Theothershookhishead。
\"ThenI’llshowyou。\"
Bertiestartedtoputthemuzzletohisowntemplewiththeevidentintentionofpullingthetrigger。
\"Justasecond，\"CaptainMalusaidquietly，reachingouthishand。\"Letmelookatit。\"
Hepointeditseawardandpulledthetrigger。Aheavyexplosionfollowed，instantaneouswiththesharpclickofthemechanismthatflippedahotandsmokingcartridgesidewisealongthedeck。
Bertie’sjawdroppedinamazement。
\"Islippedthebarrelbackonce，didn’tI？\"heexplained。Itwassillyofme，Imustsay。\"
Hegiggledflabbily，andsatdowninasteamerchair。Thebloodhadebbedfromhisface，exposingdarkcirclesunderhiseyes。Hishandsweretremblingandunabletoguidetheshakingcigarettetohislips。Theworldwastoomuchwithhim，andhesawhimselfwithdrippingbrainsproneuponthedeck\"Really，\"hesaid，\"……really。\"
\"It’saprettyweapon，\"saidCaptainMalu，returningtheautomatictohim。
TheCommissionerwasonboardtheMakembo，returningfromSydney，andbyhispermissionastopwasmadeatUgitolandamissionary。AndatUgilaytheketchARLA，CaptainHansen，skipper。NowtheArlawasoneofmanyvesselsownedbyCaptainMalu，anditwasathissuggestionandbyhisinvitationthatBertiewentaboardtheArlaasguestforafourdays’recruitingcruiseonthecoastofMalaita。ThereaftertheARLAwoulddrophimatRemingePlantation（alsoownedbyCaptainMalu），whereBertiecouldremainforaweek，andthenbesentovertoTulagi，theseatofgovernment，wherehewouldbecometheCommissioner’sguest。CaptainMaluwasresponsiblefortwoothersuggestions，whichgiven，hedisappearsfromthisnarrative。OnewastoCaptainHansen，theothertoMr。Harriwell，managerofRemingePlantation。Bothsuggestionsweresimilarintenor，namely，togiveMr。BertramArkwrightaninsightintotherawnessandrednessoflifeintheSolomons。Also，itiswhisperedthatCaptainMalumentionedthatacaseofScotchwouldbecoincidentalwithanyparticularlygorgeousinsightMr。Arkwrightmightreceive……
\"Yes，Swartzalwayswastoopig—headed。Yousee，hetookfourofhisboat’screwtoTulagitobeflogged——officially，youknow——thenstartedbackwiththeminthewhaleboat。Itwasprettysqually，andtheboatcapsizedjustoutside。Swartzwastheonlyonedrowned。Ofcourse，itwasanaccident。\"
\"Wasit？Really？\"Bertieasked，onlyhalf—interested，staringhardattheblackmanatthewheel。
Ugihaddroppedastern，andtheARLAwasslidingalongthroughasummerseatowardthewoodedrangesofMalaita。ThehelmsmanwhosoattractedBertie’seyessportedatenpennynail，stuckskewerwisethroughhisnose。Abouthisneckwasastringofpantsbuttons。Thrustthroughholesinhisearswereacanopener，thebrokenhandleofatoothbrush，aclaypipe，thebrasswheelofanalarmclock，andseveralWinchesterriflecartridges。
Onhischest，suspendedfromaroundhisneckhungthehalfofachinaplate。
Somefortysimilarlyappareledblackslayaboutthedeck，fifteenofwhichwereboat’screw，theremainderbeingfreshlaborrecruits。
\"Ofcourseitwasanaccident，\"spokeuptheARLA’Smate，Jacobs，aslender，dark—eyedmanwholookedmoreaprofessorthanasailor。\"JohnnyBedipnearlyhadthesamekindofaccident。Hewasbringingbackseveralfromaflogging，whentheycapsizedhim。Butheknewhowtoswimaswellasthey，andtwoofthemweredrowned。Heusedaboatstretcherandarevolver。Ofcourseitwasanaccident。\"
\"Quitecommon，themaccidents，\"remarkedtheskipper。\"Youseethatmanatthewheel，Mr。Arkwright？He’samaneater。Sixmonthsago，heandtherestoftheboat’screwdrownedthethencaptainoftheARLA。Theydiditondeck，sir，rightafttherebythemizzen—traveler。\"
\"Thedeckwasinashockingstate，\"saidthemate。
\"DoIunderstand——？\"Bertiebegan。
\"Yes，justthat，\"saidCaptainHansen。\"Itwasanaccidentaldrowning。\"
\"Butondeck——？\"
\"Justso。Idon’tmindtellingyou，inconfidence，ofcourse，thattheyusedanaxe。\"
\"Thispresentcrewofyours？\"
CaptainHansennodded。
\"Theotherskipperalwayswastoocareless，\"explainedthemate。Hebutjustturnedhisback，whentheylethimhaveit。\"
\"Wehaven’tanyshowdownhere，\"wastheskipper’scomplaint。\"Thegovernmentprotectsaniggeragainstawhiteeverytime。Youcan’tshootfirst。You’vegottogivetheniggerfirstshot，orelsethegovernmentcallsitmurderandyougotoFiji。That’swhythere’ssomanydrowningaccidents。\"
Dinnerwascalled，andBertieandtheskipperwentbelow，leavingthematetowatchondeck。
\"Keepaneyeoutforthatblackdevil，Auiki，\"wastheskipper’spartingcaution。\"Ihaven’tlikedhislooksforseveraldays。\"
\"RightO，\"saidthemate。
Dinnerwaspartwayalong，andtheskipperwasinthemiddleofhisstoryofthecuttingoutoftheScottishChiefs。
\"Yes，\"hewassaying，\"shewasthefinestvesselonthecoast。Butwhenshemissedstays，andbeforeevershehitthereef，thecanoesstartedforher。
Therewerefivewhitemen，acrewoftwentySantaCruzboysandSamoans，andonlythesupercargoescaped。Besides，thereweresixtyrecruits。Theywereallkai—kai’d。Kai—kai？——oh，Ibegyourpardon。Imeantheywereeaten。ThentherewastheJamesEdwards，adandy—rigged——\"
Butatthatmomenttherewasasharpoathfromthemateondeckandachorusofsavagecries。Arevolverwentoffthreetimes，andthenwasheardaloudsplash。CaptainHansenhadsprungupthecompanionwayontheinstant，andBertie’seyeshadbeenfascinatedbyaglimpseofhimdrawinghisrevolverashesprang。
Bertiewentupmorecircumspectly，hesitatingbeforeheputhisheadabovethecompanionwayslide。Butnothinghappened。Thematewasshakingwithexcitement，hisrevolverinhishand。Oncehestartled，andhalf—jumpedaround，asifdangerthreatenedhisback。
\"Oneofthenativesfelloverboard，\"hewassaying，inaqueertensevoice。
\"Hecouldn’tswim。\"
\"Whowasit？\"theskipperdemanded。
\"Auiki，\"wastheanswer。
\"ButIsay，youknow，Iheardshots，\"Bertiesaid，intremblingeagerness，forhescentedadventure，andadventurethatwashappilyoverwith。
Thematewhirleduponhim，snarling：
\"It\"sadamnedlie。Thereain’tbeenashotfired。Theniggerfelloverboard。\"
CaptainHansenregardedBertiewithunblinking，lack—lustereyes。
\"I——Ithought——\"Bertiewasbeginning。
\"Shots？\"saidCaptainHansen，dreamily。\"Shots？Didyouhearanyshots，Mr。
