下载辰思小说免费APP
THEmaincharacteristicofthisvolumeconsistsinthis，thatallthestoriescomposingitbelongnotonlytothesameperiodbuthavebeenwrittenoneafteranotherintheorderinwhichtheyappearinthebook。
TheperiodisthatwhichfollowsonmyconnectionwithBlackwood\'sMagazine。Ihadjustfinishedwriting"TheEndoftheTether"andwascastingaboutforsomesubjectwhichcouldbedevelopedinashorterformthanthetalesinthevolumeof"Youth"whentheinstanceofasteamshipfullofreturningcooliesfromSingaporetosomeportinnorthernChinaoccurredtomyrecollection。YearsbeforeIhadhearditbeingtalkedaboutintheEastasarecentoccurrence。Itwasforusmerelyonesubjectofconversationamongstmanyothersofthekind。Menearningtheirbreadinanyveryspecializedoccupationwilltalkship，notonlybecauseitisthemostvitalinterestoftheirlivesbutalsobecausetheyhavenotmuchknowledgeofothersubjects。Theyhaveneverhadthetimetogetacquaintedwiththem。Life，formostofus，isnotsomuchahardasanexactingtaskmaster。
Inevermetanybodypersonallyconcernedinthisaffair，theinterestofwhichforuswas，ofcourse，notthebadweatherbuttheextraordinarycomplicationbroughtintotheship\'slifeatamomentofexceptionalstressbythehumanelementbelowherdeck。
Neitherwasthestoryitselfeverenlargeduponinmyhearing。Inthatcompanyeachofuscouldimagineeasilywhatthewholethingwaslike。Thefinancialdifficultyofit，presentingalsoahumanproblem，wassolvedbyamindmuchtoosimpletobeperplexedbyanythingintheworldexceptmen\'sidletalkforwhichitwasnotadapted。
Fromthefirstthemereanecdote，themerestatementImightsay，thatsuchathinghadhappenedonthehighseas，appearedtomeasufficientsubjectformeditation。Yetitwasbutabitofaseayarnafterall。Ifeltthattobringoutitsdeepersignificancewhichwasquiteapparenttome，somethingother，somethingmorewasrequired；aleadingmotivethatwouldharmonizealltheseviolentnoises，andapointofviewthatwouldputallthatelementalfuryintoitsproperplace。
WhatwasneededofcoursewasCaptainMacWhirr。DirectlyI
perceivedhimIcouldseethathewasthemanforthesituation。
Idon\'tmeantosaythatIeversawCaptainMacWhirrintheflesh，orhadevercomeincontactwithhisliteralmindandhisdauntlesstemperament。MacWhirrisnotanacquaintanceofafewhours，orafewweeks，orafewmonths。Heistheproductoftwentyyearsoflife。Myownlife。Consciousinventionhadlittletodowithhim。IfitistruethatCaptainMacWhirrneverwalkedandbreathedonthisearth(whichIfindformypartextremelydifficulttobelieve)Icanalsoassuremyreadersthatheisperfectlyauthentic。Imayventuretoassertthesameofeveryaspectofthestory，whileIconfessthattheparticulartyphoonofthetalewasnotatyphoonofmyactualexperience。
Atitsfirstappearance"Typhoon，"thestory，wasclassedbysomecriticsasadeliberatelyintendedstorm-piece。OtherspickedoutMacWhirr，inwhomtheyperceivedadefinitesymbolicintention。Neitherwasexclusivelymyintention。BoththetyphoonandCaptainMacWhirrpresentedthemselvestomeasthenecessitiesofthedeepconvictionwithwhichIapproachedthesubjectofthestory。Itwastheiropportunity。Itwasalsomyopportunity；anditwouldbevaintodiscourseaboutwhatImadeofitinahandfulofpages，sincethepagesthemselvesarehere，betweenthecoversofthisvolume，tospeakforthemselves。
Thisisabelatedreflection。IfithadoccurredtomebeforeitwouldhaveperhapsdoneawaywiththeexistenceofthisAuthor\'sNote；for，indeed，thesameremarkappliestoeverystoryinthisvolume。Noneofthemarestoriesofexperienceintheabsolutesenseoftheword。Experienceinthemisbutthecanvasoftheattemptedpicture。Eachofthemhasitsmorethanoneintention。
Witheachthequestioniswhatthewriterhasdonewithhisopportunity；andeachanswersthequestionforitselfinwordswhich，ifImaysaysowithoutunduesolemnity，werewrittenwithaconscientiousregardforthetruthofmyownsensations。Andeachofthosestories，tomeansomething，mustjustifyitselfinitsownwaytotheconscienceofeachsuccessivereader。
"Falk"——thesecondstoryinthevolume——offendedthedelicacyofonecriticatleastbycertainpeculiaritiesofitssubject。
Butwhatisthesubjectof"Falk"？Ipersonallydonotfeelsoverycertainaboutit。Hewhoreadsmustfindoutforhimself。
Myintentioninwriting"Falk"wasnottoshockanybody。AsinmostofmywritingsIinsistnotontheeventsbutontheireffectuponthepersonsinthetale。ButineverythingIhavewrittenthereisalwaysoneinvariableintention，andthatistocapturethereader\'sattention，bysecuringhisinterestandenlistinghissympathiesforthematterinhand，whateveritmaybe，withinthelimitsofthevisibleworldandwithintheboundariesofhumanemotions。
ImaysafelysaythatFalkisabsolutelytruetomyexperienceofcertainstraightforwardcharacterscombiningaperfectlynaturalruthlessnesswithacertainamountofmoraldelicacy。Falkobeysthelawofself-preservationwithouttheslightestmisgivingsastohisright，butatacrucialturnofthatruthlesslypreservedlifehewillnotcondescendtododgethetruth。Asheispresentedassensitiveenoughtobeaffectedpermanentlybyacertainunusualexperience，thatexperiencehadtobesetbymebeforethereadervividly；butitisnotthesubjectofthetale。
IfwegobymerefactsthenthesubjectisFalk\'sattempttogetmarried；inwhichthenarratorofthetalefindshimselfunexpectedlyinvolvedbothonitsruthlessanditsdelicateside。
"Falk"shareswithoneotherofmystories("TheReturn"inthe"TalesofUnrest"volume)thedistinctionofneverhavingbeenserialized。Ithinkthecopywasshowntotheeditorofsomemagazinewhorejecteditindignantlyonthesolegroundthat"thegirlneversaysanything。"Thisisperfectlytrue。FromfirsttolastHermann\'snieceuttersnowordinthetale——anditisnotbecausesheisdumb，butforthesimplereasonthatwhenevershehappenstocomeundertheobservationofthenarratorshehaseithernooccasionoristooprofoundlymovedtospeak。Theeditor，whoobviouslyhadreadthestory，mighthaveperceivedthatforhimself。Apparentlyhedidnot，andIrefrainedfrompointingouttheimpossibilitytohimbecause，sincehedidnotventuretosaythat"thegirl"didnotlive，Ifeltnoconcernathisindignation。
