Buthe’sjustthesortofmanwho’scapableofcarryingyouofffarawaysomewhereandthencuttingyourthroatsomedayforyourmoney。"
　　Therewasagoodhalfofthelengthoftheverandahbetweentheirchairs。Icameoutandsatdownfiercelymidwaybetweenthem。
　　"Yes，that’swhatwedowithgirlsinEurope，"Ibeganinagrimlymatter—of—facttone。IthinkMissJacobuswasdisconcertedbymysuddenappearance。Iturneduponherwithcoldferocity：
　　"Astoobjectionableoldwomen，theyarefirststrangledquietly，thencutupintosmallpiecesandthrownaway，abithereandabitthere。Theyvanish—"
　　IcannotgosofarastosayIhadterrifiedher。Butshewastroubledbymytruculence，themoresobecauseIhadbeenalwaysaddressingherwithapolitenessshedidnotdeserve。Herplump，knittinghandsfellslowlyonherknees。ShesaidnotawordwhileIfixedherwithseveredetermination。ThenasIturnedawayfromheratlast，shelaiddownherworkgentlyand，withnoiselessmovements，retreatedfromtheverandah。Infact，shevanished。
　　ButIwasnotthinkingofher。Iwaslookingatthegirl。ItwaswhatIwascomingfordaily；troubled，ashamed，eager；findinginmynearnesstoherauniquesensationwhichIindulgedwithdread，self—contempt，anddeeppleasure，asifitwereasecretviceboundtoendinmyundoing，likethehabitofsomedrugorotherwhichruinsanddegradesitsslave。
　　Ilookedherover，fromthetopofherdishevelledhead，downthelovelylineoftheshoulder，followingthecurveofthehip，thedrapedformofthelonglimb，rightdowntoherfineanklebelowatorn，soiledflounce；andasfarasthepointoftheshabby，high—
　　heeled，blueslipper，danglingfromherwell—shapedfoot，whichshemovedslightly，withquick，nervousjerks，asifimpatientofmypresence。AndinthescentofthemassedflowersIseemedtobreatheherspecialandinexplicablecharm，theheadyperfumeoftheeverlastinglyirritatedcaptiveofthegarden。
　　Ilookedatherroundedchin，theJacobuschin；atthefull，redlipspoutinginthepowdered，sallowface；atthefirmmodellingofthecheek，thegrainsofwhiteinthehairsofthestraightsombreeyebrows；atthelongeyes，anarrowedgleamofliquidwhiteandintensemotionlessblack，withtheirgazesoemptyofthought，andsoabsorbedintheirfixitythatsheseemedtobestaringatherownlonelyimage，insomefar—offmirrorhiddenfrommysightamongstthetrees。
　　Andsuddenly，withoutlookingatme，withtheappearanceofapersonspeakingtoherself，sheasked，inthatvoiceslightlyharshyetmellowandalwaysirritated：
　　"Whydoyoukeeponcominghere？"
　　"WhydoIkeeponcominghere？"Irepeated，takenbysurprise。I
　　couldnothavetoldher。IcouldnoteventellmyselfwithsinceritywhyIwascomingthere。"What’sthegoodofyouaskingaquestionlikethat？"
　　"Nothingisanygood，"sheobservedscornfullytotheemptyair，herchinproppedonherhand，thathandneverextendedtoanyman，thatnoonehadevergrasped—forIhadonlygraspedhershoulderonce—thatgenerous，fine，somewhatmasculinehand。Iknewwellthepeculiarlyefficientshape—broadatthebase，taperingatthefingers—ofthathand，forwhichtherewasnothingintheworldtolayholdof。Ipretendedtobeplayful。
　　"No！Butdoyoureallycaretoknow？"
　　Sheshruggedindolentlyhermagnificentshoulders，fromwhichthedingythinwrapperwasslippingalittle。
　　"Oh—nevermind—nevermind！"
　　Therewassomethingsmoulderingunderthoseairsoflassitude。Sheexasperatedmebytheprovocationofhernonchalance，bysomethingelusiveanddefiantinherveryformwhichIwantedtoseize。I
　　saidroughly：
　　"Why？Don’tyouthinkIshouldtellyouthetruth？"
　　Hereyesglidedmywayforasidelonglook，andshemurmured，movingonlyherfull，poutinglips：
　　"Ithinkyouwouldnotdare。"
　　"DoyouimagineIamafraidofyou？Whatonearth……Well，it’spossible，afterall，thatIdon’tknowexactlywhyIamcominghere。Letussay，withMissJacobus，thatitisfornogood。Youseemtobelievetheoutrageousthingsshesays，ifyoudohavearowwithhernowandthen。"
　　Shesnappedoutviciously：
　　"WhoelseamItobelieve？
　　"Idon’tknow，"Ihadtoown，seeinghersuddenlyveryhelplessandcondemnedtomoralsolitudebytheverdictofarespectablecommunity。"Youmightbelieveme，ifyouchose。"
　　Shemadeaslightmovementandaskedmeatonce，withaneffortasifmakinganexperiment：
　　"Whatisthebusinessbetweenyouandpapa？"
　　"Don’tyouknowthenatureofyourfather’sbusiness？Come！Hesellsprovisionstoships。"
　　Shebecamerigidagaininhercrouchingpose。
　　"Notthat。Whatbringsyouhere—tothishouse？"
　　"Andsupposeit’syou？Youwouldnotcallthatbusiness？Wouldyou？Andnowletusdropthesubject。It’snouse。Myshipwillbereadyforseathedayafterto—morrow。"
　　Shemurmuredadistinctlyscared"Sosoon，"andgettingupquickly，wenttothelittletableandpouredherselfaglassofwater。Shewalkedwithrapidstepsandwithanindolentswayingofherwholeyoungfigureabovethehips；whenshepassednearmeIfeltwithtenfoldforcethecharmofthepeculiar，promisingsensationIhadformedthehabittoseeknearher。Ithoughtwithsuddendismaythatthiswastheendofit；thatafteronemoredayIwouldbenolongerabletocomeintothisverandah，sitonthischair，andtasteperverselytheflavourofcontemptinherindolentposes，drinkintheprovocationofherscornfullooks，andlistentothecurt，insolentremarksutteredinthatharshandseductivevoice。
　　Asifmyinnermostnaturehadbeenalteredbytheactionofsomemoralpoison，Ifeltanabjectdreadofgoingtosea。
　　Ihadtoexerciseasuddenself—control，asoneputsonabrake，topreventmyselfjumpinguptostrideabout，shout，gesticulate，makeherascene。Whatfor？Whatabout？Ihadnoidea。ItwasjustthereliefofviolencethatIwanted；andIlolledbackinmychair，tryingtokeepmylipsformedinasmile；thathalf—
　　indulgent，half—mockingsmilewhichwasmyshieldagainsttheshaftsofhercontemptandtheinsultingsalliesflungatmebytheoldwoman。
　　Shedrankthewateratadraught，withtheavidityofragingthirst，andletherselffallonthenearestchair，asifutterlyovercome。Herattitude，likecertaintonesofhervoice，hadinitsomethingmasculine：thekneesapartintheamplewrapper，theclaspedhandshangingbetweenthem，herbodyleaningforward，withdroopinghead。Istaredattheheavyblackcoiloftwistedhair。
