\"Hewillturnoutthecookandthestewardatfour，\"Iconcluded，\"andthengiveyouacall。Ofcourseattheslightestsignofanysortofwindwe’llhavethehandsupandmakeastartatonce。\"
Heconcealedhisastonishment。\"Verywell，sir。\"Outsidethecuddyheputhisheadinthesecondmate’sdoortoinformhimofmyunheard—ofcapricetotakeafivehours’anchor—watchonmyself。I
heardtheotherraisehisvoiceincredulously—\"What？Thecaptainhimself？\"Thenafewmoremurmurs，adoorclosed，thenanother。A
fewmomentslaterIwentondeck。
Mystrangeness，whichhadmademesleepless，hadpromptedthatunconventionalarrangement，asifIhadexpectedinthosesolitaryhoursofthenighttogetontermswiththeshipofwhichIknewnothing，mannedbymenofwhomIknewverylittlemore。Fastalongsideawharf，litteredlikeanyshipinportwithatangleofunrelatedthings，invadedbyunrelatedshorepeople，Ihadhardlyseenheryetproperly。Now，asshelayclearedforsea，thestretchofhermaindeckseemedtomeveryfineunderthestars。
Veryfine，veryroomyforhersize，andveryinviting。Idescendedthepoopandpacedthewaist，mymindpicturingtomyselfthecomingpassagethroughtheMalayArchipelago，downtheIndianOcean，anduptheAtlantic。Allitsphaseswerefamiliarenoughtome，everycharacteristic，allthealternativeswhichwerelikelytofacemeonthehighseas—everything！……exceptthenovelresponsibilityofcommand。ButItookheartfromthereasonablethoughtthattheshipwaslikeotherships，themenlikeothermen，andthattheseawasnotlikelytokeepanyspecialsurprisesexpresslyformydiscomfiture。
Arrivedatthatcomfortingconclusion，Ibethoughtmyselfofacigarandwentbelowtogetit。Allwasstilldownthere。
Everybodyattheafterendoftheshipwassleepingprofoundly。I
cameoutagainonthequarter—deck，agreeablyateaseinmysleeping—suitonthatwarmbreathlessnight，barefooted，aglowingcigarinmyteeth，and，goingforward，Iwasmetbytheprofoundsilenceoftheforeendoftheship。OnlyasIpassedthedooroftheforecastleIheardadeep，quiet，trustfulsighofsomesleeperinside。AndsuddenlyIrejoicedinthegreatsecurityoftheseaascomparedwiththeunrestoftheland，inmychoiceofthatuntemptedlifepresentingnodisquietingproblems，investedwithanelementarymoralbeautybytheabsolutestraightforwardnessofitsappealandbythesinglenessofitspurpose。
Theriding—lightinthefore—riggingburnedwithaclear，untroubled，asifsymbolic，flame，confidentandbrightinthemysteriousshadesofthenight。Passingonmywayaftalongtheothersideoftheship，Iobservedthattheropeside—ladder，putover，nodoubt，forthemasterofthetugwhenhecametofetchawayourletters，hadnotbeenhauledinasitshouldhavebeen。I
becameannoyedatthis，forexactitudeinsmallmattersistheverysoulofdiscipline。ThenIreflectedthatIhadmyselfperemptorilydismissedmyofficersfromduty，andbymyownacthadpreventedtheanchor—watchbeingformallysetandthingsproperlyattendedto。Iaskedmyselfwhetheritwaswiseevertointerferewiththeestablishedroutineofdutiesevenfromthekindestofmotives。Myactionmighthavemademeappeareccentric。Goodnessonlyknewhowthatabsurdlywhiskeredmatewould\"account\"formyconduct，andwhatthewholeshipthoughtofthatinformalityoftheirnewcaptain。Iwasvexedwithmyself。
Notfromcompunctioncertainly，but，asitweremechanically，I
proceededtogettheladderinmyself。Nowaside—ladderofthatsortisalightaffairandcomesineasily，yetmyvigoroustug，whichshouldhavebroughtitflyingonboard，merelyrecoileduponmybodyinatotallyunexpectedjerk。Whatthedevil！……IwassoastoundedbytheimmovablenessofthatladderthatIremainedstock—still，tryingtoaccountforittomyselflikethatimbecilemateofmine。Intheend，ofcourse，Iputmyheadovertherail。
Thesideoftheshipmadeanopaquebeltofshadowonthedarklingglassyshimmerofthesea。ButIsawatoncesomethingelongatedandpalefloatingveryclosetotheladder。BeforeIcouldformaguessafaintflashofphosphorescentlight，whichseemedtoissuesuddenlyfromthenakedbodyofaman，flickeredinthesleepingwaterwiththeelusive，silentplayofsummerlightninginanightsky。WithagaspIsawrevealedtomystareapairoffeet，thelonglegs，abroadlividbackimmersedrightuptotheneckinagreenishcadaverousglow。Onehand，awash，clutchedthebottomrungoftheladder。Hewascompletebutforthehead。Aheadlesscorpse！Thecigardroppedoutofmygapingmouthwithatinyplopandashorthissquiteaudibleintheabsolutestillnessofallthingsunderheaven。AtthatIsupposeheraiseduphisface，adimlypaleovalintheshadowoftheship’sside。ButeventhenI
couldonlybarelymakeoutdowntheretheshapeofhisblack—hairedhead。However，itwasenoughforthehorrid，frost—boundsensationwhichhadgrippedmeaboutthechesttopassoff。Themomentofvainexclamationswaspast，too。IonlyclimbedonthesparesparandleanedovertherailasfarasIcould，tobringmyeyesnearertothatmysteryfloatingalongside。
Ashehungbytheladder，likearestingswimmer，thesea—lightningplayedabouthislimbsateverystir；andheappearedinitghastly，silvery，fish—like。Heremainedasmuteasafish，too。
Hemadenomotiontogetoutofthewater，either。Itwasinconceivablethatheshouldnotattempttocomeonboard，andstrangelytroublingtosuspectthatperhapshedidnotwantto。
Andmyfirstwordswerepromptedbyjustthattroubledincertitude。
\"What’sthematter？\"Iaskedinmyordinarytone，speakingdowntothefaceupturnedexactlyundermine。
\"Cramp，\"itanswered，nolouder。Thenslightlyanxious，\"Isay，noneedtocallanyone。\"
\"Iwasnotgoingto，\"Isaid。
\"Areyoualoneondeck？\"
\"Yes。\"
Ihadsomehowtheimpressionthathewasonthepointoflettinggotheladdertoswimawaybeyondmyken—mysteriousashecame。
But，forthemoment，thisbeingappearingasifhehadrisenfromthebottomofthesea（itwascertainlythenearestlandtotheship）wantedonlytoknowthetime。Itoldhim。Andhe，downthere，tentatively：
