第9章

CHAPTERXXIII——AMESSAGEFROMTHEBUSH

NeverhadrunawaysfromBerandebeenmorezealouslyhunted。ThedeedsofGogoomyandhisfellowshadbeenabadexamplefortheonehundredandfiftynewrecruits。Murderhadbeenplanned，agang-

bosshadbeenkilled，andthemurderershadbrokentheircontractsbyfleeingtothebush。Sheldonsawhowimperativeitwastoteachhisnew-caughtcannibalsthatbadexamplesweredisastrousthingstopatternafter，andheurgedSeeleeonnightandday，whilewiththeTahitianshepracticallylivedinthebush，leavingJoaninchargeoftheplantation。TothenorthBoucherdidgoodwork，twiceturningthefugitivesbackwhentheyattemptedtogainthecoast。

Onebyonetheboyswerecaptured。Inthefirstman-drivethroughthemangroveswampSeeleecaughttwo。Circlingaroundtothenorth，athirdwaswoundedinthethighbyBoucher，andthisone，draggingbehindinthechase，waslatergatheredinbySeelee\'shunters。Thethreecaptives，heavilyironed，wereexposedeachdayinthecompound，asgoodexamplesofwhathappenedtobadexamples，allfortheedificationofthesevenscoreandtenhalf-wildPoonga-Poongamen。ThentheMinerva，runningpastforTulagi，wassignalledtosendaboat，andthethreeprisonerswerecarriedawaytoprisontoawaittrial。

Fivewerestillatlarge，butescapewasimpossible。Theycouldnotgetdowntothecoast，nordaredtheyventuretoofarinlandforfearofthewildbushmen。Thenoneofthefivecameinvoluntarilyandgavehimselfup，andSheldonlearnedthatGogoomyandtwootherswereallthatwereatlarge。Thereshouldhavebeenafourth，butaccordingtothemanwhohadgivenhimselfup，thefourthmanhadbeenkilledandeaten。Ithadbeenfearofasimilarfatethathaddrivenhimin。HewasaMaluman，fromnorth-westernMalaita，aslikewisehadbeentheonethatwaseaten。

Gogoomy\'stwoothercompanionswerefromPortAdams。Asforhimself，theblackdeclaredhispreferenceforgovernmenttrialandpunishmenttobeingeatenbyhiscompanionsinthebush。

"CloseupGogoomykai-kaime，"hesaid。"Myword，menolikeboykai-kaime。"

ThreedayslaterSheldoncaughtoneoftheboys，helplessfromswampfever，andunabletofightorrunaway。OnthesamedaySeeleecaughtthesecondboyinsimilarcondition。Gogoomyaloneremainedatlarge；and，asthepursuitclosedinonhim，heconqueredhisfearofthebushmenandheadedstraightinforthemountainousbackboneoftheisland。SheldonwithfourTahitians，andSeeleewiththirtyofhishunters，followedGogoomy\'strailadozenmilesintotheopengrass-lands，andthenSeeleeandhispeoplelostheart。Heconfessedthatneitherhenoranyofhistribehadeverventuredsofarinlandbefore，andhenarrated，forSheldon\'sbenefit，mosthorribletalesofthehorriblebushmen。Intheolddays，hesaid，theyhadcrossedthegrasslandsandattackedthesalt-waternatives；butsincethecomingofthewhitementothecoasttheyhadremainedintheirinteriorfastnesses，andnosalt-waternativehadeverseenthemagain。

"Gogoomyhefinishalongthemfellabushmen，"heassuredSheldon。

"Myword，hefinishcloseup，kai-kaialtogether。"

Sotheexpeditionturnedback。Nothingcouldpersuadethecoastnativestoventurefarther，andSheldon，withhisfourTahitians，knewthatitwasmadnesstogoonalone。Sohestoodwaist-deepinthegrassandlookedregretfullyacrosstherollingsavannahandthesoft-swellingfoothillstotheLion\'sHead，amassivepeakofrockthatuprearedintotheazurefromthemidmostcentreofGuadalcanar，alandmarkusedforbearingsbyeverycoastingmariner，amountainasyetuntrodbythefootofawhiteman。

Thatnight，afterdinner，SheldonandJoanwereplayingbilliards，whenSatanbarkedinthecompound，andLalaperu，senttosee，broughtbackatiredandtravel-stainednative，whowantedtotalkwiththe"bigfellawhitemarster。"Itwasonlytheman\'sinsistencethatprocuredhimadmittanceatsuchanhour。Sheldonwentoutontheverandatoseehim，andatfirstglanceatthegauntfeaturesandwastedbodyofthemanknewthathiserrandwaslikelytoproveimportant。Nevertheless，Sheldondemandedroughly，-

"Whatnameyoucomealonghousebelongmesunhegodown？"

"MeCharley，"themanmutteredapologeticallyandwearily。"MestopalongBinu。"

"Ah，BinuCharley，eh？Well，whatnameyoutalkalongme？Whatplacebigfellamarsteralongwhitemanhestop？"

JoanandSheldontogetherlistenedtothetaleBinuCharleyhadbrought。HedescribedTudor\'sexpeditionuptheBalesuna；thedraggingoftheboatsuptherapids；thepassageuptheriverwhereitthreadedthegrass-lands；theinnumerablewashingsofgravelbythewhitemeninsearchofgold；thefirstrollingfoothills；theman-trapsofspear-stakedpitsinthejungletrails；thefirstmeetingwiththebushmen，whohadneverseentobacco，andknewnotthevirtuesofsmoking；theirfriendliness；thedeeperpenetrationoftheinterioraroundtheflanksoftheLion\'sHead；thebush-

soresandthefeversofthewhitemen，andtheirmadnessintrustingthebushmen。

"AlleetimeItalkalongwhitefellamarster，"hesaid。"Metalk，\'Thatfellabushmanhelook\'meyebelonghim。Hesavveetoomuch。

S\'posemuskethestopalongyou，thatfellabushmanhetoomuchgoodfriendalongyou。Alleetimehelooksharpeyebelonghim。

S\'posemuskethenostopalongyou，myword，thatfellabushmanhechop\'moffheadbelongyou。Hekai-kaiyoualtogether。\'"

Butthepatienceofthebushmenhadexceededthatofthewhitemen。

Theweekshadgoneby，andnoovertactshadbeenattempted。Thebushmenswarmedinthecampinincreasingnumbers，andtheywerealwaysmakingpresentsofyamsandtaro，ofpigandfowl，andofwildfruitsandvegetables。Wheneverthegold-huntersmovedtheircamp，thebushmenvolunteeredtocarrytheluggage。Andthewhitemenwaxedevermorecareless。Theygrewwearyprospecting，andatthesametimecarryingtheirriflesandtheheavycartridge-belts，andthepracticebeganofleavingtheirweaponsbehindthemincamp。

"Itell\'mplentyfellawhitemarsterlooksharpeyebelonghim。

Andplentyfellawhitemarstermake\'mbiglaughalongme，sayBinuCharleyalleesamepickaninny——myword，theyspeakalongmealleesamepickaninny。"