　　Itwasenormous，crowningthebowedheadwithacrushinganddisdainedglory。Theescapedwispshungstraightdown。AndsuddenlyIperceivedthatthegirlwastremblingfromheadtofoot，asthoughthatglassoficedwaterhadchilledhertothebone。
　　"What’sthematternow？"Isaid，startled，butinnoverysympatheticmood。
　　Sheshookherbowed，overweightedheadandcriedinastifledvoicebutwitharisinginflection：
　　"Goaway！Goaway！Goaway！"
　　Igotupthenandapproachedher，withastrangesortofanxiety。
　　Ilookeddownatherround，strongneck，thenstoopedlowenoughtopeepatherface。AndIbegantotremblealittlemyself。
　　"Whatonearthareyougonewildabout，MissDon’tCare？"
　　Sheflungherselfbackwardsviolently，herheadgoingoverthebackofthechair。Andnowitwashersmooth，full，palpitatingthroatthatlayexposedtomybewilderedstare。Hereyeswerenearlyclosed，withonlyahorriblewhitegleamunderthelidsasifsheweredead。
　　"Whathascometoyou？"Iaskedinawe。"Whatareyouterrifyingyourselfwith？"
　　Shepulledherselftogether，hereyesopenfrightfullywidenow。
　　Thetropicalafternoonwaslengtheningtheshadowsonthehot，wearyearth，theabodeofobscuredesires，ofextravaganthopes，ofunimaginableterrors。
　　"Nevermind！Don’tcare！"Then，afteragasp，shespokewithsuchfrightfulrapiditythatIcouldhardlymakeouttheamazingwords：
　　"Forifyouweretoshutmeupinanemptyplaceassmoothallroundasthepalmofmyhand，Icouldalwaysstranglemyselfwithmyhair。"
　　Foramoment，doubtingmyears，Iletthisinconceivabledeclarationsinkintome。Itiseverimpossibletoguessatthewildthoughtsthatpassthroughtheheadsofourfellow—creatures。
　　Whatmonstrousimaginingsofviolencecouldhavedweltunderthelowforeheadofthatgirlwhohadbeentaughttoregardherfatheras"capableofanything"moreinthelightofamisfortunethanthatofadisgrace；as，evidently，somethingtoberesentedandfearedratherthantobeashamedof？Sheseemed，indeed，asunawareofshameasofanythingelseintheworld；butinherignorance，herresentmentandfeartookachildishandviolentshape。
　　Ofcourseshespokewithoutknowingthevalueofwords。Whatcouldsheknowofdeath—shewhoknewnothingoflife？Itwasmerelyastheproofofherbeingbesideherselfwithsomeodiousapprehension，thatthisextraordinaryspeechhadmovedme，nottopity，buttoafascinated，horrifiedwonder。Ihadnoideawhatnotionshehadofherdanger。Somesortofabduction。Itwasquitepossiblewiththetalkofthatatrociousoldwoman。Perhapsshethoughtshecouldbecarriedoff，boundhandandfootandevengagged。AtthatsurmiseIfeltasifthedoorofafurnacehadbeenopenedinfrontofme。
　　"Uponmyhonour！"Icried。"Youshallendbygoingcrazyifyoulistentothatabominableoldauntofyours—"
　　Istudiedherhaggardexpression，hertremblinglips。Hercheeksevenseemedsunkalittle。ButhowI，theassociateofherdisreputablefather，the"lowestofthelow"fromthecriminalEurope，couldmanagetoreassureherIhadnoconception。Shewasexasperating。
　　"Heavensandearth！WhatdoyouthinkIcando？"
　　"Idon’tknow。"
　　Herchincertainlytrembled。Andshewaslookingatmewithextremeattention。Imadeastepnearertoherchair。
　　"Ishalldonothing。Ipromiseyouthat。Willthatdo？Doyouunderstand？Ishalldonothingwhatever，ofanykind；andthedayafterto—morrowIshallbegone。"
　　WhatelsecouldIhavesaid？Sheseemedtodrinkinmywordswiththethirstyaviditywithwhichshehademptiedtheglassofwater。
　　Shewhisperedtremulously，inthattouchingtoneIhadheardoncebeforeonherlips，andwhichthrilledmeagainwiththesameemotion：
　　"Iwouldbelieveyou。Butwhataboutpapa—"
　　"Hebehanged！"Myemotionbetrayeditselfbythebrutalityofmytone。"I’vehadenoughofyourpapa。AreyousostupidastoimaginethatIamfrightenedofhim？Hecan’tmakemedoanything。"
　　Allthatsoundedfeebletomeinthefaceofherignorance。ButI
　　mustconcludethatthe"accentofsincerity"has，assomepeoplesay，areallyirresistiblepower。Theeffectwasfarbeyondmyhopes，—andevenbeyondmyconception。Towatchthechangeinthegirlwaslikewatchingamiracle—thegradualbutswiftrelaxationofhertenseglance，ofherstiffenedmuscles，ofeveryfibreofherbody。Thatblack，fixedstareintowhichIhadreadatragicmeaningmorethanonce，inwhichIhadfoundasombreseduction，wasperfectlyemptynow，voidofallconsciousnesswhatever，andnotevenawareanylongerofmypresence；ithadbecomealittlesleepy，intheJacobusfashion。
　　But，manbeingaperverseanimal，insteadofrejoicingatmycompletesuccess，Ibehelditwithastoundedandindignanteyes。
　　Therewassomethingcynicalinthatunconcealedalteration，thetrueJacobusshamelessness。IfeltasthoughIhadbeencheatedinsomerathercomplicateddealintowhichIhadenteredagainstmybetterjudgment。Yes，cheatedwithoutanyregardfor，atleast，theformsofdecency。
　　Withaneasy，indolent，andinitsindolencesupple，felinemovement，sherosefromthechair，soprovokinglyignoringmenow，thatforveryrageIheldmygroundwithinlessthanafootofher。
　　Leisurelyandtranquil，behavingrightbeforemewiththeeaseofapersonaloneinaroom，sheextendedherbeautifularms，withherhandsclenched，herbodyswaying，herheadthrownbackalittle，revellingcontemptuouslyinasenseofrelief，easingherlimbsinfreedomafterallthesedaysofcrouching，motionlessposeswhenshehadbeensofuriousandsoafraid。
　　Allthiswithsupremeindifference，incredible，offensive，exasperating，likeingratitudedoubledwithtreachery。
　　Ioughttohavebeenflattered，perhaps，but，onthecontrary，myangergrew；hermovementtopassbymeasifIwereawoodenpostorapieceoffurniture，thatunconcernedmovementbroughtittoahead。
　　Iwon’tsayIdidnotknowwhatIwasdoing，but，certainly，coolreflectionhadnothingtodowiththecircumstancethatnextmomentbothmyarmswereroundherwaist。Itwasanimpulsiveaction，asonesnatchesatsomethingfallingorescaping；andithadnohypocriticalgentlenessaboutiteither。Shehadnotimetomakeasound，andthefirstkissIplantedonherclosedlipswasviciousenoughtohavebeenabite。
