able，settledinprosperousvillages.Hecouldspeakfrompersonalknowledge.Andeventhefewsurvivorsofthattime——oldmennow——hadchangedsomuch，thatitwouldhavebeenunkindtorememberagainstthemthattheyhadeverslitathroatintheirlives.Hehadoneespeciallyinhismind’seye：adignified，venerableheadmanofacertainlargecoastvillageaboutsixtymilessou’westofTampasuk.Itdidone’sheartgoodtoseehim——tohearthatmanspeak.Hemighthavebeenaferocioussavageonce.Whatmenwantedwastobecheckedbysuperiorintelligence，bysuperiorknowledge，bysuperiorforcetoo——yes，byforceheldintrustfromGodandsanctifiedbyitsuseinaccordancewithHisdeclaredwill.CaptainWhalleybelievedadis—
　　positionforgoodexistedineveryman，eveniftheworldwerenotaveryhappyplaceasawhole.Inthewisdomofmenhehadnotsomuchconfidence.Thedis—
　　positionhadtobehelpedupprettysharplysometimes，headmitted.Theymightbesilly，wrongheaded，un—
　　happy;butnaturallyevil——no.Therewasatbottomacompleteharmlessnessatleast
　　"Isthere？"Mr.VanWyksnappedacrimoniously.
　　CaptainWhalleylaughedattheinterjection，inthegoodhumoroflarge，toleratingcertitude.Hecouldlookbackathalfacentury，hepointedout.Thesmokeoozedplacidlythroughthewhitehairshidinghiskindlylips.
　　"Atallevents，"heresumedafterapause，"Iamgladthatthey’vehadnotimetodoyoumuchharmasyet."
　　ThisallusiontohiscomparativeyouthfulnessdidnotoffendMr.VanWyk，whogotupandwriggledhisshoulderswithanenigmatichalf—smile.Theywalkedouttogetheramicablyintothestarrynighttowardstheriver—side.Theirfootstepsresoundedunequallyonthedarkpath.Attheshoreendofthegangwaythelantern，hunglowtothehandrail，threwavividlightonthewhitelegsandthebigblackfeetofMr.Massywaitingaboutanxiously.Fromthewaistupwardsheremainedshadowy，witharowofbuttonsgleaminguptothevagueoutlineofhischin.
　　"YoumaythankCaptainWhalleyforthis，"Mr.VanWyksaidcurtlytohimbeforeturningaway.
　　Thelampsontheverandaflungthreelongsquaresoflightbetweentheuprightsfaroverthegrass.Abatflittedbeforehisfacelikeacirclingflakeofvelvetyblackness.Alongthejasminehedgethenightairseemedheavywiththefallofperfumeddew;flower—
　　bedsborderedthepath;theclippedbushesuproseindarkroundedclumpshereandtherebeforethehouse;
　　thedensefoliageofcreepersfilteredthesheenofthelamplightwithininasoftglowallalongthefront;
　　andeverythingnearandfarstoodstillinagreatim—
　　mobility，inagreatsweetness.
　　Mr.VanWyk（afewyearsbeforehehadhadoccasiontoimaginehimselftreatedmorebadlythananybodyalivehadeverbeenbyawoman）feltforCaptainWhalley’soptimisticviewsthedisdainofamanwhohadoncebeencreduloushimself.Hisdisgustwiththeworld（thewomanforatimehadfilleditforhimcom—
　　pletely）hadtakentheformofactivityinretirement，because，thoughcapableofgreatdepthoffeeling，hewasenergeticandessentiallypractical.Buttherewasinthatuncommonoldsailor，driftingontheoutskirtsofhisbusysolitude，somethingthatfascinatedhisskepticism.Hisverysimplicity（amusingenough）waslikeadelicaterefinementofanuprightcharacter.Thestrikingdignityofmannercouldbenothingelse，inamanreducedtosuchahumbleposition，buttheex—
　　pressionofsomethingessentiallynobleinthecharacter.
　　Withallhistrustinmankindhewasnofool;theseren—
　　ityofhistemperattheendofsomanyyears，sinceitcouldnotobviouslyhavebeenappeasedbysuccess，woreanairofprofoundwisdom.Mr.VanWykwasamusedatitsometimes.EventheveryphysicaltraitsoftheoldcaptainoftheSofala，hispowerfulframe，hisre—
　　posefulmien，hisintelligent，handsomeface，thebiglimbs，thebenigncourtesy，thetouchofruggedseverityintheshaggyeyebrows，madeupaseductiveperson—
　　ality.Mr.VanWykdislikedlittlenessofeverykind，buttherewasnothingsmallaboutthatman，andintheexemplaryregularityofmanytripsanintimacyhadgrownupbetweenthem，awarmfeelingatbottomunderakindlystatelinessofformsagreeabletohisfastidious—
　　ness.
　　Theykepttheirrespectiveopinionsonallworldlymatters.HisotherconvictionsCaptainWhalleyneverintruded.Thedifferenceoftheirageswaslikeanotherbondbetweenthem.Once，whentwittedwiththeun—
　　charitablenessofhisyouth，Mr.VanWyk，runninghiseyeoverthevastproportionsofhisinterlocutor，re—
　　tortedinfriendlybanter——
　　"Oh.You’llcometomywayofthinkingyet.You’llhaveplentyoftime.Don’tcallyourselfold：youlookgoodforaroundhundred."
　　Buthecouldnothelphisstingingincisiveness，andthoughmoderatingitbyanalmostaffectionatesmile，headded——
　　"Andbythenyouwillprobablyconsenttodiefromsheerdisgust."
　　CaptainWhalley，smilingtoo，shookhishead."Godforbid！"
　　Hethoughtthatperhapsonthewholehedeservedsomethingbetterthantodieinsuchsentiments.Thetimeofcoursewouldhavetocome，andhetrustedtohisMakertoprovideamannerofgoingoutofwhichheneednotbeashamed.Fortheresthehopedhewouldlivetoahundredifneedbe：othermenhadbeenknown;itwouldbenomiracle.Heexpectednomiracles.
　　Thepronounced，argumentativetonecausedMr.VanWyktoraisehisheadandlookathimsteadily.Cap—
　　tainWhalleywasgazingfixedlywitharaptexpression，asthoughhehadseenhisCreator’sfavorabledecreewritteninmysteriouscharactersonthewall.Hekeptperfectlymotionlessforafewseconds，thengothisvastbulkontohisfeetsoimpetuouslythatMr.VanWykwasstartled.
