Theotherphaseofthedeath-roadwasthatofthehabitualdrunkards，whohadawayofturninguptheirtoeswithoutapparentprovocation。Whentheytooksick，evenwithtriflingafflictionsthatanyordinarymancouldpullthrough，theyjustpeggedout。
Sometimestheywerefoundunattendedanddeadintheirbeds；onoccasiontheirbodiesweredraggedoutofthewater；andsometimesitwasjustplainaccident，aswhenBillKelley，unloadingcargowhiledrunk，hadafingerjerkedoff，which，underthecircumstances，mightjustaseasilyhavebeenhishead。
SoIconsideredmysituationandknewthatIwasgettingintoabadwayofliving。Itmadetowarddeathtooquicklytosuitmyyouthandvitality。Andtherewasonlyonewayoutofthishazardousmannerofliving，andthatwastogetout。ThesealingfleetwaswinteringinSanFranciscoBay，andinthesaloonsImetskippers，mates，hunters，boat-steerers，andboat-pullers。Imettheseal-hunter，PeteHolt，andagreedtobehisboat-pullerandtosignonanyschoonerhesignedon。AndIhadtohavehalfadozendrinkswithPeteHoltthereandthentosealouragreement。
AndatonceawokeallmyoldunrestthatJohnBarleycornhadputtosleep。IfoundmyselfactuallyboredwiththesaloonlifeoftheOaklandwater-front，andwonderedwhatIhadeverfoundfascinatinginit。Also，withthisdeath-roadconceptinmybrain，Ibegantogrowafraidthatsomethingwouldhappentomebeforesailingday，whichwassetforsometimeinJanuary。I
livedmorecircumspectly，dranklessdeeply，andwenthomemorefrequently。Whendrinkinggrewtoowild，Igotout。WhenNelsonwasinhismaniacalcups，Imanagedtogetseparatedfromhim。
Onthe12thofJanuary，1893，Iwasseventeen，andthe20thofJanuaryIsignedbeforetheshippingcommissionerthearticlesoftheSophieSutherland，athreetopmastsealingschoonerboundonavoyagetothecoastofJapan。Andofcoursewehadtodrinkonit。JoeVigycashedmyadvancenote，andPeteHolttreated，andI
treated，andJoeVigytreated，andotherhunterstreated。Well，itwasthewayofmen，andwhowasI，justturnedseventeen，thatIshoulddeclinethewayoflifeofthesefine，chesty，man-grownmen？
CHAPTERXVI
TherewasnothingtodrinkontheSophieSutherland，andwehadfifty-onedaysofglorioussailing，takingthesouthernpassageinthenorth-easttradestoBoninIslands。Thisisolatedgroup，belongingtoJapan，hadbeenselectedastherendezvousoftheCanadianandAmericansealingfleets。Heretheyfilledtheirwater-barrelsandmaderepairsbeforestartingonthehundreddays’harryingoftheseal-herdalongthenortherncoastsofJapantoBehringSea。
Thosefifty-onedaysoffinesailingandintensesobrietyhadputmeinsplendidfettle。Thealcoholhadbeenworkedoutofmysystem，andfromthemomentthevoyagebeganIhadnotknownthedesireforadrink。IdoubtifIeventhoughtonceaboutadrink。
Often，ofcourse，thetalkintheforecastleturnedondrink，andthementoldoftheirmoreexcitingorhumorousdrunks，rememberingsuchpassagesmorekeenly，withgreaterdelight，thanalltheotherpassagesoftheiradventurouslives。
Intheforecastle，theoldestman，fatandfifty，wasLouis。Hewasabrokenskipper。JohnBarleycornhadthrownhim，andhewaswindinguphiscareerwherehehadbegunit，intheforecastle。
Hiscasemadequiteanimpressiononme。JohnBarleycorndidotherthingsbesidekillaman。Hehadn’tkilledLouis。Hehaddonemuchworse。Hehadrobbedhimofpowerandplaceandcomfort，crucifiedhispride，andcondemnedhimtothehardshipofthecommonsailorthatwouldlastaslongashishealthybreathlasted，whichpromisedtobeforalongtime。
WecompletedourrunacrossthePacific，liftedthevolcanicpeaks，jungle-clad，oftheBoninIslands，sailedinamongthereefstotheland-lockedharbour，andletouranchorrumbledownwherelayascoreormoreofsea-gypsieslikeourselves。Thescentsofstrangevegetationblewoffthetropicland。
Aborigines，inqueeroutriggercanoes，andJapanese，inqueerersampans，paddledaboutthebayandcameaboard。Itwasmyfirstforeignland；Ihadwontotheothersideoftheworld，andI
wouldseeallIhadreadinthebookscometrue。Iwaswildtogetashore。
VictorandAxel，aSwedeandaNorwegian，andIplannedtokeeptogether。（Andsowelldidwe，thatfortherestofthecruisewewereknownasthe\"ThreeSports。\"）Victorpointedoutapathwaythatdisappearedupawildcanyon，emergedonasteepbarelavaslope，andthereafterappearedanddisappeared，everclimbing，amongthepalmsandflowers。Wewouldgooverthatpath，hesaid，andweagreed，andwewouldseebeautifulscenery，andstrangenativevillages，andfind，Heavenaloneknew，whatadventureattheend。AndAxelwaskeentogofishing。Thethreeofusagreedtothat，too。Wewouldgetasampan，andacoupleofJapanesefishermenwhoknewthefishinggrounds，andwewouldhavegreatsport。Asforme，Iwaskeenforanything。
Andthen，ourplansmade，werowedashoreoverthebanksoflivingcoralandpulledourboatupthewhitebeachofcoralsand。Wewalkedacrossthefringeofbeachunderthecocoanut-palmsandintothelittletown，andfoundseveralhundredriotousseamenfromalltheworld，drinkingprodigiously，singingprodigiously，dancingprodigiously——andallonthemainstreettothescandalofahelplesshandfulofJapanesepolice。
VictorandAxelsaidthatwe’dhaveadrinkbeforewestartedonourlongwalk。CouldIdeclinetodrinkwiththesetwochestyshipmates？Drinkingtogether，glassinhand，putthesealoncomradeship。Itwasthewayoflife。Ourteetotalerowner-
captainwaslaughedat，andsneeredat，byallofusbecauseofhisteetotalism。Ididn’tintheleastwantadrink，butIdidwanttobeagoodfellowandagoodcomrade。NordidLouis’casedeterme，asIpouredthebiting，scorchingstuffdownmythroat。
JohnBarleycornhadthrownLouistoanastyfall，butIwasyoung。
