"Hewillturnoutthecookandthestewardatfour，"Iconcluded，"andthengiveyouacall。Ofcourseattheslightestsignofanysortofwindwe’llhavethehandsupandmakeastartatonce。"
　　Heconcealedhisastonishment。"Verywell，sir。"Outsidethecuddyheputhisheadinthesecondmate’sdoortoinformhimofmyunheard—ofcapricetotakeafivehours’anchor—watchonmyself。I
　　heardtheotherraisehisvoiceincredulously—"What？Thecaptainhimself？"Thenafewmoremurmurs，adoorclosed，thenanother。A
　　fewmomentslaterIwentondeck。
　　Mystrangeness，whichhadmademesleepless，hadpromptedthatunconventionalarrangement，asifIhadexpectedinthosesolitaryhoursofthenighttogetontermswiththeshipofwhichIknewnothing，mannedbymenofwhomIknewverylittlemore。Fastalongsideawharf，litteredlikeanyshipinportwithatangleofunrelatedthings，invadedbyunrelatedshorepeople，Ihadhardlyseenheryetproperly。Now，asshelayclearedforsea，thestretchofhermaindeckseemedtomeveryfineunderthestars。
　　Veryfine，veryroomyforhersize，andveryinviting。Idescendedthepoopandpacedthewaist，mymindpicturingtomyselfthecomingpassagethroughtheMalayArchipelago，downtheIndianOcean，anduptheAtlantic。Allitsphaseswerefamiliarenoughtome，everycharacteristic，allthealternativeswhichwerelikelytofacemeonthehighseas—everything！……exceptthenovelresponsibilityofcommand。ButItookheartfromthereasonablethoughtthattheshipwaslikeotherships，themenlikeothermen，andthattheseawasnotlikelytokeepanyspecialsurprisesexpresslyformydiscomfiture。
　　Arrivedatthatcomfortingconclusion，Ibethoughtmyselfofacigarandwentbelowtogetit。Allwasstilldownthere。
　　Everybodyattheafterendoftheshipwassleepingprofoundly。I
　　cameoutagainonthequarter—deck，agreeablyateaseinmysleeping—suitonthatwarmbreathlessnight，barefooted，aglowingcigarinmyteeth，and，goingforward，Iwasmetbytheprofoundsilenceoftheforeendoftheship。OnlyasIpassedthedooroftheforecastleIheardadeep，quiet，trustfulsighofsomesleeperinside。AndsuddenlyIrejoicedinthegreatsecurityoftheseaascomparedwiththeunrestoftheland，inmychoiceofthatuntemptedlifepresentingnodisquietingproblems，investedwithanelementarymoralbeautybytheabsolutestraightforwardnessofitsappealandbythesinglenessofitspurpose。
　　Theriding—lightinthefore—riggingburnedwithaclear，untroubled，asifsymbolic，flame，confidentandbrightinthemysteriousshadesofthenight。Passingonmywayaftalongtheothersideoftheship，Iobservedthattheropeside—ladder，putover，nodoubt，forthemasterofthetugwhenhecametofetchawayourletters，hadnotbeenhauledinasitshouldhavebeen。I
　　becameannoyedatthis，forexactitudeinsmallmattersistheverysoulofdiscipline。ThenIreflectedthatIhadmyselfperemptorilydismissedmyofficersfromduty，andbymyownacthadpreventedtheanchor—watchbeingformallysetandthingsproperlyattendedto。Iaskedmyselfwhetheritwaswiseevertointerferewiththeestablishedroutineofdutiesevenfromthekindestofmotives。Myactionmighthavemademeappeareccentric。Goodnessonlyknewhowthatabsurdlywhiskeredmatewould"account"formyconduct，andwhatthewholeshipthoughtofthatinformalityoftheirnewcaptain。Iwasvexedwithmyself。
　　Notfromcompunctioncertainly，but，asitweremechanically，I
　　proceededtogettheladderinmyself。Nowaside—ladderofthatsortisalightaffairandcomesineasily，yetmyvigoroustug，whichshouldhavebroughtitflyingonboard，merelyrecoileduponmybodyinatotallyunexpectedjerk。Whatthedevil！……IwassoastoundedbytheimmovablenessofthatladderthatIremainedstock—still，tryingtoaccountforittomyselflikethatimbecilemateofmine。Intheend，ofcourse，Iputmyheadovertherail。
　　Thesideoftheshipmadeanopaquebeltofshadowonthedarklingglassyshimmerofthesea。ButIsawatoncesomethingelongatedandpalefloatingveryclosetotheladder。BeforeIcouldformaguessafaintflashofphosphorescentlight，whichseemedtoissuesuddenlyfromthenakedbodyofaman，flickeredinthesleepingwaterwiththeelusive，silentplayofsummerlightninginanightsky。WithagaspIsawrevealedtomystareapairoffeet，thelonglegs，abroadlividbackimmersedrightuptotheneckinagreenishcadaverousglow。Onehand，awash，clutchedthebottomrungoftheladder。Hewascompletebutforthehead。Aheadlesscorpse！Thecigardroppedoutofmygapingmouthwithatinyplopandashorthissquiteaudibleintheabsolutestillnessofallthingsunderheaven。AtthatIsupposeheraiseduphisface，adimlypaleovalintheshadowoftheship’sside。ButeventhenI
　　couldonlybarelymakeoutdowntheretheshapeofhisblack—hairedhead。However，itwasenoughforthehorrid，frost—boundsensationwhichhadgrippedmeaboutthechesttopassoff。Themomentofvainexclamationswaspast，too。IonlyclimbedonthesparesparandleanedovertherailasfarasIcould，tobringmyeyesnearertothatmysteryfloatingalongside。
　　Ashehungbytheladder，likearestingswimmer，thesea—lightningplayedabouthislimbsateverystir；andheappearedinitghastly，silvery，fish—like。Heremainedasmuteasafish，too。
　　Hemadenomotiontogetoutofthewater，either。Itwasinconceivablethatheshouldnotattempttocomeonboard，andstrangelytroublingtosuspectthatperhapshedidnotwantto。
