第4章

"Myword，nighthestop，"thecaptainobjected，thenadded，asaconcessionagainsttheknownrulethatvisitorswerenotpermittedaboardafternightfall："Youcomeonboard，boystop’malongboat。"

VanHorngallantlyhelpedtheoldmantoclambertotherail，straddlethebarbedwire，andgainthedeck。Ishikolawasadirtyoldsavage。Oneofhistambos（tambobeingbeche—de—merandMelanesianfor"taboo"）wasthatwaterunavoidablemustnevertouchhisskin。Hewholivedbythesaltsea，inalandoftropicdownpour，religiouslyshunnedcontactwithwater。Heneverwentswimmingorwading，andalwaysfledtoshelterfromashower。Notthatthiswastrueoftherestofhistribe。Itwasthepeculiartambolaiduponhimbythedevil—devildoctors。Othertribesmenthedevil—devildoctorstabooedagainsteatingshark，orhandlingturtle，orcontactingwithcrocodilesorthefossilremainsofcrocodiles，orfromeverbeingsmirchedbytheprofanityofawoman’stouchorofawoman’sshadowcastacrossthepath。

SoIshikola，whosetambowaswater，wascrustedwiththefilthofyears。Hewassealedlikealeper，and，weazen—facedandage—

shrunken，hehobbledhorriblyfromanancientspear—thrusttothethighthattwistedhistorsodroopinglyoutofthevertical。Buthisoneeyegleamedbrightlyandwickedly，andVanHornknewthatitobservedasmuchasdidbothhisowneyes。

VanHornshookhandswithhim——anhonourheaccordedonlychiefs——

andmotionedhimtosquatdownondeckonhishamsclosetothefear—struckgirl，whobegantremblingagainatrecollectionofhavingonceheardIshikolaofferfivetwentiesofdrinkingcoconutsforthemeatofherforadinner。

Jerryneedsmustsniff，forfutureidentificationpurposes，thisgraceless，limping，naked，one—eyedoldman。And，whenhehadsniffedandregisteredtheparticularodour，Jerrymustgrowlintimidatinglyandwinaquickeye—glanceofapprovalfromSkipper。

"Myword，goodfellakai—kaidog，"saidIshikola。"Megive’mhalf—

fathomshellmoneythatfelladog。"

Foramerepuppythisofferwasgenerous，becausehalfafathomofshell—money，strungonathreadoftwistedcoconutfibres，wasequivalentincashtohalfasovereigninEnglishcurrency，totwodollarsandahalfinAmerican，or，inlive—pigcurrency，tohalfofafair—sizedfatpig。

"Onefathomshell—moneythatfelladog，"VanHorncountered，inhisheartknowingthathewouldnotsellJerryforahundredfathoms，orforanyfabulouspricefromanyblack，butinhisheadofferingsosmallapriceoverparasnottoarousesuspicionamongtheblacksastohowhighlyhereallyvaluedthegolden—coatedsonofBiddyandTerrence。

Ishikolanextaverredthatthegirlhadgrownmuchthinner，andthathe，asapracticaljudgeofmeat，didnotfeeljustifiedthistimeinbiddingmorethanthreetwenty—stringsofdrinkingcoconuts。

Aftertheseamenities，thewhitemasterandtheblacktalkedofmanythings，theonebluffingwiththewhite—man’ssuperiorityofintellectandknowledge，theotherfeelingandguessing，primitivestatesmanthathewas，inanefforttoascertainthebalanceofhumanandpoliticalforcesthatboreuponhisSu’uterritory，tenmilessquare，boundedbytheseaandbylandwardlinesofaninter—

tribalwarfarethatwasolderthantheoldestSu’umyth。Eternally，headshadbeentakenandbodieseaten，nowononeside，nowontheother，bythetemporarilyvictorioustribes。Theboundarieshadremainedthesame。Ishikola，incrudebeche—de—mer，triedtolearntheSolomonIslandsgeneralsituationinrelationtoSu’u，andVanHornwasnotaboveplayingtheunfairdiplomaticgameasitisunfairlyplayedinallthechancelloriesoftheworldpowers。

"Myword，"VanHornconcluded；"youbadfellatoomuchalongthisplace。Toomanyheadsyoufellatake；toomuchkai—kailongpigalongyou。"（Longpig，meaningbarbecuedhumanflesh。）

"Whatname，longtimeblackfellabelongSu’utake’mheads，kai—kaialonglongpig？"Ishikolacountered。

"Myword，"VanHorncameback，"toomuchalongthisplace。Bimeby，closeup，bigfellawarshipstop’malongSu’u，knocksevenballsoutaSu’u。"

"Whatnamehimbigfellawarshipstop’malongSolomons？"Ishikolademanded。

"BigfellaCambrian，himfellanamebelongship，"VanHornlied，toowellawarethatnoBritishcruiserhadbeenintheSolomonsforthepasttwoyears。

Theconversationwasbecomingratherafarcicaldissertationupontherelationsthatshouldobtainbetweenstates，irrespectiveofsize，whenitwasbrokenoffbyacryfromTambi，who，withanotherlanternhangingoversideattheendofhisarmhadmadeadiscovery。

"Skipper，gunhestopalongcanoe！"washiscry。

VanHorn，withaleap，wasattherailandpeeringdownoverthebarbedwire。Ishikola，despitehistwistedbody，wasonlysecondsbehindhim。

"Whatnamethatfellagunstop’malongbottom？"VanHornindignantlydemanded。

Thedandy，inthestern，withacarelesslookupward，triedwithhisfoottoshoveoverthegreenleavessoastocovertheout—juttingbuttsofseveralrifles，butmadethematterworsebyexposingthemmorefully。Hebenttoraketheleavesoverwithhishand，butsatswiftlyuprightwhenVanHornroaredathim：

"Standclear！Keep’mfellahandbelongyoulongwaybigbit！"

VanHornturnedonIshikola，andsimulatedwrathwhichhedidnotfeelagainsttheancientandever—recurrenttrick。

"Whatnameyoucomealongside，gunhestopalongcanoebelongyou？"

hedemanded。

Theoldsalt—waterchiefrolledhisoneeyeandblinkedafairsimulationofstupidityandinnocence。

"Myword，mecrossalongyoutoomuch，"VanHorncontinued。

"Ishikola，youplentybadfellaboy。Youget’mtohelloverside。"

Theoldfellowlimpedacrossthedeckwithmoreagilitythanhehaddisplayedcomingaboard，straddledthebarbedwirewithoutassistance，andwithoutassistancedroppedintothecanoe，cleverlyreceivinghisweightonhisuninjuredleg。Heblinkedupforforgivenessandinreassertionofinnocence。VanHornturnedhisfaceasidetohideagrin，andthengrinnedoutrightwhentheoldrascal，showinghisemptypipe，wheedledup：

"Suppose’mfivesticktobaccoyougive’malongme？"

