DEDICATEDTO
CaptainJosephHodgsonUNITEDSTATESLIFESAVINGSERVICE
I
SHANGHAIED
Thisistobeastoryofabattle，atleastonemurder，andseveralsuddendeaths。Forthatreasonitbeginswithapinkteaandamongthemingledodorsofmanydelicateperfumesandthehale，franksmellofCarolineTestoutroses。
Therehadbeenagreatnumberofdebutantes\"comingout\"thatseasoninSanFranciscobymeansofafternoonteas，pink，lavender，andotherwise。ThisparticularteawasintendedtocelebratethefactthatJosieHerrickhadarrivedatthattimeofherlifewhenshewastowearherhairhighandhergownslong，andtohavea\"day\"ofherownquitedistinctfromthatofhermother。
RossWilburpresentedhimselfattheHerrickhouseonPacificAvenuemuchtooearlyupontheafternoonofMissHerrick’stea。
Ashemade，hiswayupthecanvasedstairshewasawareofaterrifyingarrayofmillineryandadisquietingstaccatochatteroffemininevoicesintheparlorsandreception-roomsoneithersideofthehallway。Asinglehighhatintheroomthathadbeensetapartforthemen’suseconfirmedhiminhissuspicions。
\"Mighthaveknownitwouldbeahenpartytillsix，anyhow，\"hemuttered，swingingoutofhisovercoat。\"BetIdon’tknowonegirlintwentydowntherenow——allmamma’sfriendsatthishour，andpapa’smaidensisters，andJo’sschool-teachersandgovernessesandmusic-teachers，andIdon’tknowwhatall。\"
Whenhewentdownhefounditpreciselyasheexpected。HewentuptoMissHerrick，whereshestoodreceivingwithhermotherandtwooftheothergirls，andallowedthemtochaffhimonhisforlornness。
\"MaybeIseematmyease，\"saidRossWilburtothem，\"butreallyI
amverymuchfrightened。I’mgoingtorunawayassoonasitisdecentlypossible，evenbefore，unlessyoufeedme。\"
\"Ibelieveyouhadluncheonnottwohoursago，\"saidMissHerrick。
\"Comealong，though，andI’llgiveyousomechocolate，andperhaps，ifyou’regood，astuffedolive。IgotthemjustbecauseIknewyoulikedthem。Ioughttostayhereandreceive，soI
can’tlookafteryouforlong。\"
Thetwofoughttheirwaythroughthecrowdedroomstotheluncheon-table，andMissHerrickgotWilburhischocolateandhisstuffedolives。Theysatdownandtalkedinawindowrecessforamoment，Wilburtoeing-ininabsurdfashionashetriedtomakealapforhisplate。
\"Ithought，\"saidMissHerrick，\"thatyouweregoingontheRidgeways’yachtingpartythisafternoon。Mrs。Ridgewaysaidshewascountingonyou。Theyaregoingoutwiththe’Petrel。’\"
\"Shedidn’tcountaboveahundred，though，\"answeredWilbur。\"I
gotyourbidfirst，soIregrettedtheyachtingparty;andIguessI’dhaveregretteditanyhow，\"andhegrinnedatheroverhiscup。
\"Niceman，\"shesaid——addingontheinstant，\"Imustgonow，Ross。\"
\"WaittillIeatthesugaroutofmycup，\"complainedWilbur。
\"Tellme，\"headded，scrapingvigorouslyatthebottomofthecupwiththeinadequatespoon;\"tellme，you’regoingtothehoe-downto-night？\"
\"IfyoumeantheAssembly，yes，Iam。\"
\"Willyougivemethefirstandlast？\"
\"I’llgiveyouthefirst，andyoucanaskforthelastthen。\"
\"Let’sputitdown;Iknowyou’llforgetit。\"Wilburdrewacoupleofcardsfromhiscase。
\"Programmesarenotgoodformanymore，\"saidMissHerrick。
\"Forgettingadanceisworse。\"
Hemadeoutthecards，writingontheonehekeptforhimself，\"Firstwaltz——Jo。\"
\"Imustgobacknow，\"saidMissHerrick，gettingup。
\"InthatcaseIshallrun——I’mafraidofgirls。\"
\"It’sapityaboutyou。\"
\"Iam;onegirl，Idon’tsay，butgirlintheaggregatelikethis，\"andhepointedhischintowardthethrongedparlors。\"Itun-mansme。\"
\"Good-by，then。\"
\"Good-by，untilto-night，about——？\"
\"Aboutnine。\"
\"Aboutnine，then。\"
RossWilburmadehisadieutoMrs。Herrickandthegirlswhowerereceiving，andtookhimselfaway。Ashecameoutofthehouseandstoodforamomentonthesteps，settlinghishatgingerlyuponhishairsoasnottodisturbtheparting，hewasnotbyanymeansanill-lookingchap。Hisgoodheightwashelpedoutbyhislongcoatandhishighsilkhat，andtherewasplentyofjawinthelowerpartofhisface。Norwashistailoraltogetheranswerableforhisshoulders。ThreeyearsbeforethistimeRossWilburhadpulledatNo。5inhisvarsityboatinanEasterncollegethatwasnotaccustomedtoathleticdiscomfiture。
\"IwonderwhatI’mgoingtodowithmyselfuntilsuppertime，\"hemuttered，ashecamedownthesteps，feelingforthemiddleofhisstick。Hefoundnoimmediateanswertohisquestion。Buttheafternoonwasfine，andhesetofftowalkinthedirectionofthetown，withahalf-formedideaoflookinginathisclub。
Athisclubhefoundaletterinhisboxfromhisparticularchum，whohadbeenspendingthemonthshootingelkinOregon。
\"DearOldMan，\"itsaid，\"willbebackontheafternoonyoureceivethis。Willhitthetownonthethreeo’clockboat。Getseatsforthebestshowgoing——mytreat——andarrangetoassimilatenutrimentatthePoodleDog——alsomine。I’vegotmilesoftalkinmethatI’vegottoreeloffbeforemidnight。Yours。
\"JERRY。\"
\"I’vegotastandofhornsforyou，Ross，thatareGloryHallelujah。\"
\"Well，Ican’tgo，\"murmuredWilbur，asherememberedtheAssemblythatwastocomeoffthatnightandhisengageddancewithJoHerrick。HedecidedthatitwouldbebesttomeetJerryashecameofftheboatandtellhimhowmattersstood。Thenheresolved，sincenoonethatheknewwasintheclub，andtheinstalmentoftheParisweeklieshadnotarrived，thatitwouldbeamusingtogodowntothewater-frontandloafamongtheshippinguntilitwastimeforJerry’sboat。
Wilburspentanhouralongthewharves，watchingthegreatgrainshipsconsignedto\"Corkfororders\"slowlygorgingthemselveswithwholeharvestsofwheatfromtheSanJoaquinValley;lumbervesselsforDurbanandSouthAfricanportssettlinglowerandlowertothewater’slevelasforestsofpineandredwoodstratifiedthemselvesalongtheirdecksandintheirholds;coalbargesdischargingfromNanaimo;busylittletugscoughingandnuzzlingattheflanksofthedeep-seatramps，whilehaybargesandItalianwhitehallscameandwentateveryturn。AStocktonRiverboatwentby，hersternwheelchurningalongbehind，likeahugenet-reel;atinymaelstromofactivitycentredaboutanAlaskaCommercialCompany’ssteamboatthatwouldclearforDawsoninthemorning。
NoquarterofoneofthemostpicturesquecitiesintheworldhadmoreinterestforWilburthanthewater-front。InthemileorsoofshippingthatstretchedfromthedockswheretheChinasteamshipslanded，downpasttheferryslipsandontoMeiggs’sWharf，everymaritimenationintheworldwasrepresented。MorethanonceWilburhadtalkedtotheloungersofthewharves，stevedoresoutofwork，sailorsbetweenvoyages，caulkersandshipchandlers’menlooking——nottooearnestly——forjobs;sothatonthisoccasion，whenalittle，undersizedfellowindirtybrownsweaterandclothesofBarbarycoastcutaskedhimforamatchtolighthispipe，Wilburofferedacigarandpassedthetimeofdaywithhim。Wilburhadnotforgottenthathehimselfwasdressedforanafternoonfunction。Buttheincongruityofthebusinesswaspreciselywhatmostamusedhim。
Afteratimethefellowsuggesteddrinks。Wilburhesitatedforamoment。Itwouldbesomethingtotellabout，however，so，\"Allright，I’lldrinkwithyou，\"hesaid。
Thebrownsweaterledthewaytoasailors’boarding-househardby。Therearoftheplacewasbuiltuponpilesoverthewater。
Butinfront，onthegroundfloor，wasabarroom。
\"Ruman’gum，\"announcedthebrownsweater，asthetwocameinandtooktheirplacesatthebar。
\"Ruman’gum，Tuck;wattleyouhave，sir？\"
