Afterscoringovermycalmnessinthisgraphicwayhenoddedwisely。
IfIhadseenthesight，heassuredme，IwouldneverforgetitaslongasIlived。Theweatherwastoobadtogivethecorpseaproperseaburial。
Sonextdayatdawntheytookituponthepoop，coveringitsfacewithabitofbunting；hereadashortprayer，andthen，justasitwas，initsoilskinsandlongboots，theylauncheditamongstthosemountainousseasthatseemedreadyeverymomenttoswallowuptheshipherselfandtheterrifiedlivesonboardofher。
\"Thatreefedforesailsavedyou，\"Ithrewin。
\"UnderGod——itdid，\"heexclaimedfervently。\"Itwasbyaspecialmercy，Ifirmlybelieve，thatitstoodsomeofthosehurricanesqualls。\"
\"Itwasthesettingofthatsailwhich——\"Ibegan。
\"God’sownhandinit，\"heinterruptedme。\"Nothinglesscouldhavedoneit。
Idon’tmindtellingyouthatIhardlydaredgivetheorder。
Itseemedimpossiblethatwecouldtouchanythingwithoutlosingit，andthenourlasthopewouldhavebeengone。\"
Theterrorofthatgalewasonhimyet。Ilethimgoonforabit，thensaid，casually——asifreturningtoaminorsubject：
\"Youwereveryanxioustogiveupyourmatetotheshorepeople，Ibelieve？\"
Hewas。Tothelaw。Hisobscuretenacityonthatpointhadinitsomethingincomprehensibleandalittleawful；something，asitwere，mystical，quiteapartfromhisanxietythatheshouldnotbesuspectedof\"countenancinganydoingsofthatsort。\"
Seven-and-thirtyvirtuousyearsatsea，ofwhichovertwentyofimmaculatecommand，andthelastfifteenintheSephora，seemedtohavelaidhimundersomepitilessobligation。
\"Andyouknow，\"hewenton，gropingshame-facedlyamongsthisfeelings，\"Ididnotengagethatyoungfellow。Hispeoplehadsomeinterestwithmyowners。Iwasinawayforcedtotakehimon。
Helookedverysmart，verygentlemanly，andallthat。
Butdoyouknow——Ineverlikedhim，somehow。Iamaplainman。
Yousee，hewasn’texactlythesortforthechiefmateofashipliketheSephora。\"
IhadbecomesoconnectedinthoughtsandimpressionswiththesecretsharerofmycabinthatIfeltasifI，personally，werebeinggiventounderstandthatI，too，wasnotthesortthatwouldhavedoneforthechiefmateofashipliketheSephora。
Ihadnodoubtofitinmymind。
\"Notatallthestyleofman。Youunderstand，\"heinsisted，superfluously，lookinghardatme。
Ismiledurbanely。Heseemedatalossforawhile。
\"IsupposeImustreportasuicide。\"
\"Begpardon？\"
\"Suicide！That’swhatI’llhavetowritetomyownersdirectlyIgetin。\"
\"Unlessyoumanagetorecoverhimbeforetomorrow，\"
Iassented，dispassionately……\"Imean，alive。\"
HemumbledsomethingwhichIreallydidnotcatch，andIturnedmyeartohiminapuzzledmanner。Hefairlybawled：
\"Theland——Isay，themainlandisatleastsevenmilesoffmyanchorage。\"
\"Aboutthat。\"
Mylackofexcitement，ofcuriosity，ofsurprise，ofanysortofpronouncedinterest，begantoarousehisdistrust。
ButexceptforthefelicitouspretenseofdeafnessIhadnottriedtopretendanything。Ihadfeltutterlyincapableofplayingthepartofignoranceproperly，andthereforewasafraidtotry。
Itisalsocertainthathehadbroughtsomeready-madesuspicionswithhim，andthatheviewedmypolitenessasastrangeandunnaturalphenomenon。AndyethowelsecouldIhavereceivedhim？
Notheartily！Thatwasimpossibleforpsychologicalreasons，whichIneednotstatehere。Myonlyobjectwastokeepoffhisinquiries。Surlily？Yes，butsurlinessmighthaveprovokedapoint-blankquestion。Fromitsnoveltytohimandfromitsnature，punctiliouscourtesywasthemannerbestcalculatedtorestraintheman。
Buttherewasthedangerofhisbreakingthroughmydefensebluntly。
Icouldnot，Ithink，havemethimbyadirectlie，alsoforpsychological（notmoral）reasons。IfhehadonlyknownhowafraidIwasofhisputtingmyfeelingofidentitywiththeothertothetest！
But，strangelyenough——（Ithoughtofitonlyafterwards）——
Ibelievethathewasnotalittledisconcertedbythereversesideofthatweirdsituation，bysomethinginmethatremindedhimofthemanhewasseeking——suggestedamysterioussimilitudetotheyoungfellowhehaddistrustedanddislikedfromthefirst。
Howeverthatmighthavebeen，thesilencewasnotveryprolonged。
Hetookanotherobliquestep。
\"IreckonIhadnomorethanatwo-milepulltoyourship。
Notabitmore。\"
\"Andquiteenough，too，inthisawfulheat，\"Isaid。
Anotherpausefullofmistrustfollowed。Necessity，theysay，ismotherofinvention，butfear，too，isnotbarrenofingenioussuggestions。
AndIwasafraidhewouldaskmepoint-blankfornewsofmyotherself。
\"Nicelittlesaloon，isn’tit？\"Iremarked，asifnoticingforthefirsttimethewayhiseyesroamedfromonecloseddoortotheother。
\"Andverywellfittedout，too。Here，forinstance，\"Icontinued，reachingoverthebackofmyseatnegligentlyandflingingthedooropen，\"ismybathroom。\"
Hemadeaneagermovement，buthardlygaveitaglance。
Igotup，shutthedoorofthebathroom，andinvitedhimtohavealookround，asifIwereveryproudofmyaccomodation。
