"Yes，anddoitbeforetheChinamenseeyou。"
　　"But——butIdon’tunderstand。"
　　Moransteppedtothequarterdeck，unslungthehammockinwhichWilburslept，andtossedittohim。
　　"Reeveitupinthat;I’llpassyoualine，andwe’llhaulitaboard。Godsend，thoseverminyonderhavegotsmellsenoughoftheirownwithoutnoticingthis。Hurry，mate，I’lltalkafterward。"
　　Wilburwentovertheside，andstandingasbesthecouldupontheslipperycarcass，dugoutthelumpandbounditupinthehammock。
　　"Hoh！"exclaimedMoran，withsuddenexultation。"There’salotofit。That’sthebiggestlumpyet，I’llbebound。Isthatallthereis，mate？——lookcarefully。"Hervoicehaddroppedtoawhisper。
　　"Yes，yes;that’sall。Carefulnowwhenyouhaulup——Hoanghasgothiseyeonyou，andsohavetherestofthem。Whatdoyoucallit，anyhow？Whyareyousoparticularaboutit？Isitworthanything？"
　　"Idon’tknow——perhaps。We’llhavealookatit，anyway。"
　　Moranhauledthestuffaboard，andWilburfollowed。
　　"Whew！"heexclaimedwithhalf-closedeyes。"It’slikethestoryofSamsonandthedeadlion——thesweetcomingforthfromthestrong。"
　　Theschoonerseemedtoswiminabathofperfumedair;themembraneofthenostrilsfairlyprinkledwiththesensation。
　　Moranunleashedthehammock，andgoingdownupononekneeexaminedthelumpattentively。
　　"Itdidn’tseempossible，"Wilburheardhersayingtoherself;
　　"buttherecan’tbeanymistake。It’sthestuff，rightenough。
　　I’veheardofsuchthings，butthis——butthis——"Sherosetoherfeet，tossingbackherhair。
　　"Well，"saidWilbur，"whatdoyoucallit？"
　　"Thethingtodonow，"returnedMoran，"istogetclearofhereasquietlyandasquicklyaswecan，andtakethisstuffwithus。I
　　can’tstoptoexplainnow，butit’sbig——it’sbig。Mate，it’sbigastheBankofEngland。"
　　"Thosebeach-combersarerightontothegame，I’mafraid，"saidWilbur。"Look，they’rewatchingus。Thisstuffwouldsmellacrosstheocean。"
　　"Rotthebeach-combers！There’sabitofwind，thankGod，andwecandofourknotstotheirone，justletusgetclearonce。"
　　Morandraggedthehammockbackintothecabin，and，returningupondeck，helpedWilburtocutawaythelasttricingtackle。Theschoonerrightedslowlytoanevenkeel。Meanwhilethejunkhadsetitsonelug-sailanditscrewhadrunoutthesweeps。Hoangtookthesteeringsweepandworkedthejunktoapositionrightacrossthe"Bertha’s"bows，somefiftyfeetahead。
　　"They’rewatchingus，rightenough，"saidWilbur。
　　"Upyourmains’l，"orderedMoran。Thepairsettheforeandmainsailswithgreatdifficulty。MorantookthewheelandWilburwentforwardtocastoffthelinebywhichtheschoonerhadbeentieduptooneofthewhale’sflukes。
　　"Cutit！"criedthegirl。"Don’tstoptocastoff。"
　　Therewasahailfromthebeach-combers;theportsweepsdippedandthejunkboreupnearer。
　　"Hurry！"shoutedMoran，"don’tmindthem。Areweclearfor’ard——
　　what’sthetrouble？Something’sholdingher。"Theschoonerlistedslowlytostarboardandsettledbythehead。
　　"Allclear！"criedWilbur。
　　"There’ssomethingwrong！"exclaimedMoran;"she’ssettlingfor’ard。"Hoanghailedtheschoonerasecondtime。
　　"We’restillsettling，"calledWilburfromthebows，"what’sthematter？"
　　"Matterthatshe’stakingwater，"answeredMoranwrathfully。
　　"She’sstartedsomethingbelow，whatwithallthatliftinganddancingandtricingup。"
　　Wilburranbacktothequarterdeck。
　　"Thisisabadfix，"hesaidtoMoran。"Thosechapsarecomingaboardagain。They’reontosomething，and，ofcourse，atjustthismomentshebeginstoleak。"
　　"Theyareafterthatambergris，"saidMoranbetweenherteeth。
　　"Smelledit，ofcourse——theswine！"
　　"Ambergris？"
　　"Thestuffwefoundinthewhale。That’sambergris。"
　　"Well？"
　　"Well！"shoutedMoran，exasperated。"Doyouknowthatwehavefoundalumpthatwillweighcloseto250pounds，anddoyouknowthatambergrisissellinginSanFranciscoat$40anounce？Doyouknowthatwehavepickedupnearly$150，000rightouthereintheoceanandareinafairwaytoloseitall？"
　　"Can’twerunforit？"
　　"Runforitinaboatthat’stakingwaterlikeasack！Ourdory’sgone。Supposewegetclearofthejunk，andthe’Bertha’sank？
　　Thenwhat？Ifweonlyhadourcrewaboard;ifwewereonlytentotheirdozen——ifwewereonlysix——byJupiter！I’dfightthemforit。"
　　Thetwoenormousredeyesofthejunkloomedalongsideandstaredoverintothe"Bertha’s"waist。Hoangandsevenofthecooliesswarmedaboard。
　　"Whatnow？"shoutedMoran，comingforwardtomeetthem，herscowlknottingherflashingeyestogether。"Isthisshipyoursormine？
　　We’vedoneyourdirtyworkforyou。Iwantyouclearofmydeck。"
　　Wilburstoodatherside，uncertainwhattodo，butreadyforanythingsheshouldattempt。
　　"Itinkyoucatchumsometing，smellumprettybig，"saidHoang，hisferretglancetwinklingabouttheschooner。
　　"Icatchumnothing——nothingbutplentybadstink，"saidMoran。
　　"No，youdon’t！"sheexclaimed，puttingherselfinHoang’swayashemadeforthecabin。Theotherbeach-comberscamecrowdingup;
　　Wilbureventhoughthesawoneofthemlooseninghishatchetinhisbelt。
　　"Thisship’smine，"criedMoran，backingtothecabindoor。
　　Wilburfollowedher，andtheChinamencloseddownuponthepair。
　　"It’snotmuchuse，Moran，"hemuttered。"They’llrushusinaminute。"
　　"Buttheambergrisismine——ismine，"sheanswered，nevertakinghereyesfromtheconfrontingcoolies。
　　"Wefindumw’ale，"saidHoang;"younofindw’ale;himb’longtowe——eve’yt’inginumw’aleb’longtowe，savvy？"
　　"No，youpromisedusathirdofeverythingyoufound。"
　　EvenintheconfusionofthemomentitoccurredtoWilburthatitwasquitepossiblethatatleasttwo-thirdsoftheambergrisdidbelongtothebeach-combersbyrightofdiscovery。Afterall，itwasthebeach-comberswhohadfoundthewhale。HecouldneverrememberafterwardwhetherornohesaidasmuchtoMoranatthetime。Ifhedid，shehadbeendeaftoit。Afuryofwrathanddesperationsuddenlyblazedinherblueeyes。Standingatherside，Wilburcouldhearherteethgrindinguponeachother。Shewasblindtoalldanger，animatedonlybyasenseofinjusticeandimposition。
