"Ifonlythepupcouldspeak，"hecomplained。"He’dtellwhoitwas。"
HebentsuddenlydowntoJerry，whowasstandingascloseagainsthislegsashecould，soclosethathiswetforepawsrestedonSkipper’sbarefeet。
"Youknow’m，Jerry，youknowntheblackfellaboy，"hesaid，hiswordsquickandexciting，hishandmovinginquestingcirclestowardtheblacks。
Jerrywasallaliveontheinstant，jumpingabout，barkingwithshortyelpsofeagerness。
"Idobelievethedogcouldleadmetohim，"VanHornconfidedtothemate。"Comeon，Jerry，find’m，sick’m，shake’mdown。Whereishe，Jerry？Find’m。Find’m。"
AllthatJerryknewwasthatSkipperwantedsomething。HemustfindsomethingthatSkipperwanted，andhewaseagertoserve。Heprancedaboutaimlesslyandwillinglyforaspace，whileSkipper’surgingcriesincreasedhisexcitement。Thenhewasstruckbyanidea，andamostdefiniteideaitwas。Thecircleofboysbroketolethimthroughasheracedfor’ardalongthestarboardsidetothetight—lashedheapoftrade—boxes。Heputhisnoseintotheopeningwherethewild—doglaired，andsniffed。Yes，thewild—dogwasinside。Notonlydidhesmellhim，butheheardthemenaceofhissnarl。
HelookeduptoSkipperquestioningly。WasitthatSkipperwantedhimtogoinafterthewild—dog？ButSkipperlaughedandwavedhishandtoshowthathewantedhimtosearchinotherplacesforsomethingelse。
Heleapedaway，sniffinginlikelyplaceswhereexperiencehadtaughthimcockroachesandratsmightbe。YetitquicklydawnedonhimthatitwasnotsuchthingsSkipperwasafter。Hisheartwaswildwithdesiretoserve，and，withoutclearpurpose，hebegansniffinglegsofblackboys。
ThisbroughtlivelierurgingsandencouragementsfromSkipper，andmadehimalmostfrantic。Thatwasit。Hemustidentifytheboat’screwandthereturnboysbytheirlegs。Hehurriedthetask，passingswiftlyfromboytoboy，untilhecametoLerumie。
AndthenheforgotthatSkipperwantedhimtodosomething。AllheknewwasthatitwasLerumiewhohadbrokenthetabooofhissacredpersonbylayinghandsonhim，andthatitwasLerumiewhohadthrownhimoverboard。
Withacryofrage，aflashofwhiteteeth，andabristleofshortneck—hair，hesprangfortheblack。Lerumiefleddownthedeck，andJerrypursuedamidthelaughterofalltheblacks。Severaltimes，inmakingthecircuitofthedeck，hemanagedtoscratchtheflyingcalveswithhisteeth。ThenLerumietooktothemainrigging，leavingJerryimpotentlytorageonthedeckbeneathhim。
Aboutthispointtheblacksgroupedinasemi—circleatarespectfuldistance，withVanHorntotheforebesideJerry。VanHorncentredhiselectrictorchontheblackintherigging，andsawthelongparallelscratchesonthefingersofthehandthathadinvadedJerry’sblanket。HepointedthemoutsignificantlytoBorckman，whostoodoutsidethecirclesothatnoblackshouldbeabletocomeathisback。
SkipperpickedJerryupandsoothedhisangerwith：
"Goodboy，Jerry。Youmarkedandsealedhim。Somedog，you，somebigman—dog。"
HeturnedbacktoLerumie，illuminatinghimasheclungintherigging，andhisvoicewasharshandcoldasheaddressedhim。
"Whatnamebelongalongyoufellaboy？"hedemanded。
"MefellaLerumie，"camethechirping，quaveringanswer。
"YoucomealongPennduffryn？"
"MecomealongMeringe。"
CaptainVanHorndebatedthewhilehefondledthepuppyinhisarms。
Afterall，itwasareturnboy。Inaday，intwodaysatmost，hewouldhavehimlandedandbequitofhim。
"Myword，"heharangued，"meangryalongyou。Meangrybigfellatoomuchalongyou。Meangryalongyouanyamount。Whatnameyoufellaboymake’mpickaninnydogbelongalongmewalkaboutalongwater？"
Lerumiewasunabletoanswer。Herolledhiseyeshelplessly，resignedtoreceiveawhippingsuchashehadlongsincebitterlylearnedwhitemasterswerewonttoadminister。
CaptainVanHornrepeatedthequestion，andtheblackrepeatedthehelplessrollingofhiseyes。
"FortwostickstobaccoIknock’msevenbellsoutayou，"theskipperbullied。"Nowmegiveyoustrongfellatalktoomuch。Youlook’meyebelongyouonetimealongthisfelladogbelongme，I
knock’msevenbellsandwholestarboardwatchoutayou。Savve？"
"Mesavve，"Lerumie，plaintivelyreplied；andtheepisodewasclosed。
Thereturnboyswentbelowtosleepinthecabin。Borckmanandtheboat’screwhoistedthemainsailandputtheArangionhercourse。
AndSkipper，underadryblanketfrombelow，laydowntosleepwithJerry，headonhisshoulder，inthehollowofhisarm。
CHAPTERVII
Atseveninthemorning，whenSkipperrolledhimoutoftheblanketandgotup，Jerrycelebratedthenewdaybychasingthewild—dogbackintohisholeandbydrawingasnickerfromtheblacksondeck，when，withagrowlandaflashofteeth，hemadeLerumieside—stephalfadozenfeetandyieldthedecktohim。
HesharedbreakfastwithSkipper，who，insteadofeating，washeddownwithacupofcoffeefiftygrainsofquininewrappedinacigarettepaper，andwhocomplainedtothematethathewouldhavetogetundertheblanketsandsweatoutthefeverthatwasattackinghim。Despitehischill，anddespitehisteeththatwerealreadybeginningtochatterwhiletheburningsunextractedthemoistureincurlingmist—wreathsfromthedeckplanking，VanHorncuddledJerryinhisarmsandcalledhimprinceling，andprince，andaking，andasonofkings。
ForVanHornhadoftenlistenedtotherecitalsofJerry’spedigreebyTomHaggin，overScotch—and—sodas，whenitwastoopestilentiallyhottogotobed。Andthepedigreewasasroyal—bloodedaswaspossibleforanIrishterriertopossess，whosebreed，beginningwiththeancientIrishwolf—hound，hadbeenmouldedandestablishedbymaninlessthantwogenerationsofmen。
TherewasTerrencetheMagnificent——descended，asVanHornremembered，fromtheAmerican—bredMiltonDroleen，outoftheQueenofCountyAntrim，BredaMuddler，whichroyalbitch，aseveryonewhoisfamiliarwiththestudbookknows，goesbackasfarasthealmostmythicalSpuds，withalongthewaynoprimrosedallyingswithblack—
and—tanKilleneyBoysandWelshnondescripts。AnddidnotBiddytracetoErin，motherandstarofthebreed，throughalongdescendantoutofBredaMixer，herselfanancestressofBredaMuddler？Norcouldbeomittedfromthepurplerecordthelaterancestress，MoyaDoolen。
