part1-2
　　ChapterII
　　HESHOOKhandswithme："Well，thereyouare，onyourown，appointedofficiallyundermyre-
　　sponsibility。"
　　Hewasactuallywalkingwithmetothedoor。
　　Whatadistanceoffitseemed！Imovedlikeamaninbonds。Butwereacheditatlast。Iopeneditwiththesensationofdealingwithmeredream-
　　stuff，andthenatthelastmomentthefellowshipofseamenasserteditself，strongerthanthediffer-
　　enceofageandstation。ItasserteditselfinCaptainEllis’voice。
　　"Good-bye——andgoodlucktoyou，"hesaidsoheartilythatIcouldonlygivehimagratefulglance。ThenIturnedandwentout，nevertoseehimagaininmylife。IhadnotmadethreestepsintotheouterofficewhenIheardbehindmybackagruff，loud，authoritativevoice，thevoiceofourdeputy-Neptune。
　　ItwasaddressingtheheadShipping-Masterwho，havingletmein，had，apparently，remainedhoveringinthemiddledistanceeversince"Mr。R。，lettheharbourlaunchhavesteamuptotakethecaptainhereonboardtheMelitaathalf-
　　pastnineto-night。"
　　IwasamazedatthestartledalacrityofR’s"Yes，sir。"Heranbeforemeoutonthelanding。
　　MynewdignitysatyetsolightlyonmethatIwasnotawarethatitwasI，theCaptain，theobjectofthislastgraciousness。Itseemedasifallofasud-
　　denapairofwingshadgrownonmyshoulders。I
　　merelyskimmedalongthepolishedfloor。
　　ButR。wasimpressed。
　　"Isay！"heexclaimedonthelanding，whiletheMalaycrewofthesteam-launchstandingbylookedstonilyatthemanforwhomtheyweregoingtobekeptondutysolate，awayfromtheirgambling，fromtheirgirls，ortheirpuredomesticjoys。"I
　　say！Hisownlaunch。Whathaveyoudonetohim？"
　　Hisstarewasfullofrespectfulcuriosity。Iwasquiteconfounded。
　　"Wasitforme？Ihadn’ttheslightestnotion，"
　　Istammeredout。
　　Henoddedmanytimes。"Yes。AndthelastpersonwhohaditbeforeyouwasaDuke。So，there！"
　　Ithinkheexpectedmetofaintonthespot。
　　ButIwasintoomuchofahurryforemotionaldisplays。Myfeelingswerealreadyinsuchawhirlthatthisstaggeringinformationdidnotseemtomaketheslightestdifference。Itmerelyfellintotheseethingcauldronofmybrain，andIcarrieditoffwithmeafterashortbuteffusivepassageofleave-takingwithR。
　　Thefavourofthegreatthrowsanaureoleroundthefortunateobjectofitsselection。Thatex-
　　cellentmanenquiredwhetherhecoulddoanythingforme。Hehadknownmeonlybysight，andhewaswellawarehewouldneverseemeagain;Iwas，incommonwiththeotherseamenoftheport，merelyasubjectforofficialwriting，fillingupofformswithalltheartificialsuperiorityofamanofpenandinktothemenwhograpplewithrealitiesoutsidetheconsecratedwallsofofficialbuildings。
　　Whatghostswemusthavebeentohim！Meresymbolstojugglewithinbooksandheavyregisters，withoutbrainsandmusclesandper-
　　plexities;somethinghardlyusefulanddecidedlyinferior。
　　Andhe——theofficehoursbeingover——wantedtoknowifhecouldbeofanyusetome！
　　Iought——properlyspeaking——Ioughttohavebeenmovedtotears。ButIdidnoteventhinkofit。
　　Itwasmerelyanothermiraculousmanifestationofthatdayofmiracles。Ipartedfromhimasifhewereameresymbol。Ifloateddownthestaircase。
　　Ifloatedoutoftheofficialandimposingportal。I
　　wentonfloatingalong。
　　Iusethatwordratherthantheword"flew，"be-
　　causeIhaveadistinctimpressionthat，thoughup-
　　liftedbymyarousedyouth，mymovementsweredeliberateenough。Tothatmixedwhite，brown，andyellowportionofmankind，outabroadontheirownaffairs，Ipresentedtheappearanceofamanwalkingrathersedately。Andnothinginthewayofabstractioncouldhaveequalledmydeepde-
　　tachmentfromtheformsandcoloursofthisworld。
　　Itwas，asitwere，final。
　　Andyet，suddenly，IrecognizedHamilton。I
　　recognizedhimwithouteffort，withoutashock，withoutastart。Therehewas，strollingtowardtheHarbourOfficewithhisstiff，arrogantdignity。
　　Hisredfacemadehimnoticeableatadistance。Itflamed，overthere，ontheshadysideofthestreet。
　　Hehadperceivedme，too。Something（uncon-
　　sciousexuberanceofspiritsperhaps）movedmetowavemyhandtohimelaborately。ThislapsefromgoodtastehappenedbeforeIwasawarethatIwascapableofit。
　　Theimpactofmyimpudencestoppedhimshort，muchasabulletmighthavedone。Iverilybelievehestaggered，thoughasfarasIcouldseehedidn’tactuallyfall。Ihadgonepastinamomentanddidnotturnmyhead。Ihadforgottenhisexistence。
　　Thenexttenminutesmighthavebeentensecondsortencenturiesforallmyconsciousnesshadtodowithit。Peoplemighthavebeenfallingdeadaroundme，housescrumbling，gunsfiring，Iwouldn’thaveknown。Iwasthinking："ByJove！Ihavegotit。"ITbeingthecommand。Ithadcomeaboutinawayutterlyunforeseeninmymodestday-dreams。
　　Iperceivedthatmyimaginationhadbeenrun-
　　ninginconventionalchannelsandthatmyhopeshadalwaysbeendrabstuff。Ihadenvisagedacommandasaresultofaslowcourseofpromotionintheemployofsomehighlyrespectablefirm。
　　Therewardoffaithfulservice。Well，faithfulservicewasallright。Onewouldnaturallygivethatforone’sownsake，forthesakeoftheship，fortheloveofthelifeofone’schoice;notforthesakeofthereward。
　　Thereissomethingdistastefulinthenotionofareward。
　　AndnowhereIhadmycommand，absolutelyinmypocket，inawayundeniableindeed，butmostunexpected;beyondmyimaginings，outsideallreasonableexpectations，andevennotwithstandingtheexistenceofsomesortofobscureintriguetokeepitawayfromme。Itistruethattheintriguewasfeeble，butithelpedthefeelingofwonder——asifIhadbeenspeciallydestinedforthatshipIdidnotknow，bysomepowerhigherthantheprosaicagenciesofthecommercialworld。
　　Astrangesenseofexultationbegantocreepintome。IfIhadworkedforthatcommandtenyearsormoretherewouldhavebeennothingofthekind。
　　Iwasalittlefrightened。
　　"Letusbecalm，"Isaidtomyself。
　　OutsidethedooroftheOfficers’HomethewretchedStewardseemedtobewaitingforme。
　　Therewasabroadflightofafewsteps，andherantoandfroonthetopofitasifchainedthere。A
　　distressedcur。Helookedasthoughhisthroatweretoodryforhimtobark。
　　IregrettosayIstoppedbeforegoingin。Therehadbeenarevolutioninmymoralnature。Hewaitedopen-mouthed，breathless，whileIlookedathimforhalfaminute。
　　"Andyouthoughtyoucouldkeepmeoutofit，"
　　Isaidscathingly。
