Wilbur’srevolverwasaself-cocker。Heraiseditagain，drawinghardonthetriggerashedidso。Itroaredandleapedinhishand，andawhiffofburnedpowdercametohisnostrils。ThenWilburwasastonishedtohearhimselfshoutatthetopofhisvoice：
\"Comeonnow，getintothem——getintothemnow，everybody！\"
The\"Bertha’s\"Chinamenwereallrunningforward，threeofthemwellinadvanceoftheothers。IntherearCharliewasatgrappleswithabeach-comberwhofoughtwithaknifeineachhand，andWilburhadasuddenglimpseofanothersittingonthesandwithhishandtohismouth，thebloodspurtingbetweenhisfingers。
Wilbursuddenlyrealizedthatheheldaknife，andthathewasdirectlyabreastthesandrampart。Howhegottheknifehecouldnottell，thoughheafterwarddistinctlyrememberedthrowingawayhisrevolver，loadedasitwas。Hehadleapedthebreastworks，heknewthat，andbetweenhimandthevastbrightbluroftheoceanhesawoneofthebeach-combersbackingawayandwatchinghimintently，hishatchetinhishand。Wilburhadonlytimetothinkthathehimselfwouldnodoubtbekilledwithinthenextfewmoments，whenthislatterhaltedabruptly，tookastepforward，and。insteadofstrikingdownward，asWilburhadanticipated，droppeduponhiskneeandstruckwithallhismightatthecalfofWilbur’sleg。ItwasonlythethicknessofhisbootsthatsavedWilburfrombeinghamstrungwherehestood。Asitwas，hefeltthebladebitealmosttothebone，andheardthebloodsquelchinthesoleofhisboot，ashestaggeredforthemoment，almosttrippingoverthemaninfrontofhim。
TheChinamansprangtohisfeetagain，butWilburwasathiminaninstant，feelinginstinctivelythathischancewastoclosewithhisman，andsobringhisownsuperiorweightandstrengthtobear。Againandagainhetriedtoruninandgriptheslimyellowbody，buttheotherdodgedandbackedaway，ashardtoholdasanyfish。AllaroundandbackofhimnowWilburheardthehideoussoundofstampingandstruggling，andthenoiseofhoarse，quickshoutsandthereboundofbodiesfallingandrollinguponthehard，smoothbeach。Thethinghadnotbeenafarce，afterall。
Thiswasfightingatlast，andtherewithinarm’slengthweremengrapplingandgrippingandhittingoneanother，eachhonestlystrivingtokillhisfellow——Chinamenall，fightinginbarbarousOrientalfashionwithnailsandteethwhentheknifeorhatchetfailed。Whatdidhe，clubmanandcollegeman，inthathideoustroublethatwroughtitselfoutthereonthatheat-strickentropicbeachunderthatmorning’ssun？
Suddenlytherewasaflashofredflame，andabillowofthick，yellowsmokefilledalltheair。Thecabinwasafire。Thehatchet-manwithwhomWilburwasfightinghadbeenbackinginthisdirection。Hewascloseinwhenthefirebegantoleapfromtheonewindow;nowhecouldgonofurther。Heturnedtorunsidewisebetweenhisenemyandtheburningcabin。Wilburthrusthisfootsharplyforward;thebeach-combertripped，staggered，andbeforehehadreachedthegroundWilburhaddrivenhometheknife。
Thensuddenly，atthesightofhissmittenenemyrollingonthegroundathisfeet，theprimitiveman，thehalf-bruteofthestoneage，leapedtolifeinWilbur’sbreast——hefelthismusclesthrillingwithastrengththeyhadnotknownbefore。Hisnerves，stretchedtenseasharp-strings，werevibratingtoanewtune。
Hisbloodspunthroughhisveinstillhisearsroaredwiththerushofit。Neverhadheconceivedofsuchsavageexultationasthatwhichmasteredhimatthatinstant。Theknowledgethathecouldkillfilledhimwithasenseofpowerthatwasveritablyroyal。Hefeltphysicallylarger。Itwasthejoyofbattle，thehorridexhilarationofkilling，theanimaloftherace，thehumanbrutesuddenlyarousedanddominatingeveryinstinctandtraditionofcenturiesofcivilization。Thefightstillwasgoingforward。
Wilburcouldhearthesoundsofit，thoughfromwherehestoodallsightwasshutoffbythesmokeoftheburninghouse。Asheturnedabout，knifeinhand，debatingwhatnextheshoulddo，afigureburstdownuponhim，shadowyanddistortedthroughthehaze。
ItwasMoran，butMoranasWilburhadneverseenherbefore。Hereyeswereblazingunderherthickfrownlikefireunderabush。
Herarmswerebaredtotheelbow，herheavyropesofhairflyingandcoilingfromherinalldirections，whilewithavoicehoarsefromshoutingshesang，orratherchanted，inherlong-forgottenNorsetongue，fragmentsofoldsagas，words，andsentences，meaninglesseventoherself。Thefuryofbattlehadexaltedhertoasortoffrenzy。Shewasbesideherselfwithexcitement。
OncemoreshehadlapsedbacktotheVikingsandsea-roversofthetenthcentury——shewasBrunhildeagain，ashield-maiden，aValkyrie，aBerserkerandthedaughterofBerserkers，andlikethemshefoughtinaveritablefrenzy，seeingnothing，hearingnothing，everysenseexalted，everyforcedoubled，insensibletopain，deaftoallreason。
Herdirkuplifted，sherusheduponWilbur，neveroncepausinginherchant。Wilburshoutedawarningtoherasshecameon，puzzledbeyondwords，startledbacktoaconsciousnessofhimselfagainbythisinsensateattack。
\"Moran！Moran！\"hecalled。\"Whatisit——you’rewrong！It-sI。
It’sWilbur——yourmate，can’tyousee？\"
Morancouldnotsee——blindtofriendorfoe，asshewasdeaftoreason，shestruckathimwithallthestrengthofherarm。Buttherewasnoskillinherfightingnow。Wilburdroppedhisownknifeandgrippedherrightwrist。Sheclosedwithhimupontheinstant，clutchingathisthroatwithheronefreehand;andashefeltherstrength——doubledandtripledinthefuryofhermadness——
Wilburknewthat，howevereasilyhehadovercomehisenemyofamomentbefore，hewasnowfightingforhisverylife。
Atfirst，Wilburmerelystruggledtokeepherfromhim——topreventherusingherdirk。Hetriednottohurther。Butwhatwiththespiritshehaddrunkbeforetheattack，whatwiththeexcitementoftheattackitselfandthesuddenunleashingofthebruteinhimaninstantbefore，thewholeaffairgrewdimandhazyinhismind。
Heceasedtoseethingsintheirproportion。Hisnew-foundstrengthgloriedinmatchingitselfwithanotherstrengththatwasitsequal。HefoughtwithMoran——notashewouldfightwitheitherwomanorman，orwithanythinghuman，forthematterofthat。Hefoughtwithherasagainstsomeimpersonalforcethatitwasincumbentuponhimtoconquer——thatitwasimperativeheshouldconquerifhewishedtolive。Whenshestruck，hestruckblowforblow，forceforforce，hisstrengthagainsthers，gloryinginthatstrangecontest，thoughheneveronceforgotthatthislastenemywasthegirlheloved。ItwasnotMoranwhomhefought;itwasherforce，herdetermination，herwill，hersplendidindependence，thathesethimselftoconquer。
Alreadyshehaddroppedorflungawaythedirk，andtheirbattlehadbecomeanissueofsheerphysicalstrengthbetweenthem。Itwasaquestionnowastowhoshouldmastertheother。TwiceshehadfoughtWilburtohisknees，theheelofherhanduponhisface，hisheadthrustbackbetweenhisshoulders，andtwicehehadwrenchedaway，risingtohisfeetagain，panting，bleedingeven，butwithhisteethsetandallhisresolutionatthesticking-
point。Oncehesawhischance，andplantedhisknucklessquarelybetweenhereyeswhereherfrownwasknottedhard，hopingtostunherandendthefightonceandforall。Buttheblowdidnotseemtoaffectherintheleast。BythistimehesawthatherBerserkerragehadworkeditselfclearasfermentingwineclearsitself，andthatsheknewnowwithwhomshewasfighting;andheseemednowtounderstandtheincomprehensible，andtosympathizewithherjoyinmeasuringherstrengthagainsthis;andyetheknewthatthecombatwasdeadlyserious，andthatmorethanlifewasatstake。Morandespisedaweakling。
Foraninstant，astheyfellapart，shestoodoff，breathinghardandrollinguphersleeve;then，asshestartedforwardagain，Wilburmetherhalf-way，caughtherroundtheneckandunderthearm，grippingherleftwristwithhisrighthandbehindher;then，exertingeveryounceofstrengthheyetretained，hethrustherdownandfromhim，untilatlength，usinghishipasapivot，heswungheroffherfeet，threwherfairlyonherback，andheldherso，onekneeuponherchest，hishandsclosedvise-likeonherwrists。
ThensuddenlyMorangaveup，relaxinginhisgraspallinasecond，and，tohisgreatsurprise，suddenlysmiled。
\"Ho！mate，\"sheexclaimed;\"thatwasatoughone;butI’mbeaten——
you’restrongerthanIthoughtfor。\"
Wilburreleasedherandrosetohisfeet。
