TheProsecutingAttorneyinterposed，demandingtoknowwhichofthetwocaseslumpedtogetherwas，andbywhatrightPatsy’slawyer，atthatstageoftheproceedings，shouldtakethewitness。Patsy’sattorneyfoughtback。JudgeWitberginterfered，professingnoknowledgeofanytwocasesbeinglumpedtogether。Allthishadtobeexplained。Battleroyalraged，terminatinginbothattorneysapologizingtotheCourtandtoeachother。Andsoitwent，andtoWatsonithadtheseemingofagroupofpickpocketsrufflingandbustlinganhonestmanastheytookhispurse。Themachinewasworking，thatwasall。
\"Whydidyouenterthisplaceofunsavoryreputations？\"wasaskedhim。
\"Ithasbeenmycustomformanyyears，asastudentofeconomicsandsociology，toacquaintmyself——\"
ButthiswasasfarasWatsongot。
\"Wewantnoneofyourologieshere，\"snarledJudgeWitberg。\"Itisaplainquestion。Answeritplainly。Isittrueornottruethatyouweredrunk？Thatisthegistofthequestion。\"
WhenWatsonattemptedtotellhowPatsyhadinjuredhisfaceinhisattemptstobatwithhishead，Watsonwasopenlyscoutedandflouted，andJudgeWitbergagaintookhiminhand。
\"Areyouawareofthesolemnityoftheoathyoutooktotestifytonothingbutthetruthonthiswitnessstand？\"theJudgedemanded。\"Thisisafairystoryyouaretelling。Itisnotreasonablethatamanwouldsoinjurehimself，andcontinuetoinjurehimself，bystrikingthesoftandsensitivepartsofhisfaceagainstyourhead。Youareasensibleman。Itisunreasonable，isitnot？\"
\"Menareunreasonablewhentheyareangry，\"Watsonansweredmeekly。
ThenitwasthatJudgeWitbergwasdeeplyoutragedandrighteouslywrathful。
\"Whatrighthaveyoutosaythat？\"hecried。\"Itisgratuitous。
Ithasnobearingonthecase。Youarehereasawitness，sir，ofeventsthathavetranspired。TheCourtdoesnotwishtohearanyexpressionsofopinionfromyouatall。\"
\"Ibutansweredyourquestion，yourHonor，\"Watsonprotestedhumbly。
\"Youdidnothingofthesort，\"wasthenextblast。\"Andletmewarnyou，sir，letmewarnyou，thatyouarelayingyourselfliabletocontemptbysuchinsolence。AndIwillhaveyouknowthatweknowhowtoobservethelawandtherulesofcourtesydownhereinthislittlecourtroom。Iamashamedofyou。\"
And，whilethenextpunctiliouslegalwranglebetweentheattorneysinterruptedhistaleofwhathappenedintheVendome，CarterWatson，withoutbitterness，amusedandatthesametimesad，sawrisebeforehimthemachine，largeandsmall，thatdominatedhiscountry，theunpunishedandshamelessgraftsofathousandcitiesperpetratedbythespideryandvermin—likecreaturesofthemachines。Hereitwasbeforehim，acourtroomandajudge，boweddowninsubserviencebythemachinetoadive—keeperwhoswungastringofvotes。Pettyandsordidasitwas，itwasonefaceofthemany—facedmachinethatloomedcolossally，ineverycityandstate，inathousandguisesovershadowingtheland。
Afamiliarphraseranginhisears：\"Itistolaugh。\"Attheheightofthewrangle，hegiggled，once，aloud，andearnedasullenfrownfromJudgeWitberg。Worse，amyriadtimes，hedecided，werethesebullyinglawyersandthisbullyingjudgethenthebuckomatesinfirstqualityhell—ships，whonotonlydidtheirownbullyingbutprotectedthemselvesaswell。Thesepettyrapscallions，ontheotherhand，soughtprotectionbehindthemajestyofthelaw。Theystruck，butnoonewaspermittedtostrikeback，forbehindthemweretheprisoncellsandtheclubsofthestupidpolicemen——paidandprofessionalfightersandbeaters—upofmen。Yethewasnotbitter。Thegrossnessandthesliminessofitwasforgotteninthesimplegrotesquenessofit，andhehadthesavingsenseofhumor。
Nevertheless，hectoredandheckledthoughhewas，hemanagedintheendtogiveasimple，straightforwardversionoftheaffair，and，despiteabelligerentcross—examination，hisstorywasnotshakeninanyparticular。QuitedifferentitwasfromtheperjuriesthathadshoutedaloudfromtheperjuriesofPatsyandhistwowitnesses。
BothPatsy’sattorneyandtheProsecutingAttorneyrestedtheircases，lettingeverythinggobeforetheCourtwithoutargument。
Watsonprotestedagainstthis，butwassilencedwhentheProsecutingAttorneytoldhimthatPublicProsecutorandknewhisbusiness。
\"PatrickHoranhastestifiedthathewasindangerofhislifeandthathewascompelledtodefendhimself，\"JudgeWitberg’sverdictbegan。\"Mr。Watsonhastestifiedtothesamething。
Eachhasswornthattheotherstruckthefirstblow;eachhasswornthattheothermadeanunprovokedassaultonhim。Itisanaxiomofthelawthatthedefendantshouldbegiventhebenefitofthedoubt。Averyreasonabledoubtexists。
Therefore，inthecaseofthePeopleVersusCarterWatsonthebenefitofthedoubtisgiventosaidCarterWatsonandheisherewithordereddischargedfromcustody。ThesamereasoningappliestothecaseofthePeopleVersusPatrickHoran。Heisgiventhebenefitofthedoubtanddischargedfromcustody。Myrecommendationisthatbothdefendantsshakehandsandmakeup。\"
IntheafternoonpapersthefirstheadlinethatcaughtWatson’seyewas：\"CARTERWATSONACQUITTED。\"Inthesecondpaperitwas：
\"CARTERWATSONESCAPESAFINE。\"Butwhatcappedeverythingwastheonebeginning：\"CARTERWATSONAGOODFELLOW。\"InthetexthereadhowJudgeWitberghadadvisedbothfighterstoshakehands，whichtheypromptlydid。Further，heread：
\"’Let’shaveaniponit，’saidPatsyHoran。
\"’Sure，’saidCarterWatson。
\"And，arminarm，theyambledforthenearestsaloon。\"
IV
Now，fromthewholeadventure，Watsoncarriedawaynobitterness。Itwasasocialexperienceofaneworder，anditledtothewritingofanotherbook，whichheentitled，\"POLICE
COURTPROCEDURE：ATentativeAnalysis。\"
Onesummermorningayearlater，onhisranch，helefthishorseandhimselfclamberedonthroughaminiaturecanyontoinspectsomerockfernshehadplantedthepreviouswinter。
Emergingfromtheupperendofthecanyon，hecameoutononeofhisflower—spangledmeadows，adelightfulisolatedspot，screenedfromtheworldbylowhillsandclumpsoftrees。Andherehefoundaman，evidentlyonastrollfromthesummerhoteldownatthelittletownamileaway。Theymetfacetofaceandtherecognitionwasmutual。ItwasJudgeWitberg。
Also，itwasaclearcaseoftrespass，forWatsonhadtrespasssignsuponhisboundaries，thoughheneverenforcedthem。