　　HoangutteredasentenceinCantonese。Oneofthecooliesjumpedforward，andMoran’sfistmethiminthefaceandbroughthimtohisknees。ThencametherushWilburhadforeseen。HehadjusttimetocatchasightofMoranatgrappleswithHoangwhenalittlehatchetglintedoverhishead。Hestruckoutsavagelyintothethickofthegroup——andthenopenedhiseyestofindMoranwashingthebloodfromhishairashelayonthedeckwithhisheadinthehollowofherarm。Everythingwasquiet。Thebeach-
　　combersweregone。
　　"Hello，what——what——whatisit？"heasked，springingtohisfeet，hisheadswimmingandsmarting。"Wehadarow，didn’twe？Didtheyhurtyou？Oh，Iremember;Igotacutoverthehead——oneoftheirhatchetmen。Didtheyhurtyou？"
　　"Theygottheloot，"shegrowled。"Filthyvermin！Andjusttomakeeverythingpleasant，theschooner’ssinking。"
　　VIII
　　ARUNFORLAND
　　"SINKING！"exclaimedWilbur。
　　Moranwasalreadyonherfeet。"We’llhavetobeachher，"shecried，"andwe’resixmilesout。Upy’rjib，mate！"Thetwosetthejib，flying-jib，andstaysails。
　　Theforeandmainsailswerealreadydrawing，andunderallthespreadofhercanvasthe"Bertha"racedbacktowardtheshore。
　　Butbythetimeshewaswithintheheadofthebayhersternhadsettledtosuchanextentthattheforefootwasclearofthewater，thebowspritpointinghighintotheheavens。Moranwasatthewheel，herscowlthickerthanever，hereyesmeasuringthestretchofwaterthatlaybetweentheschoonerandtheshore。
　　"She’llnevermakeitinGod’sworld，"shemutteredasshelistenedtothewashofthewaterinthecabinunderherfeet。Inthehold，emptybarrelswereafloat，knockinghollowlyagainsteachother。"We’reinabadway，mate。"
　　"Ifitcomestothat，"returnedWilbur，surprisedtoseeherthuseasilydowncast，whowasusuallysoindomitable——"ifitcomestothat，wecanswimforit——acoupleofplanks——"
　　"Swim？"sheechoed;"I’mnotthinkingofthat;ofcoursewecouldswim。"
　　"Whatthen？"
　　"Thesharks！"
　　Wilbur’steethclickedsharplytogether。Hecouldthinkofnothingtosay。
　　Asthewatergainedbetweendeckstheschooner’sspeeddwindled，andatthesametimeassheapproachedtheshorethewind，shutoffbytheland，fellaway。Bythistimetheoceanwasnotfourinchesbelowthestern-rail。Twomilesawaywasthenearestsand-
　　spit。Wilburbrokeoutadistresssignalontheforemast，inthehopethatCharlieandthedesertersmightsendoffthedorytotheirassistance。Butthedeserterswerenowhereinsight。
　　"Whatbecameofthejunk？"hedemandedsuddenlyofMoran。Shemotionedtothewestwardwithherhead。"Stilllyingout-side。"
　　Twentyminutespassed。OnceonlyMoranspoke。
　　"Whenshebeginstogo，"shesaid，"she’llgowitharush。Jumpprettywide，oryou’llgetcaughtinthesuction。"
　　Thetwohadgivenupallhope。Moranheldgrimlytothewheelasamerematterofform。Wilburstoodatherside，hisclinchedfiststhrustintohispockets。Theeyesofbothwerefixedontheyellowlineofthedistantbeach。ByandbyMoranturnedtohimwithanoddsmile。
　　"We’reastrangepairtodietogether，"shesaid。Wilburmethereyesaninstant，butfindingnoreply，puthischinintheairasthoughhewouldhavetoldhershemightwellsaythat。
　　"Astrangepairtodietogether，"Moranrepeated;"butwecandothatbetterthanwecouldhave"——shelookedawayfromhim——"couldhaveLIVEDtogether，"shefinished，andsmiledagain。
　　"Andyet，"saidWilbur，"theselastfewweekshereonboardtheschooner，wehavebeenthroughagooddeal——together。Idon’tknow，"hewentonclumsily，"Idon’tknowwhenI’vebeen——whenI’vehad——I’vebeenhappierthantheselastweeks。Itisqueer，isn’tit？Iknow，ofcourse，whatyou’llsay。I’vesaidittomyselfoftenoflate。Ibelongtothecityandtomylifethere，andyou——youbelongtotheocean。Ineverknewagirllikeyou——
　　neverknewagirlCOULDbelikeyou。Youdon’tknowhowextraordinaryitallseemstome。Youswearlikeaman，andyoudresslikeaman，andIdon’tsupposeyou’veeverbeenassociatedwithotherwomen;andyou’restrong——IknowyouareasstrongasI
　　am。YouhavenoideahowdifferentyouaretothekindofgirlI’veknown。ImaginemykindofgirlstandingupbeforeHoangandthosecutthroatbeach-comberswiththeirknivesandhatchets。
　　Maybeit’sbecauseyouaresounlikemykindofgirlthat——thatthingsareastheyarewithme。Idon’tknow。It’saqueersituation。AmonthorsoagoIwasatateainSanFrancisco，andnowI’maboardashark-fishingschoonersinkinginMagdalenaBay;
　　andI’mwithagirlthat——that——thatI——well，I’mwithyou，and，well，youknowhowitis——Imightaswellsayit——IloveyoumorethanIimaginedIevercouldloveagirl。"
　　Moran’sfrowncamebacktoherforehead。
　　"Idon’tlikethatkindoftalk，"shesaid;"Iamnotusedtoit，andIdon’tknowhowtotakeit。Believeme，"shesaidwithahalflaugh，"it’sallwasted。Inevercouldloveaman。I’mnotmadeformen。"
　　"No，"saidWilbur，"norforotherwomeneither。"
　　"Norforotherwomeneither。"
　　Wilburfellsilent。InthatinstanthehadadistinctvisionofMoran’slifeandcharacter，shunningmenandshunnedofwomen，astrange，lonelycreature，solitaryastheoceanwhereonshelived，beautifulafterherfashion;asyetwithoutsex，proud，untamed，splendidinhersavage，primalindependence——athinguntouchedandunsulliedbycivilization。SheseemedtohimsomeBradamante，somemythicalBrunhilde，someValkyrieofthelegends，bornoutofseason，lostandunfamiliarinthisend-of-the-centurytime。Herpuritywasthepurityofprimevalglaciers。Hecouldeasilyseehowtosuchagirltheloveofamanwouldappearonlyinthelightofahumiliation——adegradation。AndyetsheCOULDlove，elsehowhadHEbeenabletoloveher？Wilburfoundhimself——evenatthatmoment——wonderinghowthethingcouldbedone——wonderingtojustwhatnotetheuntouchedcordswouldvibrate。Justhowsheshouldbeawakenedonemorningtofindthatshe——Moran，sea-rover，virginunconquered，withoutlaw，withoutland，withoutsex——was，afterall，awoman。