Alltheotherstorieswereserialized。The"Typhoon"appearedintheearlynumbersofthePallMallMagazine，thenunderthedirectionofthelateMr。Halkett。Itwasonthatoccasion，too，thatIsawforthefirsttimemyconceptionsrenderedbyanartistinanothermedium。Mr。MauriceGrieffenhagenknewhowtocombineinhisillustrationstheeffectofhisownmostdistinguishedpersonalvisionwithanabsolutefidelitytotheinspirationofthewriter。"AmyFoster"waspublishedinTheIllustratedLondonNewswithafinedrawingofAmyonherdayoutgivingteatothechildrenatherhome，inahatwithabigfeather。"To-morrow"appearedfirstinthePallMallMagazine。
OfthatstoryIwillonlysaythatitstruckmanypeoplebyitsadaptabilitytothestageandthatIwasinducedtodramatizeitunderthetitleof"OneDayMore"；uptothepresentmyonlyeffortinthatdirection。Imayalsoaddthateachofthefourstoriesontheirappearanceinbookformwaspickedoutonvariousgroundsasthe"bestofthelot"bydifferentcritics，whoreviewedthevolumewithawarmthofappreciationandunderstanding，asympatheticinsightandafriendlinessofexpressionforwhichIcannotbesufficientlygrateful。
1919。J。C。
TYPHOON
I
CAPTAINMACWHIRR，ofthesteamerNan-Shan，hadaphysiognomythat，intheorderofmaterialappearances，wastheexactcounterpartofhismind:itpresentednomarkedcharacteristicsoffirmnessorstupidity；ithadnopronouncedcharacteristicswhatever；itwassimplyordinary，irresponsive，andunruffled。
Theonlythinghisaspectmighthavebeensaidtosuggest，attimes，wasbashfulness；becausehewouldsit，inbusinessofficesashore，sunburntandsmilingfaintly，withdowncasteyes。Whenheraisedthem，theywereperceivedtobedirectintheirglanceandofbluecolour。Hishairwasfairandextremelyfine，claspingfromtempletotemplethebalddomeofhisskullinaclampasoffluffysilk。Thehairofhisface，onthecontrary，carrotyandflaming，resembledagrowthofcopperwireclippedshorttothelineofthelip；while，nomatterhowcloseheshaved，fierymetallicgleamspassed，whenhemovedhishead，overthesurfaceofhischeeks。Hewasratherbelowthemediumheight，abitround-shouldered，andsosturdyoflimbthathisclothesalwayslookedashadetootightforhisarmsandlegs。
Asifunabletograspwhatisduetothedifferenceoflatitudes，heworeabrownbowlerhat，acompletesuitofabrownishhue，andclumsyblackboots。Theseharbourtogsgavetohisthickfigureanairofstiffanduncouthsmartness。Athinsilverwatchchainloopedhiswaistcoat，andheneverlefthisshipfortheshorewithoutclutchinginhispowerful，hairyfistanelegantumbrellaoftheverybestquality，butgenerallyunrolled。YoungJukes，thechiefmate，attendinghiscommandertothegangway，wouldsometimesventuretosay，withthegreatestgentleness，"Allowme，sir"——andpossessinghimselfoftheumbrelladeferentially，wouldelevatetheferule，shakethefolds，twirlaneatfurlinajiffy，andhanditback；goingthroughtheperformancewithafaceofsuchportentousgravity，thatMr。SolomonRout，thechiefengineer，smokinghismorningcigarovertheskylight，wouldturnawayhisheadinordertohideasmile。"Oh!aye!Theblessedgamp……Thank\'ee，Jukes，thank\'ee，"wouldmutterCaptainMacWhirr，heartily，withoutlookingup。
Havingjustenoughimaginationtocarryhimthrougheachsuccessiveday，andnomore，hewastranquillysureofhimself；
andfromtheverysamecausehewasnotintheleastconceited。
Itisyourimaginativesuperiorwhoistouchy，overbearing，anddifficulttoplease；buteveryshipCaptainMacWhirrcommandedwasthefloatingabodeofharmonyandpeace。Itwas，intruth，asimpossibleforhimtotakeaflightoffancyasitwouldbeforawatchmakertoputtogetherachronometerwithnothingexceptatwo-poundhammerandawhip-sawinthewayoftools。
Yettheuninterestinglivesofmensoentirelygiventotheactualityofthebareexistencehavetheirmysteriousside。ItwasimpossibleinCaptainMacWhirr\'scase，forinstance，tounderstandwhatunderheavencouldhaveinducedthatperfectlysatisfactorysonofapettygrocerinBelfasttorunawaytosea。
Andyethehaddonethatverythingattheageoffifteen。Itwasenough，whenyouthoughtitover，togiveyoutheideaofanimmense，potent，andinvisiblehandthrustintotheant-heapoftheearth，layingholdofshoulders，knockingheadstogether，andsettingtheunconsciousfacesofthemultitudetowardsinconceivablegoalsandinundreamt-ofdirections。
Hisfatherneverreallyforgavehimforthisundutifulstupidity。
"Wecouldhavegotonwithouthim，"heusedtosaylateron，"butthere\'sthebusiness。Andheanonlyson，too!"Hismotherweptverymuchafterhisdisappearance。Asithadneveroccurredtohimtoleavewordbehind，hewasmournedoverfordeadtill，aftereightmonths，hisfirstletterarrivedfromTalcahuano。Itwasshort，andcontainedthestatement:"Wehadveryfineweatheronourpassageout。"Butevidently，inthewriter\'smind，theonlyimportantintelligencewastotheeffectthathiscaptainhad，ontheverydayofwriting，enteredhimregularlyontheship\'sarticlesasOrdinarySeaman。"BecauseIcandothework，"
heexplained。Themotheragainweptcopiously，whiletheremark，"Tom\'sanass，"expressedtheemotionsofthefather。Hewasacorpulentman，withagiftforslychaffing，whichtotheendofhislifeheexercisedinhisintercoursewithhisson，alittlepityingly，asifuponahalf-wittedperson。
MacWhirr\'svisitstohishomewerenecessarilyrare，andinthecourseofyearshedespatchedotherletterstohisparents，informingthemofhissuccessivepromotionsandofhismovementsuponthevastearth。Inthesemissivescouldbefoundsentenceslikethis:"Theheathereisverygreat。"Or:"OnChristmasdayat4P。M。wefellinwithsomeicebergs。"Theoldpeopleultimatelybecameacquaintedwithagoodmanynamesofships，andwiththenamesoftheskipperswhocommandedthem——withthenamesofScotsandEnglishshipowners——withthenamesofseas，oceans，straits，promontories——withoutlandishnamesoflumber-ports，ofrice-ports，ofcotton-ports——withthenamesofislands——withthenameoftheirson\'syoungwoman。ShewascalledLucy。Itdidnotsuggestitselftohimtomentionwhetherhethoughtthenamepretty。Andthentheydied。
ThegreatdayofMacWhirr\'smarriagecameinduecourse，followingshortlyuponthegreatdaywhenhegothisfirstcommand。
