Afterscoringovermycalmnessinthisgraphicwayhenoddedwisely。
　　IfIhadseenthesight，heassuredme，IwouldneverforgetitaslongasIlived。Theweatherwastoobadtogivethecorpseaproperseaburial。
　　Sonextdayatdawntheytookituponthepoop，coveringitsfacewithabitofbunting；hereadashortprayer，andthen，justasitwas，initsoilskinsandlongboots，theylauncheditamongstthosemountainousseasthatseemedreadyeverymomenttoswallowuptheshipherselfandtheterrifiedlivesonboardofher。
　　"Thatreefedforesailsavedyou，"Ithrewin。
　　"UnderGod——itdid，"heexclaimedfervently。"Itwasbyaspecialmercy，Ifirmlybelieve，thatitstoodsomeofthosehurricanesqualls。"
　　"Itwasthesettingofthatsailwhich——"Ibegan。
　　"God’sownhandinit，"heinterruptedme。"Nothinglesscouldhavedoneit。
　　Idon’tmindtellingyouthatIhardlydaredgivetheorder。
　　Itseemedimpossiblethatwecouldtouchanythingwithoutlosingit，andthenourlasthopewouldhavebeengone。"
　　Theterrorofthatgalewasonhimyet。Ilethimgoonforabit，thensaid，casually——asifreturningtoaminorsubject：
　　"Youwereveryanxioustogiveupyourmatetotheshorepeople，Ibelieve？"
　　Hewas。Tothelaw。Hisobscuretenacityonthatpointhadinitsomethingincomprehensibleandalittleawful；something，asitwere，mystical，quiteapartfromhisanxietythatheshouldnotbesuspectedof"countenancinganydoingsofthatsort。"
　　Seven-and-thirtyvirtuousyearsatsea，ofwhichovertwentyofimmaculatecommand，andthelastfifteenintheSephora，seemedtohavelaidhimundersomepitilessobligation。
　　"Andyouknow，"hewenton，gropingshame-facedlyamongsthisfeelings，"Ididnotengagethatyoungfellow。Hispeoplehadsomeinterestwithmyowners。Iwasinawayforcedtotakehimon。
　　Helookedverysmart，verygentlemanly，andallthat。
　　Butdoyouknow——Ineverlikedhim，somehow。Iamaplainman。
　　Yousee，hewasn’texactlythesortforthechiefmateofashipliketheSephora。"
　　IhadbecomesoconnectedinthoughtsandimpressionswiththesecretsharerofmycabinthatIfeltasifI，personally，werebeinggiventounderstandthatI，too，wasnotthesortthatwouldhavedoneforthechiefmateofashipliketheSephora。
　　Ihadnodoubtofitinmymind。
　　"Notatallthestyleofman。Youunderstand，"heinsisted，superfluously，lookinghardatme。
　　Ismiledurbanely。Heseemedatalossforawhile。
　　"IsupposeImustreportasuicide。"
　　"Begpardon？"
　　"Suicide！That’swhatI’llhavetowritetomyownersdirectlyIgetin。"
　　"Unlessyoumanagetorecoverhimbeforetomorrow，"
　　Iassented，dispassionately……"Imean，alive。"
　　HemumbledsomethingwhichIreallydidnotcatch，andIturnedmyeartohiminapuzzledmanner。Hefairlybawled：
　　"Theland——Isay，themainlandisatleastsevenmilesoffmyanchorage。"
　　"Aboutthat。"
　　Mylackofexcitement，ofcuriosity，ofsurprise，ofanysortofpronouncedinterest，begantoarousehisdistrust。
　　ButexceptforthefelicitouspretenseofdeafnessIhadnottriedtopretendanything。Ihadfeltutterlyincapableofplayingthepartofignoranceproperly，andthereforewasafraidtotry。
　　Itisalsocertainthathehadbroughtsomeready-madesuspicionswithhim，andthatheviewedmypolitenessasastrangeandunnaturalphenomenon。AndyethowelsecouldIhavereceivedhim？
　　Notheartily！Thatwasimpossibleforpsychologicalreasons，whichIneednotstatehere。Myonlyobjectwastokeepoffhisinquiries。Surlily？Yes，butsurlinessmighthaveprovokedapoint-blankquestion。Fromitsnoveltytohimandfromitsnature，punctiliouscourtesywasthemannerbestcalculatedtorestraintheman。
　　Buttherewasthedangerofhisbreakingthroughmydefensebluntly。
　　Icouldnot，Ithink，havemethimbyadirectlie，alsoforpsychological（notmoral）reasons。IfhehadonlyknownhowafraidIwasofhisputtingmyfeelingofidentitywiththeothertothetest！
　　But，strangelyenough——（Ithoughtofitonlyafterwards）——
　　Ibelievethathewasnotalittledisconcertedbythereversesideofthatweirdsituation，bysomethinginmethatremindedhimofthemanhewasseeking——suggestedamysterioussimilitudetotheyoungfellowhehaddistrustedanddislikedfromthefirst。
　　Howeverthatmighthavebeen，thesilencewasnotveryprolonged。
　　Hetookanotherobliquestep。
　　"IreckonIhadnomorethanatwo-milepulltoyourship。
　　Notabitmore。"
　　"Andquiteenough，too，inthisawfulheat，"Isaid。
　　Anotherpausefullofmistrustfollowed。Necessity，theysay，ismotherofinvention，butfear，too，isnotbarrenofingenioussuggestions。
　　AndIwasafraidhewouldaskmepoint-blankfornewsofmyotherself。
　　"Nicelittlesaloon，isn’tit？"Iremarked，asifnoticingforthefirsttimethewayhiseyesroamedfromonecloseddoortotheother。
　　"Andverywellfittedout，too。Here，forinstance，"Icontinued，reachingoverthebackofmyseatnegligentlyandflingingthedooropen，"ismybathroom。"
　　Hemadeaneagermovement，buthardlygaveitaglance。
　　Igotup，shutthedoorofthebathroom，andinvitedhimtohavealookround，asifIwereveryproudofmyaccomodation。
