"Nowdon’tlet’sgetfeverish，"Fattysaid，droppinghisownweapon。"Wearen’tscum。We’regentlemen。Let’sdrinklikegentlemen。"
　　"Letitbearealdrinking，"Whiskersapproved。
　　"Let’sgetpetrified，"Slimagreed。"Manyadistillery’sflowedunderthebridgesinceweweregentlemen;butlet’sforgetthelongroadwe’vetravelledsince，andhitourdossinthegoodoldfashioninwhicheverygentlemanwenttobedwhenwewereyoung。"
　　"Myfatherdoneit-didit，"Fattyconcurredandcorrected，asoldrecollectionsexplodedlong-sealedbrain-cellsofconnotationandcorrectusage。
　　Theothertwonoddedadescentfromsimilarfathers，andelevatedtheirtincansofalcohol。
　　Bythetimeeachhadfinishedhisownbottleandfromhisragsfishedforthasecondone，theirbrainswerewell-mellowedanda-
　　glow，althoughtheyhadnotgotaroundtotellingtheirrealnames。
　　ButtheirEnglishhadimproved。Theyspokeitcorrectly，whiletheargooftramp-landceasedfromtheirlips。
　　"It’smyconstitution，"Whiskerswasexplaining。"VeryfewmencouldgothroughwhatIhaveandlivetotellthetale。AndI
　　nevertookanycareofmyself。Ifwhatthemoralistsandthephysiologistssayweretrue，I’dhavebeendeadlongago。Andit’sthesamewithyoutwo。Lookatus，atouradvancedyears，carousingastheyoungonesdon’tdare，sleepingoutintheopenontheground，nevershelteredfromfrostnorrainnorstorm，neverafraidofpneumoniaorrheumatismthatwouldputhalftheyoungonesontheirbacksinhospital。"
　　Hebrokeofftomixanotherdrink，andFattytookupthetale。
　　"Andwe’vehadourfun，"heboasted，"andspeakingofsweetheartsandall，"hecribbedfromKipling，"’We’veroguedandwe’veranged-’"
　　"’Inourtime，’"Slimcompletedthecribforhim。
　　"Ishouldsayso，Ishouldsayso，"Fattyconfirmed。"Andbeenlovedbyprincesses-atleastIhave。"
　　"Goonandtellusaboutit，"Whiskersurged。"Thenight’syoung，andwhyshouldn’twerememberbacktotheroofsofkings？"
　　Nothingloth，Fattyclearedhisthroatfortherecitalandcastaboutinhismindforthebestwaytobegin。
　　"ItmustbeknownthatIcameofgoodfamily。PercivalDelaney，letussay，yes，letussayPercivalDelaney，wasnotunknownatOxfordonceuponatime-notforscholarship，Iamfranktoadmit;
　　butthegayyoungdogsofthatday，ifanybeyetalive，wouldrememberhim-"
　　"MypeoplecameoverwiththeConqueror，"Whiskersinterrupted，extendinghishandtoFatty’sinacknowledgmentoftheintroduction。
　　"Whatname？"Fattyqueried。"Ididnotseemquitetocatchit。"
　　"Delarouse，ChaunceyDelarouse。Thenamewillserveaswellasany。"
　　BothcompletedthehandshakeandglancedtoSlim。
　　"Oh，well，whilewe’reaboutit……"Fattyurged。
　　"BruceCadoganCavendish，"Slimgrowledmorosely。"Goon，Percival，withyourprincessesandtheroofsofkings。"
　　"Oh，Iwasarareyoungdevil，"Percivalobliged，"afterIplayedducksanddrakesathomeandsportedoutovertheworld。AndIwassomefigureofamanbeforeIlostmyshape-polo，steeple-
　　chasing，boxing。IwonmedalsatbuckjumpinginAustralia，andI
　　heldmorethanseveralswimmingrecordsfromthequarterofamileup。WomenturnedtheirheadstolookwhenIwentby。Thewomen！
　　Godblessthem！"
　　AndFatty，aliasPercivalDelaney，agrotesqueofmanhood，puthisbulgyhandtohispuffedlipsandkissedaudiblyintothestarryvaultofthesky。
　　"AndthePrincess！"heresumed，withanotherkisstothestars。
　　"ShewasasfineafigureofawomanasIwasaman，ashigh-
　　spiritedandcourageous，asrecklessanddare-devilish。Lord，Lord，inthewatershewasamermaid，asea-goddess。Andwhenitcametoblood，besideherIwasparvenu。Herroyallinetracedbackintothemistsofantiquity。
　　"Shewasnotadaughterofafair-skinnedfolk。Tawnygoldenwasshe，withgolden-browneyes，andherhairthatfelltoherkneeswasblue-blackandstraight，withjustthecurlytendrillytendencythatgivestowoman’shairitscharm。Oh，therewerenokinksinit，anymorethanweretherekinksinthehairofherentiregenealogy。ForshewasPolynesian，glowing，golden，lovelyandlovable，royalPolynesian。"
　　Againhepausedtokisshishandtothememoryofher，andSlim，aliasBruceCadoganCavendish，tookadvantagetointerject：
　　"Huh！Maybeyoudidn’tshineinscholarship，butatleastyougleanedavocabularyoutofOxford。"
　　"AndintheSouthSeasgarneredabettervocabularyfromthelexiconofLove，"Percivalwasquickontheuptake。
　　"ItwastheislandofTalofa，"hewenton，"meaninglove，theIsleofLove，anditwasherisland。Herfather，theking，anoldman，satonhismatswithparalysedkneesanddranksquarefaceginalldayandmostofthenight，outofgrief，sheergrief。She，myprincess，wastheonlyissue，herbrotherhavingbeenlostintheirdoublecanoeinahurricanewhilecomingupfromavoyagetoSamoa。
　　AndamongthePolynesianstheroyalwomenhaveequalrightwiththementorule。Infact，theytracetheirgenealogiesalwaysbythefemaleline。"
　　TothisbothChaunceyDelarouseandBruceCadoganCavendishnoddedpromptaffirmation。
　　"Ah，"saidPercival，"IperceiveyoubothknowtheSouthSeas，wherefore，withoutundueexpenditureofverbiageonmypart，Iamassuredthatyouwillappreciatethecharmofmyprincess，thePrincessTui-nuiofTalofa，thePrincessoftheIsleofLove。"
　　Hekissedhishandtoher，sippedfromhiscondensedmilkcanaman-sizedrinkofdruggist’salcohol，andtoheragainkissedherhand。
