WhenIfirstarrivedonthePointtherewas，Imaysay，onlyonehouseuponit，andthatbelongedtoMessrs。FlintBrothers，ofLiverpool。ItwasoccupiedbyonesolitarymannamedJackson；hehadhadanassistant，buttheassistanthaddiedoffever，andIwassenttoreplacehim。Jacksonwasamanoffiftyatleast，whohadbeenasailorbeforehehadbecomeanAfricantrader。Hisfaceboretestimonytothewindsandweatherithadencountered，andworehabituallyagrave，ifnotmelancholy，expression。Hewasroughbutkindtome，andthoughstrictwasjust，whichwasnocommonfeatureinanoldAfricanhandtoonewhohadjustarrivedonthecoast。
Hekeptthefactory——wecalledallhousesonthecoastfactories——asneatandcleanasifithadbeenaship。Hehadtheflooroftheportionwedweltinholystonedeveryweek；andnumberlesslittleracksandshelveswerefittedupalloverthehouse。Theoutsidewallsglitteredwithpaint，andtheyardwassweptcleaneverymorning；andeverySunday，ateighto’clockandsunset，theensignwashoistedandlowered，andanoldcannonfiredatthewordofcommand。OrderandrulewerewithJacksonobservedfromhabit，andwerestrictlyenforcedbyhimonallthenativesemployedinthefactory。
AlthoughIhavesaidthecountrylookedasifuninhabited，therewerenumerousvillageshiddenawayinthelonggrassandbrushwood，invisibleatadistance，beinghutsofthatchormud，andnotsohighasthegrassamongwhichtheywereplaced。Fromthesevillagescamemostofourservants，andalsothemiddlemen，whoactedasbrokersbetweenus，thewhitemen，andthenegroeswhobroughtivoryandgumandindia-rubberfromthefarinteriorforsale。Ourtradewasprincipallyinivory，andwhenanunusuallylargenumberofelephants’
tusksarriveduponthePointforsale，itwouldbecrowdedwithBushmen，strangeanduncouth，andhideouslyugly，andarmed，andthenwewouldbeverybusy；forsometimesasmanyastwohundredtuskswouldbebroughttousatthesametime，andeachofthesehadtobebargainedforandpaidforbyexchangeofcottoncloths，guns，knives，powder，andahostofsmallwares。
Forsometimeaftermyarrivalourfactory，alongwiththeothersonthecoastbelongingtoMessrs。FlintBrothers，wasverywellsuppliedbythemwithgoodsforthetrade；butbydegreestheirshipmentsbecamelessfrequent，andsmallwhentheydidcome。Inspiteofrepeatedletterswecouldgainnoreasonfromthefirmforthisfact，norcouldtheotherfactories，andgraduallywefoundourselveswithanemptystorehouse，andnearlyallourgoodsgone。Thenfollowedawearyinterval，duringwhichwehadnothingwhatevertodo，anddaysucceededdaythroughthelonghotseason。ItwasnowthatIbegantofeelthatJacksonhadbecomeoflatemoresilentandreservedwithmethaneverhehadbeen。Inoticed，too，thathehadcontractedahabitofwanderingouttotheextremeendofthePoint，wherehewouldsitforhoursgazingupontheoceanbeforehim。Inadditiontothis，hegrewmoroseanduncertaininhistempertowardthenatives，andsometimeshewouldfallasleepintheeveningsonasofa，andtalktohimselfatsucharatewhileasleepthatIwouldgrowfrightenedandwakehim，whenhewouldstareabouthimforalittleuntilhegatheredconsciousness，andthenhewouldstaggerofftobedtofallasleepagainalmostimmediately。Also，hishandstrembledmuch，andhebegantoloseflesh。Allthistroubledme，forhisownsakeaswellasmyown，andIresolvedtoaskhimtoseethedoctorofthenextmail-
steamerthatcame。WiththisideaIwentonedaytotheendofthePoint，andfoundhiminhisusualattitude，seatedonthelonggrass，lookingseaward。Hedidnothearmeapproach，andwhenIspokehestartedtohisfeet，anddemandedfiercelywhyIdisturbedhim。I
replied，asmildlyasIcould，forIwasratherafraidoftheglitteringlookthatwasinhiseyes，thatIwishedtoaskhimifhedidnotfeelill。
Heregardedmewithasteadybutsoftenedglanceforalittle，andthensaid：
"Mylad，Ithankyouforyourtrouble；butIwantnodoctor。DoyouthinkI’mlookingill？"
"Indeedyouare，"Ianswered，"illandthin；and，doyouknow，Ihearyoutalktoyourselfinyoursleepnearlyeverynight。"
"WhatdoIsay？"heaskedeagerly。
"ThatIcannottell，"Ireplied。"Itisallramblingtalk；thesamethingsoverandoveragain，andnearlyallaboutoneperson——Lucy。"
"Boy！"hecriedout，asifinpain，orasifsomethinghadtouchedhimtothequick，"sityoudown，andI’lltellyouwhyIthinkofher——shewasmywife。"
Hemovednearertotheedgeofthecliff，andwesatdown，almostovertherestlessseabeneathus。
"Shelivesinmymemory，"hecontinued，speakingmoretohimselfthantome，andlookingfarouttothehorizon，beneathwhichthesettingsunhadbeguntosink，"inspiteofallIcandoorthinkoftomakeherappearbaseinmyeyes。Forsheleftmetogowithanotherman——ascoundrel。Thiswashowitwas，"headded，quickly："Imarriedher，andthoughtheraspureasaflower；butIcouldnottakehertoseawithmebecauseIwasonlythemateofavessel，soIleftheramongherownfriends，inthevillagewhereshewasborn。InalittlecottagebyherselfIsettledher，comfortableandhappyasIthought。
God！howshehungroundmyneckandsobbedwhenIwentawaythefirsttime！andyet——yet——withinayearsheleftme。"Andhestoppedforseveralminutes，restinghisheaduponhishands。"AtfirstIcouldgetnotraceofher，"heresumed。"Herfriendsknewnothingmoreofherthanthatshehadleftthevillagesuddenly。GraduallyIfoundoutthenameofthescoundrelwhohadseducedheraway。Hehadbribedherfriendssothattheyweresilent；butIoverbribedthemwiththelastmoneyIhad，andIfollowedhimandmywifeonfoot。Ineverfoundthem，nordidIeverknowwhyshehaddesertedmeforhim。IfIhadonlyknownthereason；ifIcouldhavebeentoldofmyfault；ifshehadonlywrittentosaythatshewastiredofme；thatIwastooold，tooroughforhersoftways，——IthinkIcouldhavebornetheheavystrokethevillainhaddealtmebetter。TheendofmysearchwasthatIdroppeddowninthestreetsofLiverpool，whitherIthoughtIhadtrackedthem，andwascarriedtothehospitalwithbrain-feveruponme。TwomonthsafterwardIcameoutcured，andthesenseofmylosswasdeadenedwithinme，sothatIcouldgotoseaagain，whichIdid，beforethemast，underthenameofJackson，inabarkthattradedtothiscoasthere。"Andtheoldsailorrosetohisfeetandturnedabruptlyaway，leavingmesittingalone。
Isawthathedidnotwishtobefollowed，soIstayedwhereIwasandwatchedthegraytwilightcreepoverthefaceofthesea，andthenightquicklysucceedtoit。Notacloudhadbeenintheskyalldaylong，andasthedarknessincreasedthestarscameout，untilthewholeheavenswerestuddedwithglitteringgems。
Suddenly，lowdown，closetothesea，apointoflightflickeredanddisappeared，shoneagainforamoment，waveredandwentout，onlytoreappearandshinesteadily。"Asteamer’smastheadlight，"Ithought，andrantothehousetogivethenews；butJacksonhadalreadyseenthelight，andpronouncedthatshehadanchoreduntilthemorning。Atdaybreakthereshewas，dippinghersidestotheswelloftheseaasitrolledbeneathher。Itwasmydutytogoofftoherinoneofthesurf-boatsbelongingtothefactory；andsoIscrambleddowntheclifftothelittlestripofsmoothbeachthatservedusforalanding-
