Anditwasrequiredofmethatthisshouldbethegravestofresponsibilities，forshewastheonewomanintheworld——theonesmallwoman，asIlovedtothinkofher。TheSeaWolf：Chapter30CHAPTER30
　　NowonderwecalleditEndeavorIsland。Fortwoweekswetoiledatbuildingahut。Maudinsistedonhelping，andIcouldhaveweptoverherbruisedandbleedinghands。Andstill，Iwasproudofherbecauseofit。Therewassomethingheroicaboutthisgentlybredwomanenduringourterriblehardshipandwithherpittanceofstrengthbendingtothetasksofapeasantwoman。ShegatheredmanyofthestoneswhichIbuiltintothewallsofthehut；also，sheturnedadeafeartomyentreatieswhenIbeggedhertodesist。Shecompromised，however，bytakinguponherselfthelighterlaborsofcookingandgatheringdriftwoodandmossforourwinter’ssupply。
　　Thehut’swallsrosewithoutdifficulty，andeverythingwentsmoothlyuntiltheproblemoftheroofconfrontedme。Ofwhatusethefourwallswithoutaroof？Andofwhatcouldaroofbemade？Therewerethespareoars，verytrue。Theywouldserveasroof—beams；butwithwhatwasItocoverthem？Mosswouldneverdo。Tundragrasswasimpracticable。Weneededthesailfortheboat，andthetarpaulinhadbeguntoleak。
　　"Wintersusedwalrusskinsonhishut，"Isaid。
　　"Therearetheseals，"shesuggested。
　　Sonextdaythehuntingbegan。Ididnotknowhowtoshoot，butIproceededtolearn。AndwhenIhadexpendedsomethirtyshellsforthreeseals，I
　　decidedthattheammunitionwouldbeexhaustedbeforeIacquiredthenecessaryknowledge。IhadusedeightshellsforlightingfiresbeforeIhituponthedeviceofbankingtheemberswithwetmoss，andthereremainednotoverahundredshellsinthebox。
　　"Wemustclubtheseals，"Iannounced，whenconvincedofmypoormarksmanship。
　　"Ihaveheardthesealerstalkaboutclubbingthem。"
　　"Theyaresopretty，"sheobjected。"Icannotbeartothinkofitbeingdone。Itissodirectlybrutal，youknow；sodifferentfromshootingthem。"
　　"Thatroofmustgoon，"Iansweredgrimly。"Winterisalmosthere。Itisourlivesagainsttheirs。Itisunfortunatewehaven’tplentyofammunition，butIthink，anyway，thattheysufferlessfrombeingclubbedthanfrombeingallshotup。Besides，Ishalldotheclubbing。"
　　"That’sjustit，"shebeganeagerly，andbrokeoffinsuddenconfusion。
　　"Ofcourse，"Ibegan。"Ifyouprefer——"
　　"ButwhatshallIbedoing？"sheinterrupted，withthatsoftnessIknewfullwelltobeinsistence。
　　"Gatheringfirewoodandcookingdinner，"Iansweredlightly。
　　Sheshookherhead。"Itistoodangerousforyoutoattemptalone。"
　　"Iknow，Iknow，"shewaivedmyprotest。"Iamonlyaweakwoman，butjustmysmallassistancemayenableyoutoescapedisaster。"
　　"Buttheclubbing？"Isuggested。
　　"Ofcourse，youwilldothat。Ishallprobablyscream。I’lllookawaywhen——"
　　"Thedangerismostserious，"Ilaughed。
　　"Ishallusemyjudgmentwhentolookandwhennottolook，"sherepliedwithagrandair。
　　Theupshotoftheaffairwasthatsheaccompaniedmenextmorning。I
　　rowedintotheadjoiningcoveanduptotheedgeofthebeach。Thereweresealsallaboutusinthewater，andthebellowingthousandsonthebeachcompelledustoshoutateachothertomakeourselvesheard。
　　"Iknowmenclubthem，"Isaid，tryingtoreassuremyselfandgazingdoubtfullyatalargebull，notthirtyfeetaway，uprearedonhisfore—flippersandregardingmeintently。"Butthequestionis，Howdotheyclubthem？"
　　"Letusgathertundragrassandthatchtheroof，"Maudsaid。
　　ShewasasfrightenedasIattheprospect，andwehadreasontobe，gazingatcloserangeatthegleamingteethanddog—likemouths。
　　"Ialwaysthoughttheywereafraidofmen，"Isaid。
