Thesecomfortablylargecounties!Theyareveritableempires。
　　TakeHumboldt，forinstance。ItisthreetimesaslargeasRhodeIsland，oneandahalftimesaslargeasDelaware，almostaslargeasConnecticut，andhalfaslargeasMassachusetts。Thepioneerhasdonehisworkinthisnorthofthebayregion，thefoundationsarelaid，andallisreadyfortheinevitableinrushofpopulationandadequatedevelopmentofresourceswhichsofarhavebeennomorethanskimmed，andcasuallyandcarelesslyskimmedatthat。
　　Thisregionofthesixcountiesalonewillsomedaysupportapopulationofmillions。Inthemeanwhile，Oyouhome—seekers，youwealth—seekers，and，aboveall，youclimate—seekers，nowisthetimetogetinonthegroundfloor。
　　RobertIngersolloncesaidthatthegenialclimateofCaliforniawouldinafairlybrieftimeevolvearaceresemblingtheMexicans，andthatintwoorthreegenerationstheCalifornianswouldbeseenofaSundaymorningontheirwaytoacockfightwitharoosterundereacharm。Neverwasmadearashergeneralisation，basedonsoabsoluteanignoranceoffacts。Itistolaugh。Hereisaclimatethatbreedsvigour，withjustsufficientgenialitytopreventtheexpenditureofmostofthatvigourinfightingtheelements。Hereisaclimatewhereamancanworkthreehundredandsixty—fivedaysintheyearwithouttheslightesthintofenervation，andwhereforthreehundredandsixty—fivenightshemustperforcesleepunderblankets。Whatmorecanonesay？I
　　considermyselfsomewhatofclimateexpert，havingadventuredamongmostoftheclimatesoffiveoutofthesixzones。IhavenotyetbeenintheAntarctic，butwhateverclimateobtainstherewillnotdetermefromdrawingtheconclusionthatnowhereisthereaclimatetocomparewiththatofthisregion。MaybeIamaswrongasIngersollwas。NeverthelessItakemymedicinebycontinuingtoliveinthisclimate。Also，itistheonlymedicineIevertake。
　　Buttoreturntothehorses。Thereissomeimprovement。Mildahasactuallylearnedtowalk。Maidhasprovedherthoroughbrednessbynevertiringonthelongestdays，and，whilebeingthestrongestandhighestspiritedofall，bynevercausinganytroublesaveforanoccasionalkickattheOutlaw。AndtheOutlawrarelygallops，nolongerbutts，onlyperiodicallykicks，comesintothepoleanddoesherworkwithoutattemptingtovivisectMaid’smedullaoblongata，and——marvelofmarvels——isreallyandtrulygettinglazy。ButPrinceremainsthesameincorrigible，lovingandlovableroguehehasalwaysbeen。
　　Andthecountrywe’vebeenover!ThedrivesthroughNapaandLakeCounties!One，fromSonomaValley，viaSantaRosa，wecouldnotrefrainfromtakingseveralways，andonallthewayswefoundtheroadsexcellentformachinesaswellashorses。Oneroute，andamoredelightfuloneforanautomobilecannotbefound，isoutfromSantaRosa，pastoldAltruriaandMarkWestSprings，thentotherightandacrosstoCalistogainNapaValley。Bykeepingtotheleft，thedriveholdsonuptheRussianRiverValley，throughthemilesofthenotedAstiVineyardstoCloverdale，andthenbywayofPieta，Witter，andHighlandSpringstoLakeport。Stillanotherwaywetook，wasdownSonomaValley，skirtingSanPabloBay，andupthelovelyNapaValley。FromNapaweresideexcursionsthroughPopeandBerryessaValleys，ontoAEtnaSprings，andstillon，intoLakeCounty，crossingthefamousLangtryRanch。
　　ContinuinguptheNapaValley，walledoneitherhandbygreatrockpalisadesandredwoodforestsandcarpetedwithendlessvineyards，andcrossingthemanystonebridgesforwhichtheCountyisnotedandwhichareajoytothebeauty—lovingeyesaswellastothefour—horsetyrodriver，pastCalistogawithitsoldmud—bathsandchicken—soupsprings，withSt。Helenaanditsgiantsaddleevertoweringbeforeus，weclimbedthemountainsonagoodgradeanddroppeddownpastthequicksilverminestothecanyonoftheGeysers。Afterastopovernightandanexplorationoftheminiature—grandvolcanicscene，wepulledonacrossthecanyonandtookthegradewherethecicadassimmeredaudiblyinthenoonsunshineamongthehillsidemanzanitas。Then，higher，camethebigcattle—dotteduplandpastures，andtherockysummit。Andhereonthesummit，abruptly，wecaughtavision，orwhatseemedamirage。Theoceanwehadleftlongdaysbefore，yetfardownandawayshimmeredabluesea，framedonthefarthershorebyruggedmountains，onthenearshorebyfatandrollingfarmlands。ClearLakewasbeforeus，andlikepropersailorswereturnedtooursea，goingforasail，afish，andaswimerethedaywasdoneandturningintotiredLakeportblanketsintheearlyevening。WellhasLakeCountybeencalledtheWalled—inCounty。Buttherailroadiscoming。TheysaytheapproachwemadetoClearLakeissimilartotheapproachtoLakeLucerne。Bethatasitmay，thescenery，withitsdistantsnow—cappedpeaks，canwellbecalledAlpine。
　　AndwhatcanbemoreexquisitethanthedriveoutfromClearLaketoUkiahbywayoftheBlueLakeschain!——everyturnbringingintoviewapictureofbreathlessbeauty；everyglancebackwardrevealingsomeperfectcompositioninlineandcolour，theintenseblueofthewatermarginedwithsplendidoaks，greenfields，andswathsoforangepoppies。Butthosesideglancesandbackwardglanceswereprovocativeoftrouble。CharmianandIdisagreedastowhichwaytheconnectingstreamofwaterran。Westilldisagree，foratthehotel，wherewesubmittedtheaffairtoarbitration，thehotelmanagerandtheclerklikewisedisagreed。
　　Iassume，now，thatweneverwillknowwhichwaythatstreamruns。
　　Charmiansuggests"bothways。"Irefusesuchacompromise。NostreamofwaterIeversawcouldaccomplishthatfeatatoneandthesametime。ThegreatestconcessionIcanmakeisthatsometimesitmayrunonewayandsometimestheother，andthatinthemeantimeweshouldbothconsultanoculist。
　　MorevalleyfromUkiahtoWillits，andthenweturnedwestwardthroughthevirginSherwoodForestofmagnificentredwood，stoppingatAlpineforthenightandcontinuingonthroughMendocinoCountytoFortBraggand"saltwater。"WealsocametoFortBraggupthecoastfromFortRoss，keepingourcoastjourneyintactfromtheGoldenGate。Thecoastweatherwascoolanddelightful，thecoastdrivingsuperb。EspeciallyintheFortRosssectiondidwefindtheroadsthrilling，whileallthewayalongwefollowedthesea。Ateverystream，theroadskirteddizzycliff—edges，diveddownintolushgrowthsofforestandfernsandclimbedoutalongthecliff—edgesagain。Thewaywaslinedwithflowers——wildlilac，wildroses，poppies，andlupins。Suchlupins!——giantclumpsofthem，ofeverylupin—shadeand—colour。
　　AnditwasalongtheMendocinoroadsthatCharmiancausedmanydelaysbyinsistingongettingouttopickthewildblackberries，strawberries，andthimble—berrieswhichgrewsoprofusely。Andeverwecaughtpeeps，fardown，ofsteamschoonersloadinglumberintherockycoves；everweskirtedthecliffs，dayafterday，crossingstretchesofrollingfarmlandsandpassingthroughthrivingvillagesandsaw—milltowns。Memorablewasourlaunch—
　　tripfromMendocinoCityupBigRiver，wherethesteeringgearsofthelaunchesworkthereverseofanywhereelseintheworld；wherewesawastreamoflogs，ofsixtotwelveandfifteenfeetindiameter，whichfilledtheriverbedformilestotheobliterationofanysignofwater；andwhereweweretoldofawhiteoralbinoredwoodtree。Wedidnotseethislast，socannotvouchforit。
