Theword"Delay"enteredthesecretchamberofmybrain，resoundedtherelikeatollingbellwhichmaddenstheear，affectedallmysenses，tookonablackcolouring，abittertaste，adeadlymeaning。
　　"Iamreallysorrytoseeyouworriedlikethis。
　　Indeed，Iam……"
　　ItwastheonlyhumanespeechIusedtohearatthattime。Anditcamefromadoctor，ap-
　　propriatelyenough。
　　Adoctorishumanebydefinition。Butthatmanwassoinreality。Hisspeechwasnotprofessional。
　　Iwasnotill。Butotherpeoplewere，andthatwasthereasonofhisvisitingtheship。
　　HewasthedoctorofourLegationand，ofcourse，oftheConsulate，too。Helookedaftertheship’shealth，whichgenerallywaspoor，andtrembling，asitwere，onthevergeofabreak-up。Yes。Themenailed。Andthustimewasnotonlymoney，butlifeaswell。
　　Ihadneverseensuchasteadyship’scompany。
　　Asthedoctorremarkedtome："Youseemtohaveamostrespectablelotofseamen。"Notonlyweretheyconsistentlysober，buttheydidnotevenwanttogoashore。Carewastakentoexposethemaslittleaspossibletothesun。Theywereemployedonlightworkundertheawnings。Andthehumanedoctorcommendedme。
　　"Yourarrangementsappeartometobeveryjudicious，mydearCaptain。"
　　Itisdifficulttoexpresshowmuchthatpro-
　　nouncementcomfortedme。Thedoctor’sround，fullfaceframedinalight-colouredwhiskerwastheperfectionofadignifiedamenity。Hewastheonlyhumanbeingintheworldwhoseemedtotaketheslightestinterestinme。Hewouldgenerallysitinthecabinforhalfanhourorsoateveryvisit。
　　Isaidtohimoneday：
　　"IsupposetheonlythingnowistotakecareofthemasyouaredoingtillIcangettheshiptosea？"
　　Heinclinedhishead，shuttinghiseyesunderthelargespectacles，andmurmured：
　　"Thesea……undoubtedly。"
　　Thefirstmemberofthecrewfairlyknockedoverwasthesteward——thefirstmantowhomIhadspokenonboard。Hewastakenashore（withcholericsymptoms）anddiedthereattheendofaweek。Then，whileIwasstillunderthestartlingimpressionofthisfirsthome-thrustoftheclimate，Mr。Burnsgaveupandwenttobedinaragingfeverwithoutsayingawordtoanybody。
　　Ibelievehehadpartlyfrettedhimselfintothatillness;theclimatedidtherestwiththeswiftnessofaninvisiblemonsterambushedintheair，inthewater，inthemudoftheriver-bank。Mr。Burnswasapredestinedvictim。
　　Idiscoveredhimlyingonhisback，glaringsul-
　　lenlyandradiatingheatononelikeasmallfurnace。
　　Hewouldhardlyanswermyquestions，andonlygrumbled。Couldn’tamantakeanafternoonoffdutywithabadheadache——foronce？
　　Thatevening，asIsatinthesaloonafterdinner，Icouldhearhimmutteringcontinuouslyinhisroom。Ransome，whowasclearingthetable，saidtome：
　　"Iamafraid，sir，Iwon’tbeabletogivethematealltheattentionhe’slikelytoneed。Iwillhavetobeforwardinthegalleyagreatpartofmytime。"
　　Ransomewasthecook。Thematehadpointedhimouttomethefirstday，standingonthedeck，hisarmscrossedonhisbroadchest，gazingontheriver。
　　Evenatadistancehiswell-proportionedfigure，somethingthoroughlysailor-likeinhispoise，madehimnoticeable。Onnearerviewtheintelligent，quieteyes，awell-bredface，thedisciplinedin-
　　dependenceofhismannermadeupanattractivepersonality。When，inaddition，Mr。Burnstoldmethathewasthebestseamanintheship，Iex-
　　pressedmysurprisethatinhisearliestprimeandofsuchappearanceheshouldsignonascookonboardaship。
　　"It’shisheart，"Mr。Burnshadsaid。"There’ssomethingwrongwithit。Hemustn’texerthim-
　　selftoomuchorhemaydropdeadsuddenly。"
　　Andhewastheonlyonetheclimatehadnottouched——perhapsbecause，carryingadeadlyenemyinhisbreast，hehadschooledhimselfintoasystematiccontroloffeelingsandmovements。
　　Whenonewasinthesecretthiswasapparentinhismanner。Afterthepoorstewarddied，andashecouldnotbereplacedbyawhitemaninthisOrientalport，Ransomehadvolunteeredtodothedoublework。
　　"Icandoitallright，sir，aslongasIgoaboutitquietly，"hehadassuredme。
　　Butobviouslyhecouldn’tbeexpectedtotakeupsick-nursinginaddition。Moreover，thedoctorperemptorilyorderedMr。Burnsashore。
　　Withaseamanoneachsideholdinghimupunderthearms，thematewentoverthegangwaymoresullenthanever。Webuilthimupwithpil-
　　lowsinthegharry，andhemadeanefforttosaybrokenly：
　　"Now——you’vegot——whatyouwanted——gotmeoutof——theship。"
　　"Youwerenevermoremistakeninyourlife，Mr。Burns，"Isaidquietly，dulysmilingathim;
　　andthetrapdroveofftoasortofsanatorium，apavilionofbrickswhichthedoctorhadinthegroundsofhisresidence。
　　IvisitedMr。Burnsregularly。Afterthefirstfewdays，whenhedidn’tknowanybody，here-
　　ceivedmeasifIhadcomeeithertogloatoveranenemyorelsetocurryfavourwithadeeplywrongedperson。Itwaseitheroneortheother，justasithappenedaccordingtohisfantasticsick-
　　roommoods。Whicheveritwas，hemanagedtoconveyittomeevenduringtheperiodwhenheap-
　　pearedalmosttooweaktotalk。Itreatedhimtomyinvariablekindliness。
　　Thenoneday，suddenly，asurgeofdownrightpanicburstthroughallthiscraziness。
　　IfIlefthimbehindinthisdeadlyplacehewoulddie。Hefeltit，hewascertainofit。ButI
　　wouldn’thavethehearttoleavehimashore。HehadawifeandchildinSydney。
　　Heproducedhiswastedforearmsfromunderthesheetwhichcoveredhimandclaspedhisfleshlessclaws。Hewoulddie！Hewoulddiehere……
　　Heabsolutelymanagedtositup，butonlyforamoment，andwhenhefellbackIreallythoughtthathewoulddiethereandthen。IcalledtotheBengalidispenser，andhastenedawayfromtheroom。
　　Nextdayheupsetmethoroughlybyrenewinghisentreaties。Ireturnedanevasiveanswer，andlefthimthepictureofghastlydespair。ThedayafterIwentinwithreluctance，andheattackedmeatonceinamuchstrongervoiceandwithanabundanceofargumentwhichwasquitestartling。
　　Hepresentedhiscasewithasortofcrazyvigour，andaskedmefinallyhowwouldIliketohaveaman’sdeathonmyconscience？HewantedmetopromisethatIwouldnotsailwithouthim。
　　IsaidthatIreallymustconsultthedoctorfirst。
　　Hecriedoutatthat。Thedoctor！Never！Thatwouldbeadeathsentence。
　　Theefforthadexhaustedhim。Heclosedhiseyes，butwentonramblinginalowvoice。Ihadhatedhimfromthestart。Thelatecaptainhadhatedhim，too。Hadwishedhimdead。Hadwishedallhandsdead……
