ingrobes，sittinglikeaBiblicalfigure，incongruously，onayellowtintrunkcordedwitharopeoftwistedrattan.Thefather，unmoved，putouthishandtopatthelittleshavenpollprotectingly.
　　XI
　　Sternecrossedthedeckuponthetrackofthechiefengineer.Jack，thesecond，retreatingbackwardsdowntheengine—roomladder，andstillwipinghishands，treatedhimtoanincomprehensiblegrinofwhiteteethoutofhisgrimyhardface;Massywasnowheretobeseen.Hemusthavegonestraightintohisberth.
　　Sternescratchedatthedoorsoftly，then，puttinghislipstotheroseoftheventilator，said——
　　"Imustspeaktoyou，Mr.Massy.Justgivemeaminuteortwo."
　　"Iambusy.Goawayfrommydoor."
　　"Butpray，Mr.Massy"
　　"Yougoaway.D’youhear？Takeyourselfoffalto—
　　gether——totheotherendoftheship——quiteaway"
　　Thevoiceinsidedroppedlow."Tothedevil."
　　Sternepaused：thenveryquietly——
　　"It’sratherpressing.Whendoyouthinkyouwillbeatliberty，sir？"
　　Theanswertothiswasanexasperated"Never";andatonceSterne，withaveryfirmexpressionofface，turnedthehandle.
　　Mr.Massy’sstateroom——anarrow，one—berthcabin——
　　smeltstronglyofsoap，andpresentedtoviewaswept，dusted，unadornedneatness，notsomuchbareasbarren，notsomuchsevereasstarvedandlackinginhumanity，likethewardofapublichospital，orrather（owingtothesmallsize）likethecleanretreatofadesperatelypoorbutexemplaryperson.Notasinglephotographframeornamentedthebulkheads;notasinglearticleofclothing，notasmuchasasparecap，hungfromthebrasshooks.Alltheinsidewaspaintedinoneplaintintofpaleblue;twobigsea—chestsinsailclothcoversandwithironpadlocksfittedexactlyinthespaceunderthebunk.Oneglancewasenoughtoembraceallthestripofscrubbedplankswithinthefourunconcealedcorners.Theabsenceoftheusualsetteewasstriking;
　　theteak—woodtopofthewashing—standseemedhermeti—
　　callyclosed，andsowasthelidofthewriting—desk，whichprotrudedfromthepartitionatthefootofthebed—place，containingamattressasthinasapancakeunderathreadbareblanketwithafadedredstripe，andafoldedmosquito—netagainstthenightsspentinharbor.
　　Therewasnotascrapofpaperanywhereinsight，nobootsonthefloor，nolitterofanysort，notaspeckofdustanywhere;notracesofpipe—asheven，which，inaheavysmoker，wasmorallyrevolting，likeamanifesta—
　　tionofextremehypocrisy;andthebottomoftheoldwoodenarm—chair（theonlyseatthere），polishedwithmuchuse，shoneasifitsshabbinesshadbeenwaxed.
　　Thescreenofleavesonthebank，passingasifunrolledendlesslyintheroundopeningoftheport，sentawaver—
　　ingnetworkoflightandshadeintotheplace.
　　Sterne，holdingthedooropenwithonehand，hadthrustinhisheadandshoulders.AtthisamazingintrusionMassy，whowasdoingabsolutelynothing，jumpedupspeechless.
　　"Don’tcallnames，"murmuredSternehurriedly."I
　　won’tbecallednames.Ithinkofnothingbutyourgood，Mr.Massy."
　　Apauseasofextremeastonishmentfollowed.Theybothseemedtohavelosttheirtongues.Thenthematewentonwithadiscreetglibness.
　　"Yousimplycouldn’tconceivewhat’sgoingononboardyourship.Itwouldn’tenteryourheadforamoment.Youaretoogood——too——tooupright，Mr.
　　Massy，tosuspectanybodyofsuchaIt’senoughtomakeyourhairstandonend."
　　Hewatchedfortheeffect：Massyseemeddazed，un—
　　comprehending.Heonlypassedthepalmofhishandonthecoal—blackwispsplasteredacrossthetopofhishead.Inatonesuddenlychangedtoconfidentialau—
　　dacitySternehastenedon.
　　"Rememberthatthere’sonlysixweekslefttorun"Theotherwaslookingathimstonily
　　"soanyhowyoushallrequireacaptainfortheshipbeforelong."
　　Thenonly，asifthatsuggestionhadscarifiedhisfleshinthemannerofred—hotiron，Massygaveastartandseemedreadytoshriek.Hecontainedhimselfbyagreateffort.
　　"Requireacaptain，"herepeatedwithscathingslow—
　　ness."Whorequiresacaptain？YoudaretotellmethatIneedanyofyouhumbuggingsailorstorunmyship.Youandyourlikeshavebeenfatteningonmeforyears.Itwouldhavehurtmelesstothrowmymoneyoverboard.Pam——pe——redus——e——lessf—f—f—frauds.Theoldshipknowsasmuchasthebestofyou."Hesnappedhisteethaudiblyandgrowledthroughthem，"Thesillylawrequiresacaptain."
　　Sternehadtakenheartofgracemeantime.
　　"Andthesillyinsurancepeopletoo，aswell，"hesaidlightly."Butnevermindthat.WhatIwanttoaskis：Whyshouldn’t_I_do，sir？Idon’tsaybutyoucouldtakeasteamerabouttheworldaswellasanyofussailors.Idon’tpretendtotellYOUthatitisaverygreattrick"Heemittedashort，hollowguffaw，familiarly"Ididn’tmakethelaw——butthereitis;andIamanactiveyoungfellow！Iquiteholdwithyourideas;Iknowyourwaysbythistime，Mr.Massy.
　　Iwouldn’ttrytogivemyselfairslikethat——that——erlazyspecimenofanoldmanupthere."
　　Heputamarkedemphasisonthelastsentence，toleadMassyawayfromthetrackincasebuthedidnotdoubtofnowholdinghissuccess.Thechiefengineerseemednonplused，likeaslowmaninvitedtocatchholdofawhirligigofsomesort.
　　"Whatyouwant，sir，isachapwithnononsenseabouthim，whowouldbecontenttobeyoursailing—master.
　　Quiteright，too.Well，IamfitfortheworkasmuchasthatSerang.Becausethat’swhatitamountsto.
　　Doyouknow，sir，thatadam’Malaylikeamonkeyisinchargeofyourship——andnooneelse.Justlistentohisfeetpit—pattingaboveusonthebridge——realofficerincharge.He’stakingheruptheriverwhilethegreatmaniswallowinginthechair——perhapsasleep;
　　andifheis，thatwouldnotmakeitmuchworseeither——
　　takemywordforit."
