第1章

TheMerryMeni。EileanArosii。WhatthewreckhadbroughttoArosiii。LandandseainSandagBayiv。Thegalev。AmanoutoftheseaWillo’theMilli。Theplainandthestarsii。TheParson’sMarjoryiii。DeathMarkheimThrawnJanetOlallaTheTreasureofFranchardi。BythedyingMountebankii。Morningtaleiii。Theadoptioniv。Theeducationofthephilosopherv。Treasuretrovevi。Acriminalinvestigation，intwopartsvii。ThefalloftheHouseofDesprezviii。Thewagesofphilosophy***

THEMERRYMEN

CHAPTERI。EILEANAROS。

ITWASabeautifulmorninginthelateJulywhenIsetforthonfootforthelasttimeforAros。AboathadputmeashorethenightbeforeatGrisapol。Ihadsuchbreakfastasthelittleinnafforded，and，leavingallmybaggagetillIhadanoccasiontocomeroundforitbysea，struckrightacrossthepromontorywithacheerfulheart。

Iwasfarfrombeinganativeoftheseparts，springing，asIdid，fromanunmixedlowlandstock。Butanuncleofmine，GordonDarnaway，afterapoor，roughyouth，andsomeyearsatsea，hadmarriedayoungwifeintheislands。MaryMacleanshewascalled，thelastofherfamily。andwhenshediedingivingbirthtoadaughter，Aros，thesea-girtfarm，hadremainedinhispossession。

Itbroughthiminnothingbutthemeansoflife，asIwaswellaware。buthewasamanwhomill-fortunehadpursued。hefeared，cumberedashewaswiththeyoungchild，tomakeafreshadventureuponlife。andremainedinAros，bitinghisnailsatdestiny。

Yearspassedoverhisheadinthatisolation，andbroughtneitherhelpnorcontentment。Meantimeourfamilywasdyingoutinthelowlands。thereislittleluckforanyofthatrace。andperhapsmyfatherwastheluckiestofall，fornotonlywasheoneofthelasttodie，butheleftasontohisnameandalittlemoneytosupportit。IwasastudentofEdinburghUniversity，livingwellenoughatmyowncharges，butwithoutkithorkin。whensomenewsofmefounditswaytoUncleGordonontheRossofGrisapol。andhe，ashewasamanwhoheldbloodthickerthanwater，wrotetomethedayheheardofmyexistence，andtaughtmetocountArosasmyhome。

ThusitwasthatIcametospendmyvacationsinthatpartofthecountry，sofarfromallsocietyandcomfort，betweenthecodfishandthemoorcocks。andthusitwasthatnow，whenIhaddonewithmyclasses，IwasreturningthitherwithsolightaheartthatJulyday。

TheRoss，aswecallit，isapromontoryneitherwidenorhigh，butasroughasGodmadeittothisday。thedeepseaoneitherhandofit，fullofruggedislesandreefsmostperiloustoseamen-alloverlookedfromtheeastwardbysomeveryhighcliffsandthegreatpealsofBenKyaw。THEMOUNTAINOFTHEMIST，theysaythewordssignifyintheGaelictongue。anditiswellnamed。Forthathill-

top，whichismorethanthreethousandfeetinheight，catchesallthecloudsthatcomeblowingfromtheseaward。and，indeed，Iusedoftentothinkthatitmustmakethemforitself。sincewhenallheavenwascleartothesealevel，therewouldeverbeastreameronBenKyaw。Itbroughtwater，too，andwasmossy(1)tothetopinconsequence。IhaveseenussittinginbroadsunshineontheRoss，andtherainfallingblacklikecrapeuponthemountain。Butthewetnessofitmadeitoftenappearmorebeautifultomyeyes。

forwhenthesunstruckuponthehillsides，thereweremanywetrocksandwatercoursesthatshonelikejewelsevenasfarasAros，fifteenmilesaway。

TheroadthatIfollowedwasacattle-track。Ittwistedsoasnearlytodoublethelengthofmyjourney。itwentoverroughboulderssothatamanhadtoleapfromonetoanother，andthroughsoftbottomswherethemosscamenearlytotheknee。Therewasnocultivationanywhere，andnotonehouseinthetenmilesfromGrisapoltoAros。Housesofcoursetherewere-threeatleast。

buttheylaysofarontheonesideortheotherthatnostrangercouldhavefoundthemfromthetrack。AlargepartoftheRossiscoveredwithbiggraniterocks，someofthemlargerthanatwo-

roomedhouse，onebesideanother，withfernanddeepheatherinbetweenthemwherethevipersbreed。Anywaythewindwas，itwasalwaysseaair，assaltasonaship。thegullswereasfreeasmoorfowloveralltheRoss。andwheneverthewayrosealittle，youreyewouldkindlewiththebrightnessofthesea。Fromtheverymidstoftheland，onadayofwindandahighspring，IhaveheardtheRoostroaring，likeabattlewhereitrunsbyAros，andthegreatandfearfulvoicesofthebreakersthatwecalltheMerryMen。

Arositself-ArosJay，Ihaveheardthenativescallit，andtheysayitmeansTHEHOUSEOFGOD-ArositselfwasnotproperlyapieceoftheRoss，norwasitquiteanislet。Itformedthesouth-

westcorneroftheland，fittedclosetoit，andwasinoneplaceonlyseparatedfromthecoastbyalittlegutofthesea，notfortyfeetacrossthenarrowest。Whenthetidewasfull，thiswasclearandstill，likeapoolonalandriver。onlytherewasadifferenceintheweedsandfishes，andthewateritselfwasgreeninsteadofbrown。butwhenthetidewentout，inthebottomoftheebb，therewasadayortwoineverymonthwhenyoucouldpassdryshodfromArostothemainland。Therewassomegoodpasture，wheremyunclefedthesheephelivedon。perhapsthefeedwasbetterbecausethegroundrosehigherontheisletthanthemainleveloftheRoss，butthisIamnotskilledenoughtosettle。Thehousewasagoodoneforthatcountry，twostoreyshigh。Itlookedwestwardoverabay，withapierhardbyforaboat，andfromthedooryoucouldwatchthevapoursblowingonBenKyaw。

Onallthispartofthecoast，andespeciallynearAros，thesegreatgraniterocksthatIhavespokenofgodowntogetherintroopsintothesea，likecattleonasummer’sday。Theretheystand，foralltheworldliketheirneighboursashore。onlythesaltwatersobbingbetweentheminsteadofthequietearth，andclotsofsea-pinkbloomingontheirsidesinsteadofheather。andthegreatseacongertowreatheaboutthebaseoftheminsteadofthepoisonousviperoftheland。Oncalmdaysyoucangowanderingbetweentheminaboatforhours，echoesfollowingyouaboutthelabyrinth。butwhentheseaisup，Heavenhelpthemanthathearsthatcauldronboiling。

Offthesouth-westendofArostheseblocksareverymany，andmuchgreaterinsize。Indeed，theymustgrowmonstrouslybiggerouttosea，fortheremustbetenseamilesofopenwatersownwiththemasthickasacountryplacewithhouses，somestandingthirtyfeetabovethetides，somecovered，butallperiloustoships。sothatonaclear，westerlyblowingday，Ihavecounted，fromthetopofAros，thegreatrollersbreakingwhiteandheavyoverasmanyassix-and-fortyburiedreefs。Butitisnearerinshorethatthedangerisworst。forthetide，hererunninglikeamillrace，makesalongbeltofbrokenwater-aROOSTwecallit-atthetailoftheland。Ihaveoftenbeenoutthereinadeadcalmattheslackofthetide。andastrangeplaceitis，withtheseaswirlingandcombingupandboilinglikethecauldronsofalinn，andnowandagainalittledancingmutterofsoundasthoughtheROOSTweretalkingtoitself。Butwhenthetidebeginstorunagain，andaboveallinheavyweather，thereisnomancouldtakeaboatwithinhalfamileofit，norashipafloatthatcouldeithersteerorliveinsuchaplace。Youcanheartheroaringofitsixmilesaway。Attheseawardendtherecomesthestrongestofthebubble。

andit’sherethatthesebigbreakersdancetogether-thedanceofdeath，itmaybecalled-thathavegotthename，intheseparts，oftheMerryMen。Ihavehearditsaidthattheyrunfiftyfeethigh。butthatmustbethegreenwateronly，forthesprayrunstwiceashighasthat。Whethertheygotthenamefromtheirmovements，whichareswiftandantic，orfromtheshoutingtheymakeabouttheturnofthetide，sothatallArosshakeswithit，ismorethanIcantell。

