byJosephConrad\"……ButtheDwarfanswered：No；
somethinghumanisdearertomethanthewealthofalltheworld。\"GRIMM’STALES。
TOMYWIFE
YOUTH：ANARRATIVE
THIScouldhaveoccurrednowherebutinEngland，wheremenandseainterpenetrate，sotospeak——theseaenteringintothelifeofmostmen，andthemenknow—
ingsomethingoreverythingaboutthesea，inthewayofamusement，oftravel，orofbread—winning。
Weweresittingroundamahoganytablethatreflectedthebottle，theclaret—glasses，andourfacesasweleanedonourelbows。Therewasadirectorofcompanies，anaccountant，alawyer，Marlow，andmyself。Thedirec—
torhadbeenaCONWAYboy，theaccountanthadservedfouryearsatsea，thelawyer——afinecrustedTory，HighChurchman，thebestofoldfellows，thesoulofhonor——
hadbeenchiefofficerintheP。&；O。serviceinthegoodolddayswhenmail—boatsweresquare—riggedatleastontwomasts，andusedtocomedowntheChinaSeabeforeafairmonsoonwithstun’—sailssetalowandaloft。Weallbeganlifeinthemerchantservice。Betweenthefiveofustherewasthestrongbondofthesea，andalsothefellowshipofthecraft，whichnoamountofenthusiasmforyachting，cruising，andsooncangive，sinceoneisonlytheamusementoflifeandtheotherislifeitself。
Marlow（atleastIthinkthatishowhespelthisname）
toldthestory，orratherthechronicle，ofavoyage：
\"Yes，IhaveseenalittleoftheEasternseas；butwhatIrememberbestismyfirstvoyagethere。Youfellowsknowtherearethosevoyagesthatseemorderedfortheillustrationoflife，thatmightstandforasymbolofexistence。Youfight，work，sweat，nearlykillyourself，sometimesdokillyourself，tryingtoaccomplishsome—
thing——andyoucan’t。Notfromanyfaultofyours。
Yousimplycandonothing，neithergreatnorlittle——
notathingintheworld——notevenmarryanoldmaid，orgetawretched600—toncargoofcoaltoitsportofdesti—
nation。
\"Itwasaltogetheramemorableaffair。ItwasmyfirstvoyagetotheEast，andmyfirstvoyageassecondmate；itwasalsomyskipper’sfirstcommand。You’lladmititwastime。Hewassixtyifaday；alittleman，withabroad，notverystraightback，withbowedshoul—
dersandonelegmorebandythantheother，hehadthatqueertwisted—aboutappearanceyouseesoofteninmenwhoworkinthefields。Hehadanut—crackerface——chinandnosetryingtocometogetheroverasunkenmouth——
anditwasframediniron—grayfluffyhair，thatlookedlikeachinstrapofcotton—woolsprinkledwithcoal—dust。
Andhehadblueeyesinthatoldfaceofhis，whichwereamazinglylikeaboy’s，withthatcandidexpressionsomequitecommonmenpreservetotheendoftheirdaysbyarareinternalgiftofsimplicityofheartandrectitudeofsoul。Whatinducedhimtoacceptmewasawonder。
IhadcomeoutofacrackAustralianclipper，whereI
hadbeenthirdofficer，andheseemedtohaveaprejudiceagainstcrackclippersasaristocraticandhigh—toned。
Hesaidtome，’Youknow，inthisshipyouwillhavetowork。’IsaidIhadtoworkineveryshipIhadeverbeenin。’Ah，butthisisdifferent，andyougentlemenoutofthembigships；……butthere！Idaresayyouwilldo。Jointo—morrow。’
\"Ijoinedto—morrow。Itwastwenty—twoyearsago；
andIwasjusttwenty。Howtimepasses！Itwasoneofthehappiestdaysofmylife。Fancy！Secondmateforthefirsttime——areallyresponsibleofficer！Iwouldn’thavethrownupmynewbilletforafortune。Thematelookedmeovercarefully。Hewasalsoanoldchap，butofanotherstamp。HehadaRomannose，asnow—white，longbeard，andhisnamewasMahon，butheinsistedthatitshouldbepronouncedMann。Hewaswellconnected；
yettherewassomethingwrongwithhisluck，andhehadnevergoton。
\"Astothecaptain，hehadbeenforyearsincoasters，thenintheMediterranean，andlastintheWestIndiantrade。HehadneverbeenroundtheCapes。Hecouldjustwriteakindofsketchyhand，anddidn’tcareforwritingatall。Bothwerethoroughgoodseamenofcourse，andbetweenthosetwooldchapsIfeltlikeasmallboybetweentwograndfathers。