　　Allthestreamswerefilledwithtrout，andmorethanoncewesawtheside—hillsalmonontheslopes。No，side—hillsalmonisnotaperipateticfish；itisadeeroutofseason。Butthetrout!AtGualalaCharmiancaughtherfirstone。OncebeforeinmylifeI
　　hadcaughttwo……onangleworms。OnoccasionIhadtriedflyandspinnerandnevergotastrike，andIhadcometobelievethatallthistalkoffly—fishingwasjustsomuchnature—faking。ButontheGualalaRiverIcaughttrout——alotofthem——onflyandspinners；andIwasbeginningtofeelquiteanexpert，untilNakata，fishingonbottomwithapelletofbreadforbait，caughtthebiggesttroutofall。Inowaffirmthereisnothinginsciencenorinart。Nevertheless，sincethatdaypolesandbasketshavebeenaddedtoourbaggage，wetackleeverystreamwecometo，andwenolongerareabletorememberthegrandtotalofourcatch。
　　AtUsal，manyhillyandpicturesquemilesnorthofFortBragg，weturnedagainintotheinteriorofMendocino，crossingtherangesandcomingoutinHumboldtCountyonthesouthforkofEelRiveratGarberville。Throughoutthetrip，fromMarinCountynorth，wehadbeenwarnedof"badroadsahead。"Yetweneverfoundthosebadroads。Weseemedalwaystobejustaheadofthemorbehindthem。Thefartherwecamethebettertheroadsseemed，thoughthiswasprobablyduetothefactthatwewerelearningmoreandmorewhatfourhorsesandalightrigcoulddoonaroad。AndthusdoIsavemyfacewithallthecounties。Irefusetomakeinvidiousroadcomparisons。Icanaddthatwhile，saveinrareinstancesonsteeppitches，Ihavetrottedmyhorsesdownallthegrades，IhaveneverhadonehorsefalldownnorhaveIhadtosendtherigtoablacksmithshopforrepairs。
　　Also，Iamlearningtothrowleather。Ifanytyrothinksitiseasytotakeashort—handled，long—lashedwhip，andthrowtheendofthatlashjustwherehewantsit，lethimputonautomobilegogglesandtryit。Onreconsideration，Iwouldsuggestthesubstitutionofawirefencing—maskforthegoggles。FordaysI
　　lookedatthatwhip。Itfascinatedme，andthefascinationwascomposedmostlyoffear。Atmyfirstattempt，CharmianandNakatabecameafflictedwiththesamesortoffascination，andforalongtimeafterward，whenevertheysawmereachforthewhip，theyclosedtheireyesandshieldedtheirheadswiththeirarms。
　　Here’stheproblem。Insteadofpullinghonestly，PrinceislaggingbackandmanoeuvringforabiteatMilda’sneck。Ihavefourreinsinmyhands。Imustputthesefourreinsintomylefthand，properlygatherthewhiphandleandthebightofthelashinmyrighthand，andthrowthatlashpastMaidwithoutstrikingherandintoPrince。IfthelashstrikesMaid，herthoroughbrednesswillgoupintheair，andI’llhaveacaseofhorsehysteriaonmyhandsforthenexthalfhour。Butfollow。Thewholeproblemisnotyetstated。SupposethatImissMaidandreachtheintendedtarget。Theinstantthelashcracks，thefourhorsesjump，Princemostofall，andhisjump，withspreadwickedteeth，isforthebackofMilda’sneck。Shejumpstoescape——whichishersecondjump，forthefirstonecamewhenthelashexploded。
　　TheOutlawreachesforMaid’sneck，andMaid，whohasalreadyjumpedandtriedtobolt，triestoboltharder。AndallthisinfinitesimalfractionoftimeIamtryingtoholdthefouranimalswithmylefthand，whilemywhip—lash，writhingthroughtheair，iscomingbacktome。ThreesimultaneousthingsImustdo：keepholdofthefourreinswithmylefthand；slamonthebrakewithmyfoot；andonthereboundcatchthatflyinglashinthehollowofmyrightarmandgetthebightofitsafelyintomyrighthand。ThenImustgettwoofthefourlinesbackintomyrighthandandkeepthehorsesfromrunningawayorgoingoverthegrade。Tryitsometime。Youwillfindlifeanythingbutwearisome。Why，thefirsttimeIhitthemarkandmadethelashgoofflikearevolvershot，IwassoastoundedanddelightedthatIwasparalysed。Iforgottodoanyofthemultitudinousotherthings，tangledthewhiplashinMaid’sharness，andwasforcedtocalluponCharmianforassistance。Andnow，confession。Icarryafewpebbleshandy。They’regreatforreachingPrinceinatightplace。ButjustthesameI’mlearningthatwhipeveryday，andbeforeIgethomeIhopetodiscardthepebbles。AndaslongasI
　　relyonpebbles，Icannottruthfullyspeakofmyselfas"toolingafour—in—hand。"
　　FromGarberville，whereweateeeltorepletionandgotacquaintedwiththeaborigines，wedrovedowntheEelRiverValleyfortwodaysthroughthemostunthinkablygloriousbodyofredwoodtimbertobeseenanywhereinCalifornia。FromDyervilleontoEureka，wecaughtglimpsesofrailroadconstructionandofgreatconcretebridgesinthecourseofbuilding，whichadvertisedthatatleastHumboldtCountywasgoingtobelinkedtotherestoftheworld。
　　Westillconsiderourtripisjustbegun。AssoonasthisismailedfromEureka，it’sheighho!forthehorsesandpullon。Weshallcontinueupthecoast，turninforHoopaReservationandthegoldmines，andshootdowntheTrinityandKlamathriversinIndiancanoestoRequa。Afterthat，weshallgoonthroughDelNorteCountyandintoOregon。Thetripsofarhasjustifiedusintakingtheattitudethatwewon’tgohomeuntilthewinterrainsdriveusin。And，finally，IamgoingtotrytheexperimentofputtingtheOutlawintheleadandrelegatingPrincetohisoldpositioninthenearwheel。Iwon’tneedanypebblesthen。
　　NOTHINGTHATEVERCAMETOANYTHING
　　ItwasatQuito，themountaincapitalofEcuador，thatthefollowingpassageatcorrespondencetookplace。Havingoccasiontobuyapairofshoesinashopsixfeetbyeightinsizeandwithwallsthreefeetthick，Inoticedamangyleopardskinonthefloor。IhadnoSpanish。Theshop—keeperhadnoEnglish。ButI
　　wasanadeptatsignlanguage。IwantedtoknowwhereIshouldgotobuyleopardskins。Onmyscribble—padIdrewtheinterestingstreetsofacity。ThenIdrewasmallshop，which，aftermucheffort，Ipersuadedtheproprietorintorecognisingashisshop。
　　Next，Iindicatedinmydrawingthatonthemanystreetsthereweremanyshops。And，finally，Imademyselfintoalivinginterrogationmark，pointingallthewhilefromthemangyleopardskintothemanyshopsIhadsketched。
　　Buttheproprietorfailedtofollowme。Sodidhisassistant。
　　Thestreetcameintohelp——thatis，asmanyascouldcrowdintothesix—by—eightshop；whilethosethatcouldnotforcetheirwayinheldanoverflowmeetingonthesidewalk。Theproprietorandtheresttookturnsattalkingtomeinrapid—fireSpanish，and，fromtheexpressionsontheirfaces，allconcludedthatIwasremarkablystupid。AgainIwentthroughmyprogramme，pointingonthesketchfromtheoneshoptothemanyshops，pointingoutthatinthisparticularshopwasoneleopardskin，andthenquestinginterrogativelywithmypencilamongalltheshops。Allregardedmeinblanksilence，untilIsawcomprehensionsuddenlydawnonthefaceofasmallboy。
　　"Tigresmontanya!"hecried。
　　Thisappealedtomeasmountaintigers，namely，leopards；andintokenthatheunderstood，theboymadesignsformetofollowhim，whichIobeyed。Heledmeforaquarterofamile，andpausedbeforethedoorwayofalargebuildingwheresoldiersslouchedonsentrydutyandinandoutofwhichwentothersoldiers。
　　Motioningformetoremain，heraninside。
　　Fifteenminuteslaterhewasoutagain，withoutleopardskins，butfullofinformation。Bymeansofmycard，ofmyhotelcard，ofmywatch，andoftheboy’sfingers，Ilearnedthefollowing：thatatsixo’clockthateveninghewouldarriveatmyhotelwithtenleopardskinsformyinspection。Further，IlearnedthattheskinswerethepropertyofoneCaptainErnestoBecucci。Also，I