Alltheseeventshadtakenplacemanyyearsbeforethemorningwhen，inthechart-roomofthesteamerNan-Shan，hestoodconfrontedbythefallofabarometerhehadnoreasontodistrust。Thefall——takingintoaccounttheexcellenceoftheinstrument，thetimeoftheyear，andtheship\'spositionontheterrestrialglobe——wasofanatureominouslyprophetic；buttheredfaceofthemanbetrayednosortofinwarddisturbance。
Omenswereasnothingtohim，andhewasunabletodiscoverthemessageofaprophecytillthefulfilmenthadbroughtithometohisverydoor。"That\'safall，andnomistake，"hethought。
"Theremustbesomeuncommonlydirtyweatherknockingabout。"
TheNan-ShanwasonherwayfromthesouthwardtothetreatyportofFu-chau，withsomecargoinherlowerholds，andtwohundredChinesecooliesreturningtotheirvillagehomesintheprovinceofFo-kien，afterafewyearsofworkinvarioustropicalcolonies。Themorningwasfine，theoilyseaheavedwithoutasparkle，andtherewasaqueerwhitemistypatchintheskylikeahaloofthesun。Thefore-deck，packedwithChinamen，wasfullofsombreclothing，yellowfaces，andpigtails，sprinkledoverwithagoodmanynakedshoulders，fortherewasnowind，andtheheatwasclose。Thecoolieslounged，talked，smoked，orstaredovertherail；some，drawingwaterovertheside，sluicedeachother；afewsleptonhatches，whileseveralsmallpartiesofsixsatontheirheelssurroundingirontrayswithplatesofriceandtinyteacups；andeverysingleCelestialofthemwascarryingwithhimallhehadintheworld——awoodenchestwitharinginglockandbrassonthecorners，containingthesavingsofhislabours:someclothesofceremony，sticksofincense，alittleopiummaybe，bitsofnamelessrubbishofconventionalvalue，andasmallhoardofsilverdollars，toiledforincoallighters，woningambling-housesorinpettytrading，grubbedoutofearth，sweatedoutinmines，onrailwaylines，indeadlyjungle，underheavyburdens——amassedpatiently，guardedwithcare，cherishedfiercely。
AcrossswellhadsetinfromthedirectionofFormosaChannelaboutteno\'clock，withoutdisturbingthesepassengersmuch，becausetheNan-Shan，withherflatbottom，rollingchocksonbilges，andgreatbreadthofbeam，hadthereputationofanexceptionallysteadyshipinasea-way。Mr。Jukes，inmomentsofexpansiononshore，wouldproclaimloudlythatthe"oldgirlwasasgoodasshewaspretty。"ItwouldneverhaveoccurredtoCaptainMacWhirrtoexpresshisfavourableopinionsoloudorintermssofanciful。
Shewasagoodship，undoubtedly，andnotoldeither。ShehadbeenbuiltinDumbartonlessthanthreeyearsbefore，totheorderofafirmofmerchantsinSiam-Messrs。SiggandSon。Whenshelayafloat，finishedineverydetailandreadytotakeuptheworkofherlife，thebuilderscontemplatedherwithpride。
"Sigghasaskedusforareliableskippertotakeherout，"
remarkedoneofthepartners；andtheother，afterreflectingforawhile，said:"IthinkMacWhirrisashorejustatpresent。""Ishe？Thenwirehimatonce。He\'stheveryman，"declaredthesenior，withoutamoment\'shesitation。
NextmorningMacWhirrstoodbeforethemunperturbed，havingtravelledfromLondonbythemidnightexpressafterasuddenbutundemonstrativepartingwithhiswife。Shewasthedaughterofasuperiorcouplewhohadseenbetterdays。
"Wehadbetterbegoingtogetherovertheship，Captain，"saidtheseniorpartner；andthethreemenstartedtoviewtheperfectionsoftheNan-Shanfromstemtostern，andfromherkeelsontothetrucksofhertwostumpypole-masts。
CaptainMacWhirrhadbegunbytakingoffhiscoat，whichhehungontheendofasteamwindlessembodyingallthelatestimprovements。
"Myunclewroteofyoufavourablybyyesterday\'smailtoourgoodfriends——Messrs。Sigg，youknow-anddoubtlessthey\'llcontinueyououtthereincommand，"saidthejuniorpartner。"You\'llbeabletoboastofbeinginchargeofthehandiestboatofhersizeonthecoastofChina，Captain，"headded。
"Haveyou？Thank\'ee，"mumbledvaguelyMacWhirr，towhomtheviewofadistanteventualitycouldappealnomorethanthebeautyofawidelandscapetoapurblindtourist；andhiseyeshappeningatthemomenttobeatrestuponthelockofthecabindoor，hewalkeduptoit，fullofpurpose，andbegantorattlethehandlevigorously，whileheobserved，inhislow，earnestvoice，"Youcan\'ttrusttheworkmennowadays。Abrand-newlock，anditwon\'tactatall。Stuckfast。See？See？"
Assoonastheyfoundthemselvesaloneintheirofficeacrosstheyard:"YoupraisedthatfellowuptoSigg。Whatisityouseeinhim？"askedthenephew，withfaintcontempt。
"Iadmithehasnothingofyourfancyskipperabouthim，ifthat\'swhatyoumean，"saidtheelderman，curtly。"IstheforemanofthejoinersontheNan-Shanoutside？……Comein，Bates。HowisitthatyouletTait\'speopleputusoffwithadefectivelockonthecabindoor？TheCaptaincouldseedirectlyheseteyeonit。Haveitreplacedatonce。Thelittlestraws，Bates……thelittlestraws……"
Thelockwasreplacedaccordingly，andafewdaysafterwardstheNan-ShansteamedouttotheEast，withoutMacWhirrhavingofferedanyfurtherremarkastoherfittings，orhavingbeenheardtoutterasinglewordhintingatprideinhisship，gratitudeforhisappointment，orsatisfactionathisprospects。
Withatemperamentneitherloquaciousnortaciturnhefoundverylittleoccasiontotalk。Thereweremattersofduty，ofcourse——directions，orders，andsoon；butthepastbeingtohisminddonewith，andthefuturenotthereyet，themoregeneralactualitiesofthedayrequirednocomment——becausefactscanspeakforthemselveswithoverwhelmingprecision。
OldMr。Sigglikedamanoffewwords，andonethat"youcouldbesurewouldnottrytoimproveuponhisinstructions。"MacWhirrsatisfyingtheserequirements，wascontinuedincommandoftheNan-Shan，andappliedhimselftothecarefulnavigationofhisshipintheChinaseas。ShehadcomeoutonaBritishregister，butaftersometimeMessrs。SiggjudgeditexpedienttotransferhertotheSiameseflag。
AtthenewsofthecontemplatedtransferJukesgrewrestless，asifunderasenseofpersonalaffront。Hewentaboutgrumblingtohimself，andutteringshortscornfullaughs。"FancyhavingaridiculousNoah\'sArkelephantintheensignofone\'sship，"hesaidonceattheengine-roomdoor。"DashmeifIcanstandit:
I\'llthrowupthebillet。Don\'titmakeyousick，Mr。Rout？"
Thechiefengineeronlyclearedhisthroatwiththeairofamanwhoknowsthevalueofagoodbillet。