place。
WhenIarrivedthereIfoundthatthewhite-crestedbreakerswereheavierthanIhadthoughttheywouldbe。However，therewastheboatlyingonthebeachwithitsprowtowardthewaves，androunditweretheboat-boyswiththeirloinclothsgirded，readytostart；soI
clamberedintothestern，orrather——fortheboatwasshapedalikeatstemandstern——theendfromwhichthesteersman，or/patrao/，usedhislongoar。Withashouttheboyslaidholdofthesidesoftheboat，andthenextmomentitwasdancingonthespentwavesnexttothebeach。Thepatraokeptitsheadsteady，andtheboysjumpedinandseizedtheoars，andbeganpullingwithawill，standinguptotheirstroke。Slowlytheheavycraftgatheredway，andapproachedadarkandunbrokenrollerthathastenedtowardthebeach。Thenthepatraoshoutedtothecrew，andtheylayontheiroars，andthewavewitharoarburstrightinfrontoftheboat，sendingthesprayofitscresthighaboveourheads。
"/Rema！remaforca！/"（"Rowstrongly！"）nowshoutedthepatrao，speakingPortuguese，asmostlyallAfricancoastnativesdo；andthecrewgaveway。Thenextrollerwehadtomeetinitsstrength；andsaveforthesteadyforceofthepatrao’soar，Ibelieveitwouldhavetossedusasideandwewouldhavebeensweptunderitscurvingwallofwater。Asitwas，thegoodboatgaveamightyboundasitfeltitsforce，anditsstempitchedhighintotheairasitsliddownitsbroadbackintothedeep。
Anotherandyetanotherwavewerepassed，andwecouldnowseethembreakingbehindus，shuttingoutthebeachfromview。Thenthelastrollerwasovercome，andtherewasnothingbutthelongheaveofthedeepseatocontendagainst。Presentlywearrivedatthesteamer，whosesidetoweredaboveus——anironwall。
Ashoutcametome，pitchingandlurchingwiththeboatfarbelow，"Comeonboardatonce。"Buttocomeonboardwasonlytobedonebywatchingachanceastheboatroseonthetopofaroller。Takingsuchaone，Iseizedtheside-ropes，swungamomentinmid-air，andthenextwasonthestreamer’scleanwhitedeck。Beforemestoodatallmanwithblackhairandwhiskersanddarkpiercingeyes，whoaskedmeifIwastheagentforFlintBrothers。Iansweredthattheagentwasonshore，andthatIwashisassistant。Whereuponheinformedmethathehadbeenappointedbythefirmtoliquidatealltheirstationsandbusinessesonthecoast，and"hewouldbeobligedbymygettinghisluggageintotheboat。"Thiswassaidinaperemptorysortofway，asifhehadspokentoaservant；andverymuchagainstthegrainI
obeyedhisorders。
Thatthemanwasnewtothecoastwasevident，andmyconsolationwasthathewouldbeverysoonsickofitandprettywellfrightenedbeforeheevengotonshore，fortheweatherwasfresheningrapidly，afactofwhichheappearedtotakenoheed。Notsotheboat-boys，whowereanxioustobeoff。Atlastwestarted，andIsoonhadmyrevenge。
Aswedrewneartheshoretherollersbecamehigherandhigher，andI
perceivedthatmygentlemanclutchedthegunwaleoftheboatverytightly，andwhenthefirstwavethatshowedsignsofbreakingovertookus，hegrewverywhiteinthefaceuntilithadpassed。
Thenextoneortwobreakersweresmall，muchtohisreliefIcouldsee，thoughhesaidnothing。Beforehehadwellrecoveredhisequanimity，however，atremendouswaveapproachedussomewhatsuddenly。Appalledbyitsthreateningaspect，hesprangfromhisseatandseizedthearmofthepatrao，whoroughlyshookhimoff。
"MyGod！"hecried，"weareswamped！"andforthemomentitreallylookedlikeit；butthepatrao，withadexteroussweepofhislongoar，turnedtheboat’sheadtowardtheroller。Itbrokejustasitreachedus，andgaveusthebenefitofitscrest，whichcameinoverthetopsidesoftheboatasitpassedby，anddelugedeveryoneofus。
Ilaughed，althoughitwasnolaughingmatter，attheplighttheliquidatorwasnowin。Hewaschangedinamomentfromthespruceandnattypersonageintoamiserableanddraggledbeing。Fromeverypartofhimthesaltwaterwasstreaming，andthecurlwascompletelytakenoutofhiswhiskers。Hecouldnotspeakfromterror，whichtheboat-
boyssoonsaw，fornonearequickerthannegroestodetectsignsoffearinthosewhomtheyareaccustomedtoconsidersuperiortothemselves。Familiarwiththesurf，andfullofmischievousfun，theybegantoshoutandgesticulatewiththesettledpurposeofmakingmattersappearworsethantheywere，andofenjoyingthewhiteman’sdiscomfiture，——allbutthepatrao，whowasanoldhand，andonwhomdependedthesafetyofusall。Hekeptasteadylookoutseaward，andstooduprightandfirm，graspinghisoarwithbothhands。Withhimitwasapointofhonourtobringthewhitemenintrustedtohiscaresafelythroughthesurf。
Wewaitedformorethanhalfanhour，bowon，meetingeachrollerasitcametous；andbytheendofthattimetheunfortunateliquidatorhadevidentlygivenupallhopeofeverreachingtheshore。Luckily，theworstwassoontopass。Afteronelasttremendouswavetherewasalullforafewmoments，andthepatrao，whohadwatchedforsuchachance，swiftlyturnedtheboatround，andgivingthewordtothecrew，theypulledlustilytowardtheshore。Inafewminuteswewereagaininsafety。Theboatgroundedonthebeach，theoarsweretossedintothesea；thecrewsprangoverboard；someofthemseizedthenewarrival；Iclamberedonthebackofthepatrao；acrowdofnegroes，whohadbeenwaitingonthebeach，laidholdofthetow-ropeoftheboat，anditandwewerelandedsimultaneouslyonthedrysand。
OnceonshoreMr。Bransome，forthatwasthenewman’sname，rapidlyrecoveredhispresenceofmindandmanner，and，bywayofcoveringhispastconfusion，remarkedthathesupposedthesurfwasseldomsobadasitthenwas。Irepliedinanoffhandway，meaningtomakefunofhim，thatwhathehadpassedthroughwasnothing，andappealedtothepatraotoconfirmwhatIhadsaid。Thatnegro，seeingthejoke，grinnedalloverhisblackface；andMr。Bransome，perceivingthathewasbeinglaughedat，snatchedagood-sizedstickfromanativestandingnear，andstruckthepatraorepeatedlyovertheback。
InvainSooka，forthatwasthepatrao’sname，protested，anddemandedtoknowwhatwrongthinghehaddone。Theagentwasfurious，andshoweredhisblowsupontheblack。EquallyinvainIshoutedthatSookahaddonewellbyus，andthathe，Mr。Bransome，wasmakinganenemyofamanwhowouldhavehimnowandtheninhispower。AtlengthSookatooktohisheels，andsureenough，whenhehadgotalittlewayoff，hebegantothreatenvengeanceforwhathehadreceived。I
sympathisedwithhim，forIknewwhatalosstohisdignityitwastobebeatenwithoutcausebeforehisfellows，andIfearedthatMr。
Bransomewouldindeedbesorry，soonerorlater，forwhathehaddone。
