Theboat—pullerobeyed，takingaturnaroundthelittleforwardthwartandpayingthelineasitjerkedtaut。Theboatsheeredoutwitharush，andthehuntersteadiedittoaparallelcoursesometwentyfeetfromthesideoftheGhost。
　　"Nowgetthatsaildownandcomealongside！"WolfLarsenordered。
　　Heneverletgohisrifle，evenpassingdownthetackleswithonehand。
　　Whentheywerefast，bowandstern，andthetwouninjuredmenpreparedtocomeaboard，thehunterpickeduphisrifleasiftoplaceitinasecureposition。
　　"Dropit！"WolfLarsencried，andthehunterdroppeditasthoughitwerehotandhadburnedhim。
　　Onceaboard，thetwoprisonershoistedintheboatandunderWolfLarsen’sdirectioncarriedthewoundedboat—steererdownintotheforecastle。
　　"IfourfiveboatsdoaswellasyouandIhavedone，we’llhaveaprettyfullcrew，"WolfLarsensaidtome。
　　"Themanyoushot——heis，Ihope——"MaudBrewsterquavered。
　　"Intheshoulder，"heanswered。"Nothingserious。Mr。VanWeydenwillpullhimaroundasgoodaseverinthreeorfourweeks。"
　　"Buthewon’tpullthosechapsaround，fromthelookofit，"headded，pointingattheMacedonia’sthirdboat，forwhichIhadbeensteeringandwhichwasnownearlyabreastofus。"That’sHorner’sandSmoke’swork。
　　Itoldthemwewantedlivemen，notcarcasses。Butthejoyofshootingtohitisamostcompellingthing，whenonceyou’velearnedhowtoshoot。
　　Everexperiencedit，Mr。VanWeyden？"
　　Ishookmyheadandregardedtheirwork。Ithadindeedbeenbloody，fortheyhaddrawnoffandjoinedourotherthreeboatsintheattackontheremainingtwooftheenemy。Thedesertedboatwasinthetroughofthesea，rollingdrunk—enlyacrosseachcomber，itsloosespritsailoutatrightanglestoitandflutteringandflappinginthewind。Thehunterandboat—pullerwerebothlyingawkwardlyinthebottom，buttheboat—steererlayacrossthegunwale，halfinandhalfout，hisarmstrailinginthewaterandhisheadrollingfromsidetoside。
　　"Don’tlook，MissBrewster，pleasedon’tlook，"Ihadbeggedofher，andIwasgladthatshehadmindedmeandbeensparedthesight。
　　"Headrightintothebunch，Mr。VanWeyden，"wasWolfLarsen’scommand。
　　Aswedrewnearer，thefiringceased，andwesawthatthefightwasover。Theremainingtwoboatshadbeencapturedbyourfive，andthesevenweregroupedtogether，waitingtobepickedup。
　　"Lookatthat！"Icriedinvoluntarily，pointingtothenortheast。
　　TheblotofsmokewhichindicatedtheMacedonia’spositionhadreappeared。
　　"Yes，I’vebeenwatchingit，"wasWolfLarsen’scalmreply。Hemeasuredthedistanceawaytothefog—bankandforaninstantpausedtofeeltheweightofthewindonhischeek。"We’llmakeit，Ithink；butyoucandependuponitthatblessedbrotherofminehastwiggedourlittlegameandisjusta—humpingforus。Ah，lookatthat！"
　　Theblotofsmokehadsuddenlygrownlarger，anditwasveryblack。
　　"I’llbeatyouout，though，brothermine，"hechuckled。"I’llbeatyouout，andIhopeyounoworsethanthatyourackyouroldenginesintoscrap。"
　　Whenwehoveto，ahastythoughorderlyconfusionreigned。Theboatscameaboardfromeverysideatonce。Asfastastheprisonerscameovertherailtheyweremarshalledforwardintotheforecastlebyourhunters，whileoursailorshoistedintheboats，pell—mell，droppingthemanywhereuponthedeckandnotstoppingtolashthem。Wewerealreadyunderway，allsailssetanddrawing，andthesheetsbeingslackedoffforawindabeam，asthelastboatliftedclearofthewaterandswunginthetackles。