ThefirstmorningthenewflagfloatedoverthesternoftheNan-ShanJukesstoodlookingatitbitterlyfromthebridge。Hestruggledwithhisfeelingsforawhile，andthenremarked，"Queerflagforamantosailunder，sir。"
"What\'sthematterwiththeflag？"inquiredCaptainMacWhirr。
"Seemsallrighttome。"Andhewalkedacrosstotheendofthebridgetohaveagoodlook。
"Well，itlooksqueertome，"burstoutJukes，greatlyexasperated，andflungoffthebridge。
CaptainMacWhirrwasamazedatthesemanners。Afterawhilehesteppedquietlyintothechart-room，andopenedhisInternationalSignalCode-bookattheplatewheretheflagsofallthenationsarecorrectlyfiguredingaudyrows。Heranhisfingeroverthem，andwhenhecametoSiamhecontemplatedwithgreatattentiontheredfieldandthewhiteelephant。Nothingcouldbemoresimple；buttomakesurehebroughtthebookoutonthebridgeforthepurposeofcomparingthecoloureddrawingwiththerealthingattheflagstaffastern。WhennextJukes，whowascarryingonthedutythatdaywithasortofsuppressedfierceness，happenedonthebridge，hiscommanderobserved:
"There\'snothingamisswiththatflag。"
"Isn\'tthere？"mumbledJukes，fallingonhiskneesbeforeadeck-lockerandjerkingtherefromviciouslyasparelead-line。
"No。Ilookedupthebook。Lengthtwicethebreadthandtheelephantexactlyinthemiddle。Ithoughtthepeopleashorewouldknowhowtomakethelocalflag。Standstoreason。Youwerewrong，Jukes……"
"Well，sir，"beganJukes，gettingupexcitedly，"allIcansay——"Hefumbledfortheendofthecoiloflinewithtremblinghands。
"That\'sallright。"CaptainMacWhirrsoothedhim，sittingheavilyonalittlecanvasfolding-stoolhegreatlyaffected。
"Allyouhavetodoistotakecaretheydon\'thoisttheelephantupside-downbeforetheygetquiteusedtoit。"
Jukesflungthenewlead-lineoveronthefore-deckwithaloud"Hereyouare，bo\'ss\'en——don\'tforgettowetitthoroughly，"
andturnedwithimmenseresolutiontowardshiscommander；butCaptainMacWhirrspreadhiselbowsonthebridge-railcomfortably。
"Becauseitwouldbe，Isuppose，understoodasasignalofdistress，"hewenton。"Whatdoyouthink？Thatelephantthere，Itakeit，standsforsomethinginthenatureoftheUnionJackintheflag……"
"Doesit!"yelledJukes，sothateveryheadontheNan-Shan\'sdeckslookedtowardsthebridge。Thenhesighed，andwithsuddenresignation:"Itwouldcertainlybeadam\'distressfulsight，"hesaid，meekly。
Laterinthedayheaccostedthechiefengineerwithaconfidential，"Here，letmetellyoutheoldman\'slatest。"
Mr。SolomonRout(frequentlyalludedtoasLongSol，OldSol，orFatherRout)，fromfindinghimselfalmostinvariablythetallestmanonboardeveryshiphejoined，hadacquiredthehabitofastooping，leisurelycondescension。Hishairwasscantandsandy，hisflatcheekswerepale，hisbonywristsandlongscholarlyhandswerepale，too，asthoughhehadlivedallhislifeintheshade。
HesmiledfromonhighatJukes，andwentonsmokingandglancingaboutquietly，inthemannerofakindunclelendinganeartothetaleofanexcitedschoolboy。Then，greatlyamusedbutimpassive，heasked:
"Anddidyouthrowupthebillet？"
"No，"criedJukes，raisingaweary，discouragedvoiceabovetheharshbuzzoftheNan-Shan\'sfrictionwinches。Allofthemwerehardatwork，snatchingslingsofcargo，highup，totheendoflongderricks，only，asitseemed，toletthemripdownrecklesslybytherun。Thecargochainsgroanedinthegins，clinkedoncoamings，rattledovertheside；andthewholeshipquivered，withherlonggrayflankssmokinginwreathsofsteam。
"No，"criedJukes，"Ididn\'t。What\'sthegood？Imightjustaswellflingmyresignationatthisbulkhead。Idon\'tbelieveyoucanmakeamanlikethatunderstandanything。Hesimplyknocksmeover。"
AtthatmomentCaptainMacWhirr，backfromtheshore，crossedthedeck，umbrellainhand，escortedbyamournful，self-possessedChinaman，walkingbehindinpaper-soledsilkshoes，andwhoalsocarriedanumbrella。
ThemasteroftheNan-Shan，speakingjustaudiblyandgazingathisbootsashismannerwas，remarkedthatitwouldbenecessarytocallatFu-chauthistrip，anddesiredMr。Routtohavesteamupto-morrowafternoonatoneo\'clocksharp。Hepushedbackhishattowipehisforehead，observingatthesametimethathehatedgoingashoreanyhow；whileovertoppinghimMr。Rout，withoutdeigningaword，smokedausterely，nursinghisrightelbowinthepalmofhislefthand。ThenJukeswasdirectedinthesamesubduedvoicetokeeptheforward\'tween-deckclearofcargo。Twohundredcooliesweregoingtobeputdownthere。TheBunHinCompanyweresendingthatlothome。Twenty-fivebagsofricewouldbecomingoffinasampandirectly，forstores。Allseven-years\'-mentheywere，saidCaptainMacWhirr，withacamphor-woodchesttoeveryman。Thecarpentershouldbesettoworknailingthree-inchbattensalongthedeckbelow，foreandaft，tokeeptheseboxesfromshiftinginasea-way。Jukeshadbetterlooktoitatonce。"D\'yehear，Jukes？"ThischinamanherewascomingwiththeshipasfarasFu-chau——asortofinterpreterhewouldbe。BunHin\'sclerkhewas，andwantedtohavealookatthespace。Jukeshadbettertakehimforward。
"D\'yehear，Jukes？"
Jukestookcaretopunctuatetheseinstructionsinproperplaceswiththeobligatory"Yes，sir，"ejaculatedwithoutenthusiasm。
Hisbrusque"Comealong，John；makelooksee"settheChinamaninmotionathisheels。
"Wancheelooksee，allsamelookseecando，"saidJukes，whohavingnotalentforforeignlanguagesmangledtheverypidgin-Englishcruelly。Hepointedattheopenhatch。"Catcheenumberonepiecieplacetosleepin。Eh？"
Hewasgruff，asbecamehisracialsuperiority，butnotunfriendly。TheChinaman，gazingsadandspeechlessintothedarknessofthehatchway，seemedtostandattheheadofayawninggrave。
"Nocatcheeraindownthere——savee？"pointedoutJukes。
"Supposeall\'eesamefineweather，onepieciecoolie-mancometopside，"hepursued，warmingupimaginatively。"Makeso——
Phooooo!"Heexpandedhischestandblewouthischeeks。
"Savee，John？Breathe——freshair。Good。Eh？Washeehimpieciepants，chow-chowtop-side——see，John？"
Withhismouthandhandshemadeexuberantmotionsofeatingriceandwashingclothes；andtheChinaman，whoconcealedhisdistrustofthispantomimeunderacollecteddemeanourtingedbyagentleandrefinedmelancholy，glancedoutofhisalmondeyesfromJukestothehatchandbackagain。"Vellygood，"hemurmured，inadisconsolateundertone，andhastenedsmoothlyalongthedecks，dodgingobstaclesinhiscourse。Hedisappeared，duckinglowunderaslingoftendirtygunny-bagsfullofsomecostlymerchandiseandexhalingarepulsivesmell。
