第1章

Hewasaverysickwhiteman。Herodepick-a-backonawoolly-

headed，black-skinnedsavage，thelobesofwhoseearshadbeenpiercedandstretcheduntilonehadtornout，whiletheothercarriedacircularblockofcarvedwoodthreeinchesindiameter。

Thetornearhadbeenpiercedagain，butthistimenotsoambitiously，fortheholeaccommodatednomorethanashortclaypipe。Theman-horsewasgreasyanddirty，andnakedsaveforanexceedinglynarrowanddirtyloin-cloth；butthewhitemanclungtohimcloselyanddesperately。Attimes，fromweakness，hisheaddroopedandrestedonthewoollypate。Atothertimesheliftedhisheadandstaredwithswimmingeyesatthecocoanutpalmsthatreeledandswungintheshimmeringheat。Hewascladinathinundershirtandastripofcottoncloth，thatwrappedabouthiswaistanddescendedtohisknees。OnhisheadwasabatteredStetson，knowntothetradeasaBaden-Powell。Abouthismiddlewasstrappedabelt，whichcarriedalarge-calibredautomaticpistolandseveralspareclips，loadedandreadyforquickwork。

Therearwasbroughtupbyablackboyoffourteenorfifteen，whocarriedmedicinebottles，apailofhotwater，andvariousotherhospitalappurtenances。Theypassedoutofthecompoundthroughasmallwickergate，andwentonundertheblazingsun，windingaboutamongnew-plantedcocoanutsthatthrewnoshade。Therewasnotabreathofwind，andthesuperheated，stagnantairwasheavywithpestilence。Fromthedirectiontheyweregoingaroseawildclamour，asoflostsoulswailingandofmenintorment。Along，lowshedshowedahead，grass-walledandgrass-thatched，anditwasfromherethatthenoiseproceeded。Therewereshrieksandscreams，someunmistakablyofgrief，othersunmistakablyofunendurablepain。Asthewhitemandrewcloserhecouldhearalowandcontinuousmoaningandgroaning。Heshudderedatthethoughtofentering，andforamomentwasquitecertainthathewasgoingtofaint。ForthatmostdreadedofSolomonIslandscourges，dysentery，hadstruckBerandeplantation，andhewasallalonetocopewithit。Also，hewasafflictedhimself。

Bystoopingclose，stillonman-back，hemanagedtopassthroughthelowdoorway。Hetookasmallbottlefromhisfollower，andsniffedstrongammoniatoclearhissensesfortheordeal。Thenheshouted，\"Shutup!\"andtheclamourstilled。Araisedplatformofforestslabs，sixfeetwide，withaslightpitch，extendedthefulllengthoftheshed。Alongsideofitwasayard-widerun-way。

Stretchedontheplatform，sidebysideandcrowdedclose，layascoreofblacks。Thattheywerelowintheorderofhumanlifewasapparentataglance。Theywereman-eaters。Theirfaceswereasymmetrical，bestial；theirbodieswereuglyandape-like。Theyworenose-ringsofclam-shellandturtle-shell，andfromtheendsoftheirnoseswhichwerealsopierced，projectedhornsofbeadsstrungonstiffwire。Theirearswerepiercedanddistendedtoaccommodatewoodenplugsandsticks，pipes，andallmannerofbarbaricornaments。Theirfacesandbodiesweretattooedorscarredinhideousdesigns。Intheirsicknesstheyworenoclothing，notevenloin-cloths，thoughtheyretainedtheirshellarmlets，theirbeadnecklaces，andtheirleatherbelts，betweenwhichandtheskinwerethrustnakedknives。Thebodiesofmanywerecoveredwithhorriblesores。Swarmsoffliesroseandsettled，orflewbackandforthinclouds。

Thewhitemanwentdowntheline，dosingeachmanwithmedicine。

Tosomehegavechlorodyne。Hewasforcedtoconcentratewithallhiswillinordertorememberwhichofthemcouldstandipecacuanha，andwhichofthemwereconstitutionallyunabletoretainthatpowerfuldrug。Onewholaydeadheorderedtobecarriedout。Hespokeinthesharp，peremptorymannerofamanwhowouldtakenononsense，andthewellmenwhoobeyedhisordersscowledmalignantly。Onemuttereddeepinhischestashetookthecorpsebythefeet。Thewhitemanexplodedinspeechandaction。

Itcosthimapainfuleffort，buthisarmshotout，landingaback-

handblowontheblack\'smouth。

\"Whatnameyou，Angara？\"heshouted。\"Whatfortalk\'longyou，eh？

Iknocksevenbellsoutofyou，toomuch，quick!\"

Withtheautomaticswiftnessofawildanimaltheblackgatheredhimselftospring。Theangerofawildanimalwasinhiseyes；buthesawthewhiteman\'shanddroppingtothepistolinhisbelt。

Thespringwasnevermade。Thetensedbodyrelaxed，andtheblack，stoopingoverthecorpse，helpedcarryitout。Thistimetherewasnomuttering。

\"Swine!\"thewhitemangrittedoutthroughhisteethatthewholebreedofSolomonIslanders。

Hewasverysick，thiswhiteman，assickastheblackmenwholayhelplessabouthim，andwhomheattended。Heneverknew，eachtimeheenteredthefesteringshambles，whetherornothewouldbeabletocompletetheround。Buthedidknowinlargedegreeofcertaintythat，ifheeverfaintedthereinthemidstoftheblacks，thosewhowereablewouldbeathisthroatlikeraveningwolves。