\"Isupposeyourcaptain’sturnedin？\"
\"Iamsureheisn’t，\"Isaid。
Heseemedtostrugglewithhimself，forIheardsomethinglikethelow，bittermurmurofdoubt。\"What’sthegood？\"Hisnextwordscameoutwithahesitatingeffort。
\"Lookhere，myman。Couldyoucallhimoutquietly？\"
Ithoughtthetimehadcometodeclaremyself。
\"Iamthecaptain。\"
Ihearda\"ByJove！\"whisperedatthelevelofthewater。Thephosphorescenceflashedintheswirlofthewaterallabouthislimbs，hisotherhandseizedtheladder。
\"Myname’sLeggatt。\"
Thevoicewascalmandresolute。Agoodvoice。Theself—
possessionofthatmanhadsomehowinducedacorrespondingstateinmyself。ItwasveryquietlythatIremarked：
\"Youmustbeagoodswimmer。\"
\"Yes。I’vebeeninthewaterpracticallysincenineo’clock。ThequestionformenowiswhetherIamtoletgothisladderandgoonswimmingtillIsinkfromexhaustion，or—tocomeonboardhere。\"
Ifeltthiswasnomereformulaofdesperatespeech，butarealalternativeintheviewofastrongsoul。Ishouldhavegatheredfromthisthathewasyoung；indeed，itisonlytheyoungwhoareeverconfrontedbysuchclearissues。Butatthetimeitwaspureintuitiononmypart。Amysteriouscommunicationwasestablishedalreadybetweenustwo—inthefaceofthatsilent，darkenedtropicalsea。Iwasyoung，too；youngenoughtomakenocomment。
Themaninthewaterbegansuddenlytoclimbuptheladder，andI
hastenedawayfromtherailtofetchsomeclothes。
BeforeenteringthecabinIstoodstill，listeninginthelobbyatthefootofthestairs。Afaintsnorecamethroughthecloseddoorofthechiefmate’sroom。Thesecondmate’sdoorwasonthehook，butthedarknessintherewasabsolutelysoundless。He，too，wasyoungandcouldsleeplikeastone。Remainedthesteward，buthewasnotlikelytowakeupbeforehewascalled。Igotasleeping—
suitoutofmyroomand，comingbackondeck，sawthenakedmanfromtheseasittingonthemain—hatch，glimmeringwhiteinthedarkness，hiselbowsonhiskneesandhisheadinhishands。Inamomenthehadconcealedhisdampbodyinasleeping—suitofthesamegrey—stripepatternastheoneIwaswearingandfollowedmelikemydoubleonthepoop。Togetherwemovedrightaft，barefooted，silent。
\"Whatisit？\"Iaskedinadeadenedvoice，takingthelightedlampoutofthebinnacle，andraisingittohisface。
\"Anuglybusiness。\"
Hehadratherregularfeatures；agoodmouth；lighteyesundersomewhatheavy，darkeyebrows；asmooth，squareforehead；nogrowthonhischeeks；asmall，brownmoustache，andawell—shaped，roundchin。Hisexpressionwasconcentrated，meditative，undertheinspectinglightofthelampIhelduptohisface；suchasamanthinkinghardinsolitudemightwear。Mysleeping—suitwasjustrightforhissize。Awell—knityoungfellowoftwenty—fiveatmost。Hecaughthislowerlipwiththeedgeofwhite，eventeeth。
\"Yes，\"Isaid，replacingthelampinthebinnacle。Thewarm，heavytropicalnightcloseduponhisheadagain。
\"There’sashipoverthere，\"hemurmured。
\"Yes，Iknow。TheSephora。Didyouknowofus？\"
\"Hadn’ttheslightestidea。Iamthemateofher—\"Hepausedandcorrectedhimself。\"IshouldsayIWAS。\"
\"Aha！Somethingwrong？\"
\"Yes。Verywrongindeed。I’vekilledaman。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？Justnow？\"
\"No，onthepassage。Weeksago。Thirty—ninesouth。WhenIsayaman—\"
\"Fitoftemper，\"Isuggested，confidently。
Theshadowy，darkhead，likemine，seemedtonodimperceptiblyabovetheghostlygreyofmysleeping—suit。Itwas，inthenight，asthoughIhadbeenfacedbymyownreflectioninthedepthsofasombreandimmensemirror。
\"AprettythingtohavetoownuptoforaConwayboy，\"murmuredmydouble，distinctly。
\"You’reaConwayboy？\"
\"Iam，\"hesaid，asifstartled。Then，slowly……\"Perhapsyoutoo—\"
Itwasso；butbeingacoupleofyearsolderIhadleftbeforehejoined。Afteraquickinterchangeofdatesasilencefell；andI
thoughtsuddenlyofmyabsurdmatewithhisterrificwhiskersandthe\"Blessmysoul—youdon’tsayso\"typeofintellect。Mydoublegavemeaninklingofhisthoughtsbysaying：
\"Myfather’saparsoninNorfolk。Doyouseemebeforeajudgeandjuryonthatcharge？FormyselfIcan’tseethenecessity。Therearefellowsthatanangelfromheaven—AndIamnotthat。Hewasoneofthosecreaturesthatarejustsimmeringallthetimewithasillysortofwickedness。Miserabledevilsthathavenobusinesstoliveatall。Hewouldn’tdohisdutyandwouldn’tletanybodyelsedotheirs。Butwhat’sthegoodoftalking！Youknowwellenoughthesortofill—conditionedsnarlingcur—\"
Heappealedtomeasifourexperienceshadbeenasidenticalasourclothes。AndIknewwellenoughthepestiferousdangerofsuchacharacterwheretherearenomeansoflegalrepression。AndI
knewwellenoughalsothatmydoubletherewasnohomicidalruffian。Ididnotthinkofaskinghimfordetails，andhetoldmethestoryroughlyinbrusque，disconnectedsentences。Ineedednomore。IsawitallgoingonasthoughIweremyselfinsidethatothersleeping—suit。
\"Ithappenedwhileweweresettingareefedforesail，atdusk。
Reefedforesail！Youunderstandthesortofweather。Theonlysailwehadlefttokeeptheshiprunning；soyoumayguesswhatithadbeenlikefordays。Anxioussortofjob，that。Hegavemesomeofhiscursedinsolenceatthesheet。ItellyouIwasoverdonewiththisterrificweatherthatseemedtohavenoendtoit。Terrific，Itellyou—andadeepship。Ibelievethefellowhimselfwashalfcrazedwithfunk。Itwasnotimeforgentlemanlyreproof，soIturnedroundandfelledhimlikeanox。Heupandatme。Weclosedjustasanawfulseamadefortheship。Allhandssawitcomingandtooktotherigging，butIhadhimbythethroat，andwentonshakinghimlikearat，themenaboveusyelling，\"Lookout！lookout！\"Thenacrashasiftheskyhadfallenonmyhead。
