Straightdownthewaterfrontweboomed，Charleyedgingintillamancouldalmostleapashore。WhenhegavethesignalItossedthemarlinspike。Itstrucktheplankingofthewharfaresoundingsmash，bouncedalongfifteenortwentyfeet，andwaspounceduponbytheamazedonlookers。
Itallhappenedinaflash，forthenextminuteAntiochwasbehindandwewereheelingituptheSanJoaquintowardMerryweather，sixmilesaway。Theriverstraightenedouthereintoitsgeneraleasterlycourse，andwesquaredawaybeforethewind，wing—and—wingoncemore，theforesailbellyingouttostarboard。
OleEricsenseemedsunkintoastateofstoliddespair。Charleyandthetwosailorswerelookinghopeful，astheyhadgoodreasontobe。Merryweatherwasacoal—miningtown，and，itbeingSunday，itwasreasonabletoexpectthementobeintown。Further，thecoal—minershadneverlostanylovefortheGreekfishermen，andwereprettycertaintorenderusheartyassistance。
Westrainedoureyesforaglimpseofthetown，andthefirstsightwecaughtofitgaveusimmenserelief。Thewharveswereblackwithmen。Aswecamecloser，wecouldseethemstillarriving，stringingdownthemainstreet，gunsintheirhandsandontherun。
Charleyglancedasternatthefishermenwithalookofownershipinhiseyewhichtillthenhadbeenmissing。TheGreekswereplainlyoverawedbythedisplayofarmedstrengthandwereputtingtheirownriflesaway。
Wetookintopsailandstaysail，droppedthemainpeak，andaswegotabreastoftheprincipalwharfjibedthemainsail。TheMaryRebeccashotaroundintothewind，thecaptivefishermendescribingagreatarcbehindher，andforgedaheadtillshelostway，whenlineswe’reflungashoreandshewasmadefast。Thiswasaccomplishedunderahurricaneofcheersfromthedelightedminers。
OleEricsenheavedagreatsigh。\"AynevertankAyseemywifeneveragain，\"heconfessed。
\"Why，wewereneverinanydanger，\"saidCharley。
Olelookedathimincredulously。
\"Sure，Imeanit，\"Charleywenton。\"Allwehadtodo，anytime，wastoletgoourend—asIamgoingtodonow，sothatthoseGreekscanuntangletheirnets。\"
Hewentbelowwithamonkey—wrench，unscrewedthenut，andletthehookdropoff。WhentheGreekshadhauledtheirnetsintotheirboatsandmadeeverythingshipshape，aposseofcitizenstookthemoffourhandsandledthemawaytojail。
\"AytankAybanagreatbigfool，\"saidOleEricsen。Buthechangedhismindwhentheadmiringtownspeoplecrowdedaboardtoshakehandswithhim，andacoupleofenterprisingnewspapermentookphotographsoftheMaryRebeccaandhercaptain。
DEMETRIOSCONTOS
Itmustnotbethought，fromwhatIhavetoldoftheGreekfishermen，thattheywerealtogetherbad。Farfromit。Buttheywereroughmen，gatheredtogetherinisolatedcommunitiesandfightingwiththeelementsforalivelihood。Theylivedfarawayfromthelawanditsworkings，didnotunderstandit，andthoughtittyranny。Especiallydidthefishlawsseemtyrannical。Andbecauseofthis，theylookeduponthemenofthefishpatrolastheirnaturalenemies。
Wemenacedtheirlives，ortheirliving，whichisthesamething，inmanyways。Weconfiscatedillegaltrapsandnets，thematerialsofwhichhadcostthemconsiderablesumsandthemakingofwhichrequiredweeksoflabor。Wepreventedthemfromcatchingfishatmanytimesandseasons，whichwasequivalenttopreventingthemfrommakingasgoodalivingastheymighthavemadehadwenotbeeninexistence。Andwhenwecapturedthem，theywerebroughtintothecourtsoflaw，whereheavycashfineswerecollectedfromthem。Asaresult，theyhatedusvindictively。Asthedogisthenaturalenemyofthecat，thesnakeofman，sowereweofthefishpatrolthenaturalenemiesofthefishermen。
ButitistoshowthattheycouldactgenerouslyaswellashatebitterlythatthisstoryofDemetriosContosistold。DemetriosContoslivedinVallejo。NexttoBigAlec，hewasthelargest，bravest，andmostinfluentialmanamongtheGreeks。Hehadgivenusnotrouble，andIdoubtifhewouldeverhaveclashedwithushadhenotinvestedinanewsalmonboat。Thisboatwasthecauseofallthetrouble。Hehadhaditbuiltuponhisownmodel，inwhichthelinesofthegeneralsalmonboatweresomewhatmodified。
Tohishighelationhefoundhisnewboatveryfast—infact，fasterthananyotherboatonthebayorrivers。Forthwithhegrewproudandboastful：and，ourraidwiththeMaryRebeccaontheSundaysalmonfishershavingwroughtfearintheirhearts，hesentachallengeuptoBenicia。Oneofthelocalfishermenconveyedittous；itwastotheeffectthatDemetriosContoswouldsailupfromVallejoonthefollowingSunday，andintheplainsightofBeniciasethisnetandcatchsalmon，andthatCharleyLeGrant，patrolman，mightcomeandgethimifhecould。OfcourseCharleyandIhadheardnothingofthenewboat。Ourownboatwasprettyfast，andwewerenotafraidtohaveabrushwithanyotherthathappenedalong。
Sundaycame。Thechallengehadbeenbruitedabroad，andthefishermenandseafaringfolkofBeniciaturnedouttoaman，crowdingSteamboatWharftillitlookedlikethegrandstandatafootballmatch。CharleyandIhadbeensceptical，butthefactofthecrowdconvincedusthattherewassomethinginDemetriosContos’sdare。
Intheafternoon，whenthesea—breezehadpickedupinstrength，hissailhoveintoviewashebowledalongbeforethewind。Hetackedascoreoffeetfromthewharf，wavedhishandtheatrically，likeaknightabouttoenterthelists，receivedaheartycheerinreturn，andstoodawayintotheStraitsforacoupleofhundredyards。Thenheloweredsail，and，driftingtheboatsidewisebymeansofthewind，proceededtosethisnet。Hedidnotsetmuchofit，possiblyfiftyfeet；yetCharleyandIwerethunderstruckattheman’seffrontery。Wedidnotknowatthetime，butwelearnedafterward，thatthenetheusedwasoldandworthless。Itcouldcatchfish，true；butacatchofanysizewouldhavetornittopieces。
Charleyshookhisheadandsaid：
\"Iconfess，itpuzzlesme。Whatifhehasoutonlyfiftyfeet？Hecouldnevergetitinifweoncestartedforhim。Andwhydoeshecomehereanyway，flauntinghislaw—breakinginourfaces？Rightinourhometown，too。\"
Charley’svoicetookonanaggrievedtone，andhecontinuedforsomeminutestoinveighagainstthebrazennessofDemetriosContos。
Inthemeantime，themaninquestionwaslollinginthesternofhisboatandwatchingthenetfloats。Whenalargefishismeshedinagill—net，thefloatsbytheiragitationadvertisethefact。
