CONTENTS
TheHouseofMapuhiTheWhaleToothMauki\"Yah！Yah！Yah！\"
TheHeathenTheTerribleSolomonsTheInevitableWhiteManTheSeedofMcCoyTHEHOUSEOFMAPUHI
Despitetheheavyclumsinessofherlines，theAoraihandledeasilyinthelightbreeze，andhercaptainranherwellinbeforehehovetojustoutsidethesuckofthesurf。TheatollofHikuerulaylowonthewater，acircleofpoundedcoralsandahundredyardswide，twentymilesincircumference，andfromthreetofivefeetabovehigh—watermark。Onthebottomofthehugeandglassylagoonwasmuchpearlshell，andfromthedeckoftheschooner，acrosstheslenderringoftheatoll，thediverscouldbeseenatwork。Butthelagoonhadnoentranceforevenatradingschooner。Withafavoringbreezecutterscouldwininthroughthetortuousandshallowchannel，buttheschoonerslayoffandonoutsideandsentintheirsmallboats。
TheAoraiswungoutaboatsmartly，intowhichspranghalfadozenbrown—skinnedsailorscladonlyinscarletloincloths。Theytooktheoars，whileinthesternsheets，atthesteeringsweep，stoodayoungmangarbedinthetropicwhitethatmarkstheEuropean。ThegoldenstrainofPolynesiabetrayeditselfinthesun—giltofhisfairskinandcastupgoldensheensandlightsthroughtheglimmeringblueofhiseyes。Raoulhewas，AlexandreRaoul，youngestsonofMarieRaoul，thewealthyquarter—caste，whoownedandmanagedhalfadozentradingschoonerssimilartotheAorai。Acrossaneddyjustoutsidetheentrance，andinandthroughandoveraboilingtide—rip，theboatfoughtitswaytothemirroredcalmofthelagoon。YoungRaoulleapedoutuponthewhitesandandshookhandswithatallnative。Theman’schestandshouldersweremagnificent，butthestumpofarightarm，beyondthefleshofwhichtheage—whitenedboneprojectedseveralinches，attestedtheencounterwithasharkthathadputanendtohisdivingdaysandmadehimafawnerandanintriguerforsmallfavors。
\"Haveyouheard，Alec？\"werehisfirstwords。\"Mapuhihasfoundapearl——suchapearl。NeverwasthereonelikeiteverfishedupinHikueru，norinallthePaumotus，norinalltheworld。Buyitfromhim。Hehasitnow。AndrememberthatItoldyoufirst。Heisafoolandyoucangetitcheap。Haveyouanytobacco？\"
StraightupthebeachtoashackunderapandanustreeRaoulheaded。Hewashismother’ssupercargo，andhisbusinesswastocomballthePaumotusforthewealthofcopra，shell，andpearlsthattheyyieldedup。
Hewasayoungsupercargo，itwashissecondvoyageinsuchcapacity，andhesufferedmuchsecretworryfromhislackofexperienceinpricingpearls。ButwhenMapuhiexposedthepearltohissighthemanagedtosuppressthestartleitgavehim，andtomaintainacareless，commercialexpressiononhisface。
Forthepearlhadstruckhimablow。Itwaslargeasapigeonegg，aperfectsphere，ofawhitenessthatreflectedopalescentlightsfromallcolorsaboutit。Itwasalive。Neverhadheseenanythinglikeit。WhenMapuhidroppeditintohishandhewassurprisedbytheweightofit。Thatshowedthatitwasagoodpearl。Heexamineditclosely，throughapocketmagnifyingglass。Itwaswithoutflaworblemish。Thepurityofitseemedalmosttomeltintotheatmosphereoutofhishand。Intheshadeitwassoftlyluminous，gleaminglikeatendermoon。Sotranslucentlywhitewasit，thatwhenhedroppeditintoaglassofwaterhehaddifficultyinfindingit。Sostraightandswiftlyhaditsunktothebottomthatheknewitsweightwasexcellent。
\"Well，whatdoyouwantforit？\"heasked，withafineassumptionofnonchalance。
\"Iwant——\"Mapuhibegan，andbehindhim，framinghisowndarkface，thedarkfacesoftwowomenandagirlnoddedconcurrenceinwhathewanted。Theirheadswerebentforward，theywereanimatedbyasuppressedeagerness，theireyesflashedavariciously。
\"Iwantahouse，\"Mapuhiwenton。\"Itmusthavearoofofgalvanizedironandanoctagon—drop—clock。Itmustbesixfathomslongwithaporchallaround。A
bigroommustbeinthecentre，witharoundtableinthemiddleofitandtheoctagon—drop—clockonthewall。Theremustbefourbedrooms，twooneachsideofthebigroom，andineachbedroommustbeanironbed，twochairs，andawashstand。Andbackofthehousemustbeakitchen，agoodkitchen，withpotsandpansandastove。Andyoumustbuildthehouseonmyisland，whichisFakarava。\"
\"Isthatall？\"Raoulaskedincredulously。
\"Theremustbeasewingmachine，\"spokeupTefara，Mapuhi’swife。
\"Notforgettingtheoctagon—drop—clock，\"addedNauri，Mapuhi’smother。
\"Yes，thatisall，\"saidMapuhi。
YoungRaoullaughed。Helaughedlongandheartily。Butwhilehelaughedhesecretlyperformedproblemsinmentalarithmetic。Hehadneverbuiltahouseinhislife，andhisnotionsconcerninghousebuildingwerehazy。Whilehelaughed，hecalculatedthecostofthevoyagetoTahitiformaterials，ofthematerialsthemselves，ofthevoyagebackagaintoFakarava，andthecostoflandingthematerialsandofbuildingthehouse。ItwouldcometofourthousandFrenchdollars，allowingamarginforsafety——fourthousandFrenchdollarswereequivalenttotwentythousadfrancs。Itwasimpossible。Howwashetoknowthevalueofsuchapearl？Twentythousandfrancswasalotofmoney——andofhismother’smoneyatthat。
\"Mapuhi，\"hesaid，\"youareabigfool。Setamoneyprice。\"
ButMapuhishookhishead，andthethreeheadsbehindhimshookwithhis。
\"Iwantthehouse，\"hesaid。\"Itmustbesixfathomslongwithaporchallaround——\"
\"Yes，yes，\"Raoulinterrupted。\"Iknowallaboutyourhouse，butitwon’tdo。
I’llgiveyouathousandChilidollars。\"
Thefourheadschorusedasilentnegative。
\"AndahundredChilidollarsintrade。\"
\"Iwantthehouse，\"Mapuhibegan。
\"Whatgoodwillthehousedoyou？\"Raouldemanded。\"Thefirsthurricanethatcomesalongwillwashitaway。Yououghttoknow。
CaptainRaffysaysitlookslikeahurricanerightnow。\"
\"NotonFakarava，\"saidMapuhi。\"Thelandismuchhigherthere。Onthisisland，yes。AnyhurricanecansweepHikueru。IwillhavethehouseonFakarava。Itmustbesixfathomslongwithaporchallaround——\"
AndRaoullistenedagaintothetaleofthehouse。SeveralhourshespentintheendeavortohammerthehouseobsessionoutofMapuhi’smind;butMapuhi’smotherandwife，andNgakura，Mapuhi’sdaughter，bolsteredhiminhisresolveforthehouse。Throughtheopendoorway，whilehelistenedforthetwentiethtimetothedetaileddescriptionofthehousethatwaswanted，Raoulsawhisschooner’ssecondboatdrawuponthebeach。Thesailorsrestedontheoars，advertisinghastetobegone。ThefirstmateoftheAoraisprangashore，exchangedawordwiththeone—armednative，thenhurriedtowardRaoul。Thedaygrewsuddenlydark，asasquallobscuredthefaceofthesun。AcrossthelagoonRaoulcouldseeapproachingtheominouslineofthepuffofwind。