Theysaythatforovertenminuteshardlyanythingwastobeseenoftheship—justthethreemastsandabitoftheforecastleheadandofthepoopallawashdrivingalonginasmotheroffoam。Itwasamiraclethattheyfoundus，jammedtogetherbehindtheforebits。It’sclearthatImeantbusiness，becauseIwasholdinghimbythethroatstillwhentheypickedusup。Hewasblackintheface。Itwastoomuchforthem。Itseemstheyrushedusafttogether，grippedaswewere，screaming\"Murder！\"likealotoflunatics，andbrokeintothecuddy。Andtheshiprunningforherlife，touchandgoallthetime，anyminuteherlastinaseafittoturnyourhairgreyonlya—lookingatit。Iunderstandthattheskipper，too，startedravingliketherestofthem。Themanhadbeendeprivedofsleepformorethanaweek，andtohavethissprungonhimattheheightofafuriousgalenearlydrovehimoutofhismind。Iwondertheydidn’tflingmeoverboardaftergettingthecarcassoftheirpreciousship—mateoutofmyfingers。Theyhadratherajobtoseparateus，I’vebeentold。Asufficientlyfiercestorytomakeanoldjudgeandarespectablejurysitupabit。ThefirstthingIheardwhenIcametomyselfwasthemaddeninghowlingofthatendlessgale，andonthatthevoiceoftheoldman。Hewashangingontomybunk，staringintomyfaceoutofhissou’wester。
\"’Mr。Leggatt，youhavekilledaman。Youcanactnolongeraschiefmateofthisship。’\"
Hiscaretosubduehisvoicemadeitsoundmonotonous。Herestedahandontheendoftheskylighttosteadyhimselfwith，andallthattimedidnotstiralimb，sofarasIcouldsee。\"Nicelittletaleforaquiettea—party，\"heconcludedinthesametone。
Oneofmyhands，too，restedontheendoftheskylight；neitherdidIstiralimb，sofarasIknew。Westoodlessthanafootfromeachother。Itoccurredtomethatifold\"Blessmysoul—
youdon’tsayso\"weretoputhisheadupthecompanionandcatchsightofus，hewouldthinkhewasseeingdouble，orimaginehimselfcomeuponasceneofweirdwitchcraft；thestrangecaptainhavingaquietconfabulationbythewheelwithhisowngreyghost。
Ibecameverymuchconcernedtopreventanythingofthesort。I
heardtheother’ssoothingundertone。
\"Myfather’saparsoninNorfolk，\"itsaid。Evidentlyhehadforgottenhehadtoldmethisimportantfactbefore。Trulyanicelittletale。
\"Youhadbetterslipdownintomystateroomnow，\"Isaid，movingoffstealthily。Mydoublefollowedmymovements；ourbarefeetmadenosound；Ilethimin，closedthedoorwithcare，and，aftergivingacalltothesecondmate，returnedondeckformyrelief。
\"Notmuchsignofanywindyet，\"Iremarkedwhenheapproached。
\"No，sir。Notmuch，\"heassented，sleepily，inhishoarsevoice，withjustenoughdeference，nomore，andbarelysuppressingayawn。
\"Well，that’sallyouhavetolookoutfor。Youhavegotyourorders。\"
\"Yes，sir。\"
Ipacedaturnortwoonthepoopandsawhimtakeuphispositionfaceforwardwithhiselbowintheratlinesofthemizzen—riggingbeforeIwentbelow。Themate’sfaintsnoringwasstillgoingonpeacefully。Thecuddylampwasburningoverthetableonwhichstoodavasewithflowers，apoliteattentionfromtheship’sprovisionmerchant—thelastflowersweshouldseeforthenextthreemonthsattheveryleast。Twobunchesofbananashungfromthebeamsymmetrically，oneoneachsideoftherudder—casing。
Everythingwasasbeforeintheship—exceptthattwoofhercaptain’ssleeping—suitsweresimultaneouslyinuse，onemotionlessinthecuddy，theotherkeepingverystillinthecaptain’sstateroom。
ItmustbeexplainedherethatmycabinhadtheformofthecapitalletterLthedoorbeingwithintheangleandopeningintotheshortpartoftheletter。Acouchwastotheleft，thebed—placetotheright；mywriting—deskandthechronometers’tablefacedthedoor。
Butanyoneopeningit，unlesshesteppedrightinside，hadnoviewofwhatIcallthelong（orvertical）partoftheletter。Itcontainedsomelockerssurmountedbyabookcase；andafewclothes，athickjacketortwo，caps，oilskincoat，andsuchlike，hungonhooks。Therewasatthebottomofthatpartadooropeningintomybath—room，whichcouldbeenteredalsodirectlyfromthesaloon。
Butthatwaywasneverused。
Themysteriousarrivalhaddiscoveredtheadvantageofthisparticularshape。Enteringmyroom，lightedstronglybyabigbulkheadlampswungongimbalsabovemywriting—desk，Ididnotseehimanywheretillhesteppedoutquietlyfrombehindthecoatshungintherecessedpart。
\"Iheardsomebodymovingabout，andwentinthereatonce，\"hewhispered。
I，too，spokeundermybreath。
\"Nobodyislikelytocomeinherewithoutknockingandgettingpermission。\"
Henodded。Hisfacewasthinandthesunburnfaded，asthoughhehadbeenill。Andnowonder。Hehadbeen，Iheardpresently，keptunderarrestinhiscabinfornearlysevenweeks。Buttherewasnothingsicklyinhiseyesorinhisexpression。Hewasnotabitlikeme，really；yet，aswestoodleaningovermybed—place，whisperingsidebyside，withourdarkheadstogetherandourbackstothedoor，anybodyboldenoughtoopenitstealthilywouldhavebeentreatedtotheuncannysightofadoublecaptainbusytalkinginwhisperswithhisotherself。
\"Butallthisdoesn’ttellmehowyoucametohangontoourside—
ladder，\"Iinquired，inthehardlyaudiblemurmursweused，afterhehadtoldmesomethingmoreoftheproceedingsonboardtheSephoraoncethebadweatherwasover。
\"WhenwesightedJavaHeadIhadhadtimetothinkallthosemattersoutseveraltimesover。Ihadsixweeksofdoingnothingelse，andwithonlyanhourorsoeveryeveningforatramponthequarter—deck。\"
Hewhispered，hisarmsfoldedonthesideofmybed—place，staringthroughtheopenport。AndIcouldimagineperfectlythemannerofthisthinkingout—astubbornifnotasteadfastoperation；
somethingofwhichIshouldhavebeenperfectlyincapable。
\"Ireckoneditwouldbedarkbeforeweclosedwiththeland，\"hecontinued，solowthatIhadtostrainmyhearing，nearasweweretoeachother，shouldertouchingshoulderalmost。\"SoIaskedtospeaktotheoldman。Healwaysseemedverysickwhenhecametoseeme—asifhecouldnotlookmeintheface。Youknow，thatforesailsavedtheship。Shewastoodeeptohaverunlongunderbarepoles。AnditwasIthatmanagedtosetitforhim。Anyway，hecame。WhenIhadhiminmycabin—hestoodbythedoorlookingatmeasifIhadthehalterroundmyneckalready—IaskedhimrightawaytoleavemycabindoorunlockedatnightwhiletheshipwasgoingthroughSundaStraits。TherewouldbetheJavacoastwithintwoorthreemiles，offAngierPoint。Iwantednothingmore。I’vehadaprizeforswimmingmysecondyearintheConway。\"
