"Myword，nighthestop，"thecaptainobjected，thenadded，asaconcessionagainsttheknownrulethatvisitorswerenotpermittedaboardafternightfall："Youcomeonboard，boystop’malongboat。"
　　VanHorngallantlyhelpedtheoldmantoclambertotherail，straddlethebarbedwire，andgainthedeck。Ishikolawasadirtyoldsavage。Oneofhistambos（tambobeingbeche—de—merandMelanesianfor"taboo"）wasthatwaterunavoidablemustnevertouchhisskin。Hewholivedbythesaltsea，inalandoftropicdownpour，religiouslyshunnedcontactwithwater。Heneverwentswimmingorwading，andalwaysfledtoshelterfromashower。Notthatthiswastrueoftherestofhistribe。Itwasthepeculiartambolaiduponhimbythedevil—devildoctors。Othertribesmenthedevil—devildoctorstabooedagainsteatingshark，orhandlingturtle，orcontactingwithcrocodilesorthefossilremainsofcrocodiles，orfromeverbeingsmirchedbytheprofanityofawoman’stouchorofawoman’sshadowcastacrossthepath。
　　SoIshikola，whosetambowaswater，wascrustedwiththefilthofyears。Hewassealedlikealeper，and，weazen—facedandage—
　　shrunken，hehobbledhorriblyfromanancientspear—thrusttothethighthattwistedhistorsodroopinglyoutofthevertical。Buthisoneeyegleamedbrightlyandwickedly，andVanHornknewthatitobservedasmuchasdidbothhisowneyes。
　　VanHornshookhandswithhim——anhonourheaccordedonlychiefs——
　　andmotionedhimtosquatdownondeckonhishamsclosetothefear—struckgirl，whobegantremblingagainatrecollectionofhavingonceheardIshikolaofferfivetwentiesofdrinkingcoconutsforthemeatofherforadinner。
　　Jerryneedsmustsniff，forfutureidentificationpurposes，thisgraceless，limping，naked，one—eyedoldman。And，whenhehadsniffedandregisteredtheparticularodour，Jerrymustgrowlintimidatinglyandwinaquickeye—glanceofapprovalfromSkipper。
　　"Myword，goodfellakai—kaidog，"saidIshikola。"Megive’mhalf—
　　fathomshellmoneythatfelladog。"
　　Foramerepuppythisofferwasgenerous，becausehalfafathomofshell—money，strungonathreadoftwistedcoconutfibres，wasequivalentincashtohalfasovereigninEnglishcurrency，totwodollarsandahalfinAmerican，or，inlive—pigcurrency，tohalfofafair—sizedfatpig。
　　"Onefathomshell—moneythatfelladog，"VanHorncountered，inhisheartknowingthathewouldnotsellJerryforahundredfathoms，orforanyfabulouspricefromanyblack，butinhisheadofferingsosmallapriceoverparasnottoarousesuspicionamongtheblacksastohowhighlyhereallyvaluedthegolden—coatedsonofBiddyandTerrence。
　　Ishikolanextaverredthatthegirlhadgrownmuchthinner，andthathe，asapracticaljudgeofmeat，didnotfeeljustifiedthistimeinbiddingmorethanthreetwenty—stringsofdrinkingcoconuts。
　　Aftertheseamenities，thewhitemasterandtheblacktalkedofmanythings，theonebluffingwiththewhite—man’ssuperiorityofintellectandknowledge，theotherfeelingandguessing，primitivestatesmanthathewas，inanefforttoascertainthebalanceofhumanandpoliticalforcesthatboreuponhisSu’uterritory，tenmilessquare，boundedbytheseaandbylandwardlinesofaninter—
　　tribalwarfarethatwasolderthantheoldestSu’umyth。Eternally，headshadbeentakenandbodieseaten，nowononeside，nowontheother，bythetemporarilyvictorioustribes。Theboundarieshadremainedthesame。Ishikola，incrudebeche—de—mer，triedtolearntheSolomonIslandsgeneralsituationinrelationtoSu’u，andVanHornwasnotaboveplayingtheunfairdiplomaticgameasitisunfairlyplayedinallthechancelloriesoftheworldpowers。
　　"Myword，"VanHornconcluded；"youbadfellatoomuchalongthisplace。Toomanyheadsyoufellatake；toomuchkai—kailongpigalongyou。"（Longpig，meaningbarbecuedhumanflesh。）
　　"Whatname，longtimeblackfellabelongSu’utake’mheads，kai—kaialonglongpig？"Ishikolacountered。
　　"Myword，"VanHorncameback，"toomuchalongthisplace。Bimeby，closeup，bigfellawarshipstop’malongSu’u，knocksevenballsoutaSu’u。"
　　"Whatnamehimbigfellawarshipstop’malongSolomons？"Ishikolademanded。
　　"BigfellaCambrian，himfellanamebelongship，"VanHornlied，toowellawarethatnoBritishcruiserhadbeenintheSolomonsforthepasttwoyears。
　　Theconversationwasbecomingratherafarcicaldissertationupontherelationsthatshouldobtainbetweenstates，irrespectiveofsize，whenitwasbrokenoffbyacryfromTambi，who，withanotherlanternhangingoversideattheendofhisarmhadmadeadiscovery。
　　"Skipper，gunhestopalongcanoe！"washiscry。
　　VanHorn，withaleap，wasattherailandpeeringdownoverthebarbedwire。Ishikola，despitehistwistedbody，wasonlysecondsbehindhim。
　　"Whatnamethatfellagunstop’malongbottom？"VanHornindignantlydemanded。
　　Thedandy，inthestern，withacarelesslookupward，triedwithhisfoottoshoveoverthegreenleavessoastocovertheout—juttingbuttsofseveralrifles，butmadethematterworsebyexposingthemmorefully。Hebenttoraketheleavesoverwithhishand，butsatswiftlyuprightwhenVanHornroaredathim：
　　"Standclear！Keep’mfellahandbelongyoulongwaybigbit！"
　　VanHornturnedonIshikola，andsimulatedwrathwhichhedidnotfeelagainsttheancientandever—recurrenttrick。
　　"Whatnameyoucomealongside，gunhestopalongcanoebelongyou？"
　　hedemanded。
　　Theoldsalt—waterchiefrolledhisoneeyeandblinkedafairsimulationofstupidityandinnocence。
　　"Myword，mecrossalongyoutoomuch，"VanHorncontinued。
　　"Ishikola，youplentybadfellaboy。Youget’mtohelloverside。"
　　Theoldfellowlimpedacrossthedeckwithmoreagilitythanhehaddisplayedcomingaboard，straddledthebarbedwirewithoutassistance，andwithoutassistancedroppedintothecanoe，cleverlyreceivinghisweightonhisuninjuredleg。Heblinkedupforforgivenessandinreassertionofinnocence。VanHornturnedhisfaceasidetohideagrin，andthengrinnedoutrightwhentheoldrascal，showinghisemptypipe，wheedledup：
　　"Suppose’mfivesticktobaccoyougive’malongme？"
