AREMINISCENCE
　　Severalofus，allmoreorlessconnectedwiththesea，weredininginasmallriver—hostelrynotmorethanthirtymilesfromLondon，andlessthantwentyfromthatshallowanddangerouspuddletowhichourcoastingmengivethegrandiosenameof"Ger—
　　manOcean。"AndthroughthewidewindowswehadaviewoftheThames；anenfiladingviewdowntheLowerHopeReach。Butthedinnerwasexe—
　　crable，andallthefeastwasfortheeyes。
　　Thatflavourofsalt—waterwhichforsomanyofushadbeentheverywateroflifepermeatedourtalk。HewhohathknownthebitternessoftheOceanshallhaveitstasteforeverinhismouth。Butoneortwoofus，pamperedbythelifeoftheland，complainedofhunger。Itwasimpossibletoswal—
　　lowanyofthatstuff。Andindeedtherewasastrangemustinessineverything。Thewoodendin—
　　ing—roomstuckoutoverthemudoftheshorelikealacustrinedwelling；theplanksofthefloorseemedrotten；adecrepitoldwaitertotteredpatheticallytoandfrobeforeanantediluvianandworm—eatensideboard；thechippedplatesmighthavebeendis—
　　interredfromsomekitchenmiddennearaninhab—
　　itedlake；andthechopsrecalledtimesmoreancientstill。Theybroughtforciblytoone’smindthenightofageswhentheprimevalman，evolvingthefirstrudimentsofcookeryfromhisdimconscious—
　　ness，scorchedlumpsoffleshatafireofsticksinthecompanyofothergoodfellows；then，gorgedandhappy，sathimbackamongthegnawedbonestotellhisartlesstalesofexperience——thetalesofhun—
　　gerandhunt——andofwomen，perhaps!
　　Butluckilythewinehappenedtobeasoldasthewaiter。So，comparativelyempty，butuponthewholefairlyhappy，wesatbackandtoldourartlesstales。Wetalkedoftheseaandallitsworks。Theseaneverchanges，anditsworksforallthetalkofmenarewrappedinmystery。Butweagreedthatthetimeswerechanged。Andwetalkedofoldships，ofsea—accidents，ofbreak—downs，dismast—
　　ings；andofamanwhobroughthisshipsafetoLiverpoolallthewayfromtheRiverPlatteunderajuryrudder。Wetalkedofwrecks，ofshortra—
　　tionsandofheroism——oratleastofwhatthenews—
　　paperswouldhavecalledheroismatsea——amani—
　　festationofvirtuesquitedifferentfromtheheroismofprimitivetimes。Andnowandthenfallingsilentalltogetherwegazedatthesightsoftheriver。
　　AP。&O。boatpassedbounddown。"Onegetsjollygooddinnersonboardtheseships，"remarkedoneofourband。Amanwithsharpeyesreadoutthenameonherbows：Arcadia。"Whatabeauti—
　　fulmodelofaship!"murmuredsomeofus。Shewasfollowedbyasmallcargosteamer，andtheflagtheyhauleddownaboardwhilewewerelookingshowedhertobeaNorwegian。Shemadeanawfullotofsmoke；andbeforeithadquiteblownaway，ahigh—sided，short，woodenbarque，inballastandtowedbyapaddle—tug，appearedinfrontofthewindows。Allherhandswereforwardbusysettinguptheheadgear；andaftawomaninaredhood，quitealonewiththemanatthewheel，pacedthelengthofthepoopbackandforth，withthegreywoolofsomeknittingworkinherhands。
　　"GermanIshouldthink，"mutteredone。"Theskipperhashiswifeonboard，"remarkedanother；
　　andthelightofthecrimsonsunsetallablazebehindtheLondonsmoke，throwingaglowofBengallightuponthebarque’sspars，fadedawayfromtheHopeReach。
　　Thenoneofus，whohadnotspokenbefore，amanofoverfifty，thathadcommandedshipsforaquarterofacentury，lookingafterthebarquenowglidingfaraway，allblackonthelustreoftheriver，said：
　　Thisremindsmeofanabsurdepisodeinmylife，nowmanyyearsago，whenIgotfirstthecommandofanironbarque，loadingtheninacertainEasternseaport。ItwasalsothecapitalofanEasternking—
　　dom，lyingupariverasmightbeLondonliesupthisoldThamesofours。Nomoreneedbesaidoftheplace；forthissortofthingmighthavehap—
　　penedanywherewherethereareships，skippers，tugboats，andorphanniecesofindescribablesplen—
　　dour。Andtheabsurdityoftheepisodeconcernsonlyme，myenemyFalk，andmyfriendHermann。
　　Thereseemedtobesomethinglikepeculiarem—
　　phasisonthewords"MyfriendHermann，"whichcausedoneofus（forwehadjustbeenspeakingofheroismatsea）tosayidlyandnonchalantly：
　　"AndwasthisHermannahero？"
　　Notatall，saidourgrizzledfriend。Noheroatall。HewasaSchiff—fuhrer：Ship—conductor。
　　That’showtheycallaMasterMarinerinGermany。
　　Ipreferourway。Thealliterationisgood，andthereissomethinginthenomenclaturethatgivestousasabodythesenseofcorporateexistence：
　　Apprentice，Mate，Master，intheancientandhon—
　　ourablecraftofthesea。AstomyfriendHermann，hemighthavebeenaconsummatemasterofthehonourablecraft，buthewascalledofficiallySchiff—
　　fuhrer，andhadthesimple，heavyappearanceofawell—to—dofarmer，combinedwiththegood—naturedshrewdnessofasmallshopkeeper。Withhisshavenchin，roundlimbs，andheavyeyelidshedidnotlooklikeatoiler，andevenlesslikeanadventurerofthesea。Still，hetoiledupontheseas，inhisownway，muchasashopkeeperworksbehindhiscounter。
　　Andhisshipwasthemeansbywhichhemaintainedhisgrowingfamily。
　　Shewasaheavy，strong，blunt—bowedaffair，awakeningtheideasofprimitivesolidity，likethewoodenploughofourforefathers。Andtherewere，abouther，othersuggestionsofarusticandhomelynature。TheextraordinarytimberprojectionswhichIhaveseeninnoothervesselmadehersquaresternresemblethetailendofamiller’swaggon。
　　Butthefoursternportsofhercabin，glazedwithsixlittlegreenishpaneseach，andframedinwoodensashespaintedbrown，mighthavebeenthewindowsofacottageinthecountry。Thetinywhitecur—
　　tainsandthegreeneryofflowerpotsbehindtheglasscompletedtheresemblance。OnoneortwooccasionswhenpassingundersternIhadde—
　　tectedfrommyboataroundarmintheactoftilt—
　　ingawateringpot，andthebowedsleekheadofamaidenwhomIshallalwayscallHermann’sniece，becauseasamatteroffactI’veneverheardhername，forallmyintimacywiththefamily。
　　This，however，spranguplateron。MeantimeincommonwiththerestoftheshippinginthatEast—
　　ernport，IwasleftinnodoubtastoHermann’sno—
　　tionsofhygienicclothing。Evidentlyhebelievedinwearinggoodstoutflannelnexthisskin。Onmostdayslittlefrocksandpinaforescouldbeseendryinginthemizzenriggingofhisship，oratinyrowofsocksflutteringonthesignalhalyards；butonceafortnightthefamilywashingwasexhibitedinforce。Itcoveredthepoopentirely。Theafter—
　　noonbreezewouldincitetoaweirdandflabbyactiv—
　　ityallthatcrowdedmassofclothing，withitsvaguesuggestionsofdrowned，mutilatedandflattenedhu—
　　manity。Trunkswithoutheadswavedatyouarmswithouthands；legswithoutfeetkickedfantasti—
　　callywithcollapsibleflourishes；andtherewerelongwhitegarmentsthat，takingthewindfairlythroughtheirneckopeningsedgedwithlace，be—
　　cameforamomentviolentlydistendedasbythepassageofobeseandinvisiblebodies。Onthesedaysyoucouldmakeoutthatshipatagreatdistancebythemulti—colouredgrotesqueriotgoingonabafthermizzenmast。
