Straightdownthewaterfrontweboomed，Charleyedgingintillamancouldalmostleapashore。WhenhegavethesignalItossedthemarlinspike。Itstrucktheplankingofthewharfaresoundingsmash，bouncedalongfifteenortwentyfeet，andwaspounceduponbytheamazedonlookers。
　　Itallhappenedinaflash，forthenextminuteAntiochwasbehindandwewereheelingituptheSanJoaquintowardMerryweather，sixmilesaway。Theriverstraightenedouthereintoitsgeneraleasterlycourse，andwesquaredawaybeforethewind，wing—and—wingoncemore，theforesailbellyingouttostarboard。
　　OleEricsenseemedsunkintoastateofstoliddespair。Charleyandthetwosailorswerelookinghopeful，astheyhadgoodreasontobe。Merryweatherwasacoal—miningtown，and，itbeingSunday，itwasreasonabletoexpectthementobeintown。Further，thecoal—minershadneverlostanylovefortheGreekfishermen，andwereprettycertaintorenderusheartyassistance。
　　Westrainedoureyesforaglimpseofthetown，andthefirstsightwecaughtofitgaveusimmenserelief。Thewharveswereblackwithmen。Aswecamecloser，wecouldseethemstillarriving，stringingdownthemainstreet，gunsintheirhandsandontherun。
　　Charleyglancedasternatthefishermenwithalookofownershipinhiseyewhichtillthenhadbeenmissing。TheGreekswereplainlyoverawedbythedisplayofarmedstrengthandwereputtingtheirownriflesaway。
　　Wetookintopsailandstaysail，droppedthemainpeak，andaswegotabreastoftheprincipalwharfjibedthemainsail。TheMaryRebeccashotaroundintothewind，thecaptivefishermendescribingagreatarcbehindher，andforgedaheadtillshelostway，whenlineswe’reflungashoreandshewasmadefast。Thiswasaccomplishedunderahurricaneofcheersfromthedelightedminers。
　　OleEricsenheavedagreatsigh。"AynevertankAyseemywifeneveragain，"heconfessed。
　　"Why，wewereneverinanydanger，"saidCharley。
　　Olelookedathimincredulously。
　　"Sure，Imeanit，"Charleywenton。"Allwehadtodo，anytime，wastoletgoourend—asIamgoingtodonow，sothatthoseGreekscanuntangletheirnets。"
　　Hewentbelowwithamonkey—wrench，unscrewedthenut，andletthehookdropoff。WhentheGreekshadhauledtheirnetsintotheirboatsandmadeeverythingshipshape，aposseofcitizenstookthemoffourhandsandledthemawaytojail。
　　"AytankAybanagreatbigfool，"saidOleEricsen。Buthechangedhismindwhentheadmiringtownspeoplecrowdedaboardtoshakehandswithhim，andacoupleofenterprisingnewspapermentookphotographsoftheMaryRebeccaandhercaptain。
　　DEMETRIOSCONTOS
　　Itmustnotbethought，fromwhatIhavetoldoftheGreekfishermen，thattheywerealtogetherbad。Farfromit。Buttheywereroughmen，gatheredtogetherinisolatedcommunitiesandfightingwiththeelementsforalivelihood。Theylivedfarawayfromthelawanditsworkings，didnotunderstandit，andthoughtittyranny。Especiallydidthefishlawsseemtyrannical。Andbecauseofthis，theylookeduponthemenofthefishpatrolastheirnaturalenemies。
　　Wemenacedtheirlives，ortheirliving，whichisthesamething，inmanyways。Weconfiscatedillegaltrapsandnets，thematerialsofwhichhadcostthemconsiderablesumsandthemakingofwhichrequiredweeksoflabor。Wepreventedthemfromcatchingfishatmanytimesandseasons，whichwasequivalenttopreventingthemfrommakingasgoodalivingastheymighthavemadehadwenotbeeninexistence。Andwhenwecapturedthem，theywerebroughtintothecourtsoflaw，whereheavycashfineswerecollectedfromthem。Asaresult，theyhatedusvindictively。Asthedogisthenaturalenemyofthecat，thesnakeofman，sowereweofthefishpatrolthenaturalenemiesofthefishermen。
　　ButitistoshowthattheycouldactgenerouslyaswellashatebitterlythatthisstoryofDemetriosContosistold。DemetriosContoslivedinVallejo。NexttoBigAlec，hewasthelargest，bravest，andmostinfluentialmanamongtheGreeks。Hehadgivenusnotrouble，andIdoubtifhewouldeverhaveclashedwithushadhenotinvestedinanewsalmonboat。Thisboatwasthecauseofallthetrouble。Hehadhaditbuiltuponhisownmodel，inwhichthelinesofthegeneralsalmonboatweresomewhatmodified。
　　Tohishighelationhefoundhisnewboatveryfast—infact，fasterthananyotherboatonthebayorrivers。Forthwithhegrewproudandboastful：and，ourraidwiththeMaryRebeccaontheSundaysalmonfishershavingwroughtfearintheirhearts，hesentachallengeuptoBenicia。Oneofthelocalfishermenconveyedittous；itwastotheeffectthatDemetriosContoswouldsailupfromVallejoonthefollowingSunday，andintheplainsightofBeniciasethisnetandcatchsalmon，andthatCharleyLeGrant，patrolman，mightcomeandgethimifhecould。OfcourseCharleyandIhadheardnothingofthenewboat。Ourownboatwasprettyfast，andwewerenotafraidtohaveabrushwithanyotherthathappenedalong。
　　Sundaycame。Thechallengehadbeenbruitedabroad，andthefishermenandseafaringfolkofBeniciaturnedouttoaman，crowdingSteamboatWharftillitlookedlikethegrandstandatafootballmatch。CharleyandIhadbeensceptical，butthefactofthecrowdconvincedusthattherewassomethinginDemetriosContos’sdare。
　　Intheafternoon，whenthesea—breezehadpickedupinstrength，hissailhoveintoviewashebowledalongbeforethewind。Hetackedascoreoffeetfromthewharf，wavedhishandtheatrically，likeaknightabouttoenterthelists，receivedaheartycheerinreturn，andstoodawayintotheStraitsforacoupleofhundredyards。Thenheloweredsail，and，driftingtheboatsidewisebymeansofthewind，proceededtosethisnet。Hedidnotsetmuchofit，possiblyfiftyfeet；yetCharleyandIwerethunderstruckattheman’seffrontery。Wedidnotknowatthetime，butwelearnedafterward，thatthenetheusedwasoldandworthless。Itcouldcatchfish，true；butacatchofanysizewouldhavetornittopieces。
　　Charleyshookhisheadandsaid：
　　"Iconfess，itpuzzlesme。Whatifhehasoutonlyfiftyfeet？Hecouldnevergetitinifweoncestartedforhim。Andwhydoeshecomehereanyway，flauntinghislaw—breakinginourfaces？Rightinourhometown，too。"
　　Charley’svoicetookonanaggrievedtone，andhecontinuedforsomeminutestoinveighagainstthebrazennessofDemetriosContos。
　　Inthemeantime，themaninquestionwaslollinginthesternofhisboatandwatchingthenetfloats。Whenalargefishismeshedinagill—net，thefloatsbytheiragitationadvertisethefact。
　　AndtheyevidentlyadvertisedittoDemetrios，forhepulledinaboutadozenfeetofnet，andheldaloftforamoment，beforeheflungitintothebottomoftheboat，abig，glisteningsalmon。Itwasgreetedbytheaudienceonthewharfwithroundafterroundofcheers。ThiswasmorethanCharleycouldstand。
　　"Comeon，lad，"hecalledtome；andwelostnotimejumpingintooursalmonboatandgettingupsail。
　　ThecrowdshoutedwarningtoDemetrios，andaswedartedoutfromthewharfwesawhimslashhisworthlessnetclearwithalongknife。Hissailwasallreadytogoup，andamomentlateritflutteredinthesunshine。Heranaft，drewinthesheet，andfilledonthelongtacktowardtheContraCostaHills。
　　Bythistimewewerenotmorethanthirtyfeetastern。Charleywasjubilant。Heknewourboatwasfast，andheknew，further，thatinfinesailingfewmenwerehisequals。HewasconfidentthatweshouldsurelycatchDemetrios，andIsharedhisconfidence。Butsomehowwedidnotseemtogain。
　　Itwasaprettysailingbreeze。Wewereglidingsleeklythroughthewater，butDemetrioswasslowlyslidingawayfromus。Andnotonlywashegoingfaster，buthewaseatingintothewindafractionofapointcloserthanwe。ThiswassharplyimpresseduponuswhenhewentaboutundertheContraCostaHillsandpassedusontheothertackfullyonehundredfeetdeadtowindward。
　　"Whew!"Charleyexclaimed。"Eitherthatboatisadaisy，orwe’vegotafive—galloncoal—oilcanfasttoourkeel!"