　　Therewasneedforhaste。TheMacedonia，belchingtheblackestofsmokefromherfunnel，waschargingdownuponusfromoutofthenortheast。
　　Neglectingtheboatsthatremainedtoher，shehadalteredhercoursesoastoanticipateours。Shewasnotrunningstraightforus，butaheadofus。Ourcourseswereconverginglikethesidesofanangle，thevertexofwhichwasattheedgeofthefog—bank。Itwasthere，ornotatall，thattheMacedoniacouldhopetocatchus。ThehopefortheGhostlayinthatsheshouldpassthatpointbeforetheMacedoniaarrivedatit。
　　WolfLarsenwassteering，hiseyesglisteningandsnappingastheydweltuponandleapedfromdetailtodetailofthechase。Nowhestudiedtheseatowindwardforsignsofthewindslackeningorfreshening，nowtheMacedonia；andagain，hiseyesrovedovereverysail，andhegavecommandstoslackasheethereatrifle，tocomeinononethereatrifle，tillhewasdrawingoutoftheGhostthelastbitofspeedshepossessed。
　　Allfeudsandgrudgeswereforgotten，andIwassurprisedatthealacritywithwhichthemenwhohadsolongenduredhisbrutalitysprangtoexecutehisorders。Strangetosay，theunfortunateJohnsoncameintomymindasweliftedandsurgedandheeledalong，andIwasawareofaregretthathewasnotaliveandpresent；hehadsolovedtheGhostanddelightedinhersailingpowers。
　　"Bettergetyourrifles，youfellows，"WolfLarsencalledtoourhunters；
　　andthefivemenlinedtheleerail，gunsinhand，andwaited。
　　TheMacedoniawasnowbutamileaway，theblacksmokepouringfromherfunnelatarightangle，somadlysheraced，poundingthroughtheseaataseventeen—knotgait——"`Sky—hootingthroughthebrine，’"
　　asWolfLarsenquotedwhilegazingather。Wewerenotmakingmorethannineknots，butthefog—bankwasverynear。
　　ApuffofsmokebrokefromtheMacedonia’sdeck，weheardaheavyreport，andaroundholetookforminthestretchedcanvasofourmainsail。
　　Theywereshootingatuswithoneofthesmallcannonwhichrumorhadsaidtheycarriedonboard。Ourmen，clusteringamidships，wavedtheirhatsandraisedaderisivecheer。Againtherewasapuffofsmokeandaloudreport，thistimethecannon—ballstrikingnotmorethantwentyfeetasternandglancingtwicefromseatoseatowindwardereitsank。
　　Buttherewasnorifle—firingforthereasonthatalltheirhunterswereoutintheboatsorourprisoners。Whenthetwovesselswerehalfamileapart，athirdshotmadeanotherholeinourmainsail。Thenweenteredthefog。Itwasaboutus，veilingandhidingusinitsdensewetgauze。
　　Thesuddentransitionwasstartling。Themomentbeforewehadbeenleapingthroughthesunshine，theclearskyaboveus，theseabreakingandrollingwidetothehorizon，andaship，vomitingsmokeandfireandironmissiles，rushingmadlyuponus。Andatonce，asinaninstant’sleap，thesunwasblottedout，therewasnosky，evenourmastheadswerelosttoview，andourhorizonwassuchastear—blindedeyesmaysee。Thegraymistdrovebyuslikearain。Everywoollenfilamentofourgarments，everyhairofourheadsandfaces，wasjewelledwithacrystalglobule。Theshroudswerewetwithmoisture；itdrippedfromourriggingoverhead；andontheundersideofourboomsdropsofwatertookshapeinlongswayinglines，whichweredetachedandflungtothedeckinmimicshowersateachsurgeoftheschooner。Iwasawareofapent，stifledfeeling。Asthesoundsoftheshipthrustingherselfthroughthewaveswerehurledbackuponusbythefog，sowereone’sthoughts。Themindrecoiledfromcontemplationofaworldbeyondthiswetveilwhichwrappedusaround。Thiswastheworld，theuniverseitself，itsboundssonearonefeltimpelledtoreachoutbotharmsandpushthemback。Itwasimpossiblethattherestcouldbebeyondthesewallsofgray。Therestwasadream，nomorethanthememoryofadream。
