TheunfailingRansomelightedthebinnacle-
　　lampsandglided，allshadowy，uptome。
　　"Willyougodownandtrytoeatsomething，sir？"hesuggested。
　　Hislowvoicestartledme。Ihadbeenstandinglookingoutovertherail，sayingnothing，feelingnothing，noteventhewearinessofmylimbs，over-
　　comebytheevilspell。
　　"Ransome，"Iaskedabruptly，"howlonghaveI
　　beenondeck？Iamlosingthenotionoftime。"
　　"Twelvedays，sir，"hesaid，"andit’sjustafortnightsincewelefttheanchorage。"
　　Hisequablevoicesoundedmournfulsomehow。
　　Hewaitedabit，thenadded："It’sthefirsttimethatitlooksasifweweretohavesomerain。"
　　Inoticedthenthebroadshadowonthehorizon，extinguishingthelowstarscompletely，whilethoseoverhead，whenIlookedup，seemedtoshinedownonusthroughaveilofsmoke。
　　Howitgotthere，howithadcreptupsohigh，I
　　couldn’tsay。Ithadanominousappearance。Theairdidnotstir。AtarenewedinvitationfromRansomeIdidgodownintothecabinto——inhisownwords——"tryandeatsomething。"Idon’tknowthatthetrialwasverysuccessful。Isup-
　　poseatthatperiodIdidexistonfoodintheusualway;butthememoryisnowthatinthosedayslifewassustainedoninvincibleanguish，asasortofinfernalstimulantexcitingandconsumingatthesametime。
　　It’stheonlyperiodofmylifeinwhichIat-
　　temptedtokeepadiary。No，nottheonlyone。
　　Yearslater，inconditionsofmoralisolation，Ididputdownonpaperthethoughtsandeventsofascoreofdays。Butthiswasthefirsttime。Idon’trememberhowitcameaboutorhowthepocket-
　　bookandthepencilcameintomyhands。It’sin-
　　conceivablethatIshouldhavelookedforthemonpurpose。Isupposetheysavedmefromthecrazytrickoftalkingtomyself。
　　Strangelyenough，inbothcasesItooktothatsortofthingincircumstancesinwhichIdidnotex-
　　pect，incolloquialphrase，"tocomeoutofit。"
　　NeithercouldIexpecttherecordtooutlastme。
　　Thisshowsthatitwaspurelyapersonalneedforintimatereliefandnotacallofegotism。
　　HereImustgiveanothersampleofit，afewde-
　　tachedlines，nowlookingveryghostlytomyowneyes，outofthepartscribbledthatveryevening：
　　***
　　"Thereissomethinggoingonintheskylikeadecomposition;likeacorruptionoftheair，whichremainsasstillasever。Afterall，mereclouds，whichmayormaynotholdwindorrain。
　　Strangethatitshouldtroublemeso。Ifeelasifallmysinshadfoundmeout。ButIsupposethetroubleisthattheshipisstilllyingmotionless，notundercommand;andthatIhavenothingtodotokeepmyimaginationfromrunningwildamongstthedisastrousimagesoftheworstthatmaybefallus。What’sgoingtohappen？Probablynothing。
　　Oranything。Itmaybeafurioussquallcoming，buttendforemost。Andondecktherearefivemenwiththevitalityandthestrength，ofsay，two。
　　Wemayhavealloursailsblownaway。EverystitchofcanvashasbeenonhersincewebrokegroundatthemouthoftheMei-nam，fifteendaysago……orfifteencenturies。Itseemstomethatallmylifebeforethatmomentousdayisin-
　　finitelyremote，afadingmemoryoflight-heartedyouth，somethingontheothersideofashadow。
　　Yes，sailsmayverywellbeblownaway。Andthatwouldbelikeadeathsentenceonthemen。Wehaven’tstrengthenoughonboardtobendanothersuit;incrediblethought，butitistrue。Orwemayevengetdismasted。Shipshavebeendismastedinsquallssimplybecausetheyweren’thandledquickenough，andwehavenopowertowhirltheyardsaround。It’slikebeingboundhandandfootpre-
　　paratorytohavingone’sthroatcut。AndwhatappalsmemostofallisthatIshrinkfromgoingondecktofaceit。It’sduetotheship，it’sduetothemenwhoarethereondeck——someofthem，readytoputoutthelastremnantoftheirstrengthatawordfromme。AndIamshrinkingfromit。Fromthemerevision。Myfirstcommand。NowI
　　understandthatstrangesenseofinsecurityinmypast。IalwayssuspectedthatImightbenogood。
　　Andhereisproofpositive。Iamshirkingit。I
　　amnogood。"
　　***
　　Atthatmoment，or，perhaps，themomentafter，IbecameawareofRansomestandinginthecabin。
　　Somethinginhisexpressionstartledme。IthadameaningwhichIcouldnotmakeout。Iexclaimed：
　　"Somebody’sdead。"
　　Itwashisturnthentolookstartled。
　　"Dead？NotthatIknowof，sir。Ihavebeenintheforecastleonlytenminutesagoandtherewasnodeadmantherethen。"
　　"Youdidgivemeascare，"Isaid。
　　Hisvoicewasextremelypleasanttolistento。
　　HeexplainedthathehadcomedownbelowtocloseMr。Burns’portincaseitshouldcomeontorain。
　　"HedidnotknowthatIwasinthecabin，"headded。
　　"Howdoesitlookoutside？"Iaskedhim。
　　"Veryblack，indeed，sir。Thereissomethinginitforcertain。"
　　"Inwhatquarter？"
　　"Allround，sir。"
　　Irepeatedidly："Allround。Forcertain，"withmyelbowsonthetable。
　　Ransomelingeredinthecabinasifhehadsome-
　　thingtodothere，buthesitatedaboutdoingit。I
　　saidsuddenly：
　　"YouthinkIoughttobeondeck？"
　　Heansweredatoncebutwithoutanyparticularemphasisoraccent："Ido，sir。"
　　Igottomyfeetbriskly，andhemadewayformetogoout。AsIpassedthroughthelobbyIheardMr。Burns’voicesaying：
　　"Shutthedoorofmyroom，willyou，steward？"
　　AndRansome’srathersurprised："Certainly，sir。"
　　Ithoughtthatallmyfeelingshadbeendulledintocompleteindifference。ButIfounditastry-
　　ingasevertobeondeck。Theimpenetrableblack-
　　nessbesettheshipsoclosethatitseemedthatbythrustingone’shandoverthesideonecouldtouchsomeunearthlysubstance。Therewasinitaneffectofinconceivableterrorandofinexpressiblemystery。Thefewstarsoverheadshedadimlightupontheshipalone，withnogleamsofanykinduponthewater，indetachedshaftspiercinganat-