SoJerryknewtheecstasyoflovingandofbeinglovedinthearmsofhislove—god，althoughlittleheknewofsuchphrasesas"king’sson"and"sonofkings，"savethattheyconnotedloveforhiminthesamewaythatLerumie’shissingnoisesconnotedhate。OnethingJerryknewwithoutknowingthatheknew，namely，thatinthefewhourshehadbeenwithSkipperhelovedhimmorethanhehadlovedDerbyandBob，who，withtheexceptionofMisterHaggin，weretheonlyotherwhite—godshehadeverknown。Hewasnotconsciousofthis。Hemerelyloved，merelyactedonthepromptingofhisheart，orhead，orwhateverorganicoranatomicalpartofhimthatdevelopedthemysterious，delicious，andinsatiablehungercalled"love。"
Skipperwentbelow。HewentallunheedingofJerry，whopaddedsoftlyathisheelsuntilthecompanionwaywasreached。SkipperwasunheedingofJerrybecauseofthefeverthatwrenchedhisfleshandchilledhisbones，thatmadehisheadseemtoswellmonstrously，thatglazedtheworldtohisswimmingeyesandmadehimwalkfeeblyandtotteringlylikeadrunkenmanoramanveryaged。AndJerrysensedthatsomethingwaswrongwithSkipper。
Skipper，beginningthebabblingsofdeliriumwhichalternatedwithsilentmomentsofcontrolinordertogetbelowandunderblankets，descendedtheladder—likestairs，andJerry，all—yearning，controlledhimselfinsilenceandwatchedtheslowdescentwiththehopethatwhenSkipperreachedthebottomhewouldraisehisarmsandlifthimdown。ButSkipperwastoofargonetorememberthatJerryexisted。Hestaggered，withwide—spreadarmstokeepfromfalling，alongthecabinfloorfor’ardtothebunkinthetinystateroom。
Jerrywastrulyofakinglyline。Hewantedtocalloutandbegtobetakendown。Buthedidnot。Hecontrolledhimself，heknewnotwhy，savethathewaspossessedbyanebulousawarenessthatSkippermustbeconsideredasagodshouldbeconsidered，andthatthiswasnotimetoobtrudehimselfonSkipper。Hisheartwastornwithdesire，althoughhemadenosound，andhecontinuedonlytoyearnoverthecompanioncombingandtolistentothefaintsoundsofSkipper’sprogressfor’ard。
Butevenkingsandtheirdescendantshavetheirlimitations，andattheendofaquarterofanhourJerrywasripetoceasefromhissilence。WiththegoingbelowofSkipper，evidentlyingreattrouble，thelighthadgoneoutofthedayforJerry。Hemighthavestalkedthewild—dog，butnoinducementlaythere。Lerumiepassedbyunnoticed，althoughheknewhecouldbullyhimandmakehimgivedeckspace。Themyriadscentsofthelandenteredhiskeennostrils，buthemadenonoteofthem。Noteventheflopping，bellyingmainsailoverhead，astheArangirolledbecalmed，coulddrawaglanceofquizzicalregardfromhim。
JustasitwastremblinglyimperativethatJerrymustsuddenlysquatdown，pointhisnoseatthezenith，andvocalizehisheart—rendingwoe，anideacametohim。Thereisnoexplaininghowthisideacame。Nomorecanitbeexplainedthancanahumanexplainwhy，atluncheonto—day，heselectsgreenpeasandrejectsstringbeans，whenonlyyesterdayheelectedtochoosestringbeansandtorejectgreenpeas。Nomorecanitbeexplainedthancanahumanjudge，sentencingaconvictedcriminalandimposingeightyearsimprisonmentinsteadofthefiveornineyearsthatalsoatthesametimefloatedupwardinhisbrain，explainwhyhecategoricallydeterminedoneightyearsasthejust，adequatepunishment。Sincenotevenhumans，whoarealmosthalf—gods，canfathomthemysteryofthegenesisofideasandthedictatesofchoice，appearingintheirconsciousnessasideas，itisnottobeexpectedofamoredogtoknowthewhyoftheideasthatanimateittodefiniteactstowarddefiniteends。
AndsoJerry。Justashemustimmediatelyhowl，hewasawarethattheidea，anentirelydifferentidea，wasthere，intheinnermostcentreofthequick—thinkingnessofhim，withallitscompulsion。
Heobeyedtheideaasamarionetteobeysthestrings，andstartedforthwithdownthedeckaftinquestofthemate。
HehadanappealtomaketoBorckman。Borckmanwasalsoatwo—
leggedwhite—god。EasilycouldBorckmanlifthimdowntheprecipitousladder，whichwastohim，unaided，ataboo，theviolationofwhichwaspregnantwithdisaster。ButBorckmanhadinhimlittleoftheheartoflove，whichisunderstanding。Also，Borckmanwasbusy。Besidesoverseeingthecontinuousadjustment，bytrimmingofsailsandorderstothehelmsman，oftheArangitoherwayonthesea，andoverseeingtheboat’screwatitstaskofwashingdeckandpolishingbrasswork，hewasengagedinsteadilynippingfromastolenbottleofhiscaptain’swhiskeywhichhehadstowedawayinthehollowbetweenthetwosacksofyamslashedondeckaftthemizzenmast。
Borckmanwasonhiswayforanothernip，afterhavingthicklythreatenedtoknocksevenbellsandthetencommandmentsoutoftheblackatthewheelforfaultysteering，whenJerryappearedbeforehimandblockedthewaytohisdesire。ButJerrydidnotblockhimashewouldhaveblockedLerumie，forinstance。Therewasnoshowingofteeth，nobristlingofneckhair。Instead，Jerrywasallplacationandappeal，allsoftnessofpleadinginabodydeniedspeechthatneverthelesswasarticulate，fromwaggingtailandwrigglingsidestoflat—laidearsandeyesthatalmostspoke，toanyhumansensitiveofunderstanding。
ButBorckmansawinhiswayonlyafour—leggedcreatureofthebruteworld，which，inhisarrogantbrutalnessheesteemedmorebrutethanhimself。Alltheprettypictureofthesoftpuppy，instinctwithcommunicativeness，burstingwithtendernessofpetition，wasveiledtohisvision。Whathesawwasmerelyafour—leggedanimaltobethrustasidewhilehecontinuedhislordlytwo—leggedprogresstowardthebottlethatcouldsetmaggotscrawlinginhisbrainandmakehimdreamdreamsthathewasprince，notpeasant，thathewasamasterofmatterratherthanaslaveofmatter。
AndthrustasideJerrywas，byaroughandnakedfoot，asharshandunfeelinginitsimpactasaninanimatebreakingseaonabeach—jutofinsensaterock。Hehalf—sprawledontheslipperydeck，regainedhisbalance，andstoodstillandlookedatthewhite—godwhohadtreatedhimsocavalierly。ThemeannessandunfairnesshadbroughtfromJerrynosnarlingthreatofretaliation，suchashewouldhaveofferedLerumieoranyotherblack。Norinhisbrainwasanythoughtofretaliation。ThiswasnoLerumie。Thiswasasuperiorgod，two—legged，white—skinned，likeSkipper，likeMisterHagginandthecoupleofothersuperiorgodshehadknown。Onlydidheknowhurt，suchasanychildknowsundertheblowofathoughtlessorunlovingmother。