CamethemorningwhenBinuCharleynoticedthatthewomenandchildrenhaddisappeared。Tudor，atthetime，waslyinginastuporwithfeverinalatecampfivemilesaway，themaincamphavingmovedonthosefivemilesinordertoprospectanoutcropoflikelyquartz。BinuCharleywasmidwaybetweenthetwocampswhentheabsenceofthewomenandchildrenstruckhimassuspicious。

"Myword，"hesaid，"met\'inklikehell。HimblackMary，himpickaninny，walkaboutlongwaybigbit。Whatname？Mesavveetoomuchtroublecloseup。Mefrightlikehell。Merun。Myword，merun。"

Tudor，quiteunconscious，wasslungacrosshisshoulder，andcarriedamiledownthetrail。Here，hidingnewtrail，BinuCharleyhadcarriedhimforaquarterofamileintotheheartofthedeepestjungle，andhiddenhiminabigbanyantree。Returningtotrytosavetheriflesandpersonaloutfit，BinuCharleyhadseenapartyofbushmentrottingdownthetrail，andhadhiddeninthebush。Here，andfromthedirectionofthemaincamp，hehadheardtworifleshots。Andthatwasall。Hehadneverseenthewhitemenagain，norhadheventuredneartheiroldcamp。HehadgonebacktoTudor，andhiddenwithhimforaweek，livingonwildfruitsandthefewpigeonsandcockatooshehadbeenabletoshootwithbowandarrow。ThenhehadjourneyeddowntoBerandetobringthenews。Tudor，hesaid，wasverysick，lyingunconsciousfordaysatatime，and，wheninhisrightmind，tooweaktohelphimself。

"Whatnameyounokill\'mthatbigfellamarster？"Joandemanded。

"Hehave\'mgoodfellamusket，plentycalico，plentytobacco，plentyknife-fee，andtwofellapickaninnymusketshootquick，bang-bang-bang——justlikethat。"

Theblacksmiledcunningly。

"Mesavveetoomuch。S\'posemekill\'mbigfellamarster，bimebyplentywhitefellamarsterwalkaboutBinucrosslikehell。\'Whatnamethisfellowmusket？\'thoseplentyfellawhitemarstertalk\'malongme。Myword，BinuCharleyfinishaltogether。S\'posemekill\'mhim，nogoodalongme。Plentywhitefellamarstercrossalongme。S\'posemenokill\'mhim，bimebyhegivemeplentytobacco，plentycalico，plentyeverythingtoomuch。"

"Thereisonlytheonethingtodo，"SheldonsaidtoJoan。

Shedrummedwithherhandandwaited，whileBinuCharleygazedwearilyatherwithunblinkingeyes。

"I\'llstartthefirstthinginthemorning，"Sheldonsaid。

"We\'llstart，"shecorrected。"IcangettwiceasmuchoutofmyTahitiansasyoucan，and，besides，onewhiteshouldneverbealoneundersuchcircumstances。"

Heshruggedhisshouldersintoken，notofconsent，butofsurrender，knowingtheuselessnessofattemptingtoarguethequestionwithher，andconsolinghimselfwiththereflectionthatheavenaloneknewwhatadventuresshewasliabletoengageinifleftaloneonBerandeforaweek。Heclappedhishands，andforthenextquarterofanhourthehouse-boyswerekeptbusycarryingmessagestothebarracks。AmanwassenttoBalesunavillagetocommandoldSeelee\'simmediatepresence。Aboat\'s-crewwasstartedinawhale-boatwithwordforBouchertocomedown。AmmunitionwasissuedtotheTahitians，andthestoreroomoverhauledforafewdays\'tinnedprovisions。Viaburiturnedyellowwhentoldthathewastoaccompanytheexpedition，and，toeverybody\'ssurprise，Lalaperuvolunteeredtotakehisplace。

Seeleearrived，proudinhisimportancethatthegreatmasterofBerandeshouldsummonhiminthenight-timeforcouncil，andfirminhisrefusaltosteponeinchwithinthedreaddomainofthebushmen。Ashesaid，ifhisopinionhadbeenaskedwhenthegold-

huntersstarted，hewouldhaveforetoldtheirdisastrousend。

Therewasonlyonethingthathappenedtoanyonewhoventuredintothebushmen\'sterritory，andthatwasthathewaseaten。Andhewouldfurthersay，withoutbeingasked，thatifSheldonwentupintothebushhewouldbeeatentoo。

Sheldonsentforagang-bossandtoldhimtobringtenofthebiggest，best，andstrongestPoonga-Poongamen。

"Notsalt-waterboys，"Sheldoncautioned，"butbushboys——legbelonghimstrongfellaleg。Boynosavveemusket，nogood。Youbring\'mboyshootmusketstrongfella。"

Theyweretenpickedmenthatfiledupontheverandaandstoodintheglareofthelanterns。Theirheavy，muscularlegsadvertisedthattheywerebushmen。Eachclaimedlongexperienceinbush-

fighting，mostofthemshowedscarsofbulletorspear-thrustinproof，andallwerewildforachancetobreakthehumdrummonotonyofplantationlabourbygoingonakillingexpedition。Killingwastheirnaturalvocation，notwood-cutting；andwhiletheywouldnothaveventuredtheGuadalcanarbushalone，withawhitemanlikeSheldonbehindthem，andawhiteMarysuchastheyknewJoantobe，theycouldexpectasafeanddelightfultime。Besides，thegreatmasterhadtoldthemthattheeightgiganticTahitiansweregoingalong。

ThePoonga-Poongavolunteersstoodwithglisteningeyesandgrinningfaces，nakedsavefortheirloin-cloths，andbarbarouslyornamented。Eachworeaflat，turtle-shellringsuspendedthroughhisnose，andeachcarriedaclaypipeinanear-holeorthrustinsideabeadedbicepsarmlet。Apairofmagnificentboartusksgracedthechestofone。Onthechestofanotherhungahugediscofpolishedfossilclam-shell。

"Plentystrongfellafight，"Sheldonwarnedtheminconclusion。

Theygrinnedandshifteddelightedly。

"S\'posebushmenkai-kaialongyou？"hequeried。

"Nofear，"answeredtheirspokesman，oneKoogoo，astrapping，thick-lippedEthiopian-lookingman。"S\'posePoonga-Poongaboykai-

kaibush-boy？"

Sheldonshookhishead，laughing，anddismissedthem，andwenttooverhaulthedunnage-roomforasmallsheltertentforJoan\'suse。

CHAPTERXXIV——INTHEBUSH

ItwasquiteaformidableexpeditionthatdepartedfromBerandeatbreakofdaynextmorninginafleetofcanoesanddinghies。TherewereJoanandSheldon，withBinuCharleyandLalaperu，theeightTahitians，andthetenPoonga-Poongamen，eachproudinthepossessionofabrightandshiningmodernrifle。Inaddition，thereweretwooftheplantationboat\'s-crewsofsixmeneach。

These，however，weretogonofartherthanCarli，wherewatertransportationceasedandwheretheyweretowaitwiththeboats。