　　"Butshewascoy，andeversheflutteredneartomebutnevernearenough。Whenmyarmwentouttohertogirdleher，presto，shewasnotthere。Iknew，asneverbefore，norsince，thethousanddearanddelightfulanguishesoflovefrustratedbuteverresilientandbeckonedonbytheverygoddessoflove。"
　　"Somevocabulary，"BruceCadoganCavendishmutteredinasidetoChaunceyDelarouse。ButPercivalDelaneywasnottobedeterred。
　　Hekissedhispudgyhandaloftintothenightandheldwarmlyon。
　　"NofondagoniesofrapturedeferredthatwerenotlavisheduponmebymydearPrincess，herselfeveraluringdelightofpromiseflittingjustbeyondmyreach。Everysweetlover’sinfernounguessedofbyDantesheledmethrough。Ah！Thoseswooningtropicnights，underourpalmtrees，thedistantsurfalangourousmurmurasfromsomevastseashellofmystery，whenshe，myPrincess，allbutmeltedtomyyearning，andwithherlaughter，thatwasassilverstringsbybudsandblossomssmitten，allbutmadelunacyofmylover’sardency。
　　"ItwasbymywrestlingwiththechampionsofTalofathatIfirstinterestedher。ItwasbymyprowessatswimmingthatIawokeher。
　　AnditwasbyacertainswimmingdeedthatIwonfromhermorethancoquettishsmilesandshytimiditiesoffeignedretreat。
　　"Weweresquiddingthatday，outonthereef-youknowhow，undoubtedly，divingdownthefaceofthewallofthereef，fivefathoms，tenfathoms，anydepthwithinreason，andshovingoursquid-sticksintothelikelyholesandcranniesofthecoralwheresquidmightbelairing。Withthesquid-stick，bluntlysharpatbothends，perhapsafootlong，andheldcrosswiseinthehand，thetrickwastogougeanylazyingsquiduntilheclosedhistentaclesaroundfist，stickandarm-Thenyouhadhim，andcametothesurfacewithhim，andhithimintheheadwhichisinthecentreofhim，andpeeledhimoffintothewaitingcanoe……AndtothinkIusedtodothat！"
　　PercivalDelaneypausedamoment，aglimmerofaweonhisrotundface，ashecontemplatedthemightypictureofhisyouth。
　　"Why，I’vepulledoutasquidwithtentacleseightfeetlong，anddoneitunderfiftyfeetofwater。Icouldstaydownfourminutes。
　　I’vegonedown，withacoral-rocktosinkme，inahundredandtenfeettoclearafouledanchor。AndIcouldback-divewithaonce-
　　overandgoinfeet-firstfromeightyfeetabovethesurface-"
　　"Quitit，deleteit，ceaseit，"ChaunceyDelarouseadmonishedtestily。"TellofthePrincess。That’swhatmakesoldbloodleapagain。AlmostcanIseeher。Wasshewonderful？"
　　PercivalDelaneykissedunutterableaffirmation。
　　"Ihavesaidshewasamermaid。Shewas。Iknowsheswamthirty-
　　sixhoursbeforebeingrescued，afterherschoonerwascapsizedinadouble-squall。Ihaveseenherdoninetyfeetandbringuppearlshellineachhand。Shewaswonderful。Asawomanshewasravishing，sublime。Ihavesaidshewasasea-goddess。Shewas。
　　Oh，foraPhidiasoraPraxitelestohavemadethewonderofherbodyimmortal！
　　"Andthatday，outforsquidonthereef，Iwasalmostsickforher。Mad-IknowIwasmadforher。Wewouldstepoverthesidefromthebigcanoe，andswimdown，sidebyside，intothedeliciousdepthsofcoolandcolour，andshewouldlookatme，asweswam，andwithhereyestantalizemetofurthermadness。Andatlast，down，fardown，Ilostmyselfandreachedforher。Sheeludedmelikethemermaidshewas，andIsawthelaughteronherfaceasshefled。Shefleddeeper，andIknewIhadherforIwasbetweenherandthesurface;butinthemuckcoralsandofthebottomshemadeachurningwithhersquidstick。Itwastheoldtricktoescapeashark。Andsheworkeditonme，rollingthewatersothatIcouldnotseeher。AndwhenIcameup，shewasthereaheadofme，clingingtothesideofthecanoeandlaughing。
　　"AlmostIwouldnotbedenied。Butnotfornothingwassheaprincess。Sherestedherhandonmyarmandcompelledmetolisten。Weshouldplayagame，shesaid，enterintoacompetitionforwhichshouldgetthemoresquid，thebiggestsquid，andthesmallestsquid。Sincethewagerswerekisses，youcanwellimagineIwentdownonthefirstnextdivewithsoulaflame。
　　"Igotnosquid。NeveragaininallmylifehaveIdivedforsquid。Perhapswewerefivefathomsdownandexploringthefaceofthereefwallforlurkingplacesofourprey，whenithappened。I
　　hadfoundalikelylairandjustproveditempty，whenIfeltorsensedthenearnessofsomethinginimical。Iturned。Thereitwas，alongsideofme，andnomerefish-shark。Fullyadozenfeetinlength，withtheunmistakablephosphorescentcat’seyegleaminglikeadrowningstar，Iknewitforwhatitwas，atigershark。
　　"Nottenfeettotheright，probingacoralfissurewithhersquidstick，wasthePrincess，andthetigersharkwasheadingdirectlyforher。Mytotalityofthoughtwasprecipitatedtoconsciousnessinasingleall-embracingflash。Theman-eatermustbedeflectedfromher，andwhatwasI，exceptamadloverwhowouldgladlyfightanddie，ormoregladlyfightandlive，forhisbeloved？Remember，shewasthewomanwonderful，andIwasaflameforher。
　　"Knowingfullytheperilofmyact，Ithrusttheblunt-sharpendofmysquid-stickintothesideoftheshark，muchasonewouldattractapassingacquaintancewithathumb-nudgeintheribs。Andtheman-eaterturnedonme。YouknowtheSouthSeas，andyouknowthatthetigershark，likethebald-facegrizzlyofAlaska，nevergivestrail。Thecombat，fathomsdeepunderthesea，wason-ifbycombatmaybenamedsuchaone-sidedstruggle。
　　"ThePrincessunaware，caughthersquidandrosetothesurface。
　　Theman-eaterrushedme。Ifendedhimoffwithbothhandsonhisnoseabovehisthousand-toothedopenmouth，sothathebackedmeagainstthesharpcoral。Thescarsaretheretothisday。