　　"Whatdoyouwanttostandinwiththatwickedcorpsefor，sir？He’llhaveyou，too，"heended，blinkinghisglazedeyesvacantly。
　　"Mr。Burns，"Icried，verymuchdiscomposed，"whatonearthareyoutalkingabout？"
　　Heseemedtocometohimself，thoughhewastooweaktostart。
　　"Idon’tknow，"hesaidlanguidly。"Butdon’taskthatdoctor，sir。YouareIaresailors。Don’taskhim，sir。Somedayperhapsyouwillhaveawifeandchildyourself。"
　　AndagainhepleadedforthepromisethatI
　　wouldnotleavehimbehind。Ihadthefirmnessofmindnottogiveittohim。Afterwardthisstern-
　　nessseemedcriminal;formymindwasmadeup。
　　Thatprostratedman，withhardlystrengthenoughtobreatheandravagedbyapassionoffear，wasirresistible。And，besides，hehadhappenedtohitontherightwords。HeandIweresailors。Thatwasaclaim，forIhadnootherfamily。Astothewifeandchild（someday）argument，ithadnoforce。
　　Itsoundedmerelybizarre。
　　Icouldimaginenoclaimthatwouldbestrongerandmoreabsorbingthantheclaimofthatship，ofthesemensnaredintheriverbysillycommercialcomplications，asifinsomepoisonoustrap。
　　However，Ihadnearlyfoughtmywayout。Outtosea。Thesea——whichwaspure，safe，andfriendly。Threedaysmore。
　　Thatthoughtsustainedandcarriedmeonmywaybacktotheship。Inthesaloonthedoctor’svoicegreetedme，andhislargeformfollowedhisvoice，issuingoutofthestarboardsparecabinwheretheship’smedicinechestwaskeptsecurelylashedinthebed-place。
　　FindingthatIwasnotonboardhehadgoneinthere，hesaid，toinspectthesupplyofdrugs，bandages，andsoon。Everythingwascompletedandinorder。
　　Ithankedhim;Ihadjustbeenthinkingofaskinghimtodothatverything，asinacoupleofdays，asheknew，weweregoingtosea，whereallourtroublesofeverysortwouldbeoveratlast。
　　Helistenedgravelyandmadenoanswer。ButwhenIopenedtohimmymindastoMr。Burnshesatdownbymyside，and，layinghishandonmykneeamicably，beggedmetothinkwhatitwasI
　　wasexposingmyselfto。
　　Themanwasjuststrongenoughtobearbeingmovedandnomore。Buthecouldn’tstandare-
　　turnofthefever。Ihadbeforemeapassageofsixtydaysperhaps，beginningwithintricatenavi-
　　gationandendingprobablywithalotofbadweather。CouldIruntheriskofhavingtogothroughitsingle-handed，withnochiefofficerandwithasecondquiteayouth？……
　　Hemighthaveaddedthatitwasmyfirstcom-
　　mand，too。Hedidprobablythinkofthatfact，forhecheckedhimself。Itwasverypresenttomymind。
　　HeadvisedmeearnestlytocabletoSingaporeforachiefofficer，evenifIhadtodelaymysailingforaweek。
　　"Never，"Isaid。Theverythoughtgavemetheshivers。Thehandsseemedfairlyfit，allofthem，andthiswasthetimetogetthemaway。OnceatseaIwasnotafraidoffacinganything。Theseawasnowtheonlyremedyforallmytroubles。
　　Thedoctor’sglassesweredirectedatmeliketwolampssearchingthegenuinenessofmyresolution。
　　Heopenedhislipsasiftoarguefurther，butshutthemagainwithoutsayinganything。IhadavisionsovividofpoorBurnsinhisexhaustion，helplessness，andanguish，thatitmovedmemorethantherealityIhadcomeawayfromonlyanhourbefore。Itwaspurgedfromthedrawbacksofhispersonality，andIcouldnotresistit。
　　"Lookhere，"Isaid。"UnlessyoutellmeofficiallythatthemanmustnotbemovedI’llmakearrangementstohavehimbroughtonboardto-
　　morrow，andshalltaketheshipoutoftherivernextmorning，evenifIhavetoanchoroutsidethebarforacoupleofdaystogetherreadyforsea。"
　　"Oh！I’llmakeallthearrangementsmyself，"
　　saidthedoctoratonce。"IspokeasIdidonlyasafriend——asawell-wisher，andthatsortofthing。"
　　Heroseinhisdignifiedsimplicityandgavemeawarmhandshake，rathersolemnly，Ithought。Buthewasasgoodashisword。WhenMr。Burnsap-
　　pearedatthegangwaycarriedonastretcher，thedoctorhimselfwalkedbyitsside。Theprogrammehadbeenalteredinsofarthatthistransportationhadbeenlefttothelastmoment，ontheverymorn-
　　ingofourdeparture。
　　Itwasbarelyanhouraftersunrise。Thedoctorwavedhisbigarmtomefromtheshoreandwalkedbackatoncetohistrap，whichhadfollowedhimemptytotheriver-side。Mr。Burns，carriedacrossthequarter-deck，hadtheappearanceofbeingabsolutelylifeless。Ransomewentdowntosettlehiminhiscabin。Ihadtoremainondecktolookaftertheship，forthetughadgotholdofourtow-
　　ropealready。
　　Thesplashofourshore-fastsfallinginthewaterproducedacompletechangeoffeelinginme。Itwasliketheimperfectreliefofawakeningfromanightmare。Butwhentheship’sheadswungdowntheriverawayfromthattown，Orientalandsqualid，Imissedtheexpectedelationofthatstriven-formoment。Whattherewas，un-
　　doubtedly，wasarelaxationoftensionwhichtrans-
　　lateditselfintoasenseofwearinessafteranin-
　　gloriousfight。
　　Aboutmiddayweanchoredamileoutsidethebar。Theafternoonwasbusyforallhands。
　　Watchingtheworkfromthepoop，whereIre-
　　mainedallthetime，Idetectedinitsomeofthelanguorofthesixweeksspentinthesteamingheatoftheriver。Thefirstbreezewouldblowthataway。Nowthecalmwascomplete。Ijudgedthatthesecondofficer——acallowyouthwithanunpromisingface——wasnot，toputitmildly，ofthatinvaluablestufffromwhichacommander’srighthandismade。ButIwasgladtocatchalongthemaindeckafewsmilesonthoseseamen’sfacesatwhichIhadhardlyhadtimetohaveagoodlookasyet。Havingthrownoffthemortalcoilofshoreaffairs，Ifeltmyselffamiliarwiththemandyetalittlestrange，likealong-lostwandereramonghiskin。
　　Ransomeflittedcontinuallytoandfrobetweenthegalleyandthecabin。Itwasapleasuretolookathim。Themanpositivelyhadgrace。Healoneofallthecrewhadnothadaday’sillnessinport。ButwiththeknowledgeofthatuneasyheartwithinhisbreastIcoulddetecttherestraintheputonthenaturalsailor-likeagilityofhismovements。Itwasasthoughhehadsomethingveryfragileorveryexplosivetocarryabouthispersonandwasallthetimeawareofit。
　　Ihadoccasiontoaddresshimonceortwice。Heansweredmeinhispleasant，quietvoiceandwithafaint，slightlywistfulsmile。Mr。Burnsappearedtoberesting。Heseemedfairlycomfortable。
　　AftersunsetIcameoutondeckagaintomeetonlyastillvoid。Thethin，featurelesscrustofthecoastcouldnotbedistinguished。Thedarknesshadrisenaroundtheshiplikeamysteriousemana-
