\"Nowdon’tlet’sgetfeverish，\"Fattysaid，droppinghisownweapon。\"Wearen’tscum。We’regentlemen。Let’sdrinklikegentlemen。\"
\"Letitbearealdrinking，\"Whiskersapproved。
\"Let’sgetpetrified，\"Slimagreed。\"Manyadistillery’sflowedunderthebridgesinceweweregentlemen;butlet’sforgetthelongroadwe’vetravelledsince，andhitourdossinthegoodoldfashioninwhicheverygentlemanwenttobedwhenwewereyoung。\"
\"Myfatherdoneit-didit，\"Fattyconcurredandcorrected，asoldrecollectionsexplodedlong-sealedbrain-cellsofconnotationandcorrectusage。
Theothertwonoddedadescentfromsimilarfathers，andelevatedtheirtincansofalcohol。
Bythetimeeachhadfinishedhisownbottleandfromhisragsfishedforthasecondone，theirbrainswerewell-mellowedanda-
glow，althoughtheyhadnotgotaroundtotellingtheirrealnames。
ButtheirEnglishhadimproved。Theyspokeitcorrectly，whiletheargooftramp-landceasedfromtheirlips。
\"It’smyconstitution，\"Whiskerswasexplaining。\"VeryfewmencouldgothroughwhatIhaveandlivetotellthetale。AndI
nevertookanycareofmyself。Ifwhatthemoralistsandthephysiologistssayweretrue，I’dhavebeendeadlongago。Andit’sthesamewithyoutwo。Lookatus，atouradvancedyears，carousingastheyoungonesdon’tdare，sleepingoutintheopenontheground，nevershelteredfromfrostnorrainnorstorm，neverafraidofpneumoniaorrheumatismthatwouldputhalftheyoungonesontheirbacksinhospital。\"
Hebrokeofftomixanotherdrink，andFattytookupthetale。
\"Andwe’vehadourfun，\"heboasted，\"andspeakingofsweetheartsandall，\"hecribbedfromKipling，\"’We’veroguedandwe’veranged-’\"
\"’Inourtime，’\"Slimcompletedthecribforhim。
\"Ishouldsayso，Ishouldsayso，\"Fattyconfirmed。\"Andbeenlovedbyprincesses-atleastIhave。\"
\"Goonandtellusaboutit，\"Whiskersurged。\"Thenight’syoung，andwhyshouldn’twerememberbacktotheroofsofkings？\"
Nothingloth，Fattyclearedhisthroatfortherecitalandcastaboutinhismindforthebestwaytobegin。
\"ItmustbeknownthatIcameofgoodfamily。PercivalDelaney，letussay，yes，letussayPercivalDelaney，wasnotunknownatOxfordonceuponatime-notforscholarship，Iamfranktoadmit;
butthegayyoungdogsofthatday，ifanybeyetalive，wouldrememberhim-\"
\"MypeoplecameoverwiththeConqueror，\"Whiskersinterrupted，extendinghishandtoFatty’sinacknowledgmentoftheintroduction。
\"Whatname？\"Fattyqueried。\"Ididnotseemquitetocatchit。\"
\"Delarouse，ChaunceyDelarouse。Thenamewillserveaswellasany。\"
BothcompletedthehandshakeandglancedtoSlim。
\"Oh，well，whilewe’reaboutit……\"Fattyurged。
\"BruceCadoganCavendish，\"Slimgrowledmorosely。\"Goon，Percival，withyourprincessesandtheroofsofkings。\"
\"Oh，Iwasarareyoungdevil，\"Percivalobliged，\"afterIplayedducksanddrakesathomeandsportedoutovertheworld。AndIwassomefigureofamanbeforeIlostmyshape-polo，steeple-
chasing，boxing。IwonmedalsatbuckjumpinginAustralia，andI
heldmorethanseveralswimmingrecordsfromthequarterofamileup。WomenturnedtheirheadstolookwhenIwentby。Thewomen！
Godblessthem！\"
AndFatty，aliasPercivalDelaney，agrotesqueofmanhood，puthisbulgyhandtohispuffedlipsandkissedaudiblyintothestarryvaultofthesky。
\"AndthePrincess！\"heresumed，withanotherkisstothestars。
\"ShewasasfineafigureofawomanasIwasaman，ashigh-
spiritedandcourageous，asrecklessanddare-devilish。Lord，Lord，inthewatershewasamermaid，asea-goddess。Andwhenitcametoblood，besideherIwasparvenu。Herroyallinetracedbackintothemistsofantiquity。
\"Shewasnotadaughterofafair-skinnedfolk。Tawnygoldenwasshe，withgolden-browneyes，andherhairthatfelltoherkneeswasblue-blackandstraight，withjustthecurlytendrillytendencythatgivestowoman’shairitscharm。Oh，therewerenokinksinit，anymorethanweretherekinksinthehairofherentiregenealogy。ForshewasPolynesian，glowing，golden，lovelyandlovable，royalPolynesian。\"
Againhepausedtokisshishandtothememoryofher，andSlim，aliasBruceCadoganCavendish，tookadvantagetointerject：
\"Huh！Maybeyoudidn’tshineinscholarship，butatleastyougleanedavocabularyoutofOxford。\"
\"AndintheSouthSeasgarneredabettervocabularyfromthelexiconofLove，\"Percivalwasquickontheuptake。
\"ItwastheislandofTalofa，\"hewenton，\"meaninglove，theIsleofLove，anditwasherisland。Herfather，theking，anoldman，satonhismatswithparalysedkneesanddranksquarefaceginalldayandmostofthenight，outofgrief，sheergrief。She，myprincess，wastheonlyissue，herbrotherhavingbeenlostintheirdoublecanoeinahurricanewhilecomingupfromavoyagetoSamoa。
AndamongthePolynesianstheroyalwomenhaveequalrightwiththementorule。Infact，theytracetheirgenealogiesalwaysbythefemaleline。\"
TothisbothChaunceyDelarouseandBruceCadoganCavendishnoddedpromptaffirmation。
\"Ah，\"saidPercival，\"IperceiveyoubothknowtheSouthSeas，wherefore，withoutundueexpenditureofverbiageonmypart，Iamassuredthatyouwillappreciatethecharmofmyprincess，thePrincessTui-nuiofTalofa，thePrincessoftheIsleofLove。\"
Hekissedhishandtoher，sippedfromhiscondensedmilkcanaman-sizedrinkofdruggist’salcohol，andtoheragainkissedherhand。
