Amealwasbeingservedondeckintheshadeofthespanker，andJerry，sittingbetweenthetwomenreceivedhisshare。Alreadyhehadmadethegeneralizationthatofthetwo，thecaptainwasthesuperiorgod，givingmanyordersthatthemateobeyed。Themate，ontheotherhand，gaveorderstotheblacks，butneverdidhegiveorderstothecaptain。Furthermore，Jerrywasdevelopingalikingforthecaptain，sohesnuggledclosetohim。Whenheputhisnoseintothecaptain’splate，hewasgentlyreprimanded。Butonce，whenhemerelysniffedatthemate’ssteamingtea—cup，herreceivedasnubonthenosefromthemate’sgrimyforefinger。Also，thematedidnotofferhimfood。
　　CaptainVanHorngavehim，firstofall，apannikinofoatmealmush，generouslyfloodedwithcondensedcreamandsweetenedwithaheapingspoonfulofsugar。Afterthat，onoccasion，hegavehimmorselsofbutteredbreadandsliversoffriedfishfromwhichhefirstcarefullypickedthetinybones。
　　HisbelovedMisterHagginhadneverfedhimfromthetableatmealtime，andJerrywasbesidehimselfwiththejoyofthisdelightfulexperience。And，beingyoung，heallowedhiseagernesstotakepossessionofhim，sothatsoonhewasundulyurgingthecaptainformorepiecesoffishandofbreadandbutter。Once，heevenbarkedhisdemand。Thisputtheideaintothecaptain’shead，whobeganimmediatelytoteachhimto"speak。"
　　Attheendoffiveminuteshehadlearnedtospeaksoftly，andtospeakonlyonce——alow，mellow，bell—likebarkofasinglesyllable。
　　Also，inthisfirstfiveminutes，hehadlearnedto"sitdown，"asdistinctlydifferentfrom"liedown"；andthathemustsitdownwheneverhespoke，andthathemustspeakwithoutjumpingormovingfromthesittingposition，andthenmustwaituntilthepieceoffoodwaspassedtohim。
　　Further，hehadaddedthreewordstohisvocabulary。Foreverafter，"speak"wouldmeantohim"speak，"and"sitdown"wouldmean"sitdown"andwouldnotmean"liedown。"Thethirdadditiontohisvocabularywas"Skipper。"ThatwasthenamehehadheardthematerepeatedlycallCaptainVanHorn。AndjustasJerryknewthatwhenahumancalled"Michael，"thatthecallreferredtoMichaelandnottoBiddy，orTerrence，orhimself，soheknewthatSkipperwasthenameofthetwo—leggedwhitemasterofthisnewfloatingworld。
　　"Thatisn’tjustadog，"wasVanHorn’sconclusiontothemate。
　　"There’sasureenoughhumanbraintherebehindthosebrowneyes。
　　He’ssixmonthsold。Anyboyofsixyearswouldbeaninfantphenomenontolearninfiveminutesallthathe’sjustlearned。
　　Why，Gott—fer—dang，adog’sbrainhastobelikeaman’s。Ifhedoesthingslikeaman，he’sgottothinklikeaman。"
　　CHAPTERIV
　　Thecompanionwayintothemaincabinwasasteepladder，anddownthis，afterhismeal，Jerrywascarriedbythecaptain。Thecabinwasalongroom，extendingforthefullwidthoftheArangifromalazaretteafttoatinyroomfor’ard。For’ardofthisroom，separatedbyatightbulkhead，wastheforecastlewherelivedtheboat’screw。ThetinyroomwassharedbetweenVanHornandBorckman，whilethemaincabinwasoccupiedbythethree—scoreandoddreturnboys。TheysquattedaboutandlayeverywhereonthefloorandonthelonglowbunksthatranthefulllengthofthecabinInthelittlestateroomthecaptaintossedablanketonthefloorinacorner，andhedidnotfinditdifficulttogetJerrytounderstandthatthatwashisbed。NordidJerry，withafullstomachandwearyfromsomuchexcitement，finditdifficulttofallimmediatelyasleep。
　　AnhourlaterhewasawakenedbytheentranceofBorckman。Whenhewaggedhisstubofatailandsmiledfriendlywithhiseyes，thematescowledathimandmutteredangrilyinhisthroat。Jerrymadenofurtherovertures，butlayquietlywatching。Thematehadcometotakeadrink。Intruth，hewasstealingthedrinkfromVanHorn’ssupply。Jerrydidnotknowthis。Often，ontheplantation，hehadseenthewhitementakedrinks。ButtherewassomethingsomehowdifferentinthemannerofBorckman’stakingadrink。Jerrywasaware，vaguely，thattherewassomethingsurreptitiousaboutit。
　　Whatwaswronghedidnotknow，yethesensedthewrongnessandwatchedsuspiciously。
　　Afterthematedeparted，Jerrywouldhavesleptagainhadnotthecarelesslylatcheddoorswungopenwithabang。Openinghiseyes，preparedforanyhostileinvasionfromtheunknown，hefelltowatchingalargecockroachcrawlingdownthewall。Whenhegottohisfeetandwarilystalkedtowardit，thecockroachscuttledawaywithaslightrustlingnoiseanddisappearedintoacrack。Jerryhadbeenacquaintedwithcockroachesallhislife，buthewasdestinedtolearnnewthingsaboutthemfromtheparticularbreedthatdweltontheArangi。
　　Afteracursoryexaminationofthestateroomhewanderedoutintothecabin。Theblacks，sprawledabouteverywhere，but，conceivingittobehisdutytohisSkipper，Jerrymadeitapointtoidentifyeachone。Theyscowledandutteredlowthreateningnoiseswhenhesniffedclosetothem。Onedaredtomenacehimwithablow，butJerry，insteadofslinkingaway，showedhisteethandpreparedtospring。Theblackhastilydroppedtheoffendinghandtohissideandmadesoothing，penitentnoises，whileotherschuckled；andJerrypassedonhisway。Itwasnothingnew。Alwaysablowwastobeexpectedfromblackswhenwhitemenwerenotaround。Boththemateandthecaptainwereondeck，andJerry，thoughunafraid，continuedhisinvestigationscautiously。
　　Butatthedoorlessentrancetothelazaretteaft，hethrewcautiontothewindsanddartedininpursuitofthenewscentthatcametohisnostrils。Astrangepersonwasinthelow，darkspacewhomhehadneversmelled。Cladinasingleshiftandlyingonacoarsegrass—matspreaduponapileoftobaccocasesandfifty—poundtinsofflour，wasayoungblackgirl。
　　TherewassomethingfurtiveandlurkingaboutherthatJerrydidnotfailtosense，andhehadlongsincelearnedthatsomethingwaswrongwhenanyblacklurkedorskulked。Shecriedoutwithfearashebarkedanalarmandpounceduponher。Eventhoughhisteethscratchedherbarearm，shedidnotstrikeathim。Notdidshecryoutagain。Shecowereddownandtrembledanddidnotfightback。
　　Keepinghisteethlockedintheholdhehadgotonherflimsyshift，heshookanddraggedather，allthewhilegrowlingandscoldingforherbenefitandyelpingahighclamourtobringSkipperorthemate。