　　learnedthattheboy’snamewasEliceo。
　　Theboywasprompt。Atsixo’clockhewasatmyroom。Inhishandwasasmallrolladdressedtome。OnopeningitIfoundittobemanuscriptpianomusic，theHoraTranquilaValse，or"TranquilHourWaltz，"byErnestoBecucci。Icameforleopardskins，thoughtI，andtheownersendsmesheetmusicinstead。Buttheboyassuredmethathewouldhavetheskinsatthehotelatninenextmorning，andIentrustedtohimthefollowingletterofacknowledgment：
　　"DEARCAPTAINBECUCCI：
　　"AthousandthanksforyourkindpresentationofHoraTranquilaValse。Mrs。Londonwillplayitformethisevening。
　　Sincerelyyours，"JackLondon。"
　　NextmorningEliceowasback，butwithouttheskins。Instead，hegavemealetter，writteninSpanish，ofwhichthefollowingisafreetranslation：
　　"Tomydearestandalwaysappreciatedfriend，Isubmitmyself—
　　"DEARSIR：
　　"Isentyoulastnightanofferingbythebearerofthisnote，andyoureturnedmealetterwhichItranslated。
　　"Beitknowntoyou，sir，thatIamgivingthiswaltzawayinthebestsociety，andthereforetoyourhonouredself。Thereforeitisbeholdentoyoutorecognisetheattention，Imeanbyatangiblereturn，asthiscompositionwasmadebymyself。Youwillthereforesendbyyourhumbleservant，thebearer，anyoffering，howeverminute，thatyoumaybepromptedtomake。Senditundercoverofanenvelope。Thebearermaybetrusted。
　　"Ididnotindulgeinthepleasureofvisitingyourhonourableselfthismorning，asIfindmybodynottobeenjoyingthenormalexerciseofitsfunctions。
　　"Asregardstheskinsfromthemountain，youshallbewaitedonbyasmallboyatseveno’clockatnightwithtenskinsfromwhichyoumayselectthosewhichmostsatisfyyouraspirations。
　　"Inthehopethatyouwilllookuponthisinthesamelightasmyself，Ibegtobeallowedtoremain，"Yourmostfaithfulservant，"CAPTAINERNESTOBECUCCI。"
　　Well，thoughtI，thisCaptainErnestoBecuccihasshownhimselftobesuchanundependableperson，that，whileIdon’tmindrewardinghimforhiscomposition，IfearmeifIdoInevershalllayeyesonthoseleopardskins。SotoEliceoIgavethisletterfortheCaptain：
　　"MYDEARCAPTAINBECUCCI：
　　"Havetheboybringtheskinsatseveno’clockthisevening，whenIshallbegladtolookatthem。Thiseveningwhentheboybringstheskins，Ishallbepleasedtogivehim，inanenvelope，foryou，atangiblereturnforyourmusicalcomposition。
　　"Pleaseputthepriceoneachskin，andalsoletmeknowforwhatsumalltheskinswillselltogether。
　　"Sincerelyyours，"JACKLONDON。"
　　Now，thoughtI，Ihavehim。Noskins，notangiblereturn；andevidentlyheissetonreceivingthattangiblereturn。
　　Atseveno’clockEliceowasback，butwithoutleopardskins。Hehandedmethisletter：
　　"SENORLONDON：
　　"IwishtoinstilinyouthebeliefthatIlostto—day，athalfpastthreeintheafternoon，thekeytomycubicle。WhiledistributingrationstothesoldiersIdroppedit。IseeinthislosstheactofGod。
　　"Ireceivedaletterfromyourhonourableself，deliveredbytheonewhobearsyouthispoorresponseofmine。To—morrowIwillburstopenthedoortopermitmetokeepmywordwithyou。Ifeelmyselfeternallyshamednottobeabletodominatetheevilsthatafflictcolonialmankind。Pleasesendmethetriflethatyouofferedme。Sendmethisproofofyourappreciationbythebearer，whoistobetrusted。Alsogivetohimasmallsumofmoneyforhimself，andearntheundyinggratitudeofYourmostfaithfulservant，"CAPTAINERNESTOBECUCCI。"
　　Also，inclosedintheforegoingletterwasthefollowingoriginalpoem，eproposneitherofleopardskinsnortangiblereturns，sofarasIcanmakeout：
　　EFFUSION
　　Thoucanstnotweep；
　　NoraskIforayearToridmeofmywoesOrmakemylifemoredear。
　　ThemysticchainsthatboundThyall—fondhearttomine，Alas!asunderedareFornowandforalltime。
　　Invainyoustrovetohide，Fromvulgargazeofman，TheburningglanceofloveThatnonebutLovecanscan。
　　GoonthystarlitwayAndleavemetomyfate；
　　Oursoulsmustneedsunite—
　　But，God!’twillbetoolate。
　　ToallandsundryofwhichIreplied：
　　"MYDEARCAPTAINBECUCCI：
　　"IregretexceedinglytohearthatbyactofGod，athalfpastthreethisafternoon，youlostthekeytoyourcubicle。Pleasehavetheboybringtheskinsatseveno’clockto—morrowmorning，atwhichtime，whenhebringstheskins，Ishallbegladtomakeyouthattangiblereturnforyour"TranquilHourWaltz。"
　　"Sincerelyyours，"JACKLONDON。"
　　Atseveno’clockcamenoskins，butthefollowing：
　　"SIR：
　　"Afterofferingyoumymostsincererespects，Ibegtocontinuebytellingyouthatnoone，uptothetimeofwriting，hastreatedmewithsuchlackofattention。ItwasapresenttoGENTLEMENwhoweretoretainthepieceofmusic，andwhohaveall，withoutexception，mademeapresentoffivedollars。Itisbeyondmyhumblecapacitytobelievethatyou，afterhavingofferedtosendmemoneyinanenvelope，shouldfailtodoso。
　　"Sendme，Iprayofyou，themoneytoremuneratethesmallboyforhisrepeatedvisitstoyou。Pleasebediscreetandsenditinanenvelopebythebearer。
　　"LastnightIcametothehotelwiththeboy。Youweredining。I
　　waitedmorethananhourforyouandthenwenttothetheatre。
　　Givetheboysomesmallamount，andsendmealikeofferingoflargerproportions。
　　"Awaitingincessantlyaslightattentiononyourpart，"CAPTAINERNESTOBECUCCI。"
　　Andhere，likeoneofGeorgeMoore’srealisticstudies，endsthisintercoursewithCaptainErnestoBecucci。Nothinghappened。
　　Nothingevercametoanything。Hegotnotangiblereturn，andI
　　gotnoleopardskins。Thetangiblereturnhemighthavegot，I
　　presentedtoEliceo，whopromptlyinvesteditinapairoftrousersandatickettothebull—fight。
　　（NOTETOEDITOR。——ThisisafaithfulnarrationofwhatactuallyhappenedinQuito，Ecuador。）
　　THATDEADMENRISEUPNEVER
　　ThemonthinwhichmyseventeenthbirthdayarrivedIsignedonbeforethemastontheSophieSutherland，athree—topmastschoonerboundonaseven—months’seal—huntingcruisetothecoastofJapan。WesailedfromSanFrancisco，andimmediatelyIfoundconfrontingmeaproblemofnoinconsiderableproportions。Thereweretwelvemenofusintheforecastle，tenofwhomwerehardened，tarry—thumbedsailors。NotalonewasIayouthandonmyfirstvoyage，butIhadforshipmatesmenwhohadcomethroughthehardschoolofthemerchantserviceofEurope。Asboys，theyhadhadtoperformtheirship’sduty，and，inaddition，byimmemorialseacustom，theyhadhadtobetheslavesoftheordinaryandable—bodiedseamen。Whentheybecameordinaryseamentheywerestilltheslavesoftheable—bodied。Thus，intheforecastle，withthewatchbelow，anableseaman，lyinginhisbunk，willorderanordinaryseamantofetchhimhisshoesorbringhimadrinkofwater。NowtheordinaryseamanmaybelyinginHISbunk。Heisjustastiredastheableseaman。Yethemustgetoutofhisbunkandfetchandcarry。Ifherefuses，hewillbebeaten。If，perchance，heissostrongthathecanwhiptheableseaman，thenalltheableseamen，orasmanyasmaybenecessary，pitchuponthelucklessdevilandadministerthebeating。
　　Myproblemnowbecomesapparent。Thesehard—bitScandinaviansailorshadcomethroughahardschool。Asboystheyhadservedtheirmates，andasableseamentheylookedtobeservedbyotherboys。Iwasaboy——withalwithaman’sbody。Ihadneverbeentoseabefore——withalIwasagoodsailorandknewmybusiness。Itwaseitheracaseofholdingmyownwiththemorofgoingunder。