AndtheyevidentlyadvertisedittoDemetrios，forhepulledinaboutadozenfeetofnet，andheldaloftforamoment，beforeheflungitintothebottomoftheboat，abig，glisteningsalmon。Itwasgreetedbytheaudienceonthewharfwithroundafterroundofcheers。ThiswasmorethanCharleycouldstand。
\"Comeon，lad，\"hecalledtome；andwelostnotimejumpingintooursalmonboatandgettingupsail。
ThecrowdshoutedwarningtoDemetrios，andaswedartedoutfromthewharfwesawhimslashhisworthlessnetclearwithalongknife。Hissailwasallreadytogoup，andamomentlateritflutteredinthesunshine。Heranaft，drewinthesheet，andfilledonthelongtacktowardtheContraCostaHills。
Bythistimewewerenotmorethanthirtyfeetastern。Charleywasjubilant。Heknewourboatwasfast，andheknew，further，thatinfinesailingfewmenwerehisequals。HewasconfidentthatweshouldsurelycatchDemetrios，andIsharedhisconfidence。Butsomehowwedidnotseemtogain。
Itwasaprettysailingbreeze。Wewereglidingsleeklythroughthewater，butDemetrioswasslowlyslidingawayfromus。Andnotonlywashegoingfaster，buthewaseatingintothewindafractionofapointcloserthanwe。ThiswassharplyimpresseduponuswhenhewentaboutundertheContraCostaHillsandpassedusontheothertackfullyonehundredfeetdeadtowindward。
\"Whew!\"Charleyexclaimed。\"Eitherthatboatisadaisy，orwe’vegotafive—galloncoal—oilcanfasttoourkeel!\"
Itcertainlylookeditonewayortheother。AndbythetimeDemetriosmadetheSonomaHills，ontheothersideoftheStraits，weweresohopelesslyoutdistancedthatCharleytoldmetoslackoffthesheet，andwesquaredawayforBenicia。ThefishermenonSteamboatWharfshowereduswithridiculewhenwereturnedandtiedup。CharleyandIgotoutandwalkedaway，feelingrathersheepish，foritisasorestroketoone’spridewhenhethinkshehasagoodboatandknowshowtosailit，andanothermancomesalongandbeatshim。
Charleymoonedoveritforacoupleofdays；thenwordwasbroughttous，asbefore，thatonthenextSundayDemetriosContoswouldrepeathisperformance。Charleyrousedhimself。Hehadourboatoutofthewater，cleanedandrepainteditsbottom，madeatriflingalterationaboutthecentre—board，overhauledtherunninggear，andsatupnearlyallofSaturdaynightsewingonanewandmuchlargersail。Solargedidhemakeit，infact，thatadditionalballastwasimperative，andwestowedawaynearlyfivehundredextrapoundsofoldrailroadironinthebottomoftheboat。
Sundaycame，andwithitcameDemetriosContos，tobreakthelawdefiantlyinopenday。Againwehadtheafternoonsea—breeze，andagainDemetrioscutloosesomefortyormorefeetofhisrottennet，andgotupsailandunderwayunderourverynoses。ButhehadanticipatedCharley’smove，andhisownsailpeakedhigherthanever，whileawholeextraclothhadbeenaddedtotheafterleech。
ItwasnipandtuckacrosstotheContraCostaHills，neitherofusseemingtogainortolose。ButbythetimewehadmadethereturntacktotheSonomaHills，wecouldseethat，whilewefooteditataboutequalspeed，Demetrioshadeatenintothewindtheleastbitmorethanwe。YetCharleywassailingourboatasfinelyanddelicatelyasitwaspossibletosailit，andgettingmoreoutofitthanheeverhadbefore。
Ofcourse，hecouldhavedrawnhisrevolverandfiredatDemetrios；
butwehadlongsincefounditcontrarytoournaturestoshootatafleeingmanguiltyofonlyapettyoffence。Alsoasortoftacitagreementseemedtohavebeenreachedbetweenthepatrolmenandthefishermen。Ifwedidnotshootwhiletheyranaway，they，inturn，didnotfightifweoncelaidhandsonthem。ThusDemetriosContosranawayfromus，andwedidnomorethantryourbesttoovertakehim；and，inturn，ifourboatprovedfasterthanhis，orwassailedbetter，hewould，weknew，makenoresistancewhenwecaughtupwithhim。
WithourlargesailsandthehealthybreezerompinguptheCarquinezStraits，wefoundthatoursailingwaswhatiscalled\"ticklish。\"Wehadtobeconstantlyonthealerttoavoidacapsize，andwhileCharleysteeredIheldthemain—sheetinmyhandwithbutasingleturnroundapin，readytoletgoatanymoment。
Demetrios，wecouldsee，sailinghisboatalone，hadhishandsfull。
Butitwasavainundertakingforustoattempttocatchhim。Outofhisinnerconsciousnesshehadevolvedaboatthatwasbetterthanours。AndthoughCharleysailedfullyaswell，ifnottheleastbitbetter，theboathesailedwasnotsogoodastheGreek’s。
\"Slackawaythesheet，\"Charleycommanded；andasourboatfelloffbeforethewind，Demetrios’smockinglaughfloateddowntous。
Charleyshookhishead，saying，\"It’snouse。Demetrioshasthebetterboat。Ifhetrieshisperformanceagain，wemustmeetitwithsomenewscheme。\"
Thistimeitwasmyimaginationthatcametotherescue。
\"What’sthematter，\"Isuggested，ontheWednesdayfollowing，\"withmychasingDemetriosintheboatnextSunday，whileyouwaitforhimonthewharfatVallejowhenhearrives？\"
Charleyconsidereditamomentandslappedhisknee。
\"Agoodidea!You’rebeginningtousethatheadofyours。A
credittoyourteacher，Imustsay。\"
\"Butyoumustn’tchasehimtoofar，\"hewenton，thenextmoment，\"orhe’llheadoutintoSanPabloBayinsteadofrunninghometoVallejo，andthereI’llbe，standinglonelyonthewharfandwaitinginvainforhimtoarrive。\"
OnThursdayCharleyregisteredanobjectiontomyplan。
\"Everybody’llknowI’vegonetoVallejo，andyoucandependuponitthatDemetrioswillknow，too。I’mafraidwe’llhavetogiveuptheidea。\"
Thisobjectionwasonlytoovalid，andfortherestofthedayI
struggledundermydisappointment。Butthatnightanewwayseemedtoopentome，andinmyeagernessIawokeCharleyfromasoundsleep。
\"Well，\"hegrunted，\"what’sthematter？Houseafire？\"
\"No，\"Ireplied，\"butmyheadis。Listentothis。OnSundayyouandIwillbearoundBeniciauptotheverymomentDemetrios’ssailheavesintosight。Thiswilllulleverybody’ssuspicions。Then，whenDemetrios’ssaildoesheaveinsight，doyoustrollleisurelyawayandup—town。Allthefishermenwillthinkyou’rebeatenandthatyouknowyou’rebeaten。\"
\"Sofar，sogood，\"Charleycommented，whileIpausedtocatchbreath。
\"Andverygoodindeed，\"Icontinuedproudly。\"Youstrollcarelesslyup—town，butwhenyou’reonceoutofsightyoulegitforallyou’reworthforDanMaloney’s。Takethelittlemareofhis，andstrikeoutonthecountryroadforVallejo。Theroad’sinfinecondition，andyoucanmakeitinquickertimethanDemetrioscanbeatallthewaydownagainstthewind。\"