　　Shedidnotresist，andofcourseIdidnotstopatone。Sheletmegoon，notasifshewereinanimate—Ifeltherthere，closeagainstme，young，fullofvigour，oflife，astrongdesirablecreature，butasifshedidnotcareintheleast，intheabsoluteassuranceofhersafety，whatIdidorleftundone。Ourfacesbroughtclosetogetherinthisstormofhaphazardcaresses，herbig，black，wide—openeyeslookedintominewithoutthegirlappearingeitherangryorpleasedormovedinanyway。InthatsteadygazewhichseemedimpersonallytowatchmymadnessIcoulddetectaslightsurprise，perhaps—nothingmore。Ishoweredkissesuponherfaceandtheredidnotseemtobeanyreasonwhythisshouldnotgoonforever。
　　Thatthoughtflashedthroughmyhead，andIwasonthepointofdesisting，when，allatonce，shebegantostrugglewithasuddenviolencewhichallbutfreedherinstantly，whichrevivedmyexasperationwithher，indeedafiercedesirenevertolethergoanymore。Itightenedmyembraceintime，gaspingout："No—youdon’t！"asifsheweremymortalenemy。Onherpartnotawordwassaid。Puttingherhandsagainstmychest，shepushedwithallhermightwithoutsucceedingtobreakthecircleofmyarms。Exceptthatsheseemedthoroughlyawakenow，hereyesgavemenocluewhatever。Tomeetherblackstarewaslikelookingintoadeepwell，andIwastotallyunpreparedforherchangeoftactics。
　　Insteadoftryingtotearmyhandsapart，sheflungherselfuponmybreastandwithadownward，undulating，serpentinemotion，aquickslidingdive，shegotawayfrommesmoothly。Itwasallveryswift；Isawherpickupthetailofherwrapperandrunforthedoorattheendoftheverandahnotverygracefully。Sheappearedtobelimpingalittle—andthenshevanished；thedoorswungbehindhersonoiselesslythatIcouldnotbelieveitwascompletelyclosed。IhadadistinctsuspicionofherblackeyebeingatthecracktowatchwhatIwoulddo。Icouldnotmakeupmymindwhethertoshakemyfistinthatdirectionorblowakiss。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　Eitherwouldhavebeenperfectlyconsistentwithmyfeelings。I
　　gazedatthedoor，hesitating，butintheendIdidneither。Themonitionofsomesixthsense—thesenseofguilt，maybe，thatsensewhichalwaysactstoolate，alas！—warnedmetolookround；
　　andatonceIbecameawarethattheconclusionofthistumultuousepisodewaslikelytobeamatteroflivelyanxiety。Jacobuswasstandinginthedoorwayofthedining—room。Howlonghehadbeenthereitwasimpossibletoguess；andrememberingmystrugglewiththegirlIthoughthemusthavebeenitsmutewitnessfrombeginningtoend。Butthissuppositionseemedalmostincredible。
　　Perhapsthatimpenetrablegirlhadheardhimcomeinandhadgotawayintime。
　　Hesteppedontotheverandahinhisusualmanner，heavy—eyed，withgluedlips。Imarvelledatthegirl’sresemblancetothisman。
　　Thoselong，Egyptianeyes，thatlowforeheadofastupidgoddess，shehadfoundinthesawdustofthecircus；butalltherestoftheface，thedesignandthemodelling，theroundedchin，theverylips—allthatwasJacobus，fineddown，morefinished，moreexpressive。
　　Histhickhandfellonandgraspedwithforcethebackofalightchair（therewereseveralstandingabout）andIperceivedthechanceofabrokenheadattheendofallthis—mostlikely。Mymortificationwasextreme。Thescandalwouldbehorrible；thatwasunavoidable。ButhowtoactsoastosatisfymyselfIdidnotknow。Istoodonmyguardandatanyratefacedhim。Therewasnothingelseforit。OfonethingIwascertain，that，howeverbrazenmyattitude，itcouldneverequalthecharacteristicJacobusimpudence。
　　Hegavemehismelancholy，gluedsmileandsatdown。IownIwasrelieved。Theperspectiveofpassingfromkissestoblowshadnothingparticularlyattractiveinit。Perhaps—perhapshehadseennothing？Hebehavedasusual，buthehadneverbeforefoundmealoneontheverandah。Ifhehadalludedtoit，ifhehadasked："Where’sAlice？"orsomethingofthesort，Iwouldhavebeenabletojudgefromthetone。Hewouldgivemenoopportunity。
　　Thestrikingpeculiaritywasthathehadneverlookedupatmeyet。
　　"Heknows，"Isaidtomyselfconfidently。Andmycontemptforhimrelievedmydisgustwithmyself。
　　"Youareearlyhome，"Iremarked。
　　"Thingsareveryquiet；nothingdoingatthestoreto—day，"heexplainedwithacast—downair。
　　"Oh，well，youknow，Iamoff，"Isaid，feelingthatthis，perhaps，wasthebestthingtodo。
　　"Yes，"hebreathedout。"Dayafterto—morrow。"
　　ThiswasnotwhatIhadmeant；butashegazedpersistentlyonthefloor，Ifollowedthedirectionofhisglance。Intheabsolutestillnessofthehousewestaredatthehigh—heeledslipperthegirlhadlostinherflight。Westared。Itlayoverturned。
　　Afterwhatseemedaverylongtimetome，Jacobushitchedhischairforward，stoopedwithextendedarmandpickeditup。Itlookedaslenderthinginhisbig，thickhands。Itwasnotreallyaslipper，butalowshoeofblue，glazedkid，rubbedandshabby。Ithadstrapstogoovertheinstep，butthegirlonlythrustherfeetin，afterherslovenlymanner。Jacobusraisedhiseyesfromtheshoetolookatme。
　　"Sitdown，Captain，"hesaidatlast，inhissubduedtone。
　　Asifthesightofthatshoehadrenewedthespell，Igaveupsuddenlytheideaofleavingthehousethereandthen。Ithadbecomeimpossible。Isatdown，keepingmyeyesonthefascinatingobject。Jacobusturnedhisdaughter’sshoeoverandoverinhiscushionedpawsasifstudyingthewaythethingwasmade。Hecontemplatedthethinsoleforatime；thenglancinginsidewithanabsorbedair：
　　"IamgladIfoundyouhere，Captain。"
　　Iansweredthisbysomesortofgrunt，watchinghimcovertly。ThenIadded："Youwon’thavemuchmoreofmenow。"
　　Hewasstilldeepintheinteriorofthatshoeonwhichmyeyestoowereresting。
　　"HaveyouthoughtanymoreofthisdealinpotatoesIspoketoyouabouttheotherday？"
　　"No，Ihaven’t，"Iansweredcurtly。Hecheckedmymovementtorisebyanaustere，commandinggestureofthehandholdingthatfatalshoe。Iremainedseatedandglaredathim。"YouknowIdon’ttrade。"
　　"Yououghtto，Captain。Yououghtto。"