\"Here，\"shecontinued，\"givemeyourhand。I’masweakasakitten。\"AsWilburhelpedhertoherfeet，sheputherhandtoherforehead，wherehisknuckleshadlefttheirmark，andfrownedathim，butnotill-naturedly。
\"Nexttimeyoudothat，\"shesaid，\"usearockorabelaying-pin，orsomethingthatwon’thurt——notyourfist，mate。\"Shelookedathimadmiringly。\"Whatatwo-fisted，brawnydray-horseitis！I
toldyouIwasstrongerthanmostmen，didn’tI？ButI’mtheweakerofustwo，andthat’safact。You’vebeaten，mate——Iadmitit;you’veconqueredme，and，\"shecontinued，smilingagainandshakinghimbytheshoulder——\"and，mate，doyouknow，Iloveyouforit。\"
XI
ACHANGEINLEADERS
\"Well，\"exclaimedWilburatlength，theexcitementofthefightreturninguponhim。\"Wehaveplentytodoyet。Comeon，Moran。\"
ItwasnolongerMoranwhotooktheinitiative——whowastheleader。Thebrieffightupontheshorehadchangedallthat。ItwasWilburwhowasnowthemaster，itwasWilburwhowasaggressive。Hehadknownwhatitmeanttokill。Hewasnolongerafraidofanything，nolongerhesitating。Hehadfeltasuddenquadruplingofallhisstrength，moralandphysical。
Allthatwasstrongandvirileandbrutalinhimseemedtohardenandstiffeninthemomentafterhehadseenthebeach-combercollapselimplyonthesandunderthelaststrongknife-blow;andasenseoftriumph，ofboundlessself-confidence，leapedwithinhim，sothatheshoutedaloudinaveryexcessofexhilaration;
andsnatchingupaheavycutting-inspade，thathadbeendroppedinthefightneartheburningcabin，tossedithighintotheair，catchingitagainasitdescended，likeanyexultantsavage。
\"Comeon！\"hecriedtoMoran;\"wherearethebeach-combersgone？
I’mgoingtogetonemorebeforetheshowisover。\"
Thetwopassedoutofthezoneofsmoke，andreachedtheothersideoftheburningcabinjustintimetoseethelastofthestruggle。Thewholeaffairhadnottakenmorethanaquarterofanhour。Intheendthebeach-combershadbeenbeaten。Fourhadfledintothewasteofsandandsagethatlaybackoftheshore，andhadnotbeenpursued。Afifthhadbeenalmosthamstrungbyoneofthe\"Bertha’s\"coolies，andhadgivenhimselfup。Asixth，squealingandshriekinglikeatiger-cat，hadbeenmadeprisoner;
andWilburhimselfhadaccountedfortheseventh。
AsWilburandMorancamearoundthecabintheysawthe\"BerthaMillner’s\"Chinameninagroup，notfarfromthewater’sedge，reassembledafterthefight——pantingandbloody，someofthembaretothebelt，theirweaponsstillintheirhands。Hereandtherewasabandagedarmorhead;buttheirnumberwascomplete——orno，wasitcomplete？
\"Oughttobeonemore，\"saidWilbur，anxiouslyhasteningfor-ward。
Asthetwocameupthecooliesparted，andWilbursawoneofthem，hisheadproppeduponarolled-upblouse，lyingominouslystillonthetrampledsand。
\"It’sCharlie！\"exclaimedMoran。
\"Where’shehurt？\"criedWilburtothegroupofcoolies。\"Jim！——
where’sJim？Where’shehurt，Jim？\"
Jim，theonlymemberofthecrewbesidesCharliewhocouldunderstandorspeakEnglish，answered：
\"Kai-ginghhimfin’pistol，you’pistol;Charliehimfightplenty;
bime-by，whenhenosee，one-pieceeKai-ginghhecomeupbehin’，shootumCharlieinside——savvy？\"
\"Didhekillhim？Ishedead？\"
\"No，Itinkumdieplentysoon;himnosavvynuttin’now，himall-
samesleep。Plentysoonbime-byhimsleepforgood，Itink。\"
TherewaslittlebloodtobeseenwhenWilburgentlyunwrappedthetornsleeveofablousethathadbeenusedasabandage。Justunderthearmpitwasthemarkofthebullet——asmallpuncturealreadyclosed，halfhiddenunderaclotortwoofblood。Thecoolielayquiteunconscious，hiseyeswideopen，drawingafaint，quickbreathatirregularintervals。
\"Whatdoyouthink，mate？\"askedMoraninalowvoice。
\"Ithinkhe’sgotitthroughthelungs，\"answeredWilbur，frowningindistressandperplexity。\"PooroldCharlie！\"
Moranwentdownonaknee，andputafingerontheslim，cordedwrist，yellowasoldivory。
\"Charlie，\"shecalled——\"Charlie，here，don’tyouknowme？Wakeup，oldchap！It’sMoran。You’renothurtsoverybad，areyou？\"
Charlie’seyesclosedandopenedacoupleoftimes。
\"Nocantell，\"heansweredfeebly;\"hurtplentybig\";thenhebegantocough。
Wilburdrewasighofrelief。\"He’sallright！\"heexclaimed。
\"Yes，Ithinkhe’sallright，\"assentedMoran。
\"Firstthingtodonowistogethimaboardtheschooner，\"saidWilbur。\"We’lltakehimrightacrossinthebeach-combers’doryhere。ByJove！\"heexclaimedonasudden。\"Theambergris——I’dforgottenallaboutit。\"Hisheartsank。Inthehideousconfusionofthatmorning’swork，allthoughtoftheloothadbeenforgotten。Hadthebattlebeenfornothing，afterall？Themomentthebeach-combershadbeenmadeawareofthemeditatedattack，itwouldhavebeenaneasymatterforthemtohavehiddentheambergris——destroyediteven。
IntwostridesWilburhadreachedthebeach-combers’doryandwasgropingintheforwardcuddy。Thenheutteredagreatshoutofsatisfaction。The\"stuff\"wasthere，allofit，thoughthemasshadbeencutintoquarters，threepartsofitstowedintea-
flails，thefourthstillreevedupinthehammocknetting。
\"We’vegotit！\"hecriedtoMoran，whohadfollowedhim。\"We’vegotit，Moran！Over$100，000。We’rerich——richasboodlers，youandI。Oh，itwasworthfightingfor，afterall，wasn’tit？Nowwe’llgetoutofhere——nowwe’llcutforhome。\"
\"It’sonlyCharlieI’mthinkingabout，\"answeredMoran，hesitating。\"Ifitwasn’tforthatwe’dbeallright。Idon’tknowwhetherwedidright，afterall，injumpingthecamphere。I
wouldn’tliketofeelthatI’dgotCharlieintoourquarrelonlytohavehimkilled。\"
WilburstaredatthisnewMoraninnolittleamazement。Wherewasthereckless，untamedgirlofthepreviousnight，whohadswornathimanddenouncedhisnigglingmisgivingsastorightandwrong？
\"Hoh！\"heretortedimpatiently，\"Charlie’srightenough。And，besides，Ididn’tforcehimtoanything。I——we，thatis——tookthesamechances。IfIhadn’tdoneformymantherebehindthecabin，hewouldhavedoneforme。Atallevents，wecarriedourpoint。
Wegottheloot。Theytookitfromus，andwewerestrongenoughtogetitback。\"
Moranmerelynodded，asthoughsatisfiedwithhisdecision，andadded：
\"Well，whatnext，mate？\"
\"We’llgetbacktothe’Bertha’nowandputtoseaassoonaswecancatchthetide。I’llsendJimandtwooftheothermenacrossinthedorywithCharlie。Therestofuswillgoaroundbytheshore。We’vegottohaveachin-chinwithHoang，ifhedon’tgetlooseaboardthereandfiretheboatbeforewecangetback。I
don’tproposetakingthesebeach-combersbackto’Friscowithus。\"
\"Whatwillwedowiththetwoprisoners？\"sheasked。
\"Letthemgo;we’vegottheirarms。\"
Thepositionsofthetwowerereversed。ItwasWilburwhoassumedcontrolanddirectionofwhatwentforward，Morantakinghisadviceandrelyinguponhisjudgment。
InaccordancewithWilbur’sorders，Charliewascarriedaboardthedory;which，withtwoChinamenattheoars，andtheambergrisstowedagainintothecuddy，atoncesetofffortheschooner。
Wilburhimselfcuttheropesonthetwoprisoners，andbadethemshiftforthemselves。Therestofthepartyreturnedtothe\"BerthaMillner\"aroundthewidesweepofthebeach。
Itwasonlybyhighnoon，underthefloggingofamercilesssun，thattheentirecrewofthelittleschooneroncemorereassembledundertheshadowofherstrandedhulk。Theywerequitewornout;
andassoonasCharliewasliftedaboard，andtheambergris——or，astheyspokeofitnow，the\"loot\"——wassafelystowedinthecabin，WilburallowedtheChinamenthreeorfourhours’rest。
Theyhadhadneitherbreakfastnordinner;buttheirexhaustionwasgreaterthantheirhunger，andinafewmomentstheentirehalf-dozenwerestretchedoutasleepontheforwarddeckintheshadowoftheforesailraisedforthepurposeofshelteringthem。
However，WilburandMoransoughtoutHoang，whomtheyfoundastheyhadlefthim——bounduponthefloorofthecabin。
\"Nowwehaveatalk——savvy？\"Wilburtoldhimasheloosedtheropesabouthiswristsandankles。\"Wegotourlootbackfromyou，oldman，andwegotoneofyourmenintothebargain。Youwokeupthewrongcrowd，Hoang，whenyouwentupagainstthisoutfit。You’reinabadway，myfriend。Yourjunkiswrecked;
allyouroilandblubberfromthewhaleislost;fourofyourmenhaverunaway，oneiskilled，anotheronewecaughtandletgo，anotheronehasbeenhamstrung;andyouyourselfareourprisoner，withyourteethfileddowntoyourgums。Now，\"continuedWilbur，withtheprofoundestgravity，\"Ihopethiswillbealessontoyou。Don’ttryandgettoomuchthenexttime。Justbecontentwithwhatisyoursbyright，orwhatyouarestrongenoughtokeep，anddon’ttrytofightwithwhitepeople。Othercoolies，I