　　Ihadsignedonasanequal，andanequalImustmaintainmyself，orelseenduresevenmonthsofhellattheirhands。Anditwasthisveryequalitytheyresented。BywhatrightwasIanequal？
　　Ihadnotearnedthathighprivilege。Ihadnotenduredthemiseriestheyhadenduredasmaltreatedboysorbulliedordinaries。Worsethanthat，Iwasaland—lubbermakinghisfirstvoyage。Andyet，bytheinjusticeoffate，ontheship’sarticlesIwastheirequal。
　　Mymethodwasdeliberate，andsimple，anddrastic。Inthefirstplace，Iresolvedtodomywork，nomatterhowhardordangerousitmightbe，sowellthatnomanwouldbecalledupontodoitforme。Further，Iputgingerinmymuscles。Inevermalingeredwhenpullingonarope，forIknewtheeagleeyesofmyforecastlematesweresquintingforjustsuchevidencesofmyinferiority。I
　　madeitapointtobeamongthefirstofthewatchgoingondeck，amongthelastgoingbelow，neverleavingasheetortackleforsomeoneelsetocoiloverapin。Iwasalwayseagerfortherunaloftfortheshiftingoftopsailsheetsandtacks，orforthesettingortakinginoftopsails；andinthesemattersIdidmorethanmyshare。
　　Furthermore，Iwasonahair—triggerofresentmentmyself。Iknewbetterthantoacceptanyabuseortheslightestpatronizing。Atthefirsthintofsuch，Iwentoff——Iexploded。Imightbebeateninthesubsequentfight，butIlefttheimpressionthatI
　　wasawild—catandthatIwouldjustaswillinglyfightagain。MyintentionwastodemonstratethatIwouldtoleratenoimposition。
　　Iprovedthatthemanwhoimposedonmemusthaveafightonhishands。Anddoingmyworkwell，theinnatejusticeofthemen，assistedbytheirwholesomedislikeforaclawingandrendingwild—catruction，soonledthemtogiveovertheirhectoring。
　　Afterabitofstrife，myattitudewasaccepted，anditwasmypridethatIwastakeninasanequalinspiritaswellasinfact。Fromthenon，everythingwasbeautiful，andthevoyagepromisedtobeahappyone。
　　Buttherewasoneothermanintheforecastle。CountingtheScandinaviansasten，andmyselfastheeleventh，thismanwasthetwelfthandlast。Weneverknewhisname，contentingourselveswithcallinghimthe"Bricklayer。"HewasfromMissouri——atleasthesoinformedusintheonemeagreconfidencehewasguiltyofintheearlydaysofthevoyage。Also，atthattime，welearnedseveralotherthings。Hewasabrick—layerbytrade。Hehadneverevenseensaltwateruntiltheweekbeforehejoinedus，atwhichtimehehadarrivedinSanFranciscoandlookeduponSanFranciscoBay。Whyhe，ofallmen，atfortyyearsofage，shouldhavefelttheprodtogotosea，wasbeyondallofus；foritwasourunanimousconvictionthatnomanlessfittedfortheseahadeverembarkedonit。Buttoseahehadcome。Afteraweek’sstayinasailors’boarding—house，hehadbeenshovedaboardofusasanableseaman。
　　Allhandshadtodohisworkforhim。Notonlydidheknownothing，butheprovedhimselfunabletolearnanything。Tryastheywould，theycouldneverteachhimtosteer。Tohimthecompassmusthavebeenaprofoundandawfulwhirligig。Henevermastereditscardinalpoints，muchlessthecheckingandsteadyingoftheshiponhercourse。Heneverdidcometoknowwhetherropesshouldbecoiledfromlefttorightorfromrighttoleft。
　　Itwasmentallyimpossibleforhimtolearntheeasymusculartrickofthrowinghisweightonaropeinpullingandhauling。
　　Thesimplestknotsandturnswerebeyondhiscomprehension，whilehewasmortallyafraidofgoingaloft。Bulliedbycaptainandmate，hewasonedayforcedaloft。Hemanagedtogetunderneaththecrosstrees，andtherehefrozetotheratlines。Twosailorshadtogoafterhimtohelphimdown。
　　Allofwhichwasbadenoughhadtherebeennoworse。Buthewasvicious，malignant，dirty，andwithoutcommondecency。Hewasatall，powerfulman，andhefoughtwitheverybody。Andtherewasnofairnessinhisfighting。Hisfirstfightonboard，thefirstdayout，waswithme，whenhe，desiringtocutaplugofchewingtobacco，tookmypersonaltable—knifeforthepurpose，andwhereupon，I，onahair—trigger，promptlyexploded。Afterthathefoughtwithnearlyeverymemberofthecrew。Whenhisclothingbecametoofilthytobebearablebytherestofus，weputittosoakandstoodoverhimwhilehewashedit。Inshort，theBricklayerwasoneofthosehorribleandmonstrousthingsthatonemustseeinordertobeconvincedthattheyexist。
　　Iwillonlysaythathewasabeast，andthatwetreatedhimlikeabeast。ItisonlybylookingbackthroughtheyearsthatI
　　realisehowheartlessweweretohim。Hewaswithoutsin。Hecouldnot，bytheverynatureofthings，havebeenanythingelsethanhewas。Hehadnotmadehimself，andforhismakinghewasnotresponsible。Yetwetreatedhimasafreeagentandheldhimpersonallyresponsibleforallthathewasandthatheshouldnothavebeen。Asaresult，ourtreatmentofhimwasasterribleashewashimselfterrible。Finallywegavehimthesilenttreatment，andforweeksbeforehediedweneitherspoketohimnordidhespeaktous。Andforweekshemovedamongus，orlayinhisbunkinourcrowdedhouse，grinningatushishatredandmalignancy。Hewasadyingman，andheknewit，andweknewit。
　　Andfurthermore，heknewthatwewantedhimtodie。Hecumberedourlifewithhispresence，andourswasaroughlifethatmaderoughmenofus。Andsohedied，inasmallspacecrowdedbytwelvemenandasmuchaloneasifhehaddiedonsomedesolatemountainpeak。Nokindlyword，nolastword，waspassedbetween。
　　Hediedashehadlived，abeast，andhediedhatingusandhatedbyus。
　　AndnowIcometothemoststartlingmomentofmylife。Nosoonerwashedeadthanhewasflungoverboard。Hediedinanightofwind，drawinghislastbreathasthementumbledintotheiroilskinstothecryof"Allhands!"Andhewasflungoverboard，severalhourslater，onadayofwind。Notevenacanvaswrappinggracedhismortalremains；norwashedeemedworthyofbarsofironathisfeet。Wesewedhimupintheblanketsinwhichhediedandlaidhimonahatch—coverfor’ardofthemain—hatchontheportside。Agunnysack，halffullofgalleycoal，wasfastenedtohisfeet。
　　Itwasbittercold。Theweather—sideofeveryrope，spar，andstaywascoatedwithice，whilealltheriggingwasaharp，singingandshoutingunderthefiercehandofthewind。Theschooner，hoveto，lurchedandflounderedthroughthesea，rollingherscuppersunderandperpetuallyfloodingthedeckwithicysaltwater。Weoftheforecastlestoodinsea—bootsandoilskins。Ourhandsweremittened，butourheadswerebaredinthepresenceofthedeathwedidnotrespect。Ourearsstungandnumbedandwhitened，andweyearnedforthebodytobegone。Buttheinterminablereadingoftheburialservicewenton。Thecaptainhadmistakenhisplace，andwhilehereadonwithoutpurposewefrozeourearsandresentedthisfinalhardshipthrustuponusbythehelplesscadaver。Asfromthebeginning，sototheend，everythinghadgonewrongwiththeBricklayer。Finally，thecaptain’sson，irritatedbeyondmeasure，jerkedthebookfromthepalsiedfingersoftheoldmanandfoundtheplace。Againthequaveringvoiceofthecaptainarose。Thencamethecue："Andthebodyshallbecastintothesea。"Weelevatedoneendofthehatch—cover，andtheBricklayerplungedoutboardandwasgone。
　　Backintotheforecastlewecleanedhouse，washingoutthedeadman’sbunkandremovingeveryvestigeofhim。Bysealawandseacustom，weshouldhavegatheredhiseffectstogetherandturnedthemovertothecaptain，who，later，wouldhaveheldanauctioninwhichweshouldhavebidforthevariousarticles。Butnomanwantedthem，sowetossedthemupondeckandoverboardinthewakeofthedepartedbody——thelastill—treatmentwecoulddevisetowreakupontheonewehadhatedso。Oh，itwasraw，believeme；butthelifewelivedwasraw，andwewereasrawasthelife。
