"Turnthehandsup，"Icriedthroughthedoor。"I’llbeondeckdirectly。"
Iwasgoingouttomaketheacquaintanceofmyship。BeforeIleftthecabinoureyesmet—theeyesoftheonlytwostrangersonboard。Ipointedtotherecessedpartwherethelittlecamp—stoolawaitedhimandlaidmyfingeronmylips。Hemadeagesture—
somewhatvague—alittlemysterious，accompaniedbyafaintsmile，asifofregret。
Thisisnottheplacetoenlargeuponthesensationsofamanwhofeelsforthefirsttimeashipmoveunderhisfeettohisownindependentword。Inmycasetheywerenotunalloyed。Iwasnotwhollyalonewithmycommand；fortherewasthatstrangerinmycabin。Orrather，Iwasnotcompletelyandwhollywithher。Partofmewasabsent。Thatmentalfeelingofbeingintwoplacesatonceaffectedmephysicallyasifthemoodofsecrecyhadpenetratedmyverysoul。Beforeanhourhadelapsedsincetheshiphadbeguntomove，havingoccasiontoaskthemate（hestoodbymyside）totakeacompassbearingofthePagoda，Icaughtmyselfreachinguptohisearinwhispers。IsayIcaughtmyself，butenoughhadescapedtostartletheman。Ican’tdescribeitotherwisethanbysayingthatheshied。Agrave，preoccupiedmanner，asthoughhewereinpossessionofsomeperplexingintelligence，didnotleavehimhenceforth。AlittlelaterImovedawayfromtherailtolookatthecompasswithsuchastealthygaitthatthehelmsmannoticedit—andIcouldnothelpnoticingtheunusualroundnessofhiseyes。Thesearetriflinginstances，thoughit’stonocommander’sadvantagetobesuspectedofludicrouseccentricities。ButIwasalsomoreseriouslyaffected。
Therearetoaseamancertainwords，gestures，thatshouldingivenconditionscomeasnaturally，asinstinctivelyasthewinkingofamenacedeye。Acertainordershouldspringontohislipswithoutthinking；acertainsignshouldgetitselfmade，sotospeak，withoutreflection。Butallunconsciousalertnesshadabandonedme。Ihadtomakeaneffortofwilltorecallmyselfback（fromthecabin）totheconditionsofthemoment。IfeltthatIwasappearinganirresolutecommandertothosepeoplewhowerewatchingmemoreorlesscritically。
And，besides，therewerethescares。Ontheseconddayout，forinstance，comingoffthedeckintheafternoon（Ihadstrawslippersonmybarefeet）Istoppedattheopenpantrydoorandspoketothesteward。Hewasdoingsomethingtherewithhisbacktome。Atthesoundofmyvoicehenearlyjumpedoutofhisskin，asthesayingis，andincidentallybrokeacup。
"Whatonearth’sthematterwithyou？"Iasked，astonished。
Hewasextremelyconfused。"Begyourpardon，sir。Imadesureyouwereinyourcabin。"
"YouseeIwasn’t。"
"No，sir。IcouldhaveswornIhadheardyoumovingintherenotamomentago。It’smostextraordinary……verysorry，sir。"
Ipassedonwithaninwardshudder。IwassoidentifiedwithmysecretdoublethatIdidnotevenmentionthefactinthosescanty，fearfulwhispersweexchanged。Isupposehehadmadesomeslightnoiseofsomekindorother。Itwouldhavebeenmiraculousifhehadn’tatonetimeoranother。Andyet，haggardasheappeared，helookedalwaysperfectlyself—controlled，morethancalm—almostinvulnerable。Onmysuggestionheremainedalmostentirelyinthebathroom，which，uponthewhole，wasthesafestplace。Therecouldbereallynoshadowofanexcuseforanyoneeverwantingtogointhere，oncethestewardhaddonewithit。Itwasaverytinyplace。Sometimeshereclinedonthefloor，hislegsbent，hisheadsustainedononeelbow。AtothersIwouldfindhimonthecamp—
stool，sittinginhisgreysleeping—suitandwithhiscroppeddarkhairlikeapatient，unmovedconvict。AtnightIwouldsmugglehimintomybed—place，andwewouldwhispertogether，withtheregularfootfallsoftheofficerofthewatchpassingandrepassingoverourheads。Itwasaninfinitelymiserabletime。Itwasluckythatsometinsoffinepreserveswerestowedinalockerinmystateroom；hardbreadIcouldalwaysgetholdof；andsohelivedonstewedchicken，patedefoiegras，asparagus，cookedoysters，sardines—onallsortsofabominableshamdelicaciesoutoftins。
Myearlymorningcoffeehealwaysdrank；anditwasallIdareddoforhiminthatrespect。
Everydaytherewasthehorriblemanoeuvringtogothroughsothatmyroomandthenthebath—roomshouldbedoneintheusualway。I
cametohatethesightofthesteward，toabhorthevoiceofthatharmlessman。Ifeltthatitwashewhowouldbringonthedisasterofdiscovery。Ithunglikeaswordoverourheads。
Thefourthdayout，Ithink（wewerethenworkingdowntheeastsideoftheGulfofSiam，tackfortack，inlightwindsandsmoothwater）—thefourthday，Isay，ofthismiserablejugglingwiththeunavoidable，aswesatatoureveningmeal，thatman，whoseslightestmovementIdreaded，afterputtingdownthedishesranupondeckbusily。Thiscouldnotbedangerous。Presentlyhecamedownagain；andthenitappearedthathehadrememberedacoatofminewhichIhadthrownoverarailtodryafterhavingbeenwettedinashowerwhichhadpassedovertheshipintheafternoon。
SittingstolidlyattheheadofthetableIbecameterrifiedatthesightofthegarmentonhisarm。Ofcoursehemadeformydoor。
Therewasnotimetolose。
"Steward，"Ithundered。MynervesweresoshakenthatIcouldnotgovernmyvoiceandconcealmyagitation。Thiswasthesortofthingthatmademyterrificallywhiskeredmatetaphisforeheadwithhisforefinger。Ihaddetectedhimusingthatgesturewhiletalkingondeckwithaconfidentialairtothecarpenter。Itwastoofartohearaword，butIhadnodoubtthatthispantomimecouldonlyrefertothestrangenewcaptain。
"Yes，sir，"thepale—facedstewardturnedresignedlytome。Itwasthismaddeningcourseofbeingshoutedat，checkedwithoutrhymeorreason，arbitrarilychasedoutofmycabin，suddenlycalledintoit，sentflyingoutofhispantryonincomprehensibleerrands，thataccountedforthegrowingwretchednessofhisexpression。
"Whereareyougoingwiththatcoat？"
"Toyourroom，sir。"
"Isthereanothershowercoming？"
"I’msureIdon’tknow，sir。ShallIgoupagainandsee，sir？"
"No！nevermind。"
Myobjectwasattained，asofcoursemyotherselfintherewouldhaveheardeverythingthatpassed。Duringthisinterludemytwoofficersneverraisedtheireyesofftheirrespectiveplates；butthelipofthatconfoundedcub，thesecondmate，quiveredvisibly。