Thetruthis，thatinasouth-westerlywind，thatpartofourarchipelagoisnobetterthanatrap。Ifashipgotthroughthereefs，andweatheredtheMerryMen，itwouldbetocomeashoreonthesouthcoastofAros，inSandagBay，wheresomanydismalthingsbefellourfamily，asIproposetotell。Thethoughtofallthesedangers，intheplaceIknewsolong，makesmeparticularlywelcometheworksnowgoingforwardtosetlightsupontheheadlandsandbuoysalongthechannelsofouriron-bound，inhospitableislands。

ThecountrypeoplehadmanyastoryaboutAros，asIusedtohearfrommyuncle’sman，Rorie，anoldservantoftheMacleans，whohadtransferredhisserviceswithoutafterthoughtontheoccasionofthemarriage。Therewassometaleofanunluckycreature，asea-

kelpie，thatdweltanddidbusinessinsomefearfulmannerofhisownamongtheboilingbreakersoftheRoost。AmermaidhadoncemetapiperonSandagbeach，andtheresangtohimalong，brightmidsummer’snight，sothatinthemorninghewasfoundstrickencrazy，andfromthenceforward，tillthedayhedied，saidonlyoneformofwords。whattheywereintheoriginalGaelicIcannottell，buttheywerethustranslated：’Ah，thesweetsingingoutofthesea。’Sealsthathauntedonthatcoasthavebeenknowntospeaktomaninhisowntongue，presaginggreatdisasters。ItwasherethatacertainsaintfirstlandedonhisvoyageoutofIrelandtoconverttheHebrideans。And，indeed，Ithinkhehadsomeclaimtobecalledsaint。for，withtheboatsofthatpastage，tomakesoroughapassage，andlandonsuchaticklishcoast，wassurelynotfarshortofthemiraculous。Itwastohim，ortosomeofhismonkishunderlingswhohadacellthere，thattheisletowesitsholyandbeautifulname，theHouseofGod。

Amongtheseoldwives’storiestherewasonewhichIwasinclinedtohearwithmorecredulity。AsIwastold，inthattempestwhichscatteredtheshipsoftheInvincibleArmadaoverallthenorthandwestofScotland，onegreatvesselcameashoreonAros，andbeforetheeyesofsomesolitarypeopleonahill-top，wentdowninamomentwithallhands，hercoloursflyingevenasshesank。Therewassomelikelihoodinthistale。foranotherofthatfleetlaysunkonthenorthside，twentymilesfromGrisapol。Itwastold，I

thought，withmoredetailandgravitythanitscompanionstories，andtherewasoneparticularitywhichwentfartoconvincemeofitstruth：thename，thatis，oftheshipwasstillremembered，andsounded，inmyears，Spanishly。TheESPIRITOSANTOtheycalledit，agreatshipofmanydecksofguns，ladenwithtreasureandgrandeesofSpain，andfiercesoldadoes，thatnowlayfathomdeeptoalleternity，donewithherwarsandvoyages，inSandagbay，uponthewestofAros。Nomoresalvosofordnanceforthattallship，the’HolySpirit，’nomorefairwindsorhappyventures。onlytorottheredeepinthesea-tangleandheartheshoutingsoftheMerryMenasthetideranhighabouttheisland。Itwasastrangethoughttomefirstandlast，andonlygrewstrangerasIlearnedthemoreofSpain，fromwhichshehadsetsailwithsoproudacompany，andKingPhilip，thewealthyking，thatsentheronthatvoyage。

AndnowImusttellyou，asIwalkedfromGrisapolthatday，theESPIRITOSANTOwasverymuchinmyreflections。IhadbeenfavourablyremarkedbyourthenPrincipalinEdinburghCollege，thatfamouswriter，Dr。Robertson，andbyhimhadbeensettoworkonsomepapersofanancientdatetorearrangeandsiftofwhatwasworthless。andinoneofthese，tomygreatwonder，Ifoundanoteofthisveryship，theESPIRITOSANTO，withhercaptain’sname，andhowshecarriedagreatpartoftheSpaniard’streasure，andhadbeenlostupontheRossofGrisapol。butinwhatparticularspot，thewildtribesofthatplaceandperiodwouldgivenoinformationtotheking’sinquiries。Puttingonethingwithanother，andtakingourislandtraditiontogetherwiththisnoteofoldKingJamie’sperquisitionsafterwealth，ithadcomestronglyonmymindthatthespotforwhichhesoughtinvaincouldbenootherthanthesmallbayofSandagonmyuncle’sland。andbeingafellowofamechanicalturn，Ihadeversincebeenplottinghowtoweighthatgoodshipupagainwithallheringots，ounces，anddoubloons，andbringbackourhouseofDarnawaytoitslong-forgottendignityandwealth。

ThiswasadesignofwhichIsoonhadreasontorepent。Mymindwassharplyturnedondifferentreflections。andsinceIbecamethewitnessofastrangejudgmentofGod’s，thethoughtofdeadmen’streasureshasbeenintolerabletomyconscience。ButevenatthattimeImustacquitmyselfofsordidgreed。forifIdesiredriches，itwasnotfortheirownsake，butforthesakeofapersonwhowasdeartomyheart-myuncle’sdaughter，MaryEllen。Shehadbeeneducatedwell，andhadbeenatimetoschooluponthemainland。

which，poorgirl，shewouldhavebeenhappierwithout。ForAroswasnoplaceforher，witholdRorietheservant，andherfather，whowasoneoftheunhappiestmeninScotland，plainlybredupinacountryplaceamongCameronians，longaskippersailingoutoftheClydeabouttheislands，andnow，withinfinitediscontent，managinghissheepandalittle’longshorefishingforthenecessarybread。Ifitwassometimeswearifultome，whowastherebutamonthortwo，youmayfancywhatitwastoherwhodweltinthatsamedesertalltheyearround，withthesheepandflyingsea-

gulls，andtheMerryMensinginganddancingintheRoost！

CHAPTERII。WHATTHEWRECKHADBROUGHTTOAROS。

ITwashalf-floodwhenIgotthelengthofAros。andtherewasnothingforitbuttostandonthefarshoreandwhistleforRoriewiththeboat。Ihadnoneedtorepeatthesignal。Atthefirstsound，Marywasatthedoorflyingahandkerchiefbywayofanswer，andtheoldlong-leggedserving-manwasshamblingdownthegraveltothepier。Forallhishurry，ittookhimalongwhiletopullacrossthebay。andIobservedhimseveraltimestopause，gointothestern，andlookovercuriouslyintothewake。Ashecamenearer，heseemedtomeagedandhaggard，andIthoughtheavoidedmyeye。Thecoblehadbeenrepaired，withtwonewthwartsandseveralpatchesofsomerareandbeautifulforeignwood，thenameofitunknowntome。

’Why，Rorie，’saidI，aswebeganthereturnvoyage，’thisisfinewood。Howcameyoubythat？’

’Itwillbehardtocheesel，’Rorieopinedreluctantly。andjustthen，droppingtheoars，hemadeanotherofthosedivesintothesternwhichIhadremarkedashecameacrosstofetchme，and，leaninghishandonmyshoulder，staredwithanawfullookintothewatersofthebay。

’Whatiswrong？’Iasked，agooddealstartled。

’Itwillbeagreatfeesh，’saidtheoldman，returningtohisoars。andnothingmorecouldIgetoutofhim，butstrangeglancesandanominousnoddingofthehead。Inspiteofmyself，Iwasinfectedwithameasureofuneasiness。Iturnedalso，andstudiedthewake。Thewaterwasstillandtransparent，but，outhereinthemiddleofthebay，exceedingdeep。ForsometimeIcouldseenaught。butatlastitdidseemtomeasifsomethingdark-agreatfish，orperhapsonlyashadow-followedstudiouslyinthetrackofthemovingcoble。AndthenIrememberedoneofRorie’ssuperstitions：howinaferryinMorven，insomegreat，exterminatingfeudamongtheclans。afish，thelikeofitunknowninallourwaters，followedforsomeyearsthepassageoftheferry-boat，untilnomandaredtomakethecrossing。