　　WhileBorckmanwentbelowforthetobacco，VanHornoratedtoIshikolaonthesacredsolemnityoftruthandpromises。Next，heleanedacrossthebarbedwireandhandeddownthefivesticksoftobacco。
　　"Myword，"hethreatened。"Somoday，Ishikola，Ifinishalongyoualtogether。Younogoodfriendstopalongsalt—water。Youbigfoolstopalongbush。"
　　WhenIshikolaattemptedprotest，heshuthimoffwith，"Myword，yougammonalongmetoomuch。"
　　Stillthecanoelingered。Thedandy’stoestrayedprivilytofeeloutthebuttsoftheSnidersunderthegreenleaves，andIshikolawaslothtodepart。
　　"Washee—washee！"VanHorncriedwithimperativesuddenness。
　　Thepaddlers，withoutcommandfromchiefordandy，involuntarilyobeyed，andwithdeep，strongstrokessentthecanoeintotheencirclingdarkness。JustasquicklyVanHornchangedhispositionondecktothetuneofadozenyards，sothatnohazardedbulletmightreachhim。Hecrouchedlowandlistenedtothewashofpaddlesfadeawayinthedistance。
　　"Allright，youfellaTambi，"heorderedquietly。"Make’mmusichefellawalkabout。"
　　Andwhile"RedWing"screecheditscheapandprettyrhythm，hereclinedelbowondeck，smokedhiscigar，andgatheredJerryintocaressinginclosure。
　　Ashesmokedhewatchedtheabruptmistingofthestarsbyarain—
　　squallthatmadetowindwardortowherewindwardmightvaguelybeconfigured。WhilehegaugedtheminuteserehemustorderTambibelowwiththephonographandrecords，henotedthebush—girlgazingathimindumbfear。Henoddedconsentwithhalf—closedeyesandup—tiltingface，clinchinghisconsentwithawaveofhandtowardthecompanionway。Sheobeyedasabeatendog，spirit—broken，mighthaveobeyed，draggingherselftoherfeet，tremblingafresh，andwithbackwardglancesofherperpetualterrorofthebigwhitemasterthatshewasconvincedwouldsomedayeather。Insuchfashion，stabbingVanHorntotheheartbecauseofhisinabilitytoconveyhiskindnesstoheracrosstheabyssoftheagesthatseparatedthem，sheslunkawaytothecompanionwayandcrawleddownitfeet—firstlikesomeenormous，large—headedworm。
　　AfterhehadsentTambitofollowherwiththepreciousphonograph，VanHorncontinuedtosmokeonwhilethesharp，needle—likesprayoftherainimpactedsoothinglyonhisheatedbody。
　　Onlyforfiveminutesdidtheraindescend。Then，asthestarsdriftedbackinthesky，thesmellofsteamseemedtostenchforthfromdeckandmangroveswamp，andthesuffocatingheatwrappedallabout。
　　VanHornknewbetter，butillhealth，saveforfever，hadneverconcernedhim；sohedidnotbotherforablankettoshelterhim。
　　"Yoursthefirstwatch，"hetoldBorckman。"I’llhaveherunderwayinthemorning，beforeIcallyou。"
　　Hetuckedhisheadonthebicepsofhisrightarm，withthehollowoftheleftsnugglingJerryinagainsthischest，anddozedofftosleep。
　　Andthusadventuring，whitemenandindigenousblackmenfromdaytodaylivedlifeintheSolomons，bickeringandtrafficking，thewhitesstrivingtomaintaintheirheadsontheirshoulders，theblacksstriving，nolesssingle—heartedly，toremovethewhites’
　　headsfromtheirshouldersandatthesametimetokeeptheirownanatomiesintact。
　　AndJerry，whoknewonlytheworldofMeringeLagoon，learningthatthesenewworldsoftheshipArangiandoftheislandofMalaitawereessentiallythesame，regardedtheperpetualgamebetweenthewhiteandtheblackwithsomeslightsortofunderstanding。
　　CHAPTERX
　　DaylightsawtheArangiunderway，hersailsdroopingheavilyinthedeadairwhiletheboat’screwtoiledattheoarsofthewhaleboattotowheroutthroughthenarrowentrance。Once，whentheketch，swervedbysomevagrantcurrent，cameclosetothebreakoftheshore—surf，theblacksonboarddrewtowardoneanotherinapprehensionakintothatofstartledsheepinafoldwhenawildwoodsmarauderhowlsoutside。NorwasthereanyneedforVanHorn’sshouttothewhaleboat："Washee—washee！Damnyourhides！"Theboat’screwliftedthemselvesclearofthethwartsastheythrewalltheirweightintoeachstroke。Theyknewwhatdirefatewascertainifeverthesea—washedcoralrockgrippedtheArangi’skeel。Andtheyknewfearpreciselyofthesamesortasthatofthefear—struckgirlbelowinthelazarette。InthepastmorethanoneLanga—LangaandSomoboyhadgonetomakeaSu’ufeastday，justasSu’uboys，onoccasion，hadsimilarlyservedfeastsatLanga—LangaandatSomo。
　　"Myword，"Tambi，atthewheel，addressedVanHornastheperiodoftensionpassedandtheArangiwentclear。"Brotherbelongmyfather，longtimebeforehecomeboat’screwalongthisplace。Bigfellaschoonerbrotherbelongmyfatherhecomealong。AllfinishthisplaceSu’u。BrotherbelongmyfatherSu’uboyskai—kaialonghimaltogether。"
　　VanHornrecollectedtheFairHathawayoffifteenyearsbefore，lootedandburnedbythepeopleofSu’uafterallhandshadbeenkilled。Truly，theSolomonsatthisbeginningofthetwentiethcenturyweresavage，andtruly，oftheSolomons，thisgreatislandofMalaitawassavagestofall。
　　Hecasthiseyesspeculativelyuptheslopesoftheislandtotheseaman’slandmark，MountKolorat，green—forestedtoitscloud—cappedsummitfourthousandfeetintheair。Evenashelooked，thinsmoke—columnswererisingalongtheslopesandlesserpeaks，andmorewerebeginningtorise。
　　"Myword，"Tambigrinned。"Plentyboystop’mbushlookoutalongyoueyebelonghim。"
　　VanHornsmiledunderstandingly。Heknew，bytheancienttelegraphyofsmoke—signalling，themessagewasbeingconveyedfromvillagetovillageandtribetotribethatalabour—recruiterwasontheleewardcoast。
　　Allmorning，underabriskbeamwindwhichhadsprungupwiththerisingofthesun，theArangiflewnorth，hercoursecontinuouslyadvertisedbytheincreasingsmoke—talkthatgossipedalongthegreensummits。Athighnoon，withVanHorn，ever—attendedbyJerry，standingfor’ardandconning，theArangiheadedintothewindtothreadthepassagebetweentwopalm—tuftedislets。Therewasneedforconning。Coralpatchesuproseeverywherefromtheturquoisedepths，runningthegamutofgreenfromdeepestjadetopalesttourmaline，overwhichtheseafilteredchangingshades，creamedlazily，orburstintowhitefountainsofsun—flashedspray。