\"Oh——Idon’tknow，\"hesitatedWilbur;\"givemeamildManhattan。\"
WhilethedrinkswerebeingmixedthebrownsweatercalledWilbur’sattentiontoafightinghead-dressfromtheMarquesasthatwashungonthewalloverthefree-lunchcounterandoppositethebar。Wilburturnedabouttolookatit，andremainedso，hisbacktothebarkeeper，tillthelattertoldthemtheirdrinkswereready。
\"Well，mate，here’sbigblocksan’tauthawse-pipes，\"saidthebrownsweatercordially。
\"Yourverygoodhealth，\"returnedWilbur。
Thebrownsweaterwipedathinmustacheinthehollowofhispalm，andwipedthatpalmuponhistrouserleg。
\"Yessir，\"hecontinued，oncemorefacingtheMarquesashead-dress。
\"Yessir，they’requeergamedownthere。\"
\"IntheMarquesasIslands，youmean？\"saidWilbur。
\"Yessir，they’requeergame。Whentheyain’ttattoin’theirselveswithScripturetex’stheygitfromthemissionaries，they’repullin’outthehairsallovertheirbodieswithtwoclam-shells。
Hairbyhair，y’understan’？\"
\"Pull’nout’erhair？\"saidWilbur，wonderingwhatwasthematterwithhistongue。
\"Theythinkit’sclever——thinkthewomenfolklikeit。\"
Wilburhadfanciedthatthelittlemanhadwornabrownsweaterwhentheyfirstmet。Butnow，strangelyenough，hewasnotintheleastsurprisedtoseeitiridescentlikeapigeon’sbreast。
\"Y’everbeendownthatway？\"inquiredthelittlemannext。
Wilburheardthewordsdistinctlyenough，butsomehowtheyrefusedtofitintotherightplacesinhisbrain。Hepulledhimselftogether，frowningheavily。
\"What——did——you——say？\"heaskedwithgreatdeliberation，bitingoffhiswords。Thenhenoticedthatheandhiscompanionwerenolongerinthebarroom，butinalittleroombackofit。Hispersonalitydivideditself。TherewasoneRossWilbur——whocouldnotmakehishandsgowherehewantedthem，whosaidonewordwhenhethoughtanother，andwhoselegsbelowthekneeweremadeofsolidlead。ThentherewasanotherRossWilbur——RossWilbur，thealert，whowasperfectlyclear-headed，andwhostoodofftoonesideandwatchedhistwinbrothermakingamonkeyofhimself，withoutpowerandwithouteventhedesireofhelpinghim。
ThislatterWilburheardtheiridescentsweatersay：
\"Bustme，ify’a’n’tsquiffy，oldman。Standbyabitan’we’llhaveaball。\"
\"Can’thavegot——return——exceptionally——andtheroundtable——pullouthairswi’tuclamsh’ls，\"gabbledWilbur’sstupefieddouble;
andWilburthealertsaidtohimself：\"You’renotdrunk，RossWilbur，that’scertain;whatcouldtheyhaveputinyourcocktail？\"
Theiridescentsweaterstampedtwiceuponthefloorandatrap-
doorfellawaybeneathWilbur’sfeetlikethedropofagallows。
WiththeeyesofhisundruggedselfWilburhadaglimpseofwaterbelow。Hiselbowstruckthefloorashewentdown，andhefellfeetfirstintoaWhitehallboat。HehadtimetoobservetwomenattheoarsandtolookbetweenthepilesthatsupportedthehouseabovehimandcatchaglimpseofthebayandaglintoftheContraCostashore。Hewasnotintheleastsurprisedatwhathadhappened，andmadeuphismindthatitwouldbeagoodideatoliedownintheboatandgotosleep。
Suddenly——buthowlongafterhisadventintotheboathecouldnottell——hiswitsbegantoreturnandsettlethemselves，likewildbirdsflockingagainafterascare。Swiftlyhetookinthescene。
Thebluewatersofthebayaroundhim，thedeckofaschooneronwhichhestood，theWhitehallboatalongside，andanenormousmanwithafacelikeasettingmoonwranglingwithhisfriendinthesweater——nolongeriridescent。
\"Whatdoyoucallit？\"shoutedtheredman。\"Iwantableseamen——
Idon’tfiggeronworkingthisboatwithdancingmasters，doI？Weain’texactlydoingquadrillesonmyquarterdeck。Ifwedon’tlookoutwe’llsteponthisthingandbreakit。Itain’toughttobeletaroundloosewithoutitsma。\"
\"Rotthat，\"vociferatedthebrownsweater。\"Itellyouhe’soneofthebestsailormenonthefront。Ifheain’twe’llforfeitthemoney。Comeon，CaptainKitchell，wemadeshowenoughgettin’
awayasitwas，andthisdaytimebusinessain’tourline。D’yousignornot？Here’stheadvancenote。IgottoduckmynutorI’llhavethepatrolboatafterme。\"
\"I’llsignthisonce，\"growledtheother，scrawlinghisnameonthenote;\"butifthisswabain’tuptosample，he’llcomebackbyfreight，an’I’lldropinonmeedearfriendJimwhenwecomebackandgivehimareelnicetime，an’youcanlaytothat，BillyTrim。\"Thebrownsweaterpocketedthenote，wentovertheside，androwedoff。
WilburstoodinthewaistofaschooneranchoredinthestreamwelloffFisherman’swharf。IntheforwardpartoftheschooneraChinamaninbrownduckwasmixingpaint。Wilburwasconsciousthathestillworehishighhatandlongcoat，buthisstickwasgoneandonegrayglovewasslittothebutton。Infrontofhimtoweredtheenormousred-facedman。Apungentreekofsomekindofrancidfatoroilassailedhisnostrils。OverbyAlcatrazaferry-boatwhistledforitsslipasitelboweditswaythroughthewater。
Wilburhadhimselffairlyinhandbynow。Hiswitswereallabouthim;butthesituationwasbeyondhimasyet。
\"Gitfor’d，\"commandedthebigman。
Wilburdrewhimselfup，angryinaninstant。\"Lookhere，\"hebegan，\"what’sthemeaningofthisbusiness？IknowI’vebeendruggedandmishandled。Idemandtobeputashore。Doyouunderstandthat？\"
\"Angelchild，\"whimperedthebigman。\"Oh，youlileeofthevallee，youbrightan’mornin’star。I’mreelypainedy’know，thatyourvallycan’tcomealong，butwe’llhaveyourpianosetupinthelazarette。Itgivesmegenuinegrief，itdo，toseeyoubein’obligedtoputyourlileewhitefeetonthisherevulgaran’
dirteedeck。We’llhavetheWiltoncarpetdownbyto-morrer，sowewill，mydear。Yah-h！\"hesuddenlybrokeout，ashisrageboiledover。\"Gitfor’d，d’yehear！I’mcaptainofthisherebathtub，an’that’sallyouneedtoknowforagoodwhiletocome。
Iain’tgenerallygottotellthattoamanbutonce;butI’llstretchthepointjustforloveofyou，angelchild。Now，then，move！\"
Wilburstoodmotionless——puzzledbeyondexpression。Noexperiencehehadeverbeenthroughhelpedinthissituation。
\"Lookhere，\"hebegan，\"I——\"
Thecaptainknockedhimdownwithablowofoneenormousfistuponthemouth，andwhilehewasyetstretcheduponthedeckkickedhimsavagelyinthestomach。Thenheallowedhimtorise，caughthimbytheneckandtheslackofhisovercoat，andranhimforwardtowhereahatchway，nottwofeetacross，openedinthedeck。
Withoutado，heflunghimdownintothedarknessbelow;andwhileWilbur，dizziedbythefall，satontheflooratthefootoftheverticalcompanion-ladder，gazingabouthimwithdistendedeyes，thereraineddownuponhishead，firstanoilskincoat，thenasou’wester，apairofoilskinbreeches，woolensocks，andaplugoftobacco。Abovehim，downthecontractedsquareofthehatch，camethebellowingoftheCaptain’svoice：
\"There’syourfit-out，MisterLileeoftheVallee，whichthesameourdearfriendJimmakesapresentofandnocharge，becausehelovesyouso。You’reallowedtwominutestochange，an’itistobehopedashowyouwon’tforcemetocomefortoassist。\"
Itwouldhavebeeninterestingtohavefollowed，stepbystep，thementalprocessthatnowtookplaceinRossWilbur’sbrain。TheCaptainhadgivenhimtwominutesinwhichtochange。Thetimewasshortenough，butevenatthatWilburchangedmorethanhisclothesduringthetwominuteshewaslefttohimselfinthereekinddarkoftheschooner’sfo’castle。Itwasmorethanachange——itwasarevolution。Whathemadeuphismindtodo——
preciselywhatmentalattitudehedecidedtoadopt，justwhatnewnicheheelectedwhereintosethisfeet，itisdifficulttosay。