’Hewillbewaitingfortherightman，’saidRorie。

Marymetmeonthebeach，andledmeupthebraeandintothehouseofAros。Outsideandinsidethereweremanychanges。ThegardenwasfencedwiththesamewoodthatIhadnotedintheboat。therewerechairsinthekitchencoveredwithstrangebrocade。curtainsofbrocadehungfromthewindow。aclockstoodsilentonthedresser。alampofbrasswasswingingfromtheroof。thetablewassetfordinnerwiththefinestoflinenandsilver。andallthesenewrichesweredisplayedintheplainoldkitchenthatIknewsowell，withthehigh-backedsettle，andthestools，andtheclosetbedforRorie。withthewidechimneythesunshoneinto，andtheclear-smoulderingpeats。withthepipesonthemantelshelfandthethree-corneredspittoons，filledwithsea-shellsinsteadofsand，onthefloor。withthebarestonewallsandthebarewoodenfloor，andthethreepatchworkrugsthatwereofyoreitssoleadornment-

poorman’spatchwork，thelikeofitunknownincities，wovenwithhomespun，andSundayblack，andsea-clothpolishedonthebenchofrowing。Theroom，likethehouse，hadbeenasortofwonderinthatcountry-side，itwassoneatandhabitable。andtoseeitnow，shamedbytheseincongruousadditions，filledmewithindignationandakindofanger。InviewoftheerrandIhadcomeupontoAros，thefeelingwasbaselessandunjust。butitburnedhigh，atthefirstmoment，inmyheart。

’Mary，girl，’saidI，’thisistheplaceIhadlearnedtocallmyhome，andIdonotknowit。’

’Itismyhomebynature，notbythelearning，’shereplied。’theplaceIwasbornandtheplaceI’mliketodiein。andIneitherlikethesechanges，northewaytheycame，northatwhichcamewiththem。Iwouldhavelikedbetter，underGod’spleasure，theyhadgonedownintothesea，andtheMerryMenweredancingonthemnow。’

Marywasalwaysserious。itwasperhapstheonlytraitthatshesharedwithherfather。butthetonewithwhichsheutteredthesewordswasevengraverthanofcustom。

’Ay，’saidI，’Ifeareditcamebywreck，andthat’sbydeath。yetwhenmyfatherdied，Itookhisgoodswithoutremorse。’

’Yourfatherdiedacleanstraedeath，asthefolksay，’saidMary。

’True，’Ireturned。’andawreckislikeajudgment。Whatwasshecalled？’

’Theyca’dhertheCHRIST-ANNA，’saidavoicebehindme。and，turninground，Isawmyunclestandinginthedoorway。

Hewasasour，small，biliousman，withalongfaceandverydarkeyes。fifty-sixyearsold，soundandactiveinbody，andwithanairsomewhatbetweenthatofashepherdandthatofamanfollowingthesea。Heneverlaughed，thatIheard。readlongattheBible。

prayedmuch，liketheCameronianshehadbeenbroughtupamong。andindeed，inmanyways，usedtoremindmeofoneofthehill-

preachersinthekillingtimesbeforetheRevolution。Buthenevergotmuchcomfort，noreven，asIusedtothink，muchguidance，byhispiety。Hehadhisblackfitswhenhewasafraidofhell。buthehadledaroughlife，towhichhewouldlookbackwithenvy，andwasstillarough，cold，gloomyman。

Ashecameinatthedooroutofthesunlight，withhisbonnetonhisheadandapipehanginginhisbutton-hole，heseemed，likeRorie，tohavegrownolderandpaler，thelinesweredeeplierplougheduponhisface，andthewhitesofhiseyeswereyellow，likeoldstainedivory，orthebonesofthedead。

’Ay’herepeated，dwellinguponthefirstpartoftheword，’theCHRIST-ANNA。It’sanawfu’name。’

Imadehimmysalutations，andcomplimentedhimuponhislookofhealth。forIfearedhehadperhapsbeenill。

’I’minthebody，’hereplied，ungraciouslyenough。’ayeinthebodyandthesinsofthebody，likeyoursel’。Denner，’hesaidabruptlytoMary，andthenranontome：’They’regrandbraws，thirthatwehaegotten，aretheyno？Yon’sabonnyknock(2)，butit’llnogang。andthenapery’sbyordnar。Bonny，bairnlybraws。

it’sforthelikeo’themfolksellsthepeaceofGodthatpassethunderstanding。it’sforthelikeo’them，an’maybenoevensaemuckleworth，folkdauntonGodtoHisfaceandburninmucklehell。

andit’sforthatreasontheScriptureca’sthem，asIreadthepassage，theaccursedthing。Mary，yegirzie，’heinterruptedhimselftocrywithsomeasperity，’whatforhaeyenoputoutthetwacandlesticks？’

’Whyshouldweneedthemathighnoon？’sheasked。

Butmyunclewasnottobeturnedfromhisidea。’We’llbruik(3)

themwhilewemay，’hesaid。andsotwomassivecandlesticksofwroughtsilverwereaddedtothetableequipage，alreadysounsuitedtothatroughsea-sidefarm。

’Shecam’ashoreFebruar’10，abouttenatnicht，’hewentontome。’Therewasnaewind，andasairruno’sea。andshewasinthesooko’theRoost，asIjaloose。Wehadseenhera’day，Rorieandme，beatingtothewind。Shewasnaeahandycraft，I’mthinking，thatCHRIST-ANNA。forshewouldneithersteernorsteywi’them。A

sairdaytheyhadofit。theirhandswasneveraffthesheets，anditperishin’cauld-owercauldtosnaw。andayetheywouldgetabitnipo’wind，andawa’again，topittheemp’yhopeintothem。

Eh，man！buttheyhadasairdayforthelasto’t！Hewouldhavehadaprood，proodheartthatwonashoreuponthebacko’that。’

’Andwerealllost？’Icried。’Godheldthem！’

’Wheesht！’hesaidsternly。’Naneshallprayforthedeidonmyhearth-stane。’

IdisclaimedaPopishsenseformyejaculation。andheseemedtoacceptmydisclaimerwithunusualfacility，andranononcemoreuponwhathadevidentlybecomeafavouritesubject。

’WefandherinSandagBay，Roriean’me，anda’thaebrawsintheinsideofher。There’sakittlebit，yesee，aboutSandag。whilesthesookrinsstrongfortheMerryMen。an’whilesagain，whenthetide’smakin’hardan’yecanheartheRoostblawin’atthefar-endofAros，therecomesaback-spangofcurrentstrauchtintoSandagBay。Weel，there’sthethingthatgotthegripontheCHRIST-ANNA。

Shebuttohavecomeinram-staman’sternforrit。forthebowsofherareaftenunder，andtheback-sideofherisclearathie-watero’neaps。But，man！theduntthatshecamdoonwi’whenshestruck！Lordsaveusa’！butit’sanuncolifetobeasailor-acauld，wanchancylife。Mony’sthegliffIgotmysel’inthegreatdeep。andwhytheLordshouldhaemadeyonuncowaterismairthaneverIcouldwintounderstand。Hemadethevalesandthepastures，thebonnygreenyaird，thehalesome，cantyland-

AndnowtheyshoutandsingtoThee，ForThouhastmadethemglad，asthePsalmssayinthemetricalversion。NothatIwouldpreenmyfaithtothatclinkneither。butit’sbonny，andeasiertomind。

Whogotoseainships，theyhae’tagain-

AndinGreatwaterstradingbe，WithinthedeepthesemenGod’sworksAndHisgreatwonderssee。

Weel，it’seasysayin’sae。MaybeDauvitwasnaeveryweelacquantwi’thesea。But，troth，ifitwasnaeprentitintheBible，Iwadwhilesbetemp’ittothinkitwasnaetheLord，butthemuckle，blackdeilthatmadethesea。There’snaethinggoodcomesooto’tbutthefish。an’thespentacleo’Godridingonthetempest，tobeshure，whilkwouldbewhatDauvitwaslikelyettlingat。But，man，theyweresairwondersthatGodshowedtotheCHRIST-ANNA-

wonders，doIca’them？Judgments，rather：judgmentsinthemirknichtamongthedraygonso’thedeep。Andtheirsouls-tothinko’that-theirsouls，man，maybenoprepared！Thesea-amuckleyetttohell！’

Iobserved，asmyunclespoke，thathisvoicewasunnaturallymovedandhismannerunwontedlydemonstrative。Heleanedforwardattheselastwords，forexample，andtouchedmeonthekneewithhisspreadfingers，lookingupintomyfacewithacertainpallor，andIcouldseethathiseyesshonewithadeep-seatedfire，andthatthelinesabouthismouthweredrawnandtremulous。

EventheentranceofRorie，andthebeginningofourmeal，didnotdetachhimfromhistrainofthoughtbeyondamoment。Hecondescended，indeed，toaskmesomequestionsastomysuccessatcollege，butIthoughtitwaswithhalfhismind。andeveninhisextemporegrace，whichwas，asusual，longandwandering，Icouldfindthetraceofhispreoccupation，praying，ashedid，thatGodwould’rememberinmercyfowerpuir，feckless，fiddling，sinfulcreaturesherebytheirlee-lanebesidethegreatanddowiewaters。’