　　"HowdoIknowtheyarenotafraid？"Iqueriedamomentlater，afterhavingrowedafewmorestrokesalongthebeach。"Perhaps，ifIweretostepboldlyashore，theywouldcutforit，andcouldnotcatchupwithone。"
　　AndstillIhesitated。
　　"Iheardofaman，once，whoinvadedthenestinggroundsofwildgeese，"
　　Maudsaid。"Theykilledhim。"
　　"Thegeese？"
　　"Yes，thegeese。MybrothertoldmeaboutitwhenIwasalittlegirl。"
　　"ButIknowmenclubthem，"Ipersisted。
　　"Ithinkthetundragrasswillmakejustasgoodaroof，"shesaid。
　　Farfromherintention，herwordsweremaddeningme，drivingmeon。
　　Icouldnotplaythecowardbeforehereyes。
　　"Heregoes，"Isaid，backingwaterwithoneoarandrunningthebowashore。
　　Isteppedoutandadvancedvaliantlyuponalong—manedbullinthemidstofhiswives。Iwasarmedwiththeregularclubwithwhichtheboat—pullerskilledthewoundedsealsgaffedaboardbythehunters。Itwasonlyafootandahalflong，andinmysuperbignoranceIneverdreamedthattheclubusedashorewhenraidingtherookeriesmeasuredfourtofivefeet。Thecowslumberedoutofmyway，andthedistancebetweenmeandthebulldecreased。
　　Heraisedhimselfonhisflipperswithanangrymovement。Wewereadozenfeetapart。StillIadvancedsteadily，lookingforhimtoturntailatanymomentandrun。
　　Atsixfeetthepanickythoughtrushedintomymind，Whatifhewillnotrun？Why，thenIshallclubhim，cametheanswer。InmyfearIhadforgottenthatIwastheretogetthebullinsteadoftomakehimrun。
　　Andjustthenhegaveasnortandasnarlandrushedatme。Hiseyeswereblazing，hismouthwaswideopen；theteethgleamedcruellywhite。Withoutshame，IconfessthatitwasIwhoturnedandfootedit。Heranawkwardly，butheranwell。Hewasbuttwopacesbehindwhentumbledintotheboat，andasIshovedoffwithanoarhisteethcruncheddownupontheblade。
　　Thestoutwoodwascrushedlikeanegg—shell。MaudandIwereastounded。
　　Amomentlaterhehaddivedundertheboat，seizedthekeelinhismouth，andwasshakingtheboatviolently。
　　"My！"saidMaud。"Let’sgoback。"
　　Ishookmyhead。"Icandowhatothermenhavedone，andknowthatothermenhaveclubbedseals。ButIthinkI’llleavethebullsalonenexttime。"
　　"Iwishyouwouldn’t，"shesaid。
　　"Nowdon’tsay，`Please，please，’"Icried，halfangrily，Idobelieve。
　　Shemadenoreply，andIknewmytonemusthavehurther。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，"Isaid，orshouted，rather，inordertomakemyselfheardabovetheroaroftherookery。"Ifyousayso，I’llturnandgoback；
　　buthonestly，I’dratherstay。"
　　"Nowdon’tsaythatthisiswhatyougetforbringingawomanalong，"
　　shesaid。Shesmiledatmewhimsically，gloriously，andIknewtherewasnoneedforforgiveness。
　　Irowedacoupleofhundredfeetalongthebeachsoastorecovermynerves，andthensteppedashoreagain。
　　"Dobecautious，"shecalledafterme。
　　Inoddedmyheadandproceededtomakeaflankattackonthenearestharem。AllwentwelluntilIaimedablowatanoutlyingcow’sheadandfellshort。Shesnortedandtriedtoscrambleaway。Iranincloseandstruckanotherblow，hittingtheshoulderinsteadofthehead。
　　"Watchout！"IheardMaudscream。
　　InmyexcitementIhadnotbeentakingnoticeofotherthings，andI
　　lookeduptoseethelordoftheharemchargingdownuponme。AgainIfledtotheboat，hotlypursued；butthistimeMaudmadenosuggestionofturningback。
　　"Itwouldbebetter，Iimagine，ifyouletharemsaloneanddevotedyourattentiontolonelyandinoffensive—lookingseals，"waswhatshesaid。
　　"IthinkIhavereadsomethingaboutthem。Dr。Jordan’sbook，Ibelieve。
　　Theyaretheyoungbulls，notoldenoughtohaveharemsoftheirown。Hecalledthemtheholluschickie，orsomethinglikethat。Itseemstomeifwefindwheretheyhaulout——"