WhileBorckmanwentbelowforthetobacco，VanHornoratedtoIshikolaonthesacredsolemnityoftruthandpromises。Next，heleanedacrossthebarbedwireandhandeddownthefivesticksoftobacco。

"Myword，"hethreatened。"Somoday，Ishikola，Ifinishalongyoualtogether。Younogoodfriendstopalongsalt—water。Youbigfoolstopalongbush。"

WhenIshikolaattemptedprotest，heshuthimoffwith，"Myword，yougammonalongmetoomuch。"

Stillthecanoelingered。Thedandy’stoestrayedprivilytofeeloutthebuttsoftheSnidersunderthegreenleaves，andIshikolawaslothtodepart。

"Washee—washee！"VanHorncriedwithimperativesuddenness。

Thepaddlers，withoutcommandfromchiefordandy，involuntarilyobeyed，andwithdeep，strongstrokessentthecanoeintotheencirclingdarkness。JustasquicklyVanHornchangedhispositionondecktothetuneofadozenyards，sothatnohazardedbulletmightreachhim。Hecrouchedlowandlistenedtothewashofpaddlesfadeawayinthedistance。

"Allright，youfellaTambi，"heorderedquietly。"Make’mmusichefellawalkabout。"

Andwhile"RedWing"screecheditscheapandprettyrhythm，hereclinedelbowondeck，smokedhiscigar，andgatheredJerryintocaressinginclosure。

Ashesmokedhewatchedtheabruptmistingofthestarsbyarain—

squallthatmadetowindwardortowherewindwardmightvaguelybeconfigured。WhilehegaugedtheminuteserehemustorderTambibelowwiththephonographandrecords，henotedthebush—girlgazingathimindumbfear。Henoddedconsentwithhalf—closedeyesandup—tiltingface，clinchinghisconsentwithawaveofhandtowardthecompanionway。Sheobeyedasabeatendog，spirit—broken，mighthaveobeyed，draggingherselftoherfeet，tremblingafresh，andwithbackwardglancesofherperpetualterrorofthebigwhitemasterthatshewasconvincedwouldsomedayeather。Insuchfashion，stabbingVanHorntotheheartbecauseofhisinabilitytoconveyhiskindnesstoheracrosstheabyssoftheagesthatseparatedthem，sheslunkawaytothecompanionwayandcrawleddownitfeet—firstlikesomeenormous，large—headedworm。

AfterhehadsentTambitofollowherwiththepreciousphonograph，VanHorncontinuedtosmokeonwhilethesharp，needle—likesprayoftherainimpactedsoothinglyonhisheatedbody。

Onlyforfiveminutesdidtheraindescend。Then，asthestarsdriftedbackinthesky，thesmellofsteamseemedtostenchforthfromdeckandmangroveswamp，andthesuffocatingheatwrappedallabout。

VanHornknewbetter，butillhealth，saveforfever，hadneverconcernedhim；sohedidnotbotherforablankettoshelterhim。

"Yoursthefirstwatch，"hetoldBorckman。"I’llhaveherunderwayinthemorning，beforeIcallyou。"

Hetuckedhisheadonthebicepsofhisrightarm，withthehollowoftheleftsnugglingJerryinagainsthischest，anddozedofftosleep。

Andthusadventuring，whitemenandindigenousblackmenfromdaytodaylivedlifeintheSolomons，bickeringandtrafficking，thewhitesstrivingtomaintaintheirheadsontheirshoulders，theblacksstriving，nolesssingle—heartedly，toremovethewhites’

headsfromtheirshouldersandatthesametimetokeeptheirownanatomiesintact。

AndJerry，whoknewonlytheworldofMeringeLagoon，learningthatthesenewworldsoftheshipArangiandoftheislandofMalaitawereessentiallythesame，regardedtheperpetualgamebetweenthewhiteandtheblackwithsomeslightsortofunderstanding。

CHAPTERX

DaylightsawtheArangiunderway，hersailsdroopingheavilyinthedeadairwhiletheboat’screwtoiledattheoarsofthewhaleboattotowheroutthroughthenarrowentrance。Once，whentheketch，swervedbysomevagrantcurrent，cameclosetothebreakoftheshore—surf，theblacksonboarddrewtowardoneanotherinapprehensionakintothatofstartledsheepinafoldwhenawildwoodsmarauderhowlsoutside。NorwasthereanyneedforVanHorn’sshouttothewhaleboat："Washee—washee！Damnyourhides！"Theboat’screwliftedthemselvesclearofthethwartsastheythrewalltheirweightintoeachstroke。Theyknewwhatdirefatewascertainifeverthesea—washedcoralrockgrippedtheArangi’skeel。Andtheyknewfearpreciselyofthesamesortasthatofthefear—struckgirlbelowinthelazarette。InthepastmorethanoneLanga—LangaandSomoboyhadgonetomakeaSu’ufeastday，justasSu’uboys，onoccasion，hadsimilarlyservedfeastsatLanga—LangaandatSomo。

"Myword，"Tambi，atthewheel，addressedVanHornastheperiodoftensionpassedandtheArangiwentclear。"Brotherbelongmyfather，longtimebeforehecomeboat’screwalongthisplace。Bigfellaschoonerbrotherbelongmyfatherhecomealong。AllfinishthisplaceSu’u。BrotherbelongmyfatherSu’uboyskai—kaialonghimaltogether。"

VanHornrecollectedtheFairHathawayoffifteenyearsbefore，lootedandburnedbythepeopleofSu’uafterallhandshadbeenkilled。Truly，theSolomonsatthisbeginningofthetwentiethcenturyweresavage，andtruly，oftheSolomons，thisgreatislandofMalaitawassavagestofall。

Hecasthiseyesspeculativelyuptheslopesoftheislandtotheseaman’slandmark，MountKolorat，green—forestedtoitscloud—cappedsummitfourthousandfeetintheair。Evenashelooked，thinsmoke—columnswererisingalongtheslopesandlesserpeaks，andmorewerebeginningtorise。

"Myword，"Tambigrinned。"Plentyboystop’mbushlookoutalongyoueyebelonghim。"

VanHornsmiledunderstandingly。Heknew，bytheancienttelegraphyofsmoke—signalling，themessagewasbeingconveyedfromvillagetovillageandtribetotribethatalabour—recruiterwasontheleewardcoast。

Allmorning，underabriskbeamwindwhichhadsprungupwiththerisingofthesun，theArangiflewnorth，hercoursecontinuouslyadvertisedbytheincreasingsmoke—talkthatgossipedalongthegreensummits。Athighnoon，withVanHorn，ever—attendedbyJerry，standingfor’ardandconning，theArangiheadedintothewindtothreadthepassagebetweentwopalm—tuftedislets。Therewasneedforconning。Coralpatchesuproseeverywherefromtheturquoisedepths，runningthegamutofgreenfromdeepestjadetopalesttourmaline，overwhichtheseafilteredchangingshades，creamedlazily，orburstintowhitefountainsofsun—flashedspray。