　　Inthecourseofthestrugglethegirlover—balancedontheboxesandtinsandtheentireheapcollapsed。ThiscausedJerrytoyelpamorefrenziedalarm，whiletheblacks，peeringinfromthecabin，laughedwithcruelenjoyment。
　　WhenSkipperarrived，Jerrywaggedhisstumptailand，withearslaidback，draggedandtuggedharderthaneveratthethincottonofthegirl’sgarment。Heexpectedpraiseforwhathehaddone，butwhenSkippermerelytoldhimtoletgo，heobeyedwiththerealizationthatthislurking，fear—struckcreaturewassomehowdifferent，andmustbetreateddifferently，fromotherlurkingcreatures。
　　Fear—struckshewas，asitisgiventofewhumanstobeandstilllive。VanHorncalledherhisparceloftrouble，andhewasanxioustoberidoftheparcel，without，however，theutterannihilationoftheparcel。Itwasthisannihilationwhichhehadsavedherfromwhenheboughtherinevenexchangeforafatpig。
　　Stupid，worthless，spiritless，sick，notmorethanadozenyearsold，nodelightintheeyesoftheyoungmenofhervillage，shehadbeenconsignedbyherdisappointedparentstothecooking—pot。WhenCaptainVanHornfirstencounteredherhadbeenwhenshewasthecentralfigureinalugubriousprocessiononthebanksoftheBalebuliRiver。
　　Anythingbutabeauty——hadbeenhisappraisalwhenhehaltedtheprocessionforapow—wow。Leanfromsickness，herskinmangywiththedryscalesofthediseasecalledbukua，shewastiedhandandfootand，likeapig，slungfromastoutpolethatrestedontheshouldersofthebearers，whointendedtodineoffofher。Toohopelesstoexpectmercy，shemadenoappealforhelp，thoughthehorriblefearthatpossessedherwaseloquentinherwild—staringeyes。
　　Intheuniversalbeche—de—merEnglish，CaptainVanHornhadlearnedthatshewasnotregardedwithrelishbyhercompanions，andthattheywereontheirwaytostakeheroutuptoherneckintherunningwateroftheBalebuli。Butfirst，beforetheystakedher，theirplanwastodislocateherjointsandbreakthebigbonesofthearmsandlegs。Thiswasnoreligiousrite，noplacationofthebrutishjunglegods。Merelywasitamatterofgastronomy。Livingmeat，sotreated，wasmadetenderandtasty，and，ashercompanionspointedout，shecertainlyneededtobeputthroughsuchaprocess。
　　Twodaysinthewater，theytoldthecaptain，oughttodothebusiness。Thentheywouldkillher，buildthefire，andinviteinafewfriends。
　　Afterhalfanhourofbargaining，duringwhichCaptainVanHornhadinsistedontheworthlessnessoftheparcel，hehadboughtafatpigworthfivedollarsandexchangeditforher。Thus，sincehehadpaidforthepigintradegoods，andsincetradegoodswereratedatahundredpercent。profit，thegirlhadactuallycosthimtwodollarsandfiftycents。
　　AndthenCaptainVanHorn’stroubleshadbegun。Hecouldnotgetridofthegirl。ToowellheknewthenativesofMalaitatoturnherovertothemanywhereontheisland。ChiefIshikolaofSu’uhadofferedfivetwentiesofdrinkingcoconutsforher，andBau，abushchief，hadofferedtwochickensonthebeachatMalu。Butthislastofferhadbeenaccompaniedbyasneer，andhadtokenedtheoldrascal’sscornofthegirl’sscrawniness。Failingtoconnectwiththemissionarybrig，theWesternCross，onwhichshewouldnothavebeeneaten，CaptainVanHornhadbeencompelledtokeepherinthecrampedquartersoftheArangiagainstaproblematicalfuturetimewhenhewouldbeabletoturnherovertothemissionaries。
　　Buttowardhimthegirlhadnoheartofgratitudebecauseshehadnobrainofunderstanding。She，whohadbeensoldforafatpig，consideredherpitifulroleintheworldtobeunchanged。Eateeshehadbeen。Eateesheremained。Herdestinationmerelyhadbeenchanged，andthisbigfellawhitemarsteroftheArangiwouldundoubtedlybeherdestinationwhenshehadsufficientlyfattened。
　　Hisdesignsonherhadbeentransparentfromthefirst，whenhehadtriedtofeedherup。Andshehadoutwittedhimbyresolutelyeatingnomorethanwouldbarelykeepheralive。
　　Asaresult，she，whohadlivedinthebushallherdaysandneversomuchassetfootinacanoe，rockedandrolledunendinglyoverthebroadoceaninaperpetualnightmareoffear。Inthebeche—de—
　　merthatwascurrentamongtheblacksofathousandislandsandtenthousanddialects，theArangi’sprocessionofpassengersassuredherofherfate。"Myword，youfellaMary，"onewouldsaytoher，"shorttimelittlebitthatbigfellawhitemarsterkai—kaialongyou。"Or，another："Bigfellawhitemarsterkai—kaialongyou，myword，bellybelonghimwalkabouttoomuch。"
　　Kai—kaiwasthebeche—de—merfor"eat。"EvenJerryknewthat。
　　"Eat"didnotobtaininhisvocabulary；butkai—kaidid，anditmeantallandmorethan"eat，"foritservedforbothnounandverb。
　　Butthegirlneverrepliedtothejeeringoftheblacks。Forthatmatter，sheneverspokeatall，noteventoCaptainVanHorn，whodidnotsomuchasknowhername。
　　Itwaslateafternoon，afterdiscoveringthegirlinthelazarette，whenJerryagaincameondeck。ScarcelyhadSkipper，whohadcarriedhimupthesteepladder，droppedhimondeckthanJerrymadeanewdiscovery——land。Hedidnotseeit，buthesmelledit。Hisnosewentupintheairandquestedtowindwardalongthewindthatbroughtthemessage，andhereadtheairwithhisnoseasamanmightreadanewspaper——thesaltsmellsoftheseashoreandofthedankmuckofmangroveswampsatlowtide，thespicyfragrancesoftropicvegetation，andthefaint，mostfaint，acridtingleofsmokefromsmudgyfires。
　　Thetrade，whichhadlaidtheArangiwellupundertheleeofthisoutjuttingpointofMalaita，wasnowfailing，sothatshebegantorollintheeasyswellswithcrashingsofsheetsandtacklesandthunderousflappingsofhersails。Jerrynomorethancockedacontemptuousquizzicaleyeatthemainsailantickingabovehim。Heknewalreadytheemptywindinessofitsthreats，buthewascarefulofthemainsheetblocks，andwalkedaroundthetravellerinsteadofoverit。
　　WhileCaptainVanHorn，takingadvantageofthecalmtoexercisetheboat’screwwiththefire—armsandtolimberuptheweapons，waspassingouttheLee—Enfieldsfromtheirplaceontopthecabinskylight，Jerrysuddenlycrouchedandbegantostalkstiff—legged。
