Anditwasrequiredofmethatthisshouldbethegravestofresponsibilities，forshewastheonewomanintheworld——theonesmallwoman，asIlovedtothinkofher。TheSeaWolf：Chapter30CHAPTER30
NowonderwecalleditEndeavorIsland。Fortwoweekswetoiledatbuildingahut。Maudinsistedonhelping，andIcouldhaveweptoverherbruisedandbleedinghands。Andstill，Iwasproudofherbecauseofit。Therewassomethingheroicaboutthisgentlybredwomanenduringourterriblehardshipandwithherpittanceofstrengthbendingtothetasksofapeasantwoman。ShegatheredmanyofthestoneswhichIbuiltintothewallsofthehut；also，sheturnedadeafeartomyentreatieswhenIbeggedhertodesist。Shecompromised，however，bytakinguponherselfthelighterlaborsofcookingandgatheringdriftwoodandmossforourwinter’ssupply。
Thehut’swallsrosewithoutdifficulty，andeverythingwentsmoothlyuntiltheproblemoftheroofconfrontedme。Ofwhatusethefourwallswithoutaroof？Andofwhatcouldaroofbemade？Therewerethespareoars，verytrue。Theywouldserveasroof—beams；butwithwhatwasItocoverthem？Mosswouldneverdo。Tundragrasswasimpracticable。Weneededthesailfortheboat，andthetarpaulinhadbeguntoleak。
\"Wintersusedwalrusskinsonhishut，\"Isaid。
\"Therearetheseals，\"shesuggested。
Sonextdaythehuntingbegan。Ididnotknowhowtoshoot，butIproceededtolearn。AndwhenIhadexpendedsomethirtyshellsforthreeseals，I
decidedthattheammunitionwouldbeexhaustedbeforeIacquiredthenecessaryknowledge。IhadusedeightshellsforlightingfiresbeforeIhituponthedeviceofbankingtheemberswithwetmoss，andthereremainednotoverahundredshellsinthebox。
\"Wemustclubtheseals，\"Iannounced，whenconvincedofmypoormarksmanship。
\"Ihaveheardthesealerstalkaboutclubbingthem。\"
\"Theyaresopretty，\"sheobjected。\"Icannotbeartothinkofitbeingdone。Itissodirectlybrutal，youknow；sodifferentfromshootingthem。\"
\"Thatroofmustgoon，\"Iansweredgrimly。\"Winterisalmosthere。Itisourlivesagainsttheirs。Itisunfortunatewehaven’tplentyofammunition，butIthink，anyway，thattheysufferlessfrombeingclubbedthanfrombeingallshotup。Besides，Ishalldotheclubbing。\"
\"That’sjustit，\"shebeganeagerly，andbrokeoffinsuddenconfusion。
\"Ofcourse，\"Ibegan。\"Ifyouprefer——\"
\"ButwhatshallIbedoing？\"sheinterrupted，withthatsoftnessIknewfullwelltobeinsistence。
\"Gatheringfirewoodandcookingdinner，\"Iansweredlightly。
Sheshookherhead。\"Itistoodangerousforyoutoattemptalone。\"
\"Iknow，Iknow，\"shewaivedmyprotest。\"Iamonlyaweakwoman，butjustmysmallassistancemayenableyoutoescapedisaster。\"
\"Buttheclubbing？\"Isuggested。
\"Ofcourse，youwilldothat。Ishallprobablyscream。I’lllookawaywhen——\"
\"Thedangerismostserious，\"Ilaughed。
\"Ishallusemyjudgmentwhentolookandwhennottolook，\"sherepliedwithagrandair。
Theupshotoftheaffairwasthatsheaccompaniedmenextmorning。I
rowedintotheadjoiningcoveanduptotheedgeofthebeach。Thereweresealsallaboutusinthewater，andthebellowingthousandsonthebeachcompelledustoshoutateachothertomakeourselvesheard。
\"Iknowmenclubthem，\"Isaid，tryingtoreassuremyselfandgazingdoubtfullyatalargebull，notthirtyfeetaway，uprearedonhisfore—flippersandregardingmeintently。\"Butthequestionis，Howdotheyclubthem？\"
\"Letusgathertundragrassandthatchtheroof，\"Maudsaid。
ShewasasfrightenedasIattheprospect，andwehadreasontobe，gazingatcloserangeatthegleamingteethanddog—likemouths。
\"Ialwaysthoughttheywereafraidofmen，\"Isaid。
