Hehadmadenosound:CaptainWhalley,however,seemedtohaveobservedthemovementsofhisSerang.
Holdinghisheadrigidly,heaskedwithamerestirofhislips——
\"Goingaheadstill,Serang?\"
\"Stillgoingalittle,Tuan,\"answeredtheMalay.
Thenaddedcasually,\"Sheisover.\"
Theleadconfirmedhiswords;thedepthofwaterin—
creasedateverycast,andthesoulofexcitementde—
partedsuddenlyfromthelascarswunginthecanvasbeltovertheSofala’sside.CaptainWhalleyor—
deredtheleadin,settheenginesaheadwithouthaste,andavertinghiseyesfromthecoastdirectedtheSerangtokeepacourseforthemiddleoftheen—
trance.
Massybroughtthepalmofhishandwithaloudsmackagainsthisthigh.
\"Yougrazedonthebar.Justlookasternandseeifyoudidn’t.Lookatthetracksheleft.Youcanseeitplainly.Uponmysoul,Ithoughtyouwould!Whatmadeyoudothat?Whatonearthmadeyoudothat?
Ibelieveyouaretryingtoscareme.\"
Hetalkedslowly,asitwerecircumspectly,keepinghisprominentblackeyesonhiscaptain.Therewasalsoaslightplaintivenoteinhisrisingcholer,for,primarily,itwastheclearsenseofawrongsufferedundeservedlythatmadehimhatethemanwho,forabeggarlyfivehundredpounds,claimedasixthpartoftheprofitsunderthethreeyears’agreement.Wheneverhisresent—
mentgotthebetteroftheawethepersonofCaptainWhalleyinspiredhewouldpositivelywhimperwithfury.
\"Youdon’tknowwhattoinventtoplaguemylifeoutofme.Iwouldnothavethoughtthatamanofyoursortwouldcondescend\"
Hepaused,halfhopefully,halftimidly,wheneverCaptainWhalleymadetheslightestmovementinthedeck—chair,asthoughexpectingtobeconciliatedbyasoftspeechorelserusheduponandhuntedoffthebridge.
\"Iampuzzled,\"hewentonagain,withthewatchfulunsmilingbaringofhisbigteeth.\"Idon’tknowwhattothink.Idobelieveyouaretryingtofrightenme.
Youverynearlyplantedheronthebarforatleasttwelvehours,besidesgettingtheengineschokedwithmud.Shipscan’taffordtolosetwelvehoursonatripnowadays——asyououghttoknowverywell,anddoknowverywelltobesure,only\"
Hisslowvolubility,thesidewayscraningsofhisneck,theblackglancesoutoftheverycornersofhiseyes,leftCaptainWhalleyunmoved.Helookedatthedeckwithaseverefrown.Massywaitedforsomelittletime,thenbegantothreatenplaintively.
\"Youthinkyou’vegotmeboundhandandfootinthatagreement.Youthinkyoucantormentmeinanywayyouplease.Ah!Butrememberithasanothersixweekstorunyet.There’stimeformetodismissyoubeforethethreeyearsareout.Youwilldoyetsomethingthatwillgivemethechancetodismissyou,andmakeyouwaitatwelvemonthforyourmoneybeforeyoucantakeyourselfoffandpulloutyourfivehundred,andleavemewithoutapennytogetthenewboilersforher.Yougloatoverthatidea——don’tyou?Idobe—
lieveyousitheregloating.It’sasifIhadsoldmysoulforfivehundredpoundstobeeverlastinglydamnedintheend\"
Hepaused,withoutapparentexasperation,thencon—
tinuedevenly——
\"Withtheboilerswornoutandthesurveyhang—
ingovermyhead,CaptainWhalley——CaptainWhalley,Isay,whatdoyoudowithyourmoney?Youmusthavestacksofmoneysomewhere——amanlikeyoumust.Itstandstoreason.Iamnotafool,youknow,CaptainWhalley——partner.\"
Againhepaused,asthoughhehaddoneforgood.
Hepassedhistongueoverhislips,gaveabackwardglanceattheSerangconningtheshipwithquietwhis—
persandslightsignsofthehand.Thewashofthepropellersentaswiftripple,crestedwithdarkfroth,uponalongflatspitofblackslime.TheSofalahadenteredtheriver;thetrailshehadstirredupoverthebarwasamileasternofhernow,outofsight,haddis—
appearedutterly;andthesmooth,emptyseaalongthecoastwasleftbehindintheglitteringdesolationofsun—
shine.Oneachsideofher,lowdown,thegrowthofsombertwistedmangrovescoveredthesemi—liquidbanks;
andMassycontinuedinhisoldtone,withanabruptstart,asifhisspeechhadbeengroundoutofhim,likethetuneofamusic—box,byturningahandle.
\"Thoughifanybodyevergotthebestofme,itisyou.
Idon’tmindsayingthis.I’vesaidit——there!Whatmorecanyouwant?Isn’tthatenoughforyourpride,CaptainWhalley.Yougotovermefromthefirst.It’sallofapiece,whenIlookbackatit.Youallowedmetoinsertthatclauseaboutintemperancewithoutsayinganything,onlylookingverysickwhenImadeapointofitgoinginblackonwhite.HowcouldItellwhatwaswrongaboutyou.There’sgenerallysomethingwrongsomewhere.And,loandbehold!whenyoucomeonboarditturnsoutthatyou’vebeeninthehabitofdrinkingnothingbutwaterforyearsandyears.\"
Hisdogmaticreproachfulwhinestopped.Hebroodedprofoundly,afterthemannerofcraftyandunintelli—
gentmen.ItseemedinconceivablethatCaptainWhalleyshouldnotlaughattheexpressionofdisgustthatoverspreadtheheavy,yellowcountenance.ButCaptainWhalleyneverraisedhiseyes——sittinginhisarm—chair,outraged,dignified,andmotionless.
\"Muchgooditwastome,\"Massyremonstratedmonotonously,\"toinsertaclausefordismissalforin—
temperanceagainstamanwhodrinksnothingbutwater.
Andyoulookedsoupset,too,whenIreadmydraftinthelawyer’sofficethatmorning,CaptainWhalley,——
youlookedsocrestfallen,thatImadesureIhadgonehomeonyourweakspot.Ashipownercan’tbetoocarefulastothesortofskipperhegets.YoumusthavebeenlaughingatmeinyoursleevealltheblessedtimeEh?Whatareyougoingtosay?\"
CaptainWhalleyhadonlyshuffledhisfeetslightly.
AdullanimositybecameapparentinMassy’ssidewaysstare.
\"Butrecollectthatthereareothergroundsofdis—
missal.There’shabitualcarelessness,amountingtoin—
competence——there’sgrossandpersistentneglectofduty.Iamnotquiteasbigafoolasyoutrytomakemeouttobe.Youhavebeencarelessoflate——leavingeverythingtothatSerang.Why!I’veseenyoulet—
tingthatoldfoolofaMalaytakebearingsforyou,asifyouweretoobigtoattendtoyourworkyourself.