Mybloodranfullandred；Ihadaconstitutionofiron；and——
well，youthevergrinsscornfullyatthewreckageofage。
Queer，fierce，alcoholicstuffitwasthatwedrank。Therewasnotellingwhereorhowithadbeenmanufactured——somenativeconcoctionmostlikely。Butitwashotasfire，paleaswater，andquickasdeathwithitskick。Ithadbeenfilledintoempty\"square-face\"bottleswhichhadoncecontainedHollandgin，andwhichstillborethefittinglegend\"AnchorBrand。\"Itcertainlyanchoredus。Wenevergotoutofthetown。Weneverwentfishinginthesampan。Andthoughweweretheretendays，wenevertrodthatwildpathalongthelavacliffsandamongtheflowers。
Wemetoldacquaintancesfromotherschooners，fellowswehadmetinthesaloonsofSanFranciscobeforewesailed。Andeachmeetingmeantadrink；andtherewasmuchtotalkabout；andmoredrinks；andsongstobesung；andpranksandanticstobeperformed，untilthemaggotsofimaginationbegantocrawl，anditallseemedgreatandwonderfultome，theselustyhard-bittensea-
rovers，ofwhomImadeone，gatheredinwassailonacoralstrand。
Oldlinesaboutknightsattableinthegreatbanquethalls，andofthoseabovethesaltandbelowthesalt，andofVikingsfeastingfreshfromseaandripeforbattle，cametome；andI
knewthattheoldtimeswerenotdeadandthatwebelongedtothatselfsameancientbreed。
Bymid-afternoonVictorwentmadwithdrink，andwantedtofighteverybodyandeverything。IhavesinceseenlunaticsintheviolentwardsofasylumsthatseemedtobehaveinnowisedifferentfromVictor’sway，savethatperhapshewasmoreviolent。AxelandIinterferedaspeacemakers，wereroughedandjostledinthemix-ups，andfinally，withinfiniteprecautionandintoxicatedcunning，succeededininveiglingourchumdowntotheboatandinrowinghimaboardourschooner。
ButnosoonerdidVictor’sfeettouchthedeckthanhebegantocleanuptheship。Hehadthestrengthofseveralmen，andheranamuckwithit。Irememberespeciallyonemanwhomhegotintothechain-boxesbutfailedtodamagethroughinabilitytohithim。
Themandodgedandducked，andVictorbrokealltheknucklesofbothhisfistsagainstthehugelinksoftheanchorchain。Bythetimewedraggedhimoutofthat，hismadnesshadshiftedtothebeliefthathewasagreatswimmer，andthenextmomenthewasoverboardanddemonstratinghisabilitybyflounderinglikeasickporpoiseandswallowingmuchsaltwater。
Werescuedhim，andbythetimewegothimbelow，undressed，andintohisbunk，wewerewrecksourselves。ButAxelandIwantedtoseemoreofshore，andawaywewent，leavingVictorsnoring。Itwascurious，thejudgmentpassedonVictorbyhisshipmates，drinkersthemselves。Theyshooktheirheadsdisapprovinglyandmuttered：\"Amanlikethatoughtn’ttodrink。\"NowVictorwasthesmartestsailorandbest-temperedshipmateintheforecastle。Hewasanall-roundsplendidtypeofseaman；hismatesrecognisedhisworth，andrespectedhimandlikedhim。YetJohnBarleycornmetamorphosedhimintoaviolentlunatic。Andthatwastheverypointthesedrinkersmade。Theyknewthatdrink——anddrinkwithasailorisalwaysexcessive——madethemmad，butonlymildlymad。
Violentmadnesswasobjectionablebecauseitspoiledthefunofothersandoftenculminatedintragedy。Fromtheirstandpoint，mildmadnesswasallright。Butfromthestandpointofthewholehumanrace，isnotallmadnessobjectionable？AndisthereagreatermakerofmadnessofallsortsthanJohnBarleycorn？
Buttoreturn。Ashore，snuglyensconcedinaJapanesehouseofentertainment，AxelandIcomparedbruises，andoveracomfortabledrinktalkedoftheafternoon’shappenings。Welikedthequietnessofthatdrinkandtookanother。Ashipmatedroppedin，severalshipmatesdroppedin，andwehadmorequietdrinks。
Finally，justaswehadengagedaJapaneseorchestra，andasthefirststrainsofthesamisensandtaikoswererising，throughthepaper-wallscameawildhowlfromthestreet。Werecognisedit。
Stillhowling，disdainingdoorways，withblood-shoteyesandwildlywavingmusculararms，Victorburstuponusthroughthefragilewalls。Theoldamuckragewasonhim，andhewantedblood，anybody’sblood。Theorchestrafled；sodidwe。Wewentthroughdoorways，andwewentthroughpaper-walls——anythingtogetaway。
Andaftertheplacewashalfwrecked，andwehadagreedtopaythedamage，leavingVictorpartlysubduedandshowingsymptomsoflapsingintoacomatosestate，AxelandIwanderedawayinquestofaquieterdrinking-place。Themainstreetwasamadness。
Hundredsofsailorsrollickedupanddown。Becausethechiefofpolicewithhissmallforcewashelpless，thegovernorofthecolonyhadissuedorderstothecaptainstohavealltheirmenonboardbysunset。
What！Tobetreatedinsuchfashion！Asthenewsspreadamongtheschooners，theywereemptied。Everybodycameashore。Menwhohadhadnointentionofcomingashoreclimbedintotheboats。Theunfortunategovernor’sukasehadprecipitatedageneraldebauchforallhands。Itwashoursaftersunset，andthemenwantedtoseeanybodytrytoputthemonboard。Theywentaroundinvitingtheauthoritiestotrytoputthemonboard。Infrontofthegovernor’shousetheyweregatheredthickest，bawlingsea-songs，circulatingsquarefaces，anddancinguproariousVirginiareelsandold-countrydances。Thepolice，includingthereserves，stoodinlittleforlorngroups，waitingforthecommandthegovernorwastoowisetoissue。AndIthoughtthissaturnaliawasgreat。ItwasliketheolddaysoftheSpanishMaincomeback。Itwaslicense；itwasadventure。AndIwaspartofit，achestysea-
roveralongwithalltheseotherchestysea-roversamongthepaperhousesofJapan。