Thesmokecolumnsalongtheheightsbecamegarrulous，andlongbeforetheArangiwasthroughthepassagetheentireleewardcoast，fromthesalt—watermenoftheshoretotheremotestbushvillagers，knewthatthelabourrecruiterwasgoingintoLanga—Langa。Asthelagoon，formedbythechainofisletslyingoffshore，openedout，Jerrybegantosmellthereef—villages。Canoes，manycanoes，urgedbypaddlesorsailedbeforethewindbytheweightofthefresheningSouthEasttradeonspreadfrondsofcoconutpalms，movedacrossthesmoothsurfaceofthelagoon。Jerrybarkedintimidatinglyatthosethatcameclosest，bristlinghisneckandmakingaferocioussimulationofanefficientprotectorofthewhitegodwhostoodbesidehim。Andaftereachsuchwarning，hewouldsoftlydabhiscooldampmuzzleagainstthesun—heatedskinofSkipper’sleg。

Onceinsidethelagoon，theArangifilledawaywiththewinda—beam。

Attheendofaswifthalf—milesheroundedto，withhead—sailstrimmingdownandwithagreatflappingofmainandmizzen，anddroppedanchorinfiftyfeetofwatersoclearthateveryhugeflutedclamshellwasvisibleonthecoralfloor。ThewhaleboatwasnotnecessarytoputtheLanga—Langareturnboysashore。HundredsofcanoeslaytwentydeepalongbothsidesoftheArangi，andeachboy，withhisboxandbell，wasclamouredforbyscoresofrelativesandfriends。

Insuchheightofexcitement，VanHornpermittednooneonboard。

Melanesians，unlikecattle，areaspronetostampedetoattackastoretreat。Twooftheboat’screwstoodbesidetheLee—Enfieldsontheskylight。Borckman，withhalftheboat’screw，wentabouttheship’swork。VanHorn，Jerryathisheels，carefulthatnooneshouldgetathisback，superintendedthedepartureoftheLanga—

Langareturnsandkeptavigilanteyeontheremaininghalfoftheboat’screwthatguardedthebarbed—wirerails。AndeachSomoboysatonhistrade—boxtopreventitfrombeingtossedintothewaitingcanoesbysomeLanga—Langaboy。

Inhalfanhourtheriotdepartedashore。Onlyseveralcanoeslingered，andfromoneoftheseVanHornbeckonedaboardNau—hau，thebiggestchiefofthestrongholdofLanga—Langa。Unlikemostofthebigchiefs，Nau—hauwasyoung，and，unlikemostoftheMelanesians，hewashandsome，evenbeautiful。

"Hello，Kingo’Babylon，"wasVanHorn’sgreeting，forsohehadnamedhimbecauseoffanciedSemiticresemblanceblendedwiththecrudepowerthatmarkedhisvisageandinformedhisbearing。

Bornandtrainedtonakedness，Nau—hautrodthedeckboldlyandunashamed。Hissolegearofclothingwasalengthoftrunkstrapbuckledabouthiswaist。Betweenthisandhisbareskinwasthrustthenakedbladeofaten—inchrippingknife。HissoledecorationwasawhiteChinasoup—plate，perforatedandstrungoncoconutsennit，suspendedfromabouthisnecksothatitrestedflatonhischestandhalf—concealedthegenerousswellofmuscles。Itwasthegreatestoftreasures。NomanofMalaitahehadeverheardofpossessedanunbrokensoup—plate。

Norwasheanymoreridiculousbecauseofthesoup—platethanwasheludicrousbecauseofhisnakedness。Hewasroyal。Hisfatherhadbeenakingbeforehim，andhehadprovedhimselfgreaterthanhisfather。Lifeanddeathheboreinhishandsandhead。Oftenhehadexercisedit，chirpingtohissubjectsinthetongueofLanga—Langa：

"Slayhere，"and"Slaythere"；"Thoushaltdie，"and"Thoushaltlive。"Becausehisfather，ayearabdicated，hadchosenfoolishlytointerferewithhisson’sgovernment，hehadcalledtwoboysandhadthemtwistacordofcoconutaroundhisfather’snecksothatthereafterheneverbreathedagain。Becausehisfavouritewife，motherofhiseldestborn，haddaredoutofsillinessofaffectiontoviolateoneofhiskinglytamboos，hehadhadherkilledandhadhimselfselfishlyandreligiouslyeatenthelastofhereventothemarrowofhercrackedjoints，sharingnomorselwithhisboonestofcomrades。

Royalhewas，bynature，bytraining，bydeed。Hecarriedhimselfwithconsciousnessofroyalty。Helookedroyal——asamagnificentstallionmaylookroyal，asaliononapaintedtawnydesertmaylookroyal。Hewasassplendidabrute——anadumbrationofthesplendidhumanconquerorsandrulers，higherontheladderofevolution，whohaveappearedinothertimesandplaces。Hisposeofbody，ofchest，ofshoulders，ofhead，wasroyal。Royalwastheheavy—lidded，lazy，insolentwayhelookedoutofhiseyes。

Royalincouragewashe，thismomentontheArangi，despitethefactthatheknewhewalkedondynamite。Ashehadlongsincebitterlylearned，anywhitemanwasasmuchdynamiteaswasthemysteriousdeath—dealingmissilehesometimesemployed。Whenastripling，hehadmadeoneofthecanoeforcethatattackedthesandalwood—cutterthathadbeenevensmallerthantheArangi。Hehadneverforgottenthatmystery。Twoofthethreewhitemenhehadseenslainandtheirheadsremovedondeck。Thethird，stillfighting，hadbuttheminutebeforefledbelow。Thenthecutter，alongwithallherwealthofhoop—iron，tobacco，knivesandcalico，hadgoneupintotheairandfallenbackintotheseainscatteredandfragmentednothingness。Ithadbeendynamite——theMYSTERY。Andhe，whohadbeenhurleduninjuredthroughtheairbyamiracleoffortune，haddivinedthatwhitemeninthemselvesweretrulydynamite，compoundedofthesamemysteryasthesubstancewithwhichtheyshottheswift—

dartingschoolsofmullet，orblowup，inextremity，themselvesandtheshipsonwhichtheyvoyagedtheseafromfarplaces。Andyetonthisunstableanddeath—terrificsubstanceofwhichhewaswellawareVanHornwascomposed，hetrodheavilywithhispersonality，daring，tothevergeofdetonation，toimpactitwithhisinsolence。

"Myword，"hebegan，"whatnameyoumake’mboybelongmestopalongyoutoomuch？"WhichwasatrueandcorrectchargethattheboyswhichVanHornhadjustreturnedhadbeenawaythreeyearsandahalfinsteadofthreeyears。

"YoutalkthatfellatalkIgetcrosstoomuchalongyou，"VanHornbristledback，andthenadded，diplomatically，dippingintoahalf—

caseoftobaccosawedacrossandprofferingahandfulofsticktobacco："Muchbetteryousmoke’mupandtalk’mgoodfellatalk。"

