Coulditbesomethingofthatnature？Apart，however，fromtheutterimprobabilitythathewouldoffertotalkofiteventohisfutureuncle—
　　in—law，IhadastrangefeelingthatFalk’sphysiqueunfittedhimforthatsortofdelinquency。AsthepersonofHermann’snieceexhaledtheprofoundphysicalcharmoffeminineform，soherador—
　　er’sbigframeembodiedtomysensesthehard，straightmasculinitythatwouldconceivablykillbutwouldnotcondescendtocheat。Thethingwasobvious。Imightjustaswellhavesuspectedthegirlofacurvatureofthespine。AndIper—
　　ceivedthatthesunwasabouttoset。
　　ThesmokeofFalk’stughoveinsight，farawayatthemouthoftheriver。Itwastimeformetoassumethecharacterofanambassador，andthenegotiationwouldnotbedifficultexceptinthematterofkeepingmycountenance。Itwasalltooextravagantlynonsensical，andIconceivedthatitwouldbebesttocomposeformyselfagravede—
　　meanour。IpractisedthisinmyboatasIwentalong，butthebashfulnessthatcamesecretlyuponmethemomentIsteppedonthedeckoftheDianaisinexplicable。AssoonaswehadexchangedgreetingsHermannaskedmeeagerlyifIknewwhetherFalkhadfoundhiswhiteparasol。
　　"He’sgoingtobringittoyouhimselfdirectly，"
　　Isaidwithgreatsolemnity。"MeantimeIamchargedwithanimportantmessageforwhichhebegsyourfavourableconsideration。Heisinlovewithyourniece……"
　　"AchSo!"hehissedwithananimositythatmademyassumedgravitychangeintothemostgenuineconcern。Whatmeantthistone？AndI
　　hurriedon。
　　"Hewishes，withyourconsentofcourse，toaskhertomarryhimatonce——beforeyouleavehere，thatis。HewouldspeaktotheConsul。"
　　Hermannsatdownandsmokedviolently。Fiveminutespassedinthatfuriousmeditation，andthen，takingthelongpipeoutofhismouth，heburstintoahotdiatribeagainstFalk——againsthiscupidity，hisstupidity（afellowthatcanhardlybegottosay"yes"or"no"tothesimplestques—
　　tion）——againsthisoutrageoustreatmentoftheshippinginport（becausehesawtheywereathismercy）——andagainsthismannerofwalking，whichtohis（Hermann’s）mindshowedaconceitpositivelyunbearable。ThedamagetotheoldDianawasnotforgotten，ofcourse，andtherewasnothingofanynaturesaidordonebyFalk（eventothelastofferofrefreshmentinthehotel）thatdidnotseemtohavebeenacauseofoffence。
　　"Hadthecheek"todraghim（Hermann）intothatcoffee—room；asthoughadrinkfromhimcouldmakeupforforty—sevendollarsandfiftycentsofdamageinthecostofwoodalone——notcountingtwodays’workforthecarpenter。Ofcoursehewouldnotstandinthegirl’sway。HewasgoinghometoGermany。TherewereplentyofpoorgirlswalkingaboutinGermany。
　　"He’sverymuchinlove，"wasallIfoundtosay。
　　"Yes，"hecried。"Anditistimetooaftermak—
　　inghimselfandmetalkedaboutashorethelastvoyageIwashere，andthennowagain；comingonboardeveryeveningunsettlingthegirl’smind，andsayingnothing。Whatsortofconductisthat？"
　　Theseventhousanddollarsthefellowwasalwaystalkingaboutdidnot，inhisopinion，justifysuchbehaviour。Moreover，nobodyhadseenthem。He（Hermann）seriouslydoubtediftherewereseventhousandcents，andthetug，nodoubt，wasmort—
　　gageduptothetopofthefunneltothefirmofSiegers。Butletthatpass。Hewouldn’tstandinthegirl’sway。Herheadwassoturnedthatshehadbecomenogoodtothemoflate。Quiteunableeventoputthechildrentobedwithoutheraunt。
　　Itwasbadforthechildren；theygotunruly；andyesterdayheactuallyhadtogiveGustavathrash—
　　ing。
　　Forthat，too，Falkwasmaderesponsibleap—
　　parently。AndlookingatmyHermann’sheavy，puffy，good—naturedface，Iknewhewouldnotex—
　　erthimselftillgreatlyexasperated，and，therefore，wouldthrashveryhard，andbeingfatwouldresentthenecessity。HowFalkhadmanagedtoturnthegirl’sheadwasmoredifficulttounderstand。Isup—
　　posedHermannwouldknow。Andthenhadn’ttherebeenMissVanlo？Itcouldnotbehissilverytongue，orthesubtleseductionofhismanner；hehadnomoreofwhatiscalled"manner"thanananimal——which，however，ontheotherhand，isnever，andcanneverbecalledvulgar。Thereforeitmusthavebeenhisbodilyappearance，exhibitingavirilityofnatureasexaggeratedashisbeard，andresemblingasortofconstantruthlessness。Itwasseenintheverymannerhelolledinthechair。Hemeantnooffence，buthisintercoursewascharac—
　　terisedbythatsortoffrankdisregardofsuscepti—
　　bilitiesamanofsevenfootsix，livinginaworldofdwarfs，wouldnaturallyassume，withoutintheleastwishingtobeunkind。Butamongstmenofhisownstature，ornearly，thisfrankuseofhisad—
　　vantages，insuchmattersastheawfultowagebillsforinstance，causedmuchimpotentgnashingofteeth。Whenattentivelyconsidereditseemedap—
　　pallingattimes。Hewasastrangebeast。Butmaybewomenlikedit。Seeninthatlighthewaswellworthtaming，andIsupposeeverywomanatthebottomofherheartconsidersherselfasatamerofstrangebeasts。ButHermannarosewithpre—
　　cipitationtocarrythenewstohiswife。Ihadbarelythetime，ashemadeforthecabindoor，tograbhimbytheseatofhisinexpressibles。I
　　beggedhimtowaittillFalkinpersonhadspokenwithhim。Thereremainedsomesmallmattertotalkover，asIunderstood。
　　Hesatdownagainatonce，fullofsuspicion。
　　"Whatmatter？"hesaidsurlily。"Ihavehadenoughofhisnonsense。There’snomatteratall，asheknowsverywell；thegirlhasnothingintheworld。Shecametousinonethindresswhenmybrotherdied，andIhaveagrowingfamily。"
　　"Itcan’tbeanythingofthatkind，"Iopined。
　　"He’sdesperatelyenamouredofyourniece。I
　　don’tknowwhyhedidnotsaysobefore。Uponmyword，Ibelieveitisbecausehewasafraidtolose，perhaps，thefelicityofsittingnearheronyourquarterdeck。"
　　Iintimatedmyconvictionthathislovewassogreatastobeinasensecowardly。Theeffectsofagreatpassionareunaccountable。Ithasbeenknowntomakeamantimid。ButHermannlookedatmeasifIhadfoolishlyraved；andthetwilightwasdyingoutrapidly。
　　"Youdon’tbelieveinpassion，doyou，Her—
　　mann？"Isaidcheerily。"Thepassionoffearwillmakeacorneredratcourageous。Falk’sinacor—
　　ner。Hewilltakeheroffyourhandsinonethinfrockjustasshecametoyou。Andaftertenyears’
　　serviceitisn’tabadbargain，"Iadded。
　　Farfromtakingoffence，heresumedhisairofcivicvirtue。Thesuddennightcameuponhimwhilehestaredplacidlyalongthedeck，bringingincontactwithhisthicklips，andtakingawayagainafterajetofsmoke，thecurvedmouthpiecefittedtothestemofhispipe。Thenightcameuponhimandburiedinhastehiswhiskers，hisglob—
　　ulareyes，hispuffypaleface，hisfatkneesandthevastflatslippersonhisfatherlyfeet。Onlyhisshortarmsinrespectablewhiteshirt—sleevesre—