　　Hetriedtothrusthimselffartherin.Massy，withloweredforehead，onehandgraspingthebackofthearm—chair，didnotbudge.
　　"Youthink，sir，thatthemanhasgotyoutightinhisagreement"Massyraisedaheavysnarlingfaceatthis"Well，sir，onecan’thelphearingofitonboard.It’snosecret.Andithasbeenthetalkonshoreforyears;fellowshavebeenmakingbetsaboutit.No，sir！It’sYOUwhohavegothimatyourmercy.Youwillsaythatyoucan’tdismisshimforindolence.Difficulttoproveincourt，andsoon.Why，yes.Butifyousaytheword，sir，Icantellyousome—
　　thingabouthisindolencethatwillgiveyoutheclearrighttofirehimoutonthespotandputmeinchargefortherestofthisverytrip——yes，sir，beforeweleaveBatuBeru——andmakehimpayadollaradayforhiskeeptillwegetback，ifyoulike.Now，whatdoyouthinkofthat？Come，sir.Saytheword.It’sreallywellworthyourwhile，andIamquitereadytotakeyourbareword.Adefinitestatementfromyouwouldbeasgoodasabond."
　　Hiseyesbegantoshine.Heinsisted.Asimplestate—
　　ment，——andhethoughttohimselfthathewouldman—
　　agesomehowtostickinhisberthaslongasitsuitedhim.Hewouldmakehimselfindispensable;theshiphadabadnameinherport;itwouldbeeasytoscarethefellowsoff.Massywouldhavetokeephim.
　　"Adefinitestatementfrommewouldbeenough，"
　　Massyrepeatedslowly.
　　"Yes，sir.Itwould."Sternestuckouthischincheerilyandblinkedatclosequarterswiththatuncon—
　　sciousimpudencewhichhadthepowertoenrageMassybeyondanything.
　　Theengineerspokeverydistinctly.
　　"Listenwelltome，then，Mr.Sterne：Iwouldn’t——
　　d’yehear？——Iwouldn’tpromiseyouthevalueoftwopenceforanythingYOUcantellme."
　　HestruckSterne’sarmawaywithasmartblow，andcatchingholdofthehandlepulledthedoorto.Theterrificslamdarkenedthecabininstantaneouslytohiseyeasifaftertheflashofanexplosion.Atoncehedroppedintothechair."Oh，no！Youdon’t！"hewhisperedfaintly.
　　Theshiphadinthatplacetoshavethebanksoclosethatthegiganticwallofleavescameglidinglikeashutteragainsttheport;thedarknessoftheprimevalforestseemedtoflowintothatbarecabinwiththeodorofrottingleaves，ofsoddensoil——thestrongmuddysmellofthelivingearthsteaminguncoveredafterthepass—
　　ingofadeluge.Thebushesswishedloudlyalongside;
　　abovetherewasaseriesofcracklingsounds，withasharprainofsmallbrokenbranchesfallingonthebridge;acreeperwithagreatrustlesnappedontheheadofaboatdavit，andalong，luxuriantgreentwigactuallywhippedinandoutoftheopenport，leavingbehindafewtornleavesthatremainedsuddenlyatrestonMr.Massy’sblanket.Then，theshipsheeringoutinthestream，thelightbegantoreturnbutdidnotaugmentbeyondasubduedclearness：forthesunwasverylowalready，andtheriver，wendingitssinuouscoursethroughamultitudeofseculartreesasifatthebottomofaprecipitousgorge，hadbeenalreadyin—
　　vadedbyadeepeninggloom——theswiftprecursorofthenight.
　　"Oh，no，youdon’t！"murmuredtheengineeragain.
　　Hislipstrembledalmostimperceptibly;hishandstoo，alittle：andtocalmhimselfheopenedthewriting—desk，spreadoutasheetofthingrayishpapercoveredwithamassofprintedfiguresandbegantoscanthemat—
　　tentivelyforthetwentiethtimethistripatleast.
　　Withhiselbowspropped，hisheadbetweenhishands，heseemedtolosehimselfinthestudyofanabstruseprobleminmathematics.Itwasthelistofthewinningnumbersfromthelastdrawingofthegreatlotterywhichhadbeentheoneinspiringfactofsomanyyearsofhisexistence.Theconceptionofalifedeprivedofthatperiodicalsheetofpaperhadslippedawayfromhimentirely，asanotherman，accordingtohisnature，wouldnothavebeenabletoconceiveaworldwithoutfreshair，withoutactivity，orwithoutaffection.A
　　greatpileofflimsysheetshadbeengrowingforyearsinhisdesk，whiletheSofala，drivenbythefaithfulJack，woreoutherboilersintrampingupanddowntheStraits，fromcapetocape，fromrivertoriver，frombaytobay;accumulatingbythathardlaborofanoverworked，starvedshiptheblackenedmassofthesedocuments.Massykeptthemunderlockandkeylikeatreasure.Therewasinthem，asintheexperienceoflife，thefascinationofhope，theexcitementofahalf—
　　penetratedmystery，thelongingofahalf—satisfieddesire.
　　Fordaystogether，onatrip，hewouldshuthimselfupinhisberthwiththem：thethumpofthetoilingenginespulsatedinhisear;andhewouldwearyhisbrainporingovertherowsofdisconnectedfigures，be—
　　wilderingbytheirsenselesssequence，resemblingthehazardsofdestinyitself.Henourishedaconvictionthattheremustbesomelogiclurkingsomewhereintheresultsofchance.Hethoughthehadseenitsveryform.Hisheadswam;hislimbsached;hepuffedathispipemechanically;acontemplativestuporwouldsoothethefretfulnessofhistemper，likethepassivebodilyquietudeprocuredbyadrug，whiletheintellectremainstenselyonthestretch.Nine，nine，aught，four，two.Hemadeanote.Thenextwinningnumberofthegreatprizewasforty—seventhousandandfive.ThesenumbersofcoursewouldhavetobeavoidedinthefuturewhenwritingtoManillaforthetickets.Hemumbled，pencilinhand"andfive.Hmhm."Hewettedhisfinger：thepapersrustled.Ha！Butwhat’sthis？Threeyearsago，intheSeptemberdrawing，itwasnumbernine，aught，four，twothattookthefirstprize.Mostremarkable.Therewasahintthereofadefiniterule！Hewasafraidofmissingsomereconditeprincipleintheoverwhelmingwealthofhismaterial.
　　Whatcoulditbe？andforhalfanhourhewouldremaindeadstill，bentlowoverthedesk，withouttwitchingamuscle.Athisbackthewholeberthwouldbethickwithaheavybodyofsmoke，asifabombhadburstinthere，unnoticed，unheard.