　　mospherewhichhadturnedtosoot。Itwassome-
　　thingIhadneverseenbefore，givingnohintofthedirectionfromwhichanychangewouldcome，theclosinginofamenacefromallsides。
　　Therewasstillnomanatthehelm。Theim-
　　mobilityofallthingswasperfect。Iftheairhadturnedblack，thesea，forallIknew，mighthaveturnedsolid。Itwasnogoodlookinginanydi-
　　rection，watchingforanysign，speculatinguponthenearnessofthemoment。Whenthetimecametheblacknesswouldoverwhelmsilentlythebitofstarlightfallingupontheship，andtheendofallthingswouldcomewithoutasigh，stir，ormurmurofanykind，andallourheartswouldceasetobeatlikerun-downclocks。
　　Itwasimpossibletoshakeoffthatsenseoffinality。Thequietnessthatcameovermewaslikeaforetasteofannihilation。Itgavemeasortofcomfort，asthoughmysoulhadbecomesuddenlyreconciledtoaneternityofblindstillness。
　　Theseaman’sinstinctalonesurvivedwholeinmymoraldissolution。Idescendedtheladdertothequarter-deck。Thestarlightseemedtodieoutbeforereachingthatspot，butwhenIaskedquietly："Areyouthere，men？"myeyesmadeoutshadowformsstartinguparoundme，veryfew，veryindistinct;andavoicespoke："Allhere，sir。"
　　Anotheramendedanxiously：
　　"Allthatareanygoodforanything，sir。"
　　Bothvoiceswereveryquietandunringing;with-
　　outanyspecialcharacterofreadinessordiscour-
　　agement。Verymatter-of-factvoices。
　　"Wemusttrytohaulthismainsailcloseup，"Isaid。
　　Theshadowsswayedawayfrommewithoutaword。Thosemenweretheghostsofthemselves，andtheirweightonaropecouldbenomorethantheweightofabunchofghosts。Indeed，ifeverasailwashauledupbysheerspiritualstrengthitmusthavebeenthatsail，for，properlyspeaking，therewasnotmuscleenoughforthetaskinthewholeshipletalonethemiserablelotofusondeck。
　　Ofcourse，Itooktheleadintheworkmyself。
　　Theywanderedfeeblyaftermefromropetorope，stumblingandpanting。TheytoiledlikeTitans。
　　Wewerehalf-an-houratitatleast，andallthetimetheblackuniversemadenosound。Whenthelastleech-linewasmadefast，myeyes，accustomedtothedarkness，madeouttheshapesofexhaustedmendroopingovertherails，collapsedonhatches。
　　Onehungovertheafter-capstan，sobbingforbreath，andIstoodamongstthemlikeatowerofstrength，impervioustodiseaseandfeelingonlythesicknessofmysoul。Iwaitedforsometimefight-
　　ingagainsttheweightofmysins，againstmysenseofunworthiness，andthenIsaid：
　　"Now，men，we’llgoaftandsquarethemainyard。
　　That’saboutallwecandofortheship;andfortherestshemusttakeherchance。"
　　part2-6
　　ChapterVI
　　ASWEallwentupitoccurredtomethatthereoughttobeamanatthehelm。Iraisedmyvoicenotmuchaboveawhisper，and，noiselessly，anun-
　　complainingspiritinafever-wastedbodyappearedinthelightaft，theheadwithholloweyesillumi-
　　natedagainsttheblacknesswhichhadswallowedupourworld——andtheuniverse。Thebaredfore-
　　armextendedovertheupperspokesseemedtoshinewithalightofitsown。
　　Imurmuredtothatluminousappearance：
　　"Keepthehelmrightamidships。"
　　Itansweredinatoneofpatientsuffering：
　　"Rightamidships，sir。"
　　ThenIdescendedtothequarter-deck。Itwasimpossibletotellwhencetheblowwouldcome。Tolookroundtheshipwastolookintoabottomless，blackpit。Theeyelostitselfininconceivabledepths。
　　Iwantedtoascertainwhethertheropeshadbeenpickedupoffthedeck。Onecouldonlydothatbyfeelingwithone’sfeet。InmycautiousprogressI
　　cameagainstamaninwhomIrecognizedRansome。Hepossessedanunimpairedphysicalsoliditywhichwasmanifesttomeatthecontact。
　　Hewasleaningagainstthequarter-deckcapstanandkeptsilent。Itwaslikearevelation。HewasthecollapsedfiguresobbingforbreathIhadno-
　　ticedbeforewewentonthepoop。
　　"Youhavebeenhelpingwiththemainsail！"I
　　exclaimedinalowtone。
　　"Yes，sir，"soundedhisquietvoice。
　　"Man！Whatwereyouthinkingof？Youmustn’tdothatsortofthing。"
　　Afterapauseheassented："IsupposeI
　　mustn’t。"Thenafteranothershortsilenceheadded："Iamallrightnow，"quickly，betweenthetell-talegasps。
　　Icouldneitherhearnorseeanybodyelse;butwhenIspokeup，answeringsadmurmursfilledthequarter-deck，anditsshadowsseemedtoshifthereandthere。Iorderedallthehalyardslaiddownondeckclearforrunning。
　　"I’llseetothat，sir，"volunteeredRansomeinhisnatural，pleasanttone，whichcomfortedoneandarousedone’scompassion，too，somehow。
　　Thatmanoughttohavebeeninhisbed，resting，andmyplaindutywastosendhimthere。Butperhapshewouldnothaveobeyedme;Ihadnotthestrengthofmindtotry。AllIsaidwas：
　　"Goaboutitquietly，Ransome。"
　　ReturningonthepoopIapproachedGambril。
　　Hisface，setwithhollowshadowsinthelight，lookedawful，finallysilenced。Iaskedhimhowhefelt，buthardlyexpectedananswer。There-
　　fore，Iwasastonishedathiscomparativeloquac-
　　ity。
　　"Themshakesleavesmeasweakasakitten，sir，"hesaid，preservingfinelythatairofuncon-
　　sciousnessastoanythingbuthisbusinessahelms-
　　manshouldneverlose。"AndbeforeIcanpickupmystrengththattherehotfitcomesalongandknocksmeoveragain。"
　　Hesighed。Therewasnoreproachinhistone，butthebarewordswereenoughtogivemeahor-
　　riblepangofself-reproach。Itheldmedumbforatime。WhenthetormentingsensationhadpassedoffIasked：
　　"Doyoufeelstrongenoughtopreventtherud-
　　dertakingchargeifshegetssternwayonher？Itwouldn’tdotogetsomethingsmashedaboutthesteering-gearnow。We’veenoughdifficultiestocopewithasitis。"
