\"Irememberthatallthetimehewassmokingacigar。Whenwewerefortyfeetawayandcomingfast，hedroppedtherifle，lightedastickofdynamitewiththecigar，andthrewitatus。Helightedanotherandanother，andthrewthematusveryrapidly，manyofthem。Iknownowthathemusthavesplittheendsofthefusesandstuckinmatchheads，becausetheylightedsoquickly。Also，thefuseswereveryshort。Sometimesthedynamitestickswentoffintheair，butmostofthemwentoffinthecanoes。Andeachtimetheywentoffinacanoe，thatcanoewasfinished。Ofthetwentycanoes，thehalfweresmashedtopieces。ThecanoeIwasinwassosmashed，andlikewisethetwomenwhosatnexttome。Thedynamitefellbetweenthem。Theothercanoesturnedandranaway。Thenthatmateyelled，Yah！Yah！Yah！’atus。Alsohewentatusagainwithhisrifle，sothatmanywerekilledthroughthebackastheyfledaway。
Andallthetimetheblackboysintheboatwentonrowing。Yousee，Itoldyoutrue，thatmatewashell。
\"Norwasthatall。Beforehelefttheschooner，hesetheronfire，andfixedupallthepowderanddynamitesothatitwouldgooffatonetime。Therewerehundredsofusonboard，tryingtoputoutthefire，heavingupwaterfromoverside，whentheschoonerblewup。Sothatallwehadfoughtforwaslosttous，besidesmanymoreofusbeingkilled。Sometimes，evennow，inmyoldage，IhavebaddreamsinwhichIhearthatmateyell，Yah！Yah！Yah！’Inavoiceofthunderheyells，Yah！Yah！Yah！’Butallthoseinthefishingcampswerekilled。
\"Thematewentoutofthepassageinhislittleboat，andthatwastheendofhimwemadesure，forhowcouldsosmallaboat，withfourmeninit，liveontheocean？Amonthwentby，andthen，onemorning，betweentworainsqualls，aschoonersailedinthroughourpassageanddroppedanchorbeforethevillage。
Thekingandtheheadmenmadebigtalk，anditwasagreedthatwewouldtaketheschoonerintwoorthreedays。Inthemeantime，asitwasourcustomalwaystoappearfriendly，wewentofftoherincanoes，bringingstringsofcocoanuts，fowls，andpigs，totrade。Butwhenwewerealongside，manycanoesofus，themenonboardbegantoshootuswithrifles，andaswepaddledawayIsawthematewhohadgonetoseainthelittleboatspringupontherailanddanceandyell，Yah！Yah！Yah！’
\"Thatafternoontheylandedfromtheschoonerinthreesmallboatsfilledwithwhitemen。Theywentrightthroughthevillage，shootingeverymantheysaw。
Alsotheyshotthefowlsandpigs。Wewhowerenotkilledgotawayincanoesandpaddledoutintothelagoon。Lookingback，wecouldseeallthehousesonfire。LateintheafternoonwesawmanycanoescomingfromNihi，whichisthevillageneartheNihiPassageinthenortheast。Theywereallthatwereleft，andlikeustheirvillagehadbeenburnedbyasecondschoonerthathadcomethroughNihiPassage。
\"WestoodoninthedarknesstothewestwardforPauloo，butinthemiddleofthenightweheardwomenwailingandthenweranintoabigfleetofcanoes。
TheywereallthatwereleftofPauloo，whichlikewisewasinashes，forathirdschoonerhadcomeinthroughthePaulooPassage。Yousee，thatmate，withhisblackboys，hadnotbeendrowned。HehadmadetheSolomonIslands，andtheretoldhisbrothersofwhatwehaddoneinOolong。Andallhisbrothershadsaidtheywouldcomeandpunishus，andtheretheywereinthethreeschooners，andourthreevillageswerewipedout。
\"Andwhatwasthereforustodo？Inthemorningthetwoschoonersfromwindwardsaileddownuponusinthemiddleofthelagoon。Thetradewindwasblowingfresh，andbyscoresofcanoestheyranusdown。Andtheriflesneverceasedtalking。Wescatteredlikeflyingfishbeforethebonita，andthereweresomanyofusthatweescapedbythousands，thiswayandthat，totheislandsontherimoftheatoll。
\"Andthereaftertheschoonershuntedusupanddownthelagoon。Inthenighttimeweslippedpastthem。Butthenextday，orintwodaysorthreedays，theschoonerswouldbecomingback，huntingustowardtheotherendofthelagoon。Andsoitwent。Wenolongercountednorrememberedourdead。
True，weweremanyandtheywerefew。Butwhatcouldwedo？Iwasinoneofthetwentycanoesfilledwithmenwhowerenotafraidtodie。Weattackedthesmallestschooner。Theyshotusdowninheaps。Theythrewdynamiteintothecanoes，andwhenthedynamitegaveout，theythrewhotwaterdownuponus。Andtheriflesneverceasedtalking。Andthosewhosecanoesweresmashedwereshotastheyswamaway。Andthematedancedupanddownuponthecabintopandyelled，\"Yah！Yah！Yah！’
\"Everyhouseoneverysmallestislandwasburned。Notapignorafowlwasleftalive。Ourwellsweredefiledwiththebodiesoftheslain，orelseheapedhighwithcoralrock。Weweretwenty—fivethousandonOolongbeforethethreeschoonerscame。Todaywearefivethousand。Aftertheschoonersleft，wewerebutthreethousand，asyoushallsee。
\"Atlastthethreeschoonersgrewtiredofchasingusbackandforth。Sotheywent，thethreeofthem，toNihi，inthenortheast。Andthentheydroveussteadilytothewest。Theirnineboatswereinthewateraswell。Theybeatupeveryislandastheymovedalong。Theydroveus，droveus，droveusdaybyday。Andeverynightthethreeschoonersandthenineboatsmadeachainofwatchfulnessthatstretchedacrossthelagoonfromrimtorim，sothatwecouldnotescapeback。
\"Theycouldnotdriveusforeverthatway，forthelagoonwasonlysolarge，andatlastallofusthatyetlivedweredrivenuponthelastsandbanktothewest。Beyondlaytheopensea。Thereweretenthousandofus，andwecoveredthesandbankfromthelagoonedgetothepoundingsurfontheotherside。Noonecouldliedown。Therewasnoroom。Westoodhiptohipandshouldertoshoulder。Twodaystheykeptusthere，andthematewouldclimbupintheriggingtomockusandyell，Yah！Yah！Yah！’tillwewerewellsorrythatwehadeverharmedhimorhisschooneramonthbefore。Wehadnofood，andwestoodonourfeettwodaysandnights。Thelittlebabiesdied，andtheoldandweakdied，andthewoundeddied。Andworstofall，wehadnowatertoquenchourthirst，andfortwodaysthesunbeatdownonus，andtherewasnoshade。Manymenandwomenwadedoutintotheoceanandweredrowned，thesurfcastingtheirbodiesbackonthebeach。Andtherecameapestofflies。Somemenswamtothesidesoftheschooners，buttheywereshottothelastone。
Andwethatlivedwereverysorrythatinourpridewetriedtotaketheschoonerwiththethreemaststhatcametofishforbeche—de—mer。
\"Onthemorningofthethirddaycametheskippersofthethreeschoonersandthatmateinasmallboat。Theycarriedrifles，allofthem，andrevolvers，andtheymadetalk。Itwasonlythattheywerewearyofkillingusthattheyhadstopped，theytoldus。Andwetoldthemthatweweresorry，thatneveragainwouldweharmawhiteman，andintokenofoursubmissionwepouredsanduponourheads。Andallthewomenandchildrensetupagreatwailingforwater，sothatforsometimenomancouldmakehimselfheard。Thenweweretoldourpunishment。Wemustfillthethreeschoonerswithcopraandbeche—de—mer。Andweagreed，forwewantedwater，andourheartswerebroken，andweknewthatwewerechildrenatfightingwhenwefoughtwithwhitemenwhofightlikehell。Andwhenallthetalkwasfinished，thematestoodupandmockedus，andyelled，Yah！Yah！Yah！’Afterthatwepaddledawayinourcanoesandsoughtwater。