Onlybyresultscouldthechangebeguessedat。HewentdowntheforwardhatchatthetoeofKitchell’sboot——silk-hatted，melton-
overcoated，patent-booted，andglovedinsuedes。Twominuteslaterthereemergeduponthedeckafigureinoilskinsandasou’wester。Therewasblooduponthefaceofhimandthegrimeofanuncleanshipuponhisbarehands。ItwasWilbur，andyetnotWilbur。Intwominuteshehadbeen，inaway，bornagain。Theonlytracesofhisformerselfwerethepatent-leatherboots，stillpersistentintheirglossandshine，thatshowedgrimincongruitybelowthevastcompassoftheoilskinbreeches。
AsWilburcameondeckhesawthecrewoftheschoonerhurryingforward，sixofthem，Chinameneveryone，inbrownjeansandblackfelthats。OnthequarterdeckstoodtheCaptain，barkinghisorders。
\"ConsidertheLileeoftheVallee，\"bellowedthelatter，ashiseyefelluponWilburtheTransformed。\"Clapontothatstarboardwindlassbrake，sonny。\"
WilbursawtheChinamenrangingthemselvesaboutwhatheguessedwasthewindlassintheschooner’sbow。Hefollowedandtookhisplaceamongthem，graspingoneofthebars。
\"Breakdown！\"camethenextorder。WilburandtheChinamenobeyed，bearingupanddownuponthebarstilltheslackoftheanchor-chaincamehomeandstretchedtautanddrippingfromthehawse-holes。
\"’Vastheavin’！\"
AndthenasWilburreleasedthebrakeandturnedaboutforthenextorder，hecasthisglanceoutuponthebay，andthere，notahundredandfiftyyardsaway，herspotlesssailstense，hercordagehumming，herimmaculateflanksslippingeasilythroughthewaves，thewaterhissingandchurningunderherforefoot，clean，gleaming，dainty，andaristocratic，theRidgeways’yacht\"Petrel\"
passedlikeathingoflife。WilbursawNatRidgewayhimselfatthewheel。Girlsinsmartgownsandyoungfellowsinwhiteducksandyachtingcaps——allfriendsofhis——crowdedthedecks。A
littleorchestraofmusicianswerereelingoffaquickstep。
Thepoppingofacorkandagaleoftalkandlaughtercametohisears。Wilburstaredatthepicture，hisfacedevoidofexpression。The\"Petrel\"cameon——drewnearer——wasnotahundredfeetawayfromtheschooner’sstern。Astrongswimmer，suchasWilbur，couldcoverthedistanceinafewstrides。TwominutesagoWilburmighthave——
\"Setyourmains’l，\"camethebellowofCaptainKitchell。\"Clapontoyourthroatandpeakhalyards。\"
TheChinamenhurriedaft。
Wilburfollowed。
II
ANAUTICALEDUCATTON。
Inthecourseofthenextfewmoments，whilethelittlevesselwasbeinggotunderway，andwhiletheRidgeways’\"Petrel\"gleamedoffintothebluedistance，Wilburmadecertainobservations。
Thenameoftheboatonwhichhefoundhimselfwasthe\"BerthaMillner。\"Shewasatwo-topmast，28-tonkeelschooner，40feetlong，carryingalargespreadofsail——mainsail，foresail，jib，flying-jib，twogaff-topsails，andastaysail。Shewasverydirtyandsmeltabominablyofsomekindofrancidoil。HercrewwereChinamen;therewasnomate。Butthecook——himselfaChinaman——
whoappearedfromtimetotimeatthedoorofthegalley，apotato-masherinhishand，seemedtohavesomesortofauthorityoverthehands。Heactedinamannerasago-betweenfortheCaptainandthecrew，sometimesinterpretingtheformer’sorders，andoccasionallygivingoneofhisown。
WilburheardtheCaptainaddresshimasCharlie。HespokepigeonEnglishfairly。Ofthebalanceofthecrew——thefiveChinamen——
Wilburcouldmakenothing。Theyneverspoke，neithertoCaptainKitchell，toCharlie，nortoeachother;andforallthenoticetheytookofWilburhemighteasilyhavebeenasackofsand。
Wilburfeltthathisadventonthe\"BerthaMillner\"wasbyitsverynatureanextraordinaryevent;buttheabsoluteindifferenceofthesebrown-suitedMongols，theblanknessoftheirflat，fatfaces，thedulnessoftheirslanting，fishlikeeyesthatnevermethisownorevenwanderedinhisdirection，wasuncanny，disquieting。Inwhatstrangeventurewashenowtobeinvolved，towardwhatunknownvortexwasthisnewcurrentsetting，thiscurrentthathadsosuddenlysnatchedhimfromthesolidgroundofhisaccustomedlife？
Hetoldhimselfgrimlythathewastohaveafreecruiseupthebay，perhapsasfarasAlviso;perhapsthe\"BerthaMillner\"wouldevenmakethecircuitofthebaybeforereturningtoSanFrancisco。Hemightbegoneaweek。Wilburcouldalreadyseethescare-headsofthedailypapersthenextmorning，chroniclingthedisappearanceof\"OneofSociety’sMostPopularMembers。\"
\"That’swell，y’rthroathalyards。Here，LileeoftheVallee，giveacoupleofpullsony’rpeakhalyardpurchase。\"
WilburstaredattheCaptainhelplessly。
\"Nocantell，hey？\"inquiredCharliefromthegalley。\"Pullumdisalope，sabe？\"
Wilburtuggedattheropethecookindicated。
\"That’swell，y’rpeakhalyardpurchase，\"chantedCaptainKitchell。
Wilburmadetheropefast。Themainsailwasset，andhungslattingandflappinginthewind。Nextthefor’sailwassetinmuchthesamemanner，andWilburwasorderedto\"layoutontheji’boomandcastthegasketsoffthejib。\"He\"layout\"asbesthecouldandcastoffthegaskets——heknewbarelyenoughofyachtingtounderstandanorderhereandthere——andbythetimehewasbackonthefo’c’sleheadtheChinamenwereatthejibhalyardandhoistingaway。
\"That’swell，y’rjibhalyards。\"
The\"BerthaMillner\"veeredroundandplayedofftothewind，tuggingatheranchor。
\"Many’rwindlass。\"
Wilburandthecrewjumpedoncemoretothebrakes。
\"Brakedown，heavey’ranchortothecathead。\"
Theanchor-chain，alreadytaut，vibratedandthencrankedthroughthehawse-holesasthehandsroseandfellatthebrakes。Theanchorcamehome，drippinggrayslime。Anor’westwindfilledtheschooner’ssails，astrongebbtidecaughtherunderfoot。
\"We’reoff，\"mutteredWilbur，asthe\"BerthaMillner\"heeledtothefirstgust。
Butevidentlytheschoonerwasnotboundupthebay。
\"MustbeVallejoorBenicia，then，\"hazardedWilbur，asthesailsgrewtenserandthewaterrippledeverlouderundertheschooner’sforefoot。\"Maybethey’regoingafterhayorwheat。\"
Theschoonerwastacking，headeddirectlyforMeiggs’swharf。Shecameincloserandcloser，soclosethatWilburcouldhearthetalkofthefishermensittingonthestringpieces。Hehadjustmadeuphismindthattheyweretomakealandingthere，when——\"
\"Standbyforstays，\"cametheraucousbarkoftheCaptain，whohadtakenontheheel。Thesailsslattedfuriouslyastheschoonercameabout。Thenthe\"BerthaMillner\"caughtthewindagainandlayoverquietlyandcontentedlytoherwork。ThenexttackbroughttheschoonercloseunderAlcatraz。Theseabecameheavier，thebreezegrewstiffandsmelledoftheoutsideocean。
OutbeyondthemtowestwardopenedtheGoldenGate，ableakvistaofgray-greenwaterroughenedwithwhite-caps。
\"Standbyforstays。\"
Onceagainastherudderwenthardover，the\"BerthaMillner\"
frettedanddancedandshookhersails，callingimpatientlyforthewind，chafingatitsabsencelikeachildreftofatoy。Thenagainshescoopedthenor’westerinthehollowpalmsofhertensecanvasesandsettledquietlydownonthenewtack，herbowspritpointingstraighttowardthePresidio。
\"We’llcomeaboutagainsoon，\"Wilburtoldhimself，\"andstandovertowardtheContraCostashore。\"
Afinehugebreathofwindpassedovertheschooner。Sheheeleditontheinstant，thewaterroaringalongherquarter，butshekepthercourse。Wilburfellthoughtfulagain，nevermorekeenlyobservant。
