WhatImeanttosay，simply，isthatthequarter-decktrainingdoesnotprepareonesufficientlyforthereceptionofliterarycriticism。Onlythat，andnomore。Butthisdefectisnotwithoutgravity。Ifitbepermissibletotwist，invert，adapt（andspoil）M。AnatoleFrance’sdefinitionofagoodcritic，thenletussaythatthegoodauthorishewhocontemplateswithoutmarkedjoyorexcessivesorrowtheadventuresofhissoulamongstcriticisms。Farbefrommetheintentiontomisleadanattentivepublicintothebeliefthatthereisnocriticismatsea。Thatwouldbedishonest，andevenimpolite。Everythingcanbefoundatsea，accordingtothespiritofyourquest——strife，peace，romance，naturalismofthemostpronouncedkind，ideals，boredom，disgust，inspiration——andeveryconceivableopportunity，includingtheopportunitytomakeafoolofyourself——exactlyasinthepursuitofliterature。Butthequarter-deckcriticismissomewhatdifferentfromliterarycriticism。Thismuchtheyhaveincommon，thatbeforetheoneandtheothertheansweringback，asageneralrule，doesnotpay。
Yes，youfindcriticismatsea，andevenappreciation——Itellyoueverythingistobefoundonsaltwater——criticismgenerallyimpromptu，andalwaysvivavoce，whichistheoutward，obviousdifferencefromtheliteraryoperationofthatkind，withconsequentfreshnessandvigourwhichmaybelackingintheprintedword。Withappreciation，whichcomesattheend，whenthecriticandthecriticisedareabouttopart，itisotherwise。
Theseaappreciationofone’shumbletalentshasthepermanencyofthewrittenword，seldomthecharmofvariety，isformalinitsphrasing。Theretheliterarymasterhasthesuperiority，thoughhe，too，canineffectbutsay——andoftensaysitintheveryphrase——"Icanhighlyrecommend。"Onlyusuallyheusestheword"We，"therebeingsomeoccultvirtueinthefirstpersonplural，whichmakesitspeciallyfitforcriticalandroyaldeclarations。Ihaveasmallhandfuloftheseseaappreciations，signedbyvariousmasters，yellowingslowlyinmywriting-table’sleft-handdrawer，rustlingundermyreverenttouch，likeahandfulofdryleavespluckedforatendermementofromthetreeofknowledge。Strange！Itseemsthatitisforthesefewbitsofpaper，headedbythenamesofafewshipsandsignedbythenamesofafewScotsandEnglishshipmasters，thatIhavefacedtheastonishedindignations，themockeriesandthereproachesofasorthardtobearforaboyoffifteen;thatIhavebeenchargedwiththewantofpatriotism，thewantofsense，andthewantofhearttoo;thatIwentthroughagoniesofself-conflictandshedsecrettearsnotafew，andhadthebeautiesoftheFurcaPassspoiledforme，andhavebeencalledan"incorrigibleDonQuixote，"inallusiontothebook-bornmadnessoftheknight。
Forthatspoil！Theyrustle，thosebitsofpaper——somedozenoftheminall。Inthatfaint，ghostlysoundtherelivethememoriesoftwentyyears，thevoicesofroughmennownomore，thestrongvoiceoftheeverlastingwinds，andthewhisperofamysteriousspell，themurmurofthegreatsea，whichmusthavesomehowreachedmyinlandcradleandenteredmyunconsciousear，likethatformulaofMohammedanfaiththeMussulmanfatherwhispersintotheearofhisnew-borninfant，makinghimoneofthefaithfulalmostwithhisfirstbreath。IdonotknowwhetherIhavebeenagoodseaman，butIknowIhavebeenaveryfaithfulone。Andafterallthereisthathandfulof"characters"fromvariousshipstoprovethatalltheseyearshavenotbeenaltogetheradream。Theretheyare，brief，andmonotonousintone，butassuggestivebitsofwritingtomeasanyinspiredpagetobefoundinliterature。Butthen，yousee，Ihavebeencalledromantic。Well，thatcan’tbehelped。Butstay。IseemtorememberthatIhavebeencalledarealistalso。Andasthatchargetoocanbemadeout，letustrytoliveuptoit，atwhatevercost，forachange。Withthisendinview，Iwillconfidetoyoucoyly，andonlybecausethereisnooneabouttoseemyblushesbythelightofthemidnightlamp，thatthesesuggestivebitsofquarter-deckappreciationoneandallcontainthewords"strictlysober。"
DidIoverhearacivilmurmur，"That’sverygratifying，tobesure"？Well，yes，itisgratifying——thankyou。Itisatleastasgratifyingtobecertifiedsoberastobecertifiedromantic，thoughsuchcertificateswouldnotqualifyoneforthesecretaryshipofatemperanceassociationorforthepostofofficialtroubadourtosomelordlydemocraticinstitutionsuchastheLondonCountyCouncil，forinstance。Theaboveprosaicreflectionisputdownhereonlyinordertoprovethegeneralsobrietyofmyjudgmentinmundaneaffairs。Imakeapointofitbecauseacoupleofyearsago，acertainshortstoryofminebeingpublishedinaFrenchtranslation，aParisiancritic——IamalmostcertainitwasM。GustaveKahninthe"Gil-Blas"——givingmeashortnotice，summeduphisrapidimpressionofthewriter’squalityinthewordsunpuissantreveur。Sobeit！Whowouldcavilatthewordsofafriendlyreader？Yetperhapsnotsuchanunconditionaldreamerasallthat。IwillmakeboldtosaythatneitheratseanorashorehaveIeverlostthesenseofresponsibility。Thereismorethanonesortofintoxication。
EvenbeforethemostseductivereveriesIhaveremainedmindfulofthatsobrietyofinteriorlife，thatasceticismofsentiment，inwhichalonethenakedformoftruth，suchasoneconceivesit，suchasonefeelsit，canberenderedwithoutshame。Itisbutamaudlinandindecentveritythatcomesoutthroughthestrengthofwine。Ihavetriedtobeasoberworkerallmylife——allmytwolives。Ididsofromtaste，nodoubt，havinganinstinctivehorroroflosingmysenseoffullself-possession，butalsofromartisticconviction。Yettherearesomanypitfallsoneachsideofthetruepaththat，havinggonesomeway，andfeelingalittlebatteredandweary，asamiddle-agedtravellerwillfromthemeredailydifficultiesofthemarch，IaskmyselfwhetherIhavekeptalways，alwaysfaithfultothatsobrietywhereinthereispower，andtruth，andpeace。