\"CaptainRaffysaysyou’vegottogettohelloutahere，\"wasthemate’sgreeting。\"Ifthere’sanyshell，we’vegottoruntheriskofpickingituplateron——sohesays。Thebarometer’sdroppedtotwenty—nine—seventy。\"
Thegustofwindstruckthepandanustreeoverheadandtorethroughthepalmsbeyond，flinginghalfadozenripecocoanutswithheavythudstotheground。
Thencametherainoutofthedistance，advancingwiththeroarofagaleofwindandcausingthewaterofthelagoontosmokeindrivenwindrows。ThesharprattleofthefirstdropswasontheleaveswhenRaoulsprangtohisfeet。
\"AthousandChilidollars，cashdown，Mapuhi，\"hesaid。\"AndtwohundredChilidollarsintrade。\"
\"Iwantahouse——\"theotherbegan。
\"Mapuhi！\"Raoulyelled，inordertomakehimselfheard。\"Youareafool！\"
Heflungoutofthehouse，and，sidebysidewiththemate，foughthiswaydownthebeachtowardtheboat。Theycouldnotseetheboat。Thetropicrainsheetedaboutthemsothattheycouldseeonlythebeachundertheirfeetandthespitefullittlewavesfromthelagoonthatsnappedandbitatthesand。A
figureappearedthroughthedeluge。ItwasHuru—Huru，themanwiththeonearm。
\"Didyougetthepearl？\"heyelledinRaoul’sear。
\"Mapuhiisafool！\"wastheansweringyell，andthenextmomenttheywerelosttoeachotherinthedescendingwater。
Halfanhourlater，Huru—Huru，watchingfromtheseawardsideoftheatoll，sawthetwoboatshoistedinandtheAoraipointinghernoseouttosea。Andnearher，justcomeinfromtheseaonthewingsofthesquall，hesawanotherschoonerhovetoanddroppingaboatintothewater。Heknewher。ItwastheOROHENA，ownedbyToriki，thehalf—castetrader，whoservedashisownsupercargoandwhodoubtlesslywaseventheninthesternsheetsoftheboat。
Huru—Huruchuckled。HeknewthatMapuhiowedTorikifortradegoodsadvancedtheyearbefore。
Thesquallhadpassed。Thehotsunwasblazingdown，andthelagoonwasoncemoreamirror。Buttheairwasstickylikemucilage，andtheweightofitseemedtoburdenthelungsandmakebreathingdifficult。
\"Haveyouheardthenews，Toriki？\"Huru—Huruasked。\"Mapuhihasfoundapearl。
NeverwasthereapearllikeiteverfishedupinHikueru，noranywhereinthePaumotus，noranywhereinalltheworld。Mapuhiisafool。Besides，heowesyoumoney。RememberthatItoldyoufirst。Haveyouanytobacco？\"
AndtothegrassshackofMapuhiwentToriki。Hewasamasterfulman，withalafairlystupidone。Carelesslyheglancedatthewonderfulpearl——glancedforamomentonly;andcarelesslyhedroppeditintohispocket。
\"Youarelucky，\"hesaid。\"Itisanicepearl。Iwillgiveyoucreditonthebooks。\"
\"Iwantahouse，\"Mapuhibegan，inconsternation。\"Itmustbesixfathoms——\"
\"Sixfathomsyourgrandmother！\"wasthetrader’sretort。\"Youwanttopayupyourdebts，that’swhatyouwant。YouowedmetwelvehundreddollarsChili。
Verywell;youowethemnolonger。Theamountissquared。Besides，IwillgiveyoucreditfortwohundredChili。If，whenIgettoTahiti，thepearlsellswell，Iwillgiveyoucreditforanotherhundred——thatwillmakethreehundred。Butmind，onlyifthepearlsellswell。Imayevenlosemoneyonit。\"
Mapuhifoldedhisarmsinsorrowandsatwithbowedhead。Hehadbeenrobbedofhispearl。Inplaceofthehouse，hehadpaidadebt。Therewasnothingtoshowforthepearl。
\"Youareafool，\"saidTefara。
\"Youareafool，\"saidNauri，hismother。\"Whydidyouletthepearlintohishand？\"
\"WhatwasItodo？\"Mapuhiprotested。\"Iowedhimthemoney。HeknewIhadthepearl。Youheardhimyourselfasktoseeit。Ihadnottoldhim。Heknew。
Somebodyelsetoldhim。AndIowedhimthemoney。\"
\"Mapuhiisafool，\"mimickedNgakura。
Shewastwelveyearsoldanddidnotknowanybetter。Mapuhirelievedhisfeelingsbysendingherreelingfromaboxontheear;whileTefaraandNauriburstintotearsandcontinuedtoupbraidhimafterthemannerofwomen。
Huru—Huru，watchingonthebeach，sawathirdschoonerthatheknewheavetooutsidetheentranceanddropaboat。ItwastheHira，wellnamed，forshewasownedbyLevy，theGermanJew，thegreatestpearlbuyerofthemall，and，aswaswellknown，HirawastheTahitiangodoffishermenandthieves。
\"Haveyouheardthenews？\"Huru—Huruasked，asLevy，afatmanwithmassiveasymmetricalfeatures，steppedoutuponthebeach。\"Mapuhihasfoundapearl。
TherewasneverapearllikeitinHikueru，inallthePaumotus，inalltheworld。Mapuhiisafool。HehassoldittoTorikiforfourteenhundredChili——Ilistenedoutsideandheard。Torikiislikewiseafool。Youcanbuyitfromhimcheap。RememberthatItoldyoufirst。Haveyouanytobacco？\"
\"WhereisToriki？\"
\"InthehouseofCaptainLynch，drinkingabsinthe。Hehasbeenthereanhour。\"
AndwhileLevyandTorikidrankabsintheandchafferedoverthepearl，Huru—Hurulistenedandheardthestupendouspriceoftwenty—fivethousandfrancsagreedupon。
ItwasatthistimethatboththeOROHENAandtheHira，runninginclosetotheshore，beganfiringgunsandsignallingfrantically。Thethreemensteppedoutsideintimetoseethetwoschoonersgohastilyaboutandheadoffshore，droppingmainsailsandflyingjibsontherunintheteethofthesquallthatheeledthemfaroveronthewhitenedwater。Thentherainblottedthemout。
\"They’llbebackafterit’sover，\"saidToriki。\"We’dbetterbegettingoutofhere。\"
\"Ireckontheglasshasfallensomemore，\"saidCaptainLynch。
Hewasawhite—beardedsea—captain，toooldforservice，whohadlearnedthattheonlywaytoliveoncomfortabletermswithhisasthmawasonHikueru。Hewentinsidetolookatthebarometer。
\"GreatGod！\"theyheardhimexclaim，andrushedintojoinhimatstaringatadial，whichmarkedtwenty—nine—twenty。
Againtheycameout，thistimeanxiouslytoconsultseaandsky。Thesquallhadclearedaway，buttheskyremainedovercast。Thetwoschooners，underallsailandjoinedbyathird，couldbeseenmakingback。Aveerinthewindinducedthemtoslackoffsheets，andfiveminutesafterwardasuddenveerfromtheoppositequartercaughtallthreeschoonersaback，andthoseonshorecouldseetheboom—tacklesbeingslackedawayorcastoffonthejump。Thesoundofthesurfwasloud，hollow，andmenacing，andaheavyswellwassettingin。Aterriblesheetoflightningburstbeforetheireyes，illuminatingthedarkday，andthethunderrolledwildlyaboutthem。
TorikiandLevybrokeintoarunfortheirboats，thelatteramblingalonglikeapanic—strickenhippopotamus。Astheirtwoboatssweptouttheentrance，theypassedtheboatoftheAoraicomingin。Inthesternsheets，encouragingtherowers，wasRaoul。Unabletoshakethevisionofthepearlfromhismind，hewasreturningtoacceptMapuhi’spriceofahouse。