Iexpectedthestewardtohookmycoatonandcomeoutatonce。Hewasveryslowaboutit；butIdominatedmynervousnesssufficientlynottoshoutafterhim。SuddenlyIbecameaware（itcouldbeheardplainlyenough）thatthefellowforsomereasonorotherwasopeningthedoorofthebath—room。Itwastheend。Theplacewasliterallynotbigenoughtoswingacatin。MyvoicediedinmythroatandIwentstonyallover。Iexpectedtohearayellofsurpriseandterror，andmadeamovement，buthadnotthestrengthtogetonmylegs。Everythingremainedstill。Hadmysecondselftakenthepoorwretchbythethroat？Idon’tknowwhatIwouldhavedonenextmomentifIhadnotseenthestewardcomeoutofmyroom，closethedoor，andthenstandquietlybythesideboard。
"Saved，"Ithought。"But，no！Lost！Gone！Hewasgone！"
Ilaidmyknifeandforkdownandleanedbackinmychair。Myheadswam。Afterawhile，whensufficientlyrecoveredtospeakinasteadyvoice，Iinstructedmymatetoputtheshiproundateighto’clockhimself。
"Iwon’tcomeondeck，"Iwenton。"IthinkI’llturnin，andunlessthewindshiftsIdon’twanttobedisturbedbeforemidnight。Ifeelabitseedy。"
"Youdidlookmiddlingbadalittlewhileago，"thechiefmateremarkedwithoutshowinganygreatconcern。
Theybothwentout，andIstaredatthestewardclearingthetable。
Therewasnothingtobereadonthatwretchedman’sface。ButwhydidheavoidmyeyesIaskedmyself。ThenIthoughtIshouldliketohearthesoundofhisvoice。
"Steward！"
"Sir！"Startledasusual。
"Wheredidyouhangupthatcoat？"
"Inthebath—room，sir。"Theusualanxioustone。"It’snotquitedryyet，sir。"
ForsometimelongerIsatinthecuddy。Hadmydoublevanishedashehadcome？Butofhiscomingtherewasanexplanation，whereashisdisappearancewouldbeinexplicable……Iwentslowlyintomydarkroom，shutthedoor，lightedthelamp，andforatimedarednotturnround。WhenatlastIdidIsawhimstandingbolt—uprightinthenarrowrecessedpart。ItwouldnotbetruetosayIhadashock，butanirresistibledoubtofhisbodilyexistenceflittedthroughmymind。Canitbe，Iaskedmyself，thatheisnotvisibletoothereyesthanmine？Itwaslikebeinghaunted。Motionless，withagraveface，heraisedhishandsslightlyatmeinagesturewhichmeantclearly，"Heavens！whatanarrowescape！"Narrowindeed。IthinkIhadcomecreepingquietlyasnearinsanityasanymanwhohasnotactuallygoneovertheborder。Thatgesturerestrainedme，sotospeak。
Thematewiththeterrificwhiskerswasnowputtingtheshipontheothertack。InthemomentofprofoundsilencewhichfollowsuponthehandsgoingtotheirstationsIheardonthepoophisraisedvoice："Hardalee！"andthedistantshoutoftheorderrepeatedonthemaindeck。Thesails，inthatlightbreeze，madebutafaintflutteringnoise。Itceased。Theshipwascomingroundslowly；I
heldmybreathintherenewedstillnessofexpectation；onewouldn’thavethoughtthattherewasasinglelivingsoulonherdecks。Asuddenbriskshout，"Mainsailhaul！"brokethespell，andinthenoisycriesandrushoverheadofthemenrunningawaywiththemain—bracewetwo，downinmycabin，cametogetherinourusualpositionbythebed—place。
Hedidnotwaitformyquestion。"Iheardhimfumblinghereandjustmanagedtosquatmyselfdowninthebath，"hewhisperedtome。
"Thefellowonlyopenedthedoorandputhisarmintohangthecoatup。Allthesame—"
"Ineverthoughtofthat，"Iwhisperedback，evenmoreappalledthanbeforeattheclosenessoftheshave，andmarvellingatthatsomethingunyieldinginhischaracterwhichwascarryinghimthroughsofinely。Therewasnoagitationinhiswhisper。Whoeverwasbeingdrivendistracted，itwasnothe。Hewassane。Andtheproofofhissanitywascontinuedwhenhetookupthewhisperingagain。
"Itwouldneverdoformetocometolifeagain。"
Itwassomethingthataghostmighthavesaid。Butwhathewasalludingtowashisoldcaptain’sreluctantadmissionofthetheoryofsuicide。Itwouldobviouslyservehisturn—ifIhadunderstoodatalltheviewwhichseemedtogoverntheunalterablepurposeofhisaction。
"YoumustmaroonmeassoonaseveryoucangetamongsttheseislandsofftheCambodjeshore，"hewenton。
"Maroonyou！Wearenotlivinginaboy’sadventuretale，"I
protested。Hisscornfulwhisperingtookmeup。
"Wearen’tindeed！There’snothingofaboy’staleinthis。Butthere’snothingelseforit。Iwantnomore。Youdon’tsupposeI
amafraidofwhatcanbedonetome？Prisonorgallowsorwhatevertheymayplease。Butyoudon’tseemecomingbacktoexplainsuchthingstoanoldfellowinawigandtwelverespectabletradesmen，doyou？WhatcantheyknowwhetherIamguiltyornot—orofWHAT
Iamguilty，either？That’smyaffair。WhatdoestheBiblesay？
’Drivenoffthefaceoftheearth。’Verywell。Iamoffthefaceoftheearthnow。AsIcameatnightsoIshallgo。"
"Impossible！"Imurmured。"Youcan’t。"
"Can’t？……NotnakedlikeasoulontheDayofJudgment。I
shallfreezeontothissleeping—suit。TheLastDayisnotyet—
andyouhaveunderstoodthoroughly。Didn’tyou？"
Ifeltsuddenlyashamedofmyself。ImaysaytrulythatI
understood—andmyhesitationinlettingthatmanswimawayfrommyship’ssidehadbeenamereshamsentiment，asortofcowardice。
"Itcan’tbedonenowtillnextnight，"Ibreathedout。"Theshipisontheoff—shoretackandthewindmayfailus。"
"AslongasIknowthatyouunderstand，"hewhispered。"Butofcourseyoudo。It’sagreatsatisfactiontohavegotsomebodytounderstand。Youseemtohavebeenthereonpurpose。"Andinthesamewhisper，asifwetwowheneverwetalkedhadtosaythingstoeachotherwhichwerenotfitfortheworldtohear，headded，"It’sverywonderful。"Weremainedsidebysidetalkinginoursecretway—butsometimessilentorjustexchangingawhisperedwordortwoatlongintervals。Andasusualhestaredthroughtheport。Abreathofwindcamenowandagainintoourfaces。Theshipmighthavebeenmooredindock，sogentlyandonanevenkeelsheslippedthroughthewater，thatdidnotmurmurevenatourpassage，shadowyandsilentlikeaphantomsea。
AtmidnightIwentondeck，andtomymate’sgreatsurpriseputtheshiproundontheothertack。Histerriblewhiskersflittedroundmeinsilentcriticism。Icertainlyshouldnothavedoneitifithadbeenonlyaquestionofgettingoutofthatsleepygulfasquicklyaspossible。Ibelievehetoldthesecondmate，whorelievedhim，thatitwasagreatwantofjudgment。Theotheronlyyawned。Thatintolerablecubshuffledaboutsosleepilyandlolledagainsttherailsinsuchaslack，improperfashionthatIcamedownonhimsharply。