　　Andmyfirstwordswerepromptedbyjustthattroubledincertitude。
　　"What’sthematter？"Iaskedinmyordinarytone，speakingdowntothefaceupturnedexactlyundermine。
　　"Cramp，"itanswered，nolouder。Thenslightlyanxious，"Isay，noneedtocallanyone。"
　　"Iwasnotgoingto，"Isaid。
　　"Areyoualoneondeck？"
　　"Yes。"
　　Ihadsomehowtheimpressionthathewasonthepointoflettinggotheladdertoswimawaybeyondmyken—mysteriousashecame。
　　But，forthemoment，thisbeingappearingasifhehadrisenfromthebottomofthesea（itwascertainlythenearestlandtotheship）wantedonlytoknowthetime。Itoldhim。Andhe，downthere，tentatively：
　　"Isupposeyourcaptain’sturnedin？"
　　"Iamsureheisn’t，"Isaid。
　　Heseemedtostrugglewithhimself，forIheardsomethinglikethelow，bittermurmurofdoubt。"What’sthegood？"Hisnextwordscameoutwithahesitatingeffort。
　　"Lookhere，myman。Couldyoucallhimoutquietly？"
　　Ithoughtthetimehadcometodeclaremyself。
　　"Iamthecaptain。"
　　Ihearda"ByJove！"whisperedatthelevelofthewater。Thephosphorescenceflashedintheswirlofthewaterallabouthislimbs，hisotherhandseizedtheladder。
　　"Myname’sLeggatt。"
　　Thevoicewascalmandresolute。Agoodvoice。Theself—
　　possessionofthatmanhadsomehowinducedacorrespondingstateinmyself。ItwasveryquietlythatIremarked：
　　"Youmustbeagoodswimmer。"
　　"Yes。I’vebeeninthewaterpracticallysincenineo’clock。ThequestionformenowiswhetherIamtoletgothisladderandgoonswimmingtillIsinkfromexhaustion，or—tocomeonboardhere。"
　　Ifeltthiswasnomereformulaofdesperatespeech，butarealalternativeintheviewofastrongsoul。Ishouldhavegatheredfromthisthathewasyoung；indeed，itisonlytheyoungwhoareeverconfrontedbysuchclearissues。Butatthetimeitwaspureintuitiononmypart。Amysteriouscommunicationwasestablishedalreadybetweenustwo—inthefaceofthatsilent，darkenedtropicalsea。Iwasyoung，too；youngenoughtomakenocomment。
　　Themaninthewaterbegansuddenlytoclimbuptheladder，andI
　　hastenedawayfromtherailtofetchsomeclothes。
　　BeforeenteringthecabinIstoodstill，listeninginthelobbyatthefootofthestairs。Afaintsnorecamethroughthecloseddoorofthechiefmate’sroom。Thesecondmate’sdoorwasonthehook，butthedarknessintherewasabsolutelysoundless。He，too，wasyoungandcouldsleeplikeastone。Remainedthesteward，buthewasnotlikelytowakeupbeforehewascalled。Igotasleeping—
　　suitoutofmyroomand，comingbackondeck，sawthenakedmanfromtheseasittingonthemain—hatch，glimmeringwhiteinthedarkness，hiselbowsonhiskneesandhisheadinhishands。Inamomenthehadconcealedhisdampbodyinasleeping—suitofthesamegrey—stripepatternastheoneIwaswearingandfollowedmelikemydoubleonthepoop。Togetherwemovedrightaft，barefooted，silent。
　　"Whatisit？"Iaskedinadeadenedvoice，takingthelightedlampoutofthebinnacle，andraisingittohisface。
　　"Anuglybusiness。"
　　Hehadratherregularfeatures；agoodmouth；lighteyesundersomewhatheavy，darkeyebrows；asmooth，squareforehead；nogrowthonhischeeks；asmall，brownmoustache，andawell—shaped，roundchin。Hisexpressionwasconcentrated，meditative，undertheinspectinglightofthelampIhelduptohisface；suchasamanthinkinghardinsolitudemightwear。Mysleeping—suitwasjustrightforhissize。Awell—knityoungfellowoftwenty—fiveatmost。Hecaughthislowerlipwiththeedgeofwhite，eventeeth。
　　"Yes，"Isaid，replacingthelampinthebinnacle。Thewarm，heavytropicalnightcloseduponhisheadagain。
　　"There’sashipoverthere，"hemurmured。
　　"Yes，Iknow。TheSephora。Didyouknowofus？"
　　"Hadn’ttheslightestidea。Iamthemateofher—"Hepausedandcorrectedhimself。"IshouldsayIWAS。"
　　"Aha！Somethingwrong？"
　　"Yes。Verywrongindeed。I’vekilledaman。"
　　"Whatdoyoumean？Justnow？"
　　"No，onthepassage。Weeksago。Thirty—ninesouth。WhenIsayaman—"
　　"Fitoftemper，"Isuggested，confidently。
　　Theshadowy，darkhead，likemine，seemedtonodimperceptiblyabovetheghostlygreyofmysleeping—suit。Itwas，inthenight，asthoughIhadbeenfacedbymyownreflectioninthedepthsofasombreandimmensemirror。
　　"AprettythingtohavetoownuptoforaConwayboy，"murmuredmydouble，distinctly。
　　"You’reaConwayboy？"
　　"Iam，"hesaid，asifstartled。Then，slowly……"Perhapsyoutoo—"
　　Itwasso；butbeingacoupleofyearsolderIhadleftbeforehejoined。Afteraquickinterchangeofdatesasilencefell；andI
　　thoughtsuddenlyofmyabsurdmatewithhisterrificwhiskersandthe"Blessmysoul—youdon’tsayso"typeofintellect。Mydoublegavemeaninklingofhisthoughtsbysaying：
　　"Myfather’saparsoninNorfolk。Doyouseemebeforeajudgeandjuryonthatcharge？FormyselfIcan’tseethenecessity。Therearefellowsthatanangelfromheaven—AndIamnotthat。Hewasoneofthosecreaturesthatarejustsimmeringallthetimewithasillysortofwickedness。Miserabledevilsthathavenobusinesstoliveatall。Hewouldn’tdohisdutyandwouldn’tletanybodyelsedotheirs。Butwhat’sthegoodoftalking！Youknowwellenoughthesortofill—conditionedsnarlingcur—"
　　Heappealedtomeasifourexperienceshadbeenasidenticalasourclothes。AndIknewwellenoughthepestiferousdangerofsuchacharacterwheretherearenomeansoflegalrepression。AndI