　　Hehadtoriseandbeshownround，buthewentthroughthebusinesswithoutanyraptureswhatever。
　　"Andnowwe’llhavealookatmystateroom，"Ideclared，inavoiceasloudasIdaredtomakeit，crossingthecabintothestarboardsidewithpurposelyheavysteps。
　　Hefollowedmeinandgazedaround。Myintelligentdoublehadvanished。
　　Iplayedmypart。
　　"Veryconvenient——isn’tit？"
　　Verynice。Verycomf……"Hedidn’tfinishandwentoutbrusquelyasiftoescapefromsomeunrighteouswilesofmine。
　　Butitwasnottobe。Ihadbeentoofrightenednottofeelvengeful；
　　IfeltIhadhimontherun，andImeanttokeephimontherun。
　　Mypoliteinsistencemusthavehadsomethingmenacinginit，becausehegaveinsuddenly。AndIdidnotlethimoffasingleitem；
　　mate’sroom，pantry，storerooms，theverysaillockerwhichwasalsounderthepoop——hehadtolookintothemall。WhenatlastI
　　showedhimoutonthequarter-deckhedrewalong，spiritlesssigh，andmumbleddismallythathemustreallybegoingbacktohisshipnow。
　　Idesiredmymate，whohadjoinedus，toseetothecaptain’sboat。
　　Themanofwhiskersgaveablastonthewhistlewhichheusedtowearhangingroundhisneck，andyelled，"Sephora’saway！"
　　Mydoubledownthereinmycabinmusthaveheard，andcertainlycouldnotfeelmorerelievedthanI。Fourfellowscamerunningoutfromsomewhereforwardandwentovertheside，whilemyownmen，appearingondecktoo，linedtherail。Iescortedmyvisitortothegangwayceremoniously，andnearlyoverdidit。
　　Hewasatenaciousbeast。Ontheveryladderhelingered，andinthatunique，guiltilyconscientiousmannerofstickingtothepoint：
　　"Isay……you……youdon’tthinkthat——"
　　Icoveredhisvoiceloudly：
　　"Certainlynot……Iamdelighted。Good-by。"
　　Ihadanideaofwhathemeanttosay，andjustsavedmyselfbytheprivilegeofdefectivehearing。Hewastooshakengenerallytoinsist，butmymate，closewitnessofthatparting，lookedmystifiedandhisfacetookonathoughtfulcast。
　　AsIdidnotwanttoappearasifIwishedtoavoidallcommunicationwithmyofficers，hehadtheopportunitytoaddressme。
　　"Seemsaveryniceman。Hisboat’screwtoldourchapsaveryextraordinarystory，ifwhatIamtoldbythestewardistrue。
　　Isupposeyouhaditfromthecaptain，sir？"
　　"Yes。Ihadastoryfromthecaptain。"
　　"Averyhorribleaffair——isn’tit，sir？"
　　"Itis。"
　　"BeatsallthesetaleswehearaboutmurdersinYankeeships。"
　　"Idon’tthinkitbeatsthem。Idon’tthinkitresemblesthemintheleast。"
　　"Blessmysoul——youdon’tsayso！ButofcourseI’venoacquaintancewhateverwithAmericanships，notIsoIcouldn’tgoagainstyourknowledge。It’shorribleenoughforme……Butthequeerestpartisthatthosefellowsseemedtohavesomeideathemanwashiddenaboardhere。Theyhadreally。
　　Didyoueverhearofsuchathing？"
　　"Preposterous——isn’tit？"
　　Wewerewalkingtoandfroathwartthequarter-deck。Nooneofthecrewforwardcouldbeseen（thedaywasSunday），andthematepursued：
　　"Therewassomelittledisputeaboutit。Ourchapstookoffense。
　　`Asifwewouldharborathinglikethat，’theysaid。
　　`Wouldn’tyouliketolookforhiminourcoal-hole？’Quiteatiff。
　　Buttheymadeitupintheend。Isupposehediddrownhimself。
　　Don’tyou，sir？"
　　"Idon’tsupposeanything。"
　　"Youhavenodoubtinthematter，sir？"
　　"Nonewhatever。"
　　Ilefthimsuddenly。IfeltIwasproducingabadimpression，butwithmydoubledownthereitwasmosttryingtobeondeck。Anditwasalmostastryingtobebelow。Altogetheranerve-tryingsituation。
　　ButonthewholeIfeltlesstornintwowhenIwaswithhim。
　　TherewasnooneinthewholeshipwhomIdaredtakeintomyconfidence。Sincethehandshadgottoknowhisstory，itwouldhavebeenimpossibletopasshimoffforanyoneelse，andanaccidentaldiscoverywastobedreadednowmorethanever……
　　Thestewardbeingengagedinlayingthetablefordinner，wecouldtalkonlywithoureyeswhenIfirstwentdown。
　　Laterintheafternoonwehadacautioustryatwhispering。
　　TheSundayquietnessoftheshipwasagainstus；thestillnessofairandwateraroundherwasagainstus；theelements，themenwereagainstus——everythingwasagainstusinoursecretpartnership；timeitself——forthiscouldnotgoonforever。
　　TheverytrustinProvidencewas，Isuppose，deniedtohisguilt。
　　ShallIconfessthatthisthoughtcastmedownverymuch？
　　Andastothechapterofaccidentswhichcountsforsomuchinthebookofsuccess，Icouldonlyhopethatitwasclosed。
　　Forwhatfavorableaccidentcouldbeexpected？
　　"Didyouheareverything？"weremyfirstwordsassoonaswetookupourpositionsidebyside，leaningovermybedplace。
　　Hehad。Andtheproofofitwashisearnestwhisper，"Themantoldyouhehardlydaredtogivetheorder。"
　　Iunderstoodthereferencetobetothatsavingforesail。
　　"Yes。Hewasafraidofitbeinglostinthesetting。"
　　"Iassureyouhenevergavetheorder。Hemaythinkhedid，buthenevergaveit。Hestoodtherewithmeonthebreakofthepoopafterthemaintopsailblewaway，andwhimperedaboutourlasthope——
　　positivelywhimperedaboutitandnothingelse——andthenightcomingon！