"Aren’tyouproperlyawakeyet？"
"Yes，sir！Iamawake。"
"Well，then，begoodenoughtoholdyourselfasifyouwere。Andkeepalook—out。Ifthere’sanycurrentwe’llbeclosingwithsomeislandsbeforedaylight。"
Theeastsideofthegulfisfringedwithislands，somesolitary，othersingroups。Onthebluebackgroundofthehighcoasttheyseemtofloatonsilverypatchesofcalmwater，aridandgrey，ordarkgreenandroundedlikeclumpsofevergreenbushes，withthelargerones，amileortwolong，showingtheoutlinesofridges，ribsofgreyrockunderthedankmantleofmattedleafage。Unknowntotrade，totravel，almosttogeography，themanneroflifetheyharbourisanunsolvedsecret。Theremustbevillages—
settlementsoffishermenatleast—onthelargestofthem，andsomecommunicationwiththeworldisprobablykeptupbynativecraft。Butallthatforenoon，asweheadedforthem，fannedalongbythefaintestofbreezes，IsawnosignofmanorcanoeinthefieldofthetelescopeIkeptonpointingatthescatteredgroup。
AtnoonIgavenoordersforachangeofcourse，andthemate’swhiskersbecamemuchconcernedandseemedtobeofferingthemselvesundulytomynotice。AtlastIsaid：
"Iamgoingtostandrightin。Quitein—asfarasIcantakeher。"
Thestareofextremesurpriseimpartedanairofferocityalsotohiseyes，andhelookedtrulyterrificforamoment。
"We’renotdoingwellinthemiddleofthegulf，"Icontinued，casually。"Iamgoingtolookforthelandbreezesto—night。"
"Blessmysoul！Doyoumean，sir，inthedarkamongstthelotofallthemislandsandreefsandshoals？"
"Well—ifthereareanyregularlandbreezesatallonthiscoastonemustgetcloseinshoretofindthem，mustn’tone？"
"Blessmysoul！"heexclaimedagainunderhisbreath。Allthatafternoonheworeadreamy，contemplativeappearancewhichinhimwasamarkofperplexity。AfterdinnerIwentintomystateroomasifImeanttotakesomerest。Therewetwobentourdarkheadsoverahalf—unrolledchartlyingonmybed。
"There，"Isaid。"It’sgottobeKoh—ring。I’vebeenlookingatiteversincesunrise。Ithasgottwohillsandalowpoint。Itmustbeinhabited。Andonthecoastoppositethereiswhatlookslikethemouthofabiggishriver—withsometown，nodoubt，notfarup。It’sthebestchanceforyouthatIcansee。"
"Anything。Koh—ringletitbe。"
Helookedthoughtfullyatthechartasifsurveyingchancesanddistancesfromaloftyheight—andfollowingwithhiseyeshisownfigurewanderingontheblanklandofCochin—China，andthenpassingoffthatpieceofpapercleanoutofsightintounchartedregions。Anditwasasiftheshiphadtwocaptainstoplanhercourseforher。IhadbeensoworriedandrestlessrunningupanddownthatIhadnothadthepatiencetodressthatday。Ihadremainedinmysleeping—suit，withstrawslippersandasoftfloppyhat。Theclosenessoftheheatinthegulfhadbeenmostoppressive，andthecrewwereusedtoseemewanderinginthatairyattire。
"Shewillclearthesouthpointassheheadsnow，"Iwhisperedintohisear。"Goodnessonlyknowswhen，though，butcertainlyafterdark。I’lledgeherintohalfamile，asfarasImaybeabletojudgeinthedark—"
"Becareful，"hemurmured，warningly—andIrealisedsuddenlythatallmyfuture，theonlyfutureforwhichIwasfit，wouldperhapsgoirretrievablytopiecesinanymishaptomyfirstcommand。
Icouldnotstopamomentlongerintheroom。Imotionedhimtogetoutofsightandmademywayonthepoop。Thatunplayfulcubhadthewatch。Iwalkedupanddownforawhilethinkingthingsout，thenbeckonedhimover。
"Sendacoupleofhandstoopenthetwoquarterdeckports，"Isaid，mildly。
Heactuallyhadtheimpudence，orelsesoforgothimselfinhiswonderatsuchanincomprehensibleorder，astorepeat：
"Openthequarter—deckports！Whatfor，sir？"
"TheonlyreasonyouneedconcernyourselfaboutisbecauseItellyoutodoso。Havethemopenwideandfastenedproperly。"
Hereddenedandwentoff，butIbelievemadesomejeeringremarktothecarpenterastothesensiblepracticeofventilatingaship’squarter—deck。Iknowhepoppedintothemate’scabintoimpartthefacttohimbecausethewhiskerscameondeck，asitwerebychance，andstoleglancesatmefrombelow—forsignsoflunacyordrunkenness，Isuppose。
Alittlebeforesupper，feelingmorerestlessthanever，I
rejoined，foramoment，mysecondself。Andtofindhimsittingsoquietlywassurprising，likesomethingagainstnature，inhuman。
Idevelopedmyplaninahurriedwhisper。
"IshallstandinascloseasIdareandthenputherround。I
shallpresentlyfindmeanstosmuggleyououtofhereintothesail—locker，whichcommunicateswiththelobby。Butthereisanopening，asortofsquareforhaulingthesailsout，whichgivesstraightonthequarter—deckandwhichisneverclosedinfineweather，soastogiveairtothesails。’Whentheship’swayisdeadenedinstaysandallthehandsareaftatthemain—bracesyoushallhaveaclearroadtoslipoutandgetoverboardthroughtheopenquarter—deckport。I’vehadthembothfastenedup。Usearope’sendtoloweryourselfintothewatersoastoavoidasplash—youknow。Itcouldbeheardandcausesomebeastlycomplication。"
Hekeptsilentforawhile，thenwhispered，"Iunderstand。"
"Iwon’tbetheretoseeyougo，"Ibeganwithaneffort。"Therest……IonlyhopeIhaveunderstood，too。"
"Youhave。Fromfirsttolast"—andforthefirsttimethereseemedtobeafaltering，somethingstrainedinhiswhisper。Hecaughtholdofmyarm，buttheringingofthesupperbellmademestart。Hedidn’t，though；heonlyreleasedhisgrip。
AftersupperIdidn’tcomebelowagaintillwellpasteighto’clock。Thefaint，steadybreezewasloadedwithdew；andthewet，darkenedsailsheldalltherewasofpropellingpowerinit。
Thenight，clearandstarry，sparkleddarkly，andtheopaque，lightlesspatchesshiftingslowlyagainstthelowstarswerethedriftingislets。Ontheportbowtherewasabigonemoredistantandshadowilyimposingbythegreatspaceofskyiteclipsed。
OnopeningthedoorIhadabackviewofmyveryownselflookingatachart。Hehadcomeoutoftherecessandwasstandingnearthetable。
"Quitedarkenough，"Iwhispered。