　　knewwellenoughalsothatmydoubletherewasnohomicidalruffian。Ididnotthinkofaskinghimfordetails，andhetoldmethestoryroughlyinbrusque，disconnectedsentences。Ineedednomore。IsawitallgoingonasthoughIweremyselfinsidethatothersleeping—suit。
　　"Ithappenedwhileweweresettingareefedforesail，atdusk。
　　Reefedforesail！Youunderstandthesortofweather。Theonlysailwehadlefttokeeptheshiprunning；soyoumayguesswhatithadbeenlikefordays。Anxioussortofjob，that。Hegavemesomeofhiscursedinsolenceatthesheet。ItellyouIwasoverdonewiththisterrificweatherthatseemedtohavenoendtoit。Terrific，Itellyou—andadeepship。Ibelievethefellowhimselfwashalfcrazedwithfunk。Itwasnotimeforgentlemanlyreproof，soIturnedroundandfelledhimlikeanox。Heupandatme。Weclosedjustasanawfulseamadefortheship。Allhandssawitcomingandtooktotherigging，butIhadhimbythethroat，andwentonshakinghimlikearat，themenaboveusyelling，"Lookout！lookout！"Thenacrashasiftheskyhadfallenonmyhead。
　　Theysaythatforovertenminuteshardlyanythingwastobeseenoftheship—justthethreemastsandabitoftheforecastleheadandofthepoopallawashdrivingalonginasmotheroffoam。Itwasamiraclethattheyfoundus，jammedtogetherbehindtheforebits。It’sclearthatImeantbusiness，becauseIwasholdinghimbythethroatstillwhentheypickedusup。Hewasblackintheface。Itwastoomuchforthem。Itseemstheyrushedusafttogether，grippedaswewere，screaming"Murder！"likealotoflunatics，andbrokeintothecuddy。Andtheshiprunningforherlife，touchandgoallthetime，anyminuteherlastinaseafittoturnyourhairgreyonlya—lookingatit。Iunderstandthattheskipper，too，startedravingliketherestofthem。Themanhadbeendeprivedofsleepformorethanaweek，andtohavethissprungonhimattheheightofafuriousgalenearlydrovehimoutofhismind。Iwondertheydidn’tflingmeoverboardaftergettingthecarcassoftheirpreciousship—mateoutofmyfingers。Theyhadratherajobtoseparateus，I’vebeentold。Asufficientlyfiercestorytomakeanoldjudgeandarespectablejurysitupabit。ThefirstthingIheardwhenIcametomyselfwasthemaddeninghowlingofthatendlessgale，andonthatthevoiceoftheoldman。Hewashangingontomybunk，staringintomyfaceoutofhissou’wester。
　　"’Mr。Leggatt，youhavekilledaman。Youcanactnolongeraschiefmateofthisship。’"
　　Hiscaretosubduehisvoicemadeitsoundmonotonous。Herestedahandontheendoftheskylighttosteadyhimselfwith，andallthattimedidnotstiralimb，sofarasIcouldsee。"Nicelittletaleforaquiettea—party，"heconcludedinthesametone。
　　Oneofmyhands，too，restedontheendoftheskylight；neitherdidIstiralimb，sofarasIknew。Westoodlessthanafootfromeachother。Itoccurredtomethatifold"Blessmysoul—
　　youdon’tsayso"weretoputhisheadupthecompanionandcatchsightofus，hewouldthinkhewasseeingdouble，orimaginehimselfcomeuponasceneofweirdwitchcraft；thestrangecaptainhavingaquietconfabulationbythewheelwithhisowngreyghost。
　　Ibecameverymuchconcernedtopreventanythingofthesort。I
　　heardtheother’ssoothingundertone。
　　"Myfather’saparsoninNorfolk，"itsaid。Evidentlyhehadforgottenhehadtoldmethisimportantfactbefore。Trulyanicelittletale。
　　"Youhadbetterslipdownintomystateroomnow，"Isaid，movingoffstealthily。Mydoublefollowedmymovements；ourbarefeetmadenosound；Ilethimin，closedthedoorwithcare，and，aftergivingacalltothesecondmate，returnedondeckformyrelief。
　　"Notmuchsignofanywindyet，"Iremarkedwhenheapproached。
　　"No，sir。Notmuch，"heassented，sleepily，inhishoarsevoice，withjustenoughdeference，nomore，andbarelysuppressingayawn。
　　"Well，that’sallyouhavetolookoutfor。Youhavegotyourorders。"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　Ipacedaturnortwoonthepoopandsawhimtakeuphispositionfaceforwardwithhiselbowintheratlinesofthemizzen—riggingbeforeIwentbelow。Themate’sfaintsnoringwasstillgoingonpeacefully。Thecuddylampwasburningoverthetableonwhichstoodavasewithflowers，apoliteattentionfromtheship’sprovisionmerchant—thelastflowersweshouldseeforthenextthreemonthsattheveryleast。Twobunchesofbananashungfromthebeamsymmetrically，oneoneachsideoftherudder—casing。
　　Everythingwasasbeforeintheship—exceptthattwoofhercaptain’ssleeping—suitsweresimultaneouslyinuse，onemotionlessinthecuddy，theotherkeepingverystillinthecaptain’sstateroom。
　　ItmustbeexplainedherethatmycabinhadtheformofthecapitalletterLthedoorbeingwithintheangleandopeningintotheshortpartoftheletter。Acouchwastotheleft，thebed—placetotheright；mywriting—deskandthechronometers’tablefacedthedoor。
　　Butanyoneopeningit，unlesshesteppedrightinside，hadnoviewofwhatIcallthelong（orvertical）partoftheletter。Itcontainedsomelockerssurmountedbyabookcase；andafewclothes，athickjacketortwo，caps，oilskincoat，andsuchlike，hungonhooks。Therewasatthebottomofthatpartadooropeningintomybath—room，whichcouldbeenteredalsodirectlyfromthesaloon。
　　Butthatwaywasneverused。
　　Themysteriousarrivalhaddiscoveredtheadvantageofthisparticularshape。Enteringmyroom，lightedstronglybyabigbulkheadlampswungongimbalsabovemywriting—desk，Ididnotseehimanywheretillhesteppedoutquietlyfrombehindthecoatshungintherecessedpart。