　　tionfromthedumbandlonelywaters。Ileanedontherailandturnedmyeartotheshadowsofthenight。Notasound。Mycommandmighthavebeenaplanetflyingvertiginouslyonitsappointedpathinaspaceofinfinitesilence。Iclungtotherailasifmysenseofbalancewereleavingmeforgood。Howabsurd。Ifailednervously。
　　"Ondeckthere！"
　　Theimmediateanswer，"Yes，sir，"brokethespell。Theanchor-watchmanranupthepoopladdersmartly。Itoldhimtoreportatoncetheslightestsignofabreezecoming。
　　GoingbelowIlookedinonMr。Burns。Infact，Icouldnotavoidseeinghim，forhisdoorstoodopen。Themanwassowastedthat，inthiswhitecabin，underawhitesheet，andwithhisdiminishedheadsunkinthewhitepillow，hisredmoustachescapturedtheireyesexclusively，likesomethingarti-
　　ficial——apairofmoustachesfromashopexhibitedthereintheharshlightofthebulkhead-lampwithoutashade。
　　WhileIstaredwithasortofwonderheassertedhimselfbyopeninghiseyesandevenmovingtheminmydirection。Aminutestir。
　　"Deadcalm，Mr。Burns，"Isaidresignedly。
　　InanunexpectedlydistinctvoiceMr。Burnsbe-
　　ganaramblingspeech。Itstonewasverystrange，notasifaffectedbyhisillness，butasifofadiffer-
　　entnature。Itsoundedunearthly。Astothematter，Iseemedtomakeoutthatitwasthefaultofthe"oldman"——thelatecaptain——ambusheddownthereundertheseawithsomeevilintention。
　　Itwasaweirdstory。
　　Ilistenedtotheend;thensteppingintothecabinIlaidmyhandonthemate’sforehead。Itwascool。Hewaslight-headedonlyfromextremeweakness。Suddenlyheseemedtobecomeawareofme，andinhisownvoice——ofcourse，veryfeeble——heaskedregretfully：
　　"Istherenochanceatalltogetunderway，sir？"
　　"What’sthegoodoflettinggoourholdofthegroundonlytodrift，Mr。Burns？"Ianswered。
　　HesighedandIlefthimtohisimmobility。Hisholdonlifewasasslenderashisholdonsanity。I
　　wasoppressedbymylonelyresponsibilities。I
　　wentintomycabintoseekreliefinafewhours’
　　sleep，butalmostbeforeIclosedmyeyesthemanondeckcamedownreportingalightbreeze。
　　Enoughtogetunderwaywith，hesaid。
　　Anditwasnomorethanjustenough。Iorderedthewindlassmanned，thesailsloosed，andthetop-
　　sailsset。ButbythetimeIhadcasttheshipI
　　couldhardlyfeelanybreathofwind。Neverthe-
　　less，Itrimmedtheyardsandputeverythingonher。Iwasnotgoingtogiveuptheattempt。
　　part2-1ChapterIV
　　WITHheranchoratthebowandclothedincanvastoherverytrucks，mycommandseemedtostandasmotionlessasamodelshipsetonthegleamsandshadowsofpolishedmarble。Itwasimpossibletodistinguishlandfromwaterintheenigmaticaltranquillityoftheimmenseforcesoftheworld。
　　Asuddenimpatiencepossessedme。
　　"Won’tsheanswerthehelmatall？"Isaidirritablytothemanwhosestrongbrownhandsgraspingthespokesofthewheelstoodoutlightedonthedarkness;likeasymbolofmankind’sclaimtothedirectionofitsownfate。
　　Heansweredme。
　　"Yes，sir。She’scoming-toslowly。"
　　"Letherheadcomeuptosouth。"
　　"Aye，aye，sir。"
　　Ipacedthepoop。Therewasnotasoundbutthatofmyfootsteps，tillthemanspokeagain。
　　"Sheisatsouthnow，sir。"
　　IfeltaslighttightnessofthechestbeforeIgaveoutthefirstcourseofmyfirstcommandtothesilentnight，heavywithdewandsparklingwithstars。Therewasafinalityintheactcommit-
　　tingmetotheendlessvigilanceofmylonelytask。
　　"Steadyherheadatthat，"Isaidatlast。"Thecourseissouth。"
　　"South，sir，"echoedtheman。
　　Isentbelowthesecondmateandhiswatchandremainedincharge，walkingthedeckthroughthechill，somnolenthoursthatprecedethedawn。
　　Slightpuffscameandwent，andwhenevertheywerestrongenoughtowakeuptheblackwaterthemurmuralongsideranthroughmyveryheartinadelicatecrescendoofdelightanddiedawayswiftly。
　　Iwasbitterlytired。Theverystarsseemedwearyofwaitingfordaybreak。Itcameatlastwithamother-of-pearlsheenatthezenith，suchasIhadneverseenbeforeinthetropics，unglowing，almostgray，withastrangereminderofhighlatitudes。
　　Thevoiceofthelook-outmanhailedfromfor-
　　ward：
　　"Landontheportbow，sir。"
　　"Allright。"
　　LeaningontherailIneverevenraisedmyeyes。
　　Themotionoftheshipwasimperceptible。Pres-
　　entlyRansomebroughtmethecupofmorningcoffee。AfterIhaddrunkitIlookedahead，andinthestillstreakofverybrightpaleorangelightI
　　sawthelandprofiledflatlyasifcutoutofblackpaperandseemingtofloatonthewateraslightascork。Buttherisingsunturneditintomeredarkvapour，adoubtful，massiveshadowtremblinginthehotglare。
　　Thewatchfinishedwashingdecks。Iwentbe-
　　lowandstoppedatMr。Burns’door（hecouldnotbeartohaveitshut），buthesitatedtospeaktohimtillhemovedhiseyes。Igavehimthenews。
　　"SightedCapeLiantatdaylight。Aboutfifteenmiles。"
　　Hemovedhislipsthen，butIheardnosoundtillIputmyeardown，andcaughtthepeevishcomment："Thisiscrawling……Noluck。"
　　"Betterluckthanstandingstill，anyhow，"I
　　pointedoutresignedly，andlefthimtowhateverthoughtsorfancieshauntedhisawfulimmobility。
　　Laterthatmorning，whenrelievedbymysecondofficer，IthrewmyselfonmycouchandforsomethreehoursorsoIreallyfoundoblivion。ItwassoperfectthatonwakingupIwonderedwhereIwas。
　　Thencametheimmensereliefofthethought：onboardmyship！Atsea！Atsea！
　　Throughtheport-holesIbeheldanunruffled，sun-smittenhorizon。Thehorizonofawindlessday。Butitsspaciousnessalonewasenoughtogivemeasenseofafortunateescape，amomentaryexultationoffreedom。
　　Isteppedoutintothesaloonwithmyheartlighterthanithadbeenfordays。Ransomewasatthesideboardpreparingtolaythetableforthefirstseadinnerofthepassage。Heturnedhishead，andsomethinginhiseyescheckedmymodestelation。
　　InstinctivelyIasked："Whatisitnow？"notex-
　　pectingintheleasttheanswerIgot。Itwasgivenwiththatsortofcontainedserenitywhichwascharacteristicoftheman。
　　"Iamafraidwehaven’tleftallsicknessbehindus，sir。"
　　"Wehaven’t！What’sthematter？"
　　Hetoldmethenthattwoofourmenhadbeentakenbadwithfeverinthenight。Oneofthemwasburningandtheotherwasshivering，buthethoughtthatitwasprettymuchthesamething。
　　Ithoughtso，too。Ifeltshockedbythenews。
　　"Oneburning，theothershivering，yousay？No。
　　Wehaven’tleftthesicknessbehind。Dotheylookveryill？"
　　"Middlingbad，sir。"Ransome’seyesgazedsteadilyintomine。Weexchangedsmiles。Ran-