HelandedonthebeachinthemidstofadrivingthundersquallthatwassodensethathecollidedwithHuru—Hurubeforehesawhim。
\"Toolate，\"yelledHuru—Huru。\"MapuhisoldittoTorikiforfourteenhundredChili，andTorikisoldittoLevyfortwenty—fivethousandfrancs。AndLevywillsellitinFranceforahundredthousandfrancs。Haveyouanytobacco？\"
Raoulfeltrelieved。Histroublesaboutthepearlwereover。Heneednotworryanymore，evenifhehadnotgotthepearl。ButhedidnotbelieveHuru—Huru。
MapuhimightwellhavesolditforfourteenhundredChili，butthatLevy，whoknewpearls，shouldhavepaidtwenty—fivethousandfrancswastoowideastretch。RaouldecidedtointerviewCaptainLynchonthesubject，butwhenhearrivedatthatancientmariner’shouse，hefoundhimlookingwide—eyedatthebarometer。
\"Whatdoyoureadit？\"CaptainLynchaskedanxiously，rubbinghisspectablesandstaringagainattheinstrument。
\"Twenty—nine—ten，\"saidRaoul。\"Ihaveneverseenitsolowbefore。\"
\"Ishouldsaynot！\"snortedthecaptain。\"Fiftyyearsboyandmanonalltheseas，andI’veneverseenitgodowntothat。Listen！\"
Theystoodforamoment，whilethesurfrumbledandshookthehouse。Thentheywentoutside。Thesquallhadpassed。TheycouldseetheAorailyingbecalmedamileawayandpitchingandtossingmadlyinthetremendousseasthatrolledinstatelyprocessiondownoutofthenortheastandflungthemselvesfuriouslyuponthecoralshore。Oneofthesailorsfromtheboatpointedatthemouthofthepassageandshookhishead。Raoullookedandsawawhiteanarchyoffoamandsurge。
\"IguessI’llstaywithyoutonight，Captain，\"hesaid;thenturnedtothesailorandtoldhimtohaultheboatoutandtofindshelterforhimselfandfellows。
\"Twenty—nineflat，\"CaptainLynchreported，comingoutfromanotherlookatthebarometer，achairinhishand。
Hesatdownandstaredatthespectacleofthesea。Thesuncameout，increasingthesultrinessoftheday，whilethedeadcalmstillheld。Theseascontinuedtoincreaseinmagnitude。
\"Whatmakesthatseaiswhatgetsme，\"Raoulmutteredpetulantly。
\"Thereisnowind，yetlookatit，lookatthatfellowthere！\"
Milesinlength，carryingtensofthousandsoftonsinweight，itsimpactshookthefrailatolllikeanearthquake。CaptainLynchwasstartled。
\"Gracious！\"hebellowed，halfrisingfromhischair，thensinkingback。
\"Butthereisnowind，\"Raoulpersisted。\"Icouldunderstanditiftherewaswindalongwithit。\"
\"You’llgetthewindsoonenoughwithoutworryin’forit，\"wasthegrimreply。
Thetwomensatoninsilence。Thesweatstoodoutontheirskininmyriadsoftinydropsthatrantogether，formingblotchesofmoisture，which，inturn，coalescedintorivuletsthatdrippedtotheground。Theypantedforbreath，theoldman’seffortsbeingespeciallypainful。Aseasweptupthebeach，lickingaroundthetrunksofthecocoanutsandsubsidingalmostattheirfeet。
\"Waypasthighwatermark，\"CaptainLynchremarked;\"andI’vebeenhereelevenyears。\"Helookedathiswatch。\"Itisthreeo’clock。\"
Amanandwoman，attheirheelsamotleyfollowingofbratsandcurs，traileddisconsolatelyby。Theycametoahaltbeyondthehouse，and，aftermuchirresolution，satdowninthesand。Afewminuteslateranotherfamilytrailedinfromtheoppositedirection，themenandwomencarryingaheterogeneousassortmentofpossessions。Andsoonseveralhundredpersonsofallagesandsexeswerecongregatedaboutthecaptain’sdwelling。Hecalledtoonenewarrival，awomanwithanursingbabeinherarms，andinanswerreceivedtheinformationthatherhousehadjustbeensweptintothelagoon。
Thiswasthehighestspotoflandinmiles，andalready，inmanyplacesoneitherhand，thegreatseasweremakingacleanbreachoftheslenderringoftheatollandsurgingintothelagoon。Twentymilesaroundstretchedtheringoftheatoll，andinnoplacewasitmorethanfiftyfathomswide。Itwastheheightofthedivingseason，andfromalltheislandsaround，evenasfarasTahiti，thenativeshadgathered。
\"Therearetwelvehundredmen，women，andchildrenhere，\"saidCaptainLynch。
\"Iwonderhowmanywillbeheretomorrowmorning。\"
\"Butwhydon’titblow？——that’swhatIwanttoknow，\"Raouldemanded。
\"Don’tworry，youngman，don’tworry;you’llgetyourtroublesfastenough。\"
EvenasCaptainLynchspoke，agreatwaterymasssmotetheatoll。
Theseawaterchurnedaboutthemthreeinchesdeepunderthechairs。Alowwailoffearwentupfromthemanywomen。Thechildren，withclaspedhands，staredattheimmenserollersandcriedpiteously。Chickensandcats，wadingperturbedlyinthewater，asbycommonconsent，withflightandscrambletookrefugeontheroofofthecaptain’shouse。APaumotan，withalitterofnew—bornpuppiesinabasket，climbedintoacocoanuttreeandtwentyfeetabovethegroundmadethebasketfast。Themotherflounderedaboutinthewaterbeneath，whiningandyelping。
Andstillthesunshonebrightlyandthedeadcalmcontinued。TheysatandwatchedtheseasandtheinsanepitchingoftheAorai。CaptainLynchgazedatthehugemountainsofwatersweepinginuntilhecouldgazenomore。Hecoveredhisfacewithhishandstoshutoutthesight;thenwentintothehouse。
\"Twenty—eight—sixty，\"hesaidquietlywhenhereturned。
Inhisarmwasacoilofsmallrope。Hecutitintotwo—fathomlengths，givingonetoRaouland，retainingoneforhimself，distributedtheremainderamongthewomenwiththeadvicetopickoutatreeandclimb。
Alightairbegantoblowoutofthenortheast，andthefanofitonhischeekseemedtocheerRaoulup。HecouldseetheAoraitrimminghersheetsandheadingoffshore，andheregrettedthathewasnotonher。Shewouldgetawayatanyrate，butasfortheatoll——Aseabreachedacross，almostsweepinghimoffhisfeet，andheselectedatree。Thenherememberedthebarometerandranbacktothehouse。HeencounteredCaptainLynchonthesameerrandandtogethertheywentin。
\"Twenty—eight—twenty，\"saidtheoldmariner。\"It’sgoingtobefairhellaroundhere——whatwasthat？\"
Theairseemedfilledwiththerushofsomething。Thehousequiveredandvibrated，andtheyheardthethrummingofamightynoteofsound。Thewindowsrattled。Twopanescrashed;adraughtofwindtorein，strikingthemandmakingthemstagger。Thedooroppositebangedshut，shatteringthelatch。Thewhitedoorknobcrumbledinfragmentstothefloor。Theroom’swallsbulgedlikeagasballoonintheprocessofsuddeninflation。Thencameanewsoundliketherattleofmusketry，asthesprayfromaseastruckthewallofthehouse。CaptainLyncyhlookedathiswatch。Itwasfouro’clock。Heputonacoatofpilotcloth，unhookedthebarometer，andstoweditawayinacapaciouspocket。Againaseastruckthehouse，withaheavythud，andthelightbuildingtilted，twisted，quarteraroundonitsfoundation，andsankdown，itsflooratanangleoftendegrees。