　　Ireflected。IfIleftthathousenowIwouldneverseethegirlagain。AndIfeltImustseeheroncemore，ifonlyforaninstant。Itwasaneed，nottobereasonedwith，nottobedisregarded。No，Ididnotwanttogoaway。Iwantedtostayforonemoreexperienceofthatstrangeprovokingsensationandofindefinitedesire，thehabitofwhichhadmademe—meofallpeople！—dreadtheprospectofgoingtosea。
　　"Mr。Jacobus，"Ipronouncedslowly。"Doyoureallythinkthatuponthewholeandtakingvarious’mattersintoconsideration—Imeaneverything，doyouunderstand？—itwouldbeagoodthingformetotrade，letussay，withyou？"
　　Iwaitedforawhile。Hewentonlookingattheshoewhichheheldnowcrushedinthemiddle，thewornpointofthetoeandthehighheelprotrudingoneachsideofhisheavyfist。
　　"Thatwillbeallright，"hesaid，facingmesquarelyatlast。
　　"Areyousure？"
　　"You’llfinditquitecorrect，Captain。"Hehadutteredhishabitualphrasesinhisusualplacid，breath—savingvoiceandstoodmyhard，inquisitivestaresleepilywithoutasmuchasawink。
　　"Thenletustrade，"Isaid，turningmyshouldertohim。"Iseeyouarebentonit。"
　　Ididnotwantanopenscandal，butIthoughtthatoutwarddecencymaybeboughttoodearlyattimes。IincludedJacobus，myself，thewholepopulationoftheisland，inthesamecontemptuousdisgustasthoughwehadbeenpartnersinanignobletransaction。Andtherememberedvisionatsea，diaphanousandblue，ofthePearloftheOceanatsixtymilesoff；theunsubstantial，clearmarvelofitasifevokedbytheartofabeautifulandpuremagic，turnedintoathingofhorrorstoo。Wasthisthefortunethisvaporousandrareapparitionhadheldformeinitshardheart，hiddenwithintheshapeasoffairdreamsandmist？Wasthismyluck？
　　"Ithink"—Jacobusbecamesuddenlyaudibleafterwhatseemedthesilenceofvilemeditation—"thatyoumightconvenientlytakesomethirtytons。Thatwouldbeaboutthelot，Captain。"
　　"Wouldit？Thelot！Idaresayitwouldbeconvenient，butI
　　haven’tgotenoughmoneyforthat。"
　　Ihadneverseenhimsoanimated。
　　"No！"heexclaimedwithwhatItookfortheaccentofgrimmenace。
　　"That’sapity。"Hepaused，then，unrelenting："Howmuchmoneyhaveyougot，Captain？"heinquiredwithawfuldirectness。
　　Itwasmyturntofacehimsquarely。IdidsoandmentionedtheamountIcoulddisposeof。AndIperceivedthathewasdisappointed。Hethoughtitover，hiscalculatinggazelostinmine，forquitealongtimebeforehecameoutinathoughtfultonewiththerapacioussuggestion：
　　"Youcoulddrawsomemorefromyourcharterers。Thatwouldbequiteeasy，Captain。"
　　"No，Icouldn’t，"Iretortedbrusquely。"I’vedrawnmysalaryuptodate，andbesides，theship’saccountsareclosed。"
　　Iwasgrowingfurious。Ipursued："AndI’lltellyouwhat：ifI
　　coulddoitIwouldn’t。"Thenthrowingoffallrestraint，Iadded：
　　"YouareabittoomuchofaJacobus，Mr。Jacobus。"
　　Thetonealonewasinsultingenough，butheremainedtranquil，onlyalittlepuzzled，tillsomethingseemedtodawnuponhim；buttheunwontedlightinhiseyesdiedoutinstantly。AsaJacobusonhisnativeheath，whatamereskipperchosetosaycouldnottouchhim，outcastashewas。Asaship—chandlerhecouldstandanything。
　　AllIcaughtofhismumblewasavague—"quitecorrect，"thanwhichnothingcouldhavebeenmoreegregiouslyfalseatbottom—tomyview，atleast。ButIremembered—Ihadneverforgotten—thatImustseethegirl。Ididnotmeantogo。ImeanttostayinthehousetillIhadseenheroncemore。
　　"Lookhere！"Isaidfinally。"I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo。I’lltakeasmanyofyourconfoundedpotatoesasmymoneywillbuy，onconditionthatyougooffatoncedowntothewharftoseethemloadedinthelighterandsentalongsidetheshipstraightaway。
　　Taketheinvoiceandasignedreceiptwithyou。Here’sthekeyofmydesk。GiveittoBurns。Hewillpayyou。
　　HegotupfromhischairbeforeIhadfinishedspeaking，butherefusedtotakethekey。Burnswouldneverdoit。Hewouldn’tliketoaskhimeven。
　　"Well，then，"Isaid，eyeinghimslightingly，"there’snothingforit，Mr。Jacobus，butyoumustwaitonboardtillIcomeofftosettlewithyou。"
　　"Thatwillbeallright，Captain。Iwillgoatonce。"
　　Heseemedatalosswhattodowiththegirl’sshoehewasstillholdinginhisfist。Finally，lookingdullyatme，heputitdownonthechairfromwhichhehadrisen。
　　"Andyou，Captain？Won’tyoucomealong，too，justtosee—"
　　"Don’tbotheraboutme。I’lltakecareofmyself。"
　　Heremainedperplexedforamoment，asiftryingtounderstand；andthenhisweighty："Certainly，certainly，Captain，"seemedtobetheoutcomeofsomesuddenthought。Hisbigchestheaved。Wasitasigh？Ashewentouttohurryoffthosepotatoesheneverlookedbackatme。
　　Iwaitedtillthenoiseofhisfootstepshaddiedoutofthedining—room，andIwaitedalittlelonger。ThenturningtowardsthedistantdoorIraisedmyvoicealongtheverandah：
　　"Alice！"
　　Nothingansweredme，notevenastirbehindthedoor。Jacobus’shousemighthavebeenmadeemptyformetomakemyselfathomein。
　　Ididnotcallagain。Ihadbecomeawareofagreatdiscouragement。Iwasmentallyjaded，morallydejected。Iturnedtothegardenagain，sittingdownwithmyelbowsspreadonthelowbalustrade，andtookmyheadinmyhands。
　　Theeveningcloseduponme。Theshadowslengthened，deepened，mingledtogetherintoapooloftwilightinwhichtheflower—bedsglowedlikecolouredembers；whiffsofheavyscentcametomeasiftheduskofthishemispherewerebutthedimnessofatempleandthegardenanenormouscenserswingingbeforethealtarofthestars。Thecoloursoftheblossomsdeepened，losingtheirglowonebyone。
　　Thegirl，whenIturnedmyheadataslightnoise，appearedtomeverytallandslender，advancingwithaswayinglimp，afloatingandunevenmotionwhichendedinthesinkingofhershadowyformintothedeeplowchair。AndIdon’tknowwhyorwhenceIreceivedtheimpressionthatshehadcometoolate。Sheoughttohaveappearedatmycall。Sheoughttohave……Itwasasifasupremeopportunityhadbeenmissed。
　　Iroseandtookaseatclosetoher，nearlyoppositeherarm—chair。
　　Hereverdiscontentedvoiceaddressedmeatonce，contemptuously：
　　"Youarestillhere。"
　　Ipitchedminelow。