Thegovernorneverissuedtheordertoclearthestreets，andAxelandIwanderedonfromdrinktodrink。Afteratime，insomeoftheantics，gettinghazymyself，Ilosthim。Idriftedalong，makingnewacquaintances，downingmoredrinks，gettinghazierandhazier。Iremember，somewhere，sittinginacirclewithJapanesefishermen，Kanakaboat-steerersfromourownvessels，andayoungDanishsailorfreshfromcowboyingintheArgentineandwithapenchantfornativecustomsandceremonials。AndwithdueandproperandmostintricateJapaneseceremonialweofthecircledranksaki，pale，mild，andlukewarm，fromtinyporcelainbowls。
And，later，Iremembertherunawayapprentices——boysofeighteenandtwenty，ofmiddleclassEnglishfamilies，whohadjumpedtheirshipsandapprenticeshipsinvariousportsoftheworldanddriftedintotheforecastlesofthesealingschooners。Theywerehealthy，smooth-skinned，clear-eyed，andtheywereyoung——youthslikeme，learningthewayoftheirfeetintheworldofmen。AndtheyWEREmen。Nomildsakiforthem，butsquarefacesillicitlyrefilledwithcorrosivefirethatflamedthroughtheirveinsandburstintoconflagrationsintheirheads。Irememberameltingsongtheysang，therefrainofwhichwas：
\"’Tisbutalittlegoldenring，Igiveittotheewithpride，Wearitforyourmother’ssakeWhenyouareonthetide。\"
Theyweptoveritastheysangit，thegracelessyoungscampswhohadallbrokentheirmothers’prides，andIsangwiththem，andweptwiththem，andluxuriatedinthepathosandthetragedyofit，andstruggledtomakeglimmeringinebriatedgeneralisationsonlifeandromance。AndonelastpictureIhave，standingoutveryclearandbrightinthemidstofvaguenessbeforeandblacknessafterward。We——theapprenticesandI——areswayingandclingingtooneanotherunderthestars。Wearesingingarollickingseasong，allsaveonewhositsonthegroundandweeps；andwearemarkingtherhythmwithwavingsquarefaces。Fromupanddownthestreetcomefarchorusesofsea-voicessimilarlysinging，andlifeisgreat，andbeautifulandromantic，andmagnificentlymad。
Andnext，aftertheblackness，IopenmyeyesintheearlydawntoseeaJapanesewoman，solicitouslyanxious，bendingoverme。Sheistheportpilot’swifeandIamlyinginherdoorway。Iamchilledandshivering，sickwiththeafter-sicknessofdebauch。
AndIfeellightlyclad。Thoserascalsofrunawayapprentices！
Theyhaveacquiredthehabitofrunningaway。Theyhaverunawaywithmypossessions。Mywatchisgone。Myfewdollarsaregone。
Mycoatisgone。Soismybelt。Andyes，myshoes。
AndtheforegoingisasampleofthetendaysIspentintheBoninIslands。Victorgotoverhislunacy，rejoinedAxelandme，andafterthatwecarousedsomewhatmorediscreetly。Andweneverclimbedthatlavapathamongtheflowers。Thetownandthesquarefaceswereallwesaw。
Onewhohasbeenburnedbyfiremustpreachaboutthefire。I
mighthaveseenandhealthilyenjoyedawholelotmoreoftheBoninIslands，ifIhaddonewhatIoughttohavedone。But，asI
seeit，itisnotamatterofwhatoneoughttodo，oroughtnottodo。ItiswhatoneDOESdo。Thatistheeverlasting，irrefragablefact。IdidjustwhatIdid。IdidwhatallthosemendidintheBoninIslands。Ididwhatmillionsofmenovertheworldweredoingatthatparticularpointintime。Ididitbecausethewayledtoit，becauseIwasonlyahumanboy，acreatureofmyenvironment，andneitherananaemicnoragod。I
wasjusthuman，andIwastakingthepathintheworldthatmentook——menwhomIadmired，ifyouplease；full-bloodedmen，lusty，breedy，chestymen，freespiritsandanythingbutniggardsinthewaytheyfoamedlifeaway。
Andthewaywasopen。Itwaslikeanuncoveredwellinayardwherechildrenplay。Itissmallusetotellthebravelittleboystoddlingtheirwayalongintoknowledgeoflifethattheymustn’tplayneartheuncoveredwell。They’llplaynearit。Anyparentknowsthat。Andweknowthatacertainpercentageofthem，thelivestandmostdaring，willfallintothewell。Thethingtodo——weallknowit——istocoverupthewell。ThecaseisthesamewithJohnBarleycorn。Alltheno-sayingandno-preachingintheworldwillfailtokeepmen，andyouthsgrowingintomanhood，awayfromJohnBarleycornwhenJohnBarleycorniseverywhereaccessible，andwhereJohnBarleycorniseverywheretheconnotationofmanliness，anddaring，andgreat-spiritedness。
Theonlyrationalthingforthetwentieth-centuryfolktodoistocoverupthewell；tomakethetwentiethcenturyintruththetwentiethcentury，andtorelegatetothenineteenthcenturyandalltheprecedingcenturiesthethingsofthosecenturies，thewitch-burnings，theintolerances，thefetiches，and，notleastamongsuchbarbarisms。JohnBarleycorn。
CHAPTERXVII
NorthweracedfromtheBoninIslandstopickuptheseal-herd，andnorthwehunteditforahundreddaysintofrosty，mittenweatherandintoandthroughvastfogswhichhidthesunfromusforaweekatatime。Itwaswildandheavywork，withoutadrinkorthoughtofdrink。ThenwesailedsouthtoYokohama，withabigcatchofskinsinoursaltandaheavypay-daycoming。
IwaseagertobeashoreandseeJapan，butthefirstdaywasdevotedtoship’swork，andnotuntileveningdidwesailorsland。
Andhere，bytheverysystemofthings，bythewaylifewasorganisedandmentransactedaffairs，JohnBarleycornreachedoutandtuckedmyarminhis。Thecaptainhadgivenmoneyforustothehunters，andthehunterswerewaitinginacertainJapanesepublichouseforustocomeandgetit。Werodetotheplaceinrickshaws。Ourowncrowdhadtakenpossessionofit。Drinkwasflowing。Everybodyhadmoney，andeverybodywastreating。Afterthehundreddaysofhardtoilandabsoluteabstinence，inthepinkofphysicalcondition，bulgingwithhealth，over-spillingwithspiritsthathadlongbeenpentbydisciplineandcircumstance，ofcoursewewouldhaveadrinkortwo。Andafterthatwewouldseethetown。