　　Thesmokecolumnsalongtheheightsbecamegarrulous，andlongbeforetheArangiwasthroughthepassagetheentireleewardcoast，fromthesalt—watermenoftheshoretotheremotestbushvillagers，knewthatthelabourrecruiterwasgoingintoLanga—Langa。Asthelagoon，formedbythechainofisletslyingoffshore，openedout，Jerrybegantosmellthereef—villages。Canoes，manycanoes，urgedbypaddlesorsailedbeforethewindbytheweightofthefresheningSouthEasttradeonspreadfrondsofcoconutpalms，movedacrossthesmoothsurfaceofthelagoon。Jerrybarkedintimidatinglyatthosethatcameclosest，bristlinghisneckandmakingaferocioussimulationofanefficientprotectorofthewhitegodwhostoodbesidehim。Andaftereachsuchwarning，hewouldsoftlydabhiscooldampmuzzleagainstthesun—heatedskinofSkipper’sleg。
　　Onceinsidethelagoon，theArangifilledawaywiththewinda—beam。
　　Attheendofaswifthalf—milesheroundedto，withhead—sailstrimmingdownandwithagreatflappingofmainandmizzen，anddroppedanchorinfiftyfeetofwatersoclearthateveryhugeflutedclamshellwasvisibleonthecoralfloor。ThewhaleboatwasnotnecessarytoputtheLanga—Langareturnboysashore。HundredsofcanoeslaytwentydeepalongbothsidesoftheArangi，andeachboy，withhisboxandbell，wasclamouredforbyscoresofrelativesandfriends。
　　Insuchheightofexcitement，VanHornpermittednooneonboard。
　　Melanesians，unlikecattle，areaspronetostampedetoattackastoretreat。Twooftheboat’screwstoodbesidetheLee—Enfieldsontheskylight。Borckman，withhalftheboat’screw，wentabouttheship’swork。VanHorn，Jerryathisheels，carefulthatnooneshouldgetathisback，superintendedthedepartureoftheLanga—
　　Langareturnsandkeptavigilanteyeontheremaininghalfoftheboat’screwthatguardedthebarbed—wirerails。AndeachSomoboysatonhistrade—boxtopreventitfrombeingtossedintothewaitingcanoesbysomeLanga—Langaboy。
　　Inhalfanhourtheriotdepartedashore。Onlyseveralcanoeslingered，andfromoneoftheseVanHornbeckonedaboardNau—hau，thebiggestchiefofthestrongholdofLanga—Langa。Unlikemostofthebigchiefs，Nau—hauwasyoung，and，unlikemostoftheMelanesians，hewashandsome，evenbeautiful。
　　"Hello，Kingo’Babylon，"wasVanHorn’sgreeting，forsohehadnamedhimbecauseoffanciedSemiticresemblanceblendedwiththecrudepowerthatmarkedhisvisageandinformedhisbearing。
　　Bornandtrainedtonakedness，Nau—hautrodthedeckboldlyandunashamed。Hissolegearofclothingwasalengthoftrunkstrapbuckledabouthiswaist。Betweenthisandhisbareskinwasthrustthenakedbladeofaten—inchrippingknife。HissoledecorationwasawhiteChinasoup—plate，perforatedandstrungoncoconutsennit，suspendedfromabouthisnecksothatitrestedflatonhischestandhalf—concealedthegenerousswellofmuscles。Itwasthegreatestoftreasures。NomanofMalaitahehadeverheardofpossessedanunbrokensoup—plate。
　　Norwasheanymoreridiculousbecauseofthesoup—platethanwasheludicrousbecauseofhisnakedness。Hewasroyal。Hisfatherhadbeenakingbeforehim，andhehadprovedhimselfgreaterthanhisfather。Lifeanddeathheboreinhishandsandhead。Oftenhehadexercisedit，chirpingtohissubjectsinthetongueofLanga—Langa：
　　"Slayhere，"and"Slaythere"；"Thoushaltdie，"and"Thoushaltlive。"Becausehisfather，ayearabdicated，hadchosenfoolishlytointerferewithhisson’sgovernment，hehadcalledtwoboysandhadthemtwistacordofcoconutaroundhisfather’snecksothatthereafterheneverbreathedagain。Becausehisfavouritewife，motherofhiseldestborn，haddaredoutofsillinessofaffectiontoviolateoneofhiskinglytamboos，hehadhadherkilledandhadhimselfselfishlyandreligiouslyeatenthelastofhereventothemarrowofhercrackedjoints，sharingnomorselwithhisboonestofcomrades。
　　Royalhewas，bynature，bytraining，bydeed。Hecarriedhimselfwithconsciousnessofroyalty。Helookedroyal——asamagnificentstallionmaylookroyal，asaliononapaintedtawnydesertmaylookroyal。Hewasassplendidabrute——anadumbrationofthesplendidhumanconquerorsandrulers，higherontheladderofevolution，whohaveappearedinothertimesandplaces。Hisposeofbody，ofchest，ofshoulders，ofhead，wasroyal。Royalwastheheavy—lidded，lazy，insolentwayhelookedoutofhiseyes。
　　Royalincouragewashe，thismomentontheArangi，despitethefactthatheknewhewalkedondynamite。Ashehadlongsincebitterlylearned，anywhitemanwasasmuchdynamiteaswasthemysteriousdeath—dealingmissilehesometimesemployed。Whenastripling，hehadmadeoneofthecanoeforcethatattackedthesandalwood—cutterthathadbeenevensmallerthantheArangi。Hehadneverforgottenthatmystery。Twoofthethreewhitemenhehadseenslainandtheirheadsremovedondeck。Thethird，stillfighting，hadbuttheminutebeforefledbelow。Thenthecutter，alongwithallherwealthofhoop—iron，tobacco，knivesandcalico，hadgoneupintotheairandfallenbackintotheseainscatteredandfragmentednothingness。Ithadbeendynamite——theMYSTERY。Andhe，whohadbeenhurleduninjuredthroughtheairbyamiracleoffortune，haddivinedthatwhitemeninthemselvesweretrulydynamite，compoundedofthesamemysteryasthesubstancewithwhichtheyshottheswift—
　　dartingschoolsofmullet，orblowup，inextremity，themselvesandtheshipsonwhichtheyvoyagedtheseafromfarplaces。Andyetonthisunstableanddeath—terrificsubstanceofwhichhewaswellawareVanHornwascomposed，hetrodheavilywithhispersonality，daring，tothevergeofdetonation，toimpactitwithhisinsolence。
　　"Myword，"hebegan，"whatnameyoumake’mboybelongmestopalongyoutoomuch？"WhichwasatrueandcorrectchargethattheboyswhichVanHornhadjustreturnedhadbeenawaythreeyearsandahalfinsteadofthreeyears。
　　"YoutalkthatfellatalkIgetcrosstoomuchalongyou，"VanHornbristledback，andthenadded，diplomatically，dippingintoahalf—
　　caseoftobaccosawedacrossandprofferingahandfulofsticktobacco："Muchbetteryousmoke’mupandtalk’mgoodfellatalk。"
　　ButNau—haugrandlywavedasidethegiftforwhichhehungered。
