CHAPTERXIX——THELOSTTOY
\"Well，\"Joansaidwithasigh，\"I\'veshownyouhustlingAmericanmethodsthatsucceedandgetsomewhere，andhereyouarebeginningyourmuddlingagain。\"
Fivedayshadpassed，andsheandSheldonwerestandingontheverandawatchingtheMartha，close-hauledonthewind，layingatackoffshore。DuringthosefivedaysJoanhadneveroncebroachedthedesireofherheart，thoughSheldon，inthisparticularinstancereadingherlikeabook，hadwatchedherleaduptothequestionascoreoftimesinthehopethathewouldhimselfsuggesthertakingchargeoftheMartha。Shehadwantedhimtosaytheword，andshehadsteeledherselfnottosayitherself。Thematteroffindingaskipperhadbeenahardone。ShewasjealousoftheMartha，andnosuggestedmanhadsatisfiedher。
\"Oleson？\"shehaddemanded。\"HedoesverywellontheFlibberty，withmeandmymentooverhaulherwhenevershe\'sreadytofalltopiecesthroughhisslackness。ButskipperoftheMartha？
Impossible!\"
\"Munster？Yes，he\'stheonlymanIknowintheSolomonsI\'dcaretoseeincharge。Andyet，there\'shisrecord。HelosttheUmbawa——onehundredandfortydrowned。Hewasfirstofficeronthebridge。Deliberatedisobediencetoinstructions。Nowondertheybrokehim。
\"ChristianYounghasneverhadanyexperiencewithlargeboats。
Besides，wecan\'taffordtopayhimwhathe\'sclearingontheMinerva。Sparrowhawkisagoodman——totakeorders。Hehasnoinitiative。He\'sanablesailor，buthecan\'tcommand。ItellyouIwasnervousallthetimehehadchargeoftheFlibbertyatPoonga-PoongawhenIhadtostaybytheMartha。\"
Andsoithadgone。Nonameproposedwassatisfactory，and，moreover，Sheldonhadbeensurprisedbytheaccuracyofherjudgments。AdozentimesshealmostdrovehimtothestatementthatfromtheshowingshemadeofSolomonIslandssailors，shewastheonlypersonfittedtocommandtheMartha。Buteachtimeherestrainedhimself，whileherpridepreventedherfrommakingthesuggestion。
\"Goodwhale-boatsailorsdonotnecessarilymakegoodschooner-
handlers，\"sherepliedtooneofhisarguments。\"Besides，thecaptainofaboatliketheMarthamusthavealargemind，seethingsinalargeway；hemusthavecapacityandenterprise。\"
\"ButwithyourTahitiansonboard——\"Sheldonhadbegunanotherargument。
\"Therewon\'tbeanyTahitiansonboard，\"shehadreturnedpromptly。
\"Mymenstaywithme。IneverknowwhenImayneedthem。WhenI
sail，theysail；whenIremainashore，theyremainashore。I\'llfindplentyforthemtodorighthereontheplantation。You\'veseenthemclearingbush，eachofthemworthhalfadozenofyourcannibals。\"
SoitwasthatJoanstoodbesideSheldonandsighedasshewatchedtheMarthabeatingouttosea，oldKinross，broughtoverfromSavo，incommand。
\"Kinrossisanoldfossil，\"shesaid，withatouchofbitternessinhervoice。\"Oh，he\'llneverwreckherthroughrashness，restassuredofthat；buthe\'stimidtochildishness，andtimidskipperslosejustasmanyvesselsasrashones。Someday，KinrosswilllosetheMarthabecausethere\'llbeonlyonechanceandhe\'llbeafraidtotakeit。Iknowhissort。Afraidtotakeadvantageofaproperbreezeofwindthatwillfetchhiminintwentyhours，he\'llgetcaughtoutinthecalmthatfollowsandspendawholeweekingettingin。TheMarthawillmakemoneywithhim，there\'snodoubtofit；butshewon\'tmakenearthemoneythatshewouldunderacompetentmaster。\"
Shepaused，andwithheightenedcolourandsparklingeyesgazedseawardattheschooner。
\"My!butsheisawitch!Lookathereatingupthewater，andthere\'snowindtospeakof。She\'snotgotordinarywhitemetaleither。It\'sman-of-warcopper，everyinchofit。IhadthempolishitwithcocoanuthuskswhenshewascareenedatPoonga-
Poonga。Shewasaseal-hunterbeforethisgoldexpeditiongother。
Andseal-huntershadtosail。They\'verunawayfromsecondclassRussiancruisersmorethanonceupthereoffSiberia。
\"Honestly，ifI\'ddreamedofthechancewaitingformeatGuvutuwhenIboughtherforlessthanthreehundreddollars，I\'dneverhavegonepartnerswithyou。AndinthatcaseI\'dbesailingherrightnow。
ThejusticeofhercontentioncameabruptlyhometoSheldon。Whatshehaddoneshewouldhavedonejustthesameifshehadnotbeenhispartner。AndinthesavingoftheMarthahehadplayednopart。Single-handed，unadvised，intheteethofthelaughterofGuvutuandofthecompetitionofmenlikeMorganandRaff，shehadgoneintotheadventureandbroughtitthroughtosuccess。
\"Youmakemefeellikeabigmanwhohasrobbedasmallchildofalolly，\"hesaidwithsuddencontrition。
\"Andthesmallchildiscryingforit。\"Shelookedathim，andhenotedthatherlipwasslightlytremblingandthathereyesweremoist。Itwastheboyallover，hethought；theboycryingfortheweebitboatwithwhichtoplay。Andyetitwasawoman，too。
Whatamazeofcontradictionshewas!Andhewondered，hadshebeenallwomanandnoboy，ifhewouldhavelovedherinjustthesameway。Thenitrushedinuponhisconsciousnessthathereallylovedherforwhatshewas，foralltheboyinherandalltherestofher——forthetotalofherthatwouldhavebeenadifferenttotalindirectproportiontoanydifferingofthepartsofher。
\"Butthesmallchildwon\'tcryanymoreforit，\"shewassaying。
\"Thisisthelastsob。Someday，ifKinrossdoesn\'tloseher，you\'llturnherovertoyourpartner，Iknow。AndIwon\'tnagyouanymore。OnlyIdohopeyouknowhowIfeel。Itisn\'tasifI\'dmerelyboughttheMartha，ormerelybuilther。Isavedher。I
tookheroffthereef。Isavedherfromthegraveoftheseawhenfifty-fivepoundswasconsideredabigrisk。Sheismine，peculiarlymine。Withoutmeshewouldn\'texist。Thatbignor\'westerwouldhavefinishedherthefirstthreehoursitblew。