Astomysea-sobriety，thatisquiteproperlycertifiedunderthesign-manualofseveraltrustworthyshipmastersofsomestandingintheirtime。Iseemtohearyourpolitemurmurthat"Surelythismighthavebeentakenforgranted。"Well，no。Itmightnothavebeen。ThataugustacademicalbodytheMarineDepartmentoftheBoardofTradetakesnothingforgrantedinthegrantingofitslearneddegrees。ByitsregulationsissuedunderthefirstMerchantShippingAct，theverywordSOBERmustbewritten，orawholesackful，aton，amountainofthemostenthusiasticappreciationwillavailyounothing。Thedooroftheexaminationroomsshallremainclosedtoyourtearsandentreaties。ThemostfanaticaladvocateoftemperancecouldnotbemorepitilesslyfierceinhisrectitudethantheMarineDepartmentoftheBoardofTrade。AsIhavebeenfacetofaceatvarioustimeswithalltheexaminersofthePortofLondon，inmygeneration，therecanbenodoubtastotheforceandthecontinuityofmyabstemiousness。Threeofthemwereexaminersinseamanship，anditwasmyfatetobedeliveredintothehandsofeachofthematproperintervalsofseaservice。Thefirstofall，tall，spare，withaperfectlywhiteheadandmoustache，aquiet，kindlymanner，andanairofbenignintelligence，must，Iamforcedtoconclude，havebeenunfavourablyimpressedbysomethinginmyappearance。Hisoldthinhandslooselyclaspedrestingonhiscrossedlegs，hebeganbyanelementaryquestioninamildvoice，andwenton，wenton……Itlastedforhours，forhours。HadI
beenastrangemicrobewithpotentialitiesofdeadlymischieftotheMerchantServiceIcouldnothavebeensubmittedtoamoremicroscopicexamination。Greatlyreassuredbyhisapparentbenevolence，Ihadbeenatfirstveryalertinmyanswers。Butatlengththefeelingofmybraingettingaddledcreptuponme。
Andstillthepassionlessprocesswenton，withasenseofuntoldageshavingbeenspentalreadyonmerepreliminaries。ThenIgotfrightened。Iwasnotfrightenedofbeingplucked;thateventualitydidnotevenpresentitselftomymind。Itwassomethingmuchmoreserious，andweird。"Thisancientperson，"I
saidtomyself，terrified，"issonearhisgravethathemusthavelostallnotionoftime。Heisconsideringthisexaminationintermsofeternity。Itisallverywellforhim。Hisraceisrun。ButImayfindmyselfcomingoutofthisroomintotheworldofmenastranger，friendless，forgottenbymyverylandlady，evenwereIableafterthisendlessexperiencetorememberthewaytomyhiredhome。"Thisstatementisnotsomuchofaverbalexaggerationasmaybesupposed。SomeveryqueerthoughtspassedthroughmyheadwhileIwasconsideringmyanswers;thoughtswhichhadnothingtodowithseamanship，noryetwithanythingreasonableknowntothisearth。IverilybelievethatattimesIwaslightheadedinasortoflanguidway。
Atlasttherefellasilence，andthat，too，seemedtolastforages，while，bendingoverhisdesk，theexaminerwroteoutmypass-slipslowlywithanoiselesspen。Heextendedthescrapofpapertomewithoutaword，inclinedhiswhiteheadgravelytomypartingbow……
WhenIgotoutoftheroomIfeltlimplyflat，likeasqueezedlemon，andthedoor-keeperinhisglasscage，whereIstoppedtogetmyhatandtiphimashilling，said：
"Well！Ithoughtyouwerenevercomingout。"
"HowlonghaveIbeeninthere？"Iaskedfaintly。
Hepulledouthiswatch。
"Hekeptyou，sir，justunderthreehours。Idon’tthinkthiseverhappenedwithanyofthegentlemenbefore。"
ItwasonlywhenIgotoutofthebuildingthatIbegantowalkonair。Andthehumananimalbeingaversefromchangeandtimidbeforetheunknown，IsaidtomyselfthatIwouldnotmindreallybeingexaminedbythesamemanonafutureoccasion。Butwhenthetimeofordealcameroundagainthedoorkeeperletmeintoanotherroom，withthenowfamiliarparaphernaliaofmodelsofshipsandtackle，aboardforsignalsonthewall，abiglongtablecoveredwithofficialforms，andhavinganunriggedmastfixedtotheedge。Thesolitarytenantwasunknowntomebysight，thoughnotbyreputation，whichwassimplyexecrable。
ShortandsturdyasfarasIcouldjudge，cladinanold，brown，morning-suit，hesatleaningonhiselbow，hishandshadinghiseyes，andhalfavertedfromthechairIwastooccupyontheothersideofthetable。Hewasmotionless，mysterious，remote，enigmatical，withsomethingmournfultoointhepose，likethatstatueofGiuliano（Ithink）de’MedicishadinghisfaceonthetombbyMichaelAngelo，though，ofcourse，hewasfar，farfrombeingbeautiful。Hebeganbytryingtomakemetalknonsense。
ButIhadbeenwarnedofthatfiendishtrait，andcontradictedhimwithgreatassurance。Afterawhileheleftoff。Sofargood。Buthisimmobility，thethickelbowonthetable，theabrupt，unhappyvoice，theshadedandavertedfacegrewmoreandmoreimpressive。Hekeptinscrutablysilentforamoment，andthen，placingmeinashipofacertainsize，atsea，undercertainconditionsofweather，season，locality，&c。&c。——allveryclearandprecise——orderedmetoexecuteacertainmanoeuvre。BeforeIwashalfthroughwithithedidsomematerialdamagetotheship。DirectlyIhadgrappledwiththedifficultyhecausedanothertopresentitself，andwhenthattoowasmethestuckanothershipbeforeme，creatingaverydangeroussituation。Ifeltslightlyoutragedbythisingenuityinpilinguptroubleuponaman。
"Iwouldn’thavegotintothatmess，"Isuggestedmildly。"I
couldhaveseenthatshipbefore。"
Heneverstirredtheleastbit。
"No，youcouldn’t。Theweather’sthick。"
"Oh！Ididn’tknow，"Iapologisedblankly。
IsupposethatafterallImanagedtostaveoffthesmashwithsufficientapproachtoverisimilitude，andtheghastlybusinesswenton。Youmustunderstandthattheschemeofthetesthewasapplyingtomewas，Igathered，ahomewardpassage——thesortofpassageIwouldnotwishtomybitterestenemy。Thatimaginaryshipseemedtolabourunderamostcomprehensivecurse。It’snouseenlargingonthesenever-endingmisfortunes;sufficeittosaythatlongbeforetheendIwouldhavewelcomedwithgratitudeanopportunitytoexchangeintothe"FlyingDutchman。"FinallyheshovedmeintotheNorthSea（Isuppose）andprovidedmewithalee-shorewithoutlyingsandbanks——theDutchcoastpresumably。
Distance，eightmiles。Theevidenceofsuchimplacableanimositydeprivedmeofspeechforquitehalfaminute。
