第8章

CHAPTERXIX——THELOSTTOY

"Well，"Joansaidwithasigh，"I\'veshownyouhustlingAmericanmethodsthatsucceedandgetsomewhere，andhereyouarebeginningyourmuddlingagain。"

Fivedayshadpassed，andsheandSheldonwerestandingontheverandawatchingtheMartha，close-hauledonthewind，layingatackoffshore。DuringthosefivedaysJoanhadneveroncebroachedthedesireofherheart，thoughSheldon，inthisparticularinstancereadingherlikeabook，hadwatchedherleaduptothequestionascoreoftimesinthehopethathewouldhimselfsuggesthertakingchargeoftheMartha。Shehadwantedhimtosaytheword，andshehadsteeledherselfnottosayitherself。Thematteroffindingaskipperhadbeenahardone。ShewasjealousoftheMartha，andnosuggestedmanhadsatisfiedher。

"Oleson？"shehaddemanded。"HedoesverywellontheFlibberty，withmeandmymentooverhaulherwhenevershe\'sreadytofalltopiecesthroughhisslackness。ButskipperoftheMartha？

Impossible!"

"Munster？Yes，he\'stheonlymanIknowintheSolomonsI\'dcaretoseeincharge。Andyet，there\'shisrecord。HelosttheUmbawa——onehundredandfortydrowned。Hewasfirstofficeronthebridge。Deliberatedisobediencetoinstructions。Nowondertheybrokehim。

"ChristianYounghasneverhadanyexperiencewithlargeboats。

Besides，wecan\'taffordtopayhimwhathe\'sclearingontheMinerva。Sparrowhawkisagoodman——totakeorders。Hehasnoinitiative。He\'sanablesailor，buthecan\'tcommand。ItellyouIwasnervousallthetimehehadchargeoftheFlibbertyatPoonga-PoongawhenIhadtostaybytheMartha。"

Andsoithadgone。Nonameproposedwassatisfactory，and，moreover，Sheldonhadbeensurprisedbytheaccuracyofherjudgments。AdozentimesshealmostdrovehimtothestatementthatfromtheshowingshemadeofSolomonIslandssailors，shewastheonlypersonfittedtocommandtheMartha。Buteachtimeherestrainedhimself，whileherpridepreventedherfrommakingthesuggestion。

"Goodwhale-boatsailorsdonotnecessarilymakegoodschooner-

handlers，"sherepliedtooneofhisarguments。"Besides，thecaptainofaboatliketheMarthamusthavealargemind，seethingsinalargeway；hemusthavecapacityandenterprise。"

"ButwithyourTahitiansonboard——"Sheldonhadbegunanotherargument。

"Therewon\'tbeanyTahitiansonboard，"shehadreturnedpromptly。

"Mymenstaywithme。IneverknowwhenImayneedthem。WhenI

sail，theysail；whenIremainashore，theyremainashore。I\'llfindplentyforthemtodorighthereontheplantation。You\'veseenthemclearingbush，eachofthemworthhalfadozenofyourcannibals。"

SoitwasthatJoanstoodbesideSheldonandsighedasshewatchedtheMarthabeatingouttosea，oldKinross，broughtoverfromSavo，incommand。

"Kinrossisanoldfossil，"shesaid，withatouchofbitternessinhervoice。"Oh，he\'llneverwreckherthroughrashness，restassuredofthat；buthe\'stimidtochildishness，andtimidskipperslosejustasmanyvesselsasrashones。Someday，KinrosswilllosetheMarthabecausethere\'llbeonlyonechanceandhe\'llbeafraidtotakeit。Iknowhissort。Afraidtotakeadvantageofaproperbreezeofwindthatwillfetchhiminintwentyhours，he\'llgetcaughtoutinthecalmthatfollowsandspendawholeweekingettingin。TheMarthawillmakemoneywithhim，there\'snodoubtofit；butshewon\'tmakenearthemoneythatshewouldunderacompetentmaster。"

Shepaused，andwithheightenedcolourandsparklingeyesgazedseawardattheschooner。

"My!butsheisawitch!Lookathereatingupthewater，andthere\'snowindtospeakof。She\'snotgotordinarywhitemetaleither。It\'sman-of-warcopper，everyinchofit。IhadthempolishitwithcocoanuthuskswhenshewascareenedatPoonga-

Poonga。Shewasaseal-hunterbeforethisgoldexpeditiongother。

Andseal-huntershadtosail。They\'verunawayfromsecondclassRussiancruisersmorethanonceupthereoffSiberia。

"Honestly，ifI\'ddreamedofthechancewaitingformeatGuvutuwhenIboughtherforlessthanthreehundreddollars，I\'dneverhavegonepartnerswithyou。AndinthatcaseI\'dbesailingherrightnow。

ThejusticeofhercontentioncameabruptlyhometoSheldon。Whatshehaddoneshewouldhavedonejustthesameifshehadnotbeenhispartner。AndinthesavingoftheMarthahehadplayednopart。Single-handed，unadvised，intheteethofthelaughterofGuvutuandofthecompetitionofmenlikeMorganandRaff，shehadgoneintotheadventureandbroughtitthroughtosuccess。

"Youmakemefeellikeabigmanwhohasrobbedasmallchildofalolly，"hesaidwithsuddencontrition。

"Andthesmallchildiscryingforit。"Shelookedathim，andhenotedthatherlipwasslightlytremblingandthathereyesweremoist。Itwastheboyallover，hethought；theboycryingfortheweebitboatwithwhichtoplay。Andyetitwasawoman，too。

Whatamazeofcontradictionshewas!Andhewondered，hadshebeenallwomanandnoboy，ifhewouldhavelovedherinjustthesameway。Thenitrushedinuponhisconsciousnessthathereallylovedherforwhatshewas，foralltheboyinherandalltherestofher——forthetotalofherthatwouldhavebeenadifferenttotalindirectproportiontoanydifferingofthepartsofher。

"Butthesmallchildwon\'tcryanymoreforit，"shewassaying。

"Thisisthelastsob。Someday，ifKinrossdoesn\'tloseher，you\'llturnherovertoyourpartner，Iknow。AndIwon\'tnagyouanymore。OnlyIdohopeyouknowhowIfeel。Itisn\'tasifI\'dmerelyboughttheMartha，ormerelybuilther。Isavedher。I

tookheroffthereef。Isavedherfromthegraveoftheseawhenfifty-fivepoundswasconsideredabigrisk。Sheismine，peculiarlymine。Withoutmeshewouldn\'texist。Thatbignor\'westerwouldhavefinishedherthefirstthreehoursitblew。

AndthenI\'vesailedher，too；andsheisawitch，aperfectwitch。

Why，doyouknow，she\'llsteerbythewindwithhalfaspoke，giveandtake。Andgoingabout!Well，youdon\'thavetobabyher，startinghead-sheets，flatteningmainsail，andgentlingherwiththewheel。Putyourwheeldown，andaroundshecomes，likeacoltwiththebitinitsteeth。Andyoucanbackherlikeasteamer。I

diditatLanga-Langa，betweenthatshoalpatchandtheshore-reef。

Itwaswonderful。

"Butyoudon\'tloveboatslikeIdo，andIknowyouthinkI\'mmakingafoolofmyself。ButsomedayI\'mgoingtosailtheMarthaagain。Iknowit。Iknowit。"

