\"Yes，liketheNorthAmericanIndian，whowasafarnoblertypethantheMelanesian。Theworldisonlysolarge，youknow，anditisfillingup——\"
\"Andtheunfitmustperish？\"
\"Preciselyso。Theunfitmustperish。\"
InthemorningJoanwasrousedbyagreatrowandhullabaloo。Herfirstactwastoreachforherrevolver，butwhensheheardNoaNoah，whowasonguard，laughingoutside，sheknewtherewasnodanger，andwentouttoseethefun。CaptainYounghadlandedSatanatthemomentwhenthebridge-buildingganghadstartedalongthebeach。Satanwasbigandblack，short-hairedandmuscular，andweighedfullyseventypounds。Hedidnotlovetheblacks。TommyJoneshadtrainedhimwell，tyinghimupdailyforseveralhoursandtellingoffoneortwoblackboysatatimetoteasehim。SoSatanhaditinforthewholeblackrace，andthesecondafterhelandedonthebeachthebridge-buildinggangwasstampedingoverthecompoundfenceandswarmingupthecocoanutpalms。
\"Goodmorning，\"Sheldoncalledfromtheveranda。\"Andwhatdoyouthinkofthenigger-chaser？\"
\"I\'mthinkingwehaveataskbeforeustotrainhimintothehouse-boys，\"shecalledback。
\"AndtoyourTahitians，too。Lookout，Noah!Runforit!\"
Satan，havingsatisfiedhimselfthatthetree-percheswereunassailable，waschargingstraightforthebigTahitian。
ButNoahstoodhisground，thoughsomewhatirresolutely，andSatan，toeveryone\'ssurprise，dancedandfriskedabouthimwithlaughingeyesandwaggingtail。
\"Now，thatiswhatImightcallaproperdog，\"wasJoan\'scomment。
\"Heisatleastwiserthanyou，Mr。Sheldon。Hedidn\'trequireanyteachingtorecognizethedifferencebetweenaTahitianandablackboy。Whatdoyouthink，Noah？Whydon\'thebiteyou？HesavveeyouTahitianeh？\"
NoaNoahshookhisheadandgrinned。
\"HenosavveemeTahitian，\"heexplained。\"Hesavveemewearpantsallthesamewhiteman。\"
\"You\'llhavetogivehimacoursein\'SartorResartus，\'\"Sheldonlaughed，ashecamedownandbegantomakefriendswithSatan。
ItchancedjustthenthatAdamuAdamandMatauare，twoofJoan\'ssailors，enteredthecompoundfromthefarside-gate。TheyhadbeendowntotheBalesunamakinganalligatortrap，and，insteadoftrousers，werecladinlava-lavasthatflappedgracefullyabouttheirstalwartlimbs。Satansawthem，andadvertisedhisfindbybreakingawayfromSheldon\'shandsandcharging。
\"Nogotpants，\"NoahannouncedwithagrinthatbroadenedasAdamuAdamtooktoflight。
Heclimbeduptheplatformthatsupportedthegalvanizedirontankswhichheldthewatercollectedfromtheroof。Foiledhere，SatanturnedandchargedbackonMatauare。
\"Run，Matauare!Run!\"Joancalled。
Butheheldhisgroundandwaitedthedog。
\"HeistheFearlessOne——thatiswhathisnamemeans，\"JoanexplainedtoSheldon。
TheTahitianwatchedSatancoolly，andwhenthatsanguine-mouthedcreatureliftedintotheairinthefinalleap，theman\'shandshotout。Itwasafairgriponthelowerjaw，andSatandescribedahalfcircleandwasflungtotherear，turningoverintheairandfallingheavilyonhisback。Threetimesheleaped，andthreetimesthatgriponhisjawflunghimtodefeat。ThenhecontentedhimselfwithtrottingatMatauare\'sheels，eyeinghimandsniffinghimsuspiciously。
\"It\'sallright，Satan；it\'sallright，\"Sheldonassuredhim。
\"Thatgoodfellabelongalongme。\"
ButSatandoggedtheTahitian\'smovementsforafullhourbeforehemadeuphismindthatthemanwasanappurtenanceoftheplace。
Thenheturnedhisattentiontothethreehouse-boys，corneringOrnfiriinthekitchenandrushinghimagainstthehotstove，strippingthelava-lavafromLalaperuwhenthatexcitedyouthclimbedaveranda-post，andfollowingViaburiontopthebilliard-
table，wherethebattlerageduntilJoanmanagedarescue。
CHAPTERIX——ASBETWEENAMANANDAWOMAN
ItwasSatan\'sinexhaustibleenergyandgoodspiritsthatmostimpressedthem。Histeethseemedperpetuallytoachewithdesire，andinlieuofblacklegshehuskedthecocoanutsthatfellfromthetreesinthecompound，kepttheenclosureclearofintrudinghens，andmadeahostileacquaintancewitheveryboss-boywhocametoreport。Hewasunabletoforgetthetormentofhispuppyhood，whereineverlastinghatredoftheblackhadbeenwovenintothefibresofconsciousness；andsuchaterrordidhemakehimselfthatSheldonwasforcedtoshuthimupinthelivingroomwhen，foranyreason，strangenativeswerepermittedinthecompound。ThisalwayshurtSatan\'sfeelingsandfannedhiswrath，sothateventhehouse-boyshadtowatchoutforhimwhenhewasfirstreleased。
