首页 >出版文学> N021>第2章

第2章

  Thebodywasthatofamiddle-aged,fine-lookingman,hisheadcoveredwiththefur,ear-lappedcapthatNorwegiansaffect,eveninthetropics。Theeyeswerewideopen,thefacediscolored。Inthelastgaspofsuffocationthesetoffalseteethhadbeenforcedhalf-wayoutofhismouth,distortingthecountenancewithahideoussimiangrin。InstantlyKitchell’seyewascaughtbytheglintofthegoldinwhichtheseteethwereset。
  "Here’sabout$100tobeginwith,"heexclaimed,andpickinguptheteeth,droppedthemintohispocketwithawinkatWilbur。
  ThebodyofthedeadCaptainwaspassedupthroughtheskylightandslidoutonthedeck,andWilburandKitchellturnedtheirattentiontowhathadbeenhisstateroom。
  TheCaptain’sroomwasthelargestoneofthesixstateroomsopeningfromthemaincabin。
  "Hereweare!"exclaimedKitchellasheandWilburentered。"Theoldman’sroom,andnomistake。"
  Besidesthebunk,thestateroomwasfittedupwithaloungeofredplushscrewedtothebulkhead。Arollofchartsleanedinonecorner,analarmclock,stoppedat1:15,stoodonashelfinthecompanyofsomedozenpaper-coverednovelsandadrinking-glassfullofcigars。Overthelounge,however,wastherackofinstruments,sextant,barometer,chronometer,glass,andthelike,securelyscreweddown,whileagainstthewall,infrontofaswivelleatherchairthatwasironedtothedeck,wasthelockedsecretary。
  "Lookat’em,justlookat’em,willyou!"saidKitchell,runninghisfingerslovinglyoverthepolishedbrassoftheinstruments。
  "There’sathousanddollarsofstuffrighthere。Thechronometer’sworthfivehundredalone,Bennett&Sons’ownmake。"
  Heturnedtothesecretary。
  "Now!"heexclaimedwithalongbreath。
  WhatfollowedthrilledWilburwithalternateexcitement,curiosity,andavividsenseofdesecrationandsacrilege。Forthelifeofhimhecouldnotmakethethingseemrightorlegalinhiseyes,andyethehadneitherthewishnorthepowertostayhishandorinterferewithwhatKitchellwasdoing。
  TheCaptainputthebladeoftheaxeinthechinkofthesecretary’sdoorandwrencheditfree。Itopeneddowntoformasortofdesk,anddisclosedanarrayofcubby-holesandtwosmalldoors,bothlocked。TheselatterKitchellsmashedinwiththeaxe-head。Thenheseatedhimselfintheswivelchairandbegantorifletheircontentssystematically,Wilburleaningoverhisshoulder。
  Theheatfromthecoalbelowthemwasalmostunbearable。Inthecabinthesixdoorskeptupacontinuousear-shockingfusillade,asthoughhalfadozenmenwerefightingwithrevolvers;fromwithout,downtheopenskylight,camethesing-songtalkoftheChinamenandthewashandrippleofthetwovessels,nowsidebyside。Theair,foulbeyondexpression,tastedofbrass,theirheadsswamandachedtobursting,butabsorbedintheirworktheyhadnothoughtofthelapseoftimenorthediscomfortoftheirsurroundings。Twiceduringtheexaminationofthebark’spapers,KitchellsentWilburoutintothecabinforthewhiskeydecanterintheswingingracks。
  "Here’sthecharterpapers,"saidKitchell,unfoldingandspreadingthemoutonebyone;"andhere’stheclearingpapersfromBlythinEngland。Thisyere’stheinsoorance,andhere,thisis——rotthat,nothin’butthearticlesforthecrew——nousetous。"
  Inaseparateenvelope,carefullysealedandbound,theycameupontheCaptain’sprivatepapers。AmarriagecertificatesettingforththeunionbetweenEilertSternersen,ofFruholmen,Norway,andSarahMoran,ofsomeseaporttown(thenamewasindecipherable)oftheNorthofEngland。NextcameabirthcertificateofadaughternamedMoran,datedtwenty-twoyearsback,andabillofsaleofthebark"LadyLetty,"wherebyatwo-
  thirdsinterestwasconveyedfromthepreviousowners(ashipbuildingfirmofChristiania)toCapt。EilertSternersen。
  "Theoldmanwashisownboss,"commentedKitchell。"Hello!"heremarked,"lookhere";ayellowedphotographwasinhishandthepictureofastout,fair-hairedwomanofaboutforty,wearingenormouspendantearringsinthestyleoftheearlysixties。
  Belowwaswritten:"S。MoranSternersen,ob。1867。"
  "Oldwomancoppedoff,"saidKitchell,"somuchthebetterforus;
  noheirstoputintheirgab;an’——holdhard——steadyall——here’sthewill,s’helpme。"
  Theonlyitemsofimportanceinthewillweretheconfirmationofthewife’sdeathandtheexpresslystatedbequestof"thebarkknownasandsailingunderthenameofthe’LadyLetty’tomyonlyandbeloveddaughter,Moran。"
  "Well,"saidWilbur。
  TheCaptainsuckedhismustache,thenfuriously,strikingthedeskwithhisfist:
  "Thebark’sours!"therewasacertainringofdefianceinhisvoice。"Damnthewill!Iain’tsocock-sureaboutthelaw,butI’llmakesure。"
  "Ashow?"saidWilbur。
  Kitchellslungthewilloutoftheopenportintothesea。
  "That’show,"heremarked。"I’mtheheir。Ifoundthebark;minesheis,an’mineshestays——yoursan’mine,thatis。"
  ButWilburhadnoteventimetothoroughlyenjoythesatisfactionthattheCaptain’swordsconveyed,beforeanideasuddenlypresenteditselftohim。Thegirlhehadfoundonboardofthebark,theruddy,fair-hairedgirlofthefineandhardyNorsetype——thatwasthedaughter,ofcourse;thatwas"Moran。"
  Instantlythesituationadjusteditselfinhisimagination。Thetwoinseparablesfatheranddaughter,sailorsboth,theirlivespassedtogetheronshipboard,andthe"LadyLetty"theirdream,theirambition,avesselthatatlasttheycouldcalltheirown。
  Thenthisdisastrousvoyage——perhapsthefirstintheirnewcraft——
  thecombustioninthecoal——thepanicterrorofthecrewandtheirdesertionofthebark,andthesturdyresolutionofthefatheranddaughtertobringthe"Letty"in——toworkherintoportalone。Theyhadfailed;thefatherhaddiedfromgas;thegirl,atleastforthemoment,wascrazedfromitseffects。Butthebarkhadnotbeenabandoned。Theownerwasonboard。Kitchellwaswrong;shewasnoderelict;notonepennycouldtheygainbyhersalvage。
  ForaninstantawaveofbitterestdisappointmentpassedoverWilburashesawhis$30,000dwindlingtonothing。Thentheinstinctsofhabitreassertedthemselves。Thetaxpayerinhimwasstrongerthanthefreebooter,afterall。Hefeltthatitwashisdutytoseetoitthatthegirlhadherrights。Kitchellmustbemadeawareofthesituation——mustbetoldthatMoran,thedaughter,theCaptain’sheir,wasonboardtheschooner;thatthe"kid"foundinthewheel-boxwasagirl。Butonsecondthoughtthatwouldneverdo。Aboveallthings,thebruteKitchellmustnotbeshownthatagirlwasaboardtheschooneronwhichhehadabsolutecommand,nor,settingthequestionofMoran’ssexaside,mustKitchellknowherevenasthedeadCaptain’sheir。Therewasadifferenceinthemenhere,andWilburappreciatedit。
  Kitchell,thelaw-abidingtaxpayer,wasaweaklingincomparisonwithKitchell,thefree-booterandbeach-comberinsightofhisprize。
  "Son,"saidtheCaptain,makingabundleofallthepapers,"taketheseovertomybunkandhide’emunderthedonkey’sbreakfast。
  Stopabit,"headded,asWilburstartedaway。"I’llgowithyou。
  We’llhavetoburytheoldman。"
  ThroughoutalltheafternoontheCaptainhadbeendrinkingthewhiskeyfromthedecanterfoundinthecabin;nowhestoodupunsteadily,and,raisinghisglass,exclaimed:
  "Sonny,here’stoKitchell,Wilbur&Co。,beach-combers,unlimited。Whatdoyousay,hey?"