\"Butshewascoy，andeversheflutteredneartomebutnevernearenough。Whenmyarmwentouttohertogirdleher，presto，shewasnotthere。Iknew，asneverbefore，norsince，thethousanddearanddelightfulanguishesoflovefrustratedbuteverresilientandbeckonedonbytheverygoddessoflove。\"
\"Somevocabulary，\"BruceCadoganCavendishmutteredinasidetoChaunceyDelarouse。ButPercivalDelaneywasnottobedeterred。
Hekissedhispudgyhandaloftintothenightandheldwarmlyon。
\"NofondagoniesofrapturedeferredthatwerenotlavisheduponmebymydearPrincess，herselfeveraluringdelightofpromiseflittingjustbeyondmyreach。Everysweetlover’sinfernounguessedofbyDantesheledmethrough。Ah！Thoseswooningtropicnights，underourpalmtrees，thedistantsurfalangourousmurmurasfromsomevastseashellofmystery，whenshe，myPrincess，allbutmeltedtomyyearning，andwithherlaughter，thatwasassilverstringsbybudsandblossomssmitten，allbutmadelunacyofmylover’sardency。
\"ItwasbymywrestlingwiththechampionsofTalofathatIfirstinterestedher。ItwasbymyprowessatswimmingthatIawokeher。
AnditwasbyacertainswimmingdeedthatIwonfromhermorethancoquettishsmilesandshytimiditiesoffeignedretreat。
\"Weweresquiddingthatday，outonthereef-youknowhow，undoubtedly，divingdownthefaceofthewallofthereef，fivefathoms，tenfathoms，anydepthwithinreason，andshovingoursquid-sticksintothelikelyholesandcranniesofthecoralwheresquidmightbelairing。Withthesquid-stick，bluntlysharpatbothends，perhapsafootlong，andheldcrosswiseinthehand，thetrickwastogougeanylazyingsquiduntilheclosedhistentaclesaroundfist，stickandarm-Thenyouhadhim，andcametothesurfacewithhim，andhithimintheheadwhichisinthecentreofhim，andpeeledhimoffintothewaitingcanoe……AndtothinkIusedtodothat！\"
PercivalDelaneypausedamoment，aglimmerofaweonhisrotundface，ashecontemplatedthemightypictureofhisyouth。
\"Why，I’vepulledoutasquidwithtentacleseightfeetlong，anddoneitunderfiftyfeetofwater。Icouldstaydownfourminutes。
I’vegonedown，withacoral-rocktosinkme，inahundredandtenfeettoclearafouledanchor。AndIcouldback-divewithaonce-
overandgoinfeet-firstfromeightyfeetabovethesurface-\"
\"Quitit，deleteit，ceaseit，\"ChaunceyDelarouseadmonishedtestily。\"TellofthePrincess。That’swhatmakesoldbloodleapagain。AlmostcanIseeher。Wasshewonderful？\"
PercivalDelaneykissedunutterableaffirmation。
\"Ihavesaidshewasamermaid。Shewas。Iknowsheswamthirty-
sixhoursbeforebeingrescued，afterherschoonerwascapsizedinadouble-squall。Ihaveseenherdoninetyfeetandbringuppearlshellineachhand。Shewaswonderful。Asawomanshewasravishing，sublime。Ihavesaidshewasasea-goddess。Shewas。
Oh，foraPhidiasoraPraxitelestohavemadethewonderofherbodyimmortal！
\"Andthatday，outforsquidonthereef，Iwasalmostsickforher。Mad-IknowIwasmadforher。Wewouldstepoverthesidefromthebigcanoe，andswimdown，sidebyside，intothedeliciousdepthsofcoolandcolour，andshewouldlookatme，asweswam，andwithhereyestantalizemetofurthermadness。Andatlast，down，fardown，Ilostmyselfandreachedforher。Sheeludedmelikethemermaidshewas，andIsawthelaughteronherfaceasshefled。Shefleddeeper，andIknewIhadherforIwasbetweenherandthesurface;butinthemuckcoralsandofthebottomshemadeachurningwithhersquidstick。Itwastheoldtricktoescapeashark。Andsheworkeditonme，rollingthewatersothatIcouldnotseeher。AndwhenIcameup，shewasthereaheadofme，clingingtothesideofthecanoeandlaughing。
\"AlmostIwouldnotbedenied。Butnotfornothingwassheaprincess。Sherestedherhandonmyarmandcompelledmetolisten。Weshouldplayagame，shesaid，enterintoacompetitionforwhichshouldgetthemoresquid，thebiggestsquid，andthesmallestsquid。Sincethewagerswerekisses，youcanwellimagineIwentdownonthefirstnextdivewithsoulaflame。
\"Igotnosquid。NeveragaininallmylifehaveIdivedforsquid。Perhapswewerefivefathomsdownandexploringthefaceofthereefwallforlurkingplacesofourprey，whenithappened。I
hadfoundalikelylairandjustproveditempty，whenIfeltorsensedthenearnessofsomethinginimical。Iturned。Thereitwas，alongsideofme，andnomerefish-shark。Fullyadozenfeetinlength，withtheunmistakablephosphorescentcat’seyegleaminglikeadrowningstar，Iknewitforwhatitwas，atigershark。
\"Nottenfeettotheright，probingacoralfissurewithhersquidstick，wasthePrincess，andthetigersharkwasheadingdirectlyforher。Mytotalityofthoughtwasprecipitatedtoconsciousnessinasingleall-embracingflash。Theman-eatermustbedeflectedfromher，andwhatwasI，exceptamadloverwhowouldgladlyfightanddie，ormoregladlyfightandlive，forhisbeloved？Remember，shewasthewomanwonderful，andIwasaflameforher。
\"Knowingfullytheperilofmyact，Ithrusttheblunt-sharpendofmysquid-stickintothesideoftheshark，muchasonewouldattractapassingacquaintancewithathumb-nudgeintheribs。Andtheman-eaterturnedonme。YouknowtheSouthSeas，andyouknowthatthetigershark，likethebald-facegrizzlyofAlaska，nevergivestrail。Thecombat，fathomsdeepunderthesea，wason-ifbycombatmaybenamedsuchaone-sidedstruggle。
\"ThePrincessunaware，caughthersquidandrosetothesurface。
Theman-eaterrushedme。Ifendedhimoffwithbothhandsonhisnoseabovehisthousand-toothedopenmouth，sothathebackedmeagainstthesharpcoral。Thescarsaretheretothisday。