"Well，"hesaid——forourpacehadbeenverysmartindeedtillthen。
"Iwillhavetothinkalittle，sir。"
"Doesn’tlookasifthereweremuchtimetothink，"hemutteredsardonicallyfromunderhishand。
"No，sir，"Isaidwithsomewarmth。"NotonboardashipIcouldsee。ButsomanyaccidentshavehappenedthatIreallycan’trememberwhatthere’sleftformetoworkwith。"
Stillhalfaverted，andwithhiseyesconcealed，hemadeunexpectedlyagruntingremark。
"You’vedoneverywell。"
"HaveIthetwoanchorsatthebow，sir？"Iasked。
"Yes。"
Ipreparedmyselfthen，asalasthopefortheship，toletthembothgointhemosteffectualmanner，whenhisinfernalsystemoftestingresourcefulnesscameintoplayagain。
"Butthere’sonlyonecable。You’velosttheother。"
Itwasexasperating。
"ThenIwouldbackthem，ifIcould，andtailtheheaviesthawseronboardontheendofthechainbeforelettinggo，andifshepartedfromthat，whichisquitelikely，Iwouldjustdonothing。
Shewouldhavetogo。"
"Nothingmoretodo，eh？"
"No，sir。Icoulddonomore。"
Hegaveabitterhalf-laugh。
"Youcouldalwayssayyourprayers。"
Hegotup，stretchedhimself，andyawnedslightly。Itwasasallow，strong，unamiableface。Heputmeinasurly，boredfashionthroughtheusualquestionsastolightsandsignals，andIescapedfromtheroomthankfully——passed！Fortyminutes！AndagainIwalkedonairalongTowerHill，wheresomanygoodmenhadlosttheirheads，because，Isuppose，theywerenotresourcefulenoughtosavethem。AndinmyheartofheartsIhadnoobjectiontomeetingthatexamineroncemorewhenthethirdandlastordealbecamedueinanotheryearorso。IevenhopedI
should。Iknewtheworstofhimnow，andfortyminutesisnotanunreasonabletime。Yes，Idistinctlyhoped……
Butnotabitofit。WhenIpresentedmyselftobeexaminedforMastertheexaminerwhoreceivedmewasshort，plump，witharound，softfaceingrey，fluffywhiskers，andfresh，loquaciouslips。
Hecommencedoperationswithaneasy-going"Let’ssee。H’m。
Supposeyoutellmeallyouknowofcharter-parties。"Hekeptitupinthatstyleallthrough，wanderingoffintheshapeofcommentintobitsoutofhisownlife，thenpullinghimselfupshortandreturningtothebusinessinhand。Itwasveryinteresting。"What’syourideaofajury-ruddernow？"hequeriedsuddenly，attheendofaninstructiveanecdotebearinguponapointofstowage。
IwarnedhimthatIhadnoexperienceofalostrudderatsea，andgavehimtwoclassicalexamplesofmakeshiftsoutofatext-
book。Inexchangehedescribedtomeajury-rudderhehadinventedhimselfyearsbefore，whenincommandofa3000-tonsteamer。Itwas，Ideclare，thecleverestcontrivanceimaginable。"Maybeofusetoyousomeday，"heconcluded。"Youwillgointosteampresently。Everybodygoesintosteam。"
Therehewaswrong。Ineverwentintosteam——notreally。IfI
onlylivelongenoughIshallbecomeabizarrerelicofadeadbarbarism，asortofmonstrousantiquity，theonlyseamanofthedarkageswhohadnevergoneintosteam——notreally。
BeforetheexaminationwasoverheimpartedtomeafewinterestingdetailsofthetransportserviceinthetimeoftheCrimeanWar。
"Theuseofwireriggingbecamegeneralaboutthattimetoo，"heobserved。"Iwasaveryyoungmasterthen。Thatwasbeforeyouwereborn。"
"Yes，sir。Iamoftheyear1857。"
"TheMutinyyear，"hecommented，asiftohimself，addinginaloudertonethathisshiphappenedthentobeintheGulfofBengal，employedunderaGovernmentcharter。
Clearlythetransportservicehadbeenthemakingofthisexaminer，whosounexpectedlyhadgivenmeaninsightintohisexistence，awakeninginmethesenseofthecontinuityofthatsea-lifeintowhichIhadsteppedfromoutside;givingatouchofhumanintimacytothemachineryofofficialrelations。Ifeltadopted。Hisexperiencewasforme，too，asthoughhehadbeenanancestor。
Writingmylongname（ithastwelveletters）withlaboriouscareontheslipofbluepaper，heremarked：
"YouareofPolishextraction。"
"Bornthere，sir。"
Helaiddownthepenandleanedbacktolookatmeasitwereforthefirsttime。
"Notmanyofyournationalityinourservice，Ishouldthink。I
neverremembermeetingoneeitherbeforeorafterIleftthesea。
Don’tremembereverhearingofone。Aninlandpeople，aren’tyou？"
Isaidyes——verymuchso。Wewereremotefromtheseanotonlybysituation，butalsofromacompleteabsenceofindirectassociation，notbeingacommercialnationatall，butpurelyagricultural。Hemadethenthequaintreflectionthatitwas"alongwayformetocomeouttobeginasea-life";asifsea-lifewerenotpreciselyalifeinwhichonegoesalongwayfromhome。
Itoldhim，smiling，thatnodoubtIcouldhavefoundashipmuchnearermynativeplace，butIhadthoughttomyselfthatifIwastobeaseamanthenIwouldbeaBritishseamanandnoother。Itwasamatterofdeliberatechoice。
Henoddedslightlyatthat;andashekeptonlookingatmeinterrogatively，Ienlargedalittle，confessingthatIhadspentalittletimeonthewayintheMediterraneanandintheWestIndies。IdidnotwanttopresentmyselftotheBritishMerchantServiceinanaltogethergreenstate。Itwasnousetellinghimthatmymysteriousvocationwassostrongthatmyverywildoatshadtobesownatsea。Itwastheexacttruth，buthewouldnothaveunderstoodthesomewhatexceptionalpsychologyofmysea-
going，Ifear。
"Isupposeyou’venevercomeacrossoneofyourcountrymenatsea。Haveyounow？"
IadmittedIneverhad。Theexaminerhadgivenhimselfuptothespiritofgossipingidleness。Formyself，Iwasinnohastetoleavethatroom。Notintheleast。Theeraofexaminationswasover。Iwouldneveragainseethatfriendlymanwhowasaprofessionalancestor，asortofgrandfatherinthecraft。
Moreover，Ihadtowaittillhedismissedme，andofthattherewasnosign。Asheremainedsilent，lookingatme，Iadded：
"ButIhaveheardofone，someyearsago。HeseemstohavebeenaboyservinghistimeonboardaLiverpoolship，ifIamnotmistaken。"
"Whatwashisname？"
Itoldhim。
"Howdidyousaythat？"heasked，puckeringuphiseyesattheuncouthsound。
Irepeatedthenameverydistinctly。
"Howdoyouspellit？"
Itoldhim。Hemovedhisheadattheimpracticablenatureofthatname，andobserved：
