\"Yes，Ido.There’sacollegeinNewYorkjustforwomen.AuntKihmsentmetheprospectus，andit’soneofthebestinthecountry.Idon’tdreamofpracticing，youknow;atleast，Idon’tthinkaboutthatnow.Butonemusthavesomeoccupation;andisn’tstudyingmedicine，Condy，betterthanpiano—playing，orFrenchcourses，orliteraryclassesandBrowningcircles？Oh，I’venopatiencewiththatkindofgirl！AndlookatthechanceIhavenow;andAuntKihmissuchadear！Think，shewrites，Icouldgotoandfromthecollegeinhercoupeeveryday，andIwouldseeNewYork;andjustbeinginabigcitylikethatisaneducation.\"
\"You’reright，itwouldbeabigthingforyou，\"assentedCondy，\"andIliketheideaofyoustudyingsomething.Itwouldbethemakingofsuchagirlasyou，Blix.\"
AndthenBlix，seeinghimthusacquiescent，said：
\"Well，it’sallsettled;PapumandIbothwrotelastnight.\"
\"Whenareyougoing？\"
\"ThefirstweekinJanuary.\"
\"Well，that’snotsoAWFULLYsoon.Butwhowilltakeyourplacehere？Howeverintheworldwouldyourfathergetalongwithoutyou——andSnookyandHoward？\"
\"AuntDoddisgoingtocome.\"
\"Suddenenough，\"saidCondy，\"butitISagreatthingforyou，Blix，andI’mmightygladforyou.Yourfutureisallcutoutforyounow.Ofcourseyouraunt，ifshe’ssofondofyouandhasn’tanychildren，willleaveyoueverything——maybesettlesomethingonyourightaway;andyou’llmarrysomeoneofthoseNewYorkchaps，andbegreatbigpeoplebeforeyouknowit.\"
\"Theidea，Condy！\"sheprotested.\"No;I’mgoingtheretostudymedicine.Oh，youdon’tknowhowenthusiasticIamovertheidea！
I’veboughtsomeofthefirst—yearbooksalready，andhavebeenreadingthem.Really，Condy，theyareevenbetterthan’ManyInventions.’\"
\"WishIcouldgetEast，\"mutteredCondygloomily.Blixforgotherowngoodfortuneupontheinstant.
\"IdosowishyouCOULD，Condy！\"sheexclaimed.\"YouaretoogoodforaSundaysupplement.IknowitandYOUknowit，andI’veheardeversomanypeoplewhohavereadyourstoriessaythesamething.
Youcouldspendtwentyyearsworkingasyouarenow，andattheendwhatwouldyoube？JustanassistanteditorofaSundaysupplement，andstillinthesameplace;andworse，you’dcometobecontentedwiththat，andthinkyouwereonlygoodforthatandnothingbetter.You’vegotitinyou，Condy，tobeagreatstory—
teller.Ibelieveinyou，andI’veeveryconfidenceinyou.Butjustsolongasyoustayhereandarewillingtodohackwork，justsolongyouwillbeahackwriter.Youmustbreakfromit;
youMUSTgetaway.Iknowyouhaveagoodtimehere;buttherearesomanythingsbetterthanthatandmoreworthwhile.YououghttomakeupyourmindtogetEast，andworkforthatandnothingelse.Iknowyouwanttogo，butwantingisn’tenough.
Enthusiasmwithoutenergyisn’tenough.Youhaveenthusiasm，Condy;butyouMUSThaveenergy.Youmustbewillingtogiveupthings;youmustmakeupyourmindthatyouwillgoEast，andthensetyourteethtogetheranddoit.Oh，ILOVEamanthatcandothat——makeuphismindtoathingandthenputitthrough！\"
Condywatchedherasshetalked，herbrown—blackeyescoruscating，hercheeksglowing，hersmallhandscurledintoroundpinkfists.
\"Blix，you’resplendid！\"heexclaimed;\"you’refine！Youcouldputlifeintoadeadman.You’rethekindofgirlthatarethemakingofmen.ByJove，you’dbackamanup，wouldn’tyou？You’dstandbyhimtillthelastditch.Ofcourse，\"hewentonafterapause——
\"ofcourseIoughttogotoNewYork.But，Blix，supposeIwent——
well，thenwhat？Itisn’tasthoughIhadanyincomeofmyown，orrichaunt.SupposeIdidn’tfindsomethingtodo——andthechancesarethatIwouldn’tforthreeorfourmonths——whatwouldI
liveoninthemeanwhile？’Whatwouldtherobindothen，poorthing？’I’mapooryoungman，MissBessemer，andI’vegottoeat.
No;myonlychanceis’tobediscovered’byamagazineorapublishinghouseorsomebody，andgetabidofsomekind.\"
\"Well，thereistheCentennialCompany.Theyhavetakenaninterestinyou，Condy.Youmustfollowthatrightupandkeepyournamebeforethemallthetime.Haveyousentthem’AVictoryOverDeath’yet？\"
Condysatdowntohiseggsandcoffeethenextmorninginthehotel，harriedwithacertainsenseofdepressionanddisappointmentforwhichhecouldassignnocause.Nothingseemedtointeresthim.Thenewspaperwasdull.Hecouldlookforwardtonopleasureinhisday’swork;andwhatwasthematterwiththesunthatmorning？Ashewalkeddowntotheofficehenotednocloudinthesky，butthebrightnesswasgonefromtheday.Hesatdowntohisdeskandattackedhiswork，but\"copy\"wouldnotcome.Thesportingeditorandhisinanejokesharassedhimbeyondexpression.Justthesightoftheclippingeditor’sbackwasanirritation.Theofficeboywasamereincentivetoprofanity.
TherewasnospringinCondythatmorning，noelasticity，noneofhisnaturalbuoyancy.Asthedayworeon，hisennuiincreased;
hisluncheonattheclubwastasteless，tobaccohadlostitscharm.Heorderedacocktailinthewine—room，andputitasidewithawryface.
Theafternoonwasonelongtedium.Ateveryhourheflunghispencildown，utterlyunabletoformulatethenextsentenceofhisarticle，and，hishandsinhispockets，gazedgloomilyoutofthewindowoverthewildernessofroofs——grimy，dirty，uglyroofsthatspreadoutbelow.Hecraveddiversion，amusement，excitement.
Somethingtherewasthathewantedwithallhisheartandsoul;
yethewasquiteunabletosaywhatitwas.Somethingwasgonefromhimto—daythathehadpossessedyesterday，andheknewhewouldnotregainitonthemorrow，northenextday，northedayafterthat.Whatwasit？Hecouldnotsay.Forhalfanhourheimaginedhewasgoingtobesick.Hismotherwasnottobeathomethatevening，andCondydinedathisclubinthehopesoffindingsomeonewithwhomhecouldgotothetheatrelateronintheevening.Sargeantjoinedhimoverhiscoffeeandcigarette，butdeclinedtogowithhimtothetheatre.
\"Anothergameonto—night？\"askedCondy.
\"Isupposeso，\"admittedtheother.
\"IguessI’lljoinyouto—night，\"saidCondy.\"I’vehadthebluedevilssincemorning，andI’vegottohavesomethingtodrivethemoff.\"
\"Don’tletmeurgeyou，youknow，\"returnedSargeant.
\"Oh，that’sallright！\"Condyassuredhim.\"Mytime’saboutup，anyways.\"
Anhourlater，justashe，Sargeant，andtheothermenoftheir\"set\"wereintheactofgoingupstairstothecard—rooms，ahall—
boygaveCondyanote，atthatmomentbroughtbyamessenger，whowaswaitingforananswer.ItwasfromBlix.Shewrote：
\"Don’tyouwanttocomeupandplaycardswithmeto—night？Wehaven’thadagameinoveraweek？\"
\"Howdidsheknow？\"thoughtCondytohimself——\"howcouldshetell？\"Aloud，hesaid：
\"Ican’tjoinyoufellows，afterall.’Despatchfromthemanagingeditor.’Somespecialdetailorother.\"
ForthefirsttimesincethepreviouseveningCondyfelthisspiritsriseashesetofftowardtheWashingtonStreethill.ButthoughheandBlixspentasmerryaneveningastheyrememberedinalongtime，hisnameless，formlessirritationreturneduponhimalmostassoonashehadbiddenhergood—night.Itstayedwithhimallthroughtheweek，andtolduponhiswork.Asaresult，threeofhisarticleswerethrownoutbytheeditor.
\"Wecan’trunsuchrotasthatinthepaper，\"thechiefhadsaid.