WheneverItriedtorise，herushedme，andIcouldnotremaindownthereindefinitelywithoutair。Wheneverherushedme，Ifendedhimoffwithmyhandsonhisnose。AndIwouldhaveescapedunharmed，exceptfortheslipofmyrighthand。Intohismouthitwenttotheelbow。Hisjawsclosed，justbelowtheelbow。Youknowhowashark’steethare。Onceintheycannotbereleased。
Theymustgothroughtocompletethebite，buttheycannotgothroughheavybone。So，fromjustbelowtheelbowhestrippedthebonecleantothearticulationofthewrist-joint，wherehisteethmetandmygoodrighthandbecamehisforanappetizer。
\"Butwhilehewasdoingthis，Idrovethethumbofmylefthand，tothehiltintohiseye-orificeandpoppedouthiseye。Thisdidnotstophim。Themeathadmaddenedhim。Hepursuedthegushingstumpofmywrist。HalfadozentimesIfendedwithmyintactarm。Thenhegotthepoormangledarmagain，closeddown，andstrippedthemeatoffthebonefromtheshoulderdowntotheelbow-joint，wherehisteethmetandhewasfreeofhissecondmouthfulofme。But，atthesametime，withmygoodarm，Ithumbedouthisremainingeye。\"
PercivalDelaneyshruggedhisshoulders，ereheresumed。
\"Fromabove，thoseinthecanoehadbeheldtheentirehappeningandwereloudinpraiseofmydeed。Tothisdaytheystillsingthesongofme，andtellthetaleofme。AndthePrincess。\"Hispausewasbriefbutsignificant。\"ThePrincessmarriedme……Oh，well-a-dayandlack-a-day，thewhirligigoftimeandfortune，thetopsyturvinessofluck，thewoodenshoegoingupandthepolishedheeldescendingaFrenchgunboat，aconqueredislandkingdomofOceania，to-dayruledoverbyapeasant-born，unlettered，colonialgendarme，and……\"
Hecompletedthesentenceandthetalebyburyinghisfaceinthedown-tiltedmouthofthecondensedmilkcanandbygurglingthecorrosivedrinkdownhisthroatinthirstygulps。
Afteranappropriatepause，ChaunceyDelarouse，otherwiseWhiskers，tookupthetale。
\"FarbeitfrommetoboastofnomatterwhatplaceofbirthIhavedescendedfromtositherebythisfirewithsuchas……aschancealong。Imaysay，however，thatI，too，wasonceaconsiderablefigureofaman。Imayaddthatitwashorses，plusparentstooindulgent，thatexiledmeoutovertheworld。Imaystillwondertoquery：’AreDover’scliffsstillwhite？’\"
\"Huh！\"BruceCadoganCavendishsneered。\"Nextyou’llbeasking：
’HowfarestheoldLordWarden？’\"
\"AndItookeveryliberty，andvainly，withaconstitutionthatwasiron，\"Whiskershurriedon。\"HereIamwithmythreescoreandtenbehindme，andbackonthatlongroadhaveIburiedmanyayoungsterthatwasasrareanddevilishasI，butwhocouldnotstandthepace。Iknewtheworsttooyoung。AndnowIknowtheworsttooold。Buttherewasatime，alasalltooshort，whenI
knew，thebest。
\"I，too，kissmyhandtothePrincessofmyheart。Shewastrulyaprincess，Polynesian，athousandmilesandmoreawaytotheeastwardandthesouthfromDelaney’sIsleofLove。ThenativesofallaroundthatpartoftheSouthSeascalledittheJollyIsland。
Theirownname，thenameofthepeoplewhodweltthereon，translatesdelicatelyandjustlyinto’TheIslandofTranquilLaughter。’OnthechartyouwillfindtheerroneousnamegiventoitbytheoldnavigatorstobeManatomana。TheseafaringgentrytheroundoceanaroundcalledittheAdamlessEden。AndthemissionariesforatimecalleditGod’sWitness-sogreathadbeentheirsuccessatconvertingtheinhabitants。Asforme，itwas，andevershallbe，Paradise。
\"ItwasMYParadise，foritwastheremyPrincesslived。JohnAsibeliTungiwasking。Hewasfull-bloodednative，descendedoutoftheoldestandhighestchief-stockthattracedbacktoManuawhichwastheprimevalseahomeoftherace。AlsowasheknownasJohntheApostate。Helivedalonglifeandapostasizedfrequently。FirstconvertedbytheCatholics，hethrewdowntheidols，brokethetabus，cleanedoutthenativepriests，executedafewoftherecalcitrantones，andsentallhissubjectstochurch。
\"Nexthefellforthetraders，whodevelopedinhimachampagnethirst，andheshippedofftheCatholicprieststoNewZealand。
Thegreatmajorityofhissubjectsalwaysfollowedhislead，and，havingnoreligionatall，ensuedthetimeoftheGreatLicentiousness，whenbyallSouthSeasmissionarieshisisland，insermons，wasspokenofasBabylon。
\"Butthetradersruinedhisdigestionwithtoomuchchampagne，andafterseveralyearshefellfortheGospelaccordingtotheMethodists，senthispeopletochurch，andcleanedupthebeachandthetradingcrowdsospickandspanthathewouldnotpermitthemtosmokeapipeoutofdoorsonSunday，and，finedoneofthechieftradersonehundredgoldsovereignsforwashinghisschooner’sdecksontheSabbathmorn。
\"ThatwasthetimeoftheBlueLaws，butperhapsitwastoorigorousforKingJohn。OffhepackedtheMethodists，onefineday，exiledseveralhundredofhispeopletoSamoaforstickingtoMethodism，and，ofallthings，inventedareligionofhisown，withhimselfthefigure-headofworship。InthishewasaidedandabettedbyarenegadeFijian。Thislastedfiveyears。MaybehegrewtiredofbeingGod，ormaybeitwasbecausetheFijiandecampedwiththesixthousandpoundsintheroyaltreasury;butatanyratetheSecondReformedWesleyansgothim，andhisentirekingdomwentWesleyan。ThepioneerWesleyanmissionaryheactuallymadeprimeminister，andwhathedidtothetradingcrowdwasacaution。Why，intheend，KingJohn’skingdomwasblacklistedandboycottedbythetraderstilltherevenuesdiminishedtozero，thepeoplewentbankrupt，andKingJohncouldn’tborrowashillingfromhismostpowerfulchief。
