"Andnonesopoor，notevenHump，todohimreverence，"hesneered。
　　Thesneerwaswhollyinhisvoice。Hisfaceremainedexpressionlessasever。
　　"Howdoyoudo，MissBrewster，"hesaidsuddenly，afterapause。
　　Istarted。Shehadmadenonoisewhatever，hadnotevenmoved。Coulditbethatsomeglimmerofvisionremainedtohim？orthathisvisionwascomingback？
　　"Howdoyoudo，CaptainLarsen，"sheanswered。"Pray，howdidyouknowIwashere？"
　　"Heardyoubreathing，ofcourse。Isay，Hump’simproving，don’tyouthinkso？"
　　"Idon’tknow，"sheanswered，smilingatme。"Ihaveneverseenhimotherwise。"
　　"Youshouldhaveseenhimbefore，then。"
　　"WolfLarsen，inlargedoses，"Imurmured，"beforeandaftertaking。"
　　"Iwanttotellyouagain，Hump，"hesaidthreateningly，"thatyou’dbetterleavethingsalone。"
　　"Butdon’tyoucaretoescapeaswellaswe？"Iaskedincredulously。
　　"No，"washisanswer。"Iintenddyinghere。"
　　"Well，wedon’t，"Iconcludeddefiantly，beginningagainmyknockingandhammering。TheSeaWolf：Chapter35CHAPTER35
　　Nextday，themast—stepsclearandeverythinginreadiness，westartedtogetthetwotopmastsaboard。Themaintopmastwasoverthirtyfeetinlength，theforetopmastnearlythirty，anditwasofthesethatIintendedmakingtheshears。Itwaspuzzlingwork。Fasteningoneendofaheavytackletothewindlass，andwiththeotherendfasttothebuttoftheforetopmast，Ibegantoheave。Maudheldtheturnonthewindlassandcoileddowntheslack。
　　Wewereastonishedattheeasewithwhichthesparwaslifted。Itwasanimprovedcrankwindlass，andthepurchaseitgavewasenormous。Ofcourse，whatitgaveusinpowerwepaidforindistance；asmanytimesasitdoubledmystrength，thatmanytimeswasdoubledthelengthofropeIheavedin。
　　Thetackledraggedheavilyacrosstherail，increasingitsdragasthespararosemoreandmoreoutofthewater，andtheexertiononthewindlassgrewsevere。
　　Butwhenthebuttofthetopmastwaslevelwiththerail，everythingcametoastandstill。
　　"Imighthaveknownit，"Isaidimpatiently。"Nowwehavetodoitalloveragain。"
　　"Whynotfastenthetacklepartwaydownthemast？"Maudsuggested。
　　"It’swhatIshouldhavedoneatfirst，"Ianswered，hugelydisgustedwithmyself。
　　Slippingoffaturn，Iloweredthemastbackintothewaterandfastenedthetackleathirdofthewaydownfromthebutt。Inanhour，whatofthisandofrestsbetweentheheaving，IhadhoistedittothepointwhereI
　　couldhoistnomore。Eightfeetofthebuttwasabovetherail，andIwasasfarawayaseverfromgettingthesparonboard。satdownandponderedtheproblem。Itdidnottakelong。Isprangjubilantlytomyfeet。
　　"NowIhaveit！"Icried。"Ioughttomakethetacklefastatthepointofbalance。Andwhatwelearnofthiswillserveuswitheverythingelsewehavetohoistaboard。"
　　OnceagainIundidallmyworkbyloweringthemastintothewater。
　　ButImiscalculatedthepointofbalance，sothatwhenIheavedthetopofthemastcameupinsteadofthebutt。Maudlookeddespair，butIlaughedandsaiditwoulddojustaswell。
　　Instructingherhowtoholdtheturnandbereadytoslackawayatcommand，Ilaidholdofthemastwithmyhandsandtriedtobalanceitinboardacrosstherail。WhenIthoughtIhaditIcriedtohertoslackaway；butthesparrighted，despitemyefforts，anddroppedbacktowardthewater。AgainIheavedituptoitsoldposition，forIhadnowanotheridea。Irememberedthewatch—tackle，——asmalldoubleandsingleblockaffair，——andfetchedit。
