Whenyoureflectthattheworldissatisfiedthatmostofman’scriminalinstinctsaretheresultofheredity，andthatMr。NoahandIareunabletoshifttheresponsibilityforposteritytoothershouldersthanourown，youwillunderstandmyposition。Wewereaboutthemostdomesticoldcouplethateverlived，andwhenweseethelongandvariedassortmentofcrimesthatarecroppingouteverywhereinourdescendantsitispainfultoustorealizewhatapairofunconsciouslywickedoldfogieswemusthavebeen。\"
\"Weallunderstandthat，\"saidCleopatra，kindly；\"andweareallpreparedtoacquityouofanyresponsibilityfortheadvancedconditionofwickednessto—day。Manhasprogressedsinceyourtime，mydeargrandma，andthemodernimprovementsinthescienceofcrimearenomoreattributabletoyouthantheinventionofthetelephoneortheoystercocktailisattributabletoyourhusband。\"
\"Thankyoukindly，\"murmuredtheoldlady，andsheresumedherknittinguponaphantomtam—o’—shanter，whichshewasmakingasaChristmassurpriseforherhusband。
\"WhenCaptainKiddbeganhisstory，\"saidCassandra，\"hemadeoneverybadmistake，andyetonewhichwaspromptedbythatcourtesywhichallmeninstinctivelyadoptwhenaddressingwomen。Whenheenteredtheroomheremovedhishat，andthereinlayhisfatalerror，ifhewishedtoconvincemeofthetruthofhisstory，forwithhishatremovedIcouldseetheworkingsofhismind。Whileyouladieswerewatchinghislipsorhiseyes，someofyoutakinginthegorgeousdetailsofhisdress，allofyouhanginguponhiseveryword，Ikeptmyeyefixedfirmlyuponhisimagination，andIsaw，whatyoudidnot，THATHEWASDRAWINGWHOLLYUPONTHAT!\"
\"Howextraordinary!\"criedElizabeth。
\"Yes——andfortunate，\"saidCassandra。\"HadInotdoneso，aweekhenceweshould，everyoneofus，havebeenlostinthesurgingwickednessofthecityofParis。\"
\"But，Cassandra，\"saidTrilby，whowasanxioustoreturnoncemoretothebeautifulcitybytheSeine，\"hetoldusweweregoingtoParis。\"
\"Ofcoursehedid，\"saidMadameRecamier，\"andinsomanywords。
Certainlyhewasnotdrawinguponhisimaginationthere。\"
\"Andonemightbelostinaverymuchworseplace，\"putinMargueritedeValois，\"if，indeed，itwerepossibletoloseusinParisatall。
IfancythatIknowenoughaboutParistofindmywayabout。\"
\"Humph!\"ejaculatedCassandra。\"Whatafoolishlittlethingyouare!
Youdon’timaginethattheParisofto—dayistheParisofyourtime，oreventheParisofthatsweetchildTrilby’stime，doyou？Ifyoudoyouareverymuchmistaken。IalmostwishIhadnotwarnedyouofyourdangerandhadletyougo，justtoseethoseeyesofyoursopenwithamazementatthechange。You’dfindyourLouvreaverydifferentsortofaplacefromwhatitusedtobe，mydearlady。
Thosepleasinglittlewindowsthroughwhichyourrelationswerewontinoldentimestoindulgeintargetpracticeatpeoplewhodidn’tgototheirchurcharenowkeptclosed；thegallerieswhichusedtoswarmwithpeople，manyofwhomoughttohavebeenhanged，nowswarmwithpictures，manyofwhichoughtnottohavebeenhung；theromancewhichclungaboutitswallsisasmuchapartofthedeadpastasyourselves，andwereyoutomaterializesuddenlythereinyouwouldfindyourselvesjostledandhustledandtroddenuponbythecuriousfromotherlands，withArguseyestakinginfivehundredpicturesaminute，andtraversingthosehallsatarateofspeedatwhichMercuryhimselfwouldstandaghast。\"
\"ButmybelovedTuileries？\"criedMarieAntoinette。
\"Hasbeenswallowedupbyaplay—groundforthepeople，mydear，\"
saidCassandra，gently。\"Parisisnoplaceforus，anditistheintentionofthesemen，inwhosehandsweare，totakeusthereandthendesertus。Canyouimagineanythingworsethanourselves，thephantomsofagloriousromanticpast，baselydesertedinthestreetsofawhollystrange，superficial，materialcityofto—day？Whatdoyouthink，Elizabeth，wouldbeyourfateif，faintandfamished，youbeggedforsustenanceatanEnglishdoorto—day，andwhenaskedyournameandprofessionweretoreply，’Elizabeth，QueenofEngland’？\"
\"Insaneasylum，\"saidElizabeth，shortly。
\"Precisely。SoinPariswiththerestofus，\"saidCassandra。
\"Howdoyouknowallthis？\"askedTrilby，stillunconvinced。
\"Iknowitjustasyouknewhowtobecomeaprimadonna，\"saidCassandra。\"Iam，however，myownSvengali，whichisratherpreferabletothepatentdetachablehypnotizeryouhad。Ihypnotizemyself，anddirectmymindintothefuture。IwasaprofessionalforecasterinthedaysofancientTroy，andifmyrevelationshadbeenheededthePriamfamilywould，Idoubtnot，stillbedoingbusinessattheoldstand，andMr。AEneaswouldnothavegrownround—
shoulderedgivinghispoorfatherapicky—backrideontheopeningnightofthehorse—show，sographicallydepictedbyVirgil。\"
\"Ineverheardaboutthat，\"saidTrilby。\"Itsoundslikeaveryfunnystory，though。\"