　　"ByGod，mate！"sheexclaimedofasudden。"Thebarrelsarekeepingusup——theemptybarrelsinthehold。Hoh！we’llmakelandyet。"
　　Itwastrue。Theemptyhogsheads，destinedforthestorageofoil，hadbeenforcedupbytheinfluxofthewatertotheroofofthehold，andwereactingassomanybuoys——theschoonercouldsinknolower。Anhourlater，thequarterdeckallawash，herbowthrownhighintotheair，listinghorriblytostarboard，the"BerthaMillner"tookgroundontheshoreofMagdalenaBayatabouttheturnofthetide。
　　Moranswungherselfovertheside，hipdeepinthewater，and，wadingashorewithaline，madefasttothehugeskullofawhalehalfburiedinthesandatthatpoint。
　　Wilburfollowed。Theschoonerhadgroundeduponthesouthernhornofthebayandlayeasilyonaspitofsand。Theycouldnotexaminethenatureoftheleakuntillowwaterthenextmorning。
　　"Well，hereweare，"saidMoran，herthumbsinherbelt。"Whatnext？Wemaybeherefortwodays，weMAYbeherefortwoyears。
　　Italldependsuponhowbadaholeshehas。Havewe’putinforrepairs，’orhavewebeencastaway？Can’ttelltillto-morrowmorning。Meanwhile，I’mhungry。"
　　Halfofthestoresoftheschoonerwerewater-soaked，butuponexaminationWilburfoundthatenoughremainedintacttoputthembeyondallfearforthepresent。
　　"There’splentyofwaterupthecreek，"hesaid，"andwecansnareallthequailwewant;andthenthere’sthefishandabalone。
　　Evenifthestoresweregonewecouldmakeoutverywell。"
　　Theschooner’scabinwasfullofwaterandWilbur’shammockwasgone，sothepairdecidedtocamponshore。Inthattorridweathertosleepintheopenairwasaluxury。
　　Ingreatgoodspiritsthetwosatdowntotheirfirstmealonland。Morancookedasupperthat，barringtheabsenceofcoffee，wasdelicious。Thewhiskeywashadfromaboard，andtheypledgedeachother，standingup，insomethingovertwostifffingers。
　　"Moran，"saidWilbur，"yououghttohavebeenbornaman。"
　　"Atallevents，mate，"shesaid——"atallevents，I’mnotagirl。"
　　"NO！"exclaimedWilbur，ashefilledhispipe。"NO，you’rejustMoran，Moranofthe’LadyLetty。’"
　　"AndI’llstaythat，too，"shesaiddecisively。
　　NeverhadaneveningbeenmorebeautifulinWilbur’seyes。Therewasnotabreathofair。Thestillnesswassoprofoundthatthefaintmurmurofthebloodbehindtheear-drumsbecameanoppression。Theoceantiptoedtowardthelandwithtinyrustlingsteps。Thewestwasonegiganticstainedwindow，theoceanfloorasolidshimmerofopalescence。Behindthem，sullenpurplesmarkedthehorizon，hoodedwithmountaincrests，andafteralongwhilethemoonshruggedagleamingshoulderintoview。
　　Wilbur，dressedinChinesejeansandblouse，withChinesewickersandalsonhisbarefeet，satwithhisbackagainstthewhale’sskull，smokingquietly。Foralongtimetherewasnoconversation;thenatlast：
　　"No，"saidMoraninalowvoice。"ThisisthelifeI’mmadefor。
　　InsixyearsI’venotspentthreeconsecutiveweeksonland。NowthatEilert"（shealwaysspokeofherfatherbyhisfirstname），"nowthatEilertisdead，I’venotatie，notarelative，notevenafriend，andIdon’twishit。"
　　"Butthelonelinessofthelife，thesolitude，"saidWilbur，"that’swhatIdon’tunderstand。Diditeveroccurtoyouthatthebesthappinessisthehappinessthatoneshares？"
　　Moranclaspedakneeinbothhandsandlookedouttosea。Sheneverworeahat，andtheredlightoftheafterglowwasturningherrye-huedhairtosaffron。
　　"Hoh！"sheexclaimed，herheavyvoicepitchedevenlowerthanusual。"Whocouldunderstandorshareanyofmypleasures，orbehappywhenI’mhappy？And，besides，I’mhappiestwhenI’malone——I
　　don’twantanyone。"
　　"But，"hesitatedWilbur，"oneisnotalwaysalone。Afterall，you’reagirl，andmen，sailormenespecially，arebeastswhenit’saquestionofawoman——anunprotectedwoman。"
　　"I’mstrongerthanmostmen，"saidMoransimply。"Ifyou，forinstance，hadbeenlikesomemen，Ishouldhavefoughtyou。Itwouldn’thavebeenthefirsttime，"sheadded，smoothingonehugebraidbetweenherpalms。
　　Wilburlookedatherwithintentcuriosity——notedagain，asifforthefirsttime，therough，blueoverallsthrustintotheshoes;
　　thecoarseflannelshirtopenatthethroat;thebeltwithitssheath-knife;herarmsbigandwhiteandtattooedinsailorfashion;herthick，muscularneck;herredface，withitspaleblueeyesandalmostmassivejaw;andherhair，herheavy，yellow，fragranthair，thatlayoverhershoulderandbreast，coilingandloopinginherlap。
　　"No，"hesaid，withalongbreath，"Idon’tmakeitout。Iknewyouwereoutofmyexperience，butIbegintothinknowthatyouareoutofevenmyimagination。Youareright，youSHOULDkeeptoyourself。Youshouldbealone——yourmateisn’tmadeyet。Youaresplendidjustasyouare，"whileunderhisbreathheadded，histeethclinching，"andGod！butIloveyou。"
　　Itwasgrowinglate，thestarswereallout，themoonridinghigh。
　　Moranyawned：
　　"Mate，IthinkI’llturnin。We’llhavetobeatthatschoonerearlyinthemorning，andImakenodoubtshe’llgiveusplentytodo。"Wilburhesitatedtoreply，waitingtotakehiscuefromwhatnextsheshouldsay。"It’shotenoughtosleepwhereweare，"sheadded，"withoutgoingaboardthe’Bertha，’thoughwemighthaveacoupleofblanketsofftolieon。Thissand’sashardasaplank。"
　　Withoutanswering，Wilburshowedheracoupleofblanket-rollshehadbroughtoffwhilehewasunloadingpartofthestoresthatafternoon。Theytookoneapieceandspreadthemonthesandbythebleachedwhale’sskull。Moranpulledoffherbootsandstretchedherselfuponherblanketwithabsoluteunconcern，herhandsclaspedunderherhead。Wilburrolleduphiscoatforapillowandsettledhimselfforthenightwithanassumedself-
　　possession。Therewasalongsilence。Moranyawnedagain。
　　"Ipulledtheheeloffmybootthismorning，"shesaidlazily，"andI’vebeenlimpingallday。"
　　"Inoticedit，"answeredWilbur。"Kitchellhadanewpairaboardsomewhere，ifthey’renotspoiledbythewaternow。"