　　"Yousaidyouweregoinghome，"hesqueakedmiserably。"Yousaidso。Yousaidso。"
　　"IwonderwhatCaptainElliswillhavetosaytothatexcuse，"Iutteredslowlywithasinistermeaning。
　　Hislowerjawhadbeentremblingallthetimeandhisvoicewaslikethebleatingofasickgoat。"Youhavegivenmeaway？Youhavedoneforme？"
　　Neitherhisdistressnoryetthesheerabsurdityofitwasabletodisarmme。Itwasthefirstin-
　　stanceofharmbeingattemptedtobedonetome——atanyrate，thefirstIhadeverfoundout。AndIwasstillyoungenough，stilltoomuchonthissideoftheshadowline，nottobesurprisedandindig-
　　nantatsuchthings。
　　Igazedathiminflexibly。Letthebeggarsuffer。
　　HeslappedhisforeheadandIpassedin，pursued，intothediningroom，byhisscreech："Ialwayssaidyou’dbethedeathofme。"
　　Thisclamournotonlyovertookme，butwentaheadasitwereontotheverandahandbroughtoutCaptainGiles。
　　Hestoodbeforemeinthedoorwayinallthecommonplacesolidityofhiswisdom。Thegoldchainglitteredonhisbreast。Heclutchedasmoulderingpipe。
　　Iextendedmyhandtohimwarmlyandheseemedsurprised，butdidrespondheartilyenoughintheend，withafaintsmileofsuperiorknowledgewhichcutmythanksshortasifwithaknife。I
　　don’tthinkthatmorethanonewordcameout。
　　Andevenforthatone，judgingbythetemperatureofmyface，Ihadblushedasifforabadaction。
　　Assumingadetachedtone，Iwonderedhowonearthhehadmanagedtospotthelittleunderhandgamethathadbeengoingon。
　　Hemurmuredcomplacentlythattherewerebutfewthingsdoneinthetownthathecouldnotseetheinsideof。Andastothishouse，hehadbeenusingitoffandonfornearlytenyears。Nothingthatwentoninitcouldescapehisgreatexperience。
　　Ithadbeennotroubletohim。Notroubleatall。
　　Theninhisquiet，thicktonehewantedtoknowifIhadcomplainedformallyoftheSteward’saction。
　　IsaidthatIhadn’t——though，indeed，itwasnotforwantofopportunity。CaptainEllishadgoneformebald-headedinamostridiculousfashionforbeingoutofthewaywhenwanted。
　　"Funnyoldgentleman，"interjectedCaptainGiles。"Whatdidyousaytothat？"
　　"IsaidsimplythatIcamealongtheverymo-
　　mentIheardofhismessage。Nothingmore。I
　　didn’twanttohurttheSteward。Iwouldscorntoharmsuchanobject。No。Imadenocom-
　　plaint，butIbelievehethinksI’vedoneso。Lethimthink。He’sgotafrighthewon’tforgetinahurry，forCaptainElliswouldkickhimoutintothemiddleofAsia……"
　　"Waitamoment，"saidCaptainGiles，leavingmesuddenly。Isatdownfeelingverytired，mostlyinmyhead。BeforeIcouldstartatrainofthoughthestoodagainbeforeme，murmuringtheexcusethathehadtogoandputthefellow’smindatease。
　　Ilookedupwithsurprise。ButinrealityIwasindifferent。HeexplainedthathehadfoundtheStewardlyingfacedownwardonthehorsehairsofa。
　　Hewasallrightnow。
　　"Hewouldnothavediedoffright，"Isaidcon-
　　temptuously。
　　"No。Buthemighthavetakenanoverdoseoutofoneofthemlittlebottleshekeepsinhisroom，"
　　CaptainGilesarguedseriously。"Theconfoundedfoolhastriedtopoisonhimselfonce——afewyearsago。"
　　"Really，"Isaidwithoutemotion。"Hedoesn’tseemveryfittolive，anyhow。"
　　"Astothat，itmaybesaidofagoodmany。"
　　"Don’texaggeratelikethis！"Iprotested，laughingirritably。"ButIwonderwhatthispartoftheworldwoulddoifyouweretoleaveofflook-
　　ingafterit，CaptainGiles？HereyouhavegotmeacommandandsavedtheSteward’slifeinoneafternoon。ThoughwhyyoushouldhavetakenallthatinterestineitherofusismorethanIcanunderstand。"
　　CaptainGilesremainedsilentforaminute。
　　Thengravely：
　　"He’snotabadstewardreally。Hecanfindagoodcook，atanyrate。And，what’smore，hecankeephimwhenfound。Irememberthecookswehadherebeforehistime！……"
　　Imusthavemadeamovementofimpatience，becauseheinterruptedhimselfwithanapologyforkeepingmeyarningthere，whilenodoubtIneededallmytimetogetready。
　　WhatIreallyneededwastobealoneforabit。
　　Iseizedthisopeninghastily。Mybedroomwasaquietrefugeinanapparentlyuninhabitedwingofthebuilding。Havingabsolutelynothingtodo（forIhadnotunpackedmythings），Isatdownonthebedandabandonedmyselftotheinfluencesofthehour。Totheunexpectedinfluences……
　　AndfirstIwonderedatmystateofmind。WhywasInotmoresurprised？Why？HereIwas，in-
　　vestedwithacommandinthetwinklingofaneye，notinthecommoncourseofhumanaffairs，butmoreasifbyenchantment。Ioughttohavebeenlostinastonishment。ButIwasn’t。Iwasverymuchlikepeopleinfairytales。Nothingeverastonishesthem。Whenafullyappointedgalacoachisproducedoutofapumpkintotakehertoaball，Cinderelladoesnotexclaim。Shegetsinquietlyanddrivesawaytoherhighfor-
　　tune。
　　CaptainEllis（afiercesortoffairy）hadpro-
　　ducedacommandoutofadraweralmostasun-
　　expectedlyasinafairytale。Butacommandisanabstractidea，anditseemedasortof"lessermarvel"tillitflasheduponmethatitinvolvedtheconcreteexistenceofaship。
　　Aship！Myship！Shewasmine，moreabso-
　　lutelymineforpossessionandcarethananythingintheworld;anobjectofresponsibilityandde-
　　votion。Shewastherewaitingforme，spell-bound，unabletomove，tolive，togetoutintotheworld（tillIcame），likeanenchantedprincess。Hercallhadcometomeasiffromtheclouds。Ihadneversuspectedherexistence。Ididn’tknowhowshelooked，Ihadbarelyheardhername，andyetwewereindissolublyunitedforacertainportionofourfuture，tosinkorswimtogether！
　　Asuddenpassionofanxiousimpatiencerushedthroughmyveins，gavemesuchasenseofthein-
　　tensityofexistenceasIhaveneverfeltbeforeorsince。IdiscoveredhowmuchofaseamanIwas，inheart，inmind，and，asitwere，physically——amanexclusivelyofseaandships;theseatheonlyworldthatcounted，andtheships，thetestofman-
　　liness，oftemperament，ofcourageandfidelity——
　　andoflove。
　　Ihadanexquisitemoment。Itwasuniquealso。
　　Jumpingupfrommyseat，Ipacedupanddownmyroomforalongtime。ButwhenIcamedown-
　　stairsIbehavedwithsufficientcomposure。I
　　onlycouldn’teatanythingatdinner。
　　Havingdeclaredmyintentionnottodrivebuttowalkdowntothequay，ImustrenderthewretchedStewardjusticethathebestirredhimselftofindmesomecooliesfortheluggage。Theyde-
　　parted，carryingallmyworldlypossessions（exceptalittlemoneyIhadinmypocket）slungfromalongpole。CaptainGilesvolunteeredtowalkdownwithme。