　　"Iheardsomebodymovingabout，andwentinthereatonce，"hewhispered。
　　I，too，spokeundermybreath。
　　"Nobodyislikelytocomeinherewithoutknockingandgettingpermission。"
　　Henodded。Hisfacewasthinandthesunburnfaded，asthoughhehadbeenill。Andnowonder。Hehadbeen，Iheardpresently，keptunderarrestinhiscabinfornearlysevenweeks。Buttherewasnothingsicklyinhiseyesorinhisexpression。Hewasnotabitlikeme，really；yet，aswestoodleaningovermybed—place，whisperingsidebyside，withourdarkheadstogetherandourbackstothedoor，anybodyboldenoughtoopenitstealthilywouldhavebeentreatedtotheuncannysightofadoublecaptainbusytalkinginwhisperswithhisotherself。
　　"Butallthisdoesn’ttellmehowyoucametohangontoourside—
　　ladder，"Iinquired，inthehardlyaudiblemurmursweused，afterhehadtoldmesomethingmoreoftheproceedingsonboardtheSephoraoncethebadweatherwasover。
　　"WhenwesightedJavaHeadIhadhadtimetothinkallthosemattersoutseveraltimesover。Ihadsixweeksofdoingnothingelse，andwithonlyanhourorsoeveryeveningforatramponthequarter—deck。"
　　Hewhispered，hisarmsfoldedonthesideofmybed—place，staringthroughtheopenport。AndIcouldimagineperfectlythemannerofthisthinkingout—astubbornifnotasteadfastoperation；
　　somethingofwhichIshouldhavebeenperfectlyincapable。
　　"Ireckoneditwouldbedarkbeforeweclosedwiththeland，"hecontinued，solowthatIhadtostrainmyhearing，nearasweweretoeachother，shouldertouchingshoulderalmost。"SoIaskedtospeaktotheoldman。Healwaysseemedverysickwhenhecametoseeme—asifhecouldnotlookmeintheface。Youknow，thatforesailsavedtheship。Shewastoodeeptohaverunlongunderbarepoles。AnditwasIthatmanagedtosetitforhim。Anyway，hecame。WhenIhadhiminmycabin—hestoodbythedoorlookingatmeasifIhadthehalterroundmyneckalready—IaskedhimrightawaytoleavemycabindoorunlockedatnightwhiletheshipwasgoingthroughSundaStraits。TherewouldbetheJavacoastwithintwoorthreemiles，offAngierPoint。Iwantednothingmore。I’vehadaprizeforswimmingmysecondyearintheConway。"
　　"Icanbelieveit，"Ibreathedout。
　　"Godonlyknowswhytheylockedmeineverynight。Toseesomeoftheirfacesyou’dhavethoughttheywereafraidI’dgoaboutatnightstranglingpeople。AmIamurderingbrute？DoIlookit？
　　ByJove！ifIhadbeenhewouldn’thavetrustedhimselflikethatintomyroom。You’llsayImighthavechuckedhimasideandboltedout，thereandthen—itwasdarkalready。Well，no。AndforthesamereasonIwouldn’tthinkoftryingtosmashthedoor。Therewouldhavebeenarushtostopmeatthenoise，andIdidnotmeantogetintoaconfoundedscrimmage。Somebodyelsemighthavegotkilled—forIwouldnothavebrokenoutonlytogetchuckedback，andIdidnotwantanymoreofthatwork。Herefused，lookingmoresickthanever。Hewasafraidofthemen，andalsoofthatoldsecondmateofhiswhohadbeensailingwithhimforyears—agrey—headedoldhumbug；andhissteward，too，hadbeenwithhimdevilknowshowlong—seventeenyearsormore—adogmaticsortofloaferwhohatedmelikepoison，justbecauseIwasthechiefmate。
　　NochiefmateevermademorethanonevoyageintheSephora，youknow。Thosetwooldchapsrantheship。Devilonlyknowswhattheskipperwasn’tafraidof（allhisnervewenttopiecesaltogetherinthathellishspellofbadweatherwehad）—ofwhatthelawwoulddotohim—ofhiswife，perhaps。Oh，yes！she’sonboard。
　　ThoughIdon’tthinkshewouldhavemeddled。Shewouldhavebeenonlytoogladtohavemeoutoftheshipinanyway。The’brandofCain’business，don’tyousee。That’sallright。Iwasreadyenoughtogooffwanderingonthefaceoftheearth—andthatwaspriceenoughtopayforanAbelofthatsort。Anyhow，hewouldn’tlistentome。’Thisthingmusttakeitscourse。Irepresentthelawhere。’Hewasshakinglikealeaf。’Soyouwon’t？’’No！’
　　’ThenIhopeyouwillbeabletosleeponthat，’Isaid，andturnedmybackonhim。’IwonderthatYOUcan，’crieshe，andlocksthedoor。
　　"Well，afterthat，Icouldn’t。Notverywell。Thatwasthreeweeksago。WehavehadaslowpassagethroughtheJavaSea；
　　driftedaboutCarimatafortendays。Whenweanchoredheretheythought，Isuppose，itwasallright。Thenearestland（andthat’sfivemiles）istheship’sdestination；theconsulwouldsoonsetaboutcatchingme；andtherewouldhavebeennoobjectinboltingtotheseisletsthere。Idon’tsupposethere’sadropofwateronthem。Idon’tknowhowitwas，butto—nightthatsteward，afterbringingmemysupper，wentouttoletmeeatit，andleftthedoorunlocked。AndIateit—alltherewas，too。AfterIhadfinishedIstrolledoutonthequarterdeck。Idon’tknowthatImeanttodoanything。AbreathoffreshairwasallIwanted，Ibelieve。Thenasuddentemptationcameoverme。IkickedoffmyslippersandwasinthewaterbeforeIhadmadeupmymindfairly。Somebodyheardthesplashandtheyraisedanawfulhullabaloo。’He’sgone！Lowertheboats！He’scommittedsuicide！No，he’sswimming。’CertainlyIwasswimming。It’snotsoeasyforaswimmerlikemetocommitsuicidebydrowning。Ilandedonthenearestisletbeforetheboatlefttheship’sside。Iheardthempullingaboutinthedark，hailing，andsoon，butafterabittheygaveup。Everythingquieteddownandtheanchoragebecameasstillasdeath。Isatdownonastoneandbegantothink。Ifeltcertaintheywouldstartsearchingformeatdaylight。Therewasnoplacetohideonthosestonythings—andiftherehadbeen，whatwouldhavebeenthegood？ButnowIwasclearofthatship，Iwasnotgoingback。
