CHAPTERXIX——THELOSTTOY
　　"Well，"Joansaidwithasigh，"I'veshownyouhustlingAmericanmethodsthatsucceedandgetsomewhere，andhereyouarebeginningyourmuddlingagain。"
　　Fivedayshadpassed，andsheandSheldonwerestandingontheverandawatchingtheMartha，close-hauledonthewind，layingatackoffshore。DuringthosefivedaysJoanhadneveroncebroachedthedesireofherheart，thoughSheldon，inthisparticularinstancereadingherlikeabook，hadwatchedherleaduptothequestionascoreoftimesinthehopethathewouldhimselfsuggesthertakingchargeoftheMartha。Shehadwantedhimtosaytheword，andshehadsteeledherselfnottosayitherself。Thematteroffindingaskipperhadbeenahardone。ShewasjealousoftheMartha，andnosuggestedmanhadsatisfiedher。
　　"Oleson？"shehaddemanded。"HedoesverywellontheFlibberty，withmeandmymentooverhaulherwhenevershe'sreadytofalltopiecesthroughhisslackness。ButskipperoftheMartha？
　　Impossible!"
　　"Munster？Yes，he'stheonlymanIknowintheSolomonsI'dcaretoseeincharge。Andyet，there'shisrecord。HelosttheUmbawa——onehundredandfortydrowned。Hewasfirstofficeronthebridge。Deliberatedisobediencetoinstructions。Nowondertheybrokehim。
　　"ChristianYounghasneverhadanyexperiencewithlargeboats。
　　Besides，wecan'taffordtopayhimwhathe'sclearingontheMinerva。Sparrowhawkisagoodman——totakeorders。Hehasnoinitiative。He'sanablesailor，buthecan'tcommand。ItellyouIwasnervousallthetimehehadchargeoftheFlibbertyatPoonga-PoongawhenIhadtostaybytheMartha。"
　　Andsoithadgone。Nonameproposedwassatisfactory，and，moreover，Sheldonhadbeensurprisedbytheaccuracyofherjudgments。AdozentimesshealmostdrovehimtothestatementthatfromtheshowingshemadeofSolomonIslandssailors，shewastheonlypersonfittedtocommandtheMartha。Buteachtimeherestrainedhimself，whileherpridepreventedherfrommakingthesuggestion。
　　"Goodwhale-boatsailorsdonotnecessarilymakegoodschooner-
　　handlers，"sherepliedtooneofhisarguments。"Besides，thecaptainofaboatliketheMarthamusthavealargemind，seethingsinalargeway；hemusthavecapacityandenterprise。"
　　"ButwithyourTahitiansonboard——"Sheldonhadbegunanotherargument。
　　"Therewon'tbeanyTahitiansonboard，"shehadreturnedpromptly。
　　"Mymenstaywithme。IneverknowwhenImayneedthem。WhenI
　　sail，theysail；whenIremainashore，theyremainashore。I'llfindplentyforthemtodorighthereontheplantation。You'veseenthemclearingbush，eachofthemworthhalfadozenofyourcannibals。"
　　SoitwasthatJoanstoodbesideSheldonandsighedasshewatchedtheMarthabeatingouttosea，oldKinross，broughtoverfromSavo，incommand。
　　"Kinrossisanoldfossil，"shesaid，withatouchofbitternessinhervoice。"Oh，he'llneverwreckherthroughrashness，restassuredofthat；buthe'stimidtochildishness，andtimidskipperslosejustasmanyvesselsasrashones。Someday，KinrosswilllosetheMarthabecausethere'llbeonlyonechanceandhe'llbeafraidtotakeit。Iknowhissort。Afraidtotakeadvantageofaproperbreezeofwindthatwillfetchhiminintwentyhours，he'llgetcaughtoutinthecalmthatfollowsandspendawholeweekingettingin。TheMarthawillmakemoneywithhim，there'snodoubtofit；butshewon'tmakenearthemoneythatshewouldunderacompetentmaster。"
　　Shepaused，andwithheightenedcolourandsparklingeyesgazedseawardattheschooner。
　　"My!butsheisawitch!Lookathereatingupthewater，andthere'snowindtospeakof。She'snotgotordinarywhitemetaleither。It'sman-of-warcopper，everyinchofit。IhadthempolishitwithcocoanuthuskswhenshewascareenedatPoonga-
　　Poonga。Shewasaseal-hunterbeforethisgoldexpeditiongother。
　　Andseal-huntershadtosail。They'verunawayfromsecondclassRussiancruisersmorethanonceupthereoffSiberia。
　　"Honestly，ifI'ddreamedofthechancewaitingformeatGuvutuwhenIboughtherforlessthanthreehundreddollars，I'dneverhavegonepartnerswithyou。AndinthatcaseI'dbesailingherrightnow。
　　ThejusticeofhercontentioncameabruptlyhometoSheldon。Whatshehaddoneshewouldhavedonejustthesameifshehadnotbeenhispartner。AndinthesavingoftheMarthahehadplayednopart。Single-handed，unadvised，intheteethofthelaughterofGuvutuandofthecompetitionofmenlikeMorganandRaff，shehadgoneintotheadventureandbroughtitthroughtosuccess。
　　"Youmakemefeellikeabigmanwhohasrobbedasmallchildofalolly，"hesaidwithsuddencontrition。
　　"Andthesmallchildiscryingforit。"Shelookedathim，andhenotedthatherlipwasslightlytremblingandthathereyesweremoist。Itwastheboyallover，hethought；theboycryingfortheweebitboatwithwhichtoplay。Andyetitwasawoman，too。
　　Whatamazeofcontradictionshewas!Andhewondered，hadshebeenallwomanandnoboy，ifhewouldhavelovedherinjustthesameway。Thenitrushedinuponhisconsciousnessthathereallylovedherforwhatshewas，foralltheboyinherandalltherestofher——forthetotalofherthatwouldhavebeenadifferenttotalindirectproportiontoanydifferingofthepartsofher。
　　"Butthesmallchildwon'tcryanymoreforit，"shewassaying。
　　"Thisisthelastsob。Someday，ifKinrossdoesn'tloseher，you'llturnherovertoyourpartner，Iknow。AndIwon'tnagyouanymore。OnlyIdohopeyouknowhowIfeel。Itisn'tasifI'dmerelyboughttheMartha，ormerelybuilther。Isavedher。I
　　tookheroffthereef。Isavedherfromthegraveoftheseawhenfifty-fivepoundswasconsideredabigrisk。Sheismine，peculiarlymine。Withoutmeshewouldn'texist。Thatbignor'westerwouldhavefinishedherthefirstthreehoursitblew。
　　AndthenI'vesailedher，too；andsheisawitch，aperfectwitch。
　　Why，doyouknow，she'llsteerbythewindwithhalfaspoke，giveandtake。Andgoingabout!Well，youdon'thavetobabyher，startinghead-sheets，flatteningmainsail，andgentlingherwiththewheel。Putyourwheeldown，andaroundshecomes，likeacoltwiththebitinitsteeth。Andyoucanbackherlikeasteamer。I
　　diditatLanga-Langa，betweenthatshoalpatchandtheshore-reef。
　　Itwaswonderful。
　　"Butyoudon'tloveboatslikeIdo，andIknowyouthinkI'mmakingafoolofmyself。ButsomedayI'mgoingtosailtheMarthaagain。Iknowit。Iknowit。"