　　"Itseemstomethatyourfightinginstinctisaroused，"laughed。
　　Sheflushedquicklyandprettily。"I’lladmitIdon’tlikedefeatanymorethanyoudo，oranymorethanIliketheideaofkillingsuchpretty，inoffensivecreatures。"
　　"Pretty！"Isniffed。"Ifailedtomarkanythingpreeminentlyprettyaboutthosefoamy—mouthedbeaststhatracedme。"
　　"Yourpointofview，"shelaughed。"Youlackedperspective。Nowifyoudidnothavetogetsoclosetothesubject——"
　　"Theverything！"Icried。"WhatIneedisalongerclub。Andthere’sthatbrokenoarreadytohand。"
　　"Itjustcomestome，"shesaid，"thatCaptainLarsenwastellingmehowthemenraidedtherookeries。Theydrivetheseals，insmallherds，ashortdistanceinlandbeforetheykillthem。"
　　"Idon’tcaretoundertaketheherdingofoneofthoseharems，"Iobjected。
　　"Buttherearetheholluschickie，"shesaid。"Theholluschickiehauloutbythemselves，andDr。Jordansaysthatpathsareleftbetweentheharems，andthataslongastheholluschickiekeepstrictlytothepaththeyareunmolestedbythemastersoftheharem。"
　　"There’sonenow，"Isaid，pointingtoayoungbullinthewater。"Let’swatchhim，andfollowhimifhehaulsout。"
　　Heswamdirectlytothebeachandclamberedoutintoasmallopeningbetweentwoharems，themastersofwhichmadewarningnoisesbutdidnotattackhim。Wewatchedhimtravelslowlyinward，threadingaboutamongtheharemsalongwhatmusthavebeenthepath。
　　"Heregoes，"Isaid，steppingout；butIconfessmyheartwasinmymouthasIthoughtofgoingthroughtheheartofthatmonstrousherd。
　　"Itwouldbewisetomaketheboatfast，"Maudsaid。
　　Shehadsteppedoutbesideme，andIregardedherwithwonderment。
　　Shenoddedherheaddeterminedly。"Yes，I’mgoingwithyou，soyoumayaswellsecuretheboatandarmmewithaclub。"
　　"Let’sgoback，"Isaiddejectedly。"Ithinktundragrasswilldo，afterall。"
　　"Youknowitwon’t，"washerreply。"ShallIlead？"
　　Withashrugoftheshoulders，butwiththewarmestadmirationandprideatheartforthiswoman，Iequippedherwiththebrokenoarandtookanotherformyself。Itwaswithnervoustrepidationthatwemadethefirstfewrodsofthejourney。OnceMaudscreamedinterrorasacowthrustaninquisitivenosetowardherfoot，andseveraltimesIquickenedmypaceforthesamereason。But，beyondwarningcoughsfromeitherside，therewerenosignsofhostility。Itwasarookerywhichhadneverbeenraidedbythehunters，andinconsequencethesealsweremild—temperedandatthesametimeunafraid。
　　Intheveryheartoftheherdthedinwasterrific。Itwasalmostdizzyinginitseffect。IpausedandsmiledreassuringlyatMaud，forIhadrecoveredmyequanimitysoonerthanshe。Icouldseethatshewasstillbadlyfrightened。
　　Shecameclosetomeandshouted：
　　"I’mdreadfullyafraid！"
　　AndIwasnot。Thoughthenoveltyhadnotyetwornoff，thepeacefulcomportmentofthesealshadquietedmyalarm。Maudwastrembling。
　　"I’mafraid，andI’mnotafraid，"shechatteredwithshakingjaws。"It’smymiserablebody，notI。"
　　"It’sallright，it’sallright，"Ireassuredher，myarmpassinginstinctivelyandprotectinglyaroundher。
　　Ishallneverforget，inthatmoment，howinstantlyconsciousbecameofmymanhood。Theprimitivedeepsofmynaturestirred。Ifeltmyselfmasculine，theprotectoroftheweak，thefightingmale。And，bestofall，Ifeltmyselftheprotectorofmylovedone。Sheleanedagainstme，solightandlily—frail，andashertremblingeasedawayitseemedasthoughIbecameawareofprodigiousstrength。Ifeltmyselfamatchforthemostferociousbullintheherd，andIknow，hadsuchabullchargeduponme，thatIshouldhavemetitunflinchinglyandquitecoolly，andIknowthatIshouldhavekilledit。