　　"Plentytobaccostopalongme，"helied。"Whatnameonefellaboygowaynocomeback？"hedemanded。
　　VanHornpulledthelongslenderaccountbookoutofthetwistofhisloin—cloth，and，whileheskimmeditspages，impressedNau—hauwiththedynamiteofthewhiteman’ssuperiorpowerswhichenabledhimtoremembercorrectlyinsidethescrawledsheetsofabookinsteadofinsidehishead。
　　"Sati，"VanHornread，hisfingermarkingtheplace，hiseyesalternatingwatchfullybetweenthewritingandtheblackchiefbeforehim，whiletheblackchiefhimselfspeculatedandstudiedthechanceofgettingbehindhimand，withthesingleknife—thrustheknewsowell，ofseveringtheother’sspinalcordatthebaseoftheneck。
　　"Sati，"VanHornread。"Lastmonsoonbeginaboutthistime，himfellaSatiget’msickbellybelonghimtoomuch；bimebyhimfellaSatifinishaltogether，"hetranslatedintobeche—de—merthewritteninformation：DiedofdysenteryJuly4th，1901。
　　"PlentyworkhimfellaSati，longtime，"Nau—haudrovetothepoint。
　　"Whatcomealongmoneybelonghim？"
　　VanHorndidmentalarithmeticfromtheaccount。
　　"Altogetherhimmake’msixtenspoundsandtwofellapoundsgoldmoney，"washistranslationofsixty—twopoundsofwages。"Ipayadvancefatherbelonghimonetenpoundsandfivefellapounds。Himfinishaltogetherfourtenspoundsandsevenfellapounds。"
　　"Whatnamestopfourtenspoundsandsevenfellapounds？"Nau—haudemanded，histongue，butnothisbrain，encompassingsoprodigiousasum。
　　VanHornhelduphishand。
　　"ToomuchhurryyoufellaNau—hau。HimfellaSatibuy’mslopchestalongplantationtwotenspoundsandonefellapound。BelongSatihefinishaltogethertwotenspoundsandsixfellapounds。"
　　"Whatnamestoptwotenspoundsandsixfellapounds？"Nau—haucontinuedinflexibly。
　　"Stop’malongme，"thecaptainansweredcurtly。
　　"Give’mmetwotenspoundsandsixfellapounds。"
　　"Give’myouhell，"VanHornrefused，andintheblueofhiseyestheblackchiefsensedtheimpressionofthedynamiteoutofwhichwhitemenseemedmade，andfelthisbrainquickentothevisionofthebloodydayhefirstencounteredanexplosionofdynamiteandwashurledthroughtheair。
　　"Whatnamethatoldfellaboystop’malongcanoe？"VanHornasked，pointingtoanoldmaninacanoealongside。"HimfatherbelongSati？"
　　"HimfatherbelongSati，"Nau—hauaffirmed。
　　VanHornmotionedtheoldmaninandonboard，beckonedBorckmantotakechargeofthedeckandofNau—hau，andwentbelowtogetthemoneyfromhisstrong—box。Whenhereturned，cavalierlyignoringthechief，headdressedhimselftotheoldman。
　　"Whatnamebelongyou？"
　　"MefellaNino，"wasthequaveringresponse。"HimfellaSatibelongalongme。"
　　VanHornglancedforverificationtoNau—hau，whonoddedaffirmationinthereverseSolomonway；whereuponVanHorncountedtwenty—sixgoldsovereignsintothehandofSati’sfather。
　　ImmediatelythereafterNau—hauextendedhishandandreceivedthesum。Twentygoldpiecesthechiefretainedforhimself，returningtotheoldmantheremainingsix。ItwasnoquarrelofVanHorn’s。
　　Hehadfulfilledhisdutyandpaidproperly。Thetyrannyofachiefoverasubjectwasnoneofhisbusiness。
　　Bothmasters，whiteandblack，werefairlycontentedwiththemselves。VanHornhadpaidthemoneywhereitwasdue；Nau—hau，byvirtueofkingship，hadrobbedSati’sfatherofSati’slabourbeforeVanHorn’seyes。ButNau—hauwasnotabovestrutting。Hedeclinedaprofferedpresentoftobacco，boughtacaseofsticktobaccofromVanHorn，payinghimfivepoundsforit，andinsistedonhavingitsawedopensothathecouldfillhispipe。
　　"PlentygoodboystopalongLanga—Langa？"VanHorn，unperturbed，politelyqueried，inordertomakeconversationandadvertisenonchalance。
　　TheKingo’Babylongrinned，butdidnotdeigntoreply。
　　"MaybeIgoashoreandwalkabout？"VanHornchallengedwithtentativeemphasis。
　　"Maybetoomuchtroublealongyou，"Nau—hauchallengedback。"Maybeplentybadfellaboykai—kaialongyou。"
　　AlthoughVanHorndidnotknowit，atthischallengeheexperiencedthehair—prickingsensationsinhisscalpthatJerryexperiencedwhenhebristledhisback。
　　"Hey，Borckman，"hecalled。"Manthewhaleboat。"
　　Whenthewhaleboatwasalongside，hedescendedintoitfirst，superiorly，theninvitedNau—hautoaccompanyhim。
　　"Myword，Kingo’Babylon，"hemutteredinthechief’searsastheboat’screwbenttotheoars，"onefellaboymake’mtrouble，I
　　shoot’mhelloutayoufirstthing。NextthingIshoot’mhelloutaLanga—Langa。Allthetimeyoumefellawalkabout，youwalkaboutalongme。Younolikewalkaboutalongme，youfinishcloseupaltogether。"
　　Andashore，awhitemanalone，attendedbyanIrishterrierpuppywithaheartfloodedwithloveandbyablackkingresentfullyrespectfulofthedynamiteofthewhiteman，VanHornwent，swashbucklingbareleggedthroughastrongholdofthreethousandsouls，whilehiswhitemate，addictedtoschnapps，heldthedeckofthetinycraftatanchoroffshore，andwhilehisblackboat’screw，oarsinhands，heldthewhaleboatstern—ontothebeachtoreceivetheexpectedflyingleapofthemantheyservedbutdidnotlove，andwhoseheadtheywouldeagerlytakeanytimewereitnotforfearofhim。
　　VanHornhadhadnointentionofgoingashore，andthathewentashoreattheblackchief’sinsolentchallengewasmerelyamatterofbusiness。Foranhourhestrolledabout，hisrighthandneverfarfromthebuttoftheautomaticthatlayalonghisgroin，hiseyesnevertoofarfromtheunwillingNau—haubesidehim。ForNau—
　　hau，insullenvolcanicrage，wasripetoeruptattheslightestopportunity。And，sostrolling，VanHornwasgiventoseewhatfewwhitemenhaveseen，forLanga—Langaandhersisterislets，beautifulbeadsstrungalongtheleecoastofMalaita，wereasuniqueastheywereunexplored。
　　Originallytheseisletshadbeenmeresand—banksandcoralreefsawashintheseaorshallowlycoveredbythesea。Onlyahunted，wretchedcreature，enduringincrediblehardship，couldhaveekedoutamiserableexistenceuponthem。Butsuchhunted，wretchedcreatures，survivorsofvillagemassacres，escapesfromthewrathofchiefsandfromthelong—pigfateofthecooking—pot，didcome，anddidendure。They，whoknewonlythebush，learnedthesaltwateranddevelopedthesalt—water—manbreed。Theylearnedthewaysofthefishandtheshell—fish，andtheyinventedhooksandlines，netsandfish—traps，andallthediversecunningwaysbywhichswimmingmeatcanbegarneredfromtheshifting，unstablesea。