\"Can’tyougiveusastory？\"
\"Oh，I’vegotakindofayarnyoucanrunifyoulike，\"answeredCondy，hisweek’sdepressionatitsverylowest.
\"AVictoryOverDeath\"waspublishedinthefollowingSunday’ssupplementofthe\"Times，\"withillustrationsbyoneofthestaffartists.Itattractednottheleastattention.
JustbeforehewenttobedtheSundayeveningofitsappearance，Condyreaditoveragainforthelasttime.
\"It’sarottenfailure，\"hemutteredgloomilyashecastthepaperfromhim.\"Simpledrivel.IwonderwhatBlixwillthinkofit.
IwonderifIamounttoahillofbeans.IwonderWHATshewantstogoEastfor，anyway.\"
ChapterIX
Theold—fashionedUnionStreetcablecar，withitslow，comfortableoutsideseats，putBlixandCondydownjustinsidethePresidioGovernmentReservation.CondyaskedadirectionofasentrynursinghisKrag—Jorgensenattheterminusofthetrack，andthenwithBlixsetoffdownthelongboardwalkthroughthetunnelofoverhangingevergreens.
Thedaycouldnothavebeenmoredesirable.ItwasalittleaftertenofaMondaymorning，Condy’sweeklyholiday.Theairwasneithercoolnorwarm，effervescentmerely，briskandfullofthesmellofgrassandofthesea.Theskywasaspecklesssheenofpaleblue.Totheirright，andnotfaroff，wasthebay，blueasindigo.Alcatrazseemedcloseathand;beyondwastheenormousgreen，red，andpurplepyramidofTamalpaisclimbingoutofthewater，headandshouldersabovethelittlefoothills，andlookingouttotheseaandtothewest.
TheReservationitselfwasdelightful.Therewererowsoftheofficers’houses，allalike，drawnupinlineslikeanassemblyofthestaff;therewerehugebarracks，mostlikecollegedormitories;andontheirporchesenlistedmeninshirtsleevesandoverallswerecleaningsaddles，andpolishingthebrassofhead—stallsandbridles，whistlingthewhileorsmokingcorn—cobpipes.Hereontheparade—groundasoldier，hiscoatandvestremoved，wasbattinggroundersandfliestoahalf—dozenofhisfellows.Overbythestables，stringsofhorses，allofthesamecolor，werebeingcurriedandcleaned.Ayounglieutenantuponabicyclespunsilentlypast.Anofficercamefromhisfrontgate，hiscoatunbuttonedandabriarinhisteeth.Thewalksandroadswereflankedwithlinesofblack—paintedcannon—balls;invertedpiecesofabandonedordnancestoodatcorners.Fromadistancecamethemellowsnarlingofabugle.
BlixandCondyhadplannedalongwalkforthatday.TheyweretogooutthroughthePresidioReservation，pastthebarracksandofficers’quarters，andontotheoldfortattheGoldenGate.
Heretheywouldturnandfollowtheshore—lineforaway，thenstrikeinlandacrossthehillsforashorthalf—mile，andregainthecityandthestreet—carlinesbywayofthegolf—links.Condyhadinsisteduponwearinghisbicycleoutfitfortheoccasion，and，moreover，carriedalittlesatchel，which，hesaid，containedapairofshoes.
ButBlixwasassweetasarosethatmorning，allintailor—madeblackbutfortheinevitablebandsofwhitesatinwrappedhighandtightaboutherneck.TheSt.Bernarddog—collardiddutyasabelt.Shehaddisdainedaveil，andheryellowhairwasalreadyblowingabouthersmoothpinkcheeks.Shewalkedathisside，herstepasfirmandsolidashisown，herround，strongarmsswinging，herlittlebrowneyesshiningwithgoodspiritsandvigor，andthepure，cleananimaljoyofbeingaliveonthatfinecoolWesternmorning.Shetalkedalmostincessantly.Shewaspositivelygarrulous.Shetalkedaboutthefinedaythatitwas，aboutthequeernewforagecapsofthesoldiers，aboutthebaregreenhillsoftheReservation，aboutthelittlecemeterytheypassedjustbeyondthelimitsofthebarracks，aboutarabbitshesaw，andaboutthequailtheybothheardwhistlingandcallinginthehollowsunderthebushes.
Condywalkedathersideinsilence，yetnolesshappythanshe，smokinghispipeandcastingoccasionalglancesatagreatship——afour—masterthatwasbeingtowedouttowardtheGoldenGate.Ateverymomentandateveryturntheynotedthingsthatinterestedthem，andtowhichtheycalledeachother’sattention.
\"Look，Blix！\"
\"Oh，Condy，lookatthat！\"
TheyweresoonoutoftheminiaturecityofthePost，andheldondownthroughthelowreachoftulesandsand—dunesthatstretchbetweenthebarracksandtheoldredfort.
\"Look，Condy！\"saidBlix.\"What’sthatbuildingdownthereontheshoreofthebay——theonewiththeflagstaff？\"
\"Ithinkthatmustbethelifeboatstation.\"
\"Iwonderifwecouldgodownandvisitit.Ithinkitwouldbegoodfun.\"
\"Idea！\"exclaimedCondy.
Thestationwascloseathand.Toreachittheyhadbuttoleavethecrazyboardwalkthatledontowardthefort，andcrossafewhundredyardsofsand—dune.Condyopenedthegatethatbrokethelineofevergreenhedgearoundthelittletwo—storyhouse，andpromptlyunchainedaveritablepandemoniumofdogs.
Inside，theplacewasnotwithoutacertaincharmofitsown.A
brickwall，borderedwithshells，ledtothefrontofthestation，whichgavedirectlyuponthebay;alittlewell—keptlawnopenedtorightandleft，andsixoreightgaily—paintedoldrowboatsweresetabout，halffilledwithloaminwhichfuchsias，geraniums，andmignonetteswereflowering.Acatortwodozeduponthewindow—sillsinthesun.Uponasortofporchoverhead，twoofthecrewpacedupanddowninamannerthatatoncesuggestedthepoop.Hereandtherewasagleamofhighlypolishedredcopperorbrasstrimmings.Thebaywaswithintwostepsofthefrontdoor，whilealittlefurtherdownthebeachwasthehousewherethesurf—boatwaskept，andthelongrunwayleadingdownfromittothewater.Condyrappedloudlyatthefrontdoor.
ItwasopenedbyCaptainJack.
CaptainJack，andnoother;onlynowheworeabluesweaterandaleather—visoredcap，withthelettersU.S.L.B.S.aroundtheband.
Notaninstantwasgiventhemforpreparation.Thethinghadhappenedwiththeabruptnessofatransformationsceneatatheatre.Condy’sknockhadevokedasituation.Speechwasstrickenfromtheirmouths.Foramomenttheywerebereftevenofaction，andstoodthereonthethreshold，staringopen—mouthedandopen—eyedatthesuddenreappearanceoftheir\"matrimonialobject.\"Condywasliterallydumb;intheenditwasBlixwhotidedthemoverthecrisis.
\"Wewerejustgoingby——justtakingawalk，\"sheexplained，\"andwethoughtwe’dliketoseethestation.Isitallright？Canwelookaround？\"
\"Why，ofcourse，\"assentedtheCaptainwithgreatcordiality.
\"Comerightin.Thisisvisitors’day.Youjusthappenedtohitit——onlyit’smightyfewvisitorsweeverhave，\"headded.
WhileCondywasregisteringforhimselfandBlix，theymanagedtoexchangealightningglance.ItwasevidenttheCaptaindidnotrecognizethem.Thesituationreadjusteditself，evenpromisedtobeofextraordinaryinterest.Andforthatmatteritmadelittledifferencewhetherthecaptainrememberedthemornot.
\"No，wedon’tgetmanyvisitors，\"theCaptainwenton，asheledthemoutofthestationanddownthesmallgravelwalktothehousewherethesurf—boatwaskept.\"Thisisaquietstation.
Peopledon’tfetchoutthiswayveryoften，andwe’renotcalledoutveryoften，either.We’reaninsidepost，yousee，andusuallywedon’tgetacallunlessthesea’ssohighthattheCliffHousestationcan’tlaunchtheirboat.So，yousee，wedon’tgooutmuch，butwhenweDO，itmeansbusinesswithagreatbigB.Now，thishere，yousee，\"continuedtheCaptain，rollingbacktheslidingdoorsofthehouse，\"isthesurf—boat.Bytheway，let’ssee;Iain’tjustcaughtyournamesyet.\"
\"Well，myname’sRivers，\"saidCondy，\"andthisisMissBessemer.
