweenmywill，myidentity，myveryself，ontheonehand，andontheother，thetenthousandancestorswhoweretwistedintothefibresofmeandwhoseghostlyvoiceswerewhisperingofthedarkandthefearofthedarkthathadbeentheirsinthetimewhentheworldwasdarkandfullofterror。
Iadvancedmoreslowly，andstillthethingwaveredandflittedwithstrangeeerielurches。Andthen，rightbeforemyeyes，itvanished。Isawitvanish。Neithertotherightnorleftdiditgo，norbackward。Rightthere，whileIgazeduponit，itfadedaway，ceasedtobe。Ididn’tdie，butIswear，fromwhatI
experiencedinthosefewsucceedingmoments，thatIknowfullwellthatmencandieoffright。Istoodthere，knifeinhand，swayingautomaticallytotherolloftheship，paralysedwithfear。HadtheBricklayersuddenlyseizedmythroatwithcorporealfingersandproceededtothrottleme，itwouldhavebeennomorethanI
expected。Deadmendidriseup，andthatwouldbethemostlikelythingthemalignantBricklayerwoulddo。
Buthedidn’tseizemythroat。Nothinghappened。And，sincenatureabhorsastatus，Icouldnotremainthereintheoneplaceforeverparalysed。Iturnedandstartedaft。Ididnotrun。
Whatwastheuse？WhatchancehadIagainstthemalevolentworldofghosts？Flight，withme，wastheswiftnessofmylegs。Thepursuit，withaghost，wastheswiftnessofthought。Andtherewereghosts。Ihadseenone。
Andso，stumblingslowlyaft，Idiscoveredtheexplanationoftheseeming。Isawthemizzentopmastlurchingacrossafaintradianceofcloudbehindwhichwasthemoon。Theidealeapedinmybrain。Iextendedthelinebetweenthecloudyradianceandthemizzen—topmastandfoundthatitmuststrikesomewherenearthefore—riggingontheportside。EvenasIdidthis，theradiancevanished。Thedrivingcloudsofthebreakinggalewerealternatelythickeningandthinningbeforethefaceofthemoon，butneverexposingthefaceofthemoon。Andwhenthecloudswereattheirthinnest，itwasaverydimradiancethatthemoonwasabletomake。Iwatchedandwaited。ThenexttimethecloudsthinnedIlookedfor’ard，andtherewastheshadowofthetopmast，longandattenuated，waveringandlurchingonthedeckandagainsttherigging。
Thiswasmyfirstghost。OnceagainhaveIseenaghost。ItprovedtobeaNewfoundlanddog，andIdon’tknowwhichofuswasthemorefrightened，forIhitthatNewfoundlandafullright—armswingtothejaw。RegardingtheBricklayer’sghost，IwillsaythatInevermentionedittoasoulonboard。Also，IwillsaythatinallmylifeIneverwentthroughmoretormentandmentalsufferingthanonthatlonelynight—watchontheSophieSutherland。
（TOTHEEDITOR。——Thisisnotafiction。Itisatruepageoutofmylife。）
ACLASSICOFTHESEA
Introductionto"TwoYearsbeforetheMast。"
Onceinahundredyearsisabookwrittenthatlivesnotaloneforitsowncenturybutwhichbecomesadocumentforthefuturecenturies。SuchabookisDana’s。WhenMarryat’sandCooper’sseanovelsaregonetodust，stimulatingandjoyfulastheyhavebeentogenerationsofmen，stillwillremain"TwoYearsBeforetheMast。"
Paradoxicalasitmayseem，Dana’sbookistheclassicofthesea，notbecausetherewasanythingextraordinaryaboutDana，butfortheprecisecontraryreasonthathewasjustanordinary，normalman，clear—seeing，hard—headed，controlled，fittedwithadequateeducationtogoaboutthework。Hebroughtatrainedmindtoputdownwithuntroubledvisionwhathesawofacertainphaseofwork—a—daylife。Therewasnothingbrilliantnorfly—awayabouthim。Hewasnotagenius。Hisheartneverrodehishead。Hewasneitheroverlordedbysentimentnorhag—riddenbyimagination。
OtherwisehemighthavebeenguiltyofthebeautifulexaggerationsinMelville’s"Typee"ortheimaginativeorgiesinthelatter’s"MobyDick。"ItwasDana’scoolpoisethatsavedhimfrombeingspread—eagledandfloggedwhentwoofhismatesweresotreated；