\"Shemustcomeaboutsoon，\"hemuttereduneasily，\"ifshe’sgoingtostanduptowardVallejo。\"Hisheartsankwithasuddenapprehension。Anervousnesshecouldnotovercomeseizeduponhim。The\"BerthaMillner\"heldtenaciouslytothetack。WithinfiftyyardsofthePresidiocamethecommandagain：
\"Standbyforstays。\"
Oncemore，herbowsdancing，hercordagerattling，hersailsflappingnoisily，theschoonercameabout。AnxiouslyWilburobservedthebowspritasitcircledlikeahandonadial，watchingwherenowitwouldpoint。Itwavered，fluctuated，rose，fell，thensettledeasily，pointingtowardLimePoint。Wilburfeltasuddencoldnessathisheart。
\"Thisisn’tgoingtobesomuchfun，\"hemutteredbetweenhisteeth。TheschoonerwasnotboundupthebayforAlvisonortoVallejoforgrain。ThetracktowardLimePointcouldmeanbutonething。Thewindwasfresheningfromthenor’west，theebbtiderushingouttomeettheoceanlikeamill-race，ateverymomenttheGoldenGateopenedoutwider，andwithintwominutesafterthetimeofthelasttackthe\"BerthaMillner\"heeledtoagreatgustthathadcomeboominginbetweentheheads，straightfromtheopenPacific。
\"Standbyforstays。\"
Asbefore，oneoftheChinesehandsstoodbythesailropeofthejib。
\"Drawy’rjib。\"
Thejibfilled。Theschoonercameaboutontheporttack;LimePointfellawayoverthesternrail。Thehugegroundswellsbegantocomein，andassheroseandbowedtothefirstoftheseitwaspreciselyasthoughthe\"BerthaMillner\"weremakinghercourtesytothegreatgrayocean，nowforthefirsttimeinfullsightonherstarboardquarter。
TheschoonerwasbeatingouttoseathroughtheMiddleChannel。
OnceclearoftheGoldenGate，shestoodovertowardtheCliffHouse，thenonthenexttackclearedPointBonita。Theseabeganbuildingupindeadlyearnest——theywereabouttocrossthebar。
Everythingwasbatteneddown，thescupperswereawash，andthehawse-holesspoutedlikefountainsaftereveryplunge。OncetheCaptainorderedallmenaloft，justintimetoescapeagiganticdullgreenrollerthatbrokelikeaNiagaraovertheschooner’sbows，smotheringthedecksknee-deepinatwinkling。
Thewindblewviolentandcold，thespraywasflyinglikeicysmall-shot。Withoutintermissionthe\"BerthaMillner\"rolledandplungedandheavedandsank。Wilburwasdrenchedtotheskinandsoreineveryjoint，frombeingshuntedfromrailtomastandfrommasttorailagain。Thecordagesanglikeharp-strings，theschooner’sforefootcrusheddownintotheheavingwaterwithahissinglikethatofsteam，blocksrattled，theCaptainbellowedhisorders，rope-endsfloggedthehollowdecktillitreverberatedlikeadrum-head。Thecrossingofthebarwasonelonghalf-hourofconfusionanddiscordantsound。
WhentheywereacrossthebartheCaptainorderedthecooktogivethementheirfood。
\"Gitfor’rd，sonny，\"headded，fixingWilburwithhiseye。\"Gitfor’rd，thisistawbledeehote，savvy？\"
Wilburcrawledforwardonthereelingdeck，holdingonnowtoamast，nowtoabelaying-pin，nowtoastay，watchinghischanceandgoingonbetweentheinebriatedplungesoftheschooner。
Hedescendedthefo’c’slehatch。TheChinamenwerealreadythere，sittingontheedgesoftheirbunks。Onthefloor，atthebottomoftheladder，punk-stickswereburninginanoldtomato-can。
Charliebroughtinsupper——stewedbeefandporkinabread-panandawoodenkit——andtheChinamenateinsilencewiththeirsheath-
knivesandfromtinplates。Aliquidthatboreadistantresemblancetocoffeewasserved。WilburlearnedafterwardtoknowthestuffasBlackJack，andtobeawarethatitwasmadefrombudbarleyandwassweetenedwithmolasses。Asinglereekinglampswungwiththeswingingoftheschooneroverthecentreofthegroup，andlongafterWilburcouldrememberthegrislyscene——
thepunk-sticks，thebread-panfullofhunksofmeat，thehorridcloseandoilysmell，andthecircleofsilent，preoccupiedChinese，eachsittingonhisbunk-ledge，devouringstewedporkandholdinghispannikinofBlackJackbetweenhisfeetagainsttherollingoftheboat。
Wilburlookedfearfullyatthemessinthepan，recallingthechocolateandstuffedolivesthathadbeenhislastluncheon。
\"Well，\"hemuttered，clinchinghisteeth，\"I’vegottocometoitsoonerorlater。\"Hispenknifewasinthepocketofhiswaist-
coat，underneathhisoilskincoat。Heopenedthebigblade，harpoonedacubeofpork，anddepositeditonhistinplate。Heateitslowlyandwithsavagedetermination。ButtheBlackJackwasmorethanhecouldbear。
\"I’mnothungryenoughforthatjustnow，\"hetoldhimself。\"Say，Jim，\"hesaid，turningtotheChinamannexthimonthebunk-ledge，\"say，whatkindofboatisthis？Whatyoudo——whereyougo？\"
Theothermovedawayimpatiently。
\"Nosabe，nosabe，\"heanswered，shakinghisheadandfrowning。
Throughoutthewholeofthatstrangemealtheseweretheonlywordsspoken。
WhenWilburcameondeckagainhenotedthatthe\"BerthaMillner\"
hadalreadyleftthewhistling-buoyastern。Offtotheeast，hersailsjustshowingabovethewaves，wasapilot-boatwiththenumber7onhermainsail。Theeveningwasclosingin;theFaralloneswereinplainsightdeadahead。Farbehind，inamassofshadowjustbluerthanthesky，hecouldmakeoutafewtwinklinglights——SanFrancisco。
HalfanhourlaterKitchellcameondeckfromhissupperinthecabinaft。Heglancedinthedirectionofthemainland，nowalmostoutofsight，thentookthewheelfromoneoftheChinamenandcommanded，\"Easeoffy’rforean’mainsheets。\"Thehandseasedawayandtheschoonerplayedoffbeforethewind。
Thestaysailwasset。The\"BerthaMillner\"headedtosouthwest，bowlingeasilyaheadofagoodeight-knotbreeze。
Nextcametheorder\"Allhandsaft！\"andWilburandhismatesbetookthemselvestothequarterdeck。Charlietookthewheel，andheandKitchellbegantochoosethemenfortheirwatches，justasWilburrememberedtohavechosensidesforbaseballduringhisschooldays。
\"Sonny，I’llchooseyou;you’reonmywatch，\"saidtheCaptaintoWilbur，\"andIwillassoomtheree-sponsibilityofyournauticaleddoocation。\"
\"Imayaswelltellyouatonce，\"beganWilbur，\"thatI’mnosailor。\"
\"Butyouwillbe，soon，\"answeredtheCaptain，atoncesoothingandthreatening;\"youwillbe，MisterLileeoftheVallee，youkinlaytoitashowyouwillbeoneofthebestsailormenalongthefront，asourdearfriendJimsays。BeforeIgitthroowithyou，you’llbeasailormanorshark-bait，Icanpromiseyou。You’reonmywatch;stepoverhere，son。\"
Thewatchesweredivided，CharlieandthreeotherChinamenontheport，Kitchell，Wilbur，andtwoChinamenonthestarboard。Thementroopedforwardagain。
Thetinyworldoftheschoonerhadlapsedtoquiet。The\"BerthaMillner\"wasnowclearoftheland，thatlaylikeabluroffaintestpurplesmoke——evergrowingfainter——lowintheeast。TheFarallonesshowedbuttheirshouldersabovethehorizon。Theschoonerwasstandingwelloutfromshore——evenbeyondthetrackofthecoastersandpassengersteamers——tocatchtheTradesfromthenorthwest。Thesunwassettingroyally，andtheflooroftheoceanshimmeredlikemosaic。Theseahadgonedownandthefuryofthebarwasathingforgotten。Itwasperceptiblywarmer。
Onboard，thetwowatchesmingledforward，smokingopiumandplayingagamethatlookedlikecheckers。Threeofthemwerewashingdownthedeckswithkaiarbrooms。ForthefirsttimesincehehadcomeonboardWilburheardthesoundoftheirvoices。
Theeveningwasmagnificent。NevertoWilbur’seyeshadthePacificappearedsovast，soradiant，sodivinelybeautiful。A
starortwoburnedslowlythroughthatpartoftheskywherethepinkbegantofadeintotheblue。Charliewentforwardandsetthesidelights——redontheportrigging，greenonthestarboard。