Inowsuggestedtohim，bywayofdivertinghisthoughtsfrompoorSooka，thatstandingonthebeachinwetclotheswastheverywaytocatchthecoast-feverstraightoff，andheinstantlysufferedhimselftobecarriedupthefactory。ThereJacksonreceivedhiminasortof"whoonearthareyou？"manner；andMr。Bransome，clearinghisthroat，announcedhimselfandhisauthority，addingthatheintendedtomakethefactoryapointofdeparturetoalltheothersonthecoast；then，veryabruptly，herequestedJacksontopreparequartersforhimwithoutdelay。
ThechangethatcameoverJackson’sfaceashelearnedthequalityofthestrangerandhisrequestswasgreat。Theoldsalt，whohadbeenkingofhishouseandofthePointforsolongatime，hadevidentlynevereventhoughtoftheprobabilityofsuchanintrusionaswasnowpresentedtohim，andhewasamazedatwhatheconsideredtobetheunwarrantableassuranceofthestranger。However，herecoveredhimselfsmartly，andaskedthenewmanifhehadanywrittencredentials。
"Certainly，"repliedhe，pullingoutadocumentallwetwithsaltwater。"HereisaletterfromMessrs。FlintBrothers，ofwhich，nodoubt，youwillhaveacopyinyourmail-bag。"
Jacksontooktheletterandopenedit，andseemedtoreaditslowlytohimself。Allatoncehestarted，lookedatthenewagent，advancedasteportwotowardhim，muttering，"Bransome，Bransome，"thenstoppedandaskedhiminastrangeconstrainedvoice，"Is/your/nameBransome？"
"Yes，"repliedthelatter，astonishedattheoldman’squestion。
"IknewaBransomeonce，"saidJackson，steadily，"andhewasascoundrel。"
Foramomentthetwomenlookedateachother——Jacksonwithagleamofhatredinhiseyes，whileBransomehadacuriouslyfrightenedexpressiononhisface，whichblanchedslightly。Buthequicklyresumedhiscomposureandperemptoryway，andsaid，"Showmearoom；I
mustgetthesewetthingsoffme。"
As，however，headdressedhimselfthistimetomeratherthantoJackson，——who，indeed，regardedhimnolonger，butstoodwiththeletterlooseinhishand，lookingattheflooroftheroom，asifindeepmeditation，——Ishowedhimintomyownroom，whereIorderedhistrunkstobebrought。These，ofcourse，werewet；buthefoundsomethingsinthemiddleofthemthatwerenotmorethanslightlydamp，andwiththehelpofapairofoldcanvastrousersofminehemanagedtomakehisappearanceatdinner-time。
Jacksonwasnotatthemeal。Hehadleftthehouseshortlyafterhisinterviewwiththenewagent，andhad，Ifancied，goneononeofhissolitaryrambles。Atanyratehedidnotreturnuntillatethatnight。
IthoughtMr。Bransomeseemedtobesomewhatrelievedwhenhesawthattheoldmanwasnotcoming；andhebecamemoreaffablethanIhadexpectedhimtobe，andrelinquishedhisarrogantstylealtogetherwhenhebegantoquestionmeaboutJackson——whohewas？whathadhebeen？howlonghehadlivedonthecoast？ToallwhichquestionsI
returnedcautiousanswers，rememberingthatIwasunderapromisetotheoldmannottorepeathisstory。
Bythenextmorning，tomysurprise，Jacksonappearedtohavebecomereconciledtothefactthathehadbeensupersededbyamanwhoknewnothingofthecoast，andofhisownaccordheofferedtotellMr。
Bransomethecluestotheletter-locksonthedoorsofthevariousstore-rooms；forweonthecoastusednonebutletter-locks，whicharelocksthatdonotrequireakeytoopenthem。ButMr。Bransomeexpressed，mostpolitely，awishthatJacksonshouldconsiderhimselfstillinchargeofthefactory，atanyrateuntilthewholeestateoftheunfortunateFlintBrotherscouldbewoundup；andhetrustedthathispresencewouldmakenodifferencetohim。
Thiswasachange，onthepartofbothmen，fromthemannersofthepreviousday；andyetIcouldnothelpthinkingthateachbutillconcealedhisaversiontotheother。
Monthsnowslippedaway，andMr。Bransomewasoccupiedingoingupanddownthecoastinalittlesteamer，shuttingupfactoryafterfactory，transferringtheirgoodstoours，andgettinghimselfmuchdislikedbyalltheEuropeansunderhim，andhatedbythenatives，especiallybytheboat-boys，whowerearaceortribebythemselves，comingfromoneparticularpartofthecoast。Hehad，ofcourse，beenobligedtoorderthedismissalofmanyofthem，andthiswasonereasonwhytheyhatedhim；butthechiefcausewashistreatmentofSooka，thepatrao。ThatmanneverforgaveMr。Bransomeforbeatinghimsounjustly；andthenewsofthedeedhadtravelledveryquickly，asnewsdoesinsavagecountries，sothatIthinknearlyallofSooka’scountrymenknewoftheactandresentedit。
Mr。Bransomewasquiteunawareoftheantipathyhehadthuscreatedtowardhimself，exceptsofarasSookawasconcerned；andhimheneveremployedwhenhehadtogoofftovesselsorlandfromthem，butalwayswentintheotherboatbelongingtothefactory，whichwassteeredbyamuchyoungernegro。InadditiontohumblingSookainthisway，Bransometooktheopportunityofdisgracinghimwheneverhecoulddoso。Therefore，onedaywhentwopiecesofclothfromthecargo-roomwerefoundintheboatmen’shuts，itwasnosurprisetomethatSookawasatoncefasteneduponbyMr。Bransomeasthethiefwhohadstolenthem，andthathewastiedtotheflogging-postinthemiddleoftheyard，andsentencedtoreceivefiftylasheswiththecatthatwaskeptforsuchapurpose，andallwithoutanyinquirybeingmade。Invaindidtheunfortunatemanprotesthisinnocence。AswarthyKroot-boyfromCapeCoastlaidthecatonhisbrownshouldersrightwillingly，forhealsowasanenemyofSooka’s；andinafewminutesthepoorfellow’sfleshwascutandscoredasifbyaknife。
AfterthefloggingwasoverMr。BransomeamusedhimselfbygettingouthisrifleandfiringfancyshotsatSooka，stilltiedtothepost；
thatis，hetriedtoputthebulletsasclosetothepoorwretchashecouldwithoutactuallywoundinghim。Toanegro，withhisdreadoffirearms，thiswaslittleshortofabsolutetorture，andateachdischargeSookawrithedandcrouchedasclosetothegroundashecould，whilehiswide-openedeyesandmouth，andfaceofalmostaslatecolour，showedhowterriblyfrightenedhewas。ToMr。Bransomeitappearedtobefinesport，forhefiredatleasttwentyshotsatthemanbeforeheshoulderedhisrifleandwentindoors。Jacksonsaidnothingtothisstupidexhibitionoftemper，butassoonasitwasoverhehadSookareleased；andIknewheattendedtohiswoundshimself，andpouredfriar’sbalsamintothem，andcoveredhisbackwithasoftshirt——forallwhich，nodoubt，thenegrowasafterwardgrateful。WhetherMr。Bransomegottoknowofthis，andwasoffendedatit，Idonotknow，butshortlyafterwardheceasedtolivewithus。
Therewasbetweenthefactoryandthesea，andalittletotherightoftheformer，asmallwoodencottagewhichhadbeenallowedtofallintoadilapidatedstatefromwantofsomeonetoliveinit。ThisMr。
Bransomegaveorderstothenativecarpenterstorepairandmakeweather-tight；andwhentheyhaddoneso，hecausedaquantityoffurnituretobebroughtfromSt。PauldeLoandaandplacedwithininit。Thenhetransferredhimselfandhisbaggagetothecottage。