\"Theshipalsowasold。HernamewastheJudea。
Queername，isn’tit？ShebelongedtoamanWilmer，Wilcox——somenamelikethat；buthehasbeenbankruptanddeadthesetwentyyearsormore，andhisnamedon’tmatter。ShehadbeenlaidupinShadwellbasinforeversolong。Youcanimagineherstate。Shewasallrust，dust，grime——sootaloft，dirtondeck。Tomeitwaslikecomingoutofapalaceintoaruinedcottage。Shewasabout400tons，hadaprimitivewindlass，woodenlatchestothedoors，notabitofbrassabouther，andabigsquarestern。Therewasonit，belowhernameinbigletters，alotofscrollwork，withthegiltoff，andsomesortofacoatofarms，withthemotto’DoorDie’under—
neath。Irememberittookmyfancyimmensely。Therewasatouchofromanceinit，somethingthatmademelovetheoldthing——somethingthatappealedtomyyouth！
\"WeleftLondoninballast——sandballast——toloadacargoofcoalinanorthernportforBankok。Bankok！
Ithrilled。Ihadbeensixyearsatsea，buthadonlyseenMelbourneandSydney，verygoodplaces，charmingplacesintheirway——butBankok！
\"WeworkedoutoftheThamesundercanvas，withaNorthSeapilotonboard。HisnamewasJermyn，andhedodgedalldaylongaboutthegalleydryinghishand—
kerchiefbeforethestove。Apparentlyheneverslept。
Hewasadismalman，withaperpetualtearsparklingattheendofhisnose，whoeitherhadbeenintrouble，orwasintrouble，orexpectedtobeintrouble——couldn’tbehappyunlesssomethingwentwrong。Hemistrustedmyyouth，mycommon—sense，andmyseamanship，andmadeapointofshowingitinahundredlittleways。I
daresayhewasright。ItseemstomeIknewverylittlethen，andIknownotmuchmorenow；butIcherishahateforthatJermyntothisday。
\"WewereaweekworkingupasfarasYarmouthRoads，andthenwegotintoagale——thefamousOctobergaleoftwenty—twoyearsago。Itwaswind，lightning，sleet，snow，andaterrificsea。Wewereflyinglight，andyoumayimaginehowbaditwaswhenItellyouwehadsmashedbulwarksandafloodeddeck。Onthesecondnightsheshiftedherballastintotheleebow，andbythattimewehadbeenblownoffsomewhereontheDoggerBank。Therewasnothingforitbutgobelowwithshovelsandtrytorighther，andtherewewereinthatvasthold，gloomylikeacavern，thetallowdipsstuckandflickeringonthebeams，thegalehowlingabove，theshiptossingaboutlikemadonherside；thereweallwere，Jermyn，thecaptain，everyone，hardlyabletokeepourfeet，engagedonthatgravedigger’swork，andtry—
ingtotossshovelfulsofwetsanduptowindward。Ateverytumbleoftheshipyoucouldseevaguelyinthedimlightmenfallingdownwithagreatflourishofshov—
els。Oneoftheship’sboys（wehadtwo），impressedbytheweirdnessofthescene，weptasifhisheartwouldbreak。Wecouldhearhimblubberingsomewhereintheshadows。
\"Onthethirddaythegalediedout，andby—and—byanorth—countrytugpickedusup。WetooksixteendaysinalltogetfromLondontotheTyne！Whenwegotintodockwehadlostourturnforloading，andtheyhauledusofftoatierwhereweremainedforamonth。
Mrs。Beard（thecaptain’snamewasBeard）camefromColchestertoseetheoldman。Shelivedonboard。Thecrewofrunnershadleft，andthereremainedonlytheofficers，oneboy，andthesteward，amulattowhoan—
sweredtothenameofAbraham。Mrs。Beardwasanoldwoman，witharaceallwrinkledandruddylikeawinterapple，andthefigureofayounggirl。Shecaughtsightofmeonce，sewingonabutton，andinsistedonhavingmyshirtstorepair。Thiswassomethingdifferentfromthecaptains’wivesIhadknownonboardcrackclippers。
WhenIbroughthertheshirts，shesaid：’Andthesocks？Theywantmending，Iamsure，andJohn’s——
CaptainBeard’s——thingsareallinordernow。Iwouldbegladofsomethingtodo。’Blesstheoldwoman。Sheoverhauledmyoutfitforme，andmeantimeIreadforthefirsttime’SartorResartus’andBurnaby’s’RidetoKhiva。’Ididn’tunderstandmuchofthefirstthen；
butIrememberIpreferredthesoldiertothephilosopheratthetime；apreferencewhichlifehasonlyconfirmed。