\"Icanbelieveit，\"Ibreathedout。
\"Godonlyknowswhytheylockedmeineverynight。Toseesomeoftheirfacesyou’dhavethoughttheywereafraidI’dgoaboutatnightstranglingpeople。AmIamurderingbrute？DoIlookit？
ByJove！ifIhadbeenhewouldn’thavetrustedhimselflikethatintomyroom。You’llsayImighthavechuckedhimasideandboltedout，thereandthen—itwasdarkalready。Well，no。AndforthesamereasonIwouldn’tthinkoftryingtosmashthedoor。Therewouldhavebeenarushtostopmeatthenoise，andIdidnotmeantogetintoaconfoundedscrimmage。Somebodyelsemighthavegotkilled—forIwouldnothavebrokenoutonlytogetchuckedback，andIdidnotwantanymoreofthatwork。Herefused，lookingmoresickthanever。Hewasafraidofthemen，andalsoofthatoldsecondmateofhiswhohadbeensailingwithhimforyears—agrey—headedoldhumbug；andhissteward，too，hadbeenwithhimdevilknowshowlong—seventeenyearsormore—adogmaticsortofloaferwhohatedmelikepoison，justbecauseIwasthechiefmate。
NochiefmateevermademorethanonevoyageintheSephora，youknow。Thosetwooldchapsrantheship。Devilonlyknowswhattheskipperwasn’tafraidof（allhisnervewenttopiecesaltogetherinthathellishspellofbadweatherwehad）—ofwhatthelawwoulddotohim—ofhiswife，perhaps。Oh，yes！she’sonboard。
ThoughIdon’tthinkshewouldhavemeddled。Shewouldhavebeenonlytoogladtohavemeoutoftheshipinanyway。The’brandofCain’business，don’tyousee。That’sallright。Iwasreadyenoughtogooffwanderingonthefaceoftheearth—andthatwaspriceenoughtopayforanAbelofthatsort。Anyhow，hewouldn’tlistentome。’Thisthingmusttakeitscourse。Irepresentthelawhere。’Hewasshakinglikealeaf。’Soyouwon’t？’’No！’
’ThenIhopeyouwillbeabletosleeponthat，’Isaid，andturnedmybackonhim。’IwonderthatYOUcan，’crieshe，andlocksthedoor。
\"Well，afterthat，Icouldn’t。Notverywell。Thatwasthreeweeksago。WehavehadaslowpassagethroughtheJavaSea；
driftedaboutCarimatafortendays。Whenweanchoredheretheythought，Isuppose，itwasallright。Thenearestland（andthat’sfivemiles）istheship’sdestination；theconsulwouldsoonsetaboutcatchingme；andtherewouldhavebeennoobjectinboltingtotheseisletsthere。Idon’tsupposethere’sadropofwateronthem。Idon’tknowhowitwas，butto—nightthatsteward，afterbringingmemysupper，wentouttoletmeeatit，andleftthedoorunlocked。AndIateit—alltherewas，too。AfterIhadfinishedIstrolledoutonthequarterdeck。Idon’tknowthatImeanttodoanything。AbreathoffreshairwasallIwanted，Ibelieve。Thenasuddentemptationcameoverme。IkickedoffmyslippersandwasinthewaterbeforeIhadmadeupmymindfairly。Somebodyheardthesplashandtheyraisedanawfulhullabaloo。’He’sgone！Lowertheboats！He’scommittedsuicide！No，he’sswimming。’CertainlyIwasswimming。It’snotsoeasyforaswimmerlikemetocommitsuicidebydrowning。Ilandedonthenearestisletbeforetheboatlefttheship’sside。Iheardthempullingaboutinthedark，hailing，andsoon，butafterabittheygaveup。Everythingquieteddownandtheanchoragebecameasstillasdeath。Isatdownonastoneandbegantothink。Ifeltcertaintheywouldstartsearchingformeatdaylight。Therewasnoplacetohideonthosestonythings—andiftherehadbeen，whatwouldhavebeenthegood？ButnowIwasclearofthatship，Iwasnotgoingback。
SoafterawhileItookoffallmyclothes，tiedthemupinabundlewithastoneinside，anddroppedtheminthedeepwaterontheoutersideofthatislet。Thatwassuicideenoughforme。Letthemthinkwhattheyliked，butIdidn’tmeantodrownmyself。I
meanttoswimtillIsank—butthat’snotthesamething。I
struckoutforanotheroftheselittleislands，anditwasfromthatonethatIfirstsawyourriding—light。Somethingtoswimfor。Iwentoneasily，andonthewayIcameuponaflatrockafootortwoabovewater。Inthedaytime，Idaresay，youmightmakeitoutwithaglassfromyourpoop。Iscrambleduponitandrestedmyselfforabit。ThenImadeanotherstart。Thatlastspellmusthavebeenoveramile。\"
Hiswhisperwasgettingfainterandfainter，andallthetimehestaredstraightoutthroughtheport—hole，inwhichtherewasnotevenastartobeseen。Ihadnotinterruptedhim。Therewassomethingthatmadecommentimpossibleinhisnarrative，orperhapsinhimself；asortoffeeling，aquality，whichIcan’tfindanamefor。Andwhenheceased，allIfoundwasafutilewhisper：\"Soyouswamforourlight？\"
\"Yes—straightforit。Itwassomethingtoswimfor。Icouldn’tseeanystarslowdownbecausethecoastwasintheway，andI
couldn’tseetheland，either。Thewaterwaslikeglass。Onemighthavebeenswimminginaconfoundedthousand—feetdeepcisternwithnoplaceforscramblingoutanywhere；butwhatIdidn’tlikewasthenotionofswimmingroundandroundlikeacrazedbullockbeforeIgaveout；andasIdidn’tmeantogoback……No。Doyouseemebeinghauledback，starknaked，offoneoftheselittleislandsbythescruffoftheneckandfightinglikeawildbeast？
Somebodywouldhavegotkilledforcertain，andIdidnotwantanyofthat。SoIwenton。Thenyourladder—\"
\"Whydidn’tyouhailtheship？\"Iasked，alittlelouder。
Hetouchedmyshoulderlightly。Lazyfootstepscamerightoverourheadsandstopped。Thesecondmatehadcrossedfromtheothersideofthepoopandmighthavebeenhangingovertherail，forallweknew。
\"Hecouldn’thearustalking—couldhe？\"Mydoublebreathedintomyveryear，anxiously。
Hisanxietywasananswer，asufficientanswer，tothequestionI
hadputtohim。Ananswercontainingallthedifficultyofthatsituation。Iclosedtheport—holequietly，tomakesure。Alouderwordmighthavebeenoverheard。
\"Who’sthat？\"hewhisperedthen。