　　Butthewild—dog，threefeetfromhislairunderthetrade—boxes，wasnotunobservant。Hewatchedandsnarledthreateningly。Itwasnotanicesnarl。Infact，itwasasnastyandsavageasnarlasallhislifehadbeennastyandsavage。Mostsmallcreatureswereafraidofthatsnarl，butithadnodeterrenteffectonJerry，whocontinuedhissteadystalking。Whenthewild—dogsprangfortheholeundertheboxes，Jerrysprangafter，missinghisenemybyinches。Tossingoverboardbitsofwood，bottlesandemptytins，CaptainVanHornorderedtheeighteagerboat’screwwithriflestoturnloose。Jerrywasexcitedanddelightedwiththefusillade，andaddedhispuppyyelpingstothenoise。Astheemptybrasscartridgeswereejected，thereturnboysscrambledonthedeckforthem，esteemingthemasverypreciousobjectsandthrustingthem，stillwarm，intotheemptyholesintheirears。Theirearswereperforatedwithmanyoftheseholes，thesmallestcapableofreceivingacartridge，whilethelargeronescontained—claypipes，sticksoftobacco，andevenboxesofmatches。Someoftheholesintheear—lobesweresohugethattheywerepluggedwithcarvedwoodencylindersthreeinchesindiameter。
　　Mateandcaptaincarriedautomaticsintheirbelts，andwiththesetheyturnedloose，shootingawayclipaftercliptothebreathlessadmirationoftheblacksforsuchmarvellousrapidityoffire。Theboat’screwwerenotevenfairshots，butVanHorn，likeeverycaptainintheSolomons，knewthatthebushnativesandsalt—watermenweresomuchworseshots，andknewthattheshootingofhisboat’screwcouldbedependedupon——iftheboat’screwitselfdidnotturnagainsttheshipinapinch。
　　Atfirst，Borckman’sautomaticjammed，andhereceivedacautionfromVanHornforhiscarelessnessinnotkeepingitcleanandthin—
　　oiled。Also，Borckmanwastwittinglyaskedhowmanydrinkshehadtaken，andifthatwaswhataccountedforhisshootingbeingunderhisaverage。Borckmanexplainedthathehadatouchoffever，andVanHorndeferredstatinghisdoubtsuntilafewminuteslater，squattingintheshadeofthespankerwithJerryinhisarms，hetoldJerryallaboutit。
　　"Thetroublewithhimistheschnapps，Jerry，"heexplained。"Gott—
　　fer—dang，itmakesmekeepallmywatchesandhalfofhis。Andhesaysit’sthefever。Neverbelieveit，Jerry。It’stheschnapps——
　　justtheplains—c—h—n—a—p—p—sschnapps。An’he’sagoodsailor—
　　man，Jerry，whenhe’ssober。Butwhenhe’sschnappyhe’ssheerlunatic。Thenhisnoddlegoespinwheelingandhe’sablightedfool，andhe’dsnoreinagaleandsufferforsleepinadeadcalm。——
　　Jerry，you’rejustbeginningtopadthosefourlittlesoftfeetofyoursintotheworld，sotaketheadviceofonewhoknowsandleavetheschnappsalone。Believeme，Jerry，boy——listentoyourfather——
　　schnappswillneverbuyyouanything。"
　　Whereupon，leavingJerryondecktostalkthewild—dog，CaptainVanHornwentbelowintothetinystateroomandtookalongdrinkfromtheverybottlefromwhichBorckmanwasstealing。
　　Thestalkingofthewild—dogbecameagame，atleasttoJerry，whowassomadethathisheartborenomalice，andwhohugelyenjoyedit。Also，itgavehimadelightfulconsciousnessofhisownmastery，forthewild—dogalwaysfledfromhim。Atleastsofarasdogswereconcerned，JerrywascockofthedeckoftheArangi。Itdidnotenterhisheadtoqueryhowhisconductaffectedthewild—
　　dog，though，intruth，heledthatindividualawretchedexistence。
　　Never，exceptwhenJerrywasbelow，didthewildonedareventuremorethanseveralfeetfromhisretreat，andhewentaboutinfearandtremblingofthefatroly—polypuppywhowasunafraidofhissnarl。
　　Inthelateafternoon，Jerrytrottedaft，afterhavingadministeredanotherlessontothewild—dog，andfoundSkipperseatedonthedeck，backagainstthelowrail，kneesdrawnup，andgazingabsentlyofftoleeward。Jerrysniffedhisbarecalf——notthatheneededtoidentifyit，butjustbecausehelikedto，andinasortoffriendlygreeting。ButVanHorntooknonotice，continuingtostareoutacrossthesea。Norwasheawareofthepuppy’spresence。
　　JerryrestedthelengthofhischinonSkipper’skneeandgazedlongandearnestlyintoSkipper’sface。ThistimeSkipperknew，andwaspleasantlythrilled；butstillhegavenosign。Jerrytriedanewtack。Skipper’shanddroopedidly，halfopen，fromwheretheforearmrestedontheotherknee。Intothepart—openhandJerrythrusthissoftgoldenmuzzletotheeyesandremainedquitestill。
　　Hadhebeensituatedtosee，hewouldhaveseenatwinkleinSkipper’seyes，whichhadbeenwithdrawnfromtheseaandwerelookingdownuponhim。ButJerrycouldnotsee。Hekeptquietalittlelonger，andthengaveaprodigioussniff。
　　ThiswastoomuchforSkipper，wholaughedwithsuchgenialheartinessastolayJerry’ssilkyearsbackanddowninself—
　　deprecationofaffectionandpleadingnesstobaskinthesunshineofthegod’ssmile。Also，Skipper’slaughtersetJerry’stailwildlybobbing。Thehalf—openhandclosedinafirmgripthatgatheredintheslackoftheskinofonesideofJerry’sheadandjowl。Thenthehandbegantoshakehimbackandforthwithsuchgoodwillthathewascompelledtobalancebackandforthonallhisfourfeet。
　　ItwasblisstoJerry。Nay，more，itwasecstasy。ForJerryknewtherewasneitherangernordangerintheroughnessoftheshake，andthatitwasplayofthesortthatheandMichaelhadindulgedin。Onoccasion，hehadsoplayedwithBiddyandlovinglymauledherabout。And，onveryrareoccasion，MisterHagginhadlovinglymauledhimabout。ItwasspeechtoJerry，fullofunmistakablemeaning。
　　Astheshakegrewrougher，Jerryemittedhismostferociousgrowl，whichgrewmoreferociouswiththeincreasingviolenceoftheshaking。Butthat，too，wasplay，amakingbelievetohurttheonehelikedtoowelltohurt。Hestrainedandtuggedatthegrip，tryingtotwisthisjowlintheslackofskinsoastoreachabite。
　　WhenSkipper，withaquickthrust，releasedhimandshovedhimclear，hecameback，allteethandgrowl，tobeagaincaughtandshaken。Theplaycontinued，withrisingexcitementtoJerry。Once，tooquickforSkipper，hecaughthishandbetweenteeth；buthedidnotbringthemtogether。Theypressedlovingly，dentingtheskin，buttherewasnobiteinthem。