　　Itwasweird，strangelyweird。IlookedatMaudBrewsterandknewthatshewassimilarlyaffected。ThenIlookedatWolfLarsen，buttherewasnothingsubjectiveabouthisstateofconsciousness。Hiswholeconcernwaswiththeimmediate，objectivepresent。Hestillheldthewheel，andIfeltthathewastimingTime，reckoningthepassageoftheminuteswitheachforwardlungeandleewardrolloftheGhost。
　　"Gofor’ardandhard—a—leewithoutanynoise，"hesaidtomeinalowvoice。"Clewupthetopsailsfirst。Setmenatallthesheets。Lettherebenorattlingofblocks，nosoundofvoices。Nonoise，understand，nonoise。"
　　Whenallwasready，theword"hard—a—lee"waspassedforwardtomefrommantoman；andtheGhostheeledaboutontheporttackwithpracticallynonoiseatall。Andwhatlittletherewas，——theslappingofafewreef—pointsandthecreakingofasheaveinablockortwo，——wasghostlyunderthehollowechoingpallinwhichwewereswathed。
　　Wehadscarcelyfilledaway，itseemed，whenthefogthinnedabruptlyandwewereagaininthesunshine，thewide—stretchingseabreakingbeforeustothesky—line。Buttheoceanwasbare。NowrathfulMacedoniabrokeitssurfacenorblackenedtheskywithhersmoke。
　　WolfLarsenatoncesquaredawayandrandownalongtherimofthefog—bank。
　　Histrickwasobvious。Hehadenteredthefogtowindwardofthesteamer，andwhilethesteamerhadblindlydrivenonintothefoginthechanceofcatchinghimhehadcomeaboutandoutofhisshelterandwasnowrunningdowntorentertoleeward。Successfulinthis，theoldsimileoftheneedleinthehaystackwouldbemildindeedcomparedwithhisbrother’schanceoffindinghim。
　　Hedidnotrunlong。Jibingthefore—andmain—sailsandsettingthetopsailsagain，weheadedbackintothebank。AsweenteredIcouldhaveswornIsawavaguebulkemergingtowindward。IlookedquicklyatWolfLarsen。Alreadywewereourselvesburiedinthefog，buthenoddedhishead。He，too，hadseenit——theMacedonia，guessinghisman渦vreandfailingbyamomentinanticipatingit。Therewasnodoubtthatwehadescapedunseen。
　　"Hecan’tkeepthisup，"WolfLarsensaid。"He’llhavetogobackfortherestofhisboats。Sendamantothewheel，Mr。VanWeyden，keepthiscourseforthepresent，andyoumightaswellsetthewatches，forwewon’tdoanylingeringto—night。"
　　"I’dgivefivehundreddollars，though，"headded，"justtobeaboardtheMacedoniaforfiveminutes，listeningtomybrothercurse。"
　　"Andnow，Mr。VanWeyden，"hesaidtomewhenhehadbeenrelievedfromthewheel，"wemustmakethesenewcomerswelcome。Serveoutplentyofwhiskeytothehuntersandseethatafewbottlesslipfor’ard。I’llwagereverymanJackofthemisoverthesideto—morrow，huntingforWolfLarsenascontentedlyasevertheyhuntedforDeathLarsen。"
　　"Butwon’ttheyescapeasWainwrightdid？"Iasked。
　　Helaughedshrewdly。"Notaslongasouroldhuntershaveanythingtosayaboutit。I’mdividingamongstthemadollaraskinforalltheskinsshotbyournewhunters。Atleasthalfoftheirenthusiasmto—daywasduetothat。Oh，no，therewon’tbeanyescapingiftheyhaveanythingtosayaboutit。Andnowyou’dbettergetfor’ardtoyourhospitalduties。Theremustbeafullwardwaitingforyou。"TheSeaWolf：Chapter26CHAPTER26