\"Bythistimehewasgettingold，andphilosophic，andtolerant，andspirituallyatavistic。HefiredouttheSecondReformedWesleyans，calledbacktheexilesfromSamoa，invitedinthetraders，heldagenerallove-feast，tookthelidoff，proclaimedreligiouslibertyandhightariff，andasforhimselfwentbacktotheworshipofhisancestors，duguptheidols，reinstatedafewoctogenarianpriests，andobservedthetabus。Allofwhichwaslovelyforthetraders，andprosperityreigned。Ofcourse，mostofhissubjectsfollowedhimbackintoheathenworship。YetquiteasprinklingofCatholics，MethodistsandWesleyansremainedtruetotheirbeliefsandmanagedtomaintainafewsqualid，one-horsechurches。ButKingJohndidn’tmind，anymorethandidhethehightimesofthetradersalongthebeach。Everythingwent，solongasthetaxeswerepaid。Evenwhenhiswife，QueenMamare，electedtobecomeaBaptist，andinvitedinalittle，weazened，sweet-
spirited，club-footedBaptistmissionary，KingJohndidnotobject。
Allheinsistedonwasthatthesewanderingreligionsshouldbeself-supportingandnotfeedapennyworth’soutoftheroyalcoffers。
\"Andnowthethreadsofmyrecitaldrawtogetherintheparagonoffemaleexquisiteness-myPrincess。\"
Whiskerspaused，placedcarefullyonthegroundhishalf-fullcondensedmilkcanwithwhichhehadbeenabsentlytoying，andkissedthefingersofhisonehandaudiblyaloft。
\"ShewasthedaughterofQueenMamare。Shewasthewomanwonderful。UnliketheDianatypeofPolynesian，shewasalmostethereal。SheWASethereal，sublimatedbypurity，asshyandmodestasaviolet，asfragile-slenderasalily，andhereyes，luminousandshrinkingtender，wereasasphodelsontheswardofheaven。Shewasallflower，andfire，anddew。Herswasthesweetnessofthemountainrose，thegentlenessofthedove。Andshewasallofgoodaswellasallofbeauty，devoutinherbeliefinhermother’sworship，whichwastheworshipintroducedbyEbenezerNaismith，theBaptistmissionary。Butmakenomistake。
ShewasnomeresweetspiritripeforthebosomofAbraham。Allofexquisitedeliciousnessofwomanwasshe。Shewaswoman，allwoman，tothelastsensitivequiveringatomofher-
\"AndI？Iwasawastrelofthebeach。ThewildestwasnotsowildasI，thekeenestnotsokeen，ofallthatwild，keentradingcrowd。ItwasesteemedIplayedthestiffesthandofpoker。Iwastheonlylivingman，white，brown，orblack，whodaredruntheKuni-kuniPassageinthedark。AndonablacknightIhavedoneitunderreefsinagaleofwind。Well，anyway，Ihadabadreputationonabeachwheretherewerenogoodreputations。Iwasreckless，dangerous，stoppedatnothinginfightorfrolic;andthetradingcaptainsusedtobringboiler-sheetedprodigiesfromthevilestholesoftheSouthPacifictotryanddrinkmeunderthetable。Irememberone，acalcinedScotchmanfromtheNewHebrides。
Itwasagreatdrinking。Hediedofit，andweladedhimaboardship，pickledinacaskoftraderum，andsenthimbacktohisownplace。Asample，afairsample，oftheantictrickswecutuponthebeachofManatomana。
\"Andofallunthinkablethings，whatdidIupanddo，oneday，butlookuponthePrincesstofindhergoodandtofallinlovewithher。Itwastherealthing。IwasasmadasaMarchhare，andafterthatIgotonlymadder。Ireformed。Thinkofthat！Thinkofwhataslipofawomancandotoabusy，rovingman！-BytheLordHarry，it’strue。Ireformed。Iwenttochurch。Hearme！I
becameconverted。IclearedmysoulbeforeGodandkeptmyhands-
Ihadtwothen-offtheribaldcrewofthebeachwhenitlaughedatthis，mylatestantic，andwantedtoknowwhatwasmygame。
\"ItellyouIreformed，andgavemyselfinpassionandsinceritytoareligiousexperiencethathasmademetolerantofallreligioneversince。Idischargedmybestcaptainforimmorality。SodidI
mycook，andabetterneverboiledwaterinManatomana。ForthesamereasonIdischargedmychiefclerk。AndforthefirsttimeinthehistoryoftradingmyschoonerstothewestwardcarriedBiblesintheirstock。Ibuiltalittleanchoritebungalowuptownonamango-linedstreetsquarelyalongsidethelittlehouseoccupiedbyEbenezerNaismith。AndImadehimmypalandcomrade，andfoundhimaveritablehoneypotofsweetnessesandgoodnesses。Andhewasaman，throughandthroughaman。Andhediedlongafterlikeaman，whichIwouldliketotellyouabout，werethetaleofitnotsodeservedlylong。
\"ItwasthePrincess，morethanthemissionary，whowasresponsibleformyexpressingmyfaithinworks，andespeciallyinthatcrowningwork，theNewChurch，OurChurch，theQueen-mother’schurch。
\"’Ourpoorchurch，’shesaidtome，onenightafterprayer-meeting。
Ihadbeenconvertedonlyafortnight。’Itissosmallitscongregationcannevergrow。Andtheroofleaks。AndKingJohn，myhard-heartedfather，willnotcontributeapenny。Yethehasabigbalanceinthetreasury。AndManatomanaisnotpoor。Muchmoneyismadeandsquandered，Iknow。Ihearthegossipofthewildwaysofthebeach。Lessthanamonthagoyoulostmoreinonenight，gamblingatcards，thanthecostoftheupkeepofourpoorchurchforayear。’
\"AndItoldheritwastrue，butthatitwasbeforeIhadseenthelight。（I’dhadaninfernalrunofbadluck。）ItoldherIhadnottastedliquorsince，norturnedacard。Itoldherthattheroofwouldberepairedatonce，byChristiancarpentersselectedbyherfromthecongregation。ButshewasfilledwiththethoughtofagreatrevivalthatEbenezerNaismithcouldpreach-shewasadearsaint-andshespokeofagreatchurch，saying：
