Hemadenoreply。Hiseyes，fixedintentlyontheseaastern，suddenlyflashed。
　　"Sharkho，sir！"hecried。
　　"Heavein！Lively！Allhandstailon！"WolfLarsenshouted，springinghimselftotheropeinadvanceofthequickest。
　　MugridgehadheardtheKanaka’swarningcryandwasscreamingmadly。
　　Icouldseeablackfincuttingthewaterandmakingforhimwithgreaterswiftnessthanhewasbeingpulledaboard。Itwasaneventosswhetherthesharkorwewouldgethim，anditwasamatterofmoments。WhenMugridgewasdirectlybeneathus，thesterndescendedtheslopeofapassingwave，thusgivingtheadvantagetotheshark。Thefindisappeared。Thebellyflashedwhiteinaswiftupwardrush。Almostequallyswift，butnotquite，wasWolfLarsen。Hethrewhisstrengthintoonetremendousjerk。TheCockney’sbodyleftthewater；sodidpartoftheshark’s。Hedrewuphislegs，andtheman—eaterseemednomorethanbarelytotouchonefoot，sinkingbackintothewaterwithasplash。ButatthemomentofcontactThomasMugridgecriedout。Thenhecameinlikeafresh—caughtfishonaline，clearingtherailgenerouslyandstrikingthedeckinaheap，onhandsandknees，androllingover。
　　Butafountainofbloodwasgushingforth。Therightfootwasmissing，amputatedneatlyattheankle。IlookedinstantlytoMaudBrewster。Herfacewaswhite，hereyesdilatedwithhorror。Shewasgazing，notatThomasMugridge，butatWolfLarsen。Andhewasawareofit，forhesaid，withoneofhisshortlaughs：
　　"Man—play，MissBrewster。Somewhatrougher，Iwarrant，thanwhatyouhavebeenusedto，butstill——man—play。Thesharkwasnotinthereckoning。
　　It——"
　　Butatthisjuncture，Mugridge，whohadliftedhisheadandascertainedtheextentofhisloss，flounderedoveronthedeckandburiedhisteethinWolfLarsen’sleg。WolfLarsenstooped，coolly，totheCockney，andpressedwiththumbandfingerattherearofthejawsandbelowtheears。
　　Thejawsopenedwithreluctance，andWolfLarsensteppedfree。
　　"AsIwassaying，"hewenton，asthoughnothingunwontedhadhappened，"thesharkwasnotinthereckoning。Itwas——ahem——shallwesayProvidence？"
　　Shegavenosignthatshehadheard，thoughtheexpressionofhereyeschangedtooneofinexpressibleloathingasshestartedtoturnaway。Shenomorethanstarted，forsheswayedandtottered，andreachedherhandweaklyouttomine。Icaughtherintimetosaveherfromfalling，andhelpedhertoaseatonthecabin。Ithoughtshemustfaintoutright，butshecontrolledherself。
　　"Willyougetatourniquet，Mr。VanWeyden，"WolfLarsencalledtome。
　　Ihesitated。Herlipsmoved，andthoughtheyformednowords，shecommandedmewithhereyes，plainlyasspeech，togotothehelpoftheunfortunateman。
　　"Please，"shemanagedtowhisper，andIcouldbutobey。
　　BynowIhaddevelopedsuchskillatsurgerythatWolfLarsen，withafewwordsofadvice，leftmetomytaskwithacoupleofsailorsforassistants。Forhistaskheelectedavengeanceontheshark。Aheavyswivel—hook，baitedwithfatsalt—pork，wasdroppedoverside；andbythetimeIhadcompressedtheseveredveinsandarteries，thesailorsweresingingandheavingintheoffendingmonster。Ididnotseeitmyself，butmyassistants，firstoneandthentheother，desertedmeforafewmomentstorunamidshipsandlookatwhatwasgoingon。Theshark，asixteen—footer，washoistedupagainstthemain—rigging。Itsjawswerepriedaparttotheirgreatestextension，andastoutstake，sharpenedatbothends，wassoinsertedthatwhentheprieswereremovedthespreadjawswerefixeduponit。Thisaccomplished，thehookwascutout。Thesharkdroppedbackintothesea，helpless，yetwithitsfullstrength，doomedtolingeringstarvation——alivingdeathlessmeetforitthanforthemanwhodevisedthepunishment。TheSeaWolf：Chapter22CHAPTER22