\"Andforweekswetoiledatcatchingbeche—de—merandcuringit，ingatheringthecocoanutsandturningthemintocopra。BydayandnightthesmokeroseincloudsfromallthebeachesofalltheislandsofOolongaswepaidthepenaltyofourwrongdoing。Forinthosedaysofdeathitwasburnedclearlyonallourbrainsthatitwasverywrongtoharmawhiteman。
\"Byandby，theschoonersfullofcopraandbeche—de—merandourtreesemptyofcocoanuts，thethreeskippersandthatmatecalledusalltogetherforabigtalk。Andtheysaidtheywereverygladthatwehadlearnedourlesson，andwesaidfortheten—thousandthtimethatweweresorryandthatwewouldnotdoitagain。Also，wepouredsanduponourheads。Thentheskipperssaidthatitwasallverywell，butjusttoshowusthattheydidnotforgetus，theywouldsendadevil—devilthatwewouldneverforgetandthatwewouldalwaysrememberanytimewemightfeellikeharmingawhiteman。Afterthatthematemockedusonemoretimeandyelled，Yah！Yah！Yah！’Thensixofourmen，whomwethoughtlongdead，wereputashorefromoneoftheschooners，andtheschoonershoistedtheirsailsandranoutthroughthepassagefortheSolomons。
\"Thesixmenwhowereputashorewerethefirsttocatchthedevil—deviltheskipperssentbackafterus。\"
\"Agreatsicknesscame，\"Iinterrupted，forIrecognizedthetrick。Theschoonerhadhadmeaslesonboard，andthesixprisonershadbeendeliberatelyexposedtoit。
\"Yes，agreatsickness，\"Otiwenton。\"Itwasapowerfuldevil—devil。Theoldestmanhadneverheardofthelike。Thoseofourprieststhatyetlivedwekilledbecausetheycouldnotovercomethedevil—devil。Thesicknessspread。
Ihavesaidthatthereweretenthousandofusthatstoodhiptohipandshouldertoshoulderonthesandbank。Whenthesicknessleftus，therewerethreethousandyetalive。Also，havingmadeallourcocoanutsintocopra，therewasafamine。
\"Thatfellatrader，\"Oticoncluded，\"helike’mthatmuchdirt。Helike’mclamhedieKAI—KAI（meat）hestop，stink’manyamount。Helike’monefelladog，onesickfelladogplentyfleasstopalonghim。Wenofrightalongthatfellatrader。Wefrightbecausehewhiteman。Wesavveplentytoomuchnogoodkillwhiteman。Thatonefellasickdogtraderheplentybrotherstopalonghim，whitemenlike’myoufightlikehell。Wenofrightthatdamntrader。
Sometimehemadekanakaplentycrossalonghimandkanakawant’mkillm，kanakahethinkdevil—devilandkanakahehearthatfellamatesingout，Yah！
Yah！Yah！’andkanakanokillm。\"
Otibaitedhishookwithapieceofsquid，whichhetorewithhisteethfromtheliveandsquirmingmonster，andhookandbaitsankinwhiteflamestothebottom。
\"Sharkwalkabouthefinish，\"hesaid。\"Ithinkwecatch’mplentyfellafish。\"
Hislinejerkedsavagely。Hepulleditinrapidly，handunderhand，andlandedabiggaspingrockcodinthebottomofthecanoe。
\"Sunhecomeup，Imake’mthatdamfellatraderonepresentbigfellafish，\"
saidOti。
THEHEATHEN
Imethimfirstinahurricane;andthoughwehadgonethroughthehurricaneonthesameschooner，itwasnotuntiltheschoonerhadgonetopiecesunderusthatIfirstlaideyesonhim。WithoutdoubtIhadseenhimwiththerestofthekanakacrewonboard，butIhadnotconsciouslybeenawareofhisexistence，forthePetiteJeannewasratherovercrowded。Inadditiontohereightortenkanakaseamen，herwhitecaptain，mate，andsupercargo，andhersixcabinpassengers，shesailedfromRangiroawithsomethinglikeeighty—fivedeckpassengers——PaumotansandTahitians，men，women，andchildreneachwithatradebox，tosaynothingofsleepingmats，blankets，andclothesbundles。
ThepearlingseasoninthePaumotuswasover，andallhandswerereturningtoTahiti。Thesixofuscabinpassengerswerepearlbuyers。TwowereAmericans，onewasAhChoon（thewhitestChineseIhaveeverknown），onewasaGerman，onewasaPolishJew，andIcompletedthehalfdozen。
Ithadbeenaprosperousseason。Notoneofushadcauseforcomplaint，noroneoftheeighty—fivedeckpassengerseither。Allhaddonewell，andallwerelookingforwardtoarest—offandagoodtimeinPapeete。
Ofcourse，thePetiteJeannewasoverloaded。Shewasonlyseventytons，andshehadnorighttocarryatitheofthemobshehadonboard。Beneathherhatchesshewascrammedandjammedwithpearlshellandcopra。Eventhetraderoomwaspackedfullwithshell。Itwasamiraclethatthesailorscouldworkher。Therewasnomovingaboutthedecks。Theysimplyclimbedbackandforthalongtherails。
Inthenighttimetheywalkeduponthesleepers，whocarpetedthedeck，I’llswear，twodeep。Oh！Andtherewerepigsandchickensondeck，andsacksofyams，whileeveryconceivableplacewasfestoonedwithstringsofdrinkingcocoanutsandbunchesofbananas。Onbothsides，betweentheforeandmainshrouds，guyshadbeenstretched，justlowenoughfortheforeboomtoswingclear;andfromeachoftheseguysatleastfiftybunchesofbananasweresuspended。
Itpromisedtobeamessypassage，evenifwedidmakeitinthetwoorthreedaysthatwouldhavebeenrequiredifthesoutheasttradeshadbeenblowingfresh。Buttheyweren’tblowingfresh。Afterthefirstfivehoursthetradediedawayinadozenorsogaspingfans。Thecalmcontinuedallthatnightandthenextday——oneofthoseglaring，glassy，calms，whentheverythoughtofopeningone’seyestolookatitissufficienttocauseaheadache。
Theseconddayamandied——anEasterIslander，oneofthebestdiversthatseasoninthelagoon。Smallpox——thatiswhatitwas;thoughhowsmallpoxcouldcomeonboard，whentherehadbeennoknowncasesashorewhenweleftRangiroa，isbeyondme。Thereitwas，though——smallpox，amandead，andthreeothersdownontheirbacks。
Therewasnothingtobedone。Wecouldnotsegregatethesick，norcouldwecareforthem。Wewerepackedlikesardines。Therewasnothingtodobutrotanddie——thatis，therewasnothingtodoafterthenightthatfollowedthefirstdeath。Onthatnight，themate，thesupercargo，thePolishJew，andfournativediverssneakedawayinthelargewhaleboat。Theywereneverheardofagain。Inthemorningthecaptainpromptlyscuttledtheremainingboats，andtherewewere。
Thatdaythereweretwodeaths;thefollowingdaythree;thenitjumpedtoeight。Itwascurioustoseehowwetookit。Thenatives，forinstance，fellintoaconditionofdumb，stolidfear。Thecaptain——Oudouse，hisnamewas，aFrenchman——becameverynervousandvoluble。Heactuallygotthetwitches。Hewasalargefleshyman，weighingatleasttwohundredpounds，andhequicklybecameafaithfulrepresentationofaquiveringjelly—mountainoffat。