　　WheneverItriedtorise，herushedme，andIcouldnotremaindownthereindefinitelywithoutair。Wheneverherushedme，Ifendedhimoffwithmyhandsonhisnose。AndIwouldhaveescapedunharmed，exceptfortheslipofmyrighthand。Intohismouthitwenttotheelbow。Hisjawsclosed，justbelowtheelbow。Youknowhowashark’steethare。Onceintheycannotbereleased。
　　Theymustgothroughtocompletethebite，buttheycannotgothroughheavybone。So，fromjustbelowtheelbowhestrippedthebonecleantothearticulationofthewrist-joint，wherehisteethmetandmygoodrighthandbecamehisforanappetizer。
　　"Butwhilehewasdoingthis，Idrovethethumbofmylefthand，tothehiltintohiseye-orificeandpoppedouthiseye。Thisdidnotstophim。Themeathadmaddenedhim。Hepursuedthegushingstumpofmywrist。HalfadozentimesIfendedwithmyintactarm。Thenhegotthepoormangledarmagain，closeddown，andstrippedthemeatoffthebonefromtheshoulderdowntotheelbow-joint，wherehisteethmetandhewasfreeofhissecondmouthfulofme。But，atthesametime，withmygoodarm，Ithumbedouthisremainingeye。"
　　PercivalDelaneyshruggedhisshoulders，ereheresumed。
　　"Fromabove，thoseinthecanoehadbeheldtheentirehappeningandwereloudinpraiseofmydeed。Tothisdaytheystillsingthesongofme，andtellthetaleofme。AndthePrincess。"Hispausewasbriefbutsignificant。"ThePrincessmarriedme……Oh，well-a-dayandlack-a-day，thewhirligigoftimeandfortune，thetopsyturvinessofluck，thewoodenshoegoingupandthepolishedheeldescendingaFrenchgunboat，aconqueredislandkingdomofOceania，to-dayruledoverbyapeasant-born，unlettered，colonialgendarme，and……"
　　Hecompletedthesentenceandthetalebyburyinghisfaceinthedown-tiltedmouthofthecondensedmilkcanandbygurglingthecorrosivedrinkdownhisthroatinthirstygulps。
　　Afteranappropriatepause，ChaunceyDelarouse，otherwiseWhiskers，tookupthetale。
　　"FarbeitfrommetoboastofnomatterwhatplaceofbirthIhavedescendedfromtositherebythisfirewithsuchas……aschancealong。Imaysay，however，thatI，too，wasonceaconsiderablefigureofaman。Imayaddthatitwashorses，plusparentstooindulgent，thatexiledmeoutovertheworld。Imaystillwondertoquery：’AreDover’scliffsstillwhite？’"
　　"Huh！"BruceCadoganCavendishsneered。"Nextyou’llbeasking：
　　’HowfarestheoldLordWarden？’"
　　"AndItookeveryliberty，andvainly，withaconstitutionthatwasiron，"Whiskershurriedon。"HereIamwithmythreescoreandtenbehindme，andbackonthatlongroadhaveIburiedmanyayoungsterthatwasasrareanddevilishasI，butwhocouldnotstandthepace。Iknewtheworsttooyoung。AndnowIknowtheworsttooold。Buttherewasatime，alasalltooshort，whenI
　　knew，thebest。
　　"I，too，kissmyhandtothePrincessofmyheart。Shewastrulyaprincess，Polynesian，athousandmilesandmoreawaytotheeastwardandthesouthfromDelaney’sIsleofLove。ThenativesofallaroundthatpartoftheSouthSeascalledittheJollyIsland。
　　Theirownname，thenameofthepeoplewhodweltthereon，translatesdelicatelyandjustlyinto’TheIslandofTranquilLaughter。’OnthechartyouwillfindtheerroneousnamegiventoitbytheoldnavigatorstobeManatomana。TheseafaringgentrytheroundoceanaroundcalledittheAdamlessEden。AndthemissionariesforatimecalleditGod’sWitness-sogreathadbeentheirsuccessatconvertingtheinhabitants。Asforme，itwas，andevershallbe，Paradise。
　　"ItwasMYParadise，foritwastheremyPrincesslived。JohnAsibeliTungiwasking。Hewasfull-bloodednative，descendedoutoftheoldestandhighestchief-stockthattracedbacktoManuawhichwastheprimevalseahomeoftherace。AlsowasheknownasJohntheApostate。Helivedalonglifeandapostasizedfrequently。FirstconvertedbytheCatholics，hethrewdowntheidols，brokethetabus，cleanedoutthenativepriests，executedafewoftherecalcitrantones，andsentallhissubjectstochurch。
　　"Nexthefellforthetraders，whodevelopedinhimachampagnethirst，andheshippedofftheCatholicprieststoNewZealand。
　　Thegreatmajorityofhissubjectsalwaysfollowedhislead，and，havingnoreligionatall，ensuedthetimeoftheGreatLicentiousness，whenbyallSouthSeasmissionarieshisisland，insermons，wasspokenofasBabylon。
　　"Butthetradersruinedhisdigestionwithtoomuchchampagne，andafterseveralyearshefellfortheGospelaccordingtotheMethodists，senthispeopletochurch，andcleanedupthebeachandthetradingcrowdsospickandspanthathewouldnotpermitthemtosmokeapipeoutofdoorsonSunday，and，finedoneofthechieftradersonehundredgoldsovereignsforwashinghisschooner’sdecksontheSabbathmorn。
　　"ThatwasthetimeoftheBlueLaws，butperhapsitwastoorigorousforKingJohn。OffhepackedtheMethodists，onefineday，exiledseveralhundredofhispeopletoSamoaforstickingtoMethodism，and，ofallthings，inventedareligionofhisown，withhimselfthefigure-headofworship。InthishewasaidedandabettedbyarenegadeFijian。Thislastedfiveyears。MaybehegrewtiredofbeingGod，ormaybeitwasbecausetheFijiandecampedwiththesixthousandpoundsintheroyaltreasury;butatanyratetheSecondReformedWesleyansgothim，andhisentirekingdomwentWesleyan。ThepioneerWesleyanmissionaryheactuallymadeprimeminister，andwhathedidtothetradingcrowdwasacaution。Why，intheend，KingJohn’skingdomwasblacklistedandboycottedbythetraderstilltherevenuesdiminishedtozero，thepeoplewentbankrupt，andKingJohncouldn’tborrowashillingfromhismostpowerfulchief。