AndthenI\'vesailedher，too；andsheisawitch，aperfectwitch。
Why，doyouknow，she\'llsteerbythewindwithhalfaspoke，giveandtake。Andgoingabout!Well，youdon\'thavetobabyher，startinghead-sheets，flatteningmainsail，andgentlingherwiththewheel。Putyourwheeldown，andaroundshecomes，likeacoltwiththebitinitsteeth。Andyoucanbackherlikeasteamer。I
diditatLanga-Langa，betweenthatshoalpatchandtheshore-reef。
Itwaswonderful。
\"Butyoudon\'tloveboatslikeIdo，andIknowyouthinkI\'mmakingafoolofmyself。ButsomedayI\'mgoingtosailtheMarthaagain。Iknowit。Iknowit。\"
Inreply，andquitewithoutpremeditation，hishandwentouttohers，coveringitasitlayontherailing。Butheknew，beyondtheshadowofadoubt，thatitwastheboythatreturnedthepressurehegave，theboysorrowingoverthelosttoy。Thethoughtchilledhim。Neverhadhebeenactuallynearertoher，andneverhadshebeenmoreconvincinglyremote。Shewascertainlynotacutelyawarethathishandwastouchinghers。InhergriefatthedepartureoftheMarthaitwas，toher，anybody\'shand——atthebest，afriend\'shand。
Hewithdrewhishandandwalkedperturbedlyaway。
\"Whyhasn\'thegotthatbigfisherman\'sstaysailonher？\"shedemandedirritably。\"Itwouldmaketheoldgirljustwalkalonginthisbreeze。IknowthesortoldKinrossis。He\'stheskipperthatliesthreedaysunderdouble-reefedtopsailswaitingforagalethatdoesn\'tcome。Safe？Oh，yes，he\'ssafe——dangerouslysafe。\"
Sheldonretracedhissteps。
\"Nevermind，\"hesaid。\"YoucangosailingontheMarthaanytimeyouplease——recruitingonMalaitaifyouwantto。\"
Itwasagreatconcessionhewasmaking，andhefeltthathediditagainsthisbetterjudgment。Herreceptionofitwasasurprisetohim。
\"WitholdKinrossincommand？\"shequeried。\"No，thankyou。He\'ddrivemetosuicide。Icouldn\'tstandhishandlingofher。Itwouldgivemenervousprostration。I\'llneverstepontheMarthaagain，unlessitistotakechargeofher。I\'masailor，likemyfather，andhecouldneverbeartoseeavesselmishandled。DidyouseethewayKinrossgotunderway？Itwasdisgraceful。Andthenoisehemadeaboutit!OldNoahdidbetterwiththeArk。\"
\"Butwemanagetogetsomewherejustthesame，\"hesmiled。
\"SodidNoah。\"
\"Thatwasthemainthing。\"
\"Foranantediluvian。\"
ShetookanotherlingeringlookattheMartha，thenturnedtoSheldon。
\"Youareaslovenlylotdownherewhenitcomestoboats——mostofyouare，anyway。ChristianYoungisallrightthough，Munsterhasaslap-dashstyleabouthim，andtheydosayoldNielsenwasacrackerjack。ButwiththerestI\'veseen，there\'snodash，nogo，nocleverness，norealsailor\'spride。It\'sallhum-drum，andpodgy，andslow-going，anygoingsolongasyougetthereheavenknowswhen。ButsomedayI\'llshowyouhowtheMarthashouldbehandled。I\'llbreakoutanchorandgetunderwayinaspeedandstylethatwillmakeyourheadhum；andI\'llbringheralongsidethewharfatGuvutuwithoutdroppinganchorandrunningaline。\"
Shecametoabreathlesspause，andthenbrokeintolaughter，directed，hecouldsee，againstherself。
\"OldKinrossissettingthatfisherman\'sstaysail，\"heremarkedquietly。
\"No!\"shecriedincredulously，swiftlylooking，thenrunningforthetelescope。
Sheregardedthemanoeuvresteadilythroughtheglass，andSheldon，watchingherface，couldseethattheskipperwasnotmakingasuccessofit。
Shefinallyloweredtheglasswithagroan。
\"He\'smadeamessofit，\"shesaid，\"andnowhe\'stryingitoveragain。AndamanlikethatisputinchargeofafairyliketheMartha!Well，it\'sagoodargumentagainstmarriage，that\'sall。
No，Iwon\'tlookanymore。Comeoninandplayasteady，conservativegameofbilliardswithme。AndafterthatI\'mgoingtosaddleupandgoafterpigeons。Willyoucomealong？\"
Anhourlater，justastheywereridingoutofthecompound，JoanturnedinthesaddleforalastlookattheMartha，adistantspeckwellovertowardtheFloridacoast。
\"Won\'tTudorbesurprisedwhenhefindsweowntheMartha？\"shelaughed。\"Thinkofit!Ifhedoesn\'tstrikepay-dirthe\'llhavetobuyasteamer-passagetogetawayfromtheSolomons。\"
Stilllaughinggaily，sherodethroughthegate。Butsuddenlyherlaughterbrokeflatlyandshereinedinthemare。Sheldonglancedathersharply，andnotedherfacemottling，evenashelooked，andturningorangeandgreen。
\"It\'sthefever，\"shesaid。\"I\'llhavetoturnback。\"
Bythetimetheywereinthecompoundshewasshiveringandshaking，andhehadtohelpherfromherhorse。
\"Funny，isn\'tit？\"shesaidwithchatteringteeth。\"Likeseasickness——notserious，buthorriblymiserablewhileitlasts。
I\'mgoingtobed。SendNoaNoahandViaburitome。TellOrnfiritomakehotwater。I\'llbeoutofmyheadinfifteenminutes。ButI\'llbeallrightbyevening。Shortandsharpisthewayittakesme。Toobadtolosetheshooting。Thankyou，I\'mallright。\"
Sheldonobeyedherinstructions，rushedhot-waterbottlesalongtoher，andthensatontheverandavainlytryingtointeresthimselfinatwo-months-oldfileofSydneynewspapers。Hekeptglancingupandacrossthecompoundtothegrasshouse。Yes，hedecided，thecontentionofeverywhitemanintheislandswasright；theSolomonswasnoplaceforawoman。
Heclappedhishands，andLalaperucamerunning。
\"Here，you!\"heordered；\"goalongbarracks，bring\'mblackfellaMary，plentytoomuch，altogether。\"
AfewminuteslaterthedozenblackwomenofBerandewererangedbeforehim。Helookedthemovercritically，finallyselectingonethatwasyoung，comelyassuchcreatureswent，andwhosebodyborenosignsofskin-disease。