ButNau—haugrandlywavedasidethegiftforwhichhehungered。

"Plentytobaccostopalongme，"helied。"Whatnameonefellaboygowaynocomeback？"hedemanded。

VanHornpulledthelongslenderaccountbookoutofthetwistofhisloin—cloth，and，whileheskimmeditspages，impressedNau—hauwiththedynamiteofthewhiteman’ssuperiorpowerswhichenabledhimtoremembercorrectlyinsidethescrawledsheetsofabookinsteadofinsidehishead。

"Sati，"VanHornread，hisfingermarkingtheplace，hiseyesalternatingwatchfullybetweenthewritingandtheblackchiefbeforehim，whiletheblackchiefhimselfspeculatedandstudiedthechanceofgettingbehindhimand，withthesingleknife—thrustheknewsowell，ofseveringtheother’sspinalcordatthebaseoftheneck。

"Sati，"VanHornread。"Lastmonsoonbeginaboutthistime，himfellaSatiget’msickbellybelonghimtoomuch；bimebyhimfellaSatifinishaltogether，"hetranslatedintobeche—de—merthewritteninformation：DiedofdysenteryJuly4th，1901。

"PlentyworkhimfellaSati，longtime，"Nau—haudrovetothepoint。

"Whatcomealongmoneybelonghim？"

VanHorndidmentalarithmeticfromtheaccount。

"Altogetherhimmake’msixtenspoundsandtwofellapoundsgoldmoney，"washistranslationofsixty—twopoundsofwages。"Ipayadvancefatherbelonghimonetenpoundsandfivefellapounds。Himfinishaltogetherfourtenspoundsandsevenfellapounds。"

"Whatnamestopfourtenspoundsandsevenfellapounds？"Nau—haudemanded，histongue，butnothisbrain，encompassingsoprodigiousasum。

VanHornhelduphishand。

"ToomuchhurryyoufellaNau—hau。HimfellaSatibuy’mslopchestalongplantationtwotenspoundsandonefellapound。BelongSatihefinishaltogethertwotenspoundsandsixfellapounds。"

"Whatnamestoptwotenspoundsandsixfellapounds？"Nau—haucontinuedinflexibly。

"Stop’malongme，"thecaptainansweredcurtly。

"Give’mmetwotenspoundsandsixfellapounds。"

"Give’myouhell，"VanHornrefused，andintheblueofhiseyestheblackchiefsensedtheimpressionofthedynamiteoutofwhichwhitemenseemedmade，andfelthisbrainquickentothevisionofthebloodydayhefirstencounteredanexplosionofdynamiteandwashurledthroughtheair。

"Whatnamethatoldfellaboystop’malongcanoe？"VanHornasked，pointingtoanoldmaninacanoealongside。"HimfatherbelongSati？"

"HimfatherbelongSati，"Nau—hauaffirmed。

VanHornmotionedtheoldmaninandonboard，beckonedBorckmantotakechargeofthedeckandofNau—hau，andwentbelowtogetthemoneyfromhisstrong—box。Whenhereturned，cavalierlyignoringthechief，headdressedhimselftotheoldman。

"Whatnamebelongyou？"

"MefellaNino，"wasthequaveringresponse。"HimfellaSatibelongalongme。"

VanHornglancedforverificationtoNau—hau，whonoddedaffirmationinthereverseSolomonway；whereuponVanHorncountedtwenty—sixgoldsovereignsintothehandofSati’sfather。

ImmediatelythereafterNau—hauextendedhishandandreceivedthesum。Twentygoldpiecesthechiefretainedforhimself，returningtotheoldmantheremainingsix。ItwasnoquarrelofVanHorn’s。

Hehadfulfilledhisdutyandpaidproperly。Thetyrannyofachiefoverasubjectwasnoneofhisbusiness。

Bothmasters，whiteandblack，werefairlycontentedwiththemselves。VanHornhadpaidthemoneywhereitwasdue；Nau—hau，byvirtueofkingship，hadrobbedSati’sfatherofSati’slabourbeforeVanHorn’seyes。ButNau—hauwasnotabovestrutting。Hedeclinedaprofferedpresentoftobacco，boughtacaseofsticktobaccofromVanHorn，payinghimfivepoundsforit，andinsistedonhavingitsawedopensothathecouldfillhispipe。

"PlentygoodboystopalongLanga—Langa？"VanHorn，unperturbed，politelyqueried，inordertomakeconversationandadvertisenonchalance。

TheKingo’Babylongrinned，butdidnotdeigntoreply。

"MaybeIgoashoreandwalkabout？"VanHornchallengedwithtentativeemphasis。

"Maybetoomuchtroublealongyou，"Nau—hauchallengedback。"Maybeplentybadfellaboykai—kaialongyou。"

AlthoughVanHorndidnotknowit，atthischallengeheexperiencedthehair—prickingsensationsinhisscalpthatJerryexperiencedwhenhebristledhisback。

"Hey，Borckman，"hecalled。"Manthewhaleboat。"

Whenthewhaleboatwasalongside，hedescendedintoitfirst，superiorly，theninvitedNau—hautoaccompanyhim。

"Myword，Kingo’Babylon，"hemutteredinthechief’searsastheboat’screwbenttotheoars，"onefellaboymake’mtrouble，I

shoot’mhelloutayoufirstthing。NextthingIshoot’mhelloutaLanga—Langa。Allthetimeyoumefellawalkabout，youwalkaboutalongme。Younolikewalkaboutalongme，youfinishcloseupaltogether。"

Andashore，awhitemanalone，attendedbyanIrishterrierpuppywithaheartfloodedwithloveandbyablackkingresentfullyrespectfulofthedynamiteofthewhiteman，VanHornwent，swashbucklingbareleggedthroughastrongholdofthreethousandsouls，whilehiswhitemate，addictedtoschnapps，heldthedeckofthetinycraftatanchoroffshore，andwhilehisblackboat’screw，oarsinhands，heldthewhaleboatstern—ontothebeachtoreceivetheexpectedflyingleapofthemantheyservedbutdidnotlove，andwhoseheadtheywouldeagerlytakeanytimewereitnotforfearofhim。

VanHornhadhadnointentionofgoingashore，andthathewentashoreattheblackchief’sinsolentchallengewasmerelyamatterofbusiness。Foranhourhestrolledabout，hisrighthandneverfarfromthebuttoftheautomaticthatlayalonghisgroin，hiseyesnevertoofarfromtheunwillingNau—haubesidehim。ForNau—

hau，insullenvolcanicrage，wasripetoeruptattheslightestopportunity。And，sostrolling，VanHornwasgiventoseewhatfewwhitemenhaveseen，forLanga—Langaandhersisterislets，beautifulbeadsstrungalongtheleecoastofMalaita，wereasuniqueastheywereunexplored。