　　Itcertainlylookeditonewayortheother。AndbythetimeDemetriosmadetheSonomaHills，ontheothersideoftheStraits，weweresohopelesslyoutdistancedthatCharleytoldmetoslackoffthesheet，andwesquaredawayforBenicia。ThefishermenonSteamboatWharfshowereduswithridiculewhenwereturnedandtiedup。CharleyandIgotoutandwalkedaway，feelingrathersheepish，foritisasorestroketoone’spridewhenhethinkshehasagoodboatandknowshowtosailit，andanothermancomesalongandbeatshim。
　　Charleymoonedoveritforacoupleofdays；thenwordwasbroughttous，asbefore，thatonthenextSundayDemetriosContoswouldrepeathisperformance。Charleyrousedhimself。Hehadourboatoutofthewater，cleanedandrepainteditsbottom，madeatriflingalterationaboutthecentre—board，overhauledtherunninggear，andsatupnearlyallofSaturdaynightsewingonanewandmuchlargersail。Solargedidhemakeit，infact，thatadditionalballastwasimperative，andwestowedawaynearlyfivehundredextrapoundsofoldrailroadironinthebottomoftheboat。
　　Sundaycame，andwithitcameDemetriosContos，tobreakthelawdefiantlyinopenday。Againwehadtheafternoonsea—breeze，andagainDemetrioscutloosesomefortyormorefeetofhisrottennet，andgotupsailandunderwayunderourverynoses。ButhehadanticipatedCharley’smove，andhisownsailpeakedhigherthanever，whileawholeextraclothhadbeenaddedtotheafterleech。
　　ItwasnipandtuckacrosstotheContraCostaHills，neitherofusseemingtogainortolose。ButbythetimewehadmadethereturntacktotheSonomaHills，wecouldseethat，whilewefooteditataboutequalspeed，Demetrioshadeatenintothewindtheleastbitmorethanwe。YetCharleywassailingourboatasfinelyanddelicatelyasitwaspossibletosailit，andgettingmoreoutofitthanheeverhadbefore。
　　Ofcourse，hecouldhavedrawnhisrevolverandfiredatDemetrios；
　　butwehadlongsincefounditcontrarytoournaturestoshootatafleeingmanguiltyofonlyapettyoffence。Alsoasortoftacitagreementseemedtohavebeenreachedbetweenthepatrolmenandthefishermen。Ifwedidnotshootwhiletheyranaway，they，inturn，didnotfightifweoncelaidhandsonthem。ThusDemetriosContosranawayfromus，andwedidnomorethantryourbesttoovertakehim；and，inturn，ifourboatprovedfasterthanhis，orwassailedbetter，hewould，weknew，makenoresistancewhenwecaughtupwithhim。
　　WithourlargesailsandthehealthybreezerompinguptheCarquinezStraits，wefoundthatoursailingwaswhatiscalled"ticklish。"Wehadtobeconstantlyonthealerttoavoidacapsize，andwhileCharleysteeredIheldthemain—sheetinmyhandwithbutasingleturnroundapin，readytoletgoatanymoment。
　　Demetrios，wecouldsee，sailinghisboatalone，hadhishandsfull。
　　Butitwasavainundertakingforustoattempttocatchhim。Outofhisinnerconsciousnesshehadevolvedaboatthatwasbetterthanours。AndthoughCharleysailedfullyaswell，ifnottheleastbitbetter，theboathesailedwasnotsogoodastheGreek’s。
　　"Slackawaythesheet，"Charleycommanded；andasourboatfelloffbeforethewind，Demetrios’smockinglaughfloateddowntous。
　　Charleyshookhishead，saying，"It’snouse。Demetrioshasthebetterboat。Ifhetrieshisperformanceagain，wemustmeetitwithsomenewscheme。"
　　Thistimeitwasmyimaginationthatcametotherescue。
　　"What’sthematter，"Isuggested，ontheWednesdayfollowing，"withmychasingDemetriosintheboatnextSunday，whileyouwaitforhimonthewharfatVallejowhenhearrives？"
　　Charleyconsidereditamomentandslappedhisknee。
　　"Agoodidea!You’rebeginningtousethatheadofyours。A
　　credittoyourteacher，Imustsay。"
　　"Butyoumustn’tchasehimtoofar，"hewenton，thenextmoment，"orhe’llheadoutintoSanPabloBayinsteadofrunninghometoVallejo，andthereI’llbe，standinglonelyonthewharfandwaitinginvainforhimtoarrive。"
　　OnThursdayCharleyregisteredanobjectiontomyplan。
　　"Everybody’llknowI’vegonetoVallejo，andyoucandependuponitthatDemetrioswillknow，too。I’mafraidwe’llhavetogiveuptheidea。"
　　Thisobjectionwasonlytoovalid，andfortherestofthedayI
　　struggledundermydisappointment。Butthatnightanewwayseemedtoopentome，andinmyeagernessIawokeCharleyfromasoundsleep。
　　"Well，"hegrunted，"what’sthematter？Houseafire？"
　　"No，"Ireplied，"butmyheadis。Listentothis。OnSundayyouandIwillbearoundBeniciauptotheverymomentDemetrios’ssailheavesintosight。Thiswilllulleverybody’ssuspicions。Then，whenDemetrios’ssaildoesheaveinsight，doyoustrollleisurelyawayandup—town。Allthefishermenwillthinkyou’rebeatenandthatyouknowyou’rebeaten。"
　　"Sofar，sogood，"Charleycommented，whileIpausedtocatchbreath。
　　"Andverygoodindeed，"Icontinuedproudly。"Youstrollcarelesslyup—town，butwhenyou’reonceoutofsightyoulegitforallyou’reworthforDanMaloney’s。Takethelittlemareofhis，andstrikeoutonthecountryroadforVallejo。Theroad’sinfinecondition，andyoucanmakeitinquickertimethanDemetrioscanbeatallthewaydownagainstthewind。"
　　"AndI’llarrangerightawayforthemare，firstthinginthemorning，"Charleysaid，acceptingthemodifiedplanwithouthesitation。
　　"But，Isay，"hesaid，alittlelater，thistimewakingmeoutofasoundsleep。
　　Icouldhearhimchucklinginthedark。
　　"Isay，lad，isn’titratheranoveltyforthefishpatroltobetakingtohorseback？"
　　"Imagination，"Ianswered。"It’swhatyou’realwayspreaching—
　　’keepthinkingonethoughtaheadoftheotherfellow，andyou’reboundtowinout。’"
　　"He!he!"hechuckled。"Andifonethoughtahead，includingamare，doesn’ttaketheotherfellow’sbreathawaythistime，I’mnotyourhumbleservant，CharleyLeGrant。"
　　"Butcanyoumanagetheboatalone？"heasked，onFriday。
　　"Remember，we’vearippingbigsailonher。"
　　IarguedmyproficiencysowellthathedidnotrefertothematteragaintillSaturday，whenhesuggestedremovingonewholeclothfromtheafterleech。Iguessitwasthedisappointmentwrittenonmyfacethatmadehimdesist；forI，also，hadaprideinmyboat—
　　sailingabilities，andIwasalmostwildtogetoutalonewiththebigsailandgotearingdowntheCarquinezStraitsinthewakeoftheflyingGreek。