Jacksondisplayedcompleteindifferencetothischangeonthepartoftheagent。Infact，therehadbeen，eversincethearrivalofthelatteruponthePoint，andinspiteofapparentfriendliness，aperceptiblebreach，wideningdaily，betweenthetwomen。AstothereasonofthisIhadmyownsuspicions，forIhadmadethediscoverythatJacksonhadforsometimepastbeendrinkingveryheavily。
Inadditiontothebrandywhichwewhitemenhadforourownuse，I
had，tomyhorror，foundoutthathewassecretlydrinkingthecoarseandfieryrumthatwassoldtothenatives；andasIrememberedthemutteringsandmoaningsthathadformerlyalarmedme，IwonderedthatIhadnotguessedthecauseofthematthetime；butuntilthearrivalofMr。Bransome，Jacksonhadalwayskeptchargeofthespiritshimself，andhewassuchasecretoldfellowthattherewasnoknowingwhathehadthentaken。NowthatIwasawareofhisfailing，Iwasverysorryfortheoldsailor；foronsuchacoastandinsuchaclimatetherewasonlyoneendtoit；andalthoughIcouldnotactuallypreventhimfromtakingtheliquor，Iresolvedtowatchhim，andifsuchsymptomsasIhadseenbeforeagainappeared，totellMr。
Bransomeofthematallhazards。ButIwastoolatetopreventwhatspeedilyfollowedmydiscovery。Ithadcomeaboutthatthesamemail-
steamerthathadbroughtoutMr。BransomehadagainanchoredoffthePoint，andagaintheweatherwascoarseandlowering。Astiffbreezehadblownforsomedays，whichmadetherollersworsethantheyhadbeenforalongwhile。BothMr。BransomeandJacksonwatchedtheweatherwitheagerlooks，buteachwasdifferentlyaffectedbyit。
Bransomeappearedtobeanxiousandnervous，whileJacksonwasexcited，andpacedupanddowntheveranda，andkept，strangetosay，foritwascontrarytohislatehabit，awatchuponBransome’severymovement。
Everynowandthen，too，hewouldrubhishandstogetherasifineagerexpectation，andwouldchuckletohimselfasheglancedseaward。
OfhisownaccordhegaveorderstoSookatogetboththesurf-boatsreadyforlaunching，andtomaketheboysputontheirnewestloin-
cloths；andthen，wheneverythingwasinreadiness，heaskedBransomeifhewasgoingofftothesteamer。
"IfearImust，"saidBransome；"butI——Idon’tlikethelookofthosecursedrollers。"
AtthisJacksonlaughed，andsaidsomethingabout"beingafraidofverylittle。"
"Thebeachisperfectlygood，"headded；"Sookaknows，andSookaistheoldestpatraoonthePoint。"
AndSooka，whowasstandingby，madealowobeisancetotheagent，andsaidthat"thebeachlivedforwell，"whichwashiswayofexpressinginEnglishthattheseawasnotheavy。
Atthatmomentagunwasfiredfromthesteamerasasignaltobequick，andBransomesaid，"Iwillgo，butnotinthatblackblackguard’sboat；itneednotcome，"andhewentdowntothebeach。
ItwasoneofJackson’srulesthatwhenaboatwentthroughthesurfthereshouldbesomeonetowatchit，soIwalkedtotheendofthePointtoseetheagentputoff。Hegotawaysafely；andI，seeingSooka’sboatlyingonthebeach，andthinkingthatitwouldbeaswelltohaveithauledupundertheboat-shed，wasonthepointofreturningtothefactorytogivethenecessaryorder，when，tomysurprise，Isawtheboat’screwrushdownthebeachtotheboatandbegintopushittowardthesea。
Iwavedmyarmsasasignaltothemtostop，buttheypaidnoattentiontome；andIsawthemruntheboatintothewater，jumpintoher，andpulloff，allsingingasongtotheirstrokeintheirownlanguage，thesoundofwhichcamefaintlyuptothetopofthePoint。
"Stupidfellows！"Imutteredtomyself，"theymighthaveknownthattheboatwasnotwanted；"andIwasagainabouttoturnaway，whenI
wassuddenlyseizedfrombehind，andcarriedtotheveryedgeofthecliff，andthenassuddenlyreleased。
Isprangtooneside，andturningroundsawJackson，withalookofsuchsavagefuryonhisfacethatIretreatedasteportwoinastonishmentathim。Heperceivedmyalarm，andburstoutintoafitoflaughter，which，insteadofreassuringme，hadtheoppositeeffect，itwassodemoniacalincharacter。"Ha！ha！"helaughedagain，"areyoufrightened？"andadvancingtowardme，heputhisfaceclosetomine，peeringintoitwithbloodshoteyes，whilehisbreath，reekingofspirits，pouredintomynostrils。
InvoluntarilyIputupmyarmtokeephimoff。Heclutchedit，and，pointingwithhisotherhandtothesea，whisperedhoarsely，"Whatdoyouhearofthesurf？Willthebreakersbeheavierbeforesundown？Seehowtheybegintocurve！Listenhowtheyalreadythunder，thunder，onthebeach！Itellyoutheyareimpatient——theyseeksomeone，"heshouted。"Doyouknow，"hecontinued，loweringhisvoiceagain，andspeakingalmostconfidentially，"soonerorlatersomeoneisdrowneduponthatbar？"Andevenashespokeafreshlineofbreakersarosefromthedeep，fartheroutthananyhadbeenbefore。ThismuchI
observed，butIwastoogreatlyunnervedbythestrangemannerofJacksontopayfurtherheedtothesea。Ithadflashedacrossmymindthathewasonthevergeofanattackofdeliriumtremens，fromtheeffectsoftheliquorhehadbeenconsumingforsolong，andtheproblemwastogethimbacktothehousequietly。
Suddenlyathoughtstruckme。Puttingmyarmwithinhis，Isaid，ascoollyasIcould，"Nevermindthesea，Jackson；letushavea/matabicho/"（ourlocalexpressionfora"drink"）。Hetookthebait，andcameawayquietlyenoughtothehouse。Oncethere，Ienticedhimintothedining-room，andshuttingtothedoorquickly，Ilockeditontheoutside，resolvingtokeephimthereuntilMr。Bransomeshouldreturn；for，beingalone，Iwasafraidofhim。
ThenIwentbacktotheendofthePointtolookforthereturnofthetwoboats。WhenIreacheditIsawthattherollershadincreasedinsizeintheshorttimethatIhadbeenabsent，andthattheywerebreaking，oneafteranother，asfastastheycouldcomeshoreward；notpygmywaves，butgreatwallsofwateralongtheirhugelengthbeforetheyfell。
AsurfsuchasIhadneveryetseenhadarisen。Istoodandanxiouslywatchedthroughaglasstheboatsatthesteamer’sside，andatlength，tomyrelief，Isawoneofthemleaveher，butasitcamenearIsaw，tomysurprise，thatMr。Bransomewasnotintheboat，andthatitwasnottheonethatSookasteered。Quicklyitwasovertakenbythebreakers，butescapedtheirpower，andcameinshoreonthebackofamajesticrollerthatdidnotbreakuntilitwasclosetothebeach，wheretheboatwasinsafety。
Notwithoutvagueapprehensionathisimprudence，butstillnotanticipatinganyactualharmfromit，IthoughtthatMr。BransomehadchosentocomebackinSooka’sboat，andIwaitedandwaitedtosee/it/return，althoughthedaylighthadnowsowanedthatIcouldnolongerdistinguishwhatwasgoingonalongsidethesteamer。AtlastI
caughtsightoftheboat，awhitespeckuponthewaters，and，justasitentereduponthedangerouspartofthebar，Idiscernedtomyinfiniteamazement，thattwofigureswereseatedinthestern——amanandawoman——awhitewoman；Icouldseeherdressflutteringinthewind，andSooka’sblackfigurestandingbehindher。