Inreply，andquitewithoutpremeditation，hishandwentouttohers，coveringitasitlayontherailing。Butheknew，beyondtheshadowofadoubt，thatitwastheboythatreturnedthepressurehegave，theboysorrowingoverthelosttoy。Thethoughtchilledhim。Neverhadhebeenactuallynearertoher，andneverhadshebeenmoreconvincinglyremote。Shewascertainlynotacutelyawarethathishandwastouchinghers。InhergriefatthedepartureoftheMarthaitwas，toher，anybody\'shand——atthebest，afriend\'shand。

Hewithdrewhishandandwalkedperturbedlyaway。

"Whyhasn\'thegotthatbigfisherman\'sstaysailonher？"shedemandedirritably。"Itwouldmaketheoldgirljustwalkalonginthisbreeze。IknowthesortoldKinrossis。He\'stheskipperthatliesthreedaysunderdouble-reefedtopsailswaitingforagalethatdoesn\'tcome。Safe？Oh，yes，he\'ssafe——dangerouslysafe。"

Sheldonretracedhissteps。

"Nevermind，"hesaid。"YoucangosailingontheMarthaanytimeyouplease——recruitingonMalaitaifyouwantto。"

Itwasagreatconcessionhewasmaking，andhefeltthathediditagainsthisbetterjudgment。Herreceptionofitwasasurprisetohim。

"WitholdKinrossincommand？"shequeried。"No，thankyou。He\'ddrivemetosuicide。Icouldn\'tstandhishandlingofher。Itwouldgivemenervousprostration。I\'llneverstepontheMarthaagain，unlessitistotakechargeofher。I\'masailor，likemyfather，andhecouldneverbeartoseeavesselmishandled。DidyouseethewayKinrossgotunderway？Itwasdisgraceful。Andthenoisehemadeaboutit!OldNoahdidbetterwiththeArk。"

"Butwemanagetogetsomewherejustthesame，"hesmiled。

"SodidNoah。"

"Thatwasthemainthing。"

"Foranantediluvian。"

ShetookanotherlingeringlookattheMartha，thenturnedtoSheldon。

"Youareaslovenlylotdownherewhenitcomestoboats——mostofyouare，anyway。ChristianYoungisallrightthough，Munsterhasaslap-dashstyleabouthim，andtheydosayoldNielsenwasacrackerjack。ButwiththerestI\'veseen，there\'snodash，nogo，nocleverness，norealsailor\'spride。It\'sallhum-drum，andpodgy，andslow-going，anygoingsolongasyougetthereheavenknowswhen。ButsomedayI\'llshowyouhowtheMarthashouldbehandled。I\'llbreakoutanchorandgetunderwayinaspeedandstylethatwillmakeyourheadhum；andI\'llbringheralongsidethewharfatGuvutuwithoutdroppinganchorandrunningaline。"

Shecametoabreathlesspause，andthenbrokeintolaughter，directed，hecouldsee，againstherself。

"OldKinrossissettingthatfisherman\'sstaysail，"heremarkedquietly。

"No!"shecriedincredulously，swiftlylooking，thenrunningforthetelescope。

Sheregardedthemanoeuvresteadilythroughtheglass，andSheldon，watchingherface，couldseethattheskipperwasnotmakingasuccessofit。

Shefinallyloweredtheglasswithagroan。

"He\'smadeamessofit，"shesaid，"andnowhe\'stryingitoveragain。AndamanlikethatisputinchargeofafairyliketheMartha!Well，it\'sagoodargumentagainstmarriage，that\'sall。

No，Iwon\'tlookanymore。Comeoninandplayasteady，conservativegameofbilliardswithme。AndafterthatI\'mgoingtosaddleupandgoafterpigeons。Willyoucomealong？"

Anhourlater，justastheywereridingoutofthecompound，JoanturnedinthesaddleforalastlookattheMartha，adistantspeckwellovertowardtheFloridacoast。

"Won\'tTudorbesurprisedwhenhefindsweowntheMartha？"shelaughed。"Thinkofit!Ifhedoesn\'tstrikepay-dirthe\'llhavetobuyasteamer-passagetogetawayfromtheSolomons。"

Stilllaughinggaily，sherodethroughthegate。Butsuddenlyherlaughterbrokeflatlyandshereinedinthemare。Sheldonglancedathersharply，andnotedherfacemottling，evenashelooked，andturningorangeandgreen。

"It\'sthefever，"shesaid。"I\'llhavetoturnback。"

Bythetimetheywereinthecompoundshewasshiveringandshaking，andhehadtohelpherfromherhorse。

"Funny，isn\'tit？"shesaidwithchatteringteeth。"Likeseasickness——notserious，buthorriblymiserablewhileitlasts。

I\'mgoingtobed。SendNoaNoahandViaburitome。TellOrnfiritomakehotwater。I\'llbeoutofmyheadinfifteenminutes。ButI\'llbeallrightbyevening。Shortandsharpisthewayittakesme。Toobadtolosetheshooting。Thankyou，I\'mallright。"

Sheldonobeyedherinstructions，rushedhot-waterbottlesalongtoher，andthensatontheverandavainlytryingtointeresthimselfinatwo-months-oldfileofSydneynewspapers。Hekeptglancingupandacrossthecompoundtothegrasshouse。Yes，hedecided，thecontentionofeverywhitemanintheislandswasright；theSolomonswasnoplaceforawoman。

Heclappedhishands，andLalaperucamerunning。

"Here，you!"heordered；"goalongbarracks，bring\'mblackfellaMary，plentytoomuch，altogether。"

AfewminuteslaterthedozenblackwomenofBerandewererangedbeforehim。Helookedthemovercritically，finallyselectingonethatwasyoung，comelyassuchcreatureswent，andwhosebodyborenosignsofskin-disease。

"Whatname，you？"hedemanded。"Sangui？"

"MeMahua，"wastheanswer。

"Allright，youfellaMahua。Youfinishcookalongboys。YoustopalongwhiteMary。Allthetimeyoustopalong。Yousavvee？"

"Mesavvee，"shegrunted，andobeyedhisgesturetogotothegrasshouseimmediately。

"Whatname？"heaskedViaburi，whohadjustcomeoutofthegrasshouse。

"Bigfellasick，"wastheanswer。"WhitefellaMarytalk\'mtoomuchalleetime。Alleetimetalk\'mbigfellaschooner。"

Sheldonnodded。Heunderstood。ItwasthelossoftheMarthathathadbroughtonthefever。Thefeverwouldhavecomesoonerorlater，heknew；butherdisappointmenthadprecipitatedit。Helightedacigarette，andinthecurlingsmokeofitcaughtvisionsofhisEnglishmother，andwonderedifshewouldunderstandhowhersoncouldloveawomanwhocriedbecauseshecouldnotbeskipperofaschoonerinthecannibalisles。