Hehadtoriseandbeshownround，buthewentthroughthebusinesswithoutanyraptureswhatever。
\"Andnowwe’llhavealookatmystateroom，\"Ideclared，inavoiceasloudasIdaredtomakeit，crossingthecabintothestarboardsidewithpurposelyheavysteps。
Hefollowedmeinandgazedaround。Myintelligentdoublehadvanished。
Iplayedmypart。
\"Veryconvenient——isn’tit？\"
Verynice。Verycomf……\"Hedidn’tfinishandwentoutbrusquelyasiftoescapefromsomeunrighteouswilesofmine。
Butitwasnottobe。Ihadbeentoofrightenednottofeelvengeful；
IfeltIhadhimontherun，andImeanttokeephimontherun。
Mypoliteinsistencemusthavehadsomethingmenacinginit，becausehegaveinsuddenly。AndIdidnotlethimoffasingleitem；
mate’sroom，pantry，storerooms，theverysaillockerwhichwasalsounderthepoop——hehadtolookintothemall。WhenatlastI
showedhimoutonthequarter-deckhedrewalong，spiritlesssigh，andmumbleddismallythathemustreallybegoingbacktohisshipnow。
Idesiredmymate，whohadjoinedus，toseetothecaptain’sboat。
Themanofwhiskersgaveablastonthewhistlewhichheusedtowearhangingroundhisneck，andyelled，\"Sephora’saway！\"
Mydoubledownthereinmycabinmusthaveheard，andcertainlycouldnotfeelmorerelievedthanI。Fourfellowscamerunningoutfromsomewhereforwardandwentovertheside，whilemyownmen，appearingondecktoo，linedtherail。Iescortedmyvisitortothegangwayceremoniously，andnearlyoverdidit。
Hewasatenaciousbeast。Ontheveryladderhelingered，andinthatunique，guiltilyconscientiousmannerofstickingtothepoint：
\"Isay……you……youdon’tthinkthat——\"
Icoveredhisvoiceloudly：
\"Certainlynot……Iamdelighted。Good-by。\"
Ihadanideaofwhathemeanttosay，andjustsavedmyselfbytheprivilegeofdefectivehearing。Hewastooshakengenerallytoinsist，butmymate，closewitnessofthatparting，lookedmystifiedandhisfacetookonathoughtfulcast。
AsIdidnotwanttoappearasifIwishedtoavoidallcommunicationwithmyofficers，hehadtheopportunitytoaddressme。
\"Seemsaveryniceman。Hisboat’screwtoldourchapsaveryextraordinarystory，ifwhatIamtoldbythestewardistrue。
Isupposeyouhaditfromthecaptain，sir？\"
\"Yes。Ihadastoryfromthecaptain。\"
\"Averyhorribleaffair——isn’tit，sir？\"
\"Itis。\"
\"BeatsallthesetaleswehearaboutmurdersinYankeeships。\"
\"Idon’tthinkitbeatsthem。Idon’tthinkitresemblesthemintheleast。\"
\"Blessmysoul——youdon’tsayso！ButofcourseI’venoacquaintancewhateverwithAmericanships，notIsoIcouldn’tgoagainstyourknowledge。It’shorribleenoughforme……Butthequeerestpartisthatthosefellowsseemedtohavesomeideathemanwashiddenaboardhere。Theyhadreally。
Didyoueverhearofsuchathing？\"
\"Preposterous——isn’tit？\"
Wewerewalkingtoandfroathwartthequarter-deck。Nooneofthecrewforwardcouldbeseen（thedaywasSunday），andthematepursued：
\"Therewassomelittledisputeaboutit。Ourchapstookoffense。
`Asifwewouldharborathinglikethat，’theysaid。
`Wouldn’tyouliketolookforhiminourcoal-hole？’Quiteatiff。
Buttheymadeitupintheend。Isupposehediddrownhimself。
Don’tyou，sir？\"
\"Idon’tsupposeanything。\"
\"Youhavenodoubtinthematter，sir？\"
\"Nonewhatever。\"
Ilefthimsuddenly。IfeltIwasproducingabadimpression，butwithmydoubledownthereitwasmosttryingtobeondeck。Anditwasalmostastryingtobebelow。Altogetheranerve-tryingsituation。
ButonthewholeIfeltlesstornintwowhenIwaswithhim。
TherewasnooneinthewholeshipwhomIdaredtakeintomyconfidence。Sincethehandshadgottoknowhisstory，itwouldhavebeenimpossibletopasshimoffforanyoneelse，andanaccidentaldiscoverywastobedreadednowmorethanever……
Thestewardbeingengagedinlayingthetablefordinner，wecouldtalkonlywithoureyeswhenIfirstwentdown。
Laterintheafternoonwehadacautioustryatwhispering。
TheSundayquietnessoftheshipwasagainstus；thestillnessofairandwateraroundherwasagainstus；theelements，themenwereagainstus——everythingwasagainstusinoursecretpartnership；timeitself——forthiscouldnotgoonforever。
TheverytrustinProvidencewas，Isuppose，deniedtohisguilt。
ShallIconfessthatthisthoughtcastmedownverymuch？
Andastothechapterofaccidentswhichcountsforsomuchinthebookofsuccess，Icouldonlyhopethatitwasclosed。
Forwhatfavorableaccidentcouldbeexpected？
\"Didyouheareverything？\"weremyfirstwordsassoonaswetookupourpositionsidebyside，leaningovermybedplace。
Hehad。Andtheproofofitwashisearnestwhisper，\"Themantoldyouhehardlydaredtogivetheorder。\"
Iunderstoodthereferencetobetothatsavingforesail。
\"Yes。Hewasafraidofitbeinglostinthesetting。\"
\"Iassureyouhenevergavetheorder。Hemaythinkhedid，buthenevergaveit。Hestoodtherewithmeonthebreakofthepoopafterthemaintopsailblewaway，andwhimperedaboutourlasthope——
positivelywhimperedaboutitandnothingelse——andthenightcomingon！