　　"Youhavecomeoutatlast。"
　　"Icametolookformyshoe—beforetheybringinthelights。"
　　Itwasherharsh，enticingwhisper，subdued，notverysteady，butitslowtremulousnessgavemenothrillnow。Icouldonlymakeouttheovalofherface，heruncoveredthroat，thelong，whitegleamofhereyes。Shewasmysteriousenough。Herhandswererestingonthearmsofthechair。Butwherewasthemysteriousandprovokingsensationwhichwasliketheperfumeofherflower—likeyouth？I
　　saidquietly：
　　"Ihavegotyourshoehere。"ShemadenosoundandIcontinued：
　　"YouhadbettergivemeyourfootandIwillputitonforyou。"
　　Shemadenomovement。Ibentlowdownandgropedforherfootundertheflouncesofthewrapper。ShedidnotwithdrawitandI
　　putontheshoe，buttoningtheinstep—strap。Itwasaninanimatefoot。Ilowereditgentlytothefloor。
　　"Ifyoubuttonedthestrapyouwouldnotbelosingyourshoe，MissDon’tCare，"Isaid，tryingtobeplayfulwithoutconviction。I
　　feltmorelikewailingoverthelostillusionofvaguedesire，overthesuddenconvictionthatIwouldneverfindagainnearherthestrange，half—evil，half—tendersensationwhichhadgivenitsacridflavourtosomanydays，whichhadmadeherappeartragicandpromising，pitifulandprovoking。Thatwasallover。
　　"Yourfatherpickeditup，"Isaid，thinkingshemayjustaswellbetoldofthefact。
　　"Iamnotafraidofpapa—byhimself，"shedeclaredscornfully。
　　"Oh！It’sonlyinconjunctionwithhisdisreputableassociates，strangers，the’riff—raffofEurope’asyourcharmingauntorgreat—auntsays—menlikeme，forinstance—thatyou—"
　　"Iamnotafraidofyou，"shesnappedout。
　　"That’sbecauseyoudon’tknowthatIamnowdoingbusinesswithyourfather。Yes，Iaminfactdoingexactlywhathewantsmetodo。I’vebrokenmypromisetoyou。That’sthesortofmanIam。
　　Andnow—aren’tyouafraid？Ifyoubelievewhatthatdear，kind，truthfuloldladysaysyououghttobe。"
　　Itwaswithunexpectedmodulatedsoftnessthattheaffirmed：
　　"No。Iamnotafraid。"Shehesitated……"Notnow。"
　　"Quiteright。Youneedn’tbe。IshallnotseeyouagainbeforeI
　　gotosea。"Iroseandstoodnearherchair。"ButIshalloftenthinkofyouinthisoldgarden，passingunderthetreesoverthere，walkingbetweenthesegorgeousflower—beds。Youmustlovethisgarden—"
　　"Ilovenothing。"
　　IheardinhersullentonethefaintechoofthatresentfullytragicnotewhichIhadfoundoncesoprovoking。ButitleftmeunmovedexceptforasuddenandwearyconvictionoftheemptinessofallthingsunderHeaven。
　　"Good—bye，Alice，"Isaid。
　　Shedidnotanswer，shedidnotmove。Tomerelytakeherhand，shakeit，andgoawayseemedimpossible，almostimproper。I
　　stoopedwithouthasteandpressedmylipstohersmoothforehead。
　　ThiswasthemomentwhenIrealisedclearlywithasortofterrormycompletedetachmentfromthatunfortunatecreature。AndasI
　　lingeredinthatcruelself—knowledgeIfeltthelighttouchofherarmsfallinglanguidlyonmyneckandreceivedahasty，awkward，haphazardkisswhichmissedmylips。No！Shewasnotafraid；butIwasnolongermoved。Herarmsslippedoffmyneckslowly，shemadenosound，thedeepwickerarm—chaircreakedslightly；onlyasenseofmydignitypreventedmefleeingheadlongfromthatcatastrophicrevelation。
　　Itraversedthedining—roomslowly。Ithought：She’slisteningtomyfootsteps；shecan’thelpit；she’llhearmeopenandshutthatdoor。AndIcloseditasgentlybehindmeasifIhadbeenathiefretreatingwithhisill—gottenbooty。DuringthatstealthyactI
　　experiencedthelasttouchofemotioninthathouse，atthethoughtofthegirlIhadleftsittingthereintheobscurity，withherheavyhairandemptyeyesasblackasthenightitself，staringintothewalledgarden，silent，warm，odorouswiththeperfumeofimprisonedflowers，which，likeherself，werelosttosightinaworldburiedindarkness。
　　Thenarrow，ill—lighted，rusticstreetsIknewsowellonmywaytotheharbourwereextremelyquiet。Ifeltinmyheartthatthefurtheroneventuresthebetteroneunderstandshoweverythinginourlifeiscommon，short，andempty；thatitisinseekingtheunknowninoursensationsthatwediscoverhowmediocreareourattemptsandhowsoondefeated！Jacobus’sboatmanwaswaitingatthestepswithanunusualairofreadiness。Heputmealongsidetheship，butdidnotgivemehisconfidential"Good—evening，sah，"
　　and，insteadofshovingoffatonce，remainedholdingbytheladder。
　　Iwasathousandmilesfromcommercialaffairs，whenonthedarkquarter—deckMr。Burnspositivelyrushedatme，stammeringwithexcitement。Hehadbeenpacingthedeckdistractedlyforhoursawaitingmyarrival。Justbeforesunsetalighterloadedwithpotatoeshadcomealongsidewiththatfatship—chandlerhimselfsittingonthepileofsacks。Hewasnowstuckimmovableinthecabin。Whatwasthemeaningofitall？SurelyIdidnot—
　　"Yes，Mr。Burns，Idid，"Icuthimshort。HewasbeginningtomakegesturesofdespairwhenIstoppedthat，too，bygivinghimthekeyofmydeskanddesiringhim，inatonewhichadmittedofnoargument，togobelowatonce，payMr。Jacobus’sbill，andsendhimoutoftheship。
　　"Idon’twanttoseehim，"Iconfessedfrankly，climbingthepoop—
　　ladder。Ifeltextremelytired。Droppingontheseatoftheskylight，Igavemyselfuptoidlegazingatthelightsaboutthequayandattheblackmassofthemountainonthesouthsideoftheharbour。IneverheardJacobusleavetheshipwitheverysinglesovereignofmyreadycashinhispocket。Ineverheardanythingtill，alongtimeafterwards，Mr。Burns，unabletocontainhimselfanylonger，intrudeduponmewithhisridiculouslyangrylamentationsatmyweaknessandgoodnature。
　　"Ofcourse，there’splentyofroomintheafter—hatch。Buttheyaresuretogorottendownthere。Well！Ineverheard……
　　seventeentons！IsupposeImusthoistinthatlotfirstthingto—
　　morrowmorning。"
　　"Isupposeyoumust。Unlessyoudropthemoverboard。ButI’mafraidyoucan’tdothat。Iwouldn’tmindmyself，butit’sforbiddentothrowrubbishintotheharbour，youknow。"
　　"Thatisthetruestwordyouhavesaidformanyaday，sir—
　　rubbish。That’sjustwhatIexpecttheyare。Nearlyeightygoodgoldsovereignsgone；aperfectlycleansweepofyourdrawer，sir。