\"Mysecondmate。ButIdon’tknowmuchmoreofthefellowthanyoudo。\"
AndItoldhimalittleaboutmyself。IhadbeenappointedtotakechargewhileIleastexpectedanythingofthesort，notquiteafortnightago。Ididn’tknoweithertheshiporthepeople。
Hadn’thadthetimeinporttolookaboutmeorsizeanybodyup。
Andastothecrew，alltheyknewwasthatIwasappointedtotaketheshiphome。Fortherest，Iwasalmostasmuchofastrangeronboardashimself，Isaid。AndatthemomentIfeltitmostacutely。Ifeltthatitwouldtakeverylittletomakemeasuspectpersonintheeyesoftheship’scompany。
Hehadturnedaboutmeantime；andwe，thetwostrangersintheship，facedeachotherinidenticalattitudes。
\"Yourladder—\"hemurmured，afterasilence。\"Who’dhavethoughtoffindingaladderhangingoveratnightinashipanchoredouthere！Ifeltjustthenaveryunpleasantfaintness。AfterthelifeI’vebeenleadingfornineweeks，anybodywouldhavegotoutofcondition。Iwasn’tcapableofswimmingroundasfarasyourrudder—chains。And，loandbehold！therewasaladdertogetholdof。AfterIgrippeditIsaidtomyself，’What’sthegood？’WhenIsawaman’sheadlookingoverIthoughtIwouldswimawaypresentlyandleavehimshouting—inwhateverlanguageitwas。I
didn’tmindbeinglookedat。I—Ilikedit。Andthenyouspeakingtomesoquietly—asifyouhadexpectedme—mademeholdonalittlelonger。Ithadbeenaconfoundedlonelytime—I
don’tmeanwhileswimming。Iwasgladtotalkalittletosomebodythatdidn’tbelongtotheSephora。Astoaskingforthecaptain，thatwasamereimpulse。Itcouldhavebeennouse，withalltheshipknowingaboutmeandtheotherpeopleprettycertaintoberoundhereinthemorning。Idon’tknow—Iwantedtobeseen，totalkwithsomebody，beforeIwenton。Idon’tknowwhatIwouldhavesaid……’Finenight，isn’tit？’orsomethingofthesort。\"
\"Doyouthinktheywillberoundherepresently？\"Iaskedwithsomeincredulity。
\"Quitelikely，\"hesaid，faintly。
Helookedextremelyhaggardallofasudden。Hisheadrolledonhisshoulders。
\"H’m。Weshallseethen。Meantimegetintothatbed，\"I
whispered。\"Wanthelp？There。\"
Itwasaratherhighbed—placewithasetofdrawersunderneath。
ThisamazingswimmerreallyneededtheliftIgavehimbyseizinghisleg。Hetumbledin，rolledoveronhisback，andflungonearmacrosshiseyes。Andthen，withhisfacenearlyhidden，hemusthavelookedexactlyasIusedtolookinthatbed。Igazeduponmyotherselfforawhilebeforedrawingacrosscarefullythetwogreensergecurtainswhichranonabrassrod。Ithoughtforamomentofpinningthemtogetherforgreatersafety，butIsatdownonthecouch，andoncethereIfeltunwillingtoriseandhuntforapin。Iwoulddoitinamoment。Iwasextremelytired，inapeculiarlyintimateway，bythestrainofstealthiness，bytheeffortofwhisperingandthegeneralsecrecyofthisexcitement。
Itwasthreeo’clockbynowandIhadbeenonmyfeetsincenine，butIwasnotsleepy；Icouldnothavegonetosleep。Isatthere，faggedout，lookingatthecurtains，tryingtoclearmymindoftheconfusedsensationofbeingintwoplacesatonce，andgreatlybotheredbyanexasperatingknockinginmyhead。Itwasarelieftodiscoversuddenlythatitwasnotinmyheadatall，butontheoutsideofthedoor。BeforeIcouldcollectmyselfthewords\"Comein\"wereoutofmymouth，andthestewardenteredwithatray，bringinginmymorningcoffee。Ihadslept，afterall，andIwassofrightenedthatIshouted，\"Thisway！Iamhere，steward，\"asthoughhehadbeenmilesaway。Heputdownthetrayonthetablenextthecouchandonlythensaid，veryquietly，\"Icanseeyouarehere，sir。\"Ifelthimgivemeakeenlook，butIdarednotmeethiseyesjustthen。HemusthavewonderedwhyIhaddrawnthecurtainsofmybedbeforegoingtosleeponthecouch。Hewentout，hookingthedooropenasusual。
Iheardthecrewwashingdecksaboveme。IknewIwouldhavebeentoldatonceiftherehadbeenanywind。Calm，Ithought，andI
wasdoublyvexed。Indeed，Ifeltdualmorethanever。Thestewardreappearedsuddenlyinthedoorway。Ijumpedupfromthecouchsoquicklythathegaveastart。
\"Whatdoyouwanthere？\"
\"Closeyourport，sir—theyarewashingdecks。\"
\"Itisclosed，\"Isaid，reddening。
\"Verywell，sir。\"Buthedidnotmovefromthedoorwayandreturnedmystareinanextraordinary，equivocalmannerforatime。
Thenhiseyeswavered，allhisexpressionchanged，andinavoiceunusuallygentle，almostcoaxingly：
\"MayIcomeintotaketheemptycupaway，sir？\"
\"Ofcourse！\"Iturnedmybackonhimwhilehepoppedinandout。
ThenIunhookedandclosedthedoorandevenpushedthebolt。Thissortofthingcouldnotgoonverylong。Thecabinwasashotasanoven，too。Itookapeepatmydouble，anddiscoveredthathehadnotmoved，hisarmwasstilloverhiseyes；buthischestheaved；hishairwaswet；hischinglistenedwithperspiration。I
reachedoverhimandopenedtheport。
\"Imustshowmyselfondeck，\"Ireflected。
Ofcourse，theoretically，IcoulddowhatIliked，withnoonetosaynaytomewithinthewholecircleofthehorizon；buttolockmycabindoorandtakethekeyawayIdidnotdare。DirectlyIputmyheadoutofthecompanionIsawthegroupofmytwoofficers，thesecondmatebarefooted，thechiefmateinlongindia—rubberboots，nearthebreakofthepoop，andthestewardhalf—waydownthepoop—laddertalkingtothemeagerly。Hehappenedtocatchsightofmeanddived，thesecondrandownonthemain—deckshoutingsomeorderorother，andthechiefmatecametomeetme，touchinghiscap。
TherewasasortofcuriosityinhiseyethatIdidnotlike。I
don’tknowwhetherthestewardhadtoldthemthatIwas\"queer\"
only，ordownrightdrunk，butIknowthemanmeanttohaveagoodlookatme。Iwatchedhimcomingwithasmilewhich，ashegotintopoint—blankrange，tookeffectandfrozehisverywhiskers。I
didnotgivehimtimetoopenhislips。
\"Squaretheyardsbyliftsandbracesbeforethehandsgotobreakfast。\"
ItwasthefirstparticularorderIhadgivenonboardthatship；
