WhatImeanttosay，simply，isthatthequarter-decktrainingdoesnotprepareonesufficientlyforthereceptionofliterarycriticism。Onlythat，andnomore。Butthisdefectisnotwithoutgravity。Ifitbepermissibletotwist，invert，adapt（andspoil）M。AnatoleFrance’sdefinitionofagoodcritic，thenletussaythatthegoodauthorishewhocontemplateswithoutmarkedjoyorexcessivesorrowtheadventuresofhissoulamongstcriticisms。Farbefrommetheintentiontomisleadanattentivepublicintothebeliefthatthereisnocriticismatsea。Thatwouldbedishonest，andevenimpolite。Everythingcanbefoundatsea，accordingtothespiritofyourquest——strife，peace，romance，naturalismofthemostpronouncedkind，ideals，boredom，disgust，inspiration——andeveryconceivableopportunity，includingtheopportunitytomakeafoolofyourself——exactlyasinthepursuitofliterature。Butthequarter-deckcriticismissomewhatdifferentfromliterarycriticism。Thismuchtheyhaveincommon，thatbeforetheoneandtheothertheansweringback，asageneralrule，doesnotpay。
Yes，youfindcriticismatsea，andevenappreciation——Itellyoueverythingistobefoundonsaltwater——criticismgenerallyimpromptu，andalwaysvivavoce，whichistheoutward，obviousdifferencefromtheliteraryoperationofthatkind，withconsequentfreshnessandvigourwhichmaybelackingintheprintedword。Withappreciation，whichcomesattheend，whenthecriticandthecriticisedareabouttopart，itisotherwise。
Theseaappreciationofone’shumbletalentshasthepermanencyofthewrittenword，seldomthecharmofvariety，isformalinitsphrasing。Theretheliterarymasterhasthesuperiority，thoughhe，too，canineffectbutsay——andoftensaysitintheveryphrase——\"Icanhighlyrecommend。\"Onlyusuallyheusestheword\"We，\"therebeingsomeoccultvirtueinthefirstpersonplural，whichmakesitspeciallyfitforcriticalandroyaldeclarations。Ihaveasmallhandfuloftheseseaappreciations，signedbyvariousmasters，yellowingslowlyinmywriting-table’sleft-handdrawer，rustlingundermyreverenttouch，likeahandfulofdryleavespluckedforatendermementofromthetreeofknowledge。Strange！Itseemsthatitisforthesefewbitsofpaper，headedbythenamesofafewshipsandsignedbythenamesofafewScotsandEnglishshipmasters，thatIhavefacedtheastonishedindignations，themockeriesandthereproachesofasorthardtobearforaboyoffifteen;thatIhavebeenchargedwiththewantofpatriotism，thewantofsense，andthewantofhearttoo;thatIwentthroughagoniesofself-conflictandshedsecrettearsnotafew，andhadthebeautiesoftheFurcaPassspoiledforme，andhavebeencalledan\"incorrigibleDonQuixote，\"inallusiontothebook-bornmadnessoftheknight。
Forthatspoil！Theyrustle，thosebitsofpaper——somedozenoftheminall。Inthatfaint，ghostlysoundtherelivethememoriesoftwentyyears，thevoicesofroughmennownomore，thestrongvoiceoftheeverlastingwinds，andthewhisperofamysteriousspell，themurmurofthegreatsea，whichmusthavesomehowreachedmyinlandcradleandenteredmyunconsciousear，likethatformulaofMohammedanfaiththeMussulmanfatherwhispersintotheearofhisnew-borninfant，makinghimoneofthefaithfulalmostwithhisfirstbreath。IdonotknowwhetherIhavebeenagoodseaman，butIknowIhavebeenaveryfaithfulone。Andafterallthereisthathandfulof\"characters\"fromvariousshipstoprovethatalltheseyearshavenotbeenaltogetheradream。Theretheyare，brief，andmonotonousintone，butassuggestivebitsofwritingtomeasanyinspiredpagetobefoundinliterature。Butthen，yousee，Ihavebeencalledromantic。Well，thatcan’tbehelped。Butstay。IseemtorememberthatIhavebeencalledarealistalso。Andasthatchargetoocanbemadeout，letustrytoliveuptoit，atwhatevercost，forachange。Withthisendinview，Iwillconfidetoyoucoyly，andonlybecausethereisnooneabouttoseemyblushesbythelightofthemidnightlamp，thatthesesuggestivebitsofquarter-deckappreciationoneandallcontainthewords\"strictlysober。\"
DidIoverhearacivilmurmur，\"That’sverygratifying，tobesure\"？Well，yes，itisgratifying——thankyou。Itisatleastasgratifyingtobecertifiedsoberastobecertifiedromantic，thoughsuchcertificateswouldnotqualifyoneforthesecretaryshipofatemperanceassociationorforthepostofofficialtroubadourtosomelordlydemocraticinstitutionsuchastheLondonCountyCouncil，forinstance。Theaboveprosaicreflectionisputdownhereonlyinordertoprovethegeneralsobrietyofmyjudgmentinmundaneaffairs。Imakeapointofitbecauseacoupleofyearsago，acertainshortstoryofminebeingpublishedinaFrenchtranslation，aParisiancritic——IamalmostcertainitwasM。GustaveKahninthe\"Gil-Blas\"——givingmeashortnotice，summeduphisrapidimpressionofthewriter’squalityinthewordsunpuissantreveur。Sobeit！Whowouldcavilatthewordsofafriendlyreader？Yetperhapsnotsuchanunconditionaldreamerasallthat。IwillmakeboldtosaythatneitheratseanorashorehaveIeverlostthesenseofresponsibility。Thereismorethanonesortofintoxication。
EvenbeforethemostseductivereveriesIhaveremainedmindfulofthatsobrietyofinteriorlife，thatasceticismofsentiment，inwhichalonethenakedformoftruth，suchasoneconceivesit，suchasonefeelsit，canberenderedwithoutshame。Itisbutamaudlinandindecentveritythatcomesoutthroughthestrengthofwine。Ihavetriedtobeasoberworkerallmylife——allmytwolives。Ididsofromtaste，nodoubt，havinganinstinctivehorroroflosingmysenseoffullself-possession，butalsofromartisticconviction。Yettherearesomanypitfallsoneachsideofthetruepaththat，havinggonesomeway，andfeelingalittlebatteredandweary，asamiddle-agedtravellerwillfromthemeredailydifficultiesofthemarch，IaskmyselfwhetherIhavekeptalways，alwaysfaithfultothatsobrietywhereinthereispower，andtruth，andpeace。