\"Whatname，you？\"hedemanded。\"Sangui？\"
\"MeMahua，\"wastheanswer。
\"Allright，youfellaMahua。Youfinishcookalongboys。YoustopalongwhiteMary。Allthetimeyoustopalong。Yousavvee？\"
\"Mesavvee，\"shegrunted，andobeyedhisgesturetogotothegrasshouseimmediately。
\"Whatname？\"heaskedViaburi，whohadjustcomeoutofthegrasshouse。
\"Bigfellasick，\"wastheanswer。\"WhitefellaMarytalk\'mtoomuchalleetime。Alleetimetalk\'mbigfellaschooner。\"
Sheldonnodded。Heunderstood。ItwasthelossoftheMarthathathadbroughtonthefever。Thefeverwouldhavecomesoonerorlater，heknew；butherdisappointmenthadprecipitatedit。Helightedacigarette，andinthecurlingsmokeofitcaughtvisionsofhisEnglishmother，andwonderedifshewouldunderstandhowhersoncouldloveawomanwhocriedbecauseshecouldnotbeskipperofaschoonerinthecannibalisles。
CHAPTERXX——AMAN-TALK
Themostpatientmanintheworldispronetoimpatienceinlove——
andSheldonwasinlove。Hecalledhimselfanassascoreoftimesaday，andstrovetocontainhimselfbydirectinghismindinotherchannels，butmorethanascoreoftimeseachdayhisthoughtsrovedbackanddweltonJoan。Itwasaprettyproblemshepresented，andhewascontinuallydebatingwithhimselfastowhatwasthebestwaytoapproachher。
Hewasnotanadeptatlove-making。Hehadhadbutoneexperienceinthegentleartinwhichhehadbeenmorewooedthanwooing，andtheaffairhadprofitedhimlittle。Thiswasanotheraffair，andheassuredhimselfcontinuallythatitwasauniquelydifferentanddifficultaffair。Notonlywashereawomanwhowasnotbentonfindingahusband，butitwasawomanwhowasn\'tawomanatall；
whowasgenuinelyappalledbythethoughtofahusband；whojoyedinboys\'games，andsentimentalizedoversuchthingsasadventure；
whowashealthyandnormalandwholesome，andwhowassoimmaturethatahusbandstoodfornothingmorethananencumbranceinhercherishedschemeofexistence。
Buthowtoapproachher？Hedivinedthefanaticalloveoffreedominher，thedeep-seatedantipathyforrestraintofanysort。Nomancouldeverputhisarmaroundherandwinher。Shewouldflutterawaylikeafrightenedbird。Approachbycontact——that，herealized，wastheonethinghemustneverdo。Hishand-claspmustbewhatithadalwaysbeen，thehand-claspofheartyfriendshipandnothingmore。Neverbyactionmustheadvertisehisfeelingforher。Remainedspeech。Butwhatspeech？Appealtoherlove？Butshedidnotlovehim。Appealtoherbrain？Butitwasapparentlyaboy\'sbrain。Allthedeliciousnessandfinenessofafinelybredwomanwashers；but，forallhecoulddiscern，hermentalprocessesweresexlessandboyish。Andyetspeechitmustbe，forabeginninghadtobemadesomewhere，sometime；hermindmustbemadeaccustomedtotheidea，herthoughtsturneduponthematterofmarriage。
Andsoherodeoverseeingabouttheplantation，withtightlydrawnandpuckeredbrows，puzzlingovertheproblem，andsteelinghimselftothefirstattempt。Adozenwaysheplannedanintricateleadinguptothefirstbreakingoftheice，andeachtimesomelinkinthechainsnappedandthetalkwentoffonunexpectedandirrelevantlines。Andthenonemorning，quitefortuitously，theopportunitycame。
\"MydearestwishisthesuccessofBerande，\"Joanhadjustsaid，aproposofadiscussionaboutthecheapeningoffreightsoncopratomarket。
\"DoyoumindifItellyouthedearestwishofmyheart？\"hepromptlyreturned。\"Ilongforit。Idreamaboutit。Itismydearestdesire。\"
Hepausedandlookedatherwithintentsignificance；butitwasplaintohimthatshethoughttherewasnothingmoreatissuethanmutualconfidencesaboutthingsingeneral。
\"Yes，goahead，\"shesaid，atrifleimpatientathisdelay。
\"IlovetothinkofthesuccessofBerande，\"hesaid；\"butthatissecondary。Itissubordinatetothedearestwish，whichisthatsomedayyouwillshareBerandewithmeinacompleterwaythanthatofmerebusinesspartnership。Itisforyou，someday，whenyouareready，tobemywife。\"
Shestartedbackfromhimasifshehadbeenstung。Herfacewentwhiteontheinstant，notfrommaidenlyembarrassment，butfromtheangerwhichhecouldseeflaminginhereyes。
\"Thistakingforgranted!——thiswhenIamready!\"shecriedpassionately。Thenhervoiceswiftlybecamecoldandsteady，andshetalkedinthewayheimaginedshemusthavetalkedbusinesswithMorganandRaffatGuvutu。\"Listentome，Mr。Sheldon。I
likeyouverywell，thoughyouareslowandamuddler；butIwantyoutounderstand，onceandforall，thatIdidnotcometotheSolomonstogetmarried。ThatisanafflictionIcouldhaveaccumulatedathome，withoutsailingtenthousandmilesafterit。
Ihavemyownwaytomakeintheworld，andIcametotheSolomonstodoit。GettingmarriedisnotmakingMYwayintheworld。Itmaydoforsomewomen，butnotforme，thankyou。WhenIsitdowntotalkoverthefreightoncopra，Idon\'tcaretohaveproposalsofmarriagesandwichedin。Besides——besides——\"
Hervoicebrokeforthemoment，andwhenshewentontherewasanoteofappealinitthatwell-nighconvictedhimtohimselfofbeingabrute。
\"Don\'tyousee？——itspoilseverything；itmakesthewholesituationimpossible……and……andIsolovedourpartnership，andwasproudofit。Don\'tyousee？——Ican\'tgoonbeingyourpartnerifyoumakelovetome。AndIwassohappy。\"
Tearsofdisappointmentwereinhereyes，andshecaughtaswiftsobinherthroat。
\"Iwarnedyou，\"hesaidgravely。\"Suchunusualsituationsbetweenmenandwomencannotendure。Itoldyousoatthebeginning。\"