We’rebothfromthecity.\"
\"Happytoknowyou，sir;happytoknowyou，miss，\"hereturned，pullingoffhiscap.\"Myname’sHoskins，butyoucanjustcallmeCaptainJack.I’msousedtoitthatIdon’tkindofanswertotheother.Well，now，MissBessemer，thishere’sthesurf—boat;
she’sself—rightin’，self—bailin’，shecan’tcapsize，andifIwastotellyouhowmanythousandsofdollarsshecost，youwouldn’tbelieveme.\"
CondyandBlixspentadelightfulhalf—hourintheboat—housewhileCaptainJackexplainedandillustrated，andtoldthemanecdotesofwrecks，escapes，andrescuestilltheyheldtheirbreathsliketen—year—olds.
ItdidnottakeCondylongtoknowthathehaddiscoveredwhatthestory—tellersooftentellsofbutsoseldomfinds，andwhat，forwantofabettername，heelectstocall\"acharacter.\"
CaptainJackhadbeeneverywhere，hadseeneverything，andhaddonemostofthethingsworthdoing，includingagreatmanythingsthathehadfarbetterhaveleftundone.ButonthislatterpointtheCaptainseemedtobeinnocentlyandcompletelydevoidofamoralsenseofrightandwrong.ItwasquiteevidentthathesawnomatterforconscienceinthesmugglingofChinamenacrossthe，Canadianborderatthirtydollarsahead——aventureinwhichhehadhadtheassistanceoftheprodigalsonofanAmericandivineofinternationalrenown.ThetradetoPeruvianinsurgentsofcondemnedrifleswastoberegrettedonlybecausetheringmanipulatingitwasbrokenup.TheappropriationofaschoonerintheharborofCallaowasastoryinitself;whiletherobberyofthirtythousanddollars’worthofsea—otterskinsfromaRussiantrading—postinAlaska，accomplishedchieflythroughtheagencyofabarrelofrummanufacturedfromsugar—cane，wasaveritableachievement.
Hehadbeenborn，sohetoldthem，inWinchester，inEngland，and——
Heavensavethemark！——hadbeenbroughtupwithaviewoftakingorders.ForsometimehewasachoirboyinthegreatWinchesterCathedral;then，whileyetalad，hadgonetosea.Hehadbeenboat—steereronaNewBedfordwhaler，andstruckhisfirstwhalewhenonlysixteen.HehadfilibustereddowntoChili;hadactedasicepilotonanArcticreliefexpedition;hadcaptainedacrewofChinamenshark—fishinginMagdalenaBay，andhadbeennearlymurderedbyhismen;hadbeenadeep—seadiver，andhadbursthisear—drumsatthebusiness，sothatnowhecouldblowtobaccosmokeoutofhisears;hehadbeenshipwreckedintheGilberts，foughtwiththeSerisonthelowerCaliforniaIslands，soldchampagne——
madefromrockcandy，effervescentsalts，andReislingwine——totheCoreans，haddreamedof\"holdingup\"aCunardliner，andhadriddenontheStrandinahansomwithWilliamEwartGladstone.
Buttheonethingofwhichhewasproud，theonepictureofhislifehemostdelightedtorecall，washimselfasmanagerofanegrominstreltroupe，inahireddrum—major’suniform，marchingdownthestreetsofSacramentoattheheadofthebrassbandinburntcorkandregimentals.
\"Thestarofthetroupe，\"hetoldthem，\"wastheladywiththeironjore.WebustedinStockton，andshegavemeherdiamondstopawn.Ipawned’em，andkeptbacksomethinginthehandformyselfandhookedittoSanFrancisco.Strikemestraightifshedidn’tfollowme，thatiron—joredpiece;metmeonedayinfrontoftheBushStreetTheatre，andhorsewhippedmeproperly.Now，justthinkofthat\"——andhelaughedasthoughitwasthebestkindofajoke.
\"But，\"hazardedBlix，\"don’tyoufinditratherdullouthere——
lonesome？Ishouldthinkyouwouldwanttohavesomeonewithyoutokeepyoucompany——to——todoyourcookingforyou？\"
ButCondy，ignoringherdiplomacyandthinkingonlyofpossiblestories，blunderedoffuponanothertrack.
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"you’veledsuchalifeofaction，Ishouldthinkthisstationwouldbeprettydullforyou.Howdidyouhappentochooseit？\"
\"Well，yousee，answeredtheCaptain，leaningagainstthesmoothwhiteflankofthesurf—boat，hishandsinhispockets，\"I’mlyinglowjustnow.IgotintoascrapedownatLibertad，inMexico，thatmadetalk，andI’mwaitingforthattodiedownsome.Yousee，itwasthisway.\"
Mindfuloftheirexperiencewiththemateofthewhaleback，CondyandBlixwereallattentioninaninstant.Blixsatdownuponanupturnedbox，herelbowsonherknees，leaningforward，herlittleeyesfixedandshiningwithinterestandexpectation;Condy，thestory—tellerallaliveandvibrantinhim，stoodatherelbow，smokingcigaretteaftercigarette，hisfingersdancingwithexcitementandanimationastheCaptainspoke.
AndthenitwasthatCondyandBlix，inthatisolatedstation，thebaylappingattheshorewithinear—shot，inthatatmosphereredolentofpaintandoakumandofseaweeddecayinguponthebeachoutside，firstheardthestoryof\"InDefianceofAuthority.\"
CaptainJackbeganitwithhisexperienceasarestaurantkeeperduringtheboomdaysinSeattle，Washington.Hetoldthemhowhewasthecashierofadining—saloonwhosedailynetprofitsexceededeighthundreddollars;howitsproprietorsuddenlydied，andhowhe，CaptainJack，continuedthemanagementoftherestaurantpendingasettlementoftheproprietor’saffairsandanappearanceofheirs;howintheconfusionandexcitementoftheboomnosettlementwasevermade;andhow，noheirsappearing，heassumedchargeoftheestablishmenthimself，payingbills，makingcontracts，andsigningnotes，untilhecametoconsiderthebusinessandallitsenormousprofitsashisown;andhowatlast，whentherestaurantwasburned，hefoundhimselfsomefortythousanddollars\"aheadofthegame.\"
Thenhetoldthemofthestrangecluboftheplace，called\"TheExiles，\"madeupchieflyof\"youngersons\"ofEnglishandBritish—
Canadianfamilies，everymemberpossessedofa\"past\"moreorlessdisreputable;menwhohadlefttheircountryfortheircountry’sgood，andfortheirfamily’speaceofmind——adventurers，wanderers，soldiersoffortune，gentlemen—vagabonds，menofhyphenatednamesandevennoblebirth，whoseappellationswereavowedlyaliases.HetoldthemofhismeetingwithBillyIsham，oneoftheclub’sdirectors，andofthehappy—go—lucky，reckless，unpracticalcharacteroftheman;oftheiracquaintance，intimacy，andsubsequentpartnership;ofhowthefilibusteringprojectwasstartedwithCaptainJack’sfortythousand，andthenever—to—be—
forgotteninterviewinSanFranciscowithSenoraEstrada，theagentoftheinsurgents;oftheincidentofhercalling—card——howshetoreitintwoandgaveone—halftoIsham;oftheiroutfitting，andthebrokensextantthatwastocausetheirultimatediscomfitureanddisaster，andofthevoyagetotherendezvousonaPanamaliner.
\"Strikeme！\"continuedCaptainJack，\"youshouldhaveseenBillyIshamonthatPanamadough—dish;apassengershipshewas，andBillywasthelifeofherfromstemtostern—post.TherewasachurchpulpitaboardthattheyweretakingdowntoMazatlanforsomechapelorother，andthisherepulpitwaslashedondeckaft.