　　WolfLarsentookthedistributionofthewhiskeyoffmyhands，andthebottlesbegantomaketheirappearancewhileIworkedoverthefreshbatchofwoundedmenintheforecastle。Ihadseenwhiskeydrunk，suchaswhiskeyandsodabythemenoftheclubs，butneverasthesemendrankit，frompannikinsandmugs，andfromthebottles——greatbrimmingdrinks，eachoneofwhichwasinitselfadebauch。Buttheydidnotstopatoneortwo。
　　Theydrankanddrank，andeverthebottlesslippedforwardandtheydrankmore。
　　Everybodydrank；thewoundeddrank；Oofty—Oofty，whohelpedme，drank。
　　OnlyLouisrefrained，nomorethancautiouslywettinghislipswiththeliquor，thoughhejoinedintherevelswithanabandonequaltothatofmostofthem。Itwasasaturnalia。Inloudvoicestheyshoutedovertheday’sfighting，wrangledaboutdetails，orwaxedaffectionateandmadefriendswiththemenwhomtheyhadfought。Prisonersandcaptorshiccoughedononeanother’sshoulders，andsworemightyoathsofrespectandesteem。
　　TheyweptoverthemiseriesofthepastandoverthemiseriesyettocomeundertheironruleofWolfLarsen。Andallcursedhimandtoldterribletalesofhisbrutality。
　　Itwasastrangeandfrightfulspectacle——thesmall，bunk—linedspace，thefloorandwallsleapingandlurching，thedimlight，theswayingshadowslengtheningandforeshorteningmonstrously，thethickairheavywithsmokeandthesmellofbodiesandiodoform，andtheinflamedfacesofthemen——half—men，Ishouldcallthem。InotedOofty—Oofty，holdingtheendofabandageandlookinguponthescene，hisvelvetyandluminouseyesglisteninginthelightlikeadeer’seyes，andyetIknewthebarbaricdevilthatlurkedinhisbreastandbeliedallthesoftnessandtenderness，almostwomanly，ofhisfaceandform。AndInoticedtheboyishfaceofHarrison，——agoodfaceonce，butnowademon’s，——convulsedwithpassionashetoldthenewcomersofthehell—shiptheywereinandshriekedcursesupontheheadofWolfLarsen。
　　WolfLarsenitwas，alwaysWolfLarsen，enslaverandtormentorofmen，amaleCirceandthesehisswine，sufferingbrutesthatgrovelledbeforehimandrevoltedonlyindrunkennessandinsecrecy。AndwasI，too，oneofhisswine？Ithought。AndMaudBrewster？No！IgroundmyteethinmyangeranddeterminationtillthemanIwasattendingwincedundermyhandandOofty—Ooftylookedatmewithcuriosity。Ifeltendowedwithasuddenstrength。Whatofmynew—foundlove，Iwasagiant。Ifearednothing。I
　　wouldworkmywillthroughitall，inspiteofWolfLarsenandofmyownthirty—fivebookishyears。Allwouldbewell。Iwouldmakeitwell。Andso，exalted，upbornebyasenseofpower，Iturnedmybackonthehowlinginfernoandclimbedtothedeck，wherethefogdriftedghostlythroughthenightandtheairwassweetandpureandquiet。
　　Thesteerage，whereweretwowoundedhunters，wasarepetitionoftheforecastle，exceptthatWolfLarsenwasnotbeingcursed；anditwaswithagreatreliefthatIagainemergedondeckandwentafttothecabin。
　　Supperwasready，andWolfLarsenandMaudwerewaitingforme。
　　Whileallhisshipwasgettingdrunkasfastasitcould，heremainedsober。Notadropofliquorpassedhislips。Hedidnotdareitunderthecircumstances，forhehadonlyLouisandmetodependupon，andLouiswasevennowatthewheel。Weweresailingonthroughthefogwithoutalookoutandwithoutlights。ThatWolfLarsenhadturnedtheliquorlooseamonghismensurprisedme，butheevidentlyknewtheirpsychologyandthebestmethodofcementingincordialitywhathadbeguninbloodshed。
　　HisvictoryoverDeathLarsenseemedtohavehadaremarkableeffectuponhim。Thepreviouseveninghehadreasonedhimselfintotheblues，andIhadbeenwaitingmomentarilyforoneofhischaracteristicoutbursts。