　　mainedveryvisible，proppedupliketheflippersofasealreposingonthestrand。
　　"Falkwouldn’tsettleanythingaboutrepairs。
　　ToldmetofindoutfirsthowmuchwoodIshouldrequireandhewouldsee，"heremarked；andafterhehadspatpeacefullyintheduskweheardoverthewaterthebeatofthetug’sfloats。Thereis，onacalmnight，nothingmoresuggestiveoffierceandheadlonghastethantherapidsoundmadebythepaddle—wheelsofaboatthreshingherwaythroughaquietsea；andtheapproachofFalktowardshisfateseemedtobeurgedbyanimpatientandpas—
　　sionatedesire。Theenginesmusthavebeendriventotheveryutmostoftheirrevolutions。Weheardthemslowdownatlast，and，vaguely，thewhitehullofthetugappearedmovingagainsttheblackislets，whilstaslowandrhythmicalclappingasofthousandsofhandsroseonallsides。Itceasedallatonce，justbeforeFalkbroughtherup。Asin—
　　glebrusquesplashwasfollowedbythelongdrawnrumblingofironlinksrunningthroughthehawsepipe。ThenasolemnsilencefellupontheRoad—
　　stead。
　　"Hewillsoonbehere，"Imurmured，andafterthatwewaitedforhimwithoutaword。Meantime，raisingmyeyes，IbeheldtheglitterofaloftyskyabovetheDiana’smastheads。Themultitudeofstarsgatheredintoclusters，inrows，inlines，inmasses，ingroups，shonealltogether，unanimously——andthefewisolatedones，blazingbythemselvesinthemidstofdarkpatches，seemedtobeofasu—
　　periorkindandofaninextinguishablenature。Butlongstridingfootstepswereheardhasteningalongthedeck；thehighbulwarksoftheDianamadeadeeperdarkness。Werosefromourchairsquickly，andFalk，appearingbeforeus，allinwhite，stoodstill。
　　Nobodyspokeatfirst，asthoughwehadbeencoveredwithconfusion。Hisarrivalwasfiery，buthiswhitebulk，ofindefiniteshapeandwithoutfea—
　　tures，madehimloomuplikeamanofsnow。
　　"Thecaptainherehasbeentellingme……"
　　Hermannbeganinahomelyandamicablevoice；
　　andFalkhadalow，nervouslaugh。Hiscool，neg—
　　ligentundertonehadnoinflexions，butthestrengthofapowerfulemotionmadehimrambleinhisspeech。Hehadalwaysdesiredahome。Itwasdifficulttolivealone，thoughhewasnotanswera—
　　ble。Hewasdomestic；therehadbeendifficulties；
　　butsincehehadseenHermann’sniecehefoundthatithadbecomeatlastimpossibletolivebyhim—
　　self。"Imean——impossible，"herepeatedwithnosortofemphasisandonlywiththeslightestofpauses，butthewordfellintomymindwiththeforceofanewidea。
　　"Ihavenotsaidanythingtoheryet，"Hermannobservedquietly。AndFalkdismissedthisbya"That’sallright。Certainly。Veryproper。"
　　Therewasanecessityforperfectfrankness——inmarrying，especially。Hermannseemedattentive，butheseizedthefirstopportunitytoaskusintothecabin。"Andby—the—by，Falk，"hesaidinnocent—
　　ly，aswepassedin，"thetimbercametonolessthanforty—sevendollarsandfiftycents。"
　　Falk，uncoveringhishead，lingeredinthepas—
　　sage。"Someothertime，"hesaid；andHermannnudgedmeangrily——Idon’tknowwhy。Thegirlaloneinthecabinsatsewingatsomedistancefromthetable。Falkstoppedshortinthedoorway。
　　Withoutaword，withoutasign，withouttheslight—
　　estinclinationofhisbonyhead，bythesilentin—
　　tensityofhislookalone，heseemedtolayhisher—
　　culeanframeatherfeet。Herhandssankslowlyonherlap，andraisinghercleareyes，shelethersoft，beamingglanceenfoldhimfromheadtofootlikeaslowandpalecaress。Hewasveryhotwhenhesatdown；she，withbowedhead，wentonwithhersewing；herneckwasverywhiteunderthelightofthelamp；butFalk，hidinghisfaceinthepalmsofhishands，shudderedfaintly。Hedrewthemdown，eventohisbeard，andhisuncoveredeyesas—
　　tonishedmebytheirtenseandirrationalexpres—
　　sion——asthoughhehadjustswallowedaheavygulpofalcohol。Itpassedawaywhilehewasbindingustosecrecy。Notthathecared，buthedidnotliketobespokenabout；andIlookedatthegirl’smarvellous，atherwonderful，atherregalhair，plaitedtightintothatoneastonishingandmaidenlytress。Whenevershemovedherwell—
　　shapedheaditwouldstirstifflytoandfroonherback。Thethincottonsleevefittedtheirreproach—
　　ableroundnessofherarmlikeaskin；andherverydress，stretchedonherbust，seemedtopalpitatelikealivingtissuewiththestrengthofvitalityani—
　　matingherbody。Howgoodhercomplexionwas，theoutlineofhersoftcheekandthesmallconvo—
　　lutedconchofherrosyear!Topullherneedleshekeptthelittlefingerapartfromtheothers；itseemedawasteofpowertoseehersewing——eter—
　　nallysewing——withthatindustriousandprecisemovementofherarm，goingoneternallyuponalltheoceans，underalltheskies，ininnumerablehar—
　　bours。AndsuddenlyIheardFalk’svoicedeclarethathecouldnotmarryawomanunlesssheknewofsomethinginhislifethathadhappenedtenyearsago。Itwasanaccident。Anunfortunateac—
　　cident。Itwouldaffectthedomesticarrangementsoftheirhome，but，oncetold，itneednotbealludedtoagainfortherestoftheirlives。"Ishouldwantmywifetofeelforme，"hesaid。"Ithasmademeunhappy。"Andhowcouldhekeeptheknowledgeofittohimself——heaskedus——perhapsthroughyearsandyearsofcompanionship？Whatsortofcompanionshipwouldthatbe？Hehadthoughtitover。Awifemustknow。Thenwhynotatonce？
　　HecountedonHermann’skindnessforpresentingtheaffairinthebestpossiblelight。AndHer—
　　mann’scountenance，mystifiedbefore，becameverysour。Hestoleaninquisitiveglanceatme。I
　　shookmyheadblankly。Somepeoplethought，Falkwenton，thatsuchanexperiencechangedamanfortherestofhislife。Hecouldn’tsay。Itwashard，awful，andnottobeforgotten，buthedidnotthinkhimselfaworsemanthanbefore。
　　Onlyhetalkedinhissleepnow，hebelieved……
　　AtlastIbegantothinkhehadaccidentallykilledsomeone；perhapsafriend——hisownfathermay—
　　be；whenhewentontosaythatprobablywewereawarehenevertouchedmeat。ThroughouthespokeEnglish，ofcourseofmyaccount。
　　Heswayedforwardheavily。
　　Thegirl，withherhandsraisedbeforeherpaleeyes，wasthreadingherneedle。Heglancedather，andhismightytrunkovershadowedthetable，bringingnearertousthebreadthofhisshoulders，thethicknessofhisneck，andthatincongruous，an—
　　choritehead，burntinthedesert，hollowedandleanasifbyexcessesofvigilsandfasting。Hisbeardflowedimposinglydownwards，outofsight，be—
　　tweenthetwobrownhandsgrippingtheedgeofthetable，andhispersistentglancemadesombrebythewidedilationsofthepupils，fascinated。
　　"Imaginetoyourselves，"hesaidinhisordinaryvoice，"thatIhaveeatenman。"
　　Icouldonlyejaculateafaint"Ah!"ofcom—
　　pleteenlightenment。ButHermann，dazedbytheexcessiveshock，actuallymurmured，"Himmel!