Jacobs？\"
\"Notashot，\"repliedMr。Jacobs。
Theskipperlookedathisguesttriumphantly，andsaid：
\"Evidentlyanaccident。Letusgodown，Mr。Arkwright，andfinishdinner。\"
Bertiesleptthatnightinthecaptain’scabin，atinystateroomoffthemaincabin。Thefor’ardbulkheadwasdecoratedwithastandofrifles。Overthebunkwerethreemorerifles。Underthebunkwasabigdrawer，which，whenhepulleditout，hefoundfilledwithammunition，dynamite，andseveralboxesofdetonators。Heelectedtotakethesetteeontheoppositeside。Lyingconspicuouslyonthesmalltable，wastheArla’slog。BertiedidnotknowthatithadbeenespeciallypreparedfortheoccasionbyCaptainMalu，andhereadthereinhowonSeptember21，twoboat’screwhadfallenoverboardandbeendrowned。Bertiereadbetweenthelinesandknewbetter。HereadhowtheArla’swhaleboathadbeenbushwhackedatSu’uandhadlostthreemen;ofhowtheskipperdiscoveredthecookstewinghumanfleshonthegalleyfire——fleshpurchasedbytheboat’screwashoreinFui;ofhowanaccidentaldischargeofdynamite，whilesignaling，hadkilledanotherboat’screw;ofnightattacks;
portsfledfrombetweenthedawns;attacksbybushmeninmangroveswampsandbyfleetsofsalt—watermeninthelargerpassages。Oneitemthatoccurredwithmonotonousfrequencywasdeathbydysentery。Henoticedwithalarmthattwowhitemenhadsodied——guests，likehimself，ontheArla。
\"Isay，youknow，\"BertiesaidnextdaytoCaptainHansen。\"I’vebeenglancingthroughyourlog。\"
Theskipperdisplayedquickvexationthattheloghadbeenleftlyingabout。
\"Andallthatdysentery，youknow，that’sallrot，justliketheaccidentaldrownings，\"Bertiecontinued。\"Whatdoesdysenteryreallystandfor？\"
Theskipperopenlyadmiredhisguest’sacumen，stiffenedhimselftomakeindignantdenial，thengracefullysurrendered。
\"Yousee，it’slikethis，Mr。Arkwright。Theseislandshavegotabadenoughnameasitis。It’sgettinghardereverydaytosignonwhitemen。Supposeamaniskilled。Thecompanyhastopaythroughthenoseforanothermantotakethejob。Butifthemanmerelydiesofsickness，it’sallright。Thenewchumsdon’tminddisease。Whattheydrawthelineatisbeingmurdered。IthoughttheskipperoftheArlahaddiedofdysenterywhenItookhisbillet。Thenitwastoolate。I’dsignedthecontract。\"
\"Besides，\"saidMr。Jacobs，\"there’saltogethertoomanyaccidentaldrowningsanyway。Itdon’tlookright。It’sthefaultofthegovernment。Awhitemanhasn’tachancetodefendhimselffromtheniggers。\"
\"Yes，lookatthePrincessandthatYankeemate，\"theskippertookupthetale。\"Shecarriedfivewhitemenbesidesagovernmentagent。Thecaptain，theagent，andthesupercargowereashoreinthetwoboats。Theywerekilledtothelastman。Themateandboson，withaboutfifteenofthecrew——SamoansandTongans——wereonboard。Acrowdofniggerscameofffromshore。Firstthingthemateknew，thebosonandthecrewwerekilledinthefirstrush。ThemategrabbedthreecartridgebeltsandtwoWinchestersandskinneduptothecross—trees。Hewasthesolesurvivor，andyoucan’tblamehimforbeingmad。
Hepumpedonerifletillitgotsohothecouldn’tholdit，thenhepumpedtheother。Thedeckwasblackwithniggers。Hecleanedthemout。Hedroppedthemastheywentovertherail，andhedroppedthemasfastastheypickeduptheirpaddles。Thentheyjumpedintothewaterandstartedtoswimforit，andbeingmad，hegothalfadozenmore。Andwhatdidhegetforit？\"
\"SevenyearsinFiji，\"snappedthemate。
\"Thegovernmentsaidhewasn’tjustifiedinshootingafterthey’dtakentothewater，\"theskipperexplained。
\"Andthat’swhytheydieofdysenterynowadays，\"themateadded。
\"Justfancy，\"saidBertie，ashefeltalongingforthecruisetobeover。
Lateroninthedayheinterviewedtheblackwhohadbeenpointedouttohimasacannibal。Thisfellow’snamewasSumasai。HehadspentthreeyearsonaQueenslandplantation。HehadbeentoSamoa，andFiji，andSydney;andasaboat’screwhadbeenonrecruitingschoonersthroughNewBritain，NewIreland，NewGuinea，andtheAdmiralties。Also，hewasawag，andhehadtakenalineonhisskipper’sconduct。Yes，hehadeatenmanymen。Howmany？Hecouldnotrememberthetally。Yes，whitemen，too;theywereverygood，unlesstheyweresick。Hehadonceeatenasickone。
\"Myword！\"hecried，attherecollection。\"Mesickplentyalonghim。’mybellywalkabouttoomuch。\"
Bertieshuddered，andaskedaboutheads。Yes，Sumasaihadseveralhiddenashore，ingoodcondition，sun—dried，andsmoke—cured。Onewasofthecaptainofaschooner。Ithadlongwhiskers。Hewouldsellitfortwoquid。Blackmen’sheadshewouldsellforonequid。Hehadsomepickaninnyheads，inpoorcondition，thathewouldletgofortenbob。
Fiveminutesafterward，Bertiefoundhimselfsittingonthecompanionway—slidealongsideablackwithahorribleskindisease。Hesheeredoff，andoninquirywastoldthatitwasleprosy。Hehurriedbelowandwashedhimselfwithantisepticsoap。Hetookmanyantisepticwashesinthecourseoftheday，foreverynativeonboardwasafflictedwithmalignantulcersofonesortoranother。
AstheArladrewintoananchorageinthemidstofmangroveswamps，adoublerowofbarbedwirewasstretchedaroundaboveherrail。Thatlookedlikebusiness，andwhenBertiesawtheshorecanoesalongside，armedwithspears，bowsandarrows，andSniders，hewishedmoreearnestlythaneverthatthecruisewasover。
Thateveningthenativeswereslowinleavingtheshipatsundown。Anumberofthemcheckedthematewhenheorderedthemashore。\"Nevermind，I’llfixthem，\"saidCaptainHansen，divingbelow。
Whenhecamback，heshowedBertieastickofdynamiteattachedtoafishhook。Nowithappensthatapaper—wrappedbottleofchlorodynewithapieceofharmlessfuseprojectingcanfoolanybody。ItfooledBertie，anditfooledthenatives。WhenCaptainHansenlightedthefuseandhookedthefishhookintothetailendofanative’sloincloth，thatnativewassmittenwithsoanardentadesirefortheshorethatheforgottoshedtheloincloth。Hestartedfor’ard，thefusesizzlingandsplutteringathisrear，thenativesinhispathtakingheadersoverthebarbedwireateveryjump。Bertiewashorror—stricken。SowasCaptainHansen。Hehadforgottenhistwenty—fiverecruits，oneachofwhichhehadpaidthirtyshillingsadvance。Theywentoverthesidealongwiththeshore—dwellingfolkandfollowedbyhimwhotrailedthesizzlingchlorodynebottle。