AshepassedWilbur，whowasleaningovertherailandwatchingthephosphorusflashingjustunderthesurface，hesaid：
\"Hey，yougotalkee-talkone-pieceyBoss，savvyBoss——chin-chin。\"
Wilburwentaftandcameuponthepoop，whereKitchellstoodatthewheel，smokinganinverted\"Tarrier’sDelight。\"
\"Now，son，\"beganKitchell，\"Inatch’lyloveyousothatI’mgoin’
todoyouareelfavor，doyoutwig？I’mgoin’toallowyoutoberthaftinthecabin，’longo’mean’Charlie，an’beesidesyoucanmakefreeofmyquarterdeck。Mebbeeyouain’tusedtothewaysofsailormenjustyet，butyoucanlaytoitthatthosetwoarereelconcessions，savvy？Iain’tamush-head，likemeedearfriendJim。Youain’tnowater-frontswine，Icanguessthatwithonehandtiedbeehindme。You’reatoff，that’swhatyouare，andyourlineshasbeenlaidfortoffs。Iain’taskin’younoquestions，butyougotbrains，an’Ifiggerongettin’moreoutayoubylettin’youhavey’rheadabit。Butmind，now，yougetgayonce，sonny，ortrytoflimflamme，orforgetthatI’mthebossofthebathtub，an’strikemeblind，I’llcutyouopen，an’
youcanlaytothat，son。Now，then，here’sthegame：Youworkthisboat’longwiththecoolies，an’takemyorders，an’walkchalk，an’I’llteachyounavigation，an’makethiscruiseaseasyashow-do-you-do。Youdon’t，an’I’llmanhandleyoutilly’rbonescomethrooy’rhide。\"
\"I’venochoiceinthematter，\"saidWilbur。\"I’vegottomakethebestofabadsituation。\"
\"Iree-markedashowyouhadbrains，\"mutteredtheCaptain。
\"Butthere’sonething，\"continuedWilbur;\"ifI’mtohavemyheadalittle，asyousay，you’llfindwecangetalongbetterifyouputmetorightsaboutthiswholebusiness。WhywasIbroughtaboard，whyarethereonlyChinesealong，wherearewegoing，whatarewegoingtodo，andhowlongarewegoingtobegone？\"
Kitchellspatovertheside，andthensuckedthenicotinefromhismustache。
\"Well，\"hesaid，resuminghispipe，\"it’slikethis，son。ThisshipbelongstooneoftheSixChineseCompaniesofChinatowninFrisco。Charlie，here，isoneoftheshareholdersinthebusiness。WegodownheretwiceayearoffCapeSain’Lucas，LowerCalifornia，an’fishforbluesharks，orwhite，ifwekinketch’em。Wegettheliversofthesean’tryouttheoil，an’webringbackthatsameoil，an’theChinamensellitalloverSanFranciscoassimon-purecod-liveroil，savvy？An’itpayslikeanitratebed。Icomeinbecauseit’saCustom-houseregulationthatnocooliecantakeaboatoutofFrisco。\"
\"AndhowdoIcomein？\"askedWilbur。
\"MeedearfriendJimputaknock-me-outdropintoyourManhattancocktail。It’sacapsulefilledwithadrug。Youwereshanghaied，son，\"saidtheCaptain，blandly。
**********
AboutanhourlaterWilburturnedin。Kitchellshowedhimhisbunkwithits\"donkey’sbreakfast\"andsingleill-smellingblanket。Itwaslocatedunderthecompanionwaythatleddownintothecabin。Kitchellbunkedononeside，Charlieontheother。A
hackeddealtable，coveredwithoilclothandironedtothefloor，aswinging-lamp，twochairs，arackofbooks，achestortwo，andaflaringpicturecutfromtheadvertisementofaballet，wastheroom’sinventoryinthematteroffurnitureandornament。
Wilbursatontheedgeofhisbunkbeforeundressing，reviewingtheextraordinaryeventsoftheday。Inamomenthewasawareofamovementinoneoftheothertwobunks，andpresentlymadeoutCharlielyingonhissideandholdingintheflameofanalcohollampaskeweronwhichsomebrownandstickystuffboiledandsizzled。Hetransformedthestufftothebowlofahugepipeanddrewonitnoisilyonceortwice。Inanothermomenthehadsunkbackinhisbunk，nearlysenseless，butwithalongbreathofanalmostblissfulcontentment。
\"Beast！\"mutteredWilbur，withprofounddisgust。
Hethrewoffhisoilskincoatandfeltinthepocketofhiswaistcoat（whichhehadretainedwhenhehadchangedhisclothesinthefo’c’sle）forhiswatch。Hedrewitout。Itwasjustnineo’clock。Allatonceanideaoccurredtohim。Hefumbledinanotherpocketofthewaistcoatandbroughtoutoneofhiscalling-cards。
ForamomentWilburremainedmotionless，seatedonthebunk-ledge，smilinggrimly，whilehisglancewanderednowtothesordidcabinofthe\"BerthaMillner\"andtheopium-druggedcooliesprawledonthe\"donkey’sbreakfast，\"andnowtothecardinhishandonwhichafewhoursagohehadwritten：
\"Firstwaltz——Jo。\"
III
THELADYLETTY
Anotherdaypassed，thentwo。BeforeWilburknewithehadsettledhimselftohisnewlife，andwokeonemorningtotherealizationthathewaspositivelyenjoyinghimself。Dailytheweathergrewwarmer。ThefifthdayoutfromSanFranciscoitwasactuallyhot。Thepitchgrewsoftinthe\"BerthaMillner’s\"deckseams，themastssweatedresin。TheChinamenwentaboutthedeckswearingbuttheirjeansandblouses。Kitchellhadlongsinceabandonedhiscoatandvest。Wilbur’soilskinsbecameintolerable，andhewasatlastconstrainedtotradehispocket-
knifetoCharlieforasuitofjeansandwickersandals，suchasthecoolieswore——andoddenoughhelookedinthem。
TheCaptaininstructedhiminsteering，andevenpromisedtoshowhimtheuseofthesextantandhowtotakeanobservationinthefakeshortandeasycoastingstyleofnavigation。Furthermore，heshowedhimhowtoreadthelogandthemannerofkeepingthedeadreckoning。
DuringmostofhiswatchesWilburwasengagedinpaintingtheinsideofthecabin，doorpanels，lintels，andthefewscatteredmoldings;andtowardthemiddleofthefirstweekout，whenthe\"BerthaMillner\"wasinthelatitudeofPointConception，heandthreeChinamen，underKitchell’sdirections，ratlineddowntheforeriggingandaffixedthecrow’snestuponthefor’mast。Thenextmorning，duringCharlie’swatchondeck，aChinamanwassentupintothecrow’snest，andfromthattimeontherewasalwaysalookoutmaintainedfromthemasthead。
MorethanonceWilburlookedaroundhimattheemptycoruscatingindigooftheoceanfloor，wonderingatthenecessityofthelookout，andfinallyexpressedhiscuriositytoKitchell。TheCaptainhadnowtakennotalittletoWilbur;atfirstforthesakeofawhiteman’scompany，andafterwardbecausehebegantoplaceacertainvaguerelianceuponWilbur’sjudgment。Kitchellhadreemarkedashowhehadbrains。
\"Well，yousee，son，\"KitchellhadexplainedtoWilbur，\"os-
tensibleeweareaftershark-liveroil——andsoweare;butalsoweareonanylaythatturnsup;readyforanygame，fromwreckingtobarratry。Strikeme，ifIhaven’tthoughtofscuttlingthedough-
dishforherinsoorance。There’sregulartrade，son，tobedoneinships，andthenthere’spickin’san’pickin’san’pickin’s。
Lord，theocean’srichwithpickin’s。Doyouknowthere’smillionsmadeoutoftheday-breeandrefuseofabigcity？Howaboutanocean’sday-bree，justchewonthatnotionaturn;an’asfuralookout，lemmeetellyou，son，castyoureyeoutyon，\"andheswepttheseawithaforearm;\"nothin’，hey，soitlooks，butlemmeetellyou，son，thereain’tnomannerofplaceontheballofdirtwhereyou’relikelytorunupafoulofsomanythings——
unexpectedthings——asatsea。Whenyou’reclearo’landlaytothisherepree-cep’，’Amilliontooneontheunexpected。’\"
Thenextdayfellalmostdeadcalm。Thehale，lusty-lungednor’westerthathadsnortedthemforthfromtheGoldenGatehadlapsedtoazephyr，theschoonerrolledlazilysouthwardwiththeleisurelynonchalanceofagrazingox。Atnoon，justafterdinner，afewcat’s-pawscurdledthemilky-bluewhitenessoftheglassysurface，andthewateroncemorebegantotalkbeneaththebow-sprit。Itwasveryhot。Thesunspunsilentlylikeaspinningbrassdiscusoverthemainmast。Onthefo’c’sleheadtheChinamenwereasleeporsmokingopium。ItwasCharlie’swatch。