　　TheBricklayer’sbunkwasbetterthanmine。Lessseawaterleakeddownthroughthedeckintoit，andthelightwasbetterforlyinginbedandreading。PartlyforthisreasonIproceededtomoveintohisbunk。Myotherreasonwaspride。Isawthesailorsweresuperstitious，andbythisactIdeterminedtoshowthatIwasbraverthanthey。Iwouldcapmyprovedequalitybyadeedthatwouldcompeltheirrecognitionofmysuperiority。Oh，thearroganceofyouth!Butletthatpass。Thesailorswereappalledbymyintention。Oneandall，theywarnedmethatinthehistoryoftheseanomanhadtakenadeadman’sbunkandlivedtotheendofthevoyage。Theyinstancedcaseaftercaseintheirpersonalexperience。Iwasobdurate。Thentheybeggedandpleadedwithme，andmypridewastickledinthattheyshowedtheyreallylikedmeandwereconcernedaboutme。Thisbutservedtoconfirmmeinmymadness。Imovedin，and，lyinginthedeadman’sbunk，allafternoonandeveninglistenedtodirepropheciesofmyfuture。
　　Alsoweretoldstoriesofawfuldeathsandgruesomeghoststhatsecretlyshiveredtheheartsofallofus。Saturatedwiththis，yetscoffingatit，Irolledoverattheendoftheseconddog—
　　watchandwenttosleep。
　　AttenminutestotwelveIwascalled，andattwelveIwasdressedandondeck，relievingthemanwhohadcalledme。Onthesealinggrounds，whenhoveto，awatchofonlyasinglemaniskeptthroughthenight，eachmanholdingthedeckforanhour。Itwasadarknight，thoughnotablackone。Thegalewasbreakingup，andthecloudswerethinning。Thereshouldhavebeenamoon，and，thoughinvisible，insomewayadim，suffusedradiancecamefromit。Ipacedbackandforthacrossthedeckamidships。Mymindwasfilledwiththeeventofthedayandwiththehorribletalesmyshipmateshadtold，andyetIdaretosay，hereandnow，thatI
　　wasnotafraid。Iwasahealthyanimal，andfurthermore，intellectually，IagreedwithSwinburnethatdeadmenriseupnever。TheBricklayerwasdead，andthatwastheendofit。Hewouldriseupnever——atleast，neveronthedeckoftheSophieSutherland。Eventhenhewasintheoceandepthsmilestowindwardofourleewarddrift，andthelikelihoodwasthathewasalreadyportionedoutinthemawsofmanysharks。Still，mymindponderedonthetalesoftheghostsofdeadmenIhadheard，andI
　　speculatedonthespiritworld。Myconclusionwasthatifthespiritsofthedeadstillroamedtheworldtheycarriedthegoodnessorthemalignancyoftheearth—lifewiththem。
　　Therefore，grantingthehypothesis（whichIdidn’tgrantatall），theghostoftheBricklayerwasboundtobeashatefulandmalignantasheinlifehadbeen。Buttherewasn’tanyBricklayer’sghost——thatIinsistedupon。
　　Afewminutes，thinkingthus，Ipacedupanddown。Then，glancingcasuallyfor’ard，alongtheportside，Ileapedlikeastartleddeerandinablindmadnessofterrorrushedaftalongthepoop，headingforthecabin。Gonewasallmyarroganceofyouthandmyintellectualcalm。Ihadseenaghost。There，inthedimlight，wherewehadflungthedeadmanoverboard，Ihadseenafaintandwaveringform。Six—feetinlengthitwas，slender，andofsubstancesoattenuatedthatIhaddistinctlyseenthroughitthetraceryofthefore—rigging。
　　Asforme，Iwasaspanic—strickenasafrightenedhorse。I，asI，hadceasedtoexist。Throughmewerevibratingthefibre—
　　instinctsoftenthousandgenerationsofsuperstitiousforebearswhohadbeenafraidofthedarkandthethingsofthedark。IwasnotI。Iwas，intruth，thosetenthousandforebears。Iwastherace，thewholehumanrace，initssuperstitiousinfancy。Notuntilpartwaydownthecabin—companionwaydidmyidentityreturntome。Icheckedmyflightandclungtothesteepladder，suffocating，trembling，anddizzy。Never，beforenorsince，haveIhadsuchashock。Iclungtotheladderandconsidered。I
　　couldnotdoubtmysenses。ThatIhadseensomethingtherewasnodiscussion。Butwhatwasit？Eitheraghostorajoke。Therecouldbenothingelse。Ifaghost，thequestionwas：woulditappearagain？Ifitdidnot，andIarousedtheship’sofficers，I
　　wouldmakemyselfthelaughingstockofallonboard。Andbythesametoken，ifitwereajoke，mypositionwouldbestillmoreridiculous。IfIweretoretainmyhard—wonplaceofequality，itwouldneverdotoarouseanyoneuntilIascertainedthenatureofthething。
　　Iamabraveman。Idaretosayso；forinfearandtremblingI
　　creptupthecompanion—wayandwentbacktothespotfromwhichI
　　hadfirstseenthething。Ithadvanished。Mybraverywasqualified，however。ThoughIcouldseenothing，Iwasafraidtogofor’ardtothespotwhereIhadseenthething。Iresumedmypacingupanddown，andthoughIcastmanyananxiousglancetowardthedreadspot，nothingmanifesteditself。Asmyequanimityreturnedtome，IconcludedthatthewholeaffairhadbeenatrickoftheimaginationandthatIhadgotwhatIdeservedforallowingmymindtodwellonsuchmatters。
　　Oncemoremyglancesfor’ardwerecasual，andnotanxious；andthen，suddenly，Iwasamadman，rushingwildlyaft。Ihadseenthethingagain，thelong，waveringattenuatedsubstancethroughwhichcouldbeseenthefore—rigging。ThistimeIhadreachedonlythebreakofthepoopwhenIcheckedmyself。AgainI
　　reasonedoverthesituation，anditwaspridethatcounselledstrongest。Icouldnotaffordtomakemyselfalaughing—stock。
　　Thisthing，whateveritwas，Imustfacealone。Imustworkitoutmyself。IlookedbacktothespotwherewehadtiltedtheBricklayer。Itwasvacant。Nothingmoved。AndforathirdtimeIresumedmyamid—shipspacing。
　　Intheabsenceofthethingmyfeardiedawayandmyintellectualpoisereturned。Ofcourseitwasnotaghost。Deadmendidnotriseup。Itwasajoke，acrueljoke。Mymatesoftheforecastle，bysomeunknownmeans，werefrighteningme。Twicealreadymusttheyhaveseenmerunaft。Mycheeksburnedwithshame。InfancyIcouldhearthesmotheredchucklingandlaughtereventhengoingonintheforecastle。Ibegantogrowangry。
　　Jokeswereallverywell，butthiswascarryingthethingtoofar。
　　Iwastheyoungestonboard，onlyayouth，andtheyhadnorighttoplaytricksonmeoftheorderthatIwellknewinthepasthadmaderavingmaniacsofmenandwomen。Igrewangrierandangrier，andresolvedtoshowthemthatIwasmadeofsternerstuffandatthesametimetowreakmyresentmentuponthem。Ifthethingappearedagain，ImademymindupthatIwouldgouptoit——
　　furthermore，thatIwouldgouptoitknifeinhand。Whenwithinstrikingdistance，Iwouldstrike。Ifaman，hewouldgettheknife—thrusthedeserved。Ifaghost，well，itwouldn’thurttheghostany，whileIwouldhavelearnedthatdeadmendidriseup。
　　NowIwasveryangry，andIwasquitesurethethingwasatrick；
　　butwhenthethingappearedathirdtime，inthesamespot，long，attenuated，andwavering，fearsurgedupinmeanddrovemostofmyangeraway。ButIdidnotrun。NordidItakemyeyesfromthething。Bothtimesbefore，ithadvanishedwhileIwasrunningaway，soIhadnotseenthemannerofitsgoing。Idrewmysheath—knifefrommybeltandbeganmyadvance。Stepbystep，nearerandnearer，theefforttocontrolmyselfgrewmoresevere。
　　Thestrugglewasbetweenmywill，myidentity，myveryself，ontheonehand，andontheother，thetenthousandancestorswhoweretwistedintothefibresofmeandwhoseghostlyvoiceswerewhisperingofthedarkandthefearofthedarkthathadbeentheirsinthetimewhentheworldwasdarkandfullofterror。