Bertiedidnotseethebottlegooff;butthemateopportunelydischargingastickofrealdynamiteaftwhereitwouldharmnobody，Bertiewouldhavesworninanyadmiraltycourttoaniggerblowntoflinders。Theflightofthetwenty—fiverecruitshadactuallycosttheArlafortypounds，and，sincetheyhadtakentothebush，therewasnohopeofrecoveringthem。Theskipperandhismateproceededtodrowntheirsorrowincoldtea。
Thecoldteawasinwhiskeybottles，soBertiedidnotknowitwascoldteatheyweremoppingup。Allheknewwasthatthetwomengotverydrunkandarguedeloquentlyandatlengthastowhethertheexplodedniggershouldbereportedasacaseofdysenteryorasanaccidentaldrowning。Whentheysnoredofftosleep，hewastheonlywhitemanleft，andhekeptaperilouswatchtilldawn，infearofanattackfromshoreandanuprisingofthecrew。
ThreemoredaystheArlaspentonthecoast，andthreemorenightstheskipperandthematedrankoverfondlyofcoldtea，leavingBertietokeepthewatch。
Theyknewhecouldbedependedupon，whilehewasequallycertainthatifhelived，hewouldreporttheirdrunkenconducttoCaptainMalu。ThentheArladroppedanchoratRemingePlantation，onGuadalcanar，andBertielandedonthebeachwithasighofreliefandshookhandswiththemanager。’mr。Harriwellwasreadyforhim。
\"Nowyoumustn’tbealarmedifsomeofourfellowsseemdowncast，\"Mr。
Harriwellsaid，havingdrawnhimasideinconfidence。\"There’sbeentalkofanoutbreak，andtwoorthreesuspicioussignsI’mwillingtoadmit，butpersonallyIthinkit’sallpoppycock。\"
\"How——howmanyblackshaveyouontheplantation？\"Bertieasked，withasinkingheart。
\"We’reworkingfourhundredjustnow，\"repliedMr。Harriwell，cheerfully;butthethreeofus，withyou，ofcourse，andtheskipperandmateoftheArla，canhandlethemallright。\"
BertieturnedtomeetoneMcTavish，thestorekeeper，whoscarcelyacknowledgedtheintroduction，suchwashiseagernesstopresenthisresignation。
\"ItbeingthatI’mamarriedman，Mr。Harriwell，Ican’tverywellaffordtoremainonlonger。Troubleisworkingup，asplainasthenoseonyourface。
Theniggersaregoingtobreakout，andthere’llbeanotherHohonohorrorhere。\"
\"What’saHohonohorror？\"Bertieasked，afterthestorekeeperhadbeenpersuadedtoremainuntiltheendofthemonth。
\"Oh，hemeansHohonoPlantation，onYsabel，\"saidthemanager。\"Theniggerskilledthefivewhitemenashore，capturedtheschooner，killedthecaptainandmate，andescapedinabodytoMalaita。ButIalwayssaidtheywerecarelessonHohono。Theywon’tcatchusnappinghere。Comealong，Mr。
Arkwright，andseeourviewfromtheveranda。\"
BertiewastoobusywonderinghowhecouldgetawaytoTulagitotheCommissioner’shouse，toseemuchoftheview。Hewasstillwondering，whenarifleexplodedveryneartohim，behindhisback。Atthesamemomenthisarmwasnearlydislocated，soeagerlydidMr。Harriwelldraghimindoors。
\"Isay，oldman，thatwasacloseshave，\"saidthemanager，pawinghimovertoseeifhehadbeenhit。\"Ican’ttellyouhowsorryIam。Butitwasbroaddaylight，andIneverdreamed。\"
Bertiewasbeginningtoturnpale。
\"Theygottheothermanagerthatway，\"McTavishvouchsafed。\"Andadashedfinechaphewas。Blewhisbrainsoutallovertheveranda。Younoticedthatdarkstaintherebetweenthestepsandthedoor？\"
BertiewasripeforthecocktailwhichMr。Harriwellpitchedinandcompoundedforhim;butbeforehecoulddrinkit，amaninridingtrousersandputteesentered。
\"What’sthematternow？\"themanagerasked，afteronelookatthenewcomer’sface。\"Istheriverupagain？\"
\"Riverbeblowed——it’stheniggers。Steppedoutofthecanegrass，notadozenfeetaway，andwhoppedatme。ItwasaSnider，andheshotfromthehip。NowwhatIwanttoknowiswhere’dhegetthatSnider？——Oh，Ibegpardon。Gladtoknowyou，Mr。Arkwright。\"
\"Mr。Brownismyassistant，\"explainedMr。Harriwell。\"Andnowlet’shavethatdrink。\"
\"Butwhere’dhegetthatSnider？\"Mr。Browninsisted。\"Ialwaysobjectedtokeepingthosegunsonthepremises。\"
\"They’restillthere，\"Mr。Harriwellsaid，withashowofheat。
Mr。Brownsmiledincredulously。
\"Comealongandsee，\"saidthemanager。
Bertiejoinedtheprocessionintotheoffice，whereMr。Harriwellpointedtriumphantlyatabigpackingcaseinadustycorner。
\"Well，thenwheredidthebeggargetthatSnider？\"harpedMr。Brown。
ButjustthenMcTavishliftedthepackingcase。Themanagerstarted，thentoreoffthelid。Thecasewasempty。Theygazedatoneanotherinhorrifiedsilence。Harriwelldroopedwearily。
ThenMcVeighcursed。
\"WhatIcontendedallalong——thehouse—boysarenottobetrusted。\"
\"Itdoeslookserious，\"Harriwelladmitted，\"butwe’llcomethroughitallright。Whatthesanguinaryniggersneedisashakingup。Willyougentlemenpleasebringyourriflestodinner，andwillyou，Mr。Brown，kindlypreparefortyorfiftysticksofdynamite。’makethefusesgoodandshort。We’llgivethemalesson。Andnow，gentlemen，dinnerisserved。\"
OnethingthatBertiedetestedwasriceandcurry，soithappenedthathealonepartookofaninvitingomelet。Hehadquitefinishedhisplate，whenHarriwellhelpedhimselftotheomelet。Onemouthfulhetasted，thenspatoutvociferously。
\"That’sthesecondtime，\"McTavishannouncedominously。
Harriwellwasstillhawkingandspitting。
\"Secondtime，what？\"Bertiequavered。
\"Poison，\"wastheanswer。\"Thatcookwillbehangedyet。\"
\"That’sthewaythebookkeeperwentoutatCapeMarch，\"Brownspokeup。\"Diedhorribly。TheysaidontheJessiethattheyheardhimscreamingthreemilesaway。\"
\"I’llputthecookinirons，\"sputteredHarriwell。\"Fortunatelywediscovereditintime。\"
Bertiesatparalyzed。Therewasnocolorinhisface。Heattemptedtospeak，butonlyaninarticulategurgleresulted。Alleyedhimanxiously。
\"Don’tsayit，don’tsayit，\"McTavishcriedinatensevoice。
\"Yes，Iateit，plentyofit，awholeplateful！\"Bertiecriedexplosively，likeadiversuddenlyregainingbreath。
Theawfulsilencecontinuedhalfaminutelonger，andhereadhisfateintheireyes。
\"Maybeitwasn’tpoisonafterall，\"saidHarriwell，dismally。
\"Callinthecook，\"saidBrown。