Andwhatdoyoucallthatsillytouch—and—gomannerinwhichyoutooktheshipoverthebarjustnow?Youexpectmetoputupwiththat?\"
Leaningonhiselbowagainsttheladderabaftthebridge,Sterne,themate,triedtohear,blinkingthewhilefromthedistanceatthesecondengineer,whohadcomeupforamoment,andstoodintheengine—roomcompanion.Wipinghishandsonabunchofcottonwaste,helookedaboutwithindifferencetotherightandleftattheriverbanksslippingasternoftheSofalasteadily.
Massyturnedfullatthechair.Thecharacterofhiswhinebecameagainthreatening.
\"Takecare.Imayyetdismissyouandfreezetoyourmoneyforayear.Imay\"
Butbeforethesilent,rigidimmobilityofthemanwhosemoneyhadcomeinthenickoftimetosavehimfromutterruin,hisvoicediedoutinhisthroat.
\"NotthatIwantyoutogo,\"heresumedafterasi—
lence,andinanabsurdlyinsinuatingtone.\"Iwantnothingbetterthantobefriendsandrenewtheagree—
ment,ifyouwillconsenttofindanothercoupleofhun—
dredtohelpwiththenewboilers,CaptainWhalley.
I’vetoldyoubefore.Shemusthavenewboilers;youknowitaswellasIdo.Haveyouthoughtthisover?\"
Hewaited.Theslenderstemofthepipewithitsbulkylumpofabowlattheendhungdownfromhisthicklips.Ithadgoneout.Suddenlyhetookitfrombetweenhisteethandwrunghishandsslightly.
\"Don’tyoubelieveme?\"Hethrustthepipebowlintothepocketofhisshinyblackjacket.
\"It’slikedealingwiththedevil,\"hesaid.\"Whydon’tyouspeak?AtfirstyouweresohighandmightywithmeIhardlydaredtocreepaboutmyowndeck.
NowIcan’tgetawordfromyou.Youdon’tseemtoseemeatall.Whatdoesitmean?Uponmysoul,youterrifymewiththisdeafanddumbtrick.What’sgo—
ingoninthatheadofyours?Whatareyouplottingagainstmetheresohardthatyoucan’tsayaword?
Youwillnevermakemebelievethatyou——you——don’tknowwheretolayyourhandsonacoupleofhundred.
YouhavemademecursethedayIwasborn\"
\"Mr.Massy,\"saidCaptainWhalleysuddenly,with—
outstirring.
Theengineerstartedviolently.
\"IfthatissoIcanonlybegyoutoforgiveme.\"
\"Starboard,\"mutteredtheSerangtothehelmsman;
andtheSofalabegantoswingroundthebendintothesecondreach.
\"Ough!\"Massyshuddered.\"Youmakemybloodruncold.Whatmadeyoucomehere?Whatmadeyoucomeaboardthateveningallofasudden,withyourhightalkandyourmoney——temptingme?Ialwayswonderedwhatwasyourmotive?Youfastenedyourselfonmetohaveeasytimesandgrowfatonmylifeblood,Itellyou.Wasthatit?Ibelieveyouarethegreatestmiserintheworld,orelsewhy\"
\"No.Iamonlypoor,\"interruptedCaptainWhalley,stonily.
\"Steady,\"murmuredtheSerang.Massyturnedawaywithhischinonhisshoulder.
\"Idon’tbelieveit,\"hesaidinhisdogmatictone.
CaptainWhalleymadenomovement.\"Thereyousitlikeagorgedvulture——exactlylikeavulture.\"
Heembracedthemiddleofthereachandboththebanksinoneblankunseeingcircularglance,andleftthebridgeslowly.
IX
OnturningtodescendMassyperceivedtheheadofSternethemateloitering,withhisslyconfidentsmile,hisredmustachesandblinkingeyes,atthefootoftheladder.
SternehadbeenajuniorinoneofthelargershippingconcernsbeforejoiningtheSofala.Hehadthrownuphisberth,hesaid,\"ongeneralprinciples.\"Thepro—
motionintheemploywasveryslow,hecomplained,andhethoughtitwastimeforhimtotryandgetonabitintheworld.Itseemedasthoughnobodywouldeverdieorleavethefirm;theyallstuckfastintheirberthstilltheygotmildewed;hewastiredofwaiting;andhefearedthatwhenavacancydidoccurthebestservantswerebynomeanssureofbeingtreatedfairly.Besides,thecaptainhehadtoserveunder——CaptainProvost——
wasanunaccountablesortofman,and,hefancied,hadtakenadisliketohimforsomereasonorother.Fordoingrathermorethanhisbaredutyaslikelyasnot.
Whenhehaddoneanythingwronghecouldtakeatalkingto,likeaman;butheexpectedtobetreatedlikeamantoo,andnottobeaddressedinvariablyasthoughhewereadog.HehadaskedCaptainProvostplumpandplaintotellhimwherehewasatfault,andCaptainProvost,inamostscornfulway,hadtoldhimthathewasaperfectofficer,andthatifhedislikedthewayhewasbeingspokentotherewasthegangway——
hecouldtakehimselfoffashoreatonce.ButeverybodyknewwhatsortofmanCaptainProvostwas.Itwasnouseappealingtotheoffice.CaptainProvosthadtoomuchinfluenceintheemploy.Allthesame,theyhadtogivehimagoodcharacter.Hemadeboldtosaytherewasnothingintheworldagainsthim,and,ashehadhappenedtohearthatthemateoftheSofalahadbeentakentothehospitalthatmorningwithasun—
stroke,hethoughttherewouldbenoharminseeingwhetherhewouldnotdo
HehadcometoCaptainWhalleyfreshlyshaved,red—
faced,thin—flanked,throwingouthisleanchest;andhadrecitedhislittletalewithanopenandmanlyas—
surance.Nowandthenhiseyelidsquiveredslightly,hishandwouldstealuptotheendoftheflamingmus—
tache;hiseyebrowswerestraight,furry,ofachestnutcolor,andthedirectnessofhisfrankgazeseemedtotrembleonthevergeofimpudence.CaptainWhalleyhadengagedhimtemporarily;then,theothermanhav—
ingbeenorderedhomebythedoctors,hehadremainedforthenexttrip,andthenthenext.Hehadnowat—
tainedpermanency,andtheperformanceofhisdutieswasmarkedbyanairofserious,single—mindedappli—
cation.Directlyhewasspokento,hebegantosmileattentively,withagreatdeferenceexpressedinhiswholeattitude;buttherewasintherapidwinkingwhichwentonallthetimesomethingquizzical,asthoughhehadpossessedthesecretofsomeuniversaljokecheatingallcreationandimpenetrabletoothermortals.
GraveandsmilinghewatchedMassycomedownstepbystep;whenthechiefengineerhadreachedthedeckheswungabout,andtheyfoundthemselvesfacetoface.