　　Inreply，andquitewithoutpremeditation，hishandwentouttohers，coveringitasitlayontherailing。Butheknew，beyondtheshadowofadoubt，thatitwastheboythatreturnedthepressurehegave，theboysorrowingoverthelosttoy。Thethoughtchilledhim。Neverhadhebeenactuallynearertoher，andneverhadshebeenmoreconvincinglyremote。Shewascertainlynotacutelyawarethathishandwastouchinghers。InhergriefatthedepartureoftheMarthaitwas，toher，anybody'shand——atthebest，afriend'shand。
　　Hewithdrewhishandandwalkedperturbedlyaway。
　　"Whyhasn'thegotthatbigfisherman'sstaysailonher？"shedemandedirritably。"Itwouldmaketheoldgirljustwalkalonginthisbreeze。IknowthesortoldKinrossis。He'stheskipperthatliesthreedaysunderdouble-reefedtopsailswaitingforagalethatdoesn'tcome。Safe？Oh，yes，he'ssafe——dangerouslysafe。"
　　Sheldonretracedhissteps。
　　"Nevermind，"hesaid。"YoucangosailingontheMarthaanytimeyouplease——recruitingonMalaitaifyouwantto。"
　　Itwasagreatconcessionhewasmaking，andhefeltthathediditagainsthisbetterjudgment。Herreceptionofitwasasurprisetohim。
　　"WitholdKinrossincommand？"shequeried。"No，thankyou。He'ddrivemetosuicide。Icouldn'tstandhishandlingofher。Itwouldgivemenervousprostration。I'llneverstepontheMarthaagain，unlessitistotakechargeofher。I'masailor，likemyfather，andhecouldneverbeartoseeavesselmishandled。DidyouseethewayKinrossgotunderway？Itwasdisgraceful。Andthenoisehemadeaboutit!OldNoahdidbetterwiththeArk。"
　　"Butwemanagetogetsomewherejustthesame，"hesmiled。
　　"SodidNoah。"
　　"Thatwasthemainthing。"
　　"Foranantediluvian。"
　　ShetookanotherlingeringlookattheMartha，thenturnedtoSheldon。
　　"Youareaslovenlylotdownherewhenitcomestoboats——mostofyouare，anyway。ChristianYoungisallrightthough，Munsterhasaslap-dashstyleabouthim，andtheydosayoldNielsenwasacrackerjack。ButwiththerestI'veseen，there'snodash，nogo，nocleverness，norealsailor'spride。It'sallhum-drum，andpodgy，andslow-going，anygoingsolongasyougetthereheavenknowswhen。ButsomedayI'llshowyouhowtheMarthashouldbehandled。I'llbreakoutanchorandgetunderwayinaspeedandstylethatwillmakeyourheadhum；andI'llbringheralongsidethewharfatGuvutuwithoutdroppinganchorandrunningaline。"
　　Shecametoabreathlesspause，andthenbrokeintolaughter，directed，hecouldsee，againstherself。
　　"OldKinrossissettingthatfisherman'sstaysail，"heremarkedquietly。
　　"No!"shecriedincredulously，swiftlylooking，thenrunningforthetelescope。
　　Sheregardedthemanoeuvresteadilythroughtheglass，andSheldon，watchingherface，couldseethattheskipperwasnotmakingasuccessofit。
　　Shefinallyloweredtheglasswithagroan。
　　"He'smadeamessofit，"shesaid，"andnowhe'stryingitoveragain。AndamanlikethatisputinchargeofafairyliketheMartha!Well，it'sagoodargumentagainstmarriage，that'sall。
　　No，Iwon'tlookanymore。Comeoninandplayasteady，conservativegameofbilliardswithme。AndafterthatI'mgoingtosaddleupandgoafterpigeons。Willyoucomealong？"
　　Anhourlater，justastheywereridingoutofthecompound，JoanturnedinthesaddleforalastlookattheMartha，adistantspeckwellovertowardtheFloridacoast。
　　"Won'tTudorbesurprisedwhenhefindsweowntheMartha？"shelaughed。"Thinkofit!Ifhedoesn'tstrikepay-dirthe'llhavetobuyasteamer-passagetogetawayfromtheSolomons。"
　　Stilllaughinggaily，sherodethroughthegate。Butsuddenlyherlaughterbrokeflatlyandshereinedinthemare。Sheldonglancedathersharply，andnotedherfacemottling，evenashelooked，andturningorangeandgreen。
　　"It'sthefever，"shesaid。"I'llhavetoturnback。"
　　Bythetimetheywereinthecompoundshewasshiveringandshaking，andhehadtohelpherfromherhorse。
　　"Funny，isn'tit？"shesaidwithchatteringteeth。"Likeseasickness——notserious，buthorriblymiserablewhileitlasts。
　　I'mgoingtobed。SendNoaNoahandViaburitome。TellOrnfiritomakehotwater。I'llbeoutofmyheadinfifteenminutes。ButI'llbeallrightbyevening。Shortandsharpisthewayittakesme。Toobadtolosetheshooting。Thankyou，I'mallright。"
　　Sheldonobeyedherinstructions，rushedhot-waterbottlesalongtoher，andthensatontheverandavainlytryingtointeresthimselfinatwo-months-oldfileofSydneynewspapers。Hekeptglancingupandacrossthecompoundtothegrasshouse。Yes，hedecided，thecontentionofeverywhitemanintheislandswasright；theSolomonswasnoplaceforawoman。
　　Heclappedhishands，andLalaperucamerunning。
　　"Here，you!"heordered；"goalongbarracks，bring'mblackfellaMary，plentytoomuch，altogether。"
　　AfewminuteslaterthedozenblackwomenofBerandewererangedbeforehim。Helookedthemovercritically，finallyselectingonethatwasyoung，comelyassuchcreatureswent，andwhosebodyborenosignsofskin-disease。
　　"Whatname，you？"hedemanded。"Sangui？"
　　"MeMahua，"wastheanswer。
　　"Allright，youfellaMahua。Youfinishcookalongboys。YoustopalongwhiteMary。Allthetimeyoustopalong。Yousavvee？"
　　"Mesavvee，"shegrunted，andobeyedhisgesturetogotothegrasshouseimmediately。
　　"Whatname？"heaskedViaburi，whohadjustcomeoutofthegrasshouse。
　　"Bigfellasick，"wastheanswer。"WhitefellaMarytalk'mtoomuchalleetime。Alleetimetalk'mbigfellaschooner。"
　　Sheldonnodded。Heunderstood。ItwasthelossoftheMarthathathadbroughtonthefever。Thefeverwouldhavecomesoonerorlater，heknew；butherdisappointmenthadprecipitatedit。Helightedacigarette，andinthecurlingsmokeofitcaughtvisionsofhisEnglishmother，andwonderedifshewouldunderstandhowhersoncouldloveawomanwhocriedbecauseshecouldnotbeskipperofaschoonerinthecannibalisles。
　　CHAPTERXX——AMAN-TALK
　　Themostpatientmanintheworldispronetoimpatienceinlove——
　　andSheldonwasinlove。Hecalledhimselfanassascoreoftimesaday，andstrovetocontainhimselfbydirectinghismindinotherchannels，butmorethanascoreoftimeseachdayhisthoughtsrovedbackanddweltonJoan。Itwasaprettyproblemshepresented，andhewascontinuallydebatingwithhimselfastowhatwasthebestwaytoapproachher。