　　Wefollowedthesombre，shadedalleyacrosstheEsplanade。Itwasmoderatelycoolthereunderthetrees。CaptainGilesremarked，withasuddenlaugh："Iknowwho’sjollythankfulathavingseenthelastofyou。"
　　IguessedthathemeanttheSteward。Thefellowhadbornehimselftomeinasulkilyfrightenedmanneratthelast。Iexpressedmywonderthatheshouldhavetriedtodomeabadturnfornoreasonatall。
　　"Don’tyouseethatwhathewantedwastogetridofourfriendHamiltonbydodginghiminfrontofyouforthatjob？Thatwouldhaveremovedhimforgood。See？"
　　"Heavens！"Iexclaimed，feelinghumiliatedsomehow。"Canitbepossible？Whatafoolhemustbe！Thatoverbearing，impudentloafer！
　　Why！Hecouldn’t……Andyethe’snearlydoneit，Ibelieve;fortheHarbourOfficewasboundtosendsomebody。"
　　"Aye。AfoollikeourStewardcanbedangeroussometimes，"declaredCaptainGilessententiously。
　　"Justbecauseheisafool，"headded，impartingfurtherinstructioninhiscomplacentlowtones。
　　"For，"hecontinuedinthemannerofasetdemon-
　　stration，"nosensiblepersonwouldriskbeingkickedoutoftheonlyberthbetweenhimselfandstarvationjusttogetridofasimpleannoyance——
　　asmallworry。Wouldhenow？"
　　"Well，no，"Iconceded，restrainingadesiretolaughatthatsomethingmysteriouslyearnestindeliveringtheconclusionsofhiswisdomasthoughitweretheproductofprohibitedoperations。"Butthatfellowlooksasifhewererathercrazy。Hemustbe。"
　　"Astothat，Ibelieveeverybodyintheworldisalittlemad，"heannouncedquietly。
　　"Youmakenoexceptions？"Iinquired，justtohearhismanner。
　　"Why！Kentsaysthatevenofyou。"
　　"Doeshe？"Iretorted，extremelyembitteredallatonceagainstmyformercaptain。"There’snothingofthatinthewrittencharacterfromhimwhichI’vegotinmypocket。Hashegivenyouanyinstancesofmylunacy？"
　　CaptainGilesexplainedinaconciliatingtonethatithadbeenonlyafriendlyremarkinrefer-
　　encetomyabruptleavingtheshipfornoapparentreason。
　　Imutteredgrumpily："Oh！leavinghisship，"
　　andmendedmypace。Hekeptupbymysideinthedeepgloomoftheavenueasifitwerehiscon-
　　scientiousdutytoseemeoutofthecolonyasanundesirablecharacter。Hepantedalittle，whichwasratherpatheticinaway。ButIwasnotmoved。Onthecontrary。Hisdiscomfortgavemeasortofmaliciouspleasure。
　　PresentlyIrelented，sloweddown，andsaid：
　　"WhatIreallywantedwastogetafreshgrip。
　　Ifeltitwastime。Isthatsoverymad？"
　　Hemadenoanswer。Wewereissuingfromtheavenue。Onthebridgeoverthecanaladark，ir-
　　resolutefigureseemedtobeawaitingsomethingorsomebody。
　　ItwasaMalaypoliceman，barefooted，inhisblueuniform。Thesilverbandonhislittleroundcapshonedimlyinthelightofthestreetlamp。Hepeeredinourdirectiontimidly。
　　Beforewecouldcomeuptohimheturnedaboutandwalkedinfrontofusinthedirectionofthejetty。Thedistancewassomehundredyards;andthenIfoundmycooliessquattingontheirheels。
　　Theyhadkeptthepoleontheirshoulders，andallmyworldlygoods，stilltiedtothepole，wererestingonthegroundbetweenthem。Asfarastheeyecouldreachalongthequaytherewasnotanothersoulabroadexceptthepolicepeon，whosalutedus。
　　Itseemshehaddetainedthecooliesassuspiciouscharacters，andhadforbiddenthemthejetty。Butatasignfrommehetookofftheembargowithalacrity。Thetwopatientfellows，risingtogetherwithafaintgrunt，trottedoffalongtheplanks，andIpreparedtotakemyleaveofCaptainGiles，whostoodtherewithanairasthoughhismissionweredrawingtoaclose。Itcouldnotbedeniedthathehaddoneitall。AndwhileIhesitatedaboutanappropriatesentencehemadehimselfheard：
　　"Iexpectyou’llhaveyourhandsprettyfulloftangled-upbusiness。"
　　Iaskedhimwhatmadehimthinkso;andhean-
　　sweredthatitwashisgeneralexperienceoftheworld。Shipalongtimeawayfromherport，ownersinaccessiblebycable，andtheonlymanwhocouldexplainmattersdeadandburied。
　　"Andyouyourselfnewtothebusinessinaway，"
　　heconcludedinasortofunanswerabletone。
　　"Don’tinsist，"Isaid。"Iknowitonlytoowell。
　　IonlywishyoucouldimparttomesomesmallportionofyourexperiencebeforeIgo。Asitcan’tbedoneintenminutesIhadbetternotbegintoaskyou。There’sthatharbourlaunchwaitingforme，too。ButIwon’tfeelreallyatpeacetillIhavethatshipofmineoutintheIndianOcean。"
　　HeremarkedcasuallythatfromBangkoktotheIndianOceanwasaprettylongstep。Andthismurmur，likeadimflashfromadarklantern，showedmeforamomentthebroadbeltofislandsandreefsbetweenthatunknownship，whichwasmine，andthefreedomofthegreatwatersoftheglobe。
　　ButIfeltnoapprehension。IwasfamiliarenoughwiththeArchipelagobythattime。Ex-
　　tremepatienceandextremecarewouldseemethroughtheregionofbrokenland，offaintairs，andofdeadwatertowhereIwouldfeelatlastmycommandswingonthegreatswellandlistovertothegreatbreathofregularwinds，thatwouldgiveherthefeelingofalarge，moreintenselife。Theroadwouldbelong。Allroadsarelongthatleadtowardone’sheart’sdesire。Butthisroadmymind’seyecouldseeonachart，professionally，withallitscomplicationsanddifficulties，yetsimpleenoughinaway。Oneisaseamanoroneisnot。
　　AndIhadnodoubtofbeingone。
　　TheonlypartIwasastrangertowastheGulfofSiam。AndImentionedthistoCaptainGiles。
　　NotthatIwasconcernedverymuch。ItbelongedtothesameregionthenatureofwhichIknew，intowhoseverysoulIseemedtohavelookedduringthelastmonthsofthatexistencewithwhichIhadbrokennow，suddenly，asonepartswithsomeen-
　　chantingcompany。
　　"Thegulf……Ay！Afunnypieceofwater——that，"saidCaptainGiles。
　　Funny，inthisconnection，wasavagueword。
　　Thewholethingsoundedlikeanopinionutteredbyacautiouspersonmindfulofactionsforslander。
　　Ididn’tinquireastothenatureofthatfunni-
　　ness。Therewasreallynotime。Butattheverylasthevolunteeredawarning。
　　"Whateveryoudokeeptotheeastsideofit。
　　Thewestsideisdangerousatthistimeoftheyear。
　　Don’tletanythingtemptyouover。You’llfindnothingbuttroublethere。"
　　ThoughIcouldhardlyimaginewhatcouldtemptmetoinvolvemyshipamongstthecurrentsandreefsoftheMalayshore，Ithankedhimfortheadvice。
　　Hegrippedmyextendedarmwarmly，andtheendofouracquaintancecamesuddenlyinthewords："Good-night。"