　　some’salittlewistful，asusual，minenodoubtgrimenough，tocorrespondwithmysecretexasperation。
　　Iasked：
　　"Wasthereanywindatallthismorning？"
　　"Canhardlysaythat，sir。We’vemovedallthetimethough。Thelandaheadseemsalittlenearer。"
　　Thatwasit。Alittlenearer。Whereasifwehadonlyhadalittlemorewind，onlyaverylittlemore，wemight，weshould，havebeenabreastofLiantbythistimeandincreasingourdistancefromthatcontaminatedshore。Anditwasnotonlythedistance。Itseemedtomethatastrongerbreezewouldhaveblownawaythecontaminationwhichclungtotheship。Itobviouslydidclingtotheship。Twomen。Oneburning，oneshivering。I
　　feltadistinctreluctancetogoandlookatthem。
　　Whatwasthegood？Poisonispoison。Tropicalfeveristropicalfever。Butthatitshouldhavestretcheditsclawafterusovertheseaseemedtomeanextraordinaryandunfairlicense。Icouldhardlybelievethatitcouldbeanythingworsethanthelastdesperatepluckoftheevilfromwhichwewereescapingintothecleanbreathofthesea。Ifonlythatbreathhadbeenalittlestronger。How-
　　ever，therewasthequinineagainstthefever。I
　　wentintothesparecabinwherethemedicinechestwaskepttopreparetwodoses。Iopeneditfulloffaithasamanopensamiraculousshrine。Theupperpartwasinhabitedbyacollectionofbottles，allsquare-shoulderedandaslikeeachotheraspeas。Underthatorderlyarraythereweretwodrawers，stuffedasfullofthingsasonecouldim-
　　agine——paperpackages，bandages，cardboardboxesofficiallylabelled。Thelowerofthetwo，inoneofitscompartments，containedourprovisionofquinine。
　　Therewerefivebottles，allroundandallofasize。Onewasaboutathirdfull。Theotherfourremainedstillwrappedupinpaperandsealed。
　　ButIdidnotexpecttoseeanenvelopelyingontopofthem。Asquareenvelope，belonging，infact，totheship’sstationery。
　　ItlaysothatIcouldseeitwasnotcloseddown，andonpickingitupandturningitoverIperceivedthatitwasaddressedtomyself。Itcontainedahalf-sheetofnotepaper，whichIunfoldedwithaqueersenseofdealingwiththeuncanny，butwith-
　　outanyexcitementaspeoplemeetanddoex-
　　traordinarythingsinadream。
　　"MydearCaptain，"itbegan，butIrantothesignature。Thewriterwasthedoctor。Thedatewasthatofthedayonwhich，returningfrommyvisittoMr。Burnsinthehospital，Ihadfoundtheexcellentdoctorwaitingformeinthecabin;andwhenhetoldmethathehadbeenputtingintimeinspectingthemedicinechestforme。Howbizarre！Whileexpectingmetocomeinatanymomenthehadbeenamusinghimselfbywritingmealetter，andthenasIcameinhadhastenedtostuffitintothemedicine-chestdrawer。Aratherincredibleproceeding。Iturnedtothetextinwonder。
　　Inalarge，hurried，butlegiblehandthegood，sympatheticmanforsomereason，eitherofkind-
　　nessormorelikelyimpelledbytheirresistiblede-
　　siretoexpresshisopinion，withwhichhedidn’twanttodampmyhopesbefore，waswarningmenottoputmytrustinthebeneficialeffectsofachangefromlandtosea。"Ididn’twanttoaddtoyourworriesbydiscouragingyourhopes，"hewrote。"Iamafraidthat，medicallyspeaking，theendofyourtroublesisnotyet。"Inshort，heex-
　　pectedmetohavetofightaprobablereturnoftropicalillness。FortunatelyIhadagoodpro-
　　visionofquinine。Ishouldputmytrustinthat，andadministeritsteadily，whentheship’shealthwouldcertainlyimprove。
　　Icrumpleduptheletterandrammeditintomypocket。Ransomecarriedofftwobigdosestothemenforward。Astomyself，Ididnotgoondeckasyet。IwentinsteadtothedoorofMr。Burns’
　　room，andgavehimthatnews，too。
　　Itwasimpossibletosaytheeffectithadonhim。
　　AtfirstIthoughtthathewasspeechless。Hisheadlaysunkinthepillow。Hemovedhislipsenough，however，toassuremethathewasgettingmuchstronger;astatementshockinglyuntrueonthefaceofit。
　　ThatafternoonItookmywatchasamatterofcourse。Agreatover-heatedstillnessenvelopedtheshipandseemedtoholdhermotionlessinaflamingambiencecomposedintwoshadesofblue。
　　Faint，hotpuffseddiednervelesslyfromhersails。
　　Andyetshemoved。Shemusthave。For，asthesunwassetting，wehaddrawnabreastofCapeLiantanddroppeditbehindus：anominousre-
　　treatingshadowinthelastgleamsoftwilight。
　　Intheevening，underthecrudeglareofhislamp，Mr。Burnsseemedtohavecomemoretothesurfaceofhisbedding。Itwasasifadepressinghandhadbeenliftedoffhim。Heansweredmyfewwordsbyacomparativelylong，connectedspeech。Heassertedhimselfstrongly。Ifheescapedbeingsmotheredbythisstagnantheat，hesaid，hewasconfidentthatinaveryfewdayshewouldbeabletocomeupondeckandhelpme。
　　WhilehewasspeakingItrembledlestthiseffortofenergyshouldleavehimlifelessbeforemyeyes。
　　ButIcannotdenythattherewassomethingcom-
　　fortinginhiswillingness。Imadeasuitablereply，butpointedouttohimthattheonlythingthatcouldreallyhelpuswaswind——afairwind。
　　Herolledhisheadimpatientlyonthepillow。
　　Anditwasnotcomfortingintheleasttohearhimbegintomuttercrazilyaboutthelatecaptain，thatoldmanburiedinlatitude8d20’，rightinourway——ambushedattheentranceoftheGulf。
　　"Areyoustillthinkingofyourlatecaptain，Mr。
　　Burns？"Isaid。"Iimaginethedeadfeelnoanimos-
　　ityagainsttheliving。Theycarenothingforthem。"
　　"Youdon’tknowthatone，"hebreathedoutfeebly。
　　"No。Ididn’tknowhim，andhedidn’tknowme。Andsohecan’thaveanygrievanceagainstme，anyway。"
　　"Yes。Butthere’salltherestofusonboard，"heinsisted。
　　Ifelttheinexpugnablestrengthofcommonsensebeinginsidiouslymenacedbythisgruesome，bythisinsane，delusion。AndIsaid：
　　"Youmustn’ttalksomuch。Youwilltireyourself。"
　　"Andthereistheshipherself，"hepersistedinawhisper。
　　"Now，notawordmore，"Isaid，steppinginandlayingmyhandonhiscoolforehead。Itprovedtomethatthisatrociousabsurditywasrootedinthemanhimselfandnotinthedisease，which，ap-
　　parently，hademptiedhimofeverypower，mentalandphysical，exceptthatonefixedidea。
　　IavoidedgivingMr。Burnsanyopeningforcon-
　　versationforthenextfewdays。Imerelyusedtothrowhimahasty，cheerywordwhenpassinghisdoor。Ibelievethatifhehadhadthestrengthhewouldhavecalledoutaftermemorethanonce。
　　Buthehadn’tthestrength。Ransome，however，observedtomeoneafternoonthatthemate"seemedtobepickingupwonderfully。"