\"’Youarerich。Youhavemanyschooners，andtradersinfarislands，andIhaveheardofagreatcontractyouhavesignedtorecruitlabourfortheGermanplantationsofUpolu。Theysay，nexttoSweitzer，youaretherichesttraderhere。IshouldlovetoseesomeuseofallthismoneyplacedtothegloryofGod。Itwouldbeanoblethingtodo，andIshouldbeproudtoknowthemanwhowoulddoit。’
\"ItoldherthatEbenezerNaismithwouldpreachtherevival，andthatIwouldbuildachurchgreatenoughinwhichtohouseit。
\"’AsbigastheCatholicchurch？’sheasked。
\"Thiswastheruinedcathedral，builtatthetimewhentheentirepopulationwasconverted，anditwasalargeorder;butIwasafirewithlove，andItoldherthatthechurchIwouldbuildwouldbeevenbigger。
\"’Butitwilltakemoney，’Iexplained。’Andittakestimetomakemoney。’
\"’Youhavemuch，’shesaid。’Somesayyouhavemoremoneythanmyfather，theKing。
\"’Ihavemorecredit，’Iexplained。’Butyoudonotunderstandmoney。Ittakesmoneytohavecredit。So，withthemoneyIhave，andthecreditIhave，Iwillworktomakemoremoneyandcredit，andthechurchshallbebuilt。’
\"Work！Iwasasurprisetomyself。Itisanamazement，theamountoftimeamanfindsonhishandsafterhe’sgivenupcarousing，andgambling，andallthetime-eatingdiversionsofthebeach。AndI
didn’twasteasecondofallmynew-foundtime。InsteadIworkeditovertime。Ididtheworkofhalfadozenmen。Ibecameadriver。Mycaptainsmadefasterrunsthaneverandearnedbiggerbonuses，asdidmysupercargoes，whosawtoitthatmyschoonersdidnotloafanddawdlealongtheway。AndIsawtoitthatmysupercargoesdidseetoit。
\"Andgood！BytheLordHarryIwassogoodithurt。Myconsciencegotsoexpansiveandfine-strungitlamedmeacrosstheshoulderstocarryitaroundwithme。Why，IevenwentbackovermyaccountsandpaidSweitzerfiftyquidI’djiggeredhimoutofinadealinFijithreeyearsbefore。AndIcompoundedtheinterestaswell。
\"Work！Iplantedsugarcane-thefirstcommercialplantingonManatomana。Iranincargoesofkinky-headsfromMalaita，whichisintheSolomons，tillIhadtwelvehundredoftheblackbirdsputtingincane。AndIsentaschoonercleartoHawaiitobringbackadismantledsugarmillandaGermanwhosaidheknewthefield-endofcane。Andhedid，andhechargedmethreehundreddollarsscrewamonth，andItookholdofthemill-end。I
installedthemillmyself，withthehelpofseveralmechanicsI
broughtupfromQueensland。
\"Ofcoursetherewasarival。HisnamewasMotomoe。HewastheveryhighestchiefbloodnexttoKingJohn’s。Hewasfullnative，astrapping，handsomeman，withagloweringwayofshowinghisdislikes。HecertainlygloweredatmewhenIbeganhangingaroundthepalace。Hewentbackinmyhistoryandcirculatedtheblackesttalesaboutme。Theworstofitwasthatmostofthemweretrue。
HeevenmadeavoyagetoApiatofindthingsout-asifhecouldn’tfindaplentyrightthereonthebeachofManatomana！Andhesneeredatmyfailingforreligion，andatmygoingtoprayer-
meeting，and，mostofall，atmysugar-planting。Hechallengedmetofight，andIkeptoffofhim。Hethreatenedme，andIlearnedinthenickoftimeofhisplantohavemeknockedonthehead。
Yousee，hewantedthePrincessjustasmuchasIdid，andIwantedhermore。
\"Sheusedtoplaythepiano。SodidI，once。ButIneverletherknowafterI’dheardherplaythefirsttime。Andshethoughtherplayingwaswonderful，thedear，fondgirl！Youknowthesort，themechanicalone-two-threetum-tum-tumschool-girlstuff。AndnowI’lltellyousomethingfunnier。HerplayingWASwonderfultome。
Thegatesofheavenopenedtomewhensheplayed。Icanseemyselfnow，wornoutanddog-tiredafterthelongday，lyingonthematsofthepalaceverandaandgazinguponheratthepiano，myselfinaperfectidiocyofbliss。Why，thisideashehadofherfineplayingwastheoneflawinherdeliciousnessofperfection，andI
lovedherforit。Itkindofbroughtherwithinmyhumanreach。
Why，whensheplayedherone-two-three，tum-tum-tum，Iwasintheseventhheavenofbliss。Mywearinessfellfromme。Ilovedher，andmyloveforherwascleanasflame，cleanasmyloveforGod。
Anddoyouknow，intomyfondlover’sfancycontinuallyintrudedthethoughtthatGodinmostwaysmustlooklikeher。
\"-That’sright，BruceCadoganCavendish，sneerasyoulike。ButItellyouthat’slovethatI’vebeendescribing。That’sall。
It’slove。It’stherealest，purest，finestthingthatcanhappentoaman。AndIknowwhatI’mtalkingabout。Ithappenedtome。\"
Whiskers，hisbeadysquirrel’seyeglitteringfromouthisruinedeyebrowlikealivecoalinajungleambush，brokeofflongenoughtodownasedativedraughtfromhiscondensedmilkcanandtomixanother。
\"Thecane，\"heresumed，wipinghisprodigiousmatoffacehairwiththebackofhishand。\"Itmaturedinsixteenmonthsinthatclimate，andIwasready，justreadyandnomore，withthemillforthegrinding。Naturally，itdidnotallmatureatonce，butIhadplantedinsuchsuccessionthatIcouldgrindforninemonthssteadily，whilemorewasbeingplantedandtheratoonswerespringingup。
\"Ihadmytroublesthefirstseveraldays。Ifitwasn’tonethingthematterwiththemill，itwasanother。Onthefourthday，Ferguson，myengineer，hadtoshutdownseveralhoursinordertoremedyhisowntroubles。Iwasbotheredbythefeeder。Afterhavingtheniggers（whohadbeenfeedingthecane）pourcreamoflimeontherollerstokeepeverythingsweet，Isentthemouttojointhecane-cuttingsquads。SoIwasallaloneatthatend，justasFergusonstartedupthemill，justasIdiscoveredwhatwasthematterwiththefeed-rollers，andjustasMotomoestrolledup。