  "Ionlywanttobesurethatwe’vearighttothebark,"answeredWilbur。
  "Righttoher——ri-hightto’er,"hiccoughedtheCaptain。"Strikemeblind,I’dliketoseeanyonetry’ntakeherawayfromAlvinzaKitchellnow,"andhethrustouthischinatWilbur。
  "Well,somuchthebetter,then,"saidWilbur,pocketingthepapers。Thepairascendedtothedeck。
  TheburialofCaptainSternersenwasadreadfulbusiness。
  Kitchell,fargoneinwhiskey,stoodonthehouseissuinghisorders,drinkingfromoneofthedecantershehadbroughtupwithhim。Hehadalreadyrifledthedeadman’spockets,andhadeventakenawaythebootsandfur-linedcap。Clothswerecutfromthespankerandrolledaroundthebody。ThenKitchellorderedthepeakhalyardsunroveandusedaslashingstotiethecanvasaroundthecorpse。Theredandwhiteflags(thedistresssignals)werestillboundonthehalyards。
  "Leave’emon。Leave’emon,"commandedKitchell。"Use’masashrou’。Allreadynow,stan’bytolethergo。"
  WilburlookedoverattheschoonerandnotedwithimmensereliefthatMoranwasnotinsight。SuddenlyanabruptreactiontookplaceintheCaptain’saddledbrain。
  "Can’tbury’um’ithout’isteeth,"hegabbledsolemnly。Helaidbackthecanvasandreplacedtheset。"Oleman’dha’ntme’fI
  kep’’steeth。Strike!looka’that,Iput’eminupsidedown。
  Nev’min’,upsi’down,downsi’up,whazodds,allsamewitholeBill,hey,oleBill,allsamewithyou,hey?"Suddenlyhebegantohowlwithlaughter"T’thinkabein’buriedwithy’rteethupsi’
  down。Oh,mee,butthat’sagoodgrind。Stan’bytoheaveoleUncleBillover——ready,heave,an’awayshegoes。"Herantotheside,wavinghishatandlookingover。"Goo’-by,oleBill,by-by。
  Thereyougo,an’thesignalo’distressroun’you,H。B。’I’minneedofassistance。’Lord,herecomesthesharks——look!look!lookatumfight!lookatumtakin’oleBill!I’minneedofassistance。Ish’dsayyouwere,oleBill。"
  Wilburlookedonceoverthesideinthechurning,lashingwater,thendrewback,sicktovomiting。Butinlessthanthirtysecondsthewaterwasquiet。Notasharkwasinsight。
  "Getovert’the’Bertha’withthosepapers,son,"orderedKitchell;"I’llbidehereanddigupsh’mor’loot。I’llgutthisolepill-boxfromsterntostem-post’foreI’llleave。Iwon’tleaveacopperrivetin’er,nottaco’errivet,dyhear?"heshouted,hisfacepurplewithunnecessaryrage。
  WilburreturnedtotheschoonerwiththetwoChinamen,leavingKitchellaloneonthebark。Hefoundthegirlsittingbytherudderheadalmostashehadlefther,lookingaboutherwithvague,unseeingeyes。
  "YounameisMoran,isn’tit?"heasked。"MoranSternersen。"
  "Yes,"shesaid,afterapause,thenlookedcuriouslyatabitoftarredropeonthedeck。Nothingmorecouldbegotoutofher。
  Wilburtalkedtoheratlength,andtriedtomakeherunderstandthesituation,butitwasevidentshedidnotfollow。However,ateachmentionofhernameshewouldanswer:
  "Yes,yes,I’mMoran。"
  Wilburturnedawayfromher,bitinghisnetherlipinperplexity。
  "Now,whatamIgoingtodo?"hemuttered。"Whatasituation!IfItelltheCaptain,it’sallupwiththegirl。Ifhedidn’tkillher,he’ddoworse——mightdoboth。IfIdon’ttellhim,theregoesherbirthright,$60,000,andshealoneintheworld。It’sbeguntogoalready,"headded,listeningtothesoundsthatcamefromthebark。Kitchellwasragingtoandfrointhecabininafrenzyofdrink,axeinhand,smashingglassware,hackingintothewood-work,singingthewhileatthetopofhisvoice:
  "AsthroughthedropIgo,dropIgo,AsthroughthedropIgo,dropIgo,AsthroughthedropIgo,Downtohellthatyawnsbelow,TwentystiffsallinarowDamnyoureyes"
  "That’sthekindofmanIhavetodealwith,"mutteredWilbur。
  "It’sencouraging,andthere’snoonetotalkto。NotmuchhelpinaChinamanandacrazygirlinaman’soilskins。It’saboutthebiggestsituationyoueverfaced,RossWilbur,andyou’reallalone。Whatthedevilareyougoingtodo?"
  HeacknowledgedwithconsiderablehumiliationthathecouldnotgetthebetterofKitchell,eitherphysicallyormentally。
  Kitchellwasamorepowerfulmanthanhe,andcleverer。TheCaptainwasinhiselementnow,andhewasthecommander。Onshoreitwouldhavebeenvastlydifferent。Thecity-bredfellow,withapolicemanalwaysincall,wouldhaveknownhowtoact。
  "Isimplycan’tstandbyandseethathogplunderingeverythingshe’sgot。What’stobedone?"
  Andsuddenly,whilethewordswereyetinhismouth,thesunwaswipedfromtheskylikewritingfromaslate,thehorizonblackened,vanished,alongwhitelineoffrothwhippedacrosstheseaandcameonhissing。Ahollownoteboomedout,boomed,swelled,andgrewrapidlytoaroar。
  Anicychillstabbedtheair。Thenthesquallswoopedandstruck,andtheskyshutdownoverthetroubledoceanlikeapot-lidoveraboilingpot。Theschooner’sforeandmainsheets,thathadnotbeenmadefast,unroveatthefirstgustandbegantoslatwildlyinthewind。TheChinamencoweredtothedecks,graspingatcleats,stays,andmasts。Theywerehelpless——paralyzedwithfear。Charlieclungtoastay,onearmoverhishead,asthoughdodgingablow。Wilburgrippedtherailwithhishandswherehestood,histeethset,hiseyeswide,waitingforthefounderingoftheschooner,hisonlythoughtbeingthattheendcouldnotbefar。Hehadheardofthesuddennessoftropicalsqualls,butthishadcomewiththeabruptnessofascene-shiftataplay。Theschoonerveeredbroad-ontothewaves。Itwasthebeginningoftheend——anotherrolltotheleewardlikethelastandthePacificwouldcomeaboard。
  "Andyoucallyourselvessailormen!Areyougoingtodrownlikeratsonaplank?"AvoicethatWilburdidnotknowwentringingthroughthathorridshoutingofwindandsealikethecallofabugle。HeturnedtoseeMoran,thegirlofthe"LadyLetty,"
  standingerectuponthequarterdeck,holdingdowntheschooner’swheel。Theconfusionofthatdreadfulmoment,thathadparalyzedthecrew’ssenses,hadbroughtbackhers。Shewasherselfagain,savage,splendid,dominant,superb,inherwrathattheirweakness,theircowardice。
  Herheavybrowswereknottedoverherflamingeyes,herhatwasgone,andherthickbandsofyellowhairwhippedacrossherfaceandstreamedoutinthewindlikestreamersofthenorthernlights。Assheshouted,gesturingfuriouslytothemen,theloosesleeveoftheoilskincoatfellback,andshowedherforearm,strong,round,andwhiteasscud,thehandandwristsotannedastolookalmostlikeaglove。Andallthewhilesheshoutedaloud,furiouswithindignation,ragingagainstthesupinenessofthe"Bertha’s"crew。
  "Standby,men!standby!Lookalive,now!Makefastthestays’lhalyardstothedory’swarp!Now,then,unreevey’rhalyards!allclearthere!passtheendfor’doutsidetherigging!outside!youfools!Makefasttothebitsfor’ard——letgoy’rline——that’lldo。
  Soh——soh。There,she’scomingup。"
  Thedoryhadbeentowingastern,andtheseascombingoverherhadswampedher。Moranhadbeeninspiredtousetheswampedboatasasea-anchor,fasteninghertotheschooner’sbowinsteadoftothestern。The"Bertha’s"bow,answeringtothedrag,veeredaround。
  The"Bertha"stoodheadtotheseas,ridingoutthesquall。Itwasamasterpieceofseamanship,conceivedandexecutedintheverythickofperil,anditsavedtheschooner。
  Buttherewaslittletimetothinkofthemselves。Onboardthebarkthesailswerestillset。Thesquallstruckthe"LadyLetty"
  squarelyaback。Sheheeledoverupontheinstant;thenasthetophampercarriedawaywithacrash,easedbackamomentuponanevenkeel。Buthercargohadshifted。Thebarkwasdoomed。ThroughtheflyingsprayandscudandrainWilburhadamomentaryglimpseofKitchell,hackingatthelanyardswithhisaxe。Thenthe"LadyLetty"capsized,goingovertillhermastswereflatwiththewater,andinanothersecondrolledbottomup。Foramomentherkeelandredironbottomwerevisiblethroughthemistofdrivingspoon-drift。Suddenlytheysankfromsight。Shewasgone。
  Andthen,liketherollingupofascroll,thesquallpassed,thesunreturned,theskyburnedbacktoblue,theruggednesswassmoothedfromtheocean,andthewarmthofthetropicsclosedaroundthe"BerthaMillner,"oncemorerollingeasilyontheswelloftheocean。
  Ofthe"LadyLetty"andthedrunkenbeach-combingCaptainnotatraceremained。Kitchellhadgonedownwithhisprize。The"BerthaMillner’s"Chinesecrewhuddledforward,talkingwildly,pointingandlookinginabewilderedfashionoverthesides。
  WilburandMoranwereleftaloneontheopenPacific。
  V
  AGirlCaptainWhenWilburcameondeckthemorningafterthesinkingofthebarkhewassurprisedtofindtheschoonerunderwayagain。WilburandCharliehadberthedforwardduringthatnight——Charliewiththehands,WilburintheCaptain’shammock。ThereasonforthischangeofquartershadbeenfoundinaperemptoryorderfromMoranduringthedog-watchtheprecedingevening。
  ShehadlookedsquarelyatWilburfromunderherscowl,andhadsaidbrieflyandinafinecontraltovoice,thathehadforthefirsttimenoted:"Iberthaft,inthecabin;youandtheChinamanforward。Understand?"
