AhChodidnotunderstandFrench。Hesatinthecrowdedcourtroom，verywearyandbored，listeningtotheunceasing，explosiveFrenchthatnowoneofficialandnowanotheruttered。ItwasjustsomuchgabbletoAhCho，andhemarvelledatthestupidityoftheFrenchmenwhotooksolongtofindoutthemurdererofChungGa，andwhodidnotfindhimatall。ThefivehundredcooliesontheplantationknewthatAhSanhaddonethekilling，andherewasAhSannotevenarrested。Itwastruethatallthecoolieshadagreedsecretlynottotestifyagainstoneanother；butthen，itwassosimple，theFrenchmenshouldhavebeenabletodiscoverthatAhSanwastheman。Theywereverystupid，theseFrenchmen。
AhChohaddonenothingofwhichtobeafraid。Hehadhadnohandinthekilling。Itwastruehehadbeenpresentatit，andSchemmer，theoverseerontheplantation，hadrushedintothebarracksimmediatelyafterwardandcaughthimthere，alongwithfourorfiveothers；butwhatofthat？ChungGahadbeenstabbedonlytwice。Itstoodtoreasonthatfiveorsixmencouldnotinflicttwostabwounds。Atthemost，ifamanhadstruckbutonce，onlytwomencouldhavedoneit。
SoitwasthatAhChoreasoned，whenhe，alongwithhisfourcompanions，hadliedandblockedandobfuscatedintheirstatementstothecourtconcerningwhathadtakenplace。Theyhadheardthesoundsofthekilling，and，likeSchemmer，theyhadruntothespot。TheyhadgottherebeforeSchemmer——thatwasall。True，Schemmerhadtestifiedthat，attractedbythesoundofquarrellingashechancedtopassby，hehadstoodforatleastfiveminutesoutside；thatthen，whenheentered，hefoundtheprisonersalreadyinside；andthattheyhadnotenteredjustbefore，becausehehadbeenstandingbytheonedoortothebarracks。Butwhatofthat？AhChoandhisfourfellow-prisonershadtestifiedthatSchemmerwasmistaken。Intheendtheywouldbeletgo。Theywereallconfidentofthat。Fivemencouldnothavetheirheadscutofffortwostabwounds。
Besides，noforeigndevilhadseenthekilling。ButtheseFrenchmenweresostupid。InChina，asAhChowellknew，themagistratewouldorderallofthemtothetortureandlearnthetruth。Thetruthwasveryeasytolearnundertorture。ButtheseFrenchmendidnottorture——biggerfoolsthey!ThereforetheywouldneverfindoutwhokilledChungGa。
ButAhChodidnotunderstandeverything。TheEnglishCompanythatownedtheplantationhadimportedintoTahiti，atgreatexpense，thefivehundredcoolies。Thestockholderswereclamouringfordividends，andtheCompanyhadnotyetpaidany；whereforetheCompanydidnotwantitscostlycontractlabourerstostartthepracticeofkillingoneanother。Also，thereweretheFrench，eagerandwillingtoimposeupontheChinagosthevirtuesandexcellencesofFrenchlaw。Therewasnothinglikesettinganexampleonceinawhile；and，besides，ofwhatusewasNewCaledoniaexcepttosendmentoliveouttheirdaysinmiseryandpaininpaymentofthepenaltyforbeingfrailandhuman？
AhChodidnotunderstandallthis。Hesatinthecourtroomandwaitedforthebaffledjudgmentthatwouldsethimandhiscomradesfreetogobacktotheplantationandworkoutthetermsoftheircontracts。Thisjudgmentwouldsoonberendered。Proceedingsweredrawingtoaclose。Hecouldseethat。Therewasnomoretestifying，nomoregabbleoftongues。
TheFrenchdevilsweretired，too，andevidentlywaitingforthejudgment。
AndashewaitedherememberedbackinhislifetothetimewhenhehadsignedthecontractandsetsailintheshipforTahiti。Timeshadbeenhardinhissea-coastvillage，andwhenheindenturedhimselftolabourforfiveyearsintheSouthSeasatfiftycentsMexicanaday，hehadthoughthimselffortunate。ThereweremeninhisvillagewhotoiledawholeyearfortendollarsMexican，andtherewerewomenwhomadenetsalltheyearroundforfivedollars，whileinthehousesofshopkeepersthereweremaidservantswhoreceivedfourdollarsforayearofservice。Andherehewastoreceivefiftycentsaday；foroneday，onlyoneday，hewastoreceivethatprincelysum!Whatiftheworkwerehard？Attheendofthefiveyearshewouldreturnhome——thatwasinthecontract——andhewouldneverhavetoworkagain。Hewouldbearichmanforlife，withahouseofhisown，awife，andchildrengrowinguptoveneratehim。Yes，andbackofthehousehewouldhaveasmallgarden，aplaceofmeditationandrepose，withgoldfishinatinylakelet，andwindbellstinklingintheseveraltrees，andtherewouldbeahighwallallaroundsothathismeditationandreposeshouldbeundisturbed。
Well，hehadworkedoutthreeofthosefiveyears。Hewasalreadyawealthymaninhisowncountrythroughhisearnings，andonlytwoyearsmoreintervenedbetweenthecottonplantationonTahitiandthemeditationandreposethatawaitedhim。ButjustnowhewaslosingmoneybecauseoftheunfortunateaccidentofbeingpresentatthekillingofChungGa。Hehadlainthreeweeksinprison，andforeachdayofthosethreeweekshehadlostfiftycents。Butnowjudgmentwouldsoonbegiven，andhewouldgobacktowork。
AhChowastwenty-twoyearsold。Hewashappyandgood-natured，anditwaseasyforhimtosmile。WhilehisbodywasslimintheAsiaticway，hisfacewasrotund。Itwasround，likethemoon，anditirradiatedagentlecomplacenceandasweetkindlinessofspiritthatwasunusualamonghiscountrymen。Nordidhislooksbeliehim。Henevercausedtrouble，nevertookpartinwrangling。Hedidnotgamble。Hissoulwasnotharshenoughforthesoulthatmustbelongtoagambler。Hewascontentwithlittlethingsandsimplepleasures。Thehushandquietinthecoolofthedayaftertheblazingtoilinthecottonfieldwastohimaninfinitesatisfaction。Hecouldsitforhoursgazingatasolitaryflowerandphilosophizingaboutthemysteriesandriddlesofbeing。Ablueherononatinycrescentofsandybeach，asilverysplatterofflyingfish，orasunsetofpearlandroseacrossthelagoon，couldentrancehimtoallforgetfulnessoftheprocessionofwearisomedaysandoftheheavylashofSchemmer。