Originallytheseisletshadbeenmeresand—banksandcoralreefsawashintheseaorshallowlycoveredbythesea。Onlyahunted，wretchedcreature，enduringincrediblehardship，couldhaveekedoutamiserableexistenceuponthem。Butsuchhunted，wretchedcreatures，survivorsofvillagemassacres，escapesfromthewrathofchiefsandfromthelong—pigfateofthecooking—pot，didcome，anddidendure。They，whoknewonlythebush，learnedthesaltwateranddevelopedthesalt—water—manbreed。Theylearnedthewaysofthefishandtheshell—fish，andtheyinventedhooksandlines，netsandfish—traps，andallthediversecunningwaysbywhichswimmingmeatcanbegarneredfromtheshifting，unstablesea。

Suchrefugeesstolewomenfromthemainland，andincreasedandmultiplied。Withherculeanlabour，undertheburningsun，theyconqueredthesea。Theywalledtheconfinesoftheircoralreefsandsand—bankswithcoral—rockstolenfromthemainlandondarknights。Finemasonry，withoutmortarorcuttingchisel，theybuildedtowithstandtheoceansurge。Likewisestolenfromthemainland，asmicestealfromhumanhabitationswhenhumanssleep，theystolecanoe—loads，andmillionsofcanoe—loads，offat，richsoil。

Generationsandcenturiespassed，and，behold，inplaceofnakedsandbankshalfawashwerewalledcitadels，perforatedwithlaunching—waysforthelongcanoes，protectedagainstthemainlandbythelagoonsthatweretothemtheirnarrowseas。Coconutpalms，bananatrees，andloftybreadfruittreesgavefoodandsun—shelter。

Theirgardensprospered。Theirlong，leanwar—canoesravagedthecoastsandvisitedvengeancefortheirforefathersuponthedescendantsofthemthathadpersecutedanddesiredtoeat。

LiketherefugeesandrenegadeswhoslunkawayinthesaltmarshesoftheAdriaticandbuildedthepalacesofpowerfulVeniceonherdeep—sunkpiles，sothesewretchedhuntedblacksbuildedpoweruntiltheybecamemastersofthemainland，controllingtrafficandtrade—

routes，compellingthebushmenforeveraftertoremaininthebushandnevertodareattemptthesalt—water。

Andhere，amidstthefatsuccessandinsolenceofthesea—people，VanHornswaggeredhisway，takinghischance，incapableofbelievingthathemightswiftlydie，knowingthathewasbuildinggoodfuturebusinessinthematterofrecruitinglabourfortheplantationsofotheradventuringwhitemenonfarislandswhodaredonlylessgreatlythanhe。

Andwhen，attheendofanhour，VanHornpassedJerryintothesternsheetsofthewhaleboatandfollowed，heleftonthebeachastunnedandwonderingroyalblack，who，morethaneverbefore，wasrespectfulofthedynamite—compoundedwhitemenwhobroughttohimsticktobacco，calico，knivesandhatchets，andinexorablyextractedfromsuchtradeaprofit。

CHAPTERXI

Backonboard，VanHornimmediatelyhoveshort，hoistedsail，brokeouttheanchor，andfilledawayfortheten—milebeatupthelagoontowindwardthatwouldfetchSomo。Ontheway，hestoppedatBinutogreetChiefJohnnyandlandafewBinureturns。ThenitwasontoSomo，andtotheendofvoyagingforeveroftheArangiandofmanythatwereaboardofher。

QuitetheoppositetohistreatmentatLanga—LangawasthataccordedVanHornatSomo。Oncethereturnboyswereputashore，andthiswasaccomplishednolaterthanthree—thirtyintheafternoon，heinvitedChiefBashtionboard。AndChiefBashticame，verynimbleandactivedespitehisgreatage，andverygood—natured——sogood—

natured，infact，thatheinsistedonbringingthreeofhiselderlywivesonboardwithhim。Thiswasunprecedented。Neverhadhepermittedanyofhiswivestoappearbeforeawhiteman，andVanHornfeltsohonouredthathepresentedeachofthemwithagayclaypipeandadozensticksoftobacco。

Lateastheafternoonwas，tradewasbrisk，andBashti，whohadtakenthelion’sshareofthewagesduetothefathersoftwoboyswhohaddied，boughtliberallyoftheArangi’sstock。WhenBashtipromisedplentyoffreshrecruits，VanHorn，usedtothechangeablenessofthesavagemind，urgedsigningthemuprightaway。

Bashtidemurred，andsuggestednextday。VanHorninsistedthattherewasnotimelikethepresent，andsowelldidheinsistthattheoldchiefsentacanoeashoretorounduptheboyswhohadbeenselectedtogoawaytotheplantations。

"Now，whatdoyouthink？"VanHornaskedofBorckman，whoseeyeswereremarkablyfishy。"Ineversawtheoldrascalsofriendly。

Hashegotsomethinguphissleeve？"

Thematestaredatthemanycanoesalongside，notedthenumbersofwomeninthem，andshookhishead。

"Whenthey’restartinganythingtheyalwayssendtheMarysintothebush，"hesaid。

"Younevercantellabouttheseniggers，"thecaptaingrumbled。

"Theymaybeshortonimagination，butonceinawhiletheydofigureoutsomethingnew。NowBashti’sthesmartestoldniggerI’veeverseen。What’stopreventhisfiguringoutthatverybetandplayingitinreverse？Justbecausethey’veneverhadtheirwomenaroundwhentroublewasonthecarpetisnoreasonthattheywillalwayskeepthatpractice。"

"NotevenBashti’sgotthesavveetopullatricklikethat，"

Borckmanobjected。"He’sjustfeelinggoodandliberal。Why，he’sboughtfortypoundsofgoodsfromyoualready。That’swhyhewantstosignonanewbatchofboyswithus，andI’llbethe’shopinghalfofthemdieso’shecanhavethespendingoftheirwages。"

Allofwhichwasmostreasonable。Nevertheless，VanHornshookhishead。

"Allthesamekeepyoureyessharponeverything，"hecautioned。

"Andremember，thetwoofusmustn’teverbebelowatthesametime。

Andnomoreschnapps，mind，untilwe’reclearofthewholekitandcaboodle。"

Bashtiwasincrediblyleanandprodigiouslyold。Hedidnotknowhowoldhewashimself，althoughhedidknowthatnopersoninhistribehadbeenalivewhenhewasayoungboyinthevillage。Herememberedthedayswhensomeoftheoldmen，stillalive，hadbeenborn；and，unlikehim，theywerenowdecrepit，shakenwithpalsy，blear—eyed，toothlessofmouth，deafofear，orparalysed。Allhisownfacultiesremainedunimpaired。Heevenboastedadozenwornfangsofteeth，gum—level，onwhichhecouldstillchew。Althoughhenolongerhadthephysicalenduranceofyouth，histhinkingwasasoriginalandclearasithadalwaysbeen。Itwasduetohisthinkingthathefoundhistribestrongerthanwhenhehadfirstcometoruleit。InhissmallwayhehadbeenaMelanesianNapoleon。Asawarrior，theplayofhismindhadenabledhimtobeatbackthebushmen’sboundaries。Thescarsonhiswitheredbodyattestedthathehadfoughttothefore。AsaLaw—giver，hehadencouragedandachievedstrengthandefficiencywithinhistribe。