　　Atlasthewouldlockupthedeskwiththedecisionofunshakenconfidence，jumpandgoout.Hewouldwalkswiftlybackandforthonthatpartoftheforedeckwhichwaskeptclearofthelumberandofthebodiesofthenativepassengers.Theywereagreatnuisance，buttheywerealsoasourceofprofitthatcouldnotbedis—
　　dained.HeneededeverypennyofprofittheSofalacouldmake.Littleenoughitwas，inallconscience！
　　Theincertitudeofchancegavehimnoconcern，sincehehadsomehowarrivedattheconvictionthat，inthecourseofyears，everynumberwasboundtohavehiswinningturn.Itwassimplyamatteroftimeandoftakingasmanyticketsashecouldaffordforeverydrawing.Hegenerallytookrathermore;alltheearn—
　　ingsoftheshipwentthatway，andalsothewagesheallowedhimselfaschiefengineer.Itwasthewageshepaidtoothersthathebegrudgedwithareasonedandatthesametimeapassionateregret.Hescowledatthelascarswiththeirdeckbrooms，atthequarter—
　　mastersrubbingthebrassrailswithgreasyrags;hewaseagertoshakehisfistandroarabuseinbadMalayatthepoorcarpenter——atimid，sickly，opium—fuddledChinaman，inloosebluedrawersforallcostume，whoinvariablydroppedhistoolsandfledbelow，withstream—
　　ingtailandshakingallover，beforethefuryofthat"devil."Butitwaswhenheraiseduphiseyestothebridgewhereoneofthesesailorfraudswasalwaysplantedbylawinchargeofhisshipthathefeltalmostdizzywithrage.Heabominatedthemall;itwasanoldfeud，fromthetimehefirstwenttosea，anun—
　　lickedcubwithagreatopinionofhimself，intheengine—room.Theslightsthathadbeenputuponhim.
　　Thepersecutionshehadsufferedatthehandsofskip—
　　pers——ofabsolutenobodiesinasteamshipafterall.
　　Andnowthathehadrisentobeashipownertheywerestillaplaguetohim：hehadabsolutelytopayawaypreciousmoneytotheconceiteduselessloafers：——Asifafullyqualifiedengineer——whowastheowneraswell——
　　werenotfittobetrustedwiththewholechargeofaship.Well！hemadeitprettywarmforthem;butitwasapoorconsolation.Hehadcomeintimetohatetheshiptoofortherepairssherequired，forthecoal—
　　billshehadtopay，forthepoorbeggarlyfreightssheearned.Hewouldclenchhishandashewalkedandhittherailasuddenblow，viciously，asthoughshecouldbemadetofeelpain.Andyethecouldnotdowithouter;heneededher;hemusthangontohertoothandnailtokeephisheadabovewatertilltheexpectedfloodoffortunecamesweepingupandlandedhimsafelyonthehighshoreofhisambition.
　　Itwasnowtodonothing，nothingwhatever，andhaveplentyofmoneytodoiton.Hehadtastedofpower，thehighestformofithislimitedexperiencewasawareof——thepowerofshipowning.Whatadeception！
　　Vanityofvanities！Hewonderedathisfolly.Hehadthrownawaythesubstancefortheshadow.Ofthegratificationofwealthhedidnotknowenoughtoexcitehisimaginationwithanyvisionsofluxury.Howcouldhe——thechildofadrunkenboiler—maker——goingstraightfromtheworkshopintotheengine—roomofanorth—countrycollier！Butthenotionoftheabsoluteidlenessofwealthhecouldverywellconceive.Hereveledinit，toforgethispresenttroubles;heimaginedhimselfwalkingaboutthestreetsofHull（heknewtheirgutterswellasaboy）withhispocketsfullofsov—
　　ereigns.Hewouldbuyhimselfahouse;hismarriedsisters，theirhusbands，hisoldworkshopchums，wouldrenderhiminfinitehomage.Therewouldbenothingtothinkof.Hiswordwouldbelaw.Hehadbeenoutofworkforalongtimebeforehewonhisprize，andherememberedhowCarloMariani（commonlyknownasPaunchyCharley），theMaltesehotel—keeperattheslummyendofDenhamStreet，hadcringedjoyfullybeforehimintheevening，whenthenewshadcome.
　　PoorCharley，thoughhemadehislivingbyministeringtovariousabjectvices，gavecreditfortheirfoodtomanyapieceofwhitewreckage.Hewasnaivelyover—
　　joyedattheideaofhisoldbillsbeingpaid，andhereckonedconfidentlyonaspelloffestivitiesinthecavernousgrog—shopdownstairs.Massyrememberedthecurious，respectfullooksofthe"trashy"whitemenintheplace.Hishearthadswelledwithinhim.MassyhadleftCharley’sinfamousdendirectlyhehadrealizedthepossibilitiesopentohim，andwithhisnoseintheair.
　　Afterwardsthememoryoftheseadulationswasagreatsadness.
　　Thiswasthetruepowerofmoney，——andnotroublewithit，noranythinkingrequiredeither.Hethoughtwithdifficultyandfeltvividly;tohisbluntbraintheproblemsofferedbyanyorderedschemeoflifeseemedintheircrueltoughnesstohavebeenputinhiswaybytheobviousmalevolenceofmen.Asashipownereveryonehadconspiredtomakehimanobody.Howcouldhehavebeensuchafoolastopurchasethatac—
　　cursedship.Hehadbeenabominablyswindled;therewasnoendtothisswindling;andasthedifficultiesofhisimprovidentambitiongatheredthickerroundhim，hereallycametohateeverybodyhehadevercomeincon—
　　tactwith.Atempernaturallyirritableandanamazingsensitivenesstotheclaimsofhisownpersonalityhadendedbymakingoflifeforhimasortofinferno——aplacewherehislostsoulhadbeengivenuptothetor—
　　mentofsavagebrooding.
　　Buthehadneverhatedanyonesomuchasthatoldmanwhohadturneduponeeveningtosavehimfromanutterdisaster，——fromtheconspiracyofthewretchedsailors.Heseemedtohavefallenonboardfromthesky.Hisfootstepsechoedontheemptysteamer，andthestrangedeep—tonedvoiceondeckrepeatinginter—
　　rogativelythewords，"Mr.Massy，Mr.Massythere？"
　　hadbeenstartlinglikeawonder.Andcomingupfromthedepthsofthecoldengine—room，wherehehadbeenpotteringdismallywithacandleamongsttheenormousshadows，thrownonallsidesbytheskeletonlimbsofma—
　　chinery，Massyhadbeenstruckdumbbyastonishmentinthepresenceofthatimposingoldmanwithabeardlikeasilverplate，toweringintheduskrenderedluridbytheexpiringflamesofsunset.