Inthehurtwasmingledaresentment。Hewaskeenlyawarethatthereweretwosortsofroughness。Therewasthekindlyroughnessoflove，suchaswhenSkippergrippedhimbythejowl，shookhimtillhisteethrattled，andthrusthimawaywithanunmistakableinvitationtocomebackandbesoshakenagain。Suchroughness，toJerry，washeaven。Initwastheintimacyofcontactwithabelovedgodwhoinsuchmannerelectedtoexpressareciprocallove。
ButthisroughnessofBorckmanwasdifferent。Itwastheotherkindofroughnessinwhichresidednowarmaffection，noheart—touchoflove。Jerrydidnotquiteunderstand，buthesensedthedifferenceandresented，withoutexpressinginaction，thewrongnessandunfairnessofit。Sohestood，afterregainingbalance，andsoberlyregarded，inavainefforttounderstand，thematewithabottle—
bottominvertedskyward，themouthtohislips，thewhilehisthroatmadegulpingcontractionsandnoises。Andsoberlyhecontinuedtoregardthematewhenhewentaftandthreatenedtoknockthe"SongofSongs"andtherestoftheOldTestamentoutoftheblackhelmsmanwhosesmileofteethwasashumblygentleandplacatingasJerry’shadbeenwhenhemadehisappeal。
Leavingthisgodasagodunlikedandnotunderstood，JerrysadlytrottedbacktothecompanionwayandyearnedhisheadoverthecombinginthedirectioninwhichhehadseenSkipperdisappear。
Whatbitathisconsciousnessandwasapainfulincitementinit，washisdesiretobewithSkipperwhowasnotright，andwhowasintrouble。HewantedSkipper。Hewantedtobewithhim，firstandsharply，becausehelovedhim，and，secondanddimly，becausehemightservehim。And，wantingSkipper，inhishelplessnessandyoungnessinexperienceoftheworld，hewhimperedandcriedhisheartoutacrossthecompanioncombing，andwastoocleananddirectinhissorrowtobedeflectedbyanoutburstofangeragainsttheniggers，ondeckandbelow，whochuckledathimandderidedhim。
Fromthecrestofthecombingtothecabinfloorwassevenfeet。Hehad，onlyafewhoursbefore，climbedtheprecipitousstairway；butitwasimpossible，andheknewit，todescendthestairway。Andyet，atthelast，hedaredit。SocompulsivewastheprodofhishearttogaintoSkipperatanycost，soclearwashiscomprehensionthathecouldnotclimbdowntheladderheadfirst，withnogrippingnessoflegsandfeetandmusclessuchaswerepossibleintheascent，thathedidnotattemptit。Helaunchedoutwardanddown，inonemagnificentandlove—heroicleap。Heknewthathewasviolatingataboooflife，justasheknewhewasviolatingatabooifhesprangintoMeringeLagoonwhereswamthedreadfulcrocodiles。
Greatloveisalwayscapableofexpressingitselfinsacrificeandself—immolation。Andonlyforlove，andfornolesserreason，couldJerryhavemadetheleap。
Hestruckonhissideandhead。Theoneimpactknockedthebreathoutofhim；theotherstunnedhim。Eveninhisunconsciousness，lyingonhissideandquivering，hemaderapid，spasmodicmovementsofhislegsasifrunningfor’ardtoSkipper。Theboyslookedonandlaughed，andwhenhenolongerquiveredandchurnedhislegstheycontinuedtolaugh。Borninsavagery，havinglivedinsavageryalltheirlivesandknownnaughtelse，theirsenseofhumourwascorrespondinglysavage。Tothem，thesightofastunnedandpossiblydeadpuppywasaside—splitting，ludicrousevent。
NotuntilthefourthminutetickedoffdidreturningconsciousnessenableJerrytocrawltohisfeetandwithwide—spreadlegsandswimmingeyesadjusthimselftotheArangi’sroll。YetwiththefirstglimmeringsofconsciousnesspersistedtheoneideathathemustgaintoSkipper。Blacks？Inhisanxietyandsolicitudeandlovetheydidnotcount。Heignoredthechuckling，grinning，girdingblackboys，who，butforthefactthathewasundertheterribleaegisofthebigfellawhitemarster，wouldhavedelightedtokillandeatthepuppywho，intheprocessoftraining，wasprovingamostcapablenigger—chaser。Withoutaturnofheadorrollofeye，aristocraticallypositingtheirnon—existingnesstotheirfaces，hetrottedfor’ardalongthecabinfloorandintothestateroomwhereSkipperbabbledmaniacallyinthebunk。
Jerry，whohadneverhadmalaria，didnotunderstand。ButinhisheartheknewgreattroubleinthatSkipperwasintrouble。Skipperdidnotrecognizehim，evenwhenhesprangintothebunk，walkedacrossSkipper’sheavingchest，andlickedtheacridsweatoffeverfromSkipper’sface。Instead，Skipper’swildly—thrashingarmsbrushedhimawayandflunghimviolentlyagainstthesideofthebunk。
Thiswasroughnessthatwasnotlove—roughness。NorwasittheroughnessofBorckmanspurninghimawaywithhisfoot。ItwaspartofSkipper’strouble。Jerrydidnotreasonthisconclusion。But，andtothepoint，heacteduponitasifhehadreasonedit。Intruth，throughinadequacyofoneofthemostadequatelanguagesintheworld，itcanonlybesaidthatJerrysensedthenewdifferenceofthisroughness。
Hesatup，justoutofrangeofonerestless，beatingarm，yearnedtocomecloserandlickagainthefaceofthegodwhoknewhimnot，andwho，heknew，lovedhimwell，andpalpitatinglysharedandsufferedallSkipper’strouble。
"Eh，Clancey，"Skipperbabbled。"It’safinejobthisday，andnobettercrewtocleanupafterthedubsofmotormen……Numberthreejack，Clancey。Getunderthefor’ardend。"And，asthespectresofhisnightmaremetamorphosed："Hush，darling，talkingtoyourdadlikethat，tellinghimthecombingofyoursweetandgoldenhair。AsifIcouldn’t，thathavecombeditthesesevenyears——
betterthanyourmother，darling，betterthanyourmother。I’mtheonegold—medalprize—winnerinthecombingofhislovelydaughter’slovelyhair……She’sbrokenout！Giveherthewheelaftthere！
Jibandfore—topsailhalyards！Fullandby，there！Agoodfull！……Ah，shetakesitlikethebeautyfairyboatthatsheisuponthesea……I’lljustliftthat——sure，thelimit。Blackey，whenyoupayasmuchtoseemycardsasI’mgoingtopaytoseeyours，you’regoingtoseesomecards，believeme！"