Raoulwentoutfirst。Thewindcaughthimandwhirledhimaway。Henotedthatithadhauledaroundtotheeast。Withagreatefforthethrewhimselfonthesand，crouchingandholdinghisown。CaptainLynch，drivenlikeawispofstraw，sprawledoverhim。TwooftheAorai’Ssailors，leavingacocoanuttreetowhichtheyhadbeenclinging，cametotheiraid，leaningagainstthewindatimpossibleanglesandfightingandclawingeveryinchoftheway。
Theoldman’sjointswerestiffandhecouldnotclimb，sothesailors，bymeansofshortendsofropetiedtogether，hoistedhimupthetrunk，afewfeetatatime，tilltheycouldmakehimfast，atthetopofthetree，fiftyfeetfromtheground。Raoulpassedhislengthofropearoundthebaseofanadjacenttreeandstoodlookingon。Thewindwasfrightful。Hehadneverdreameditcouldblowsohard。Aseabreachedacrosstheatoll，wettinghimtothekneesereitsubsidedintothelagoon。Thesunhaddisappeared，andalead—coloredtwilightsettleddown。Afewdropsofrain，drivinghorizontally，struckhim。Theimpactwaslikethatofleadenpellets。Asplashofsaltspraystruckhisface。Itwasliketheslapofaman’shand。Hischeeksstung，andinvoluntarytearsofpainwereinhissmartingeyes。Severalhundrednativeshadtakentothetrees，andhecouldhavelaughedatthebunchesofhumanfruitclusteringinthetops。Then，beingTahitian—born，hedoubledhisbodyatthewaist，claspedthetrunkofhistreewithhishands，pressedthesolesofhisfeetagainstthenearsurfaceofthetrunk，andbegantowalkupthetree。Atthetophefoundtwowomen，twochildren，andaman。Onelittlegirlclaspedahousecatinherarms。
FromhiseyriehewavedhishandtoCaptainLynch，andthatdoughtypatriarchwavedback。Raoulwasappalledatthesky。Ithadapproachedmuchnearer——infact，itseemedjustoverhishead;andithadturnedfromleadtoblack。Manypeoplewerestillonthegroundgroupedaboutthebasesofthetreesandholdingon。Severalsuchclusterswerepraying，andinonetheMormonmissionarywasexhorting。Aweirdsound，rhythmical，faintasthefaintestchirpofafarcricket，enduringbutforamoment，butinthemomentsuggestingtohimvaguelythethoughtofheavenandcelestialmusic，cametohisear。Heglancedabouthimandsaw，atthebaseofanothertree，alargeclusterofpeopleholdingonbyropesandbyoneanother。Hecouldseetheirfacesworkingandtheirlipsmovinginunison。Nosoundcametohim，butheknewthattheyweresinginghymns。
Stillthewindcontinuedtoblowharder。Bynoconsciousprocesscouldhemeasureit，forithadlongsincepassedbeyondallhisexperienceofwind;
butheknewsomehow，nevertheless，thatitwasblowingharder。Notfarawayatreewasuprooted，flingingitsloadofhumanbeingstotheground。Aseawashedacrossthestripofsand，andtheyweregone。Thingswerehappeningquickly。Hesawabrownshoulderandablackheadsilhouettedagainstthechurningwhiteofthelagoon。Thenextinstantthat，too，hadvanished。Othertreesweregoing，fallingandcriss—crossinglikematches。Hewasamazedatthepowerofthewind。Hisowntreewasswayingperilously，onewomanwaswailingandclutchingthelittlegirl，whointurnstillhungontothecat。
Theman，holdingtheotherchild，touchedRaoul’sarmandpointed。HelookedandsawtheMormonchurchcareeringdrunkenlyahundredfeetaway。Ithadbeentornfromitsfoundations，andwindandseawereheavingandshovingittowardthelagoon。Afrightfulwallofwatercaughtit，tiltedit，andflungitagainsthalfadozencocoanuttrees。Thebunchesofhumanfruitfelllikeripecocoanuts。Thesubsidingwaveshowedthemontheground，somelyingmotionless，otherssquirmingandwrithing。Theyremindedhimstrangelyofants。Hewasnotshocked。Hehadrisenabovehorror。Quiteasamatterofcoursehenotedthesucceedingwavesweepthesandcleanofthehumanwreckage。Athirdwave，morecolossalthananyhehadyetseen，hurledthechurchintothelagoon，whereitfloatedoffintotheobscuritytoleeward，half—submerged，remindinghimforalltheworldofaNoah’sark。
HelookedforCaptainLynch’shouse，andwassurprisedtofinditgone。Thingscertainlywerehappeningquickly。Henoticedthatmanyofthepeopleinthetreesthatstillheldhaddescendedtotheground。Thewindhadyetagainincreased。Hisowntreeshowedthat。Itnolongerswayedorbentoverandback。Instead，itremainedpracticallystationary，curvedinarigidanglefromthewindandmerelyvibrating。Butthevibrationwassickening。Itwaslikethatofatuning—forkorthetongueofajew’s—harp。Itwastherapidityofthevibrationthatmadeitsobad。Eventhoughitsrootsheld，itcouldnotstandthestrainforlong。Somethingwouldhavetobreak。
Ah，therewasonethathadgone。Hehadnotseenitgo，butthereitstood，theremnant，brokenoffhalf—wayupthetrunk。Onedidnotknowwhathappenedunlesshesawit。Themerecrashingoftreesandwailsofhumandespairoccupiednoplaceinthatmightyvolumeofsound。HechancedtobelookinginCaptainLynch’sdirectionwhenithappened。Hesawthetrunkofthetree，half—wayup，splinterandpartwithoutnoise。Theheadofthetree，withthreesailorsoftheAoraiandtheoldcaptainsailedoffoverthelagoon。Itdidnotfalltotheground，butdrovethroughtheairlikeapieceofchaff。Forahundredyardshefolloweditsflight，whenitstruckthewater。Hestrainedhiseyes，andwassurethathesawCaptainLynchwavefarewell。
Raouldidnotwaitforanythingmore。Hetouchedthenativeandmadesignstodescendtotheground。Themanwaswilling，buthiswomenwereparalayzedfromterror，andheelectedtoremainwiththem。Raoulpassedhisropearoundthetreeandsliddown。Arushofsaltwaterwentoverhishead。Heheldhisbreathandclungdesperatelytotherope。Thewatersubsided，andintheshelterofthetrunkhebreathedoncemore。Hefastenedtheropemoresecurely，andthenwasputunderbyanothersea。Oneofthewomensliddownandjoinedhim，thenativeremainingbytheotherwoman，thetwochildren，andthecat。
Thesupercargohadnoticedhowthegroupsclingingatthebasesoftheothertreescontinuallydiminished。Nowhesawtheprocessworkoutalongsidehim。
Itrequiredallhisstrengthtoholdon，andthewomanwhohadjoinedhimwasgrowingweaker。Eachtimeheemergedfromaseahewassurprisedtofindhimselfstillthere，andnext，surprisedtofindthewomanstillthere。Atlastheemergedtofindhimselfalone。Helookedup。Thetopofthetreehadgoneaswell。Athalfitsoriginalheight，asplinteredendvibrated。Hewassafe。Therootsstillheld，whilethetreehadbeenshornofitswindage。Hebegantoclimbup。Hewassoweakthathewentslowly，andseaafterseacaughthimbeforehewasabovethem。Thenhetiedhimselftothetrunkandstiffenedhissoultofacethenightandheknewnotwhat。