Astomysea-sobriety，thatisquiteproperlycertifiedunderthesign-manualofseveraltrustworthyshipmastersofsomestandingintheirtime。Iseemtohearyourpolitemurmurthat\"Surelythismighthavebeentakenforgranted。\"Well，no。Itmightnothavebeen。ThataugustacademicalbodytheMarineDepartmentoftheBoardofTradetakesnothingforgrantedinthegrantingofitslearneddegrees。ByitsregulationsissuedunderthefirstMerchantShippingAct，theverywordSOBERmustbewritten，orawholesackful，aton，amountainofthemostenthusiasticappreciationwillavailyounothing。Thedooroftheexaminationroomsshallremainclosedtoyourtearsandentreaties。ThemostfanaticaladvocateoftemperancecouldnotbemorepitilesslyfierceinhisrectitudethantheMarineDepartmentoftheBoardofTrade。AsIhavebeenfacetofaceatvarioustimeswithalltheexaminersofthePortofLondon，inmygeneration，therecanbenodoubtastotheforceandthecontinuityofmyabstemiousness。Threeofthemwereexaminersinseamanship，anditwasmyfatetobedeliveredintothehandsofeachofthematproperintervalsofseaservice。Thefirstofall，tall，spare，withaperfectlywhiteheadandmoustache，aquiet，kindlymanner，andanairofbenignintelligence，must，Iamforcedtoconclude，havebeenunfavourablyimpressedbysomethinginmyappearance。Hisoldthinhandslooselyclaspedrestingonhiscrossedlegs，hebeganbyanelementaryquestioninamildvoice，andwenton，wenton……Itlastedforhours，forhours。HadI
beenastrangemicrobewithpotentialitiesofdeadlymischieftotheMerchantServiceIcouldnothavebeensubmittedtoamoremicroscopicexamination。Greatlyreassuredbyhisapparentbenevolence，Ihadbeenatfirstveryalertinmyanswers。Butatlengththefeelingofmybraingettingaddledcreptuponme。
Andstillthepassionlessprocesswenton，withasenseofuntoldageshavingbeenspentalreadyonmerepreliminaries。ThenIgotfrightened。Iwasnotfrightenedofbeingplucked;thateventualitydidnotevenpresentitselftomymind。Itwassomethingmuchmoreserious，andweird。\"Thisancientperson，\"I
saidtomyself，terrified，\"issonearhisgravethathemusthavelostallnotionoftime。Heisconsideringthisexaminationintermsofeternity。Itisallverywellforhim。Hisraceisrun。ButImayfindmyselfcomingoutofthisroomintotheworldofmenastranger，friendless，forgottenbymyverylandlady，evenwereIableafterthisendlessexperiencetorememberthewaytomyhiredhome。\"Thisstatementisnotsomuchofaverbalexaggerationasmaybesupposed。SomeveryqueerthoughtspassedthroughmyheadwhileIwasconsideringmyanswers;thoughtswhichhadnothingtodowithseamanship，noryetwithanythingreasonableknowntothisearth。IverilybelievethatattimesIwaslightheadedinasortoflanguidway。
Atlasttherefellasilence，andthat，too，seemedtolastforages，while，bendingoverhisdesk，theexaminerwroteoutmypass-slipslowlywithanoiselesspen。Heextendedthescrapofpapertomewithoutaword，inclinedhiswhiteheadgravelytomypartingbow……
WhenIgotoutoftheroomIfeltlimplyflat，likeasqueezedlemon，andthedoor-keeperinhisglasscage，whereIstoppedtogetmyhatandtiphimashilling，said：
\"Well！Ithoughtyouwerenevercomingout。\"
\"HowlonghaveIbeeninthere？\"Iaskedfaintly。
Hepulledouthiswatch。
\"Hekeptyou，sir，justunderthreehours。Idon’tthinkthiseverhappenedwithanyofthegentlemenbefore。\"
ItwasonlywhenIgotoutofthebuildingthatIbegantowalkonair。Andthehumananimalbeingaversefromchangeandtimidbeforetheunknown，IsaidtomyselfthatIwouldnotmindreallybeingexaminedbythesamemanonafutureoccasion。Butwhenthetimeofordealcameroundagainthedoorkeeperletmeintoanotherroom，withthenowfamiliarparaphernaliaofmodelsofshipsandtackle，aboardforsignalsonthewall，abiglongtablecoveredwithofficialforms，andhavinganunriggedmastfixedtotheedge。Thesolitarytenantwasunknowntomebysight，thoughnotbyreputation，whichwassimplyexecrable。
ShortandsturdyasfarasIcouldjudge，cladinanold，brown，morning-suit，hesatleaningonhiselbow，hishandshadinghiseyes，andhalfavertedfromthechairIwastooccupyontheothersideofthetable。Hewasmotionless，mysterious，remote，enigmatical，withsomethingmournfultoointhepose，likethatstatueofGiuliano（Ithink）de’MedicishadinghisfaceonthetombbyMichaelAngelo，though，ofcourse，hewasfar，farfrombeingbeautiful。Hebeganbytryingtomakemetalknonsense。
ButIhadbeenwarnedofthatfiendishtrait，andcontradictedhimwithgreatassurance。Afterawhileheleftoff。Sofargood。Buthisimmobility，thethickelbowonthetable，theabrupt，unhappyvoice，theshadedandavertedfacegrewmoreandmoreimpressive。Hekeptinscrutablysilentforamoment，andthen，placingmeinashipofacertainsize，atsea，undercertainconditionsofweather，season，locality，&c。&c。——allveryclearandprecise——orderedmetoexecuteacertainmanoeuvre。BeforeIwashalfthroughwithithedidsomematerialdamagetotheship。DirectlyIhadgrappledwiththedifficultyhecausedanothertopresentitself，andwhenthattoowasmethestuckanothershipbeforeme，creatingaverydangeroussituation。Ifeltslightlyoutragedbythisingenuityinpilinguptroubleuponaman。
\"Iwouldn’thavegotintothatmess，\"Isuggestedmildly。\"I
couldhaveseenthatshipbefore。\"
Heneverstirredtheleastbit。
\"No，youcouldn’t。Theweather’sthick。\"
\"Oh！Ididn’tknow，\"Iapologisedblankly。
IsupposethatafterallImanagedtostaveoffthesmashwithsufficientapproachtoverisimilitude，andtheghastlybusinesswenton。Youmustunderstandthattheschemeofthetesthewasapplyingtomewas，Igathered，ahomewardpassage——thesortofpassageIwouldnotwishtomybitterestenemy。Thatimaginaryshipseemedtolabourunderamostcomprehensivecurse。It’snouseenlargingonthesenever-endingmisfortunes;sufficeittosaythatlongbeforetheendIwouldhavewelcomedwithgratitudeanopportunitytoexchangeintothe\"FlyingDutchman。\"FinallyheshovedmeintotheNorthSea（Isuppose）andprovidedmewithalee-shorewithoutlyingsandbanks——theDutchcoastpresumably。
Distance，eightmiles。Theevidenceofsuchimplacableanimositydeprivedmeofspeechforquitehalfaminute。