　　Iadvancedmoreslowly，andstillthethingwaveredandflittedwithstrangeeerielurches。Andthen，rightbeforemyeyes，itvanished。Isawitvanish。Neithertotherightnorleftdiditgo，norbackward。Rightthere，whileIgazeduponit，itfadedaway，ceasedtobe。Ididn’tdie，butIswear，fromwhatI
　　experiencedinthosefewsucceedingmoments，thatIknowfullwellthatmencandieoffright。Istoodthere，knifeinhand，swayingautomaticallytotherolloftheship，paralysedwithfear。HadtheBricklayersuddenlyseizedmythroatwithcorporealfingersandproceededtothrottleme，itwouldhavebeennomorethanI
　　expected。Deadmendidriseup，andthatwouldbethemostlikelythingthemalignantBricklayerwoulddo。
　　Buthedidn’tseizemythroat。Nothinghappened。And，sincenatureabhorsastatus，Icouldnotremainthereintheoneplaceforeverparalysed。Iturnedandstartedaft。Ididnotrun。
　　Whatwastheuse？WhatchancehadIagainstthemalevolentworldofghosts？Flight，withme，wastheswiftnessofmylegs。Thepursuit，withaghost，wastheswiftnessofthought。Andtherewereghosts。Ihadseenone。
　　Andso，stumblingslowlyaft，Idiscoveredtheexplanationoftheseeming。Isawthemizzentopmastlurchingacrossafaintradianceofcloudbehindwhichwasthemoon。Theidealeapedinmybrain。Iextendedthelinebetweenthecloudyradianceandthemizzen—topmastandfoundthatitmuststrikesomewherenearthefore—riggingontheportside。EvenasIdidthis，theradiancevanished。Thedrivingcloudsofthebreakinggalewerealternatelythickeningandthinningbeforethefaceofthemoon，butneverexposingthefaceofthemoon。Andwhenthecloudswereattheirthinnest，itwasaverydimradiancethatthemoonwasabletomake。Iwatchedandwaited。ThenexttimethecloudsthinnedIlookedfor’ard，andtherewastheshadowofthetopmast，longandattenuated，waveringandlurchingonthedeckandagainsttherigging。
　　Thiswasmyfirstghost。OnceagainhaveIseenaghost。ItprovedtobeaNewfoundlanddog，andIdon’tknowwhichofuswasthemorefrightened，forIhitthatNewfoundlandafullright—armswingtothejaw。RegardingtheBricklayer’sghost，IwillsaythatInevermentionedittoasoulonboard。Also，IwillsaythatinallmylifeIneverwentthroughmoretormentandmentalsufferingthanonthatlonelynight—watchontheSophieSutherland。
　　（TOTHEEDITOR。——Thisisnotafiction。Itisatruepageoutofmylife。）
　　ACLASSICOFTHESEA
　　Introductionto"TwoYearsbeforetheMast。"
　　Onceinahundredyearsisabookwrittenthatlivesnotaloneforitsowncenturybutwhichbecomesadocumentforthefuturecenturies。SuchabookisDana’s。WhenMarryat’sandCooper’sseanovelsaregonetodust，stimulatingandjoyfulastheyhavebeentogenerationsofmen，stillwillremain"TwoYearsBeforetheMast。"
　　Paradoxicalasitmayseem，Dana’sbookistheclassicofthesea，notbecausetherewasanythingextraordinaryaboutDana，butfortheprecisecontraryreasonthathewasjustanordinary，normalman，clear—seeing，hard—headed，controlled，fittedwithadequateeducationtogoaboutthework。Hebroughtatrainedmindtoputdownwithuntroubledvisionwhathesawofacertainphaseofwork—a—daylife。Therewasnothingbrilliantnorfly—awayabouthim。Hewasnotagenius。Hisheartneverrodehishead。Hewasneitheroverlordedbysentimentnorhag—riddenbyimagination。
　　OtherwisehemighthavebeenguiltyofthebeautifulexaggerationsinMelville’s"Typee"ortheimaginativeorgiesinthelatter’s"MobyDick。"ItwasDana’scoolpoisethatsavedhimfrombeingspread—eagledandfloggedwhentwoofhismatesweresotreated；
　　itwashislackofabandonthatpreventedhimfromtakinguppermanentlywiththesea，thatpreventedhimfromseeingmorethanonepoeticalspot，andmorethanoneromanticspotonallthecoastofOldCalifornia。Yettheseapparentdefectswerehisstrength。Theyenabledhimmagnificentlytowrite，andforalltime，thepictureofthesea—lifeofhistime。
　　Writtenclosetothemiddleofthelastcentury，suchhasbeentherevolutionworkedinman’smethodoftraffickingwiththesea，thatthelifeandconditionsdescribedinDana’sbookhavepassedutterlyaway。Gonearethecrackclippers，thedrivingcaptains，thehard—bittenbutefficientforemasthands。Remainonlycrawlingcargotanks，dirtytramps，greyhoundliners，andasombre，sordidtypeofsailingship。Theonlyrecordsbrokento—
　　daybysailingvesselsarethoseforslowness。Theyarenolongerbuiltforspeed，noraretheymannedbeforethemastbyassturdyasailorstock，noraftthemastaretheyofficeredbysail—
　　carryingcaptainsanddrivingmates。
　　Speedislefttotheliners，whorunthesilk，andtea，andspices。Admiraltycourts，boardsoftrade，andunderwritersfrownupondrivingandsail—carrying。Nomorearethefree—and—easy，dare—devildays，whenfortunesweremadeinfastrunsandluckyventures，notaloneforowners，butforcaptainsaswell。Nothingisventurednow。Therisksofswiftpassagescannotbeabided。
　　Freightsarecalculatedtothelastleastfractionofpercent。
　　Thecaptainsdonospeculating，nobargain—makingfortheowners。
　　Thelatterattendtoallthis，andbywireandcableraketheportsofthesevenseasinquestofcargoes，andthroughtheiragentsmakeallbusinessarrangements。
　　Ithasbeenlearnedthatsmallcrewsonly，andlargecarriersonly，canreturnadecentinterestontheinvestment。Theinevitablecorollaryisthatspeedandspiritareatadiscount。
　　Thereisnodiscussionofthefactthatinthesailingmerchantmarinetheseamen，asaclass，havesadlydeteriorated。Mennolongersellfarmstogotosea。ButthetimeofwhichDanawriteswastheheydayoffortune—makingandadventureonthesea——withthefullconnotationofhardshipandperilalwaysattendant。
　　ItwasDana’sfortune，forthesakeofthepicture，thatthePilgrimwasanaverageship，withanaveragecrewandofficers，andmanagedwithaveragediscipline。EventheHAZINGthattookplaceaftertheCaliforniacoastwasreached，wasoftheaveragesort。ThePilgrimsavourednotinanywayofahell—ship。Thecaptain，whilenotthesweetest—naturedmanintheworld，wasonlyanaveragedown—eastdriver，neitherbrilliantnorslovenlyinhisseamanship，neithercruelnorsentimentalinthetreatmentofhismen。While，ontheonehand，therewerenoextralibertydays，nodelicaciesaddedtothemeagreforecastlefare，norgrogorhotcoffeeondoublewatches，ontheotherhandthecrewwerenotchronicallycrippledbythecontinualplayofknuckle—dustersandbelayingpins。Once，andonceonly，weremenfloggedorironed——averyfairaveragefortheyear1834，foratthattimefloggingonboardmerchantvesselswasalreadywellonthedecline。
　　Thedifferencebetweenthesea—lifethenandnowcanbenobetterepitomisedthaninDana’sdescriptionofthedressofthesailorofhisday：
　　"Thetrouserstightaroundthehips，andthencehanginglongandloosearoundthefeet，asuperabundanceofcheckedshirt，alow—
　　crowned，well—varnishedblackhat，wornonthebackofthehead，withhalfafathomofblackribbonhangingoverthelefteye，andapeculiartietotheblacksilkneckerchief。"
　　ThoughDanasailedfromBostononlythree—quartersofacenturyago，muchthatisatpresentobsoletewastheninfullsway。Forinstance，theoldwordLARBOARDwasstillinuse。HewasamemberoftheLARBOARDwatch。ThevesselwasontheLARBOARDtack。Itwasonlytheotherday，becauseofitssimilarityinsoundtostarboard，thatLARBOARDwaschangedtoPORT。Trytoimagine"Alllarboardbowlinesondeck!"beingshouteddownintotheforecastleofapresentdayship。YetthatwasthecallusedonthePilgrimtofetchDanaandtherestofhiswatchondeck。