TheGerman，thetwoAmericans，andmyselfboughtupalltheScotchwhiskey，andproceededtostaydrunk。Thetheorywasbeautiful——namely，ifwekeptourselvessoakedinalcohol，everysmallpoxgermthatcameintocontactwithuswouldimmediatelybescorchedtoacinder。Andthetheoryworked，thoughI
mustconfessthatneitherCaptainOudousenorAhChoonwereattackedbythediseaseeither。TheFrenchmandidnotdrinkatall，whileAhChoonrestrictedhimselftoonedrinkdaily。
Itwasaprettytime。Thesun，goingintonortherndeclination，wasstraightoverhead。Therewasnowind，exceptforfrequentsqualls，whichblewfiercelyforfromfiveminutestohalfanhour，andwoundupbydeluginguswithrain。
Aftereachsquall，theawfulsunwouldcomeout，drawingcloudsofsteamfromthesoakeddecks。
Thesteamwasnotnice。Itwasthevaporofdeath，freightedwithmillionsandmillionsofgerms。Wealwaystookanotherdrinkwhenwesawitgoingupfromthedeadanddying，andusuallywetooktwoorthreemoredrinks，mixingthemexceptionallystiff。Also，wemadeitaruletotakeanadditionalseveraleachtimetheyhovethedeadovertothesharksthatswarmedaboutus。
Wehadaweekofit，andthenthewhiskeygaveout。Itisjustaswell，orI
shouldn’tbealivenow。Ittookasobermantopullthroughwhatfollowed，asyouwillagreewhenImentionthelittlefactthatonlytwomendidpullthrough。Theothermanwastheheathen——atleast，thatwaswhatIheardCaptainOudousecallhimatthemomentIfirstbecameawareoftheheathen’sexistence。Buttocomeback。
Itwasattheendoftheweek，withthewhiskeygone，andthepearlbuyerssober，thatIhappenedtoglanceatthebarometerthathunginthecabincompanionway。ItsnormalregisterinthePaumotuswas29。90，anditwasquitecustomarytoseeitvacillatebetween29。85and30。00，oreven30。05;buttoseeitasIsawit，downto29。62，wassufficienttosoberthemostdrunkenpearlbuyerthateverincineratedsmallpoxmicrobesinScotchwhiskey。
IcalledCaptainOudouse’sattentiontoit，onlytobeinformedthathehadwatcheditgoingdownforseveralhours。Therewaslittletodo，butthatlittlehedidverywell，consideringthecircumstances。Hetookoffthelightsails，shortenedrightdowntostormcanvas，spreadlifelines，andwaitedforthewind。Hismistakelayinwhathedidafterthewindcame。Hehovetoontheporttack，whichwastherightthingtodosouthoftheEquator，if——andtherewastherub——IFonewereNOTinthedirectpathofthehurricane。
Wewereinthedirectpath。Icouldseethatbythesteadyincreaseofthewindandtheequallysteadyfallofthebarometer。Iwantedhimtoturnandrunwiththewindontheportquarteruntilthebarometerceasedfalling，andthentoheaveto。Wearguedtillhewasreducedtohysteria，butbudgehewouldnot。TheworstofitwasthatIcouldnotgettherestofthepearlbuyerstobackmeup。WhowasI，anyway，toknowmoreabouttheseaanditswaysthanaproperlyqualifiedcaptain？waswhatwasintheirminds，Iknew。
Ofcourse，thesearosewiththewindfrightfully;andIshallneverforgetthefirstthreeseasthePetiteJeanneshipped。Shehadfallenoff，asvesselsdoattimeswhenhoveto，andthefirstseamadeacleanbreach。Thelifelineswereonlyforthestrongandwell，andlittlegoodweretheyevenforthemwhenthewomenandchildren，thebananasandcocoanuts，thepigsandtradeboxes，thesickandthedying，weresweptalonginasolid，screeching，groaningmass。
ThesecondseafilledthePetiteJeanne’Sdecksflushwiththerails;and，ashersternsankdownandherbowtossedskyward，allthemiserabledunnageoflifeandluggagepouredaft。Itwasahumantorrent。Theycameheadfirst，feetfirst，sidewise，rollingoverandover，twisting，squirming，writhing，andcrumplingup。Nowandagainonecaughtagriponastanchionorarope;
buttheweightofthebodiesbehindtoresuchgripsloose。
OnemanInoticedfetchup，headonandsquareon，withthestarboardbitt。
Hisheadcrackedlikeanegg。Isawwhatwascoming，sprangontopofthecabin，andfromthereintothemainsailitself。AhChoonandoneoftheAmericanstriedtofollowme，butIwasonejumpaheadofthem。TheAmericanwassweptawayandoverthesternlikeapieceofchaff。AhChooncaughtaspokeofthewheel，andswunginbehindit。ButastrappingRaratongavahine（woman）——shemusthaveweighedtwohundredandfifty——broughtupagainsthim，andgotanarmaroundhisneck。Heclutchedthekanakasteersmanwithhisotherhand;andjustatthatmomenttheschoonerflungdowntostarboard。
Therushofbodiesandseathatwascomingalongtheportrunwaybetweenthecabinandtherailturnedabruptlyandpouredtostarboard。Awaytheywent——vahine，AhChoon，andsteersman;andIswearIsawAhChoongrinatmewithphilosophicresignationasheclearedtherailandwentunder。
Thethirdsea——thebiggestofthethree——didnotdosomuchdamage。Bythetimeitarrivednearlyeverybodywasintherigging。Ondeckperhapsadozengasping，half—drowned，andhalf—stunnedwretcheswererollingaboutorattemptingtocrawlintosafety。Theywentbytheboard，asdidthewreckageofthetworemainingboats。Theotherpearlbuyersandmyself，betweenseas，managedtogetaboutfifteenwomenandchildrenintothecabin，andbatteneddown。Littlegooditdidthepoorcreaturesintheend。
Wind？OutofallmyexperienceIcouldnothavebelieveditpossibleforthewindtoblowasitdid。Thereisnodescribingit。Howcanonedescribeanightmare？Itwasthesamewaywiththatwind。Ittoretheclothesoffourbodies。IsayTORETHEMOFF，andImeanit。Iamnotaskingyoutobelieveit。
IammerelytellingsomethingthatIsawandfelt。TherearetimeswhenIdonotbelieveitmyself。Iwentthroughit，andthatisenough。Onecouldnotfacethatwindandlive。Itwasamonstrousthing，andthemostmonstrousthingaboutitwasthatitincreasedandcontinuedtoincrease。
Imaginecountlessmillionsandbillionsoftonsofsand。Imaginethissandtearingalongatninety，ahundred，ahundredandtwenty，oranyothernumberofmilesperhour。Imagine，further，thissandtobeinvisible，impalpable，yettoretainalltheweightanddensityofsand。Doallthis，andyoumaygetavagueinklingofwhatthatwindwaslike。
Perhapssandisnottherightcomparison。Consideritmud，invisible，impalpable，butheavyasmud。Nay，itgoesbeyondthat。Considereverymoleculeofairtobeamudbankinitself。Thentrytoimaginethemultitudinousimpactofmudbanks。No;itisbeyondme。Languagemaybeadequatetoexpresstheordinaryconditionsoflife，butitcannotpossiblyexpressanyoftheconditionsofsoenormousablastofwind。ItwouldhavebeenbetterhadIstuckbymyoriginalintentionofnotattemptingadescription。
Iwillsaythismuch：Thesea，whichhadrisenatfirst，wasbeatendownbythatwind。’more：itseemedasifthewholeoceanhadbeensuckedupinthemawofthehurricane，andhurledonthroughthatportionofspacewhichpreviouslyhadbeenoccupiedbytheair。