　　"Didhetalkanynonsensetoyouoflate？"I
　　askedcasually。
　　"No，sir。"Ransomewasstartledbythedirectquestion;but，afterapause，headdedequably：
　　"Hetoldmethismorning，sir，thathewassorryhehadtoburyourlatecaptainrightintheship’sway，asonemaysay，outoftheGulf。"
　　"Isn’tthisnonsenseenoughforyou？"Iasked，lookingconfidentlyattheintelligent，quietfaceonwhichthesecretuneasinessintheman’sbreasthadthrownatransparentveilofcare。
　　Ransomedidn’tknow。Hehadnotgivenathoughttothematter。Andwithafaintsmileheflittedawayfrommeonhisnever-endingduties，withhisusualguardedactivity。
　　Twomoredayspassed。Wehadadvancedalittleway——averylittleway——intothelargerspaceoftheGulfofSiam。Seizingeagerlyupontheelationofthefirstcommandthrownintomylap，bytheagencyofCaptainGiles，Ihadyetanuneasyfeelingthatsuchluckasthishasgotperhapstobepaidforinsomeway。Ihadheld，professionally，areviewofmychances。Iwascompetentenoughforthat。Atleast，Ithoughtso。Ihadageneralsenseofmypreparednesswhichonlyamanpur-
　　suingacallinghelovescanknow。Thatfeelingseemedtomethemostnaturalthingintheworld。
　　Asnaturalasbreathing。IimaginedIcouldnothavelivedwithoutit。
　　Idon’tknowwhatIexpected。Perhapsnothingelsethanthatspecialintensityofexistencewhichisthequintessenceofyouthfulaspirations。What-
　　everIexpectedIdidnotexpecttobebesetbyhurricanes。Iknewbetterthanthat。IntheGulfofSiamtherearenohurricanes。ButneitherdidI
　　expecttofindmyselfboundhandandfoottothehopelessextentwhichwasrevealedtomeasthedayswenton。
　　Notthattheevilspellheldusalwaysmotionless。
　　Mysteriouscurrentsdriftedushereandthere，withastealthypowermademanifestonlybythechang-
　　ingvistasoftheislandsfringingtheeastshoreoftheGulf。Andtherewerewinds，too，fitfulanddeceitful。Theyraisedhopesonlytodashthemintothebitterestdisappointment，promisesofadvanceendinginlostground，expiringinsighs，dyingintodumbstillnessinwhichthecurrentshaditalltheirownway——theirowninimicalway。
　　TheislandofKoh-ring，agreat，black，up-
　　heavedridgeamongstalotoftinyislets，lyingupontheglassywaterlikeatritonamongstmin-
　　nows，seemedtobethecentreofthefatalcircle。Itseemedimpossibletogetawayfromit。Dayafterdayitremainedinsight。Morethanonce，inafavourablebreeze，Iwouldtakeitsbearingsinthefast-ebbingtwilight，thinkingthatitwasforthelasttime。Vainhope。Anightoffitfulairswouldundothegainsoftemporaryfavour，andtherisingsunwouldthrowouttheblackreliefofKoh-ringooking。
　　part2-5
　　ChapterV
　　IHEARDtheclatterofthescissorsescapingfromhishand，notedtheperilousheaveofhiswholepersonovertheedgeofthebunkafterthem，andthen，returningtomyfirstpurpose，pursuedmycourseonthedeck。Thesparkleoftheseafilledmyeyes。Itwasgorgeousandbarren，monotonousandwithouthopeundertheemptycurveofthesky。Thesailshungmotionlessandslack，theveryfoldsoftheirsaggingsurfacesmovednomorethancarvedgranite。Theimpetuosityofmyad-
　　ventmadethemanatthehelmstartslightly。A
　　blockaloftsqueakedincomprehensibly，forwhatonearthcouldhavemadeitdoso？Itwasawhistlingnotelikeabird’s。Foralong，longtimeIfacedanemptyworld，steepedinaninfinityofsilence，throughwhichthesunshinepouredandflowedforsomemysteriouspurpose。ThenIheardRansome’svoiceatmyelbow。
　　"IhaveputMr。Burnsbacktobed，sir。"
　　"Youhave。"
　　"Well，sir，hegotout，allofasudden，butwhenheletgotheedgeofhisbunkhefelldown。Heisn’tlight-headed，though，itseemstome。"
　　"No，"Isaiddully，withoutlookingatRansome。
　　Hewaitedforamoment，thencautiously，asifnottogiveoffence："Idon’tthinkweneedlosemuchofthatstuff，sir，"hesaid，"Icansweepitup，everybitofitalmost，andthenwecouldsifttheglassout。
　　Iwillgoaboutitatonce。Itwillnotmakethebreakfastlate，nottenminutes。"
　　"Oh，yes，"Isaidbitterly。"Letthebreakfastwait，sweepupeverybitofit，andthenthrowthedamnedlotoverboard！"
　　Theprofoundsilencereturned，andwhenI
　　lookedovermyshoulder，Ransome——theintelli-
　　gent，sereneRansome——hadvanishedfrommyside。Theintenselonelinessoftheseaactedlikepoisononmybrain。WhenIturnedmyeyestotheship，Ihadamorbidvisionofherasafloatinggrave。Whohasn’theardofshipsfoundfloating，haphazard，withtheircrewsalldead？Ilookedattheseamanatthehelm，Ihadanimpulsetospeaktohim，and，indeed，hisfacetookonanexpectantcastasifhehadguessedmyintention。ButintheendIwentbelow，thinkingIwouldbealonewiththegreatnessofmytroubleforalittlewhile。ButthroughhisopendoorMr。Burnssawmecomedown，andaddressedmegrumpily："Well，sir？"
　　Iwentin。"Itisn’twellatall，"Isaid。
　　Mr。Burns，reestablishedinhisbed-place，wasconcealinghishirsutecheekinthepalmofhishand。
　　"Thatconfoundedfellowhastakenawaythescissorsfromme，"werethenextwordshesaid。
　　ThetensionIwassufferingfromwassogreatthatitwasperhapsjustaswellthatMr。Burnshadstartedonhisgrievance。Heseemedverysoreaboutitandgrumbled，"DoeshethinkIammad，orwhat？"
　　"Idon’tthinkso，Mr。Burns，"Isaid。Ilookeduponhimatthatmomentasamodelofself-
　　possession。Ievenconceivedonthataccountasortofadmirationforthatman，whohad（apartfromtheintensematerialityofwhatwasleftofhisbeard）comeasneartobeingadisembodiedspiritasanymancandoandlive。Inoticedthepre-
　　ternaturalsharpnessoftheridgeofhisnose，thedeepcavitiesofhistemples，andIenviedhim。Hewassoreducedthathewouldprobablydieverysoon。Enviableman！Sonearextinction——whileIhadtobearwithinmeatumultofsufferingvitality，doubt，confusion，self-reproach，andanin-
　　definitereluctancetomeetthehorridlogicofthesituation。Icouldnothelpmuttering："IfeelasifIweregoingmadmyself。"
　　Mr。Burnsglaredspectrally，butotherwisewonderfullycomposed。
　　"Ialwaysthoughthewouldplayussomedeadlytrick，"
　　hesaid，withapeculiaremphasisontheHE。
　　Itgavemeamentalshock，butIhadneitherthemind，northeheart，northespirittoarguewithhim。Myformofsicknesswasindifference。Thecreepingparalysisofahopelessoutlook。SoI
　　onlygazedathim。Mr。Burnsbrokeintofurtherspeech。
　　"Eh！What！No！Youwon’tbelieveit？Well，howdoyouaccountforthis？Howdoyouthinkitcouldhavehappened？"
