WhenIfirstarrivedonthePointtherewas，Imaysay，onlyonehouseuponit，andthatbelongedtoMessrs。FlintBrothers，ofLiverpool。ItwasoccupiedbyonesolitarymannamedJackson；hehadhadanassistant，buttheassistanthaddiedoffever，andIwassenttoreplacehim。Jacksonwasamanoffiftyatleast，whohadbeenasailorbeforehehadbecomeanAfricantrader。Hisfaceboretestimonytothewindsandweatherithadencountered，andworehabituallyagrave，ifnotmelancholy，expression。Hewasroughbutkindtome，andthoughstrictwasjust，whichwasnocommonfeatureinanoldAfricanhandtoonewhohadjustarrivedonthecoast。
　　Hekeptthefactory——wecalledallhousesonthecoastfactories——asneatandcleanasifithadbeenaship。Hehadtheflooroftheportionwedweltinholystonedeveryweek；andnumberlesslittleracksandshelveswerefittedupalloverthehouse。Theoutsidewallsglitteredwithpaint，andtheyardwassweptcleaneverymorning；andeverySunday，ateighto’clockandsunset，theensignwashoistedandlowered，andanoldcannonfiredatthewordofcommand。OrderandrulewerewithJacksonobservedfromhabit，andwerestrictlyenforcedbyhimonallthenativesemployedinthefactory。
　　AlthoughIhavesaidthecountrylookedasifuninhabited，therewerenumerousvillageshiddenawayinthelonggrassandbrushwood，invisibleatadistance，beinghutsofthatchormud，andnotsohighasthegrassamongwhichtheywereplaced。Fromthesevillagescamemostofourservants，andalsothemiddlemen，whoactedasbrokersbetweenus，thewhitemen，andthenegroeswhobroughtivoryandgumandindia-rubberfromthefarinteriorforsale。Ourtradewasprincipallyinivory，andwhenanunusuallylargenumberofelephants’
　　tusksarriveduponthePointforsale，itwouldbecrowdedwithBushmen，strangeanduncouth，andhideouslyugly，andarmed，andthenwewouldbeverybusy；forsometimesasmanyastwohundredtuskswouldbebroughttousatthesametime，andeachofthesehadtobebargainedforandpaidforbyexchangeofcottoncloths，guns，knives，powder，andahostofsmallwares。
　　Forsometimeaftermyarrivalourfactory，alongwiththeothersonthecoastbelongingtoMessrs。FlintBrothers，wasverywellsuppliedbythemwithgoodsforthetrade；butbydegreestheirshipmentsbecamelessfrequent，andsmallwhentheydidcome。Inspiteofrepeatedletterswecouldgainnoreasonfromthefirmforthisfact，norcouldtheotherfactories，andgraduallywefoundourselveswithanemptystorehouse，andnearlyallourgoodsgone。Thenfollowedawearyinterval，duringwhichwehadnothingwhatevertodo，anddaysucceededdaythroughthelonghotseason。ItwasnowthatIbegantofeelthatJacksonhadbecomeoflatemoresilentandreservedwithmethaneverhehadbeen。Inoticed，too，thathehadcontractedahabitofwanderingouttotheextremeendofthePoint，wherehewouldsitforhoursgazingupontheoceanbeforehim。Inadditiontothis，hegrewmoroseanduncertaininhistempertowardthenatives，andsometimeshewouldfallasleepintheeveningsonasofa，andtalktohimselfatsucharatewhileasleepthatIwouldgrowfrightenedandwakehim，whenhewouldstareabouthimforalittleuntilhegatheredconsciousness，andthenhewouldstaggerofftobedtofallasleepagainalmostimmediately。Also，hishandstrembledmuch，andhebegantoloseflesh。Allthistroubledme，forhisownsakeaswellasmyown，andIresolvedtoaskhimtoseethedoctorofthenextmail-
　　steamerthatcame。WiththisideaIwentonedaytotheendofthePoint，andfoundhiminhisusualattitude，seatedonthelonggrass，lookingseaward。Hedidnothearmeapproach，andwhenIspokehestartedtohisfeet，anddemandedfiercelywhyIdisturbedhim。I
