CHAPTERXXIII——AMESSAGEFROMTHEBUSH
NeverhadrunawaysfromBerandebeenmorezealouslyhunted。ThedeedsofGogoomyandhisfellowshadbeenabadexamplefortheonehundredandfiftynewrecruits。Murderhadbeenplanned，agang-
bosshadbeenkilled，andthemurderershadbrokentheircontractsbyfleeingtothebush。Sheldonsawhowimperativeitwastoteachhisnew-caughtcannibalsthatbadexamplesweredisastrousthingstopatternafter，andheurgedSeeleeonnightandday，whilewiththeTahitianshepracticallylivedinthebush，leavingJoaninchargeoftheplantation。TothenorthBoucherdidgoodwork，twiceturningthefugitivesbackwhentheyattemptedtogainthecoast。
Onebyonetheboyswerecaptured。Inthefirstman-drivethroughthemangroveswampSeeleecaughttwo。Circlingaroundtothenorth，athirdwaswoundedinthethighbyBoucher，andthisone，draggingbehindinthechase，waslatergatheredinbySeelee\'shunters。Thethreecaptives，heavilyironed，wereexposedeachdayinthecompound，asgoodexamplesofwhathappenedtobadexamples，allfortheedificationofthesevenscoreandtenhalf-wildPoonga-Poongamen。ThentheMinerva，runningpastforTulagi，wassignalledtosendaboat，andthethreeprisonerswerecarriedawaytoprisontoawaittrial。
Fivewerestillatlarge，butescapewasimpossible。Theycouldnotgetdowntothecoast，nordaredtheyventuretoofarinlandforfearofthewildbushmen。Thenoneofthefivecameinvoluntarilyandgavehimselfup，andSheldonlearnedthatGogoomyandtwootherswereallthatwereatlarge。Thereshouldhavebeenafourth，butaccordingtothemanwhohadgivenhimselfup，thefourthmanhadbeenkilledandeaten。Ithadbeenfearofasimilarfatethathaddrivenhimin。HewasaMaluman，fromnorth-westernMalaita，aslikewisehadbeentheonethatwaseaten。
Gogoomy\'stwoothercompanionswerefromPortAdams。Asforhimself，theblackdeclaredhispreferenceforgovernmenttrialandpunishmenttobeingeatenbyhiscompanionsinthebush。
\"CloseupGogoomykai-kaime，\"hesaid。\"Myword，menolikeboykai-kaime。\"
ThreedayslaterSheldoncaughtoneoftheboys，helplessfromswampfever，andunabletofightorrunaway。OnthesamedaySeeleecaughtthesecondboyinsimilarcondition。Gogoomyaloneremainedatlarge；and，asthepursuitclosedinonhim，heconqueredhisfearofthebushmenandheadedstraightinforthemountainousbackboneoftheisland。SheldonwithfourTahitians，andSeeleewiththirtyofhishunters，followedGogoomy\'strailadozenmilesintotheopengrass-lands，andthenSeeleeandhispeoplelostheart。Heconfessedthatneitherhenoranyofhistribehadeverventuredsofarinlandbefore，andhenarrated，forSheldon\'sbenefit，mosthorribletalesofthehorriblebushmen。Intheolddays，hesaid，theyhadcrossedthegrasslandsandattackedthesalt-waternatives；butsincethecomingofthewhitementothecoasttheyhadremainedintheirinteriorfastnesses，andnosalt-waternativehadeverseenthemagain。
\"Gogoomyhefinishalongthemfellabushmen，\"heassuredSheldon。
\"Myword，hefinishcloseup，kai-kaialtogether。\"
Sotheexpeditionturnedback。Nothingcouldpersuadethecoastnativestoventurefarther，andSheldon，withhisfourTahitians，knewthatitwasmadnesstogoonalone。Sohestoodwaist-deepinthegrassandlookedregretfullyacrosstherollingsavannahandthesoft-swellingfoothillstotheLion\'sHead，amassivepeakofrockthatuprearedintotheazurefromthemidmostcentreofGuadalcanar，alandmarkusedforbearingsbyeverycoastingmariner，amountainasyetuntrodbythefootofawhiteman。
Thatnight，afterdinner，SheldonandJoanwereplayingbilliards，whenSatanbarkedinthecompound，andLalaperu，senttosee，broughtbackatiredandtravel-stainednative，whowantedtotalkwiththe\"bigfellawhitemarster。\"Itwasonlytheman\'sinsistencethatprocuredhimadmittanceatsuchanhour。Sheldonwentoutontheverandatoseehim，andatfirstglanceatthegauntfeaturesandwastedbodyofthemanknewthathiserrandwaslikelytoproveimportant。Nevertheless，Sheldondemandedroughly，-
\"Whatnameyoucomealonghousebelongmesunhegodown？\"
\"MeCharley，\"themanmutteredapologeticallyandwearily。\"MestopalongBinu。\"
\"Ah，BinuCharley，eh？Well，whatnameyoutalkalongme？Whatplacebigfellamarsteralongwhitemanhestop？\"
JoanandSheldontogetherlistenedtothetaleBinuCharleyhadbrought。HedescribedTudor\'sexpeditionuptheBalesuna；thedraggingoftheboatsuptherapids；thepassageuptheriverwhereitthreadedthegrass-lands；theinnumerablewashingsofgravelbythewhitemeninsearchofgold；thefirstrollingfoothills；theman-trapsofspear-stakedpitsinthejungletrails；thefirstmeetingwiththebushmen，whohadneverseentobacco，andknewnotthevirtuesofsmoking；theirfriendliness；thedeeperpenetrationoftheinterioraroundtheflanksoftheLion\'sHead；thebush-
soresandthefeversofthewhitemen，andtheirmadnessintrustingthebushmen。
\"AlleetimeItalkalongwhitefellamarster，\"hesaid。\"Metalk，\'Thatfellabushmanhelook\'meyebelonghim。Hesavveetoomuch。
S\'posemuskethestopalongyou，thatfellabushmanhetoomuchgoodfriendalongyou。Alleetimehelooksharpeyebelonghim。
S\'posemuskethenostopalongyou，myword，thatfellabushmanhechop\'moffheadbelongyou。Hekai-kaiyoualtogether。\'\"
Butthepatienceofthebushmenhadexceededthatofthewhitemen。
Theweekshadgoneby，andnoovertactshadbeenattempted。Thebushmenswarmedinthecampinincreasingnumbers，andtheywerealwaysmakingpresentsofyamsandtaro，ofpigandfowl，andofwildfruitsandvegetables。Wheneverthegold-huntersmovedtheircamp，thebushmenvolunteeredtocarrytheluggage。Andthewhitemenwaxedevermorecareless。Theygrewwearyprospecting，andatthesametimecarryingtheirriflesandtheheavycartridge-belts，andthepracticebeganofleavingtheirweaponsbehindthemincamp。
\"Itell\'mplentyfellawhitemarsterlooksharpeyebelonghim。
Andplentyfellawhitemarstermake\'mbiglaughalongme，sayBinuCharleyalleesamepickaninny——myword，theyspeakalongmealleesamepickaninny。\"