Tohearone’sskippergoonlikethatinsuchweatherwasenoughtodriveanyfellowoutofhismind。Itworkedmeupintoasortofdesperation。Ijusttookitintomyownhandsandwentawayfromhim，boiling，and——Butwhat’stheusetellingyou？
YOUknow！……DoyouthinkthatifIhadnotbeenprettyfiercewiththemIshouldhavegotthementodoanything？NotIt！
Thebo’s’nperhaps？Perhaps！Itwasn’taheavysea——itwasaseagonemad！Isupposetheendoftheworldwillbesomethinglikethat；
andamanmayhavethehearttoseeitcomingonceandbedonewithit——
buttohavetofaceitdayafterday——Idon’tblameanybody。
Iwaspreciouslittlebetterthantherest。Only——Iwasanofficerofthatoldcoalwagon，anyhow——\"
\"Iquiteunderstand，\"Iconveyedthatsincereassuranceintohisear。
Hewasoutofbreathwithwhispering；Icouldhearhimpantslightly。
Itwasallverysimple。Thesamestrung-upforcewhichhadgiventwenty-fourmenachance，atleast，fortheirlives，had，inasortofrecoil，crushedanunworthymutinousexistence。
ButIhadnoleisuretoweighthemeritsofthematter——
footstepsinthesaloon，aheavyknock。\"There’senoughwindtogetunderwaywith，sir。\"Herewasthecallofanewclaimuponmythoughtsandevenuponmyfeelings。
\"Turnthehandsup，\"Icriedthroughthedoor。\"I’llbeondeckdirectly。\"
Iwasgoingouttomaketheacquaintanceofmyship。
BeforeIleftthecabinoureyesmet——theeyesoftheonlytwostrangersonboard。Ipointedtotherecessedpartwherethelittlecampstoolawaitedhimandlaidmyfingeronmylips。
Hemadeagesture——somewhatvague——alittlemysterious，accompaniedbyafaintsmile，asifofregret。
Thisisnottheplacetoenlargeuponthesensationsofamanwhofeelsforthefirsttimeashipmoveunderhisfeettohisownindependentword。Inmycasetheywerenotunalloyed。
Iwasnotwhollyalonewithmycommand；fortherewasthatstrangerinmycabin。Orrather，Iwasnotcompletelyandwhollywithher。
Partofmewasabsent。Thatmentalfeelingofbeingintwoplacesatonceaffectedmephysicallyasifthemoodofsecrecyhadpenetratedmyverysoul。Beforeanhourhadelapsedsincetheshiphadbeguntomove，havingoccasiontoaskthemate（hestoodbymyside）totakeacompassbearingofthepagoda，Icaughtmyselfreachinguptohisearinwhispers。
IsayIcaughtmyself，butenoughhadescapedtostartletheman。
Ican’tdescribeitotherwisethanbysayingthatheshied。
Agrave，preoccupiedmanner，asthoughhewereinpossessionofsomeperplexingintelligence，didnotleavehimhenceforth。
AlittlelaterImovedawayfromtherailtolookatthecompasswithsuchastealthygaitthatthehelmsmannoticedit——
andIcouldnothelpnoticingtheunusualroundnessofhiseyes。
Thesearetriflinginstances，thoughit’stonocommander’sadvantagetobesuspectedofludicrouseccentricities。
ButIwasalsomoreseriouslyaffected。Therearetoaseamancertainwords，gestures，thatshouldingivenconditionscomeasnaturally，asinstinctivelyasthewinkingofamenacedeye。
Acertainordershouldspringontohislipswithoutthinking；
acertainsignshouldgetitselfmade，sotospeak，withoutreflection。Butallunconsciousalertnesshadabandonedme。
Ihadtomakeaneffortofwilltorecallmyselfback（fromthecabin）totheconditionsofthemoment。
IfeltthatIwasappearinganirresolutecommandertothosepeoplewhowerewatchingmemoreorlesscritically。
And，besides，therewerethescares。Ontheseconddayout，forinstance，comingoffthedeckintheafternoon（Ihadstrawslippersonmybarefeet）Istoppedattheopenpantrydoorandspoketothesteward。Hewasdoingsomethingtherewithhisbacktome。
Atthesoundofmyvoicehenearlyjumpedoutofhisskin，asthesayingis，andincidentallybrokeacup。
\"Whatonearth’sthematterwithyou？\"Iasked，astonished。
Hewasextremelyconfused。\"Begyourpardon，sir。Imadesureyouwereinyourcabin。\"
\"YouseeIwasn’t。\"
\"No，sir。IcouldhaveswornIhadheardyoumovingintherenotamomentago。It’smostextraordinary……verysorry，sir。\"
Ipassedonwithaninwardshudder。IwassoidentifiedwithmysecretdoublethatIdidnotevenmentionthefactinthosescanty，fearfulwhispersweexchanged。
Isupposehehadmadesomeslightnoiseofsomekindorother。
Itwouldhavebeenmiraculousifhehadn’tatonetimeoranother。
Andyet，haggardasheappeared，helookedalwaysperfectlyself-controlled，morethancalm——almostinvulnerable。
Onmysuggestionheremainedalmostentirelyinthebathroom，which，uponthewhole，wasthesafestplace。
Therecouldbereallynoshadowofanexcuseforanyoneeverwantingtogointhere，oncethestewardhaddonewithit。
Itwasaverytinyplace。Sometimeshereclinedonthefloor，hislegsbent，hisheadsustainedononeelbow。
AtothersIwouldfindhimonthecampstool，sittinginhisgraysleepingsuitandwithhiscroppeddarkhairlikeapatient，unmovedconvict。AtnightIwouldsmugglehimintomybedplace，andwewouldwhispertogether，withtheregularfootfallsoftheofficerofthewatchpassingandrepassingoverourheads。