\"HowdoIknowtheyarenotafraid？\"Iqueriedamomentlater，afterhavingrowedafewmorestrokesalongthebeach。\"Perhaps，ifIweretostepboldlyashore，theywouldcutforit，andcouldnotcatchupwithone。\"
AndstillIhesitated。
\"Iheardofaman，once，whoinvadedthenestinggroundsofwildgeese，\"
Maudsaid。\"Theykilledhim。\"
\"Thegeese？\"
\"Yes，thegeese。MybrothertoldmeaboutitwhenIwasalittlegirl。\"
\"ButIknowmenclubthem，\"Ipersisted。
\"Ithinkthetundragrasswillmakejustasgoodaroof，\"shesaid。
Farfromherintention，herwordsweremaddeningme，drivingmeon。
Icouldnotplaythecowardbeforehereyes。
\"Heregoes，\"Isaid，backingwaterwithoneoarandrunningthebowashore。
Isteppedoutandadvancedvaliantlyuponalong—manedbullinthemidstofhiswives。Iwasarmedwiththeregularclubwithwhichtheboat—pullerskilledthewoundedsealsgaffedaboardbythehunters。Itwasonlyafootandahalflong，andinmysuperbignoranceIneverdreamedthattheclubusedashorewhenraidingtherookeriesmeasuredfourtofivefeet。Thecowslumberedoutofmyway，andthedistancebetweenmeandthebulldecreased。
Heraisedhimselfonhisflipperswithanangrymovement。Wewereadozenfeetapart。StillIadvancedsteadily，lookingforhimtoturntailatanymomentandrun。
Atsixfeetthepanickythoughtrushedintomymind，Whatifhewillnotrun？Why，thenIshallclubhim，cametheanswer。InmyfearIhadforgottenthatIwastheretogetthebullinsteadoftomakehimrun。
Andjustthenhegaveasnortandasnarlandrushedatme。Hiseyeswereblazing，hismouthwaswideopen；theteethgleamedcruellywhite。Withoutshame，IconfessthatitwasIwhoturnedandfootedit。Heranawkwardly，butheranwell。Hewasbuttwopacesbehindwhentumbledintotheboat，andasIshovedoffwithanoarhisteethcruncheddownupontheblade。
Thestoutwoodwascrushedlikeanegg—shell。MaudandIwereastounded。
Amomentlaterhehaddivedundertheboat，seizedthekeelinhismouth，andwasshakingtheboatviolently。
\"My！\"saidMaud。\"Let’sgoback。\"
Ishookmyhead。\"Icandowhatothermenhavedone，andknowthatothermenhaveclubbedseals。ButIthinkI’llleavethebullsalonenexttime。\"
\"Iwishyouwouldn’t，\"shesaid。
\"Nowdon’tsay，`Please，please，’\"Icried，halfangrily，Idobelieve。
Shemadenoreply，andIknewmytonemusthavehurther。
\"Ibegyourpardon，\"Isaid，orshouted，rather，inordertomakemyselfheardabovetheroaroftherookery。\"Ifyousayso，I’llturnandgoback；
buthonestly，I’dratherstay。\"
\"Nowdon’tsaythatthisiswhatyougetforbringingawomanalong，\"
shesaid。Shesmiledatmewhimsically，gloriously，andIknewtherewasnoneedforforgiveness。
Irowedacoupleofhundredfeetalongthebeachsoastorecovermynerves，andthensteppedashoreagain。
\"Dobecautious，\"shecalledafterme。
Inoddedmyheadandproceededtomakeaflankattackonthenearestharem。AllwentwelluntilIaimedablowatanoutlyingcow’sheadandfellshort。Shesnortedandtriedtoscrambleaway。Iranincloseandstruckanotherblow，hittingtheshoulderinsteadofthehead。
\"Watchout！\"IheardMaudscream。
InmyexcitementIhadnotbeentakingnoticeofotherthings，andI
lookeduptoseethelordoftheharemchargingdownuponme。AgainIfledtotheboat，hotlypursued；butthistimeMaudmadenosuggestionofturningback。
\"Itwouldbebetter，Iimagine，ifyouletharemsaloneanddevotedyourattentiontolonelyandinoffensive—lookingseals，\"waswhatshesaid。
\"IthinkIhavereadsomethingaboutthem。Dr。Jordan’sbook，Ibelieve。
Theyaretheyoungbulls，notoldenoughtohaveharemsoftheirown。Hecalledthemtheholluschickie，orsomethinglikethat。Itseemstomeifwefindwheretheyhaulout——\"