itwashislackofabandonthatpreventedhimfromtakinguppermanentlywiththesea，thatpreventedhimfromseeingmorethanonepoeticalspot，andmorethanoneromanticspotonallthecoastofOldCalifornia。Yettheseapparentdefectswerehisstrength。Theyenabledhimmagnificentlytowrite，andforalltime，thepictureofthesea—lifeofhistime。
Writtenclosetothemiddleofthelastcentury，suchhasbeentherevolutionworkedinman’smethodoftraffickingwiththesea，thatthelifeandconditionsdescribedinDana’sbookhavepassedutterlyaway。Gonearethecrackclippers，thedrivingcaptains，thehard—bittenbutefficientforemasthands。Remainonlycrawlingcargotanks，dirtytramps，greyhoundliners，andasombre，sordidtypeofsailingship。Theonlyrecordsbrokento—
daybysailingvesselsarethoseforslowness。Theyarenolongerbuiltforspeed，noraretheymannedbeforethemastbyassturdyasailorstock，noraftthemastaretheyofficeredbysail—
carryingcaptainsanddrivingmates。
Speedislefttotheliners，whorunthesilk，andtea，andspices。Admiraltycourts，boardsoftrade，andunderwritersfrownupondrivingandsail—carrying。Nomorearethefree—and—easy，dare—devildays，whenfortunesweremadeinfastrunsandluckyventures，notaloneforowners，butforcaptainsaswell。Nothingisventurednow。Therisksofswiftpassagescannotbeabided。
Freightsarecalculatedtothelastleastfractionofpercent。
Thecaptainsdonospeculating，nobargain—makingfortheowners。
Thelatterattendtoallthis，andbywireandcableraketheportsofthesevenseasinquestofcargoes，andthroughtheiragentsmakeallbusinessarrangements。
Ithasbeenlearnedthatsmallcrewsonly，andlargecarriersonly，canreturnadecentinterestontheinvestment。Theinevitablecorollaryisthatspeedandspiritareatadiscount。
Thereisnodiscussionofthefactthatinthesailingmerchantmarinetheseamen，asaclass，havesadlydeteriorated。Mennolongersellfarmstogotosea。ButthetimeofwhichDanawriteswastheheydayoffortune—makingandadventureonthesea——withthefullconnotationofhardshipandperilalwaysattendant。
ItwasDana’sfortune，forthesakeofthepicture，thatthePilgrimwasanaverageship，withanaveragecrewandofficers，andmanagedwithaveragediscipline。EventheHAZINGthattookplaceaftertheCaliforniacoastwasreached，wasoftheaveragesort。ThePilgrimsavourednotinanywayofahell—ship。Thecaptain，whilenotthesweetest—naturedmanintheworld，wasonlyanaveragedown—eastdriver，neitherbrilliantnorslovenlyinhisseamanship，neithercruelnorsentimentalinthetreatmentofhismen。While，ontheonehand，therewerenoextralibertydays，nodelicaciesaddedtothemeagreforecastlefare，norgrogorhotcoffeeondoublewatches，ontheotherhandthecrewwerenotchronicallycrippledbythecontinualplayofknuckle—dustersandbelayingpins。Once，andonceonly，weremenfloggedorironed——averyfairaveragefortheyear1834，foratthattimefloggingonboardmerchantvesselswasalreadywellonthedecline。
Thedifferencebetweenthesea—lifethenandnowcanbenobetterepitomisedthaninDana’sdescriptionofthedressofthesailorofhisday：
"Thetrouserstightaroundthehips，andthencehanginglongandloosearoundthefeet，asuperabundanceofcheckedshirt，alow—
crowned，well—varnishedblackhat，wornonthebackofthehead，withhalfafathomofblackribbonhangingoverthelefteye，andapeculiartietotheblacksilkneckerchief。"