Onewasaman，andtheotherwaseithermore——orless。
However，theyarebothdead，andMrs。Beardisdead，andyouth，strength，genius，thoughts，achievements，simplehearts——alldie……Nomatter。
\"Theyloadedusatlast。Weshippedacrew。Eightableseamenandtwoboys。Wehauledoffoneeveningtothebuoysatthedock—gates，readytogoout，andwithafairprospectofbeginningthevoyagenextday。Mrs。
Beardwastostartforhomebyalatetrain。Whentheshipwasfastwewenttotea。Wesatrathersilentthroughthemeal——Mahon，theoldcouple，andI。I
finishedfirst，andslippedawayforasmoke，mycabinbeinginadeck—housejustagainstthepoop。Itwashighwater，blowingfreshwithadrizzle；thedoubledock—
gateswereopened，andthesteamcolliersweregoinginandoutinthedarknesswiththeirlightsburningbright，agreatplashingofpropellers，rattlingofwinches，andalotofhailingonthepier—heads。Iwatchedtheprocessionofhead—lightsglidinghighandofgreenlightsglidinglowinthenight，whensuddenlyaredgleamflashedatme，vanished，cameintoviewagain，andremained。Thefore—endofasteamerloomedupclose。
Ishouteddownthecabin，’Comeup，quick！’andthenheardastartledvoicesayingafarinthedark，’Stopher，sir。’Abelljingled。Anothervoicecriedwarningly，’Wearegoingrightintothatbark，sir。’Theanswertothiswasagruff’Allright，’andthenextthingwasaheavycrashasthesteamerstruckaglancingblowwiththebluffofherbowaboutourfore—rigging。Therewasamomentofconfusion，yelling，andrunningabout。
Steamroared。Thensomebodywasheardsaying，’Allclear，sir。’……’Areyouallright？’askedthegruffvoice。Ihadjumpedforwardtoseethedamage，andhailedback，’Ithinkso。’’Easyastern，’saidthegruffvoice。Abelljingled。’Whatsteameristhat？’
screamedMahon。Bythattimeshewasnomoretousthanabulkyshadowmaneuveringalittlewayoff。Theyshoutedatussomename——awoman’sname，MirandaorMelissa——orsomesuchthing。’Thismeansanothermonthinthisbeastlyhole，’saidMahontome，aswepeeredwithlampsaboutthesplinteredbulwarksandbrokenbraces。’Butwhere’sthecaptain？’
\"Wehadnotheardorseenanythingofhimallthattime。Wewentafttolook。Adolefulvoicearosehail—
ingsomewhereinthemiddleofthedock，’Judeaahoy！’……Howthedevildidhegetthere？……’Hallo！’
weshouted。’Iamadriftinourboatwithoutoars，’hecried。Abelatedwatermanofferedhisservices，andMahonstruckabargainwithhimforhalf—a—crowntotowourskipperalongside；butitwasMrs。Beardthatcameuptheladderfirst。Theyhadbeenfloatingaboutthedockinthatmizzlycoldrainfornearlyanhour。I
wasneversosurprisedinmylife。
\"Itappearsthatwhenheheardmyshout’Comeup，’
heunderstoodatoncewhatwasthematter，caughtuphiswife，ranondeck，andacross，anddownintoourboat，whichwasfasttotheladder。Notbadforasixty—year—
old。Justimaginethatoldfellowsavingheroicallyinhisarmsthatoldwoman——thewomanofhislife。Hesetherdownonathwart，andwasreadytoclimbbackonboardwhenthepaintercameadriftsomehow，andawaytheywenttogether。Ofcourseintheconfusionwedidnothearhimshouting。Helookedabashed。Shesaidcheerfully，’Isupposeitdoesnotmattermylosingthetrainnow？’’No，Jenny——yougobelowandgetwarm，’hegrowled。Thentous：’Asailorhasnobusi—
nesswithawife——Isay。ThereIwas，outoftheship。
Well，noharmdonethistime。Let’sgoandlookatwhatthatfoolofasteamersmashed。’
\"Itwasn’tmuch，butitdelayedusthreeweeks。Attheendofthattime，thecaptainbeingengagedwithhisagents，IcarriedMrs。Beard’sbagtotherailway—sta—
tionandputherallcomfyintoathird—classcarriage。
Sheloweredthewindowtosay，’Youareagoodyoungman。IfyouseeJohn——CaptainBeard——withouthismuffleratnight，justremindhimfrommetokeephisthroatwellwrappedup。’’Certainly，Mrs。Beard，’I
said。’Youareagoodyoungman；Inoticedhowat—