SoontherecameaninterchangeofspeechesbetweenhimandRorie。

’Wasitthere？’askedmyuncle。

’Ou，ay！’saidRorie。

Iobservedthattheybothspokeinamannerofaside，andwithsomeshowofembarrassment，andthatMaryherselfappearedtocolour，andlookeddownonherplate。Partlytoshowmyknowledge，andsorelievethepartyfromanawkwardstrain，partlybecauseIwascurious，Ipursuedthesubject。

’Youmeanthefish？’Iasked。

’Whattenfish？’criedmyuncle。’Fish，quo’he！Fish！Youreenarefu’o’fatness，man。yourheiddozenedwi’carnalleir。Fish！

it’sabogle！’

Hespokewithgreatvehemence，asthoughangry。andperhapsIwasnotverywillingtobeputdownsoshortly，foryoungmenaredisputatious。AtleastIrememberIretortedhotly，cryingoutuponchildishsuperstitions。

’AndyecomefraetheCollege！’sneeredUncleGordon。’Gudekenswhattheylearnfolkthere。it’snomuckleserviceonyway。Doyethink，man，thatthere’snaethingina’yonsautwildernesso’aworldootwastthere，wi’theseagrassesgrowin’，an’theseabeastsfechtin’，an’thesunglintin’downintoit，daybyday？

Na。thesea’sliketheland，butfearsomer。Ifthere’sfolkashore，there’sfolkinthesea-deidtheymaybe，butthey’refolkwhatever。andasfordeils，there’snanethat’sliketheseadeils。There’snosaemuckleharminthelanddeils，whena’ssaidanddone。Langsyne，whenIwasacallantinthesouthcountry，I

mindtherewasanauld，baldbogleinthePeewieMoss。Igotaglisko’himmysel’，sittin’onhishunkersinahag，asgray’satombstane。An’，troth，hewasafearsome-liketaed。Buthesteerednaebody。Naedoobt，ifanethatwasareprobate，anetheLordhated，hadganebytherewi’hissinstilluponhisstamach，naedoobtthecreaturewouldhaelowpedupo’thelikeso’him。Butthere’sdeilsinthedeepseawouldyokeonacommunicant！Eh，sirs，ifyehadganedoonwi’thepuirladsintheCHRIST-ANNA，yewouldkenbynowthemercyo’theseas。Ifyehadsaileditforaslangasme，yewouldhatethethochtofitasIdo。IfyehadbutusedtheeenGodgaveye，yewouldhaelearnedthewickednesso’

thatfause，saut，cauld，bulleringcreature，andofa’that’sinitbytheLord’spermission：labstersan’partans，an’siclike，howkinginthedeid。muckle，gutsy，blawingwhales。an’fish-thehaleclano’them-cauld-wamed，blind-eeduncannyferlies。O，sirs，’hecried，’thehorror-thehorroro’thesea！’

Wewereallsomewhatstaggeredbythisoutburst。andthespeakerhimself，afterthatlasthoarseapostrophe，appearedtosinkgloomilyintohisownthoughts。ButRorie，whowasgreedyofsuperstitiouslore，recalledhimtothesubjectbyaquestion。

’Youwillnoteverhaveseenateevilofthesea？’heasked。

’Noclearly，’repliedtheother。’Imisdoobtifameremancouldseeaneclearlyandconteenueinthebody。Ihaesailedwi’alad-theyca’dhimSandyGabart。hesawane，shureeneueh，an’shureeneuehitwastheendofhim。WewereseevendaysootfraetheClyde-asairwarkwehadhad-gaunnorthwi’seedsan’brawsan’

thingsfortheMacleod。WehadgotinowernearundertheCutchull’ns，an’hadjustganeaboutbysoa，an’wereoffonalangtack，wethochtwouldmaybehauldasfar’sCopnahow。Imindthenichtweel。amunesmooredwi’mist。afinegaunbreezeuponthewater，butnosteedy。an’-whatnaneo’uslikittohear-anitherwundgurlin’owerheid，amangthaefearsome，auldstanecraigso’

theCutchull’ns。Weel，Sandywasforritwi’thejibsheet。wecouldnaeseehimforthemains’l，thathadjustbegudetodraw，whena’atancehegiedaskirl。Iluffedformylife，forI

thochtwewereowernearSoa。butna，itwasnaethat，itwaspuirSandyGabart’sdeidskreigh，ornearhand，forhewasdeidinhalfanhour。A’thecouldtellwasthataseadeil，orseabogle，orseaspenster，orsic-like，hadclumupbythebowsprit，an’gi’enhimaecauld，uncannylook。An’，orthelifewasooto’Sandy’sbody，wekentweelwhatthethingbetokened，andwhythewundgurledinthetapso’theCutchull’ns。fordoonitcam’-awunddoIca’it！itwasthewundo’theLord’sanger-an’a’thatnichtwefouchtlikemendementit，andtheniestthatwekennedwewereashoreinLochUskevagh，an’thecockswerecrawin’inBenbecula。’

’Itwillhavebeenamerman，’Roriesaid。

’Amerman！’screamedmyunclewithimmeasurablescorn。’Auldwives’clavers！There’snaesicthingsasmermen。’

’Butwhatwasthecreaturelike？’Iasked。

’Whatlikewasit？Gudeforbidthatwesuldkenwhatlikeitwas！

Ithadakindofaheiduponit-mancouldsaynaemair。’

ThenRorie，smartingundertheaffront，toldseveraltalesofmermen，mermaids，andsea-horsesthathadcomeashoreupontheislandsandattackedthecrewsofboatsuponthesea。andmyuncle，inspiteofhisincredulity，listenedwithuneasyinterest。

’Aweel，aweel，’hesaid，’itmaybesae。Imaybewrang。butIfindnaewordo’mermenintheScriptures。’

’AndyouwillfindnaewordofArosRoost，maybe，’objectedRorie，andhisargumentappearedtocarryweight。

Whendinnerwasover，myunclecarriedmeforthwithhimtoabankbehindthehouse。Itwasaveryhotandquietafternoon。scarcearippleanywhereuponthesea，noranyvoicebutthefamiliarvoiceofsheepandgulls。andperhapsinconsequenceofthisreposeinnature，mykinsmanshowedhimselfmorerationalandtranquilthanbefore。Hespokeevenlyandalmostcheerfullyofmycareer，witheverynowandthenareferencetothelostshiporthetreasuresithadbroughttoAros。Formypart，Ilistenedtohiminasortoftrance，gazingwithallmyheartonthatrememberedscene，anddrinkinggladlythesea-airandthesmokeofpeatsthathadbeenlitbyMary。

Perhapsanhourhadpassedwhenmyuncle，whohadallthewhilebeencovertlygazingonthesurfaceofthelittlebay，rosetohisfeetandbademefollowhisexample。NowIshouldsaythatthegreatrunoftideatthesouth-westendofArosexercisesaperturbinginfluenceroundallthecoast。InSandagBay，tothesouth，astrongcurrentrunsatcertainperiodsofthefloodandebbrespectively。butinthisnorthernbay-ArosBay，asitiscalled-wherethehousestandsandonwhichmyunclewasnowgazing，theonlysignofdisturbanceistowardstheendoftheebb，andeventhenitistooslighttoberemarkable。Whenthereisanyswell，nothingcanbeseenatall。butwhenitiscalm，asitoftenis，thereappearcertainstrange，undecipherablemarks-sea-runes，aswemaynamethem-ontheglassysurfaceofthebay。Thelikeiscommoninathousandplacesonthecoast。andmanyaboymusthaveamusedhimselfasIdid，seekingtoreadinthemsomereferencetohimselforthoseheloved。Itwastothesemarksthatmyunclenowdirectedmyattention，struggling，ashedidso，withanevidentreluctance。

’Doyeseeyonscartupo’thewater？’heinquired。’yonanewastthegraystane？Ay？Weel，it’llnobelikealetter，wullit？’

’Certainlyitis，’Ireplied。’Ihaveoftenremarkedit。ItislikeaC。’

Heheavedasighasifheavilydisappointedwithmyanswer，andthenaddedbelowhisbreath：’Ay，fortheCHRIST-ANNA。’

’Iusedtosuppose，sir，itwasformyself，’saidI。’formynameisCharles。’

’Andsoyesaw’tafore？’，heranon，notheedingmyremark。’Weel，weel，butthat’suncostrange。Maybe，it’sbeentherewaitin’，asamanwadsay，througha’thewearyages。Man，butthat’sawfu’。’