Kitchelldozedinhishammockintheshadowofthemainsheet。
Wilburwasbelowtinkeringwithhispaint-potaboutthecabin。
Thestillnesswasprofound。Itwasthestillnessofthesummerseaathighnoon。
Thelookoutinthecrow’snestbrokethequiet。
\"Hy-yah，hy-yah！\"hecried，leaningfromthebarrelandcallingthroughanarchedpalm。\"Hy-yah，onetwo，plenty，manytortle，topside，wattah;hy-yah，all-sametortle。\"
\"Hello，hello！\"criedtheCaptain，rollingfromhishammock。
\"Turtle？Where-away？\"
\"Itink-um’boutquallahmile，mebbee，four-pieceetortleall-sameweathabow。\"
\"Turtle，hey？Downy’rwheel，Jim，hauly’rjibtowin’ward，\"hecommandedthemanatthewheel;thentothemenforward：\"Getthedoryoverboard。Son，Charlie，andyou，Wing，tumblein。Wakeupnowandseeyoustayso。\"
Thedorywasswungovertheside，andthemendroppedintoherandtooktheirplacesattheoars。\"Giveway，\"criedtheCaptain，settlinghimselfinthebowwiththegaffinhishand。\"Hey，Jim！\"heshoutedtothelookoutfarabove，\"hey，layourcourseforus。\"Thelookoutnodded，theoarsfell，andthedoryshotforwardinthedirectionindicatedbythelookout。
\"Kinyourow，son？askedKitchell，withsuddensuspicion。Wilbursmiled。
\"YouaskCharlieandWingtoshiptheiroarsandgivemeapair。\"
TheCaptaincomplied，hesitating。
\"Now，what，\"hesaidgrimly，\"now，whatdoyouthinkyou’regoingtodo，sonny？\"
\"I’mgoingtoshowyoutheBobCookstrokeweusedinourboatin’95，whenwebeatHarvard，\"answeredWilbur。
Kitchellgazeddoubtfullyatthefirstfewstrokes，thenwithgrowinginterestwatchedthetremendousreach，thepowerfulknee-
drive，theswing，theeasycatch，andtheperfectrecover。Thedorywascuttingthewaterlikeagasolinelaunch，andbetweenstrokestherewastheleastpossiblediminishingofthespeed。
\"I’mabitoutofformjustnow，\"remarkedWilbur，\"andI’musedtotheslidingseat;butIguessit’lldo。\"KitchellglancedatthehumanmachinethatoncewasNo。5intheYaleboatandthenatthewaterhissingfromthedory’sbows。\"MyGawd！\"hesaid，underhisbreath。Hespatoverthebowsandsuckedthenicotinefromhismustache，thoughtfully。
\"Iree-marked，\"heobserved，\"ashowyouhadbrains，myson。\"
AfewminuteslatertheCaptain，whowasstandinginthedory’sbowandalternatelyconningtheocean’ssurfaceandlookingbacktotheChinamanstandingontheschooner’smasthead，utteredanexclamation：
\"Steady，shipyouroars，quietnow，quiet，youdamnfools！We’rerighton’em——four，byGawd，an’bigasdinin’tables！\"
Theoarswereshipped。Thedory’sspeeddwindled。\"Outyourpaddles，sitonthegun’l，andpaddleee-asy。\"Thehandsobeyed。
TheCaptain’svoicedroppedtoawhisper。Hisbackwastowardthemandhegesturedwithonefreehand。Lookingoutoverthewaterfromhisseatonthegun’l，Wilburcouldmakeoutaround，greenishmasslikeapatchoffloatingseaweed，justunderthesurface，somesixtyyardsahead。
\"Easysta’board，\"whisperedtheCaptainunderhiselbow。\"Goahead，port;e-e-easyall，steady，steady。\"
Theaffairbegantoassumetheintensityofalittledrama——alittledramaofmidocean。Inspiteofhimself，Wilburwasexcited。Heevenfoundoccasiontoobservethatthelifewasnotsobad，afterall。Thiswasasgoodfunasstalkingdeer。Thedorymovedforwardbyinches。Kitchell’swhisperwasasfaintasadyinginfant’s：\"Steadyall，s-stead-ee，sh-stead——\"
Helungedforwardsharplywiththegaff，andshoutedaloud：\"Igothim——grabholthistailflippers，youfoolswabs;grabholtquick——
don’tyouleggo——gothimthere，Charlie？Ifhegetsaway，youswine，I’llripy’openwiththegaff——heavenow——heave——there——
there——soh，standclearhisnippers。Strikeme！he’sawhacker。
Ithoughthewasgoingtogetaway。SawmejustasIswungthegaff，an’duckedhisnut。\"
Overtheside，bundledwithoutceremonyintotheboat，clawing，thrashing，clattering，andblowingliketheexhaustofadonkey-
engine，tumbledthegreatgreenturtle，hiswet，greenshieldofshellthreefeetfromedgetoedge，thegafffirmlytransfixedinhisbody，justunderthefore-flipper。Fromunderhisshellprotrudedhissnake-likeheadandneck，witheredlikethatofanoldman。Hewaswavinghisheadfromsidetoside，thejawssnappinglikeasnappedsilkhandkerchief。Kitchellthrusthimawaywithapaddle。Theturtlecranedhisneck，andcatchingthebitofwoodinhisjaw，bititintwoinasinglegrip。
\"Itol’youso，Itol’youtostandclearhissnapper。Ifthathadbeenyourshinnow，eh？Hello，what’sthat？\"
Faintlyacrossthewatercameaprolongedhallooingfromtheschooner。Kitchellstoodupinthedory，shadinghiseyeswithhishat。
\"What’sbiting’emnow？\"hemuttered，withtheuneasinessofacaptainawayfromhisship。\"OughtaleftCharlieonboard——oryou，son。Who’sdoin’thatyellin’，Ican’tmakeout。\"
\"Upinthecrow’snest，\"exclaimedWilbur。\"It’sJim，see，he’swavinghisarms。\"
\"Well，whaduzhewavehisdam’foolarmsfor？\"growledKitchell，angrybecausesomethingwasgoingforwardhedidnotunderstand。
\"There，he’sshoutingagain。Listen——Ican’tmakeoutwhathe’syelling。\"
\"He’llyelltoadifferentpipewhenIgetmygripofhim。I’lltwisttheheadofthatswabtillhe’llhavetowalkback’ardtoseewherehe’sgoin’。Whaduzhewavehisarmsfor——whaduzheyelllikeadam’philly-loobirdfor？What’shimsay，Charlie？\"
\"Jimheapsing，nocantell。Mebbee——tinkumsing，comebackchop-
chop。\"
\"We’llsee。Oarsout，men，giveway。Now，son，putalittleo’
thatYalestingointhestroke。\"
Inthecrow’snestJimstillyelledandwavedlikeonedistraught，whilethedoryreturnedatasmartcliptowardtheschooner。
Kitchelllatheredwithfury。
\"Oh-h，\"hemurmuredsoftlythroughhisgrittedteeth。\"Jesslemmeelaymeetwohandsafoulofyouwunst，yougibbering，yellowphilly-loobird，believeme，you’lldance。Shutup！\"heroared;
\"shutup，youcrazydo-do，ain’twecomingfastaswecan？\"
Thedorybumpedalongside，andtheCaptainwasovertheraillikequicksilver。Thehandswereallinthebow，lookingandpointingtothewest。Jimsliddowntheratlines，bubblingoverwithsuppressednews。BeforehisfeethadtouchedthedeckKitchellhadkickedhimintothestaysagain，fulminatingblasphemies。
\"Sing！\"heshouted，astheChinamanclamberedawaylikeabewilderedape;\"singalittlemore。IwouldifIwereyou。Whydon’tyousingandwave，youdam’foolphilly-loobird？\"
\"Yas，sah，\"answeredthecoolie。
\"Whatyouyellfor？Charlie，askhimwhaffohimsing。\"
\"Itink-umship，\"answeredCharliecalmly，lookingoutoverthestarboardquarter。
\"Ship！\"
\"Himvellysick，\"hazardedtheChinamanfromtheratlines，addingasentenceinChinesetoCharlie。
\"Hesayshetink-umshipsick，allsame;askumsomething——shipvellysick。\"
BythistimetheCaptain，Wilbur，andallonboardcouldplainlymakeoutasailsomeeightmilesoffthestarboardbow。Evenatthatdistance，andtoeyessoinexperiencedasthoseofWilbur，itneededbutaglancetoknowthatsomethingwaswrongwithher。Itwasnotthatshefailedtoridethewaveswithevenkeel，itwasnotthatherriggingwasindisarray，northathersailsweredisordered。Herdistancewastoogreattomakeoutsuchdetails。
Butinpreciselythesamemannerasatrainedphysicianglancesatadoomedpatient，andfromthatindefinablelookinthefaceofhimandtheeyesofhimpronouncestheverdict\"death，\"soKitchelltookinthestrangerwithasinglecomprehensiveglance，andexclaimed：