tentiveyouaretoJohn——toCaptain——’Thetrainpulledoutsuddenly；Itookmycapofftotheoldwoman：Ineversawheragain……Passthebottle。
\"Wewenttoseanextday。WhenwemadethatstartforBankokwehadbeenalreadythreemonthsoutofLondon。Wehadexpectedtobeafortnightorso——attheoutside。
\"ItwasJanuary，andtheweatherwasbeautiful——thebeautifulsunnywinterweatherthathasmorecharmthaninthesummer—time，becauseitisunexpected，andcrisp，andyouknowitwon’t，itcan’t，lastlong。It’slikeawindfall，likeagodsend，likeanunexpectedpieceofluck。
\"ItlastedalldowntheNorthSea，alldownChannel；
anditlastedtillwewerethreehundredmilesorsotothewestwardoftheLizards：thenthewindwentroundtothesou’westandbegantopipeup。Intwodaysitblewagale。TheJudea，hoveto，wallowedontheAtlanticlikeanoldcandlebox。Itblewdayafterday：itblewwithspite，withoutinterval，withoutmercy，withoutrest。
Theworldwasnothingbutanimmensityofgreatfoam—
ingwavesrushingatus，underaskylowenoughtotouchwiththehandanddirtylikeasmokedceiling。Inthestormyspacesurroundingustherewasasmuchflyingsprayasair。Dayafterdayandnightafternighttherewasnothingroundtheshipbutthehowlofthewind，thetumultofthesea，thenoiseofwaterpouringoverherdeck。Therewasnorestforherandnorestforus。
Shetossed，shepitched，shestoodonherhead，shesatonhertail，sherolled，shegroaned，andwehadtoholdonwhileondeckandclingtoourbunkswhenbelow，inaconstanteffortofbodyandworryofmind。
\"OnenightMahonspokethroughthesmallwindowofmyberth。Itopenedrightintomyverybed，andI
waslyingtheresleepless，inmyboots，feelingasthoughIhadnotsleptforyears，andcouldnotifItried。Hesaidexcitedly——
\"’Yougotthesounding—rodinhere，Marlow？Ican’tgetthepumpstosuck。ByGod！it’snochild’splay。’
\"Igavehimthesounding—rodandlaydownagain，tryingtothinkofvariousthings——butIthoughtonlyofthepumps。WhenIcameondecktheywerestillatit，andmywatchrelievedatthepumps。Bythelightofthelanternbroughtondecktoexaminethesounding—
rodIcaughtaglimpseoftheirweary，seriousfaces。
Wepumpedallthefourhours。Wepumpedallnight，allday，alltheweek，——watchandwatch。Shewaswork—
ingherselfloose，andleakedbadly——notenoughtodrownusatonce，butenoughtokilluswiththeworkatthepumps。Andwhilewepumpedtheshipwasgoingfromuspiecemeal：thebulwarkswent，thestanchionsweretornout，theventilatorssmashed，thecabin—doorburstin。Therewasnotadryspotintheship。Shewasbeingguttedbitbybit。Thelong—boatchanged，asifbymagic，intomatchwoodwhereshestoodinhergripes。
Ihadlashedhermyself，andwasratherproudofmyhandiwork，whichhadwithstoodsolongthemaliceofthesea。Andwepumped。Andtherewasnobreakintheweather。Theseawaswhitelikeasheetoffoam，likeacaldronofboilingmilk；therewasnotabreakintheclouds，no——notthesizeofaman’shand——no，notforsomuchastenseconds。Therewasforusnosky，therewereforusnostars，nosun，nouniverse——nothingbutangrycloudsandaninfuriatedsea。Wepumpedwatchandwatch，fordearlife；anditseemedtolastformonths，foryears，foralleternity，asthoughwehadbeendeadandgonetoahellforsailors。Weforgotthedayoftheweek，thenameofthemonth，whatyearitwas，andwhetherwehadeverbeenashore。Thesailsblewaway，shelaybroadsideonunderaweather—cloth，theoceanpouredoverher，andwedidnotcare。Weturnedthosehandles，andhadtheeyesofidiots。AssoonaswehadcrawledondeckIusedtotakearoundturnwitharopeaboutthemen，thepumps，andthemainmast，andweturned，weturnedincessantly，withthewatertoourwaists，toournecks，overourheads。Itwasallone。
Wehadforgottenhowitfelttobedry。
\"Andtherewassomewhereinmethethought：ByJove！thisisthedeuceofanadventure——somethingyoureadabout；anditismyfirstvoyageassecondmate——