　　Shehadherberthjustaheadofme，andhernamewasDiana，——DiananotofEphesusbutofBremen。Thiswasproclaimedinwhitelettersafootlongspacedwidelyacrossthestern（somewhatliketheletteringofashop—sign）underthecottagewindows。Thisridiculouslyunsuitablenamestruckoneasanimpertinencetowardsthememoryofthemostcharmingofgoddesses；for，apartfromthefactthattheoldcraftwasphysicallyincapableofengaginginanysortofchase，therewasagangoffourchildrenbelongingtoher。Theypeepedovertherailatpassingboatsandoccasionallydroppedvariousobjectsintothem。Thus，sometimebeforeIknewHermanntospeakto，Ireceivedonmyhatahorridrag—dollbelongingtoHermann’seldestdaughter。However，theseyoungsterswereuponthewholewellbehaved。Theyhadfairheads，roundeyes，roundlittleknobbynoses，andtheyresembledtheirfatheragooddeal。
　　ThisDianaofBremenwasamostinnocentoldship，andseemedtoknownothingofthewickedsea，asthereareonshorehouseholdsthatknownothingofthecorruptworld。Andthesentimentsshesug—
　　gestedwereunexceptionableandmainlyofado—
　　mesticorder。Shewasahome。Allthesedearchil—
　　drenhadlearnedtowalkonherroomyquarter—deck。
　　Insuchthoughtsthereissomethingpretty，eventouching。Theirteeth，Ishouldjudge，theyhadcutontheendsofherrunninggear。IhavemanytimesobservedthebabyHermann（Nicholas）en—
　　gagedingnawingthewhippingofthefore—royalbrace。Nicholas’favouriteplaceofresidencewasunderthemainfife—rail。Directlyhewasletloosehewouldcrawloffthere，andthefirstseamanwhocamealongwouldbringhim，carefullyheldaloftintarryhands，backtothecabindoor。Ifancytheremusthavebeenastandingordertothateffect。
　　Inthecourseofthesetransportationsthebaby，whowastheonlypepperypersonintheship，triedtosmitethesestalwartyoungGermansailorsontheface。
　　Mrs。Hermann，anengaging，stouthousewife，woreonboardbaggybluedresseswithwhitedots。
　　When，ashappenedonceortwiceIcaughtheratanelegantlittlewash—tubrubbinghardonwhitecol—
　　lars，baby’ssocks，andHermann’ssummerneck—
　　ties，shewouldblushingirlishconfusion，andrais—
　　ingherwethandsgreetmefromafarwithmanyfriendlynods。Hersleeveswouldberolleduptotheelbows，andthegoldhoopofherweddingringglitteredamongthesoapsuds。Hervoicewaspleasant，shehadaserenebrow，smoothbandsofveryfairhair，andagood—humouredexpressionoftheeyes。Shewasmotherlyandmoderatelytalka—
　　tive。Whenthissimplematronsmiled，youthfuldimplesbrokeoutonherfreshbroadcheeks。Her—
　　mann’snieceontheotherhand，anorphanandverysilent，Ineversawattemptasmile。This，however，wasnotgloomonherpartbuttherestraintofyouthfulgravity。
　　Theyhadcarriedheraboutwiththemforthelastthreeyears，tohelpwiththechildrenandbecompanyforMrs。Hermann，asHermannmen—
　　tionedoncetome。Ithadbeenverynecessarywhiletheywerealllittle，hehadaddedinavexedmanner。
　　ItwasherarmandhersleekheadthatIhadglimpsedonemorning，throughthestern—windowsofthecabin，hoveringoverthepotsoffuchsiasandmignonette；butthefirsttimeIbeheldherfulllengthIsurrenderedtoherproportions。Theyfixherinmymind，asgreatbeauty，greatintelligence，quicknessofwitorkindnessofheartmighthavemadesomeherotherwomanequallymemorable。
　　Withheritwasformandsize。Itwasherphysi—
　　calpersonalitythathadthisimposingcharm。Shemighthavebeenwitty，intelligent，andkindtoanexceptionaldegree。Idon’tknow，andthisisnottothepoint。AllIknowisthatshewasbuiltonamagnificentscale。Builtistheonlyword。Shewasconstructed，shewaserected，asitwere，witharegallavishness。Itstaggeredyoutoseethisrecklessex—
　　penditureofmaterialuponachitofagirl。Shewasyouthfulandalsoperfectlymature，asthoughshehadbeensomefortunateimmortal。Shewasheavytoo，perhaps，butthat’snothing。Itonlyaddedtothatnotionofpermanence。Shewasbare—
　　lynineteen。Butsuchshoulders!Suchroundarms!SuchashadowingforthofmightylimbswhenwiththreelongstridesshepouncedacrossthedeckupontheoverturnedNicholas——it’sperfectlyindescribable!Sheseemedagood，quietgirl，vigi—
　　lantastoLena’sneeds，Gustav’stumbles，thestateofCarl’sdearlittlenose——conscientious，hardwork—
　　ing，andallthat。Butwhatmagnificenthairshehad!Abundant，long，thick，ofatawnycolour。
　　Ithadthesheenofpreciousmetals。Sheworeitplaitedtightlyintoonesingletresshanginggirl—
　　ishlydownherbackanditsendreacheddowntoherwaist。Themassivenessofitsurprisedyou。
　　Onmyworditremindedoneofaclub。Herfacewasbig，comely，ofanunruffledexpression。Shehadagoodcomplexion，andherblueeyesweresopalethatsheappearedtolookattheworldwiththeemptywhitecandourofastatue。Youcouldnotcallhergood—looking。Itwassomethingmuchmoreimpressive。Thesimplicityofherapparel，theopulenceofherform，herimposingstature，andtheextraordinarysenseofvigorouslifethatseemedtoemanatefromherlikeaperfumeexhaledbyaflower，madeherbeautifulwithabeautyofarusticandolympianorder。Towatchherreachinguptotheclothes—linewithbotharmsraisedhighaboveherhead，causedyoutofallamusinginastrainofpaganpiety。ExcellentMrs。Hermann’sbaggycottongownshadsomesortofrudimentaryfrillsatneckandbottom，butthisgirl’sprintfrockshadn’tevenawrinkle；nothingbutafewstraightfoldsintheskirtfallingtoherfeet，andthese，whenshestoodstill，hadasevereandstatuesquequality。
　　Shewasinclinednaturallytobestillwhethersit—
　　tingorstanding。However，Idon’tmeantosayshewasstatuesque。Shewastoogenerouslyalive；
　　butshecouldhavestoodforanallegoricstatueoftheEarth。Idon’tmeantheworn—outearthofourpossession，butayoungEarth，avirginalplanetundisturbedbythevisionofafutureteemingwiththemonstrousformsoflifeanddeath，clamorouswiththecruelbattlesofhungerandthought。
　　TheworthyHermannhimselfwasnotveryen—
　　tertaining，thoughhisEnglishwasfairlycompre—
　　hensible。Mrs。Hermann，whoalwaysletoffonespeechatleastatmeinanhospitable，cordialtone（andinPlatt—DeutschIsuppose）Icouldnotun—
　　derstand。Astotheirniece，howeversatisfactorytolookupon（andsheinspiredyousomehowwithahopefulviewastotheprospectsofmankind）
　　shewasamodestandsilentpresence，mostlyen—
　　gagedinsewing，onlynowandthen，asIobserved，fallingoverthatworkintoastateofmaidenlymeditation。Herauntsatoppositeher，sewingalso，withherfeetproppedonawoodenfootstool。OntheothersideofthedeckHermannandIwouldgetacoupleofchairsoutofthecabinandsettledowntoasmokingmatch，accompaniedatlongin—
　　tervalsbythepacificexchangeofafewwords。I