　　Heansweredwithjustashadeofwearinessthathewasstrongenoughtohangon。Hecouldpromisemethatsheshouldn’ttakethewheeloutofhishands。Morehecouldn’tsay。
　　AtthatmomentRansomeappearedquiteclosetome，steppingoutofthedarknessintovisibilitysuddenly，asifjustcreatedwithhiscomposedfaceandpleasantvoice。
　　Everyropeondeck，hesaid，waslaiddownclearforrunning，asfarasonecouldmakecertainbyfeeling。Itwasimpossibletoseeanything。
　　Frenchyhadstationedhimselfforward。Hesaidhehadajumportwoleftinhimyet。
　　Hereafaintsmilealteredforaninstanttheclear，firmdesignofRansome’slips。Withhisseriousclear，grayeyes，hisserenetemperament——
　　hewasapricelessmanaltogether。Soulasfirmasthemusclesofhisbody。
　　Hewastheonlymanonboard（exceptme，butI
　　hadtopreservemylibertyofmovement）whohadasufficiencyofmuscularstrengthtotrustto。ForamomentIthoughtIhadbetteraskhimtotakethewheel。Butthedreadfulknowledgeoftheenemyhehadtocarryabouthimmademehesi-
　　tate。Inmyignoranceofphysiologyitoccurredtomethathemightdiesuddenly，fromexcitement，atacriticalmoment。
　　Whilethisgruesomefearrestrainedthereadywordsonthetipofmytongue，Ransomesteppedbacktwopacesandvanishedfrommysight。
　　Atonceanuneasinesspossessedme，asifsomesupporthadbeenwithdrawn。Imovedforward，too，outsidethecircleoflight，intothedarknessthatstoodinfrontofmelikeawall。InonestrideIpenetratedit。Suchmusthavebeenthedark-
　　nessbeforecreation。Ithadclosedbehindme。I
　　knewIwasinvisibletothemanatthehelm。
　　NeithercouldIseeanything。Hewasalone，Iwasalone，everymanwasalonewherehestood。Andeveryformwasgone，too，spar，sail，fittings，rails;
　　everythingwasblottedoutinthedreadfulsmooth-
　　nessofthatabsolutenight。
　　Aflashoflightningwouldhavebeenarelief——I
　　meanphysically。Iwouldhaveprayedforitifithadn’tbeenformyshrinkingapprehensionofthethunder。InthetensionofsilenceIwassufferingfromitseemedtomethatthefirstcrashmustturnmeintodust。
　　Andthunderwas，mostlikely，whatwouldhap-
　　pennext。Stiffalloverandhardlybreathing，Iwaitedwithahorriblystrainedexpectation。
　　Nothinghappened。Itwasmaddening，butadull，growingacheinthelowerpartofmyfacemademeawarethatIhadbeengrindingmyteethmadlyenough，forGodknowshowlong。
　　It’sextraordinaryIshouldnothaveheardmy-
　　selfdoingit;butIhadn’t。ByaneffortwhichabsorbedallmyfacultiesImanagedtokeepmyjawstill。Itrequiredmuchattention，andwhilethusengagedIbecamebotheredbycurious，ir-
　　regularsoundsoffainttappingonthedeck。Theycouldbeheardsingle，inpairs，ingroups。WhileIwonderedatthismysteriousdevilry，Ireceivedaslightblowunderthelefteyeandfeltanenor-
　　moustearrundownmycheek。Raindrops。
　　Enormous。Forerunnersofsomething。
　　Tap。Tap。Tap……
　　Iturnedabout，and，addressingGambrelearnestly，entreatedhimto"hangontothewheel。"
　　ButIcouldhardlyspeakfromemotion。Thefatalmomenthadcome。Iheldmybreath。Thetap-
　　pinghadstoppedasunexpectedlyasithadbegun，andtherewasarenewedmomentofintolerablesus-
　　pense;somethinglikeanadditionalturnoftherackingscrew。Idon’tsupposeIwouldhaveeverscreamed，butIremembermyconvictionthattherewasnothingelseforitbuttoscream。
　　Suddenly——howamItoconveyit？Well，sud-
　　denlythedarknessturnedintowater。Thisistheonlysuitablefigure。Aheavyshower，adown-
　　pour，comesalong，makinganoise。Youhearitsapproachonthesea，intheair，too，Iverilybelieve。
　　Butthiswasdifferent。Withnopreliminarywhisperorrustle，withoutasplash，andevenwith-
　　outtheghostofimpact，Ibecameinstantaneouslysoakedtotheskin。Notaverydifficultmatter，sinceIwaswearingonlymysleepingsuit。Myhairgotfullofwaterinaninstant，waterstreamedonmyskin，itfilledmynose，myears，myeyes。
　　InafractionofasecondIswallowedquitealotofit。
　　AstoGambril，hewasfairlychoked。Hecoughedpitifully，thebrokencoughofasickman;
　　andIbeheldhimasoneseesafishinanaquariumbythelightofanelectricbulb，anelusive，phos-
　　phorescentshape。Onlyhedidnotglideaway。
　　Butsomethingelsehappened。Bothbinnacle-
　　lampswentout。Isupposethewaterforceditselfintothem，thoughIwouldn’thavethoughtthatpossible，fortheyfittedintothecowlperfectly。
　　Thelastgleamoflightintheuniversehadgone，pursuedbyalowexclamationofdismayfromGambril。Igropedforhimandseizedhisarm。
　　Howstartlinglywasteditwas。
　　"Nevermind，"Isaid。"Youdon’twantthelight。Allyouneedtodoistokeepthewind，whenitcomes，atthebackofyourhead。Youunderstand？"
　　"Aye，aye，sir……ButIshouldliketohavealight，"headdednervously。
　　Allthattimetheshiplayassteadyasarock。
　　Thenoiseofthewaterpouringoffthesailsandspars，flowingoverthebreakofthepoop，hadstoppedshort。Thepoopscuppersgurgledandsobbedforalittlewhilelonger，andthenperfectsilence，joinedtoperfectimmobility，proclaimedtheyetunbrokenspellofourhelplessness，poisedontheedgeofsomeviolentissue，lurkinginthedark。
　　Istartedforwardrestlessly。Ididnotneedmysighttopacethepoopofmyill-starredfirstcom-
　　mandwithperfectassurance。Everysquarefootofherdeckswasimpressedindeliblyonmybrain，totheverygrainandknotsoftheplanks。Yet，allofasudden，Ifellcleanoversomething，landingfulllengthonmyhandsandface。
　　Itwassomethingbigandalive。Notadog——