　　BlessmeifIunderstand！"
　　AsitwasimpossibletothrowtherightlightonthiscommercialtransactionIlefthimtohislamentationsandundertheimpressionthatIwasahopelessfool。NextdayIdidnotgoashore。Foronething，Ihadnomoneytogoashorewith—no，notenoughtobuyacigarette。Jacobushadmadeacleansweep。Butthatwasnottheonlyreason。ThePearloftheOceanhadinafewshorthoursgrownodioustome。AndIdidnotwanttomeetanyone。Myreputationhadsuffered。IknewIwastheobjectofunkindandsarcasticcomments。
　　Thefollowingmorningatsunrise，justasourstern—fastshadbeenletgoandthetugpluckedusoutfrombetweenthebuoys，IsawJacobusstandingupinhisboat。Theniggerwaspullinghard；
　　severalbasketsofprovisionsforshipswerestowedbetweenthethwarts。ThefatherofAlicewasgoinghismorninground。Hiscountenancewastranquilandfriendly。Heraisedhisarmandshoutedsomethingwithgreatheartiness。Buthisvoicewasofthesortthatdoesn’tcarryanydistance；allIcouldcatchfaintly，orratherguessat，werethewords"nexttime"and"quitecorrect。"
　　AnditwasonlyoftheselastthatIwascertain。Raisingmyarmperfunctorilyforallresponse，Iturnedaway。Iratherresentedthefamiliarityofthething。Hadn’tIsettledaccountsfinallywithhimbymeansofthatpotatobargain？
　　Thisbeingaharbourstoryitisnotmypurposetospeakofourpassage。Iwasgladenoughtobeatsea，butnotwiththegladnessofolddays。FormerlyIhadnomemoriestotakeawaywithme。I
　　sharedintheblessedforgetfulnessofsailors，thatforgetfulnessnaturalandinvincible，whichresemblesinnocenceinsofarthatitpreventsself—examination。NowhoweverIrememberedthegirl。
　　DuringthefirstfewdaysIwasforeverquestioningmyselfastothenatureoffactsandsensationsconnectedwithherpersonandwithmyconduct。
　　AndImustsayalsothatMr。Burns’intolerablefussingwiththosepotatoeswasnotcalculatedtomakemeforgetthepartwhichIhadplayed。Helookeduponitasapurelycommercialtransactionofaparticularlyfoolishkind，andhisdevotion—ifitwasdevotionandnotmerecussednessasIcametoregarditbeforelong—
　　inspiredhimwithazealtominimisemylossasmuchaspossible。
　　Oh，yes！Hetookcareofthoseinfamouspotatoeswithavengeance，asthesayinggoes。
　　Everlastingly，therewasatackleovertheafter—hatchandeverlastinglythewatchondeckwerepullingup，spreadingout，pickingover，rebagging，andloweringdownagain，somepartofthatlotofpotatoes。Mybargainwithallitsremotestassociations，mentalandvisual—thegardenofflowersandscents，thegirlwithherprovokingcontemptandhertragiclonelinessofahopelesscastaway—waseverlastinglydangledbeforemyeyes，forthousandsofmilesalongtheopensea。Andasifbyasatanicrefinementofironyitwasaccompaniedbyamostawfulsmell。Whiffsfromdecayingpotatoespursuedmeonthepoop，theymingledwithmythoughts，withmyfood，poisonedmyverydreams。Theymadeanatmosphereofcorruptionfortheship。
　　IremonstratedwithMr。Burnsaboutthisexcessivecare。Iwouldhavebeenwellcontenttobattenthehatchdownandletthemperishunderthedeck。
　　Thatperhapswouldhavebeenunsafe。Thehorridemanationsmighthaveflavouredthecargoofsugar。Theyseemedstrongenoughtotainttheveryironwork。InadditionMr。Burnsmadeitapersonalmatter。Heassuredmeheknewhowtotreatacargoofpotatoesatsea—hadbeeninthetradeasaboy，hesaid。Hemeanttomakemylossassmallaspossible。Whatbetweenhisdevotion—itmusthavebeendevotion—andhisvanity，Ipositivelydarednotgivehimtheordertothrowmycommercial—ventureoverboard。Ibelievehewouldhaverefusedpointblanktoobeymylawfulcommand。AnunprecedentedandcomicalsituationwouldhavebeencreatedwithwhichIdidnotfeelequaltodeal。
　　Iwelcomedthecomingofbadweatherasnosailorhadeverdone。
　　WhenatlastIhovetheshipto，topickupthepilotoutsidePortPhilipHeads，theafter—hatchhadnotbeenopenedformorethanaweekandImighthavebelievedthatnosuchthingasapotatohadeverbeenonboard。
　　Itwasanabominableday，raw，blustering，withgreatsquallsofwindandrain；thepilot，acheeryperson，lookedaftertheshipandchattedtome，streamingfromheadtofoot；andtheheavierthelashofthedownpourthemorepleasedwithhimselfandeverythingaroundhimheseemedtobe。Herubbedhiswethandswithasatisfaction，whichtome，whohadstoodthatkindofthingforseveraldaysandnights，seemedinconceivableinanynon—aquaticcreature。
　　"Youseemtoenjoygettingwet，Pilot，"Iremarked。
　　Hehadabitoflandroundhishouseinthesuburbsanditwasofhisgardenhewasthinking。Atthesoundofthewordgarden，unheard，unspokenforsomanydays，Ihadavisionofgorgeouscolour，ofsweetscents，ofagirlishfigurecrouchinginachair。
　　Yes。ThatwasadistinctemotionbreakingintothepeaceIhadfoundinthesleeplessanxietiesofmyresponsibilityduringaweekofdangerousbadweather。TheColony，thepilotexplained，hadsufferedfromunparalleleddrought。Thiswasthefirstdecentdropofwatertheyhadhadforsevenmonths。Therootcropswerelost。
　　And，tryingtobecasual，butwithvisibleinterest，heaskedmeifIhadperchanceanypotatoestospare。
　　Potatoes！Ihadmanagedtoforgetthem。InamomentIfeltplungedintocorruptionuptomyneck。Mr。Burnswasmakingeyesatmebehindthepilot’sback。
　　Finally，heobtainedaton，andpaidtenpoundsforit。ThiswastwicethepriceofmybargainwithJacobus。Thespiritofcovetousnesswokeupinme。Thatnight，inharbour，beforeI
　　slept，theCustomHousegalleycamealongside。Whilehisunderlingswereputtingsealsonthestorerooms，theofficerinchargetookmeasideconfidentially。"Isay，Captain，youdon’thappentohaveanypotatoestosell。"
　　Clearlytherewasapotatofamineintheland。Ilethimhaveatonfortwelvepoundsandhewentawayjoyfully。ThatnightI
　　dreamtofapileofgoldintheformofagraveinwhichagirlwasburied，andwokeupcallouswithgreed。Oncallingatmyship—
　　broker’soffice，thatman，aftertheusualbusinesshadbeentransacted，pushedhisspectaclesuponhisforehead。
　　"Iwasthinking，Captain，thatcomingfromthePearloftheOceanyoumayhavesomepotatoestosell。"