\"Hestoodthere，inNorfolkjacket，pigskinputtees，andalltherestofthefashionableget-upoutofabandbox，sneeringatmecoveredwithfilthandgreasetotheeyebrowsandlookinglikeanavvy。And，therollersnowwhitefromthelime，I’djustseenwhatwaswrong。Therollerswerenotinplumb。Onesidecrushedthecanewell，buttheothersidewastooopen。Ishovedmyfingersinonthatside。Thebig，toothedcogsontherollersdidnottouchmyfingers。Andyet，suddenly，theydid。Withthegripoftenthousanddevils，myfinger-tipswerecaught，drawnin，andpulpedto-well，justpulp。And，likeaslickofcane，Ihadstartedonmyway。Therewasnostoppingme。Tenthousandhorsescouldnothavepulledmeback。Therewasnothingtostopme。
Hand，arm，shoulder，head，andchest，downtothetoesofme，Iwasdoomedtofeedthrough。
\"Itdidhurt。Ithurtsomuchitdidnothurtmeatall。Quitedetached，almostmayIsay，Ilookedonmyhandbeinggroundup，knucklebyknuckle，jointbyjoint，thebackofthehand，thewrist，theforearm，allinorderslowlyandinevitablyfeedingin。
Oengineerhoistbythineownpetard！Osugar-makercrushedbythineowncane-crusher！
\"Motomoesprangforwardinvoluntarily，andthesneerwaschasedfromhisfacebyanexpressionofsolicitude。Thenthebeautyofthesituationdawnedonhim，andhechuckledandgrinned。No，I
didn’texpectanythingofhim。Hadn’thetriedtoknockmeonthehead？Whatcouldhedoanyway？Hedidn’tknowanythingaboutengines。
\"IyelledatthetopofmylungstoFergusontoshutofftheengine，buttheroarofthemachinerydrownedmyvoice。AndthereIstood，uptotheelbowandfeedingrightonin。Yes，itdidhurt。Thereweresomeastonishingtwingeswhenspecialnerveswereshreddedanddraggedoutbytheroots。ButIrememberthatIwassurprisedatthetimethatitdidnothurtworse。
\"Motomoemadeamovementthatattractedmyattention。Atthesametimehegrowledoutloud，asifhehatedhimself，’I’mafool。’
Whathehaddonewastopickupacane-knife-youknowthekind，asbigasamacheteandasheavy。AndIwasgratefultohiminadvanceforputtingmeoutofmymisery。Therewasn’tanysenseinslowlyfeedingintillmyheadwascrushed，andalreadymyarmwaspulpedhalfwayfromelbowtoshoulder，andthepulpingwasgoingrighton。SoIwasgrateful，asIbentmyheadtotheblow。
\"’Getyourheadoutoftheway，youidiot！’hebarkedatme。
\"AndthenIunderstoodandobeyed。Iwasabigman，andhetooktwohackstodoit;buthehackedmyarmoffjustoutsidetheshoulderanddraggedmebackandlaidmedownonthecane。
\"Yes，thesugarpaid-enormously;andIbuiltforthePrincessthechurchofhersaintlydream，and……shemarriedme。\"
Hepartlyassuagedhisthirst，andutteredhisfinalword。
\"Alackaday！Shuttlecockandbattle-dore。Andthisat，theendofitall，linedwithboilerplatethatevenalcoholwillnotcorrodeandthatonlyalcoholwilltickle。YethaveIlived，andIkissmyhandtothedeardustofmyPrincesslongasleepinthegreatmausoleumofKingJohnthatlooksacrosstheValeofManonatothealienflagthatfloatsoverthebungalowoftheBritishGovernmentHouse……\"
Fattypledgedhimsympathetically，andsympatheticallydrankoutofhisownsmallcan。BruceCadoganCavendishglaredintothefirewithimplacablebitterness。Hewasamanwhopreferredtodrinkbyhimself。AcrossthethinlipsthatcomposedthecruelslashofhismouthplayedtwitchesofmockerythatcaughtFatty’seye。AndFatty，makingsurefirstthathisrock-chunkwaswithinreach，challenged。
\"Well，howaboutyourself，BruceCadoganCavendish？It’syourturn。\"
TheotherliftedbleakeyesthatboredintoFatty’suntilhephysicallybetrayeduncomfortableness。
\"I’velivedahardlife，\"Slimgratedharshly。\"WhatdoIknowaboutlovepassages？\"
\"Nomanofyourbuildandmake-upcouldhaveescapedthem，\"Fattywheedled。
\"Andwhatofit？\"Slimsnarled。\"It’snoreasonforagentlemantoboastofamoroustriumphs。\"
\"Oh，goon，beagoodfellow，\"Fattyurged。\"Thenight’sstillyoung。We’vestillsomedrinkleft。DelarouseandIhavecontributedourshare。Itisn’toftenthatthreerealoneslikeusgettogetherforatelling。Surelyyou’vegotatleastoneadventureinloveyouaren’tashamedtotellabout-\"
BruceCadoganCavendishpulledforthhisironquoitandseemedtodebatewhetherornotheshouldbraintheother。Hesighed，andputbackthequoit。
\"Verywell，ifyouwillhaveit，\"hesurrenderedwithmanifestreluctance。\"Likeyoutwo，Ihavehadaremarkableconstitution。
Andrightnow，speakingofarmour-platelining，Icoulddrinkthebothofyoudownwhenyouwereatyourprime。Likeyoutwo，mybeginningswerefardistantanddifferent。ThatIammarkedwiththehall-markofgentlehoodthereisnodiscussion……unlesseitherofyoucaretodiscussthematternow……\"
Hisonehandslippedintohispocketandclutchedthequoit。
Neitherofhisauditorsspokenorbetrayedanyawarenessofhismenace。
\"ItoccurredathousandmilestothewestwardofManatomana，ontheislandofTagalag，\"hecontinuedabruptly，withanairofsaturninedisappointmentinthattherehadbeennodiscussion。\"ButfirstI
musttellyouofhowIgottoTagalag。ForreasonsIshallnotmention，bypathsofdescentIshallnotdescribe，inthecrownofmymanhoodandtheprimeofmydevilishnessinwhichOxfordrenegadesandracingyoungersonshadnothingonme，Ifoundmyselfmasterandownerofaschoonersowellknownthatsheshallremainhistoricallynameless。IwasrunningblackbirdlabourfromthewestSouthPacificandtheCoralSeatotheplantationsofHawaiiandthenitrateminesofChili-\"