CHAPTERXX——AMAN-TALK

Themostpatientmanintheworldispronetoimpatienceinlove——

andSheldonwasinlove。Hecalledhimselfanassascoreoftimesaday，andstrovetocontainhimselfbydirectinghismindinotherchannels，butmorethanascoreoftimeseachdayhisthoughtsrovedbackanddweltonJoan。Itwasaprettyproblemshepresented，andhewascontinuallydebatingwithhimselfastowhatwasthebestwaytoapproachher。

Hewasnotanadeptatlove-making。Hehadhadbutoneexperienceinthegentleart(inwhichhehadbeenmorewooedthanwooing)，andtheaffairhadprofitedhimlittle。Thiswasanotheraffair，andheassuredhimselfcontinuallythatitwasauniquelydifferentanddifficultaffair。Notonlywashereawomanwhowasnotbentonfindingahusband，butitwasawomanwhowasn\'tawomanatall；

whowasgenuinelyappalledbythethoughtofahusband；whojoyedinboys\'games，andsentimentalizedoversuchthingsasadventure；

whowashealthyandnormalandwholesome，andwhowassoimmaturethatahusbandstoodfornothingmorethananencumbranceinhercherishedschemeofexistence。

Buthowtoapproachher？Hedivinedthefanaticalloveoffreedominher，thedeep-seatedantipathyforrestraintofanysort。Nomancouldeverputhisarmaroundherandwinher。Shewouldflutterawaylikeafrightenedbird。Approachbycontact——that，herealized，wastheonethinghemustneverdo。Hishand-claspmustbewhatithadalwaysbeen，thehand-claspofheartyfriendshipandnothingmore。Neverbyactionmustheadvertisehisfeelingforher。Remainedspeech。Butwhatspeech？Appealtoherlove？Butshedidnotlovehim。Appealtoherbrain？Butitwasapparentlyaboy\'sbrain。Allthedeliciousnessandfinenessofafinelybredwomanwashers；but，forallhecoulddiscern，hermentalprocessesweresexlessandboyish。Andyetspeechitmustbe，forabeginninghadtobemadesomewhere，sometime；hermindmustbemadeaccustomedtotheidea，herthoughtsturneduponthematterofmarriage。

Andsoherodeoverseeingabouttheplantation，withtightlydrawnandpuckeredbrows，puzzlingovertheproblem，andsteelinghimselftothefirstattempt。Adozenwaysheplannedanintricateleadinguptothefirstbreakingoftheice，andeachtimesomelinkinthechainsnappedandthetalkwentoffonunexpectedandirrelevantlines。Andthenonemorning，quitefortuitously，theopportunitycame。

"MydearestwishisthesuccessofBerande，"Joanhadjustsaid，aproposofadiscussionaboutthecheapeningoffreightsoncopratomarket。

"DoyoumindifItellyouthedearestwishofmyheart？"hepromptlyreturned。"Ilongforit。Idreamaboutit。Itismydearestdesire。"

Hepausedandlookedatherwithintentsignificance；butitwasplaintohimthatshethoughttherewasnothingmoreatissuethanmutualconfidencesaboutthingsingeneral。

"Yes，goahead，"shesaid，atrifleimpatientathisdelay。

"IlovetothinkofthesuccessofBerande，"hesaid；"butthatissecondary。Itissubordinatetothedearestwish，whichisthatsomedayyouwillshareBerandewithmeinacompleterwaythanthatofmerebusinesspartnership。Itisforyou，someday，whenyouareready，tobemywife。"

Shestartedbackfromhimasifshehadbeenstung。Herfacewentwhiteontheinstant，notfrommaidenlyembarrassment，butfromtheangerwhichhecouldseeflaminginhereyes。

"Thistakingforgranted!——thiswhenIamready!"shecriedpassionately。Thenhervoiceswiftlybecamecoldandsteady，andshetalkedinthewayheimaginedshemusthavetalkedbusinesswithMorganandRaffatGuvutu。"Listentome，Mr。Sheldon。I

likeyouverywell，thoughyouareslowandamuddler；butIwantyoutounderstand，onceandforall，thatIdidnotcometotheSolomonstogetmarried。ThatisanafflictionIcouldhaveaccumulatedathome，withoutsailingtenthousandmilesafterit。

Ihavemyownwaytomakeintheworld，andIcametotheSolomonstodoit。GettingmarriedisnotmakingMYwayintheworld。Itmaydoforsomewomen，butnotforme，thankyou。WhenIsitdowntotalkoverthefreightoncopra，Idon\'tcaretohaveproposalsofmarriagesandwichedin。Besides——besides——"

Hervoicebrokeforthemoment，andwhenshewentontherewasanoteofappealinitthatwell-nighconvictedhimtohimselfofbeingabrute。

"Don\'tyousee？——itspoilseverything；itmakesthewholesituationimpossible……and……andIsolovedourpartnership，andwasproudofit。Don\'tyousee？——Ican\'tgoonbeingyourpartnerifyoumakelovetome。AndIwassohappy。"

Tearsofdisappointmentwereinhereyes，andshecaughtaswiftsobinherthroat。

"Iwarnedyou，"hesaidgravely。"Suchunusualsituationsbetweenmenandwomencannotendure。Itoldyousoatthebeginning。"

"Oh，yes；itisquitecleartomewhatyoudid。"Shewasangryagain，andthefeminineappealhaddisappeared。"Youwereverydiscreetinyourwarning。YoutookgoodcaretowarnmeagainsteveryothermanintheSolomonsexceptyourself。"

ItwasablowinthefacetoSheldon。Hesmartedwiththetruthofit，andatthesametimehesmartedwithwhathewasconvincedwastheinjusticeofit。Agleamoftriumphthatflickeredinhereyebecauseofthehitshehadmadedecidedhim。

"Itisnotsoone-sidedasyouseemtothinkitis，"hebegan。"I

wasdoingverynicelyonBerandebeforeyoucame。AtleastIwasnotsufferingindignities，suchasbeingaccusedofcowardlyconduct，asyouhavejustaccusedme。Remember——pleaseremember，I

didnotinviteyoutoBerande。NordidIinviteyoutostayonatBerande。Itwasbystayingthatyoubroughtaboutthis——toyou——

unpleasantsituation。Bystayingyoumadeyourselfatemptation，andnowyouwouldblamemeforit。Ididnotwantyoutostay。I

wasn\'tinlovewithyouthen。IwantedyoutogotoSydney；togobacktoHawaii。Butyouinsistedonstaying。Youvirtually——"

Hepausedforasofterwordthantheonethathadrisentohislips，andshetookitawayfromhim。

"Forcedmyselfonyou——that\'swhatyoumeanttosay，"shecried，theflagsofbattlepaintinghercheeks。"Goahead。Don\'tmindmyfeelings。"

"Allright；Iwon\'t，"hesaiddecisively，realizingthatthediscussionwasindangerofbecomingavituperative，schoolboyargument。"Youhaveinsistedonbeingconsideredasaman。