Matchedastoheightandutterlydissimilar,theycon—
frontedeachotherasiftherehadbeensomethingbe—
tweenthem——somethingelsethanthebrightstripofsunlightthat,fallingthroughthewidelacingoftwoawnings,cutcrosswisethenarrowplankingofthedeckandseparatedtheirfeetasitwereastream;somethingprofoundandsubtleandincalculable,likeanunex—
pressedunderstanding,asecretmistrust,orsomesortoffear.
AtlastSterne,blinkinghisdeep—seteyesandstickingforwardhisscraped,clean—cutchin,ascrimsonastherestofhisface,murmured——
\"You’veseen?Hegrazed!You’veseen?\"
Massy,contemptuous,andwithoutraisinghisyellow,fleshycountenance,repliedinthesamepitch——
\"Maybe.Butifithadbeenyouwewouldhavebeenstuckfastinthemud.\"
\"Pardonme,Mr.Massy.Ibegtodenyit.Ofcourseashipownermaysaywhathejollywellpleasesonhisowndeck.That’sallright;butIbegto\"
\"Getoutofmyway!\"
Theotherhadaslightstart,theimpulseofsuppressedindignationperhaps,butheldhisground.Massy’sdownwardglancewanderedrightandleft,asthoughthedeckallroundSternehadbeenbestrewnwitheggsthatmustnotbebroken,andhehadlookedirritablyforplaceswherehecouldsethisfeetinflight.Intheendhetoodidnotmove,thoughtherewasplentyofroomtopasson.
\"Iheardyousayupthere,\"wentonthemate——\"andaveryjustremarkitwastoo——thatthere’salwayssomethingwrong\"
\"Eavesdroppingiswhat’swrongwithYOU,Mr.
Sterne.\"
\"Now,ifyouwouldonlylistentomeforamoment,Mr.Massy,sir,Icould\"
\"Youareasneak,\"interruptedMassyinagreathurry,andevenmanagedtogetsofarastorepeat,\"acommonsneak,\"beforethematehadbrokeninargu—
mentatively——
\"Now,sir,whatisityouwant?Youwant\"
\"Iwant——Iwant,\"stammeredMassy,infuriatedandastonished——\"Iwant.HowdoyouknowthatIwantanything?Howdareyou?Whatdoyoumean?Whatareyouafter——you\"
\"Promotion.\"Sternesilencedhimwithasortofcandidbravado.Theengineer’sroundsoftcheeksquiv—
eredstill,buthesaidquietlyenough——
\"Youareonlyworryingmyheadoff,\"andSternemethimwithaconfidentlittlesmile.
\"AchapinbusinessIknow(wellupintheworldheisnow)usedtotellmethatthiswastheproperway.
’Alwayspushontothefront,’hewouldsay.’Keepyourselfwellbeforeyourboss.Interferewheneveryougetachance.Showhimwhatyouknow.Worryhimintoseeingyou.’Thatwashisadvice.NowIknownootherbossthanyouhere.Youaretheowner,andnooneelsecountsforTHATmuchinmyeyes.See,Mr.
Massy?Iwanttogeton.ImakenosecretofitthatIamoneofthesortthatmeanstogeton.Thesearethementomakeuseof,sir.Youhaven’tarrivedatthetopofthetree,sir,withoutfindingthatout——I
daresay.\"
\"Worryyourbossinordertogeton,\"mumbledMassy,asifawestruckbytheirreverentoriginalityoftheidea.\"Ishouldn’twonderifthiswasjustwhattheBlueAnchorpeoplekickedyououtoftheemployfor.
Isthatwhatyoucallgettingon?Youshallgetoninthesamewayhereifyouaren’tcareful——Icanpromiseyou.\"
AtthisSternehunghishead,thoughtful,perplexed,winkinghardatthedeck.Allhisattemptstoenterintoconfidentialrelationswithhisownerhadledoflatetonothingbetterthanthesedarkthreatsofdismissal;
andathreatofdismissalwouldcheckhimatonceintoahesitatingsilenceasthoughhewerenotsurethatthepropertimefordefyingithadcome.Onthisocca—
sionheseemedtohavelosthistongueforamoment,andMassy,gettinginmotion,heavilypassedhimbywithanabortiveattemptatshouldering.Sternedefeateditbysteppingaside.Heturnedthenswiftly,openinghismouthverywideasiftoshoutsomethingaftertheengineer,butseemedtothinkbetterofit.
Always——ashewasreadytoconfess——onthelookoutforanopeningtogeton,ithadbecomeaninstinctwithhimtowatchtheconductofhisimmediatesuperiorsforsomething\"thatonecouldlayholdof.\"Itwashisbeliefthatnoskipperintheworldwouldkeephiscom—
mandforadayifonlytheownerscouldbe\"madetoknow.\"Thisromanticandnaivetheoryhadledhimintotroublemorethanonce,butheremainedincorrigi—
ble;andhischaracterwassoinstinctivelydisloyalthatwheneverhejoinedashiptheintentionofoustinghiscommanderoutoftheberthandtakinghisplacewasalwayspresentatthebackofhishead,asamatterofcourse.Itfilledtheleisureofhiswakinghourswiththereveriesofcarefulplansandcompromisingdiscov—
eries——thedreamsofhissleepwithimagesofluckyturnsandfavorableaccidents.Skippershadbeenknowntosickenanddieatsea,thanwhichnothingcouldbebettertogiveasmartmateachanceofshowingwhathe’smadeof.Theyalsowouldtumbleoverboardsometimes:hehadheardofoneortwosuchcases.
OthersagainBut,asitwereconstitutionally,hewasfaithfultothebeliefthattheconductofnosingleoneofthemwouldstandthetestofcarefulwatchingbyamanwho\"knewwhat’swhat\"andwhokepthiseyes\"skinnedprettywell\"allthetime.
AfterhehadgainedapermanentfootingonboardtheSofalaheallowedhisperennialhopetorisehigh.
Tobeginwith,itwasagreatadvantagetohaveanoldmanforcaptain:thesortofmanbesideswhointhenatureofthingswaslikelytogiveupthejobbeforelongfromonecauseoranother.Sternewasgreatlychagrined,however,tonoticethathedidnotseemany—
waynearbeingpasthisworkyet.Still,theseoldmengotopiecesallatoncesometimes.Thentherewastheowner—engineercloseathandtobeimpressedbyhiszealandsteadiness.Sterneneverforamomentdoubtedtheobviousnatureofhisownmerits(hewasreallyanex—
cellentofficer);only,nowadays,professionalmeritalonedoesnottakeamanalongfastenough.Achapmusthavesomepushinhim,andmustkeephiswitsatworktootohelphimforward.Hemadeuphismindtoinheritthechargeofthissteamerifitwastobedoneatall;notindeedestimatingthecommandoftheSofalaasaverygreatcatch,butforthereasonthat,outEastespecially,tomakeastartiseverything,andonecommandleadstoanother.