　　Tohearone’sskippergoonlikethatinsuchweatherwasenoughtodriveanyfellowoutofhismind。Itworkedmeupintoasortofdesperation。Ijusttookitintomyownhandsandwentawayfromhim，boiling，and——Butwhat’stheusetellingyou？
　　YOUknow！……DoyouthinkthatifIhadnotbeenprettyfiercewiththemIshouldhavegotthementodoanything？NotIt！
　　Thebo’s’nperhaps？Perhaps！Itwasn’taheavysea——itwasaseagonemad！Isupposetheendoftheworldwillbesomethinglikethat；
　　andamanmayhavethehearttoseeitcomingonceandbedonewithit——
　　buttohavetofaceitdayafterday——Idon’tblameanybody。
　　Iwaspreciouslittlebetterthantherest。Only——Iwasanofficerofthatoldcoalwagon，anyhow——"
　　"Iquiteunderstand，"Iconveyedthatsincereassuranceintohisear。
　　Hewasoutofbreathwithwhispering；Icouldhearhimpantslightly。
　　Itwasallverysimple。Thesamestrung-upforcewhichhadgiventwenty-fourmenachance，atleast，fortheirlives，had，inasortofrecoil，crushedanunworthymutinousexistence。
　　ButIhadnoleisuretoweighthemeritsofthematter——
　　footstepsinthesaloon，aheavyknock。"There’senoughwindtogetunderwaywith，sir。"Herewasthecallofanewclaimuponmythoughtsandevenuponmyfeelings。
　　"Turnthehandsup，"Icriedthroughthedoor。"I’llbeondeckdirectly。"
　　Iwasgoingouttomaketheacquaintanceofmyship。
　　BeforeIleftthecabinoureyesmet——theeyesoftheonlytwostrangersonboard。Ipointedtotherecessedpartwherethelittlecampstoolawaitedhimandlaidmyfingeronmylips。
　　Hemadeagesture——somewhatvague——alittlemysterious，accompaniedbyafaintsmile，asifofregret。
　　Thisisnottheplacetoenlargeuponthesensationsofamanwhofeelsforthefirsttimeashipmoveunderhisfeettohisownindependentword。Inmycasetheywerenotunalloyed。
　　Iwasnotwhollyalonewithmycommand；fortherewasthatstrangerinmycabin。Orrather，Iwasnotcompletelyandwhollywithher。
　　Partofmewasabsent。Thatmentalfeelingofbeingintwoplacesatonceaffectedmephysicallyasifthemoodofsecrecyhadpenetratedmyverysoul。Beforeanhourhadelapsedsincetheshiphadbeguntomove，havingoccasiontoaskthemate（hestoodbymyside）totakeacompassbearingofthepagoda，Icaughtmyselfreachinguptohisearinwhispers。
　　IsayIcaughtmyself，butenoughhadescapedtostartletheman。
　　Ican’tdescribeitotherwisethanbysayingthatheshied。
　　Agrave，preoccupiedmanner，asthoughhewereinpossessionofsomeperplexingintelligence，didnotleavehimhenceforth。
　　AlittlelaterImovedawayfromtherailtolookatthecompasswithsuchastealthygaitthatthehelmsmannoticedit——
　　andIcouldnothelpnoticingtheunusualroundnessofhiseyes。
　　Thesearetriflinginstances，thoughit’stonocommander’sadvantagetobesuspectedofludicrouseccentricities。
　　ButIwasalsomoreseriouslyaffected。Therearetoaseamancertainwords，gestures，thatshouldingivenconditionscomeasnaturally，asinstinctivelyasthewinkingofamenacedeye。
　　Acertainordershouldspringontohislipswithoutthinking；
　　acertainsignshouldgetitselfmade，sotospeak，withoutreflection。Butallunconsciousalertnesshadabandonedme。
　　Ihadtomakeaneffortofwilltorecallmyselfback（fromthecabin）totheconditionsofthemoment。
　　IfeltthatIwasappearinganirresolutecommandertothosepeoplewhowerewatchingmemoreorlesscritically。
　　And，besides，therewerethescares。Ontheseconddayout，forinstance，comingoffthedeckintheafternoon（Ihadstrawslippersonmybarefeet）Istoppedattheopenpantrydoorandspoketothesteward。Hewasdoingsomethingtherewithhisbacktome。
　　Atthesoundofmyvoicehenearlyjumpedoutofhisskin，asthesayingis，andincidentallybrokeacup。
　　"Whatonearth’sthematterwithyou？"Iasked，astonished。
　　Hewasextremelyconfused。"Begyourpardon，sir。Imadesureyouwereinyourcabin。"
　　"YouseeIwasn’t。"
　　"No，sir。IcouldhaveswornIhadheardyoumovingintherenotamomentago。It’smostextraordinary……verysorry，sir。"
　　Ipassedonwithaninwardshudder。IwassoidentifiedwithmysecretdoublethatIdidnotevenmentionthefactinthosescanty，fearfulwhispersweexchanged。
　　Isupposehehadmadesomeslightnoiseofsomekindorother。
　　Itwouldhavebeenmiraculousifhehadn’tatonetimeoranother。
　　Andyet，haggardasheappeared，helookedalwaysperfectlyself-controlled，morethancalm——almostinvulnerable。
　　Onmysuggestionheremainedalmostentirelyinthebathroom，which，uponthewhole，wasthesafestplace。
　　Therecouldbereallynoshadowofanexcuseforanyoneeverwantingtogointhere，oncethestewardhaddonewithit。
　　Itwasaverytinyplace。Sometimeshereclinedonthefloor，hislegsbent，hisheadsustainedononeelbow。
　　AtothersIwouldfindhimonthecampstool，sittinginhisgraysleepingsuitandwithhiscroppeddarkhairlikeapatient，unmovedconvict。AtnightIwouldsmugglehimintomybedplace，andwewouldwhispertogether，withtheregularfootfallsoftheofficerofthewatchpassingandrepassingoverourheads。