\"Well，\"hesaid——forourpacehadbeenverysmartindeedtillthen。
\"Iwillhavetothinkalittle，sir。\"
\"Doesn’tlookasifthereweremuchtimetothink，\"hemutteredsardonicallyfromunderhishand。
\"No，sir，\"Isaidwithsomewarmth。\"NotonboardashipIcouldsee。ButsomanyaccidentshavehappenedthatIreallycan’trememberwhatthere’sleftformetoworkwith。\"
Stillhalfaverted，andwithhiseyesconcealed，hemadeunexpectedlyagruntingremark。
\"You’vedoneverywell。\"
\"HaveIthetwoanchorsatthebow，sir？\"Iasked。
\"Yes。\"
Ipreparedmyselfthen，asalasthopefortheship，toletthembothgointhemosteffectualmanner，whenhisinfernalsystemoftestingresourcefulnesscameintoplayagain。
\"Butthere’sonlyonecable。You’velosttheother。\"
Itwasexasperating。
\"ThenIwouldbackthem，ifIcould，andtailtheheaviesthawseronboardontheendofthechainbeforelettinggo，andifshepartedfromthat，whichisquitelikely，Iwouldjustdonothing。
Shewouldhavetogo。\"
\"Nothingmoretodo，eh？\"
\"No，sir。Icoulddonomore。\"
Hegaveabitterhalf-laugh。
\"Youcouldalwayssayyourprayers。\"
Hegotup，stretchedhimself，andyawnedslightly。Itwasasallow，strong，unamiableface。Heputmeinasurly，boredfashionthroughtheusualquestionsastolightsandsignals，andIescapedfromtheroomthankfully——passed！Fortyminutes！AndagainIwalkedonairalongTowerHill，wheresomanygoodmenhadlosttheirheads，because，Isuppose，theywerenotresourcefulenoughtosavethem。AndinmyheartofheartsIhadnoobjectiontomeetingthatexamineroncemorewhenthethirdandlastordealbecamedueinanotheryearorso。IevenhopedI
should。Iknewtheworstofhimnow，andfortyminutesisnotanunreasonabletime。Yes，Idistinctlyhoped……
Butnotabitofit。WhenIpresentedmyselftobeexaminedforMastertheexaminerwhoreceivedmewasshort，plump，witharound，softfaceingrey，fluffywhiskers，andfresh，loquaciouslips。
Hecommencedoperationswithaneasy-going\"Let’ssee。H’m。
Supposeyoutellmeallyouknowofcharter-parties。\"Hekeptitupinthatstyleallthrough，wanderingoffintheshapeofcommentintobitsoutofhisownlife，thenpullinghimselfupshortandreturningtothebusinessinhand。Itwasveryinteresting。\"What’syourideaofajury-ruddernow？\"hequeriedsuddenly，attheendofaninstructiveanecdotebearinguponapointofstowage。
IwarnedhimthatIhadnoexperienceofalostrudderatsea，andgavehimtwoclassicalexamplesofmakeshiftsoutofatext-
book。Inexchangehedescribedtomeajury-rudderhehadinventedhimselfyearsbefore，whenincommandofa3000-tonsteamer。Itwas，Ideclare，thecleverestcontrivanceimaginable。\"Maybeofusetoyousomeday，\"heconcluded。\"Youwillgointosteampresently。Everybodygoesintosteam。\"
Therehewaswrong。Ineverwentintosteam——notreally。IfI
onlylivelongenoughIshallbecomeabizarrerelicofadeadbarbarism，asortofmonstrousantiquity，theonlyseamanofthedarkageswhohadnevergoneintosteam——notreally。
BeforetheexaminationwasoverheimpartedtomeafewinterestingdetailsofthetransportserviceinthetimeoftheCrimeanWar。
\"Theuseofwireriggingbecamegeneralaboutthattimetoo，\"heobserved。\"Iwasaveryyoungmasterthen。Thatwasbeforeyouwereborn。\"
\"Yes，sir。Iamoftheyear1857。\"
\"TheMutinyyear，\"hecommented，asiftohimself，addinginaloudertonethathisshiphappenedthentobeintheGulfofBengal，employedunderaGovernmentcharter。
Clearlythetransportservicehadbeenthemakingofthisexaminer，whosounexpectedlyhadgivenmeaninsightintohisexistence，awakeninginmethesenseofthecontinuityofthatsea-lifeintowhichIhadsteppedfromoutside;givingatouchofhumanintimacytothemachineryofofficialrelations。Ifeltadopted。Hisexperiencewasforme，too，asthoughhehadbeenanancestor。
Writingmylongname（ithastwelveletters）withlaboriouscareontheslipofbluepaper，heremarked：
\"YouareofPolishextraction。\"
\"Bornthere，sir。\"
Helaiddownthepenandleanedbacktolookatmeasitwereforthefirsttime。
\"Notmanyofyournationalityinourservice，Ishouldthink。I
neverremembermeetingoneeitherbeforeorafterIleftthesea。
Don’tremembereverhearingofone。Aninlandpeople，aren’tyou？\"
Isaidyes——verymuchso。Wewereremotefromtheseanotonlybysituation，butalsofromacompleteabsenceofindirectassociation，notbeingacommercialnationatall，butpurelyagricultural。Hemadethenthequaintreflectionthatitwas\"alongwayformetocomeouttobeginasea-life\";asifsea-lifewerenotpreciselyalifeinwhichonegoesalongwayfromhome。
Itoldhim，smiling，thatnodoubtIcouldhavefoundashipmuchnearermynativeplace，butIhadthoughttomyselfthatifIwastobeaseamanthenIwouldbeaBritishseamanandnoother。Itwasamatterofdeliberatechoice。
Henoddedslightlyatthat;andashekeptonlookingatmeinterrogatively，Ienlargedalittle，confessingthatIhadspentalittletimeonthewayintheMediterraneanandintheWestIndies。IdidnotwanttopresentmyselftotheBritishMerchantServiceinanaltogethergreenstate。Itwasnousetellinghimthatmymysteriousvocationwassostrongthatmyverywildoatshadtobesownatsea。Itwastheexacttruth，buthewouldnothaveunderstoodthesomewhatexceptionalpsychologyofmysea-
going，Ifear。
\"Isupposeyou’venevercomeacrossoneofyourcountrymenatsea。Haveyounow？\"
IadmittedIneverhad。Theexaminerhadgivenhimselfuptothespiritofgossipingidleness。Formyself，Iwasinnohastetoleavethatroom。Notintheleast。Theeraofexaminationswasover。Iwouldneveragainseethatfriendlymanwhowasaprofessionalancestor，asortofgrandfatherinthecraft。
Moreover，Ihadtowaittillhedismissedme，andofthattherewasnosign。Asheremainedsilent，lookingatme，Iadded：
\"ButIhaveheardofone，someyearsago。HeseemstohavebeenaboyservinghistimeonboardaLiverpoolship，ifIamnotmistaken。\"
\"Whatwashisname？\"
Itoldhim。
\"Howdidyousaythat？\"heasked，puckeringuphiseyesattheuncouthsound。
Irepeatedthenameverydistinctly。
\"Howdoyouspellit？\"
Itoldhim。Hemovedhisheadattheimpracticablenatureofthatname，andobserved：