ChristianYoungsailedawayintheMinerva，carryinganinvitationthatwouldbedeliverednobodyknewwhentoTommyJonestodropinatBerandethenexttimehewaspassing。
\"WhatareyourplanswhenyougettoSydney？\"Sheldonasked，thatnight，atdinner。
\"FirstI\'veheardthatI\'mgoingtoSydney，\"Joanretorted。\"I
supposeyou\'vereceivedinformation，bybush-telegraph，thatthatthirdassistantunderstrapperandex-sailormanatTulagiisgoingtodeportmeasanundesirableimmigrant。\"
\"Oh，no，nothingofthesort，Iassureyou，\"Sheldonbeganwithawkwardhaste，fearfulofhavingoffended，thoughheknewnothow。
\"Iwasjustwondering，thatwasall。Yousee，withthelossoftheschoonerand……andalltherest……youunderstand……Iwasthinkingthatif——a——if——hangitall，untilyoucouldcommunicatewithyourfriends，myagentsatSydneycouldadvanceyoualoan，temporaryyousee，whyI\'dbeonlytoogladandalltherest，youknow。Theproper——\"
Buthisjawdroppedandheregardedherirritablyandwithapprehension。
\"WhatISthematter？\"hedemanded，withashowofheat。\"WhatHAVE
Idonenow？\"
Joan\'seyeswerebrightwithbattle，thecurveofherlipssharpwithmockery。
\"Certainlynottheunexpected，\"shesaidquietly。\"Merelyignoredmeinyourordinary，every-day，man-god，superiorfashion。
Naturallyitcountedfornothing，mytellingyouthatIhadnoideaofgoingtoSydney。GotoSydneyImust，becauseyou，inyoursuperiorwisdom，havesodecreed。\"
Shepausedandlookedathimcuriously，asthoughheweresomestrangebreedofanimal。
\"OfcourseIamgratefulforyourofferofassistance；buteventhatisnosalvetowoundedpride。Forthatmatter，itisnomorethanonewhitemanshouldexpectfromanother。Shipwreckedmarinersarealwayshelpedalongtheirway。Onlythisparticularmarinerdoesn\'tneedanyhelp。Furthermore，thismarinerisnotgoingtoSydney，thankyou。\"
\"Butwhatdoyouintendtodo？\"
\"FindsomespotwhereIshallescapetheindignityofbeingpatronizedandbossedbythesuperiorsex。\"
\"Comenow，thatisputtingitabittoostrongly。\"Sheldonlaughed，butthestraininhisvoicedestroyedtheeffectofspontaneity。\"Youknowyourselfhowimpossiblethesituationis。\"
\"Iknownothingofthesort，sir。Andifitisimpossible，well，haven\'tIachievedit？\"
\"Butitcannotcontinue。Really——\"
\"Oh，yes，itcan。Havingachievedit，Icangoonachievingit。I
intendtoremainintheSolomons，butnotonBerande。To-morrowI
amgoingtotakethewhale-boatovertoPari-Sulay。IwastalkingwithCaptainYoungaboutit。Hesaysthereareatleastfourhundredacres，andeveryfootofitgoodforplanting。Beinganisland，hesaysIwon\'thavetobotheraboutwildpigsdestroyingtheyoungtrees。AllI\'llhavetodoistokeeptheweedshoeduntilthetreescomeintobearing。First，I\'llbuytheisland；
next，getfortyorfiftyrecruitsandstartclearingandplanting；
andatthesametimeI\'llrunupabungalow；andthenyou\'llberelievedofmyembarrassingpresence——nowdon\'tsaythatitisn\'t。\"
\"Itisembarrassing，\"hesaidbluntly。\"Butyourefusetoseemypointofview，sothereisnouseindiscussingit。Nowpleaseforgetallaboutit，andconsidermeatyourserviceconcerningthis……thisprojectofyours。Iknowmoreaboutcocoanut-
plantingthanyoudo。Youspeaklikeacapitalist。Idon\'tknowhowmuchmoneyyouhave，butIdon\'tfancyyouarerollinginwealth，asyouAmericanssay。ButIdoknowwhatitcoststoclearland。SupposethegovernmentsellsyouPari-Sulayatapoundanacre；clearingwillcostyouatleastfourpoundsmore；thatis，fivepoundsforfourhundredacres，or，say，tenthousanddollars。
Haveyouthatmuch？\"
Shewaskeenlyinterested，andhecouldseethatthepreviousclashbetweenthemwasalreadyforgotten。Herdisappointmentwasplainassheconfessed:
\"No；Ihaven\'tquiteeightthousanddollars。\"