　　Theplaygrewrougher，andJerrylosthimselfintheplay。Stillplaying，hegrewsoexcitedthatallthathadbeenfeignedbecameactual。Thiswasbattleastruggleagainstthehandthatseizedandshookhimandthrusthimaway。Themake—believeofferocitypassedoutofhisgrowls；theferocityinthembecamereal。Also，inthemomentswhenhewasshovedawayandwasspringingbacktotheattack，heyelpedinhigh—pitchedpuppyhysteria。AndCaptainVanHorn，realizing，suddenly，insteadofclutching，extendedhishandwideopeninthepeacesignthatisasancientasthehumanhand。
　　Atthesametimehisvoicerangoutthesingleword，"Jerry！"Initwasalltheimperativenessofreproofandcommandandallthesolicitousinsistenceoflove。
　　Jerryknewandwascheckedbacktohimself。Hewasinstantlycontrite，allsofthumility，earslaidbackwithpleadingnessforforgivenessandprotestationofawarmthrobbingheartoflove。
　　Instantly，fromanopen—mouthed，fang—bristlingdoginfullcareerofattack，hemeltedintoabundleofsoftnessandsilkiness，thattrottedtotheopenhandandkisseditwithatonguethatflashedoutbetweenwhitegleamingteethlikearose—redjewel。AndthenextmomenthewasinSkipper’sarms，jowlagainstcheek，andthetonguewasagainflashingoutinallthearticulatenesspossibleforacreaturedeniedspeech。Itwasaveritablelove—feast，asdeartooneastotheother。
　　"Gott—fer—dang！"CaptainVanHorncrooned。"You’renothingbutabunchofhigh—strungsensitiveness，withagoldenheartinthemiddleandagoldencoatwrappedallaround。Gott—fer—dang，Jerry，you’regold，puregold，insideandout，andnodogwasevermintedlikeyouinalltheworld。You’reheartofgold，yougoldendog，andbegoodtomeandlovemeasIshallalwaysbegoodtoyouandloveyouforeverandforever。"
　　AndCaptainVanHorn，whoruledtheArangiinbarelegs，aloincloth，andasixpennyunder—shirt，andrancannibalblacksbackandforthintheblackbirdtradewithanautomaticstrappedtohisbodywakingandsleepingandwithhisheadforfeitinscoresofsalt—
　　watervillagesandbushstrongholds，andwhowasesteemedthetoughestskipperintheSolomonswhereonlymenwhoaretoughmaycontinuetoliveandesteemtoughness，blinkedwithsuddenmoistureinhiseyes，andcouldnotseeforthemomentthepuppythatquiveredallitsbodyofloveinhisarmsandkissedawaythesaltysoftnessofhiseyes。
　　CHAPTERV
　　AndswifttropicnightsmotetheArangi，asshealternatelyrolledincalmsandheeledandplungedaheadinsquallsundertheleeofthecannibalislandofMalaita。Itwasastoppageofthesouth—easttradewindthatmadeforvariableweather，andthatmadecookingontheexposeddeckgalleyamiseryandsentthereturnboys，whohadnothingtowetbuttheirskins，scuttlingbelow。
　　Thefirstwatch，fromeighttotwelve，wasthemate’s；andCaptainVanHorn，forcedbelowbythedrivingwetofaheavyrainsquall，tookJerrywithhimtosleepinthetinystateroom。Jerrywaswearyfromthemanifoldexcitementsofthemostexcitingdayinhislife；
　　andhewasasleepandkickingandgrowlinginhissleep，ereSkipper，withalastlookathimandagrinasheturnedthelamplow，mutteredaloud："It’sthatwild—dog，Jerry。Gethim。Shakehim。Shakehimhard。"
　　SosoundlydidJerrysleep，thatwhentherain，havingrobbedtheatmosphereofitslastbreathofwind，ceasedandleftthestateroomasteaming，suffocatingfurnace，hedidnotknowwhenSkipper，pantingforair，hisloinclothandundershirtsoakedwithsweat，arose，tuckedblanketandpillowunderhisarm，andwentondeck。
　　Jerryonlyawakenedwhenahugethree—inchcockroachnibbledatthesensitiveandhairlessskinbetweenhistoes。Heawokekickingtheoffendedfoot，andgazedatthecockroachthatdidnotscuttle，butthatwalkeddignifiedlyaway。Hewatcheditjoinothercockroachesthatparadedthefloor。Neverhadheseensomanygatheredtogetheratonetime，andneverhadheseensuchlargeones。Theywereallofasize，andtheywereeverywhere。Longlinesofthempouredoutofcracksinthewallsanddescendedtojointheirfellowsonthefloor。
　　Thethingwasindecent——atleast，inJerry’smind，itwasnottobetolerated。MisterHaggin，Derby，andBobhadnevertoleratedcockroaches，andtheirruleswerehisrules。Thecockroachwastheeternaltropicenemy。Hesprangatthenearest，pouncingtocrushittothefloorunderhispaws。Butthethingdidwhathehadneverknownacockroachtodo。Itaroseintheairstrong—flightedasabird。Andasifatasignal，allthemultitudeofcockroachestookwingsofflightandfilledtheroomwiththeirflutteringsandcirclings。
　　Heattackedthewingedhost，leapingintotheair，snappingattheflyingvermin，tryingtoknockthemdownwithhispaws。
　　Occasionallyhesucceededanddestroyedone；nordidthecombatceaseuntilallthecockroaches，asifatanothersignal，disappearedintothemanycracks，leavingtheroomtohim。
　　Quickly，hisnextthoughtwas：WhereisSkipper？Heknewhewasnotintheroom，thoughhestooduponhishind—legsandinvestigatedthelowbunk，hiskeenlittlenosequiveringdelightedlywhilehemadelittlesniffsofdelightashesmelledtherecentpresenceofSkipper。Andwhatmadehisnosequiverandsniff，likewisemadehisstumpofatailbobbackandforth。
　　ButwherewasSkipper？Itwasathoughtinhisbrainthatwasassharpanddefiniteasasimilarthoughtwouldbeinahumanbrain。
　　Anditsimilarlyprecededaction。Thedoorhadbeenlefthookedopen，andJerrytrottedoutintothecabinwherehalfahundredblacksmadequeersleep—moanings，andsighings，andsnorings。Theywerepackedcloselytogether，coveringtheflooraswellasthelongsweepofbunks，sothathewascompelledtocrawlovertheirnakedlegs。Andtherewasnowhitegodabouttoprotecthim。Heknewit，butwasunafraid。
　　HavingmadesurethatSkipperwasnotinthecabin，Jerrypreparedfortheperilousascentofthesteepstepsthatwerealmostaladder，thenrecollectedthelazarette。InhetrottedandsniffedatthesleepinggirlinthecottonshiftwhobelievedthatVanHornwasgoingtoeatherifhecouldsucceedinfatteningher。
　　Backattheladder—steps，helookedupandwaitedinthehopethatSkippermightappearfromaboveandcarryhimup。Skipperhadpassedthatway，heknew，andheknewfortworeasons。Itwastheonlywayhecouldhavepassed，andJerry’snosetoldhimthathehadpassed。Hisfirstattempttoclimbthestepsbeganwell。Notuntilathirdofthewayup，astheArangirolledinaseaandrecoveredwithajerk，didheslipandfall。Twoorthreeboysawokeandwatchedhimwhiletheypreparedandchewedbetelnutandlimewrappedingreenleaves。