　　Thatwasallhesaid："Good-night。"Nothingmore。Idon’tknowwhatIintendedtosay，butsurprisemademeswallowit，whateveritwas。I
　　chokedslightly，andthenexclaimedwithasortofnervoushaste："Oh！Good-night，CaptainGiles，good-night。"
　　Hismovementswerealwaysdeliberate，buthisbackhadrecededsomedistancealongthedesertedquaybeforeIcollectedmyselfenoughtofollowhisexampleandmadeahalfturninthedirectionofthejetty。
　　Onlymymovementswerenotdeliberate。I
　　hurrieddowntothesteps，andleapedintothelaunch。BeforeIhadfairlylandedinherstern-
　　sheetstheslimlittlecraftdartedawayfromthejettywithasuddenswirlofherpropellerandthehard，rapidpuffingoftheexhaustinhervaguelygleamingbrassfunnelamidships。
　　Themistychurningathersternwastheonlysoundintheworld。Theshorelayplungedinthesilenceofthedeeperslumber。Iwatchedthetownrecedestillandsoundlessinthehotnight，tilltheabrupthail，"Steam-launch，ahoy！"mademespinroundfaceforward。Wewereclosetoawhiteghostlysteamer。Lightsshoneonherdecks，inherportholes。Andthesamevoiceshoutedfromher：
　　"Isthatourpassenger？"
　　"Itis，"Iyelled。
　　Hercrewhadbeenobviouslyonthejump。I
　　couldhearthemrunningabout。Themodernspiritofhastewasloudlyvocalintheordersto"Heaveawayonthecable"——to"Lowertheside-
　　ladder，"andinurgentrequeststometo"Comealong，sir！Wehavebeendelayedthreehoursforyou……Ourtimeisseveno’clock，youknow！"
　　Isteppedonthedeck。Isaid"No！Idon’tknow。"Thespiritofmodernhurrywasembodiedinathin，long-armed，long-leggedman，withacloselyclippedgraybeard。Hismeagrehandwashotanddry。Hedeclaredfeverishly：
　　"IamhangedifIwouldhavewaitedanotherfiveminutesHarbour-MasterornoHarbour-
　　Master。"
　　"That’syourownbusiness，"Isaid。"Ididn’taskyoutowaitforme。"
　　"Ihopeyoudon’texpectanysupper，"heburstout。"Thisisn’taboarding-houseafloat。YouarethefirstpassengerIeverhadinmylifeandIhopetogoodnessyouwillbethelast。"
　　Imadenoanswertothishospitablecommuni-
　　cation;and，indeed，hedidn’twaitforany，boltingawayontohisbridgetogethisshipunderway。
　　Forthethreedayshehadmeonboardhedidnotdepartfromthathalf-hostileattitude。Hisshiphavingbeendelayedthreehoursonmyaccounthecouldn’tforgivemefornotbeingamoredistin-
　　guishedperson。Hewasnotexactlyoutspokenaboutit，butthatfeelingofannoyedwonderwaspeepingoutperpetuallyinhistalk。
　　Hewasabsurd。
　　Hewasalsoamanofmuchexperience，whichhelikedtotrotout;butnogreatercontrastwithCap-
　　tainGilescouldhavebeenimagined。HewouldhaveamusedmeifIhadwantedtobeamused。
　　ButIdidnotwanttobeamused。Iwaslikealoverlookingforwardtoameeting。Humanhos-
　　tilitywasnothingtome。Ithoughtofmyun-
　　knownship。Itwasamusementenough，tormentenough，occupationenough。
　　Heperceivedmystate，forhiswitsweresuffi-
　　cientlysharpforthat，andhepokedslyfunatmypreoccupationinthemannersomenasty，cynicaloldmenassumetowardthedreamsandillusionsofyouth。I，onmyside，refrainedfromquestioninghimastotheappearanceofmyship，thoughI
　　knewthatbeinginBangkokeveryfortnightorsohemusthaveknownherbysight。Iwasnotgoingtoexposetheship，myship！tosomeslightingreference。
　　HewasthefirstreallyunsympatheticmanIhadevercomeincontactwith。Myeducationwasfarfrombeingfinished，thoughIdidn’tknowit。No！
　　Ididn’tknowit。
　　AllIknewwasthathedislikedmeandhadsomecontemptformyperson。Why？Apparentlybecausehisshiphadbeendelayedthreehoursonmyaccount。WhowasItohavesuchathingdoneforme？Suchathinghadneverbeendoneforhim。
　　Itwasasortofjealousindignation。
　　Myexpectation，mingledwithfear，waswroughttoitshighestpitch。Howslowhadbeenthedaysofthepassageandhowsoontheywereover。Onemorning，early，wecrossedthebar，andwhilethesunwasrisingsplendidlyovertheflatspacesofthelandwesteameduptheinnumerablebends，passedundertheshadowofthegreatgiltpagoda，andreachedtheoutskirtsofthetown。
　　Thereitwas，spreadlargelyonbothbanks，theOrientalcapitalwhichhadasyetsufferednowhiteconqueror;anexpanseofbrownhousesofbamboo，ofmats，ofleaves，ofavegetable-matterstyleofarchitecture，sprungoutofthebrownsoilonthebanksofthemuddyriver。Itwasamazingtothinkthatinthosemilesofhumanhabitationstherewasnotprobablyhalfadozenpoundsofnails。Someofthosehousesofsticksandgrass，likethenestsofanaquaticrace，clungtothelowshores。Othersseemedtogrowoutofthewater;othersagainfloatedinlonganchoredrowsintheverymiddleofthestream。Hereandthereinthedistance，abovethecrowdedmoboflow，brownroofridges，toweredgreatpilesofmasonry，King’sPalace，temples，gorgeousanddilapidated，crumblingundertheverticalsunlight，tremendous，overpowering，al-
　　mostpalpable，whichseemedtoenterone’sbreastwiththebreathofone’snostrilsandsoakintoone’slimbsthrougheveryporeofone’sskin。
　　Theridiculousvictimofjealousyhadforsomereasonorothertostophisenginesjustthen。Thesteamerdriftedslowlyupwiththetide。ObliviousofmynewsurroundingsIwalkedthedeck，inanx-
　　ious，deadenedabstraction，acomminglingofromanticreveriewithaverypracticalsurveyofmyqualifications。Forthetimewasapproachingformetobeholdmycommandandtoprovemyworthintheultimatetestofmyprofession。
　　SuddenlyIheardmyselfcalledbythatimbe-
　　cile。Hewasbeckoningmetocomeuponhisbridge。
　　Ididn’tcareverymuchforthat，butasitseemedthathehadsomethingparticulartosayI
　　wentuptheladder。
　　Helaidhishandonmyshoulderandgavemeaslightturn，pointingwithhisotherarmatthesametime。
　　"There！That’syourship，Captain，"hesaid。
　　Ifeltathumpinmybreast——onlyone，asifmyhearthadthenceasedtobeat。Thereweretenormoreshipsmooredalongthebank，andtheonehemeantwaspartlyhiddenawayfrommysightbyhernextastern。Hesaid："We’lldriftabreastherinamoment。"
　　Whatwashistone？Mocking？Threatening？
　　Oronlyindifferent？Icouldnottell。Isuspectedsomemaliceinthisunexpectedmanifestationofinterest。
　　Heleftme，andIleanedovertherailofthebridgelookingovertheside。Idarednotraisemyeyes。Yetithadtobedone——and，indeed，Icouldnothavehelpedmyself。IbelieveItrembled。
　　Butdirectlymyeyeshadrestedonmyshipallmyfearvanished。Itwentoffswiftly，likeabaddream。Onlythatadreamleavesnoshamebe-