CamethemorningwhenBinuCharleynoticedthatthewomenandchildrenhaddisappeared。Tudor，atthetime，waslyinginastuporwithfeverinalatecampfivemilesaway，themaincamphavingmovedonthosefivemilesinordertoprospectanoutcropoflikelyquartz。BinuCharleywasmidwaybetweenthetwocampswhentheabsenceofthewomenandchildrenstruckhimassuspicious。
\"Myword，\"hesaid，\"met\'inklikehell。HimblackMary，himpickaninny，walkaboutlongwaybigbit。Whatname？Mesavveetoomuchtroublecloseup。Mefrightlikehell。Merun。Myword，merun。\"
Tudor，quiteunconscious，wasslungacrosshisshoulder，andcarriedamiledownthetrail。Here，hidingnewtrail，BinuCharleyhadcarriedhimforaquarterofamileintotheheartofthedeepestjungle，andhiddenhiminabigbanyantree。Returningtotrytosavetheriflesandpersonaloutfit，BinuCharleyhadseenapartyofbushmentrottingdownthetrail，andhadhiddeninthebush。Here，andfromthedirectionofthemaincamp，hehadheardtworifleshots。Andthatwasall。Hehadneverseenthewhitemenagain，norhadheventuredneartheiroldcamp。HehadgonebacktoTudor，andhiddenwithhimforaweek，livingonwildfruitsandthefewpigeonsandcockatooshehadbeenabletoshootwithbowandarrow。ThenhehadjourneyeddowntoBerandetobringthenews。Tudor，hesaid，wasverysick，lyingunconsciousfordaysatatime，and，wheninhisrightmind，tooweaktohelphimself。
\"Whatnameyounokill\'mthatbigfellamarster？\"Joandemanded。
\"Hehave\'mgoodfellamusket，plentycalico，plentytobacco，plentyknife-fee，andtwofellapickaninnymusketshootquick，bang-bang-bang——justlikethat。\"
Theblacksmiledcunningly。
\"Mesavveetoomuch。S\'posemekill\'mbigfellamarster，bimebyplentywhitefellamarsterwalkaboutBinucrosslikehell。\'Whatnamethisfellowmusket？\'thoseplentyfellawhitemarstertalk\'malongme。Myword，BinuCharleyfinishaltogether。S\'posemekill\'mhim，nogoodalongme。Plentywhitefellamarstercrossalongme。S\'posemenokill\'mhim，bimebyhegivemeplentytobacco，plentycalico，plentyeverythingtoomuch。\"
\"Thereisonlytheonethingtodo，\"SheldonsaidtoJoan。
Shedrummedwithherhandandwaited，whileBinuCharleygazedwearilyatherwithunblinkingeyes。
\"I\'llstartthefirstthinginthemorning，\"Sheldonsaid。
\"We\'llstart，\"shecorrected。\"IcangettwiceasmuchoutofmyTahitiansasyoucan，and，besides，onewhiteshouldneverbealoneundersuchcircumstances。\"
Heshruggedhisshouldersintoken，notofconsent，butofsurrender，knowingtheuselessnessofattemptingtoarguethequestionwithher，andconsolinghimselfwiththereflectionthatheavenaloneknewwhatadventuresshewasliabletoengageinifleftaloneonBerandeforaweek。Heclappedhishands，andforthenextquarterofanhourthehouse-boyswerekeptbusycarryingmessagestothebarracks。AmanwassenttoBalesunavillagetocommandoldSeelee\'simmediatepresence。Aboat\'s-crewwasstartedinawhale-boatwithwordforBouchertocomedown。AmmunitionwasissuedtotheTahitians，andthestoreroomoverhauledforafewdays\'tinnedprovisions。Viaburiturnedyellowwhentoldthathewastoaccompanytheexpedition，and，toeverybody\'ssurprise，Lalaperuvolunteeredtotakehisplace。
Seeleearrived，proudinhisimportancethatthegreatmasterofBerandeshouldsummonhiminthenight-timeforcouncil，andfirminhisrefusaltosteponeinchwithinthedreaddomainofthebushmen。Ashesaid，ifhisopinionhadbeenaskedwhenthegold-
huntersstarted，hewouldhaveforetoldtheirdisastrousend。
Therewasonlyonethingthathappenedtoanyonewhoventuredintothebushmen\'sterritory，andthatwasthathewaseaten。Andhewouldfurthersay，withoutbeingasked，thatifSheldonwentupintothebushhewouldbeeatentoo。
Sheldonsentforagang-bossandtoldhimtobringtenofthebiggest，best，andstrongestPoonga-Poongamen。
\"Notsalt-waterboys，\"Sheldoncautioned，\"butbushboys——legbelonghimstrongfellaleg。Boynosavveemusket，nogood。Youbring\'mboyshootmusketstrongfella。\"
Theyweretenpickedmenthatfiledupontheverandaandstoodintheglareofthelanterns。Theirheavy，muscularlegsadvertisedthattheywerebushmen。Eachclaimedlongexperienceinbush-
fighting，mostofthemshowedscarsofbulletorspear-thrustinproof，andallwerewildforachancetobreakthehumdrummonotonyofplantationlabourbygoingonakillingexpedition。Killingwastheirnaturalvocation，notwood-cutting；andwhiletheywouldnothaveventuredtheGuadalcanarbushalone，withawhitemanlikeSheldonbehindthem，andawhiteMarysuchastheyknewJoantobe，theycouldexpectasafeanddelightfultime。Besides，thegreatmasterhadtoldthemthattheeightgiganticTahitiansweregoingalong。
ThePoonga-Poongavolunteersstoodwithglisteningeyesandgrinningfaces，nakedsavefortheirloin-cloths，andbarbarouslyornamented。Eachworeaflat，turtle-shellringsuspendedthroughhisnose，andeachcarriedaclaypipeinanear-holeorthrustinsideabeadedbicepsarmlet。Apairofmagnificentboartusksgracedthechestofone。Onthechestofanotherhungahugediscofpolishedfossilclam-shell。
\"Plentystrongfellafight，\"Sheldonwarnedtheminconclusion。
Theygrinnedandshifteddelightedly。
\"S\'posebushmenkai-kaialongyou？\"hequeried。
\"Nofear，\"answeredtheirspokesman，oneKoogoo，astrapping，thick-lippedEthiopian-lookingman。\"S\'posePoonga-Poongaboykai-
kaibush-boy？\"
Sheldonshookhishead，laughing，anddismissedthem，andwenttooverhaulthedunnage-roomforasmallsheltertentforJoan\'suse。
CHAPTERXXIV——INTHEBUSH
ItwasquiteaformidableexpeditionthatdepartedfromBerandeatbreakofdaynextmorninginafleetofcanoesanddinghies。TherewereJoanandSheldon，withBinuCharleyandLalaperu，theeightTahitians，andthetenPoonga-Poongamen，eachproudinthepossessionofabrightandshiningmodernrifle。Inaddition，thereweretwooftheplantationboat\'s-crewsofsixmeneach。
These，however，weretogonofartherthanCarli，wherewatertransportationceasedandwheretheyweretowaitwiththeboats。
BoucherremainedbehindinchargeofBerande。