　　"Bythistimehewasgettingold，andphilosophic，andtolerant，andspirituallyatavistic。HefiredouttheSecondReformedWesleyans，calledbacktheexilesfromSamoa，invitedinthetraders，heldagenerallove-feast，tookthelidoff，proclaimedreligiouslibertyandhightariff，andasforhimselfwentbacktotheworshipofhisancestors，duguptheidols，reinstatedafewoctogenarianpriests，andobservedthetabus。Allofwhichwaslovelyforthetraders，andprosperityreigned。Ofcourse，mostofhissubjectsfollowedhimbackintoheathenworship。YetquiteasprinklingofCatholics，MethodistsandWesleyansremainedtruetotheirbeliefsandmanagedtomaintainafewsqualid，one-horsechurches。ButKingJohndidn’tmind，anymorethandidhethehightimesofthetradersalongthebeach。Everythingwent，solongasthetaxeswerepaid。Evenwhenhiswife，QueenMamare，electedtobecomeaBaptist，andinvitedinalittle，weazened，sweet-
　　spirited，club-footedBaptistmissionary，KingJohndidnotobject。
　　Allheinsistedonwasthatthesewanderingreligionsshouldbeself-supportingandnotfeedapennyworth’soutoftheroyalcoffers。
　　"Andnowthethreadsofmyrecitaldrawtogetherintheparagonoffemaleexquisiteness-myPrincess。"
　　Whiskerspaused，placedcarefullyonthegroundhishalf-fullcondensedmilkcanwithwhichhehadbeenabsentlytoying，andkissedthefingersofhisonehandaudiblyaloft。
　　"ShewasthedaughterofQueenMamare。Shewasthewomanwonderful。UnliketheDianatypeofPolynesian，shewasalmostethereal。SheWASethereal，sublimatedbypurity，asshyandmodestasaviolet，asfragile-slenderasalily，andhereyes，luminousandshrinkingtender，wereasasphodelsontheswardofheaven。Shewasallflower，andfire，anddew。Herswasthesweetnessofthemountainrose，thegentlenessofthedove。Andshewasallofgoodaswellasallofbeauty，devoutinherbeliefinhermother’sworship，whichwastheworshipintroducedbyEbenezerNaismith，theBaptistmissionary。Butmakenomistake。
　　ShewasnomeresweetspiritripeforthebosomofAbraham。Allofexquisitedeliciousnessofwomanwasshe。Shewaswoman，allwoman，tothelastsensitivequiveringatomofher-
　　"AndI？Iwasawastrelofthebeach。ThewildestwasnotsowildasI，thekeenestnotsokeen，ofallthatwild，keentradingcrowd。ItwasesteemedIplayedthestiffesthandofpoker。Iwastheonlylivingman，white，brown，orblack，whodaredruntheKuni-kuniPassageinthedark。AndonablacknightIhavedoneitunderreefsinagaleofwind。Well，anyway，Ihadabadreputationonabeachwheretherewerenogoodreputations。Iwasreckless，dangerous，stoppedatnothinginfightorfrolic;andthetradingcaptainsusedtobringboiler-sheetedprodigiesfromthevilestholesoftheSouthPacifictotryanddrinkmeunderthetable。Irememberone，acalcinedScotchmanfromtheNewHebrides。
　　Itwasagreatdrinking。Hediedofit，andweladedhimaboardship，pickledinacaskoftraderum，andsenthimbacktohisownplace。Asample，afairsample，oftheantictrickswecutuponthebeachofManatomana。
　　"Andofallunthinkablethings，whatdidIupanddo，oneday，butlookuponthePrincesstofindhergoodandtofallinlovewithher。Itwastherealthing。IwasasmadasaMarchhare，andafterthatIgotonlymadder。Ireformed。Thinkofthat！Thinkofwhataslipofawomancandotoabusy，rovingman！-BytheLordHarry，it’strue。Ireformed。Iwenttochurch。Hearme！I
　　becameconverted。IclearedmysoulbeforeGodandkeptmyhands-
　　Ihadtwothen-offtheribaldcrewofthebeachwhenitlaughedatthis，mylatestantic，andwantedtoknowwhatwasmygame。
　　"ItellyouIreformed，andgavemyselfinpassionandsinceritytoareligiousexperiencethathasmademetolerantofallreligioneversince。Idischargedmybestcaptainforimmorality。SodidI
　　mycook，andabetterneverboiledwaterinManatomana。ForthesamereasonIdischargedmychiefclerk。AndforthefirsttimeinthehistoryoftradingmyschoonerstothewestwardcarriedBiblesintheirstock。Ibuiltalittleanchoritebungalowuptownonamango-linedstreetsquarelyalongsidethelittlehouseoccupiedbyEbenezerNaismith。AndImadehimmypalandcomrade，andfoundhimaveritablehoneypotofsweetnessesandgoodnesses。Andhewasaman，throughandthroughaman。Andhediedlongafterlikeaman，whichIwouldliketotellyouabout，werethetaleofitnotsodeservedlylong。
　　"ItwasthePrincess，morethanthemissionary，whowasresponsibleformyexpressingmyfaithinworks，andespeciallyinthatcrowningwork，theNewChurch，OurChurch，theQueen-mother’schurch。
　　"’Ourpoorchurch，’shesaidtome，onenightafterprayer-meeting。
　　Ihadbeenconvertedonlyafortnight。’Itissosmallitscongregationcannevergrow。Andtheroofleaks。AndKingJohn，myhard-heartedfather，willnotcontributeapenny。Yethehasabigbalanceinthetreasury。AndManatomanaisnotpoor。Muchmoneyismadeandsquandered，Iknow。Ihearthegossipofthewildwaysofthebeach。Lessthanamonthagoyoulostmoreinonenight，gamblingatcards，thanthecostoftheupkeepofourpoorchurchforayear。’
　　"AndItoldheritwastrue，butthatitwasbeforeIhadseenthelight。（I’dhadaninfernalrunofbadluck。）ItoldherIhadnottastedliquorsince，norturnedacard。Itoldherthattheroofwouldberepairedatonce，byChristiancarpentersselectedbyherfromthecongregation。ButshewasfilledwiththethoughtofagreatrevivalthatEbenezerNaismithcouldpreach-shewasadearsaint-andshespokeofagreatchurch，saying：