Consistencywoulddemandthatyoutalklikeaman，andlikeamanlistentoman-talk。Andlistenyoushall。Itisnotyourfaultthatthisunpleasantnesshasarisen。Idonotblameyouforanything；rememberthat。Andforthesamereasonyoushouldnotblamemeforanything。"

Henoticedherbosomheavingasshesatwithclenchedhands，anditwasallhecoulddotoconquerthedesiretoflashhisarmsoutandaroundherinsteadofgoingonwithhiscoollyplannedcampaign。

Asitwas，henearlytoldherthatshewasamostadorableboy。

Buthecheckedallsuchwaywardfancies，andheldhimselfrigidlydowntohisdisquisition。

"Youcan\'thelpbeingyourself。Youcan\'thelpbeingaverydesirablecreaturesofarasIamconcerned。Youhavemademewantyou。Youdidn\'tintendto；youdidn\'ttryto。Youweresomade，thatisall。AndIwassomadethatIwasripetowantyou。ButI

can\'thelpbeingmyself。Ican\'tbyaneffortofwillceasefromwantingyou，anymorethanyoubyaneffortofwillcanmakeyourselfundesirabletome。"

"Oh，thisdesire!thiswant!want!want!"shebrokeinrebelliously。"Iamnotquiteafool。Iunderstandsomethings。

Andthewholethingissofoolishandabsurd——anduncomfortable。I

wishIcouldgetawayfromit。IreallythinkitwouldbeagoodideaformetomarryNoaNoah，orAdamuAdam，orLalaperuthere，oranyblackboy。ThenIcouldgivehimorders，andkeephimpennedawayfromme；andmenlikeyouwouldleavemealone，andnottalkmarriageand\'Iwant，Iwant。\'"

Sheldonlaughedinspiteofhimself，andfarfromanygenuineimpulsetolaugh。

"Youarepositivelysoulless，"hesaidsavagely。

"BecauseI\'veasoulthatdoesn\'tyearnforamanformaster？"shetookupthegage。"Verywell，then。Iamsoulless，andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"

"Iamgoingtoaskyouwhyyoulooklikeawoman？Whyhaveyoutheformofawoman？thelipsofawoman？thewonderfulhairofawoman？AndIamgoingtoanswer:becauseyouareawoman——thoughthewomaninyouisasleep——andthatsomedaythewomanwillwakeup。"

"Heavenforbid!"shecried，insuchsuddenandgenuinedismayastomakehimlaugh，andtobringasmiletoherownlipsagainstherself。

"I\'vegotsomemoretosaytoyou，"Sheldonpursued。"IdidtrytoprotectyoufromeveryothermanintheSolomons，andfromyourselfaswell。Asforme，Ididn\'tdreamthatdangerlayinthatquarter。SoIfailedtoprotectyoufrommyself。Ifailedtoprotectyouatall。Youwentyourownwilfulway，justasthoughI

didn\'texist——wreckingschooners，recruitingonMalaita，andsailingschooners；onelone，unprotectedgirlinthecompanyofsomeoftheworstscoundrelsintheSolomons。Fowler!andBrahms!

andCurtis!Andsuchistheperversenessofhumannature——Iamfrank，yousee——Iloveyouforthattoo。Iloveyouforallofyou，justasyouare。"

Shemadeamoueofdistasteandraisedahandprotestingly。

"Don\'t，"hesaid。"Youhavenorighttorecoilfromthementionofmyloveforyou。Rememberthisisaman-talk。Fromthepointofviewofthetalk，youareaman。Thewomaninyouisonlyincidental，accidental，andirrelevant。You\'vegottolistentothebaldstatementoffact，strangethoughitis，thatIloveyou。"

"AndnowIwon\'tbotheryouanymoreaboutlove。We\'llgoonthesameasbefore。YouarebetteroffandsaferonBerande，inspiteofthefactthatIloveyou，thananywhereelseintheSolomons。

ButIwantyou，asafinalitemofman-talk，toremember，fromtimetotime，thatIloveyou，andthatitwillbethedearestdayofmylifewhenyouconsenttomarryme。Iwantyoutothinkofitsometimes。Youcan\'thelpbutthinkofitsometimes。Andnowwewon\'ttalkaboutitanymore。Asbetweenmen，there\'smyhand。"

Heheldouthishand。Shehesitated，thengrippeditheartily，andsmiledthroughhertears。

"Iwish——"shefaltered，"Iwish，insteadofthatblackMary，you\'dgivenmesomebodytoswearforme。"

Andwiththisenigmaticutterancesheturnedaway。

CHAPTERXXI——CONTRABAND

Sheldondidnotmentionthesubjectagain，nordidhisconductchangefromwhatithadalwaysbeen。Therewasnothingofthepininglover，noroftheloveratall，inhisdemeanour。Norwasthereanyawkwardnessbetweenthem。Theywereasfrankandfriendlyintheirrelationsasever。Hehadwonderedifhisbelligerentlovedeclarationmighthavearousedsomewomanlyself-

consciousnessinJoan，buthelookedinvainforanysignofit。

Sheappearedasunchangedashe；andwhileheknewthathehidhisrealfeelings，hewasfirminhisbeliefthatshehidnothing。Andyetthegermhehadimplantedmustbeatwork；hewasconfidentofthat，thoughhewaswithoutconfidenceastotheresult。Therewasnoforecastingthisstrangegirl\'sprocesses。Shemightawaken，itwastrue；andontheotherhand，andwithequalchance，hemightbethewrongmanforher，andhisdeclarationoflovemightonlymorefirmlysetherinherviewsonsingleblessedness。

Whilehedevotedmoreandmoreofhistimetotheplantationitself，shetookoverthehouseanditsmultitudinousaffairs；andshetookholdfirmly，insailorfashion，revolutionizingthesystemanddiscipline。ThelaboursituationonBerandewasimproving。

TheMarthahadcarriedawayfiftyoftheblackswhosetimewasup，andtheyhadbeenamongtheworstontheplantation——five-yearmenrecruitedbyBillyBe-blowed，menwhohadgonethroughtheolddaysofterrorismwhentheoriginalownersofBerandehadbeendrivenaway。Thenewrecruits，beingbrokeninunderthenewregime，gavebetterpromise。JoanhadjoinedwithSheldonfromthestartintheprogrammethattheymustbegrippedwiththestronghand，andatthesametimebetreatedwithabsolutejustice，iftheyweretoescapebeingcontaminatedbytheolderboysthatstillremained。

"Ithinkitwouldbeagoodideatoputallthegangsatworkclosetothehousethisafternoon，"sheannouncedonedayatbreakfast。

"I\'vecleanedupthehouse，andyououghttocleanupthebarracks。

Thereistoomuchstealinggoingon。"

"Agoodidea，"Sheldonagreed。"Theirboxesshouldbesearched。

I\'vejustmissedacoupleofshirts，andmybesttoothbrushisgone。"

"Andtwoboxesofmycartridges，"sheadded，"tosaynothingofhandkerchiefs，towels，sheets，andmybestpairofslippers。ButwhattheywantwithyourtoothbrushismorethanIcanimagine。