\"AndI’llarrangerightawayforthemare，firstthinginthemorning，\"Charleysaid，acceptingthemodifiedplanwithouthesitation。
\"But，Isay，\"hesaid，alittlelater，thistimewakingmeoutofasoundsleep。
Icouldhearhimchucklinginthedark。
\"Isay，lad，isn’titratheranoveltyforthefishpatroltobetakingtohorseback？\"
\"Imagination，\"Ianswered。\"It’swhatyou’realwayspreaching—
’keepthinkingonethoughtaheadoftheotherfellow，andyou’reboundtowinout。’\"
\"He!he!\"hechuckled。\"Andifonethoughtahead，includingamare，doesn’ttaketheotherfellow’sbreathawaythistime，I’mnotyourhumbleservant，CharleyLeGrant。\"
\"Butcanyoumanagetheboatalone？\"heasked，onFriday。
\"Remember，we’vearippingbigsailonher。\"
IarguedmyproficiencysowellthathedidnotrefertothematteragaintillSaturday，whenhesuggestedremovingonewholeclothfromtheafterleech。Iguessitwasthedisappointmentwrittenonmyfacethatmadehimdesist；forI，also，hadaprideinmyboat—
sailingabilities，andIwasalmostwildtogetoutalonewiththebigsailandgotearingdowntheCarquinezStraitsinthewakeoftheflyingGreek。
Asusual，SundayandDemetriosContosarrivedtogether。IthadbecometheregularthingforthefishermentoassembleonSteamboatWharftogreethisarrivalandtolaughatourdiscomfiture。Heloweredsailacoupleofhundredyardsoutandsethiscustomaryfiftyfeetofrottennet。
\"Isupposethisnonsensewillkeepupaslongashisoldnetholdsout，\"Charleygrumbled，withintention，inthehearingofseveraloftheGreeks。
\"DenIgive—aheemmyold—anet—a，\"oneofthemspokeup，promptlyandmaliciously，\"Idon’tcare，\"Charleyanswered。\"I’vegotsomeoldnetmyselfhecanhave—ifhe’llcomearoundandaskforit。\"
Theyalllaughedatthis，fortheycouldaffordtobesweet—
temperedwithamansobadlyoutwittedasCharleywas。
\"Well，solong，lad，\"Charleycalledtomeamomentlater。\"I
thinkI’llgoup—towntoMaloney’s。\"
\"Letmetaketheboatout？\"Iasked。
\"Ifyouwantto，\"washisanswer，asheturnedonhisheelandwalkedslowlyaway。
Demetriospulledtwolargesalmonoutofhisnet，andIjumpedintotheboat。Thefishermencrowdedaroundinaspiritoffun，andwhenIstartedtogetupsailoverwhelmedmewithallsortsofjocularadvice。TheyevenofferedextravagantbetstooneanotherthatIwouldsurelycatchDemetrios，andtwoofthem，stylingthemselvesthecommitteeofjudges，gravelyaskedpermissiontocomealongwithmetoseehowIdidit。
ButIwasinnohurry。IwaitedtogiveCharleyallthetimeI
could，andIpretendeddissatisfactionwiththestretchofthesailandslightlyshiftedthesmalltacklebywhichthehugespritforcesupthepeak。ItwasnotuntilIwassurethatCharleyhadreachedDanMaloney’sandwasonthelittlemare’sback，thatI
castofffromthewharfandgavethebigsailtothewind。Astoutpufffilleditandsuddenlypressedtheleegunwaledowntillacoupleofbucketsofwatercameinboard。Alittlethinglikethiswillhappentothebestsmall—boatsailors，andyet，thoughI
instantlyletgothesheetandrighted，Iwascheeredsarcastically，asthoughIhadbeenguiltyofaveryawkwardblunder。
WhenDemetriossawonlyonepersoninthefishpatrolboat，andthatoneaboy，heproceededtoplaywithme。Makingashorttackout，withmenotthirtyfeetbehind，hereturned，withhissheetalittlefree，toSteamboatWharf。Andtherehemadeshorttacks，andturnedandtwistedandduckedaround，tothegreatdelightofhissympatheticaudience。Iwasrightbehindhimallthetime，andIdaredtodowhateverhedid，evenwhenhesquaredawaybeforethewindandjibedhisbigsailover—amostdangeroustrickwithsuchasailinsuchawind。
Hedependeduponthebriskseabreezeandthestrongebb—tide，whichtogetherkickedupanastysea，tobringmetogrief。ButI
wasonmymettle，andneverinallmylifedidIsailaboatbetterthanonthatday。Iwaskeyeduptoconcertpitch，mybrainwasworkingsmoothlyandquickly，myhandsneverfumbledonce，anditseemedthatIalmostdivinedthethousandlittlethingswhichasmall—boatsailormustbetakingintoconsiderationeverysecond。
ItwasDemetrioswhocametogriefinstead。Somethingwentwrongwithhiscentre—board，sothatitjammedinthecaseandwouldnotgoallthewaydown。Inamoment’sbreathingspace，whichhehadgainedfrommebyaclevertrick，Isawhimworkingimpatientlywiththecentre—board，tryingtoforceitdown。Igavehimlittletime，andhewascompelledquicklytoreturntothetillerandsheet。
Thecentre—boardmadehimanxious。Hegaveoverplayingwithme，andstartedonthelongbeattoVallejo。Tomyjoy，onthefirstlongtackacross，IfoundthatIcouldeatintothewindjustalittlebitcloserthanhe。Herewaswhereanothermanintheboatwouldhavebeenofvaluetohim；for，withmebutafewfeetastern，hedidnotdareletgothetillerandrunamidshipstotrytoforcedownthecentre—board。
Unabletohangonascloseintheeyeofthewindasformerly，heproceededtoslackhissheetatrifleandtoeaseoffabit，inordertooutfootme。ThisIpermittedhimtodotillIhadworkedtowindward，whenIboredownuponhim。AsIdrewclose，hefeintedatcomingabout。Thisledmetoshootintothewindtoforestallhim。Butitwasonlyafeint，cleverlyexecuted，andheheldbacktohiscoursewhileIhurriedtomakeuplostground。
HewasundeniablysmarterthanIwhenitcametomanoeuvring。TimeaftertimeIallbuthadhim，andeachtimehetrickedmeandescaped。Besides，thewindwasfreshening，constantly，andeachofushadhishandsfulltoavoidcapsizing。Asformyboat，itcouldnothavebeenkeptafloatbutfortheextraballast。Isatcockedovertheweathergunwale，tillerinonehandandsheetintheother；andthesheet，withasingleturnaroundapin，Iwasveryoftenforcedtoletgointhesevererpuffs。Thisallowedthesailtospillthewind，whichwasequivalenttotakingoffsomuchdrivingpower，andofcourseIlostground。MyconsolationwasthatDemetrioswasasoftencompelledtodothesamething。
Thestrongebb—tide，racingdowntheStraitsintheteethofthewind，causedanunusuallyheavyandspitefulsea，whichdashedaboardcontinually。Iwasdrippingwet，andeventhesailwaswethalf—wayuptheafterleech。OnceIdidsucceedinoutmanoeuvringDemetrios，sothatmybowbumpedintohimamidships。HerewaswhereIshouldhavehadanotherman。BeforeIcouldrunforwardandleapaboard，heshovedtheboatsapartwithanoar，laughingmockinglyinmyfaceashedidso。