Partwaydownthelineamanwasdying。Hegaveordersforhisremovalassoonashehadbreathedhislast。Ablackstuckhisheadinsidethesheddoor，saying，-

\"Fourfellasicktoomuch。\"

Freshcases，stillabletowalk，theyclusteredaboutthespokesman。Thewhitemansingledouttheweakest，andputhimintheplacejustvacatedbythecorpse。Also，heindicatedthenextweakest，tellinghimtowaitforaplaceuntilthenextmandied。

Then，orderingoneofthewellmentotakeasquadfromthefield-

forceandbuildalean-toadditiontothehospital，hecontinuedalongtherun-way，administeringmedicineandcrackingjokesinbeche-de-merEnglishtocheerthesufferers。Nowandagain，fromthefarend，aweirdwailwasraised。Whenhearrivedtherehefoundthenoisewasemittedbyaboywhowasnotsick。Thewhiteman\'swrathwasimmediate。

\"Whatnameyousingoutallatime？\"hedemanded。

\"Himfellamybrotherbelongme，\"wastheanswer。\"Himfelladietoomuch。\"

\"Yousingout，himfellabrotherbelongyoudietoomuch，\"thewhitemanwentoninthreateningtones。\"Icrosstoomuchalongyou。Whatnameyousingout，eh？Youfat-headmakeumbrotherbelongyoudiedoseuptoomuch。Youfellafinishsingout，savvee？YoufellanofinishsingoutImakefinishdamnquick。\"

Hethreatenedthewailerwithhisfist，andtheblackcowereddown，glaringathimwithsulleneyes。

\"Singoutnogoodlittlebit，\"thewhitemanwenton，moregently。

\"Younosingout。Youchaseumfellafly。Toomuchstrongfellafly。Youcatchwater，washeebrotherbelongyou；washeeplentytoomuch，bimebyebrotherbelongyouallright。Jump!\"heshoutedfiercelyattheend，hiswillpenetratingthelowintelligenceoftheblackwithdynamicforcethatmadehimjumptothetaskofbrushingtheloathsomeswarmsoffliesaway。

Againherodeoutintothereekingheat。Heclutchedtheblack\'snecktightly，anddrewalongbreath；butthedeadairseemedtoshrivelhislungs，andhedroppedhisheadanddozedtillthehousewasreached。Everyeffortofwillwastorture，yethewascalleduponcontinuallytomakeeffortsofwill。Hegavetheblackhehadriddenanipoftrade-gin。Viaburi，thehouse-boy，broughthimcorrosivesublimateandwater，andhetookathoroughantisepticwash。Hedosedhimselfwithchlorodyne，tookhisownpulse，smokedathermometer，andlaybackonthecouchwithasuppressedgroan。

Itwasmid-afternoon，andhehadcompletedhisthirdroundthatday。Hecalledthehouse-boy。

\"TakeumbigfellalookalongJessie，\"hecommanded。

Theboycarriedthelongtelescopeoutontheveranda，andsearchedthesea。

\"Onefellaschoonerlongwaylittlebit，\"heannounced。\"OnefellaJessie。\"

Thewhitemangavealittlegaspofdelight。

\"YoumakeumJessie，fivestickstobaccoalongyou，\"hesaid。

Therewassilenceforatime，duringwhichhewaitedwitheagerimpatience。

\"MaybeJessie，maybeotherfellaschooner，\"camethefalteringadmission。

Themanwormedtotheedgeofthecouch，andslippedofftotheflooronhisknees。Bymeansofachairhedrewhimselftohisfeet。Stillclingingtothechair，supportingmostofhisweightonit，heshovedittothedoorandoutupontheveranda。Thesweatfromtheexertionstreameddownhisfaceandshowedthroughtheundershirtacrosshisshoulders。Hemanagedtogetintothechair，wherehepantedinastateofcollapse。Inafewminutesherousedhimself。Theboyheldtheendofthetelescopeagainstoneoftheverandascantlings，whilethemangazedthroughitatthesea。Atlasthepickedupthewhitesailsoftheschoonerandstudiedthem。

\"NoJessie，\"hesaidveryquietly。\"That\'stheMalakula。\"

Hechangedhisseatforasteamerreclining-chair。Threehundredfeetawaytheseabrokeinasmallsurfuponthebeach。TothelefthecouldseethewhitelineofbreakersthatmarkedthebaroftheBalesunaRiver，and，beyond，theruggedoutlineofSavoIsland。

Directlybeforehim，acrossthetwelve-milechannel，layFloridaIsland；and，farthertotheright，diminthedistance，hecouldmakeoutportionsofMalaita——thesavageisland，theabodeofmurder，androbbery，andman-eating——theplacefromwhichhisowntwohundredplantationhandshadbeenrecruited。Betweenhimandthebeachwasthecane-grassfenceofthecompound。Thegatewasajar，andhesentthehouse-boytocloseit。Withinthefencegrewanumberofloftycocoanutpalms。Oneithersidethepaththatledtothegatestoodtwotallflagstaffs。Theywererearedonartificialmoundsofearththatweretenfeethigh。Thebaseofeachstaffwassurroundedbyshortposts，paintedwhiteandconnectedbyheavychains。Thestaffsthemselveswerelikeships\'

masts，withtopmastssplicedonintruenauticalfashion，withshrouds，ratlines，gaffs，andflag-halyards。Fromthegaffofone，twogayflagshunglimply，oneacheckerboardofblueandwhitesquares，theotherawhitepennantcentredwithareddisc。Itwastheinternationalcodesignalofdistress。