\"Itseemstomethatyourfightinginstinctisaroused，\"laughed。
Sheflushedquicklyandprettily。\"I’lladmitIdon’tlikedefeatanymorethanyoudo，oranymorethanIliketheideaofkillingsuchpretty，inoffensivecreatures。\"
\"Pretty！\"Isniffed。\"Ifailedtomarkanythingpreeminentlyprettyaboutthosefoamy—mouthedbeaststhatracedme。\"
\"Yourpointofview，\"shelaughed。\"Youlackedperspective。Nowifyoudidnothavetogetsoclosetothesubject——\"
\"Theverything！\"Icried。\"WhatIneedisalongerclub。Andthere’sthatbrokenoarreadytohand。\"
\"Itjustcomestome，\"shesaid，\"thatCaptainLarsenwastellingmehowthemenraidedtherookeries。Theydrivetheseals，insmallherds，ashortdistanceinlandbeforetheykillthem。\"
\"Idon’tcaretoundertaketheherdingofoneofthoseharems，\"Iobjected。
\"Buttherearetheholluschickie，\"shesaid。\"Theholluschickiehauloutbythemselves，andDr。Jordansaysthatpathsareleftbetweentheharems，andthataslongastheholluschickiekeepstrictlytothepaththeyareunmolestedbythemastersoftheharem。\"
\"There’sonenow，\"Isaid，pointingtoayoungbullinthewater。\"Let’swatchhim，andfollowhimifhehaulsout。\"
Heswamdirectlytothebeachandclamberedoutintoasmallopeningbetweentwoharems，themastersofwhichmadewarningnoisesbutdidnotattackhim。Wewatchedhimtravelslowlyinward，threadingaboutamongtheharemsalongwhatmusthavebeenthepath。
\"Heregoes，\"Isaid，steppingout；butIconfessmyheartwasinmymouthasIthoughtofgoingthroughtheheartofthatmonstrousherd。
\"Itwouldbewisetomaketheboatfast，\"Maudsaid。
Shehadsteppedoutbesideme，andIregardedherwithwonderment。
Shenoddedherheaddeterminedly。\"Yes，I’mgoingwithyou，soyoumayaswellsecuretheboatandarmmewithaclub。\"
\"Let’sgoback，\"Isaiddejectedly。\"Ithinktundragrasswilldo，afterall。\"
\"Youknowitwon’t，\"washerreply。\"ShallIlead？\"
Withashrugoftheshoulders，butwiththewarmestadmirationandprideatheartforthiswoman，Iequippedherwiththebrokenoarandtookanotherformyself。Itwaswithnervoustrepidationthatwemadethefirstfewrodsofthejourney。OnceMaudscreamedinterrorasacowthrustaninquisitivenosetowardherfoot，andseveraltimesIquickenedmypaceforthesamereason。But，beyondwarningcoughsfromeitherside，therewerenosignsofhostility。Itwasarookerywhichhadneverbeenraidedbythehunters，andinconsequencethesealsweremild—temperedandatthesametimeunafraid。
Intheveryheartoftheherdthedinwasterrific。Itwasalmostdizzyinginitseffect。IpausedandsmiledreassuringlyatMaud，forIhadrecoveredmyequanimitysoonerthanshe。Icouldseethatshewasstillbadlyfrightened。
Shecameclosetomeandshouted：
\"I’mdreadfullyafraid！\"
AndIwasnot。Thoughthenoveltyhadnotyetwornoff，thepeacefulcomportmentofthesealshadquietedmyalarm。Maudwastrembling。
\"I’mafraid，andI’mnotafraid，\"shechatteredwithshakingjaws。\"It’smymiserablebody，notI。\"
\"It’sallright，it’sallright，\"Ireassuredher，myarmpassinginstinctivelyandprotectinglyaroundher。
Ishallneverforget，inthatmoment，howinstantlyconsciousbecameofmymanhood。Theprimitivedeepsofmynaturestirred。Ifeltmyselfmasculine，theprotectoroftheweak，thefightingmale。And，bestofall，Ifeltmyselftheprotectorofmylovedone。Sheleanedagainstme，solightandlily—frail，andashertremblingeasedawayitseemedasthoughIbecameawareofprodigiousstrength。Ifeltmyselfamatchforthemostferociousbullintheherd，andIknow，hadsuchabullchargeduponme，thatIshouldhavemetitunflinchinglyandquitecoolly，andIknowthatIshouldhavekilledit。