andIstayedondecktoseeitexecuted，too。Ihadfelttheneedofassertingmyselfwithoutlossoftime。Thatsneeringyoungcubgottakendownapegortwoonthatoccasion，andIalsoseizedtheopportunityofhavingagoodlookatthefaceofeveryforemastmanastheyfiledpastmetogototheafterbraces。Atbreakfasttime，eatingnothingmyself，Ipresidedwithsuchfrigiddignitythatthetwomateswereonlytoogladtoescapefromthecabinassoonasdecencypermitted；andallthetimethedualworkingofmyminddistractedmealmosttothepointofinsanity。Iwasconstantlywatchingmyself，mysecretself，asdependentonmyactionsasmyownpersonality，sleepinginthatbed，behindthatdoorwhichfacedmeasIsatattheheadofthetable。Itwasverymuchlikebeingmad，onlyitwasworsebecauseonewasawareofit。
Ihadtoshakehimforasolidminute，butwhenatlastheopenedhiseyesitwasinthefullpossessionofhissenses，withaninquiringlook。
\"All’swellsofar，\"Iwhispered。\"Nowyoumustvanishintothebath—room。\"
Hedidso，asnoiselessasaghost，andIthenrangforthesteward，andfacinghimboldly，directedhimtotidyupmystateroomwhileIwashavingmybath—\"andbequickaboutit。\"Asmytoneadmittedofnoexcuses，hesaid，\"Yes，sir，\"andranofftofetchhisdust—panandbrushes。Itookabathanddidmostofmydressing，splashing，andwhistlingsoftlyforthesteward’sedification，whilethesecretsharerofmylifestooddrawnupboltuprightinthatlittlespace，hisfacelookingverysunkenindaylight，hiseyelidsloweredunderthestern，darklineofhiseyebrowsdrawntogetherbyaslightfrown。
WhenIlefthimtheretogobacktomyroomthestewardwasfinishingdusting。Isentforthemateandengagedhiminsomeinsignificantconversation。Itwas，asitwere，triflingwiththeterrificcharacterofhiswhiskers；butmyobjectwastogivehimanopportunityforagoodlookatmycabin。AndthenIcouldatlastshut，withaclearconscience，thedoorofmystateroomandgetmydoublebackintotherecessedpart。Therewasnothingelseforit。Hehadtositstillonasmallfoldingstool，halfsmotheredbytheheavycoatshangingthere。Welistenedtothestewardgoingintothebath—roomoutofthesaloon，fillingthewater—bottlesthere，scrubbingthebath，settingthingstorights，whisk，bang，clatter—outagainintothesaloon—turnthekey—
click。Suchwasmyschemeforkeepingmysecondselfinvisible。
Nothingbettercouldbecontrivedunderthecircumstances。Andtherewesat；Iatmywriting—deskreadytoappearbusywithsomepapers，hebehindme，outofsightofthedoor。Itwouldnothavebeenprudenttotalkindaytime；andIcouldnothavestoodtheexcitementofthatqueersenseofwhisperingtomyself。Nowandthenglancingovermyshoulder，Isawhimfarbackthere，sittingrigidlyonthelowstool，hisbarefeetclosetogether，hisarmsfolded，hisheadhangingonhisbreast—andperfectlystill。
Anybodywouldhavetakenhimforme。
Iwasfascinatedbyitmyself。EverymomentIhadtoglanceovermyshoulder。Iwaslookingathimwhenavoiceoutsidethedoorsaid：
\"Begpardon，sir。\"
\"Well！\"……Ikeptmyeyesonhim，andso，whenthevoiceoutsidethedoorannounced，\"There’saship’sboatcomingourway，sir，\"I
sawhimgiveastart—thefirstmovementhehadmadeforhours。
Buthedidnotraisehisbowedhead。
\"Allright。Gettheladderover。\"
Ihesitated。ShouldIwhispersomethingtohim？Butwhat？Hisimmobilityseemedtohavebeenneverdisturbed。WhatcouldItellhimhedidnotknowalready？……FinallyIwentondeck。
CHAPTERII
TheskipperoftheSephorahadathinredwhiskerallroundhisface，andthesortofcomplexionthatgoeswithhairofthatcolour；alsotheparticular，rathersmearyshadeofblueintheeyes。Hewasnotexactlyashowyfigure；hisshoulderswerehigh，hisstaturebutmiddling—onelegslightlymorebandythantheother。Heshookhands，lookingvaguelyaround。Aspiritlesstenacitywashismaincharacteristic，Ijudged。Ibehavedwithapolitenesswhichseemedtodisconcerthim。Perhapshewasshy。Hemumbledtomeasifhewereashamedofwhathewassaying；gavehisname（itwassomethinglikeArchbold—butatthisdistanceofyearsIhardlyamsure），hisship’sname，andafewotherparticularsofthatsort，inthemannerofacriminalmakingareluctantanddolefulconfession。Hehadhadterribleweatheronthepassageout—terrible—terrible—wifeaboard，too。
Bythistimewewereseatedinthecabinandthestewardbroughtinatraywithabottleandglasses。\"Thanks！No。\"Nevertookliquor。Wouldhavesomewater，though。Hedranktwotumblerfuls。
Terriblethirstywork。Eversincedaylighthadbeenexploringtheislandsroundhisship。
\"Whatwasthatfor—fun？\"Iasked，withanappearanceofpoliteinterest。
\"No！\"Hesighed。\"Painfulduty。\"
AshepersistedinhismumblingandIwantedmydoubletoheareveryword，IhituponthenotionofinforminghimthatIregrettedtosayIwashardofhearing。
\"Suchayoungman，too！\"henodded，keepinghissmearyblue，unintelligenteyesfasteneduponme。Whatwasthecauseofit—
somedisease？heinquired，withouttheleastsympathyandasifhethoughtthat，ifso，I’dgotnomorethanIdeserved。
\"Yes；disease，\"Iadmittedinacheerfultonewhichseemedtoshockhim。Butmypointwasgained，becausehehadtoraisehisvoicetogivemehistale。Itisnotworthwhiletorecordthatversion。
Itwasjustovertwomonthssinceallthishadhappened，andhehadthoughtsomuchaboutitthatheseemedcompletelymuddledastoitsbearings，butstillimmenselyimpressed。
\"Whatwouldyouthinkofsuchathinghappeningonboardyourownship？I’vehadtheSephoraforthesefifteenyears。Iamawell—
knownshipmaster。\"
Hewasdenselydistressed—andperhapsIshouldhavesympathisedwithhimifIhadbeenabletodetachmymentalvisionfromtheunsuspectedsharerofmycabinasthoughheweremysecondself。
Therehewasontheothersideofthebulkhead，fourorfivefeetfromus，nomore，aswesatinthesaloon。IlookedpolitelyatCaptainArchbold（ifthatwashisname），butitwastheotherI
saw，inagreysleeping—suit，seatedonalowstool，hisbarefeetclosetogether，hisarmsfolded，andeverywordsaidbetweenusfallingintotheearsofhisdarkheadbowedonhischest。