　　Iknewwhatitwasasshecametowardme。Fortenminuteshadwatchedhertalkingearnestlywiththeengineer，andnow，withasignforsilence，Idrewheroutofearshotofthehelmsman。Herfacewaswhiteandset；
　　herlargeeyes，largerthanusualwhatofthepurposeinthem，lookedpenetratinglyintomine。Ifeltrathertimidandapprehensive，forshehadcometosearchHumphreyVanWeyden’ssoul，andHumphreyVanWeydenhadnothingofwhichtobeparticularlyproudsincehisadventontheGhost。
　　Wewalkedtothebreakofthepoop，wheresheturnedandfacedme。I
　　glancedaroundtoseethatnoonewaswithinhearingdistance。
　　"Whatisit？"Iaskedgently；buttheexpressionofdeterminationonherfacedidnotrelax。
　　"Icanreadilyunderstand，"shebegan，"thatthismorning’saffairwaslargelyanaccident；butIhavebeentalkingwithMr。Haskins。Hetellsmethatthedaywewererescued，evenwhileIwasinthecabin，twomenweredrowned，deliberatelydrowned——murdered。"
　　Therewasaqueryinhervoice，andshefacedmeaccusingly，asthoughIwereguiltyofthedeed，oratleastapartytoit。
　　"Theinformationisquitecorrect，"Ianswered。"Thetwomenweremurdered。"
　　"Andyoupermittedit！"shecried。
　　"Iwasunabletopreventit，isabetterwayofphrasingit，"replied，stillgently。
　　"Butyoutriedtopreventit？"Therewasanemphasisonthe"tried，"
　　andapleadinglittlenoteinhervoice。
　　"Oh，butyoudidn’t，"shehurriedon，diviningmyanswer。"Butwhydidn’tyou？"
　　Ishruggedmyshoulders。"Youmustremember，MissBrewster，thatyouareanewinhabitantofthislittleworld，andthatyoudonotyetunderstandthelawswhichoperatewithinit。Youbringwithyoucertainfineconceptionsofhumanity，manhood，conduct，andsuchthings；buthereyouwillfindthemmisconceptions。Ihavefounditso，"Iadded，withaninvoluntarysigh。
　　Sheshookherheadincredulously。
　　"Whatwouldyouadvise，then？"Iasked。"ThatIshouldtakeaknife，oragun，oranaxe，andkillthisman？"
　　Shehalfstartedback。
　　"No，notthat！"
　　"ThenwhatshouldIdo？Killmyself？"
　　"Youspeakinpurelymaterialisticterms，"sheobjected。"Thereissuchathingasmoralcourage，andmoralcourageisneverwithouteffect。"
　　"Ah，"Ismiled，"youadvisemetokillneitherhimnormyself，buttolethimkillme。"Iheldupmyhandasshewasabouttospeak。"Formoralcourageisaworthlessassetonthislittlefloatingworld。Leach，oneofthemenwhoweremurdered，hadmoralcouragetoanunusualdegree。Sohadtheotherman，Johnson。Notonlydiditnotstandthemingoodstead，butitdestroyedthem。AndsowithmeifIshouldexercisewhatlittlemoralcourageImaypossess。
　　"Youmustunderstand，MissBrewster，andunderstandclearly，thatthismanisamonster。Heiswithoutconscience。Nothingissacredtohim，nothingistooterribleforhimtodo。ItwasduetohiswhimthatIwasdetainedaboardinthefirstplace。ItisduetohiswhimthatIamstillalive。