Itwasaninfinitelymiserabletime。Itwasluckythatsometinsoffinepreserveswerestowedinalockerinmystateroom；
hardbreadIcouldalwaysgetholdof；andsohelivedonstewedchicken，PATEDEFOIEGRAS，asparagus，cookedoysters，sardines——
onallsortsofabominableshamdelicaciesoutoftins。
Myearly-morningcoffeehealwaysdrank；anditwasallI
dareddoforhiminthatrespect。
Everydaytherewasthehorriblemaneuveringtogothroughsothatmyroomandthenthebathroomshouldbedoneintheusualway。Icametohatethesightofthesteward，toabhorthevoiceofthatharmlessman。
Ifeltthatitwashewhowouldbringonthedisasterofdiscovery。
Ithunglikeaswordoverourheads。
Thefourthdayout，Ithink（wewerethenworkingdowntheeastsideoftheGulfofSiam，tackfortack，inlightwindsandsmoothwater）——
thefourthday，Isay，ofthismiserablejugglingwiththeunavoidable，aswesatatoureveningmeal，thatman，whoseslightestmovementIdreaded，afterputtingdownthedishesranupondeckbusily。
Thiscouldnotbedangerous。Presentlyhecamedownagain；
andthenitappearedthathehadrememberedacoatofminewhichIhadthrownoverarailtodryafterhavingbeenwettedinashowerwhichhadpassedovertheshipintheafternoon。
SittingstolidlyattheheadofthetableIbecameterrifiedatthesightofthegarmentonhisarm。Ofcoursehemadeformydoor。
Therewasnotimetolose。
\"Steward，\"Ithundered。MynervesweresoshakenthatI
couldnotgovernmyvoiceandconcealmyagitation。
Thiswasthesortofthingthatmademyterrificallywhiskeredmatetaphisforeheadwithhisforefinger。
Ihaddetectedhimusingthatgesturewhiletalkingondeckwithaconfidentialairtothecarpenter。Itwastoofartohearaword，butIhadnodoubtthatthispantomimecouldonlyrefertothestrangenewcaptain。
\"Yes，sir，\"thepale-facedstewardturnedresignedlytome。
Itwasthismaddeningcourseofbeingshoutedat，checkedwithoutrhymeorreason，arbitrarilychasedoutofmycabin，suddenlycalledintoit，sentflyingoutofhispantryonincomprehensibleerrands，thataccountedforthegrowingwretchednessofhisexpression。
\"Whereareyougoingwiththatcoat？\"
\"Toyourroom，sir。\"
\"Isthereanothershowercoming？\"
\"I’msureIdon’tknow，sir。ShallIgoupagainandsee，sir？\"
\"No！nevermind。\"
Myobjectwasattained，asofcoursemyotherselfintherewouldhaveheardeverythingthatpassed。Duringthisinterludemytwoofficersneverraisedtheireyesofftheirrespectiveplates；butthelipofthatconfoundedcub，thesecondmate，quiveredvisibly。
Iexpectedthestewardtohookmycoatonandcomeoutatonce。
Hewasveryslowaboutit；butIdominatedmynervousnesssufficientlynottoshoutafterhim。SuddenlyIbecameaware（itcouldbeheardplainlyenough）thatthefellowforsomereasonorotherwasopeningthedoorofthebathroom。Itwastheend。
Theplacewasliterallynotbigenoughtoswingacatin。
MyvoicediedinmythroatandIwentstonyallover。
Iexpectedtohearayellofsurpriseandterror，andmadeamovement，buthadnotthestrengthtogetonmylegs。
Everythingremainedstill。Hadmysecondselftakenthepoorwretchbythethroat？Idon’tknowwhatIcouldhavedonenextmomentifIhadnotseenthestewardcomeoutofmyroom，closethedoor，andthenstandquietlybythesideboard。
\"Saved，\"Ithought。\"But，no！Lost！Gone！Hewasgone！\"
Ilaidmyknifeandforkdownandleanedbackinmychair。Myheadswam。
Afterawhile，whensufficientlyrecoveredtospeakinasteadyvoice，Iinstructedmymatetoputtheshiproundateighto’clockhimself。
\"Iwon’tcomeondeck，\"Iwenton。\"IthinkI’llturnin，andunlessthewindshiftsIdon’twanttobedisturbedbeforemidnight。
Ifeelabitseedy。\"
\"Youdidlookmiddlingbadalittlewhileago，\"thechiefmateremarkedwithoutshowinganygreatconcern。
Theybothwentout，andIstaredatthestewardclearingthetable。
Therewasnothingtobereadonthatwretchedman’sface。
Butwhydidheavoidmyeyes，Iaskedmyself。ThenIthoughtI
shouldliketohearthesoundofhisvoice。
\"Steward！\"
\"Sir！\"Startledasusual。
\"Wheredidyouhangupthatcoat？\"
\"Inthebathroom，sir。\"Theusualanxioustone。
\"It’snotquitedryyet，sir。\"
ForsometimelongerIsatinthecuddy。Hadmydoublevanishedashehadcome？Butofhiscomingtherewasanexplanation，whereashisdisappearancewouldbeinexplicable……Iwentslowlyintomydarkroom，shutthedoor，lightedthelamp，andforatimedarednotturnround。WhenatlastIdidI
sawhimstandingbolt-uprightinthenarrowrecessedpart。
ItwouldnotbetruetosayIhadashock，butanirresistibledoubtofhisbodilyexistenceflittedthroughmymind。
Canitbe，Iaskedmyself，thatheisnotvisibletoothereyesthanmine？Itwaslikebeinghaunted。Motionless，withagraveface，heraisedhishandsslightlyatmeinagesturewhichmeantclearly，\"Heavens！whatanarrowescape！\"
Narrowindeed。IthinkIhadcomecreepingquietlyasnearinsanityasanymanwhohasnotactuallygoneovertheborder。
Thatgesturerestrainedme，sotospeak。