  MoranhadonlyforestalledWilbur’sintention;whileafterheralmostmiraculouspieceofseamanshipintherescueoftheschooner,CharlieandtheChinesecrewaccordedherarespectthatwasalmostsuperstitious。
  Wilburmetheragainatbreakfast。Shewasstillwearingmen’sclothing——partofKitchell’soutfit——andwasbootedtotheknee;
  butnowsheworenohat,andherenormousmaneofrye-coloredhairwasbraidedintolongstrandsneartothethicknessofaman’sarm。Therednessofherfacegaveastartlingeffecttoherpaleblueeyesandsandy,heavyeyebrows,thateasilyloweredtoafrown。Sheatewithherknife,andafterpushingawayherplateWilburobservedthatshedrankhalfatumblerofwhiskeyandwater。
  Theconversationbetweenthetwowastameenough。Therewasnocommongrounduponwhichtheycouldmeet。Toherfather’sdeath——
  nodoubtanoldmatterevenbeforeherrescue——shemadenoallusion。HerattitudetowardWilburwasoneofdefianceandsuspicion。Onlyoncedidsherelax:
  "Howdidyoucometobeaboardherewiththeserat-eaters——you’renosailor?"shesaidabruptly。
  "Huh!"laughedWilbur,mirthlessly;"huh!Iwasshanghaied。"
  Moransmotethetablewitharedfist,andshoutedwithsonorous,bell-tonedlaughter。
  "Shanghaied?——you?Now,thatisreallygood。Andwhatareyougoingtodonow?"
  "Whatareyougoingtodo?"
  "Signalthefirsthome-boundvesselandbetakenintoFrisco。
  I’vemyinsurancetocollect(Wilburhadgivenherthe’Letty’s’
  papers)andthedisastertoreport。"
  "Well,I’mnotkeenonshark-huntingmyself,"saidWilbur。ButMoranshowednointerestinhisplans。
  However,theysoonfoundthattheywerenottobepermittedtosignal。Atnoonthesamedaytheschoonersightedasteamship’ssmokeonthehorizon,andbegantoraiseherrapidly。Moranimmediatelyboundontheensign,uniondown,andbrokeitoutatthepeak。
  Charlie,whowasatthewheel,spokeasentenceinChinese,andoneofthehandsdrewhisknifeacrossthehalyardsandbroughtthedistresssignaltothedeck。MoranturneduponCharliewithanoath,herbrowsknitted。
  "No!No!"sangCharlie,closinghiseyesandwagginghishead。
  "No!Toomucheelos’time;nocanstop。Youcomedownsidecabin;
  youan’one-piecebossnumbertwo(thiswasWilbur)haveumchin-
  chin。"
  TheoddconclaveassembledaboutKitchell’stable——theclub-man,thehalf-masculinegirlinmen’sclothes,andtheChinaman。Theconferencewasanangryone,WilburandMoraninsistingthattheybeputaboardthesteamship,Charlierefusingwithcalmobstinacy。
  "Ihaveumchin-chinwithChinaboyslas’nigh’。Chinaboyheapflaid,nocanstopumsteamship。Heapflaidtoomuchtalkee-
  talkee。Nostop;gofishnow;gofishchop-chop。Los’heaptime;
  gofish。Inosavvysailumboat,Chinaboynosavvysailumboat。Itinkumyousavvy(andhepointedtoMoran)。Itinkumyousavvyplentyheapmuchdisabay。Bossnumbertwo,himnosavvysailumboat,buthimsavvyplentymanyallsame。’
  "Andwe’retostoponboardyourdough-dishandnavigateherforyou?"shoutedMoran,herfaceblazing。
  Charlienoddedblandly:"Itinkumyass。"
  "Andwhenwegetbacktoport,"exclaimedWilbur,"youthink,perhapsI——wewon’tmakeitinterestingforyou?"
  Charliesmiled。
  "ItinkumSixCompanyheaprich。"
  "Well,getalong,"orderedMoran,asthoughtheschoonerwasherproperty,"andwe’lltalkitover。"
  "Chinaboylikeyouheapprettybig,"saidCharlietoMoran,ashewentout。"Yousavvysailumboatalllight;wantayoufo’
  captain。But,"headded,suddenlydroppinghisblandpassivityasthoughheworeamask,andforaninstantallowingthewickedmalevolentCantonesetocometothesurface,"Chinaboynolikeefunneebusiness,savvy?"ThenwithasmileofaTalleyrandhedisappeared。
  MoranandWilburwerehelplessforthepresent。TheywerebuttwoagainstsevenChinamen。Theymuststayonboard,ifthecoolieswishedit;andiftheyweretostayitwasamatteroftheirownpersonalsafetythatthe"BerthaMillner"shouldbeproperlynavigated。
  "I’llcaptainher,"concludedMoran,sullenly,attheendoftheirtalk。"Youmustactasmate,Mr。Wilbur。Anddon’tgetanymistakenideaintoyourheadthat,becauseI’mayounggirlandalone,youaregoingtorunthingsyourway。Idon’tlikefunnybusinessanybetterthanCharlie。"
  "Lookhere,"saidWilbur,complaining,"don’tthinkI’maltogetheravillain。Ithinkyou’rearippingfinegirl。You’redifferentfromanykindofgirlIevermet,ofcourse,butyou,byjingo,you’re——you’resplendid。Thereinthesqualllastevening,whenyoustoodatthewheel,withyourhair——"
  "Oh,dropthat!"saidthegirl,contemptuously,andwentupondeck。Wilburfollowed,scratchinganear。
  Charliewascalledaftandtheirdecisionannounced。Moranwouldnavigatethe"BerthaMillner,"Wilburandshetakingthewatches。
  Charliepromisedthathewouldanswerfortheobedienceofthemen。
  TheirfirstconcernnowwastoshapetheircourseforMagdalenaBay。MoranandWilburlookedoverKitchell’schartsandlog-book,butthegirlflungthemasidedisdainfully。
  "He’sbeensailingbythedeadreckoning,andhisnavigationisdrivel。Why,acabin-boywouldknowbetter;and,toendwith,thechronometerisrundown。I’llhavetogetGreen’ichtimebytakingthealtitudeofastarto-night,andfigureoutourlongitude。Didyoubringoffoursextant?"
