AndthereafterJerryhatedBashtiintensely，asalordoflifewhopossessedandlaidonhiskneesthenothingnessofSkipper。NotthatJerryreasoneditout。Alldimandvagueitwas，asensation，anemotion，afeeling，aninstinct，anintuition，nameitmistilyasonewillinthemistynomenclatureofspeechwhereinwordscheatwiththeimpressionofdefinitenessandlietothebrainanunderstandingwhichthebraindoesnotpossess。
CHAPTERXVI
Threemonthsmorepassed；thenorth—westmonsoon，afteritshalf—
yearofbreath，hadgivenwaytothesouth—easttrade；andJerrystillcontinuedtoliveinthehouseofAgnoandtohavetherunofthevillage。Hehadputonweight，increasedinsize，and，protectedbythetaboo，hadbecomeself—confidentalmosttolordliness。Buthehadfoundnomaster。Agnohadneverwonaheart—throbfromhim。Forthatmatter，Agnohadnevertriedtowinhim。Nor，inhiscold—bloodedway，hadheeverbetrayedhishatredofJerry。
Noteventheseveraloldwomen，thetwoacolytes，andthefly—
flappingmaidinAgno’shousedreamedthatthedevildevildoctorhatedJerry。NordidJerrydreamit。TohimAgnowasaneutralsortofperson，apersonwhodidnotcount。ThoseofthehouseholdJerryrecognizedasslavesorservantstoAgno，andheknewwhentheyfedhimthatthefoodheateproceededfromAgnoandwasAgno’sfood。Savehimself，tabooprotected，allofthemfearedAgno，andhishousewastrulyahouseoffearinwhichcouldbloomnoloveforastraypuppydog。Theeleven—years’maidmighthaveplacedabidforJerry’saffection，hadshenotbeendeterredatthestartbyAgno，whoreprimandedhersternlyforpresumingtotouchorfondleadogofsuchhightaboo。
WhatdelayedAgno’splotagainstJerryforthehalf—yearofthemonsoonwasthefactthattheseasonofegg—layingforthemegapodesinBashti’sprivatelaying—yarddidnotbeginuntiltheperiodofthesouth—easttrades。AndAgno，havingearlyconceivedhisplot，withthepatiencethatwascharacteristicofhimwascontenttowaitthetime。
NowthemegapodeoftheSolomonsisadistantcousintothebrushturkeyofAustralia。Nolargerthanalargepigeon，itlaysaneggthesizeofadomesticduck’s。Themegapode，withnosenseoffear，issosillythatitwouldhavebeenannihilatedhundredsofcenturiesbeforehaditnotbeenpreservedbythetaboosofthechiefsandpriests。Asitwas，thechiefswerecompelledtokeepclearedpatchesofsandforit，andtofenceoutthedogs。Itburieditseggstwofeetdeep，dependingontheheatofthesunforthehatching。Anditwoulddigandlay，andcontinuetodigandlay，whileablackdugoutitseggswithintwoorthreefeetofit。
Thelaying—yardwasBashti’s。Duringtheseason，helivedalmostentirelyonmegapodeeggs。Onrareoccasionheevenhadmegapodesthatwereneartofinishingtheirlayingkilledforhiskai—kai。
Thiswasnomorethanawhim，however，promptedbyprideinsuchexclusivenessofdietonlypossibletooneinsuchhighplace。Intruth，hecarednomoreformegapodemeatthanforanyothermeat。
Allmeattastedaliketohim，forhistasteformeatwasoneofthevanishedpleasuresinthelimboofmemory。
Buttheeggs！Helikedtoeatthem。Theyweretheonlyarticleoffoodhelikedtoeat，Theygavehimreminiscentthrillsoftheancientfood—desiresofhisyouth。Actuallywashehungrywhenhehadmegapodeeggs，andthewell—nighdriedfountsofsalivaandofinternaldigestivejuiceswerestimulatedtoflowagainatcontemplationofamegapodeeggpreparedfortheeating。Wherefore，healoneofallSomo，barredrigidlybytaboo，atemegapodeeggs。
And，sincethetaboowasessentiallyreligious，toAgnowasdeputedtheecclesiasticaltaskofguardingandcherishingandcaringfortheroyallaying—yard。
ButAgnowasnolongeryoung。Theacidbiteofbellydesirehadlongsincedesertedhim，andhe，too，atefromasenseofduty，allmeattastingaliketohim。Megapodeeggsonlystunghistastealiveandstimulatedtheflowofhisjuices。Thusitwasthathebrokethetaboosheimposed，and，privily，beforetheeyesofnoman，woman，orchildatetheeggshestolefromBashti’sprivatepreserve。
Soitwas，asthelayingseasonbegan，andwhenbothBashtiandAgnowereacutelyegg—yearningaftersixmonthsofabstinence，thatAgnoledJerryalongthetaboopaththroughthemangroves，wheretheysteppedfromroottorootabovethemuckthateversteamedandstankinthestagnantairwherethewindneverpenetrated。
Thepath，whichwasnotanordinarypathandwhichconsisted，foraman，inwidestridesfromroottoroot，andforadoginfour—leggedleapsandplunges，wasnewtoJerry。InallhisrangingofSomo，becauseitwassounusualapath，hehadneverdiscoveredit。TheunbendingofAgno，thustoleadhim，wasasurpriseandadelighttoJerry，who，withoutreasoningaboutit，inavaguewayfeltthepreliminarysensationsthatpossiblyAgno，inasmallway，mightprovethemasterwhichhisdog’ssoulcontinuallysought。
Emergingfromtheswampofmangroves，abruptlytheycameuponapatchofsand，stillsosaltandinhospitablefromthesea’sdepositthatnogreattreesrootedandinterposedtheirbranchesbetweenitandthesun’sheat。Aprimitivegategaveentrance，butAgnodidnottakeJerrythroughit。Instead，withweirdlittlechirrupingsofencouragementandexcitation，hepersuadedJerrytodigatunnelbeneaththerudepalisadeoffence。Hehelpedwithhisownhands，draggingoutthesandinquantities，butimposingonJerrytheleavingoftheindubitablemarksofadog’spawsandclaws。
And，whenJerrywasinside，Agno，passingthroughthegate，enticedandseducedhimintodiggingouttheeggs。ButJerryhadnotasteoftheeggs。EightofthemAgnosuckedraw，andtwoofthemhetuckedwholeintohisarm—pitstotakebacktohishouseofthedevildevils。Theshellsoftheeighthesuckedhebroketofragmentsasadogmightbreakthem，and，tobuildthepicturehehadlongvisioned，oftheeighthegghereservedatinyportionwhichhespread，notonJerry’sjowlswherehistonguecouldhaveerasedit，buthighupabouthiseyesandabovethem，whereitwouldremainandstandwitnessagainsthimaccordingtotheplothehadplanned。
Evenworse，inhighpriestlysacrilege，heencouragedJerrytoattackamegapodehenintheactoflaying。And，whileJerryslewit，knowingthatthelustofkilling，oncestarted，wouldleadhimtocontinuekillingthesillybirds，Agnoleftthelaying—yardtohot—footitthroughthemangroveswampandpresenttoBashtianecclesiasticalquandary。Thetabooofthedog，asheexpoundedit，hadpreventedhimfrominterferingwiththetaboodogwhenitatethetabooegg—layers。Whichtaboomightbethegreaterwasbeyondhim。AndBashti，whohadnottastedamegapodeegginhalfayear，andwhowaskeenfortheonerecrudescentthrillofremoteyouthstilllefttohim，ledthewaybackacrossthemangroveswampatsoprodigiousapaceasquitetowindhishighpriestwhowasmanyyearsyoungerthanhe。
