Ithasadeeper，and，Iventuretothink，amoreestimableoriginthanthecapriceofemotionallawlessness。Itis，indeed，lawful，insomuchthatitisgiven（reluctantly）foraconsideration，forseveralconsiderations。Thereisthatrobustness，forinstance，sooftenthesignofgoodmoralbalance。That’saconsideration。Itisnot，indeed，pleasanttobestampedupon，buttheverythoroughnessoftheoperation，implyingnotonlyacarefulreading，butsomerealinsightintoworkwhosequalitiesanddefects，whatevertheymaybe，arenotsomuchonthesurface，issomethingtobethankfulforinviewofthefactthatitmayhappentoone’sworktobecondemnedwithoutbeingreadatall。Thisisthemostfatuousadventurethatcanwellhappentoawriterventuringhissoulamongcriticisms。Itcandoonenoharm，ofcourse，butitisdisagreeable。Itisdisagreeableinthesamewayasdiscoveringathree-card-trickmanamongadecentlotoffolkinathird-classcompartment。Theopenimpudenceofthewholetransaction，appealinginsidiouslytothefollyandcredulityofmankind，thebrazen，shamelesspatter，proclaimingthefraudopenlywhileinsistingonthefairnessofthegame，giveoneafeelingofsickeningdisgust。Thehonestviolenceofaplainmanplayingafairgamefairly——evenifhemeanstoknockyouover——mayappearshocking，butitremainswithinthepaleofdecency。Damagingasitmaybe，itisinnosenseoffensive。
Onemaywellfeelsomeregardforhonesty，evenifpractiseduponone’sownvilebody。Butitisveryobviousthatanenemyofthatsortwillnotbestayedbyexplanationsorplacatedbyapologies。WereItoadvancethepleaofyouthinexcuseofthenaivenesstobefoundinthesepages，hewouldbelikelytosay\"Bosh！\"inacolumnandahalfoffierceprint。Yetawriterisnoolderthanhisfirstpublishedbook，and，notwithstandingthevainappearancesofdecaywhichattendusinthistransitorylife，Istandherewiththewreathofonlyfifteenshortsummersonmybrow。
Withtheremark，then，thatatsuchtenderagesomenaivenessoffeelingandexpressionisexcusable，Iproceedtoadmitthat，uponthewhole，mypreviousstateofexistencewasnotagoodequipmentforaliterarylife。PerhapsIshouldnothaveusedthewordliterary。Thatwordpresupposesanintimacyofacquaintancewithletters，aturnofmind，andamanneroffeelingtowhichI
darelaynoclaim。Ionlyloveletters;buttheloveoflettersdoesnotmakealiteraryman，anymorethantheloveoftheseamakesaseaman。Anditisverypossible，too，thatIlovethelettersinthesamewayaliterarymanmaylovetheseahelooksatfromtheshore——asceneofgreatendeavourandofgreatachievementschangingthefaceoftheworld，thegreatopenwaytoallsortsofundiscoveredcountries。No，perhapsIhadbettersaythatthelifeatsea——andIdon’tmeanameretasteofit，butagoodbroadspanofyears，somethingthatreallycountsasrealservice——isnot，uponthewhole，agoodequipmentforawritinglife。Godforbid，though，thatIshouldbethoughtofasdenyingmymastersofthequarter-deck。Iamnotcapableofthatsortofapostasy。Ihaveconfessedmyattitudeofpietytowardtheirshadesinthreeorfourtales，andifanymanonearthmorethananotherneedstobetruetohimselfashehopestobesaved，itiscertainlythewriteroffiction。
WhatImeanttosay，simply，isthatthequarter-decktrainingdoesnotprepareonesufficientlyforthereceptionofliterarycriticism。Onlythat，andnomore。Butthisdefectisnotwithoutgravity。Ifitbepermissibletotwist，invert，adapt（andspoil）Mr。AnatoleFrance’sdefinitionofagoodcritic，thenletussaythatthegoodauthorishewhocontemplateswithoutmarkedjoyorexcessivesorrowtheadventuresofhissoulamongcriticisms。Farbefrommetheintentiontomisleadanattentivepublicintothebeliefthatthereisnocriticismatsea。Thatwouldbedishonest，andevenimpolite。Everthingcanbefoundatsea，accordingtothespiritofyourquest——strife，peace，romance，naturalismofthemostpronouncedkind，ideals，boredom，disgust，inspiration——andeveryconceivableopportunity，includingtheopportunitytomakeafoolofyourself，exactlyasinthepursuitofliterature。Butthequarter-deckcriticismissomewhatdifferentfromliterarycriticism。Thismuchtheyhaveincommon，thatbeforetheoneandtheothertheansweringback，asageneralrule，doesnotpay。
Yes，youfindcriticismatsea，andevenappreciation——Itellyoueverythingistobefoundonsaltwater——criticismgenerallyimpromptu，andalwaysvivavoce，whichistheoutward，obviousdifferencefromtheliteraryoperationofthatkind，withconsequentfreshnessandvigourwhichmaybelackingintheprintedword。Withappreciation，whichcomesattheend，whenthecriticandthecriticisedareabouttopart，itisotherwise。
Theseaappreciationofone’shumbletalentshasthepermanencyofthewrittenword，seldomthecharmofvariety，isformalinitsphrasing。Theretheliterarymasterhasthesuperiority，thoughhe，too，canineffectbutsay——andoftensaysitintheveryphrase——\"Icanhighlyrecommend。\"Onlyusuallyheusestheword\"We，\"therebeingsomeoccultvirtueinthefirstpersonpluralwhichmakesitspeciallyfitforcriticalandroyaldeclarations。Ihaveasmallhandfuloftheseseaappreciations，signedbyvariousmasters，yellowingslowlyinmywriting-table’slefthanddrawer，rustlingundermyreverenttouch，likeahandfulofdryleavespluckedforatendermementofromthetreeofknowledge。Strange！Itseemsthatitisforthesefewbitsofpaper，headedbythenamesofafewScotsandEnglishshipmasters，thatIhavefacedtheastonishedindignations，themockeries，andthereproachesofasorthardtobearforaboyoffifteen;thatIhavebeenchargedwiththewantofpatriotism，thewantofsense，andthewantofheart，too;thatIwentthroughagoniesofself-conflictandshedsecrettearsnotafew，andhadthebeautiesoftheFurcaPassspoiledforme，andhavebeencalledan\"incorrigibleDonQuixote，\"inallusiontothebook-bornmadnessoftheknight。Forthatspoil！Theyrustle，thosebitsofpaper——somedozenoftheminall。Inthatfaint，ghostlysoundtherelivethememoriesoftwentyyears，thevoicesofroughmennownomore，thestrongvoiceoftheeverlastingwinds，andthewhisperofamysteriousspell，themurmurofthegreatsea，whichmusthavesomehowreachedmyinlandcradleandenteredmyunconsciousear，likethatformulaofMohammedanfaiththeMussulmanfatherwhispersintotheearofhisnew-borninfant，makinghimoneofthefaithfulalmostwithhisfirstbreath。IdonotknowwhetherIhavebeenagoodseaman，butI