　　"Wanttoseemeonbusiness？Whatbusiness？Iamdoingnobusiness.Can’tyouseethatthisshipislaidup？"Massyhadturnedatbaybeforethepursuingironyofhisdisaster.Afterwardshecouldnotbelievehisears.Whatwasthatoldfellowgettingat？Thingsdon’thappenthatway.Itwasadream.Hewouldpresentlywakeupandfindthemanvanishedlikeashapeofmist.Thegravity，thedignity，thefirmandcourteoustoneofthatathleticoldstrangerimpressedMassy.Hewasalmostafraid.Butitwasnodream.
　　Fivehundredpoundsarenodream.Atoncehebecamesuspicious.Whatdiditmean？Ofcourseitwasanoffertocatchholdoffordearlife.Butwhatcouldtherebebehind？
　　Beforetheyhadparted，afterappointingameetinginasolicitor’sofficeearlyonthemorrow，Massywasaskinghimself，Whatishismotive？Hespentthenightinhammeringouttheclausesoftheagreement——auniqueinstrumentofitssortwhosetenorgotbruitedabroadsomehowandbecamethetalkandwonderoftheport.
　　Massy’sobjecthadbeentosecureforhimselfasmanywaysaspossibleofgettingridofhispartnerwithoutbeingcalleduponatoncetopaybackhisshare.Cap—
　　tainWhalley’seffortsweredirectedtomakingthemoneysecure.WasitnotIvy’smoney——apartofherfortunewhoseonlyotherassetwasthetime—defyingbodyofheroldfather？Sureofhisforbearanceinthestrengthofhisloveforher，heaccepted，withstatelyserenity，Massy’sstupidlycunningparagraphsagainsthisin—
　　competence，hisdishonesty，hisdrunkenness，forthesakeofotherstringentstipulations.Attheendofthreeyearshewasatlibertytowithdrawfromthepartner—
　　ship，takinghismoneywithhim.Provisionwasmadeforformingafundtopayhimoff.ButifhelefttheSofalabeforetheterm，fromwhatevercause（barringdeath），Massywastohaveawholeyearforpaying.
　　"Illness？"thelawyerhadsuggested：ayoungmanfreshfromEuropeandnotoverburdenedwithbusiness，whowasratheramused.Massybegantowhineunctu—
　　ously，"Howcouldhebeexpected？"
　　"Letthatgo，"CaptainWhalleyhadsaidwithasuperbconfidenceinhisbody."ActsofGod，"headded.Inthemidstoflifeweareindeath，buthetrustedhisMakerwithastillgreaterfearlessness——hisMakerwhoknewhisthoughts，hishumanaffections，andhismotives.HisCreatorknewwhatusehewasmakingofhishealth——howmuchhewantedit"Itrustmyfirstillnesswillbemylast.I’veneverbeenillthatIcanremember，"hehadremarked."Letitgo."
　　ButatthisearlystagehehadalreadyawakenedMassy’shostilitybyrefusingtomakeitsixhundredinsteadoffive."Icannotdothat，"wasallhehadsaid，simply，butwithsomuchdecisionthatMassydesistedatoncefrompressingthepoint，buthadthoughttohimself，"Can’t！Oldcurmudgeon.WON’T！Hemusthavelotsofmoney，buthewouldliketogetholdofasoftberthandthesixthpartofmyprofitsfornothingifheonlycould."
　　AndduringtheseyearsMassy’sdislikegrewundertherestraintofsomethingresemblingfear.Thesimplicityofthatmanappeareddangerous.Oflatehehadchanged，however，hadappearedlessformidableandwithalessenedvigoroflife，asthoughhehadreceivedasecretwound.Butstillheremainedincomprehensibleinhissimplicity，fearlessness，andrectitude.AndwhenMassylearnedthathemeanttoleavehimattheendofthetime，toleavehimconfrontedwiththeproblemofboilers，hisdislikeblazedupsecretlyintohate.
　　Ithadmadehimsoclear—eyedthatforalongtimenowMr.Sternecouldhavetoldhimnothinghedidnotknow.Hehadmuchadointryingtoterrorizethatmeansneakintosilence;hewantedtodealalonewiththesituation;and——incredibleasitmighthaveap—
　　pearedtoMr.Sterne——hehadnotyetgivenupthede—
　　sireandthehopeofinducingthathatedoldmantostay.Why！therewasnothingelsetodo，unlessheweretoabandonhischancesoffortune.Butnow，suddenly，sincethecrossingofthebaratBatuBeruthingsseemedtobecomingrapidlytoapoint.Itdisquietedhimsomuchthatthestudyofthewinningnumbersfailedtosoothehisagitation：andthetwilightinthecabindeepened，verysomber.
　　Heputthelistaway，mutteringoncemore，"Oh，no，myboy，youdon’t.NotifIknowit."Hedidnotmeantheblinking，eavesdroppinghumbugtoforcehisaction.Hetookhisheadagainintohishands;hisim—
　　mobilityconfinedinthedarknessofthisshut—uplittleplaceseemedtomakehimathingapartinfinitelyre—
　　movedfromthestirandthesoundsofthedeck.
　　Heheardthem：thepassengerswerebeginningtojabberexcitedly;somebodydraggedaheavyboxpasthisdoor.HeheardCaptainWhalley’svoiceabove——
　　"Stations，Mr.Sterne."Andtheanswerfromsome—
　　whereondeckforward——
　　"Ay，ay，sir."
　　"Weshallmoorheadupstreamthistime;theebbhasmade."
　　"Headupstream，sir."
　　"Youwillseetoit，Mr.Sterne."
　　Theanswerwascoveredbytheautocraticclangontheengine—roomgong.Thepropellerwentonbeatingslowly：one，two，three;one，two，three——withpausesasifhesitatingontheturn.Thegongclangedtimeaftertime，andthewaterchurnedthiswayandthatbythebladeswasmakingagreatnoisycommotionalongside.
　　Mr.Massydidnotmove.Ashore—lightontheotherbank，aquarterofamileacrosstheriver，drifted，nobiggerthanatinystar，passingslowlyathwartthecir—
　　cleoftheport.VoicesfromMr.VanWyk’sjettyan—
　　sweredthehailsfromtheship;ropeswerethrownandmissedandthrownagain;theswayingflameofatorchcarriedinalargesampancomingtofetchawayinstatetheRajahfromdownthecoastcastasuddenruddyglareintohiscabin，overhisveryperson.Mr.Massydidnotmove.Afterafewlastponderousturnstheenginesstopped，andtheprolongedclangingofthegongsignifiedthatthecaptainhaddonewiththem.A
　　greatnumberofboatsandcanoesofallsizesboardedtheoff—sideoftheSofala.Thenafteratimethetumultofsplashing，ofcries，ofshufflingfeet，ofpackagesdroppedwithathump，thenoiseofthenativepassen—
　　gersgoingaway，subsidedslowly.Ontheshore，avoice，cultivated，slightlyauthoritative，spokeveryclosealongside——
　　"Broughtanymailformethistime？"
　　"Yes，Mr.VanWyk."ThiswasfromSterne，an—
　　sweringovertherailinatoneofrespectfulcordiality.