　　Hewasnotanadeptatlove-making。Hehadhadbutoneexperienceinthegentleartinwhichhehadbeenmorewooedthanwooing，andtheaffairhadprofitedhimlittle。Thiswasanotheraffair，andheassuredhimselfcontinuallythatitwasauniquelydifferentanddifficultaffair。Notonlywashereawomanwhowasnotbentonfindingahusband，butitwasawomanwhowasn'tawomanatall；
　　whowasgenuinelyappalledbythethoughtofahusband；whojoyedinboys'games，andsentimentalizedoversuchthingsasadventure；
　　whowashealthyandnormalandwholesome，andwhowassoimmaturethatahusbandstoodfornothingmorethananencumbranceinhercherishedschemeofexistence。
　　Buthowtoapproachher？Hedivinedthefanaticalloveoffreedominher，thedeep-seatedantipathyforrestraintofanysort。Nomancouldeverputhisarmaroundherandwinher。Shewouldflutterawaylikeafrightenedbird。Approachbycontact——that，herealized，wastheonethinghemustneverdo。Hishand-claspmustbewhatithadalwaysbeen，thehand-claspofheartyfriendshipandnothingmore。Neverbyactionmustheadvertisehisfeelingforher。Remainedspeech。Butwhatspeech？Appealtoherlove？Butshedidnotlovehim。Appealtoherbrain？Butitwasapparentlyaboy'sbrain。Allthedeliciousnessandfinenessofafinelybredwomanwashers；but，forallhecoulddiscern，hermentalprocessesweresexlessandboyish。Andyetspeechitmustbe，forabeginninghadtobemadesomewhere，sometime；hermindmustbemadeaccustomedtotheidea，herthoughtsturneduponthematterofmarriage。
　　Andsoherodeoverseeingabouttheplantation，withtightlydrawnandpuckeredbrows，puzzlingovertheproblem，andsteelinghimselftothefirstattempt。Adozenwaysheplannedanintricateleadinguptothefirstbreakingoftheice，andeachtimesomelinkinthechainsnappedandthetalkwentoffonunexpectedandirrelevantlines。Andthenonemorning，quitefortuitously，theopportunitycame。
　　"MydearestwishisthesuccessofBerande，"Joanhadjustsaid，aproposofadiscussionaboutthecheapeningoffreightsoncopratomarket。
　　"DoyoumindifItellyouthedearestwishofmyheart？"hepromptlyreturned。"Ilongforit。Idreamaboutit。Itismydearestdesire。"
　　Hepausedandlookedatherwithintentsignificance；butitwasplaintohimthatshethoughttherewasnothingmoreatissuethanmutualconfidencesaboutthingsingeneral。
　　"Yes，goahead，"shesaid，atrifleimpatientathisdelay。
　　"IlovetothinkofthesuccessofBerande，"hesaid；"butthatissecondary。Itissubordinatetothedearestwish，whichisthatsomedayyouwillshareBerandewithmeinacompleterwaythanthatofmerebusinesspartnership。Itisforyou，someday，whenyouareready，tobemywife。"
　　Shestartedbackfromhimasifshehadbeenstung。Herfacewentwhiteontheinstant，notfrommaidenlyembarrassment，butfromtheangerwhichhecouldseeflaminginhereyes。
　　"Thistakingforgranted!——thiswhenIamready!"shecriedpassionately。Thenhervoiceswiftlybecamecoldandsteady，andshetalkedinthewayheimaginedshemusthavetalkedbusinesswithMorganandRaffatGuvutu。"Listentome，Mr。Sheldon。I
　　likeyouverywell，thoughyouareslowandamuddler；butIwantyoutounderstand，onceandforall，thatIdidnotcometotheSolomonstogetmarried。ThatisanafflictionIcouldhaveaccumulatedathome，withoutsailingtenthousandmilesafterit。
　　Ihavemyownwaytomakeintheworld，andIcametotheSolomonstodoit。GettingmarriedisnotmakingMYwayintheworld。Itmaydoforsomewomen，butnotforme，thankyou。WhenIsitdowntotalkoverthefreightoncopra，Idon'tcaretohaveproposalsofmarriagesandwichedin。Besides——besides——"
　　Hervoicebrokeforthemoment，andwhenshewentontherewasanoteofappealinitthatwell-nighconvictedhimtohimselfofbeingabrute。
　　"Don'tyousee？——itspoilseverything；itmakesthewholesituationimpossible……and……andIsolovedourpartnership，andwasproudofit。Don'tyousee？——Ican'tgoonbeingyourpartnerifyoumakelovetome。AndIwassohappy。"
　　Tearsofdisappointmentwereinhereyes，andshecaughtaswiftsobinherthroat。
　　"Iwarnedyou，"hesaidgravely。"Suchunusualsituationsbetweenmenandwomencannotendure。Itoldyousoatthebeginning。"
　　"Oh，yes；itisquitecleartomewhatyoudid。"Shewasangryagain，andthefeminineappealhaddisappeared。"Youwereverydiscreetinyourwarning。YoutookgoodcaretowarnmeagainsteveryothermanintheSolomonsexceptyourself。"
　　ItwasablowinthefacetoSheldon。Hesmartedwiththetruthofit，andatthesametimehesmartedwithwhathewasconvincedwastheinjusticeofit。Agleamoftriumphthatflickeredinhereyebecauseofthehitshehadmadedecidedhim。
　　"Itisnotsoone-sidedasyouseemtothinkitis，"hebegan。"I
　　wasdoingverynicelyonBerandebeforeyoucame。AtleastIwasnotsufferingindignities，suchasbeingaccusedofcowardlyconduct，asyouhavejustaccusedme。Remember——pleaseremember，I
　　didnotinviteyoutoBerande。NordidIinviteyoutostayonatBerande。Itwasbystayingthatyoubroughtaboutthis——toyou——
　　unpleasantsituation。Bystayingyoumadeyourselfatemptation，andnowyouwouldblamemeforit。Ididnotwantyoutostay。I
　　wasn'tinlovewithyouthen。IwantedyoutogotoSydney；togobacktoHawaii。Butyouinsistedonstaying。Youvirtually——"
　　Hepausedforasofterwordthantheonethathadrisentohislips，andshetookitawayfromhim。
　　"Forcedmyselfonyou——that'swhatyoumeanttosay，"shecried，theflagsofbattlepaintinghercheeks。"Goahead。Don'tmindmyfeelings。"
　　"Allright；Iwon't，"hesaiddecisively，realizingthatthediscussionwasindangerofbecomingavituperative，schoolboyargument。"Youhaveinsistedonbeingconsideredasaman。
　　Consistencywoulddemandthatyoutalklikeaman，andlikeamanlistentoman-talk。Andlistenyoushall。Itisnotyourfaultthatthisunpleasantnesshasarisen。Idonotblameyouforanything；rememberthat。Andforthesamereasonyoushouldnotblamemeforanything。"
　　Henoticedherbosomheavingasshesatwithclenchedhands，anditwasallhecoulddotoconquerthedesiretoflashhisarmsoutandaroundherinsteadofgoingonwithhiscoollyplannedcampaign。
　　Asitwas，henearlytoldherthatshewasamostadorableboy。
　　Buthecheckedallsuchwaywardfancies，andheldhimselfrigidlydowntohisdisquisition。
　　"Youcan'thelpbeingyourself。Youcan'thelpbeingaverydesirablecreaturesofarasIamconcerned。Youhavemademewantyou。Youdidn'tintendto；youdidn'ttryto。Youweresomade，thatisall。AndIwassomadethatIwasripetowantyou。ButI