　　SoafterawhileItookoffallmyclothes，tiedthemupinabundlewithastoneinside，anddroppedtheminthedeepwaterontheoutersideofthatislet。Thatwassuicideenoughforme。Letthemthinkwhattheyliked，butIdidn’tmeantodrownmyself。I
　　meanttoswimtillIsank—butthat’snotthesamething。I
　　struckoutforanotheroftheselittleislands，anditwasfromthatonethatIfirstsawyourriding—light。Somethingtoswimfor。Iwentoneasily，andonthewayIcameuponaflatrockafootortwoabovewater。Inthedaytime，Idaresay，youmightmakeitoutwithaglassfromyourpoop。Iscrambleduponitandrestedmyselfforabit。ThenImadeanotherstart。Thatlastspellmusthavebeenoveramile。"
　　Hiswhisperwasgettingfainterandfainter，andallthetimehestaredstraightoutthroughtheport—hole，inwhichtherewasnotevenastartobeseen。Ihadnotinterruptedhim。Therewassomethingthatmadecommentimpossibleinhisnarrative，orperhapsinhimself；asortoffeeling，aquality，whichIcan’tfindanamefor。Andwhenheceased，allIfoundwasafutilewhisper："Soyouswamforourlight？"
　　"Yes—straightforit。Itwassomethingtoswimfor。Icouldn’tseeanystarslowdownbecausethecoastwasintheway，andI
　　couldn’tseetheland，either。Thewaterwaslikeglass。Onemighthavebeenswimminginaconfoundedthousand—feetdeepcisternwithnoplaceforscramblingoutanywhere；butwhatIdidn’tlikewasthenotionofswimmingroundandroundlikeacrazedbullockbeforeIgaveout；andasIdidn’tmeantogoback……No。Doyouseemebeinghauledback，starknaked，offoneoftheselittleislandsbythescruffoftheneckandfightinglikeawildbeast？
　　Somebodywouldhavegotkilledforcertain，andIdidnotwantanyofthat。SoIwenton。Thenyourladder—"
　　"Whydidn’tyouhailtheship？"Iasked，alittlelouder。
　　Hetouchedmyshoulderlightly。Lazyfootstepscamerightoverourheadsandstopped。Thesecondmatehadcrossedfromtheothersideofthepoopandmighthavebeenhangingovertherail，forallweknew。
　　"Hecouldn’thearustalking—couldhe？"Mydoublebreathedintomyveryear，anxiously。
　　Hisanxietywasananswer，asufficientanswer，tothequestionI
　　hadputtohim。Ananswercontainingallthedifficultyofthatsituation。Iclosedtheport—holequietly，tomakesure。Alouderwordmighthavebeenoverheard。
　　"Who’sthat？"hewhisperedthen。
　　"Mysecondmate。ButIdon’tknowmuchmoreofthefellowthanyoudo。"
　　AndItoldhimalittleaboutmyself。IhadbeenappointedtotakechargewhileIleastexpectedanythingofthesort，notquiteafortnightago。Ididn’tknoweithertheshiporthepeople。
　　Hadn’thadthetimeinporttolookaboutmeorsizeanybodyup。
　　Andastothecrew，alltheyknewwasthatIwasappointedtotaketheshiphome。Fortherest，Iwasalmostasmuchofastrangeronboardashimself，Isaid。AndatthemomentIfeltitmostacutely。Ifeltthatitwouldtakeverylittletomakemeasuspectpersonintheeyesoftheship’scompany。
　　Hehadturnedaboutmeantime；andwe，thetwostrangersintheship，facedeachotherinidenticalattitudes。
　　"Yourladder—"hemurmured，afterasilence。"Who’dhavethoughtoffindingaladderhangingoveratnightinashipanchoredouthere！Ifeltjustthenaveryunpleasantfaintness。AfterthelifeI’vebeenleadingfornineweeks，anybodywouldhavegotoutofcondition。Iwasn’tcapableofswimmingroundasfarasyourrudder—chains。And，loandbehold！therewasaladdertogetholdof。AfterIgrippeditIsaidtomyself，’What’sthegood？’WhenIsawaman’sheadlookingoverIthoughtIwouldswimawaypresentlyandleavehimshouting—inwhateverlanguageitwas。I
　　didn’tmindbeinglookedat。I—Ilikedit。Andthenyouspeakingtomesoquietly—asifyouhadexpectedme—mademeholdonalittlelonger。Ithadbeenaconfoundedlonelytime—I
　　don’tmeanwhileswimming。Iwasgladtotalkalittletosomebodythatdidn’tbelongtotheSephora。Astoaskingforthecaptain，thatwasamereimpulse。Itcouldhavebeennouse，withalltheshipknowingaboutmeandtheotherpeopleprettycertaintoberoundhereinthemorning。Idon’tknow—Iwantedtobeseen，totalkwithsomebody，beforeIwenton。Idon’tknowwhatIwouldhavesaid……’Finenight，isn’tit？’orsomethingofthesort。"
　　"Doyouthinktheywillberoundherepresently？"Iaskedwithsomeincredulity。
　　"Quitelikely，"hesaid，faintly。
　　Helookedextremelyhaggardallofasudden。Hisheadrolledonhisshoulders。
　　"H’m。Weshallseethen。Meantimegetintothatbed，"I
　　whispered。"Wanthelp？There。"
　　Itwasaratherhighbed—placewithasetofdrawersunderneath。
　　ThisamazingswimmerreallyneededtheliftIgavehimbyseizinghisleg。Hetumbledin，rolledoveronhisback，andflungonearmacrosshiseyes。Andthen，withhisfacenearlyhidden，hemusthavelookedexactlyasIusedtolookinthatbed。Igazeduponmyotherselfforawhilebeforedrawingacrosscarefullythetwogreensergecurtainswhichranonabrassrod。Ithoughtforamomentofpinningthemtogetherforgreatersafety，butIsatdownonthecouch，andoncethereIfeltunwillingtoriseandhuntforapin。Iwoulddoitinamoment。Iwasextremelytired，inapeculiarlyintimateway，bythestrainofstealthiness，bytheeffortofwhisperingandthegeneralsecrecyofthisexcitement。