　　Whatfor？"
　　"Itwasmyterriblemisfortunetodoso，"saidFalkinameasuredundertone。Thegirl，uncon—
　　scious，sewedon。Mrs。Hermannwasabsentinoneofthestate—rooms，sittingupwithLena，whowasfeverish；butHermannsuddenlyputbothhishandsupwithajerk。Theembroideredcalottefell，and，inthetwinklingofaneye，hehadrum—
　　pledhishairallendsupinamostextravagantmanner。Inthisstatehestrovetospeak；witheveryefforthiseyesseemedtostartfurtheroutoftheirsockets；hisheadlookedlikeamop。Hechoked，gasped，swallowed，andmanagedtoshriekouttheoneword，"Beast!"
　　FromthatmomenttillFalkwentoutofthecab—
　　inthegirl，withherhandsfoldedontheworklyinginherlap，nevertookhereyesoffhim。Hisown，intheblindnessofhisheart，dartedalloverthecabin，onlyseekingtoavoidthesightofHermann’sraving。Itwasridiculous，andwasmadealmostterriblebythestillnessofeveryotherpersonpres—
　　ent。Itwascontemptible，andwasmadeappallingbytheman’sovermasteringhorrorofthisawfulsincerity，comingtohimsuddenly，withtheconfes—
　　sionofsuchafact。Hewalkedwithgreatstrides；
　　hegasped。HewantedtoknowfromFalkhowdaredhetocomeandtellhimthis？Didhethinkhimselfaproperpersontobesittinginthiscabinwherehiswifeandchildrenlived？Tellhisniece!
　　Expectedhimtotellhisniece!Hisownbrother’sdaughter!Shameless!DidIeverheartellofsuchimpudence？——heappealedtome。"Thismanhereoughttohavegoneandhiddenhimselfoutofsightinsteadof……"
　　"Butit’sagreatmisfortuneforme。Butit’sagreatmisfortuneforme，"Falkwouldejaculatefromtimetotime。
　　However，Hermannkeptonrunningfrequentlyagainstthecornersofthetable。Atlasthelostaslipper，andcrossinghisarmsonhisbreast，walkedupwithonestockingfootveryclosetoFalk，inor—
　　dertoaskhimwhetherhedidthinktherewasany—
　　whereonearthawomanabandonedenoughtomatewithsuchamonster。"Didhe？Didhe？Didhe？"Itriedtorestrainhim。Hetorehimselfoutofmyhands；hefoundhisslipper，and，endeavour—
　　ingtoputiton，stormedstandingononeleg——
　　andFalk，withafaceunmovedandavertedeyes，graspedallhismightybeardinonevastpalm。
　　"Wasitrightthenformetodiemyself？"heaskedthoughtfully。Ilaidmyhandonhisshoul—
　　der。
　　"Goaway，"Iwhisperedimperiously，withoutanyclearreasonforthisadvice，exceptthatI
　　wishedtoputanendtoHermann’sodiousnoise。
　　"Goaway。"
　　HelookedsearchinglyforamomentatHermannbeforehemadeamove。Ileftthecabintootoseehimoutoftheship。Buthehungaboutthequar—
　　ter—deck。
　　"Itismymisfortune，"hesaidinasteadyvoice。
　　"Youwerestupidtoblurtitoutinsuchaman—
　　ner。Afterall，wedon’thearsuchconfidenceseveryday。"
　　"Whatdoesthemanmean？"hemusedindeepundertones。"Somebodyhadtodie——butwhyme？"
　　Heremainedstillforatimeinthedark——silent；
　　almostinvisible。Allatoncehepinnedmyelbowstomysides。Ifeltutterlypowerlessinhisgrip，andhisvoice，whisperinginmyear，vibrated。
　　"It’sworsethanhunger。Captain，doyouknowwhatthatmeans？AndIcouldkillthen——orbekilled。Iwishthecrowbarhadsmashedmyskulltenyearsago。AndI’vegottolivenow。Withouther。Doyouunderstand？Perhapsmanyyears。
　　Buthow？Whatcanbedone？IfIhadallowedmyselftolookatheronceIwouldhavecarriedheroffbeforethatmaninmyhands——likethis。"
　　Ifeltmyselfsnatchedoffthedeck，thensuddenlydropped——andIstaggeredbackwards，feelingbewilderedandbruised。Whataman!Allwasstill；hewasgone。IheardHermann’svoicede—
　　claiminginthecabin，andIwentin。
　　Icouldnotatfirstmakeoutasingleword，butMrs。Hermann，who，attractedbythenoise，hadcomeinsometimebefore，withanexpressionofsurpriseandmilddisapproval，depictedbroadlyonherface，wasgivingnowallthesignsofprofound，helplessagitation。Herhusbandshotastringofgutturalwordsather，andinstantlyputtingoutonehandtothebulkheadasiftosaveherselffromfalling，sheclutchedtheloosebosomofherdresswiththeother。Heharanguedthetwowomenex—
　　traordinarily，withmuchofhisshirthangingoutofhiswaistbelt，stampinghisfoot，turningfromonetotheother，sometimesthrowingbothhisarmsto—
　　gether，straightupabovehisrumpledhair，andkeepingtheminthatpositionwhileheutteredapassageoflouddenunciation；atothersfoldingthemtightacrosshisbreast——andthenhehissedwithindignation，elevatinghisshouldersandpro—
　　trudinghishead。Thegirlwascrying。
　　Shehadnotchangedherattitude。Fromhersteadyeyesthat，followingFalkinhisretreat，hadremainedfixedwistfullyonthecabindoor，thetearsfellrapid，thick，onherhands，ontheworkinherlap，warmandgentlelikeashowerinspring。
　　Sheweptwithoutgrimacing，withoutnoise——verytouching，veryquiet，withsomethingmoreofpitythanofpaininherface，asoneweepsincompassionratherthaningrief——andHermann，beforeher，declaimed。Icaughtseveraltimestheword"Mensch，"man；andalso"Fressen，"whichlastI
　　lookedupafterwardsinmydictionary。Itmeans"Devour。"Hermannseemedtoberequestingananswerofsomesortfromher；hiswholebodyswayed。Sheremainedmuteandperfectlystill；
