\"Turnthehandsup，\"Icriedthroughthedoor。\"I’llbeondeckdirectly。\"
Iwasgoingouttomaketheacquaintanceofmyship。BeforeIleftthecabinoureyesmet—theeyesoftheonlytwostrangersonboard。Ipointedtotherecessedpartwherethelittlecamp—stoolawaitedhimandlaidmyfingeronmylips。Hemadeagesture—
somewhatvague—alittlemysterious，accompaniedbyafaintsmile，asifofregret。
Thisisnottheplacetoenlargeuponthesensationsofamanwhofeelsforthefirsttimeashipmoveunderhisfeettohisownindependentword。Inmycasetheywerenotunalloyed。Iwasnotwhollyalonewithmycommand；fortherewasthatstrangerinmycabin。Orrather，Iwasnotcompletelyandwhollywithher。Partofmewasabsent。Thatmentalfeelingofbeingintwoplacesatonceaffectedmephysicallyasifthemoodofsecrecyhadpenetratedmyverysoul。Beforeanhourhadelapsedsincetheshiphadbeguntomove，havingoccasiontoaskthemate（hestoodbymyside）totakeacompassbearingofthePagoda，Icaughtmyselfreachinguptohisearinwhispers。IsayIcaughtmyself，butenoughhadescapedtostartletheman。Ican’tdescribeitotherwisethanbysayingthatheshied。Agrave，preoccupiedmanner，asthoughhewereinpossessionofsomeperplexingintelligence，didnotleavehimhenceforth。AlittlelaterImovedawayfromtherailtolookatthecompasswithsuchastealthygaitthatthehelmsmannoticedit—andIcouldnothelpnoticingtheunusualroundnessofhiseyes。Thesearetriflinginstances，thoughit’stonocommander’sadvantagetobesuspectedofludicrouseccentricities。ButIwasalsomoreseriouslyaffected。
Therearetoaseamancertainwords，gestures，thatshouldingivenconditionscomeasnaturally，asinstinctivelyasthewinkingofamenacedeye。Acertainordershouldspringontohislipswithoutthinking；acertainsignshouldgetitselfmade，sotospeak，withoutreflection。Butallunconsciousalertnesshadabandonedme。Ihadtomakeaneffortofwilltorecallmyselfback（fromthecabin）totheconditionsofthemoment。IfeltthatIwasappearinganirresolutecommandertothosepeoplewhowerewatchingmemoreorlesscritically。
And，besides，therewerethescares。Ontheseconddayout，forinstance，comingoffthedeckintheafternoon（Ihadstrawslippersonmybarefeet）Istoppedattheopenpantrydoorandspoketothesteward。Hewasdoingsomethingtherewithhisbacktome。Atthesoundofmyvoicehenearlyjumpedoutofhisskin，asthesayingis，andincidentallybrokeacup。
\"Whatonearth’sthematterwithyou？\"Iasked，astonished。
Hewasextremelyconfused。\"Begyourpardon，sir。Imadesureyouwereinyourcabin。\"
\"YouseeIwasn’t。\"
\"No，sir。IcouldhaveswornIhadheardyoumovingintherenotamomentago。It’smostextraordinary……verysorry，sir。\"
Ipassedonwithaninwardshudder。IwassoidentifiedwithmysecretdoublethatIdidnotevenmentionthefactinthosescanty，fearfulwhispersweexchanged。Isupposehehadmadesomeslightnoiseofsomekindorother。Itwouldhavebeenmiraculousifhehadn’tatonetimeoranother。Andyet，haggardasheappeared，helookedalwaysperfectlyself—controlled，morethancalm—almostinvulnerable。Onmysuggestionheremainedalmostentirelyinthebathroom，which，uponthewhole，wasthesafestplace。Therecouldbereallynoshadowofanexcuseforanyoneeverwantingtogointhere，oncethestewardhaddonewithit。Itwasaverytinyplace。Sometimeshereclinedonthefloor，hislegsbent，hisheadsustainedononeelbow。AtothersIwouldfindhimonthecamp—
stool，sittinginhisgreysleeping—suitandwithhiscroppeddarkhairlikeapatient，unmovedconvict。AtnightIwouldsmugglehimintomybed—place，andwewouldwhispertogether，withtheregularfootfallsoftheofficerofthewatchpassingandrepassingoverourheads。Itwasaninfinitelymiserabletime。Itwasluckythatsometinsoffinepreserveswerestowedinalockerinmystateroom；hardbreadIcouldalwaysgetholdof；andsohelivedonstewedchicken，patedefoiegras，asparagus，cookedoysters，sardines—onallsortsofabominableshamdelicaciesoutoftins。
Myearlymorningcoffeehealwaysdrank；anditwasallIdareddoforhiminthatrespect。
Everydaytherewasthehorriblemanoeuvringtogothroughsothatmyroomandthenthebath—roomshouldbedoneintheusualway。I
cametohatethesightofthesteward，toabhorthevoiceofthatharmlessman。Ifeltthatitwashewhowouldbringonthedisasterofdiscovery。Ithunglikeaswordoverourheads。
Thefourthdayout，Ithink（wewerethenworkingdowntheeastsideoftheGulfofSiam，tackfortack，inlightwindsandsmoothwater）—thefourthday，Isay，ofthismiserablejugglingwiththeunavoidable，aswesatatoureveningmeal，thatman，whoseslightestmovementIdreaded，afterputtingdownthedishesranupondeckbusily。Thiscouldnotbedangerous。Presentlyhecamedownagain；andthenitappearedthathehadrememberedacoatofminewhichIhadthrownoverarailtodryafterhavingbeenwettedinashowerwhichhadpassedovertheshipintheafternoon。
SittingstolidlyattheheadofthetableIbecameterrifiedatthesightofthegarmentonhisarm。Ofcoursehemadeformydoor。
Therewasnotimetolose。
\"Steward，\"Ithundered。MynervesweresoshakenthatIcouldnotgovernmyvoiceandconcealmyagitation。Thiswasthesortofthingthatmademyterrificallywhiskeredmatetaphisforeheadwithhisforefinger。Ihaddetectedhimusingthatgesturewhiletalkingondeckwithaconfidentialairtothecarpenter。Itwastoofartohearaword，butIhadnodoubtthatthispantomimecouldonlyrefertothestrangenewcaptain。
\"Yes，sir，\"thepale—facedstewardturnedresignedlytome。Itwasthismaddeningcourseofbeingshoutedat，checkedwithoutrhymeorreason，arbitrarilychasedoutofmycabin，suddenlycalledintoit，sentflyingoutofhispantryonincomprehensibleerrands，thataccountedforthegrowingwretchednessofhisexpression。
\"Whereareyougoingwiththatcoat？\"
\"Toyourroom，sir。\"
\"Isthereanothershowercoming？\"
\"I’msureIdon’tknow，sir。ShallIgoupagainandsee，sir？\"
\"No！nevermind。\"
Myobjectwasattained，asofcoursemyotherselfintherewouldhaveheardeverythingthatpassed。Duringthisinterludemytwoofficersneverraisedtheireyesofftheirrespectiveplates；butthelipofthatconfoundedcub，thesecondmate，quiveredvisibly。