WewerenowatthemouthoftheStraits，inabadstretchofwater。
HeretheVallejoStraitsandtheCarquinezStraitsrusheddirectlyateachother。ThroughthefirstflowedallthewaterofNapaRiverandthegreattide—lands；throughthesecondflowedallthewaterofSuisunBayandtheSacramentoandSanJoaquinrivers。Andwheresuchimmensebodiesofwater，flowingswiftly，clashedtogether，aterribletide—ripwasproduced。Tomakeitworse，thewindhowledupSanPabloBayforfifteenmilesanddroveinatremendousseauponthetide—rip。
Conflictingcurrentstoreaboutinalldirections，colliding，formingwhirlpools，sucks，andboils，andshootingupspitefullyintohollowwaveswhichfellaboardasoftenfromleewardasfromwindward。Andthroughitall，confused，drivenintoamadnessofmotion，thunderedthegreatsmokingseasfromSanPabloBay。
Iwasaswildlyexcitedasthewater。Theboatwasbehavingsplendidly，leapingandlurchingthroughthewelterlikearace—
horse。Icouldhardlycontainmyselfwiththejoyofit。Thehugesail，thehowlingwind，thedrivingseas，theplungingboat—I，apygmy，amerespeckinthemidstofit，wasmasteringtheelementalstrife，flyingthroughitandoverit，triumphantandvictorious。
Andjustthen，asIroaredalonglikeaconqueringhero，theboatreceivedafrightfulsmashandcameinstantlytoadeadstop。I
wasflungforwardandintothebottom。AsIsprangupIcaughtafleetingglimpseofagreenish，barnacle—coveredobject，andknewitatonceforwhatitwas，thatterrorofnavigation，asunkenpile。Nomanmayguardagainstsuchathing。Water—loggedandfloatingjustbeneaththesurface，itwasimpossibletosightitinthetroubledwaterintimetoescape。
Thewholebowoftheboatmusthavebeencrushedin，forinafewsecondstheboatwashalffull。Thenacoupleofseasfilledit，anditsankstraightdown，draggedtobottombytheheavyballast。
SoquicklydiditallhappenthatIwasentangledinthesailanddrawnunder。WhenIfoughtmywaytothesurface，suffocating，mylungsalmostbursting，Icouldseenothingoftheoars。Theymusthavebeensweptawaybythechaoticcurrents。IsawDemetriosContoslookingbackfromhisboat，andheardthevindictiveandmockingtonesofhisvoiceasheshoutedexultantly。Heheldsteadilyonhiscourse，leavingmetoperish。
Therewasnothingtodobuttoswimforit，which，inthatwildconfusion，wasatthebestamatterofbutafewmoments。Holdingmybreathandworkingwithmyhands，Imanagedtogetoffmyheavysea—bootsandmyjacket。YettherewasverylittlebreathIcouldcatchtohold，andIswiftlydiscoveredthatitwasnotsomuchamatterofswimmingasofbreathing。
Iwasbeatenandbuffeted，smashedunderbythegreatSanPablowhitecaps，andstrangledbythehollowtide—ripwaveswhichflungthemselvesintomyeyes，nose，andmouth。Thenthestrangesuckswouldgripmylegsanddragmeunder，tospoutmeupinsomefierceboiling，where，evenasItriedtocatchmybreath，agreatwhitecapwouldcrashdownuponmyhead。
Itwasimpossibletosurviveanylengthoftime。Iwasbreathingmorewaterthanair，anddrowningallthetime。Mysensesbegantoleaveme，myheadtowhirlaround。Istruggledon，spasmodically，instinctively，andwasbarelyhalfconsciouswhenIfeltmyselfcaughtbytheshouldersandhauledoverthegunwaleofaboat。
ForsometimeIlayacrossaseatwhereIhadbeenflung，facedownward，andwiththewaterrunningoutofmymouth。Afterawhile，stillweakandfaint，Iturnedaroundtoseewhowasmyrescuer。Andthere，inthestern，sheetinonehandandtillerintheother，grinningandnoddinggood—naturedly，satDemetriosContos。Hehadintendedtoleavemetodrown，—hesaidsoafterward，—buthisbetterselfhadfoughtthebattle，conquered，andsenthimbacktome。
\"Youall—aright？\"heasked。
Imanagedtoshapea\"yes\"onmylips，thoughIcouldnotyetspeak。
\"Yousail—adeboatverr—agood—a，\"hesaid。\"Sogood—aasaman。\"
AcomplimentfromDemetriosContoswasacomplimentindeed，andI
keenlyappreciatedit，thoughIcouldonlynodmyheadinacknowledgment。
Weheldnomoreconversation，forIwasbusyrecoveringandhewasbusywiththeboat。HeranintothewharfatVallejo，madetheboatfast，andhelpedmeout。Thenitwas，aswebothstoodonthewharf，thatCharleysteppedoutfrombehindanet—rackandputhishandonDemetriosContos’sarm。
\"Hesavedmylife，Charley，\"Iprotested；\"andIdon’tthinkheoughttobearrested。\"
ApuzzledexpressioncameintoCharley’sface，whichclearedimmediatelyafter，inawayithadwhenhemadeuphismind。
\"Ican’thelpit，lad，\"hesaidkindly。\"Ican’tgobackonmyduty，andit’splaindutytoarresthim。To—dayisSunday；therearetwosalmoninhisboatwhichhecaughtto—day。WhatelsecanI
do？\"
\"Buthesavedmylife，\"Ipersisted，unabletomakeanyotherargument。
DemetriosContos’sfacewentblackwithragewhenhelearnedCharley’sjudgment。Hehadasenseofbeingunfairlytreated。Thebetterpartofhisnaturehadtriumphed，hehadperformedagenerousactandsavedahelplessenemy，andinreturntheenemywastakinghimtojail。
CharleyandIwereoutofsortswitheachotherwhenwewentbacktoBenicia。Istoodforthespiritofthelawandnottheletter；
butbytheletterCharleymadehisstand。Asfarashecouldsee，therewasnothingelseforhimtodo。ThelawsaiddistinctlythatnosalmonshouldbecaughtonSunday。Hewasapatrolman，anditwashisdutytoenforcethatlaw。Thatwasalltherewastoit。
Hehaddonehisduty，andhisconsciencewasclear。Nevertheless，thewholethingseemedunjusttome，andIfeltverysorryforDemetriosContos。
TwodayslaterwewentdowntoVallejotothetrial。Ihadtogoalongasawitness，anditwasthemosthatefultaskthatIeverperformedinmylifewhenItestifiedonthewitnessstandtoseeingDemetrioscatchthetwosalmonCharleyhadcapturedhimwith。
Demetrioshadengagedalawyer，buthiscasewashopeless。Thejurywasoutonlyfifteenminutes，andreturnedaverdictofguilty。ThejudgesentencedDemetriostopayafineofonehundreddollarsorgotojailforfiftydays。
Charleysteppeduptotheclerkofthecourt。\"Iwanttopaythatfine，\"hesaid，atthesametimeplacingfivetwenty—dollargoldpiecesonthedesk。\"It—itwastheonlywayoutofit，lad，\"hestammered，turningtome。
ThemoisturerushedintomyeyesasIseizedhishand。\"Iwanttopay—\"Ibegan。
\"Topayyourhalf？\"heinterrupted。\"Icertainlyshallexpectyoutopayit。\"
InthemeantimeDemetrioshadbeeninformedbyhislawyerthathisfeelikewisehadbeenpaidbyCharley。
