byJosephConrad"……ButtheDwarfanswered：No；
　　somethinghumanisdearertomethanthewealthofalltheworld。"GRIMM’STALES。
　　TOMYWIFE
　　YOUTH：ANARRATIVE
　　THIScouldhaveoccurrednowherebutinEngland，wheremenandseainterpenetrate，sotospeak——theseaenteringintothelifeofmostmen，andthemenknow—
　　ingsomethingoreverythingaboutthesea，inthewayofamusement，oftravel，orofbread—winning。
　　Weweresittingroundamahoganytablethatreflectedthebottle，theclaret—glasses，andourfacesasweleanedonourelbows。Therewasadirectorofcompanies，anaccountant，alawyer，Marlow，andmyself。Thedirec—
　　torhadbeenaCONWAYboy，theaccountanthadservedfouryearsatsea，thelawyer——afinecrustedTory，HighChurchman，thebestofoldfellows，thesoulofhonor——
　　hadbeenchiefofficerintheP。&；O。serviceinthegoodolddayswhenmail—boatsweresquare—riggedatleastontwomasts，andusedtocomedowntheChinaSeabeforeafairmonsoonwithstun’—sailssetalowandaloft。Weallbeganlifeinthemerchantservice。Betweenthefiveofustherewasthestrongbondofthesea，andalsothefellowshipofthecraft，whichnoamountofenthusiasmforyachting，cruising，andsooncangive，sinceoneisonlytheamusementoflifeandtheotherislifeitself。
　　Marlow（atleastIthinkthatishowhespelthisname）
　　toldthestory，orratherthechronicle，ofavoyage：
　　"Yes，IhaveseenalittleoftheEasternseas；butwhatIrememberbestismyfirstvoyagethere。Youfellowsknowtherearethosevoyagesthatseemorderedfortheillustrationoflife，thatmightstandforasymbolofexistence。Youfight，work，sweat，nearlykillyourself，sometimesdokillyourself，tryingtoaccomplishsome—
　　thing——andyoucan’t。Notfromanyfaultofyours。
　　Yousimplycandonothing，neithergreatnorlittle——
　　notathingintheworld——notevenmarryanoldmaid，orgetawretched600—toncargoofcoaltoitsportofdesti—
　　nation。
　　"Itwasaltogetheramemorableaffair。ItwasmyfirstvoyagetotheEast，andmyfirstvoyageassecondmate；itwasalsomyskipper’sfirstcommand。You’lladmititwastime。Hewassixtyifaday；alittleman，withabroad，notverystraightback，withbowedshoul—
　　dersandonelegmorebandythantheother，hehadthatqueertwisted—aboutappearanceyouseesoofteninmenwhoworkinthefields。Hehadanut—crackerface——chinandnosetryingtocometogetheroverasunkenmouth——
　　anditwasframediniron—grayfluffyhair，thatlookedlikeachinstrapofcotton—woolsprinkledwithcoal—dust。
　　Andhehadblueeyesinthatoldfaceofhis，whichwereamazinglylikeaboy’s，withthatcandidexpressionsomequitecommonmenpreservetotheendoftheirdaysbyarareinternalgiftofsimplicityofheartandrectitudeofsoul。Whatinducedhimtoacceptmewasawonder。
　　IhadcomeoutofacrackAustralianclipper，whereI
　　hadbeenthirdofficer，andheseemedtohaveaprejudiceagainstcrackclippersasaristocraticandhigh—toned。
　　Hesaidtome，’Youknow，inthisshipyouwillhavetowork。’IsaidIhadtoworkineveryshipIhadeverbeenin。’Ah，butthisisdifferent，andyougentlemenoutofthembigships；……butthere！Idaresayyouwilldo。Jointo—morrow。’
　　"Ijoinedto—morrow。Itwastwenty—twoyearsago；
　　andIwasjusttwenty。Howtimepasses！Itwasoneofthehappiestdaysofmylife。Fancy！Secondmateforthefirsttime——areallyresponsibleofficer！Iwouldn’thavethrownupmynewbilletforafortune。Thematelookedmeovercarefully。Hewasalsoanoldchap，butofanotherstamp。HehadaRomannose，asnow—white，longbeard，andhisnamewasMahon，butheinsistedthatitshouldbepronouncedMann。Hewaswellconnected；
　　yettherewassomethingwrongwithhisluck，andhehadnevergoton。
　　"Astothecaptain，hehadbeenforyearsincoasters，thenintheMediterranean，andlastintheWestIndiantrade。HehadneverbeenroundtheCapes。Hecouldjustwriteakindofsketchyhand，anddidn’tcareforwritingatall。Bothwerethoroughgoodseamenofcourse，andbetweenthosetwooldchapsIfeltlikeasmallboybetweentwograndfathers。