AndsothefarragoofunrelatedmemoriescontinuedtorisevocalonSkipper’slipstotheheaveofhisbodyandthebeatofhisarms，whileJerry，crouchedagainstthesideofthebunkmournedandmournedhisgriefandinabilitytobeofhelp。Allthatwasoccurringwasbeyondhim。Heknewnomoreofpokerhandsthandidheknowofgettingshipsunderway，ofclearingupsurfacecarwrecksinNewYork，orofcombingthelongyellowhairofaloveddaughterinaHarlemflat。
"Bothdead，"Skippersaidinachangeofdelirium。Hesaiditquietly，asifannouncingthetimeofday，thenwailed："But，oh，thebonnie，bonniebraidsofallthegoldenhairofher！"
Helaymotionlesslyforaspaceandsobbedoutabreakingheart。
ThiswasJerry’schance。Hecreptinsidethearmthattossed，snuggledagainstSkipper’sside，laidhisheadonSkipper’sshoulder，hiscoolnosebarelytouchingSkipper’scheek，andfeltthearmcurlabouthimandpresshimcloser。Thehandbentfromthewristandcaressedhimprotectingly，andthewarmcontactofhisvelvetbodyputachangeinSkipper’ssickdreams，forhebegantomutterincoldandbitterominousness："Anyniggerthatasmuchasbatsaneyeatthatpuppy……"
CHAPTERVIII
When，inhalfanhour，VanHorn’ssweatculminatedinprofusion，itmarkedthebreakingofthemalarialattack。Greatphysicalreliefwashis，andthelastmistsofdeliriumebbedfromhisbrain。Buthewasleftlimplyweak，and，aftertossingofftheblanketsandrecognizingJerry，hefellintoarefreshingnaturalsleep。
Nottilltwohourslaterdidheawakeandstarttogoondeck。
Half—wayupthecompanion，hedepositedJerryondeckandwentbacktothestateroomforaforgottenbottleofquinine。ButhedidnotimmediatelyreturntoJerry。ThelongdrawerunderBorckman’sbunkcaughthiseye。Thewoodenbuttonthathelditshutwasgone，anditwasfaroutandhangingatananglethatjammeditandpreventeditfromfallingtothefloor。Thematterwasserious。Therewaslittledoubtinhismind，hadthedrawer，inthemidstofthesquallofthepreviousnight，fallentothefloor，thatnoArangiandnosouloftheeightysoulsonboardwouldhavebeenleft。Forthedrawerwasfilledwithaheterogeneousmessofdynamitesticks，boxesoffulminatingcaps，coilsoffuses，leadsinkers，irontools，andmanyboxesofrifle，revolverandpistolcartridges。Hesortedandarrangedthevariedcontents，andwithascrewdriverandalongerscrewreattachedthebutton。
Inthemeantime，Jerrywasencounteringnewadventurenotofthepleasantest。WhilewaitingforSkippertoreturn，Jerrychancedtoseethewild—dogbrazenlylyingondeckadozenfeetfromhislairinthetrade—boxes。Instantlystifflycrouching，Jerrybegantostalk。Successseemedassured，forthewild—dog，withclosedeyes，wasapparentlyasleep。
Andatthismomentthemate，two—leggingitalongthedeckfromfor’ardinthedirectionofthebottlestoredbetweentheyamsacks，called，"Jerry，"inaremarkablyhuskyvoice。Jerryflattenedhisfilbert—shapedearsandwaggedhistailinacknowledgment，butadvertisedhisintentionofcontinuingtostalkhisenemy。Andatsoundofthemate’svoicethewild—dogflungquick—openedeyesinJerry’sdirectionandflashedintohisburrow，whereheimmediatelyturnedaround，thrusthisheadoutwithashowofteeth，andsnarledtriumphantdefiance。
Baulkedofhisquarrybytheinconsideratenessofthemate，JerrytrottedbacktotheheadofthecompaniontowaitforSkipper。ButBorckman，whosebrainwaswella—crawlbyvirtueofthemanynips，clungtoapettyideaafterthefashionofdrunkenmen。Twiceagain，imperatively，hecalledJerrytohim，andtwiceagain，withflattenedearsofgentlenessandwaggingtail，Jerrygood—naturedlyexpressedhisdisinclination。Next，heyearnedhisheadoverthecomingandintothecabinafterSkipper。
Borckmanrememberedhisfirstideaandcontinuedtothebottle，whichhegenerouslyinvertedskyward。Butthesecondidea，pettyasitwas，persisted；and，afterswayingandmumblingtohimselfforatime，afterunseeinglymakingbelievetostudythecrispfreshbreezethatfilledtheArangi’ssailsandslantedherdeck，and，aftersillilyattemptingonthehelmsmantoportrayeagle—likevigilanceinhisdrink—swimmingeyes，helurchedamidshipstowardJerry。
Jerry’sfirstintimationofBorckman’sarrivalwasacruelandpainfulclutchonhisflankandgrointhatmadehimcryoutinpainandwhirlaround。Next，asthematehadseenSkipperdoinplay，Jerryhadhisjowlsseizedinatooth—clatteringshakethatwasabsolutelydifferentfromtheSkipper’sroughlove—shake。Hisheadandbodywereshaken，histeethclatteredpainfully，andwiththeroughestofroughnesshewasflungpartwaydowntheslipperyslopeofdeck。
NowJerrywasagentleman。Allthesoulofcourtesywasinhim，forequalsandsuperiors。Afterall，eveninaninferiorlikethewild—
dog，hedidnotconsciouslypressanadvantageveryfar——neverextremelyfar。Inhisstalkingandrushingofthewild—dog，hehadbeenmoresoundandfurythananoverbearingbully。Butwithasuperior，withatwo—leggedwhite—godlikeBorckman，therewasmoreademanduponhiscontrol，restraint，andinhibitionofprimitivepromptings。HedidnotwanttoplaywiththemateagamethatheecstaticallyplayedwithSkipper，becausehehadexperiencednosimilarlikingforthemate，two—leggedwhite—godthathewas。
AndstillJerrywasallgentleness。Hecamebackinafeebleimitationrushofthewhole—heartedrushthathehadlearnedtomakeonSkipper。Hewas，intruth，acting，play—acting，attemptingtodowhathehadnoheart—promptingtodo。Hemadebelievetoplay，andutteredsimulatedgrowlsthatfailedoftheverityofsimulation。
Hebobbedhistailgood—naturedlyandfriendly，andgrowledferociouslyandfriendly；butthekeennessofthedrunkennessofthematediscernedthedifferenceandarousedinhim，vaguely，theintuitionofdifference，ofplay—acting，ofcheating。Jerrywascheating——outofhisheartofconsideration。Borckmandrunkenlyrecognizedthecheatingwithoutcreditingtheheartofgoodbehindit。Ontheinstanthewasantagonistic。Forgettingthathewasonlyabrute，hepositedthatthiswasnomorethanabrutewithwhichhestrovetoplayinthegenialcomradelywaythattheSkipperplayed。
Redwarwasinevitable——notfirstonJerry’spart，butonBorckman’spart。Borckmanfelttheabysmalurgingsofthebeast，asabeast，toprovehimselfmasterofthisfour—leggedbeast。Jerryfelthisjowlandjawclutchedstillmoreharshlyandhardly，and，withincreaseofharshnessandhardness，hewasflungfartherdownthedeck，which，onaccountofitsgrowingslantduetoheaviergustsofwind，hadbecomeasteepandslipperyhill。