DemetrioscameovertoshakeCharley’shand，andallhiswarmSouthernbloodflamedinhisface。Then，nottobeoutdoneingenerosity，heinsistedonpayinghisfineandlawyer’sfeehimself，andflewhalf—wayintoapassionbecauseCharleyrefusedtolethim。
Morethananythingelseweeverdid，Ithink，thisactionofCharley’simpresseduponthefishermenthedeepersignificanceofthelaw。AlsoCharleywasraisedhighintheiresteem，whileI
cameinforalittleshareofpraiseasaboywhoknewhowtosailaboat。DemetriosContosnotonlyneverbrokethelawagain，buthebecameaverygoodfriendofours，andonmorethanoneoccasionheranuptoBeniciatohaveagossipwithus。
YELLOWHANDKERCHIEF
\"I’mnotwantingtodictatetoyou，lad，\"Charleysaid；\"butI’mverymuchagainstyourmakingalastraid。You’vegonesafelythroughroughtimeswithroughmen，anditwouldbeashametohavesomethinghappentoyouattheveryend。\"
\"ButhowcanIgetoutofmakingalastraid？\"Idemanded，withthecocksurenessofyouth。\"Therealwayshastobealast，youknow，toanything。\"
Charleycrossedhislegs，leanedback，andconsideredtheproblem。
\"Verytrue。ButwhynotcallthecaptureofDemetriosContosthelast？You’rebackfromitsafeandsoundandhearty，forallyourgoodwetting，and—and—\"Hisvoicebrokeandhecouldnotspeakforamoment。\"AndIcouldneverforgivemyselfifanythinghappenedtoyounow。\"
IlaughedatCharley’sfearswhileIgaveintotheclaimsofhisaffection，andagreedtoconsiderthelastraidalreadyperformed。
Wehadbeentogetherfortwoyears，andnowIwasleavingthefishpatrolinordertogobackandfinishmyeducation。Ihadearnedandsavedmoneytoputmethroughthreeyearsatthehighschool，andthoughthebeginningofthetermwasseveralmonthsaway，I
intendeddoingalotofstudyingfortheentranceexaminations。
Mybelongingswerepackedsnuglyinasea—chest，andIwasallreadytobuymyticketandridedownonthetraintoOakland，whenNeilPartingtonarrivedinBenicia。TheReindeerwasneededimmediatelyforworkfardownontheLowerBay，andNeilsaidheintendedtorunstraightforOakland。AsthatwashishomeandasIwastolivewithhisfamilywhilegoingtoschool，hesawnoreason，hesaid，whyIshouldnotputmychestaboardandcomealong。
Sothechestwentaboard，andinthemiddleoftheafternoonwehoistedtheReindeer’sbigmainsailandcastoff。Itwastantalizingfallweather。Thesea—breeze，whichhadblownsteadilyallsummer，wasgone，andinitsplacewerecapriciouswindsandmurkyskieswhichmadethetimeofarrivinganywhereextremelyproblematical。Westartedonthefirstoftheebb，andasweslippeddowntheCarquinezStraits，IlookedmylastforsometimeuponBeniciaandthebightatTurner’sShipyard，wherewehadbesiegedtheLancashireQueen，andhadcapturedBigAlec，theKingoftheGreeks。AndatthemouthoftheStraitsIlookedwithnotalittleinterestuponthespotwhereafewdaysbeforeIshouldhavedrownedbutforthegoodthatwasinthenatureofDemetriosContos。
AgreatwalloffogadvancedacrossSanPabloBaytomeetus，andinafewminutestheReindeerwasrunningblindlythroughthedampobscurity。Charley，whowassteering，seemedtohaveaninstinctforthatkindofwork。Howhedidit，hehimselfconfessedthathedidnotknow；buthehadawayofcalculatingwinds，currents，distance，time，drift，andsailingspeedthatwastrulymarvellous。
\"Itlooksasthoughitwerelifting，\"NeilPartingtonsaid，acoupleofhoursafterwehadenteredthefog。\"Wheredoyousayweare，Charley？\"
Charleylookedathiswatch，\"Sixo’clock，andthreehoursmoreofebb，\"heremarkedcasually。
\"Butwheredoyousayweare？\"Neilinsisted。
Charleyponderedamoment，andthenanswered，\"Thetidehasedgedusoverabitoutofourcourse，butifthefogliftsrightnow，asitisgoingtolift，you’llfindwe’renotmorethanathousandmilesoffMcNear’sLanding。\"
\"Youmightbealittlemoredefinitebyafewmiles，anyway，\"Neilgrumbled，showingbyhistonethathedisagreed。
\"Allright，then，\"Charleysaid，conclusively，\"notlessthanaquarterofamile，notmorethanahalf。\"
Thewindfreshenedwithacoupleoflittlepuffs，andthefogthinnedperceptibly。
\"McNear’sisrightoffthere，\"Charleysaid，pointingdirectlyintothefogonourweatherbeam。
Thethreeofuswerepeeringintentlyinthatdirection，whentheReindeerstruckwithadullcrashandcametoastandstill。Weranforward，andfoundherbowspritentangledinthetannedriggingofashort，chunkymast。Shehadcollided，headon，withaChinesejunklyingatanchor。
Atthemomentwearrivedforward，fiveChinese，likesomanybees，cameswarmingoutofthelittle’tween—deckscabin，thesleepstillintheireyes。
Leadingthemcameabig，muscularman，conspicuousforhispock—
markedfaceandtheyellowsilkhandkerchiefswathedabouthishead。ItwasYellowHandkerchief，theChinamanwhomwehadarrestedforillegalshrimp—fishingtheyearbefore，andwho，atthattime，hadnearlysunktheReindeer，ashehadnearlysunkitnowbyviolatingtherulesofnavigation。
\"Whatd’yemean，youyellow—facedheathen，lyinghereinafairwaywithoutahorna—going？\"Charleycriedhotly。
\"Mean？\"Neilcalmlyanswered。\"Justtakealook—that’swhathemeans。\"
OureyesfollowedthedirectionindicatedbyNeil’sfinger，andwesawtheopenamidshipsofthejunk，halffilled，aswefoundoncloserexamination，withfresh—caughtshrimps。Mingledwiththeshrimpsweremyriadsofsmallfish，fromaquarterofaninchupwardinsize。
YellowHandkerchiefhadliftedthetrap—netathigh—waterslack，and，takingadvantageoftheconcealmentofferedbythefog，hadboldlybeenlyingby，waitingtoliftthenetagainatlow—waterslack。
\"Well，\"Neilhummedandhawed，\"inallmyvariedandextensiveexperienceasafishpatrolman，ImustsaythisistheeasiestcaptureIevermade。What’llwedowiththem，Charley？\"
\"TowthejunkintoSanRafael，ofcourse，\"cametheanswer。
Charleyturnedtome。\"Youstandbythejunk，lad，andI’llpassyouatowingline。Ifthewinddoesn’tfailus，we’llmakethecreekbeforethetidegetstoolow，sleepatSanRafael，andarriveinOaklandto—morrowbymidday。\"
Sosaying，CharleyandNeilreturnedtotheReindeerandgotunderway，thejunktowingastern。Iwentaftandtookchargeoftheprize，steeringbymeansofanantiquatedtillerandarudderwithlarge，diamond—shapedholes，throughwhichthewaterrushedbackandforth。