　　Hestruckfirstaheavyblowonhisinflatedchest：and，throwingouthorizontallyabigarmthatremainedsteady，extendedintheairlikethelimbofatreeonawindlessday——
　　"Notapainoranachethere.Canyouseethisshakeintheleast？"
　　Hisvoicewaslow，inanawing，confidentcontrastwiththeheadlongemphasisofhismovements.Hesatdownabruptly.
　　"Thisisn’ttoboastofit，youknow.Iamnothing，"
　　hesaidinhiseffortlessstrongvoice，thatseemedtocomeoutasnaturallyasariverflows.Hepickedupthestumpofthecigarhehadlaidaside，andaddedpeace—
　　fully，withaslightnod，"Asithappens，mylifeisnecessary;itisn’tmyown，itisn’t——Godknows."
　　Hedidnotsaymuchfortherestoftheevening，butseveraltimesMr.VanWykdetectedafaintsmileofassuranceflittingundertheheavymustache.
　　LateronCaptainWhalleywouldnowandthenconsenttodine"atthehouse."Hecouldevenbeinducedtodrinkaglassofwine."Don’tthinkIamafraidofit，mygoodsir，"heexplained."TherewasaverygoodreasonwhyIshouldgiveitup."
　　Onanotheroccasion，leaningbackatease，heremarked，"Youhavetreatedmemost——mosthumanely，mydearMr.VanWyk，fromtheveryfirst."
　　"You’lladmittherewassomemerit，"Mr.VanWykhintedslyly."AnassociateofthatexcellentMassy
　　Well，well，mydearcaptain，Iwon’tsayawordagainsthim."
　　"Itwouldbenouseyoursayinganythingagainsthim，"CaptainWhalleyaffirmedalittlemoodily."AsI’vetoldyoubefore，mylife——mywork，isnecessary，notformyselfalone.Ican’tchoose"Hepaused，turnedtheglassbeforehimrightround"Ihaveanonlychild——adaughter."
　　Theampledownwardsweepofhisarmoverthetableseemedtosuggestasmallgirlatavastdistance."I
　　hopetoseeheroncemorebeforeIdie.Meantimeit’senoughtoknowthatshehasmesoundandsolid，thankGod.Youcan’tunderstandhowonefeels.Boneofmybone，fleshofmyflesh;theveryimageofmypoorwife.
　　Well，she"
　　Againhepaused，thenpronouncedstoicallythewords，"Shehasahardstruggle."
　　Andhisheadfellonhisbreast，hiseyebrowsremainedknitted，asbyaneffortofmeditation.Butgenerallyhismindseemedsteepedintheserenityofboundlesstrustinahigherpower.Mr.VanWykwonderedsometimeshowmuchofitwasduetothesplendidvitalityoftheman，tothebodilyvigorwhichseemstoimpartsome—
　　thingofitsforcetothesoul.Buthehadlearnedtolikehimverymuch.
　　XIII
　　ThiswasthereasonwhyMr.Sterne’sconfidentialcom—
　　munication，deliveredhurriedlyontheshorealongsidethedarksilentship，haddisturbedhisequanimity.Itwasthemostincomprehensibleandunexpectedthingthatcouldhappen;andtheperturbationofhisspiritwassogreatthat，forgettingallabouthisletters，heranrapidlyupthebridgeladder.
　　Theportabletablewasbeingputtogetherfordinnertotheleftofthewheelbytwopig—tailed"boys，"whoasusualsnarledateachotheroverthejob，whileanother，adoleful，burly，veryyellowChinaman，resemblingMr.
　　Massy，waitedapatheticallywiththeclothoverhisarmandapileofthickdinner—platesagainsthischest.A
　　commoncabinlampwithitsglobemissing，broughtupfrombelow，hadbeenhookedtothewoodenframeworkoftheawning;theside—screenshadbeenloweredallround;CaptainWhalleyfillingthedepthsofthewicker—
　　chairseemedtositbenumbedinacanvastentcrudelylighted，andusedforthestoringofnauticalobjects;ashabbysteering—wheel，abatteredbrassbinnacleonastoutmahoganystand，twodingylife—buoys，anoldcorkfenderlyinginacorner，dilapidateddeck—lockerswithloopsofthinropeinsteadofdoor—handles.
　　HeshookofftheappearanceofnumbnesstoreturnMr.VanWyk’sunusuallybriskgreeting，butrelapseddirectlyafterwards.Toacceptapressinginvitationtodinner"upatthehouse"costhimanotherveryvisiblephysicaleffort.Mr.VanWyk，perplexed，foldedhisarms，andleaningbackagainsttherail，withhislittle，black，shinyfeetwellout，examinedhimcovertly.
　　"I’venoticedoflatethatyouarenotquiteyourself，oldfriend."
　　Heputanaffectionategentlenessintothelasttwowords.Therealintimacyoftheirintercoursehadneverbeensovividlyexpressedbefore.
　　"Tut，tut，tut！"
　　Thewicker—chaircreakedheavily.
　　"Irritable，"commentedMr.VanWyktohimself;andaloud，"I’llexpecttoseeyouinhalfanhour，then，"hesaidnegligently，movingoff.
　　"Inhalfanhour，"CaptainWhalley’srigidsilveryheadrepeatedbehindhimasifoutofatrance.
　　Amidships，below，twovoices，closeagainsttheengine—
　　room，couldbeheardansweringeachother——oneangryandslow，theotheralert.
　　"Itellyouthebeasthaslockedhimselfintogetdrunk."
　　"Can’thelpitnow，Mr.Massy.Afterall，amanhasarighttoshuthimselfupinhiscabininhisowntime."
　　"Nottogetdrunk."
　　"Iheardhimswearthattheworrywiththeboilerswasenoughtodriveanymantodrink，"Sternesaidmaliciously.
　　Massyhissedoutsomethingaboutburstingthedoorin.Mr.VanWyk，toavoidthem，crossedinthedarktotheothersideofthedeserteddeck.Theplankingofthelittlewharfrattledfaintlyunderhishastyfeet.
　　"Mr.VanWyk！Mr.VanWyk！"
　　Hewalkedon：somebodywasrunningonthepath.
　　"You’veforgottentogetyourmail."
　　Sterne，holdingabundleofpapersinhishand，caughtupwithhim.
　　"Oh，thanks."
　　But，astheothercontinuedathiselbow，Mr.VanWykstoppedshort.Theoverhangingeaves，descend—
　　inglowuponthelightedfrontofthebungalow，threwtheirblackstraight—edgedshadowintothegreatbodyofthenightonthatside.Everythingwasverystill.