\"It’squiteaslongasyourown——isn’tit？\"
Therewasnohurry。IhadpassedforMaster，andIhadalltherestofmylifebeforemetomakethebestofit。Thatseemedalongtime。Iwentleisurelythroughasmallmentalcalculation，andsaid：
\"Notquite。Shorterbytwoletters，sir。\"
\"Isit？\"Theexaminerpushedthesignedblueslipacrossthetabletome，androsefromhischair。Somehowthisseemedaveryabruptendingofourrelations，andIfeltalmostsorrytopartfromthatexcellentman，whowasmasterofashipbeforethewhisperoftheseahadreachedmycradle。Heofferedmehishandandwishedmewell。Heevenmadeafewstepstowardsthedoorwithme，andendedwithgood-naturedadvice。
\"Idon’tknowwhatmaybeyourplansbutyououghttogointosteam。Whenamanhasgothismaster’scertificateit’sthepropertime。IfIwereyouIwouldgointosteam。\"
Ithankedhim，andshutthedoorbehindmedefinitelyontheeraofexaminations。ButthattimeIdidnotwalkonair，asonthefirsttwooccasions。IwalkedacrosstheHillofmanybeheadingswithmeasuredsteps。Itwasafact，Isaidtomyself，thatIwasnowaBritishmastermarinerbeyondadoubt。ItwasnotthatI
hadanexaggeratedsenseofthatverymodestachievement，withwhich，however，luck，opportunity，oranyextraneousinfluencecouldhavehadnothingtodo。Thatfact，satisfactoryandobscureinitself，hadformeacertainidealsignificance。Itwasananswertocertainoutspokenscepticism，andeventosomenotverykindaspersions。Ihadvindicatedmyselffromwhathadbeencrieduponasastupidobstinacyorafantasticcaprice。I
don’tmeantosaythatawholecountryhadbeenconvulsedbymydesiretogotosea。Butforaboybetweenfifteenandsixteen，sensitiveenough，inallconscience，thecommotionofhislittleworldhadseemedaveryconsiderablethingindeed。Soconsiderablethat，absurdlyenough，theechoesofitlingertothisday。Icatchmyselfinhoursofsolitudeandretrospectmeetingargumentsandchargesmadethirty-fiveyearsagobyvoicesnowforeverstill;findingthingstosaythatanassailedboycouldnothavefound，simplybecauseofthemysteriousnessofhisimpulsestohimself。Iunderstoodnomorethanthepeoplewhocalleduponmetoexplainmyself。Therewasnoprecedent。I
verilybelieveminewastheonlycaseofaboyofmynationalityandantecedentstakinga，sotospeak，standingjumpoutofhisracialsurroundingsandassociations。Foryoumustunderstandthattherewasnoideaofanysortof\"career\"inmycall。OfRussiaorGermanytherecouldbenoquestion。Thenationality，theantecedents，madeitimpossible。ThefeelingagainsttheAustrianservicewasnotsostrong，andIdaresaytherewouldhavebeennodifficultyinfindingmywayintotheNavalSchoolatPola。Itwouldhavemeantsixmonths’extragrindingatGerman，perhaps，butIwasnotpasttheageofadmission，andinotherrespectsIwaswellqualified。Thisexpedienttopalliatemyfollywasthoughtof——butnotbyme。Imustadmitthatinthatrespectmynegativewasacceptedatonce。Thatorderoffeelingwascomprehensibleenoughtothemostinimicalofmycritics。Iwasnotcalledupontoofferexplanations;thetruthisthatwhatIhadinviewwasnotanavalcareer，butthesea。
ThereseemednowayopentoitbutthroughFrance。Ihadthelanguageatanyrate，andofallthecountriesinEuropeitiswithFrancethatPolandhasmostconnection。Thereweresomefacilitiesforhavingmealittlelookedafter，atfirst。
Letterswerebeingwritten，answerswerebeingreceived，arrangementswerebeingmadeformydepartureforMarseilles，whereanexcellentfellowcalledSolary，gotatinaroundaboutfashionthroughvariousFrenchchannels，hadpromisedgood-
naturedlytoputlejeunehommeinthewayofgettingadecentshipforhisfirststartifhereallywantedatasteofcemetierdechien。
Iwatchedallthesepreparationsgratefully，andkeptmyowncounsel。ButwhatItoldthelastofmyexaminerswasperfectlytrue。Alreadythedeterminedresolve，that\"ifaseaman，thenanEnglishseaman，\"wasformulatedinmyheadthough，ofcourse，inthePolishlanguage。IdidnotknowsixwordsofEnglish，andI
wasastuteenoughtounderstandthatitwasmuchbettertosaynothingofmypurpose。AsitwasIwasalreadylookeduponaspartlyinsane，atleastbythemoredistantacquaintances。Theprincipalthingwastogetaway。Iputmytrustinthegood-
naturedSolary’sverycivillettertomyuncle，thoughIwasshockedalittlebythephraseaboutthemetierdechien。
ThisSolary（Baptistin），whenIbeheldhimintheflesh，turnedoutaquiteyoungman，verygood-looking，withafineblack，shortbeard，afreshcomplexion，andsoft，merryblackeyes。Hewasasjovialandgood-naturedasanyboycoulddesire。Iwasstillasleepinmyroominamodesthotelnearthequaysoftheoldport，afterthefatiguesofthejourneyviaVienna，Zurich，Lyons，whenheburstinflingingtheshuttersopentothesunofProvenceandchidingmeboisterouslyforlyingabed。Howpleasantlyhestartledmebyhisnoisyobjurgationstobeupandoffinstantlyfora\"threeyears’campaignintheSouthSeas。\"O
magicwords！Unecampagnedetroisansdanslesmersdusud\"——
thatistheFrenchforathreeyears’deep-watervoyage。
Hegavemeadelightfulwaking，andhisfriendlinesswasunwearied;butIfearhedidnotenteruponthequestforashipformeinaverysolemnspirit。Hehadbeenatseahimself，buthadleftoffattheageoftwenty-five，findinghecouldearnhislivingonshoreinamuchmoreagreeablemanner。HewasrelatedtoanincrediblenumberofMarseilleswell-to-dofamiliesofacertainclass。Oneofhisuncleswasaship-brokerofgoodstanding，withalargeconnectionamongstEnglishships;otherrelativesofhisdealtinships’stores，ownedsail-lofts，soldchainsandanchors，weremaster-stevedores，caulkers，shipwrights。Hisgrandfather（Ithink）wasadignitaryofakind，theSyndicofthePilots。Imadeacquaintancesamongstthesepeople，butmainlyamongstthepilots。TheveryfirstwholedayIeverspentonsaltwaterwasbyinvitation，inabighalf-deckedpilot-boat，cruisingunderclosereefsonthelook-