　　Itwasaninfinitelymiserabletime。Itwasluckythatsometinsoffinepreserveswerestowedinalockerinmystateroom；
　　hardbreadIcouldalwaysgetholdof；andsohelivedonstewedchicken，PATEDEFOIEGRAS，asparagus，cookedoysters，sardines——
　　onallsortsofabominableshamdelicaciesoutoftins。
　　Myearly-morningcoffeehealwaysdrank；anditwasallI
　　dareddoforhiminthatrespect。
　　Everydaytherewasthehorriblemaneuveringtogothroughsothatmyroomandthenthebathroomshouldbedoneintheusualway。Icametohatethesightofthesteward，toabhorthevoiceofthatharmlessman。
　　Ifeltthatitwashewhowouldbringonthedisasterofdiscovery。
　　Ithunglikeaswordoverourheads。
　　Thefourthdayout，Ithink（wewerethenworkingdowntheeastsideoftheGulfofSiam，tackfortack，inlightwindsandsmoothwater）——
　　thefourthday，Isay，ofthismiserablejugglingwiththeunavoidable，aswesatatoureveningmeal，thatman，whoseslightestmovementIdreaded，afterputtingdownthedishesranupondeckbusily。
　　Thiscouldnotbedangerous。Presentlyhecamedownagain；
　　andthenitappearedthathehadrememberedacoatofminewhichIhadthrownoverarailtodryafterhavingbeenwettedinashowerwhichhadpassedovertheshipintheafternoon。
　　SittingstolidlyattheheadofthetableIbecameterrifiedatthesightofthegarmentonhisarm。Ofcoursehemadeformydoor。
　　Therewasnotimetolose。
　　"Steward，"Ithundered。MynervesweresoshakenthatI
　　couldnotgovernmyvoiceandconcealmyagitation。
　　Thiswasthesortofthingthatmademyterrificallywhiskeredmatetaphisforeheadwithhisforefinger。
　　Ihaddetectedhimusingthatgesturewhiletalkingondeckwithaconfidentialairtothecarpenter。Itwastoofartohearaword，butIhadnodoubtthatthispantomimecouldonlyrefertothestrangenewcaptain。
　　"Yes，sir，"thepale-facedstewardturnedresignedlytome。
　　Itwasthismaddeningcourseofbeingshoutedat，checkedwithoutrhymeorreason，arbitrarilychasedoutofmycabin，suddenlycalledintoit，sentflyingoutofhispantryonincomprehensibleerrands，thataccountedforthegrowingwretchednessofhisexpression。
　　"Whereareyougoingwiththatcoat？"
　　"Toyourroom，sir。"
　　"Isthereanothershowercoming？"
　　"I’msureIdon’tknow，sir。ShallIgoupagainandsee，sir？"
　　"No！nevermind。"
　　Myobjectwasattained，asofcoursemyotherselfintherewouldhaveheardeverythingthatpassed。Duringthisinterludemytwoofficersneverraisedtheireyesofftheirrespectiveplates；butthelipofthatconfoundedcub，thesecondmate，quiveredvisibly。
　　Iexpectedthestewardtohookmycoatonandcomeoutatonce。
　　Hewasveryslowaboutit；butIdominatedmynervousnesssufficientlynottoshoutafterhim。SuddenlyIbecameaware（itcouldbeheardplainlyenough）thatthefellowforsomereasonorotherwasopeningthedoorofthebathroom。Itwastheend。
　　Theplacewasliterallynotbigenoughtoswingacatin。
　　MyvoicediedinmythroatandIwentstonyallover。
　　Iexpectedtohearayellofsurpriseandterror，andmadeamovement，buthadnotthestrengthtogetonmylegs。
　　Everythingremainedstill。Hadmysecondselftakenthepoorwretchbythethroat？Idon’tknowwhatIcouldhavedonenextmomentifIhadnotseenthestewardcomeoutofmyroom，closethedoor，andthenstandquietlybythesideboard。
　　"Saved，"Ithought。"But，no！Lost！Gone！Hewasgone！"
　　Ilaidmyknifeandforkdownandleanedbackinmychair。Myheadswam。
　　Afterawhile，whensufficientlyrecoveredtospeakinasteadyvoice，Iinstructedmymatetoputtheshiproundateighto’clockhimself。
　　"Iwon’tcomeondeck，"Iwenton。"IthinkI’llturnin，andunlessthewindshiftsIdon’twanttobedisturbedbeforemidnight。
　　Ifeelabitseedy。"
　　"Youdidlookmiddlingbadalittlewhileago，"thechiefmateremarkedwithoutshowinganygreatconcern。
　　Theybothwentout，andIstaredatthestewardclearingthetable。
　　Therewasnothingtobereadonthatwretchedman’sface。
　　Butwhydidheavoidmyeyes，Iaskedmyself。ThenIthoughtI
　　shouldliketohearthesoundofhisvoice。
　　"Steward！"
　　"Sir！"Startledasusual。
　　"Wheredidyouhangupthatcoat？"
　　"Inthebathroom，sir。"Theusualanxioustone。
　　"It’snotquitedryyet，sir。"
　　ForsometimelongerIsatinthecuddy。Hadmydoublevanishedashehadcome？Butofhiscomingtherewasanexplanation，whereashisdisappearancewouldbeinexplicable……Iwentslowlyintomydarkroom，shutthedoor，lightedthelamp，andforatimedarednotturnround。WhenatlastIdidI
　　sawhimstandingbolt-uprightinthenarrowrecessedpart。
　　ItwouldnotbetruetosayIhadashock，butanirresistibledoubtofhisbodilyexistenceflittedthroughmymind。
　　Canitbe，Iaskedmyself，thatheisnotvisibletoothereyesthanmine？Itwaslikebeinghaunted。Motionless，withagraveface，heraisedhishandsslightlyatmeinagesturewhichmeantclearly，"Heavens！whatanarrowescape！"
　　Narrowindeed。IthinkIhadcomecreepingquietlyasnearinsanityasanymanwhohasnotactuallygoneovertheborder。
　　Thatgesturerestrainedme，sotospeak。