　　Atinkleofcutleryandaslightjingleofglasseswereheard.Mr.VanWyk’sservantswerelayingthetablefortwoontheveranda.
　　"I’mafraidyougivemenocreditwhateverformygoodintentionsinthematterI’vespokentoyouabout，"
　　saidSterne.
　　"Isimplydon’tunderstandyou."
　　"CaptainWhalleyisaveryaudaciousman，buthewillunderstandthathisgameisup.That’sallthatanybodyneedeverknowofitfromme.Believeme，I
　　amveryconsiderateinthis，butdutyisduty.Idon’twanttomakeafuss.AllIaskyou，ashisfriend，istotellhimfrommethatthegame’sup.Thatwillbesufficient."
　　Mr.VanWykfeltaloathsomedismayatthisqueerprivilegeoffriendship.Hewouldnotdemeanhimselfbyaskingfortheslightestexplanation;todrivetheotherawaywithcontumelyhedidnotthinkprudent——
　　asyet，atanyrate.Somuchassurancestaggeredhim.
　　Whocouldtellwhattherecouldbeinit，hethought？
　　HisregardforCaptainWhalleyhadthetenacityofadisinterestedsentiment，andhispracticalinstinctcom—
　　ingtohisaid，heconcealedhisscorn.
　　"Igather，then，thatthisissomethinggrave."
　　"Verygrave，"Sterneassentedsolemnly，delightedathavingproducedaneffectatlast.Hewasreadytoaddsomeeffusiveprotestationsofregretatthe"unavoida—
　　blenecessity，"butMr.VanWykcuthimshort——verycivilly，however.
　　OnceontheverandaMr.VanWykputhishandsinhispockets，and，straddlinghislegs，stareddownatablackpantherskinlyingonthefloorbeforearocking—
　　chair."Itlooksasifthefellowhadnottheplucktoplayhisownpreciousgameopenly，"hethought.
　　Thiswastrueenough.InthefaceofMassy’slastrebuffSternedarednotdeclarehisknowledge.Hisobjectwassimplytogetchargeofthesteamerandkeepitforsometime.Massywouldneverforgivehimforforcinghimselfon;butifCaptainWhalleylefttheshipofhisownaccord，thecommandwoulddevolveuponhimfortherestofthetrip;sohehituponthebrilliantideaofscaringtheoldmanaway.Avaguemenace，amerehint，wouldbeenoughinsuchabrazencase;and，withastrangeadmixtureofcompassion，hethoughtthatBatuBeruwasaverygoodplaceforthrowingupthesponge.Theskippercouldgoashorequietly，andstaywiththatDutchmanofhis.Weren’tthesetwoasthickasthievestogether？Andonreflec—
　　tionheseemedtoseethattherewasawaytoworkthewholethingthroughthatgreatfriendoftheoldman’s.
　　Thiswasanotherbrilliantidea.Hehadaninbornpreferenceforcircuitousmethods.Inthisparticularcasehedesiredtoremaininthebackgroundasmuchaspossible，toavoidexasperatingMassyneedlessly.
　　Nofuss！Letitallhappennaturally.
　　Mr.VanWykallthroughthedinnerwasconsciousofasenseofisolationthatinvadessometimestheclose—
　　nessofhumanintercourse.CaptainWhalleyfailedlamentablyandobviouslyinhisattemptstoeatsome—
　　thing.Heseemedovercomebyastrangeabsent—
　　mindedness.Hishandwouldhoverirresolutely，asifleftwithoutguidancebyapreoccupiedmind.Mr.VanWykhadheardhimcomingupfromalongwayoffintheprofoundstillnessoftheriver—side，andhadnoticedtheirresolutecharacterofthefootfalls.Thetoeofhisboothadstruckthebottomstairasthoughhehadcomealongmooningwithhisheadintheairrightuptothestepsoftheveranda.HadthecaptainoftheSofalabeenanothersortofmanhewouldhavesuspectedtheworkofagethere.Butoneglanceathimwasenough.
　　Time——after，indeed，markinghimforitsown——hadgivenhimuptohisusefulness，inwhichhissimplefaithwouldseeaproofofDivinemercy."HowcouldIcontrivetowarnhim？"Mr.VanWykwondered，asifCaptainWhalleyhadbeenmilesandmilesaway，outofsightandearshotofallevil.HewassickenedbyanimmensedisgustofSterne.ToevenmentionhisthreattoamanlikeWhalleywouldbepositivelyinde—
　　cent.Therewassomethingmorevileandinsultinginitshintthaninadefinitechargeofcrime——thedebasingtaintofblackmailing."Whatcouldanyonebringagainsthim？"heaskedhimself.Thiswasalimpidpersonality."Andforwhatobject？"ThePowerthatmantrustedhadthoughtfittoleavehimnothingonearththatenvycouldlayholdof，exceptabarecrustofbread.
　　"Won’tyoutrysomeofthis？"heasked，pushingadishslightly.SuddenlyitseemedtoMr.VanWykthatSternemightpossiblybecovetingthecommandoftheSofala.Hiscynicismwasquitestartledbywhatlookedlikeaproofthatnomanmaycounthimselfsafefromhiskindunlessintheveryabyssofmisery.Anin—
　　trigueofthatsortwashardlyworthtroublingabout，hejudged;butstill，withsuchafoolasMassytodealwith，Whalleyoughttoandmustbewarned.
　　AtthismomentCaptainWhalley，boltupright，thedeepcavitiesoftheeyesoverhungbyabushyfrown，andonelargebrownhandrestingoneachsideofhisemptyplate，spokeacrossthetableclothabruptly——
　　"Mr.VanWyk，you’vealwaystreatedmewiththemosthumaneconsideration."
　　"Mydearcaptain，youmaketoomuchofasimplefactthatIamnotasavage."Mr.VanWyk，utterlyrevoltedbythethoughtofSterne’sobscureattempt，raisedhisvoiceincisively，asifthematehadbeenhidingsomewherewithinearshot."AnyconsiderationIhavebeenabletoshowwasnomorethantherightfuldueofacharacterI’velearnedtoregardbythistimewithanesteemthatnothingcanshake."
　　Aslightringofglassmadehimlifthiseyesfromthesliceofpine—applehewascuttingintosmallpiecesonhisplate.InchanginghispositionCaptainWhalleyhadcontrivedtoupsetanemptytumbler.
　　Withoutlookingthatway，leaningsidewaysonhiselbow，hisotherhandshadinghisbrow，hegropedshakilyforit，thendesisted.VanWykstaredblankly，asifsomethingmomentoushadhappenedallatonce.