Ofcourse，ourcanvashadgonelongbefore。ButCaptainOudousehadonthePetiteJeannesomethingIhadneverbeforeseenonaSouthSeaschooner——aseaanchor。Itwasaconicalcanvasbag，themouthofwhichwaskeptopenbyahugeloopofiron。Theseaanchorwasbridledsomethinglikeakite，sothatitbitintothewaterasakitebitesintotheair，butwithadifference。Theseaanchorremainedjustunderthesurfaceoftheoceaninaperpendicularposition。Alongline，inturn，connecteditwiththeschooner。Asaresult，thePetiteJeannerodebowontothewindandtowhatseatherewas。
Thesituationreallywouldhavebeenfavorablehadwenotbeeninthepathofthestorm。True，thewinditselftoreourcanvasoutofthegaskets，jerkedoutourtopmasts，andmadearaffleofourrunninggear，butstillwewouldhavecomethroughnicelyhadwenotbeensquareinfrontoftheadvancingstormcenter。Thatwaswhatfixedus。Iwasinastateofstunned，numbed，paralyzedcollapsefromenduringtheimpactofthewind，andIthinkIwasjustaboutreadytogiveupanddiewhenthecentersmoteus。Theblowwereceivedwasanabsolutelull。Therewasnotabreathofair。Theeffectononewassickening。
Rememberthatforhourswehadbeenatterrificmusculartension，withstandingtheawfulpressureofthatwind。Andthen，suddenly，thepressurewasremoved。
IknowthatIfeltasthoughIwasabouttoexpand，toflyapartinalldirections。Itseemedasifeveryatomcomposingmybodywasrepellingeveryotheratomandwasonthevergeofrushingoffirresistiblyintospace。Butthatlastedonlyforamoment。Destructionwasuponus。
Intheabsenceofthewindandpressurethesearose。Itjumped，itleaped，itsoaredstraighttowardtheclouds。Remember，fromeverypointofthecompassthatinconceivablewindwasblowingintowardthecenterofcalm。Theresultwasthattheseassprangupfromeverypointofthecompass。Therewasnowindtocheckthem。Theypoppeduplikecorksreleasedfromthebottomofapailofwater。Therewasnosystemtothem，nostability。Theywerehollow，maniacalseas。Theywereeightyfeethighattheleast。Theywerenotseasatall。Theyresemblednoseaamanhadeverseen。
Theyweresplashes，monstroussplashes——thatisall。Splashesthatwereeightyfeethigh。Eighty！Theyweremorethaneighty。Theywentoverourmastheads。
Theywerespouts，explosions。Theyweredrunken。Theyfellanywhere，anyhow。
Theyjostledoneanother;theycollided。Theyrushedtogetherandcollapsedupononeanother，orfellapartlikeathousandwaterfallsallatonce。Itwasnooceananymanhadeverdreamedof，thathurricanecenter。Itwasconfusionthriceconfounded。Itwasanarchy。Itwasahellpitofseawatergonemad。
ThePetiteJeanne？Idon’tknow。Theheathentoldmeafterwardsthathedidnotknow。Shewasliterallytornapart，rippedwideopen，beatenintoapulp，smashedintokindlingwood，annihilated。WhenIcametoIwasinthewater，swimmingautomatically，thoughIwasabouttwo—thirdsdrowned。HowIgotthereIhadnorecollection。IrememberedseeingthePetiteJeanneflytopiecesatwhatmusthavebeentheinstantthatmyownconsciousnesswasbuffetedoutofme。ButthereIwas，withnothingtodobutmakethebestofit，andinthatbesttherewaslittlepromise。Thewindwasblowingagain，theseawasmuchsmallerandmoreregular，andIknewthatIhadpassedthroughthecenter。
Fortunately，therewerenosharksabout。Thehurricanehaddissipatedtheravenoushordethathadsurroundedthedeathshipandfedoffthedead。
ItwasaboutmiddaywhenthePetiteJeannewenttopieces，anditmusthavebeentwohoursafterwardswhenIpickedupwithoneofherhatchcovers。Thickrainwasdrivingatthetime;anditwasthemerestchancethatflungmeandthehatchcovertogether。Ashortlengthoflinewastrailingfromtheropehandle;andIknewthatIwasgoodforaday，atleast，ifthesharksdidnotreturn。Threehourslater，possiblyalittlelonger，stickingclosetothecover，andwithclosedeyes，concentratingmywholesouluponthetaskofbreathinginenoughairtokeepmegoingandatthesametimeofavoidingbreathinginenoughwatertodrownme，itseemedtomethatIheardvoices。
Therainhadceased，andwindandseawereeasingmarvelously。Nottwentyfeetawayfromme，onanotherhatchcoverwereCaptainOudouseandtheheathen。
Theywerefightingoverthepossessionofthecover——atleast，theFrenchmanwas。\"Paiennoir！\"Iheardhimscream，andatthesametimeIsawhimkickthekanaka。
Now，CaptainOudousehadlostallhisclothes，excepthisshoes，andtheywereheavybrogans。Itwasacruelblow，foritcaughttheheathenonthemouthandthepointofthechin，halfstunninghim。Ilookedforhimtoretaliate，buthecontentedhimselfwithswimmingaboutforlornlyasafetenfeetaway。
Wheneveraflingoftheseathrewhimcloser，theFrenchman，hangingonwithhishands，kickedoutathimwithbothfeet。Also，atthemomentofdeliveringeachkick，hecalledthekanakaablackheathen。
\"FortwocentimesI’dcomeoverthereanddrownyou，youwhitebeast！\"I
yelled。
TheonlyreasonIdidnotgowasthatIfelttootired。Theverythoughtoftheefforttoswimoverwasnauseating。SoIcalledtothekanakatocometome，andproceededtosharethehatchcoverwithhim。Otoo，hetoldmehisnamewas（pronouncedo—to—o）;also，hetoldmethathewasanativeofBoraBora，themostwesterlyoftheSocietyGroup。AsIlearnedafterward，hehadgotthehatchcoverfirst，and，aftersometime，encounteringCaptainOudouse，hadofferedtoshareitwithhim，andhadbeenkickedoffforhispains。
AndthatwashowOtooandIfirstcametogether。Hewasnofighter。Hewasallsweetnessandgentleness，alovecreature，thoughhestoodnearlysixfeettallandwasmuscledlikeagladiator。Hewasnofighter，buthewasalsonocoward。Hehadtheheartofalion;andintheyearsthatfollowedIhaveseenhimrunrisksthatIwouldneverdreamoftaking。WhatImeanisthatwhilehewasnofighter，andwhilehealwaysavoidedprecipitatingarow，heneverranawayfromtroublewhenitstarted。Anditwas\"Wareshoal！\"whenonceOtoowentintoaction。IshallneverforgetwhathedidtoBillKing。ItoccurredinGermanSamoa。BillKingwashailedthechampionheavyweightoftheAmericanNavy。Hewasabigbruteofaman，averitablegorilla，oneofthosehard—hitting，rough—housingchaps，andcleverwithhisfistsaswell。Hepickedthequarrel，andhekickedOtootwiceandstruckhimoncebeforeOtoofeltittobenecessarytofight。Idon’tthinkitlastedfourminutes，attheendofwhichtimeBillKingwastheunhappypossessoroffourbrokenribs，abrokenforearm，andadislocatedshoulderblade。Otooknewnothingofscientificboxing。Hewasmerelyamanhandler;andBillKingwassomethinglikethreemonthsinrecoveringfromthebitofmanhandlinghereceivedthatafternoononApiabeach。
ButIamrunningaheadofmyyarn。Wesharedthehatchcoverbetweenus。Wetookturnandturnabout，onelyingflatonthecoverandresting，whiletheother，submergedtotheneck，merelyheldonwithhishands。Fortwodaysandnights，spellandspell，onthecoverandinthewater，wedriftedovertheocean。TowardsthelastIwasdeliriousmostofthetime;andthereweretimes，too，whenIheardOtoobabblingandravinginhisnativetongue。Ourcontinuousimmersionpreventedusfromdyingofthirst，thoughtheseawaterandthesunshinegaveustheprettiestimaginablecombinationofsaltpickleandsunburn。