JudgeWitbergheldouthishand，whichWatsonrefusedtosee。
\"Politicsisadirtytrade，isn’tit，Judge？\"heremarked。\"Oh，yes，Iseeyourhand，butIdon’tcaretotakeit。ThepaperssaidIshookhandswithPatsyHoranafterthetrial。YouknowI
didnot，butletmetellyouthatI’dathousandtimesrathershakehandswithhimandhisvilefollowingofcurs，thanwithyou。\"
JudgeWitbergwaspainfullyflustered，andashehemmedandhawedandessayedtospeak，Watson，lookingathim，wasstruckbyasuddenwhim，andhedeterminedonagrimandfacetiousantic。
\"Ishouldscarcelyexpectanyanimusfromamanofyouracquirementsandknowledgeoftheworld，\"theJudgewassaying。
\"Animus？\"Watsonreplied。\"Certainlynot。Ihaven’tsuchathinginmynature。Andtoproveit，letmeshowyousomethingcurious，somethingyouhaveneverseenbefore。\"Castingabouthim，Watsonpickeduparoughstonethesizeofhisfist。\"Seethis。Watchme。\"
Sosaying，CarterWatsontappedhimselfasharpblowonthecheek。Thestonelaidthefleshopentotheboneandthebloodspurtedforth。
\"Thestonewastoosharp，\"heannouncedtotheastoundedpolicejudge，whothoughthehadgonemad。
\"Imustbruiseitatrifle。Thereisnothinglikebeingrealisticinsuchmatters。\"
WhereuponCarterWatsonfoundasmoothstoneandwithitpoundedhischeeknicelyseveraltimes。
\"Ah，\"hecooed。\"Thatwillturnbeautifullygreenandblackinafewhours。Itwillbemostconvincing。\"
\"Youareinsane，\"JudgeWitbergquavered。
\"Don’tusesuchvilelanguagetome，\"saidWatson。\"Youseemybruisedandbleedingface？Youdidthat，withthatrighthandofyours。Youhitmetwice——biff，biff。Itisabrutalandunprovokedassault。Iamindangerofmylife。Imustprotectmyself。\"
JudgeWitbergbackedawayinalarmbeforethemenacingfistsoftheother。
\"IfyoustrikemeI’llhaveyouarrested，\"JudgeWitbergthreatened。
\"ThatiswhatItoldPatsy，\"wastheanswer。\"AnddoyouknowwhathedidwhenItoldhimthat？\"
\"No。\"
\"That！\"
AndatthesamemomentWatson’srightfistlandedflushonJudgeWitberg’snose，puttingthatlegalgentlemanoveronhisbackonthegrass。
\"Getup！\"commandedWatson。\"Ifyouareagentleman，getup——that’swhatPatsytoldme，youknow。\"
JudgeWitbergdeclinedtorise，andwasdraggedtohisfeetbythecoat—collar，onlytohaveoneeyeblackedandbeputonhisbackagain。AfterthatitwasaredIndianmassacre。JudgeWitbergwashumanelyandscientificallybeatenup。Hischeckswereboxed，hiscarscuffed，andhisfacewasrubbedintheturf。AndallthetimeWatsonexpositedthewayPatsyHoranhaddoneit。Occasionally，andverycarefully，thefacetioussociologistadministeredarealbruisingblow。Once，draggingthepoorJudgetohisfeet，hedeliberatelybumpedhisownnoseonthegentleman’shead。Thenosepromptlybled。
\"Seethat！\"criedWatson，steppingbackanddeftlysheddinghisbloodalldownhisownshirtfront。\"Youdidit。Withyourfistyoudidit。Itisawful。Iamfairmurdered。Imustagaindefendmyself。\"
AndoncemoreJudgeWitbergimpactedhisfeaturesonafistandwassenttograss。
\"Iwillhaveyouarrested，\"hesobbedashelay。
\"That’swhatPatsysaid。\"
\"Abrutal———sniff，sniff，——andunprovoked——sniff，sniff——
assault。\"
\"That’swhatPatsysaid。\"
\"Iwillsurelyhaveyouarrested。\"
\"Speakingslangily，notifIcanbeatyoutoit。\"
Andwiththat，CarterWatsondeparteddownthecanyon，mountedhishorse，androdetotown。
Anhourlater，asJudgeWitberglimpedupthegroundstohishotel，hewasarrestedbyavillageconstableonachargeofassaultandbatterypreferredbyCarterWatson。
V
\"YourHonor，\"WatsonsaidnextdaytothevillageJustice，awelltodofarmerandgraduate，thirtyyearsbefore，fromacowcollege，\"sincethisSolWitberghasseenfittochargemewithbattery，followinguponmychargeofbatteryagainsthim，I
wouldsuggestthatbothcasesbelumpedtogether。Thetestimonyandthefactsarethesameinbothcases。\"
TothistheJusticeagreed，andthedoublecaseproceeded。
Watson，asprosecutingwitness，firsttookthestandandtoldhisstory。
\"Iwaspickingflowers，\"hetestified。\"Pickingflowersonmyownland，neverdreamingofdanger。Suddenlythismanrusheduponmefrombehindthetrees。’IamtheDodo，’hesays，’andI
candoyoutoafrazzle。Putupyourhands。’Ismiled，butwiththat，biff，biff，hestruckme，knockingmedownandspillingmyflowers。Thelanguageheusedwasfrightful。Itwasanunprovokedandbrutalassault。Lookatmycheek。Lookatmynose——Icouldnotunderstandit。Hemusthavebeendrunk。
BeforeIrecoveredfrommysurprisehehadadministeredthisbeating。Iwasindangerofmylifeandwascompelledtodefendhimself。Thatisall，YourHonor，thoughImustsay，inconclusion，thatIcannotgetovermyperplexity。WhydidhesayhewastheDodo？Whydidhesowantonlyattackme？\"
AndthuswasSolWitberggivenaliberaleducationintheartofperjury。Often，fromhishighseat，hehadlistenedindulgentlytopolicecourtperjuriesincooked—upcases;butforthefirsttimeperjurywasdirectedagainsthim，andhenolongersatabovethecourt，withthebailiffs，thePolicemen’sclubs，andtheprisoncellsbehindhim。
\"YourHonor，\"hecried，\"neverhaveIheardsuchapackofliestoldbysobare—facedaliar——！’
Watsonheresprangtohisfeet。
\"YourHonor，Iprotest。ItisforyourHonortodecidetruthorfalsehood。Thewitnessisonthestandtotestifytoactualeventsthathavetranspired。Hispersonalopinionuponthingsingeneral，anduponme，hasnobearingonthecasewhatever。\"
TheJusticescratchedhisheadandwaxedphlegmaticallyindignant。
\"Thepointiswelltaken，\"hedecided。\"Iamsurprisedatyou，Mr。Witberg，claimingtobeajudgeandskilledinthepracticeofthelaw，andyetbeingguiltyofsuchunlawyerlikeconduct。
Yourmanner，sir，andyourmethods，remindmeofashyster。
Thisisasimplecaseofassaultandbattery。Weareheretodeterminewhostruckthefirstblow，andwearenotinterestedinyourestimatesofMr。Watson’spersonalcharacter。Proceedwithyourstory。\"
SolWitbergwouldhavebittenhisbruisedandswollenlipinchagrin，haditnothurtsomuch。Buthecontainedhimselfandtoldasimple，straightforward，truthfulstory。
\"YourHonor，\"Watsonsaid，\"Iwouldsuggestthatyouaskhimwhathewasdoingonmypremises。\"