　　morelikeasheep，rather。Buttherewerenoanimalsintheship。Howcouldananimal……
　　ItwasanaddedandfantastichorrorwhichIcouldnotresist。ThehairofmyheadstirredevenasI
　　pickedmyselfup，awfullyscared;notasamanisscaredwhilehisjudgment，hisreasonstilltrytoresist，butcompletely，boundlessly，and，asitwere，innocentlyscared——likealittlechild。
　　IcouldseeIt——thatThing！Thedarkness，ofwhichsomuchhadjustturnedintowater，hadthinneddownalittle。ThereItwas！ButIdidnothituponthenotionofMr。Burnsissuingoutofthecompaniononallfourstillheattemptedtostandup，andeventhentheideaofabearcrossedmymindfirst。
　　HegrowledlikeonewhenIseizedhimroundthebody。Hehadbuttonedhimselfupintoanenor-
　　mouswinterovercoatofsomewoollymaterial，theweightofwhichwastoomuchforhisreducedstate。
　　Icouldhardlyfeeltheincrediblythinlathofhisbody，lostwithinthethickstuff，buthisgrowlhaddepthandsubstance：Confoundeddumpshipwithacraven，tiptoeingcrowd。Whycouldn’ttheystampandgowithabrace？Wasn’tthereoneGod-
　　forsakenlubberinthelotfittoraiseayellonarope？
　　"Skulking’snogood，sir，"heattackedmedirectly。"Youcan’tslinkpasttheoldmurderousruffian。Itisn’ttheway。Youmustgoforhimboldly——asIdid。Boldnessiswhatyouwant。
　　Showhimthatyoudon’tcareforanyofhisdamnedtricks。Kickupajollyoldrow。"
　　"GoodGod，Mr。Burns，"Isaidangrily。
　　"Whatonearthareyouupto？Whatdoyoumeanbycomingupondeckinthisstate？"
　　"Justthat！Boldness。Theonlywaytoscaretheoldbullyingrascal。"
　　Ipushedhim，stillgrowling，againsttherail。
　　"Holdontoit，"Isaidroughly。Ididnotknowwhattodowithhim。Ilefthiminahurry，togotoGambril，whohadcalledfaintlythathebelievedtherewassomewindaloft。Indeed，myownearshadcaughtafeebleflutterofwetcanvas，highupoverhead，thejingleofaslackchainsheet……
　　Thesewereeerie，disturbing，alarmingsoundsinthedeadstillnessoftheairaroundme。AlltheinstancesIhadheardoftopmastsbeingwhippedoutofashipwhiletherewasnotwindenoughonherdecktoblowoutamatchrushedintomymemory。
　　"Ican’tseetheuppersails，sir，"declaredGambrilshakily。
　　"Don’tmovethehelm。You’llbeallright，"I
　　saidconfidently。
　　Thepoorman’snervesweregone。Minewerenotinmuchbettercase。Itwasthemomentofbreakingstrainandwasrelievedbytheabruptsensationoftheshipmovingforwardasifofher-
　　selfundermyfeet。Iheardplainlythesoughingofthewindaloft，thelowcracksoftheuppersparstakingthestrain，longbeforeIcouldfeeltheleastdraughtonmyfaceturnedaft，anxiousandsight-
　　lesslikethefaceofablindman。
　　Suddenlyalouder-soundingnotefilledourears，thedarknessstartedstreamingagainstourbodies，chillingthemexceedingly。Bothofus，GambrilandI，shiveredviolentlyinourclinging，soakedgarmentsofthincotton。Isaidtohim：
　　"Youareallrightnow，myman。Allyou’vegottodoistokeepthewindatthebackofyourhead。
　　Surelyyouareuptothat。Achildcouldsteerthisshipinsmoothwater。"
　　Hemuttered："Aye！Ahealthychild。"AndI
　　feltashamedofhavingbeenpassedoverbythefeverwhichhadbeenpreyingoneveryman’sstrengthbutmine，inorderthatmyremorsemightbethemorebitter，thefeelingofunworthinessmorepoignant，andthesenseofresponsibilityheaviertobear。
　　Theshiphadgatheredgreatwayonheralmostatonceonthecalmwater。Ifeltherslippingthroughitwithnoothernoisebutamysteriousrustlealongside。Otherwise，shehadnomotionatall，neitherliftnorroll。Itwasadishearteningsteadinesswhichhadlastedforeighteendaysnow;fornever，neverhadwehadwindenoughinthattimetoraisetheslightestrunofthesea。Thebreezefreshenedsuddenly。IthoughtitwashightimetogetMr。Burnsoffthedeck。Heworriedme。Ilookeduponhimasalunaticwhowouldbeverylikelytostartroamingovertheshipandbreakalimborfalloverboard。
　　IwastrulygladtofindhehadremainedholdingonwhereIhadlefthim，sensiblyenough。Hewas，however，mutteringtohimselfominously。
　　Thiswasdiscouraging。Iremarkedinamatter-
　　of-facttone：
　　"Wehaveneverhadsomuchwindasthissincewelefttheroads。"
　　"There’ssomeheartinit，too，"hegrowledjudiciously。Itwasaremarkofaperfectlysaneseaman。Butheaddedimmediately："ItwasabouttimeIshouldcomeondeck。I’vebeennursingmystrengthforthis——justforthis。Doyouseeit，sir？"
　　IsaidIdid，andproceededtohintthatitwouldbeadvisableforhimtogobelownowandtakearest。
　　Hisanswerwasanindignant"Gobelow！NotifIknowit，sir。"
　　Verycheerful！Hewasahorriblenuisance。Andallatoncehestartedtoargue。Icouldfeelhiscrazyexcitementinthedark。
　　"Youdon’tknowhowtogoaboutit，sir。Howcouldyou？Allthiswhisperingandtiptoeingisnogood。Youcan’thopetoslinkpastacunning，wide-awake，evilbrutelikehewas。Youneverheardhimtalk。Enoughtomakeyourhairstandonend。No！No！Hewasn’tmad。HewasnomoremadthanIam。Hewasjustdownrightwicked。Wickedsoastofrightenmostpeople。I
　　willtellyouwhathewas。Hewasnothinglessthanathiefandamurdereratheart。Anddoyouthinkhe’sanydifferentnowbecausehe’sdead？
　　Nothe！Hiscarcassliesahundredfathomunder，buthe’sjustthesame……inlatitude8d20’
　　north。"
　　Hesnorteddefiantly。Inotedwithwearyresig-
　　nationthatthebreezehadgotlighterwhileheraved。Hewasatitagain。
　　"Ioughttohavethrownthebeggaroutoftheshipovertheraillikeadog。Itwasonlyonac-
　　countofthemen……FancyhavingtoreadtheBurialServiceoverabrutelikethat！……’Ourdepartedbrother’……Icouldhavelaughed。
　　Thatwaswhathecouldn’tbear。IsupposeIamtheonlymanthateverstooduptolaughathim。