Schemmer，KarlSchemmer，wasabrute，abrutishbrute。Butheearnedhissalary。Hegotthelastparticleofstrengthoutofthefivehundredslaves；forslavestheywereuntiltheirtermofyearswasup。Schemmerworkedhardtoextractthestrengthfromthosefivehundredsweatingbodiesandtotransmuteitintobalesoffluffycottonreadyforexport。Hisdominant，iron-clad，primevalbrutishnesswaswhatenabledhimtoeffectthetransmutation。Also，hewasassistedbyathickleatherbelt，threeincheswideandayardinlength，withwhichhealwaysrodeandwhich，onoccasion，couldcomedownonthenakedbackofastoopingcooliewithareportlikeapistol-shot。ThesereportswerefrequentwhenSchemmerrodedownthefurrowedfield。
Once，atthebeginningofthefirstyearofcontractlabour，hehadkilledacooliewithasingleblowofhisfist。Hehadnotexactlycrushedtheman'sheadlikeanegg-shell，buttheblowhadbeensufficienttoaddlewhatwasinside，and，afterbeingsickforaweek，themanhaddied。ButtheChinesehadnotcomplainedtotheFrenchdevilsthatruledoverTahiti。
Itwastheirownlookout。Schemmerwastheirproblem。Theymustavoidhiswrathastheyavoidedthevenomofthecentipedesthatlurkedinthegrassorcreptintothesleepingquartersonrainynights。TheChinagos——
suchtheywerecalledbytheindolent，brown-skinnedislandfolk——sawtoitthattheydidnotdispleaseSchemmertoogreatly。Thiswasequivalenttorenderinguptohimafullmeasureofefficienttoil。ThatblowofSchemmer'sfisthadbeenworththousandsofdollarstotheCompany，andnotroubleevercameofittoSchemmer。
TheFrench，withnoinstinctforcolonization，futileintheirchildishplaygameofdevelopingtheresourcesoftheisland，wereonlytoogladtoseetheEnglishCompanysucceed。WhatmatterofSchemmerandhisredoubtablefist？TheChinagothatdied？Well，hewasonlyaChinago。
Besides，hediedofsunstroke，asthedoctor'scertificateattested。True，inallthehistoryofTahitinoonehadeverdiedofsunstroke。Butitwasthat，preciselythat，whichmadethedeathofthisChinagounique。Thedoctorsaidasmuchinhisreport。Hewasverycandid。Dividendsmustbepaid，orelseonemorefailurewouldbeaddedtothelonghistoryoffailureinTahiti。
Therewasnounderstandingthesewhitedevils。AhChoponderedtheirinscrutablenessashesatinthecourtroomwaitingthejudgment。Therewasnotellingwhatwentonatthebackoftheirminds。Hehadseenafewofthewhitedevils。Theywereallalike——theofficersandsailorsontheship，theFrenchofficials，theseveralwhitemenontheplantation，includingSchemmer。Theirmindsallmovedinmysteriouswaystherewasnogettingat。Theygrewangrywithoutapparentcause，andtheirangerwasalwaysdangerous。Theywerelikewildbeastsatsuchtimes。Theyworriedaboutlittlethings，andonoccasioncouldout-toilevenaChinago。TheywerenottemperateasChinagosweretemperate；theyweregluttons，eatingprodigiouslyanddrinkingmoreprodigiously。AChinagoneverknewwhenanactwouldpleasethemorarouseastormofwrath。AChinagocouldnevertell。Whatpleasedonetime，theverynexttimemightprovokeanoutburstofanger。TherewasacurtainbehindtheeyesofthewhitedevilsthatscreenedthebacksoftheirmindsfromtheChinago'sgaze。Andthen，ontopofitall，wasthatterribleefficiencyofthewhitedevils，thatabilitytodothings，tomakethingsgo，toworkresults，tobendtotheirwillsallcreeping，crawlingthings，andthepowersoftheveryelementsthemselves。Yes，thewhitemenwerestrangeandwonderful，andtheyweredevils。LookatSchemmer。
AhChowonderedwhythejudgmentwassolonginforming。NotamanontrialhadlaidhandonChungGa。AhSanalonehadkilledhim。AhSanhaddoneit，bendingChungGa'sheadbackwithonehandbyagripofhisqueue，andwiththeotherhand，frombehind，reachingoveranddrivingtheknifeintohisbody。Twicehadhedrivenitin。Thereinthecourtroom，withclosedeyes，AhChosawthekillingactedoveragain——thesquabble，thevilewordsbandiedbackandforth，thefilthandinsultflunguponvenerableancestors，thecurseslaiduponunbegottengenerations，theleapofAhSan，thegriponthequeueofChungGa，theknifethatsanktwiceintohisflesh，theburstingopenofthedoor，theirruptionofSchemmer，thedashforthedoor，theescapeofAhSan，theflyingbeltofSchemmerthatdrovetherestintothecorner，andthefiringoftherevolverasasignalthatbroughthelptoSchemmer。AhChoshiveredasheliveditover。
Oneblowofthebelthadbruisedhischeek，takingoffsomeoftheskin。
Schemmerhadpointedtothebruiseswhen，onthewitness-stand，hehadidentifiedAhCho。Itwasonlyjustnowthatthemarkshadbecomenolongervisible。Thathadbeenablow。Halfaninchnearerthecentreanditwouldhavetakenouthiseye。ThenAhChoforgotthewholehappeninginavisionhecaughtofthegardenofmeditationandreposethatwouldbehiswhenhereturnedtohisownland。
Hesatwithimpassiveface，whilethemagistraterenderedthejudgment。
Likewisewerethefacesofhisfourcompanionsimpassive。AndtheyremainedimpassivewhentheinterpreterexplainedthatthefiveofthemhadbeenfoundguiltyofthemurderofChungGa，andthatAhChowshouldhavehisheadcutoff，AhChoservetwentyyearsinprisoninNewCaledonia，WongLitwelveyears，andAhTongtenyears。Therewasnouseingettingexcitedaboutit。EvenAhChowremainedexpressionlessasamummy，thoughitwashisheadthatwastobecutoff。Themagistrateaddedafewwords，andtheinterpreterexplainedthatAhChow'sfacehavingbeenmostseverelybruisedbySchemmer'sstraphadmadehisidentificationsopositivethat，sinceonemanmustdie，hemightaswellbethatman。Also，thefactthatAhCho'sfacelikewisehadbeenseverelybruised，conclusivelyprovinghispresenceatthemurderandhisundoubtedparticipation，hadmeritedhimthetwentyyearsofpenalservitude。AnddowntothetenyearsofAhTong，theproportionedreasonforeachsentencewasexplained。LettheChinagostakethelessontoheart，theCourtsaidfinally，fortheymustlearnthatthelawwouldbefulfilledinTahitithoughtheheavensfell。