Onthefarcornerofthecompoundfenceahawkbrooded。Themanwatchedit，andknewthatitwassick。Hewonderedidlyifitfeltasbadashefelt，andwasfeeblyamusedatthethoughtofkinshipthatsomehowpenetratedhisfancy。Herousedhimselftoorderthegreatbelltoberungasasignalfortheplantationhandstoceaseworkandgototheirbarracks。Thenhemountedhisman-horseandmadethelastroundoftheday。

Inthehospitalweretwonewcases。Tothesehegavecastor-oil。

Hecongratulatedhimself。Ithadbeenaneasyday。Onlythreehaddied。Heinspectedthecopra-dryingthathadbeengoingon，andwentthroughthebarrackstoseeiftherewereanysicklyinghiddenanddefyinghisruleofsegregation。Returnedtothehouse，hereceivedthereportsoftheboss-boysandgaveinstructionsfornextday\'swork。Theboat\'screwbossalsohehadin，togiveassurance，aswasthecustomnightly，thatthewhale-boatswerehauledupandpadlocked。Thiswasamostnecessaryprecaution，fortheblackswereinafunk，andawhale-boatleftlyingonthebeachintheeveningmeantalossoftwentyblacksbymorning。Sincetheblackswereworththirtydollarsapiece，orless，accordingtohowmuchoftheirtimehadbeenworkedout，Berandeplantationcouldillaffordtheloss。Besides，whale-boatswerenotcheapintheSolomons；and，also，thedeathsweredailyreducingtheworkingcapital。Sevenblackshadfledintothebushtheweekbefore，andfourhaddraggedthemselvesback，helplessfromfever，withthereportthattwomorehadbeenkilledandkai-kai\'d{1}bythehospitablebushmen。Theseventhmanwasstillatlarge，andwassaidtobeworkingalongthecoastonthelookouttostealacanoeandgetawaytohisownisland。

Viaburibroughttwolightedlanternstothewhitemanforinspection。Heglancedatthemandsawthattheywereburningbrightlywithclear，broadflames，andnoddedhishead。Onewashoisteduptothegaffoftheflagstaff，andtheotherwasplacedonthewideveranda。TheyweretheleadinglightstotheBerandeanchorage，andeverynightintheyeartheyweresoinspectedandhungout。

Herolledbackonhiscouchwithasighofrelief。Theday\'sworkwasdone。Ariflelayonthecouchbesidehim。Hisrevolverwaswithinreachofhishand。Anhourpassed，duringwhichhedidnotmove。Helayinastateofhalf-slumber，half-coma。Hebecamesuddenlyalert。Acreakonthebackverandawasthecause。TheroomwasL-shaped；thecornerinwhichstoodhiscouchwasdim，butthehanginglampinthemainpartoftheroom，overthebilliardtableandjustaroundthecorner，sothatitdidnotshineonhim，wasburningbrightly。Likewisetheverandaswerewelllighted。Hewaitedwithoutmovement。Thecreakswererepeated，andheknewseveralmenlurkedoutside。

\"Whatname？\"hecriedsharply。

Thehouse，raisedadozenfeetabovetheground，shookonitspilefoundationstotherushofretreatingfootsteps。

\"They\'regettingbold，\"hemuttered。\"Somethingwillhavetobedone。\"

ThefullmoonroseoverMalaitaandshonedownonBerande。Nothingstirredinthewindlessair。Fromthehospitalstillproceededthemoaningofthesick。Inthegrass-thatchedbarracksnearlytwohundredwoolly-headedman-eaterssleptoffthewearinessoftheday\'stoil，thoughseveralliftedtheirheadstolistentothecursesofonewhocursedthewhitemanwhoneverslept。Onthefourverandasofthehousethelanternsburned。Inside，betweenrifleandrevolver，themanhimselfmoanedandtossedinintervalsoftroubledsleep。

CHAPTERII——SOMETHINGISDONE

InthemorningDavidSheldondecidedthathewasworse。Thathewasappreciablyweakertherewasnodoubt，andtherewereothersymptomsthatwereunfavourable。Hebeganhisroundslookingfortrouble。Hewantedtrouble。Infullhealth，thestrainedsituationwouldhavebeenseriousenough；butasitwas，himselfgrowinghelpless，somethinghadtobedone。Theblacksweregettingmoresullenanddefiant，andtheappearanceofthementhepreviousnightonhisveranda——oneofthegravestofoffencesonBerande——wasominous。Soonerorlatertheywouldgethim，ifhedidnotgetthemfirst，ifhedidnotonceagainsearontheirdarksoulstheflamingmasteryofthewhiteman。

Hereturnedtothehousedisappointed。Noopportunityhadpresenteditselfofmakinganexampleofinsolenceorinsubordination——suchashadoccurredoneveryotherdaysincethesicknesssmoteBerande。Thefactthatnonehadoffendedwasinitselfsuspicious。Theyweregrowingcrafty。Heregrettedthathehadnotwaitedthenightbeforeuntiltheprowlershadentered。

Thenhemighthaveshotoneortwoandgiventherestanewlesson，writinred，forthemtocon。Itwasonemanagainsttwohundred，andhewashorriblyafraidofhissicknessoverpoweringhimandleavinghimattheirmercy。Hesawvisionsoftheblackstakingchargeoftheplantation，lootingthestore，burningthebuildings，andescapingtoMalaita。Also，onegruesomevisionhecaughtofhisownhead，sun-driedandsmoke-cured，ornamentingthecanoehouseofacannibalvillage。EithertheJessiewouldhavetoarrive，orhewouldhavetodosomething。