They\'llbestealingthebilliardballsnext。"

"Onediddisappearafewweeksbeforeyoucame，"Sheldonlaughed。

"We\'llsearchtheboxesthisafternoon。"

Andabusyafternoonitwas。JoanandSheldon，botharmed，wentthroughthebarracks，housebyhouse，theboss-boysassisting，andhalfadozenmessengers，inrelay，shoutingalongthelinethenamesoftheboyswanted。Eachboybroughtthekeytohisparticularbox，andwaspermittedtolookonwhilethecontentswereoverhauledbytheboss-boys。

Awealthoflootwasrecovered。Therewerefullyadozencane-

knives——bighackingweaponswithrazor-edges，capableofdecapitatingamanatastroke。Towels，sheets，shirts，andslippers，alongwithtoothbrushes，wisp-brooms，soap，themissingbilliardball，andallthelostandforgottentriflesofmanymonths，cametolight。Butmostastonishingwasthequantityofammunition-cartridgesforLee-Metfords，forWinchestersandMarlins，forrevolversfromthirty-twocalibretoforty-five，shot-

guncartridges，Joan\'stwoboxesofthirty-eight，cartridgesofprodigiousborefortheancientSnidersofMalaita，flasksofblackpowder，sticksofdynamite，yardsoffuse，andboxesofdetonators。

ButthegreatfindwasinthehouseoccupiedbyGogoomyandfivePortAdamsrecruits。ThefactthattheboxesyieldednothingexcitedSheldon\'ssuspicions，andhegaveorderstodiguptheearthenfloor。Wrappedinmatting，welloiled，freefromrust，andbrandnew，twoWinchesterswerefirstunearthed。Sheldondidnotrecognizethem。TheyhadnotcomefromBerande；neitherhadthefortyflasksofblackpowderfoundunderthecorner-postofthehouse；andwhilehecouldnotbesure，hecouldremembernolossofeightboxesofdetonators。AbigColt\'srevolverherecognizedasHughieDrummond\'s；whileJoanidentifiedathirty-twoIvorandJohnsonasalossreportedbyMatapuuthefirstweekhelandedatBerande。TheabsenceofanycartridgesmadeSheldonpersistinthediggingupofthefloor，andafifty-poundflourtinwashisreward。WithgloweringeyesGogoomylookedonwhileSheldontookfromthetinahundredroundseachforthetwoWinchestersandfullyasmanyroundsmoreofnondescriptcartridgesofallsortsandmakesandcalibres。

Thecontrabandandstolenpropertywaspiledinassortedheapsonthebackverandaofthebungalow。Afewpacesfromthebottomofthestepsweregroupedtheforty-oddculprits，withbehindthem，insolidarray，theseveralhundredblacksoftheplantation。AttheheadofthestepsJoanandSheldonwereseated，whileonthestepsstoodthegang-bosses。Onebyonetheculpritswerecalledupandexamined。Nothingdefinitecouldbeextractedfromthem。Theyliedtransparently，butpersistently，andwhencaughtinonelieexplaineditawaywithhalfadozenothers。Oneboycomplacentlyannouncedthathehadfoundelevensticksofdynamiteonthebeach。

Matapuu\'srevolver，foundintheboxofoneKapu，wasexplainedawaybythatboyashavingbeengiventohimbyLervumie。

Lervumie，calledforthtotestify，saidhehadgotitfromNoni；

NonihadgotitfromSulefatoi；SulefatoifromChoka；ChokafromNgava；andNgavacompletedthecirclebystatingthatithadbeengiventohimbyKapu。Kapu，thusdoublydamned，calmlygavefulldetailsofhowithadbeengiventohimbyLervumie；andLervumie，withequalwealthofdetail，toldhowhehadreceiveditfromNoni；

andfromNonitoSulefatoiitwentonaroundthecircleagain。

Diversarticlesweretracedindubitablytothehouse-boys，eachofwhomsteadfastlyproclaimedhisowninnocenceandcastdoubtsonhisfellows。Theboywiththebilliardballsaidthathehadneverseenitinhislifebefore，andhazardedthesuggestionthatithadgotintohisboxthroughsomemysteriousandoccultlyevilagency。

Sofarashewasconcerneditmighthavedroppeddownfromheavenforallheknewhowitgotthere。Tothecooksandboats\'-crewsofeveryvesselthathaddroppedanchoroffBerandeinthepastseveralyearswereascribedthearrivalofscoresofthestolenarticlesandofthemajorportionoftheammunition。Therewasnotracingthetruthinanyofit，thoughitwaswithoutdoubtthattheunidentifiedweaponsandunfamiliarcartridgeshadcomeashoreoffvisitingcraft。

"Lookatit，"SheldonsaidtoJoan。"We\'vebeensleepingoveravolcano。Theyoughttobewhipped——"

"Nowhipme，"Gogoomycriedoutfrombelow。"Fatherbelongmebigfellachief。Mewhip，toomuchtroublealongyou，closeup，myword。"

"WhatnameyoufellaGogoomy!"Sheldonshouted。"Iknocksevenbellsoutofyou。Here，youKwaque，put\'mironsalongthatfellaGogoomy。"

Kwaque，astrappinggang-boss，pluckedGogoomyfromoutofhisfollowing，and，helpedbytheothergang-bosses；twistedhisarmsbehindhimandsnappedontheheavyhandcuffs。

"Mefinishalongyou，closeup，youdiealtogether，"Gogoomy，withwrath-distortedface，threatenedtheboss-boy。

"Please，nowhipping，"Joansaidinalowvoice。"IfwhippingIS

necessary，sendthemtoTulagiandlettheGovernmentdoit。Givethemtheirchoicebetweenafineoranofficialwhipping。"

Sheldonnoddedandstoodup，facingtheblacks。

"Manonmie!"hecalled。

Manonmiestoodforthandwaited。

"Youfellaboybadfellatoomuch，"Sheldoncharged。"Yousteal\'mplenty。Yousteal\'monefellatowel，onefellacane-knife，two-

tenfellacartridge。Myword，plentybadfellasteal\'myou。Mecrossalongyoutoomuch。S\'poseyoulike\'m，metake\'monefellapoundalongyouinbigbook。S\'poseyounolike\'mmetake\'monefellapound，thenmesendyoufellaalongTulagicatch\'monestrongfellagovernmentwhipping。PlentyNewGeorgiaboys，plentyYsabelboysstopalongjailalongTulagi。ThemfellanolikeMalaitaboyslittlebit。Myword，theygive\'myoustrongfellawhipping。Whatyousay？"

"Youtake\'monefellapoundalongme，"wastheanswer。

AndManonmie，patentlyrelieved，steppedback，whileSheldonenteredthefineintheplantationlabourjournal。

Boyafterboy，hecalledtheoffendersoutandgavethemtheirchoice；and，boybyboy，eachoneelectedtopaythefineimposed。

Somefineswereaslowasseveralshillings；whileinthemoreseriouscases，suchastheftsofgunsandammunition，thefineswerecorrespondinglyheavy。