  Wilburshookhishead。"Onlythepapers,"hesaid。
  "There’sonlyanoldebonyquadranthere,"saidMoran,"butitwillhavetodo。"
  Thatnight,lyingflatonherbackonthedeckwithaquadranttohereye,she"gotastarandbroughtitdowntothehorizon,"andsatupunderthereekinglampinthecabinnearlythewholenightcipheringandcipheringtillshehadfilledupthefoursidesofthelog-slatewithhercalculations。However,bydaylightshehadobtainedthecorrectGreenwichtimeandworkedtheschooner’slongitude。
  Twodayspassed,thenathird。Moransettheschooner’scourse。
  Shekeptalmostentirelytoherself,andwhennotatthewheelortakingthesunorwritingupthelog,gloomedovertheafter-railintotheschooner’swake。Wilburknewnotwhattothinkofher。
  Neverinhislifehadhemetwithanygirllikethis。Soaccustomedhadshebeentotherough,give-and-take,directassociationsofaseafaringlifethatshemisinterpretedwell-
  meantpoliteness——theonlyrespectheknewhowtopayher——tomeaninsidiousadvances。Shewassuspiciousofhim——distrustedhimutterly,andopenlyridiculedhisabortiveseamanship。Prettyshewasnot,butshesoonbegantohaveacertainamountofattractionforWilbur。Helikedhersplendidropesofhair,herheavycontraltovoice,herfineanimalstrengthofboneandmuscle(admittedlygreaterthanhisown);headmiredherindomitablecourageandself-reliance,whileherpositivegeniusinthemattersofseamanshipandnavigationfilledhimwithspeechlesswonder。Thegirlshehadbeenusedtowerecleveronlyintheirknowledgeoftheamenitiesofanafternooncallortheformalitiesofapapergerman。Agirloftwo-and-twentywhocouldcalculatelongitudefromthealtitudeofastarwasoutsidehisexperience。
  Themorehesawofherthemoreheknewhimselftohavebeenrightinhisfirstestimate。Shedrankwhiskeyafterhermeals,andwhenangry,whichwasoften,sworelikeabuccaneer。Asyetshewasalmost,asonemightsay,withoutsex——savage,unconquered,untamed,gloryinginherownindependence,hersullenisolation。
  Herneckwasthick,strong,andverywhite,herhandsroughenedandcalloused。Inhermen’sclothesshelookedtall,vigorous,andunrestrained,andonmorethanoneoccasion,asWilburpassedclosetoher,hewasmadeawarethatherhair,herneck,herentirepersonalityexhaledafine,sweet,naturalredolencethatsavoredoftheoceanandgreatwinds。
  Oneday,ashesawherhandlingahugewater-barrelbythechinesonly,withastrengthheknewtobegreaterthanhisown,herbrowscontractedwiththeeffort,herhaircurlingaboutherthickneck,herlarge,roundarmsbaretotheelbow,asuddenthrillofenthusiasmsmotethroughhim,andbetweenhisteethheexclaimedtohimself:
  "ByJove,you’reawoman!"
  The"BerthaMillner"continuedtothesouthward,glidingquietlyovertheoil-smoothnessoftheoceanunderairssolightashardlytorufflethesurface。Sometimesathighnoontheshimmeroftheoceanfloorblendedintotheshimmeroftheskyatthehorizon,andthenitwasnolongerwaterandblueheavens;thelittlecraftseemedtobepoisedinavastcrystallinesphere,wheretherewasneitherheightnordepth——poisedmotionlessinwarm,coruscating,opalescentspace,alonewiththesun。
  Atlengthonemorningtheschooner,whichfortheprecedingtwenty-fourhourshadbeenheadingeastward,raisedtheland,andbythemiddleoftheafternoonhadcomeuptowithinamileofalow,sandyshore,quiveringwithheat,andhadtieduptothekelpinMagdalenaBay。
  Charlienowtookoverentirechargeofoperations。FortwodaysprevioustheChinesehandshadbeengettingoutthedeck-tubs,tackles,gaffs,spades,andtheothershark-fishinggearthathadbeenstowedforward。Thesailswereloweredandgasketed,thedecksclearedofallimpedimenta,hogsheadsandhugevatsstoodreadyinthewaist,andthelazyindolenceofthepreviousweekwasreplacedbyanextraordinaryactivity。
  Thedayaftertheirarrivalinthebaywasoccupiedbyallhandsincatchingbait。Thisbaitwasakindofrock-fish,ofabeautifulredgoldcolor,andaboutthesizeofanordinarycod。
  Theybitreadilyenough,butoutofeverytenhookedthreeweretakenoffthelinesbythesharksbeforetheycouldbebroughtaboard。Anotherdifficultylayinthefactthat,eitherbecauseoftheexcessiveheatintheairorthepercentageofalkaliinthewater,theyspoiledalmostimmediatelyifleftintheair。
  Turtlewereeverywhere——floatinggray-greendisksjustunderthesurface。Sea-birdsincloudsclamoredalldaylongabouttheshoreandsand-pits。Atlongintervalsflying-fishskitteredoverthewaterlikeskipping-stones。Shoalsofporpoisescameinfromoutside,leapingclumsilyalongtheedgesofthekelp。Bewilderedland-birdsperchedontheschooner’srigging,andintheearlymorningthewhistlingofquailcouldbeheardonshorenearwherealittlefresh-waterstreamrandowntomeettheocean。
  ItwasWilburwhocaughtthefirstsharkonthesecondmorningofthe"Bertha’s"adventinMagdalenaBay。Astoreofbaithadbeenaccumulated,splitandhalvedintochunksfortheshark-hooks,andWilbur,baitingoneofthehugelinesthathadbeenbroughtupondecktheeveningbefore,flungitoverboard,andwatchedtheglimmerofthewhitefish-meatturningtoasilverygreenasitsankdownamongthekelp。Almostinstantlyalongmovingshadow,justdarkerthantheblue-greenmassofthewater,identifieditselfatalittledistance。
  Enormousflukesproceededfromeitherside,anerectdorsalfin,likeanenormouscock’screst,rosefromtheback,whileimmediatelyovertheheadswamthetwopilot-fish,followingsocloselythemovementofthesharkastogivetheimpressionofactuallyadheringtohisbody。Twiceandthreetimesthegreatman-eatertwelvefeetfromsnouttotail-tip,circledslowlyaboutthebait,theflukesmovingfan-likethroughthewater。Oncehecameup,touchedthebaitwithhisnose,andbackedeasilyaway。
  Hedisappeared,returned,andpoisedhimselfmotionlessintheschooner’sshadow,feelingthewaterwithhisflukes。
  MoranwaslookingoverWilbur’sshoulder。"He’sasgoodascaught,"shemuttered;"onceletthemgetsightofmeat,and——
  Steadynow!"Thesharkmovedforward。Suddenly,withalong,easyroll,heturnedcompletelyuponhisback。Hiswhitebellyflashedlikesilverinthewater——thebaitdisappeared。
  "You’vegothim!"shoutedMoran。
  TheropeslidthroughWilbur’spalms,burningtheskinasthehugesea-wolfsounded。Moranlaidhold。Theheavy,sullenwrenchingfrombelowtwitchedandswayedtheirbodiesandthrewthemagainsteachother。Herbare,coolarmwaspressedcloseoverhisknuckles。
  "Heave!"shecried,laughingwiththeexcitementofthemoment。
  "Heaveall!"——shebeganthechantofsailorshaulingattheropes。
  Together,andbracingtheirfeetagainsttheschooner’srail,theyfoughtoutthefightwiththegreatfish。Inaswirloflathertheheadandshoulderscameabovethesurface,theflukeschurningthewatertillitboiledlikethewakeofascrewsteamship。Butassoonasthesegreatfinswereclearofthesurfacethesharkfellquietandhelpless。
  Charliecameupwiththecutting-inspade,andasthefishhungstillovertheside,cuthimopenfromnecktobellywithasinglemovement。AnotherChinamanstoodbywithalong-handledgaff,hookedoutthepurple-blackliver,broughtitovertheside,anddroppeditintooneofthedeck-tubs。Thesharkthrashedandwrithed,hisflukesquiveringandhisgillsdistended。Wilburcouldnotrestrainanexclamation。
  "Brutalbusiness!"hemuttered。
  "Hoh!"exclaimedMoran,scornfully,"cutting-inistoogoodforhim。Sailor-folkarenofriendsofsuchcarrionasthat。"
  Otherlineswerebaitedanddroppedoverboard,andthehandssettledthemselvestotherealbusinessoftheexpedition。Therewasnoskillinthematter。Thesharksbitravenously,andsoonswarmedabouttheschoonerinhundreds。HardlyahalfminutepassedthatoneofthefourChinamenthatwerefishingdidnotsignalacatch,andCharlieandJimwerekeptbusywithspadeandgaff。Bynoonthedeck-tubswerefull。Thelineswerehauledin,andthehandssetthetubsinthesuntotryouttheoil。Underthetropicalheatthesharkliversalmostvisiblymeltedaway,andbyfouro’clockintheafternoonthetubswerefullofathick,yellowoil,thereekofwhichinstantlyrecalledtoWilbur’smindtherancidsmelloftheschooneronthedaywhenhehadfirstcomeaboardofher。Thedeck-tubswereemptiedintothehogsheadsandvatsthatstoodinthewaistofthe"Bertha,"thetubsscoured,andthelinesandbentshark-hooksoverhauled。Charliedisappearedinthegalley,supperwascooked,andeatenupondeckundertheconflagrationofthesunset;thelightswereset,theChinamenforegatheredinthefo’c’stlehead,smokingopium,andbyeighto’clocktheroutineofthedaywasatanend。
  Sothetimepassed。InashorttimeWilburcouldnothavesaidwhetherthedaywasWednesdayorSunday。Hesoontiredoftheunsportsmanlikeworkofkillingthesluggishbrutes,andturnedshorewardtorelievethemonotonyofthesucceedingdays。HeandMoranwereleftagooddealtotheirowndevices。Charliewasthemasterofthemennow。"Mate,"saidMorantoWilburoneday,afteradinnerofturtlesteaksandfish,eatenintheopenaironthequarterdeck;"mate,thisisslowwork,andtheschoonersmellsterriblyfoul。We’llhavethedoryoutandgoashore。Wecantumbleacaskintoherandgetsomewater。Thebutt’sthree-
  quartersempty。Let’sseehowitfeelstobeinMexico。"
  "Mexico?"saidWilbur。"That’sso——LowerCaliforniaisMexico。
  I’dforgottenthat!"