　　camenearlyeveryevening。HermannIwouldfindinhisshirtsleeves。Assoonashereturnedfromtheshoreonboardhisshiphecommencedoperationsbytakingoffhiscoat；thenheputonhisheadanembroideredroundcapwithatassel，andchangedhisbootsforapairofclothslippers。Afterwardshesmokedatthecabin—door，lookingathischildrenwithanairofcivicvirtue，tilltheygotcaughtoneafteranotherandputtobedinvariousstaterooms。
　　Lastly，wewoulddrinksomebeerinthecabin，whichwasfurnishedwithawoodentableoncrosslegs，andwithblackstraight—backedchairs——morelikeafarmkitchenthanaship’scuddy。Theseaandallnauti—
　　calaffairsseemedveryfarremovedfromthehos—
　　pitalityofthisexemplaryfamily。
　　AndIlikedthisbecauseIhadaratherworryingtimeonboardmyownship。Ihadbeenappointedex—officiobytheBritishConsultotakechargeofherafteramanwhohaddiedsuddenly，leavingfortheguidanceofhissuccessorsomesuspiciouslyun—
　　receiptedbills，afewdry—dockestimateshintingatbribery，andaquantityofvouchersforthreeyears’
　　extravagantexpenditure；allthesemixedupto—
　　getherinadustyoldviolin—caselinedwithrubyvelvet。Ifoundbesidesalargeaccount—book，which，whenopened，hopefullyturnedouttomyinfiniteconsternationtobefilledwithverses——pageafterpageofrhymeddoggerelofajovialandim—
　　propercharacter，writtenintheneatestminutehandIeverdidsee。Inthesamefiddle—caseaphotographofmypredecessor，takenlatelyinSaigon，repre—
　　sentedinfrontofagardenview，andincompanyofafemaleinstrangedraperies，anelderly，squat，ruggedmanofsternaspectinaclumsysuitofblackbroadcloth，andwiththehairbrushedforwardabovethetemplesinamannerremindingoneofaboar’stusks。Ofafiddle，however，theonlytraceonboardwasthecase，itsemptyhuskasitwere；butofthetwolastfreightstheshiphadindubitablyearnedoflate，therewerenoteventhehusksleft。Itwasimpossibletosaywhereallthatmoneyhadgoneto。
　　Itwasn’tonboard。Ithadnotbeenremittedhome；
　　foraletterfromtheowners，preservedinadeskevidentlybythemerestaccident，complainedmildlyenoughthattheyhadnotbeenfavouredbyascratchofthepenforthelasteighteenmonths。
　　Therewerenexttonostoresonboard，notaninchofspareropeorayardofcanvas。Theshiphadbeenrunbare，andIforesawnoendofdifficultiesbeforeIcouldgetherreadyforsea。
　　AsIwasyoungthen——notthirtyyet——Itookmyselfandmytroublesveryseriously。Theoldmate，whohadactedaschiefmourneratthecap—
　　tain’sfuneral，wasnotparticularlypleasedatmycoming。Butthefactisthefellowwasnotlegallyqualifiedforcommand，andtheConsulwasbound，ifatallpossible，toputaproperlycertificatedmanonboard。Astothesecondmate，allIcansayhisnamewasTottersen，orsomethinglikethat。Hispracticewastowearonhishead，inthattropicalclimate，amangyfurcap。Hewas，withoutexcep—
　　tion，thestupidestmanIhadeverseenonboardship。Andhelookedittoo。Helookedsocon—
　　foundedlystupidthatitwasamatterofsurpriseformewhenheansweredtohisname。
　　Idrewnogreatcomfortfromtheircompany，tosaytheleastofit；whiletheprospectofmakingalongseapassagewiththosetwofellowswasdepress—
　　ing。Andmyotherthoughtsinsolitudecouldnotbeofagaycomplexion。Thecrewwassickly，thecargowascomingveryslow；IforesawIwouldhavelotsoftroublewiththecharterers，anddoubtedwhethertheywouldadvancemeenoughmoneyfortheship’sexpenses。Theirattitudetowardsmewasunfriendly。AltogetherIwasnotgettingon。I
　　woulddiscoveratoddtimes（generallyaboutmid—
　　night）thatIwastotallyinexperienced，greatlyig—
　　norantofbusiness，andhopelesslyunfitforanysortofcommand；andwhenthestewardhadtobetakentothehospitalillwithcholeraicsymptomsI
　　feltbereavedoftheonlydecentpersonattheafterendoftheship。Hewasfullyexpectedtorecover，butinthemeantimehadtobereplacedbysomesortofservant。Andontherecommendationofacer—
　　tainSchomberg，theproprietorofthesmallerofthetwohotelsintheplace，IengagedaChinaman。
　　Schomberg，abrawny，hairyAlsatian，andanawfulgossip，assuredmethatitwasallright。"First—
　　classboythat。CameinthesuiteofhisExcellencyTsengtheCommissioner——youknow。HisExcel—
　　lencyTsenglodgedwithmehereforthreeweeks。"
　　HemouthedtheChineseExcellencyatmewithgreatunction，thoughthespecimenofthe"suite"
　　didnotseemverypromising。Atthetime，however，IdidnotknowwhatanuntrustworthyhumbugSchombergwas。The"boy"mighthavebeenfortyorahundredandfortyforallyoucouldtell——
　　oneofthoseChinamenofthedeath’s—headtypeoffaceandcompletelyinscrutable。Beforetheendofthethirddayhehadrevealedhimselfasaconfirmedopium—smoker，agambler，amostaudaciousthief，andafirst—classsprinter。Whenhedepartedatthetopofhisspeedwiththirty—twogoldensovereignsofmyownhard—earnedsavingsitwasthelaststraw。
　　Ihadreservedthatmoneyincasemydifficultiescametotheworst。NowitwasgoneIfeltaspoorandnakedasafakir。Iclungtomyship，forallthebothershecausedme，butwhatIcouldnotbearwerethelonglonelyeveningsinhercuddy，wheretheatmosphere，madesmellybyaleakylamp，wasagitatedbythesnoringofthemate。Thatfellowshuthimselfupinhisstuffycabinpunctuallyateight，andmadegrossandrevoltingnoiseslikeawater—loggedtrump。Itwasodiousnottobeabletoworryoneselfincomfortonboardone’sownship。Everythinginthisworld，Ireflected，eventhecommandofanicelittlebarque，maybemadeadelusionandasnarefortheunwaryspiritofprideinman。
　　FromsuchreflectionsIwasgladtomakeanyes—
　　capeonboardthatBremenDiana。Thereappar—
　　entlynowhisperoftheworld’siniquitieshadeverpenetrated。Andyetsheliveduponthewidesea：
　　andtheseatragicandcomic，theseawithitshorrorsanditspeculiarscandals，theseapeopledbymenandruledbyironnecessityisindubitablyapartoftheworld。Butthatpatriarchaloldtub，likesomesaintlyretreat，echoednothingofit。Shewasworldproof。Hervenerableinnocenceapparentlyhadputarestraintontheroaringlustsofthesea。AndyetIhaveknowntheseatoolongtobelieveinitsrespectfordecency。Anelementalforceisruthlesslyfrank。Itmay，ofcourse，havebeenHermann’sskilfulseamanship，buttomeitlookedasiftheal—
　　liedoceanshadrefrainedfromsmashingthesehighbulwarks，unshippingthelumpyrudder，frighten—
　　ingthechildren，andgenerallyopeningthisfam—
　　ily’seyesoutofsheerreticence。Itlookedlikereti—
　　cence。Theruthlessdisclosurewasintheendleftforamantomake；amanstrongandelementalenoughanddriventounveilsomesecretsoftheseabythepowerofasimpleandelementaldesire。
　　This，however，occurredmuchlater，andmean—
　　timeItooksanctuaryinthatsereneoldshipearlyeveryevening。TheonlypersononboardthatseemedtobeintroublewaslittleLena，andinduecourseIperceivedthatthehealthoftherag—dollwasmorethandelicate。Thisobjectledasortof"inextremis"existenceinawoodenboxplacedagainstthestarboardmooring—bitts，tendedandnursedwiththegreatestsympathyandcarebyallthechildren，whogreatlyenjoyedpullinglongfacesandmovingwithhushedfootsteps。Onlythebaby——Nicholas——lookedonwithacold，ruffianlyleer，asifhehadbelongedtoanothertribealtogether。