Oncametheboat，impelledbytheswift-flowingseas，foraquarterofanhouritwastossedonthecrestsofthewaves。Againandagainitroseandsankwiththemastheycamerollingin，butsomehow，afteralittlefurthertime，itseemedtomethatitdidnotmakesuchwaytowardtheshoreasitshouldhavedone。
Iliftedtheglasstomyeyes，andIsawthattheboyswerehardlypullingatall，thoughtheboatwasnotclosetotherocksthatwerenearthecliff。NordidSookaseemtobeconsciousofahugerollerthatwasswiftlyapproachinghim。InmyexcitementIwasjustonthepointofshoutingtowarnthoseintheboatoftheirdanger，althoughIknewthattheycouldnotunderstandwhatImightsay，whenIsawJacksonstandingontheedgeofthecliff，alittlewayoff，dressedinhisshirtandtrousersonly。Hehadescapedfromthehouse！HeperceivedthatIsawhim，andcamerunninguponme，andIthrewmyselfonmyguard。However，hedidnotattempttotouchme，butstoppedandcried：
"DidInottellyouthatsomebodywouldbedrownedbythosewaves？
Watchthatboat！watchit！itisdoomed；andthescoundrel，thevillain，whoisinitwillneverreachtheshorealive！"andhehissedthelastwordthroughhisclenchedteeth。
"GoodGod，Jackson！"Isaid，"don’tsaythat！Look，thereisawhitewomanintheboat！"
Atthewordshisjawdropped，hisform，whichamomentbeforehadswayedwithexcitement，becamerigid，andhiseyesstaredatmeasifheknew，butcomprehendednot，whatIhadsaid。Thenheslowlyturnedhisfacetowardthesea，and，ashedidso，themightybreakerthathadbeencomingupasternoftheboatcurledoverit。Foramomentortwoitrushedforward，asolidbodyofwater，carryingtheboatwithit；andinthosemomentsIsaw，tomyhorror，Sookagiveonesweepwithhisoar，whichthrewtheboat’ssidetowardtheroller。Isawtheboat-boysleapclearoftheboatintothesurf；Isawtheagonisedfacesofthemanandthewomanupturnedtothewaveabovethem，andthenthebillowbroke，andnothingwasseenbutasheetoffrothywater。Theboatandthoseinithaddisappeared。ForthecrewIhadlittleconcern——Iknewtheywouldcomeashoresafelyenough；butforMr。Bransomeandthewoman，whoevershewas，therewaslittlehope。
Theyhadnothadtimetothrowthemselvesintotheseabeforetheboathadcapsized，andtheirclothingwouldsinktheminsuchasurf，eveniftheyhadescapedbeingcrushedbytheboat。Besides，IfearedtherehadbeensomefoulplayonthepartofSooka。Quicklyashehaddoneit，Ihadseenhimwithhisoarputtheboatbeyondthepossibilityofescapingfromthewave，andIrememberedhowhehadbeentreatedbyBransome。
WithsuchthoughtsIranalongtheclifftothepathwaythatleddowntothebeach；andasIran，IsawJacksonrunningbeforeme，notsteadilyorrightly，butheavily，andswayingfromsidetosideashewent。QuicklyIpassedhim，buthegavenosignthatheknewanyonewasnearhim；andasIleapeddownontothefirstledgeofrockbelowme，Isawthathewasnotfollowingme，buthaddisappearedamongthebrushwood。
WhenIgotdowntothebeach，Ifoundthattheboat’screwhadreachedtheshoreinsafety，butofthetwopassengersnothinghadbeenseen。
Thecapsizedboatwassometimesvisibleasitliftedontherollers，butthroughmyglassIsawthatnoonewasclingingtoit。IcalledforSooka，butSookawasmissing。Everyonehadseenhimland，buthehaddisappearedmysteriously。InvainIquestionedtheotherboysastothecauseofthedisaster。TheonlyanswerIcouldgetoutofthemwasanappealtolooktotheseaandjudgeformyself。Thewomanwasawhitewomanfromthebigship，wasalltheycouldsayabouther；and，negro-like，theyevidentlyconsideredthelossofawomanorsoofverylittleconsequence。
AllIcoulddowastosetawatchalongthebeachtolookforthebodieswhentheyshouldbewashedashore，andthisdone，Ireturnedtothefactory。MynextdesirewastofindSooka。Hecouldhardlyhavegonefar，soIsentforarunnertotakeamessagetothenativekingunderwhoseprotectionweonthePointwere，andafterwhomthePointwascalled，andwhowasboundtofindthemissingmanformeifhecould，orifhehadnotbeenbribedtolethimpass。
Inmysorrowatwhathadhappened，andinmydoubtastothecauseofit，IhadforgottenallaboutJackson；butafterIhaddespatchedmymessengertotheking，Iwenttolookforhim。Idiscoveredhimcrouchinginacornerofhisownbedroominthedark。
"Aretheyfound？"heasked，inavoicesohollowandbrokenthatI
hardlyknewit；andbeforeIcouldanswerhim，hewhisperedtohimself，"No，no；theyaredrowned——drowned。"
Itriedtoleadhimintothelighteddining-room，butheonlycrouchedtheclosertohiscorner。Atlengthbythepromiseoftheever-potenttemptation，liquor，Igothimtoleavetheroom。Hecouldscarcelywalk，though，now，andhetrembledsoviolentlythatIwasgladtogivehimpartofabottleofbrandythatIhadbyme。Hefilledatumblerhalffullofthespirits，anddrankitoff。Thisputstrengthintohim，andforalittlehewascalm；butasheagainandagainappliedhimselftothebottle，hebecamedrunk，andsworeatmeformyimpudenceingivingorderswithouthissanction。OnthisItriedtotakethebottlefromhim，butheclutcheditsofirmlythatIhadtoletitgo；whereuponheimmediatelyputittohislipsandswallowedtherestoftheliquorthatwasinit。Afterwhichhegaveachuckle，andstaggeredtoacouch，onwhichhetumbled，andlaywithhiseyesopenforalongwhile。Atlasthefellasleep，butIwastoonervoustodolikewise，andsatwatchinghimthemostofthenight；atleast，whenIawokeitwasdaylight，anditseemedtomethatIhadbeenasleepforafewminutes。
Jacksonwasstilllyingonthecouch，andhisfacewascalmandpeacefulashesoftlybreathed。Themorning，too，wasfine，andasI
walkedontotheverandaIsawtheseasparklinginthesunlight，andtherewasnotasoundfromitsaveafar-offanddrowsymurmur。Notasignremainedonitsbroadsurfaceofthewrathofthedaybefore。Itwaswonderfullycalm。Lyinghereandthereontheveranda，rolledupintheirclothes，weretheservantsofthefactory，sleepingsoundlyonthehardplanks。
Presently，asthesunroseintheheavensandwarmedtheair，theplacebegantoshowsignsoflife，andoneofthewatchthatIhadsetonthebeachcamerunningacrosstheyardtotellmethatthebodieshadcomeashore。