ThefiveChinagosweretakenbacktojail。Theywerenotshockednorgrieved。Thesentencesbeingunexpectedwasquitewhattheywereaccustomedtointheirdealingswiththewhitedevils。FromthemaChinagorarelyexpectedmorethantheunexpected。Theheavypunishmentforacrimetheyhadnotcommittedwasnostrangerthanthecountlessstrangethingsthatwhitedevilsdid。Intheweeksthatfollowed，AhChooftencontemplatedAhChowwithmildcuriosity。
Hisheadwastobecutoffbytheguillotinethatwasbeingerectedontheplantation。Forhimtherewouldbenodecliningyears，nogardensoftranquillity。AhChophilosophizedandspeculatedaboutlifeanddeath。Asforhimself，hewasnotperturbed。Twentyyearsweremerelytwentyyears。Bythatmuchwashisgardenremovedfromhim——thatwasall。Hewasyoung，andthepatienceofAsiawasinhisbones。Hecouldwaitthosetwentyyears，andbythattimetheheatsofhisbloodwouldbeassuagedandhewouldbebetterfittedforthatgardenofcalmdelight。Hethoughtofanameforit；hewouldcallitTheGardenoftheMorningCalm。Hewasmadehappyalldaybythethought，andhewasinspiredtodeviseamoralmaximonthevirtueofpatience，whichmaximprovedagreatcomfort，especiallytoWongLiandAhTong。AhChow，however，didnotcareforthemaxim。Hisheadwastobeseparatedfromhisbodyinsoshortatimethathehadnoneedforpatiencetowaitforthatevent。Hesmokedwell，atewell，sleptwell，anddidnotworryabouttheslowpassageoftime。
Cruchotwasagendarme。Hehadseentwentyyearsofserviceinthecolonies，fromNigeriaandSenegaltotheSouthSeas，andthosetwentyyearshadnotperceptiblybrightenedhisdullmind。Hewasasslow-wittedandstupidasinhispeasantdaysinthesouthofFrance。Heknewdisciplineandfearofauthority，andfromGoddowntothesergeantofgendarmestheonlydifferencetohimwasthemeasureofslavishobediencewhichherendered。Inpointoffact，thesergeantbulkedbiggerinhismindthanGod，exceptonSundayswhenGod'smouthpieceshadtheirsay。Godwasusuallyveryremote，whilethesergeantwasordinarilyverycloseathand。
CruchotitwaswhoreceivedtheorderfromtheChiefJusticetothejailercommandingthatfunctionarytodeliverovertoCruchotthepersonofAhChow。Now，ithappenedthattheChiefJusticehadgivenadinnerthenightbeforetothecaptainandofficersoftheFrenchman-of-war。Hishandwasshakingwhenhewroteouttheorder，andhiseyeswereachingsodreadfullythathedidnotreadovertheorder。ItwasonlyaChinago'slifehewassigningaway，anyway。SohedidnotnoticethathehadomittedthefinalletterinAhChow'sname。Theorderread"AhCho，"and，whenCruchotpresentedtheorder，thejailerturnedovertohimthepersonofAhCho。
Cruchottookthatpersonbesidehimontheseatofawagon，behindtwomules，anddroveaway。
AhChowasgladtobeoutinthesunshine。Hesatbesidethegendarmeandbeamed。HebeamedmoreardentlythaneverwhenhenotedthemulesheadedsouthtowardAtimaono。UndoubtedlySchemmerhadsentforhimtobebroughtback。Schemmerwantedhimtowork。Verywell，hewouldworkwell。
Schemmerwouldneverhavecausetocomplain。Itwasahotday。Therehadbeenastoppageofthetrades。Themulessweated，Cruchotsweated，andAhChosweated。ButitwasAhChothatboretheheatwiththeleastconcern。
Hehadtoiledthreeyearsunderthatsunontheplantation。HebeamedandbeamedwithsuchgenialgoodnaturethatevenCruchot'sheavymindwasstirredtowonderment。
"Youareveryfunny，"hesaidatlast。
AhChonoddedandbeamedmoreardently。Unlikethemagistrate，CruchotspoketohimintheKanakatongue，andthis，likeallChinagosandallforeigndevils，AhChounderstood。
"Youlaughtoomuch，"Cruchotchided。"One'sheartshouldbefulloftearsonadaylikethis。"
"Iamgladtogetoutofthejail。"
"Isthatall？"Thegendarmeshruggedhisshoulders。
"Isitnotenough？"wastheretort。
"Thenyouarenotgladtohaveyourheadcutoff？"
AhCholookedathiminabruptperplexity，andsaid——
"Why，IamgoingbacktoAtimaonotoworkontheplantationforSchemmer。
AreyounottakingmetoAtimaono？"
Cruchotstrokedhislongmoustachesreflectively。"Well，well，"hesaidfinally，withaflickofthewhipattheoffmule，"soyoudon'tknow？"
"Knowwhat？"AhChowasbeginningtofeelavaguealarm。"Won'tSchemmerletmeworkforhimanymore？"
"Notafterto-day。"Cruchotlaughedheartily。Itwasagoodjoke。"Yousee，youwon'tbeabletoworkafterto-day。Amanwithhisheadoffcan'twork，eh？"HepokedtheChinagointheribs，andchuckled。
AhChomaintainedsilencewhilethemulestrottedahotmile。Thenhespoke:"IsSchemmergoingtocutoffmyhead？"
Cruchotgrinnedashenodded。
"Itisamistake，"saidAhCho，gravely。"IamnottheChinagothatistohavehisheadcutoff。IamAhCho。ThehonourablejudgehasdeterminedthatIamtostoptwentyyearsinNewCaledonia。"
Thegendarmelaughed。Itwasagoodjoke，thisfunnyChinagotryingtocheattheguillotine。ThemulestrottedthroughacoconutgroveandforhalfamilebesidethesparklingseabeforeAhChospokeagain。
"ItellyouIamnotAhChow。Thehonourablejudgedidnotsaythatmyheadwastogooff。"
"Don'tbeafraid，"saidCruchot，withthephilanthropicintentionofmakingiteasierforhisprisoner。"Itisnotdifficulttodiethatway。"Hesnappedhisfingers。"Itisquick——likethat。Itisnotlikehangingontheendofaropeandkickingandmakingfacesforfiveminutes。Itislikekillingachickenwithahatchet。Youcutitsheadoff，thatisall。
Anditisthesamewithaman。Pouf!——itisover。Itdoesn'thurt。Youdon'teventhinkithurts。Youdon'tthink。Yourheadisgone，soyoucannotthink。Itisverygood。ThatisthewayIwanttodie——quick，ah，quick。Youareluckytodiethatway。Youmightgettheleprosyandfalltopiecesslowly，afingeratatime，andnowandagainathumb，alsothetoes。Iknewamanwhowasburnedbyhotwater。Ittookhimtwodaystodie。Youcouldhearhimyellingakilometreaway。Butyou？Ah!soeasy!
