第7章

Theshell—fireceasedasJerrytrottedalong；nextheheardtherifle—firefromthelanding—party，asitshotdownthedomesticpigsonSomo’sstreets。Hedidnothear，however，thechoppingdownofthecoconuttrees，anymorethandidheeverreturntobeholdwhatdamagetheaxeshadwrought。

ForrighthereoccurredwithJerryawonderfulthingthatthinkersoftheworldhavenotexplained。Hemanifestedinhisdog’sbrainthefreeagencyoflife，bywhichallthegenerationsofmetaphysicianshavepostulatedGod，andbywhichallthedeterministicphilosophershavebeenledbythenosedespitetheircleardenouncementofitassheerillusion。WhatJerrydidhedid。

Hedidnotknowhoworwhyhediditanymorethandoesthephilosopherknowhoworwhyhedecidesonmushandcreamforbreakfastinsteadoftwosoft—boiledeggs。

WhatJerrydidwastoyieldinactiontoabrainimpulsetodo，notwhatseemedtheeasierandmoreusualthing，buttodowhatseemedtheharderandmoreunusualthing。Sinceitiseasiertoenduretheknownthantoflytotheunknown；sincebothmiseryandfearlovecompany；theapparenteasiestthingforJerrytohavedonewouldhavebeentofollowthetribeofSomointoitsfastnesses。YetwhatJerrydidwastodivergefromthelineofretreatandtostartnorthward，acrosstheboundsofSomo，andcontinuenorthwardintoastrangelandoftheunknown。

HadNalasunotbeenstruckdownbytheultimatenothingness，Jerrywouldhaveremained。Thisistrue，andthis，perhaps，totheonewhoconsidershisaction，mighthavebeenthewayhereasoned。Buthedidnotreasonit，didnotreasonatall；heactedonimpulse。

Hecouldcountfiveobjects，andpronouncethembynameandnumber，buthewasincapableofreasoningthathewouldremaininSomoifNalasulived，departfromSomoifNalasudied。HemerelydepartedfromSomobecauseNalasuwasdead，andtheterribleshell—firepassedquicklyintothepastofhisconsciousness，whilethepresentbecamevividafterthewayofthepresent。Almostonhistoesdidhetreadthewildbushmen’strails，tensewithapprehensionofthelurkingdeathheknowinfestedsuchpaths，hisearscockedalertlyforjunglesounds，hiseyesfollowinghisearstodiscernwhatmadethesounds。

NomoredoughtynordaringwasColumbus，venturingallthathewastotheunknown，thanwasJerryinventuringthisjungle—darknessofblackMalaita。Andthiswonderfulthing，thisseeminggreatdeedoffreewill，heperformedinmuchthesamewaythattheitchingoffeetandtickleoffancyhaveledthefeetofmenoveralltheearth。

ThoughJerryneverlaideyesonSomoagain，Bashtireturnedwithhistribethesameday，grinningandchucklingasheappraisedthedamage。Onlyafewgrasshouseshadbeendamagedbytheshells。

Onlyafewcoconutshadbeenchoppeddown。Andasfortheslainpigs，lesttheyspoil，hemadeoftheircarcassesagreatfeast。

Oneshellhadknockedaholethroughhissea—wall。Heenlargeditforalaunching—ways，facedthesidesofitwithdry—fittedcoralrock，andgaveordersforthebuildingofanadditionalcanoe—house。

TheonlyvexationhesufferedwasthedeathofNalasuandthedisappearanceofJerry——histwoexperimentsinprimitiveeugenics。

CHAPTERXX

AweekJerryspentinthebush，deterredalwaysfrompenetratingtothemountainsbythebushmenwhoeverguardedtherunways。Anditwouldhavegonehardwithhiminthematteroffood，hadhenot，onthesecondday，encounteredalonesmallpig，evidentlylostfromitslitter。Itwashisfirsthuntingadventureforaliving，anditpreventedhimfromtravellingfarther，for，truetohisinstinct，heremainedbyhiskilluntilitwasnearlydevoured。

True，herangedwidelyabouttheneighbourhood，findingnootherfoodhecouldcapture。Butalways，untilitwasgone，hereturnedtotheslainpig。Yethewasnothappyinhisfreedom。Hewastoodomesticated，toocivilized。Toomanythousandsofyearshadelapsedsincehisancestorshadrunfreelywild。Hewaslonely。Hecouldnotgetalongwithoutman。Toolonghadhe，andthegenerationsbeforehim，livedinintimaterelationshipwiththetwo—

leggedgods。Toolonghadhiskindlovedman，servedhimforlove，enduredforlove，diedforlove，and，inreturn，beenpartlyappreciated，lessunderstood，androughlyloved。

SogreatwasJerry’slonelinessthatevenatwo—leggedblack—godwasdesirable，sincewhite—godshadlongsincefadedintothelimboofthepast。Forallhemighthaveknown，hadhebeencapableofconjecturing，theonlywhite—godsinexistencehadperished。Actingontheassumptionthatablack—godwasbetterthannogod，whenhehadquitefinishedthelittlepig，hedeflectedhiscoursetotheleft，down—hill，towardthesea。Hedidthis，againwithoutreasoning，merelybecause，inthesubtleprocessesofhisbrain，experienceworked。Hisexperiencehadbeentolivealwaysclosebythesea；humanshehadalwaysencounteredclosebythesea；anddown—hillhadinvariablyledtothesea。

Hecameoutupontheshoreofthereef—shelteredlagoonwhereruinedgrasshousestoldhimmenhadlived。Thejungleranriotthroughtheplace。Six—inchtrees，throatedwithrottenremnantsofthatchedroofsthroughwhichtheyhadaspiredtowardthesun，roseabouthim。Quick—growingtreeshadshadowedthekingpostssothattheidolsandtotems，seatedincarvedsharkjaws，grinnedgreenlyandmonstrouslyatthefutilityofmanthrougharimeofmossandmottledfungus。Apoorlittlesea—wall，nevermuchatitsbest，sprawledinruinfromthecoconutrootstotheplacidsea。Bananas，plantains，andbreadfruitlayrottingontheground。Boneslayabout，humanbones，andJerrynosedthemout，knowingthemforwhattheywere，emblemsofthenothingnessoflife。Skullshedidnotencounter，fortheskullsthatbelongedtothescatteredbonesornamentedthedevildevilhousesintheuplandbushvillages。

Thesalttangoftheseagladdenedhisnostrils，andhesnortedwiththepleasureofthestenchofthemangroveswamp。But，anotherCrusoechancinguponthefootprintofanothermanFriday，hisnose，nothiseyes，shockedhimelectricallyalertashesmelledthefreshcontactofalivingman’sfootwiththeground。Itwasanigger’sfoot，butitwasalive，itwasimmediate；and，ashetraceditascoreofyards，hecameuponanotherfoot—scent，indubitablyawhiteman’s。

Hadtherebeenanonlooker，hewouldhavethoughtJerryhadgonesuddenlymad。Herushedfranticallyabout，turningandtwistinghiscourse，nowhisnosetotheground，nowupintheair，whiningasfranticallyasherushed，leapingabruptlyatrightanglesasnewscentsreachedhim，scurryinghereandthereandeverywhereasifinagameoftagwithsomeinvisibleplayfellow。

Buthewasreadingthefullreportwhichmanymenhadwrittenontheground。Awhitemanhadbeenthere，helearned，andanumberofblacks。Hereablackhadclimbedacoconuttreeandcastdownthenuts。Thereabananatreehadbeendespoiledofitsclusteredfruit；and，beyond，itwasevidentthatasimilareventhadhappenedtoabreadfruittree。Onething，however，puzzledhim——ascentnewtohimthatwasneitherblackman’snorwhiteman’s。Hadhehadthenecessaryknowledgeandthewitofeye—observance，hewouldhavenotedthatthefootprintwassmallerthanaman’sandthatthetoeprintsweredifferentfromaMary’sinthattheywereclosetogetheranddidnotpressdeeplyintotheearth。Whatbotheredhiminhissmellingwashisignoranceoftalcumpowder。Pungentitwasinhisnostrils，butnever，sincefirsthehadsmelledoutthefootprintsofman，hadheencounteredsuchascent。Andwiththiswerecombinedotherandfainterscentsthatwereequallystrangetohim。

Notlongdidheinteresthimselfinsuchmystery。Awhiteman’sfootprintshehadsmelled，andthroughthemazeofalltheotherprintshefollowedtheoneprintdownthroughabreachofsea—walltothesea—poundedcoralsandlappedbythesea。Herethelatestfreshnessofmanyfeetdrewtogetherwherethenoseofaboathadrestedonthebeachandwheremenhaddisembarkedandembarkedagain。Hesmelledupallthestory，and，hisforelegsinthewatertillittouchedhisshoulders，hegazedoutacrossthelagoonwherethedisappearingtrailwaslosttohisnose。

Hadhebeenhalfanhoursoonerhewouldhaveseenaboat，withoutoars，gasoline—propelled，shootingacrossthequietwater。WhathedidseewasanArangi。True，itwasfarlargerthantheArangihehadknown，butitwaswhite，itwaslong，ithadmasts，anditfloatedonthesurfaceofthesea。Ithadthreemasts，sky—loftyandallofasize；buthisobservationwasnottrainedtonotethedifferencebetweenthemandtheonelongandtheoneshortmastoftheArangi。Theonefloatingworldhehadknownwasthewhite—

paintedArangi。And，since，withoutaquiverofdoubt，thiswastheArangi，then，onboard，wouldbehisbelovedSkipper。IfArangiscouldresurrect，thencouldSkippersresurrect，andinutterfaiththattheheadofnothingnesshehadlastseenonBashti’skneeshewouldfindagainrejoinedtoitsbodyanditstwolegsonthedeckofthewhite—paintedfloatingworld，hewadedouttohisdepth，and，swimmingdaredthesea。