\"Itwasyouwhocleanedouttheentirepopulationof-\"Fattyexploded，erehecouldcheckhisspeech。
TheonehandofBruceCadoganCavendishflashedpocketwardandflashedbackwiththequoitbalancedripeforbusiness。
\"Proceed，\"Fattysighed。\"I……IhavequiteforgottenwhatI
wasgoingtosay。\"
\"Beastlyfunnycountryoverthatway，\"thenarratordrawledwithperfectcasualness。\"You’vereadthisSeaWolfstuff-\"
\"Youweren’ttheSeaWolf，\"Whiskersbrokeinwithinvoluntarypositiveness。
\"No，sir，\"wasthesnarlinganswer。\"TheSeaWolf’sdead，isn’the？AndI’mstillalive，aren’tI？\"
\"Ofcourse，ofcourse，\"Whiskersconceded。\"Hesuffocatedhead-
firstinthemudoffawharfinVictoriaacoupleofyearsback。\"
\"AsIwassaying-andIdon’tlikeinterruptions，\"BruceCadoganCavendishproceeded，\"it’sabeastlyfunnycountryoverthatway。
IwasatTaki-Tiki，alowislandthatpoliticallybelongstotheSolomons，butthatgeologicallydoesn’tatall，fortheSolomonsarehighislands。EthnographicallyitbelongstoPolynesia，Melanesia，andMicronesia，becauseallthebreedsoftheSouthPacifichavegravitatedtoitbycanoe-driftandintricately，degeneratively，andamazinglyinterbred。Thescumofthescrapingsofthebottomofthehumanpit，biologicallyspeaking，residesinTaka-Tiki。AndIknowthebottomandwhereofIspeak。
\"ItwasabeastlyfunnytimeofitIhad，divingoutshell，fishingbeche-de-mer，tradinghoop-ironandhatchetsforcopraandivory-
nuts，runningniggersandalltherestofit。Why，eveninFijitheLotuwashavingahardtimeofitandthechiefsstilleatinglong-pig。Tothewestwarditwasfierce-funnylittleblackkinky-heads，man-eatersthelastJackofthem，andthejackpotfatandspillingoverwithwealth-\"
\"Jack-pots？\"Fattyqueried。Atsightofanirritablemovement，headded：\"Yousee，InevergotovertotheWestlikeDelarouseandyou。\"
\"They’reallhead-hunters。Headsarevaluable，especiallyawhiteman’shead。Theydecoratethecanoe-housesanddevil-devilhouseswiththem。Eachvillagerunsajack-pot，andeverybodyantes。
Whoeverbringsinawhiteman’sheadtakesthepot。Iftherearen’topenersforalongtime，thepotgrowstotremendousproportions。Beastlyfunny，isn’tit？
\"Iknow。Didn’taHollandmatedieonmeofblackwater？Anddidn’tIwinapotmyself？Itwasthisway。WewerelyingatLango-luiatthetime。Ineverleton，andarrangedtheaffairwithJohnny，myboat-steerer。Hewasakinky-headhimselffromPortMoresby。Hecutthedeadmate’sheadoffandsneakedashoreinthemight，whileIwhangedawaywithmyrifleasifIweretryingtogethim。Heopenedthepotwiththemate’shead，andgotit，too。Ofcourse，nextdayIsentinalandingboat，withtwocoveringboats，andfetchedhimoffwiththeloot。\"
\"Howbigwasthepot？\"Whiskersasked。\"IheardofapotatOrlawortheightyquid。\"
\"Tocommencewith，\"Slimanswered，\"therewerefortyfatpigs，eachworthafathomofprimeshell-money，andshell-moneyworthaquidafathom。Thatwastwohundreddollarsrightthere。Therewereninety-eightfathomsofshell-money，whichisprettyclosetofivehundredinitself。Andthereweretwenty-twogoldsovereigns。I
splititfourways：one-fourthtoJohnny，one-fourthtotheship，one-fourthtomeasowner，andone-fourthtomeasskipper。Johnnynevercomplained。He’dneverhadsomuchwealthallatonetimeinhislife。Besides，Igavehimacoupleofthemate’soldshirts。
AndIfancythemate’sheadisstilltheredecoratingthecanoe-
house。\"
\"NotexactlyChristianburialofaChristian，\"Whiskersobserved。
\"Butalucrativeburial，\"Slimretorted。\"Ihadtofeedtherestofthemateover-sidetothesharksfornothing。Thinkoffeedinganeight-hundred-dollarheadalongwithit。Itwouldhavebeencriminalwasteandstarklunacy。
\"Well，anyway，itwasallbeastlyfunny，overtheretothewestward。And，withouttellingyouthescrapeIgotintoatTaki-
Tiki，exceptthatIsailedawaywithtwohundredkinky-headsforQueenslandlabour，andformymannerofcollectingthemhadtwoBritishshipsofwarcombingthePacificforme，IchangedmycourseandrantothewestwardthinkingtodisposeofthelottotheSpanishplantationsonBangar。
\"Typhoonseason。Wecaughtit。TheMERRYMISTwasmyschooner’sname，andIhadthoughtshewasstoutlybuiltuntilshehitthattyphoon。Ineversawsuchseas。Theypoundedthatstoutcrafttopieces，literallyso。Thestickswerejerkedoutofher，deckhousessplinteredtomatch-wood，railsrippedoff，and，aftertheworsthadpassed，thecoveringboardsbegantogo。Wejustmanagedtorepairwhatwasleftofoneboatandkeeptheschoonerafloatonlytilltheseawentdownbarelyenoughtogetaway。Andweoutfittedthatboatinahurry。ThecarpenterandIwerethelast，andwehadtojumpforitashewentdown。Therewereonlyfourofus-\"
\"Lostalltheniggers？\"Whiskersinquired。
\"Someofthemswamforsometime，\"Slimreplied。\"ButIdon’tfancytheymadetheland。Weweretendays’indoingit。Andwehadaspankingbreezemostoftheway。Andwhatdoyouthinkwehadintheboatwithus？Casesofsquare-faceginandcasesofdynamite。Funny，wasn’tit？Well，itgotfunnierlateron。Oh，therewasasmallbeakerofwater，alittlesalthorse，andsomesalt-water-soakedseabiscuit-enoughtokeepusalivetoTagalag。