　　Twice，barelystarted，Jerryslippedback，andmoreboys，awakenedbytheirfellows，satupandenjoyedhisplight。Inthefourthattempthemanagedtogainhalfwayupbeforehefell，comingdownheavilyonhisside。Thiswashailedwithlowlaughterandquerulouschirpingsthatmightwellhavecomefromthethroatsofhugebirds。Heregainedhisfeet，absurdlybristledthehaironhisshouldersandabsurdlygrowledhishighdisdainoftheselesser，two—leggedthingsthatcameandwentandobeyedthewillsofgreat，white—skinned，two—leggedgodssuchasSkipperandMisterHaggin。
　　Undeterredbyhisheavyfall，Jerryessayedtheladderagain。A
　　temporaryeasementoftheArangi’srollinggavehimhisopportunity，sothathisforefeetwereoverthehighcombingofthecompanionwhenthenextbigrollcame。Heheldonbymainstrengthofhisbentforelegs，thenscrambledoverandoutondeck。
　　Amidships，squattingonthedecknearthesky—light，heinvestigatedseveraloftheboat’screwandLerumie。Heidentifiedthemcircumspectly，goingsuddenlystiff—leggedasLerumiemadealow，hissing，menacingnoise。Aft，atthewheel，hefoundablacksteering，and，nearhim，thematekeepingthewatch。Justasthematespoketohimandstoopedtopathim，JerrywhiffedSkippersomewherenearathand。Withaconciliating，apologeticbobofhistail，hetrottedonupwindandcameuponSkipperonhisback，rolledinablanketsothatonlyhisheadstuckout，andsoundasleep。
　　FirstofallJerryneedsmustjoyfullysniffhimandjoyfullywaghistail。ButSkipperdidnotawakeandafinesprayofrain，almostasthinasmist，madeJerrycurlupandpresscloselyintotheangleformedbySkipper’sheadandshoulder。Thisdidawakehim，forheuttered"Jerry"inalow，crooningvoice，andJerryrespondedwithatouchofhiscolddampnosetotheother’scheek。
　　AndthenSkipperwenttosleepagain。ButnotJerry。Heliftedtheedgeoftheblanketwithhisnoseandcrawledacrosstheshoulderuntilhewasaltogetherinside。ThisrousedSkipper，who，half—
　　asleep，helpedhimtocurlup。
　　StillJerrywasnotsatisfied，andhesquirmedarounduntilhelayinthehollowofSkipper’sarm，hisheadrestingonSkipper’sshoulder，when，withaprofoundsighofcontent，hefellasleep。
　　Severaltimesthenoisesmadebytheboat’screwintrimmingthesheetstotheshiftingdraughtofairrousedVanHorn，andeachtime，rememberingthepuppy，hepressedhimcaressinglywithhishollowedarm。Andeachtime，inhissleep，Jerrystirredresponsivelyandsnuggledcosilytohim。
　　Forallthathewasaremarkablepuppy，Jerryhadhislimitations，andhecouldneverknowtheeffectproducedonthehard—bittencaptainbythesoftwarmcontactofhisvelvetbody。Butitmadethecaptainrememberbackacrosstheyearstohisowngirlbabeasleeponhisarm。Andsopoignantlydidheremember，thathebecamewideawake，andmanypictures，beginning，withthegirlbabe，burnedtheirtormentinhisbrain。NowhitemanintheSolomonsknewwhathecarriedaboutwithhim，wakingandoftensleeping；anditwasbecauseofthesepicturesthathehadcometotheSolomonsinavainefforttoerasethem。
　　First，memory—proddedbythesoftpuppyinhisarm，hesawthegirlandthemotherinthelittleHarlemflat。Small，itwastrue，buttight—packedwiththehappinessofthreethatmadeitheaven。
　　Hesawthegirl’sflaxen—yellowhairdarkentohermother’sgoldasitlengthenedintocurlsandringletsuntilfinallyitbecametwothicklongbraids。Fromstrivingnottoseethesemanypictureshecameeventodwellinguponthemintheeffortsotofillhisconsciousnessastokeepouttheonepicturehedidnotwanttosee。
　　Herememberedhiswork，thewreckingcar，andthewreckingcrewthathadtoiledunderhim，andhewonderedwhathadbecomeofClancey，hisright—handman。Camethelongday，when，routedfrombedatthreeinthemorningtodigasurfacecaroutofthewreckedshowwindowsofadrugstoreandgetitbackonthetrack，theyhadlabouredalldayclearingupahalf—dozensmash—upsandarrivedatthecarhouseatnineatnightjustasanothercallcamein。
　　"Glorybe！"saidClancey，wholivedinthenextblockfromhim。Hecouldseehimsayingitandwipingthesweatfromhisgrimyface。
　　"Glorybe，’tisasmallmatteratmost，an’rightinourneighbourhood——notadozenblocksaway。Soonasit’sdonewecanbeatitforhomean’letthedown—townboystakethecarbacktotheshop。"
　　"We’veonlytojackherupforamoment，"hehadanswered。
　　"Whatisit？"BillyJaffers，anotherofthecrew，asked。
　　"Somebodyrunover——can’tgetthemout，"hesaid，astheyswungonboardthewrecking—carandstarted。
　　Hesawagainalltheincidentsofthelongrun，notomittingthedelaycausedbyhose—cartsandahook—and—ladderrunningtoacross—
　　townfire，duringwhichtimeheandClanceyhadjokedJaffersoverthedateswithvariousfictitiousdamselsoutofwhichhehadbeencheatedbythenight’sextrawork。
　　Camethelonglineofstalledstreet—cars，thecrowd，thepoliceholdingitback，thetwoambulancesdrawnupandwaitingtheirfreight，andtheyoungpoliceman，whosebeatitwas，whiteandshaken，greetinghimwith："It’shorrible，man。It’sfairsickening。Twoofthem。Wecan’tgetthemout。Itried。Onewasstillliving，Ithink。"
　　Buthe，strongmanandhearty，usedtosuchwork，wearywiththeharddayandwithapleasantpictureofthebrightlittleflatwaitinghimadozenblocksawaywhenthejobwasdone，spokecheerfully，confidently，sayingthathe’dhavethemoutinajiffy，ashestoopedandcrawledunderthecaronhandsandknees。
　　Againhesawhimselfashepressedtheswitchofhiselectrictorchandlooked。Againhesawthetwinbraidsofheavygoldenhairerehisthumbrelaxedfromtheswitch，leavinghimindarkness。
　　"Istheonealiveyet？"theshakenpolicemanasked。
　　Andthequestionwasrepeated，whilehestruggledforwillpowersufficienttopressonthelight。
　　Heheardhimselfreply，"I’lltellyouinaminute。"
　　Againhesawhimselflook。Foralongminutehelooked。
　　"Bothdead，"heansweredquietly。"Clancey，passinanumberthreejack，andgetunderyourselfwithanotherattheotherendofthetruck。"
　　Helayonhisback，staringstraightupatonesinglestarthatrockedmistilythroughathinningofcloud—stuffoverhead。Theoldachewasinhisthroat，theoldharshdrynessinmouthandeyes。