\"Well，itwasn’tsohumorousforsomeasitwasforothers，\"saidCassandra，withaslyglanceatHelen。\"Thefactis，untilyoumentionedityourself，itneveroccurredtomethattherewasmuchfuninanyportionoftheTrojanincident，exceptingperhapsthedeliriumtremensofoldLaocoon，whogotnomorethanhedeservedforstealingmythunder。IhadwarnedTroyagainsttheGreeks，andtheyalllaughedatme，andsaidmyeyetothefuturewasstrabismatic；
thattheGreekscouldn’tgetintoTroyatall，eveniftheywantedto。AndthentheGreeksmadeagreatwoodenhorseasagiftfortheTrojans，andwhenIturnedmyX—raygazeuponitIsawthatitcontainedaboutsixbrigadesofinfantry，threeartilleryregiments，andsharp—shootersbythescore。ItwasasortofmilitaryNoah’sArk；butIknewthattheprejudiceagainstmewassostrongthatnobodywouldbelievewhatItoldthem。SoIsaidnothing。Mypropheciesnevercametrue，theysaid，failingtoobservethatmywarningastowhatwouldbewasinitselfthecauseoftheirnon—
fulfilment。ButdesiringtosaveTroy，IsentforLaocoonandtoldhimallaboutit，andhewentoutandannounceditashisownprivateprophecy；andthen，havingtriedtodrownhisconscienceinstrongwaters，hefellavictimtotheusualserpentinehallucination，andeverybodysaidhewasn’tsober，andthereforeunworthyofbelief。
Thehorsewasaccepted，hauledintothecity，andthatnightorderscamefromhindquarterstotheregimentsconcealedinsidetomarch。
Theymarched，andnextmorningTroyhadbeenremovedfromthemap；
ninetypercentoftheTrojansdiedsuddenly，andAEneas，grabbinguphisfamilyinonehandandhisgodsintheother，wentyachtingforseveralseasons，ultimatelysettlingdowninItaly。AllofthiscouldhavebeenavoidediftheTrojanswouldhavetakenthehintfrommyprophecies。Theypreferred，however，nottodoit，withtheresultthatto—daynoonebutHelenandmyselfknowsevenwhereTroywas，andwe’llnevertell。\"
\"Itisalltrue，\"saidHelen，proudly。\"Iwasthewomanwhowasatthebottomofitall，andIcantestifythatCassandraalwaystoldthetruth，whichiswhyshewasalwayssounpopular。Whenanythingthatwasunpleasanthappened，afteritwasallovershewouldturnandsay，sweetly，’Itoldyouso。’Shewastheoriginal’Itoldyouso’nuisance，andofcourseshehadthenewspapyrusesdownonher，becausesheneverleftthemanysensationtospringuponthepublic。
Ifshehadonlytoldafibonceinawhile，thepublicwouldhavehadmoreconfidenceinher。\"
\"Thankyouforyourendorsement，\"saidCassandra，withanodatHelen。\"WithsuchtestimonyIcannotseehowyoucanrefrainfromtakingmyadviceinthismatter；andItellyou，ladies，thatthismanKiddhasmadehisstoryupoutofwholecloth；themenofHadeshadnomoretodowithourbeingherethanwehad；theywereasmuchsurprisedaswearetofindusgone。Kiddhimselfwasnotawareofourpresence，andhisobjectintakingustoParisistoleaveusstrandedthere，disembodiedspirits，vagrantsoulswithnofamiliarhauntstohaunt，noplacetorest，andnothingbeforeussaveperpetualexileinaworldthatwouldhavenosympathyforusinourmisfortune，andnobeliefinourcontinuedexistence。\"
\"Butwhat，then，shallwedo？\"criedOphelia，wringingherhandsindespair。
\"Itisaterribleproblem，\"saidCleopatra，anxiously；\"andyetitdoesseemasifourwoman’sinstinctoughttoshowussomewayoutofourtrouble。\"
\"TheCommitteeonTreachery，\"saidDelilah，\"hasalreadysuggestedachafing—dishparty，withLucretiaBorgiainchargeofthelobsterNewberg。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"saidLucretia；\"butIfind，ingoingthroughmyreticule，thatmymaid，forsomereasonunknowntome，hasfailedtorenewmysupplyofpoisons。Ishalldischargeheronmyreturnhome，forsheknowsthatInevergoanywherewithoutthem；butthatdoesnothelpmattersatthisjuncture。ThesadfactremainsthatIcouldprepareathousanddelicaciesforthesepirateswithoutfatalresults。\"
\"Youmeanimmediatelyfatal，doyounot？\"suggestedXanthippe。\"I
couldmyselfprepareacakewhichwouldintimereduceourcaptorstoastateofabsolutedependence，butofcoursetheeffectisnotimmediate。\"
\"Wemightgiveamusicale，andletTrilbysing’BenBolt’tothem，\"
suggestedMargueritedeValois，withagiggle。
\"Don’tbeflippant，please，\"saidPortia。\"Wehaven’ttimetowasteonflippantsuggestions。Perhapsacourt—martialofthesepirates，supplementedbyayard—arm，wouldn’tbeabadthing。I’llprosecutethecase。\"
\"Youforgetthatyouaredealingwithimmortalspirits，\"observedCleopatra。\"Ifthesecreaturesweremortals，hangingthemwouldbeallright，andcomparativelyeasy，consideringthatweoutnumberthemtentoone，andhavemanyresourcesforgettingthem，moreorless，inourpower，buttheyarenot。Theyhavegonethroughtherefiningprocessofdissolutiononce，andthere’sanendtothat。Ouronlyresourceisinthelineofdeception，andifwecannotdeceivethem，thenwehaveceasedtobewomen。\"