　　Idonothing，candonothing，becauseIamaslavetothismonster，asyouarenowaslavetohim；becauseIdesiretolive，asyouwilldesiretolive；becauseIcannotfightandovercomehim，justasyouwillnotbeabletofightandovercomehim。"
　　Shewaitedformetogoon。
　　"Whatremains？Mineisther攍eoftheweak。Iremainsilentandsufferignominy，asyouwillremainsilentandsufferignominy。Anditiswell。
　　Itisthebestwecandoifwewishtolive。Thebattleisnotalwaystothestrong。Wehavenotthestrengthwithwhichtofightthisman；wemustdissimulate，andwin，ifwinwecan，bycraft。Ifyouwillbeadvisedbyme，thisiswhatyouwilldo。Iknowmypositionisperilous，andImaysayfranklythatyoursisevenmoreperilous。Wemuststandtogether，withoutappearingtodoso，insecretalliance。shallnotbeabletosidewithyouopenly，and，nomatterwhatindignitiesmaybeputuponme，youaretoremainlikewisesilent。Wemustprovokenosceneswiththisman，norcrosshiswill。Andwemustkeepsmilingfacesandbefriendlywithhimnomatterhowrepulsiveitmaybe。"
　　Shebrushedherhandacrossherforeheadinapuzzledway，saying，"StillIdonotunderstand。"
　　"YoumustdoasIsay，"Iinterruptedauthoritatively，forsawWolfLarsen’sgazewanderingtowardusfromwherehepacedupanddownwithLatimeramidships。"DoasIsay，anderelongyouwillfindamright。"
　　"WhatshallIdo，then？"sheasked，detectingtheanxiousglanceIhadshotattheobjectofourconversation，andimpressed，flattermyself，withtheearnestnessofmymanner。
　　"Dispensewithallthemoralcourageyoucan，"Isaidbriskly。"Don’tarousethisman’sanimosity。Bequitefriendlywithhim，talkwithhim，discussliteratureandartwithhim——heisfondofsuchthings。Youwillfindhimaninterestedlistenerandnofool。Andforyourownsaketrytoavoidwitnessing，asmuchasyoucan，thebrutalitiesoftheship。Itwillmakeiteasierforyoutoactyourpart。"
　　"Iamtolie，"shesaidinsteady，rebellioustones，"byspeechandactiontolie。"
　　WolfLarsenhadseparatedfromLatimerandwascomingtowardus。Iwasdesperate。
　　"Please，pleaseunderstandme，"Isaidhurriedly，loweringmyvoice。
　　"Allyourexperienceofmenandthingsisworthlesshere。Youmustbeginoveragain。Iknow，——Icanseeit，——youhave，amongotherways，beenusedtomanagingpeoplewithyoureyes，lettingyourmoralcouragespeakoutthroughthem，asitwere。Youhavealreadymanagedmewithyoureyes，commandedmewiththem。Butdon’ttryitonWolfLarsen。Youcouldaseasilycontrolalion，whilehewouldmakeamockofyou。Hewould——Ihavealwaysbeenproudofthefactthatdiscoveredhim，"Isaid，turningtheconversationasWolfLarsensteppedonthepoopandjoinedus。"Theeditorswereafraidofhimandthepublisherswouldhavenoneofhim。ButIknew，andhisgeniusandmyjudgmentwerevindicatedwhenhemadethatmagnificenthitwithhis`Forge。’"
　　"Anditwasanewspaperpoem，"shesaidglibly。
　　"Itdidhappentoseethelightinanewspaper，"Ireplied，"butnotbecausethemagazineeditorshadbeendeniedaglimpseatit。"
　　"WeweretalkingofHarris，"IsaidtoWolfLarsen。
　　"Oh，yes，"heacknowledged。"Irememberthe`Forge。’Filledwithprettysentimentsandanalmightyfaithinhumanillusions。Bytheway，Mr。VanWeyden，you’dbetterlookinonCooky。He’scomplainingandrestless。"