　　WhileIwasriggingitbetweenthetopofthesparandtheoppositerail，WolfLarsencameonthescene。Weexchangednothingmorethangoodmornings，and，thoughhecouldnotsee，hesatontherailoutofthewayandfollowedbythesoundallthatIdid。
　　AgaininstructingMaudtoslackawayatthewindlasswhengavetheword，Iproceededtoheaveonthewatch—tackle。Slowlythemastswunginuntilitbalancedatrightanglesacrosstherail；andthenIdiscoveredtomyamazementthattherewasnoneedforMaudtoslackaway。Infact，theveryoppositewasnecessary。Makingthewatch—tacklefast，Ihoveonthewindlassandbroughtinthemast，inchbyinch，tillitstoptilteddowntothedeckandfinallyitswholelengthlayonthedeck。
　　Ilookedatmywatch。Itwastwelveo’clock。Mybackwasachingsorely，andIfeltextremelytiredandhungry。Andthereonthedeckwasasinglestickoftimbertoshowforawholemorning’swork。ForthefirsttimeIthoroughlyrealizedtheextentofthetaskbeforeus。ButIwaslearning，Iwaslearning。Theafternoonwouldshowfarmoreaccomplished。Anditdid；forwereturnedatoneo’clock，restedandstrengthenedbyaheartydinner。
　　InlessthananhourIhadthemaintopmastondeckandwasconstructingtheshears。Lashingthetwotopmaststogether，andmakingallowancefortheirunequallength，atthepointofintersectionattachedthedoubleblockofthemainthroat—halyards。This，withthesingleblockandthethroat—halyardsthemselves，gavemeahoistingtackle。Topreventthebuttsofthemastsfromslippingonthedeck，Inaileddownthickcleats。Everythinginreadiness，Imadealinefasttotheapexoftheshearsandcarrieditdirectlytothewindlass。Iwasgrowingtohavefaithinthatwindlass，foritgavemepowerbeyondallexpectation。Asusual，Maudheldtheturnwhileheaved。Theshearsroseintheair。
　　ThenIdiscoveredIhadforgottenguy—ropes。Thisnecessitatedmyclimbingtheshears，whichIdidtwice，beforeIfinishedguyingitforeandaftandtoeitherside。Twilighthadsetinbythetimethiswasaccomplished。
　　WolfLarsen，whohadsataboutandlistenedallafternoonandneveropenedhismouth，hadtakenhimselfofftothegalleyandstartedhissupper。
　　Ifeltquitestiffacrossthesmalloftheback，somuchsothatIstraightenedupwithaneffortandwithpain。Ilookedproudlyatmywork。Itwasbeginningtoshow。Iwaswildwithdesire，likeachildwithanewtoy，tohoistsomethingwithmyshears。
　　"Iwishitweren’tsolate，"Isaid。"I’dliketoseehowitworks。"
　　"Don’tbeaglutton，Humphrey，"Maudchidedme。"Remember，to—morrowiscoming，andyou’resotirednowthatyoucanhardlystand。"
　　"Andyou？"Isaid，withsuddensolicitude。"Youmustbeverytired。
　　Youhaveworkedhardandnobly。Iamproudofyou，Maud。"
　　"NothalfsoproudasIamofyou，norwithhalfthereason，"sheanswered，lookingmestraightintheeyesforamomentwithanexpressioninherownandadancing，tremulouslightwhichIhadnotseenbeforeandwhichgavemeapangofquickdelight，——Iknownotwhy，forIdidnotunderstandit。Thenshedroppedhereyes，toliftthemagain，laughing。
　　"Ifourfriendscouldseeusnow，"shesaid。"Lookatus。Haveyoueverpausedforamomenttoconsiderourappearance？"
　　"Yes，Ihaveconsideredyours，frequently，"Ianswered，puzzlingoverwhatIhadseeninhereyesandpuzzledbyhersuddenchangeofsubject。