don’tsay。Butwhenyoutrytogetthebetterofwhitepeopleyouareoutofyourclass。\"
Thelittlebeach-comber（hewasscarcelyabovefivefeet）rubbedhischafedwrists，andfixedWilburwithhistiny，twinklingeyes。
\"Whatyoudonow？\"
\"Wegohome。I’mgoingtomaroonyouandyourpeoplehereonthisbeach。YoudeservethatIshouldletyoueatyourfistsbywayoftable-board;butI’mnosuchdirtasyou。Whenourmenlefttheschoonertheybroughtoffwiththemagoodshareofourprovisions。I’llleavethemhereforyou——andthere’splentyofturtleandabalonetobehadforthecatching。SomeoftheAmericanmen-of-war，Ibelieve，comedowntothisbayfortarget-
practicetwiceayear，andifwespeakanyonthewayupwe’llaskthemtocallhereforcastaways。That’swhatI’lldoforyou，andthat’sall！Ifyoudon’tlikeit，youcansetouttomarchupthecoasttillyouhitatown;butIwouldn’tadviseyoutotryit。
Nowwhathaveyougottosay？\"
Hoangwassilent。Hisqueuehadbecomeunboundforhalfitslength，andheplaiteditanew，winkinghiseyesthoughtfully。
\"Well，whatdoyousay？\"saidMoran。
\"Iloseface，\"answeredHoangatlength，calmly。
\"Youloseface？Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Iloseface，\"heinsisted;thenadded：\"Iheap’shamed。YoufighteemyChinaboy，youcatcheeme。Myboynomo’habmefo’
boss——savvy？Igoback，himnolikeeme。Mebbeallsamekilleeme。Iloseface——nomo’boss。\"
\"Whataherdofwildcattle！\"mutteredWilbur。
\"There’ssomethinginwhathesays，don’tyouthink，mate？\"
observedMoran，bringingabraidovereachshoulderandstrokingitaccordingtoherhabit。
\"We’llaskJimaboutit，\"decidedWilbur。
ButJimatonceconfirmedHoang’sstatement。\"Oh，Kai-ginghkillumno-goodboss，fo’sure，\"hedeclared。
\"Don’tyouthink，mate，\"saidMoran，\"we’dbettertakehimupto’Friscowithus？We’vehadenoughfightingandkilling。\"
Soitwasarrangedthatthedefeatedbeach-comber，thewhippedbuccaneer，whohad\"lostface\"andnolongerdaredlookhismenintheeye，shouldbetakenaboard。
Byfouro’clocknextmorningWilburhadthehandsatworkdiggingthesandfromaroundthe\"BerthaMillner’s\"bow。Thelinebywhichshewastobewarpedoffwasrunouttotheledgeoftherock;freshwaterwastakenon;provisionsforthemaroonedbeach-
comberswerecacheduponthebeach;thedorywastakenaboard，gasketswerecastoff，andhatchesbatteneddown。
Athightide，allhandsstraininguponthewarp，theschoonerwasfloatedoff，andundertouchofthelightestairsdrewalmostimperceptiblyawayfromtheland。Theywerequiteanhourcrawlingouttotheheadsofthebay。Butherethebreezewasfreshening。Morantookthewheel;theflying-jibandstaysailwereset;thewakebegantowhitenundertheschooner’sstern，theforefootsang;thePacificopenedoutmoreandmore;andby12：30
o’clockMoranputthewheelover，and，astheschooner’sbowswungtothenorthward，criedtoWilbur：
\"Mate，lookyourlastofMagdalenaBay！\"
Standingatherside，Wilburturnedandsweptthecurveofthecoastwithasingleglance。Thevast，heat-scourgedhoopofyellowsand，thestill，smoothshieldofindigowater，withitsbedsofkelp，hadbecomeinsensiblydeartohim。Itwasallfamiliar，friendly，andhospitable。Hardlyanacreofthatsweepofbeachthatdidnotholdtheimpressofhisfoot。TherewasthepointnearbythecreekwhereheandMoranfirstlandedtofillthewater-casksandtogatherabalones;thecreekitself，wherehehadsnaredquail;thesandspitwithitswhitenedwhale’sskull，whereheandMoranhadbeachedtheschooner;andthere，lastofall，thatspotofblackoverwhichstillhungahazeofbrown-graysmoke，thecharredruinsoftheoldPortuguesewhaling-cabin，wheretheyhadoutfoughtthebeach-combers。
ForamomentWilburandMoranlookedbackwithoutspeaking。Theystoodonthequarter-deck;intheshadowofthemain-sail，shutofffromthesightoftheschooner’screw，andfortheinstantquitealone。
\"Well，Moran，it’sgood-bytotheoldplaces，isn’tit？\"saidWilburatlength。
\"Yes，\"shesaid，herdeepvoicepitchedevendeeperthanusual。
\"Mate，greatthingshavehappenedthere。\"
\"Itdoesn’tlooklikeaplaceforaTongrowwithChinesepirates，though，doesit？\"hesaid;butevenashespokethewords，heguessedthatthatwasnotwhathemeant。
\"Oh，whatdidthatamountto？\"shesaid，withanimpatientmovementofherhead。\"ItwastherethatIfirstknewmyself;andknewthat，afterall，youwereamanandIwasawoman;andthattherewasjustus——youandI——intheworld;andthatyoulovedmeandIlovedyou，andthatnothingelsewasworththinkingof。\"
Wilburshuthishanddownoverhersasitgrippedaspokeofthewheel。
\"Moran，Iknewthatlongsince，\"hesaid。\"Suchamonthasthishasbeen！Why，IfeelasthoughIhadonlybeguntolivesinceI
begantoloveyou。\"
\"Andyoudo，mate？\"sheanswered——\"youdoloveme，andalwayswill？Oh，youdon’tknow，\"shewenton，interruptinghisanswer，\"youhaven’taguess，howthelasttwodayshavechangedme。
Somethinghashappenedhere\"——andsheputbothherhandsoverherbreast。\"I’malldifferenthere，mate。It’sallyouinsidehere——
allyou！Andithurts，andI’mproudthatitdoeshurt。Oh！\"shecried，ofasudden，\"Idon’tknowhowtoloveyet，andIdoitverybadly，andIcan’ttellyouhowIfeel，becauseIcan’teventellittomyself。Butyoumustbegoodtomenow。\"Thedeepvoicetrembledalittle。\"Goodtome，mate，andtruetome，mate，becauseI’veonlyyou，andallofmeisyours。Mate，begoodtome，andalwaysbekindtome。I’mnotMorananymore。I’mnotproudandstrongandindependent，andIdon’twanttobelonely。
Iwantyou——Iwantyoualwayswithme。I’mjustawomannow，dear——justawomanthatlovesyouwithaheartshe’sjustfound。\"
Wilburcouldfindnowordstoanswer。TherewassomethingsopatheticandatthesametimesonobleinMoran’scompletesurrenderofherself，andherdependenceuponhim，herunquestionedtrustinhimandhisgoodness，thathewassuddenlysmittenwithaweatthesacrednessoftheobligationthusimposedonhim。Shewashisnow，tohaveandtohold，tokeep，toprotect，andtodefend——shewhowasoncesogloriousofherstrength，ofhersavageisolation，herinviolate，pristinemaidenhood。Allwordsseemedfutileandinadequatetohim。
Shecameclosetohim，andputherhandsuponhisshoulders，and，lookinghimsquarelyintheeye，said：
\"Youdoloveme，mate，andyoualwayswill？\"
\"Always，Moran，\"saidWilbur，simply。Hetookherinhisarms，andshelaidhercheekagainsthisforamoment，thentookhisheadbetweenherhandsandkissedhim。
Twodayspassed。The\"BerthaMillner\"heldsteadilytohernorthwardcourse，Morankeepingherwellintowardtheland。
Wilburmaintainedalookoutfromthecrow’s-nestinthehopeofsightingsomewhitecruiserorbattleshiponherwaysouthfortarget-practice。Inthecacheofprovisionshehadleftforthebeach-combershehadinsertedamessage，writtenbyHoang，totheeffectthattheymightexpecttobetakenoffbyaUnitedStatesman-of-warwithinthemonth。
Hoangdidnotreadilyrecoverhis\"lossofface。\"The\"Bertha’s\"
ChinamenwouldhavenothingtodowiththismemberofahostileTong;andthehumiliatedbeach-comberkeptalmostentirelytohimself，sittingontheforecastle-headalldaylong，smokinghissui-yen-huandbroodingsilentlytohimself。
MoranhadtakenthelumpofambergrisfromoutKitchell’soldhammock，andhadslungthehammockitselfintheschooner’swaist，andCharliewasmadeascomfortableaspossibletherein。Theycoulddobutlittleforhim，however;andhewastakenfromtimetotimewithspellsofcoughingthatrackedhimwithadreadfulagony。Atlengthonenoon，justafterMoranhadtakenthesunandhadcalculatedthatthe\"Bertha\"wassomeeightmilestothesouthwestofSanDiego，shewassurprisedtohearWilburcallinghersharply。Sherantohim，andfoundhimstandinginthewaistbyCharlie’shammock。
TheChinamanwasdying，andknewit。HewastalkinginafaintandfeeblevoicetoWilburasshecameup，andwastryingtoexplaintohimthathewassorryhehaddesertedtheschoonerduringthescareinthebay。
\"Plantymucheesolly，\"hesaid;\"Chinaboy，himheapflaidofFeng-shui。WhenFeng-shuinolikee，wethenmustgochop-chop。
PlentymuchsollyIleave-umschoonerthatnight;sollyplenty——
savvy？\"
\"Ofcoursewesavvy，Charlie，\"saidMoran。\"Youweren’tafraidwhenitcametofighting。\"