　　Yetnothinghadoccurred，andhewasnowinsplendidtrim。Possiblyhissuccessincapturingsomanyhuntersandboatshadcounteractedthecustomaryreaction。Atanyrate，thebluesweregone，andthebluedevilshadnotputinanappearance。SoIthoughtatthetime；but，ahme，littleIknewhimorknewthateventhen，perhaps，hewasmeditatinganoutbreakmoreterriblethananyIhadseen。
　　AsIsay，hediscoveredhimselfinsplendidtrimwhenIenteredthecabin。Hehadhadnoheadachesforweeks，hiseyeswereclearblueasthesky，hisbronzewasbeautifulwithperfecthealth；lifeswelledthroughhisveinsinfullandmagnificentflood。WhilewaitingformehehadengagedMaudinanimateddiscussion。Temptationwasthetopictheyhadhitupon，andfromthefewwordsIheardImadeoutthathewascontendingthattemptationwastemptationonlywhenamanwasseducedbyitandfell。
　　"Forlookyou，"hewassaying，"asIseeit，amandoesthingsbecauseofdesire。Hehasmanydesires。Hemaydesiretoescapepain，ortoenjoypleasure。Butwhateverhedoes，hedoesbecausehedesirestodoit。"
　　"Butsupposehedesirestodotwooppositethings，neitherofwhichwillpermithimtodotheother？"Maudinterrupted。
　　"TheverythingIwascomingto，"hesaid。
　　"Andbetweenthesetwodesiresisjustwherethesoulofthemanismanifest，"shewenton。"Ifitisagoodsoul，itwilldesireanddothegoodaction，andthecontraryifitisabadsoul。Itisthesoulthatdecides。"
　　"Boshandnonsense！"heexclaimedimpatiently。"Itisthedesirethatdecides。Hereisamanwhowantsto，say，getdrunk。Also，hedoesn’twanttogetdrunk。Whatdoeshedo？Howdoeshedoit？Heisapuppet。Heisthecreatureofhisdesires，andofthetwodesiresheobeysthestrongestone，thatisall。Hissoulhasn’tanythingtodowithit。Howcanhebetemptedtogetdrunkandrefusetogetdrunk？Ifthedesiretoremainsoberprevails，itisbecauseitisthestrongestdesire。Temptationplaysnopart，unless，——"hepausedwhilegraspingthenewthoughtwhichhadcomeintohismind，——"unlessheistemptedtoremainsober。
　　"Ha！ha！"helaughed。"Whatdoyouthinkofthat，Mr。VanWeyden？"
　　"Thatbothofyouarehair—splitting，"Isaid。"Theman’ssoulishisdesires。Or，ifyouwill，thesumofhisdesiresishissoul。Thereinyouarebothwrong。Youlaythestressuponthedesireapartfromthesoul，MissBrewsterlaysthestressonthesoulapartfromthedesire，andinpointoffactsoulanddesirearethesamething。
　　"However，"Icontinued，"MissBrewsterisrightincontendingthattemptationistemptationwhetherthemanyieldorovercome。Fireisfannedbythewinduntilitleapsupfiercely。Soisdesirelikefire。Itisfanned，asbyawind，bysightofthethingdesired，orbyanewandluringdescriptionorcomprehensionofthethingdesired。Thereliesthetemptation。Itisthewindthatfansthedesireuntilitleapsuptomastery。That’stemptation。
　　Itmaynotfansufficientlytomakethedesireovermastering，butinsofarasitfansatall，thatfarisittemptation。And，asyousay，itmaytemptforgoodaswellasforevil。"
　　Ifeltproudofmyselfaswesatdowntothetable。Mywordshadbeendecisive。Atleasttheyhadputanendtothediscussion。
　　ButWolfLarsenseemedvoluble，pronetospeechasIhadneverseenhimbefore。Itwasasthoughhewereburstingwithpentenergywhichmustfindanoutletsomehow。Almostimmediatelyhelaunchedintoadiscussiononlove。Asusual，hiswasthesheermaterialisticside，andMaud’swastheidealistic。Formyself，beyondawordorsoofsuggestionorcorrectionnowandagain，Itooknopart。