　　"Theshipalsowasold。HernamewastheJudea。
　　Queername，isn’tit？ShebelongedtoamanWilmer，Wilcox——somenamelikethat；buthehasbeenbankruptanddeadthesetwentyyearsormore，andhisnamedon’tmatter。ShehadbeenlaidupinShadwellbasinforeversolong。Youcanimagineherstate。Shewasallrust，dust，grime——sootaloft，dirtondeck。Tomeitwaslikecomingoutofapalaceintoaruinedcottage。Shewasabout400tons，hadaprimitivewindlass，woodenlatchestothedoors，notabitofbrassabouther，andabigsquarestern。Therewasonit，belowhernameinbigletters，alotofscrollwork，withthegiltoff，andsomesortofacoatofarms，withthemotto’DoorDie’under—
　　neath。Irememberittookmyfancyimmensely。Therewasatouchofromanceinit，somethingthatmademelovetheoldthing——somethingthatappealedtomyyouth！
　　"WeleftLondoninballast——sandballast——toloadacargoofcoalinanorthernportforBankok。Bankok！
　　Ithrilled。Ihadbeensixyearsatsea，buthadonlyseenMelbourneandSydney，verygoodplaces，charmingplacesintheirway——butBankok！
　　"WeworkedoutoftheThamesundercanvas，withaNorthSeapilotonboard。HisnamewasJermyn，andhedodgedalldaylongaboutthegalleydryinghishand—
　　kerchiefbeforethestove。Apparentlyheneverslept。
　　Hewasadismalman，withaperpetualtearsparklingattheendofhisnose，whoeitherhadbeenintrouble，orwasintrouble，orexpectedtobeintrouble——couldn’tbehappyunlesssomethingwentwrong。Hemistrustedmyyouth，mycommon—sense，andmyseamanship，andmadeapointofshowingitinahundredlittleways。I
　　daresayhewasright。ItseemstomeIknewverylittlethen，andIknownotmuchmorenow；butIcherishahateforthatJermyntothisday。
　　"WewereaweekworkingupasfarasYarmouthRoads，andthenwegotintoagale——thefamousOctobergaleoftwenty—twoyearsago。Itwaswind，lightning，sleet，snow，andaterrificsea。Wewereflyinglight，andyoumayimaginehowbaditwaswhenItellyouwehadsmashedbulwarksandafloodeddeck。Onthesecondnightsheshiftedherballastintotheleebow，andbythattimewehadbeenblownoffsomewhereontheDoggerBank。Therewasnothingforitbutgobelowwithshovelsandtrytorighther，andtherewewereinthatvasthold，gloomylikeacavern，thetallowdipsstuckandflickeringonthebeams，thegalehowlingabove，theshiptossingaboutlikemadonherside；thereweallwere，Jermyn，thecaptain，everyone，hardlyabletokeepourfeet，engagedonthatgravedigger’swork，andtry—
　　ingtotossshovelfulsofwetsanduptowindward。Ateverytumbleoftheshipyoucouldseevaguelyinthedimlightmenfallingdownwithagreatflourishofshov—
　　els。Oneoftheship’sboys（wehadtwo），impressedbytheweirdnessofthescene，weptasifhisheartwouldbreak。Wecouldhearhimblubberingsomewhereintheshadows。
　　"Onthethirddaythegalediedout，andby—and—byanorth—countrytugpickedusup。WetooksixteendaysinalltogetfromLondontotheTyne！Whenwegotintodockwehadlostourturnforloading，andtheyhauledusofftoatierwhereweremainedforamonth。
　　Mrs。Beard（thecaptain’snamewasBeard）camefromColchestertoseetheoldman。Shelivedonboard。Thecrewofrunnershadleft，andthereremainedonlytheofficers，oneboy，andthesteward，amulattowhoan—
　　sweredtothenameofAbraham。Mrs。Beardwasanoldwoman，witharaceallwrinkledandruddylikeawinterapple，andthefigureofayounggirl。Shecaughtsightofmeonce，sewingonabutton，andinsistedonhavingmyshirtstorepair。Thiswassomethingdifferentfromthecaptains’wivesIhadknownonboardcrackclippers。
　　WhenIbroughthertheshirts，shesaid：’Andthesocks？Theywantmending，Iamsure，andJohn’s——
　　CaptainBeard’s——thingsareallinordernow。Iwouldbegladofsomethingtodo。’Blesstheoldwoman。Sheoverhauledmyoutfitforme，andmeantimeIreadforthefirsttime’SartorResartus’andBurnaby’s’RidetoKhiva。’Ididn’tunderstandmuchofthefirstthen；
　　butIrememberIpreferredthesoldiertothephilosopheratthetime；apreferencewhichlifehasonlyconfirmed。