Chck!——theknifecutsyournecklikethat。Itisfinished。Theknifemayeventickle。Whocansay？Nobodywhodiedthatwayevercamebacktosay。"
Heconsideredthislastanexcruciatingjoke，andpermittedhimselftobeconvulsedwithlaughterforhalfaminute。Partofhismirthwasassumed，butheconsideredithishumanedutytocheeruptheChinago。
"ButItellyouIamAhCho，"theotherpersisted。"Idon'twantmyheadcutoff。"
Cruchotscowled。TheChinagowascarryingthefoolishnesstoofar。
"IamnotAhChow——"AhChobegan。
"Thatwilldo，"thegendarmeinterrupted。Hepuffeduphischeeksandstrovetoappearfierce。
"ItellyouIamnot——"AhChobeganagain。
"Shutup!"bawledCruchot。
Afterthattheyrodealonginsilence。ItwastwentymilesfromPapeetetoAtimaono，andoverhalfthedistancewascoveredbythetimetheChinagoagainventuredintospeech。
"Isawyouinthecourtroom，whenthehonourablejudgesoughtafterourguilt，"hebegan。"Verygood。AnddoyourememberthatAhChow，whoseheadistobecutoff——doyourememberthathe——AhChow——wasatallman？
Lookatme。"
Hestoodupsuddenly，andCruchotsawthathewasashortman。AndjustassuddenlyCruchotcaughtaglimpseofamemorypictureofAhChow，andinthatpictureAhChowwastall。TothegendarmeallChinagoslookedalike。
Onefacewaslikeanother。Butbetweentallnessandshortnesshecoulddifferentiate，andheknewthathehadthewrongmanbesidehimontheseat。Hepulledupthemulesabruptly，sothatthepoleshotaheadofthem，elevatingtheircollars。
"Yousee，itwasamistake，"saidAhCho，smilingpleasantly。
ButCruchotwasthinking。Alreadyheregrettedthathehadstoppedthewagon。HewasunawareoftheerroroftheChiefJustice，andhehadnowayofworkingitout；buthedidknowthathehadbeengiventhisChinagototaketoAtimaonoandthatitwashisdutytotakehimtoAtimaono。Whatifhewasthewrongmanandtheycuthisheadoff？ItwasonlyaChinagowhenallwassaid，andwhatwasaChinago，anyway？Besides，itmightnotbeamistake。Hedidnotknowwhatwentoninthemindsofhissuperiors。Theyknewtheirbusinessbest。Whowashetodotheirthinkingforthem？Once，inthelongago，hehadattemptedtothinkforthem，andthesergeanthadsaid:"Cruchot，youareafool？Thequickeryouknowthat，thebetteryouwillgeton。Youarenottothink；youaretoobeyandleavethinkingtoyourbetters。"Hesmartedundertherecollection。Also，ifheturnedbacktoPapeete，hewoulddelaytheexecutionatAtimaono，andifhewerewronginturningback，hewouldgetareprimandfromthesergeantwhowaswaitingfortheprisoner。And，furthermore，hewouldgetareprimandatPapeeteaswell。
Hetouchedthemuleswiththewhipanddroveon。Helookedathiswatch。
Hewouldbehalfanhourlateasitwas，andthesergeantwasboundtobeangry。Heputthemulesintoafastertrot。ThemoreAhChopersistedinexplainingthemistake，themorestubbornCruchotbecame。Theknowledgethathehadthewrongmandidnotmakehistemperbetter。Theknowledgethatitwasthroughnomistakeofhisconfirmedhiminthebeliefthatthewronghewasdoingwastheright。And，ratherthanincurthedispleasureofthesergeant，hewouldwillinglyhaveassistedadozenwrongChinagostotheirdoom。
AsforAhCho，afterthegendarmehadstruckhimovertheheadwiththebuttofthewhipandcommandedhiminaloudvoicetoshutup，thereremainednothingforhimtodobuttoshutup。Thelongridecontinuedinsilence。AhChoponderedthestrangewaysoftheforeigndevils。Therewasnoexplainingthem。Whattheyweredoingwithhimwasofapiecewitheverythingtheydid。Firsttheyfoundguiltyfiveinnocentmen，andnexttheycutofftheheadofthemanthateventhey，intheirbenightedignorance，haddeemedmeritoriousofnomorethantwentyyears'
imprisonment。Andtherewasnothinghecoulddo。Hecouldonlysitidlyandtakewhattheselordsoflifemeasuredouttohim。Once，hegotinapanic，andthesweatuponhisbodyturnedcold；buthefoughthiswayoutofit。Heendeavouredtoresignhimselftohisfatebyrememberingandrepeatingcertainpassagesfromthe"YinChihWen""TheTractoftheQuietWay"；but，instead，hekeptseeinghisdream-gardenofmeditationandrepose。Thisbotheredhim，untilheabandonedhimselftothedreamandsatinhisgardenlisteningtothetinklingofthewindbellsintheseveraltrees。Andlo!sittingthus，inthedream，hewasabletorememberandrepeatthepassagesfrom"TheTractoftheQuietWay。"
SothetimepassednicelyuntilAtimaonowasreachedandthemulestrotteduptothefootofthescaffold，intheshadeofwhichstoodtheimpatientsergeant。AhChowashurrieduptheladderofthescaffold。Beneathhimononesidehesawassembledallthecooliesoftheplantation。Schemmerhaddecidedthattheeventwouldbeagoodobject-lesson，andsohecalledinthecooliesfromthefieldsandcompelledthemtobepresent。AstheycaughtsightofAhChotheygabbledamongthemselvesinlowvoices。Theysawthemistake；buttheykeptittothemselves。Theinexplicablewhitedevilshaddoubtlesslychangedtheirminds。Insteadoftakingthelifeofoneinnocentman，theyweretakingthelifeofanotherinnocentman。AhChoworAhCho——whatdiditmatterwhich？Theycouldneverunderstandthewhitedogsanymorethancouldthewhitedogsunderstandthem。AhChowasgoingtohavehisheadcutoff，butthey，whentheirtworemainingyearsofservitudewereup，weregoingbacktoChina。
Schemmerhadmadetheguillotinehimself。Hewasahandyman，andthoughhehadneverseenaguillotine，theFrenchofficialshadexplainedtheprincipletohim。ItwasonhissuggestionthattheyhadorderedtheexecutiontotakeplaceatAtimaonoinsteadofatPapeete。Thesceneofthecrime，Schemmerhadargued，wasthebestpossibleplaceforthepunishment，and，inaddition，itwouldhaveasalutaryinfluenceuponthehalf-thousandChinagosontheplantation。Schemmerhadalsovolunteeredtoactasexecutioner，andinthatcapacityhewasnowonthescaffold，experimentingwiththeinstrumenthehadmade。Abananatree，ofthesizeandconsistencyofaman'sneck，layundertheguillotine。AhChowatchedwithfascinatedeyes。TheGerman，turningasmallcrank，hoistedthebladetothetopofthelittlederrickhehadrigged。Ajerkonastoutpieceofcordloosedthebladeanditdroppedwithaflash，neatlyseveringthebananatrunk。