Hegreatlydared，forinventuringthewaterhebrokeoneofthegreatestandearliesttabooshehadlearned。Inhisvocabularywasnowordfor"crocodile"；yetinhisthought，aspotentasanyutterableword，wasanimageofdreadfulimport——animageofalogawashthatwasnotalogandthatwasalive，thatcouldswimuponthesurface，underthesurface，andhauloutacrossthedryland，thatwashuge—toothed，mighty—mawed，andcertaindeathtoaswimmingdog。

Buthecontinuedthebreakingofthetaboowithoutfear。Unlikeamanwhocanbesimultaneouslyconsciousoftwostatesofmind，andwho，swimming，wouldhaveknownboththefearandthehighcouragewithwhichheoverrodethefear，Jerry，asheswam，knewonlyonestateofmind，whichwasthathewasswimmingtotheArangiandtoSkipper。Atthemomentprecedingthefirststrokeofhispawsinthewateroutofhisdepth，hehadknownalltheterriblenessofthetaboohedeliberatelybroke。But，launchedout，thedecisionmade，thelineofleastresistancetaken，heknew，single—thoughted，single—hearted，onlythathewasgoingtoSkipper。

Littlepractisedashewasinswimming，heswamwithallhisstrength，whimperinginasortofchanthiseagerloveforSkipperwhoindubitablymustbeaboardthewhiteyachthalfamileaway。

Hislittlesongoflove，fraughtwithkeennessofanxiety，cametotheearsofamanandwomanloungingindeck—chairsundertheawning；anditwasthequick—eyedwomanwhofirstsawthegoldenheadofJerryandcriedoutwhatshesaw。

"Loweraboat，Husband—Man，"shecommanded。"It’salittledog。Hemustn’tdrown。"

"Dogsdon’tdrownthateasily，"was"Husband—Man’s"reply。"He’llmakeitallright。Butwhatunderthesunadog’sdoingouthere……"Heliftedhismarineglassestohiseyesandstaredamoment。

"Andawhiteman’sdogatthat！"

Jerrybeatthewaterwithhispawsandmovedsteadilyalong，straininghiseyesatthegrowingyachtuntilsuddenlywarnedbyasensingofimmediatedanger。Thetaboosmotehim。Thisthatmovedtowardhimwasthelogawashthatwasnotalogbutalivethingofperil。Partofithesawabovethesurfacemovingsluggishly，anderethatprojectingpartsank，hehadanawarenessthatsomehowitwasdifferentfromalogawash。

Next，somethingbrushedpasthim，andheencountereditwithasnarlandasplashingofhisforepaws。Hewashalf—whirledaboutinthevortexofthething’spassagecausedbythealarmedflirtofitstail。Sharkitwas，andnotcrocodile，andnotsotimidlywouldithavesheeredclearbutforthefactthatitwasfairlyfullwitharecentfeedofahugeseaturtletoofeeblewithagetoescape。

Althoughhecouldnotseeit，Jerrysensedthatthething，theinstrumentofnothingness，lurkedabouthim。Nordidheseethedorsalfinbreaksurfaceandapproachhimfromtherear。Fromtheyachtheheardrifle—shotsinquicksuccession。Fromtherearapanicsplashcametohisears。Thatwasall。Theperilpassedandwasforgotten。Nordidheconnecttherifle—shotswiththepassingoftheperil。Hedidnotknow，andhewasnevertoknow，thatone，knowntomenasHarleyKennan，butknownas"Husband—Man"bythewomanhecalled"Wife—Woman，"whoownedthethree—topmastschooneryachtAriel，hadsavedhislifebysendingathirty—thirtyMarlinbulletthroughthebaseofashark’sfin。

ButJerrywastoknowHarleyKennan，andquickly，foritwasHarleyKennan，abowlinearoundhisbodyunderhisarm—pits，loweredbyacoupleofseamendownthegenerousfreeboardoftheAriel，whogatheredinbythenapeoftheneckthesmooth—coatedIrishterrierthat，treadingwaterperpendicularly，hadnoeyesforhimsoeagerlydidhegazeatthelineoffacesalongtherailinquestoftheoneface。

Nopauseforthanksdidhemakewhenhewasdroppeddownuponthedeck。Instead，shakinghimselfinstinctivelyasheran，hescurriedalongthedeckforSkipper。Themanandhiswifelaughedatthespectacle。

"Heactsasifheweredementedwithdelightatbeingrescued，"Mrs。

Kennanobserved。

AndMr。Kennan："It’snotthat。Hemusthaveascrewloosesomewhere。Perhapshe’soneofthosecreatureswho’veslippedtheratchetoffthemotioncog。Maybehecan’tstoprunningtillherunsdown。"

InthemeantimeJerrycontinuedtorun，upportsideanddownstarboardside，fromsterntobowandbackagain，wagginghisstumptailandlaughingfriendlinesstothemanytwo—leggedgodsheencountered。Hadhebeenabletothinktosuchabstractionhewouldhavebeenastoundedatthenumberofwhite—gods。Thirtytherewereatleastofthem，notcountingothergodsthatwereneitherblacknorwhite，butthatstill，two—legged，uprightandgarmented，werebeyondallperadventuregods。Likewise，hadhebeencapableofsuchgeneralization，hewouldhavedecidedthatthewhite—godshadnotyetallofthempassedintothenothingness。Asitwas，herealizedallthiswithoutbeingawarethatherealizedit。

ButtherewasnoSkipper。Hesniffeddowntheforecastlehatch，sniffedintothegalleywheretwoChinesecooksjabberedunintelligiblytohim，sniffeddownthecabincompanionway，sniffeddowntheengine—roomskylightandforthefirsttimeknewgasolineandengineoil；butsniffashewould，whereverheran，noscentdidhecatchofSkipper。

Aft，atthewheel，hewouldhavesatdownandhowledhisheartbreakofdisappointment，hadnotawhite—god，evidentlyofcommand，ingold—decoratedwhiteduckcapanduniform，spokentohim。

Instantly，alwaysagentleman，Jerrysmiledwithflattenedearsofcourtesy，waggedhistail，andapproached。Thehandofthishighgodhadalmostcaressedhisheadwhenthewoman’svoicecamedownthedeckinspeechthatJerrydidnotunderstand。Thewordsandtermsofitwerebeyondhim。Buthesensedpowerofcommandinit，whichwasverifiedbythequickwithdrawalofthehandofthegodinwhiteandgoldwhohadalmostcaressedhim。Thisgod，stiffenedelectricallyandpointedJerryalongthedeck，and，withmouthencouragementsandurgingstheimportofwhichJerrycouldonlyguess，directedhimtowardtheonewhosocommandedbysaying：

"Sendhim，please，alongtome，CaptainWinters。"

Jerrywriggledhisbodyindelightofobeying，andwouldloyallyhavepresentedhisheadtoheroutreachingcaressofhand，hadnotthestrangenessanddifferenceofherdeterredhim。Hebrokeoffinmid—approachandwithashowofteethsnarledhimselfbackandawayfromthewindblownskirtofher。TheonlyhumanfemaleshehadknownwerenakedMarys。Thisskirt，flappinginthewindlikeasail，remindedhimofthemenacingmainsailoftheArangiwhenithadjarredandcrashedandswoopedabovehishead。Thenoiseshermouthmadeweregentleandingratiating，butthefearsomeskirtstillflappedinthebreeze。

"Youridiculousdog！"shelaughed。"I’mnotgoingtobiteyou。"

Butherhusbandthrustoutarough，surehandanddrewJerryintohim。AndJerrywriggledinecstasyunderthegod’scaress，kissingthehandwitharedflickeroftongue。Next，HarleyKennandirectedhimtowardthewomansittingupinthedeck—chairandbendingforward，withhoveringhandsofgreeting。Jerryobeyed。Headvancedwithflattenedearsandlaughingmouth：but，justereshecouldtouchhim，thewindflutteredtheskirtagainandhebackedawaywithasnarl。

"It’snotyouthathe’safraidof，Villa，"hesaid。"Butofyourskirt。Perhapshe’sneverseenaskirtbefore。"

"Youmean，"VillaKennanchallenged，"thatthesehead—huntingcannibalsashoreherekeeprecordsofpedigreesandmaintainkennels；forsurelythisabsurdadventurerofadogisasproperanIrishterrierastheArielisanOregon—pine—plankedschooner。"

HarleyKennanlaughedinacknowledgment。VillaKennanlaughedtoo；

andJerryknewthatthesewereapairofhappygods，andhimselflaughedwiththem。

Ofhisowninitiative，heapproachedtheladygodagain，attractedbythetalcumpowderandotherminorfragranceshehadalreadyidentifiedasthestrangescentsencounteredonthebeach。Buttheunfortunatetradewindagainflutteredherskirt，andagainhebackedaway——notsofar，thistime，withmuchlessofabristleofhisneckandshoulderhair，andwithnomoreofasnarlthanamerehalf—baringofhisfangs。

"He’safraidofyourskirt，"Harleyinsisted。"Lookathim！Hewantstocometoyou，buttheskirtkeepshimaway。Tuckitunderyousothatitwon’tflutter，andseewhathappens。"

VillaKennancarriedoutthesuggestion，andJerrycamecircumspectly，benthisheadtoherhandandwrithedhisbackunderit，thewhilehesniffedherfeet，stocking—cladandshoe—covered，andknewthemasthefeetwhichhadtroduncoveredtheruinedwaysofthevillageashore。

"Nodoubtofit，"Harleyagreed。"He’swhite—manselected，white—

manbredandborn。Hehasahistory。Heknowsadventurefromtheground—rootsup。Ifhecouldtellhisstory，we’dsitlisteningentrancedfordays。Dependonit，he’snotknownblacksallhislife。Let’stryhimonJohnny。"