Gogoomyandhisfivetribesmenwerefinedthreepoundseach，andatGogoomy\'sgutturalcommandtheyrefusedtopay。

"S\'poseyougoalongTulagi，"Sheldonwarnedhim，"youcatch\'mstrongfellawhippingandyoustopalongjailthreefellayear。

Mr。Burnett，helook\'malongWinchester，look\'malongcartridge，look\'malongrevolver，look\'malongblackpowder，look\'malongdynamite——myword，hecrosstoomuch，hegiveyouthreefellayearalongjail。S\'poseyounolike\'mpaythreefellapoundyoustopalongjail。Savvee？"

Gogoomywavered。

"It\'strue——that\'swhatBurnettwouldgivethem，"SheldonsaidinanasidetoJoan。

"Youtake\'mthreefellapoundalongme，"Gogoomymuttered，atthesametimescowlinghishatredatSheldon，andtransferringhalfthescowltoJoanandKwaque。"Mefinishalongyou，youcatch\'mbigfellatrouble，myword。FatherbelongmebigfellachiefalongPortAdams。"

"Thatwilldo，"Sheldonwarnedhim。"Youshutmouthbelongyou。"

"Menofright，"thesonofachiefretorted，byhisinsolenceincreasinghisstatureintheeyesofhisfellows。

"Lockhimupforto-night，"SheldonsaidtoKwaque。"Sunhecomeupput\'mthatfellaandfivefellabelonghimalonggrass-cutting。

Savvee？"

Kwaquegrinned。

"Mesavvee，"hesaid。"Cut\'mgrass，ngari-ngari{4}stop\'malonggrass。Myword!"

"TherewillbetroublewithGogoomyyet，"SheldonsaidtoJoan，astheboss-boysmarshalledtheirgangsandledthemawaytotheirwork。"Keepaneyeonhim。Becarefulwhenyouareridingaloneontheplantation。ThelossofthoseWinchestersandallthatammunitionhashithimharderthanyourcuffingdid。Heisdead-

ripeformischief。"

CHAPTERXXII——GOGOOMYFINISHESALONGKWAQUEALTOGETHER

"IwonderwhathasbecomeofTudor。It\'stwomonthssincehedisappearedintothebush，andnotawordofhimafterheleftBinu。"

JoanLacklandwassittingastrideherhorsebythebankoftheBalesunawherethesweetcornhadbeenplanted，andSheldon，whohadcomeacrossfromthehouseonfoot，wasleaningagainstherhorse\'sshoulder。

"Yes，itisalongtimefornonewstohavetrickleddown，"heanswered，watchingherkeenlyfromunderhishat-brimandwonderingastothemeasureofheranxietyfortheadventurousgold-hunter；

"butTudorwillcomeoutallright。HedidathingatthestartthatIwouldn\'thavegivenhimoranyothermancreditfor——

persuadedBinuCharleytogoalongwithhim。I\'llwagernootherBinuniggerhasevergonesofarintothebushunlesstobekai-

kai\'d。AsforTudor——"

"Look!look!"Joancriedinalowvoice，pointingacrossthenarrowstreamtoaslackeddywhereahugecrocodiledriftedlikealogawash。"My!IwishIhadmyrifle。"

Thecrocodile，leavingscarcelyaripplebehind，sankdownanddisappeared。

"ABinumanwasinearlythismorning——formedicine，"Sheldonremarked。"Itmayhavebeenthatverybrutethatwasresponsible。

AdozenoftheBinuwomenwereout，andtheforemostonesteppedrightonabigcrocodile。Itwasbytheedgeofthewater，andhetumbledheroverandgotherbytheleg。Alltheotherwomengotholdofherandpulled。Andinthetugofwarshelostherleg，belowtheknee，hesaid。Igavehimastockofantiseptics。

She\'llpullthrough，Ifancy。"

"Ugh——thefilthybeasts，"Joangulpedshudderingly。"Ihatethem!

Ihatethem!"

"Andyetyougodivingamongsharks，"Sheldonchided。

"They\'reonlyfish-sharks。Andaslongasthereareplentyoffishthereisnodanger。Itisonlywhenthey\'refamishedthatthey\'reliabletotakeabite。"

Sheldonshudderedinwardlyattheswiftvisionthataroseofthedaintyfleshofherinashark\'smany-toothedmaw。

"Iwishyouwouldn\'t，justthesame，"hesaidslowly。"Youacknowledgethereisarisk。"

"Butthat\'shalfthefunofit，"shecried。

Atriteplatitudeabouthisnotcaringtoloseherwasonhislips，butherefrainedfromutteringit。Anotherconclusionhehadarrivedatwasthatshewasnottobenagged。Continual，orevenoccasional，remindersofhisfeelingforherwouldconstituteatacticalerrorofnomeandimensions。

"Someforthebookofverse，someforthesimplelife，andsomefortheshark\'sbelly，"helaughedgrimly，thenadded:"Justthesame，IwishIcouldswimaswellasyou。Maybeitwouldbegetconfidencesuchasyouhave。"

"Doyouknow，Ithinkitwouldbenicetobemarriedtoamansuchasyouseemtobebecoming，"sheremarked，withoneofherabruptchangesthatalwaysastoundedhim。"Ishouldthinkyoucouldbetrainedintoaverygoodhusband——youknow，notoneofthedomineeringkind，butonewhoconsideredhiswifewasjustasmuchanindividualashimselfandjustasmuchafreeagent。Really，youknow，Ithinkyouareimproving。"

Shelaughedandrodeaway，leavinghimgreatlycastdown。Ifhehadthoughttherehadbeenonebitofcoynessinherwords，onefeminineflutter，onewomanlyattemptatdeliberatelureandencouragement，hewouldhavebeenelated。Butheknewabsolutelythatitwastheboy，andnotthewoman，whohadsodaringlyspoken。

Joanrodeonamongtheavenuesofyoungcocoanut-palms，sawahornbill，followeditinitserraticflightstothehighforestontheedgeoftheplantation，heardthecooingofwildpigeonsandlocatedtheminthedeeperwoods，followedthefreshtrailofawildpigforadistance，circledback，andtookthenarrowpathforthebungalowthatranthroughtwentyacresofunclearedcane。Thegrasswaswaist-highandhigher，andassherodealongsherememberedthatGogoomywasoneofagangofboysthathadbeendetailedtothegrass-cutting。Shecametowheretheyhadbeenatwork，butsawnosignsofthem。Herunshodhorsemadenosoundonthesoft，sandyfooting，andalittlefurtheronsheheardvoicesproceedingfromoutofthegrass。Shereinedinandlistened。ItwasGogoomytalking，andasshelistenedshegrippedherbridle-

reintightlyandawaveofangerpassedoverher。

"Doghestop\'malonghouse，night-timehewalkabout，"Gogoomywassaying，perforceinbeche-de-merEnglish，becausehewastalkingtoothersbesidehisowntribesmen。"Youfellaboycatch\'monefellapig，put\'mkai-kaibelonghimalongbigfellafish-hook。S\'posedoghewalkaboutcatch\'mkai-kai，youfellaboycatch\'mdogalleesameoneshark。Doghefinishcloseup。Bigfellamarstersleepalongbigfellahouse。WhiteMarysleepalongpickaninnyhouse。OnefellaAdamuhestopalongoutsidepickaninnyhouse。