Thebellhadhardlyrung，sendingthelabourersintothefields，whenSheldonhadavisitor。Hehadhadthecouchtakenoutontheveranda，andhewaslyingonitwhenthecanoespaddledinandhauledoutonthebeach。Fortymen，armedwithspears，bowsandarrows，andwar-clubs，gatheredoutsidethegateofthecompound，butonlyoneentered。TheyknewthelawofBerande，aseverynativeknewthelawofeverywhiteman\'scompoundinallthethousandmilesofthefar-flungSolomons。Theonemanwhocameupthepath，SheldonrecognizedasSeelee，thechiefofBalesunavillage。Thesavagedidnotmountthesteps，butstoodbeneathandtalkedtothewhitelordabove。

Seeleewasmoreintelligentthantheaverageofhiskind，buthisintelligenceonlyemphasizedthelownessofthatkind。Hiseyes，closetogetherandsmall，advertisedcrueltyandcraftiness。A

gee-stringandacartridge-beltwerealltheclotheshewore。Thecarvedpearl-shellornamentthathungfromnosetochinandimpededspeechwaspurelyornamental，asweretheholesinhisearsmereutilitiesforcarryingpipeandtobacco。Hisbroken-fangedteethwerestainedblackbybetel-nut，thejuiceofwhichhespatupontheground。

Ashetalkedorlistened，hemadegrimaceslikeamonkey。Hesaidyesbydroppinghiseyelidsandthrustinghischinforward。Hespokewithchildisharrogancestrangelyatvariancewiththesubservientpositionheoccupiedbeneaththeveranda。He，withhismanyfollowers，waslordandmasterofBalesunavillage。Butthewhiteman，withoutfollowers，waslordandmasterofBerande——ay，andonoccasion，single-handed，hadmadehimselflordandmasterofBalesunavillageaswell。Seeleedidnotliketorememberthatepisode。Ithadoccurredinthecourseoflearningthenatureofwhitemenandoflearningtoabominatethem。HehadoncebeenguiltyofshelteringthreerunawaysfromBerande。TheyhadgivenhimalltheypossessedinreturnfortheshelterandforpromisedaidingettingawaytoMalaita。Thishadgivenhimaglimpseofaprofitablefuture，inwhichhisvillagewouldserveastheonedepotontheundergroundrailwaybetweenBerandeandMalaita。

Unfortunately，hewasignorantofthewaysofwhitemen。Thisparticularwhitemaneducatedhimbyarrivingathisgrasshouseinthegrayofdawn。Inthefirstmomenthehadfeltamused。Hewassoperfectlysafeinthemidstofhisvillage。Butthenextmoment，andbeforehecouldcryout，apairofhandcuffsonthewhiteman\'sknuckleshadlandedonhismouth，knockingthecryofalarmbackdownhisthroat。Also，thewhiteman\'sotherfisthadcaughthimundertheearandlefthimwithoutfurtherinterestinwhatwashappening。Whenhecameto，hefoundhimselfinthewhiteman\'swhale-boatonthewaytoBerande。AtBerandehehadbeentreatedasoneofnoconsequence，withhandcuffsonhandsandfeet，tosaynothingofchains。Whenhistribehadreturnedthethreerunaways，hewasgivenhisfreedom。Andfinally，theterriblewhitemanhadfinedhimandBalesunavillagetenthousandcocoanuts。AfterthathehadshelterednomorerunawayMalaitamen。Instead，hehadgoneintothebusinessofcatchingthem。Itwassafer。Besides，hewaspaidonecaseoftobaccoperhead。Butifheevergotachanceatthatwhiteman，ifheevercaughthimsickorstoodathisbackwhenhestumbledandfellonabush-

trail——well，therewouldbeaheadthatwouldfetchapriceinMalaita。

SheldonwaspleasedwithwhatSeeleetoldhim。Theseventhmanofthelastbatchofrunawayshadbeencaughtandwaseventhenatthegate。Hewasbroughtin，heavy-featuredanddefiant，hisarmsboundwithcocoanutsennit，thedrybloodstillonhisbodyfromthestrugglewithhiscaptors。

\"Mesavveeyougoodfella，Seelee，\"Sheldonsaid，asthechiefgulpeddownaquarter-tumblerofrawtrade-gin。\"Fellaboybelongmeyoucatchshorttimelittlebit。Thisfellaboystrongfellatoomuch。Igiveyoufellaonecasetobacco——myword，onecasetobacco。Then，yougoodfellaalongme，Igiveyouthreefathomcalico，onefellaknifebigfellatoomuch。\"

Thetobaccoandtradegoodswerebroughtfromthestore-roombytwohouse-boysandturnedovertothechiefofBalesunavillage，whoacceptedtheadditionalrewardwithanon-committalgruntandwentawaydownthepathtohiscanoes。UnderSheldon\'sdirectionsthehouse-boyshandcuffedtheprisoner，byhandsandfeet，aroundoneofthepilesupportsofthe

house。

Ateleveno\'clock，whenthelabourerscameinfromthefield，Sheldonhadthemassembledinthecompoundbeforetheveranda。Everyablemanwasthere，includingthosewhowerehelpingaboutthehospital。Eventhewomenandtheseveralpickaninniesoftheplantationwerelinedupwiththerest，twodeep——ahordeofnakedsavagesatrifleundertwohundredstrong。Inadditiontotheirornamentsofbeadandshellandbone，theirpiercedearsandnostrilswereburdenedwithsafety-pins，wirenails，metalhair-pins，rustyironhandlesofcookingutensils，andthepatentkeysforopeningcornedbeeftins。Someworepenknivesclaspedontheirkinkylocksforsafety。Onthechestofoneachinadoor-knobwassuspended，onthechestofanotherthebrasswheelofanalarmclock。