　　"Iamallright，now，"shesaid，lookingupatmegratefully。"Letusgoon。"
　　Andthatthestrengthinmehadquietedherandgivenherconfidence，filledmewithanexultantjoy。Theyouthoftheraceseemedburgeoninginme，over—civilizedmanthatIwas，andIlivedformyselftheoldhuntingdaysandforestnightsofmyremoteandforgottenancestry。IhadmuchforwhichtothankWolfLarsen，wasmythoughtaswewentalongthepathbetweenthejostlingharems。
　　Aquarterofamileinlandwecameupontheholluschickie——sleekyoungbulls，livingoutthelonelinessoftheirbachelorhoodandgatheringstrengthagainstthedaywhentheywouldfighttheirwayintotheranksofthebenedicts。
　　Everythingnowwentsmoothly。Iseemedtoknowjustwhattodoandhowtodoit。Shouting，makingthreateninggestureswithmyclub，andevenproddingthelazyones，Iquicklycutoutascoreoftheyoungbachelorsfromtheircompanions。Wheneveronemadeanattempttobreakbacktowardthewater，Iheadeditoff。Maudtookanactivepartinthedrive，andwithhercriesandflourishingsofthebrokenoarwasofconsiderableassistance。
　　Inoticed，though，thatwheneveronelookedtiredandlagged，sheletitslippast。ButInoticed，also，wheneverone，withashowoffight，triedtobreakpast，thathereyesglintedandshowedbright，andsherappeditsmartlywithherclub。
　　"My，it’sexciting！"shecried，pausingfromsheerweakness。"IthinkI’llsitdown。"
　　Idrovethelittleherd（adozenstrong，now，whatoftheescapesshehadpermitted）ahundredyardsfartheron；andbythetimeshejoinedmeIhadfinishedtheslaughterandwasbeginningtoskin。Anhourlaterwewentproudlybackalongthepathbetweentheharems。Andtwiceagainwecamedownthepathburdenedwithskins，tillthoughtwehadenoughtoroofthehut。Isetthesail，laidonetackoutofthecove，andontheothertackmadeourownlittleinnercove。
　　"It’sjustlikehome—coming，"Maudsaid，asIrantheboatashore。
　　Iheardherwordswitharesponsivethrill，itwasallsodearlyintimateandnatural，andIsaid：
　　"ItseemsasthoughIhavelivedthislifealways。Theworldofbooksandbookishfolkisveryvague，morelikeadreammemorythananactuality。
　　Isurelyhavehuntedandforayedandfoughtallthedaysofmylife。Andyou，too，seemapartofit。Youare——"Iwasonthevergeofsaying，"mywoman，mymate，"butgliblychangeditto——"standingthehardshipwell。"
　　Butherearhadcaughttheflaw。Sherecognizedaflightthatmidmostbroke。Shegavemeaquicklook。
　　"Notthat。Youweresaying——？"
　　"ThattheAmericanMrs。Meynellwaslivingthelifeofasavageandlivingitquitesuccessfully，"Isaideasily。
　　"Oh，"wasallshereplied；butIcouldhavesworntherewasanoteofdisappointmentinhervoice。
　　But"mywoman，mymate"keptringinginmyheadfortherestofthedayandformanydays。Yetneverdiditringmoreloudlythanthatnight，asIwatchedherdrawbacktheblanketofmossfromthecoals，blowupthefire，andcooktheeveningmeal。Itmusthavebeenlatentsavagerystirringinme，fortheoldwords，soboundupwiththerootsoftherace，togripmeandthrillme。Andgripandthrilltheydid，tillIfellasleep，murmuringthemtomyselfoverandoveragain。TheSeaWolf：Chapter31CHAPTER31
　　Itwillsmell，"Isaid，"butitwillkeepintheheatandkeepouttherainandsnow。"
　　Weweresurveyingthecompletedsealskinroof。
　　"Itisclumsy，butitwillservethepurpose，andthatisthemainthing，"
　　Iwenton，yearningforherpraise。
　　Andsheclappedherhandsanddeclaredthatshewashugelypleased。
　　"Butitisdarkinhere，"shesaidthenextmoment，hershouldersshrinkingwithalittleinvoluntaryshiver。
　　"Youmighthavesuggestedawindowwhenthewallsweregoingup，"I