Iexpectedthestewardtohookmycoatonandcomeoutatonce。Hewasveryslowaboutit；butIdominatedmynervousnesssufficientlynottoshoutafterhim。SuddenlyIbecameaware（itcouldbeheardplainlyenough）thatthefellowforsomereasonorotherwasopeningthedoorofthebath—room。Itwastheend。Theplacewasliterallynotbigenoughtoswingacatin。MyvoicediedinmythroatandIwentstonyallover。Iexpectedtohearayellofsurpriseandterror，andmadeamovement，buthadnotthestrengthtogetonmylegs。Everythingremainedstill。Hadmysecondselftakenthepoorwretchbythethroat？Idon’tknowwhatIwouldhavedonenextmomentifIhadnotseenthestewardcomeoutofmyroom，closethedoor，andthenstandquietlybythesideboard。
\"Saved，\"Ithought。\"But，no！Lost！Gone！Hewasgone！\"
Ilaidmyknifeandforkdownandleanedbackinmychair。Myheadswam。Afterawhile，whensufficientlyrecoveredtospeakinasteadyvoice，Iinstructedmymatetoputtheshiproundateighto’clockhimself。
\"Iwon’tcomeondeck，\"Iwenton。\"IthinkI’llturnin，andunlessthewindshiftsIdon’twanttobedisturbedbeforemidnight。Ifeelabitseedy。\"
\"Youdidlookmiddlingbadalittlewhileago，\"thechiefmateremarkedwithoutshowinganygreatconcern。
Theybothwentout，andIstaredatthestewardclearingthetable。
Therewasnothingtobereadonthatwretchedman’sface。ButwhydidheavoidmyeyesIaskedmyself。ThenIthoughtIshouldliketohearthesoundofhisvoice。
\"Steward！\"
\"Sir！\"Startledasusual。
\"Wheredidyouhangupthatcoat？\"
\"Inthebath—room，sir。\"Theusualanxioustone。\"It’snotquitedryyet，sir。\"
ForsometimelongerIsatinthecuddy。Hadmydoublevanishedashehadcome？Butofhiscomingtherewasanexplanation，whereashisdisappearancewouldbeinexplicable……Iwentslowlyintomydarkroom，shutthedoor，lightedthelamp，andforatimedarednotturnround。WhenatlastIdidIsawhimstandingbolt—uprightinthenarrowrecessedpart。ItwouldnotbetruetosayIhadashock，butanirresistibledoubtofhisbodilyexistenceflittedthroughmymind。Canitbe，Iaskedmyself，thatheisnotvisibletoothereyesthanmine？Itwaslikebeinghaunted。Motionless，withagraveface，heraisedhishandsslightlyatmeinagesturewhichmeantclearly，\"Heavens！whatanarrowescape！\"Narrowindeed。IthinkIhadcomecreepingquietlyasnearinsanityasanymanwhohasnotactuallygoneovertheborder。Thatgesturerestrainedme，sotospeak。
Thematewiththeterrificwhiskerswasnowputtingtheshipontheothertack。InthemomentofprofoundsilencewhichfollowsuponthehandsgoingtotheirstationsIheardonthepoophisraisedvoice：\"Hardalee！\"andthedistantshoutoftheorderrepeatedonthemaindeck。Thesails，inthatlightbreeze，madebutafaintflutteringnoise。Itceased。Theshipwascomingroundslowly；I
heldmybreathintherenewedstillnessofexpectation；onewouldn’thavethoughtthattherewasasinglelivingsoulonherdecks。Asuddenbriskshout，\"Mainsailhaul！\"brokethespell，andinthenoisycriesandrushoverheadofthemenrunningawaywiththemain—bracewetwo，downinmycabin，cametogetherinourusualpositionbythebed—place。
Hedidnotwaitformyquestion。\"Iheardhimfumblinghereandjustmanagedtosquatmyselfdowninthebath，\"hewhisperedtome。
\"Thefellowonlyopenedthedoorandputhisarmintohangthecoatup。Allthesame—\"
\"Ineverthoughtofthat，\"Iwhisperedback，evenmoreappalledthanbeforeattheclosenessoftheshave，andmarvellingatthatsomethingunyieldinginhischaracterwhichwascarryinghimthroughsofinely。Therewasnoagitationinhiswhisper。Whoeverwasbeingdrivendistracted，itwasnothe。Hewassane。Andtheproofofhissanitywascontinuedwhenhetookupthewhisperingagain。
\"Itwouldneverdoformetocometolifeagain。\"
Itwassomethingthataghostmighthavesaid。Butwhathewasalludingtowashisoldcaptain’sreluctantadmissionofthetheoryofsuicide。Itwouldobviouslyservehisturn—ifIhadunderstoodatalltheviewwhichseemedtogoverntheunalterablepurposeofhisaction。
\"YoumustmaroonmeassoonaseveryoucangetamongsttheseislandsofftheCambodjeshore，\"hewenton。
\"Maroonyou！Wearenotlivinginaboy’sadventuretale，\"I
protested。Hisscornfulwhisperingtookmeup。
\"Wearen’tindeed！There’snothingofaboy’staleinthis。Butthere’snothingelseforit。Iwantnomore。Youdon’tsupposeI
amafraidofwhatcanbedonetome？Prisonorgallowsorwhatevertheymayplease。Butyoudon’tseemecomingbacktoexplainsuchthingstoanoldfellowinawigandtwelverespectabletradesmen，doyou？WhatcantheyknowwhetherIamguiltyornot—orofWHAT
Iamguilty，either？That’smyaffair。WhatdoestheBiblesay？
’Drivenoffthefaceoftheearth。’Verywell。Iamoffthefaceoftheearthnow。AsIcameatnightsoIshallgo。\"
\"Impossible！\"Imurmured。\"Youcan’t。\"
\"Can’t？……NotnakedlikeasoulontheDayofJudgment。I
shallfreezeontothissleeping—suit。TheLastDayisnotyet—
andyouhaveunderstoodthoroughly。Didn’tyou？\"
Ifeltsuddenlyashamedofmyself。ImaysaytrulythatI
understood—andmyhesitationinlettingthatmanswimawayfrommyship’ssidehadbeenamereshamsentiment，asortofcowardice。
\"Itcan’tbedonenowtillnextnight，\"Ibreathedout。\"Theshipisontheoff—shoretackandthewindmayfailus。\"
\"AslongasIknowthatyouunderstand，\"hewhispered。\"Butofcourseyoudo。It’sagreatsatisfactiontohavegotsomebodytounderstand。Youseemtohavebeenthereonpurpose。\"Andinthesamewhisper，asifwetwowheneverwetalkedhadtosaythingstoeachotherwhichwerenotfitfortheworldtohear，headded，\"It’sverywonderful。\"Weremainedsidebysidetalkinginoursecretway—butsometimessilentorjustexchangingawhisperedwordortwoatlongintervals。Andasusualhestaredthroughtheport。Abreathofwindcamenowandagainintoourfaces。Theshipmighthavebeenmooredindock，sogentlyandonanevenkeelsheslippedthroughthewater，thatdidnotmurmurevenatourpassage，shadowyandsilentlikeaphantomsea。
AtmidnightIwentondeck，andtomymate’sgreatsurpriseputtheshiproundontheothertack。Histerriblewhiskersflittedroundmeinsilentcriticism。Icertainlyshouldnothavedoneitifithadbeenonlyaquestionofgettingoutofthatsleepygulfasquicklyaspossible。Ibelievehetoldthesecondmate，whorelievedhim，thatitwasagreatwantofjudgment。Theotheronlyyawned。Thatintolerablecubshuffledaboutsosleepilyandlolledagainsttherailsinsuchaslack，improperfashionthatIcamedownonhimsharply。