\"Oh，yes；itisquitecleartomewhatyoudid。\"Shewasangryagain，andthefeminineappealhaddisappeared。\"Youwereverydiscreetinyourwarning。YoutookgoodcaretowarnmeagainsteveryothermanintheSolomonsexceptyourself。\"
ItwasablowinthefacetoSheldon。Hesmartedwiththetruthofit，andatthesametimehesmartedwithwhathewasconvincedwastheinjusticeofit。Agleamoftriumphthatflickeredinhereyebecauseofthehitshehadmadedecidedhim。
\"Itisnotsoone-sidedasyouseemtothinkitis，\"hebegan。\"I
wasdoingverynicelyonBerandebeforeyoucame。AtleastIwasnotsufferingindignities，suchasbeingaccusedofcowardlyconduct，asyouhavejustaccusedme。Remember——pleaseremember，I
didnotinviteyoutoBerande。NordidIinviteyoutostayonatBerande。Itwasbystayingthatyoubroughtaboutthis——toyou——
unpleasantsituation。Bystayingyoumadeyourselfatemptation，andnowyouwouldblamemeforit。Ididnotwantyoutostay。I
wasn\'tinlovewithyouthen。IwantedyoutogotoSydney；togobacktoHawaii。Butyouinsistedonstaying。Youvirtually——\"
Hepausedforasofterwordthantheonethathadrisentohislips，andshetookitawayfromhim。
\"Forcedmyselfonyou——that\'swhatyoumeanttosay，\"shecried，theflagsofbattlepaintinghercheeks。\"Goahead。Don\'tmindmyfeelings。\"
\"Allright；Iwon\'t，\"hesaiddecisively，realizingthatthediscussionwasindangerofbecomingavituperative，schoolboyargument。\"Youhaveinsistedonbeingconsideredasaman。
Consistencywoulddemandthatyoutalklikeaman，andlikeamanlistentoman-talk。Andlistenyoushall。Itisnotyourfaultthatthisunpleasantnesshasarisen。Idonotblameyouforanything；rememberthat。Andforthesamereasonyoushouldnotblamemeforanything。\"
Henoticedherbosomheavingasshesatwithclenchedhands，anditwasallhecoulddotoconquerthedesiretoflashhisarmsoutandaroundherinsteadofgoingonwithhiscoollyplannedcampaign。
Asitwas，henearlytoldherthatshewasamostadorableboy。
Buthecheckedallsuchwaywardfancies，andheldhimselfrigidlydowntohisdisquisition。
\"Youcan\'thelpbeingyourself。Youcan\'thelpbeingaverydesirablecreaturesofarasIamconcerned。Youhavemademewantyou。Youdidn\'tintendto；youdidn\'ttryto。Youweresomade，thatisall。AndIwassomadethatIwasripetowantyou。ButI
can\'thelpbeingmyself。Ican\'tbyaneffortofwillceasefromwantingyou，anymorethanyoubyaneffortofwillcanmakeyourselfundesirabletome。\"
\"Oh，thisdesire!thiswant!want!want!\"shebrokeinrebelliously。\"Iamnotquiteafool。Iunderstandsomethings。
Andthewholethingissofoolishandabsurd——anduncomfortable。I
wishIcouldgetawayfromit。IreallythinkitwouldbeagoodideaformetomarryNoaNoah，orAdamuAdam，orLalaperuthere，oranyblackboy。ThenIcouldgivehimorders，andkeephimpennedawayfromme；andmenlikeyouwouldleavemealone，andnottalkmarriageand\'Iwant，Iwant。\'\"
Sheldonlaughedinspiteofhimself，andfarfromanygenuineimpulsetolaugh。
\"Youarepositivelysoulless，\"hesaidsavagely。
\"BecauseI\'veasoulthatdoesn\'tyearnforamanformaster？\"shetookupthegage。\"Verywell，then。Iamsoulless，andwhatareyougoingtodoaboutit？\"
\"Iamgoingtoaskyouwhyyoulooklikeawoman？Whyhaveyoutheformofawoman？thelipsofawoman？thewonderfulhairofawoman？AndIamgoingtoanswer:becauseyouareawoman——thoughthewomaninyouisasleep——andthatsomedaythewomanwillwakeup。\"
\"Heavenforbid!\"shecried，insuchsuddenandgenuinedismayastomakehimlaugh，andtobringasmiletoherownlipsagainstherself。
\"I\'vegotsomemoretosaytoyou，\"Sheldonpursued。\"IdidtrytoprotectyoufromeveryothermanintheSolomons，andfromyourselfaswell。Asforme，Ididn\'tdreamthatdangerlayinthatquarter。SoIfailedtoprotectyoufrommyself。Ifailedtoprotectyouatall。Youwentyourownwilfulway，justasthoughI
didn\'texist——wreckingschooners，recruitingonMalaita，andsailingschooners；onelone，unprotectedgirlinthecompanyofsomeoftheworstscoundrelsintheSolomons。Fowler!andBrahms!
andCurtis!Andsuchistheperversenessofhumannature——Iamfrank，yousee——Iloveyouforthattoo。Iloveyouforallofyou，justasyouare。\"
Shemadeamoueofdistasteandraisedahandprotestingly。
\"Don\'t，\"hesaid。\"Youhavenorighttorecoilfromthementionofmyloveforyou。Rememberthisisaman-talk。Fromthepointofviewofthetalk，youareaman。Thewomaninyouisonlyincidental，accidental，andirrelevant。You\'vegottolistentothebaldstatementoffact，strangethoughitis，thatIloveyou。\"
\"AndnowIwon\'tbotheryouanymoreaboutlove。We\'llgoonthesameasbefore。YouarebetteroffandsaferonBerande，inspiteofthefactthatIloveyou，thananywhereelseintheSolomons。
ButIwantyou，asafinalitemofman-talk，toremember，fromtimetotime，thatIloveyou，andthatitwillbethedearestdayofmylifewhenyouconsenttomarryme。Iwantyoutothinkofitsometimes。Youcan\'thelpbutthinkofitsometimes。Andnowwewon\'ttalkaboutitanymore。Asbetweenmen，there\'smyhand。\"
Heheldouthishand。Shehesitated，thengrippeditheartily，andsmiledthroughhertears。
\"Iwish——\"shefaltered，\"Iwish，insteadofthatblackMary，you\'dgivenmesomebodytoswearforme。\"
Andwiththisenigmaticutterancesheturnedaway。
CHAPTERXXI——CONTRABAND
Sheldondidnotmentionthesubjectagain，nordidhisconductchangefromwhatithadalwaysbeen。Therewasnothingofthepininglover，noroftheloveratall，inhisdemeanour。Norwasthereanyawkwardnessbetweenthem。Theywereasfrankandfriendlyintheirrelationsasever。Hehadwonderedifhisbelligerentlovedeclarationmighthavearousedsomewomanlyself-
consciousnessinJoan，buthelookedinvainforanysignofit。