　　can'thelpbeingmyself。Ican'tbyaneffortofwillceasefromwantingyou，anymorethanyoubyaneffortofwillcanmakeyourselfundesirabletome。"
　　"Oh，thisdesire!thiswant!want!want!"shebrokeinrebelliously。"Iamnotquiteafool。Iunderstandsomethings。
　　Andthewholethingissofoolishandabsurd——anduncomfortable。I
　　wishIcouldgetawayfromit。IreallythinkitwouldbeagoodideaformetomarryNoaNoah，orAdamuAdam，orLalaperuthere，oranyblackboy。ThenIcouldgivehimorders，andkeephimpennedawayfromme；andmenlikeyouwouldleavemealone，andnottalkmarriageand'Iwant，Iwant。'"
　　Sheldonlaughedinspiteofhimself，andfarfromanygenuineimpulsetolaugh。
　　"Youarepositivelysoulless，"hesaidsavagely。
　　"BecauseI'veasoulthatdoesn'tyearnforamanformaster？"shetookupthegage。"Verywell，then。Iamsoulless，andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"
　　"Iamgoingtoaskyouwhyyoulooklikeawoman？Whyhaveyoutheformofawoman？thelipsofawoman？thewonderfulhairofawoman？AndIamgoingtoanswer:becauseyouareawoman——thoughthewomaninyouisasleep——andthatsomedaythewomanwillwakeup。"
　　"Heavenforbid!"shecried，insuchsuddenandgenuinedismayastomakehimlaugh，andtobringasmiletoherownlipsagainstherself。
　　"I'vegotsomemoretosaytoyou，"Sheldonpursued。"IdidtrytoprotectyoufromeveryothermanintheSolomons，andfromyourselfaswell。Asforme，Ididn'tdreamthatdangerlayinthatquarter。SoIfailedtoprotectyoufrommyself。Ifailedtoprotectyouatall。Youwentyourownwilfulway，justasthoughI
　　didn'texist——wreckingschooners，recruitingonMalaita，andsailingschooners；onelone，unprotectedgirlinthecompanyofsomeoftheworstscoundrelsintheSolomons。Fowler!andBrahms!
　　andCurtis!Andsuchistheperversenessofhumannature——Iamfrank，yousee——Iloveyouforthattoo。Iloveyouforallofyou，justasyouare。"
　　Shemadeamoueofdistasteandraisedahandprotestingly。
　　"Don't，"hesaid。"Youhavenorighttorecoilfromthementionofmyloveforyou。Rememberthisisaman-talk。Fromthepointofviewofthetalk，youareaman。Thewomaninyouisonlyincidental，accidental，andirrelevant。You'vegottolistentothebaldstatementoffact，strangethoughitis，thatIloveyou。"
　　"AndnowIwon'tbotheryouanymoreaboutlove。We'llgoonthesameasbefore。YouarebetteroffandsaferonBerande，inspiteofthefactthatIloveyou，thananywhereelseintheSolomons。
　　ButIwantyou，asafinalitemofman-talk，toremember，fromtimetotime，thatIloveyou，andthatitwillbethedearestdayofmylifewhenyouconsenttomarryme。Iwantyoutothinkofitsometimes。Youcan'thelpbutthinkofitsometimes。Andnowwewon'ttalkaboutitanymore。Asbetweenmen，there'smyhand。"
　　Heheldouthishand。Shehesitated，thengrippeditheartily，andsmiledthroughhertears。
　　"Iwish——"shefaltered，"Iwish，insteadofthatblackMary，you'dgivenmesomebodytoswearforme。"
　　Andwiththisenigmaticutterancesheturnedaway。
　　CHAPTERXXI——CONTRABAND
　　Sheldondidnotmentionthesubjectagain，nordidhisconductchangefromwhatithadalwaysbeen。Therewasnothingofthepininglover，noroftheloveratall，inhisdemeanour。Norwasthereanyawkwardnessbetweenthem。Theywereasfrankandfriendlyintheirrelationsasever。Hehadwonderedifhisbelligerentlovedeclarationmighthavearousedsomewomanlyself-
　　consciousnessinJoan，buthelookedinvainforanysignofit。
　　Sheappearedasunchangedashe；andwhileheknewthathehidhisrealfeelings，hewasfirminhisbeliefthatshehidnothing。Andyetthegermhehadimplantedmustbeatwork；hewasconfidentofthat，thoughhewaswithoutconfidenceastotheresult。Therewasnoforecastingthisstrangegirl'sprocesses。Shemightawaken，itwastrue；andontheotherhand，andwithequalchance，hemightbethewrongmanforher，andhisdeclarationoflovemightonlymorefirmlysetherinherviewsonsingleblessedness。
　　Whilehedevotedmoreandmoreofhistimetotheplantationitself，shetookoverthehouseanditsmultitudinousaffairs；andshetookholdfirmly，insailorfashion，revolutionizingthesystemanddiscipline。ThelaboursituationonBerandewasimproving。
　　TheMarthahadcarriedawayfiftyoftheblackswhosetimewasup，andtheyhadbeenamongtheworstontheplantation——five-yearmenrecruitedbyBillyBe-blowed，menwhohadgonethroughtheolddaysofterrorismwhentheoriginalownersofBerandehadbeendrivenaway。Thenewrecruits，beingbrokeninunderthenewregime，gavebetterpromise。JoanhadjoinedwithSheldonfromthestartintheprogrammethattheymustbegrippedwiththestronghand，andatthesametimebetreatedwithabsolutejustice，iftheyweretoescapebeingcontaminatedbytheolderboysthatstillremained。
　　"Ithinkitwouldbeagoodideatoputallthegangsatworkclosetothehousethisafternoon，"sheannouncedonedayatbreakfast。
　　"I'vecleanedupthehouse，andyououghttocleanupthebarracks。
　　Thereistoomuchstealinggoingon。"
　　"Agoodidea，"Sheldonagreed。"Theirboxesshouldbesearched。
　　I'vejustmissedacoupleofshirts，andmybesttoothbrushisgone。"
　　"Andtwoboxesofmycartridges，"sheadded，"tosaynothingofhandkerchiefs，towels，sheets，andmybestpairofslippers。ButwhattheywantwithyourtoothbrushismorethanIcanimagine。
　　They'llbestealingthebilliardballsnext。"
　　"Onediddisappearafewweeksbeforeyoucame，"Sheldonlaughed。
　　"We'llsearchtheboxesthisafternoon。"
　　Andabusyafternoonitwas。JoanandSheldon，botharmed，wentthroughthebarracks，housebyhouse，theboss-boysassisting，andhalfadozenmessengers，inrelay，shoutingalongthelinethenamesoftheboyswanted。Eachboybroughtthekeytohisparticularbox，andwaspermittedtolookonwhilethecontentswereoverhauledbytheboss-boys。
　　Awealthoflootwasrecovered。Therewerefullyadozencane-
　　knives——bighackingweaponswithrazor-edges，capableofdecapitatingamanatastroke。Towels，sheets，shirts，andslippers，alongwithtoothbrushes，wisp-brooms，soap，themissingbilliardball，andallthelostandforgottentriflesofmanymonths，cametolight。Butmostastonishingwasthequantityofammunition-cartridgesforLee-Metfords，forWinchestersandMarlins，forrevolversfromthirty-twocalibretoforty-five，shot-