Thematewiththeterrificwhiskerswasnowputtingtheshipontheothertack。InthemomentofprofoundsilencewhichfollowsuponthehandsgoingtotheirstationsIheardonthepoophisraisedvoice：\"Hardalee！\"andthedistantshoutoftheorderrepeatedonthemain-deck。Thesails，inthatlightbreeze，madebutafaintflutteringnoise。
Itceased。Theshipwascomingroundslowly：Iheldmybreathintherenewedstillnessofexpectation；onewouldn’thavethoughtthattherewasasinglelivingsoulonherdecks。
Asuddenbriskshout，\"Mainsailhaul！\"brokethespell，andinthenoisycriesandrushoverheadofthemenrunningawaywiththemainbracewetwo，downinmycabin，cametogetherinourusualpositionbythebedplace。
Hedidnotwaitformyquestion。\"Iheardhimfumblinghereandjustmanagedtosquatmyselfdowninthebath，\"hewhisperedtome。
\"Thefellowonlyopenedthedoorandputhisarmintohangthecoatup。
Allthesame——\"
\"Ineverthoughtofthat，\"Iwhisperedback，evenmoreappalledthanbeforeattheclosenessoftheshave，andmarvelingatthatsomethingunyieldinginhischaracterwhichwascarryinghimthroughsofinely。Therewasnoagitationinhiswhisper。
Whoeverwasbeingdrivendistracted，itwasnothe。Hewassane。
Andtheproofofhissanitywascontinuedwhenhetookupthewhisperingagain。
\"Itwouldneverdoformetocometolifeagain。\"
Itwassomethingthataghostmighthavesaid。Butwhathewasalludingtowashisoldcaptain’sreluctantadmissionofthetheoryofsuicide。
Itwouldobviouslyservehisturn——ifIhadunderstoodatalltheviewwhichseemedtogoverntheunalterablepurposeofhisaction。
\"YoumustmaroonmeassoonaseveryoucangetamongsttheseislandsofftheCambodgeshore，\"hewenton。
\"Maroonyou！Wearenotlivinginaboy’sadventuretale，\"Iprotested。
Hisscornfulwhisperingtookmeup。
\"Wearen’tindeed！There’snothingofaboy’staleinthis。
Butthere’snothingelseforit。Iwantnomore。
Youdon’tsupposeIamafraidofwhatcanbedonetome？
Prisonorgallowsorwhatevertheymayplease。
Butyoudon’tseemecomingbacktoexplainsuchthingstoanoldfellowinawigandtwelverespectabletradesmen，doyou？WhatcantheyknowwhetherIamguiltyornot——
orofWHATIamguilty，either？That’smyaffair。
WhatdoestheBiblesay？`Drivenoffthefaceoftheearth。’
Verywell，Iamoffthefaceoftheearthnow。AsIcameatnightsoIshallgo。\"
\"Impossible！\"Imurmured。\"Youcan’t。\"
\"Can’t？……NotnakedlikeasoulontheDayofJudgment。
Ishallfreezeontothissleepingsuit。TheLastDayisnotyet——
and……youhaveunderstoodthoroughly。Didn’tyou？\"
Ifeltsuddenlyashamedofmyself。ImaysaytrulythatIunderstood——
andmyhesitationinlettingthatmanswimawayfrommyship’ssidehadbeenamereshamsentiment，asortofcowardice。
\"Itcan’tbedonenowtillnextnight，\"Ibreathedout。
\"Theshipisontheoff-shoretackandthewindmayfailus。\"
\"AslongasIknowthatyouunderstand，\"hewhispered。
\"Butofcourseyoudo。It’sagreatsatisfactiontohavegotsomebodytounderstand。Youseemtohavebeenthereonpurpose。\"
Andinthesamewhisper，asifwetwowheneverwetalkedhadtosaythingstoeachotherwhichwerenotfitfortheworldtohear，headded，\"It’sverywonderful。\"
Weremainedsidebysidetalkinginoursecretway——
butsometimessilentorjustexchangingawhisperedwordortwoatlongintervals。Andasusualhestaredthroughtheport。
Abreathofwindcamenowandagainintoourfaces。
Theshipmighthavebeenmooredindock，sogentlyandonanevenkeelsheslippedthroughthewater，thatdidnotmurmurevenatourpassage，shadowyandsilentlikeaphantomsea。
AtmidnightIwentondeck，andtomymate’sgreatsurpriseputtheshiproundontheothertack。
Histerriblewhiskersflittedroundmeinsilentcriticism。
Icertainlyshouldnothavedoneitifithadbeenonlyaquestionofgettingoutofthatsleepygulfasquicklyaspossible。
Ibelievehetoldthesecondmate，whorelievedhim，thatitwasagreatwantofjudgment。Theotheronlyyawned。
Thatintolerablecubshuffledaboutsosleepilyandlolledagainsttherailsinsuchaslack，improperfashionthatI
camedownonhimsharply。
\"Aren’tyouproperlyawakeyet？\"
\"Yes，sir！Iamawake。\"
\"Well，then，begoodenoughtoholdyourselfasifyouwere。
Andkeepalookout。Ifthere’sanycurrentwe’llbeclosingwithsomeislandsbeforedaylight。\"
Theeastsideofthegulfisfringedwithislands，somesolitary，othersingroups。Onethebluebackgroundofthehighcoasttheyseemtofloatonsilverypatchesofcalmwater，aridandgray，ordarkgreenandroundedlikeclumpsofevergreenbushes，withthelargerones，amileortwolong，showingtheoutlinesofridges，ribsofgrayrockunderthedarkmantleofmattedleafage。
Unknowntotrade，totravel，almosttogeography，themanneroflifetheyharborisanunsolvedsecret。Theremustbevillages——
settlementsoffishermenatleast——onthelargestofthem，andsomecommunicationwiththeworldisprobablykeptupbynativecraft。
Butallthatforenoon，asweheadedforthem，fannedalongbythefaintestofbreezes，IsawnosignofmanorcanoeinthefieldofthetelescopeIkeptonpointingatthescatteredgroup。