　　"’Youarerich。Youhavemanyschooners，andtradersinfarislands，andIhaveheardofagreatcontractyouhavesignedtorecruitlabourfortheGermanplantationsofUpolu。Theysay，nexttoSweitzer，youaretherichesttraderhere。IshouldlovetoseesomeuseofallthismoneyplacedtothegloryofGod。Itwouldbeanoblethingtodo，andIshouldbeproudtoknowthemanwhowoulddoit。’
　　"ItoldherthatEbenezerNaismithwouldpreachtherevival，andthatIwouldbuildachurchgreatenoughinwhichtohouseit。
　　"’AsbigastheCatholicchurch？’sheasked。
　　"Thiswastheruinedcathedral，builtatthetimewhentheentirepopulationwasconverted，anditwasalargeorder;butIwasafirewithlove，andItoldherthatthechurchIwouldbuildwouldbeevenbigger。
　　"’Butitwilltakemoney，’Iexplained。’Andittakestimetomakemoney。’
　　"’Youhavemuch，’shesaid。’Somesayyouhavemoremoneythanmyfather，theKing。
　　"’Ihavemorecredit，’Iexplained。’Butyoudonotunderstandmoney。Ittakesmoneytohavecredit。So，withthemoneyIhave，andthecreditIhave，Iwillworktomakemoremoneyandcredit，andthechurchshallbebuilt。’
　　"Work！Iwasasurprisetomyself。Itisanamazement，theamountoftimeamanfindsonhishandsafterhe’sgivenupcarousing，andgambling，andallthetime-eatingdiversionsofthebeach。AndI
　　didn’twasteasecondofallmynew-foundtime。InsteadIworkeditovertime。Ididtheworkofhalfadozenmen。Ibecameadriver。Mycaptainsmadefasterrunsthaneverandearnedbiggerbonuses，asdidmysupercargoes，whosawtoitthatmyschoonersdidnotloafanddawdlealongtheway。AndIsawtoitthatmysupercargoesdidseetoit。
　　"Andgood！BytheLordHarryIwassogoodithurt。Myconsciencegotsoexpansiveandfine-strungitlamedmeacrosstheshoulderstocarryitaroundwithme。Why，IevenwentbackovermyaccountsandpaidSweitzerfiftyquidI’djiggeredhimoutofinadealinFijithreeyearsbefore。AndIcompoundedtheinterestaswell。
　　"Work！Iplantedsugarcane-thefirstcommercialplantingonManatomana。Iranincargoesofkinky-headsfromMalaita，whichisintheSolomons，tillIhadtwelvehundredoftheblackbirdsputtingincane。AndIsentaschoonercleartoHawaiitobringbackadismantledsugarmillandaGermanwhosaidheknewthefield-endofcane。Andhedid，andhechargedmethreehundreddollarsscrewamonth，andItookholdofthemill-end。I
　　installedthemillmyself，withthehelpofseveralmechanicsI
　　broughtupfromQueensland。
　　"Ofcoursetherewasarival。HisnamewasMotomoe。HewastheveryhighestchiefbloodnexttoKingJohn’s。Hewasfullnative，astrapping，handsomeman，withagloweringwayofshowinghisdislikes。HecertainlygloweredatmewhenIbeganhangingaroundthepalace。Hewentbackinmyhistoryandcirculatedtheblackesttalesaboutme。Theworstofitwasthatmostofthemweretrue。
　　HeevenmadeavoyagetoApiatofindthingsout-asifhecouldn’tfindaplentyrightthereonthebeachofManatomana！Andhesneeredatmyfailingforreligion，andatmygoingtoprayer-
　　meeting，and，mostofall，atmysugar-planting。Hechallengedmetofight，andIkeptoffofhim。Hethreatenedme，andIlearnedinthenickoftimeofhisplantohavemeknockedonthehead。
　　Yousee，hewantedthePrincessjustasmuchasIdid，andIwantedhermore。
　　"Sheusedtoplaythepiano。SodidI，once。ButIneverletherknowafterI’dheardherplaythefirsttime。Andshethoughtherplayingwaswonderful，thedear，fondgirl！Youknowthesort，themechanicalone-two-threetum-tum-tumschool-girlstuff。AndnowI’lltellyousomethingfunnier。HerplayingWASwonderfultome。
　　Thegatesofheavenopenedtomewhensheplayed。Icanseemyselfnow，wornoutanddog-tiredafterthelongday，lyingonthematsofthepalaceverandaandgazinguponheratthepiano，myselfinaperfectidiocyofbliss。Why，thisideashehadofherfineplayingwastheoneflawinherdeliciousnessofperfection，andI
　　lovedherforit。Itkindofbroughtherwithinmyhumanreach。
　　Why，whensheplayedherone-two-three，tum-tum-tum，Iwasintheseventhheavenofbliss。Mywearinessfellfromme。Ilovedher，andmyloveforherwascleanasflame，cleanasmyloveforGod。
　　Anddoyouknow，intomyfondlover’sfancycontinuallyintrudedthethoughtthatGodinmostwaysmustlooklikeher。
　　"-That’sright，BruceCadoganCavendish，sneerasyoulike。ButItellyouthat’slovethatI’vebeendescribing。That’sall。
　　It’slove。It’stherealest，purest，finestthingthatcanhappentoaman。AndIknowwhatI’mtalkingabout。Ithappenedtome。"
　　Whiskers，hisbeadysquirrel’seyeglitteringfromouthisruinedeyebrowlikealivecoalinajungleambush，brokeofflongenoughtodownasedativedraughtfromhiscondensedmilkcanandtomixanother。
　　"Thecane，"heresumed，wipinghisprodigiousmatoffacehairwiththebackofhishand。"Itmaturedinsixteenmonthsinthatclimate，andIwasready，justreadyandnomore，withthemillforthegrinding。Naturally，itdidnotallmatureatonce，butIhadplantedinsuchsuccessionthatIcouldgrindforninemonthssteadily，whilemorewasbeingplantedandtheratoonswerespringingup。
　　"Ihadmytroublesthefirstseveraldays。Ifitwasn’tonethingthematterwiththemill，itwasanother。Onthefourthday，Ferguson，myengineer，hadtoshutdownseveralhoursinordertoremedyhisowntroubles。Iwasbotheredbythefeeder。Afterhavingtheniggers（whohadbeenfeedingthecane）pourcreamoflimeontherollerstokeepeverythingsweet，Isentthemouttojointhecane-cuttingsquads。SoIwasallaloneatthatend，justasFergusonstartedupthemill，justasIdiscoveredwhatwasthematterwiththefeed-rollers，andjustasMotomoestrolledup。