　　"ShallIbringituptoyou？"
　　Butthevoiceaskedagain——
　　"Where’sthecaptain？"
　　"Stillonthebridge，Ibelieve.Hehasn’tlefthischair.ShallI"
　　Thevoiceinterruptednegligently.
　　"Iwillcomeonboard."
　　"Mr.VanWyk，"Sternesuddenlybrokeoutwithaneagereffort，"willyoudomethefavor"
　　Thematewalkedawayquicklytowardsthegangway.
　　Asilencefell.Mr.Massyinthedarkdidnotmove.
　　Hedidnotmoveevenwhenheheardslowshufflingfootstepspasshiscabinlazily.Hecontentedhimselftobellowoutthroughthecloseddoor——
　　"You——Jack！"
　　Thefootstepscamebackwithouthaste;thedoorhandlerattled，andthesecondengineerappearedintheopening，shadowyinthesheenoftheskylightathisback，withhisfaceapparentlyasblackastherestofhisfigure.
　　"Wehavebeenverylongcomingupthistime，"Mr.
　　Massygrowled，withoutchanginghisattitude.
　　"Whatdoyouexpectwithhalftheboilertubespluggedupforleaks."Theseconddefendedhimselfloquaciously.
　　"Noneofyourlip，"saidMassy.
　　"Noneofyourrottenboilers——Isay，"retortedhisfaithfulsubordinatewithoutanimation，huskily."Godownthereandcarryaheadofsteamonthemyourself——
　　ifyoudare.Idon’t."
　　"Youaren’tworthyoursaltthen，"Massysaid.Theothermadeafaintnoisewhichresembledalaughbutmighthavebeenasnarl.
　　"Bettergoslowthanstoptheshipaltogether，"headmonishedhisadmiredsuperior.Mr.Massymovedatlast.Heturnedinhischair，andgrindinghisteeth——
　　"Dam’youandtheship！Iwishshewereatthebottomofthesea.Thenyouwouldhavetostarve."
　　Thetrustysecondengineerclosedthedoorgently.
　　Massylistened.Insteadofpassingontothebath—
　　roomwhereheshouldhavegonetocleanhimself，thesecondenteredhiscabin，whichwasnextdoor.Mr.
　　Massyjumpedupandwaited.Suddenlyheheardthelocksnapinthere.Herushedoutandgaveaviolentkicktothedoor.
　　"Ibelieveyouarelockingyourselfuptogetdrunk，"
　　heshouted.
　　Amuffledanswercameafterawhile.
　　"Myowntime."
　　"IfyoutaketoboozingonthetripI’llfireyouout，"
　　Massycried.
　　Anobstinatesilencefollowedthatthreat.Massymovedawayperplexed.Onthebanktwofiguresap—
　　peared，approachingthegangway.Heheardavoicetingedwithcontempt——
　　"Iwouldratherdoubtyourword.ButIshallcer—
　　tainlyspeaktohimofthis."
　　Theothervoice，Sterne’s，saidwithasortofregretfulformality——
　　"Thanks.That’sallIwant.Imustdomyduty."
　　Mr.Massywassurprised.Ashort，dapperfigureleapedlightlyonthedeckandnearlyboundedintohimwherehestoodbeyondthecircleoflightfromthegang—
　　waylamp.Whenithadpassedtowardsthebridge，afterexchangingahurried"Goodevening，"MassysaidsurlilytoSternewhofollowedwithslowsteps——
　　"Whatisityou’remakinguptoMr.VanWykfor，now？"
　　"Farfromit，Mr.Massy.IamnotgoodenoughforMr.VanWyk.Neitherareyou，sir，inhisopinion，I
　　amafraid.CaptainWhalleyis，itseems.He’sgonetoaskhimtodineupatthehousethisevening."
　　Thenhemurmuredtohimselfdarkly——
　　"Ihopehewilllikeit."
　　XII
　　Mr.VanWyk，thewhitemanofBatuBeru，anex—
　　navalofficerwho，forreasonsbestknowntohimself，hadthrownawaythepromiseofabrilliantcareertobecomethepioneeroftobacco—plantingonthatremotepartofthecoast，hadlearnedtolikeCaptainWhalley.Theappearanceofthenewskipperhadattractedhisatten—
　　tion.NothingmoreunlikeallthediversetypeshehadseensucceedingeachotheronthebridgeoftheSofalacouldbeimagined.
　　AtthattimeBatuBeruwasnotwhatithasbecomesince：thecenterofaprosperoustobacco—growingdis—
　　trict，atropicallysuburban—lookinglittlesettlementofbungalowsinonelongstreetshadedwithtworowsoftrees，emboweredbythefloweringandtrimluxurianceofthegardens，withathree—mile—longcarriage—roadfortheafternoondrivesandafirst—classResidentwithafat，cheerywifetoleadthesocietyofmarriedestate—
　　managersandunmarriedyoungfellowsintheserviceofthebigcompanies.
　　Allthisprosperitywasnotyet;andMr.VanWykprosperedaloneontheleftbankonhisdeepclearingcarvedoutoftheforest，whichcamedownaboveandbelowtothewater’sedge.HislonelybungalowfacedacrosstheriverthehousesoftheSultan：arestlessandmelancholyoldrulerwhohaddonewithloveandwar，forwhomlifenolongerheldanysavor（exceptofevilforebodings）andtimeneverhadanyvalue.Hewasafraidofdeath，andhopedhewoulddiebeforethewhitemenwerereadytotakehiscountryfromhim.Hecrossedtheriverfrequently（withneverlessthantenboatscrammedfullofpeople），inthewistfulhopeofextractingsomeinformationonthesubjectfromhisownwhiteman.Therewasacertainchairontheverandahealwaystook：thedignitariesofthecourtsquattedontherugsandskinsbetweenthefurniture：
　　theinferiorpeopleremainedbelowonthegrassplotbetweenthehouseandtheriverinrowsthreeorfourdeepallalongthefront.Notseldomthevisitbeganatdaybreak.Mr.VanWyktoleratedtheseinroads.Hewouldnodoutofhisbedroomwindow，tooth—brushorrazorinhand，orpassthroughthethrongofcourtiersinhisbathingrobe.Heappearedanddisappearedhum—
　　mingatune，polishedhisnailswithattention，rubbedhisshavedfacewitheau—de—Cologne，drankhisearlytea，wentouttoseehiscooliesatwork：returned，lookedthroughsomepapersonhisdesk，readapageortwoinabookorsatbeforehiscottagepianoleaningbackonthestool，hisarmsextended，fingersonthekeys，hisbodyswayingslightlyfromsidetoside.Whenabso—
　　lutelyforcedtospeakhegaveevasivevaguelysoothinganswersoutofpurecompassion：thesamefeelingper—
　　hapsmadehimsolavishlyhospitablewiththeaerateddrinksthatmorethanoncehelefthimselfwithoutsoda—
　　waterforawholeweek.Thatoldmanhadgrantedhimasmuchlandashecaredtohavecleared：itwasneithermorenorlessthanafortune.
