scendedslowly，pathetically，andthen，withthelongblackeyelasheslyingonherwhitecheeks，shelookedreadytofalldowninaswoon。Butsheneverevenswayedwhereshestood。Heurgedherloudlytofollowhimatonce，andwalkedtowardsthedooratthebottomofthecellarstairswithoutlookingbehindhim。
　　And，asamatteroffact，shedidmoveafterhimapaceortwo。But，ofcourse，hewasnotallowedtoreachthedoor。Therewereangryexclamations，ashort，fiercescuffle。Flungawayviolently，hecameflyingback-
　　wardsuponher，andfell。Shethrewoutherarmsinagestureofdismayandsteppedaside，justclearofhishead，whichstruckthegroundheavilynearhershoe。
　　"Hegruntedwiththeshock。Bythetimehehadpickedhimselfup，slowly，dazedly，hewasawaketotherealityofthings。Themanintowhosehandshehadthrusttheleathercasehadextractedtherefromanarrowstripofbluishpaper。Hehelditupabovehishead，and，asafterthescuffleanexpectantuneasystill-
　　nessreignedoncemore，hethrewitdowndisdainfullywiththewords，'Ithink，comrades，thatthisproofwashardlynecessary。'
　　"Quickasthought，thegirlstoopedaftertheflutter-
　　ingslip。Holdingitspreadoutinbothhands，shelookedatit；then，withoutraisinghereyes，openedherfingersslowlyandletitfall。
　　"Iexaminedthatcuriousdocumentafterwards。Itwassignedbyaveryhighpersonage，andstampedandcountersignedbyotherhighofficialsinvariouscountriesofEurope。Inhistrade——orshallIsay，inhismission?——
　　thatsortoftalismanmighthavebeennecessary，nodoubt。Eventothepoliceitself——allbuttheheads——
　　hehadbeenknownonlyasSevrinthenotedanarchist。
　　"Hehunghishead，bitinghislowerlip。Achangehadcomeoverhim，asortofthoughtful，absorbedcalm-
　　ness。Nevertheless，hepanted。Hissidesworkedvisi-
　　bly，andhisnostrilsexpandedandcollapsedinweirdcontrastwithhissombreaspectofafanaticalmonkinameditativeattitude，butwithsomething，too，inhisfaceofanactorintentupontheterribleexigenciesofhispart。BeforehimHornedeclaimed，haggardandbearded，likeaninspireddenunciatoryprophetfromawilderness。Twofanatics。Theyweremadetounder-
　　standeachother。Doesthissurpriseyou?Isup-
　　poseyouthinkthatsuchpeoplewouldbefoamingatthemouthandsnarlingateachother?"
　　IprotestedhastilythatIwasnotsurprisedintheleast；thatIthoughtnothingofthekind；thatanarchistsingeneralweresimplyinconceivabletomementally，morally，logically，sentimentally，andevenphysically。
　　Xreceivedthisdeclarationwithhisusualwoodennessandwenton。
　　"Hornehadburstoutintoeloquence。Whilepour-
　　ingoutscornfulinvective，helettearsescapefromhiseyesandrolldownhisblackbeardunheeded。Sevrinpantedquickerandquicker。Whenheopenedhismouthtospeak，everyonehungonhiswords。
　　"'Don'tbeafool，Horne，'hebegan。'YouknowverywellthatIhavedonethisfornoneofthereasonsyouarethrowingatme。'Andinamomenthebecameoutwardlyassteadyasarockundertheother'sluridstare。'Ihavebeenthwarting，deceiving，andbetrayingyou——fromconviction。'
　　"HeturnedhisbackonHorne，andaddressingthegirl，repeatedthewords:'Fromconviction。'
　　"It'sextraordinaryhowcoldshelooked。Isupposeshecouldnotthinkofanyappropriategesture。Therecanhavebeenfewprecedentsindeedforsuchasitu-
　　ation。
　　"'Clearasdaylight，'headded。'Doyouunderstandwhatthatmeans?Fromconviction。'
　　"Andstillshedidnotstir。Shedidnotknowwhattodo。Butthelucklesswretchwasabouttogivehertheopportunityforabeautifulandcorrectgesture。
　　"'Ihavefeltinmethepowertomakeyousharethisconviction，'heprotested，ardently。Hehadfor-
　　gottenhimself；hemadeasteptowardsher——perhapshestumbled。Tomeheseemedtobestoopinglowasiftotouchthehemofhergarment。Andthentheappropriategesturecame。Shesnatchedherskirtawayfromhispollutingcontactandavertedherheadwithanupwardtilt。Itwasmagnificentlydone，thisgestureofconventionallyunstainedhonour，ofanun-
　　blemishedhigh-mindedamateur。
　　"Nothingcouldhavebeenbetter。Andheseemedtothinkso，too，foroncemoreheturnedaway。Butthistimehefacednoone。Hewasagainpantingfright-
　　fully，whilehefumbledhurriedlyinhiswaistcoatpocket，andthenraisedhishandtohislips。Therewassomethingfurtiveinthismovement，butdirectlyafter-
　　wardshisbearingchanged。Hislabouredbreathinggavehimaresemblancetoamanwhohadjustrunadesperaterace；butacuriousairofdetachment，ofsud-
　　denandprofoundindifference，replacedthestrainofthestrivingeffort。Theracewasover。Ididnotwanttoseewhatwouldhappennext。Iwasonlytoowellaware。Ituckedtheyounglady'sarmunderminewithoutaword，andmademywaywithhertothestairs。
　　"Herbrotherwalkedbehindus。Half-wayuptheshortflightsheseemedunabletoliftherfeethighenoughforthesteps，andwehadtopullandpushtogethertothetop。Inthepassageshedraggedherselfalong，hangingonmyarm，helplesslybentlikeanoldwoman。Weissuedintoanemptystreetthroughahalf-opendoor，staggeringlikebesottedrevellers。Atthecornerwestoppedafour-wheeler，andtheancientdriverlookedroundfromhisboxwithmorosescornatoureffortstogetherin。TwiceduringthedriveIfelthercollapseonmyshoulderinahalffaint。Facingus，theyouthinknickerbockersremainedasmuteasafish，and，tillhejumpedoutwiththelatch-key，satmorestillthanIwouldhavebelieveditpossible。
　　"Atthedooroftheirdrawing-roomsheleftmyarmandwalkedinfirst，catchingatthechairsandtables。
　　Sheunpinnedherhat，then，exhaustedwiththeeffort，hercloakstillhangingfromhershoulders，flungher-
　　selfintoadeeparmchair，sideways，herfacehalfburiedinacushion。Thegoodbrotherappearedsilentlybeforeherwithaglassofwater。Shemotioneditaway。Hedrankithimselfandwalkedofftoadis-
　　tantcorner——behindthegrandpiano，somewhere。AllwasstillinthisroomwhereIhadseen，forthefirsttime，Sevrin，theanti-anarchist，captivatedandspell-
　　boundbytheconsummateandhereditarygrimacesthatinacertainsphereoflifetaketheplaceoffeelingswithanexcellenteffect。Isupposeherthoughtswerebusywiththesamememory。Hershouldersshookviolently。Apureattackofnerves。Whenitquieteddownsheaffectedfirmness，'Whatisdonetoamanofthatsort?Whatwilltheydotohim?'