"It’squiteaslongasyourown——isn’tit？"
Therewasnohurry。IhadpassedforMaster，andIhadalltherestofmylifebeforemetomakethebestofit。Thatseemedalongtime。Iwentleisurelythroughasmallmentalcalculation，andsaid：
"Notquite。Shorterbytwoletters，sir。"
"Isit？"Theexaminerpushedthesignedblueslipacrossthetabletome，androsefromhischair。Somehowthisseemedaveryabruptendingofourrelations，andIfeltalmostsorrytopartfromthatexcellentman，whowasmasterofashipbeforethewhisperoftheseahadreachedmycradle。Heofferedmehishandandwishedmewell。Heevenmadeafewstepstowardsthedoorwithme，andendedwithgood-naturedadvice。
"Idon’tknowwhatmaybeyourplansbutyououghttogointosteam。Whenamanhasgothismaster’scertificateit’sthepropertime。IfIwereyouIwouldgointosteam。"
Ithankedhim，andshutthedoorbehindmedefinitelyontheeraofexaminations。ButthattimeIdidnotwalkonair，asonthefirsttwooccasions。IwalkedacrosstheHillofmanybeheadingswithmeasuredsteps。Itwasafact，Isaidtomyself，thatIwasnowaBritishmastermarinerbeyondadoubt。ItwasnotthatI
hadanexaggeratedsenseofthatverymodestachievement，withwhich，however，luck，opportunity，oranyextraneousinfluencecouldhavehadnothingtodo。Thatfact，satisfactoryandobscureinitself，hadformeacertainidealsignificance。Itwasananswertocertainoutspokenscepticism，andeventosomenotverykindaspersions。Ihadvindicatedmyselffromwhathadbeencrieduponasastupidobstinacyorafantasticcaprice。I
don’tmeantosaythatawholecountryhadbeenconvulsedbymydesiretogotosea。Butforaboybetweenfifteenandsixteen，sensitiveenough，inallconscience，thecommotionofhislittleworldhadseemedaveryconsiderablethingindeed。Soconsiderablethat，absurdlyenough，theechoesofitlingertothisday。Icatchmyselfinhoursofsolitudeandretrospectmeetingargumentsandchargesmadethirty-fiveyearsagobyvoicesnowforeverstill;findingthingstosaythatanassailedboycouldnothavefound，simplybecauseofthemysteriousnessofhisimpulsestohimself。Iunderstoodnomorethanthepeoplewhocalleduponmetoexplainmyself。Therewasnoprecedent。I
verilybelieveminewastheonlycaseofaboyofmynationalityandantecedentstakinga，sotospeak，standingjumpoutofhisracialsurroundingsandassociations。Foryoumustunderstandthattherewasnoideaofanysortof"career"inmycall。OfRussiaorGermanytherecouldbenoquestion。Thenationality，theantecedents，madeitimpossible。ThefeelingagainsttheAustrianservicewasnotsostrong，andIdaresaytherewouldhavebeennodifficultyinfindingmywayintotheNavalSchoolatPola。Itwouldhavemeantsixmonths’extragrindingatGerman，perhaps，butIwasnotpasttheageofadmission，andinotherrespectsIwaswellqualified。Thisexpedienttopalliatemyfollywasthoughtof——butnotbyme。Imustadmitthatinthatrespectmynegativewasacceptedatonce。Thatorderoffeelingwascomprehensibleenoughtothemostinimicalofmycritics。Iwasnotcalledupontoofferexplanations;thetruthisthatwhatIhadinviewwasnotanavalcareer，butthesea。
ThereseemednowayopentoitbutthroughFrance。Ihadthelanguageatanyrate，andofallthecountriesinEuropeitiswithFrancethatPolandhasmostconnection。Thereweresomefacilitiesforhavingmealittlelookedafter，atfirst。
Letterswerebeingwritten，answerswerebeingreceived，arrangementswerebeingmadeformydepartureforMarseilles，whereanexcellentfellowcalledSolary，gotatinaroundaboutfashionthroughvariousFrenchchannels，hadpromisedgood-
naturedlytoputlejeunehommeinthewayofgettingadecentshipforhisfirststartifhereallywantedatasteofcemetierdechien。
Iwatchedallthesepreparationsgratefully，andkeptmyowncounsel。ButwhatItoldthelastofmyexaminerswasperfectlytrue。Alreadythedeterminedresolve，that"ifaseaman，thenanEnglishseaman，"wasformulatedinmyheadthough，ofcourse，inthePolishlanguage。IdidnotknowsixwordsofEnglish，andI
wasastuteenoughtounderstandthatitwasmuchbettertosaynothingofmypurpose。AsitwasIwasalreadylookeduponaspartlyinsane，atleastbythemoredistantacquaintances。Theprincipalthingwastogetaway。Iputmytrustinthegood-
naturedSolary’sverycivillettertomyuncle，thoughIwasshockedalittlebythephraseaboutthemetierdechien。
ThisSolary（Baptistin），whenIbeheldhimintheflesh，turnedoutaquiteyoungman，verygood-looking，withafineblack，shortbeard，afreshcomplexion，andsoft，merryblackeyes。Hewasasjovialandgood-naturedasanyboycoulddesire。Iwasstillasleepinmyroominamodesthotelnearthequaysoftheoldport，afterthefatiguesofthejourneyviaVienna，Zurich，Lyons，whenheburstinflingingtheshuttersopentothesunofProvenceandchidingmeboisterouslyforlyingabed。Howpleasantlyhestartledmebyhisnoisyobjurgationstobeupandoffinstantlyfora"threeyears’campaignintheSouthSeas。"O
magicwords！Unecampagnedetroisansdanslesmersdusud"——
thatistheFrenchforathreeyears’deep-watervoyage。
Hegavemeadelightfulwaking，andhisfriendlinesswasunwearied;butIfearhedidnotenteruponthequestforashipformeinaverysolemnspirit。Hehadbeenatseahimself，buthadleftoffattheageoftwenty-five，findinghecouldearnhislivingonshoreinamuchmoreagreeablemanner。HewasrelatedtoanincrediblenumberofMarseilleswell-to-dofamiliesofacertainclass。Oneofhisuncleswasaship-brokerofgoodstanding，withalargeconnectionamongstEnglishships;otherrelativesofhisdealtinships’stores，ownedsail-lofts，soldchainsandanchors，weremaster-stevedores，caulkers，shipwrights。Hisgrandfather（Ithink）wasadignitaryofakind，theSyndicofthePilots。Imadeacquaintancesamongstthesepeople，butmainlyamongstthepilots。TheveryfirstwholedayIeverspentonsaltwaterwasbyinvitation，inabighalf-deckedpilot-boat，cruisingunderclosereefsonthelook-