　　Asusual，SundayandDemetriosContosarrivedtogether。IthadbecometheregularthingforthefishermentoassembleonSteamboatWharftogreethisarrivalandtolaughatourdiscomfiture。Heloweredsailacoupleofhundredyardsoutandsethiscustomaryfiftyfeetofrottennet。
　　"Isupposethisnonsensewillkeepupaslongashisoldnetholdsout，"Charleygrumbled，withintention，inthehearingofseveraloftheGreeks。
　　"DenIgive—aheemmyold—anet—a，"oneofthemspokeup，promptlyandmaliciously，"Idon’tcare，"Charleyanswered。"I’vegotsomeoldnetmyselfhecanhave—ifhe’llcomearoundandaskforit。"
　　Theyalllaughedatthis，fortheycouldaffordtobesweet—
　　temperedwithamansobadlyoutwittedasCharleywas。
　　"Well，solong，lad，"Charleycalledtomeamomentlater。"I
　　thinkI’llgoup—towntoMaloney’s。"
　　"Letmetaketheboatout？"Iasked。
　　"Ifyouwantto，"washisanswer，asheturnedonhisheelandwalkedslowlyaway。
　　Demetriospulledtwolargesalmonoutofhisnet，andIjumpedintotheboat。Thefishermencrowdedaroundinaspiritoffun，andwhenIstartedtogetupsailoverwhelmedmewithallsortsofjocularadvice。TheyevenofferedextravagantbetstooneanotherthatIwouldsurelycatchDemetrios，andtwoofthem，stylingthemselvesthecommitteeofjudges，gravelyaskedpermissiontocomealongwithmetoseehowIdidit。
　　ButIwasinnohurry。IwaitedtogiveCharleyallthetimeI
　　could，andIpretendeddissatisfactionwiththestretchofthesailandslightlyshiftedthesmalltacklebywhichthehugespritforcesupthepeak。ItwasnotuntilIwassurethatCharleyhadreachedDanMaloney’sandwasonthelittlemare’sback，thatI
　　castofffromthewharfandgavethebigsailtothewind。Astoutpufffilleditandsuddenlypressedtheleegunwaledowntillacoupleofbucketsofwatercameinboard。Alittlethinglikethiswillhappentothebestsmall—boatsailors，andyet，thoughI
　　instantlyletgothesheetandrighted，Iwascheeredsarcastically，asthoughIhadbeenguiltyofaveryawkwardblunder。
　　WhenDemetriossawonlyonepersoninthefishpatrolboat，andthatoneaboy，heproceededtoplaywithme。Makingashorttackout，withmenotthirtyfeetbehind，hereturned，withhissheetalittlefree，toSteamboatWharf。Andtherehemadeshorttacks，andturnedandtwistedandduckedaround，tothegreatdelightofhissympatheticaudience。Iwasrightbehindhimallthetime，andIdaredtodowhateverhedid，evenwhenhesquaredawaybeforethewindandjibedhisbigsailover—amostdangeroustrickwithsuchasailinsuchawind。
　　Hedependeduponthebriskseabreezeandthestrongebb—tide，whichtogetherkickedupanastysea，tobringmetogrief。ButI
　　wasonmymettle，andneverinallmylifedidIsailaboatbetterthanonthatday。Iwaskeyeduptoconcertpitch，mybrainwasworkingsmoothlyandquickly，myhandsneverfumbledonce，anditseemedthatIalmostdivinedthethousandlittlethingswhichasmall—boatsailormustbetakingintoconsiderationeverysecond。
　　ItwasDemetrioswhocametogriefinstead。Somethingwentwrongwithhiscentre—board，sothatitjammedinthecaseandwouldnotgoallthewaydown。Inamoment’sbreathingspace，whichhehadgainedfrommebyaclevertrick，Isawhimworkingimpatientlywiththecentre—board，tryingtoforceitdown。Igavehimlittletime，andhewascompelledquicklytoreturntothetillerandsheet。
　　Thecentre—boardmadehimanxious。Hegaveoverplayingwithme，andstartedonthelongbeattoVallejo。Tomyjoy，onthefirstlongtackacross，IfoundthatIcouldeatintothewindjustalittlebitcloserthanhe。Herewaswhereanothermanintheboatwouldhavebeenofvaluetohim；for，withmebutafewfeetastern，hedidnotdareletgothetillerandrunamidshipstotrytoforcedownthecentre—board。
　　Unabletohangonascloseintheeyeofthewindasformerly，heproceededtoslackhissheetatrifleandtoeaseoffabit，inordertooutfootme。ThisIpermittedhimtodotillIhadworkedtowindward，whenIboredownuponhim。AsIdrewclose，hefeintedatcomingabout。Thisledmetoshootintothewindtoforestallhim。Butitwasonlyafeint，cleverlyexecuted，andheheldbacktohiscoursewhileIhurriedtomakeuplostground。
　　HewasundeniablysmarterthanIwhenitcametomanoeuvring。TimeaftertimeIallbuthadhim，andeachtimehetrickedmeandescaped。Besides，thewindwasfreshening，constantly，andeachofushadhishandsfulltoavoidcapsizing。Asformyboat，itcouldnothavebeenkeptafloatbutfortheextraballast。Isatcockedovertheweathergunwale，tillerinonehandandsheetintheother；andthesheet，withasingleturnaroundapin，Iwasveryoftenforcedtoletgointhesevererpuffs。Thisallowedthesailtospillthewind，whichwasequivalenttotakingoffsomuchdrivingpower，andofcourseIlostground。MyconsolationwasthatDemetrioswasasoftencompelledtodothesamething。
　　Thestrongebb—tide，racingdowntheStraitsintheteethofthewind，causedanunusuallyheavyandspitefulsea，whichdashedaboardcontinually。Iwasdrippingwet，andeventhesailwaswethalf—wayuptheafterleech。OnceIdidsucceedinoutmanoeuvringDemetrios，sothatmybowbumpedintohimamidships。HerewaswhereIshouldhavehadanotherman。BeforeIcouldrunforwardandleapaboard，heshovedtheboatsapartwithanoar，laughingmockinglyinmyfaceashedidso。
　　WewerenowatthemouthoftheStraits，inabadstretchofwater。
　　HeretheVallejoStraitsandtheCarquinezStraitsrusheddirectlyateachother。ThroughthefirstflowedallthewaterofNapaRiverandthegreattide—lands；throughthesecondflowedallthewaterofSuisunBayandtheSacramentoandSanJoaquinrivers。Andwheresuchimmensebodiesofwater，flowingswiftly，clashedtogether，aterribletide—ripwasproduced。Tomakeitworse，thewindhowledupSanPabloBayforfifteenmilesanddroveinatremendousseauponthetide—rip。
　　Conflictingcurrentstoreaboutinalldirections，colliding，formingwhirlpools，sucks，andboils，andshootingupspitefullyintohollowwaveswhichfellaboardasoftenfromleewardasfromwindward。Andthroughitall，confused，drivenintoamadnessofmotion，thunderedthegreatsmokingseasfromSanPabloBay。
　　Iwasaswildlyexcitedasthewater。Theboatwasbehavingsplendidly，leapingandlurchingthroughthewelterlikearace—