　　"'Nothing。Theycandonothingtohim，'Iassuredher，withperfecttruth。Iwasprettycertainhehaddiedinlessthantwentyminutesfromthemomenthishandhadgonetohislips。Forifhisfanaticalanti-
　　anarchismwentevenasfarascarryingpoisoninhispocket，onlytorobhisadversariesoflegitimateven-
　　geance，Iknewhewouldtakecaretoprovidesomethingthatwouldnotfailhimwhenrequired。
　　"Shedrewanangrybreath。Therewereredspotsonhercheeksandafeverishbrillianceinhereyes。
　　"'Haseveranyonebeenexposedtosuchaterribleexperience?Tothinkthathehadheldmyhand!
　　Thatman!'Herfacetwitched，shegulpeddownapatheticsob。'IfIeverfeltsureofanything，itwasofSevrin'shigh-mindedmotives。'
　　"Thenshebegantoweepquietly，whichwasgoodforher。Thenthroughherfloodoftears，halfresentful，'Whatwasithesaidtome?——"Fromconviction!"
　　Itseemedavilemockery。Whatcouldhemeanbyit?'
　　"'That，mydearyounglady，'Isaid，gently，'ismorethanIoranybodyelsecaneverexplaintoyou。'"
　　Mr。Xflickedacrumboffthefrontofhiscoat。
　　"Andthatwasstrictlytrueastoher。ThoughHorne，forinstance，understoodverywell；andsodidI，especiallyafterwehadbeentoSevrin'slodginginadismalbackstreetofanintenselyrespectablequarter。
　　Hornewasknownthereasafriend，andwehadnodifficultyinbeingadmitted，theslatternlymaidmerelyremarking，assheletusin，that'MrSevrinhadnotbeenhomethatnight。'Weforcedopenacoupleofdrawersinthewayofduty，andfoundalittleusefulinformation。
　　Themostinterestingpartwashisdiary；forthisman，engagedinsuchdeadlywork，hadtheweaknesstokeeparecordofthemostdamnatorykind。Therewerehisactsandalsohisthoughtslaidbaretous。Butthedeaddon'tmindthat。Theydon'tmindanything。
　　"'Fromconviction。'Yes。Avaguebutardenthumanitarianismhadurgedhiminhisfirstyouthintothebitterestextremityofnegationandrevolt。After-
　　wardshisoptimismflinched。Hedoubtedandbecamelost。Youhaveheardofconvertedatheists。Theseturnoftenintodangerousfanatics，butthesoulremainsthesame。Afterhehadgotacquaintedwiththegirl，therearetobemetinthatdiaryofhisveryqueerpolitico-amorousrhapsodies。Hetookhersovereigngrimaceswithdeadlyseriousness。Helongedtocon-
　　verther。Butallthiscannotinterestyou。Fortherest，Idon'tknowifyouremember——itisagoodmanyyearsagonow——thejournalisticsensationofthe'Hermi-
　　oneStreetMystery'；thefindingofaman'sbodyinthecellarofanemptyhouse；theinquest；somearrests；
　　manysurmises——thensilence——theusualendformanyobscuremartyrsandconfessors。Thefactis，hewasnotenoughofanoptimist。Youmustbeasavage，tyrannical，pitiless，thick-and-thinoptimist，likeHorne，forinstance，tomakeagoodsocialrebeloftheextremetype。
　　Herosefromthetable。Awaiterhurriedupwithhisovercoat；anotherheldhishatinreadiness。
　　"Butwhatbecameoftheyounglady?"Iasked。
　　"Doyoureallywanttoknow?"hesaid，buttoninghimselfinhisfurcoatcarefully。"IconfesstothesmallmaliceofsendingherSevrin'sdiary。Shewentintoretirement；thenshewenttoFlorence；thenshewentintoretreatinaconvent。Ican'ttellwhereshewillgonext。Whatdoesitmatter?Gestures!Gestures!
　　Meregesturesofherclass。"
　　Hefittedonhisglossyhighhatwithextremepre-
　　cision，andcastingarapidglanceroundtheroom，fullofwell-dressedpeople，innocentlydining，mutteredbetweenhisteeth:
　　"Andnothingelse!Thatiswhytheirkindisfatedtoperish。"
　　InevermetMr。Xagainafterthatevening。Itooktodiningatmyclub。OnmynextvisittoParisIfoundmyfriendallimpatiencetohearoftheeffectproducedonmebythisrareitemofhiscollection。Itoldhimallthestory，andhebeamedonmewiththeprideofhisdistinguishedspecimen。
　　"Isn'tXwellworthknowing?"hebubbledoveringreatdelight。"He'sunique，amazing，absolutelyterrific。"
　　Hisenthusiasmgrateduponmyfinerfeelings。I
　　toldhimcurtlythattheman'scynicismwassimplyabominable。
　　"Oh，abominable!abominable!"assentedmyfriend，effusively。"Andthen，youknow，helikestohavehislittlejokesometimes，"headdedinaconfidentialtone。
　　Ifailtounderstandtheconnectionofthislastre-
　　mark。Ihavebeenutterlyunabletodiscoverwhereinallthisthejokecomesin。
　　ANINDIGNANTTALE
　　THEBRUTE
　　DODGINGinfromtherain-sweptstreet，IexchangedasmileandaglancewithMissBlankinthebaroftheThreeCrows。Thisexchangewaseffectedwithex-
　　tremepropriety。Itisashocktothinkthat，ifstillalive，MissBlankmustbesomethingoversixtynow。
　　Howtimepasses!