\"Thenhere\'sanotherwayoflookingatit。You\'llneed，asyousaid，atleastfiftyboys。Notcountingpremiums，theirwagesarethirtydollarsayear。\"
\"IpaymyTahitiansfifteenamonth，\"sheinterpolated。
\"Theywon\'tdoonstraightplantationwork。Buttoreturn。Thewagesoffiftyboyseachyearwillcometothreehundredpounds——
thatis，fifteenhundreddollars。Verywell。Itwillbesevenyearsbeforeyourtreesbegintobear。Seventimesfifteenhundredistenthousandfivehundreddollars——morethanyoupossess，andalleatenupbytheboys\'wages，withnothingtopayforbungalow，building，tools，quinine，tripstoSydney，andsoforth。\"
Sheldonshookhisheadgravely。\"You\'llhavetoabandontheidea。\"
\"ButIwon\'tgotoSydney，\"shecried。\"Isimplywon\'t。I\'llbuyintotheextentofmymoneyasasmallpartnerinsomeotherplantation。LetmebuyininBerande!\"
\"Heavenforbid!\"hecriedinsuchgenuinedismaythatshebrokeintoheartylaughter。
\"There，Iwon\'tteaseyou。Really，youknow，I\'mnotaccustomedtoforcingmypresencewhereitisnotdesired。Yes，yes；Iknowyou\'rejustachingtopointoutthatI\'veforcedmyselfuponyoueversinceIlanded，onlyyouaretoopolitetosayso。Yetasyousaidyourself，itwasimpossibleformetogoaway，soIhadtostay。Youwouldn\'tletmegotoTulagi。Youcompelledmetoforcemyselfuponyou。ButIwon\'tbuyinaspartnerwithanyone。I\'llbuyPari-Sulay，butI\'llputonlytenboysonitandclearslowly。
Also，I\'llinvestinsomeoldketchandtakeoutatradinglicense。
Forthatmatter，I\'llgorecruitingonMalaita。\"
Shelookedforprotest，andfounditinSheldon\'sclenchedhandandineverylineofhisclean-cutface。
\"Goaheadandsayit，\"shechallenged。\"Pleasedon\'tmindme。
I\'m——I\'mgettingusedtoit，youknow。ReallyIam。\"
\"IwishIwereawomansoastotellyouhowpreposterouslyinsaneandimpossibleitis，\"heblurtedout。
Shesurveyedhimwithdeliberation，andsaid:
\"Betterthanthat，youareaman。Sothereisnothingtopreventyourtellingme，forIdemandtobeconsideredasaman。Ididn\'tcomedownheretotrailmywoman\'sskirtsovertheSolomons。
PleaseforgetthatIamaccidentallyanythingelsethanamanwithaman\'slivingtomake。\"
InwardlySheldonfumedandfretted。Wasshemakinggameofhim？
Ordidtherelurkinhertheinsidiousunhealthfulnessofunwomanliness？Orwasitmerelyacaseofblank，staring，sentimental，idioticinnocence？
\"Ihavetoldyou，\"hebeganstiffly，\"thatrecruitingonMalaitaisimpossibleforawoman，andthatisallIcaretosay——ordare。\"
\"AndItellyou，inturn，thatitisnothingofthesort。I\'vesailedtheMielehere，master，ifyouplease，allthewayfromTahiti——evenifIdidloseher，whichwasthefaultofyourAdmiraltycharts。Iamanavigator，andthatismorethanyourSolomonscaptainsare。CaptainYoungtoldmeallaboutit。AndI
amaseaman——abetterseamanthanyou，whenitcomesrightdowntoit，andyouknowit。Icanshoot。Iamnotafool。Icantakecareofmyself。AndIshallmostcertainlybuyaketch，runhermyself，andgorecruitingonMalaita。\"
Sheldonmadeahopelessgesture。
\"That\'sright，\"sherattledon。\"Washyourhandsofme。ButasVonusedtosay，\'Youjustwatchmysmoke!\'\"
\"There\'snouseindiscussingit。Letushavesomemusic。\"
Hearoseandwentovertothebigphonograph；butbeforethediscstarted，andwhilehewaswindingthemachine，heheardhersaying:
\"Isupposeyou\'vebeenaccustomedtoJaneEyresallyourlife。
That\'swhyyoudon\'tunderstandme。Comeon，Satan；let\'sleavehimtohisoldmusic。\"
Hewatchedhermoroselyandwithoutintentionofspeaking，tillhesawhertakeariflefromthestand，examinethemagazine，andstartforthedoor。
\"Whereareyougoing？\"heaskedperemptorily。
\"Asbetweenmanandwoman，\"sheanswered，\"itwouldbetooterribly——er——indecentforyoutotellmewhyIshouldn\'tgoalligatoring。Good-night。Sleepwell。\"
Heshutoffthephonographwithasnap，startedtowardthedoorafterher，thenabruptlyflunghimselfintoachair。
\"You\'rehopinga\'gatorcatchesme，aren\'tyou？\"shecalledfromtheveranda，andasshewentdownthestepsherripplinglaughterdriftedtantalizinglybackthroughthewidedoorway。