\"Averygoodquestion。Whatwereyoudoing，sir，onMr。
Watson’spremises？\"
\"Ididnotknowtheywerehispremises。\"
\"Itwasatrespass，yourHonor，\"Watsoncried。\"Thewarningsarepostedconspicuously。\"
\"Isawnowarnings，\"saidSolWitberg。
\"Ihaveseenthemmyself，\"snappedtheJustice。\"Theyareveryconspicuous。AndIwouldwarnyou，sir，thatifyoupalterwiththetruthinsuchlittlemattersyoumaydarkenyourmoreimportantstatementswithsuspicion。WhydidyoustrikeMr。
Watson？\"
\"YourHonor，asIhavetestified，Ididnotstrikeablow。\"
TheJusticelookedatCarterWatson’sbruisedandswollenvisage，andturnedtoglareatSolWitberg。
\"Lookatthatman’scheek！\"hethundered。\"Ifyoudidnotstrikeablowhowcomesitthatheissodisfiguredandinjured？\"
\"AsItestified——\"
\"Becareful，\"theJusticewarned。
\"Iwillbecareful，sir。Iwillsaynothingbutthetruth。Hestruckhimselfwitharock。Hestruckhimselfwithtwodifferentrocks。\"
\"Doesitstandtoreasonthataman，anymannotalunatic，wouldsoinjurehimself，andcontinuetoinjurehimself，bystrikingthesoftandsensitivepartsofhisfacewithastone？\"CarterWatsondemanded\"Itsoundslikeafairystory，\"wastheJustice’scomment。
\"Mr。Witberg，hadyoubeendrinking？\"
\"No，sir。\"
\"Doyouneverdrink？\"
\"Onoccasion。\"
TheJusticemeditatedonthisanswerwithanairofastuteprofundity。
WatsontookadvantageoftheopportunitytowinkatSolWitberg，butthatmuch—abusedgentlemansawnothinghumorousinthesituation。
\"Averypeculiarcase，averypeculiarcase，\"theJusticeannounced，ashebeganhisverdict。\"Theevidenceofthetwopartiesisflatlycontradictory。Therearenowitnessesoutsidethetwoprincipals。Eachclaimstheothercommittedtheassault，andIhavenolegalwayofdeterminingthetruth。ButIhavemyprivateopinion，Mr。Witberg，andIwouldrecommendthathenceforthyoukeepoffofMr。Watson’spremisesandkeepawayfromthissectionofthecountry——\"
\"Thisisanoutrage！\"SolWitbergblurtedout。
\"Sitdown，sir！\"wastheJustice’sthunderedcommand。\"IfyouinterrupttheCourtinthismanneragain，Ishallfineyouforcontempt。AndIwarnyouIshallfineyouheavily——you，ajudgeyourself，whoshouldbeconversantwiththecourtesyanddignityofcourts。Ishallnowgivemyverdict：
\"Itisaruleoflawthatthedefendantshallbegiventhebenefitofthedoubt。AsIhavesaid，andIrepeat，thereisnolegalwayformetodeterminewhostruckthefirstblow。
Therefore，andmuchtomyregret，\"——herehepausedandglaredatSolWitberg——\"ineachofthesecasesIamcompelledtogivethedefendantthebenefitofthedoubt。Gentlemen，youarebothdismissed。\"
\"Letushaveaniponit，\"WatsonsaidtoWitberg，astheyleftthecourtroom;butthatoutragedpersonrefusedtolockarmsandambletothenearestsaloon。
WINGEDBLACKMAIL
PETERWINNlaybackcomfortablyinalibrarychair，withclosedeyes，deepinthecogitationofaschemeofcampaigndestinedinthenearfuturetomakeacertaincoterieofhostilefinancierssitup。Thecentralideahadcometohimthenightbefore，andhewasnowrevelingintheplanningoftheremoter，minordetails。Byobtainingcontrolofacertainup—countrybank，twogeneralstores，andseveralloggingcamps，hecouldcomeintocontrolofacertaindinkyjerkwaterlinewhichshallherebenameless，butwhich，inhishands，wouldprovethekeytoavastlylargersituationinvolvingmoremain—linemileagealmostthantherewerespikesintheaforesaiddinkyjerkwater。
Itwassosimplethathehadalmostlaughedaloudwhenitcametohim。Nowonderthoseastuteandancientenemiesofhishadpasseditby。
Thelibrarydooropened，andaslender，middle—agedman，weak—eyedandeyeglassed，entered。Inhishandswasanenvelopeandanopenletter。AsPeterWinn’ssecretaryitwashistasktoweedout，sort，andclassifyhisemployer’smail。
\"Thiscameinthemorningpost，\"heventuredapologeticallyandwiththehintofatitter。\"Ofcourseitdoesn’tamounttoanything，butIthoughtyouwouldliketoseeit。\"
\"Readit，\"PeterWinncommanded，withoutopeninghiseyes。
Thesecretaryclearedhisthroat。
\"ItisdatedJulyseventeenth，butiswithoutaddress。PostmarkSanFrancisco。Itisalsoquiteilliterate。Thespellingisatrocious。Hereitis：
Mr。PeterWinn，SIR：Isendyourespectfullybyexpressapigeonworthgoodmoney。She’saloo—loo——\"
\"Whatisaloo—loo？\"PeterWinninterrupted。
Thesecretarytittered。
\"I’msureIdon’tknow，exceptthatitmustbeasuperlativeofsomesort。Thelettercontinues：
Pleasefreightitwithacoupleofthousand—dollarbillsandletitgo。IfyoudoIwontneverannoyyounomore。Ifyoudontyouwillbesorry。
\"Thatisall。Itisunsigned。Ithoughtitwouldamuseyou。\"
\"Hasthepigeoncome？\"PeterWinndemanded。
\"I’msureIneverthoughttoenquire。\"
\"Thendoso。\"
Infiveminutesthesecretarywasback。
\"Yes，sir。Itcamethismorning。\"
\"Thenbringitin。\"
Thesecretarywasinclinedtotaketheaffairasapracticaljoke，butPeterWinn，afteranexaminationofthepigeon，thoughtotherwise。
\"Lookatit，\"hesaid，strokingandhandlingit。\"Seethelengthofthebodyandthatelongatedneck。Apropercarrier。I
doubtifI’veeverseenafinerspecimen。Powerfullywingedandmuscled。Asourunknowncorrespondentremarked，sheisaloo—loo。It’satemptationtokeepher。\"
Thesecretarytittered。
\"Whynot？Surelyyouwillnotletitgobacktothewriterofthatletter。\"
PeterWinnshookhishead。
\"I’llanswer。Nomancanthreatenme，evenanonymouslyorinfoolery。\"
Onaslipofpaperhewrotethesuccinctmessage，\"Gotohell，\"
signedit，andplaceditinthecarryingapparatuswithwhichthebirdhadbeenthoughtfullysupplied。
\"Nowwe’llletherloose。Where’smyson？I’dlikehimtoseetheflight。\"
\"He’sdownintheworkshop。Heslepttherelastnight，andhadhisbreakfastsentdownthismorning。\"
\"He’llbreakhisneckyet，\"PeterWinnremarked，half—fiercely，half—proudly，asheledthewaytotheveranda。
Standingattheheadofthebroadsteps，hetossedtheprettycreatureoutwardandupward。Shecaughtherselfwithaquickbeatofwings，flutteredaboutundecidedlyforaspace，thenroseintheair。
Again，highup，thereseemedindecision;then，apparentlygettingherbearings，sheheadedeast，overtheoak—treesthatdottedthepark—likegrounds。