ByeleveninthemorningtheexpeditionarrivedatBinu，aclusteroftwentyhousesontheriverbank。AndfromherethirtyoddBinumenaccompaniedthem，armedwithspearsandarrows，chatteringandgrimacingwithdelightatthewarlikearray。Thelongquietstretchesofrivergavewaytoswifterwater，andprogresswasslowerandmoredogged。TheBalesunagrewshallowaswell，andoftenerweretheloadedboatsbumpedalongandhalf-liftedoverthebottom。Inplacestimber-fallsblockedthepassageofthenarrowstream，andtheboatsandcanoeswereportagedaround。NightbroughtthemtoCarli，andtheyhadthesatisfactionofknowingthattheyhadaccomplishedinonedaywhathadrequiredtwodaysforTudor\'sexpedition。
HereatCarli，nextmorning，half-waythroughthegrass-lands，theboat\'s-crewswereleft，andwiththemthehordeofBinumen，theboldestofwhichheldonforabaremileandthenranscamperingback。BinuCharley，however，wasatthefore，andledthewayonwardintotherollingfoot-hills，followingthetrailmadebyTudorandhismenweeksbefore。Thatnighttheycampedwellintothehillsanddeepinthetropicjungle。Thethirddayfoundthemontherun-waysofthebushmen——narrowpathsthatcompelledsinglefileandthatturnedandtwistedwithendlessconvolutionsthroughthedenseundergrowth。Forthemostpartitwasasilentforest，lushanddank，whereonlyoccasionallyawood-pigeoncooedorsnow-
whitecockatooslaughedharshlyinlaboriousflight。
Here，inthemid-morning，thefirstcasualtyoccurred。BinuCharleyhaddroppedbehindforatime，andKoogoo，thePoonga-
Poongamanwhohadboastedthathewouldeatthebushmen，wasinthelead。JoanandSheldonheardthetwangingthrumandsawKoogoothrowouthisarms，atthesametimedroppinghisrifle，stumbleforward，andsinkdownonhishandsandknees。Betweenhisnakedshoulders，lowdownandtotheleft，appearedthebone-barbedheadofanarrow。Hehadbeenshotthroughandthrough。Cockedriflessweptthebushwithnervousapprehension。Buttherewasnorustle，nomovement；nothingbutthehumidoppressivesilence。
\"Bushmenhenostop，\"BinuCharleycalledout，thesoundofhisvoicestartlingmorethanoneofthem。\"Alleesamedamnfunnybusiness。ThatfellaKoogoonolook\'meyebelonghim。Henosavveelittlebit。\"
Koogoo\'sarmshadcrumpledunderhim，andhelayquiveringwherehehadfallen。EvenasBinuCharleycametothefrontthestrickenblack\'sbreathpassedfromhim，andwithafinalconvulsivestirhelaystill。
\"Rightthroughtheheart，\"Sheldonsaid，straighteningupfromthestoopingexamination。\"Itmusthavebeenatrapofsomesort。\"
HenoticedJoan\'swhite，tenseface，andthewideeyeswithwhichshestaredatthewreckofwhathadbeenamantheminutebefore。
\"Irecruitedthatboymyself，\"shesaidinawhisper。\"HecamedownoutofthebushatPoonga-PoongaandrightonboardtheMarthaandofferedhimself。AndIwasproud。Hewasmyveryfirstrecruit——\"
\"Myword!Look\'mthatfella，\"BinuCharleyinterrupted，brushingasidetheleafywalloftherun-wayandexposingabowsomassivethatnoonebushmancouldhavebentit。
TheBinumantracedoutthemechanicsofthetrap，andexposedthehiddenfibreinthetangledundergrowththatatcontactwithKoogoo\'sfoothadreleasedthetautbow。
Theyweredeepintheprimevalforest。Adimtwilightprevailed，fornorandomshaftofsunlightbrokethroughthethickroofofleavesandcreepersoverhead。TheTahitianswereplainlyawedbythesilenceandgloomandmysteryoftheplaceandhappening，buttheyshowedthemselvesdoggedlyunafraid，andwereforpushingon。
ThePoonga-Poongamen，onthecontrary，werenotawed。Theywerebushmenthemselves，andtheywereusedtothissilentwarfare，thoughthedevicesweredifferentfromthoseemployedbythemintheirownbush。MostawedofallwereJoanandSheldon，but，beingwhites，theywerenotsupposedtobesubjecttosuchcommonplaceemotions，andtheirtaskwastocarrythesituationoffwithcarelessbravadoasbefitted\"bigfellamarsters\"ofthedominantbreed。
BinuCharleytooktheleadastheypushedon，andtrapaftertrapyieldeditssecretlurking-placetohiskeenscrutiny。Thewaywasbesetwithathousandannoyances，chiefestamongwhichwerethorns，cunninglyconcealed，thatpenetratedthebarefeetoftheinvaders。
Once，duringtheafternoon，BinuCharleybarelymissedbeingimpaledinastakedpitthatunderminedthetrail。ThereweretimeswhenallstoodstillandwaitedforhalfanhourormorewhileBinuCharleyprospectedsuspiciouspartsofthetrail。
Sometimeshewascompelledtoleavethetrailandcreepandclimbthroughthejunglesoastoapproachtheman-trapsfrombehind；andononeoccasion，inspiteofhisprecaution，aspring-bowwasdischarged，theflyingarrowbarelyclippingtheshoulderofoneofthewaitingPoonga-Poongaboys。
Whereaslightrun-wayenteredthemainone，SheldonpausedandaskedBinuCharleyifheknewwhereitled。
\"Plentybushfellagardenhestopalongthereshortwaylittlebit，\"wastheanswer。\"Allrightyoulike\'mgolook\'malong。\"
\"\'Walk\'measy，\"hecautioned，afewminuteslater。\"Closeup，thatfellagarden。S\'posesomebushfellahestop，wecatch\'m。\"
Creepingaheadandpeeringintotheclearingforamoment，BinuCharleybeckonedSheldontocomeoncautiously。Joancrouchedbesidehim，andtogethertheypeepedout。Theclearedspacewasfullyhalfanacreinextentandcarefullyfencedagainstthewildpigs。Paw-pawandbanana-treeswerejustripeningtheirfruit，whilebeneathgrewsweetpotatoesandyams。Ononeedgeoftheclearingwasasmallgrasshouse，open-sided，amererain-shelter。
Infrontofit，crouchedonhishamsbeforeafire，wasagauntandbeardedbushman。Thefireseemedtosmokeexcessively，andinthethickofthesmokearounddarkobjecthungsuspended。Thebushmanseemedabsorbedincontemplationofthisobject。
Warningthemnottoshootunlessthemanwassuccessfullyescaping，SheldonbeckonedthePoonga-Poongamenforward。JoansmiledappreciativelytoSheldon。Itwashead-huntersagainsthead-
hunters。Theblackstrodnoiselesslytotheirstations，whichwerearrangedsothattheycouldspringsimultaneouslyintotheopen。
Theirfaceswerekeenandserious，theireyeseloquentwiththeecstasyoflivingthatwasuponthem——forthiswasliving，thisgameoflifeanddeath，andtothemitwastheonlygameamanshouldplay，withaltheyplayeditinlowandcowardlyways，killingfrombehindinthedimforestgloomandrarelycomingoutintotheopen。