ImmediatelyuponhearingthisIcalledthehammock-bearerstogether，andgoingdowntothebeach，Iwentaconsiderablewayalongittowardadarkspot，whichIknewtobeagroupofnatives。Oncominguptothegroup，Ifoundatleastfiftynegroescollectedroundthedrownedmanandwoman，allchatteringandsquabblingamongthemselves，andprobablyovertheplunder，forIsawthatthebodieshadbeenstrippedtotheirunderclothing。Rushingintothecrowd，withtheaidofastickIdispersedit，sofarastomakethewretchesstandback。Theman，ofcourse，wasBransome，therewasnodoubtastothat，althoughhehadreceivedaterribleblowonthelefttemple，mostlikelyfromthepointedstemoftheboatasithadtoppledoveruponhim，andhisfacewasdistortedandtwistedtooneside。ThewomanwasevidentlyEnglish，youngandpretty，althoughherlonghair，heavyandwet，waspollutedbythesandthatstucktoit，andherhalf-openeyeswerefilledwiththesame。Onherlipstherelingeredaslightsmile。Shewasofmiddleheight，ofslenderfigure，anddelicatelynurtured，asthesmallbarefeetandlittlehandsshowed。AsIlookedatthelatterIsawawedding-ringonherfinger，andIthought，"ItisBransome’swife。"Itriedtotaketheringaway，butitwouldnotcomeoffherfinger——whichImighthaveknown，becausethenativeswouldnothaveleftittherehadtheybeenabletoremoveit。Ithenorderedthebearerstolaythebodiesinthehammocks；andthatdone，ourlittlepartywendeditswayalongtheshorehomeward，whilethenativesIhaddispersedfollowedoneafteranotherinAfricanfashion。
Arrivedatthefactory，Ibadetheboysplacethebodiessidebysideonasparebedinanemptyroom，andthenIsentthemtodigagraveinthelittleburial-groundonthePoint，wheretwoorthreeworm-
eatenwoodencrossesmarkedtheresting-placesofformeragentsofMessrs。FlintBrothers。
Asquickintermentwasnecessaryinsuchaclimate，evenonthatveryday，IwenttocallJacksoninorderthathemightperformthedutythatwashis——thatofreadingtheburialserviceoverthedead，andofsealingupthedeskandeffectsofMr。Bransome。ButJacksonwasnotinthefactory。Iguessed，however，wherehewas；andsureenoughI
foundhiminhisaccustomedhauntattheendofthePoint。Themomenthesawmehetriedtohidehimselfamongthebrushwood，butIwastooquickforhim，andspiedhimashecrouchedbehindadwarfpalm。
"Iknow，Iknow，"hecried，asIranuptohim；"Isawyoucomealongthebeach。Burythem，burythemoutofsight。"
"Come，Mr。Jackson，"Ireplied，"itisn’tfairtoputallthetroubleontome。IamsureIhavehadenoughofthewearinessandanxietyofthissadbusiness。Youmusttakeyourshareofit。Iwantyoutoreadtheserviceforthedeadoverthem。"
"No，no，"healmostshrieked；"burythemquick；nevermindme。Putthemoutofsight。"
"Iwillnot，"Isaid，resolutely。"Foryourownsakeyoumust，atanyrate，viewthebodies。"
"Theyhavenotbeenmurdered？"Hereplied。ButthestartledlookwithwhichIreceivedthesuggestionhiswordsimpliedseemedtomakehimrecollecthimself，forheroseandtookmyarmwithoutsayingmore。Ashedidso，Ifeltforthefirsttimeasortofrepugnancetowardhim。
Uptothatmomentmyfeelinghadbeenoneofpityandanxietyonhisaccount，butnowIloathedhim。Thisheseemedinstinctivelytofeel，andheclungcloselytome。
OnceatthefactoryIdeterminedthatthereshouldbenomoredelayonhispart，andItookhimtothedooroftheroomwherethebodieshadbeenlaid，butatithemadeasuddenhaltandwouldnotenter。
Coveringhisfacewithhishands，hetrembledviolentlyasIpushedthedooropenandadvancedtothebedside。Theroom，hushedandinsemi-darkness；thewhitesheet，whosesurfaceshowedtooplainlytheformsbeneathit；andthescared，terrifiedfaceofthemanwho，withbrainafire，stoodwatching，withstaringeyes，thebed，madeasceneIhaveneverforgotten。
SlowlyIturneddowntheupperpartofthesheet，andJackson，asiffascinatedbytheact，advancedasteportwointotheroom，butwithfaceaverted。Graduallyheturnedittowardthebodies，andforamomenthisgazeresteduponthem。Thenextinstanthestaggeredforward，lookedatthewoman’sface，pantedforbreathonceortwice，andthen，withupliftedhandsandawildcryof"Lucy！"fellhislengthuponthefloor。WhenIstoopedoverhimhewasinconvulsions，anddarkmatterwasoozingoutofhismouth。Theclimaxhadcome。I
shoutedfortheservants，andtheycarriedhimtohisownroom，andplacedhimonhisownbed。
HowIgotthroughthatdayIhardlyknow。AloneIburiedBransomeandhiswife，andaloneIreturnedfromthehurriedtasktowatchbyJackson’sbedside。Noneofthenativeswouldstaynearhim。Fortwodayshelayunconscious。Attheendofthattimeheseemedtohavesomeideaoftheoutsideworld，forhiseyesmetminewithintelligenceintheirlook，andonbendingoverhimIheardhimwhisper，"Forgiveme！"Thenherelapsedintounconsciousnessagain。
Throughthelonghourshiseyesremainedeveropenandrestless；hecouldnoteat，nordidhesleep，andIwasafraidhewouldpassawaythroughweaknesswithoutasign，beinganoldman。Onthethirddayhebecamedelirious，andcommencedchatteringandtalkingtohimself，andimaginingthatallkindsofhorridshapesandcreatureswerearoundandnearhim。Ihadtowatchhimnarrowlyinordertopreventhimstealingoutofhisbed，whichhewasreadytodoatanymomenttoavoidthetortureswhichhefearfullyimaginedawaitedhim。BythesesignsIknewthathewasinthemiddleofanattackofdeliriumtremens，andItriedtoquiethimbymeansoflaudanum，butithadnoeffectuponhim。Igothim，however，toswallowalittlesoup，whichsustainedhim。MyownboywastheonlynegroIhadbeenabletoinducetostayintheroom，andhewouldonlyremaininitwhileIwasthere。
Ihadsentamessengertotheneareststation，whereIrememberedtherewasaPortuguesedoctor；buthehadnotreturnedbytheeveningofthefourthday。Thatnight，wornoutwithwatching，Ihaddozedofftosleeponachairplacedbythesickman’sbed，whenallatonceI
wasawakenedbyaloudreport，andIjumpeduptofindtheroomfilledwithsmoke。AsitclearedawayIsawthatJacksonwasstandinginthemiddleoftheroomwitharevolverinhishand。AsIconfrontedhimhelaughedadevilishlaughandcockedtheweapon，cryingashedidso，"Itwasyouwhotemptedmewithyoursmoothfaceandunsuspiciousway，andyoushalldie，thoughIsufferdoublyinhellforit。Hist！"andhestoppedsuddenlyandlistened。"Don’tyouhearthebreakers？Hark，howtheyroar！Theysaytheyareready，alwaysready，"andstaringinfrontofhim，headvanced，asiffollowingthesignofaninvisiblehand，tothedoor，unconsciouslyplacing，tomyinfiniterelief，therevolveronthetopofachestofdrawersashepassedbyit。Ididnotdaretomove，andheopenedthedoorandwalkedintothefrontroom。ThenIfollowedhim。Foralittleheremainedintheroom，glaringvacantlyabouthim，andmutteringtohimself；butseeingtheouterdooropenhemadearushtowardit，anddisappearedintothedarknessofthenight。Callingtotheboy，Iranafterhim，andeasilycameuptohim，whenheturned，andpickingupaheavierstonethanI
thoughthecouldhavelifted，threwitatme。Idodgeditandclosedwithhim。OnceinmyarmsIfoundIcouldholdhim，andmyservantandIcarriedhimbackintothefactory。Weplacedhimonthefloorofthedining-room，andhewastooexhaustedtomoveforawhile。Bydegrees，however，herecoveredsufficientlytostand；andassoonashecoulddosobyhimself，withdevilishcunninghemadeforthelamp，whichhestruck，quickaslightning，withastickthathadbeenlyingonthetable。Inaninstantthegreatroundglobefelltopieces，butluckilythechimneywasnotbroken，andthelampremainedalight，andbeforehecouldstrikeanotherblowatitIhadgrappledwithhimagain。Thistimehestruggledviolentlyforafewmoments，andseemedtothinkthathewasdealingwithBransome，forheshrieked，"What！haveyoucomebackfromthesea？Youarewet！youarewet！"andshuddering，hetriedtofreehimselffrommyhold；andI，notlikingtohurthim，lethimgo，takingcaretokeepmyselfbetweenhimandthelamp。