　　Hedidnotknowwhyheshouldfeelsostartled;butheforgotSterneutterlyforthemoment.
　　"Why，what’sthematter？"
　　AndCaptainWhalley，half—averted，inadeadened，agitatedvoice，muttered——
　　"Esteem！"
　　"AndImayaddsomethingmore，"Mr.VanWyk，verysteady—eyed，pronouncedslowly.
　　"Hold！Enough！"CaptainWhalleydidnotchangehisattitudeorraisehisvoice."Saynomore！
　　Icanmakeyounoreturn.Iamtoopoorevenforthatnow.Youresteemisworthhaving.Youarenotamanthatwouldstooptodeceivethepoorestsortofdevilonearth，ormakeashipunseaworthyeverytimehetakeshertosea."
　　Mr.VanWyk，leaningforward，hisfacegonepinkallover，withthestarchedtable—napkinoverhisknees，wasinclinedtomistrusthissenses，hispowerofcom—
　　prehension，thesanityofhisguest.
　　"Where？Why？InthenameofGod！——what’sthis？
　　Whatship？Idon’tunderstandwho"
　　"Then，inthenameofGod，itisI！Aship’sunsea—
　　worthywhenhercaptaincan’tsee.Iamgoingblind."
　　Mr.VanWykmadeaslightmovement，andsatverystillafterwardsforafewseconds;then，withthethoughtofSterne’s"Thegame’sup，"heduckedunderthetabletopickupthenapkinwhichhadslippedoffhisknees.Thiswasthegamethatwasup.AndatthesametimethemuffledvoiceofCaptainWhalleypassedoverhim——
　　"I’vedeceivedthemall.Nobodyknows."
　　Heemergedflushedtotheeyes.CaptainWhalley，motionlessunderthefullblazeofthelamp，shadedhisfacewithhishand.
　　"Andyouhadthatcourage？"
　　"Callitbywhatnameyoulike.Butyouareahu—
　　maneman——a——a——gentleman，Mr.VanWyk.YoumayhaveaskedmewhatIhaddonewithmyconscience."
　　Heseemedtomuse，profoundlysilent，verystillinhismournfulpose.
　　"Ibegantotamperwithitinmypride.Youbegintoseealotofthingswhenyouaregoingblind.I
　　couldnotbefrankwithanoldchumeven.IwasnotfrankwithMassy——no，notaltogether.Iknewhetookmeforawealthysailorfool，andIlethim.Iwantedtokeepupmyimportance——becausetherewaspoorIvyawaythere——mydaughter.WhatdidIwanttotradeonhismiseryfor？Ididtradeonit——forher.Andnow，whatmercycouldIexpectfromhim？Hewouldtradeonmineifheknewit.Hewouldhunttheoldfraudout，andsticktothemoneyforayear.Ivy’smoney.AndIhaven’tkeptapennyformyself.HowamIgoingtoliveforayear.Ayear！Inayeartherewillbenosunintheskyforherfather."
　　Hisdeepvoicecameout，awfullyveiled，asthoughhehadbeenoverwhelmedbytheearthofalandslide，andtalkingtoyouofthethoughtsthathauntthedeadintheirgraves.AcoldshudderrandownMr.VanWyk’sback.
　　"Andhowlongisitsinceyouhave？"hebegan.
　　"ItwasalongtimebeforeIcouldbringmyselftobelieveinthis——thisvisitation."CaptainWhalleyspokewithgloomypatiencefromunderhishand.
　　Hehadnotthoughthehaddeservedit.Hehadbegunbydeceivinghimselffromdaytoday，fromweektoweek.HehadtheSerangathandthere——anoldservant.Itcameongradually，andwhenhecouldnolongerdeceivehimself
　　Hisvoicediedoutalmost.
　　"RatherthangiveherupIsetmyselftodeceiveyouall."
　　"It’sincredible，"whisperedMr.VanWyk.CaptainWhalley’sappallingmurmurflowedon.
　　"NoteventhesignofGod’sangercouldmakemeforgether.HowcouldIforsakemychild，feelingmyvigorallthetime——thebloodwarmwithinme？Warmasyours.Itseemstomethat，liketheblindedSamson，Iwouldfindthestrengthtoshakedownatempleuponmyhead.She’sastrugglingwoman——myownchildthatweusedtoprayovertogether，mypoorwifeandI.
　　DoyourememberthatdayIaswellastoldyouthatIbelievedGodwouldletmelivetoahundredforhersake？Whatsinisthereinlovingyourchild？Doyouseeit？Iwasreadyforhersaketoliveforever.
　　IhalfbelievedIwould.I’vebeenprayingfordeathsince.Ha！Presumptuousman——youwantedtolive"
　　Atremendous，shudderingupheavalofthatbigframe，shakenbyagaspingsob，settheglassesjinglingalloverthetable，seemedtomakethewholehousetrembletotheroof—tree.AndMr.VanWyk，whosefeelingofoutragedlovehadbeentranslatedintoaformofstrug—
　　glewithnature，understoodverywellthat，forthatmanwhosewholelifehadbeenconditionedbyaction，therecouldexistnootherexpressionforalltheemotions;that，tovoluntarilyceaseventuring，doing，enduring，forhischild’ssake，wouldhavebeenexactlylikepluckinghiswarmloveforheroutofhislivingheart.Somethingtoomonstrous，tooimpossible，eventoconceive.
　　CaptainWhalleyhadnotchangedhisattitude，thatseemedtoexpresssomethingofshame，sorrow，anddefiance.
　　"Ihaveevendeceivedyou.Ifithadnotbeenforthatword’esteem.’Thesearenotthewordsforme.
　　Iwouldhaveliedtoyou.Haven’tIliedtoyou？
　　Weren’tyougoingtotrustyourpropertyonboardthisverytrip？"
　　"Ihaveafloatingyearlypolicy，"Mr.VanWyksaidalmostunwittingly，andwasamazedatthesuddencrop—
　　pingupofacommercialdetail.
　　"Theshipisunseaworthy，Itellyou.Thepolicywouldbeinvalidifitwereknown"
　　"Weshallsharetheguilt，then."
　　"Nothingcouldmakemineless，"saidCaptainWhalley.