Andhearrivedatthelaying—yardandcaughtJerry，red—pawedandred—mouthed，inthemidstofhisfourthkillofanegg—layer，therawyellowyolkoftheportionofoneegg，plasteredbyAgnotorepresentmanyeggs，stillabouthiseyesandabovehiseyestothebulgeofhisforehead。InvainBashtilookedaboutforoneegg，thesixmonths’hungerstrongerthaneveruponhiminthethickofthedisaster。AndJerry，undertheconsentandencouragementofAgno，waggedhistailtoBashtiinabidforrecognition，ofprowess，andlaughedwithhisred—drippingjowlsandyellowplasteredeyes。
Bashtididnotrageashewouldhavedonehadhebeenalone。Beforetheeyesofhischiefpriesthedisdainedtolowerhimselftosuchcommonnessofhumanity。Thusitisalwayswiththoseinthehighplaces，evertemporisingwiththeirnaturaldesires，evermaskingtheirordinarinessunderashowofdisinterest。SoitwasthatBashtidisplayednovexationatthedisappointmenttohisappetite。
Agnowasashadelesscontrolled，forhecouldnotquitechaseawaytheeagerlightinhiseyes。Bashtiglimpseditandmistookitforsimplecuriosityofobservationnotguessingitsrealnature。Whichgoestoshowtwothingsofthoseinthehighplace：one，thattheymayfoolthosebeneaththem；theother，thattheymaybefooledbythosebeneaththem。
BashtiregardedJerryquizzically，asifthematterwereajoke，andshotacarelesssideglancetonotethedisappointmentinhispriest’seyes。Ah，ha，thoughtBashti；Ihavefooledhim。
"Whichisthehightaboo？"AgnoqueriedintheSomotongue。
"Asyoushouldask。Ofasurety，themegapode。"
"Andthedog？"wasAgno’snextquery。
"Mustpayforbreakingthetaboo。Itisahightaboo。Itismytaboo。ItwassoplacedbySomo，theancientfatherandfirstrulerofallofus，andithasbeeneversincethetabooofthechiefs。
Thedogmustdie。"
Hepausedandconsideredthematter，whileJerryreturnedtodiggingthesandwherethescentwasauspicious。Agnomadetostophim，butBashtiinterposed。
"Letbe，"hesaid。"Letthedogconvicthimselfbeforemyeyes。"
AndJerrydid，uncoveringtwoeggs，breakingthemandlappingthatportionoftheirpreciouscontentswhichwasnotspilledandwastedinthesand。Bashti’seyeswerequitelack—lustreasheasked"Thefeastofdogsforthemenisto—day？"
"To—morrow，atmidday，"Agnoanswered。"Alreadyarethedogscomingin。Therewillbeatleastfiftyofthem。"
"Fiftyandone，"wasBashti’sverdict，ashenoddedatJerry。
ThepriestmadeaquickmovementofimpulsetocaptureJerry。
"Whynow？"thechiefdemanded。"Youwillbuthavetocarryhimthroughtheswamp。Lethimtrotbackonhisownlegs，andwhenheisbeforethecanoehousetiehislegsthere。"
Acrosstheswampandapproachingthecanoehouse，Jerry，trottinghappilyattheheelsofthetwomen，heardthewailingandsorrowingofmanydogsthatspeltunmistakablewoeandpain。Hedevelopedinstantsuspicionthatwas，however，withoutdirectapprehensionforhimself。Andatthatmoment，hisearscockedforwardandhisnosequestingforfurtherinformationinthematter，BashtiseizedhimbythenapeoftheneckandheldhimintheairwhileAgnoproceededtotiehislegs。
Nowhimper，norsound，norsignoffear，camefromJerry——onlychokinggrowlsofferociousness，intermingledwithsnarlsofanger，andabelligerentup—clawingofhind—legs。Butadog，clutchedbytheneckfromtheback，canneverbeamatchfortwomen，giftedwiththeintelligenceanddeftnessofmen，eachofthemtwo—handedwithfourfingersandanopposablethumbtoeachhand。
Hisfore—legsandhind—legstiedlengthwiseandcrosswise，hewascarriedhead—downwardtheshortdistancetotheplaceofslaughterandcooking，andflungtotheearthinthemidstofthescoreormoreofdogssimilarlytiedandhelpless。Althoughitwasmid—
afternoon，anumberofthemhadsolainsinceearlymorninginthehotsun。Theywereallbushdogsorwild—dogs，andsosmallwastheircouragethattheirthirstandphysicalpainfromcordsdrawntootightacrossveinsandarteries，andtheirdimapprehensionofthefatesuchtreatmentforeboded，ledthemtowhimperandwailandhowltheirdespairandsuffering。
ThenextthirtyhourswerebadhoursforJerry。Thewordhadgoneforthimmediatelythatthetabooonhimhadbeenremoved，andofthemenandboysnonewassolowastodohimreverence。Abouthim，tillnight—fall，persistedacircleofteasersandtormenters。Theyharanguedhimforhisfall，sneeredandjeeredathim，rootedhimaboutcontemptuouslywiththeirfeet，madeahollowinthesandoutofwhichhecouldnotrollanddespositedhiminitonhisback，hisfourtiedlegsstickingignominiouslyintheairabovehim。
Andallhecoulddowasgrowlandragehishelplessness。For，unliketheotherdogs，hewouldnothowlorwhimperhispain。A
yearoldnow，thelastsixmonthshadgonefartowardmaturinghim，anditwasthenatureofhisbreedtobefearlessandstoical。And，muchashehadbeentaughtbyhiswhitemasterstohateanddespiseniggers，helearnedinthecourseofthesethirtyhoursanespeciallybitterandundyinghatred。
Historturersstoppedatnothing。Eventheybroughtwild—dogandsethimuponJerry。Butitwascontrarytowild—dog’snaturetoattackanenemythatcouldnotmove，eveniftheenemywasJerrywhohadsooftenbulliedhimandrolledhimonthedeck。HadJerry，withabrokenlegorso，stillretainedpowerofmovement，thenhewouldhavemauledhim，perhapstodeath。Butthisutterhelplessnesswasdifferent。Sotheexpectedshowprovedafailure。
WhenJerrysnarledandgrowled，wild—dogsnarledandgrowledbackandstruttedandbulliedaroundhim，himtopersuasionoftheblackscouldinducebutnosinkhisteethintoJerry。
Thekilling—groundbeforethecanoehousewasabedlamofhorror。
Fromtimetotimemorebounddogswerebroughtinandflungdown。
Therewasacontinuoushowling，especiallycontributedtobythosewhichhadlaininthesunsinceearlymorningandhadnowater。Attimes，alljoinedin，thecontrolofthequietestbreakingdownbeforethewaveofexcitementandfearthatsweptspasmodicallyoverallofthem。Thishowling，risingandfalling，butneverceasing，continuedthroughoutthenight，andbymorningallweresufferingfromtheintolerablethirst。