　　said。"Itwasforyou，andyoushouldhaveseentheneedofawindow。"
　　"ButIneverdoseetheobvious，youknow，"shelaughedback。"Andbesides，youcanknockaholeinthewallatanytime。"
　　"Quitetrue；Ihadnotthoughtofit，"Ireplied，waggingmyheadsagely。
　　"Buthaveyouthoughtoforderingthewindow—glass？Justcallupthefirm，——Red，4451，Ithinkitis，——andtellthemwhatsizeandkindofglassyouwish。"
　　"Thatmeans——"shebegan。
　　"Nowindow。"
　　Itwasadarkandevil—appearingthing，thathut，notfitforaughtbetterthanswineinacivilizedland；butforus，whohadknownthemiseryoftheopenboat，itwasasnuglittlehabitation。Followingthehousewarming，whichwasaccomplishedbymeansofseal—oilandawickmadefromcottoncalking，camethehuntingforourwinter’smeatandthebuildingofthesecondhut。Itwasasimpleaffair，now，togoforthinthemorningandreturnbynoonwithaboat—loadofseals。Andthen，whileIworkedatbuildingthehut，Maudtriedouttheoilfromtheblubberandkeptaslowfireundertheframesofmeat。Ihadheardofjerkingbeefontheplains，andourseal—meat，cutinthinstripsandhunginthesmoke，curedexcellently。
　　Thesecondhutwaseasiertoerect，forIbuiltitagainstthefirst，andonlythreewallswererequired。Butitwaswork，hardwork，allofit。MaudandIworkedfromdawntilldark，tothelimitofourstrength，sothatwhennightcamewecrawledstifflytobedandslepttheanimal—likesleepofexhaustion。AndyetMauddeclaredthatshehadneverfeltbetterorstrongerinherlife。Iknewthiswastrueofmyself，butherswassuchalilystrengththatIfearedshewouldbreakdown。Oftenandoften，herlastreserveforcegone，Ihaveseenherstretchedflatonherbackonthesandinthewayshehadofrestingandrecuperating。Andthenshewouldbeuponherfeetandtoilinghardasever。Wheresheobtainedthisstrengthwasthemarveltome。
　　"Thinkofthelongrestthiswinter，"washerreplytomyremonstrances。
　　"Why，we’llbeclamorousforsomethingtodo。"
　　Weheldahousewarminginmyhutthenightitwasroofed。Itwastheendofthethirddayofafiercestormwhichhadswungaroundthecompassfromthesoutheasttothenorthwest，andwhichwasthenblowingdirectlyinuponus。Thebeachesoftheoutercovewerethunderingwiththesurf，andeveninourland—lockedinnercovearespectableseawasbreaking。
　　Nohighbackboneofislandshelteredusfromthewind，anditwhistledandbellowedaboutthehuttillattimesIfearedforthestrengthofthewalls。Theskinroof，stretchedtightlyasadrum—headIhadthought，saggedandbelliedwitheverygust；andinnumerableintersticesinthewalls，notsotightlystuffedwithmossasMaudhadsupposed，disclosedthemselves。
　　Yettheseal—oilburnedbrightlyandwewerewarmandcomfortable。
　　Itwasapleasanteveningindeed，andwevotedthatasasocialfunctiononEndeavorIslandithadnotyetbeeneclipsed。Ourmindswereatease。
　　Notonlyhadweresignedourselvestothebitterwinter，butwewerepreparedforit。Thesealscoulddepartontheirmysteriousjourneyintothesouthatanytime，now，forallwecared；andthestormsheldnoterrorforus。
　　Notonlywerewesureofbeingdryandwarmandshelteredfromthewind，butwehadthesoftestandmostluxuriousmattressesthatcouldbemadefrommoss。ThishadbeenMaud’sidea，andshehadherselfjealouslygatheredallthemoss。Thiswastobemyfirstnightonthemattress，andIknewIshouldsleepthesweeterbecauseshehadmadeit。
　　Assherosetogosheturnedtomewiththewhimsicalwayshehad，andsaid：
　　"Somethingisgoingtohappen——ishappening，forthatmatter。Ifeelit。Somethingiscominghere，tous。Itiscomingnow。Idon’tknowwhat，butitiscoming。"
　　"Goodorbad？"Iasked。