Intheend，Otoosavedmylife;forIcametolyingonthebeachtwentyfeetfromthewater，shelteredfromthesunbyacoupleofcocoanutleaves。NoonebutOtoocouldhavedraggedmethereandstuckuptheleavesforshade。Hewaslyingbesideme。Iwentoffagain;andthenexttimeIcameround，itwascoolandstarrynight，andOtoowaspressingadrinkingcocoanuttomylips。
WewerethesolesurvivorsofthePetiteJeanne。CaptainOudousemusthavesuccumbedtoexhaustion，forseveraldayslaterhishatchcoverdriftedashorewithouthim。OtooandIlivedwiththenativesoftheatollforaweek，whenwewererescuedbytheFrenchcruiserandtakentoTahiti。Inthemeantime，however，wehadperformedtheceremonyofexchangingnames。IntheSouthSeassuchaceremonybindstwomenclosertogetherthanbloodbrothership。Theinitiativehadbeenmine;andOtoowasrapturouslydelightedwhenIsuggestedit。
\"Itiswell，\"hesaid，inTahitian。\"ForwehavebeenmatestogetherfortwodaysonthelipsofDeath。\"
\"Butdeathstuttered，\"Ismiled。
\"Itwasabravedeedyoudid，master，\"hereplied，\"andDeathwasnotvileenoughtospeak。\"
\"Whydoyou’master’me？\"Idemanded，withashowofhurtfeelings。\"Wehaveexchangednames。ToyouIamOtoo。TomeyouareCharley。Andbetweenyouandme，foreverandforever，youshallbeCharley，andIshallbeOtoo。Itisthewayofthecustom。Andwhenwedie，ifitdoeshappenthatweliveagainsomewherebeyondthestarsandthesky，stillshallyoubeCharleytome，andIOtootoyou。\"
\"Yes，master，\"heanswered，hiseyesluminousandsoftwithjoy。
\"Thereyougo！\"Icriedindignantly。
\"Whatdoesitmatterwhatmylipsutter？\"heargued。\"Theyareonlymylips。
ButIshallthinkOtooalways。WheneverIthinkofmyself，Ishallthinkofyou。Whenevermencallmebyname，Ishallthinkofyou。Andbeyondtheskyandbeyondthestars，alwaysandforever，youshallbeOtootome。Isitwell，master？\"
Ihidmysmile，andansweredthatitwaswell。
WepartedatPapeete。Iremainedashoretorecuperate;andhewentoninacuttertohisownisland，BoraBora。Sixweekslaterhewasback。Iwassurprised，forhehadtoldmeofhiswife，andsaidthathewasreturningtoher，andwouldgiveoversailingonfarvoyages。
\"Wheredoyougo，master？\"heasked，afterourfirstgreetings。
Ishruggedmyshoulders。Itwasahardquestion。
\"Alltheworld，\"wasmyanswer——\"alltheworld，allthesea，andalltheislandsthatareinthesea。\"
\"Iwillgowithyou，\"hesaidsimply。\"Mywifeisdead。\"
Ineverhadabrother;butfromwhatIhaveseenofothermen’sbrothers，I
doubtifanymaneverhadabrotherthatwastohimwhatOtoowastome。Hewasbrotherandfatherandmotheraswell。AndthisIknow：IlivedastraighterandbettermanbecauseofOtoo。Icaredlittleforothermen，butI
hadtolivestraightinOtoo’seyes。BecauseofhimIdarednottarnishmyself。Hemademehisideal，compoundingme，Ifear，chieflyoutofhisownloveandworshipandthereweretimeswhenIstoodclosetothesteeppitchofhell，andwouldhavetakentheplungehadnotthethoughtofOtoorestrainedme。Hisprideinmeenteredintome，untilitbecameoneofthemajorrulesinmypersonalcodetodonothingthatwoulddiminishthatprideofhis。
Naturally，Ididnotlearnrightawaywhathisfeelingsweretowardme。Henevercriticized，nevercensured;andslowlytheexaltedplaceIheldinhiseyesdawneduponme，andslowlyIgrewtocomprehendthehurtIcouldinflictuponhimbybeinganythinglessthanmybest。
Forseventeenyearsweweretogether;forseventeenyearshewasatmyshoulder，watchingwhileIslept，nursingmethroughfeverandwounds——ay，andreceivingwoundsinfightingforme。Hesignedonthesameshipswithme;andtogetherwerangedthePacificfromHawaiitoSydneyHead，andfromTorresStraitstotheGalapagos。WeblackbirdedfromtheNewHebridesandtheLineIslandsovertothewestwardclearthroughtheLouisades，NewBritain，NewIreland，andNewHanover。Wewerewreckedthreetimes——intheGilberts，intheSantaCruzgroup，andintheFijis。Andwetradedandsalvedwhereveradollarpromisedinthewayofpearlandpearlshell，copra，beche—de—mer，hawkbillturtleshell，andstrandedwrecks。
ItbeganinPapeete，immediatelyafterhisannouncementthathewasgoingwithmeoverallthesea，andtheislandsinthemidstthereof。TherewasaclubinthosedaysinPapeete，wherethepearlers，traders，captains，andriffraffofSouthSeaadventurersforgathered。Theplayranhigh，andthedrinkranhigh;
andIamverymuchafraidthatIkeptlaterhoursthanwerebecomingorproper。NomatterwhatthehourwaswhenIlefttheclub，therewasOtoowaitingtoseemesafelyhome。
AtfirstIsmiled;nextIchidedhim。ThenItoldhimflatlythatIstoodinneedofnowet—nursing。AfterthatIdidnotseehimwhenIcameoutoftheclub。Quitebyaccident，aweekorsolater，Idiscoveredthathestillsawmehome，lurkingacrossthestreetamongtheshadowsofthemangotrees。WhatcouldIdo？IknowwhatIdiddo。
InsensiblyIbegantokeepbetterhours。Onwetandstormynights，inthethickofthefollyandthefun，thethoughtwouldpersistincomingtomeofOtookeepinghisdrearyvigilunderthedrippingmangoes。Truly，hemadeabettermanofme。Yethewasnotstrait—laced。AndheknewnothingofcommonChristianmorality。AllthepeopleonBoraBorawereChristians;buthewasaheathen，theonlyunbelieverontheisland，agrossmaterialist，whobelievedthatwhenhediedhewasdead。Hebelievedmerelyinfairplayandsquaredealing。Pettymeanness，inhiscode，wasalmostasseriousaswantonhomicide;andIdobelievethatherespectedamurderermorethanamangiventosmallpractices。
Concerningme，personally，heobjectedtomydoinganythingthatwashurtfultome。Gamblingwasallright。Hewasanardentgamblerhimself。Butlatehours，heexplained，werebadforone’shealth。Hehadseenmenwhodidnottakecareofthemselvesdieoffever。Hewasnoteetotaler，andwelcomedastiffnipanytimewhenitwaswetworkintheboats。Ontheotherhand，hebelievedinliquorinmoderation。Hehadseenmanymenkilledordisgracedbysquare—faceorScotch。
Otoohadmywelfarealwaysatheart。Hethoughtaheadforme，weighedmyplans，andtookagreaterinterestinthemthanIdidmyself。Atfirst，whenI
wasunawareofthisinterestofhisinmyaffairs，hehadtodivinemyintentions，as，forinstance，atPapeete，whenIcontemplatedgoingpartnerswithaknavishfellow—countrymanonaguanoventure。Ididnotknowhewasaknave。NordidanywhitemaninPapeete。NeitherdidOtooknow，buthesawhowthickweweregetting，andfoundoutforme，andwithoutmyaskinghim。NativesailorsfromtheendsoftheseasknockaboutonthebeachinTahiti;andOtoo，suspiciousmerely，wentamongthemtillhehadgatheredsufficientdatatojustifyhissuspicions。Oh，itwasanicehistory，thatofRandolphWaters。