Thesunblazingdownupontheminthewhitesandandalmostparboilingthem，broughtanythingbutrelief。ThecircleoftorturersformedaboutJerryagain，andagainwaswreakeduponhimallabusivecontemptforhavinglosthistaboo。WhatdroveJerrythemaddestwerenottheblowsandphysicaltorment，butthelaughter。Nodogenjoysbeinglaughedat，andJerry，leastofall，couldrestrainhiswrathwhentheyjeeredhimandcackledcloseinhisface。
Althoughhehadnothowledonce，hissnarlingandgrowling，combinedwithhisthirst，hadhoarsenedhisthroatanddriedthemucousmembranesofhismouthsothathewasincapable，exceptunderthesheerestprovocation，offurthersound。Histonguehungoutofhismouth，andtheeighto’clocksunbeganslowlytoburnit。
Itwasatthistimethatoneoftheboyscruellyoutragedhim。HerolledJerryoutofthehollowinwhichhehadlainallnightonhisback，turnedhimoveronhisside，andpresentedtohimasmallcalabashfilledwithwater。Jerrylappeditsofanaticallythatnotforhalfaminutedidhebecomeawarethattheboyhadsqueezedintoitmanyhotseedsofriperedpeppers。Thecircleshriekedwithglee，andwhatJerry’sthirsthadbeenbeforewasasnothingcomparedwiththisnewthirsttowhichhadbeenaddedthestingingagonyofpepper。
Nextinevent，andamostimportanteventitwastoprove，cameNalasu。Nalasuwasanoldmanofthree—scoreyears，andhewasblind，walkingwithalargestaffwithwhichheproddedhispath。
Inhisfreehandhecarriedasmallpigbyitstiedlegs。
"Theysaythewhitemaster’sdogistobeeaten，"hesaidintheSomospeech。"Whereisthewhitemaster’sdog？Showhimtome。"
Agno，whohadjustarrived，stoodbesidehimashebentoverJerryandexaminedhimwithhisfingers。NordidJerryoffertosnarlorbite，althoughtheblindman’shandscamewithinreachofhisteethmorethanonce。ForJerrysensednoenmityinthefingersthatpassedsosoftlyoverhim。Next，Nalasufeltoverthepig，andseveraltimes，asifcalculating，alternatedbetweenJerryandthepig。
Nalasustoodupandvoicedjudgment：
"Thepigisassmallasthedog。Theyareofasize，butthepighasmoremeatonitfortheeating。TakethepigandIshalltakethedog。"
"Nay，"saidAgno。"Thewhitemaster’sdoghasbrokenthetaboo。Itmustbeeaten。Takeanyotherdogandleavethepig。Takeabigdog。"
"Iwillhavethewhitemaster’sdog，"Nalasupersisted。"Onlythewhitemaster’sdogandnoother。"
ThematterwasatadeadlockwhenBashtichanceduponthesceneandstoodlistening。
"Takethedog，Nalasu，"hesaidfinally。"Itisagoodpig，andI
shallmyselfeatit。"
"Buthehasbrokenthetaboo，yourgreattabooofthelaying—yard，andmustgototheeating，"Agnointerposedquickly。
Tooquickly，Bashtithought，whileavaguesuspicionaroseinhismindofheknewnotwhat。
"Thetaboomustbepaidinbloodandcooking，"Agnocontinued。
"Verywell，"saidBashti。"Ishalleatthesmallpig。Letitsthroatbecutanditsbodyknowthefire。"
"Ibutspeakthelawofthetaboo。Lifemustpayforthebreaking。"
"Thereisanotherlaw，"Bashtigrinned。"LonghasitbeensinceeverSomobuiltthesewallsthatlifemaybuylife。"
"Butoflifeofmanandlifeofwoman，"Agnoqualified。
"Iknowthelaw，"Bashtiheldsteadilyon。"Somomadethelaw。
Neverhasitbeensaidthatanimallifemaynotbuyanimallife。"
"Ithasneverbeenpractised，"wasthedevildevildoctor’sfling。
"Andforreasonenough，"theoldchiefretorted。"Neverbeforehasamanbeenfoolenoughtogiveapigforadog。Itisayoungpig，anditisfatandtender。Takethedog，Nalasu。Takethedognow。"
Butthedevildevildoctorwasnotsatisfied。
"Asyousaid，OBashti，inyourverygreatwisdom，heistheseeddogofstrengthandcourage。Lethimbeslain。Whenhecomesfromthefire，hisbodyshallbedividedintomanysmallpiecessothateverymanmayeatofhimandtherebygethisportionofstrengthandcourage。BetterisitforSomothatitsmenbestrongandbraveratherthanitsdogs。"
ButBashtiheldnoangeragainstJerry。Hehadlivedtoolongandtoophilosophicallytolayblameonadogforbreakingataboowhichitdidnotknow。Ofcourse，dogsoftenwereslainforbreakingthetaboos。Butheallowedthistobedonebecausethedogsthemselvesinnowiseinterestedhim，andbecausetheirdeathsemphasizedthesacrednessofthetaboo。Further，Jerryhadmorethanslightlyinterestedhim。Often，since，JerryhadattackedhimbecauseofVanHorn’shead，hehadponderedtheincident。Bafflingasitwas，asallmanifestationsoflifewerebaffling，ithadgivenhimfoodforthought。ThentherewashisadmirationforJerry’scourageandthatinexplicablesomethinginhimthatpreventedhimcryingoutfromthepainofthestick。And，withoutthinkingofitasbeauty，thebeautyoflineandcolourofJerryhadinsensiblypenetratedhimwithasenseofpleasantness。Itwasgoodtolookupon。
TherewasanotherangletoBashti’sconduct。Hewonderedwhyhisdevildevildoctorsoearnestlydesiredameredog’sdeath。Thereweremanydogs。Thenwhythisparticulardog？Thattheweightofsomethingwasontheother’smindwaspatent，althoughwhatitwasBashticouldnotgauge，guess——unlessitmightberevengeincubatedthedayhehadpreventedAgnofromeatingthedog。Ifsuchwerethecase，itwasastateofmindhecouldnottolerateinanyofhistribespeople。Butwhateverwasthemotive，guardingashealwaysdidagainsttheunknown，hethoughtitwelltodisciplinehispriestanddemonstrateonceagainwhosewordwasthelastwordinSomo。
WhereforeBashtireplied：
"Ihavelivedlongandeatenmanypigs。Whatmanmaydaresaythatthemanypigshaveenteredintomeandmademeapig？"
Hepausedandcastachallengingeyearoundthecircleofhisaudience；butnomanspoke。Instead，somemengrinnedsheepishlyandwererestlessontheirfeet，whileAgno’sexpressionadvertisedsturdyunbeliefthattherewasanythingpig—likeabouthischief。
"Ihaveeatenmuchfish，"Bashticontinued。"Neverhasonescaleofafishgrownoutonmyskin。Neverhasagillappearedonmythroat。Asyouallknow，bythelooking，neverhaveIsproutedonefinoutofmybackbone。——Nalasu，takethedog。——Aga，carrythepigtomyhouse。Ishalleatitto—day。——Agno，letthekillingofthedogsbeginsothatthecanoe—menshalleatatduetime。"
Then，asheturnedtogo，helapsedintobeche—de—merEnglishandflungsternlyoverhisshoulder，"Myword，youmake’mmecrossalongyou。"
CHAPTERXVII