Hebeganbypromisinghimselftobehavewithgreatcircumspection;Massy’ssomberandfantastichumorsintimidatedhimasbeingoutsideone’susualseaexperi—
ence;buthewasquiteintelligentenoughtorealizeal—
mostfromthefirstthathewasthereinthepresenceofanexceptionalsituation.Hispeculiarpryingimagina—
tionpenetrateditquickly;thefeelingthattherewasinitanelementwhicheludedhisgraspexasperatedhisimpatiencetogeton.Andsoonetripcametoanend,thenanother,andhehadbegunhisthirdbeforehesawanopeningbywhichhecouldstepinwithanysortofeffect.Ithadallbeenveryqueerandveryobscure;
somethinghadbeengoingonnearhim,asifseparatedbyachasmfromthecommonlifeandtheworkingroutineoftheship,whichwasexactlylikethelifeandtheroutineofanyothercoastingsteamerofthatclass.
Thenonedayhemadehisdiscovery.
Itcametohimafteralltheseweeksofwatchfulob—
servationandpuzzledsurmises,suddenly,likethelong—
soughtsolutionofariddlethatsuggestsitselftothemindinaflash.Notwiththesameauthority,however.
Greatheavens!Coulditbethat?Andafterremain—
ingthunderstruckforafewsecondshetriedtoshakeitoffwithself—contumely,asthoughithadbeentheproductofanunhealthybiastowardstheIncredible,theInexplicable,theUnheard—of——theMad!
This——theilluminatingmoment——hadoccurredthetripbefore,onthereturnpassage.TheyhadjustleftaplaceofcallonthemainlandcalledPangu;theyweresteamingstraightoutofabay.Totheeastamassiveheadlandclosedtheview,withthetiltededgesoftherockystratashowingthroughitsraggedclothingofrankbushesandthornycreepers.Thewindhadbeguntosingintherigging;theseaalongthecoast,greenandasifswollenalittleabovethelineofthehorizon,seemedtopouritselfover,timeaftertime,withaslowandthunderingfall,intotheshadowoftheleewardcape;andacrossthewideopeningthenearestofagroupofsmallislandsstoodenvelopedinthehazyyellowlightofabreezysunrise;stillfartheroutthehummockytopsofotherisletspeepedoutmotionlessabovethewaterofthechannelsbetween,scouredtumultuouslybythebreeze.
TheusualtrackoftheSofalabothgoingandreturn—
ingoneverytripledherforafewmilesalongthisreef—
infestedregion.Shefollowedabroadlaneofwater,droppingastern,oneafteranother,thesecrumbsoftheearth’scrustresemblingasquadronofdismastedhulksrunindisorderuponafoulgroundofrocksandshoals.
Someofthesefragmentsoflandappeared,indeed,nobiggerthanastrandedship;others,quiteflat,layawashlikeanchoredrafts,likeponderous,blackraftsofstone;several,heavilytimberedandroundatthebase,emergedinsquatdomesofdeepgreenfoliagethatshuddereddarklyallovertotheflyingtouchofcloudshadowsdrivenbythesuddengustsofthesquallysea—
son.Thethunderstormsofthecoastbrokefrequentlyoverthatcluster;itturnedthenshadowyinitswholeextent;itturnedmoredark,andasifmorestillintheplayoffire;asifmoreimpenetrablysilentinthepealsofthunder;itsblurredshapesvanished——dissolvingut—
terlyattimesinthethickrain——toreappearclear—cutandblackinthestormylightagainstthegraysheetofthecloud——scatteredontheslatyroundtableofthesea.Unscathedbystorms,resistingtheworkofyears,unfrettedbythestrifeoftheworld,thereitlayunchangedasonthatday,fourhundredyearsago,whenfirstbeheldbyWesterneyesfromthedeckofahigh—poopedcaravel.
Itwasoneofthesesecludedspotsthatmaybefoundonthebusysea,asonlandyoucomesometimesupontheclusteredhousesofahamletuntouchedbymen’srest—
lessness,untouchedbytheirneed,bytheirthought,andasifforgottenbytimeitself.Thelivesofuncountedgenerationshadpasseditby,andthemultitudesofsea—
fowl,urgingtheirwayfromallthepointsofthehorizontosleepontheouterrocksofthegroup,unrolledtheconvergingevolutionsoftheirflightinlongsomberstreamersupontheglowofthesky.Thepalpitatingcloudoftheirwingssoaredandstoopedoverthepinna—
clesoftherocks,overtherocksslenderlikespires,squatlikemartellotowers;overthepyramidalheapslikefallenruins,overthelinesofbaldbowldersshowinglikeawallofstonesbatteredtopiecesandscorchedbylightning——
withthesleepy,clearglimmerofwaterineverybreach.
Thenoiseoftheircontinuousandviolentscreamingfilledtheair.
ThisgreatnoisewouldmeettheSofalacomingupfromBatuBeru;itwouldmeetheronquietevenings,apiti—
lessandsavageclamorenfeebledbydistance,theclamorofseabirdssettlingtorest,andstrugglingforafootingattheendoftheday.Noonenoticeditespeciallyonboard;itwasthevoiceoftheirship’sun—
erringlandfall,endingthesteadystretchofahundredmiles.Shehadmadegoodhercourse,shehadrunherdistancetillthepunctualisletsbegantoemergeonebyone,thepointsofrocks,thehummocksofearth
andthecloudofbirdshovered——therestlesscloudemit—
tingastridentandcrueluproar,thesoundofthefa—
miliarscene,thelivingpartofthebrokenlandbeneath,oftheoutspreadsea,andofthehighskywithoutaflaw.
ButwhentheSofalahappenedtoclosewiththelandaftersunsetshewouldfindeverythingverystillthereunderthemantleofthenight.Allwouldbestill,dumb,almostinvisible——butfortheblottingoutofthelowconstellationsoccultedinturnsbehindthevaguemassesoftheisletswhosetrueoutlineseludedtheeyeamongstthedarkspacesoftheheaven:andtheship’sthreelights,resemblingthreestars——theredandthegreenwiththewhiteabove——herthreelights,likethreecompanionstarswanderingontheearth,heldtheirunswervingcourseforthepassageatthesouthernendofthegroup.
Sometimestherewerehumaneyesopentowatchthemcomenearer,travelingsmoothlyinthesombervoid;theeyesofanakedfishermaninhiscanoefloatingoverareef.Hethoughtdrowsily:\"Ha!Thefire—shipthatonceineverymoongoesinandcomesoutofPangubay.\"Morehedidnotknowofher.Andjustashehaddetectedthefaintrhythmofthepropellerbeatingthecalmwateramileandahalfaway,thetimewouldcomefortheSofalatoalterhercourse,thelightswouldswingoffhimtheirtriplebeam——anddisappear.
Afewmiserable,half—nakedfamilies,asortofoutcasttribeoflong—haired,lean,andwild—eyedpeople,strovefortheirlivinginthislonelywildernessofislets,lyinglikeanabandonedoutworkofthelandatthegatesofthebay.Withintheknotsandloopsoftherocksthewaterrestedmoretransparentthancrystalundertheircrookedandleakycanoes,scoopedoutofthetrunkofatree:theformsofthebottomundulatedslightlytothedipofapaddle;andthemenseemedtohangintheair,theyseemedtohanginclosedwithinthefibersofadark,soddenlog,fishingpatientlyinastrange,un—
steady,pellucid,greenairabovetheshoals.