　　"Hestoodthere，inNorfolkjacket，pigskinputtees，andalltherestofthefashionableget-upoutofabandbox，sneeringatmecoveredwithfilthandgreasetotheeyebrowsandlookinglikeanavvy。And，therollersnowwhitefromthelime，I’djustseenwhatwaswrong。Therollerswerenotinplumb。Onesidecrushedthecanewell，buttheothersidewastooopen。Ishovedmyfingersinonthatside。Thebig，toothedcogsontherollersdidnottouchmyfingers。Andyet，suddenly，theydid。Withthegripoftenthousanddevils，myfinger-tipswerecaught，drawnin，andpulpedto-well，justpulp。And，likeaslickofcane，Ihadstartedonmyway。Therewasnostoppingme。Tenthousandhorsescouldnothavepulledmeback。Therewasnothingtostopme。
　　Hand，arm，shoulder，head，andchest，downtothetoesofme，Iwasdoomedtofeedthrough。
　　"Itdidhurt。Ithurtsomuchitdidnothurtmeatall。Quitedetached，almostmayIsay，Ilookedonmyhandbeinggroundup，knucklebyknuckle，jointbyjoint，thebackofthehand，thewrist，theforearm，allinorderslowlyandinevitablyfeedingin。
　　Oengineerhoistbythineownpetard！Osugar-makercrushedbythineowncane-crusher！
　　"Motomoesprangforwardinvoluntarily，andthesneerwaschasedfromhisfacebyanexpressionofsolicitude。Thenthebeautyofthesituationdawnedonhim，andhechuckledandgrinned。No，I
　　didn’texpectanythingofhim。Hadn’thetriedtoknockmeonthehead？Whatcouldhedoanyway？Hedidn’tknowanythingaboutengines。
　　"IyelledatthetopofmylungstoFergusontoshutofftheengine，buttheroarofthemachinerydrownedmyvoice。AndthereIstood，uptotheelbowandfeedingrightonin。Yes，itdidhurt。Thereweresomeastonishingtwingeswhenspecialnerveswereshreddedanddraggedoutbytheroots。ButIrememberthatIwassurprisedatthetimethatitdidnothurtworse。
　　"Motomoemadeamovementthatattractedmyattention。Atthesametimehegrowledoutloud，asifhehatedhimself，’I’mafool。’
　　Whathehaddonewastopickupacane-knife-youknowthekind，asbigasamacheteandasheavy。AndIwasgratefultohiminadvanceforputtingmeoutofmymisery。Therewasn’tanysenseinslowlyfeedingintillmyheadwascrushed，andalreadymyarmwaspulpedhalfwayfromelbowtoshoulder，andthepulpingwasgoingrighton。SoIwasgrateful，asIbentmyheadtotheblow。
　　"’Getyourheadoutoftheway，youidiot！’hebarkedatme。
　　"AndthenIunderstoodandobeyed。Iwasabigman，andhetooktwohackstodoit;buthehackedmyarmoffjustoutsidetheshoulderanddraggedmebackandlaidmedownonthecane。
　　"Yes，thesugarpaid-enormously;andIbuiltforthePrincessthechurchofhersaintlydream，and……shemarriedme。"
　　Hepartlyassuagedhisthirst，andutteredhisfinalword。
　　"Alackaday！Shuttlecockandbattle-dore。Andthisat，theendofitall，linedwithboilerplatethatevenalcoholwillnotcorrodeandthatonlyalcoholwilltickle。YethaveIlived，andIkissmyhandtothedeardustofmyPrincesslongasleepinthegreatmausoleumofKingJohnthatlooksacrosstheValeofManonatothealienflagthatfloatsoverthebungalowoftheBritishGovernmentHouse……"
　　Fattypledgedhimsympathetically，andsympatheticallydrankoutofhisownsmallcan。BruceCadoganCavendishglaredintothefirewithimplacablebitterness。Hewasamanwhopreferredtodrinkbyhimself。AcrossthethinlipsthatcomposedthecruelslashofhismouthplayedtwitchesofmockerythatcaughtFatty’seye。AndFatty，makingsurefirstthathisrock-chunkwaswithinreach，challenged。
　　"Well，howaboutyourself，BruceCadoganCavendish？It’syourturn。"
　　TheotherliftedbleakeyesthatboredintoFatty’suntilhephysicallybetrayeduncomfortableness。
　　"I’velivedahardlife，"Slimgratedharshly。"WhatdoIknowaboutlovepassages？"
　　"Nomanofyourbuildandmake-upcouldhaveescapedthem，"Fattywheedled。
　　"Andwhatofit？"Slimsnarled。"It’snoreasonforagentlemantoboastofamoroustriumphs。"
　　"Oh，goon，beagoodfellow，"Fattyurged。"Thenight’sstillyoung。We’vestillsomedrinkleft。DelarouseandIhavecontributedourshare。Itisn’toftenthatthreerealoneslikeusgettogetherforatelling。Surelyyou’vegotatleastoneadventureinloveyouaren’tashamedtotellabout-"
　　BruceCadoganCavendishpulledforthhisironquoitandseemedtodebatewhetherornotheshouldbraintheother。Hesighed，andputbackthequoit。
　　"Verywell，ifyouwillhaveit，"hesurrenderedwithmanifestreluctance。"Likeyoutwo，Ihavehadaremarkableconstitution。
　　Andrightnow，speakingofarmour-platelining，Icoulddrinkthebothofyoudownwhenyouwereatyourprime。Likeyoutwo，mybeginningswerefardistantanddifferent。ThatIammarkedwiththehall-markofgentlehoodthereisnodiscussion……unlesseitherofyoucaretodiscussthematternow……"
　　Hisonehandslippedintohispocketandclutchedthequoit。
　　Neitherofhisauditorsspokenorbetrayedanyawarenessofhismenace。
　　"ItoccurredathousandmilestothewestwardofManatomana，ontheislandofTagalag，"hecontinuedabruptly，withanairofsaturninedisappointmentinthattherehadbeennodiscussion。"ButfirstI
　　musttellyouofhowIgottoTagalag。ForreasonsIshallnotmention，bypathsofdescentIshallnotdescribe，inthecrownofmymanhoodandtheprimeofmydevilishnessinwhichOxfordrenegadesandracingyoungersonshadnothingonme，Ifoundmyselfmasterandownerofaschoonersowellknownthatsheshallremainhistoricallynameless。IwasrunningblackbirdlabourfromthewestSouthPacificandtheCoralSeatotheplantationsofHawaiiandthenitrateminesofChili-"