　　Isaidnegligently："Oh，yes，Icouldspareyouaton。Fifteenpounds。"
　　Heexclaimed："Isay！"Butafterstudyingmyfaceforawhileacceptedmytermswithafaintgrimace。Itseemsthatthesepeoplecouldnotexistwithoutpotatoes。Icould。Ididn’twanttoseeapotatoaslongasIlived；butthedemonoflucrehadtakenpossessionofme。HowthenewsgotaboutIdon’tknow，but，returningonboardratherlate，Ifoundasmallgroupofmenofthecostertypehangingaboutthewaist，whileMr。Burnswalkedtoandfrothequarterdeckloftily，keepingatriumphanteyeonthem。
　　Theyhadcometobuypotatoes。
　　"Thesechapshavebeenwaitinghereinthesunforhours，"Burnswhisperedtomeexcitedly。"Theyhavedrankthewater—caskdry。
　　Don’tyouthrowawayyourchances，sir。Youaretoogood—natured。"
　　Iselectedamanwiththicklegsandamanwithacastinhiseyetonegotiatewith；simplybecausetheywereeasilydistinguishablefromtherest。"Youhavethemoneyonyou？"Iinquired，beforetakingthemdownintothecabin。
　　"Yes，sir，"theyansweredinonevoice，slappingtheirpockets。I
　　likedtheirairofquietdetermination。LongbeforetheendofthedayallthepotatoesweresoldataboutthreetimesthepriceIhadpaidforthem。Mr。Burns，feverishandexulting，congratulatedhimselfonhisskilfulcareofmycommercialventure，buthintedplainlythatIoughttohavemademoreofit。
　　ThatnightIdidnotsleepverywell。IthoughtofJacobusbyfitsandstarts，betweensnatchesofdreamsconcernedwithcastawaysstarvingonadesertislandcoveredwithflowers。Itwasextremelyunpleasant。Inthemorning，tiredandunrefreshed，Isatdownandwrotealonglettertomyowners，givingthemacarefully—thought—
　　outschemefortheship’semploymentintheEastandabouttheChinaSeasforthenexttwoyears。Ispentthedayatthattaskandfeltsomewhatmoreatpeacewhenitwasdone。
　　Theirreplycameinduecourse。Theyweregreatlystruckwithmyproject；butconsideringthat，notwithstandingtheunfortunatedifficultywiththebags（whichtheytrustedIwouldknowhowtoguardagainstinthefuture），thevoyageshowedaveryfairprofit，theythoughtitwouldbebettertokeeptheshipinthesugartrade—atleastforthepresent。
　　Iturnedoverthepageandreadon：
　　"WehavehadaletterfromourgoodfriendMr。Jacobus。Wearepleasedtoseehowwellyouhavehititoffwithhim；for，nottospeakofhisassistanceintheunfortunatematterofthebags，hewritesusthatshouldyou，byusingallpossibledispatch，managetobringtheshipbackearlyintheseasonhewouldbeabletogiveusagoodrateoffreight。Wehavenodoubtthatyourbestendeavours……etc……etc。"
　　Idroppedtheletterandsatmotionlessforalongtime。ThenI
　　wrotemyanswer（itwasashortone）andwentashoremyselftopostit。ButIpassedoneletter—box，thenanother，andintheendfoundmyselfgoingupCollinsStreetwiththeletterstillinmypocket—againstmyheart。CollinsStreetatfouro’clockintheafternoonisnotexactlyadesertsolitude；butIhadneverfeltmoreisolatedfromtherestofmankindaswhenIwalkedthatdayitscrowdedpavement，battlingdesperatelywithmythoughtsandfeelingalreadyvanquished。
　　TherecameamomentwhentheawfultenacityofJacobus，themanofonepassionandofoneidea，appearedtomealmostheroic。Hehadnotgivenmeup。Hehadgoneagaintohisodiousbrother。Andthenheappearedtomeodioushimself。Wasitforhisownsakeorforthesakeofthepoorgirl？Andonthatlastsuppositionthememoryofthekisswhichmissedmylipsappalledme；forwhateverhehadseen，orguessedat，orrisked，heknewnothingofthat。
　　Unlessthegirlhadtoldhim。HowcouldIgobacktofanthatfatalsparkwithmycoldbreath？No，no，thatunexpectedkisshadtobepaidforatitsfullprice。
　　Atthefirstletter—boxIcametoIstoppedandreachingintomybreast—pocketItookouttheletter—itwasasifIwerepluckingoutmyveryheart—anddroppeditthroughtheslit。ThenIwentstraightonboard。
　　IwonderedwhatdreamsIwouldhavethatnight；butasitturnedoutIdidnotsleepatall。AtbreakfastIinformedMr。BurnsthatIhadresignedmycommand。
　　Hedroppedhisknifeandforkandlookedatmewithindignation。
　　"Youhave，sir！Ithoughtyoulovedtheship。"
　　"SoIdo，Burns，"Isaid。"ButthefactisthattheIndianOceanandeverythingthatisinithaslostitscharmforme。IamgoinghomeaspassengerbytheSuezCanal。"
　　"Everythingthatisinit，"herepeatedangrily。"I’veneverheardanybodytalklikethis。Andtotellyouthetruth，sir，allthetimewehavebeentogetherI’veneverquitemadeyouout。What’soneoceanmorethananother？Charm，indeed！"
　　Hewasreallydevotedtome，Ibelieve。ButhecheeredupwhenI
　　toldhimthatIhadrecommendedhimformysuccessor。
　　"Anyhow，"heremarked，"letpeoplesaywhattheylike，thisJacobushasservedyourturn。Imustadmitthatthispotatobusinesshaspaidextremelywell。Ofcourse，ifonlyyouhad—"
　　"Yes，Mr。Burns，"Iinterrupted。"Quiteasmileoffortune。"
　　ButIcouldnottellhimthatitwasdrivingmeoutoftheshipI
　　hadlearnedtolove。AndasIsatheavy—heartedatthatparting，seeingallmyplansdestroyed，mymodestfutureendangered—forthiscommandwaslikeafootinthestirrupforayoungman—hegaveupcompletelyforthefirsttimehiscriticalattitude。
　　"Awonderfulpieceofluck！"hesaid。
　　THESECRETSHARER—ANEPISODEFROMTHECOAST