　　ThuswasIbluntlydismissedfromthepoop，onlytofindMugridgesleepingsoundlyfromthemorphineIhadgivenhim。Imadenohastetoreturnondeck，andwhenIdidIwasgratifiedtoseeMissBrewsterinanimatedconversationwithWolfLarsen。AsIsay，thesightgratifiedme。Shewasfollowingmyadvice。AndyetIwasconsciousofaslightshockorhurtinthatshewasabletodothethingIhadbeggedhertodoandwhichshehadnotablydisliked。TheSeaWolf：Chapter23CHAPTER23
　　Bravewinds，blowingfair，swiftlydrovetheGhostnorthwardintothesealherd。Weencountereditwelluptotheforty—fourthparallel，inarawandstormyseaacrosswhichthewindharriedthefog—banksineternalflight。Fordaysatatimewecouldneverseethesunnortakeanobservation；thenthewindwouldsweepthefaceoftheoceanclean，thewaveswouldrippleandflash，andwewouldlearnwherewewere。Adayofclearweathermightfollow，orthreedaysorfour，andthenthefogwouldsettledownuponus，seeminglythickerthanever。
　　Thehuntingwasperilous；yettheboats，lowereddayafterday，wereswallowedupinthegrayobscurity，andwereseennomoretillnightfall，andoftennottilllongafter，whentheywouldcreepinlikesea—wraiths，onebyone，outofthegray。Wainwright，——thehunterwhomWolfLarsenhadstolenwithboatandmen，——tookadvantageoftheveiledseaandescaped。
　　Hedisappearedonemorningintheencirclingfogwithhistwomen，andweneversawthemagain，thoughitwasnotmanydayswhenwelearnedthattheyhadpassedfromschoonertoschooneruntiltheyfinallyregainedtheirown。
　　ThiswasthethingIhadsetmymindupondoing，buttheopportunityneveroffered。Itwasnotinthemate’sprovincetogooutintheboats，andthoughIman渦vredcunninglyforit，WolfLarsennevergrantedmetheprivilege。Hadhedoneso，IshouldhavemanagedsomehowtocarryMissBrewsterawaywithme。Asitwas，thesituationwasapproachingastagewhichIwasafraidtoconsider。Iinvoluntarilyshunnedthethoughtofit，andyetthethoughtcontinuallyaroseinmymindlikeahauntingspectre。
　　Ihadreadsea—romancesinmytime，whereinfigured，asamatterofcourse，thelonewomaninthemidstofashiploadofmen；butIlearned，now，thatIhadnevercomprehendedthedeepersignificanceofsuchasituation——thethingthewritersharpeduponandexploitedsothoroughly。Andhereitwas，now，andIwasfacetofacewithit。Thatitshouldbeasvitalaspossible，itrequirednomorethanthatthewomanshouldbeMaudBrewster，whonowcharmedmeinpersonasshehadlongcharmedmethroughherwork。
　　Noonemoreoutofenvironmentcouldbeimagined。Shewasadelicate，etherealcreature，swayingandwillowy，lightandgracefulofmovement。
　　Itneverseemedtomethatshewalked，or，atleast，walkedaftertheordinarymannerofmortals。Herswasanextremelithesomeness，andshemovedwithacertainindefinableairiness，approachingoneasdownmightfloatorasabirdonnoiselesswings。
　　ShewaslikeabitofDresdenchina，andIwascontinuallyimpressedwithwhatImaycallherfragility。AsatthetimeIcaughtherarmwhenhelpingherbelow，soatanytimeIwasquiteprepared，shouldstressorroughhandlingbefallher，toseehercrumbleaway。haveneverseenbodyandspiritinsuchperfectaccord。Describeherverse，asthecriticshavedescribedit，assublimatedandspiritual，andyouhavedescribedherbody。