　　"Itwasyouwhocleanedouttheentirepopulationof-"Fattyexploded，erehecouldcheckhisspeech。
　　TheonehandofBruceCadoganCavendishflashedpocketwardandflashedbackwiththequoitbalancedripeforbusiness。
　　"Proceed，"Fattysighed。"I……IhavequiteforgottenwhatI
　　wasgoingtosay。"
　　"Beastlyfunnycountryoverthatway，"thenarratordrawledwithperfectcasualness。"You’vereadthisSeaWolfstuff-"
　　"Youweren’ttheSeaWolf，"Whiskersbrokeinwithinvoluntarypositiveness。
　　"No，sir，"wasthesnarlinganswer。"TheSeaWolf’sdead，isn’the？AndI’mstillalive，aren’tI？"
　　"Ofcourse，ofcourse，"Whiskersconceded。"Hesuffocatedhead-
　　firstinthemudoffawharfinVictoriaacoupleofyearsback。"
　　"AsIwassaying-andIdon’tlikeinterruptions，"BruceCadoganCavendishproceeded，"it’sabeastlyfunnycountryoverthatway。
　　IwasatTaki-Tiki，alowislandthatpoliticallybelongstotheSolomons，butthatgeologicallydoesn’tatall，fortheSolomonsarehighislands。EthnographicallyitbelongstoPolynesia，Melanesia，andMicronesia，becauseallthebreedsoftheSouthPacifichavegravitatedtoitbycanoe-driftandintricately，degeneratively，andamazinglyinterbred。Thescumofthescrapingsofthebottomofthehumanpit，biologicallyspeaking，residesinTaka-Tiki。AndIknowthebottomandwhereofIspeak。
　　"ItwasabeastlyfunnytimeofitIhad，divingoutshell，fishingbeche-de-mer，tradinghoop-ironandhatchetsforcopraandivory-
　　nuts，runningniggersandalltherestofit。Why，eveninFijitheLotuwashavingahardtimeofitandthechiefsstilleatinglong-pig。Tothewestwarditwasfierce-funnylittleblackkinky-heads，man-eatersthelastJackofthem，andthejackpotfatandspillingoverwithwealth-"
　　"Jack-pots？"Fattyqueried。Atsightofanirritablemovement，headded："Yousee，InevergotovertotheWestlikeDelarouseandyou。"
　　"They’reallhead-hunters。Headsarevaluable，especiallyawhiteman’shead。Theydecoratethecanoe-housesanddevil-devilhouseswiththem。Eachvillagerunsajack-pot，andeverybodyantes。
　　Whoeverbringsinawhiteman’sheadtakesthepot。Iftherearen’topenersforalongtime，thepotgrowstotremendousproportions。Beastlyfunny，isn’tit？
　　"Iknow。Didn’taHollandmatedieonmeofblackwater？Anddidn’tIwinapotmyself？Itwasthisway。WewerelyingatLango-luiatthetime。Ineverleton，andarrangedtheaffairwithJohnny，myboat-steerer。Hewasakinky-headhimselffromPortMoresby。Hecutthedeadmate’sheadoffandsneakedashoreinthemight，whileIwhangedawaywithmyrifleasifIweretryingtogethim。Heopenedthepotwiththemate’shead，andgotit，too。Ofcourse，nextdayIsentinalandingboat，withtwocoveringboats，andfetchedhimoffwiththeloot。"
　　"Howbigwasthepot？"Whiskersasked。"IheardofapotatOrlawortheightyquid。"
　　"Tocommencewith，"Slimanswered，"therewerefortyfatpigs，eachworthafathomofprimeshell-money，andshell-moneyworthaquidafathom。Thatwastwohundreddollarsrightthere。Therewereninety-eightfathomsofshell-money，whichisprettyclosetofivehundredinitself。Andthereweretwenty-twogoldsovereigns。I
　　splititfourways：one-fourthtoJohnny，one-fourthtotheship，one-fourthtomeasowner，andone-fourthtomeasskipper。Johnnynevercomplained。He’dneverhadsomuchwealthallatonetimeinhislife。Besides，Igavehimacoupleofthemate’soldshirts。
　　AndIfancythemate’sheadisstilltheredecoratingthecanoe-
　　house。"
　　"NotexactlyChristianburialofaChristian，"Whiskersobserved。
　　"Butalucrativeburial，"Slimretorted。"Ihadtofeedtherestofthemateover-sidetothesharksfornothing。Thinkoffeedinganeight-hundred-dollarheadalongwithit。Itwouldhavebeencriminalwasteandstarklunacy。
　　"Well，anyway，itwasallbeastlyfunny，overtheretothewestward。And，withouttellingyouthescrapeIgotintoatTaki-
　　Tiki，exceptthatIsailedawaywithtwohundredkinky-headsforQueenslandlabour，andformymannerofcollectingthemhadtwoBritishshipsofwarcombingthePacificforme，IchangedmycourseandrantothewestwardthinkingtodisposeofthelottotheSpanishplantationsonBangar。
　　"Typhoonseason。Wecaughtit。TheMERRYMISTwasmyschooner’sname，andIhadthoughtshewasstoutlybuiltuntilshehitthattyphoon。Ineversawsuchseas。Theypoundedthatstoutcrafttopieces，literallyso。Thestickswerejerkedoutofher，deckhousessplinteredtomatch-wood，railsrippedoff，and，aftertheworsthadpassed，thecoveringboardsbegantogo。Wejustmanagedtorepairwhatwasleftofoneboatandkeeptheschoonerafloatonlytilltheseawentdownbarelyenoughtogetaway。Andweoutfittedthatboatinahurry。ThecarpenterandIwerethelast，andwehadtojumpforitashewentdown。Therewereonlyfourofus-"
　　"Lostalltheniggers？"Whiskersinquired。
　　"Someofthemswamforsometime，"Slimreplied。"ButIdon’tfancytheymadetheland。Weweretendays’indoingit。Andwehadaspankingbreezemostoftheway。Andwhatdoyouthinkwehadintheboatwithus？Casesofsquare-faceginandcasesofdynamite。Funny，wasn’tit？Well，itgotfunnierlateron。Oh，therewasasmallbeakerofwater，alittlesalthorse，andsomesalt-water-soakedseabiscuit-enoughtokeepusalivetoTagalag。