Facingthem，clingingtotherailingoftheverandaforsupport，stoodthesickwhiteman。Anyoneofthemcouldhaveknockedhimoverwiththeblowofalittlefinger。Despitehisfirearms，thegangcouldhaverushedhimanddeliveredthatblow，whenhisheadandtheplantationwouldhavebeentheirs。Hatredandmurderandlustforrevengetheypossessedtooverflowing。Butonethingtheylacked，thethingthathepossessed，theflameofmasterythatwouldnotquench，thatburnedfiercelyaseverinthedisease-

wastedbody，andthatwaseverreadytoflareforthandscorchandsingethemwithitsire。

\"Narada!Billy!\"Sheldoncalledsharply。

Twomenslunkunwillinglyforwardandwaited。

Sheldongavethekeysofthehandcuffstoahouse-boy，whowentunderthehouseandloosedtheprisoner。

\"YoufellaNarada，youfellaBilly，takeumthisfellaboyalongtreeandmakefast，handshighup，\"wasSheldon\'scommand。

Whilethiswasbeingdone，slowly，amidstmutteringsandrestlessnessonthepartoftheonlookers，oneofthehouse-boysfetchedaheavy-handled，heavy-lashedwhip。Sheldonbeganaspeech。

\"ThisfellaArunga，mecrossalonghimtoomuch。InostealthisfellaArunga。Inogammon。Isay，\'Allright，youcomealongmeBerande，workthreefellayear。\'Hesay，\'Allright，mecomealongyouworkthreefellayear。\'Hecome。Hecatchplentygoodfellakai-kai，{2}plentygoodfellamoney。Whatnameherunaway？Metoomuchcrossalonghim。Iknockwhatnameoutahimfella。IpaySeelee，bigfellamasteralongBalesuna，onecasetobaccocatchthatfellaArunga。Allright。Arungapaythatfellacasetobacco。

SixpoundsthatfellaArungapay。AllesameoneyearmorethatfellaArungaworkBerande。Allright。Nowhecatchtenfellawhipthreetimes。YoufellaBillycatchwhip，givethatfellaArungatenfellathreetimes。Allfellaboyslooksee，allfellaMarys{3}looksee；bimebye，theylikerunawaytheythinkstrongfellatoomuch，norunaway。Billy，strongfellatoomuchtenfellathreetimes。\"

Thehouse-boyextendedthewhiptohim，butBillydidnottakeit。

Sheldonwaitedquietly。Theeyesofallthecannibalswerefixeduponhimindoubtandfearandeagerness。Itwasthemomentoftest，wherebythelonewhitemanwastoliveorbelost。

\"Tenfellathreetimes，Billy，\"Sheldonsaidencouragingly，thoughtherewasacertainmetallicraspinhisvoice。

Billyscowled，lookedupandlookeddown，butdidnotmove。

\"Billy!\"

Sheldon\'svoiceexplodedlikeapistolshot。Thesavagestartedphysically。Grinsoverspreadthegrotesquefeaturesoftheaudience，andtherewasasoundoftittering。

\"S\'poseyouliketoomuchlashthatfellaArunga，youtakehimfellaTulagi，\"Billysaid。\"Onefellagovernmentagentmakeplentylash。Thatumfellalaw。Mesavveeumfellalaw。\"

Itwasthelaw，andSheldonknewit。Buthewantedtolivethisdayandthenextdayandnottodiewaitingforthelawtooperatethenextweekortheweekafter。

\"Toomuchtalkalongyou!\"hecriedangrily。\"Whatnameeh？Whatname？\"

\"Mesavveelaw，\"thesavagerepeatedstubbornly。

\"Astoa!\"

Anothermansteppedforwardinalmostasprightlywayandglancedinsolentlyup。Sheldonwasselectingtheworstcharactersforthelesson。

\"YoufellaAstoa，youfellaNarada，tieupthatfellaBillyalongsideotherfellasamefellaway。\"

\"Strongfellatie，\"hecautionedthem。

\"YoufellaAstoatakethatfellawhip。Plentystrongbigfellatoomuchtenfellathreetimes。Savvee!\"

\"No，\"Astoagrunted。

Sheldonpickeduptheriflethathadleanedagainsttherail，andcockedit。

\"Iknowyou，Astoa，\"hesaidcalmly。\"YouworkalongQueenslandsixyears。\"

\"Mefellamissionary，\"theblackinterruptedwithdeliberateinsolence。

\"Queenslandyoustopjailonefellayear。Whitefellamasterdamnfoolnohangyou。Youtoomuchbadfella。Queenslandyoustopjailsixmonthstwofellatime。Twofellatimeyousteal。Allright，youmissionary。Yousavveeonefellaprayer？\"

\"Yes，mesavveeprayer，\"wasthereply。

\"Allright，thenyoupraynow，shorttimelittlebit。Yousayonefellaprayerdamnquick，thenmekillyou。\"

Sheldonheldtherifleonhimandwaited。Theblackglancedaroundathisfellows，butnonemovedtoaidhim。Theywereintentuponthecomingspectacle，staringfascinatedatthewhitemanwithdeathinhishandswhostoodaloneonthegreatveranda。Sheldonhaswon，andheknewit。Astoachangedhisweightirresolutelyfromonefoottotheother。Helookedatthewhiteman，andsawhiseyesgleaminglevelalongthesights。

\"Astoa，\"Sheldonsaid，seizingthepsychologicalmoment，\"Icountthreefellatime。ThenIshootyoufelladead，good-bye，allfinishyou。\"