Andthen，breakingoff：’Ye’llnoseeanither，willye？’heasked。

’Yes，’saidI。’Iseeanotherveryplainly，neartheRossside，wheretheroadcomesdown-anM。’

’AnM，’herepeatedverylow。andthen，againafteranotherpause：

’An’whatwadyemakeo’that？’heinquired。

’IhadalwaysthoughtittomeanMary，sir，’Ianswered，growingsomewhatred，convincedasIwasinmyownmindthatIwasonthethresholdofadecisiveexplanation。

Butwewereeachfollowinghisowntrainofthoughttotheexclusionoftheother’s。Myuncleoncemorepaidnoattentiontomywords。onlyhunghisheadandheldhispeace。andImighthavebeenledtofancythathehadnotheardme，ifhisnextspeechhadnotcontainedakindofechofrommyown。

’Iwouldsaynaethingo’thaeclaverstoMary，’heobserved，andbegantowalkforward。

ThereisabeltofturfalongthesideofArosBay，wherewalkingiseasy。anditwasalongthisthatIsilentlyfollowedmysilentkinsman。Iwasperhapsalittledisappointedathavinglostsogoodanopportunitytodeclaremylove。butIwasatthesametimefarmoredeeplyexercisedatthechangethathadbefallenmyuncle。

Hewasneveranordinary，never，inthestrictsense，anamiable，man。buttherewasnothingineventheworstthatIhadknownofhimbefore，topreparemeforsostrangeatransformation。Itwasimpossibletoclosetheeyesagainstonefact。thathehad，asthesayinggoes，somethingonhismind。andasImentallyranoverthedifferentwordswhichmightberepresentedbytheletterM-

misery，mercy，marriage，money，andthelike-Iwasarrestedwithasortofstartbythewordmurder。Iwasstillconsideringtheuglysoundandfatalmeaningoftheword，whenthedirectionofourwalkbroughtustoapointfromwhichaviewwastobehadtoeitherside，backtowardsArosBayandhomestead，andforwardontheocean，dottedtothenorthwithisles，andlyingtothesouthwardblueandopentothesky。Theremyguidecametoahalt，andstoodstaringforawhileonthatexpanse。Thenheturnedtomeandlaidahandonmyarm。

’Yethinkthere’snaethingthere？’hesaid，pointingwithhispipe。

andthencriedoutaloud，withakindofexultation：’I’lltellye，man！Thedeidaredownthere-thicklikerattons！’

Heturnedatonce，and，withoutanotherword，weretracedourstepstothehouseofAros。

IwaseagertobealonewithMary。yetitwasnottillaftersupper，andthenbutforashortwhile，thatIcouldhaveawordwithher。Ilostnotimebeatingaboutthebush，butspokeoutplainlywhatwasonmymind。

’Mary，’Isaid，’IhavenotcometoAroswithoutahope。Ifthatshouldprovewellfounded，wemayallleaveandgosomewhereelse，secureofdailybreadandcomfort。secure，perhaps，ofsomethingfarbeyondthat，whichitwouldseemextravagantinmetopromise。

Butthere’sahopethatliesnearertomyheartthanmoney。’AndatthatIpaused。’Youcanguessfinewhatthatis，Mary，’Isaid。

Shelookedawayfrommeinsilence，andthatwassmallencouragement，butIwasnottobeputoff。’AllmydaysIhavethoughttheworldofyou，’Icontinued。’thetimegoesonandI

thinkalwaysthemoreofyou。Icouldnotthinktobehappyorheartyinmylifewithoutyou：youaretheappleofmyeye。’Stillshelookedaway，andsaidneveraword。butIthoughtIsawthatherhandsshook。’Mary，’Icriedinfear，’doyenolikeme？’

’O，Charlieman，’shesaid，’isthisatimetospeakofit？Letmebe，awhile。letmebethewayIam。it’llnotbeyouthatlosesbythewaiting！’

Imadeoutbyhervoicethatshewasnearlyweeping，andthisputmeoutofanythoughtbuttocomposeher。’MaryEllen，’Isaid，’saynomore。Ididnotcometotroubleyou：yourwayshallbemine，andyourtimetoo。andyouhavetoldmeallIwanted。Onlyjustthisonethingmore：whatailsyou？’

Sheowneditwasherfather，butwouldenterintonoparticulars，onlyshookherhead，andsaidhewasnotwellandnotlikehimself，anditwasagreatpity。Sheknewnothingofthewreck。’I

havenaebeennearit，’saidshe。’WhatforwouldIgonearit，Charlielad？Thepoorsoulsaregonetotheiraccountlongsyne。

andIwouldjusthavewishedtheyhadta’entheirgearwiththem-

poorsouls！’

ThiswasscarcelyanygreatencouragementformetotellheroftheESPIRITOSANTO。yetIdidso，andattheveryfirstwordshecriedoutinsurprise。’TherewasamanatGrisapol，’shesaid，’inthemonthofMay-alittle，yellow，black-avisedbody，theytellme，withgoldringsuponhisfingers，andabeard。andhewasspeiringhighandlowforthatsameship。’

ItwastowardstheendofAprilthatIhadbeengiventhesepaperstosortoutbyDr。Robertson：anditcamesuddenlybackuponmymindthattheywerethuspreparedforaSpanishhistorian，oramancallinghimselfsuch，whohadcomewithhighrecommendationstothePrincipal，onamissionofinquiryastothedispersionofthegreatArmada。Puttingonethingwithanother，Ifanciedthatthevisitor’withthegoldringsuponhisfingers’mightbethesamewithDr。Robertson’shistorianfromMadrid。Ifthatwereso，hewouldbemorelikelyaftertreasureforhimselfthaninformationforalearnedsociety。Imadeupmymind，Ishouldlosenotimeovermyundertaking。andiftheshiplaysunkinSandagBay，asperhapsbothheandIsupposed，itshouldnotbefortheadvantageofthisringedadventurer，butforMaryandmyself，andforthegood，old，honest，kindlyfamilyoftheDarnaways。

CHAPTERIII。LANDANDSEAINSANDAGBAY。

IWASearlyafootnextmorning。andassoonasIhadabitetoeat，setforthuponatourofexploration。SomethinginmyheartdistinctlytoldmethatIshouldfindtheshipoftheArmada。andalthoughIdidnotgivewayentirelytosuchhopefulthoughts，I

wasstillverylightinspiritsandwalkeduponair。Arosisaveryroughislet，itssurfacestrewnwithgreatrocksandshaggywithfernlandheather。andmywaylayalmostnorthandsouthacrossthehighestknoll。andthoughthewholedistancewasinsideoftwomilesittookmoretimeandexertionthanfouruponalevelroad。

Uponthesummit，Ipaused。Althoughnotveryhigh-notthreehundredfeet，asIthink-ityetouttopsalltheneighbouringlowlandsoftheRoss，andcommandsagreatviewofseaandislands。

Thesun，whichhadbeenupsometime，wasalreadyhotuponmyneck。

theairwaslistlessandthundery，althoughpurelyclear。awayoverthenorth-west，wheretheislesliethickliestcongregated，somehalf-a-dozensmallandraggedcloudshungtogetherinacovey。andtheheadofBenKyawwore，notmerelyafewstreamers，butasolidhoodofvapour。Therewasathreatintheweather。Thesea，itistrue，wassmoothlikeglass：eventheRoostwasbutaseamonthatwidemirror，andtheMerryMennomorethancapsoffoam。buttomyeyeandear，solongfamiliarwiththeseplaces，theseaalsoseemedtolieuneasily。asoundofit，likealongsigh，mountedtomewhereIstood。and，quietasitwas，theRoostitselfappearedtoberevolvingmischief。ForIoughttosaythatallwedwellersinthesepartsattributed，ifnotprescience，atleastaqualityofwarning，tothatstrangeanddangerouscreatureofthetides。

Ihurriedon，then，withthegreaterspeed，andhadsoondescendedtheslopeofArostothepartthatwecallSandagBay。Itisaprettylargepieceofwatercomparedwiththesizeoftheisle。

wellshelteredfromallbuttheprevailingwind。sandyandshoalandboundedbylowsand-hillstothewest，buttotheeastwardlyingseveralfathomsdeepalongaledgeofrocks。Itisuponthatsidethat，atacertaintimeeachflood，thecurrentmentionedbymyunclesetssostrongintothebay。alittlelater，whentheRoostbeginstoworkhigher，anundertowrunsstillmorestronglyinthereversedirection。anditistheactionofthislast，asI

suppose，thathasscouredthatpartsodeep。NothingistobeseenoutofSandagBay，butonesmallsegmentofthehorizonand，inheavyweather，thebreakersflyinghighoveradeepseareef。