AsblindNalasuslowlyploddedaway，withonehandtappingthepathbeforehimandwiththeothercarryingJerryhead—downwardsuspendedbyhistiedlegs，Jerryheardasuddenincreaseinthewildhowlingofthedogsasthekillingbeganandtheyrealizedthatdeathwasuponthem。
But，unliketheboyLamai，whohadknownnobetter，theoldmandidnotcarryJerryallthewaytohishouse。Atthefirststreampouringdownbetweenthelowhillsoftherisingland，hepausedandputJerrydowntodrink。AndJerryknewonlythedelightofthewetcoolnessonhistongue，allabouthismouth，anddownhisthroat。
Nevertheless，inhissubconsciousnesswasbeingplantedtheimpressionthat，kinderthanLamai，thanAgno，thanBashti，thiswasthekindestblackhehadencounteredinSomo。
Whenhehaddrunktillforthemomenthecoulddrinknomore，hethankedNalasuwithhistongue——notwarmlynorecstaticallyashaditbeenSkipper’shand，butwithduegratefulnessforthelife—
givingdraught。Theoldmanchuckledinapleasedway，rolledJerry’sparchedbodyintothewater，and，keepinghisheadabovethesurface，rubbedthewaterintohisdryskinandlethimliethereforlongblissfulminutes。
FromthestreamtoNalasu’shouse，agoodlydistance，Nalasustillcarriedhimwithboundlegs，althoughnothead—downwardbutclaspedinonearmagainsthischest。Hisideawastolovethedogtohim。
ForNalasu，havingsatinthelonelydarkformanyyears，hadthoughtfarmoreabouttheworldaroundhimandknewitfarbetterthanhadhebeenabletoseeit。Forhisownspecialpurposehehadneedofadog。Severalbushdogshehadtried，buttheyhadshownlittleappreciationofhiskindnessandhadinvariablyrunaway。
Thelasthadremainedlongestbecausehehadtreateditwiththegreatestkindness，butrunawayithadbeforehehadtrainedittohispurpose。Butthewhitemaster’sdog，hehadheard，wasdifferent。Itneverranawayinfear，whileitwassaidtobemoreintelligentthanthedogsofSomo。
TheinventionLamaihadmadeoftyingJerrywithastickhadbeennoisedabroadinthevillage，andbyastick，inNalasu’shouse，Jerryfoundhimselfagaintied。Butwithadifference。Neveroncewastheblindmanimpatient，whilehespenthourseachdayinsquattingonhishamsandpettingJerry。Yet，hadhenotdonethis，Jerry，whoatehisfoodandwhowasgrowingaccustomedtochanginghismasters，wouldhaveacceptedNalasuformaster。Further，itwasfairlydefiniteinJerry’smind，afterthedevildevildoctor’styinghimandflinginghimamongsttheotherhelplessdogsonthekilling—ground，thatallmastershipofAgnohadceased。AndJerry，whohadneverbeenwithoutamastersincehisfirstdaysintheworld，felttheimperativeneedofamaster。
Soitwas，whenthedaycamethatthestickwasuntiedfromhim，thatJerryremained，voluntarilyinNalasu’shouse。Whentheoldmanwassatisfiedtherewouldbenorunningaway，hebeganJerry’straining。Byslowdegreesheadvancedthetraininguntilhoursadayweredevotedtoit。
FirstofallJerrylearnedanewnameforhimself，whichwasBao，andhewastaughttorespondtoitfromanever—increasingdistancenomatterhowsoftlyitwasuttered，andNalasucontinuedtoutteritmoresoftlyuntilitnolongerwasaspokenword，butawhisper。
Jerry’searswerekeen，butNalasu’s，fromlonguse，werealmostaskeen。
Further，Jerry’sownhearingwastrainedtostillgreateracuteness。
Hoursatatime，sittingbyNalasuorstandingapartfromhim，hewastaughttocatchtheslightestsoundsorrustlingsfromthebush。
Stillfurther，hewastaughttodifferentiatebetweenthebushnoisesandbetweenthewayshegrowledwarningstoNalasu。IfarustletookplacethatJerryidentifiedasapigorachicken，hedidnotgrowlatall。Ifhedidnotidentifythenoise，hegrowledfairlysoftly。Butifthenoiseweremadebyamanorboywhomovedsoftlyandthereforesuspiciously，Jerrylearnedtogrowlloudly；ifthenoisewereloudandcareless，thenJerry’sgrowlwassoft。
ItneverenteredJerry’smindtoquestionwhyhewastaughtallthis。Hemerelydiditbecauseitwasthislatestmaster’sdesirethatheshould。Allthis，andmuchmore，atacostofinterminabletimeandpatience，Nalasutaughthim，andmuchmorehetaughthim，increasinghisvocabularysothat，atadistance，theycouldholdquickandsharplydefiniteconversations。
Thus，atfiftyfeetaway，Jerrywould"Whuff！"softlytheinformationthattherewasanoisehedidnotknow；andNalasu，withdifferentsibilances，wouldhisstohimtostandstill，towhuffmoresoftly，ortokeepsilent，ortocometohimnoiselessly，ortogointothebushandinvestigatethesourceofthestrangenoise，or，barkingloudly，torushandattackit。
Perhaps，iffromtheoppositedirectionNalasu’ssharpearsalonecaughtastrangesound，hewouldaskJerryifhehadheardit。AndJerry，alerttohistoestolisten，byanalterationinthequantityorqualityofhiswhuff，wouldtellNalasuthathedidnothear；
next，thathedidhear；and，perhapsfinally，thatitwasastrangedog，orawood—rat，oraman，oraboy——allinthesoftestofsoundsthatwerescarcelymorethanbreath—exhalations，allmonosyllables，averitableshorthandofspeech。
Nalasuwasastrangeoldman。Helivedbyhimselfinasmallgrasshouseontheedgeofthevillage。Thenearesthousewasquiteadistanceaway，whilehisownstoodinaclearinginthethickjunglewhichapproachednowherenearerthansixtyfeet。Also，thisclearedspacehekeptcontinuallyfreefromthefast—growingvegetation。Apparentlyhehadnofriends。Atleastnovisitorsevercametohisdwelling。Yearshadpassedsincehediscouragedthelast。Further，hehadnokindred。Hiswifewaslongsincedead，andhisthreesons，notyetmarried，inaforaybehindtheboundsofSomohadlosttheirheadsinthejunglerunwaysofthehigherhillsandbeendevouredbytheirbushmanslayers。
Forablindmanhewasverybusy。Heaskedfavourofnooneandwasself—supporting。Inhishouse—clearinghegrewyams，sweetpotatoes，andtaro。Inanotherclearing——becauseitwashispolicytohavenotreesclosetohishouse——hehadplantains，bananas，andhalfadozencoconutpalms。Fruitsandvegetablesheexchangeddowninthevillageformeatandfishandtobacco。
HespentagoodportionofhistimeonJerry’seducation，and，onoccasion，wouldmakebowsandarrowsthatweresoesteemedbyhistribespeopleastocommandasteadysale。Scarcelyadaypassedinwhichhedidnothimselfpractisewithbowandarrow。Heshotonlybydirectionofsound；andwheneveranoiseorrustlewasheardinthejungle，andwhenJerryhadinformedhimofitsnature，hewouldshootanarrowatit。ThenitwasJerry’sdutycautiouslytoretrievethearrowhaditmissedthemark。