\"Beautiful，beautiful，\"PeterWinnmurmured。\"IalmostwishI
hadherback。\"
ButPeterWinnwasaverybusyman，withsuchlargeplansinhisheadandwithsomanyreinsinhishandsthathequicklyforgottheincident。Threenightslatertheleftwingofhiscountryhousewasblownup。Itwasnotaheavyexplosion，andnobodywashurt，thoughthewingitselfwasruined。Mostofthewindowsoftherestofthehousewerebroken，andtherewasadealofgeneraldamage。BythefirstferryboatofthemorninghalfadozenSanFranciscodetectivesarrived，andseveralhourslaterthesecretary，inhighexcitement，eruptedonPeterWinn。
\"It’scome！\"thesecretarygasped，thesweatbeadinghisforeheadandhiseyesbulgingbehindtheirglasses。
\"Whathascome？\"Peterdemanded。\"It——the——theloo—loobird。\"
Thenthefinancierunderstood。
\"Haveyougoneoverthemailyet？\"
\"Iwasjustgoingoverit，sir。\"
\"Thencontinue，andseeifyoucanfindanotherletterfromourmysteriousfriend，thepigeonfancier。\"
Thelettercametolight。Itread：
Mr。PeterWinn，HONORABLESIR：Nowdontbeafool。Ifyoudcamethrough，yourshackwouldnothaveblewup——Ibegtoinformyourespectfully，amsendingsamepigeon。Takegoodcareofsame，thankyou。Putfiveonethousanddollarbillsonherandlethergo。Dontfeedher。Donttrytofollowbird。Sheiswisetothewaynowandmakesbettertime。Ifyoudontcomethrough，watchout。
PeterWinnwasgenuinelyangry。Thistimeheinditednomessageforthepigeontocarry。Instead，hecalledinthedetectives，and，undertheiradvice，weightedthepigeonheavilywithshot。
Herpreviousflighthavingbeeneastwardtowardthebay，thefastestmotor—boatinTiburonwascommissionedtotakeupthechaseifitledoutoverthewater。
Buttoomuchshothadbeenputonthecarrier，andshewasexhaustedbeforetheshorewasreached。Thenthemistakewasmadeofputtingtoolittleshotonher，andsherosehighintheair，gotherbearingsandstartedeastwardacrossSanFranciscoBay。SheflewstraightoverAngelIsland，andherethemotor—boatlosther，forithadtogoaroundtheisland。
Thatnight，armedguardspatrolledthegrounds。Buttherewasnoexplosion。Yet，intheearlymorningPeterWinnlearnedbytelephonethathissister’shomeinAlamedahadbeenburnedtotheground。
Twodayslaterthepigeonwasbackagain，comingthistimebyfreightinwhathadseemedabarrelofpotatoes。Alsocameanotherletter：
Mr。PeterWinn，RESPECTABLESIR：Itwasmethatfixedyrsistershouse。Youhaveraisedhell，aintyou。Sendtenthousandnow。Goingupallthetime。Dontputanymorehandicapweightsonthatbird。Yousurecantfollowher，anditscrueltytoanimals。
PeterWinnwasreadytoacknowledgehimselfbeaten。Thedetectiveswerepowerless，andPeterdidnotknowwherenextthemanwouldstrike——perhapsatthelivesofthosenearanddeartohim。HeeventelephonedtoSanFranciscofortenthousanddollarsinbillsoflargedenomination。ButPeterhadason，PeterWinn，Junior，withthesamefirm—setjawashisfathers，，andthesameknitted，broodingdeterminationinhiseyes。Hewasonlytwenty—six，buthewasallman，asecretterroranddelighttothefinancier，whoalternatedbetweenprideinhisson’saeroplanefeatsandfearforanuntimelyandterribleend。
\"Holdon，father，don’tsendthatmoney，\"saidPeterWinn，Junior。\"NumberEightisready，andIknowI’veatlastgotthatreefingdownfine。Itwillwork，anditwillrevolutionizeflying。Speed——that’swhat’sneeded，andsoarethelargesustainingsurfacesforgettingstartedandforaltitude。I’vegotthemboth。OnceI’mupIreefdown。Thereitis。Thesmallerthesustainingsurface，thehigherthespeed。ThatwasthelawdiscoveredbyLangley。AndI’veappliedit。Icanrisewhentheairiscalmandfullofholes，andIcanrisewhenitsboiling，andbymycontrolofmyplaneareasIcancomeprettyclosetomakinganyspeedIwant。EspeciallywiththatnewSangster—Endholmengine。\"
\"You’llcomeprettyclosetobreakingyourneckoneofthesedays，\"washisfather’sencouragingremark。
\"Dad，I’lltellyouwhatI’llcomeprettycloseto—ninetymilesanhour——Yes，andahundred。Nowlisten！Iwasgoingtomakeatrialtomorrow。Butitwon’ttaketwohourstostarttoday。
I’lltackleitthisafternoon。Keepthatmoney。GivemethepigeonandI’llfollowhertoherloftwhereeveritis。Holdon，letmetalktothemechanics。\"
Hecalleduptheworkshop，andincrisp，tersesentencesgavehisordersinawaythatwenttotheolderman’sheart。Truly，hisonesonwasachipofftheoldblock，andPeterWinnhadnomeeknotionsconcerningtheintrinsicvalueofsaidoldblock。
Timedtotheminute，theyoungman，twohourslater，wasreadyforthestart。Inaholsterathiship，forinstantuse，cockedandwiththesafetyon，wasalarge—caliberautomaticpistol。
Withafinalinspectionandoverhaulinghetookhisseatintheaeroplane。Hestartedtheengine，andwithawildburrofgasexplosionsthebeautifulfabricdarteddownthelaunchingwaysandliftedintotheair。Circling，asherose，tothewest，hewheeledaboutandjockeyedandmaneuveredfortherealstartoftherace。
Thisstartdependedonthepigeon。PeterWinnheldit。Norwasitweightedwithshotthistime。Instead，halfayardofbrightribbonwasfirmlyattachedtoitsleg——thisthemoreeasilytoenableitsflightbeingfollowed。PeterWinnreleasedit，anditaroseeasilyenoughdespitetheslightdragoftheribbon。
Therewasnouncertaintyaboutitsmovements。Thiswasthethirdtimeithadmadeparticularhomingpassage，anditknewthecourse。
Atanaltitudeofseveralhundredfeetitstraightenedoutandwentduecast。Theaeroplaneswervedintoastraightcoursefromitslastcurveandfollowed。Theracewason。PeterWinn，lookingup，sawthatthepigeonwasoutdistancingthemachine。
Thenhesawsomethingelse。Theaeroplanesuddenlyandinstantlybecamesmaller。Ithadreefed。Itshigh—speedplane—designwasnowrevealed。Insteadofthegenerousspreadofsurfacewithwhichithadtakentheair，itwasnowaleanandhawklikemonoplanebalancedonlongandexceedinglynarrowwings……
WhenyoungWinnreefeddownsosuddenly，hereceivedasurprise。Itwashisfirsttrialofthenewdevice，andwhilehewaspreparedforincreasedspeedhewasnotpreparedforsuchanastonishingincrease。Itwasbetterthanhedreamed，and，beforeheknewit，hewasharduponthepigeon。Thatlittlecreature，frightenedbythis，themostmonstroushawkithadeverseen，immediatelydartedupward，afterthemannerofpigeonsthatstrivealwaystoriseaboveahawk。