　　hindit，andthatIfeltamomentaryshameatmyunworthysuspicions。
　　Yes，thereshewas。Herhull，herriggingfilledmyeyewithagreatcontent。Thatfeelingoflife-
　　emptinesswhichhadmademesorestlessforthelastfewmonthslostitsbitterplausibility，itsevilinfluence，dissolvedinaflowofjoyousemotion。
　　AtfirstglanceIsawthatshewasahigh-classvessel，aharmoniouscreatureinthelinesofherfinebody，intheproportionedtallnessofherspars。
　　Whateverherageandherhistory，shehadpre-
　　servedthestampofherorigin。Shewasoneofthosecraftthat，invirtueoftheirdesignandcom-
　　pletefinish，willneverlookold。Amongsthercom-
　　panionsmooredtothebank，andallbiggerthanherself，shelookedlikeacreatureofhighbreed——
　　anArabsteedinastringofcart-horses。
　　Avoicebehindmesaidinanastyequivocaltone：
　　"Ihopeyouaresatisfiedwithher，Captain。"I
　　didnoteventurnmyhead。Itwasthemasterofthesteamer，andwhateverhemeant，whateverhethoughtofher，Iknewthat，likesomerarewomen，shewasoneofthosecreatureswhosemereexistenceisenoughtoawakenanunselfishdelight。Onefeelsthatitisgoodtobeintheworldinwhichshehasherbeing。
　　Thatillusionoflifeandcharacterwhichcharmsoneinmen’sfinesthandiworkradiatedfromher。
　　Anenormousbulkofteak-woodtimberswungoverherhatchway;lifelessmatter，lookingheavierandbiggerthananythingaboardofher。Whentheystartedloweringitthesurgeofthetacklesentaquiverthroughherfromwater-linetothetrucksupthefinenervesofherrigging，asthoughshehadshudderedattheweight。Itseemedcrueltoloadherso……
　　Halfanhourlater，puttingmyfootonherdeckforthefirsttime，Ireceivedthefeelingofdeepphysicalsatisfaction。Nothingcouldequalthefullnessofthatmoment，theidealcompletenessofthatemotionalexperiencewhichhadcometomewithoutthepreliminarytoilanddisenchantmentsofanobscurecareer。
　　Myrapidglanceranoverher，enveloped，ap-
　　propriatedtheformconcretingtheabstractsenti-
　　mentofmycommand。Alotofdetailsperceptibletoaseamanstruckmyeye，vividlyinthatinstant。
　　Fortherest，Isawherdisengagedfromthematerialconditionsofherbeing。Theshoretowhichshewasmooredwasasifitdidnotexist。Whatweretomeallthecountriesoftheglobe？Inallthepartsoftheworldwashedbynavigablewatersourrelationtoeachotherwouldbethesame——andmoreintimatethantherearewordstoexpressinthelanguage。Apartfromthat，everysceneandepisodewouldbeamerepassingshow。Theverygangofyellowcooliesbusyaboutthemainhatchwaslesssubstantialthanthestuffdreamsaremadeof。ForwhoonearthwoulddreamofChinamen？……
　　Iwentaft，ascendedthepoop，where，undertheawning，gleamedthebrassesoftheyacht-likefittings，thepolishedsurfacesoftherails，theglassoftheskylights。Rightafttwoseamen，busycleaningthesteeringgear，withthereflectedripplesoflightrunningplayfullyuptheirbentbacks，wentonwiththeirwork，unawareofmeandoftheal-
　　mostaffectionateglanceIthrewattheminpassingtowardthecompanion-wayofthecabin。
　　Thedoorsstoodwideopen，theslidewaspushedrightback。Thehalf-turnofthestaircasecutofftheviewofthelobby。Alowhummingascendedfrombelow，butitstoppedabruptlyatthesoundofmydescendingfootsteps。
　　part1-3ChapterIII
　　THEfirstthingIsawdowntherewastheupperpartofaman’sbodyprojectingbackward，asitwere，fromoneofthedoorsatthefootofthestairs。Hiseyeslookedatmeverywideandstill。Inonehandheheldadinnerplate，intheotheracloth。
　　"IamyournewCaptain，"Isaidquietly。
　　Inamoment，inthetwinklingofaneye，hehadgotridoftheplateandtheclothandjumpedtoopenthecabindoor。AssoonasIpassedintothesaloonhevanished，butonlytoreappearinstantly，buttoningupajackethehadputonwiththeswiftnessofa"quick-change"artist。
　　"Where’sthechiefmate？"Iasked。
　　"Inthehold，Ithink，sir。Isawhimgodowntheafter-hatchtenminutesago。"
　　"TellhimIamonboard。"
　　Themahoganytableundertheskylightshoneinthetwilightlikeadarkpoolofwater。Theside-
　　board，surmountedbyawidelooking-glassinanormuluframe，hadamarbletop。Itboreapairofsilver-platedlampsandsomeotherpieces——
　　obviouslyaharbourdisplay。Thesaloonitselfwaspanelledintwokindsofwoodintheexcellentsimpletasteprevailingwhentheshipwasbuilt。
　　Isatdowninthearmchairattheheadofthetable——thecaptain’schair，withasmalltell-talecompassswungaboveit——amutereminderofun-
　　remittingvigilance。
　　Asuccessionofmenhadsatinthatchair。Ibe-
　　cameawareofthatthoughtsuddenly，vividly，asthougheachhadleftalittleofhimselfbetweenthefourwallsoftheseornatebulkheads;asifasortofcompositesoul，thesoulofcommand，hadwhisperedsuddenlytomineoflongdaysatseaandofanxiousmoments。
　　"You，too！"itseemedtosay，"you，too，shalltasteofthatpeaceandthatunrestinasearchingintimacywithyourownself——obscureaswewereandassupremeinthefaceofallthewindsandalltheseas，inanimmensitythatreceivesnoimpress，preservesnomemories，andkeepsnoreckoningoflives。"
　　Deepwithinthetarnishedormuluframe，inthehothalf-lightsiftedthroughtheawning，Isawmyownfaceproppedbetweenmyhands。AndI
　　staredbackatmyselfwiththeperfectdetachmentofdistance，ratherwithcuriositythanwithanyotherfeeling，exceptofsomesympathyforthislatestrepresentativeofwhatforallintentsandpurposeswasadynasty，continuousnotinbloodindeed，butinitsexperience，initstraining，initsconceptionofduty，andintheblessedsimplicityofitstraditionalpointofviewonlife。
　　ItstruckmethatthisquietlystaringmanwhomIwaswatching，bothasifheweremyselfandsome-
　　bodyelse，wasnotexactlyalonelyfigure。Hehadhisplaceinalineofmenwhomhedidnotknow，ofwhomhehadneverheard;butwhowerefashionedbythesameinfluences，whosesoulsinrelationtotheirhumblelife’sworkhadnosecretsforhim。
　　SuddenlyIperceivedthattherewasanothermaninthesaloon，standingalittleononesideandlook-
　　ingintentlyatme。Thechiefmate。Hislong，redmoustachedeterminedthecharacterofhisphysiognomy，whichstruckmeaspugnaciousin（strangetosay）aghastlysortofway。
　　Howlonghadhebeentherelookingatme，ap-
　　praisingmeinmyunguardedday-dreamingstate？
　　Iwouldhavebeenmoredisconcertedif，havingtheclocksetinthetopofthemirror-framerightinfrontofme，Ihadnotnoticedthatitslonghandhadhardlymovedatall。