Hecameback，clawingfranticallyuptheslopethatgavehimlittlefooting；andhecameback，nolongerwithpoorlyattemptedsimulationofferocity，butimpelledbythefirstflickeringsofrealferocity。Hedidnotknowthis。Ifhethoughtatall，hewasundertheimpressionthathewasplayingthegameashehadplayeditwithSkipper。Inshort，hewastakinganinterestinthegame，althougharadicallydifferentinterestfromwhathehadtakenwithSkipper。
Thistimehisteethflashedquickerandwithdeeperintentatthejowl—clutchinghand，and，missing，hewasseizedandflungdownthesmoothinclineharderandfartherthanbefore。Hewasgrowingangry，asheclawedback，thoughhewasnotconsciousofit。Butthemate，beingaman，albeitadrunkenone，sensedthechangeinJerry’sattackereJerrydreamedtherewasanychangeinit。AndnotonlydidBorckmansenseit，butitservedasaspurtodrivehimbackintoprimitivebeastliness，andtofighttomasterthispuppyasaprimitiveman，underdissimilarprovocation，mighthavefoughtwiththemembersofthefirstlitterstolenfromawolf—denamongtherocks。
True，Jerrycouldtraceasfarback。HisancientancestorshadbeenIrishwolf—hounds，and，longbeforethat，theancestorsofthewolf—
houndshadbeenwolves。ThenoteinJerry’sgrowlschanged。Theunforgottenandineffaceablepaststrummedthefibresofhisthroat。
Histeethflashedwithfierceintent，inthedesireofsinkingasdeepintheman’shandaspassioncoulddrive。ForJerrybythistimewasallpassion。HehadleapedbackintothedarkstarkrawnessoftheearlyworldalmostasswiftlyashadBorckman。Andthistimehisteethscored，rippingthetenderandsensitiveandfleshofalltheinsideofthefirstandsecondjointsofBorckman’srighthand。Jerry’steethwereneedlesthatstung，andBorckman，gainingthegrasponJerry’sjaw，flunghimawayanddownsothatalmosthehittheArangi’stiny—railerehisclawingfeetstoppedhim。
AndVanHorn，havingfinishedhisrearrangementandrepairoftheexplosive—filleddrawerunderthemate’sbunk，climbedupthecompanionsteps，sawthebattle，paused，andquietlylookedon。
Buthelookedacrossamillionyears，attwomadcreatureswhohadslippedtheleachofthegenerationsandwhowerebackinthedarknessofspawninglifeeredawningintelligencehadmodifiedthechemistryofsuchlifetosoftnessofconsideration。WhatstirredinthebraincryptsofBorckman’sheredity，stirredinthebrain—
cryptsofJerry’sheredity。Timehadgonebackwardforboth。Alltheendeavourandachievementofthetenthousandgenerationswasnot，and，aswolf—dogandwild—man，thecombatwasbetweenJerryandthemate。NeithersawVanHorn，whowasinsidethecompanionwayhatch，hiseyeslevelwiththecombing。
ToJerry，Borckmanwasnownomoreagodthanwashehimselfamere，smooth—coatedIrishterrier。Bothhadforgottenthemillionyearsstampedintotheirhereditymorefeebly，lesseraseably，thanwhathadbeenstampedinpriortothemillionyears。Jerrydidnotknowdrunkenness，buthedidknowunfairness；anditwaswithragingindignationthatheknewit。BorckmanfumbledhisnextcountertoJerry’sattack，missed，andhadbothhandsslashedinquicksuccessionerehemanagedtosendthepuppysliding。
AndstillJerrycameback。Asanyscreamingcreatureofthejungle，hehystericallysqualledhisindignation。Buthemadenowhimper。
Nordidhewinceorcringetotheblows。Heboredstraightin，striving，withoutavoidingablow，tobeatandmeettheblowwithhisteeth。Sohardwasheflungdownthelasttimethathissidesmashedpainfullyagainsttherail，andVanHorncriedout：
"Cutthatout，Borckman！Leavethepuppyalone！"
Themateturnedinthestartleofsurpriseatbeingobserved。Thesharp，authoritativewordsofVanHornwereacallacrossthemillionyears。Borckman’sanger—convulsedfaceludicrouslyattemptedasheepish，deprecatinggrin，andhewasjustmumbling，"Wewasonlyplaying，"whenJerryarrivedback，leapedintheair，andsankhisteethintotheoffendinghand。
Borckmanimmediatelyandinsanelywentbackacrossthemillionyears。Anattemptedkickgothisanklescoredforhispains。Hegibberedhisownrageandhurt，and，stooping，dealtJerryatremendousblowalongsidetheheadandneck。Beinginmid—leapwhenhereceivedtheblowJerrywastwistinglysomersaultedsidewisebeforehestruckthedeckonhisback。Asswiftlyashecouldscrambletofootingandcharge，hereturnedtotheattack，butwascheckedbySkipper’s：
"Jerry！Stopit！Comehere！"
Heobeyed，butonlybyprodigiouseffort，hisneckbristlingandhislipswrithingclearofhisteethashepassedthemate。Forthefirsttimetherewasawhimperinhisthroat；butitwasnotthewhimperoffear，norofpain，butofoutrage，andofdesiretocontinuethebattlewhichhestruggledtocontrolatSkipper’sbehest。
Steppingoutondeck，Skipperpickedhimupandpattedandsoothedhimthewhileheexpressedhismindtothemate。
"Borckman，yououghttobeashamed。Yououghttobeshotorhaveyourblockknockedoffforthis。Apuppy，alittlepuppyscarcelyweaned。FortwocentsI’dgiveyouwhat—formyself。Theideaofit。Alittlepuppy，aweanlinglittlepuppy。Gladyourhandsareripped。Youdeservedit。Hopeyougetblood—poisoninginthem。
Besides，you’redrunk。Gobelowandturnin，anddon’tyoudarecomeondeckuntilyou’resober。Savve？"
AndJerry，far—journeyeracrosslifeandacrossthehistoryofalllifethatgoestomaketheworld，strugglinglymasteringtheabysmalslimeoftheprehistoricwiththelovethathadcomeintoexistenceandhadbecomewarpandwoofofhiminfarlatertime，hiswrathofancientnessstillfaintlyreverberatinginhisthroatliketherumblingsofapassingthunder—storm，knew，inthewidewarmwaysoffeeling，theaugustnessandrighteousnessofSkipper。Skipperwasintruthagodwhodidright，whowasfair，whoprotected，andwhoimperiouslycommandedthisotherandlessergodthatslunkawaybeforehisanger。
CHAPTERIX
JerryandSkippersharedthelongafternoon—watchtogether，thelatterbeingguiltyofrecurrentchucklesandexclamationssuchas：
"Gott—fer—dang，Jerry，believeme，you’resomefighterandalldog"；