Sheappearedasunchangedashe；andwhileheknewthathehidhisrealfeelings，hewasfirminhisbeliefthatshehidnothing。Andyetthegermhehadimplantedmustbeatwork；hewasconfidentofthat，thoughhewaswithoutconfidenceastotheresult。Therewasnoforecastingthisstrangegirl\'sprocesses。Shemightawaken，itwastrue；andontheotherhand，andwithequalchance，hemightbethewrongmanforher，andhisdeclarationoflovemightonlymorefirmlysetherinherviewsonsingleblessedness。
Whilehedevotedmoreandmoreofhistimetotheplantationitself，shetookoverthehouseanditsmultitudinousaffairs；andshetookholdfirmly，insailorfashion，revolutionizingthesystemanddiscipline。ThelaboursituationonBerandewasimproving。
TheMarthahadcarriedawayfiftyoftheblackswhosetimewasup，andtheyhadbeenamongtheworstontheplantation——five-yearmenrecruitedbyBillyBe-blowed，menwhohadgonethroughtheolddaysofterrorismwhentheoriginalownersofBerandehadbeendrivenaway。Thenewrecruits，beingbrokeninunderthenewregime，gavebetterpromise。JoanhadjoinedwithSheldonfromthestartintheprogrammethattheymustbegrippedwiththestronghand，andatthesametimebetreatedwithabsolutejustice，iftheyweretoescapebeingcontaminatedbytheolderboysthatstillremained。
\"Ithinkitwouldbeagoodideatoputallthegangsatworkclosetothehousethisafternoon，\"sheannouncedonedayatbreakfast。
\"I\'vecleanedupthehouse，andyououghttocleanupthebarracks。
Thereistoomuchstealinggoingon。\"
\"Agoodidea，\"Sheldonagreed。\"Theirboxesshouldbesearched。
I\'vejustmissedacoupleofshirts，andmybesttoothbrushisgone。\"
\"Andtwoboxesofmycartridges，\"sheadded，\"tosaynothingofhandkerchiefs，towels，sheets，andmybestpairofslippers。ButwhattheywantwithyourtoothbrushismorethanIcanimagine。
They\'llbestealingthebilliardballsnext。\"
\"Onediddisappearafewweeksbeforeyoucame，\"Sheldonlaughed。
\"We\'llsearchtheboxesthisafternoon。\"
Andabusyafternoonitwas。JoanandSheldon，botharmed，wentthroughthebarracks，housebyhouse，theboss-boysassisting，andhalfadozenmessengers，inrelay，shoutingalongthelinethenamesoftheboyswanted。Eachboybroughtthekeytohisparticularbox，andwaspermittedtolookonwhilethecontentswereoverhauledbytheboss-boys。
Awealthoflootwasrecovered。Therewerefullyadozencane-
knives——bighackingweaponswithrazor-edges，capableofdecapitatingamanatastroke。Towels，sheets，shirts，andslippers，alongwithtoothbrushes，wisp-brooms，soap，themissingbilliardball，andallthelostandforgottentriflesofmanymonths，cametolight。Butmostastonishingwasthequantityofammunition-cartridgesforLee-Metfords，forWinchestersandMarlins，forrevolversfromthirty-twocalibretoforty-five，shot-
guncartridges，Joan\'stwoboxesofthirty-eight，cartridgesofprodigiousborefortheancientSnidersofMalaita，flasksofblackpowder，sticksofdynamite，yardsoffuse，andboxesofdetonators。
ButthegreatfindwasinthehouseoccupiedbyGogoomyandfivePortAdamsrecruits。ThefactthattheboxesyieldednothingexcitedSheldon\'ssuspicions，andhegaveorderstodiguptheearthenfloor。Wrappedinmatting，welloiled，freefromrust，andbrandnew，twoWinchesterswerefirstunearthed。Sheldondidnotrecognizethem。TheyhadnotcomefromBerande；neitherhadthefortyflasksofblackpowderfoundunderthecorner-postofthehouse；andwhilehecouldnotbesure，hecouldremembernolossofeightboxesofdetonators。AbigColt\'srevolverherecognizedasHughieDrummond\'s；whileJoanidentifiedathirty-twoIvorandJohnsonasalossreportedbyMatapuuthefirstweekhelandedatBerande。TheabsenceofanycartridgesmadeSheldonpersistinthediggingupofthefloor，andafifty-poundflourtinwashisreward。WithgloweringeyesGogoomylookedonwhileSheldontookfromthetinahundredroundseachforthetwoWinchestersandfullyasmanyroundsmoreofnondescriptcartridgesofallsortsandmakesandcalibres。
Thecontrabandandstolenpropertywaspiledinassortedheapsonthebackverandaofthebungalow。Afewpacesfromthebottomofthestepsweregroupedtheforty-oddculprits，withbehindthem，insolidarray，theseveralhundredblacksoftheplantation。AttheheadofthestepsJoanandSheldonwereseated，whileonthestepsstoodthegang-bosses。Onebyonetheculpritswerecalledupandexamined。Nothingdefinitecouldbeextractedfromthem。Theyliedtransparently，butpersistently，andwhencaughtinonelieexplaineditawaywithhalfadozenothers。Oneboycomplacentlyannouncedthathehadfoundelevensticksofdynamiteonthebeach。
Matapuu\'srevolver，foundintheboxofoneKapu，wasexplainedawaybythatboyashavingbeengiventohimbyLervumie。
Lervumie，calledforthtotestify，saidhehadgotitfromNoni；
NonihadgotitfromSulefatoi；SulefatoifromChoka；ChokafromNgava；andNgavacompletedthecirclebystatingthatithadbeengiventohimbyKapu。Kapu，thusdoublydamned，calmlygavefulldetailsofhowithadbeengiventohimbyLervumie；andLervumie，withequalwealthofdetail，toldhowhehadreceiveditfromNoni；
andfromNonitoSulefatoiitwentonaroundthecircleagain。
Diversarticlesweretracedindubitablytothehouse-boys，eachofwhomsteadfastlyproclaimedhisowninnocenceandcastdoubtsonhisfellows。Theboywiththebilliardballsaidthathehadneverseenitinhislifebefore，andhazardedthesuggestionthatithadgotintohisboxthroughsomemysteriousandoccultlyevilagency。