\"Ihavebeenatseanow，manandboy，forseven—and—thirtyyears，andI’veneverheardofsuchathinghappeninginanEnglishship。
Andthatitshouldbemyship。Wifeonboard，too。\"
Iwashardlylisteningtohim。
\"Don’tyouthink，\"Isaid，\"thattheheavyseawhich，youtoldme，cameaboardjustthenmighthavekilledtheman？Ihaveseenthesheerweightofaseakillamanveryneatly，bysimplybreakinghisneck。\"
\"GoodGod！\"heuttered，impressively，fixinghissmearyblueeyesonme。\"Thesea！Nomankilledbytheseaeverlookedlikethat。\"
Heseemedpositivelyscandalisedatmysuggestion。AndasIgazedathim，certainlynotpreparedforanythingoriginalonhispart，headvancedhisheadclosetomineandthrusthistongueoutatmesosuddenlythatIcouldn’thelpstartingback。
Afterscoringovermycalmnessinthisgraphicwayhenoddedwisely。IfIhadseenthesight，heassuredme，IwouldneverforgetitaslongasIlived。Theweatherwastoobadtogivethecorpseaproperseaburial。Sonextdayatdawntheytookituponthepoop，coveringitsfacewithabitofbunting；hereadashortprayer，andthen，justasitwas，initsoilskinsandlongboots，theylauncheditamongstthosemountainousseasthatseemedreadyeverymomenttoswallowuptheshipherselfandtheterrifiedlivesonboardofher。
\"Thatreefedforesailsavedyou，\"Ithrewin。
\"UnderGod—itdid，\"heexclaimedfervently。\"Itwasbyaspecialmercy，Ifirmlybelieve，thatitstoodsomeofthosehurricanesqualls。\"
\"Itwasthesettingofthatsailwhich—\"Ibegan。
\"God’sownhandinit，\"heinterruptedme。\"Nothinglesscouldhavedoneit。Idon’tmindtellingyouthatIhardlydaredgivetheorder。Itseemedimpossiblethatwecouldtouchanythingwithoutlosingit，andthenourlasthopewouldhavebeengone。\"
Theterrorofthatgalewasonhimyet。Ilethimgoonforabit，thensaid，casually—asifreturningtoaminorsubject：
\"Youwereveryanxioustogiveupyourmatetotheshorepeople，I
believe？\"
Hewas。Tothelaw。Hisobscuretenacityonthatpointhadinitsomethingincomprehensibleandalittleawful；something，asitwere，mystical，quiteapartfromhisanxietythatheshouldnotbesuspectedof\"countenancinganydoingsofthatsort。\"Seven—and—
thirtyvirtuousyearsatsea，ofwhichovertwentyofimmaculatecommand，andthelastfifteenintheSephora，seemedtohavelaidhimundersomepitilessobligation。
\"Andyouknow，\"hewenton，gropingshamefacedlyamongsthisfeelings，\"Ididnotengagethatyoungfellow。Hispeoplehadsomeinterestwithmyowners。Iwasinawayforcedtotakehimon。Helookedverysmart，verygentlemanly，andallthat。Butdoyouknow—Ineverlikedhim，somehow。Iamaplainman。Yousee，hewasn’texactlythesortforthechiefmateofashipliketheSephora。\"
IhadbecomesoconnectedinthoughtsandimpressionswiththesecretsharerofmycabinthatIfeltasifI，personally，werebeinggiventounderstandthatI，too，wasnotthesortthatwouldhavedoneforthechiefmateofashipliketheSephora。Ihadnodoubtofitinmymind。
\"Notatallthestyleofman。Youunderstand，\"heinsisted，superfluously，lookinghardatme。
Ismiledurbanely。Heseemedatalossforawhile。
\"IsupposeImustreportasuicide。\"
\"Begpardon？\"
\"Suicide！That’swhatI’llhavetowritetomyownersdirectlyI
getin。\"
\"Unlessyoumanagetorecoverhimbeforeto—morrow，\"Iassented，dispassionately……\"Imean，alive。\"
HemumbledsomethingwhichIreallydidnotcatch，andIturnedmyeartohiminapuzzledmanner。Hefairlybawled：
\"Theland—Isay，themainlandisatleastsevenmilesoffmyanchorage。\"
\"Aboutthat。\"
Mylackofexcitement，ofcuriosity，ofsurprise，ofanysortofpronouncedinterest，begantoarousehisdistrust。ButexceptforthefelicitouspretenceofdeafnessIhadnottriedtopretendanything。Ihadfeltutterlyincapableofplayingthepartofignoranceproperly，andthereforewasafraidtotry。Itisalsocertainthathehadbroughtsomeready—madesuspicionswithhim，andthatheviewedmypolitenessasastrangeandunnaturalphenomenon。AndyethowelsecouldIhavereceivedhim？Notheartily！Thatwasimpossibleforpsychologicalreasons，whichI
neednotstatehere。Myonlyobjectwastokeepoffhisinquiries。
Surlily？Yes，butsurlinessmighthaveprovokedapoint—blankquestion。Fromitsnoveltytohimandfromitsnature，punctiliouscourtesywasthemannerbestcalculatedtorestraintheman。Buttherewasthedangerofhisbreakingthroughmydefencebluntly。I
couldnot，Ithink，havemethimbyadirectlie，alsoforpsychological（notmoral）reasons。IfhehadonlyknownhowafraidIwasofhisputtingmyfeelingofidentitywiththeothertothetest！But，strangelyenough—（Ithoughtofitonlyafterward）—I
believethathewasnotalittledisconcertedbythereversesideofthatweirdsituation，bysomethinginmethatremindedhimofthemanhewasseeking—suggestedamysterioussimilitudetotheyoungfellowhehaddistrustedanddislikedfromthefirst。
Howeverthatmighthavebeen，thesilencewasnotveryprolonged。
Hetookanotherobliquestep。
\"IreckonIhadnomorethanatwo—milepulltoyourship。Notabitmore。\"
\"Andquiteenough，too，inthisawfulheat，\"Isaid。
Anotherpausefullofmistrustfollowed。Necessity，theysay，ismotherofinvention，butfear，too，isnotbarrenofingenioussuggestions。AndIwasafraidhewouldaskmepoint—blankfornewsofmyotherself。
\"Nicelittlesaloon，isn’tit？\"Iremarked，asifnoticingforthefirsttimethewayhiseyesroamedfromonecloseddoortotheother。\"Andverywellfittedouttoo。Here，forinstance，\"I
continued，reachingoverthebackofmyseatnegligentlyandflingingthedooropen，\"ismybath—room。\"
Hemadeaneagermovement，buthardlygaveitaglance。Igotup，shutthedoorofthebath—room，andinvitedhimtohavealookround，asifIwereveryproudofmyaccommodation。Hehadtoriseandbeshownround，buthewentthroughthebusinesswithoutanyraptureswhatever。
\"Andnowwe’llhavealookatmystateroom，\"Ideclared，inavoiceasloudasIdaredtomakeit，crossingthecabintothestarboardsidewithpurposelyheavysteps。