　　Whenhegotsickitusedtoscarethat……
　　brother……Brother……Departed……Soonercallasharkbrother。"
　　Thebreezehadletgososuddenlythatthewayoftheshipbroughtthewetsailsheavilyagainstthemast。Thespellofdeadlystillnesshadcaughtusupagain。Thereseemedtobenoescape。
　　"Hallo！"exclaimedMr。Burnsinastartledvoice。"Calmagain！"
　　Iaddressedhimasthoughhehadbeensane。
　　"Thisisthesortofthingwe’vebeenhavingforseventeendays，Mr。Burns，"Isaidwithintensebitterness。"Apuff，thenacalm，andinamo-
　　ment，you’llsee，she’llbeswingingonherheelwithherheadawayfromhercoursetothedevilsome-
　　where。"
　　Hecaughtattheword。"TheolddodgingDevil，"hescreamedpiercinglyandburstintosuchaloudlaughasIhadneverheardbefore。Itwasaprovoking，mockingpeal，withahair-raising，screechingover-noteofdefiance。Isteppedback，utterlyconfounded。
　　Instantlytherewasastironthequarter-deck;
　　murmursofdismay。Adistressedvoicecriedoutinthedarkbelowus："Who’sthatgonecrazy，now？"
　　Perhapstheythoughtitwastheircaptain？
　　Rushisnotthewordthatcouldbeappliedtotheutmostspeedthepoorfellowswereupto;butinanamazingshorttimeeverymanintheshipabletowalkuprighthadfoundhiswayontothatpoop。
　　Ishoutedtothem："It’sthemate。Layholdofhimacoupleofyou……"
　　Iexpectedthisperformancetoendinaghastlysortoffight。ButMr。Burnscuthisderisivescreechingdeadshortandturneduponthemfiercely，yelling：
　　"Aha！Dog-goneye！You’vefoundyourtongues——haveye？Ithoughtyouweredumb。
　　Well，then——laugh！Laugh——Itellyou。Nowthen——alltogether。One，two，three——laugh！"
　　Amomentofsilenceensued，ofsilencesopro-
　　foundthatyoucouldhaveheardapindroponthedeck。ThenRansome’sunperturbedvoiceutteredpleasantlythewords：
　　"Ithinkhehasfainted，sir——"Thelittlemotionlessknotofmenstirred，withlowmurmursofrelief。"I’vegothimunderthearms。Getholdofhislegs，someone。"
　　Yes。Itwasarelief。Hewassilencedforatime——foratime。Icouldnothavestoodanotherpealofthatinsanescreeching。Iwassureofit;
　　andjustthenGambril，theaustereGambril，treatedustoanothervocalperformance。Hebegantosingoutforrelief。Hisvoicewailedpitifullyinthedarkness："Comeaftsomebody！Ican’tstandthis。Hereshe’llbeoffagaindirectlyandI
　　can’t……"
　　IdashedaftmyselfmeetingonmywayahardgustofwindwhoseapproachGambril’searhaddetectedfromafarandwhichfilledthesailsonthemaininaseriesofmuffledreportsmingledwiththelowplaintofthespars。IwasjustintimetoseizethewheelwhileFrenchywhohadfollowedmecaughtupthecollapsingGambril。Hehauledhimoutoftheway，admonishedhimtoliestillwherehewas，andthensteppeduptorelieveme，askingcalmly：
　　"HowamItosteerher，sir？"
　　"Deadbeforeitforthepresent。I’llgetyoualightinamoment。"
　　ButgoingforwardImetRansomebringingupthesparebinnaclelamp。Thatmannoticedeverything，attendedtoeverything，shedcomfortaroundhimashemoved。Ashepassedmehere-
　　markedinasoothingtonethatthestarswerecom-
　　ingout。Theywere。Thebreezewassweepingclearthesootysky，breakingthroughtheindolentsilenceofthesea。
　　Thebarrierofawfulstillnesswhichhadencom-
　　passedusforsomanydaysasthoughwehadbeenaccursed，wasbroken。Ifeltthat。Iletmyselffallontotheskylightseat。Afaintwhiteridgeoffoam，thin，verythin，brokealongside。Thefirstforages——forages。Icouldhavecheered，ifithadn’tbeenforthesenseofguiltwhichclungtoallmythoughtssecretly。Ransomestoodbeforeme。
　　"Whataboutthemate，"Iaskedanxiously。
　　"Stillunconscious？"
　　"Well，sir——it’sfunny，"Ransomewasevidentlypuzzled。"Hehasn’tspokenaword，andhiseyesareshut。Butitlookstomemorelikesoundsleepthananythingelse。"
　　Iacceptedthisviewastheleasttroublesomeofany，oratanyrate，leastdisturbing。Deadfaintordeepslumber，Mr。Burnshadtobelefttohim-
　　selfforthepresent。Ransomeremarkedsud-
　　denly：
　　"Ibelieveyouwantacoat，sir。"
　　"IbelieveIdo，"Isighedout。
　　ButIdidnotmove。WhatIfeltIwantedwerenewlimbs。Myarmsandlegsseemedutterlyuse-
　　less，fairlywornout。Theydidn’tevenache。ButIstoodupallthesametoputonthecoatwhenRansomebroughtitup。Andwhenhesuggestedthathehadbetternow"takeGambrilforward，"I
　　said：
　　"Allright。I’llhelpyoutogethimdownonthemaindeck。"
　　IfoundthatIwasquiteabletohelp，too。WeraisedGambrilupbetweenus。Hetriedtohelphimselfalonglikeamanbutallthetimehewasin-
　　quiringpiteously：
　　"Youwon’tletmegowhenwecometothelad-
　　der？Youwon’tletmegowhenwecometotheladder？"
　　Thebreezekeptonfresheningandblewtrue，truetoahair。Atdaylightbycarefulmanipula-
　　tionofthehelmwegottheforeyardstorunsquarebythemselves（thewaterkeepingsmooth）andthenwentabouthaulingtheropestight。OfthefourmenIhadwithmeatnight，Icouldseenowonlytwo。Ididn’tinquireastotheothers。Theyhadgivenin。ForatimeonlyIhoped。
　　Ourvarioustasksforwardoccupiedusforhours，thetwomenwithmemovedsoslowandhadtorestsooften。Oneofthemremarkedthat"everyblamedthingintheshipfeltaboutahundredtimesheavierthanitsproperweight。"Thiswastheonlycomplaintuttered。Idon’tknowwhatweshouldhavedonewithoutRansome。Heworkedwithus，silent，too，withalittlesmilefrozenonhislips。FromtimetotimeImurmuredtohim：
　　"Gosteady"——"Takeiteasy，Ransome"——andre-
　　ceivedaquickglanceinreply。
　　Whenwehaddoneallwecoulddotomakethingssafe，hedisappearedintohisgalley。Sometimeafterward，goingforwardforalookround，I