　　Itseemedtopartakeofhersoul，tohaveanalogousattributes，andtolinkittolifewiththeslenderestofchains。Indeed，shetrodtheearthlightly，andinherconstitutiontherewaslittleoftherobustclay。
　　ShewasinstrikingcontrasttoWolfLarsen。Eachwasnothingthattheotherwas，everythingthattheotherwasnot。Inotedthemwalkingthedecktogetheronemorning，andIlikenedthemtotheextremeendsofthehumanladderofevolution——theonetheculminationofallsavagery，theotherthefinishedproductofthefinestcivilization。True，WolfLarsenpossessedintellecttoanunusualdegree，butitwasdirectedsolelytotheexerciseofhissavageinstinctsandmadehimbutthemoreformidableasavage。Hewassplendidlymuscled，aheavyman，andthoughhestrodewiththecertitudeanddirectnessofthephysicalman，therewasnothingheavyabouthisstride。Thejungleandthewildernesslurkedintheupliftanddownputofhisfeet。Hewascat—footed，andlithe，andstrong，alwaysstrong。Ilikenedhimtosomegreattiger，abeastofprowessandprey。
　　Helookedit，andthepiercingglitterthataroseattimesinhiseyeswasthesamepiercingglitterIhadobservedintheeyesofcagedleopardsandotherpreyingcreaturesofthewild。
　　Butthisday，asInotedthempacingupanddown，Isawthatitwasshewhoterminatedthewalk。TheycameuptowhereIwasstandingbytheentrancetothecompanionway。Thoughshebetrayeditbynooutwardsign，Ifelt，somehow，thatshewasgreatlyperturbed。Shemadesomeidleremark，lookingatme，andlaughedlightlyenough；butIsawhereyesreturntohis，involuntarily，asthoughfascinated；thentheyfell，butnotswiftlyenoughtoveiltherushofterrorthatfilledthem。
　　ItwasinhiseyesthatIsawthecauseofherperturbation。Ordinarilygrayandcoldandharsh，theywerenowwarmandsoftandgolden，andalladancewithtinylightsthatdimmedandfaded，orwelleduptillthefullorbswerefloodedwithaglowingradiance。Perhapsitwastothisthatthegoldencolorwasdue；butgoldenhiseyeswere，enticingandmasterful，atthesametimeluringandcompelling，andspeakingademandandclamorofthebloodwhichnowoman，muchlessMaudBrewster，couldmisunderstand。
　　Herownterrorrusheduponme，andinthatmomentoffear，——themostterriblefearamancanexperience，——Iknewthatininexpressiblewaysshewasdeartome。TheknowledgethatIlovedherrusheduponmewiththeterror，andwithbothemotionsgrippingatmyheartandcausingmybloodatthesametimetochillandtoleapriotously，Ifeltmyselfdrawnbyapowerwithoutmeandbeyondme，andfoundmyeyesreturningagainstmywilltogazeintotheeyesofWolfLarsen。Buthehadrecoveredhimself。
　　Thegoldencolorandthedancinglightsweregone。Coldandgrayandglitteringtheywereashebowedbrusquelyandturnedaway。
　　"Iamafraid，"shewhispered，withashiver。"Iamsoafraid。"
　　I，too，wasafraid，andwhatofmydiscoveryofhowmuchshemeanttomemymindwasinaturmoil；butIsucceededinansweringquitecalmly：
　　"Allwillcomeright，MissBrewster。Trustme，itwillcomeright。"
　　Sheansweredwithagratefullittlesmilethatsentmyheartpounding，andstartedtodescendthecompanion—stairs。