　　"Yes？"shesaidindifferently;"we’lllookthemupinthemorning。"
　　Againtherewassilence。
　　"Iwonder，"shebeganagain，staringupintothedark，"ifCharlietookthatfrying-panoffwithhimwhenhewent？"
　　"Idon’tknow。Heprobablydid。"
　　"Itwastheonlythingwehadtocookabalonesin。Makemethinktolookintothegalleyto-morrow……Thisground’sashardasnails，forallyourblankets……Well，good-night，mate;I’mgoingtosleep。"
　　"Good-night，Moran。"
　　ThreehourslaterWilbur，whohadnotclosedhiseyes，satupandlookedatMoran，sleepingquietly，herheadinapalegloryofhair;lookedather，andthenaroundhimatthesilent，desertedland。
　　"Idon’tknow，"hesaidtohimself。"AmIaright-mindedmanandathoroughbred，oramush-head，ormerelyaprudent，sensiblesortofchapthatvalueshisskinandbones？I’dbegladtoputanametomyself。"Then，moreearnestlyheadded："DoIlovehertoomuch，ornotenough，orloveherthewrongway，orhow？"Heleanedtowardher，soclosethathecouldcatchthesavorofherbreathandthesmellofherneck，warmwithsleep。Thesleeveofthecoarseblueshirtwasdrawnup，anditseemedtohimasifherbarearm，flungoutatfulllength，hadsomesweetaromaofitsown。Wilburdrewsoftlyback。
　　"No，"hesaidtohimselfdecisively;"no，IguessIamathoroughbredafterall。"Itwasonlythenthathewenttosleep。
　　Whenheawoketheseawaspinkwiththesunrise，andoneofthebayheadswasalldistortedandstratifiedbyamirage。Itwashotalready。Moranwassittingafewpacesfromhim，braidingherhair。
　　"Hello，Moran！"hesaid，rousingup;"howlonghaveyoubeenup？"
　　"Sincebeforesunrise，"shesaid;"I’vehadabathinthecovewherethecreekrunsdown。Isawajack-rabbit。"
　　"SeenanythingofCharlieandtheothers？"
　　"They’vecampedontheothersideofthebay。Butlookyonder，"
　　sheadded。
　　Thejunkhadcomeinovernight，andwasaboutamileandahalffromshore。
　　"Thedeuce！"exclaimedWilbur。"Whataretheyafter？"
　　"Freshwater，Iguess，"saidMoran，knottingtheendofabraid。
　　"We’dbetterhavebreakfastinahurry，andturntoonthe’Bertha。’Thetideisgoingoutfast。"
　　Whiletheybreakfastedtheykeptaneyeontheschooner，watchinghersidesandflanksasthewaterfellslowlyaway。
　　"Don’tseeanythingverybadyet，"saidWilbur。
　　"It’ssomewhereinherstern，"remarkedMoran。
　　Inanhour’stimethe"BerthaMillner"washighanddry，andtheycouldexamineherattheirleisure。ItwasMoranwhofoundtheleak。
　　"Pshaw！"sheexclaimed，withahalf-laugh，"wecanstickthatupinhalfanhour。"
　　Asingleplankhadstartedawayfromthestern-post;thatwasall。
　　OtherwisetheschoonerwasassoundasthedaysheleftSanFrancisco。MoranandWilburhadthedamagerepairedbynoon，nailingtheplankintoitsplaceandcaulkingtheseamswithlamp-
　　wick。Norcouldtheirmostcarefulsearchdiscoveranyfurtherinjury。
　　"We’rereadytogo，"saidMoran，"sosoonasshe’llfloat。Wecandigawayaroundthebowshere，makefastalinetothatrockoutyonder，andwarpheroffatnexthightide。Hello！who’sthis？"
　　ItwasCharlie。Whilethetwohadbeenatwork，hehadcomearoundtheshoreunobserved，andnowstoodatsomelittledistance，smilingatthemcalmly。
　　"Well，whatdoyouwant？"criedMoranangrily。"Ifyouhadyourrights，myfriend，you’dbekeelhauled。"
　　"Itinkumvellyhotday。"
　　"Youdidn’tcomeheretosaythat。Whatdoyouwant？"
　　"Icomehabtalkee-talk。"
　　"Wedon’twanttohaveanytalkee-talkwithsuchverminasyou。
　　Getout！"
　　Charliesatdownonthebeachandwipedhisforehead。
　　"Icomebuyone-pieceebacon。Chinaboynohabgot。"
　　"Wearen’tsellingbacontodeserters，"criedMoran;"andI’lltellyouthis，youfilthylittlemonkey：Mr。WilburandIaregoinghome——backto’Frisco——thisafternoon;andwe’regoingtoleaveyouandtherestofyourviperstorotonthisbeach，ortobemurderedbybeach-combers，"andshepointedouttowardthejunk。Charliedidnotevenfollowthedirectionofhergesture，andfromthisveryindifferenceWilburguessedthatitwaspreciselybecauseofthebeach-combersthattheMachiavellianChinamanhadwishedtotreatwithhisoldofficers。
　　"Nohabgotbacon？"hequeried，liftinghiseyebrowsinsurprise。
　　"Plenty;butnotforyou。"
　　Charlietookabuckskinbagfromhisblouseandcountedoutahandfulofsilverandgold。
　　"Ibuyumnisitwo-pieceetobacco。"
　　"Lookhere，"saidWilburdeliberately;"don’tyoutrytoflim-flamus，Charlie。Weknowyoutoowell。Youdon’twantbaconandyoudon’twanttobacco。"
　　"Chinaboyheapplentymuchsick。Twoboyvellysick。Itinkumdieprettysoonto-molla。Youcatchumslop-chest;yougibmefive，sevenliverpill。Sabe？"
　　"I’lltellyouwhatyouwant，"criedMoran，aimingaforefingerathim，pistolfashion;"you’vegotabluefunkbecausethoseKai-
　　ginghbeach-combershavecomeintothebay，andyou’remorefrightenedofthemthanyouareoftheschooner;andnowyouwantustotakeyouhome。"
　　"Howmuchee？"
　　"Athousanddollars。"
　　Wilburlookedatherinsurprise。Hehadexpectedarefusal。
　　"Younohabgotliverpill？"inquiredCharlieblandly。
　　Moranturnedherbackonhim。SheandWilburconferredinalowvoice。
　　"We’dbettertakethemback，ifwedecentlycan，"saidMoran。
　　"Theschoonerisknown，ofcourse，in’Frisco。ShewentoutwithKitchellandacrewofcoolies，andshecomesbackwithyouandI
　　aboard，andifwetellthetruthaboutit，itwillsoundlikealie，andwe’llhavenoendoftrouble。Thenagain，canjustyouandIworkthe’Bertha’intoport？Inthesekindofairsit’splainwork，butsupposewehavedirtyweather？I’mnotsosure。"
　　"Igibyoutendollahfo’tenliverpill，"saidCharlie。
　　"WillyougiveusathousanddollarstosetyoudowninSanFrancisco？"
　　Charlierose。"Igoback。ItellumChinaboywhatyousay’boutliverpill。Bime-byIcomeback。"
　　"Thatmeanshe’lltakeourofferbacktohisfriends，"saidWilbur，inalowvoice。"Youbesthurrychop-chop，"hecalledafterCharlie;"wegohomeprettysoon！"
　　"Heknowsverywellwecan’tgetawaybeforehightideto-morrow，"