\"Aren’tyouproperlyawakeyet？\"
\"Yes，sir！Iamawake。\"
\"Well，then，begoodenoughtoholdyourselfasifyouwere。Andkeepalook—out。Ifthere’sanycurrentwe’llbeclosingwithsomeislandsbeforedaylight。\"
Theeastsideofthegulfisfringedwithislands，somesolitary，othersingroups。Onthebluebackgroundofthehighcoasttheyseemtofloatonsilverypatchesofcalmwater，aridandgrey，ordarkgreenandroundedlikeclumpsofevergreenbushes，withthelargerones，amileortwolong，showingtheoutlinesofridges，ribsofgreyrockunderthedankmantleofmattedleafage。Unknowntotrade，totravel，almosttogeography，themanneroflifetheyharbourisanunsolvedsecret。Theremustbevillages—
settlementsoffishermenatleast—onthelargestofthem，andsomecommunicationwiththeworldisprobablykeptupbynativecraft。Butallthatforenoon，asweheadedforthem，fannedalongbythefaintestofbreezes，IsawnosignofmanorcanoeinthefieldofthetelescopeIkeptonpointingatthescatteredgroup。
AtnoonIgavenoordersforachangeofcourse，andthemate’swhiskersbecamemuchconcernedandseemedtobeofferingthemselvesundulytomynotice。AtlastIsaid：
\"Iamgoingtostandrightin。Quitein—asfarasIcantakeher。\"
Thestareofextremesurpriseimpartedanairofferocityalsotohiseyes，andhelookedtrulyterrificforamoment。
\"We’renotdoingwellinthemiddleofthegulf，\"Icontinued，casually。\"Iamgoingtolookforthelandbreezesto—night。\"
\"Blessmysoul！Doyoumean，sir，inthedarkamongstthelotofallthemislandsandreefsandshoals？\"
\"Well—ifthereareanyregularlandbreezesatallonthiscoastonemustgetcloseinshoretofindthem，mustn’tone？\"
\"Blessmysoul！\"heexclaimedagainunderhisbreath。Allthatafternoonheworeadreamy，contemplativeappearancewhichinhimwasamarkofperplexity。AfterdinnerIwentintomystateroomasifImeanttotakesomerest。Therewetwobentourdarkheadsoverahalf—unrolledchartlyingonmybed。
\"There，\"Isaid。\"It’sgottobeKoh—ring。I’vebeenlookingatiteversincesunrise。Ithasgottwohillsandalowpoint。Itmustbeinhabited。Andonthecoastoppositethereiswhatlookslikethemouthofabiggishriver—withsometown，nodoubt，notfarup。It’sthebestchanceforyouthatIcansee。\"
\"Anything。Koh—ringletitbe。\"
Helookedthoughtfullyatthechartasifsurveyingchancesanddistancesfromaloftyheight—andfollowingwithhiseyeshisownfigurewanderingontheblanklandofCochin—China，andthenpassingoffthatpieceofpapercleanoutofsightintounchartedregions。Anditwasasiftheshiphadtwocaptainstoplanhercourseforher。IhadbeensoworriedandrestlessrunningupanddownthatIhadnothadthepatiencetodressthatday。Ihadremainedinmysleeping—suit，withstrawslippersandasoftfloppyhat。Theclosenessoftheheatinthegulfhadbeenmostoppressive，andthecrewwereusedtoseemewanderinginthatairyattire。
\"Shewillclearthesouthpointassheheadsnow，\"Iwhisperedintohisear。\"Goodnessonlyknowswhen，though，butcertainlyafterdark。I’lledgeherintohalfamile，asfarasImaybeabletojudgeinthedark—\"
\"Becareful，\"hemurmured，warningly—andIrealisedsuddenlythatallmyfuture，theonlyfutureforwhichIwasfit，wouldperhapsgoirretrievablytopiecesinanymishaptomyfirstcommand。
Icouldnotstopamomentlongerintheroom。Imotionedhimtogetoutofsightandmademywayonthepoop。Thatunplayfulcubhadthewatch。Iwalkedupanddownforawhilethinkingthingsout，thenbeckonedhimover。
\"Sendacoupleofhandstoopenthetwoquarterdeckports，\"Isaid，mildly。
Heactuallyhadtheimpudence，orelsesoforgothimselfinhiswonderatsuchanincomprehensibleorder，astorepeat：
\"Openthequarter—deckports！Whatfor，sir？\"
\"TheonlyreasonyouneedconcernyourselfaboutisbecauseItellyoutodoso。Havethemopenwideandfastenedproperly。\"
Hereddenedandwentoff，butIbelievemadesomejeeringremarktothecarpenterastothesensiblepracticeofventilatingaship’squarter—deck。Iknowhepoppedintothemate’scabintoimpartthefacttohimbecausethewhiskerscameondeck，asitwerebychance，andstoleglancesatmefrombelow—forsignsoflunacyordrunkenness，Isuppose。
Alittlebeforesupper，feelingmorerestlessthanever，I
rejoined，foramoment，mysecondself。Andtofindhimsittingsoquietlywassurprising，likesomethingagainstnature，inhuman。
Idevelopedmyplaninahurriedwhisper。
\"IshallstandinascloseasIdareandthenputherround。I
shallpresentlyfindmeanstosmuggleyououtofhereintothesail—locker，whichcommunicateswiththelobby。Butthereisanopening，asortofsquareforhaulingthesailsout，whichgivesstraightonthequarter—deckandwhichisneverclosedinfineweather，soastogiveairtothesails。’Whentheship’swayisdeadenedinstaysandallthehandsareaftatthemain—bracesyoushallhaveaclearroadtoslipoutandgetoverboardthroughtheopenquarter—deckport。I’vehadthembothfastenedup。Usearope’sendtoloweryourselfintothewatersoastoavoidasplash—youknow。Itcouldbeheardandcausesomebeastlycomplication。\"
Hekeptsilentforawhile，thenwhispered，\"Iunderstand。\"
\"Iwon’tbetheretoseeyougo，\"Ibeganwithaneffort。\"Therest……IonlyhopeIhaveunderstood，too。\"
\"Youhave。Fromfirsttolast\"—andforthefirsttimethereseemedtobeafaltering，somethingstrainedinhiswhisper。Hecaughtholdofmyarm，buttheringingofthesupperbellmademestart。Hedidn’t，though；heonlyreleasedhisgrip。
AftersupperIdidn’tcomebelowagaintillwellpasteighto’clock。Thefaint，steadybreezewasloadedwithdew；andthewet，darkenedsailsheldalltherewasofpropellingpowerinit。
Thenight，clearandstarry，sparkleddarkly，andtheopaque，lightlesspatchesshiftingslowlyagainstthelowstarswerethedriftingislets。Ontheportbowtherewasabigonemoredistantandshadowilyimposingbythegreatspaceofskyiteclipsed。
OnopeningthedoorIhadabackviewofmyveryownselflookingatachart。Hehadcomeoutoftherecessandwasstandingnearthetable。