"Backfromme，youvillainofhell！"hecried，assoonashewasfree。
"Whathaveyoudonewithher？whathaveyoudonewithher？"Andthen，inatoneofweirdandpatheticsorrow，"WhereismylittleonethatI
loved？Ihavesoughthermanyayear；oh，whydidsheforsakeme？Aha，Sooka！wewererighttosendhimtothehellwhencehecame——thelying，false-heartedscoundrel，tostealawaymywhitedove！"
Afterwhichhedrewfromhisfingerasolidgoldringwhichhealwayswore，andthrewitfromhim，saying，withawildlaugh，"There！that’sforanyonethatlikesit；I’madeadman。"Hethenstaggeredtowardhisownroom，andI，rememberingtheloadedrevolverwhichstilllayonthechestofdrawers，triedtointercepthim。Inhisrage，forI
verilybelievethathealsorememberedthattheweaponwasthere，hespatinmyface，andstruckmewithallhisforcebetweentheeyes；
butIstucktohim，andwiththehelpoftheboy，whohadbeenallthistimeinhiding，butwhocameforwardatmycall，Ilaidhimforthelasttimeuponhisbed。Therehelayexhaustedfortheremainderofthenight；buttherewasnorestforme；IfeltthatIhadtowatchhimnowformyownsafety。
Towardmorning，however，hisbreathingbecame，allatonce，veryheavyandslow，andIbentoverhiminalarm。AsIdidso，Iheardhimsighfaintly，"Lucy！"andatthatmomentthenativeboysoftlyplacedsomethinguponthebed。Itookitup。Itwastheringthesickmanhadthrownawayinthenight，andasIlookedatitIsaw"James，fromLucy"engravedonitsinsidesurface，andIknewthatthedeadwomanwashiswife。
Asthefirstfaintstreaksofdawnstoleintotheroom，theslow-drawnbreathingofthedyingmanceased。Ilistened——itcameagain——once——
twice——andthenallwassilence。Hewasdead，andIrealisedinthesuddenstillnessthathadcomeupontheroomthatIwasalone。YethehadpassedawaysoquietlyafterhisfitfulfeverthatIcouldnotbringmyselftobelievethathewasreallygone，andIstoodlookingatthebody，fearingtoconvincemyselfofthetruthbytouchingit。
SoentrancedwasIbythatfeelingofawewhichcomestoalmosteveryoneinthepresenceofdeath，thatIdidnotheartheshoutingofthehammock-boyoutside，orthefootstepsofawhitemancomingintotheroom；andnotuntilhetouchedmeontheshoulderdidIturnandrecognisethesallowfaceofthePortuguesedoctorwhomIhadsentfor，andwhohadthusarrivedtoolate。However，heservedtohelpmetoburythemortalpartofJacksoninthelittlegraveyardbesidethebodyofhiswifeandthatofthemanwhohadcomebetweenthemwhenalive。Andsuchwaswithoutdoubtthefact；forwhenthedoctorhadgone，andIwasaloneagain，Icollectedandmadeaninventoryofthedeadmen’seffects，andinJackson’sdeskIfoundhisdiary，or，ashehimselfwouldhavecalledit，hislog；andinthatlogwasnoted，ontheverydaythatBransomehadarrivedonthePoint，hissuspicionoftheman，andlateronhisconvictionthatBransomewasindeedhewhohadinjuredhim。
Sookawasneverfound；butwhenthemail-steamerreturnedfromthesouthcoast，Idiscoveredthattheyoungerpatraohadmadehiscrewrowawaysuddenlyfromthesteamer’sside，whileMr。Bransomehadbeenengagedbelow，andwasoutofsight。SoitwasevidentthatthepairhadbeeninleaguetogethertoinsureSookahisrevenge。WhatshareJacksonhadhadinthemurderofhisenemyIdidnotcaretothinkof，butfearedtheworst。
Formyself，IhadtoremainonthePointformanymonths，untilthefactorywasfinallyclosed——fornopurchaserwaseverfoundforit；
anddoubtless，bythistime，thebuildingsareinruins，andlonggrasshidesthegravesofthosewhosleepuponKingBemba’sPoint。
GHAMBA
BY
WILLIAMCHARLESSCULLY
Thedarksomecavetheyenter，wheretheyfindThatcursedman，lowsittingontheground，Musingfullsadlyinhissullenmind。
/TheFaerieQueene。/
WhenCorporalFrancisDollondandTrooperJamesFranks，oftheNatalMountedPolice，overstayedtheirtendays’leaveofabsencefromthecampontheUpperTugela，intheearlypartof1883，everybodywasmuchsurprised；theybeingtwoofthebestconductedandmostmethodicalmenintheforce。Buttheweeksandthenthemonthswentbywithoutanythingwhateverbeingheardofthem，sotheywereofficiallyrecordedasdeserters。Neverthelessnoneoftheircomradesreallybelievedthatthesemenhaddeserted；eachonefelttherewassomethingmysteriousaboutthecircumstancesoftheirdisappearance。
TheyhadappliedforleavefortheallegedpurposeofvisitingPietermaritzburg。Theystartedonfoot，statingtheirintentionofwalkingtoEstcourt，hiringhorsesfromnativesthere，andproceedingonhorseback。TheyhadevidentlyneverreachedEstcourt，asnothingcouldbeheardofthematthatvillage。Theywerebothyoungmen——
colonistsbybirth。Dollondhadanespeciallyyouthfulappearance。
Frankswasolder。Hehadjoinedtheforcelaterinlife。HeandDollond，whohadonlyveryrecentlybeforehisdisappearancebeenpromoted，werechums。
Somemonthslaterinthesameyear，whenTroopersGeorgeLangleyandHiramWhitsonalsoappliedfortendays’leaveofabsence，——likewisetoproceedtoPietermaritzburg，——theleavewasgranted；buttheofficerinchargeofthedetachmentlaughinglyremarkedthathehopedtheywerenotgoingtofollowDollondandFranks。
Now，neitherLangleynorWhitsonhadtheremotestideaofvisitingPietermaritzburg。Itisnecessary，ofcourse，forthereadertoknowwheretheydidintendgoingto，andhowtheintentionarose；butbeforedoingthiswemustdealwithsomeantecedentcircumstances。
Langleywasmostcertainlythemostboyish-lookingmanintheforce。
Hehadaperfectlysmoothface，ruddycomplexion，andfairhair。Hewasofmiddleheight，andwasratherinclinedtostoutness。Hewassofondoftalkingthathiscomradesnicknamedhim"Magpie。"Acolonistbybirth，hecouldspeaktheKaffirlanguagelikeanative。
Whitsonwasasallow-faced，spare-builtmanofshortstature，withdark-brownbeardandhair，andpiercingblackeyes。Hisagewasaboutforty。Hehadawiryandterrier-likeappearance。A"down-East"
Yankee，hehadspentsomeyearsinMexico，andthendriftedtoSouthAfricaduringthewarperiod，which，itwillberemembered，lastedfrom1877to1882。HehadservedintheZuluwarasanon-commissionedofficerinoneoftheirregularcavalrycorps，withsomecredit。ThefactofhisbeingamanofextremelyfewwordswasenoughtoaccountforthefriendshipwhichexistedbetweenhimandthegarrulousLangley。Whitsonwasknowntobeadeadshotwiththerevolver。