　　Noticingmygazedirectedinquiringlyattheparti-
　　tionofglassandvarnishedwood，MissBlankwasgoodenoughtosay，encouragingly:
　　"OnlyMr。JermynandMr。StonorintheparlourwithanothergentlemanI'veneverseenbefore。"
　　Imovedtowardstheparlourdoor。Avoicedis-
　　coursingontheothersideitwasbutamatchboardpartition，rosesoloudlythattheconcludingwordsbecamequiteplaininalltheiratrocity。
　　"ThatfellowWilmotfairlydashedherbrainsout，andagoodjob，too!"
　　Thisinhumansentiment，sincetherewasnothingprofaneorimproperinit，failedtodoasmuchastochecktheslightyawnMissBlankwasachievingbehindherhand。Andsheremainedgazingfixedlyatthewindow-panes，whichstreamedwithrain。
　　AsIopenedtheparlourdoorthesamevoicewentoninthesamecruelstrain:
　　"IwasgladwhenIheardshegottheknockfromsomebodyatlast。SorryenoughforpoorWilmot，though。ThatmanandIusedtobechumsatonetime。Ofcoursethatwastheendofhim。Aclearcaseifthereeverwasone。Nowayoutofit。Noneatall。"
　　ThevoicebelongedtothegentlemanMissBlankhadneverseenbefore。Hestraddledhislonglegsonthehearthrug。Jermyn，leaningforward，heldhispocket-
　　handkerchiefspreadoutbeforethegrate。Helookedbackdismallyoverhisshoulder，andasIslippedbehindoneofthelittlewoodentables，Inoddedtohim。Ontheothersideofthefire，imposinglycalmandlarge，satMr。Stonor，jammedtightintoacapaciousWindsorarmchair。Therewasnothingsmallabouthimbuthisshort，whiteside-whiskers。Yardsandyardsofextrasuperfineblueclothmadeupintoanovercoat
　　reposedonachairbyhisside。Andhemustjusthavebroughtsomelinerfromsea，becauseanotherchairwassmotheredunderhisblackwaterproof，ampleasapall，andmadeofthree-foldoiledsilk，double-stitchedthroughout。Aman'shand-bagoftheusualsizelookedlikeachild'stoyonthefloornearhisfeet。
　　Ididnotnodtohim。Hewastoobigtobenoddedtointhatparlour。HewasaseniorTrinitypilotandcondescendedtotakehisturninthecutteronlyduringthesummermonths。HehadbeenmanytimesinchargeofroyalyachtsinandoutofPortVictoria。
　　Besides，it'snousenoddingtoamonument。Andhewaslikeone。Hedidn'tspeak，hedidn'tbudge。Hejustsatthere，holdinghishandsomeoldheadup，immovable，andalmostbiggerthanlife。Itwasex-
　　tremelyfine。Mr。Stonor'spresencereducedpooroldJermyntoamereshabbywispofaman，andmadethetalkativestrangerintweedsonthehearthruglookabsurdlyboyish。Thelattermusthavebeenafewyearsoverthirty，andwascertainlynotthesortofindividualthatgetsabashedatthesoundofhisownvoice，becausegatheringmein，asitwere，byafriendlyglance，hekeptitgoingwithoutacheck。
　　"Iwasgladofit，"herepeated，emphatically。"Youmaybesurprisedatit，butthenyouhaven'tgonethroughtheexperienceI'vehadofher。Icantellyou，itwassomethingtoremember。Ofcourse，Igotoffscotfreemyself——asyoucansee。Shedidherbesttobreakupmypluckformetho'。Shejollyneardroveasfineafellowaseverlivedintoamadhouse。Whatdoyousaytothat——eh?"
　　NotaneyelidtwitchedinMr。Stonor'senormousface。
　　Monumental!Thespeakerlookedstraightintomyeyes。
　　"Itusedtomakemesicktothinkofhergoingabouttheworldmurderingpeople。"
　　Jermynapproachedthehandkerchiefalittlenearertothegrateandgroaned。Itwassimplyahabithehad。
　　"I'veseenheronce，"hedeclared，withmournfulin-
　　difference。"Shehadahouse——"
　　Thestrangerintweedsturnedtostaredownathim，surprised。
　　"Shehadthreehouses，"hecorrected，authoritatively。
　　ButJermynwasnottobecontradicted。
　　"Shehadahouse，Isay，"herepeated，withdismalobstinacy。"Agreat，big，ugly，whitething。Youcouldseeitfrommilesaway——stickingup。"
　　"Soyoucould，"assentedtheotherreadily。"ItwasoldColchester'snotion，thoughhewasalwaysthreaten-
　　ingtogiveherup。Hecouldn'tstandherracketanymore，hedeclared；itwastoomuchofagoodthingforhim；hewouldwashhishandsofher，ifhenevergotholdofanother——andsoon。Idaresayhewouldhavechuckedher，only——itmaysurpriseyou——hismissuswouldn'thearofit。Funny，eh?Butwithwomen，youneverknowhowtheywilltakeathing，andMrs。
　　Colchester，withhermoustachesandbigeyebrows，setupforbeingasstrong-mindedastheymakethem。Sheusedtowalkaboutinabrownsilkdress，withagreatgoldcablefloppingaboutherbosom。Youshouldhaveheardhersnappingout:'Rubbish!'or'Stuffandnon-
　　sense!'Idaresaysheknewwhenshewaswelloff。
　　Theyhadnochildren，andhadneversetupahomeany-
　　where。WheninEnglandshejustmadeshifttohangoutanyhowinsomecheaphotelorboarding-house。I
　　daresayshelikedtogetbacktothecomfortsshewasusedto。Sheknewverywellshecouldn'tgainbyanychange。And，moreover，Colchester，thoughafirst-
　　rateman，wasnotwhatyoumaycallinhisfirstyouth，and，perhaps，shemayhavethoughtthathewouldn'tbeabletogetholdofanotherasheusedtosaysoeasily。Anyhow，foronereasonoranother，itwas'Rubbish'and'Stuffandnonsense'forthegoodlady。
　　IoverheardonceyoungMr。Apsehimselfsaytoherconfidentially:'Iassureyou，Mrs。Colchester，Iambeginningtofeelquiteunhappyaboutthenameshe'sgettingforherself。''Oh，'saysshe，withherdeeplittlehoarselaugh，'ifonetooknoticeofallthesillytalk，'
　　andsheshowedApseallheruglyfalseteethatonce。
　　'Itwouldtakemorethanthattomakemelosemyconfidenceinher，Iassureyou，'saysshe。"
　　Atthispoint，withoutanychangeoffacialexpression，Mr。Stonoremittedashort，sardoniclaugh。Itwasveryimpressive，butIdidn'tseethefun。Ilookedfromonetoanother。Thestrangeronthehearthrughadanuglysmile。
　　"AndMr。ApseshookbothMrs。Colchester'shands，hewassopleasedtohearagoodwordsaidfortheirfavourite。AlltheseApses，youngandoldyouknow，wereperfectlyinfatuatedwiththatabominable，dan-
　　gerous——"
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"Iinterrupted，forheseemedtobeaddressinghimselfexclusivelytome；"butwhoonearthareyoutalkingabout?"