\"Quitedarkenough，\"Iwhispered。
Hesteppedbackandleanedagainstmybedwithalevel，quietglance。Isatonthecouch。Wehadnothingtosaytoeachother。
Overourheadstheofficerofthewatchmovedhereandthere。ThenIheardhimmovequickly。Iknewwhatthatmeant。Hewasmakingforthecompanion；andpresentlyhisvoicewasoutsidemydoor。
\"Wearedrawinginprettyfast，sir。Landlooksratherclose。\"
\"Verywell，\"Ianswered。\"Iamcomingondeckdirectly。\"
Iwaitedtillhewasgoneoutofthecuddy，thenrose。Mydoublemovedtoo。Thetimehadcometoexchangeourlastwhispers，forneitherofuswasevertoheareachother’snaturalvoice。
\"Lookhere！\"Iopenedadrawerandtookoutthreesovereigns。
\"Takethis，anyhow。I’vegotsixandI’dgiveyouthelot，onlyI
mustkeepalittlemoneytobuysomefruitandvegetablesforthecrewfromnativeboatsaswegothroughSundaStraits。\"
Heshookhishead。
\"Takeit，\"Iurgedhim，whisperingdesperately。\"Noonecantellwhat—\"
Hesmiledandslappedmeaninglytheonlypocketofthesleeping—
jacket。Itwasnotsafe，certainly。ButIproducedalargeoldsilkhandkerchiefofmine，andtyingthethreepiecesofgoldinacorner，presseditonhim。Hewastouched，Isuppose，becausehetookitatlastandtieditquicklyroundhiswaistunderthejacket，onhisbareskin。
Oureyesmet；severalsecondselapsed，till，ourglancesstillmingled，Iextendedmyhandandturnedthelampout。ThenIpassedthroughthecuddy，leavingthedoorofmyroomwideopen……
\"Steward！\"
Hewasstilllingeringinthepantryinthegreatnessofhiszeal，givingarub—uptoaplatedcruetstandthelastthingbeforegoingtobed。Beingcarefulnottowakeupthemate，whoseroomwasopposite，Ispokeinanundertone。
Helookedroundanxiously。\"Sir！\"
\"Canyougetmealittlehotwaterfromthegalley？\"
\"Iamafraid，sir，thegalleyfire’sbeenoutforsometimenow。\"
\"Goandsee。\"
Hefledupthestairs。
\"Now，\"Iwhispered，loudly，intothesaloon—tooloudly，perhaps，butIwasafraidIcouldn’tmakeasound。Hewasbymysideinaninstant—thedoublecaptainslippedpastthestairs—throughatinydarkpassage……aslidingdoor。Wewereinthesail—
locker，scramblingonourkneesoverthesails。Asuddenthoughtstruckme。Isawmyselfwanderingbarefooted，bareheaded，thesunbeatingonmydarkpoll。Isnatchedoffmyfloppyhatandtriedhurriedlyinthedarktoramitonmyotherself。Hedodgedandfendedoffsilently。Iwonderwhathethoughthadcometomebeforeheunderstoodandsuddenlydesisted。Ourhandsmetgropingly，lingeredunitedinasteady，motionlessclaspforasecond……Nowordwasbreathedbyeitherofuswhentheyseparated。
Iwasstandingquietlybythepantrydoorwhenthestewardreturned。
\"Sorry，sir。Kettlebarelywarm。ShallIlightthespirit—lamp？\"
\"Nevermind。\"
Icameoutondeckslowly。Itwasnowamatterofconsciencetoshavethelandascloseaspossible—fornowhemustgooverboardwhenevertheshipwasputinstays。Must！Therecouldbenogoingbackforhim。AfteramomentIwalkedovertoleewardandmyheartflewintomymouthatthenearnessofthelandonthebow。UnderanyothercircumstancesIwouldnothaveheldonaminutelonger。
Thesecondmatehadfollowedmeanxiously。
IlookedontillIfeltIcouldcommandmyvoice。\"Shewillweather，\"Isaidtheninaquiettone。\"Areyougoingtotrythat，sir？\"hestammeredoutincredulously。
Itooknonoticeofhimandraisedmytonejustenoughtobeheardbythehelmsman。
\"Keephergoodfull。\"
\"Goodfull，sir。\"
Thewindfannedmycheek，thesailsslept，theworldwassilent。
Thestrainofwatchingthedarkloomofthelandgrowbiggeranddenserwastoomuchforme。Ihadshutmyeyes—becausetheshipmustgocloser。Shemust！Thestillnesswasintolerable。Werewestandingstill？
WhenIopenedmyeyesthesecondviewstartedmyheartwithathump。TheblacksouthernhillofKoh—ringseemedtohangrightovertheshiplikeatoweringfragmentoftheeverlastingnight。
Onthatenormousmassofblacknesstherewasnotagleamtobeseen，notasoundtobeheard。Itwasglidingirresistiblytowardusandyetseemedalreadywithinreachofthehand。Isawthevaguefiguresofthewatchgroupedinthewaist，gazinginawedsilence。
\"Areyougoingon，sir，\"inquiredanunsteadyvoiceatmyelbow。
Iignoredit。Ihadtogoon。
\"Keepherfull。Don’tcheckherway。Thatwon’tdonow，\"Isaid，warningly。
\"Ican’tseethesailsverywell，\"thehelmsmanansweredme，instrange，quaveringtones。
Wasshecloseenough？Alreadyshewas，Iwon’tsayintheshadowoftheland，butintheveryblacknessofit，alreadyswallowedupasitwere，gonetooclosetoberecalled，gonefrommealtogether。
\"Givethemateacall，\"Isaidtotheyoungmanwhostoodatmyelbowasstillasdeath。\"Andturnallhandsup。\"
Mytonehadaborrowedloudnessreverberatedfromtheheightoftheland。Severalvoicescriedouttogether：\"Weareallondeck，sir。\"
Thenstillnessagain，withthegreatshadowglidingcloser，toweringhigher，withoutalight，withoutasound。SuchahushhadfallenontheshipthatshemighthavebeenabarkofthedeadfloatinginslowlyundertheverygateofErebus。
\"MyGod！Wherearewe？\"
Itwasthematemoaningatmyelbow。Hewasthunderstruck，andasitweredeprivedofthemoralsupportofhiswhiskers。Heclappedhishandsandabsolutelycriedout，\"Lost！\"
\"Bequiet，\"Isaid，sternly。
Heloweredhistone，butIsawtheshadowygestureofhisdespair。
\"Whatarewedoinghere？\"
\"Lookingforthelandwind。\"
Hemadeasiftotearhishair，andaddressedmerecklessly。
\"Shewillnevergetout。Youhavedoneit，sir。Iknewit’dendinsomethinglikethis。Shewillneverweather，andyouaretooclosenowtostay。She’lldriftashorebeforeshe’sround。OmyGod！\"
Icaughthisarmashewasraisingittobatterhispoordevotedhead，andshookitviolently。
\"She’sashorealready，\"hewailed，tryingtotearhimselfaway。
\"Isshe？……Keepgoodfullthere！\"
\"Goodfull，sir，\"criedthehelmsmaninafrightened，thin，child—
likevoice。
Ihadn’tletgothemate’sarmandwentonshakingit。\"Readyabout，doyouhear？Yougoforward\"—shake—\"andstopthere\"—
shake—\"andholdyournoise\"—shake—\"andseethesehead—sheetsproperlyoverhauled\"—shake，shake—shake。
AndallthetimeIdarednotlooktowardthelandlestmyheartshouldfailme。Ireleasedmygripatlastandheranforwardasiffleeingfordearlife。