CHAPTERX——AMESSAGEFROMBOUCHER
ThenextdaySheldonwasleftallalone。JoanhadgoneexploringPari-Sulay，andwasnottobeexpectedbackuntilthelateafternoon。Sheldonwasvaguelyoppressedbyhisloneliness，andseveralheavysquallsduringtheafternoonbroughthimfrequentlyontotheveranda，telescopeinhand，toscantheseaanxiouslyforthewhale-boat。Betweenwhileshescowledovertheplantationaccount-books，maderoughestimates，addedandbalanced，andscowledtheharder。ThelossoftheJessiehadhitBerandeseverely。Notalonewashiscapitaldepletedbytheamountofhervalue，butherearningswerenolongertobereckonedon，anditwasherearningsthatlargelypaidtherunningexpensesoftheplantation。
\"PooroldHughie，\"hemutteredaloud，once。\"I\'mgladyoudidn\'tlivetoseeit，oldman。Whatacropper，whatacropper!\"
BetweensquallstheFlibberty-Gibbetranintoanchorage，andherskipper，PeteOlesonbrothertotheOlesonoftheJessie，ancient，grizzled，wild-eyed，emaciatedbyfever，draggedhiswearyframeuptheverandastepsandcollapsedinasteamer-chair。
Whiskyandsodakepthimgoingwhilehemadereportandturnedinhisaccounts。
\"You\'rerottenwithfever，\"Sheldonsaid。\"Whydon\'tyourundowntoSydneyforablowofdecentclimate？\"
Theoldskippershookhishead。
\"Ican\'t。I\'vebenintheislandstoolong。I\'ddie。Thefevercomesoutworsedownthere。\"
\"Killorcure，\"Sheldoncounselled。
\"It\'sstraightkillforme。Itrieditthreeyearsago。ThecoolweatherputmeonmybackbeforeIlanded。Theycarriedmeashoreandintohospital。Iwasunconsciousonestretchfortwoweeks。
Afterthatthedoctorssentmebacktotheislands——saiditwastheonlythingthatwouldsaveme。Well，I\'mstillalive；butI\'mtoosoakedwithfever。AmonthinAustraliawouldfinishme。\"
\"Butwhatareyougoingtodo？\"Sheldonqueried。\"Youcan\'tstayhereuntilyoudie。\"
\"That\'sallthat\'slefttome。I\'dliketogobacktotheoldcountry，butIcouldn\'tstandit。I\'lllastlongerhere，andhereI\'llstayuntilIpegout；butIwishtoGodI\'dneverseentheSolomons，that\'sall。\"
Hedeclinedtosleepashore，tookhisorders，andwentbackonboardthecutter。Aluridsunsetwasblottedoutbytheheaviestsqualloftheday，andSheldonwatchedthewhale-boatarriveinthethickofit。Asthespritsailwastakeninandtheboatheadedontothebeach，hewasawareofadistincthurtatsightofJoanatthesteering-oar，standingerectandswayingherstrengthtoitassheresistedthepressuresthattendedtothrowthecraftbroadsideinthesurf。HerTahitiansleapedoutandrushedtheboathighupthebeach，andsheledherbizarrefollowingthroughthegateofthecompound。
Thefirstdropsofrainweredrivinglikehail-stones，thetallcocoanutpalmswerebendingandwrithinginthegripofthewind，whilethethickcloud-massofthesquallturnedthebrieftropictwilightabruptlytonight。
QuiteunconsciouslythebroodinganxietyoftheafternoonslippedfromSheldon，andhefeltstrangelycheeredatthesightofherrunningupthestepslaughing，faceflushed，hairflying，herbreastheavingfromtheviolenceofherlateexertions。
\"Lovely，perfectlylovely——Pari-Sulay，\"shepanted。\"Ishallbuyit。I\'llwritetotheCommissionerto-night。Andthesiteforthebungalow——I\'veselecteditalready——iswonderful。Youmustcomeoversomedayandadviseme。Youwon\'tmindmystayinghereuntilIcangetsettled？Wasn\'tthatsquallbeautiful？AndIsupposeI\'mlatefordinner。I\'llrunandgetclean，andbewithyouinaminute。\"
Andinthebriefintervalofherabsencehefoundhimselfwalkingaboutthebigliving-roomandimpatientlyandwithanticipationawaitinghercoming。
\"Doyouknow，I\'mnevergoingtosquabblewithyouagain，\"heannouncedwhentheywereseated。
\"Squabble!\"wastheretort。\"It\'ssuchasordidword。Itsoundscheapandnasty。Ithinkit\'smuchnicertoquarrel。\"
\"Callitwhatyouplease，butwewon\'tdoitanymore，willwe？\"
Heclearedhisthroatnervously，forhereyesadvertisedtheimmediatebeginningofhostilities。\"Ibegyourpardon，\"hehurriedon。\"Ishouldhavespokenformyself。WhatImeanisthatIrefusetoquarrel。Youhavethemosthorribleway，withoututteringaword，ofmakingmeplaythefool。Why，Ibeganwiththekindestintentions，andhereIamnow——\"