\"Iamallright，now，\"shesaid，lookingupatmegratefully。\"Letusgoon。\"
Andthatthestrengthinmehadquietedherandgivenherconfidence，filledmewithanexultantjoy。Theyouthoftheraceseemedburgeoninginme，over—civilizedmanthatIwas，andIlivedformyselftheoldhuntingdaysandforestnightsofmyremoteandforgottenancestry。IhadmuchforwhichtothankWolfLarsen，wasmythoughtaswewentalongthepathbetweenthejostlingharems。
Aquarterofamileinlandwecameupontheholluschickie——sleekyoungbulls，livingoutthelonelinessoftheirbachelorhoodandgatheringstrengthagainstthedaywhentheywouldfighttheirwayintotheranksofthebenedicts。
Everythingnowwentsmoothly。Iseemedtoknowjustwhattodoandhowtodoit。Shouting，makingthreateninggestureswithmyclub，andevenproddingthelazyones，Iquicklycutoutascoreoftheyoungbachelorsfromtheircompanions。Wheneveronemadeanattempttobreakbacktowardthewater，Iheadeditoff。Maudtookanactivepartinthedrive，andwithhercriesandflourishingsofthebrokenoarwasofconsiderableassistance。
Inoticed，though，thatwheneveronelookedtiredandlagged，sheletitslippast。ButInoticed，also，wheneverone，withashowoffight，triedtobreakpast，thathereyesglintedandshowedbright，andsherappeditsmartlywithherclub。
\"My，it’sexciting！\"shecried，pausingfromsheerweakness。\"IthinkI’llsitdown。\"
Idrovethelittleherd（adozenstrong，now，whatoftheescapesshehadpermitted）ahundredyardsfartheron；andbythetimeshejoinedmeIhadfinishedtheslaughterandwasbeginningtoskin。Anhourlaterwewentproudlybackalongthepathbetweentheharems。Andtwiceagainwecamedownthepathburdenedwithskins，tillthoughtwehadenoughtoroofthehut。Isetthesail，laidonetackoutofthecove，andontheothertackmadeourownlittleinnercove。
\"It’sjustlikehome—coming，\"Maudsaid，asIrantheboatashore。
Iheardherwordswitharesponsivethrill，itwasallsodearlyintimateandnatural，andIsaid：
\"ItseemsasthoughIhavelivedthislifealways。Theworldofbooksandbookishfolkisveryvague，morelikeadreammemorythananactuality。
Isurelyhavehuntedandforayedandfoughtallthedaysofmylife。Andyou，too，seemapartofit。Youare——\"Iwasonthevergeofsaying，\"mywoman，mymate，\"butgliblychangeditto——\"standingthehardshipwell。\"
Butherearhadcaughttheflaw。Sherecognizedaflightthatmidmostbroke。Shegavemeaquicklook。
\"Notthat。Youweresaying——？\"
\"ThattheAmericanMrs。Meynellwaslivingthelifeofasavageandlivingitquitesuccessfully，\"Isaideasily。
\"Oh，\"wasallshereplied；butIcouldhavesworntherewasanoteofdisappointmentinhervoice。
But\"mywoman，mymate\"keptringinginmyheadfortherestofthedayandformanydays。Yetneverdiditringmoreloudlythanthatnight，asIwatchedherdrawbacktheblanketofmossfromthecoals，blowupthefire，andcooktheeveningmeal。Itmusthavebeenlatentsavagerystirringinme，fortheoldwords，soboundupwiththerootsoftherace，togripmeandthrillme。Andgripandthrilltheydid，tillIfellasleep，murmuringthemtomyselfoverandoveragain。TheSeaWolf：Chapter31CHAPTER31
Itwillsmell，\"Isaid，\"butitwillkeepintheheatandkeepouttherainandsnow。\"
Weweresurveyingthecompletedsealskinroof。
\"Itisclumsy，butitwillservethepurpose，andthatisthemainthing，\"
Iwenton，yearningforherpraise。
Andsheclappedherhandsanddeclaredthatshewashugelypleased。
\"Butitisdarkinhere，\"shesaidthenextmoment，hershouldersshrinkingwithalittleinvoluntaryshiver。
\"Youmighthavesuggestedawindowwhenthewallsweregoingup，\"I