　　Andheknew——whatnoothermanknew——whyhewasintheSolomons，skipperoftheteak—builtyachtArangi，runningniggers，riskinghishead，anddrinkingmoreScotchwhiskeythanwasgoodforanyman。
　　Notsincethatnighthadhelookedwithwarmeyesonanywoman。Andhehadbeennotedbyotherwhitesasnotoriouslycoldtowardpickanninnieswhiteorblack。
　　But，havingvisionedtheultimatehorrorofmemory，VanHornwassoonabletofallasleepagain，delightfullyaware，ashedrowsedoff，ofJerry’sheadonhisshoulder。Once，whenJerry，dreamingofthebeachatMeringeandofMisterHaggin，Biddy，Terrence，andMichael，setupalowwhimpering，VanHornrousedsufficientlytosoothehimclosertohim，andtomutterominously："Anyniggerthat’dhurtthatpup……"
　　Atmidnightwhenthematetouchedhimontheshoulder，inthemomentofawakeningandbeforehewasawakeVanHorndidtwothingsautomaticallyandswiftly。Hedartedhisrighthanddowntothepistolathiship，andmuttered："Anyniggerthat’dhurtthatpup……"
　　"That’llbeKopoPointabreast，"Borckmanexplained，asbothmenstaredtowindwardatthehighloomoftheland。"Shehasn’tmademorethantenmiles，andnopromiseofanythingsteady。"
　　"There’splentyofstuffmakingupthere，ifit’llevercomedown，"
　　VanHornsaid，asbothmentransferredtheirgazetothecloudsdriftingwithmanybreaksacrossthedimstars。
　　Scarcelyhadthematefetchedablanketfrombelowandturnedinondeck，thanabrisksteadybreezesprangupfromofftheland，sendingtheArangithroughthesmoothwateratanine—knotclip。
　　ForatimeJerrytriedtostandthewatchwithSkipper，buthesooncurledupanddozedoff，partlyonthedeckandpartlyonSkipper’sbarefeet。
　　WhenSkippercarriedhimtotheblanketandrolledhimin，hewasquicklyasleepagain；andhewasquicklyawake，outoftheblanket，andpaddingafteralongthedeckasSkipperpacedupanddown。Herebegananotherlesson，andinfiveminutesJerrylearneditwasthewillofSkipperthatheshouldremainintheblanket，thateverythingwasallright，andthatSkipperwouldbeupanddownandnearhimallthetime。
　　Atfourthematetookchargeofthedeck。
　　"Reeledoffthirtymiles，"VanHorntoldhim。"Butnowitisbafflingagain。Keepaneyeforsquallsundertheland。Betterthrowthehalyardsdownondeckandmakethewatchstandby。Ofcoursethey’llsleep，butmakethemsleeponthehalyardsandsheets。"
　　JerryrousedtoSkipper’sentranceundertheblanket，and，quiteasifitwerealong—establishedcustom，curledinbetweenhisarmandside，and，afteronehappysniffandonekissofhiscoollittletongue，asSkipperpressedhischeekagainsthimcaressingly，dozedofftosleep。
　　Halfanhourlater，toallintentsandpurposes，sofarasJerrycouldorcouldnotcomprehend，theworldmightwellhaveseemedsuddenlycomingtoanend。WhatawokehimwastheflyingleapofSkipperthatsenttheblanketonewayandJerrytheother。ThedeckoftheArangihadbecomeawall，downwhichJerryslippedthroughtheroaringdark。Everyropeandshroudwasthrummingandscreechinginresistancetothefierceweightofthesquall。
　　"Standbymainhalyards！——Jump！"hecouldhearSkippershoutingloudly；alsoheheardthehighnoteofthemainsheetscreamingacrossthesheavesasVanHorn，bendingbracesinthedark，wasswiftlyslackingthesheetthroughhisscorchingpalmswithasingleturnonthecleat。
　　Whileallthis，alongwithmanyothernoises，squealingsofboat—
　　boysandshoutsofBorckman，wasimpactingonJerry’sear—drums，hewasstillslidingdownthesteepdeckofhisnewandunstableworld。
　　Buthedidnotbringupagainsttherailwherehisfragileribsmightwellhavebeenbroken。Instead，thewarmoceanwater，pouringinboardacrosstheburiedrailinafloodofpalephosphorescentfire，cushionedhisfall。Araffleoftrailingropesentangledhimashestruckouttoswim。
　　Andheswam，nottosavehislife，notwiththefearofdeathuponhim。Therewasbutoneideainhismind。WherewasSkipper？NotthathehadanythoughtoftryingtosaveSkipper，northathemightbeofassistancetohim。Itwastheheartoflovethatdrivesonealwaystowardthebeloved。Asthemotherincatastrophetriestogainherbabe，astheGreekwho，dying，rememberedsweetArgos，assoldiersonastrickenfieldpasswiththenamesoftheirwomenupontheirlips，soJerry，inthiswreckofaworld，yearnedtowardSkipper。
　　Thesquallceasedasabruptlyasithadstruck。TheArangirightedwithajerktoanevenkeel，leavingJerrystrandedinthestarboardscuppers。HetrottedacrosstheleveldecktoSkipper，who，standingerectonwide—spreadlegs，thebightofthemainsheetstillinhishand，wasexclaiming：
　　"Gott—fer—dang！Windhego！Rainhenocome！"
　　HefeltJerry’scoolnoseagainsthisbarecalf，heardhisjoyoussniff，andbentandcaressedhim。Inthedarknesshecouldnotsee，buthisheartwarmedwithknowledgethatJerry’stailwassurelybobbing。
　　Manyofthefrightenedreturnboyshadcrowdedondeck，andtheirplaintive，querulousvoicessoundedlikethesleepynoisesofaroostofbirds。BorckmancameandstoodbyVanHorn’sshoulder，andbothmen，strungtotheirtonesinthetensenessofapprehension，strovetopenetratethesurroundingblacknesswiththeireyes，whiletheylistenedwithalltheirearsforanymessageoftheelementsfromseaandair。
　　"Where’stherain？"Borckmandemandedpeevishly。"Alwayswindfirst，therainfollowsandkillsthewind。Thereisnorain。"
　　VanHornstillstaredandlistened，andmadenoanswer。
　　TheanxietyofthetwomenwassensedbyJerry，who，too，wasonhistoes。HepressedhiscoolnosetoSkipper’sleg，andtherose—kissofhistonguebroughthimthesalttasteofsea—water。
　　Skipperbentsuddenly，rolledJerrywithquicktoughnessintotheblanket，anddepositedhiminthehollowbetweentwosacksofyamslashedondeckaftofthemizzenmast。Asanafterthought，hefastenedtheblanketwithapieceofropeyarn，sothatJerrywasasiftiedinasack。
　　Scarcelywasthisfinishedwhenthespankersmashedacrossoverhead，theheadsailsthunderedwithasuddenfilling，andthegreatmainsail，withallthescopeintheboom—tacklecausedbyVanHorn’sgivingofthesheet，cameacrossandfetcheduptotautnessonthetacklewithacrashthatshookthevesselandheeledherviolentlytoport。Thissecondknock—downhadcomefromtheoppositedirection，anditwasmightierthanthefirst。