\"Wreck！\"
\"Yas，sah。Itink-umvellysick。\"
\"Oh，goto’ll，orgobelowandfetchupmyglass——hustle！\"
Theglasswasbrought。\"Son，\"exclaimedKitchell——\"whereisthatmanwiththebrains？Son，comealoftherewithme。\"Thetwoclambereduptheratlinestothecrow’snest。Kitchelladjustedtheglass。
\"She’sabark，\"hemuttered，\"ironbuilt——aboutsevenhundredtons，Iguess——indistress。There’sherensignupsidedownatthemizz’nhead——lookslikeNorway——an’herdistresssignalsonthespankergaff。Takeablinkather，son——whatdoyoumakeherout？
Lord，she’sridin’high。\"
Wilburtooktheglass，catchingthestrangerafterseveralclumsyattempts。Shewas，asCaptainKitchellhadannounced，abark，and，tojudgebyherflag，evidentlyNorwegian。
\"Howsherolls！\"mutteredWilbur。
\"That’swhatIcan’tmakeout，\"answeredKitchell。\"Abarksuchassheain’toughttorollthataway;herballast’dsteadyher。\"
\"What’stheflagsonthatboomaft——one’sredandwhiteandsquare-shaped，andtheother’sthesamecolor，onlyswallow-tailinshape？\"
\"That’sH。B。，meanin\"：’Iaminneedofassistance。’\"
\"Well，where’sthecrew？Idon’tseeanybodyonboard。\"
\"Oh，they’rethererightenough。\"
\"Thenthey’reprettywellconcealedaboutthepremises，\"turnedWilbur，ashepassedtheglasstotheCaptain。
\"Shedoesseemkindaempty，\"saidtheCaptaininamoment，withasuddenshowofinterestthatWilburfailedtounderstand。
\"An’where’sherboats？\"continuedKitchell。\"Idon’tjustquitemakeoutanyboatsatall。\"Therewasalongsilence。
\"Seemstobeasortofhazeoverher，\"observedWilbur。
\"Inoticedthat，airkindaquiversoily-like。Noboats，noboats——
an’Ican’tseeanybodyaboard。\"SuddenlyKitchellloweredtheglassandturnedtoWilbur。Hewasadifferentman。Therewasanewshineinhiseyes，awickedlineappearedoverthenose，thejawgrewsalient，prognathous。
\"Son，\"heexclaimed，gimletingWilburwithhiscontractedeves;\"I
havereemarkedashowyouhadbrains。Ikinfoolthecoolies，butIcan’tfoolyou。Itlookstomeasifthatbarkyonderwasaderelict;an’doyouknowwhatthatmeanstous？Chawonitaturn。\"
\"Aderelict？\"
\"Ifthere’sacrewonboardthey’reconcealedfromthepublicgaze——an’wherearetheboatsthen？Ifiggershe’sanabandonedderelict。Doyouknowwhatthatmeansforus——foryouandI？Itmeans，\"andgrippingWilburbytheshoulders，hespokethewordintohisfacewithasavageintensity。\"Itmeanssalvage，doyousavvy？——salvage，salvage。Doyoufiggerwhatsalvageonaseven-
hundred-tonnerwouldcometo？Well，justlemmeedropitintoyourthinktank，an’laytowhatIsay。It’sallthewaysfromfiftytoseventythousanddollars，whateverhercargois;callitsixtythousand——thirtythou’apiece。Oh，Idon’tknow！\"heexclaimed，lapsingtolandman’sslang。\"Wha’dIsayaboutamilliontooneontheunexpectedatsea？\"
\"Thirtythousand！\"exclaimedWilbur，withoutthoughtasyet。
\"Nowy’rsingin’songs，\"criedtheCaptain。\"Listentome，son，\"
hewenton，rapidlyshuttinguptheglassandthrustingitbackinthecase;\"myname’sKitchell，andI’mhogrightthrough。\"Heemphasizedthewordswithaleveledforefinger，hiseyesflashing。
H——O——Gspellsverytrulyyours，AlvinzaKitchell——ninety-nineswinean’memakeahundredswine。I’mashoatwithbothfeetinthetrough，first，last，an’always。Ifthatbark’sabandoned，an’Isayssheis，she’sours。I’moutforanythingthatthere’sstuffin。IguessI’mmoreofabeach-comberbynaturethananythingelse。Ifshe’sabandonedshebelongstous。To’llwiththiscooliegame。We’llgobeach-combin’，youandI。We’llboardthatbarkandworkherintothenearestport——SanDiego，Iguess——
andgetthesalvageonherifwehavetoswiminher。Areyouwithme？\"heheldouthishand。Themanwaspositivelytremblingfromheadtoheel。Itwasimpossibletoresisttheexcitementofthesituation，itsnovelty——thehighcrow’snestoftheschooner，thekeensaltair，theChinamengroupedfarbelow，theindigoofthewarmocean，andoutyondertheforsakenderelict，rollingherlighthulltillthegarboardstreakflashedinthesun。
\"Well，ofcourse，I’mwithyou，Cap，\"exclaimedWilbur，grippingKitchell’shand。\"Whenthere’sthirtythousandtobehadfortheaskingIguessI’ma’na’chelbawn’beach-combermyself。\"
\"Now，nothingaboutthistothecoolies。\"
\"Buthowwillyoumakeoutwithyourowners，theSixCompanies？
Aren’tyouboundtobringthe’Bertha’in？\"
\"Rotmyowners！\"exclaimedKitchell。\"Iain’taskipperofnooil-boatanylonger。I’mabeach-comber。\"Hefixedthewallowingbarkwithglisteningeyes。\"Gawdstrikeme，\"hemurmured，\"ain’tsheadaisy？It’salittleKlondike。Comeon，son。\"
Thetwowentdowntheratlines，andKitchellorderedacoupleofthehandsintothedorythathadbeenrowingastern。HeandWilburfollowed。Charliewasleftonboard，withdirectionstolaytheschoonerto。Thedoryflewoverthewater，Wilbursettingthestroke。Inafewmomentsshewaswellupwiththebark。
Thoughalargerboatthanthe\"BerthaMillner，\"shewasrollinginlamentablefashion，andeverylaboringheaveshowedherbottomincrustedwithbarnaclesandseaweed。
Herforeandmaintops’lsandto’gallants’lswereset，asalsowereherlowerstays’lsandroyals。Butthebracesseemedtohaveparted，andtheyardswereswingingbackandforthintheirties。
Thespankerwasbrailedup，andthespankerboomthrashedidlyoverthepoopasthebarkrolledandrolledandrolled。Themainmastwasworkinginitsshoe，theriggingandbackstayssagged。Anairofabandonment，ofunspeakableloneliness，ofabominationhungabouther。NeverhadWilburseenanythingmoreutterlyalone。WithinthreelengthstheCaptainroseinhisplaceandshouted：
\"Barkahoy！\"Therewasnoanswer。Thriceherepeatedthecall，andthricethedismalthrashingofthespankerboomandtheflappingofthesailswastheonlyanswer。KitchellturnedtoWilburintriumph。\"Iguessshe’sours，\"hewhispered。Theywerenowcloseenoughtomakeoutthebark’snameuponhercounter，\"LadyLetty，\"andWilburwasintheactofreadingitaloud，whenahugebrowndorsalfin，likethetriangularsailofalugger，cutthewaterbetweenthedoryandthebark。
\"Shark！\"saidKitchell;\"andthere’sanother！\"heexclaimedinthenextinstant，\"andanother！Strikeme，thewater’salivewith’em’！There’sastiffonthebark，youcanlaytothat\";andatthat，actingonsomestrangeimpulse，hecalledagain，\"Barkahoy！\"Therewasnoresponse。
Thedorywasnowwelluptothederelict，andprettysoonaprolongedandvibratoryhissingnoise，strident，insistent，smoteupontheirears。
\"What’sthat？\"exclaimedWilbur，perplexed。TheCaptainshookhishead，andjustthen，asthebarkrolledalmosttoherscuppersintheirdirection，aglimpseofthedeckwaspresentedtotheirview。Itwasonlyaglimpse，goneontheinstant，asthebarkrolledbacktoport，butitwastimeenoughforWilburandtheCaptaintonotethepartedandopenseamsandthedeckbulging，andinonecornerblownupandsplintered。
Thecaptainsmoteathigh。
\"Coal！\"hecried。\"Anthracitecoal。Thecoalhe’tupandgeneratedgas，ofcourse——nofire，y’understand，justgas——gasblewupthedeck——nowayofstoppingcombustion。Naturallytheyhadtocutforit。Smellthegas，can’tyou？Nowondershe’shissing——nowondersherolled——cargogoesoffingas——andwhat’stoweighherdown？Iwaswonderingwhatcould’a’wreckedherinthisweather。Lord，it’sasplainasBilly-b’damn。\"