Iwonderedwhatmydoublethereinthesail—lockerthoughtofthiscommotion。Hewasabletoheareverything—andperhapshewasabletounderstandwhy，onmyconscience，ithadtobethusclose—
noless。Myfirstorder\"Hardalee！\"re—echoedominouslyunderthetoweringshadowofKoh—ringasifIhadshoutedinamountaingorge。AndthenIwatchedthelandintently。Inthatsmoothwaterandlightwinditwasimpossibletofeeltheshipcoming—to。No！
Icouldnotfeelher。Andmysecondselfwasmakingnowreadytoslipoutandlowerhimselfoverboard。Perhapshewasgonealready……？
Thegreatblackmassbroodingoverourverymastheadsbegantopivotawayfromtheship’ssidesilently。AndnowIforgotthesecretstrangerreadytodepart，andrememberedonlythatIwasatotalstrangertotheship。Ididnotknowher。Wouldshedoit？
Howwasshetobehandled？
Iswungthemainyardandwaitedhelplessly。Shewasperhapsstopped，andherveryfatehunginthebalance，withtheblackmassofKoh—ringlikethegateoftheeverlastingnighttoweringoverhertaffrail。Whatwouldshedonow？Hadshewayonheryet？I
steppedtothesideswiftly，andontheshadowywaterIcouldseenothingexceptafaintphosphorescentflashrevealingtheglassysmoothnessofthesleepingsurface。Itwasimpossibletotell—
andIhadnotlearnedyetthefeelofmyship。Wasshemoving？
WhatIneededwassomethingeasilyseen，apieceofpaper，whichI
couldthrowoverboardandwatch。Ihadnothingonme。TorundownforitIdidn’tdare。Therewasnotime。Allatoncemystrained，yearningstaredistinguishedawhiteobjectfloatingwithinayardoftheship’sside。Whiteontheblackwater。Aphosphorescentflashpassedunderit。Whatwasthatthing？……Irecognisedmyownfloppyhat。Itmusthavefallenoffhishead……andhedidn’tbother。
NowIhadwhatIwanted—thesavingmarkformyeyes。ButI
hardlythoughtofmyotherself，nowgonefromtheship，tobehiddenforeverfromallfriendlyfaces，tobeafugitiveandavagabondontheearth，withnobrandofthecurseonhissaneforeheadtostayaslayinghand……tooproudtoexplain。
AndIwatchedthehat—theexpressionofmysuddenpityforhismereflesh。Ithadbeenmeanttosavehishomelessheadfromthedangersofthesun。Andnow—behold—itwassavingtheship，byservingmeforamarktohelpouttheignoranceofmystrangeness。
Ha！Itwasdriftingforward，warningmejustintimethattheshiphadgatheredsternway。
\"Shiftthehelm，\"Isaidinalowvoicetotheseamanstandingstilllikeastatue。
Theman’seyesglistenedwildlyinthebinnaclelightashejumpedroundtotheothersideandspunroundthewheel。
Iwalkedtothebreakofthepoop。Ontheovershadoweddeckallhandsstoodbytheforebraceswaitingformyorder。Thestarsaheadseemedtobeglidingfromrighttoleft。AndallwassostillintheworldthatIheardthequietremark\"She’sround，\"
passedinatoneofintensereliefbetweentwoseamen。
\"Letgoandhaul。\"
Theforeyardsranroundwithagreatnoise，amidstcheerycries。
Andnowthefrightfulwhisker’smadethemselvesheardgivingvariousorders。Alreadytheshipwasdrawingahead。AndIwasalonewithher。Nothing！nooneintheworldshouldstandnowbetweenus，throwingashadowonthewayofsilentknowledgeandmuteaffection，theperfectcommunionofaseamanwithhisfirstcommand。
Walkingtothetaffrail，Iwasintimetomakeout，ontheveryedgeofadarknessthrownbyatoweringblackmassliketheverygatewayofErebus—yes，Iwasintimetocatchanevanescentglimpseofmywhitehatleftbehindtomarkthespotwherethesecretsharerofmycabinandofmythoughts，asthoughheweremysecondself，hadloweredhimselfintothewatertotakehispunishment：afreeman，aproudswimmerstrikingoutforanewdestiny。
FREYAOFTHESEVENISLES
Oneday—andthatdaywasmanyyearsagonow—Ireceivedalong，chattyletterfromoneofmyoldchumsandfellow—wanderersinEasternwaters。Hewasstilloutthere，butsettleddown，andmiddle—aged；Iimaginedhim—grownportlyinfigureanddomesticinhishabits；inshort，overtakenbythefatecommontoallexcepttothosewho，beingspeciallybelovedbythegods，getknockedontheheadearly。Theletterwasofthereminiscent\"doyouremember\"kind—awistfulletterofbackwardglances。And，amongstotherthings，\"surelyyourememberoldNelson，\"hewrote。
RememberoldNelson！Certainly。Andtobeginwith，hisnamewasnotNelson。TheEnglishmenintheArchipelagocalledhimNelsonbecauseitwasmoreconvenient，Isuppose，andheneverprotested。
Itwouldhavebeenmerepedantry。ThetrueformofhisnamewasNielsen。HehadcomeoutEastlongbeforetheadventoftelegraphcables，hadservedEnglishfirms，hadmarriedanEnglishgirl，hadbeenoneofusforyears，tradingandsailinginalldirectionsthroughtheEasternArchipelago，acrossandaround，transversely，diagonally，perpendicularly，insemi—circles，andzigzags，andfiguresofeights，foryearsandyears。
TherewasnonookorcrannyofthesetropicalwatersthattheenterpriseofoldNelson（orNielsen）hadnotpenetratedinaneminentlypacificway。Histracks，ifplottedout，wouldhavecoveredthemapoftheArchipelagolikeacobweb—allofit，withthesoleexceptionofthePhilippines。Hewouldneverapproachthatpart，fromastrangedreadofSpaniards，or，tobeexact，oftheSpanishauthorities。Whatheimaginedtheycoulddotohimitisimpossibletosay。PerhapsatsometimeinhislifehehadreadsomestoriesoftheInquisition。
Buthewasingeneralafraidofwhathecalled\"authorities\"；nottheEnglishauthorities，whichhetrustedandrespected，buttheothertwoofthatpartoftheworld。HewasnotsohorrifiedattheDutchashewasattheSpaniards，buthewasevenmoremistrustfulofthem。Verymistrustfulindeed。TheDutch，inhisview，werecapableof\"playinganyuglytrickonaman\"whohadthemisfortunetodispleasethem。Thereweretheirlawsandregulations，buttheyhadnonotionoffairplayinapplyingthem。
Itwasreallypitiabletoseetheanxiouscircumspectionofhisdealingswithsomeofficialorother，andrememberthatthismanhadbeenknowntostrolluptoavillageofcannibalsinNewGuineainaquiet，fearlessmanner（andnotethathewasalwaysfleshyallhislife，and，ifImaysayso，anappetisingmorsel）onsomematterofbarterthatdidnotamountperhapstofiftypoundsintheend。