knowIhavebeenaveryfaithfulone。And，afterall，thereisthathandfulof\"characters\"fromvariousshipstoprovethatalltheseyearshavenotbeenaltogetheradream。Theretheyare，brief，andmonotonousintone，butassuggestivebitsofwritingtomeasanyinspiredpagetobefoundinliterature。Butthen，yousee，Ihavebeencalledromantic。Well，thatcan’tbehelped。Butstay。IseemtorememberthatIhavebeencalledarealist，also。Andasthatcharge，too，canbemadeout，letustrytoliveuptoit，atwhatevercost，forachange。Withthisendinview，Iwillconfidetoyoucoyly，andonlybecausethereisnooneabouttoseemyblushesbythelightofthemidnightlamp，thatthesesuggestivebitsofquarter-deckappreciation，oneandall，containthewords\"strictlysober。\"
DidIoverhearacivilmurmur，\"That’sverygratifying，tobesure？\"Well，yes，itisgratifying——thankyou。Itisatleastasgratifyingtobecertifiedsoberastobecertifiedromantic，thoughsuchcertificateswouldnotqualifyoneforthesecretaryshipofatemperanceassociationorforthepostofofficialtroubadourtosomelordlydemocraticinstitutionsuchastheLondonCountyCouncil，forinstance。Theaboveprosaicreflectionisputdownhereonlyinordertoprovethegeneralsobrietyofmyjudgmentinmundaneaffairs。Imakeapointofitbecauseacoupleofyearsago，acertainshortstoryofminebeingpublishedinaFrenchtranslation，aParisiancritic——IamalmostcertainitwasM。GustaveKahninthe\"GilBlas\"——givingmeashortnotice，summeduphisrapidimpressionofthewriter’squalityinthewordsunpuissantreveur。Sobeit！Whocouldcavilatthewordsofafriendlyreader？Yetperhapsnotsuchanunconditionaldreamerasallthat。IwillmakeboldtosaythatneitheratseanorashorehaveIeverlostthesenseofresponsibility。Thereismorethanonesortofintoxication。
EvenbeforethemostseductivereveriesIhaveremainedmindfulofthatsobrietyofinteriorlife，thatasceticismofsentiment，inwhichalonethenakedformoftruth，suchasoneconceivesit，suchasonefeelsit，canberenderedwithoutshame。Itisbutamaudlinandindecentveritythatcomesoutthroughthestrengthofwine。Ihavetriedtobeasoberworkerallmylife——allmytwolives。Ididsofromtaste，nodoubt，havinganinstinctivehorroroflosingmysenseoffullself-possession，butalsofromartisticconviction。Yettherearesomanypitfallsoneachsideofthetruepaththat，havinggonesomeway，andfeelingalittlebatteredandweary，asamiddle-agedtravellerwillfromthemeredailydifficultiesofthemarch，IaskmyselfwhetherIhavekeptalways，alwaysfaithfultothatsobrietywhereinthereispowerandtruthandpeace。
Astomyseasobriety，thatisquiteproperlycertifiedunderthesign-manualofseveraltrustworthyshipmastersofsomestandingintheirtime。Iseemtohearyourpolitemurmurthat\"Surelythismighthavebeentakenforgranted。\"Well，no。Itmightnothavebeen。ThatAugustacademicalbody，theMarineDepartmentoftheBoardofTrade，takesnothingforgrantedinthegrantingofitslearneddegrees。ByitsregulationsissuedunderthefirstMerchantShippingAct，theverywordSOBERmustbewritten，orawholesackful，aton，amountainofthemostenthusiasticappreciationwillavailyounothing。Thedooroftheexaminationroomsshallremainclosedtoyourtearsandentreaties。ThemostfanaticaladvocateoftemperancecouldnotbemorepitilesslyfierceinhisrectitudethantheMarineDepartmentoftheBoardofTrade。AsIhavebeenfacetofaceatvarioustimeswithalltheexaminersofthePortofLondoninmygeneration，therecanbenodoubtastotheforceandthecontinuityofmyabstemiousness。Threeofthemwereexaminersinseamanship，anditwasmyfatetobedeliveredintothehandsofeachofthematproperintervalsofseaservice。Thefirstofall，tall，spare，withaperfectlywhiteheadandmustache，aquiet，kindlymanner，andanairofbenignintelligence，must，Iamforcedtoconclude，havebeenunfavourablyimpressedbysomethinginmyappearance。
Hisold，thinhandslooselyclaspedrestingonhiscrossedlegs，hebeganbyanelementaryquestion，inamildvoice，andwenton，wenton……Itlastedforhours，forhours。HadIbeenastrangemicrobewithpotentialitiesofdeadlymischieftotheMerchantServiceIcouldnothavebeensubmittedtoamoremicroscopicexamination。Greatlyreassuredbyhisapparentbenevolence，Ihadbeenatfirstveryalertinmyanswers。Butatlengththefeelingofmybraingettingaddledcreptuponme。
Andstillthepassionlessprocesswenton，withasenseofuntoldageshavingbeenspentalreadyonmerepreliminaries。ThenIgotfrightened。Iwasnotfrightenedofbeingplucked;thateventualitydidnotevenpresentitselftomymind。Itwassomethingmuchmoreseriousandweird。\"Thisancientperson，\"I
saidtomyself，terrified，\"issonearhisgravethathemusthavelostallnotionoftime。Heisconsideringthisexaminationintermsofeternity。Itisallverywellforhim。Hisraceisrun。ButImayfindmyselfcomingoutofthisroomintotheworldofmenastranger，friendless，forgottenbymyverylandlady，evenwereIableafterthisendlessexperiencetorememberthewaytomyhiredhome。\"Thisstatementisnotsomuchofaverbalexaggerationasmaybesupposed。SomeveryqueerthoughtspassedthroughmyheadwhileIwasconsideringmyanswers;thoughtswhichhadnothingtodowithseamanship，noryetwithanythingreasonableknowntothisearth。IverilybelievethatattimesIwaslight-headedinasortoflanguidway。Atlasttherefellasilence，andthat，too，seemedtolastforages，while，bendingoverhisdesk，theexaminerwroteoutmypass-slipslowlywithanoiselesspen。Heextendedthescrapofpapertomewithoutaword，inclinedhiswhiteheadgravelytomypartingbow……
WhenIgotoutoftheroomIfeltlimplyflat，likeasqueezedlemon，andthedoorkeeperinhisglasscage，whereIstoppedtogetmyhatandtiphimashilling，said：
\"Well！Ithoughtyouwerenevercomingout。\"
\"HowlonghaveIbeeninthere？\"Iasked，faintly。
Hepulledouthiswatch。
\"Hekeptyou，sir，justunderthreehours。Idon’tthinkthiseverhappenedwithanyofthegentlemenbefore。\"
ItwasonlywhenIgotoutofthebuildingthatIbegantowalkonair。Andthehumananimalbeingaversefromchangeandtimidbeforetheunknown，IsaidtomyselfthatIreallywouldnotmindbeingexaminedbythesamemanonafutureoccasion。Butwhenthetimeofordealcameroundagainthedoorkeeperletmeintoanotherroom，withthenowfamiliarparaphernaliaofmodelsofshipsandtackle，aboardforsignalsonthewall，abig，longtablecoveredwithofficialformsandhavinganunriggedmastfixedtotheedge。Thesolitarytenantwasunknowntomebysight，thoughnotbyreputation，whichwassimplyexecrable。