　　"Happened？"Irepeateddully。"Why，yes，howinthenameoftheinfernalpowersdidthisthinghappen？"
　　Indeed，onthinkingitout，itseemedincompre-
　　hensiblethatitshouldjustbelikethis：thebottlesemptied，refilled，rewrapped，andreplaced。Asortofplot，asinisterattempttodeceive，athingre-
　　semblingslyvengeance，butforwhat？Orelseafiendishjoke。ButMr。Burnswasinpossessionofatheory。Itwassimple，andheuttereditsolemnlyinahollowvoice。
　　"IsupposetheyhavegivenhimaboutfifteenpoundsinHaiphongforthatlittlelot。"
　　"Mr。Burns！"Icried。
　　Henoddedgrotesquelyoverhisraisedlegs，liketwobroomsticksinthepyjamas，withenormousbarefeetattheend。
　　"Whynot？Thestuffisprettyexpensiveinthispartoftheworld，andtheywereveryshortofitinTonkin。Andwhatdidhecare？Youhavenotknownhim。Ihave，andIhavedefiedhim。HefearedneitherGod，nordevil，norman，norwind，norsea，norhisownconscience。AndIbelievehehatedeverybodyandeverything。ButIthinkhewasafraidtodie。IbelieveIamtheonlymanwhoeverstooduptohim。Ifacedhiminthatcabinwhereyoulivenow，whenhewassick，andI
　　cowedhimthen。HethoughtIwasgoingtotwisthisneckforhim。IfhehadhadhiswaywewouldhavebeenbeatingupagainsttheNord-Eastmon-
　　soon，aslongashelivedandafterward，too，foragesandages。ActingtheFlyingDutchmanintheChinaSea！Ha！Ha！"
　　"Butwhyshouldhereplacethebottleslikethis？"……Ibegan。
　　"Whyshouldn’the？Whyshouldhewanttothrowthebottlesaway？Theyfitthedrawer。
　　Theybelongtothemedicinechest。"
　　"Andtheywerewrappedup，"Icried。
　　"Well，thewrapperswerethere。Diditfromhabit，Isuppose，andastorefilling，thereisalwaysalotofstufftheysendinpaperparcelsthatburstafteratime。Andthen，whocantell？Isupposeyoudidn’ttasteit，sir？But，ofcourse，youaresure……"
　　"No，"Isaid。"Ididn’ttasteit。Itisallover-
　　boardnow。"
　　Behindme，asoft，cultivatedvoicesaid："Ihavetastedit。Itseemedamixtureofallsorts，sweet-
　　ish，saltish，veryhorrible。"
　　Ransome，steppingoutofthepantry，hadbeenlisteningforsometime，asitwasveryexcusableinhimtodo。
　　"Adirtytrick，"saidMr。Burns。"Ialwayssaidhewould。"
　　Themagnitudeofmyindignationwasun-
　　bounded。Andthekind，sympatheticdoctor，too。
　　TheonlysympatheticmanIeverknew……
　　insteadofwritingthatwarningletter，theveryre-
　　finementofsympathy，whydidn’tthemanmakeaproperinspection？But，asamatteroffact，itwashardlyfairtoblamethedoctor。Thefittingswereinorderandthemedicinechestisanofficiallyar-
　　rangedaffair。Therewasnothingreallytoarousetheslightestsuspicion。ThepersonIcouldneverforgivewasmyself。Nothingshouldeverbetakenforgranted。Theseedofeverlastingremorsewassowninmybreast。
　　"Ifeelit’sallmyfault，"Iexclaimed，"mineandnobodyelse’s。That’showIfeel。Ishallneverforgivemyself。"
　　"That’sveryfoolish，sir，"saidMr。Burnsfiercely。
　　Andafterthisefforthefellbackexhaustedonhisbed。Heclosedhiseyes，hepanted;thisaffair，thisabominablesurprisehadshakenhimup，too。
　　AsIturnedawayIperceivedRansomelookingatmeblankly。Heappreciatedwhatitmeant，butmanagedtoproducehispleasant，wistfulsmile。
　　Thenhesteppedbackintohispantry，andIrushedupondeckagaintoseewhethertherewasanywind，anybreathunderthesky，anystiroftheair，anysignofhope。Thedeadlystillnessmetmeagain。Nothingwaschangedexceptthattherewasadifferentmanatthewheel。Helookedill。
　　Hiswholefiguredrooped，andheseemedrathertoclingtothespokesthanholdthemwithacontroll-
　　inggrip。Isaidtohim：
　　"Youarenotfittobehere。"
　　"Icanmanage，sir，"hesaidfeebly。
　　Asamatteroffact，therewasnothingforhimtodo。
　　Theshiphadnosteerageway。Shelaywithherheadtothewestward，theeverlastingKoh-ringvisibleoverthestern，withafewsmallislets，blackspotsinthegreatblaze，swimmingbeforemytroubledeyes。Andbutforthosebitsoflandtherewasnospeckonthesky，nospeckonthewater，noshapeofvapour，nowispofsmoke，nosail，noboat，nostirofhumanity，nosignoflife，nothing！
　　Thefirstquestionwas，whattodo？Whatcouldonedo？Thefirstthingtodoobviouslywastotellthemen。Ididitthatveryday。Iwasn’tgoingtolettheknowledgesimplygetabout。Iwouldfacethem。Theywereassembledonthequarter-
　　deckforthepurpose。JustbeforeIsteppedouttospeaktothemIdiscoveredthatlifecouldholdterriblemoments。Noconfessedcriminalhadeverbeensooppressedbyhissenseofguilt。Thisiswhy，perhaps，myfacewassethardandmyvoicecurtandunemotionalwhileImademydeclarationthatIcoulddonothingmoreforthesickinthewayofdrugs。Astosuchcareascouldbegiventhemtheyknewtheyhadhadit。
　　Iwouldhaveheldthemjustifiedintearingmelimbfromlimb。Thesilencewhichfolloweduponmywordswasalmosthardertobearthantheangriestuproar。Iwascrushedbytheinfinitedepthofitsreproach。But，asamatteroffact，I
　　wasmistaken。InavoicewhichIhadgreatdiffi-
　　cultyinkeepingfirm，Iwenton："Isuppose，men，youhaveunderstoodwhatIsaid，andyouknowwhatitmeans。"
　　Avoiceortwowereheard："Yes，sir……Weunderstand。"
　　Theyhadkeptsilentsimplybecausetheythoughtthattheywerenotcalledtosayanything;
　　andwhenItoldthemthatIintendedtorunintoSingaporeandthatthebestchancefortheshipandthemenwasintheeffortsallofus，sickandwell，mustmaketogetheralongoutofthis，Ire-
　　ceivedtheencouragementofalowassentingmur-
　　murandofaloudervoiceexclaiming："Surelythereisawayoutofthisblamedhole。"
　　***
　　HereisanextractfromthenotesIwroteatthetime。
　　"WehavelostKoh-ringatlast。FormanydaysnowIdon’tthinkIhavebeentwohoursbelowal-
　　together。Iremainondeck，ofcourse，nightandday，andthenightsandthedayswheeloverusinsuccession，whetherlongorshort，whocansay？
　　Allsenseoftimeislostinthemonotonyofex-
　　pectation，ofhope，andofdesire——whichisonlyone：Gettheshiptothesouthward！Gettheshiptothesouthward！Theeffectiscuriouslyme-
　　chanical;thesunclimbsanddescends，thenightswingsoverourheadsasifsomebodybelowthehorizonwereturningacrank。Itistheprettiest，themostaimless！……andallthroughthatmiserableperformanceIgoon，tramping，tramp-