Bynowthelastofthefoghadvanished，andCharley’sestimateofourpositionwasconfirmedbythesightofMcNear’sLandingashorthalf—mileaway。Followingalongthewestshore，weroundedPointPedroinplainviewoftheChineseshrimpvillages，andagreatto—
dowasraisedwhentheysawoneoftheirjunkstowingbehindthefamiliarfishpatrolsloop。
Thewind，comingofftheland，wasratherpuffyanduncertain，anditwouldhavebeenmoretoouradvantagehaditbeenstronger。SanRafaelCreek，upwhichwehadtogotoreachthetownandturnoverourprisonerstotheauthorities，ranthroughwide—stretchingmarshes，andwasdifficulttonavigateonafallingtide，whileatlowtideitwasimpossibletonavigateatall。So，withthetidealreadyhalf—ebbed，itwasnecessaryforustomaketime。Thistheheavyjunkprevented，lumberingalongbehindandholdingtheReindeerbackbyjustsomuchdeadweight。
\"Tellthosecooliestogetupthatsail，\"Charleyfinallycalledtome。\"Wedon’twanttohanguponthemudflatsfortherestofthenight。\"
IrepeatedtheordertoYellowHandkerchief，whomumbledithuskilytohismen。Hewassufferingfromabadcold，whichdoubledhimupinconvulsivecoughingspellsandmadehiseyesheavyandbloodshot。Thismadehimmoreevil—lookingthanever，andwhenheglaredviciouslyatmeIrememberedwithashiverthecloseshaveI
hadhadwithhimatthetimeofhispreviousarrest。
Hiscrewsullenlytailedontothehalyards，andthestrange，outlandishsail，lateeninriganddyedawarmbrown，roseintheair。Weweresailingonthewind，andwhenYellowHandkerchiefflatteneddownthesheetthejunkforgedaheadandthetow—linewentslack。FastastheReindeercouldsail，thejunkoutsailedher；andtoavoidrunningherdownIhauledalittlecloseronthewind。Butthejunklikewiseoutpointed，andinacoupleofminutesIwasabreastoftheReindeerandtowindward。Thetow—linehadnowtautened，atrightanglestothetwoboats，andthepredicamentwaslaughable。
\"Castoff!\"Ishouted。
Charleyhesitated。
\"It’sallright，\"Iadded。\"Nothingcanhappen。We’llmakethecreekonthistack，andyou’llberightbehindmeallthewayuptoSanRafael。\"
AtthisCharleycastoff，andYellowHandkerchiefsentoneofhismenforwardtohaulintheline。InthegatheringdarknessIcouldjustmakeoutthemouthofSanRafaelCreek，andbythetimeweentereditIcouldbarelyseeitsbanks。TheReindeerwasfullyfiveminutesastern，andwecontinuedtoleaveherasternaswebeatupthenarrow，windingchannel。WithCharleybehindus，itseemedIhadlittletofearfrommyfiveprisoners；butthedarknesspreventedmykeepingasharpeyeonthem，soItransferredmyrevolverfrommytrouserspockettothesidepocketofmycoat，whereIcouldmorequicklyputmyhandonit。
YellowHandkerchiefwastheoneIfeared，andthatheknewitandmadeuseofit，subsequenteventswillshow。Hewassittingafewfeetawayfromme，onwhatthenhappenedtobetheweathersideofthejunk。Icouldscarcelyseetheoutlinesofhisform，butI
soonbecameconvincedthathewasslowly，veryslowly，edgingclosertome。Iwatchedhimcarefully。Steeringwithmylefthand，Islippedmyrightintomypocketandgotholdoftherevolver。
Isawhimshiftalongforacoupleofinches，andIwasjustabouttoorderhimback—thewordsweretremblingonthetipofmytongue—whenIwasstruckwithgreatforcebyaheavyfigurethathadleapedthroughtheairuponmefromtheleeside。Itwasoneofthecrew。HepinionedmyrightarmsothatIcouldnotwithdrawmyhandfrommypocket，andatthesametimeclappedhisotherhandovermymouth。Ofcourse，IcouldhavestruggledawayfromhimandfreedmyhandorgottenmymouthclearsothatImightcryanalarm，butinatriceYellowHandkerchiefwasontopofme。
Istruggledaroundtonopurposeinthebottomofthejunk，whilemylegsandarmsweretiedandmymouthsecurelyboundinwhatI
afterwardfoundtobeacottonshirt。ThenIwasleftlyinginthebottom。YellowHandkerchieftookthetiller，issuinghisordersinwhispers；andfromourpositionatthetime，andfromthealterationofthesail，whichIcoulddimlymakeoutabovemeasablotagainstthestars，IknewthejunkwasbeingheadedintothemouthofasmallsloughwhichemptiedatthatpointintoSanRafaelCreek。
Inacoupleofminutesweransoftlyalongsidethebank，andthesailwassilentlylowered。TheChinesekeptveryquiet。YellowHandkerchiefsatdowninthebottomalongsideofme，andIcouldfeelhimstrainingtorepresshisraspy，hackingcough。PossiblysevenoreightminuteslaterIheardCharley’svoiceastheReindeerwentpastthemouthoftheslough。
\"Ican’ttellyouhowrelievedIam，\"IcouldplainlyhearhimsayingtoNeil，\"thattheladhasfinishedwiththefishpatrolwithoutaccident。\"
HereNeilsaidsomethingwhichIcouldnotcatch，andthenCharley’svoicewenton：
\"Theyoungstertakesnaturallytothewater，andif，whenhefinisheshighschool，hetakesacourseinnavigationandgoesdeepsea，Iseenoreasonwhyheshouldn’trisetobemasterofthefinestandbiggestshipafloat。\"
Itwasallveryflatteringtome，butlyingthere，boundandgaggedbymyownprisoners，withthevoicesgrowingfaintandfainterastheReindeerslippedonthroughthedarknesstowardSanRafael，I
mustsayIwasnotinquitethepropersituationtoenjoymysmilingfuture。WiththeReindeerwentmylasthope。WhatwastohappennextIcouldnotimagine，fortheChinesewereadifferentracefrommine，andfromwhatIknewIwasconfidentthatfairplaywasnopartoftheirmake—up。
Afterwaitingafewminuteslonger，thecrewhoistedthelateensail，andYellowHandkerchiefsteereddowntowardthemouthofSanRafaelCreek。Thetidewasgettinglower，andhehaddifficultyinescapingthemud—banks。Iwashopinghewouldrunaground，buthesucceededinmakingtheBaywithoutaccident。
Aswepassedoutofthecreekanoisydiscussionarose，whichI
knewrelatedtome。YellowHandkerchiefwasvehement，buttheotherfourasvehementlyopposedhim。Itwasveryevidentthatheadvocateddoingawaywithmeandthattheywereafraidoftheconsequences。IwasfamiliarenoughwiththeChinesecharactertoknowthatfearalonerestrainedthem。ButwhatplantheyofferedinplaceofYellowHandkerchief’smurderousone，Icouldnotmakeout。
Myfeelings，asmyfatehunginthebalance，maybeguessed。Thediscussiondevelopedintoaquarrel，inthemidstofwhichYellowHandkerchiefunshippedtheheavytillerandsprangtowardme。Buthisfourcompanionsthrewthemselvesbetween，andaclumsystruggletookplaceforpossessionofthetiller。IntheendYellowHandkerchiefwasovercome，andsullenlyreturnedtothesteering，whiletheysoundlyberatedhimforhisrashness。