BoucherremainedbehindinchargeofBerande。

ByeleveninthemorningtheexpeditionarrivedatBinu，aclusteroftwentyhousesontheriverbank。AndfromherethirtyoddBinumenaccompaniedthem，armedwithspearsandarrows，chatteringandgrimacingwithdelightatthewarlikearray。Thelongquietstretchesofrivergavewaytoswifterwater，andprogresswasslowerandmoredogged。TheBalesunagrewshallowaswell，andoftenerweretheloadedboatsbumpedalongandhalf-liftedoverthebottom。Inplacestimber-fallsblockedthepassageofthenarrowstream，andtheboatsandcanoeswereportagedaround。NightbroughtthemtoCarli，andtheyhadthesatisfactionofknowingthattheyhadaccomplishedinonedaywhathadrequiredtwodaysforTudor\'sexpedition。

HereatCarli，nextmorning，half-waythroughthegrass-lands，theboat\'s-crewswereleft，andwiththemthehordeofBinumen，theboldestofwhichheldonforabaremileandthenranscamperingback。BinuCharley，however，wasatthefore，andledthewayonwardintotherollingfoot-hills，followingthetrailmadebyTudorandhismenweeksbefore。Thatnighttheycampedwellintothehillsanddeepinthetropicjungle。Thethirddayfoundthemontherun-waysofthebushmen——narrowpathsthatcompelledsinglefileandthatturnedandtwistedwithendlessconvolutionsthroughthedenseundergrowth。Forthemostpartitwasasilentforest，lushanddank，whereonlyoccasionallyawood-pigeoncooedorsnow-

whitecockatooslaughedharshlyinlaboriousflight。

Here，inthemid-morning，thefirstcasualtyoccurred。BinuCharleyhaddroppedbehindforatime，andKoogoo，thePoonga-

Poongamanwhohadboastedthathewouldeatthebushmen，wasinthelead。JoanandSheldonheardthetwangingthrumandsawKoogoothrowouthisarms，atthesametimedroppinghisrifle，stumbleforward，andsinkdownonhishandsandknees。Betweenhisnakedshoulders，lowdownandtotheleft，appearedthebone-barbedheadofanarrow。Hehadbeenshotthroughandthrough。Cockedriflessweptthebushwithnervousapprehension。Buttherewasnorustle，nomovement；nothingbutthehumidoppressivesilence。

"Bushmenhenostop，"BinuCharleycalledout，thesoundofhisvoicestartlingmorethanoneofthem。"Alleesamedamnfunnybusiness。ThatfellaKoogoonolook\'meyebelonghim。Henosavveelittlebit。"

Koogoo\'sarmshadcrumpledunderhim，andhelayquiveringwherehehadfallen。EvenasBinuCharleycametothefrontthestrickenblack\'sbreathpassedfromhim，andwithafinalconvulsivestirhelaystill。

"Rightthroughtheheart，"Sheldonsaid，straighteningupfromthestoopingexamination。"Itmusthavebeenatrapofsomesort。"

HenoticedJoan\'swhite，tenseface，andthewideeyeswithwhichshestaredatthewreckofwhathadbeenamantheminutebefore。

"Irecruitedthatboymyself，"shesaidinawhisper。"HecamedownoutofthebushatPoonga-PoongaandrightonboardtheMarthaandofferedhimself。AndIwasproud。Hewasmyveryfirstrecruit——"

"Myword!Look\'mthatfella，"BinuCharleyinterrupted，brushingasidetheleafywalloftherun-wayandexposingabowsomassivethatnoonebushmancouldhavebentit。

TheBinumantracedoutthemechanicsofthetrap，andexposedthehiddenfibreinthetangledundergrowththatatcontactwithKoogoo\'sfoothadreleasedthetautbow。

Theyweredeepintheprimevalforest。Adimtwilightprevailed，fornorandomshaftofsunlightbrokethroughthethickroofofleavesandcreepersoverhead。TheTahitianswereplainlyawedbythesilenceandgloomandmysteryoftheplaceandhappening，buttheyshowedthemselvesdoggedlyunafraid，andwereforpushingon。

ThePoonga-Poongamen，onthecontrary，werenotawed。Theywerebushmenthemselves，andtheywereusedtothissilentwarfare，thoughthedevicesweredifferentfromthoseemployedbythemintheirownbush。MostawedofallwereJoanandSheldon，but，beingwhites，theywerenotsupposedtobesubjecttosuchcommonplaceemotions，andtheirtaskwastocarrythesituationoffwithcarelessbravadoasbefitted"bigfellamarsters"ofthedominantbreed。

BinuCharleytooktheleadastheypushedon，andtrapaftertrapyieldeditssecretlurking-placetohiskeenscrutiny。Thewaywasbesetwithathousandannoyances，chiefestamongwhichwerethorns，cunninglyconcealed，thatpenetratedthebarefeetoftheinvaders。

Once，duringtheafternoon，BinuCharleybarelymissedbeingimpaledinastakedpitthatunderminedthetrail。ThereweretimeswhenallstoodstillandwaitedforhalfanhourormorewhileBinuCharleyprospectedsuspiciouspartsofthetrail。

Sometimeshewascompelledtoleavethetrailandcreepandclimbthroughthejunglesoastoapproachtheman-trapsfrombehind；andononeoccasion，inspiteofhisprecaution，aspring-bowwasdischarged，theflyingarrowbarelyclippingtheshoulderofoneofthewaitingPoonga-Poongaboys。

Whereaslightrun-wayenteredthemainone，SheldonpausedandaskedBinuCharleyifheknewwhereitled。

"Plentybushfellagardenhestopalongthereshortwaylittlebit，"wastheanswer。"Allrightyoulike\'mgolook\'malong。"

"\'Walk\'measy，"hecautioned，afewminuteslater。"Closeup，thatfellagarden。S\'posesomebushfellahestop，wecatch\'m。"

Creepingaheadandpeeringintotheclearingforamoment，BinuCharleybeckonedSheldontocomeoncautiously。Joancrouchedbesidehim，andtogethertheypeepedout。Theclearedspacewasfullyhalfanacreinextentandcarefullyfencedagainstthewildpigs。Paw-pawandbanana-treeswerejustripeningtheirfruit，whilebeneathgrewsweetpotatoesandyams。Ononeedgeoftheclearingwasasmallgrasshouse，open-sided，amererain-shelter。

Infrontofit，crouchedonhishamsbeforeafire，wasagauntandbeardedbushman。Thefireseemedtosmokeexcessively，andinthethickofthesmokearounddarkobjecthungsuspended。Thebushmanseemedabsorbedincontemplationofthisobject。

Warningthemnottoshootunlessthemanwassuccessfullyescaping，SheldonbeckonedthePoonga-Poongamenforward。JoansmiledappreciativelytoSheldon。Itwashead-huntersagainsthead-

hunters。Theblackstrodnoiselesslytotheirstations，whichwerearrangedsothattheycouldspringsimultaneouslyintotheopen。