　　ingthedeck。HowmanymileshaveIwalkedonthepoopofthatship！Astubbornpilgrimageofsheerrestlessness，diversifiedbyshortexcursionsbelowtolookuponMr。Burns。Idon’tknowwhetheritisanillusion，butheseemstobecomemoresubstantialfromdaytoday。Hedoesn’tsaymuch，for，indeed，thesituationdoesn’tlenditselftoidleremarks。InoticethisevenwiththemenasIwatchthemmovingorsittingaboutthedecks。
　　Theydon’ttalktoeachother。Itstrikesmethatifthereexistsaninvisibleearcatchingthewhispersoftheearth，itwillfindthisshipthemostsilentspotonit……
　　"No，Mr。Burnshasnotmuchtosaytome。Hesitsinhisbunkwithhisbeardgone，hismoustachesflaming，andwithanairofsilentdeterminationonhischalkyphysiognomy。Ransometellsmehedevoursallthefoodthatisgivenhimtothelastscrap，butthat，apparently，hesleepsverylittle。
　　Evenatnight，whenIgobelowtofillmypipe，I
　　noticethat，thoughdozingflatonhisback，hestilllooksverydetermined。Fromthesideglancehegivesmewhenawakeitseemsasthoughhewereannoyedatbeinginterruptedinsomearduousmentaloperation;andasIemergeondecktheorderedarrangementofthestarsmeetsmyeye，un-
　　clouded，infinitelywearisome。Theretheyare：
　　stars，sun，sea，light，darkness，space，greatwaters;
　　theformidableWorkoftheSevenDays，intowhichmankindseemstohaveblunderedunbidden。Orelsedecoyed。EvenasIhavebeendecoyedintothisawful，thisdeath-hauntedcommand……"
　　***
　　Theonlyspotoflightintheshipatnightwasthatofthecompass-lamps，lightingupthefacesofthesucceedinghelmsmen;fortherestwewerelostinthedarkness，Iwalkingthepoopandthemenlyingaboutthedecks。Theywereallsoreducedbysicknessthatnowatchescouldbekept。Thosewhowereabletowalkremainedallthetimeonduty，lyingaboutintheshadowsofthemaindeck，tillmyvoiceraisedforanorderwouldbringthemtotheirenfeebledfeet，atotteringlittlegroup，mov-
　　ingpatentlyabouttheship，withhardlyamur-
　　mur，awhisperamongstthemall。AndeverytimeIhadtoraisemyvoiceitwaswithapangofremorseandpity。
　　Thenaboutfouro’clockinthemorningalightwouldgleamforwardinthegalley。TheunfailingRansomewiththeuneasyheart，immune，serene，andactive，wasgettingreadyfortheearlycoffeeforthemen。Presentlyhewouldbringmeacupuponthepoop，anditwasthenthatIallowedmyselftodropintomydeckchairforacoupleofhoursofrealsleep。NodoubtImusthavebeensnatchingshortdozeswhenleaningagainsttherailforamo-
　　mentinsheerexhaustion;but，honestly，Iwasnotawareofthem，exceptinthepainfulformofcon-
　　vulsivestartsthatseemedtocomeonmeevenwhileIwalked。Fromaboutfive，however，untilaftersevenIwouldsleepopenlyunderthefadingstars。
　　Iwouldsaytothehelmsman："Callmeatneed，"anddropintothatchairandclosemyeyes，feelingthattherewasnomoresleepformeonearth。AndthenIwouldknownothingtill，sometimebetweensevenandeight，IwouldfeelatouchonmyshoulderandlookupatRansome’sface，withitsfaint，wistfulsmileandfriendly，grayeyes，asthoughheweretenderlyamusedatmyslumbers。Occasionallythesecondmatewouldcomeupandrelievemeatearlycoffeetime。Butitdidn’treallymatter。Generallyitwasadeadcalm，orelsefaintairssochangingandfugitivethatitreallywasn’tworthwhiletotouchabraceforthem。Iftheairsteadiedatalltheseamanatthehelmcouldbetrustedforawarningshout：
　　"Ship’sallaback，sir！"whichlikeatrumpet-
　　callwouldmakemespringafootabovethedeck。
　　Thosewerethewordswhichitseemedtomewouldhavemademespringupfrometernalsleep。Butthiswasnotoften。Ihavenevermetsincesuchbreathlesssunrises。Andifthesecondmatehap-
　　penedtobethere（hehadgenerallyonedayinthreefreeoffever）Iwouldfindhimsittingontheskylighthalfsenseless，asitwere，andwithanidioticgazefastenedonsomeobjectnearby——arope，acleat，abelayingpin，aringbolt。
　　Thatyoungmanwasrathertroublesome。Heremainedcubbishinhissufferings。Heseemedtohavebecomecompletelyimbecile;andwhenthere-
　　turnoffeverdrovehimtohiscabinbelow，thenextthingwouldbethatwewouldmisshimfromthere。
　　ThefirsttimeithappenedRansomeandIwereverymuchalarmed。WestartedaquietsearchandultimatelyRansomediscoveredhimcurledupinthesail-locker，whichopenedintothelobbybyaslidingdoor。Whenremonstratedwith，hemut-
　　teredsulkily，"It’scoolinthere。"Thatwasn’ttrue。Itwasonlydarkthere。
　　Thefundamentaldefectsofhisfacewerenotim-
　　provedbyitsuniformlividhue。Thediseasedis-
　　closeditslowtypeinastartlingway。Itwasnotsowithmanyofthemen。Thewastageofill-
　　healthseemedtoidealisethegeneralcharacterofthefeatures，bringingouttheunsuspectednobilityofsome，thestrengthofothers，andinonecasere-
　　vealinganessentiallycomicaspect。Hewasashort，gingery，activemanwithanoseandchinofthePunchtype，andwhomhisshipmatescalled"Frenchy。"Idon’tknowwhy。HemayhavebeenaFrenchman，butIhaveneverheardhimutterasinglewordinFrench。
　　Toseehimcomingafttothewheelcomfortedone。Thebluedungareetrousersturnedupthecalf，onelegalittlehigherthantheother，thecleancheckshirt，thewhitecanvascap，evidentlymadebyhimself，madeupawholeofpeculiarsmartness，andthepersistentjauntinessofhisgait，even，poorfellow，whenhecouldn’thelptottering，toldofhisinvinciblespirit。TherewasalsoamancalledGambril。Hewastheonlygrizzledpersonintheship。Hisfacewasofanausteretype。ButifIre-
　　memberalltheirfaces，wastingtragicallybeforemyeyes，mostoftheirnameshavevanishedfrommymemory。
　　Thewordsthatpassedbetweenuswerefewandpuerileinregardofthesituation。Ihadtoforcemyselftolookthemintheface。Iexpectedtomeetreproachfulglances。Therewerenone。Theexpressionofsufferingintheireyeswasindeedhardenoughtobear。Butthattheycouldn’thelp。
　　Fortherest，Iaskmyselfwhetheritwasthetemperoftheirsoulsorthesympathyoftheirimaginationthatmadethemsowonderful，soworthyofmyun-
　　dyingregard。
　　Formyself，neithermysoulwashighlytempered，normyimaginationproperlyundercontrol。ThereweremomentswhenIfelt，notonlythatIwouldgomad，butthatIhadgonemadalready;sothatI
　　darednotopenmylipsforfearofbetrayingmyselfbysomeinsaneshriek。LuckilyIhadonlyorderstogive，andanorderhasasteadyinginfluenceuponhimwhohastogiveit。Moreover，theseaman，theofficerofthewatch，inmewassufficientlysane。
　　Iwaslikeamadcarpentermakingabox。