Hesteppedbackandleanedagainstmybedwithalevel，quietglance。Isatonthecouch。Wehadnothingtosaytoeachother。
Overourheadstheofficerofthewatchmovedhereandthere。ThenIheardhimmovequickly。Iknewwhatthatmeant。Hewasmakingforthecompanion；andpresentlyhisvoicewasoutsidemydoor。
"Wearedrawinginprettyfast，sir。Landlooksratherclose。"
"Verywell，"Ianswered。"Iamcomingondeckdirectly。"
Iwaitedtillhewasgoneoutofthecuddy，thenrose。Mydoublemovedtoo。Thetimehadcometoexchangeourlastwhispers，forneitherofuswasevertoheareachother’snaturalvoice。
"Lookhere！"Iopenedadrawerandtookoutthreesovereigns。
"Takethis，anyhow。I’vegotsixandI’dgiveyouthelot，onlyI
mustkeepalittlemoneytobuysomefruitandvegetablesforthecrewfromnativeboatsaswegothroughSundaStraits。"
Heshookhishead。
"Takeit，"Iurgedhim，whisperingdesperately。"Noonecantellwhat—"
Hesmiledandslappedmeaninglytheonlypocketofthesleeping—
jacket。Itwasnotsafe，certainly。ButIproducedalargeoldsilkhandkerchiefofmine，andtyingthethreepiecesofgoldinacorner，presseditonhim。Hewastouched，Isuppose，becausehetookitatlastandtieditquicklyroundhiswaistunderthejacket，onhisbareskin。
Oureyesmet；severalsecondselapsed，till，ourglancesstillmingled，Iextendedmyhandandturnedthelampout。ThenIpassedthroughthecuddy，leavingthedoorofmyroomwideopen……
"Steward！"
Hewasstilllingeringinthepantryinthegreatnessofhiszeal，givingarub—uptoaplatedcruetstandthelastthingbeforegoingtobed。Beingcarefulnottowakeupthemate，whoseroomwasopposite，Ispokeinanundertone。
Helookedroundanxiously。"Sir！"
"Canyougetmealittlehotwaterfromthegalley？"
"Iamafraid，sir，thegalleyfire’sbeenoutforsometimenow。"
"Goandsee。"
Hefledupthestairs。
"Now，"Iwhispered，loudly，intothesaloon—tooloudly，perhaps，butIwasafraidIcouldn’tmakeasound。Hewasbymysideinaninstant—thedoublecaptainslippedpastthestairs—throughatinydarkpassage……aslidingdoor。Wewereinthesail—
locker，scramblingonourkneesoverthesails。Asuddenthoughtstruckme。Isawmyselfwanderingbarefooted，bareheaded，thesunbeatingonmydarkpoll。Isnatchedoffmyfloppyhatandtriedhurriedlyinthedarktoramitonmyotherself。Hedodgedandfendedoffsilently。Iwonderwhathethoughthadcometomebeforeheunderstoodandsuddenlydesisted。Ourhandsmetgropingly，lingeredunitedinasteady，motionlessclaspforasecond……Nowordwasbreathedbyeitherofuswhentheyseparated。
Iwasstandingquietlybythepantrydoorwhenthestewardreturned。
"Sorry，sir。Kettlebarelywarm。ShallIlightthespirit—lamp？"
"Nevermind。"
Icameoutondeckslowly。Itwasnowamatterofconsciencetoshavethelandascloseaspossible—fornowhemustgooverboardwhenevertheshipwasputinstays。Must！Therecouldbenogoingbackforhim。AfteramomentIwalkedovertoleewardandmyheartflewintomymouthatthenearnessofthelandonthebow。UnderanyothercircumstancesIwouldnothaveheldonaminutelonger。
Thesecondmatehadfollowedmeanxiously。
IlookedontillIfeltIcouldcommandmyvoice。"Shewillweather，"Isaidtheninaquiettone。"Areyougoingtotrythat，sir？"hestammeredoutincredulously。
Itooknonoticeofhimandraisedmytonejustenoughtobeheardbythehelmsman。
"Keephergoodfull。"
"Goodfull，sir。"
Thewindfannedmycheek，thesailsslept，theworldwassilent。
Thestrainofwatchingthedarkloomofthelandgrowbiggeranddenserwastoomuchforme。Ihadshutmyeyes—becausetheshipmustgocloser。Shemust！Thestillnesswasintolerable。Werewestandingstill？
WhenIopenedmyeyesthesecondviewstartedmyheartwithathump。TheblacksouthernhillofKoh—ringseemedtohangrightovertheshiplikeatoweringfragmentoftheeverlastingnight。
Onthatenormousmassofblacknesstherewasnotagleamtobeseen，notasoundtobeheard。Itwasglidingirresistiblytowardusandyetseemedalreadywithinreachofthehand。Isawthevaguefiguresofthewatchgroupedinthewaist，gazinginawedsilence。
"Areyougoingon，sir，"inquiredanunsteadyvoiceatmyelbow。
Iignoredit。Ihadtogoon。
"Keepherfull。Don’tcheckherway。Thatwon’tdonow，"Isaid，warningly。
"Ican’tseethesailsverywell，"thehelmsmanansweredme，instrange，quaveringtones。
Wasshecloseenough？Alreadyshewas，Iwon’tsayintheshadowoftheland，butintheveryblacknessofit，alreadyswallowedupasitwere，gonetooclosetoberecalled，gonefrommealtogether。
"Givethemateacall，"Isaidtotheyoungmanwhostoodatmyelbowasstillasdeath。"Andturnallhandsup。"
Mytonehadaborrowedloudnessreverberatedfromtheheightoftheland。Severalvoicescriedouttogether："Weareallondeck，sir。"
Thenstillnessagain，withthegreatshadowglidingcloser，toweringhigher，withoutalight，withoutasound。SuchahushhadfallenontheshipthatshemighthavebeenabarkofthedeadfloatinginslowlyundertheverygateofErebus。
"MyGod！Wherearewe？"
Itwasthematemoaningatmyelbow。Hewasthunderstruck，andasitweredeprivedofthemoralsupportofhiswhiskers。Heclappedhishandsandabsolutelycriedout，"Lost！"
"Bequiet，"Isaid，sternly。
Heloweredhistone，butIsawtheshadowygestureofhisdespair。
"Whatarewedoinghere？"
"Lookingforthelandwind。"
Hemadeasiftotearhishair，andaddressedmerecklessly。
"Shewillnevergetout。Youhavedoneit，sir。Iknewit’dendinsomethinglikethis。Shewillneverweather，andyouaretooclosenowtostay。She’lldriftashorebeforeshe’sround。OmyGod！"
Icaughthisarmashewasraisingittobatterhispoordevotedhead，andshookitviolently。
"She’sashorealready，"hewailed，tryingtotearhimselfaway。
"Isshe？……Keepgoodfullthere！"
"Goodfull，sir，"criedthehelmsmaninafrightened，thin，child—
likevoice。
Ihadn’tletgothemate’sarmandwentonshakingit。"Readyabout，doyouhear？Yougoforward"—shake—"andstopthere"—
shake—"andholdyournoise"—shake—"andseethesehead—sheetsproperlyoverhauled"—shake，shake—shake。
AndallthetimeIdarednotlooktowardthelandlestmyheartshouldfailme。Ireleasedmygripatlastandheranforwardasiffleeingfordearlife。