　　horse。Icouldhardlycontainmyselfwiththejoyofit。Thehugesail，thehowlingwind，thedrivingseas，theplungingboat—I，apygmy，amerespeckinthemidstofit，wasmasteringtheelementalstrife，flyingthroughitandoverit，triumphantandvictorious。
　　Andjustthen，asIroaredalonglikeaconqueringhero，theboatreceivedafrightfulsmashandcameinstantlytoadeadstop。I
　　wasflungforwardandintothebottom。AsIsprangupIcaughtafleetingglimpseofagreenish，barnacle—coveredobject，andknewitatonceforwhatitwas，thatterrorofnavigation，asunkenpile。Nomanmayguardagainstsuchathing。Water—loggedandfloatingjustbeneaththesurface，itwasimpossibletosightitinthetroubledwaterintimetoescape。
　　Thewholebowoftheboatmusthavebeencrushedin，forinafewsecondstheboatwashalffull。Thenacoupleofseasfilledit，anditsankstraightdown，draggedtobottombytheheavyballast。
　　SoquicklydiditallhappenthatIwasentangledinthesailanddrawnunder。WhenIfoughtmywaytothesurface，suffocating，mylungsalmostbursting，Icouldseenothingoftheoars。Theymusthavebeensweptawaybythechaoticcurrents。IsawDemetriosContoslookingbackfromhisboat，andheardthevindictiveandmockingtonesofhisvoiceasheshoutedexultantly。Heheldsteadilyonhiscourse，leavingmetoperish。
　　Therewasnothingtodobuttoswimforit，which，inthatwildconfusion，wasatthebestamatterofbutafewmoments。Holdingmybreathandworkingwithmyhands，Imanagedtogetoffmyheavysea—bootsandmyjacket。YettherewasverylittlebreathIcouldcatchtohold，andIswiftlydiscoveredthatitwasnotsomuchamatterofswimmingasofbreathing。
　　Iwasbeatenandbuffeted，smashedunderbythegreatSanPablowhitecaps，andstrangledbythehollowtide—ripwaveswhichflungthemselvesintomyeyes，nose，andmouth。Thenthestrangesuckswouldgripmylegsanddragmeunder，tospoutmeupinsomefierceboiling，where，evenasItriedtocatchmybreath，agreatwhitecapwouldcrashdownuponmyhead。
　　Itwasimpossibletosurviveanylengthoftime。Iwasbreathingmorewaterthanair，anddrowningallthetime。Mysensesbegantoleaveme，myheadtowhirlaround。Istruggledon，spasmodically，instinctively，andwasbarelyhalfconsciouswhenIfeltmyselfcaughtbytheshouldersandhauledoverthegunwaleofaboat。
　　ForsometimeIlayacrossaseatwhereIhadbeenflung，facedownward，andwiththewaterrunningoutofmymouth。Afterawhile，stillweakandfaint，Iturnedaroundtoseewhowasmyrescuer。Andthere，inthestern，sheetinonehandandtillerintheother，grinningandnoddinggood—naturedly，satDemetriosContos。Hehadintendedtoleavemetodrown，—hesaidsoafterward，—buthisbetterselfhadfoughtthebattle，conquered，andsenthimbacktome。
　　"Youall—aright？"heasked。
　　Imanagedtoshapea"yes"onmylips，thoughIcouldnotyetspeak。
　　"Yousail—adeboatverr—agood—a，"hesaid。"Sogood—aasaman。"
　　AcomplimentfromDemetriosContoswasacomplimentindeed，andI
　　keenlyappreciatedit，thoughIcouldonlynodmyheadinacknowledgment。
　　Weheldnomoreconversation，forIwasbusyrecoveringandhewasbusywiththeboat。HeranintothewharfatVallejo，madetheboatfast，andhelpedmeout。Thenitwas，aswebothstoodonthewharf，thatCharleysteppedoutfrombehindanet—rackandputhishandonDemetriosContos’sarm。
　　"Hesavedmylife，Charley，"Iprotested；"andIdon’tthinkheoughttobearrested。"
　　ApuzzledexpressioncameintoCharley’sface，whichclearedimmediatelyafter，inawayithadwhenhemadeuphismind。
　　"Ican’thelpit，lad，"hesaidkindly。"Ican’tgobackonmyduty，andit’splaindutytoarresthim。To—dayisSunday；therearetwosalmoninhisboatwhichhecaughtto—day。WhatelsecanI
　　do？"
　　"Buthesavedmylife，"Ipersisted，unabletomakeanyotherargument。
　　DemetriosContos’sfacewentblackwithragewhenhelearnedCharley’sjudgment。Hehadasenseofbeingunfairlytreated。Thebetterpartofhisnaturehadtriumphed，hehadperformedagenerousactandsavedahelplessenemy，andinreturntheenemywastakinghimtojail。
　　CharleyandIwereoutofsortswitheachotherwhenwewentbacktoBenicia。Istoodforthespiritofthelawandnottheletter；
　　butbytheletterCharleymadehisstand。Asfarashecouldsee，therewasnothingelseforhimtodo。ThelawsaiddistinctlythatnosalmonshouldbecaughtonSunday。Hewasapatrolman，anditwashisdutytoenforcethatlaw。Thatwasalltherewastoit。
　　Hehaddonehisduty，andhisconsciencewasclear。Nevertheless，thewholethingseemedunjusttome，andIfeltverysorryforDemetriosContos。
　　TwodayslaterwewentdowntoVallejotothetrial。Ihadtogoalongasawitness，anditwasthemosthatefultaskthatIeverperformedinmylifewhenItestifiedonthewitnessstandtoseeingDemetrioscatchthetwosalmonCharleyhadcapturedhimwith。
　　Demetrioshadengagedalawyer，buthiscasewashopeless。Thejurywasoutonlyfifteenminutes，andreturnedaverdictofguilty。ThejudgesentencedDemetriostopayafineofonehundreddollarsorgotojailforfiftydays。
　　Charleysteppeduptotheclerkofthecourt。"Iwanttopaythatfine，"hesaid，atthesametimeplacingfivetwenty—dollargoldpiecesonthedesk。"It—itwastheonlywayoutofit，lad，"hestammered，turningtome。
　　ThemoisturerushedintomyeyesasIseizedhishand。"Iwanttopay—"Ibegan。
　　"Topayyourhalf？"heinterrupted。"Icertainlyshallexpectyoutopayit。"
　　InthemeantimeDemetrioshadbeeninformedbyhislawyerthathisfeelikewisehadbeenpaidbyCharley。
　　DemetrioscameovertoshakeCharley’shand，andallhiswarmSouthernbloodflamedinhisface。Then，nottobeoutdoneingenerosity，heinsistedonpayinghisfineandlawyer’sfeehimself，andflewhalf—wayintoapassionbecauseCharleyrefusedtolethim。
　　Morethananythingelseweeverdid，Ithink，thisactionofCharley’simpresseduponthefishermenthedeepersignificanceofthelaw。AlsoCharleywasraisedhighintheiresteem，whileI
　　cameinforalittleshareofpraiseasaboywhoknewhowtosailaboat。DemetriosContosnotonlyneverbrokethelawagain，buthebecameaverygoodfriendofours，andonmorethanoneoccasionheranuptoBeniciatohaveagossipwithus。
　　YELLOWHANDKERCHIEF
　　"I’mnotwantingtodictatetoyou，lad，"Charleysaid；"butI’mverymuchagainstyourmakingalastraid。You’vegonesafelythroughroughtimeswithroughmen，anditwouldbeashametohavesomethinghappentoyouattheveryend。"