\"Thatistrulysaid，\"observedElizabeth。\"Andinasmuchaswehavealreadyprovidedourselveswithasuitablecommitteeforthepreparationofourplansofadeceptivenature，Imove，astheeasiestpossiblesolutionofthedifficultyfortherestofus，thattheCommitteeonTreacheryberequestedtogoatonceintoexecutivesession，withordersnottocomeoutofituntiltheyhavesuggestedaplausibleplanofcampaignagainstourabductors。Wemustberidofthem。LettheCommitteeonTreacherysayhow。\"
\"Secondthemotion，\"saidMrs。Noah。\"Youareaveryclear—headedyoungwoman，Lizzie，andyourgrandmotherisproudofyou。\"
TheCommitteeonTreacherywereabouttoprotest，butthechairrefusedtoentertainanydebateuponthequestion，whichwasputandcarriedwithastormofapproval。
Fiveminuteslateranotewashandedthroughtheport，addressedtoCleopatra，whichreadasfollows：
\"DearMadame，——Sixbellshasjuststruck，andtheofficersandcrewarehungry。Willyouandyourfaircompanionsco—operatewithusinourenterprisebyhavingaheartydinnerreadywithintwohours？A
speckhasappearedonthehorizonwhichbetokensacomingstorm，elsewewouldprepareoursupperourselves。Asitis，wefeelthatyoursafetydependsonourremainingondeck。Ifthereisanybeerontheice，wepreferittotea。Twocaseswillsuffice。
\"Yoursrespectfully，\"HENRYMORGAN，Bart。；FirstMate。\"
\"Hurrah!\"criedCleopatra，asshereadthiscommunication。\"Ihaveanidea。TelltheCommitteeonTreacherytoappearbeforethefullmeetingatonce。\"
Thecommitteewassummoned，andCleopatraannouncedherplanofoperation，anditwasunanimouslyadopted；butwhatitwasweshallhavetowaitforanotherchaptertolearn。
CHAPTERXI：MAROONED
WhenCaptainHolmesarrivedupondeckheseizedhisglass，and，gazingintentlythroughitforamoment，perceivedthatthefaithfulShemhadnotdeceivedhim。Flyingathalf—mastfromarude，roughlyhewnpolesetuponarockyheightwastheblackflag，emblemofpiracy，and，asArtemusWardputit，\"withthesecondjointsreversed。\"Itwasinverytruthasignalofdistress。
\"Imakeitapointnevertobesurprised，\"observedHolmes，ashepeeredthroughtheglass，\"butthisbeatsme。Ididn’tknowtherewasanislandofthisnatureintheselatitudes。Blackstone，gobelowandpipeCaptainCookondeck。Perhapsheknowswhatislandthatis。\"
\"You’llhavetoexcuseme，CaptainHolmes，\"repliedtheJudge。\"I
didn’tshiponthisvoyageasacabin—boyoramessenger—boy。
ThereforeI——\"
\"Bonaparte，puttheJudgeinirons，\"interruptedHolmes，sternly。\"I
expecttobeobeyed，JudgeBlackstone，whetheryoushippedasaLordChief—Justiceorastate—roomsteward。WhenIissueanorderitmustbeobeyed。Steplivelythere，Bonaparte。Gethishonorironedandsummonyourmarines。Wemayhaveworktodobeforenight。Hamlet，pipeCaptainCookondeck。\"
\"Aye，aye，sir，\"repliedHamlet，withalacrity，ashemadeoff。
\"That’sthewaytoobeyorders，\"saidHolmes，withascornfulglanceatBlackstone。
\"Iwasonlyjesting，Captain，\"saidthelatter，palingsomewhat。
\"That’sallright，\"saidHolmes，takinguphisglassagain。\"SowasIwhenIorderedyouinirons，andinorderthatyoumayappreciatethefullforceofthejokeIrepeatit。Bonaparte，doyourduty。\"
Inaninstanttheorderwasobeyed，andtheunhappyJudgeshortlyfoundhimselfmanacledandaloneintheforecastle。MeanwhileCaptainCook，inresponsetothecommander’sorder，repairedtothedeckandscannedthedistantcoast。
\"Ican’tplaceit，\"hesaid。\"Itcan’tbeMonteCristo，canit？\"
\"No，itcan’t，\"saidtheCount，whostoodhardby。\"MyislandwasintheMediterranean，andevenifitdraggedanchoritcouldn’thavegotoutthroughtheStraitofGibraltar。\"
\"Perhapsit’sRobinsonCrusoe’sisland，\"suggestedDoctorJohnson。
\"Notit，\"observedDeFoe。\"Ifitis，therestofyouwillpleasekeepoff。It’smine，andImaywanttouseitagain。I’vebeenhavinganumberofinterviewswithCrusoelatterly，andhe’sgivenmealotofnewpoints，whichIintendincorporatinginasequelfortheCimmerianMagazine。\"
\"Well，inthenameofAtlas，whatislandisit，then？\"roaredHolmes，angrily。\"WhatisthematterwithallyoulearnedlubbersthatI
havebroughtalongonthistrip？DoyousupposeI’vebroughtyoutowhistleupfavorablewinds？NotbythebeardoftheProphet!I
broughtyoutogivemeinformation，andnowwhenIaskforthenameofasimplelittleislandlikethatinplainsightthere’snotoneofyouablesomuchastoguessatitreasonably。ThenextmanIaskforinformationgoesintoironswithJudgeBlackstoneifhedoesn’tanswermeinstantlywiththeinformationIwant。Munchausen，whatislandisthat？\"
\"Ahem!that？\"repliedMunchausen，trembling，ashereflectedupontheCaptain’sthreat。\"What？Nobodyknowswhatislandthatis？Why，yousurpriseme—
\"Seehere，Baron，\"retortedHolmes，menacingly，\"Iaskyouaplainquestion，andIwantaplainanswer，withnoevasionstogaintime。