  Theywentashoreandspenttheafternooninfillingthewater-caskfromthefresh-waterstreamandingatheringabalones,whichMorandeclaredweredeliciouseating,fromtherocksleftbarebythetide。Butnothingcouldhaveexceededthelonelinessofthatshoreandbackland,palpitatingunderthefloggingofatropicalsun。Lowhillsofsand,coveredwithbrush,stretchedbackfromtheshore。Ontheeasternhorizon,leaguesdistant,bluemassesofmountainstriatedwithmiragesswaminthescorchingair。
  Thesandwaslikefiretothetouch。Faroutinthebaytheschoonerhungmotionlessunderbaresticks,restingapparentlyuponherinvertedshadowonly。Andthatwasall——theflat,heat-
  riddenland,thesheenoftheopenPacific,andthelonelyschooner。
  "Quietenough,"saidWilbur,inalowvoice,wonderingiftherewassuchaplaceasSanFrancisco,withitspavedstreetsandcablecars,andifpeoplewhohadbeenhisfriendstherehadeverhadanyrealexistence。
  "Doyoulikeit?"askedMoranquickly,facinghim,herthumbsinherbelt。
  "It’sgoodfun——howaboutyou?"
  "It’snodifferentthantheonlylifeI’veknown。Isupposeyouthinkitsaqueerkindoflifeforagirl。I’velivedbydoingthings,notbythinkingthings,orreadingaboutwhatotherpeoplehavedoneorthought;andIguessit’swhatyoudothatcounts,ratherthanwhatyouthinkorreadabout。Where’sthatpinch-bar?
  We’llgetacouplemoreabalonesforsupper,andthenputoff。"
  Thatwastheonlytalkofmomenttheyhadduringtheafternoon。
  Alltherestoftheirconversationhadbeenofthosethingsthatimmediatelyoccupiedtheirattention。
  Theyregainedtheschoonertowardfiveo’clock,tofindtheChinamenperplexedandmystified。Noexplanationwasforthcoming,andCharliegavethemsupperinpreoccupiedsilence。Astheywereeatingtheabalones,whichMoranhadfriedinbatter,Charliesaid:
  "Sharkallgone!Nomorecatchum——himallgone。"
  "Gone——why?"
  "Nosavvy,"saidCharlie。"Nolikee,nolikee。Chinaboytinkumheapfunny,toomuchheapfunny。"
  Itwastrue。Duringallthenextdaynotasharkwasinsight,andthoughthecrewfishedassiduouslytilldark,theywererewardedbynotsomuchasabite。Noonecouldofferanyexplanation。
  "’Tisstrange,"saidMoran。"Neverheardofsharkleavingthisfeedbefore。Andyoucanseewithhalfaneyethatthehandsdon’tlikethelooksofit。Superstitiousbeggars!theyneedtobeclumpedinthehead。"
  ThatsamenightWilburwokeinhishammockonthefo’c’stleheadabouthalf-pasttwo。Themoonwasdown,theskyonepowderofstars。Therewasnotabreathofwind。Itwassostillthathecouldhearsomelargefishplayingandbreakingofftowardtheshore。Then,withouttheleastwarning,hefelttheschoonerbegintoliftunderhim。Herolledoutofhishammockandstoodonthedeck。Therecouldbenodoubtofit——thewholeforepartwasrisingbeneathhim。Hecouldseethebowspritmovingupwardfromstartostar。Stilltheschoonerlifted;objectsondeckbegantoslideaft;theoilinthedeck-tubswashedover;then,astherecameawildscramblingoftheChinesecrewupthefo’c’stlehatch,shesettledagaingraduallyatfirst,then,withanabruptlurchthatalmostthrewhimfromhisfeet,regainedherlevel。
  Moranmethiminthewaist。Charliecamerunningaft。
  "Whatwasthat?Arewegrounding?Hasshestruck?"
  "No,no;we’restillfasttothekelp。Wasitatidalwave?"
  "Nonsense。Itwouldn’thavehandledusthatway。"
  "Well,whatwasit?Listen!ForGod’ssakekeepquietthereforward!"
  Wilburlookedoverthesideintothewater。Therippleswerestillchasingthemselvesawayfromtheschooner。Therewasnothingelse。Thestillnessshutdownagain。Therewasnotasound。
  VI
  ASEAMYSTERY
  Inspiteofhisbesteffortsatself-control,Wilburfeltaslow,coldclutchathisheart。Thatsickening,uncannyliftingoftheschooneroutoftheglassywater,atatimewhentherewasnotenoughwindtosomuchaswrinklethesurface,sentacreepofsomethingverylikehorrorthroughallhisflesh。
  Againhepeeredovertheside,downintothekelp-thickenedsea。
  Nothing——notabreathofairwasstirring。ThegraylightthatfloodeddownfromthestarsshowednotabreakuponthesurfaceofMagdalenaBay。Onshore,nothingmoved。
  "Quietthere,forward,"calledMorantotheshrill-voicedcoolies。
  Thesucceedingstillnesswasprofound。Allonboardlistenedintently。Thewaterdrippedlikethetickingofaclockfromthe"BerthaMillner’s"stern,whichwiththerisingofthebowhadsunkalmosttotherail。Therewasnoothersound。
  "Strange,"mutteredMoran,herbrowscontracting。
  Charliebrokethesilencewithawail:"Nolikee,nolikee!"hecriedattopvoice。
  Themanhadgonesuddenlygreen;Wilburcouldseetheshineofhiseyesdistendedlikethoseofaharassedcat。Ashe,Moran,andWilburstoodintheschooner’swaist,staringateachother,thesmellofpunkcametotheirnostrils。Forward,thecoolieswerealreadyburningjoss-sticksonthefo’castlehead,kowtowingtheirforeheadstothedeck。
  Moranwentforwardandkickedthemtotheirfeetandhurledtheirjoss-sticksintothesea。
  "Fengshui!Fengshui!"theyexclaimedwithbatedbreaths。"TheFengshuinolikeewe。"
  Lowintheeastthehorizonbegantoblackenagainstthesky。Itwasearlymorning。Awatchwasset,theChinamensentbelow,anduntildaybreak,whenCharliebegantomakeaclatteringoftinsinthegalleyashesetaboutpreparingbreakfast,Wilburpacedtheroundsoftheschooner,looking,listening,andwaitingagainforthatslow,horrifyinglift。Buttherestofthenightwaswithoutincident。
  Afterbreakfast,thestrangelyassortedtrio——Charlie,Moran,andWilbur——heldanotherconferenceinthecabin。Itwasdecidedtomovetheschoonertotheothersideofthebay。
  "Fengshuiindisaplace,nolikeewe,"announcedCharlie。
  "Fengshui,whoarethey?"
  Charliepromptlybecameincoherentonthissubject,andMoranandWilburcouldonlyguessthattheFengshuiwerethetutelarydeitiesthatpresidedoverthatportionofMagdalenaBay。Atanyrate,therewereevidentlynomoresharktobecaughtinthatfishing-ground;sosailwasmade,andbynoonthe"BerthaMillner"
  tieduptothekelpontheoppositesideoftheinlet,abouthalfamilefromtheshore。
  Thesharkwereplentifulhereandthefishingwentforwardagainasbefore。Certainofthesesharkwerehauledaboard,stunnedbyablowonthenose,andtheirfinscutoff。TheChinamenpackedthesefinsawayinseparatekegs。EventuallytheywouldbesenttoChina。
  Twoorthreedayspassed。Thehandskeptsteadilyattheirwork。
  Nothingmoreoccurredtodisturbthemonotonyofthescorchingdaysandsoundlessnights;theschoonersataseasilyontheunbrokenwaterasthoughbuilttothebottom。Soonthenightwatchwasdiscontinued。Duringthesedaysthethreeofficerslivedhigh。Turtlewereplentiful,andwhatwiththeirsteaksandsoups,thefriedabalones,thesea-fish,thereallydeliciousshark-fins,andthequailthatCharlieandWilburtrappedalongtheshore,thetriohadnothingtowishforinthewayoftableluxuries。
  Theshorewasabsolutelydeserted,aswellasthebackcountry——anunbrokenwildernessofsandandsage。Halfadozentimes,Wilbur,wearyingofhisinactionaboardtheschooner,madetheentirecircuitofthebayfrompointtopoint。Standingononeofthelatterprojectionsandlookingouttothewest,thePacificappearedasemptyoflifeastheland。Neverakeelcutthosewaters,neverasailbroketheedgeofthehorizon,neverafeatherofsmokespottedtheskywhereitwhitenedtomeetthesea。Everythingwasempty——vast,unspeakablydesolate——
  palpitatingwithheat。
  Anotherweekpassed。Charliebegantocomplainthatthesharkweregrowingscarceagain。
  "Ithinkbime-byhimgoaway,onceamo’。"
  Thatsamenight,Wilbur,lyinginhishammock,wasawakenedbyatouchonhisarm。HewoketoseeMoranbesidehimonthedeck。
  "Didyouhearanything?"shesaidinalowvoice,lookingathimunderherscowl。
  "No!no!"heexclaimed,gettingup,reachingforhiswickersandals。"Didyou?"