Hefeltverylonelyinthedarkness。Attimesitseemedtohimthatitwastheendoftheworldandthathewasthelastoneleftalive。Stillthewindincreased。Hourafterhouritincreased。Bywhathecalculatedwaseleveno’clock，thewindhadbecomeunbelievable。Itwasahorrible，monstrousthing，ascreamingfury，awallthatsmoteandpassedonbutthatcontinuedtosmiteandpasson——awallwithoutend。Itseemedtohimthathehadbecomelightandethereal;thatitwashethatwasinmotion;thathewasbeingdrivenwithinconceivablevelocitythroughunendingsolidness。Thewindwasnolongerairinmotion。Ithadbecomesubstantialaswaterorquicksilver。Hehadafeelingthathecouldreachintoitandtearitoutinchunksasonemightdowiththemeatinthecarcassofasteer;thathecouldseizeholdofthewindandhangontoitasamanmighthangontothefaceofacliff。
Thewindstrangledhim。Hecouldnotfaceitandbreathe，foritrushedinthroughhismouthandnostrils，distendinghislungslikebladders。Atsuchmomentsitseemedtohimthathisbodywasbeingpackedandswollenwithsolidearth。Onlybypressinghislipstothetrunkofthetreecouldhebreathe。
Also，theceaselessimpactofthewindexhaustedhim。Bodyandbrainbecamewearied。Henolongerobserved，nolongerthought，andwasbutsemiconscious。
Oneideaconstitutedhisconsciousness：SOTHISWASAHURRICANE。Thatoneideapersistedirregularly。Itwaslikeafeebleflamethatflickeredoccasionally。
Fromastateofstuporhewouldreturntoit——SOTHISWASAHURRICANE。Thenhewouldgooffintoanotherstupor。
Theheightofthehurricaneenduredfromelevenatnighttillthreeinthemorning，anditwasateleventhatthetreeinwhichclungMapuhiandhiswomensnappedoff。Mapuhirosetothesurfaceofthelagoon，stillclutchinghisdaughterNgakura。OnlyaSouthSeaislandercouldhavelivedinsuchadrivingsmother。Thepandanustree，towhichheattachedhimself，turnedoverandoverinthefrothandchurn;anditwasonlybyholdingonattimesandwaiting，andatothertimesshiftinghisgripsrapidly，thathewasabletogethisheadandNgakura’stothesurfaceatintervalssufficientlyneartogethertokeepthebreathinthem。Buttheairwasmostlywater，whatwithflyingsprayandsheetedrainthatpouredalongatrightanglestotheperpendicular。
Itwastenmilesacrossthelagoontothefartherringofsand。Here，tossingtreetrunks，timbers，wrecksofcutters，andwreckageofhouses，killednineoutoftenofthemiserablebeingswhosurvivedthepassageofthelagoon。
Half—drowned，exhausted，theywerehurledintothismadmortaroftheelementsandbatteredintoformlessflesh。ButMapuhiwasfortunate。Hischancewastheoneinten;itfelltohimbythefreakageoffate。Heemergeduponthesand，bleedingfromascoreofwounds。
Ngakura’sleftarmwasbroken;thefingersofherrighthandwerecrushed;andcheekandforeheadwerelaidopentothebone。Heclutchedatreethatyetstood，andclungon，holdingthegirlandsobbingforair，whilethewatersofthelagoonwashedbyknee—highandattimeswaist—high。
Atthreeinthemorningthebackboneofthehurricanebroke。Byfivenomorethanastiffbreezewasblowing。Andbysixitwasdeadcalmandthesunwasshining。Theseahadgonedown。Ontheyetrestlessedgeofthelagoon，Mapuhisawthebrokenbodiesofthosethathadfailedinthelanding。UndoubtedlyTefaraandNauriwereamongthem。Hewentalongthebeachexaminingthem，andcameuponhiswife，lyinghalfinandhalfoutofthewater。Hesatdownandwept，makingharshanimalnoisesafterthemannerofprimitivegrief。Thenshestirreduneasily，andgroaned。Helookedmoreclosely。Notonlywasshealive，butshewasuninjured。Shewasmerelysleeping。Hersalsohadbeentheonechanceinten。
Ofthetwelvehundredalivethenightbeforebutthreehundredremained。Themormonmissionaryandagendarmemadethecensus。Thelagoonwasclutteredwithcorpses。Notahousenorahutwasstanding。Inthewholeatollnottwostonesremainedoneuponanother。Oneinfiftyofthecocoanutpalmsstillstood，andtheywerewrecks，whileonnotoneofthemremainedasinglenut。
Therewasnofreshwater。Theshallowwellsthatcaughtthesurfaceseepageoftherainwerefilledwithsalt。Outofthelagoonafewsoakedbagsofflourwererecovered。Thesurvivorscuttheheartsoutofthefallencocoanuttreesandatethem。Hereandtheretheycrawledintotinyhutches，madebyhollowingoutthesandandcoveringoverwithfragmentsofmetalroofing。Themissionarymadeacrudestill，buthecouldnotdistillwaterforthreehundredpersons。Bytheendofthesecondday，Raoul，takingabathinthelagoon，discoveredthathisthirstwassomewhatrelieved。Hecriedoutthenews，andthereuponthreehundredmen，women，andchildrencouldhavebeenseen，standinguptotheirnecksinthelagoonandtryingtodrinkwaterinthroughtheirskins。Theirdeadfloatedaboutthem，orweresteppeduponwheretheystilllayuponthebottom。Onthethirddaythepeopleburiedtheirdeadandsatdowntowaitfortherescuesteamers。
Inthemeantime，Nauri，tornfromherfamilybythehurricane，hadbeensweptawayonanadventureofherown。Clingingtoaroughplankthatwoundedandbruisedherandthatfilledherbodywithsplinters，shewasthrownclearovertheatollandcarriedawaytosea。Here，undertheamazingbuffetsofmountainsofwater，shelostherplank。Shewasanoldwomannearlysixty;butshewasPaumotan—born，andshehadneverbeenoutofsightoftheseainherlife。Swimminginthedarkness，strangling，suffocating，fightingforair，shewasstruckaheavyblowontheshoulderbyacocoanut。Ontheinstantherplanwasformed，andsheseizedthenut。Inthenexthourshecapturedsevenmore。
Tiedtogether，theyformedalife—buoythatpreservedherlifewhileatthesametimeitthreatenedtopoundhertoajelly。Shewasafatwoman，andshebruisedeasily;butshehadhadexperienceofhurricanes，andwhilesheprayedtohersharkgodforprotectionfromsharks，shewaitedforthewindtobreak。
Butatthreeo’clockshewasinsuchastuporthatshedidnotknow。Nordidsheknowatsixo’clockwhenthedeadcalmsettleddown。Shewasshockedintoconsciousnesswhenshewasthrownuponthesand。Sheduginwithrawandbleedinghandsandfeetandclawedagainstthebackwashuntilshewasbeyondthereachofthewaves。
Sheknewwhereshewas。ThislandcouldbenootherthanthetinyisletofTakokota。Ithadnolagoon。Nooneliveduponit。