Ingreatcurvesthemonoplanefollowedupward，higherandhigherintotheblue。Itwasdifficult，fromunderneathtoseethepigeon。andyoungWinndarednotloseitfromhissight。Heevenshookouthisreefsinordertorisemorequickly。Up，uptheywent，untilthepigeon，truetoitsinstinct，droppedandstruckatwhatittobethebackofitspursuingenemy。Oncewasenough，for，evidentlyfindingnolifeinthesmoothclothsurfaceofthemachine，itceasedsoaringandstraightenedoutonitseastwardcourse。
Acarrierpigeononapassagecanachieveahighrateofspeed，andWinnreefedagain。Andagain，tohissatisfaction，befoundthathewasbeatingthepigeon。Butthistimehequicklyshookoutaportionofhisreefedsustainingsurfaceandsloweddownintime。Fromthenonheknewhehadthechasesafelyinhand，andfromthenonachantrosetohislipswhichhecontinuedtosingatintervals，andunconsciously，fortherestofthepassage。Itwas：\"Goingsome;goingsome;whatdidItellyou！——goingsome。\"
Evenso，itwasnotallplainsailing。Theairisanunstablemediumatbest，andquitewithoutwarning，atanacuteangle，heenteredanaerialtidewhichherecognizedasthegulfstreamofwindthatpouredthroughthedrafty—mouthedGoldenGate。Hisrightwingcaughtitfirst——asudden，sharppuffthatliftedandtiltedthemonoplaneandthreatenedtocapsizeit。
Butherodewithasensitive\"loosecurb，\"andquickly，butnottooquickly，heshiftedtheanglesofhiswing—tips，depressedthefronthorizontalrudder，andswungovertherearverticalruddertomeetthetiltingthrustofthewind。Asthemachinecamebacktoanevenkeel，andheknewthathewasnowwhollyintheinvisiblestream，hereadjustedthewing—tips，rapidlyawayfromhimduringtheseveralmomentsofhisdiscomfiture。
ThepigeondrovestraightonfortheAlamedaCountyshore，anditwasnearthisshorethatWinnhadanotherexperience。Hefellintoanair—hole。Hehadfallenintoair—holesbefore，inpreviousflights，butthiswasafarlargeronethanhehadeverencountered。Withhiseyesstrainedontheribbonattachedtothepigeon，bythatflutteringbitofcolorhemarkedhisfall。Downhewent，atthepitofhisstomachthatoldsinksensationwhichhehadknownasaboyhefirstnegotiatedquick—startingelevators。ButWinn，amongothersecretsofaviation，hadlearnedthattogoupitwassometimesnecessaryfirsttogodown。Theairhadrefusedtoholdhim。Insteadofstrugglingfutilelyandperilouslyagainstthislackofsustension，heyieldedtoit。Withsteadyheadandhand，hedepressedtheforwardhorizontalrudder——justrecklesslyenoughandnotafractionmore——andthemonoplanedivedheadforemostandsharplydownthevoid。Itwasfallingwiththekeennessofaknife—blade。Everyinstantthespeedacceleratedfrightfully。
Thusheaccumulatedthemomentumthatwouldsavehim。Butfewinstantswererequired，when，abruptlyshiftingthedoublehorizontalruddersforwardandastern，heshotupwardonthetenseandstrainingplaneandoutofthepit。
Atanaltitudeoffivehundredfeet，thepigeondroveonoverthetownofBerkeleyandlifteditsflighttotheContraCostahills。YoungWinnnotedthecampusandbuildingsoftheUniversityofCalifornia——hisuniversity——asheroseafterthepigeon。
Oncemore，ontheseContraCostahills，heearlycametogrief。
Thepigeonwasnowflyinglow，andwhereagroveofeucalyptuspresentedasolidfronttothewind，thebirdwassuddenlysentflutteringwildlyupwardforadistanceofahundredfeet。Winnknewwhatitmeant。Ithadbeencaughtinanair—surfthatbeatupwardhundredsoffeetwherethefreshwestwindsmotetheupstandingwallofthegrove。Hereefedhastilytotheuttermost，andatthesametimedepressedtheangleofhisflighttomeetthatupwardsurge。Nevertheless，themonoplanewastossedfullythreehundredfeetbeforethedangerwasleftastern。
Twoormorerangesofhillsthepigeoncrossed，andthenWinnsawitdroppingdowntoalandingwhereasmallcabinstoodinahillsideclearing。Heblessedthatclearing。Notonlywasitgoodforalighting，but，onaccountofthesteepnessoftheslope，itwasjustthethingforrisingagainintotheair。
Aman，readinganewspaper，hadjuststartedupatthesightofthereturningpigeon，whenbeheardtheburrofWinn’sengineandsawthehugemonoplane，withallsurfacesset，dropdownuponhim，stopsuddenlyonanair—cushionmanufacturedonthespurofthemomentbyashiftofthehorizontalrudders，glideafewyards，strikeground，andcometorestnotascoreoffeetawayfromhim。Butwhenhesawayoungman，calmlysittinginthemachineandlevelingapistolathim，themanturnedtorun。Beforehecouldmakethecomerofthecabin，abulletthroughthelegbroughthimdowninasprawlingfall。
\"Whatdoyouwant！\"hedemandedsullenly，astheotherstoodoverhim。
\"Iwanttotakeyouforarideinmynewmachine，\"Winnanswered。\"Believeme，sheisaloo—loo。\"
Themandidnotarguelong，forthisstrangevisitorhadmostconvincingways。UnderWinn’sinstructions，coveredallthetimebythepistol，themanimprovisedatourniquetandappliedittohiswoundedleg。Winnhelpedhimtoaseatinthemachine，thenwenttothepigeon—loftandtookpossessionofthebirdwiththeribbonstillfasttoitsleg。
Averytractableprisoner，themanproved。Onceupintheair，hesatclose，inanecstasyoffear。Anadeptatwingedblackmail，hehadnoaptitudeforwingshimself，andwhenhegazeddownattheflyinglandandwaterfarbeneathhim，hedidnotfeelmovedtoattackhiscaptor，nowdefenseless，bothhandsoccupiedwithflight。
Instead，theonlywaythemanfeltmovedwastositcloser……
PeterWinn，Senior，scanningtheheavenswithpowerfulglasses，sawthemonoplaneleapintoviewandgrowlargeovertheruggedbackboneofAngelIsland。Severalminuteslaterhecriedouttothewaitingdetectivesthatthemachinecarriedapassenger。
Droppingswiftlyandpilingupanabruptair—cushion，themonoplanelanded。
\"Thatreefingdeviceisawinner！\"youngWinncried，asheclimbedout。\"Didyouseemeatthestart？Ialmostranoverthepigeon。Goingsome，dad！Goingsome！WhatdidItellyou？
Goingsome！\"
\"Butwhoisthatwithyou？\"hisfatherdemanded。
Theyoungmanlookedbackathisprisonerandremembered。
\"Why，that’sthepigeon—fancier，\"hesaid。\"Iguesstheofficerscantakecareofhim。\"