Nowit’sironsorananswer。Whatislandisthat？\"
\"It’sanislandthatdoesn’tappearonanychart，Captain，\"
Munchausenrespondedinstantly，pullinghimselftogetherforamightyeffort，\"andithasneverbeengivenaname；butasyouinsistuponhavingone，we’llcallitHolmesIsland，inyourhonor。Itisnotstationary。Itisafloatingislandoflavaformation，andisamenacetoeverycraftthatgoestosea。Ispentayearofmylifeuponitonce，anditismorebarrenthanthedesertofSahara，becauseyoucannotraiseevensanduponit，anditisdevoidofwaterofanysort，saltorfresh。\"
\"Whatdidyouliveonduringthatyear？\"askedHolmes，eyinghimnarrowly。
\"Cannedfoodfromwrecks，\"repliedtheBaron，feelingmucheasiernowthathehadgotafairstart——\"cannedfoodfromwrecks，commander。
Thereisamagneticpropertyintheupperstratumofthispieceofderelictrealestate，sir，whichattractstoiteverybitofcannedsubstancethatislostoverboardinallpartsoftheworld。Ashipiswrecked，say，inthePacificOcean，andultimatelyalltheloosemetaluponherwillsuccumbtotheirresistibleattractionofthismagneticupperstratum，andwillfinditswaytoitsshores。Soinanyotherpartoftheearth。Everythingmetallicturnsupheresoonerorlater；andwhenyouconsiderthatthousandsofvesselsgodowneveryyear，vesselswhichareprovisionedwithtinnedfoodsonly，youwillbegintocomprehendhowmanymillionsofpoundsofpreservedsalmon，sardines，patedefoiegras，peaches，andsoon，canbefoundstrewnalongitscoast。\"
\"Munchausen，\"saidHolmes，smiling，\"bytheblushuponyourcheek，coupledwithanoccasionaluneasyglanceoftheeye，Iknowthatforonceyouarestandinguponthe，toyou，unfamiliargroundoftruth，andIadmireyouforit。Thereisnothingtobeashamedofintellingthetruthoccasionally。Youareamanaftermyownheart。
Comebelowandhaveacocktail。CaptainCook，takecommandoftheGehennaduringmyabsence；headherstraightforHolmesIsland，andwhenyoudiscoveranythingnewletmeknow。Bonaparte，inhonorofMunchausen’sremarkablegenius，Iproclaimgeneralamnestytoourprisoners，andyoumayreleaseBlackstonefromhisdilemma；andifyouhaveanytinsoldiersamongyourmarines，seethattheyarelashedtotherigging。Idon’twantthiselectricislandoftheBaron’stogetagripuponmymilitaryforceatthisjuncture。\"
WiththisHolmes，followedbyMunchausen，wentbelow，andthetwoworthiesweresoondeepinthemysteriesofaphantomcocktail，whileDoctorJohnsonandDeFoegazedmournfullyoutovertheoceanatthefloatingisland。
\"DeFoe，\"saidJohnson\"thatoughttobealessontoyou。Thisrealismthatyoutieuptoisallrightwhenyouarealonewithyourconscience；butwhentherearegreatthingsafoot，animaginationandabroadviewastothelimitationsoftrutharen’tatallbad。YouorImightnowbedrinkingthatcocktailwithHolmesifwe’donlyrisentotheopportunitythewayMunchausendid。\"
\"Thatistrue，\"saidDeFoe，sadly。\"ButIdidn’tsupposehewantedthatkindofinformation。IcouldhavespunabetteryarnthanthatofMunchausen’swithmyeyesshut。Isupposedhewantedtruth，andI
gaveit。\"
\"I’dliketoknowwhathasbecomeoftheHouse—boat，\"saidRaleigh，anxiouslygazingthroughtheglassattheisland。\"IcanseeoldHenryMorgansittingdownthereontherockswithhiselbowsonhiskneesandhischininhishands，andKiddandAbeuchapetaarestandingbackofhim，yellinglikemad，butthereisn’taboatinsight。\"
\"Whoisthatman，offtotheright，dancingafandango？\"askedJohnson。
\"ItlookslikeConrad，butIcan’ttell。Heappearstohavegonecrazy。He’sgotthatwildlookonhisfacewhichbetokensinsanity。
We’llhavetobecarefulinourparleyingswiththesepeople，\"saidRaleigh。
\"Anythingnew？\"askedHolmes，returningtothedeck，smackinghislipsinenjoymentofthecocktail。
\"No——exceptthatwearealmostwithinhailingdistance，\"saidCook。
\"Thengiveorderstocastanchor，\"observedHolmes。\"Bonaparte，takeacrewofpickedmenashoreandbringthosepiratesaboard。Takethethreemusketeerswithyou，anddon’tletKiddorMorgangiveyouanybacktalk。Iftheytryanyfunnybusiness，exorcisethem。\"
\"Aye，aye，sir，\"repliedBonaparte，andinamomentaboathadbeenloweredandasturdycrewofsailorswerepullingfortheshore。Astheycamewithintenfeetofitthepiratesmadeamaddashdowntherough，rockyhillsideandclamoredtobesaved。
\"What’shappenedtoyou？\"criedBonaparte，orderingthesailorstobackwaterlestthepiratesshouldtoohastilyboardtheboatandswampher。
\"Wearemarooned，\"repliedKidd，\"andonanislandofavolcanicnature。Thereisn’tasquareinchofitthatisn’theatedupto125
degrees，andseventeenofushavealreadyevaporated。Conradhaslosthisreason；Abeuchapetahasbecomesotenuousthatachildcanseethroughhim。Asformyself，Iamgrowingiridescentwithanxiety，andunlessIgetoffthisinfernalfurnaceI’lldisappearlikeasoap—bubble。ForHeaven’ssake，then，General，takeusoff，onyourownterms。We’llacceptanything。\"