AtnoonIhavenoordersforachangeofcourse，andthemate’swhiskersbecamemuchconcernedandseemedtobeofferingthemselvesundulytomynotice。AtlastIsaid：
\"Iamgoingtostandrightin。Quitein——asfarasIcantakeher。\"
Thestareofextremesurpriseimpartedanairofferocityalsotohiseyes，andhelookedtrulyterrificforamoment。
\"We’renotdoingwellinthemiddleofthegulf，\"Icontinued，casually。
\"Iamgoingtolookforthelandbreezestonight。\"
\"Blessmysoul！Doyoumean，sir，inthedarkamongstthelotofallthemislandsandreefsandshoals？\"
\"Well——ifthereareanyregularlandbreezesatallonthiscoastonemustgetcloseinshoretofindthem，mustn’tone？\"
\"Blessmysoul！\"heexclaimedagainunderhisbreath。
Allthatafternoonheworeadreamy，contemplativeappearancewhichinhimwasamarkofperplexity。AfterdinnerI
wentintomystateroomasifImeanttotakesomerest。
Therewetwobentourdarkheadsoverahalf-unrolledchartlyingonmybed。
\"There，\"Isaid。\"It’sgottobeKoh-ring。I’vebeenlookingatiteversincesunrise。Ithasgottwohillsandalowpoint。
Itmustbeinhabited。Andonthecoastoppositethereiswhatlookslikethemouthofabiggishriver——withsometowns，nodoubt，notfarup。
It’sthebestchanceforyouthatIcansee。\"
\"Anything。Koh-ringletitbe。\"
Helookedthoughtfullyatthechartasifsurveyingchancesanddistancesfromaloftyheight——andfollowingwithhiseyeshisownfigurewanderingontheblanklandofCochin-China，andthenpassingoffthatpieceofpapercleanoutofsightintounchartedregions。
Anditwasasiftheshiphadtwocaptainstoplanhercourseforher。
IhadbeensoworriedandrestlessrunningupanddownthatI
hadnothadthepatiencetodressthatday。Ihadremainedinmysleepingsuit，withstrawslippersandasoftfloppyhat。
Theclosenessoftheheatinthegulfhadbeenmostoppressive，andthecrewwereusedtoseeingmewanderinginthatairyattire。
\"Shewillclearthesouthpointassheheadsnow，\"Iwhisperedintohisear。
\"Goodnessonlyknowswhen，though，butcertainlyafterdark。
I’lledgeherintohalfamile，asfarasImaybeabletojudgeinthedark——\"
\"Becareful，\"hemurmured，warningly——andIrealizedsuddenlythatallmyfuture，theonlyfutureforwhichIwasfit，wouldperhapsgoirretrievablytopiecesinanymishaptomyfirstcommand。
Icouldnotstopamomentlongerintheroom。Imotionedhimtogetoutofsightandmademywayonthepoop。Thatunplayfulcubhadthewatch。
Iwalkedupanddownforawhilethinkingthingsout，thenbeckonedhimover。
\"Sendacoupleofhandstoopenthetwoquarter-deckports，\"
Isaid，mildly。
Heactuallyhadtheimpudence，orelsesoforgothimselfinhiswonderatsuchanincomprehensibleorder，astorepeat：
\"Openthequarter-deckports！Whatfor，sir？\"
\"TheonlyreasonyouneedconcernyourselfaboutisbecauseItellyoutodoso。Havethemopenwideandfastenedproperly。\"
Hereddenedandwentoff，butIbelievemadesomejeeringremarktothecarpenterastothesensiblepracticeofventilatingaship’squarter-deck。Iknowhepoppedintothemate’scabintoimpartthefacttohimbecausethewhiskerscameondeck，asitwerebychance，andstoleglancesatmefrombelow——
forsignsoflunacyordrunkenness，Isuppose。
Alittlebeforesupper，feelingmorerestlessthanever，Irejoined，foramoment，mysecondself。Andtofindhimsittingsoquietlywassurprising，likesomethingagainstnature，inhuman。
Idevelopedmyplaninahurriedwhisper。
\"IshallstandinascloseasIdareandthenputherround。
Iwillpresentlyfindmeanstosmuggleyououtofhereintothesaillocker，whichcommunicateswiththelobby。
Butthereisanopening，asortofsquareforhaulingthesailsout，whichgivesstraightonthequarter-deckandwhichisneverclosedinfineweather，soastogiveairtothesails。
Whentheship’swayisdeadenedinstaysandallthehandsareaftatthemainbracesyouwillhaveaclearroadtoslipoutandgetoverboardthroughtheopenquarter-deckport。
I’vehadthembothfastenedup。Usearope’sendtoloweryourselfintothewatersoastoavoidasplash——youknow。
Itcouldbeheardandcausesomebeastlycomplication。\"
Hekeptsilentforawhile，thenwhispered，\"Iunderstand。\"
\"Iwon’tbetheretoseeyougo，\"Ibeganwithaneffort。
\"Therest……IonlyhopeIhaveunderstood，too。\"
\"Youhave。Fromfirsttolast\"——andforthefirsttimethereseemedtobeafaltering，somethingstrainedinhiswhisper。
Hecaughtholdofmyarm，buttheringingofthesupperbellmademestart。Hedidn’tthough；heonlyreleasedhisgrip。
AftersupperIdidn’tcomebelowagaintillwellpasteighto’clock。Thefaint，steadybreezewasloadedwithdew；andthewet，darkenedsailsheldalltherewasofpropellingpowerinit。
Thenight，clearandstarry，sparkleddarkly，andtheopaque，lightlesspatchesshiftingslowlyagainstthelowstarswerethedriftingislets。Ontheportbowtherewasabigonemoredistantandshadowilyimposingbythegreatspaceofskyiteclipsed。
OnopeningthedoorIhadabackviewofmyveryownselflookingatachart。