Shortandsturdy，asfarasIcouldjudge，cladinanoldbrownmorning-suit，hesatleaningonhiselbow，hishandshadinghiseyes，andhalfavertedfromthechairIwastooccupyontheothersideofthetable。Hewasmotionless，mysterious，remote，enigmatical，withsomethingmournful，too，inthepose，likethatstatueofGiugliano（Ithink）deMedicishadinghisfaceonthetombbyMichaelAngelo，though，ofcourse，hewasfar，farfrombeingbeautiful。Hebeganbytryingtomakemetalknonsense。
ButIhadbeenwarnedofthatfiendishtrait，andcontradictedhimwithgreatassurance。Afterawhileheleftoff。Sofargood。Buthisimmobility，thethickelbowonthetable，theabrupt，unhappyvoice，theshadedandavertedfacegrewmoreandmoreimpressive。Hekeptinscrutablysilentforamoment，andthen，placingmeinashipofacertainsize，atsea，underconditionsofweather，season，locality，etc。——allveryclearandprecise——orderedmetoexecuteacertainmanoeuvre。BeforeIwashalfthroughwithithedidsomematerialdamagetotheship。
DirectlyIhadgrappledwiththedifficultyhecausedanothertopresentitself，andwhenthat，too，wasmethestuckanothershipbeforeme，creatingaverydangeroussituation。Ifeltslightlyoutragedbythisingenuityinpilingtroubleuponaman。
\"Iwouldn’thavegotintothatmess，\"Isuggested，mildly。\"I
couldhaveseenthatshipbefore。\"
Heneverstirredtheleastbit。
\"No，youcouldn’t。Theweather’sthick。\"
\"Oh！Ididn’tknow，\"Iapologizedblankly。
IsupposethatafterallImanagedtostaveoffthesmashwithsufficientapproachtoverisimilitude，andtheghastlybusinesswenton。Youmustunderstandthattheschemeofthetesthewasapplyingtomewas，Igathered，ahomewardpassage——thesortofpassageIwouldnotwishtomybitterestenemy。Thatimaginaryshipseemedtolabourunderamostcomprehensivecurse。It’snouseenlargingonthesenever-endingmisfortunes;sufficeittosaythatlongbeforetheendIwouldhavewelcomedwithgratitudeanopportunitytoexchangeintotheFlyingDutchman。FinallyheshovedmeintotheNorthSea（Isuppose）andprovidedmewithaleeshorewithoutlyingsand-banks——theDutchcoast，presumably。
Distance，eightmiles。Theevidenceofsuchimplacableanimositydeprivedmeofspeechforquitehalfaminute。
\"Well，\"hesaid——forourpacehadbeenverysmart，indeed，tillthen。
\"Iwillhavetothinkalittle，sir。\"
\"Doesn’tlookasifthereweremuchtimetothink，\"hemuttered，sardonically，fromunderhishand。
\"No，sir，\"Isaid，withsomewarmth。\"Notonboardaship，I
couldsee。ButsomanyaccidentshavehappenedthatIreallycan’trememberwhatthere’sleftformetoworkwith。\"
Stillhalfaverted，andwithhiseyesconcealed，hemadeunexpectedlyagruntingremark。
\"You’vedoneverywell。\"
\"HaveIthetwoanchorsatthebow，sir？\"Iasked。
\"Yes。\"
Ipreparedmyselfthen，asalasthopefortheship，toletthembothgointhemosteffectualmanner，whenhisinfernalsystemoftestingresourcefulnesscameintoplayagain。
\"Butthere’sonlyonecable。You’velosttheother。\"
Itwasexasperating。
\"ThenIwouldbackthem，ifIcould，andtailtheheaviesthawseronboardontheendofthechainbeforelettinggo，andifshepartedfromthat，whichisquitelikely，Iwouldjustdonothing。
Shewouldhavetogo。\"
\"Nothingmoretodo，eh？\"
\"No，sir。Icoulddonomore。\"
Hegaveabitterhalf-laugh。
\"Youcouldalwayssayyourprayers。\"
Hegotup，stretchedhimself，andyawnedslightly。Itwasasallow，strong，unamiableface。Heputme，inasurly，boredfashion，throughtheusualquestionsastolightsandsignals，andIescapedfromtheroomthankfully——passed！Fortyminutes！
AndagainIwalkedonairalongTowerHill，wheresomanygoodmenhadlosttheirheadsbecause，Isuppose，theywerenotresourcefulenoughtosavethem。AndinmyheartofheartsIhadnoobjectiontomeetingthatexamineroncemorewhenthethirdandlastordealbecamedueinanotheryearorso。IevenhopedI
should。Iknewtheworstofhimnow，andfortyminutesisnotanunreasonabletime。Yes，Idistinctlyhoped……
Butnotabitofit。WhenIpresentedmyselftobeexaminedformastertheexaminerwhoreceivedmewasshort，plump，witharound，softfaceingray，fluffywhiskers，andfresh，loquaciouslips。
Hecommencedoperationswithaneasygoing\"Let’ssee。H’m。
Supposeyoutellmeallyouknowofcharter-parties。\"Hekeptitupinthatstyleallthrough，wanderingoffintheshapeofcommentintobitsoutofhisownlife，thenpullinghimselfupshortandreturningtothebusinessinhand。Itwasveryinteresting。\"What’syourideaofajury-ruddernow？\"hequeried，suddenly，attheendofaninstructiveanecdotebearinguponapointofstowage。
IwarnedhimthatIhadnoexperienceofalostrudderatsea，andgavehimtwoclassicalexamplesofmakeshiftsoutofatext-book。Inexchangehedescribedtomeajury-rudderhehadinventedhimselfyearsbefore，whenincommandofathree-thousand-tonsteamer。Itwas，Ideclare，thecleverestcontrivanceimaginable。\"Maybeofusetoyousomeday，\"heconcluded。\"Youwillgointosteampresently。Everybodygoesintosteam。\"
Therehewaswrong。Ineverwentintosteam——notreally。IfI
onlylivelongenoughIshallbecomeabizarrerelicofadeadbarbarism，asortofmonstrousantiquity，theonlyseamanofthedarkageswhohadnevergoneintosteam——notreally。
BeforetheexaminationwasoverheimpartedtomeafewinterestingdetailsofthetransportserviceinthetimeoftheCrimeanWar。
\"Theuseofwireriggingbecamegeneralaboutthattime，too，\"heobserved。\"Iwasaveryyoungmasterthen。Thatwasbeforeyouwereborn。\"
\"Yes，sir。Iamoftheyearof1857。\"
\"TheMutinyyear，\"hecommented，asiftohimself，addinginaloudertonethathisshiphappenedthentobeintheGulfofBengal，employedunderagovernmentcharter。
Clearlythetransportservicehadbeenthemakingofthisexaminer，whosounexpectedlyhadgivenmeaninsightintohisexistence，awakeninginmethesenseofthecontinuityofthatsealifeintowhichIhadsteppedfromoutside;givingatouchofhumanintimacytothemachineryofofficialrelations。Ifeltadopted。Hisexperiencewasforme，too，asthoughhehadbeenanancestor。
Writingmylongname（ithastwelveletters）withlaboriouscareontheslipofbluepaper，heremarked：
\"YouareofPolishextraction。\"
\"Bornthere，sir。\"
Helaiddownthepenandleanedbacktolookatmeasitwereforthefirsttime。
\"Notmanyofyournationalityinourservice，Ishouldthink。I