　　Onewasaman，andtheotherwaseithermore——orless。
　　However，theyarebothdead，andMrs。Beardisdead，andyouth，strength，genius，thoughts，achievements，simplehearts——alldie……Nomatter。
　　"Theyloadedusatlast。Weshippedacrew。Eightableseamenandtwoboys。Wehauledoffoneeveningtothebuoysatthedock—gates，readytogoout，andwithafairprospectofbeginningthevoyagenextday。Mrs。
　　Beardwastostartforhomebyalatetrain。Whentheshipwasfastwewenttotea。Wesatrathersilentthroughthemeal——Mahon，theoldcouple，andI。I
　　finishedfirst，andslippedawayforasmoke，mycabinbeinginadeck—housejustagainstthepoop。Itwashighwater，blowingfreshwithadrizzle；thedoubledock—
　　gateswereopened，andthesteamcolliersweregoinginandoutinthedarknesswiththeirlightsburningbright，agreatplashingofpropellers，rattlingofwinches，andalotofhailingonthepier—heads。Iwatchedtheprocessionofhead—lightsglidinghighandofgreenlightsglidinglowinthenight，whensuddenlyaredgleamflashedatme，vanished，cameintoviewagain，andremained。Thefore—endofasteamerloomedupclose。
　　Ishouteddownthecabin，’Comeup，quick！’andthenheardastartledvoicesayingafarinthedark，’Stopher，sir。’Abelljingled。Anothervoicecriedwarningly，’Wearegoingrightintothatbark，sir。’Theanswertothiswasagruff’Allright，’andthenextthingwasaheavycrashasthesteamerstruckaglancingblowwiththebluffofherbowaboutourfore—rigging。Therewasamomentofconfusion，yelling，andrunningabout。
　　Steamroared。Thensomebodywasheardsaying，’Allclear，sir。’……’Areyouallright？’askedthegruffvoice。Ihadjumpedforwardtoseethedamage，andhailedback，’Ithinkso。’’Easyastern，’saidthegruffvoice。Abelljingled。’Whatsteameristhat？’
　　screamedMahon。Bythattimeshewasnomoretousthanabulkyshadowmaneuveringalittlewayoff。Theyshoutedatussomename——awoman’sname，MirandaorMelissa——orsomesuchthing。’Thismeansanothermonthinthisbeastlyhole，’saidMahontome，aswepeeredwithlampsaboutthesplinteredbulwarksandbrokenbraces。’Butwhere’sthecaptain？’
　　"Wehadnotheardorseenanythingofhimallthattime。Wewentafttolook。Adolefulvoicearosehail—
　　ingsomewhereinthemiddleofthedock，’Judeaahoy！’……Howthedevildidhegetthere？……’Hallo！’
　　weshouted。’Iamadriftinourboatwithoutoars，’hecried。Abelatedwatermanofferedhisservices，andMahonstruckabargainwithhimforhalf—a—crowntotowourskipperalongside；butitwasMrs。Beardthatcameuptheladderfirst。Theyhadbeenfloatingaboutthedockinthatmizzlycoldrainfornearlyanhour。I
　　wasneversosurprisedinmylife。
　　"Itappearsthatwhenheheardmyshout’Comeup，’
　　heunderstoodatoncewhatwasthematter，caughtuphiswife，ranondeck，andacross，anddownintoourboat，whichwasfasttotheladder。Notbadforasixty—year—
　　old。Justimaginethatoldfellowsavingheroicallyinhisarmsthatoldwoman——thewomanofhislife。Hesetherdownonathwart，andwasreadytoclimbbackonboardwhenthepaintercameadriftsomehow，andawaytheywenttogether。Ofcourseintheconfusionwedidnothearhimshouting。Helookedabashed。Shesaidcheerfully，’Isupposeitdoesnotmattermylosingthetrainnow？’’No，Jenny——yougobelowandgetwarm，’hegrowled。Thentous：’Asailorhasnobusi—
　　nesswithawife——Isay。ThereIwas，outoftheship。
　　Well，noharmdonethistime。Let’sgoandlookatwhatthatfoolofasteamersmashed。’
　　"Itwasn’tmuch，butitdelayedusthreeweeks。Attheendofthattime，thecaptainbeingengagedwithhisagents，IcarriedMrs。Beard’sbagtotherailway—sta—
　　tionandputherallcomfyintoathird—classcarriage。
　　Sheloweredthewindowtosay，’Youareagoodyoungman。IfyouseeJohn——CaptainBeard——withouthismuffleratnight，justremindhimfrommetokeephisthroatwellwrappedup。’’Certainly，Mrs。Beard，’I
　　said。’Youareagoodyoungman；Inoticedhowat—