　　WhetheritwasfortuneorseclusionfromhiskindthatMr.VanWyksought，hecouldnothavepitcheduponabetterplace.Eventhemail—boatsofthesubsidizedcompanycallingontheveriestclustersofpalm—thatchedhovelsalongthecoaststeamedpastthemouthofBatuBeruriverfarawayintheoffing.Thecontractwasold：perhapsinafewyears’time，whenithadexpired，BatuBeruwouldbeincludedintheservice;meantimeallMr.VanWyk’smailwasaddressedtoMalacca，whencehisagentsentitacrossonceamonthbytheSofala.ItfollowedthatwheneverMassyhadrunshortofmoney（throughtakingtoomanylotterytickets），orgotintoadifficultyaboutaskipper，Mr.VanWykwasdeprivedofhisletterandnewspapers.InsofarhehadapersonalinterestinthefortunesoftheSofala.
　　Thoughheconsideredhimselfahermit（andfornopassingwhimevidently，sincehehadstoodeightyearsofitalready），helikedtoknowwhatwentonintheworld.
　　Handyontheverandauponawalnutetagere（ithadcomelastyearbytheSofala——everythingcamebytheSofala）therelay，piledupunderbronzeweights，apileoftheTimes’weeklyedition，thelargesheetsoftheRotterdamCourant，theGraphicinitsworld—widegreenwrappers，anillustratedDutchpublicationwith—
　　outacover，thenumbersofaGermanmagazinewithcoversofthe"Bismarckmalade"color.Therewerealsoparcelsofnewmusic——thoughthepiano（ithadcomeyearsagobytheSofalainthedampatmosphereoftheforestswasgenerallyoutoftune.Itwasvexingtobecutofffromeverythingforsixtydaysatastretchsometimes，withoutanymeansofknowingwhatwasthematter.AndwhentheSofalareappearedMr.VanWykwoulddescendthestepsoftheverandaandstrolloverthegrassplotinfrontofhishouse，downtothewater—
　　side，withafrownonhiswhitebrow.
　　"You’vebeenlaidupafteranaccident，Ipresume."
　　Headdressedthebridge，butbeforeanybodycouldanswerMassywassuretohavealreadyscrambledashoreovertherailandpushedin，squeezingthepalmsofhishandstogether，bowinghissleekheadasifgummedalloverthetopwithblackthreadsandtapes.Andhewouldbesoenragedatthenecessityofhavingtooffersuchanexplanationthathismoaningwouldbeposi—
　　tivelypitiful，whileallthetimehetriedtocomposehisbiglipsintoasmile.
　　"No，Mr.VanWyk.Youwouldnotbelieveit.I
　　couldn’tgetoneofthosewretchestotaketheshipout.
　　Notasingleoneofthelazybeastscouldbeinduced，andthelaw，youknow，Mr.VanWyk"
　　Hemoanedatgreatlengthapologetically;thewordsconspiracy，plot，envy，cameoutprominently，whinedwithgreaterenergy.Mr.VanWyk，examiningwithafaintgrimacehispolishedfinger—nails，wouldsay，"H’m.Veryunfortunate，"andturnhisbackonhim.
　　Fastidious，clever，slightlyskeptical，accustomedtothebestsociety（hehadheldamuch—enviedshoreappoint—
　　mentattheMinistryofMarineforayearprecedinghisretreatfromhisprofessionandfromEurope），hepossessedalatentwarmthoffeelingandacapacityforsympathywhichwereconcealedbyasortofhaughty，arbitraryindifferenceofmannerarisingfromhisearlytraining;andbyasomethinganenemymighthavecalledfoppish，inhisaspect——likeadistortedechoofpastelegance.Hemanagedtokeepanalmostmili—
　　tarydisciplineamongstthecooliesoftheestatehehaddraggedintothelightofdayoutofthetangleandshadowsofthejungle;andthewhiteshirtheputoneveryeveningwithitsstiffglossyfrontandhighcollarlookedasifhehadmeanttopreservethedecentceremonyofevening—dress，buthadwoundathickcrim—
　　sonsashabovehishipsasaconcessiontothewilderness，oncehisadversary，nowhisvanquishedcompanion.
　　Moreover，itwasahygienicprecaution.Wornwideopeninfront，ashortjacketofsomeairysilkenstufffloatedfromhisshoulders.Hisfluffy，fairhair，thinatthetop，curledslightlyatthesides;acarefullyar—
　　rangedmustache，anungarnishedforehead，thegleamoflowpatentshoespeepingunderthewidebottomoftrowserscutstraightfromthesamestuffasthegossa—
　　mercoat，completedafigurerecalling，withitssash，apiratechiefofromance，andatthesametimetheele—
　　ganceofaslightlybalddandyindulging，inseclusion，atasteforunorthodoxcostume.
　　Itwashiseveningget—up.ThepropertimefortheSofalatoarriveatBatuBeruwasanhourbeforesun—
　　set，andhelookedpicturesque，andsomehowquitecor—
　　recttoo，walkingatthewater’sedgeonthebackgroundofgrassslopecrownedwithalowlongbungalowwithanimmenselysteeproofofpalmthatch，andcladtotheeavesinfloweringcreepers.WhiletheSofalawasbeingmadefasthestrolledintheshadeofthefewtreesleftnearthelanding—place，waitingtillhecouldgoonboard.Herwhitemenwerenotofhiskind.TheoldSultan（thoughhiswistfulinvasionswereanuisance）
　　wasreallymuchmoreacceptabletohisfastidioustaste.
　　Butstilltheywerewhite;theperiodicalvisitsoftheshipmadeabreakinthewell—filledsamenessofthedayswithoutdisturbinghisprivacy.Moreover，theywerenecessaryfromabusinesspointofview;andthroughastrainofprecisenessinhisnaturehewasirritatedwhenshefailedtoappearattheappointedtime.