out，inmisty，blowingweather，forthesailsofshipsandthesmokeofsteamersrisingoutthere，beyondtheslimandtallPlanierlighthousecuttingthelineofthewind-swepthorizonwithawhiteperpendicularstroke。Theywerehospitablesouls，thesesturdyProvencalseamen。UnderthegeneraldesignationoflepetitamideBaptistinIwasmadetheguestoftheCorporationofPilots，andhadthefreedomoftheirboatsnightorday。AndmanyadayandanighttoodidIspendcruisingwiththeserough，kindlymen，underwhoseauspicesmyintimacywiththeseabegan。
Manyatime\"thelittlefriendofBaptistin\"hadthehoodedcloakoftheMediterraneansailorthrownoverhimbytheirhonesthandswhiledodgingatnightundertheleeofChateaud’Ifonthewatchforthelightsofships。Theirsea-tannedfaces，whiskeredorshaved，leanorfull，withtheintentwrinkledsea-eyesofthepilot-breed，andhereandthereathingoldhoopatthelobeofahairyear，bentovermysea-infancy。ThefirstoperationofseamanshipIhadanopportunityofobservingwastheboardingofshipsatsea，atalltimes，inallstatesoftheweather。Theygaveittometothefull。AndIhavebeeninvitedtositinmorethanonetall，darkhouseoftheoldtownattheirhospitableboard，hadthebouillabaisseladledoutintoathickplatebytheirhigh-voiced，broad-browedwives，talkedtotheirdaughters——thick-setgirls，withpureprofiles，gloriousmassesofblackhairarrangedwithcomplicatedart，darkeyes，anddazzlinglywhiteteeth。
Ihadalsootheracquaintancesofquiteadifferentsort。Oneofthem，MadameDelestang，animperious，handsomeladyinastatuesquestyle，wouldcarrymeoffnowandthenonthefrontseatofhercarriagetothePrado，atthehouroffashionableairing。Shebelongedtooneoftheoldaristocraticfamiliesinthesouth。InherhaughtywearinesssheusedtomakemethinkofLadyDedlockinDickens’s\"BleakHouse，\"aworkofthemasterforwhichIhavesuchanadmiration，orrathersuchanintenseandunreasoningaffection，datingfromthedaysofmychildhood，thatitsveryweaknessesaremoreprecioustomethanthestrengthofothermen’swork。Ihavereaditinnumerabletimes，bothinPolishandinEnglish;Ihavereaditonlytheotherday，and，byanotverysurprisinginversion，theLadyDedlockofthebookremindedmestronglyofthebelleMadameDelestang。
Herhusband（asIsatfacingthemboth），withhisthinbonynose，andaperfectlybloodless，narrowphysiognomyclampedtogetherasitwerebyshortformalside-whiskers，hadnothingofSirLeicesterDedlock’s\"grandair\"andcourtlysolemnity。Hebelongedtothehautebourgeoisieonly，andwasabanker，withwhomamodestcredithadbeenopenedformyneeds。Hewassuchanardent——no，suchafrozen-up，mummifiedRoyalistthatheusedincurrentconversationturnsofspeechcontemporary，Ishouldsay，withthegoodHenriQuatre;andwhentalkingofmoneymattersreckonednotinfrancs，likethecommon，godlessherdofpost-
RevolutionaryFrenchmen，butinobsoleteandforgottenecus——ecusofallmoneyunitsintheworld！——asthoughLouisQuatorzewerestillpromenadinginroyalsplendourthegardensofVersailles，andMonsieurdeColbertbusywiththedirectionofmaritimeaffairs。Youmustadmitthatinabankerofthenineteenthcenturyitwasaquaintidiosyncrasy。Luckilyinthecounting-
house（itoccupiedpartofthegroundflooroftheDelestangtownresidence，inasilent，shadystreet）theaccountswerekeptinmodernmoney，sothatIneverhadanydifficultyinmakingmywantsknowntothegrave，low-voiced，decorous，Legitimist（I
suppose）clerks，sittingintheperpetualgloomofheavilybarredwindowsbehindthesombre，ancientcounters，beneathloftyceilingswithheavilymouldedcornices。IalwaysfeltongoingoutasthoughIhadbeeninthetempleofsomeverydignifiedbutcompletelytemporalreligion。AnditwasgenerallyontheseoccasionsthatunderthegreatcarriagegatewayLadyDed——ImeanMadameDelestang，catchingsightofmyraisedhat，wouldbeckonmewithanamiableimperiousnesstothesideofthecarriage，andsuggestwithanairofamusednonchalance，\"Venezdoncfaireuntouravecnous，\"towhichthehusbandwouldaddanencouraging\"C’estca。Allons，montez，jeunehomme。\"Hequestionedmesometimes，significantlybutwithperfecttactanddelicacy，astothewayIemployedmytime，andneverfailedtoexpressthehopethatIwroteregularlytomy\"honoureduncle。\"ImadenosecretofthewayIemployedmytime，andIratherfancythatmyartlesstalesofthepilotsandsoonentertainedMadameDelestang，sofarasthatineffablewomancouldbeentertainedbytheprattleofayoungsterveryfullofhisnewexperienceamongststrangemenandstrangesensations。Sheexpressednoopinions，andtalkedtomeverylittle;yetherportraithangsinthegalleryofmyintimatememories，fixedtherebyashortandfleetingepisode。Oneday，afterputtingmedownatthecornerofastreet，sheofferedmeherhand，anddetainedmebyaslightpressure，foramoment。Whilethehusbandsatmotionlessandlookingstraightbeforehim，sheleanedforwardinthecarriagetosay，withjustashadeofwarninginherleisurelytone：\"Ilfaut，cependant，faireattentionanepasgatersavie。\"Ihadneverseenherfacesoclosetominebefore。Shemademyheartbeat，andcausedmetoremainthoughtfulforawholeevening。
Certainlyonemust，afterall，takecarenottospoilone’slife。
Butshedidnotknow——nobodycouldknow——howimpossiblethatdangerseemedtome。
ChapterVII。
Canthetransportsoffirstlovebecalmed，checked，turnedtoacoldsuspicionofthefuturebyagravequotationfromaworkonPoliticalEconomy？Iask——isitconceivable？Isitpossible？
Woulditberight？Withmyfeetontheveryshoresoftheseaandabouttoembracemyblue-eyeddream，whatcouldagood-
naturedwarningastospoilingone’slifemeantomyyouthfulpassion？ItwasthemostunexpectedandthelasttooofthemanywarningsIhadreceived。Itsoundedtomeverybizarre——and，utteredasitwasintheverypresenceofmyenchantress，likethevoiceoffolly，thevoiceofignorance。ButIwasnotsocallousorsostupidasnottorecognisetherealsothevoiceofkindness。Andthenthevaguenessofthewarning——becausewhatcanbethemeaningofthephrase：tospoilone’slife？——arrestedone’sattentionbyitsairofwiseprofundity。Atanyrate，asI