　　Hehadnotdaredtoconsultadoctor;themanwouldhaveperhapsaskedwhohewas，whathewasdoing;
　　Massymighthaveheardsomething.Hehadlivedonwithoutanyhelp，humanordivine.Theveryprayersstuckinhisthroat.Whatwastheretoprayfor？anddeathseemedasfarasever.Oncehegotintohiscabinhedarednotcomeoutagain;whenhesatdownhedarednotgetup;hedarednotraisehiseyestoanybody’sface;hefeltreluctanttolookupontheseaoruptothesky.Theworldwasfadingbeforehisgreatfearofgivinghimselfaway.Theoldshipwashislastfriend;hewasnotafraidofher;hekneweveryinchofherdeck;butathertoohehardlydaredtolook，forfearoffindinghecouldseelessthanthedaybefore.
　　Agreatincertitudeenvelopedhim.Thehorizonwasgone;theskymingleddarklywiththesea.Whowasthisfigurestandingoveryonder？whatwasthisthinglyingdownthere？Andafrightfuldoubtoftherealityofwhathecouldseemadeeventheremnantofsightthatremainedtohimanaddedtorment，apitfallalwaysopenforhismiserablepretense.Hewasafraidtostumbleinexcusablyoversomething——tosayafatalYesorNotoaquestion.ThehandofGodwasuponhim，butitcouldnottearhimawayfromhischild.And，asifinanightmareofhumiliation，everyfeaturelessmanseemedanenemy.
　　Helethishandfallheavilyonthetable.Mr.VanWyk，armsdown，chinonbreast，withagleamofwhiteteethpressingonthelowerlip，meditatedonSterne’s"Thegame’sup."
　　"TheSerangofcoursedoesnotknow."
　　"Nobody，"saidCaptainWhalley，withassurance.
　　"Ahyes.Nobody.Verywell.Canyoukeepituptotheendofthetrip？Thatisthelastundertheagree—
　　mentwithMassy."
　　CaptainWhalleygotupandstooderect，verystately，withthegreatwhitebeardlyinglikeasilverbreastplateovertheawfulsecretofhisheart.Yes;thatwastheonlyhopetherewasforhimofeverseeingheragain，ofsecuringthemoney，thelasthecoulddoforher，beforehecreptawaysomewhere——useless，aburden，areproachtohimself.Hisvoicefaltered.
　　"Thinkofit！Neverseeheranymore：theonlyhumanbeingbesidesmyselfnowonearththatcanre—
　　membermywife.She’sjustlikehermother.Luckythepoorwomaniswheretherearenotearsshedoverthosetheylovedonearthandthatremaintopraynottobeledintotemptation——because，Isuppose，theblessedknowthesecretofgraceinGod’sdealingswithHiscreatedchildren."
　　Heswayedalittle，saidwithausteredignity——
　　"Idon’t.IknowonlythechildHehasgivenme."
　　Andhebegantowalk.Mr.VanWyk，jumpingup，sawthefullmeaningoftherigidhead，thehesitatingfeet，thevaguelyextendedhand.Hisheartwasbeat—
　　ingfast;hemovedachairaside，andinstinctivelyad—
　　vancedasiftoofferhisarm.ButCaptainWhalleypassedhimby，makingforthestairsquitestraight.
　　"Hecouldnotseemeatalloutofhisline，"VanWykthought，withasortofawe.Thengoingtotheheadofthestairs，heaskedalittletremulously——
　　"Whatisitlike——likeamist——like"
　　CaptainWhalley，half—waydown，stopped，andturnedroundundismayedtoanswer.
　　"Itisasifthelightwereebbingoutoftheworld.
　　Haveyoueverwatchedtheebbingseaonanopenstretchofsandswithdrawingfartherandfartherawayfromyou？Itislikethis——onlytherewillbenofloodtofollow.Never.Itisasifthesunweregrowingsmaller，thestarsgoingoutonebyone.Therecan’tbemanyleftthatIcanseebythis.ButIhaven’thadthecouragetolookoflate"HemusthavebeenabletomakeoutMr.VanWyk，becausehecheckedhimbyanauthoritativegestureandastoical——
　　"Icangetaboutaloneyet."
　　Itwasasifhehadtakenhisline，andwouldacceptnohelpfrommen，afterhavingbeencastout，likeapre—
　　sumptuousTitan，fromhisheaven.Mr.VanWyk，ar—
　　rested，seemedtocountthefootstepsrightoutofear—
　　shot.Hewalkedbetweenthetables，tappingsmartlywithhisheels，tookupapaper—knife，droppeditafteravagueglancealongtheblade;thenhappeninguponthepiano，struckafewchordsagainandagain，vigor—
　　ously，standingupbeforethekeyboardwithanatten—
　　tivepoiseoftheheadlikeapiano—tuner;closingit，hepivotedonhisheelsbrusquely，avoidedthelittleterriersleepingtrustfullyoncrossedforepaws，cameuponthestairsnext，and，asthoughhehadlosthisbalanceonthetopstep，randownheadlongoutofthehouse.Hisservants，beginningtoclearthetable，heardhimmuttertohimself（evilwordsnodoubt）downthere，andthenafterapausegoawaywithastrollinggaitinthedirec—
　　tionofthewharf.
　　ThebulwarksoftheSofalalyingalongsidethebankmadealow，blackwallontheundulatingcontouroftheshore.Twomastsandafunneluprosefrombehinditwithagreatrake，asifabouttofall：asolid，squareelevationinthemiddleboretheghostlyshapesofwhiteboats，thecurvesofdavits，linesofrailandstanchions，allconfusedandminglingdarklyeverywhere;butlowdown，amidships，asinglelightedportstaredoutonthenight，perfectlyround，likeasmall，fullmoon，whoseyellowbeamcaughtapatchofwetmud，theedgeoftroddengrass，twoturnsofheavycablewoundroundthefootofathickwoodenpostintheground.
　　Mr.VanWyk，peeringalongside，heardamuzzyboastfulvoiceapparentlyjeeringatapersoncalledPrendergast.Itmouthedabusethickly，choked;thenpronouncedverydistinctlytheword"Murphy，"andchuckled.Glasstinkledtremulously.Allthesesoundscamefromthelightedport.Mr.VanWykhesitated，stooped;itwasimpossibletolookthroughunlesshewentdownintothemud.
　　"Sterne，"hesaid，halfaloud.
　　Thedrunkenvoicewithinsaidgladly——
　　"Sterne——ofcourse.Lookathimblink.Lookathim！Sterne，Whalley，Massy.Massy，Whalley，Sterne.ButMassy’sthebest.Youcan’tcomeoverhim.Hewouldjustlovetoseeyoustarve."
　　Mr.VanWykmovedaway，madeoutfartherforwardashadowyheadstuckoutfromundertheawningsasifonthewatch，andspokequietlyinMalay，"Isthemateasleep？"
　　"No.Here，atyourservice."