　　atlasthisagitationgainedher；sheputthepalmsofherhandstogether，herfulllipsparted，nosoundcame。Hisvoicescoldedshrilly，hisarmswentlikeawindmill——suddenlyheshookathickfistather。Sheburstoutintoloudsobs。Heseemedstupefied。
　　Mrs。Hermannrushedforwardbabblingrap—
　　dly。Thetwowomenfelloneachother’snecks，and，withanarmroundherniece’swaist，sheledheraway。Herowneyesweresimplystreaming，herfacewasflooded。Sheshookherheadbackatmenegatively，Iwonderwhytothisday。Thegirl’sheaddroppedheavilyonhershoulder。Theydis—
　　appeared。
　　ThenHermannsatdownandstaredatthecabinfloor。
　　"Wedon’tknowallthecircumstances，"Iven—
　　turedtobreakthesilence。Heretortedtartlythathedidn’twanttoknowofany。Accordingtohisideasnocircumstancescouldexcuseacrime——andcertainlynotsuchacrime。Thiswastheopiniongenerallyreceived。Thedutyofahumanbeingwastostarve。Falkthereforewasabeast，anani—
　　mal；base，low，vile，despicable，shameless，andde—
　　ceitful。Hehadbeendeceivinghimsincelastyear。
　　Hewas，however，inclinedtothinkthatFalkmusthavegonemadquiterecently；fornosaneperson，withoutnecessity，uselessly，fornoearthlyreason，andregardlessofanother’sself—respectandpeaceofmind，wouldowntohavingdevouredhumanflesh。"Whytell？"hecried。"Whowasaskinghim？"ItshowedFalk’sbrutalitybecauseafterallhehadselfishlycausedhim（Hermann）muchpain。Hewouldhavepreferrednottoknowthatsuchanuncleancreaturehadbeeninthehabitofcaressinghischildren。HehopedIwouldsaynoth—
　　ingofallthisashore，though。Hewouldn’tlikeittogetaboutthathehadbeenintimatewithaneaterofmen——acommoncannibal。Astothescenehehadmade（whichIjudgedquiteunnecessary）
　　hewasnotgoingtoinconvenienceandrestrainhimselfforafellowthatwentaboutcourtingandupsettinggirls’heads，whileheknewallthetimethatnodecenthousewifelygirlcouldthinkofmar—
　　ryinghim。Atleasthe（Hermann）couldnotcon—
　　ceivehowanygirlcould。FancyLena!……No，itwasimpossible。Thethoughtsthatwouldcomeintotheirheadseverytimetheysatdowntoameal。
　　Horrible!Horrible!
　　"Youaretoosqueamish，Hermann，"Isaid。
　　HeseemedtothinkitwaseminentlypropertobesqueamishifthewordmeantdisgustatFalk’scon—
　　duct；andturninguphiseyessentimentallyhedrewmyattentiontothehorriblefateofthevictims——thevictimsofthatFalk。IsaidthatIknewnothingaboutthem。Heseemedsurprised。Couldnotanybodyimaginewithoutknowing？He——forinstance——felthewouldliketoavengethem。Butwhatif——saidI——therehadnotbeenany？Theymighthavediedasitwere，naturally——ofstarva—
　　tion。Heshuddered。Buttobeeaten——afterdeath!Tobedevoured!Hegaveanotherdeepshudder，andaskedsuddenly，"Doyouthinkitistrue？"
　　Hisindignationandhispersonalitytogetherwouldhavebeenenoughtospoiltherealityofthemostauthenticthing。WhenIlookedathimI
　　doubtedthestory——buttheremembranceofFalk’swords，looks，gestures，investeditnotonlywithanairofrealitybutwiththeabsolutetruthofprimitivepassion。
　　"Itistruejustasmuchasyouareabletomakeit；andexactlyinthewayyouliketomakeit。Formypart，whenIhearyouclamouringaboutit，I
　　don’tbelieveitistrueatall。"
　　AndIlefthimpondering。ThemeninmyboatlyingatthefootofDiana’ssideladdertoldmethatthecaptainofthetughadgoneawayinhisgigsometimeago。
　　Iletmyfellowspullaneasystroke；becauseoftheheavydewtheclearsparkleofthestarsseemedtofallonmecoldandwetting。Therewasasenseoflurkinggruesomehorrorsomewhereinmymind，anditwasmingledwithclearandgrotesqueimages。Schomberg’sgastronomictittle—tattlewasresponsibleforthese；andIhalfhopedI
　　shouldneverseeFalkagain。Butthefirstthingmyanchor—watchmantoldmewasthatthecaptainofthetugwasonboard。Hehadsenthisboatawayandwasnowwaitingformeinthecuddy。
　　Hewaslyingfulllengthonthesternsettee，hisfaceburiedinthecushions。Ihadexpectedtoseeitdiscomposed，contorted，despairing。Itwasnothingofthekind；itwasjustasIhadseenittwentytimes，steadyandglaringfromthebridgeofthetug。Itwasimmovablysetandhungry，dominatedlikethewholemanbythesinglenessofoneinstinct。
　　Hewantedtolive。Hehadalwayswantedtolive。Sowealldo——butinustheinstinctservesacomplexconception，andinhimthisinstinctexistedalone。Thereisinsuchsimpledevelopmentagi—
　　ganticforce，andlikethepathosofachild’snaivenduncontrolleddesire。Hewantedthatgirl，andtheutmostthatcanbesaidforhimwasthathewantedthatparticulargirlalone。IthinkIsawthentheobscurebeginning，theseedgerminatinginthesoilofanunconsciousneed，thefirstshootofthattreebearingnowforamaturemankindtheflowerandthefruit，theinfinitegradationinshadesandinflavourofourdiscriminatinglove。
　　Hewasachild。Hewasasfrankasachildtoo。
　　Hewashungryforthegirl，terriblyhungry，ashehadbeenterriblyhungryforfood。
　　Don’tbeshockedifIdeclarethatinmybeliefitwasthesameneed，thesamepain，thesametor—
　　ture。Weareinhiscaseallowedtocontemplatethefoundationofalltheemotions——thatonejoywhichistolive，andtheonesadnessattherootoftheinnumerabletorments。Itwasmadeplainbythewayhetalked。Hehadneversufferedso。Itwasgnawing，itwasfire；itwasthere，likethis!