or，"You’reaproperman’sdog，youare，aliondog。Ibettheliondon’tlivethatcouldgetyourgoat。"
AndJerry，understandingnoneofthewords，withtheexceptionofhisownname，neverthelessknewthatthesoundsmadebySkipperwerebroadofpraiseandwarmoflove。AndwhenSkipperstoopedandrubbedhisears，orreceivedarose—kissonextendedfingers，orcaughthimupinhisarms，Jerry’sheartwasnightobursting。Forwhatgreaterecstasycanbetheportionofanycreaturethanthatitbelovedbyagod？ThiswasjustpreciselyJerry’secstasy。Thiswasagod，atangible，real，three—dimensionedgod，whowentaboutandruledhisworldinaloin—clothandontwobarelegs，andwholovedhimwithcrooningnoisesinthroatandmouthandwithtwowide—spreadarmsthatfoldedhimin。
Atfouro’clock，measuringaglanceattheafternoonsunandgaugingthespeedoftheArangithroughthewaterinrelationtotheclosenessofSu’u，VanHornwentbelowandroughlyshookthemateawake。Untilbothreturned，Jerryheldthedeckalone。Butforthefactthatthewhite—godsweretherebelowandwerecertaintobebackatanymoment，notmanymomentswouldJerryhaveheldthedeck，foreverylessenedmilebetweenthereturnboysandMalaitacontributedarisingoftheirspirits，andundertheimminenceoftheirold—timeindependence，Lerumie，asaninstanceofmanyofthem，withstronggustatorysensationsandapositivedroolingatthemouth，regardedJerryintermsoffoodandvengeancethatwereidentical。
Flat—hauledonthecrispbreeze，theArangiclosedinrapidlywiththeland。Jerrypeeredthroughthebarbedwire，sniffingtheair，Skipperbesidehimandgivingorderstothemateandhelmsman。Theheapoftrade—boxeswasnowunlashed，andtheboysbeganopeningandshuttingthem。Whatgavethemparticulardelightwastheringingofthebellwithwhicheachboxwasequippedandwhichrangwheneveralidwasraised。Theirpleasureinthetoy—likecontrivancewasthatofchildren，andeachwentbackagainandagaintounlockhisownboxandmakethebellring。
FifteenoftheboysweretobelandedatSu’uandwithwildgesticulationsandcriestheybegantorecognizeandpointouttheinfinitesimaldetailsofthelandfalloftheonlyspottheyhadknownonearthpriortotheday，threeyearsbefore，whentheyhadbeensoldintoslaverybytheirfathers，uncles，andchiefs。
Anarrowneckofwater，scarcelyahundredyardsacross，gaveentrancetoalongandtinybay。Theshorewasmassedwithmangrovesanddense，tropicalvegetation。Therewasnosignofhousesnorofhumanoccupancy，althoughVanHorn，staringatthedensejunglesocloseathand，knewasamatterofcoursethatscores，andperhapshundreds，ofpairsofhumaneyeswerelookingathim。
"Smell’m，Jerry，smell’m，"heencouraged。
AndJerry’shairbristledashebarkedatthemangrovewall，fortrulyhiskeenscentinformedhimoflurkingniggers。
"IfIcouldsmelllikehim，"thecaptainsaidtothemate，"therewouldn’tbeanyriskatallofmyeverlosingmyhead。"
ButBorckmanmadenoreplyandsullenlywentabouthiswork。Therewaslittlewindinthebay，andtheArangislowlyforgedinanddroppedanchorinthirtyfathoms。SosteepwastheslopeoftheharbourbedfromthebeachthateveninsuchexcessivedepththeArangi’ssternswunginwithinahundredfeetofthemangroves。
VanHorncontinuedtocastanxiousglancesatthewoodedshore。ForSu’uhadanevilname。SincetheschoonerFairHathaway，recruitinglabourfortheQueenslandplantations，hadbeencapturedbythenativesandallhandsslainfifteenyearsbefore，novessel，withtheexceptionoftheArangi，haddaredtoventureintoSu’u。AndmostwhitemencondemnedVanHorn’srecklessnessforsoventuring。
Farupthemountains，thattoweredmanythousandsoffeetintothetrade—windclouds，arosemanysignalsmokesthatadvertisedthecomingofthevessel。Farandnear，theArangi’spresencewasknown；yetfromthejunglesonearathandonlyshrieksofparrotsandchatteringsofcockatooscouldbeheard。
Thewhaleboat，mannedwithsixoftheboat’screw，wasdrawnalongside，andthefifteenSu’uboysandtheirboxeswereloadedin。
Underthecanvasflapsalongthethwarts，readytohandfortherowers，werelaidfiveoftheLee—Enfields。Ondeck，anotheroftheboat’screw，rifleinhand，guardedtheremainingweapons。Borckmanhadbroughtuphisownrifletobereadyforinstantuse。VanHorn’sriflelayhandyinthesternsheetswherehestoodnearTambi，whosteeredwithalongsweep。JerryraisedalowwhineandyearnedovertherailafterSkipper，whoyieldedandliftedhimdown。
Theplaceofdangerwasintheboat；fortherewaslittlelikelihood，atthisparticulartime，ofarisingofthereturnboysontheArangi。BeingofSomo，No—ola，Langa—Langa，andfarMalutheywereinwholesomefear，didtheylosetheprotectionoftheirwhitemasters，ofbeingeatenbytheSu’ufolk，justastheSu’uboyswouldhavefearedbeingeatenbytheSomoandLanga—LangaandNo—olafolk。
Whatincreasedthedangeroftheboatwastheabsenceofacoveringboat。Theinvariablecustomofthelargerrecruitingvesselswastosendtwoboatsonanyshoreerrand。Whileonelandedonthebeach，theotherlayoffashortdistancetocovertheretreatoftheshoreparty，iftroublebrokeout。Toosmalltocarryoneboatondeck，theArangicouldnotconvenientlytowtwoastern；soVanHorn，whowasthemostdaringoftherecruiters，lackedthisessentialsafeguard。
Tambi，underVanHorn’slow—utteredcommands，steeredaparallelcoursealongtheshore。Wherethemangrovesceased，andwherehighgroundandabeatenrunwaycamedowntothewater’sedge，VanHornmotionedtherowerstobackwaterandlayontheiroars。Highpalmsandlofty，wide—branchedtreesroseabovethejungleatthisspot，andtherunwayshowedliketheentranceofatunnelintothedense，greenwalloftropicalvegetation。
VanHorn，regardingtheshoreforsomesignoflife，lightedacigarandputonehandtothewaist—lineofhisloin—clothtoreassurehimselfofthepresenceofthestickofdynamitethatwastuckedbetweentheloin—clothandhisskin。Thelightedcigarwasforthepurpose，ifemergencyarose，ofignitingthefuseofthedynamite。