AcuriousthingaboutNalasuwasthathesleptnomorethanthreehoursinthetwenty—four，thatheneversleptatnight，andthathisbriefdaylightsleepnevertookplaceinthehouse。Hiddeninthethickestpartoftheneighbouringjunglewasasortofnesttowhichlednopath。Heneverenterednorleftbythesameway，sothatthetropicgrowthontherichsoil，beingsorarelytrodupon，everobliteratedtheslightestsignofhishavingpassedthatway。
Wheneverheslept，Jerrywastrainedtoremainonguardandnevertogotosleep。
ReasonenoughtherewasandtospareforNalasu’sinfiniteprecaution。Theoldestofhisthreesonshadslainone，Ao，inaquarrel。AohadbeenoneofsixbrothersofthefamilyofAnnowhichdweltinoneoftheuppervillages。AccordingtoSomolaw，theAnnofamilywasprivilegedtocollecttheblood—debtfromtheNalasufamily，buthadbeenbalkedofitbythedeathsofNalasu’sthreesonsinthebush。And，sincetheSomocodewasalifeforalife，andsinceNalasualoneremainedaliveofhisfamily，itwaswellknownthroughoutthetribethattheAnnoswouldneverbecontentuntiltheyhadtakentheblindman’slife。
ButNalasuhadbeenfamousasagreatfighter，aswellashavingbeentheprogenitorofthreesuchwarlikesons。TwicehadtheAnnossoughttocollect，thefirsttimewhileNalasustillretainedhiseyesight。Nalasuhaddiscoveredtheirtrap，circledaboutit，andintherearencounteredandslainAnnohimself，thefather，thusdoublingtheblood—debt。
Thenhadcomehisaccident。Whilerefillingmany—timesusedSnidercartridges，anexplosionofblackpowderputoutbothhiseyes。
Immediatelythereafter，whilehesatnursinghiswounds，theAnnoshaddescendeduponhim——justwhathehadexpected。Andforwhichhehadmadeduepreparation。Thatnighttwounclesandanotherbrothersteppedonpoisonedthornsanddiedhorribly。ThusthesumoflivesowingtheAnnoshadincreasedtofive，withonlyablindmanfromwhomtocollect。
ThenceforththeAnnoshadfearedthethornstoogreatlytodareagain，althoughevertheirvindictivenesssmoulderedandtheylivedinhopeofthedaywhenNalasu’sheadshouldadorntheirridgepole。
Inthemeantimethestateofaffairswasnotthatofatrucebutofastalemate。Theoldmancouldnotproceedagainstthem，andtheywereafraidtoproceedagainsthim。NordidthedaycomeuntilafterJerry’sadoption，whenoneoftheAnnosmadeaninventionthelikeofwhichhadneverbeenknowninallMalaita。
CHAPTERXVIII
Meanwhilethemonthsslippedby，thesouth—easttradeblewitselfout，themonsoonhadbeguntobreathe，andJerryaddedtohimselfsixmonthsoftime，weight，stature，andthicknessofbone。Aneasytimehishalf—yearwiththeblindmanhadbeen，despitethefactthatNalasuwasarigiddisciplinarianwhoinsistedontrainingJerryforlongerhours，dayinanddayout，thanfallstothelotofmostdogs。NeverdidJerryreceivefromhimablow，neveraharshword。Thisman，whohadslainfouroftheAnnos，threeofthemafterhehadgoneblind，whohadslainstillmoremeninhissavageyouth，neverraisedhisvoiceinangertoJerryandruledhimbynothingsevererthanthegentlestofchidings。
Mentally，thepersistenteducationJerryreceived，inthisperiodoflatepuppyhood，fixedinhimincreasedbrainpowerforallhislife。
Possiblynodoginalltheworldhadeverbeensovocalashe，andforthreereasons：hisownintelligence，thegeniusforteachingthatwasNalasu’s，andthelonghoursdevotedtotheteaching。
Hisshorthandvocabulary，foradog，wasprodigious。Almostmightitbesaidthatheandthemancouldtalkbythehour，althoughfewandsimpleweretheabstractionstheycouldtalk；verylittleoftheimmediateconcretepast，andscarcelyanythingoftheimmediateconcretefuture，enteredintotheirconversations。JerrycouldnomoretellhimofMeringe，noroftheArangi，thancouldhetellhimofthegreatlovehehadborneSkipper，orofhisreasonforhatingBashti。Bythesametoken，NalasucouldnottellJerryoftheblood—feudwiththeAnnos，norofhowhehadlosthiseyesight。
Practicallyalltheirconversationwasconfinedtotheinstantpresent，althoughtheycouldcompassalittleoftheveryimmediatepast。NalasuwouldgiveJerryaseriesofinstructions，suchas，goingonascoutbyhimself，togotothenest，thencircleaboutitwidely，tocontinuetotheotherclearingwherewerethefruittrees，tocrossthejungletothemainpath，toproceeddownthemainpathtowardthevillagetillhecametothegreatbanyantree，andthentoreturnalongthesmallpathtoNalasuandNalasu’shouse。AllofwhichJerrywouldcarryouttotheletter，and，arrivedback，wouldmakereport。As，thus：atthenestnothingunusualsavethatabuzzardwasnearit；intheotherclearingthreecoconutshadfallentotheground——forJerrycouldcountunerringlyuptofive；betweentheotherclearingandthemainpathwerefourpigs；alongthemainpathhehadpassedadog，morethanfivewomen，andtwochildren；andonthesmallpathhomehehadnotedacockatooandtwoboys。
ButhecouldnottellNalasuhisstatesofmindandheartthatpreventedhimfrombeingfullycontentedinhispresentsituation。
ForNalasuwasnotawhite—god，butonlyamereniggergod。AndJerryhatedanddespisedallniggerssaveforthetwoexceptionsofLamaiandNalasu。Hetoleratedthem，and，forNalasu，hadevendevelopedaplacidandsweetaffection。Lovehimhedidnotandcouldnot。
Atthebest，theywereonlysecond—rategods，andhecouldnotforgetthegreatwhite—godssuchasSkipperandMisterHaggin，and，ofthesamebreed，DerbyandBob。Theyweresomethingelse，somethingother，somethingbetterthanallthisblacksavageryinwhichhelived。Theywereaboveandbeyond，inanunattainableparadisewhichhevividlyremembered，forwhichheyearned，buttowhichhedidnotknowtheway，andwhich，dimlysensingtheendingthatcomestoallthings，mighthavepassedintotheultimatenothingnesswhichhadalreadyovertakenSkipperandtheArangi。
InvaindidtheoldmanplaytogainJerry’sheartoflove。HecouldnotbidagainstJerry’smanyreservationsandmemories，althoughhedidwinabsolutefaithfulnessandloyalty。Notpassionately，ashewouldhavefoughttothedeathforSkipper，butdevotedlywouldhehavefoughttothedeathforNalasu。AndtheoldmanneverdreamedbutwhathehadwonallofJerry’sheart。