　　tentiveyouaretoJohn——toCaptain——’Thetrainpulledoutsuddenly；Itookmycapofftotheoldwoman：Ineversawheragain……Passthebottle。
　　"Wewenttoseanextday。WhenwemadethatstartforBankokwehadbeenalreadythreemonthsoutofLondon。Wehadexpectedtobeafortnightorso——attheoutside。
　　"ItwasJanuary，andtheweatherwasbeautiful——thebeautifulsunnywinterweatherthathasmorecharmthaninthesummer—time，becauseitisunexpected，andcrisp，andyouknowitwon’t，itcan’t，lastlong。It’slikeawindfall，likeagodsend，likeanunexpectedpieceofluck。
　　"ItlastedalldowntheNorthSea，alldownChannel；
　　anditlastedtillwewerethreehundredmilesorsotothewestwardoftheLizards：thenthewindwentroundtothesou’westandbegantopipeup。Intwodaysitblewagale。TheJudea，hoveto，wallowedontheAtlanticlikeanoldcandlebox。Itblewdayafterday：itblewwithspite，withoutinterval，withoutmercy，withoutrest。
　　Theworldwasnothingbutanimmensityofgreatfoam—
　　ingwavesrushingatus，underaskylowenoughtotouchwiththehandanddirtylikeasmokedceiling。Inthestormyspacesurroundingustherewasasmuchflyingsprayasair。Dayafterdayandnightafternighttherewasnothingroundtheshipbutthehowlofthewind，thetumultofthesea，thenoiseofwaterpouringoverherdeck。Therewasnorestforherandnorestforus。
　　Shetossed，shepitched，shestoodonherhead，shesatonhertail，sherolled，shegroaned，andwehadtoholdonwhileondeckandclingtoourbunkswhenbelow，inaconstanteffortofbodyandworryofmind。
　　"OnenightMahonspokethroughthesmallwindowofmyberth。Itopenedrightintomyverybed，andI
　　waslyingtheresleepless，inmyboots，feelingasthoughIhadnotsleptforyears，andcouldnotifItried。Hesaidexcitedly——
　　"’Yougotthesounding—rodinhere，Marlow？Ican’tgetthepumpstosuck。ByGod！it’snochild’splay。’
　　"Igavehimthesounding—rodandlaydownagain，tryingtothinkofvariousthings——butIthoughtonlyofthepumps。WhenIcameondecktheywerestillatit，andmywatchrelievedatthepumps。Bythelightofthelanternbroughtondecktoexaminethesounding—
　　rodIcaughtaglimpseoftheirweary，seriousfaces。
　　Wepumpedallthefourhours。Wepumpedallnight，allday，alltheweek，——watchandwatch。Shewaswork—
　　ingherselfloose，andleakedbadly——notenoughtodrownusatonce，butenoughtokilluswiththeworkatthepumps。Andwhilewepumpedtheshipwasgoingfromuspiecemeal：thebulwarkswent，thestanchionsweretornout，theventilatorssmashed，thecabin—doorburstin。Therewasnotadryspotintheship。Shewasbeingguttedbitbybit。Thelong—boatchanged，asifbymagic，intomatchwoodwhereshestoodinhergripes。
　　Ihadlashedhermyself，andwasratherproudofmyhandiwork，whichhadwithstoodsolongthemaliceofthesea。Andwepumped。Andtherewasnobreakintheweather。Theseawaswhitelikeasheetoffoam，likeacaldronofboilingmilk；therewasnotabreakintheclouds，no——notthesizeofaman’shand——no，notforsomuchastenseconds。Therewasforusnosky，therewereforusnostars，nosun，nouniverse——nothingbutangrycloudsandaninfuriatedsea。Wepumpedwatchandwatch，fordearlife；anditseemedtolastformonths，foryears，foralleternity，asthoughwehadbeendeadandgonetoahellforsailors。Weforgotthedayoftheweek，thenameofthemonth，whatyearitwas，andwhetherwehadeverbeenashore。Thesailsblewaway，shelaybroadsideonunderaweather—cloth，theoceanpouredoverher，andwedidnotcare。Weturnedthosehandles，andhadtheeyesofidiots。AssoonaswehadcrawledondeckIusedtotakearoundturnwitharopeaboutthemen，thepumps，andthemainmast，andweturned，weturnedincessantly，withthewatertoourwaists，toournecks，overourheads。Itwasallone。
　　Wehadforgottenhowitfelttobedry。
　　"Andtherewassomewhereinmethethought：ByJove！thisisthedeuceofanadventure——somethingyoureadabout；anditismyfirstvoyageassecondmate——