PeterWinngrippedhisson’shandingrimsilence，andfondledthepigeonwhichhissonhadpassedtohim。Againhefondledtheprettycreature。Thenhespoke。
\"ExhibitA，forthePeople，\"hesaid。
BUNCHESOFKNUCKLES
ARRANGEMENTSquiteextensivehadbeenmadeforthecelebrationofChristmasontheyachtSamoset。Nothavingbeeninanycivilizedportformonths，thestockofprovisionsboastedfewdelicacies;yetMinnieDuncanhadmanagedtodeviserealfeastsforcabinandforecastle。
\"Listen，Boyd，shetoldherhusband。\"Herearethemenus。Forthecabin，rawbonitanativestyle，turtlesoup，omelettealaSamoset——\"
\"Whatthedickens？\"BoydDuncaninterrupted。
\"Well，ifyoumustknow，Ifoundatinofmushroomsandapackageofegg—powderwhichhadfallendownbehindthelocker，andthereareotherthingsaswellthatwillgointoit。Butdon’tinterrupt。Boiledyam，friedtaro，alligatorpearsalad——there，you’vegotmeallmixed，ThenIfoundalastdelectablehalf—poundofdriedsquid。TherewillbebakedbeansMexican，ifIcanhammeritintoToyama’shead;also，bakedpapaiawithMarquesanhoney，and，lastly，awonderfulpiethesecretofwhichToyamarefusestodivulge。\"
\"Iwonderifitispossibletoconcoctapunchoracocktailoutoftraderum？\"Duncanmutteredgloomily。
\"Oh！Iforgot！Comewithme。\"
Hiswifecaughthishandandledhimthroughthesmallconnectingdoortohertinystateroom。Stillholdinghishand，shefishedinthedepthsofahat—lockerandbroughtforthapintbottleofchampagne。
\"Thedinneriscomplete！\"hecried。
\"Wait。\"
Shefishedagain，andwasrewardedwithasilver—mountedwhiskyflask。Sheheldittothelightofaport—hole，andtheliquorshowedaquarterofthedistancefromthebottom。
\"I’vebeensavingitforweeks，\"sheexplained。\"Andthere’senoughforyouandCaptainDettmar。\"
\"Twomightysmalldrinks，\"Duncancomplained。
\"Therewouldhavebeenmore，butIgaveadrinktoLorenzowhenhewassick。\"
Duncangrowled，\"Mighthavegivenhimrum，\"facetiously。
\"Thenastystuff！Forasickman？Don’tbegreedy，Boyd。AndI’mgladthereisn’tanymore，forCaptainDettmar’ssake。
Drinkingalwaysmakeshimirritable。Andnowforthemen’sdinner。Sodacrackers，sweetcakes，candy——\"
\"Substantial，Imustsay。\"
\"Dohush。Rice，andcurry，yam，taro，bonita，ofcourse，abigcakeToyamaismaking，youngpig——\"
\"Oh，Isay，\"heprotested。
\"Itisallright，Boyd。We’llbeinAttu—Attuinthreedays。
Besides，it’smypig。Thatoldchiefwhat—ever—his—namedistinctlypresentedittome。Yousawhimyourself。Andthentwotinsofbullamacow。That’stheirdinner。Andnowaboutthepresents。Shallwewaituntiltomorrow，orgivethemthisevening？\"
\"ChristmasEve，byallmeans，\"wastheman’sjudgment。\"We’llcallallhandsateightbells;I’llgivethematotofrumallaround，andthenyougivethepresents。Comeonupondeck。
It’sstiflingdownhere。IhopeLorenzohasbetterluckwiththedynamo;withoutthefanstherewon’tbemuchsleepingto—nightifwe’redrivenbelow。\"
Theypassedthroughthesmallmain—cabin，climbedasteepcompanionladder，andemergedondeck。Thesunwassetting，andthepromisewasforacleartropicnight。TheSamoset，withfore—andmain—sailwingedoutoneitherside，wasslippingalazyfour—knotsthroughthesmoothsea。Throughtheengine—roomskylightcameasoundofhammering。TheystrolledafttowhereCaptainDettmar，onefootontherail，wasoilingthegearofthepatentlog。AtthewheelstoodatallSouthSeaIslander，cladinwhiteundershirtandscarlethip—cloth。
BoydDuncanwasanoriginal。Atleastthatwasthebeliefofhisfriends。Ofcomfortablefortune，withnoneedtodoanythingbuttakehiscomfort，heelectedtotravelabouttheworldinoutlandishandmostuncomfortableways。Incidentally，hehadideasaboutcoral—reefs，disagreedprofoundlywithDarwinonthatsubject，hadvoicedhisopinioninseveralmonographsandonebook，andwasnowbackathishobby，cruisingtheSouthSeasinatiny，thirty—tonyachtandstudyingreef—formations。
Hiswife，MinnieDuncan，wasalsodeclaredanoriginal，inasmuchasshejoyfullysharedhisvagabondwanderings。Amongotherthings，inthesixexcitingyearsoftheirmarriageshehadclimbedChimborazowithhim，madeathree—thousand—milewinterjourneywithdogsandsledsinAlaska，riddenahorsefromCanadatoMexico，cruisedtheMediterraneaninaten—tonyawl，andcanoedfromGermanytotheBlackSeaacrosstheheartofEurope。Theywerearoyalpairofwanderlusters，he，bigandbroad—shouldered，sheasmall，brunette，andhappywoman，whoseonehundredandfifteenpoundswereallgritandendurance，andwithal，pleasingtolookupon。
TheSamosethadbeenatradingschooner，whenDuncanboughtherinSanFranciscoandmadealterations。Herinteriorwaswhollyrebuilt，sothattheholdbecamemain—cabinandstaterooms，whileabaftamidshipswereinstalledengines，adynamo，anicemachine，storagebatteries，and，farinthestern，gasolinetanks。Necessarily，shecarriedasmallcrew。Boyd，Minnie，andCaptainDettmarweretheonlywhitesonboard，thoughLorenzo，thesmallandgreasyengineer，laidapartclaimtowhite，beingaPortuguesehalf—caste。AJapaneseservedascook，andaChineseascabinboy。Fourwhitesailorshadconstitutedtheoriginalcrewfor’ard，butonebyonetheyhadyieldedtothecharmsofpalm—wavingSouthSeaislesandbeenreplacedbyislanders。Thus，oneoftheduskysailorshailedfromEasterIsland，asecondfromtheCarolines，athirdfromthePaumotus，whilethefourthwasagiganticSamoan。Atsea，BoydDuncan，himselfanavigator，stoodamate’swatchwithCaptainDettmar，andbothofthemtookawheelorlookoutoccasionally。Onapinch，Minnieherselfcouldtakeawheel，anditwasonpinchesthatsheprovedherselfmoredependableatsteeringthandidthenativesailors。
Ateightbells，allhandsassembledatthewheel，andBoydDuncanappearedwithablackbottleandamug。Therumheservedouthimself，halfamugofittoeachman。Theygulpedthestuffdownwithmanyfacialexpressionsofdelight，followedbyloudlip—smackingsofapproval，thoughtheliquorwasrawenoughandcorrosiveenoughtoburntheirmucousmembranes。AlldrankexceptLeeGoom，theabstemiouscabinboy。