AsifinconfirmationofKidd’swords，sixofthepiratecrewcollapsedanddisappearedintothinair，andaglanceatAbeuchapetawasproofenoughofhiscondition。Hehadbecomeasclearascrystal，andhaditnotbeenforhisruggedoutlineshewouldhardlyhavebeenvisibleeventohisfellow—spirits。AsforKidd，hehadtakenontheaspectofarainbow，anditwaspatentthathisfearsforhimselfwerealltoowellfounded。
Bonaparteembarkedtheleadersofthebandfirst，returningsubsequentlyfortheothers，andrepairedwiththematoncetotheGehenna，wheretheywereusheredintothepresenceofSherlockHolmes。ThefirstquestionheaskedwasastothewhereaboutsoftheHouse—boat。
\"Thatwedonotknow，\"repliedKidd，mournfully，gazingdownwardatthewreckofhisformerself。\"Wecameashore，sir，earlyyesterdaymorning，insearchoffood。Itappearsthatwhen——actinginawhollyinexcusablefashion，andinfluenced，Iconfessit，bymotivesofrevenge——Imadeoffwithyourclub—house，Ineglectedtoascertainifitwerewellstockedwithprovisions，afatalerror；forwhenweendeavoredtogetsupperwediscoveredthatthelardercontainedbuthalfabottleoffarcieolives，twosaltedalmonds，andasodacracker——notaluxuriousfeastforsixty—ninepiratesandahundredandeighty—threewomentositdownto。\"
\"That’sallnonsense，\"saidDemosthenes。\"TheHouseCommitteehadprovidedenoughsupperforsixhundredpeople，inanticipationoftheappetiteofthemembersontheirreturnfromthefight。\"
\"Ofcoursetheydid，\"saidConfucius；\"anditwasagoodone，too——
salads，salmonglace，lobsters——everyblessedthingamancan’tgetathomewehad；andwhatismore，they’dbeendeliveredonboard。I
sawtothatbeforeIwentuptheriver。\"
\"Then，\"moanedKidd，\"itisasIsuspected。Wewerethevictimsofbasetreacheryonthepartofthosewomen。\"
\"Treachery？Well，Ilikethat。Callitreciprocity，\"saidHamlet，dryly。
\"WewereinformedbytheladiesthattherewasnothingforsuppersavetheitemsIhavealreadyreferredto，\"saidKidd。\"Iseeitallnow。Wehadtriedtomakethemcomfortable，andIputmyselftosomeconsiderablepersonalinconveniencetomakethemeasyintheirminds，buttheywereungrateful。\"
\"Whateverinducedyoutotake’emalongwithyou？\"askedSocrates。
\"Wedidn’twantthem，\"saidKidd。
\"Wedidn’tknowtheywereonboarduntilitwastoolatetoturnback。They’dbrokenin，andwerehavingthecluballtothemselvesinyourabsence。\"
\"Itservedyougoodandright，\"saidSocrates，withalaugh。\"Nexttimeyoutrytotakethingsthatdon’tbelongtoyou，maybeyou’llbeatriflemorecarefulastowhosepropertyyouconfiscate。\"
\"ButtheHouse—boat——youhaven’ttoldushowyoulosther，\"putinRaleigh，impatiently。
\"Well，itwasthisway，\"saidKidd。\"When，inresponsetoourpoliterequestforsupper，theladiessaidtherewasnothingtoeatonboard，somethinghadtobedone，forwewereallashungryasbears，andwedecidedtogoashoreatthefirstportandprovision。
Unfortunatelythecrewgotrestive，andwhenthisfloatingfrying—panloomedintoview，tokeepthemgood—naturedwedecidedtolandandseeifwecouldbeg，borrow，orstealsomesupplies。Wehadto。
Observationstakenwiththesextantshowedthattherewasnoportwithinfivehundredmiles；theislandlookedasifitmightbeinhabitedatleastbygoats，andashorewewent，everymanofus，leavingtheHouse—boatsafelyanchoredintheharbor。Atfirstwedidn’tmindtheheat，andwehuntedandhuntedandhunted；butafterthreeorfourhoursIbegantonoticethatthreeofmysailorswereshrivellingup，andConradbegantoactasifheweredaft。Hawkinsburstrightbeforemyeyes。ThenAbeuchapetagotprismaticaroundtheeyesandbegantofade，andInoticedaslightiridescenceaboutmyself；andasforMorgan，hehadthemisfortunetoliedowntotakeanapinthesun，andwhenhewakedup，hiswholerightsidehadevaporated。Thenwesawwhatthetroublewas。We’dstruckthislavaisland，andweregraduallysuccumbingtoitsintenseheat。Werushedmadlybacktotheharbortoembark；andourship，gentlemen，andyourHouse—boat，wasslowlybutsurelydisappearingoverthehorizon，andflyingfromtheflag—staffattheforeweresignalsoffarewell，withanunfeelingP。S。belowtothiseffect：’DON’TWAITUPFORUS。WE
MAYNOTBEBACKUNTILLATE。’\"
Therewasapause，duringwhichSocrateslaughedquietlytohimself，whileAbeuchapetaandtheone—sidedMorganweptsilently。
\"That，gentlemenoftheAssociatedShades，isallIknowofthewhereaboutsoftheHouse—boat，\"continuedCaptainKidd。\"Ihavenodoubtthattheladiespractisedadeception，toourdiscomfiture，andImustsaythatIthinkitwasexceedinglyclever——grantingthatitwasdesirabletoberidofus，whichIdon’t，forwemeantwellbythem，andtheywouldhaveenjoyedthemselves。\"