　　caughtsightofhimthroughtheopendoor。Hesatuprightonthelockerinfrontofthestove，withhisheadleaningbackagainstthebulkhead。Hiseyeswereclosed;hiscapablehandsheldopenthefrontofhisthincottonshirtbaringtragicallyhispowerfulchest，whichheavedinpainfulandlabouredgasps。Hedidn’thearme。
　　IretreatedquietlyandwentstraightontothepooptorelieveFrenchy，whobythattimewasbe-
　　ginningtolookverysick。Hegavemethecoursewithgreatformalityandtriedtogooffwithajauntystep，butreeledwidelytwicebeforegettingoutofmysight。
　　AndthenIremainedallaloneaft，steeringmyship，whichranbeforethewindwithabuoyantliftnowandthen，andevenrollingalittle。PresentlyRansomeappearedbeforemewithatray。Thesightoffoodmademeravenousallatonce。HetookthewheelwhileIsatdownoftheaftergratingtoeatmybreakfast。
　　"Thisbreezeseemstohavedoneforourcrowd，"
　　hemurmured。"Itjustlaidthemlow——allhands。"
　　"Yes，"Isaid。"IsupposeyouandIaretheonlytwofitmenintheship。"
　　"Frenchysaysthere’sstillajumpleftinhim。I
　　don’tknow。Itcan’tbemuch，"continuedRan-
　　somewithhiswistfulsmile。Goodlittlemanthat。
　　Butsuppose，sir，thatthiswindfliesroundwhenweareclosetotheland——whatarewegoingtodowithher？"
　　"Ifthewindshiftsroundheavilyafterwecloseinwiththelandshewilleitherrunashoreorgetdismastedorboth。Wewon’tbeabletodoany-
　　thingwithher。She’srunningawaywithusnow。
　　Allwecandoistosteerher。She’sashipwithoutacrew。"
　　"Yes。Alllaidlow，"repeatedRansomequietly。
　　"Idogivethemalook-inforwardeverynowandthen，butit’spreciouslittleIcandoforthem。"
　　"I，andtheship，andeveryoneonboardofher，areverymuchindebtedtoyou，Ransome，"Isaidwarmly。
　　Hemadeasthoughhehadnotheardme，andsteeredinsilencetillIwasreadytorelievehim。Hesurrenderedthewheel，pickedupthetray，andforapartingshotinformedmethatMr。Burnswasawakeandseemedtohaveamindtocomeupondeck。
　　"Idon’tknowhowtopreventhim，sir。Ican’tverywellstopdownbelowallthetime。"
　　Itwasclearthathecouldn’t。AndsureenoughMr。Burnscameondeckdragginghimselfpainfullyaftinhisenormousovercoat。Ibeheldhimwithanaturaldread。TohavehimaroundandravingaboutthewilesofadeadmanwhileIhadtosteerawildlyrushingshipfullofdyingmenwasaratherdreadfulprospect。
　　Buthisfirstremarkswerequitesensibleinmean-
　　ingandtone。Apparentlyhehadnorecollectionofthenightscene。Andifhehadhedidn’tbetrayhimselfonce。Neitherdidhetalkverymuch。Hesatontheskylightlookingdesperatelyillatfirst，butthatstrongbreeze，beforewhichthelastrem-
　　nantofmycrewhadwilteddown，seemedtoblowafreshstockofvigourintohisframewitheverygust。
　　Onecouldalmostseetheprocess。
　　BywayofsanitytestIalludedonpurposetothelatecaptain。IwasdelightedtofindthatMr。
　　Burnsdidnotdisplayundueinterestinthesub-
　　ject。Heranovertheoldtaleofthatsavageruffian’siniquitieswithacertainvindictivegustoandthenconcludedunexpectedly：
　　"Idobelieve，sir，thathisbrainbegantogoayearormorebeforehedied。"
　　Awonderfulrecovery。Icouldhardlyspareitasmuchadmirationasitdeserved，forIhadtogiveallmymindtothesteering。
　　Incomparisonwiththehopelesslanguouroftheprecedingdaysthiswasdizzyspeed。Tworidgesoffoamstreamedfromtheship’sbows;thewindsanginastrenuousnotewhichunderothercir-
　　cumstanceswouldhaveexpressedtomeallthejoyoflife。Wheneverthehauled-upmainsailstartedtryingtoslatandbangitselftopiecesinitsgear，Mr。Burnswouldlookatmeapprehensively。
　　"Whatwouldyouhavemetodo，Mr。Burns？
　　Wecanneitherfurlitnorsetit。Ionlywishtheoldthingwouldthrashitselftopiecesandbedonewithit。Thatbeastlyracketconfusesme。"
　　Mr。Burnswrunghishands，andcriedoutsud-
　　denly：
　　"Howwillyougettheshipintoharbour，sir，withoutmentohandleher？"
　　AndIcouldn’ttellhim。
　　Well——itdidgetdoneaboutfortyhoursafter-
　　ward。BytheexorcisingvirtueofMr。Burns’
　　awfullaugh，themaliciousspectrehadbeenlaid，theevilspellbroken，thecurseremoved。WewerenowinthehandsofakindandenergeticProvi-
　　dence。Itwasrushinguson……
　　Ishallneverforgetthelastnight，dark，windy，andstarry。Isteered。Mr。Burns，afterhavingobtainedfrommeasolemnpromisetogivehimakickifanythinghappened，wentfranklytosleeponthedeckclosetothebinnacle。Convalescentsneedsleep。Ransome，hisbackproppedagainstthemizzen-mastandablanketoverhislegs，re-
　　mainedperfectlystill，butIdon’tsupposeheclosedhiseyesforamoment。Thatembodimentofjauntiness，Frenchy，stillunderthedelusionthattherewasa"jump"leftinhim，hadinsistedonjoiningus;butmindfulofdiscipline，hadlaidhim-
　　selfdownasfarontheforepartofthepoopashecouldget，alongsidethebucket-rack。
　　AndIsteered，tootiredforanxiety，tootiredforconnectedthought。Ihadmomentsofgrimex-
　　ultationandthenmyheartwouldsinkawfullyatthethoughtofthatforecastleattheotherendofthedarkdeck，fulloffever-strickenmen——someofthemdying。Bymyfault。Butnevermind。
　　Remorsemustwait。Ihadtosteer。
　　Inthesmallhoursthebreezeweakened，thenfailedaltogether。Aboutfiveitreturned，gentleenough，enablingustoheadfortheroadstead。
　　DaybreakfoundMr。Burnssittingwedgedupwithcoilsofropeonthestern-grating，andfromthedepthsofhisovercoatsteeringtheshipwithverywhitebonyhands;whileRansomeandIrushedalongthedeckslettinggoallthesheetsandhal-