　　ForalongwhileIremainedstandingwhereshehadleftme。Therewasimperativeneedtoadjustmyself，toconsiderthesignificanceofthechangedaspectofthings。Ithadcome，atlast，lovehadcome，whenIleastexpecteditandunderthemostforbiddingconditions。Ofcourse，myphilosophyhadalwaysrecognizedtheinevitablenessofthelove—callsoonerorlater；
　　butlongyearsofbookishsilencehadmademeinattentiveandunprepared。
　　Andnowithadcome！MaudBrewster！Mymemoryflashedbacktothatfirstthinlittlevolumeonmydesk，andIsawbeforeme，asthoughintheconcrete，therowofthinlittlevolumesonmylibraryshelf。HowIhadwelcomedeachofthem！Eachyearonehadcomefromthepress，andtomeeachwastheadventoftheyear。Theyhadvoicedakindredintellectandspirit，andassuchIhadreceivedthemintoacamaraderieofthemind；butnowtheirplacewasinmyheart。
　　Myheart？Arevulsionoffeelingcameoverme。Iseemedtostandoutsidemyselfandtolookatmyselfincredulously。MaudBrewster！HumphreyVanWeyden，the"cold—bloodedfish，"the"emotionlessmonster，"the"analyticaldemon，"ofCharleyFuruseth’schristening，inlove！Andthen，withoutrhymeorreason，allsceptical，mymindflewbacktoasmallbiographicalnoteinthered—bound"Who’sWho，"andIsaidtomyself，"ShewasborninCambridge，andsheistwenty—sevenyearsold。"AndthenIsaid，"Twenty—sevenyearsoldandstillfreeandfancyfree？"ButhowdidIknowshewasfancyfree？
　　Andthepangofnew—bornjealousyputallincredulitytoflight。Therewasnodoubtaboutit。Iwasjealous；thereforeIloved。AndthewomanlovedwasMaudBrewster。
　　I，HumphreyVanWeyden，wasinlove！Andagainthedoubtassailedme。
　　NotthatIwasafraidofit，however，orreluctanttomeetit。Onthecontrary，idealistthatIwastothemostpronounceddegree，myphilosophyhadalwaysrecognizedandguerdonedloveasthegreatestthingintheworld，theaimandthesummitofbeing，themostexquisitepitchofjoyandhappinesstowhichlifecouldthrill，thethingofallthingstobehailedandwelcomedandtakenintotheheart。ButnowthatithadcomeIcouldnotbelieve。
　　Icouldnotbesofortunate。Itwastoogood，toogoodtobetrue。Symons’slinescameintomyhead：
　　"IwanderedalltheseyearsamongAworldofwomen，seekingyou。"
　　AndthenIhadceasedseeking。Itwasnotforme，thisgreatestthingintheworld，Ihaddecided。Furusethwasright；Iwasabnormal，an"emotionlessmonster，"astrangebookishcreature，capableofpleasuringinsensationsonlyofthemind。AndthoughIhadbeensurroundedbywomenallmydays，myappreciationofthemhadbeenaestheticandnothingmore。Ihadactually，attimes，consideredmyselfoutsidethepale，amonkishfellowdeniedtheeternalorthepassingpassionsIsawandunderstoodsowellinothers。
　　Andnowithadcome！Undreamedofandunheralded，ithadcome。Inwhatcouldhavebeennolessthananecstasy，Ileftmypostattheheadofthecompanionwayandstartedalongthedeck，murmuringtomyselfthosebeautifullinesofMrs。Browning：
　　"IlivedwithvisionsformycompanyInsteadofmenandwomenyearsago，Andfoundthemgentlemates，northoughttoknowAsweetermusicthantheyplayedtome。"
　　Butthesweetermusicwasplayinginmyears，andIwasblindandoblivioustoallaboutme。ThesharpvoiceofWolfLarsenarousedme。
　　"Whatthehellareyouupto？"hewasdemanding。
　　Ihadstrayedforwardwherethesailorswerepainting，andcametomyselftofindmyadvancingfootonthevergeofoverturningapaint—pot。