Itwastheoldstory。Thereweresomanydrinkstobedrunk，andasthewarmmagicpouredthroughourveinsandmellowedourvoicesandaffectionsweknewitwasnotimetomakeinvidiousdistinctions——todrinkwiththisshipmateandtodeclinetodrinkwiththatshipmate。Wewereallshipmateswhohadbeenthroughstressandstormtogether，whohadpulledandhauledonthesamesheetsandtackles，relievedoneanother’swheels，laidoutsidebysideonthesamejib-boomwhenshewasplungingintoitandlookedtoseewhowasmissingwhensheclearedandlifted。Sowedrankwithall，andalltreated，andourvoicesrose，andwerememberedamyriadkindlyactsofcomradeship，andforgotourfightsandwordysquabbles，andknewoneanotherforthebestfellowsintheworld。
Well，thenightwasyoungwhenwearrivedinthatpublichouse，andforallofthatfirstnightthatpublichousewaswhatIsawofJapan——adrinking-placewhichwasverylikeadrinking-placeathomeoranywhereelseovertheworld。
WelayinYokohamaharbourfortwoweeks，andaboutallwesawofJapanwasitsdrinking-placeswheresailorscongregated。
Occasionally，someoneofusvariedthemonotonywithamoreexcitingdrunk。InsuchfashionImanagedarealexploitbyswimmingofftotheschooneronedarkmidnightandgoingsoundlytosleepwhilethewater-policesearchedtheharbourformybodyandbroughtmyclothesoutforidentification。
Perhapsitwasforthingslikethat，Iimagined，thatmengotdrunk。InourlittleroundoflivingwhatIhaddonewasanoteworthyevent。Alltheharbourtalkedaboutit。IenjoyedseveraldaysoffameamongtheJapaneseboatmenandashoreinthepubs。Itwasared-letterevent。Itwasaneventtoberememberedandnarratedwithpride。Irememberitto-day，twentyyearsafterward，withasecretglowofpride。Itwasapurplepassage，justasVictor’swreckingofthetea-houseintheBoninIslandsandmybeinglootedbytherunawayapprenticeswerepurplepassages。
ThepointisthatthecharmofJohnBarleycornwasstillamysterytome。Iwassoorganicallyanon-alcoholicthatalcoholitselfmadenoappeal；thechemicalreactionsitproducedinmewerenotsatisfyingbecauseIpossessednoneedforsuchchemicalsatisfaction。IdrankbecausethemenIwaswithdrank，andbecausemynaturewassuchthatIcouldnotpermitmyselftobelessofamanthanothermenattheirfavouritepastime。AndI
stillhadasweettooth，andonprivyoccasionswhentherewasnomantosee，boughtcandyandblissfullydevouredit。
Wehoveupanchortoajollychanty，andsailedoutofYokohamaharbourforSanFrancisco。Wetookthenorthernpassage，andwiththestoutwestwindatourbackmadetherunacrossthePacificinthirty-sevendaysofbravesailing。Westillhadabigpay-daycomingtous，andforthirty-sevendays，withoutadrinktoaddleourmentalprocesses，weincessantlyplannedthespendingofourmoney。
Thefirststatementofeachman——everanancientoneinhomeward-
boundforecastles——was：\"Noboarding-housesharksinmine。\"Next，inparentheses，wasregretathavingspentsomuchmoneyinYokohama。Andafterthat，eachmanproceededtopainthisfavouritephantom。Victor，forinstance，saidthatimmediatelyhelandedinSanFranciscohewouldpassrightthroughthewater-
frontandtheBarbaryCoast，andputanadvertisementinthepapers。Hisadvertisementwouldbeforboardandroominsomesimpleworking-classfamily。\"Then，\"saidVictor，\"Ishallgotosomedancing-schoolforaweekortwo，justtomeetandgetacquaintedwiththegirlsandfellows。ThenI’llgettherunofthedifferentdancingcrowds，andbeinvitedtotheirhomes，andtoparties，andallthat，andwiththemoneyI’vegotIcanlastouttillnextJanuary，whenI’llgosealingagain。\"
No；hewasn’tgoingtodrink。Heknewthewayofit，particularlyhiswayofit，winein，witout，andhismoneywouldbegoneinnotime。Hehadhischoice，basedonbitterexperience，betweenthreedays’debauchamongthesharksandharpiesoftheBarbaryCoastandawholewinterofwholesomeenjoymentandsociability，andtherewasn’tanydoubtofthewayhewasgoingtochoose。
SaidAxelGunderson，whodidn’tcarefordancingandsocialfunctions：\"I’vegotagoodpay-day。NowIcangohome。ItisfifteenyearssinceI’veseenmymotherandallthefamily。WhenIpayoff，Ishallsendmymoneyhometowaitforme。ThenI’llpickagoodshipboundforEurope，andarrivetherewithanotherpay-day。Putthemtogether，andI’llhavemoremoneythaneverinmylifebefore。I’llbeaprinceathome。Youhaven’tanyideahowcheapeverythingisinNorway。Icanmakepresentstoeverybody，andspendmymoneylikewhatwouldseemtothemamillionaire，andliveawholeyeartherebeforeI’dhavetogobacktosea。\"
\"TheverythingI’mgoingtodo，\"declaredRedJohn。\"It’sthreeyearssinceI’vereceivedalinefromhomeandtenyearssinceI
wasthere。ThingsarejustascheapinSweden，Axel，asinNorway，andmyfolksarerealcountryfolkandfarmers。I’llsendmypay-dayhomeandshiponthesameshipwithyouforaroundtheHorn。We’llpickagoodone。\"
AndasAxelGundersonandRedJohnpaintedthepastoraldelightsandfestivecustomsoftheirrespectivecountries，eachfellinlovewiththeother’shomeplace，andtheysolemnlypledgedtomakethejourneytogether，andtospend，together，sixmonthsintheone’sSwedishhomeandsixmonthsintheother’sNorwegianhome。Andfortherestofthevoyagetheycouldhardlybepriedapart，soinfatuateddidtheybecomewithdiscussingtheirplans。
LongJohnwasnotahome-body。Buthewastiredoftheforecastle。Noboarding-housesharksinhis。He，too，wouldgetaroominaquietfamily，andhewouldgotoanavigationschoolandstudytobeacaptain。Andsoitwent。Eachmansworethatforoncehewouldbesensibleandnotsquanderhismoney。Noboarding-housesharks，nosailor-town，nodrink，wasthesloganofourforecastle。