\"But，\"criedHamlet，\"maytheynotnowbeinperil？Theycannotnavigatethatship。\"
\"Theygotheroutoftheharborallright，\"saidKidd。\"AndIjudgedfromthefigureatthehelmthatMrs。Noahhadtakencharge。WhatkindofaseamansheisIdon’tknow。\"
\"Almightybad，\"ejaculatedShem，turningpale。\"ItwasshewhoranusashoreonArarat。\"
\"Well，wasn’tthatwhatyouwanted？\"queriedMunchausen。
\"Whatwewanted!\"criedShem。\"Well，Iguessnot。Youdon’twantyouryachtstrandedonamountain—top，doyou？Shewasadeadlossthere，whereasifmotherhadn’tbeeninsuchahurrytogetashore，wecouldhavewaitedamonthandlandedontheseaboard。\"
\"Youmighthaveturnedherintoasummerhotel，\"suggestedMunchausen。
\"Well，wemustupanchorandaway，\"saidHolmes。\"Ourpursuithasmerelybegun，apparently。Wemustovertakethisvessel，andthequestiontobeansweredis——where？\"
\"That’seasy，\"saidArtemusWard。\"FromwhatShemsays，Ithinkwe’dbetterlookforherintheHimalayas。\"
\"And，meanwhile，whatshallbedonewithKidd？\"askedHolmes。
\"Heoughttobeexpelledfromtheclub，\"saidJohnson。
\"Wecan’texpelhim，becausehe’snotamember，\"repliedRaleigh。
\"Thenelecthim，\"suggestedWard。
\"Whatonearthfor？\"growledJohnson。
\"Sothatwecanexpelhim，\"saidWard。AndwhileBoswell’sherowastryingtogetthevalueofthisnotionthroughhishead，theothersrepairedtothedeck，andtheGehennawassoonunderwayoncemore。
MeanwhileCaptainKiddandhisfellowswereputinironsandstowedawayintheforecastle，alongsideofthewater—caskinwhichShylocklayinhiding。
CHAPTERXII：THEESCAPEANDTHEEND
IftherewasanxietyonboardoftheGehennaastotheconditionandwhereaboutsoftheHouse—boat，therewasbynomeanslessuneasinessuponthatvesselitself。Cleopatra’sschemeforriddingherselfandherabductedsistersofthepirateshadworkedtoacharm，but，havingworkedthus，anewandhithertoundreamed—ofproblem，fullofperplexitiesbearingupontheirimmediatesafety，nowconfrontedthem。ThesolerepresentativeofaseafaringfamilyonboardwasMrs。Noah，anditdidnotrequiremuchtimetoseethatherknowledgeastonavigationwasofanextremelyprimitiveorder，limitedindeedtothescienceoffloating。
WhenthelastpiratehaddisappearedbehindtherocksofHolmesIsland，andallwasinreadinessforaction，thegoodoldlady，whohadhithertobeenascalmandunruffledasachild，begantogetredinthefaceandtobustleaboutinamannerwhichbetrayedconsiderableperturbationofspirit。
\"Now，Mrs。Noah，\"saidCleopatra，as，peepingoutfromthebilliard—
roomwindow，shesawMorgandisappearinginthedistance，\"thecoastisclear，andIresignmypositionofchairmantoyou。Weplacethevesselinyourhands，andourselvessubjecttoyourorders。Youareincommand。Whatdoyouwishustodo？\"
\"Verywell，\"repliedMrs。Noah，puttingdownherknittingandstartingforthedeck。\"I’mnotcertain，butIthinkthefirstthingtodoistogethermoving。Doyouknow，I’veneverdiscoveredwhetherthisboatwasasteamboatorasailing—vessel？Doesanybodyknow？\"
\"Ithinkithasanaphthatankandapropeller，\"saidElizabeth，\"althoughIdon’tknow。ItseemstomemybrotherRaleightoldmethey’dhadanaphthaengineputinlastwinterafterthefreshet，whentheHouse—boatwascarriedtenmilesdowntheriver，andhadtobetowedbackatenormousexpense。Theyputitinsothatifshewerecarriedawayagainshecouldgetbackofherownpower。\"
\"That’sunfortunate，\"saidMrs。Noah，\"becauseIdon’tknowanythingaboutthesenewfanglednotions。Ifthere’sanyoneherewhoknowsanythingaboutnaphthaengines，Iwishthey’dspeak。\"
\"I’moftheopinion，\"saidPortia，\"thatIcanstudyoutthetheoryofitinashortwhile。\"
\"Verywell，then，\"saidMrs。Noah，\"youcandoit。I’llappointyouengineer，andgiveyouallyourordersnow，rightaway，inadvance。
Sethergoingandkeephergoing，anddon’tstopwithoutawrittenordersignedbyme。Wemightaswellbeverycareful，andhaveeverythingdoneproperly，anditmighthappenthatintheexcitementofourtripyouwouldmisunderstandmyspokenordersandmakeafatalerror。Therefore，paynoattentiontounwrittenorders。Thatwilldoforyouforthepresent。Xanthippe，youmaytakeOpheliaandMadameRecamier，andtenotherladies，and，everymorningbeforebreakfast，swabthelarboarddeck。Cassandra，Tuesdaysyouwilldevotetopolishingthebrassesinthedining—room，andthebalanceofyourtimeIwishyoutoexpendindustingthebric—a—brac。Dido，youalwayswerestrongatbuildingfires。I’llmakeyouchiefstoker。YouwillalsoassistLucretiaBorgiainthekitchen。
Inasmuchasthelatter’smaidhasneglectedtosupplyherwiththeusuallineofpoisons，IthinkwecansafelyentrusttoLucretia’shandstheresponsibilitiesoftheculinarydepartment。\"
\"I’mperfectlywillingtodoanythingIcan，\"saidLucretia，\"butI