Sheldonwhisperedtheword，andthetenrunnersleapedforward——forBinuCharleyranwiththem。Thebushman\'skeenearswarnedhim，andhesprangtohisfeet，bowandarrowinhand，thearrowfixedinthenotchandthebowbendingashesprang。Themanheletdriveatdodgedthearrow，andbeforehecouldshootanotherhisenemieswereuponhim。Hewasrolledoverandoveranddraggedtohisfeet，disarmedandhelpless。
\"Why，he\'sanancientBabylonian!\"Joancried，regardinghim。
\"He\'sanAssyrian，aPhoenician!Lookatthatstraightnose，thatnarrowface，thosehighcheek-bones——andthatslanting，ovalforehead，andthebeard，andtheeyes，too。\"
\"Andthesnakylocks，\"Sheldonlaughed。
Thebushmanwasinmortalfear，ledbyallhistrainingtoexpectnothinglessthandeath；yethedidnotcowerawayfromthem。
Instead，hereturnedtheirlookswithleanself-sufficiency，andfinallycentredhisgazeuponJoan，thefirstwhitewomanhehadeverseen。
\"Myword，bushfellakai-kaialongthatfellaboy，\"BinuCharleyremarked。
SostolidwashismannerofutterancethatJoanturnedcarelesslytoseewhathadattractedhisattention，andfoundherselffacetofacewithGogoomy。Atleast，itwastheheadofGogoomy——thedarkobjecttheyhadseenhanginginthesmoke。Itwasfresh——thesmoke-curinghadjustbegun——and，savefortheclosedeyes，allthesullenhandsomenessandanimalvirilityoftheboy，asJoanhadknownit，wasstilltobeseeninthemonstrousthingthattwistedanddangledintheeddyingsmoke。
NorwasJoan\'shorrorlessenedbytheconductofthePoonga-Poongaboys。Ontheinstanttheyrecognizedthehead，andontheinstantrosetheirwildheartylaughterastheyexplainedtooneanotherinshrillfalsettovoices。Gogoomy\'sendwasajoke。Hehadbeenfoiledinhisattempttoescape。Hehadplayedthegameandlost。
Andwhatgreaterjokecouldtherebethanthatthebushmenshouldhaveeatenhim？Itwasthefunniestincidentthathadcomeundertheirnoticeinmanyaday。Andtothemtherewascertainlynothingunusualnorbizarreintheevent。Gogoomyhadcompletedthelife-cycleofthebushman。Hehadtakenheads，andnowhisownheadhadbeentaken。Hehadeatenmen，andnowhehadbeeneatenbymen。
ThePoonga-Poongamen\'slaughterdieddown，andtheyregardedthespectaclewithglitteringeyesandgluttonousexpressions。TheTahitians，ontheotherhand，wereshocked，andAdamuAdamwasshakinghisheadslowlyandgruntingforthhisdisgust。Joanwasangry。Herfacewaswhite，butineachcheekwasavividsprayofred。Disgusthadbeendisplacedbywrath，andhermoodwasclearlyvengeful。
Sheldonlaughed。
\"It\'snothingtobeangryover，\"hesaid。\"Youmustn\'tforgetthathehackedoffKwaque\'shead，andthatheateoneofhisowncomradesthatranawaywithhim。Besides，hewasborntoit。Hehasbutbeeneatenoutofthesametroughfromwhichhehimselfhaseaten。\"
Joanlookedathimwithlipsthattrembledonthevergeofspeech。
\"Anddon\'tforget，\"Sheldonadded，\"thatheisthesonofachief，andthatassureasfatehisPortAdamstribesmenwilltakeawhiteman\'sheadinpayment。\"
\"Itisallsoghastlyridiculous，\"Joanfinallysaid。
\"And——er——romantic，\"hesuggestedslyly。
Shedidnotanswer，andturnedaway；butSheldonknewthattheshafthadgonehome。
\"Thatfellaboyhesick，bellybelonghimwalkabout，\"BinuCharleysaid，pointingtothePoonga-Poongamanwhoseshoulderhadbeenscratchedbythearrowanhourbefore。
Theboywassittingdownandgroaning，hisarmsclaspinghisbentknees，hisheaddroopedforwardandrollingpainfullybackandforth。Forfearofpoison，Sheldonhadimmediatelyscarifiedthewoundandinjectedpermanganateofpotash；butinspiteoftheprecautiontheshoulderwasswellingrapidly。
\"We\'lltakehimontowhereTudorislying，\"Joansaid。\"Thewalkingwillhelptokeepuphiscirculationandscatterthepoison。AdamuAdam，youtakeholdthatboy。Maybehewillwanttosleep。Shakehimup。Ifhesleephedie。\"
Theadvancewasmorerapidnow，forBinuCharleyplacedthecaptivebushmaninfrontofhimandmadehimcleartherun-wayoftraps。
Once，atasharpturnwhereaman\'sshoulderwouldunavoidablybrushagainstascreenofleaves，thebushmandisplayedgreatcautionashespreadtheleavesasideandexposedtheheadofasharp-pointedspear，sosetthatthecasualpasser-bywouldreceiveattheleastanastyscratch。
\"Myword，\"saidBinuCharley，\"thatfellaspearalleesamedevil-
devil。\"
Hetookthespearandwasexaminingitwhensuddenlyhemadeasiftostickitintothebushman。Itwasabitofsimulatedplayfulness，butthebushmansprangbackinevidentfright。
Poisonedtheweaponwasbeyondanydoubt，andthereafterBinuCharleycarrieditthreateninglyattheprisoner\'sback。
Thesun，sinkingbehindaloftywesternpeak，broughtonanearlybutlingeringtwilight，andtheexpeditionploddedonthroughtheevilforest——theplaceofmysteryandfear，ofdeathswiftandsilentandhorrible，ofbrutishappetiteanddegradedinstinct，ofhumanlifethatstillwallowedintheprimevalslime，ofsavagerydegenerateandabysmal。Noslightestbreezesblewinthegloomysilence，andtheairwasstaleandhumidandsuffocating。Thesweatpouredunceasinglyfromtheirbodies，andintheirnostrilswastheheavysmellofrottingvegetationandofblackearththatwasa-crawlwithfecundlife。
Theyturnedasidefromtherun-wayataplaceindicatedbyBinuCharley，and，sometimescrawlingonhandsandkneesthroughthedampblackmuck，atothertimescreepingandclimbingthroughthetangledundergrowthadozenfeetfromtheground，theycametoanimmensebanyantree，halfanacreinextent，thatmadeintheinnermostheartofthejungleadenserjungleofitsown。Fromoutofitsblackdepthscamethevoiceofamansinginginacracked，eerievoice。
\"Myword，thatbigfellamarsterhenodie!\"
Thesingingstopped，andthevoice，faintandweak，calledoutahello。Joananswered，andthenthevoiceexplained。
\"I\'mnotwandering。Iwasjustsingingtokeepmyspiritsup。
Haveyougotanythingtoeat？\"