　　andIamonlytwenty——andhereIamlastingitoutaswellasanyofthesemen，andkeepingmychapsuptothemark。Iwaspleased。Iwouldnothavegivenuptheexperienceforworlds。Ihadmomentsofexultation。
　　Whenevertheolddismantledcraftpitchedheavilywithhercounterhighintheair，sheseemedtometothrowup，likeanappeal，likeadefiance，likeacrytothecloudswithoutmercy，thewordswrittenonherstern：’Judea，London。DoorDie。’
　　"Oyouth！Thestrengthofit，thefaithofit，theimaginationofit！Tomeshewasnotanoldrattle—trapcartingabouttheworldalotofcoalforafreight——tomeshewastheendeavor，thetest，thetrialoflife。I
　　thinkofherwithpleasure，withaffection，withregret——
　　asyouwouldthinkofsomeonedeadyouhaveloved。I
　　shallneverforgether……Passthebottle。
　　"Onenightwhentiedtothemast，asIexplained，wewerepumpingon，deafenedwiththewind，andwithoutspiritenoughinustowishourselvesdead，aheavyseacrashedaboardandsweptcleanoverus。AssoonasI
　　gotmybreathIshouted，asindutybound，’Keepon，boys！’whensuddenlyIfeltsomethinghardfloatingondeckstrikethecalfofmyleg。Imadeagrabatitandmissed。Itwassodarkwecouldnotseeeachother’sfaceswithinafoot——youunderstand。
　　"Afterthatthumptheshipkeptquietforawhile，andthething，whateveritwas，struckmylegagain。
　　ThistimeIcaughtit——anditwasasauce—pan。Atfirst，beingstupidwithfatigueandthinkingofnothingbutthepumps，IdidnotunderstandwhatIhadinmyhand。
　　Suddenlyitdawneduponme，andIshouted，’Boys，thehouseondeckisgone。Leavethis，andlet’slookforthecook。’
　　"Therewasadeck—houseforward，whichcontainedthegalley，thecook’sberth，andthequartersofthecrew。Aswehadexpectedfordaystoseeitsweptaway，thehandshadbeenorderedtosleepinthecabin——theonlysafeplaceintheship。Thesteward，Abraham，however，persistedinclingingtohisberth，stupidly，likeamule——fromsheerfrightIbelieve，likeananimalthaton’tleaveastablefallinginanearthquake。Sowewenttolookforhim。Itwaschancingdeath，sinceonceoutofourlashingswewereasexposedasifonaraft。
　　Butwewent。Thehousewasshatteredasifashellhadexplodedinside。Mostofithadgoneoverboard——stove，men’squarters，andtheirproperty，allwasgone；buttwoposts，holdingaportionofthebulkheadtowhichAbraham’sbunkwasattached，remainedasifbyamir—
　　acle。Wegropedintheruinsandcameuponthis，andtherehewas，sittinginhisbunk，surroundedbyfoamandwreckage，jabberingcheerfullytohimself。Hewasoutofhismind；completelyandforevermad，withthissuddenshockcominguponthefag—endofhisendurance。
　　Wesnatchedhimup，luggedhimaft，andpitchedhimhead—firstdownthecabincompanion。Youunderstandtherewasnotimetocarryhimdownwithinfinitepre—
　　cautionsandwaittoseehowhegoton。Thosebelowwouldpickhimupatthebottomofthestairsallright。
　　Wewereinahurrytogobacktothepumps。Thatbusi—
　　nesscouldnotwait。Abadleakisaninhumanthing。
　　"Onewouldthinkthatthesolepurposeofthatfiend—
　　ishgalehadbeentomakealunaticofthatpoordevilofamulatto。Iteasedbeforemorning，andnextdaytheskycleared，andastheseawentdowntheleaktookup。
　　Whenitcametobendingafreshsetofsailsthecrewdemandedtoputback——andreallytherewasnothingelsetodo。Boatsgone，deckssweptclean，cabingutted，menwithoutastitchbutwhattheystoodin，storesspoiled，shipstrained。Weputherheadforhome，and——wouldyoubelieveit？Thewindcameeastrightinourteeth。
　　Itblewfresh，itblewcontinuously。Wehadtobeatupeveryinchoftheway，butshedidnotleaksobadly，thewaterkeepingcomparativelysmooth。Twohours’
　　pumpingineveryfourisnojoke——butitkeptherafloatasfarasFalmouth。
　　"Thegoodpeoplethereliveoncasualtiesofthesea，andnodoubtweregladtoseeus。Ahungrycrowdofshipwrightssharpenedtheirchiselsatthesightofthatcarcassofaship。And，byJove！theyhadprettypick—
　　ingsoffusbeforetheyweredone。Ifancytheownerwasalreadyinatightplace。Thereweredelays。Thenitwasdecidedtotakepartofthecargooutandcalkhertopsides。Thiswasdone，therepairsfinished，cargore—