　　guncartridges，Joan'stwoboxesofthirty-eight，cartridgesofprodigiousborefortheancientSnidersofMalaita，flasksofblackpowder，sticksofdynamite，yardsoffuse，andboxesofdetonators。
　　ButthegreatfindwasinthehouseoccupiedbyGogoomyandfivePortAdamsrecruits。ThefactthattheboxesyieldednothingexcitedSheldon'ssuspicions，andhegaveorderstodiguptheearthenfloor。Wrappedinmatting，welloiled，freefromrust，andbrandnew，twoWinchesterswerefirstunearthed。Sheldondidnotrecognizethem。TheyhadnotcomefromBerande；neitherhadthefortyflasksofblackpowderfoundunderthecorner-postofthehouse；andwhilehecouldnotbesure，hecouldremembernolossofeightboxesofdetonators。AbigColt'srevolverherecognizedasHughieDrummond's；whileJoanidentifiedathirty-twoIvorandJohnsonasalossreportedbyMatapuuthefirstweekhelandedatBerande。TheabsenceofanycartridgesmadeSheldonpersistinthediggingupofthefloor，andafifty-poundflourtinwashisreward。WithgloweringeyesGogoomylookedonwhileSheldontookfromthetinahundredroundseachforthetwoWinchestersandfullyasmanyroundsmoreofnondescriptcartridgesofallsortsandmakesandcalibres。
　　Thecontrabandandstolenpropertywaspiledinassortedheapsonthebackverandaofthebungalow。Afewpacesfromthebottomofthestepsweregroupedtheforty-oddculprits，withbehindthem，insolidarray，theseveralhundredblacksoftheplantation。AttheheadofthestepsJoanandSheldonwereseated，whileonthestepsstoodthegang-bosses。Onebyonetheculpritswerecalledupandexamined。Nothingdefinitecouldbeextractedfromthem。Theyliedtransparently，butpersistently，andwhencaughtinonelieexplaineditawaywithhalfadozenothers。Oneboycomplacentlyannouncedthathehadfoundelevensticksofdynamiteonthebeach。
　　Matapuu'srevolver，foundintheboxofoneKapu，wasexplainedawaybythatboyashavingbeengiventohimbyLervumie。
　　Lervumie，calledforthtotestify，saidhehadgotitfromNoni；
　　NonihadgotitfromSulefatoi；SulefatoifromChoka；ChokafromNgava；andNgavacompletedthecirclebystatingthatithadbeengiventohimbyKapu。Kapu，thusdoublydamned，calmlygavefulldetailsofhowithadbeengiventohimbyLervumie；andLervumie，withequalwealthofdetail，toldhowhehadreceiveditfromNoni；
　　andfromNonitoSulefatoiitwentonaroundthecircleagain。
　　Diversarticlesweretracedindubitablytothehouse-boys，eachofwhomsteadfastlyproclaimedhisowninnocenceandcastdoubtsonhisfellows。Theboywiththebilliardballsaidthathehadneverseenitinhislifebefore，andhazardedthesuggestionthatithadgotintohisboxthroughsomemysteriousandoccultlyevilagency。
　　Sofarashewasconcerneditmighthavedroppeddownfromheavenforallheknewhowitgotthere。Tothecooksandboats'-crewsofeveryvesselthathaddroppedanchoroffBerandeinthepastseveralyearswereascribedthearrivalofscoresofthestolenarticlesandofthemajorportionoftheammunition。Therewasnotracingthetruthinanyofit，thoughitwaswithoutdoubtthattheunidentifiedweaponsandunfamiliarcartridgeshadcomeashoreoffvisitingcraft。
　　"Lookatit，"SheldonsaidtoJoan。"We'vebeensleepingoveravolcano。Theyoughttobewhipped——"
　　"Nowhipme，"Gogoomycriedoutfrombelow。"Fatherbelongmebigfellachief。Mewhip，toomuchtroublealongyou，closeup，myword。"
　　"WhatnameyoufellaGogoomy!"Sheldonshouted。"Iknocksevenbellsoutofyou。Here，youKwaque，put'mironsalongthatfellaGogoomy。"
　　Kwaque，astrappinggang-boss，pluckedGogoomyfromoutofhisfollowing，and，helpedbytheothergang-bosses；twistedhisarmsbehindhimandsnappedontheheavyhandcuffs。
　　"Mefinishalongyou，closeup，youdiealtogether，"Gogoomy，withwrath-distortedface，threatenedtheboss-boy。
　　"Please，nowhipping，"Joansaidinalowvoice。"IfwhippingIS
　　necessary，sendthemtoTulagiandlettheGovernmentdoit。Givethemtheirchoicebetweenafineoranofficialwhipping。"
　　Sheldonnoddedandstoodup，facingtheblacks。
　　"Manonmie!"hecalled。
　　Manonmiestoodforthandwaited。
　　"Youfellaboybadfellatoomuch，"Sheldoncharged。"Yousteal'mplenty。Yousteal'monefellatowel，onefellacane-knife，two-
　　tenfellacartridge。Myword，plentybadfellasteal'myou。Mecrossalongyoutoomuch。S'poseyoulike'm，metake'monefellapoundalongyouinbigbook。S'poseyounolike'mmetake'monefellapound，thenmesendyoufellaalongTulagicatch'monestrongfellagovernmentwhipping。PlentyNewGeorgiaboys，plentyYsabelboysstopalongjailalongTulagi。ThemfellanolikeMalaitaboyslittlebit。Myword，theygive'myoustrongfellawhipping。Whatyousay？"
　　"Youtake'monefellapoundalongme，"wastheanswer。
　　AndManonmie，patentlyrelieved，steppedback，whileSheldonenteredthefineintheplantationlabourjournal。
　　Boyafterboy，hecalledtheoffendersoutandgavethemtheirchoice；and，boybyboy，eachoneelectedtopaythefineimposed。
　　Somefineswereaslowasseveralshillings；whileinthemoreseriouscases，suchastheftsofgunsandammunition，thefineswerecorrespondinglyheavy。
　　Gogoomyandhisfivetribesmenwerefinedthreepoundseach，andatGogoomy'sgutturalcommandtheyrefusedtopay。
　　"S'poseyougoalongTulagi，"Sheldonwarnedhim，"youcatch'mstrongfellawhippingandyoustopalongjailthreefellayear。
　　Mr。Burnett，helook'malongWinchester，look'malongcartridge，look'malongrevolver，look'malongblackpowder，look'malongdynamite——myword，hecrosstoomuch，hegiveyouthreefellayearalongjail。S'poseyounolike'mpaythreefellapoundyoustopalongjail。Savvee？"
　　Gogoomywavered。
　　"It'strue——that'swhatBurnettwouldgivethem，"SheldonsaidinanasidetoJoan。
　　"Youtake'mthreefellapoundalongme，"Gogoomymuttered，atthesametimescowlinghishatredatSheldon，andtransferringhalfthescowltoJoanandKwaque。"Mefinishalongyou，youcatch'mbigfellatrouble，myword。FatherbelongmebigfellachiefalongPortAdams。"
　　"Thatwilldo，"Sheldonwarnedhim。"Youshutmouthbelongyou。"
　　"Menofright，"thesonofachiefretorted，byhisinsolenceincreasinghisstatureintheeyesofhisfellows。
　　"Lockhimupforto-night，"SheldonsaidtoKwaque。"Sunhecomeupput'mthatfellaandfivefellabelonghimalonggrass-cutting。
　　Savvee？"
　　Kwaquegrinned。
　　"Mesavvee，"hesaid。"Cut'mgrass，ngari-ngari{4}stop'malonggrass。Myword!"