Sofarashewasconcerneditmighthavedroppeddownfromheavenforallheknewhowitgotthere。Tothecooksandboats\'-crewsofeveryvesselthathaddroppedanchoroffBerandeinthepastseveralyearswereascribedthearrivalofscoresofthestolenarticlesandofthemajorportionoftheammunition。Therewasnotracingthetruthinanyofit，thoughitwaswithoutdoubtthattheunidentifiedweaponsandunfamiliarcartridgeshadcomeashoreoffvisitingcraft。
\"Lookatit，\"SheldonsaidtoJoan。\"We\'vebeensleepingoveravolcano。Theyoughttobewhipped——\"
\"Nowhipme，\"Gogoomycriedoutfrombelow。\"Fatherbelongmebigfellachief。Mewhip，toomuchtroublealongyou，closeup，myword。\"
\"WhatnameyoufellaGogoomy!\"Sheldonshouted。\"Iknocksevenbellsoutofyou。Here，youKwaque，put\'mironsalongthatfellaGogoomy。\"
Kwaque，astrappinggang-boss，pluckedGogoomyfromoutofhisfollowing，and，helpedbytheothergang-bosses；twistedhisarmsbehindhimandsnappedontheheavyhandcuffs。
\"Mefinishalongyou，closeup，youdiealtogether，\"Gogoomy，withwrath-distortedface，threatenedtheboss-boy。
\"Please，nowhipping，\"Joansaidinalowvoice。\"IfwhippingIS
necessary，sendthemtoTulagiandlettheGovernmentdoit。Givethemtheirchoicebetweenafineoranofficialwhipping。\"
Sheldonnoddedandstoodup，facingtheblacks。
\"Manonmie!\"hecalled。
Manonmiestoodforthandwaited。
\"Youfellaboybadfellatoomuch，\"Sheldoncharged。\"Yousteal\'mplenty。Yousteal\'monefellatowel，onefellacane-knife，two-
tenfellacartridge。Myword，plentybadfellasteal\'myou。Mecrossalongyoutoomuch。S\'poseyoulike\'m，metake\'monefellapoundalongyouinbigbook。S\'poseyounolike\'mmetake\'monefellapound，thenmesendyoufellaalongTulagicatch\'monestrongfellagovernmentwhipping。PlentyNewGeorgiaboys，plentyYsabelboysstopalongjailalongTulagi。ThemfellanolikeMalaitaboyslittlebit。Myword，theygive\'myoustrongfellawhipping。Whatyousay？\"
\"Youtake\'monefellapoundalongme，\"wastheanswer。
AndManonmie，patentlyrelieved，steppedback，whileSheldonenteredthefineintheplantationlabourjournal。
Boyafterboy，hecalledtheoffendersoutandgavethemtheirchoice；and，boybyboy，eachoneelectedtopaythefineimposed。
Somefineswereaslowasseveralshillings；whileinthemoreseriouscases，suchastheftsofgunsandammunition，thefineswerecorrespondinglyheavy。
Gogoomyandhisfivetribesmenwerefinedthreepoundseach，andatGogoomy\'sgutturalcommandtheyrefusedtopay。
\"S\'poseyougoalongTulagi，\"Sheldonwarnedhim，\"youcatch\'mstrongfellawhippingandyoustopalongjailthreefellayear。
Mr。Burnett，helook\'malongWinchester，look\'malongcartridge，look\'malongrevolver，look\'malongblackpowder，look\'malongdynamite——myword，hecrosstoomuch，hegiveyouthreefellayearalongjail。S\'poseyounolike\'mpaythreefellapoundyoustopalongjail。Savvee？\"
Gogoomywavered。
\"It\'strue——that\'swhatBurnettwouldgivethem，\"SheldonsaidinanasidetoJoan。
\"Youtake\'mthreefellapoundalongme，\"Gogoomymuttered，atthesametimescowlinghishatredatSheldon，andtransferringhalfthescowltoJoanandKwaque。\"Mefinishalongyou，youcatch\'mbigfellatrouble，myword。FatherbelongmebigfellachiefalongPortAdams。\"
\"Thatwilldo，\"Sheldonwarnedhim。\"Youshutmouthbelongyou。\"
\"Menofright，\"thesonofachiefretorted，byhisinsolenceincreasinghisstatureintheeyesofhisfellows。
\"Lockhimupforto-night，\"SheldonsaidtoKwaque。\"Sunhecomeupput\'mthatfellaandfivefellabelonghimalonggrass-cutting。
Savvee？\"
Kwaquegrinned。
\"Mesavvee，\"hesaid。\"Cut\'mgrass，ngari-ngari{4}stop\'malonggrass。Myword!\"
\"TherewillbetroublewithGogoomyyet，\"SheldonsaidtoJoan，astheboss-boysmarshalledtheirgangsandledthemawaytotheirwork。\"Keepaneyeonhim。Becarefulwhenyouareridingaloneontheplantation。ThelossofthoseWinchestersandallthatammunitionhashithimharderthanyourcuffingdid。Heisdead-
ripeformischief。\"
CHAPTERXXII——GOGOOMYFINISHESALONGKWAQUEALTOGETHER
\"IwonderwhathasbecomeofTudor。It\'stwomonthssincehedisappearedintothebush，andnotawordofhimafterheleftBinu。\"
JoanLacklandwassittingastrideherhorsebythebankoftheBalesunawherethesweetcornhadbeenplanted，andSheldon，whohadcomeacrossfromthehouseonfoot，wasleaningagainstherhorse\'sshoulder。
\"Yes，itisalongtimefornonewstohavetrickleddown，\"heanswered，watchingherkeenlyfromunderhishat-brimandwonderingastothemeasureofheranxietyfortheadventurousgold-hunter；
\"butTudorwillcomeoutallright。HedidathingatthestartthatIwouldn\'thavegivenhimoranyothermancreditfor——
persuadedBinuCharleytogoalongwithhim。I\'llwagernootherBinuniggerhasevergonesofarintothebushunlesstobekai-
kai\'d。AsforTudor——\"
\"Look!look!\"Joancriedinalowvoice，pointingacrossthenarrowstreamtoaslackeddywhereahugecrocodiledriftedlikealogawash。\"My!IwishIhadmyrifle。\"
Thecrocodile，leavingscarcelyaripplebehind，sankdownanddisappeared。
\"ABinumanwasinearlythismorning——formedicine，\"Sheldonremarked。\"Itmayhavebeenthatverybrutethatwasresponsible。
AdozenoftheBinuwomenwereout，andtheforemostonesteppedrightonabigcrocodile。Itwasbytheedgeofthewater，andhetumbledheroverandgotherbytheleg。Alltheotherwomengotholdofherandpulled。Andinthetugofwarshelostherleg，belowtheknee，hesaid。Igavehimastockofantiseptics。
She\'llpullthrough，Ifancy。\"
\"Ugh——thefilthybeasts，\"Joangulpedshudderingly。\"Ihatethem!