　　Lenaperpetuallysorrowedoverthebox，andallofthemwereindeadlyearnest。ItwaswonderfulthewaythesechildrenwouldworkuptheircompassionforthatbedraggledthingIwouldn’thavetouchedwithapairoftongs。Isupposetheywereexercis—
　　inganddevelopingtheirracialsentimentalismbythemeansofthatdummy。IwasonlysurprisedthatMrs。HermannletLenacherishandhugthatbundleofragstothatextent，itwassodisreputablyandcompletelyunclean。ButMrs。Hermannwouldraiseherfinewomanlyeyesfromherneedleworktolookonwithamusedsympathy，anddidnotseentoseeit，somehow，thatthisobjectofaffectionwasadisgracetotheship’spurity。Purity，notcleanli—
　　ness，istheword。ItwaspushedsofarthatIseemedtodetectinthistooasentimentalexcess，asifdirthadbeenremovedinverylove。Itisimpossibletogiveyouanideaofsuchameticulousneatness。Itwasasifeverymorningthatshiphadbeenardu—
　　ouslyexploredwith——withtoothbrushes。Herverybowspritthreetimesaweekhaditstoilettemadewithacakeofsoapandapieceofsoftflannel。Ar—
　　rayed——IMUSTsayarrayed——arrayedartlesslyindazzlingwhitepaintastowoodanddarkgreenastoironworkthesimple—mindeddistributionofthesecoloursevokedtheimagesofsimple—mindedpeace，ofarcadianfelicity；andthechildishcomedyofdiseaseandsorrowstruckmesometimesasanabom—
　　inablyrealblotuponthatidealstate。
　　Ienjoyeditgreatly，andonmypartIbroughtalittlemildexcitementintoit。Ourintimacyarosefromthepursuitofthatthief。Itwasintheeven—
　　ing，andHermann，who，contrarytohishabits，hadstayedonshorelatethatday，wasextricatinghim—
　　selfbackwardsoutofalittlegharryontheriverbank，oppositehisship，whenthehuntpassed。
　　Realisingthesituationasthoughhehadeyesinhisshoulder—blades，hejoineduswithaleapandtookthelead。TheChinamanfledsilentlikearapidshadowonthedustofanextremelyorientalroad。
　　Ifollowed。Alongwayintherearmymatewhoopedlikeasavage。Ayoungmoonthrewabashfullightonaplainlikeamonstrouswasteground：thearchitecturalmassofaBuddhisttem—
　　plefarawayprojecteditselfindeadblackonthesky。Welostthethiefofcourse；butinmydisap—
　　pointmentIhadtoadmireHermann’spresenceofmind。Thevelocitythatstodgymandevelopedintheinterestsofacompletestrangerearnedmywarmgratitude——therewassomethingtrulycordialinhisexertions。
　　Heseemedasvexedasmyselfatourfailure，andwouldhardlylistentomythanks。Hesaiditwas"nothings，"andinvitedmeonthespottocomeonboardhisshipanddrinkaglassofbeerwithhim。
　　Wepokedscepticallyforawhileamongstthebushes，peeredwithoutconvictionintoaditchortwo。Therewasnotasound：patchesofslimeglim—
　　meredfeeblyamongstthereeds。Slowlywetrudgedback，droopingunderthethinsickleofthemoon，andIheardhimmuttertohimself，"Himmel!ZweiunddreissigPfund!"Hewasimpressedbythefigureofmyloss。Foralongtimewehadceasedtohearthemate’swhoopsandyells。
　　Thenhesaidtome，"Everybodyhashistroub—
　　les，"andaswewentonremarkedthathewouldneverhaveknownanythingofminehadn’thebyanextraordinarychancebeendetainedonshorebyCaptainFalk。Hedidn’tliketostaylateashore——
　　headdedwithasigh。ThesomethingdolefulinhistoneIputtohissympathywithmymisfortune，ofcourse。
　　OnboardtheDianaMrs。Hermann’sfineeyesexpressedmuchinterestandcommiseration。Wehadfoundthetwowomensewingfacetofaceundertheopenskylightinthestrongglareofthelamp。
　　Hermannwalkedinfirst，startingintheverydoor—
　　waytopulloffhiscoat，andencouragingmewithloud，hospitableejaculations："Comein!Thisway!Comein，captain!"Atonce，coatinhand，hebegantotellhiswifeallaboutit。Mrs。Hermannputthepalmsofherplumphandstogether；I
　　smiledandbowedwithaheavyheart：theniecegotupfromhersewingtobringHermann’sslippersandhisembroideredcalotte，whichheassumedpon—
　　tifically，talking（aboutme）allthetime。Billowsofwhitestufflaybetweenthechairsonthecabinfloor；Icaughtthewords"ZweiunddreissigPfund"repeatedseveraltimes，andpresentlycamethebeer，whichseemeddelicioustomythroat，parchedwithrunningandtheemotionsofthechase。
　　Ididn’tgetawaytillwellpastmidnight，longafterthewomenhadretired。HermannhadbeentradingintheEastforthreeyearsormore，carry—
　　ingfreightsofriceandtimbermostly。HisshipwaswellknowninalltheportsfromVladivostoktoSingapore。Shewashisownproperty。Theprofitshadbeenmoderate，butthetradeansweredwellenoughwhilethechildrenweresmallyet。Inan—
　　otheryearorsohehopedhewouldbeabletoselltheoldDianatoafirminJapanforafairprice。Heintendedtoreturnhome，toBremen，bymailboat，secondclass，withMrs。Hermannandthechildren。
　　Hetoldmeallthisstolidly，withslowpuffsathispipe。Iwassorrywhenknockingtheashesouthebegantorubhiseyes。Iwouldhavesatwithhimtillmorning。WhathadItohurryonboardmyownshipfor？Tofacethebrokenrifleddrawerinmystate—room。Ugh!Theverythoughtmademefeelunwell。
　　Ibecametheirdailyguest，asyouknow。IthinkthatMrs。Hermannfromthefirstlookeduponmeasaromanticperson。Ididnot，ofcourse，tearmyhaircorampopuloovermyloss，andshetookitforlordlyindifference。Afterwards，Idaresay，Ididtellthemsomeofmyadventures——suchastheywere——andtheymarvelledgreatlyattheextentofmyexperience。Hermannwouldtranslatewhathethoughtthemoststrikingpassages。Gettinguponhislegs，andasifdeliveringalectureonaphenom—
　　enon，headdressedhimself，withgestures，tothetwowomen，whowouldlettheirsewingsinkslowlyontheirlaps。MeantimeIsatbeforeaglassofHermann’sbeer，tryingtolookmodest。Mrs。Her—
　　mannwouldglanceatmequickly，emitslight"Ach’s!"Thegirlnevermadeasound。Never。
　　Butshetoowouldsometimesraiseherpaleeyestolookatmeinherunseeinggentleway。Herglancewasbynomeansstupid；itbeamedoutsoftanddif—
　　fuseasthemoonbeamsuponalandscape——quitedifferentlyfromthescrutinisinginspectionofthestars。Youweredrownedinit，andimaginedyour—
　　selftoappearblurred。AndyetthissameglancewhenturneduponChristianFalkmusthavebeenasefficientasthesearchlightofabattle—ship。
　　Falkwastheotherassiduousvisitoronboard，butfromhisbehaviourhemighthavebeencomingtoseethequarter—deckcapstan。Hecertainlyusedtostareatitagooddealwhenkeepinguscompanyoutsidethecabindoor，withonemusculararmthrownoverthebackofthechair，andhisbigshapelylegs，inverytightwhitetrousers，extendedfaroutandendinginapairofblackshoesasroomyaspunts。OnarrivalhewouldshakeHer—
　　mann’shandwithamutter，bowtothewomen，andtakeuphiscarelessandmisanthropicattitudebyourside。Hedepartedabruptly，withajump，go—
　　ingthroughtheperformanceofgrunts，hand—