Johnny，whomKennanbeckoneduptohim，wasaloanfromtheResidentCommissioneroftheBritishSolomonsatTulagi，whohadcomealongaspilotandguidetoKennanratherthanasphilosopherandfriend。

Johnnyapproachedgrinning，andJerry’sdemeanourimmediatelychanged。HisbodystiffenedunderVillaKennan’shandashedrewawayfromherandstalkedstiff—leggedtotheblack。Jerry’searsdidnotflatten，nordidhelaughfellowshipwithhismouth，asheinspectedJohnnyandsmelthiscalvesforfuturereference。

Cavalierhewastotheextreme，and，afterthebriefestofinspection，heturnedbacktoVillaKennan。

"WhatdidIsay？"herhusbandexulted。"Heknowsthecolourline。

He’sawhiteman’sdogthathasbeentrainedtoit。"

"Myword，"spokeupJohnny。"Meknow’mthatfelladog。Meknow’mpapaandmammabelongalonghim。BigfellawhitemarsterMisterHagginstopalongMeringe，mammaandpapastopalonghimthatfellaplace。"

HarleyKennanutteredasharpexclamation。

"Ofcourse，"hecried。"TheCommissionertoldmeallaboutit。TheArangi，thattheSomopeoplecaptured，sailedlastfromMeringePlantation。JohnnyrecognizesthedogasthesamebreedasthepairHaggin，ofMeringe，mustpossess。Butthatwasalongtimeago。Hemusthavebeenalittlepuppy。Ofcoursehe’sawhiteman’sdog。"

"Andyetyou’veoverlookedthecrowningproofofit，"VillaKennanteased。"Thedogcarriestheevidencearoundwithhim。"

HarleylookedJerryovercarefully。

"Indisputableevidence，"sheinsisted。

Afteranotherprolongedscrutiny，Kennanshookhishead。

"BlamedifIcanseeanythingsoindisputableastoleaveconjectureout。"

"Thetail，"hiswifegurgled。"Surelythenativesdonotbobthetailsoftheirdogs。——Dothey，Johnny？DoblackmanstopalongMalaitachop’mofftailalongdog。"

"Nochop’moff，"Johnnyagreed。"MisterHagginalongMeringehechop’moff。Myword，hechop’mthatfellatail，youbet。"

"Thenhe’sthesolesurvivoroftheArangi，"VillaKennanconcluded。

"Don’tyouagree，Mr。SherlockHolmesKennan？"

"Isaluteyou，Mrs。S。Holmes，"herhusbandacknowledgedgallantly。

"AndallthatremainsisforyoutoleadmedirectlytotheheadofLaPerousehimself。Thesailingdirectionsrecordthatheleftitsomewhereintheseislands。"

LittledidtheyguessthatJerryhadlivedonintimatetermswithoneBashti，notmanymilesawayalongtheshore，who，inSomo，atthatverymoment，satinhisgrasshouseponderingoveraheadonhiswitheredkneesthathadoncebeentheheadofthegreatnavigator，thehistoryofwhichhadbeenforgottenbythesonsofthechiefwhohadtakenit。

CHAPTERXXI

Thefine，three—topmastschoonerAriel，onacruisearoundtheworld，hadalreadybeenoutayearfromSanFranciscowhenJerryboardedher。Asaworld，andasawhite—godworld，shewastohimbeyondcompare。ShewasnotsmallliketheArangi，norwassheclutteredforeandaft，ondeckandbelow，withaspawnofniggers。

TheonlyblackJerryfoundonherwasJohnny；whileherspaciousnesswasfilledprincipallywithtwo—leggedwhite—gods。

Hemetthemeverywhere，atthewheel，onlookout，washingdecks，polishingbrass—work，runningaloft，ortailingontosheetsandtackleshalfadozenatatime。Buttherewasadifference。Thereweregodsandgods，andJerrywasnotlonginlearningthatinthehierarchyoftheheavenofthesewhite—godsontheAriel，thesailorizing，ship—workingoneswerefarbeneaththecaptainandhistwowhite—and—gold—cladofficers。These，inturn，werelessthanHarleyKennanandVillaKennan；forthem，itcamequicklytohim，HarleyKennancommanded。Nevertheless，therewasonethinghedidnotlearnandwasdestinednevertolearn，namely，thesupremegodoverallontheAriel。Althoughhenevertriedtoknow，beingunabletothinktosuchadistance，henevercametoknowwhetheritwasHarleyKennanwhocommandedVilla，orVillaKennanwhocommandedHarley。Inaway，withoutvexinghimselfwiththeproblem，heacceptedtheirover—lordshipoftheworldasdual。Neitherout—

rankedtheother。Theyseemedtoruleco—equal，whileallothersbowedbeforethem。

Itisnottruethattofeedadogistowinadog’sheart。NeverdidHarleyorVillafeedJerry；yetitwastothemheelectedtobelong，themheelectedtoloveandserveratherthantotheJapanesestewardwhoregularlyfedhim。Forthatmatter，Jerry，likeanydog，wasabletodifferentiatebetweenthemeredirectfood—giverandthefoodsource。Thatis，subconsciously，hewasawarethatnotalonehisownfood，butthefoodofallonboardfounditssourceinthemanandwoman。Theyitwaswhofedallandruledall。CaptainWintersmightgiveorderstothesailors，butCaptainWinterstookordersfromHarleyKennan。Jerryknewthisasindubitablyasheacteduponit，althoughallthewhileitneverenteredhisheadasanitemofconsciousknowledge。

And，ashehadbeenaccustomed，allhislife，aswithMisterHaggin，Skipper，andevenwithBashtiandthechiefdevildevildoctorofSomo，heattachedhimselftothehighgodsthemselves，andfromthegodsunderthemreceiveddeferenceaccordingly。AsSkipper，ontheArangi，andBashtiinSomo，hadpromulgatedtaboos，sothemanandthewomanontheArielprotectedJerrywithtaboos。FromSano，theJapanesesteward，andfromhimalone，didJerryreceivefood。Notfromanysailorinwhaleboatorlaunchcouldheaccept，orwouldhebeoffered，abitofbiscuitoraninvitationtogoashoreforarun。Nordidtheyofferit。Norweretheypermittedtobecomeintimate，totheextentofrompingandplayingwithhim，norevenofwhistlingtohimalongthedeck。

Bynaturea"one—man"dog，allthiswasveryacceptabletoJerry。

Differencesofdegreetherewere，ofcourse；butnoonemoredelicatelyanddefinitelyknewthosedifferencesthandidJerryhimself。Thus，itwaspermissibleforthetwoofficerstogreethimwitha"Hello，"ora"Goodmorning，"andeventotouchahandinabriefandfriendlypattohishead。WithCaptainWinters，however，greaterfamiliarityobtained。CaptainWinterscouldrubhisears，shakehandswithhis，scratchhisback，andevenroughlycatchhimbythejowls。ButCaptainWintersinvariablysurrenderedhimupwhentheonemanandtheonewomanappearedondeck。

Whenitcametoliberties，delicious，wantonliberties，Jerryaloneofallonboardcouldtakethemwiththemanandwoman，and，ontheotherhand，theyweretheonlytwotowhomhepermittedliberties。

AnyindignitythatVillaKennanchosetoinflictuponhimhewasthrobbinglygladtoreceive，suchasdoublinghisearsinsideouttilltheystuck，atthesametimemakinghimsitupright，withhelplessforefeetpaddlingtheairforequilibrium，whilesheblewroguishlyinhisfaceandnostrils。AsbadwasHarleyKennan’strickofcatchinghimgloriouslyasleeponanedgeofVilla’sskirtandofticklingthehairbetweenhistoesandmakinghimkickinvoluntarilyinhissleep，untilhekickedhimselfawaketohearingofgurglesandsnickersoflaughterathisexpense。

Inturn，atnightondeck，wrigglinghertoesathimunderarugtosimulatesomestrangeandcrawlingcreatureofaninvader，hewoulddaretosimulatehisownbefoolmentandquitedisruptVilla’sbedwithhisfranticferociousattackonthethingthatheknewwasonlyhertoes。Ingalesoflaughter，intermingledwithhalf—genuinecriesofalarmasalmosthisteethcaughthertoes，shealwaysconcludedbygatheringhimintoherarmsandlaughingthelastofherlaughterawayintohisflattenedearsofjoyandlove。Whoelse，ofallonboardtheAriel，wouldhavedaredsuchdevilishnesswiththelady—god’sbed？Thisquestionitneverenteredhismindtoaskhimself；yethewasfullyawareofhowexclusivelyfavouredhewas。

Anotherofhisdeliberatetrickswasonediscoveredbyaccident。

Thrustinghismuzzletomeetherinlove，hechancedtoencounterherfacewithhissoft—hardlittlenosewithsuchforceastomakeherrecoilandcryout。When，anothertime，inallinnocencethishappenedagain，hebecameconsciousofitandofitseffectuponher；andthereafter，whenshegrewtoowildlywild，toowantonlyfacetiousinherteasingplayfulloveofhim，hewouldthrusthismuzzleatherfaceandmakeherthrowherheadbacktoescapehim。

Afteratime，learningthatifhepersisted，shewouldsettlethesituationbygatheringhimintoherarmsandgurglingintohisears，hemadeitapointtoacthispartuntilsuchdelectablesurrenderandjoyfulculminationwereachieved。

Never，byaccident，inthisdeliberategame，didhehurtherchinorcheeksoseverelyashehurthisowntendernose，butinthehurtitselfhefoundmoreofdelightthanpain。Alloffunitwas，allthrough，and，inaddition，itwaslovefun。Suchhurtwasmorethanfun。Suchpainwasheart—pleasure。