Andthefusewassoshort，withitsendsplittoaccommodatetheinsertedheadofasafetymatch，thatbetweenthetimeoftouchingitoffwiththelivecigartothetimeoftheexplosionnotmorethanthreesecondscouldelapse。ThisrequiredquickcoolworkonVanHorn’spart，incaseneedarose。Inthreesecondshewouldhavetolightthefuseandthrowthesputteringstickwithdirectedaimtoitsobjective。However，hedidnotexpecttouseit，andhaditreadymerelyasaprecautionarymeasure。
Fiveminutespassed，andthesilenceoftheshoreremainedprofound。
JerrysniffedSkipper’sbarelegasiftoassurehimthathewasbesidehimnomatterwhatthreatenedfromthehostilesilenceoftheland，thenstoodupwithhisforepawsonthegunwaleandcontinuedtosniffeagerlyandaudibly，toprickhisneckhair，andtoutterlowgrowls。
"They’rethere，allright，"Skipperconfidedtohim；andJerry，withasidewardglanceofsmilingeyes，withabobbingofhistailandaquicklove—flatteningofhisears，turnedhisnoseshorewardagainandresumedhisreadingofthejungletalethatwaswaftedtohimonthelightfansofthestiflingandalmoststagnantair。
"Hey！"VanHornsuddenlyshouted。"Hey，youfellaboystick’mheadoutbelongyou！"
Asifinatransformationscene，theapparentlytenantlessjunglespawnedintolife。Ontheinstantahundredstarksavagesappeared。
Theybrokefortheverywherefromthevegetation。Allwerearmed，somewithSniderriflesandancienthorsepistols，otherswithbowsandarrows，withlongthrowingspears，withwar—clubs，andwithlong—handledtomahawks。Inaflash，oneofthemleapedintothesunlightintheopenspacewhererunwayandwatermet。Savefordecorations，hewasnakedasAdambeforetheFall。Asolitarywhitefeatheruprosefromhiskinky，glossy，blackhair。Apolishedbodkinofwhitepetrifiedshell，withsharp—pointedends，thrustthroughaholeinthepartitionofhisnostrils，extendedfiveinchesacrosshisface。Abouthisneck，fromacordoftwistedcoconutsennit，hunganivory—whitenecklaceofwild—boar’stusks。
Agarterofwhitecowrieshellsencircledonelegjustbelowtheknee。Aflamingscarletflowerwascoquettishlystuckoveroneear，andthroughaholeintheotherearwasthreadedapig’stailsorecentlyseveredthatitstillbled。
AsthisdandyofMelanesialeapedintothesunshine，theSniderrifleinhishandscameintoposition，aimedfromhiship，thegenerousmuzzlebearingdirectlyonVanHorn。NolessquickwasVanHorn。Withequalspeedhehadsnatchedhisrifleandbroughtittobearfromhiship。Sotheystoodandfacedeachother，deathintheirfinger—tips，fortyfeetapart。Themillionyearsbetweenbarbarismandcivilizationalsoyawnedbetweenthemacrossthatnarrowgulfoffortyfeet。Thehardestthingformodern，evolvedmantodoistoforgethisancienttraining。Easiestofallthingsisitforhimtoforgethismodernityandslipbackacrosstimetothehowlingages。Alieintheteeth，ablowintheface，alove—
thrustofjealousytotheheart，inafractionofaninstantcanturnatwentieth—centuryphilosopherintoanape—likearboreanpoundinghischest，gnashinghisteeth，andseeingred。
SoVanHorn。Butwithadifference。Hestraddledtime。Hewasatoneandthesameinstantallmodern，allimminentlyprimitive，capableoffightinginrednessoftoothandclaw，desirousofremainingmodernforaslongashecouldwithhiswillmasterthestudyofebonblackofskinanddazzlingwhiteofdecorationthatconfrontedhim。
Alongtensecondsofsilenceendured。EvenJerry，heknewnotwhy，stilledthegrowlinhisthroat。Fivescoreofhead—huntingcannibalsonthefringeofthejungle，fifteenSu’ureturnblacksintheboat，sevenblackboat’screw，andasolitarywhitemanwithacigarinhismouth，arifleathiship，andanIrishterrierbristlingagainsthisbarecalf，keptthesolemnpactofthosetenseconds，andnooneofthemkneworguessedwhattheoutcomewouldbe。
Oneofthereturnboys，inthebowofthewhaleboat，madethepeacesignwithhispalmextendedoutwardandweaponless，andbegantochirpintheunknownSu’udialect。VanHornheldhisaimandwaited。ThedandyloweredhisSnider，andbreathcamemoreeasilytothechestsofallwhocomposedthepicture。
"Megoodfellaboy，"thedandypiped，halfbird—likeandhalfelf。
"Youbigfellafooltoomuch，"VanHornretortedharshly，droppinghisgunintothestern—sheets，motioningtorowersandsteersmantoturntheboataround，andpuffinghiscigarascarelesslycasualasif，themomentbefore，lifeanddeathhadnotbeenthedebate。
"Myword，"hewentonwithfineirritableassumption。"Whatnameyoustick’mgunalongme？Menokai—kai（eat）alongyou。Mekai—
kaialongyou，stomachbelongmewalkabout。Youkai—kaialongme，stomachbelongyouwalkabout。Younolike’mkai—kaiSu’uboybelongalongyou？Su’uboybelongyouallthesamebrotheralongyou。Longtimebefore，threemonsoonbefore，mespeak’mtruespeak。Mesaythreemonsoonboycomeback。Myword，threemonsoonfinish，boystopalongmecomeback。"
Bythistimetheboathadswungaround，reversingbowandstern，VanHornpivotingsoastofacetheSnider—armeddandy。AtanothersignalfromVanHorntherowersbackedwaterandforcedtheboat，sternin，uptothesolidgroundoftherunway。Andeachrower，hisoarinpositionincaseofattack，privilyfeltunderthecanvasflaptomakesureoftheexactlocationofhisconcealedLee—
Enfield。
"Allrightboybelongyouwalkabout？"VanHornqueriedofthedandy，whosignifiedtheaffirmativeintheSolomonIslandsfashionbyhalf—closinghiseyesandnoddinghisheadupward，inaqueer，perkyway；
"Nokai—kai’mSu’ufellaboysupposewalkaboutalongyou？"
"Nofear，"thedandyanswered。"Suppose’mSu’ufellaboy，allright。Suppose’mnofellaSu’uboy，myword，bigtrouble。
Ishikola，bigfellablackmarsteralongthisplace，himtalk’mmetalkalongyou。Himsayanyamountbadfellaboystop’malongbush。Himsaybigfellawhitemarsternowalkabout。Himsayjollygoodbigfellawhitemarsterstop’malongship。"
VanHornnoddedinanoff—handway，asiftheinformationwereoflittlevalue，althoughheknewthatforthistimeSu’uwouldfurnishhimnofreshrecruits。Oneatatime，compellingtheotherstoremainintheirplaces，hedirectedthereturnboysasternandashore。ItwasSolomonIslandstactics。Crowdingwasdangerous。
Nevercouldtheblacksberiskedtoconfusioninnumbers。AndVanHorn，smokinghiscigarinlordlyindifferentfashion，kepthisapparentlyuninterestedeyesgluedtoeachboywhomadehiswayaft，boxonshoulder，andsteppedoutontheland。Onebyonetheydisappearedintotherunwaytunnel，andwhenthelastwasashoreheorderedtheboatbacktotheship。