RememberoldNelson！Rather！Truly，noneofusinmygenerationhadknownhiminhisactivedays。Hewas\"retired\"inourtime。
Hehadbought，orelseleased，partofasmallislandfromtheSultanofalittlegroupcalledtheSevenIsles，notfarnorthfromBanka。Itwas，Isuppose，alegitimatetransaction，butIhavenodoubtthathadhebeenanEnglishmantheDutchwouldhavediscoveredareasontofirehimoutwithoutceremony。Inthisconnectiontherealformofhisnamestoodhimingoodstead。InthecharacterofanunassumingDanewhoseconductwasmostcorrect，theylethimbe。Withallhismoneyengagedincultivationhewasnaturallycarefulnottogiveeventheshadowofoffence，anditwasmostlyforprudentialreasonsofthatsortthathedidnotlookwithafavourableeyeonJasperAllen。Butofthatlater。Yes！
OnerememberedwellenougholdNelson’sbig，hospitablebungalowerectedonashelvingpointofland，hisportlyform，costumedgenerallyinawhiteshirtandtrousers（hehadaconfirmedhabitoftakingoffhisalpacajacketontheslightestprovocation），hisroundblueeyes，hisstraggly，sandy—whitemoustachestickingoutallwayslikethequillsofthefretfulporcupine，hispropensitytositdownsuddenlyandfanhimselfwithhishat。Butthere’snouseconcealingthefactthatwhatonerememberedreallywashisdaughter，whoatthattimecameouttolivewithhim—andbeasortofLadyoftheIsles。
FreyaNelson（orNielsen）wasthekindofgirloneremembers。Theovalofherfacewasperfect；andwithinthatfascinatingframethemosthappydispositionoflineandfeature，withanadmirablecomplexion，gaveanimpressionofhealth，strength，andwhatI
mightcallunconsciousself—confidence—amostpleasantand，asitwere，whimsicaldetermination。Iwillnotcomparehereyestoviolets，becausetherealshadeoftheircolourwaspeculiar，notsodarkandmorelustrous。Theywereofthewide—openkind，andlookedatonefranklyineverymood。Ineverdidseethelong，darkeyelasheslowered—IdaresayJasperAllendid，beingaprivilegedperson—butIhavenodoubtthattheexpressionmusthavebeencharminginacomplexway。Shecould—Jaspertoldmeoncewithatouchinglyimbecileexultation—sitonherhair。I
daresay，Idaresay。Itwasnotformetobeholdthesewonders；I
wascontenttoadmiretheneatandbecomingwaysheusedtodoitupsoasnottoconcealthegoodshapeofherhead。Andthiswealthofhairwassoglossythatwhenthescreensofthewestverandahweredown，makingapleasanttwilightthere，orintheshadeofthegroveoffruit—treesnearthehouse，itseemedtogiveoutagoldenlightofitsown。
Shedressedgenerallyinawhitefrock，withaskirtofwalkinglength，showingherneat，laced，brownboots。Iftherewasanycolourabouthercostumeitwasjustabitofblueperhaps。Noexertionseemedtodistressher。Ihaveseenherlandfromthedinghyafteralongpullinthesun（sherowedherselfaboutagooddeal）withnoquickenedbreathandnotasinglehairoutofitsplace。Inthemorningwhenshecameoutontheverandahforthefirstlookwestward，Sumatraway，overthesea，sheseemedasfreshandsparklingasadewdrop。Butadewdropisevanescent，andtherewasnothingevanescentaboutFreya。Irememberherround，solidarmswiththefinewrists，andherbroad，capablehandswithtaperingfingers。
Idon’tknowwhethershewasactuallybornatsea，butIdoknowthatuptotwelveyearsofageshesailedaboutwithherparentsinvariousships。AfteroldNelsonlosthiswifeitbecameamatterofseriousconcernforhimwhattodowiththegirl。AkindladyinSingapore，touchedbyhisdumbgriefanddeplorableperplexity，offeredtotakechargeofFreya。Thisarrangementlastedsomesixyears，duringwhicholdNelson（orNielsen）\"retired\"andestablished，himselfonhisisland，andthenitwassettled（thekindladygoingawaytoEurope）thathisdaughtershouldjoinhim。
AsthefirstandmostimportantpreparationforthateventtheoldfelloworderedfromhisSingaporeagentaSteynandEbhart’s\"uprightgrand。\"Iwasthencommandingalittlesteamerintheislandtrade，anditfelltomylottotakeitouttohim，soI
knowsomethingofFreya’s\"uprightgrand。\"Welandedtheenormouspacking—casewithdifficultyonaflatpieceofrockamongstsomebushes，nearlyknockingthebottomoutofoneofmyboatsinthecourseofthatnauticaloperation。Then，allmycrewassisting，engineersandfiremenincluded，bytheexerciseofmuchanxiousingenuity，andbymeansofrollers，levers，tackles，andinclinedplanesofsoapedplanks，toilinginthesunlikeancientEgyptiansatthebuildingofapyramid，wegotitasfarasthehouseandupontotheedgeofthewestverandah—whichwastheactualdrawing—
roomofthebungalow。There，thecasebeingrippedoffcautiously，thebeautifulrosewoodmonsterstoodrevealedatlast。Inreverentexcitementwecoaxeditagainstthewallanddrewthefirstfreebreathoftheday。Itwascertainlytheheaviestmovableobjectonthatisletsincethecreationoftheworld。Thevolumeofsounditgaveoutinthatbungalow（whichactedasasounding—board）wasreallyastonishing。Itthunderedsweetlyrightoverthesea。
JasperAllentoldmethatearlyofamorningonthedeckoftheBonito（hiswonderfullyfastandprettybrig）hecouldhearFreyaplayingherscalesquitedistinctly。Butthefellowalwaysanchoredfoolishlyclosetothepoint，asItoldhimmorethanonce。Ofcourse，theseseasarealmostuniformlyserene，andtheSevenIslesisaparticularlycalmandcloudlessspotasarule。
Butstill，nowandagain，anafternoonthunderstormoverBanka，orevenoneoftheseviciousthicksqualls，fromthedistantSumatracoast，wouldmakeasuddensallyuponthegroup，envelopingitforacoupleofhoursinwhirlwindsandbluish—blackmurkofaparticularlysinisteraspect。Then，withtheloweredrattan—
screensrattlingdesperatelyinthewindandthebungalowshakingallover，FreyawouldsitdowntothepianoandplayfierceWagnermusicintheflickerofblindingflashes，withthunderboltsfallingallround，enoughtomakeyourhairstandonend；andJasperwouldremainstockstillontheverandah，adoringthebackviewofhersupple，swayingfigure，themiraculoussheenofherfairhead，therapidhandsonthekeys，thewhitenapeofherneck—whilethebrig，downatthepointthere，surgedathercableswithinahundredyardsofnasty，shiny，blackrock—heads。Ugh！