CaptainMacWhirrmeantimehadgoneonthebridge，andintothechart-room，wherealetter，commencedtwodaysbefore，awaitedtermination。Theselonglettersbeganwiththewords，"Mydarlingwife，"andthesteward，betweenthescrubbingofthefloorsandthedustingofchronometer-boxes，snatchedateveryopportunitytoreadthem。Theyinterestedhimmuchmorethantheypossiblycouldthewomanforwhoseeyetheywereintended；
andthisforthereasonthattheyrelatedinminutedetaileachsuccessivetripoftheNan-Shan。
Hermaster，faithfultofacts，whichalonehisconsciousnessreflected，wouldsetthemdownwithpainstakingcareuponmanypages。Thehouseinanorthernsuburbtowhichthesepageswereaddressedhadabitofgardenbeforethebow-windows，adeepporchofgoodappearance，colouredglasswithimitationleadframeinthefrontdoor。Hepaidfive-and-fortypoundsayearforit，anddidnotthinktherenttoohigh，becauseMrs。
MacWhirr(apretentiouspersonwithascraggyneckandadisdainfulmanner)wasadmittedlyladylike，andintheneighbourhoodconsideredas"quitesuperior。"Theonlysecretofherlifewasherabjectterrorofthetimewhenherhusbandwouldcomehometostayforgood。UnderthesamerooftheredweltalsoadaughtercalledLydiaandason，Tom。Thesetwowerebutslightlyacquaintedwiththeirfather。Mainly，theyknewhimasararebutprivilegedvisitor，whoofaneveningsmokedhispipeinthedining-roomandsleptinthehouse。Thelankygirl，uponthewhole，wasratherashamedofhim；theboywasfranklyandutterlyindifferentinastraightforward，delightful，unaffectedwaymanlyboyshave。
AndCaptainMacWhirrwrotehomefromthecoastofChinatwelvetimeseveryyear，desiringquaintlytobe"rememberedtothechildren，"andsubscribinghimself"yourlovinghusband，"ascalmlyasifthewordssolongusedbysomanymenwere，apartfromtheirshape，worn-outthings，andofafadedmeaning。
TheChinaseasnorthandsoutharenarrowseas。Theyareseasfullofevery-day，eloquentfacts，suchasislands，sand-banks，reefs，swiftandchangeablecurrents——tangledfactsthatneverthelessspeaktoaseamaninclearanddefinitelanguage。
TheirspeechappealedtoCaptainMacWhirr\'ssenseofrealitiessoforciblythathehadgivenuphisstate-roombelowandpracticallylivedallhisdaysonthebridgeofhisship，oftenhavinghismealssentup，andsleepingatnightinthechart-room。Andheinditedtherehishomeletters。Eachofthem，withoutexception，containedthephrase，"Theweatherhasbeenveryfinethistrip，"orsomeotherformofastatementtothateffect。Andthisstatement，too，initswonderfulpersistence，wasofthesameperfectaccuracyasalltheotherstheycontained。
Mr。Routlikewisewroteletters；onlynooneonboardknewhowchattyhecouldbepeninhand，becausethechiefengineerhadenoughimaginationtokeephisdesklocked。Hiswiferelishedhisstylegreatly。Theywereachildlesscouple，andMrs。Rout，abig，high-bosomed，jollywomanofforty，sharedwithMr。Rout\'stoothlessandvenerablemotheralittlecottagenearTeddington。
Shewouldrunoverhercorrespondence，atbreakfast，withlivelyeyes，andscreamoutinterestingpassagesinajoyousvoiceatthedeafoldlady，prefacingeachextractbythewarningshout，"Solomonsays!"ShehadthetrickoffiringoffSolomon\'sutterancesalsouponstrangers，astonishingthemeasilybytheunfamiliartextandtheunexpectedlyjocularveinofthesequotations。Onthedaythenewcuratecalledforthefirsttimeatthecottage，shefoundoccasiontoremark，"AsSolomonsays:
\'theengineersthatgodowntotheseainshipsbeholdthewondersofsailornature\'；"whenachangeinthevisitor\'scountenancemadeherstopandstare。
"Solomon……Oh!……Mrs。Rout，"stutteredtheyoungman，veryredintheface，"Imustsay……Idon\'t……"
"He\'smyhusband，"sheannouncedinagreatshout，throwingherselfbackinthechair。Perceivingthejoke，shelaughedimmoderatelywithahandkerchieftohereyes，whilehesatwearingaforcedsmile，and，fromhisinexperienceofjollywomen，fullypersuadedthatshemustbedeplorablyinsane。Theywereexcellentfriendsafterwards；for，absolvingherfromirreverentintention，hecametothinkshewasaveryworthypersonindeed；andhelearnedintimetoreceivewithoutflinchingotherscrapsofSolomon\'swisdom。
"Formypart，"Solomonwasreportedbyhiswifetohavesaidonce，"givemethedullestassforaskipperbeforearogue。
Thereisawaytotakeafool；butarogueissmartandslippery。"ThiswasanairygeneralizationdrawnfromtheparticularcaseofCaptainMacWhirr\'shonesty，which，initself，hadtheheavyobviousnessofalumpofclay。Ontheotherhand，Mr。Jukes，unabletogeneralize，unmarried，andunengaged，wasinthehabitofopeninghisheartafteranotherfashiontoanoldchumandformershipmate，actuallyservingassecondofficeronboardanAtlanticliner。
FirstofallhewouldinsistupontheadvantagesoftheEasterntrade，hintingatitssuperioritytotheWesternoceanservice。
Heextolledthesky，theseas，theships，andtheeasylifeoftheFarEast。TheNanShan，heaffirmed，wassecondtononeasasea-boat。
"Wehavenobrass-bounduniforms，butthenwearelikebrothershere，"hewrote。"Weallmesstogetherandlivelikefighting-cocks……Allthechapsoftheblack-squadareasdecentastheymakethatkind，andoldSol，theChief，isadrystick。Wearegoodfriends。Astoouroldman，youcouldnotfindaquieterskipper。Sometimesyouwouldthinkhehadn\'tsenseenoughtoseeanythingwrong。Andyetitisn\'tthat。Can\'tbe。Hehasbeenincommandforagoodfewyearsnow。Hedoesn\'tdoanythingactuallyfoolish，andgetshisshipalongallrightwithoutworryinganybody。Ibelievehehasn\'tbrainsenoughtoenjoykickinguparow。Idon\'ttakeadvantageofhim。Iwouldscornit。Outsidetheroutineofdutyhedoesn\'tseemtounderstandmorethanhalfofwhatyoutellhim。Wegetalaughoutofthisattimes；butitisdull，too，tobewithamanlikethis——inthelong-run。OldSolsayshehasn\'tmuchconversation。Conversation!OLord!Henevertalks。TheotherdayIhadbeenyarningunderthebridgewithoneoftheengineers，andhemusthaveheardus。WhenIcameuptotakemywatch，hestepsoutofthechart-roomandhasagoodlookallround，peepsoveratthesidelights，glancesatthecompass，squintsupwardatthestars。That\'shisregularperformance。