Notlongafter，thesailwasrundownandthejunkslowlyurgedforwardbymeansofthesweeps。Ifeltitgroundgentlyonthesoftmud。ThreeoftheChinese—theyallworelongsea—boots—
gotovertheside，andtheothertwopassedmeacrosstherail。
WithYellowHandkerchiefatmylegsandhistwocompanionsatmyshoulders，theybegantoflounderalongthroughthemud。Aftersometimetheirfeetstruckfirmerfooting，andIknewtheywerecarryingmeupsomebeach。Thelocationofthisbeachwasnotdoubtfulinmymind。ItcouldbenoneotherthanoneoftheMarinIslands，agroupofrockyisletswhichlayofftheMarinCountyshore。
Whentheyreachedthefirmsandthatmarkedhightide，Iwasdropped，andnonetoogently。YellowHandkerchiefkickedmespitefullyintheribs，andthenthetrioflounderedbackthroughthemudtothejunk。AmomentlaterIheardthesailgoupandslatinthewindastheydrewinthesheet。Thensilencefell，andIwaslefttomyowndevicesforgettingfree。
Irememberedhavingseentricksterswritheandsquirmoutofropeswithwhichtheywerebound，butthoughIwrithedandsquirmedlikeagoodfellow，theknotsremainedashardasever，andtherewasnoappreciableslack。Inthecourseofmysquirming，however，I
rolledoveruponaheapofclam—shells—theremains，evidently，ofsomeyachtingparty’sclam—bake。Thisgavemeanidea。Myhandsweretiedbehindmyback；and，clutchingashellinthem，Irolledoverandover，upthebeach，tillIcametotherocksIknewtobethere。
Rollingaroundandsearching，Ifinallydiscoveredanarrowcrevice，intowhichIshovedtheshell。Theedgeofitwassharp，andacrossthesharpedgeIproceededtosawtheropethatboundmywrists。Theedgeoftheshellwasalsobrittle，andIbrokeitbybearingtooheavilyuponit。ThenIrolledbacktotheheapandreturnedwithasmanyshellsasIcouldcarryinbothhands。I
brokemanyshells，cutmyhandsanumberoftimes，andgotcrampsinmylegsfrommystrainedpositionandmyexertions。
WhileIwassufferingfromthecramps，andresting，Iheardafamiliarhalloodriftacrossthewater。ItwasCharley，searchingforme。Thegaginmymouthpreventedmefromreplying，andI
couldonlyliethere，helplesslyfuming，whileherowedpasttheislandandhisvoiceslowlylostitselfinthedistance。
Ireturnedtothesawingprocess，andattheendofhalfanhoursucceededinseveringtherope。Therestwaseasy。Myhandsoncefree，itwasamatterofminutestoloosenmylegsandtotakethegagoutofmymouth。Iranaroundtheislandtomakesureitwasanislandandnotbyanychanceaportionofthemainland。Anislanditcertainlywas，oneoftheMaringroup，fringedwithasandybeachandsurroundedbyaseaofmud。Nothingremainedbuttowaittilldaylightandtokeepwarm；foritwasacold，rawnightforCalifornia，withjustenoughwindtopiercetheskinandcauseonetoshiver。
Tokeepupthecirculation，Iranaroundtheislandadozentimesorso，andclamberedacrossitsrockybackboneasmanytimesmore—
allofwhichwasofgreaterservicetome，asIafterwarddiscovered，thanmerelytowarmmeup。InthemidstofthisexerciseIwonderedifIhadlostanythingoutofmypocketswhilerollingoverandoverinthesand。Asearchshowedtheabsenceofmyrevolverandpocket—knife。ThefirstYellowHandkerchiefhadtaken；buttheknifehadbeenlostinthesand。
Iwashuntingforitwhenthesoundofrowlockscametomyears。
Atfirst，ofcourse，IthoughtofCharley；butonsecondthoughtI
knewCharleywouldbecallingoutasherowedalong。Asuddenpremonitionofdangerseizedme。TheMarinIslandsarelonelyplaces；chancevisitorsinthedeadofnightarehardlytobeexpected。WhatifitwereYellowHandkerchief？Thesoundmadebytherowlocksgrewmoredistinct。Icrouchedinthesandandlistenedintently。Theboat，whichIjudgedasmallskifffromthequickstrokeoftheoars，waslandinginthemudaboutfiftyyardsupthebeach。Iheardaraspy，hackingcough，andmyheartstoodstill。ItwasYellowHandkerchief。Nottoberobbedofhisrevengebyhismorecautiouscompanions，hehadstolenawayfromthevillageandcomebackalone。
Ididsomeswiftthinking。Iwasunarmedandhelplessonatinyislet，andayellowbarbarian，whomIhadreasontofear，wascomingafterme。Anyplacewassaferthantheisland，andIturnedinstinctivelytothewater，orrathertothemud。Ashebegantoflounderashorethroughthemud，Istartedtoflounderoutintoit，goingoverthesamecoursewhichtheChinesehadtakeninlandingmeandinreturningtothejunk。
YellowHandkerchief，believingmetobelyingtightlybound，exercisednocare，butcameashorenoisily。Thishelpedme，for，undertheshieldofhisnoiseandmakingnomoremyselfthannecessary，Imanagedtocoverfiftyfeetbythetimehehadmadethebeach。HereIlaydowninthemud。Itwascoldandclammy，andmademeshiver，butIdidnotcaretostandupandruntheriskofbeingdiscoveredbyhissharpeyes。
Hewalkeddownthebeachstraighttowherehehadleftmelying，andIhadafleetingfeelingofregretatnotbeingabletoseehissurprisewhenhedidnotfindme。Butitwasaveryfleetingregret，formyteethwerechatteringwiththecold。
WhathismovementswereafterthatIhadlargelytodeducefromthefactsofthesituation，forIcouldscarcelyseehiminthedimstarlight。ButIwassurethatthefirstthinghedidwastomakethecircuitofthebeachtolearniflandingshadbeenmadebyotherboats。Thishewouldhaveknownatoncebythetracksthroughthemud。
Convincedthatnoboathadremovedmefromtheisland，henextstartedtofindoutwhathadbecomeofme。Beginningatthepileofclamshells，helightedmatchestotracemytracksinthesand。
AtsuchtimesIcouldseehisvillanousfaceplainly，and，whenthesulphurfromthematchesirritatedhislungs，betweentheraspycoughthatfollowedandtheclammymudinwhichIwaslying，I
confessIshiveredharderthanever。
Themultiplicityofmyfootprintspuzzledhim。ThentheideathatImightbeoutinthemudmusthavestruckhim，forhewadedoutafewyardsinmydirection，and，stooping，withhiseyessearchedthedimsurfacelongandcarefully。Hecouldnothavebeenmorethanfifteenfeetfromme，andhadhelightedamatchhewouldsurelyhavediscoveredme。