　　"TherewillbetroublewithGogoomyyet，"SheldonsaidtoJoan，astheboss-boysmarshalledtheirgangsandledthemawaytotheirwork。"Keepaneyeonhim。Becarefulwhenyouareridingaloneontheplantation。ThelossofthoseWinchestersandallthatammunitionhashithimharderthanyourcuffingdid。Heisdead-
　　ripeformischief。"
　　CHAPTERXXII——GOGOOMYFINISHESALONGKWAQUEALTOGETHER
　　"IwonderwhathasbecomeofTudor。It'stwomonthssincehedisappearedintothebush，andnotawordofhimafterheleftBinu。"
　　JoanLacklandwassittingastrideherhorsebythebankoftheBalesunawherethesweetcornhadbeenplanted，andSheldon，whohadcomeacrossfromthehouseonfoot，wasleaningagainstherhorse'sshoulder。
　　"Yes，itisalongtimefornonewstohavetrickleddown，"heanswered，watchingherkeenlyfromunderhishat-brimandwonderingastothemeasureofheranxietyfortheadventurousgold-hunter；
　　"butTudorwillcomeoutallright。HedidathingatthestartthatIwouldn'thavegivenhimoranyothermancreditfor——
　　persuadedBinuCharleytogoalongwithhim。I'llwagernootherBinuniggerhasevergonesofarintothebushunlesstobekai-
　　kai'd。AsforTudor——"
　　"Look!look!"Joancriedinalowvoice，pointingacrossthenarrowstreamtoaslackeddywhereahugecrocodiledriftedlikealogawash。"My!IwishIhadmyrifle。"
　　Thecrocodile，leavingscarcelyaripplebehind，sankdownanddisappeared。
　　"ABinumanwasinearlythismorning——formedicine，"Sheldonremarked。"Itmayhavebeenthatverybrutethatwasresponsible。
　　AdozenoftheBinuwomenwereout，andtheforemostonesteppedrightonabigcrocodile。Itwasbytheedgeofthewater，andhetumbledheroverandgotherbytheleg。Alltheotherwomengotholdofherandpulled。Andinthetugofwarshelostherleg，belowtheknee，hesaid。Igavehimastockofantiseptics。
　　She'llpullthrough，Ifancy。"
　　"Ugh——thefilthybeasts，"Joangulpedshudderingly。"Ihatethem!
　　Ihatethem!"
　　"Andyetyougodivingamongsharks，"Sheldonchided。
　　"They'reonlyfish-sharks。Andaslongasthereareplentyoffishthereisnodanger。Itisonlywhenthey'refamishedthatthey'reliabletotakeabite。"
　　Sheldonshudderedinwardlyattheswiftvisionthataroseofthedaintyfleshofherinashark'smany-toothedmaw。
　　"Iwishyouwouldn't，justthesame，"hesaidslowly。"Youacknowledgethereisarisk。"
　　"Butthat'shalfthefunofit，"shecried。
　　Atriteplatitudeabouthisnotcaringtoloseherwasonhislips，butherefrainedfromutteringit。Anotherconclusionhehadarrivedatwasthatshewasnottobenagged。Continual，orevenoccasional，remindersofhisfeelingforherwouldconstituteatacticalerrorofnomeandimensions。
　　"Someforthebookofverse，someforthesimplelife，andsomefortheshark'sbelly，"helaughedgrimly，thenadded:"Justthesame，IwishIcouldswimaswellasyou。Maybeitwouldbegetconfidencesuchasyouhave。"
　　"Doyouknow，Ithinkitwouldbenicetobemarriedtoamansuchasyouseemtobebecoming，"sheremarked，withoneofherabruptchangesthatalwaysastoundedhim。"Ishouldthinkyoucouldbetrainedintoaverygoodhusband——youknow，notoneofthedomineeringkind，butonewhoconsideredhiswifewasjustasmuchanindividualashimselfandjustasmuchafreeagent。Really，youknow，Ithinkyouareimproving。"
　　Shelaughedandrodeaway，leavinghimgreatlycastdown。Ifhehadthoughttherehadbeenonebitofcoynessinherwords，onefeminineflutter，onewomanlyattemptatdeliberatelureandencouragement，hewouldhavebeenelated。Butheknewabsolutelythatitwastheboy，andnotthewoman，whohadsodaringlyspoken。
　　Joanrodeonamongtheavenuesofyoungcocoanut-palms，sawahornbill，followeditinitserraticflightstothehighforestontheedgeoftheplantation，heardthecooingofwildpigeonsandlocatedtheminthedeeperwoods，followedthefreshtrailofawildpigforadistance，circledback，andtookthenarrowpathforthebungalowthatranthroughtwentyacresofunclearedcane。Thegrasswaswaist-highandhigher，andassherodealongsherememberedthatGogoomywasoneofagangofboysthathadbeendetailedtothegrass-cutting。Shecametowheretheyhadbeenatwork，butsawnosignsofthem。Herunshodhorsemadenosoundonthesoft，sandyfooting，andalittlefurtheronsheheardvoicesproceedingfromoutofthegrass。Shereinedinandlistened。ItwasGogoomytalking，andasshelistenedshegrippedherbridle-
　　reintightlyandawaveofangerpassedoverher。
　　"Doghestop'malonghouse，night-timehewalkabout，"Gogoomywassaying，perforceinbeche-de-merEnglish，becausehewastalkingtoothersbesidehisowntribesmen。"Youfellaboycatch'monefellapig，put'mkai-kaibelonghimalongbigfellafish-hook。S'posedoghewalkaboutcatch'mkai-kai，youfellaboycatch'mdogalleesameoneshark。Doghefinishcloseup。Bigfellamarstersleepalongbigfellahouse。WhiteMarysleepalongpickaninnyhouse。OnefellaAdamuhestopalongoutsidepickaninnyhouse。
　　Youfellaboyfinish'mdog，finish'mAdamu，finish'mbigfellamarster，finish'mWhiteMary，finish'emaltogether。Plentymuskethestop，plentypowder，plentytomahawk，plentyknife-fee，plentyporpoiseteeth，plentytobacco，plentycalico——myword，toomuchplentyeverythingwetake'malongwhale-boat，washee{5}likehell，sunhecomeupwelongwaytoomuch。"
　　"Mecatch'mpigsunhegodown，"spokeuponewhosethinfalsettovoiceJoanrecognizedasbelongingtoCosse，oneofGogoomy'stribesmen。
　　"Mecatch'mdog，"saidanother。
　　"Andmecatch'mwhitefellaMary，"Gogoomycriedtriumphantly。
　　"Mecatch'mKwaquehediealonghimdamnquick。"