Theirfaceswerekeenandserious，theireyeseloquentwiththeecstasyoflivingthatwasuponthem——forthiswasliving，thisgameoflifeanddeath，andtothemitwastheonlygameamanshouldplay，withaltheyplayeditinlowandcowardlyways，killingfrombehindinthedimforestgloomandrarelycomingoutintotheopen。

Sheldonwhisperedtheword，andthetenrunnersleapedforward——forBinuCharleyranwiththem。Thebushman\'skeenearswarnedhim，andhesprangtohisfeet，bowandarrowinhand，thearrowfixedinthenotchandthebowbendingashesprang。Themanheletdriveatdodgedthearrow，andbeforehecouldshootanotherhisenemieswereuponhim。Hewasrolledoverandoveranddraggedtohisfeet，disarmedandhelpless。

"Why，he\'sanancientBabylonian!"Joancried，regardinghim。

"He\'sanAssyrian，aPhoenician!Lookatthatstraightnose，thatnarrowface，thosehighcheek-bones——andthatslanting，ovalforehead，andthebeard，andtheeyes，too。"

"Andthesnakylocks，"Sheldonlaughed。

Thebushmanwasinmortalfear，ledbyallhistrainingtoexpectnothinglessthandeath；yethedidnotcowerawayfromthem。

Instead，hereturnedtheirlookswithleanself-sufficiency，andfinallycentredhisgazeuponJoan，thefirstwhitewomanhehadeverseen。

"Myword，bushfellakai-kaialongthatfellaboy，"BinuCharleyremarked。

SostolidwashismannerofutterancethatJoanturnedcarelesslytoseewhathadattractedhisattention，andfoundherselffacetofacewithGogoomy。Atleast，itwastheheadofGogoomy——thedarkobjecttheyhadseenhanginginthesmoke。Itwasfresh——thesmoke-curinghadjustbegun——and，savefortheclosedeyes，allthesullenhandsomenessandanimalvirilityoftheboy，asJoanhadknownit，wasstilltobeseeninthemonstrousthingthattwistedanddangledintheeddyingsmoke。

NorwasJoan\'shorrorlessenedbytheconductofthePoonga-Poongaboys。Ontheinstanttheyrecognizedthehead，andontheinstantrosetheirwildheartylaughterastheyexplainedtooneanotherinshrillfalsettovoices。Gogoomy\'sendwasajoke。Hehadbeenfoiledinhisattempttoescape。Hehadplayedthegameandlost。

Andwhatgreaterjokecouldtherebethanthatthebushmenshouldhaveeatenhim？Itwasthefunniestincidentthathadcomeundertheirnoticeinmanyaday。Andtothemtherewascertainlynothingunusualnorbizarreintheevent。Gogoomyhadcompletedthelife-cycleofthebushman。Hehadtakenheads，andnowhisownheadhadbeentaken。Hehadeatenmen，andnowhehadbeeneatenbymen。

ThePoonga-Poongamen\'slaughterdieddown，andtheyregardedthespectaclewithglitteringeyesandgluttonousexpressions。TheTahitians，ontheotherhand，wereshocked，andAdamuAdamwasshakinghisheadslowlyandgruntingforthhisdisgust。Joanwasangry。Herfacewaswhite，butineachcheekwasavividsprayofred。Disgusthadbeendisplacedbywrath，andhermoodwasclearlyvengeful。

Sheldonlaughed。

"It\'snothingtobeangryover，"hesaid。"Youmustn\'tforgetthathehackedoffKwaque\'shead，andthatheateoneofhisowncomradesthatranawaywithhim。Besides，hewasborntoit。Hehasbutbeeneatenoutofthesametroughfromwhichhehimselfhaseaten。"

Joanlookedathimwithlipsthattrembledonthevergeofspeech。

"Anddon\'tforget，"Sheldonadded，"thatheisthesonofachief，andthatassureasfatehisPortAdamstribesmenwilltakeawhiteman\'sheadinpayment。"

"Itisallsoghastlyridiculous，"Joanfinallysaid。

"And——er——romantic，"hesuggestedslyly。

Shedidnotanswer，andturnedaway；butSheldonknewthattheshafthadgonehome。

"Thatfellaboyhesick，bellybelonghimwalkabout，"BinuCharleysaid，pointingtothePoonga-Poongamanwhoseshoulderhadbeenscratchedbythearrowanhourbefore。

Theboywassittingdownandgroaning，hisarmsclaspinghisbentknees，hisheaddroopedforwardandrollingpainfullybackandforth。Forfearofpoison，Sheldonhadimmediatelyscarifiedthewoundandinjectedpermanganateofpotash；butinspiteoftheprecautiontheshoulderwasswellingrapidly。

"We\'lltakehimontowhereTudorislying，"Joansaid。"Thewalkingwillhelptokeepuphiscirculationandscatterthepoison。AdamuAdam，youtakeholdthatboy。Maybehewillwanttosleep。Shakehimup。Ifhesleephedie。"

Theadvancewasmorerapidnow，forBinuCharleyplacedthecaptivebushmaninfrontofhimandmadehimcleartherun-wayoftraps。

Once，atasharpturnwhereaman\'sshoulderwouldunavoidablybrushagainstascreenofleaves，thebushmandisplayedgreatcautionashespreadtheleavesasideandexposedtheheadofasharp-pointedspear，sosetthatthecasualpasser-bywouldreceiveattheleastanastyscratch。

"Myword，"saidBinuCharley，"thatfellaspearalleesamedevil-

devil。"

Hetookthespearandwasexaminingitwhensuddenlyhemadeasiftostickitintothebushman。Itwasabitofsimulatedplayfulness，butthebushmansprangbackinevidentfright。

Poisonedtheweaponwasbeyondanydoubt，andthereafterBinuCharleycarrieditthreateninglyattheprisoner\'sback。

Thesun，sinkingbehindaloftywesternpeak，broughtonanearlybutlingeringtwilight，andtheexpeditionploddedonthroughtheevilforest——theplaceofmysteryandfear，ofdeathswiftandsilentandhorrible，ofbrutishappetiteanddegradedinstinct，ofhumanlifethatstillwallowedintheprimevalslime，ofsavagerydegenerateandabysmal。Noslightestbreezesblewinthegloomysilence，andtheairwasstaleandhumidandsuffocating。Thesweatpouredunceasinglyfromtheirbodies，andintheirnostrilswastheheavysmellofrottingvegetationandofblackearththatwasa-crawlwithfecundlife。

Theyturnedasidefromtherun-wayataplaceindicatedbyBinuCharley，and，sometimescrawlingonhandsandkneesthroughthedampblackmuck，atothertimescreepingandclimbingthroughthetangledundergrowthadozenfeetfromtheground，theycametoanimmensebanyantree，halfanacreinextent，thatmadeintheinnermostheartofthejungleadenserjungleofitsown。Fromoutofitsblackdepthscamethevoiceofamansinginginacracked，eerievoice。

"Myword，thatbigfellamarsterhenodie!"