　　Onmyrighthandtherewerelinesoffishing—stakesresemblingamysterioussystemofhalf—submergedbamboofences，incomprehensibleinitsdivisionofthedomainoftropicalfishes，andcrazyofaspectasifabandonedforeverbysomenomadtribeoffishermennowgonetotheotherendoftheocean；fortherewasnosignofhumanhabitationasfarastheeyecouldreach。Totheleftagroupofbarrenislets，suggestingruinsofstonewalls，towers，andblockhouses，haditsfoundationssetinablueseathatitselflookedsolid，sostillandstablediditliebelowmyfeet；eventhetrackoflightfromthewesteringsunshonesmoothly，withoutthatanimatedglitterwhichtellsofanimperceptibleripple。AndwhenIturnedmyheadtotakeapartingglanceatthetugwhichhadjustleftusanchoredoutsidethebar，Isawthestraightlineoftheflatshorejoinedtothestablesea，edgetoedge，withaperfectandunmarkedcloseness，inonelevelledfloorhalfbrown，halfblueundertheenormousdomeofthesky。Correspondingintheirinsignificancetotheisletsofthesea，twosmallclumpsoftrees，oneoneachsideoftheonlyfaultintheimpeccablejoint，markedthemouthoftheriverMeinamwehadjustleftonthefirstpreparatorystageofourhomewardjourney；and，farbackontheinlandlevel，alargerandloftiermass，thegrovesurroundingthegreatPaknampagoda，wastheonlythingonwhichtheeyecouldrestfromthevaintaskofexploringthemonotonoussweepofthehorizon。Hereandtheregleamsasofafewscatteredpiecesofsilvermarkedthewindingsofthegreatriver；andonthenearestofthem，justwithinthebar，thetugsteamingrightintothelandbecamelosttomysight，hullandfunnelandmasts，asthoughtheimpassiveearthhadswallowedherupwithoutaneffort，withoutatremor。Myeyefollowedthelightcloudofhersmoke，nowhere，nowthere，abovetheplain，accordingtothedeviouscurvesofthestream，butalwaysfainterandfartheraway，tillIlostitatlastbehindthemitre—shapedhillofthegreatpagoda。AndthenIwasleftalonewithmyship，anchoredattheheadoftheGulfofSiam。
　　Shefloatedatthestarting—pointofalongjourney，verystillinanimmensestillness，theshadowsofhersparsflungfartotheeastwardbythesettingsun。AtthatmomentIwasaloneonherdecks。Therewasnotasoundinher—andaroundusnothingmoved，nothinglived，notacanoeonthewater，notabirdintheair，notacloudinthesky。Inthisbreathlesspauseatthethresholdofalongpassageweseemedtobemeasuringourfitnessforalongandarduousenterprise，theappointedtaskofbothourexistencestobecarriedout，farfromallhumaneyes，withonlyskyandseaforspectatorsandforjudges。
　　Theremusthavebeensomeglareintheairtointerferewithone’ssight，becauseitwasonlyjustbeforethesunleftusthatmyroamingeyesmadeoutbeyondthehighestridgeoftheprincipalisletofthegroupsomethingwhichdidawaywiththesolemnityofperfectsolitude。Thetideofdarknessflowedonswiftly；andwithtropicalsuddennessaswarmofstarscameoutabovetheshadowyearth，whileIlingeredyet，myhandrestinglightlyonmyship’srailasifontheshoulderofatrustedfriend。But，withallthatmultitudeofcelestialbodiesstaringdownatone，thecomfortofquietcommunionwithherwasgoneforgood。Andtherewerealsodisturbingsoundsbythistime—voices，footstepsforward；thestewardflittedalongthemaindeck，abusilyministeringspirit；ahand—belltinkledurgentlyunderthepoop—deck……
　　Ifoundmytwoofficerswaitingformenearthesuppertable，inthelightedcuddy。Wesatdownatonce，andasIhelpedthechiefmate，Isaid：
　　"Areyouawarethatthereisashipanchoredinsidetheislands？I
　　sawhermastheadsabovetheridgeasthesunwentdown。"
　　Heraisedsharplyhissimpleface，overchargedbyaterriblegrowthofwhisker，andemittedhisusualejaculations："Blessmysoul，sir！Youdon’tsayso！"
　　Mysecondmatewasaround—cheeked，silentyoungman，gravebeyondhisyears，Ithought；butasoureyeshappenedtomeetIdetectedaslightquiveronhislips。Ilookeddownatonce。Itwasnotmyparttoencouragesneeringonboardmyship。Itmustbesaid，too，thatIknewverylittleofmyofficers。Inconsequenceofcertaineventsofnoparticularsignificance，excepttomyself，Ihadbeenappointedtothecommandonlyafortnightbefore。NeitherdidI
　　knowmuchofthehandsforward。Allthesepeoplehadbeentogetherforeighteenmonthsorso，andmypositionwasthatoftheonlystrangeronboard。Imentionthisbecauseithassomebearingonwhatistofollow。ButwhatIfeltmostwasmybeingastrangertotheship；andifallthetruthmustbetold，Iwassomewhatofastrangertomyself。Theyoungestmanonboard（barringthesecondmate），anduntriedasyetbyapositionofthefullestresponsibility，Iwaswillingtotaketheadequacyoftheothersforgranted。Theyhadsimplytobeequaltotheirtasks；butI
　　wonderedhowfarIshouldturnoutfaithfultothatidealconceptionofone’sownpersonalityeverymansetsupforhimselfsecretly。
　　Meantimethechiefmate，withanalmostvisibleeffectofcollaborationonthepartofhisroundeyesandfrightfulwhiskers，wastryingtoevolveatheoryoftheanchoredship。Hisdominanttraitwastotakeallthingsintoearnestconsideration。Hewasofapainstakingturnofmind。Asheusedtosay，he"likedtoaccounttohimself"forpracticallyeverythingthatcameinhisway，downtoamiserablescorpionhehadfoundinhiscabinaweekbefore。Thewhyandthewhereforeofthatscorpion—howitgotonboardandcametoselecthisroomratherthanthepantry（whichwasadarkplaceandmorewhatascorpionwouldbepartialto），andhowonearthitmanagedtodrownitselfintheinkwellofhiswriting—
　　desk—hadexercisedhiminfinitely。Theshipwithintheislandswasmuchmoreeasilyaccountedfor；andjustaswewereabouttorisefromtablehemadehispronouncement。Shewas，hedoubtednot，ashipfromhomelatelyarrived。Probablyshedrewtoomuchwatertocrossthebarexceptatthetopofspringtides。
　　Thereforeshewentintothatnaturalharbourtowaitforafewdaysinpreferencetoremaininginanopenroadstead。
　　"That’sso，"confirmedthesecondmate，suddenly，inhisslightlyhoarsevoice。"Shedrawsovertwentyfeet。She’stheLiverpoolshipSephorawithacargoofcoal。Hundredandtwenty—threedaysfromCardiff。"
　　Welookedathiminsurprise。
　　"Thetugboatskippertoldmewhenhecameonboardforyourletters，sir，"explainedtheyoungman。"Heexpectstotakeheruptheriverthedayafterto—morrow。"
　　Afterthusoverwhelminguswiththeextentofhisinformationheslippedoutofthecabin。Themateobservedregretfullythathe"couldnotaccountforthatyoungfellow’swhims。"Whatpreventedhimtellingusallaboutitatonce，hewantedtoknow。
　　Idetainedhimashewasmakingamove。Forthelasttwodaysthecrewhadhadplentyofhardwork，andthenightbeforetheyhadverylittlesleep。IfeltpainfullythatI—astranger—wasdoingsomethingunusualwhenIdirectedhimtoletallhandsturninwithoutsettingananchor—watch。Iproposedtokeepondeckmyselftilloneo’clockorthereabouts。Iwouldgetthesecondmatetorelievemeatthathour。