　　WereheeversoconvincedthathewasKingofJerusalem，theboxhewouldmakewouldbeasanebox。WhatIfearedwasashrillnoteescapingmeinvoluntarilyandupsettingmybalance。Luckily，again，therewasnonecessitytoraiseone’svoice。
　　Thebroodingstillnessoftheworldseemedsensitivetotheslightestsound，likeawhisperinggallery。
　　Theconversationaltonewouldalmostcarryawordfromoneendoftheshiptotheother。TheterriblethingwasthattheonlyvoicethatIeverheardwasmyown。Atnightespeciallyitreverber-
　　atedverylonelyamongsttheplanesoftheun-
　　stirringsails。
　　Mr。Burns，stillkeepingtohisbedwiththatairofsecretdetermination，wasmovedtogrumbleatmanythings。Ourinterviewswereshortfive-
　　minuteaffairs，butfairlyfrequent。Iwaseverlast-
　　inglydivingdownbelowtogetalight，thoughIdidnotconsumemuchtobaccoatthattime。Thepipewasalwaysgoingout;forintruthmymindwasnotcomposedenoughtoenablemetogetadecentsmoke。Likewise，formostofthetimeduringthetwenty-fourhoursIcouldhavestruckmatchesondeckandheldthemalofttilltheflameburntmyfingers。ButIalwaysusedtorunbelow。Itwasachange。Itwastheonlybreakintheincessantstrain;and，ofcourse，Mr。Burnsthroughtheopendoorcouldseemecomeinandgoouteverytime。
　　Withhiskneesgatheredupunderhischinandstaringwithhisgreenisheyesoverthem，hewasaweirdfigure，andwithmyknowledgeofthecrazynotioninhishead，notaveryattractiveoneforme。
　　Still，Ihadtospeaktohimnowandthen，andonedayhecomplainedthattheshipwasverysilent。
　　Forhoursandhours，hesaid，hewaslyingthere，nothearingasound，tillhedidnotknowwhattodowithhimself。
　　"WhenRansomehappenstobeforwardinhisgalleyeverything’ssostillthatonemightthinkeverybodyintheshipwasdead，"hegrumbled。
　　"TheonlyvoiceIdohearsometimesisyours，sir，andthatisn’tenoughtocheermeup。What’sthematterwiththemen？Isn’tthereoneleftthatcansingoutattheropes？"
　　"Notone，Mr。Burns，"Isaid。"Thereisnobreathtospareonboardthisshipforthat。AreyouawarethattherearetimeswhenIcan’tmustermorethanthreehandstodoanything？"
　　Heaskedswiftlybutfearfully：
　　"Nobodydeadyet，sir？"
　　"No。"
　　"Itwouldn’tdo，"Mr。Burnsdeclaredforcibly。
　　"Mustn’tlethim。Ifhegetsholdofonehewillgetthemall。"
　　Icriedoutangrilyatthis。IbelieveIevensworeatthedisturbingeffectofthesewords。
　　Theyattackedalltheself-possessionthatwaslefttome。InmyendlessvigilinthefaceoftheenemyIhadbeenhauntedbygruesomeimagesenough。I
　　hadhadvisionsofashipdriftingincalmsandswinginginlightairs，withallhercrewdyingslowlyaboutherdecks。Suchthingshadbeenknowntohappen。
　　Mr。Burnsmetmyoutburstbyamysterioussilence。
　　"Lookhere，"Isaid。"Youdon’tbelieveyour-
　　selfwhatyousay。Youcan’t。It’simpossible。
　　Itisn’tthesortofthingIhavearighttoexpectfromyou。Myposition’sbadenoughwithoutbeingworriedwithyoursillyfancies。"
　　Heremainedunmoved。OnaccountofthewayinwhichthelightfellonhisheadIcouldnotbesurewhetherhehadsmiledfaintlyornot。I
　　changedmytone。
　　"Listen，"Isaid。"It’sgettingsodesperatethatIhadthoughtforamoment，sincewecan’tmakeourwaysouth，whetherIwouldn’ttrytosteerwestandmakeanattempttoreachthemail-
　　boattrack。Wecouldalwaysgetsomequininefromher，atleast。Whatdoyouthink？"
　　Hecriedout："No，no，no。Don’tdothat，sir。
　　Youmustn’tforamomentgiveupfacingthatoldruffian。Ifyoudohewillgettheupperhandofus。"
　　Ilefthim。Hewasimpossible。Itwaslikeacaseofpossession。Hisprotest，however，wasessentiallyquitesound。Asamatteroffact，mynotionofheadingoutwestonthechanceofsight-
　　ingaproblematicalsteamercouldnotbearcalmexamination。Onthesidewherewewerewehadenoughwind，atleastfromtimetotime，tostruggleontowardthesouth。Enough，atleast，tokeephopealive。ButsupposethatIhadusedthosecapriciousgustsofwindtosailawaytothewest-
　　ward，intosomeregionwheretherewasnotabreathofairfordaysonend，whatthen？Perhapsmyappallingvisionofashipfloatingwithadeadcrewwouldbecomearealityforthediscoveryweeksafterwardbysomehorror-strickenmariners。
　　ThatafternoonRansomebroughtmeupacupoftea，andwhilewaitingthere，trayinhand，here-
　　markedintheexactlyrighttoneofsympathy：
　　"Youareholdingoutwell，sir。"
　　"Yes，"Isaid。"YouandIseemtohavebeenforgotten。"
　　"Forgotten，sir？"
　　"Yes，bythefever-devilwhohasgotonboardthisship，"Isaid。
　　Ransomegavemeoneofhisattractive，intelli-
　　gent，quickglancesandwentawaywiththetray。
　　ItoccurredtomethatIhadbeentalkingsome-
　　whatinMr。Burns’manner。Itannoyedme。YetoftenindarkermomentsIforgotmyselfintoanattitudetowardourtroublesmorefitforacontestagainstalivingenemy。
　　Yes。Thefever-devilhadnotlaidhishandyeteitheronRansomeoronme。Buthemightatanytime。Itwasoneofthosethoughtsonehadtofightdown，keepatarm’slengthatanycost。ItwasunbearabletocontemplatethepossibilityofRansome，thehousekeeperoftheship，beinglaidlow。AndwhatwouldhappentomycommandifIgotknockedover，withMr。Burnstooweaktostandwithoutholdingontohisbed-placeandthesecondmatereducedtoastateofpermanentim-
　　becility？Itwasimpossibletoimagine，orrather，itwasonlytooeasytoimagine。
　　Iwasaloneonthepoop。Theshiphavingnosteerageway，Ihadsentthehelmsmanawaytositdownorliedownsomewhereintheshade。Themen’sstrengthwassoreducedthatallunnecessarycallsonithadtobeavoided。ItwastheaustereGambrilwiththegrizzlybeard。Hewentawayreadilyenough，buthewassoweakenedbyre-
　　peatedboutsoffever，poorfellow，thatinordertogetdownthepoopladderhehadtoturnsidewaysandhangonwithbothhandstothebrassrail。Itwasjustsimplyheart-breakingtowatch。Yethewasneitherverymuchworsenormuchbetterthanmostofthehalf-dozenmiserablevictimsIcouldmusterupondeck。
　　Itwasaterriblylifelessafternoon。Forseveraldaysinsuccessionlowcloudshadappearedinthedistance，whitemasseswithdarkconvolutionsrest-
　　ingonthewater，motionless，almostsolid，andyetallthetimechangingtheiraspectssubtly。To-
　　wardeveningtheyvanishedasarule。Butthisdaytheyawaitedthesettingsun，whichglowedandsmoulderedsulkilyamongstthembeforeitsankdown。Thepunctualandwearisomestarsre-
　　appearedoverourmastheads，buttheairremainedstagnantandoppressive。