Hikueruwasfifteenmilesaway。ShecouldnotseeHikueru，butsheknewthatitlaytothesouth。Thedayswentby，andshelivedonthecocoanutsthathadkeptherafloat。Theysuppliedherwithdrinkingwaterandwithfood。Butshedidnotdrinkallshewanted，noreatallshewanted。Rescuewasproblematical。Shesawthesmokeoftherescuesteamersonthehorizon，butwhatsteamercouldbeexpectedtocometolonely，uninhabitedTakokota？
Fromthefirstshewastormentedbycorpses。Theseapersistedinflingingthemuponherbitofsand，andshepersisted，untilherstrengthfailed，inthrustingthembackintotheseawherethesharkstoreatthemanddevouredthem。Whenherstrengthfailed，thebodiesfestoonedherbeachwithghastlyhorror，andshewithdrewfromthemasfarasshecould，whichwasnotfar。
Bythetenthdayherlastcocoanutwasgone，andshewasshrivellingfromthirst。Shedraggedherselfalongthesand，lookingforcocoanuts。Itwasstrangethatsomanybodiesfloatedup，andnonuts。Surely，thereweremorecocoanutsafloatthandeadmen！Shegaveupatlast，andlayexhausted。Theendhadcome。Nothingremainedbuttowaitfordeath。
Comingoutofastupor，shebecameslowlyawarethatshewasgazingatapatchofsandy—redhairontheheadofacorpse。Theseaflungthebodytowardher，thendrewitback。Itturnedover，andshesawthatithadnoface。Yettherewassomethingfamiliaraboutthatpatchofsandy—redhair。Anhourpassed。Shedidnotexertherselftomaketheidentification。Shewaswaitingtodie，anditmatteredlittletoherwhatmanthatthingofhorroroncemighthavebeen。
Butattheendofthehourshesatupslowlyandstaredatthecorpse。Anunusuallylargewavehadthrownitbeyondthereachofthelesserwaves。Yes，shewasright;thatpatchofredhaircouldbelongtobutonemaninthePaumotus。ItwasLevy，theGermanJew，themanwhohadboughtthepearlandcarrieditawayontheHira。Well，onethingwasevident：TheHirahadbeenlost。Thepearlbuyer’sgodoffishermenandthieveshadgonebackonhim。
Shecrawleddowntothedeadman。Hisshirthadbeentornaway，andshecouldseetheleathermoneybeltabouthiswaist。Sheheldherbreathandtuggedatthebuckles。Theygaveeasierthanshehadexpected，andshecrawledhurriedlyawayacrossthesand，draggingthebeltafterher。Pocketafterpocketsheunbuckledinthebeltandfoundempty。Wherecouldhehaveputit？Inthelastpocketofallshefoundit，thefirstandonlypearlhehadboughtonthevoyage。Shecrawledafewfeetfarther，toescapethepestilenceofthebelt，andexaminedthepearl。ItwastheoneMapuhihadfoundandbeenrobbedofbyToriki。Sheweigheditinherhandandrolleditbackandforthcaressingly。
Butinitshesawnointrinsicbeauty。WhatshedidseewasthehouseMapuhiandTefaraandshehadbuildedsocarefullyintheirminds。Eachtimeshelookedatthepearlshesawthehouseinallitsdetails，includingtheoctagon—drop—clockonthewall。Thatwassomethingtolivefor。
Shetoreastripfromherahuandtiedthepearlsecurelyaboutherneck。Thenshewentonalongthebeach，pantingandgroaning，butresolutelyseekingforcocoanuts。Quicklyshefoundone，and，assheglancedaround，asecond。Shebrokeone，drinkingitswater，whichwasmildewy，andeatingthelastparticleofthemeat。Alittlelatershefoundashattereddugout。Itsoutriggerwasgone，butshewashopeful，and，beforethedaywasout，shefoundtheoutrigger。Everyfindwasanaugury。Thepearlwasatalisman。Lateintheafternoonshesawawoodenboxfloatinglowinthewater。Whenshedraggeditoutonthebeachitscontentsrattled，andinsideshefoundtentinsofsalmon。Sheopenedonebyhammeringitonthecanoe。Whenaleakwasstarted，shedrainedthetin。Afterthatshespentseveralhoursinextractingthesalmon，hammeringandsqueezingitoutamorselatatime。
Eightdayslongershewaitedforrescue。Inthemeantimeshefastenedtheoutriggerbackonthecanoe，usingforlashingsallthecocoanutfibreshecouldfind，andalsowhatremainedofherahu。Thecanoewasbadlycracked，andshecouldnotmakeitwater—tight;butacalabashmadefromacocoanutshestoredonboardforabailer。Shewashardputforapaddle。Withapieceoftinshesawedoffallherhairclosetothescalp。Outofthehairshebraidedacord;andbymeansofthecordshelashedathree—footpieceofbroomhandletoaboardfromthesalmoncase。
Shegnawedwedgeswithherteethandwiththemwedgedthelashing。
Ontheeighteenthday，atmidnight，shelaunchedthecanoethroughthesurfandstartedbackforHikueru。Shewasanoldwoman。Hardshiphadstrippedherfatfromhertillscarcelymorethanbonesandskinandafewstringymusclesremained。Thecanoewaslargeandshouldhavebeenpaddledbythreestrongmen。
Butshediditalone，withamake—shiftpaddle。Also，thecanoeleakedbadly，andone—thirdofhertimewasdevotedtobailing。BycleardaylightshelookedvainlyforHikueru。Astern，Takokotahadsunkbeneaththesearim。Thesunblazeddownonhernakedness，compellingherbodytosurrenderitsmoisture。Twotinsofsalmonwereleft，andinthecourseofthedayshebatteredholesinthemanddrainedtheliquid。Shehadnotimetowasteinextractingthemeat。Acurrentwassettingtothewestward，shemadewestingwhethershemadesouthingornot。
Intheearyafternoon，standinguprightinthecanoe，shesightedHikueruItswealthofcocoanutpalmswasgone。Onlyhereandthere，atwideintervals，couldsheseetheraggedremnantsoftrees。Thesightcheeredher。Shewasnearerthanshehadthought。Thecurrentwassettinghertothewestward。Sheboreupagainstitandpaddledon。Thewedgesinthepaddlelashingworkedloose，andshelostmuchtime，atfrequentintervals，indrivingthemtight。
Thentherewasthebailing。Onehourinthreeshehadtoceasepaddlinginordertobail。Andallthetimeshedriftdtothewestward。
BysunsetHikueruboresoutheastfromher，threemilesaway。Therewasafullmoon，andbyeighto’clockthelandwasdueeastandtwomilesaway。Shestruggledonforanotherhour，butthelandwasasfarawayasever。Shewasinthemaingripofthecurrent;thecanoewastoolarge;thepaddlewastooinadequate;andtoomuchofhertimeandstrengthwaswastedinbailing。
Besides，shewasveryweakandgrowingweaker。Despiteherefforts，thecanoewasdriftingofftothewestward。
Shebreathedaprayertohersharkgod，slippedovertheside，andbegantoswim。Shewasactuallyrefreshedbythewater，andquicklyleftthecanoeastern。Attheendofanhourthelandwasperceptiblynearer。Thencameherfright。Rightbeforehereyes，nottwentyfeetaway，alargefincutthewater。Sheswamsteadilytowardit，andslowlyitglidedaway，curvingofftowardtherightandcirclingaroundher。Shekepthereyesonthefinandswamon。Whenthefindisappeared，shelayfacedownwardinthewaterandwatched。Whenthefinreappearedsheresumedherswimming。Themonsterwaslazy——shecouldseethat。Withoutdoubthehadbeenwellfedsincethehurricane。Hadhebeenveryhungry，sheknewhewouldnothavehesitatedfrommakingadashforher。Hewasfifteenfeetlong，andonebite，sheknew，couldcutherinhalf。