Youfellaboyfinish\'mdog，finish\'mAdamu，finish\'mbigfellamarster，finish\'mWhiteMary，finish\'emaltogether。Plentymuskethestop，plentypowder，plentytomahawk，plentyknife-fee，plentyporpoiseteeth，plentytobacco，plentycalico——myword，toomuchplentyeverythingwetake\'malongwhale-boat，washee{5}likehell，sunhecomeupwelongwaytoomuch。"

"Mecatch\'mpigsunhegodown，"spokeuponewhosethinfalsettovoiceJoanrecognizedasbelongingtoCosse，oneofGogoomy\'stribesmen。

"Mecatch\'mdog，"saidanother。

"Andmecatch\'mwhitefellaMary，"Gogoomycriedtriumphantly。

"Mecatch\'mKwaquehediealonghimdamnquick。"

ThismuchJoanheardoftheplantomurder，andthenherrisingwrathprovedtoomuchforherdiscretion。Shespurredherhorseintothegrass，crying，-

"Whatnameyoufellaboy，eh？Whatname？"

Theyarose，scramblingandscattering，andtohersurpriseshesawtherewereadozenofthem。Asshelookedintheirgloweringfacesandnotedtheheavy，two-foot，hackingcane-knivesintheirhands，shebecamesuddenlyawareoftherashnessofheract。Ifonlyshehadhadherrevolverorarifle，allwouldhavebeenwell。Butshehadcarelesslyventuredoutunarmed，andshefollowedtheglanceofGogoomytoherwaistandsawthepleasedflashinhiseyesasheperceivedtheabsenceofthedreadfulman-killingrevolver。

ThefirstarticleintheSolomonIslandscodeforwhitemenwasnevertoshowfearbeforeanative，andJoantriedtocarryoffthesituationincavalierfashion。

"Toomuchtalkalongyoufellaboy，"shesaidseverely。"Toomuchtalk，toolittlework。Savvee？"

Gogoomymadenoreply，but，apparentlyshiftingweight，heslidonefootforward。Theotherboys，spreadfan-wiseabouther，werealsoslidingforward，thecruelcane-knivesintheirhandsadvertisingtheirintention。

"Youcut\'mgrass!"shecommandedimperatively。

ButGogoomyslidhisotherfootforward。Shemeasuredthedistancewithhereye。Itwouldbeimpossibletowhirlherhorsearoundandgetaway。Shewouldbechoppeddownfrombehind。

Andinthattensemomentthefacesofallofthemwereimprintedonhermindinanunforgettablepicture——oneofthem，anoldman，withtornanddistendedear-lobesthatfelltohischest；another，withthebroadflattenednoseofAfrica，andwithwitheredeyessoburiedunderfrowningbrowsthatnothingbutthesickly，yellowish-

lookingwhitescouldbeseen；athird，thick-lippedandbeardedwithkinkywhiskers；andGogoomy——shehadneverrealizedbeforehowhandsomeGogoomywasinhismutinousandobstinatewild-animalway。

Therewasaprimitivearistocraticnessabouthimthathisfellowslacked。Thelinesofhisfigureweremoreroundedthantheirs，theskinsmooth，welloiled，andfreefromdisease。Onhischest，suspendedfromasinglestringofporpoise-teetharoundhisthroat，hungabigcrescentcarvedoutofopalescentpearl-shell。Arowofpurewhitecowrieshellsbandedhisbrow。Fromhishairdroopedalong，lonefeather。Abovetheswellingcalfofoneleghewore，asagarter，asinglestringofwhitebeads。Theeffectwasdandyishintheextreme。Anarrowgee-stringcompletedhiscostume。

Anothermanshesaw，oldandshrivelled，withpuckeredforeheadandapuckeredfacethattrembledandworkedwithanimalpassionasinthepastshehadnoticedthefacesofmonkeystrembleandwork。

"Gogoomy，"shesaidsharply，"younocut\'mgrass，myword，Ibang\'mheadbelongyou。"

Hisexpressionbecameatriflemoredisdainful，buthedidnotanswer。Instead，hestoleaglancetorightandlefttomarkhowhisfellowswereclosingabouther。Atthesamemomenthecasuallyslippedhisfootforwardthroughthegrassforamatterofseveralinches。

Joanwaskeenlyawareofthedesperatenessofthesituation。Theonlywayoutwasthrough。Sheliftedherriding-whipthreateningly，andatthesamemomentdroveinbothspurswithherheels，rushingthestartledhorsestraightatGogoomy。Itallhappenedinaninstant。Everycane-knifewaslifted，andeveryboysaveGogoomyleapedforher。Heswervedasidetoavoidthehorse，atthesametimeswinginghiscane-knifeinaslicingblowthatwouldhavecutherintwain。Sheleanedforwardundertheflyingsteel，whichcutthroughherriding-skirt，throughtheedgeofthesaddle，throughthesaddlecloth，andevenslightlyintothehorseitself。Herrighthand，stillraised，camedown，thethinwhipwhishingthroughtheair。Shesawthewhite，cookedmarkofthewealclearacrossthesullen，handsomeface，andstillwhatwaspracticallyinthesameinstantshesawthemanwiththepuckeredface，overridden，godownbeforeher，andsheheardhissnarlingandgrimacingchatter-foralltheworldlikeanangrymonkey。Thenshewasfreeandaway，headingthehorseattopspeedforthehouse。

Outofhersea-trainingshewasabletoappreciateSheldon\'sexecutivenesswhensheburstinonhimwithhernews。Springingfromthesteamer-chairinwhichhehadbeenloungingwhilewaitingforbreakfast，heclappedhishandsforthehouse-boys；and，whilelisteningtoher，hewasbucklingonhiscartridge-beltandrunningthemechanismofhisautomaticpistol。

"Ornfiri，"hesnappedouthisorders，"youfellaringbigfellabellstrongfellaplenty。Youfinish\'mbell，youput\'msaddleonhorse。Viaburi，yougoquickhousebelongSeeleehestop，tell\'mplentyblackfellarunaway——tenfellatwofellablackfellaboy。"

HescribbledanoteandhandedittoLalaperu。"Lalaperu，yougoquickhousebelongwhitefellaMarsterBoucher。"

"Thatwillheadthembackfromthecoastonbothsides，"heexplainedtoJoan。"AndoldSeeleewillturnhiswholevillagelooseontheirtrackaswell。"

Inresponsetothesummonsofthebigbell，Joan\'sTahitianswerethefirsttoarrive，bytheirglisteningbodiesandpantingchestsshowingthattheyhadrunalltheway。Someofthefarthest-placedgangswouldbenearlyanhourinarriving。