havesaidbefore，thewordsoflabelleMadameDelestangmademethoughtfulforawholeevening。Itriedtounderstandandtriedinvain，nothavinganynotionoflifeasanenterprisethatcouldbemismanaged。ButIleftoffbeingthoughtfulshortlybeforemidnight，atwhichhour，hauntedbynoghostsofthepastandbynovisionsofthefuture，IwalkeddownthequayoftheVieuxPorttojointhepilot-boatofmyfriends。Iknewwhereshewouldbewaitingforhercrew，inthelittlebitofacanalbehindtheFortattheentranceoftheharbour。Thedesertedquayslookedverywhiteanddryinthemoonlightandasiffrost-
boundinthesharpairofthatDecembernight。Aprowlerortwoslunkbynoiselessly;acustom-houseguard，soldier-like，aswordbyhisside，pacedcloseunderthebowspritsofthelongrowofshipsmooredbowsonoppositethelong，slightlycurved，continuousflatwallofthetallhousesthatseemedtobeoneimmenseabandonedbuildingwithinnumerablewindowsshutteredclosely。Onlyhereandthereasmalldingycafeforsailorscastayellowgleamonthebluishsheenoftheflagstones。Passingby，oneheardadeepmurmurofvoicesinside——nothingmore。HowquieteverythingwasattheendofthequaysonthelastnightonwhichIwentoutforaservicecruiseasaguestoftheMarseillespilots！Notafootstep，exceptmyown，notasigh，notawhisperingechooftheusualrevelrygoingoninthenarrowunspeakablelanesoftheOldTownreachedmyear——andsuddenly，withaterrificjinglingrattleofironandglass，theomnibusoftheJollietteonitslastjourneyswungroundthecornerofthedeadwallwhichfacesacrossthepavedroadthecharacteristicangularmassoftheFortSt。Jean。Threehorsestrottedabreastwiththeclatterofhoofsonthegranitesetts，andtheyellow，uproariousmachinejoltedviolentlybehindthem，fantastic，lightedup，perfectlyemptyandwiththedriverapparentlyasleeponhisswayingperchabovethatamazingracket。Iflattenedmyselfagainstthewallandgasped。Itwasastunningexperience。ThenafterstaggeringonafewpacesintheshadowoftheFortcastingadarknessmoreintensethanthatofacloudednightuponthecanal，Isawthetinylightofalanternstandingonthequay，andbecameawareofmuffledfiguresmakingtowardsitfromvariousdirections。PilotsoftheThirdCompanyhasteningtoembark。Toosleepytobetalkativetheysteponboardinsilence。Butafewlowgruntsandanenormousyawnareheard。Somebodyevenejaculates：\"Ah！Coquindesort！\"andsighswearilyathishardfate。
ThepatronoftheThirdCompany（therewerefivecompaniesofpilotsatthattime，Ibelieve）isthebrother-in-lawofmyfriendSolary（Baptistin），abroad-shouldered，deep-chestedmanofforty，withakeen，frankglancewhichalwaysseeksyoureyes。
Hegreetsmebyalow，hearty，\"He，l’ami。Commentva？\"Withhisclippedmoustacheandmassiveopenface，energeticandatthesametimeplacidinexpression，heisafinespecimenofthesouthernerofthecalmtype。Forthereissuchatypeinwhichthevolatilesouthernpassionistransmutedintosolidforce。Heisfair，butnoonecouldmistakehimforamanofthenorthevenbythedimgleamofthelanternstandingonthequay。HeisworthadozenofyourordinaryNormansorBretons，butthen，inthewholeimmensesweepoftheMediterraneanshores，youcouldnotfindhalfadozenmenofhisstamp。
Standingbythetiller，hepullsouthiswatchfromunderathickjacketandbendshisheadoveritinthelightcastintotheboat。Time’sup。Hispleasantvoicecommandsinaquietundertone\"Larguez。\"Asuddenlyprojectedarmsnatchesthelanternoffthequay——and，warpedalongbyalineatfirst，thenwiththeregulartugoffourheavysweepsinthebow，thebighalf-deckedboatfullofmenglidesoutoftheblackbreathlessshadowoftheFort。Theopenwateroftheavant-portglittersunderthemoonasifsownoverwithmillionsofsequins，andthelongwhitebreakwatershineslikeathickbarofsolidsilver。
Withaquickrattleofblocksandonesinglesilkyswish，thesailisfilledbyalittlebreezekeenenoughtohavecomestraightdownfromthefrozenmoon，andtheboat，aftertheclatterofthehauled-insweeps，seemstostandatrest，surroundedbyamysteriouswhisperingsofaintandunearthlythatitmaybetherustlingofthebrilliant，over-poweringmoonraysbreakinglikearain-showeruponthehard，smooth，shadowlesssea。
ImaywellrememberthatlastnightspentwiththepilotsoftheThirdCompany。Ihaveknownthespellofmoonlightsince，onvariousseasandcoasts——coastsofforests，ofrocks，ofsanddunes——butnomagicsoperfectinitsrevelationofunsuspectedcharacter，asthoughonewereallowedtolookuponthemysticnatureofmaterialthings。ForhoursIsupposenowordwasspokeninthatboat。Thepilotsseatedintworowsfacingeachotherdozedwiththeirarmsfoldedandtheirchinsrestingupontheirbreasts。Theydisplayedagreatvarietyofcaps：cloth，wool，leather，peaks，ear-flaps，tassels，withapicturesqueroundberetortwopulleddownoverthebrows;andonegrandfather，withashaved，bonyfaceandagreatbeakofanose，hadacloakwithahoodwhichmadehimlookinourmidstlikeacowledmonkbeingcarriedoffgoodnessknowswherebythatsilentcompanyofseamen——quietenoughtobedead。
Myfingersitchedforthetillerandinduecoursemyfriend，thepatron，surrenderedittomeinthesamespiritinwhichthefamilycoachmanletsaboyholdthereinsonaneasybitofroad。
Therewasagreatsolitudearoundus;theisletsahead，MonteCristoandtheChateaud’Ifinfulllight，seemedtofloattowardsus——sosteady，soimperceptiblewastheprogressofourboat。\"Keepherinthefurrowofthemoon，\"thepatrondirectedmeinaquietmurmur，sittingdownponderouslyinthestern-
sheetsandreachingforhispipe。