　　InamomentSterneappeared，walkingasnoiselesslyasacatonthewharf.
　　"It’ssojollydark，andIhadnoideayouwouldbedownto—night."
　　"What’sthishorribleraving？"askedMr.VanWyk，asiftoexplainthecauseofashudderthanranoverhimaudibly.
　　"Jack’sbrokenoutonadrunk.That’soursecond.
　　It’shisway.Hewillberightenoughbyto—morrowafternoon，onlyMr.Massywillkeeponworryingupanddownthedeck.Wehadbettergetaway."
　　Hemutteredsuggestivelyofatalk"upatthehouse."
　　Hehadlongdesiredtoeffectanentrancethere，butMr.
　　VanWyknonchalantlydemurred：itwouldnot，hefeared，bequiteprudent，perhaps;andtheopaqueblackshadowunderoneofthetwobigtreesleftatthelanding—placeswallowedthemup，impenetrablydense，bythesideofthewideriver，thatseemedtospinintothreadsofglitterthelightofafewbigstarsdroppedhereandthereuponitsoutspreadandflowingstillness.
　　"Thesituationisgravebeyonddoubt，"Mr.VanWyksaid.Ghost—likeintheirwhiteclothestheycouldnotdistinguisheachothers’features，andtheirfeetmadenosoundonthesoftearth.Asortofpurringwasheard.Mr.Sternefeltgratifiedbysuchabeginning.
　　"Ithought，Mr.VanWyk，agentlemanofyoursortwouldseeatoncehowawkwardlyIwassituated."
　　"Yes，very.Obviouslyhishealthisbad.Perhapshe’sbreakingup.Isee，andhehimselfiswellaware——
　　IassumeIamspeakingtoamanofsense——heiswellawarethathislegsaregivingout."
　　"Hislegs——ah！"Mr.Sternewasdisconcerted，andthenturnedsulky."Youmaycallithislegsifyoulike;whatIwanttoknowiswhetherheintendstoclearoutquietly.That’sagoodone，too！Hislegs！
　　Pooh！"
　　"Why，yes.Onlylookatthewayhewalks."Mr.
　　VanWyktookhimupinaperfectlycoolandundoubt—
　　ingtone."Thequestion，however，iswhetheryoursenseofdutydoesnotcarryyoutoofarfromyourtrueinterest.Afterall，Itoocoulddosomethingtoserveyou.YouknowwhoIam."
　　"EverybodyalongtheStraitshasheardofyou，sir."
　　Mr.VanWykpresumedthatthismeantsomethingfavorable.Sternehadasoftlaughatthispleasantry.
　　Heshouldthinkso！Totheopeningstatement，thatthepartnershipagreementwastoexpireattheendofthisverytrip，hegaveanattentiveassent.Hewasaware.Oneheardofnothingelseonboardalltheblesseddaylong.AstoMassy，itwasnosecretthathewasinajollydeepholewiththeseworn—outboilers.
　　Hewouldhavetoborrowsomewhereacoupleofhun—
　　dredfirstofalltopayoffthecaptain;andthenhewouldhavetoraisemoneyonmortgageupontheshipforthenewboilers——thatis，ifhecouldfindalenderatall.Atbestitmeantlossoftime，abreakinthetrade，shortearningsfortheyear——andtherewasalwaysthedangerofhavinghisconnectionfilchedawayfromhimbytheGermans.Itwaswhisperedaboutthathehadalreadytriedtwofirms.Neitherwouldhaveanythingtodowithhim.Shiptooold，andthemantoowellknownintheplaceMr.Sterne’sfinalrapidwink—
　　ingremainedburiedinthedeepdarknesssibilatingwithhiswhispers.
　　"Supposing，then，hegottheloan，"Mr.VanWykresumedinadeliberateundertone，"onyourownshow—
　　inghe’smorethanlikelytogetamortgagee’smanthrustuponhimascaptain.Formypart，IknowthatIwouldmakethatverystipulationmyselfifIhadtofindthemoney.AndasamatteroffactIamthinkingofdoingso.Itwouldbeworthmywhileinmanyways.
　　Doyouseehowthiswouldbearonthecaseunderdis—
　　cussion？"
　　"Thankyou，sir.Iamsureyoucouldn’tgetany—
　　bodythatwouldcaremoreforyourinterests."
　　"Well，itsuitsmyinterestthatCaptainWhalleyshouldfinishhistime.IshallprobablytakeapassagewithyoudowntheStraits.Ifthatcanbedone，I’llbeonthespotwhenallthesechangestakeplace，andinapositiontolookafterYOURinterests."
　　"Mr.VanWyk，Iwantnothingbetter.IamsureIaminfinitely"
　　"Itakeit，then，thatthismaybedonewithoutanytrouble."
　　"Well，sir，whatriskthereiscan’tbehelped;but（speakingtoyouasmyemployernow）thethingismoresafethanitlooks.IfanybodyhadtoldmeofitIwouldn’thavebelievedit，butIhavebeenlookingonmyself.ThatoldSeranghasbeentraineduptothegame.There’snothingthematterwithhis——his——
　　limbs，sir.He’sgotusedtodoingthingshimselfinaremarkableway.Andletmetellyou，sir，thatCap—
　　tainWhalley，poorman，isbynomeansuseless.Fact.
　　Letmeexplaintoyou，sir.HestiffensupthatoldmonkeyofaMalay，whoknowswellenoughwhattodo.
　　Why，hemusthavekeptcaptain’swatchesinallsortsofcountryshipsoffandonforthelastfive—and—twentyyears.Thesenatives，sir，aslongastheyhaveawhitemancloseattheback，willgoondoingtherightthingmostsurprisinglywell——evenifleftquitetothemselves.
　　Onlythewhitemanmustbeofthesorttoputstarchintothem，andthecaptainisjusttheoneforthat.
　　Why，sir，hehasdrilledhimsowellthatnowheneedshardlyspeakatall.IhaveseenthatlittlewrinkledapemadetotaketheshipoutofPanguBayonablowymorningandonallthroughtheislands;takeheroutfirst—rate，sir，dodgingundertheoldman’selbow，andinsuchquietstylethatyoucouldnothavetoldforthelifeofyouwhichofthetwowasdoingtheworkupthere.That’swhereourpoorfriendwouldbestillofusetotheshipevenif——if——hecouldnolongerliftafoot，sir.ProvidedtheSerangdoesnotknowthatthere’sanythingwrong."
　　"Hedoesn’t."
　　"Naturallynot.Quitebeyondhisapprehension.