　　Andafterpointingbelowhisbreastbone，hemadeahardwringingmotionwithhishands。AndIas—
　　sureyouthat，seenasIsawitwithmybodilyeyes，itwasanythingbutlaughable。Andagain，ashewaspresentlytotellme（alludingtoanearlyinci—
　　dentofthedisastrousvoyagewhensomedamagedmeathadbeenflungoverboard），hesaidthatatimesooncamewhenhisheartached（thatwastheexpressionheused），andhewasreadytotearhishairoutatthethoughtofallthatrottenbeefthrownaway。
　　Ihadheardallthis；Iwitnessedhisphysicalstruggles，seeingtheworkingoftherackandhear—
　　ingthetruevoiceofpain。Iwitnesseditallpa—
　　tiently，becausethemomentIcameintothecuddyhehadcalleduponmetostandbyhim——andthis，itseems，Ihaddiplomaticallypromised。
　　Hisagitationwasimpressiveandalarminginthelittlecabin，liketheflounderingofagreatwhaledrivenintoashallowcoveinacoast。Hestoodup；heflunghimselfdownheadlong；hetriedtotearthecushionwithhisteeth；andagainhug—
　　gingitfiercelytohisfacehelethimselffallonthecouch。Thewholeshipseemedtofeeltheshockofhisdespair；andIcontemplatedwithwondertheloftyforehead，thenobletouchoftimeontheun—
　　coveredtemples，theunchangedhungrycharacteroftheface——sostrangelyasceticandsoincapableofportrayingemotion。
　　Whatshouldhedo？Hehadlivedbybeingnearher。Hehadsat——intheevening——Iknew？——
　　allhislife!Shesewed。Herheadwasbent——so。
　　Herhead——likethis——andherarms。Ah!HadI
　　seen？Likethis。
　　Hedroppedonastool，bowedhispowerfulneckwhosenapewasred，andwithhishandsstitchedtheair，ludicrous，sublimelyimbecileandcompre—
　　hensible。
　　Andnowhecouldn’thaveher？No!Thatwastoomuch。Afterthinkingtoothat……Whathadhedone？Whatwasmyadvice？Takeherbyforce？No？Mustn’the？Whowastherethentokillhim？ForthefirsttimeIsawoneofhisfea—
　　turesmove；afightingteeth—baringcurlofthelip……"NotHermann，perhaps。"Helosthimselfinthoughtasthoughhehadfallenoutoftheworld。
　　Imaynotethattheideaofsuicideapparentlydidnotenterhisheadforasinglemoment。Itoc—
　　curredtometoask：
　　"Wherewasitthatthisshipwreckofyourstookplace？"
　　"Downsouth，"hesaidvaguelywithastart。
　　"Youarenotdownsouthnow，"Isaid。"Vio—
　　lencewon’tdo。Theywouldtakeherawayfromyouinnotime。Andwhatwasthenameoftheship？"
　　"BorgmesterDahl，"hesaid。"Itwasnoship—
　　wreck。"
　　Heseemedtobewakingupbydegreesfromthattrance，andwakingupcalmed。
　　"Notashipwreck？Whatwasit？"
　　"Breakdown，"heanswered，lookingmorelikehimselfeverymoment。BythisonlyIlearnedthatitwasasteamer。Ihadtillthensupposedtheyhadbeenstarvinginboatsoronaraft——orper—
　　hapsonabarrenrock。
　　"Shedidnotsinkthen？"Iaskedinsurprise。
　　Henodded。"Wesightedthesouthernice，"hepronounceddreamily。
　　"Andyoualonesurvived？"
　　Hesatdown。"Yes。Itwasaterriblemisfor—
　　tuneforme。Everythingwentwrong。Allthemenwentwrong。Isurvived。"
　　Rememberingthethingsonereadsofitwasdiffi—
　　culttorealisethetruemeaningofhisanswers。I
　　oughttohaveseenatonce——butIdidnot；sodiffi—
　　cultisitforourminds，rememberingsomuch，in—
　　structedsomuch，informedofsomuch，togetintouchwiththerealactualityatourelbow。Andwithmyheadfullofpreconceivednotionsastohowacaseof"cannibalismandsufferingatsea"
　　shouldbemanagedIsaid——"Youwerethensoluckyinthedrawingoflots？"
　　"Drawingoflots？"hesaid。"Whatlots？DoyouthinkIwouldhaveallowedmylifetogoforthedrawingoflots？"
　　Notifhecouldhelpif，Iperceived，nomatterwhatotherlifewent。
　　"Itwasagreatmisfortune。Terrible。Awful，"
　　hesaid。"Manyheadswentwrong，butthebestmenwouldlive。"
　　"Thetoughest，youmean，"Isaid。Heconsid—
　　eredtheword。Perhapsitwasstrangetohim，thoughhisEnglishwassogood。
　　"Yes，"heassertedatlast。"Thebest。Itwaseverybodyforhimselfatlastandtheshipopentoall。"
　　ThusfromquestiontoquestionIgotthewholestory。IfancyitwastheonlywayIcouldthatnighthavestoodbyhim。Outwardlyatleasthewashimselfagain；thefirstsignofitwasthere—
　　turnofthatincongruoustrickhehadofdrawingbothhishandsdownhisface——andithaditsmean—
　　ingnow，withthatslightshudderoftheframeandthepassionateanguishofthesehandsuncoveringahungryimmovableface，thewidepupilsoftheintent，silent，fascinatingeyes。
　　Itwasanironsteamerofamostrespectableori—
　　gin。TheburgomasterofFalk’snativetownhadbuilther。Shewasthefirststeamereverlaunchedthere。Theburgomaster’sdaughterhadchristenedher。Countrypeopledroveincartsfrommilesaroundtoseeher。Hetoldmeallthis。Hegottheberthaswhatweshouldcallachiefmate。Heseemedtothinkithadbeenafeatherinhiscap；
　　and，inhisowncorneroftheworld，thisloveroflifewasofgoodparentage。
　　Theburgomasterhadadvancedideasintheship—owningline。AtthattimenoteveryonewouldhaveknownenoughtothinkofdespatchingacargosteamertothePacific。Butheloadedherwithpitch—pinedealsandsentherofftohuntforherluck。Wellingtonwastobethefirstport，I
　　fancy。Itdoesn’tmatter，becauseinlatitude44dsouthandsomewherehalfwaybetweenGoodHopeandNewZealandthetailshaftbrokeandthepro—
　　pellerdroppedoff。
　　Theyweresteamingthenwithafreshgaleonthequarterandalltheircanvasset，tohelptheen—
　　gines。Butbyitselfthesailpowerwasnotenoughtokeepwayonher。Whenthepropellerwenttheshipbroached—toatonce，andthemastsgotwhippedoverboard。
　　Thedisadvantageofbeingdismastedconsistedinthis，thattheyhadnothingtohoistflagsontomakethemselvesvisibleatadistance。Inthecourseofthefirstfewdaysseveralshipsfailedtosightthem；andthegalewasdriftingthemoutoftheusualtrack。Thevoyagehadbeen，fromthefirst，neitherverysuccessfulnorveryharmonious。
　　Therehadbeenquarrelsonboard。Thecaptainwasaclever，melancholicman，whohadnounusualgriponhiscrew。Theshiphadbeenamplypro—
　　visionedforthepassage，but，somehoworother，severalbarrelsofmeatwerefoundspoiledonopen—
　　ing，andhadbeenthrownoverboardsoonafterleavinghome，asasanitarymeasure。AfterwardsthecrewoftheBorgmesterDahlthoughtofthatrottencarrionwithtearsofregret，covetousnessanddespair。