Iwonderedwhatmydoublethereinthesail—lockerthoughtofthiscommotion。Hewasabletoheareverything—andperhapshewasabletounderstandwhy，onmyconscience，ithadtobethusclose—
noless。Myfirstorder"Hardalee！"re—echoedominouslyunderthetoweringshadowofKoh—ringasifIhadshoutedinamountaingorge。AndthenIwatchedthelandintently。Inthatsmoothwaterandlightwinditwasimpossibletofeeltheshipcoming—to。No！
Icouldnotfeelher。Andmysecondselfwasmakingnowreadytoslipoutandlowerhimselfoverboard。Perhapshewasgonealready……？
Thegreatblackmassbroodingoverourverymastheadsbegantopivotawayfromtheship’ssidesilently。AndnowIforgotthesecretstrangerreadytodepart，andrememberedonlythatIwasatotalstrangertotheship。Ididnotknowher。Wouldshedoit？
Howwasshetobehandled？
Iswungthemainyardandwaitedhelplessly。Shewasperhapsstopped，andherveryfatehunginthebalance，withtheblackmassofKoh—ringlikethegateoftheeverlastingnighttoweringoverhertaffrail。Whatwouldshedonow？Hadshewayonheryet？I
steppedtothesideswiftly，andontheshadowywaterIcouldseenothingexceptafaintphosphorescentflashrevealingtheglassysmoothnessofthesleepingsurface。Itwasimpossibletotell—
andIhadnotlearnedyetthefeelofmyship。Wasshemoving？
WhatIneededwassomethingeasilyseen，apieceofpaper，whichI
couldthrowoverboardandwatch。Ihadnothingonme。TorundownforitIdidn’tdare。Therewasnotime。Allatoncemystrained，yearningstaredistinguishedawhiteobjectfloatingwithinayardoftheship’sside。Whiteontheblackwater。Aphosphorescentflashpassedunderit。Whatwasthatthing？……Irecognisedmyownfloppyhat。Itmusthavefallenoffhishead……andhedidn’tbother。
NowIhadwhatIwanted—thesavingmarkformyeyes。ButI
hardlythoughtofmyotherself，nowgonefromtheship，tobehiddenforeverfromallfriendlyfaces，tobeafugitiveandavagabondontheearth，withnobrandofthecurseonhissaneforeheadtostayaslayinghand……tooproudtoexplain。
AndIwatchedthehat—theexpressionofmysuddenpityforhismereflesh。Ithadbeenmeanttosavehishomelessheadfromthedangersofthesun。Andnow—behold—itwassavingtheship，byservingmeforamarktohelpouttheignoranceofmystrangeness。
Ha！Itwasdriftingforward，warningmejustintimethattheshiphadgatheredsternway。
"Shiftthehelm，"Isaidinalowvoicetotheseamanstandingstilllikeastatue。
Theman’seyesglistenedwildlyinthebinnaclelightashejumpedroundtotheothersideandspunroundthewheel。
Iwalkedtothebreakofthepoop。Ontheovershadoweddeckallhandsstoodbytheforebraceswaitingformyorder。Thestarsaheadseemedtobeglidingfromrighttoleft。AndallwassostillintheworldthatIheardthequietremark"She’sround，"
passedinatoneofintensereliefbetweentwoseamen。
"Letgoandhaul。"
Theforeyardsranroundwithagreatnoise，amidstcheerycries。
Andnowthefrightfulwhisker’smadethemselvesheardgivingvariousorders。Alreadytheshipwasdrawingahead。AndIwasalonewithher。Nothing！nooneintheworldshouldstandnowbetweenus，throwingashadowonthewayofsilentknowledgeandmuteaffection，theperfectcommunionofaseamanwithhisfirstcommand。
Walkingtothetaffrail，Iwasintimetomakeout，ontheveryedgeofadarknessthrownbyatoweringblackmassliketheverygatewayofErebus—yes，Iwasintimetocatchanevanescentglimpseofmywhitehatleftbehindtomarkthespotwherethesecretsharerofmycabinandofmythoughts，asthoughheweremysecondself，hadloweredhimselfintothewatertotakehispunishment：afreeman，aproudswimmerstrikingoutforanewdestiny。
FREYAOFTHESEVENISLES
Oneday—andthatdaywasmanyyearsagonow—Ireceivedalong，chattyletterfromoneofmyoldchumsandfellow—wanderersinEasternwaters。Hewasstilloutthere，butsettleddown，andmiddle—aged；Iimaginedhim—grownportlyinfigureanddomesticinhishabits；inshort，overtakenbythefatecommontoallexcepttothosewho，beingspeciallybelovedbythegods，getknockedontheheadearly。Theletterwasofthereminiscent"doyouremember"kind—awistfulletterofbackwardglances。And，amongstotherthings，"surelyyourememberoldNelson，"hewrote。
RememberoldNelson！Certainly。Andtobeginwith，hisnamewasnotNelson。TheEnglishmenintheArchipelagocalledhimNelsonbecauseitwasmoreconvenient，Isuppose，andheneverprotested。
Itwouldhavebeenmerepedantry。ThetrueformofhisnamewasNielsen。HehadcomeoutEastlongbeforetheadventoftelegraphcables，hadservedEnglishfirms，hadmarriedanEnglishgirl，hadbeenoneofusforyears，tradingandsailinginalldirectionsthroughtheEasternArchipelago，acrossandaround，transversely，diagonally，perpendicularly，insemi—circles，andzigzags，andfiguresofeights，foryearsandyears。
TherewasnonookorcrannyofthesetropicalwatersthattheenterpriseofoldNelson（orNielsen）hadnotpenetratedinaneminentlypacificway。Histracks，ifplottedout，wouldhavecoveredthemapoftheArchipelagolikeacobweb—allofit，withthesoleexceptionofthePhilippines。Hewouldneverapproachthatpart，fromastrangedreadofSpaniards，or，tobeexact，oftheSpanishauthorities。Whatheimaginedtheycoulddotohimitisimpossibletosay。PerhapsatsometimeinhislifehehadreadsomestoriesoftheInquisition。
Buthewasingeneralafraidofwhathecalled"authorities"；nottheEnglishauthorities，whichhetrustedandrespected，buttheothertwoofthatpartoftheworld。HewasnotsohorrifiedattheDutchashewasattheSpaniards，buthewasevenmoremistrustfulofthem。Verymistrustfulindeed。TheDutch，inhisview，werecapableof"playinganyuglytrickonaman"whohadthemisfortunetodispleasethem。Thereweretheirlawsandregulations，buttheyhadnonotionoffairplayinapplyingthem。
Itwasreallypitiabletoseetheanxiouscircumspectionofhisdealingswithsomeofficialorother，andrememberthatthismanhadbeenknowntostrolluptoavillageofcannibalsinNewGuineainaquiet，fearlessmanner（andnotethathewasalwaysfleshyallhislife，and，ifImaysayso，anappetisingmorsel）onsomematterofbarterthatdidnotamountperhapstofiftypoundsintheend。
RememberoldNelson！Rather！Truly，noneofusinmygenerationhadknownhiminhisactivedays。Hewas"retired"inourtime。