Thesingingstopped，andthevoice，faintandweak，calledoutahello。Joananswered，andthenthevoiceexplained。

"I\'mnotwandering。Iwasjustsingingtokeepmyspiritsup。

Haveyougotanythingtoeat？"

Afewminutessawtherescuedmanlyingamongblankets，whilefireswerebuilding，waterwasbeingcarried，Joan\'stentwasgoingup，andLalaperuwasoverhaulingthepacksandopeningtinsofprovisions。Tudor，havingpulledthroughthefeverandstartedtomend，wasstillfrightfullyweakandverymuchstarved。Sobadlyswollenwashefrommosquito-bitesthathisfacewasunrecognizable，andtheacceptanceofhisidentitywaslargelyamatteroffaith。Joanhadherownointmentsalong，andsheprefacedtheirapplicationbyfomentinghisswollenfeatureswithhotcloths。Sheldon，withaneyetothecampandthepreparationsforthenight，lookedonandfeltthepangsofjealousyateverycontactofherhandswithTudor\'sfaceandbody。Somehow，engagedintheirhealingministrations，theynolongerseemedtohimboy\'shands，thehandsofJoanwhohadgazedatGogoomy\'sheadwithpalecheekssprayedwithangryflame。Thehandswerenowawoman\'shands，andSheldongrinnedtohimselfashisfancysuggestedthatsomenighthemustlieoutsidethemosquito-nettinginordertohaveJoanapplysoothingfomentationsinthemorning。

CHAPTERXXV——THEHEAD-HUNTERS

Themorning\'sactionhadbeensettledthenightbefore。Tudorwastostaybehindinhisbanyanrefugeandgatherstrengthwhiletheexpeditionproceeded。OnthefarchancethattheymightrescueevenonesolitarysurvivorofTudor\'sparty，Joanwasfixedinherdeterminationtopushon；andneitherSheldonnorTudorcouldpersuadehertoremainquietlyatthebanyantreewhileSheldonwentonandsearched。WithTudor，AdamuAdamandArahuweretostopasguards，thelatterTahitianbeingselectedtoremainbecauseofabadfootwhichhadbeenbroughtaboutbysteppingononeofthethornsconcealedbythebushmen。Itwasevidentlyaslowpoison，andnottoostrong，thatthebushmenused，forthewoundedPoonga-Poongamanwasstillalive，andthoughhisswollenshoulderwasenormous，theinflammationhadalreadybeguntogodown。He，too，remainedwithTudor。

BinuCharleyledtheway，byproxy，however，for，bymeansofthepoisonedspear，hedrovethecaptivebushmanahead。Therun-waystillranthroughthedankandrottenjungle，andtheyknewnovillageswouldbeencounteredtillrisinggroundwasgained。Theyploddedon，pantingandsweatinginthehumid，stagnantair。Theywereimmersedinaseaofwanton，prodigalvegetation。Allaboutthemthehuge-rootedtreesblockedtheirfooting，whilecoiledandknottedclimbers，ofthegirthofaman\'sarm，werethrownfromloftybranchtoloftybranch，orhungintangledmasseslikesomanymonstroussnakes。Lush-stalkedplants，larger-leavedthanthebodyofaman，exudedasweatymoisturefromalltheirsurfaces。

Hereandthere，banyantrees，likerockyislands，shoulderedasidethestreamingriotofvegetationbetweentheircrowdedcolumns，showingportalsandpassageswhereinalldaylightwaslostandonlymidnightgloomremained。Tree-fernsandmossesandamyriadotherparasiticformsjostledwithgay-colouredfungoidgrowthsforroomtolive，andtheveryatmosphereitselfseemedtoaffordclingingspacetoairyfairycreepers，lightanddelicateasgem-dust，tremulouswithmicroscopicblooms。Pale-goldenandvermilionorchidsflauntedtheirunhealthyblossomsinthegolden，drippingsunshinethatfilteredthroughthemattedroof。Itwasthemysterious，evilforest，acharnelhouseofsilence，whereinnaughtmovedsavestrangetinybirds——thestrangenessofthemmakingthemysterymoreprofound，fortheyflittedonnoiselesswings，emittingneithersongnorchirp，andtheyweremottledwithmorbidcolours，havingalltheseemingoforchids，flyingblossomsofsicknessanddecay。

Hewascaughtbysurprise，fifteenfeetintheairabovethepath，intheforksofamany-branchedtree。Allsawhimashedroppedlikeashadow，nakedasonhisnatalmorn，landingspringilyonhisbentknees，andlikeashadowleapingalongtherun-way。Itwashardforthemtorealizethatitwasaman，forheseemedaweirdjunglespirit，agoblinoftheforest。OnlyBinuCharleywasnotperturbed。Heflunghispoisonedspearovertheheadofthecaptiveattheflittingform。Itwasamightycast，wellintended，buttheshadow，leaping，receivedthespearharmlesslybetweenthelegs，and，trippinguponit，wasflungsprawling。Beforehecouldgetaway，BinuCharleywasuponhim，clutchinghimbyhissnow-

whitehair。Hewasonlyayoungman，andadandyatthat，hisfaceblackenedwithcharcoal，hishairwhitenedwithwood-ashes，withthefreshlyseveredtailofawildpigthrustthroughhisperforatednose，andtwomorethrustthroughhisears。Hisonlyotherornamentwasanecklaceofhumanfinger-bones。Atsightoftheirotherprisonerhechatteredinahighquerulousfalsetto，withpuckeredbrowsandtroubled，wild-animaleyes。Hewasdisposedofalongthemiddleoftheline，oneofthePoonga-Poongamenleadinghimattheendofalengthofbark-rope。

Thetrailbegantoriseoutofthejungle，dippingattimesintofesteringhollowsofunwholesomevegetation，butrisingmoreandmoreoverswelling，unseenhill-slopesorclimbingsteephog-backsandrockyhummockswheretheforestthinnedandbluepatchesofskyappearedoverhead。

"Closeuphestop，"BinuCharleywarnedtheminawhisper。

Evenashespoke，fromhighoverheadcamethedeepresonantboomofavillagedrum。Butthebeatwasslow，therewasnopanicinthesound。Theyweredirectlybeneaththevillage，andtheycouldhearthecrowingofroosters，twowomen\'svoicesraisedinbriefdispute，and，once，thecryingofachild。Therun-waynowbecameadeeplywornpath，risingsosteeplythatseveraltimesthepartypausedforbreath。Thepathneverwidened，andinplacesthefeetandtherainsofgenerationshadscouredittillitwassunkentwentyfeetbeneaththesurface。

"Onemanwithariflecouldholditagainstathousand，"SheldonwhisperedtoJoan。"Andtwentymencouldholditwithspearsandarrows。"

Theycameoutonthevillage，situatedonasmall，uplandplateau，grass-covered，andwithonlyoccasionaltrees。Therewasawildchorusofwarningcriesfromthewomen，whoscurriedoutofthegrasshouses，andlikefrightenedquaildivedovertheoppositeedgeoftheclearing，gatheringuptheirbabiesandchildrenastheyran。Atthesametimespearsandarrowsbegantofallamongtheinvaders。AtSheldon\'scommand，theTahitiansandPoonga-