neverremembermeetingoneeitherbeforeorafterIleftthesea。
Don’tremembereverhearingofone。Aninlandpeople，aren’tyou？\"
Isaidyes——verymuchso。Wewereremotefromtheseanotonlybysituation，butalsofromacompleteabsenceofindirectassociation，notbeingacommercialnationatall，butpurelyagricultural。Hemadethenthequaintreflectionthatitwas\"alongwayformetocomeouttobeginasealife\";asifsealifewerenotpreciselyalifeinwhichonegoesalongwayfromhome。
Itoldhim，smiling，thatnodoubtIcouldhavefoundashipmuchnearermynativeplace，butIhadthoughttomyselfthatifIwastobeaseaman，thenIwouldbeaBritishseamanandnoother。
Itwasamatterofdeliberatechoice。
Henoddedslightlyatthat;and，ashekeptonlookingatmeinterrogatively，Ienlargedalittle，confessingthatIhadspentalittletimeonthewayintheMediterraneanandintheWestIndies。IdidnotwanttopresentmyselftotheBritishMerchantServiceinanaltogethergreenstate。Itwasnousetellinghimthatmymysteriousvocationwassostrongthatmyverywildoatshadtobesownatsea。Itwastheexacttruth，buthewouldnothaveunderstoodthesomewhatexceptionalpsychologyofmysea-going，Ifear。
\"Isupposeyou’venevercomeacrossoneofyourcountrymenatsea。Haveyou，now？\"
IadmittedIneverhad。Theexaminerhadgivenhimselfuptothespiritofgossipingidleness。Formyself，Iwasinnohastetoleavethatroom。Notintheleast。Theeraofexaminationswasover。Iwouldneveragainseethatfriendlymanwhowasaprofessionalancestor，asortofgrandfatherinthecraft。
Moreover，Ihadtowaittillhedismissedme，andofthattherewasnosign。Asheremainedsilent，lookingatme，Iadded：
\"ButIhaveheardofone，someyearsago。HeseemstohavebeenaboyservinghistimeonboardaLiverpoolship，ifIamnotmistaken。\"
\"Whatwashisname？\"
Itoldhim。
\"Howdidyousaythat？\"heasked，puckeringuphiseyesattheuncouthsound。
Irepeatedthenameverydistinctly。
\"Howdoyouspellit？\"
Itoldhim。Hemovedhisheadattheimpracticablenatureofthatname，andobserved：
\"It’squiteaslongasyourown——isn’tit？\"
Therewasnohurry。Ihadpassedformaster，andIhadalltherestofmylifebeforemetomakethebestofit。Thatseemedalongtime。Iwentleisurelythroughasmallmentalcalculation，andsaid：
\"Notquite。Shorterbytwoletters，sir。\"
\"Isit？\"Theexaminerpushedthesignedblueslipacrossthetabletome，androsefromhischair。Somehowthisseemedaveryabruptendingofourrelations，andIfeltalmostsorrytopartfromthatexcellentman，whowasmasterofashipbeforethewhisperoftheseahadreachedmycradle。Heofferedmehishandandwishedmewell。Heevenmadeafewstepstowardthedoorwithme，andendedwithgood-naturedadvice。
\"Idon’tknowwhatmaybeyourplans，butyououghttogointosteam。Whenamanhasgothismaster’scertificateit’sthepropertime。IfIwereyouIwouldgointosteam。\"
Ithankedhim，andshutthedoorbehindmedefinitelyontheeraofexaminations。ButthattimeIdidnotwalkonair，asonthefirsttwooccasions。Iwalkedacrossthehillofmanybeheadingswithmeasuredsteps。Itwasafact，Isaidtomyself，thatIwasnowaBritishmastermarinerbeyondadoubt。ItwasnotthatI
hadanexaggeratedsenseofthatverymodestachievement，withwhich，however，luck，opportunity，oranyextraneousinfluencecouldhavehadnothingtodo。Thatfact，satisfactoryandobscureinitself，hadformeacertainidealsignificance。Itwasananswertocertainoutspokenscepticismandeventosomenotverykindaspersions。Ihadvindicatedmyselffromwhathadbeencrieduponasastupidobstinacyorafantasticcaprice。I
don’tmeantosaythatawholecountryhadbeenconvulsedbymydesiretogotosea。Butforaboybetweenfifteenandsixteen，sensitiveenough，inallconscience，thecommotionofhislittleworldhadseemedaveryconsiderablethingindeed。Soconsiderablethat，absurdlyenough，theechoesofitlingertothisday。Icatchmyselfinhoursofsolitudeandretrospectmeetingargumentsandchargesmadethirty-fiveyearsagobyvoicesnowforeverstill;findingthingstosaythatanassailedboycouldnothavefound，simplybecauseofthemysteriousnessofhisimpulsestohimself。Iunderstoodnomorethanthepeoplewhocalleduponmetoexplainmyself。Therewasnoprecedent。I
verilybelieveminewastheonlycaseofaboyofmynationalityandantecedentstakinga，sotospeak，standingjumpoutofhisracialsurroundingsandassociations。Foryoumustunderstandthattherewasnoideaofanysortof\"career\"inmycall。OfRussiaorGermanytherecouldbenoquestion。Thenationality，theantecedents，madeitimpossible。ThefeelingagainsttheAustrianservicewasnotsostrong，andIdaresaytherewouldhavebeennodifficultyinfindingmywayintotheNavalSchoolatPola。Itwouldhavemeantsixmonths’extragrindingatGerman，perhaps;butIwasnotpasttheageofadmission，andinotherrespectsIwaswellqualified。Thisexpedienttopalliatemyfollywasthoughtof——butnotbyme。Imustadmitthatinthatrespectmynegativewasacceptedatonce。Thatorderoffeelingwascomprehensibleenoughtothemostinimicalofmycritics。Iwasnotcalledupontoofferexplanations;butthetruthisthatwhatIhadinviewwasnotanavalcareer，butthesea。ThereseemednowayopentoitbutthroughFrance。Ihadthelanguage，atanyrate，andofallthecountriesinEuropeitiswithFrancethatPolandhasmostconnection。Thereweresomefacilitiesforhavingmealittlelookedafter，atfirst。
Letterswerebeingwritten，answerswerebeingreceived，arrangementswerebeingmadeformydepartureforMarseilles，whereanexcellentfellowcalledSolary，gotatinaroundaboutfashionthroughvariousFrenchchannels，hadpromisedgood-naturedlytoputlejeunehommeinthewayofgettingadecentshipforhisfirststartifhereallywantedatasteofcemetierdechien。
Iwatchedallthesepreparationsgratefully，andkeptmyowncounsel。ButwhatItoldthelastofmyexaminerswasperfectlytrue。Alreadythedeterminedresolvethat\"ifaseaman，thenanEnglishseaman\"wasformulatedinmyhead，though，ofcourse，inthePolishlanguage。IdidnotknowsixwordsofEnglish，andI
wasastuteenoughtounderstandthatitwasmuchbettertosaynothingofmypurpose。AsitwasIwasalreadylookeduponaspartlyinsane，atleastbythemoredistantacquaintances。Theprincipalthingwastogetaway。Iputmytrustinthegood-naturedSolary’sverycivillettertomyuncle，thoughIwasshockedalittlebythephraseaboutthemetierdechien。