AndSheldonknewthatwhenhehadcountedthreehewoulddrophiminhistracks。Theblackknewit，too。ThatwaswhySheldondidnothavetodoit，forwhenhehadcountedone，Astoareachedouthishandandtookthewhip。AndrightwellAstoalaidonthewhip，angeredathisfellowsfornotsupportinghimandventinghisangerwitheverystroke。FromtheverandaSheldoneggedhimontostrikewithstrength，tillthetwotricedsavagesscreamedandhowledwhilethebloodoozeddowntheirbacks。Thelessonwasbeingwellwritteninred。

Whenthelastofthegang，includingthetwohowlingculprits，hadpassedoutthroughthecompoundgate，Sheldonsankdownhalf-

faintingonhiscouch。

\"You\'reasickman，\"hegroaned。\"Asickman。\"

\"Butyoucansleepateaseto-night，\"headded，halfanhourlater。

CHAPTERIII——THEJESSIE

Twodayspassed，andSheldonfeltthathecouldnotgrowanyweakerandlive，muchlessmakehisfourdailyroundsofthehospital。

Thedeathswereaveragingfouraday，andthereweremorenewcasesthanrecoveries。Theblackswereinafunk。Eachone，whentakensick，seemedtomakeeveryefforttodie。Oncedownontheirbackstheylackedthegrittomakeastruggle。Theybelievedtheyweregoingtodie，andtheydidtheirbesttovindicatethatbelief。

Eventhosethatwerewellweresurethatitwasonlyamaterofdayswhenthesicknesswouldcatchthemandcarrythemoff。Andyet，believingthiswithabsoluteconviction，theysomehowlackedthenervetorushthefrailwraithofamanwiththewhiteskinandescapefromthecharnelhousebythewhale-boats。Theychosethelingeringdeaththeyweresureawaitedthem，ratherthantheimmediatedeaththeywereverysurewouldpounceuponthemiftheywentupagainstthemaster。Thatheneverslept，theyknew。Thathecouldnotbeconjuredtodeath，theywereequallysure——theyhadtriedit。Andeventhesicknessthatwassweepingthemoffcouldnotkillhim。

Withthewhippinginthecompound，disciplinehadimproved。Theycringedundertheironhandofthewhiteman。Theygavetheirscowlsormalignantlookswithavertedfacesorwhenhisbackwasturned。Theysavedtheirmutteringsforthebarracksatnight，wherehecouldnothear。Andtherewerenomorerunawaysandnomorenight-prowlersontheveranda。

DawnofthethirddayafterthewhippingbroughttheJessie\'swhitesailsinsight。Eightmilesaway，itwasnottilltwointheafternoonthatthelightair-fansenabledhertodropanchoraquarterofamileofftheshore。ThesightofhergaveSheldonfreshcourage，andthetedioushoursofwaitingdidnotirkhim。

Hegavehisorderstotheboss-boysandmadehisregulartripstothehospital。Nothingmatterednow。Histroubleswereatanend。

Hecouldliedownandtakecareofhimselfandproceedtogetwell。

TheJessiehadarrived。Hispartnerwasonboard，vigorousandheartyfromsixweeks\'recruitingonMalaita。Hecouldtakechargenow，andallwouldbewellwithBerande。

Sheldonlayinthesteamer-chairandwatchedtheJessie\'swhale-

boatpullinforthebeach。Hewonderedwhyonlythreesweepswerepulling，andhewonderedstillmorewhen，beached，therewassomuchdelayingettingoutoftheboat。Thenheunderstood。Thethreeblackswhohadbeenpullingstartedupthebeachwithastretcherontheirshoulders。Awhiteman，whomherecognizedastheJessie\'scaptain，walkedinfrontandopenedthegate，thendroppedbehindtocloseit。SheldonknewthatitwasHughieDrummondwholayinthestretcher，andamistcamebeforehiseyes。

Hefeltanoverwhelmingdesiretodie。Thedisappointmentwastoogreat。InhisownstateofterribleweaknesshefeltthatitwasimpossibletogoonwithhistaskofholdingBerandeplantationtight-grippedinhisfist。Thenthewillofhimflamedupagain，andhedirectedtheblackstolaythestretcherbesidehimonthefloor。HughieDrummond，whomhehadlastseeninhealth，wasanemaciatedskeleton。Hisclosedeyesweredeep-sunken。Theshrivelledlipshadfallenawayfromtheteeth，andthecheek-bonesseemedburstingthroughtheskin。Sheldonsentahouse-boyforhisthermometerandglancedquestioninglyatthecaptain。

\"Black-waterfever，\"thecaptainsaid。\"He\'sbeenlikethisforsixdays，unconscious。Andwe\'vegotdysenteryonboard。What\'sthematterwithyou？\"

\"I\'mburyingfouraday，\"Sheldonanswered，ashebentoverfromthesteamer-chairandinsertedthethermometerunderhispartner\'stongue。

CaptainOlesonsworeblasphemously，andsentahouse-boytobringwhiskyandsoda。Sheldonglancedatthethermometer。

\"Onehundredandseven，\"hesaid。\"PoorHughie。\"

CaptainOlesonofferedhimsomewhisky。

\"Couldn\'tthinkofit——perforation，youknow，\"Sheldonsaid。

Hesentforaboss-boyandorderedagravetobedug，alsosomeofthepacking-casestobeknockedtogetherintoacoffin。Theblacksdidnotgetcoffins。Theywereburiedastheydied，beingcartedonasheetofgalvanizediron，intheirnakedness，fromthehospitaltotheholeintheground。Havinggiventheorders，Sheldonlaybackinhischairwithclosedeyes。