Andthis，ifyouplease，fornoreasonbutthat，whenhewentonboardatnightandlaidhisheadonthepillow，heshouldfeelthathewasasnearashecouldconvenientlygettohisFreyaslumberinginthebungalow。Didyouever！And，mind，thisbrigwasthehometobe—theirhome—thefloatingparadisewhichhewasgraduallyfittingoutlikeayachttosailhislifeblissfullyawayinwithFreya。Imbecile！Butthefellowwasalwaystakingchances。
Oneday，IrememberIwatchedwithFreyaontheverandahthebrigapproachingthepointfromthenorthward。IsupposeJaspermadethegirloutwithhislongglass。Whatdoeshedo？Insteadofstandingonforanothermileandahalfalongtheshoalsandthentackingfortheanchorageinaproperandseamanlikemanner，hespiesagapbetweentwodisgustingoldjaggedreefs，putsthehelmdownsuddenly，andshootsthebrigthrough，withallhersailsshakingandrattling，sothatwecouldheartheracketontheverandah。Idrewmybreaththroughmyteeth，Icantellyou，andFreyaswore。Yes！Sheclenchedhercapablefistsandstampedwithherprettybrownbootandsaid\"Damn！\"Then，lookingatmewithalittleheightenedcolour—notmuch—sheremarked，\"Iforgotyouwerethere，\"andlaughed。Tobesure，tobesure。WhenJasperwasinsightshewasnotlikelytorememberthatanybodyelseintheworldwasthere。InmyconcernatthismadtrickIcouldn’thelpappealingtohersympatheticcommonsense。
\"Isn’theafool？\"Isaidwithfeeling。
\"Perfectidiot，\"sheagreedwarmly，lookingatmestraightwithherwide—open，earnesteyesandthedimpleofasmileonhercheek。
\"Andthat，\"Ipointedouttoher，\"justtosavetwentyminutesorsoinmeetingyou。\"
Weheardtheanchorgodown，andthenshebecameveryresoluteandthreatening。
\"Waitabit。I’llteachhim。\"
Shewentintoherownroomandshutthedoor，leavingmealoneontheverandahwithmyinstructions。Longbeforethebrig’ssailswerefurled，Jaspercameupthreestepsatatime，forgettingtosayhowd’yedo，andlookingrightandlefteagerly。
\"Where’sFreya？Wasn’tsheherejustnow？\"
WhenIexplainedtohimthathewastobedeprivedofMissFreya’spresenceforawholehour，\"justtoteachhim，\"hesaidIhadputheruptoit，nodoubt，andthathefearedhewouldhaveyettoshootmesomeday。SheandIweregettingtoothicktogether。
Thenheflunghimselfintoachair，andtriedtotalktomeabouthistrip。Butthefunnythingwasthatthefellowactuallysuffered。Icouldseeit。Hisvoicefailedhim，andhesattheredumb，lookingatthedoorwiththefaceofamaninpain。Fact……Andthenextstillfunnierthingwasthatthegirlcalmlywalkedoutofherroominlessthantenminutes。AndthenIleft。
ImeantosaythatIwentawaytoseekoldNelson（orNielsen）onthebackverandah，whichwashisownspecialnookinthedistributionofthathouse，withthekindpurposeofengaginghiminconversationlestheshouldstartroamingaboutandintrudeunwittinglywherehewasnotwantedjustthen。
Heknewthatthebrighadarrived，thoughhedidnotknowthatJasperwasalreadywithhisdaughter。Isupposehedidn’tthinkitwaspossibleinthetime。Afathernaturallywouldn’t。HesuspectedthatAllenwassweetonhisgirl；thefowlsoftheairandthefishesofthesea，mostofthetradersintheArchipelago，andallsortsandconditionsofmeninthetownofSingaporewereawareofit。Buthewasnotcapableofappreciatinghowfarthegirlwasgoneonthefellow。HehadanideathatFreyawastoosensibletoeverbegoneonanybody—Imeantoanunmanageableextent。No；itwasnotthatwhichmadehimsitonthebackverandahandworryhimselfinhisunassumingmannerduringJasper’svisits。WhatheworriedaboutweretheDutch\"authorities。\"ForitisafactthattheDutchlookedaskanceatthedoingsofJasperAllen，ownerandmasterofthebrigBonito。Theyconsideredhimmuchtooenterprisinginhistrading。Idon’tknowthatheeverdidanythingillegal；butitseemstomethathisimmenseactivitywasrepulsivetotheirstolidcharacterandslow—goingmethods。
Anyway，inoldNelson’sopinion，thecaptainoftheBonitowasasmartsailor，andaniceyoungman，butnotadesirableacquaintanceuponthewhole。Somewhatcompromising，youunderstand。Ontheotherhand，hedidnotliketotellJasperinsomanywordstokeepaway。PooroldNelsonhimselfwasanicefellow。Ibelievehewouldhaveshrunkfromhurtingthefeelingsevenofamop—headedcannibal，unless，perhaps，underverystrongprovocation。Imeanthefeelings，notthebodies。Asagainstspears，knives，hatchets，clubs，orarrows，oldNelsonhadprovedhimselfcapableoftakinghisownpart。Ineveryotherrespecthehadatimoroussoul。Sohesatonthebackverandahwithaconcernedexpression，andwheneverthevoicesofhisdaughterandJasperAllenreachedhim，hewouldblowouthischeeksandlettheairescapewithadismalsound，likeamuchtriedman。
NaturallyIderidedhisfearswhichhe，moreorless，confidedtome。Hehadacertainregardformyjudgment，andacertainrespect，notformymoralqualities，however，butforthegoodtermsIwassupposedtobeonwiththeDutch\"authorities。\"Iknewforafactthathisgreatestbugbear，theGovernorofBanka—acharming，peppery，hearty，retiredrear—admiral—hadadistinctlikingforhim。ThisconsolingassurancewhichIusedalwaystoputforward，madeoldNelson（orNielsen）brightenupforamoment；
butintheendhewouldshakehisheaddoubtfully，asmuchastosaythatthiswasallverywell，butthatthereweredepthsintheDutchofficialnaturewhichnoonebuthimselfhadeverfathomed。
Perfectlyridiculous。
OnthisoccasionIamspeakingof，oldNelsonwasevenfretty；forwhileIwastryingtoentertainhimwithaveryfunnyandsomewhatscandalousadventurewhichhappenedtoacertainacquaintanceofoursinSaigon，heexclaimedsuddenly：
\"Whatthedevilhewantstoturnupherefor！\"
Clearlyhehadnotheardawordoftheanecdote。Andthisannoyedme，becausetheanecdotewasreallygood。Istaredathim。
\"Come，come！\"Icried。\"Don’tyouknowwhatJasperAllenisturningupherefor？\"
ThiswasthefirstopenallusionIhadevermadetothetruestateofaffairsbetweenJasperandhisdaughter。Hetookitverycalmly。
\"Oh，Freyaisasensiblegirl！\"hemurmuredabsently，hismind’seyeobviouslyfixedonthe\"authorities。\"No；Freyawasnofool。
Hewasnotconcernedaboutthat。Hedidn’tminditintheleast。
Thefellowwasjustcompanyforher；heamusedthegirl；nothingmore。