Theirbodiesstalkedbrownandemaciatedasifdriedupinthesunshine;theirlivesranoutsilently;thehomeswheretheywereborn,wenttorest,anddied——
flimsyshedsofrushesandcoarsegrassekedoutwithafewraggedmats——werehiddenoutofsightfromtheopensea.Noglowoftheirhouseholdfireseverkindledforaseamanaredsparkupontheblindnightofthegroup:andthecalmsofthecoast,theflaminglongcalmsoftheequator,theunbreathing,concentratedcalmslikethedeepintrospectionofapassionatenature,broodedawfullyfordaysandweekstogetherovertheunchangeableinheritanceoftheirchildren;tillatlastthestones,hotlikeliveembers,scorchedthenakedsole,tillthewaterclungwarm,andsickly,andasifthick—
ened,aboutthelegsofleanmenwithgirdedloins,wad—
ingthigh—deepinthepaleblazeoftheshallows.AnditwouldhappennowandthenthattheSofala,throughsomedelayinoneoftheportsofcall,wouldheaveinsightmakingforPangubayaslateasnoonday.
Onlyablurringcloudatfirst,thethinmistofhersmokewouldarisemysteriouslyfromanemptypointontheclearlineofseaandsky.Thetaciturnfishermenwithinthereefswouldextendtheirleanarmstowardstheoffing;andthebrownfiguresstoopingonthetinybeaches,thebrownfiguresofmen,women,andchildrengrubbinginthesandinsearchofturtles’eggs,wouldriseup,crookedelbowaloftandhandovertheeyes,towatchthismonthlyapparitionglidestraighton,swerveoff——andgoby.Theirearscaughtthepantingofthatship;theireyesfollowedhertillshepassedbetweenthetwocapesofthemainlandgoingatfullspeedasthoughshehopedtomakeherwayuncheckedintotheverybosomoftheearth.
Onsuchdaystheluminousseawouldgivenosignofthedangerslurkingonbothsidesofherpath.Every—
thingremainedstill,crushedbytheoverwhelmingpowerofthelight;andthewholegroup,opaqueinthesun—
shine,——therocksresemblingpinnacles,therocksresem—
blingspires,therocksresemblingruins;theformsofisletsresemblingbeehives,resemblingmole—hills,theisletsrecallingtheshapesofhaystacks,thecontoursofivy—cladtowers,——wouldstandreflectedtogetherupsidedownintheunwrinkledwater,likecarvedtoysofebonydisposedonthesilveredplate—glassofamirror.
Thefirsttouchofblowingweatherwouldenvelopthewholeatonceinthespumeofthewindwardbreakers,asifinasuddencloudlikeburstofsteam;andtheclearwaterseemedfairlytoboilinallthepassages.Theprovokedseaoutlinedexactlyinadesignofangryfoamthewidebaseofthegroup;thesubmergedlevelofbrokenwasteandrefuseleftoverfromthebuildingofthecoastnearby,projectingitsdangerousspurs,allawash,farintothechannel,andbristlingwithwickedlongspitsoftenamilelong:withdeadlyspitsmadeoffrothandstones.
Andevennothingmorethanabriskbreeze——asonthatmorning,thevoyagebefore,whentheSofalaleftPangubayearly,andMr.Sterne’sdiscoverywastoblossomoutlikeaflowerofincredibleandevilaspectfromthetinyseedofinstinctivesuspicion,——evensuchabreezehadenoughstrengthtoteartheplacidmaskfromthefaceofthesea.ToSterne,gazingwithindif—
ference,ithadbeenlikearevelationtobeholdforthefirsttimethedangersmarkedbythehissinglividpatchesonthewaterasdistinctlyasontheengravedpaperofachart.Itcameintohismindthatthiswasthesortofdaymostfavorableforastrangerattempt—
ingthepassage:aclearday,justwindyenoughfortheseatobreakoneveryledge,buoying,asitwere,thechannelplainlytothesight;whereasduringacalmyouhadnothingtodependonbutthecompassandthepracticedjudgmentofyoureye.Andyetthesuc—
cessivecaptainsoftheSofalahadhadtotakeherthroughatnightmorethanonce.Nowadaysyoucouldnotaffordtothrowawaysixorsevenhoursofasteamer’stime.Thatyoucouldn’t.Butthenuseiseverything,andwithpropercareThechannelwasbroadandsafeenough;themainpointwastohitupontheentrancecorrectlyinthedark——forifamangothimselfinvolvedinthatstretchofbrokenwateroveryonderhewouldnevergetoutwithawholeship——
ifheevergotoutatall.
ThiswasSterne’slasttrainofthoughtindependentofthegreatdiscovery.Hehadjustseentothesecur—
ingoftheanchor,andhadremainedforwardidlingawayamomentortwo.Thecaptainwasinchargeonthebridge.Withaslightyawnhehadturnedawayfromhissurveyoftheseaandhadleanedhisshouldersagainstthefishdavit.
These,properlyspeaking,weretheverylastmomentsofeasehewastoknowonboardtheSofala.Alltheinstantsthatcameafterweretobepregnantwithpur—
poseandintolerablewithperplexity.Nomoreidle,randomthoughts;thediscoverywouldputthemontherack,tillsometimeshewishedtogoodnesshehadbeenfoolenoughnottomakeitatall.Andyet,ifhischancetogetonrestedonthediscoveryof\"somethingwrong,\"hecouldnothavehopedforagreaterstrokeofluck.
X
Theknowledgewastoodisturbing,really.Therewas\"somethingwrong\"withavengeance,andthemoralcertitudeofitwasatfirstsimplyfrightfultocontem—
plate.Sternehadbeenlookingaftinamoodsoidle,thatforoncehewasthinkingnoharmofanyone.Hiscaptainonthebridgepresentedhimselfnaturallytohissight.Howinsignificant,howcasualwasthethoughtthathadstartedthetrainofdiscovery——likeanaccidentalsparkthatsufficestoignitethechargeofatremendousmine!
Caughtunderbythebreeze,theawningsofthefore—
deckbelliedupwardsandcollapsedslowly,andabovetheirheavyflappingthegraystuffofCaptainWhalley’sroomycoatflutteredincessantlyaroundhisarmsandtrunk.Hefacedthewindinfulllight,withhisgreatsilverybeardblownforciblyagainsthischest;theeye—
browsoverhungheavilytheshadowswhencehisglanceappearedtobestaringaheadpiercingly.Sternecouldjustdetectthetwingleamofthewhitesshiftingundertheshaggyarchesofthebrow.Atshortrangetheseeyes,foralltheman’saffablemanner,seemedtolookyouthroughandthrough.Sternenevercoulddefendhimselffromthatfeelingwhenhehadoccasiontospeakwithhiscaptain.Hedidnotlikeit.Whatabigheavymanheappearedupthere,withthatlittleshrimpofaSerangincloseattendance——aswasusualinthisextraordinarysteamer!Confoundedabsurdcus—
tomthat.Heresentedit.Surelytheoldfellowcouldhavelookedafterhisshipwithoutthatloafingnativeathiselbow.Sternewriggledhisshoulderswithdis—
gust.Whatwasit?Indolenceorwhat?