\"It\'sbenfairhell，sir，\"CaptainOlesonbegan，thenbrokeofftohelphimselftomorewhisky。\"It\'sbenfairhell，Mr。Sheldon，I

tellyou。Contrarywindsandcalms。We\'vebendriftin\'allabouttheshopfortendays。There\'stenthousandsharksfollowingusforthetuckerwe\'vebenthrowin\'overtothem。Theywassnappin\'

attheoarswhenwestartedtocomeashore。IwishttoGodanor\'wester\'dcomealongan\'blowtheSolomonscleantohell。\"

\"Wegotitfromthewater——waterfromOwgacreek。Filledmycaskswithit。Howwaswetoknow？I\'vefilledtherebeforean\'itwasallright。Wehadsixtyrecruits-fullup；andmycrewoffifteen。

We\'vebenburyin\'themdayan\'night。Thebeggarswon\'tlive，damnthem!Theydieoutofspite。Onlythreeofmycrewleftonitslegs。Fivemoredown。Sevendead。Oh，hell!What\'sthegoodoftalkin\'？\"

\"Howmanyrecruitsleft？\"Sheldonasked。

\"Losthalf。Thirtyleft。Twentydown，andtentotteringaround。\"

Sheldonsighed。

\"Thatmeansanotheradditiontothehospital。We\'vegottogetthemashoresomehow——Viaburi!Hey，you，Viaburi，ringbigfellabellstrongfellatoomuch。\"

Thehands，calledinfromthefieldsatthatunwontedhour，weresplitintodetachments。Someweresentintothewoodstocuttimberforhouse-beams，otherstocuttingcane-grassforthatching，andfortyofthemliftedawhale-boatabovetheirheadsandcarrieditdowntothesea。Sheldonhadgrittedhisteeth，pulledhiscollapsingsoultogether，andtakenBerandeplantationintohisfistoncemore。

\"Haveyouseenthebarometer？\"CaptainOlesonasked，pausingatthebottomofthestepsonhiswaytooverseethedisembarkationofthesick。

\"No，\"Sheldonanswered。\"Isitdown？\"

\"It\'sgoingdown。\"

\"Thenyou\'dbettersleepaboardto-night，\"wasSheldon\'sjudgment。

\"Nevermindthefuneral。I\'llseetopoorHughie。\"

\"AniggerwaskickingthebucketwhenIdroppedanchor。\"

Thecaptainmadethestatementasasimplefact，butobviouslywaitedforasuggestion。Theotherfeltasuddenwaveofirritationrushthroughhim。

\"Dumphimover，\"hecried。\"GreatGod，man!don\'tyouthinkI\'vegotenoughgravesashore？\"

\"Ijustwantedtoknow，thatwasall，\"thecaptainanswered，innowiseoffended。

Sheldonregrettedhischildishness。

\"Oh，CaptainOleson，\"hecalled。\"Ifyoucanseeyourwaytoit，comeashoreto-morrowandlendmeahand。Ifyoucan\'t，sendthemate。\"

\"RightO。I\'llcomemyself。Mr。Johnson\'sdead，sir。Iforgottotellyou——threedaysago。\"

SheldonwatchedtheJessie\'scaptaingodownthepath，withwavingarmsandloudcursescallinguponGodtosinktheSolomons。Next，SheldonnotedtheJessierollinglazilyontheglassyswell，andbeyond，inthenorth-west，highoverFloridaIsland，analpinechainofdark-massedclouds。Thenheturnedtohispartner，callingforboystocarryhimintothehouse。ButHughieDrummondhadreachedtheend。Hisbreathingwasimperceptible。Bymeretouch，Sheldoncouldascertainthatthedyingman\'stemperaturewasgoingdown。Itmusthavebeengoingdownwhenthethermometerregisteredonehundredandseven。Hehadburnedout。Sheldonkneltbesidehim，thehouse-boysgroupedaround，theirwhitesingletsandloin-clothspeculiarlyatvariancewiththeirdarkskinsandsavagecountenances，theirhugeear-plugsandcarvedandglisteningnose-rings。Sheldontotteredtohisfeetatlast，andhalf-fellintothesteamer-chair。Oppressiveastheheathadbeen，itwasnowevenmoreoppressive。Itwasdifficulttobreathe。Hepantedforair。Thefacesandnakedarmsofthehouse-boyswerebeadedwithsweat。

\"Marster，\"oneofthemventured，\"bigfellawindhecome，strongfellatoomuch。\"

Sheldonnoddedhisheadbutdidnotlook。MuchashehadlovedHughieDrummond，hisdeath，andthefuneralitentailed，seemedanintolerableburdentoaddtowhathewasalreadysinkingunder。Hehadafeeling——nay，itwasacertitude——thatallhehadtodowastoshuthiseyesandletgo，andthathewoulddie，sinkintoimmensityofrest。Heknewit；itwasverysimple。Allhehadtodowasclosehiseyesandletgo；forhehadreachedthestagewherehelivedbywillalone。Hiswearybodyseemedtornbytheoncomingpangsofdissolution。Hewasafooltohangon。Hehaddiedascoreofdeathsalready，andwhatwastheuseofprolongingittotwo-scoredeathsbeforehereallydied。Notonlywashenotafraidtodie，buthedesiredtodie。Hiswearyfleshandwearyspiritdesiredit，andwhyshouldtheflameofhimnotgoutterlyout？