By-and-byhesays:\'Wasthatyoutalkingjustnowintheportalleyway？\'\'Yes，sir。\'\'Withthethirdengineer？\'\'Yes，sir。\'
Hewalksofftostarboard，andsitsunderthedodgeronalittlecampstoolofhis，andforhalfanhourperhapshemakesnosound，exceptthatIheardhimsneezeonce。ThenafterawhileIhearhimgettingupoverthere，andhestrollsacrosstoport，whereI
was。\'Ican\'tunderstandwhatyoucanfindtotalkabout，\'sayshe。\'Twosolidhours。Iamnotblamingyou。Iseepeopleashoreatitalldaylong，andthenintheeveningtheysitdownandkeepatitoverthedrinks。Mustbesayingthesamethingsoverandoveragain。Ican\'tunderstand。\'
"Didyoueverhearanythinglikethat？Andhewassopatientaboutit。Itmademequitesorryforhim。Butheisexasperating，too，sometimes。Ofcourseonewouldnotdoanythingtovexhimevenifitwereworthwhile。Butitisn\'t。
He\'ssojollyinnocentthatifyouweretoputyourthumbtoyournoseandwaveyourfingersathimhewouldonlywondergravelytohimselfwhatgotintoyou。Hetoldmeoncequitesimplythathefounditverydifficulttomakeoutwhatmadepeoplealwaysactsoqueerly。He\'stoodensetotroubleabout，andthat\'sthetruth。"
ThuswroteMr。JukestohischumintheWesternoceantrade，outofthefulnessofhisheartandthelivelinessofhisfancy。
Hehadexpressedhishonestopinion。Itwasnotworthwhiletryingtoimpressamanofthatsort。Iftheworldhadbeenfullofsuchmen，lifewouldhaveprobablyappearedtoJukesanunentertainingandunprofitablebusiness。Hewasnotaloneinhisopinion。Theseaitself，asifsharingMr。Jukes\'
good-naturedforbearance，hadneverputitselfouttostartlethesilentman，whoseldomlookedup，andwanderedinnocentlyoverthewaterswiththeonlyvisiblepurposeofgettingfood，raiment，andhouse-roomforthreepeopleashore。Dirtyweatherhehadknown，ofcourse。Hehadbeenmadewet，uncomfortable，tiredintheusualway，feltatthetimeandpresentlyforgotten。Sothatuponthewholehehadbeenjustifiedinreportingfineweatherathome。Buthehadneverbeengivenaglimpseofimmeasurablestrengthandofimmoderatewrath，thewraththatpassesexhaustedbutneverappeased——thewrathandfuryofthepassionatesea。Heknewitexisted，asweknowthatcrimeandabominationsexist；hehadheardofitasapeaceablecitizeninatownhearsofbattles，famines，andfloods，andyetknowsnothingofwhatthesethingsmean——though，indeed，hemayhavebeenmixedupinastreetrow，havegonewithouthisdinneronce，orbeensoakedtotheskininashower。CaptainMacWhirrhadsailedoverthesurfaceoftheoceansassomemengoskimmingovertheyearsofexistencetosinkgentlyintoaplacidgrave，ignorantoflifetothelast，withouteverhavingbeenmadetoseeallitmaycontainofperfidy，ofviolence，andofterror。
Thereareonseaandlandsuchmenthusfortunate——orthusdisdainedbydestinyorbythesea。
II
OBSERVINGthesteadyfallofthebarometer，CaptainMacWhirrthought，"There\'ssomedirtyweatherknockingabout。"Thisispreciselywhathethought。Hehadhadanexperienceofmoderatelydirtyweather——thetermdirtyasappliedtotheweatherimplyingonlymoderatediscomforttotheseaman。Hadhebeeninformedbyanindisputableauthoritythattheendoftheworldwastobefinallyaccomplishedbyacatastrophicdisturbanceoftheatmosphere，hewouldhaveassimilatedtheinformationunderthesimpleideaofdirtyweather，andnoother，becausehehadnoexperienceofcataclysms，andbeliefdoesnotnecessarilyimplycomprehension。ThewisdomofhiscountyhadpronouncedbymeansofanActofParliamentthatbeforehecouldbeconsideredasfittotakechargeofashipheshouldbeabletoanswercertainsimplequestionsonthesubjectofcircularstormssuchashurricanes，cyclones，typhoons；andapparentlyhehadansweredthem，sincehewasnowincommandoftheNan-ShanintheChinaseasduringtheseasonoftyphoons。Butifhehadansweredherememberednothingofit。Hewas，however，consciousofbeingmadeuncomfortablebytheclammyheat。Hecameoutonthebridge，andfoundnorelieftothisoppression。Theairseemedthick。Hegaspedlikeafish，andbegantobelievehimselfgreatlyoutofsorts。
TheNan-Shanwasploughingavanishingfurrowuponthecircleoftheseathathadthesurfaceandtheshimmerofanundulatingpieceofgraysilk。Thesun，paleandwithoutrays，poureddownleadenheatinastrangelyindecisivelight，andtheChinamenwerelyingprostrateaboutthedecks。Theirbloodless，pinched，yellowfaceswerelikethefacesofbiliousinvalids。CaptainMacWhirrnoticedtwoofthemespecially，stretchedoutontheirbacksbelowthebridge。Assoonastheyhadclosedtheireyestheyseemeddead。Threeothers，however，werequarrellingbarbarouslyawayforward；andonebigfellow，halfnaked，withherculeanshoulders，washanginglimplyoverawinch；another，sittingonthedeck，hiskneesupandhisheaddroopingsidewaysinagirlishattitude，wasplaitinghispigtailwithinfinitelanguordepictedinhiswholepersonandintheverymovementofhisfingers。Thesmokestruggledwithdifficultyoutofthefunnel，andinsteadofstreamingawayspreaditselfoutlikeaninfernalsortofcloud，smellingofsulphurandrainingsootalloverthedecks。
"Whatthedevilareyoudoingthere，Mr。Jukes？"askedCaptainMacWhirr。
Thisunusualformofaddress，thoughmumbledratherthanspoken，causedthebodyofMr。Jukestostartasthoughithadbeenproddedunderthefifthrib。Hehadhadalowbenchbroughtonthebridge，andsittingonit，withalengthofropecurledabouthisfeetandapieceofcanvasstretchedoverhisknees，waspushingasail-needlevigorously。Helookedup，andhissurprisegavetohiseyesanexpressionofinnocenceandcandour。
"Iamonlyropingsomeofthatnewsetofbagswemadelasttripforwhippingupcoals，"heremonstrated，gently。"Weshallwantthemforthenextcoaling，sir。"
"Whatbecameoftheothers？"
"Why，wornoutofcourse，sir。"
CaptainMacWhirr，afterglaringdownirresolutelyathischiefmate，disclosedthegloomyandcynicalconvictionthatmorethanhalfofthemhadbeenlostoverboard，"ifonlythetruthwasknown，"andretiredtotheotherendofthebridge。Jukes，exasperatedbythisunprovokedattack，broketheneedleatthesecondstitch，anddroppinghisworkgotupandcursedtheheatinaviolentundertone。