Thatoldskippermusthavebeengrowinglazyforyears.TheyallgrewlazyoutEasthere(Sternewasveryconsciousofhisownunimpairedactivity);theygotslackallover.Buthetoweredveryerectonthebridge;andquitelowbyhisside,asyouseeasmallchildlookingovertheedgeofatable,thebatteredsofthatandthebrownfaceoftheSerangpeepedoverthewhitecanvasscreenoftherail.
NodoubttheMalaywasstandingback,nearertothewheel;butthegreatdisparityofsizeincloseassocia—
tionamusedSterneliketheobservationofabizarrefactinnature.Theywereasqueerfishoutoftheseaasanyinit.
HesawCaptainWhalleyturnhisheadquicklytospeaktohisSerang;thewindwhippedthewholewhitemassofthebeardsideways.Hewouldbedirectingthechaptolookatthecompassforhim,orwhatnot.Ofcourse.Toomuchtroubletostepoverandseeforhim—
self.Sterne’sscornforthatbodilyindolencewhichovertakeswhitemenintheEastincreasedonreflection.
Someofthemwouldbeutterlylostiftheyhadn’tallthesenativesattheirbeckandcall;theygrewperfectlyshamelessaboutittoo.Hewasnotofthatsort,thankGod!Itwasn’tinhimtomakehimselfdependentforhisworkonanyshriveled—uplittleMalaylikethat.Asifonecouldevertrustasillynativeforanythingintheworld!Butthatfineoldmanthoughtdifferently,itseems.Theretheyweretogether,neverfarapart;
apairofthem,recallingtothemindanoldwhaleat—
tendedbyalittlepilot—fish.
Thefancifulnessofthecomparisonmadehimsmile.
Awhalewithaninseparablepilot—fish!That’swhattheoldmanlookedlike;foritcouldnotbesaidhelookedlikeashark,thoughMr.Massyhadcalledhimthatveryname.ButMr.Massydidnotmindwhathesaidinhissavagefits.Sternesmiledtohimself——andgraduallytheideasevokedbythesound,bytheim—
aginedshapeofthewordpilot—fish;theideasofaid,ofguidanceneededandreceived,cameuppermostinhismind:thewordpilotawakenedtheideaoftrust,ofdependence,theideaofwelcome,clear—eyedhelpbroughttotheseamangropingforthelandinthedark:gropingblindlyinfogs:feelingtheirwayinthethickweatherofthegalesthat,fillingtheairwithasaltmistblownupfromthesea,contracttherangeofsightonallsidestoashrunkenhorizonthatseemswithinreachofthehand.
Apilotseesbetterthanastranger,becausehislocalknowledge,likeasharpervision,completestheshapesofthingshurriedlyglimpsed;penetratestheveilsofmistspreadoverthelandbythestormsofthesea;de—
fineswithcertitudetheoutlinesofacoastlyingunderthepalloffog,theformsoflandmarkshalfburiedinastarlessnightasinashallowgrave.Herecognizesbe—
causehealreadyknows.Itisnottohisfar—reachingeyebuttohismoreextensiveknowledgethatthepilotlooksforcertitude;forthiscertitudeoftheship’sposi—
tiononwhichmaydependaman’sgoodfameandthepeaceofhisconscience,thejustificationofthetrustdepositedinhishands,withhisownlifetoo,whichisseldomwhollyhistothrowaway,andthehumblelivesofothersrootedindistantaffections,perhaps,andmadeasweightyasthelivesofkingsbytheburdenoftheawaitingmystery.Thepilot’sknowledgebringsreliefandcertitudetothecommanderofaship;theSerang,however,inhisfancifulsuggestionofapilot—fishat—
tendingawhale,couldnotinanywaybecreditedwithasuperiorknowledge.Whyshouldhehaveit?Thesetwomenhadcomeonthatruntogether——thewhiteandthebrown——onthesameday:andofcourseawhitemanwouldlearnmoreinaweekthanthebestnativewouldinamonth.Hewasmadetosticktotheskipperasthoughhewereofsomeuse——asthepilot—fish,theysay,istothewhale.Buthow——itwasverymarked——how?
Apilot—fish——apilot——aButifnotsuperiorknowledgethen
Sterne’sdiscoverywasmade.Itwasrepugnanttohisimagination,shockingtohisideasofhonesty,shockingtohisconceptionofmankind.Thisenormityaffectedone’soutlookonwhatwaspossibleinthisworld:itwasasifforinstancethesunhadturnedblue,throwinganewandsinisterlightonmenandnature.Reallyinthefirstmomenthehadfeltsickish,asthoughhehadgotablowbelowthebelt:forasecondtheverycoloroftheseaseemedchanged——appearedqueertohiswan—
deringeye;andhehadapassing,unsteadysensationinallhislimbsasthoughtheearthhadstartedturningtheotherway.
Averynaturalincredulitysucceedingthissenseofupheavalbroughtameasureofrelief.Hehadgasped;
itwasover.Butafterwardsduringallthatdaysuddenparoxysmsofwonderwouldcomeoverhiminthemidstofhisoccupations.Hewouldstopandshakehishead.
Therevoltofhisincredulityhadpassedawayalmostasquickasthefirstemotionofdiscovery,andforthenexttwenty—fourhourshehadnosleep.Thatwouldneverdo.Atmeal—times(hetookthefootofthetablesetupforthewhitemenonthebridge)hecouldnothelplosinghimselfinafascinatedcontemplationofCaptainWhalleyopposite.Hewatchedthedeliberateupwardmovementsofthearm;theoldmanputhisfoodtohislipsasthoughheneverexpectedtofindanytasteinhisdailybread,asthoughhedidnotknowanythingaboutit.Hefedhimselflikeasomnambulist.\"It’sanawfulsight,\"thoughtSterne;andhewatchedthelongperiodofmournful,silentimmobility,withabigbrownhandlyinglooselyclosedbythesideoftheplate,tillhenoticedthetwoengineerstotherightandleftlook—
ingathiminastonishment.Hewouldclosehismouthinahurrythen,andloweringhiseyes,winkrapidlyathisplate.Itwasawfultoseetheoldchapsittingthere;itwasevenawfultothinkthatwiththreewordshecouldblowhimupsky—high.Allhehadtodowastoraisehisvoiceandpronounceasingleshortsentence,andyetthatsimpleactseemedasimpossibletoattemptasmovingthesunoutofitsplaceinthesky.Theoldchapcouldeatinhisterrificmechanicalway;butSterne,frommentalexcitement,couldnot——notthatevening,atanyrate.