andIamonlytwenty——andhereIamlastingitoutaswellasanyofthesemen，andkeepingmychapsuptothemark。Iwaspleased。Iwouldnothavegivenuptheexperienceforworlds。Ihadmomentsofexultation。
Whenevertheolddismantledcraftpitchedheavilywithhercounterhighintheair，sheseemedtometothrowup，likeanappeal，likeadefiance，likeacrytothecloudswithoutmercy，thewordswrittenonherstern：’Judea，London。DoorDie。’
\"Oyouth！Thestrengthofit，thefaithofit，theimaginationofit！Tomeshewasnotanoldrattle—trapcartingabouttheworldalotofcoalforafreight——tomeshewastheendeavor，thetest，thetrialoflife。I
thinkofherwithpleasure，withaffection，withregret——
asyouwouldthinkofsomeonedeadyouhaveloved。I
shallneverforgether……Passthebottle。
\"Onenightwhentiedtothemast，asIexplained，wewerepumpingon，deafenedwiththewind，andwithoutspiritenoughinustowishourselvesdead，aheavyseacrashedaboardandsweptcleanoverus。AssoonasI
gotmybreathIshouted，asindutybound，’Keepon，boys！’whensuddenlyIfeltsomethinghardfloatingondeckstrikethecalfofmyleg。Imadeagrabatitandmissed。Itwassodarkwecouldnotseeeachother’sfaceswithinafoot——youunderstand。
\"Afterthatthumptheshipkeptquietforawhile，andthething，whateveritwas，struckmylegagain。
ThistimeIcaughtit——anditwasasauce—pan。Atfirst，beingstupidwithfatigueandthinkingofnothingbutthepumps，IdidnotunderstandwhatIhadinmyhand。
Suddenlyitdawneduponme，andIshouted，’Boys，thehouseondeckisgone。Leavethis，andlet’slookforthecook。’
\"Therewasadeck—houseforward，whichcontainedthegalley，thecook’sberth，andthequartersofthecrew。Aswehadexpectedfordaystoseeitsweptaway，thehandshadbeenorderedtosleepinthecabin——theonlysafeplaceintheship。Thesteward，Abraham，however，persistedinclingingtohisberth，stupidly，likeamule——fromsheerfrightIbelieve，likeananimalthaton’tleaveastablefallinginanearthquake。Sowewenttolookforhim。Itwaschancingdeath，sinceonceoutofourlashingswewereasexposedasifonaraft。
Butwewent。Thehousewasshatteredasifashellhadexplodedinside。Mostofithadgoneoverboard——stove，men’squarters，andtheirproperty，allwasgone；buttwoposts，holdingaportionofthebulkheadtowhichAbraham’sbunkwasattached，remainedasifbyamir—
acle。Wegropedintheruinsandcameuponthis，andtherehewas，sittinginhisbunk，surroundedbyfoamandwreckage，jabberingcheerfullytohimself。Hewasoutofhismind；completelyandforevermad，withthissuddenshockcominguponthefag—endofhisendurance。
Wesnatchedhimup，luggedhimaft，andpitchedhimhead—firstdownthecabincompanion。Youunderstandtherewasnotimetocarryhimdownwithinfinitepre—
cautionsandwaittoseehowhegoton。Thosebelowwouldpickhimupatthebottomofthestairsallright。
Wewereinahurrytogobacktothepumps。Thatbusi—
nesscouldnotwait。Abadleakisaninhumanthing。
\"Onewouldthinkthatthesolepurposeofthatfiend—
ishgalehadbeentomakealunaticofthatpoordevilofamulatto。Iteasedbeforemorning，andnextdaytheskycleared，andastheseawentdowntheleaktookup。
Whenitcametobendingafreshsetofsailsthecrewdemandedtoputback——andreallytherewasnothingelsetodo。Boatsgone，deckssweptclean，cabingutted，menwithoutastitchbutwhattheystoodin，storesspoiled，shipstrained。Weputherheadforhome，and——wouldyoubelieveit？Thewindcameeastrightinourteeth。
Itblewfresh，itblewcontinuously。Wehadtobeatupeveryinchoftheway，butshedidnotleaksobadly，thewaterkeepingcomparativelysmooth。Twohours’
pumpingineveryfourisnojoke——butitkeptherafloatasfarasFalmouth。
\"Thegoodpeoplethereliveoncasualtiesofthesea，andnodoubtweregladtoseeus。Ahungrycrowdofshipwrightssharpenedtheirchiselsatthesightofthatcarcassofaship。And，byJove！theyhadprettypick—
ingsoffusbeforetheyweredone。Ifancytheownerwasalreadyinatightplace。Thereweredelays。Thenitwasdecidedtotakepartofthecargooutandcalkhertopsides。Thiswasdone，therepairsfinished，cargore—