SheldonproceededtoarmJoan\'ssailorsanddealoutammunitionandhandcuffs。AdamuAdam，withloadedrifle，heplacedonguardoverthewhale-boats。NoaNoah，aidedbyMatapuu，wereinstructedtotakechargeoftheworking-gangsasfastastheycamein，tokeepthemamused，andtoguardagainsttheirbeingstampededintomakingabreakthemselves。ThefiveotherTahitiansweretofollowJoanandSheldononfoot。

"I\'mgladweunearthedthatarsenaltheotherday，"Sheldonremarkedastheyrodeoutofthecompoundgate。

Ahundredyardsawaytheyencounteredoneoftheclearinggangscomingin。ItwasKwaque\'sgang，butSheldonlookedinvainforhim。

"WhatnamethatfellaKwaquehenostopalongyou？"hedemanded。

Ababelofexcitedvoicesattemptedananswer。

"Shut\'mmouthbelongyoualtogether，"Sheldoncommanded。

Hespokeroughly，livinguptotheroleofthewhitemanwhomustalwaysbestronganddominant。

"Here，youfellaBabatani，youtalk\'mmouthbelongyou。"

Babatanisteppedforwardinalltheprideofonesingledoutfromamonghisfellows。

"GogoomyhefinishalongKwaquealtogether，"wasBabatani\'sexplanation。"Hetake\'mheadb\'longhimrunlikehell。"

Inbriefwords，andwithpaucityofimagination，hedescribedthemurder，andSheldonandJoanrodeon。Inthegrass，whereJoanhadbeenattacked，theyfoundthelittleshrivelledman，stillchatteringandgrimacing，whomJoanhadriddendown。Themarehadplungedonhisankle，completelycrushingit，andahundredyards\'

crawlhadconvincedhimofthefutilityofescape。Tothelastclearing-gang，fromthefarthestedgeoftheplantation，wasgiventhetaskofcarryinghimintothehouse。

Amilefartheron，wheretherunaways\'trailledstraighttowardthebush，theyencounteredthebodyofKwaque。Theheadhadbeenhackedoffandwasmissing，andSheldontookitonfaiththatthebodywasKwaque\'s。Hehadevidentlyputupafight，forabloodytrailledawayfromthebody。

Oncetheywerewellintothethickbushthehorseshadtobeabandoned。Papeharawasleftinchargeofthem，whileJoanandSheldonandtheremainingTahitianspushedaheadonfoot。Thewayleddownthroughaswampyhollow，whichwasoverflowedbytheBerandeRiveronoccasion，andwheretheredtrailofthemurdererswascrossedbyacrocodile\'strail。Theyhadapparentlycaughtthecreatureasleepinthesunanddesistedlongenoughfromtheirflighttohackhimtopieces。Herethewoundedmanhadsatdownandwaiteduntiltheywerereadytogoon。

Anhourlater，followingalongawild-pigtrail，Sheldonsuddenlyhalted。Thebloodytrackshadceased。TheTahitianscastoutinthebushoneitherside，andacryfromUtamiapprisedthemofafind。JoanwaitedtillSheldoncameback。

"It\'sMauko，"hesaid。"Kwaquedidforhim，andhecrawledinthereanddied。That\'stwoaccountedfor。Therearetenmore。

Don\'tyouthinkyou\'vegotenoughofit？"

Shenodded。

"Itisn\'tnice，"shesaid。"I\'llgobackandwaitforyouwiththehorses。"

"Butyoucan\'tgoalone。Taketwoofthemen。"

"ThenI\'llgoon，"shesaid。"Itwouldbefoolishtoweakenthepursuit，andIamcertainlynottired。"

ThetrailbenttotherightasthoughtherunawayshadchangedtheirmindandheadedfortheBalesuna。Butthetrailstillcontinuedtobendtotherighttillitpromisedtomakealoop，andthepointofintersectionseemedtobetheedgeoftheplantationwherethehorseshadbeenleft。Crossingoneofthequietjunglespaces，wherenaughtmovedbutavelvety，twelve-inchbutterfly，theyheardthesoundofshots。

"Eight，"Joancounted。"Itwasonlyonegun。ItmustbePapehara。"

Theyhurriedon，butwhentheyreachedthespottheywereindoubt。

Thetwohorsesstoodquietlytethered，andPapehara，squattedonhishams，washavingapeacefulsmoke。Advancingtowardhim，Sheldontrippedonabodythatlayinthegrass，andashesavedhimselffromfallinghiseyeslightedonasecond。Joanrecognizedthisone。ItwasCosse，oneofGogoomy\'stribesmen，theonewhohadpromisedtocatchatsunsetthepigthatwastohavebaitedthehookforSatan。

"Noluck，Missie，"wasPapehara\'sgreeting，accompaniedbyadisconsolateshakeofthehead。"Catchonlytwoboy。IhavegoodshotatGogoomy，onlyImiss。"

"Butyoukilledthem，"Joanchided。"Youmustcatchthemalive。"

TheTahitiansmiled。

"How？"hequeried。"Iamhaveasmoke。IthinkaboutTahiti，andbreadfruit，andjollygoodtimeatBoraBora。Quick，justlikethat，tenboyherunoutofbushforme。Eachboyhavelongknife。

Gogoomyhavelongknifeonehand，andKwaque\'sheadinotherhand。

Inostoptocatch\'malive。Ishootlikehell。Howyoucatch\'malive，tenboy，tenlongknife，andKwaque\'shead？"

Thescatteredpathsofthedifferentboys，wheretheybrokebackafterthedisastrousattempttorushtheTahitian，soonledtogether。TheytracedittotheBerande，whichtherunawayshadcrossedwiththeclearintentionofburyingthemselvesinthehugemangroveswampthatlaybeyond。

"Thereisnouseourgoinganyfarther，"Sheldonsaid。"Seeleewillturnouthisvillageandhuntthemoutofthat。They\'llnevergetpasthim。Allwecandoistoguardthecoastandkeepthemfrombreakingbackontheplantationandrunningamuck。Ah，I

thoughtso。"

Againstthejunglegloomofthefarthershore，comingfromdownstream，asmallcanoeglided。Sosilentlydiditmovethatitwasmorelikeanapparition。Threenakedblacksdippedwithnoiselesspaddles。Long-hafted，slender，bone-barbedthrowing-spearslayalongthegunwaleofthecanoe，whileaquiverfulofarrowshungoneachman\'sback。Theeyesoftheman-huntersmissednothing。TheyhadseenSheldonandJoanfirst，buttheygavenosign。WhereGogoomyandhisfollowershademergedfromtheriver，thecanoeabruptlystopped，thenturnedanddisappearedintothedeepermangrovegloom。Asecondandathirdcanoecamearoundthebendfrombelow，glidedghostliketothecrossingoftherunaways，andvanishedinthemangroves。

"Ihopetherewon\'tbeanymorekilling，"Joansaid，astheyturnedtheirhorseshomeward。

"Idon\'tthinkso，"Sheldonassuredher。"MyunderstandingwitholdSeeleeisthatheispaidonlyforliveboys；soheisverycareful。"