　　Itwasthreeo’clockbynowandIhadbeenonmyfeetsincenine，butIwasnotsleepy；Icouldnothavegonetosleep。Isatthere，faggedout，lookingatthecurtains，tryingtoclearmymindoftheconfusedsensationofbeingintwoplacesatonce，andgreatlybotheredbyanexasperatingknockinginmyhead。Itwasarelieftodiscoversuddenlythatitwasnotinmyheadatall，butontheoutsideofthedoor。BeforeIcouldcollectmyselfthewords"Comein"wereoutofmymouth，andthestewardenteredwithatray，bringinginmymorningcoffee。Ihadslept，afterall，andIwassofrightenedthatIshouted，"Thisway！Iamhere，steward，"asthoughhehadbeenmilesaway。Heputdownthetrayonthetablenextthecouchandonlythensaid，veryquietly，"Icanseeyouarehere，sir。"Ifelthimgivemeakeenlook，butIdarednotmeethiseyesjustthen。HemusthavewonderedwhyIhaddrawnthecurtainsofmybedbeforegoingtosleeponthecouch。Hewentout，hookingthedooropenasusual。
　　Iheardthecrewwashingdecksaboveme。IknewIwouldhavebeentoldatonceiftherehadbeenanywind。Calm，Ithought，andI
　　wasdoublyvexed。Indeed，Ifeltdualmorethanever。Thestewardreappearedsuddenlyinthedoorway。Ijumpedupfromthecouchsoquicklythathegaveastart。
　　"Whatdoyouwanthere？"
　　"Closeyourport，sir—theyarewashingdecks。"
　　"Itisclosed，"Isaid，reddening。
　　"Verywell，sir。"Buthedidnotmovefromthedoorwayandreturnedmystareinanextraordinary，equivocalmannerforatime。
　　Thenhiseyeswavered，allhisexpressionchanged，andinavoiceunusuallygentle，almostcoaxingly：
　　"MayIcomeintotaketheemptycupaway，sir？"
　　"Ofcourse！"Iturnedmybackonhimwhilehepoppedinandout。
　　ThenIunhookedandclosedthedoorandevenpushedthebolt。Thissortofthingcouldnotgoonverylong。Thecabinwasashotasanoven，too。Itookapeepatmydouble，anddiscoveredthathehadnotmoved，hisarmwasstilloverhiseyes；buthischestheaved；hishairwaswet；hischinglistenedwithperspiration。I
　　reachedoverhimandopenedtheport。
　　"Imustshowmyselfondeck，"Ireflected。
　　Ofcourse，theoretically，IcoulddowhatIliked，withnoonetosaynaytomewithinthewholecircleofthehorizon；buttolockmycabindoorandtakethekeyawayIdidnotdare。DirectlyIputmyheadoutofthecompanionIsawthegroupofmytwoofficers，thesecondmatebarefooted，thechiefmateinlongindia—rubberboots，nearthebreakofthepoop，andthestewardhalf—waydownthepoop—laddertalkingtothemeagerly。Hehappenedtocatchsightofmeanddived，thesecondrandownonthemain—deckshoutingsomeorderorother，andthechiefmatecametomeetme，touchinghiscap。
　　TherewasasortofcuriosityinhiseyethatIdidnotlike。I
　　don’tknowwhetherthestewardhadtoldthemthatIwas"queer"
　　only，ordownrightdrunk，butIknowthemanmeanttohaveagoodlookatme。Iwatchedhimcomingwithasmilewhich，ashegotintopoint—blankrange，tookeffectandfrozehisverywhiskers。I
　　didnotgivehimtimetoopenhislips。
　　"Squaretheyardsbyliftsandbracesbeforethehandsgotobreakfast。"
　　ItwasthefirstparticularorderIhadgivenonboardthatship；
　　andIstayedondecktoseeitexecuted，too。Ihadfelttheneedofassertingmyselfwithoutlossoftime。Thatsneeringyoungcubgottakendownapegortwoonthatoccasion，andIalsoseizedtheopportunityofhavingagoodlookatthefaceofeveryforemastmanastheyfiledpastmetogototheafterbraces。Atbreakfasttime，eatingnothingmyself，Ipresidedwithsuchfrigiddignitythatthetwomateswereonlytoogladtoescapefromthecabinassoonasdecencypermitted；andallthetimethedualworkingofmyminddistractedmealmosttothepointofinsanity。Iwasconstantlywatchingmyself，mysecretself，asdependentonmyactionsasmyownpersonality，sleepinginthatbed，behindthatdoorwhichfacedmeasIsatattheheadofthetable。Itwasverymuchlikebeingmad，onlyitwasworsebecauseonewasawareofit。
　　Ihadtoshakehimforasolidminute，butwhenatlastheopenedhiseyesitwasinthefullpossessionofhissenses，withaninquiringlook。
　　"All’swellsofar，"Iwhispered。"Nowyoumustvanishintothebath—room。"
　　Hedidso，asnoiselessasaghost，andIthenrangforthesteward，andfacinghimboldly，directedhimtotidyupmystateroomwhileIwashavingmybath—"andbequickaboutit。"Asmytoneadmittedofnoexcuses，hesaid，"Yes，sir，"andranofftofetchhisdust—panandbrushes。Itookabathanddidmostofmydressing，splashing，andwhistlingsoftlyforthesteward’sedification，whilethesecretsharerofmylifestooddrawnupboltuprightinthatlittlespace，hisfacelookingverysunkenindaylight，hiseyelidsloweredunderthestern，darklineofhiseyebrowsdrawntogetherbyaslightfrown。
　　WhenIlefthimtheretogobacktomyroomthestewardwasfinishingdusting。Isentforthemateandengagedhiminsomeinsignificantconversation。Itwas，asitwere，triflingwiththeterrificcharacterofhiswhiskers；butmyobjectwastogivehimanopportunityforagoodlookatmycabin。AndthenIcouldatlastshut，withaclearconscience，thedoorofmystateroomandgetmydoublebackintotherecessedpart。Therewasnothingelseforit。Hehadtositstillonasmallfoldingstool，halfsmotheredbytheheavycoatshangingthere。Welistenedtothestewardgoingintothebath—roomoutofthesaloon，fillingthewater—bottlesthere，scrubbingthebath，settingthingstorights，whisk，bang，clatter—outagainintothesaloon—turnthekey—
　　click。Suchwasmyschemeforkeepingmysecondselfinvisible。