　　"IamtalkingoftheApsefamily，"heanswered，courteously。
　　Inearlyletoutadamnatthis。ButjustthentherespectedMissBlankputherheadin，andsaidthatthecabwasatthedoor，ifMr。Stonorwantedtocatchtheeleventhreeup。
　　Atoncetheseniorpilotaroseinhismightybulkandbegantostruggleintohiscoat，withawe-inspiringup-
　　heavals。ThestrangerandIhurriedimpulsivelytohisassistance，anddirectlywelaidourhandsonhimhebecameperfectlyquiescent。Wehadtoraiseourarmsveryhigh，andtomakeefforts。Itwaslikecaparisoningadocileelephant。Witha"Thanks，gentlemen，"hedivedunderandsqueezedhimselfthroughthedoorinagreathurry。
　　Wesmiledateachotherinafriendlyway。
　　"Iwonderhowhemanagestohoisthimselfupaship'sside-ladder，"saidthemanintweeds；andpoorJermyn，whowasamereNorthSeapilot，withoutofficialstatusorrecognitionofanysort，pilotonlybycourtesy，groaned。
　　"Hemakeseighthundredayear。"
　　"Areyouasailor?"Iaskedthestranger，whohadgonebacktohispositionontherug。
　　"Iusedtobetillacoupleofyearsago，whenIgotmarried，"answeredthiscommunicativeindividual。"I
　　evenwenttoseafirstinthatveryshipwewerespeak-
　　ingofwhenyoucamein。"
　　"Whatship?"Iasked，puzzled。"Ineverheardyoumentionaship。"
　　"I'vejusttoldyouhername，mydearsir，"hereplied。
　　"TheApseFamily。Surelyyou'veheardofthegreatfirmofApse&Sons，shipowners。Theyhadaprettybigfleet。TherewastheLucyApse，andtheHaroldApse，andAnne，John，Malcolm，Clara，Juliet，andsoon——noendofApses。Everybrother，sister，aunt，cousin，wife——andgrandmother，too，forallIknow——ofthefirmhadashipnamedafterthem。Good，solid，old-fashionedcrafttheywere，too，builttocarryandtolast。Noneofyournew-fangled，labour-savingappliancesinthem，butplentyofmenandplentyofgoodsaltbeefandhardtackputaboard——andoffyougotofightyourwayoutandhomeagain。"
　　ThemiserableJermynmadeasoundofapproval，whichsoundedlikeagroanofpain。Thoseweretheshipsforhim。Hepointedoutindolefultonesthatyoucouldn'tsaytolabour-savingappliances:"Jumplivelynow，myhearties。"Nolabour-savingappliancewouldgoaloftonadirtynightwiththesandsunderyourlee。
　　"No，"assentedthestranger，withawinkatme。
　　"TheApsesdidn'tbelieveinthemeither，apparently。
　　Theytreatedtheirpeoplewell——aspeopledon'tgettreatednowadays，andtheywereawfullyproudoftheirships。Nothingeverhappenedtothem。Thislastone，theApseFamily，wastobeliketheothers，onlyshewastobestillstronger，stillsafer，stillmoreroomyandcom-
　　fortable。Ibelievetheymeanthertolastforever。
　　Theyhadherbuiltcomposite——iron，teak-wood，andgreenheart，andherscantlingwassomethingfabulous。
　　Ifeveranorderwasgivenforashipinaspiritofpridethisonewas。Everythingofthebest。Thecommodorecaptainoftheemploywastocommandher，andtheyplannedtheaccommodationforhimlikeahouseonshoreunderabig，tallpoopthatwentnearlytothemainmast。NowonderMrs。Colchesterwouldn'tlettheoldmangiveherup。Why，itwasthebesthomesheeverhadinallhermarrieddays。Shehadanerve，thatwoman。
　　"Thefussthatwasmadewhilethatshipwasbuild-
　　ing!Let'shavethisalittlestronger，andthatalittleheavier；andhadn'tthatotherthingbetterbechangedforsomethingalittlethicker。Thebuildersenteredintothespiritofthegame，andthereshewas，growingintotheclumsiest，heaviestshipofhersizerightbeforealltheireyes，withoutanybodybecomingawareofitsomehow。Shewastobe2，000tonsregister，oralittleover；nolessonanyaccount。Butseewhathappens。
　　Whentheycametomeasurehersheturnedout1，999
　　tonsandafraction。Generalconsternation!AndtheysayoldMr。Apsewassoannoyedwhentheytoldhimthathetooktohisbedanddied。Theoldgentlemanhadretiredfromthefirmtwenty-fiveyearsbefore，andwasninety-sixyearsoldifaday，sohisdeathwasn't，perhaps，sosurprising。StillMr。LucianApsewascon-
　　vincedthathisfatherwouldhavelivedtoahundred。
　　Sowemayputhimattheheadofthelist。Nextcomesthepoordevilofashipwrightthatbrutecaughtandsquashedasshewentofftheways。Theycalleditthelaunchofaship，butI'veheardpeoplesaythat，fromthewailingandyellingandscramblingoutoftheway，itwasmorelikelettingadevillooseupontheriver。Shesnappedallhercheckslikepack-thread，andwentforthetugsinattendancelikeafury。Beforeanybodycouldseewhatshewasuptoshesentoneofthemtothebottom，andlaidupanotherforthreemonths'repairs。Oneofhercablesparted，andthen，suddenly——youcouldn'ttellwhy——sheletherselfbebroughtupwiththeotherasquietasalamb。
　　"That'showshewas。Youcouldneverbesurewhatshewouldbeuptonext。Thereareshipsdifficulttohandle，butgenerallyyoucandependonthembehav-
　　ingrationally。Withthatship，whateveryoudidwithheryouneverknewhowitwouldend。Shewasawickedbeast。Or，perhaps，shewasonlyjustin-
　　sane。"
　　HeutteredthissuppositioninsoearnestatonethatIcouldnotrefrainfromsmiling。Heleftoffbitinghislowerliptoapostrophizeme。