　　"Mercy！"shecried。"AndwhatdoIlooklike，pray？"
　　"Ascarecrow，I’mafraid，"Ireplied。"Justglanceatyourdraggledskirts，forinstance。Lookatthosethree—corneredtears。Andsuchawaist！
　　ItwouldnotrequireaSherlockHolmestodeducethatyouhavebeencookingoveracamp—fire，tosaynothingoftryingoutseal—blubber。Andtocapitall，thatcap！Andallthatisthewomanwhowrote`AKissEndured。’"
　　Shemademeanelaborateandstatelycourtesy，andsaid，"Asforyou，sir——"
　　Andyet，throughthefiveminutesofbanterwhichfollowed，therewasaserioussomethingunderneaththefunwhichIcouldnotbutrelatetothestrangeandfleetingexpressionIhadcaughtinhereyes。Whatwasit？Coulditbethatoureyeswerespeakingbeyondthewillofourspeech？
　　Myeyeshadspoken，Iknew，untilIhadfoundtheculpritsoutandsilencedthem。Thishadoccurredseveraltimes。Buthadsheseentheclamorinthemandunderstood？Andhadhereyessospokentome？Whatelsecouldthatexpressionhavemeant——thatdancing，tremulouslight，andasomethingmorewhichwordscouldnotdescribe？Andyetitcouldnotbe。Itwasimpossible。
　　Besides，Iwasnotskilledinthespeechofeyes。IwasonlyHumphreyVanWeyden，abookishfellowwholoved。Andtolove，andtowaitandwinlove，thatsurelywasgloriousenoughforme。AndthusIthought，evenaswechaffedeachother’sappearance，untilwearrivedashoreandtherewereotherthingstothinkabout。
　　"It’sashame，afterworkinghardallday，thatwecannothaveanuninterruptednight’ssleep，"Icomplained，aftersupper。
　　"Buttherecanbenodangernow？fromablindman？"shequeried。
　　"Ishallneverbeabletotrusthim，"Iaverred，"andfarlessnowthatheisblind。Theliabilityisthathisparthelplessnesswillmakehimmoremalignantthanever。IknowwhatIshalldoto—morrow，thefirstthing——runoutalightanchorandkedgetheschooneroffthebeach。Andeachnightwhenwecomeashoreintheboat，Mr。WolfLarsenwillbeleftaprisoneronboard。Sothiswillbethelastnightwehavetostandwatch，andbecauseofthatitwillgotheeasier。"
　　Wewereawakeearlyandjustfinishingbreakfastasdaylightcame。
　　"Oh，Humphrey！"IheardMaudcryindismayandsuddenlystop。
　　Ilookedather。ShewasgazingattheGhost。Ifollowedhergaze，butcouldseenothingunusual。Shelookedatme，andIlookedinquiryback。
　　"Theshears，"shesaid，andhervoicetrembled。
　　Ihadforgottentheirexistence。Ilookedagain，butcouldnotseethem。
　　"Ifhehas——"Imutteredsavagely。
　　Sheputherhandsympatheticallyonmine，andsaid，"Youwillhavetobeginoveragain。"
　　"Oh，believeme，myangermeansnothing；Icouldnothurtafly，"I
　　smiledbackbitterly。"Andtheworstofitis，heknowsit。Youareright。
　　Ifhehasdestroyedtheshears，Ishalldonothingexceptbeginoveragain。"
　　"ButI’llstandmywatchonboardhereafter，"Iblurtedoutamomentlater。"Andifheinterferes——"
　　"ButIdarenotstayashoreallnightalone，"MaudwassayingwhenI
　　camebacktomyself。"Itwouldbesomuchnicerifhewouldbefriendlywithusandhelpus。Wecouldalllivecomfortablyaboard。"
　　"Wewill，"Iasserted，stillsavagely，forthedestructionofmybelovedshearshadhitmehard。"Thatis，youandIwillliveaboard，friendlyornotwithWolfLarsen。"
　　"It’schildish，"Ilaughedlater，"forhimtodosuchthings，andformetogrowangryoverthem，forthatmatter。"