Afewminutessawtherescuedmanlyingamongblankets，whilefireswerebuilding，waterwasbeingcarried，Joan\'stentwasgoingup，andLalaperuwasoverhaulingthepacksandopeningtinsofprovisions。Tudor，havingpulledthroughthefeverandstartedtomend，wasstillfrightfullyweakandverymuchstarved。Sobadlyswollenwashefrommosquito-bitesthathisfacewasunrecognizable，andtheacceptanceofhisidentitywaslargelyamatteroffaith。Joanhadherownointmentsalong，andsheprefacedtheirapplicationbyfomentinghisswollenfeatureswithhotcloths。Sheldon，withaneyetothecampandthepreparationsforthenight，lookedonandfeltthepangsofjealousyateverycontactofherhandswithTudor\'sfaceandbody。Somehow，engagedintheirhealingministrations，theynolongerseemedtohimboy\'shands，thehandsofJoanwhohadgazedatGogoomy\'sheadwithpalecheekssprayedwithangryflame。Thehandswerenowawoman\'shands，andSheldongrinnedtohimselfashisfancysuggestedthatsomenighthemustlieoutsidethemosquito-nettinginordertohaveJoanapplysoothingfomentationsinthemorning。
CHAPTERXXV——THEHEAD-HUNTERS
Themorning\'sactionhadbeensettledthenightbefore。Tudorwastostaybehindinhisbanyanrefugeandgatherstrengthwhiletheexpeditionproceeded。OnthefarchancethattheymightrescueevenonesolitarysurvivorofTudor\'sparty，Joanwasfixedinherdeterminationtopushon；andneitherSheldonnorTudorcouldpersuadehertoremainquietlyatthebanyantreewhileSheldonwentonandsearched。WithTudor，AdamuAdamandArahuweretostopasguards，thelatterTahitianbeingselectedtoremainbecauseofabadfootwhichhadbeenbroughtaboutbysteppingononeofthethornsconcealedbythebushmen。Itwasevidentlyaslowpoison，andnottoostrong，thatthebushmenused，forthewoundedPoonga-Poongamanwasstillalive，andthoughhisswollenshoulderwasenormous，theinflammationhadalreadybeguntogodown。He，too，remainedwithTudor。
BinuCharleyledtheway，byproxy，however，for，bymeansofthepoisonedspear，hedrovethecaptivebushmanahead。Therun-waystillranthroughthedankandrottenjungle，andtheyknewnovillageswouldbeencounteredtillrisinggroundwasgained。Theyploddedon，pantingandsweatinginthehumid，stagnantair。Theywereimmersedinaseaofwanton，prodigalvegetation。Allaboutthemthehuge-rootedtreesblockedtheirfooting，whilecoiledandknottedclimbers，ofthegirthofaman\'sarm，werethrownfromloftybranchtoloftybranch，orhungintangledmasseslikesomanymonstroussnakes。Lush-stalkedplants，larger-leavedthanthebodyofaman，exudedasweatymoisturefromalltheirsurfaces。
Hereandthere，banyantrees，likerockyislands，shoulderedasidethestreamingriotofvegetationbetweentheircrowdedcolumns，showingportalsandpassageswhereinalldaylightwaslostandonlymidnightgloomremained。Tree-fernsandmossesandamyriadotherparasiticformsjostledwithgay-colouredfungoidgrowthsforroomtolive，andtheveryatmosphereitselfseemedtoaffordclingingspacetoairyfairycreepers，lightanddelicateasgem-dust，tremulouswithmicroscopicblooms。Pale-goldenandvermilionorchidsflauntedtheirunhealthyblossomsinthegolden，drippingsunshinethatfilteredthroughthemattedroof。Itwasthemysterious，evilforest，acharnelhouseofsilence，whereinnaughtmovedsavestrangetinybirds——thestrangenessofthemmakingthemysterymoreprofound，fortheyflittedonnoiselesswings，emittingneithersongnorchirp，andtheyweremottledwithmorbidcolours，havingalltheseemingoforchids，flyingblossomsofsicknessanddecay。
Hewascaughtbysurprise，fifteenfeetintheairabovethepath，intheforksofamany-branchedtree。Allsawhimashedroppedlikeashadow，nakedasonhisnatalmorn，landingspringilyonhisbentknees，andlikeashadowleapingalongtherun-way。Itwashardforthemtorealizethatitwasaman，forheseemedaweirdjunglespirit，agoblinoftheforest。OnlyBinuCharleywasnotperturbed。Heflunghispoisonedspearovertheheadofthecaptiveattheflittingform。Itwasamightycast，wellintended，buttheshadow，leaping，receivedthespearharmlesslybetweenthelegs，and，trippinguponit，wasflungsprawling。Beforehecouldgetaway，BinuCharleywasuponhim，clutchinghimbyhissnow-
whitehair。Hewasonlyayoungman，andadandyatthat，hisfaceblackenedwithcharcoal，hishairwhitenedwithwood-ashes，withthefreshlyseveredtailofawildpigthrustthroughhisperforatednose，andtwomorethrustthroughhisears。Hisonlyotherornamentwasanecklaceofhumanfinger-bones。Atsightoftheirotherprisonerhechatteredinahighquerulousfalsetto，withpuckeredbrowsandtroubled，wild-animaleyes。Hewasdisposedofalongthemiddleoftheline，oneofthePoonga-Poongamenleadinghimattheendofalengthofbark-rope。
Thetrailbegantoriseoutofthejungle，dippingattimesintofesteringhollowsofunwholesomevegetation，butrisingmoreandmoreoverswelling，unseenhill-slopesorclimbingsteephog-backsandrockyhummockswheretheforestthinnedandbluepatchesofskyappearedoverhead。
\"Closeuphestop，\"BinuCharleywarnedtheminawhisper。
Evenashespoke，fromhighoverheadcamethedeepresonantboomofavillagedrum。Butthebeatwasslow，therewasnopanicinthesound。Theyweredirectlybeneaththevillage，andtheycouldhearthecrowingofroosters，twowomen\'svoicesraisedinbriefdispute，and，once，thecryingofachild。Therun-waynowbecameadeeplywornpath，risingsosteeplythatseveraltimesthepartypausedforbreath。Thepathneverwidened，andinplacesthefeetandtherainsofgenerationshadscouredittillitwassunkentwentyfeetbeneaththesurface。
\"Onemanwithariflecouldholditagainstathousand，\"SheldonwhisperedtoJoan。\"Andtwentymencouldholditwithspearsandarrows。\"
Theycameoutonthevillage，situatedonasmall，uplandplateau，grass-covered，andwithonlyoccasionaltrees。Therewasawildchorusofwarningcriesfromthewomen，whoscurriedoutofthegrasshouses，andlikefrightenedquaildivedovertheoppositeedgeoftheclearing，gatheringuptheirbabiesandchildrenastheyran。Atthesametimespearsandarrowsbegantofallamongtheinvaders。AtSheldon\'scommand，theTahitiansandPoonga-