  "Ithoughtso——something。Didyoufeelanything?"
  "I’vebeenasleep,Ihaven’tnoticedanything。Isitbeginningagain?"
  "Theschoonerliftedagain,justnow,verygently。IhappenedtobeawakeorIwouldn’thavenoticedit。"Theyweretalkinginlowvoices,asisthecustomofpeoplespeakinginthedark。
  "There,what’sthat?"exclaimedWilburunderhisbreath。Agentlevibration,barelyperceptible,thrilledthroughtheschooner。
  Underhishand,thatwasclaspedupontherail,Wilburcouldfeelafainttremblinginherframe。Itstopped,beganagain,anddiedslowlyaway。
  "Well,whatthedevilISit?"hemutteredimpatiently,tryingtomasterthereturningcreepofdread。
  Moranshookherhead,bitingherlip。
  "It’sbeyondme,"shesaid,frowning。"Canyouseeanything?"Thesky,sea,andlandwereunbrokenreachesofsolitude。Therewasnobreathofwind。
  "Listen,"saidMoran。Farofftolandwardcamethefaint,sleepycluckingofaquail,andthestridulatingofunnumberedcrickets;
  alongripplelickedtheslopeofthebeachandslidbackintotheocean。Wilburshookhishead。
  "Don’thearanything,"hewhispered。"Sh——there——she’stremblingagain。"
  Oncemoreaprolongedbutfaintquiveringranthroughthe"BerthaMillner"fromstemtostern,andfromkeeltomasthead。Therewasabarelyaudiblecreakingofjointsandpanels。Theoilinthedeck-tubstrembled。ThevibrationwassofineandrapidthatittickledthesolesofWilbur’sfeetashestoodonthedeck。
  "I’dgivetwofingerstoknowwhatitallmeans,"murmuredMoraninalowvoice。"I’vebeentoseafor——"Thensuddenlyshecriedaloud:"Steadyall,she’sliftingagain!"
  Theschoonerheavedslowlyunderthem,thistimebythestern。Upshewent,upandup,whileWilburgrippedatastaytokeephisplace,andtriedtochokedownhisheart,thatseemedtobeatagainsthispalate。
  "God!"ejaculatedMoran,hereyesblazing。"Thisthingis——"The"Bertha"camesuddenlydowntoaneasykeel,rockinginthatglassyseaasifinatiderip。Thedeckwasawashwithoil。Faroutinthebaytherippleswideningfromtheschoonerblurredthereflectionsofthestars。TheChinamenswarmedupthehatch-way,volubleandshrill。Againthe"BerthaMillner"liftedandsank,thetubsslidingonthedeck,themastsquiveringlikereeds,thetimbersgroaningaloudwiththestrain。Inthesternsomethingcrackedandsmashed。Thenthetroublediedaway,theripplesfadedintotheocean,andtheschoonersettledtoherkeel,quitemotionless。
  "Look,"saidMoran,herfacetowardthe"Bertha’s"stern。"Therudderisoutofthegudgeons。"Itwastrue——the"BerthaMillner’s"helmwasunshipped。
  Therewasnomoresleepforanyoneonboardthatnight。Wilburtrampedthequarterdeck,sickwithafeelinghedarednotputanameto。Moransatbythewreckedrudder-head,auselesspistolinherhand,swearingunderherbreathfromtimetotime。Charlieappearedonthequarterdeckatintervals,lookedatWilburandMoranwithwide-openeyes,andthentookhimselfaway。Ontheforwarddeckthecooliespastedstripsofredpaperinscribedwithmottoesuponthemast,andfilledtheairwiththereekoftheirjoss-sticks。
  "IfonecouldonlySEEwhatitwas,"growledMoranbetweenherclinchedteeth。"Butthis——thisdamnedheavingandtrembling,it——
  it’squeer。"
  "That’sit,that’sit,"saidWilburquickly,facingher。"Whatarewegoingtodo,Moran?"
  "STICKITOUT!"sheexclaimed,strikingherkneewithherfist。
  "Wecan’tleavetheschooner——IWON’Tleaveher。I’llstaybythisdough-dishaslongastwoplanksinherholdtogether。Wereyouthinkingofcuttingaway?"Shefixedhimwithherfrown。
  Wilburlookedather,sittingerectbythedisabledrudder,herheadbare,herbraidsofyellowhairhangingoverherbreast,sittingthereinman’sclothesandman’sboots,thepistolatherside。Heshookhishead。
  "I’mnotleavingthe’Bertha’tillyoudo,"heanswered;adding:
  "I’llstandbyyou,mate,untilwe——"
  "Feelthat?"saidMoran,holdingupahand。
  Afine,quiveringtremblewasthrillingthrougheverybeamoftheschooner,vibratingeachropelikeaharp-string。Itpassedaway;
  butbeforeeitherWilburorMorancouldcommentuponitrecommenced,thistimemuchmoreperceptibly。Charliedashedaft,hisqueueflying。
  "W’atmakumheapshake?"heshouted;"w’atforhimshake?Nosavvy,nolikee,prettymuchheapflaid;aie-yah,aie-yah!"
  Slowlytheschoonerheavedupasthoughuponthecrestofsomehugewave,slowlyitsettled,andagaingraduallyliftedtillWilburhadtocatchattherailtosteadyhisfooting。Thequiveringsensationincreasedsothattheirveryteethchatteredwithit。Belowinthecabintheycouldhearsmallobjectsfallingfromtheshelvesandtable。Thenwithasuddendropthe"Bertha"
  fellbacktoherkeelagain,thespilledoilspoutingfromherscuppers,themastsrocking,thewaterchurningandsplashingfromhersides。
  Andthatwasall。Therewasnosound——nothingwasinsight。
  Therewasonlythefrightenedtremblingofthelittleschoonerandthatlong,slowheaveandlift。
  Morningcame,andbreakfastwashadinsilenceandgrimperplexity。Itwastoolatetothinkofgettingaway,nowthattherudderwasdisabled。The"BerthaMillner"mustbidewhereshewas。
  "Andalittlemoreofthisdancing,"exclaimedMoran,"andwe’llhavetheplanksspringingoffthestern-post。"
  Charlienoddedsolemnly。Hesaidnothing——hisgravityhadreturned。Nowintheglareofthetropicalday,withthe"BerthaMillner"sittingtheseaasplacidlyasabroodinggull,hewasTalleyrandagain。
  "Itinkumyas,"hesaidvaguely。
  "Well,IthinkwehadbettertryandfixtherudderandputbacktoFrisco,"saidMoran。"You’remakingnomoneythisway。Therearenosharktobecaught。SOMETHING’Swrong。They’regoneawaysomewhere。Thecrewareeatingtheirheadsoffandnotearningenoughmoneytopayfortheirkeep。Whatdoyouthink?"
  "Itinkumyas。"
  "Thenwe’llgohome。Isthatit?"
  "Itinkumyas——to-molla。"
  "To-morrow?"
  "Yas。"
  "That’ssettledthen,"persistedMoran,surprisedathisreadyacquiescence;"westarthometo-morrow?"Charlienodded。
  "To-molla,"hesaid。
  Therudderwasnotsobadlydamagedastheyhadatfirstsupposed;
  thebreakwaseasilymended,butitwasfoundnecessaryforoneofthementogoovertheside。
  "Getoverthesidehere,Jim,"commandedMoran。"Charlie,tellhimwhat’swanted;wecan’tworkthepintleinfromthedeck。"
  ButCharlieshookhishead。
  "Himnolikeego;himplentymuchflaid。"
  Moranrippedoutanoath。
  "WhatdoIcareifhe’safraid!Iwanthimtoshovethepintleintothelowergudgeon。MyGod,"sheexclaimed,withimmensecontempt,"whatcarrion!I’dsoonerworkaboatwithshe-monkeys。
  Mr。Wilbur,Ishallhavetoaskyoutogoover。IthoughtIwascaptainhere,butitalldependsonwhethertheseratsareafraidornot。"
  "Plentymanyshark,"expostulatedCharlie。"Himflaidsharkcomeback,catchumchop-chop。"
  "Standbyherewithacoupleofcutting-inspades,"criedMoran,"andfendoffifyouseeanyshark;now,then,areyouready,mate?"