Incamethecook，agrinningblackboy，nose—spikedandear—plugged。
\"Here，you，Wi—wi，whatnamethat？\"Harriwellbellowed，pointingaccusinglyattheomelet。
Wi—wiwasverynaturallyfrightenedandembarrassed。
\"Himgoodfellakai—kai，\"hemurmuredapologetically。
\"Makehimeatit，\"suggestedMcTavish。\"That’sapropertest。\"
Harriwellfilledaspoonwiththestuffandjumpedforthecook，whofledinpanic。
\"Thatsettlesit，\"wasBrown’ssolemnpronouncement。\"Hewon’teatit。\"
\"Mr。Brown，willyoupleasegoandputtheironsonhim？\"HarriwellturnedcheerfullytoBertie。\"It’sallright，oldman，theCommissionerwilldealwithhim，andifyoudie，dependuponit，hewillbehanged。\"
\"Don’tthinkthegovernment’lldoit，\"objectedMcTavish。
\"Butgentlemen，gentlemen，\"Bertiecried。\"Inthemeantimethinkofme。\"
Harriwellshruggedhisshoulderspityingly。
\"Sorry，oldman，butit’sanativepoison，andtherearenoknownantidotesfornativepoisons。Tryandcomposeyourselfandif——\"
Twosharpreportsofariflefromwithout，interruptedthediscourse，andBrown，entering，reloadedhisrifleandsatdowntotable。
\"Thecook’sdead，\"hesaid。\"Fever。Arathersuddenattack。\"
\"IwasjusttellingMr。Arkwrightthattherearenoantidotesfornativepoisons——\"
\"Exceptgin，\"saidBrown。
Harriwellcalledhimselfanabsent—mindedidiotandrushedfortheginbottle。
\"Neat，man，neat，\"hewarnedBertie，whogulpeddownatumblertwo—thirdsfulloftherawspirits，andcoughedandchokedfromtheangrybiteofittillthetearsrandownhischeeks。
Harriwelltookhispulseandtemperature，madeashowoflookingoutforhim，anddoubtedthattheomelethadbeenpoisoned。BrownandMcTavishalsodoubted;butBertiediscernedaninsincereringintheirvoices。Hisappetitehadlefthim，andhetookhisownpulsestealthilyunderthetable。Therewasnoquestionbutwhatitwasincreasing，buthefailedtoascribeittotheginhehadtaken。’mcTavish，rifleinhand，wentoutontheverandatoreconnoiter。
\"They’remassingupatthecook—house，\"washisreport。\"Andthey’venoendofSniders。’myideaistosneakaroundontheothersideandtaketheminflank。
Strikethefirstblow，youknow。Willyoucomealong，Brown？\"
Harriwellateonsteadily，whileBertiediscoveredthathispulsehadleapedupfivebeats。Nevertheless，hecouldnothelpjumpingwhentheriflesbegantogooff。AbovethescatteringofSniderscouldbeheardthepumpingofBrown’sandMcTavish’sWinchesters——allagainstabackgroundofdemoniacalscreechingandyelling。
\"They’vegotthemontherun，\"Harriwellremarked，asvoicesandgunshotsfadedawayinthedistance。
ScarcelywereBrownandMcTavishbackatthetablewhenthelatterreconnoitered。
\"They’vegotdynamite，\"hesaid。
\"Thenlet’schargethemwithdynamite，\"Harriwellproposed。
Thrustinghalfadozenstickseachintotheirpocketsandequippingthemselveswithlightedcigars，theystartedforthedoor。Andjustthenithappened。
TheyblamedMcTavishforitafterward，andheadmittedthatthechargehadbeenatrifleexcessive。Butatanyrateitwentoffunderthehouse，whichliftedupcornerwiseandsettledbackonitsfoundations。Halfthechinaonthetablewasshattered，whiletheeight—dayclockstopped。Yellingforvengeance，thethreemenrushedoutintothenight，andthebombardmentbegan。
Whentheyreturned，therewasnoBertie。Hehaddraggedhimselfawaytotheoffice，barricadedhimselfin，andsunkuponthefloorinagin—soakednightmare，whereinhediedathousanddeathswhilethevalorousfightwentonaroundhim。Inthemorning，sickandheadacheyfromthegin，hecrawledouttofindthesunstillintheskyandGodpresumableinheaven，forhishostswerealiveanduninjured。
Harriwellpressedhimtostayonlonger，butBertieinsistedonsailingimmediatelyontheArlaforTulagi，where，untilthefollowingsteamerday，hestuckclosebytheCommissioner’shouse。Therewereladytouristsontheoutgoingsteamer，andBertiewasagainahero，whileCaptainMalu，asusual，passedunnoticed。ButCaptainMalusentbackfromSydneytwocasesofthebestScotchwhiskeyonthemarket，forhewasnotabletomakeuphismindastowhetheritwasCaptainHansenorMrHarriwellwhohadgivenBertieArkwrightthemoregorgeousinsightintolifeintheSolomons。
THEINEVITABLEWHITEMAN
\"Theblackwillneverunderstandthewhite，northewhitetheblack，aslongasblackisblackandwhiteiswhite。\"
SosaidCaptainWoodward。WesatintheparlorofCharleyRoberts’pubinApia，drinkinglongAbuHamedscompoundedandsharedwithusbytheaforesaidCharleyRoberts，whoclaimedtherecipedirectfromStevens，famousforhavinginventedtheAbuHamedatatimewhenhewasspurredonbyNilethirst——theStevenswhowasresponsiblefor\"WithKitchenertoKartoun，\"andwhopassedoutatthesiegeofLadysmith。
CaptainWoodward，shortandsquat，elderly，burnedbyfortyyearsoftropicsun，andwiththemostbeautifulliquidbrowneyesIeversawinaman，spokefromavastexperience。Thecrisscrossofscarsonhisbaldpatebespokeatomahawkintimacywiththeblack，andofequalintimacywastheadvertisement，frontandrear，ontherightsideofhisneck，whereanarrowhadatonetimeenteredandbeenpulledcleanthrough。Asheexplained，hehadbeeninahurryonthatoccasion——thearrowimpededhisrunning——andhefeltthathecouldnottakethetimetobreakofftheheadandpullouttheshaftthewayithadcomein。AtthepresentmomenthewascommanderoftheSAVAII，thebigsteamerthatrecruitedlaborfromthewestwardfortheGermanplantationsonSamoa。
\"Halfthetroubleisthestupidityofthewhites，\"saidRoberts，pausingtotakeaswigfromhisglassandtocursetheSamoanbar—boyinaffectionateterms。\"Ifthewhitemanwouldlayhimselfoutabittounderstandtheworkingsoftheblackman’smind，mostofthemesseswouldbeavoided。\"