Thepropellerthumped，thethreeChinamenforwardhadgivenupsquabblingverysuddenly，andtheonewhohadbeenplaitinghistailclaspedhislegsandstareddejectedlyoverhisknees。Theluridsunshinecastfaintandsicklyshadows。Theswellranhigherandswiftereverymoment，andtheshiplurchedheavilyinthesmooth，deephollowsofthesea。
"Iwonderwherethatbeastlyswellcomesfrom，"saidJukesaloud，recoveringhimselfafterastagger。
"North-east，"gruntedtheliteralMacWhirr，fromhissideofthebridge。"There\'ssomedirtyweatherknockingabout。Goandlookattheglass。"
WhenJukescameoutofthechart-room，thecastofhiscountenancehadchangedtothoughtfulnessandconcern。Hecaughtholdofthebridge-railandstaredahead。
Thetemperatureintheengine-roomhadgoneuptoahundredandseventeendegrees。Irritatedvoiceswereascendingthroughtheskylightandthroughthefiddleofthestokeholdinaharshandresonantuproar，mingledwithangryclangsandscrapesofmetal，asifmenwithlimbsofironandthroatsofbronzehadbeenquarrellingdownthere。Thesecondengineerwasfallingfoulofthestokersforlettingthesteamgodown。Hewasamanwitharmslikeablacksmith，andgenerallyfeared；butthatafternoonthestokerswereansweringhimbackrecklessly，andslammedthefurnace23
doorswiththefuryofdespair。Thenthenoiseceasedsuddenly，andthesecondengineerappeared，emergingoutofthestokeholdstreakedwithgrimeandsoakingwetlikeachimney-sweepcomingoutofawell。AssoonashisheadwasclearofthefiddlehebegantoscoldJukesfornottrimmingproperlythestokeholdventilators；andinanswerJukesmadewithhishandsdeprecatorysoothingsignsmeaning:"Nowind——can\'tbehelped——youcanseeforyourself。"Buttheotherwouldn\'thearreason。Histeethflashedangrilyinhisdirtyface。Hedidn\'tmind，hesaid，thetroubleofpunchingtheirblankedheadsdownthere，blankhissoul，butdidthecondemnedsailorsthinkyoucouldkeepsteamupintheGod-forsakenboilerssimplybyknockingtheblankedstokersabout？No，byGeorge!Youhadtogetsomedraught，too——mayhebeeverlastinglyblankedforaswab-headeddeck-handifyoudidn\'t!Andthechief，too，rampagingbeforethesteam-gaugeandcarryingonlikealunaticupanddowntheengine-roomeversincenoon。WhatdidJukesthinkhewasstuckuptherefor，ifhecouldn\'tgetoneofhisdecayed，good-for-nothingdeck-cripplestoturntheventilatorstothewind？
Therelationsofthe"engine-room"andthe"deck"oftheNan-Shanwere，asisknown，ofabrotherlynature；thereforeJukesleanedoverandbeggedtheotherinarestrainedtonenottomakeadisgustingassofhimself；theskipperwasontheothersideofthebridge。Buttheseconddeclaredmutinouslythathedidn\'tcarearapwhowasontheothersideofthebridge，andJukes，passinginaflashfromloftydisapprovalintoastateofexaltation，invitedhiminunflatteringtermstocomeupandtwistthebeastlythingstopleasehimself，andcatchsuchwindasadonkeyofhissortcouldfind。Thesecondrusheduptothefray。Heflunghimselfattheportventilatorasthoughhemeanttotearitoutbodilyandtossitoverboard。Allhedidwastomovethecowlroundafewinches，withanenormousexpenditureofforce，andseemedspentintheeffort。Heleanedagainstthebackofthewheelhouse，andJukeswalkeduptohim。
"Oh，Heavens!"ejaculatedtheengineerinafeeblevoice。Heliftedhiseyestothesky，andthenlethisglassystaredescendtomeetthehorizonthat，tiltinguptoanangleoffortydegrees，seemedtohangonaslantforawhileandsettleddownslowly。"Heavens!Phew!What\'sup，anyhow？"
Jukes，straddlinghislonglegslikeapairofcompasses，putonanairofsuperiority。"We\'regoingtocatchitthistime，"hesaid。"Thebarometeristumblingdownlikeanything，Harry。Andyoutryingtokickupthatsillyrow……"
Theword"barometer"seemedtorevivethesecondengineer\'smadanimosity。Collectingafreshallhisenergies，hedirectedJukesinalowandbrutaltonetoshovetheunmentionableinstrumentdownhisgorythroat。Whocaredforhiscrimsonbarometer？Itwasthesteam——thesteam——thatwasgoingdown；andwhatbetweenthefiremengoingfaintandthechiefgoingsilly，itwasworsethanadog\'slifeforhim；hedidn\'tcareatinker\'scursehowsoonthewholeshowwasblownoutofthewater。Heseemedonthepointofhavingacry，butafterregaininghisbreathhemuttereddarkly，"I\'llfaintthem，"anddashedoff。Hestoppeduponthefiddlelongenoughtoshakehisfistattheunnaturaldaylight，anddroppedintothedarkholewithawhoop。
WhenJukesturned，hiseyesfellupontheroundedbackandthebigredearsofCaptainMacWhirr，whohadcomeacross。Hedidnotlookathischiefofficer，butsaidatonce，"That\'saveryviolentman，thatsecondengineer。"
"Jollygoodsecond，anyhow，"gruntedJukes。"Theycan\'tkeepupsteam，"headded，rapidly，andmadeagrabattherailagainstthecominglurch。
CaptainMacWhirr，unprepared，tookarunandbroughthimselfupwithajerkbyanawningstanchion。
"Aprofaneman，"hesaid，obstinately。"Ifthisgoeson，I\'llhavetogetridofhimthefirstchance。"
"It\'stheheat，"saidJukes。"Theweather\'sawful。Itwouldmakeasaintswear。EvenuphereIfeelexactlyasifIhadmyheadtiedupinawoollenblanket。"
CaptainMacWhirrlookedup。"D\'yemeantosay，Mr。Jukes，youeverhadyourheadtiedupinablanket？Whatwasthatfor？"
"It\'samannerofspeaking，sir，"saidJukes，stolidly。
"Someofyoufellowsdogoon!What\'sthataboutsaintsswearing？Iwishyouwouldn\'ttalksowild。Whatsortofsaintwouldthatbethatwouldswear？Nomoresaintthanyourself，I
expect。Andwhat\'sablanketgottodowithit——ortheweathereither……Theheatdoesnotmakemeswear——doesit？It\'sfilthybadtemper。That\'swhatitis。Andwhat\'sthegoodofyourtalkinglikethis？"
ThusCaptainMacWhirrexpostulatedagainsttheuseofimagesinspeech，andattheendelectrifiedJukesbyacontemptuoussnort，followedbywordsofpassionandresentment:"Damme!I\'llfirehimoutoftheshipifhedon\'tlookout。"
AndJukes，incorrigible，thought:"Goodnessme!Somebody\'sputanewinsidetomyoldman。Here\'stemper，ifyoulike。Ofcourseit\'stheweather；whatelse？Itwouldmakeanangelquarrelsome——letaloneasaint。"
AlltheChinamenondeckappearedattheirlastgasp。