Hehadhadampletimesincetogetaccustomedtothestrainofthemeal—hours.Hewouldneverhavebelievedit.Butthenuseiseverything;onlytheverypotencyofhissuccesspreventedanythingresemblingelation.
Hefeltlikeamanwho,inhislegitimatesearchforaloadedguntohelphimonhiswaythroughtheworld,chancestocomeuponatorpedo——uponalivetorpedowithashatteringchargeinitsheadandapressureofmanyatmospheresinitstail.Itisthesortofweapontomakeitspossessorcarewornandnervous.Hehadnomindtobeblownuphimself;andhecouldnotgetridofthenotionthattheexplosionwasboundtodamagehimtooinsomeway.
Thisvagueapprehensionhadrestrainedhimatfirst.
Hewasablenowtoeatandsleepwiththatfearfulweaponbyhisside,withtheconvictionofitspoweralwaysinmind.Ithadnotbeenarrivedatbyanyreflectiveprocess;butoncetheideahadenteredhishead,theconvictionhadfollowedoverwhelminglyinamultitudeofobservedlittlefactstowhichbeforehehadgivenonlyalanguidattention.Theabruptandfalter—
ingintonationsofthedeepvoice;thetaciturnityputonlikeanarmor;thedeliberate,asifguarded,move—
ments;thelongimmobilities,asifthemanhewatchedhadbeenafraidtodisturbtheveryair:everyfamiliargesture,everywordutteredinhishearing,everysighoverheard,hadacquiredaspecialsignificance,acon—
firmatoryimport.
EverydaythatpassedovertheSofalaappearedtoSternesimplycrammedfullwithproofs——withincon—
trovertibleproofs.Atnight,whenoffduty,hewouldstealoutofhiscabininpyjamas(formoreproofs)andstandafullhour,perhaps,onhisbarefeetbelowthebridge,asabsolutelymotionlessastheawningstanchioninitsdecksocketnearby.Onthestretchesofeasynavigationitisnotusualforacoastingcaptaintore—
mainondeckallthetimeofhiswatch.TheSerangkeepsitforhimasamatterofcustom;inopenwater,onastraightcourse,heisusuallytrustedtolookaftertheshipbyhimself.Butthisoldmanseemedincapableofremainingquietlydownbelow.Nodoubthecouldnotsleep.Andnowonder.Thiswasalsoaproof.
Suddenlyinthesilenceoftheshippantinguponthestill,darksea,Sternewouldhearalowvoiceabovehimexclaimingnervously——
\"Serang!\"
\"Tuan!\"
\"Youarewatchingthecompasswell?\"
\"Yes,Iamwatching,Tuan.\"
\"Theshipismakinghercourse?\"
\"Sheis,Tuan.Verystraight.\"
\"Itiswell;andremember,Serang,thattheorderisthatyouaretomindthehelmsmenandkeepalook—
outwithcare,thesameasifIwerenotondeck.\"
Then,whentheSeranghadmadehisanswer,thelowtonesonthebridgewouldcease,andeverythingroundSterneseemedtobecomemorestillandmoreprofoundlysilent.Slightlychilledandwithhisbackachingalittlefromlongimmobility,hewouldstealawaytohisroomontheportsideofthedeck.Hehadlongsincepartedwiththelastvestigeofincredulity;oftheoriginalemotions,setintoatumultbythediscovery,sometraceofthefirstawealoneremained.Nottheaweofthemanhimself——hecouldblowhimupsky—highwithsixwords——ratheritwasanawestruckindignationattherecklessperversityofavarice(whatelsecoulditbe?),atthemadandsomberresolutionthatforthesakeofafewdollarsmoreseemedtosetatnaughtthecommonruleofconscienceandpretendedtostruggleagainsttheverydecreeofProvidence.
Youcouldnotfindanothermanlikethisoneinthewholeroundworld——thankGod.Therewassomethingdevilishlydauntlessinthecharacterofsuchadeceptionwhichmadeyoupause.
Otherconsiderationsoccurringtohisprudencehadkepthimtongue—tiedfromdaytoday.Itseemedtohimnowthatitwouldyethavebeeneasiertospeakoutinthefirsthourofdiscovery.Healmostregrettednothavingmadearowatonce.Butthentheverymon—
strosityofthedisclosureWhy!Hecouldhardlyfaceithimself,letalonepointingitouttosomebodyelse.Moreover,withadesperadoofthatsortoneneverknew.Theobjectwasnottogethimout(thatwasaswellasdonealready),buttostepintohisplace.
Bizarreasthethoughtseemedhemighthaveshownfight.Afellowuptoworkingsuchafraudwouldhaveenoughcheekforanything;afellowthat,asitwere,stoodupagainstGodAlmightyHimself.Hewasahorridmarvel——that’swhathewas:hewasperfectlycapableofbrazeningouttheaffairscandalouslytillhegothim(Sterne)kickedoutoftheshipandeverlast—
inglydamagedhisprospectsinthispartoftheEast.
Yetifyouwanttogetonsomethingmustberisked.AttimesSternethoughthehadbeenundulytimidoftakingactioninthepast;andwhatwasworse,ithadcometothis,thatinthepresenthedidnotseemtoknowwhatactiontotake.
Massy’ssavagemorosenesswastoodisconcerting.Itwasanincalculablefactorofthesituation.Youcouldnottellwhattherewasbehindthatinsultingferocity.
Howcouldonetrustsuchatemper;itdidnotputSterneinbodilyfearforhimself,butitfrightenedhimexceedinglyastohisprospects.
Thoughofcourseinclinedtocredithimselfwithex—
ceptionalpowersofobservation,hehadbynowlivedtoolongwithhisdiscovery.Hehadgoneonlookingatnothingelse,tillatlastonedayitoccurredtohimthatthethingwassoobviousthatnoonecouldmissseeingit.TherewerefourwhitemeninallonboardtheSofala.Jack,thesecondengineer,wastoodulltonoticeanythingthattookplaceoutofhisengine—room.
RemainedMassy——theowner——theinterestedperson——
nearlygoingmadwithworry.Sternehadheardandseenmorethanenoughonboardtoknowwhatailedhim;
buthisexasperationseemedtomakehimdeaftocau—
tiousovertures.Ifhehadonlyknownit,therewastheverythinghewanted.Buthowcouldyoubargainwithamanofthatsort?Itwaslikegoingintoatiger’sdenwithapieceofrawmeatinyourhand.Hewasaslikelyasnottorendyouforyourpains.Infact,hewasalwaysthreateningtodothatverything;andtheurgencyofthecase,combinedwiththeimpossibilityofhandlingitwithsafety,madeSterneinhiswatchesbelowtossandmutteropen—eyedinhisbunk,forhours,asthoughhehadbeenburningwithfever.