　　Thematewiththeterrificwhiskerswasnowputtingtheshipontheothertack。InthemomentofprofoundsilencewhichfollowsuponthehandsgoingtotheirstationsIheardonthepoophisraisedvoice："Hardalee！"andthedistantshoutoftheorderrepeatedonthemain-deck。Thesails，inthatlightbreeze，madebutafaintflutteringnoise。
　　Itceased。Theshipwascomingroundslowly：Iheldmybreathintherenewedstillnessofexpectation；onewouldn’thavethoughtthattherewasasinglelivingsoulonherdecks。
　　Asuddenbriskshout，"Mainsailhaul！"brokethespell，andinthenoisycriesandrushoverheadofthemenrunningawaywiththemainbracewetwo，downinmycabin，cametogetherinourusualpositionbythebedplace。
　　Hedidnotwaitformyquestion。"Iheardhimfumblinghereandjustmanagedtosquatmyselfdowninthebath，"hewhisperedtome。
　　"Thefellowonlyopenedthedoorandputhisarmintohangthecoatup。
　　Allthesame——"
　　"Ineverthoughtofthat，"Iwhisperedback，evenmoreappalledthanbeforeattheclosenessoftheshave，andmarvelingatthatsomethingunyieldinginhischaracterwhichwascarryinghimthroughsofinely。Therewasnoagitationinhiswhisper。
　　Whoeverwasbeingdrivendistracted，itwasnothe。Hewassane。
　　Andtheproofofhissanitywascontinuedwhenhetookupthewhisperingagain。
　　"Itwouldneverdoformetocometolifeagain。"
　　Itwassomethingthataghostmighthavesaid。Butwhathewasalludingtowashisoldcaptain’sreluctantadmissionofthetheoryofsuicide。
　　Itwouldobviouslyservehisturn——ifIhadunderstoodatalltheviewwhichseemedtogoverntheunalterablepurposeofhisaction。
　　"YoumustmaroonmeassoonaseveryoucangetamongsttheseislandsofftheCambodgeshore，"hewenton。
　　"Maroonyou！Wearenotlivinginaboy’sadventuretale，"Iprotested。
　　Hisscornfulwhisperingtookmeup。
　　"Wearen’tindeed！There’snothingofaboy’staleinthis。
　　Butthere’snothingelseforit。Iwantnomore。
　　Youdon’tsupposeIamafraidofwhatcanbedonetome？
　　Prisonorgallowsorwhatevertheymayplease。
　　Butyoudon’tseemecomingbacktoexplainsuchthingstoanoldfellowinawigandtwelverespectabletradesmen，doyou？WhatcantheyknowwhetherIamguiltyornot——
　　orofWHATIamguilty，either？That’smyaffair。
　　WhatdoestheBiblesay？`Drivenoffthefaceoftheearth。’
　　Verywell，Iamoffthefaceoftheearthnow。AsIcameatnightsoIshallgo。"
　　"Impossible！"Imurmured。"Youcan’t。"
　　"Can’t？……NotnakedlikeasoulontheDayofJudgment。
　　Ishallfreezeontothissleepingsuit。TheLastDayisnotyet——
　　and……youhaveunderstoodthoroughly。Didn’tyou？"
　　Ifeltsuddenlyashamedofmyself。ImaysaytrulythatIunderstood——
　　andmyhesitationinlettingthatmanswimawayfrommyship’ssidehadbeenamereshamsentiment，asortofcowardice。
　　"Itcan’tbedonenowtillnextnight，"Ibreathedout。
　　"Theshipisontheoff-shoretackandthewindmayfailus。"
　　"AslongasIknowthatyouunderstand，"hewhispered。
　　"Butofcourseyoudo。It’sagreatsatisfactiontohavegotsomebodytounderstand。Youseemtohavebeenthereonpurpose。"
　　Andinthesamewhisper，asifwetwowheneverwetalkedhadtosaythingstoeachotherwhichwerenotfitfortheworldtohear，headded，"It’sverywonderful。"
　　Weremainedsidebysidetalkinginoursecretway——
　　butsometimessilentorjustexchangingawhisperedwordortwoatlongintervals。Andasusualhestaredthroughtheport。
　　Abreathofwindcamenowandagainintoourfaces。
　　Theshipmighthavebeenmooredindock，sogentlyandonanevenkeelsheslippedthroughthewater，thatdidnotmurmurevenatourpassage，shadowyandsilentlikeaphantomsea。
　　AtmidnightIwentondeck，andtomymate’sgreatsurpriseputtheshiproundontheothertack。
　　Histerriblewhiskersflittedroundmeinsilentcriticism。
　　Icertainlyshouldnothavedoneitifithadbeenonlyaquestionofgettingoutofthatsleepygulfasquicklyaspossible。
　　Ibelievehetoldthesecondmate，whorelievedhim，thatitwasagreatwantofjudgment。Theotheronlyyawned。
　　Thatintolerablecubshuffledaboutsosleepilyandlolledagainsttherailsinsuchaslack，improperfashionthatI
　　camedownonhimsharply。
　　"Aren’tyouproperlyawakeyet？"
　　"Yes，sir！Iamawake。"
　　"Well，then，begoodenoughtoholdyourselfasifyouwere。
　　Andkeepalookout。Ifthere’sanycurrentwe’llbeclosingwithsomeislandsbeforedaylight。"
　　Theeastsideofthegulfisfringedwithislands，somesolitary，othersingroups。Onethebluebackgroundofthehighcoasttheyseemtofloatonsilverypatchesofcalmwater，aridandgray，ordarkgreenandroundedlikeclumpsofevergreenbushes，withthelargerones，amileortwolong，showingtheoutlinesofridges，ribsofgrayrockunderthedarkmantleofmattedleafage。
　　Unknowntotrade，totravel，almosttogeography，themanneroflifetheyharborisanunsolvedsecret。Theremustbevillages——
　　settlementsoffishermenatleast——onthelargestofthem，andsomecommunicationwiththeworldisprobablykeptupbynativecraft。
　　Butallthatforenoon，asweheadedforthem，fannedalongbythefaintestofbreezes，IsawnosignofmanorcanoeinthefieldofthetelescopeIkeptonpointingatthescatteredgroup。