　　Sheshookherhead。"Idon’tknow，butitisthere，somewhere。"
　　Shepointedinthedirectionoftheseaandwind。
　　"It’saleeshore，"Ilaughed，"andIamsureI’dratherbeherethanarriving，anightlikethis。"
　　"Youarenotfrightened？"Iasked，asIsteppedtoopenthedoorforher。
　　Hereyeslookedbravelyintomine。
　　"Andyoufeelwell？perfectlywell？"
　　"Neverbetter，"washeranswer。
　　Wetalkedalittlelongerbeforeshewent。
　　"Goodnight，Maud，"Isaid。
　　"Goodnight，Humphrey，"shesaid。
　　Thisuseofourgivennameshadcomeaboutquiteasamatterofcourse，andwasasunpremeditatedasitwasnatural。Inthatmomentcouldhaveputmyarmsaroundheranddrawnhertome。Ishouldcertainlyhavedonesooutinthatworldtowhichwebelonged。Asitwas，thesituationstoppedthereintheonlywayitcould；butIwasleftaloneinmylittlehut，glowingwarmlythroughandthroughwithapleasantsatisfaction；andI
　　knewthatatie，oratacitsomething，existedbetweenuswhichhadnotexistedbefore。TheSeaWolf：Chapter32CHAPTER32
　　Iawoke，oppressedbyamysterioussensation。Thereseemedsomethingmissinginmyenvironment。Butthemysteryandoppressivenessvanishedafterthefirstfewsecondsofwaking，whenIidentifiedthemissingsomethingasthewind。Ihadfallenasleepinthatstateofnervetensionwithwhichonemeetsthecontinuousshockofsoundormovement，andIhadawakened，stilltense，bracingmyselftomeetthepressureofsomethingwhichnolongerboreuponme。
　　ItwasthefirstnightIhadspentundercoverinseveralmonths，andIlayluxuriouslyforsomeminutesundermyblankets，（foroncenotwetwithfogorspray），analyzing，first，theeffectproduceduponmebythecessationofthewind，andnext，thejoywhichwasminefromrestingonthemattressmadebyMaud’shands。WhenIhaddressedandopenedthedoor，Iheardthewavesstilllappingonthebeach，garrulouslyattestingthefuryofthenight。Itwasaclearday，andthesunwasshining。Ihadsleptlate，andIsteppedoutsidewithsuddenenergy，bentuponmakinguplosttimeasbefittedadwelleronEndeavorIsland。
　　Andwhenoutside，Istoppedshort。Ibelievedmyeyeswithoutquestion，andyetIwasforthemomentstunnedbywhattheydisclosedtome。There，onthebeach，notfiftyfeetaway，bowon，dismasted，wasablack—hulledvessel。Mastsandbooms，tangledwithshrouds，sheets，andrentcanvas，wererubbinggentlyalongside。IcouldhaverubbedmyeyesasIlooked。
　　Therewasthehome—madegalleywehadbuilt，thefamiliarbreakofthepoop，thelowyacht—cabinscarcelyrisingabovetherail。ItwastheGhost。
　　Whatfreakoffortunehadbroughtithere——hereofallspots？whatchanceofchances？Ilookedatthebleak，inaccessiblewallatmybackandknewtheprofundityofdespair。Escapewashopeless，outofthequestion。
　　IthoughtofMaud，asleepthereinthehutwehadreared；Irememberedher"Goodnight，Humphrey"；"mywoman，mymate，"wentringingthroughmybrain，butnow，alas，itwasaknellthatsounded。Theneverythingwentblackbeforemyeyes。
　　Possiblyitwasthefractionofasecond，butIhadnoknowledgeofhowlonganintervalhadlapsedbeforeIwasmyselfagain。TherelaytheGhost，bowontothebeach，hersplinteredbowspritprojectingoverthesand，hertangledsparsrubbingagainsthersidetotheliftofthecrooningwaves。Somethingmustbedone，mustbedone。
　　Itcameuponmesuddenly，asstrange，thatnothingmovedaboard。Weariedfromthenightofstruggleandwreck，allhandswereyetasleep，Ithought。