Well，Billyhadbeenmostkindsofafoolinhislife，andamongothersaplay—actor;calledhimselfGastonMaundeville，andwascleandaftonhisknowledgeofShakespeareandhisownpowerofinterpretin’thehiddenmeanin’ofthelines.Iain’tnevergoingtoforgitthedayhegaveusPortia’sspeech.Wewerejustunderthetropic，andthedaywasascorcher.Therewasmostlymenfolkaboard，andwelayaroundthedeckinourpajamas，whileBilly——
GastonMaundeville，dressedinstripedredandwhitepajamas——clumupinthatballypulpit，withtheship’sShakespeareinhishands，an’letushave——’Thequalityo’mercyisn’tstrained;itdroppethasthegenteeldewfromheavun.’Laugh，ItellyouIwassorewithit.Lord，howweguyedhim！An’themoreweguyedandthemorewelaughed，themoreserioushegotandthemadderhegrew.Hesaidhewasinterpretin’thehiddenmeanin’ofthelines.\"
AndsotheCaptainranthroughthatwild，fierytale——offightingandloving，buccaneeringandconspiring;mandolinstinkling，knivesclicking;oathsminglingwithsonnets，andspilledwinewithspilledblood.HetoldthemofIsham’sknifeduelwiththeMexicanlieutenant，theirleftwristslashedtogether;ofthe\"battleofthethirty\"inthepitchdarkoftheCustomHousecellar;ofSenoraEstrada’sloveforIsham;andalltherollandplungeofactionthatmakeupthestoryof\"InDefianceofAuthority.\"
Attheend，Blix’slittleeyesweresnappinglikesparks;Condy’sfacewasflaming，hishandswerecold，andhewasshiftinghisweightfromfoottofoot，likeanexcitedthoroughbredhorse.
\"Heavensandearth，whatayarn！\"heexclaimedalmostinawhisper.
Blixdrewalong，tremulousbreathandsatbackupontheupturnedbox，lookingaroundherasthoughshehadbutthatmomentbeenawakened.
\"Yes，sir，\"saidtheCaptain，rollingacigarette.\"Yes，sir，thoseweregreatdays.Getdowntherearoundthelineinthoselittle，out—o’—the—wayrepublicsalongtheSouthAmericancoast，andthingshappentoyou.Youholdaman’slifeinthecrookofyourforefinger，an’nothing’sdonebyhalves.Ifyouhateaman，youlayawakenightsbitingyourmattress，justthinkinghowyouhatehim;an’ifyouloveawoman——goodLord，howyoudoLOVE
her！\"
\"But——but！\"exclaimedCondy，\"Idon’tseehowyoucanwanttodoanythingelse.Why，you’relivingsixtytotheminutewhenyou’replayingagamelikethat！\"
\"Oh，Iain’tdeadyet！\"answeredtheCaptain.\"IgotafewschemesleftthatIcouldgetfunoutof.\"
\"Howcanyouwaitaminute！\"exclaimedBlixbreathlessly.\"Whydon’tyougetashiprightaway——to—morrow——andgorightoffonsomeotheradventure？\"
\"Well，Ican’tjustnow，\"returnedtheCaptain，blowingthesmokefromhiscigarettethroughhisears.\"There’sagoodmanyreasons;oneof’emisthatI’vejustbeenmarried.\"
ChapterX
Mum——mar——married！gaspedCondy，swallowingsomethinginhisthroat.
Blixrosetoherfeet.
\"JustbeenMARRIED！\"sherepeated，alittlefrightened.\"Why——
why——why;howDELIGHTFUL！\"
\"Yes——yes，\"mumbledCondy.\"Howdelightful.Icongratulateyou！\"
\"Comein——comebacktothestation，\"saidtheCaptainjovially，\"andI’llintroduceyoutom’wife.WeweremarriedonlylastSunday.\"
\"Why，yes——yes，ofcourse，we’dbedelighted，\"vociferatedthetwoconspiratorsalittlehysterically.
\"She’samightyfinelittlewoman，\"declaredtheCaptain，asherolledthedooroftheboat—housetoitsplaceandprecededthemupthegravelwalktothestation.
\"Ofcoursesheis，\"respondedBlix.BehindCaptainJack’sbackshefixedCondywithawide—eyedlook，andnudgedhimfiercelywithanelbowtorecallhimtohimself;forCondy’switswerescatteredlikeaflockofterrifiedbirds，andhewasgazingblanklyattheCaptain’scoatcollarwithavacant，maniacalsmile.
\"ForHeaven’ssake，Condy！\"shehadtimetowhisperbeforetheyarrivedinthehallwayofthestation.
Butfortunatelytheywereallowedaminuteorsotorecoverthemselvesandprepareforwhatwascoming.CaptainJackusheredthemintowhatwaseithertheparlor，office，orsitting—roomofthestation，andleftthemwiththewords：
\"Justmakeyourselvescomfortablehere，an’I’llgofetchthelittlewoman.\"
Nosoonerhadhegonethanthetwoturnedtoeachother.
\"Well！\"
\"WELL！\"
\"We’reinforitnow.\"
\"Butwemustseeitthrough，Condy;actjustasnaturalasyoucan，andwe’reallright.\"
\"ButsupposingSHErecognizesus！\"
\"Supposingshedoes——whatthen.HowAREtheytoknowthatwewrotetheletters？\"
\"Sh，Blix，notsoloud！TheyknowbynowthatTHEYdidn’t.\"
\"Butitseemsthatithasn’tmadeanydifferencetothem;theyaremarried.Andbesides，theywouldn’tspeakaboutputting’personals’inthepapertous.Theywouldneverletanybodyknowthat.\"
\"Doyousupposetheycouldpossiblysuspect？\"
\"I’msuretheycouldn’t.\"
\"Heretheycome.\"
\"Keepperfectlycalm，andwe’resaved.\"
\"Supposeitisn’tK.D.B.，afterall？\"
Butitwas，ofcourse，andsherecognizedtheminaninstant.SheandtheCaptain——thelatterallgrins——cameinfromthedirectionofthekitchen，K.D.B.wearinganeatbluecalicogownandanapronthatwasreallyamarvelofcleanlinessandstarch.
\"Kitty！\"exclaimedCaptainJack，seizedagainwithanunexplainablemirth，\"here’ssomeyoungfolkscomeouttoseetheplacean’Iwantyoutoknow’em.Mr.Rivers，thisism’wife，Kitty，and——lessee，miss，Idon’trightlyrememberyourname.\"
\"Bessemer！\"exclaimedCondyandBlixinabreath.
\"Oh！\"exclaimedK.D.B.，\"youwereintherestaurantthenightthattheCaptainandI——I——thatis——yes，I’mquitesureI’veseenyoubefore.\"Sheturnedfromonetotheother.beginningtoblushfuriously.
\"Yes，yes，inLuna’srestaurant，wasn’tit？\"saidCondydesperately.\"ItseemstomeIdojustbarelyremember.\"
\"Andwasn’ttheCaptainthere？\"Blixventured.
\"Iforgotmystick，Iremember，\"continuedCondy.\"Icamebackforit;andjustasIwasgoingoutitseemstomeIsawyoutwoatatablenearthedoor.\"
Hethoughtitbesttoallowtheir\"matrimonialobjects\"tobelievehehadnotseenthembefore.
\"Yes，yes，wewerethere，\"answeredK.D.B.tactfully.\"WedinetherealmosteveryMondaynight.\"
BlixguessedthatK.D.B.wouldprefertohavetherealfactsofthesituationignored，anddeterminedsheshouldhavethechancetochangetheconversationifshewished.
\"Whatadelicioussupperonehasthere！\"shesaid.
\"Can’tsayIlikeMexicancookingmyself，\"answeredK.D.B.，forgettingthattheydinedthereeveryMondaynight.\"PlainUnitedStatesisgoodenoughforme.\"
SuddenlyCaptainJackturnedabruptlytoCondy，exclaiming：\"Oh，youwasthechapthatcalledthepictureofthatschoonerabarkentine.\"
\"Yes;WASN’Tthatabarkentine？\"heansweredinnocently.
\"BarkentineyourEYE！\"splutteredtheCaptain.\"Why，thatwasaschoonerasplainasapieplate.\"
Buttenminuteslatertheordealwasover，andBlixandCondy，oncemorebreathingeasily，wereontheirwalkagain.TheCaptainandK.D.B.hadevenaccompaniedthemtothegateofthestation，andhadstrenuouslyurgedthemto\"comeinandseethemagainthenexttimetheywereoutthatway.\"
\"Married！\"murmuredCondy，puttingbothhandstohishead.\"We’vedoneit，we’vedoneitnow.\"
\"Well，whatofit？\"declaredBlix，alittledefiantly.\"Ithinkit’sallright.YoucanseetheCaptainisinlovewithher，andshewithhim.No，we’venothingtoreproachourselveswith.\"
\"But——but——butsosudden！\"whisperedCondy，allaghast.\"That’swhatmakesmefaint——thesuddennessofit.\"
\"Itshowshowmuchtheyareinlove，how——howreadilythey——
adaptedthemselvestoeachother.No，it’sallright.\"
\"Theyseemedtolikeus——actually.\"
\"Well，theyhadbetter——iftheyknewthetruth.Withoutustheyneverwouldhavemet.\"
\"Theybothaskedustocomeoutandseethemagain，didyounoticethat？Let’sdoit，Blix，\"Condysuddenlyexclaimed;\"let’sgettoknowthem！\"
\"Ofcoursewemust.Wouldn’titbefuntocallonthem——togetregularlyacquaintedwiththem！\"
\"Theymightaskustodinnersometime.\"
\"Andthinkofthestorieshecouldtellyou！\"
Theyenthusedimmediatelyuponthissubject，bothtalkingexcitedlyatthesametime，goingoverthedetailsoftheCaptain’syarns，recallingtheincidentstoeachother.