　　shipped；anewcrewcameonboard，andwewentout——
　　forBankok。Attheendofaweekwewerebackagain。
　　Thecrewsaidtheyweren’tgoingtoBankok——ahundredandfiftydays’passage——inasomethinghookerthatwantedpumpingeighthoursoutofthetwenty—four；
　　andthenauticalpapersinsertedagainthelittlepara—
　　graph：’Judea。Bark。TynetoBankok；coals；putbacktoFalmouthleakyandwithcrewrefusingduty。’
　　"Thereweremoredelays——moretinkering。Theownercamedownforaday，andsaidshewasasrightasalittlefiddle。PooroldCaptainBeardlookedliketheghostofaGeordieskipper——throughtheworryandhumiliationofit。Rememberhewassixty，anditwashisfirstcommand。Mahonsaiditwasafoolishbusiness，andwouldendbadly。Ilovedtheshipmorethanever，andwantedawfullytogettoBankok。ToBankok！
　　Magicname，blessedname。Mesopotamiawasn’tapatchnit。RememberIwastwenty，anditwasmyfirstsecondmate’sbillet，andtheEastwaswaitingforme。
　　"Wewentoutandanchoredintheouterroadswithafreshcrew——thethird。Sheleakedworsethanever。
　　Itwasasifthoseconfoundedshipwrightshadactuallymadeaholeinher。Thistimewedidnotevengooutside。Thecrewsimplyrefusedtomanthewindlass。
　　"Theytowedusbacktotheinnerharbor，andwebe—
　　cameafixture，afeature，aninstitutionoftheplace。
　　Peoplepointedusouttovisitorsas’That’erebarkthat’sgoingtoBankok——hasbeenheresixmonths——putbackthreetimes。’Onholidaysthesmallboyspullingaboutinboatswouldhail，’Judea，ahoy！’andifaheadshowedabovetherailshouted，’Whereyouboundto？——
　　Bankok？’andjeered。Wewereonlythreeonboard。
　　Thepooroldskippermoonedinthecabin。Mahonun—
　　dertookthecooking，andunexpectedlydevelopedallaFrenchman’sgeniusforpreparingnicelittlemesses。I
　　lookedlanguidlyaftertherigging。WebecamecitizensofFalmouth。Everyshopkeeperknewus。Atthebar—
　　ber’sortobacconist’stheyaskedfamiliarly，’DoyouthinkyouwillevergettoBankok？’Meantimetheowner，theunderwriters，andthechartererssquabbledamongstthemselvesinLondon，andourpaywenton……Passthebottle。
　　"Itwashorrid。Morallyitwasworsethanpumpingforlife。Itseemedasthoughwehadbeenforgottenbytheworld，belongedtonobody，wouldgetnowhere；itseemedthat，asifbewitched，wewouldhavetoliveforeverandeverinthatinnerharbor，aderisionandaby—
　　wordtogenerationsoflong—shoreloafersanddishonestboatmen。Iobtainedthreemonths’payandafivedays’
　　leave，andmadearushforLondon。Ittookmeadaytogetthereandprettywellanothertocomeback——butthreemonths’paywentallthesame。Idon’tknowwhatIdidwithit。Iwenttoamusic—hall，Ibelieve，lunched，dined，andsuppedinaswellplaceinRegentStreet，andwasbacktotime，withnothingbutacompletesetofByron’sworksandanewrailwayrugtoshowforthreemonths’work。Theboatmanwhopulledmeofftotheshipsaid：’Hallo！Ithoughtyouhadlefttheoldthing。
　　SHEwillnevergettoBankok。’’That’sallYOUknowaboutit，’Isaidscornfully——butIdidn’tlikethatproph—
　　ecyatall。
　　"Suddenlyaman，somekindofagenttosomebody，appearedwithfullpowers。Hehadgrogblossomsalloverhisface，anindomitableenergy，andwasajollysoul。Weleapedintolifeagain。Ahulkcamealong—
　　side，tookourcargo，andthenwewentintodrydocktogetourcopperstripped。Nowondersheleaked。Thepoorthing，strainedbeyondendurancebythegale，had，asifindisgust，spatoutalltheoakumofherlowerseams。Shewasrecalked，newcoppered，andmadeastightasabottle。Wewentbacktothehulkandre—
　　shippedourcargo。
　　"Thenonafinemoonlightnight，alltheratslefttheship。
　　"Wehadbeeninfestedwiththem。Theyhaddestroyedoursails，consumedmorestoresthanthecrew，affablysharedourbedsandourdangers，andnow，whentheshipwasmadeseaworthy，concludedtoclearout。I
　　calledMahontoenjoythespectacle。Ratafterratap—