　　replied，asmildlyasIcould，forIwasratherafraidoftheglitteringlookthatwasinhiseyes，thatIwishedtoaskhimifhedidnotfeelill。
　　Heregardedmewithasteadybutsoftenedglanceforalittle，andthensaid：
　　"Mylad，Ithankyouforyourtrouble；butIwantnodoctor。DoyouthinkI’mlookingill？"
　　"Indeedyouare，"Ianswered，"illandthin；and，doyouknow，Ihearyoutalktoyourselfinyoursleepnearlyeverynight。"
　　"WhatdoIsay？"heaskedeagerly。
　　"ThatIcannottell，"Ireplied。"Itisallramblingtalk；thesamethingsoverandoveragain，andnearlyallaboutoneperson——Lucy。"
　　"Boy！"hecriedout，asifinpain，orasifsomethinghadtouchedhimtothequick，"sityoudown，andI’lltellyouwhyIthinkofher——shewasmywife。"
　　Hemovednearertotheedgeofthecliff，andwesatdown，almostovertherestlessseabeneathus。
　　"Shelivesinmymemory，"hecontinued，speakingmoretohimselfthantome，andlookingfarouttothehorizon，beneathwhichthesettingsunhadbeguntosink，"inspiteofallIcandoorthinkoftomakeherappearbaseinmyeyes。Forsheleftmetogowithanotherman——ascoundrel。Thiswashowitwas，"headded，quickly："Imarriedher，andthoughtheraspureasaflower；butIcouldnottakehertoseawithmebecauseIwasonlythemateofavessel，soIleftheramongherownfriends，inthevillagewhereshewasborn。InalittlecottagebyherselfIsettledher，comfortableandhappyasIthought。
　　God！howshehungroundmyneckandsobbedwhenIwentawaythefirsttime！andyet——yet——withinayearsheleftme。"Andhestoppedforseveralminutes，restinghisheaduponhishands。"AtfirstIcouldgetnotraceofher，"heresumed。"Herfriendsknewnothingmoreofherthanthatshehadleftthevillagesuddenly。GraduallyIfoundoutthenameofthescoundrelwhohadseducedheraway。Hehadbribedherfriendssothattheyweresilent；butIoverbribedthemwiththelastmoneyIhad，andIfollowedhimandmywifeonfoot。Ineverfoundthem，nordidIeverknowwhyshehaddesertedmeforhim。IfIhadonlyknownthereason；ifIcouldhavebeentoldofmyfault；ifshehadonlywrittentosaythatshewastiredofme；thatIwastooold，tooroughforhersoftways，——IthinkIcouldhavebornetheheavystrokethevillainhaddealtmebetter。TheendofmysearchwasthatIdroppeddowninthestreetsofLiverpool，whitherIthoughtIhadtrackedthem，andwascarriedtothehospitalwithbrain-feveruponme。TwomonthsafterwardIcameoutcured，andthesenseofmylosswasdeadenedwithinme，sothatIcouldgotoseaagain，whichIdid，beforethemast，underthenameofJackson，inabarkthattradedtothiscoasthere。"Andtheoldsailorrosetohisfeetandturnedabruptlyaway，leavingmesittingalone。
　　Isawthathedidnotwishtobefollowed，soIstayedwhereIwasandwatchedthegraytwilightcreepoverthefaceofthesea，andthenightquicklysucceedtoit。Notacloudhadbeenintheskyalldaylong，andasthedarknessincreasedthestarscameout，untilthewholeheavenswerestuddedwithglitteringgems。
　　Suddenly，lowdown，closetothesea，apointoflightflickeredanddisappeared，shoneagainforamoment，waveredandwentout，onlytoreappearandshinesteadily。"Asteamer’smastheadlight，"Ithought，andrantothehousetogivethenews；butJacksonhadalreadyseenthelight，andpronouncedthatshehadanchoreduntilthemorning。Atdaybreakthereshewas，dippinghersidestotheswelloftheseaasitrolledbeneathher。Itwasmydutytogoofftoherinoneofthesurf-boatsbelongingtothefactory；andsoIscrambleddowntheclifftothelittlestripofsmoothbeachthatservedusforalanding-
　　place。
　　WhenIarrivedthereIfoundthatthewhite-crestedbreakerswereheavierthanIhadthoughttheywouldbe。However，therewastheboatlyingonthebeachwithitsprowtowardthewaves，androunditweretheboat-boyswiththeirloinclothsgirded，readytostart；soI