　　JerryheardSkipper’svoiceringout，first，tothemate："Standbymain—halyards！Throwofftheturns！I’lltakecareofthetackle！"；and，next，tosomeoftheboat’screw："Batto！youfellaslackspankertacklequickfella！Ranga！youfellaletgospankersheet！"
　　HereVanHornwassweptoffhislegsbyanavalancheofreturnboyswhohadclutteredthedeckwiththefirstsquall。Thesquirmingmass，ofwhichhewaspart，sliddownintothebarbedwireoftheportrailbeneaththesurfaceofthesea。
　　Jerrywassosecureinhisnookthathedidnotrollaway。ButwhenheheardSkipper’scommandscease，and，secondslater，heardhiscursingsinthebarbedwire，hesetupashrillyelpingandclawedandscratchedfranticallyattheblankettogetout。SomethinghadhappenedtoSkipper。Heknewthat。Itwasallthatheknew，forhehadnothoughtofhimselfinthechaosoftheruiningworld。
　　Butheceasedhisyelpingtolistentoanewnoise——athunderousslattingofcanvasaccompaniedbyshoutsandcries。Hesensed，andsensedwrongly，thatitbodedill，forhedidnotknowthatitwasthemainsailbeingloweredontherunafterSkipperhadslashedtheboom—tackleacrosswithhissheath—knife。
　　Asthepandemoniumgrew，headdedhisownyelpingtoituntilhefeltafumblinghandwithouttheblanket。Hestilledandsniffed。
　　No，itwasnotSkipper。Hesniffedagainandrecognizedtheperson。
　　ItwasLerumie，theblackwhomhehadseenrolledonthebeachbyBiddyonlythepreviousmorning，who，stillwererecently，hadkickedhimonhisstubofatail，andwhonotmorethanaweekbeforehehadseenthrowarockatTerrence。
　　Theropeyarnhadbeenparted，andLerumie’sfingerswerefeelinginsidetheblanketforhim。Jerrysnarledhiswickedest。Thethingwassacrilege。He，asawhiteman’sdog，wastabootoallblacks。
　　Hehadearlylearnedthelawthatnoniggermustevertouchawhite—
　　god’sdog。YetLerumie，whowasallofevil，atthismomentwhentheworldcrashedabouttheirears，wasdaringtotouchhim。
　　Andwhenthefingerstouchedhim，histeethcloseduponthem。Next，hewascloutedbytheblack’sfreehandwithsuchforceastotearhisclenchedteethdownthefingersthroughskinandfleshuntilthefingerswentclear。
　　Raginglikeatinyfiend，Jerryfoundhimselfpickedupbytheneck，half—throttled，andflungthroughtheair。Andwhileflyingthroughtheair，hecontinuedtosquallhisrage。Hefellintotheseaandwentunder，gulpingamouthfulofsaltwaterintohislungs，andcameupstranglingbutswimming。Swimmingwasoneofthethingshedidnothavetothinkabout。Hehadneverhadtolearntoswim，anymorethanhehadhadtolearntobreathe。Infact，hehadbeencompelledtolearntowalk；butheswamasamatterofcourse。
　　Thewindscreamedabouthim。Flyingfroth，drivenonthewind’sbreath，filledhismouthandnostrilsandbeatintohiseyes，stingingandblindinghim。Inthestruggletobreathehe，allunlearnedinthewaysofthesea，liftedhismuzzlehighintheairtogetoutofthesuffocatingwelter。Asaresult，offthehorizontal，thechurningofhislegsnolongersustainedhim，andhewentdownandunderperpendicularly。Againheemerged，stranglingwithmoresaltwaterinhiswindpipe。Thistime，withoutreasoningitout，merelymovingalongthelineofleastresistance，whichwastohimthelineofgreatestcomfort，hestraightenedoutintheseaandcontinuedsotoswimastoremainstraightenedout。
　　Throughthedarkness，asthesquallspentitself，cametheslattingofthehalf—loweredmainsail，theshrillvoicesoftheboat’screw，acurseofBorckman’s，and，dominatingall，Skipper’svoice，shouting：
　　"Grabtheleech，youfellaboys！Hangon！Dragdownstrongfella！
　　Comeinmainsheettwoblocks！Jump，damnyou，jump！"
　　CHAPTERVI
　　AtrecognitionofSkipper’svoice，Jerry，flounderinginthestiffandcrispingseathatsprangupwiththeeasementofthewind，yelpedeagerlyandyearningly，allhisloveforhisnew—foundbelovedeloquentinhisthroat。ButquicklyallsoundsdiedawayastheArangidriftedfromhim。Andthen，inthelonelinessofthedark，ontheheavingbreastoftheseathatherecognizedasonemoreoftheeternalenemies，hebegantowhimperandcryplaintivelylikealostchild。
　　Further，bythedim，shadowywaysofintuition，heknewhisweaknessinthatmercilessseawithnoheartofwarmth，thatthreatenedtheunknowablething，vaguelybutterriblyguessed，namely，death。Asregardedhimself，hedidnotcomprehenddeath。He，whohadneverknownthetimewhenhewasnotalive，couldnotconceiveofthetimewhenhewouldceasetobealive。
　　Yetitwasthere，shoutingitsmessageofwarningthrougheverytissuecell，everynervequicknessandbrainsensitivityofhim——atotalityofsensationthatforebodedtheultimatecatastropheoflifeaboutwhichheknewnothingatall，butwhich，nevertheless，hefelttobetheconclusivesupremedisaster。Althoughhedidnotcomprehendit，heapprehendeditnolesspoignantlythandomenwhoknowandgeneralizefarmoredeeplyandwidelythanmerefour—leggeddogs。
　　Asamanstrugglesinthethroesofnightmare，soJerrystruggledinthevexed，salt—suffocatingsea。Andsohewhimperedandcried，lostchild，lostpuppy—dogthathewas，onlyhalfayearexistentinthefairworldsharpwithjoyandsuffering。AndhewantedSkipper。
　　Skipperwasagod。
　　OnboardtheArangi，relievedbytheloweringofhermainsail，asthefiercenesswentoutofthewindandthecloudburstoftropicrainbegantofall，VanHornandBorckmanlurchedtowardeachotherintheblackness。
　　"Adoublesquall，"saidVanHorn。"Hitustostarboardandtoport。"
　　"Musta—splitinhalfjustbeforeshehitus，"themateconcurred。
　　"Andkeptalltheraininthesecondhalf——"
　　VanHornbrokeoffwithanoath。
　　"Hey！What’sthematteralongyoufellaboy？"heshoutedtothemanatthewheel。
　　Fortheketch，underherspankerwhichhadjustthenbeenflat—
　　hauled，hadcomeintothewind，emptyingherafter—sailandpermittingherheadsailstofillontheothertack。TheArangiwasbeginningtoworkbackapproximatelyoverthecourseshehadjusttraversed。AndthismeantthatshewasgoingbacktowardJerryflounderinginthesea。Thus，thebalance，onwhichhislifetitubated，wasinclinedinhisfavourbytheblunderofablacksteersman。