Hefollowedmeinandgazedaround。Myintelligentdoublehadvanished。Iplayedmypart。
\"Veryconvenient—isn’tit？\"
\"Verynice。Verycomf……\"Hedidn’tfinish，andwentoutbrusquelyasiftoescapefromsomeunrighteouswilesofmine。Butitwasnottobe。Ihadbeentoofrightenednottofeelvengeful；
IfeltIhadhimontherun，andImeanttokeephimontherun。
Mypoliteinsistencemusthavehadsomethingmenacinginit，becausehegaveinsuddenly。AndIdidnotlethimoffasingleitem；mate’sroom，pantry，storerooms，theverysail—lockerwhichwasalsounderthepoop—hehadtolookintothemall。WhenatlastIshowedhimoutonthequarter—deckhedrewalong，spiritlesssigh，andmumbleddismallythathemustreallybegoingbacktohisshipnow。Idesiredmymate，whohadjoinedus，toseetothecaptain’sboat。
Themanofwhiskersgaveablastonthewhistlewhichheusedtowearhangingroundhisneck，andyelled，\"Sephorasaway！\"Mydoubledownthereinmycabinmusthaveheard，andcertainlycouldnotfeelmorerelievedthanI。Fourfellowscamerunningoutfromsomewhereforwardandwentovertheside，whilemyownmen，appearingondecktoo，linedtherail。Iescortedmyvisitortothegangwayceremoniously，andnearlyoverdidit。Hewasatenaciousbeast。Ontheveryladderhelingered，andinthatunique，guiltilyconscientiousmannerofstickingtothepoint：
\"Isay……you……youdon’tthinkthat—\"
Icoveredhisvoiceloudly：
\"Certainlynot……Iamdelighted。Good—bye。\"
Ihadanideaofwhathemeanttosay，andjustsavedmyselfbytheprivilegeofdefectivehearing。Hewastooshakengenerallytoinsist，butmymate，closewitnessofthatparting，lookedmystifiedandhisfacetookonathoughtfulcast。AsIdidnotwanttoappearasifIwishedtoavoidallcommunicationwithmyofficers，hehadtheopportunitytoaddressme。
\"Seemsaveryniceman。Hisboat’screwtoldourchapsaveryextraordinarystory，ifwhatIamtoldbythestewardistrue。I
supposeyouhaditfromthecaptain，sir？\"
\"Yes。Ihadastoryfromthecaptain。\"
\"Averyhorribleaffair—isn’tit，sir？\"
\"Itis。\"
\"BeatsallthesetaleswehearaboutmurdersinYankeeships。\"
\"Idon’tthinkitbeatsthem。Idon’tthinkitresemblesthemintheleast。\"
\"Blessmysoul—youdon’tsayso！ButofcourseI’venoacquaintancewhateverwithAmericanships，notI，soIcouldn’tgoagainstyourknowledge。It’shorribleenoughforme……Butthequeerestpartisthatthosefellowsseemedtohavesomeideathemanwashiddenaboardhere。Theyhadreally。Didyoueverhearofsuchathing？\"
\"Preposterous—isn’tit？\"
Wewerewalkingtoandfroathwartthequarterdeck。Nooneofthecrewforwardcouldbeseen（thedaywasSunday），andthematepursued：
\"Therewassomelittledisputeaboutit。Ourchapstookoffence。
’Asifwewouldharbourathinglikethat，’theysaid。’Wouldn’tyouliketolookforhiminourcoal—hole？’Quiteatiff。Buttheymadeitupintheend。Isupposehediddrownhimself。Don’tyou，sir？\"
\"Idon’tsupposeanything。\"
\"Youhavenodoubtinthematter，sir？\"
\"Nonewhatever。\"
Ilefthimsuddenly。IfeltIwasproducingabadimpression，butwithmydoubledownthereitwasmosttryingtobeondeck。Anditwasalmostastryingtobebelow。Altogetheranerve—tryingsituation。ButonthewholeIfeltlesstornintwowhenIwaswithhim。TherewasnooneinthewholeshipwhomIdaredtakeintomyconfidence。Sincethehandshadgottoknowhisstory，itwouldhavebeenimpossibletopasshimoffforanyoneelse，andanaccidentaldiscoverywastobedreadednowmorethanever……
Thestewardbeingengagedinlayingthetablefordinner，wecouldtalkonlywithoureyeswhenIfirstwentdown。Laterintheafternoonwehadacautioustryatwhispering。TheSundayquietnessoftheshipwasagainstus；thestillnessofairandwateraroundherwasagainstus；theelements，themenwereagainstus—everythingwasagainstusinoursecretpartnership；timeitself—forthiscouldnotgoonforever。TheverytrustinProvidencewas，Isuppose，deniedtohisguilt。ShallIconfessthatthisthoughtcastmedownverymuch？Andastothechapterofaccidentswhichcountsforsomuchinthebookofsuccess，Icouldonlyhopethatitwasclosed。Forwhatfavourableaccidentcouldbeexpected？
\"Didyouheareverything？\"weremyfirstwordsassoonaswetookupourpositionsidebyside，leaningovermybed—place。
Hehad。Andtheproofofitwashisearnestwhisper，\"Themantoldyouhehardlydaredtogivetheorder。\"
Iunderstoodthereferencetobetothatsavingforesail。
\"Yes。Hewasafraidofitbeinglostinthesetting。\"
\"Iassureyouhenevergavetheorder。Hemaythinkhedid，buthenevergaveit。Hestoodtherewithmeonthebreakofthepoopafterthemaintopsailblewaway，andwhimperedaboutourlasthope—positivelywhimperedaboutitandnothingelse—andthenightcomingon！Tohearone’sskippergoonlikethatinsuchweatherwasenoughtodriveanyfellowoutofhismind。Itworkedmeupintoasortofdesperation。Ijusttookitintomyownhandsandwentawayfromhim，boiling，and—Butwhat’stheusetellingyou？
YOUknow！……DoyouthinkthatifIhadnotbeenprettyfiercewiththemIshouldhavegotthementodoanything？Notit！Thebo’s’nperhaps？Perhaps！Itwasn’taheavysea—itwasaseagonemad！Isupposetheendoftheworldwillbesomethinglikethat；andamanmayhavethehearttoseeitcomingonceandbedonewithit—buttohavetofaceitdayafterday—Idon’tblameanybody。Iwaspreciouslittlebetterthantherest。Only—Iwasanofficerofthatoldcoal—waggon，anyhow—\"
\"Iquiteunderstand，\"Iconveyedthatsincereassuranceintohisear。Hewasoutofbreathwithwhispering；Icouldhearhimpantslightly。Itwasallverysimple。Thesamestrung—upforcewhichhadgiventwenty—fourmenachance，atleast，fortheirlives，had，inasortofrecoil，crushedanunworthymutinousexistence。
ButIhadnoleisuretoweighthemeritsofthematter—footstepsinthesaloon，aheavyknock。\"There’senoughwindtogetunderwaywith，sir。\"Herewasthecallofanewclaimuponmythoughtsandevenuponmyfeelings。