　　Butmyheartsmotemewhenweclimbedaboardandlookedatthehavochehaddone。Theshearsweregonealtogether。Theguyshadbeenslashedrightandleft。Thethroat—halyardswhichIhadriggedwerecutacrossthrougheverypart。AndheknewIcouldnotsplice。Athoughtstruckme。
　　Irantothewindlass。Itwouldnotwork。Hehadbrokenit。Welookedateachotherinconsternation。ThenIrantotheside。Themasts，booms，andgaffsIhadclearedweregone。Hehadfoundthelineswhichheldthem，andcastthemadrift。
　　TearswereinMaud’seyes，andIdobelievetheywereforme。Icouldhaveweptmyself。WherenowwasourprojectofremastingtheGhost？
　　Hehaddonehisworkwell。Isatdownonthehatch—combingandrestedmychinonmyhandsinblackdespair。
　　"Hedeservestodie，"Icriedout；"andGodforgiveme，Iamnotmanenoughtobehisexecutioner。"
　　ButMaudwasbymyside，passingherhandsoothinglythroughmyhairasthoughIwereachild，andsaying，"There，there；itwillallcomeright。
　　Weareintheright，anditmustcomeright。"
　　IrememberedMicheletandleanedmyheadagainsther；andtrulyIbecamestrongagain。Theblessedwomanwasanunfailingfountofpowertome。
　　Whatdiditmatter？Onlyaset—back，adelay。Thetidecouldnothavecarriedthemastsfartoseaward，andtherehadbeennowind。Itmeantmerelymoreworktofindthemandtowthemback。Andbesides，itwasalesson。Iknewwhattoexpect。Hemighthavewaitedanddestroyedourworkmoreeffectuallywhenwehadmoreaccomplished。
　　"Herehecomesnow，"shewhispered。
　　Iglancedup。Hewasstrollingleisurelyalongthepoopontheportside。
　　"Takenonoticeofhim，"Iwhispered。"He’scomingtoseehowwetakeit。Don’tlethimknowthatweknow。Wecandenyhimthatsatisfaction。
　　Takeoffyourshoes，——that’sright，——andcarrytheminyourhand。"
　　Andthenweplayedhide—and—seekwiththeblindman。Ashecameuptheportsideweslippedpastonthestarboard；andfromthepoopwewatchedhimturnandstartaftonourtrack。
　　Hemusthaveknown，somehow，thatwewereonboard，forhesaid，"Goodmorning，"veryconfidently，andwaitedforthegreetingtobereturned。
　　Thenhestrolledaft，andweslippedforward。
　　"Oh，Iknowyou’reaboard，"hecalledout，andIcouldseehimlistenintentlyafterhehadspoken。
　　Itremindedmeofthegreathoot—owl，listening，afteritsboomingcry，forthestirofitsfrightenedprey。Butwedidnotstir，andwemovedonlywhenhemoved。Andsowedodgedaboutthedeck，handinhand，likeacoupleofchildrenchasedbyawickedogre，tillWolfLarsen，evidentlyindisgust，leftthedeckforthecabin。Therewasgleeinoureyes，andsuppressedtittersinourmouths，asweputonourshoesandclamberedoverthesideintotheboat。AndaslookedintoMaud’sclearbrowneyesIforgottheevilhehaddone，andknewonlythatIlovedher，andthatbecauseofherthestrengthwasminetowinourwaybacktotheworld。TheSeaWolf：Chapter36CHAPTER36
　　FortwodaysMaudandIrangedtheseaandexploredthebeachesinsearchofthemissingmasts。Butitwasnottillthethirddaythatwefoundthem，allofthem，theshearsincluded，and，ofallperilousplaces，inthepoundingsurfofthegrimsouthwesternpromontory。Andhowweworked！Atthedarkendofthefirstdaywereturned，exhausted，toourlittlecove，towingthemainmastbehindus。Andwehadbeencompelledtorow，inadeadcalm，practicallyeveryinchoftheway。