　　clamberedintothestern，orrather——fortheboatwasshapedalikeatstemandstern——theendfromwhichthesteersman，or/patrao/，usedhislongoar。Withashouttheboyslaidholdofthesidesoftheboat，andthenextmomentitwasdancingonthespentwavesnexttothebeach。Thepatraokeptitsheadsteady，andtheboysjumpedinandseizedtheoars，andbeganpullingwithawill，standinguptotheirstroke。Slowlytheheavycraftgatheredway，andapproachedadarkandunbrokenrollerthathastenedtowardthebeach。Thenthepatraoshoutedtothecrew，andtheylayontheiroars，andthewavewitharoarburstrightinfrontoftheboat，sendingthesprayofitscresthighaboveourheads。
　　"/Rema！remaforca！/"（"Rowstrongly！"）nowshoutedthepatrao，speakingPortuguese，asmostlyallAfricancoastnativesdo；andthecrewgaveway。Thenextrollerwehadtomeetinitsstrength；andsaveforthesteadyforceofthepatrao’soar，Ibelieveitwouldhavetossedusasideandwewouldhavebeensweptunderitscurvingwallofwater。Asitwas，thegoodboatgaveamightyboundasitfeltitsforce，anditsstempitchedhighintotheairasitsliddownitsbroadbackintothedeep。
　　Anotherandyetanotherwavewerepassed，andwecouldnowseethembreakingbehindus，shuttingoutthebeachfromview。Thenthelastrollerwasovercome，andtherewasnothingbutthelongheaveofthedeepseatocontendagainst。Presentlywearrivedatthesteamer，whosesidetoweredaboveus——anironwall。
　　Ashoutcametome，pitchingandlurchingwiththeboatfarbelow，"Comeonboardatonce。"Buttocomeonboardwasonlytobedonebywatchingachanceastheboatroseonthetopofaroller。Takingsuchaone，Iseizedtheside-ropes，swungamomentinmid-air，andthenextwasonthestreamer’scleanwhitedeck。Beforemestoodatallmanwithblackhairandwhiskersanddarkpiercingeyes，whoaskedmeifIwastheagentforFlintBrothers。Iansweredthattheagentwasonshore，andthatIwashisassistant。Whereuponheinformedmethathehadbeenappointedbythefirmtoliquidatealltheirstationsandbusinessesonthecoast，and"hewouldbeobligedbymygettinghisluggageintotheboat。"Thiswassaidinaperemptorysortofway，asifhehadspokentoaservant；andverymuchagainstthegrainI
　　obeyedhisorders。
　　Thatthemanwasnewtothecoastwasevident，andmyconsolationwasthathewouldbeverysoonsickofitandprettywellfrightenedbeforeheevengotonshore，fortheweatherwasfresheningrapidly，afactofwhichheappearedtotakenoheed。Notsotheboat-boys，whowereanxioustobeoff。Atlastwestarted，andIsoonhadmyrevenge。
　　Aswedrewneartheshoretherollersbecamehigherandhigher，andI
　　perceivedthatmygentlemanclutchedthegunwaleoftheboatverytightly，andwhenthefirstwavethatshowedsignsofbreakingovertookus，hegrewverywhiteinthefaceuntilithadpassed。
　　Thenextoneortwobreakersweresmall，muchtohisreliefIcouldsee，thoughhesaidnothing。Beforehehadwellrecoveredhisequanimity，however，atremendouswaveapproachedussomewhatsuddenly。Appalledbyitsthreateningaspect，hesprangfromhisseatandseizedthearmofthepatrao，whoroughlyshookhimoff。
　　"MyGod！"hecried，"weareswamped！"andforthemomentitreallylookedlikeit；butthepatrao，withadexteroussweepofhislongoar，turnedtheboat’sheadtowardtheroller。Itbrokejustasitreachedus，andgaveusthebenefitofitscrest，whichcameinoverthetopsidesoftheboatasitpassedby，anddelugedeveryoneofus。
　　Ilaughed，althoughitwasnolaughingmatter，attheplighttheliquidatorwasnowin。Hewaschangedinamomentfromthespruceandnattypersonageintoamiserableanddraggledbeing。Fromeverypartofhimthesaltwaterwasstreaming，andthecurlwascompletelytakenoutofhiswhiskers。Hecouldnotspeakfromterror，whichtheboat-