  Wilburtookhisdeterminationinbothhands,threwoffhiscoatandsandals,andwentoverthesternrail。
  "Putyoureartothewater,"calledMoranfromabove;"sometimesyoucanheartheirflukes。"
  Ittookbutaminutetoadjustthepintle,andWilburregainedthedeckagain,drippingandalittlepale。Heknewnotwhathorridformofdeathmighthavebeenlurkingforhimdownbelowthereunderneaththekelp。AshestartedforwardfordryclotheshewassurprisedtoobservethatMoranwassmilingathim,holdingoutherhand。
  "Thatwaswelldone,"shesaid,"andthankyou。I’veseenoldersailor-menthanyouwhowouldn’thavetakentherisk。"Neverbeforehadsheappearedmoresplendidinhiseyesthanatthismoment。Afterchanginghisclothesinthefo’castle,hesatforalongtime,hischininhishands,verythoughtful。Thenatlength,asthoughvoicingtheconclusionofhisreflections,saidaloud,asherosetohisfeet:
  "But,ofcourse,THATisoutofthequestion。"
  Herememberedthattheyweregoinghomeonthenextday。WithinafortnighthewouldbeinSanFranciscoagain——ataxpayer,apolice-protectedcitizenoncemore。Ithadbeengoodfun,afterall,thisthreeweeks’lifeonthe"BerthaMillner,"astrangeepisodecutoutfromthenormalcircleofhisconventionallife。
  Heranovertheincidentsofthecruise——Kitchell,theturtlehunt,thefindingofthederelict,thedeadcaptain,thesquall,andtheawfulsightofthesinkingbark,Moranatthewheel,thegrewsomebusinessoftheshark-fishing,andlastofallthatinexplicableliftingandquiveringoftheschooner。Hetoldhimselfthatnowhewouldprobablyneverknowtheexplanationofthatmystery。
  Thedaypassedinpreparationstoputtoseaagain。Thedeck-tubsandhogsheadswerestowedbelowandthetackleclearedaway。Byeveningallwasready;theywouldbeunderwaybydaybreakthenextmorning。Therewasapossibilityoftheirbeingforcedtotowtheschooneroutbymeansofthedory,solightweretheairsinside。Oncebeyondtheheads,however,theyweresureofabreeze。
  Aboutteno’clockthatnight,thesameuncannytremblingranthroughtheschooneragain,andabouthalfanhourlatersheliftedgentlyonceortwice。Butafterthatshewasundisturbed。
  Lateroninthenight——orratherearlyinthemorning——Wilburwokesuddenlyinhishammockwithoutknowingwhy,andgotupandstoodlistening。The"BerthaMillner"wasabsolutelyquiet。Thenightwashotandstill;thenewmoon,cantedoverlikeasinkinggalleon,waslowoverthehorizon。Wilburlistenedintently,fornowatlastheheardsomething。
  Betweentheschoonerandtheshoreagentlesoundofsplashingcametohisears,andanoccasionalcrackasofoarsintheirlocks。Wasitpossiblethataboatwastherebetweentheschoonerandtheland?Whatboat,andmannedbywhom?
  Thecreakingofoarlocksandthedipofpaddleswasunmistakable。
  SuddenlyWilburraisedhisvoiceinagreatshout:
  "Boatahoy!"
  Therewasnoanswer;thenoiseofoarsgrewfainter。Morancamerunningoutofhercabin,swingingintohercoatassheran。
  "Whatisit——whatisit?"
  "Aboat,Ithink,rightofftheschoonerhere。Hark——there——didyouheartheoars?"
  "You’reright;callthehands,getthedoryover,we’llfollowthatboatrightup。Hello,forwardthere,Charlie,allhands,tumbleout!"
  ThenWilburandMorancaughtthemselveslookingintoeachother’seyes。Atoncesomething——perhapsthelatentsilenceoftheschooner——toldthemtherewastobenoanswer。Thetworanfor-
  ward:Moranswungherselfintothefo’castlehatch,andwithoutusingtheladderdroppedtothedeckbelow。Inaninstanthervoicecameupthehatch:
  "Thebunksareempty——they’regone——abandonedus。"Shecameuptheladderagain。
  "Look,"saidWilbur,assheregainedthedeck。"Thedory’sgone;
  they’vetakenit。Itwasouronlyboat;wecan’tgetashore。"
  "Cowardly,superstitiousrats,Ishouldhaveexpectedthis。Theywouldbechoppedinbitsbeforetheywouldstaylongeronboardthisboat——theyandtheir-Fengshui。"
  Whenmorningcamethedeserterscouldbemadeoutcampedontheshore,neartothebeacheddory。Whattheirintentionswerecouldnotbeconjectured。RiddenwithallmannerofnamelessOrientalsuperstitions,itwasevidentthattheChinamenpreferredanyhazardoffortunetoremaininglongerupontheschooner。
  "Well,canwegetalongwithoutthem?"saidWilbur。"Canwetwoworktheschoonerbacktoportourselves?"
  "We’lltryiton,anyhow,mate,"saidMoran;"wemightgetherintoSanDiego,anyhow。"
  TheChinamenhadleftplentyofprovisionsonboard,andMorancookedbreakfast。Fortunately,byeighto’clockaverylightwesterlybreezecameup。MoranandWilburcastoffthegasketsandsettheforeandmainsails。
  Wilburwasbusyattheforwardbittspreparingtocastloosefromthekelp,andMoranhadtakenupherpositionatthewheelwhensuddenlysheexclaimed:
  "Sailho!——andinGod’snamewhatkindofasaildoyoucallit?"
  Infactastrange-lookingcrafthadjustmadeherappearanceattheentranceofMagdalenaBay。
  VII
  BEACH-COMBERS
  WilburreturnedaftandjoinedMoranonthequarterdeck。Shewasalreadystudyingthestrangerthroughtheglass。
  "That’sanewbuildofboattome,"shemuttered,givingWilburtheglass。Wilburlookedlongandcarefully。Thenewcomerwasofthesizeandmuchthesameshapeasacaravelofthefifteenthcentury——highastobowandstern,andtoallappearancesasseaworthyasasoup-tureen。NeverbutintheoldprintshadWilburseensuchanextraordinaryboat。Shecarriedasinglemast,whichlistedforward;herlugsailwasstretchedupondozensofbambooyards;shedrewhardlyanywater。Twoenormousredeyeswerepainteduponeithersideofherhigh,bluntbow,whilejustabaftthewaistprojectedanenormousoar,orsweep,fullfortyfeetinlength——longer,infact,thanthevesselherself。Itactedpartlyasapropeller,partlyasarudder。
  "They’reheadingforus,"commentedWilburasMorantooktheglassagain。
  "Right,"sheanswered;addinguponthemoment:"Huh!moreChinamen;thethingisalivewithcoolies;she’sajunk。"
  "Oh!"exclaimedWilbur,recollectingsometalkofCharlie’shehadoverheard。"Iknow。"
  "Youknow?"
  "Yes;thesearerealbeach-combers。I’veheardofthemalongthiscoast——heardourChinamenspeakofthem。Theybeachthatjunkeverynightandcamponshore。They’rescavengers,asyoumightsay——pickupwhattheycanfindorplunderalongshore——abalones,shark-fins,pickingsofwrecks,oldbrassandcopper,sealsperhaps,turtleandshell。Betweenwhilestheyfishforshrimp,andI’veheardKitchelltellhowtheymakepearlsbydroppingbird-shotintooysters。TheyareKai-ginghtoaman,and,accordingtoKitchell,thewickedestbreedofcatsthatevercutteeth。"
  Thejunkboreslowlydownupontheschooner。Inafewmomentsshehadhovetoalongside。Butfortheenormousredeyesuponherbowshewasinnocentofpaint。Shewasgrimedandshellackedwithdirtandgrease,andsmelledabominably。HercrewwereChinamen;
  butsuchChinamen!Thecooliesofthe"BerthaMillner"werepamperedandeffeteincomparison。Thebeach-combers,thirteeninnumber,wereasmallerclassofmen,theirfacesalmostblackwithtananddirt。Thoughtheystillworethequeue,theirheadswerenotshaven,andmatsandmopsofstiffblackhairfellovertheireyesfromundertheirbroad,basket-shapedhats。
  Theywerebarefoot。Noneofthemworemorethantwogarments——thejeansandtheblouse。TheywerethelowesttypeofmenWilburhadeverseen。Thefaceswerethoseofahigherorderofanthropoidapes:thelowerportion——jaws,lips,andteeth——salient;thenostrilsopeningatalmostrightangles,theeyestinyandbright,theforeheadseamedandwrinkled——unnaturallyold。Theirgeneralexpressionwasofsimiancunningandaferocitythatwasutterlydevoidofcourage。
  "Aye!"exclaimedMoranbetweenherteeth,"ifthedevilwereashepherd,herearehissheep。Youdon’tcomeaboardthisschooner,myfriends!IwanttoliveaslongasIcan,anddiewhenIcan’thelpit。Boatahoy!"shecalled。
  AnanswerinCantonesesing-songcamebackfromthejunk,andthespeakergesturedtowardtheoutsideocean。
  Thenalongparleyingbegan。ForupwardofhalfanhourMoranandWilburlistenedtoapropositioninbrokenpigeonEnglishmadebythebeach-combersagainandagainandyetagain,andwereinnowayenlightened。Itwasimpossibletounderstand。Thenatlasttheymadeoutthattherewasquestionofawhale。Nextitappearedthewhalewasdead;andfinally,afteraprolongedpantomimeofgesturingandpointing,Moranguessedthatthebeach-
  comberswantedtheuseofthe"BerthaMillner"totriceupthedeadleviathanwhiletheoilandwhalebonewereextracted。
  "Thatmustbeit,"shesaidtoWilbur。"That’swhattheymeanbypointingtoourmastsandtackle。Yousee,theycouldn’tmanagewiththatstickoftheirs,andtheysaythey’llgiveusathirdoftheloot。We’lldoit,mate,andI’lltellyouwhy。Thewindhasfallen,andtheycantowusout。Ifit’sasperm-whalethey’vefound,thereoughttobethirtyorfortybarrelsofoilinhim,letalonetheblubberandbone。Oilisat$50now,andspermacetiwillalwaysbring$100。We’lltakeiton,mate。butwe’llkeepoureyesontheratsallthetime。Idon’twantthemaboardatall。Lookattheirbelts。Notthreeoutofthedozenwhoaren’tcarryingthosefilthylittlehatchets。Faugh!"sheexclaimed,withashudderofdisgust。"Suchvipers!"