Poongamengotintoactionwiththeirrifles。Thespearsandarrowsceased，thelastbushmandisappeared，andthefightwasoveralmostassoonasithadbegun。Ontheirownsidenoonehadbeenhurt，whilehalfadozenbushmenhadbeenkilled。Thesealoneremained，thewoundedhavingbeencarriedoff。TheTahitiansandPoonga-Poongamenhadwarmedupandwereforpursuit，butthisSheldonwouldnotpermit。Tohispleasedsurprise，Joanbackedhimupinthedecision；for，glancingatheronceduringthefiring，hehadseenherwhiteface，likeaglitteringswordinitsfightingintensity，thenostrilsdilated，theeyesbrightandsteadyandshining。
\"Poorbrutes，\"shesaid。\"Theyactonlyaccordingtotheirnatures。Toeattheirkindandtakeheadsisgoodmoralityforthem。\"
\"Buttheyshouldbetaughtnottotakewhitemen\'sheads，\"Sheldonargued。
Shenoddedapproval，andsaid，\"Ifwefindoneheadwe\'llburnthevillage。Hey，you，Charley!Whatfellaplaceheadhestop？\"
\"S\'posehestopalongdevil-devilhouse，\"wastheanswer。\"Thatbigfellahouse，hedevil-devil。\"
Itwasthelargesthouseinthevillage，ambitiouslyornamentedwithfancy-plaitedmatsandking-postscarvedintoobsceneandmonstrousformshalf-humanandhalf-animal。Intoittheywent，intheobscurelightstumblingacrossthesleeping-logsofthevillagebachelorsandknockingtheirheadsagainststringsofweirdvotive-
offerings，driedandshrivelled，thathungfromtheroof-beams。Oneithersidewererudegods，somegrotesquelycarved，othersnomorethanshapelesslogsswathedinrottenandindescribablyfilthymatting。Theairwasmouldyandheavywithdecay，whilestringsoffish-tailsandofhalf-cleaneddogandcrocodileskullsdidnotaddtothewholesomenessoftheplace。
Inthecentre，crouchedbeforeaslow-smokingfire，inthelitteredashesofathousandfires，wasanoldmanwhoblinkedapatheticallyattheinvaders。Hewasextremelyold——sooldthathiswitheredskinhungabouthiminloosefoldsanddidnotlooklikeskin。Hishandswerebonyclaws，hisemaciatedfaceasheerdeath\'s-head。
Histask，itseemed，wastotendthefire，andwhileheblinkedatthemheaddedtoitahandfulofdeadandmouldywood。Andhunginthesmoketheyfoundtheobjectoftheirsearch。Joanturnedandstumbledouthastily，deathlysick，reelingintothesunshineandclutchingattheairforsupport。
\"Seeifallarethere，\"shecalledbackfaintly，andtotteredaimlesslyonforafewsteps，breathingtheairingreatdraughtsandtryingtoforgetthesightshehadseen。
UponSheldonfelltheunpleasanttaskoftallyingtheheads。Theywereallthere，nineofthem，whitemen\'sheads，thefacesofwhichhehadbeenfamiliarwithwhentheirownershadcampedinBerandecompoundandsetupthepoling-boats。BinuCharley，hugelyinterested，lentahand，turningtheheadsaroundforidentification，notingthehatchet-strokes，andremarkingthedistortedexpressions。ThePoonga-Poongamengloatedasusual，andasusualtheTahitianswereshockedandangry，severalofthemcursingandmutteringinundertones。SoangrywasMatapuu，thathestrodesuddenlyovertothefire-tenderandkickedhimintheribs，whereupontheoldsavageemittedanappallingsqueal，pig-likeinitswild-animalfear，andfellfacedownwardintheashesandlayquiveringinmomentaryexpectationofdeath。
Otherheads，thoroughlysun-driedandsmoke-cured，werefoundinabundance，but，withtwoexceptions，theyweretheheadsofblacks。
Sothiswasthemannerofhuntingthatwentoninthedarkandevilforest，Sheldonthought，asheregardedthem。Theatmosphereoftheplacewassickening，yethecouldnotforbeartopausebeforeoneofBinuCharley\'sfinds。
\"MesavveeblackMary，mesavveewhiteMary，\"quothBinuCharley。
\"MenosavveethatfellaMary。Whatnamebelonghim？\"
Sheldonlooked。Ancientandwithered，blackenedbymanyyearsofthesmokeofthedevil-devilhouse，neverthelesstheshrunken，mummy-likefacewasunmistakablyChinese。Howithadcometherewasthemystery。Itwasawoman\'shead，andhehadneverheardofaChinesewomaninthehistoryoftheSolomons。Fromtheearshungtwo-inch-longear-rings，andatSheldon\'sdirectiontheBinumanrubbedawaytheaccretionsofsmokeanddirt，andfromunderhisfingersappearedthepolishedgreenofjade，thesheenofpearl，andthewarmredofOrientalgold。Theotherhead，equallyancient，wasawhiteman\'s，astheheavyblondmoustache，twistedandaskewontheshrivelledupperlip，gavesufficientadvertisement；andSheldonwonderedwhatforgottenbeche-de-merfishermanorsandalwoodtraderhadgonetofurnishthatghastlytrophy。
TellingBinuCharleytoremovetheear-rings，anddirectingthePoonga-Poongamentocarryouttheoldfire-tender，Sheldonclearedthedevil-devilhouseandsetfiretoit。Sooneveryhousewasblazingmerrily，whiletheancientfire-tendersatuprightinthesunshineblinkingatthedestructionofhisvillage。Fromtheheightsabove，wherewereevidentlyothervillages，cametheboomingofdrumsandawildblowingofwar-conchs；butSheldonhaddaredallhecaredtowithhissmallfollowing。Besides，hismissionwasaccomplished。EverymemberofTudor\'sexpeditionwasaccountedfor；anditwasalong，darkwayoutofthehead-hunters\'
country。Releasingtheirtwoprisoners，wholeapedawaylikestartleddeer，theyplungeddownthesteeppathintothesteamingjungle。
Joan，stillshockedbywhatshehadseen，walkedoninfrontofSheldon，subduedandsilent。Attheendofhalfanhoursheturnedtohimwithawansmileandsaid，-
\"Idon\'tthinkIcaretovisitthehead-huntersanymore。It\'sadventure，Iknow；butthereissuchathingashavingtoomuchofagoodthing。Ridingaroundtheplantationwillhenceforthbegoodenoughforme，orperhapssalvinganotherMartha；butthebushmenofGuadalcanarneedneverworryforfearthatIshallvisitthemagain。Ishallhavenightmaresformonthstocome，IknowIshall。
Ugh!——thehorridbeasts!\"
ThatnightfoundthembackincampwithTudor，who，whileimproved，wouldstillhavetobecarrieddownonastretcher。TheswellingofthePoonga-Poongaman\'sshoulderwasgoingdownslowly，butArahustilllimpedonhisthorn-poisonedfoot。
TwodayslatertheyrejoinedtheboatsatCarli；andathighnoonofthethirdday，travellingwiththecurrentandshootingtherapids，theexpeditionarrivedatBerande。Joan，withasigh，unbuckledherrevolver-beltandhungitonthenailintheliving-