\"Fancy！\"exclaimedCondy——\"fancyBillyIshaminhispajamas，redandwhitestripes，readingShakespearefromthatpulpitonboardtheship，andtheothermenguyinghim！Isn’tthataSCENEforyou？Can’tyoujustSEEit？
\"IwonderiftheCaptainwasn’tmakingallthosethingsupashewentalong.Hedon’tseemtohaveanysenseofrightandwrongatall.Hemighthavebeenlying，Condy.\"
\"Whatdifferencewouldthatmake？\"
Andsotheywentalonginthatfine，clear，Westernmorning，ontheedgeoftheContinent，bothofthemyoungandstrongandvigorous，thePacificundertheireyes，thegreatcleanTradesblowingintheirfaces，thesmellofthesaltseacominginlongaromaticwhiffstotheirnostrils.Youngandstrongandfresh，theirimaginationsthrongingwithpicturesofvigorousactionandadventure，buccaneering，filibustering，andalltheswing，theleap，therushandgallop，theexuberant，stronglifeofthegreat，unchartedworldofRomance.
AndallunknowinglytheywereaRomanceinthemselves.Cynicism，oldage，andthewearinessofallthingsdonehadnoplaceintheworldinwhichtheywalked.Theystillhadtheirillusions，allthekeennessoftheirsensations，allthevividnessoftheirimpressions.Thesimplethingsoftheworld，thegreat，broad，primalemotionsoftheracestirredinthem.Astheyswungalong，goingtowardtheocean，theirbrainswerealmostasemptyofthoughtorofreflectionasthoseoftwofine，cleananimals.
Theywereallfortheimmediatesensation;theydidnotthink——
theyFELT.Theintellectwasdormant;theylookedatthings，theyheardthings，theysmelledthesmellofthesea，andoftheseaweed，ofthefat，rankgrowthofcressesinthesaltmarshes;
theyturnedtheircheekstothepassingwind，andfilledtheirmouthsandbreastswithit.Theirlifewassweettothem;everyhourwasonegladeffervescence.Thefactthattheoceanwasbluewasamatterforrejoicing.Itwasgoodtobealiveonthatroyalmorning.Justtobeyoungwasanexhilaration;andeverythingwasyoungwiththem——thedaywasyoung，thecountrywasyoung，andthecivilizationtowhichtheybelonged，teemingthereuponthegreen，Westernfringeofthecontinent，wasyoungandheadyandtumultuouswiththeboisterous，redbloodofanewrace.
Condyevenforgot，orratherdisdainedonsuchamorningasthat，topiecetogetherandrearrangeCaptainJack’syarnsintostoryform.Tolookattheseaandthegreenhills，towatchthepinkonBlix’scheekandheryellowhairblowingacrosshereyesandlips，wasbetterthanthinking.Lifewasbetterthanliterature.
Tolivewasbetterthantoread;onelivehumanbeingwasbetterthantenthousandShakespeares;anactwasbetterthanathought.
Why，justtoloveBlix，tobewithher，toseethesweet，cleanflushofhercheek，toknowthatshewasthereathisside，andtohavethetouchofherelbowastheywalked，wasbetterthanthebeststory，thegreatestnovelhecouldeverhopetowrite.Lifewasbetterthanliterature，andlovewasthebestthinginlife.
ToloveBlixandtobenearher——whatelsewasworthwhile？Couldheeverthinkoffindinganythinginlifesweeterandfinerthanthisdearyounggirlofnineteen？
SuddenlyCondycametohimselfwithanabruptstart.Whatwasthishewasthinking——whatwasthishewastellinghimself？LoveBlix！HelovedBlix！Why，ofCOURSEhelovedher——lovedherso，thatwiththethoughtofittherecameagreat，suddenclutchattheheartandastrangesenseoftenderness，sovagueandyetsogreatthatiteludedspeechandallexpression.Loveher！Ofcoursehelovedher！Hehad，allunknowing，lovedherevenbeforethiswonderfulmorning：hadlovedherthatdayatthelake，andthatnever—to—be—forgotten，deliciousafternoonintheChineserestaurant;allthoselong，quieteveningsspentinthewindowofthelittledining—room，lookingdownuponthedarkeningcity，hehadlovedher.Why，allhisdaysforthelastfewmonthshadbeenfulloftheloveofher.
Howelsehadhebeensohappy？howelsediditcomeaboutthatlittlebylittlehewaswithdrawingfromthesocietyandinfluenceofhisartificialworld，asrepresentedbysuchmenasSargeant？
howelsewasheslowlylooseningthegripoftheoneevilandvicioushabitthathadclutchedhimsolong？howelsewashisambitionstirring？howelsewashishithertoaimlessenthusiasmhardeningtoenergyanddetermination？Shehadnotalwayssoinfluencedhim.Inthedayswhentheyhadjustknowneachother，andmeteachotherintheweeklycourseoftheirformallife，ithadnotbeenso，eventhoughtheypretendedacertainamountofaffection.HerememberedtheeveningwhenBlixhadbroughtthosedaystoanabruptend，andhowatthemomenthehadtoldhimselfthatafterallhehadneverknowntherealBlix.Sincethen，inthecharming，unconventionallifetheyhadled，everythinghadbeenchanged.Hehadcometoknowherforwhatshewas，toknowhergenuinegoodness，hersincerity，hercontemptofaffectations，hercomradeship，hercalm，finestrengthandunbrokengoodnature;
anddaybyday，herealittleandtherealittle，hisloveforherhadgrownsoquietly，soevenly，thathehadneverknownit，untilnow，behold！itwassuddenlycometoflower，fullandstrong——aflowerwhosefragrancehadsuddenlyfilledallhislifeandallhisworldwithitssweetness.
Halfanhourafterleavingthelifeboatstation，CondyandBlixreachedtheold，red—brickfort，deserted，abandoned，andrime—
incrusted，attheentranceoftheGoldenGate.Theyturneditsangle，andthererolledthePacific，abluefloorofshiftingwater，stretchingoutthereforeverandforeveroverthecurveoftheearth，overtheshoulderoftheworld，withneverasailinviewandneverabreakfromhorizontohorizon.
Theyfolloweddowntheshore，sometimesupontheoldandbrokenflumethatrunsalongtheseawardfaceofthehillsthatrisefromthebeach，orsometimesuponthebeachitself，steppingfrombowldertobowlder，orholdingalongattheedgeofthewateruponreachesofwhite，hardsand.
Thebeachwassolitary;notasoulwasinsight.Closeathand，tolandward，greathills，bareandgreen，shutoffthesky;andhereandtherethelandcametumblingdownintotheseaingreat，jagged，craggyrocks，knee—deepinswirlingfoam，andallblackwithwet.Theairwasfulloftheprolongedthunderofthesurf，andatintervalssea—birdspassedoverheadwithanoccasionalpipingcry.Wreckagewastumbledabouthereandthere;andinnumerablecocoanutshards，huge，browncupsoffuzzybark，layunderfootandinthecrevicesoftherocks.Theyfoundajelly—
fish——apulpytranslucentmass;andonceevencaughtasightofasealinthehollowofabreaker，withsleekandshininghead，hisbarbelsbristling，andheardhishoarsecroakingbarkashehuntedtheoff—shorefish.
BlixrefusedtoallowCondytohelpherintheleast.Shewasquiteasactiveandstrongashe，andclamberedfromrocktorockandovertheshatteredscantlingoftheflumewiththevigorandagilityofayoungboy.Shemuddiedhershoestotheverytopsscratchedherhands，toreherskirt，andeventwistedherankle;
butherlittleeyeswereneversobright，norwasthepinkflushofhercheeksevermoreadorable.Andshewasneverdonetalking——
averitablechatterbox.Shesaweverythingandtalkedabouteverythingshesaw，quiteindifferentastowhetherornoCondylistened.Nowitwasaqueerbitofseaweed，nowitwasagroupofgullsclamoringoveradeadfish，nowapurplestarfish，nowabreakerofunusualsize.Hersplendidvitalitycarriedheraway.