　　Shedrovesouth。Tobeginwith，therehadbeenanappearanceoforganisation，butsoonthebondsofdisciplinebecamerelaxed。Asombreidlenesssucceeded。Theylookedwithsulleneyesatthehori—
　　zon。Thegalesincreased：shelayinthetrough，theseasmadeacleanbreachoverher。Ononefrightfulnight，whentheyexpectedtheirhulktoturnoverwiththemeverymoment，aheavyseabrokeonboard，delugedthestore—roomsandspoiledthebestpartoftheremainingprovisions。Itseemsthehatchhadnotbeenproperlysecured。Thisin—
　　stanceofneglectischaracteristicofutterdiscour—
　　agement。Falktriedtoinspiresomeenergyintohiscaptain，butfailed。Fromthattimeheretiredmoreintohimself，alwaystryingtodohisutmostinthesituation。Itgrewworse。Galesucceededgale，withblackmountainsofwaterhurlingthem—
　　selvesontheBorgmesterDahl。Someofthemenneverlefttheirbunks；manybecamequarrelsome。
　　Thechiefengineer，anoldman，refusedtospeakatalltoanybody。Othersshutthemselvesupintheirberthstocry。Oncalmdaystheinertsteamerrolledonaleadenseaunderamurkysky，orshowed，insunshine，thesqualorofseawaifs，thedriedwhitesalt，therust，thejaggedbrokenplaces。Thenthegalescameagain。Theykeptbodyandsoultogetheronshortrations。Once，anEnglishship，scuddinginastorm，triedtostandbythem，heaving—topluckilyundertheirlee。Theseassweptherdecks；themeninoilskinsclingingtoherrigginglookedatthem，andtheymadedes—
　　peratesignsovertheirshatteredbulwarks。Sud—
　　denlyhermain—topsailwent，yardandall，inater—
　　rificsquall；shehadtobearupunderbarepoles，anddisappeared。
　　Othershipshadspokenthembefore，butatfirsttheyhadrefusedtobetakenoff，expectingtheas—
　　sistanceofsomesteamer。Therewereveryfewsteamersinthoselatitudesthen；andwhentheydesiredtoleavethisdeadanddriftingcarcase，noshipcameinsight。Theyhaddriftedsouthoutofmen’sknowledge。Theyfailedtoattracttheatten—
　　tionofalonelywhaler，andverysoontheedgeofthepolarice—caprosefromtheseaandclosedthesouthernhorizonlikeawall。Onemorningtheywerealarmedbyfindingthemselvesfloatingamongstdetachedpiecesofice。Butthefearofsinkingpassedawayliketheirvigour，liketheirhopes；theshocksofthefloesknockingagainsttheship’ssidecouldnotrousethemfromtheirapathy：
　　andtheBorgmesterDahldriftedoutagainun—
　　harmedintoopenwater。Theyhardlynoticedthechange。
　　Thefunnelhadgoneoverboardinoneoftheheavyrolls；twooftheirthreeboatshaddisap—
　　peared，washedawayinbadweather，andthedavitsswungtoandfro，unsecured，withchafedrope’sendswagglingtotheroll。Nothingwasdoneonboard，andFalktoldmehowhehadoftenlistenedtothewaterwashingaboutthedarkengine—roomwheretheengines，stilledforever，weredecayingslowlyintoamassofrust，asthestilledheartde—
　　cayswithinthelifelessbody。Atfirst，afterthelossofthemotivepower，thetillerhadbeenthor—
　　oughlysecuredbylashings。Butincourseoftimethesehadrotted，chafed，rusted，partingonebyone：andtherudder，freed，bangedheavilytoandfronightandday，sendingdullshocksthroughthewholeframeofthevessel。Thiswasdangerous。
　　Nobodycaredenoughtoliftalittlefinger。Hetoldmethatevennowsometimeswakingupatnight，hefanciedhecouldhearthedullvibratingthuds。Thepintlescarriedaway，anditdroppedoffatlast。
　　Thefinalcatastrophecamewiththesendingoffoftheironeremainingboat。ItwasFalkwhohadmanagedtopreserveherintact，andnowitwasagreedthatsomeofthehandsshouldsailawayintothetrackoftheshippingtoprocureassistance。
　　Shewasprovisionedwithallthefoodtheycouldspareforthesixwhoweretogo。Theywaitedforafineday。Itwaslongincoming。Atlastonemorningtheyloweredherintothewater。
　　Directly，inthatdemoralisedcrowd，troublebrokeout。Twomenwhohadnobusinesstherehadjumpedintotheboatunderthepretenceofunhookingthetackles，whilesomesortofsquabblearoseonthedeckamongsttheseweak，totteringspectresofaship’scompany。Thecaptain，whohadbeenfordayslivingsecludedandunapproach—
　　ableinthechart—room，cametotherail。Heor—
　　deredthetwomentocomeuponboardandmen—
　　acedthemwithhisrevolver。Theypretendedtoobey，butsuddenlycuttingtheboat’spainter，gaveashoveagainsttheship’ssideandmadereadytohoistthesail。
　　"Shoot，sir!Shootthemdown!"criedFalk——
　　"andIwilljumpoverboardtoregaintheboat。"
　　Butthecaptain，aftertakingaimwithanirreso—
　　lutearm，turnedsuddenlyaway。
　　Ahowlofragearose。Falkdashedintohiscabinforhisownpistol。Whenhereturneditwastoolate。Twomoremenhadleapedintothewater，butthefellowsintheboatbeatthemoffwiththeoars，hoistedtheboat’slugandsailedaway。Theywereneverheardofagain。
　　Consternationanddespairpossessedtheremain—
　　ingship’scompany，tilltheapathyofutterhope—
　　lessnessre—asserteditssway。Thatdayafiremancommittedsuicide，runningupondeckwithhisthroatcutfromeartoear，tothehorrorofallhands。Hewasthrownoverboard。Thecaptainhadlockedhimselfinthechart—room，andFalk，knockingvainlyforadmittance，heardhimrecit—
　　ingoverandoveragainthenamesofhiswifeandchildren，notasifcallinguponthemorcommend—
　　ingthemtoGod，butinamechanicalvoicelikeanexerciseofmemory。Nextdaythedoorsofthechart—roomwereswingingopentotherolloftheship，andthecaptainhaddisappeared。Hemustduringthenighthavejumpedintothesea。Falklockedboththedoorsandkeptthekeys。
　　Theorganisedlifeoftheshiphadcometoanend。Thesolidarityofthemenhadgone。Theybecameindifferenttoeachother。ItwasFalkwhotookinhandthedistributionofsuchfoodasre—
　　mained。Theyboiledtheirbootsforsouptoekeouttherations，whichonlymadetheirhungermoreintolerable。Sometimeswhispersofhatewereheardpassingbetweenthelanguidskeletonsthatdriftedendlesslytoandfro，northandsouth，eastandwest，uponthatcarcaseofaship。
　　Andinthisliesthegrotesquehorrorofthissom—
　　brestory。Thelastextremityofsailors，overtakingasmallboatorafrailcraft，seemseasiertobear，becauseofthedirectdangeroftheseas。Thecon—