　　Thecauseoftheirregularitywastooabsurd，andMassy，inhisopinion，wasacontemptibleidiot.ThefirsttimetheSofalareappearedunderthenewagree—
　　mentswingingoutofthebendbelow，afterhehadalmostgivenupallhopeofeverseeingheragain，hefeltsoangrythathedidnotgodownatoncetothelanding—place.Hisservantshadcomerunningtohimwiththenews，andhehaddraggedachaircloseagainstthefrontrailoftheveranda，spreadhiselbowsout，restedhischinonhishands，andwentonglaringatherfixedlywhileshewasbeingmadefastoppositehishouse.Hecouldmakeouteasilyallthewhitefacesonboard.Whoonearthwasthatkindofpatriarchtheyhadgotthereonthebridgenow？
　　Atlasthesprangupandwalkeddownthegravelpath.
　　ItwasafactthattheverygravelforhispathshadbeenimportedbytheSofala.Exasperatedoutofhisquietsuperciliousness，withoutlookingatanyonerightorleft，heaccostedMassystraightwayinsodeterminedamannerthattheengineer，takenaback，begantostammerunintelligibly.Nothingcouldbeheardbutthewords："Mr.VanWykIndeed，Mr.VanWykForthefuture，Mr.VanWyk"——andbythesuffusionofbloodMassy’svastbiliousfaceacquiredanunnaturalorangetint，outofwhichthedisconcertedcoal—blackeyesshoneinanextraordinarymanner.
　　"Nonsense.Iamtiredofthis.IwonderyouhavetheimpudencetocomealongsidemyjettyasifIhaditmadeforyourconveniencealone."
　　Massytriedtoprotestearnestly.Mr.VanWykwasveryangry.HehadagoodmindtoaskthatGermanfirm——thosepeopleinMalacca——whatwastheirname？——
　　boatswithgreenfunnels.Theywouldbeonlytoogladoftheopeningtoputoneoftheirsmallsteamersontherun.Yes;Schnitzler，JacobSchnitzler，wouldinamoment.Yes.Hehaddecidedtowritewithoutdelay.
　　InhisagitationMassycaughtuphisfallingpipe.
　　"Youdon’tmeanit，sir！"heshrieked.
　　"Youshouldn’tmismanageyourbusinessinthisridiculousmanner."
　　Mr.VanWykturnedonhisheel.Theotherthreewhitesonthebridgehadnotstirredduringthescene.
　　Massywalkedhastilyfromsidetoside，puffedouthischeeks，suffocated.
　　"StuckupDutchman！"
　　Andhemoanedoutfeverishlyalongtaleofgriefs.
　　Theeffortshehadmadeforalltheseyearstopleasethatman.Thiswasthereturnyougotforit，eh？
　　Pretty.WritetoSchnitzler——letinthegreen—funnelboats——getanoldHamburgJewtoruinhim.No，reallyhecouldlaughHelaughedsobbingly
　　Ha！ha！ha！Andmakehimcarrytheletterinhisownshippresumably.
　　Hestumbledacrossagratingandswore.HewouldnothesitatetoflingtheDutchman’scorrespondenceoverboard——thewholeconfoundedbundle.Hehadnever，nevermadeanychargeforthataccommodation.
　　ButCaptainWhalley，hisnewpartner，wouldnotlethimprobably;besides，itwouldbeonlyputtingofftheevilday.Forhisownparthewouldmakeaholeinthewaterratherthanlookontamelyatthegreenfunnelsoverrunninghistrade.
　　Heravedaloud.TheChinaboyshungbackwiththedishesatthefootoftheladder.Heyelledfromthebridgedownatthedeck，"Aren’twegoingtohaveanychowthiseveningatall？"thenturnedviolentlytoCaptainWhalley，whowaited，graveandpatient，attheheadofthetable，smoothinghisbeardinsilencenowandthenwithaforbearinggesture.
　　"Youdon’tseemtocarewhathappenstome.Don’tyouseethatthisaffectsyourinterestsasmuchasmine？
　　It’snojokingmatter."
　　Hetookthefootofthetablegrowlingbetweenhisteeth.
　　"Unlessyouhaveafewthousandsputawaysome—
　　where.Ihaven’t."
　　Mr.VanWykdinedinhisthoroughlylit—upbunga—
　　low，puttingapointofsplendorinthenightofhisclearingabovethedarkbankoftheriver.Afterwardshesatdowntohispiano，andinapausehebecameawareofslowfootstepspassingonthepathalongthefront.
　　Aplankortwocreakedunderaheavytread;heswunghalfroundonthemusic—stool，listeningwithhisfinger—
　　tipsatrestonthekeyboard.Hislittleterrierbarkedviolently，backinginfromtheveranda.Adeepvoiceapologizedgravelyfor"thisintrusion."Hewalkedoutquickly.
　　Attheheadofthestepsthepatriarchalfigure，whowasthenewcaptainoftheSofalaapparently（hehadseenarounddozenofthem，butnotoneofthatsort），toweredwithoutadvancing.Thelittledogbarkedun—
　　ceasingly，tillaflickofMr.VanWyk’shandkerchiefmadehimspringasideintosilence.CaptainWhalley，openingthematter，wasmetbyapunctiliouslypolitebutdeterminedopposition.
　　Theycarriedontheirdiscussionstandingwheretheyhadcomefacetoface.Mr.VanWykobservedhisvisitorwithattention.Thenatlast，asifforcedoutofhisreserve——
　　"Iamsurprisedthatyoushouldintercedeforsuchaconfoundedfool."
　　Thisoutbreakwasalmostcomplimentary，asifitsmeaninghadbeen，"Thatsuchamanasyoushouldintercede！"CaptainWhalleyletitpassbywithoutflinching.Onewouldhavethoughthehadheardnoth—
　　ing.Hesimplywentontostatethathewaspersonallyinterestedinputtingthingsstraightbetweenthem.
　　Personally
　　ButMr.VanWyk，reallycarriedawaybyhisdisgustwithMassy，becameveryincisive——
　　"Indeed——ifIamtobefrankwithyou——hiswholecharacterdoesnotseemtomeparticularlyestimableortrustworthy"
　　CaptainWhalley，alwaysstraight，seemedtogrowaninchtallerandbroader，asifthegirthofhischesthadsuddenlyexpandedunderhisbeard.
　　"Mydearsir，youdon’tthinkIcameheretodiscussamanwithwhomIam——Iam——h’m——closelyasso—
　　ciated."
　　Asortofsolemnsilencelastedforamoment.Hewasnotusedtoaskingfavors，buttheimportanceheat—
　　tachedtothisaffairhadmadehimwillingtotry
　　Mr.VanWyk，favorablyimpressed，andsuddenlymol—
　　lifiedbyadesiretolaugh，interrupted——
　　"That’sallrightifyoumakeitapersonalmatter;
　　butyoucandonolessthansitdownandsmokeacigarwithme."