out，inmisty，blowingweather，forthesailsofshipsandthesmokeofsteamersrisingoutthere，beyondtheslimandtallPlanierlighthousecuttingthelineofthewind-swepthorizonwithawhiteperpendicularstroke。Theywerehospitablesouls，thesesturdyProvencalseamen。UnderthegeneraldesignationoflepetitamideBaptistinIwasmadetheguestoftheCorporationofPilots，andhadthefreedomoftheirboatsnightorday。AndmanyadayandanighttoodidIspendcruisingwiththeserough，kindlymen，underwhoseauspicesmyintimacywiththeseabegan。
Manyatime"thelittlefriendofBaptistin"hadthehoodedcloakoftheMediterraneansailorthrownoverhimbytheirhonesthandswhiledodgingatnightundertheleeofChateaud’Ifonthewatchforthelightsofships。Theirsea-tannedfaces，whiskeredorshaved，leanorfull，withtheintentwrinkledsea-eyesofthepilot-breed，andhereandthereathingoldhoopatthelobeofahairyear，bentovermysea-infancy。ThefirstoperationofseamanshipIhadanopportunityofobservingwastheboardingofshipsatsea，atalltimes，inallstatesoftheweather。Theygaveittometothefull。AndIhavebeeninvitedtositinmorethanonetall，darkhouseoftheoldtownattheirhospitableboard，hadthebouillabaisseladledoutintoathickplatebytheirhigh-voiced，broad-browedwives，talkedtotheirdaughters——thick-setgirls，withpureprofiles，gloriousmassesofblackhairarrangedwithcomplicatedart，darkeyes，anddazzlinglywhiteteeth。
Ihadalsootheracquaintancesofquiteadifferentsort。Oneofthem，MadameDelestang，animperious，handsomeladyinastatuesquestyle，wouldcarrymeoffnowandthenonthefrontseatofhercarriagetothePrado，atthehouroffashionableairing。Shebelongedtooneoftheoldaristocraticfamiliesinthesouth。InherhaughtywearinesssheusedtomakemethinkofLadyDedlockinDickens’s"BleakHouse，"aworkofthemasterforwhichIhavesuchanadmiration，orrathersuchanintenseandunreasoningaffection，datingfromthedaysofmychildhood，thatitsveryweaknessesaremoreprecioustomethanthestrengthofothermen’swork。Ihavereaditinnumerabletimes，bothinPolishandinEnglish;Ihavereaditonlytheotherday，and，byanotverysurprisinginversion，theLadyDedlockofthebookremindedmestronglyofthebelleMadameDelestang。
Herhusband（asIsatfacingthemboth），withhisthinbonynose，andaperfectlybloodless，narrowphysiognomyclampedtogetherasitwerebyshortformalside-whiskers，hadnothingofSirLeicesterDedlock’s"grandair"andcourtlysolemnity。Hebelongedtothehautebourgeoisieonly，andwasabanker，withwhomamodestcredithadbeenopenedformyneeds。Hewassuchanardent——no，suchafrozen-up，mummifiedRoyalistthatheusedincurrentconversationturnsofspeechcontemporary，Ishouldsay，withthegoodHenriQuatre;andwhentalkingofmoneymattersreckonednotinfrancs，likethecommon，godlessherdofpost-
RevolutionaryFrenchmen，butinobsoleteandforgottenecus——ecusofallmoneyunitsintheworld！——asthoughLouisQuatorzewerestillpromenadinginroyalsplendourthegardensofVersailles，andMonsieurdeColbertbusywiththedirectionofmaritimeaffairs。Youmustadmitthatinabankerofthenineteenthcenturyitwasaquaintidiosyncrasy。Luckilyinthecounting-
house（itoccupiedpartofthegroundflooroftheDelestangtownresidence，inasilent，shadystreet）theaccountswerekeptinmodernmoney，sothatIneverhadanydifficultyinmakingmywantsknowntothegrave，low-voiced，decorous，Legitimist（I
suppose）clerks，sittingintheperpetualgloomofheavilybarredwindowsbehindthesombre，ancientcounters，beneathloftyceilingswithheavilymouldedcornices。IalwaysfeltongoingoutasthoughIhadbeeninthetempleofsomeverydignifiedbutcompletelytemporalreligion。AnditwasgenerallyontheseoccasionsthatunderthegreatcarriagegatewayLadyDed——ImeanMadameDelestang，catchingsightofmyraisedhat，wouldbeckonmewithanamiableimperiousnesstothesideofthecarriage，andsuggestwithanairofamusednonchalance，"Venezdoncfaireuntouravecnous，"towhichthehusbandwouldaddanencouraging"C’estca。Allons，montez，jeunehomme。"Hequestionedmesometimes，significantlybutwithperfecttactanddelicacy，astothewayIemployedmytime，andneverfailedtoexpressthehopethatIwroteregularlytomy"honoureduncle。"ImadenosecretofthewayIemployedmytime，andIratherfancythatmyartlesstalesofthepilotsandsoonentertainedMadameDelestang，sofarasthatineffablewomancouldbeentertainedbytheprattleofayoungsterveryfullofhisnewexperienceamongststrangemenandstrangesensations。Sheexpressednoopinions，andtalkedtomeverylittle;yetherportraithangsinthegalleryofmyintimatememories，fixedtherebyashortandfleetingepisode。Oneday，afterputtingmedownatthecornerofastreet，sheofferedmeherhand，anddetainedmebyaslightpressure，foramoment。Whilethehusbandsatmotionlessandlookingstraightbeforehim，sheleanedforwardinthecarriagetosay，withjustashadeofwarninginherleisurelytone："Ilfaut，cependant，faireattentionanepasgatersavie。"Ihadneverseenherfacesoclosetominebefore。Shemademyheartbeat，andcausedmetoremainthoughtfulforawholeevening。
Certainlyonemust，afterall，takecarenottospoilone’slife。
Butshedidnotknow——nobodycouldknow——howimpossiblethatdangerseemedtome。
ChapterVII。
Canthetransportsoffirstlovebecalmed，checked，turnedtoacoldsuspicionofthefuturebyagravequotationfromaworkonPoliticalEconomy？Iask——isitconceivable？Isitpossible？
Woulditberight？Withmyfeetontheveryshoresoftheseaandabouttoembracemyblue-eyeddream，whatcouldagood-
naturedwarningastospoilingone’slifemeantomyyouthfulpassion？ItwasthemostunexpectedandthelasttooofthemanywarningsIhadreceived。Itsoundedtomeverybizarre——and，utteredasitwasintheverypresenceofmyenchantress，likethevoiceoffolly，thevoiceofignorance。ButIwasnotsocallousorsostupidasnottorecognisetherealsothevoiceofkindness。Andthenthevaguenessofthewarning——becausewhatcanbethemeaningofthephrase：tospoilone’slife？——arrestedone’sattentionbyitsairofwiseprofundity。Atanyrate，asI