　　"ButhowcanIgetoutofmakingalastraid？"Idemanded，withthecocksurenessofyouth。"Therealwayshastobealast，youknow，toanything。"
　　Charleycrossedhislegs，leanedback，andconsideredtheproblem。
　　"Verytrue。ButwhynotcallthecaptureofDemetriosContosthelast？You’rebackfromitsafeandsoundandhearty，forallyourgoodwetting，and—and—"Hisvoicebrokeandhecouldnotspeakforamoment。"AndIcouldneverforgivemyselfifanythinghappenedtoyounow。"
　　IlaughedatCharley’sfearswhileIgaveintotheclaimsofhisaffection，andagreedtoconsiderthelastraidalreadyperformed。
　　Wehadbeentogetherfortwoyears，andnowIwasleavingthefishpatrolinordertogobackandfinishmyeducation。Ihadearnedandsavedmoneytoputmethroughthreeyearsatthehighschool，andthoughthebeginningofthetermwasseveralmonthsaway，I
　　intendeddoingalotofstudyingfortheentranceexaminations。
　　Mybelongingswerepackedsnuglyinasea—chest，andIwasallreadytobuymyticketandridedownonthetraintoOakland，whenNeilPartingtonarrivedinBenicia。TheReindeerwasneededimmediatelyforworkfardownontheLowerBay，andNeilsaidheintendedtorunstraightforOakland。AsthatwashishomeandasIwastolivewithhisfamilywhilegoingtoschool，hesawnoreason，hesaid，whyIshouldnotputmychestaboardandcomealong。
　　Sothechestwentaboard，andinthemiddleoftheafternoonwehoistedtheReindeer’sbigmainsailandcastoff。Itwastantalizingfallweather。Thesea—breeze，whichhadblownsteadilyallsummer，wasgone，andinitsplacewerecapriciouswindsandmurkyskieswhichmadethetimeofarrivinganywhereextremelyproblematical。Westartedonthefirstoftheebb，andasweslippeddowntheCarquinezStraits，IlookedmylastforsometimeuponBeniciaandthebightatTurner’sShipyard，wherewehadbesiegedtheLancashireQueen，andhadcapturedBigAlec，theKingoftheGreeks。AndatthemouthoftheStraitsIlookedwithnotalittleinterestuponthespotwhereafewdaysbeforeIshouldhavedrownedbutforthegoodthatwasinthenatureofDemetriosContos。
　　AgreatwalloffogadvancedacrossSanPabloBaytomeetus，andinafewminutestheReindeerwasrunningblindlythroughthedampobscurity。Charley，whowassteering，seemedtohaveaninstinctforthatkindofwork。Howhedidit，hehimselfconfessedthathedidnotknow；buthehadawayofcalculatingwinds，currents，distance，time，drift，andsailingspeedthatwastrulymarvellous。
　　"Itlooksasthoughitwerelifting，"NeilPartingtonsaid，acoupleofhoursafterwehadenteredthefog。"Wheredoyousayweare，Charley？"
　　Charleylookedathiswatch，"Sixo’clock，andthreehoursmoreofebb，"heremarkedcasually。
　　"Butwheredoyousayweare？"Neilinsisted。
　　Charleyponderedamoment，andthenanswered，"Thetidehasedgedusoverabitoutofourcourse，butifthefogliftsrightnow，asitisgoingtolift，you’llfindwe’renotmorethanathousandmilesoffMcNear’sLanding。"
　　"Youmightbealittlemoredefinitebyafewmiles，anyway，"Neilgrumbled，showingbyhistonethathedisagreed。
　　"Allright，then，"Charleysaid，conclusively，"notlessthanaquarterofamile，notmorethanahalf。"
　　Thewindfreshenedwithacoupleoflittlepuffs，andthefogthinnedperceptibly。
　　"McNear’sisrightoffthere，"Charleysaid，pointingdirectlyintothefogonourweatherbeam。
　　Thethreeofuswerepeeringintentlyinthatdirection，whentheReindeerstruckwithadullcrashandcametoastandstill。Weranforward，andfoundherbowspritentangledinthetannedriggingofashort，chunkymast。Shehadcollided，headon，withaChinesejunklyingatanchor。
　　Atthemomentwearrivedforward，fiveChinese，likesomanybees，cameswarmingoutofthelittle’tween—deckscabin，thesleepstillintheireyes。
　　Leadingthemcameabig，muscularman，conspicuousforhispock—
　　markedfaceandtheyellowsilkhandkerchiefswathedabouthishead。ItwasYellowHandkerchief，theChinamanwhomwehadarrestedforillegalshrimp—fishingtheyearbefore，andwho，atthattime，hadnearlysunktheReindeer，ashehadnearlysunkitnowbyviolatingtherulesofnavigation。
　　"Whatd’yemean，youyellow—facedheathen，lyinghereinafairwaywithoutahorna—going？"Charleycriedhotly。
　　"Mean？"Neilcalmlyanswered。"Justtakealook—that’swhathemeans。"
　　OureyesfollowedthedirectionindicatedbyNeil’sfinger，andwesawtheopenamidshipsofthejunk，halffilled，aswefoundoncloserexamination，withfresh—caughtshrimps。Mingledwiththeshrimpsweremyriadsofsmallfish，fromaquarterofaninchupwardinsize。
　　YellowHandkerchiefhadliftedthetrap—netathigh—waterslack，and，takingadvantageoftheconcealmentofferedbythefog，hadboldlybeenlyingby，waitingtoliftthenetagainatlow—waterslack。
　　"Well，"Neilhummedandhawed，"inallmyvariedandextensiveexperienceasafishpatrolman，ImustsaythisistheeasiestcaptureIevermade。What’llwedowiththem，Charley？"
　　"TowthejunkintoSanRafael，ofcourse，"cametheanswer。
　　Charleyturnedtome。"Youstandbythejunk，lad，andI’llpassyouatowingline。Ifthewinddoesn’tfailus，we’llmakethecreekbeforethetidegetstoolow，sleepatSanRafael，andarriveinOaklandto—morrowbymidday。"
　　Sosaying，CharleyandNeilreturnedtotheReindeerandgotunderway，thejunktowingastern。Iwentaftandtookchargeoftheprize，steeringbymeansofanantiquatedtillerandarudderwithlarge，diamond—shapedholes，throughwhichthewaterrushedbackandforth。
　　Bynowthelastofthefoghadvanished，andCharley’sestimateofourpositionwasconfirmedbythesightofMcNear’sLandingashorthalf—mileaway。Followingalongthewestshore，weroundedPointPedroinplainviewoftheChineseshrimpvillages，andagreatto—
　　dowasraisedwhentheysawoneoftheirjunkstowingbehindthefamiliarfishpatrolsloop。
　　Thewind，comingofftheland，wasratherpuffyanduncertain，anditwouldhavebeenmoretoouradvantagehaditbeenstronger。SanRafaelCreek，upwhichwehadtogotoreachthetownandturnoverourprisonerstotheauthorities，ranthroughwide—stretchingmarshes，andwasdifficulttonavigateonafallingtide，whileatlowtideitwasimpossibletonavigateatall。So，withthetidealreadyhalf—ebbed，itwasnecessaryforustomaketime。Thistheheavyjunkprevented，lumberingalongbehindandholdingtheReindeerbackbyjustsomuchdeadweight。