　　Nothingbettercouldbecontrivedunderthecircumstances。Andtherewesat；Iatmywriting—deskreadytoappearbusywithsomepapers，hebehindme，outofsightofthedoor。Itwouldnothavebeenprudenttotalkindaytime；andIcouldnothavestoodtheexcitementofthatqueersenseofwhisperingtomyself。Nowandthenglancingovermyshoulder，Isawhimfarbackthere，sittingrigidlyonthelowstool，hisbarefeetclosetogether，hisarmsfolded，hisheadhangingonhisbreast—andperfectlystill。
　　Anybodywouldhavetakenhimforme。
　　Iwasfascinatedbyitmyself。EverymomentIhadtoglanceovermyshoulder。Iwaslookingathimwhenavoiceoutsidethedoorsaid：
　　"Begpardon，sir。"
　　"Well！"……Ikeptmyeyesonhim，andso，whenthevoiceoutsidethedoorannounced，"There’saship’sboatcomingourway，sir，"I
　　sawhimgiveastart—thefirstmovementhehadmadeforhours。
　　Buthedidnotraisehisbowedhead。
　　"Allright。Gettheladderover。"
　　Ihesitated。ShouldIwhispersomethingtohim？Butwhat？Hisimmobilityseemedtohavebeenneverdisturbed。WhatcouldItellhimhedidnotknowalready？……FinallyIwentondeck。
　　CHAPTERII
　　TheskipperoftheSephorahadathinredwhiskerallroundhisface，andthesortofcomplexionthatgoeswithhairofthatcolour；alsotheparticular，rathersmearyshadeofblueintheeyes。Hewasnotexactlyashowyfigure；hisshoulderswerehigh，hisstaturebutmiddling—onelegslightlymorebandythantheother。Heshookhands，lookingvaguelyaround。Aspiritlesstenacitywashismaincharacteristic，Ijudged。Ibehavedwithapolitenesswhichseemedtodisconcerthim。Perhapshewasshy。Hemumbledtomeasifhewereashamedofwhathewassaying；gavehisname（itwassomethinglikeArchbold—butatthisdistanceofyearsIhardlyamsure），hisship’sname，andafewotherparticularsofthatsort，inthemannerofacriminalmakingareluctantanddolefulconfession。Hehadhadterribleweatheronthepassageout—terrible—terrible—wifeaboard，too。
　　Bythistimewewereseatedinthecabinandthestewardbroughtinatraywithabottleandglasses。"Thanks！No。"Nevertookliquor。Wouldhavesomewater，though。Hedranktwotumblerfuls。
　　Terriblethirstywork。Eversincedaylighthadbeenexploringtheislandsroundhisship。
　　"Whatwasthatfor—fun？"Iasked，withanappearanceofpoliteinterest。
　　"No！"Hesighed。"Painfulduty。"
　　AshepersistedinhismumblingandIwantedmydoubletoheareveryword，IhituponthenotionofinforminghimthatIregrettedtosayIwashardofhearing。
　　"Suchayoungman，too！"henodded，keepinghissmearyblue，unintelligenteyesfasteneduponme。Whatwasthecauseofit—
　　somedisease？heinquired，withouttheleastsympathyandasifhethoughtthat，ifso，I’dgotnomorethanIdeserved。
　　"Yes；disease，"Iadmittedinacheerfultonewhichseemedtoshockhim。Butmypointwasgained，becausehehadtoraisehisvoicetogivemehistale。Itisnotworthwhiletorecordthatversion。
　　Itwasjustovertwomonthssinceallthishadhappened，andhehadthoughtsomuchaboutitthatheseemedcompletelymuddledastoitsbearings，butstillimmenselyimpressed。
　　"Whatwouldyouthinkofsuchathinghappeningonboardyourownship？I’vehadtheSephoraforthesefifteenyears。Iamawell—
　　knownshipmaster。"
　　Hewasdenselydistressed—andperhapsIshouldhavesympathisedwithhimifIhadbeenabletodetachmymentalvisionfromtheunsuspectedsharerofmycabinasthoughheweremysecondself。
　　Therehewasontheothersideofthebulkhead，fourorfivefeetfromus，nomore，aswesatinthesaloon。IlookedpolitelyatCaptainArchbold（ifthatwashisname），butitwastheotherI
　　saw，inagreysleeping—suit，seatedonalowstool，hisbarefeetclosetogether，hisarmsfolded，andeverywordsaidbetweenusfallingintotheearsofhisdarkheadbowedonhischest。
　　"Ihavebeenatseanow，manandboy，forseven—and—thirtyyears，andI’veneverheardofsuchathinghappeninginanEnglishship。
　　Andthatitshouldbemyship。Wifeonboard，too。"
　　Iwashardlylisteningtohim。
　　"Don’tyouthink，"Isaid，"thattheheavyseawhich，youtoldme，cameaboardjustthenmighthavekilledtheman？Ihaveseenthesheerweightofaseakillamanveryneatly，bysimplybreakinghisneck。"
　　"GoodGod！"heuttered，impressively，fixinghissmearyblueeyesonme。"Thesea！Nomankilledbytheseaeverlookedlikethat。"
　　Heseemedpositivelyscandalisedatmysuggestion。AndasIgazedathim，certainlynotpreparedforanythingoriginalonhispart，headvancedhisheadclosetomineandthrusthistongueoutatmesosuddenlythatIcouldn’thelpstartingback。
　　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，I
　　believe？"
　　Hewas。Tothelaw。Hisobscuretenacityonthatpointhadinitsomethingincomprehensibleandalittleawful；something，asitwere，mystical，quiteapartfromhisanxietythatheshouldnotbesuspectedof"countenancinganydoingsofthatsort。"Seven—and—
　　thirtyvirtuousyearsatsea，ofwhichovertwentyofimmaculatecommand，andthelastfifteenintheSephora，seemedtohavelaidhimundersomepitilessobligation。
　　"Andyouknow，"hewenton，gropingshamefacedlyamongsthisfeelings，"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’llhavetowritetomyownersdirectlyI
　　getin。"
　　"Unlessyoumanagetorecoverhimbeforeto—morrow，"Iassented，dispassionately……"Imean，alive。"
　　HemumbledsomethingwhichIreallydidnotcatch，andIturnedmyeartohiminapuzzledmanner。Hefairlybawled：
　　"Theland—Isay，themainlandisatleastsevenmilesoffmyanchorage。"
　　"Aboutthat。"