Asastatesman，hehadalwayskeptonethoughtaheadofthethoughtsoftheneighbouringchiefsinthemakingoftreatiesandthegrantingofconcessions。

Andwithhismind，stillkeenlyalive，hehadbutjustevolvedaschemewherebyhemightoutwitVanHornandgetthebetterofthevastBritishEmpireaboutwhichheguessedlittleandknowless。

ForSomohadahistory。Itwasthatqueeranomaly，asalt—watertribethatlivedonthelagoonmainlandwhereonlybushmenweresupposedtolive。Farbackintothedarknessoftime，thefolk—loreofSomocastaglimmeringlight。Onaday，sofarbackthattherewasnowayofestimatingitsdistance，one，Somo，sonofLoti，whowasthechiefoftheislandfortressofUmbo，hadquarrelledwithhisfatherandfledfromhiswrathalongwithadozencanoe—loadsofyoungmen。Fortwomonsoonstheyhadengagedinanodyssey。ItwasinthemyththattheycircumnavigatedMalaitatwice，andforayedasfarasUgiandSanCristobalacrossthewideseas。

Womentheyhadinevitablystolenaftersuccessfulcombats，and，intheend，beingburdenedwithwomenandprogeny，Somohaddescendeduponthemainlandshore，driventhebushmenback，andestablishedthesalt—waterfortressofSomo。Builtitwas，onitssea—front，likeanyislandfortress，withwalledcoral—rocktoopposetheseaandchancemaraudersfromthesea，andwithlaunchingwaysthroughthewallsforthelongcanoes。Totherear，whereitencroachedonthejungle，itwaslikeanyscatteredbushvillage。ButSomo，thewide—seeingfatherofthenewtribe，hadestablishedhisboundariesfarupinthebushontheshouldersofthelessermountains，andoneachshoulderhadplantedavillage。OnlythegreatlydaringthatfledtohimhadSomopermittedtojointhenewtribe。Theweaklingsandcowardstheyhadpromptlyeaten，andtheunbelievabletaleoftheirmanyheadsadorningthecanoe—houseswaspartofthemyth。

Andthistribe，territory，andstronghold，atthelatterendoftime，Bashtihadinherited，andhehadbetteredhisinheritance。

Norwasheabovecontinuingtobetterit。Foralongtimehehadreasonedcloselyandcarefullyinmaturingtheplanthatitchedinhisbrainforfulfilment。Threeyearsbefore，thetribeofAnoAno，milesdownthecoast，hadcapturedarecruiter，destroyedherandallhands，andgainedafabulousstoreoftobacco，calico，beads，andallmanneroftradegoods，riflesandammunition。

Littleenoughhadhappenedinthewayofpricethatwaspaid。Halfayearafter，awarvesselhadpokedhernoseintothelagoon，shelledAnoAno，andsentitsinhabitantsscurryingintothebush。

Thelanding—partythatfollowedhadfutilelypursuedalongthejunglerunways。Intheendithadcontenteditselfwithkillingfortyfatpigsandchoppingdownahundredcoconuttrees。Scarcelyhadthewarvesselpassedouttoopensea，whenthepeopleofAnoAnowerebackfromthebushtothevillage。Shellfireonflimsygrasshousesisnotespeciallydestructive。Afewhours’labourofthewomenputthatlittlematterright。Asforthefortydeadpigs，theentiretribefelluponthecarcasses，roastedthemunderthegroundwithhotstones，andfeasted。Thetendertipsofthefallenpalmswerelikewiseeaten，whilethethousandsofcoconutswerehuskedandsplitandsun—driedandsmoke—curedintocopratobesoldtothenextpassingtrader。

Thus，thepenaltyexactedhadprovedapicnicandafeast——allofwhichappealedtothethrifty，calculatingbrainofBashti。AndwhatwasgoodforAnoAno，inhisjudgmentwassurelygoodforSomo。

Sincesuchwerewhitemen’swayswhosailedundertheBritishflagandkilledpigsandcutdowncoconutsincancellationofblood—debtsandheadtakings，BashtisawnovalidreasonwhyheshouldnotprofitasAnoAnohadprofited。Thepricetobepaidatsomepossiblefuturetimewasabsurdlydisproportionatetotheimmediatewealthtobegained。Besides，ithadbeenovertwoyearssincethelastBritishwarvesselhadappearedintheSolomons。

Andthus，Bashti，withafinefreshideainsidehishead，bowedhischief’sheadinconsentthathispeoplecouldflockaboardandtrade。Veryfewofthemknewwhathisideawasorthatheevenhadanidea。

Tradegrewstillbriskerasmorecanoescamealongsideandblackmenandwomenthrongedthedeck。Thencametherecruits，new—caught，young，savagethings，timidasdeer，yetyieldingtosternparentalandtriballawandgoingdownintotheArangi’scabin，onebyone，theirfathersandmothersandrelativesaccompanyingtheminfamilygroups，toconfrontthebigfellawhitemarster，whowrotetheirnamesdowninamysteriousbook，hadthemratifythethreeyears’

contractoftheirlabourbyatouchoftherighthandtothepenwithwhichhewrote，andwhopaidthefirstyear’sadvanceintradegoodstotheheadsoftheirrespectivefamilies。

OldBashtisatnear，takinghiscustomaryheavytithesoutofeachadvance，histhreeoldwivessquattinghumblyathisfeetandbytheirmerepresencegivingconfidencetoVanHorn，whowaselatedbythestrokeofbusiness。AtsuchratehiscruiseonMalaitawouldbeashortone，whenhewouldsailawaywithafullship。

Ondeck，whereBorckmankeptasharpeyeoutagainstdanger，Jerryprowledabout，sniffingthemanylegsofthemanyblackshehadneverencounteredbefore。Thewild—doghadgoneashorewiththereturnboys，andofthereturnboysonlyonehadcomeback。ItwasLerumie，pastwhomJerryrepeatedlyandstiff—leggedlybristledwithoutgainingresponseofrecognition。Lerumiecoollyignoredhim，wentdownbelowonceandpurchasedatradehand—mirror，and，withalookoftheeyes，assuredoldBashtithatallwasreadyandripetobreakatthefirstfavourablemoment。