　　Anotherdayofheart—breakinganddangeroustoilsawusincampwiththetwotopmaststothegood。ThedayfollowingIwasdesperate，andI
　　raftedtogethertheforemast，theforeandmainbooms，andtheforeandmaingaffs。Thewindwasfavorable，andIhadthoughttotowthembackundersail；butthewindbaffled，thendiedaway，andourprogresswiththeoarswasasnail’space。Anditwassuchdispiritingeffort。Tothrowone’swholestrengthandweightontheoars，andtofeeltheboatcheckedinitsforwardlungebytheheavydragbehind，wasnotexactlyexhilarating。
　　Nightbegantofall，andtomakemattersworse，thewindsprangupahead。
　　Notonlydidallforwardmotioncease，butwebegantodriftbackandouttosea。IstruggledattheoarstillIwasplayedout。PoorMaud，whomIcouldneverpreventfromworkingtothelimitofherstrength，layweaklybackinthestern—sheets。Icouldrownomore。Mybruisedandswollenhandscouldnolongercloseontheoarhandles。Mywristsandarmsachedintolerably，and，thoughIhadeatenheartilyofatwelveo’clocklunch，IhadworkedsohardthatIwasfaintfromhunger。
　　Ipulledintheoarsandbentforwardtothelinewhichheldthetow。
　　ButMaud’shandleapedoutrestraininglytomine。
　　"Whatareyougoingtodo？"sheaskedinastrained，tensevoice。
　　"Castitoff，"Ianswered，slippingaturnoftherope。
　　Butherfingersclosedonmine。
　　"Pleasedon’t，"shebegged。
　　"Itisuseless，"Ianswered。"Hereisnight，andthewindblowingusofftheland。"
　　"Butthink，Humphrey。IfwecannotsailawayontheGhost，wemayremainforyearsontheisland——forlifeeven。Ifithasneverbeendiscoveredalltheseyears，itmayneverbediscovered。"
　　"Youforgettheboatwefoundonthebeach，"Iremindedher。
　　"Itwasaseal—huntingboat，"shereplied，"andyouknowperfectlywellthatifthemenhadescapedtheywouldhavebeenbacktomaketheirfortunesfromtherookery。Youknowtheyneverescaped。"
　　Iremainedsilent，undecided。
　　"Besides，"sheaddedhaltingly，"it’syouridea，andIwanttoseeyousucceed。"
　　NowIcouldhardenmyheart。Assoonassheputitonaflatteringpersonalbasis，generositycompelledmetodenyher。
　　"Betteryearsontheislandthantodieto—night，orto—morrow，orthenextday，intheopenboat。Wearenotpreparedtobravethesea。Wehavenofood，nowater，noblankets，nothing。Why，you’dnotsurvivethenightwithoutblankets。Iknowhowstrongyouare。Youareshiveringnow。"
　　"Itisonlynervousness，"sheanswered。"Iamafraidyouwillcastoffthemastsinspiteofme。"
　　"Oh，please，please，Humphrey，don’t！"sheburstout，amomentlater。
　　Andsoitended，withthephrasesheknewhadallpoweroverme。Weshiveredmiserablythroughoutthenight。Nowandagainfitfullyslept，butthepainofthecoldalwaysarousedme。HowMaudcouldstanditwasbeyondme。Iwastootiredtothrashmyarmsaboutandwarmmyself，butIfoundstrengthtimeandagaintochafeherhandsandfeettorestorethecirculation。Andstillshepleadedwithmenottocastoffthemasts。
　　Aboutthreeinthemorningshewascaughtbyacoldcramp，andafterI
　　hadrubbedheroutofthatshebecamequitenumb。Iwasfrightened。Igotouttheoarsandmadeherrow，thoughshewassoweakIthoughtshewouldfaintateverystroke。
　　Morningbroke，andwelookedlonginthegrowinglightforourisland。
　　Atlastitshowed，smallandblack，onthehorizon，fullyfifteenmilesaway。Iscannedtheseawithmyglasses。FarawayinthesouthwestIcouldseeadarklineonthewater，whichgrewevenaslookedatit。