Alldogsaregod—worshippers。Morefortunatethanmostdogs，Jerrywontoapairofgodsthat，nomatterhowmuchtheycommanded，lovedmore。Althoughhisnosemightthreatengrievouslytohurtthecheekofhisadoredgod，ratherthanhaveitreallyhurthewouldhavespilledoutallthelove—tideofhisheartthatconstitutedthelifeofhim。Hedidnotliveforfood，forshelter，foracomfortableplacebetweenthedarknessesthatroundedexistence。Helivedforlove。Andassurelyashegladlylivedforlove，wouldhehavediedgladlyforlove。

Notquickly，inSomo，hadJerry’smemoryofSkipperandMisterHagginfaded。Lifeinthecannibalvillagehadbeentoounsatisfying。Therehadbeentoolittlelove。Onlylovecanerasethememoryoflove，orrather，thehurtoflostlove。AndonboardtheArielsucherasementoccurredquickly。JerrydidnotforgetSkipperandMisterHaggin。Butatthemomentsherememberedthemtheyearningthataccompaniedthememorygrewlesspronouncedandpainful。Theintervalsbetweenthemomentswidened，nordidSkipperandMisterHaggintakeformandrealitysofrequentlyinhisdreams；

for，afterthemannerofdogs，hedreamedmuchandvividly。

CHAPTERXXII

Northward，alongtheleewardcoastofMalaita，theArielworkedherleisurelyway，threadingthecolour—riotouslagoonthatlaybetweentheshore—reefsandouter—reefs，daringpassagessonarrowandcoral—patchedthatCaptainWintersaverredeachdayaddedathousandgreyhairstohishead，anddroppinganchoroffeverywalledinletoftheouterreefandeverymangroveswampofthemainlandthatlookedpromisingofcanniballife。ForHarleyandVillaKennanwereinnohurry。Solongasthewaywasinteresting，theydarednothowlongitprovedfromanywheretoanywhere。

DuringthistimeJerrylearnedanewnameforhimself——or，rather，anentireseriesofnamesforhimself。ThiswasbecauseofanaversiononHarleyKennan’spartagainstrenaminganamedthing。

"Anamehemusthavehad，"hearguedtoVilla。"HagginmusthavenamedhimbeforehesailedontheArangi。Therefore，namelesshemustbeuntilwegetbacktoTulagiandfindouthisrealname。"

"What’sinaname？"Villahadbeguntotease。

"Everything，"herhusbandretorted。"Thinkofyourself，shipwrecked，calledbyyourrescuers’Mrs。Riggs，’or’MademoiselledeMaupin，’orjustplain’Topsy。’Andthinkofmebeingcalled’BenedictArnold，’or’Judas，’or……or……’Haman。’No，keephimnameless，untilwefindouthisoriginalname。"

"Mustcallhimsomething，"sheobjected。"Can’tthinkofhimwithoutthinkingsomething。"

"Thencallhimmanynames，butneverthesamenametwice。Callhim’Dog’to—day，and’MisterDog’to—morrow，andthenextdaysomethingelse。"

Soitwas，morebytoneandemphasisandcontextofsituationthanbyanythingelse，thatJerrycamehazilytoidentifyhimselfwithnamessuchas：Dog，MisterDog，Adventurer，StrongUsefulOne，SingSongSilly，Noname，andQuiveringLove—Heart。ThesewereafewofthemanynameslavishedonhimbyVilla。Harley，inturn，addressedhimas：Man—Dog，IncorruptibleOne，BrassTacks，ThenSome，SinofGold，SouthSeaSatrap，Nimrod，YoungNick，andLion—Slayer。Inbrief，themanandwomancompetedwitheachothertonamehimmostwithoutnaminghimeverthesame。AndJerry，lessbysoundandsyllablethanbywhatoftheirheartsvibratedintheirthroats，soonlearnedtoknowhimselfbyanynametheychosetoaddresstohim。HenolongerthoughtofhimselfasJerry，but，instead，asanysoundthatsoundedniceorwaslove—sounded。

Hisgreatdisappointment（if"disappointment"maybeconsideredtodescribeanunconsciousnessoffailuretorealizetheexpected）wasinthematteroflanguage。Nooneonboard，notevenHarleyandVilla，talkedNalasu’stalk。AllJerry’slargevocabulary，allhisproficiencyintheuseofit，whichwouldhavesethimapartasamarvelbeyondallotherdogsinthemasteryofspeech，waswastedonthoseoftheAriel。Theydidnotspeak，muchlessguess，theexistenceofthewhiff—whuffshorthandlanguagewhichNalasuhadtaughthim，andwhich，Nalasudead，Jerryaloneknewofalllivingcreaturesintheworld。

InvainJerrytrieditonthelady—god。Sittingsquattedonhishaunches，hisheadbowedforwardandheldbetweenherhands，hewouldtalkandtalkandelicitneveraresponsivewordfromher。

Withtinywhinesandthinwhimperings，withwhiffsandwhuffsandgrowlysortsofnoisesdowninhisthroat，hewouldtrytotellhersomewhatofhistale。Shewasallmeltingnessofsympathy；shewouldholdherearsoneartothearticulatemouthofhimasalmosttodrownhimintheflowingfragranceofherhair；andyetherbraintoldhernothingofwhatheuttered，althoughherheartsurelysensedhisintent。

"Blessme，Husband—Man！"shewouldcryout。"TheDogistalking。I

knowheistalking。Heistellingmeallabouthimself。Thestoryofhislifeismine，couldIbutunderstand。It’srightherepouringintomymiserableinadequateears，onlyIcan’tcatchit。"

Harleywassceptical，butherwoman’sintuitionguessedaright。

"Iknowit！"shewouldassureherhusband。"Itellyouhecouldtellthetaleofallhisadventuresifonlywehadunderstanding。

Nootherdoghasevertalkedthiswaytome。There’satalethere。

Ifeelitstouches。SometimesalmostdoIknowheistellingofjoy，oflove，ofhighelation，andcombat。Again，itisindignation，hurtofoutrage，despairandsadness。"

"Naturally，"Harleyagreedquietly。"Awhiteman’sdog，adriftamongtheanthropophagiofMalaita，wouldexperienceallsuchsensationsand，justasnaturally，awhiteman’swoman，aWife—

Woman，adear，delightfulVillaKennanwoman，canofherselfimaginesuchadog’sexperiencesanddeemhissillynoisesarecitalofthem，failingtorecognizethemasprojectionsofherowndelicious，sensitive，sympatheticself。Thesongoftheseafromthelipsoftheshell——Pshaw！Thesongoneselfmakesoftheseaandputsintotheshell。"

"Justthesame——"

"Alwaysthesame，"hegallantlycutheroff。"Alwaysright，especiallywhenmostwrong。Notinnavigation，ofcourse，norinaffairssuchasthemultiplicationtable，wherethebrasstacksofrealitystudthewayofone’sshipamongtherocksandshoalsofthesea；butright，truthbeyondtruthtotruthhigherthantruth，namely，intuitionaltruth。"

"Nowyouarelaughingatmewithyoursuperiorman—wisdom，"sheretorted。"ButIknow——"shepausedforthestrengthofwordssheneeded，andwordsforsookher，sothatherquicksweepinggestureofhand—touchtoheartnamedauthoritythatoverrodeallspeech。

"Weagree——Isalute，"helaughedgaily。"ItwasjustpreciselywhatIwassaying。Ourheartscantalkourheadsdownalmostanytime，and，bestall，ourheartsarealwaysrightdespitethestatisticthattheyaremostlywrong。"

HarleyKennandidnotbelieve，andneverdidbelieve，hiswife’sreportofthetalesJerrytold。Andthroughallhisdaystothelastoneofthem，heconsideredthewholematterapleasantfancy，allpoesyofsentiment，onVilla’spart。

ButJerry，four—legged，smooth—coated，Irishterrierthathewas，hadthegiftoftongues。Ifhecouldnotteachlanguages，atleasthecouldlearnlanguages。Withouteffort，andquickly，practicallywithnoteaching，hebeganpickingupthelanguageoftheAriel。

Unfortunately，itwasnotawhiff—whuff，dog—possiblelanguagesuchasNalasuhadinvented。WhileJerrycametounderstandmuchthatwasspokenontheAriel，hecouldspeaknoneofit。Threenames，atleast，hehadforthelady—god："Villa，""Wife—Woman，""MissisKennan，"forsoheheardhervariouslycalled。Buthecouldnotsocallher。Thiswasgod—languageentire，whichonlygodscouldtalk。

ItwasunlikethelanguageofNalasu’sdevising，whichhadbeenacompromisebetweengod—talkanddog—talk，sothatagodandadogcouldtalkinthecommonmedium。

Inthesamewayhelearnedmanynamesfortheone—mangod："MisterKennan，""Harley，""CaptainKennan，"and"Skipper。"OnlyintheintimacyofthethreeofthemalonedidJerryhearhimcalled：

"Husband—Man，""MyMan，""PatientOne，""DearMan，""Lover，"and"ThisWoman’sDelight。"ButinnowaycouldJerryutterthesenamesinaddressoftheone—mannorthemanynamesinaddressoftheone—

woman。Yetonaquietnightwithnowindamongthetrees，oftenandoftenhadhewhisperedtoNalasu，bywhiff—whuffofname，fromahundredfeetaway。

Oneday，bendingoverhim，herhair（dryingfromasalt—waterswim）

flyingabouthim，theone—woman，hertwohandsholdinghisheadandjowlssothathisribbonofkissingtonguejustmissedhernoseintheemptyair，sangtohim："’Don’tknowwhattocallhim，buthe’smightylak’arose！’"