\"Idieplettysoon，\"saidCharliecalmly。\"Yousayyougibmefifteenhundleddollah？\"
\"Yes，yes;thatwasourpromise。Whatdoyouwantdonewithit，Charlie？\"
\"IwantplentyfinefuneralinChinatowninSanFrancisco。Oh，heapfine！Youbuyumfirst-chopcoffin——savvy？Silverheapmuch——
costumbigmoney。YougibmymoneytoHopSingAssociation，topsideMingYentemple。YousavvyHopSing？——oneSixCompanies。\"
\"Yes，yes。\"
\"TellumHopSingIwantfuneral——four-pieceehorse。Younoflogetteehorse？\"headdedapprehensively。
\"No，I’llnotforgetthehorsesCharlie。Youshallhavefour。\"
\"Wantsix-pieceebandmusicians——Chinamusic——heapplentygong。
Younoflogettee？Twopieceepriest，alldressumwhite——savvy？Youmus’buyumcoffinyo’self。Vellyfinecoffin，heapmuchsilver，an’four-pieceehorse。Youcatchumfireclacker——one，five，sevenhundledfireclacker，makeumbignoise;an’loastpig，an’plentylicean’Chinablandy。Heapfinefuneral，costumfifteenhundleddollah。IbeburyallsameMandarin——allsameLittlePete。Youplomise，sure？\"
\"Ipromiseyou，Charlie。YoushallhaveafuneralfinerthanlittlePete’s。\"
Charlienoddedhisheadcontentedly，drawingabreathofsatisfaction。
\"BimebyHopSingsendumbodybackChina。\"Heclosedhiseyesandlayforalongtime，wornoutwiththeeffortofspeaking，asifasleep。Suddenlyheopenedhiseyeswide。\"Younoflogetteehorse？\"
\"Fourhorses，Charlie。I’llremember。\"
Hedroopedoncemore，onlytorouseagainattheendofafewminuteswith：
\"First-chopcoffin，plentymuchsilver\";andagain，alittlelaterandveryfeebly：\"Six-piecee——bandmusic——Chinamusic——four-
piecee——gong——four。\"
\"Ipromiseyou，Charlie，\"saidWilbur。
\"Now，\"answeredCharlie——\"nowIdie。\"
Andthelow-casteCantonesecoolie，withallthedignityandcalmnessofaCicero，composedhimselffordeath。
AnhourlaterWilburandMoranknewthathewasdead。Yet，thoughtheyhadneverleftthehammock，theycouldnothavetoldatjustwhatmomenthedied。
Later，onthatsameafternoon，Wilbur，fromthecrow’s-nest，sawthelighthouseonPointLomaandthehugeramblingbulkoftheCoronadoHotelspreadingoutandalongthebeach。
Itwastheoutpostofcivilization。Theyweregettingbacktotheworldagain。Withinanhour’srideofthehotelwereSanDiego，railroads，newspapers，andpolicemen。Justoffthehotel，however，WilburcoulddiscernthegleamingwhitehullofaUnitedStatesman-of-war。Withtheglasshecouldmakeherouttobeoneofthemonitors——the\"Monterey\"inallprobability。
AfteradvisingwithMoran，itwasdecidedtoputintoland。Thereportastothecastawayscouldbemadetothe\"Monterey，\"andCharlie’sbodyforwardedtohisTonginSanFrancisco。
Intwohours’timetheschoonerwaswellup，andWilburstoodbyMoran’ssideatthewheel。watchingandstudyingthefamiliaraspectofCoronadoBeach。
\"It’sagreatwinterresort，\"hetoldher。\"Iwasdownherewithapartytwoyearsago。Nothinghaschanged。Youseethatbigsortofroundwing，Moran，allfullofwindows？That’sthedining-
room。Andthere’sthebathhouseandthebowling-alley。Seethepeopleonthebeach，andthegirlsinwhiteduckskirts;andlookuptherebytheveranda——letmetaketheglass——yes，there’satally-hocoach。Isn’titqueertogetbacktothissortofthingafterMagdalenaBayandthebeach-combers？\"
Moranspunthewheelwithoutreply，andgaveanordertoJimtoeaseofftheforesheet。
XII
NEWCONDITIONS
ThewinterseasonattheHoteldelCoronadohadbeenunusuallygaythatyear，andtheyoungladywhowrotethesocietynewsindiaryformforoneoftheSanFranciscoweeklypapershadheldforthatmuchlengthuponthehotel’s\"unbrokensuccessionoffestivities。\"
Shehadalsonotedthat\"prominentamongthenewestarrivals\"hadbeenMr。NatRidgeway，ofSanFrancisco，whohadbroughtdownfromthecity，aboardhiselegantandsumptuouslyfittedyacht\"Petrel，\"ajollyparty，composedlargelyoftheseason’sdebutantes。TobementionedinthelattercategorywasMissJosieHerrick，whoselavendercoming-outteaatthebeginningoftheseasonwasstillasubjectofcommentamongthegossips——andalltherestofit。
The\"Petrel\"hadbeenintheharborbutafewdays，andonthiseveningadancewasgivenatthehotelinhonorofherarrival。
Itwastobeacotillon，andNatRidgewaywasgoingtoleadwithJosieHerrick。TherehadbeenacoachingpartytoTiaJuanathatday，andMissHerrickhadreturnedtothehotelonlyintimetodress。By9：30sheemergedfromtheprocess——whichhadinvolvedhermother，heryoungersister，hermaid，andoneofthehotelchambermaids——adainty，firm-corsetedlittlebody，alltulle，whitesatin，andhigh-piledhair。ShecarriedMarechalNielroses，orderedbywirefromMonterey;andaboutanhourlater，whenRidgewaygavethenodtothewaitingmusicians，andswungherofftothebeatofatwo-step，therewasnotamoregracefullittlefigureupontheflooroftheincomparableroundballroomoftheCoronadoHotel。
Thecotillonwasagreatsuccess。Theensignsandyoungerofficersofthemonitor——atthattimeanchoredoffthehotel——
attendedinuniform;andenoughofthemembersofwhatwasknowninSanFranciscoasthe\"dancingset\"werepresenttogivetheaffairthenecessaryentrain。EvenJerryHaight，whobelongedmoredistinctlytothe\"country-clubset，\"andwhohadspenttheearlypartofthatwintershootingelkinOregon，wasamongtheranksofthe\"rovers，\"whogroupedthemselvesaboutthedraughtydoorways，andendeavoredtoappearunconsciouseachtimeRidgewaygavethesignalfora\"break。\"
Thefigureshadgoneroundthehallonce。The\"firstset\"wasoutagain，andasRidgewayguidedMissHerrickbythe\"rovers\"shelookedoverthearrayofshirt-fronts，searchingforJerryHaight。
\"DoyouseeMr。Haight？\"sheaskedofRidgeway。\"Iwantedtofavorhimthisbreak。Iowehimtwoalready，andhe’llneverforgivemeifIoverlookhimnow。\"
JerryHaighthadgonetothehotelofficeforafewmoments’restandacigarette，andwasnowhereinsight。Butwhenthesetbroke，andMissHerrick，despairingofJerry，hadstartedouttofavoroneoftheyoungerensigns，shesuddenlyjostledagainsthim，pushinghiswayeagerlyacrossthefloorinthedirectionofthemusicians’platform。
\"Oh！\"shecried，\"Mr。Haight，you’vemissedyourchance——I’vebeenlookingforyou。\"
ButJerrydidnothear——heseemedveryexcited。Hecrossedthefloor，almostrunning，andwentupontheplatformwherethemusiciansweremeanderingsoftlythroughthemazesof\"LaPaloma，\"
andbroughtthemtoanabruptsilence。
\"Here，Isay，Haight！\"exclaimedRidgeway，whowasnearby，\"youcan’tbreakupmyfigurelikethat。\"
\"Gi’meacallthereonthebugle，\"saidHaightrapidlytothecornetist。\"Anythingtomake’emkeepquietamoment。\"
Thecornetistsoundedacoupleofnotes，andthecotillonpausedintheveryactofthebreak。Theshufflingoffeetgrewstill，andtheconversationceased。Adiamondbroochhadbeenfound，nodoubt，orsomesupperannouncementwastobemade。ButJerryHaight，withagreatsweepofhisarm，theforgottencigarettebetweenhisfingers，shoutedoutbreathlessly：
\"RossWilburisoutintheofficeofthehotel！\"
Therewasaninstant’ssilence，andthenagreatshout。Wilburfound！RossWilburcomebackfromthedead！RossWilbur，huntedforandbootlesslytracedfromBuenosAyresinthesouthtotheAleutianIslandsinthenorth。RossWilbur，thepuzzleofeverydetectivebureauonthecoast;thesubjectofathousandtheories;
whosenamehadfiguredinthescareheadsofeverynewspaperwestoftheMississippi。RossWilbur，seenatafashionableteaandhisclubofanafternoon，thensuddenlyblottedoutfromtheworldofmen;swallowedupandengulfedbytheunknown，withnotsomuchasabuttonleftbehind。RossWilburthesuicide;RossWilbur，themurdered;RossWilbur，victimofabandofkidnappers，theheroofsomedreadfulstorythatwasnevertobetold，themystery，thelegend——beholdhewasthere！Backfromtheunknown，droppedfromtheclouds，spewedupagainfromthebowelsoftheearth——averitablegodfromthemachinewhoinasingleinstantwastodisentanglealltheunexplainedcomplicationsofthosepastwintermonths。
\"Herehecomes！\"shoutedJerry，hiseyescaughtbyagroupofmeninfulldressandgoldlacewhocametrampingdownthehalltotheballroom，bearinganondescriptfigureontheirshoulders。\"Herehecomes——theboysarebringinghiminhere！Oh！\"hecried，turningtothemusicians，\"can’tyouplaysomething？——any-thing！