mustconfessthatIdon’tapproveofyourmethodsofcommandingaship。Aship’scaptainisn’tadomesticmartinet，asyouaresettingouttobe。Wedidn’tappointyouhousekeeper。\"
\"Now，mychild，\"saidMrs。Noah，firmly，\"Idonotwishanywords。
IfIhearanymoreimpudencefromyou，I’llputyouashorewithoutareference；andtherestofyouIwouldwarninallkindnessthatI
willnottolerateinsubordination。Youmay，allofyou，haveonenightoftheweekandalternateSundaysoff，butyourworkmustbedone。TheregimenIamadoptingispreciselythatinvogueontheArk，onlyIdidn’thavethehelpIhavenow，andthingsgotintoverybadshape。Wewereoutfortydays，and，whilethefoodwaspoorandtheserviceexecrable，weneverlostalife。\"
Theboatgaveaslighttremor。
\"Hurrah!\"criedElizabeth，clappingherhandswithglee，\"weareoff!\"
\"Iwillrepairtothedeckandgetourbearings，\"saidMrs。Noah，puttinghershawloverhershoulders。\"Meantime，Cleopatra，I
appointyoufirstmate。SeethatthingsaretidiedupabitherebeforeIreturn。Havethewindowswashed，andto—morrowIwantalltherugsandcarpetstakenupandshaken。\"
Portiameanwhilehaddiscoveredthenaphthaengine，and，afterexperimentingseveraltimeswiththevariousleversandstop—cocks，hadfinallymanagedtomoveoneoftheminsuchawayastosettheenginegoing，andthewheelbegantorevolve。
\"Arewegoingallright？\"shecried，frombelow。
\"Iamafraidnot，\"saidthegallantcommander。\"Thewheelisroilingupthewateratagreatrate，butwedon’tseemtobegoingaheadveryfast——infact，we’resimplymovingroundandroundasthoughwewereonapivot。\"
\"I’mafraidwe’reagroundamidships，\"saidXanthippe，gazingoverthesideoftheHouse—boatanxiously。\"Shecertainlyactsthatway——likeamerry—go—round。\"
\"Well，there’ssomethingwrong，\"saidMrs。Noah；\"andwe’vegottohurryandfindoutwhatitis，orthosemenwillbebackandweshallbeasbadlyoffasever。\"
\"Maybethishassomethingtodowithit，\"observedMrs。Lot，pointingtotheanchorrope。\"Itlookstomeasifthosehorridmenhadtiedusfast。\"
\"That’sjustwhatitis，\"snappedMrs。Noah。\"Theyguessedourplan，andhavefastenedustoapoleorsomething，butIimaginewecanuntieit。\"
Portia，whohadcomeondeck，gaveashortlittlelaugh。
\"Why，ofcoursewedon’tmove，\"shesaid——\"weareanchored!\"
\"What’sthat？\"queriedMrs。Noah。\"WeneverhadanexperiencelikethatontheArk。\"
Portiaexplainedthescienceoftheanchor。
\"Whatnonsense!\"ejaculatedMrs。Noah。\"Howcanwegetawayfromit？\"
\"We’vegottopullitup，\"saidPortia。\"Orderallhandsondeckandhaveitpulledup。\"
\"Itcan’tbedone，and，ifitcould，Iwouldn’thaveit!\"saidMrs。
Noah，indignantly。\"Theidea!Liftingheavypiecesofiron，mydearPortia，isnotawoman’swork。SendforDelilah，andlethercuttheropewithherscissors。\"
\"Itwouldtakeheraweektocutahawserlikethat，\"saidElizabeth，whohadbeeninvestigating。\"Itwouldbemoretothepurpose，I
think，tochopitintwowithanaxe。\"
\"Verywell，\"repliedMrs。Noah，satisfied。\"Idon’tcarehowitisdoneaslongasitisdonequickly。Itwouldneverdoforustoberecapturednow。\"
ThesuggestionofElizabethwascarriedout，andthequeenherselfcutthehawserwithsixwell—directedstrokesoftheaxe。
\"YouAREanexpertwithit，aren’tyou？\"smiledCleopatra。
\"Iam，indeed，\"repliedElizabeth，grimly。\"IhaditsuspendedovermyheadforsolongatimebeforeIgottothethronethatIcouldn’thelpfamiliarizingmyselfwithsomeofitspossibilities。\"
\"Ah!\"criedMrs。Noah，asthevesselbegantomove。\"Ibegintofeeleasier。Itlooksnowasifwewerereallyoff。\"
\"Itseemstome，though，\"saidCleopatra，gazingforward，\"thatwearegoingbackward。\"
\"Oh，well，whatifweare!\"saidMrs。Noah。\"WedidthatontheArkhalfthetime。Itdoesn’tmakeanydifferencewhichwaywearegoingaslongaswego，doesit？\"
\"Why，ofcourseitdoes!\"criedElizabeth。\"Whatcanyoubethinkingof？Peoplewhowalkbackwardareingreatdangerofrunningintootherpeople。Whynotthesamewithships？Itseemstome，it’saverydangerouspieceofbusiness，sailingbackward。\"
\"Oh，nonsense，\"snappedMrs。Noah。\"Youareastimidasazebra。
DuringtheFlood，wesaileddaysanddaysanddays，goingbackward。
Itdidn’tmakeaparticleofdifferencehowwewent——itwasassafeonewayasanother，andwegotjustasfarawayintheend。Ourmainobjectnowistogetawayfromthepirates，andthat’swhatwearedoing。Don’tgetemotional，Lizzie，andremember，too，thatIamincharge。IfIthinktheboatoughttogosideways，sidewayssheshallgo。Ifyoudon’tlikeit，itisstillnottoolatetoputyouashore。\"
ThethreatcalmedElizabethsomewhat，andshewassatisfied，andallwentwellwiththem，evenifPortiahadstartedthepropellerrevolvingreversefashion；sothattheHouse—boatwas，asElizabethhadsaid，backingherwaythroughtheocean。
Thedaypassed，andbyslowdegreestheislandandthemaroonedpiratesfadedfromview，andthenightcameon，andwithitadensefog。