Ihatethem!\"
\"Andyetyougodivingamongsharks，\"Sheldonchided。
\"They\'reonlyfish-sharks。Andaslongasthereareplentyoffishthereisnodanger。Itisonlywhenthey\'refamishedthatthey\'reliabletotakeabite。\"
Sheldonshudderedinwardlyattheswiftvisionthataroseofthedaintyfleshofherinashark\'smany-toothedmaw。
\"Iwishyouwouldn\'t，justthesame，\"hesaidslowly。\"Youacknowledgethereisarisk。\"
\"Butthat\'shalfthefunofit，\"shecried。
Atriteplatitudeabouthisnotcaringtoloseherwasonhislips，butherefrainedfromutteringit。Anotherconclusionhehadarrivedatwasthatshewasnottobenagged。Continual，orevenoccasional，remindersofhisfeelingforherwouldconstituteatacticalerrorofnomeandimensions。
\"Someforthebookofverse，someforthesimplelife，andsomefortheshark\'sbelly，\"helaughedgrimly，thenadded:\"Justthesame，IwishIcouldswimaswellasyou。Maybeitwouldbegetconfidencesuchasyouhave。\"
\"Doyouknow，Ithinkitwouldbenicetobemarriedtoamansuchasyouseemtobebecoming，\"sheremarked，withoneofherabruptchangesthatalwaysastoundedhim。\"Ishouldthinkyoucouldbetrainedintoaverygoodhusband——youknow，notoneofthedomineeringkind，butonewhoconsideredhiswifewasjustasmuchanindividualashimselfandjustasmuchafreeagent。Really，youknow，Ithinkyouareimproving。\"
Shelaughedandrodeaway，leavinghimgreatlycastdown。Ifhehadthoughttherehadbeenonebitofcoynessinherwords，onefeminineflutter，onewomanlyattemptatdeliberatelureandencouragement，hewouldhavebeenelated。Butheknewabsolutelythatitwastheboy，andnotthewoman，whohadsodaringlyspoken。
Joanrodeonamongtheavenuesofyoungcocoanut-palms，sawahornbill，followeditinitserraticflightstothehighforestontheedgeoftheplantation，heardthecooingofwildpigeonsandlocatedtheminthedeeperwoods，followedthefreshtrailofawildpigforadistance，circledback，andtookthenarrowpathforthebungalowthatranthroughtwentyacresofunclearedcane。Thegrasswaswaist-highandhigher，andassherodealongsherememberedthatGogoomywasoneofagangofboysthathadbeendetailedtothegrass-cutting。Shecametowheretheyhadbeenatwork，butsawnosignsofthem。Herunshodhorsemadenosoundonthesoft，sandyfooting，andalittlefurtheronsheheardvoicesproceedingfromoutofthegrass。Shereinedinandlistened。ItwasGogoomytalking，andasshelistenedshegrippedherbridle-
reintightlyandawaveofangerpassedoverher。
\"Doghestop\'malonghouse，night-timehewalkabout，\"Gogoomywassaying，perforceinbeche-de-merEnglish，becausehewastalkingtoothersbesidehisowntribesmen。\"Youfellaboycatch\'monefellapig，put\'mkai-kaibelonghimalongbigfellafish-hook。S\'posedoghewalkaboutcatch\'mkai-kai，youfellaboycatch\'mdogalleesameoneshark。Doghefinishcloseup。Bigfellamarstersleepalongbigfellahouse。WhiteMarysleepalongpickaninnyhouse。OnefellaAdamuhestopalongoutsidepickaninnyhouse。
Youfellaboyfinish\'mdog，finish\'mAdamu，finish\'mbigfellamarster，finish\'mWhiteMary，finish\'emaltogether。Plentymuskethestop，plentypowder，plentytomahawk，plentyknife-fee，plentyporpoiseteeth，plentytobacco，plentycalico——myword，toomuchplentyeverythingwetake\'malongwhale-boat，washee{5}likehell，sunhecomeupwelongwaytoomuch。\"
\"Mecatch\'mpigsunhegodown，\"spokeuponewhosethinfalsettovoiceJoanrecognizedasbelongingtoCosse，oneofGogoomy\'stribesmen。
\"Mecatch\'mdog，\"saidanother。
\"Andmecatch\'mwhitefellaMary，\"Gogoomycriedtriumphantly。
\"Mecatch\'mKwaquehediealonghimdamnquick。\"
ThismuchJoanheardoftheplantomurder，andthenherrisingwrathprovedtoomuchforherdiscretion。Shespurredherhorseintothegrass，crying，-
\"Whatnameyoufellaboy，eh？Whatname？\"
Theyarose，scramblingandscattering，andtohersurpriseshesawtherewereadozenofthem。Asshelookedintheirgloweringfacesandnotedtheheavy，two-foot，hackingcane-knivesintheirhands，shebecamesuddenlyawareoftherashnessofheract。Ifonlyshehadhadherrevolverorarifle，allwouldhavebeenwell。Butshehadcarelesslyventuredoutunarmed，andshefollowedtheglanceofGogoomytoherwaistandsawthepleasedflashinhiseyesasheperceivedtheabsenceofthedreadfulman-killingrevolver。
ThefirstarticleintheSolomonIslandscodeforwhitemenwasnevertoshowfearbeforeanative，andJoantriedtocarryoffthesituationincavalierfashion。
\"Toomuchtalkalongyoufellaboy，\"shesaidseverely。\"Toomuchtalk，toolittlework。Savvee？\"
Gogoomymadenoreply，but，apparentlyshiftingweight，heslidonefootforward。Theotherboys，spreadfan-wiseabouther，werealsoslidingforward，thecruelcane-knivesintheirhandsadvertisingtheirintention。
\"Youcut\'mgrass!\"shecommandedimperatively。
ButGogoomyslidhisotherfootforward。Shemeasuredthedistancewithhereye。Itwouldbeimpossibletowhirlherhorsearoundandgetaway。Shewouldbechoppeddownfrombehind。
Andinthattensemomentthefacesofallofthemwereimprintedonhermindinanunforgettablepicture——oneofthem，anoldman，withtornanddistendedear-lobesthatfelltohischest；another，withthebroadflattenednoseofAfrica，andwithwitheredeyessoburiedunderfrowningbrowsthatnothingbutthesickly，yellowish-
lookingwhitescouldbeseen；athird，thick-lippedandbeardedwithkinkywhiskers；andGogoomy——shehadneverrealizedbeforehowhandsomeGogoomywasinhismutinousandobstinatewild-animalway。
Therewasaprimitivearistocraticnessabouthimthathisfellowslacked。Thelinesofhisfigureweremoreroundedthantheirs，theskinsmooth，welloiled，andfreefromdisease。Onhischest，suspendedfromasinglestringofporpoise-teetharoundhisthroat，hungabigcrescentcarvedoutofopalescentpearl-shell。Arowofpurewhitecowrieshellsbandedhisbrow。Fromhishairdroopedalong，lonefeather。Abovetheswellingcalfofoneleghewore，asagarter，asinglestringofwhitebeads。Theeffectwasdandyishintheextreme。Anarrowgee-stringcompletedhiscostume。
Anothermanshesaw，oldandshrivelled，withpuckeredforeheadandapuckeredfacethattrembledandworkedwithanimalpassionasinthepastshehadnoticedthefacesofmonkeystrembleandwork。
\"Gogoomy，\"shesaidsharply，\"younocut\'mgrass，myword，Ibang\'mheadbelongyou。\"
Hisexpressionbecameatriflemoredisdainful，buthedidnotanswer。Instead，hestoleaglancetorightandlefttomarkhowhisfellowswereclosingabouther。Atthesamemomenthecasuallyslippedhisfootforwardthroughthegrassforamatterofseveralinches。