　　Icouldnothavebeeninthatcabinmorethantwominutesaltogether。Saythree……Sohecouldnothavebeenwatchingmemorethanamerefractionofaminute，luckily。Still，Ire-
　　grettedtheoccurrence。
　　ButIshowednothingofitasIroseleisurely（ithadtobeleisurely）andgreetedhimwithperfectfriendliness。
　　Therewassomethingreluctantandatthesametimeattentiveinhisbearing。HisnamewasBurns。Weleftthecabinandwentroundtheshiptogether。Hisfaceinthefulllightofdayap-
　　pearedverypale，meagre，evenhaggard。Some-
　　howIhadadelicacyastolookingtoooftenathim;
　　hiseyes，onthecontrary，remainedfairlygluedonmyface。Theyweregreenishandhadanex-
　　pectantexpression。
　　Heansweredallmyquestionsreadilyenough，butmyearseemedtocatchatoneofunwillingness。
　　Thesecondofficer，withthreeorfourhands，wasbusyforward。ThematementionedhisnameandInoddedtohiminpassing。Hewasveryyoung。
　　Hestruckmeasratheracub。
　　Whenwereturnedbelow，Isatdownononeendofadeep，semi-circular，or，rather，semi-ovalsettee，upholsteredinredplush。Itextendedrightacrossthewholeafter-endofthecabin。Mr。Burnsmotionedtositdown，droppedintooneoftheswivel-chairsroundthetable，andkepthiseyesonmeaspersistentlyasever，andwiththatstrangeairasifallthisweremake-believeandheexpectedmetogetup，burstintoalaugh，slaphimontheback，andvanishfromthecabin。
　　Therewasanoddstressinthesituationwhichbegantomakemeuncomfortable。Itriedtoreactagainstthisvaguefeeling。
　　"It’sonlymyinexperience，"Ithought。
　　Inthefaceofthatman，severalyears，Ijudged，olderthanmyself，IbecameawareofwhatIhadleftalreadybehindme——myyouth。Andthatwasindeedpoorcomfort。Youthisafinething，amightypower——aslongasonedoesnotthinkofit。IfeltIwasbecomingself-conscious。AlmostagainstmywillIassumedamoodygravity。I
　　said："Iseeyouhavekeptherinverygoodorder，Mr。Burns。"
　　DirectlyIhadutteredthesewordsIaskedmy-
　　selfangrilywhythedeucedidIwanttosaythat？
　　Mr。Burnsinanswerhadonlyblinkedatme。Whatonearthdidhemean？
　　Ifellbackonaquestionwhichhadbeeninmythoughtsforalongtime——themostnaturalques-
　　tiononthelipsofanyseamanwhateverjoiningaship。Ivoicedit（confoundthisself-consciousness）
　　inadegagecheerfultone："Isupposeshecantravel——what？"
　　Nowaquestionlikethismighthavebeenan-
　　swerednormally，eitherinaccentsofapologeticsorroworwithavisiblysuppressedpride，ina"I
　　don’twanttoboast，butyoushallsee，"sortoftone。Therearesailors，too，whowouldhavebeenroughlyoutspoken："Lazybrute，"oropenlyde-
　　lighted："She’saflyer。"Twoways，iffourmanners。
　　ButMr。Burnsfoundanotherway，awayofhisownwhichhad，atallevents，themeritofsavinghisbreath，ifnoother。
　　Againhedidnotsayanything。Heonlyfrowned。Anditwasanangryfrown。Iwaited。
　　Nothingmorecame。
　　"What’sthematter？……Can’tyoutellafterbeingnearlytwoyearsintheship？"Iad-
　　dressedhimsharply。
　　Helookedasstartledforamomentasthoughhehaddiscoveredmypresenceonlythatverymo-
　　ment。Butthispassedoffalmostatonce。Heputonanairofindifference。ButIsupposehethoughtitbettertosaysomething。Hesaidthatashipneeded，justlikeaman，thechancetoshowthebestshecoulddo，andthatthisshiphadneverhadachancesincehehadbeenonboardofher。Notthathecouldremember。Thelastcaptain……
　　Hepaused。
　　"Hashebeensoveryunlucky？"Iaskedwithfrankincredulity。Mr。Burnsturnedhiseyesawayfromme。No，thelatecaptainwasnotanunluckyman。Onecouldn’tsaythat。Buthehadnotseemedtowanttomakeuseofhisluck。
　　Mr。Burns——manofenigmaticmoods——madethisstatementwithaninanimatefaceandstaringwilfullyattheruddercasing。Thestatementitselfwasobscurelysuggestive。Iaskedquietly：
　　"Wheredidhedie？"
　　"Inthissaloon。Justwhereyouaresittingnow，"answeredMr。Burns。
　　Irepressedasillyimpulsetojumpup;butuponthewholeIwasrelievedtohearthathehadnotdiedinthebedwhichwasnowtobemine。I
　　pointedouttothechiefmatethatwhatIreallywantedtoknowwaswherehehadburiedhislatecaptain。
　　Mr。Burnssaidthatitwasattheentrancetothegulf。Aroomygrave;asufficientanswer。Butthemate，overcomingvisiblysomethingwithinhim——somethinglikeacuriousreluctancetobelieveinmyadvent（asanirrevocablefact，atanyrate），didnotstopatthat——though，indeed，hemayhavewishedtodoso。
　　Asacompromisewithhisfeelings，Ibelieve，headdressedhimselfpersistentlytotherudder-casing，sothattomehehadtheappearanceofamantalkinginsolitude，alittleunconsciously，however。
　　Histalewasthatatsevenbellsintheforenoonwatchhehadallhandsmusteredonthequarter-
　　deckandtoldthemtheyhadbettergodowntosaygood-byetothecaptain。
　　Thosewords，asifgrudgedtoanintrudingper-
　　sonage，wereenoughformetoevokevividlythatstrangeceremony：Thebare-footed，bare-headedseamencrowdingshylyintothatcabin，asmallmobpressedagainstthatsideboard，uncomfortableratherthanmoved，shirtsopenonsunburntchests，weather-beatenfaces，andallstaringatthedyingmanwiththesamegraveandexpectantexpression。
　　"Washeconscious？"Iasked。
　　"Hedidn’tspeak，buthemovedhiseyestolookatthem，"saidthemate。
　　Afterwaitingamoment，Mr。Burnsmotionedthecrewtoleavethecabin，buthedetainedthetwoeldestmentostaywiththecaptainwhilehewentondeckwithhissextantto"takethesun。"Itwasgettingtowardnoonandhewasanxioustoobtainagoodobservationforlatitude。Whenhereturnedbelowtoputhissextantawayhefoundthatthetwomenhadretreatedoutintothelobby。
　　Throughtheopendoorhehadaviewofthecaptainlyingeasyagainstthepillows。Hehad"passedaway"whileMr。Burnswastakingthisobserva-
　　tion。Asnearnoonaspossible。Hehadhardlychangedhisposition。
　　Mr。Burnssighed，glancedatmeinquisitively，asmuchastosay，"Aren’tyougoingyet？"andthenturnedhisthoughtsfromhisnewcaptainbacktotheold，who，beingdead，hadnoauthority，wasnotinanybody’sway，andwasmucheasiertodealwith。
　　Mr。Burnsdealtwithhimatsomelength。Hewasapeculiarman——ofsixty-fiveabout——irongray，hard-faced，obstinate，anduncommunicative。Heusedtokeeptheshiploafingatseaforinscrutablereasons。Wouldcomeondeckatnightsometimes，takesomesailoffher，Godonlyknowswhyorwherefore，thengobelow，shuthimselfupinhiscabin，andplayontheviolinforhours——tillday-