Shewasexcited，alivetoherveryfinger—tips，vibranttotheleastsensation，quiveringtotheleastimpression.
\"Let’sgetuphereandsitdownsomewhere，\"saidCondy，atlength.
Theyleftthebeachandclimbeduptheslopeofthehills，nearapointwherealongarmoflandthrustoutintotheseaandshutoffthewind;apathwasthere，andtheyfolloweditforafewyards，tilltheyhadcometoalittleamphitheatresurroundedwithblackberrybushes.
Heretheysatdown，Blixsettlingherselfonanoldlogwithalittlesighofcontentment，Condystretchinghimselfout，anew—
lightedpipeinhisteeth，hisheadrestingonthelittlehandbaghehadpersistentlycarriedeversincemorning.ThenBlixfellsuddenlysilent，andforalongtimethetwosattherewithoutspeaking，absorbedintheenjoymentoflookingattheenormousgreenhillsrollingdowntothesea，thebreakersthunderingatthebeach，thegashedpinnaclesofrock，thevastreachofthePacific，andthedistantprospectoftheoldfortattheentranceoftheGoldenGate.
\"Wemightbeathousandmilesawayfromthecity，forallthelooksofit，mightn’twe，Condy？\"saidBlix，afterawhile.\"AndI’mthatHUNGRY！Itmustbenearlynoon.\"
Foranswer，Condysatupwithprofoundgravity，andwithagreatairofnonchalanceopenedthehandbag，and，insteadofshoestookout，first，apintbottleofclaret，then\"devilish\"hamsandwichesinoiledpaper，abottleofstuffedolives，agreatbagofsaltedalmonds，twolittletumblers，apaper—coverednovel，andamouthorgan.
Blixfairlycrowedwithdelight，claspingherhandsuponherknees，androckingtoandfrowhereshesatuponthelog.
\"Oh，Condy，andyouthoughtofaLUNCH——yousaiditwasshoes——andyourememberedIlovedstuffedolives，too;andabooktoread.
Whatisit——’TheSevenSeas.’No，IneverWASsohappy.Butthemouthorgan——what’sthatfor？\"
\"Toplayon.Whatdidyouthink——thinkitwasacan—opener？\"
Blixchokedwithmerrimentoverhisfoolery，andCondyaddedproudly：
\"Lookthere！Imadethosesandwiches！\"
Theylookedasthoughhehad——great，fatchunksofbread，thecruststillon;the\"devilish\"haminthickstratabetween;and，positively，hehadBUTTEREDthebread.Butitwasallonewiththem;theyateasthoughatabanquet，andBlixeventookoffherhatandhungitupononeofthenearbybushes.OfcourseCondyhadforgottenacorkscrew.Hetriedtodigoutthecorkoftheclaretbottlewithhisknife，untilhehadbrokenbothbladesandwasabouttogiveupindespair，whenBlix，attheendofherpatience，tookthebottlefromhimandpushedinthecorkwithherfinger.
\"Wine，music，literature，andfeasting，\"observedCondy.\"We’regettingregularlyluxurious，justlikeSardine—apalus.\"
ButCondyhimselfhadsuddenlyenteredintoanatmosphereofhappiness，thelikeofwhichhehadneverknownordreamedofbefore.HelovedBlix——hehadjustdiscoveredit.Helovedherbecauseshewassogenuine，soradiantlyfreshandstrong;lovedherbecauseshelikedthethingsthatheliked，becausetheytwolookedattheworldfrompreciselythesamepointofview，hatingshamsandaffectations，happyinthethingsthatweresimpleandhonestandnatural.Helovedherbecauseshelikedhisbooks，appreciatingthethingsthereinthatheappreciated，likingwhatheliked，disapprovingofwhathecondemned.Helovedherbecauseshewasnineteen，andbecauseshewassoyoungandunspoiledandwashappyjustbecausetheoceanwasblueandthemorningfine.
Helovedherbecauseshewassopretty，becauseofthesoftnessofheryellowhair，becauseofherround，whiteforeheadandpinkcheeks，becauseofherlittle，dark—browneyes，withthatlookinthemasifshewerejustdonesmilingorjustabouttosmile，onecouldnotsaywhich;lovedherbecauseofhergood，firmmouthandchin，becauseofherfullneckanditshigh，tightbandsofwhitesatin.Andhelovedherbecauseherarmswerestrongandround，andbecausesheworethegreatdog—collararoundhertrim，firm—
corsetedwaist，andbecausethereemanatedfromherwitheverymovementabarelyperceptible，delicious，feminineodor，thatwasinpartperfume，butmostlyasubtle，vaguearoma，charmingbeyondwords，thatcamefromhermouth，herhair，herneck，herarms，herwholesweetpersonality.Andhelovedherbecauseshewasherself，becauseshewasBlix，becauseofthatstrange，sweetinfluencethatwasdisengagedfromherinthosequietmomentswhensheseemedsoclosetohim，whensomeunnamed，mysterioussixthsenseinhimstirredandwokeandtoldhimofhergoodness，ofhercleanpurityandwomanliness;andthatcertain，vaguetendernessinhimwentouttowardher，atendernessnotforheronly，butforallthegoodthingsoftheworld;andhefelthisnoblersiderousingupandtheawakeningofthedesiretobehisbetterself.
Covertlyhelookedather，asshesatnearhim，heryellowhairrollingandblowingbackfromherforehead，herhandsclaspedoverherknee，lookingoutovertheocean，thoughtful，hereyeswide.
Shehadtoldhimshedidnotlovehim.Condyrememberedthatperfectlywell.Shewassincereinthematter;shedidnotlovehim.Thatsubjecthadbeenonceandforallbanishedfromtheirintercourse.Anditwasbecauseofthatveryreasonthattheircompanionshipofthelastthreeorfourmonthshadbeensocharming.Shelookeduponhimmerelyasachum.Shehadnotchangedintheleastfromthattimeuntilnow，whereashe——why，allhisworldwasnewforhimthatmorning！Why，helovedherso，shehadbecomesodeartohim，thattheverythoughtofhermadehisheartswellandleap.
Buthemustkeepallthistohimself.Ifhespoketoher，toldherofhowhelovedher，itwouldspoilandendtheircompanionshipupontheinstant.Theyhadbothagreeduponthat;
theyhadtriedtheother，andithadworkedout.Asloverstheyhadweariedofeachother;aschumstheyhadbeenperfectlycongenial，thoroughlyandcompletelyhappy.
Condysethisteeth.Itwasahardsituation.Hemustchoosebetweenbringinganendtothischarmingcomradeshipoftheirs，orelsefightbackallshowofloveforher，keepitdownandunderhand，andthatatatimewheneverynerveofhimquiveredlikeasmittenharp—string.Itwasnotinhimorinhistemperamenttolovehercalmly，quietly，oratadistance;hewantedthetouchofherhand，thetouchofhercool，smoothcheek，thedeliciousaromaofherbreathinhisnostrilsherlipsagainsthis，herhairandallitsfragranceinhisface\"Condy，what’sthematter？\"Blixwaslookingathimwithanexpressionofnolittleconcern.\"Whatareyoufrowningsoabout，andclinchingyourfists？Andyou’repale，too.What’sgonewrong？\"
Heshotaglanceather，andbestirredhimselfsharply.
\"Isn’tthisajollylittlecorner？\"hesaid.\"Blix，howlongisitbeforeyougo？\"
\"Sixweeksfromto—morrow.\"
\"Andyou’regoingtobegonefouryears——fouryears！Maybeyouneverwillcomeback.Can’ttellwhatwillhappeninfouryears.
Where’sthebloomingmouth—organ？\"
Butthemouth—organwasfullofcrumbs.Condycouldnotplayonit.Toallhiseffortsitrespondedonlybygasps，mournfulestdeath—rattles，andlamentablewails.Condyhurleditintothesea.
\"Well，where’sthebloomingbook，then？\"hedemanded.\"You’resittingonit，Blix.Here，readsomethinginit.Openitanywhere.\"
\"No;youreadtome.\"
\"Iwillnot.Haven’tIdoneenough？Didn’tIbuythebookandgetthelunch，andmakethesandwiches，andpaythecar—fare？Ithinkthisexpeditionwillcostmeprettynearthreedollarsbeforewe’rethroughwiththeday.No;theleastyoucandoistoreadtome.Here，we’llmatchforit.\"
Condydrewadimefromhispocket，andBlixaquarterfromherpurse.