Whentheperspicaciousoldchapleftoffmumbling，allwasstillinthehouse。Theothertwowereamusingthemselvesveryquietly，andnodoubtveryheartily。Whatmoreabsorbingandlessnoisyamusementcouldtheyhavefoundthantoplantheirfuture？Sidebysideontheverandahtheymusthavebeenlookingatthebrig，thethirdpartyinthatfascinatinggame。Withouthertherewouldhavebeennofuture。Shewasthefortuneandthehome，andthegreatfreeworldforthem。Whowasitthatlikenedashiptoaprison？
MayIbeignominiouslyhangedatayardarmifthat’strue。Thewhitesailsofthatcraftwerethewhitewings—pinions，I
believe，wouldbethemorepoeticalstyle—well，thewhitepinions，oftheirsoaringlove。SoaringasregardsJasper。Freya，beingawoman，keptabetterholdofthemundaneconnectionsofthisaffair。
ButJasperwaselevatedinthetruesenseofthewordeversincethedaywhen，aftertheyhadbeengazingatthebriginoneofthosedecisivesilencesthataloneestablishaperfectcommunionbetweencreaturesgiftedwithspeech，heproposedthatsheshouldsharetheownershipofthattreasurewithhim。Indeed，hepresentedthebrigtoheraltogether。ButthenhisheartwasinthebrigsincethedayheboughtherinManillafromacertainmiddle—agedPeruvian，inasobersuitofblackbroadcloth，enigmaticandsententious，who，forallIknow，mighthavestolenherontheSouthAmericancoast，whencehesaidhehadcomeovertothePhilippines\"forfamilyreasons。\"This\"forfamilyreasons\"
wasdistinctlygood。NotrueCABALLEROwouldcaretopushoninquiriesaftersuchastatement。
Indeed，JasperwasquitetheCABALLERO。Thebrigherselfwasthenallblackandenigmatical，andverydirty；atarnishedgemofthesea，or，rather，aneglectedworkofart。Forhemusthavebeenanartist，theobscurebuilderwhohadputherbodytogetheronlovelylinesoutofthehardesttropicaltimberfastenedwiththepurestcopper。Goodnessonlyknowsinwhatpartoftheworldshewasbuilt。Jasperhimselfhadnotbeenabletoascertainmuchofherhistoryfromhissententious，saturninePeruvian—ifthefellowwasaPeruvian，andnotthedevilhimselfindisguise，asJasperjocularlypretendedtobelieve。Myopinionisthatshewasoldenoughtohavebeenoneofthelastpirates，aslaverperhaps，orelseanopiumclipperoftheearlydays，ifnotanopiumsmuggler。
Howeverthatmaybe，shewasassoundasonthedayshefirsttookthewater，sailedlikeawitch，steeredlikealittleboat，and，likesomefairwomenofadventurouslifefamousinhistory，seemedtohavethesecretofperpetualyouth；sothattherewasnothingunnaturalinJasperAllentreatingherlikealover。Andthattreatmentrestoredthelustreofherbeauty。Heclothedherinmanycoatsoftheverybestwhitepaintsoskilfully，carefully，artisticallyputonandkeptcleanbyhisbadgeredcrewofpickedMalays，thatnocostlyenamelsuchasjewellersusefortheirworkcouldhavelookedbetterandfeltsmoothertothetouch。Anarrowgiltmouldingdefinedherelegantsheerasshesatonthewater，eclipsingeasilytheprofessionalgoodlooksofanypleasureyachtthatevercametotheEastinthosedays。Formyself，ImustsayI
preferamouldingofdeepcrimsoncolouronawhitehull。Itgivesastrongerreliefbesidesbeinglessexpensive；andItoldJasperso。Butno，nothinglessthanthebestgold—leafwoulddo，becausenodecorationcouldbegorgeousenoughforthefutureabodeofhisFreya。
Hisfeelingsforthebrigandforthegirlwereasindissolublyunitedinhisheartasyoumayfusetwopreciousmetalstogetherinonecrucible。Andtheflamewasprettyhot，Icanassureyou。Itinducedinhimafierceinwardrestlessnessbothofactivityanddesire。Toofineinface，withalateralwaveinhischestnuthair，spare，long—limbed，withaneagerglintinhissteelyeyesandquick，brusquemovements，hemademethinksometimesofaflashingsword—bladeperpetuallyleapingoutofthescabbard。Itwasonlywhenhewasnearthegirl，whenhehadhertheretolookat，thatthispeculiarlytenseattitudewasreplacedbyagravedevoutwatchfulnessofherslightestmovementsandutterances。Hercool，resolute，capable，good—humouredself—possessionseemedtosteadyhisheart。Wasitthemagicofherface，ofhervoice，ofherglanceswhichcalmedhimso？Yettheseweretheverythingsonemustbelievewhichhadsethisimaginationablaze—iflovebeginsinimagination。ButIamnomantodiscusssuchmysteries，anditstrikesmethatwehaveneglectedpooroldNelsoninflatinghischeeksinastateofworryonthebackverandah。
Ipointedouttohimthat，afterall，Jasperwasnotaveryfrequentvisitor。HeandhisbrigworkedhardallovertheArchipelago。ButalloldNelsonsaid，andhesaidituneasily，was：
\"IhopeHeemskirkwon’tturnupherewhilethebrig’sabout。\"
GettingupascareaboutHeemskirknow！Heemskirk！……Really，onehadn’tthepatience—
CHAPTERII
For，pray，whowasHeemskirk？YoushallseeatoncehowunreasonablethisdreadofHeemskirk……Certainly，hisnaturewasmalevolentenough。Thatwasobvious，directlyyouheardhimlaugh。Nothinggivesawaymoreaman’ssecretdispositionthantheunguardedringofhislaugh。But，blessmysoul！ifweweretostartateveryevilguffawlikeahareateverysound，weshouldn’tbefitforanythingbutthesolitudeofadesert，ortheseclusionofahermitage。Andeventhereweshouldhavetoputupwiththeunavoidablecompanyofthedevil。
However，thedevilisaconsiderablepersonage，whohasknownbetterdaysandhasmovedhighupinthehierarchyofCelestialHost；butinthehierarchyofmereearthlyDutchmen，Heemskirk，whoseearlydayscouldnothavebeenverysplendid，wasmerelyanavalofficerfortyyearsofage，ofnoparticularconnectionsorabilitytoboastof。HewascommandingtheNeptun，alittlegunboatemployedondrearypatroldutyupanddowntheArchipelago，tolookafterthetraders。Notaveryexaltedpositiontruly。I
tellyou，justacommonmiddle—agedlieutenantofsometwenty—fiveyears’serviceandsuretoberetiredbeforelong—that’sall。
HeneverbotheredhisheadverymuchastowhatwasgoingonintheSevenIslesgrouptillhelearnedfromsometalkinMintokorPalembang，Isuppose，thattherewasaprettygirllivingthere。
Curiosity，Ipresume，causedhimtogopokingaroundthatway，andthen，afterhehadonceseenFreya，hemadeapracticeofcallingatthegroupwheneverhefoundhimselfwithinhalfaday’ssteamingfromit。