Thisriteaccomplished，theywaitedforthenext，thepresent—giving。GenerouslymoldedonPolynesianlines，huge—bodiedandheavy—muscled，theywereneverthelesslikesomanychildren，laughingmerrilyatlittlethings，theireagerblackeyesflashinginthelanternlightastheirbigbodiesswayedtotheheaveandrolloftheship。
Callingeachbyname，Minniegavethepresentsout，accompanyingeachpresentationwithsomehappyremarkthataddedtotheglee。Thereweretradewatches，claspknives，amazingassortmentsoffish—hooksinpackages，plugtobacco，matches，andgorgeousstripsofcottonforloinclothsallaround。ThatBoydDuncanwaslikedbythemwasevidencedbytheroarsoflaughterwithwhichtheygreetedhisslightestjokingallusion。
CaptainDettmar，white—faced，smilingonlywhenhisemployerchancedtoglanceathim，leanedagainstthewheel—box，lookingon。Twice，heleftthegroupandwentbelow，remainingtherebutaminuteeachtime。Later，inthemaincabin，whenLorenzo，LeeGoomandToyamareceivedtheirpresents，hedisappearedintohisstateroomtwiceagain。Forofalltimes，thedevilthatslumberedinCaptainDettmar’ssoulchosethisparticulartimeofgoodcheertoawaken。Perhapsitwasnotentirelythedevil’sfault，forCaptainDettmar，privilycherishingaquartofwhiskyformanyweeks，hadselectedChristmasEveforbroachingit。
Itwasstillearlyintheevening——twobellshadjustgone——whenDuncanandhiswifestoodbythecabincompanionway，gazingtowindwardandcanvassingthepossibilityofspreadingtheirbedsondeck。Asmall，darkblotofcloud，slowlyformingonthehorizon，carriedthethreatofarain—squall，anditwasthistheywerediscussingwhenCaptainDettmar，comingfromaftandabouttogobelow，glancedatthemwithsuddensuspicion。
Hepaused，hisfaceworkingspasmodically。Thenhespoke：
\"Youaretalkingaboutme。\"
Hisvoicewashoarse，andtherewasanexcitedvibrationinit。
MinnieDuncanstarted，thenglancedatherhusband’simmobileface，tookthecue，andremainedsilent。
\"Isayyouweretalkingaboutme，\"CaptainDettmarrepeated，thistimewithalmostasnarl。
Hedidnotlurchnorbetraytheliquoronhiminanywaysavebytheconvulsiveworkingofhisface。
\"Minnie，you’dbettergodown，\"Duncansaidgently。\"TellLeeGoomwe’llsleepbelow。Itwon’tbelongbeforethatsquallisdrenchingthings。\"
Shetookthehintandleft，delayingjustlongenoughtogiveoneanxiousglanceatthedimfacesofthetwomen。
Duncanpuffedathiscigarandwaitedtillhiswife’svoice，intalkwiththecabin—boy，cameupthroughtheopenskylight。
\"Well？\"Duncandemandedinalowvoice，butsharply。
\"Isaidyouweretalkingaboutme。Isayitagain。Oh，I
haven’tbeenblind。DayafterdayI’veseenthetwoofyoutalkingaboutme。Whydon’tyoucomeoutandsayittomyface！
Iknowyouknow。AndIknowyourmind’smadeuptodischargemeatAttu—Attu。\"
\"Iamsorryyouaremakingsuchamessofeverything，\"wasDuncan’squietreply。
ButCaptainDettmar’smindwassetontrouble。
\"Youknowyouaregoingtodischargeme。Youthinkyouaretoogoodtoassociatewiththelikesofme——youandyourwife。\"
\"Kindlykeepheroutofthis，\"Duncanwarned。\"Whatdoyouwant？\"
\"Iwanttoknowwhatyouaregoingtodo！\"
\"Dischargeyou，afterthis，atAttu—Attu。\"
\"Youintendedto，allalong。\"
\"Onthecontrary。Itisyourpresentconductthatcompelsme。\"
\"Youcan’tgivemethatsortoftalk。\"
\"Ican’tretainacaptainwhocallsmealiar。\"
CaptainDettmarforthemomentwastakenaback。Hisfaceandlipsworked，buthecouldsaynothing。Duncancoollypulledathiscigarandglancedaftattherisingcloudofsquall。
\"LeeGoombroughtthemailaboardatTahiti，\"CaptainDettmarbegan。
\"Wewerehoveshortthenandleaving。Youdidn’tlookatyourlettersuntilwewereoutside，andthenitwastoolate。That’swhyyoudidn’tdischargemeatTahiti。Oh，Iknow。IsawthelongenvelopewhenLeeGoomcameovertheside。ItwasfromtheGovernorofCalifornia，printedonthecornerforanyonetosee。You’dbeenworkingbehindmyback。SomebeachcomberinHonoluluhadwhisperedtoyou，andyou’dwrittentotheGovernortofindout。AndthatwashisanswerLeeGoomcarriedouttoyou。Whydidn’tyoucometomelikeaman！No，youmustplayunderhandwithme，knowingthatthisbilletwastheonechanceformetogetonmyfeetagain。AndassoonasyoureadtheGovernor’sletteryourmindwasmadeuptogetridofme。
I’veseenitonyourfaceeversinceforallthesemonths……
I’veseenthetwoofyou，politeashelltomeallthetime，andgettingawayincornersandtalkingaboutmeandthataffairin’Frisco。\"
\"Areyoudone？\"Duncanasked，hisvoicelow，andtense。\"Quitedone？\"
CaptainDettmarmadenoanswer。
\"ThenI’lltellyouafewthings。Itwaspreciselybecauseofthataffairin’FriscothatIdidnotdischargeyouinTahiti。
Godknowsyougavemesufficientprovocation。Ithoughtthatifeveramanneededachancetorehabilitatehimself，youwerethatman。Hadtherebeennoblackmarkagainstyou，IwouldhavedischargedyouwhenIlearnedhowyouwererobbingme。\"
CaptainDettmarshowedsurprise，startedtointerrupt，thenchangedhismind。
\"Therewasthatmatterofthedeck—calking，thebronzerudder—irons，theoverhaulingoftheengine，thenewspinnakerboom，thenewdavits，andtherepairstothewhale—boat。You0Kdtheshipyardbill。Itwasfourthousandonehundredandtwenty—twofrancs。Bytheregularshipyardchargesitoughtnottohavebeenacentimeovertwenty—fivehundredfrancs—\"
\"Ifyoutakethewordofthosealongshoresharksagainstmine——’theotherbeganthickly。
\"Saveyourselfthetroubleoffurtherlying，\"Duncanwentoncoldly。\"Ilookeditup。IgotFlaubinbeforetheGovernorhimself，andtheoldrascalconfessedtosixteenhundredovercharge。Saidyou’dstuckhimupforit。Twelvehundredwenttoyou，andhissharewasfourhundredandthejob。Don’tinterrupt。I’vegothisaffidavitbelow。ThenwaswhenIwouldhaveputyouashore，exceptforthecloudyouwereunder。Youhadtohavethisonechanceorgocleantohell。Igaveyouthechance。Andwhathaveyougottosayaboutit？\"
\"WhatdidtheGovernorsay？\"CaptainDettmardemandedtruculently。
\"Whichgovernor？\"
\"OfCalifornia。Didhelietoyoulikealltherest？\"