　　KeepingtheArangionthenewtack，VanHornsetBorckmanclearingthemessofropesondeck，himself，squattingintherain，undertakingtolong—splicethetacklehehadcut。Astherainthinned，sothatthecrackleofitondeckbecamelessnoisy，hewasattractedbyasoundfromoutoverthewater。Hesuspendedtheworkofhishandstolisten，and，whenherecognizedJerry’swailing，sprangtohisfeet，galvanizedintoaction。
　　"Thepup’soverboard！"heshoutedtoBorckman。"Backyourjibtowind’ard！"
　　Hesprangaft，scatteringaclusterofreturnboysrightandleft。
　　"Hey！Youfellaboat’screw！Comeinspankersheet！Flattenherdowngoodfella！"
　　HedartedalookintothebinnacleandtookahurriedcompassbearingofthesoundsJerrywasmaking。
　　"Harddownyourwheel！"heorderedthehelmsman，thenleapedtothewheelandputitdownhimself，repeatingoverandoveraloud，"Nor’eastbyeastaquarter，nor’eastbyeastaquarter。"
　　Backandpeeringintothebinnacle，helistenedvainlyforanotherwailfromJerryinthehopeofverifyinghisfirsthastybearing。
　　Butnotlonghewaited。DespitethefactthatbyhismanoeuvretheArangihadbeenhoveto，heknewthatwindageandsea—driftagewouldquicklysendherawayfromtheswimmingpuppy。HeshoutedBorckmantocomeaftandhaulinthewhaleboat，whilehehurriedbelowforhiselectrictorchandaboatcompass。
　　Theketchwassosmallthatshewascompelledtotowheronewhaleboatasternonlongdoublepainters，andbythetimethematehadithauledinunderthestern，VanHornwasback。Hewasundeterredbythebarbedwire，liftingboyafterboyoftheboat’screwoveritanddroppingthemsprawlingintotheboat，followinghimself，asthelast，byswingingoveronthespankerboom，andcallinghislastinstructionsasthepainterswerecastoff。
　　"Getaridinglightondeck，Borckman。Keepherhoveto。Don’thoistthemainsail。Cleanupthedecksandbendthewatchtackleonthemainboom。"
　　Hetookthesteering—sweepandencouragedtherowerswith："Washee—
　　washee，goodfella，washee—washee！"——whichisthebeche—de—merfor"rowhard。"
　　Ashesteered，hekeptflashingthetorchontheboatcompasssothathecouldkeepheadednorth—eastbyeastaquartereast。Thenherememberedthattheboatcompass，onsuchcourse，deviatedtwowholepointsfromtheArangi’scompass，andalteredhisowncourseaccordingly。
　　Occasionallyhebadetherowerscease，whilehelistenedandcalledforJerry。Hehadthemrowincircles，andworkbackandforth，uptowindwardanddowntoleeward，overtheareaofdarkseathathereasonedmustcontainthepuppy。
　　"Nowyoufellaboylistenearbelongyou，"hesaid，towardthefirst。"Maybeonefellaboyhear’mpickaninnydogsingout，Igive’mthatfellaboyfivefathomcalico，twotenstickstobacco。"
　　Attheendofhalfanhourhewasoffering"Twotenfathomscalicoandtentenstickstobacco"totheboywhofirstheard"pickaninnydogsingout。"
　　Jerrywasinbadshape。Notaccustomedtoswimming，strangledbythesaltwaterthatlappedintohisopenmouth，hewasgettingloggywhenfirsthechancedtoseetheflashofthecaptain’storch。
　　This，however，hedidnotconnectwithSkipper，andsotooknomorenoticeofitthanhedidofthefirststarsshowinginthesky。Itneverenteredhismindthatitmightbeastarnoreventhatitmightnotbeastar。Hecontinuedtowailandtostranglewithmoresaltwater。ButwhenheatlengthheardSkipper’svoicehewentimmediatelywild。HeattemptedtostandupandtoresthisforepawsonSkipper’svoicecomingoutofthedarkness，ashewouldhaverestedhisforepawsonSkipper’sleghadhebeennear。Theresultwasdisastrous。Outofthehorizontal，hesankdownandunder，comingupwithanewspasmofstrangling。
　　Thislastedforashorttime，duringwhichthestranglingpreventedhimfromansweringSkipper’scry，whichcontinuedtoreachhim。Butwhenhecouldanswerheburstforthinajoyousyelp。Skipperwascomingtotakehimoutofthestinging，bitingseathatblindedhiseyesandhurthimtobreathe。Skipperwastrulyagod，hisgod，withagod’spowertosave。
　　Soonheheardtherhythmicclackoftheoarsonthethole—pins，andthejoyinhisownyelpwasduplicatedbythejoyinSkipper’svoice，whichkeptuparunningencouragement，brokenbyobjurgationstotherowers。
　　"Allright，Jerry，oldman。Allright，Jerry。Allright。——Washee—
　　washee，youfellaboy！——Coming，Jerry，coming。Stickitout，oldman。Staywithit。——Washee—washeelikehell！——Hereweare，Jerry。
　　Staywithit。Hangon，oldboy，we’llgetyou。——Easy……easy。
　　’Vastwashee。"
　　Andthen，withamazingabruptness，Jerrysawthewhaleboatdimlyemergefromthegloomcloseuponhim，wasblindedbythestabofthetorchfullinhiseyes，and，evenasheyelpedhisjoy，feltandrecognizedSkipper’shandclutchinghimbytheslackoftheneckandliftinghimintotheair。
　　HelandedwetandsoppilyagainstSkipper’srain—wetchest，histailbobbingfranticallyagainstSkipper’scontainingarm，hisbodywriggling，histonguedabbingmadlyalloverSkipper’schinandmouthandcheeksandnose。AndSkipperdidnotknowthathewashimselfwet，andthathewasinthefirstshockofrecurrentmalariaprecipitatedbythewetandtheexcitement。Heknewonlythatthepuppy—dog，givenhimonlythepreviousmorning，wassafebackinhisarms。
　　Whiletheboat’screwbenttotheoars，hesteeredwiththesweepbetweenhisarmandhissideinorderthathemightholdJerrywiththeotherarm。
　　"Youlittlesonofagun，"hecrooned，andcontinuedtocroon，overandover。"Youlittlesonofagun。"
　　AndJerryrespondedwithtongue—kisses，whimperingandcryingasisthewayoflostchildrenimmediatelyaftertheyarefound。Also，heshiveredviolently。Butitwasnotfromthecold。Ratherwasitduetohisover—strung，sensitivenerves。
　　Againonboard，VanHornstatedhisreasoningtothemate。
　　"Thepupdidn’tjustcalmlywalkoverboard。Norwashewashedoverboard。Ihadhimfastandtricedintheblanketwitharopeyarn。"
　　Hewalkedover，thecentreoftheboat’screwandofthethree—scorereturnboyswhowereallondeck，andflashedhistorchontheblanketstilllyingontheyams。
　　"Thatprovesit。Therope—yarn’scut。Theknot’sstillinit。Nowwhatniggerisresponsible？"
　　Helookedaboutatthecircleofdarkfaces，flashingthelightonthem，andsuchwastheaccusationandangerinhiseyes，thatalleyesfellbeforehisorlookedaway。