　　Suchrefugeesstolewomenfromthemainland，andincreasedandmultiplied。Withherculeanlabour，undertheburningsun，theyconqueredthesea。Theywalledtheconfinesoftheircoralreefsandsand—bankswithcoral—rockstolenfromthemainlandondarknights。Finemasonry，withoutmortarorcuttingchisel，theybuildedtowithstandtheoceansurge。Likewisestolenfromthemainland，asmicestealfromhumanhabitationswhenhumanssleep，theystolecanoe—loads，andmillionsofcanoe—loads，offat，richsoil。
　　Generationsandcenturiespassed，and，behold，inplaceofnakedsandbankshalfawashwerewalledcitadels，perforatedwithlaunching—waysforthelongcanoes，protectedagainstthemainlandbythelagoonsthatweretothemtheirnarrowseas。Coconutpalms，bananatrees，andloftybreadfruittreesgavefoodandsun—shelter。
　　Theirgardensprospered。Theirlong，leanwar—canoesravagedthecoastsandvisitedvengeancefortheirforefathersuponthedescendantsofthemthathadpersecutedanddesiredtoeat。
　　LiketherefugeesandrenegadeswhoslunkawayinthesaltmarshesoftheAdriaticandbuildedthepalacesofpowerfulVeniceonherdeep—sunkpiles，sothesewretchedhuntedblacksbuildedpoweruntiltheybecamemastersofthemainland，controllingtrafficandtrade—
　　routes，compellingthebushmenforeveraftertoremaininthebushandnevertodareattemptthesalt—water。
　　Andhere，amidstthefatsuccessandinsolenceofthesea—people，VanHornswaggeredhisway，takinghischance，incapableofbelievingthathemightswiftlydie，knowingthathewasbuildinggoodfuturebusinessinthematterofrecruitinglabourfortheplantationsofotheradventuringwhitemenonfarislandswhodaredonlylessgreatlythanhe。
　　Andwhen，attheendofanhour，VanHornpassedJerryintothesternsheetsofthewhaleboatandfollowed，heleftonthebeachastunnedandwonderingroyalblack，who，morethaneverbefore，wasrespectfulofthedynamite—compoundedwhitemenwhobroughttohimsticktobacco，calico，knivesandhatchets，andinexorablyextractedfromsuchtradeaprofit。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　Backonboard，VanHornimmediatelyhoveshort，hoistedsail，brokeouttheanchor，andfilledawayfortheten—milebeatupthelagoontowindwardthatwouldfetchSomo。Ontheway，hestoppedatBinutogreetChiefJohnnyandlandafewBinureturns。ThenitwasontoSomo，andtotheendofvoyagingforeveroftheArangiandofmanythatwereaboardofher。
　　QuitetheoppositetohistreatmentatLanga—LangawasthataccordedVanHornatSomo。Oncethereturnboyswereputashore，andthiswasaccomplishednolaterthanthree—thirtyintheafternoon，heinvitedChiefBashtionboard。AndChiefBashticame，verynimbleandactivedespitehisgreatage，andverygood—natured——sogood—
　　natured，infact，thatheinsistedonbringingthreeofhiselderlywivesonboardwithhim。Thiswasunprecedented。Neverhadhepermittedanyofhiswivestoappearbeforeawhiteman，andVanHornfeltsohonouredthathepresentedeachofthemwithagayclaypipeandadozensticksoftobacco。
　　Lateastheafternoonwas，tradewasbrisk，andBashti，whohadtakenthelion’sshareofthewagesduetothefathersoftwoboyswhohaddied，boughtliberallyoftheArangi’sstock。WhenBashtipromisedplentyoffreshrecruits，VanHorn，usedtothechangeablenessofthesavagemind，urgedsigningthemuprightaway。
　　Bashtidemurred，andsuggestednextday。VanHorninsistedthattherewasnotimelikethepresent，andsowelldidheinsistthattheoldchiefsentacanoeashoretorounduptheboyswhohadbeenselectedtogoawaytotheplantations。
　　"Now，whatdoyouthink？"VanHornaskedofBorckman，whoseeyeswereremarkablyfishy。"Ineversawtheoldrascalsofriendly。
　　Hashegotsomethinguphissleeve？"
　　Thematestaredatthemanycanoesalongside，notedthenumbersofwomeninthem，andshookhishead。
　　"Whenthey’restartinganythingtheyalwayssendtheMarysintothebush，"hesaid。
　　"Younevercantellabouttheseniggers，"thecaptaingrumbled。
　　"Theymaybeshortonimagination，butonceinawhiletheydofigureoutsomethingnew。NowBashti’sthesmartestoldniggerI’veeverseen。What’stopreventhisfiguringoutthatverybetandplayingitinreverse？Justbecausethey’veneverhadtheirwomenaroundwhentroublewasonthecarpetisnoreasonthattheywillalwayskeepthatpractice。"
　　"NotevenBashti’sgotthesavveetopullatricklikethat，"
　　Borckmanobjected。"He’sjustfeelinggoodandliberal。Why，he’sboughtfortypoundsofgoodsfromyoualready。That’swhyhewantstosignonanewbatchofboyswithus，andI’llbethe’shopinghalfofthemdieso’shecanhavethespendingoftheirwages。"
　　Allofwhichwasmostreasonable。Nevertheless，VanHornshookhishead。
　　"Allthesamekeepyoureyessharponeverything，"hecautioned。
　　"Andremember，thetwoofusmustn’teverbebelowatthesametime。
　　Andnomoreschnapps，mind，untilwe’reclearofthewholekitandcaboodle。"
　　Bashtiwasincrediblyleanandprodigiouslyold。Hedidnotknowhowoldhewashimself，althoughhedidknowthatnopersoninhistribehadbeenalivewhenhewasayoungboyinthevillage。Herememberedthedayswhensomeoftheoldmen，stillalive，hadbeenborn；and，unlikehim，theywerenowdecrepit，shakenwithpalsy，blear—eyed，toothlessofmouth，deafofear，orparalysed。Allhisownfacultiesremainedunimpaired。Heevenboastedadozenwornfangsofteeth，gum—level，onwhichhecouldstillchew。Althoughhenolongerhadthephysicalenduranceofyouth，histhinkingwasasoriginalandclearasithadalwaysbeen。Itwasduetohisthinkingthathefoundhistribestrongerthanwhenhehadfirstcometoruleit。InhissmallwayhehadbeenaMelanesianNapoleon。Asawarrior，theplayofhismindhadenabledhimtobeatbackthebushmen’sboundaries。Thescarsonhiswitheredbodyattestedthathehadfoughttothefore。AsaLaw—giver，hehadencouragedandachievedstrengthandefficiencywithinhistribe。