Hereturnedtothebeachandclamberedabout，overtherockybackbone，againhuntingformewithlightedmatches，Theclosenessoftheshaveimpelledmetofurtherflight。Notdaringtowadeupright，onaccountofthenoisemadebyflounderingandbythesuckofthemud，Iremainedlyingdowninthemudandpropelledmyselfoveritssurfacebymeansofmyhands。StillkeepingthetrailmadebytheChineseingoingfromandtothejunk，IheldonuntilIreachedthewater。IntothisIwadedtoadepthofthreefeet，andthenIturnedofftothesideonalineparallelwiththebeach。
ThethoughtcametomeofgoingtowardYellowHandkerchief’sskiffandescapinginit，butatthatverymomenthereturnedtothebeach，and，asthoughfearingtheverythingIhadinmind，heslushedoutthroughthemudtoassurehimselfthattheskiffwassafe。Thisturnedmeintheoppositedirection。Halfswimming，halfwading，withmyheadjustoutofwaterandavoidingsplashing，IsucceededinputtingaboutahundredfeetbetweenmyselfandthespotwheretheChinesehadbeguntowadeashorefromthejunk。I
drewmyselfoutonthemudandremainedlyingflat。
AgainYellowHandkerchiefreturnedtothebeachandmadeasearchoftheisland，andagainhereturnedtotheheapofclam—shells。I
knewwhatwasrunninginhismindaswellashedidhimself。Noonecouldleaveorlandwithoutmakingtracksinthemud。Theonlytrackstobeseenwerethoseleadingfromhisskiffandfromwherethejunkhadbeen。Iwasnotontheisland。Imusthaveleftitbyoneortheotherofthosetwotracks。Hehadjustbeenovertheonetohisskiff，andwascertainIhadnotleftthatway。
ThereforeIcouldhavelefttheislandonlybygoingoverthetracksofthejunklanding。Thisheproceededtoverifybywadingoutoverthemhimself，lightingmatchesashecamealong。
WhenhearrivedatthepointwhereIhadfirstlain，Iknew，bythematchesheburnedandthetimehetook，thathehaddiscoveredthemarksleftbymybody。Thesehefollowedstraighttothewaterandintoit，butinthreefeetofwaterhecouldnolongerseethem。
Ontheotherhand，asthetidewasstillfalling，hecouldeasilymakeouttheimpressionmadebythejunk’sbow，andcouldhavelikewisemadeouttheimpressionofanyotherboatifithadlandedatthatparticularspot。Buttherewasnosuchmark；andIknewthathewasabsolutelyconvincedthatIwashidingsomewhereinthemud。
Buttohuntonadarknightforaboyinaseaofmudwouldbelikehuntingforaneedleinahaystack，andhedidnotattemptit。
Insteadhewentbacktothebeachandprowledaroundforsometime。
Iwashopinghewouldgivemeupandgo，forbythistimeIwassufferingseverelyfromthecold。Atlasthewadedouttohisskiffandrowedaway。WhatifthisdepartureofYellowHandkerchief’swereasham？Whatifhehaddoneitmerelytoenticemeashore？
ThemoreIthoughtofitthemorecertainIbecamethathehadmadealittletoomuchnoisewithhisoarsasherowedaway。SoI
remained，lyinginthemudandshivering。Ishiveredtillthemusclesofthesmallofmybackachedandpainedmeasbadlyasthecold，andIhadneedofallmyself—controltoforcemyselftoremaininmymiserablesituation。
ItwaswellthatIdid，however，for，possiblyanhourlater，I
thoughtIcouldmakeoutsomethingmovingonthebeach。Iwatchedintently，butmyearswererewardedfirst，byaraspycoughIknewonlytoowell。YellowHandkerchiefhadsneakedback，landedontheothersideoftheisland，andcreptaroundtosurprisemeifIhadreturned。
Afterthat，thoughhourspassedwithoutsignofhim，Iwasafraidtoreturntotheislandatall。Ontheotherhand，IwasalmostequallyafraidthatIshoulddieoftheexposureIwasundergoing。
Ihadneverdreamedonecouldsufferso。Igrewsocoldandnumb，finally，thatIceasedtoshiver。Butmymusclesandbonesbegantoacheinawaythatwasagony。Thetidehadlongsincebeguntorise，and，footbyfoot，itdrovemeintowardthebeach。Highwatercameatthreeo’clock，andatthreeo’clockIdrewmyselfuponthebeach，moredeadthanalive，andtoohelplesstohaveofferedanyresistancehadYellowHandkerchiefswoopeddownuponme。
ButnoYellowHandkerchiefappeared。HehadgivenmeupandgonebacktoPointPedro。Nevertheless，Iwasinadeplorable，nottosaydangerous，condition。Icouldnotstanduponmyfeet，muchlesswalk。Myclammy，muddygarmentsclungtomelikesheetsofice。IthoughtIshouldnevergetthemoff。Sonumbandlifelessweremyfingers，andsoweakwasI，thatitseemedtotakeanhourtogetoffmyshoes。Ihadnotthestrengthtobreaktheporpoise—
hidelaces，andtheknotsdefiedme。Irepeatedlybeatmyhandsupontherockstogetsomesortoflifeintothem。SometimesI
feltsureIwasgoingtodie。
Butintheend，—afterseveralcenturies，itseemedtome，—Igotoffthelastofmyclothes。Thewaterwasnowcloseathand，andI
crawledpainfullyintoitandwashedthemudfrommynakedbody。
Still，IcouldnotgetonmyfeetandwalkandIwasafraidtoliestill。Nothingremainedbuttocrawlweakly，likeasnail，andatthecostofconstantpain，upanddownthesand。Ikeptthisupaslongaspossible，butastheeastpaledwiththecomingofdawnI
begantosuccumb。Theskygrewrosy—red，andthegoldenrimofthesun，showingabovethehorizon，foundmelyinghelplessandmotionlessamongtheclam—shells。
Asinadream，IsawthefamiliarmainsailoftheReindeerassheslippedoutofSanRafaelCreekonalightpuffofmorningair。
Thisdreamwasverymuchbroken。ThereareintervalsIcanneverrecollectonlookingbackoverit。Threethings，however，I
distinctlyremember：thefirstsightoftheReindeer’smainsail；
herlyingatanchorafewhundredfeetawayandasmallboatleavingherside；andthecabinstoveroaringred—hot，myselfswathedalloverwithblankets，exceptonthechestandshoulders，whichCharleywaspoundingandmaulingunmercifully，andmymouthandthroatburningwiththecoffeewhichNeilPartingtonwaspouringdownatrifletoohot。
Butburnornoburn，Itellyouitfeltgood。BythetimewearrivedinOaklandIwasaslimberandstrongasever，—thoughCharlieandNeilPartingtonwereafraidIwasgoingtohavepneumonia，andMrs。Partington，formyfirstsixmonthsofschool，keptananxiouseyeuponmetodiscoverthefirstsymptomsofconsumption。
Timeflies。ItseemsbutyesterdaythatIwasaladofsixteenonthefishpatrol。YetIknowthatIarrivedthisverymorningfromChina，withaquickpassagetomycredit，andmasterofthebarkentineHarvester。AndIknowthatto—morrowmorningIshallrunovertoOaklandtoseeNeilPartingtonandhiswifeandfamily，andlateronuptoBeniciatoseeCharleyLeGrantandtalkoveroldtimes。No；IshallnotgotoBenicia，nowthatIthinkaboutit。Iexpecttobeahighlyinterestedpartytoawedding，shortlytotakeplace。HernameisAlicePartington，and，sinceCharleyhaspromisedtobebestman，hewillhavetocomedowntoOaklandinstead。