Thisishowtheycametoapplyforleave：OnedayLangleywasstrollingaboutjustoutsidethelines，lookingforsomebodytotalkto，whenhenoticedanapparentlyveryoldnativemansittingonanant-heapandregardinghimsomewhatintently。Thisoldnativehadbeenseveraltimesseeninthevicinityofthecamp，butheneverseemedtospeaktoanyone，andhelookedsoharmlessthatthepolicedidnoteventroubletoaskhimforthewrittenpasswhichallnativesareobligedbylawtocarrywhentheymoveaboutthecountry。TheoldmansalutedLangleyandaskedinhisownlanguageforapipefuloftobacco。Langleyalwayscarriedsomelooseleavesbrokenupinhispocket，soheatoncepulledsomeoftheseoutandhalffilledtheclaw-likehandoutstretchedtoreceivethem。Theoldnativewasvolubleinhisthanks。Therewasalargeant-heapclosetotheoneonwhichhehadbeensitting，andonwhichhereseatedhimselfwhilefillinghispipe。AgainstthisLangleyleanedandtookagoodlookathiscompanion。Themanhadamostextraordinaryface。Hislowerjawandcheek-boneswerelargelydeveloped，butLangleyhardlynoticedthis，sostruckwashewiththestrangeformationoftheupperjaw。
Thatportionofthesuperiormaxillarybonewhichliesbetweenthesocketsoftheeye-teethprotruded，withthesockets，toaremarkabledegree，andinsteadofbeingcurvedappearedtobequitestraight。Theincisorteethwereverylargeandwhite，butitwasthedevelopmentoftheeye-teeththatwasmoststartling。These，besidesbeingverymassive，wereproducedbelowtheleveloftheincisorstoadepthofnearlyaquarterofaninch。TheydistinctlysuggestedtoLangleythetusksofababoon。
Asisnotveryunusualwithnatives，themanwasperfectlybald。Hisbackwasbent，andhislimbsweresomewhatshrunken，buthedidnotappearintheleastdegreedecrepit。Hiseyelidswereveryred，andhiseyes，thoughdim，hadadeepandintentlook。Uglyaswastheman——orperhapsbyvirtueofhisugliness——heexercisedastrangefascinationoverLangley。
Theoldman，whosenameturnedouttobeGhamba，provedhimselfatalkerafterLangley’sownheart。Theydiscussedallsortsofthings。
Ghambastartledhishearerbyhisbreadthofexperienceandhisshrewdness。Hesaidhewasa"Hlubi"KaffirfromQumbu，intheterritoryofGriqualandEast，butthathehadforsometimepastbeenlivinginBasutoland，whichissituatedjustbehindthefrowningwalloftheDrakensberg，tothesouthwestofwheretheywerespeaking，andnottwentymilesdistant。
TheytalkeduntilitwastimeforLangleytoreturntocamp。HewassopleasedattheentertainmentaffordedbyGhambathatallthetobaccohehadwithhimfounditswayintotheclaw-likehandofthatstrange-
lookingmanofmanyexperiencesandquaintideas。SoLangleyaskedhimtocometotheant-heapagainonthefollowingday，andhaveanothertalkatthesamehour。ThisGhamba，withawideandprolongedexposureofhisteeth，readilyagreedtodo。
LangleywasextremelyvolubletoWhitsonthatnightoverhisnewacquaintance。Whitsonlistenedwithhisusualimpassiveness，andthenaskedLangleyhowitwasthat"anoldloafingnigger，"asheexpressedit，hadimpressedhimsoremarkably。Langleyrepliedthathedidnotquiteknow，buthethoughttheeffectwaslargelyduetotheman’steeth。Butallthesamehewas"averyentertainingoldbuffer。"
NextafternoonLangleywassoimpatienttoresumeconversationwithhisnewfriendthatherepairedtotheant-heapquitehalfanhourbeforetheappointedtime。Hehadnot，however，longtowait，asGhambasoonappeared，emergingfromadongaacoupleofhundredyardsaway。
Langleywasmoreimpressedthanever。GhambatoldhimallabouttheBasutos，amongwhomhehadlived；abouttheolddaysinNatal，beforeeventheDutchoccupation，whenTshaka’simpiswipedwholetribesoutofexistence；oftherecentwarsinZululandandtheCapeColony，andastotheprobabilityoffuturedisturbances。CharmedaswasLangleybytheoldman’sconversation，hefeltthatonthisoccasiontherewasalittletoomuchofit；thatGhambawasnotnearlysogoodalistenerashehadbeenonthepreviousday；sowhenthelatteratlengthputaquestiontohim，thusaffordinganopportunityfortheexerciseofhisownpentuploquacity，Langleyfeltelated，moreespeciallyasseveralinquiriesweregroupedtogetherintheoneasking。GhambaaskedwhetheranythinghadbeenheardofUmhlonhlo；whetherthecaptureofthatfugitiverebelwasconsideredlikely，andwhetheritwastruethatarewardoffivehundredpoundshadbeenofferedbythegovernmentforhiscapture，deadoralive。
Umhlonhlo，itwillberemembered，wasthePondomisechiefwhorebelledin1880，treacherouslymurderedMr。Hope，themagistrateofQumbu，andhistwocompanions，andwhohassincebeenanoutlawwithapriceonhishead。
LangleyrepliedtotheeffectthatitwasquitetruesucharewardhadbeenofferedastoUmhlonhlo’swhereabouts，butthatthegovernmentbelievedhimtobeinPondoland；thathewassuretobecapturedeventually；thathe，Langley，onlywishedheknewwhereUmhlonhlowas，soastohavethechanceofmakingfivehundredpoundswithwhichtobuyacertainnicelittlefarmheknewof；andthatshouldheeversucceedinobtainingthereward，andconsequentlyintakinghisdischargeandpurchasingthefarm，hewouldbejollygladifoldGhambawouldcomeandlivewithhim。Thisisonlysomeofwhathesaid；whenLangley’stonguegotintomotion，heseemedtohavesomedifficultyinstoppingit。
However，hepausedatlast，andthenGhamba，lookingveryintentlyathim，said：
"Lookhere，canyoukeepasecret？"
Herewasamystery。
"Rather！"saidLangley。
"WillyouswearbythenameofGodthatyouwillnotrevealwhatI
havetotellyou？"
Langleyswore。
GhambadrewnearuntilhisteethwerewithinafewinchesofLangley’scheek，andsaidinawhisper：
"IknowwhereUmhlonhlois。"
Langleystarted，andsaidinanawedvoice：
"Whereishe？"
"Waitabit，"saidGhamba；"perhapsIwilltellyou，andperhapsI
won’t。Ilikeyou；youhavegivenmetobacco，andyouarenottooproudtocomeandtalktoapooroldman。Now，yousayyouwouldliketomakefivehundredpoundsandbuyafarm？"
"Rather！"
"Andthatyouwouldletmegoandliveonthefarmwithyouandendmydaysinpeace？"
"Iwould，gladly。"
"Wellthen，ifItakeyoutowhereUmhlonhlois，andyouwillkillhimandgetthemoney，willyougivemetwenty-fivepounds，andletmekeepafewgoats，andgrowafewmealiesonyourland？"
"IshouldthinkIwould。ButhowcouldonemantakeorkillUmhlonhlo？
Theysayheiswellarmedandthathehasalotoffollowerswithhim。"
"Umhlonhlo，"saidGhamba，glancinganxiouslyroundasifhefearedtheveryant-heapswerelistening，"ishidinginacaveinthemountain，notthreedays’walkfromhere。Hehasnotgotasinglemanwithhim，becausehefearsbeinggivenup。Heisreallyinhidingfromhisownfollowersnow。Mysisterisoneofhiswives，andthatishowIknowallaboutit。Ipassedthecavewherehelivesfournightsago，andsawhimsittingbythefire。Hehasonlyafewwomenwithhim。"
"AndhowdoyouthinkIshouldtakehim？"