　　saidMoran。"He’lltakehistime。"
　　LateronintheafternoonMoranandWilbursawasmallboatputofffromthejunkandmakealandingbythecreek。Thebeach-
　　combersweretakingonwater。Theboatmadethreetripsbeforeevening，butthebeach-combersmadenoshowofmolestingtheundefendedschooner，orinanywayinterferingwithCharlie’scampontheothersideofthebay。
　　"No！"exclaimedMoranbetweenherteeth，assheandWilburwerecookingsupper;"no，theydon’tneedto;they’vegotaboutahundredandfiftythousanddollarsoflootonboard——OURloot，too！GoodGod！itgoesagainstthegrain！"
　　Themoonroseconsiderablyearlierthatnight，andbytwelveo’clockthebaywasfloodedwithitselectricalwhiteness。WilburandMorancouldplainlymakeoutthejunktieduptothekelpoff-
　　shore。Buttowardoneo’clockWilburwasawakenedbyMoranshakinghisarm。
　　"There’ssomethingwrongoutthere，"shewhispered;"somethingwrongwiththejunk。Hear’emsquealing？Look！look！look！"shecriedofasudden;"it’stheirturnnow！"
　　Wilburcouldseethecrankjunk，withitsstaringredeyes，highsternandprow，asdistinctlyasthoughatnoonday。Ashewatched，itseemedasifagreatwavecaughthersuddenlyunderfoot。Sheheavedupbodilyoutofthewater，droppedagainwithasplash，roseagain，andagainfellbackintoherownripples，that，wideningfromhersides，brokecrisplyonthesandatWilbur’sfeet。
　　Thenthecommotionceasedabruptly。Thebaywasquietagain。Anhourpassed，thentwo。Themoonbegantoset。MoranandWilbur，weariedofwatching，hadturnedinagain，whentheywerestartledtowakefulnessbythecreakofoarlocksandthesoundofaboatgroundinginthesand。
　　Thecoolies——thedesertersfromthe"BerthaMillner"——werethere。
　　Charliecameforward。
　　"Ge’lup！Ge’lup！"hesaid。"Junkallsmash！Kai-ginghcomeashore。Itinkhimwantcatchumschooner。"
　　IX
　　THECAPTUREOFHOANG
　　"Whatsmashedthejunk？Whatwreckedher？"demandedMoran。
　　ThedesertingChinamenhuddledaroundCharlie，drawingclose，asiffindingcomfortinthefeelofeachother’selbows。
　　"Nocantell，"answeredCharlie。"Himshake，thenlif’upallthesameaswe。Bime-bytoomuchlif’up;himsmashallto——Four-
　　pieceeChinamendlown。"
　　"Drown！Didanyofthemdrown？"exclaimedMoran。
　　"Four-pieceedlown，"reiteratedCharliecalmly。"One，thlee，five，nine，comeasho’。Himothernocome。"
　　"Wherearetheonesthatcameashore？"askedWilbur。
　　Charliewavedahandbackintothenight。"Himmakeumcamptopsideolehouse。"
　　"Thatoldwhaling-camp，"promptedMoran。ThentoWilbur："Youremember——aboutahundredyardsnorththecreek？"
　　Wilbur，MoranandCharliehaddrawnoffalittlefromthe"BerthaMillner’s"crew。Thelattersquattedinalinealongtheshore——
　　silent，reserved，lookingvaguelyseawardthroughthenight。
　　Moranspokeagain，herscowlthickening：
　　"Whatmakesyouthinkthebeach-comberswantourschooner？"
　　"Himcatchumschoonersure！Himwantumboattogohome。Nocanget。"
　　"Let’sputoffto-night——rightaway，"saidWilbur。
　　"Lowtide，"answeredMoran;"andbesides——Charlie，didyouseethemclose？Wereyounearthem？"
　　"Nogomucheeclose。"
　　"Didtheyhavesomethingwiththem，reevedupinahammock——
　　somethingthatsmelledsweet？"
　　"Likeajoss-stick，forinstance？"
　　"Nosavvy;nocantell。Himtrycatchumschoonersure。HimvellybadChinaboy。SeeYupChinaboy，vellybad。Ib’longSamYup。Savvy？’！
　　"Ah！theTongs？"
　　"Yas。ISamYup。Him，"andhepointedtothe"Bertha’s"crew，"SamYup。AllweSamYup;nisihim，"andhewavedahandtowardthebeach-combers’camp;"himSeeYup。Savvy？"
　　"It’saTongrow，"saidWilbur。"They’rebloodenemies，theSeeYupsandSamYups。"
　　Moranfellthoughtful，diggingherboot-heelintothesand，herthumbshookedintoherbelt，herforeheadgatheredintoaheavyfrown。Therewasasilence。
　　"Onething，"shesaid，atlast;"wecan’tgiveuptheschooner。
　　Theywouldtakeourstoresaswell，andthenwherearewe？
　　Marooned，byJove！Howfardoyousupposewearefromthenearesttown？Threehundredmileswouldn’tbeabadguess，andthey’vegottheloot——ourambergris——I’llsweartothat。Theydidn’tleavethataboardwhenthejunksank。"
　　"Lookhere，Charlie，"shesaid，turningtotheChinaman。"Ifthebeach-comberstaketheschooner——the’BerthaMillner’——fromuswe’llbelefttostarveonthisbeach。"
　　"Itinkumyass。"
　　"Howarewegoingtogethome？Areyougoingtoletthemdoit？
　　Areyougoingtoletthemhaveourschooner？"
　　"Itinknocanhave。"
　　"Lookhere，"shewenton，withsuddenenergy。"Thereareonlynineofthemnow，tooureight。We’reabouteven。Wecanfightthoseswine。Iknowwecan。Ifwejumpedtheircampandrushedthemhard，believeme，wecouldrunthemintothesea。Mate，"shecried，suddenlyfacingWilbur，"areyougame？Haveyougotbloodinyou？Thosebeach-comberesaregoingtoattackusto-morrow，beforehightide——that’sflat。There’sgoingtobeafightanyway。Wecan’tletthemhavetheschooner。It’sstarvationforusifwedo。
　　"Theymeantomakeadashforthe’Bertha，’andwe’vegottofightthemoff。Ifthere’sanyattackingtobedoneIproposetodoit！
　　Iproposewejumptheircampbeforeitgetslight——now——to-night——
　　rightaway——runinonthemthere，takethembysurprise，doforoneortwoofthemifwehaveto，andgetthatambergris。Thencutbacktotheschooner，upoursails，andwaitforthetidetofloatusoff。Wecandoit——Iknowwecan。Mate，willyoubackmeup？"
　　"Backyouup？YoubetI’llbackyouup，Moran。But——"Wilburhesitated。"Wecouldfightthemsomuchmoretoadvantagefromthedeckoftheschooner。Whynotwaitforthemaboard？Wecouldhaveoursailsup，anyhow，andwecouldkeepthebeach-combersofftillthetiderosehighenoughtodrivethemback。Whynotdothat？"
　　"Itinkbes’waittopsideboat，"assentedCharlie。
　　"Yes;whynot，Moran？"
　　"Because，"shoutedthegirl，"they’vegotourloot。Idon’tproposetobeplunderedof$150，000ifIcanhelpit。"
　　"Wassadat？"demandedCharlie。"Hunderfifteetlousandyouhabgot？"