Thedorywasalongside。Kitchellwatchedhischance，andasthebarkrolleddowncaughtthemainyard-bracehanginginabightovertherailandswunghimselftothedeck。\"Looksharp！\"hecalled，asWilburfollowed。\"Itwon’tdoforyoutofallamongthemshark，son。Justlookatthehundredsof’em。There’sastiffonboard，sure。\"
Wilbursteadiedhimselfontheswayingbrokendeck，chokingagainstthereekofcoal-gasthathissedupwardoneveryhand。
Theheatwasalmostlikeafurnace。Everythingmetalwasintolerabletothetouch。
\"She’sabandoned，sure，\"mutteredtheCaptain。\"Look，\"andhepointedtotheemptychocksonthehouseandtheseveredlashings。
\"Oh，it’sahaul，son;it’sahaul，an’youcanlaytothat。Now，then，cabinfirst，\"andhestartedaft。
Butitwasimpossibletogointothecabin。Themomentthedoorwasopenedsuffocatingbillowsofgasrushedoutandbeatthemback。OnthethirdtrialtheCaptainstaggeredout，almostovercomewithitsvolume。
\"Can’tgetinthereforawhileyet，\"hegasped，\"butIsawthestiffonthefloorbythetable;looksliketheoldman。He’sspithisfalseteethout。Iknewtherewasastiffaboard。\"
\"Thenthere’smorethanone，\"saidWilbur。\"Seethere！\"Frombehindthewheel-boxinthesternprotrudedahandandforearminanoilskinsleeve。
Wilburranup，peeredoverthelittlespacebetweenthewheelandthewheel-box，andlookedstraightintoapairofeyes——eyesthatwerealive。Kitchellcameup。
\"Oneleft，anyhow，\"hemuttered，lookingoverWilbur’sshoulder;
\"sailorman，though;can’tinterferewithoursalvage。Thebark’sderelict，rightenough。Shakehimoutofthere，son;can’tyouseethelad’sdottywiththegas？\"
Crampedintothenarrowspaceofthewheel-boxlikeaterrifiedhareinablindburrowwasthefigureofayoungboy。SofirmlywashewedgedintothecornerthatKitchellhadtokickdowntheboxbeforehecouldbereached。Theboyspokenoword。Stupefiedwiththegas，hewatchedthemwithvacanteyes。
Wilburputahandunderthelad’sarmandgothimtohisfeet。Hewasatall，well-madefellow，withruddycomplexionandmilk-blueeyes，andwasdressed，asifforheavyweather，inoilskins。
\"Well，sonny，you’vehadafinemessaboardhere，\"saidKitchell。
Theboy——hemighthavebeentwoandtwenty——staredandfrowned。
\"Cleanlocofromthegas。Gethimintothedory，son。I’lltrythisbloodycabinagain。\"
Kitchellturnedbackanddescendedfromthepoop，andWilbur，hisarmaroundtheboy，followed。Kitchellwasalreadyoutofhearing，andWilburwasbracinghimselfupontherollingdeck，steadyingtheyoungfellowathisside，whenthelatterheavedadeepbreath。Histhroatandbreastswelled。Wilburstaredsharply，withamutteredexclamation：
\"MyGod，it’sagirl！\"hesaid。
IV
MORAN
MeanwhileCharliehadbroughtthe\"BerthaMillner\"uptowithinhailingdistanceofthebark，andhadhoveherto。KitchellorderedWilburtoreturntotheschoonerandbringoveracoupleofaxes。
\"We’llhavetoknockholesallthroughthehouse，andbreakintheskylightsandletthegasescapebeforewecandoanything。Takethekidoverandgivehimwhiskey;thencomealongbackandbearahand。\"
Wilburhadconsiderabledifficultyingettingintothedoryfromthedeckoftheplungingderelictwithhisdazedandalmosthelplesscharge。Evenashesliddowntheropeintothelittleboatandhelpedthegirltofollow，hewasawareoftwodull，brownish-greenshadowsmovingjustbeneaththewater’ssurfacenottenfeetaway，andheknewthathewasbeingstealthilywatched。
TheChinamenattheoarsofthedory，withthatextraordinaryabsenceofcuriositywhichisthemarkoftherace，didnotglanceasecondtimeatthesurvivorofthe\"LadyLetty’s\"misadventure。
Tothemitwasevidentshewasbutafor’masthand。However，Wilburexaminedherwithextraordinaryinterestasshesatinthesternsheets，sullen，half-defiant，half-bewildered，andbereftofspeech。
Shewasnotpretty——shewastootallforthat——quiteastallasWilburhimself，andherskeletonwastoomassive。Herfacewasred，andtheglintofblueicewasinhereyes。Hereyelashesandeyebrows，aswellasthealmostimperceptibledownthatedgedhercheekwhensheturnedagainstthelight，wereblondalmosttowhiteness。Whatbeautyshehadwasofthefine，hardyNorsetype。
Herhandswereredandhard，andevenbeneaththecoarsesleeveoftheoilskincoatonecouldinferthatthebicepsanddeltoidswerelargeandpowerful。Shewascoarse-fibred，nodoubt，mentallyaswellasphysically，buthercoarseness，soWilburguessed，wouldprovetobethecoarsenessofaprimitiveratherthanofadegeneratecharacter。
Onethinghesawclearlyduringthefewmomentsofthedory’stripbetweenbarkandschooner——thefactthathischargewasawomanmustbekeptfromCaptainKitchell。Wilburknewhismanbynow。
Itcouldbedone。Kitchellandhewouldtakethe\"LadyLetty\"
intothenearestportassoonaspossible。Thedeceptionwouldhavetobemaintainedonlyforadayortwo。
Heleftthegirlonboardtheschoonerandreturnedtothederelictwiththeaxes。HefoundKitchellonthehouse，justreturnedfromahastysurveyoftheprize。
\"She’sadaisy，\"vociferatedtheCaptain，asWilburcameaboard。
\"I’vebeenhavin’alook’round。She’sbrand-new。Seethedateonthecapst’n-head？Christianiaisherhailin’port——builtthere;
butit’sherpapersI’mafter。Thenwe’llknowwherewe’reat。
How’sthekid？\"
\"She’sallright，\"answeredWilbur，beforehecouldcollecthisthoughts。ButtheCaptainthoughthehadreferencetothe\"Bertha。\"
\"Imeanthekidwefoundinthewheel-box。Hedoesn’tcountinoursalvage。Thebark’sbeenabandonedasplainaspaint。IfI
thoughthestoodinourway，\"andKitchell’sjawgrewsalient。
\"I’dshuthiminthecabinwiththeoldmanaspell，tillhe’dcoppedoff。Nowthen，son，firstthingtodoistochopventsinthisyerehouse。\"
\"Holdup——wecandobetterthanthat，\"saidWilbur，restrainingKitchell’sfuryofimpatience。\"Slidethebigskylightoff——it’sloosealready。\"
Acoupleoftheschooner’shandswereorderedaboardthe\"LadyLetty，\"andtheskylightremoved。Atfirstthepourofgaswasterrific，butbydegreesitabated，andattheendofhalfanhourKitchellcouldkeepbacknolonger。
\"Comeon！\"hecried，catchingupanaxe;\"rotthedifference。\"Alltheplunderinginstinctsofthemanwerearousedandclamoring。
Hehadbecomeaverywolfwithinscentofitsprey——averitablehyenanuzzlingaboutitscarrion。
\"Lord！\"hegasped，\"t’thinkthateverythingwesee，everythingwefind，isours！\"
Wilburhimselfwasnotfarbehindhimineagerness。SomewheredeepdownintheheartofeveryAnglo-SaxonliesthepredatoryinstinctofhisVikingancestors——aninstinctthatathousandyearsofrespectabilityandtaxpayinghavenotquitesucceededineliminating。
Aflightofsixsteps，brass-boundandbearingthedoubleLofthebark’smonogram，ledthemdownintoasortofvestibule。Fromthevestibuleadooropeneddirectlyintothemaincabin。Theyentered。
Thecabinwassometwentyfeetlongandunusuallyspacious。Freshfromhisrecollectionofthegrimeandreekoftheschooner，itstruckWilburasparticularlydainty。Itwaspaintedwhitewithstripesofblue，goldandpea-green。Oneithersidethreedoorsopenedoffintostateroomsandprivatecabins，andwitheachrollofthederelictthesedoorsbangedlikeanirregulardischargeofrevolvers。Inthecentrewasthedining-table，coveredwitharedcloth，verymuchawry。Oneachsideofthetablewerefourarmchairs，screwedtothedeck，onesomewhatlargeratthehead。
Overhead，inswingingracks，wereglassesanddecantersofwhiskeyandsomekindofwhitewine。Butforonefeaturethesightofthe\"Letty’s\"cabinwascharming。However，onthefloorbytheslidingdoorintheforwardbulkheadlayabody，faceupward。