　　AtnoonIhavenoordersforachangeofcourse，andthemate’swhiskersbecamemuchconcernedandseemedtobeofferingthemselvesundulytomynotice。AtlastIsaid：
　　"Iamgoingtostandrightin。Quitein——asfarasIcantakeher。"
　　Thestareofextremesurpriseimpartedanairofferocityalsotohiseyes，andhelookedtrulyterrificforamoment。
　　"We’renotdoingwellinthemiddleofthegulf，"Icontinued，casually。
　　"Iamgoingtolookforthelandbreezestonight。"
　　"Blessmysoul！Doyoumean，sir，inthedarkamongstthelotofallthemislandsandreefsandshoals？"
　　"Well——ifthereareanyregularlandbreezesatallonthiscoastonemustgetcloseinshoretofindthem，mustn’tone？"
　　"Blessmysoul！"heexclaimedagainunderhisbreath。
　　Allthatafternoonheworeadreamy，contemplativeappearancewhichinhimwasamarkofperplexity。AfterdinnerI
　　wentintomystateroomasifImeanttotakesomerest。
　　Therewetwobentourdarkheadsoverahalf-unrolledchartlyingonmybed。
　　"There，"Isaid。"It’sgottobeKoh-ring。I’vebeenlookingatiteversincesunrise。Ithasgottwohillsandalowpoint。
　　Itmustbeinhabited。Andonthecoastoppositethereiswhatlookslikethemouthofabiggishriver——withsometowns，nodoubt，notfarup。
　　It’sthebestchanceforyouthatIcansee。"
　　"Anything。Koh-ringletitbe。"
　　Helookedthoughtfullyatthechartasifsurveyingchancesanddistancesfromaloftyheight——andfollowingwithhiseyeshisownfigurewanderingontheblanklandofCochin-China，andthenpassingoffthatpieceofpapercleanoutofsightintounchartedregions。
　　Anditwasasiftheshiphadtwocaptainstoplanhercourseforher。
　　IhadbeensoworriedandrestlessrunningupanddownthatI
　　hadnothadthepatiencetodressthatday。Ihadremainedinmysleepingsuit，withstrawslippersandasoftfloppyhat。
　　Theclosenessoftheheatinthegulfhadbeenmostoppressive，andthecrewwereusedtoseeingmewanderinginthatairyattire。
　　"Shewillclearthesouthpointassheheadsnow，"Iwhisperedintohisear。
　　"Goodnessonlyknowswhen，though，butcertainlyafterdark。
　　I’lledgeherintohalfamile，asfarasImaybeabletojudgeinthedark——"
　　"Becareful，"hemurmured，warningly——andIrealizedsuddenlythatallmyfuture，theonlyfutureforwhichIwasfit，wouldperhapsgoirretrievablytopiecesinanymishaptomyfirstcommand。
　　Icouldnotstopamomentlongerintheroom。Imotionedhimtogetoutofsightandmademywayonthepoop。Thatunplayfulcubhadthewatch。
　　Iwalkedupanddownforawhilethinkingthingsout，thenbeckonedhimover。
　　"Sendacoupleofhandstoopenthetwoquarter-deckports，"
　　Isaid，mildly。
　　Heactuallyhadtheimpudence，orelsesoforgothimselfinhiswonderatsuchanincomprehensibleorder，astorepeat：
　　"Openthequarter-deckports！Whatfor，sir？"
　　"TheonlyreasonyouneedconcernyourselfaboutisbecauseItellyoutodoso。Havethemopenwideandfastenedproperly。"
　　Hereddenedandwentoff，butIbelievemadesomejeeringremarktothecarpenterastothesensiblepracticeofventilatingaship’squarter-deck。Iknowhepoppedintothemate’scabintoimpartthefacttohimbecausethewhiskerscameondeck，asitwerebychance，andstoleglancesatmefrombelow——
　　forsignsoflunacyordrunkenness，Isuppose。
　　Alittlebeforesupper，feelingmorerestlessthanever，Irejoined，foramoment，mysecondself。Andtofindhimsittingsoquietlywassurprising，likesomethingagainstnature，inhuman。
　　Idevelopedmyplaninahurriedwhisper。
　　"IshallstandinascloseasIdareandthenputherround。
　　Iwillpresentlyfindmeanstosmuggleyououtofhereintothesaillocker，whichcommunicateswiththelobby。
　　Butthereisanopening，asortofsquareforhaulingthesailsout，whichgivesstraightonthequarter-deckandwhichisneverclosedinfineweather，soastogiveairtothesails。
　　Whentheship’swayisdeadenedinstaysandallthehandsareaftatthemainbracesyouwillhaveaclearroadtoslipoutandgetoverboardthroughtheopenquarter-deckport。
　　I’vehadthembothfastenedup。Usearope’sendtoloweryourselfintothewatersoastoavoidasplash——youknow。
　　Itcouldbeheardandcausesomebeastlycomplication。"
　　Hekeptsilentforawhile，thenwhispered，"Iunderstand。"
　　"Iwon’tbetheretoseeyougo，"Ibeganwithaneffort。
　　"Therest……IonlyhopeIhaveunderstood，too。"
　　"Youhave。Fromfirsttolast"——andforthefirsttimethereseemedtobeafaltering，somethingstrainedinhiswhisper。
　　Hecaughtholdofmyarm，buttheringingofthesupperbellmademestart。Hedidn’tthough；heonlyreleasedhisgrip。
　　AftersupperIdidn’tcomebelowagaintillwellpasteighto’clock。Thefaint，steadybreezewasloadedwithdew；andthewet，darkenedsailsheldalltherewasofpropellingpowerinit。
　　Thenight，clearandstarry，sparkleddarkly，andtheopaque，lightlesspatchesshiftingslowlyagainstthelowstarswerethedriftingislets。Ontheportbowtherewasabigonemoredistantandshadowilyimposingbythegreatspaceofskyiteclipsed。
　　OnopeningthedoorIhadabackviewofmyveryownselflookingatachart。