ThoughDanasailedfromBostononlythree—quartersofacenturyago，muchthatisatpresentobsoletewastheninfullsway。Forinstance，theoldwordLARBOARDwasstillinuse。HewasamemberoftheLARBOARDwatch。ThevesselwasontheLARBOARDtack。Itwasonlytheotherday，becauseofitssimilarityinsoundtostarboard，thatLARBOARDwaschangedtoPORT。Trytoimagine"Alllarboardbowlinesondeck!"beingshouteddownintotheforecastleofapresentdayship。YetthatwasthecallusedonthePilgrimtofetchDanaandtherestofhiswatchondeck。
Thechronometer，whichismerelytheleastimperfecttime—piecemanhasdevised，makespossiblethesurestandeasiestmethodbyfarofascertaininglongitude。YetthePilgrimsailedinadaywhenthechronometerwasjustcomingintogeneraluse。SolittlewasitdependeduponthatthePilgrimcarriedonlyone，andthatone，goingwrongattheoutset，wasneverusedagain。Anavigatorofthepresentwouldbeaghastifaskedtovoyagefortwoyears，fromBoston，aroundtheHorntoCalifornia，andbackagain，withoutachronometer。Inthosedayssuchaproceedingwasamatterofcourse，forthosewerethedayswhendeadreckoningwasindeedsomethingtoreckonon，whenrunningdownthelatitudewasacommonwayoffindingaplace，andwhenlunarobservationsweredirelynecessary。Itmaybefairlyassertedthatveryfewmerchantofficersofto—dayevermakealunarobservation，andthatalargepercentageareunabletodoit。
"Sept。22nd。，uponcomingondeckatsevenbellsinthemorningwefoundtheotherwatchaloftthrowingwateruponthesails，andlookingasternwesawasmall，clipper—builtbrigwithablackhullheadingdirectlyafterus。Wewenttoworkimmediately，andputallthecanvasuponthebrigwhichwecouldgetuponher，riggingoutoarsforstudding—sailyards；andcontinedwettingdownthesailsbybucketsofwaterwhippeduptothemast—head……Shewasarmed，andfullofmen，andshowednocolours。"
Theforegoingsoundslikeaparagraphfrom"MidshipmanEasy"orthe"WaterWitch，"ratherthanaparagraphfromthesoberest，faithfullest，andmostliteralchronicleoftheseaeverwritten。
Andyetthechasebyapirateoccurred，onboardthebrigPilgrim，onSeptember22nd，1834——somethinglikeonlytwogenerationsago。
Danawasthethorough—goingtypeofman，notoverbalancedanderratic，withoutquirkorquibbleoftemperament。Hewasefficient，butnotbrilliant。Hiswasageneralall—roundefficiency。Hewasefficientatthelaw；hewasefficientatcollege；hewasefficientasasailor；hewasefficientinthematterofpride，whenthatpridewasnomorethantheprideofaforecastlehand，attwelvedollarsamonth，inhisseaman’staskwelldone，inthesmartsailingofhiscaptain，intheclearnessandtrimnessofhisship。
ThereisnosailorwhosecocklesoftheheartwillnotwarmtoDana’sdescriptionofthefirsttimehesentdownaroyalyard。
Onceortwicehehadseenitdone。Hegotanoldhandinthecrewtocoachhim。Andthen，thefirstanchorageatMonterey，beingprettyTHICKwiththesecondmate，hegothimtoaskthematetobesentupthefirsttimetheroyalyardswerestruck。
"Fortunately，"asDanadescribesit，"Igotthroughwithoutanywordfromtheofficer；andheardthe’welldone’ofthemate，whentheyardreachedthedeck，withasmuchsatisfactionasIeverfeltatCambridgeonseeinga’bene’atthefootofaLatinexercise。"
"ThiswasthefirsttimeIhadtakenaweatherear—ring，andI
feltnotalittleproudtositastrideoftheweatheryard—arm，pasttheear—ring，andsingout’Haulouttoleeward!’"Hehadbeenoverayearatseabeforeheessayedthisableseaman’stask，buthedidit，andhediditwithpride。Andwithpride，hewentdownafour—hundredfootcliff，onapairoftop—gallantstudding—
sailhalyardsbenttogether，todislodgeseveraldollarsworthofstrandedbullockhides，thoughalltheacclaimhegotfromhismateswas："Whatad—dfoolyouweretoriskyourlifeforhalfadozenhides!"