havesaidbefore，thewordsoflabelleMadameDelestangmademethoughtfulforawholeevening。Itriedtounderstandandtriedinvain，nothavinganynotionoflifeasanenterprisethatcouldbemismanaged。ButIleftoffbeingthoughtfulshortlybeforemidnight，atwhichhour，hauntedbynoghostsofthepastandbynovisionsofthefuture，IwalkeddownthequayoftheVieuxPorttojointhepilot-boatofmyfriends。Iknewwhereshewouldbewaitingforhercrew，inthelittlebitofacanalbehindtheFortattheentranceoftheharbour。Thedesertedquayslookedverywhiteanddryinthemoonlightandasiffrost-
boundinthesharpairofthatDecembernight。Aprowlerortwoslunkbynoiselessly;acustom-houseguard，soldier-like，aswordbyhisside，pacedcloseunderthebowspritsofthelongrowofshipsmooredbowsonoppositethelong，slightlycurved，continuousflatwallofthetallhousesthatseemedtobeoneimmenseabandonedbuildingwithinnumerablewindowsshutteredclosely。Onlyhereandthereasmalldingycafeforsailorscastayellowgleamonthebluishsheenoftheflagstones。Passingby，oneheardadeepmurmurofvoicesinside——nothingmore。HowquieteverythingwasattheendofthequaysonthelastnightonwhichIwentoutforaservicecruiseasaguestoftheMarseillespilots！Notafootstep，exceptmyown，notasigh，notawhisperingechooftheusualrevelrygoingoninthenarrowunspeakablelanesoftheOldTownreachedmyear——andsuddenly，withaterrificjinglingrattleofironandglass，theomnibusoftheJollietteonitslastjourneyswungroundthecornerofthedeadwallwhichfacesacrossthepavedroadthecharacteristicangularmassoftheFortSt。Jean。Threehorsestrottedabreastwiththeclatterofhoofsonthegranitesetts，andtheyellow，uproariousmachinejoltedviolentlybehindthem，fantastic，lightedup，perfectlyemptyandwiththedriverapparentlyasleeponhisswayingperchabovethatamazingracket。Iflattenedmyselfagainstthewallandgasped。Itwasastunningexperience。ThenafterstaggeringonafewpacesintheshadowoftheFortcastingadarknessmoreintensethanthatofacloudednightuponthecanal，Isawthetinylightofalanternstandingonthequay，andbecameawareofmuffledfiguresmakingtowardsitfromvariousdirections。PilotsoftheThirdCompanyhasteningtoembark。Toosleepytobetalkativetheysteponboardinsilence。Butafewlowgruntsandanenormousyawnareheard。Somebodyevenejaculates："Ah！Coquindesort！"andsighswearilyathishardfate。
ThepatronoftheThirdCompany（therewerefivecompaniesofpilotsatthattime，Ibelieve）isthebrother-in-lawofmyfriendSolary（Baptistin），abroad-shouldered，deep-chestedmanofforty，withakeen，frankglancewhichalwaysseeksyoureyes。
Hegreetsmebyalow，hearty，"He，l’ami。Commentva？"Withhisclippedmoustacheandmassiveopenface，energeticandatthesametimeplacidinexpression，heisafinespecimenofthesouthernerofthecalmtype。Forthereissuchatypeinwhichthevolatilesouthernpassionistransmutedintosolidforce。Heisfair，butnoonecouldmistakehimforamanofthenorthevenbythedimgleamofthelanternstandingonthequay。HeisworthadozenofyourordinaryNormansorBretons，butthen，inthewholeimmensesweepoftheMediterraneanshores，youcouldnotfindhalfadozenmenofhisstamp。
Standingbythetiller，hepullsouthiswatchfromunderathickjacketandbendshisheadoveritinthelightcastintotheboat。Time’sup。Hispleasantvoicecommandsinaquietundertone"Larguez。"Asuddenlyprojectedarmsnatchesthelanternoffthequay——and，warpedalongbyalineatfirst，thenwiththeregulartugoffourheavysweepsinthebow，thebighalf-deckedboatfullofmenglidesoutoftheblackbreathlessshadowoftheFort。Theopenwateroftheavant-portglittersunderthemoonasifsownoverwithmillionsofsequins，andthelongwhitebreakwatershineslikeathickbarofsolidsilver。
Withaquickrattleofblocksandonesinglesilkyswish，thesailisfilledbyalittlebreezekeenenoughtohavecomestraightdownfromthefrozenmoon，andtheboat，aftertheclatterofthehauled-insweeps，seemstostandatrest，surroundedbyamysteriouswhisperingsofaintandunearthlythatitmaybetherustlingofthebrilliant，over-poweringmoonraysbreakinglikearain-showeruponthehard，smooth，shadowlesssea。
ImaywellrememberthatlastnightspentwiththepilotsoftheThirdCompany。Ihaveknownthespellofmoonlightsince，onvariousseasandcoasts——coastsofforests，ofrocks，ofsanddunes——butnomagicsoperfectinitsrevelationofunsuspectedcharacter，asthoughonewereallowedtolookuponthemysticnatureofmaterialthings。ForhoursIsupposenowordwasspokeninthatboat。Thepilotsseatedintworowsfacingeachotherdozedwiththeirarmsfoldedandtheirchinsrestingupontheirbreasts。Theydisplayedagreatvarietyofcaps：cloth，wool，leather，peaks，ear-flaps，tassels，withapicturesqueroundberetortwopulleddownoverthebrows;andonegrandfather，withashaved，bonyfaceandagreatbeakofanose，hadacloakwithahoodwhichmadehimlookinourmidstlikeacowledmonkbeingcarriedoffgoodnessknowswherebythatsilentcompanyofseamen——quietenoughtobedead。
Myfingersitchedforthetillerandinduecoursemyfriend，thepatron，surrenderedittomeinthesamespiritinwhichthefamilycoachmanletsaboyholdthereinsonaneasybitofroad。
Therewasagreatsolitudearoundus;theisletsahead，MonteCristoandtheChateaud’Ifinfulllight，seemedtofloattowardsus——sosteady，soimperceptiblewastheprogressofourboat。"Keepherinthefurrowofthemoon，"thepatrondirectedmeinaquietmurmur，sittingdownponderouslyinthestern-
sheetsandreachingforhispipe。