　　"Eh!Whynot?Whycouldn'ttherebesomethinginherbuild，inherlinescorrespondingto——What'smadness?Onlysomethingjustatinybitwronginthemakeofyourbrain。Whyshouldn'ttherebeamadship——Imeanmadinaship-likeway，sothatundernocircumstancescouldyoubesureshewoulddowhatanyothersensibleshipwouldnaturallydoforyou。Thereareshipsthatsteerwildly，andshipsthatcan'tbequitetrustedalwaystostay；otherswantcarefulwatchingwhenrunninginagale；and，again，theremaybeashipthatwillmakeheavyweatherofitineverylittleblow。Butthenyouexpecthertobealwaysso。Youtakeitaspartofhercharacter，asaship，justasyoutakeaccountofaman'speculiaritiesoftemperwhenyoudealwithhim。Butwithheryoucouldn't。Shewasunaccountable。Ifshewasn'tmad，thenshewasthemostevil-minded，underhand，savagebrutethateverwentafloat。I'veseenherruninaheavygalebeautifullyfortwodays，andonthethirdbroachtotwiceinthesameafternoon。Thefirsttimesheflungthehelmsmancleanoverthewheel，butasshedidn'tquitemanagetokillhimshehadanothertryaboutthreehoursafterwards。Sheswampedherselfforeandaft，burstallthecanvaswehadset，scaredallhandsintoapanic，andevenfrightenedMrs。Colchesterdownthereinthesebeautifulsterncabinsthatshewassoproudof。Whenwemusteredthecrewtherewasonemanmissing。Sweptoverboard，ofcourse，withoutbeingeitherseenorheard，poordevil!andIonlywondermoreofusdidn'tgo。
　　"Alwayssomethinglikethat。Always。IheardanoldmatetellCaptainColchesteroncethatithadcometothiswithhim，thathewasafraidtoopenhismouthtogiveanysortoforder。Shewasasmuchofaterrorinharbourasatsea。Youcouldneverbecertainwhatwouldholdher。Ontheslightestprovocationshewouldstartsnappingropes，cables，wirehawsers，likecarrots。
　　Shewasheavy，clumsy，unhandy——butthatdoesnotquiteexplainthatpowerformischiefshehad。Youknow，somehow，whenIthinkofherIcan'thelpre-
　　memberingwhatwehearofincurablelunaticsbreakingloosenowandthen。"
　　Helookedatmeinquisitively。But，ofcourse，Icouldn'tadmitthatashipcouldbemad。
　　"Intheportswhereshewasknown，"hewenton，'
　　"theydreadedthesightofher。Shethoughtnothingofknockingawaytwentyfeetorsoofsolidstonefacingoffaquayorwipingofftheendofawoodenwharf。Shemusthavelostmilesofchainandhundredsoftonsofanchorsinhertime。Whenshefellaboardsomepoorunoffendingshipitwastheverydevilofajobtohaulheroffagain。Andshenevergothurtherself——justafewscratchesorso，perhaps。Theyhadwantedtohaveherstrong。Andsoshewas。StrongenoughtoramPolaricewith。Andasshebegansoshewenton。
　　Fromthedayshewaslaunchedsheneverletayearpasswithoutmurderingsomebody。Ithinktheownersgotveryworriedaboutit。Buttheywereastiff-neckedgenerationalltheseApses；theywouldn'tadmittherecouldbeanythingwrongwiththeApseFamily。Theywouldn'tevenchangehername。'Stuffandnonsense，'
　　asMrs。Colchesterusedtosay。Theyoughtatleasttohaveshutherupforlifeinsomedrydockorother，awayuptheriver，andneverlethersmellsaltwateragain。I
　　assureyou，mydearsir，thatsheinvariablydidkillsomeoneeveryvoyageshemade。Itwasperfectlywell-known。Shegotanameforit，farandwide。"
　　Iexpressedmysurprisethatashipwithsuchadeadlyreputationcouldevergetacrew。
　　"Then，youdon'tknowwhatsailorsare，mydearsir。
　　Letmejustshowyoubyaninstance。Onedayindockathome，whileloafingontheforecastlehead，Inoticedtworespectablesaltscomealong，oneamiddle-aged，competent，steadyman，evidently，theotherasmart，youngishchap。Theyreadthenameonthebowsandstoppedtolookather。Saystheelderman:'ApseFamily。That'sthesanguinaryfemaledog'I'mputtingitinthatway'ofaship，Jack，thatkillsamaneveryvoyage。Iwouldn'tsigninher——notforJoe，Iwouldn't。'Andtheothersays:'Ifsheweremine，I'dhavehertowedonthemudandsetonfire，blammeifIwouldn't。'Thenthefirstmanchimesin:
　　'Muchdotheycare!Menarecheap，Godknows。'
　　Theyoungeronespatinthewateralongside。'Theywon'thaveme——notfordoublewages。'
　　"Theyhungaboutforsometimeandthenwalkedupthedock。HalfanhourlaterIsawthembothonourdecklookingaboutforthemate，andapparentlyveryanxioustobetakenon。Andtheywere。"
　　"Howdoyouaccountforthis?"Iasked。
　　"Whatwouldyousay?"heretorted。"Reckless-
　　ness!Thevanityofboastingintheeveningtoalltheirchums:'We'vejustshippedinthatthereApseFamily。
　　Blowher。Sheain'tgoingtoscareus。'Sheersailor-
　　likeperversity!Asortofcuriosity。Well——alittleofallthat，nodoubt。Iputthequestiontotheminthecourseofthevoyage。Theansweroftheelderlychapwas:
　　"'Amancandiebutonce。'Theyoungerassuredmeinamockingtonethathewantedtosee'howshewoulddoitthistime。'ButItellyouwhat；therewasasortoffascinationaboutthebrute。"
　　Jermyn，whoseemedtohaveseeneveryshipintheworld，brokeinsulkily:
　　"Isawheronceoutofthisverywindowtowinguptheriver；agreatblackuglything，goingalonglikeabighearse。"
　　"Somethingsinisteraboutherlooks，wasn'tthere?"