　　Hewasbrilliant，butsowasMaud，andforsometimeIlostthethreadoftheconversationthroughstudyingherfaceasshetalked。Itwasafacethatrarelydisplayedcolor，butto—nightitwasflushedandvivacious。
　　Herwitwasplayingkeenly，andshewasenjoyingthetiltasmuchasWolfLarsen，andhewasenjoyingithugely。Forsomereason，thoughIknownotwhy，intheargument，soutterlyhadIlostitinthecontemplationofonestraybrownlockofMaud’shair，hequotedfromIseultatTintagel，whereshesays：>"BlessedamIbeyondwomenevenherein，Thatbeyondallbornwomenismysin，Andperfectmytransgression。"
　　AshehadreadpessimismintoOmar，sonowhereadtriumph，stingingtriumphandexultation，intoSwinburne’slines。Andhereadrightly，andhereadwell。HehadhardlyceasedreadingwhenLouisputhisheadintothecompanionwayandwhispereddown：
　　"Beeasy，willye？Thefog’slifted，an’’tistheportlightivasteamerthat’scrossin’ourbowthisblessedminute。"
　　WolfLarsensprangondeck，andsoswiftlythatbythetimewefollowedhimhehadpulledthesteerage—slideoverthedrunkenclamorandwasonhiswayforwardtoclosetheforecastle—scuttle。Thefog，thoughitremained，hadliftedhigh，whereitobscuredthestarsandmadethenightquiteblack。
　　DirectlyaheadofusIcouldseeabrightredlightandawhitelight，andIcouldhearthepulsingofasteamer’sengines。BeyondadoubtitwastheMacedonia。
　　WolfLarsenhadreturnedtothepoop，andwestoodinasilentgroup，watchingthelightsrapidlycrossourbow。
　　"Luckyformehedoesn’tcarryasearchlight，"WolfLarsensaid。
　　"WhatifIshouldcryoutloudly？"Iqueriedinawhisper。
　　"Itwouldbeallup，"heanswered。"Buthaveyouthoughtuponwhatwouldimmediatelyhappen？"
　　BeforeIhadtimetoexpressanydesiretoknow，hehadmebythethroatwithhisgorillagrip，andbyafaintquiverofthemuscles，——ahint，asitwere，——hesuggestedtomethetwistthatwouldsurelyhavebrokenmyneck。ThenextmomenthehadreleasedmeandweweregazingattheMacedonia’slights。
　　"WhatifIshouldcryout？"Maudasked。
　　"Ilikeyoutoowelltohurtyou，"hesaidsoftly——nay，therewasatendernessandacaressinhisvoicethatmademewince。"Butdon’tdoit，justthesame，forI’dpromptlybreakMr。VanWeyden’sneck。"
　　"Thenshehasmypermissiontocryout，"Isaiddefiantly。
　　"Ihardlythinkyou’llcaretosacrificetheDeanofAmericanLetterstheSecond，"hesneered。
　　Wespokenomore，thoughwehadbecometoousedtooneanotherforthesilencetobeawkward；andwhentheredlightandthewhitehaddisappearedwereturnedtothecabintofinishtheinterruptedsupper。
　　Againtheyfelltoquoting，andMaudgaveDowson’s"ImpenitentiaUltima。"
　　Sherendereditbeautifully，butIwatchednother，butWolfLarsen。I
　　wasfascinatedbythefascinatedlookhebentuponMaud。Hewasquiteoutofhimself，andInoticedtheunconsciousmovementofhislipsasheshapedwordforwordasfastassheutteredthem。Heinterruptedherwhenshegavethelines："Andhereyesshouldbemylightwhilethesunwentoutbehindme，Andtheviolsinhervoicebethelastsoundinmyear。"
　　"Thereareviolsinyourvoice，"hesaidbluntly，andhiseyesflashedtheirgoldenlight。
　　Icouldhaveshoutedwithjoyathercontrol。Shefinishedtheconcludingstanzawithoutfalteringandthenslowlyguidedtheconversationintolessperilouschannels。AndallthewhileIsatinahalf—daze，thedrunkenriotofthesteeragebreakingthroughthebulkhead，themanIfearedandthewomanIlovedtalkingonandon。Thetablewasnotcleared。ThemanwhohadtakenMugridge’splacehadevidentlyjoinedhiscomradesintheforecastle。