Onanotherdaysherepeatedthis，atthesametimesingingmostofthesongtohimsoftlyinhisear。InthemidstofitJerrysurprisedher。Equallytruemightbethestatementthathesurprisedhimself。Never，hadheconsciouslydonesuchathingbefore。Andhediditwithoutvolition。Heneverintendedtodoit。Forthatmatter，theverythinghedidwaswhatmasteredhimintodoingit。Nomorethancouldherefrainfromshakingthewaterfromhisbackafteraswim，orfromkickinginhissleepwhenhisfeetweretickled，couldhehaveavoideddoingthisimperativething。

Ashervoice，inthesong，madesoftvibrationsinhisears，itseemedtohimthatshegrewdimandvaguebeforehim，andthatsomehow，underthesoftsearchingprodofhersong，hewasotherwhere。Somuchwasheotherwherethathedidthesurprisingthing。Hesatdownabruptly，almostcataleptically，drewhisheadawayfromtheclutchofherhandsandoutoftheentanglementofherhair，and，hisnosethrustupwardatanangleofforty—fivedegrees，hebegantoquiverandtobreatheaudiblyinrhythmtotherhythmofhersinging。Withaquickjerk，cataleptically，hisnosepointedtothezenith，hismouthopened，andafloodofsoundpouredforth，runningswiftlyupwardincrescendoandslowlyfallingasitdiedaway。

Thishowlwasthebeginning，anditledtothecallinghim"SingSongSilly。"ForVillaKennanwasquicktoseizeuponthehowlinghersinginginducedandtodevelopit。Neverdidhehangbackwhenshesatdown，extendedherwelcominghandstohim，andinvited：

"Comeon，SingSongSilly。"Hewouldcometoher，sitdownwiththelovedfragranceofherhairinhisnostrils，laythesideofhisheadagainsthers，pointhisnosepastherear，andalmostimmediatelyfollowherwhenshebeganherlowsinging。Minorstrainswereespeciallyprovocativeingettinghimstarted，and，oncestarted，hewouldsingwithheraslongasshewished。

Singingittrulywas。Aptinallwaysofspeech，hequicklylearnedtosoftenandsubduehishowltillitwasmellowandgolden。Evencouldhemanageittodieawayalmosttoawhisper，andtoriseandfall，accelerateandretard，inobediencetoherownvoiceandinaccordwithit。

Jerryenjoyedthesingingmuchinthesamewaytheopiumeaterenjoyshisdreams。Fordreamhedid，vaguelyandindistinctly，eyeswideopenandawake，thelady—god’shairinafaint—scentedcloudabouthim，hervoicemourningwithhis，hisconsciousnessdrowninginthedreamsofotherwherenessthatcametohimofthesingingandthatwasthesinging。Memoriesofpainwerehis，butofpainsolongforgottenthatitwasnolongerpain。Ratherdiditpermeatehimwithadelicioussadness，andlifthimawayandoutoftheAriel（lyingatanchorinsomecorallagoon）tothatunrealplaceofOtherwhere。

Forvisionswerehisatsuchtimes。Inthecoldbleaknessofnight，itwouldseemhesatonabarehillandraisedhishowltothestars，whileoutofthedark，fromfaraway，woulddrifttohimanansweringhowl。Andotherhowls，nearandfar，woulddriftalonguntilthenightwasvocalwithhiskind。Hiskinditwas。Withoutknowingitheknewit，thiscamaraderieofthelandofOtherwhere。

Nalasu，inteachinghimthewhiff—whufflanguage，deliberatelyhadgoneintotheintelligenceofhim；butVilla，unwittingofwhatshewasdoing，wentintotheheartofhim，andintotheheartofhisheredity，touchingtheprofoundestchordsofancientmemoriesandmakingthemrespond。

Asinstance：dimshapesandshadowyformswouldsometimesappeartohimoutofthenight，andastheyflittedspectrallypasthewouldhear，asinadream，thehuntingcriesofthepack；and，ashispulsequickened，hisownhuntinginstinctwouldrouseuntilhiscontrolledsoft—howlinginthesongbrokeintoeagerwhinings。Hisheadwouldloweroutoftheentanglementofthewoman’shair；hisfeetwouldbeginmakingrestless，spasmodicmovementsasifrunning；

andPresto，inaflash，hewouldbeoutandaway，acrossthefaceoftime，outofrealityandintothedream，himselfrunninginthemidstofthoseshadowyformsinthehuntingfellowshipofthepack。

Andasmenhaveeverdesiredthedustofthepoppyandthejuiceofthehemp，soJerrydesiredthejoysthatwerehiswhenVillaKennanopenedherarmstohim，embracedhimwithherhair，andsanghimacrosstimeandspaceintothedreamofhisancientkind。

Notalways，however，weresuchexperienceshiswhentheysangtogether。Usually，unaccompaniedbyvisions，heknewnomorethanvaguenessesofsensations，sadlysweet，ghostsofmemoriesthattheywere。Atothertimes，incitedbysuchsadness，imagesofSkipperandMisterHagginwouldthronghismind；images，too，ofTerrence，andBiddy，andMichael，andtherestofthelong—vanishedlifeatMeringePlantation。

"Mydear，"HarleysaidtoVillaattheconclusionofonesuchsinging，"it’sfortunateforhimthatyouarenotananimaltrainer，or，rather，Isuppose，itwouldbebettercalled’trainedanimalshow—woman’；foryou’dbetoppingthebillinallthemusic—hallsandvaudevillehousesoftheworld。"

"IfIdid，"shereplied，"Iknowhe’djustlovetodoitwithme——"

"Whichwouldmakeitaveryunusualturn，"Harleycaughtherup。

"Youmean……？"

"Thatinaboutoneturninahundreddoestheanimalloveitsworkoristheanimallovedbyitstrainer。"

"Ithoughtallthecrueltyhadbeendoneawaywithlongago，"shecontended。

"Sotheaudiencethinks，andtheaudienceisninety—ninetimeswrong。"

Villaheavedagreatsighofrenunciationasshesaid，"ThenI

supposeImustabandonsuchpromisingandlucrativecareerrightnowintheverymomentyouhavediscovereditforme。Justthesamethebillboardswouldlooksplendidwithmynameinthehugestletters——"

"VillaKennantheThrush—throatedSongstress，andSingSongSillytheIrish—TerrierTenor，"herhusbandpicturedthehead—linesforher。

AndwithdancingeyesandlollingtongueJerryjoinedinthelaughter，notbecauseheknewwhatitwasabout，butbecauseittokenedtheywerehappyandhislovepromptedhimtobehappywiththem。

ForJerryhadfound，andintheuttermost，whathisnaturecraved——

theloveofagod。RecognizingthedualityoftheirlordshipovertheAriel，helovedthepairofthem；yet，somehow，perhapsbecauseshehadpenetrateddeepestintohisheartwithhermagicvoicethattransportedhimtothelandofOtherwhere，helovedthelady—godbeyondalllovehehadeverknown，notevenexcludinghisloveforSkipper。

CHAPTERXXIII

OnethingJerrylearnedearlyontheAriel，namely，thatnigger—

chasingwasnotpermitted。Eagertopleaseandservehisnewgods，hetookadvantageofthefirstopportunitytoworryacanoe—loadofblackswhocamevisitingonboard。ThequickchidingofVillaandthecommandofHarleymadehimpauseinamazement。Fullybelievinghehadbeenmistaken，heresumedhisraggingoftheparticularblackhehadpickedupon。ThistimeHarley’svoicewasperemptory，andJerrycametohim，hiswaggingtailandwrigglingbodyalleagernessofapology，aswashisrose—stripoftonguethatkissedthehandofforgivenesswithwhichHarleypattedhim。

Next，Villacalledhimtoher。Holdinghimclosetoherwithherhandsonhisjowls，eyetoeyeandnosetonose，shetalkedtohimearnestlyaboutthesinofnigger—chasing。Shetoldhimthathewasnocommonbush—dog，butabloodedIrishgentleman，andthatnodogthatwasagentlemaneverdidsuchthingsaschaseunoffendingblackmen。Toallofwhichhelistenedwithunblinkingseriouseyes，understandinglittleofwhatshesaid，yetcomprehendingall。

"Naughty"wasawordintheAriellanguagehehadalreadylearned，andsheuseditseveraltimes。"Naughty，"tohim，meant"mustnot，"

andwasbywayofexpressingataboo。

Sinceitwastheirwayandtheirwill，whowashe，hemightwellhaveaskedhimself，todisobeytheirruleorquestionit？Ifniggerswerenottobechased，thenchasethemhewouldnot，despitethefactthatSkipperhadencouragedhimtochasethem。NotinsuchsettermsdidJerryconsiderthematter；butinhisownwayheacceptedtheconclusions。

Loveofagod，withhim，impliedservice。Itpleasedhimtopleasewithservice。Andthefoundation—stoneofservice，inhiscase，wasobedience。YetitstrainedhimsoreforatimetorefrainfromsnarlandsnapwhenthelegsofstrangeandpresumptuousblackspassednearhimalongtheAriel’swhitedeck。

Butthereweretimesandtimes，ashewastolearn，andthetimecamewhenVillaKennanwantedabath，arealbathinfresh，rain—

descended，runningwater，andwhenJohnny，theblackpilotfromTulagi，madeamistake。ThechartshowedamileoftheSuliriverwhereitemptiedintothesea。Whyitshowedonlyamilewasbecausenowhitemanhadeverexploreditfarther。WhenVillaproposedthebath，herhusbandadvisedwithJohnny。Johnnyshookhishead。

"Nofellaboystop’malongthatplace，"hesaid。"Nomake’mtroublealongyou。Bushfellaboystop’mlongwaytoomuch。"