Hehadbought，orelseleased，partofasmallislandfromtheSultanofalittlegroupcalledtheSevenIsles，notfarnorthfromBanka。Itwas，Isuppose，alegitimatetransaction，butIhavenodoubtthathadhebeenanEnglishmantheDutchwouldhavediscoveredareasontofirehimoutwithoutceremony。Inthisconnectiontherealformofhisnamestoodhimingoodstead。InthecharacterofanunassumingDanewhoseconductwasmostcorrect，theylethimbe。Withallhismoneyengagedincultivationhewasnaturallycarefulnottogiveeventheshadowofoffence，anditwasmostlyforprudentialreasonsofthatsortthathedidnotlookwithafavourableeyeonJasperAllen。Butofthatlater。Yes！
OnerememberedwellenougholdNelson’sbig，hospitablebungalowerectedonashelvingpointofland，hisportlyform，costumedgenerallyinawhiteshirtandtrousers（hehadaconfirmedhabitoftakingoffhisalpacajacketontheslightestprovocation），hisroundblueeyes，hisstraggly，sandy—whitemoustachestickingoutallwayslikethequillsofthefretfulporcupine，hispropensitytositdownsuddenlyandfanhimselfwithhishat。Butthere’snouseconcealingthefactthatwhatonerememberedreallywashisdaughter，whoatthattimecameouttolivewithhim—andbeasortofLadyoftheIsles。
FreyaNelson（orNielsen）wasthekindofgirloneremembers。Theovalofherfacewasperfect；andwithinthatfascinatingframethemosthappydispositionoflineandfeature，withanadmirablecomplexion，gaveanimpressionofhealth，strength，andwhatI
mightcallunconsciousself—confidence—amostpleasantand，asitwere，whimsicaldetermination。Iwillnotcomparehereyestoviolets，becausetherealshadeoftheircolourwaspeculiar，notsodarkandmorelustrous。Theywereofthewide—openkind，andlookedatonefranklyineverymood。Ineverdidseethelong，darkeyelasheslowered—IdaresayJasperAllendid，beingaprivilegedperson—butIhavenodoubtthattheexpressionmusthavebeencharminginacomplexway。Shecould—Jaspertoldmeoncewithatouchinglyimbecileexultation—sitonherhair。I
daresay，Idaresay。Itwasnotformetobeholdthesewonders；I
wascontenttoadmiretheneatandbecomingwaysheusedtodoitupsoasnottoconcealthegoodshapeofherhead。Andthiswealthofhairwassoglossythatwhenthescreensofthewestverandahweredown，makingapleasanttwilightthere，orintheshadeofthegroveoffruit—treesnearthehouse，itseemedtogiveoutagoldenlightofitsown。
Shedressedgenerallyinawhitefrock，withaskirtofwalkinglength，showingherneat，laced，brownboots。Iftherewasanycolourabouthercostumeitwasjustabitofblueperhaps。Noexertionseemedtodistressher。Ihaveseenherlandfromthedinghyafteralongpullinthesun（sherowedherselfaboutagooddeal）withnoquickenedbreathandnotasinglehairoutofitsplace。Inthemorningwhenshecameoutontheverandahforthefirstlookwestward，Sumatraway，overthesea，sheseemedasfreshandsparklingasadewdrop。Butadewdropisevanescent，andtherewasnothingevanescentaboutFreya。Irememberherround，solidarmswiththefinewrists，andherbroad，capablehandswithtaperingfingers。
Idon’tknowwhethershewasactuallybornatsea，butIdoknowthatuptotwelveyearsofageshesailedaboutwithherparentsinvariousships。AfteroldNelsonlosthiswifeitbecameamatterofseriousconcernforhimwhattodowiththegirl。AkindladyinSingapore，touchedbyhisdumbgriefanddeplorableperplexity，offeredtotakechargeofFreya。Thisarrangementlastedsomesixyears，duringwhicholdNelson（orNielsen）"retired"andestablished，himselfonhisisland，andthenitwassettled（thekindladygoingawaytoEurope）thathisdaughtershouldjoinhim。
AsthefirstandmostimportantpreparationforthateventtheoldfelloworderedfromhisSingaporeagentaSteynandEbhart’s"uprightgrand。"Iwasthencommandingalittlesteamerintheislandtrade，anditfelltomylottotakeitouttohim，soI
knowsomethingofFreya’s"uprightgrand。"Welandedtheenormouspacking—casewithdifficultyonaflatpieceofrockamongstsomebushes，nearlyknockingthebottomoutofoneofmyboatsinthecourseofthatnauticaloperation。Then，allmycrewassisting，engineersandfiremenincluded，bytheexerciseofmuchanxiousingenuity，andbymeansofrollers，levers，tackles，andinclinedplanesofsoapedplanks，toilinginthesunlikeancientEgyptiansatthebuildingofapyramid，wegotitasfarasthehouseandupontotheedgeofthewestverandah—whichwastheactualdrawing—
roomofthebungalow。There，thecasebeingrippedoffcautiously，thebeautifulrosewoodmonsterstoodrevealedatlast。Inreverentexcitementwecoaxeditagainstthewallanddrewthefirstfreebreathoftheday。Itwascertainlytheheaviestmovableobjectonthatisletsincethecreationoftheworld。Thevolumeofsounditgaveoutinthatbungalow（whichactedasasounding—board）wasreallyastonishing。Itthunderedsweetlyrightoverthesea。
JasperAllentoldmethatearlyofamorningonthedeckoftheBonito（hiswonderfullyfastandprettybrig）hecouldhearFreyaplayingherscalesquitedistinctly。Butthefellowalwaysanchoredfoolishlyclosetothepoint，asItoldhimmorethanonce。Ofcourse，theseseasarealmostuniformlyserene，andtheSevenIslesisaparticularlycalmandcloudlessspotasarule。
Butstill，nowandagain，anafternoonthunderstormoverBanka，orevenoneoftheseviciousthicksqualls，fromthedistantSumatracoast，wouldmakeasuddensallyuponthegroup，envelopingitforacoupleofhoursinwhirlwindsandbluish—blackmurkofaparticularlysinisteraspect。Then，withtheloweredrattan—
screensrattlingdesperatelyinthewindandthebungalowshakingallover，FreyawouldsitdowntothepianoandplayfierceWagnermusicintheflickerofblindingflashes，withthunderboltsfallingallround，enoughtomakeyourhairstandonend；andJasperwouldremainstockstillontheverandah，adoringthebackviewofhersupple，swayingfigure，themiraculoussheenofherfairhead，therapidhandsonthekeys，thewhitenapeofherneck—whilethebrig，downatthepointthere，surgedathercableswithinahundredyardsofnasty，shiny，blackrock—heads。Ugh！