Themenbecamestingy。Neverwastheresucheconomy。Theyrefusedtobuyanythingmorefromtheslopchest。Oldragshadtolast，andtheysewedpatchuponpatch，turningoutwhatarecalled\"homeward-boundpatches\"ofthemostamazingproportions。Theysavedonmatches，even，waitingtilltwoorthreewerereadytolighttheirpipesfromthesamematch。
AswesaileduptheSanFranciscowater-front，themomenttheportdoctorspassedus，theboarding-houserunnerswerealongsideinwhitehallboats。Theyswarmedonboard，eachdrummingforhisownboarding-house，andeachwithabottleoffreewhiskyinsidehisshirt。Butwewavedthemgrandlyandblasphemouslyaway。Wewantednoneoftheirboarding-housesandnoneoftheirwhisky。Weweresober，thriftysailormen，withbetteruseforourmoney。
Camethepayingoffbeforetheshippingcommissioner。Weemergeduponthesidewalk，eachwithapocketfulofmoney。Aboutus，likebuzzards，clusteredthesharksandharpies。Andwelookedateachother。Wehadbeensevenmonthstogether，andourpathswereseparating。Onelastfarewellriteofcomradeshipremained。（Oh，itwastheway，thecustom。）\"Comeon，boys，\"saidoursailingmaster。Therestoodtheinevitableadjacentsaloon。Therewereadozensaloonsallaround。Andwhenwehadfollowedthesailingmasterintotheoneofhischoice，thesharkswerethickonthesidewalkoutside。Someofthemevenventuredinside，butwewouldhavenothingtodowiththem。
Therewestoodatthelongbar——thesailingmaster，themate，thesixhunters，thesixboat-steerers，andthefiveboat-pullers。
Therewereonlyfiveofthelast，foroneofournumberhadbeendroppedoverboard，withasackofcoalathisfeet，betweentwosnowsquallsinadrivinggaleoffCapeJerimo。Therewerenineteenofus，anditwastobeourlastdrinktogether。Withsevenmonthsofmen’sworkintheworld，blowhigh，blowlow，behindus，wewerelookingoneachotherforthelasttime。Weknewit，forsailors’waysgowide。Andthenineteenofus，drankthesailingmaster’streat。Thenthematelookedatuswitheloquenteyesandcalledanotherround。Welikedthematejustaswellasthesailingmaster，andwelikedthemboth。Couldwedrinkwithone，andnottheother？
AndPeteHolt，myownhunter（lostnextyearintheMaryThomas，withallhands），calledaround。Thetimepassed，thedrinkscontinuedtocomeonthebar，ourvoicesrose，andthemaggotsbegantocrawl。Thereweresixhunters，andeachinsisted，inthesacrednameofcomradeship，thatallhandsdrinkwithhimjustonce。Thereweresixboat-steerersandfiveboat-pullersandthesamelogicheldwiththem。Therewasmoneyinallourpockets，andourmoneywasasgoodasanyman’s，andourheartswereasfreeandgenerous。
Nineteenroundsofdrinks。WhatmorewouldJohnBarleycornaskinordertohavehiswillwithmen？Theywereripetoforgettheirdearlycherishedplans。Theyrolledoutofthesaloonandintothearmsofthesharksandharpies。Theydidn’tlastlong。Fromtwodaystoaweeksawtheendoftheirmoneyandsawthembeingcartedbytheboarding-housemastersonboardoutward-boundships。
Victorwasafinebodyofaman，andthroughaluckyfriendshipmanagedtogetintothelife-savingservice。Heneversawthedancing-schoolnorplacedhisadvertisementforaroominaworking-classfamily。NordidLongJohnwintonavigationschool。
Bytheendoftheweekhewasatransientlumperonariversteamboat。RedJohnandAxeldidnotsendtheirpay-dayshometotheoldcountry。Instead，andalongwiththerest，theywerescatteredonboardsailingshipsboundforthefourquartersoftheglobe，wheretheyhadbeenplacedbytheboarding-housemasters，andwheretheywereworkingoutadvancemoneywhichtheyhadneitherseennorspent。
WhatsavedmewasthatIhadahomeandpeopletogoto。I
crossedthebaytoOakland，and，amongotherthings，tookalookatthedeath-road。Nelsonwasgone——shottodeathwhiledrunkandresistingtheofficers。Hispartnerinthataffairwaslyinginprison。WhiskyBobwasgone。OldCole，OldSmoudge，andBobSmithweregone。AnotherSmith，heofthebeltedgunsandtheAnnie，wasdrowned。FrenchFrank，theysaid，waslurkingupriver，afraidtocomedownbecauseofsomethinghehaddone。
OtherswerewearingthestripesinSanQuentinorFolsom。BigAlec，theKingoftheGreeks，whomIhadknownwellintheoldBeniciadays，andwithwhomIhaddrunkwholenightsthrough，hadkilledtwomenandfledtoforeignparts。Fitzsimmons，withwhomIhadsailedontheFishPatrol，hadbeenstabbedinthelungthroughthebackandhaddiedalingeringdeathcomplicatedwithtuberculosis。Andsoitwent，averylivelyandwell-patronisedroad，and，fromwhatIknewofallofthem，JohnBarleycornwasresponsible，withthesoleexceptionofSmithoftheAnnie。
CHAPTERXVIII
MyinfatuationfortheOaklandwater-frontwasquitedead。I
didn’tlikethelooksofit，northelife。Ididn’tcareforthedrinking，northevagrancyofit，andIwanderedbacktotheOaklandFreeLibraryandreadthebookswithgreaterunderstanding。Then，too，mymothersaidIhadsownmywildoatsanditwastimeIsettleddowntoaregularjob。Also，thefamilyneededthemoney。SoIgotajobatthejutemills——aten-hourdayattencentsanhour。Despitemyincreaseinstrengthandgeneralefficiency，IwasreceivingnomorethanwhenIworkedinthecanneryseveralyearsbefore。But，then，therewasapromiseofarisetoadollarandaquarteradayafterafewmonths。Andhere，sofarasJohnBarleycornisconcerned，beganaperiodofinnocence。Ididnotknowwhatitwastotakeadrinkfrommonthendtomonthend。Notyeteighteenyearsold，healthyandwithlabour-hardenedbutunhurtmuscles，likeanyyounganimalIneededdiversion，excitement，somethingbeyondthebooksandthemechanicaltoil。