\"NowTagalagisthedisappointingestislandI’veeverbeheld。Itshowsupoutoftheseasoasyoucanmakeitsfalltwentymilesoff。Itisavolcanoconethrustupoutofdeepsea，withasegmentofthecraterwallbrokenout。Thisgivesseaentrancetothecrateritself，andmakesafineshelteredharbour。Andthat’sall。Nothinglivesthere。Theoutsideandtheinsideofthecrateraretoosteep。Atoneplace，inside，isapatchofaboutathousandcoconutpalms。Andthat’sall，asIsaid，savingafewinsects。Nofour-leggedthing，evenarat，inhabitstheplace。
Andit’sfunny，mostawfulfunny，withallthosecoconuts，notevenacoconutcrab。Theonlymeat-foodlivingwasschoolsofmulletintheharbour-fattest，finest，biggestmulletIeverlaideyeson。
\"Andthefourofuslandedonthelittlebeachandsetuphousekeepingamongthecoconutswithalarderfullofdynamiteandsquare-face。Whydon’tyoulaugh？It’sfunny，Itellyou。Tryitsometime-Hollandginandstraightcoconutdiet。I’veneverbeenabletolookaconfectioner’swindowinthefacesince。NowI’mnotstrongonreligionlikeChaunceyDelarousethere，butI
havesomeprimitiveideas;andmyconceptofhellisanillimitablecoconutplantation，stockedwithcasesofsquare-faceandpopulatedbyship-wreckedmariners。Funny？Itmustmakethedevilscream。
\"Youknow，straightcoconutiswhattheagriculturistscallanunbalancedration。Itcertainlyunbalancedourdigestions。Wegotsothatwheneverhungertookanextrabiteatus，wetookanotherdrinkofgin。Afteracoupleofweeksofit，Olaf，asquareheadsailor，gotanidea。Itcamewhenhewasfullofgin，andwe，beinginthesamefix，justwatchedhimshoveacapandshortfuseintoastickofdynamiteandstrolldowntowardtheboat。
\"Itdawnedonmethathewasgoingtoshootfishiftherewereanyabout;butthesunwasbeastlyhot，andIjustreclinedthereandhopedhe’dhaveluck。
\"Abouthalfanhourafterhedisappearedweheardtheexplosion。
Buthedidn’tcomeback。Wewaitedtillthecoolofsunset，anddownonthebeachfoundwhathadbecomeofhim。Theboatwasthereallright，groundedbytheprevailingbreeze，buttherewasnoOlaf。Hewouldneverhavetoeatcoconutagain。Wewentback，shakierthanever，andcrackedanothersquare-face。
\"Thenextdaythecookannouncedthathewouldrathertakehischancewithdynamitethancontinuetryingtoexistoncoconut，andthat，thoughhedidn’tknowanythingaboutdynamite，heknewasighttoomuchaboutcoconut。Sowebitthedetonatordownforhim，shovedinafuse，andpickedhimagoodfire-stick，whilehejoltedupwithacouplemorestiffonesofgin。
\"Itwasthesameprogrammeasthedaybefore。Afterawhileweheardtheexplosionandattwilightwentdowntotheboat，fromwhichwescrapedenoughofthecookforafuneral。
\"ThecarpenterandIstuckitouttwodaysmore，thenwedrewstrawsforitanditwashisturn。Wepartedwithharshwords;forhewantedtotakeasquare-facealongtorefreshhimselfbytheway，whileIwassetagainstrunninganychanceofwastingthegin。
Besides，hehadmorethanhecouldcarrythen，andhewobbledandstaggeredashewalked。
\"Samething，onlytherewasawholelotofhimleftformetobury，becausehe’dpreparedonlyhalfastick。Imanagedtolastitouttillnextday，when，afterdulyfortifyingmyself，Igotsufficientcouragetotacklethedynamite。Iusedonlyathirdofastick-
youknow，shortfuse，withtheendsplitsoastoholdtheheadofasafetymatch。That’swhereImendedmypredecessors’methods。
Notusingthematch-head，they’dtoo-longfuses。Therefore，whentheyspottedaschoolofmullet;andlightedthefuse，theyhadtoholdthedynamitetillthefuseburnedshortbeforetheythrewit。
Iftheythrewittoosoon，itwouldn’tgoofftheinstantithitthewater，whilethesplashofitwouldfrightenthemulletaway。
Funnystuffdynamite。Atanyrate，Istillmaintainminewasthesafermethod。
\"IpickedupaschoolofmulletbeforeI’dbeenrowingfiveminutes。Finebigfatonestheywere，andIcouldsmellthemoverthefire。WhenIstoodup，fire-stickinonehand，dynamitestickintheother，mykneeswereknockingtogether。Maybeitwasthegin，ortheanxiousness，ortheweaknessandthehunger，andmaybeitwastheresultofallofthem，butatanyrateIwasallofashake。TwiceIfailedtotouchthefire-sticktothedynamite。
ThenIdid，heardthematch-headsplutter，andlethergo。
\"NowIdon’tknowwhathappenedtotheothers，butIknowwhatI
did。Igotturnedabout。Didyoueverstemastrawberryandthrowthestrawberryawayandpopthestemintoyourmouth？That’swhatIdid。Ithrewthefire-stickintothewaterafterthemulletandheldontothedynamite。Andmyarmwentoffwiththestickwhenitwentoff……\"
Sliminvestigatedthetomato-canforwatertomixhimselfadrink，butfounditempty。Hestoodup。
\"Heighho，\"heyawned，andstarteddownthepathtotheriver。
Inseveralminuteshewasback。Hemixedtheduequantityofriverslushwiththealcohol，tookalong，solitarydrink，andstaredwithbittermoodinessintothefire。
\"Yes，but……\"Fattysuggested。\"Whathappenedthen？\"
\"Oh，\"sadSlim。\"Thentheprincessmarriedme，ofcourse。\"
\"Butyouweretheonlypersonleft，andtherewasn’tanyprincess……\"Whiskerscriedoutabruptly，andthenlethisvoicetrailawaytoembarrassedsilence。
Slimstaredunblinkinglyintothefire。
PercivalDelaneyandChaunceyDelarouselookedateachother。
Quietly，insolemnsilence，eachwithhisonearmaidedtheonearmoftheotherinrollingandtyinghisbundle。Andinsilence，bundlesslungonshoulders，theywentawayoutofthecircleoffirelight。Notuntiltheyreachedthetopoftherailroadembankmentdidtheyspeak。
\"Nogentlemanwouldhavedoneit，\"saidWhiskers。
\"Nogentlemanwouldhavedoneit，\"Fattyagreed。
GlenEllen，California，SEPTEMBER26，1916。