\"You’rematchingme，\"shesaid.
Condytossedthecoinandlost，andBlixsaid，ashepickedupthebook：
\"Foramanthathassuchunvaryingbadluckasyou，gamblingisjustsimplemadness.YouandIhaveneverplayedagameofpokeryetthatI’venotwoneverycentofmoneyyouhad.\"
\"Yes;andwhatareyoudoingwithitall？\"
\"Spendingit，\"shereturnedloftily;\"glovesandveilsandlacepins——allkindsofthings.\"
ButCondyknewthewayshespokethatthiswasnottrue.
Forthenexthourorsohereadtoherfrom\"TheSevenSeas，\"
whiletheafternoonpassed，thewindstirringthechaparralandblackberrybushesinthehollowsofthehuge，barehills，thesurfrollingandgrumblingonthebeachbelow，thesea—birdswheelingoverhead.Blixlistenedintently，butCondycouldnothavetoldofwhathewasreading.Livingwasbetterthanreading，lifewasbetterthanliterature，andhisnew—foundloveforherwaspoetryenoughforhim.Hereadsothathemightnottalktoherorlookather，foritseemedtohimattimesasthoughsomesecondselfinhimwouldspeakandbetrayhiminspiteofhisbestefforts.
Neverbeforeinallhislifehadhebeensohappy;neverbeforehadhebeensotroubled.Hebegantojumblethelinesandwordsasheread，over—runningperiods，eventurningtwopagesatonce.
\"Whatasplendidline！\"Blixexclaimed.
\"Whatline——what——whatareyoutalkingabout？Blix，let’salwaysrememberto—day.Let’smakeapromise，nomatterwhathappensorwhereweare，let’salwayswritetoeachotherontheanniversaryofto—day.Whatdoyousay？\"
\"Yes;I’llpromise——andyou——\"
\"I’llpromisefaithfully.Oh，I’llneverforgetto—daynor——yes，yes，I’llpromise——why，to—day——Blix——where’sthatdamnbookgone？\"
\"Condy！\"
\"Well，Ican’tfindthebook.You’resittingonitagain.
Confoundthebook，anyway！Let’swalksomemore.\"
\"We’vealongwaystogoifwe’retogethomeintimeforsupper.
Let’sgotoLuna’sforsupper.\"
\"Ineversawsuchagirlasyoutothinkofwaysforspendingmoney.Whatkindofapurse—proudplutocratdoyouthinkIam？
I’veonlyseventy—fivecentsleft.Howmuchhaveyougot？\"
Blixhadfifty—fivecentsinherpurse，andtheyhadagravecouncilovertheirfinances.Theyhadjustenoughforcar—fareandtwo\"suppersMexican，\"withtencentsleftover.\"
\"That’sforRichard’stip，\"saidBlix.
\"That’sformyCIGAR，\"heretorted.
\"YoumadeMEgivehimfiftycents.YousaiditwastheleastI
couldofferhim——noblesseoblige.\"
\"Well，then，ICOULDN’Tofferhimadime，don’tyousee？I’lltellhimwearebrokethistime.\"
Theystartedhome，notastheyhadcome，butclimbingthehillandgoingacrossabreezyopendown，radiantwithblueiris，wildheliotrope，yellowpoppies，andevenaviolethereandthere.A
littlefurtherontheygainedoneoftheroadsoftheReservation，redearthsmoothasabilliardtable;andjustatananglewheretheroadmadeasharpelbowandtrendedcityward，theypausedforamomentandlookeddownandbackatthesuperbviewoftheocean，thevasthalf—moonofland，andtherollinghillsintheforegroundtumblingdowntowardthebeachandallspangledwithwildflowers.
Somefifteenminuteslatertheyreachedthegolf—links.
\"Wecangoacrossthelinks，\"saidCondy，\"andstrikeanynumberofcarlinesontheotherside.\"
Theylefttheroadandstruckacrossthelinks，Condysmokinghisnew—lightedpipe.Butastheycamearoundtheedgeofalonglineofeucalyptustreesneartheteeingground，awarningvoicesuddenlycalledout：
\"Fore！\"
CondyandBlixlookedupsharply，andthereinagroupnottwentyfeetaway，intweedsand\"knickers，\"insmart，shortgolfingskirtsandplaidcloaks，theysawyoungSargeantandhissister，twoothergirlswhomtheyknewasmembersofthefashionable\"set，\"andJackCarterintheactofswinginghisdrivingiron.
ChapterXI
Astheclockinthelibraryoftheclubstruckmidnight，Condylaiddownhispen，shovedthecloselywrittensheetsofpaperfromhim，andleanedbackinhischair，hisfingerstohistiredeyes.
HewassittingatadeskinoneofthefurthercornersoftheroomandshutoffbyagreatJapanesescreen.Hewasinhisshirt—
sleeves，hishairwastumbled，hisfingersink—stained，andhisfacealittlepale.
Sincelateintheeveninghehadbeensteadilywriting.Threechaptersof\"InDefianceofAuthority\"weredone，andhewasnowatworkonthefourth.ThedayaftertheexcursiontothePresidio——thatwonderfuleventwhichseemedtoCondytomarkthebirthdayofsomenewmanwithinhim——theideahadsuddenlyoccurredtohimthatCaptainJack’sstoryofthecluboftheexiles，theboomrestaurant，andthefilibusteringexpeditionwaspreciselythenovelofadventureofwhichtheCentennialCompanyhadspoken.Atoncehehadsettoworkuponit，withanenthusiasmthat，withshutteeth，hedeclaredwouldnotbelackinginenergy.Thestorywouldhavetobewrittenoutofhisbusinesshours.Thatmeanthewouldhavetogiveuphiseveningstoit.
Buthehaddonethis，andfornearlyaweekhadsettledhimselftohistaskinthequietcorneroftheclubateighto’clock，andheldtoitresolutelyuntiltwelve.
Thefirsttwochaptershadrunoffhispenwithdelightfulease.
Thethirdcameharder;theeventsandincidentsofthestorybecameconfusedandcontradictory;thecharacterofBillyIshamobstinatelyrefusedtotaketheprominentplacewhichCondyhaddesignedforhim;andwiththebeginningofthefourthchapter，Condyhadfinallycometoknowtheenormousdifficulties，theexasperatingcomplications，thediscouragementsthatbeginanewwitheveryparagraph，theobstaclesthatrefusetobesurmounted，andallthepain，thelabor，thedownrightmentaltravailandanguishthatfalltothelotofthewriterofnovels.
Towriteashortstorywiththeendinplainsightfromthebeginningwasaneasymattercomparedtotheupbuilding，grainbygrain，atombyatom，ofthefabricof\"InDefianceofAuthority.\"
Condysoonfoundthattherewasbutonewaytogoaboutthebusiness.Hemustshuthiseyestotheendofhisnovel——thatfar—off，divineevent——andtakehistaskchapterbychapter，evenparagraphbyparagraph;grindingoutthetale，asitwere，bymainstrength，drivinghispenfromlinetoline，hatingtheeffort，happyonlywiththeterminationofeachchapter，andworkingaway，hourbyhour，minutebyminute，withthedogged，sullen，hammer—
and—tongsobstinacyofthegalley—slave，scourgedtohisdailytoil.
Attimesthetale，apparentlyoutofsheerperversity，wouldcometoafullstop.Towriteanotherwordseemedbeyondthepowerofhumaningenuity，andforanhourormoreCondywouldsitscowlingatthehalf—writtenpage，gnawinghisnails，scouringhishair，dippinghispenintotheink—well，andsquaringhimselftothesheetofpaper，alltonopurpose.
Therewasnopleasureinitforhim.Acharacteroncefixedinhismind，asceneoncepicturedinhisimagination，andevenbeforehehadwrittenawordthecharacterlostthecharmofitsnovelty，thescenethefreshnessofitsoriginalconception.