　　finedspace，theclosecontact，theimminentmenaceofthewaves，seemtodrawmentogether，inspiteofmadness，sufferinganddespair。Buttherewasaship——safe，convenient，roomy：ashipwithbeds，bedding，knives，forks，comfortablecabins，glassandchina，andacompletecook’sgalley，pervaded，ruledandpossessedbythepitilessspectreofstar—
　　vation。Thelampoilhadbeendrunk，thewickscutupforfood，thecandleseaten。Atnightshefloateddarkinallherrecesses，andfulloffears。
　　OnedayFalkcameuponamangnawingasplinterofpinewood。Suddenlyhethrewthepieceofwoodaway，totteredtotherail，andfellover。Falk，toolatetopreventtheact，sawhimclawtheship’ssidedesperatelybeforehewentdown。Nextdayanothermandidthesamething，afterutteringhor—
　　ribleimprecations。Butthisonesomehowman—
　　agedtogetholdofthebrokenrudderchainsandhungonthere，silently。Falksetabouttryingtosavehim，andallthetimetheman，holdingwithbothhands，lookedathimanxiouslywithhissunkeneyes。Then，justasFalkwasreadytoputhishandonhim，themanletgohisholdandsanklikeastone。Falkreflectedonthesesights。Hisheartrevoltedagainstthehorrorofdeath，andhesaidtohimselfthathewouldstruggleforeverypre—
　　ciousminuteofhislife。
　　Oneafternoon——asthesurvivorslayaboutontheafterdeck——thecarpenter，atallmanwithablackbeard，spokeofthelastsacrifice。Therewasnothingeatableleftonboard。Nobodysaidawordtothis；butthatcompanyseparatedquickly，theselistlessfeeblespectresslunkoffonebyonetohideinfearofeachother。Falkandthecar—
　　penterremainedondecktogether。Falklikedthebigcarpenter。Hehadbeenthebestmanofthelot，helpfulandreadyaslongastherewasanythingtodo，thelongesthopeful，andhadpreservedtothelastsomevigouranddecisionofmind。
　　Theydidnotspeaktoeachother。Henceforthnovoicesweretobeheardconversingsadlyonboardthatship。Afteratimethecarpentertot—
　　teredawayforward；butlateron，Falkgoingtodrinkatthefresh—waterpump，hadtheinspirationtoturnhishead。Thecarpenterhadstolenuponhimfrombehind，and，summoningallhisstrength，wasaimingwithacrowbarablowatthebackofhisskull。
　　Dodgingjustintime，Falkmadehisescapeandranintohiscabin。Whilehewasloadinghisre—
　　volverthere，heheardthesoundofheavyblowsstruckuponthebridge。Thelocksofthechart—
　　roomdoorswereslight，theyflewopen，andthecar—
　　penter，possessinghimselfofthecaptain’srevolver，firedashotofdefiance。
　　Falkwasabouttogoondeckandhaveitoutatonce，whenheremarkedthatoneoftheportsofhiscabincommandedtheapproachestothefresh—
　　waterpump。Insteadofgoingoutheremainedinandsecuredthedoor。"Thebestmanshallsur—
　　vive，"hesaidtohimself——andtheother，herea—
　　soned，mustatsometimeorothercometheretodrink。Thesestarvingmenwoulddrinkoftentocheatthepangsoftheirhunger。Butthecarpen—
　　tertoomusthavenoticedthepositionoftheport。
　　Theywerethetwobestmenintheship，andthegamewaswiththem。AlltherestofthedayFalksawnooneandheardnosound。Atnighthestrainedhiseyes。Itwasdark——heheardarustlingnoiseonce，buthewascertainthatnoonecouldhavecomenearthepump。Itwastotheleftofhisdeckport，andhecouldnothavefailedtoseeaman，forthenightwasclearandstarry。Hesawnothing；towardsmorninganotherfaintnoisemadehimsuspicious。Deliberatelyandquietlyheunlockedhisdoor。Hehadnotslept，andhadnotgivenwaytothehorrorofthesituation。Hewantedtolive。
　　Butduringthenightthecarpenter，withoutatalltryingtoapproachthepump，hadmanagedtocreepquietlyalongthestarboardbulwark，and，unseen，hadcroucheddownrightunderFalk’sdeckport。Whendaylightcameheroseupsuddenly，lookedin，andputtinghisarmthroughtheroundbrassframedopening，firedatFalkwithinafoot。
　　Hemissed——andFalk，insteadofattemptingtoseizethearmholdingtheweapon，openedhisdoorunexpectedly，andwiththemuzzleofhislongre—
　　volvernearlytouchingtheother’sside，shothimdead。
　　Thebestmanhadsurvived。Bothofthemhadatthebeginningjuststrengthenoughtostandontheirfeet，andbothhaddisplayedpitilessresolu—
　　tion，endurance，cunningandcourage——allthequalitiesofclassicheroism。AtonceFalkthrewoverboardthecaptain’srevolver。Hewasabornmonopolist。Thenafterthereportofthetwoshots，followedbyaprofoundsilence，therecreptoutintothecold，crueldawnofAntarcticregions，fromvarioushiding—places，overthedeckofthatdismantledcorpseofashipfloatingonagreysearuledbyironnecessityandwithaheartofice——
　　therecreptintoviewonebyone，cautious，slow，ea—
　　ger，glaring，andunclean，abandofhungryandlividskeletons。Falkfacedthem，thepossessoroftheonlyfire—armonboard，andthesecondbestman——thecarpenter——waslyingdeadbetweenhimandthem。
　　"Hewaseaten，ofcourse，"Isaid。
　　Hebenthisheadslowly，shudderedalittle，draw—
　　inghishandsoverhisface，andsaid，"Ihadneveranyquarrelwiththatman。Buttherewereourlivesbetweenhimandme。"
　　Whycontinuethestoryofthatship，thatstorybeforewhich，withitsfresh—waterpumplikeaspringofdeath，itsmanwiththeweapon，thesearuledbyironnecessity，itsspectralbandswayedbyterrorandhope，itsmuteandunhearingheaven？——
　　thefableoftheFlyingDutchmanwithitsconven—
　　tionofcrimeanditssentimentalretributionfadeslikeagracefulwreath，likeawispofwhitemist。
　　Whatistheretosaythateveryoneofuscannotguessforhimself？IbelieveFalkbeganbygoingthroughtheship，revolverinhand，toannexallthematches。Thosestarvingwretcheshadplentyofmatches!Hehadnomindtohavetheshipsetonfireunderhisfeet，eitherfromhateorfromdespair。
　　Helivedintheopen，campingonthebridge，com—
　　mandingalltheafterdeckandtheonlyapproachtothepump。Helived!Someoftheotherslivedtoo——concealed，anxious，comingoutonebyonefromtheirhiding—placesattheseductivesoundofashot。Andhewasnotselfish。Theyshared，butonlythreeofthemallwerealivewhenawhaler，re—
　　turningfromhercruisingground，nearlyranoverthewater—loggedhulloftheBorgmesterDahl，which，itseems，intheendhadinsomewaysprungaleakinbothherholds，butbeingloadedwithdealscouldnotsink。
　　"Theyalldied，"Falksaid。"Thesethreetoo，afterwards。ButIwouldnotdie。Alldied，all!