\"Makingnastyremarks，\"shecompletedforhim。
\"It\'sthewayyouhaveofcatchingmeup，\"hecomplained。
\"Why，Ineversaidaword。Iwasmerelysittinghere，beingsweetlyluredonbypromisesofpeaceonearthandalltherestofit，whensuddenlyyoubegantocallmenames。\"
\"Hardlythat，Iamsure。\"
\"Well，yousaidIwashorrible，orthatIhadahorriblewayaboutme，whichisthesamething。Iwishmybungalowwereup。I\'dmoveto-morrow。\"
Buthertwitchinglipsbeliedherwords，andthenextmomentthemanwasmoreuncomfortablethanever，beingmadesobyherlaughter。
\"Iwasonlyteasingyou。HonestInjun。Andifyoudon\'tlaughI\'llsuspectyouofbeinginatemperwithme。That\'sright，laugh。Butdon\'t——\"sheaddedinalarm，\"don\'tifithurtsyou。
Youlookasthoughyouhadatoothache。There，there——don\'tsayit。Youknowyoupromisednottoquarrel，whileIhavetheprivilegeofgoingonbeingashatefulasIplease。Andtobeginwith，there\'stheFlibberty-Gibbet。Ididn\'tknowshewassolargeacutter；butshe\'sindisgracefulcondition。Herriggingissomethingqueer，andthenextsharpsquallwillbringherhead-gearallabouttheshop。IwatchedNoaNoah\'sfaceaswesailedpast。
Hedidn\'tsayanything。Hejustsneered。AndIdon\'tblamehim。\"
\"Herskipper\'srottenbadwithfever，\"Sheldonexplained。\"AndhehadtodrophismateofftotakeholdofthingsatUgi——that\'swhereIlostOscar，mytrader。Andyouknowwhatsortofsailorstheniggersare。\"
Shenoddedherheadjudicially，andwhilesheseemedtodebateaweightyjudgmentheaskedforasecondhelpingoftinnedbeef——notbecausehewashungry，butbecausehewantedtowatchherslim，firmfingers，nakedofjewelsandbandedmetals，whilehiseyespleasuredintheswelloftheforearm，appearingfromunderthesleeveandlosingidentityinthesmooth，roundwristundisfiguredbythenettedveinsthatcometoyouthwhenyouthisgone。Thefingerswerebrownwithtanandlookedexceedinglyboyish。Then，andwithouteffort，theconceptcametohim。Yes，thatwasit。Hehadstumbleduponthecluetohertantalizingpersonality。Herfingers，sunburnedandboyish，toldthestory。Nowondershehadexasperatedhimsofrequently。Hehadtriedtotreatwithherasawoman，whenshewasnotawoman。Shewasameregirl——andaboyishgirlatthat——withsunburnedfingersthatdelightedindoingwhatboys\'fingersdid；withabodyandmusclesthatlikedswimmingandviolentendeavourofallsorts；withamindthatwasdaring，butthatdarednofartherthanboys\'adventures，andthatdelightedinriflesandrevolvers，Stetsonhats，andasexlesscamaraderiewithmen。
Somehow，asheponderedandwatchedher，itseemedasifhesatinchurchathomelisteningtothechoir-boyschanting。Sheremindedhimofthoseboys，ortheirvoices，rather。Thesamesexlessqualitywasthere。Inthebodyofhershewaswoman；inthemindofhershehadnotgrownup。Shehadnotbeenexposedtoripeninginfluencesofthatsort。Shehadhadnomother。Von，herfather，nativeservants，androughislandlifehadconstitutedhertraining。Horsesandrifleshadbeenhertoys，campandtrailhernursery。Fromwhatshehadtoldhim，herseminarydayshadbeenanexile，devotedtostudyandtoceaselesslongingforthewildridingandswimmingofHawaii。Aboy\'straining，andaboy\'spointofview!Thatexplainedherchafeatpetticoats，herrevoltatwhatwasonlydecentlyconventional。Somedayshewouldgrowup，butasyetshewasonlyintheprocess。
Well，therewasonlyonethingforhimtodo。Hemustmeetheronherownbasisofboyhood，andnotmakethemistakeoftreatingherasawoman。Hewonderedifhecouldlovethewomanshewouldbewhenhernatureawoke；andhewonderedifhecouldloveherjustasshewasandhimselfwakeherup。Afterall，whateveritwas，shehadcometofillquitealargeplaceinhislife，ashehaddiscoveredthatafternoonwhilescanningtheseabetweenthesqualls。ThenherememberedtheaccountsofBerande，andthecropperthatwascoming，andscowled。
Hebecameawarethatshewasspeaking。
\"Ibegpardon，\"hesaid。\"What\'sthatyouweresaying？\"