　　saidthemanintweeds，lookingdownatoldJermynwithafriendlyeye。"Ialwayshadasortofhorrorofher。ShegavemeabeastlyshockwhenIwasnomorethanfourteen，theveryfirstday——nay，hour——Ijoinedher。Fathercameuptoseemeoff，andwastogodowntoGravesendwithus。Iwashissecondboytogotosea。Mybigbrotherwasalreadyanofficerthen。We。
　　gotonboardabouteleveninthemorning，andfoundtheshipreadytodropoutofthebasin，sternfirst。Shehadnotmovedthreetimesherownlengthwhen，atalittlepluckthetuggavehertoenterthedockgates，shemadeoneofherrampagingstarts，andputsuchaweightonthecheckrope——anewsix-inchhawser——thatforwardtheretheyhadnochancetoeaseitroundintime，anditparted。Isawthebrokenendflyuphighintheair，andthenextmomentthatbrutebroughtherquarteragainstthepier-headwithajarthatstaggeredeverybodyaboutherdecks。Shedidn'thurtherself。Notshe!Butoneoftheboysthematehadsentaloftonthemizzentodosomething，camedownonthepoop-deck——thump——rightinfrontofme。
　　Hewasnotmucholderthanmyself。Wehadbeengrinningateachotheronlyafewminutesbefore。Hemusthavebeenhandlinghimselfcarelessly，notexpect-
　　ingtogetsuchajerk。Iheardhisstartledcry——Oh!——
　　inahightrebleashefelthimselfgoing，andlookedupintimetoseehimgolimpalloverashefell。Ough!
　　PoorfatherwasremarkablywhiteaboutthegillswhenweshookhandsinGravesend。'Areyouallright?'hesays，lookinghardatme。'Yes，father。''Quitesure?'
　　'Yes，father。''Well，thengood-bye，myboy。'Hetoldmeafterwardsthatforhalfawordhewouldhavecarriedmeoffhomewithhimthereandthen。Iamthebabyofthefamily——youknow，"addedthemanintweeds，strokinghismoustachewithaningenuoussmile。
　　Iacknowledgedthisinterestingcommunicationbyasympatheticmurmur。Hewavedhishandcarelessly。
　　"Thismighthaveutterlyspoiledachap'snerveforgoingaloft，youknow——utterly。Hefellwithintwofeetofme，crackinghisheadonamooring-bitt。Nevermoved。Stonedead。Nicelookinglittlefellow，hewas。
　　Ihadjustbeenthinkingwewouldbegreatchums。
　　However，thatwasn'tyettheworstthatbruteofashipcoulddo。Iservedinherthreeyearsofmytime，andthenIgottransferredtotheLucyApse，forayear。ThesailmakerwehadintheApseFamilyturnedupthere，too，andIrememberhimsayingtomeoneevening，afterwehadbeenaweekatsea:Isn'tsheameeklittleship?'NowonderwethoughttheLucyApseadear，meek，littleshipaftergettingclearofthatbig，rampag-
　　ingsavagebrute。Itwaslikeheaven。Herofficersseemedtometherestfullestlotofmenonearth。TomewhohadknownnoshipbuttheApseFamily，theLucywaslikeasortofmagiccraftthatdidwhatyouwantedhertodoofherownaccord。Oneeveningwegotcaughtabackprettysharplyfromrightahead。Inabouttenminuteswehadherfullagain，sheetsaft，tacksdown，deckscleared，andtheofficerofthewatchleaningagainsttheweatherrailpeacefully。Itseemedsimplymarvelloustome。Theotherwouldhavestuckforhalf-
　　an-hourinirons，rollingherdecksfullofwater，knock-
　　ingthemenabout——sparscracking，bracessnapping，yardstakingcharge，andaconfoundedscaregoingonaftbecauseofherbeastlyrudder，whichshehadawayofflappingaboutfittoraiseyourhaironend。Icould-
　　n'tgetovermywonderfordays。
　　"Well，Ifinishedmylastyearofapprenticeshipinthatjollylittleship——shewasn'tsolittleeither，butafterthatotherheavydevilsheseemedbutaplaythingtohandle。Ifinishedmytimeandpassed；andthenjustasIwasthinkingofhavingthreeweeksofrealgoodtimeonshoreIgotatbreakfastaletteraskingmetheearliestdayIcouldbereadytojointheApseFamilyasthirdmate。Igavemyplateashovethatshotitintothemiddleofthetable；dadlookedupoverhispaper；motherraisedherhandsinastonishment，andI
　　wentoutbare-headedintoourbitofgarden，whereI
　　walkedroundandroundforanhour。
　　"WhenIcameinagainmotherwasoutofthedining-room，anddadhadshiftedberthintohisbigarmchair。Theletterwaslyingonthemantelpiece。
　　"'It'sverycreditabletoyoutogettheoffer，andverykindofthemtomakeit，'hesaid。'AndIseealsothatCharleshasbeenappointedchiefmateofthatshipforonevoyage。'
　　"Therewas，overleaf，aP。S。tothateffectinMr。
　　Apse'sownhandwriting，whichIhadoverlooked。
　　Charleywasmybigbrother。