Atitssettingthesunhadadiminisheddiameterandanexpiringbrown，raylessglow，asifmillionsofcenturieselapsingsincethemorninghadbroughtitnearitsend。Adensebankofcloudbecamevisibletothenorthward；ithadasinisterdarkolivetint，andlaylowandmotionlessuponthesea，resemblingasolidobstacleinthepathoftheship。Shewentflounderingtowardsitlikeanexhaustedcreaturedriventoitsdeath。Thecopperytwilightretiredslowly，andthedarknessbroughtoutoverheadaswarmofunsteady，bigstars，that，asifblownupon，flickeredexceedinglyandseemedtohangveryneartheearth。Ateighto\'clockJukeswentintothechart-roomtowriteuptheship\'slog。
Hecopiesneatlyoutoftherough-bookthenumberofmiles，thecourseoftheship，andinthecolumnfor"wind"scrawledtheword"calm"fromtoptobottomoftheeighthourssincenoon。Hewasexasperatedbythecontinuous，monotonousrollingoftheship。Theheavyinkstandwouldslideawayinamannerthatsuggestedperverseintelligenceindodgingthepen。Havingwritteninthelargespaceundertheheadof"Remarks""Heatveryoppressive，"hestucktheendofthepenholderinhisteeth，pipefashion，andmoppedhisfacecarefully。
"Shiprollingheavilyinahighcrossswell，"hebeganagain，andcommentedtohimself，"Heavilyisnowordforit。"Thenhewrote:"Sunsetthreatening，withalowbankofcloudstoN。andE。Skyclearoverhead。"
Sprawlingoverthetablewitharrestedpen，heglancedoutofthedoor，andinthatframeofhisvisionhesawallthestarsflyingupwardsbetweentheteakwoodjambsonablacksky。Thewholelottookflighttogetheranddisappeared，leavingonlyablacknessfleckedwithwhiteflashes，fortheseawasasblackastheskyandspeckledwithfoamafar。Thestarsthathadflowntotherollcamebackonthereturnswingoftheship，rushingdownwardsintheirglitteringmultitude，notoffierypoints，butenlargedtotinydiscsbrilliantwithaclearwetsheen。
Jukeswatchedtheflyingbigstarsforamoment，andthenwrote:
"8P。M。Swellincreasing。Shiplabouringandtakingwateronherdecks。Batteneddownthecooliesforthenight。Barometerstillfalling。"Hepaused，andthoughttohimself，"Perhapsnothingwhatever\'llcomeofit。"Andthenheclosedresolutelyhisentries:"Everyappearanceofatyphooncomingon。"
Ongoingouthehadtostandaside，andCaptainMacWhirrstrodeoverthedoorstepwithoutsayingawordormakingasign。
"Shutthedoor，Mr。Jukes，willyou？"hecriedfromwithin。
Jukesturnedbacktodoso，mutteringironically:"Afraidtocatchcold，Isuppose。"Itwashiswatchbelow，butheyearnedforcommunionwithhiskind；andheremarkedcheerilytothesecondmate:"Doesn\'tlooksobad，afterall——doesit？"
Thesecondmatewasmarchingtoandfroonthebridge，trippingdownwithsmallstepsonemoment，andthenextclimbingwithdifficultytheshiftingslopeofthedeck。AtthesoundofJukes\'voicehestoodstill，facingforward，butmadenoreply。
"Hallo!That\'saheavyone，"saidJukes，swayingtomeetthelongrolltillhisloweredhandtouchedtheplanks。Thistimethesecondmatemadeinhisthroatanoiseofanunfriendlynature。
Hewasanoldish，shabbylittlefellow，withbadteethandnohaironhisface。HehadbeenshippedinahurryinShanghai，thattripwhenthesecondofficerbroughtfromhomehaddelayedtheshipthreehoursinportbycontriving(insomemannerCaptainMacWhirrcouldneverunderstand)tofalloverboardintoanemptycoal-lighterlyingalongside，andhadtobesentashoretothehospitalwithconcussionofthebrainandabrokenlimbortwo。
Jukeswasnotdiscouragedbytheunsympatheticsound。"TheChinamenmustbehavingalovelytimeofitdownthere，"hesaid。
"It\'sluckyforthemtheoldgirlhastheeasiestrollofanyshipI\'veeverbeenin。Therenow!Thisonewasn\'tsobad。"
"Youwait，"snarledthesecondmate。
Withhissharpnose，redatthetip，andhisthinpinchedlips，healwayslookedasthoughhewereraginginwardly；andhewasconciseinhisspeechtothepointofrudeness。Allhistimeoffdutyhespentinhiscabinwiththedoorshut，keepingsostillintherethathewassupposedtofallasleepassoonashehaddisappeared；butthemanwhocameintowakehimforhiswatchondeckwouldinvariablyfindhimwithhiseyeswideopen，flatonhisbackinthebunk，andglaringirritablyfromasoiledpillow。
Heneverwroteanyletters，didnotseemtohopefornewsfromanywhere；andthoughhehadbeenheardoncetomentionWestHartlepool，itwaswithextremebitterness，andonlyinconnectionwiththeextortionatechargesofaboarding-house。Hewasoneofthosemenwhoarepickedupatneedintheportsoftheworld。Theyarecompetentenough，appearhopelesslyhardup，shownoevidenceofanysortofvice，andcarryaboutthemallthesignsofmanifestfailure。Theycomeaboardonanemergency，carefornoshipafloat，liveintheirownatmosphereofcasualconnectionamongsttheirshipmateswhoknownothingofthem，andmakeuptheirmindstoleaveatinconvenienttimes。TheyclearoutwithnowordsofleavetakinginsomeGod-forsakenportothermenwouldfeartobestrandedin，andgoashoreincompanyofashabbysea-chest，cordedlikeatreasure-box，andwithanairofshakingtheship\'sdustofftheirfeet。
"Youwait，"herepeated，balancedingreatswingswithhisbacktoJukes，motionlessandimplacable。
"Doyoumeantosaywearegoingtocatchithot？"askedJukeswithboyishinterest。
"Say？……Isaynothing。Youdon\'tcatchme，"snappedthelittlesecondmate，withamixtureofpride，scorn，andcunning，asifJukes\'questionhadbeenatrapcleverlydetected。"Oh，no!NoneofyouhereshallmakeafoolofmeifIknowit，"hemumbledtohimself。
Jukesreflectedrapidlythatthissecondmatewasameanlittlebeast，andinhishearthewishedpoorJackAllenhadneversmashedhimselfupinthecoal-lighter。Thefar-offblacknessaheadoftheshipwaslikeanothernightseenthroughthestarrynightoftheearth——thestarlessnightoftheimmensitiesbeyondthecreateduniverse，revealedinitsappallingstillnessthroughalowfissureintheglitteringsphereofwhichtheearthisthekernel。
"Whatevertheremightbeabout，"saidJukes，"wearesteamingstraightintoit。"
"You\'vesaidit，"caughtupthesecondmate，alwayswithhisbacktoJukes。"You\'vesaidit，mind——notI。"
"Oh，gotoJericho!"saidJukes，frankly；andtheotheremittedatriumphantlittlechuckle。
"You\'vesaidit，"herepeated。
"Andwhatofthat？"
"I\'veknownsomerealgoodmengetintotroublewiththeirskippersforsayingadam\'sightless，"answeredthesecondmatefeverishly。"Oh，no!Youdon\'tcatchme。"
"Youseemdeucedlyanxiousnottogiveyourselfaway，"saidJukes，completelysouredbysuchabsurdity。"Iwouldn\'tbeafraidtosaywhatIthink。"
"Aye，tome!That\'snogreattrick。Iamnobody，andwellI
knowit。"