Ondeck，Borckmangavethisfavourablemoment。Norwouldhehavesogivenithadhenotbeenguiltyofcarelessnessandofdisobediencetohiscaptain’sorders。Hedidnotleavetheschnappsalone。Bedidnotsensewhatwasimpendingallabouthim。Aft，wherehestood，thedeckwasalmostdeserted。Amidshipsandfor’ard，gammingwiththeboat’screw，thedeckwascrowdedwithblacksofbothsexes。Hemadehiswaytotheyamsackslashedabaftthemizzenmastandgothisbottle。Justbeforehedrank，withashredofcaution，hecastaglancebehindhim。NearhimstoodaharmlessMary，middle—aged，fat，squat，asymmetrical，unlovely，asuckingchildoftwoyearsastrideherhipandtakingnourishment。Surelynoharmwastobeapprehendedthere。Furthermore，shewaspatentlyaweaponlessMary，forsheworenostitchofclothingthatotherwisemighthaveconcealedaweapon。Overagainsttherail，tenfeettooneside，stoodLerumie，smirkingintothetrademirrorhehadjustbought。

ItwasinthetrademirrorthatLerumiesawBorckmanbendtotheyam—sacks，returntotheerect，throwhisheadback，themouthofthebottlegluedtohislips，thebottomelevatedskyward。Lerumieliftedhisrighthandinsignaltoawomaninacanoealongside。

ShebentswiftlyforsomethingthatshetossedtoLerumie。Itwasalong—handledtomahawk，theheadofitanordinaryshingler’shatchet，thehaftofit，native—made，ablackandpolishedpieceofhardwood，inlaidinrudedesignswithmother—of—pearlandwrappedwithcoconutsennittomakeahandgrip。Thebladeofthehatchethadbeengroundtorazor—edge。

AsthetomahawkflewnoiselesslythroughtheairtoLerumie’shand，justasnoiselessly，thenextinstant，itflewthroughtheairfromhishandintothehandofthefatMarywiththenursingchildwhostoodbehindthemate。Sheclutchedthehandlewithbothhands，whilethechild，astrideherhip，heldontoherwithbothsmallarmspartwayabouther。

Stillshewaitedthestroke，forwithBorckman’sheadthrownbackwasnotimetostrivetoseverthespinalcordattheneck。Manyeyesbeheldtheimpendingtragedy。Jerrysaw，butdidnotunderstand。Withallhishostilitytoniggershehadnotdivinedtheattackfromtheair。Tambi，whochancedtobeneartheskylight，saw，and，seeing，reachedforaLee—Enfield。LerumiesawTambi’sactionandhissedhastetotheMary。

Borckman，asunawareofthis，hislastsecondoflife，ashehadbeenofhisfirstsecondofbirth，loweredthebottleandstraightenedforwardhishead。Thekeenedgesankhome。What，inthatflashofinstantwhenhisbrainwasseveredfromtherestofhisbody，Borckmanmayhavefeltorthought，ifhefeltorthoughtatall，isamysteryunsolvabletolivingman。Noman，hisspinalcordsosevered，hasevergivenonewordorwhisperoftestimonyastowhatwerehissensationsandimpressions。NolessswiftthanthehatchetstrokewasthelimpplacidityintowhichBorckman’sbodymeltedtothedeck。Hedidnotreelorpitch。Hemelted，asasackofwindsuddenlyemptied，asabladderofairsuddenlypunctured。

Thebottlefellfromhisdeadhandupontheyamswithoutbreaking，althoughtheremnantofitscontentsgurgledgentlyoutuponthedeck。

Soquickwastheoccurrenceofaction，thatthefirstshotfromTambi’smusketmissedtheMaryereBorckmanhadquitemeltedtothedeck。Therewasnotimeforasecondshot，fortheMary，droppingthetomahawk，holdingherchildinbothherhandsandplungingtotherail，wasintheairandoverboard，herfallcapsizingthecanoewhichchancedtobebeneathher。

Scoresofactionsweresimultaneous。Fromthecanoesonbothsidesuproseaglittering，glisteningrainofmother—of—pearl—handledtomahawksthatdescendedintothewaitinghandsoftheSomomenondeck，whiletheMarysondeckcroucheddownandscrambledoutofthefray。AtthesametimethattheMarywhohadkilledBorckmanleapttherail，Lerumiebentforthetomahawkshehaddropped，andJerry，awareofredwar，slashedthehandthatreachedforthetomahawk。

Lerumiestooduprightandloosedloudly，inahowl，allthepentrageandhatred，ofmonthswhichhehadcherishedagainstthepuppy。

Also，ashegainedtheperpendicularandasJerryflewathislegs，helaunchedakickwithallhismightthatcaughtandliftedJerrysquarelyunderthemiddle。

Andinthenextsecond，orfractionofsecond，asJerryliftedandsoaredthroughtheair，overthebarbedwireoftherailandoverboard，whileSniderswerebeingpassedupoversidefromthecanoes，Tambifiredhisnexthastyshot。AndLerumie，thefootwithwhichhehadkickednotyetreturnedtothedeckasagainhewasinmid—actionofstoopingtopickupthetomahawk，receivedthebulletsquarelyintheheartandpitcheddowntomeltwithBorckmanintothesoftnessofdeath。

EreJerrystruckthewater，thegloryofTambi’smarvellouslyluckyshotwasoverforTambi；for，atthemomenthepressedtriggertothesuccessfulshot，atomahawkbitacrosshisskullatthebaseofthebrainanddarkenedfromhiseyesforeverthebrightvisionofthesea—washed，sun—blazonedtropicworld。Asswiftly，alloccurringalmostsimultaneously，didtherestoftheboat’screwpassandthedeckbecameashambles。

ItwastothereportsoftheSnidersandthenoisesofthedeathscufflethatJerry’sheademergedfromthewater。Aman’shandreachedoveracanoe—sideanddraggedhiminbythescruffoftheneck，and，althoughhesnarledandstruggledtobitehisrescuer，hewasnotsomuchenragedaswashetornbythewildestsolicitudeforSkipper。Heknew，withoutthinkingaboutit，thattheArangihadbeenboardedbythehazilysensedsupremedisasteroflifethatalllifeintuitivelyapprehendsandthatonlymanknowsandcallsbythenameof"death。"Borckmanhehadseenstruckdown。Lerumiehehadheardstruckdown。Andnowhewashearingtheexplosionsofriflesandtheyellsandscreechesoftriumphandfear。

Soitwas，helpless，suspendedintheairbythenapeoftheneck，thathebawledandsqualledandchokedandcoughedtilltheblack，disgusted，flunghimdownroughlyinthecanoe’sbottom。Hescrambledtohisfeetandmadetwoleaps：oneuponthegunwaleofthecanoe；thenext，despairingandhopeless，withoutconsiderationofself，fortherailoftheArangi。

Hisforefeetmissedtherailbyayard，andheplungeddownintothesea。Hecameup，swimmingfrantically，swallowingandstranglingsaltwaterbecausehestillyelpedandwailedandbarkedhisyearningtobeonboardwithSkipper。

Butaboyoftwelve，inanothercanoe，havingwitnessedthefirstblack’sadventurewithJerry，treatedhimwithoutceremony，laying，firsttheflat，andnexttheedge，ofapaddleuponhisheadwhilehestillswam。Andthedarknessofunconsciousnesswelledoverhisbrightlittlelove—sufferingbrain，sothatitwasalimpandmotionlesspuppythattheblackboydraggedintohiscanoe。