Butshedidnothaveanytimetowasteonhim。Whethersheswamornot，thecurrentdrewawayfromthelandjustthesame。Ahalfhourwentby，andthesharkbegantogrowbolder。Seeingnoharminherhedrewcloser，innarrowingcircles，cockinghiseyesatherimpudentlyasheslidpast。Soonerorlater，sheknewwellenough，hewouldgetupsufficientcouragetodashather。Sheresolvedtoplayfirst。Itwasadesperateactshemeditated。Shewasanoldwoman，aloneintheseaandweakfromstarvationandhardship;andyetshe，inthefaceofthisseatiger，mustanticipatehisdashbyherselfdashingathim。Sheswamon，waitingherchance。Atlasthepassedlanguidlyby，barelyeightfeetaway。Sherushedathimsuddenly，feigningthatshewasattackinghim。Hegaveawildflirtofhistailashefledaway，andhissandpaperhide，strikingher，tookoffherskinfromelbowtoshoulder。Heswamrapidly，inawideningcircle，andatlastdisappeared。
Intheholeinthesand，coveredoverbyfragmentsofmetalroofing，MapuhiandTefaralaydisputing。
\"IfyouhaddoneasIsaid，\"chargedTefara，forthethousandthtime，\"andhiddenthepearlandtoldnoone，youwouldhaveitnow。\"
\"ButHuru—HuruwaswithmewhenIopenedtheshell——haveInottoldyousotimesandtimesandtimeswithoutend？\"
\"Andnowweshallhavenohouse。RaoultoldmetodaythatifyouhadnotsoldthepearltoToriki——\"
\"Ididnotsellit。Torikirobbedme。\"
\"——thatifyouhadnotsoldthepearl，hewouldgiveyoufivethousandFrenchdollars，whichistenthousandChili。\"
\"Hehasbeentalkingtohismother，\"Mapuhiexplained。\"Shehasaneyeforapearl。\"
\"Andnowthepearlislost，\"Tefaracomplained。
\"ItpaidmydebtwithToriki。ThatistwelvehundredIhavemade，anyway。\"
\"Torikiisdead，\"shecried。\"Theyhaveheardnowordofhisschooner。ShewaslostalongwiththeAoraiandtheHira。WillTorikipayyouthethreehundredcredithepromised？No，becauseTorikiisdead。Andhadyoufoundnopearl，wouldyoutodayoweTorikithetwelvehundred？No，becauseTorikiisdead，andyoucannotpaydeadmen。\"
\"ButLevydidnotpayToriki，\"Mapuhisaid。\"HegavehimapieceofpaperthatwasgoodforthemoneyinPapeete;andnowLevyisdeadandcannotpay;andTorikiisdeadandthepaperlostwithhim，andthepearlislostwithLevy。
Youareright，Tefara。Ihavelostthepearl，andgotnothingforit。Nowletussleep。\"
Hehelduphishandsuddenlyandlistened。Fromwithoutcameanoise，asofonewhobreathedheavilyandwithpain。Ahandfumbledagainstthematthatservedforadoor。
\"Whoisthere？\"Mapuhicried。
\"Nauri，\"cametheanswer。\"Canyoutellmewhereismyson，Mapuhi？\"
Tefarascreamedandgrippedherhusband’sarm。
\"Aghost！shechattered。\"Aghost！\"
Mapuhi’sfacewasaghastlyyellow。Heclungweaklytohiswife。
\"Goodwoman，\"hesaidinfalteringtones，strivingtodisguisehisvice，\"I
knowyoursonwell。Heislivingontheeastsideofthelagoon。\"
Fromwithoutcamethesoundofasigh。Mapuhibegantofeelelated。Hehadfooledtheghost。
\"Butwheredoyoucomefrom，oldwoman？\"heasked。
\"Fromthesea，\"wasthedejectedanswer。
\"Iknewit！Iknewit！\"screamedTefara，rockingtoandfro。
\"SincewhenhasTefarabeddedinastrangehouse？\"cameNauri’svoicethroughthematting。
Mapuhilookedfearandreproachathiswife。Itwashervoicethathadbetrayedthem。
\"AndsincewhenhasMapuhi，myson，deniedhisoldmother？\"thevoicewenton。
\"No，no，Ihavenot——Mapuhihasnotdeniedyou，\"hecried。\"IamnotMapuhi。
Heisontheeastendofthelagoon，Itellyou。\"
Ngakurasatupinbedandbegantocry。Themattingstartedtoshake。
\"Whatareyoudoing？\"Mapuhidemanded。
\"Iamcomingin，\"saidthevoiceofNauri。
Oneendofthemattinglifted。Tefaratriedtodiveundertheblankets，butMapuhiheldontoher。Hehadtoholdontosomething。Together，strugglingwitheachother，withshiveringbodiesandchatteringteeth，theygazedwithprotrudingeyesattheliftingmat。TheysawNauri，drippingwithseawater，withoutherahu，creepin。TheyrolledoverbackwardfromherandfoughtforNgakura’sblanketwithwhichtocovertheirheads。
\"Youmightgiveyouroldmotheradrinkofwater，\"theghostsaidplaintively。
\"Giveheradrinkofwater，\"Tefaracommandedinashakingvoice。
\"Giveheradrinkofwater，\"MapuhipassedonthecommandtoNgakura。
AndtogethertheykickedoutNgakurafromundertheblanket。Aminutelater，peeping，Mapuhisawtheghostdrinking。Whenitreachedoutashakinghandandlaiditonhis，hefelttheweightofitandwasconvincedthatitwasnoghost。Thenheemerged，draggingTefaraafterhim，andinafewminutesallwerelisteningtoNauri’stale。AndwhenshetoldofLevy，anddroppedthepearlintoTefara’shand，evenshewasreconciledtotherealityofhermother—in—law。
\"Inthemorning，\"saidTefara，\"youwillsellthepearltoRaoulforfivethousandFrench。\"
\"Thehouse？\"objectedNauri。
\"Hewillbuildthehouse，\"Tefaraanswered。\"HewaysitwillcostfourthousandFrench。AlsowillhegiveonethousandFrenchincredit，whichistwothousandChili。\"
\"Anditwillbesixfathomslong？\"Nauriqueried。
\"Ay，\"answeredMapuhi，\"sixfathoms。\"
\"Andinthemiddleroomwillbetheoctagon—drop—clock？\"
\"Ay，andtheroundtableaswell。\"
\"Thengivemesomethingtoeat，forIamhungry，\"saidNauri，complacently。
\"Andafterthatwewillsleep，forIamweary。Andtomorrowwewillhavemoretalkaboutthehousebeforewesellthepearl。ItwillbebetterifwetakethethousandFrenchincash。Moneyiseverbetterthancreditinbuyinggoodsfromthetraders。\"
THEWHALETOOTH
ItwasintheearlydaysinFiji，whenJohnStarhurstaroseinthemissionhouseatRewaVillageandannouncedhisintentionofcarryingthegospelthroughoutallVitiLevu。NowVitiLevumeansthe\"GreatLand，\"itbeingthelargestislandinagroupcomposedofmanylargeislands，tosaynothingofhundredsofsmallones。Hereandthereonthecoasts，livingbymostprecarioustenure，wasasprinklingofmissionaries，traders，b坈he—de—merfishers，andwhaleshipdeserters。Thesmokeofthehotovensaroseundertheirwindows，andthebodiesoftheslainweredraggedbytheirdoorsonthewaytothefeasting。
TheLotu，ortheWorship，wasprogressingslowly，and，often，incrablikefashion。Chiefs，whoannouncedthemselvesChristiansandwerewelcomedintothebodyofthechapel，hadadistressinghabitofbackslidinginordertopartakeofthefleshofsomefavoriteenemy。Eatorbeeatenhadbeenthelawoftheland;andeatorbeeatenpromisedtoremainthelawofthelandforalongtimetocome。Therewerechiefs，suchasTanoa，Tuiveikoso，andTuikilakila，whohadliterallyeatenhundredsoftheirfellowmen。ButamongthesegluttonsRaUndreundrerankedhighest。RaUndreundrelivedatTakiraki。