Occurrenceslikethecrossingofthebarjustnowwereextremelyalarmingtohisprospects.Hedidnotwanttobeleftbehindbysomeswiftcatastrophe.Massybe—
ingonthebridge,theoldmanhadtobracehimselfupandmakeashow,hesupposed.Butitwasgettingverybadwithhim,verybadindeed,now.EvenMassyhadbeenemboldenedtofindfaultthistime;Sterne,listen—
ingatthefootoftheladder,hadheardtheother’swhimperingandartlessdenunciations.Luckilythebeastwasverystupidandcouldnotseethewhyofallthis.However,smallblametohim;ittookaclevermantohituponthecause.Nevertheless,itwashightimetodosomething.Theoldman’sgamecouldnotbekeptupformanydaysmore.
\"Imayyetlosemylifeatthisfooling——letalonemychance,\"Sternemumbledangrilytohimself,afterthestoopingbackofthechiefengineerhaddisappearedroundthecorneroftheskylight.Yes,nodoubt——hethought;buttoblurtouthisknowledgewouldnotad—
vancehisprospects.Onthecontrary,itwouldblastthemutterlyaslikelyasnot.Hedreadedanotherfailure.Hehadavagueconsciousnessofnotbeingmuchlikedbyhisfellowsinthispartoftheworld;inex—
plicablyenough,forhehaddonenothingtothem.
Envy,hesupposed.Peoplewerealwaysdownonacleverchapwhomadenobonesabouthisdeterminationtogeton.TodoyourdutyandcountonthegratitudeofthatbruteMassywouldbesheerfolly.Hewasabadlot.Unmanly!Aviciousman!Bad!Bad!Abrute!
Abrutewithoutasparkofanythinghumanabouthim;
withoutsomuchassimplecuriosityeven,orelsesurelyhewouldhaverespondedinsomewaytoallthesehintshehadbeengivenSuchinsensibilitywasalmostmysterious.Massy’sstateofexasperationseemedtoSternetohavemadehimstupidbeyondtheordinarysillinessofshipowners.
Sterne,meditatingontheembarrassmentsofthatstu—
pidity,forgothimselfcompletely.Hisstony,unwink—
ingstarewasfixedontheplanksofthedeck.
Theslightquiveragitatingthewholefabricoftheshipwasmoreperceptibleinthesilentriver,shadedandstilllikeaforestpath.TheSofala,glidingwithanevenmotion,hadpassedbeyondthecoast—beltofmudandmangroves.Theshoresrosehigher,infirmslop—
ingbanks,andtheforestofbigtreescamedowntothebrink.Wheretheearthhadbeencrumbledbythefloodsitshowedasteepbrowncut,denudingamassofrootsintertwinedasifwrestlingunderground;andintheair,theinterlacedboughs,boundandloadedwithcreepers,carriedonthestruggleforlife,mingledtheirfoliageinonesolidwallofleaves,withhereandtheretheshapeofanenormousdarkpillarsoaring,oraraggedopening,asiftornbytheflightofacannon—
ball,disclosingtheimpenetrablegloomwithin,thesecularinviolableshadeofthevirginforest.Thethumpoftheenginesreverberatedregularlylikethestrokesofametronomebeatingthemeasureofthevastsilence,theshadowofthewesternwallhadfallenacrosstheriver,andthesmokepouringbackwardsfromthefunneleddieddownbehindtheship,spreadathinduskyveiloverthesomberwater,which,checkedbytheflood—tide,seemedtoliestagnantinthewholestraightlengthofthereaches.
Sterne’sbody,asifrootedonthespot,trembledslightlyfromtoptotoewiththeinternalvibrationoftheship;
fromunderhisfeetcamesometimesasuddenclangofiron,thenoisyburstofashoutbelow;totherighttheleavesofthetree—topscaughttheraysofthelowsun,andseemedtoshinewithagoldengreenlightoftheirownshimmeringaroundthehighestboughswhichstoodoutblackagainstasmoothblueskythatseemedtodroopoverthebedoftheriverliketheroofofatent.
ThepassengersforBatuBeru,kneelingontheplanks,wereengagedinrollingtheirbeddingofmatsbusily;
theytiedupbundles,theysnappedthelocksofwoodenchests.Apockmarkedpeddlerofsmallwaresthrewhisheadbacktodrainintohisthroatthelastdropsoutofanearthenwarebottlebeforeputtingitawayinarollofblankets.Knotsoftravelingtradersstandingaboutthedeckconversedinlowtones;thefollowersofasmallRajahfromdownthecoast,broad—faced,simpleyoungfellowsinwhitedrawersandroundwhitecottoncapswiththeircoloredsarongstwistedacrosstheirbronzeshoulders,squattedontheirhamsonthehatch,chewingbetelwithbrightredmouthsasiftheyhadbeentastingblood.Theirspears,lyingpileduptogetherwithinthecircleoftheirbaretoes,resembledacasualbundleofdrybamboos;athin,lividChinaman,withabulkypackagewrappedupinleavesalreadythrustunderhisarm,gazedaheadeagerly;awanderingKlingrubbedhisteethwithabitofwood,pouringoverthesideabrightstreamofwateroutofhislips;thefatRajahdozedinashabbydeck—chair,——andattheturnofeverybendthetwowallsofleavesreappearedrunningparallelalongthebanks,withtheirimpenetrablesolidityfadingatthetoptoavaporousmistinessofcountlessslendertwigsgrowingfree,ofyoungdelicatebranchesshootingfromthetopmostlimbsofhoarytrunks,offeatheryheadsofclimberslikedelicatesilverspraysstandingupwithoutaquiver.Therewasnotasignofaclearinganywhere;notatraceofhumanhabita—
tion,exceptwheninoneplace,onthebareendofalowpointunderanisolatedgroupofslendertree—ferns,thejagged,tangledremnantsofanoldhutonpilesap—
pearedwiththatpeculiaraspectofruinedbamboowallsthatlookasifsmashedwithaclub.Fartheron,halfhiddenunderthedroopingbushes,acanoecontainingamanandawoman,togetherwithadozengreencocoa—
nutsinaheap,rockedhelplesslyaftertheSofalahadpassed,likeanavigatingcontrivanceofventuresomeinsects,oftravelingants;whiletwoglassyfoldsofwaterstreamingawayfromeachbowofthesteameracrossthewholewidthoftheriverranwithherupstreamsmoothly,frettingtheirouterendsintoabrownwhisperingtumbleoffrothagainstthemiryfootofeachbank.
\"Imust,\"thoughtSterne,\"bringthatbruteMassytohisbearings.It’sgettingtooabsurdintheend.
Here’stheoldmanupthereburiedinhischair——hemayjustaswellbeinhisgraveforalltheusehe’lleverbeintheworld——andtheSerang’sincharge.Becausethat’swhatheis.Incharge.Intheplacethat’sminebyrights.Imustbringthatsavagebrutetohisbear—
ings.I’lldoitatonce,too\"
Whenthematemadeanabruptstart,alittlebrownhalf—nakedboy,withlargeblackeyes,andthestringofawrittencharmroundhisneck,becamepanic—struckatonce.Hedroppedthebananahehadbeenmunch—
ing,andrantothekneeofagravedarkArabinflow—