Then，withinfinitepainstakingandwithapatiencelittleshortofmiraculous，hemustslowlybuildup，brickbybrick，theplanhisbrainhadoutlinedinasingleinstant.Itwasallwork——
hard，disagreeable，laboriouswork;andnojugglingwithphrases，nofalsenotionsastothe\"delightofcreation，\"couldmakeitappearotherwise.\"Andforwhat，\"hemutteredasherose，rolleduphissheafofmanuscript，andputonhiscoat;\"whatdoIdoitfor，Idon’tknow.\"
Itwasbeyondquestionthat，hadhebegunhisnovelthreemonthsbeforethistime，Condywouldhavelongsinceabandonedthehatefultask.ButBlixhadchangedallthat.AsuddenmaleforcehadbeguntodevelopinCondy.Amaster—emotionhadshakenhim，andhehadcommencedtoseeandtofeeltheserious，moreabiding，andperhapsthesternersideoflife.Blixhadsteadiedhim，therewasnodenyingthat.Hewasnotquitethesameboyish，hairbrainedfellowwhohadmade\"abuffoonofhimself\"intheChineserestaurant，threemonthsbefore.
ThecarshadstoppedrunningbythetimeCondyreachedthestreet.
Hewalkedhomeandflunghimselftobed，hismindtired，hisnervesunstrung，andallthebloodofhisbodyapparentlyconcentratedinhisbrain.Workingatnightafterwritingalldaylongwastellinguponhim，andheknewit.
WhatwithhisworkandhiscompanionshipwithBlix，Condysoonbegantodropoutofhiswontedplaceinhis\"set.\"Hewasobligedtodeclineoneinvitationafteranotherthatwouldtakehimoutintheevening，andinsteadoflunchingathisclubwithSargeantorGeorgeHands，ashehadbeenaccustomedtodoatonetime，hefellintoanotherhabitoflunchingwithBlixattheflatonWashingtonStreet，andspendingthetwohoursallowedtohiminthemiddleofthedayinhercompany.
Condy’sdesertionofthemwasoftenspokenofbythemenofhisclubwithwhomhehadbeenatonetimesointimate，andthesubjecthappenedtobebroughtupagainonenoonwhenJackCarterwasintheclubasGeorgeHands’guest.Hands，Carter，andEckertwereatoneofthewindowsovertheirafter—dinnercigarsandliqueurs.
\"Isay，\"saidEckertsuddenly，\"who’sthatgirlacrossthestreetthere——theoneinblack，justgoingbythatfurrier’ssign？I’veseenhersomewherebefore.Knowwhoitis？\"
\"That’sMissBessemer，isn’tit？\"saidGeorgeHands，leaningforward.\"Ratherastunning—lookinggirl.\"
\"Yes，that’sTravisBessemer，\"assentedJackCarter;adding，amomentlater，\"it’stoobadaboutthatgirl.\"
\"What’sthematter？\"askedEckert.
Carterliftedashoulder.\"Isn’tANYTHINGthematterasfarasI
know，onlysomehowthebestpeoplehavedroppedher.SheUSEDtobereceivedeverywhere.\"
\"Cometothink，IHAVEN’Tseenheroutmuchthisseason，\"saidEckert.\"ButIheardshehadboltedfrom’Society’withthebigS，andwasgoingEast——goingtostudymedicine，Ibelieve.\"
\"I’vealwaysnoticed，\"saidCarter，withasmile，\"thatsosoonasagirlisdeclassee，shedevelopsapurposeinlifeandgetsearnest，andallthatsortofthing.
\"Oh，well，come，\"growledGeorgeHands，\"TravisBessemerisnotdeclassee.\"
\"Ididn’tsayshewas，\"answeredCarter;\"butshehasmadeherselftalkedaboutagooddeallately.GoingaroundwithRivers，asshedoes，isn’tthemostdiscreetthingintheworld.Ofcourse，it’sallright，butitallmakestalk，andIcameacrossthembyagroveoftreesoutonthelinkstheotherday——\"
\"Yes，\"observedSargeant，leaningonthebackofCarter’sarmchair;\"yes;andInoticed，too，thatshecutyoudead.Youfellowsshouldhavebeenthere，\"hewenton，inperfectgoodhumor，turningtotheothers.\"Youmissedagoodlittlescene.
RiversandMissBessemerhadbeentakingatrampovertheReservation——and，bytheway，it’sagreatplacetowalk，somysistertellsme;sheandDickForsythetakeaconstitutionaloutthereeverySaturdaymorning——well，asIwassaying，RiversandMissBessemercameuponourpartyratherunexpectedly.Wewerealltoggedoutinourgolfingbags，andIpresumewelookedmoreliketailor’smodels，posingforthegallery，thanpeoplewhoweretakinganouting;butRiversandMissBessemerhadbeenregularlyexercising;lookedasthoughtheyhaddonetheirfifteenmilessincemorning.Theyhadtheiroldclotheson，andtheyweredustyandmuddy.
\"YouwouldhavethoughtthatayounggirlsuchasMissBessemeris——forshe’sveryyoung——wouldhavebeenalittleembarrassedatrunningupagainstsuchaspickandspanlotaswewere.Notabitofit;didn’tloseherpoiseforamoment.Shebowedtomysisterandtome，asthoughfromthetopofadrag，byJove！andasthoughshewerefreshfromRedfernandVirot.Youknowagirlthatcanmanageherselfthatwayisathoroughbred.SheevenrememberedtocutlittleJohnnieCarterhere，becauseJohnnieforcedhimselfuponheronenightatadancewhenhewasdrunk;
didn’tshe，Johnnie？Johnniecameuptoherthere，outonthelinks，freshasadaisy，andputouthishand，with，’Why，howdoyoudo，MissBessemer？’and’whereverdidyoucomefrom？’and’I
haven’tseenyouinsolong’;andshesays，’No，notsinceourlastdance，Ibelieve，Mr.Carter，’andlookedathishandasthoughitwassomethingfunny.
\"LittleJohnniemumbledandflushedandstammeredandbackedoff;
anditwaswellthathedid，becauseRivershadbeguntogetredaroundthewattles.Isaythelittlegirlisathoroughbred，andmysisterwantstogiveheradinnerassoonasshecomesout.
ButJohnniesaysshe’sdeclassee，somaybemysisterhadbetterthinkitover.\"
\"Ididn’tsayshewasdeclassee，\"exclaimedCarter.\"Ionlysaidshewoulddowelltobemorecareful.\"
Sargeantshiftedhiscigartotheothercornerofhismouth，oneeyeshuttoavoidthesmoke.
\"Onemightsayasmuchoflotsofpeople，\"heanswered.
\"Idon’tlikeyourtone！\"Carterflaredout.
\"Oh，gotothedevil，Johnnie！Shallweallhaveadrink？\"
OntheFridayeveningofthatweek，Condysethimselftohisworkathisaccustomedhour.Buthehadhadaharddayonthe\"Times，\"
Supplement，andhisbrain，likeanoverdrivenhorse，refusedtowork.Inhalfanhourhehadnotwrittenaparagraph.
\"Ithoughtitwouldbebetter，intheend，toloafforoneevening，\"heexplainedtoBlix，sometwentyminuteslater，astheysettledthemselvesinthelittledining—room.\"Icangoatitbetterto—morrow.Seehowyoulikethislastchapter.\"
Blixwasenthusiasticover\"InDefianceofAuthority.\"Condyhadtoldhertheoutlineofthestory，andhadreadtohereachchapterashefinishedit.
\"It’sthebestthingyouhaveeverdone，Condy，andyouknowit.
Isupposeithasfaults，butIdon’tcareanythingaboutthem.
It’sthestoryitselfthat’ssointeresting.Afterthatfirstchapteroftheboomrestaurantandtheexiles’club，nobodywouldwanttolaythebookdown.You’redoingthebestworkofyourlifesofar，andyousticktoit.\"
\"It’sgrindingoutcopyfortheSupplementatthesametimethattakesallthestarchoutofme.You’venoideawhatitmeanstowriteallday，andthensitdownandwriteallevening.\"
\"IWISHyoucouldgetoffthe’Times，’\"saidBlix.\"You’rejustgivingthebestpartofyourlifetohackwork，andNOWit’sinterferingwithyournovel.Iknowyoucoulddobetterworkonyournovelifyoudidn’thavetoworkonthe’Times，’couldn’tyou？\"
\"Oh，ifyoucometothat，ofcourseIcould，\"heanswered.\"Buttheywon’tgivemeavacation.Iwassoundingtheeditoronitdaybeforeyesterday.No;I’llhavetomanagesomehowtoswingthetwotogether.\"
\"Well，let’snottalkshopnow.Condy.Youneedarest.Doyouwanttoplaypoker？\"
Theyplayedforupwardofanhourthatevening，andCondy，asusual，lost.Hisill—luckwaspositivelyastonishing.DuringthelasttwomonthshehadplayedpokerwithBlixonanaverageofthreeorfoureveningsintheweek.andatthecloseofeverygameitwasBlixwhohadallthechips.