shipped；anewcrewcameonboard，andwewentout——
forBankok。Attheendofaweekwewerebackagain。
Thecrewsaidtheyweren’tgoingtoBankok——ahundredandfiftydays’passage——inasomethinghookerthatwantedpumpingeighthoursoutofthetwenty—four；
andthenauticalpapersinsertedagainthelittlepara—
graph：’Judea。Bark。TynetoBankok；coals；putbacktoFalmouthleakyandwithcrewrefusingduty。’
\"Thereweremoredelays——moretinkering。Theownercamedownforaday，andsaidshewasasrightasalittlefiddle。PooroldCaptainBeardlookedliketheghostofaGeordieskipper——throughtheworryandhumiliationofit。Rememberhewassixty，anditwashisfirstcommand。Mahonsaiditwasafoolishbusiness，andwouldendbadly。Ilovedtheshipmorethanever，andwantedawfullytogettoBankok。ToBankok！
Magicname，blessedname。Mesopotamiawasn’tapatchnit。RememberIwastwenty，anditwasmyfirstsecondmate’sbillet，andtheEastwaswaitingforme。
\"Wewentoutandanchoredintheouterroadswithafreshcrew——thethird。Sheleakedworsethanever。
Itwasasifthoseconfoundedshipwrightshadactuallymadeaholeinher。Thistimewedidnotevengooutside。Thecrewsimplyrefusedtomanthewindlass。
\"Theytowedusbacktotheinnerharbor，andwebe—
cameafixture，afeature，aninstitutionoftheplace。
Peoplepointedusouttovisitorsas’That’erebarkthat’sgoingtoBankok——hasbeenheresixmonths——putbackthreetimes。’Onholidaysthesmallboyspullingaboutinboatswouldhail，’Judea，ahoy！’andifaheadshowedabovetherailshouted，’Whereyouboundto？——
Bankok？’andjeered。Wewereonlythreeonboard。
Thepooroldskippermoonedinthecabin。Mahonun—
dertookthecooking，andunexpectedlydevelopedallaFrenchman’sgeniusforpreparingnicelittlemesses。I
lookedlanguidlyaftertherigging。WebecamecitizensofFalmouth。Everyshopkeeperknewus。Atthebar—
ber’sortobacconist’stheyaskedfamiliarly，’DoyouthinkyouwillevergettoBankok？’Meantimetheowner，theunderwriters，andthechartererssquabbledamongstthemselvesinLondon，andourpaywenton……Passthebottle。
\"Itwashorrid。Morallyitwasworsethanpumpingforlife。Itseemedasthoughwehadbeenforgottenbytheworld，belongedtonobody，wouldgetnowhere；itseemedthat，asifbewitched，wewouldhavetoliveforeverandeverinthatinnerharbor，aderisionandaby—
wordtogenerationsoflong—shoreloafersanddishonestboatmen。Iobtainedthreemonths’payandafivedays’
leave，andmadearushforLondon。Ittookmeadaytogetthereandprettywellanothertocomeback——butthreemonths’paywentallthesame。Idon’tknowwhatIdidwithit。Iwenttoamusic—hall，Ibelieve，lunched，dined，andsuppedinaswellplaceinRegentStreet，andwasbacktotime，withnothingbutacompletesetofByron’sworksandanewrailwayrugtoshowforthreemonths’work。Theboatmanwhopulledmeofftotheshipsaid：’Hallo！Ithoughtyouhadlefttheoldthing。
SHEwillnevergettoBankok。’’That’sallYOUknowaboutit，’Isaidscornfully——butIdidn’tlikethatproph—
ecyatall。
\"Suddenlyaman，somekindofagenttosomebody，appearedwithfullpowers。Hehadgrogblossomsalloverhisface，anindomitableenergy，andwasajollysoul。Weleapedintolifeagain。Ahulkcamealong—
side，tookourcargo，andthenwewentintodrydocktogetourcopperstripped。Nowondersheleaked。Thepoorthing，strainedbeyondendurancebythegale，had，asifindisgust，spatoutalltheoakumofherlowerseams。Shewasrecalked，newcoppered，andmadeastightasabottle。Wewentbacktothehulkandre—
shippedourcargo。
\"Thenonafinemoonlightnight，alltheratslefttheship。
\"Wehadbeeninfestedwiththem。Theyhaddestroyedoursails，consumedmorestoresthanthecrew，affablysharedourbedsandourdangers，andnow，whentheshipwasmadeseaworthy，concludedtoclearout。I
calledMahontoenjoythespectacle。Ratafterratap—