　　pearedonourrail，tookalastlookoverhisshoulder，andleapedwithahollowthudintotheemptyhulk。
　　Wetriedtocountthem，butsoonlostthetale。Mahonsaid：’Well，well！don’ttalktomeabouttheintelligenceofrats。Theyoughttohaveleftbefore，whenwehadthatnarrowsqueakfromfoundering。Thereyouhavetheproofhowsillyisthesuperstitionaboutthem。Theyleaveagoodshipforanoldrottenhulk，wherethereisnothingtoeat，too，thefools！……Idon’tbelievetheyknowwhatissafeorwhatisgoodforthem，anymorethanyouorI。’
　　"Andaftersomemoretalkweagreedthatthewisdomofratshadbeengrosslyoverrated，beinginfactnogreaterthanthatofmen。
　　"Thestoryoftheshipwasknown，bythis，alluptheChannelfromLand’sEndtotheForelands，andwecouldgetnocrewonthesouthcoast。TheysentusoneallcompletefromLiverpool，andweleftoncemore——forBankok。
　　"Wehadfairbreezes，smoothwaterrightintothetropics，andtheoldJudealumberedalonginthesun—
　　shine。Whenshewenteightknotseverythingcrackedaloft，andwetiedourcapstoourheads；butmostlyshestrolledonattherateofthreemilesanhour。Whatcouldyouexpect？Shewastired——thatoldship。Heryouthwaswheremineis——whereyoursis——youfellowswholistentothisyarn；andwhatfriendwouldthrowyouryearsandyourwearinessinyourface？Wedidn’tgrumbleather。Tousaft，atleast，itseemedasthoughwehadbeenborninher，rearedinher，hadlivedinherforages，hadneverknownanyothership。Iwouldjustassoonhaveabusedtheoldvillagechurchathomefornotbeingacathedral。
　　"Andformetherewasalsomyyouthtomakemepa—
　　tient。TherewasalltheEastbeforeme，andalllife，andthethoughtthatIhadbeentriedinthatshipandhadcomeoutprettywell。AndIthoughtofmenofoldwho，centuriesago，wentthatroadinshipsthatsailednobetter，tothelandofpalms，andspices，andyellowsands，andofbrownnationsruledbykingsmorecruelthanNerotheRomanandmoresplendidthanSolomontheJew。Theoldbarklumberedon，heavywithherageandtheburdenofhercargo，whileIlivedthelifeofyouthinignoranceandhope。Shelumberedonthroughaninterminableprocessionofdays；andthefreshgild—
　　ingflashedbackatthesettingsun，seemedtocryoutoverthedarkeningseathewordspaintedonherstern，’Judea，London。DoorDie。’
　　"ThenweenteredtheIndianOceanandsteerednorth—
　　erlyforJavaHead。Thewindswerelight。Weeksslippedby。Shecrawledon，doordie，andpeopleathomebegantothinkofpostingusasoverdue。
　　"OneSaturdayevening，Ibeingoffduty，themenaskedmetogivethemanextrabucketofwaterorso——
　　forwashingclothes。AsIdidnotwishtoscrewonthefresh—waterpumpsolate，Iwentforwardwhistling，andwithakeyinmyhandtounlocktheforepeakscuttle，intendingtoservethewateroutofasparetankwekeptthere。
　　"Thesmelldownbelowwasasunexpectedasitwasfrightful。Onewouldhavethoughthundredsofpar—
　　affin—lampshadbeenflaringandsmokinginthatholefordays。Iwasgladtogetout。Themanwithmecoughedandsaid，’Funnysmell，sir。’Ianswerednegli—
　　gently，’It’sgoodforthehealth，theysay，’andwalkedaft。
　　"ThefirstthingIdidwastoputmyheaddownthesquareofthemidshipventilator。AsIliftedthelidavisiblebreath，somethinglikeathinfog，apuffoffainthaze，rosefromtheopening。Theascendingairwashot，andhadaheavy，sooty，paraffinysmell。Igaveonesniff，andputdownthelidgently。Itwasnousechokingmy—
　　self。Thecargowasonfire。
　　"Nextdayshebegantosmokeinearnest。Youseeitwastobeexpected，forthoughthecoalwasofasafekind，thatcargohadbeensohandled，sobrokenupwithhandling，thatitlookedmorelikesmithycoalthanany—
　　thingelse。Thenithadbeenwetted——morethanonce。
　　Itrainedallthetimeweweretakingitbackfromthehulk，andnowwiththislongpassageitgotheated，andtherewasanothercaseofspontaneouscombustion。
　　"Thecaptaincalledusintothecabin。Hehadachartspreadonthetable，andlookedunhappy。Hesaid，’ThecoastofWestAustraliaisnear，butImeantoproceedtoourdestination。Itisthehurricanemonthtoo；butwewilljustkeepherheadforBankok，andfightthefire。