　　Asastatesman，hehadalwayskeptonethoughtaheadofthethoughtsoftheneighbouringchiefsinthemakingoftreatiesandthegrantingofconcessions。
　　Andwithhismind，stillkeenlyalive，hehadbutjustevolvedaschemewherebyhemightoutwitVanHornandgetthebetterofthevastBritishEmpireaboutwhichheguessedlittleandknowless。
　　ForSomohadahistory。Itwasthatqueeranomaly，asalt—watertribethatlivedonthelagoonmainlandwhereonlybushmenweresupposedtolive。Farbackintothedarknessoftime，thefolk—loreofSomocastaglimmeringlight。Onaday，sofarbackthattherewasnowayofestimatingitsdistance，one，Somo，sonofLoti，whowasthechiefoftheislandfortressofUmbo，hadquarrelledwithhisfatherandfledfromhiswrathalongwithadozencanoe—loadsofyoungmen。Fortwomonsoonstheyhadengagedinanodyssey。ItwasinthemyththattheycircumnavigatedMalaitatwice，andforayedasfarasUgiandSanCristobalacrossthewideseas。
　　Womentheyhadinevitablystolenaftersuccessfulcombats，and，intheend，beingburdenedwithwomenandprogeny，Somohaddescendeduponthemainlandshore，driventhebushmenback，andestablishedthesalt—waterfortressofSomo。Builtitwas，onitssea—front，likeanyislandfortress，withwalledcoral—rocktoopposetheseaandchancemaraudersfromthesea，andwithlaunchingwaysthroughthewallsforthelongcanoes。Totherear，whereitencroachedonthejungle，itwaslikeanyscatteredbushvillage。ButSomo，thewide—seeingfatherofthenewtribe，hadestablishedhisboundariesfarupinthebushontheshouldersofthelessermountains，andoneachshoulderhadplantedavillage。OnlythegreatlydaringthatfledtohimhadSomopermittedtojointhenewtribe。Theweaklingsandcowardstheyhadpromptlyeaten，andtheunbelievabletaleoftheirmanyheadsadorningthecanoe—houseswaspartofthemyth。
　　Andthistribe，territory，andstronghold，atthelatterendoftime，Bashtihadinherited，andhehadbetteredhisinheritance。
　　Norwasheabovecontinuingtobetterit。Foralongtimehehadreasonedcloselyandcarefullyinmaturingtheplanthatitchedinhisbrainforfulfilment。Threeyearsbefore，thetribeofAnoAno，milesdownthecoast，hadcapturedarecruiter，destroyedherandallhands，andgainedafabulousstoreoftobacco，calico，beads，andallmanneroftradegoods，riflesandammunition。
　　Littleenoughhadhappenedinthewayofpricethatwaspaid。Halfayearafter，awarvesselhadpokedhernoseintothelagoon，shelledAnoAno，andsentitsinhabitantsscurryingintothebush。
　　Thelanding—partythatfollowedhadfutilelypursuedalongthejunglerunways。Intheendithadcontenteditselfwithkillingfortyfatpigsandchoppingdownahundredcoconuttrees。Scarcelyhadthewarvesselpassedouttoopensea，whenthepeopleofAnoAnowerebackfromthebushtothevillage。Shellfireonflimsygrasshousesisnotespeciallydestructive。Afewhours’labourofthewomenputthatlittlematterright。Asforthefortydeadpigs，theentiretribefelluponthecarcasses，roastedthemunderthegroundwithhotstones，andfeasted。Thetendertipsofthefallenpalmswerelikewiseeaten，whilethethousandsofcoconutswerehuskedandsplitandsun—driedandsmoke—curedintocopratobesoldtothenextpassingtrader。
　　Thus，thepenaltyexactedhadprovedapicnicandafeast——allofwhichappealedtothethrifty，calculatingbrainofBashti。AndwhatwasgoodforAnoAno，inhisjudgmentwassurelygoodforSomo。
　　Sincesuchwerewhitemen’swayswhosailedundertheBritishflagandkilledpigsandcutdowncoconutsincancellationofblood—debtsandheadtakings，BashtisawnovalidreasonwhyheshouldnotprofitasAnoAnohadprofited。Thepricetobepaidatsomepossiblefuturetimewasabsurdlydisproportionatetotheimmediatewealthtobegained。Besides，ithadbeenovertwoyearssincethelastBritishwarvesselhadappearedintheSolomons。
　　Andthus，Bashti，withafinefreshideainsidehishead，bowedhischief’sheadinconsentthathispeoplecouldflockaboardandtrade。Veryfewofthemknewwhathisideawasorthatheevenhadanidea。
　　Tradegrewstillbriskerasmorecanoescamealongsideandblackmenandwomenthrongedthedeck。Thencametherecruits，new—caught，young，savagethings，timidasdeer，yetyieldingtosternparentalandtriballawandgoingdownintotheArangi’scabin，onebyone，theirfathersandmothersandrelativesaccompanyingtheminfamilygroups，toconfrontthebigfellawhitemarster，whowrotetheirnamesdowninamysteriousbook，hadthemratifythethreeyears’
　　contractoftheirlabourbyatouchoftherighthandtothepenwithwhichhewrote，andwhopaidthefirstyear’sadvanceintradegoodstotheheadsoftheirrespectivefamilies。
　　OldBashtisatnear，takinghiscustomaryheavytithesoutofeachadvance，histhreeoldwivessquattinghumblyathisfeetandbytheirmerepresencegivingconfidencetoVanHorn，whowaselatedbythestrokeofbusiness。AtsuchratehiscruiseonMalaitawouldbeashortone，whenhewouldsailawaywithafullship。
　　Ondeck，whereBorckmankeptasharpeyeoutagainstdanger，Jerryprowledabout，sniffingthemanylegsofthemanyblackshehadneverencounteredbefore。Thewild—doghadgoneashorewiththereturnboys，andofthereturnboysonlyonehadcomeback。ItwasLerumie，pastwhomJerryrepeatedlyandstiff—leggedlybristledwithoutgainingresponseofrecognition。Lerumiecoollyignoredhim，wentdownbelowonceandpurchasedatradehand—mirror，and，withalookoftheeyes，assuredoldBashtithatallwasreadyandripetobreakatthefirstfavourablemoment。
　　Ondeck，Borckmangavethisfavourablemoment。Norwouldhehavesogivenithadhenotbeenguiltyofcarelessnessandofdisobediencetohiscaptain’sorders。Hedidnotleavetheschnappsalone。Bedidnotsensewhatwasimpendingallabouthim。Aft，wherehestood，thedeckwasalmostdeserted。Amidshipsandfor’ard，gammingwiththeboat’screw，thedeckwascrowdedwithblacksofbothsexes。Hemadehiswaytotheyamsackslashedabaftthemizzenmastandgothisbottle。Justbeforehedrank，withashredofcaution，hecastaglancebehindhim。NearhimstoodaharmlessMary，middle—aged，fat，squat，asymmetrical，unlovely，asuckingchildoftwoyearsastrideherhipandtakingnourishment。Surelynoharmwastobeapprehendedthere。Furthermore，shewaspatentlyaweaponlessMary，forsheworenostitchofclothingthatotherwisemighthaveconcealedaweapon。Overagainsttherail，tenfeettooneside，stoodLerumie，smirkingintothetrademirrorhehadjustbought。