"Howdoesitwork？"Thesergeant，comingoutontopthescaffold，hadaskedthequestion。
"Beautifully，"wasSchemmer'sexultantanswer。"Letmeshowyou。"
Againheturnedthecrankthathoistedtheblade，jerkedthecord，andsentthebladecrashingdownonthesofttree。Butthistimeitwentnomorethantwo-thirdsofthewaythrough。
Thesergeantscowled。"Thatwillnotserve，"hesaid。
Schemmerwipedthesweatfromhisforehead。"Whatitneedsismoreweight，"heannounced。Walkinguptotheedgeofthescaffold，hecalledhisorderstotheblacksmithforatwenty-five-poundpieceofiron。Ashestoopedovertoattachtheirontothebroadtopoftheblade，AhChoglancedatthesergeantandsawhisopportunity。
"ThehonourablejudgesaidthatAhChowwastohavehisheadcutoff，"hebegan。
Thesergeantnoddedimpatiently。Hewasthinkingofthefifteen-mileridebeforehimthatafternoon，tothewindwardsideoftheisland，andofBerthe，theprettyhalf-castedaughterofLafiere，thepearl-trader，whowaswaitingforhimattheendofit。
"Well，IamnotAhChow。IamAhCho。Thehonourablejailerhasmadeamistake。AhChowisatallman，andyouseeIamshort。"
Thesergeantlookedathimhastilyandsawthemistake。"Schemmer!"hecalled，imperatively。"Comehere。"
TheGermangrunted，butremainedbentoverhistasktillthechunkofironwaslashedtohissatisfaction。"IsyourChinagoready？"hedemanded。
"Lookathim，"wastheanswer。"IshetheChinago？"
Schemmerwassurprised。Hesworeterselyforafewseconds，andlookedregretfullyacrossatthethinghehadmadewithhisownhandsandwhichhewaseagertoseework。"Lookhere，"hesaidfinally，"wecan'tpostponethisaffair。I'velostthreehours'workalreadyoutofthosefivehundredChinagos。Ican'taffordtoloseitalloveragainfortherightman。
Let'sputtheperformancethroughjustthesame。ItisonlyaChinago。"
Thesergeantrememberedthelongridebeforehim，andthepearl-trader'sdaughter，anddebatedwithhimself。
"TheywillblameitonCruchot——ifitisdiscovered，"theGermanurged。
"Butthere'slittlechanceofitsbeingdiscovered。AhChowwon'tgiveitaway，atanyrate。"
"Theblamewon'tliewithCruchot，anyway，"thesergeantsaid。"Itmusthavebeenthejailer'smistake。"
"Thenlet'sgoonwithit。Theycan'tblameus。WhocantelloneChinagofromanother？WecansaythatwemerelycarriedoutinstructionswiththeChinagothatwasturnedovertous。Besides，Ireallycan'ttakeallthosecooliesasecondtimeawayfromtheirlabour。"
TheyspokeinFrench，andAhCho，whodidnotunderstandawordofit，neverthelessknewthattheyweredetermininghisdestiny。Heknew，also，thatthedecisionrestedwiththesergeant，andhehunguponthatofficial'slips。
"Allright，"announcedthesergeant。"Goaheadwithit。HeisonlyaChinago。"
"I'mgoingtotryitoncemore，justtomakesure。"Schemmermovedthebananatrunkforwardundertheknife，whichhehadhoistedtothetopofthederrick。
AhChotriedtoremembermaximsfrom"TheTractoftheQuietWay。""Liveinconcord，"cametohim；butitwasnotapplicable。Hewasnotgoingtolive。Hewasabouttodie。No，thatwouldnotdo。"Forgivemalice"——yes，buttherewasnomalicetoforgive。Schemmerandtherestweredoingthisthingwithoutmalice。Itwastothemmerelyapieceofworkthathadtobedone，justasclearingthejungle，ditchingthewater，andplantingcottonwerepiecesofworkthathadtobedone。Schemmerjerkedthecord，andAhChoforgot"TheTractoftheQuietWay。"Theknifeshotdownwithathud，makingacleansliceofthetree。
"Beautiful!"exclaimedthesergeant，pausingintheactoflightingacigarette。"Beautiful，myfriend。"
Schemmerwaspleasedatthepraise。
"Comeon，AhChow，"hesaid，intheTahitiantongue。
"ButIamnotAhChow——"AhChobegan。
"Shutup!"wastheanswer。"Ifyouopenyourmouthagain，I'llbreakyourhead。"
Theoverseerthreatenedhimwithaclenchedfist，andheremainedsilent。
Whatwasthegoodofprotesting？Thoseforeigndevilsalwayshadtheirway。Heallowedhimselftobelashedtotheverticalboardthatwasthesizeofhisbody。Schemmerdrewthebucklestight——sotightthatthestrapscutintohisfleshandhurt。Buthedidnotcomplain。Thehurtwouldnotlastlong。Hefelttheboardtiltingoverintheairtowardthehorizontal，andclosedhiseyes。Andinthatmomenthecaughtalastglimpseofhisgardenofmeditationandrepose。Itseemedtohimthathesatinthegarden。Acoolwindwasblowing，andthebellsintheseveraltreesweretinklingsoftly。Also，birdsweremakingsleepynoises，andfrombeyondthehighwallcamethesubduedsoundofvillagelife。
Thenhewasawarethattheboardhadcometorest，andfrommuscularpressuresandtensionsheknewthathewaslyingonhisback。Heopenedhiseyes。Straightabovehimhesawthesuspendedknifeblazinginthesunshine。Hesawtheweightwhichhadbeenadded，andnotedthatoneofSchemmer'sknotshadslipped。Thenheheardthesergeant'svoiceinsharpcommand。AhChoclosedhiseyeshastily。Hedidnotwanttoseethatknifedescend。Buthefeltit——foronegreatfleetinginstant。AndinthatinstantherememberedCruchotandwhatCruchothadsaid。ButCruchotwaswrong。Theknifedidnottickle。Thatmuchheknewbeforeheceasedtoknow。
MAKEWESTING
Whateveryoudo，makewesting!makewesting!——
SailingdirectionsforCapeHorn。