　　Thechronometer，whichismerelytheleastimperfecttime—piecemanhasdevised，makespossiblethesurestandeasiestmethodbyfarofascertaininglongitude。YetthePilgrimsailedinadaywhenthechronometerwasjustcomingintogeneraluse。SolittlewasitdependeduponthatthePilgrimcarriedonlyone，andthatone，goingwrongattheoutset，wasneverusedagain。Anavigatorofthepresentwouldbeaghastifaskedtovoyagefortwoyears，fromBoston，aroundtheHorntoCalifornia，andbackagain，withoutachronometer。Inthosedayssuchaproceedingwasamatterofcourse，forthosewerethedayswhendeadreckoningwasindeedsomethingtoreckonon，whenrunningdownthelatitudewasacommonwayoffindingaplace，andwhenlunarobservationsweredirelynecessary。Itmaybefairlyassertedthatveryfewmerchantofficersofto—dayevermakealunarobservation，andthatalargepercentageareunabletodoit。
　　"Sept。22nd。，uponcomingondeckatsevenbellsinthemorningwefoundtheotherwatchaloftthrowingwateruponthesails，andlookingasternwesawasmall，clipper—builtbrigwithablackhullheadingdirectlyafterus。Wewenttoworkimmediately，andputallthecanvasuponthebrigwhichwecouldgetuponher，riggingoutoarsforstudding—sailyards；andcontinedwettingdownthesailsbybucketsofwaterwhippeduptothemast—head……Shewasarmed，andfullofmen，andshowednocolours。"
　　Theforegoingsoundslikeaparagraphfrom"MidshipmanEasy"orthe"WaterWitch，"ratherthanaparagraphfromthesoberest，faithfullest，andmostliteralchronicleoftheseaeverwritten。
　　Andyetthechasebyapirateoccurred，onboardthebrigPilgrim，onSeptember22nd，1834——somethinglikeonlytwogenerationsago。
　　Danawasthethorough—goingtypeofman，notoverbalancedanderratic，withoutquirkorquibbleoftemperament。Hewasefficient，butnotbrilliant。Hiswasageneralall—roundefficiency。Hewasefficientatthelaw；hewasefficientatcollege；hewasefficientasasailor；hewasefficientinthematterofpride，whenthatpridewasnomorethantheprideofaforecastlehand，attwelvedollarsamonth，inhisseaman’staskwelldone，inthesmartsailingofhiscaptain，intheclearnessandtrimnessofhisship。
　　ThereisnosailorwhosecocklesoftheheartwillnotwarmtoDana’sdescriptionofthefirsttimehesentdownaroyalyard。
　　Onceortwicehehadseenitdone。Hegotanoldhandinthecrewtocoachhim。Andthen，thefirstanchorageatMonterey，beingprettyTHICKwiththesecondmate，hegothimtoaskthematetobesentupthefirsttimetheroyalyardswerestruck。
　　"Fortunately，"asDanadescribesit，"Igotthroughwithoutanywordfromtheofficer；andheardthe’welldone’ofthemate，whentheyardreachedthedeck，withasmuchsatisfactionasIeverfeltatCambridgeonseeinga’bene’atthefootofaLatinexercise。"
　　"ThiswasthefirsttimeIhadtakenaweatherear—ring，andI
　　feltnotalittleproudtositastrideoftheweatheryard—arm，pasttheear—ring，andsingout’Haulouttoleeward!’"Hehadbeenoverayearatseabeforeheessayedthisableseaman’stask，buthedidit，andhediditwithpride。Andwithpride，hewentdownafour—hundredfootcliff，onapairoftop—gallantstudding—
　　sailhalyardsbenttogether，todislodgeseveraldollarsworthofstrandedbullockhides，thoughalltheacclaimhegotfromhismateswas："Whatad—dfoolyouweretoriskyourlifeforhalfadozenhides!"
　　Inbrief，itwasjustthisefficiencyinpride，aswellaswork，thatenabledDanatosetdown，notmerelythephotographdetailoflifebeforethemastandhide—droghingonthecoastofCalifornia，butoftheuntarnishedsimplepsychologyandethicsoftheforecastlehandswhodroghedthehides，stoodatthewheel，madeandtookinsail，tarreddowntherigging，holystonedthedecks，turnedinall—standing，grumbledastheycutaboutthekid，criticisedtheseamanshipoftheirofficers，andestimatedthedurationoftheirexilefromthecubicspaceofthehide—house。
　　JACKLONDON
　　GlenEllen，California，August13，1911。
　　AWICKEDWOMAN
　　（CurtainRaiser）
　　BYJACKLONDON
　　Scene——California。
　　Time——Afternoonofasummerday。
　　CHARACTERS
　　LORETTA，Asweet，youngthing。Frightfullyinnocent。Aboutnineteenyearsold。Slender，delicate，afragileflower。
　　Ingenuous。
　　NEDBASHFORD，Ajadedyoungmanoftheworld，whohasphilosophisedhisexperiencesandwhoiswithoutfaithintheveracityorpurityofwomen。
　　BILLYMARSH，AboyfromacountrytownwhoisjustaboutasinnocentasLoretta。Awkward。Positive。Rawandcallowyouth。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY，Asocietywoman，good—hearted，andamatch—maker。
　　JACKHEMINGWAY，Herhusband。
　　MAID。
　　AWICKEDWOMAN
　　[CurtainrisesonaconventionallivingroomofacountryhouseinCalifornia。ItistheHemingwayhouseatSantaClara。Theroomisremarkableformagnificentstonefireplaceatrearcentre。Oneithersideoffireplacearegenerous，diamond—panedwindows。
　　Wide，curtaineddoorwaystorightandleft。Toleft，front，table，withvaseofflowersandchairs。Toright，front，grandpiano。]
　　[CurtaindiscoversLORETTAseatedatpiano，notplaying，herbacktoit，facingNEDBASHFORD，whoisstanding。]
　　LORETTA。[Petulantly，fanningherselfwithsheetofmusic。]No，Iwon’tgofishing。It’stoowarm。Besides，thefishwon’tbitesoearlyintheafternoon。
　　NED。Oh，comeon。It’snotwarmatall。Andanyway，wewon’treallyfish。Iwanttotellyousomething。
　　LORETTA。[Stillpetulantly。]Youarealwayswantingtotellmesomething。
　　NED。Yes，butonlyinfun。Thisisdifferent。Thisisserious。
　　Our……myhappinessdependsuponit。
　　LORETTA。[Speakingeagerly，nolongerpetulant，looking，seriousanddelighted，diviningaproposal。]Thendon’twait。Tellmerighthere。
　　NED。[Almostthreateningly。]ShallI？
　　LORETTA。[Challenging。]Yes。
　　[Helooksaroundapprehensivelyasthoughfearinginterruption，clearshisthroat，takesresolution，alsotakesLORETTA’shand。]
　　[LORETTAisstartled，timid，yetwillingtohear，naivelyunabletoconcealherloveforhim。]
　　NED。[Speakingsoftly。]Loretta……I，……eversinceImetyouIhave—
　　[JACKHEMINGWAYappearsinthedoorwaytotheleft，justentering。]
　　[NEDsuddenlydropsLORETTA’shand。Heshowsexasperation。]
　　[LORETTAshowsdisappointmentatinterruption。]
　　NED。ConfounditLORETTA。[Shocked。]Ned!Whywillyouswearso？
　　NED。[Testily。]Thatisn’tswearing。
　　LORETTA。Whatisit，pray？
　　NED。Displeasuring。
　　JACKHEMINGWAY。[Whoiscrossingovertoright。]Squabblingagain？
　　LORETTA。[Indignantlyandwithdignity。]No，we’renot。
　　NED。[Gruffly。]Whatdoyouwantnow？
　　JACKHEMINGWAY。[Enthusiastically。]Comeonfishing。
　　NED。[Snappily。]No。It’stoowarm。
　　JACKHEMINGWAY。[Resignedly，goingoutright。]Youneedn’ttakeafellow’sheadoff。
　　LORETTA。Ithoughtyouwantedtogofishing。
　　NED。NotwithJack。
　　LORETTA。[Accusingly，fanningherselfvigorously。]Andyoutoldmeitwasn’twarmatall。
　　NED。[Speakingsoftly。]Thatisn’twhatIwantedtotellyou，Loretta。[Hetakesherhand。]DearLoretta—
　　[EnterabruptlyALICEHEMINGWAYfromright。]
　　[LORETTAsharplyjerksherhandaway，andlooksputout。]
　　[NEDtriesnottolookawkward。]
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Goodness!Ithoughtyou’dbothgonefishing!