　　ItwasinthetrademirrorthatLerumiesawBorckmanbendtotheyam—sacks，returntotheerect，throwhisheadback，themouthofthebottlegluedtohislips，thebottomelevatedskyward。Lerumieliftedhisrighthandinsignaltoawomaninacanoealongside。
　　ShebentswiftlyforsomethingthatshetossedtoLerumie。Itwasalong—handledtomahawk，theheadofitanordinaryshingler’shatchet，thehaftofit，native—made，ablackandpolishedpieceofhardwood，inlaidinrudedesignswithmother—of—pearlandwrappedwithcoconutsennittomakeahandgrip。Thebladeofthehatchethadbeengroundtorazor—edge。
　　AsthetomahawkflewnoiselesslythroughtheairtoLerumie’shand，justasnoiselessly，thenextinstant，itflewthroughtheairfromhishandintothehandofthefatMarywiththenursingchildwhostoodbehindthemate。Sheclutchedthehandlewithbothhands，whilethechild，astrideherhip，heldontoherwithbothsmallarmspartwayabouther。
　　Stillshewaitedthestroke，forwithBorckman’sheadthrownbackwasnotimetostrivetoseverthespinalcordattheneck。Manyeyesbeheldtheimpendingtragedy。Jerrysaw，butdidnotunderstand。Withallhishostilitytoniggershehadnotdivinedtheattackfromtheair。Tambi，whochancedtobeneartheskylight，saw，and，seeing，reachedforaLee—Enfield。LerumiesawTambi’sactionandhissedhastetotheMary。
　　Borckman，asunawareofthis，hislastsecondoflife，ashehadbeenofhisfirstsecondofbirth，loweredthebottleandstraightenedforwardhishead。Thekeenedgesankhome。What，inthatflashofinstantwhenhisbrainwasseveredfromtherestofhisbody，Borckmanmayhavefeltorthought，ifhefeltorthoughtatall，isamysteryunsolvabletolivingman。Noman，hisspinalcordsosevered，hasevergivenonewordorwhisperoftestimonyastowhatwerehissensationsandimpressions。NolessswiftthanthehatchetstrokewasthelimpplacidityintowhichBorckman’sbodymeltedtothedeck。Hedidnotreelorpitch。Hemelted，asasackofwindsuddenlyemptied，asabladderofairsuddenlypunctured。
　　Thebottlefellfromhisdeadhandupontheyamswithoutbreaking，althoughtheremnantofitscontentsgurgledgentlyoutuponthedeck。
　　Soquickwastheoccurrenceofaction，thatthefirstshotfromTambi’smusketmissedtheMaryereBorckmanhadquitemeltedtothedeck。Therewasnotimeforasecondshot，fortheMary，droppingthetomahawk，holdingherchildinbothherhandsandplungingtotherail，wasintheairandoverboard，herfallcapsizingthecanoewhichchancedtobebeneathher。
　　Scoresofactionsweresimultaneous。Fromthecanoesonbothsidesuproseaglittering，glisteningrainofmother—of—pearl—handledtomahawksthatdescendedintothewaitinghandsoftheSomomenondeck，whiletheMarysondeckcroucheddownandscrambledoutofthefray。AtthesametimethattheMarywhohadkilledBorckmanleapttherail，Lerumiebentforthetomahawkshehaddropped，andJerry，awareofredwar，slashedthehandthatreachedforthetomahawk。
　　Lerumiestooduprightandloosedloudly，inahowl，allthepentrageandhatred，ofmonthswhichhehadcherishedagainstthepuppy。
　　Also，ashegainedtheperpendicularandasJerryflewathislegs，helaunchedakickwithallhismightthatcaughtandliftedJerrysquarelyunderthemiddle。
　　Andinthenextsecond，orfractionofsecond，asJerryliftedandsoaredthroughtheair，overthebarbedwireoftherailandoverboard，whileSniderswerebeingpassedupoversidefromthecanoes，Tambifiredhisnexthastyshot。AndLerumie，thefootwithwhichhehadkickednotyetreturnedtothedeckasagainhewasinmid—actionofstoopingtopickupthetomahawk，receivedthebulletsquarelyintheheartandpitcheddowntomeltwithBorckmanintothesoftnessofdeath。
　　EreJerrystruckthewater，thegloryofTambi’smarvellouslyluckyshotwasoverforTambi；for，atthemomenthepressedtriggertothesuccessfulshot，atomahawkbitacrosshisskullatthebaseofthebrainanddarkenedfromhiseyesforeverthebrightvisionofthesea—washed，sun—blazonedtropicworld。Asswiftly，alloccurringalmostsimultaneously，didtherestoftheboat’screwpassandthedeckbecameashambles。
　　ItwastothereportsoftheSnidersandthenoisesofthedeathscufflethatJerry’sheademergedfromthewater。Aman’shandreachedoveracanoe—sideanddraggedhiminbythescruffoftheneck，and，althoughhesnarledandstruggledtobitehisrescuer，hewasnotsomuchenragedaswashetornbythewildestsolicitudeforSkipper。Heknew，withoutthinkingaboutit，thattheArangihadbeenboardedbythehazilysensedsupremedisasteroflifethatalllifeintuitivelyapprehendsandthatonlymanknowsandcallsbythenameof"death。"Borckmanhehadseenstruckdown。Lerumiehehadheardstruckdown。Andnowhewashearingtheexplosionsofriflesandtheyellsandscreechesoftriumphandfear。
　　Soitwas，helpless，suspendedintheairbythenapeoftheneck，thathebawledandsqualledandchokedandcoughedtilltheblack，disgusted，flunghimdownroughlyinthecanoe’sbottom。Hescrambledtohisfeetandmadetwoleaps：oneuponthegunwaleofthecanoe；thenext，despairingandhopeless，withoutconsiderationofself，fortherailoftheArangi。
　　Hisforefeetmissedtherailbyayard，andheplungeddownintothesea。Hecameup，swimmingfrantically，swallowingandstranglingsaltwaterbecausehestillyelpedandwailedandbarkedhisyearningtobeonboardwithSkipper。
　　Butaboyoftwelve，inanothercanoe，havingwitnessedthefirstblack’sadventurewithJerry，treatedhimwithoutceremony，laying，firsttheflat，andnexttheedge，ofapaddleuponhisheadwhilehestillswam。Andthedarknessofunconsciousnesswelledoverhisbrightlittlelove—sufferingbrain，sothatitwasalimpandmotionlesspuppythattheblackboydraggedintohiscanoe。