Hititupforallyou’reworth！Ridgeway——Nat，lookhere！RosswasYale，y’know——Yale’95;ain’tweenoughYalemenheretogivehimtheyell？\"
Outofalltimeandtune，butwithavigorthatmadeupforboth，themusiciansbangedintoapatrioticair。Jerry，standingonachairthatitselfwasstandingontheplatform，ledhalfadozenfranticmeninthelongthunderofthe\"Brek-kek-kek-kek，co-ex，co-ex。\"
Aroundtheedgesofthehallexcitedgirls，andchaperonsthemselvesnolessagitated，werestandinguponchairsandbenches，splittingtheirglovesandbreakingtheirfansintheirenthusiasm;whileeverymaledanceronthefloor——ensignsintheirgold-faceduniformsand\"rovers\"instarchedandimmaculateshirt-
bosoms——cheeredandcheeredandstruggledwithoneanothertoshakehandswithamanwhomtwooftheirnumberoldYalegrads，withmemoriesofathletictriumphsyetintheirminds——carriedintothatball-room，bornehighupontheirshoulders。
Andtheherooftheoccasion，thecentreofallthisenthusiasm——
thuscarriedasifintriumphintothisassemblyineveningdress，inwhitetulleandwhiterkid，odorousofdelicatesachetsandscarce-perceptibleperfumes——wasafigureunhandsomeandunkemptbeyonddescription。Hishairwaslong，andhangingoverhiseyes。
Athick，uncared-forbeardconcealedthemouthandchin。HewasdressedinaChinaman’sblouseandjeans——thelatterthrustintoslashedandtatteredboots。Thetanandweatherbeatingsofnearlyhalfayearofthetropicswerespreadoverhisface;apartlyhealedscardisfiguredonetempleandcheek-bone;thehands，totheveryfinger-nails，weregraywithgrime;thejeansandblouseandbootswerefouledwithgrease，withoil，withpitch，andallmannerofthedirtofanuncared-forship。Andasthedancersofthecotillonpressedabout，andahundredkid-glovedhandsstretchedtowardhisownpalms，therefellfromWilbur’sbeltuponthewaxedflooroftheballroomtheknifehehadsogrimlyusedinthefightuponthebeach，theuglystainsstillblackeningonthehaft。
Therewasnomorecotillonthatnight。Theyputhimdownatlast;
andinhalfadozensentencesWilburtoldthemofhowhehadbeenshanghaied——toldthemofMagdalenaBay，hisfortuneintheambergris，andthefightwiththebeach-combers。
\"Youpeoplearegoingdowntherefortarget-practice，aren’tyou？\"
hesaid，turningtooneofthe\"Monterey’s\"officersinthecrowdabouthim。\"Yes？Well，you’llfindthecooliesthere，onthebeach，waitingforyou。Allbutone，\"headded，grimly。
\"Wemaroonedsixofthem，buttheseventhdidn’tneedtobemarooned。Theytriedtoplunderusofourboat，but，by————-，wemadeitinterestingfor’em！\"
\"Isay，steady，oldman！\"exclaimedNatRidgeway，glancingnervouslytowardthegirlsinthesurroundinggroup。\"Thisisn’tMagdalenaBay，youknow。\"
AndforthefirsttimeWilburfeltagenuinepangofdisappointmentandregretasherealizedthatitwasnot。
Halfanhourlater，Ridgewaydrewhimaside。\"Isay，Ross，let’sgetoutofhere。Youcan’tstandheretalkingallnight。JerryandyouandIwillgouptomyrooms，andwecantalkthereinpeace。I’llorderupthreequartsoffizz，and——\"
\"Oh，rotyourfizz！\"declaredWilbur。\"Ifyouloveme，givemeChristiantobacco。\"
Astheyweregoingoutoftheballroom，WilburcaughtsightofJosieHerrick，and，breakingawayfromtheothers，ranovertoher。
\"Oh！\"shecried，breathless。\"Tothinkandtothinkofyourcomingbackafterall！No，Idon’trealizeit——Ican’t。Itwilltakemeuntilmorningtofindoutthatyou’vereallycomeback。I
justknownowthatI’mhappierthanIeverwasinmylifebefore。
Oh！\"shecried，\"doIneedtotellyouhowgladIam？It’sjusttoosplendidforwords。Doyouknow，Iwasthoughttobethelastpersonyouhadeverspokentowhilealive，andthereportersandall——oh，butwemusthavesuchatalkwhenallisquietagain！Andourdance——we’veneverhadourdance。I’vegotyourcardyet。
Remembertheoneyouwroteformeatthetea——afacsimileofitwaspublishedinallthepapers。YouaregoingtobeaherowhenyougetbacktoSanFrancisco。Oh，Ross！Ross！\"shecried，thetearsstartingtohereyes，\"you’vereallycomeback，andyouarejustasgladasIam，aren’tyou——gladthatyou’vecomeback——comebacktome？\"
Lateron，inRidgeway’sroom，WilburtoldhisstoryagainmoreindetailtoRidgewayandJerry。Allbutoneportionofit。Hecouldnotmakeuphismindtospeaktothem——thesesocietyfellows，clubmenandcitybred——ofMoran。Howhewasgoingtoorderhislifehenceforward——hislife，thathefelttobevoidofinterestwithouther——hedidnotknow。Thatwasaquestionforlaterconsideration。
\"We’llgiveanothercotillon！\"exclaimedRidgeway，\"upinthecity——giveitforyou，Ross，andyou’lllead。It’llbetheeventoftheseason！\"
Wilburutteredanexclamationofcontempt。\"I’vedonewiththatsortoffoolery，\"heanswered。
\"Nonsense;why，think，we’llhaveitinyourhonor。Everysmartgirlintownwillcome，andyou’llbethelionof——\"
\"Youdon’tseemtounderstand！\"criedWilburimpatiently。\"Doyouthinkthere’sanyfuninthatformenow？Why，man，I’vefought——
foughtwithanakeddirk，foughtwithacooliewhosnappedatmelikeanape——andyoutalktomeofdancingandfunctionsandgermanfavors！Itwouldn’tdosomeofyoupeopleabitofharmifyouwereshanghaiedyourselves。Thatsortoflife，ifitdon’tdoanythingelse，knocksabigbitofseriousnessintoyou。Youfellowsmakemesick，\"hewentonvehemently。\"Asthoughtherewasn’tanythingelsetodobutleadcotillonsandgetupnewfigures！\"
\"Well，whatdoyouproposetodo？\"askedNatRidgeway。\"Whereareyougoingnow——backtoMagdalenaBay？\"
\"No。\"
\"Where，then？\"
Wilbursmotethetablewithhisfist。
\"Cuba！\"hecried。\"I’vegotacracklittleschooneroutinthebayhere，andI’vegotahundredthousanddollars’worthoflootaboardofher。I’vetriedbeach-combingforawhile，andnowI’lltryfilibustering。Itmaybeacrazyidea，butit’sbetterthandancing。I’dratherleadanexpeditionthanagerman，andyoucanchewonthat，NathanielRidgeway。\"
Jerrylookedathimashestoodtherebeforetheminthefilthy，reekingblouseandjeans，theraggedboots，andthemaneofhairandtangledbeard，andrememberedtheWilburheusedtoknow——theWilburofthecarefullycreasedtrousers，thesatinscarfsandfancywaistcoats。
\"You’readifferentsortthanwhenyouwentaway，Ross，\"saidJerry。
\"Rightyouare，\"answeredWilbur。
\"ButIwillventureaprophecy，\"continuedJerry，lookingkeenlyathim。
\"Ross，youareaborn-and-bredcityman。It’sinthebloodofyouandthebonesofyou。I’llgiveyouthreeyearsforthisnewnotionofyourstowearitselfout。Youthinkjustnowyou’regoingtospendtherestofyourlifeasanamateurbuccaneer。Inthreeyears，attheoutside，you’llbeusingyour’loot，’asyoucallit，ortheinterestofit，topayyourtaxesandyourtailor，yourpewrentandyourclubdues，andyou’llbewhatthebiographerscall’arespectablememberofthecommunity。’\"
\"Didyoueverkillaman，Jerry？\"askedWilbur。\"No？Well，youkillonesomeday——killhiminafairgive-and-takefight——andseehowitmakesyoufeel，andwhatinfluenceithasonyou，andthencomebackandtalktome。\"
Itwaslongaftermidnight。Wilburrose。
\"We’llringforaboy，\"saidRidgeway，\"andgetyouaroom。Icanfixyououtwithclothesenoughinthemorning\"
Wilburstaredinsomesurprise，andthensaid：
\"Why，I’vegottheschoonertolookafter。Ican’tleavethosecooliesaloneallnight。\"
\"Youdon’tmeantosayyou’regoingonboardatthistimeinthemorning？\"
\"Ofcourse！\"
\"Why——but——butyou’llcatchyourdeathofcold。\"
WilburstaredatRidgeway，thennoddedhelplessly，and，scratchinghishead，said，halfaloud：
\"No，what’stheuse;Ican’tmake’emunderstand。Good-nightI’llseeyouinthemorning。\"
\"We’llallcomeoutandvisityouonyouryacht，\"Ridgewaycalledafterhim;butWilburdidnothear。
InanswertoWilbur’swhistle，Jimcameinwiththedoryandtookhimofftotheschooner。Moranmethimashecameovertheside。
\"Itookthewatchmyselfto-nightandlettheboyturnin，\"shesaid。\"Howisitashore，mate？\"
\"We’vecomebacktotheworldoflittlethings，Moran，\"saidWilbur。\"Butwe’llpulloutofhereinthemorningandgetbacktotheplaceswherethingsarereal。\"
\"Andthat’sagoodhearing，mate。\"
\"Let’sgetuphereonthequarterdeck，\"addedWilbur。\"I’vesomethingtoproposetoyou。\"
Moranlaidanarmacrosshisshoulder，andthetwowalkedaft。
ForhalfanhourWilburtalkedtoherearnestlyabouthisnewideaoffilibustering;andashetoldherofthewarhewarmedtothesubject，hisfaceglowing，hiseyessparkling。Suddenly，however，hebrokeoff。