CamethedayoftheAnnos，whenoneofthemmadetheinvention，whichwasthick—plaitedsandalstoarmourthesolesoftheirfeetagainstthepoisonedthornswithwhichNalasuhadtakenthreeoftheirlives。Theday，intruth，wasthenight，ablacknight，anightsoblackunderacloud—palledskythatatree—trunkcouldnotbeseenaneighthofaninchbeyondone’snose。AndtheAnnosdescendedonNalasu’sclearing，adozenofthem，armedwithSniders，horsepistols，tomahawksandwarclubs，walkinggingerly，despitetheirthicksandals，becauseoffearofthethornswhichNalasunolongerplanted。
Jerry，sittingbetweenNalasu’skneesandnoddingsleepily，gavethefirstwarningtoNalasu，whosatoutsidehisdoor，wide—eyed，ear—
strung，ashehadsatthroughallthenightsofthemanyyears。Helistenedstillmoretenselythroughlongminutesinwhichheheardnothing，atthesametimewhisperingtoJerryforinformationandcommandinghimtobesoft—spoken；andJerry，withwhuffsandwhiffsandalltheshort—handbreath—exhalationsofspeechhehadbeentaught，toldhimthatmenapproached，manymen，morementhanfive。
Nalasureachedthebowbesidehim，strunganarrow，andwaited。Atlasthisownearscaughttheslightestofrustlings，nowhere，nowthere，advancinguponhiminthecircleofthecompass。Stillspeakingforsoftness，hedemandedverificationfromJerry，whoseneckhairrosebristlingunderNalasu’ssensitivefingers，andwho，bythistime，wasreadingthenightairwithhisnoseaswellashisears。AndJerry，assoftlyasNalasu，informedhimagainthatitwasmen，manymen，morementhanfive。
WiththepatienceofageNalasusatonwithoutmovement，until，closeathand，ontheveryedgeofthejungle，sixtyfeetaway，helocatedaparticularnoiseofaparticularman。Hestretchedhisbow，loosedthearrow，andwasrewardedbyagaspandagroanstrangelycommingled。FirstherestrainedJerryfromretrievingthearrow，whichheknewhadgonehome；andnexthefittedafresharrowtothebowstring。
Fifteenminutesofsilencepassed，theblindmanasifcarvenofstone，thedog，tremblingwitheagernessunderthearticulatetouchofhisfingers，obeyingthebiddingtomakenosound。ForJerry，aswellasNalasu，knewthatdeathrustledandlurkedintheencirclingdark。Againcameasoftnessofmovement，nearerthanbefore；butthespedarrowmissed。Theyhearditsimpactagainstatreetrunkbeyondandaconfusionofsmallsoundscausedbythetarget’shastyretreat。Next，afteratimeofsilence，NalasutoldJerrysilentlytoretrievethearrow。Hehadbeenwelltrainedandlongtrained，forwithnosoundeventoNalasu’searskeenerthanseeingmen’sears，hefollowedthedirectionofthearrow’simpactagainstthetreeandbroughtthearrowbackinhismouth。
AgainNalasuwaited，untiltherustlingsofafreshdrawing—inofthecirclecouldbeheard，whereuponNalasu，Jerryaccompanyinghim，pickedupallhisarrowsandmovedsoundlesslyhalf—wayaroundthecircle。Evenastheymoved，aSniderexplodedthatwasaimedinthegeneraldirectionofthespotjustvacated。
Andtheblindmanandthedog，frommidnighttodawn，successfullyfoughtofftwelvemenequippedwiththethunderofgunpowderandthewide—spreading，deep—penetrating，mushroombulletsofsoftlead。
Andtheblindmandefendedhimselfonlywithabowandahundredarrows。HedischargedmanyhundredsofarrowswhichJerryretrievedforhimandwhichhedischargedoverandover。ButJerryaidedvaliantlyandwell，addingtoNalasu’sacutehearinghisownacuterhearing，circlingnoiselesslyaboutthehouseandreportingwheretheattackpressedclosest。
MuchoftheirpreciouspowdertheAnnoswasted，fortheaffairwaslikeagameofinvisibleghosts。Neverwasanythingseensavetheflashesoftherifles。NeverdidtheyseeJerry，althoughtheybecamequicklyawareofhismovementsclosetothemashesearchedoutthearrows。Once，asoneofthemfeltforanarrowwhichhadnarrowlymissedhim，heencounteredJerry’sbackwithhishandandacknowledgedthesharpslashofJerry’steethwithawildyellofterror。TheytriedfiringatthetwangofNalasu’sbowstring，buteverytimeNalasufiredheinstantlychangedposition。Severaltimes，warnedofJerry’snearness，theyfiredathim，and，onceeven，washisnoseslightlypowderburned。
Whendaybroke，inthequicktropicgreythatmarkstheleapfromdarktosun，theAnnosretreated，whileNalasu，withdrawnfromthelightintohishouse，stillpossessedeightyarrows，thankstoJerry。ThenetresulttoNalasuwasonedeadmanandnotellinghowmanyarrow—prickedwoundedmenwhodraggedthemselvesaway。
AndhalfthedayNalasucrouchedoverJerry，fondlingandcaressinghimforwhathehaddone。Thenhewentabroad，Jerrywithhim，andtoldofthebattle。Bashtipaidhimavisiterethedaywasdone，andtalkedwithhimearnestly。
"Asanoldmantoanoldman，Italk，"wasBashti’sbeginning。"I
amolderthanyou，ONalasu；Ihaveeverbeenunafraid。YetneverhaveIbeenbraverthanyou。Iwouldthateverymanofthetribewereasbraveasyou。Yetdoyougivemegreatsorrow。Ofwhatworthareyourcourageandcunning，whenyouhavenoseedtomakeyourcourageandcunningliveagain？"
"Iamanoldman，"Nalasubegan。
"NotsooldasIam，"Bashtiinterrupted。"Nottoooldtomarrysothatyourseedwilladdstrengthtothetribe。"
"Iwasmarried，andlongmarried，andIfatheredthreebravesons。
Buttheyaredead。Ishallnotlivesolongasyou。Ithinkofmyyoungdaysaspleasantdreamsrememberedaftersleep。MoreIthinkofdeath，andtheend。OfmarriageIthinknotatall。Iamtoooldtomarry。Iamoldenoughtomakereadytodie，andagreatcuriousnesshaveIaboutwhatwillhappentomewhenIamdead。
WillIbeforeverdead？WillIliveagaininalandofdreams——ashadowofadreammyselfthatwillstillrememberthedayswhenI
livedinthewarmworld，thequickjuicesofhungerinmymouth，inthechestofthebodyofmetheloveofwoman？"
Bashtishruggedhisshoulders。
"Itoo，havethoughtmuchonthematter，"hesaid。"YetdoIarrivenowhere。Idonotknow。Youdonotknow。Wewillnotknowuntilwearedead，ifithappensthatweknowanythingwhenwhatwearewenolongerare。Butthisweknow，youandI：thetribelives。Thetribeneverdies。Wherefore，iftherebemeaningatalltoourliving，wemustmakethetribestrong。Yourworkinthetribeisnotdone。Youmustmarrysothatyourcunningandyourcourageliveafteryou。Ihaveawifeforyou——nay，twowives，foryourdaysareshortandIshallsurelylivetoseeyouhangwithmyfathersfromthecanoe—houseridgepole。"