IstrayedintoYoungMen’sChristianAssociations。Thelifetherewashealthfulandathletic，buttoojuvenile。Formeitwastoolate。Iwasnotboy，noryouth，despitemypaucityofyears。I
hadbuckedbigwithmen。Iknewmysteriousandviolentthings。I
wasfromtheothersideoflifesofarasconcernedtheyoungmenIencounteredintheY。M。C。A。Ispokeanotherlanguage，possessedasadderandmoreterriblewisdom。（WhenIcometothinkitover，IrealisenowthatIhaveneverhadaboyhood。）Atanyrate，theY。M。C。A。youngmenweretoojuvenileforme，toounsophisticated。
ThisIwouldnothaveminded，couldtheyhavemetmeandhelpedmementally。ButIhadgotmoreoutofthebooksthanthey。Theirmeagrephysicalexperiences，plustheirmeagreintellectualexperiences，madeanegativesumsovastthatitoverbalancedtheirwholesomemoralityandhealthfulsports。
Inshort，Icouldn’tplaywiththepupilsofalowergrade。Allthecleansplendidyounglifethatwastheirswasdeniedme——
thankstomyearliertutelageunderJohnBarleycorn。Iknewtoomuchtooyoung。Andyet，inthegoodtimecomingwhenalcoholiseliminatedfromtheneedsandtheinstitutionsofmen，itwillbetheY。M。C。A。，andsimilarunthinkablybetterandwiserandmorevirilecongregating-places，thatwillreceivethemenwhonowgotosaloonstofindthemselvesandoneanother。Inthemeantime，weliveto-day，hereandnow，andwediscussto-day，hereandnow。
Iwasworkingtenhoursadayinthejutemills。Itwashum-drummachinetoil。Iwantedlife。Iwantedtorealisemyselfinotherwaysthanatamachinefortencentsanhour。AndyetIhadhadmyfillofsaloons。Iwantedsomethingnew。Iwasgrowingup。I
wasdevelopingunguessedandtroublingpotenciesandproclivities。
Andatthisverystage，fortunately，ImetLouisShattuckandwebecamechums。
LouisShattuck，withoutonevicioustrait，wasarealinnocentlydevilishyoungfellow，whowasquiteconvincedthathewasasophisticatedtownboy。AndIwasn’tatownboyatall。Louiswashandsome，andgraceful，andfilledwithloveforthegirls。
Withhimitwasanexcitingandall-absorbingpursuit。Ididn’tknowanythingaboutgirls。Ihadbeentoobusybeingaman。Thiswasanentirelynewphaseofexistencewhichhadescapedme。AndwhenIsawLouissaygood-byetome，raisehishattoagirlofhisacquaintance，andwalkonwithhersidebysidedownthesidewalk，Iwasmadeexcitedandenvious。I，too，wantedtoplaythisgame。
\"Well，there’sonlyonethingtodo，\"saidLouis，\"andthatis，youmustgetagirl。\"
Whichismoredifficultthanitsounds。Letmeshowyou，attheexpenseofaslightgoingaside。Louisdidnotknowgirlsintheirhomelife。Hehadtheentreetonogirl’shome。Andofcourse，I，astrangerinthisnewworld，wassimilarlycircumstanced。But，further，LouisandIwereunabletogotodancing-schools，ortopublicdances，whichwereverygoodplacesforgettingacquainted。Wedidn’thavethemoney。Hewasablacksmith’sapprentice，andwasearningbutslightlymorethanI。
Webothlivedathomeandpaidourway。Whenwehaddonethis，andboughtourcigarettes，andtheinevitableclothesandshoes，thereremainedtoeachofus，forpersonalspending，asumthatvariedbetweenseventycentsandadollarfortheweek。Wewhackedthisup，sharedit，andsometimesloanedallofwhatwasleftofitwhenoneofusneededitforsomemoregorgeousgirl-
adventure，suchascar-fareouttoBlair’sParkandback——twentycents，bang，justlikethat；andice-creamfortwo——thirtycents；
ortamalesinatamale-parlour，whichcamecheaperandwhichfortwocostonlytwentycents。
Ididnotmindthismoneymeagreness。ThedisdainIhadlearnedformoneyfromtheoysterpirateshadneverleftme。Ididn’tcareover-weeninglyforitforpersonalgratification；andinmyphilosophyIcompletedthecircle，findingmyselfasequablewiththelackofaten-centpieceasIwaswiththesquanderingofscoresofdollarsincallingallmenandhangers-onuptothebartodrinkwithme。
Buthowtogetagirl？Therewasnogirl’shometowhichLouiscouldtakemeandwhereImightbeintroducedtogirls。Iknewnone。AndLouis’severalgirlshewantedforhimself；andanyway，intheveryhumannatureofboys’andgirls’ways，hecouldn’tturnanyofthemovertome。Hedidpersuadethemtobringgirl-
friendsforme；butIfoundthemweaksisters，paleandineffectualalongsidethechoicespecimenshehad。
\"You’llhavetodolikeIdid，\"hesaidfinally。\"Igotthesebygettingthem。You’llhavetogetonethesameway。\"
Andheinitiatedme。ItmustberememberedthatLouisandIwerehardsituated。Wereallyhadtostruggletopayourboardandmaintainadecentappearance。Wemeteachotherintheevening，aftertheday’swork，onthestreetcorner，orinalittlecandystoreonasidestreet，oursolefrequenting-place。Hereweboughtourcigarettes，and，occasionally，anickel’sworthof\"red-hots。\"（Oh，yes；LouisandIunblushinglyatecandy——allwecouldget。Neitherofusdrank。Neitherofuseverwentintoasaloon。）
Butthegirl。Inquiteprimitivefashion，asLouisadvisedme，I
wastoselectherandmakemyselfacquaintedwithher。Westrolledthestreetsintheearlyevenings。Thegirls，likeus，strolledinpairs。Andstrollinggirlswilllookatstrollingboyswholook。（Andtothisday，inanytown，city，orvillage，inwhichI，inmymiddleage，findmyself，Ilookonwiththeeyetrainedofoldexperience，andwatchthesweetinnocentgameplayedbythestrollingboysandgirlswhojustmuststrollwhenthespringandsummereveningscall。）
ThetroublewasthatinthisArcadianphaseofmyhistory，I，whohadcomethrough，case-hardened，fromtheothersideoflife，wastimidandbashful。AgainandagainLouisnervedmeup。ButI
didn’tknowgirls。Theywerestrangeandwonderfultomeaftermyprecociousman’slife。Ifailedoftheboldfrontandthenecessaryforwardnesswhenthecrucialmomentcame。