　　"Fairwind！"IcriedinahuskyvoiceIdidnotrecognizeasmyown。
　　Maudtriedtoreply，butcouldnotspeak。Herlipswerebluewithcold，andshewashollow—eyed——butoh，howbravelyherbrowneyeslookedatme！Howpiteouslybrave！
　　AgainIfelltochafingherhands，andtomovingherarmsupanddownandaboutuntilshecouldthrashthemherself。Thencompelledhertostandup，andthoughshewouldhavefallenhadInotsupportedher，Iforcedhertowalkbackandforththeseveralstepsbetweenthethwartandthestern—sheets，andfinallytospringupanddown。
　　"Oh，youbrave，bravewoman，"Isaid，whenIsawthelifecomingbackintoherface。"Didyouknowthatyouwerebrave？"
　　"Ineverusedtobe，"sheanswered。"Iwasneverbravetillknewyou。
　　Itisyouwhohavemademebrave。"
　　"NorI，untilIknewyou，"Ianswered。
　　Shegavemeaquicklook，andagainIcaughtthatdancing，tremulouslightandsomethingmoreinhereyes。Butitwasonlyforthemoment。Thenshesmiled。
　　"Itmusthavebeentheconditions，"shesaid；butIknewshewaswrong，andIwonderedifshelikewiseknew。
　　Thenthewindcame，fairandfresh，andtheboatwassoonlaboringthroughaheavyseatowardtheisland。Athalf—pastthreeintheafternoonwepassedthesouthwesternpromontory。Notonlywerewehungry，butwewerenowsufferingfromthirst。Ourlipsweredryandcracked，norcouldwelongermoistenthemwithourtongues。Thenthewindslowlydieddown。BynightitwasdeadcalmandIwastoilingoncemoreattheoars——butweakly，mostweakly。
　　Attwointhemorningtheboat’sbowtouchedthebeachofourowninnercove，andIstaggeredouttomakethepainterfast。Maudcouldnotstand，norhadIstrengthtocarryher。Ifellinthesandwithher，and，whenIhadrecovered，contentedmyselfwithputtingmyhandsunderhershouldersanddraggingherupthebeachtothehut。
　　Thenextdaywedidnowork。Infact，weslepttillthreeintheafternoon，oratleastIdid，forIawoketofindMaudcookingdinner。Herpowerofrecuperationwaswonderful。Therewassomethingtenaciousaboutthatlily—frailbodyofhers，aclutchonexistencewhichonecouldnotreconcilewithitspatentweakness。
　　"YouknowIwastravellingtoJapanformyhealth，"shesaid，aswelingeredatthefireafterdinneranddelightedinthemovelessnessofloafing。"Iwasnotverystrong。Ineverwas。Thedoctorsrecommendedaseavoyage，andIchosethelongest。"
　　"Youlittleknewwhatyouwerechoosing，"Ilaughed。
　　"ButIshallbeadifferentwomanfortheexperience，aswellasastrongerwoman，"sheanswered；"and，Ihope，abetterwoman。AtleastIshallunderstandagreatdealmoreoflife。"
　　Then，astheshortdaywaned，wefelltodiscussingWolfLarsen’sblindness。
　　Itwasinexplicable。Andthatitwasgrave，instancedhisstatementthatheintendedtostayanddieonEndeavorIsland。Whenhe，strongmanthathewas，lovinglifeashedid，acceptedhisdeath，itwasplainthathewastroubledbysomethingmorethanmereblindness。Therehadbeenhisterrificheadaches，andwewereagreedthatitwassomesortofbrainbreakdown，andthatinhisattacksheenduredpainbeyondourcomprehension。
　　Inoticed，aswetalkedoverhiscondition，thatMaud’ssympathywentouttohimmoreandmore；yetIcouldnotbutloveherforit，sosweetlywomanlywasit。Besides，therewasnofalsesentimentaboutherfeeling。