room，whileSheldon，whohadbeenlurkingaboutforthesheerjoyofseeingherperformthatparticularhome-comingact，sighed，too，withsatisfaction。Butthehome-comingwasnotalljoytohim，forJoansetaboutnursingTudor，andspentmuchtimeontheverandawherehelayinthehammockunderthemosquito-netting。
CHAPTERXXVI——BURNINGDAYLIGHT
ThetendaysofTudor\'sconvalescencethatfollowedwerepeacefuldaysonBerande。Theworkoftheplantationwentonlikeclock-
work。WiththecrushingoftheprematureoutbreakofGogoomyandhisfollowing，allinsubordinationseemedtohavevanished。Twentymoreoftheold-timeboys，theirtermofserviceup，werecarriedawaybytheMartha，andthefreshstockoflabour，treatedfairly，wasprovingofexcellentquality。AsSheldonrodeabouttheplantation，acknowledgingtohimselfthecomfortandconvenienceofahorseandwonderingwhyhehadnotthoughtofgettingonehimself，heponderedthevariousimprovementsforwhichJoanwasresponsible——thesplendidPoonga-Poongarecruits；thefruitsandvegetables；theMarthaherself，snatchedfromtheseaforasongandearningmoneyhandoverfistdespiteoldKinross\'sslowandsafemethodofrunningher；andBerande，oncemorefinanciallysecure，approachingeachdaynearerthedividend-payingtime，andgrowingeachdayastheblacktoilersclearedthebush，cutthecane-grass，andplantedmorecocoanutpalms。
IntheseandathousandwaysSheldonwasmadeawareofhowmuchhewasindebtedformaterialprosperitytoJoan——totheslender，level-browedgirlwithromanceshiningoutofhergrayeyesandadventureshoutingfromthelong-barrelledColt\'sonherhip，whohadlandedonthebeachthatpipinggale，alongwithherstalwartTahitiancrew，andwhohadenteredhisbungalowtohangwithboy\'shandsherrevolver-beltandBaden-Powellhatonthenailbythebilliardtable。Heforgotalltheearlyexasperations，rememberingonlyhercharmsandsweetnessesandgloryingmuchinthetraitsheatfirsthaddislikedmost——herboyishnessandadventurousness，herdelighttoswimandriskthesharks，herdesiretogorecruiting，herloveoftheseaandships，hersharpauthoritativewordswhenshelaunchedthewhale-boatand，withfirestickinonehandanddynamite-stickintheother，departedwithherpicturesquecrewtoshootfishintheBalesuna；hersuper-innocentdisdainforthecommonestconventions，herjuvenilejoyinargument，herfluttering，wild-birdloveoffreedomandmadpassionforindependence。Allthishenowloved，andhenolongerdesiredtotameandholdher，thoughtheparadoxwasthewinningofherwithoutthetamingandtheholding。
Thereweretimeswhenhewasdizzywiththoughtofherandloveofher，whenhewouldstophishorseandwithclosedeyespictureherashehadseenherthatfirstday，inthestern-sheetsofthewhale-boat，dashingmadlyintoshoreandmarchingbelligerentlyalonghisverandatoremarkthatitwasprettyhospitalitythislettingstrangerssinkorswiminhisfrontyard。Andasheopenedhiseyesandurgedhishorseonward，hewouldponderforthetenthousandthtimehowpossiblyhewasevertoholdherwhenshewassowildandbird-likethatshewasboundtoflutteroutandawayfromunderhishand。
ItwaspatenttoSheldonthatTudorhadbecomeinterestedinJoan。
Thatconvalescentvisitorpracticallylivedontheveranda，though，whilepreposterouslyweakandshakyinthelegs，hehadforsometimeinsistedoncomingintojointhematthetableatmeals。ThefirstwarningSheldonhadoftheother\'sgrowinginterestinthegirlwaswhenTudoreaseddownandfinallyceasedprickinghimwithhishabitualsharpnessofquipandspeech。Thiscessationofverbalsparringwaslikethebreakingoffofdiplomaticrelationsbetweencountriesatthebeginningofwar，and，onceSheldon\'ssuspicionswerearoused，hewasnotlonginfindingotherconfirmations。TudortooobviouslyjoyedinJoan\'spresence，tooobviouslylaidhimselfouttoamuseandfascinateherwithhisowngloriousandadventurouspersonality。Often，afterhismorningrideovertheplantation，orcominginfromthestoreorfrominspectionofthecopra-drying，Sheldonfoundthepairofthemtogetherontheveranda，Joanlistening，intentandexcited，andTudordeepinsomerecitalofpersonaladventureattheendsoftheearth。
Sheldonnoticed，too，thewayTudorlookedatherandfollowedheraboutwithhiseyes，andinthoseeyeshenotedacertainhungrylook，andonthefaceacertainwistfulexpression；andhewonderedifonhisownfacehecarriedasimilarinvoluntaryadvertisement。
Hewassureofseveralthings:first，thatTudorwasnottherightmanforJoanandcouldnotpossiblymakeherpermanentlyhappy；
next，thatJoanwastoosensibleagirlreallytofallinlovewithamanofsuchsuperficialstamp；and，finally，thatTudorwouldblunderhislove-makingsomehow。Andatthesametime，withtruelover\'sanxiety，Sheldonfearedthattheothermightsomehowfailtoblunder，andwinthegirlwithpurelyfortuitousandsuccessfulmeretriciousshow。ButoftheonethingSheldonwassure:Tudorhadnointimateknowledgeofherandwasunawareofhowvitalinherwasherwildnessandloveofindependence。Thatwaswherehewouldblunder——inthecatchingandtheholdingofher。Andthen，inspiteofallhiscertitude，SheldoncouldnotforbearwonderingifhistheoriesofJoanmightnotbewrong，andifTudorwasnotgoingtherightwayaboutafterall。
Thesituationwasveryunsatisfactoryandperplexing。Sheldonplayedthedifficultpartofwaitingandlookingon，whilehisrivaldevotedhimselfenergeticallytoreachingoutandgraspingattheflutteringprize。Then，again，Tudorhadsuchanirritatingwayabouthim。Ithadbecomequiteelusiveandintangible，nowthathehadtacitlysevereddiplomaticrelations；butSheldonsensedwhathedeemedagrowingantagonismandpromptlymagnifieditthroughthejealouslensesofhisownlover\'seyes。Theotherwasaninterloper。HedidnotbelongtoBerande，andnowthathewaswellandstrongagainitwastimeforhimtogo。Insteadofwhich，anddespitethecallinginofthemailsteamerboundforSydney，Tudorhadsettledhimselfdowncomfortably，resumedswimming，wentdynamitingfishwithJoan，spenthourswithherhuntingpigeons，trappingcrocodiles，andattargetpracticewithrifleandrevolver。