　　Inthemeantime，downbelowintheArangi’scabin，ereeverJerryhitthewaterfromLerumie’skick，evenwhilehewasintheair，VanHorn，inonegreatflashingprofoundfractionofaninstant，hadknownhisdeath。NotfornothinghadoldBashtilivedlongestofanylivingmaninhistribe，andruledwisestofallthelonglineofrulerssinceSomo’stime。Hadhebeenplacedmoregenerouslyinearthspaceandtime，hemightwellhaveprovedanAlexander，aNapoleon，oraswarthyKahehameha。Asitwas，heperformedwell，andsplendidlywell，inhislimitedlittlekingdomontheleewardcoastofthedarkcannibalislandofMalaita。
　　Andsuchaperformance！Incoolgoodnatureinrigidmaintenanceofhischiefshiprights，hehadsmiledatVanHorn，givenroyalpermissiontohisyoungmentosignonforthreeyearsofplantationslavery，andexactedhisshareofeachyear’sadvance。Aora，whomightbedescribedashisprimeministerandtreasurer，hadreceivedthetithesasfastastheywerepaidover，andfilledthemintolarge，fine—nettedbagsofcoconutsennit。AtBashti’sback，squattingonthebunk—boards，aslimandsmooth—skinnedmaidofthirteenhadflappedthefliesawayfromhisroyalheadwiththeroyalfly—flapper。Athisfeethadsquattedhisthreeoldwives，theoldestofthem，toothlessandsomewhatpalsied，everpresentingtohishand，athisheadnod，abasketrough—wovenofpandanusleaf。
　　AndBashti，hiskeenoldearspitchedforthefirstuntowardsoundfromondeck，hadcontinuallynoddedhisheadanddippedhishandintotheprofferedbasket——nowforbetel—nut，andlime—box，andtheinvariablegreenleafwithwhichtowrapthemouthful；nowfortobaccowithwhichtofillhisshortclaypipe；and，again，formatcheswithwhichtolightthepipewhichseemednottodrawwellandwhichfrequentlywentout。
　　Towardthelastthebaskethadhoveredconstantlyclosetohishand，and，atthelast，hemadeonefinaldip。ItwasatthemomentwhentheMary’saxe，ondeck，hadstruckBorckmandownandwhenTambiloosedthefirstshotatherfromhisLee—Enfield。AndBashti’switheredancienthand，thebackofitnettedwithacomplexoflargeup—standingveinsfromwhichthefleshhadshrunkaway，dippedoutahugepistolofsuchremotevintagethatoneofCromwell’sround—
　　headsmightwellhavecarrieditorthatitmightwellhavevoyagedwithQuirosorLaPerouse。Itwasaflint—lock，aslongasaman’sforearm，andithadbeenloadedthatafternoonbynolessapersonthanBashtihimself。
　　QuickasBashtihadbeen，VanHornwasalmostasquick，butnotquitequickenough。Evenashishandleapttothemodernautomaticlyingoutofit’sholsterandlooseonhisknees，thepistolofthecenturieswentoff。Loadedwithtwoslugsandaroundbullet，itseffectwasthatofasawed—offshotgun。AndVanHornknewtheblazeandtheblackofdeath，evenas"Gottferdang！"diedunutteredonhislipsandashisfingersrelaxedfromthepart—liftedautomatic，droppingittothefloor。
　　Surchargedwithblackpowder，theancientweaponhadothereffect。
　　ItburstinBashti’shand。WhileAora，withaknifeproducedapparentlyfromnowhere，proceededtohackoffthewhitemaster’shead，Bashtilookedquizzicallyathisrightforefingerdanglingbyastripofskin。Heseizeditwithhislefthand，withaquickpullandtwistwrencheditoff，andgrinninglytossedit，asajoke，intothepandanusbasketwhichstillhiswifewithonehandheldbeforehimwhilewiththeothersheclutchedherforeheadbleedingfromaflyingfragmentofpistol。
　　Collaterallywiththis，threeoftheyoungrecruits，joinedbytheirfathersanduncles，haddowned，andwerefinishingofftheonlyoneoftheboat’screwthatwasbelow。Bashti，whohadlivedsolongthathewasaphilosopherwhomindedpainlittleandthelossofafingerless，chuckledandchirpedhissatisfactionandprideofachievementintheoutcome，whilehisthreeoldwives，wholivedonlyatthenodofhishead，fawnedunderhimonthefloorintheabjectnessofservilecongratulationandworship。Longhadtheylived，andtheyhadlivedlongonlybyhiskinglywhim。Theyflounderedandgibberedandmowedathisfeet，lordoflifeanddeaththathewas，infinitelywiseashehadsooftenprovedhimself，ashehadthistimeprovedhimselfagain。
　　Andthelean，fear—strickengirl，likeafrightenedrabbitinthemouthofitsburrow，onhandsandkneespeeredforthuponthescenefromthelazaretteandknewthatthecooking—potandtheendoftimehadcomeforher。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　WhathappenedaboardtheArangiJerryneverknew。Hedidknowthatitwasaworlddestroyed，forhesawitdestroyed。Theboywhohadknockedhimontheheadwiththepaddle，tiedhislegssecurelyandtossedhimoutonthebeachereheforgothimintheexcitementoflootingtheArangi。
　　Withgreatshoutingandsong，theprettyteak—builtyachtwastowedinbythelongcanoesandbeachedclosetowhereJerrylayjustbeyondtheconfinesofthecoral—stonewalls。Firesblazedonthebeach，lanternswerelightedonboard，and，amidagreatfeasting，theArangiwasguttedandstripped。Everythingportablewastakenashore，fromherpigsofironballasttoherrunninggearandsails。
　　NooneinSomosleptthatnight。Eventhetiniestofchildrentoddledaboutthefeastingfiresorsprawledsurfeitedonthesands。
　　Attwointhemorning，atBashti’scommand，theshelloftheboatwasfired。AndJerry，thirstingforwater，havingwhimperedandwailedhimselftoexhaustion，lyinghelpless，leg—tied，onhisside，sawthefloatingworldhehadknownsoshortatimegoupinflameandsmoke。
　　Andbythelightofherburning，oldBashtiapportionedtheloot。
　　Nooneofthetribewastoomeantoreceivenothing。Eventhewretchedbush—slaves，whohadtrembledthroughallthetimeoftheircaptivityfromfearofbeingeaten，receivedeachaclaypipeandseveralsticksoftobacco。Themainbulkofthetradegoods，whichwasnotdistributed，Bashtihadcarrieduptohisownlargegrasshouse。Allthewealthofgearwasstoredintheseveralcanoehouses。Whileinthedevildevilhousesthedevildevildoctorssettoworkcuringthemanyheadsoverslowsmudges；for，alongwiththeboat’screwtherewerearounddozenofNo—olareturnboysandseveralMaluboyswhichVanHornhadnotyetdelivered。