Icouldn’tbelieveitwhenOtoofirstnarratedit;butwhenIsheetedithometoWatershegaveinwithoutamurmur，andgotawayonthefirststeamertoAukland。
Atfirst，Iamfreetoconfess，Icouldn’thelpresentingOtoo’spokinghisnoseintomybusiness。ButIknewthathewaswhollyunselfish;andsoonIhadtoacknowledgehiswisdomanddiscretion。Hehadhiseyesopenalwaystomymainchance，andhewasbothkeen—sightedandfar—sighted。Intimehebecamemycounselor，untilheknewmoreofmybusinessthanIdidmyself。HereallyhadmyinterestatheartmorethanIdid。’minewasthemagnificentcarelessnessofyouth，forIpreferredromancetodollars，andadventuretoacomfortablebilletwithallnightin。SoitwaswellthatIhadsomeonetolookoutforme。IknowthatifithadnotbeenforOtoo，Ishouldnotbeheretoday。
Ofnumerousinstances，letmegiveone。IhadhadsomeexperienceinblackbirdingbeforeIwentpearlinginthePaumotus。OtooandIwereonthebeachinSamoa——wereallywereonthebeachandhardaground——whenmychancecametogoasrecruiteronablackbirdbrig。Otoosignedonbeforethemast;
andforthenexthalf—dozenyears，inasmanyships，weknockedaboutthewildestportionsofMelanesia。Otoosawtoitthathealwayspulledstroke—oarinmyboat。Ourcustominrecruitinglaborwastolandtherecruiteronthebeach。Thecoveringboatalwayslayonitsoarsseveralhundredfeetoffshore，whiletherecruiter’sboat，alsolyingonitsoars，keptafloatontheedgeofthebeach。WhenIlandedwithmytradegoods，leavingmysteeringsweepapeak，Otoolefthisstrokepositionandcameintothesternsheets，whereaWinchesterlayreadytohandunderaflapofcanvas。Theboat’screwwasalsoarmed，theSnidersconcealedundercanvasflapsthatranthelengthofthegunwales。
WhileIwasbusyarguingandpersuadingthewoolly—headedcannibalstocomeandlaborontheQueenslandplantationsOtookeptwatch。Andoftenandoftenhislowvoicewarnedmeofsuspiciousactionsandimpendingtreachery。
Sometimesitwasthequickshotfromhisrifle，knockinganiggerover，thatwasthefirstwarningIreceived。Andinmyrushtotheboathishandwasalwaystheretojerkmeflyingaboard。Once，Iremember，onSANTAANNA，theboatgroundedjustasthetroublebegan。Thecoveringboatwasdashingtoourassistance，buttheseveralscoreofsavageswouldhavewipedusoutbeforeitarrived。Otootookaflyingleapashore，dugbothhandsintothetradegoods，andscatteredtobacco，beads，tomahawks，knives，andcalicoesinalldirections。
Thiswastoomuchforthewoolly—heads。Whiletheyscrambledforthetreasures，theboatwasshovedclear，andwewereaboardandfortyfeetaway。
AndIgotthirtyrecruitsoffthatverybeachinthenextfourhours。
TheparticularinstanceIhaveinmindwasonMalaita，themostsavageislandintheeasterlySolomons。Thenativeshadbeenremarkablyfriendly;andhowwerewetoknowthatthewholevillagehadbeentakingupacollectionforovertwoyearswithwhichtobuyawhiteman’shead？Thebeggarsareallhead—hunters，andtheyespeciallyesteemawhiteman’shead。Thefellowwhocapturedtheheadwouldreceivethewholecollection。AsIsay，theyappearedveryfriendly;andonthisdayIwasfullyahundredyardsdownthebeachfromtheboat。Otoohadcautionedme;and，asusualwhenIdidnotheedhim，Icametogrief。
ThefirstIknew，acloudofspearssailedoutofthemangroveswampatme。Atleastadozenwerestickingintome。Istartedtorun，buttrippedoveronethatwasfastinmycalf，andwentdown。Thewoolly—headsmadearunforme，eachwithalong—handled，fantailtomahawkwithwhichtohackoffmyhead。
Theyweresoeagerfortheprizethattheygotinoneanother’sway。Intheconfusion，Iavoidedseveralhacksbythrowingmyselfrightandleftonthesand。
ThenOtooarrived——Otoothemanhandler。Insomewayhehadgotholdofaheavywarclub，andatclosequartersitwasafarmoreefficientweaponthanarifle。Hewasrightinthethickofthem，sothattheycouldnotspearhim，whiletheirtomahawksseemedworsethanuseless。Hewasfightingforme，andhewasinatrueBerserkerrage。Thewayhehandledthatclubwasamazing。
Theirskullssquashedlikeoverripeoranges。Itwasnotuntilhehaddriventhemback，pickedmeupinhisarms，andstartedtorun，thathereceivedhisfirstwounds。Hearrivedintheboatwithfourspearthrusts，gothisWinchester，andwithitgotamanforeveryshot。Thenwepulledaboardtheschooner，anddoctoredup。
Seventeenyearsweweretogether。Hemademe。Ishouldtodaybeasupercargo，arecruiter，oramemory，ifithadnotbeenforhim。
\"Youspendyourmoney，andyougooutandgetmore，\"hesaidoneday。\"Itiseasytogetmoneynow。Butwhenyougetold，yourmoneywillbespent，andyouwillnotbeabletogooutandgetmore。Iknow，master。Ihavestudiedthewayofwhitemen。Onthebeachesaremanyoldmenwhowereyoungonce，andwhocouldgetmoneyjustlikeyou。Nowtheyareold，andtheyhavenothing，andtheywaitaboutfortheyoungmenlikeyoutocomeashoreandbuydrinksforthem。
\"Theblackboyisaslaveontheplantations。Hegetstwentydollarsayear。
Heworkshard。Theoverseerdoesnotworkhard。
Heridesahorseandwatchestheblackboywork。Hegetstwelvehundreddollarsayear。Iamasailorontheschooner。Igetfifteendollarsamonth。
ThatisbecauseIamagoodsailor。Iworkhard。Thecaptainhasadoubleawning，anddrinksbeeroutoflongbottles。Ihaveneverseenhimhaularopeorpullanoar。Hegetsonehundredandfiftydollarsamonth。Iamasailor。
Heisanavigator。’master，Ithinkitwouldbeverygoodforyoutoknownavigation。\"
Otoospurredmeontoit。Hesailedwithmeassecondmateonmyfirstschooner，andhewasfarprouderofmycommandthanIwasmyself。Lateronitwas：
\"Thecaptainiswellpaid，master;buttheshipisinhiskeeping，andheisneverfreefromtheburden。Itistheownerwhoisbetterpaid——theownerwhositsashorewithmanyservantsandturnshismoneyover。\"
\"True，butaschoonercostsfivethousanddollars——anoldschooneratthat，\"I
objected。\"IshouldbeanoldmanbeforeIsavedfivethousanddollars。\"
\"Therebeshortwaysforwhitementomakemoney，\"hewenton，pointingashoreatthecocoanut—fringedbeach。
WewereintheSolomonsatthetime，pickingupacargoofivorynutsalongtheeastcoastofGuadalcanar。
\"Betweenthisrivermouthandthenextitistwomiles，\"hesaid。
\"Theflatlandrunsfarback。Itisworthnothingnow。Nextyear——whoknows？——ortheyearafter，menwillpaymuchmoneyforthatland。Theanchorageisgood。Bigsteamerscanliecloseup。Youcanbuythelandfourmilesdeepfromtheoldchieffortenthousandsticksoftobacco，tenbottlesofsquare—face，andaSnider，whichwillcostyou，maybe，onehundreddollars。
Thenyouplacethedeedwiththecommissioner;andthenextyear，ortheyearafter，yousellandbecometheownerofaship。\"
Ifollowedhislead，andhiswordscametrue，thoughinthreeyears，insteadoftwo。NextcamethegrasslandsdealonGuadalcanar——twentythousandacres，onagovernmentalninehundredandninety—nineyears’leaseatanominalsum。