ThisSolary（Baptistin），whenIbeheldhimintheflesh，turnedoutaquiteyoungman，verygood-looking，withafineblack，shortbeard，afreshcomplexion，andsoft，merryblackeyes。Hewasasjovialandgoodnaturedasanyboycoulddesire。Iwasstillasleepinmyroominamodesthotelnearthequaysoftheoldport，afterthefatiguesofthejourneyviaVienna，Zurich，Lyons，whenheburstin，flingingtheshuttersopentothesunofProvenceandchidingmeboisterouslyforlyingabed。Howpleasantlyhestartledmebyhisnoisyobjurgationstobeupandoffinstantlyfora\"threeyears’campaignintheSouthSeas！\"O
magicwords！\"Unecampagnedetroisansdanslesmersdusud\"——thatistheFrenchforathreeyears’deep-watervoyage。
Hegavemeadelightfulwaking，andhisfriendlinesswasunwearied;butIfearhedidnotenteruponthequestforashipformeinaverysolemnspirit。Hehadbeenatseahimself，buthadleftoffattheageoftwenty-five，findinghecouldearnhislivingonshoreinamuchmoreagreeablemanner。HewasrelatedtoanincrediblenumberofMarseilleswell-to-dofamiliesofacertainclass。Oneofhisuncleswasaship-brokerofgoodstanding，withalargeconnectionamongEnglishships;otherrelativesofhisdealtinships’stores，ownedsail-lofts，soldchainsandanchors，weremaster-stevedores，calkers，shipwrights。
Hisgrandfather（Ithink）wasadignitaryofakind，theSyndicofthePilots。Imadeacquaintancesamongthesepeople，butmainlyamongthepilots。TheveryfirstwholedayIeverspentonsaltwaterwasbyinvitation，inabighalf-deckedpilot-boat，cruisingunderclosereefsonthelookout，inmisty，blowingweather，forthesailsofshipsandthesmokeofsteamersrisingoutthere，beyondtheslimandtallPlanierlighthousecuttingthelineofthewind-swepthorizonwithawhiteperpendicularstroke。Theywerehospitablesouls，thesesturdyProvencalseamen。UnderthegeneraldesignationoflepetitamideBaptistinIwasmadetheguestofthecorporationofpilots，andhadthefreedomoftheirboatsnightorday。Andmanyadayandanight，too，didIspendcruisingwiththeserough，kindlymen，underwhoseauspicesmyintimacywiththeseabegan。Manyatime\"thelittlefriendofBaptistin\"hadthehoodedcloakoftheMediterraneansailorthrownoverhimbytheirhonesthandswhiledodgingatnightundertheleeofChateaudaftonthewatchforthelightsofships。Theirseatannedfaces，whiskeredorshaved，leanorfull，withtheintent，wrinkledseaeyesofthepilotbreed，andhereandthereathingoldhoopatthelobeofahairyear，bentovermyseainfancy。ThefirstoperationofseamanshipIhadanopportunityofobservingwastheboardingofshipsatsea，atalltimes，inallstatesoftheweather。Theygaveittometothefull。AndIhavebeeninvitedtositinmorethanonetall，darkhouseoftheoldtownattheirhospitableboard，hadthebouillabaisseladledoutintoathickplatebytheirhigh-voiced，broad-browedwives，talkedtotheirdaughters——thick-setgirls，withpureprofiles，gloriousmassesofblackhairarrangedwithcomplicatedart，darkeyes，anddazzlinglywhiteteeth。
Ihadalsootheracquaintancesofquiteadifferentsort。Oneofthem，MadameDelestang，animperious，handsomeladyinastatuesquestyle，wouldcarrymeoffnowandthenonthefrontseatofhercarriagetothePrado，atthehouroffashionableairing。Shebelongedtooneoftheoldaristocraticfamiliesinthesouth。InherhaughtywearinesssheusedtomakemethinkofLadyDedlockinDickens’s\"BleakHouse，\"aworkofthemasterforwhichIhavesuchanadmiration，orrathersuchanintenseandunreasoningaffection，datingfromthedaysofmychildhood，thatitsveryweaknessesaremoreprecioustomethanthestrengthofothermen’swork。Ihavereaditinnumerabletimes，bothinPolishandinEnglish;Ihavereaditonlytheotherday，and，byanotverysurprisinginversion，theLadyDedlockofthebookremindedmestronglyofthe\"belleMadameDelestang。\"
Herhusband（asIsatfacingthemboth），withhisthin，bonynoseandaperfectlybloodless，narrowphysiognomyclampedtogether，asitwere，byshort，formalsidewhiskers，hadnothingofSirLeicesterDedlock’s\"grandair\"andcourtlysolemnity。Hebelongedtothehautebourgeoisieonly，andwasabanker，withwhomamodestcredithadbeenopenedformyneeds。Hewassuchanardent——no，suchafrozen-up，mummifiedRoyalistthatheusedincurrentconversationturnsofspeechcontemporary，Ishouldsay，withthegoodHenriQuatre;andwhentalkingofmoneymatters，reckonednotinfrancs，likethecommon，godlessherdofpost-RevolutionaryFrenchmen，butinobsoleteandforgottenecus——ecusofallmoneyunitsintheworld！——asthoughLouisQuatorzewerestillpromenadinginroyalsplendourthegardensofVersailles，andMonsieurdeColbertbusywiththedirectionofmaritimeaffairs。Youmustadmitthatinabankerofthenineteenthcenturyitwasaquaintidiosyncrasy。Luckily，inthecounting-house（itoccupiedpartofthegroundflooroftheDelestangtownresidence，inasilent，shadystreet）theaccountswerekeptinmodernmoney，sothatIneverhadanydifficultyinmakingmywantsknowntothegrave，low-voiced，decorous，Legitimist（Isuppose）clerks，sittingintheperpetualgloomofheavilybarredwindowsbehindthesombre，ancientcounters，beneathloftyceilingswithheavilymoldedcornices。Ialwaysfelt，ongoingout，asthoughIhadbeeninthetempleofsomeverydignifiedbutcompletelytemporalreligion。AnditwasgenerallyontheseoccasionsthatunderthegreatcarriagegatewayLadyDed——ImeanMadameDelestang——catchingsightofmyraisedhat，wouldbeckonmewithanamiableimperiousnesstothesideofthecarriage，andsuggestwithanairofamusednonchalance，\"Venezdoncfaireuntouravecnous，\"towhichthehusbandwouldaddanencouraging\"C’estca。Allons，montez，jeunehomme。\"Hequestionedmesometimes，significantlybutwithperfecttactanddelicacy，astothewayIemployedmytime，andneverfailedtoexpressthehopethatIwroteregularlytomy\"honoureduncle。\"ImadenosecretofthewayIemployedmytime，andIratherfancythatmyartlesstalesofthepilotsandsoonentertainedMadameDelestangsofarasthatineffablewomancouldbeentertainedbytheprattleofayoungsterveryfullofhisnewexperienceamongstrangemenandstrangesensations。Sheexpressednoopinions，andtalkedtomeverylittle;yetherportraithangsinthegalleryofmyintimatememories，fixedtherebyashortandfleetingepisode。Oneday，afterputtingmedownatthecornerofastreet，sheofferedmeherhand，anddetainedme，byaslightpressure，foramoment。Whilethehusbandsatmotionlessandlookingstraightbeforehim，sheleanedforwardinthecarriagetosay，withjustashadeofwarninginherleisurelytone：\"Ilfaut，cependant，faireattentionanepasgatersavie。\"Ihadneverseenherfacesoclosetominebefore。Shemademyheartbeatandcausedmetoremainthoughtfulforawholeevening。Certainlyonemust，afterall，takecarenottospoilone’slife。Butshedidnotknow——