Thepilotstationinweatherlikethiswasonlyamileortwotothewestwardoftheislets;andpresently，asweapproachedthespot，theboatweweregoingtorelieveswamintoourviewsuddenly，onherwayhome，cuttingblackandsinisterintothewakeofthemoonunderasablewing，whiletothemoursailmusthavebeenavisionofwhiteanddazzlingradiance。Withoutalteringthecourseahair’s-breadthweslippedbyeachotherwithinanoar’s-length。Adrawlingsardonichailcameoutofher。Instantly，asifbymagic，ourdozingpilotsgotontheirfeetinabody。Anincrediblebabelofbanteringshoutsburstout，ajocular，passionate，volublechatter，whichlastedtilltheboatsweresterntostern，theirsallbrightnowandwithashiningsailtooureyes，weturnedallblacktotheirvision，anddrawingawayfromthemunderasablewing。Thatextraordinaryuproardiedawayalmostassuddenlyasithadbegun;firstonehadenoughofitandsatdown，thenanother，thenthreeorfourtogether，andwhenallhadleftoffwithmuttersandgrowlinghalf-laughsthesoundofheartychucklingbecameaudible，persistent，unnoticed。Thecowledgrandfatherwasverymuchentertainedsomewherewithinhishood。
Hehadnotjoinedintheshoutingofjokes，neitherhadhemovedtheleastbit。Hehadremainedquietlyinhisplaceagainstthefootofthemast。Ihadbeengiventounderstandlongbeforethathehadtheratingofasecond-classableseaman（matelotleger）inthefleetwhichsailedfromToulonfortheconquestofAlgeriaintheyearofgrace1830。And，indeed，Ihadseenandexaminedoneofthebuttonsofhisoldbrownpatchedcoat，theonlybrassbuttonofthemiscellaneouslot，flatandthin，withthewordsEquipagesdeligneengravedonit。Thatsortofbutton，Ibelieve，wentoutwiththelastoftheFrenchBourbons。
"IpreserveditfromthetimeofmyNavyService，"heexplained，noddingrapidlyhisfrail，vulture-likehead。Itwasnotverylikelythathehadpickedupthatrelicinthestreet。HelookedcertainlyoldenoughtohavefoughtatTrafalgar——oratanyratetohaveplayedhislittlepartthereasapowder-monkey。ShortlyafterwehadbeenintroducedhehadinformedmeinaFranco-
Provencaljargon，mumblingtremulouslywithhistoothlessjaws，thatwhenhewasa"shavernohigherthanthat"hehadseentheEmperorNapoleonreturningfromElba。Itwasatnight，henarratedvaguely，withoutanimation，ataspotbetweenFrejusandAntibesintheopencountry。Abigfirehadbeenlitatthesideofthecross-roads。Thepopulationfromseveralvillageshadcollectedthere，oldandyoung——downtotheverychildreninarms，becausethewomenhadrefusedtostayathome。Tallsoldierswearinghigh，hairycaps，stoodinacirclefacingthepeoplesilently，andtheirsterneyesandbigmoustacheswereenoughtomakeeverybodykeepatadistance。He，"beinganimpudentlittleshaver，"wriggledoutofthecrowd，creepingonhishandsandkneesasnearashedaredtothegrenadiers’legs，andpeepingthroughdiscoveredstandingperfectlystillinthelightofthefire"alittlefatfellowinathree-corneredhat，buttonedupinalongstraightcoat，withabigpaleface，inclinedononeshoulder，lookingsomethinglikeapriest。Hishandswereclaspedbehindhisback……ItappearsthatthiswastheEmperor，"theAncientcommentedwithafaintsigh。Hewasstaringfromthegroundwithallhismight，when"mypoorfather，"whohadbeensearchingforhisboyfranticallyeverywhere，pounceduponhimandhauledhimawaybytheear。
Thetaleseemsanauthenticrecollection。Herelatedittomemanytimes，usingtheverysamewords。Thegrandfatherhonouredmebyaspecialandsomewhatembarrassingpredilection。Extremestouch。HewastheoldestmemberbyalongwayinthatCompany，andIwas，ifImaysayso，itstemporarilyadoptedbaby。Hehadbeenapilotlongerthananymanintheboatcouldremember;
thirty——fortyyears。Hedidnotseemcertainhimself，butitcouldbefoundout，hesuggested，inthearchivesofthePilot-
office。Hehadbeenpensionedoffyearsbefore，buthewentoutfromforceofhabit;and，asmyfriendthepatronoftheCompanyonceconfidedtomeinawhisper，"theoldchapdidnoharm。Hewasnotintheway。"Theytreatedhimwithroughdeference。Oneandanotherwouldaddresssomeinsignificantremarktohimnowandagain，butnobodyreallytookanynoticeofwhathehadtosay。Hehadsurvivedhisstrength，hisusefulness，hisverywisdom。Heworelong，green，worstedstockings，pulledupabovethekneeoverhistrousers，asortofwoollennightcaponhishairlesscranium，andwoodenclogsonhisfeet。Withouthishoodedcloakhelookedlikeapeasant。Halfadozenhandswouldbeextendedtohelphimonboard，butafterwardshewasleftprettymuchtohisownthoughts。Ofcourseheneverdidanywork，except，perhaps，tocastoffsomeropewhenhailed："He，l’Ancien！letgothehalyardsthere，atyourhand"——orsomesuchrequestofaneasykind。
Noonetooknoticeinanywayofthechucklingwithintheshadowofthehood。Hekeptitupforalongtimewithintenseenjoyment。Obviouslyhehadpreservedintacttheinnocenceofmindwhichiseasilyamused。Butwhenhishilarityhadexhausteditself，hemadeaprofessionalremarkinaself-assertivebutquaveringvoice：
"Can’texpectmuchworkonanightlikethis。"
Noonetookitup。Itwasameretruism。Nothingundercanvascouldbeexpectedtomakeaportonsuchanidlenightofdreamysplendourandspiritualstillness。Wewouldhavetoglideidlytoandfro，keepingourstationwithintheappointedbearings，and，unlessafreshbreezesprangupwiththedawn，wewouldlandbeforesunriseonasmallisletthat，withintwomilesofus，shonelikealumpoffrozenmoonlight，to"breakacrustandtakeapullatthewinebottle。"Iwasfamiliarwiththeprocedure。
Thestoutboatemptiedofhercrowdwouldnestleherbuoyant，capablesideagainsttheveryrock——suchistheperfectlysmoothamenityoftheclassicseawheninagentlemood。Thecrustbroken，andthemouthfulofwineswallowed——itwasliterallynomorethanthatwiththisabstemiousrace——thepilotswouldpassthetimestampingtheirfeetontheslabsofsea-saltedstoneandblowingintotheirnippedfingers。Oneortwomisanthropistswouldsitapartperchedonboulderslikeman-likesea-fowlofsolitaryhabits;thesociablydisposedwouldgossipscandalouslyinlittlegesticulatingknots;andtherewouldbeperpetuallyoneoranotherofmyhoststakingaimattheemptyhorizonwiththelong，brasstubeofthetelescope，aheavy，murderous-lookingpieceofcollectiveproperty，everlastinglychanginghandswithbrandishingandlevellingmovements。Thenaboutnoon（itwasashortturnofduty——thelongturnlastedtwenty-fourhours）