　　"Ididhaveit——wehadit，themateandI。Wetricedaspermwhaleforthebeach-combers，andwhentheythoughttheyhadeverythingoutofhimwefoundalumpofambergrisinhimthatwillweighclosetotwohundredpounds。Nowlookhere，Charlie。
　　Thebeach-combershavegotthestuff。It’smine——I’mgoingtohaveitback。Here’sthelay。Yourmencanfight——youcanfightyourself。We’llmakeitabusinessproposition。Helpmetogetthatambergris，andifwegetitI’llgiveeachoneofthemen$1，000，andI’llgiveyou$1，500。Youcantakethatupandbeindependentrichtherestofyourlife。Youcanchuckitandrotonthisbeach，forit’sfightorlosetheschooner;youknowthataswellasIdo。Ifyou’vegottofightanyhow，whynotfightwhereit’sgoingtopaythemost？"
　　Charliehesitated，pursinghislips。
　　"Howaboutthis，Moran？"Wilburbrokeforthnow，unheardbyCharlie。"I’vejustbeenthinking;havewegotarighttothisambergris，afterall？Thebeach-combersfoundthewhale。Itwastheirs。Howhavewetherighttotaketheambergrisawayfromthemanymorethanthespermandtheoilandthebone？It’stheirs，ifyoucometothat。Idon’tknowaswe’vetherighttoit。"
　　"Darnyou！"shoutedMoraninablazeoffury，"righttoit，righttoit！IfIhaven’t，whohas？Whofoundit？Thosedirtymonkeysmighthavestoodsomeshowtoaclaimifthey’dheldtotheone-
　　thirdbargain，andofferedtodivvywithuswhentheygotmewhereIcouldn’thelpmyself。Idon’tsayI’dgiveinnowiftheyhad——
　　giveintolet’emwalkoffwithahundredthousanddollarsthatI’vegotasgoodaclaimtoastheyhave！Butthey’vesavedmethetroubleofarguingthequestion。They’vetakenitall，all！Andthere’snobargaininthegameatallnow。Nowthestuffbelongstothestrongestofus，andI’mgladofit。Theythoughttheywerethestrongestandnowthey’regoingtofindout。We’redumpeddownhereonthisGod-forsakensand，andthere’snolawandnopolicemen。Thestrongestofusaregoingtoliveandtheweakestaregoingtodie。I’mgoingtoliveandI’mgoingtohavemyloot，too，andI’mnotgoingtosplitfinehairswiththeserobbersatthistimeofday。I’mgoingtohaveitall，andthat’sthelawyou’reunderinthiscase，myrighteousfriend！"
　　Sheturnedherbackuponhim，spinningarounduponherheel。andWilburfeltashamedofhimselfandproudofher。
　　"Igotalkee-talktoChinaboy，"saidCharlie，comingup。
　　ForaboutfiveminutestheChinamenconferredtogether，squattinginacircleonthebeach。Moranpacedupanddownbythestrandeddory。Wilburleanedagainstthebleachedwhale-skull，hishandsinhispockets。Oncehelookedathiswatch。Itwasnearlyoneo’clock。
　　"Alllight，"saidCharlie，comingupfromthegroupatlast;"himfightplenty。"
　　"Now，"exclaimedMoran，"we’venotimetowaste。Whatarmshavewegot？"
　　"We’vegotthecutting-inspades，"saidWilbur;"there’sfiveofthem。They’renearlytenfeetlong，andthebladesareassharpasrazors;youcouldn’twantbetterpikes。"
　　"That’sanidea，"returnedMoran，evidentlywillingtoforgetheroutburstofamomentbefore，perhapsalreadysorryforit。Thepartytookstockoftheirweapons，andfivehugecutting-inspades，aheavyknifefromthegalley，andarevolverofdoubtfuleffectivenessweredividedamongthem。Thecrewtookthespades，Charlietheknife，andWilburtherevolver。Moranhadherownknife，ahaftlessdirk，suchasisaffectedbyallNorwegians，whetherlandsmenorsailors。TheywereexaminingthisarmamentandMoranwassuggestingaplanofattack，whenHoang，theleaderofthebeach-combers，andoneotherChinamanappearedsomelittledistancebelowthemonthebeach。Themoonwaslowandtherewasnogreatlight，butthetwobeach-comberscaughttheflashofthepointsofthespades。Theyhaltedandglancednarrowlyandsuspiciouslyatthegroup。
　　"Beasts！"mutteredMoran。"Theyareuptothegame——there’snosurprisingthemnow。Talktohim，Charlie;seewhathewants。"
　　Moran，Wilbur，andCharliecamepartofthewaytowardHoangandhisfellow，andpausedsomefifteenfeetdistant，andalongcolloquyensued。Itsoonbecameevident，however，thatinrealityHoangwantednothingofthem，thoughwithgreatearnestnessheassertedhiswillingnesstocharterthe"BerthaMillner"backtoSanFrancisco。
　　"That’snothisgameatall，"saidMorantoWilbur，inalowtone，hereyesneverleavingthoseofthebeach-comber。"He’sprettysurehecouldseizethe’Bertha’andneverpayusastiver。
　　They’vecomedowntospyonus，andthey’redoingit，too。
　　There’snogoodtryingtorushthatcampnow。They’llgobackandtellthecrewthatweknowtheirlay。"
　　Itwasstillverydark。Nearthehulkofthebeached"BerthaMillner"weregroupedhercrew，eacharmedwithalongandlance-
　　likecutting-inspade，watchingandlisteningtotheconferenceofthechiefs。Themoon，almostdown，hadflushedblood-red，violentlystreakingthegray，smoothsurfaceofthebaywithherreflection。Thetidewasfarout，ripplingquietlyalongthereachesofwetsand。Inthepausesoftheconferencethevast，mufflingsilenceshutdownwiththeabruptnessofavalvesuddenlyclosed。
　　Howithappened，justwhomadethefirstmove，inpreciselywhatmannertheactionhadbeenplanned，orwhatleduptoit，Wilburcouldnotafterwardsatisfactorilyexplain。Therewasarushforward——herememberedthatmuch——adullthuddingoffeetovertheresoundingbeachsurface，amoment’swrithingstrugglewithahalf-nakedbrownfigurethatusedknifeandnailandtooth，andthenthemufflingsilenceagain，brokenonlybythesoundoftheirownpanting。InthatwhirlofswiftactionWilburcouldreconstructbuttwobriefpictures：theChinaman，Hoang’scompanion，flyinglikeonepossessedalongtheshore;Hoanghimselfflungheadlongintothearmsofthe"Bertha’s"coolies，andMoran，hereyesblazing，herthickbraidsflying，brandishingherfistassheshoutedatthetopofherdeepvoice，"We’vegotyou，anyhow！"
　　TheyhadtakenHoangprisoner，whetherbytreacheryornot，Wilburdidnotexactlyknow;and，evenifunfairmeanshadbeenused，hecouldnotrepressafeelingofdelightandsatisfactionashetoldhimselfthatintheverybeginningofthefightthatwastofollowheandhismateshadgainedthefirstadvantage。