\"I’veseenafewwhoclaimedtheyunderstoodniggers，\"CaptainWoodwardretorted，\"andIalwaystooknoticethattheywerethefirsttobekai—kai’d（eaten）。LookatthemissionariesinNewGuineaandtheNewHebrides——themartyrisleofErromangaandalltherest。LookattheAustrianexpeditionthatwascuttopiecesintheSolomons，inthebushofGuadalcanar。Andlookatthetradersthemselves，withascoreofyears’experience，makingtheirbragthatnoniggerwouldevergetthem，andwhoseheadstothisdayareornamentingtheraftersofthecanoehouses。TherewasoldJohnnySimons——twenty—sixyearsontherawedgesofMelanesia，sworeheknewtheniggerslikeabookandthatthey’dneverdoforhim，andhepassedoutatMarovoLagoon，NewGeorgia，hadhisheadsawedoffbyablackMary（woman）andanoldniggerwithonlyoneleg，havinglefttheotherleginthemouthofasharkwhiledivingfordynamitedfish。TherewasBillyWatts，horriblereputationasaniggerkiller，amantoscarethedevil。IrememberlyingatCapeLittle，NewIrelandyouknow，whentheniggersstolehalfacaseoftrade—tobacco——costhimaboutthreedollarsandahalf。Inretaliationheturnedout，shotsixniggers，smasheduptheirwarcanoesandburnedtwovillages。AnditwasatCapeLittle，fouryearsafterward，thathewasjumpedalongwithfiftyBukuboyshehadwithhimfishingb坈he—de—mer。Infiveminutestheywerealldead，withtheexceptionofthreeboyswhogotawayinacanoe。Don’ttalktomeaboutunderstandingthenigger。Thewhiteman’smissionistofarmtheworld，andit’sabigenoughjobcutoutforhim。Whattimehashegotlefttounderstandniggersanyway？\"
\"Justso，\"saidRoberts。\"Andsomehowitdoesn’tseemnecessary，afterall，tounderstandtheniggers。Indirectproportiontothewhiteman’sstupidityishissuccessinfarmingtheworld——\"
\"AndputtingthefearofGodintothenigger’sheart，\"CaptainWoodwardblurtedout。\"Perhapsyou’reright，Roberts。Perhapsit’shisstupiditythatmakeshimsucceed，andsurelyonephaseofhisstupidityishisinabilitytounderstandtheniggers。Butthere’sonethingsure，thewhitehastoruntheniggerswhetherheunderstandsthemornot。It’sinevitable。It’sfate。\"
\"Andofcoursethewhitemanisinevitable——it’stheniggers’fate，\"Robertsbrokein。\"Tellthewhitemanthere’spearlshellinsomelagooninfestedbyten—thousandhowlingcannibals，andhe’llheadthereallbyhislonely，withhalfadozenkanakadiversandatinalarmclockforchronometer，allpackedlikesardinesonacommodious，five—tonketch。Whisperthatthere’sagoldstrikeattheNorthPole，andthatsameinevitablewhite—skinnedcreaturewillsetoutatonce，armedwithpickandshovel，asideofbacon，andthelatestpatentrocker——andwhat’smore，he’llgetthere。Tipitofftohimthatthere’sdiamondsonthered—hotrampartsofhell，andMr。WhiteManwillstormtherampartsandsetoldSatanhimselftopick—and—shovelwork。That’swhatcomesofbeingstupidandinevitable。\"
\"ButIwonderwhattheblackmanmustthinkofthe——theinevitableness，\"I
said。
CaptainWoodwardbrokeintoquietlaughter。Hiseyeshadareminiscentgleam。
\"I’mjustwonderingwhattheniggersofMaluthoughtandstillmustbethinkingoftheoneinevitablewhitemanwehadonboardwhenwevisitedthemintheDUCHESS，\"heexplained。
RobertsmixedthreemoreAbuHameds。
\"Thatwastwentyyearsago。Saxtorphwashisname。HewascertainlythemoststupidmanIeversaw，buthewasasinevitableasdeath。Therewasonlyonethingthatchapcoulddo，andthatwasshoot。IrememberthefirsttimeIranintohim——righthereinApia，twentyyearsago。Thatwasbeforeyourtime，Roberts。IwassleepingatDutchHenry’shotel，downwherethemarketisnow。
Everheardofhim？Hemadeatidystakesmugglingarmsintotherebels，soldouthishotel，andwaskilledinSydneyjustsixweeksafterwardinasaloonrow。
\"ButSaxtorph。OnenightI’djustgottosleep，whenacoupleofcatsbegantosinginthecourtyard。Itwasoutofbedandupwindow，waterjuginhand。ButjustthenIheardthewindowofthenextroomgoup。Twoshotswerefired，andthewindowwasclosed。Ifailtoimpressyouwiththecelerityofthetransaction。Tensecondsattheoutside。Upwentthewindow，bangbangwenttherevolver，anddownwentthewindow。Whoeveritwas，hehadneverstoppedtoseetheeffectofhisshots。Heknew。Doyoufollowme？——heKNEW。Therewasnomorecatconcert，andinthemorningtherelaythetwooffenders，stonedead。Itwasmarveloustome。Itstillismarvelous。First，itwasstarlight，andSaxtorphshotwithoutdrawingabead;next，heshotsorapidlythatthetworeportswerelikeadoublereport;andfinally，heknewhehadhithismarkswithoutlookingtosee。
\"Twodaysafterwardhecameonboardtoseeme。Iwasmate，then，ontheDuchess，awhackingbigone—hundred—andfifty—tonschooner，ablackbirder。Andletmetellyouthatblackbirderswereblackbirdersinthosedays。Thereweren’tanygovernmentprotectionforUS，either。Itwasroughwork，giveandtake，ifwewerefinished，andnothingsaid，andweranniggersfromeverysouthseaislandtheydidn’tkickusofffrom。Well，Saxtorphcameonboard，JohnSaxtorphwasthenamehegave。Hewasasandylittleman，hairsandy，complexionsandy，andeyessandy，too。Nothingstrikingabouthim。Hissoulwasasneutralashiscolorscheme。Hesaidhewasstrappedandwantedtoshiponboard。Wouldgocabinboy，cook，supercargo，orcommonsailor。Didn’tknowanythingaboutanyofthebillets，butsaidthathewaswillingtolearn。I
didn’twanthim，buthisshootinghadsoimpressedmethatItookhimascommonsailor，wagesthreepoundspermonth。
\"Hewaswillingtolearnallright，I’llsaythatmuch。Buthewasconstitutionallyunabletolearnanything。HecouldnomoreboxthecompassthanIcouldmixdrinkslikeRobertshere。Andasforsteering，hegavememyfirstgrayhairs。Ineverdaredriskhimatthewheelwhenwewererunninginabigsea，whilefull—and—byandclose—and—bywereinsolublemysteries。
Couldn’tevertellthedifferencebetweenasheetandatackle，simplycouldn’t。Thefore—throat—jigandthejib—jigwereallonetohim。Tellhimtoslackoffthemainsheet，andbeforeyouknowit，he’ddropthepeak。Hefelloverboardthreetimes，andhecouldn’tswim。Buthewasalwayscheerful，neverseasick，andhewasthemostwillingmanIeverknew。Hewasanuncommunicativesoul。Nevertalkedabouthimself。Hishistory，sofaraswewereconcerned，beganthedayhesignedontheDUCHESS。Wherehelearnedtoshoot，thestarsalonecantell。HewasaYankee——thatmuchweknewfromthetwanginhisspeech。Andthatwasallweeverdidknow。