Thepilotstationinweatherlikethiswasonlyamileortwotothewestwardoftheislets;andpresently，asweapproachedthespot，theboatweweregoingtorelieveswamintoourviewsuddenly，onherwayhome，cuttingblackandsinisterintothewakeofthemoonunderasablewing，whiletothemoursailmusthavebeenavisionofwhiteanddazzlingradiance。Withoutalteringthecourseahair’s-breadthweslippedbyeachotherwithinanoar’s-length。Adrawlingsardonichailcameoutofher。Instantly，asifbymagic，ourdozingpilotsgotontheirfeetinabody。Anincrediblebabelofbanteringshoutsburstout，ajocular，passionate，volublechatter，whichlastedtilltheboatsweresterntostern，theirsallbrightnowandwithashiningsailtooureyes，weturnedallblacktotheirvision，anddrawingawayfromthemunderasablewing。Thatextraordinaryuproardiedawayalmostassuddenlyasithadbegun;firstonehadenoughofitandsatdown，thenanother，thenthreeorfourtogether，andwhenallhadleftoffwithmuttersandgrowlinghalf-laughsthesoundofheartychucklingbecameaudible，persistent，unnoticed。Thecowledgrandfatherwasverymuchentertainedsomewherewithinhishood。
Hehadnotjoinedintheshoutingofjokes，neitherhadhemovedtheleastbit。Hehadremainedquietlyinhisplaceagainstthefootofthemast。Ihadbeengiventounderstandlongbeforethathehadtheratingofasecond-classableseaman（matelotleger）inthefleetwhichsailedfromToulonfortheconquestofAlgeriaintheyearofgrace1830。And，indeed，Ihadseenandexaminedoneofthebuttonsofhisoldbrownpatchedcoat，theonlybrassbuttonofthemiscellaneouslot，flatandthin，withthewordsEquipagesdeligneengravedonit。Thatsortofbutton，Ibelieve，wentoutwiththelastoftheFrenchBourbons。
\"IpreserveditfromthetimeofmyNavyService，\"heexplained，noddingrapidlyhisfrail，vulture-likehead。Itwasnotverylikelythathehadpickedupthatrelicinthestreet。HelookedcertainlyoldenoughtohavefoughtatTrafalgar——oratanyratetohaveplayedhislittlepartthereasapowder-monkey。ShortlyafterwehadbeenintroducedhehadinformedmeinaFranco-
Provencaljargon，mumblingtremulouslywithhistoothlessjaws，thatwhenhewasa\"shavernohigherthanthat\"hehadseentheEmperorNapoleonreturningfromElba。Itwasatnight，henarratedvaguely，withoutanimation，ataspotbetweenFrejusandAntibesintheopencountry。Abigfirehadbeenlitatthesideofthecross-roads。Thepopulationfromseveralvillageshadcollectedthere，oldandyoung——downtotheverychildreninarms，becausethewomenhadrefusedtostayathome。Tallsoldierswearinghigh，hairycaps，stoodinacirclefacingthepeoplesilently，andtheirsterneyesandbigmoustacheswereenoughtomakeeverybodykeepatadistance。He，\"beinganimpudentlittleshaver，\"wriggledoutofthecrowd，creepingonhishandsandkneesasnearashedaredtothegrenadiers’legs，andpeepingthroughdiscoveredstandingperfectlystillinthelightofthefire\"alittlefatfellowinathree-corneredhat，buttonedupinalongstraightcoat，withabigpaleface，inclinedononeshoulder，lookingsomethinglikeapriest。Hishandswereclaspedbehindhisback……ItappearsthatthiswastheEmperor，\"theAncientcommentedwithafaintsigh。Hewasstaringfromthegroundwithallhismight，when\"mypoorfather，\"whohadbeensearchingforhisboyfranticallyeverywhere，pounceduponhimandhauledhimawaybytheear。
Thetaleseemsanauthenticrecollection。Herelatedittomemanytimes，usingtheverysamewords。Thegrandfatherhonouredmebyaspecialandsomewhatembarrassingpredilection。Extremestouch。HewastheoldestmemberbyalongwayinthatCompany，andIwas，ifImaysayso，itstemporarilyadoptedbaby。Hehadbeenapilotlongerthananymanintheboatcouldremember;
thirty——fortyyears。Hedidnotseemcertainhimself，butitcouldbefoundout，hesuggested，inthearchivesofthePilot-
office。Hehadbeenpensionedoffyearsbefore，buthewentoutfromforceofhabit;and，asmyfriendthepatronoftheCompanyonceconfidedtomeinawhisper，\"theoldchapdidnoharm。Hewasnotintheway。\"Theytreatedhimwithroughdeference。Oneandanotherwouldaddresssomeinsignificantremarktohimnowandagain，butnobodyreallytookanynoticeofwhathehadtosay。Hehadsurvivedhisstrength，hisusefulness，hisverywisdom。Heworelong，green，worstedstockings，pulledupabovethekneeoverhistrousers，asortofwoollennightcaponhishairlesscranium，andwoodenclogsonhisfeet。Withouthishoodedcloakhelookedlikeapeasant。Halfadozenhandswouldbeextendedtohelphimonboard，butafterwardshewasleftprettymuchtohisownthoughts。Ofcourseheneverdidanywork，except，perhaps，tocastoffsomeropewhenhailed：\"He，l’Ancien！letgothehalyardsthere，atyourhand\"——orsomesuchrequestofaneasykind。
Noonetooknoticeinanywayofthechucklingwithintheshadowofthehood。Hekeptitupforalongtimewithintenseenjoyment。Obviouslyhehadpreservedintacttheinnocenceofmindwhichiseasilyamused。Butwhenhishilarityhadexhausteditself，hemadeaprofessionalremarkinaself-assertivebutquaveringvoice：
\"Can’texpectmuchworkonanightlikethis。\"
Noonetookitup。Itwasameretruism。Nothingundercanvascouldbeexpectedtomakeaportonsuchanidlenightofdreamysplendourandspiritualstillness。Wewouldhavetoglideidlytoandfro，keepingourstationwithintheappointedbearings，and，unlessafreshbreezesprangupwiththedawn，wewouldlandbeforesunriseonasmallisletthat，withintwomilesofus，shonelikealumpoffrozenmoonlight，to\"breakacrustandtakeapullatthewinebottle。\"Iwasfamiliarwiththeprocedure。
Thestoutboatemptiedofhercrowdwouldnestleherbuoyant，capablesideagainsttheveryrock——suchistheperfectlysmoothamenityoftheclassicseawheninagentlemood。Thecrustbroken，andthemouthfulofwineswallowed——itwasliterallynomorethanthatwiththisabstemiousrace——thepilotswouldpassthetimestampingtheirfeetontheslabsofsea-saltedstoneandblowingintotheirnippedfingers。Oneortwomisanthropistswouldsitapartperchedonboulderslikeman-likesea-fowlofsolitaryhabits;thesociablydisposedwouldgossipscandalouslyinlittlegesticulatingknots;andtherewouldbeperpetuallyoneoranotherofmyhoststakingaimattheemptyhorizonwiththelong，brasstubeofthetelescope，aheavy，murderous-lookingpieceofcollectiveproperty，everlastinglychanginghandswithbrandishingandlevellingmovements。Thenaboutnoon（itwasashortturnofduty——thelongturnlastedtwenty-fourhours）