　　"NowTagalagisthedisappointingestislandI’veeverbeheld。Itshowsupoutoftheseasoasyoucanmakeitsfalltwentymilesoff。Itisavolcanoconethrustupoutofdeepsea，withasegmentofthecraterwallbrokenout。Thisgivesseaentrancetothecrateritself，andmakesafineshelteredharbour。Andthat’sall。Nothinglivesthere。Theoutsideandtheinsideofthecrateraretoosteep。Atoneplace，inside，isapatchofaboutathousandcoconutpalms。Andthat’sall，asIsaid，savingafewinsects。Nofour-leggedthing，evenarat，inhabitstheplace。
　　Andit’sfunny，mostawfulfunny，withallthosecoconuts，notevenacoconutcrab。Theonlymeat-foodlivingwasschoolsofmulletintheharbour-fattest，finest，biggestmulletIeverlaideyeson。
　　"Andthefourofuslandedonthelittlebeachandsetuphousekeepingamongthecoconutswithalarderfullofdynamiteandsquare-face。Whydon’tyoulaugh？It’sfunny，Itellyou。Tryitsometime-Hollandginandstraightcoconutdiet。I’veneverbeenabletolookaconfectioner’swindowinthefacesince。NowI’mnotstrongonreligionlikeChaunceyDelarousethere，butI
　　havesomeprimitiveideas;andmyconceptofhellisanillimitablecoconutplantation，stockedwithcasesofsquare-faceandpopulatedbyship-wreckedmariners。Funny？Itmustmakethedevilscream。
　　"Youknow，straightcoconutiswhattheagriculturistscallanunbalancedration。Itcertainlyunbalancedourdigestions。Wegotsothatwheneverhungertookanextrabiteatus，wetookanotherdrinkofgin。Afteracoupleofweeksofit，Olaf，asquareheadsailor，gotanidea。Itcamewhenhewasfullofgin，andwe，beinginthesamefix，justwatchedhimshoveacapandshortfuseintoastickofdynamiteandstrolldowntowardtheboat。
　　"Itdawnedonmethathewasgoingtoshootfishiftherewereanyabout;butthesunwasbeastlyhot，andIjustreclinedthereandhopedhe’dhaveluck。
　　"Abouthalfanhourafterhedisappearedweheardtheexplosion。
　　Buthedidn’tcomeback。Wewaitedtillthecoolofsunset，anddownonthebeachfoundwhathadbecomeofhim。Theboatwasthereallright，groundedbytheprevailingbreeze，buttherewasnoOlaf。Hewouldneverhavetoeatcoconutagain。Wewentback，shakierthanever，andcrackedanothersquare-face。
　　"Thenextdaythecookannouncedthathewouldrathertakehischancewithdynamitethancontinuetryingtoexistoncoconut，andthat，thoughhedidn’tknowanythingaboutdynamite，heknewasighttoomuchaboutcoconut。Sowebitthedetonatordownforhim，shovedinafuse，andpickedhimagoodfire-stick，whilehejoltedupwithacouplemorestiffonesofgin。
　　"Itwasthesameprogrammeasthedaybefore。Afterawhileweheardtheexplosionandattwilightwentdowntotheboat，fromwhichwescrapedenoughofthecookforafuneral。
　　"ThecarpenterandIstuckitouttwodaysmore，thenwedrewstrawsforitanditwashisturn。Wepartedwithharshwords;forhewantedtotakeasquare-facealongtorefreshhimselfbytheway，whileIwassetagainstrunninganychanceofwastingthegin。
　　Besides，hehadmorethanhecouldcarrythen，andhewobbledandstaggeredashewalked。
　　"Samething，onlytherewasawholelotofhimleftformetobury，becausehe’dpreparedonlyhalfastick。Imanagedtolastitouttillnextday，when，afterdulyfortifyingmyself，Igotsufficientcouragetotacklethedynamite。Iusedonlyathirdofastick-
　　youknow，shortfuse，withtheendsplitsoastoholdtheheadofasafetymatch。That’swhereImendedmypredecessors’methods。
　　Notusingthematch-head，they’dtoo-longfuses。Therefore，whentheyspottedaschoolofmullet;andlightedthefuse，theyhadtoholdthedynamitetillthefuseburnedshortbeforetheythrewit。
　　Iftheythrewittoosoon，itwouldn’tgoofftheinstantithitthewater，whilethesplashofitwouldfrightenthemulletaway。
　　Funnystuffdynamite。Atanyrate，Istillmaintainminewasthesafermethod。
　　"IpickedupaschoolofmulletbeforeI’dbeenrowingfiveminutes。Finebigfatonestheywere，andIcouldsmellthemoverthefire。WhenIstoodup，fire-stickinonehand，dynamitestickintheother，mykneeswereknockingtogether。Maybeitwasthegin，ortheanxiousness，ortheweaknessandthehunger，andmaybeitwastheresultofallofthem，butatanyrateIwasallofashake。TwiceIfailedtotouchthefire-sticktothedynamite。
　　ThenIdid，heardthematch-headsplutter，andlethergo。
　　"NowIdon’tknowwhathappenedtotheothers，butIknowwhatI
　　did。Igotturnedabout。Didyoueverstemastrawberryandthrowthestrawberryawayandpopthestemintoyourmouth？That’swhatIdid。Ithrewthefire-stickintothewaterafterthemulletandheldontothedynamite。Andmyarmwentoffwiththestickwhenitwentoff……"
　　Sliminvestigatedthetomato-canforwatertomixhimselfadrink，butfounditempty。Hestoodup。
　　"Heighho，"heyawned，andstarteddownthepathtotheriver。
　　Inseveralminuteshewasback。Hemixedtheduequantityofriverslushwiththealcohol，tookalong，solitarydrink，andstaredwithbittermoodinessintothefire。
　　"Yes，but……"Fattysuggested。"Whathappenedthen？"
　　"Oh，"sadSlim。"Thentheprincessmarriedme，ofcourse。"
　　"Butyouweretheonlypersonleft，andtherewasn’tanyprincess……"Whiskerscriedoutabruptly，andthenlethisvoicetrailawaytoembarrassedsilence。
　　Slimstaredunblinkinglyintothefire。
　　PercivalDelaneyandChaunceyDelarouselookedateachother。
　　Quietly，insolemnsilence，eachwithhisonearmaidedtheonearmoftheotherinrollingandtyinghisbundle。Andinsilence，bundlesslungonshoulders，theywentawayoutofthecircleoffirelight。Notuntiltheyreachedthetopoftherailroadembankmentdidtheyspeak。
　　"Nogentlemanwouldhavedoneit，"saidWhiskers。
　　"Nogentlemanwouldhavedoneit，"Fattyagreed。
　　GlenEllen，California，SEPTEMBER26，1916。