\"Andnowwebegintogettothepoint。WehadbadluckintheNewHebrides，onlyfourteenboysforfiveweeks，andweranupbeforethesoutheastfortheSolomons。’malaita，thenasnow，wasgoodrecruitingground，andweranintoMalu，onthenorthwesterncorner。There’sashorereefandanouterreef，andamightynervousanchorage;butwemadeitallrightandfiredoffourdynamiteasasignaltotheniggerstocomedownandberecruited。Inthreedayswegotnotaboy。Theniggerscameofftousintheircanoesbyhundreds，buttheyonlylaughedwhenweshowedthembeadsandcalicoandhatchetsandtalkedofthedelightsofplantationworkinSamoa。
\"Onthefourthdaytherecameachange。Fifty—oddboyssignedonandwerebilletedinthemain—hold，withthefreedomofthedeck，ofcourse。Andofcourse，lookingback，thiswholesalesigningonwassuspicious，butatthetimewethoughtsomepowerfulchiefhadremovedthebanagainstrecruiting。
Themorningofthefifthdayourtwoboatswentashoreasusual——onetocovertheother，youknow，incaseoftrouble。And，asusual，thefiftyniggersonboardwereondeck，loafing，talking，smoking，andsleeping。Saxtorphandmyself，alongwithfourothersailors，wereallthatwereleftonboard。ThetwoboatsweremannedwithGilbertIslanders。Intheonewerethecaptain，thesupercargo，andtherecruiter。Intheother，whichwasthecoveringboatandwhichlayoffshoreahundredyards，wasthesecondmate。Bothboatswerewell—armed，thoughtroublewaslittleexpected。
\"Fourofthesailors，includingSaxtorph，werescrapingthepooprail。Thefifthsailor，rifleinhand，wasstandingguardbythewater—tankjustfor’ardofthemainmast。Iwasfor’ard，puttinginthefinishinglicksonanewjawforthefore—gaff。IwasjustreachingformypipewhereIhadlaiditdown，whenIheardashotfromshore。Istraighteneduptolook。Somethingstruckmeonthebackofthehead，partiallystunningmeandknockingmetothedeck。
’myfirstthoughtwasthatsomethinghadcarriedawayaloft;butevenasI
wentdown，andbeforeIstruckthedeck，Iheardthedevil’sowntattooofriflesfromtheboats，andtwistingsidewise，Icaughtaglimpseofthesailorwhowasstandingguard。Twobigniggerswereholdinghisarms，andathirdniggerfrombehindwasbraininghimwithatomahawk。
\"Icanseeitnow，thewater—tank，themainmast，theganghangingontohim，thehatchetdescendingonthebackofhishead，andallundertheblazingsunlight。Iwasfascinatedbythatgrowingvisionofdeath。Thetomahawkseemedtotakeahorriblylongtimetocomedown。Isawitland，andtheman’slegsgiveunderhimashecrumpled。Theniggersheldhimupbysheerstrengthwhilehewashackedacoupleoftimesmore。ThenIgottwomorehacksontheheadanddecidedthatIwasdead。Sodidthebrutethatwashackingme。Iwastoohelplesstomove，andIlaythereandwatchedthemremovingthesentry’shead。Imustsaytheydiditslickenough。Theywereoldhandsatthebusiness。
\"Theriflefiringfromtheboatshadceased，andImadenodoubtthattheywerefinishedoffandthattheendhadcometoeverything。Itwasonlyamatterofmomentswhentheywouldreturnformyhead。Theywereevidentlytakingtheheadsfromthesailorsaft。HeadsarevaluableonMalaita，especiallywhiteheads。Theyhavetheplaceofhonorinthecanoehousesofthesalt—waternatives。WhatparticulardecorativeeffectthebushmengetoutofthemIdidn’tknow，buttheyprizethemjustasmuchasthesalt—watercrowd。
\"Ihadadimnotionofescaping，andIcrawledonhandsandkneestothewinch，whereImanagedtodragmyselftomyfeet。FromthereIcouldlookaftandseethreeheadsontopthecabin——theheadsofthreesailorsIhadgivenorderstoformonths。Theniggerssawmestanding，andstartedforme。I
reachedformyrevolver，andfoundtheyhadtakenit。Ican’tsaythatIwasscared。I’vebeenneartodeathseveraltimes，butitneverseemedeasierthanrightthen。Iwashalf—stunned，andnothingseemedtomatter。
\"Theleadingniggerhadarmedhimselfwithacleaverfromthegalley，andhegrimacedlikeanapeashepreparedtoslicemedown。Buttheslicewasnevermade。Hewentdownonthedeckallofaheap，andIsawthebloodgushfromhismouth。InadimwayIheardariflegooffandcontinuetogooff。Niggerafterniggerwentdown。’mysensesbegantoclear，andInotedthattherewasneveramiss。Everytimethattheriflewentoffaniggerdropped。Isatdownondeckbesidethewinchandlookedup。PerchedinthecrosstreeswasSaxtorph。HowhehadmanageditIcan’timagine，forhehadcarriedupwithhimtwoWinchestersandIdon’tknowhowmanybandoliersofammunition;andhewasnowdoingtheoneonlythinginthisworldthathewasfittedtodo。
\"I’veseenshootingandslaughter，butIneversawanythinglikethat。Isatbythewinchandwatchedtheshow。Iwasweakandfaint，anditseemedtobealladream。Bang，bang，bang，bang，wenthisrifle，andthud，thud，thud，thud，wenttheniggerstothedeck。Itwasamazingtoseethemgodown。Aftertheirfirstrushtogetme，whenaboutadozenhaddropped，theyseemedparalyzed;butheneverleftoffpumpinghisgun。Bythistimecanoesandthetwoboatsarrivedfromshore，armedwithSniders，andwithWinchesterswhichtheyhadcapturedintheboats。ThefusilladetheyletlooseonSaxtorphwastremendous。Luckilyforhimtheniggersareonlygoodatcloserange。Theyarenotusedtoputtingtheguntotheirshoulders。Theywaituntiltheyarerightontopofaman，andthentheyshootfromthehip。Whenhisriflegottoohot，Saxtorphchangedoff。Thathadbeenhisideawhenhecarriedtworiflesupwithhim。
\"Theastoundingthingwastherapidityofhisfire。Also，henevermadeamiss。Ifeveranythingwasinevitable，thatmanwas。Itwastheswiftnessofitthatmadetheslaughtersoappalling。Theniggersdidnothavetimetothink。Whentheydidmanagetothink，theywentoverthesideinarush，capsizingthecanoesofcourse。Saxtorphneverletup。Thewaterwascoveredwiththem，andplump，plump，plump，hedroppedhisbulletsintothem。Notasinglemiss，andIcouldheardistinctlythethudofeverybulletasitburiedinhumanflesh。
\"Theniggersspreadoutandheadedfortheshore，swimming。Thewaterwascarpetedwithbobbingheads，andIstoodup，asinadream，andwatcheditall——thebobbingheadsandtheheadsthatceasedtobob。Someofthelongshotsweremagnificent。Onlyonemanreachedthebeach，butashestooduptowadeashore，Saxtorphgothim。Itwasbeautiful。Andwhenacoupleofniggersrandowntodraghimoutofthewater，Saxtorphgotthem，too。
\"Ithoughteverythingwasoverthen，whenIheardtheriflegooffagain。A