　　liardsbytherun。Wedashednextupontotheforecastlehead。Theperspirationoflabourandsheernervousnesssimplypouredoffourheadsaswetoiledtogettheanchorscock-billed。IdarednotlookatRansomeasweworkedsidebyside。
　　Weexchangedcurtwords;IcouldhearhimpantingclosetomeandIavoidedturningmyeyeshiswayforfearofseeinghimfalldownandexpireintheactofputtingforthhisstrength——forwhat？In-
　　deedforsomedistinctideal。
　　Theconsummateseamaninhimwasaroused。
　　Heneedednodirections。Heknewwhattodo。
　　Everyeffort，everymovementwasanactofcon-
　　sistentheroism。Itwasnotformetolookatamanthusinspired。
　　AtlastallwasreadyandIheardhimsay：
　　"Hadn’tIbettergodownandopenthecompressorsnow，sir？"
　　"Yes。Do，"Isaid。
　　AndeventhenIdidnotglancehisway。Afteratimehisvoicecameupfromthemaindeck。
　　"Whenyoulike，sir。Allclearonthewindlasshere。"
　　ImadeasigntoMr。Burnstoputthehelmdownandletbothanchorsgooneafteranother，leavingtheshiptotakeasmuchcableasshewanted。Shetookthebestpartofthembothbe-
　　foreshebroughtup。Theloosesailscomingabackceasedtheirmaddeningracketabovemyhead。A
　　perfectstillnessreignedintheship。AndwhileI
　　stoodforwardfeelingalittlegiddyinthatsuddenpeace，Icaughtfaintlyamoanortwoandthein-
　　coherentmutteringsofthesickintheforecastle。
　　Aswehadasignalformedicalassistanceflyingonthemizzenitisafactthatbeforetheshipwasfairlyatrestthreesteamlaunchesfromvariousmen-of-warwerealongside;andatleastfivenavalsurgeonshadclamberedonboard。Theystoodinaknotgazingupanddowntheemptymaindeck，thenlookedaloft——wherenotamancouldbeseen，either。
　　Iwenttowardthem——asolitaryfigure，inablueandgraystripedsleepingsuitandapipe-clayedcorkhelmetonitshead。Theirdisgustwasextreme。
　　Theyhadexpectedsurgicalcases。Eachonehadbroughthiscarvingtoolswithhim。Buttheysoongotovertheirlittledisappointment。Inlessthanfiveminutesoneofthesteamlauncheswasrushingshorewardtoorderabigboatandsomehospitalpeoplefortheremovalofthecrew。Thebigsteampinnacewentofftohershiptobringoverafewbluejacketstofurlmysailsforme。
　　Oneofthesurgeonshadremainedonboard。Hecameoutoftheforecastlelookingimpenetrable，andnoticedmyinquiringgaze。
　　"There’snobodydeadinthere，ifthat’swhatyouwanttoknow，"hesaiddeliberately。Thenaddedinatoneofwonder："Thewholecrew！"
　　"Andverybad？"
　　"Andverybad，"herepeated。Hiseyeswereroamingallovertheship。"Heavens！What’sthat？"
　　"That，"Isaid，glancingaft，"isMr。Burns，mychiefofficer。"
　　Mr。Burnswithhismoribundheadnoddingonthestalkofhisleanneckwasasightforanyonetoexclaimat。Thesurgeonasked：
　　"Ishegoingtothehospital，too？"
　　"Oh，no，"Isaidjocosely。"Mr。Burnscan’tgoonshoretillthemainmastgoes。Iamveryproudofhim。He’smyonlyconvalescent。"
　　"Youlook——"beganthedoctorstaringatme。
　　ButIinterruptedhimangrily：
　　"Iamnotill。"
　　"No……Youlookqueer。"
　　"Well，yousee，Ihavebeenseventeendaysondeck。"
　　"Seventeen！……Butyoumusthaveslept。"
　　"IsupposeImusthave。Idon’tknow。ButI’mcertainthatIdidn’tsleepforthelastfortyhours。"
　　"Phew！……YouwillbegoingashorepresentlyIsuppose？"
　　"AssoonaseverIcan。There’snoendofbusinesswaitingformethere。"
　　Thesurgeonreleasedmyhand，whichhehadtakenwhilewetalked，pulledouthispocket-book，wroteinitrapidly，toreoutthepageandofferedittome。
　　"Istronglyadviseyoutogetthisprescriptionmadeupforyourselfashore。UnlessIammuchmistakenyouwillneeditthisevening。"
　　"Whatisit，then？"Iaskedwithsuspicion。
　　"Sleepingdraught，"answeredthesurgeoncurtly;andmovingwithanairofinteresttowardMr。Burnsheengagedhiminconversation。
　　AsIwentbelowtodresstogoashore，Ransomefollowedme。Hebeggedmypardon;hewished，too，tobesentashoreandpaidoff。
　　Ilookedathiminsurprise。Hewaswaitingformyanswerwithanairofanxiety。
　　"Youdon’tmeantoleavetheship！"Icriedout。
　　"Idoreally，sir。Iwanttogoandbequietsome-
　　where。Anywhere。Thehospitalwilldo。"
　　"But，Ransome，"Isaid。"Ihatetheideaofpartingwithyou。"
　　"Imustgo，"hebrokein。"Ihavearight！"……Hegaspedandalookofalmostsavagede-
　　terminationpassedoverhisface。Foraninstanthewasanotherbeing。AndIsawundertheworthandthecomelinessofthemanthehumblerealityofthings。Lifewasaboontohim——thisprecarioushardlife，andhewasthoroughlyalarmedabouthimself。
　　"OfcourseIshallpayyouoffifyouwishit，"I
　　hastenedtosay。"OnlyImustaskyoutoremainonboardtillthisafternoon。Ican’tleaveMr。
　　Burnsabsolutelybyhimselfintheshipforhours。"
　　Hesoftenedatonceandassuredmewithasmileandinhisnaturalpleasantvoicethatheunder-
　　stoodthatverywell。
　　WhenIreturnedondeckeverythingwasreadyfortheremovalofthemen。Itwasthelastordealofthatepisodewhichhadbeenmaturingandtem-
　　peringmycharacter——thoughIdidnotknowit。
　　Itwasawful。Theypassedundermyeyesoneafteranother——eachofthemanembodiedreproachofthebitterestkind，tillIfeltasortofrevoltwakeupinme。PoorFrenchyhadgonesuddenlyunder。
　　Hewascarriedpastmeinsensible，hiscomicfacehorriblyflushedandasifswollen，breathingstertorously。HelookedmorelikeMr。Punchthanever;adisgracefullyintoxicatedMr。Punch。
　　TheaustereGambril，onthecontrary，hadim-
　　provedtemporarily。Heinsistedonwalkingonhisownfeettotherail——ofcoursewithassistanceoneachsideofhim。Buthegavewaytoasuddenpanicatthemomentofbeingswungoverthesideandbegantowailpitifully：