anotherboatfulofpilotswouldrelieveus——andweshouldsteerfortheoldPhoenicianport，dominated，watchedoverfromtheridgeofadust-greyaridhillbythered-and-white-stripedpileoftheNotreDamedelaGarde。
AllthiscametopassasIhadforeseeninthefullnessofmyveryrecentexperience。Butalsosomethingnotforeseenbymedidhappen，somethingwhichcausesmetoremembermylastoutingwiththepilots。Itwasonthisoccasionthatmyhandtouched，forthefirsttime，thesideofanEnglishship。
Nofreshbreezehadcomewiththedawn，onlythesteadylittledraughtgotamorekeenedgeonitastheeasternskybecamebrightandglassywithaclean，colourlesslight。Itwaswhilewewereallashoreontheisletthatasteamerwaspickedupbythetelescope，ablackspecklikeaninsectposedonthehardedgeoftheoffing。Sheemergedrapidlytoherwater-lineandcameonsteadily，aslimhullwithalongstreakofsmokeslantingawayfromtherisingsun。Weembarkedinahurry，andheadedtheboatoutforourprey，butwehardlymovedthreemilesanhour。
Shewasabig，high-classcargo-steamerofatypethatistobemetontheseanomore，blackhull，withlow，whitesuper-
structures，powerfullyriggedwiththreemastsandalotofyardsonthefore;twohandsatherenormouswheel——steamsteering-gearwasnotamatterofcourseinthesedays——andwiththemonthebridgethreeothers，bulkyinthickbluejackets，ruddy-faced，muffledup，withpeakedcaps——Isupposeallherofficers。ThereareshipsIhavemetmorethanonceandknownwellbysightwhosenamesIhaveforgotten;butthenameofthatshipseenoncesomanyyearsagointheclearflushofacoldpalesunriseIhavenotforgotten。HowcouldI——thefirstEnglishshiponwhosesideIeverlaidmyhand！Thename——Ireaditletterbyletteronthebow——was"JamesWestoll。"Notveryromanticyouwillsay。Thenameofaveryconsiderable，well-knownanduniversallyrespectedNorth-countryshipowner，Ibelieve。JamesWestoll！Whatbetternamecouldanhonourablehard-workingshiphave？TometheverygroupingofthelettersisalivewiththeromanticfeelingofherrealityasIsawherfloatingmotionless，andborrowinganidealgracefromtheausterepurityofthelight。
Wewerethenverynearherand，onasuddenimpulse，I
volunteeredtopullbowinthedinghywhichshovedoffatoncetoputthepilotonboardwhileourboat，fannedbythefaintairwhichhadattendedusallthroughthenight，wentonglidinggentlypasttheblackglisteninglengthoftheship。Afewstrokesbroughtusalongside，anditwasthenthat，fortheveryfirsttimeinmylife，IheardmyselfaddressedinEnglish——thespeechofmysecretchoice，ofmyfuture，oflongfriendships，ofthedeepestaffections，ofhoursoftoilandhoursofease，andofsolitaryhourstoo，ofbooksread，ofthoughtspursued，ofrememberedemotions——ofmyverydreams！Andif（afterbeingthusfashionedbyitinthatpartofmewhichcannotdecay）Idarenotclaimitaloudasmyown，then，atanyratethespeechofmychildren。Thussmalleventsgrowmemorablebythepassageoftime。AstothequalityoftheaddressitselfIcannotsayitwasverystriking。Tooshortforeloquenceanddevoidofallcharmoftone，itconsistedpreciselyofthethreewords"Lookoutthere，"growledouthuskilyabovemyhead。
Itproceededfromabigfatfellow（hehadanobtrusive，hairydoublechin）inabluewoollenshirtandroomybreechespulledupveryhigh，eventothelevelofhisbreast-bone，byapairofbracesquiteexposedtopublicview。AswherehestoodtherewasnobulwarkbutonlyarailandstanchionsIwasabletotakeinataglancethewholeofhisvoluminouspersonfromhisfeettothehighcrownofhissoftblackhat，whichsatlikeanabsurdflangedconeonhisbighead。Thegrotesqueandmassivespaceofthatdeckhand（Isupposehewasthat——verylikelythelamp-
trimmer）surprisedmeverymuch。Mycourseofreading，ofdreamingandlongingfortheseahadnotpreparedmeforasea-
brotherofthatsort。InevermetagainafigureintheleastlikehisexceptintheillustrationstoMr。W。W。Jacobs’mostentertainingtalesofbargesandcoasters;buttheinspiredtalentofMr。Jacobsforpokingendlessfunatpoor，innocentsailorsinaprosewhich，howeverextravagantinitsfelicitousinvention，isalwaysartisticallyadjustedtoobservedtruth，wasnotyet。PerhapsMr。Jacobshimselfwasnotyet。Ifancythat，atmost，ifhehadmadehisnurselaughitwasaboutallhehadachievedatthatearlydate。
Therefore，Irepeat，otherdisabilitiesapart，Icouldnothavebeenpreparedforthesightofthathuskyoldporpoise。Theobjectofhisconciseaddresswastocallmyattentiontoaropewhichheincontinentlyflungdownformetocatch。Icaughtit，thoughitwasnotreallynecessary，theshiphavingnowayonherbythattime。Theneverythingwentonveryswiftly。Thedinghycamewithaslightbumpagainstthesteamer’sside，thepilot，grabbingtheropeladder，hadscrambledhalfwayupbeforeIknewthatourtaskofboardingwasdone;theharsh，muffledclangingoftheengine-roomtelegraphstruckmyearthroughtheironplate;mycompanioninthedinghywasurgingmeto"shoveoff——
pushhard";andwhenIboreagainstthesmoothflankofthefirstEnglishshipIevertouchedinmylife，Ifeltitalreadythrobbingundermyopenpalm。
Herheadswungalittletothewest，pointingtowardstheminiaturelighthouseoftheJolliettebreakwater，farawaythere，hardlydistinguishableagainsttheland。Thedinghydancedasquashy，splashyjiginthewashofthewakeandturninginmyseatIfollowedthe"JamesWestoll"withmyeyes。Beforeshehadgoneinaquarterofamileshehoistedherflagastheharbourregulationsprescribeforarrivinganddepartingships。Isawitsuddenlyflickerandstreamoutontheflagstaff。TheRedEnsign！Inthepellucid，colourlessatmospherebathingthedrabandgreymassesofthatsouthernland，thelividislets，theseaofpaleglassyblueunderthepaleglassyskyofthatcoldsunrise，itwasasfarastheeyecouldreachtheonlyspotofardentcolour——flame-like，intense，andpresentlyasminuteasthetinyredsparktheconcentratedreflectionofagreatfirekindlesintheclearheartofaglobeofcrystal。TheRedEnsign——thesymbolic，protectingwarmbitofbuntingflungwideupontheseas，anddestinedforsomanyyearstobetheonlyroofovermyhead。