Poongamengotintoactionwiththeirrifles。Thespearsandarrowsceased，thelastbushmandisappeared，andthefightwasoveralmostassoonasithadbegun。Ontheirownsidenoonehadbeenhurt，whilehalfadozenbushmenhadbeenkilled。Thesealoneremained，thewoundedhavingbeencarriedoff。TheTahitiansandPoonga-Poongamenhadwarmedupandwereforpursuit，butthisSheldonwouldnotpermit。Tohispleasedsurprise，Joanbackedhimupinthedecision；for，glancingatheronceduringthefiring，hehadseenherwhiteface，likeaglitteringswordinitsfightingintensity，thenostrilsdilated，theeyesbrightandsteadyandshining。

"Poorbrutes，"shesaid。"Theyactonlyaccordingtotheirnatures。Toeattheirkindandtakeheadsisgoodmoralityforthem。"

"Buttheyshouldbetaughtnottotakewhitemen\'sheads，"Sheldonargued。

Shenoddedapproval，andsaid，"Ifwefindoneheadwe\'llburnthevillage。Hey，you，Charley!Whatfellaplaceheadhestop？"

"S\'posehestopalongdevil-devilhouse，"wastheanswer。"Thatbigfellahouse，hedevil-devil。"

Itwasthelargesthouseinthevillage，ambitiouslyornamentedwithfancy-plaitedmatsandking-postscarvedintoobsceneandmonstrousformshalf-humanandhalf-animal。Intoittheywent，intheobscurelightstumblingacrossthesleeping-logsofthevillagebachelorsandknockingtheirheadsagainststringsofweirdvotive-

offerings，driedandshrivelled，thathungfromtheroof-beams。Oneithersidewererudegods，somegrotesquelycarved，othersnomorethanshapelesslogsswathedinrottenandindescribablyfilthymatting。Theairwasmouldyandheavywithdecay，whilestringsoffish-tailsandofhalf-cleaneddogandcrocodileskullsdidnotaddtothewholesomenessoftheplace。

Inthecentre，crouchedbeforeaslow-smokingfire，inthelitteredashesofathousandfires，wasanoldmanwhoblinkedapatheticallyattheinvaders。Hewasextremelyold——sooldthathiswitheredskinhungabouthiminloosefoldsanddidnotlooklikeskin。Hishandswerebonyclaws，hisemaciatedfaceasheerdeath\'s-head。

Histask，itseemed，wastotendthefire，andwhileheblinkedatthemheaddedtoitahandfulofdeadandmouldywood。Andhunginthesmoketheyfoundtheobjectoftheirsearch。Joanturnedandstumbledouthastily，deathlysick，reelingintothesunshineandclutchingattheairforsupport。

"Seeifallarethere，"shecalledbackfaintly，andtotteredaimlesslyonforafewsteps，breathingtheairingreatdraughtsandtryingtoforgetthesightshehadseen。

UponSheldonfelltheunpleasanttaskoftallyingtheheads。Theywereallthere，nineofthem，whitemen\'sheads，thefacesofwhichhehadbeenfamiliarwithwhentheirownershadcampedinBerandecompoundandsetupthepoling-boats。BinuCharley，hugelyinterested，lentahand，turningtheheadsaroundforidentification，notingthehatchet-strokes，andremarkingthedistortedexpressions。ThePoonga-Poongamengloatedasusual，andasusualtheTahitianswereshockedandangry，severalofthemcursingandmutteringinundertones。SoangrywasMatapuu，thathestrodesuddenlyovertothefire-tenderandkickedhimintheribs，whereupontheoldsavageemittedanappallingsqueal，pig-likeinitswild-animalfear，andfellfacedownwardintheashesandlayquiveringinmomentaryexpectationofdeath。

Otherheads，thoroughlysun-driedandsmoke-cured，werefoundinabundance，but，withtwoexceptions，theyweretheheadsofblacks。

Sothiswasthemannerofhuntingthatwentoninthedarkandevilforest，Sheldonthought，asheregardedthem。Theatmosphereoftheplacewassickening，yethecouldnotforbeartopausebeforeoneofBinuCharley\'sfinds。

"MesavveeblackMary，mesavveewhiteMary，"quothBinuCharley。

"MenosavveethatfellaMary。Whatnamebelonghim？"

Sheldonlooked。Ancientandwithered，blackenedbymanyyearsofthesmokeofthedevil-devilhouse，neverthelesstheshrunken，mummy-likefacewasunmistakablyChinese。Howithadcometherewasthemystery。Itwasawoman\'shead，andhehadneverheardofaChinesewomaninthehistoryoftheSolomons。Fromtheearshungtwo-inch-longear-rings，andatSheldon\'sdirectiontheBinumanrubbedawaytheaccretionsofsmokeanddirt，andfromunderhisfingersappearedthepolishedgreenofjade，thesheenofpearl，andthewarmredofOrientalgold。Theotherhead，equallyancient，wasawhiteman\'s，astheheavyblondmoustache，twistedandaskewontheshrivelledupperlip，gavesufficientadvertisement；andSheldonwonderedwhatforgottenbeche-de-merfishermanorsandalwoodtraderhadgonetofurnishthatghastlytrophy。

TellingBinuCharleytoremovetheear-rings，anddirectingthePoonga-Poongamentocarryouttheoldfire-tender，Sheldonclearedthedevil-devilhouseandsetfiretoit。Sooneveryhousewasblazingmerrily，whiletheancientfire-tendersatuprightinthesunshineblinkingatthedestructionofhisvillage。Fromtheheightsabove，wherewereevidentlyothervillages，cametheboomingofdrumsandawildblowingofwar-conchs；butSheldonhaddaredallhecaredtowithhissmallfollowing。Besides，hismissionwasaccomplished。EverymemberofTudor\'sexpeditionwasaccountedfor；anditwasalong，darkwayoutofthehead-hunters\'

country。Releasingtheirtwoprisoners，wholeapedawaylikestartleddeer，theyplungeddownthesteeppathintothesteamingjungle。

Joan，stillshockedbywhatshehadseen，walkedoninfrontofSheldon，subduedandsilent。Attheendofhalfanhoursheturnedtohimwithawansmileandsaid，-

"Idon\'tthinkIcaretovisitthehead-huntersanymore。It\'sadventure，Iknow；butthereissuchathingashavingtoomuchofagoodthing。Ridingaroundtheplantationwillhenceforthbegoodenoughforme，orperhapssalvinganotherMartha；butthebushmenofGuadalcanarneedneverworryforfearthatIshallvisitthemagain。Ishallhavenightmaresformonthstocome，IknowIshall。

Ugh!——thehorridbeasts!"