ThenLouiswouldshowmehow——acertain，eloquentglanceofeye，asmile，adaring，aliftedhat，aspokenword，hesitancies，giggles，coynervousnesses——and，behold，Louisacquaintedandnoddingmeuptobeintroduced。Butwhenwepairedofftostrollalongboyandgirltogether，InotedthatLouishadinvariablypickedthegood-lookerandlefttomethelittlelamesister。
Iimproved，ofcourse，afterexperiencestoonumeroustoenterupon，sothattherewerediversgirlstowhomIcouldliftmyhatandwhowouldwalkbesidemeintheearlyevenings。Butgirl’slovedidnotimmediatelycometome。Iwasexcited，interested，andIpursuedthequest。Andthethoughtofdrinkneverenteredmymind。SomeofLouis’andmyadventureshavesincegivenmeseriouspausewhencastingsociologicalgeneralisations。Butitwasallgoodandinnocentlyyouthful，andIlearnedonegeneralisation，biologicalratherthansociological，namely，thatthe\"Colonel’sladyandJudyO’Gradyaresistersundertheirskins。\"
AndbeforelongIlearnedgirl’slove，allthedearfonddeliciousnessofit，allthegloryandthewonder。IshallcallherHaydee。Shewasbetweenfifteenandsixteen。Herlittleskirtreachedhershoe-tops。WesatsidebysideinaSalvationArmymeeting。Shewasnotaconvert，norwasherauntwhosatontheothersideofher，andwho，visitingfromthecountrywhereatthattimetheSalvationArmywasnot，haddroppedintothemeetingforhalfanhouroutofcuriosity。AndLouissatbesidemeandobserved——Idobelievehedidnomorethanobserve，becauseHaydeewasnothisstyleofgirl。
Wedidnotspeak，butinthatgreathalf-hourweglancedshylyateachother，andshylyavoidedorasshylyreturnedandmeteachother’sglancesmorethanseveraltimes。Shehadaslenderovalface。Herbrowneyeswerebeautiful。Hernosewasadream，aswashersweet-lipped，petulant-hintingmouth。Sheworeatam-o’-
shanter，andIthoughtherbrownhairtheprettiestshadeofbrownIhadeverseen。AndfromthatsingleexperienceofhalfanhourIhaveeversincebeenconvincedoftherealityofloveatfirstsight。
AlltoosoontheauntandHaydeedeparted。（ThisispermissibleatanystageofaSalvationArmymeeting。）Iwasnolongerinterestedinthemeeting，and，afteranappropriateintervalofacoupleofminutesorless，startedtoleavewithLouis。Aswepassedout，atthebackofthehallawomanrecognisedmewithhereyes，arose，andfollowedme。Ishallnotdescribeher。Shewasofmyownkindandfriendshipoftheoldtimeonthewater-front。
WhenNelsonwasshot，hehaddiedinherarms，andsheknewmeashisonecomrade。AndshemusttellmehowNelsonhaddied，andI
didwanttoknow；soIwentwithheracrossthewidthoflifefromdawningboy’sloveforabrown-hairedgirlinatam-o’-shanterbacktotheoldsadsavageryIhadknown。
AndwhenIhadheardthetale，IhurriedawaytofindLouis，fearingthatIhadlostmyfirstlovewiththefirstglimpseofher。ButLouiswasdependable。Hernamewas——Haydee。Heknewwhereshelived。Eachdayshepassedtheblacksmith’sshopwhereheworked，goingtoorfromtheLafayetteSchool。Further，hehadseenheronoccasionwithRuth，anotherschoolgirl，and，stillfurther，Nita，whosoldusred-hotsatthecandystore，wasafriendofRuth。ThethingtodowastogoaroundtothecandystoreandseeifwecouldgetNitatogiveanotetoRuthtogivetoHaydee。Ifthiscouldbearranged，allIhadtodowaswritethenote。
Anditsohappened。Andinstolenhalf-hoursofmeetingIcametoknowallthesweetmadnessofboy’sloveandgirl’slove。Sofarasitgoesitisnotthebiggestloveintheworld，butIdodaretoassertthatitisthesweetest。Oh，asIlookbackonit！
Neverdidgirlhavemoreinnocentboy-loverthanIwhohadbeensowicked-wiseandviolentbeyondmyyears。Ididn’tknowthefirstthingaboutgirls。I，whohadbeenhailedPrinceoftheOysterPirates，whocouldgoanywhereintheworldasamanamongstmen；
whocouldsailboats，layaloftinblackandstorm，orgointothetoughesthang-outsinsailortownandplaymypartinanyrough-
housethatstartedorcallallhandstothebar——Ididn’tknowthefirstthingImightsayordowiththisslenderlittlechitofagirl-womanwhosescantskirtjustreachedhershoe-topsandwhowasasabysmallyignorantoflifeasIwas，orthoughtIwas，profoundlywise。
Irememberwesatonabenchinthestarlight。Therewasfullyafootofspacebetweenus。Weslightlyfacedeachother，ournearelbowsonthebackofthebench；andonceortwiceourelbowsjusttouched。Andallthetime，deliriouslyhappy，talkinginthegentlestandmostdelicatetermsthatmightnotoffendhersensitiveears，IwascudgellingmybrainsinanefforttodivinewhatIwasexpectedtodo。Whatdidgirlsexpectofboys，sittingonabenchandtentativelystrivingtofindoutwhatlovewas？
Whatdidsheexpectmetodo？WasIexpectedtokissher？Didsheexpectmetotry？Andifshedidexpectme，andIdidn’twhatwouldshethinkofme？
Ah，shewaswiserthanI——Iknowitnow——thelittleinnocentgirl-
womaninhershoe-topskirt。Shehadknownboysallherlife。
Sheencouragedmeinthewaysagirlmay。Hergloveswereoffandinonehand，andIremember，lightlyanddaringly，inmockreproofforsomethingIhadsaid，howshetappedmylipswithatinyflirtofthosegloves。Iwasliketoswoonwithdelight。Itwasthemostwonderfulthingthathadeverhappenedtome。AndIrememberyetthefaintscentthatclungtothoseglovesandthatIbreathedinthemomenttheytouchedmylips。
Thencametheagonyofapprehensionanddoubt。ShouldIimprisoninmyhandthatlittlehandwiththedangling，scentedgloveswhichhadjusttappedmylips？ShouldIdaretokissherthereandthen，orslipmyarmaroundherwaist？OrdaredIevensitcloser？