Iownedtheleaseforpreciselyninetydays，whenIsoldittoacompanyforhalfafortune。AlwaysitwasOtoowholookedaheadandsawtheopportunity。
HewasresponsibleforthesalvingoftheDoncaster——boughtinatauctionforahundredpounds，andclearingthreethousandaftereveryexpensewaspaid。HeledmeintotheSavaiiplantationandthecocoaventureonUpolu。
Wedidnotgoseafaringsomuchasintheolddays。Iwastoowelloff。I
married，andmystandardoflivingrose;butOtooremainedthesameold—timeOtoo，movingaboutthehouseortrailingthroughtheoffice，hiswoodenpipeinhismouth，ashillingundershirtonhisback，andafour—shillinglava—lavaabouthisloins。Icouldnotgethimtospendmoney。Therewasnowayofrepayinghimexceptwithlove，andGodknowshegotthatinfullmeasurefromallofus。Thechildrenworshippedhim;andifhehadbeenspoilable，mywifewouldsurelyhavebeenhisundoing。
Thechildren！Hereallywastheonewhoshowedthemthewayoftheirfeetintheworldpractical。Hebeganbyteachingthemtowalk。Hesatupwiththemwhentheyweresick。Onebyone，whentheywerescarcelytoddlers，hetookthemdowntothelagoon，andmadethemintoamphibians。HetaughtthemmorethanIeverknewofthehabitsoffishandthewaysofcatchingthem。Inthebushitwasthesamething。Atseven，TomknewmorewoodcraftthanIeverdreamedexisted。Atsix，MarywentovertheSlidingRockwithoutaquiver，andIhaveseenstrongmenbalkatthatfeat。AndwhenFrankhadjustturnedsixhecouldbringupshillingsfromthebottominthreefathoms。
\"MypeopleinBoraBoradonotlikeheathen——theyareallChristians;andIdonotlikeBoraBoraChristians，\"hesaidoneday，whenI，withtheideaofgettinghimtospendsomeofthemoneythatwasrightfullyhis，hadbeentryingtopersuadehimtomakeavisittohisownislandinoneofourschooners——aspecialvoyagewhichIhadhopedtomakearecordbreakerinthematterofprodigalexpense。
IsayoneofOURschooners，thoughlegallyatthetimetheybelongedtome。I
struggledlongwithhimtoenterintopartnership。
\"WehavebeenpartnersfromthedaythePetiteJeannewentdown，\"hesaidatlast。\"Butifyourheartsowishes，thenshallwebecomepartnersbythelaw。
Ihavenoworktodo，yetaremyexpenseslarge。Idrinkandeatandsmokeinplenty——itcostsmuch，Iknow。Idonotpayfortheplayingofbilliards，forIplayonyourtable;butstillthemoneygoes。Fishingonthereefisonlyarichman’spleasure。Itisshocking，thecostofhooksandcottonline。Yes;
itisnecessarythatwebepartnersbythelaw。Ineedthemoney。Ishallgetitfromtheheadclerkintheoffice。\"
Sothepapersweremadeoutandrecorded。AyearlaterIwascompelledtocomplain。
\"Charley，\"saidI，\"youareawickedoldfraud，amiserlyskinflint，amiserablelandcrab。Behold，yoursharefortheyearinallourpartnershiphasbeenthousandsofdollars。Theheadclerkhasgivenmethispaper。Itsaysthatintheyearyouhavedrawnjusteighty—sevendollarsandtwentycents。\"
\"Isthereanyowingme？\"heaskedanxiously。
\"Itellyouthousandsandthousands，\"Ianswered。
Hisfacebrightened，aswithanimmenserelief。
\"Itiswell，\"hesaid。\"Seethattheheadclerkkeepsgoodaccountofit。WhenIwantit，Ishallwantit，andtheremustnotbeacentmissing。
\"Ifthereis，：\"headdedfiercely，afterapause，\"itmustcomeoutoftheclerk’swages。\"
Andallthetime，asIafterwardslearned，hiswill，drawnupbyCarruthers，andmakingmesolebeneficiary，layintheAmericanconsul’ssafe。
Buttheendcame，astheendmustcometoallhumanassociations。
ItoccurredintheSolomons，whereourwildestworkhadbeendoneinthewildyoungdays，andwherewewereoncemore——principallyonaholiday，incidentallytolookafterourholdingsonFloridaIslandandtolookoverthepearlingpossibilitiesoftheMboliPass。WewerelyingatSavo，havingrunintotradeforcurios。
Now，Savoisalivewithsharks。Thecustomofthewoolly—headsofburyingtheirdeadintheseadidnottendtodiscouragethesharksfrommakingtheadjacentwatersahangout。Itwasmylucktobecomingaboardinatiny，overloaded，nativecanoe，whenthethingcapsized。Therewerefourwoolly—headsandmyselfinit，orrather，hangingtoit。Theschoonerwasahundredyardsaway。
Iwasjusthailingforaboatwhenoneofthewoolly—headsbegantoscream。
Holdingontotheendofthecanoe，bothheandthatportionofthecanoeweredraggedunderseveraltimes。Thenheloosedhisclutchanddisappeared。A
sharkhadgothim。
Thethreeremainingniggerstriedtoclimboutofthewateruponthebottomofthecanoe。Iyelledandcursedandstruckatthenearestwithmyfist，butitwasnouse。Theywereinablindfunk。Thecanoecouldbarelyhavesupportedoneofthem。Underthethreeitupendedandrolledsidewise，throwingthembackintothewater。
Iabandonedthecanoeandstartedtoswimtowardtheschooner，expectingtobepickedupbytheboatbeforeIgotthere。Oneoftheniggerselectedtocomewithme，andweswamalongsilently，sidebyside，nowandagainputtingourfacesintothewaterandpeeringaboutforsharks。Thescreamsofthemanwhostayedbythecanoeinformedusthathewastaken。IwaspeeringintothewaterwhenIsawabigsharkpassdirectlybeneathme。Hewasfullysixteenfeetinlength。Isawthewholething。Hegotthewoolly—headbythemiddle，andawayhewent，thepoordevil，head，shoulders，andarmsoutofthewaterallthetime，screechinginaheart—rendingway。Hewascarriedalonginthisfashionforseveralhundredfeet，whenhewasdraggedbeneaththesurface。
Iswamdoggedlyon，hopingthatthatwasthelastunattachedshark。Buttherewasanother。Whetheritwasonethathadattackedthenativesearlier，orwhetheritwasonethathadmadeagoodmealelsewhere，Idonotknow。Atanyrate，hewasnotinsuchhasteastheothers。Icouldnotswimsorapidlynow，foralargepartofmyeffortwasdevotedtokeepingtrackofhim。Iwaswatchinghimwhenhemadehisfirstattack。BygoodluckIgotbothhandsonhisnose，and，thoughhismomentumnearlyshovedmeunder，Imanagedtokeephimoff。Heveeredclear，andbegancirclingaboutagain。AsecondtimeI
escapedhimbythesamemanoeuvre。Thethirdrushwasamissonbothsides。Hesheeredatthemomentmyhandsshouldhavelandedonhisnose，buthissandpaperhide（Ihadonasleevelessundershirt）scrapedtheskinoffonearmfromelbowtoshoulder。
BythistimeIwasplayedout，andgaveuphope。Theschoonerwasstilltwohundredfeetaway。Myfacewasinthewater，andIwaswatchinghimmanoeuvreforanotherattempt，whenIsawabrownbodypassbetweenus。ItwasOtoo。
\"Swimfortheschooner，master！\"hesaid。Andhespokegayly，asthoughtheaffairwasamerelark。\"Iknowsharks。Thesharkismybrother。\"
Iobeyed，swimmingslowlyon，whileOtooswamaboutme，keepingalwaysbetweenmeandtheshark，foilinghisrushesandencouragingme。
\"Thedavittacklecarriedaway，andtheyareriggingthefalls，\"heexplained，aminuteorsolater，andthenwentundertoheadoffanotherattack。