　　"Tellthosecooliestogetupthatsail，"Charleyfinallycalledtome。"Wedon’twanttohanguponthemudflatsfortherestofthenight。"
　　IrepeatedtheordertoYellowHandkerchief，whomumbledithuskilytohismen。Hewassufferingfromabadcold，whichdoubledhimupinconvulsivecoughingspellsandmadehiseyesheavyandbloodshot。Thismadehimmoreevil—lookingthanever，andwhenheglaredviciouslyatmeIrememberedwithashiverthecloseshaveI
　　hadhadwithhimatthetimeofhispreviousarrest。
　　Hiscrewsullenlytailedontothehalyards，andthestrange，outlandishsail，lateeninriganddyedawarmbrown，roseintheair。Weweresailingonthewind，andwhenYellowHandkerchiefflatteneddownthesheetthejunkforgedaheadandthetow—linewentslack。FastastheReindeercouldsail，thejunkoutsailedher；andtoavoidrunningherdownIhauledalittlecloseronthewind。Butthejunklikewiseoutpointed，andinacoupleofminutesIwasabreastoftheReindeerandtowindward。Thetow—linehadnowtautened，atrightanglestothetwoboats，andthepredicamentwaslaughable。
　　"Castoff!"Ishouted。
　　Charleyhesitated。
　　"It’sallright，"Iadded。"Nothingcanhappen。We’llmakethecreekonthistack，andyou’llberightbehindmeallthewayuptoSanRafael。"
　　AtthisCharleycastoff，andYellowHandkerchiefsentoneofhismenforwardtohaulintheline。InthegatheringdarknessIcouldjustmakeoutthemouthofSanRafaelCreek，andbythetimeweentereditIcouldbarelyseeitsbanks。TheReindeerwasfullyfiveminutesastern，andwecontinuedtoleaveherasternaswebeatupthenarrow，windingchannel。WithCharleybehindus，itseemedIhadlittletofearfrommyfiveprisoners；butthedarknesspreventedmykeepingasharpeyeonthem，soItransferredmyrevolverfrommytrouserspockettothesidepocketofmycoat，whereIcouldmorequicklyputmyhandonit。
　　YellowHandkerchiefwastheoneIfeared，andthatheknewitandmadeuseofit，subsequenteventswillshow。Hewassittingafewfeetawayfromme，onwhatthenhappenedtobetheweathersideofthejunk。Icouldscarcelyseetheoutlinesofhisform，butI
　　soonbecameconvincedthathewasslowly，veryslowly，edgingclosertome。Iwatchedhimcarefully。Steeringwithmylefthand，Islippedmyrightintomypocketandgotholdoftherevolver。
　　Isawhimshiftalongforacoupleofinches，andIwasjustabouttoorderhimback—thewordsweretremblingonthetipofmytongue—whenIwasstruckwithgreatforcebyaheavyfigurethathadleapedthroughtheairuponmefromtheleeside。Itwasoneofthecrew。HepinionedmyrightarmsothatIcouldnotwithdrawmyhandfrommypocket，andatthesametimeclappedhisotherhandovermymouth。Ofcourse，IcouldhavestruggledawayfromhimandfreedmyhandorgottenmymouthclearsothatImightcryanalarm，butinatriceYellowHandkerchiefwasontopofme。
　　Istruggledaroundtonopurposeinthebottomofthejunk，whilemylegsandarmsweretiedandmymouthsecurelyboundinwhatI
　　afterwardfoundtobeacottonshirt。ThenIwasleftlyinginthebottom。YellowHandkerchieftookthetiller，issuinghisordersinwhispers；andfromourpositionatthetime，andfromthealterationofthesail，whichIcoulddimlymakeoutabovemeasablotagainstthestars，IknewthejunkwasbeingheadedintothemouthofasmallsloughwhichemptiedatthatpointintoSanRafaelCreek。
　　Inacoupleofminutesweransoftlyalongsidethebank，andthesailwassilentlylowered。TheChinesekeptveryquiet。YellowHandkerchiefsatdowninthebottomalongsideofme，andIcouldfeelhimstrainingtorepresshisraspy，hackingcough。PossiblysevenoreightminuteslaterIheardCharley’svoiceastheReindeerwentpastthemouthoftheslough。
　　"Ican’ttellyouhowrelievedIam，"IcouldplainlyhearhimsayingtoNeil，"thattheladhasfinishedwiththefishpatrolwithoutaccident。"
　　HereNeilsaidsomethingwhichIcouldnotcatch，andthenCharley’svoicewenton：
　　"Theyoungstertakesnaturallytothewater，andif，whenhefinisheshighschool，hetakesacourseinnavigationandgoesdeepsea，Iseenoreasonwhyheshouldn’trisetobemasterofthefinestandbiggestshipafloat。"
　　Itwasallveryflatteringtome，butlyingthere，boundandgaggedbymyownprisoners，withthevoicesgrowingfaintandfainterastheReindeerslippedonthroughthedarknesstowardSanRafael，I
　　mustsayIwasnotinquitethepropersituationtoenjoymysmilingfuture。WiththeReindeerwentmylasthope。WhatwastohappennextIcouldnotimagine，fortheChinesewereadifferentracefrommine，andfromwhatIknewIwasconfidentthatfairplaywasnopartoftheirmake—up。
　　Afterwaitingafewminuteslonger，thecrewhoistedthelateensail，andYellowHandkerchiefsteereddowntowardthemouthofSanRafaelCreek。Thetidewasgettinglower，andhehaddifficultyinescapingthemud—banks。Iwashopinghewouldrunaground，buthesucceededinmakingtheBaywithoutaccident。
　　Aswepassedoutofthecreekanoisydiscussionarose，whichI
　　knewrelatedtome。YellowHandkerchiefwasvehement，buttheotherfourasvehementlyopposedhim。Itwasveryevidentthatheadvocateddoingawaywithmeandthattheywereafraidoftheconsequences。IwasfamiliarenoughwiththeChinesecharactertoknowthatfearalonerestrainedthem。ButwhatplantheyofferedinplaceofYellowHandkerchief’smurderousone，Icouldnotmakeout。
　　Myfeelings，asmyfatehunginthebalance，maybeguessed。Thediscussiondevelopedintoaquarrel，inthemidstofwhichYellowHandkerchiefunshippedtheheavytillerandsprangtowardme。Buthisfourcompanionsthrewthemselvesbetween，andaclumsystruggletookplaceforpossessionofthetiller。IntheendYellowHandkerchiefwasovercome，andsullenlyreturnedtothesteering，whiletheysoundlyberatedhimforhisrashness。
　　Notlongafter，thesailwasrundownandthejunkslowlyurgedforwardbymeansofthesweeps。Ifeltitgroundgentlyonthesoftmud。ThreeoftheChinese—theyallworelongsea—boots—
　　gotovertheside，andtheothertwopassedmeacrosstherail。