"Nothingdoingherethistrip，"hetoldthemate。"We’lluphookandoutinthemorning。"
Thequicktropictwilightswiftlyblentdayanddarkness。Overheadallstarswereout。Nofaintestbreathofairmovedoverthewater，andthehumidheatbeadedthefacesandbodiesofbothmenwithprofusesweat。Theyatetheirdeck—spreadsupperlanguidlyandeverandanonusedtheirforearmstowipethestingingsweatfromtheireyes。
"WhyamanshouldcometotheSolomons——beastlyhole，"thematecomplained。
"Orstayon，"thecaptainrejoined。
"I’mtoorottenwithfever，"themategrumbled。"I’ddieifIleft。
Remember，Itriedittwoyearsago。Ittakesthecoldweathertobringoutthefever。IarrivedinSydneyonmyback。Theyhadtotakemetohospitalinanambulance。Igotworseandworse。ThedoctorstoldmetheonlythingtodowastoheadbackwhereIgotthefever。IfIdidImightlivealongtime。IfIhungoninSydneyitmeantaquickfinish。Theypackedmeonboardinanotherambulance。Andthat’sallIsawofAustraliaformyholiday。I
don’twanttostayintheSolomons。It’splainhell。ButIgotto，orcroak。"
Herolled，ataroughestimate，thirtygrainsofquinineinacigarettepaper，regardedtheresultsourlyforamoment，thenswalloweditatagulp。ThisremindedVanHorn，whoreachedforthebottleandtookasimilardose。
"Betterputupacoveringcloth，"hesuggested。
Borckmandirectedseveraloftheboat’screwintheriggingupofathintarpaulin，likeacurtainalongtheshoresideoftheArangi。
Thiswasaprecautionagainstanybushwhackingbulletfromthemangrovesonlyahundredfeetaway。
VanHornsentTambibelowtobringupthesmallphonographandrunoffthedozenorsoscratchy，screechyrecordsthathadalreadybeenundertheneedleathousandtimes。Betweenrecords，VanHornrecollectedthegirl，andhadherhaledoutofherdarkholeinthelazarettetolistentothemusic。Sheobeyedinfear，apprehensivethathertimehadcome。Shelookeddumblyatthebigfellawhitemaster，hereyeslargewithfright；nordidthetremblingofherbodyceaseforalongtimeafterhehadmadeherliedown。Thephonographmeantnothingtoher。Sheknewonlyfear——fearofthisterriblewhitemanthatshewascertainwasdestinedtoeather。
JerryleftthecaressinghandofSkipperforamomenttogooverandsniffher。Thiswasanactofduty。Hewasidentifyingheronceagain。Nomatterwhathappened，nomatterwhatmonthsoryearsmightelapse，hewouldknowheragainandforeverknowheragain。
HereturnedtothefreehandofSkipperthatresumeditscaressing。
Theotherhandheldthecigarwhichhewassmoking。
Thewetsultryheatgrewmoreoppressive。Theairwasnauseouswiththedankmuckyodourthatcookedoutofthemangroveswamp。
Rowelledbythesqueakymusictorecollectionofold—worldportsandplaces，Borckmanlayonhisfaceonthehotplanking，beatatattoowithhisnakedtoes，andgutturallymutteredanunendingmonologueofcurses。ButVanHorn，withJerrypantingunderhishand，placidlyandphilosophicallycontinuedtosmoke，lightingafreshcigarwhenthefirstgaveout。
Herousedabruptlyatthefaintwashofpaddleswhichhewasthefirstonboardtohear。Infact，itwasJerry’slowgrowlandneck—
ripplingofhairthathadkeyedVanHorntohear。Pullingthestickofdynamiteoutfromthetwistofhisloinclothandglancingatthecigartobecertainitwasalight，herosetohisfeetwithleisurelyswiftnessandwithleisurelyswiftnessgainedtherail。
"Whatnamebelongyou？"washischallengetothedark。
"MefellaIshikola，"cametheanswerinthequaveringfalsettoofage。
VanHorn，beforespeakingagain，loosenedhisautomaticpistolhalfoutofitsholster，andslippedtheholsteraroundfromhishiptillitrestedonhisgroinconvenientlyclosetohishand。
"Howmanyfellaboystopalongyou？"hedemanded。
"Onefellaten—boyaltogetherhestop，"cametheagedvoice。
"Comealongsidethen。"Withoutturninghishead，hisrighthandunconsciouslydroppingclosetothebuttoftheautomatic，VanHorncommanded："YoufellaTambi。Fetch’mlantern。Nofetch’mthisplace。Fetch’maftalongmizzenriggingandlooksharpeyebelongyou。"
Tambiobeyed，exposingthelanterntwentyfeetawayfromwherehiscaptainstood。ThisgaveVanHorntheadvantageovertheapproachingcanoe—men，forthelantern，suspendedthroughthebarbedwireacrosstherailandwelldown，wouldclearlyilluminatetheoccupantsofthecanoewhilehewasleftinsemi—darknessandshadow。
"Washee—washee！"heurgedperemptorily，whilethoseintheinvisiblecanoestillhesitated。
Camethesoundofpaddles，and，next，emergingintothelantern’sareaoflight，thehigh，blackbowofawarcanoe，curvedlikeagondola，inlaidwithsilvery—glisteningmother—of—pearl；thelongleanlengthofthecanoewhichwaswithoutoutrigger；theshiningeyesandtheblack—shiningbodiesofthestarkblackswhokneltinthebottomandpaddled；Ishikola，theoldchief，squattingamidshipsandnotpaddling，anunlighted，empty—bowled，short—stemmedclaypipeupside—downbetweenhistoothlessgums；and，inthestern，ascoxswain，thedandy，allnakednessofblackness，allwhitenessofdecoration，saveforthepig’stailinoneearandthescarlethibiscusthatstillflamedovertheotherear。
Lessthantenblackshadbeenknowntorushablackbirderofficeredbynomorethantwowhitemen，andVanHorn’shandclosedonthebuttofhisautomatic，althoughhedidnotpullitclearoftheholster，andalthough，withhislefthand，hedirectedthecigartohismouthandpuffeditlivelyalight。
"Hello，Ishikola，youbloomingoldblighter，"wasVanHorn’sgreetingtotheoldchief，asthedandy，withapryofhissteering—
paddleagainstthesideofthecanoeandpartunderitsbottom，broughtthedug—outbroadside—ontotheArangisothatthesidesofbothcraftstouched。
Ishikolasmiledupwardinthelanternlight。Hesmiledwithhisrighteye，whichwasallhehad，thelefthavingbeendestroyedbyanarrowinayouthfuljungle—skirmish。
"Myword！"hegreetedback。"Longtimeyounostopeyebelongme。"
VanHornjokedhiminunderstandabletermsaboutthelatestwiveshehadaddedtohisharemandwhatpricehehadpaidfortheminpigs。
"Myword，"heconcluded，"yourichfellatoomuchtogether。"
"Melike’mcomeonboardgammonalongyou，"Ishikolameeklysuggested。