Andthis，ifyouplease，fornoreasonbutthat，whenhewentonboardatnightandlaidhisheadonthepillow，heshouldfeelthathewasasnearashecouldconvenientlygettohisFreyaslumberinginthebungalow。Didyouever！And，mind，thisbrigwasthehometobe—theirhome—thefloatingparadisewhichhewasgraduallyfittingoutlikeayachttosailhislifeblissfullyawayinwithFreya。Imbecile！Butthefellowwasalwaystakingchances。
Oneday，IrememberIwatchedwithFreyaontheverandahthebrigapproachingthepointfromthenorthward。IsupposeJaspermadethegirloutwithhislongglass。Whatdoeshedo？Insteadofstandingonforanothermileandahalfalongtheshoalsandthentackingfortheanchorageinaproperandseamanlikemanner，hespiesagapbetweentwodisgustingoldjaggedreefs，putsthehelmdownsuddenly，andshootsthebrigthrough，withallhersailsshakingandrattling，sothatwecouldheartheracketontheverandah。Idrewmybreaththroughmyteeth，Icantellyou，andFreyaswore。Yes！Sheclenchedhercapablefistsandstampedwithherprettybrownbootandsaid"Damn！"Then，lookingatmewithalittleheightenedcolour—notmuch—sheremarked，"Iforgotyouwerethere，"andlaughed。Tobesure，tobesure。WhenJasperwasinsightshewasnotlikelytorememberthatanybodyelseintheworldwasthere。InmyconcernatthismadtrickIcouldn’thelpappealingtohersympatheticcommonsense。
"Isn’theafool？"Isaidwithfeeling。
"Perfectidiot，"sheagreedwarmly，lookingatmestraightwithherwide—open，earnesteyesandthedimpleofasmileonhercheek。
"Andthat，"Ipointedouttoher，"justtosavetwentyminutesorsoinmeetingyou。"
Weheardtheanchorgodown，andthenshebecameveryresoluteandthreatening。
"Waitabit。I’llteachhim。"
Shewentintoherownroomandshutthedoor，leavingmealoneontheverandahwithmyinstructions。Longbeforethebrig’ssailswerefurled，Jaspercameupthreestepsatatime，forgettingtosayhowd’yedo，andlookingrightandlefteagerly。
"Where’sFreya？Wasn’tsheherejustnow？"
WhenIexplainedtohimthathewastobedeprivedofMissFreya’spresenceforawholehour，"justtoteachhim，"hesaidIhadputheruptoit，nodoubt，andthathefearedhewouldhaveyettoshootmesomeday。SheandIweregettingtoothicktogether。
Thenheflunghimselfintoachair，andtriedtotalktomeabouthistrip。Butthefunnythingwasthatthefellowactuallysuffered。Icouldseeit。Hisvoicefailedhim，andhesattheredumb，lookingatthedoorwiththefaceofamaninpain。Fact……Andthenextstillfunnierthingwasthatthegirlcalmlywalkedoutofherroominlessthantenminutes。AndthenIleft。
ImeantosaythatIwentawaytoseekoldNelson（orNielsen）onthebackverandah，whichwashisownspecialnookinthedistributionofthathouse，withthekindpurposeofengaginghiminconversationlestheshouldstartroamingaboutandintrudeunwittinglywherehewasnotwantedjustthen。
Heknewthatthebrighadarrived，thoughhedidnotknowthatJasperwasalreadywithhisdaughter。Isupposehedidn’tthinkitwaspossibleinthetime。Afathernaturallywouldn’t。HesuspectedthatAllenwassweetonhisgirl；thefowlsoftheairandthefishesofthesea，mostofthetradersintheArchipelago，andallsortsandconditionsofmeninthetownofSingaporewereawareofit。Buthewasnotcapableofappreciatinghowfarthegirlwasgoneonthefellow。HehadanideathatFreyawastoosensibletoeverbegoneonanybody—Imeantoanunmanageableextent。No；itwasnotthatwhichmadehimsitonthebackverandahandworryhimselfinhisunassumingmannerduringJasper’svisits。WhatheworriedaboutweretheDutch"authorities。"ForitisafactthattheDutchlookedaskanceatthedoingsofJasperAllen，ownerandmasterofthebrigBonito。Theyconsideredhimmuchtooenterprisinginhistrading。Idon’tknowthatheeverdidanythingillegal；butitseemstomethathisimmenseactivitywasrepulsivetotheirstolidcharacterandslow—goingmethods。
Anyway，inoldNelson’sopinion，thecaptainoftheBonitowasasmartsailor，andaniceyoungman，butnotadesirableacquaintanceuponthewhole。Somewhatcompromising，youunderstand。Ontheotherhand，hedidnotliketotellJasperinsomanywordstokeepaway。PooroldNelsonhimselfwasanicefellow。Ibelievehewouldhaveshrunkfromhurtingthefeelingsevenofamop—headedcannibal，unless，perhaps，underverystrongprovocation。Imeanthefeelings，notthebodies。Asagainstspears，knives，hatchets，clubs，orarrows，oldNelsonhadprovedhimselfcapableoftakinghisownpart。Ineveryotherrespecthehadatimoroussoul。Sohesatonthebackverandahwithaconcernedexpression，andwheneverthevoicesofhisdaughterandJasperAllenreachedhim，hewouldblowouthischeeksandlettheairescapewithadismalsound，likeamuchtriedman。
NaturallyIderidedhisfearswhichhe，moreorless，confidedtome。Hehadacertainregardformyjudgment，andacertainrespect，notformymoralqualities，however，butforthegoodtermsIwassupposedtobeonwiththeDutch"authorities。"Iknewforafactthathisgreatestbugbear，theGovernorofBanka—acharming，peppery，hearty，retiredrear—admiral—hadadistinctlikingforhim。ThisconsolingassurancewhichIusedalwaystoputforward，madeoldNelson（orNielsen）brightenupforamoment；
butintheendhewouldshakehisheaddoubtfully，asmuchastosaythatthiswasallverywell，butthatthereweredepthsintheDutchofficialnaturewhichnoonebuthimselfhadeverfathomed。
Perfectlyridiculous。
OnthisoccasionIamspeakingof，oldNelsonwasevenfretty；forwhileIwastryingtoentertainhimwithaveryfunnyandsomewhatscandalousadventurewhichhappenedtoacertainacquaintanceofoursinSaigon，heexclaimedsuddenly：
"Whatthedevilhewantstoturnupherefor！"
Clearlyhehadnotheardawordoftheanecdote。Andthisannoyedme，becausetheanecdotewasreallygood。Istaredathim。
"Come，come！"Icried。"Don’tyouknowwhatJasperAllenisturningupherefor？"
ThiswasthefirstopenallusionIhadevermadetothetruestateofaffairsbetweenJasperandhisdaughter。Hetookitverycalmly。
"Oh，Freyaisasensiblegirl！"hemurmuredabsently，hismind’seyeobviouslyfixedonthe"authorities。"No；Freyawasnofool。
Hewasnotconcernedaboutthat。Hedidn’tminditintheleast。
Thefellowwasjustcompanyforher；heamusedthegirl；nothingmore。