niggerhadcomeoutofthecabincompanionontherunfortherailandgonedowninthemiddleofit。Thecabinmusthavebeenfullofthem。Icountedtwenty。Theycameuponeatatimeandjumpedfortherail。Buttheynevergotthere。Itremindedmeoftrapshooting。Ablackbodywouldpopoutofthecompanion，bangwouldgoSaxtorph’srifle，anddownwouldgotheblackbody。
Ofcourse，thosebelowdidnotknowwhatwashappeningondeck，sotheycontinuedtopopoutuntilthelastonewasfinishedoff。
\"Saxtorphwaitedawhiletomakesure，andthencamedownondeck。HeandI
wereallthatwereleftoftheDUCHESS’Scomplement，andIwasprettywelltothebad，whilehewashelplessnowthattheshootingwasover。Undermydirectionhewashedoutmyscalpwoundsandsewedthemup。Abigdrinkofwhiskeybracedmetomakeanefforttogetout。Therewasnothingelsetodo。
Alltherestweredead。Wetriedtogetupsail，SaxtorphhoistingandI
holdingtheturn。Hewasoncemorethestupidlubber。Hecouldn’thoistworthacent，andwhenIfellinafaint，itlookedallupwithus。
\"WhenIcameto，Saxtorphwassittinghelplesslyontherail，waitingtoaskmewhatheshoulddo。Itoldhimtooverhaulthewoundedandseeiftherewereanyabletocrawl。Hegatheredtogethersix。One，Iremember，hadabrokenleg;butSaxtorphsaidhisarmswereallright。Ilayintheshade，brushingthefliesoffanddirectingoperations，whileSaxtorphbossedhishospitalgang。I’llbeblessedifhedidn’tmakethosepoorniggersheaveateveryropeonthepin—railsbeforehefoundthehalyards。Oneofthemletgotheropeinthemidstofthehoistingandslippeddowntothedeckdead;butSaxtorphhammeredtheothersandmadethemstickbythejob。Whentheforeandmainwereup，Itoldhimtoknocktheshackleoutoftheanchorchainandlethergo。Ihadhadmyselfhelpedafttothewheel，whereIwasgoingtomakeashiftatsteering。Ican’tguesshowhedidit，butinsteadofknockingtheshackleout，downwentthesecondanchor，andthereweweredoublymoored。
\"Intheendhemanagedtoknockbothshacklesoutandraisethestaysailandjib，andtheDuchessfilledawayfortheentrance。Ourdeckswereaspectacle。Deadanddyingniggerswereeverywhere。Theywerewedgedawaysomeoftheminthemostinconceivableplaces。Thecabinwasfullofthemwheretheyhadcrawledoffthedeckandcashedin。IputSaxtorphandhisgraveyardgangtoworkheavingthemoverside，andovertheywent，thelivingandthedead。Thesharkshadfatpickingsthatday。Ofcourseourfourmurderedsailorswentthesameway。Theirheads，however，weputinasackwithweights，sothatbynochanceshouldtheydriftonthebeachandfallintothehandsoftheniggers。
\"OurfiveprisonersIdecidedtouseascrew，buttheydecidedotherwise。Theywatchedtheiropportunityandwentovertheside。Saxtorphgottwoinmid—airwithhisrevolver，andwouldhaveshottheotherthreeinthewaterifI
hadn’tstoppedhim。Iwassickoftheslaughter，yousee，andbesides，they’dhelpedworktheschoonerout。Butitwasmercythrownaway，forthesharksgotthethreeofthem。
\"Ihadbrainfeverorsomethingafterwegotclearoftheland。Anyway，theDUCHESSlayhovetoforthreeweeks，whenIpulledmyselftogetherandwejoggedonwithhertoSydney。AnywaythoseniggersofMalulearnedtheeverlastinglessonthatitisnotgoodtomonkeywithawhiteman。Intheircase，Saxtorphwascertainlyinevitable。\"
CharleyRobertsemittedalongwhistleandsaid：
\"WellIshouldsayso。ButwhateverbecameofSaxtorph？\"
\"Hedriftedintosealhuntingandbecameacrackerjack。ForsixyearshewashighlineofboththeVictoriaandSanFranciscofleets。TheseventhyearhisschoonerwasseizedinBeringSeabyaRussiancruiser，andallhands，sothetalkwent，wereslammedintotheSiberiansaltmines。AtleastI’veneverheardofhimsince。\"
\"Farmingtheworld，\"Robertsmuttered。\"Farmingtheworld。Wellhere’stothem。Somebody’sgottodoit——farmtheworld，Imean。\"
CaptainWoodwardrubbedthecriss—crossesonhisbaldhead。
\"I’vedonemyshareofit，\"hesaid。\"Fortyyearsnow。Thiswillbemylasttrip。ThenI’mgoinghometostay。\"
\"I’llwagerthewineyoudon’t，\"Robertschallenged。\"You’lldieintheharness，notathome。\"
CaptainWoodwardpromptlyacceptedthebet，butpersonallyIthinkCharleyRobertshasthebestofit。
THESEEDOFMcCOY
ThePyrenees，herironsidespressedlowinthewaterbyhercargoofwheat，rolledsluggishly，andmadeiteasyforthemanwhowasclimbingaboardfromoutatinyoutriggercanoe。Ashiseyescamelevelwiththerail，sothathecouldseeinboard，itseemedtohimthathesawadim，almostindiscerniblehaze。Itwasmorelikeanillusion，likeablurringfilmthathadspreadabruptlyoverhiseyes。Hefeltaninclinationtobrushitaway，andthesameinstanthethoughtthathewasgrowingoldandthatitwastimetosendtoSanFranciscoforapairofspectacles。
Ashecameovertherailhecastaglancealoftatthetallmasts，and，next，atthepumps。Theywerenotworking。Thereseemednothingthematterwiththebigship，andhewonderedwhyshehadhoistedthesignalofdistress。Hethoughtofhishappyislanders，andhopeditwasnotdisease。Perhapstheshipwasshortofwaterorprovisions。Heshookhandswiththecaptainwhosegauntfaceandcare—worneyesmadenosecretofthetrouble，whateveritwas。Atthesamemomentthenewcomerwasawareofafaint，indefinablesmell。Itseemedlikethatofburntbread，butdifferent。
Heglancedcuriouslyabouthim。Twentyfeetawayaweary—facedsailorwascalkingthedeck。Ashiseyeslingeredontheman，hesawsuddenlyarisefromunderhishandsafaintspiralofhazethatcurledandtwistedandwasgone。
Bynowhehadreachedthedeck。Hisbarefeetwerepervadedbyadullwarmththatquicklypenetratedthethickcalluses。Heknewnowthenatureoftheship’sdistress。Hiseyesrovedswiftlyforward，wherethefullcrewofweary—facedsailorsregardedhimeagerly。Theglancefromhisliquidbrowneyessweptoverthemlikeabenediction，soothingthem，rappingthemaboutasinthemantleofagreatpeace。\"Howlonghasshebeenafire，Captain？\"heaskedinavoicesogentleandunperturbedthatitwasasthecooingofadove。
Atfirstthecaptainfeltthepeaceandcontentofitstealinginuponhim;
thentheconsciousnessofallthathehadgonethroughandwasgoingthroughsmotehim，andhewasresentful。Bywhatrightdidthisraggedbeachcomber，indungareetrousersandacottonshirt，suggestsuchathingaspeaceandcontenttohimandhisoverwrought，exhaustedsoul？Thecaptaindidnotreasonthis;itwastheunconsciousprocessofemotionthatcausedhisresentment。