　　ThismuchJoanheardoftheplantomurder，andthenherrisingwrathprovedtoomuchforherdiscretion。Shespurredherhorseintothegrass，crying，-
　　"Whatnameyoufellaboy，eh？Whatname？"
　　Theyarose，scramblingandscattering，andtohersurpriseshesawtherewereadozenofthem。Asshelookedintheirgloweringfacesandnotedtheheavy，two-foot，hackingcane-knivesintheirhands，shebecamesuddenlyawareoftherashnessofheract。Ifonlyshehadhadherrevolverorarifle，allwouldhavebeenwell。Butshehadcarelesslyventuredoutunarmed，andshefollowedtheglanceofGogoomytoherwaistandsawthepleasedflashinhiseyesasheperceivedtheabsenceofthedreadfulman-killingrevolver。
　　ThefirstarticleintheSolomonIslandscodeforwhitemenwasnevertoshowfearbeforeanative，andJoantriedtocarryoffthesituationincavalierfashion。
　　"Toomuchtalkalongyoufellaboy，"shesaidseverely。"Toomuchtalk，toolittlework。Savvee？"
　　Gogoomymadenoreply，but，apparentlyshiftingweight，heslidonefootforward。Theotherboys，spreadfan-wiseabouther，werealsoslidingforward，thecruelcane-knivesintheirhandsadvertisingtheirintention。
　　"Youcut'mgrass!"shecommandedimperatively。
　　ButGogoomyslidhisotherfootforward。Shemeasuredthedistancewithhereye。Itwouldbeimpossibletowhirlherhorsearoundandgetaway。Shewouldbechoppeddownfrombehind。
　　Andinthattensemomentthefacesofallofthemwereimprintedonhermindinanunforgettablepicture——oneofthem，anoldman，withtornanddistendedear-lobesthatfelltohischest；another，withthebroadflattenednoseofAfrica，andwithwitheredeyessoburiedunderfrowningbrowsthatnothingbutthesickly，yellowish-
　　lookingwhitescouldbeseen；athird，thick-lippedandbeardedwithkinkywhiskers；andGogoomy——shehadneverrealizedbeforehowhandsomeGogoomywasinhismutinousandobstinatewild-animalway。
　　Therewasaprimitivearistocraticnessabouthimthathisfellowslacked。Thelinesofhisfigureweremoreroundedthantheirs，theskinsmooth，welloiled，andfreefromdisease。Onhischest，suspendedfromasinglestringofporpoise-teetharoundhisthroat，hungabigcrescentcarvedoutofopalescentpearl-shell。Arowofpurewhitecowrieshellsbandedhisbrow。Fromhishairdroopedalong，lonefeather。Abovetheswellingcalfofoneleghewore，asagarter，asinglestringofwhitebeads。Theeffectwasdandyishintheextreme。Anarrowgee-stringcompletedhiscostume。
　　Anothermanshesaw，oldandshrivelled，withpuckeredforeheadandapuckeredfacethattrembledandworkedwithanimalpassionasinthepastshehadnoticedthefacesofmonkeystrembleandwork。
　　"Gogoomy，"shesaidsharply，"younocut'mgrass，myword，Ibang'mheadbelongyou。"
　　Hisexpressionbecameatriflemoredisdainful，buthedidnotanswer。Instead，hestoleaglancetorightandlefttomarkhowhisfellowswereclosingabouther。Atthesamemomenthecasuallyslippedhisfootforwardthroughthegrassforamatterofseveralinches。
　　Joanwaskeenlyawareofthedesperatenessofthesituation。Theonlywayoutwasthrough。Sheliftedherriding-whipthreateningly，andatthesamemomentdroveinbothspurswithherheels，rushingthestartledhorsestraightatGogoomy。Itallhappenedinaninstant。Everycane-knifewaslifted，andeveryboysaveGogoomyleapedforher。Heswervedasidetoavoidthehorse，atthesametimeswinginghiscane-knifeinaslicingblowthatwouldhavecutherintwain。Sheleanedforwardundertheflyingsteel，whichcutthroughherriding-skirt，throughtheedgeofthesaddle，throughthesaddlecloth，andevenslightlyintothehorseitself。Herrighthand，stillraised，camedown，thethinwhipwhishingthroughtheair。Shesawthewhite，cookedmarkofthewealclearacrossthesullen，handsomeface，andstillwhatwaspracticallyinthesameinstantshesawthemanwiththepuckeredface，overridden，godownbeforeher，andsheheardhissnarlingandgrimacingchatter-foralltheworldlikeanangrymonkey。Thenshewasfreeandaway，headingthehorseattopspeedforthehouse。
　　Outofhersea-trainingshewasabletoappreciateSheldon'sexecutivenesswhensheburstinonhimwithhernews。Springingfromthesteamer-chairinwhichhehadbeenloungingwhilewaitingforbreakfast，heclappedhishandsforthehouse-boys；and，whilelisteningtoher，hewasbucklingonhiscartridge-beltandrunningthemechanismofhisautomaticpistol。
　　"Ornfiri，"hesnappedouthisorders，"youfellaringbigfellabellstrongfellaplenty。Youfinish'mbell，youput'msaddleonhorse。Viaburi，yougoquickhousebelongSeeleehestop，tell'mplentyblackfellarunaway——tenfellatwofellablackfellaboy。"
　　HescribbledanoteandhandedittoLalaperu。"Lalaperu，yougoquickhousebelongwhitefellaMarsterBoucher。"
　　"Thatwillheadthembackfromthecoastonbothsides，"heexplainedtoJoan。"AndoldSeeleewillturnhiswholevillagelooseontheirtrackaswell。"
　　Inresponsetothesummonsofthebigbell，Joan'sTahitianswerethefirsttoarrive，bytheirglisteningbodiesandpantingchestsshowingthattheyhadrunalltheway。Someofthefarthest-placedgangswouldbenearlyanhourinarriving。
　　SheldonproceededtoarmJoan'ssailorsanddealoutammunitionandhandcuffs。AdamuAdam，withloadedrifle，heplacedonguardoverthewhale-boats。NoaNoah，aidedbyMatapuu，wereinstructedtotakechargeoftheworking-gangsasfastastheycamein，tokeepthemamused，andtoguardagainsttheirbeingstampededintomakingabreakthemselves。ThefiveotherTahitiansweretofollowJoanandSheldononfoot。
　　"I'mgladweunearthedthatarsenaltheotherday，"Sheldonremarkedastheyrodeoutofthecompoundgate。