\"We’regoingtohaveanastynight，Iamafraid，\"saidXanthippe，lookinganxiouslyoutoftheport。
\"Nodoubt，\"saidMrs。Noah，pleasantly。\"I’msorryforthosewhohavetobeoutinit。\"
\"That’swhatIwasthinkingabout，\"observedXanthippe。\"It’sgoingtobeveryhardonuskeepingwatch。\"
\"Watchforwhat？\"demandedMrs。Noah，lookingoverthetopsofherglassesatXanthippe。
\"Why，surelyyouaregoingtohavelookoutsstationedondeck？\"saidElizabeth。
\"Notatall，\"saidMrs。Noah。\"Perfectlyabsurd。WeneverdiditontheArk，anditisn’tnecessarynow。Iwantyoualltogotobedatteno’clock。Idon’tthinkthenightairisgoodforyou。Besides，itisn’tproperforawomantobeoutafterdark，whethershe’snewornot。\"
\"But，mydearMrs。Noah，\"expostulatedCleopatra，\"whatwillbecomeoftheship？\"
\"Iguessshe’llfloatthroughthenightwhetherweareondeckornot，\"saidthecommander。\"TheArkdid，whynotthis？Now，girls，thesenew—fangledyachtingnotionsareallnonsense。It’snight，andthere’safogasthickasastone—wallallaboutus。Iftherewereahundredofyouupondeckwithteneyesapiece，youcouldn’tseeanything。Youmightmuchbetterbeinbed。Asyourcaptain，chaperon，andgrandmother，Icommandyoutostaybelow。\"
\"But——whoistosteer？\"queriedXanthippe。
\"What’stheuseofsteeringuntilwecanseewheretosteerto？\"
demandedMrs。Noah。\"Icertainlydon’tintendtobotherwiththattilleruntilsomereasonfordoingitarises。Wehaven’tanyplacetosteertoyet；wedon’tknowwherewearegoing。Now，mydearchildren，bereasonable，anddon’tworryme。I’vehadaveryharddayofit，andIfeelmyresponsibilitieskeenly。Justletmemanage，andwe’llcomeoutallright。I’vehadmoreexperiencethananyofyou，andif——\"
Aterriblecrashinterruptedtheoldlady’sremarks。TheHouse—boatshiveredandshook，careenedwaytooneside，andasquicklyrightedandstoodstill。Amadrushupthegangwayfollowed，andinamomentahundredandeighty—threepale—faced，tremblingwomenstooduponthedeck，gazingwithhorroratagreathelplesshulktenfeettotherear，fastenedbybrokenropesandoddpiecesofriggingtothestern—postsoftheHouse—boat，sinkingslowlybutsurelyintothesea。
ItwastheGehenna!
TheHouse—boathadrunherdownandherlasthourhadcome，but，thankstothestanchnessofherbuildandwonderfulbeam，thefloatingclub—househadwithstoodtheshockoftheimpactandnowrodethewatersasgracefullyasever。
Portiawasthefirsttorealizetheextentofthecatastrophe，andinashortwhilechairsandlife—preserversandtables——everythingthatcouldfloat——hadbeentossedintotheseatothestrugglingimmortalstherein。OnboardtheGehenna，thosewhohadnotcastthemselvesintothewaters，underthecooldirectionofHolmesandBonaparte，calmlyloweredtheboats，andinashortwhilewerenotonlyabletofelicitatethemselvesupontheirsafety，buthadlikewisethegoodfortunetorescuetheirmoreimpetuousbrethrenwhohadpreferredtoswimforit。Ultimately，allwerebroughtaboardtheHouse—boatinsafety，andthemeninHadeswereoncemorereunitedtotheirwives，daughters，sisters，andfiancees，andElizabethhadthesatisfactionofoncemoresavingthelifeofRaleighbythrowinghimherruffasshehaddoneayearorsopreviously，whensheandherbrotherhadbeenupsetintheswiftcurrentoftheriverStyx。
Orderandhappinessbeingrestored，HolmestookcommandoftheHouse—
boatandsoonnavigatedhersafelybackintoherold—timeberth。TheGehennawenttothebottomandwasneverseenagain，andwhentherollwascalleditwasfoundthatallwhohadsetoutuponherhadreturnedinsafetysaveShylock，Kidd，SirHenryMorgan，andAbeuchapeta；buteventheywerenotlost，for，fiveweekslater，thesefourworthieswerefoundearlyonemorningdriftingslowlyuptheriverStyx，gazinganxiouslyoutfromthetopofawater—caskandyellinglustilyforhelp。
AndhereendeththechronicleofthepursuitofthegoodoldHouse—
boat。Backtohermoorings，theeventenorofherwayswasoncemoreresumed，butwithoneslightdifference。
Theladiesbecameeligibleformembership，and，availingthemselvesoftheprivilege，begantothinklessandlessoftheadvantagesofbeingmenandtorejoicethat，afterall，theywerewomen；andevenXanthippeandSocrates，afterthatnightofperil，reconciledtheirdifferences，andnolongerquarrelastowhichisthemoreentitledtowearthetogaofauthority。Ithasbecomeforthemadividedskirt。
AsforKiddandhisfellows，theyhaveneverrecoveredfromtheeffectsoftheirfearful，thoughshort，exileuponHolmesIsland，andarebutshadowsoftheirformershades；whereasMr。SherlockHolmeshassoendearedhimselftohisnew—foundfriendsthatheisquiteaspopularwiththemasheiswithus，whohaveyettocrossthedarkriverandbesubjectedtothescrutinyoftheCommitteeonMembershipattheHouse—boatontheStyx。
EvenHawkshawhasbeenabletodetecthisgenius。