\"Fifteendays，\"heansweredshortly。\"Whoareyou？\"
\"MynameisMcCoy，\"cametheanswerintonesthatbreathedtendernessandcompassion。
\"Imean，areyouthepilot？\"
McCoypassedthebenedictionofhisgazeoverthetall，heavy—shoulderedmanwiththehaggard，unshavenfacewhohadjoinedthecaptain。
\"Iamasmuchapilotasanybody，\"wasMcCoy’sanswer。\"Weareallpilotshere，Captain，andIknoweveryinchofthesewaters。\"
Butthecaptainwasimpatient。
\"WhatIwantissomeoftheauthorities。Iwanttotalkwiththem，andblamequick。\"
\"ThenI’lldojustaswell。\"
Againthatinsidioussuggestionofpeace，andhisshiparagingfurnacebeneathhisfeet！Thecaptain’seyebrowsliftedimpatientlyandnervously，andhisfistclenchedasifhewereabouttostrikeablowwithit。
\"Whoinhellareyou？\"hedemanded。
\"Iamthechiefmagistrate，\"wasthereplyinavoicethatwasstillthesoftestandgentlestimaginable。
Thetall，heavy—shoulderedmanbrokeoutinaharshlaughthatwaspartlyamusement，butmostlyhysterical。BothheandthecaptainregardedMcCoywithincredulityandamazement。Thatthisbarefootedbeachcombershouldpossesssuchhigh—soundingdignitywasinconceivable。Hiscottonshirt，unbuttoned，exposedagrizzledchestandthefactthattherewasnoundershirtbeneath。
Awornstrawhatfailedtohidetheraggedgrayhair。Halfwaydownhischestdescendedanuntrimmedpatriarchalbeard。Inanyslopshop，twoshillingswouldhaveoutfittedhimcompleteashestoodbeforethem。
\"AnyrelationtotheMcCoyoftheBounty？\"thecaptainasked。
\"Hewasmygreat—grandfather。\"
\"Oh，\"thecaptainsaid，thenbethoughthimself。’mynameisDavenport，andthisismyfirstmate，Mr。Konig。\"
Theyshookhands。
\"Andnowtobusiness。\"Thecaptainspokequickly，theurgencyofagreathastepressinghisspeech。\"We’vebeenonfireforovertwoweeks。She’sreadytobreakallhelllooseanymoment。That’swhyIheldforPitcairn。Iwanttobeachher，orscuttleher，andsavethehull。\"
\"Thenyoumadeamistake，Captain，saidMcCoy。\"YoushouldhaveslackedawayforMangareva。There’sabeautifulbeachthere，inalagoonwherethewaterislikeamillpond。\"
\"Butwe’rehere，ain’twe？\"thefirstmatedemanded。\"That’sthepoint。We’rehere，andwe’vegottodosomething。\"
McCoyshookhisheadkindly。
\"Youcandonothinghere。Thereisnobeach。Thereisn’tevenanchorage。\"
\"Gammon！\"saidthemate。\"Gammon！\"herepeatedloudly，asthecaptainsignaledhimtobemoresoftspoken。\"Youcan’ttellmethatsortofstuff。Whered’yekeepyourownboats，hey——yourschooner，orcutter，orwhateveryouhave？Hey？
Answermethat。\"
McCoysmiledasgentlyashespoke。Hissmilewasacaress，anembracethatsurroundedthetiredmateandsoughttodrawhimintothequietudeandrestofMcCoy’stranquilsoul。
\"Wehavenoschoonerorcutter，\"hereplied。\"Andwecarryourcanoestothetopofthecliff。\"
\"You’vegottoshowme，\"snortedthemate。\"Howd’yegetaroundtotheotherislands，heh？Tellmethat。\"
\"Wedon’tgetaround。AsgovernorofPitcairn，Isometimesgo。WhenIwasyounger，Iwasawayagreatdeal——sometimesonthetradingschooners，butmostlyonthemissionarybrig。Butshe’sgonenow，andwedependonpassingvessels。Sometimeswehavehadashighassixcallsinoneyear。Atothertimes，ayear，andevenlonger，hasgonebywithoutonepassingship。Yoursisthefirstinsevenmonths。\"
\"Andyoumeantotellme——\"thematebegan。
ButCaptainDavenportinterfered。
\"Enoughofthis。We’relosingtime。Whatistobedone，Mr。McCoy？\"
Theoldmanturnedhisbrowneyes，sweetasawoman’s，shoreward，andbothcaptainandmatefollowedhisgazearoundfromthelonelyrockofPitcairntothecrewclusteringforwardandwaitinganxiouslyfortheannouncementofadecision。’mcCoydidnothurry。Hethoughtsmoothlyandslowly，stepbystep，withthecertitudeofamindthatwasnevervexedoroutragedbylife。
\"Thewindislightnow，\"hesaidfinally。\"Thereisaheavycurrentsettingtothewestward。\"
\"That’swhatmadeusfetchtoleeward，\"thecaptaininterrupted，desiringtovindicatehisseamanship。
\"Yes，thatiswhatfetchedyoutoleeward，\"McCoywenton。\"Well，youcan’tworkupagainstthiscurrenttoday。Andifyoudid，thereisnobeach。Yourshipwillbeatotalloss。\"
Hepaused，andcaptainandmatelookeddespairateachother。
\"ButIwilltellyouwhatyoucando。Thebreezewillfreshentonightaroundmidnight——seethosetailsofcloudsandthatthicknesstowindward，beyondthepointthere？That’swhereshe’llcomefrom，outofthesoutheast，hard。ItisthreehundredmilestoMangareva。Squareawayforit。Thereisabeautifulbedforyourshipthere。\"
Themateshookhishead。
\"Comeintothecabin，andwe’lllookatthechart，\"saidthecaptain。
McCoyfoundastifling，poisonousatmosphereinthepentcabin。Straywafturesofinvisiblegasesbithiseyesandmadethemsting。Thedeckwashotter，almostunbearablyhottohisbarefeet。Thesweatpouredoutofhisbody。Helookedalmostwithapprehensionabouthim。Thismalignant，internalheatwasastounding。Itwasamarvelthatthecabindidnotburstintoflames。
Hehadafeelingasifofbeinginahugebakeovenwheretheheatmightatanymomentincreasetremendouslyandshrivelhimuplikeabladeofgrass。
Asheliftedonefootandrubbedthehotsoleagainstthelegofhistrousers，thematelaughedinasavage，snarlingfashion。
\"Theanteroomofhell，\"hesaid。\"Hellherselfisrightdownthereunderyourfeet。\"
\"It’shot！\"McCoycriedinvoluntarily，moppinghisfacewithabandanahandkerchief。
\"Here’sMangareva，\"thecaptainsaid，bendingoverthetableandpointingtoablackspeckinthemidstofthewhiteblanknessofthechart。\"Andhere，inbetween，isanotherisland。Whynotrunforthat？\"
McCoydidnotlookatthechart。
\"That’sCrescentIsland，\"heanswered。\"Itisuninhabited，anditisonlytwoorthreefeetabovewater。Lagoon，butnoentrance。No，Mangarevaisthenearestplaceforyourpurpose。\"
\"Mangarevaitis，then，\"saidCaptainDavenport，interruptingthemate’sgrowlingobjection。\"Callthecrewaft，Mr。Konig。\"
Thesailorsobeyed，shufflingwearilyalongthedeckandpainfullyendeavoringtomakehaste。Exhaustionwasevidentineverymovement。Thecookcameoutofhisgalleytohear，andthecabinboyhungaboutnearhim。