　　Theyaren’tcapableoffindingoutanythingaboutus，sir."
　　"Youseemtobeashrewdman，"saidMr.VanWykinachokedmutter，asthoughhewerefeelingsick.
　　"You’llfindmeagoodenoughservant，sir."
　　Mr.Sternehopednowforahandshakeatleast，butunexpectedly，witha"What’sthis？Betternottobeseentogether，"Mr.VanWyk’swhiteshapewavered，andinstantlyseemedtomeltawayintheblackairundertheroofofboughs.Thematewasstartled.Yes.
　　Therewasthatfaintthumpingclatter.
　　Hestoleoutsilentlyfromundertheshade.Thelightedport—holeshonefromafar.Hisheadswamwiththeintoxicationofsuddensuccess.Whatathingitwastohaveagentlemantodealwith！Hecreptaboard，andtherewassomethingweirdintheshadowystretchofemptydecks，echoingwithshoutsandblowsproceed—
　　ingfromadarkerpartamidships.Mr.Massywasragingbeforethedooroftheberth：thedrunkenvoicewithinflowedonundisturbedintheviolentracketofkicks.
　　"Shutup！Putyourlightoutandturnin，youconfoundedswillingpig——you！D’youhearme，youbeast？"
　　Thekickingstopped，andinthepausethemuzzyoracularvoiceannouncedfromwithin——
　　"Ah！Massy，now——that’sanotherthing.Massy’sdeep."
　　"Who’sthataftthere？You，Sterne？He’lldrinkhimselfintoafitofhorrors."Thechiefengineerap—
　　pearedvagueandbigatthecorneroftheengine—
　　room.
　　"Hewillbegoodenoughfordutyto—morrow.Iwouldlethimbe，Mr.Massy."
　　Sterneslippedawayintohisberth，andatoncehadtositdown.Hisheadswamwithexultation.Hegotintohisbunkasifinadream.Afeelingofprofoundpeace，ofpacificjoy，cameoverhim.Ondeckallwasquiet.
　　Mr.Massy，withhisearagainstthedoorofJack’scabin，listenedcriticallytoadeepstertorousbreathingwithin.Thiswasadead—drunksleep.Theboutwasover：tranquilizedonthatscore，hetoowentin，andwithslowwrigglesgotoutofhisoldtweedjacket.Itwasagarmentwithmanypockets，whichheusedtoputonatoddtimesoftheday，beingsubjecttosuddenchillyfits，andwhenhefeltwarmedhewouldtakeitoffandhangitaboutanywhereallovertheship.Itwouldbeseenswingingonbelaying—pins，thrownovertheheadsofwinches，suspendedonpeople’sverydoor—
　　handlesforthatmatter.Washenottheowner？Buthisfavoriteplacewasahookonawoodenawningstanchiononthebridge，almostagainstthebinnacle.
　　HehadevenintheearlydaysmorethanonetussleonthatpointwithCaptainWhalley，whodesiredthebridgetobekepttidy.Hehadbeenoverawedthen.
　　Oflate，though，hehadbeenabletodefyhispartnerwithimpunity.CaptainWhalleyneverseemedtonoticeanythingnow.AstotheMalays，intheiraweofthatscowlingmannotoneofthecrewwoulddreamoflayingahandonthething，nomatterwhereorwhatitswungfrom.
　　WithanunexpectednesswhichmadeMr.Massyjumpanddropthecoatathisfeet，therecamefromthenextberththecrashandthudofaheadlong，jingling，clat—
　　teringfall.ThefaithfulJackmusthavedroppedtosleepsuddenlyashesatathisrevels，andnowhadgoneoverchairandall，breaking，asitseemedbythesound，everysingleglassandbottleintheplace.Aftertheterrificsmashallwasstillforatimeinthere，asthoughhehadkilledhimselfoutrightonthespot.Mr.
　　Massyheldhisbreath.Atlastasleepyuneasygroan—
　　ingsighwasexhaledslowlyontheothersideofthebulkhead.
　　"Ihopetogoodnesshe’stoodrunktowakeupnow，"
　　mutteredMr.Massy.
　　Thesoundofasoftlyknowinglaughnearlydrovehimtodespair.Hesworeviolentlyunderhisbreath.
　　Thefoolwouldkeephimawakeallnightnowforcer—
　　tain.Hecursedhisluck.Hewantedtoforgethismaddeningtroublesinsleepsometimes.Hecoulddetectnomovements.Withoutapparentlymakingtheslight—
　　estattempttogetup，Jackwentonsniggeringtohim—
　　selfwherehelay;thenbegantospeak，wherehehadleftoffasitwere——
　　"Massy！Ilovethedirtyrascal.HewouldliketoseehispooroldJackstarve——butjustyoulookwherehehasclimbedto."Hehiccoughedinasuperior，leisurelymanner"Ship—owningitwiththebest.
　　Alotteryticketyouwant.Ha！ha！Iwillgiveyoulotterytickets，myboy.Lettheoldshipsinkandtheoldchumstarve——that’sright.Hedon’tgowrong——
　　Massydon’t.Nothe.He’sagenius——thatmanis.
　　That’sthewaytowinyourmoney.Shipandchummustgo."
　　"Thesillyfoolhastakenittoheart，"mutteredMassytohimself.And，listeningwithasoftenedexpressionoffaceforanyslightsignofreturningdrowsiness，hewasdiscouragedprofoundlybyaburstoflaughterfullofjoyfulirony.
　　"Wouldliketoseeheratthebottomofthesea！Oh，youclever，cleverdevil！Wishhersunk，eh？Ishouldthinkyouwould，myboy;thedamnedoldthingandallyourtroubleswithher.Rakeintheinsurancemoney——turnyourbackonyouroldchum——all’swell——gentle—
　　managain."
　　AgrimstillnesshadcomeoverMassy’sface.Onlyhisbigblackeyesrolleduneasily.Theravingfool.
　　Andyetitwasalltrue.Yes.Lotterytickets，too.
　　Alltrue.What？Beginningagain？Hewishedhewouldn’t
　　Butitwasevenso.Theimaginativedrunkardontheothersideofthebulkheadshookoffthedeathlikestillnessthatafterhislastwordshadfallenonthedarkshipmooredtoasilentshore.
　　"Don’tyoudaretosayanythingagainstGeorgeMassy，Esquire.Whenhe’stiredofwaitinghewilldoawaywithher.Lookout！Downshegoes——chumandall.He’llknowhowto"
　　Thevoicehesitated，weary，dreamy，lost，asifdyingawayinavastopenspace.