Hekeptaregisterofhisgustatoryexploits。Arowofstonesoutsidehishousemarkedthebodieshehadeaten。Thisrowwastwohundredandthirtypaceslong，andthestonesinitnumberedeighthundredandseventy—two。Eachstonerepresentedabody。Therowofstonesmighthavebeenlonger，hadnotRaUndreundreunfortunatelyreceivedaspearinthesmallofhisbackinabushskirmishonSomoSomoandbeenserveduponthetableofNaungavuli，whosemediocrestringofstonesnumberedonlyforty—eight。
Thehard—worked，fever—strickenmissionariesstuckdoggedlytotheirtask，attimesdespairing，andlookingforwardforsomespecialmanifestation，someoutburstofPentecostalfirethatwouldbringagloriousharvestofsouls。ButcannibalFijihadremainedobdurate。Thefrizzle—headedman—eaterswereloathtoleavetheirfleshpotssolongastheharvestofhumancarcaseswasplentiful。Sometimes，whentheharvestwastooplentiful，theyimposedonthemissionariesbylettingthewordslipoutthatonsuchadaytherewouldbeakillingandabarbecue。Promptlythemissionarieswouldbuythelivesofthevictimswithsticktobacco，fathomsofcalico，andquartsoftradebeads。
Nathelessthechiefsdroveahandsometradeinthusdisposingoftheirsurpluslivemeat。Also，theycouldalwaysgooutandcatchmore。
ItwasatthisjuncturethatJohnStarhurstproclaimedthathewouldcarrytheGospelfromcoasttocoastoftheGreatLand，andthathewouldbeginbypenetratingthemountainfastnessesoftheheadwatersoftheRewaRiver。Hiswordswerereceivedwithconsternation。
Thenativeteachersweptsoftly。Histwofellowmissionariesstrovetodissuadehim。TheKingofRewawarnedhimthatthemountaindwellerswouldsurelykai—kaihim——kai—kaimeaning\"toeat\"——andthathe，theKingofRewa，havingbecomeLotu，wouldbeputtothenecessityofgoingtowarwiththemountaindwellers。Thathecouldnotconquerthemhewasperfectlyaware。
ThattheymightcomedowntheriverandsackRewaVillagehewaslikewiseperfectlyaware。Butwhatwashetodo？IfJohnStarhurstpersistedingoingoutandbeingeaten，therewouldbeawarthatwouldcosthundredsoflives。
LaterinthedayadeputationofRewachiefswaiteduponJohnStarhurst。Heheardthempatiently，andarguedpatientlywiththem，thoughheabatednotawhitfromhispurpose。Tohisfellowmissionariesheexplainedthathewasnotbentuponmartyrdom;thatthecallhadcomeforhimtocarrytheGospelintoVitiLevu，andthathewasmerelyobeyingtheLord’swish。
Tothetraderswhocameandobjectedmoststrenuouslyofall，hesaid：\"Yourobjectionsarevalueless。Theyconsistmerelyofthedamagethatmaybedoneyourbusinesses。Youareinterestedinmakingmoney，butIaminterestedinsavingsouls。Theheathenofthisdarklandmustbesaved。\"
JohnStarhurstwasnotafanatic。Hewouldhavebeenthefirstmantodenytheimputation。Hewaseminentlysaneandpractical。
Hewassurethathismissionwouldresultingood，andhehadprivatevisionsofignitingthePentecostalsparkinthesoulsofthemountaineersandofinauguratingarevivalthatwouldsweepdownoutofthemountainsandacrossthelengthandbreadthoftheGreatLandfromseatoseaandtotheislesinthemidstofthesea。Therewerenowildlightsinhismildgrayeyes，butonlycalmresolutionandanunfalteringtrustintheHigherPowerthatwasguidinghim。
Onemanonlyhefoundwhoapprovedofhisproject，andthatwasRaVatu，whosecretlyencouragedhimandofferedtolendhimguidestothefirstfoothills。
JohnStarhurst，inturn，wasgreatlypleasedbyRaVatu’sconduct。Fromanincorrigibleheathen，withaheartasblackashispractices，RaVatuwasbeginningtoemanatelight。HeevenspokeofbecomingLotu。True，threeyearsbeforehehadexpressedasimilarintention，andwouldhaveenteredthechurchhadnotJohnStarhurstenteredobjectiontohisbringinghisfourwivesalongwithhim。RaVatuhadhadeconomicandethicalobjectionstomonogamy。
Besides，themissionary’shair—splittingobjectionhadoffendedhim;and，toprovethathewasafreeagentandamanofhonor，hehadswunghishugewarcluboverStarhurst’shead。Starhursthadescapedbyrushinginundertheclubandholdingontohimuntilhelparrived。Butallthatwasnowforgivenandforgotten。RaVatuwascomingintothechurch，notmerelyasaconvertedheathen，butasaconvertedpolygamistaswell。Hewasonlywaiting，heassuredStarhurst，untilhisoldestwife，whowasverysick，shoulddie。
JohnStarhurstjourneyedupthesluggishRewainoneofRaVatu’scanoes。Thiscanoewastocarryhimfortwodays，when，theheadofnavigationreached，itwouldreturn。Farinthedistance，liftedintothesky，couldbeseenthegreatsmokymountainsthatmarkedthebackboneoftheGreatLand。AlldayJohnStarhurstgazedatthemwitheageryearning。
Sometimesheprayedsilently。AtothertimeshewasjoinedinprayerbyNarau，anativeteacher，whoforsevenyearshadbeenLotu，eversincethedayhehadbeensavedfromthehotovenbyDr。JamesElleryBrownatthetriflingexpenseofonehundredsticksoftobacco，twocottonblankets，andalargebottleofpainkiller。Atthelastmoment，aftertwentyhoursofsolitarysupplicationandprayer，Narau’searshadheardthecalltogoforthwithJohnStarhurstonthemissiontothemountains。
\"Master，Iwillsurelygowiththee，\"hehadannounced。
JohnStarhursthadhailedhimwithsoberdelight。Truly，theLordwaswithhimthustospuronsobroken—spiritedacreatureasNarau。
\"Iamindeedwithoutspirit，theweakestoftheLord’svessels，\"Narauexplained，thefirstdayinthecanoe。
\"Youshouldhavefaith，strongerfaith，\"themissionarychidedhim。
AnothercanoejourneyeduptheRewathatday。Butitjourneyedanhourastern，andittookcarenottobeseen。ThiscanoewasalsothepropertyofRaVatu。
InitwasErirola，RaVatu’sfirstcousinandtrustedhenchman;andinthesmallbasketthatneverlefthishandwasawhaletooth。Itwasamagnificenttooth，fullysixincheslong，beautifullyproportioned，theivoryturnedyellowandpurplewithage。ThistoothwaslikewisethepropertyofRaVatu;
andinFiji，whensuchatoothgoesforth，thingsusuallyhappen。Forthisisthevirtueofthewhaletooth：Whoeveracceptsitcannotrefusetherequestthatmayaccompanyitorfollowit。Therequestmaybeanythingfromahumanlifetoatribalalliance，andnoFijianissodeadtohonorastodenytherequestwhenoncethetoothhasbeenaccepted。Sometimestherequesthangsfire，orthefulfilmentisdelayed，withuntowardconsequences。