ThatnightfoundthembackincampwithTudor，who，whileimproved，wouldstillhavetobecarrieddownonastretcher。TheswellingofthePoonga-Poongaman\'sshoulderwasgoingdownslowly，butArahustilllimpedonhisthorn-poisonedfoot。

TwodayslatertheyrejoinedtheboatsatCarli；andathighnoonofthethirdday，travellingwiththecurrentandshootingtherapids，theexpeditionarrivedatBerande。Joan，withasigh，unbuckledherrevolver-beltandhungitonthenailintheliving-

room，whileSheldon，whohadbeenlurkingaboutforthesheerjoyofseeingherperformthatparticularhome-comingact，sighed，too，withsatisfaction。Butthehome-comingwasnotalljoytohim，forJoansetaboutnursingTudor，andspentmuchtimeontheverandawherehelayinthehammockunderthemosquito-netting。

CHAPTERXXVI——BURNINGDAYLIGHT

ThetendaysofTudor\'sconvalescencethatfollowedwerepeacefuldaysonBerande。Theworkoftheplantationwentonlikeclock-

work。WiththecrushingoftheprematureoutbreakofGogoomyandhisfollowing，allinsubordinationseemedtohavevanished。Twentymoreoftheold-timeboys，theirtermofserviceup，werecarriedawaybytheMartha，andthefreshstockoflabour，treatedfairly，wasprovingofexcellentquality。AsSheldonrodeabouttheplantation，acknowledgingtohimselfthecomfortandconvenienceofahorseandwonderingwhyhehadnotthoughtofgettingonehimself，heponderedthevariousimprovementsforwhichJoanwasresponsible——thesplendidPoonga-Poongarecruits；thefruitsandvegetables；theMarthaherself，snatchedfromtheseaforasongandearningmoneyhandoverfistdespiteoldKinross\'sslowandsafemethodofrunningher；andBerande，oncemorefinanciallysecure，approachingeachdaynearerthedividend-payingtime，andgrowingeachdayastheblacktoilersclearedthebush，cutthecane-grass，andplantedmorecocoanutpalms。

IntheseandathousandwaysSheldonwasmadeawareofhowmuchhewasindebtedformaterialprosperitytoJoan——totheslender，level-browedgirlwithromanceshiningoutofhergrayeyesandadventureshoutingfromthelong-barrelledColt\'sonherhip，whohadlandedonthebeachthatpipinggale，alongwithherstalwartTahitiancrew，andwhohadenteredhisbungalowtohangwithboy\'shandsherrevolver-beltandBaden-Powellhatonthenailbythebilliardtable。Heforgotalltheearlyexasperations，rememberingonlyhercharmsandsweetnessesandgloryingmuchinthetraitsheatfirsthaddislikedmost——herboyishnessandadventurousness，herdelighttoswimandriskthesharks，herdesiretogorecruiting，herloveoftheseaandships，hersharpauthoritativewordswhenshelaunchedthewhale-boatand，withfirestickinonehandanddynamite-stickintheother，departedwithherpicturesquecrewtoshootfishintheBalesuna；hersuper-innocentdisdainforthecommonestconventions，herjuvenilejoyinargument，herfluttering，wild-birdloveoffreedomandmadpassionforindependence。Allthishenowloved，andhenolongerdesiredtotameandholdher，thoughtheparadoxwasthewinningofherwithoutthetamingandtheholding。

Thereweretimeswhenhewasdizzywiththoughtofherandloveofher，whenhewouldstophishorseandwithclosedeyespictureherashehadseenherthatfirstday，inthestern-sheetsofthewhale-boat，dashingmadlyintoshoreandmarchingbelligerentlyalonghisverandatoremarkthatitwasprettyhospitalitythislettingstrangerssinkorswiminhisfrontyard。Andasheopenedhiseyesandurgedhishorseonward，hewouldponderforthetenthousandthtimehowpossiblyhewasevertoholdherwhenshewassowildandbird-likethatshewasboundtoflutteroutandawayfromunderhishand。

ItwaspatenttoSheldonthatTudorhadbecomeinterestedinJoan。

Thatconvalescentvisitorpracticallylivedontheveranda，though，whilepreposterouslyweakandshakyinthelegs，hehadforsometimeinsistedoncomingintojointhematthetableatmeals。ThefirstwarningSheldonhadoftheother\'sgrowinginterestinthegirlwaswhenTudoreaseddownandfinallyceasedprickinghimwithhishabitualsharpnessofquipandspeech。Thiscessationofverbalsparringwaslikethebreakingoffofdiplomaticrelationsbetweencountriesatthebeginningofwar，and，onceSheldon\'ssuspicionswerearoused，hewasnotlonginfindingotherconfirmations。TudortooobviouslyjoyedinJoan\'spresence，tooobviouslylaidhimselfouttoamuseandfascinateherwithhisowngloriousandadventurouspersonality。Often，afterhismorningrideovertheplantation，orcominginfromthestoreorfrominspectionofthecopra-drying，Sheldonfoundthepairofthemtogetherontheveranda，Joanlistening，intentandexcited，andTudordeepinsomerecitalofpersonaladventureattheendsoftheearth。

Sheldonnoticed，too，thewayTudorlookedatherandfollowedheraboutwithhiseyes，andinthoseeyeshenotedacertainhungrylook，andonthefaceacertainwistfulexpression；andhewonderedifonhisownfacehecarriedasimilarinvoluntaryadvertisement。

Hewassureofseveralthings:first，thatTudorwasnottherightmanforJoanandcouldnotpossiblymakeherpermanentlyhappy；

next，thatJoanwastoosensibleagirlreallytofallinlovewithamanofsuchsuperficialstamp；and，finally，thatTudorwouldblunderhislove-makingsomehow。Andatthesametime，withtruelover\'sanxiety，Sheldonfearedthattheothermightsomehowfailtoblunder，andwinthegirlwithpurelyfortuitousandsuccessfulmeretriciousshow。ButoftheonethingSheldonwassure:Tudorhadnointimateknowledgeofherandwasunawareofhowvitalinherwasherwildnessandloveofindependence。Thatwaswherehewouldblunder——inthecatchingandtheholdingofher。Andthen，inspiteofallhiscertitude，SheldoncouldnotforbearwonderingifhistheoriesofJoanmightnotbewrong，andifTudorwasnotgoingtherightwayaboutafterall。

Thesituationwasveryunsatisfactoryandperplexing。Sheldonplayedthedifficultpartofwaitingandlookingon，whilehisrivaldevotedhimselfenergeticallytoreachingoutandgraspingattheflutteringprize。Then，again，Tudorhadsuchanirritatingwayabouthim。Ithadbecomequiteelusiveandintangible，nowthathehadtacitlysevereddiplomaticrelations；butSheldonsensedwhathedeemedagrowingantagonismandpromptlymagnifieditthroughthejealouslensesofhisownlover\'seyes。Theotherwasaninterloper。HedidnotbelongtoBerande，andnowthathewaswellandstrongagainitwastimeforhimtogo。Insteadofwhich，anddespitethecallinginofthemailsteamerboundforSydney，Tudorhadsettledhimselfdowncomfortably，resumedswimming，wentdynamitingfishwithJoan，spenthourswithherhuntingpigeons，trappingcrocodiles，andattargetpracticewithrifleandrevolver。