BythetimetheschoonerwasthirtyfeetawayIwasaboutdonefor。Icouldscarcelymove。Theywereheavinglinesatusfromonboard，buttheycontinuallyfellshort。Theshark，findingthatitwasreceivingnohurt，hadbecomebolder。Severaltimesitnearlygotme，buteachtimeOtoowastherejustthemomentbeforeitwastoolate。Ofcourse，Otoocouldhavesavedhimselfanytime。Buthestuckbyme。
\"Good—by，Charley！I’mfinished！\"Ijustmanagedtogasp。
Iknewthattheendhadcome，andthatthenextmomentIshouldthrowupmyhandsandgodown。
ButOtoolaughedinmyface，saying：
\"Iwillshowyouanewtrick。Iwillmakethatsharkfeelsick！\"
Hedroppedinbehindme，wherethesharkwaspreparingtocomeatme。
\"Alittlemoretotheleft！\"henextcalledout。\"Thereisalinethereonthewater。Totheleft，master——totheleft！\"
Ichangedmycourseandstruckoutblindly。Iwasbythattimebarelyconscious。AsmyhandclosedonthelineIheardanexclamationfromonboard。
Iturnedandlooked。TherewasnosignofOtoo。Thenextinstanthebrokesurface。Bothhandswereoffatthewrist，thestumpsspoutingblood。
\"Otoo！\"hecalledsoftly。AndIcouldseeinhisgazethelovethatthrilledinhisvoice。
Then，andthenonly，attheverylastofallouryears，hecalledmebythatname。
\"Good—by，Otoo！\"hecalled。
Thenhewasdraggedunder，andIwashauledaboard，whereIfaintedinthecaptain’sarms。
AndsopassedOtoo，whosavedmeandmademeaman，andwhosavedmeintheend。Wemetinthemawofahurricane，andpartedinthemawofashark，withseventeeninterveningyearsofcomradeship，thelikeofwhichIdaretoasserthasneverbefallentwomen，theonebrownandtheotherwhite。IfJehovahbefromHishighplacewatchingeverysparrowfall，notleastinHiskingdomshallbeOtoo，theoneheathenofBoraBora。
THETERRIBLESOLOMONS
ThereisnogainsayingthattheSolomonsareahard—bittenbunchofislands。
Ontheotherhand，thereareworseplacesintheworld。Buttothenewchumwhohasnoconstitutionalunderstandingofmenandlifeintherough，theSolomonsmayindeedproveterrible。
Itistruethatfeveranddysenteryareperpetuallyonthewalk—about，thatloathsomeskindiseasesabound，thattheairissaturatedwithapoisonthatbitesintoeverypore，cut，orabrasionandplantsmalignantulcers，andthatmanystrongmenwhoescapedyingtherereturnaswreckstotheirowncountries。ItisalsotruethatthenativesoftheSolomonsareawildlot，withaheartyappetiteforhumanfleshandafadforcollectinghumanheads。
Theirhighestinstinctofsportsmanshipistocatchamanwithhisbackturnedandtosmitehimacunningblowwithatomahawkthatseversthespinalcolumnatthebaseofthebrain。Itisequallytruethatonsomeislands，suchasMalaita，theprofitandlossaccountofsocialintercourseiscalculatedinhomicides。Headsareamediumofexchange，andwhiteheadsareextremelyvaluable。Veryoftenadozenvillagesmakeajack—pot，whichtheyfattenmoonbymoon，againstthetimewhensomebravewarriorpresentsawhiteman’shead，freshandgory，andclaimsthepot。
Alltheforegoingisquitetrue，andyettherearewhitemenwhohavelivedintheSolomonsascoreofyearsandwhofeelhomesickwhentheygoawayfromthem。Amanneedsonlytobecareful——andlucky——tolivealongtimeintheSolomons;buthemustalsobeoftherightsort。Hemusthavethehallmarkoftheinevitablewhitemanstampeduponhissoul。Hemustbeinevitable。Hemusthaveacertaingrandcarelessnessofodds，acertaincolossalself—satisfaction，andaracialegotismthatconvinceshimthatonewhiteisbetterthanathousandniggerseverydayintheweek，andthatonSundayheisabletocleanouttwothousandniggers。Forsucharethethingsthathavemadethewhitemaninevitable。Oh，andoneotherthing——thewhitemanwhowishestobeinevitable，mustnotmerelydespisethelesserbreedsandthinkalotofhimself;hemustalsofailtobetoolongonimagination。Hemustnotunderstandtoowelltheinstincts，customs，andmentalprocessesoftheblacks，theyellows，andthebrowns;foritisnotinsuchfashionthatthewhiteracehastrampeditsroyalroadaroundtheworld。
BertieArkwrightwasnotinevitable。Hewastoosensitive，toofinelystrung，andhepossessedtoomuchimagination。Theworldwastoomuchwithhim。Heprojectedhimselftooquiveringlyintohisenvironment。Therefore，thelastplaceintheworldforhimtocomewastheSolomons。Hedidnotcome，expectingtostay。Afiveweeks’stop—overbetweensteamers，hedecided，wouldsatisfythecalloftheprimitivehefeltthrummingthestringsofhisbeing。
Atleast，sohetoldtheladytouristsontheMAKEMBO，thoughindifferentterms;andtheyworshippedhimasahero，fortheywereladytouristsandtheywouldknowonlythesafetyofthesteamer’sdeckasshethreadedherwaythroughtheSolomons。
Therewasanothermanonboard，ofwhomtheladiestooknonotice。Hewasalittleshriveledwispofaman，withawitheredskinthecolorofmahogany。
Hisnameonthepassengerlistdoesnotmatter，buthisothername，CaptainMalu，wasanameforniggerstoconjurewith，andtoscarenaughtypickaninniestorighteousnessfromNewHanovertotheNewHebrides。Hehadfarmedsavagesandsavagery，andfromfeverandhardship，thecrackofSnidersandthelashoftheoverseers，hadwrestedfivemillionsofmoneyintheformofb坈he—de—mer，sandalwood，pearl—shellandturtle—shell，ivorynutsandcopra，grasslands，tradingstations，andplantations。CaptainMalu’slittlefinger，whichwasbroken，hadmoreinevitablenessinitthanBertieArkwright’swholecarcass。Butthen，theladytouristshadnothingbywhichtojudgesaveappearances，andBertiecertainlywasafine—lookingman。
BertietalkedwithCaptainMaluinthesmokingroom，confidingtohimhisintentionofseeingliferedandbleedingintheSolomons。CaptainMaluagreedthattheintentionwasambitiousandhonorable。ItwasnotuntilseveraldayslaterthathebecameinterestedinBertie，whenthatyoungadventurerinsistedonshowinghimanautomatic44—caliberpistol。Bertieexplainedthemechanismanddemonstratedbyslippingaloadedmagazineupthehollowbutt。
\"Itissosimple，\"hesaid。Heshottheouterbarrelbackalongtheinnerone。
\"Thatloadsitandcocksit，yousee。AndthenallIhavetodoispullthetrigger，eighttimes，asfastasIcanquivermyfinger。Seethatsafetyclutch。That’swhatIlikeaboutit。Itissafe。Itispositivelyfool—proof。\"
Heslippedoutthemagazine。\"Youseehowsafeitis。\"
Ashehelditinhishand，themuzzlecameinlinewithCaptainMalu’sstomach。CaptainMalu’sblueeyeslookedatitunswervingly。
\"Wouldyoumindpointingitinsomeotherdirection？\"heasked。
\"It’sperfectlysafe，\"Bertieassuredhim。\"Iwithdrewthemagazine。It’snotloadednow，youknow。\"
\"Agunisalwaysloaded。\"
\"Butthisoneisn’t。\"
\"Turnitawayjustthesame。\"
CaptainMalu’svoicewasflatandmetallicandlow，buthiseyesneverleftthemuzzleuntilthelineofitwasdrawnpasthimandawayfromhim。
\"I’llbetafiveritisn’tloaded，\"Bertieproposedwarmly。