　　"Idon'tlikeverymuchtohavetwoofmyboystogetherinoneship，'fathergoeson，inhisdeliberate，solemnway。'AndImaytellyouthatIwouldnotmindwritingMr。Apsealettertothateffect。'
　　"Dearolddad!Hewasawonderfulfather。Whatwouldyouhavedone?Themerenotionofgoingbackandasanofficer，too，tobeworriedandbothered，andkeptonthejumpnightanddaybythatbrute，mademefeelsick。Butshewasn'tashipyoucouldaffordtofightshyof。Besides，themostgenuineexcusecouldnotbegivenwithoutmortallyoffendingApse&Sons。
　　Thefirm，andIbelievethewholefamilydowntotheoldunmarriedauntsinLancashire，hadgrowndesper-
　　atelytouchyaboutthataccursedship'scharacter。Thiswasthecaseforanswering'Readynow'fromyourverydeath-bedifyouwishedtodieintheirgoodgraces。
　　Andthat'spreciselywhatIdidanswer——bywire，tohaveitoveranddonewithatonce。
　　"Theprospectofbeingshipmateswithmybigbrothercheeredmeupconsiderably，thoughitmademeabitanxious，too。EversinceIremembermyselfasalittlechaphehadbeenverygoodtome，andIlookeduponhimasthefinestfellowintheworld。Andsohewas。
　　Nobetterofficereverwalkedthedeckofamerchantship。Andthat'safact。Hewasafine，strong，up-
　　standing，sun-tanned，youngfellow，withhisbrownhaircurlingalittle，andaneyelikeahawk。Hewasjustsplendid。Wehadn'tseeneachotherformanyyears，andeventhistime，thoughhehadbeeninEnglandthreeweeksalready，hehadn'tshowedupathomeyet，buthadspenthissparetimeinSurreysomewheremak-
　　inguptoMaggieColchester，oldCaptainColchester'sniece。Herfather，agreatfriendofdad's，wasinthesugar-brokingbusiness，andCharleymadeasortofsecondhomeoftheirhouse。Iwonderedwhatmybigbrotherwouldthinkofme。Therewasasortofstern-
　　nessaboutCharley'sfacewhichneverleftit，notevenwhenhewaslarkinginhisratherwildfashion。
　　"Hereceivedmewithagreatshoutoflaughter。
　　Heseemedtothinkmyjoiningasanofficerthegreatestjokeintheworld。Therewasadifferenceoftenyearsbetweenus，andIsupposeherememberedmebestinpinafores。Iwasakidoffourwhenhefirstwenttosea。
　　Itsurprisedmetofindhowboisteroushecouldbe。
　　"'Nowweshallseewhatyouaremadeof，'hecried。
　　Andheheldmeoffbytheshoulders，andpunchedmyribs，andhustledmeintohisberth。'Sitdown，Ned。I
　　amgladofthechanceofhavingyouwithme。I'llputthefinishingtouchtoyou，myyoungofficer，providingyou'reworththetrouble。And，firstofall，getitwellintoyourheadthatwearenotgoingtoletthisbrutekillanybodythisvoyage。We'llstopherracket。'
　　"Iperceivedhewasindeadearnestaboutit。Hetalkedgrimlyoftheship，andhowwemustbecarefulandneverallowthisuglybeasttocatchusnappingwithanyofherdamnedtricks。
　　"HegavemearegularlectureonspecialseamanshipfortheuseoftheApseFamily；thenchanginghistone，hebegantotalkatlarge，rattlingoffthewildest，funniestnonsense，tillmysidesachedwithlaughing。I
　　couldseeverywellhewasabitabovehimselfwithhighspirits。Itcouldn'tbebecauseofmycoming。Nottothatextent。But，ofcourse，Iwouldn'thavedreamtofaskingwhatwasthematter。Ihadaproperrespectformybigbrother，Icantellyou。Butitwasallmadeplainenoughadayortwoafterwards，whenIheardthatMissMaggieColchesterwascomingforthevoy-
　　age。Unclewasgivingherasea-tripforthebenefitofherhealth。
　　"Idon'tknowwhatcouldhavebeenwrongwithherhealth。Shehadabeautifulcolour，andadeuceofalotoffairhair。Shedidn'tcarearapforwind，orrain，orspray，orsun，orgreenseas，oranything。Shewasablue-eyed，jollygirloftheverybestsort，butthewayshecheekedmybigbrotherusedtofrightenme。I
　　alwaysexpectedittoendinanawfulrow。However，nothingdecisivehappenedtillafterwehadbeeninSydneyforaweek。Oneday，inthemen'sdinnerhour，Charleystickshisheadintomycabin。Iwasstretchedoutonmybackonthesettee，smokinginpeace。
　　"'Comeashorewithme，Ned，'hesays，inhiscurtway。
　　"Ijumpedup，ofcourse，andawayafterhimdownthegangwayandupGeorgeStreet。Hestrodealonglikeagiant，andIathiselbow，panting。Itwascon-
　　foundedlyhot。'Whereonearthareyourushingmeto，Charley?'Imadeboldtoask。
　　"'Here，'hesays。
　　"'Here'wasajeweller'sshop。Icouldn'timaginewhathecouldwantthere。Itseemedasortofmadfreak。Hethrustsundermynosethreerings，whichlookedverytinyonhisbig，brownpalm，growlingout——
　　"'ForMaggie!Which?'