Soitwasthatthelaunchwentashore，and，whileitscrewlolledintheshadeofthebeachcoconuts，Villa，Harley，andJerryfollowedtheriverinlandaquarterofamiletothefirstlikelypool。

"Onecanneverbetoosure，"Harleysaid，takinghisautomaticpistolfromitsholsterandplacingitontophisheapofclothes。

"Astraybunchofblacksmightjusthappentosurpriseus。"

Villasteppedintothewatertoherknees，lookedupatthedarkjungleroofhighoverheadthroughwhichonlyoccasionalshaftsofsunlightpenetrated，andshuddered。

"Anappropriatesettingforadarkdeed，"shesmiled，thenscoopedahandfulofchillwateragainstherhusband，whoplungedininpursuit。

ForatimeJerrysatbytheirclothesandwatchedthefrolic。Thenthedriftingshadowofahugebutterflyattractedhisattention，andsoonhewasnosingthroughthejungleonthetrailofawood—rat。

Itwasnotaveryfreshtrail。Heknewthatwellenough；butinthedeepsofhimwereallhisinstinctsofancienttraining——instinctstohunt，toprowl，topursuelivingthings，inshort，toplaythegameofgettinghisownmeatthoughforagesmanhadgotthemeatforhimandhiskind。

Soitwas，exercisingfacultiesthatwerenolongernecessary，butthatwerestillaliveinhimandclamorousforexercise，hefollowedthelong—sincepassedwood—ratwithallthesoft—footedcrouchingcraftofthemeat—pursuerandwithutmostfinenessofreadingthescent。Thetrailcrossedafreshtrail，atrailveryfresh，veryimmediatelyfresh。Asifaropehadbeenattachedtoit，hisheadwasjerkedabruptlytorightangleswithhisbody。Theunmistakablesmellofablackwasinhisnostrils。Further，itwasastrangeblack，forhedidnotidentifyitwiththemanyhepossessedfiledawayinthepigeon—holesofhisbrain。

Forgottenwasthestalewood—ratashefollowedthenewtrail。

Curiosityandplayimpelledhim。HehadnothoughtofapprehensionforVillaandHarley——notevenwhenhereachedthespotwheretheblack，evidentlystartledbybearingtheirvoices，hadstoodanddebated，andsoleftaverystrongscent。Fromthispointthetrailswervedofftowardthepool。Nervouslyalert，strungtoextremetension，butwithoutalarm，stillplayingatthegameoftracking，Jerryfollowed。

Fromthepoolcameoccasionalcriesandlaughter，andeachtimetheyreachedhisearsJerryexperiencedgladlittlethrills。Hadhebeenasked，andhadhebeenabletoexpressthesensationsofemotionintermsofthought，hewouldhavesaidthatthesweetestsoundintheworldwasanysoundofVillaKennan’svoice，andthat，nextsweetest，wasanysoundofHarleyKennan’svoice。Theirvoicesthrilledhim，always，remindinghimofhisloveforthemandthathewasbelovedofthem。

Withthefirstsightofthestrangeblack，whichoccurredclosetothepool，Jerry’ssuspicionswerearoused。Hewasnotconductinghimselfasanordinaryblack，notonevilintent，shouldconducthimself。Instead，hebetrayedalltheactionsofonewholurkedintheperpetrationofharm。Hecrouchedonthejunglefloor，peeringaroundagreatrootofaboardtree。Jerrybristledandhimselfcrouchedashewatched。

Once，theblackraisedhisriflehalf—waytohisshoulder；but，withanoutburstofsplashingandlaughter，hisunconsciousvictimsevidentlyremovedthemselvesfromhisfieldofvision。Hisriflewasnoold—fashionedSnider，butamodern，repeatingWinchester；andheshowedhabituationtofiringitfromhisshoulderratherthanfromthehipafterthemannerofmostMalaitans。

Notsatisfiedwithhispositionbytheboardtree，heloweredhisguntohissideandcreptclosertothepool。Jerrycrouchedlowandfollowed。Solowdidhecrouchthathishead，extendedhorizontallyforward，wasmuchlowerthanhisshoulderswhichwerehumpedupqueerlyandcomposedthehighestpartofhim。Whentheblackpaused，Jerrypaused，asifinstantlyfrozen。Whentheblackmoved，hemoved，butmoreswiftly，cuttingdownthedistancebetweenthem。Andallthewhilethehairofhisneckandshouldersbristledinrecurrentwavesofferocityandwrath。Nogoldendogthis，earsflattenedandtonguelaughinginthearmsofthelady—god，noSingSongSillychantingancientmemoriesinthecloud—entanglementofherhair；butafour—leggedcreatureofbattle，afangedkillerripetorendanddestroy。

Jerryintendedtoattackassoonashehadcreptsufficientlynear。

HewasunawareoftheArieltabooagainstnigger—chasing。Atthatmomentithadnoplaceinhisconsciousness。Allheknewwasthatharmthreatenedthemanandwomanandthatthisniggerintendedthisharm。

SomuchhadJerrygainedonhisquarry，thatwhenagaintheblacksquattedforhisshot，Jerrydeemedhewasnearenoughtorush。Theriflewascomingtoshoulderwhenhesprangforward。Swiftlyashesprang，hemadenosound，andhisvictim’sfirstwarningwaswhenJerry’sbody，launchedlikeaprojectile，smotetheblacksquarelybetweentheshoulders。Atthesamemomenthisteethenteredthebackoftheneck，buttoonearthebaseinthelumpyshouldermusclestopermitthefangstopenetratetothespinalcord。

Inthefirstfrightofsurprise，theblack’sfingerpulledthetriggerandhisthroatloosedanunearthlyyell。Knockedforwardonhisface，herolledoverandgrappledwithJerry，whoslashedcheek—

boneandcheekandribbonedanear；foritisthewayofanIrishterriertobiterepeatedlyandquicklyratherthantoholdabulldoggrip。

WhenHarleyKennan，automaticinhandandnakedasAdam，reachedthespot，hefounddogandmanlockedtogetherandtearinguptheforestmouldintheirstruggle。Theblack，hisfacestreamingblood，wasthrottlingJerrywithbothhandsaroundhisneck；andJerry，snorting，choking，snarling，wasscratchingfordearlifewiththeclawsofhishindfeet。Nopuppyclawswerethey，butthestoutclawsofamaturedogthatwerestiffenedbyabackingofhardmuscles。Andtheyrippednakedchestandabdomenfulllengthagainandagainuntilthewholefrontofthemanwasstreamingred。

HarleyKennandidnotdarechanceashot，socloselywerethecombatantslocked。Instead，steppinginclose；hesmasheddownthebuttofhisautomaticuponthesideoftheman’shead。Releasedbytherelaxingofthestunnedblack’shands，Jerryflunghimselfinaflashupontheexposedthroat，andonlyHarley’shandonhisneckandHarley’ssharpcommandmadehimceaseandstandclear。Hetrembledwithrageandcontinuedtosnarlferociously，althoughhewoulddesistlongenoughtoglanceupwithhiseyes，flattenhisears，andwaghistaileachtimeHarleyuttered"Goodboy。"

"Goodboy"heknewforpraise；andheknewbeyondanydoubt，byHarley’srepetitionofit，thathehadservedhimandservedhimwell。

"Doyouknowthebeggarintendedtobush—whackus，"HarleytoldVilla，who，half—dressedandstilldressing，hadjoinedhim。"Itwasn’tfiftyfeetandhecouldn’thavemissed。LookattheWinchester。Nooldsmoothbore。Andafellowwithagunlikethatwouldknowhowtouseit。"

"Butwhydidn’the？"shequeried。

HerhusbandpointedtoJerry。

Villa’seyesbrightenedwithquickcomprehension。"Youmean……？"shebegan。

Henodded。"Justthat。SingSongSillybeathimtoit。"Hebent，rolledthemanover，anddiscoveredthelaceratedbackoftheneck。

"That’swherehelandedonhimfirst，andhemusthavehadhisfingeronthetrigger，drawingdownonyouandme，mostlikelymefirst，whenSingSongSillybrokeuphiscalculations。"

Villawasonlyhalfhearing，forshehadJerryinherarmsandwascallinghim"BlessedDog，"thewhileshestilledhissnarlingandsootheddownthelastbristlinghair。

ButJerrysnarledagainandwasforleapingupontheblackwhenhestirredrestlesslyanddizzilysatup。Harleyremovedaknifefrombetweenthebareskinandabelt。

"Whatnamebelongyou？"hedemanded。

ButtheblackhadeyesonlyforJerry，staringathiminwonderingamazeuntilhepiecedthesituationtogetherinhisgrowingclarityofbrainandrealizedthatsuchasmallchunkyanimalhadspoiledhisgame。

"Myword，"hegrinnedtoHarley，"thatfelladogput’mcrimpalongmeanyamount。"

Hefeltoutthewoundsofhisneckandface，whilehiseyesembracedthefactthatthewhitemasterwasinpossessionofhisrifle。

"Yougive’mmusketbelongme，"hesaidimpudently。

"Igive’myoubangalongsidehead，"wasHarley’sanswer。

"Hedoesn’tseemtometobearegularMalaitan，"hetoldVilla。

"Inthefirstplace，wherewouldhegetariflelikethat？Thenthinkofhisnerve。Hemusthaveseenusdropanchor，andhemusthaveknownourlaunchwasonthebeach。Yetheplayedtotakeourheadsandgetawaywiththembackintothebush——"

"Whatnamebelongyou？"heagaindemanded。

ButnotuntilJohnnyandthelaunchcrewarrivedbreathlessfromtheirrun，didhelearn。Johnny’seyesgloatedwhenhebeheldtheprisoner，andheaddressedKennaninevidentexcitement。

"Yougive’mmethatfellaboy，"hebegged。"Eh？Yougive’mmethatfellaboy。"