Inbrief，itwasjustthisefficiencyinpride，aswellaswork，thatenabledDanatosetdown，notmerelythephotographdetailoflifebeforethemastandhide—droghingonthecoastofCalifornia，butoftheuntarnishedsimplepsychologyandethicsoftheforecastlehandswhodroghedthehides，stoodatthewheel，madeandtookinsail，tarreddowntherigging，holystonedthedecks，turnedinall—standing，grumbledastheycutaboutthekid，criticisedtheseamanshipoftheirofficers，andestimatedthedurationoftheirexilefromthecubicspaceofthehide—house。
JACKLONDON
GlenEllen，California，August13，1911。
AWICKEDWOMAN
（CurtainRaiser）
BYJACKLONDON
Scene——California。
Time——Afternoonofasummerday。
CHARACTERS
LORETTA，Asweet，youngthing。Frightfullyinnocent。Aboutnineteenyearsold。Slender，delicate，afragileflower。
Ingenuous。
NEDBASHFORD，Ajadedyoungmanoftheworld，whohasphilosophisedhisexperiencesandwhoiswithoutfaithintheveracityorpurityofwomen。
BILLYMARSH，AboyfromacountrytownwhoisjustaboutasinnocentasLoretta。Awkward。Positive。Rawandcallowyouth。
ALICEHEMINGWAY，Asocietywoman，good—hearted，andamatch—maker。
JACKHEMINGWAY，Herhusband。
MAID。
AWICKEDWOMAN
[CurtainrisesonaconventionallivingroomofacountryhouseinCalifornia。ItistheHemingwayhouseatSantaClara。Theroomisremarkableformagnificentstonefireplaceatrearcentre。Oneithersideoffireplacearegenerous，diamond—panedwindows。
Wide，curtaineddoorwaystorightandleft。Toleft，front，table，withvaseofflowersandchairs。Toright，front，grandpiano。]
[CurtaindiscoversLORETTAseatedatpiano，notplaying，herbacktoit，facingNEDBASHFORD，whoisstanding。]
LORETTA。[Petulantly，fanningherselfwithsheetofmusic。]No，Iwon’tgofishing。It’stoowarm。Besides，thefishwon’tbitesoearlyintheafternoon。
NED。Oh，comeon。It’snotwarmatall。Andanyway，wewon’treallyfish。Iwanttotellyousomething。
LORETTA。[Stillpetulantly。]Youarealwayswantingtotellmesomething。
NED。Yes，butonlyinfun。Thisisdifferent。Thisisserious。
Our……myhappinessdependsuponit。
LORETTA。[Speakingeagerly，nolongerpetulant，looking，seriousanddelighted，diviningaproposal。]Thendon’twait。Tellmerighthere。
NED。[Almostthreateningly。]ShallI？
LORETTA。[Challenging。]Yes。
[Helooksaroundapprehensivelyasthoughfearinginterruption，clearshisthroat，takesresolution，alsotakesLORETTA’shand。]
[LORETTAisstartled，timid，yetwillingtohear，naivelyunabletoconcealherloveforhim。]
NED。[Speakingsoftly。]Loretta……I，……eversinceImetyouIhave—
[JACKHEMINGWAYappearsinthedoorwaytotheleft，justentering。]
[NEDsuddenlydropsLORETTA’shand。Heshowsexasperation。]
[LORETTAshowsdisappointmentatinterruption。]
NED。ConfounditLORETTA。[Shocked。]Ned!Whywillyouswearso？
NED。[Testily。]Thatisn’tswearing。
LORETTA。Whatisit，pray？
NED。Displeasuring。
JACKHEMINGWAY。[Whoiscrossingovertoright。]Squabblingagain？
LORETTA。[Indignantlyandwithdignity。]No，we’renot。
NED。[Gruffly。]Whatdoyouwantnow？
JACKHEMINGWAY。[Enthusiastically。]Comeonfishing。
NED。[Snappily。]No。It’stoowarm。
JACKHEMINGWAY。[Resignedly，goingoutright。]Youneedn’ttakeafellow’sheadoff。
LORETTA。Ithoughtyouwantedtogofishing。
NED。NotwithJack。
LORETTA。[Accusingly，fanningherselfvigorously。]Andyoutoldmeitwasn’twarmatall。
NED。[Speakingsoftly。]Thatisn’twhatIwantedtotellyou，Loretta。[Hetakesherhand。]DearLoretta—
[EnterabruptlyALICEHEMINGWAYfromright。]
[LORETTAsharplyjerksherhandaway，andlooksputout。]
[NEDtriesnottolookawkward。]
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Goodness!Ithoughtyou’dbothgonefishing!