　　"Igotakindofscareatthis。Icouldn'tmakeasound，butIpointedattheonethatsparkledwhiteandblue。Heputitinhiswaistcoatpocket，paidforitwithalotofsovereigns，andboltedout。WhenwegotonboardIwasquiteoutofbreath。'Shakehands，oldchap，'Igaspedout。Hegavemeathumpontheback。
　　'Givewhatordersyouliketotheboatswainwhenthehandsturn-to，'sayshe；'Iamoffdutythisafternoon。'
　　"Thenhevanishedfromthedeckforawhile，butpresentlyhecameoutofthecabinwithMaggie，andthesetwowentoverthegangwaypublicly，beforeallhands，goingforawalktogetheronthatawful，blazinghotday，withcloudsofdustflyingabout。Theycamebackafterafewhourslookingverystaid，butdidn'tseemtohavetheslightestideawheretheyhadbeen。
　　Anyway，that'stheanswertheybothmadetoMrs。
　　Colchester'squestionattea-time。
　　"Anddidn'tsheturnonCharley，withhervoicelikeanoldnightcabman's!'Rubbish。Don'tknowwhereyou'vebeen!Stuffandnonsense。You'vewalkedthegirloffherlegs。Don'tdoitagain。'
　　"It'ssurprisinghowmeekCharleycouldbewiththatoldwoman。Onlyononeoccasionhewhisperedtome，'I'mjollygladsheisn'tMaggie'saunt，exceptbymarriage。That'snosortofrelationship。'ButI
　　thinkheletMaggiehavetoomuchofherownway。
　　Shewashoppingalloverthatshipinheryachtingskirtandaredtamo'shanterlikeabrightbirdonadeadblacktree。Theoldsaltsusedtogrintothemselveswhentheysawhercomingalong，andofferedtoteachherknotsorsplices。Ibelieveshelikedthemen，forCharley'ssake，Isuppose。
　　"Asyoumayimagine，thefiendishpropensitiesofthatcursedshipwereneverspokenofonboard。Notinthecabin，atanyrate。Onlyonceonthehome-
　　wardpassageCharleysaid，incautiously，somethingaboutbringingallhercrewhomethistime。CaptainColchesterbegantolookuncomfortableatonce，andthatsilly，hard-bittenoldwomanflewoutatCharleyasthoughhehadsaidsomethingindecent。Iwasquiteconfoundedmyself；astoMaggie，shesatcompletelymystified，openingherblueeyesverywide。Ofcourse，beforeshewasadayoldershewormeditalloutofme。
　　Shewasaverydifficultpersontolieto。
　　"'Howawful，'shesaid，quitesolemn。'Somanypoorfellows。Iamgladthevoyageisnearlyover。I
　　won'thaveamoment'speaceaboutCharleynow。'
　　"IassuredherCharleywasallright。IttookmorethanthatshipknewtogetoveraseamanlikeCharley。
　　Andsheagreedwithme。
　　"NextdaywegotthetugoffDungeness；andwhenthetow-ropewasfastCharleyrubbedhishandsandsaidtomeinanundertone——
　　"'We'vebaffledher，Ned。'
　　'"Lookslikeit，'Isaid，withagrinathim。Itwasbeautifulweather，andtheseaassmoothasamillpond。
　　Wewentuptheriverwithoutashadowoftroubleexceptonce，whenoffHoleHaven，thebrutetookasuddensheerandnearlyhadabargeanchoredjustclearofthefairway。ButIwasaft，lookingafterthesteer-
　　ing，andshedidnotcatchmenappingthattime。
　　Charleycameuponthepoop，lookingveryconcerned。
　　'Closeshave，'sayshe。
　　"'Nevermind，Charley，'Ianswered，cheerily。
　　'You'vetamedher。'
　　"Weweretotowrightuptothedock。TheriverpilotboardedusbelowGravesend，andthefirstwordsIheardhimsaywere:'Youmayjustaswelltakeyourportanchorinboardatonce，Mr。Mate。'
　　"ThishadbeendonewhenIwentforward。IsawMaggieontheforecastleheadenjoyingthebustleandIbeggedhertogoaft，butshetooknonoticeofme，ofcourse。ThenCharley，whowasverybusywiththeheadgear，caughtsightofherandshoutedinhisbiggestvoice:'Getofftheforecastlehead，Maggie。You'reinthewayhere。'Forallanswershemadeafunnyfaceathim，andIsawpoorCharleyturnaway，hidingasmile。
　　Shewasflushedwiththeexcitementofgettinghomeagain，andherblueeyesseemedtosnapelectricsparksasshelookedattheriver。Acollierbrighadgoneroundjustaheadofus，andourtughadtostopherenginesinahurrytoavoidrunningintoher。
　　"Inamoment，asisusuallythecase，alltheshippinginthereachseemedtogetintoahopelesstangle。A
　　schoonerandaketchgotupasmallcollisionalltothemselvesrightinthemiddleoftheriver。Itwasexcitingtowatch，and，meantime，ourtugremainedstopped。Anyothershipthanthatbrutecouldhavebeencoaxedtokeepstraightforacoupleofminutes——
　　butnotshe!Herheadfelloffatonce，andshebegantodriftdown，takinghertugalongwithher。Inoticedaclusterofcoastersatanchorwithinaquarterofamileofus，andIthoughtIhadbetterspeaktothepilot。
　　'Ifyoulethergetamongstthatlot，'Isaid，quietly，'shewillgrindsomeofthemtobitsbeforewegetheroutagain。'
　　"'Don'tIknowher!'crieshe，stampinghisfootinaperfectfury。Andheoutwithhiswhistletomakethatbotheredtuggettheship'sheadupagainasquickaspossible。Heblewlikemad，wavinghisarmtoport，andpresentlywecouldseethatthetug'sengineshadbeensetgoingahead。Herpaddleschurnedthewater，butitwasasifshehadbeentryingtotowarock——shecouldn'tgetaninchoutofthatship。
　　Againthepilotblewhiswhistle，andwavedhisarmtoport。Wecouldseethetug'spaddlesturningfasterandfasteraway，broadonourbow。