said。\"Itwasforyou，andyoushouldhaveseentheneedofawindow。\"
\"ButIneverdoseetheobvious，youknow，\"shelaughedback。\"Andbesides，youcanknockaholeinthewallatanytime。\"
\"Quitetrue；Ihadnotthoughtofit，\"Ireplied，waggingmyheadsagely。
\"Buthaveyouthoughtoforderingthewindow—glass？Justcallupthefirm，——Red，4451，Ithinkitis，——andtellthemwhatsizeandkindofglassyouwish。\"
\"Thatmeans——\"shebegan。
\"Nowindow。\"
Itwasadarkandevil—appearingthing，thathut，notfitforaughtbetterthanswineinacivilizedland；butforus，whohadknownthemiseryoftheopenboat，itwasasnuglittlehabitation。Followingthehousewarming，whichwasaccomplishedbymeansofseal—oilandawickmadefromcottoncalking，camethehuntingforourwinter’smeatandthebuildingofthesecondhut。Itwasasimpleaffair，now，togoforthinthemorningandreturnbynoonwithaboat—loadofseals。Andthen，whileIworkedatbuildingthehut，Maudtriedouttheoilfromtheblubberandkeptaslowfireundertheframesofmeat。Ihadheardofjerkingbeefontheplains，andourseal—meat，cutinthinstripsandhunginthesmoke，curedexcellently。
Thesecondhutwaseasiertoerect，forIbuiltitagainstthefirst，andonlythreewallswererequired。Butitwaswork，hardwork，allofit。MaudandIworkedfromdawntilldark，tothelimitofourstrength，sothatwhennightcamewecrawledstifflytobedandslepttheanimal—likesleepofexhaustion。AndyetMauddeclaredthatshehadneverfeltbetterorstrongerinherlife。Iknewthiswastrueofmyself，butherswassuchalilystrengththatIfearedshewouldbreakdown。Oftenandoften，herlastreserveforcegone，Ihaveseenherstretchedflatonherbackonthesandinthewayshehadofrestingandrecuperating。Andthenshewouldbeuponherfeetandtoilinghardasever。Wheresheobtainedthisstrengthwasthemarveltome。
\"Thinkofthelongrestthiswinter，\"washerreplytomyremonstrances。
\"Why，we’llbeclamorousforsomethingtodo。\"
Weheldahousewarminginmyhutthenightitwasroofed。Itwastheendofthethirddayofafiercestormwhichhadswungaroundthecompassfromthesoutheasttothenorthwest，andwhichwasthenblowingdirectlyinuponus。Thebeachesoftheoutercovewerethunderingwiththesurf，andeveninourland—lockedinnercovearespectableseawasbreaking。
Nohighbackboneofislandshelteredusfromthewind，anditwhistledandbellowedaboutthehuttillattimesIfearedforthestrengthofthewalls。Theskinroof，stretchedtightlyasadrum—headIhadthought，saggedandbelliedwitheverygust；andinnumerableintersticesinthewalls，notsotightlystuffedwithmossasMaudhadsupposed，disclosedthemselves。
Yettheseal—oilburnedbrightlyandwewerewarmandcomfortable。
Itwasapleasanteveningindeed，andwevotedthatasasocialfunctiononEndeavorIslandithadnotyetbeeneclipsed。Ourmindswereatease。
Notonlyhadweresignedourselvestothebitterwinter，butwewerepreparedforit。Thesealscoulddepartontheirmysteriousjourneyintothesouthatanytime，now，forallwecared；andthestormsheldnoterrorforus。
Notonlywerewesureofbeingdryandwarmandshelteredfromthewind，butwehadthesoftestandmostluxuriousmattressesthatcouldbemadefrommoss。ThishadbeenMaud’sidea，andshehadherselfjealouslygatheredallthemoss。Thiswastobemyfirstnightonthemattress，andIknewIshouldsleepthesweeterbecauseshehadmadeit。
Assherosetogosheturnedtomewiththewhimsicalwayshehad，andsaid：
\"Somethingisgoingtohappen——ishappening，forthatmatter。Ifeelit。Somethingiscominghere，tous。Itiscomingnow。Idon’tknowwhat，butitiscoming。\"
\"Goodorbad？\"Iasked。