　　MynextthoughtwasthatMaudandImightyetescape。Ifwecouldtaketotheboatandmakearoundthepointbeforeanyoneawoke？Iwouldcallherandstart。Myhandwasliftedatherdoortoknock，whenIrecollectedthesmallnessoftheisland。Wecouldneverhideourselvesuponit。Therewasnothingforusbutthewiderawocean。Ithoughtofoursnuglittlehuts，oursuppliesofmeatandoilandmossandfirewood，andIknewthatwecouldneversurvivethewintryseaandthegreatstormswhichweretocome。
　　SoIstood，withhesitantknuckle，withoutherdoor。Itwasimpossible，impossible。Awildthoughtofrushinginandkillingherasshesleptroseinmymind。Andthen，inaflash，thebettersolutioncametome。Allhandswereasleep。WhynotcreepaboardtheGhost，——wellIknewthewaytoWolfLarsen’sbunk，——andkillhiminhissleep？Afterthat——
　　well，wewouldsee。Butwithhimdeadtherewastimeandspaceinwhichtopreparetodootherthings；andbesides，whatevernewsituationarose，itcouldnotpossiblybeworsethanthepresentone。
　　Myknifewasatmyhip。Ireturnedtomyhutfortheshotgun，madesureitwasloaded，andwentdowntotheGhost。Withsomedifficulty，andattheexpenseofawettingtothewaist，Iclimbedaboard。Theforecastlescuttlewasopen。Ipausedtolistenforthebreathingofthemen，buttherewasnobreathing。Ialmostgaspedasthethoughtcametome：WhatiftheGhostisdeserted？Ilistenedmoreclosely。Therewasnosound。Icautiouslydescendedtheladder。Theplacehadtheemptyandmustyfeelandsmellusualtoadwellingnolongerinhabited。Everywherewasathicklitterofdiscardedandraggedgarments，oldsea—boots，leakyoilskins——alltheworthlessforecastledunnageofalongvoyage。
　　Abandonedhastily，wasmyconclusion，asIascendedtothedeck。Hopewasaliveagaininmybreast，andIlookedaboutmewithgreatercoolness。
　　Inotedthattheboatsweremissing。Thesteeragetoldthesametaleastheforecastle。Thehuntershadpackedtheirbelongingswithsimilarhaste。
　　TheGhostwasdeserted。ItwasMaud’sandmine。Ithoughtoftheship’sstoresandthelazarettebeneaththecabin，andtheideacametomeofsurprisingMaudwithsomethingniceforbreakfast。
　　Thereactionfrommyfear，andtheknowledgethattheterribledeedIhadcometodowasnolongernecessary，mademeboyishandeager。Iwentupthesteeragecompanionwaytwostepsatatime，withnothingdistinctinmymindexceptjoyandthehopethatMaudwouldsleeponuntilthesurprisebreakfastwasquitereadyforher。AsIroundedthegalley，anewsatisfactionwasmineatthoughtofallthesplendidcookingutensilsinside。Isprangupthebreakofthepoop，andsaw——WolfLarsen。Whatofmyimpetusandthestunningsurprise，IclatteredthreeorfourstepsalongthedeckbeforeIcouldstopmyself。Hewasstandinginthecompanionway，onlyhisheadandshouldersvisible，staringstraightatme。Hisarmswererestingonthehalf—openslide。Hemadenomovementwhatever——simplystoodthere，staringatme。
　　Ibegantotremble。Theoldstomachsicknessclutchedme。putonehandontheedgeofthehousetosteadymyself。MylipsseemedsuddenlydryandImoistenedthemagainsttheneedofspeech。Nordidforaninstanttakemyeyesoffhim。Neitherofusspoke。Therewassomethingominousinhissilence，hisimmobility。Allmyoldfearofhimreturnedandbynewfearwasincreasedanhundredfold。Andstillwestood，thepairofus，staringateachother。
　　Iwasawareofthedemandforaction，and，myoldhelplessnessstronguponme，Iwaswaitingforhimtotaketheinitiative。Then，asthemomentswentby，itcametomethatthesituationwasanalogoustotheoneinwhichIhadapproachedthelong—manedbull，myintentionofclubbingobscuredbyfearuntilitbecameadesiretomakehimrun。SoitwasatlastimpresseduponmethatIwasthere，nottohaveWolfLarsentaketheinitiative，buttotakeitmyself。
　　Icockedbothbarrelsandlevelledtheshotgunathim。Hadhemoved，attemptedtodropdownthecompanionway，IknowIwouldhaveshothim。