　　Ahundredyardsawaytheyencounteredoneoftheclearinggangscomingin。ItwasKwaque'sgang，butSheldonlookedinvainforhim。
　　"WhatnamethatfellaKwaquehenostopalongyou？"hedemanded。
　　Ababelofexcitedvoicesattemptedananswer。
　　"Shut'mmouthbelongyoualtogether，"Sheldoncommanded。
　　Hespokeroughly，livinguptotheroleofthewhitemanwhomustalwaysbestronganddominant。
　　"Here，youfellaBabatani，youtalk'mmouthbelongyou。"
　　Babatanisteppedforwardinalltheprideofonesingledoutfromamonghisfellows。
　　"GogoomyhefinishalongKwaquealtogether，"wasBabatani'sexplanation。"Hetake'mheadb'longhimrunlikehell。"
　　Inbriefwords，andwithpaucityofimagination，hedescribedthemurder，andSheldonandJoanrodeon。Inthegrass，whereJoanhadbeenattacked，theyfoundthelittleshrivelledman，stillchatteringandgrimacing，whomJoanhadriddendown。Themarehadplungedonhisankle，completelycrushingit，andahundredyards'
　　crawlhadconvincedhimofthefutilityofescape。Tothelastclearing-gang，fromthefarthestedgeoftheplantation，wasgiventhetaskofcarryinghimintothehouse。
　　Amilefartheron，wheretherunaways'trailledstraighttowardthebush，theyencounteredthebodyofKwaque。Theheadhadbeenhackedoffandwasmissing，andSheldontookitonfaiththatthebodywasKwaque's。Hehadevidentlyputupafight，forabloodytrailledawayfromthebody。
　　Oncetheywerewellintothethickbushthehorseshadtobeabandoned。Papeharawasleftinchargeofthem，whileJoanandSheldonandtheremainingTahitianspushedaheadonfoot。Thewayleddownthroughaswampyhollow，whichwasoverflowedbytheBerandeRiveronoccasion，andwheretheredtrailofthemurdererswascrossedbyacrocodile'strail。Theyhadapparentlycaughtthecreatureasleepinthesunanddesistedlongenoughfromtheirflighttohackhimtopieces。Herethewoundedmanhadsatdownandwaiteduntiltheywerereadytogoon。
　　Anhourlater，followingalongawild-pigtrail，Sheldonsuddenlyhalted。Thebloodytrackshadceased。TheTahitianscastoutinthebushoneitherside，andacryfromUtamiapprisedthemofafind。JoanwaitedtillSheldoncameback。
　　"It'sMauko，"hesaid。"Kwaquedidforhim，andhecrawledinthereanddied。That'stwoaccountedfor。Therearetenmore。
　　Don'tyouthinkyou'vegotenoughofit？"
　　Shenodded。
　　"Itisn'tnice，"shesaid。"I'llgobackandwaitforyouwiththehorses。"
　　"Butyoucan'tgoalone。Taketwoofthemen。"
　　"ThenI'llgoon，"shesaid。"Itwouldbefoolishtoweakenthepursuit，andIamcertainlynottired。"
　　ThetrailbenttotherightasthoughtherunawayshadchangedtheirmindandheadedfortheBalesuna。Butthetrailstillcontinuedtobendtotherighttillitpromisedtomakealoop，andthepointofintersectionseemedtobetheedgeoftheplantationwherethehorseshadbeenleft。Crossingoneofthequietjunglespaces，wherenaughtmovedbutavelvety，twelve-inchbutterfly，theyheardthesoundofshots。
　　"Eight，"Joancounted。"Itwasonlyonegun。ItmustbePapehara。"
　　Theyhurriedon，butwhentheyreachedthespottheywereindoubt。
　　Thetwohorsesstoodquietlytethered，andPapehara，squattedonhishams，washavingapeacefulsmoke。Advancingtowardhim，Sheldontrippedonabodythatlayinthegrass，andashesavedhimselffromfallinghiseyeslightedonasecond。Joanrecognizedthisone。ItwasCosse，oneofGogoomy'stribesmen，theonewhohadpromisedtocatchatsunsetthepigthatwastohavebaitedthehookforSatan。
　　"Noluck，Missie，"wasPapehara'sgreeting，accompaniedbyadisconsolateshakeofthehead。"Catchonlytwoboy。IhavegoodshotatGogoomy，onlyImiss。"
　　"Butyoukilledthem，"Joanchided。"Youmustcatchthemalive。"
　　TheTahitiansmiled。
　　"How？"hequeried。"Iamhaveasmoke。IthinkaboutTahiti，andbreadfruit，andjollygoodtimeatBoraBora。Quick，justlikethat，tenboyherunoutofbushforme。Eachboyhavelongknife。
　　Gogoomyhavelongknifeonehand，andKwaque'sheadinotherhand。
　　Inostoptocatch'malive。Ishootlikehell。Howyoucatch'malive，tenboy，tenlongknife，andKwaque'shead？"
　　Thescatteredpathsofthedifferentboys，wheretheybrokebackafterthedisastrousattempttorushtheTahitian，soonledtogether。TheytracedittotheBerande，whichtherunawayshadcrossedwiththeclearintentionofburyingthemselvesinthehugemangroveswampthatlaybeyond。
　　"Thereisnouseourgoinganyfarther，"Sheldonsaid。"Seeleewillturnouthisvillageandhuntthemoutofthat。They'llnevergetpasthim。Allwecandoistoguardthecoastandkeepthemfrombreakingbackontheplantationandrunningamuck。Ah，I
　　thoughtso。"
　　Againstthejunglegloomofthefarthershore，comingfromdownstream，asmallcanoeglided。Sosilentlydiditmovethatitwasmorelikeanapparition。Threenakedblacksdippedwithnoiselesspaddles。Long-hafted，slender，bone-barbedthrowing-spearslayalongthegunwaleofthecanoe，whileaquiverfulofarrowshungoneachman'sback。Theeyesoftheman-huntersmissednothing。TheyhadseenSheldonandJoanfirst，buttheygavenosign。WhereGogoomyandhisfollowershademergedfromtheriver，thecanoeabruptlystopped，thenturnedanddisappearedintothedeepermangrovegloom。Asecondandathirdcanoecamearoundthebendfrombelow，glidedghostliketothecrossingoftherunaways，andvanishedinthemangroves。
　　"Ihopetherewon'tbeanymorekilling，"Joansaid，astheyturnedtheirhorseshomeward。
　　"Idon'tthinkso，"Sheldonassuredher。"MyunderstandingwitholdSeeleeisthatheispaidonlyforliveboys；soheisverycareful。"