　　WithYellowHandkerchiefatmylegsandhistwocompanionsatmyshoulders，theybegantoflounderalongthroughthemud。Aftersometimetheirfeetstruckfirmerfooting，andIknewtheywerecarryingmeupsomebeach。Thelocationofthisbeachwasnotdoubtfulinmymind。ItcouldbenoneotherthanoneoftheMarinIslands，agroupofrockyisletswhichlayofftheMarinCountyshore。
　　Whentheyreachedthefirmsandthatmarkedhightide，Iwasdropped，andnonetoogently。YellowHandkerchiefkickedmespitefullyintheribs，andthenthetrioflounderedbackthroughthemudtothejunk。AmomentlaterIheardthesailgoupandslatinthewindastheydrewinthesheet。Thensilencefell，andIwaslefttomyowndevicesforgettingfree。
　　Irememberedhavingseentricksterswritheandsquirmoutofropeswithwhichtheywerebound，butthoughIwrithedandsquirmedlikeagoodfellow，theknotsremainedashardasever，andtherewasnoappreciableslack。Inthecourseofmysquirming，however，I
　　rolledoveruponaheapofclam—shells—theremains，evidently，ofsomeyachtingparty’sclam—bake。Thisgavemeanidea。Myhandsweretiedbehindmyback；and，clutchingashellinthem，Irolledoverandover，upthebeach，tillIcametotherocksIknewtobethere。
　　Rollingaroundandsearching，Ifinallydiscoveredanarrowcrevice，intowhichIshovedtheshell。Theedgeofitwassharp，andacrossthesharpedgeIproceededtosawtheropethatboundmywrists。Theedgeoftheshellwasalsobrittle，andIbrokeitbybearingtooheavilyuponit。ThenIrolledbacktotheheapandreturnedwithasmanyshellsasIcouldcarryinbothhands。I
　　brokemanyshells，cutmyhandsanumberoftimes，andgotcrampsinmylegsfrommystrainedpositionandmyexertions。
　　WhileIwassufferingfromthecramps，andresting，Iheardafamiliarhalloodriftacrossthewater。ItwasCharley，searchingforme。Thegaginmymouthpreventedmefromreplying，andI
　　couldonlyliethere，helplesslyfuming，whileherowedpasttheislandandhisvoiceslowlylostitselfinthedistance。
　　Ireturnedtothesawingprocess，andattheendofhalfanhoursucceededinseveringtherope。Therestwaseasy。Myhandsoncefree，itwasamatterofminutestoloosenmylegsandtotakethegagoutofmymouth。Iranaroundtheislandtomakesureitwasanislandandnotbyanychanceaportionofthemainland。Anislanditcertainlywas，oneoftheMaringroup，fringedwithasandybeachandsurroundedbyaseaofmud。Nothingremainedbuttowaittilldaylightandtokeepwarm；foritwasacold，rawnightforCalifornia，withjustenoughwindtopiercetheskinandcauseonetoshiver。
　　Tokeepupthecirculation，Iranaroundtheislandadozentimesorso，andclamberedacrossitsrockybackboneasmanytimesmore—
　　allofwhichwasofgreaterservicetome，asIafterwarddiscovered，thanmerelytowarmmeup。InthemidstofthisexerciseIwonderedifIhadlostanythingoutofmypocketswhilerollingoverandoverinthesand。Asearchshowedtheabsenceofmyrevolverandpocket—knife。ThefirstYellowHandkerchiefhadtaken；buttheknifehadbeenlostinthesand。
　　Iwashuntingforitwhenthesoundofrowlockscametomyears。
　　Atfirst，ofcourse，IthoughtofCharley；butonsecondthoughtI
　　knewCharleywouldbecallingoutasherowedalong。Asuddenpremonitionofdangerseizedme。TheMarinIslandsarelonelyplaces；chancevisitorsinthedeadofnightarehardlytobeexpected。WhatifitwereYellowHandkerchief？Thesoundmadebytherowlocksgrewmoredistinct。Icrouchedinthesandandlistenedintently。Theboat，whichIjudgedasmallskifffromthequickstrokeoftheoars，waslandinginthemudaboutfiftyyardsupthebeach。Iheardaraspy，hackingcough，andmyheartstoodstill。ItwasYellowHandkerchief。Nottoberobbedofhisrevengebyhismorecautiouscompanions，hehadstolenawayfromthevillageandcomebackalone。
　　Ididsomeswiftthinking。Iwasunarmedandhelplessonatinyislet，andayellowbarbarian，whomIhadreasontofear，wascomingafterme。Anyplacewassaferthantheisland，andIturnedinstinctivelytothewater，orrathertothemud。Ashebegantoflounderashorethroughthemud，Istartedtoflounderoutintoit，goingoverthesamecoursewhichtheChinesehadtakeninlandingmeandinreturningtothejunk。
　　YellowHandkerchief，believingmetobelyingtightlybound，exercisednocare，butcameashorenoisily。Thishelpedme，for，undertheshieldofhisnoiseandmakingnomoremyselfthannecessary，Imanagedtocoverfiftyfeetbythetimehehadmadethebeach。HereIlaydowninthemud。Itwascoldandclammy，andmademeshiver，butIdidnotcaretostandupandruntheriskofbeingdiscoveredbyhissharpeyes。
　　Hewalkeddownthebeachstraighttowherehehadleftmelying，andIhadafleetingfeelingofregretatnotbeingabletoseehissurprisewhenhedidnotfindme。Butitwasaveryfleetingregret，formyteethwerechatteringwiththecold。
　　WhathismovementswereafterthatIhadlargelytodeducefromthefactsofthesituation，forIcouldscarcelyseehiminthedimstarlight。ButIwassurethatthefirstthinghedidwastomakethecircuitofthebeachtolearniflandingshadbeenmadebyotherboats。Thishewouldhaveknownatoncebythetracksthroughthemud。
　　Convincedthatnoboathadremovedmefromtheisland，henextstartedtofindoutwhathadbecomeofme。Beginningatthepileofclamshells，helightedmatchestotracemytracksinthesand。
　　AtsuchtimesIcouldseehisvillanousfaceplainly，and，whenthesulphurfromthematchesirritatedhislungs，betweentheraspycoughthatfollowedandtheclammymudinwhichIwaslying，I
　　confessIshiveredharderthanever。
　　Themultiplicityofmyfootprintspuzzledhim。ThentheideathatImightbeoutinthemudmusthavestruckhim，forhewadedoutafewyardsinmydirection，and，stooping，withhiseyessearchedthedimsurfacelongandcarefully。Hecouldnothavebeenmorethanfifteenfeetfromme，andhadhelightedamatchhewouldsurelyhavediscoveredme。
　　Hereturnedtothebeachandclamberedabout，overtherockybackbone，againhuntingformewithlightedmatches，Theclosenessoftheshaveimpelledmetofurtherflight。Notdaringtowadeupright，onaccountofthenoisemadebyflounderingandbythesuckofthemud，Iremainedlyingdowninthemudandpropelledmyselfoveritssurfacebymeansofmyhands。StillkeepingthetrailmadebytheChineseingoingfromandtothejunk，IheldonuntilIreachedthewater。IntothisIwadedtoadepthofthreefeet，andthenIturnedofftothesideonalineparallelwiththebeach。