　　breakperhaps。Infact，hespentmostofhistimedayornightplayingtheviolin。Thatwaswhenthefittookhim。Veryloud，too。
　　Itcametothis，thatMr。Burnsmusteredhiscourageonedayandremonstratedearnestlywiththecaptain。Neitherhenorthesecondmatecouldgetawinkofsleepintheirwatchesbelowforthenoise……Andhowcouldtheybeex-
　　pectedtokeepawakewhileonduty？Hepleaded。
　　Theanswerofthatsternmanwasthatifheandthesecondmatedidn’tlikethenoise，theywerewel-
　　cometopackuptheirtrapsandwalkovertheside。
　　Whenthisalternativewasofferedtheshiphap-
　　penedtobe600milesfromthenearestland。
　　Mr。Burnsatthispointlookedatmewithanairofcuriosity。Ibegantothinkthatmypredecessorwasaremarkablypeculiaroldman。
　　ButIhadtohearstrangerthingsyet。Itcameoutthatthisstern，grim，wind-tanned，rough，sea-
　　salted，taciturnsailorofsixty-fivewasnotonlyanartist，butaloveraswell。InHaiphong，whentheygotthereafteracourseofmostunprofitableperegrinations（duringwhichtheshipwasnearlylosttwice），hegothimself，inMr。Burns’ownwords，"mixedup"withsomewoman。Mr。Burnshadhadnopersonalknowledgeofthataffair，butpositiveevidenceofitexistedintheshapeofaphotographtakeninHaiphong。Mr。Burnsfounditinoneofthedrawersinthecaptain’sroom。
　　InduecourseI，too，sawthatamazinghumandocument（Ieventhrewitoverboardlater）。
　　Therehesat，withhishandsreposingonhisknees，bald，squat，gray，bristly，recallingawildboarsomehow;andbyhissidetoweredanawfulmature，whitefemalewithrapaciousnostrilsandacheaplyill-omenedstareinherenormouseyes。Shewasdisguisedinsomesemi-oriental，vulgar，fancycostume。Sheresembledalow-classmediumoroneofthosewomenwhotellfortunesbycardsforhalfacrown。Andyetshewasstriking。Apro-
　　fessionalsorceressfromtheslums。Itwasincom-
　　prehensible。Therewassomethingawfulinthethoughtthatshewasthelastreflectionoftheworldofpassionforthefiercesoulwhichseemedtolookatoneoutofthesardonicallysavagefaceofthatoldseaman。However，Inoticedthatshewasholdingsomemusicalinstrument——guitarormandoline——
　　inherhand。Perhapsthatwasthesecretofhersortilege。
　　ForMr。Burnsthatphotographexplainedwhytheunloadedshiphadkeptswelteringatanchorforthreeweeksinapestilentialhotharbourwith-
　　outair。Theylaythereandgasped。Thecap-
　　tain，appearingnowandthenonshortvisits，mumbledtoMr。Burnsunlikelytalesaboutsomelettershewaswaitingfor。
　　Suddenly，aftervanishingforaweek，hecameonboardinthemiddleofthenightandtooktheshipouttoseawiththefirstbreakofdawn。Daylightshowedhimlookingwildandill。Themeregettingclearofthelandtooktwodays，andsomehoworothertheybumpedslightlyonareef。However，noleakdeveloped，andthecaptain，growling"nomatter，"informedMr。BurnsthathehadmadeuphismindtotaketheshiptoHong-Konganddry-
　　dockherthere。
　　AtthisMr。Burnswasplungedintodespair。Forindeed，tobeatuptoHong-Kongagainstafiercemonsoon，withashipnotsufficientlyballastedandwithhersupplyofwaternotcompleted，wasanin-
　　saneproject。
　　Butthecaptaingrowledperemptorily，"Stickheratit，"andMr。Burns，dismayedandenraged，stuckheratit，andkeptheratit，blowingawaysails，strainingthespars，exhaustingthecrew——
　　nearlymaddenedbytheabsoluteconvictionthattheattemptwasimpossibleandwasboundtoendinsomecatastrophe。
　　Meantimethecaptain，shutupinhiscabinandwedgedinacornerofhissetteeagainstthecrazyboundingoftheship，playedtheviolin——or，atanyrate，madecontinuousnoiseonit。
　　Whenheappearedondeckhewouldnotspeakandnotalwaysanswerwhenspokento。Itwasobviousthathewasillinsomemysteriousmanner，andbeginningtobreakup。
　　Asthedayswentbythesoundsoftheviolinbe-
　　camelessandlessloud，tillatlastonlyafeeblescratchingwouldmeetMr。Burns’earashestoodinthesaloonlisteningoutsidethedoorofthecap-
　　tain’sstate-room。
　　Oneafternooninperfectdesperationheburstintothatroomandmadesuchascene，tearinghishairandshoutingsuchhorridimprecationsthathecowedthecontemptuousspiritofthesickman。
　　Thewater-tankswerelow，theyhadnotgainedfiftymilesinafortnight。ShewouldneverreachHong-
　　Kong。
　　Itwaslikefightingdesperatelytowarddestruc-
　　tionfortheshipandthemen。Thiswasevidentwithoutargument。Mr。Burns，losingallrestraint，puthisfaceclosetohiscaptain’sandfairlyyelled："You，sir，aregoingoutoftheworld。ButIcan’twaittillyouaredeadbeforeIputthehelmup。Youmustdoityourself。Youmustdoitnow！"
　　Themanonthecouchsnarledincontempt。
　　"SoIamgoingoutoftheworld——amI？"
　　"Yes，sir——youhaven’tmanydaysleftinit，"
　　saidMr。Burnscalmingdown。"Onecanseeitbyyourface。"
　　"Myface，eh？……Well，putupthehelmandbedamnedtoyou。"
　　Burnsflewondeck，gottheshipbeforethewind，thencamedownagaincomposed，butresolute。
　　"I’veshapedacourseforPuloCondor，sir，"hesaid。"Whenwemakeit，ifyouarestillwithus，you’lltellmeintowhatportyouwishmetotaketheshipandI’lldoit。"
　　Theoldmangavehimalookofsavagespite，andsaidthoseatrociouswordsindeadly，slowtones。
　　"IfIhadmywish，neithertheshipnoranyofyouwouldeverreachaport。AndIhopeyouwon’t。"
　　Mr。Burnswasprofoundlyshocked。Ibelievehewaspositivelyfrightenedatthetime。Itseems，however，thathemanagedtoproducesuchaneffectivelaughthatitwastheoldman’sturntobefrightened。Heshrankwithinhimselfandturnedhisbackonhim。
　　"Andhisheadwasnotgonethen，"Mr。Burnsassuredmeexcitedly。"Hemeanteverywordofit。"
　　"Suchwaspracticallythelatecaptain’slastspeech。Noconnectedsentencepassedhislipsafterward。Thatnightheusedthelastofhisstrengthtothrowhisfiddleovertheside。Noonehadactuallyseenhimintheact，butafterhisdeathMr。Burnscouldn’tfindthethinganywhere。
　　Theemptycasewasverymuchinevidence，butthefiddlewasclearlynotintheship。Andwhereelsecouldithavegonetobutoverboard？"
　　"Threwhisviolinoverboard！"Iexclaimed。