nobodycouldknow——howimpossiblethatdangerseemedtome。
VII
Canthetransportsoffirstlovebecalmed，checked，turnedtoacoldsuspicionofthefuturebyagravequotationfromaworkonpoliticaleconomy？Iask——isitconceivable？Isitpossible？
Woulditberight？Withmyfeetontheveryshoresoftheseaandabouttoembracemyblue-eyeddream，whatcouldagood-naturedwarningastospoilingone’slifemeantomyyouthfulpassion？Itwasthemostunexpectedandthelast，too，ofthemanywarningsIhadreceived。Itsoundedtomeverybizarre——and，utteredasitwasintheverypresenceofmyenchantress，likethevoiceoffolly，thevoiceofignorance。
ButIwasnotsocallousorsostupidasnottorecognizetherealsothevoiceofkindness。Andthenthevaguenessofthewarning——becausewhatcanbethemeaningofthephrase：tospoilone’slife？——arrestedone’sattentionbyitsairofwiseprofundity。Atanyrate，asIhavesaidbefore，thewordsoflabelleMadameDelestangmademethoughtfulforawholeevening。I
triedtounderstandandtriedinvain，nothavinganynotionoflifeasanenterprisethatcouldbemimanaged。ButIleftoffbeingthoughtfulshortlybeforemidnight，atwhichhour，hauntedbynoghostsofthepastandbynovisionsofthefuture，I
walkeddownthequayoftheVieuxPorttojointhepilot-boatofmyfriends。Iknewwhereshewouldbewaitingforhercrew，inthelittlebitofacanalbehindthefortattheentranceoftheharbour。Thedesertedquayslookedverywhiteanddryinthemoonlight，andasiffrostboundinthesharpairofthatDecembernight。Aprowlerortwoslunkbynoiselessly;acustom-houseguard，soldier-like，aswordbyhisside，pacedcloseunderthebowspritsofthelongrowofshipsmooredbowsonoppositethelong，slightlycurved，continuousflatwallofthetallhousesthatseemedtobeoneimmenseabandonedbuildingwithinnumerablewindowsshutteredclosely。Onlyhereandthereasmall，dingycafeforsailorscastayellowgleamonthebluishsheenoftheflagstones。Passingby，oneheardadeepmurmurofvoicesinside——nothingmore。HowquieteverythingwasattheendofthequaysonthelastnightonwhichIwentoutforaservicecruiseasaguestoftheMarseillespilots！Notafootstep，exceptmyown，notasigh，notawhisperingechooftheusualrevelrygoingoninthenarrow，unspeakablelanesoftheOldTownreachedmyear——andsuddenly，withaterrificjinglingrattleofironandglass，theomnibusoftheJollietteonitslastjourneyswungaroundthecornerofthedeadwallwhichfacesacrossthepavedroadthecharacteristicangularmassoftheFortSt。Jean。Threehorsestrottedabreast，withtheclatterofhoofsonthegranitesetts，andtheyellow，uproariousmachinejoltedviolentlybehindthem，fantastic，lightedup，perfectlyempty，andwiththedriverapparentlyasleeponhisswayingperchabovethatamazingracket。
Iflattenedmyselfagainstthewallandgasped。Itwasastunningexperience。Thenafterstaggeringonafewpacesintheshadowofthefort，castingadarknessmoreintensethanthatofacloudednightuponthecanal，Isawthetinylightofalanternstandingonthequay，andbecameawareofmuffledfiguresmakingtowarditfromvariousdirections。PilotsoftheThirdCompanyhasteningtoembark。Toosleepytobetalkative，theysteponboardinsilence。Butafewlowgruntsandanenormousyawnareheard。Somebodyevenejaculates：\"Ah！Coquindesort！\"andsighswearilyathishardfate。
ThepatronoftheThirdCompany（therewerefivecompaniesofpilotsatthattime，Ibelieve）isthebrother-in-lawofmyfriendSolary（Baptistin），abroad-shouldered，deepchestedmanofforty，withakeen，frankglancewhichalwaysseeksyoureyes。
Hegreetsmebyalow，hearty\"He，l’ami。Commentva？\"Withhisclippedmustacheandmassiveopenface，energeticandatthesametimeplacidinexpression，heisafinespecimenofthesouthernerofthecalmtype。Forthereissuchatypeinwhichthevolatilesouthernpassionistransmutedintosolidforce。Heisfair，butnoonecouldmistakehimforamanofthenorthevenbythedimgleamofthelanternstandingonthequay。HeisworthadozenofyourordinaryNormansorBretons，butthen，inthewholeimmensesweepoftheMediterraneanshores，youcouldnotfindhalfadozenmenofhisstamp。
Standingbythetiller，hepullsouthiswatchfromunderathickjacketandbendshisheadoveritinthelightcastintotheboat。Time’sup。Hispleasantvoicecommands，inaquietundertone，\"Larguez。\"Asuddenlyprojectedarmsnatchesthelanternoffthequay——and，warpedalongbyalineatfirst，thenwiththeregulartugoffourheavysweepsinthebow，thebighalf-deckedboatfullofmenglidesoutoftheblack，breathlessshadowofthefort。Theopenwateroftheavant-portglittersunderthemoonasifsownoverwithmillionsofsequins，andthelongwhitebreakwatershineslikeathickbarofsolidsilver。
Withaquickrattleofblocksandonesinglesilkyswish，thesailisfilledbyalittlebreezekeenenoughtohavecomestraightdownfromthefrozenmoon，andtheboat，aftertheclatterofthehauled-insweeps，seemstostandatrest，surroundedbyamysteriouswhisperingsofaintandunearthlythatitmaybetherustlingofthebrilliant，overpoweringmoonraysbreakinglikearain-showeruponthehard，smooth，shadowlesssea。
ImaywellrememberthatlastnightspentwiththepilotsoftheThirdCompany。Ihaveknownthespellofmoonlightsince，onvariousseasandcoasts——coastsofforests，ofrocks，ofsanddunes——butnomagicsoperfectinitsrevelationofunsuspectedcharacter，asthoughonewereallowedtolookuponthemysticnatureofmaterialthings。ForhoursIsupposenowordwasspokeninthatboat。Thepilots，seatedintworowsfacingeachother，dozed，withtheirarmsfoldedandtheirchinsrestingupontheirbreasts。Theydisplayedagreatvarietyofcaps：cloth，wool，leather，peaks，ear-flaps，tassels，withapicturesqueroundberetortwopulleddownoverthebrows;andonegrandfather，withashaved，bonyfaceandagreatbeakofanose，hadacloakwithahoodwhichmadehimlookinourmidstlikeacowledmonkbeingcarriedoffgoodnessknowswherebythatsilentcompanyofseamen——quietenoughtobedead。
Myfingersitchedforthetiller，andinduecoursemyfriend，thepatron，surrenderedittomeinthesamespiritinwhichthefamilycoachmanletsaboyholdthereinsonaneasybitofroad。