　　"Sleep—walking，sunstroke，——what？"hebarked。
　　"No；indigestion，"Iretorted，andcontinuedmywalkasifnothinguntowardhadoccurred。TheSeaWolf：Chapter24CHAPTER24
　　AmongthemostvividmemoriesofmylifearethoseoftheeventsontheGhostwhichoccurredduringthefortyhourssucceedingthediscoveryofmyloveforMaudBrewster。I，whohadlivedmylifeinquietplaces，onlytoenterattheageofthirty—fiveuponacourseofthemostirrationaladventureIcouldhaveimagined，neverhadmoreincidentandexcitementcrammedintoanyfortyhoursofmyexperience。NorcanIquiteclosemyearstoasmallvoiceofpridewhichtellsmedidnotdosobadly，allthingsconsidered。
　　Tobeginwith，atthemiddaydinner，WolfLarseninformedthehuntersthattheyweretoeatthenceforthinthesteerage。Itwasanunprecedentedthingonsealingschooners，whereitisthecustomforthehunterstorankunofficiallyasofficers。Hegavenoreason，buthismotivewasobviousenough。HornerandSmokehadbeendisplayingagallantrytowardMaudBrewster，ludicrousinitselfandinoffensivetoher，buttohimevidentlydistasteful。
　　Theannouncementwasreceivedwithblacksilence，thoughtheotherfourhuntersglancedsignificantlyatthetwowhohadbeenthecauseoftheirbanishment。JockHorner，quietaswashisway，gavenosign；butthebloodsurgeddarklyacrossSmoke’sforehead，andhehalfopenedhismouthtospeak。WolfLarsenwaswatchinghim，waitingforhim，thesteelyglitterinhiseyes；butSmokeclosedhismouthagainwithouthavingsaidanything。
　　"Anythingtosay？"theotherdemandedaggressively。
　　Itwasachallenge，butSmokerefusedtoacceptit。
　　"Aboutwhat？"heasked，soinnocentlythatWolfLarsenwasdisconcerted，whiletheotherssmiled。
　　"Oh，nothing，"WolfLarsensaidlamely。"Ijustthoughtyoumightwanttoregisterakick。"
　　"Aboutwhat？"askedtheimperturbableSmoke。
　　Smoke’smateswerenowsmilingbroadly。Hiscaptaincouldhavekilledhim，andIdoubtnotthatbloodwouldhaveflowedhadnotMaudBrewsterbeenpresent。Forthatmatter，itwasherpresencewhichenabledSmoketoactashedid。HewastoodiscreetandcautiousamantoincurWolfLarsen’sangeratatimewhenthatangercouldbeexpressedintermsstrongerthanwords。Iwasinfearthatastrugglemighttakeplace，butacryfromthehelmsmanmadeiteasyforthesituationtosaveitself。
　　"Smokeho！"thecrycamedowntheopencompanionway。
　　"How’sitbear？"WolfLarsencalledup。
　　"Deadastern，sir。"
　　"Maybeit’saRussian，"suggestedLatimer。
　　Hiswordsbroughtanxietyintothefacesoftheotherhunters。ARussiancouldmeanbutonething——acruiser。Thehunters，nevermorethanroughlyawareofthepositionoftheship，neverthelessknewthatwewereclosetotheboundariesoftheforbiddensea，whileWolfLarsen’srecordasapoacherwasnotorious。Alleyescentreduponhim。
　　"We’redeadsafe，"heassuredthemwithalaugh。"Nosaltminesthistime，Smoke。ButI’lltellyouwhat——I’lllayoddsoffivetooneit’stheMacedonia。"
　　Nooneacceptedhisofferandhewenton。"Inwhichevent，I’lllaytentoonethere’stroublebreezingup。"
　　"No，thankyou，"Latimerspokeup。"Idon’tobjecttolosingmymoney，butIliketogetarunforit，anyway。Thereneverwasatimewhentherewasn’ttroublewhenyouandthatbrotherofyoursgottogether，andI’lllaytwentytooneonthat。"