Hehadcomeoutoftherecessandwasstandingnearthetable。
\"Quitedarkenough，\"Iwhispered。
Hesteppedbackandleanedagainstmybedwithalevel，quietglance。
Isatonthecouch。Wehadnothingtosaytoeachother。
Overourheadstheofficerofthewatchmovedhereandthere。
ThenIheardhimmovequickly。Iknewwhatthatmeant。
Hewasmakingforthecompanion；andpresentlyhisvoicewasoutsidemydoor。
\"Wearedrawinginprettyfast，sir。Landlooksratherclose。\"
\"Verywell，\"Ianswered。\"Iamcomingondeckdirectly。\"
Iwaitedtillhewasgoneoutofthecuddy，thenrose。Mydoublemovedtoo。
Thetimehadcometoexchangeourlastwhispers，forneitherofuswasevertoheareachother’snaturalvoice。
\"Lookhere！\"Iopenedadrawerandtookoutthreesovereigns。
\"Takethisanyhow。I’vegotsixandI’dgiveyouthelot，onlyImustkeepalittlemoneytobuysomefruitandvegetablesforthecrewfromnativeboatsaswegothroughSundaStraits。\"
Heshookhishead。
\"Takeit，\"Iurgedhim，whisperingdesperately。
\"Noonecantellwhat——\"
Hesmiledandslappedmeaninglytheonlypocketofthesleepingjacket。
Itwasnotsafe，certainly。ButIproducedalargeoldsilkhandkerchiefofmine，andtyingthethreepiecesofgoldinacorner，presseditonhim。
Hewastouched，Isupposed，becausehetookitatlastandtieditquicklyroundhiswaistunderthejacket，onhisbareskin。
Oureyesmet；severalsecondselapsed，till，ourglancesstillmingled，Iextendedmyhandandturnedthelampout。
ThenIpassedthroughthecuddy，leavingthedoorofmyroomwideopen……\"Steward！\"
Hewasstilllingeringinthepantryinthegreatnessofhiszeal，givingarub-uptoaplatedcruetstandthelastthingbeforegoingtobed。
Beingcarefulnottowakeupthemate，whoseroomwasopposite，Ispokeinanundertone。
Helookedroundanxiously。\"Sir！\"
\"Canyougetmealittlehotwaterfromthegalley？\"
\"Iamafraid，sir，thegalleyfire’sbeenoutforsometimenow。\"
\"Goandsee。\"
Heflewupthestairs。
\"Now，\"Iwhispered，loudly，intothesaloon——tooloudly，perhaps，butIwasafraidIcouldn’tmakeasound。
Hewasbymysideinaninstant——thedoublecaptainslippedpastthestairs——throughatinydarkpassage……aslidingdoor。
Wewereinthesaillocker，scramblingonourkneesoverthesails。
Asuddenthoughtstruckme。Isawmyselfwanderingbarefooted，bareheaded，thesunbeatingonmydarkpoll。
Isnatchedoffmyfloppyhatandtriedhurriedlyinthedarktoramitonmyotherself。Hedodgedandfendedoffsilently。
Iwonderwhathethoughthadcometomebeforeheunderstoodandsuddenlydesisted。Ourhandsmetgropingly，lingeredunitedinasteady，motionlessclaspforasecond……Nowordwasbreathedbyeitherofuswhentheyseparated。
Iwasstandingquietlybythepantrydoorwhenthestewardreturned。
\"Sorry，sir。Kettlebarelywarm。ShallIlightthespiritlamp？\"
\"Nevermind。\"
Icameoutondeckslowly。Itwasnowamatterofconsciencetoshavethelandascloseaspossible——fornowhemustgooverboardwhenevertheshipwasputinstays。Must！Therecouldbenogoingbackforhim。AfteramomentIwalkedovertoleewardandmyheartflewintomymouthatthenearnessofthelandonthebow。
UnderanyothercircumstancesIwouldnothaveheldonaminutelonger。
Thesecondmatehadfollowedmeanxiously。
IlookedontillIfeltIcouldcommandmyvoice。
\"Shewillweather，\"Isaidtheninaquiettone。
\"Areyougoingtotrythat，sir？\"hestammeredoutincredulously。
Itooknonoticeofhimandraisedmytonejustenoughtobeheardbythehelmsman。
\"Keephergoodfull。\"
\"Goodfull，sir。\"
Thewindfannedmycheek，thesailsslept，theworldwassilent。
Thestrainofwatchingthedarkloomofthelandgrowbiggeranddenserwastoomuchforme。Ihadshutmyeyes——becausetheshipmustgocloser。
Shemust！Thestillnesswasintolerable。Werewestandingstill？
WhenIopenedmyeyesthesecondviewstartedmyheartwithathump。
TheblacksouthernhillofKoh-ringseemedtohangrightovertheshiplikeatoweringfragmentofeverlastingnight。
Onthatenormousmassofblacknesstherewasnotagleamtobeseen，notasoundtobeheard。Itwasglidingirresistiblytowardsusandyetseemedalreadywithinreachofthehand。
Isawthevaguefiguresofthewatchgroupedinthewaist，gazinginawedsilence。
\"Areyougoingon，sir？\"inquiredanunsteadyvoiceatmyelbow。
Iignoredit。Ihadtogoon。
\"Keepherfull。Don’tcheckherway。Thatwon’tdonow，\"
Isaidwarningly。
\"Ican’tseethesailsverywell，\"thehelmsmanansweredme，instrange，quaveringtones。
Wasshecloseenough？Alreadyshewas，Iwon’tsayintheshadowoftheland，butintheveryblacknessofit，alreadyswallowedupasitwere，gonetooclosetoberecalled，gonefrommealtogether。
\"Givethemateacall，\"Isaidtotheyoungmanwhostoodatmyelbowasstillasdeath。\"Andturnallhandsup。\"
Mytonehadaborrowedloudnessreverberatedfromtheheightoftheland。
Severalvoicescriedouttogether：\"Weareallondeck，sir。\"
Thenstillnessagain，withthegreatshadowglidingcloser，toweringhigher，withoutalight，withoutasound。