　　Mylackofexcitement，ofcuriosity，ofsurprise，ofanysortofpronouncedinterest，begantoarousehisdistrust。ButexceptforthefelicitouspretenceofdeafnessIhadnottriedtopretendanything。Ihadfeltutterlyincapableofplayingthepartofignoranceproperly，andthereforewasafraidtotry。Itisalsocertainthathehadbroughtsomeready—madesuspicionswithhim，andthatheviewedmypolitenessasastrangeandunnaturalphenomenon。AndyethowelsecouldIhavereceivedhim？Notheartily！Thatwasimpossibleforpsychologicalreasons，whichI
　　neednotstatehere。Myonlyobjectwastokeepoffhisinquiries。
　　Surlily？Yes，butsurlinessmighthaveprovokedapoint—blankquestion。Fromitsnoveltytohimandfromitsnature，punctiliouscourtesywasthemannerbestcalculatedtorestraintheman。Buttherewasthedangerofhisbreakingthroughmydefencebluntly。I
　　couldnot，Ithink，havemethimbyadirectlie，alsoforpsychological（notmoral）reasons。IfhehadonlyknownhowafraidIwasofhisputtingmyfeelingofidentitywiththeothertothetest！But，strangelyenough—（Ithoughtofitonlyafterward）—I
　　believethathewasnotalittledisconcertedbythereversesideofthatweirdsituation，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。"Andverywellfittedouttoo。Here，forinstance，"I
　　continued，reachingoverthebackofmyseatnegligentlyandflingingthedooropen，"ismybath—room。"
　　Hemadeaneagermovement，buthardlygaveitaglance。Igotup，shutthedoorofthebath—room，andinvitedhimtohavealookround，asifIwereveryproudofmyaccommodation。Hehadtoriseandbeshownround，buthewentthroughthebusinesswithoutanyraptureswhatever。
　　"Andnowwe’llhavealookatmystateroom，"Ideclared，inavoiceasloudasIdaredtomakeit，crossingthecabintothestarboardsidewithpurposelyheavysteps。
　　Hefollowedmeinandgazedaround。Myintelligentdoublehadvanished。Iplayedmypart。
　　"Veryconvenient—isn’tit？"
　　"Verynice。Verycomf……"Hedidn’tfinish，andwentoutbrusquelyasiftoescapefromsomeunrighteouswilesofmine。Butitwasnottobe。Ihadbeentoofrightenednottofeelvengeful；
　　IfeltIhadhimontherun，andImeanttokeephimontherun。
　　Mypoliteinsistencemusthavehadsomethingmenacinginit，becausehegaveinsuddenly。AndIdidnotlethimoffasingleitem；mate’sroom，pantry，storerooms，theverysail—lockerwhichwasalsounderthepoop—hehadtolookintothemall。WhenatlastIshowedhimoutonthequarter—deckhedrewalong，spiritlesssigh，andmumbleddismallythathemustreallybegoingbacktohisshipnow。Idesiredmymate，whohadjoinedus，toseetothecaptain’sboat。
　　Themanofwhiskersgaveablastonthewhistlewhichheusedtowearhangingroundhisneck，andyelled，"Sephorasaway！"Mydoubledownthereinmycabinmusthaveheard，andcertainlycouldnotfeelmorerelievedthanI。Fourfellowscamerunningoutfromsomewhereforwardandwentovertheside，whilemyownmen，appearingondecktoo，linedtherail。Iescortedmyvisitortothegangwayceremoniously，andnearlyoverdidit。Hewasatenaciousbeast。Ontheveryladderhelingered，andinthatunique，guiltilyconscientiousmannerofstickingtothepoint：
　　"Isay……you……youdon’tthinkthat—"
　　Icoveredhisvoiceloudly：
　　"Certainlynot……Iamdelighted。Good—bye。"
　　Ihadanideaofwhathemeanttosay，andjustsavedmyselfbytheprivilegeofdefectivehearing。Hewastooshakengenerallytoinsist，butmymate，closewitnessofthatparting，lookedmystifiedandhisfacetookonathoughtfulcast。AsIdidnotwanttoappearasifIwishedtoavoidallcommunicationwithmyofficers，hehadtheopportunitytoaddressme。
　　"Seemsaveryniceman。Hisboat’screwtoldourchapsaveryextraordinarystory，ifwhatIamtoldbythestewardistrue。I
　　supposeyouhaditfromthecaptain，sir？"
　　"Yes。Ihadastoryfromthecaptain。"
　　"Averyhorribleaffair—isn’tit，sir？"
　　"Itis。"
　　"BeatsallthesetaleswehearaboutmurdersinYankeeships。"
　　"Idon’tthinkitbeatsthem。Idon’tthinkitresemblesthemintheleast。"
　　"Blessmysoul—youdon’tsayso！ButofcourseI’venoacquaintancewhateverwithAmericanships，notI，soIcouldn’tgoagainstyourknowledge。It’shorribleenoughforme……Butthequeerestpartisthatthosefellowsseemedtohavesomeideathemanwashiddenaboardhere。Theyhadreally。Didyoueverhearofsuchathing？"
　　"Preposterous—isn’tit？"
　　Wewerewalkingtoandfroathwartthequarterdeck。Nooneofthecrewforwardcouldbeseen（thedaywasSunday），andthematepursued：
　　"Therewassomelittledisputeaboutit。Ourchapstookoffence。
　　’Asifwewouldharbourathinglikethat，’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。Forwhatfavourableaccidentcouldbeexpected？
　　"Didyouheareverything？"weremyfirstwordsassoonaswetookupourpositionsidebyside，leaningovermybed—place。
　　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—Iwasanofficerofthatoldcoal—waggon，anyhow—"
　　"Iquiteunderstand，"Iconveyedthatsincereassuranceintohisear。Hewasoutofbreathwithwhispering；Icouldhearhimpantslightly。Itwasallverysimple。Thesamestrung—upforcewhichhadgiventwenty—fourmenachance，atleast，fortheirlives，had，inasortofrecoil，crushedanunworthymutinousexistence。
　　ButIhadnoleisuretoweighthemeritsofthematter—footstepsinthesaloon，aheavyknock。"There’senoughwindtogetunderwaywith，sir。"Herewasthecallofanewclaimuponmythoughtsandevenuponmyfeelings。