　　shakes，bow，asifinapanic。Sometimes，withasortofdiscreetandconvulsiveeffort，heapproachedthewomenandexchangedafewlowwordswiththem，halfadozenatmost。OntheseoccasionsHer—
　　mann’susualstarebecamepositivelyglassyandMrs。Hermann’skindcountenancewouldcolourup。
　　Thegirlherselfneverturnedahair。
　　FalkwasaDaneorperhapsaNorwegian，I
　　can’ttellnow。AtalleventshewasaScandinavianofsomesort，andabloatedmonopolisttoboot。Itispossiblehewasunacquaintedwiththeword，buthehadaclearperceptionofthethingitself。HistariffofchargesfortowingshipsinandoutwasthemostbrutallyinconsideratedocumentofthesortIhadeverseen。Hewasthecommanderandowneroftheonlytug—boatontheriver，averytrimwhitecraftof150tonsormore，aselegantlyneatasayacht，witharoundwheel—houserisinglikeaglazedturrethighabovehersharpbows，andwithoneslen—
　　dervarnishedpolemastforward。IdaresaythereareyetafewshipmastersafloatwhorememberFalkandhistugverywell。Heextractedhispoundandahalfoffleshfromeachofusmerchant—skipperswithaninflexiblesortofindifferencewhichmadehimdetestedandevenfeared。Schombergusedtoremark："Iwon’ttalkaboutthefellow。Idon’tthinkhehassixdrinksfromyear’sendtoyear’sendinmyplace。Butmyadviceis，gentlemen，don’tyouhaveanythingtodowithhim，ifyoucanhelpit。"
　　Thisadvice，apartfromunavoidablebusinessre—
　　lations，waseasytofollowbecauseFalkintrudeduponnoone。Itseemsabsurdtocompareatug—
　　boatskippertoacentaur：butheremindedmesome—
　　howofanengravinginalittlebookIhadasaboy，whichrepresentedcentaursatastream，andtherewasone，especiallyintheforeground，prancingbowandarrowsinhand，withregularseverefeaturesandanimmensecurledwavybeard，flowingdownhisbreast。Falk’sfaceremindedmeofthatcen—
　　taur。Besides，hewasacompositecreature。Notaman—horse，itistrue，butaman—boat。Helivedonboardhistug，whichwasalwaysdashingupanddowntheriverfromearlymorntilldewyeve。
　　Inthelastraysofthesettingsun，youcouldpickoutfarawaydownthereachhisbeardbornehighuponthewhitestructure，foamingupstreamtoanchorforthenight。Therewasthewhite—cladman’sbody，andtherichbrownpatchofthehair，andnothingbelowthewaistbutthe’thwart—shipwhitelinesofthebridge—screens，thatleadtheeyetothesharpwhitelinesofthebowscleavingthemuddywateroftheriver。
　　Separatedfromhisboattomeatleastheseemedincomplete。Thetugherselfwithouthisheadandtorsoonthebridgelookedmutilatedasitwere。
　　Butheleftherveryseldom。AllthetimeIre—
　　mainedinharbourIsawhimonlytwiceonshore。
　　Onthefirstoccasionitwasatmycharterers，wherehecameinmisanthropicallytogetpaidfortowingoutaFrenchbarquethedaybefore。ThesecondtimeIcouldhardlybelievemyeyes，forIbeheldhimrecliningunderhisbeardinacane—bottomedchairinthebilliard—roomofSchomberg’shotel。
　　ItwasveryfunnytoseeSchombergignoringhimpointedly。TheartificialityofitcontrastedstronglywithFalk’snaturalunconcern。ThebigAlsatiantalkedloudlywithhisothercustomers，go—
　　ingfromonelittletabletotheother，andpassingFalk’splaceofreposewithhiseyesfixedstraightahead。Falksattherewithanuntouchedglassathiselbow。Hemusthaveknownbysightandnameeverywhitemanintheroom，butheneveraddressedawordtoanybody。Heacknowledgedmypresencebyadropofhiseyelids，andthatwasall。Sprawl—
　　ingthereinthechair，hewould，nowandagain，drawthepalmsofbothhishandsdownhisface，givingatthesametimeaslight，almostimpercepti—
　　ble，shudder。
　　Itwasahabithehad，andofcourseIwasper—
　　fectlyfamiliarwithit，sinceyoucouldnotremainanhourinhiscompanywithoutbeingmadetowon—
　　deratsuchamovementbreakingsomelongperiodofstillness。itwasapassionateandinexplicablegesture。Heusedtomakeitatallsortsoftimes；
　　aslikelyasnotafterhehadbeenlisteningtolittleLena’schatteraboutthesufferingdoll，forinstance。
　　TheHermannchildrenalwaysbesiegedhimabouthislegsclosely，though，inagentleway，heshrankfromthemalittle。Heseemed，however，tofeelagreataffectionforthewholefamily。ForHermannhimselfespecially。Hesoughthiscompany。Inthiscase，forinstance，hemusthavebeenwaitingforhim，becauseassoonasheappearedFalkrosehastily，andtheywentouttogether。ThenSchom—
　　bergexpoundedinmyhearingtothreeorfourpeoplehistheorythatFalkwasafterCaptainHer—
　　mann’sniece，andassertedconfidentlythatnothingwouldcomeofit。ItwasthesamelastyearwhenCaptainHermannwasloadinghere，hesaid。
　　Naturally，IdidnotbelieveSchomberg，butI
　　ownthatforatimeIobservedcloselywhatwenton。AllIdiscoveredwassomeimpatienceonHer—
　　mann’spart。AtthesightofFalk，steppingoverthegangway，theexcellentmanwouldbegintomumbleandchewbetweenhisteethsomethingthatsoundedlikeGermanswear—words。However，asI’vesaid，I’mnotfamiliarwiththelanguage，andHermann’ssoft，round—eyedcountenanceremainedunchanged。Staringstolidlyaheadhegreetedhimwith，"Wiegehts，"orinEnglish，"Howareyou？"withathroatyenunciation。Thegirlwouldlookupforaninstantandmoveherlipsslightly：
　　Mrs。Hermannletherhandsrestonherlaptotalkvolublytohimforaminuteorsoinherpleasantvoicebeforeshewentonwithhersewingagain。
　　Falkwouldthrowhimselfintoachair，stretchhisbiglegs，aslikeasnotdrawhishandsdownhisfacepassionately。Astomyself，hewasnotpointedlyimpertinent：itwasratherasthoughhecouldnotbebotheredwithsuchtriflesasmyexistence；andthetruthisthatbeingamonopolisthewasundernonecessitytobeamiable。Hewassuretogethisownextortionatetermsoutofmefortowagewhetherhefrownedorsmiled。Asamatteroffact，hedidneither：butbeforemanydayselapsedhemanagedtoastonishmenotalittleandtosetSchomberg’stongueclackingmorethanever。
　　Itcameaboutinthisway。Therewasashallowbaratthemouthoftheriverwhichoughttohavebeenkeptdown，buttheauthoritiesoftheStatewerepiouslybusygildingafreshthegreatBuddhistPagodajustthen，andIsupposehadnomoneytosparefordredgingoperations。Idon’tknowhowitmaybenow，butatthetimeIspeakofthatsand—
　　bankwasagreatnuisancetotheshipping。Oneofitsconsequenceswasthatvesselsofacertaindraughtofwater，likeHermann’sormine，couldnotcompletetheirloadingintheriver。Aftertakinginasmuchaspossibleoftheircargo，theyhadtogooutsidetofillup。Thewholeprocedurewasanunmitigatedbore。Whenyouthoughtyouhadasmuchonboardasyourshipcouldcarrysafelyoverthebar，youwentandgavenoticetoyouragents。
　　They，intheirturn，notifiedFalkthatso—and—sowasreadytogoout。ThenFalk（ostensiblywhenitfittedinwithhisotherwork，but，ifthetruthwereknown，simplywhenhisarbitraryspiritmovedhim），afterascertainingcarefullyintheofficethattherewasenoughmoneytomeethisbill，wouldcomealongunsympathetically，glaringatyouwithhisyelloweyesfromthebridge，andwoulddragyououtdishevelledastorigging，lumberedastothedecks，withunfeelinghaste，asiftoexecution。Andhewouldforceyoutoototaketheendofhisownwirehawser，fortheuseofwhichtherewasofcourseanextracharge。Toyourshoutedremonstrancesagainstthatextortionthistoweringtrunkwithonehandontheengine—roomtelegraphonlyshookitsbeardedheadabovethesplash，theracket，andthecloudsofsmokeinwhichthetug，backingandfill—