　　Hehadcomeoutoftherecessandwasstandingnearthetable。
　　"Quitedarkenough，"Iwhispered。
　　Hesteppedbackandleanedagainstmybedwithalevel，quietglance。
　　Isatonthecouch。Wehadnothingtosaytoeachother。
　　Overourheadstheofficerofthewatchmovedhereandthere。
　　ThenIheardhimmovequickly。Iknewwhatthatmeant。
　　Hewasmakingforthecompanion；andpresentlyhisvoicewasoutsidemydoor。
　　"Wearedrawinginprettyfast，sir。Landlooksratherclose。"
　　"Verywell，"Ianswered。"Iamcomingondeckdirectly。"
　　Iwaitedtillhewasgoneoutofthecuddy，thenrose。Mydoublemovedtoo。
　　Thetimehadcometoexchangeourlastwhispers，forneitherofuswasevertoheareachother’snaturalvoice。
　　"Lookhere！"Iopenedadrawerandtookoutthreesovereigns。
　　"Takethisanyhow。I’vegotsixandI’dgiveyouthelot，onlyImustkeepalittlemoneytobuysomefruitandvegetablesforthecrewfromnativeboatsaswegothroughSundaStraits。"
　　Heshookhishead。
　　"Takeit，"Iurgedhim，whisperingdesperately。
　　"Noonecantellwhat——"
　　Hesmiledandslappedmeaninglytheonlypocketofthesleepingjacket。
　　Itwasnotsafe，certainly。ButIproducedalargeoldsilkhandkerchiefofmine，andtyingthethreepiecesofgoldinacorner，presseditonhim。
　　Hewastouched，Isupposed，becausehetookitatlastandtieditquicklyroundhiswaistunderthejacket，onhisbareskin。
　　Oureyesmet；severalsecondselapsed，till，ourglancesstillmingled，Iextendedmyhandandturnedthelampout。
　　ThenIpassedthroughthecuddy，leavingthedoorofmyroomwideopen……"Steward！"
　　Hewasstilllingeringinthepantryinthegreatnessofhiszeal，givingarub-uptoaplatedcruetstandthelastthingbeforegoingtobed。
　　Beingcarefulnottowakeupthemate，whoseroomwasopposite，Ispokeinanundertone。
　　Helookedroundanxiously。"Sir！"
　　"Canyougetmealittlehotwaterfromthegalley？"
　　"Iamafraid，sir，thegalleyfire’sbeenoutforsometimenow。"
　　"Goandsee。"
　　Heflewupthestairs。
　　"Now，"Iwhispered，loudly，intothesaloon——tooloudly，perhaps，butIwasafraidIcouldn’tmakeasound。
　　Hewasbymysideinaninstant——thedoublecaptainslippedpastthestairs——throughatinydarkpassage……aslidingdoor。
　　Wewereinthesaillocker，scramblingonourkneesoverthesails。
　　Asuddenthoughtstruckme。Isawmyselfwanderingbarefooted，bareheaded，thesunbeatingonmydarkpoll。
　　Isnatchedoffmyfloppyhatandtriedhurriedlyinthedarktoramitonmyotherself。Hedodgedandfendedoffsilently。
　　Iwonderwhathethoughthadcometomebeforeheunderstoodandsuddenlydesisted。Ourhandsmetgropingly，lingeredunitedinasteady，motionlessclaspforasecond……Nowordwasbreathedbyeitherofuswhentheyseparated。
　　Iwasstandingquietlybythepantrydoorwhenthestewardreturned。
　　"Sorry，sir。Kettlebarelywarm。ShallIlightthespiritlamp？"
　　"Nevermind。"
　　Icameoutondeckslowly。Itwasnowamatterofconsciencetoshavethelandascloseaspossible——fornowhemustgooverboardwhenevertheshipwasputinstays。Must！Therecouldbenogoingbackforhim。AfteramomentIwalkedovertoleewardandmyheartflewintomymouthatthenearnessofthelandonthebow。
　　UnderanyothercircumstancesIwouldnothaveheldonaminutelonger。
　　Thesecondmatehadfollowedmeanxiously。
　　IlookedontillIfeltIcouldcommandmyvoice。
　　"Shewillweather，"Isaidtheninaquiettone。
　　"Areyougoingtotrythat，sir？"hestammeredoutincredulously。
　　Itooknonoticeofhimandraisedmytonejustenoughtobeheardbythehelmsman。
　　"Keephergoodfull。"
　　"Goodfull，sir。"
　　Thewindfannedmycheek，thesailsslept，theworldwassilent。
　　Thestrainofwatchingthedarkloomofthelandgrowbiggeranddenserwastoomuchforme。Ihadshutmyeyes——becausetheshipmustgocloser。
　　Shemust！Thestillnesswasintolerable。Werewestandingstill？
　　WhenIopenedmyeyesthesecondviewstartedmyheartwithathump。
　　TheblacksouthernhillofKoh-ringseemedtohangrightovertheshiplikeatoweringfragmentofeverlastingnight。
　　Onthatenormousmassofblacknesstherewasnotagleamtobeseen，notasoundtobeheard。Itwasglidingirresistiblytowardsusandyetseemedalreadywithinreachofthehand。
　　Isawthevaguefiguresofthewatchgroupedinthewaist，gazinginawedsilence。
　　"Areyougoingon，sir？"inquiredanunsteadyvoiceatmyelbow。
　　Iignoredit。Ihadtogoon。
　　"Keepherfull。Don’tcheckherway。Thatwon’tdonow，"
　　Isaidwarningly。
　　"Ican’tseethesailsverywell，"thehelmsmanansweredme，instrange，quaveringtones。
　　Wasshecloseenough？Alreadyshewas，Iwon’tsayintheshadowoftheland，butintheveryblacknessofit，alreadyswallowedupasitwere，gonetooclosetoberecalled，gonefrommealtogether。
　　"Givethemateacall，"Isaidtotheyoungmanwhostoodatmyelbowasstillasdeath。"Andturnallhandsup。"
　　Mytonehadaborrowedloudnessreverberatedfromtheheightoftheland。
　　Severalvoicescriedouttogether："Weareallondeck，sir。"
　　Thenstillnessagain，withthegreatshadowglidingcloser，toweringhigher，withoutalight，withoutasound。