ForsevenweekstheMaryRogershadbeenbetween5OdegreessouthintheAtlanticand5OdegreessouthinthePacific，whichmeantthatforsevenweeksshehadbeenstrugglingtoroundCapeHorn。Forsevenweeksshehadbeeneitherindirt，orclosetodirt，saveonce，andthen，followinguponsixdaysofexcessivedirt，whichshehadriddenoutundertheshelteroftheredoubtableTerradelFuegocoast，shehadalmostgoneashoreduringaheavyswellinthedeadcalmthathadsuddenlyfallen。ForsevenweeksshehadwrestledwiththeCapeHorngraybeards，andinreturnbeenbuffetedandsmashedbythem。Shewasawoodenship，andherceaselessstraininghadopenedherseams，sothattwiceadaythewatchtookitsturnatthepumps。
TheMaryRogerswasstrained，thecrewwasstrained，andbigDanCullen，master，waslikewisestrained。Perhapshewasstrainedmostofall，foruponhimrestedtheresponsibilityofthattitanicstruggle。Hesleptmostofthetimeinhisclothes，thoughherarelyslept。Hehauntedthedeckatnight，agreat，burly，robustghost，blackwiththesunburnofthirtyyearsofseaandhairyasanorang-outang。He，inturn，washauntedbyonethoughtofaction，asailingdirectionfortheHorn:Whateveryoudo，makewesting!makewesting!Itwasanobsession。Hethoughtofnothingelse，except，attimes，toblasphemeGodforsendingsuchbitterweather。
Makewesting!HehuggedtheHorn，andadozentimeslayhovetowiththeironCapebearingeast-by-north，ornorth-north-east，ascoreofmilesaway。Andeachtimetheeternalwestwindsmotehimbackandhemadeeasting。Hefoughtgaleaftergale，southto64degrees，insidetheantarcticdrift-ice，andpledgedhisimmortalsoultothePowersofDarknessforabitofwesting，foraslanttotakehimaround。Andhemadeeasting。Indespair，hehadtriedtomakethepassagethroughtheStraitsofLeMaire。Halfwaythrough，thewindhauledtothenorth'ardofnorth-
west，theglassdroppedto28。88，andheturnedandranbeforeagaleofcyclonicfury，missing，byahair's-breadth，pilinguptheMaryRogersontheblack-toothedrocks。TwicehehadmadewesttotheDiegoRamirezRocks，oneofthetimessavedbetweentwosnow-squallsbysightingthegravestonesofshipsaquarterofamiledeadahead。
Blow!CaptainDanCulleninstancedallhisthirtyyearsatseatoprovethatneverhaditblownsobefore。TheMaryRogerswashovetoatthetimehegavetheevidence，and，toclinchit，insidehalfanhourtheMaryRogerswashovedowntothehatches。Hernewmaintopsailandbrandnewspencerwereblownawayliketissuepaper；andfivesails，furledandfastunderdoublegaskets，wereblownlooseandstrippedfromtheyards。AndbeforemorningtheMaryRogerswashovedowntwiceagain，andholeswereknockedinherbulwarkstoeaseherdecksfromtheweightofoceanthatpressedherdown。
OnanaverageofonceaweekCaptainDanCullencaughtglimpsesofthesun。
Once，fortenminutes，thesunshoneatmidday，andtenminutesafterwardanewgalewaspipingup，bothwatcheswereshorteningsail，andallwasburiedintheobscurityofadrivingsnow-squall。Forafortnight，once，CaptainDanCullenwaswithoutameridianorachronometersight。Rarelydidheknowhispositionwithinhalfofadegree，exceptwheninsightofland；forsunandstarsremainedhiddenbehindthesky，anditwassogloomythatevenatthebestthehorizonswerepoorforaccurateobservations。Agraygloomshroudedtheworld。Thecloudsweregray；thegreatdrivingseaswereleadengray；thesmokingcrestswereagraychurning；eventheoccasionalalbatrossesweregray，whilethesnow-
flurrieswerenotwhite，butgray，underthesombrepalloftheheavens。
LifeonboardtheMaryRogerswasgray——grayandgloomy。Thefacesofthesailorswereblue-gray；theywereafflictedwithsea-cutsandsea-boils，andsufferedexquisitely。Theywereshadowsofmen。Forsevenweeks，intheforecastleorondeck，theyhadnotknownwhatitwastobedry。Theyhadforgottenwhatitwastosleepoutawatch，andallwatchesitwas，"Allhandsondeck!"Theycaughtsnatchesofagonizedsleep，andtheysleptintheiroilskinsreadyfortheeverlastingcall。Soweakandwornweretheythatittookbothwatchestodotheworkofone。Thatwaswhybothwatcheswereondecksomuchofthetime。Andnoshadowofamancouldshirkduty。Nothinglessthanabrokenlegcouldenableamantoknockoffwork；andthereweretwosuch，whohadbeenmauledandpulpedbytheseasthatbrokeaboard。
OneothermanwhowastheshadowofamanwasGeorgeDorety。Hewastheonlypassengeronboard，afriendofthefirm，andhehadelectedtomakethevoyageforhishealth。ButsevenweeksofCapeHornhadnotbetteredhishealth。Hegaspedandpantedinhisbunkthroughthelong，heavingnights；andwhenondeckhewassobundledupforwarmththatheresembledaperipateticold-clothesshop。Atmidday，eatingatthecabintableinagloomsodeepthattheswingingsea-lampsburnedalways，helookedasblue-
grayasthesickest，saddestmanfor'ard。NordidgazingacrossthetableatCaptainDanCullenhaveanycheeringeffectuponhim。CaptainCullenchewedandscowledandkeptsilent。ThescowlswereforGod，andwitheverychewhereiteratedthesolethoughtofhisexistence，whichwasmakewesting。Hewasabig，hairybrute，andthesightofhimwasnotstimulatingtotheother'sappetite。HelookeduponGeorgeDoretyasaJonah，andtoldhimso，onceeachmeal，savagelytransferringthescowlfromGodtothepassengerandbackagain。