　　IfeverWolfLarsenattainedthesummitofliving，heattaineditthen。
　　FromtimetotimeIforsookmyownthoughtstofollowhim，andIfollowedinamaze，masteredforthemomentbyhisremarkableintellect，underthespellofhispassion，forhewaspreachingthepassionofrevolt。ItwasinevitablethatMilton’sLucifershouldbeinstanced，andthekeennesswithwhichWolfLarsenanalyzedanddepictedthecharacterwasarevelationofhisstifledgenius。ItremindedmeofTaine，yetIknewthemanhadneverheardofthatbrilliantthoughdangerousthinker。
　　"Heledalostcause，andhewasnotafraidofGod’sthunderbolts，"
　　WolfLarsenwassaying。"Hurledintohell，hewasunbeaten。AthirdofGod’sangelshehadledwithhim，andstraightwayheincitedmantorebelagainstGod，andgainedforhimselfandhellthemajorportionofallthegenerationsofman。Whywashebeatenoutofheaven？BecausehewaslessbravethanGod？lessproud？lessaspiring？No！Athousandtimesno！Godwasmorepowerful，ashesaid，Whomthunderhathmadegreater。ButLuciferwasafreespirit。Toservewastosuffocate。Hepreferredsufferinginfreedomtoallthehappinessofacomfortableservility。HedidnotcaretoserveGod。Hecaredtoservenothing。Hewasnofigurehead。Hestoodonhisownlegs。Hewasanindividual。"
　　"Thefirstanarchist，"Maudlaughed，risingandpreparingtowithdrawtoherstate—room。
　　"Thenitisgoodtobeananarchist！"hecried。He，too，hadrisen，andhestoodfacingher，whereshehadpausedatthedoorofherroom，ashewenton："`HereatleastWeshallbefree；theAlmightyhathnotbuiltHereforhisenvy；willnotdriveushence；Herewemayreignsecure；andinmychoiceToreignisworthambition，thoughinhell：Bettertoreigninhellthanserveinheaven。’"
　　Itwasthedefiantcryofamightyspirit。Thecabinstillrangwithhisvoice，ashestoodthere，swaying，hisbronzedfaceshining，hisheadupanddominant，andhiseyes，goldenandmasculine，intenselymasculineandinsistentlysoft，flashinguponMaudatthedoor。
　　Againthatunnamableandunmistakableterrorwasinhereyes，andshesaid，almostinawhisper，"YouareLucifer。"
　　Thedoorclosedandshewasgone。Hestoodstaringafterherforaminute，thenreturnedtohimselfandtome。
　　"I’llrelieveLouisatthewheel，"hesaidshortly，"andcalluponyoutorelieveatmidnight。Betterturninnowandgetsomesleep。"
　　Hepulledonapairofmittens，putonhiscap，andascendedthecompanion—stairs，whileIfollowedhissuggestionbygoingtobed。Forsomeunknownreason，promptedmysteriously，Ididnotundress，butlaydownfullyclothed。ForatimeIlistenedtotheclamorinthesteerageandmarvelleduponthelovewhichhadcometome；butmysleepontheGhosthadbecomemosthealthfulandnatural，andsoonthesongsandcriesdiedaway，myeyesclosed，andmyconsciousnesssankdownintothehalf—deathofslumber。
　　Iknewnotwhathadarousedme，butIfoundmyselfoutofmybunk，onmyfeet，wideawake，mysoulvibratingtothewarningofdangerasitmighthavethrilledtoatrumpetcall。Ithrewopenthedoor。Thecabinlightwasburninglow。IsawMaud，myMaud，strainingandstrugglingandcrushedintheembraceofWolfLarsen’sarms。Icouldseethevainbeatandflutterofherasshestrove，pressingherfaceagainsthisbreast，toescapefromhim。AllthissawontheveryinstantofseeingandasIsprangforward。
　　Istruckhimwithmyfist，ontheface，asheraisedhishead，butitwasapunyblow。Heroaredinaferocious，animal—likeway，andgavemeashovewithhishand。Itwasonlyashove，aflirtofthewrist，yetsotremendouswashisstrengththatIwashurledbackwardasfromacatapult。