\"Youweren\'tlisteningtoaword——Iknewit，\"shechided。\"IwassayingthattheconditionoftheFlibberty-Gibbetwasdisgraceful，andthatto-morrow，whenyou\'vetoldtheskipperandnothurthisfeelings，Iamgoingtotakemymenoutandgiveheranoverhauling。We\'llscrubherbottom，too。Why，there\'swhiskersonhercopperfourincheslong。Isawitwhensherolled。Don\'tforget，I\'mgoingcruisingontheFlibbertysomeday，evenifI
havetorunawaywithher。\"
Whileattheircoffeeontheveranda，Satanraisedacommotioninthecompoundnearthebeachgate，andSheldonfinallyrescuedamauledandfrightenedblackanddraggedhimontheporchforinterrogation。
\"Whatfellamarsteryoubelong？\"hedemanded。\"Whatnameyoucomealongthisfellaplacesunhegodown？\"
\"Meb\'longBoucher。ToomanyboybelongalongPortAdamsstopalongmyfellamarster。Toomuchwalkabout。\"
Theblackdrewascrapofnotepaperfromunderhisbeltandpasseditover。Sheldonscannedithurriedly。
\"It\'sfromBoucher，\"heexplained，\"thefellowwhotookPackard\'splace。PackardwastheoneItoldyouaboutwhowaskilledbyhisboat\'s-crew。HesaysthePortAdamscrowdisout——fiftyofthem，inbigcanoes——andcampingonhisbeach。They\'vekilledhalfadozenofhispigsalready，andseemtobelookingfortrouble。Andhe\'safraidtheymayconnectwiththefifteenrunawaysfromLunga。\"
\"Inwhichcase？\"shequeried。
\"InwhichcaseBillyPapewillbecompelledtosendBoucher\'ssuccessor。It\'sPape\'sstation，youknow。IwishIknewwhattodo。Idon\'tliketoleaveyouherealone。\"
\"Takemealongthen。\"
Hesmiledandshookhishead。
\"Thenyou\'dbettertakemymenalong，\"sheadvised。\"They\'regoodshots，andthey\'renotafraidofanything——exceptUtami，andhe\'safraidofghosts。\"
Thebigbellwasrung，andfiftyblackboyscarriedthewhale-boatdowntothewater。Theregularboat\'s-crewmannedher，andMatauareandthreeotherTahitians，beltedwithcartridgesandarmedwithrifles，satinthestern-sheetswhereSheldonstoodatthesteering-oar。
\"My，IwishIcouldgowithyou，\"Joansaidwistfully，astheboatshovedoff。
Sheldonshookhishead。
\"I\'masgoodasaman，\"sheurged。
\"Youreallyareneededhere，\"hereplied。
\"There\'sthatLungacrowd；theymightreachthecoastrighthere，andwithbothofusabsentrushtheplantation。Good-bye。We\'llgetbackinthemorningsometime。It\'sonlytwelvemiles。\"
WhenJoanstartedtoreturntothehouse，shewascompelledtopassamongtheboat-carriers，wholingeredonthebeachtochatterinqueer，ape-likefashionabouttheeventsofthenight。Theymadewayforher，buttherecametoher，asshewasinthemidstofthem，afeelingofherownhelplessness。Thereweresomanyofthem。Whatwastopreventthemfromdraggingherdowniftheysowilled？ThensherememberedthatonecryofherswouldfetchNoaNoahandherremainingsailors，eachoneofwhomwasworthadozenblacksinastruggle。Assheopenedthegate，oneoftheboyssteppeduptoher。Inthedarknessshecouldnotmakehimout。
\"Whatname？\"sheaskedsharply。\"Whatnamebelongyou？\"
\"MeAroa，\"hesaid。
Sherememberedhimasoneofthetwosickboysshehadnursedatthehospital。Theotheronehaddied。
\"Metake\'mplentyfellamedicinetoomuch，\"Aroawassaying。
\"Well，andyouallrightnow，\"sheanswered。
\"Mewant\'mtobacco，plentyfellatobacco；mewant\'mcalico；mewant\'mporpoiseteeth；mewant\'monefellabelt。\"
Shelookedathimhumorously，expectingtoseeasmile，oratleastagrin，onhisface。Instead，hisfacewasexpressionless。Saveforanarrowbreech-clout，apairofear-plugs，andabouthiskinkyhairachapletofwhitecowrie-shells，hewasnaked。Hisbodywasfresh-oiledandshiny，andhiseyesglistenedinthestarlightlikesomewildanimal\'s。Therestoftheboyshadcrowdedupathisbackinasolidwall。Someoneofthemgiggled，buttheremainderregardedherinmoroseandintensesilence。
\"Well？\"shesaid。\"Whatforyouwantplentyfellathings？\"
\"Metake\'mmedicine，\"quothAroa。\"Youpayme。\"
Andthiswasasampleoftheirgratitude，shethought。ItlookedasifSheldonhadbeenrightafterall。Aroawaitedstolidly。A
leapingfishsplashedfaroutonthewater。Atinywaveletmurmuredsleepilyonthebeach。Theshadowofaflying-foxdriftedbyinvelvetsilenceoverhead。Alightairfannedcoollyonhercheek；itwastheland-breezebeginningtoblow。