pearedonourrail，tookalastlookoverhisshoulder，andleapedwithahollowthudintotheemptyhulk。
Wetriedtocountthem，butsoonlostthetale。Mahonsaid：’Well，well！don’ttalktomeabouttheintelligenceofrats。Theyoughttohaveleftbefore，whenwehadthatnarrowsqueakfromfoundering。Thereyouhavetheproofhowsillyisthesuperstitionaboutthem。Theyleaveagoodshipforanoldrottenhulk，wherethereisnothingtoeat，too，thefools！……Idon’tbelievetheyknowwhatissafeorwhatisgoodforthem，anymorethanyouorI。’
\"Andaftersomemoretalkweagreedthatthewisdomofratshadbeengrosslyoverrated，beinginfactnogreaterthanthatofmen。
\"Thestoryoftheshipwasknown，bythis，alluptheChannelfromLand’sEndtotheForelands，andwecouldgetnocrewonthesouthcoast。TheysentusoneallcompletefromLiverpool，andweleftoncemore——forBankok。
\"Wehadfairbreezes，smoothwaterrightintothetropics，andtheoldJudealumberedalonginthesun—
shine。Whenshewenteightknotseverythingcrackedaloft，andwetiedourcapstoourheads；butmostlyshestrolledonattherateofthreemilesanhour。Whatcouldyouexpect？Shewastired——thatoldship。Heryouthwaswheremineis——whereyoursis——youfellowswholistentothisyarn；andwhatfriendwouldthrowyouryearsandyourwearinessinyourface？Wedidn’tgrumbleather。Tousaft，atleast，itseemedasthoughwehadbeenborninher，rearedinher，hadlivedinherforages，hadneverknownanyothership。Iwouldjustassoonhaveabusedtheoldvillagechurchathomefornotbeingacathedral。
\"Andformetherewasalsomyyouthtomakemepa—
tient。TherewasalltheEastbeforeme，andalllife，andthethoughtthatIhadbeentriedinthatshipandhadcomeoutprettywell。AndIthoughtofmenofoldwho，centuriesago，wentthatroadinshipsthatsailednobetter，tothelandofpalms，andspices，andyellowsands，andofbrownnationsruledbykingsmorecruelthanNerotheRomanandmoresplendidthanSolomontheJew。Theoldbarklumberedon，heavywithherageandtheburdenofhercargo，whileIlivedthelifeofyouthinignoranceandhope。Shelumberedonthroughaninterminableprocessionofdays；andthefreshgild—
ingflashedbackatthesettingsun，seemedtocryoutoverthedarkeningseathewordspaintedonherstern，’Judea，London。DoorDie。’
\"ThenweenteredtheIndianOceanandsteerednorth—
erlyforJavaHead。Thewindswerelight。Weeksslippedby。Shecrawledon，doordie，andpeopleathomebegantothinkofpostingusasoverdue。
\"OneSaturdayevening，Ibeingoffduty，themenaskedmetogivethemanextrabucketofwaterorso——
forwashingclothes。AsIdidnotwishtoscrewonthefresh—waterpumpsolate，Iwentforwardwhistling，andwithakeyinmyhandtounlocktheforepeakscuttle，intendingtoservethewateroutofasparetankwekeptthere。
\"Thesmelldownbelowwasasunexpectedasitwasfrightful。Onewouldhavethoughthundredsofpar—
affin—lampshadbeenflaringandsmokinginthatholefordays。Iwasgladtogetout。Themanwithmecoughedandsaid，’Funnysmell，sir。’Ianswerednegli—
gently，’It’sgoodforthehealth，theysay，’andwalkedaft。
\"ThefirstthingIdidwastoputmyheaddownthesquareofthemidshipventilator。AsIliftedthelidavisiblebreath，somethinglikeathinfog，apuffoffainthaze，rosefromtheopening。Theascendingairwashot，andhadaheavy，sooty，paraffinysmell。Igaveonesniff，andputdownthelidgently。Itwasnousechokingmy—
self。Thecargowasonfire。
\"Nextdayshebegantosmokeinearnest。Youseeitwastobeexpected，forthoughthecoalwasofasafekind，thatcargohadbeensohandled，sobrokenupwithhandling，thatitlookedmorelikesmithycoalthanany—
thingelse。Thenithadbeenwetted——morethanonce。
Itrainedallthetimeweweretakingitbackfromthehulk，andnowwiththislongpassageitgotheated，andtherewasanothercaseofspontaneouscombustion。
\"Thecaptaincalledusintothecabin。Hehadachartspreadonthetable，andlookedunhappy。Hesaid，’ThecoastofWestAustraliaisnear，butImeantoproceedtoourdestination。Itisthehurricanemonthtoo；butwewilljustkeepherheadforBankok，andfightthefire。