"Iwillnotpayforawife，"Nalasuprotested。"Iwillnotpayforanywife。IwouldnotpayastickoftobaccooracrackedcoconutforthebestwomaninSomo。"
"Worrynot，"Bashtiwentonplacidly。"Ishallpayyouforthepriceofthewife，ofthetwowives。ThereisBubu。ForhalfacaseoftobaccoshallIbuyherforyou。Sheisbroadandsquare，round—legged，broad—hipped，withgenerousbreastsofrichness。
ThereisNena。Herfathersetsastiffpriceuponher——awholecaseoftobacco。Iwillbuyherforyouaswell。Yourtimeisshort。
Wemusthurry。"
"Iwillnotmarry，"theoldblindmanproclaimedhysterically。
"Youwill。Ihavespoken。"
"No，Isay，andsayagain，no，no，no，no。Wivesarenuisances。
Theyareyoungthings，andtheirheadsarefilledwithfoolishness。
Theirtonguesareloosewithidlenessofspeech。Iamold，Iamquietinmyways，thefiresoflifehavedepartedfromme，Iprefertositaloneinthedarkandthink。Chatteringyoungthingsaboutme，withnothingbutfoamandspumeintheirheads，ontheirtongues，woulddrivememad。Ofasuretytheywoulddrivememad——
somadthatIwillspitintoeveryclamshell，makefacesatthemoon，andbitemyveinsandhowl。"
"Andifyoudo，whatofit？Solongasyourseeddoesnotperish。
Ishallpayforthewivestotheirfathersandsendthemtoyouinthreedays。"
"Iwillhavenothingtodowiththem，"Nalasuassertedwildly。
"Youwill，"Bashtiinsistedcalmly。"Becauseifyoudonotyouwillhavetopayme。Itwillbeasore，harddebt。Iwillhaveeveryjointofyouunhingedsothatyouwillbelikeajelly—fish，likeafatpigwiththebonesremoved，andIwillthenstakeyououtinthemidmostcentreofthedog—killinggroundtoswellinpainunderthesun。AndwhatisleftofyouIshallflingtothedogstoeat。
YourseedshallnotperishoutofSomo。I，Bashti，sotellyou。InthreedaysIshallsendtoyouyourtwowives……"
Hepaused，andalongsilencefelluponthem。
"Well？"Bashtireiterated。"Itiswivesorstakingoutunhingedinthesun。Youchoose，butthinkwellbeforeyouchoosetheunhinging。"
"Atmyage，withallthevexationsofyoungnesssofarbehindme！"
Nalasucomplained。
"Choose。Youwillfindthereisvexation，andlivelinessandmuchofit，inthecentreofthedog—killingyardwhenthesuncooksyoursorejointstillthegreaseoftheleannessofyoububbleslikethetenderfatofacookedsucking—pig。"
"Thensendmethewives，"Nalasumanagedtoutterafteralongpause。"Butsendtheminthreedays，notintwo，norto—morrow。"
"Itiswell，"Bashtinoddedgravely。"Youhavelivedatallonlybecauseofthosebeforeyou，nowlonginthedark，whoworkedsothatthetribemightliveandyoumightcometobe。Youare。Theypaidthepriceforyou。Itisyourdebt。Youcameintobeingwiththisdebtuponyou。Youwillpaythedebtbeforeyoupassoutofbeing。Itisthelaw。Itisverywell。"
CHAPTERXIX
AndhadBashtihasteneddeliveryofthewivesbyoneday，orbyeventwodays，Nalasuwouldhaveenteredthefeared，purgatoryofmatrimony。ButBashtikepthisword，andonthethirddaywastoobusy，withamoremomentousproblem，todeliverBubuandNenatotheblindoldmanwhoapprehensivelywaitedtheircoming。ForthemorningofthethirddayallthesummitsofleewardMalaitasmokedintospeech。Awarshipwasonthecoast——sothetaleran；abigwarshipthatwasheadinginthroughthereefislandsatLanga—Langa。
Thetalegrew。ThewarshipwasnotstoppingatLanga—Langa。ThewarshipwasnotstoppingatBinu。ItwasdirectingitscoursetowardSomo。
Nalasu，blind，couldnotseethissmokespeechwrittenintheair。
Becauseoftheisolationofhishouse，noonecameandtoldhim。
Hisfirstwarningwaswhenshrillvoicesofwomen，criesofchildren，andwailingsofbabesinnamelessfearcametohimfromthemainpaththatledfromthevillagetotheuplandboundariesofSomo。Hereadonlyfearandpanicfromthesounds，deducedthatthevillagewasfleeingtoitsmountainfastnesses，butdidnotknowthecauseoftheflight。
HecalledJerrytohimandinstructedhimtoscouttothegreatbanyantree，whereNalasu’spathandthemainpathjoined，andtoobserveandreport。AndJerrysatunderthebanyantreeandobservedtheflightofallSomo。Men，women，andchildren，theyoungandtheaged，babesatbreastandpatriarchsleaningonsticksandstaffspassedbeforehiseyes，betrayingthegreatesthasteandalarm。Thevillagedogswereasfrightened，whimperingandwhiningastheyran。AndthecontagionofterrorwasstronguponJerry。Heknewtheprodofimpulsetojoininthisrushawayfromsomeunthinkablycatastrophiceventthatimpendedandthatstirredhisintuitiveapprehensionsofdeath。Buthemasteredtheimpulsewithhissenseofloyaltytotheblindmanwhohadfedhimandcaressedhimforalongsixmonths。
BackwithNalasu，sittingbetweenhisknees，hemadehisreport。Itwasimpossibleforhimtocountmorethanfive，althoughheknewthefleeingpopulationnumberedmanytimesmorethanfive。Sohesignifiedfivemen，andmore；fivewomen，andmorefivechildren，andmore；fivebabies，andmore；fivedogs，andmore——evenofpigsdidheannouncefiveandmore。Nalasu’searstoldhimthatitwasmany，manytimesmore，andheaskedfornames。JerryknowthenamesofBashti，ofAgno，andofLamai，andLumai。Hedidnotpronouncethemwiththeslightestofresemblancetotheircustomarysoundings，butpronouncedtheminthewhiff—whuffofshorthandspeechthatNalasuhadtaughthim。
NalasunamedovermanyothernamesthatJerryknewbyearbutcouldnothimselfevokeinsound，andheansweredyestomostofthembysimultaneouslynoddinghisheadandadvancinghisrightpaw。Tosomenamesheremainedwithoutmovementintokenthathedidnotknowthem。Andtoothernames，whichherecognized，buttheownersofwhichhehadnotseen，heanswerednobyadvancinghisleftpaw。
AndNalasu，beyondknowingthatsomethingterriblewasimpending——
somethinghorriblymoreterriblethananyforayofneighbouringsalt—watertribes，whichSomo，behindherwalls，couldeasilyfendoff，divinedthatitwasthelong—expectedpunitiveman—of—war。
Despitehisthree—scoreyears，hehadneverexperiencedavillageshelling。Hehadheardvaguetalkofwhathadhappenedinthematterofshell—fireinothervillages，buthehadnoconceptionofitsavethatitmustbe，bulletsonalargerscalethanSniderbulletsthatcouldbefiredcorrespondinglylongerdistancesthroughtheair。