　　inginthesmotherofchurningpaddle—wheelsbe—
　　havedlikeaferociousandimpatientcreature。HehadhermannedbythecheekiestgangoflascarsI
　　everdidsee，whomheallowedtobawlatyouinso—
　　lently，and，oncefast，hepluckedyououtofyourberthasifhedidnotcarewhathesmashed。Eigh—
　　teenmilesdowntheriveryouhadtogobehindhim，andthenthreemorealongthecoasttowhereagroupofuninhabitedrockyisletsenclosedashel—
　　teredanchorage。Thereyouwouldhavetolieatsingleanchorwithyournakedsparsshowingtoseawardoverthesebarrenfragmentsoflandscat—
　　tereduponaveryintenselybluesea。Therewasnothingtolookatbesidesbutabarecoast，themud—
　　dyedgeofthebrownplainwiththesinuositiesoftheriveryouhadleft，tracedindullgreen，andtheGreatPagodauprisinglonelyandmassivewithshiningcurvesandpinnacleslikethegorgeousandstonyefflorescenceoftropicalrocks。Youhadnothingtodobuttowaitfretfullyforthebalanceofyourcargo，whichwassentoutoftheriverwiththegreatestirregularity。Anditwasopentoyoutoconsoleyourselfwiththethoughtthat，afterall，thisstageofbothermeantthatyourdeparturefromtheseshoreswasindeedapproachingatlast。
　　Webothhadtogothroughthatstage，HermannandI，andtherewasasortoftacitemulationbe—
　　tweentheshipsastowhichshouldbereadyfirst。
　　Wekeptonneckandneckalmosttothefinish，whenIwontheracebygoingpersonallytogivenoticeintheforenoon；whereasHermann，whowasveryslowinmakinguphismindtogoashore，didnotgettotheagents’officetilllateintheday。Theytoldhimtherethatmyshipwasfirstonturnfornextmorn—
　　ing，andIbelievehetoldthemhewasinnohurry。
　　Itsuitedhimbettertogothedayafter。
　　Thatevening，onboardtheDiana，hesatwithhisplumpkneeswellapart，staringandpuffingatthecurvedmouthpieceofhispipe。Presentlyhespokewithsomeimpatiencetohisnieceaboutput—
　　tingthechildrentobed。Mrs。Hermann，whowastalkingtoFalk，stoppedshortandlookedatherhusbanduneasily，butthegirlgotupatonceanddrovethechildrenbeforeherintothecabin。InalittlewhileMrs。Hermannhadtoleaveustoquellwhat，fromthesoundsinside，musthavebeenadan—
　　gerousmutiny。AtthisHermanngrumbledtohim—
　　self。ForhalfanhourlongerFalkleftalonewithusfidgetedonhischair，sighedlightly，thenatlast，afterdrawinghishandsdownhisface，gotup，andasifrenouncingthehopeofmakinghimselfunder—
　　stood（hehadn’topenedhismouthonce）hesaidinEnglish："Well……Goodnight，CaptainHer—
　　mann。"Hestoppedforamomentbeforemychairandlookeddownfixedly；Imayevensayheglared：
　　andhewentsofarastomakeadeepnoiseinhisthroat。Therewasinallthissomethingsomarkedthatforthefirsttimeinourlimitedintercourseofnodsandgruntsheexcitedinmesomethinglikeinterest。Butnextmomenthedisappointedme——
　　forhestrodeawayhastilywithoutanodeven。
　　Hismannerwasusuallyodditistrue，andIcer—
　　tainlydidnotpaymuchattentiontoit；butthatsortofobscureintention，whichseemedtolurkinhisnonchalancelikeawaryoldcarpinapond，hadneverbeforecomesonearthesurface。Hehaddis—
　　tinctlyarousedmyexpectations。IwouldhavebeenunabletosaywhatitwasIexpected，butatalleventsIdidnotexpecttheabsurddevelopmentshesprunguponmenolaterthanthebreakoftheverynextday。
　　Irememberonlythattherewas，onthatevening，enoughpointinhisbehaviourtomakeme，afterhehadfled，wonderaudiblywhathemightmean。TothisHermann，crossinghislegswithaswingandsettlinghimselfviciouslyawayfrommeinhischair，said："Thatfellowdon’tknowhimselfwhathemeans。"
　　Theremighthavebeensomeinsightinsucharemark。Isaidnothing，and，stillaverted，headded："WhenIwasherelastyearhewasjustthesame。"Aneruptionoftobaccosmokeenvel—
　　opedhisheadasifhistemperhadexplodedlikegunpowder。
　　Ihadhalfamindtoaskhimpointblankwhetherhe，atleast，didn’tknowwhyFalk，anotoriouslyunsociableman，hadtakentovisitinghisshipwithsuchassiduity。Afterall，Ireflectedsuddenly，itwasamostremarkablething。IwondernowwhatHermannwouldhavesaid。Asitturnedouthedidn’tletmeask。ForgettingallaboutFalkap—
　　parently，hestartedamonologueonhisplansforthefuture：thesellingoftheship，thegoinghome；
　　andfallingintoareflectiveandcalculatingmoodhemumbledbetweenregularjetsofsmokeabouttheexpense。Thenecessityofdisbursingpassagemoneyforallhistribeseemedtodisturbhiminamannerthatwasthemorestrikingbecauseother—
　　wisehegavenosignsofamiserlydisposition。Andyethefussedovertheprospectofthatvoyagehomeinamailboatlikeasedentarygrocerwhohasmadeuphismindtoseetheworld。HewasraciallythriftyIsuppose，andforhimtheremusthavebeenagreatnoveltyinfindinghimselfobligedtopayfortravel—
　　ling——forseatravellingwhichwasthenormalstateoflifeforthefamily——fromtheverycradleformostofthem。Icouldseehegrudgedprospectivelyeverysingleshillingwhichmustbespentsoabsurd—
　　ly。Itwasratherfunny。Hewouldbecomedolefuloverit，andthenagain，withafretfulsigh，hewouldsupposetherewasnothingforitnowbuttotakethreesecond—classtickets——andtherewerethefourchildrentopayforbesides。Alotofmoneythattospendatonce。Abiglotofmoney。
　　Isatwithhimlistening（notforthefirsttime）
　　totheseheart—searchingstillIgrewthoroughlysleepy，andthenIlefthimandturnedinonboardmyship。AtdaylightIwasawakenedbyayelpingofshrillvoices，accompaniedbyagreatcommotioninthewater，andtheshort，bullyingblastsofasteam—whistle。Falkwithhistughadcomeforme。
　　Ibegantodress。Itwasremarkablethattheansweringnoiseonboardmyshiptogetherwiththepatteroffeetabovemyheadceasedsuddenly。ButIheardmoreremotegutturalcrieswhichseemedtoexpresssurpriseandannoyance。Thenthevoiceofmymatereachedmehowlingexpostulationstosomebodyatadistance。Othervoicesjoined，ap—
　　parentlyindignant；achorusofsomethingthatsoundedlikeabusereplied。Nowandthenthesteam—whistlescreeched。
　　Altogetherthatunnecessaryuproarwasdistract—
　　ing，butdownthereinmycabinItookitcalmly。
　　Inanothermoment，Ithought，Ishouldbegoingdownthatwretchedriver，andinanotherweekatthemostIshouldbetotallyquitoftheodiousplaceandalltheodiouspeopleinit。
　　Greatlycheeredbytheidea，Iseizedthehair—
　　brushesandlookingatmyselfintheglassbegantousethem。Suddenlyahushfelluponthenoiseout—
　　side，andIheard（theportsofmycabinwerethrownopen）——Iheardadeepcalmvoice，notonboardmyship，however，hailingresolutelyinEnglish，butwithastrongforeigntwang，"Goahead!"