　　boyssoonsaw，fornonearequickerthannegroestodetectsignsoffearinthosewhomtheyareaccustomedtoconsidersuperiortothemselves。Familiarwiththesurf，andfullofmischievousfun，theybegantoshoutandgesticulatewiththesettledpurposeofmakingmattersappearworsethantheywere，andofenjoyingthewhiteman’sdiscomfiture，——allbutthepatrao，whowasanoldhand，andonwhomdependedthesafetyofusall。Hekeptasteadylookoutseaward，andstooduprightandfirm，graspinghisoarwithbothhands。Withhimitwasapointofhonourtobringthewhitemenintrustedtohiscaresafelythroughthesurf。
　　Wewaitedformorethanhalfanhour，bowon，meetingeachrollerasitcametous；andbytheendofthattimetheunfortunateliquidatorhadevidentlygivenupallhopeofeverreachingtheshore。Luckily，theworstwassoontopass。Afteronelasttremendouswavetherewasalullforafewmoments，andthepatrao，whohadwatchedforsuchachance，swiftlyturnedtheboatround，andgivingthewordtothecrew，theypulledlustilytowardtheshore。Inafewminuteswewereagaininsafety。Theboatgroundedonthebeach，theoarsweretossedintothesea；thecrewsprangoverboard；someofthemseizedthenewarrival；Iclamberedonthebackofthepatrao；acrowdofnegroes，whohadbeenwaitingonthebeach，laidholdofthetow-ropeoftheboat，anditandwewerelandedsimultaneouslyonthedrysand。
　　OnceonshoreMr。Bransome，forthatwasthenewman’sname，rapidlyrecoveredhispresenceofmindandmanner，and，bywayofcoveringhispastconfusion，remarkedthathesupposedthesurfwasseldomsobadasitthenwas。Irepliedinanoffhandway，meaningtomakefunofhim，thatwhathehadpassedthroughwasnothing，andappealedtothepatraotoconfirmwhatIhadsaid。Thatnegro，seeingthejoke，grinnedalloverhisblackface；andMr。Bransome，perceivingthathewasbeinglaughedat，snatchedagood-sizedstickfromanativestandingnear，andstruckthepatraorepeatedlyovertheback。
　　InvainSooka，forthatwasthepatrao’sname，protested，anddemandedtoknowwhatwrongthinghehaddone。Theagentwasfurious，andshoweredhisblowsupontheblack。EquallyinvainIshoutedthatSookahaddonewellbyus，andthathe，Mr。Bransome，wasmakinganenemyofamanwhowouldhavehimnowandtheninhispower。AtlengthSookatooktohisheels，andsureenough，whenhehadgotalittlewayoff，hebegantothreatenvengeanceforwhathehadreceived。I
　　sympathisedwithhim，forIknewwhatalosstohisdignityitwastobebeatenwithoutcausebeforehisfellows，andIfearedthatMr。
　　Bransomewouldindeedbesorry，soonerorlater，forwhathehaddone。
　　Inowsuggestedtohim，bywayofdivertinghisthoughtsfrompoorSooka，thatstandingonthebeachinwetclotheswastheverywaytocatchthecoast-feverstraightoff，andheinstantlysufferedhimselftobecarriedupthefactory。ThereJacksonreceivedhiminasortof"whoonearthareyou？"manner；andMr。Bransome，clearinghisthroat，announcedhimselfandhisauthority，addingthatheintendedtomakethefactoryapointofdeparturetoalltheothersonthecoast；then，veryabruptly，herequestedJacksontopreparequartersforhimwithoutdelay。
　　ThechangethatcameoverJackson’sfaceashelearnedthequalityofthestrangerandhisrequestswasgreat。Theoldsalt，whohadbeenkingofhishouseandofthePointforsolongatime，hadevidentlynevereventhoughtoftheprobabilityofsuchanintrusionaswasnowpresentedtohim，andhewasamazedatwhatheconsideredtobetheunwarrantableassuranceofthestranger。However，herecoveredhimselfsmartly，andaskedthenewmanifhehadanywrittencredentials。