"Whatnameyouwant’m？"

NotforsometimewouldJohnnyanswerthisquestion，andthenonlywhenKennantoldhimthattherewasnoharmdoneandthatheintendedtolettheblackgo。AtthisJohnnyprotestedvehemently。

"Maybeyoufetch’mthatfellaboyalongGovernmentHouse，Tulagi，GovernmentHousegive’myoutwentypounds。Himplentybadfellaboytoomuch。Makawaohenamestopalonghim。Badfellaboytoomuch。HimQueenslandboy——"

"WhatnameQueensland？"Kennaninterrupted。"Hebelongthatfellaplace？"

Johnnyshookhishead。

"HimbelongalongMalaitafirsttime。Longtimebeforetoomuchherecruit’malongschoonergoworkalongQueensland。"

"He’sareturnQueenslander，"HarleyinterpretedtoVilla。"Youknow，whenAustraliawent’allwhite，’theQueenslandplantationshadtosendalltheblackbirdsback。ThisMakawaoisevidentlyoneofthem，andahardcaseaswell，ifthere’sanythinginJohnny’sgammonabouttwentypoundsrewardforhim。That’sabigpriceforablack。"

Johnnycontinuedhisexplanationwhich，reducedtoflatandsoberEnglish，wastotheeffectthatMakawaohadalwaysborneabadcharacter。InQueenslandhehadservedatotaloffouryearsinjailforthefts，robberies，andattemptedmurder。ReturnedtotheSolomonsbytheAustraliangovernment，hehadrecruitedonBuliPlantationforthepurpose——aswasafterwardsproved——ofgettingarmsandammunition。ForanattempttokillthemanagerhehadreceivedfiftylashesatTulagiandservedayear。ReturnedtoBuliPlantationtofinishhislabourservice，hehadcontrivedtokilltheownerinthemanager’sabsenceandtoescapeinawhaleboat。

Inthewhaleboatwithhimhehadtakenalltheweaponsandammunitionoftheplantation，theowner’shead，tenMalaitarecruits，andtworecruitsfromSanCristobal——thetwolastbecausetheyweresalt—watermenandcouldhandlethewhaleboat。HimselfandthetenMalaitans，beingbushmen，weretooignorantoftheseatodarethelongpassagefromGuadalcanar。

Ontheway，hehadraidedthelittleisletofUgi，sackedthestore，andtakentheheadofthesolitarytrader，agentle—souledhalf—

castefromNorfolkIslandwhotracedbackdirectlytoaPitcairnancestrystraightfromtheloinsofMcCoyoftheBounty。ArrivedsafelyatMalaita，heandhisfellows，nolongerhavinganyuseforthetwoSanCristobalboys，hadtakentheirheadsandeatentheirbodies。

"Myword，himbadfellaboyanyamount，"Johnnyfinishedhistale。

"GovernmentHouse，Tulagi，damngladgive’mtwentypoundsalongthatfella。"

"YoublessedSingSongSilly，"Villa，murmuredinJerry’sears。"Ifithadn’tbeenforyou——"

"YourheadandminewouldevennowbegalumpingthroughthebushasMakawaohitthehighplacesforhome，"Harleyconcludedforher。

"Myword，somefelladogthat，anyamount，"headdedlightly。"AndIgavehimmerryNedjusttheotherdayfornigger—chasing，andheknewhisbusinessbetterthanIdidallthetime。"

"Ifanybodytriestoclaimhim——"Villathreatened。

Harleyconfirmedhermutteredsentimentwithanod。

"Anyway，"hesaid，withasmile，"therewouldhavebeenoneconsolationifyourheadhadgoneupintothebush。"

"Consolation！"shecried，throatywithindignation。

"Why，yes；becauseinthatcasemyheadwouldhavegonealong。"

"YoudearandblessedHusband—Man，"shemurmured，aquickcloudinessofmoistureinhereyes，aswithhereyessheembracedhim，herarmsstillaroundJerry，who，sensingtheecstasyofthemoment，kissedherfragrantcheekwithhisribbon—tongueoflove。

CHAPTERXXIV

WhentheArielclearedfromMalu，onthenorth—westcoastofMalaita，Malaitasankdownbeneaththesea—rimasternand，sofarasJerry’slifewasconcerned，remainedsunkforever——anothervanishedworld，that，inhisconsciousness，partookoftheultimatenothingnessthathadbefallenSkipper。ForallJerrymighthaveknown，thoughhepondereditnot，Malaitawasauniverse，beheadedandrestingonthekneesofsomebroodinglessergod，himselfvastlymightierthanBashtiwhosekneesborethebroodingweightofSkipper’ssun—dried，smoke—curedhead，thislessergodvexedandquesting，feelingandguessingatthedualtwin—mysteriesoftimeandspaceandofmotionandmatter，above，beneath，around，andbeyondhim。

Only，inJerry’scase，therewasnoponderingoftheproblem，noawarenessoftheexistenceofsuchmysteries。HemerelyacceptedMalaitaasanotherworldthathadceasedtobe。Heremembereditasheremembereddreams。Himselfalivething，solidandsubstantial，possessedofweightanddimension，arealityincontrovertible，hemovedthroughthespaceandplaceofbeing，concrete，hard，quick，convincing，anabsolutenessofsomethingsurroundedbytheshadesandshadowsofthefluxingphantasmagoriaofnothing。

Hetookhisworldsonebyone。Onebyonehisworldsevaporated，rosebeyondhisvisionasvapoursinthehotalembicofthesun，sankforeverbeneathsea—levels，themselvesunrealandpassingasthephantomsofadream。Thetotalityoftheminute，simpleworldofthehumans，microscopicandnegligibleasitwasinthesiderialuniverse，wasasfarbeyondhisguessingasisthesiderialuniversebeyondthestarriestguessesandmostabysmalimaginingsofman。

Jerrywasnevertoseethedarkislandofsavageryagain，althoughofteninhissleepingdreamsitwastoreturntohiminvividillusion，asherelivedhisdaysuponit，fromthedestructionoftheArangiandtheman—eatingorgyonthebeachtohisflightfromtheshell—scatteredhouseandfleshofNalasu。ThesedreamepisodesconstitutedforhimanotherlandofOtherwhere，mysterious，unreal，andevanescentascloudsdriftingacrosstheskyorbubblestakingiridescentformandburstingonthesurfaceofthesea。Frothandfoamitwas，quick—vanishingasheawoke，non—existentasSkipper，Skipper’sheadonthewitheredkneesofBashtiintheloftygrasshouse。Malaitathereal，Malaitatheconcreteandponderable，vanishedandvanishedforever，asMeringehadvanished，asSkipperhadvanished，intothenothingness。

FromMalaitatheArielsteeredwestofnorthtoOngtongJavaandtoTasman——greatatollsthatswelteredundertheLinenotquiteawashinthevastwasteoftheWestSouthPacific。AfterTasmanwasanotherwidesea—stretchtothehighislandofBougainville。

Thence，bearinggenerallysouth—eastandmakingslowprogressinthedeadbeattowindward，theArieldroppedanchorinnearlyeveryharbouroftheSolomons，fromChoiseulandRonongoislands，totheislandsofKulambangra，Vangunu，Pavuvu，andNewGeorgia。Evendidsheridetoanchor，desolatelylonely，intheBayofaThousandShips。

Lastofall，sofarasconcernedtheSolomons，heranchorrumbleddownandbitintothecoral—sandedbottomoftheharbourofTulagi，where，ashoreonFloridaIsland，livedandruledtheResidentCommissioner。

TotheCommissioner，HarleyKennandulyturnedoverMakawao，whowascommittedtoagrass—housejail，wellguarded，tositinleg—ironsagainstthetimeoftrialforhismanycrimes。AndJohnny，thepilot，erehereturnedtotheserviceoftheCommissioner，receivedafairportionofthetwentypoundsofheadmoneythatKennandividedamongthemembersofthelaunchcrewwhohadracedthroughthejungletotherescuethedayJerryhadtakenMakawaobythebackoftheneckandstartledhimintopullingthetriggerofhisunaimedrifle。

"I’lltellyouhisname，"theCommissionersaid，astheysatonthewideverandaofhisbungalow。"It’soneofHaggin’sterriers——

HagginofMeringeLagoon。Thedog’sfatherisTerrence，themotherisBiddy。Thedog’sownnameisJerry，forIwaspresentatthechristeningbeforeeverhiseyeswereopen。Betteryet，I’llshowyouhisbrother。Hisbrother’snameisMichael。He’snigger—chaserontheEugenie，thetwo—topmastschoonerthatridesabreastofyou。

CaptainKellaristheskipper。I’llhavehimbringMichaelashore。

Beyondalldoubt，thisJerryisthesolesurvivoroftheArangi。"

"WhenIgetthetime，andasufficientmarginoffunds，IshallpayavisittoChiefBashti——oh，noBritishcruiserprogram。I’llcharteracoupleoftradingketches，takemyownblackpoliceforceandasmanywhitemenasIcannotpreventfromvolunteering。Therewon’tbeanyshellingofgrasshouses。I’lllandmyshorepartydownthecoastandcutinandcomedownuponSomofromtherear，timingmyvesselstoarriveonSomo’ssea—frontatthesametime。"

"Youwillanswerslaughterwithslaughter？"VillaKennanobjected。

"Iwillanswerslaughterwithlaw，"theCommissionerreplied。"I

willteachSomolaw。Ihopethatnoaccidentswilloccur。Ihopethatnolifewillbelostoneitherside。Iknow，however，thatI

shallrecoverCaptainVanHorn’shead，andhismateBorckman’s，andbringthembacktoTulagiforChristianburial。IknowthatIshallgetoldBashtibythescruffoftheneckandsithimdownwhileI

pumplawandsquare—dealingintohim。Ofcourse……"