　　Theremaybetidesintheaffairsofmenwhichtakenattheflood……andsoon。PersonallyI
　　amstillonthelookoutforthatimportantturn。
　　Iam，however，afraidthatmostofusarefatedtoflounderforeverinthedeadwaterofapoolwhoseshoresarearidindeed。ButIknowthatthereareofteninmen’saffairsunexpectedly——evenirration—
　　ally——illuminatingmomentswhenanotherwisein—
　　significantsound，perhapsonlysomeperfectlycom—
　　monplacegesture，sufficestorevealtousalltheunreason，allthefatuousunreason，ofourcompla—
　　cency。"Goahead"arenotparticularlystrikingwordsevenwhenpronouncedwithaforeignaccent；
　　yettheypetrifiedmeintheveryactofsmilingatmyselfintheglass。Andthen，refusingtobelievemyears，butalreadyboilingwithindignation，I
　　ranoutofthecabinandupondeck。
　　Itwasincrediblytrue。Itwasperfectlytrue。I
　　hadnoeyesforanythingbuttheDiana。Itwasshe，then，wasbeingtakenaway。Shewasalreadyoutofherberthandshootingathwarttheriver。"Thewaythisloonaticpluckedthatshipoutisacau—
　　tion，"saidtheawedvoiceofmymateclosetomyear。"Hey!Hallo!Falk!Hermann!What’sthisinfernaltrick？"Iyelledinafury。
　　Nobodyheardme。Falkcertainlycouldnothearme。Histugwasturningatfullspeedawayundertheotherbank。ThewirehawserbetweenherandtheDiana，stretchedastautasaharpstring，vibratedalarmingly。
　　Thehighblackcraftcareenedovertotheawfulstrain。Aloudcrackcameoutofher，followedbythetearingandsplinteringofwood。"There!"
　　saidtheawedvoiceinmyear。"He’scarriedawaytheirtowingchock。"Andthen，withenthusiasm，"Oh!Look!Look!sir，Look!atthemDutchmenskippingoutofthewayontheforecastle。Ihopetogoodnesshe’llbreakafewoftheirshinsbeforehe’sdonewith’em。"
　　Iyelledmyvainprotests。Theraysoftherisingsuncoursinglevelalongtheplainwarmedmyback，butIwashotenoughwithrage。Icouldnothavebelievedthatasimpletowingoperationcouldsug—
　　gestsoplainlytheideaofabduction，ofrape。FalkwassimplyrunningoffwiththeDiana。
　　Thewhitetugcareeredoutintothemiddleoftheriver。Theredfloatsofherpaddle—wheelsrevolv—
　　ingwithmadrapiditytoreupthewholereachintofoam。TheDianainmid—streamwaltzedroundwithasmuchgraceasanoldbarn，andflewafterherravisher。ThroughtheraggedfogofsmokedrivingheadlonguponthewaterIhadaglimpseofFalk’ssquaremotionlessshouldersunderawhitehatasbigasacart—wheel，ofhisredface，hisyel—
　　lowstaringeyes，hisgreatbeard。Insteadofkeep—
　　ingalookoutahead，hewasdeliberatelyturninghisbackontherivertoglareathistow。Thetallheavycraft，neversousedbeforeinherlife，seemedtohavelosthersenses；shetookawildsheeragainstherhelm，andforamomentcamestraightatus，menacingandclumsy，likearunawaymountain。
　　Shepiledupastreaming，hissing，boilingwavehalf—wayupherbluntstem，mycrewletoutonegreathowl，——andthenweheldourbreaths。Itwasanearthing。ButFalkhadher!Hehadherinhisclutch。IfanciedIcouldhearthesteelhawserpingasitsurgedacrosstheDiana’sforecastle，withthehandsonboardofherboltingawayfromitinalldirections。Itwasanearthing。Hermann，withhishairrumpled，inasnuffyflannelshirtandapairofmustard—colouredtrousers，hadrushedtohelpwiththewheel。Isawhisterrifiedroundface；I
　　sawhisveryteethuncoveredbyasortofghastlyfixedgrin；andinagreatleapingtumultofwaterbetweenthetwoshipstheDianawhiskedpastsoclosethatIcouldhaveflungahair—brushathishead，for，itseems，Ihadkepttheminmyhandsallthetime。MeanwhileMrs。Hermannsatplacidlyontheskylight，withawoollenshawlonhershoul—
　　ders。Theexcellentwomaninresponsetomyin—
　　dignantgesticulationsflutteredahandkerchief，noddingandsmilinginthekindestwayimagina—
　　ble。Theboys，onlyhalf—dressed，werejumpingaboutthepoopingreatglee，displayingtheirgaudybraces；andLenainashortscarletpetticoat，withpeakedelbowsandthinbarearms，nursedtherag—dollwithdevotion。Thewholefamilypassedbeforemysightasifdraggedacrossasceneofun—
　　paralleledviolence。ThelastIsawwasHermann’sniecewiththebabyHermanninherarmsstandingapartfromtheothers。Magnificentinherclose—
　　fittingprintfrockshedisplayedsomethingsocom—
　　mandinginthemanifestperfectionofherfigurethatthesunseemedtoberisingforheralone。Thefloodoflightbroughtouttheopulenceofherformandthevigourofheryouthinaglorifyingway。
　　Shewentbyperfectlymotionlessandasiflostinmeditation；onlythehemofherskirtstirredinthedraught；thesunraysbrokeonhersleektawnyhair；thatbald—headedruffian，Nicholas，waswhack—
　　ingherontheshoulder。Isawhistinyfatarmriseandfallinaworkmanlikemanner。AndthenthefourcottagewindowsoftheDianacameintoviewretreatingswiftlydowntheriver。Thesasheswereup，andoneofthewhitecalicocurtainswasflutteredstraightoutlikeastreamerabovetheagi—
　　tatedwaterofthewake。
　　Tobethustrickedoutofone’sturnwasanun—
　　heardofoccurrence。Inmyagent’soffice，whereI
　　wenttocomplainatonce，theyprotestedwithapol—
　　ogiestheycouldn’tunderstandhowthemistakearose：butSchombergwhenIdroppedinlatertogetsometiffin，thoughsurprisedtoseeme，wasperfect—
　　lyreadywithanexplanation。Ifoundhimseatedattheendofalongnarrowtable，facinghiswife——ascraggylittlewoman，withlongringletsandabluetooth，whosmiledabroadstupidlyandlookedfrightenedwhenyouspoketoher。Betweenthemawagglingpunkahfannedtwentycane—bottomedchairsandtworowsofshinyplates。ThreeChina—
　　meninwhitejacketsloafedwithnapkinsintheirhandsaroundthatdesolation。Schomberg’spettabled’hotewasnotmuchofasuccessthatday。
　　Hewasfeedinghimselfferociouslyandseemedtooverflowwithbitterness。
　　Hebeganbyorderinginabrutalvoicethechopstobebroughtbackforme，andturninginhischair：
　　"Mistaketheytoldyou？Notabitofit!Don’tyoubelieveitforamoment，captain!Falkisn’tamantomakemistakesunlessonpurpose。"HisfirmconvictionwasthatFalkhadbeentryingallalongtocurryfavouronthecheapwithHermann。
　　"Onthecheap——mindyou!Itdoesn’tcosthimacenttoputthatinsultuponyou，andCaptainHer—
　　manngetsinadayaheadofyourship。Time’smoney!Eh？YouareveryfriendlywithCaptainHermannIbelieve，butamanisboundtobepleasedatanylittleadvantagehemayget。CaptainHer—
　　mannisagoodbusinessman，andthere’snosuchthingasafriendinbusiness。Isthere？"Heleanedforwardandbegantocaststealthyglancesasusual。"ButFalkis，andalwayswas，amisera—
　　blefellow。Iwoulddespisehim。"