ButtherewerecertaintraditionsofhospitalitythatpreventedSheldonfrombreathingahintthatitwastimeforhisguesttotakehimselfoff。Andinsimilarfashion，feelingthatitwasnotplayingthegame，hefoughtdownthetemptationtowarnJoan。Hadheknownanything，nottooserious，toTudor\'sdetriment，hewouldhavebeenunabletoutterit；buttheworstofitwasthatheknewnothingatallagainsttheman。Thatwastheconfoundedpartofit，andsometimeshewassobaffledandoverwroughtbyhisfeelingsthatheassumedasuper-judicialcalmandassuredhimselfthathisdislikeofTudorwasamatterofunsubstantialprejudiceandjealousy。

Outwardly，hemaintainedacalmandsmilingaspect。Theworkoftheplantationwenton。TheMarthaandtheFlibberty-Gibbetcameandwent，asdidallthemiscellanyofcoastingcraftthatdroppedintowaitforabreezeandhaveagossip，adrinkortwo，andagameofbilliards。Satankeptthecompoundfreeofniggers。

Bouchercamedownregularlyinhiswhale-boattopassSunday。

Twiceaday，atbreakfastanddinner，JoanandSheldonandTudormetamicablyattable，andtheeveningswereasamicablyspentontheveranda。

Andthenithappened。Tudormadehisblunder。NeverdiviningJoan\'sflutteringwildness，herblindhatredofrestraintandcompulsion，herabhorrenceofmasterybyanother，andmistakingthewarmthandenthusiasminhereyes(arousedbyhislatesttale)forsomethingtenderandacquiescent，hedrewhertohim，laidaforcibledetainingarmaboutherwaist，andmisapprehendedherfranticrevoltforanexhibitionofmaidenlyreluctance。Itoccurredontheveranda，afterbreakfast，andSheldon，within，ponderingaSydneywholesaler\'scatalogueandmakinguphisordersfornextsteamer-day，heardthesharpexclamationofJoan，followedbytheequallysharpimpactofanopenhandagainstacheek。

Jerkingfreefromthearmthatwasalldistastefulcompulsion，JoanhadslappedTudor\'sfaceresoundinglyandwithfarmorevimandweightthanwhenshehadcuffedGogoomy。

Sheldonhadhalf-startedup，thencontrolledhimselfandsunkbackinhischair，sothatbythetimeJoanenteredthedoorhiscomposurewasrecovered。Herrightfore-armwasclutchedtightlyinherlefthand，whilethewhitecheeks，centredwiththespotsofflamingred，remindedhimofthetimehehadfirstseenherangry。

"Hehurtmyarm，"sheblurtedout，inreplytohislookofinquiry。

Hesmiledinvoluntarily。Itwassolikeher，soliketheboyshewas，tocomerunningtocomplainofthephysicalhurtwhichhadbeendoneher。Shewascertainlynotawomanversedinthewaysofmanandinthewaysofhandlingman。TheresoundingslapshehadgivenTudorseemedstillechoinginSheldon\'sears，andashelookedatthegirlbeforehimcryingoutthatherarmwashurt，hissmilegrewbroader。

Itwasthesmilethatdidit，convictingJoaninherowneyesofthesillinessofhercryandsendingoverherfacethemostamazingblushhehadeverseen。Throat，cheeks，andforeheadflamedwiththerushoftheshamedblood。

"He——he——"sheattemptedtovindicateherdeeperindignation，thenwhirledabruptlyawayandpassedoutthereardooranddownthesteps。

Sheldonsatandmused。Hewasatrifleangry，andthemorehedweltuponthehappeningtheangrierhegrew。IfithadbeenanywomanexceptJoanitwouldhavebeenamusing。ButJoanwasthelastwomanintheworldtoattempttokissforcibly。Thethingsmackedofthebackstairsanyway——asordidlittlecomedyperhaps，buttohavetrieditonJoanwasnothinglessthansacrilege。Themanshouldhavehadbettersense。Then，too，Sheldonwaspersonallyaggrieved。Hehadbeenfilchedofsomethingthathefeltwasalmosthis，andhislover\'sjealousywasrampantatthoughtofthisforcedfamiliarity。

ItwaswhileinthismoodthatthescreendoorbangedloudlybehindtheheelsofTudor，whostrodeintotheroomandpausedbeforehim。

Sheldonwasunprepared，thoughitwasveryapparentthattheotherwasfurious。

"Well？"Tudordemandeddefiantly。

AndontheinstantspeechrushedtoSheldon\'slips。

"Ihopeyouwon\'tattemptanythinglikeitagain，that\'sall——

exceptthatIshallbeonlytoohappyanytimetoextendtoyouthecourtesyofmywhale-boat。ItwilllandyouinTulagiinafewhours。"

"Asifthatwouldsettleit，"wastheretort。

"Idon\'tunderstand，"Sheldonsaidsimply。

"Thenitisbecauseyoudon\'twishtounderstand。"

"StillIdon\'tunderstand，"Sheldonsaidinsteady，leveltones。

"Allthatiscleartomeisthatyouareexaggeratingyourownblunderintosomethingserious。"

Tudorgrinnedmaliciouslyandreplied，-

"Itwouldseemthatyouaredoingtheexaggerating，invitingmetoleaveinyourwhale-boat。ItistellingmethatBerandeisnotbigenoughforthepairofus。NowletmetellyouthattheSolomonIslandsisnotbigenoughforthepairofus。Thisthing\'sgottobesettledbetweenus，anditmayaswellbesettledrighthereandnow。"

"Icanunderstandyourfire-eatingmannersasbeingnaturaltoyou，"Sheldonwentonwearily，"butwhyyoushouldtrythemonmeiswhatIcan\'tcomprehend。Yousurelydon\'twanttoquarrelwithme。"

"Icertainlydo。"

"Butwhatinheaven\'snamefor？"

Tudorsurveyedhimwithwitheringdisgust。

"Youhaven\'tthesoulofalouse。Isupposeanymancouldmakelovetoyourwife——"

"ButIhavenowife，"Sheldoninterrupted。

"Thenyououghttohave。Thesituationisoutrageous。Youmightatleastmarryher，asIamhonourablywillingtodo。"

ForthefirsttimeSheldon\'srisingangerboiledover。

"You——"hebeganviolently，thenabruptlycaughtcontrolofhimselfandwentonsoothingly，"you\'dbettertakeadrinkandthinkitover。That\'smyadvicetoyou。Ofcourse，whenyoudogetcool，aftertalkingtomeinthisfashionyouwon\'twanttostayonanylonger，sowhileyou\'regettingthatdrinkI\'llcalltheboat\'s-

crewandlaunchaboat。You\'llbeinTulagibyeightthisevening。"

Heturnedtowardthedoor，asiftoputhiswordsintoexecution，buttheothercaughthimbytheshoulderandtwirledhimaround。

"Lookhere，Sheldon，ItoldyoutheSolomonsweretoosmallforthepairofus，andImeantit。"

"IsthatanoffertobuyBerande，lock，stock，andbarrel？"Sheldonqueried。