　　Astheactionofthatnight’seventsbecamemoreandmoreaccelerated，WilburcouldnotbutnoticethechangeinMoran。ItwasveryevidentthattheoldNorsefightingbloodofherwasallastir;brutal，merciless，savagebeyondallcontrol。Asortofobsessionseizeduponheratthenearapproachofbattle，afrenzyofactionthatwascheckedbynothing——thatwasinsensibletoallrestraint。Attimesitwasimpossibleforhimtomakeherhearhim，orwhensheheardtounderstandwhathewassaying。Hervisioncontracted。Itwasevidentthatshecouldnotseedistinctly。Wilburcouldnolongerconceiveofherasawomanofthedaysofcivilization。Shewaslapsingbacktotheeighthcenturyagain——totheVikings，thesea-wolves，theBerserkers。
　　"Nowyou’regoingtotalk，"shecriedtoHoang，astheboundChinamansatuponthebeach，leaninghisbackagainstthegreatskull。"Charlie，askhimiftheysavedtheambergriswhenthejunkwentdown——ifthey’vegotitnow？"CharlieputthequestioninChinese，butthebeach-comberonlytwinkledhisviciouseyesuponthemandheldhispeace。Withthefullsweepofherarm，herfistclinchedtilltheknuckleswhitened，Moranstruckhimintheface。
　　"Nowwillyoutalk？"shecried。Hoangwipedthebloodfromhisfaceuponhisshoulderandsethisjaws。Hedidnotanswer。
　　"YouwilltalkbeforeI’mdonewithyou，myfriend;don’tgetanywrongnotionsinyourheadaboutthat，"Morancontinued，herteethclinched。"Charlie，"sheadded，"isthereafileaboardtheschooner？"
　　"Itinkumyass，bosshabgotfile。"
　　"Inthetool-chest，isn’tit？"Charlienodded，andMoranorderedittobefetched。
　　"Ifwe’retofightthatcrowd，"shesaid，speakingtoherselfandinarapidvoice，thickfromexcitementandpassion，"we’vegottoknowwherethey’vehidtheloot，andwhatweaponsthey’vegot。Iftheyhavearifleorashotgunwiththem，it’sgoingtomakeabigdifferenceforus。Theotherfellowescapedandhasgonebacktowarntherest。It’sfightnow，andnomistake。"
　　TheChinamanwhohadbeensentaboardtheschoonerreturned，carryingalong，rathercoarse-grainedfile。Morantookitfromhim。
　　"Now，"shesaid，standinginfrontofHoang，"I’llgiveyouonemorechance。Answerme。Didyoubringofftheambergris，youbeast，whenyourjunksank？Whereisitnow？Howmanymenhaveyou？Whatarmshaveyougot？Haveyourmengotarifle？——Charlie，putthatalltohiminyourlingo，soastomakesurethatheunderstands。Tellhimifhedon’ttalkI’mgoingtomakehimverysick。"
　　CharlieputthequestionsinChinese，pausingaftereachone。
　　Hoangheldhispeace。
　　"Igaveyoufairwarning，"shoutedMoranangrily，pointingathimwiththefile。"Willyouanswer？"
　　"Himnotellnuttin，"observedCharlie。
　　"Fetchacordhere，"commandedMoran。Thecordwasbrought，anddespiteHoang’sstrugglesandwrithingsthefilewasthrustend-
　　waysintohismouthandhisjawsboundtightlytogetheruponitbymeansofthecordpassedoverhisheadandunderhischin。Somefourinchesofthefileportrudedfromhislips。Morantookthisendanddrewitoutbetweenthebeach-comber’steeth，thenpusheditbackslowly。
　　ThehideousraspoftheoperationturnedWilbur’sbloodcoldwithinhim。Helookedaway——outtosea，downthebeach——anywhere，sothathemightnotseewhatwasgoingforward。Butthepersistentgrindandscrapestillassaultedhisears。Heturnedaboutsharply。
　　"I——I——I’llgodownthebeachhereaways，"hesaidquickly。"I
　　can’tstand——I’llkeepwatchtoseeifthebeach-comberscomeup。"
　　AfewminuteslaterheheardCharliehailinghim。
　　"Chin-chinheapplentynow，"saidhe，withagrin，asWilburcameup。
　　Hoangsatonthesandinthemidstofthecircle。Thefileandcoilofropelayonthegroundnearby。Thebeach-comberwastalkinginahigh-keyedsing-song，butwithalisp。HetoldthempartlyinpigeonEnglishandpartlyinCantonese，whichCharlietranslated，thattheirmenwereeightinnumber，andthattheyhadintendedtoseizetheschoonerthatnight，butthatprobablyhisowncapturehaddelayedtheirplans。Theyhadnorifle。A
　　shotgunhadbeenonboard，buthadgonedownwiththesinkingofthejunk。Theambergrishadbeencutintotwolumps，andwouldbefoundinacoupleofoldflour-sacksinthesternoftheboatinwhichheandhismenhadcomeashore。Theywereallarmedwiththeirlittlehatchets。Hethoughttwoofthemencarriedknivesaswell。Therewasneitherpistolnorrevolveramongthem。
　　"Itseemstome，"saidWilbur，"thatwe’vegotthelongend。"
　　"Wecatchumboss，too！"saidCharlie，pointingtoHoang。
　　"Andwearebetterarmed，"assentedMoran。"We’vegotthecutting-inspades。"
　　"Andtherevolver，ifitwillshootanyfurtherthanitwillkick。"
　　"They’llgiveusallthefightwewant，"declaredMoran。
　　"Oh，himKai-gingh，himfightallsamedevil。"
　　"Givethemenbrandy，Charlie，"commandedMoran。"We’llrushthatcamprightaway。"
　　Thedemijohnofspiritswasbroughtdownfromthe"Bertha"andpassedaround，WilburandMorandrinkingfromthetincup，thecooliesfromthebottle。Hoangwasfetteredandlockedinthe"Bertha’s"cabin。
　　"Now，then，areweready？"criedMoran。
　　"Itinkalllight，"answeredCharlie。
　　Thepartysetoffdownthebeach。Themoonhadlongsincegonedown，andthedawnwaswhiteningovertheeasternhorizon。
　　Landward，raggedblanketsofmorningmistlaycloseinthehollowshereandthere。Itwasprofoundlystill。Thestarswerestillout。ThesurfaceofMagdalenaBaywassmoothasasheetofgraysilk。
　　Twentyminutespassed，halfanhour，anhour。Thepartytrampedsteadilyforward，Moran，Wilbur，andCharlieleading，thecooliesclosebehindcarryingthecutting-inspadesovertheirshoulders。
　　Slowlyandinsilencetheymadethehalfcircuitofthebay。The"BerthaMillner"wasfarbehindthembynow，avaguegraymassintheearlymorninglight。
　　"Didyoueverfightbefore？"MoransuddenlydemandedofCharlie。
　　"OnetimeIfightplentymuchinSanFlanciscoinWashingtonstleet。FightumSeeYups。"