SuchahushhadfallenontheshipthatshemighthavebeenabarkofthedeadfloatinginslowlyundertheverygateofErebus。
\"MyGod！Wherearewe？\"
Itwasthematemoaningatmyelbow。Hewasthunderstruck，andasitweredeprivedofthemoralsupportofhiswhiskers。
Heclappedhishandsandabsolutelycriedout，\"Lost！\"
\"Bequiet，\"Isaid，sternly。
Heloweredhistone，butIsawtheshadowygestureofhisdespair。
\"Whatarewedoinghere？\"
\"Lookingforthelandwind。\"
Hemadeasiftotearhishair，andaddressedmerecklessly。
\"Shewillnevergetout。Youhavedoneit，sir。Iknewit’dendinsomethinglikethis。Shewillneverweather，andyouaretooclosenowtostay。
She’lldriftashorebeforeshe’sround。OmyGod！\"
Icaughthisarmashewasraisingittobatterhispoordevotedhead，andshookitviolently。
\"She’sashorealready，\"hewailed，tryingtotearhimselfaway。
\"Isshe？……Keepgoodfullthere！\"
\"Goodfull，sir，\"criedthehelmsmaninafrightened，thin，childlikevoice。
Ihadn’tletgothemate’sarmandwentonshakingit。\"Readyabout，doyouhear？Yougoforward\"——shake——\"andstopthere\"——shake——\"andholdyournoise\"——shake——\"andseethesehead-sheetsproperlyoverhauled\"——
shake，shake——shake。
AndallthetimeIdarednotlooktowardsthelandlestmyheartshouldfailme。Ireleasedmygripatlastandheranforwardasiffleeingfordearlife。
Iwonderedwhatmydoublethereinthesaillockerthoughtofthiscommotion。Hewasabletoheareverything——andperhapshewasabletounderstandwhy，onmyconscience，ithadtobethusclose——noless。
Myfirstorder\"Hardalee！\"re-echoedominouslyunderthetoweringshadowofKoh-ringasifIhadshoutedinamountaingorge。
AndthenIwatchedthelandintently。Inthatsmoothwaterandlightwinditwasimpossibletofeeltheshipcoming-to。No！
Icouldnotfeelher。Andmysecondselfwasmakingnowreadytoshipoutandlowerhimselfoverboard。Perhapshewasgonealready……？
Thegreatblackmassbroodingoverourverymastheadsbegantopivotawayfromtheship’ssidesilently。AndnowIforgotthesecretstrangerreadytodepart，andrememberedonlythatIwasatotalstrangertotheship。
Ididnotknowher。Wouldshedoit？Howwasshetobehandled？
Iswungthemainyardandwaitedhelplessly。Shewasperhapsstopped，andherveryfatehunginthebalance，withtheblackmassofKoh-ringlikethegateoftheeverlastingnighttoweringoverhertaffrail。Whatwouldshedonow？Hadshewayonheryet？
Isteppedtothesideswiftly，andontheshadowywaterIcouldseenothingexceptafaintphosphorescentflashrevealingtheglassysmoothnessofthesleepingsurface。Itwasimpossibletotell——
andIhadnotlearnedyetthefeelofmyship。Wasshemoving？
WhatIneededwassomethingeasilyseen，apieceofpaper，whichIcouldthrowoverboardandwatch。Ihadnothingonme。
TorundownforitIdidn’tdare。Therewasnotime。
Allatoncemystrained，yearningstaredistinguishedawhiteobjectfloatingwithinayardoftheship’sside。
Whiteontheblackwater。Aphosphorescentflashpassedunderit。
Whatwasthatthing？……Irecognizedmyownfloppyhat。
Itmusthavefallenoffhishead……andhedidn’tbother。
NowIhadwhatIwanted——thesavingmarkformyeyes。
ButIhardlythoughtofmyotherself，nowgonefromtheship，tobehiddenforeverfromallfriendlyfaces，tobeafugitiveandavagabondontheearth，withnobrandofthecurseonhissaneforeheadtostayaslayinghand……tooproudtoexplain。
AndIwatchedthehat——theexpressionofmysuddenpityforhismereflesh。
Ithadbeenmeanttosavehishomelessheadfromthedangersofthesun。
Andnow——behold——itwassavingtheship，byservingmeforamarktohelpouttheignoranceofmystrangeness。Ha！Itwasdriftingforward，warningmejustintimethattheshiphadgatheredsternaway。
\"Shiftthehelm，\"Isaidinalowvoicetotheseamanstandingstilllikeastatue。
Theman’seyesglistenedwildlyinthebinnaclelightashejumpedroundtotheothersideandspunroundthewheel。
Iwalkedtothebreakofthepoop。Ontheover-shadoweddeckallhandsstoodbytheforebraceswaitingformyorder。
Thestarsaheadseemedtobeglidingfromrighttoleft。
AndallwassostillintheworldthatIheardthequietremark，\"She’sround，\"passedinatoneofintensereliefbetweentwoseamen。
\"Letgoandhaul。\"
Theforeyardsranroundwithagreatnoise，amidstcheerycries。
Andnowthefrightfulwhiskersmadethemselvesheardgivingvariousorders。
Alreadytheshipwasdrawingahead。AndIwasalonewithher。
Nothing！nooneintheworldshouldstandnowbetweenus，throwingashadowonthewayofsilentknowledgeandmuteaffection，theperfectcommunionofaseamanwithhisfirstcommand。
Walkingtothetaffrail，Iwasintimetomakeout，ontheveryedgeofadarknessthrownbyatoweringblackmassliketheverygatewayofErebus——yes，Iwasintimetocatchanevanescentglimpseofmywhitehatleftbehindtomarkthespotwherethesecretsharerofmycabinandofmythoughts，asthoughheweremysecondself，hadloweredhimselfintothewatertotakehispunishment：
afreeman，aproudswimmerstrikingoutforanewdestiny。