　　Nomoreputtingbackanywhere，ifweallgetroasted。
　　Wewilltryfirsttostiflethis’eredamnedcombustionbywantofair。’
　　"Wetried。Webatteneddowneverything，andstillshesmoked。Thesmokekeptcomingoutthroughim—
　　perceptiblecrevices；itforceditselfthroughbulkheadsandcovers；itoozedhereandthereandeverywhereinslenderthreads，inaninvisiblefilm，inanincomprehen—
　　siblemanner。Itmadeitswayintothecabin，intotheforecastle；itpoisonedtheshelteredplacesonthedeck，itcouldbesniffedashighasthemainyard。Itwasclearthatifthesmokecameouttheaircamein。Thiswasdisheartening。Thiscombustionrefusedtobestifled。
　　"Weresolvedtotrywater，andtookthehatchesoff。
　　Enormousvolumesofsmoke，whitish，yellowish，thick，greasy，misty，choking，ascendedashighasthetrucks。
　　Allhandsclearedoutaft。Thenthepoisonouscloudblewaway，andwewentbacktoworkinasmokethatwasnothickernowthanthatofanordinaryfactorychimney。
　　"Weriggedtheforcepump，gotthehosealong，andby—and—byitburst。Well，itwasasoldastheship——aprehistorichose，andpastrepair。Thenwepumpedwiththefeeblehead—pump，drewwaterwithbuckets，andinthiswaymanagedintimetopourlotsofIndianOceanintothemainhatch。Thebrightstreamflashedinsun—
　　shine，fellintoalayerofwhitecrawlingsmoke，andvan—
　　ishedontheblacksurfaceofcoal。Steamascendedminglingwiththesmoke。Wepouredsaltwaterasintoabarrelwithoutabottom。Itwasourfatetopumpinthatship，topumpoutofher，topumpintoher；andafterkeepingwateroutofhertosaveourselvesfrombeingdrowned，wefranticallypouredwaterintohertosaveourselvesfrombeingburnt。
　　"Andshecrawledon，doordie，inthesereneweather。
　　Theskywasamiracleofpurity，amiracleofazure。
　　Theseawaspolished，wasblue，waspellucid，wasspark—
　　linglikeapreciousstone，extendingonallsides，allroundtothehorizon——asifthewholeterrestrialglobehadbeenonejewel，onecolossalsapphire，asinglegemfashionedintoaplanet。AndonthelusterofthegreatcalmwaterstheJudeaglidedimperceptibly，envelopedinlanguidanduncleanvapors，inalazycloudthatdriftedtoleeward，lightandslow：apestiferousclouddefilingthesplendorofseaandsky。
　　"Allthistimeofcoursewesawnofire。Thecargosmolderedatthebottomsomewhere。OnceMahon，aswewereworkingsidebyside，saidtomewithaqueersmile：’Now，ifsheonlywouldspringatidyleak——
　　likethattimewhenwefirstlefttheChannel——itwouldputastopperonthisfire。Wouldn’tit？’Iremarkedirrelevantly，’Doyouremembertherats？’
　　"Wefoughtthefireandsailedtheshiptooascarefullyasthoughnothinghadbeenthematter。Thestewardcookedandattendedonus。Oftheothertwelvemen，eightworkedwhilefourrested。Everyonetookhisturn，captainincluded。Therewasequality，andifnotexactlyfraternity，thenadealofgoodfeeling。Some—
　　timesaman，ashedashedabucketfulofwaterdownthehatchway，wouldyellout，’HurrahforBankok！’andtherestlaughed。Butgenerallyweweretaciturnandseri—
　　ous——andthirsty。Oh！howthirsty！Andwehadtobecarefulwiththewater。Strictallowance。Theshipsmoked，thesunblazed……Passthebottle。
　　"Wetriedeverything。Weevenmadeanattempttodigdowntothefire。Nogood，ofcourse。Nomancouldremainmorethanaminutebelow。Mahon，whowentfirst，faintedthere，andthemanwhowenttofetchhimoutdidlikewise。Weluggedthemoutondeck。
　　ThenIleapeddowntoshowhoweasilyitcouldbedone。
　　Theyhadlearnedwisdombythattime，andcontentedthemselvesbyfishingformewithachain—hooktiedtoabroom—handle，Ibelieve。Ididnotoffertogoandfetchupmyshovel，whichwasleftdownbelow。
　　"Thingsbegantolookbad。Weputthelong—boatintothewater。Thesecondboatwasreadytoswingout。
　　Wehadalsoanother，afourteen—footthing，ondavitsaft，whereitwasquitesafe。