Nordidthemateproveafirstaidtoalanguidappetite。JoshuaHigginsbyname，aseamanbyprofessionandpull，butapot-wolloperbycapacity，hewasaloose-jointed，snifflingcreature，heartlessandselfishandcowardly，withoutasoul，infearofhislifeofDanCullen，andabullyoverthesailors，whoknewthatbehindthematewasCaptainCullen，thelaw-giverandcompeller，thedriverandthedestroyer，theincarnationofadozenbuckomates。Inthatwildweatheratthesouthernendoftheearth，JoshuaHigginsceasedwashing。HisgrimyfaceusuallyrobbedGeorgeDoretyofwhatlittleappetitehemanagedtoaccumulate。OrdinarilythislavatorialderelictionwouldhavecaughtCaptainCullen'seyeandvocabulary，butinthepresenthismindwasfilledwithmakingwesting，totheexclusionofallotherthingsnotcontributorythereto。Whetherthemate'sfacewascleanordirtyhadnobearinguponwesting。Lateron，when5OdegreessouthinthePacifichadbeenreached，JoshuaHigginswouldwashhisfaceveryabruptly。Inthemeantime，atthecabintable，wheregraytwilightalternatedwithlamplightwhilethelampswerebeingfilled，GeorgeDoretysatbetweenthetwomen，oneatigerandtheotherahyena，andwonderedwhyGodhadmadethem。Thesecondmate，MatthewTurner，wasatruesailorandaman，butGeorgeDoretydidnothavethesolaceofhiscompany，forheatebyhimself，solitary，whentheyhadfinished。
OnSaturdaymorning，July24，GeorgeDoretyawoketoafeelingoflifeandheadlongmovement。OndeckhefoundtheMaryRogersrunningoffbeforeahowlingsouth-easter。Nothingwassetbutthelowertopsailsandtheforesail。Itwasallshecouldstand，yetshewasmakingfourteenknots，asMr。TurnershoutedinDorety'searwhenhecameondeck。Anditwasallwesting。ShewasgoingaroundtheHornatlast……ifthewindheld。
Mr。Turnerlookedhappy。Theendofthestrugglewasinsight。ButCaptainCullendidnotlookhappy。HescowledatDoretyinpassing。
CaptainCullendidnotwantGodtoknowthathewaspleasedwiththatwind。
HehadaconceptionofamaliciousGod，andbelievedinhissecretsoulthatifGodknewitwasadesirablewind，Godwouldpromptlyeffaceitandsendasnorterfromthewest。SohewalkedsoftlybeforeGod，smotheringhisjoydownunderscowlsandmutteredcurses，and，so，foolingGod，forGodwastheonlythingintheuniverseofwhichDanCullenwasafraid。
AllSaturdayandSaturdaynighttheMaryRogersracedherwesting。
Persistentlysheloggedherfourteenknots，sothatbySundaymorningshehadcoveredthreehundredandfiftymiles。Ifthewindheld，shewouldmakearound。Ifitfailed，andthesnortercamefromanywherebetweensouth-westandnorth，backtheMaryRogerswouldbehurledandbenobetteroffthanshehadbeensevenweeksbefore。AndonSundaymorningthewindwasfailing。Thebigseawasgoingdownandrunningsmooth。Bothwatcheswereondecksettingsailaftersailasfastastheshipcouldstandit。
AndnowCaptainCullenwentaroundbrazenlybeforeGod，smokingabigcigar，smilingjubilantly，asifthefailingwinddelightedhim，whiledownunderneathhewasragingagainstGodfortakingthelifeoutoftheblessedwind。Makewesting!Sohewould，ifGodwouldonlyleavehimalone。
Secretly，hepledgedhimselfanewtothePowersofDarkness，iftheywouldlethimmakewesting。HepledgedhimselfsoeasilybecausehedidnotbelieveinthePowersofDarkness。HereallybelievedonlyinGod，thoughhedidnotknowit。AndinhisinvertedtheologyGodwasreallythePrinceofDarkness。CaptainCullenwasadevil-worshipper，buthecalledthedevilbyanothername，thatwasall。
Atmidday，aftercallingeightbells，CaptainCullenorderedtheroyalson。
Themenwentaloftfasterthantheyhadgoneinweeks。Notaloneweretheynimblebecauseofthewesting，butabenignantsunwasshiningdownandlimberingtheirstiffbodies。GeorgeDoretystoodaft，nearCaptainCullen，lessbundledinclothesthanusual，soakinginthegratefulwarmthashewatchedthescene。Swiftlyandabruptlytheincidentoccurred。
Therewasacryfromtheforeroyal-yardof"Manoverboard!"Somebodythrewalife-buoyovertheside，andatthesameinstantthesecondmate'svoicecameaft，ringingandperemptory——
"Harddownyourhelm!"
Themanatthewheelnevermovedaspoke。Heknewbetter，forCaptainDanCullenwasstandingalongsideofhim。Hewantedtomoveaspoke，tomoveallthespokes，togrindthewheeldown，harddown，forhiscomradedrowninginthesea。HeglancedatCaptainDanCullen，andCaptainDanCullengavenosign。
"Down!Harddown!"thesecondmateroared，ashesprangaft。
Butheceasedspringingandcommanding，andstoodstill，whenhesawDanCullenbythewheel。AndbigDanCullenpuffedathiscigarandsaidnothing。Astern，andgoingasternfast，couldbeseenthesailor。Hehadcaughtthelife-buoyandwasclingingtoit。Nobodyspoke。Nobodymoved。
Themenaloftclungtotheroyalyardsandwatchedwithterror-strickenfaces。AndtheMaryRogersracedon，makingherwesting。Along，silentminutepassed。
"Whowasit？"CaptainCullendemanded。
"Mops，sir，"eagerlyansweredthesailoratthewheel。
Mopstoppedawaveasternanddisappearedtemporarilyinthetrough。Itwasalargewave，butitwasnograybeard。Asmallboatcouldliveeasilyinsuchasea，andinsuchaseatheMaryRogerscouldeasilycometo。Butshecouldnotcometoandmakewestingatthesametime。
Forthefirsttimeinallhisyears，GeorgeDoretywasseeingarealdramaoflifeanddeath——asordidlittledramainwhichthescalesbalancedanunknownsailornamedMopsagainstafewmilesoflongitude。Atfirsthehadwatchedthemanastern，butnowhewatchedbigDanCullen，hairyandblack，vestedwithpoweroflifeanddeath，smokingacigar。
CaptainDanCullensmokedanotherlong，silentminute。Thenheremovedthecigarfromhismouth。HeglancedaloftatthesparsoftheMaryRogers，andoversideatthesea。
"Sheethometheroyals!"hecried。
Fifteenminuteslatertheysatattable，inthecabin，withfoodservedbeforethem。OnonesideofGeorgeDoretysatDanCullen，thetiger，ontheotherside，JoshuaHiggins，thehyena。Nobodyspoke。Ondeckthemenweresheetinghometheskysails。GeorgeDoretycouldheartheircries，whileapersistentvisionhauntedhimofamancalledMops，aliveandwell，clingingtoalife-buoymilesasterninthatlonelyocean。HeglancedatCaptainCullen，andexperiencedafeelingofnausea，forthemanwaseatinghisfoodwithrelish，almostboltingit。