　　Shewasagreedthatthemostrigoroustreatmentwasnecessaryifweweretoescape，thoughsherecoiledatthesuggestionthatImightsometimebecompelledtotakehislifetosavemyown——"ourown，"sheputit。
　　Inthemorningwehadbreakfastandwereatworkbydaylight。Ifoundalightkedgeanchorintheforehold，wheresuchthingswerekept，andwithadealofexertiongotitondeckandintotheboat。Withalongrunning—linecoileddowninthestern，Irowedwelloutintoourlittlecoveanddroppedtheanchorintothewater。Therewasnowind，thetidewashigh，andtheschoonerfloated。Castingofftheshorelines，Ikedgedheroutbymainstrength，（thewindlassbeingbroken），tillsherodenearlyupanddowntothesmallanchor——toosmalltoholdherinanybreeze。SoIloweredthebigstarboardanchor，givingplentyofslack；andbyafternoonIwasatworkonthewindlass。
　　ThreedaysIworkedonthatwindlass。LeastofallthingswasIamechanic，andinthattimeIaccomplishedwhatanordinarymachinistwouldhavedoneinasmanyhours。Ihadtolearnmytoolstobeginwith，andeverysimplemechanicalprinciplewhichsuchamanwouldhaveathisfingerendsIhadlikewisetolearn。AndattheendofthreedaysIhadawindlasswhichworkedclumsily。Itnevergavethesatisfactiontheoldwindlasshadgiven，butitworkedandmademyworkpossible。
　　InhalfadayIgotthetwotopmastsaboardandtheshearsriggedandguyedasbefore。AndthatnightIsleptonboardandondeckbesidemywork。Maud，whorefusedtostayaloneashore，sleptintheforecastle。
　　WolfLarsenhadsatabout，listeningtomyrepairingthewindlassandtalkingwithMaudandmeuponindifferentsubjects。Noreferencewasmadeoneithersidetothedestructionoftheshears；nordidhesayanythingfurtheraboutmyleavinghisshipalone。ButstillIhadfearedhim，blindandhelplessandlistening，alwayslistening，andIneverlethisstrongarmsgetwithinreachofmewhileIworked。
　　Onthisnight，sleepingundermybelovedshears，Iwasarousedbyhisfootstepsonthedeck。Itwasastarlightnight，andIcouldseethebulkofhimdimlyashemovedabout。Irolledoutofmyblanketsandcreptnoiselesslyafterhiminmystockingfeet。Hehadarmedhimselfwithadraw—knifefromthetoollocker，andwiththishepreparedtocutacrossthethroat—halyardsIhadagainriggedtotheshears。HefeltthehalyardswithhishandsanddiscoveredthatIhadnotmadethemfast。Thiswouldnotdoforadraw—knife，sohelaidholdoftherunningpart，hovetaut，andmadefast。Thenhepreparedtosawacrosswiththedraw—knife。
　　"Iwouldn’t，ifIwereyou，"Isaidquietly。
　　Heheardtheclickofmypistolandlaughed。
　　"Hello，Hump，"hesaid。"Iknewyouwerehereallthetime。Youcan’tfoolmyears。"
　　"That’salie，WolfLarsen，"Isaid，justasquietlyasbefore。"However，Iamachingforachancetokillyou，sogoaheadandcut。"
　　"Youhavethechancealways，"hesneered。
　　"Goaheadandcut，"Ithreatenedominously。
　　"I’dratherdisappointyou，"helaughed，andturnedonhisheelandwentaft。
　　"Somethingmustbedone，Humphrey，"Maudsaid，nextmorning，whenI
　　hadtoldherofthenight’soccurrence。"Ifhehasliberty，hemaydoanything。
　　Hemaysinkthevessel，orsetfiretoit。Thereisnotellingwhathemaydo。Wemustmakehimaprisoner。"
　　"Buthow？"Iasked，withahelplessshrug。"Idarenotcomewithinreachofhisarms，andheknowsthatsolongashisresistanceispassiveIcannotshoothim。"