\"I’lltellyouwhathesaid。Hesaidthatyouhadbeenconvictedoncircumstantialevidence;thatwaswhyyouhadgotlifeimprisonmentinsteadofhanging;thatyouhadalwaysstoutlymaintainedyourinnocence;thatyouweretheblacksheepoftheMarylandDettmars;thattheymovedheavenandearthforyourpardon;thatyourprisonconductwasmostexemplary;thathewasprosecutingattorneyatthetimeyouwereconvicted;thatafteryouhadservedsevenyearsheyieldedtoyourfamily’spleaandpardonedyou;andthatinhisownmindexistedadoubtthatyouhadkilledMcSweeny。\"
Therewasapause，duringwhichDuncanwentonstudyingtherisingsquall，whileCaptainDettmar’sfaceworkedterribly。
\"Well，theGovernorwaswrong，\"heannounced，withashortlaugh。\"IdidkillMcSweeny。Ididgetthewatchmandrunkthatnight。IbeatMcSweenytodeathinhisbunk。Iusedtheironbelayingpinthatappearedintheevidence。Heneverhadachance。Ibeathimtoajelly。Doyouwantthedetails？\"
Duncanlookedathiminthecuriouswayonelooksatanymonstrosity，butmadenoreply。
\"Oh，I’mnotafraidtotellyou，\"CaptainDettmarblusteredon。
\"Therearenowitnesses。Besides，Iamafreemannow。Iampardoned，andbyGodtheycanneverputmebackinthatholeagain。IbrokeMcSweeny’sjawwiththefirstblow。Hewaslyingonhisbackasleep。Hesaid，’MyGod，Jim！MyGod！’Itwasfunnytoseehisbrokenjawwabbleashesaidit。ThenI
smashedhim……Isay，doyouwanttherestofthedetails？\"
\"Isthatallyouhavetosay？\"wastheanswer。
\"Isn’titenough？\"CaptainDettmarretorted。
\"Itisenough。\"
\"Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？\"
\"PutyouashoreatAttu—Attu。\"
\"Andinthemeantime？\"
\"Inthemeantime……\"Duncanpaused。Anincreaseofweightinthewindrippledhishair。Thestarsoverheadvanished，andtheSamosetswungfourpointsoffhercourseinthecarelesssteersman’shands。\"Inthemeantimethrowyourhalyardsdownondeckandlooktoyourwheel。I’llcallthemen。\"
Thenextmomentthesquallburstuponthem。CaptainDettmar，springingaft，liftedthecoiledmainsailhalyardsfromtheirpinsandthrewthem，readytorun，onthedeck。Thethreeislandersswarmedfromthetinyforecastle，twoofthemleapingtothehalyardsandholdingbyasingleturn，whilethethirdfasteneddowntheengineroom，companionandswungtheventilatorsaround。Below，LeeGoomandToyamawereloweringskylightcoversandscrewingupdeadeyes。Duncanpulledshutthecoverofthecompanionscuttle，andheldon，waiting，thefirstdropsofrainpeltinghisface，whiletheSamosetleapedviolentlyahead，atthesametimeheelingfirsttostarboardthentoportasthegustypressurescaughtherwinged—outsails。
Allwaited。Buttherewasnoneedtolowerawayontherun。Thepowerwentoutofthewind，andthetropicrainpouredadelugeovereverything。Thenitwas，thedangerpast，andastheKanakasbegantocoilthehalyardsbackonthepins，thatBoydDuncanwentbelow。
\"Allright，\"hecalledincheerilytohiswife。\"Onlyapuff。\"
\"AndCaptainDettmar？\"shequeried。
\"Hasbeendrinking，thatisall。IshallgetridofhimatAttu—Attu。\"
ButbeforeDuncanclimbedintohisbunk，hestrappedaroundhimself，againsttheskinandunderhispajamacoat，aheavyautomaticpistol。
Hefellasleepalmostimmediately，forhiswasthegiftofperfectrelaxation。Hedidthingstensely，inthewaysavagesdo，buttheinstanttheneedpassedherelaxed，mindandbody。
Soitwasthatheslept，whiletherainstillpouredondeckandtheyachtplungedandrolledinthebrief，sharpseacausedbythesquall。
Heawokewithafeelingofsuffocationandheaviness。Theelectricfanshadstopped，andtheairwasthickandstifling。
MentallycursingallLorenzosandstoragebatteries，heheardhiswifemovingintheadjoiningstateroomandpassoutintothemaincabin。Evidentlyheadingforthefresherairondeck，hethought，anddecideditwasagoodexampletoimitate。
Puttingonhisslippersandtuckingapillowandablanketunderhisarm，hefollowedher。Ashewasabouttoemergefromthecompanionway，theship’sclockinthecabinbegantostrikeandhestoppedtolisten。Fourbellssounded。Itwastwointhemorning。Fromwithoutcamethecreakingofthegaff—jawagainstthemast。TheSamosetrolledandrightedonasea，andinthelightbreezehercanvasgaveforthahollowthrum。
Hewasjustputtinghisfootoutonthedampdeckwhenheheardhiswifescream。Itwasastartledfrightenedscreamthatendedinasplashoverside。Heleapedoutandranaft。Inthedimstarlighthecouldmakeoutherheadandshouldersdisappearingasterninthelazywake。
\"Whatwasit？\"CaptainDettmar，whowasatthewheel，asked。
\"Mrs。Duncan，\"wasDuncan’sreply，ashetorethelife—buoyfromitshookandflungitaft。\"Jibeovertostarboardandcomeuponthewind！\"hecommanded。
AndthenBoydDuncanmadeamistake。Hedivedoverboard。
Whenhecameup，heglimpsedtheblue—lightonthebuoy，whichhadignitedautomaticallywhenitstruckthewater。Heswamforit，andfoundMinniehadreacheditfirst。
\"Hello，\"hesaid。\"Justtryingtokeepcool？\"
\"Oh，Boyd！\"washeranswer，andonewethandreachedoutandtouchedhis。
Thebluelight，throughdeteriorationordamage，flickeredout。
Astheyliftedonthesmoothcrestofawave，DuncanturnedtolookwheretheSamosetmadeavagueblurinthedarkness。Nolightsshowed，buttherewasnoiseofconfusion。HecouldhearCaptainDettmar’sshoutingabovethecriesoftheothers。
\"Imustsayhe’stakinghistime，\"Duncangrumbled。\"Whydoesn’thejibe？Thereshegoesnow。\"
Theycouldheartherattleoftheboomtackleblocksasthesailwaseasedacross。
\"Thatwasthemainsail，\"hemuttered。\"JibedtoportwhenI
toldhimstarboard。\"
Againtheyliftedonawave，andagainandagain，eretheycouldmakeoutthedistantgreenoftheSamoset’sstarboardlight。Butinsteadofremainingstationary，intokenthattheyachtwascomingtowardthem，itbeganmovingacrosstheirfieldofvision。Duncanswore。
\"What’sthelubberholdingovertherefor！\"hedemanded。\"He’sgothiscompass。Heknowsourbearing。\"
Butthegreenlight，whichwasalltheycouldsee，andwhichtheycouldseeonlywhentheywereontopofawave，movedsteadilyawayfromthem，withalitwasworkinguptowindward，andgrewdimanddimmer。Duncancalledoutloudlyandrepeatedly，andeachtime，intheintervals，theycouldhear，veryfaintly，thevoiceofCaptainDettmarshoutingorders。
\"Howcanhehearmewithsucharacket？\"Duncancomplained。
\"He’sdoingitsothecrewwon’thearyou，\"wasMinnie’sanswer。
Therewassomethinginthequietwayshesaiditthatcaughtherhusband’sattention。