　　"Findatrickthatwillwork.He’suptoit——
　　neverfear"
　　Hemusthavebeenverydrunk，foratlasttheheavysleepgrippedhimwiththesuddennessofamagicspell，andthelastwordlengtheneditselfintoaninterminable，noisy，in—drawnsnore.Andtheneventhesnoringstopped，andallwasstill.
　　ButitseemedasthoughMr.Massyhadsuddenlycometodoubttheefficacyofsleepasagainstaman’stroubles;
　　orperhapshehadfoundthereliefheneededinthestillnessofacalmcontemplationthatmaycontainthevividthoughtsofwealth，ofastrokeofluck，oflongidleness，andmaybringbeforeyoutheimaginedformofeverydesire;for，turningaboutandthrowinghisarmsovertheedgeofhisbunk，hestoodtherewithhisfeetonhisfavoriteoldcoat，lookingoutthroughtheroundportintothenightovertheriver.Sometimesabreathofwindwouldenterandtouchhisface，acoolbreathchargedwiththedamp，freshfeelfromavastbodyofwater.Aglimmerhereandtherewasallhecouldseeofit;andoncehemightafterallsupposehehaddozedoff，sincethereappearedbeforehisvision，unexpectedlyandconnectedwithnodream，arowofflamingandgiganticfigures——threenaughtsevenonetwo——makingupanumbersuchasyoumayseeonalotteryticket.Andthenallatoncetheportwasnolongerblack：itwaspearlygray，framingashorecrowdedwithhouses，thatchedroofbeyondthatchedroof，wallsofmatsandbamboo，gablesofcarvedteaktimber.Rowsofdwellingsraisedonaforestofpileslinedthesteelybandoftheriver，brimfulandstill，withthetideattheturn.ThiswasBatuBeru——andthedayhadcome.
　　Mr.Massyshookhimself，putonthetweedcoat，and，shiveringnervouslyasiffromsomegreatshock，madeanoteofthenumber.Afortunate，rarehintthat.
　　Yes;buttopursuefortuneonewantedmoney——readycash.
　　Thenhewentoutandpreparedtodescendintotheengine—room.Severalsmalljobshadtobeseento，andJackwaslyingdeaddrunkonthefloorofhiscabin，withthedoorlockedatthat.Hisgorgeroseatthethoughtofwork.Ay！Butifyouwantedtodonoth—
　　ingyouhadtogetfirstagoodbitofmoney.A
　　shipwon’tsaveyou.HecursedtheSofala.True，alltrue.Hewastiredofwaitingforsomechancethatwouldridhimatlastofthatshipthathadturnedoutacurseonhislife.
　　XIV
　　Thedeep，interminablehootofthesteam—whistlehad，initsgrave，vibratingnote，somethingintolerable，whichsentaslightshudderdownMr.VanWyk’sback.
　　Itwastheearlyafternoon;theSofalawasleavingBatuBeruforPangu，thenextplaceofcall.Sheswunginthestream，scantilyattendedbyafewcanoes，and，glid—
　　ingonthebroadriver，becamelosttoviewfromtheVanWykbungalow.
　　Itsownerhadnotgonethistimetoseeheroff.Gen—
　　erallyhecamedowntothewharf，exchangedafewwordswiththebridgewhileshecastoff，andwavedhishandtoCaptainWhalleyatthelastmoment.Thisdayhedidnotevengoasfarasthebalustradeoftheveranda."Hecouldn’tseemeifIdid，"hesaidtohimself."Iwonderwhetherhecanmakeoutthehouseatall."Andthisthoughtsomehowmadehimfeelmorealonethanhehadeverfeltforalltheseyears.Whatwasit？sixorseven？Seven.Alongtime.
　　Hesatontheverandawithaclosedbookonhisknee，and，asitwere，lookedoutuponhissolitude，asifthefactofCaptainWhalley’sblindnesshadopenedhiseyestohisown.Thereweremanysortsofheartachesandtroubles，andtherewasnoplacewheretheycouldnotfindamanout.Andhefeltashamed，asthoughhehadforsixyearsbehavedlikeapeevishboy.
　　HisthoughtfollowedtheSofalaonherway.Onthespurofthemomenthehadactedimpulsively，turningtothethingmostpressing.Andwhatelsecouldhehavedone？Lateronheshouldsee.Itseemedneces—
　　sarythatheshouldcomeoutintotheworld，foratimeatleast.Hehadmoney——somethingcouldbear—
　　ranged;hewouldgrudgenotime，notrouble，nolossofhissolitude.Itweighedonhimnow——andCaptainWhalleyappearedtohimashehadsatshadinghiseyes，asif，beingdeceivedinthetrustofhisfaith，hewerebeyondallthegoodandevilthatcanbewroughtbythehandsofmen.
　　Mr.VanWyk’sthoughtsfollowedtheSofaladowntheriver，windingaboutthroughthebeltofthecoastforest，betweenthebuttressedshaftsofthebigtrees，throughthemangrovestrip，andoverthebar.Theshipcrossediteasilyinbroaddaylight，piloted，asithappened，byMr.Sterne，whotookthewatchfromfourtosix，andthenwentbelowtohughimselfwithdelightatthepros—
　　pectofbeingvirtuallyemployedbyarichman——likeMr.VanWyk.Hecouldnotseehowanyhitchcouldoccurnow.Hedidnotseemabletogetoverthefeelingofbeing"fixedupatlast."Fromsixtoeight，inthecourseofduty，theSeranglookedaloneaftertheship.
　　Shehadaclearroadbeforehernowtillaboutthreeinthemorning，whenshewouldclosewiththePangugroup.AteightMr.Sternecameoutcheerilytotakechargeagaintillmidnight.Attenhewasstillchir—
　　rupingandhummingtohimselfonthebridge，andaboutthattimeMr.VanWyk’sthoughtabandonedtheSofala.Mr.VanWykhadfallenasleepatlast.
　　Massy，blockingtheengine—roomcompanion，jerkedhimselfintohistweedjacketsurlily，whilethesecondwaitedwithascowl.
　　"Oh.Youcameout？Yousot！Well，whathaveyougottosayforyourself？"
　　Hehadbeeninchargeoftheenginestillthen.A
　　somberfurydarkenedhismind：ahotangeragainsttheship，againstthefactsoflife，againstthemenfortheircheating，againsthimselftoo——becauseofanin—
　　wardtremorofhisheart.
　　Anincomprehensiblegrowlansweredhim.
　　"What？Can’tyouopenyourmouthnow？Youyelpoutyourinfernalrotloudenoughwhenyouaredrunk.