  WhatfollowedprovedthatMoranhadguessedcorrectly。Aropewaspassedtothe"BerthaMillner,"thejunkputoutitssweeps,andtoawailing,eldrichchantingtheschoonerwastowedoutofthebay。
  "IwonderwhatCharlieandourChinaboyswillthinkofthis?"
  saidWilbur,lookingshoreward,wherethedeserterscouldbeseengatheredtogetherinasilent,observinggroup。
  "We’rewellshutofthem,"growledMoran,herthumbsinherbelt。
  "Only,nowwe’llneverknowwhatwasthematterwiththeschoonertheselastfewnights。Hah!"sheexclaimedunderherbreath,herscowlthickening,"sometimesIdon’twonderthebeastscut。"
  ThedeadwhalewaslyingfourmilesoutoftheentranceofMagdalenaBay,andasthejunkandtheschoonerdrewnearseemedlikeahugeblackboatfloatingbottomup。Overitanduponitswarmedandclamberedthousandsofsea-birds,whileallaroundandbelowthewaterwasthickwithgorgingsharks。Adreadful,stranglingdecayfouledalltheair。
  Thewhalewasasperm-whale,andfullytwicethelengthofthe"BerthaMillner。"Theworkoftricinghimupoccupiedthebeach-
  combersthroughouttheentireday。Itwasoutofthequestiontokeepthemofftheschooner,andWilburandMoranweretoowisetotry。Theyswarmedtheforwarddeckandrigginglikeaplagueofuncleanmonkeys,climbingwithanagilityandnimblenessthatmadeWilbursicktohisstomach。TheywereunlikeanyChinamenhehadeverseen——hideoustoadegreethathehadimaginedimpossibleinahumanbeing。Ontwooccasionsafightdeveloped,andinaninstantthelittlehatchetswereflashingliketheflashofasnake’sfangs。Towardtheendofthedayoneofthemreturnedtothejunk,screaminglikeastuckpig,abitofhischinbittenoff。
  MoranandWilburkepttothequarter-deck,alwayswithinreachofthehugecutting-inspades,buttheChinesebeach-combersweretooelatedovertheirprizetopaythemmuchattention。
  Andindeedthedeadmonsterprovedaveritabletreasure-trove。Bytheendofthedayhehadbeentriceduptotheforemast,andallhandsstrainingatthewindlasshadraisedthemightyheadoutofthewater。TheChinamendescendeduponthesmooth,blackbody,theirbarefeetslidingandslippingateverystep。Theyheldonbyjabbingtheirknivesintothehideasglacier-climbersdotheirice-picks。Theheadyieldedbarrelafterbarrelofoilandafairquantityofbone。Theblubberwastakenaboardthejunk,mincedupwithhatchets,andrunintocasks。
  Lastofall,aChinamancutaholethroughthe"case,"and,actuallydescendingintotheinsideofthehead,strippedawaythespermaceti(clearascrystal),andpackeditintobuckets,whichwerehauleduponthejunk’sdeck。Theworkoccupiedsometwoorthreedays。Duringthistimethe"BerthaMillner"waskeeledovertonearlytwentydegreesbytheweightofthedeadmonster。
  However,neitherWilburnorMoranmadeprotest。TheChinamenwoulddoastheypleased;thatwassaidandsigned。Andtheydidnotreleasetheschooneruntilthewhalehadbeenemptiedofoilandblubber,spermacetiandbone。
  Atlength,ontheafternoonofthethirdday,thecaptainofthejunk,whosenamewasHoang,presentedhimselfuponthequarter-
  deck。Hewasnakedtothewaist,andhisbarebrowntorsowasgleamingwithoilandsweat。Hisqueuewascoiledlikeasnakearoundhisneck,hishatchetthrustintohisbelt。
  "Well?"saidMoran,comingup。
  Wilburcaughthisbreathasthetwostoodtherefacingeachother,sosharpwasthecontrast。Theman,theMongolian,small,weazened,leather-colored,secretive——astrange,complexcreature,steepedinalltheobscuremysteryoftheEast,nervous,illatease;andthegirl,theAnglo-Saxon,daughteroftheNorthmen,huge,blond,big-boned,frank,outspoken,simpleofcomposition,openastheday,bareheaded,hergreatropesofsandyhairfallingoverherbreastandalmosttothetopofherknee-boots。Ashelookedatthetwo,WilburaskedhimselfwhereelsebutinCaliforniacouldsuchabruptcontrastsoccur。
  "Alllight,"announcedHoang;"catchumalloil,catchumallbone,catchumallsameplentymany。Youhelpcatchum,nowyoucatchumpay。Sabe?"
  Thethreeprincipalscametoasettlementwithunprecedenteddirectness。LikeallChinamen,Hoangwastruetohispromises,andhehadalreadysetapartthreeandahalfbarrelsofspermaceti,tenbarrelsofoil,andsometwentypoundsofboneastheschooner’sshareinthetransaction。Therewasnodiscussionoverthematter。Hecalledtheirattentiontothedischargeofhisobligations,andhurriedawaytosummonhismenaboardandgetthejunkunderwayagain。
  Thebeach-combersreturnedtotheirjunk,andWilburandMoransetaboutcuttingthecarcassofthewhaleadrift。Theyfounditwouldbeeasiertocutawaythehidefromaroundthehooksandloopsofthetacklethantounfastenthetackleitself。
  "Theknotsarejammedhardassteel,"declaredMoran。"Handupthatcutting-inspade;standbywiththeotherandcutlooseatthesametimeasIdo,sowecaneaseoffthestrainontheselinesatthesametime。Readythere,cut!"Moransetfreethehookintheloopofblackskininacoupleofstrokes,butWilburwasmoreclumsy;theskinresisted。Hestruckatitsharplywiththeheavyspade;thebladehittheironhook,glancedoff,andopenedalargeslitinthecarcassbelowthehead。Agushofentrailsstartedfromtheslit,andMoransworeunderherbreath。
  "Easeaway,quickthere!You’llhavethemastoutofhernext——
  steady!Holdyourspade——what’sthat?"
  Wilburhadnervedhimselfagainstthedreadfulstenchheexpectedwouldissuefromtheputridmonster,buthewassurprisedtonoteapungent,sweet,andspicyodorthatallatoncemadethicktheairabouthim。Itwasanaromaticsmell,strongerthanthatofthesaltocean,strongereventhanthereekofoilandblubberfromtheschooner’swaist——sweetasincense,penetratingasattar,deliciousasasummerbreeze。
  "Itsmellsprettygood,whateveritis,"heanswered。Morancameuptowherehestood,andlookedattheslithehadmadeinthewhale’scarcass。Outofitwasbulgingsomekindofdullwhitemattermarbledwithgray。Itwasahardlumpofirregularshapeandaboutasbigasahogshead。
  Moranglancedovertothejunk,somefortyfeetdistant。Thebeach-comberswerehoistingthelug-sail。Hoangwasatthesteeringoar。
  "Getthatstuffaboard,"shecommandedquietly。
  "That!"exclaimedWilbur,pointingtothelump。
  Moran’sblueeyeswerebeginningtogleam。