ButtherewerecertaintraditionsofhospitalitythatpreventedSheldonfrombreathingahintthatitwastimeforhisguesttotakehimselfoff。Andinsimilarfashion，feelingthatitwasnotplayingthegame，hefoughtdownthetemptationtowarnJoan。Hadheknownanything，nottooserious，toTudor\'sdetriment，hewouldhavebeenunabletoutterit；buttheworstofitwasthatheknewnothingatallagainsttheman。Thatwastheconfoundedpartofit，andsometimeshewassobaffledandoverwroughtbyhisfeelingsthatheassumedasuper-judicialcalmandassuredhimselfthathisdislikeofTudorwasamatterofunsubstantialprejudiceandjealousy。
Outwardly，hemaintainedacalmandsmilingaspect。Theworkoftheplantationwenton。TheMarthaandtheFlibberty-Gibbetcameandwent，asdidallthemiscellanyofcoastingcraftthatdroppedintowaitforabreezeandhaveagossip，adrinkortwo，andagameofbilliards。Satankeptthecompoundfreeofniggers。
Bouchercamedownregularlyinhiswhale-boattopassSunday。
Twiceaday，atbreakfastanddinner，JoanandSheldonandTudormetamicablyattable，andtheeveningswereasamicablyspentontheveranda。
Andthenithappened。Tudormadehisblunder。NeverdiviningJoan\'sflutteringwildness，herblindhatredofrestraintandcompulsion，herabhorrenceofmasterybyanother，andmistakingthewarmthandenthusiasminhereyesarousedbyhislatesttaleforsomethingtenderandacquiescent，hedrewhertohim，laidaforcibledetainingarmaboutherwaist，andmisapprehendedherfranticrevoltforanexhibitionofmaidenlyreluctance。Itoccurredontheveranda，afterbreakfast，andSheldon，within，ponderingaSydneywholesaler\'scatalogueandmakinguphisordersfornextsteamer-day，heardthesharpexclamationofJoan，followedbytheequallysharpimpactofanopenhandagainstacheek。
Jerkingfreefromthearmthatwasalldistastefulcompulsion，JoanhadslappedTudor\'sfaceresoundinglyandwithfarmorevimandweightthanwhenshehadcuffedGogoomy。
Sheldonhadhalf-startedup，thencontrolledhimselfandsunkbackinhischair，sothatbythetimeJoanenteredthedoorhiscomposurewasrecovered。Herrightfore-armwasclutchedtightlyinherlefthand，whilethewhitecheeks，centredwiththespotsofflamingred，remindedhimofthetimehehadfirstseenherangry。
\"Hehurtmyarm，\"sheblurtedout，inreplytohislookofinquiry。
Hesmiledinvoluntarily。Itwassolikeher，soliketheboyshewas，tocomerunningtocomplainofthephysicalhurtwhichhadbeendoneher。Shewascertainlynotawomanversedinthewaysofmanandinthewaysofhandlingman。TheresoundingslapshehadgivenTudorseemedstillechoinginSheldon\'sears，andashelookedatthegirlbeforehimcryingoutthatherarmwashurt，hissmilegrewbroader。
Itwasthesmilethatdidit，convictingJoaninherowneyesofthesillinessofhercryandsendingoverherfacethemostamazingblushhehadeverseen。Throat，cheeks，andforeheadflamedwiththerushoftheshamedblood。
\"He——he——\"sheattemptedtovindicateherdeeperindignation，thenwhirledabruptlyawayandpassedoutthereardooranddownthesteps。
Sheldonsatandmused。Hewasatrifleangry，andthemorehedweltuponthehappeningtheangrierhegrew。IfithadbeenanywomanexceptJoanitwouldhavebeenamusing。ButJoanwasthelastwomanintheworldtoattempttokissforcibly。Thethingsmackedofthebackstairsanyway——asordidlittlecomedyperhaps，buttohavetrieditonJoanwasnothinglessthansacrilege。Themanshouldhavehadbettersense。Then，too，Sheldonwaspersonallyaggrieved。Hehadbeenfilchedofsomethingthathefeltwasalmosthis，andhislover\'sjealousywasrampantatthoughtofthisforcedfamiliarity。
ItwaswhileinthismoodthatthescreendoorbangedloudlybehindtheheelsofTudor，whostrodeintotheroomandpausedbeforehim。
Sheldonwasunprepared，thoughitwasveryapparentthattheotherwasfurious。
\"Well？\"Tudordemandeddefiantly。
AndontheinstantspeechrushedtoSheldon\'slips。
\"Ihopeyouwon\'tattemptanythinglikeitagain，that\'sall——
exceptthatIshallbeonlytoohappyanytimetoextendtoyouthecourtesyofmywhale-boat。ItwilllandyouinTulagiinafewhours。\"
\"Asifthatwouldsettleit，\"wastheretort。
\"Idon\'tunderstand，\"Sheldonsaidsimply。
\"Thenitisbecauseyoudon\'twishtounderstand。\"
\"StillIdon\'tunderstand，\"Sheldonsaidinsteady，leveltones。
\"Allthatiscleartomeisthatyouareexaggeratingyourownblunderintosomethingserious。\"
Tudorgrinnedmaliciouslyandreplied，-
\"Itwouldseemthatyouaredoingtheexaggerating，invitingmetoleaveinyourwhale-boat。ItistellingmethatBerandeisnotbigenoughforthepairofus。NowletmetellyouthattheSolomonIslandsisnotbigenoughforthepairofus。Thisthing\'sgottobesettledbetweenus，anditmayaswellbesettledrighthereandnow。\"
\"Icanunderstandyourfire-eatingmannersasbeingnaturaltoyou，\"Sheldonwentonwearily，\"butwhyyoushouldtrythemonmeiswhatIcan\'tcomprehend。Yousurelydon\'twanttoquarrelwithme。\"
\"Icertainlydo。\"
\"Butwhatinheaven\'snamefor？\"
Tudorsurveyedhimwithwitheringdisgust。
\"Youhaven\'tthesoulofalouse。Isupposeanymancouldmakelovetoyourwife——\"
\"ButIhavenowife，\"Sheldoninterrupted。
\"Thenyououghttohave。Thesituationisoutrageous。Youmightatleastmarryher，asIamhonourablywillingtodo。\"
ForthefirsttimeSheldon\'srisingangerboiledover。
\"You——\"hebeganviolently，thenabruptlycaughtcontrolofhimselfandwentonsoothingly，\"you\'dbettertakeadrinkandthinkitover。That\'smyadvicetoyou。Ofcourse，whenyoudogetcool，aftertalkingtomeinthisfashionyouwon\'twanttostayonanylonger，sowhileyou\'regettingthatdrinkI\'llcalltheboat\'s-
crewandlaunchaboat。You\'llbeinTulagibyeightthisevening。\"
Heturnedtowardthedoor，asiftoputhiswordsintoexecution，buttheothercaughthimbytheshoulderandtwirledhimaround。
\"Lookhere，Sheldon，ItoldyoutheSolomonsweretoosmallforthepairofus，andImeantit。\"
\"IsthatanoffertobuyBerande，lock，stock，andbarrel？\"Sheldonqueried。