"CaptainCullen，"Doretysaid，"youareincommandofthisship，anditisnotproperformetocommentnowuponwhatyoudo。ButIwishtosayonething。Thereisahereafter，andyourswillbeahotone。"
CaptainCullendidnotevenscowl。Inhisvoicewasregretashesaid——
"Itwasblowingalivinggale。Itwasimpossibletosavetheman。"
"Hefellfromtheroyal-yard，"Doretycriedhotly。"Youweresettingtheroyalsatthetime。Fifteenminutesafterwardyouweresettingtheskysails。"
"Itwasalivinggale，wasn'tit，Mr。Higgin？"CaptainCullensaid，turningtothemate。
"Ifyou'dbroughtherto，it'dhavetakenthesticksoutofher，"wasthemate'sanswer。"Youdidtheproperthing，CaptainCullen。Themanhadn'taghostofashow。"
GeorgeDoretymadenoanswer，andtothemeal'sendnoonespoke。Afterthat，Doretyhadhismealsservedinhisstate-room。CaptainCullenscowledathimnolonger，thoughnospeechwasexchangedbetweenthem，whiletheMaryRogersspednorthtowardwarmerlatitudes。Attheendoftheweek，DanCullencorneredDoretyondeck。
"Whatareyougoingtodowhenwegetto'Frisco？"hedemandedbluntly。
"Iamgoingtoswearoutawarrantforyourarrest，"Doretyansweredquietly。"Iamgoingtochargeyouwithmurder，andIamgoingtoseeyouhangedforit。"
"You'realmightysureofyourself，"CaptainCullensneered，turningonhisheel。
Asecondweekpassed，andonemorningfoundGeorgeDoretystandinginthecoach-housecompanionwayatthefor'ardendofthelongpoop，takinghisfirstgazearoundthedeck。TheMaryRogerswasreachingfull-and-by，inastiffbreeze。Everysailwassetanddrawing，includingthestaysails。
CaptainCullenstrolledfor'ardalongthepoop。Hestrolledcarelessly，glancingatthepassengeroutofthecornerofhiseye。Doretywaslookingtheotherway，standingwithheadandshouldersoutsidethecompanionway，andonlythebackofhisheadwastobeseen。CaptainCullen，withswifteye，embracedthemainstaysail-blockandtheheadandestimatedthedistance。Heglancedabouthim。Nobodywaslooking。Aft，JoshuaHiggins，pacingupanddown，hadjustturnedhisbackandwasgoingtheotherway。
CaptainCullenbentoversuddenlyandcastthestaysail-sheetofffromitspin。Theheavyblockhurtledthroughtheair，smashingDorety'sheadlikeanegg-shellandhurtlingonandbackandforthasthestaysailwhippedandslattedinthewind。JoshuaHigginsturnedaroundtoseewhathadcarriedaway，andmetthefullblastofthevilestportionofCaptainCullen'sprofanity。
"Imadethesheetfastmyself，"whimperedthemateinthefirstlull，"withanextraturntomakesure。Irememberitdistinctly。"
"Madefast？"theCaptainsnarledback，forthebenefitofthewatchasitstruggledtocapturetheflyingsailbeforeittoretoribbons。"Youcouldn'tmakeyourgrandmotherfast，youuselesshell'sscullion。Ifyoumadethatsheetfastwithanextraturn，whyinhelldidn'titstayfast？
That'swhatIwanttoknow。Whyinhelldidn'titstayfast？"
Thematewhinedinarticulately。
"Oh，shutup!"wasthefinalwordofCaptainCullen。
HalfanhourlaterhewasassurprisedasanywhenthebodyofGeorgeDoretywasfoundinsidethecompanionwayonthefloor。Intheafternoon，aloneinhisroom，hedoctoredupthelog。
"Ordinaryseaman，KarlBrun，"hewrote，"lostoverboardfromforeroyal-yardinagaleofwind。Wasrunningatthetime，andforthesafetyoftheshipdidnotdarecomeuptothewind。Norcouldaboathavelivedintheseathatwasrunning。"
Onanotherpage，hewrote"HadoftenwarnedMr。Doretyaboutthedangerheranbecauseofhiscarelessnessondeck。Itoldhim，once，thatsomedayhewouldgethisheadknockedoffbyablock。Acarelesslyfastenedmainstaysailsheetwasthecauseoftheaccident，whichwasdeeplytoberegrettedbecauseMr。
Doretywasafavouritewithallofus。"
CaptainDanCullenreadoverhisliteraryeffortwithadmiration，blottedthepage，andclosedthelog。Helightedacigarandstaredbeforehim。
HefelttheMaryRogerslift，andheel，andsurgealong，andknewthatshewasmakingnineknots。Asmileofsatisfactionslowlydawnedonhisblackandhairyface。Well，anyway，hehadmadehiswestingandfooledGod。
SEMPERIDEM
DoctorBicknellwasinaremarkablygraciousmood。Throughaminoraccident，aslightbitofcarelessness，thatwasall，amanwhomighthavepulledthroughhaddiedtheprecedingnight。Thoughithadbeenonlyasailorman，oneoftheinnumerableunwashed，thestewardofthereceivinghospitalhadbeenontheanxiousseatallthemorning。Itwasnotthatthemanhaddiedthatgavehimdiscomfort，heknewtheDoctortoowellforthat，buthisdistresslayinthefactthattheoperationhadbeendonesowell。Oneofthemostdelicateinsurgery，ithadbeenassuccessfulasitwascleverandaudacious。Allhadthendependeduponthetreatment，thenurses，thesteward。Andthemanhaddied。Nothingmuch，abitofcarelessness，yetenoughtobringtheprofessionalwrathofDoctorBicknellabouthisearsandtoperturbtheworkingofthestaffandnursesfortwenty-fourhourstocome。
But，asalreadystated，theDoctorwasinaremarkablygraciousmood。Wheninformedbythesteward，infearandtrembling，oftheman'sunexpectedtake-off，hislipsdidnotsomuchasformonesyllableofcensure；nay，theyweresopursedthatsnatchesofrag-timefloatedsoftlyfromthem，tobebrokenonlybyapleasantqueryafterthehealthoftheother'seldest-
born。Thesteward，deemingitimpossiblethathecouldhavecaughtthegistofthecase，repeatedit。
"Yes，yes，"DoctorBicknellsaidimpatiently；"Iunderstand。ButhowaboutSemperIdem？Ishereadytoleave？"
"Yes。They'rehelpinghimdressnow，"thestewardanswered，passingontotheroundofhisduties，contentthatpeacestillreignedwithintheiodine-saturatedwalls。