　　Anotherhalf-hourpassed。Attimeswhentheyhaltedtheybegantohearthefaintmurmurofthecreek，justbeyondwhichwasthebrokenandcrumblingshanty，relicofanoldPortuguesewhaling-
　　camp，wherethebeach-comberswerecamped。AtCharlie’ssuggestionthepartymadeacircuit，describingahalfmoon，tolandward，soastocomeoutupontheenemyshelteredbythesand-
　　dunes。Twentyminuteslatertheycrossedthecreekaboutfourhundredyardsfromtheshore。Heretheyspreadoutintoalongline，and，keepinganintervalofaboutfifteenfeetbetweeneachofthem，movedcautiouslyforward。Theunevennessofthesand-
　　breakshidtheshorefromview，butMoran，Wilbur，andCharlieknewthatbykeepingthecreekupontheirlefttheywouldcomeoutdirectlyuponthehouse。
　　AfewmomentslaterCharliehelduphishand，andthemenhalted。
　　Thenoiseofthecreekchatteringintothetidewaterofthebaywasplainlyaudiblejustbeyond;aridgeofsand，coveredthinlywithsage-brush，andafaintcolumnofsmokeroseintotheairovertheridgeitself。Theywereclosein。Thecoolieswerehalted，anddroppingupontheirhandsandknees，thethreeleaderscrawledtothetopofthebreak。Shelteredbyacoupleofsage-
　　bushesandlyingflattotheground，Wilburlookedoveranddownuponthebeach。Thefirstobjecthemadeoutwasacrazy，rooflesshouse，builtofdriftwood，thechinksplasteredwith’dobemud，thedoorfallenin。
　　Beyond，onthebeach，wasaflat-bottomeddingy，unpaintedandfoulwithdirt。Butallaroundthehousethesandhadbeenscoopedandpiledtoformalowbarricade，andbehindthisbarricadeWilbursawthebeach-combers。Therewereeightofthem。
　　Theywerealertandready，theirhatchetsintheirhands。Thegazeofeachofthemwasfixeddirectlyuponthesand-breakwhichshelteredthe"BerthaMillner’s"officersandcrew。TheyseemedtoWilburtolookhimstraightintheeye。Theyneithermovednorspoke。Thesilenceandabsolutelackofmotiononthepartofthesesmall，half-nakedChinamen，withtheirape-likemuzzlesandtwinklingeyes，wasominous。
　　Therecouldbenolongeranydoubtsthatthebeach-combershadknownoftheirenemies’movementsandwereperfectlyawareoftheirpresencebehindthesand-break。Moranrosetoherfeet，andWilburandCharliefollowedherexample。
　　"There’snousehiding，"shesaid;"theyknowwe’rehere。"
　　Charliecalledupthecrew。Thetwopartieswererangedfacetoface。OvertheeasternrimofthePacificthebluewhitenessoftheearlydawnwasturningtoadull，roseategoldatthecoreofthesunrise。TheheadlandsofMagdalenaBaystoodblackagainstthepaleglow;overhead，thegreaterstarsstillshone。Themonotonous，faintrippleofthecreekwastheonlysound。Itwasabout3：30o’clock。
　　X
　　ABATTLE
　　Wilburhadimaginedthatthefightwouldbehardlymorethanawildrushdowntheslopeofthebeach，adashoverthebeach-
　　combers’breastworksofsand，andabriefhand-to-handscrimmagearoundtheoldcabin。Inallaccountshehadeverreadofsuchaffairs，andinallideashehadentertainedonthesubject，thishadalwaysbeenthecase。Thetwobodieshadshockedtogetherlikeacollegerush，therehadbeenfiveminutes’playofknifeandclubandgun，aconfusedwhirlofdustandsmoke，andallwasoverbeforeonehadtimeeithertothinkorbeafraid。Butnothingofthekindhappenedthatmorning。
　　The"BerthaMillner’s"crew，inalongline，Moranatoneend，Wilburattheother，andCharlieinthecentre，cameontowardthebeach-combers，stepbystep。Therewaslittleoutcry。Eachcontestantsingledouthisenemy，andmadeslowlyforhimwitheyesfixedandweaponready，regardlessofthemovementsofhismates。
　　"Seeanyriflesamongthem，Charlie？"shoutedMoran，suddenlybreakingthesilence。
　　"No，Itinknohabgot，"answeredCharlie。
　　Wilburtookanotherstepforwardandcockedhisrevolver。Oneofthebeach-combersshoutedoutsomethinginangryvernacular，andCharlieinstantlyresponded。Allthistimethelinehadbeenslowlyadvancingupontheenemy，andWilburbegantowonderhowlongthatheartbreakingsuspensewastocontinue。Thiswasnotatallwhathehadimagined。Alreadyhewaswithintwentyfeetofhisman，couldseetheevilglintofhisslant，smalleye，andtheshineofhisyellowbody，nakedtothebelt。Stillfootbyfoottheforwardmovementcontinued。TheChineseoneithersidehadbegunexchanginginsults;thestill，hotairofthetropicdawnwasvibrantwiththeCantonesemonosyllablestossedbackandforthliketennis-ballsoverthelowsandrampart。Thethingwasdegeneratingintoafarce——the"Bertha’s"Chinamenwouldnotfight。
　　Backthere，undertheshelteroftheschooner，itwasallverywelltotalk，andtheyhadbeenverybravewhentheyhadallflungthemselvesuponHoang。Here，facetofacewiththeenemy，thesunstrikingoffheliographflashesfromtheirknivesandspades，itwasavastlydifferentmatter。Thething，toWilbur’smind，shouldhavebeendonesuddenlyifitwastobedoneatall。Thebestcoursenowwastoreturntocampandtrysomeotherplan。
　　CharlieshoutedadirectiontohiminpigeonEnglishthathedidnotunderstand，butheansweredallright，andmovedforwardanotherstepsoastobeinlinewiththecoolieathisleft。
　　Theliquorthathehaddrunkbeforestartingbegansuddenlytoaffecthim，yetheknewthathisheadwasyetclear。Hecouldnotbringhimselftorunawaybeforethemall，buthewouldhavegivenmuchtohavediscoveredagoodreasonforpostponingthefight——iffighttherewastobe。
　　Herememberedthecockedrevolverinhishand，and，suddenlyraisingit，firedpoint-blankathisman，notfifteenfeetaway。
　　Thehammersnappedonthenipple，butthecartridgedidnotexplode。WilburturnedtotheChinamannexthiminline，exclaimingexcitedly：
　　"Here，say，haveyougotaknife——somethingIcanfightwith？Thisgun’snogood。"
　　TherewasashoutfromMoran：
　　"Lookout，heretheycome！"
　　Twoofthebeach-comberssuddenlysprangoverthesandbreastworksandrantowardCharlie，theirknivesheldlowinfrontofthem，readytorip。
　　"Shoot！shoot！shoot！"shoutedMoranrapidly。