Well，Ididn’tdare。Ididnothing。Imerelycontinuedtositthereandlovewithallmysoul。AndwhenwepartedthateveningIhadnotkissedher。IdorememberthefirsttimeIkissedher，onanotherevening，atparting——amightymoment，whenItookallmyheartofcourageanddared。Weneversucceededinmanagingmorethanadozenstolenmeetings，andwekissedperhapsadozentimes——asboysandgirlskiss，brieflyandinnocently，andwonderingly。Weneverwentanywhere——noteventoamatinee。Weoncesharedtogetherfivecentsworthofred-hots。ButIhavealwaysfondlybelievedthatshelovedme。IknowIlovedher；andIdreamedday-dreamsofherforayearandmore，andthememoryofherisverydear。
CHAPTERXIX
WhenIwaswithpeoplewhodidnotdrink，Ineverthoughtofdrinking。Louisdidnotdrink。NeitherhenorIcouldaffordit；
but，moresignificantthanthat，wehadnodesiretodrink。Wewerehealthy，normal，non-alcoholic。Hadwebeenalcoholic，wewouldhavedrunkwhetherornotwecouldhaveaffordedit。
Eachnight，aftertheday’swork，washedup，clotheschanged，andsuppereaten，wemetonthestreetcornerorinthelittlecandystore。Butthewarmfallweatherpassed，andonbitternightsoffrostordampnightsofdrizzle，thestreetcornerwasnotacomfortablemeeting-place。Andthecandystorewasunheated。
Nita，orwhoeverwaitedonthecounter，betweenwaitingslurkedinabackliving-roomthatwasheated。Wewerenotadmittedtothisroom，andinthestoreitwasascoldasout-of-doors。
LouisandIdebatedthesituation。Therewasonlyonesolution：
thesaloon，thecongregating-placeofmen，theplacewheremenhobnobbedwithJohnBarleycorn。WelldoIrememberthedampanddraughtyevening，shiveringwithoutovercoatsbecausewecouldnotaffordthem，thatLouisandIstartedouttoselectoursaloon。
Saloonsarealwayswarmandcomfortable。NowLouisandIdidnotgointothissaloonbecausewewantedadrink。Yetweknewthatsaloonswerenotcharitableinstitutions。Amancouldnotmakealounging-placeofasaloonwithoutoccasionallybuyingsomethingoverthebar。
Ourdimesandnickelswerefew。Wecouldillspareanyofthemwhentheyweresopotentinpayingcar-fareforoneselfandagirl。（Weneverpaidcar-farewhenbyourselves，beingcontenttowalk。）So，inthissaloon，wedesiredtomakethemostofourexpenditure。Wecalledforadeckofcardsandsatdownatatableandplayedeuchreforanhour，inwhichtimeLouistreatedonce，andItreatedonce，tobeer——thecheapestdrink，tencentsfortwo。Prodigal！Howwegrudgedit！
Westudiedthemenwhocameintotheplace。Theyseemedallmiddle-agedandelderlywork-men，mostofthemGermans，whoflockedbythemselvesinold-acquaintancegroups，andwithwhomwecouldhaveonlytheslightestcontacts。Wevotedagainstthatsaloon，andwentoutcastdownwiththeknowledgethatwehadlostaneveningandwastedtwentycentsforbeerthatwedidn’twant。
Wemadeseveralmoretriesonsucceedingnights，andatlastfoundourwayintotheNational，asaloononTenthandFranklin。Herewasamorecongenialcrowd。HereLouismetafellowortwoheknew，andhereImetfellowsIhadgonetoschoolwithwhenalittleladinkneepants。Wetalkedofolddays，andofwhathadbecomeofthisfellow，andwhatthatfellowwasdoingnow，andofcoursewetalkeditoverdrinks。Theytreated，andwedrank。
Then，accordingtothecodeofdrinking，wehadtotreat。Ithurt，foritmeantfortytofiftycentsaclatter。
Wefeltquiteenlivenedwhentheshorteveningwasover；butatthesametimewewerebankrupt。Ourweek’sspendingmoneywasgone。Wedecidedthatthatwasthesaloonforus，andweagreedtobemorecircumspectthereafterinourdrink-buying。Also，wehadtoeconomisefortherestoftheweek。Wedidn’tevenhavecar-fare。WewerecompelledtobreakanengagementwithtwogirlsfromWestOaklandwithwhomwewereattemptingtobeinlove。
Theyweretomeetusuptownthenextevening，andwehadn’tthecar-farenecessarytotakethemhome。Likemanyothersfinanciallyembarrassed，wehadtodisappearforatimefromthegaywhirl——atleastuntilSaturdaynightpay-day。SoLouisandI
rendezvousedinaliverystable，andwithcoatsbuttonedandchatteringteethplayedeuchreandcasinountilthetimeofourexilewasover。
ThenwereturnedtotheNationalSaloonandspentnomorethanwecoulddecentlyavoidspendingforthecomfortandwarmth。
Sometimeswehadmishaps，aswhenonegotstucktwiceinsuccessioninafive-handedgameofSanchoPedroforthedrinks。
Suchadisastermeantanywherebetweentwenty-fivetoeightycents，justaccordingtohowmanyoftheplayersorderedten-centdrinks。Butwecouldtemporarilyescapetheevileffectsofsuchdisaster，byvirtueofanaccountweranbehindthebar。Ofcourse，thisonlysetbackthedayofreckoningandseducedusintospendingmorethanwewouldhavespentonacashbasis。
（WhenIleftOaklandsuddenlyfortheadventure-paththefollowingspring，IwellrememberIowedthatsaloon-keeperonedollarandseventycents。Longafter，whenIreturned，hewasgone。Istillowehimthatdollarandseventycents，andifheshouldchancetoreadtheselinesIwanthimtoknowthatI’llpayondemand。）
TheforegoingincidentoftheNationalSaloonIhavegiveninorderagaintoshowthelure，ordraw，orcompulsion，towardJohnBarleycorninsocietyasatpresentorganisedwithsaloonsonallthecorners。LouisandIweretwohealthyyouths。Wedidn’twanttodrink。Wecouldn’taffordtodrink。Andyetweweredrivenbythecircumstanceofcoldandrainyweathertoseekrefugeinasaloon，wherewehadtospendpartofourpitifuldolefordrink。
ItwillbeurgedbysomecriticsthatwemighthavegonetotheY。M。C。A。，tonightschool，andtothesocialcirclesandhomesofyoungpeople。Theonlyreplyisthatwedidn’t。Thatistheirrefragablefact。Wedidn’t。Andto-day，atthismoment，therearehundredsofthousandsofboyslikeLouisandmedoingjustwhatLouisandIdidwithJohnBarleycorn，warmandcomfortable，beckoningandwelcoming，tuckingtheirarmsinhisandbeginningtoteachthemhismellowways。