\"Butno！\"heexclaimed。\"Youdon’tunderstand，Moran。Howcanyou——you’reforeign-born。It’snoaffairofyours！\"
\"Mate！mate！\"criedMoran，herhandsuponhisshoulders。\"It’syouwhodon’tunderstand——don’tunderstandme。Don’tyouknow——
can’tyousee？Yourpeopleareminenow。I’mhappyonlyinyourhappiness。Youwereright——thebesthappinessisthehappinessoneshares。Andyoursorrowsbelongtome，justasIbelongtoyou，dear。Yourenemiesaremine，andyourquarrelsaremyquarrels。\"Shedrewhisheadquicklytowardherandkissedhim。
Inthemorningthetwohadmadeuptheirmindstoacertainvaguecourseofaction。Togetaway——anywhere——wastheironeaim。
Moranwasbynatureacreatureunfitforcivilization，andtheloveofadventureandthedesireforactionhadsuddenlyleapedtolifeinWilbur’sbloodandwasnottoberesisted。TheywouldgetuptoSanFrancisco，disposeoftheir\"loot，\"outfitthe\"BerthaMillner\"asafilibuster，andputtoseaagain。TheyhaddiscussedtheadvisabilityofroundingtheHorninsosmallashipasthe\"BerthaMillner，\"butMoranhadsettledthatatonce。
\"I’vegottoknowherprettywell，\"shetoldWilbur。\"She’ssoundasanut。Onlylet’sgetawayfromthisplace。\"
Buttowardteno’clockonthemorningaftertheirarrivaloffCoronado，andjustastheywerepreparingtogetunderway，HoangtouchedWilbur’selbow。
\"Seeumlilone-piecesmoke-boat;himcomechop-chop。\"
Infact，alittlesteam-launchwasrapidlyapproachingtheschooner。Inanotherinstantshewasalongside。Jerry，NatRidgeway，JosieHerrick，andanelderlywoman，whomWilburbarelyknewasMissHerrick’smarriedsister，wereaboard。
\"We’vecomeofftoseeyouryacht！\"criedMissHerricktoWilburasthelaunchbumpedalongtheschooner’scounter。\"Canwecomeaboard？\"Shelookedveryprettyinhercrisppinkshirt-waistherwhiteduckskirt，andwhitekidshoes，hersailorhattiltedatabarelyperceptibleangle。Themenwereinwhiteflannelsandsmartyachtingsuits。\"Canwecomeaboard？\"sherepeated。
Wilburgaspedandstared。\"GoodLord！\"hemuttered。\"Oh，comealong，\"headded，desperately。
Thepartycameovertheside。
\"Oh，my！\"saidMissHerrickblankly，stoppingshort。
Thedecks，masts，andrailsoftheschoonerwereshinywithablackcoatingofdirtandgrease;thesailsweregraywithgrime;
astranglingodorofoilandtar，ofcookingandofopium，ofChinesepunkanddryingfish，pervadedalltheair。Inthewaist，HoangandJim，baretothebelt，theirqueuesloopedaroundtheirneckstobeoutoftheway，werestowingthedoryandexchanginghigh-pitchedmonosyllables。MissHerrick’ssisterhadnotcomeaboard。Thethreevisitors——Jerry，Ridgeway，andJosie——stoodnervouslyhuddledtogether，theirelbowsclosein，asiftoavoidcontactwiththeprevailingfilth，theirimmaculatewhiteouting-
clothesdetachingthemselvesviolentlyagainstthesqualorandsordidgrimeoftheschooner’sbackground。
\"Oh，my！\"repeatedMissHerrickindismay，halfclosinghereyes。
\"Tothinkofwhatyoumusthavebeenthrough！Ithoughtyouhadsomekindofayacht。Ihadnoideaitwouldbelikethis。\"Andasshespoke，Morancamesuddenlyuponthegroupfrombehindtheforesail，andpausedinabruptsurprise，herthumbsinherbelt。
Shestillworemen’sclothesandwasbootedtotheknee。Theheavybluewoolenshirtwasopenatthethroat，thesleevesrolledhalf-wayupherlargewhitearms。InherbeltshecarriedherhaftlessScandinaviandirk。Shewashatlessasever，andherheavy，fragrantcablesofrye-huedhairfelloverhershouldersandbreasttofarbelowherbelt。
MissHerrickstartedsharply，andMoranturnedaninquiringglanceuponWilbur。Wilburtookhisresolutioninbothhands。
\"MissHerrick，\"hesaid，\"thisisMoran——MoranSternersen。\"
Morantookastepforward，holdingoutherhand。Josie，allbewildered，puthertight-glovedfingersintothecallousedpalm，lookingupnervouslyintoMoran’sface。
\"I’msure，\"shesaidfeebly，almostbreathlessly，\"I——I’msureI’mverypleasedtomeetMissSternersen。\"
ItwaslongbeforethepictureleftWilbur’simagination。JosieHerrick，petite，gownedinwhite，crispfromhermaid’sgrooming;
andMoran，sea-roveranddaughterofahundredVikings，toweringaboveher，bootedandbelted，gravelyclaspingJosie’shandinherownhugefist。
XIII
MORANSTERNERSEN
SanFranciscooncemore！Fortwodaysthe\"BerthaMillner\"hadbeenbeatingupthecoast，fightingherwayagainstnortherlywinds，buttingintoheadseas。
Thewarmth，thestillness，theplacid，drowsingquietofMagdalenaBay，steamingunderthegoldeneyeofatropicheaven，thewhite，bakedbeach，thebay-heads，striatedwiththemirageinthemorning，thecoruscatingsunset，theenchantedmysteryofthepurplenight，withitssheenofstarsandridingmoon，werenowreplacedbythehaleandvigoroussnortingoftheTrades，therollofbreakerstolandward，andtheunremittinggallopoftheunnumberedmultitudesofgray-greenseas，careeringsilentlypasttheschooner，theircrestsoccasionallyhissingintobrusqueeruptionsofwhitefroth，orsmitingbroadonunderhercounter，showeringherdeckswithasproutoficyspray。Itwascold;attimesthickfogscloakedalltheworldofwater。Totheeastaprocessionofbleakhillsdefiledslowlysouthward;lighthouseswerepassed;streamersofsmokeonthewesternhorizonmarkedthepassageofsteamships;andoncetheymetandpassedclosebyahugeCapeHorner，agreatdeep-seatramp，allsailssetanddrawing，rollingslowlyandleisurelyinseasthatmadetheschoonerdance。
AtlasttheFaralloneslookedovertheocean’sedgetothenorth;
thencamethewhistling-buoy，theSealRocks，theHeads，PointReyes，theGoldenGateflankedwiththeoldredPresidio，LimePointwithitswatchingcannon;andbynoonofagrayandboisterousday，underalustywindandaslantofrain，justfivemonthsafterherdeparture，the\"BerthaMillner\"letgoheranchorinSanFranciscoBaysomefewhundredyardsofftheLifeboatStation。
Inthisberththeschoonerwasstillthreeorfourmilesfromthecityandthewater-front。ButMorandetestedanynearerapproachtocivilization，andWilburhimselfwaswillingtoavoid，atleastforoneday，thepublicitywhichhebelievedthe\"Bertha’s\"
reappearancewassuretoattract。Heremembered，too，thatthelittleboatcarriedwithherafortuneof$100，000，anddecidedthatuntilitcouldbesafelylandedandstoreditwasnotdesirablethatitsexistenceshouldbeknownalong\"theFront。\"
Fordays，weekseven，Wilburhadlookedeagerlyforwardtothisreturntohishome。Hehadseenhimselfagaininhisformerhaunts，inhisclub，andinthehousesalongPacificavenuewherehewasreceived;butnosoonerhadtheanchor-chainceasedrattlinginthe\"Bertha’s\"hawse-pipethanastrangerevulsioncameuponhim。Thenewmanthatseemedtohavesosuddenlysprungtolifewithinhim，theWilburwhowasthemateofthe\"BerthaMillner，\"theWilburwhobelongedtoMoran，believedthathecouldseenothingtobedesiredincitylife。Forhimwastheunsteadydeckofaschooner，andthegreatwindsandthetremendouswheeloftheocean’srim，andthehorizonthateverfledbeforehisfollowingprow;sohetoldhimself，sohebelieved。Whatattractionscouldthecityofferhim？Whatamusements？whatexcitements？Hehadbeenflungoffthesmoothlyspinningcircumferenceofwell-orderedlifeoutintothevoid。
Hehadknownromance，andthespellofthegreat，simple，andprimitiveemotions;hehadsatdowntoeatwithbuccaneers;hehadseenthefierce，quickleapofunleashedpassions，andhadfeltdeathswoopcloseathisnapeandpasslikeaswiftspurtofcoldair。Citylife，hisoldlife，hadnocharmforhimnow。Wilburhonestlybelievedthathewaschangedtohisheart’score。Hethoughtthat，likeMoran，hewashenceforthtobeasailorofthesea，arover，andhesawtherestofhisexistencepassedwithher，aboardtheirfaithfullittleschooner。Theywouldhavethewholeroundworldastheirplayground;theyheldtheearthandthegreatseasinfief;therewasnoonetoletortohinder。Theytwobelongedtoeachother。OnceoutsidetheHeadsagain，andtheysweptthelandofcitiesandoflittlethingsbehindthem，andtheytwowereleftaloneoncemore;aloneinthegreatworldofromance。
Aboutanhourafterherarrivaloffthestation，whileHoangandthehandswerefurlingthejibandforesailandgettingthedoryovertheside，MoranremarkedtoWilbur：