LORETTA。[Sweetly。]Isthereanythingyouwant，Alice？
NED。[Tryingtobecourteous。]AnythingIcando？
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Speakingquickly，andtryingtowithdraw。]No，no。Ionlycametoseeifthemailhadarrived。
LORETTAANDNED
[Speakingtogether。]No，ithasn’tarrived。
LORETTA。[Suddenlymovingtowarddoortoright。]Iamgoingtosee。
[NEDlooksatherreproachfully。]
[LORETTAlooksbacktantalisinglyfromdoorwayanddisappears。]
[NEDflingshimselfdisgustedlyintoMorrischair。]
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Movingoverandstandinginfrontofhim。
Speaksaccusingly。]Whathaveyoubeensayingtoher？
NED。[Disgruntled。]Nothing。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Threateningly。]Nowlistentome，Ned。
NED。[Earnestly。]Onmyword，Alice，I’vebeensayingnothingtoher。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Withsuddenchangeoffront。]Thenyououghttohavebeensayingsomethingtoher。
NED。[Irritably。Gettingchairforher，seatingher，andseatinghimselfagain。]Lookhere，Alice，Iknowyourgame。Youinvitedmedownheretomakeafoolofme。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Nothingofthesort，sir。Iaskedyoudowntomeetasweetandunsulliedgirl——thesweetest，mostinnocentandingenuousgirlintheworld。
NED。[Dryly。]That’swhatyousaidinyourletter。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Andthat’swhyyoucame。Jackhadbeentryingforayeartogetyoutocome。Hedidnotknowwhatkindofalettertowrite。
NED。IfyouthinkIcamebecauseofalineinaletteraboutagirlI’dneverseen—
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Mockingly。]Thepoor，jaded，world—wornman，whoisnolongerinterestedinwomen……andgirls!Thepoor，tiredpessimistwhohaslostallfaithinthegoodnessofwomen—
NED。Forwhichyouareresponsible。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Incredulously。]I？
NED。Youareresponsible。WhydidyouthrowmeoverandmarryJack？
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Doyouwanttoknow？
NED。Yes。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Judiciously。]First，becauseIdidnotloveyou。Second，becauseyoudidnotloveme。[Shesmilesathisprotestinghandandattheprotestingexpressiononhisface。]
Andthird，becausetherewerejustabouttwenty—sevenotherwomenatthattimethatyouloved，orthoughtyouloved。ThatiswhyI
marriedJack。Andthatiswhyyoulostfaithinthegoodnessofwomen。Youhaveonlyyourselftoblame。
NED。[Admiringly。]Youtalksoconvincingly。IalmostbelieveyouasIlistentoyou。AndyetIknowallthetimethatyouarelikealltherestofyoursex——faithless，unveracious，and……
[Heglaresather，butdoesnotproceed。]
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Goon。I’mnotafraid。
NED。[Withfinality。]Andimmoral。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Oh!Youwretch!
NED。[Gloatingly。]That’sright。Getangry。Youmaybreakthefurnitureifyouwish。Idon’tmind。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Withsuddenchangeoffront，softly。]AndhowaboutLoretta？
[NEDgaspsandremainssilent。]
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Thedepthsofduplicitythatmustlurkunderthatsweetandinnocentexterior……accordingtoyourphilosophy!
NED。[Earnestly。]Lorettaisanexception，Iconfess。Sheisallthatyousaidinyourletter。Sheisalittlefairy，anangel。Ineverdreamedofanythinglikeher。Itisremarkabletofindsuchawomaninthisage。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Encouragingly。]Sheissonaive。
NED。[Takingthebait。]Yes，isn’tshe？Herfaceandhertonguebetrayallhersecrets。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Noddingherhead。]Yes，Ihavenoticedit。
NED。[Delightedly。]Haveyou？
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Shecannotconcealanything。Doyouknowthatshelovesyou？
NED。[Fallingintothetrap，eagerly。]Doyouthinkso？
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Laughingandrising。]AndtothinkIoncepermittedyoutomakelovetomeforthreeweeks!