　　underthisterriblemisfortune。ButwasItootothrowawaymylife？CouldI？Tellme，captain？
　　Iwasalonethere，quitealone，justliketheothers。
　　Eachmanwasalone。WasItogiveupmyre—
　　volver？Whoto？OrwasItothrowitintothesea？Whatwouldhavebeenthegood？Onlythebestmanwouldsurvive。Itwasagreat，terrible，andcruelmisfortune。"
　　Hehadsurvived!Isawhimbeforemeasthoughpreservedforawitnesstothemightytruthofanunerringandeternalprinciple。Greatbeadsofperspirationstoodonhisforehead。Andsud—
　　denlyitstruckthetablewithaheavyblow，ashefellforwardthrowinghishandsout。
　　"Andthisisworse，"hecried。"Thisisaworsepain!Thisismoreterrible。"
　　Hemademyheartthumpwiththeprofoundcon—
　　victionofhiscries。AndafterhehadleftmealoneIcalledupbeforemymentaleyetheimageofthegirlweepingsilently，abundantly，patiently，andasifirresistibly。Ithoughtofhertawnyhair。Ithoughthow，ifunplaited，itwouldhavecoveredherallroundaslowasthehips，likethehairofasiren。Andshehadbewitchedhim。Fancyamanwhowouldguardhisownlifewiththein—
　　flexibilityofapitilessandimmovablefate，beingbroughttolamentthatonceacrowbarhadmissedhisskull!Thesirenssingandluretodeath，butthisonehadbeenweepingsilentlyasifforthepityofhislife。Shewasthetenderandvoicelesssirenofthisappallingnavigator。Heevidentlywantedtolivehiswholeconceptionoflife。Nothingelsewoulddo。Andshetoowasaservantofthatlifethat，inthemidstofdeath，criesaloudtooursenses。
　　Shewaseminentlyfittedtointerpretforhimitsfeminineside。Andinherownway，andwithherownprofusionofsensuouscharms，shealsoseemedtoillustratetheeternaltruthofanunerringprin—
　　ciple。Idon’tknowthoughwhatsortofprincipleHermannillustratedwhenheturnedupearlyonboardmyshipwithamostperplexedair。Itstruckme，however，thathetoowoulddohisbesttosurvive。Heseemedgreatlycalmedonthesub—
　　jectofFalk，butstillveryfullofit。
　　"WhatisityousaidIwaslastnight？Youknow，"heaskedaftersomepreliminarytalk。
　　"Too——too——Idon’tknow。Averyfunnyword。"
　　"Squeamish？"Isuggested。
　　"Yes。Whatdoesitmean？"
　　"Thatyouexaggeratethings——toyourself。
　　Withoutinquiry，andsoon。"
　　Heseemedtoturnitoverinhismind。Wewentontalking。ThisFalkwastheplagueofhislife。
　　Upsettingeverybodylikethis!Mrs。Hermannwasunwellratherthismorning。Hisniecewascryingstill。Therewasnobodytolookafterthechildren。Hestruckhisumbrellaonthedeck。Shewouldbelikethatformonths。Fancycarryingallthewayhome，secondclass，aperfectlyuselessgirlwhoiscryingallthetime。ItwasbadforLenatoo，heobserved；butonwhatgroundsIcouldnotguess。Perhapsofthebadexample。Thatchildwasalreadysorrowingandcryingenoughovertheragdoll。Nicholaswasreallytheleastsentimentalpersonofthefamily。
　　"Whydoessheweep？"Iasked。
　　"Frompity，"criedHermann。
　　Itwasimpossibletomakeoutwomen。Mrs。Her—
　　mannwastheonlyonehepretendedtounderstand。
　　Shewasvery，veryupsetanddoubtful。
　　"Doubtfulaboutwhat？"Iasked。
　　Heavertedhiseyesanddidnotanswerthis。Itwasimpossibletomakethemout。Forinstance，hisniecewasweepingforFalk。Nowhe（Her—
　　mann）wouldliketowringhisneck——butthen……
　　Hesupposedhehadtootenderaheart。"Frank—
　　ly，"heaskedatlast，"whatdoyouthinkofwhatweheardlastnight，captain？"
　　"Inallthesetales，"Iobserved，"thereisalwaysagooddealofexaggeration。"
　　AndnotlettinghimrecoverfromhissurpriseI
　　assuredhimthatIknewallthedetails。Hebeggedmenottorepeatthem。Hisheartwastootender。
　　Theymadehimfeelunwell。Then，lookingathisfeetandspeakingveryslowly，hesupposedthatheneednotseemuchofthemaftertheyweremarried。
　　For，indeed，hecouldnotbearthesightofFalk。
　　Ontheotherhanditwasridiculoustotakehomeagirlwithherheadturned。Agirlthatweepsallthetimeandisofnohelptoheraunt。
　　"Nowyouwillbeabletodowithonecabinonlyonyourpassagehome，"Isaid。
　　"Yes，Ihadthoughtofthat，"hesaidbrightly，almost。"Yes!Himself，hiswife，fourchildren——onecabinmightdo。Whereasifhisniecewent……"
　　"AndwhatdoesMrs。Hermannsaytoit？"I
　　inquired。
　　Mrs。Hermanndidnotknowwhetheramanofthatsortcouldmakeagirlhappy——shehadbeengreatlydeceivedinCaptainFalk。Shehadbeenveryupsetlastnight。
　　Thosegoodpeopledidnotseemtobeabletore—
　　tainanimpressionforawholetwelvehours。I
　　assuredhimonmyownpersonalknowledgethatFalkpossessedinhimselfallthequalitiestomakehisniece’sfutureprosperous。Hesaidhewasgladtohearthis，andthathewouldtellhiswife。Thentheobjectofthevisitcameout。HewishedmetohelphimtoresumerelationswithFalk。Hisniece，hesaid，hadexpressedthehopeIwoulddosoinmykindness。HewasevidentlyanxiousthatIshould，forthoughheseemedtohaveforgottennine—tenthsofhislastnight’sopinionsandthewholeofhisin—
　　dignation，yetheevidentlyfearedtobesenttotheright—about。"Youtoldmehewasverymuchinlove，"heconcludedslyly，andleeredinasortofbu—
　　colicway。
　　"AssoonashehadleftmyshipIcalledFalkonboardbysignal——thetugstilllyingattheanchor—
　　age。Hetookthenewswithcalmgravity，asthoughhehadallalongexpectedthestarstofightforhimintheircourses。
　　Isawthemoncemoretogether，andonlyonce——
　　onthequarter—deckoftheDiana。Hermannsatsmokingwithashirt—sleevedelbowhookedoverthebackofhischair。Mrs。Hermannwassewingalone。AsFalksteppedoverthegangway，Her—
　　mann’sniece，withaslightswishoftheskirtandaswiftfriendlynodtome，glidedpastmychair。
　　Theymetinsunshineabreastofthemainmast。
　　Heheldherhandsandlookeddownatthem，andshelookedupathimwithhercandidandunseeingglance。Itseemedtometheyhadcometogetherasifattracted，drawnandguidedtoeachotherbyamysteriousinfluence。Theywereacompletecouple。Inhergreyfrock，palpitatingwithlife，generousofform，olympianandsimple，shewasin—
　　deedthesirentofascinatethatdarknavigator，thisruthlessloverofthefivesenses。FromafarI
　　seemedtofeelthemasculinestrengthwithwhichhegraspedthosehandsshehadextendedtohimwithawomanlyswiftness。Lena，alittlepale，nursingherbelovedlumpofdirtyrags，ranto—
　　wardsherbigfriend；andtheninthedrowsysi—
　　lenceofthegoodoldshipMrs。Hermann’svoicerangoutsochangedthatitmademespinroundinmychairtoseewhatwasthematter。
　　"Lena，comehere!"shescreamed。Andthisgood—naturedmatrongavemeawaveringglance，darkandfulloffearsomedistrust。Thechildranback，surprisedtoherknee。Butthetwo，stand—
　　ingbeforeeachotherinsunlightwithclaspedhands，hadheardnothing，hadseennothingandnoone。Threefeetawayfromthemintheshadeaseamansatonaspar，verybusysplicingastrop，anddippinghisfingersintoatar—pot，asifutterlyunawareoftheirexistence。
　　WhenIreturnedincommandofanothership，somefiveyearsafterwards，Mr。andMrs。Falkhadlefttheplace。IshouldnotwonderifSchom—
　　berg’stonguehadsucceededatlastinscaringFalkawayforgood；and，indubitably，therewasatalestillgoingaboutthetownofacertainFalk，ownerofatug，whohadwonhiswifeatcardsfromthecaptainofanEnglishship。