Fromhalf-waydownthehill，IhadperceivedthewreckofFebruarylast，abrigofconsiderabletonnage，lying，withherbackbroken，highanddryontheeastcornerofthesands。andIwasmakingdirectlytowardsit，andalreadyalmostonthemarginoftheturf，whenmyeyesweresuddenlyarrestedbyaspot，clearedoffernandheather，andmarkedbyoneofthoselong，low，andalmosthuman-

lookingmoundsthatweseesocommonlyingraveyards。Istoppedlikeamanshot。Nothinghadbeensaidtomeofanydeadmanorintermentontheisland。Rorie，Mary，andmyunclehadallequallyheldtheirpeace。ofheratleast，Iwascertainthatshemustbeignorant。andyethere，beforemyeyes，wasproofindubitableofthefact。Herewasagrave。andIhadtoaskmyself，withachill，whatmannerofmanlaythereinhislastsleep，awaitingthesignaloftheLordinthatsolitary，sea-beatresting-place？MymindsuppliednoanswerbutwhatIfearedtoentertain。Shipwrecked，atleast，hemusthavebeen。perhaps，liketheoldArmadamariners，fromsomefarandrichlandover-sea。orperhapsoneofmyownrace，perishingwithineyesightofthesmokeofhome。Istoodawhileuncoveredbyhisside，andIcouldhavedesiredthatithadlaininourreligiontoputupsomeprayerforthatunhappystranger，or，intheoldclassicway，outwardlytohonourhismisfortune。Iknew，althoughhisboneslaythere，apartofAros，tillthetrumpetsounded，hisimperishablesoulwasforthandfaraway，amongtherapturesoftheeverlastingSabbathorthepangsofhell。andyetmymindmisgavemeevenwithafear，thatperhapshewasnearmewhereIstood，guardinghissepulchre，andlingeringonthesceneofhisunhappyfate。

Certainlyitwaswithaspiritsomewhatover-shadowedthatIturnedawayfromthegravetothehardlylessmelancholyspectacleofthewreck。Herstemwasabovethefirstarcoftheflood。shewasbrokenintwoalittleabafttheforemast-thoughindeedshehadnone，bothmastshavingbrokenshortinherdisaster。andasthepitchofthebeachwasverysharpandsudden，andthebowslaymanyfeetbelowthestern，thefracturegapedwidelyopen，andyoucouldseerightthroughherpoorhulluponthefartherside。Hernamewasmuchdefaced，andIcouldnotmakeoutclearlywhethershewascalledCHRISTIANIA，aftertheNorwegiancity，orCHRISTIANA，afterthegoodwoman，Christian’swife，inthatoldbookthe’Pilgrim’sProgress。’Byherbuildshewasaforeignship，butIwasnotcertainofhernationality。Shehadbeenpaintedgreen，butthecolourwasfadedandweathered，andthepaintpeelingoffinstrips。Thewreckofthemainmastlayalongside，halfburiedinsand。Shewasaforlornsight，indeed，andIcouldnotlookwithoutemotionatthebitsofropethatstillhungabouther，sooftenhandledofyorebyshoutingseamen。orthelittlescuttlewheretheyhadpassedupanddowntotheiraffairs。orthatpoornoselessangelofafigure-headthathaddippedintosomanyrunningbillows。

Idonotknowwhetheritcamemostfromtheshiporfromthegrave，butIfellintosomemelancholyscruples，asIstoodthere，leaningwithonehandagainstthebatteredtimbers。Thehomelessnessofmenandevenofinanimatevessels，castawayuponstrangeshores，camestronglyinuponmymind。Tomakeaprofitofsuchpitifulmisadventuresseemedanunmanlyandasordidact。andIbegantothinkofmythenquestasofsomethingsacrilegiousinitsnature。

ButwhenIrememberedMary，Itookheartagain。Myunclewouldneverconsenttoanimprudentmarriage，norwouldshe，asIwaspersuaded，wedwithouthisfullapproval。Itbehovedme，then，tobeupanddoingformywife。andIthoughtwithalaughhowlongitwassincethatgreatsea-castle，theESPIRITOSANTO，hadleftherbonesinSandagBay，andhowweakitwouldbetoconsiderrightssolongextinguishedandmisfortunessolongforgottenintheprocessoftime。

Ihadmytheoryofwheretoseekforherremains。Thesetofthecurrentandthesoundingsbothpointedtotheeastsideofthebayundertheledgeofrocks。IfshehadbeenlostinSandagBay，andif，afterthesecenturies，anyportionofherheldtogether，itwastherethatIshouldfindit。Thewaterdeepens，asIhavesaid，withgreatrapidity，andevenclosealong-sidetherocksseveralfathomsmaybefound。AsIwalkedupontheedgeIcouldseefarandwideoverthesandybottomofthebay。thesunshoneclearandgreenandsteadyinthedeeps。thebayseemedratherlikeagreattransparentcrystal，asoneseestheminalapidary’sshop。therewasnaughttoshowthatitwaswaterbutaninternaltrembling，ahoveringwithinofsun-glintsandnettedshadows，andnowandthenafaintlapandadyingbubbleroundtheedge。Theshadowsoftherockslayoutforsomedistanceattheirfeet，sothatmyownshadow，moving，pausing，andstoopingonthetopofthat，reachedsometimeshalfacrossthebay。ItwasaboveallinthisbeltofshadowsthatIhuntedfortheESPIRITOSANTO。sinceitwastheretheundertowranstrongest，whetherinorout。Coolasthewholewaterseemedthisbroilingday，itlooked，inthatpart，yetcooler，andhadamysteriousinvitationfortheeyes。PeerasI

pleased，however，Icouldseenothingbutafewfishesorabushofsea-tangle，andhereandtherealumpofrockthathadfallenfromaboveandnowlayseparateonthesandyfloor。TwicedidIpassfromoneendtotheotheroftherocks，andinthewholedistanceI

couldseenothingofthewreck，noranyplacebutonewhereitwaspossibleforittobe。Thiswasalargeterraceinfivefathomsofwater，raisedoffthesurfaceofthesandtoaconsiderableheight，andlookingfromabovelikeamereoutgrowthoftherocksonwhichIwalked。Itwasonemassofgreatsea-tangleslikeagrove，whichpreventedmejudgingofitsnature，butinshapeandsizeitboresomelikenesstoavessel’shull。Atleastitwasmybestchance。

IftheESPIRITOSANTOlaynotthereunderthetangles，itlaynowhereatallinSandagBay。andIpreparedtoputthequestiontotheproof，onceandforall，andeithergobacktoArosarichmanorcuredforeverofmydreamsofwealth。

Istrippedtotheskin，andstoodontheextrememarginwithmyhandsclasped，irresolute。Thebayatthattimewasutterlyquiet。

therewasnosoundbutfromaschoolofporpoisessomewhereoutofsightbehindthepoint。yetacertainfearwithheldmeonthethresholdofmyventure。Sadsea-feelings，scrapsofmyuncle’ssuperstitions，thoughtsofthedead，ofthegrave，oftheoldbrokenships，driftedthroughmymind。Butthestrongsunuponmyshoulderswarmedmetotheheart，andIstoopedforwardandplungedintothesea。

ItwasallthatIcoulddotocatchatrailofthesea-tanglethatgrewsothicklyontheterrace。butoncesofaranchoredIsecuredmyselfbygraspingawholearmfulofthesethickandslimystalks，and，plantingmyfeetagainsttheedge，Ilookedaroundme。Onallsidestheclearsandstretchedforthunbroken。itcametothefootoftherocks，scouredintothelikenessofanalleyinagardenbytheactionofthetides。andbeforeme，forasfarasIcouldsee，nothingwasvisiblebutthesamemany-foldedsanduponthesun-

brightbottomofthebay。YettheterracetowhichIwasthenholdingwasasthickwithstrongsea-growthsasatuftofheather，andtheclifffromwhichitbulgedhungdrapedbelowthewater-linewithbrownlianas。Inthiscomplexityofforms，allswayingtogetherinthecurrent，thingswerehardtobedistinguished。andIwasstilluncertainwhethermyfeetwerepresseduponthenaturalrockoruponthetimbersoftheArmadatreasure-ship，whenthewholetuftoftanglecameawayinmyhand，andinaninstantIwasonthesurface，andtheshoresofthebayandthebrightwaterswambeforemyeyesinagloryofcrimson。