\"Yougoalongquarters，\"shesaid，startingtoturnonherheeltoenterthegate。
\"Youpayme，\"saidtheboy。
\"Aroa，youallthesameonebigfool。Inopayyou。Nowyougo。\"
Buttheblackwasunmoved。Shefeltthathewasregardingheralmostinsolentlyasherepeated:
\"Itake\'mmedicine。Youpayme。Youpaymenow。\"
Thenitwasthatshelosthertemperandcuffedhisearssosoundlyastodrivehimbackamonghisfellows。Buttheydidnotbreakup。
Anotherboysteppedforward。
\"Youpayme，\"hesaid。
Hiseyeshadthequerulous，troubledlooksuchasshehadnoticedinmonkeys；butwhilehewaspatentlyuncomfortableunderherscrutiny，histhicklipsweredrawnfirmlyinaneffortatsullendetermination。
\"Whatfor？\"sheasked。
\"MeGogoomy，\"hesaid。\"Bawobrotherbelongme。\"
Bawo，sheremembered，wasthesickboywhohaddied。
\"Goon，\"shecommanded。
\"Bawotake\'mmedicine。Bawofinish。Bawomybrother。Youpayme。FatherbelongmeonebigfellachiefalongPortAdams。Youpayme。\"
Joanlaughed。
\"Gogoomy，youjustthesameasAroa，onebigfool。Myword，whopaymeformedicine？\"
Shedismissedthematterbypassingthroughthegateandclosingit。ButGogoomypressedupagainstitandsaidimpudently:
\"Fatherbelongmeonebigfellachief。Younobang\'mheadbelongme。Myword，youfrighttoomuch。\"
\"Mefright？\"shedemanded，whileangertingledallthroughher。
\"Toomuchfrightbang\'mheadbelongme，\"Gogoomysaidproudly。
Andthenshereachedforhimacrossthegateandgothim。Itwasasweeping，broad-handedslap，soheavythathestaggeredsidewaysandnearlyfell。Hesprangforthegateasiftoforceitopen，whilethecrowdsurgedforwardagainstthefence。Joanthoughtrapidly。Herrevolverwashangingonthewallofhergrasshouse。
Yetonecrywouldbringhersailors，andsheknewshewassafe。Soshedidnotcryforhelp。Instead，shewhistledforSatan，atthesametimecallinghimbyname。Sheknewhewasshutupinthelivingroom，buttheblacksdidnotwaittosee。Theyfledwithwildyellsthroughthedarkness，followedreluctantlybyGogoomy；
whilesheenteredthebungalow，laughingatfirst，butfinallyvexedtothevergeoftearsbywhathadtakenplace。Shehadsatupawholenightwiththeboywhohaddied，andyethisbrotherdemandedtobepaidforhislife。
\"Ugh!theungratefulbeast!\"shemuttered，whileshedebatedwhetherornotshewouldconfesstheincidenttoSheldon。
CHAPTERXI——THEPORTADAMSCROWD
\"Andsoitwasallsettledeasilyenough，\"Sheldonwassaying。Hewasontheveranda，drinkingcoffee。Thewhale-boatwasbeingcarriedintoitsshed。\"Boucherwasabittimidatfirsttocarryoffthesituationwithastronghand，buthedidverywelloncewegotstarted。Wemadeaplayatholdingacourt，andTelepasse，theoldscoundrel，acceptedthefindings。He\'saPortAdamschief，afilthybeggar。Wefinedhimtentimesthevalueofthepigs，andmadehimmoveonwithhismob。Oh，they\'reasweetlot，Imustsay，atleastsixtyofthem，infivebigcanoes，andoutfortrouble。They\'vegotadozenSnidersthatoughttobeconfiscated。\"
\"Whydidn\'tyou？\"Joanasked。
\"AndhavearowonmyhandswiththeCommissioner？He\'sterriblytouchyabouthisblackwards，ashecallsthem。Well，westartedthemalongtheirway，thoughtheywentinonthebeachtokai-kaiseveralmilesback。Theyoughttopassheresometimeto-day。\"
Twohourslaterthecanoesarrived。Noonesawthemcome。Thehouse-boyswerebusyinthekitchenattheirownbreakfast。Theplantationhandsweresimilarlyoccupiedintheirquarters。Satanlaysoundasleeponhisbackunderthebilliardtable，inhissleepbrushingatthefliesthatpesteredhim。Joanwasrummaginginthestore-room，andSheldonwastakinghissiestainahammockontheveranda。Heawokegently。Insomeoccult，subtlewayawarningthatallwasnotwellhadpenetratedhissleepandarousedhim。
Withoutmoving，heglanceddownandsawthegroundbeneathcoveredwitharmedsavages。Theywerethesameoneshehadpartedwiththatmorning，thoughhenotedanaccessioninnumbers。Thereweremenhehadnotseenbefore。
Heslippedfromthehammockandwithdeliberateslownesssaunteredtotherailing，whereheyawnedsleepilyandlookeddownonthem。