　　"Hedid，"criedMr。Burnsexcitedly。"Andit’smybeliefhewouldhavetriedtotaketheshipdownwithhimifithadbeeninhumanpower。Henevermeanthertoseehomeagain。Hewouldn’twritetohisowners，heneverwrotetohisoldwife，either——hewasn’tgoingto。Hehadmadeuphismindtocutadriftfromeverything。That’swhatitwas。Hedidn’tcareforbusiness，orfreights，orformakingapassage——oranything。Hemeanttohavegonewanderingabouttheworldtillhelostherwithallhands。"
　　Mr。Burnslookedlikeamanwhohadescapedgreatdanger。Foralittlehewouldhaveex-
　　claimed："Ifithadn’tbeenforme！"Andthetransparentinnocenceofhisindignanteyeswasunderlinedquaintlybythearrogantpairofmoustacheswhichheproceededtotwist，andasifextend，horizontally。
　　ImighthavesmiledifIhadnotbeenbusywithmyownsensations，whichwerenotthoseofMr。
　　Burns。Iwasalreadythemanincommand。Mysensationscouldnotbelikethoseofanyothermanonboard。InthatcommunityIstood，likeakinginhiscountry，inaclassallbymyself。Imeananhereditaryking，notamereelectedheadofastate。
　　IwasbroughttheretorulebyanagencyasremotefromthepeopleandasinscrutablealmosttothemastheGraceofGod。
　　Andlikeamemberofadynasty，feelingasemi-
　　mysticalbondwiththedead，Iwasprofoundlyshockedbymyimmediatepredecessor。
　　Thatmanhadbeeninallessentialsbuthisagejustsuchanothermanasmyself。Yettheendofhislifewasacompleteactoftreason，thebetrayalofatraditionwhichseemedtomeasimperativeasanyguideonearthcouldbe。Itappearedthatevenatseaamancouldbecomethevictimofevilspirits。Ifeltonmyfacethebreathofunknownpowersthatshapeourdestinies。
　　NottoletthesilencelasttoolongIaskedMr。
　　Burnsifhehadwrittentohiscaptain’swife。Heshookhishead。Hehadwrittentonobody。
　　Inamomenthebecamesombre。Heneverthoughtofwriting。IttookhimallhistimetowatchincessantlytheloadingoftheshipbyarascallyChinesestevedore。InthisMr。Burnsgavemethefirstglimpseoftherealchiefmate’ssoulwhichdweltuneasilyinhisbody。
　　Hemused，thenhastenedonwithgloomyforce。
　　"Yes！Thecaptaindiedasnearnoonaspos-
　　sible。Ilookedthroughhispapersintheafternoon。
　　IreadtheserviceoverhimatsunsetandthenI
　　stucktheship’sheadnorthandbroughtherinhere。I——brought——her——in。"
　　Hestruckthetablewithhisfist。
　　"Shewouldhardlyhavecomeinbyherself，"I
　　observed。"Butwhydidn’tyoumakeforSinga-
　　poreinstead？"
　　Hiseyeswavered。"Thenearestport，"hemutteredsullenly。
　　Ihadframedthequestioninperfectinnocence，buthisanswer（thedifferenceindistancewasin-
　　significant）andhismannerofferedmeacluetothesimpletruth。Hetooktheshiptoaportwhereheexpectedtobeconfirmedinhistemporarycom-
　　mandfromlackofaqualifiedmastertoputoverhishead。WhereasSingapore，hesurmisedjustly，wouldbefullofqualifiedmen。ButhisnaivereasoningforgottotakeintoaccountthetelegraphcablereposingonthebottomoftheveryGulfupwhichhehadturnedthatshipwhichheimaginedhimselftohavesavedfromdestruction。Hencethebitterflavourofourinterview。Itasteditmoreandmoredistinctly——anditwaslessandlesstomytaste。
　　"Lookhere，Mr。Burns，"Ibeganveryfirmly。
　　"YoumayaswellunderstandthatIdidnotrunafterthiscommand。Itwaspushedinmyway。
　　I’veacceptedit。Iamheretotaketheshiphomefirstofall，andyoumaybesurethatIshallseetoitthateveryoneofyouonboardheredoeshisdutytothatend。ThisisallIhavetosay——forthepresent。"
　　Hewasonhisfeetbythistime，butinsteadoftakinghisdismissalheremainedwithtrembling，indignantlips，andlookingatmehardasthough，really，afterthis，therewasnothingformetodoincommondecencybuttovanishfromhisoutragedsight。Likeallverysimpleemotionalstatesthiswasmoving。Ifeltsorryforhim——almostsympa-
　　thetic，till（seeingthatIdidnotvanish）hespokeinatoneofforcedrestraint。
　　"IfIhadn’tawifeandachildathomeyoumaybesure，sir，Iwouldhaveaskedyoutoletmegotheveryminuteyoucameonboard。"
　　Iansweredhimwithamatter-of-coursecalmnessasthoughsomeremotethirdpersonwereinquestion。
　　"AndI，Mr。Burns，wouldnothaveletyougo。
　　Youhavesignedtheship’sarticlesaschiefofficer，andtilltheyareterminatedatthefinalportofdischargeIshallexpectyoutoattendtoyourdutyandgivemethebenefitofyourexperiencetothebestofyourability。"
　　Stonyincredulitylingeredinhiseyes：butitbrokedownbeforemyfriendlyattitude。Withaslightupwardtossofhisarms（Igottoknowthatgesturewellafterward）heboltedoutofthecabin。
　　Wemighthavesavedourselvesthatlittlepas-
　　sageofharmlesssparring。BeforemanydayshadelapseditwasMr。Burnswhowaspleadingwithmeanxiouslynottoleavehimbehind;whileIcouldonlyreturnhimbutdoubtfulanswers。Thewholethingtookonasomewhattragiccomplexion。
　　Andthishorribleproblemwasonlyanextrane-
　　ousepisode，amerecomplicationinthegeneralproblemofhowtogetthatship——whichwasminewithherappurtenancesandhermen，withherbodyandherspiritnowslumberinginthatpestilentialriver——howtogetherouttosea。
　　Mr。Burns，whilestillactingcaptain，hadhastenedtosignacharter-partywhichinanidealworldwithoutguilewouldhavebeenanexcellentdocument。DirectlyIranmyeyeoveritIfore-
　　sawtroubleaheadunlessthepeopleoftheotherpartwerequiteexceptionallyfair-mindedandopentoargument。
　　Mr。Burns，towhomIimpartedmyfears，chosetotakegreatumbrageatthem。Helookedatmewiththatusualincredulousstare，andsaidbitterly：
　　"Isuppose，sir，youwanttomakeoutI’veactedlikeafool？"
　　Itoldhim，withmysystematickindlinesswhichalwaysseemedtoaugmenthissurprise，thatIdidnotwanttomakeoutanything。Iwouldleavethattothefuture。
　　And，sureenough，thefuturebroughtinalotoftrouble。ThereweredayswhenIusedtoremem-
　　berCaptainGileswithnothingshortofabhor-
　　rence。Hisconfoundedacutenesshadletmeinforthisjob;whilehisprophecythatI"wouldhavemyhandsfull"comingtrue，madeitappearasifdoneonpurposetoplayaneviljokeonmyyounginnocence。
　　Yes。Ihadmyhandsfullofcomplicationswhichweremostvaluableas"experience。"Peoplehaveagreatopinionoftheadvantagesofexperience。
　　Butinthisconnectionexperiencemeansalwayssomethingdisagreeableasopposedtothecharmandinnocenceofillusions。
　　ImustsayIwaslosingminerapidly。ButontheseinstructivecomplicationsImustnotenlargemorethantosaythattheycouldallberesumedintheoneword：Delay。
　　Amankindwhichhasinventedtheproverb，"Timeismoney，"willunderstandmyvexation。