Iclamberedbackupontherocks，andthrewtheplantoftangleatmyfeet。Somethingatthesamemomentrangsharply，likeafallingcoin。Istooped，andthere，sureenough，crustedwiththeredrust，therelayanironshoe-buckle。Thesightofthispoorhumanrelicthrilledmetotheheart，butnotwithhopenorfear，onlywithadesolatemelancholy。Ihelditinmyhand，andthethoughtofitsownerappearedbeforemelikethepresenceofanactualman。

Hisweather-beatenface，hissailor’shands，hissea-voicehoarsewithsingingatthecapstan，theveryfootthathadoncewornthatbuckleandtrodsomuchalongtheswervingdecks-thewholehumanfactofhim，asacreaturelikemyself，withhairandbloodandseeingeyes，hauntedmeinthatsunny，solitaryplace，notlikeaspectre，butlikesomefriendwhomIhadbaselyinjured。Wasthegreattreasureshipindeedbelowthere，withhergunsandchainandtreasure，asshehadsailedfromSpain。herdecksagardenfortheseaweed，hercabinabreedingplaceforfish，soundlessbutforthedredgingwater，motionlessbutforthewavingofthetangleuponherbattlements-thatold，populous，sea-ridingcastle，nowareefinSandagBay？Or，asIthoughtitlikelier，wasthisawaiffromthedisasteroftheforeignbrig-wasthisshoe-buckleboughtbuttheotherdayandwornbyamanofmyownperiodintheworld’shistory，hearingthesamenewsfromdaytoday，thinkingthesamethoughts，praying，perhaps，inthesametemplewithmyself？

Howeveritwas，Iwasassailedwithdrearythoughts。myuncle’swords，’thedeadaredownthere，’echoedinmyears。andthoughI

determinedtodiveoncemore，itwaswithastrongrepugnancethatIsteppedforwardtothemarginoftherocks。

Agreatchangepassedatthatmomentovertheappearanceofthebay。Itwasnomorethatclear，visibleinterior，likeahouseroofedwithglass，wherethegreen，submarinesunshinesleptsostilly。Abreeze，Isuppose，hadflawedthesurface，andasortoftroubleandblacknessfilleditsbosom，whereflashesoflightandcloudsofshadowtossedconfusedlytogether。Eventheterracebelowobscurelyrockedandquivered。Itseemedagraverthingtoventureonthisplaceofambushes。andwhenIleapedintotheseathesecondtimeitwaswithaquakinginmysoul。

Isecuredmyselfasatfirst，andgropedamongthewavingtangle。

Allthatmetmytouchwascoldandsoftandgluey。Thethicketwasalivewithcrabsandlobsters，trundlingtoandfrolopsidedly，andIhadtohardenmyheartagainstthehorroroftheircarrionneighbourhood。OnallsidesIcouldfeelthegrainandthecleftsofhard，livingstone。noplanks，noiron，notasignofanywreck。

theESPIRITOSANTOwasnotthere。IrememberIhadalmostasenseofreliefinmydisappointment，andIwasaboutreadytoleavego，whensomethinghappenedthatsentmetothesurfacewithmyheartinmymouth。Ihadalreadystayedsomewhatlateovermyexplorations。thecurrentwasfresheningwiththechangeofthetide，andSandagBaywasnolongerasafeplaceforasingleswimmer。Well，justatthelastmomenttherecameasuddenflushofcurrent，dredgingthroughthetangleslikeawave。Ilostonehold，wasflungsprawlingonmyside，and，instinctivelygraspingforafreshsupport，myfingersclosedonsomethinghardandcold。

IthinkIknewatthatmomentwhatitwas。AtleastIinstantlyleftholdofthetangle，leapedforthesurface，andclamberedoutnextmomentonthefriendlyrockswiththeboneofaman’sleginmygrasp。

Mankindisamaterialcreature，slowtothinkanddulltoperceiveconnections。Thegrave，thewreckofthebrig，andtherustyshoe-

buckleweresurelyplainadvertisements。Achildmighthavereadtheirdismalstory，andyetitwasnotuntilItouchedthatactualpieceofmankindthatthefullhorrorofthecharneloceanburstuponmyspirit。Ilaidthebonebesidethebuckle，pickedupmyclothes，andranasIwasalongtherockstowardsthehumanshore。

Icouldnotbefarenoughfromthespot。nofortunewasvastenoughtotemptmebackagain。Thebonesofthedrowneddeadshouldhenceforthrollundisturbedbyme，whetherontangleormintedgold。ButassoonasItrodthegoodearthagain，andhadcoveredmynakednessagainstthesun，Ikneltdownoveragainsttheruinsofthebrig，andoutofthefulnessofmyheartprayedlongandpassionatelyforallpoorsoulsuponthesea。Agenerousprayerisneverpresentedinvain。thepetitionmayberefused，butthepetitionerisalways，Ibelieve，rewardedbysomegraciousvisitation。Thehorror，atleast，wasliftedfrommymind。Icouldlookwithcalmofspiritonthatgreatbrightcreature，God’socean。andasIsetoffhomewarduptheroughsidesofAros，nothingremainedofmyconcernbeyondadeepdeterminationtomeddlenomorewiththespoilsofwreckedvesselsorthetreasuresofthedead。

IwasalreadysomewayupthehillbeforeIpausedtobreatheandlookbehindme。Thesightthatmetmyeyeswasdoublystrange。

For，first，thestormthatIhadforeseenwasnowadvancingwithalmosttropicalrapidity。Thewholesurfaceoftheseahadbeendulledfromitsconspicuousbrightnesstoanuglyhueofcorrugatedlead。alreadyinthedistancethewhitewaves，the’skipper’sdaughters，’hadbeguntofleebeforeabreezethatwasstillinsensibleonAros。andalreadyalongthecurveofSandagBaytherewasasplashingrunofseathatIcouldhearfromwhereIstood。

Thechangeupontheskywasevenmoreremarkable。Therehadbeguntoariseoutofthesouth-westahugeandsolidcontinentofscowlingcloud。hereandthere，throughrentsinitscontexture，thesunstillpouredasheafofspreadingrays。andhereandthere，fromallitsedges，vastinkystreamerslayforthalongtheyetuncloudedsky。Themenacewasexpressandimminent。EvenasI

gazed，thesunwasblottedout。AtanymomentthetempestmightfalluponArosinitsmight。

Thesuddennessofthischangeofweathersofixedmyeyesonheaventhatitwassomesecondsbeforetheyalightedonthebay，mappedoutbelowmyfeet，androbbedamomentlaterofthesun。TheknollwhichIhadjustsurmountedoverflankedalittleamphitheatreoflowerhillocksslopingtowardsthesea，andbeyondthattheyellowarcofbeachandthewholeextentofSandagBay。ItwasasceneonwhichIhadoftenlookeddown，butwhereIhadneverbeforebeheldahumanfigure。Ihadbutjustturnedmybackuponitandleftitempty，andmywondermaybefanciedwhenIsawaboatandseveralmeninthatdesertedspot。Theboatwaslyingbytherocks。A

pairoffellows，bareheaded，withtheirsleevesrolledup，andonewithaboathook，keptherwithdifficultytohermooringsforthecurrentwasgrowingbriskereverymoment。Alittlewayoffupontheledgetwomeninblackclothes，whomIjudgedtobesuperiorinrank，laidtheirheadstogetheroversometaskwhichatfirstIdidnotunderstand，butasecondafterIhadmadeitout-theyweretakingbearingswiththecompass。andjustthenIsawoneofthemunrollasheetofpaperandlayhisfingerdown，asthoughidentifyingfeaturesinamap。Meanwhileathirdwaswalkingtoandfro，pollingamongtherocksandpeeringovertheedgeintothewater。WhileIwasstillwatchingthemwiththestupefactionofsurprise，mymindhardlyyetabletoworkonwhatmyeyesreported，thisthirdpersonsuddenlystoopedandsummonedhiscompanionswithacrysoloudthatitreachedmyearsuponthehill。Theothersrantohim，evendroppingthecompassintheirhurry，andIcouldseetheboneandtheshoe-bucklegoingfromhandtohand，causingthemostunusualgesticulationsofsurpriseandinterest。JustthenIcouldheartheseamencryingfromtheboat，andsawthempointwestwardtothatcloudcontinentwhichwaseverthemorerapidlyunfurlingitsblacknessoverheaven。Theothersseemedtoconsult。butthedangerwastoopressingtobebraved，andtheybundledintotheboatcarryingmyrelieswiththem，andsetforthoutofthebaywithallspeedofoars。