　　"Certainly，"repliedhe，pullingoutadocumentallwetwithsaltwater。"HereisaletterfromMessrs。FlintBrothers，ofwhich，nodoubt，youwillhaveacopyinyourmail-bag。"
　　Jacksontooktheletterandopenedit，andseemedtoreaditslowlytohimself。Allatoncehestarted，lookedatthenewagent，advancedasteportwotowardhim，muttering，"Bransome，Bransome，"thenstoppedandaskedhiminastrangeconstrainedvoice，"Is/your/nameBransome？"
　　"Yes，"repliedthelatter，astonishedattheoldman’squestion。
　　"IknewaBransomeonce，"saidJackson，steadily，"andhewasascoundrel。"
　　Foramomentthetwomenlookedateachother——Jacksonwithagleamofhatredinhiseyes，whileBransomehadacuriouslyfrightenedexpressiononhisface，whichblanchedslightly。Buthequicklyresumedhiscomposureandperemptoryway，andsaid，"Showmearoom；I
　　mustgetthesewetthingsoffme。"
　　As，however，headdressedhimselfthistimetomeratherthantoJackson，——who，indeed，regardedhimnolonger，butstoodwiththeletterlooseinhishand，lookingattheflooroftheroom，asifindeepmeditation，——Ishowedhimintomyownroom，whereIorderedhistrunkstobebrought。These，ofcourse，werewet；buthefoundsomethingsinthemiddleofthemthatwerenotmorethanslightlydamp，andwiththehelpofapairofoldcanvastrousersofminehemanagedtomakehisappearanceatdinner-time。
　　Jacksonwasnotatthemeal。Hehadleftthehouseshortlyafterhisinterviewwiththenewagent，andhad，Ifancied，goneononeofhissolitaryrambles。Atanyratehedidnotreturnuntillatethatnight。
　　IthoughtMr。Bransomeseemedtobesomewhatrelievedwhenhesawthattheoldmanwasnotcoming；andhebecamemoreaffablethanIhadexpectedhimtobe，andrelinquishedhisarrogantstylealtogetherwhenhebegantoquestionmeaboutJackson——whohewas？whathadhebeen？howlonghehadlivedonthecoast？ToallwhichquestionsI
　　returnedcautiousanswers，rememberingthatIwasunderapromisetotheoldmannottorepeathisstory。
　　Bythenextmorning，tomysurprise，Jacksonappearedtohavebecomereconciledtothefactthathehadbeensupersededbyamanwhoknewnothingofthecoast，andofhisownaccordheofferedtotellMr。
　　Bransomethecluestotheletter-locksonthedoorsofthevariousstore-rooms；forweonthecoastusednonebutletter-locks，whicharelocksthatdonotrequireakeytoopenthem。ButMr。Bransomeexpressed，mostpolitely，awishthatJacksonshouldconsiderhimselfstillinchargeofthefactory，atanyrateuntilthewholeestateoftheunfortunateFlintBrotherscouldbewoundup；andhetrustedthathispresencewouldmakenodifferencetohim。
　　Thiswasachange，onthepartofbothmen，fromthemannersofthepreviousday；andyetIcouldnothelpthinkingthateachbutillconcealedhisaversiontotheother。
　　Monthsnowslippedaway，andMr。Bransomewasoccupiedingoingupanddownthecoastinalittlesteamer，shuttingupfactoryafterfactory，transferringtheirgoodstoours，andgettinghimselfmuchdislikedbyalltheEuropeansunderhim，andhatedbythenatives，especiallybytheboat-boys，whowerearaceortribebythemselves，comingfromoneparticularpartofthecoast。Hehad，ofcourse，beenobligedtoorderthedismissalofmanyofthem，andthiswasonereasonwhytheyhatedhim；butthechiefcausewashistreatmentofSooka，thepatrao。ThatmanneverforgaveMr。Bransomeforbeatinghimsounjustly；andthenewsofthedeedhadtravelledveryquickly，asnewsdoesinsavagecountries，sothatIthinknearlyallofSooka’scountrymenknewoftheactandresentedit。
　　Mr。Bransomewasquiteunawareoftheantipathyhehadthuscreatedtowardhimself，exceptsofarasSookawasconcerned；andhimheneveremployedwhenhehadt...剩余内容请长按扫描二维码或下载丁香书院APP继续免费看：

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