Therewasagreatsolitudearoundus;theisletsahead，MonteCristoandtheChateaudaftinfulllight，seemedtofloattowardus——sosteady，soimperceptiblewastheprogressofourboat。
\"Keepherinthefurrowofthemoon，\"thepatrondirectedme，inaquietmurmur，sittingdownponderouslyinthestern-sheetsandreachingforhispipe。
Thepilotstationinweatherlikethiswasonlyamileortwotothewestwardoftheislets;andpresently，asweapproachedthespot，theboatweweregoingtorelieveswamintoourviewsuddenly，onherwayhome，cuttingblackandsinisterintothewakeofthemoonunderasablewing，whiletothemoursailmusthavebeenavisionofwhiteanddazzlingradiance。Withoutalteringthecourseahair’sbreadthweslippedbyeachotherwithinanoar’slength。Adrawling，sardonichailcameoutofher。Instantly，asifbymagic，ourdozingpilotsgotontheirfeetinabody。Anincrediblebabelofbanteringshoutsburstout，ajocular，passionate，volublechatter，whichlastedtilltheboatsweresterntostern，theirsallbrightnow，and，withashiningsailtooureyes，weturnedallblacktotheirvision，anddrewawayfromthemunderasablewing。Thatextraordinaryuproardiedawayalmostassuddenlyasithadbegun;firstonehadenoughofitandsatdown，thenanother，thenthreeorfourtogether;andwhenallhadleftoffwithmuttersandgrowlinghalf-laughsthesoundofheartychucklingbecameaudible，persistent，unnoticed。Thecowledgrandfatherwasverymuchentertainedsomewherewithinhishood。
Hehadnotjoinedintheshoutingofjokes，neitherhadhemovedtheleastbit。Hehadremainedquietlyinhisplaceagainstthefootofthemast。Ihadbeengiventounderstandlongbeforethathehadtheratingofasecond-classableseaman（matelotleger）inthefleetwhichsailedfromToulonfortheconquestofAlgeriaintheyearofgrace1830。And，indeed，Ihadseenandexaminedoneofthebuttonsofhisoldbrown，patchedcoat，theonlybrassbuttonofthemiscellaneouslot，flatandthin，withthewordsEquipagesdeligneengravedonit。Thatsortofbutton，Ibelieve，wentoutwiththelastoftheFrenchBourbons。
\"Ipreserveditfromthetimeofmynavyservice，\"heexplained，noddingrapidlyhisfrail，vulture-likehead。Itwasnotverylikelythathehadpickedupthatrelicinthestreet。HelookedcertainlyoldenoughtohavefoughtatTrafalgar——or，atanyrate，tohaveplayedhislittlepartthereasapowdermonkey。
ShortlyafterwehadbeenintroducedhehadinformedmeinaFranco-Provencaljargon，mumblingtremulouslywithhistoothlessjaws，thatwhenhewasa\"shavernohigherthanthat\"hehadseentheEmperorNapoleonreturningfromElba。Itwasatnight，henarratedvaguely，withoutanimation，ataspotbetweenFrejusandAntibes，intheopencountry。Abigfirehadbeenlitatthesideofthecross-roads。Thepopulationfromseveralvillageshadcollectedthere，oldandyoung——downtotheverychildreninarms，becausethewomenhadrefusedtostayathome。Tallsoldierswearinghigh，hairycapsstoodinacircle，facingthepeoplesilently，andtheirsterneyesandbigmustacheswereenoughtomakeeverybodykeepatadistance。He，\"beinganimpudentlittleshaver，\"wriggledoutofthecrowd，creepingonhishandsandkneesasnearashedaredtothegrenadiers’legs，andpeepingthroughdiscovered，standingperfectlystillinthelightofthefire，\"alittlefatfellowinathree-corneredhat，buttonedupinalongstraightcoat，withabig，palefaceinclinedononeshoulder，lookingsomethinglikeapriest。Hishandswereclaspedbehindhisback……ItappearsthatthiswastheEmperor，\"theancientcommented，withafaintsigh。Hewasstaringfromthegroundwithallhismight，when\"mypoorfather，\"whohadbeensearchingforhisboyfranticallyeverywhere，pounceduponhimandhauledhimawaybytheear。
Thetaleseemsanauthenticrecollection。Herelatedittomemanytimes，usingtheverysamewords。Thegrandfatherhonouredmebyaspecialandsomewhatembarrassingpredilection。Extremestouch。Hewastheoldestmemberbyalongwayinthatcompany，andIwas，ifImaysayso，itstemporarilyadoptedbaby。Hehadbeenapilotlongerthananymanintheboatcouldremember;
thirty——fortyyears。Hedidnotseemcertainhimself，butitcouldbefoundout，hesuggested，inthearchivesofthePilot-office。Hehadbeenpensionedoffyearsbefore，buthewentoutfromforceofhabit;and，asmyfriendthepatronofthecompanyonceconfidedtomeinawhisper，\"theoldchapdidnoharm。Hewasnotintheway。\"Theytreatedhimwithroughdeference。Oneandanotherwouldaddresssomeinsignificantremarktohimnowandagain，butnobodyreallytookanynoticeofwhathehadtosay。Hehadsurvivedhisstrength，hisusefulness，hisverywisdom。Heworelong，green，worstedstockingspulledupabovethekneeoverhistrousers，asortofwoollennightcaponhishairlesscranium，andwoodenclogsonhisfeet。Withouthishoodedcloakhelookedlikeapeasant。Halfadozenhandswouldbeextendedtohelphimonboard，butafterwardhewasleftprettymuchtohisownthoughts。Ofcourseheneverdidanywork，except，perhaps，tocastoffsomeropewhenhailed，\"He，l’Ancien！letgothehalyardsthere，atyourhand\"——orsomesuchrequestofaneasykind。
Noonetooknoticeinanywayofthechucklingwithintheshadowofthehood。Hekeptitupforalongtimewithintenseenjoyment。Obviouslyhehadpreservedintacttheinnocenceofmindwhichiseasilyamused。Butwhenhishilarityhadexhausteditself，hemadeaprofessionalremarkinaself-assertivebutquaveringvoice：
\"Can’texpectmuchworkonanightlikethis。\"
Noonetookitup。Itwasameretruism。Nothingundercanvascouldbeexpectedtomakeaportonsuchanidlenightofdreamysplendourandspiritualstillness。Wewouldhavetoglideidlytoandfro，keepingourstationwithintheappointedbearings，and，unlessafreshbreezesprangupwiththedawn，wewouldlandbeforesunriseonasmallisletthat，withintwomilesofus，shonelikealumpoffrozenmoonlight，to\"breakacrustandtakeapullatthewinebottle。\"Iwasfamiliarwiththeprocedure。
Thestoutboatemptiedofhercrowdwouldnestleherbuoyant，capablesideagainsttheveryrock——suchistheperfectlysmoothamenityoftheclassicseawheninagentlemood。Thecrustbrokenandthemouthfulofwineswallowed——itwasliterallynomorethanthatwiththisabstemiousrace——thepilotswouldpassthetimestampingtheirfeetontheslabsofsea-saltedstoneandblowingintotheirnippedfingers。Oneortwomisanthropistswouldsitapart，perchedonboulderslikemanlikesea-fowlofsolitaryhabits;thesociablydisposedwouldgossipscandalouslyinlittlegesticulatingknots;andtherewouldbeperpetuallyoneoranotherofmyhoststakingaimattheemptyhorizonwiththelong，brasstubeofthetelescope，aheavy，murderous-lookingpieceofcollectiveproperty，everlastinglychanginghandswithbrandishingandlevellingmovements。Thenaboutnoon（itwasashortturnofduty——thelongturnlastedtwenty-fourhours）