　　LORETTA。[Sweetly。]Isthereanythingyouwant，Alice？
　　NED。[Tryingtobecourteous。]AnythingIcando？
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Speakingquickly，andtryingtowithdraw。]No，no。Ionlycametoseeifthemailhadarrived。
　　LORETTAANDNED
　　[Speakingtogether。]No，ithasn’tarrived。
　　LORETTA。[Suddenlymovingtowarddoortoright。]Iamgoingtosee。
　　[NEDlooksatherreproachfully。]
　　[LORETTAlooksbacktantalisinglyfromdoorwayanddisappears。]
　　[NEDflingshimselfdisgustedlyintoMorrischair。]
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Movingoverandstandinginfrontofhim。
　　Speaksaccusingly。]Whathaveyoubeensayingtoher？
　　NED。[Disgruntled。]Nothing。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Threateningly。]Nowlistentome，Ned。
　　NED。[Earnestly。]Onmyword，Alice，I’vebeensayingnothingtoher。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Withsuddenchangeoffront。]Thenyououghttohavebeensayingsomethingtoher。
　　NED。[Irritably。Gettingchairforher，seatingher，andseatinghimselfagain。]Lookhere，Alice，Iknowyourgame。Youinvitedmedownheretomakeafoolofme。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Nothingofthesort，sir。Iaskedyoudowntomeetasweetandunsulliedgirl——thesweetest，mostinnocentandingenuousgirlintheworld。
　　NED。[Dryly。]That’swhatyousaidinyourletter。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Andthat’swhyyoucame。Jackhadbeentryingforayeartogetyoutocome。Hedidnotknowwhatkindofalettertowrite。
　　NED。IfyouthinkIcamebecauseofalineinaletteraboutagirlI’dneverseen—
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Mockingly。]Thepoor，jaded，world—wornman，whoisnolongerinterestedinwomen……andgirls!Thepoor，tiredpessimistwhohaslostallfaithinthegoodnessofwomen—
　　NED。Forwhichyouareresponsible。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Incredulously。]I？
　　NED。Youareresponsible。WhydidyouthrowmeoverandmarryJack？
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Doyouwanttoknow？
　　NED。Yes。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Judiciously。]First，becauseIdidnotloveyou。Second，becauseyoudidnotloveme。[Shesmilesathisprotestinghandandattheprotestingexpressiononhisface。]
　　Andthird，becausetherewerejustabouttwenty—sevenotherwomenatthattimethatyouloved，orthoughtyouloved。ThatiswhyI
　　marriedJack。Andthatiswhyyoulostfaithinthegoodnessofwomen。Youhaveonlyyourselftoblame。
　　NED。[Admiringly。]Youtalksoconvincingly。IalmostbelieveyouasIlistentoyou。AndyetIknowallthetimethatyouarelikealltherestofyoursex——faithless，unveracious，and……
　　[Heglaresather，butdoesnotproceed。]
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Goon。I’mnotafraid。
　　NED。[Withfinality。]Andimmoral。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Oh!Youwretch!
　　NED。[Gloatingly。]That’sright。Getangry。Youmaybreakthefurnitureifyouwish。Idon’tmind。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Withsuddenchangeoffront，softly。]AndhowaboutLoretta？
　　[NEDgaspsandremainssilent。]
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Thedepthsofduplicitythatmustlurkunderthatsweetandinnocentexterior……accordingtoyourphilosophy!
　　NED。[Earnestly。]Lorettaisanexception，Iconfess。Sheisallthatyousaidinyourletter。Sheisalittlefairy，anangel。Ineverdreamedofanythinglikeher。Itisremarkabletofindsuchawomaninthisage。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Encouragingly。]Sheissonaive。
　　NED。[Takingthebait。]Yes，isn’tshe？Herfaceandhertonguebetrayallhersecrets。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Noddingherhead。]Yes，Ihavenoticedit。
　　NED。[Delightedly。]Haveyou？
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Shecannotconcealanything。Doyouknowthatshelovesyou？
　　NED。[Fallingintothetrap，eagerly。]Doyouthinkso？
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Laughingandrising。]AndtothinkIoncepermittedyoutomakelovetomeforthreeweeks!
　　[NEDrises。]
　　[MAIDentersfromleftwithletters，whichshebringstoALICE
　　HEMINGWAY。]
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Runningoverletters。]Noneforyou，Ned。
　　[Selectingtwolettersforherself。]Tradesmen。[HandingremainderofletterstoMAID。]AndthreeforLoretta。[SpeakingtoMAID。]Putthemonthetable，Josie。
　　[MAIDputslettersontabletoleftfront，andmakesexittoleft。]
　　NED。[Withshadeofjealousy。]Lorettaseemstohavequiteacorrespondence。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Withasigh。]Yes，asIusedtowhenIwasagirl。
　　NED。Buthersarefamilyletters。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Yes，IdidnotnoticeanyfromBilly。
　　NED。[Faintly。]Billy？
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Nodding。]Ofcourseshehastoldyouabouthim？
　　NED。[Gasping。]Shehashadlovers……already？
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Andwhynot？Sheisnineteen。
　　NED。[Haltingly。]This……er……thisBilly……？
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[Laughingandputtingherhandreassuringlyonhisarm。]Nowdon’tbealarmed，poor，tiredphilosopher。Shedoesn’tloveBillyatall。
　　[LORETTAentersfromright。]
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[ToLORETTA，noddingtowardtable。]Threelettersforyou。
　　LORETTA。[Delightedly。]Oh!Thankyou。
　　[LORETTAtripsswiftlyacrosstotable，looksatletters，sitsdown，opensletters，andbeginstoread。]
　　NED。[Suspiciously。]ButBilly？
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Iamafraidhelovesherveryhard。Thatiswhysheishere。Theyhadtosendheraway。Billywasmakinglifemiserableforher。Theywerelittlechildrentogether——playmates。
　　AndBillyhasbeen，well，importunate。AndLoretta，poorchild，doesnotknowanythingaboutmarriage。Thatisall。
　　NED。[Reassured。]Oh，Isee。
　　[ALICEHEMINGWAYstartsslowlytowardrightexit，continuingconversationandaccompaniedbyNED。]
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[CallingtoLORETTA。]Areyougoingfishing，Loretta？
　　[LORETTAlooksupfromletterandshakeshead。]
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。[ToNED。]Thenyou’renot，Isuppose？
　　NED。No，it’stoowarm。
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。ThenIknowtheplaceforyou。
　　NED。Where？
　　ALICEHEMINGWAY。Righthere。[LookssignificantlyindirectionofLORETTA。]Nowisyouropportunitytosaywhatyououghttosay。
　　[ALICEHEMINGWAYlaughsteasinglyandgoesouttoright。]
　　[NEDhesitates，startstofollowher，looksatLORETTA，andstops。
　　Hetwistshismoustacheandcontinuestolookathermeditatively。]
　　[LORETTAisunawareofhispresenceandgoesonreading。Finishesletter，foldsit，replacesinenvelope，looksup，anddiscoversNED。]
　　LORETTA。[Startled。]Oh!Ithoughtyouweregone。
　　NED。[Walkingacrosstoher。]IthoughtI’dstayandfinishourconversation。
　　LORETTA。[Willingly，settlingherselftolisten。]Yes，youweregoingto……[Dropseyesandceasestalking。]
　　NED。[Takingherhand，tenderly。]IlittledreamedwhenIcamedownherevisitingthatIwastomeetmydestinyin——[AbruptlyreleasesLORETTA’shand。]
　　[MAIDentersfromleftwithtray。]
　　[LORETTAglancesintotrayanddiscoversthatitisempty。ShelooksinquiringlyatMAID。]
　　MAID。Agentlemantoseeyou。Hehasn’tanycard。HesaidformetotellyouthatitwasBilly。
　　LORETTA。[Starting，lookingwithdismayandappealtoNED。]Oh!……Ned!
　　NED[Gracefullyandcourteously，risingtohisfeetandpreparingtogo。]Ifyou’llexcusemenow，I’llwaittillafterwardtotellyouwhatIwanted。
　　LORETTA。[Indismay。]WhatshallIdo？
　　NED。[Pausing。]Don’tyouwanttoseehim？[LORETTAshakesherhead。]Thendon’t。
　　LORETTA。[Slowly。]Ican’tdothat。Weareoldfriends。We……werechildrentogether。[TotheMAID。]Sendhimin。[ToNED，whohasstartedtogoouttowardright。]Don’tgo，Ned。
　　[MAIDmakesexittoleft。]
　　NED。[Hesitatingamoment。]I’llcomeback。
　　[NEDmakesexittoright。]
　　[LORETTA，leftaloneonstage，showsperturbationanddismay。]
　　[BILLYentersfromleft。Standsindoorwayamoment。Hisshoesaredusty。Helooksoverheated。HiseyesandfacebrightenatsightofLORETTA。]
　　BILLY。[Steppingforward，ardently。]Loretta!
　　LORETTA。[Notexactlyenthusiasticinherreception，goingslowlytomeethim。]Youneversaidyouwerecoming。
　　[BILLYshowsthatheexpectstokissher，butshemerelyshakeshishand。]
　　BILLY。[Lookingdownathisverydustyshoes。]Iwalkedfromthestation。
　　LORETTA。Ifyouhadletmeknow，thecarriagewouldhavebeensentforyou。
　　BILLY。[Withexpressionofshrewdness。]IfIhadletyouknow，youwouldn’thaveletmecome。
　　[BILLYlooksaroundstagecautiously，thentriestokissher。]
　　LORETTA。[Refusingtobekissed。]Won’tyousitdown？
　　BILLY。[Coaxingly。]Goon，justone。[LORETTAshakesheadandholdshimoff。]Whynot？We’reengaged。
　　LORETTA。[Withdecision。]We’renot。Youknowwe’renot。YouknowIbrokeitoffthedaybeforeIcameaway。And……and……you’dbettersitdown。