　　SuchahushhadfallenontheshipthatshemighthavebeenabarkofthedeadfloatinginslowlyundertheverygateofErebus。
　　"MyGod！Wherearewe？"
　　Itwasthematemoaningatmyelbow。Hewasthunderstruck，andasitweredeprivedofthemoralsupportofhiswhiskers。
　　Heclappedhishandsandabsolutelycriedout，"Lost！"
　　"Bequiet，"Isaid，sternly。
　　Heloweredhistone，butIsawtheshadowygestureofhisdespair。
　　"Whatarewedoinghere？"
　　"Lookingforthelandwind。"
　　Hemadeasiftotearhishair，andaddressedmerecklessly。
　　"Shewillnevergetout。Youhavedoneit，sir。Iknewit’dendinsomethinglikethis。Shewillneverweather，andyouaretooclosenowtostay。
　　She’lldriftashorebeforeshe’sround。OmyGod！"
　　Icaughthisarmashewasraisingittobatterhispoordevotedhead，andshookitviolently。
　　"She’sashorealready，"hewailed，tryingtotearhimselfaway。
　　"Isshe？……Keepgoodfullthere！"
　　"Goodfull，sir，"criedthehelmsmaninafrightened，thin，childlikevoice。
　　Ihadn’tletgothemate’sarmandwentonshakingit。"Readyabout，doyouhear？Yougoforward"——shake——"andstopthere"——shake——"andholdyournoise"——shake——"andseethesehead-sheetsproperlyoverhauled"——
　　shake，shake——shake。
　　AndallthetimeIdarednotlooktowardsthelandlestmyheartshouldfailme。Ireleasedmygripatlastandheranforwardasiffleeingfordearlife。
　　Iwonderedwhatmydoublethereinthesaillockerthoughtofthiscommotion。Hewasabletoheareverything——andperhapshewasabletounderstandwhy，onmyconscience，ithadtobethusclose——noless。
　　Myfirstorder"Hardalee！"re-echoedominouslyunderthetoweringshadowofKoh-ringasifIhadshoutedinamountaingorge。
　　AndthenIwatchedthelandintently。Inthatsmoothwaterandlightwinditwasimpossibletofeeltheshipcoming-to。No！
　　Icouldnotfeelher。Andmysecondselfwasmakingnowreadytoshipoutandlowerhimselfoverboard。Perhapshewasgonealready……？
　　Thegreatblackmassbroodingoverourverymastheadsbegantopivotawayfromtheship’ssidesilently。AndnowIforgotthesecretstrangerreadytodepart，andrememberedonlythatIwasatotalstrangertotheship。
　　Ididnotknowher。Wouldshedoit？Howwasshetobehandled？
　　Iswungthemainyardandwaitedhelplessly。Shewasperhapsstopped，andherveryfatehunginthebalance，withtheblackmassofKoh-ringlikethegateoftheeverlastingnighttoweringoverhertaffrail。Whatwouldshedonow？Hadshewayonheryet？
　　Isteppedtothesideswiftly，andontheshadowywaterIcouldseenothingexceptafaintphosphorescentflashrevealingtheglassysmoothnessofthesleepingsurface。Itwasimpossibletotell——
　　andIhadnotlearnedyetthefeelofmyship。Wasshemoving？
　　WhatIneededwassomethingeasilyseen，apieceofpaper，whichIcouldthrowoverboardandwatch。Ihadnothingonme。
　　TorundownforitIdidn’tdare。Therewasnotime。
　　Allatoncemystrained，yearningstaredistinguishedawhiteobjectfloatingwithinayardoftheship’sside。
　　Whiteontheblackwater。Aphosphorescentflashpassedunderit。
　　Whatwasthatthing？……Irecognizedmyownfloppyhat。
　　Itmusthavefallenoffhishead……andhedidn’tbother。
　　NowIhadwhatIwanted——thesavingmarkformyeyes。
　　ButIhardlythoughtofmyotherself，nowgonefromtheship，tobehiddenforeverfromallfriendlyfaces，tobeafugitiveandavagabondontheearth，withnobrandofthecurseonhissaneforeheadtostayaslayinghand……tooproudtoexplain。
　　AndIwatchedthehat——theexpressionofmysuddenpityforhismereflesh。
　　Ithadbeenmeanttosavehishomelessheadfromthedangersofthesun。
　　Andnow——behold——itwassavingtheship，byservingmeforamarktohelpouttheignoranceofmystrangeness。Ha！Itwasdriftingforward，warningmejustintimethattheshiphadgatheredsternaway。
　　"Shiftthehelm，"Isaidinalowvoicetotheseamanstandingstilllikeastatue。
　　Theman’seyesglistenedwildlyinthebinnaclelightashejumpedroundtotheothersideandspunroundthewheel。
　　Iwalkedtothebreakofthepoop。Ontheover-shadoweddeckallhandsstoodbytheforebraceswaitingformyorder。
　　Thestarsaheadseemedtobeglidingfromrighttoleft。
　　AndallwassostillintheworldthatIheardthequietremark，"She’sround，"passedinatoneofintensereliefbetweentwoseamen。
　　"Letgoandhaul。"
　　Theforeyardsranroundwithagreatnoise，amidstcheerycries。
　　Andnowthefrightfulwhiskersmadethemselvesheardgivingvariousorders。
　　Alreadytheshipwasdrawingahead。AndIwasalonewithher。
　　Nothing！nooneintheworldshouldstandnowbetweenus，throwingashadowonthewayofsilentknowledgeandmuteaffection，theperfectcommunionofaseamanwithhisfirstcommand。
　　Walkingtothetaffrail，Iwasintimetomakeout，ontheveryedgeofadarknessthrownbyatoweringblackmassliketheverygatewayofErebus——yes，Iwasintimetocatchanevanescentglimpseofmywhitehatleftbehindtomarkthespotwherethesecretsharerofmycabinandofmythoughts，asthoughheweremysecondself，hadloweredhimselfintothewatertotakehispunishment：
　　afreeman，aproudswimmerstrikingoutforanewdestiny。