Sheshookherhead。\"Idon’tknow，butitisthere，somewhere。\"
Shepointedinthedirectionoftheseaandwind。
\"It’saleeshore，\"Ilaughed，\"andIamsureI’dratherbeherethanarriving，anightlikethis。\"
\"Youarenotfrightened？\"Iasked，asIsteppedtoopenthedoorforher。
Hereyeslookedbravelyintomine。
\"Andyoufeelwell？perfectlywell？\"
\"Neverbetter，\"washeranswer。
Wetalkedalittlelongerbeforeshewent。
\"Goodnight，Maud，\"Isaid。
\"Goodnight，Humphrey，\"shesaid。
Thisuseofourgivennameshadcomeaboutquiteasamatterofcourse，andwasasunpremeditatedasitwasnatural。Inthatmomentcouldhaveputmyarmsaroundheranddrawnhertome。Ishouldcertainlyhavedonesooutinthatworldtowhichwebelonged。Asitwas，thesituationstoppedthereintheonlywayitcould；butIwasleftaloneinmylittlehut，glowingwarmlythroughandthroughwithapleasantsatisfaction；andI
knewthatatie，oratacitsomething，existedbetweenuswhichhadnotexistedbefore。TheSeaWolf：Chapter32CHAPTER32
Iawoke，oppressedbyamysterioussensation。Thereseemedsomethingmissinginmyenvironment。Butthemysteryandoppressivenessvanishedafterthefirstfewsecondsofwaking，whenIidentifiedthemissingsomethingasthewind。Ihadfallenasleepinthatstateofnervetensionwithwhichonemeetsthecontinuousshockofsoundormovement，andIhadawakened，stilltense，bracingmyselftomeetthepressureofsomethingwhichnolongerboreuponme。
ItwasthefirstnightIhadspentundercoverinseveralmonths，andIlayluxuriouslyforsomeminutesundermyblankets，（foroncenotwetwithfogorspray），analyzing，first，theeffectproduceduponmebythecessationofthewind，andnext，thejoywhichwasminefromrestingonthemattressmadebyMaud’shands。WhenIhaddressedandopenedthedoor，Iheardthewavesstilllappingonthebeach，garrulouslyattestingthefuryofthenight。Itwasaclearday，andthesunwasshining。Ihadsleptlate，andIsteppedoutsidewithsuddenenergy，bentuponmakinguplosttimeasbefittedadwelleronEndeavorIsland。
Andwhenoutside，Istoppedshort。Ibelievedmyeyeswithoutquestion，andyetIwasforthemomentstunnedbywhattheydisclosedtome。There，onthebeach，notfiftyfeetaway，bowon，dismasted，wasablack—hulledvessel。Mastsandbooms，tangledwithshrouds，sheets，andrentcanvas，wererubbinggentlyalongside。IcouldhaverubbedmyeyesasIlooked。
Therewasthehome—madegalleywehadbuilt，thefamiliarbreakofthepoop，thelowyacht—cabinscarcelyrisingabovetherail。ItwastheGhost。
Whatfreakoffortunehadbroughtithere——hereofallspots？whatchanceofchances？Ilookedatthebleak，inaccessiblewallatmybackandknewtheprofundityofdespair。Escapewashopeless，outofthequestion。
IthoughtofMaud，asleepthereinthehutwehadreared；Irememberedher\"Goodnight，Humphrey\"；\"mywoman，mymate，\"wentringingthroughmybrain，butnow，alas，itwasaknellthatsounded。Theneverythingwentblackbeforemyeyes。
Possiblyitwasthefractionofasecond，butIhadnoknowledgeofhowlonganintervalhadlapsedbeforeIwasmyselfagain。TherelaytheGhost，bowontothebeach，hersplinteredbowspritprojectingoverthesand，hertangledsparsrubbingagainsthersidetotheliftofthecrooningwaves。Somethingmustbedone，mustbedone。
Itcameuponmesuddenly，asstrange，thatnothingmovedaboard。Weariedfromthenightofstruggleandwreck，allhandswereyetasleep，Ithought。