Nomoreputtingbackanywhere，ifweallgetroasted。
Wewilltryfirsttostiflethis’eredamnedcombustionbywantofair。’
\"Wetried。Webatteneddowneverything，andstillshesmoked。Thesmokekeptcomingoutthroughim—
perceptiblecrevices；itforceditselfthroughbulkheadsandcovers；itoozedhereandthereandeverywhereinslenderthreads，inaninvisiblefilm，inanincomprehen—
siblemanner。Itmadeitswayintothecabin，intotheforecastle；itpoisonedtheshelteredplacesonthedeck，itcouldbesniffedashighasthemainyard。Itwasclearthatifthesmokecameouttheaircamein。Thiswasdisheartening。Thiscombustionrefusedtobestifled。
\"Weresolvedtotrywater，andtookthehatchesoff。
Enormousvolumesofsmoke，whitish，yellowish，thick，greasy，misty，choking，ascendedashighasthetrucks。
Allhandsclearedoutaft。Thenthepoisonouscloudblewaway，andwewentbacktoworkinasmokethatwasnothickernowthanthatofanordinaryfactorychimney。
\"Weriggedtheforcepump，gotthehosealong，andby—and—byitburst。Well，itwasasoldastheship——aprehistorichose，andpastrepair。Thenwepumpedwiththefeeblehead—pump，drewwaterwithbuckets，andinthiswaymanagedintimetopourlotsofIndianOceanintothemainhatch。Thebrightstreamflashedinsun—
shine，fellintoalayerofwhitecrawlingsmoke，andvan—
ishedontheblacksurfaceofcoal。Steamascendedminglingwiththesmoke。Wepouredsaltwaterasintoabarrelwithoutabottom。Itwasourfatetopumpinthatship，topumpoutofher，topumpintoher；andafterkeepingwateroutofhertosaveourselvesfrombeingdrowned，wefranticallypouredwaterintohertosaveourselvesfrombeingburnt。
\"Andshecrawledon，doordie，inthesereneweather。
Theskywasamiracleofpurity，amiracleofazure。
Theseawaspolished，wasblue，waspellucid，wasspark—
linglikeapreciousstone，extendingonallsides，allroundtothehorizon——asifthewholeterrestrialglobehadbeenonejewel，onecolossalsapphire，asinglegemfashionedintoaplanet。AndonthelusterofthegreatcalmwaterstheJudeaglidedimperceptibly，envelopedinlanguidanduncleanvapors，inalazycloudthatdriftedtoleeward，lightandslow：apestiferousclouddefilingthesplendorofseaandsky。
\"Allthistimeofcoursewesawnofire。Thecargosmolderedatthebottomsomewhere。OnceMahon，aswewereworkingsidebyside，saidtomewithaqueersmile：’Now，ifsheonlywouldspringatidyleak——
likethattimewhenwefirstlefttheChannel——itwouldputastopperonthisfire。Wouldn’tit？’Iremarkedirrelevantly，’Doyouremembertherats？’
\"Wefoughtthefireandsailedtheshiptooascarefullyasthoughnothinghadbeenthematter。Thestewardcookedandattendedonus。Oftheothertwelvemen，eightworkedwhilefourrested。Everyonetookhisturn，captainincluded。Therewasequality，andifnotexactlyfraternity，thenadealofgoodfeeling。Some—
timesaman，ashedashedabucketfulofwaterdownthehatchway，wouldyellout，’HurrahforBankok！’andtherestlaughed。Butgenerallyweweretaciturnandseri—
ous——andthirsty。Oh！howthirsty！Andwehadtobecarefulwiththewater。Strictallowance。Theshipsmoked，thesunblazed……Passthebottle。
\"Wetriedeverything。Weevenmadeanattempttodigdowntothefire。Nogood，ofcourse。Nomancouldremainmorethanaminutebelow。Mahon，whowentfirst，faintedthere，andthemanwhowenttofetchhimoutdidlikewise。Weluggedthemoutondeck。
ThenIleapeddowntoshowhoweasilyitcouldbedone。
Theyhadlearnedwisdombythattime，andcontentedthemselvesbyfishingformewithachain—hooktiedtoabroom—handle，Ibelieve。Ididnotoffertogoandfetchupmyshovel，whichwasleftdownbelow。
\"Thingsbegantolookbad。Weputthelong—boatintothewater。Thesecondboatwasreadytoswingout。
Wehadalsoanother，afourteen—footthing，ondavitsaft，whereitwasquitesafe。