Butitwasgiventohimtoknowshell—firebeforehedied。Bashti，whohadlongwaitedthecruiserthatwastoavengethedestructionoftheArangiandthetakingoftheheadsofthetwowhitemen，andwhohadlongcalculatedthedamagetobewrought，hadgiventhecommandtohispeopletofleetothemountains。Firstinthevanguard，bornebyadozenyoungmen，wenthismat—wrappedparcelsofheads。Thelastslowtrailersintherearoftheexoduswerejustpassing，andNalasu，hisbowandhiseightyarrowsclutchedtohim，Jerryathisheels，madehisfirststeptofollow，whentheairabovehimwasrentbyaprodigiousnessofsound。
Nalasusatdownabruptly。Itwashisfirstshell，anditwasathousandtimesmoreterriblethanhehadimagined。Itwasarip—
snorting，sky—splittingsoundasofacosmicfabricbeingtornasunderbetweenthehandsofsomepowerfulgod。Foralltheworlditwasliketheroughesttearingacrossofsheetsthatwerethickasblankets，thatwerebroadastheearthandwideasthesky。
Notonlydidhesitdownjustoutsidehisdoor，buthecrouchedhisheadtohiskneesandshieldeditwiththearchofhisarms。AndJerry，whohadneverheardshell—fire，muchlessimaginedwhatitwaslike，wasimpressedwiththeawfulnessofit。ItwastohimanaturalcatastrophesuchashadhappenedtotheArangiwhenshewasflungdownreelingonhersidebytheshoutingwind。But，truetohisnature，hedidnotcrouchdownundertheshriekofthatfirstshell。Onthecontrary，hebristledhishairandsnarledupwithmenacingteethatwhateverthethingwaswhichwassoenormouslypresentandyetinvisibletohiseyes。
Nalasucrouchedcloserwhentheshellburstbeyond，andJerrysnarledandrippledhishairafresh。Eachrepeatedhisactionswitheachfreshshell，for，whiletheyscreamednomoreloudly，theyburstinthejunglemoreclosely。AndNalasu，whohadlivedalonglifemostbravelyinthemidstofperilshehadknown，wasdestinedtodieacowardoutofhisfearofthethingunknown，thechemicallypropelledmissileofthewhitemasters。Asthedroppingshellsburstnearerandnearer，whatfinalself—controlhepossessedlefthim。Suchwashisutterpanicthathemightwellhavebittenhisveinsandhowled。Withalunaticscream，hesprangtohisfeetandrushedinsidethehouseasifforsoothitsgrassthatchcouldprotecthisheadfromsuchhugeprojectiles。Hecollidedwiththedoor—jamb，and，ereJerrycouldfollowhim，whirledaroundinapartcircleintothecentreofthefloorjustintimetoreceivethenextshellsquarelyuponhishead。
Jerryhadjustgainedthedoorwaywhentheshellexploded。Thehousewentintoflyingfragments，andNalasuflewintofragmentswithit。Jerry，inthedoorway，caughtintheout—draughtoftheexplosion，wasflungascoreoffeetaway。Allinthesamefractionofaninstant，earthquake，tidalwave，volcaniceruption，thethunderoftheheavensandthefire—flashingofanelectricboltfromtheskysmotehimandsmoteconsciousnessoutofhim。
Hehadnoconceptionofhowlonghelay。Fiveminutespassedbeforehislegsmadetheirfirstspasmodicmovements，and，ashestumbledtohisfeetandrockedgiddily，hehadnothoughtofthepassageoftime。Hehadnothoughtabouttimeatall。Asamatterofcourse，hisownidea，onwhichheproceededtoactwithoutbeingawareofit，wasthat，apartofasecondbefore，hehadbeenstruckaterrificblowmagnifiedincalculabletimesbeyondtheblowofastickatanigger’shands。
Histhroatandlungsfilledwiththepungentstiflingsmokeofpowder，hisnostrilswithearthanddust，hefranticallywheezedandsneezed，leapingabout，fallingdrunkenly，leapingintotheairagain，staggeringonhishind—legs，dabbingwithhisforepawsathisnosehead—downwardbetweenhisforelegs，andevenrubbinghisnoseintotheground。Hehadnothoughtforanythingsavetoremovethebitingpainfromhisnoseandmouth，thesuffocationfromhislungs。
Byamiraclehehadescapedbeingstruckbytheflyingsplintersofiron，and，thankstohisstrongheart，hadescapedbeingkilledbytheshockoftheexplosion。Notuntiltheendoffiveminutesofmadstruggling，inwhichhebehavedforalltheworldlikeabeheadedchicken，didhefindlifetolerableagain。Themaximumofstiflingandofagonypassed，and，althoughhewasstillweakandgiddy，hetotteredinthedirectionofthehouseandofNalasu。AndtherewasnohouseandnoNalasu——onlyadebrisintermingledofboth。
Whiletheshellscontinuedtoshriekandexplode，nownear，nowfar，Jerryinvestigatedthehappening。Assurelyasthehousewasgone，justassurelywasNalasugone。Uponbothhaddescendedtheultimatenothingness。Alltheimmediateworldseemeddoomedtonothingness。Lifepromisedonlysomewhereelse，inthehighhillsandremotebushwhitherthetribehadalreadyfled。Loyalhewastohissalt，tothemasterwhomhehadobeyedsolong，niggerthathewas，whosolonghadfedhim，andforwhomhehadentertainedatrueaffection。Butthismasternolongerwas。
RetreatJerrydid，buthewasnothastyinretreat。Foratimehesnarledateveryshell—screamintheairandeveryshell—burstinthebush。Butafteratime，whiletheawarenessofthemcontinueduncomfortablywithhim，thehaironhisneckremainedlaiddownandheneitherutteredasnarlnorbaredhisteeth。
Andwhenhepartedfromwhathadbeenandwhichhadceasedtobe，notlikethebushdogsdidhewhimperandrun。Instead，hetrottedalongthepathataregularanddignifiedpace。Whenheemergeduponthemainpath，hefounditdeserted。Thelastrefugeehadpassed。Thepath，alwaystravelledfromdaylighttodark，andwhichhehadsorecentlyseengluttedwithhumans，nowinitsemptinessaffectedhimprofoundlywiththeimpressionoftheendingnessofallthingsinaperishingworld。Soitwasthathedidnotsitdownunderthebanyantree，buttrottedalongatthefarrearofthetribe。
Withhisnosehereadthenarrativeoftheflight。Onlyoncedidheencounterwhatadvertiseditsterror。Itwasanentiregroupannihilatedbyashell。Therewere：anoldmanoffifty，withacrutchbecauseofthelegwhichhadbeenslashedoffbyasharkwhenhewasayoungboy；adeadMarywithadeadbabeatherbreastandadeadchildofthreeclutchingherhand；andtwodeadpigs，hugeandfat，whichthewomanhadbeenherdingtosafety。
AndJerry’snosetoldhimofhowthestreamofthefugitiveshadsplitandfloodedpastoneachsideandflowedtogetheragainbeyond。Incidentsoftheflighthedidencounter：apart—chewedjointofsugar—canesomechildhaddropped；aclaypipe，thestemshortfromsuccessivebreakages；asinglefeatherfromsomeyoungman’shair，andacalabash，fullofcookedyamsandsweetpotatoes，depositedcarefullybesidethetrailbysomeMaryforwhomitsweighthadprovedtoogreat。