Buthismindthatcouldwilllifeordeath，stillpulsedon。Hesawthetwowhale-boatslandonthebeach，andthesick，onstretchersorpick-a-back，groaningandwailing，gobyinlugubriousprocession。Hesawthewindmakingonthecloudedhorizon，andthoughtofthesickinthehospital。Herewassomethingwaitinghishandtobedone，anditwasnotinhisnaturetoliedownandsleep，ordie，whenanytaskremainedundone。

Theboss-boyswerecalledandgiventheirorderstoropedownthehospitalwithitstwoadditions。Herememberedthespareanchor-

chain，newandblack-painted，thathungunderthehousesuspendedfromthefloor-beams，andorderedittobeusedonthehospitalaswell。Otherboysbroughtthecoffin，agrotesquepatchworkofpacking-cases，andunderhisdirectionstheylaidHughieDrummondinit。Halfadozenboyscarrieditdownthebeach，whileherodeonthebackofanother，hisarmsaroundtheblack\'sneck，onehandclutchingaprayer-book。

Whilehereadtheservice，theblacksgazedapprehensivelyatthedarklineonthewater，abovewhichrolledandtumbledtheracingclouds。Thefirstbreathofthewind，faintandsilken，tonicwithlife，fannedthroughhisdry-bakedbodyashefinishedreading。

Thencamethesecondbreathofthewind，anangrygust，astheshovelsworkedrapidly，fillinginthesand。SoheavywasthegustthatSheldon，stillonhisfeet，seizedholdofhisman-horsetoescapebeingblownaway。TheJessiewasblottedout，andastrangeominoussoundaroseasmultitudinouswaveletsstruckfoamingonthebeach。Itwaslikethebubblingofsomecolossalcauldron。Fromallaboutcouldbeheardthedullthuddingoffallingcocoanuts。

Thetall，delicate-trunkedtreestwistedandsnappedaboutlikewhip-lashes。Theairseemedfilledwiththeirflyingleaves，anyoneofwhich，stem-oncouldbrainaman。Thencametherain，adeluge，astraight，horizontalsheetthatpouredalonglikeariver，defyinggravitation。Theblack，withSheldonmountedonhim，plungedaheadintothethickofit，stoopingfarforwardandlowtothegroundtoavoidbeingtoppledoverbackward。

\"\'He\'ssleepingoutandfarto-night，\'\"Sheldonquoted，ashethoughtofthedeadmaninthesandandtherainwatertricklingdownuponthecoldclay。

Sotheyfoughttheirwaybackupthebeach。Theotherblackscaughtholdoftheman-horseandpulledandtugged。Therewereamongthemthosewhosefondestdesirewastodragtheriderinthesandandspringuponhimandmashhimintorepulsivenothingness。

Buttheautomaticpistolinhisbeltwithitsrattling，quick-

dealingdeath，andtheautomatic，death-defyingspiritinthemanhimself，madethemrefrainandbuckledowntothetaskofhaulinghimtosafetythroughthestorm。

Wetthroughandexhausted，hewasneverthelesssurprisedattheeasewithwhichhegotintoachangeofclothing。Thoughhewasfearfullyweak，hefoundhimselfactuallyfeelingbetter。Thediseasehadspentitself，andthemendhadbegun。

\"NowifIdon\'tgetthefever，\"hesaidaloud，andatthesamemomentresolvedtogototakingquinineassoonashewasstrongenoughtodare。

Hecrawledoutontheveranda。Therainhadceased，butthewind，whichhaddwindledtoahalf-gale，wasincreasing。Abigseahadsprungup，andthemile-longbreakers，curlinguptotheover-falltwohundredyardsfromshore，werecrashingonthebeach。TheJessiewasplungingmadlytotwoanchors，andeverysecondorthirdseabrokeclearoverherbow。Twoflagswerestifflyundulatingfromthehalyardslikesquaresofflexiblesheet-iron。Onewasblue，theotherred。HeknewtheirmeaningintheBerandeprivatecode——\"Whatareyourinstructions？ShallIattempttolandboat？\"

Tackedonthewall，betweenthesignallockerandthebilliardrules，wasthecodeitself，bywhichheverifiedthesignalbeforemakinganswer。Ontheflagstaffgaffaboyhoistedawhiteflagoverared，whichstoodfor——\"RuntoNealIslandforshelter。\"

ThatCaptainOlesonhadbeenexpectingthissignalwasapparentbytheceleritywithwhichtheshackleswereknockedoutofbothanchor-chains。Heslippedhisanchors，leavingthembuoyedtobepickedupinbetterweather。TheJessieswungoffunderherfullstaysail，thentheforesail，double-reefed，wasrunup。Shewasawaylikearacehorse，clearingBalesunaShoalwithhalfacable-

lengthtospare。Justbeforesheroundedthepointshewasswallowedupinaterrificsquallthatfarout-blewthefirst。

Allthatnight，whilesquallaftersquallsmoteBerande，uprootingtrees，overthrowingcopra-sheds，androckingthehouseonitstallpiles，Sheldonslept。Hewasunawareofthecommotion。Heneverwakened。Nordidhechangehispositionordream。Heawoke，anewman。Furthermore，hewashungry。Itwasoveraweeksincefoodhadpassedhislips。Hedrankaglassofcondensedcream，thinnedwithwater，andbyteno\'clockhedaredtotakeacupofbeef-tea。

Hewascheered，also，bythesituationinthehospital。Despitethestormtherehadbeenbutonedeath，andtherewasonlyonefreshcase，whilehalfadozenboyscrawledweaklyawaytothebarracks。Hewonderedifitwasthewindthatwasblowingthediseaseawayandcleansingthepestilentialland。