　　Imuttered，grumpily，thatIhadnoparticularrespectforFalk。
　　"Iwoulddespisehim，"heinsisted，withanap—
　　pearanceofanxietywhichwouldhaveamusedmeifIhadnotbeenfathomsdeepindiscontent。Toayoungmanfairlyconscientiousandaswell—mean—
　　ingasonlytheyoungmancanbe，thecurrentill—
　　usageoflifecomeswithapeculiarcruelty。Youththatisfreshenoughtobelieveinguilt，ininnocence，andinitself，willalwaysdoubtwhetherithavenotperchancedeserveditsfate。Sombreofmindandwithoutappetite，IstruggledwiththechopwhileMrs。SchombergsatwithhereverlastingstupidgrinandSchomberg’stalkgatheredwaylikeaslideofrubbish。
　　"Letmetellyou。It’sallaboutthatgirl。I
　　don’tknowwhatCaptainHermannexpects，butifheaskedmeIcouldtellhimsomethingaboutFalk。
　　He’samiserablefellow。Thatmanisaperfectslave。That’swhatIcallhim。Aslave。LastyearIstartedthistabled’hote，andsentcardsout——youknow。Youthinkhehadonemealinthehouse？Givethethingatrial？Notonce。HehasgotholdnowofaMadrascook——ablamedfraudthatIhuntedoutofmycookhousewitharattan。
　　Hewasnotfittocookforwhitemen。No，notforthewhitemen’sdogseither；but，see，anydamnednativethatcanboilapotofriceisgoodenoughforMr。Falk。Riceandalittlefishhebuysforafewcentsfromthefishingboatsoutsideiswhatheliveson。Youwouldhardlycreditit——eh？Awhiteman，too……"
　　Hewipedhislips，usingthenapkinwithindig—
　　nation，andlookingatme。Itflashedthroughmymindinthemidstofmydepressionthatifallthemeatinthetownwaslikethesetabled’hotechops，Falkwasn’tsofarwrong。Iwasonthepointofsayingthis，butSchomberg’sstarewasintimidat—
　　ing。"He’savegetarian，perhaps，"Imurmuredinstead。
　　"He’samiser。Amiserablemiser，"affirmedthehotel—keeperwithgreatforce。"Themeathereisnotsogoodasathome——ofcourse。Anddeartoo。
　　Butlookatme。Ionlychargeadollarforthetif—
　　fin，andonedollarandfiftycentsforthedinner。
　　Showmeanythingcheaper。WhyamIdoingit？
　　There’slittleprofitinthisgame。Falkwouldn’tlookatit。Idoitforthesakeofalotofyoungwhitefellowsherethathadn’taplacewheretheycouldgetadecentmealandeatitdecentlyingoodcompany。There’sfirst—ratecompanyalwaysatmytable。"
　　TheconvincedwayhesurveyedtheemptychairsmademefeelasifIhadintrudeduponatiffinofghostlyPresences。
　　"Awhitemanshouldeatlikeawhiteman，dashitall，"heburstoutimpetuously。"Oughttoeatmeat，musteatmeat。Imanagetogetmeatformypatronsalltheyearround。Don’tI？Iamnotca—
　　teringforadam’lotofcoolies：Haveanotherchopcaptain……No？You，boy——takeaway!"
　　Hethrewhimselfbackandwaitedgrimlyforthecurry。Thehalf—closedjalousiesdarkenedtheroompervadedbythesmelloffreshwhitewash：aswarmoffliesbuzzedandsettledinturns，andpoorMrs。
　　Schomberg’ssmileseemedtoexpressthequintes—
　　senceofalltheimbecilitythathadeverspoken，hadeverbreathed，hadeverbeenfedoninfamousbuffalomeatwithinthesebarewalls。Schombergdidnotopenhislipstillhewasreadytothrustthereinaspoonfulofgreasyrice。Herolledhiseyesridicu—
　　louslybeforeheswallowedthehotstuff，andonlythenbrokeoutafresh。
　　"Itisthemostdegradingthing。Theytakethedishuptothewheelhouseforhimwithacoveronit，andheshutsboththedoorsbeforehebeginstoeat。
　　Fact!Mustbeashamedofhimself。Asktheengi—
　　neer。Hecan’tdowithoutanengineer——don’tyousee——andasnorespectablemancanbeexpectedtoputupwithsuchatable，heallowsthemfifteendol—
　　larsamonthextramessmoney。Iassureyouitisso!YoujustaskMr。FerdinanddaCosta。That’stheengineerhehasnow。Youmayhaveseenhimaboutmyplace，adelicatedarkyoungman，withveryfineeyesandalittlemoustache。HearrivedhereayearagofromCalcutta。Betweenyouandme，Iguessthemoney—lenderstheremusthavebeenafterhim。Herusheshereforamealeverychancehecanget，forjustpleasetellmewhatsatisfactionisthatforawell—educatedyoungfellowtofeedallaloneinhiscabin——likeawildbeast？That’swhatFalkexpectshisengineerstoputupwithforfifteendollarsextra。Andtherowsonboardeverytimealittlesmellofcookinggetsaboutthedeck!Youwouldn’tbelieve!TheotherdaydaCostagotthecooktofryasteakforhim——aturtlesteakitwastoo，notbeefatall——andthefatcaughtorsome—
　　thing。YoungdaCostahimselfwastellingmeofithereinthisroom。’Mr。Schomberg’——sayshe——
　　’ifIhadletacylindercoverblowoffthroughtheskylightbymynegligenceCaptainFalkcouldn’thavebeenmoresavage。Hefrightenedthecooksothathewon’tputanythingonthefireformenow。’
　　PoordaCostahadtearsinhiseyes。Onlytrytoputyourselfinhisplace，captain：asensitive，gen—
　　tlemanlyyoungfellow。Isheexpectedtoeathisfoodraw？Butthat’syourFalkallover。Askanyoneyoulike。Isupposethefifteendollarsextrahehastogivekeeponrankling——inthere。"
　　AndSchombergtappedhismanlybreast。Isathalfstunnedbyhisirrelevantbabble。Suddenlyhegrippedmyforearminanimpressiveandcau—
　　tiousmanner，asiftoleadmeintoaverycavernofconfidence。
　　"It’snothingbutenviousness，"hesaidinalow—
　　eredtone，whichhadastimulatingeffectuponmyweariedhearing。"Idon’tsupposethereisonepersoninthistownthatheisn’tenviousof。Itellyouhe’sdangerous。EvenImyselfamnotsafefromhim。Iknowforcertainhetriedtopoi—
　　son……"
　　"Oh，comenow，"Icried，revolted。
　　"ButIknowforcertain。Thepeoplethemselvescameandtoldmeofit。HewentaboutsayingeverywhereIwasaworsepesttothistownthanthecholera。HehadbeentalkingagainstmeeversinceIopenedthishotel。AndhepoisonedCaptainHer—
　　mann’smindtoo。LasttimetheDianawasloadinghereCaptainHermannusedtocomeineverydayforadrinkoracigar。Thistimehehasn’tbeenheretwiceinaweek。Howdoyouaccountforthat？"
　　Hesqueezedmyarmtillheextortedfrommesomesortofmumble。
　　"HemakestentimesthemoneyIdo。I’veanotherhoteltofightagainst，andthereisnoothertugontheriver。Iamnotinhisway，amI？Hewouldn’tbefittorunanhotelifhetried。Butthat’sjusthisnature。Hecan’tbeartothinkIammak—
　　ingaliving。Ionlyhopeitmakeshimproperlywretched。He’slikethatineverything。Hewouldliketokeepadecenttablewellenough。
　　Butno——forthesakeofafewcents。Can’tdoit。
　　It’stoomuchforhim。That’swhatIcallbeingaslavetoit。Buthe’smeanenoughtokickuparowwhenhisnosegetstickledabit。Seethat？Thatjustpaintshim。Miserlyandenvious。Youcan’taccountforitanyotherway。Canyou？Ihavebeenstudyinghimthesethreeyears。"
　　HewasanxiousIshouldassenttohistheory。