Whentheperspicaciousoldchapleftoffmumbling，allwasstillinthehouse。Theothertwowereamusingthemselvesveryquietly，andnodoubtveryheartily。Whatmoreabsorbingandlessnoisyamusementcouldtheyhavefoundthantoplantheirfuture？Sidebysideontheverandahtheymusthavebeenlookingatthebrig，thethirdpartyinthatfascinatinggame。Withouthertherewouldhavebeennofuture。Shewasthefortuneandthehome，andthegreatfreeworldforthem。Whowasitthatlikenedashiptoaprison？
MayIbeignominiouslyhangedatayardarmifthat’strue。Thewhitesailsofthatcraftwerethewhitewings—pinions，I
believe，wouldbethemorepoeticalstyle—well，thewhitepinions，oftheirsoaringlove。SoaringasregardsJasper。Freya，beingawoman，keptabetterholdofthemundaneconnectionsofthisaffair。
ButJasperwaselevatedinthetruesenseofthewordeversincethedaywhen，aftertheyhadbeengazingatthebriginoneofthosedecisivesilencesthataloneestablishaperfectcommunionbetweencreaturesgiftedwithspeech，heproposedthatsheshouldsharetheownershipofthattreasurewithhim。Indeed，hepresentedthebrigtoheraltogether。ButthenhisheartwasinthebrigsincethedayheboughtherinManillafromacertainmiddle—agedPeruvian，inasobersuitofblackbroadcloth，enigmaticandsententious，who，forallIknow，mighthavestolenherontheSouthAmericancoast，whencehesaidhehadcomeovertothePhilippines"forfamilyreasons。"This"forfamilyreasons"
wasdistinctlygood。NotrueCABALLEROwouldcaretopushoninquiriesaftersuchastatement。
Indeed，JasperwasquitetheCABALLERO。Thebrigherselfwasthenallblackandenigmatical，andverydirty；atarnishedgemofthesea，or，rather，aneglectedworkofart。Forhemusthavebeenanartist，theobscurebuilderwhohadputherbodytogetheronlovelylinesoutofthehardesttropicaltimberfastenedwiththepurestcopper。Goodnessonlyknowsinwhatpartoftheworldshewasbuilt。Jasperhimselfhadnotbeenabletoascertainmuchofherhistoryfromhissententious，saturninePeruvian—ifthefellowwasaPeruvian，andnotthedevilhimselfindisguise，asJasperjocularlypretendedtobelieve。Myopinionisthatshewasoldenoughtohavebeenoneofthelastpirates，aslaverperhaps，orelseanopiumclipperoftheearlydays，ifnotanopiumsmuggler。
Howeverthatmaybe，shewasassoundasonthedayshefirsttookthewater，sailedlikeawitch，steeredlikealittleboat，and，likesomefairwomenofadventurouslifefamousinhistory，seemedtohavethesecretofperpetualyouth；sothattherewasnothingunnaturalinJasperAllentreatingherlikealover。Andthattreatmentrestoredthelustreofherbeauty。Heclothedherinmanycoatsoftheverybestwhitepaintsoskilfully，carefully，artisticallyputonandkeptcleanbyhisbadgeredcrewofpickedMalays，thatnocostlyenamelsuchasjewellersusefortheirworkcouldhavelookedbetterandfeltsmoothertothetouch。Anarrowgiltmouldingdefinedherelegantsheerasshesatonthewater，eclipsingeasilytheprofessionalgoodlooksofanypleasureyachtthatevercametotheEastinthosedays。Formyself，ImustsayI
preferamouldingofdeepcrimsoncolouronawhitehull。Itgivesastrongerreliefbesidesbeinglessexpensive；andItoldJasperso。Butno，nothinglessthanthebestgold—leafwoulddo，becausenodecorationcouldbegorgeousenoughforthefutureabodeofhisFreya。
Hisfeelingsforthebrigandforthegirlwereasindissolublyunitedinhisheartasyoumayfusetwopreciousmetalstogetherinonecrucible。Andtheflamewasprettyhot，Icanassureyou。Itinducedinhimafierceinwardrestlessnessbothofactivityanddesire。Toofineinface，withalateralwaveinhischestnuthair，spare，long—limbed，withaneagerglintinhissteelyeyesandquick，brusquemovements，hemademethinksometimesofaflashingsword—bladeperpetuallyleapingoutofthescabbard。Itwasonlywhenhewasnearthegirl，whenhehadhertheretolookat，thatthispeculiarlytenseattitudewasreplacedbyagravedevoutwatchfulnessofherslightestmovementsandutterances。Hercool，resolute，capable，good—humouredself—possessionseemedtosteadyhisheart。Wasitthemagicofherface，ofhervoice，ofherglanceswhichcalmedhimso？Yettheseweretheverythingsonemustbelievewhichhadsethisimaginationablaze—iflovebeginsinimagination。ButIamnomantodiscusssuchmysteries，anditstrikesmethatwehaveneglectedpooroldNelsoninflatinghischeeksinastateofworryonthebackverandah。
Ipointedouttohimthat，afterall，Jasperwasnotaveryfrequentvisitor。HeandhisbrigworkedhardallovertheArchipelago。ButalloldNelsonsaid，andhesaidituneasily，was：
"IhopeHeemskirkwon’tturnupherewhilethebrig’sabout。"
GettingupascareaboutHeemskirknow！Heemskirk！……Really，onehadn’tthepatience—
CHAPTERII
For，pray，whowasHeemskirk？YoushallseeatoncehowunreasonablethisdreadofHeemskirk……Certainly，hisnaturewasmalevolentenough。Thatwasobvious，directlyyouheardhimlaugh。Nothinggivesawaymoreaman’ssecretdispositionthantheunguardedringofhislaugh。But，blessmysoul！ifweweretostartateveryevilguffawlikeahareateverysound，weshouldn’tbefitforanythingbutthesolitudeofadesert，ortheseclusionofahermitage。Andeventhereweshouldhavetoputupwiththeunavoidablecompanyofthedevil。
However，thedevilisaconsiderablepersonage，whohasknownbetterdaysandhasmovedhighupinthehierarchyofCelestialHost；butinthehierarchyofmereearthlyDutchmen，Heemskirk，whoseearlydayscouldnothavebeenverysplendid，wasmerelyanavalofficerfortyyearsofage，ofnoparticularconnectionsorabilitytoboastof。HewascommandingtheNeptun，alittlegunboatemployedondrearypatroldutyupanddowntheArchipelago，tolookafterthetraders。Notaveryexaltedpositiontruly。I
tellyou，justacommonmiddle—agedlieutenantofsometwenty—fiveyears’serviceandsuretoberetiredbeforelong—that’sall。
HeneverbotheredhisheadverymuchastowhatwasgoingonintheSevenIslesgrouptillhelearnedfromsometalkinMintokorPalembang，Isuppose，thattherewasaprettygirllivingthere。
Curiosity，Ipresume，causedhimtogopokingaroundthatway，andthen，afterhehadonceseenFreya，hemadeapracticeofcallingatthegroupwheneverhefoundhimselfwithinhalfaday’ssteamingfromit。