\"It’sgoodwecameinwhenwedid，mate;theglassisgoingdownfast，andthewind’sbreezingupfromthewest;we’regoingtohaveablow;thetidewillbegoingoutinalittlewhile，andwenevercouldhavecomeinagainstwindandtide。\"
\"Moran，\"saidWilbur，\"I’mgoingashore——intothestationhere;
there’satelephonelinethere;seethewires？Ican’tsomuchasturnmyhandoverbeforeIhavesomeshore-goingclothes。WhatdoyousupposetheywoulddotomeifIappearedonKearneyStreetinthisoutfit？I’llringupLangley&Michaels——theyarethewholesalechemistsintown——andhavetheiragentcomeouthereandtalkbusinesstousaboutourambergris。We’vegottopaythementheirprize-money;thenassoonaswegetourownmoneyinhandwecantalkaboutoverhaulingandoutfittingthe’Bertha。’\"
MoranrefusedtoaccompanyhimashoreandintotheLifeboatStation。Roofedhouseswereanobjectofsuspiciontoher。
AlreadyshehadbeguntobeuneasyatthedistantsightofthecityofSanFrancisco，Nob，Telegraph，Russian，andRinconhills，allswarmingwithbuildingsandgroovedwithstreets;eventheland-lockedharborfrettedher。Wilburcouldseeshefeltimprisoned，confined。WhenhehadpointedoutthePalaceHoteltoher——avastgraycubeinthedistance，overtoppingthesurroundingroofs——shehadswornunderherbreath。
\"Andpeoplecanlivethere，goodheavens！Whynotrabbit-burrows，andbedonewithit？Mate，howsooncanwebeouttoseaagain？I
hatethisplace。\"
WilburfoundthecaptainoftheLifeboatStationintheactofsittingdowntoadinnerofboiledbeefandcabbage。Hewasastronglybuiltwell-lookingman，withtheairmoreofasoldierthanasailor。Hehadalreadybeenstudyingtheschoonerthroughhisfrontwindowandhadrecognizedher，andatonceaskedWilburnewsofCaptainKitchell。Wilburtoldhimasmuchofhisstoryaswasnecessary，butfromthecaptain’stalkhegatheredthatthenewsofhisreturnhadlongsincebeenwiredfromCoronado，andthatitwouldbeimpossibletoavoidaninedays’notoriety。Thecaptainofthestation（hisnamewasHodgson）madeWilburroyallywelcome，insisteduponhisdiningwithhim，andhimselfcalledupLangley&Michaelsassoonasthemealwasover。
Itwashewhoofferedtheonlyplausiblesolutionofthemysteryoftheliftingandshakingoftheschoonerandthewreckingofthejunk。ThoughWilburwasnotsatisfiedwithHodgson’sexplanation，itwastheonlyoneheeverheard。
Whenhehadspokenofthematter，Hodgsonhadnoddedhishead。
\"Sulphur-bottoms，\"hesaid。
\"Sulphur-bottoms？\"
\"Yes;they’reakindofright-whale;theygetbarnaclesandakindofmarineliceontheirbacks，andcomeupandscratchthemselvesagainstaship’skeel，justlikeahogunderafence。\"
WhenWilbur’sbusinesswasdone，andhewasmakingreadytoreturntotheschooner，Hodgsonremarkedsuddenly：\"Hearyou’vegotastrappingfinegirlaboardwithyou。Wheredidyoufallinwithher？\"andhewinkedandgrinned。
Wilburstartedasthoughstruck，andtookhimselfhurriedlyaway;
buttheman’swordshadtouchedoffinhisbrainaveritablemineofconjecture。MoraninMagdalenaBaywasconsistent，congruous，andfittedintoherenvironment。Buthow——howwasWilburtoexplainhertoSanFrancisco，andhowcouldhisbehaviorseemelsethanridiculoustothemenofhisclubandtothewomenwhosedinnerinvitationshewaswonttoreceive？Theycouldnotunderstandthechangethathadbeenwroughtinhim;theydidnotknowMoran，thesavage，half-tamedValkyriesosuddenlybecomeawoman。Hurryashewould，theschoonercouldnotbeputtoseaagainwithinafortnight。Eventhoughheelectedtoliveaboardinthemeanwhile，theverybusinessofherpreparationwouldcallhimtothecityagainandagain。Morancouldnotbekeptasecret。Asitwas，alltheworldknewofherbynow。Ontheotherhandhecouldeasilyunderstandherposition;toheritseemedsimplicityitselfthattheytwowholovedeachothershouldsailawayandpasstheirlivestogetheruponthesea，assheandherfatherhaddonebefore。
Likemostmen，Wilburhadtowalkwhenhewasthinkinghard。HesentthedorybacktotheschoonerwithwordtoMoranthathewouldtakeawalkaroundthebeachandreturninanhourortwo。
HesetoffalongtheshoreinthedirectionofFortMason，theoldred-brickfortattheentrancetotheGoldenGate。AtthispointinthePresidioGovernmentreservationthelandissolitary。
Wilburfollowedthelineofthebeachtotheoldfort;andthere，ontheverythresholdoftheWesternworld，attheveryoutpostofcivilization，satdownintheleeofthecrumblingfortification，andscenebyscenereviewedtheextraordinaryeventsofthepastsixmonths。
InfrontofhimranthenarrowchanneloftheGoldenGate;tohisrightwasthebayandthecity;athislefttheopenPacific。
Hesawhimselfthedayofhisadventaboardthe\"Bertha\"inhistophatandfrockcoat;sawhimselflater\"brakingdown\"atthewindlass，the\"Petrel\"withinhailingdistance。
Thenthepicturesbegantothickenfast：thederelictbark\"LadyLetty\"rollingtoherscuppers，abandonedandlonely;the\"boy\"inthewheel-box;Kitchellwrenchingopenthedeskinthecaptain’sstateroom;CaptainSternersenburiedatsea，hisfalseteethupsidedown;theblackfuryofthesquall，andMoranatthewheel;
Moranlyingatfulllengthonthedeck，gettingthealtitudeofastar;MagdalenaBay;theshark-fishing;themysteriousliftingandshudderingoftheschooner;thebeach-combers’junk，withitsstaringredeyes;Hoang，nakedtothewaist，gleamingwithsweatandwhale-oil;theambergris;theracetobeachthesinkingschooner;thenever-to-be-forgottennightwhenheandMoranhadcampedtogetheronthebeach;Hoangtakenprisoner，andthehideousfilingofhisteeth;thebeach-combers，silentandwatchfulbehindtheirsandbreastworks;theChinamanhehadkilledtwitchingandhic-coughingathisfeet;MoranturnedBerserker，burstingdownuponhimthroughahazeofsmoke;Charliedyinginthehammockaboardtheschooner，orderinghisfuneralwithits\"four-pieceehorse\";Coronado;theincongruoussceneintheballroom;and，lastofall，JosieHerrickinwhiteduckandkidshoes，givingherhandtoMoraninherbootsandbelt，hatlessasever，hersleevesrolleduptoabovetheelbows，herwhite，strongarmextended，herruddyface，andpale，milk-blueeyesgravelyobservant，herheavybraids，yellowasripeningrye，hangingoverhershoulderandbreast。
Asuddenexplosionofcoldwind，strikingdownblanket-wiseandbewilderingfromoutthewest，madeWilburlookupquickly。Thegrayskyseemedscuddingalongcloseoverhead。Thebay，thenarrowchanneloftheGoldenGate，theoutsideocean，wereallwhiteningwithcrestsofwaves。Athisfeetthehugegreenground-swellsthunderedtotheattackofthefort’sgranitefoundations。ThroughtheGate，thebayseemedrushingouttothePacific。Abewilderedgullshotby，tackingandslantingagainsttheguststhatwoulddriveitouttosea。Evidentlythestormwasnotfaroff。Wilburrosetohisfeet，andsawthe\"BerthaMillner，\"closein，unbridledandfreeasarunawayhorse，headeddirectlyfortheopensea，andrushingonwithalltheimpetusofwindandtide！
XIV
THEOCEANISCALLINGFORYOU
AlittlewhileafterWilburhadsetoffforthestation，whileMoranwasmakingthelastentriesinthelog-book，seatedatthetableinthecabin，Jimappearedatthedoor。
\"Well，\"shesaid，lookingup。
\"Chinaboyhimwantgoasho’plentybig，seeumflenupChinatowninumcity。\"
\"Shoreleave，isit？\"saidMoran。\"Youdesertedoncebeforewithoutevensayinggood-by;andmyhandinthefire，you’llcomebackthistimedottywithopium。Getawaywithyou。We’llhavemenaboardhereinafewdays。\"
\"Cango？\"inquiredJimsuavely。
\"Isaidso。ReportourarrivaltoyourSixCompanies。\"
HoangrowedJimandthecooliesashore，andthenreturnedtotheschoonerwiththedoryandstreamedherastern。Ashepassedthecabindooronhiswayforward，Moranhailedhim。
\"Ithoughtyouwentashore？\"shecried。
\"Heapflaid，\"heanswered。\"HimotherboygoupChinatown;himtellSamYup;ItinkSamYupallasamekilleeme。Inoleaveumshiptwo，thleeday;bimebyIgoOlegon。Istaytopsideship。
Youwantumcook。Icookplentyfine;standumwatchforyou。\"
Indeed，eversinceleavingCoronadotheex-beach-comberhadmadehimselfveryusefulabouttheschooner;hadbeen，infact，obsequiousnessitself，andseemedtobeparticularlydesirousofgainingthegood-willofthe\"Bertha’s\"officers。HeunderstoodpigeonEnglishbetterthanJim，andspokeitevenbetterthanCharliehaddone。HeactedthepartofinterpreterbetweenWilburandthehands;eventurnedtointhegalleyuponoccasion;andofhisownaccordofferedtogivethevesselacoatofpaintabovethewater-line。Moranturnedbacktoherlog，andHoangwentforward。Standingontheforwarddeck，helookedafterthe\"Bertha’s\"cooliesuntiltheydisappearedbehindarowofpine-