　　ThethoughtcametomeofgoingtowardYellowHandkerchief’sskiffandescapinginit，butatthatverymomenthereturnedtothebeach，and，asthoughfearingtheverythingIhadinmind，heslushedoutthroughthemudtoassurehimselfthattheskiffwassafe。Thisturnedmeintheoppositedirection。Halfswimming，halfwading，withmyheadjustoutofwaterandavoidingsplashing，IsucceededinputtingaboutahundredfeetbetweenmyselfandthespotwheretheChinesehadbeguntowadeashorefromthejunk。I
　　drewmyselfoutonthemudandremainedlyingflat。
　　AgainYellowHandkerchiefreturnedtothebeachandmadeasearchoftheisland，andagainhereturnedtotheheapofclam—shells。I
　　knewwhatwasrunninginhismindaswellashedidhimself。Noonecouldleaveorlandwithoutmakingtracksinthemud。Theonlytrackstobeseenwerethoseleadingfromhisskiffandfromwherethejunkhadbeen。Iwasnotontheisland。Imusthaveleftitbyoneortheotherofthosetwotracks。Hehadjustbeenovertheonetohisskiff，andwascertainIhadnotleftthatway。
　　ThereforeIcouldhavelefttheislandonlybygoingoverthetracksofthejunklanding。Thisheproceededtoverifybywadingoutoverthemhimself，lightingmatchesashecamealong。
　　WhenhearrivedatthepointwhereIhadfirstlain，Iknew，bythematchesheburnedandthetimehetook，thathehaddiscoveredthemarksleftbymybody。Thesehefollowedstraighttothewaterandintoit，butinthreefeetofwaterhecouldnolongerseethem。
　　Ontheotherhand，asthetidewasstillfalling，hecouldeasilymakeouttheimpressionmadebythejunk’sbow，andcouldhavelikewisemadeouttheimpressionofanyotherboatifithadlandedatthatparticularspot。Buttherewasnosuchmark；andIknewthathewasabsolutelyconvincedthatIwashidingsomewhereinthemud。
　　Buttohuntonadarknightforaboyinaseaofmudwouldbelikehuntingforaneedleinahaystack，andhedidnotattemptit。
　　Insteadhewentbacktothebeachandprowledaroundforsometime。
　　Iwashopinghewouldgivemeupandgo，forbythistimeIwassufferingseverelyfromthecold。Atlasthewadedouttohisskiffandrowedaway。WhatifthisdepartureofYellowHandkerchief’swereasham？Whatifhehaddoneitmerelytoenticemeashore？
　　ThemoreIthoughtofitthemorecertainIbecamethathehadmadealittletoomuchnoisewithhisoarsasherowedaway。SoI
　　remained，lyinginthemudandshivering。Ishiveredtillthemusclesofthesmallofmybackachedandpainedmeasbadlyasthecold，andIhadneedofallmyself—controltoforcemyselftoremaininmymiserablesituation。
　　ItwaswellthatIdid，however，for，possiblyanhourlater，I
　　thoughtIcouldmakeoutsomethingmovingonthebeach。Iwatchedintently，butmyearswererewardedfirst，byaraspycoughIknewonlytoowell。YellowHandkerchiefhadsneakedback，landedontheothersideoftheisland，andcreptaroundtosurprisemeifIhadreturned。
　　Afterthat，thoughhourspassedwithoutsignofhim，Iwasafraidtoreturntotheislandatall。Ontheotherhand，IwasalmostequallyafraidthatIshoulddieoftheexposureIwasundergoing。
　　Ihadneverdreamedonecouldsufferso。Igrewsocoldandnumb，finally，thatIceasedtoshiver。Butmymusclesandbonesbegantoacheinawaythatwasagony。Thetidehadlongsincebeguntorise，and，footbyfoot，itdrovemeintowardthebeach。Highwatercameatthreeo’clock，andatthreeo’clockIdrewmyselfuponthebeach，moredeadthanalive，andtoohelplesstohaveofferedanyresistancehadYellowHandkerchiefswoopeddownuponme。
　　ButnoYellowHandkerchiefappeared。HehadgivenmeupandgonebacktoPointPedro。Nevertheless，Iwasinadeplorable，nottosaydangerous，condition。Icouldnotstanduponmyfeet，muchlesswalk。Myclammy，muddygarmentsclungtomelikesheetsofice。IthoughtIshouldnevergetthemoff。Sonumbandlifelessweremyfingers，andsoweakwasI，thatitseemedtotakeanhourtogetoffmyshoes。Ihadnotthestrengthtobreaktheporpoise—
　　hidelaces，andtheknotsdefiedme。Irepeatedlybeatmyhandsupontherockstogetsomesortoflifeintothem。SometimesI
　　feltsureIwasgoingtodie。
　　Butintheend，—afterseveralcenturies，itseemedtome，—Igotoffthelastofmyclothes。Thewaterwasnowcloseathand，andI
　　crawledpainfullyintoitandwashedthemudfrommynakedbody。
　　Still，IcouldnotgetonmyfeetandwalkandIwasafraidtoliestill。Nothingremainedbuttocrawlweakly，likeasnail，andatthecostofconstantpain，upanddownthesand。Ikeptthisupaslongaspossible，butastheeastpaledwiththecomingofdawnI
　　begantosuccumb。Theskygrewrosy—red，andthegoldenrimofthesun，showingabovethehorizon，foundmelyinghelplessandmotionlessamongtheclam—shells。
　　Asinadream，IsawthefamiliarmainsailoftheReindeerassheslippedoutofSanRafaelCreekonalightpuffofmorningair。
　　Thisdreamwasverymuchbroken。ThereareintervalsIcanneverrecollectonlookingbackoverit。Threethings，however，I
　　distinctlyremember：thefirstsightoftheReindeer’smainsail；
　　herlyingatanchorafewhundredfeetawayandasmallboatleavingherside；andthecabinstoveroaringred—hot，myselfswathedalloverwithblankets，exceptonthechestandshoulders，whichCharleywaspoundingandmaulingunmercifully，andmymouthandthroatburningwiththecoffeewhichNeilPartingtonwaspouringdownatrifletoohot。
　　Butburnornoburn，Itellyouitfeltgood。BythetimewearrivedinOaklandIwasaslimberandstrongasever，—thoughCharlieandNeilPartingtonwereafraidIwasgoingtohavepneumonia，andMrs。Partington，formyfirstsixmonthsofschool，keptananxiouseyeuponmetodiscoverthefirstsymptomsofconsumption。
　　Timeflies。ItseemsbutyesterdaythatIwasaladofsixteenonthefishpatrol。YetIknowthatIarrivedthisverymorningfromChina，withaquickpassagetomycredit，andmasterofthebarkentineHarvester。AndIknowthatto—morrowmorningIshallrunovertoOaklandtoseeNeilPartingtonandhiswifeandfamily，andlateronuptoBeniciatoseeCharleyLeGrantandtalkoveroldtimes。No；IshallnotgotoBenicia，nowthatIthinkaboutit。Iexpecttobeahighlyinterestedpartytoawedding，shortlytotakeplace。HernameisAlicePartington，and，sinceCharleyhaspromisedtobebestman，hewillhavetocomedowntoOaklandinstead。