anotherboatfulofpilotswouldrelieveus——andweshouldsteerfortheoldPhoenicianport，dominated，watchedoverfromtheridgeofadust-greyaridhillbythered-and-white-stripedpileoftheNotreDamedelaGarde。
AllthiscametopassasIhadforeseeninthefullnessofmyveryrecentexperience。Butalsosomethingnotforeseenbymedidhappen，somethingwhichcausesmetoremembermylastoutingwiththepilots。Itwasonthisoccasionthatmyhandtouched，forthefirsttime，thesideofanEnglishship。
Nofreshbreezehadcomewiththedawn，onlythesteadylittledraughtgotamorekeenedgeonitastheeasternskybecamebrightandglassywithaclean，colourlesslight。Itwaswhilewewereallashoreontheisletthatasteamerwaspickedupbythetelescope，ablackspecklikeaninsectposedonthehardedgeoftheoffing。Sheemergedrapidlytoherwater-lineandcameonsteadily，aslimhullwithalongstreakofsmokeslantingawayfromtherisingsun。Weembarkedinahurry，andheadedtheboatoutforourprey，butwehardlymovedthreemilesanhour。
Shewasabig，high-classcargo-steamerofatypethatistobemetontheseanomore，blackhull，withlow，whitesuper-
structures，powerfullyriggedwiththreemastsandalotofyardsonthefore;twohandsatherenormouswheel——steamsteering-gearwasnotamatterofcourseinthesedays——andwiththemonthebridgethreeothers，bulkyinthickbluejackets，ruddy-faced，muffledup，withpeakedcaps——Isupposeallherofficers。ThereareshipsIhavemetmorethanonceandknownwellbysightwhosenamesIhaveforgotten;butthenameofthatshipseenoncesomanyyearsagointheclearflushofacoldpalesunriseIhavenotforgotten。HowcouldI——thefirstEnglishshiponwhosesideIeverlaidmyhand！Thename——Ireaditletterbyletteronthebow——was\"JamesWestoll。\"Notveryromanticyouwillsay。Thenameofaveryconsiderable，well-knownanduniversallyrespectedNorth-countryshipowner，Ibelieve。JamesWestoll！Whatbetternamecouldanhonourablehard-workingshiphave？TometheverygroupingofthelettersisalivewiththeromanticfeelingofherrealityasIsawherfloatingmotionless，andborrowinganidealgracefromtheausterepurityofthelight。
Wewerethenverynearherand，onasuddenimpulse，I
volunteeredtopullbowinthedinghywhichshovedoffatoncetoputthepilotonboardwhileourboat，fannedbythefaintairwhichhadattendedusallthroughthenight，wentonglidinggentlypasttheblackglisteninglengthoftheship。Afewstrokesbroughtusalongside，anditwasthenthat，fortheveryfirsttimeinmylife，IheardmyselfaddressedinEnglish——thespeechofmysecretchoice，ofmyfuture，oflongfriendships，ofthedeepestaffections，ofhoursoftoilandhoursofease，andofsolitaryhourstoo，ofbooksread，ofthoughtspursued，ofrememberedemotions——ofmyverydreams！Andif（afterbeingthusfashionedbyitinthatpartofmewhichcannotdecay）Idarenotclaimitaloudasmyown，then，atanyratethespeechofmychildren。Thussmalleventsgrowmemorablebythepassageoftime。AstothequalityoftheaddressitselfIcannotsayitwasverystriking。Tooshortforeloquenceanddevoidofallcharmoftone，itconsistedpreciselyofthethreewords\"Lookoutthere，\"growledouthuskilyabovemyhead。
Itproceededfromabigfatfellow（hehadanobtrusive，hairydoublechin）inabluewoollenshirtandroomybreechespulledupveryhigh，eventothelevelofhisbreast-bone，byapairofbracesquiteexposedtopublicview。AswherehestoodtherewasnobulwarkbutonlyarailandstanchionsIwasabletotakeinataglancethewholeofhisvoluminouspersonfromhisfeettothehighcrownofhissoftblackhat，whichsatlikeanabsurdflangedconeonhisbighead。Thegrotesqueandmassivespaceofthatdeckhand（Isupposehewasthat——verylikelythelamp-
trimmer）surprisedmeverymuch。Mycourseofreading，ofdreamingandlongingfortheseahadnotpreparedmeforasea-
brotherofthatsort。InevermetagainafigureintheleastlikehisexceptintheillustrationstoMr。W。W。Jacobs’mostentertainingtalesofbargesandcoasters;buttheinspiredtalentofMr。Jacobsforpokingendlessfunatpoor，innocentsailorsinaprosewhich，howeverextravagantinitsfelicitousinvention，isalwaysartisticallyadjustedtoobservedtruth，wasnotyet。PerhapsMr。Jacobshimselfwasnotyet。Ifancythat，atmost，ifhehadmadehisnurselaughitwasaboutallhehadachievedatthatearlydate。
Therefore，Irepeat，otherdisabilitiesapart，Icouldnothavebeenpreparedforthesightofthathuskyoldporpoise。Theobjectofhisconciseaddresswastocallmyattentiontoaropewhichheincontinentlyflungdownformetocatch。Icaughtit，thoughitwasnotreallynecessary，theshiphavingnowayonherbythattime。Theneverythingwentonveryswiftly。Thedinghycamewithaslightbumpagainstthesteamer’sside，thepilot，grabbingtheropeladder，hadscrambledhalfwayupbeforeIknewthatourtaskofboardingwasdone;theharsh，muffledclangingoftheengine-roomtelegraphstruckmyearthroughtheironplate;mycompanioninthedinghywasurgingmeto\"shoveoff——
pushhard\";andwhenIboreagainstthesmoothflankofthefirstEnglishshipIevertouchedinmylife，Ifeltitalreadythrobbingundermyopenpalm。
Herheadswungalittletothewest，pointingtowardstheminiaturelighthouseoftheJolliettebreakwater，farawaythere，hardlydistinguishableagainsttheland。Thedinghydancedasquashy，splashyjiginthewashofthewakeandturninginmyseatIfollowedthe\"JamesWestoll\"withmyeyes。Beforeshehadgoneinaquarterofamileshehoistedherflagastheharbourregulationsprescribeforarrivinganddepartingships。Isawitsuddenlyflickerandstreamoutontheflagstaff。TheRedEnsign！Inthepellucid，colourlessatmospherebathingthedrabandgreymassesofthatsouthernland，thelividislets，theseaofpaleglassyblueunderthepaleglassyskyofthatcoldsunrise，itwasasfarastheeyecouldreachtheonlyspotofardentcolour——flame-like，intense，andpresentlyasminuteasthetinyredsparktheconcentratedreflectionofagreatfirekindlesintheclearheartofaglobeofcrystal。TheRedEnsign——thesymbolic，protectingwarmbitofbuntingflungwideupontheseas，anddestinedforsomanyyearstobetheonlyroofovermyhead。