　　"Don’tletthemdropme，sir。Don’tletthemdropme，sir！"WhileIkeptonshoutingtohiminmostsoothingaccents："Allright，Gambril。
　　Theywon’t！Theywon’t！"
　　Itwasnodoubtveryridiculous。Theblue-
　　jacketsonourdeckweregrinningquietly，whileevenRansomehimself（muchtotheforeinlendingahand）hadtoenlargehiswistfulsmileforafleet-
　　ingmoment。
　　Ileftfortheshoreinthesteampinnace，andonlookingbackbeheldMr。Burnsactuallystandingupbythetaffrail，stillinhisenormouswoollyover-
　　coat。Thebrightsunlightbroughtouthisweird-
　　nessamazingly。Helookedlikeafrightfulandelaboratescarecrowsetuponthepoopofadeath-
　　strickenship，setuptokeeptheseabirdsfromthecorpses。
　　Ourstoryhadgotaboutalreadyintownandeverybodyonshorewasmostkind。TheMarineOfficeletmeofftheportdues，andastherehap-
　　penedtobeashipwreckedcrewstayingintheHomeIhadnodifficultyinobtainingasmanymenasIwanted。ButwhenIinquiredifIcouldseeCaptainEllisforamomentIwastoldinaccentsofpityformyignorancethatourdeputy-NeptunehadretiredandgonehomeonapensionaboutthreeweeksafterIlefttheport。SoIsupposethatmyappointmentwasthelastact，outsidethedailyroutine，ofhisofficiallife。
　　ItisstrangehowoncomingashoreIwasstruckbythespringystep，thelivelyeyes，thestrongvitalityofeveryoneImet。Itimpressedmeenormously。AndamongstthoseImettherewasCaptainGiles，ofcourse。ItwouldhavebeenveryextraordinaryifIhadnotmethim。Aprolongedstrollinthebusinesspartofthetownwastheregularemploymentofallhismorningswhenhewasashore。
　　Icaughttheglitterofthegoldwatch-chainacrosshischesteversofaraway。Heradiatedbenevolence。
　　"WhatisitIhear？"hequeriedwitha"kinduncle"smile，aftershakinghands。"Twenty-onedaysfromBangkok？"
　　"Isthisallyou’veheard？"Isaid。"Youmustcometotiffinwithme。Iwantyoutoknowex-
　　actlywhatyouhaveletmeinfor。"
　　Hehesitatedforalmostaminute。
　　"Well——Iwill，"hesaidcondescendinglyatlast。
　　Weturnedintothehotel。Ifoundtomysur-
　　prisethatIcouldeatquitealot。Thenovertheclearedtable-clothIunfoldedtoCaptainGilesthehistoryofthesetwentydaysinallitsprofessionalandemotionalaspects，whilehesmokedpatientlythebigcigarIhadgivenhim。
　　Thenheobservedsagely：
　　"Youmustfeeljollywelltiredbythistime。"
　　"No，"Isaid。"Nottired。ButI’lltellyou，CaptainGiles，howIfeel。Ifeelold。AndImustbe。Allofyouonshorelooktomejustalotofskittishyoungstersthathaveneverknownacareintheworld。"
　　Hedidn’tsmile。Helookedinsufferablyex-
　　emplary。Hedeclared：
　　"Thatwillpass。Butyoudolookolder——it’safact。"
　　"Aha！"Isaid。
　　"No！No！Thetruthisthatonemustnotmaketoomuchofanythinginlife，goodorbad。"
　　"Liveathalf-speed，"Imurmuredperversely。
　　"Noteverybodycandothat。"
　　"You’llbegladenoughpresentlyifyoucankeepgoingevenatthatrate，"heretortedwithhisairofconsciousvirtue。"Andthere’sanotherthing：amanshouldstanduptohisbadluck，tohismis-
　　takes，tohisconscienceandallthatsortofthing。
　　Why——whatelsewouldyouhavetofightagainst。"
　　Ikeptsilent。Idon’tknowwhathesawinmyfacebutheaskedabruptly：
　　"Why——youaren’tfaint-hearted？"
　　"Godonlyknows，CaptainGiles，"wasmysin-
　　cereanswer。
　　"That’sallright，"hesaidcalmly。"Youwilllearnsoonhownottobefaint-hearted。Amanhasgottolearneverything——andthat’swhatsomanyofthemyoungstersdon’tunderstand。"
　　"Well，Iamnolongerayoungster。"
　　"No，"heconceded。"Areyouleavingsoon？"
　　"Iamgoingonboarddirectly，"Isaid。"Ishallpickuponeofmyanchorsandheaveintohalf-
　　cableontheotherdirectlymynewcrewcomesonboardandIshallbeoffatdaylightto-morrow！"
　　"Youwill，"gruntedCaptainGilesapprovingly。
　　"that’stheway。You’lldo。"
　　"Whatdidyouthink？ThatIwouldwanttotakeaweekashoreforarest？"Isaid，irritatedbyhistone。"There’snorestformetillshe’soutintheIndianOceanandnotmuchofiteventhen。"
　　Hepuffedathiscigarmoodily，asiftransformed。
　　"Yes。That’swhatitamountsto，"hesaidinamusingtone。ItwasasifaponderouscurtainhadrolledupdisclosinganunexpectedCaptainGiles。
　　Butitwasonlyforamoment，justthetimetolethimadd，"Preciouslittlerestinlifeforanybody。
　　Betternotthinkofit。"
　　Werose，leftthehotel，andpartedfromeachotherinthestreetwithawarmhandshake，justashebegantointerestmeforthefirsttimeinourintercourse。
　　ThefirstthingIsawwhenIgotbacktotheshipwasRansomeonthequarter-decksittingquietlyonhisneatlylashedsea-chest。
　　IbeckonedhimtofollowmeintothesaloonwhereIsatdowntowritealetterofrecommenda-
　　tionforhimtoamanIknewonshore。
　　WhenfinishedIpusheditacrossthetable。"Itmaybeofsomegoodtoyouwhenyouleavethehospital。"
　　Hetookit，putitinhispocket。Hiseyeswerelookingawayfromme——nowhere。Hisfacewasanxiouslyset。
　　"Howareyoufeelingnow？"Iasked。
　　"Idon’tfeelbadnow，sir，"heansweredstiffly。
　　"ButIamafraidofitscomingon……"Thewistfulsmilecamebackonhislipsforamo-
　　ment。"I——Iaminabluefunkaboutmyheart，sir。"
　　Iapproachedhimwithextendedhand。Hiseyesnotlookingatmehadastrainedexpres-
　　sion。Hewaslikeamanlisteningforawarningcall。
　　"Won’tyoushakehands，Ransome？"Isaidgently。
　　Heexclaimed，flushedupduskyred，gavemyhandahardwrench——andnextmoment，leftaloneinthecabin，Ilistenedtohimgoingupthecom-
　　panionstairscautiously，stepbystep，inmortalfearofstartingintosuddenangerourcommonenemyitwashishardfatetocarryconsciouslywithinhisfaithfulbreast。