anotherboatfulofpilotswouldrelieveus——andweshouldsteerfortheoldPhoenicianport，dominated，watchedoverfromtheridgeofadust-gray，aridhillbythered-and-whitestripedpileoftheNotreDamedelaGarde。
AllthiscametopassasIhadforeseeninthefullnessofmyveryrecentexperience。Butalsosomethingnotforeseenbymedidhappen，somethingwhichcausesmetoremembermylastoutingwiththepilots。Itwasonthisoccasionthatmyhandtouched，forthefirsttime，thesideofanEnglishship。
Nofreshbreezehadcomewiththedawn，onlythesteadylittledraughtgotamorekeenedgeonitastheeasternskybecamebrightandglassywithaclean，colourlesslight。Itwaswhilewewereallashoreontheisletthatasteamerwaspickedupbythetelescope，ablackspecklikeaninsectposedonthehardedgeoftheoffing。Sheemergedrapidlytoherwater-lineandcameonsteadily，aslimhullwithalongstreakofsmokeslantingawayfromtherisingsun。Weembarkedinahurry，andheadedtheboatoutforourprey，butwehardlymovedthreemilesanhour。
Shewasabig，high-classcargo-steamerofatypethatistobemetontheseanomore——blackhull，withlow，whitesuperstructures，powerfullyriggedwiththreemastsandalotofyardsonthefore;twohandsatherenormouswheel——steamsteering-gearwasnotamatterofcourseinthesedays——andwiththemonthebridgethreeothers，bulkyinthickbluejackets，ruddy-faced，muffledup，withpeakcaps——Isupposeallherofficers。ThereareshipsIhavemetmorethanonceandknownwellbysightwhosenamesIhaveforgotten;butthenameofthatshipseenoncesomanyyearsagointheclearflushofacold，palesunriseIhavenotforgotten。HowcouldI——thefirstEnglishshiponwhosesideIeverlaidmyhand！Thename——Ireaditletterbyletteronthebow——wasJamesWestoll。Notveryromantic，youwillsay。Thenameofaveryconsiderable，well-known，anduniversallyrespectedNorthcountryship-owner，I
believe。JamesWestoll！Whatbetternamecouldanhonourablehard-workingshiphave？TometheverygroupingofthelettersisalivewiththeromanticfeelingofherrealityasIsawherfloatingmotionlessandborrowinganidealgracefromtheausterepurityofthelight。
Wewerethenverynearherand，onasuddenimpulse，I
volunteeredtopullbowinthedinghywhichshovedoffatoncetoputthepilotonboardwhileourboat，fannedbythefaintairwhichhadattendedusallthroughthenight，wentonglidinggentlypasttheblack，glisteninglengthoftheship。Afewstrokesbroughtusalongside，anditwasthenthat，fortheveryfirsttimeinmylife，IheardmyselfaddressedinEnglish——thespeechofmysecretchoice，ofmyfuture，oflongfriendships，ofthedeepestaffections，ofhoursoftoilandhoursofease，andofsolitaryhours，too，ofbooksread，ofthoughtspursued，ofrememberedemotions——ofmyverydreams！Andif（afterbeingthusfashionedbyitinthatpartofmewhichcannotdecay）Idarenotclaimitaloudasmyown，then，atanyrate，thespeechofmychildren。Thussmalleventsgrowmemorablebythepassageoftime。AstothequalityoftheaddressitselfIcannotsayitwasverystriking。Tooshortforeloquenceanddevoidofallcharmoftone，itconsistedpreciselyofthethreewords\"Lookoutthere！\"growledouthuskilyabovemyhead。
Itproceededfromabigfatfellow（hehadanobtrusive，hairydoublechin）inabluewoollenshirtandroomybreechespulledupveryhigh，eventothelevelofhisbreastbone，byapairofbracesquiteexposedtopublicview。Aswherehestoodtherewasnobulwark，butonlyarailandstanchions，Iwasabletotakeinataglancethewholeofhisvoluminouspersonfromhisfeettothehighcrownofhissoftblackhat，whichsatlikeanabsurdflangedconeonhisbighead。Thegrotesqueandmassiveaspectofthatdeckhand（Isupposehewasthat——verylikelythelamp-trimmer）surprisedmeverymuch。Mycourseofreading，ofdreaming，andlongingfortheseahadnotpreparedmeforaseabrotherofthatsort。InevermetagainafigureintheleastlikehisexceptintheillustrationstoMr。W。W。Jacobs’smostentertainingtalesofbargesandcoasters;buttheinspiredtalentofMr。Jacobsforpokingendlessfunatpoor，innocentsailorsinaprosewhich，howeverextravagantinitsfelicitousinvention，isalwaysartisticallyadjustedtoobservedtruth，wasnotyet。PerhapsMr。Jacobshimselfwasnotyet。Ifancythat，atmost，ifhehadmadehisnurselaughitwasaboutallhehadachievedatthatearlydate。
Therefore，Irepeat，otherdisabilitiesapart，Icouldnothavebeenpreparedforthesightofthathuskyoldporpoise。Theobjectofhisconciseaddresswastocallmyattentiontoaropewhichheincontinentlyflungdownformetocatch。Icaughtit，thoughitwasnotreallynecessary，theshiphavingnowayonherbythattime。Theneverythingwentonveryswiftly。Thedinghycamewithaslightbumpagainstthesteamer’sside;thepilot，grabbingfortheropeladder，hadscrambledhalf-wayupbeforeI
knewthatourtaskofboardingwasdone;theharsh，muffledclangingoftheengine-roomtelegraphstruckmyearthroughtheironplate;mycompanioninthedinghywasurgingmeto\"shoveoff——pushhard\";andwhenIboreagainstthesmoothflankofthefirstEnglishshipIevertouchedinmylife，Ifeltitalreadythrobbingundermyopenpalm。
Herheadswungalittletothewest，pointingtowardtheminiaturelighthouseoftheJolliettebreakwater，farawaythere，hardlydistinguishableagainsttheland。Thedinghydancedasquashy，splashyjiginthewashofthewake;and，turninginmyseat，IfollowedtheJamesWestollwithmyeyes。Beforeshehadgoneinaquarterofamileshehoistedherflag，astheharbourregulationsprescribeforarrivinganddepartingships。Isawitsuddenlyflickerandstreamoutontheflagstaff。TheRedEnsign！Inthepellucid，colourlessatmospherebathingthedrabandgraymassesofthatsouthernland，thelividislets，theseaofpale，glassyblueunderthepale，glassyskyofthatcoldsunrise，itwas，asfarastheeyecouldreach，theonlyspotofardentcolour——flame-like，intense，andpresentlyasminuteasthetinyredsparktheconcentratedreflectionofagreatfirekindlesintheclearheartofaglobeofcrystal。TheRedEnsign——thesymbolic，protecting，warmbitofbuntingflungwideupontheseas，anddestinedforsomanyyearstobetheonlyroofovermyhead。