Inthemeantime，downbelowintheArangi’scabin，ereeverJerryhitthewaterfromLerumie’skick，evenwhilehewasintheair，VanHorn，inonegreatflashingprofoundfractionofaninstant，hadknownhisdeath。NotfornothinghadoldBashtilivedlongestofanylivingmaninhistribe，andruledwisestofallthelonglineofrulerssinceSomo’stime。Hadhebeenplacedmoregenerouslyinearthspaceandtime，hemightwellhaveprovedanAlexander，aNapoleon，oraswarthyKahehameha。Asitwas，heperformedwell，andsplendidlywell，inhislimitedlittlekingdomontheleewardcoastofthedarkcannibalislandofMalaita。

Andsuchaperformance！Incoolgoodnatureinrigidmaintenanceofhischiefshiprights，hehadsmiledatVanHorn，givenroyalpermissiontohisyoungmentosignonforthreeyearsofplantationslavery，andexactedhisshareofeachyear’sadvance。Aora，whomightbedescribedashisprimeministerandtreasurer，hadreceivedthetithesasfastastheywerepaidover，andfilledthemintolarge，fine—nettedbagsofcoconutsennit。AtBashti’sback，squattingonthebunk—boards，aslimandsmooth—skinnedmaidofthirteenhadflappedthefliesawayfromhisroyalheadwiththeroyalfly—flapper。Athisfeethadsquattedhisthreeoldwives，theoldestofthem，toothlessandsomewhatpalsied，everpresentingtohishand，athisheadnod，abasketrough—wovenofpandanusleaf。

AndBashti，hiskeenoldearspitchedforthefirstuntowardsoundfromondeck，hadcontinuallynoddedhisheadanddippedhishandintotheprofferedbasket——nowforbetel—nut，andlime—box，andtheinvariablegreenleafwithwhichtowrapthemouthful；nowfortobaccowithwhichtofillhisshortclaypipe；and，again，formatcheswithwhichtolightthepipewhichseemednottodrawwellandwhichfrequentlywentout。

Towardthelastthebaskethadhoveredconstantlyclosetohishand，and，atthelast，hemadeonefinaldip。ItwasatthemomentwhentheMary’saxe，ondeck，hadstruckBorckmandownandwhenTambiloosedthefirstshotatherfromhisLee—Enfield。AndBashti’switheredancienthand，thebackofitnettedwithacomplexoflargeup—standingveinsfromwhichthefleshhadshrunkaway，dippedoutahugepistolofsuchremotevintagethatoneofCromwell’sround—

headsmightwellhavecarrieditorthatitmightwellhavevoyagedwithQuirosorLaPerouse。Itwasaflint—lock，aslongasaman’sforearm，andithadbeenloadedthatafternoonbynolessapersonthanBashtihimself。

QuickasBashtihadbeen，VanHornwasalmostasquick，butnotquitequickenough。Evenashishandleapttothemodernautomaticlyingoutofit’sholsterandlooseonhisknees，thepistolofthecenturieswentoff。Loadedwithtwoslugsandaroundbullet，itseffectwasthatofasawed—offshotgun。AndVanHornknewtheblazeandtheblackofdeath，evenas"Gottferdang！"diedunutteredonhislipsandashisfingersrelaxedfromthepart—liftedautomatic，droppingittothefloor。

Surchargedwithblackpowder，theancientweaponhadothereffect。

ItburstinBashti’shand。WhileAora，withaknifeproducedapparentlyfromnowhere，proceededtohackoffthewhitemaster’shead，Bashtilookedquizzicallyathisrightforefingerdanglingbyastripofskin。Heseizeditwithhislefthand，withaquickpullandtwistwrencheditoff，andgrinninglytossedit，asajoke，intothepandanusbasketwhichstillhiswifewithonehandheldbeforehimwhilewiththeothersheclutchedherforeheadbleedingfromaflyingfragmentofpistol。

Collaterallywiththis，threeoftheyoungrecruits，joinedbytheirfathersanduncles，haddowned，andwerefinishingofftheonlyoneoftheboat’screwthatwasbelow。Bashti，whohadlivedsolongthathewasaphilosopherwhomindedpainlittleandthelossofafingerless，chuckledandchirpedhissatisfactionandprideofachievementintheoutcome，whilehisthreeoldwives，wholivedonlyatthenodofhishead，fawnedunderhimonthefloorintheabjectnessofservilecongratulationandworship。Longhadtheylived，andtheyhadlivedlongonlybyhiskinglywhim。Theyflounderedandgibberedandmowedathisfeet，lordoflifeanddeaththathewas，infinitelywiseashehadsooftenprovedhimself，ashehadthistimeprovedhimselfagain。

Andthelean，fear—strickengirl，likeafrightenedrabbitinthemouthofitsburrow，onhandsandkneespeeredforthuponthescenefromthelazaretteandknewthatthecooking—potandtheendoftimehadcomeforher。

CHAPTERXII

WhathappenedaboardtheArangiJerryneverknew。Hedidknowthatitwasaworlddestroyed，forhesawitdestroyed。Theboywhohadknockedhimontheheadwiththepaddle，tiedhislegssecurelyandtossedhimoutonthebeachereheforgothimintheexcitementoflootingtheArangi。

Withgreatshoutingandsong，theprettyteak—builtyachtwastowedinbythelongcanoesandbeachedclosetowhereJerrylayjustbeyondtheconfinesofthecoral—stonewalls。Firesblazedonthebeach，lanternswerelightedonboard，and，amidagreatfeasting，theArangiwasguttedandstripped。Everythingportablewastakenashore，fromherpigsofironballasttoherrunninggearandsails。

NooneinSomosleptthatnight。Eventhetiniestofchildrentoddledaboutthefeastingfiresorsprawledsurfeitedonthesands。

Attwointhemorning，atBashti’scommand，theshelloftheboatwasfired。AndJerry，thirstingforwater，havingwhimperedandwailedhimselftoexhaustion，lyinghelpless，leg—tied，onhisside，sawthefloatingworldhehadknownsoshortatimegoupinflameandsmoke。

Andbythelightofherburning，oldBashtiapportionedtheloot。

Nooneofthetribewastoomeantoreceivenothing。Eventhewretchedbush—slaves，whohadtrembledthroughallthetimeoftheircaptivityfromfearofbeingeaten，receivedeachaclaypipeandseveralsticksoftobacco。Themainbulkofthetradegoods，whichwasnotdistributed，Bashtihadcarrieduptohisownlargegrasshouse。Allthewealthofgearwasstoredintheseveralcanoehouses。Whileinthedevildevilhousesthedevildevildoctorssettoworkcuringthemanyheadsoverslowsmudges；for，alongwiththeboat’screwtherewerearounddozenofNo—olareturnboysandseveralMaluboyswhichVanHornhadnotyetdelivered。