MynextthoughtwasthatMaudandImightyetescape。Ifwecouldtaketotheboatandmakearoundthepointbeforeanyoneawoke？Iwouldcallherandstart。Myhandwasliftedatherdoortoknock，whenIrecollectedthesmallnessoftheisland。Wecouldneverhideourselvesuponit。Therewasnothingforusbutthewiderawocean。Ithoughtofoursnuglittlehuts，oursuppliesofmeatandoilandmossandfirewood，andIknewthatwecouldneversurvivethewintryseaandthegreatstormswhichweretocome。
SoIstood，withhesitantknuckle，withoutherdoor。Itwasimpossible，impossible。Awildthoughtofrushinginandkillingherasshesleptroseinmymind。Andthen，inaflash，thebettersolutioncametome。Allhandswereasleep。WhynotcreepaboardtheGhost，——wellIknewthewaytoWolfLarsen’sbunk，——andkillhiminhissleep？Afterthat——
well，wewouldsee。Butwithhimdeadtherewastimeandspaceinwhichtopreparetodootherthings；andbesides，whatevernewsituationarose，itcouldnotpossiblybeworsethanthepresentone。
Myknifewasatmyhip。Ireturnedtomyhutfortheshotgun，madesureitwasloaded，andwentdowntotheGhost。Withsomedifficulty，andattheexpenseofawettingtothewaist，Iclimbedaboard。Theforecastlescuttlewasopen。Ipausedtolistenforthebreathingofthemen，buttherewasnobreathing。Ialmostgaspedasthethoughtcametome：WhatiftheGhostisdeserted？Ilistenedmoreclosely。Therewasnosound。Icautiouslydescendedtheladder。Theplacehadtheemptyandmustyfeelandsmellusualtoadwellingnolongerinhabited。Everywherewasathicklitterofdiscardedandraggedgarments，oldsea—boots，leakyoilskins——alltheworthlessforecastledunnageofalongvoyage。
Abandonedhastily，wasmyconclusion，asIascendedtothedeck。Hopewasaliveagaininmybreast，andIlookedaboutmewithgreatercoolness。
Inotedthattheboatsweremissing。Thesteeragetoldthesametaleastheforecastle。Thehuntershadpackedtheirbelongingswithsimilarhaste。
TheGhostwasdeserted。ItwasMaud’sandmine。Ithoughtoftheship’sstoresandthelazarettebeneaththecabin，andtheideacametomeofsurprisingMaudwithsomethingniceforbreakfast。
Thereactionfrommyfear，andtheknowledgethattheterribledeedIhadcometodowasnolongernecessary，mademeboyishandeager。Iwentupthesteeragecompanionwaytwostepsatatime，withnothingdistinctinmymindexceptjoyandthehopethatMaudwouldsleeponuntilthesurprisebreakfastwasquitereadyforher。AsIroundedthegalley，anewsatisfactionwasmineatthoughtofallthesplendidcookingutensilsinside。Isprangupthebreakofthepoop，andsaw——WolfLarsen。Whatofmyimpetusandthestunningsurprise，IclatteredthreeorfourstepsalongthedeckbeforeIcouldstopmyself。Hewasstandinginthecompanionway，onlyhisheadandshouldersvisible，staringstraightatme。Hisarmswererestingonthehalf—openslide。Hemadenomovementwhatever——simplystoodthere，staringatme。
Ibegantotremble。Theoldstomachsicknessclutchedme。putonehandontheedgeofthehousetosteadymyself。MylipsseemedsuddenlydryandImoistenedthemagainsttheneedofspeech。Nordidforaninstanttakemyeyesoffhim。Neitherofusspoke。Therewassomethingominousinhissilence，hisimmobility。Allmyoldfearofhimreturnedandbynewfearwasincreasedanhundredfold。Andstillwestood，thepairofus，staringateachother。
Iwasawareofthedemandforaction，and，myoldhelplessnessstronguponme，Iwaswaitingforhimtotaketheinitiative。Then，asthemomentswentby，itcametomethatthesituationwasanalogoustotheoneinwhichIhadapproachedthelong—manedbull，myintentionofclubbingobscuredbyfearuntilitbecameadesiretomakehimrun。SoitwasatlastimpresseduponmethatIwasthere，nottohaveWolfLarsentaketheinitiative，buttotakeitmyself。
Icockedbothbarrelsandlevelledtheshotgunathim。Hadhemoved，attemptedtodropdownthecompanionway，IknowIwouldhaveshothim。