TheCommissioner，ascetic—looking，anOxfordgraduate，narrow—

shoulderedandelderly，tired—eyedandbespectacledlikethescholarhewas，likethescientisthewas，shruggedhisshoulders。"Ofcourse，iftheyarenotamenabletoreason，theremaybetrouble，andsomeofthemandsomeofuswillgethurt。But，onewayortheother，theconclusionwillbethesame。OldBashtiwilllearnthatitisexpedienttomaintainwhitemen’sheadsontheirshoulders。"

"Buthowwillhelearn？"VillaKennanasked。"Ifheisshrewdenoughnottofightyou，andmerelysitsandlistenstoyourEnglishlaw，itwillbenomorethanahugejoketohim。Hewillnomorethanpaythepriceoflisteningtoalectureforanyatrocityhecommits。"

"Onthecontrary，mydearMrs。Kennan。Ifhelistenspeaceablytothelecture，Ishallfinehimonlyahundredthousandcoconuts，fivetonsofivorynut，onehundredfathomsofshellmoney，andtwentyfatpigs。Ifherefusestolistentothelectureandgoesonthewarpath，then，unpleasantlyforme，Iassureyou，Ishallbecompelledtothrashhimandhisvillage，first：and，next，Ishalltriplethefinehemustpayandlecturethelawintohimatriflemorecompendiously。"

"Supposehedoesn’tfight，stopshisearstothelecture，anddeclinestopay？"VillaKennanpersisted。

"Thenheshallbemyguest，hereinTulagi，untilhechangeshismindandheart，anddoespay，andlistenstoanentirecourseoflectures。"

SoitwasthatJerrycametohearhisold—timenameonthelipsofVillaandHarley，andsawonceagainhisfull—brotherMichael。

"Saynothing，"HarleymutteredtoVilla，astheymadeout，peeringoverthebowoftheshore—comingwhaleboat，theroughcoat，red—

wheatenincolour，ofMichael。"Wewon’tknowanythingaboutanything，andwewon’tevenletonwe’rewatchingwhattheydo。"

Jerry，feigninginterestindiggingaholeinthesandasifhewereonafreshscent，wasunawareofMichael’snearness。Infact，sowellhadJerryfeignedthathehadforgottenitwasallagame，andhisinterestwasveryrealashesniffedandsnortedjoyouslyinthebottomoftheholehehaddug。Sodeepwasit，thatallheshowedofhimselfwashishind—legs，hisrump，andanintelligentandstifflyerectstumpofatail。

LittlewonderthatheandMichaelfailedtoseeeachother。AndMichael，spillingoverwithunusedvitalityfromthecrampedspaceoftheEugenie’sdeck，scampereddownthebeachinahurly—burlyofjoy，scentingathousandintimateland—scentsasheran，anddescribingajerkyandeccentriccourseashemadeshortdashesandgood—naturedsnapsatthecoconutcrabsthatscuttledacrosshispathtothesafetyofthewaterorrearedupandmenacedhimwithformidableclawsandasplutteringandfoamingoftheshell—lidsoftheirmouths。

Thebeachwasonlysolong。Theendofitreachedwhererosetheruggedwallofaheadland，andwhiletheCommissionerintroducedCaptainKellartoMr。andMrs。Kennan，Michaelcametearingbackacrossthewet—hardsand。Sointerestedwasheineverythingthathefailedtonoticethesmallrear—endportionofJerrythatwasvisibleabovethelevelsurfaceofthebeach。Jerry’searshadgivenhimwarning，and，thepreciseinstantthathebackedhurriedlyupandoutofthehole，Michaelcollidedwithhim。AsJerrywasrolled，andasMichaelfellclearoverhim，botheruptedintoferocioussnarlsandgrowls。Theyregainedtheirlegs，bristledandshowedteethateachother，andstalkedstiff—leggedly，inastatelyanddignifiedsortofway，astheydrewintimidatingsemi—circlesabouteachother。

Buttheywerefoolingallthewhile，andweremorethanatrifleembarrassed。ForineachoftheirbrainswerebrightidentificationpicturesoftheplantationhouseandcompoundandbeachofMeringe。

Theyknew，buttheywerereticentofrecognition。Nolongerpuppies，vaguelyproudofthesedatenessofmaturity，theystrovetobeproudandsedatewhilealltheirimpulsewastorushtogetherinafranticecstasy。

Michaelitwas，lesstravelledintheworldthanJerry，bynaturenotsoself—controlled，whothrewtheplay—actingofdignitytothewind，and，withshrillwhiningsofemotion，withbody—wrigglingsofdelight，flashedouthistongueofloveandshoulderedhisbrotherroughlyineagernesstogetneartohim。

Jerryrespondedaseagerlywithkissoftongueandcontactofshoulder；thenboth，springingapart，lookedateachother，alertandquerying，almostinhalfchallenge，Jerry’searsprickedintolivinginterrogations，Michael’sonegoodearsimilarlyquestioning，hiswitheredearretainingitspermanentqueerandcrinklycockinthetipofit。Asone，theysprangawayinawildscurrydownthebeach，sidebyside，laughingtoeachotherandoccasionallystrikingtheirshoulderstogetherastheyran。

"Nodoubtofit，"saidtheCommissioner。"Theverywaytheirfatherandmotherrun。Ihavewatchedthemoften。"

But，aftertendaysofcomradeship，cametheparting。ItwasMichael’sfirstvisitontheAriel，andheandJerryhadspentafrolickinghalf—houronherwhitedeckamidthesoundandcommotionofhoistinginboats，makingsail，andheavingoutanchor。AstheArielbegantomovethroughthewaterandheeledtothefillingofhercanvasbythebrisktrade—wind，theCommissionerandCaptainKellarshooklastfarewellsandscrambleddownthegang—planktotheirwaitingwhaleboats。AtthelastmomentCaptainKellarhadcaughtMichaelup，tuckedhimunderanarm，andwithhimdroppedintothe，sternsheetsofhiswhaleboat。

Painterswerecastoff，andinthesternsheetsofeachboatsolitarywhitemenwerestandingup，headsbaredingraciousnessofconducttothefurnace—stabofthetropicsun，astheywavedadditionalandfinalfarewells。AndMichael，sweptbythecontagionofexcitement，barkedandbarkedagain，asifitwereafestivalofthegodsbeingcelebrated。

"Saygood—byetoyourbrother，Jerry，"VillaKennanpromptedinJerry’sear，assheheldhim，hisquiveringflanksbetweenhertwopalms，ontherailwhereshehadliftedhim。

AndJerry，notunderstandingherspeech，tornaboutwithconflictingdesires，acknowledgedherspeechwithwrigglingbody，aquickback—

tossofhead，andaredflashofkissingtongue，and，thenextmoment，hisheadovertherailandloweredtoseetheswiftlydiminishingMichael，wasmouthinggriefandwoeverymuchakintothegriefandwoehismother，Biddy，hadmouthedinthelongago，onthebeachofMeringe，whenhehadsailedawaywithSkipper。

ForJerryhadlearnedpartings，andbeyondallperadventurethiswasaparting，thoughlittlehedreamedthathewouldagainmeetMichaelacrosstheyearsandacrosstheworld，inafabledvalleyoffarCalifornia，wheretheywouldliveouttheirdaysintheheartsandarmsofthebelovedgods。

Michael，hisforefeetonthegunwale，barkedtohiminapuzzled，questioningsortofway，andJerrywhimperedbackincommunicableunderstanding。Thelady—godpressedhistwoflankstogetherreassuringly，andheturnedtoher，hiscoolnosetouchedquestioninglytohercheek。Shegatheredhisbodycloseagainstherbreastinoneencirclingarm，herfreehandrestingontherail，half—closed，apink—and—whiteheartofflower，fragrantandseducing。Jerry’snosequestedthewayofit。Theapertureinvited。Withsnuggling，budging，andnudging—movementshespreadthefingersslightlywiderashisnosepenetratedintothesheerdelightandlovelinessofherhand。

Hecametorest，hisgoldenmuzzlesoft—enfoldedtotheeyes，andwasverystill，allforgetfuloftheArielshowinghercoppertothesununderthepressofthewind，allforgetfulofMichaelgrowingsmallinthedistanceasthewhaleboatgrewsmallastern。NolessstillwasVilla。Bothwereplayingthegame，althoughtoheritwasnew。

Aslongashecouldpossiblycontainhimself，Jerrymaintainedhisstiffness。Andthen，hisloveburstingbeyondthecontrolofhim，hegaveasniff——asprodigiousaoneashehadsniffedintothetunnelofSkipper’shandinthelongagoonthedeckoftheArangi。

And，asSkipperhadrelaxedintothelaughteroflove，sodidthelady—godnow。Shegurgledgleefully。Herfingerstightened，inacaressthatalmosthurt，onJerry’smuzzle。Herotherhandandarmcrushedhimagainsthertillhegasped。Yetallthewhilehisstumpoftailvaliantlybobbedbackandforth，and，whenreleasedfromsuchblissfulcontact，hissilkyearsflattenedbackanddownas，withfirstascarletslashoftonguetocheek，heseizedherhandbetweenhisteethanddentedthesoftskinwithalovebitethatdidnothurt。

Andso，forJerry，vanishedTulagi，itsCommissioner’sbungalowontopofthehill，itsvesselsridingtoanchorintheharbour，andMichael，hisfullblood—brother。Hehadgrownaccustomedtosuchvanishments。Insuchwayhadvanishedasinthemirageofadream，Meringe，Somo，andtheArangi。InsuchwayhadvanishedalltheworldsandharboursandroadsteadsandatolllagoonswheretheArielhadhadliftedherlaidanchorandgoneonacrossandovertheerasingsea—rim。