[NEDrises。]
[MAIDentersfromleftwithletters，whichshebringstoALICE
HEMINGWAY。]
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Runningoverletters。]Noneforyou，Ned。
[Selectingtwolettersforherself。]Tradesmen。[HandingremainderofletterstoMAID。]AndthreeforLoretta。[SpeakingtoMAID。]Putthemonthetable，Josie。
[MAIDputslettersontabletoleftfront，andmakesexittoleft。]
NED。[Withshadeofjealousy。]Lorettaseemstohavequiteacorrespondence。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Withasigh。]Yes，asIusedtowhenIwasagirl。
NED。Buthersarefamilyletters。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Yes，IdidnotnoticeanyfromBilly。
NED。[Faintly。]Billy？
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Nodding。]Ofcourseshehastoldyouabouthim？
NED。[Gasping。]Shehashadlovers……already？
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Andwhynot？Sheisnineteen。
NED。[Haltingly。]This……er……thisBilly……？
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Laughingandputtingherhandreassuringlyonhisarm。]Nowdon’tbealarmed，poor，tiredphilosopher。Shedoesn’tloveBillyatall。
[LORETTAentersfromright。]
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[ToLORETTA，noddingtowardtable。]Threelettersforyou。
LORETTA。[Delightedly。]Oh!Thankyou。
[LORETTAtripsswiftlyacrosstotable，looksatletters，sitsdown，opensletters，andbeginstoread。]
NED。[Suspiciously。]ButBilly？
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Iamafraidhelovesherveryhard。Thatiswhysheishere。Theyhadtosendheraway。Billywasmakinglifemiserableforher。Theywerelittlechildrentogether——playmates。
AndBillyhasbeen，well，importunate。AndLoretta，poorchild，doesnotknowanythingaboutmarriage。Thatisall。
NED。[Reassured。]Oh，Isee。
[ALICEHEMINGWAYstartsslowlytowardrightexit，continuingconversationandaccompaniedbyNED。]
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[CallingtoLORETTA。]Areyougoingfishing，Loretta？
[LORETTAlooksupfromletterandshakeshead。]
ALICEHEMINGWAY。[ToNED。]Thenyou’renot，Isuppose？
NED。No，it’stoowarm。
ALICEHEMINGWAY。ThenIknowtheplaceforyou。
NED。Where？
ALICEHEMINGWAY。Righthere。[LookssignificantlyindirectionofLORETTA。]Nowisyouropportunitytosaywhatyououghttosay。
[ALICEHEMINGWAYlaughsteasinglyandgoesouttoright。]
[NEDhesitates，startstofollowher，looksatLORETTA，andstops。
Hetwistshismoustacheandcontinuestolookathermeditatively。]
[LORETTAisunawareofhispresenceandgoesonreading。Finishesletter，foldsit，replacesinenvelope，looksup，anddiscoversNED。]
LORETTA。[Startled。]Oh!Ithoughtyouweregone。
NED。[Walkingacrosstoher。]IthoughtI’dstayandfinishourconversation。
LORETTA。[Willingly，settlingherselftolisten。]Yes，youweregoingto……[Dropseyesandceasestalking。]
NED。[Takingherhand，tenderly。]IlittledreamedwhenIcamedownherevisitingthatIwastomeetmydestinyin——[AbruptlyreleasesLORETTA’shand。]
[MAIDentersfromleftwithtray。]
[LORETTAglancesintotrayanddiscoversthatitisempty。ShelooksinquiringlyatMAID。]
MAID。Agentlemantoseeyou。Hehasn’tanycard。HesaidformetotellyouthatitwasBilly。
LORETTA。[Starting，lookingwithdismayandappealtoNED。]Oh!……Ned!
NED[Gracefullyandcourteously，risingtohisfeetandpreparingtogo。]Ifyou’llexcusemenow，I’llwaittillafterwardtotellyouwhatIwanted。
LORETTA。[Indismay。]WhatshallIdo？
NED。[Pausing。]Don’tyouwanttoseehim？[LORETTAshakesherhead。]Thendon’t。
LORETTA。[Slowly。]Ican’tdothat。Weareoldfriends。We……werechildrentogether。[TotheMAID。]Sendhimin。[ToNED，whohasstartedtogoouttowardright。]Don’tgo，Ned。
[MAIDmakesexittoleft。]
NED。[Hesitatingamoment。]I’llcomeback。
[NEDmakesexittoright。]
[LORETTA，leftaloneonstage，showsperturbationanddismay。]
[BILLYentersfromleft。Standsindoorwayamoment。Hisshoesaredusty。Helooksoverheated。HiseyesandfacebrightenatsightofLORETTA。]
BILLY。[Steppingforward，ardently。]Loretta!
LORETTA。[Notexactlyenthusiasticinherreception，goingslowlytomeethim。]Youneversaidyouwerecoming。
[BILLYshowsthatheexpectstokissher，butshemerelyshakeshishand。]
BILLY。[Lookingdownathisverydustyshoes。]Iwalkedfromthestation。
LORETTA。Ifyouhadletmeknow，thecarriagewouldhavebeensentforyou。
BILLY。[Withexpressionofshrewdness。]IfIhadletyouknow，youwouldn’thaveletmecome。
[BILLYlooksaroundstagecautiously，thentriestokissher。]
LORETTA。[Refusingtobekissed。]Won’tyousitdown？
BILLY。[Coaxingly。]Goon，justone。[LORETTAshakesheadandholdshimoff。]Whynot？We’reengaged。
LORETTA。[Withdecision。]We’renot。Youknowwe’renot。YouknowIbrokeitoffthedaybeforeIcameaway。And……and……you’dbettersitdown。