Imadenomoreadoaboutthematter，butturnedandranforthehouse。Whoeverthesemenwere，itwasfitmyuncleshouldbeinstantlyinformed。ItwasnotthenaltogethertoolateinthedayforadescentoftheJacobites。andmaybePrinceCharlie，whomI

knewmyuncletodetest，wasoneofthethreesuperiorswhomIhadseenupontherock。YetasIran，leapingfromrocktorock，andturnedthematterlooselyinmymind，thistheorygreweverthelongerthelesswelcometomyreason。Thecompass，themap，theinterestawakenedbythebuckle，andtheconductofthatoneamongthestrangerswhohadlookedsooftenbelowhiminthewater，allseemedtopointtoadifferentexplanationoftheirpresenceonthatoutlying，obscureisletofthewesternsea。TheMadridhistorian，thesearchinstitutedbyDr。Robertson，thebeardedstrangerwiththerings，myownfruitlesssearchthatverymorninginthedeepwaterofSandagBay，rantogether，piecebypiece，inmymemory，andImadesurethatthesestrangersmustbeSpaniardsinquestofancienttreasureandthelostshipoftheArmada。Butthepeoplelivinginoutlyingislands，suchasAros，areanswerablefortheirownsecurity。thereisnonenearbytoprotectoreventohelpthem。andthepresenceinsuchaspotofacrewofforeignadventurers-poor，greedy，andmostlikelylawless-filledmewithapprehensionsformyuncle’smoney，andevenforthesafetyofhisdaughter。IwasstillwonderinghowweweretogetridofthemwhenIcame，allbreathless，tothetopofAros。Thewholeworldwasshadowedover。onlyintheextremeeast，onahillofthemainland，onelastgleamofsunshinelingeredlikeajewel。rainhadbeguntofall，notheavily，butingreatdrops。theseawasrisingwitheachmoment，andalreadyabandofwhiteencircledArosandthenearercoastsofGrisapol。Theboatwasstillpullingseaward，butInowbecameawareofwhathadbeenhiddenfrommelowerdown-alarge，heavilysparred，handsomeschooner，lyingtoatthesouthendofAros。SinceIhadnotseenherinthemorningwhenIhadlookedaroundsocloselyatthesignsoftheweather，andupontheselonewaterswhereasailwasrarelyvisible，itwasclearshemusthavelainlastnightbehindtheuninhabitedEileanGour，andthisprovedconclusivelythatshewasmannedbystrangerstoourcoast，forthatanchorage，thoughgoodenoughtolookat，islittlebetterthanatrapforships。Withsuchignorantsailorsuponsowildacoast，thecominggalewasnotunlikelytobringdeathuponitswings。

CHAPTERIV。THEGALE。

IFOUNDmyuncleatthegableend，watchingthesignsoftheweather，withapipeinhisfingers。

’Uncle，’saidI，’thereweremenashoreatSandagBay-’

Ihadnotimetogofurther。indeed，Inotonlyforgotmywords，butevenmyweariness，sostrangewastheeffectonUncleGordon。

Hedroppedhispipeandfellbackagainsttheendofthehousewithhisjawfallen，hiseyesstaring，andhislongfaceaswhiteaspaper。Wemusthavelookedatoneanothersilentlyforaquarterofaminute，beforehemadeanswerinthisextraordinaryfashion：

’Hadheahairkepon？’

IknewaswellasifIhadbeentherethatthemanwhonowlayburiedatSandaghadwornahairycap，andthathehadcomeashorealive。ForthefirstandonlytimeIlosttolerationforthemanwhowasmybenefactorandthefatherofthewomanIhopedtocallmywife。

’Thesewerelivingmen，’saidI，’perhapsJacobites，perhapstheFrench，perhapspirates，perhapsadventurerscomeheretoseektheSpanishtreasureship。but，whatevertheymaybe，dangerousatleasttoyourdaughterandmycousin。Asforyourownguiltyterrors，man，thedeadsleepswellwhereyouhavelaidhim。I

stoodthismorningbyhisgrave。hewillnotwakebeforethetrumpofdoom。’

Mykinsmanlookeduponme，blinking，whileIspoke。thenhefixedhiseyesforalittleontheground，andpulledhisfingersfoolishly。butitwasplainthathewaspastthepowerofspeech。

’Come，’saidI。’Youmustthinkforothers。Youmustcomeupthehillwithme，andseethisship。’

Heobeyedwithoutawordoralook，followingslowlyaftermyimpatientstrides。Thespringseemedtohavegoneoutofhisbody，andhescrambledheavilyupanddowntherocks，insteadofleaping，ashewaswont，fromonetoanother。NorcouldI，forallmycries，inducehimtomakebetterhaste。Onlyonceherepliedtomecomplainingly，andlikeoneinbodilypain：’Ay，ay，man，I’mcoming。’Longbeforewehadreachedthetop，Ihadnootherthoughtforhimbutpity。Ifthecrimehadbeenmonstrousthepunishmentwasinproportion。

Atlastweemergedabovethesky-lineofthehill，andcouldseearoundus。Allwasblackandstormytotheeye。thelastgleamofsunhadvanished。awindhadsprungup，notyethigh，butgustyandunsteadytothepoint。therain，ontheotherhand，hadceased。

Shortaswastheinterval，theseaalreadyranvastlyhigherthanwhenIhadstoodtherelast。alreadyithadbeguntobreakoversomeoftheoutwardreefs，andalreadyitmoanedaloudinthesea-

cavesofAros。Ilooked，atfirst，invainfortheschooner。

’Theresheis，’Isaidatlast。Buthernewposition，andthecourseshewasnowlying，puzzledme。’Theycannotmeantobeattosea，’Icried。

’That’swhattheymean，’saidmyuncle，withsomethinglikejoy。

andjustthentheschoonerwentaboutandstooduponanothertack，whichputthequestionbeyondthereachofdoubt。Thesestrangers，seeingagaleonhand，hadthoughtfirstofsea-room。Withthewindthatthreatened，inthesereef-sownwatersandcontendingagainstsoviolentastreamoftide，theircoursewascertaindeath。

’GoodGod！’saidI，’theyarealllost。’

’Ay，’returnedmyuncle，’a’-a’lost。TheyhadnaeachancebuttorinforKyleDona。Thegatethey’regaunthenoo，theycouldnaewinthroughanthemuckledeilweretheretopilotthem。Eh，man，’

hecontinued，touchingmeonthesleeve，’it’sabrawnichtforashipwreck！Twainaetwalmonth！Eh，buttheMerryMen’lldancebonny！’

Ilookedathim，anditwasthenthatIbegantofancyhimnolongerinhisrightmind。Hewaspeeringuptome，asifforsympathy，atimidjoyinhiseyes。Allthathadpassedbetweenuswasalreadyforgottenintheprospectofthisfreshdisaster。

’Ifitwerenottoolate，’Icriedwithindignation，’Iwouldtakethecobleandgoouttowarnthem。’

’Na，na，’heprotested，’yemaunnaeinterfere。yemaunnaemeddlewi’thelikeo’that。It’sHis’-doffinghisbonnet-’Hiswull。

And，eh，man！butit’sabrawnichtfor’t！’

Somethinglikefearbegantocreepintomysouland，remindinghimthatIhadnotyetdined，Iproposedweshouldreturntothehouse。

Butno。nothingwouldtearhimfromhisplaceofoutlook。

’Imaunseethehailthing，man，Cherlie，’heexplained-andthenastheschoonerwentaboutasecondtime，’Eh，buttheyhan’leherbonny！’hecried。’TheCHRIST-ANNAwasnaethingtothis。’

Alreadythemenonboardtheschoonermusthavebeguntorealisesomepart，butnotyetthetwentieth，ofthedangersthatenvironedtheirdoomedship。Ateverylullofthecapriciouswindtheymusthaveseenhowfastthecurrentsweptthemback。Eachtackwasmadeshorter，astheysawhowlittleitprevailed。Everymomenttherisingswellbegantoboomandfoamuponanothersunkenreef。andeverandagainabreakerwouldfallinsoundingruinundertheverybowsofher，andthebrownreefandstreamingtangleappearinthehollowofthewave。Itellyou，theyhadtostandtotheirtackle：

therewasnoidlemenaboardthatship，Godknows。Itwasupontheprogressofascenesohorribletoanyhuman-heartedmanthatmymisguidedunclenowporedandgloatedlikeaconnoisseur。AsI

turnedtogodownthehill，hewaslyingonhisbellyonthesummit，withhishandsstretchedforthandclutchingintheheather。Heseemedrejuvenated，mindandbody。

WhenIgotbacktothehousealreadydismallyaffected，IwasstillmoresadlydowncastatthesightofMary。Shehadhersleevesrolledupoverherstrongarms，andwasquietlymakingbread。I

gotabannockfromthedresserandsatdowntoeatitinsilence。