treesonthePresidioReservation，goingcityward。Wilburwasnowhereinsight。ForalongtimeHoangstudiedtheLifeboatStationnarrowly，whilehemadeagreatshowofcoilingalengthofrope。Thestationwasjustoutofhailingdistance。Nobodyseemedstirring。Thewholeshoreandbacklandthereaboutwasdeserted;theedgeofthecitywasfourmilesdistant。Hoangreturnedtotheforecastle-hatchandwentbelow，gropingunderhisbunkinhisditty-box。
\"Well，whatisit？\"exclaimedMoranamomentlater，asthebeach-
comberenteredthecabin，andshutthedoorbehindhim。
Hoangdidnotanswer;butshedidnotneedtorepeatthequestion。
InaninstantMoranknewverywellwhathehadcomefor。
\"God！\"sheexclaimedunderherbreath，springingtoherfeet。
\"Whydidn’twethinkofthis！\"
Hoangslippedhisknifefromthesleeveofhisblouse。Foraninstanttheoldimperiousness，theoldsavageprideandanger，leapedagaininMoran’sbreast——thendiedawayforever。ShewasnolongerthesameMoranofthatfirstfightonboardtheschooner，whenthebeach-combershadplunderedherofher\"loot。\"
Onlyafewweeksago，andshewouldhavefoughtwithHoangwithouthesitationandwithoutmercy;wouldhavewrenchedalegfromthetableandbrainedhimwherehestood。Butshehadlearnedsincetoknowwhatitmeanttobedependent;torelyforprotectionuponsomeonewhowasstrongerthanshe;toknowherweakness;toknowthatshewasatlastawoman，andtobeproudofit。
Shedidnotfight;shehadnothoughtoffighting。Instinctivelyshecriedaloud，\"Mate——mate！——Oh，mate，whereareyou？Helpme！\"
andHoang’sknifenailedthewordswithinherthroat。
The\"loot\"wasinabrass-boundchestunderoneofthecabin’sbunks，stowedintwogunny-bags。Hoangdrewthemout，knottedthetwotogether，and，slingingthemoverhisshoulder，regainedthedeck。
Helookedcarefullyattheangryskyandswellingseas，notingthedirectionofthewindandsetofthetide;thenwentforwardandcasttheanchor-chainsfromthewindlassinsuchamannerthattheschoonermustinevitablywrenchfreewiththefirstheavystrain。
Thedorywasstilltuggingatthelineastern。Hoangdroppedthesacksintheboat，swunghimselfovertheside，androwedcalmlytowardthestation’swharf。Ifanynotionofputtingtoseawiththeschoonerhadenteredtheobscure，pervertedcunningofhismind，hehadalmostinstantlyrejectedit。Chinatownwashisaim;
oncethereandundertheprotectionofhisTong，Hoangknewthathewassafe。Heknewthehiding-placesthattheSeeYupAssociationprovidedforitsmembers——hidingplaceswhoseveryexistencewasunknowntothepoliceoftheWhiteDevil。
Nooneinterrupted——nooneevennoticed——hispassagetothestation。Atbest，itwasnothingmorethanacooliecarryingacoupleofgunny-sacksacrosshisshoulder。Twohourslater，HoangwaslostinSanFrancisco’sChinatown。
**********
Atthesightoftheschoonersweepingouttosea，Wilburwasforaninstantsmittenrigid。Whathadhappened？WherewasMoran？Whywastherenobodyonboard？Aswift，sharpsenseofsomeunnamedcalamityleapedsuddenlyathisthroat。Thenhewasawareofacratteringofhoofsalongtheroadthatledtothefort。Hodgsonthrewhimselffromoneofthehorsesthatwereusedinhandlingthesurf-boat，andrantohimhatlessandpanting。
\"MyGod！\"heshouted。\"Look，yourschooner，doyouseeher？ShebrokeawayafterI’dstartedtotellyou——totellyou——totellyou——yourgirlthereonboard——Itwashorrible！\"
\"Issheallright？\"criedWilbur，attopvoice，fortheclamorofthegalewasincreasingeverysecond。
\"Allright！No;they’vekilledher——somebody——thecoolies，I
think——knifedher！Iwentouttoaskyoupeopletocomeintothestationtohavesupperwithme——\"
\"Killedher——killedher！Who？Idon’tbelieveyou——\"
\"Wait——tohavesupperwithme，andIfoundherthereonthecabinfloor。Shewasstillbreathing。Icarriedherupondeck——therewasnobodyelseaboard。Icarriedherupandlaidheronthedeck——andshediedthere。JustnowIcameafteryoutotellyou，and——\"
\"GoodGodAlmighty，man！whokilledher？Whereisshe？Oh——butofcourseitisn’ttrue！Howdidyouknow？Morankilled！Morankilled！\"
\"AndtheschoonerbrokeawayafterIstarted！\"
\"Morankilled！But——but——she’snotdeadyet;we’llhavetosee——\"
\"Shediedonthedeck;Ibroughtherupandlaidheron——\"
\"Howdoyouknowshe’sdead？Whereisshe？Comeon，we’llgorightbacktoher——tothestation！\"
\"She’sonboard——outthere！\"
\"Where——whereisshe？MyGod，man，tellmewheresheis！\"
\"Outthereaboardtheschooner。Ibroughtherupondeck——Ileftherontheschooner——onthedeck——shewasstabbedinthethroat——
andthencameafteryoutotellyou。ThentheschoonerbrokeawaywhileIwascoming;she’sdriftingouttoseanow！\"
\"Whereisshe？Whereisshe？\"
\"Who——thegirl——theschooner——whichone？Thegirlisontheschooner——andtheschooner——that’sher，rightthere——she’sdriftingouttosea！\"
Wilburputbothhandstohistemples，closinghiseyes。
\"I’llgoback！\"exclaimedHodgson。\"We’llhavethesurf-boatoutandgetafterher;we’llbringthebodyback！\"
\"No，no！\"criedWilbur，\"it’sbetter——thisway。Leaveher，lethergo——she’sgoingouttoseaagain！\"
\"Buttheschoonerwon’tlivetwohoursoutsideinthisweather;
she’llgodown！\"
\"It’sbetter——thatway——lethergo。Iwantitso！\"
\"Ican’tstay！\"criedtheotheragain。\"Ifthepatrolshouldsig-
stormcomingup，andI’vegottobeatmystation。\"
Wilburdidnotanswer;hewaswatchingtheschooner。
\"Ican’tstay！\"criedtheotheragain。\"Ifthepatrolshouldsignal——Ican’tstophere，Imustbeonduty。Comeback，youcan’tdoanything！\"
\"No！\"
\"Ihavegottogo！\"Hodgsonranback，swunghimselfonthehorse，androdeawayatafuriousgallop，inclininghisheadagainstthegusts。
Andtheschoonerinaworldofflyingspray，whitescud，anddrivingspoondrift，hercordagehumming，herforefootchurning，theflagatherpeakstrainingstiffinthegale，cameupintothenarrowpassageoftheGoldenGate，ridinghighupontheoutgoingtide。Onshecame，swingingfromcresttocrestofthewavesthatkepthercompanyandthatrantomeettheocean，shoutingandcallingoutbeyondthereunderthelow，scuddingclouds。
Wilburhadclimbedtothetopoftheoldfort。Erectuponitsgraniteledgehestood，andwatchedandwaited。
Notoncedidthe\"BerthaMillner\"falterinherrace。Likeanunbittedhorse，allrestraintshakenoff，sheranfreetowardtheoceanastoherpasture-land。Shecamenearer，nearer，risingandrollingwiththeseas，herbowspritheldduewest，pointinglikeafingerouttosea，tothewest——outtotheworldofromance。Andthenatlast，asthelittlevesseldrewoppositetheoldfortandpassednotonehundredyardsaway，Wilbur，watchingfromtherampart，sawMoranlyinguponthedeckwithoutstretchedarmsandcalm，upturnedface;lyinguponthedeckofthatlonelyfleeingschoonerasuponabedofhonor，stillandcalm，hergreatbraidssmoothuponherbreast，herarmswide;alonewiththesea;aloneindeathasshehadbeeninlife。Shepassedoutofhislifeasshehadcomeintoit——alone，uponaderelictship，abandonedtothesea。Shewentoutwiththetide，outwiththestorms;out，out，outtothegreatgrayPacificthatknewherandlovedher，andthatshoutedandcalledforher，andthunderedinthejoyofherasshecametomeethimlikeabridetomeetabridegroom。
\"Good-by，Moran！\"shoutedWilburasshepassed。\"Good-by，good-
by，Moran！Youwerenotforme——notforme！Theoceaniscallingforyou，dear;don’tyouhearhim？Don’tyouhearhim？Good-by，good-by，good-by！\"
Theschoonersweptby，shotlikeanarrowthroughtheswirlingcurrentsoftheGoldenGate，anddippedandbowedandcourtesiedtothePacificthatreachedtowardherhismyriadcurlingfingers。
Theyinfoldedher，heldherclose，anddrewherswiftly，swiftlyouttothegreatheavingbosom，tumultuousandbeatinginitsmightyjoy，itssavageexultationofpossession。
Wilburstoodwatching。Thelittleschoonerlessenedinthedistance——becameashadowinmistandflyingspray——ashadowmovinguponthefaceofthegreatwasteofwater。Fainterandfaintershegrew，vanished，reappeared，washeavedupagain——amerespeckuponthewesternsky——aspeckthatdwindledanddwindled，thenslowlymeltedawayintothegrayofthehorizon。