　　Aslightpause，thenCaptainWhalleysteppedforwardheavily.Astotheregularityoftheservice，forthefuturehemadehimselfresponsibleforit;andhisnamewasWhalley——perhapstoasailor（hewasspeakingtoasailor，washenot？）notaltogetherunfamiliar.Therewasalighthousenow，onanisland.MaybeMr.VanWykhimself
　　"Ohyes.Ohindeed."Mr.VanWykcaughtonatonce.Heindicatedachair.Howveryinteresting.
　　ForhisownparthehadseensomeserviceinthelastAcheenWar，buthadneverbeensofarEast.WhalleyIsland？Ofcourse.Nowthatwasveryinteresting.
　　Whatchangeshisguestmusthaveseensince.
　　"Icanlookfurtherbackeven——onawholehalf—
　　century."
　　CaptainWhalleyexpandedabit.Theflavorofagoodcigar（itwasaweakness）hadgonestraighttohisheart，alsothecivilityofthatyoungman.Therewassomethinginthataccidentalcontactofwhichhehadbeenstarvedinhisyearsofstruggle.
　　Thefrontwallretreatingmadeasquarerecessfur—
　　nishedlikearoom.Alampwithamilkyglassshade，suspendedbelowtheslopeofthehighroofattheendofaslenderbrasschain，threwabrightroundoflightuponalittletablebearinganopenbookandanivorypaper—knife.And，inthetranslucentshadowsbeyond，othertablescouldbeseen，anumberofeasy—chairsofvariousshapes，withagreatprofusionofskinrugsstrewnontheteakwoodplankingallovertheveranda.
　　Thefloweringcreepersscentedtheair.Theirfoliageclippedoutbetweentheuprightsmadeasifseveralframesofthickunstirringleavesreflectingthelamp—
　　lightinagreenglow.ThroughtheopeningathiselbowCaptainWhalleycouldseethegangwaylanternoftheSofalaburningdimbytheshore，theshadowymassesofthetownbeyondtheopenlustrousdarknessoftheriver，and，asifhungalongthestraightedgeoftheprojectingeaves，anarrowblackstripofthenightskyfullofstars——resplendent.Thefamouscigarinhandhehadamomentofcomplacency.
　　"Atrifle.Somebodymustleadtheway.Ijustshowedthatthethingcouldbedone;butyoumenbroughtuptotheuseofsteamcannotconceivethevastimportanceofmybitofventuresomenesstotheEasterntradeofthetime.Why，thatnewroutereducedtheaveragetimeofasouthernpassagebyelevendaysformorethanhalftheyear.Elevendays！
　　It’sonrecord.Buttheremarkablething——speakingtoasailor——Ishouldsaywas"
　　Hetalkedwell，withoutegotism，professionally.Thepowerfulvoice，producedwithouteffort，filledthebungalowevenintotheemptyroomswithadeepandlimpidresonance，seemedtomakeastillnessoutside;
　　andMr.VanWykwassurprisedbytheserenequalityofitstone，liketheperfectionofmanlygentleness.
　　Nursingonesmallfoot，inasilksockandapatentleathershoe，onhisknee，hewasimmenselyentertained.
　　Itwasasifnobodycouldtalklikethisnow，andtheovershadowedeyes，theflowingwhitebeard，thebigframe，theserenity，thewholetemperoftheman，wereanamazingsurvivalfromtheprehistorictimesoftheworldcominguptohimoutofthesea.
　　CaptainWhalleyhadbeenalsothepioneeroftheearlytradeintheGulfofPe—tchi—li.Heevenfoundoccasiontomentionthathehadburiedhis"dearwife"theresix—and—twentyyearsago.Mr.VanWyk，impassive，couldnothelpspeculatinginhismindswiftlyastothesortofwomanthatwouldmatewithsuchaman.
　　Didtheymakeanadventurousandwell—matchedpair？
　　No.Verypossibleshehadbeensmall，frail，nodoubtveryfeminine——ormostlikelycommonplacewithdo—
　　mesticinstincts，utterlyinsignificant.ButCaptainWhalleywasnogarrulousbore，andshakinghisheadasiftodissipatethemomentarygloomthathadsettledonhishandsomeoldface，healludedconversationallytoMr.VanWyk’ssolitude.
　　Mr.VanWykaffirmedthatsometimeshehadmorecompanythanhewanted.Hementionedsmilinglysomeofthepeculiaritiesofhisintercoursewith"MySultan."Hemadehisvisitsinforce.Thosepeopledamagedhisgrassplotinfront（itwasnoteasytoobtainsomeapproachtoalawninthetropics，andtheotherdayhadbrokendownsomerarebusheshehadplantedoverthere.AndCaptainWhalleyrememberedimmediatelythat，in’forty—seven，thethenSultan，"thisman’sgrandfather，"hadbeennotoriousasagreatpro—
　　tectorofthepiraticalfleetsofprausfromfartherEast.
　　TheyhadasaferefugeintheriveratBatuBeru.HefinancedmoreespeciallyaBalininichiefcalledHajiDaman.CaptainWhalley，noddingsignificantlyhisbushywhiteeyebrows，hadverygoodreasontoknowsomethingofthat.Theworldhadprogressedsincethattime.
　　Mr.VanWykdemurredwithunexpectedacrimony.
　　Progressedinwhat？hewantedtoknow.
　　Why，inknowledgeoftruth，indecency，injustice，inorder——inhonestytoo，sincemenharmedeachothermostlyfromignorance.Itwas，CaptainWhalleycon—
　　cludedquaintly，morepleasanttolivein.
　　Mr.VanWykwhimsicallywouldnotadmitthatMr.
　　Massy，forinstance，wasmorepleasantnaturallythantheBalininipirates.
　　Theriverhadnotgainedmuchbythechange.Theywereintheirwayeverybitashonest.MassywaslessferociousthanHajiDamannodoubt，but
　　"Andwhataboutyou，mygoodsir？"CaptainWhalleylaughedadeepsoftlaugh."YOUareanim—
　　provement，surely."
　　Hecontinuedinaveinofpleasantry.Agoodcigarwasbetterthanaknockonthehead——thesortofwel—
　　comehewouldhavefoundonthisriverfortyorfiftyyearsago.Thenleaningforwardslightly，hebecameearnestlyserious.Itseemsasif，outsidetheirownsea—
　　gypsytribes，theserovershadhatedallmankindwithanincomprehensible，bloodthirstyhatred.Meantimetheirdepredationshadbeenstopped，andwhatwastheconsequence？Thenewgenerationwasorderly，peace—