Itcametohimcuriouslythatitwashisdestinyevertostandonthishighplace，lookingdownonunendinghordesofblacktroublethatrequiredcontrol，bullying，andcajolery。Butwhileheglancedcarelesslyoverthem，hewaskeenlytakingstock。Thenewmenwereallarmedwithmodernrifles。Ah，hehadthoughtso。
Therewerefifteenofthem，undoubtedlytheLungarunaways。Inaddition，adozenoldSniderswereinthehandsoftheoriginalcrowd。Therestwerearmedwithspears，clubs，bowsandarrows，andlong-handledtomahawks。Beyond，drawnuponthebeach，hecouldseethebigwar-canoes，withhighandfantasticallycarvedbowsandsterns，ornamentedwithscrollsandbandsofwhitecowrieshells。Thesewerethemenwhohadkilledhistrader，Oscar，atUgi。
\"Whatnameyouwalkaboutthisplace？\"hedemanded。
AtthesametimehestoleaglanceseawardtowheretheFlibberty-
Gibbetreflectedherselfintheglassycalmofthesea。Notasoulwasvisibleunderherawnings，andhesawthewhale-boatwasmissingfromalongside。TheTahitianshadevidentlygoneshootingfishuptheBalesuna。Hewasallaloneinhishighplaceabovethistrouble，whilehisworldslumberedpeacefullyunderthebreathlesstropicnoon。
Nobodyreplied，andherepeatedhisdemand，moreofmasteryinhisvoicethistime，andahintofgrowinganger。Theblacksmoveduneasily，likeaherdofcattle，atthesoundofhisvoice。Butnotonespoke。Alleyes，however，werestaringathimincertitudeofexpectancy。Somethingwasabouttohappen，andtheywerewaitingforit，waitingwiththeunanimous，unstablemob-mindfortheoneofthemwhowouldmakethefirstactionthatwouldprecipitateallofthemintoacommonaction。Sheldonlookedforthisone，forsuchwastheonetofear。Directlybeneathhimhecaughtsightofthemuzzleofarifle，barelyprojectingbetweentwoblackbodies，thatwasslowlyelevatingtowardhim。Itwasheldatthehipbyamaninthesecondrow。
\"Whatnameyou？\"Sheldonsuddenlyshouted，pointingdirectlyatthemanwhoheldthegun，whostartledandloweredthemuzzle。
Sheldonstillheldthewhiphand，andheintendedtokeepit。
\"Clearout，allyoufellaboys，\"heordered。\"Clearoutandwalkalongsaltwater。Savvee!\"
\"Metalk，\"spokeupafatandfilthysavagewhosehairychestwascakedwiththeunwasheddirtofyears。
\"Oh，isthatyou，Telepasse？\"thewhitemanqueriedgenially。\"Youtell\'mboysclearout，andyoustopandtalkalongme。\"
\"Himgoodfellaboy，\"wasthereply。\"Himstopalong。\"
\"Well，whatdoyouwant？\"Sheldonasked，strivingtohideunderassumedcarelessnesstheweaknessofconcession。
\"Thatfellaboybelongalongme。\"TheoldchiefpointedoutGogoomy，whomSheldonrecognized。
\"WhiteMarybelongyoutoomuchnogood，\"Telepassewenton。\"Bang\'mheadbelongGogoomy。Gogoomyallthesamechief。Bimebymefinish，Gogoomybigfellachief。WhiteMarybang\'mhead。Nogood。Youpaymeplentytobacco，plentypowder，plentycalico。\"
\"Youoldscoundrel，\"wasSheldon\'scomment。Anhourbefore，hehadbeenchucklingoverJoan\'srecitaloftheepisode，andhere，anhourlater，wasTelepassehimselfcometocollectdamages。
\"Gogoomy，\"Sheldonordered，\"whatnameyouwalkabouthere？Yougetalongquartersplentyquick。\"
\"Mestop，\"wasthedefiantanswer。
\"WhiteMaryb\'longyoubang\'mhead，\"oldTelepassebeganagain。
\"Myword，plentybigfellatroubleyounopay。\"
\"Youtalkalongboys，\"Sheldonsaid，withincreasingirritation。
\"Youtell\'mgettohellalongbeach。ThenItalkwithyou。\"
Sheldonfeltaslightvibrationoftheveranda，andknewthatJoanhadcomeoutandwasstandingbyhisside。Buthedidnotdareglanceather。Thereweretoomanyriflesdownbelowthere，andrifleshadawayofgoingofffromthehip。
Againtheverandavibratedwithhermovingweight，andheknewthatJoanhadgoneintothehouse。Aminutelatershewasbackbesidehim。Hehadneverseenhersmoke，anditstruckhimaspeculiarthatsheshouldbesmokingnow。Thenheguessedthereason。Withaquickglance，henotedthehandatherside，andinitthefamiliar，paper-wrappeddynamite。Henoted，also，theendoffuse，splitproperly，intowhichhadbeeninsertedtheheadofawaxmatch。