Joanwaskeenlyawareofthedesperatenessofthesituation。Theonlywayoutwasthrough。Sheliftedherriding-whipthreateningly，andatthesamemomentdroveinbothspurswithherheels，rushingthestartledhorsestraightatGogoomy。Itallhappenedinaninstant。Everycane-knifewaslifted，andeveryboysaveGogoomyleapedforher。Heswervedasidetoavoidthehorse，atthesametimeswinginghiscane-knifeinaslicingblowthatwouldhavecutherintwain。Sheleanedforwardundertheflyingsteel，whichcutthroughherriding-skirt，throughtheedgeofthesaddle，throughthesaddlecloth，andevenslightlyintothehorseitself。Herrighthand，stillraised，camedown，thethinwhipwhishingthroughtheair。Shesawthewhite，cookedmarkofthewealclearacrossthesullen，handsomeface，andstillwhatwaspracticallyinthesameinstantshesawthemanwiththepuckeredface，overridden，godownbeforeher，andsheheardhissnarlingandgrimacingchatter-foralltheworldlikeanangrymonkey。Thenshewasfreeandaway，headingthehorseattopspeedforthehouse。
Outofhersea-trainingshewasabletoappreciateSheldon\'sexecutivenesswhensheburstinonhimwithhernews。Springingfromthesteamer-chairinwhichhehadbeenloungingwhilewaitingforbreakfast，heclappedhishandsforthehouse-boys；and，whilelisteningtoher，hewasbucklingonhiscartridge-beltandrunningthemechanismofhisautomaticpistol。
\"Ornfiri，\"hesnappedouthisorders，\"youfellaringbigfellabellstrongfellaplenty。Youfinish\'mbell，youput\'msaddleonhorse。Viaburi，yougoquickhousebelongSeeleehestop，tell\'mplentyblackfellarunaway——tenfellatwofellablackfellaboy。\"
HescribbledanoteandhandedittoLalaperu。\"Lalaperu，yougoquickhousebelongwhitefellaMarsterBoucher。\"
\"Thatwillheadthembackfromthecoastonbothsides，\"heexplainedtoJoan。\"AndoldSeeleewillturnhiswholevillagelooseontheirtrackaswell。\"
Inresponsetothesummonsofthebigbell，Joan\'sTahitianswerethefirsttoarrive，bytheirglisteningbodiesandpantingchestsshowingthattheyhadrunalltheway。Someofthefarthest-placedgangswouldbenearlyanhourinarriving。
SheldonproceededtoarmJoan\'ssailorsanddealoutammunitionandhandcuffs。AdamuAdam，withloadedrifle，heplacedonguardoverthewhale-boats。NoaNoah，aidedbyMatapuu，wereinstructedtotakechargeoftheworking-gangsasfastastheycamein，tokeepthemamused，andtoguardagainsttheirbeingstampededintomakingabreakthemselves。ThefiveotherTahitiansweretofollowJoanandSheldononfoot。
\"I\'mgladweunearthedthatarsenaltheotherday，\"Sheldonremarkedastheyrodeoutofthecompoundgate。
Ahundredyardsawaytheyencounteredoneoftheclearinggangscomingin。ItwasKwaque\'sgang，butSheldonlookedinvainforhim。
\"WhatnamethatfellaKwaquehenostopalongyou？\"hedemanded。
Ababelofexcitedvoicesattemptedananswer。
\"Shut\'mmouthbelongyoualtogether，\"Sheldoncommanded。
Hespokeroughly，livinguptotheroleofthewhitemanwhomustalwaysbestronganddominant。
\"Here，youfellaBabatani，youtalk\'mmouthbelongyou。\"
Babatanisteppedforwardinalltheprideofonesingledoutfromamonghisfellows。
\"GogoomyhefinishalongKwaquealtogether，\"wasBabatani\'sexplanation。\"Hetake\'mheadb\'longhimrunlikehell。\"
Inbriefwords，andwithpaucityofimagination，hedescribedthemurder，andSheldonandJoanrodeon。Inthegrass，whereJoanhadbeenattacked，theyfoundthelittleshrivelledman，stillchatteringandgrimacing，whomJoanhadriddendown。Themarehadplungedonhisankle，completelycrushingit，andahundredyards\'
crawlhadconvincedhimofthefutilityofescape。Tothelastclearing-gang，fromthefarthestedgeoftheplantation，wasgiventhetaskofcarryinghimintothehouse。
Amilefartheron，wheretherunaways\'trailledstraighttowardthebush，theyencounteredthebodyofKwaque。Theheadhadbeenhackedoffandwasmissing，andSheldontookitonfaiththatthebodywasKwaque\'s。Hehadevidentlyputupafight，forabloodytrailledawayfromthebody。
Oncetheywerewellintothethickbushthehorseshadtobeabandoned。Papeharawasleftinchargeofthem，whileJoanandSheldonandtheremainingTahitianspushedaheadonfoot。Thewayleddownthroughaswampyhollow，whichwasoverflowedbytheBerandeRiveronoccasion，andwheretheredtrailofthemurdererswascrossedbyacrocodile\'strail。Theyhadapparentlycaughtthecreatureasleepinthesunanddesistedlongenoughfromtheirflighttohackhimtopieces。Herethewoundedmanhadsatdownandwaiteduntiltheywerereadytogoon。
Anhourlater，followingalongawild-pigtrail，Sheldonsuddenlyhalted。Thebloodytrackshadceased。TheTahitianscastoutinthebushoneitherside，andacryfromUtamiapprisedthemofafind。JoanwaitedtillSheldoncameback。
\"It\'sMauko，\"hesaid。\"Kwaquedidforhim，andhecrawledinthereanddied。That\'stwoaccountedfor。Therearetenmore。
Don\'tyouthinkyou\'vegotenoughofit？\"
Shenodded。
\"Itisn\'tnice，\"shesaid。\"I\'llgobackandwaitforyouwiththehorses。\"
\"Butyoucan\'tgoalone。Taketwoofthemen。\"
\"ThenI\'llgoon，\"shesaid。\"Itwouldbefoolishtoweakenthepursuit，andIamcertainlynottired。\"
ThetrailbenttotherightasthoughtherunawayshadchangedtheirmindandheadedfortheBalesuna。Butthetrailstillcontinuedtobendtotherighttillitpromisedtomakealoop，andthepointofintersectionseemedtobetheedgeoftheplantationwherethehorseshadbeenleft。Crossingoneofthequietjunglespaces，wherenaughtmovedbutavelvety，twelve-inchbutterfly，theyheardthesoundofshots。
\"Eight，\"Joancounted。\"Itwasonlyonegun。ItmustbePapehara。\"
Theyhurriedon，butwhentheyreachedthespottheywereindoubt。
Thetwohorsesstoodquietlytethered，andPapehara，squattedonhishams，washavingapeacefulsmoke。Advancingtowardhim，Sheldontrippedonabodythatlayinthegrass，andashesavedhimselffromfallinghiseyeslightedonasecond。Joanrecognizedthisone。ItwasCosse，oneofGogoomy\'stribesmen，theonewhohadpromisedtocatchatsunsetthepigthatwastohavebaitedthehookforSatan。
\"Noluck，Missie，\"wasPapehara\'sgreeting，accompaniedbyadisconsolateshakeofthehead。\"Catchonlytwoboy。IhavegoodshotatGogoomy，onlyImiss。\"
\"Butyoukilledthem，\"Joanchided。\"Youmustcatchthemalive。\"
TheTahitiansmiled。
\"How？\"hequeried。\"Iamhaveasmoke。IthinkaboutTahiti，andbreadfruit，andjollygoodtimeatBoraBora。Quick，justlikethat，tenboyherunoutofbushforme。Eachboyhavelongknife。
Gogoomyhavelongknifeonehand，andKwaque\'sheadinotherhand。
Inostoptocatch\'malive。Ishootlikehell。Howyoucatch\'malive，tenboy，tenlongknife，andKwaque\'shead？\"
Thescatteredpathsofthedifferentboys，wheretheybrokebackafterthedisastrousattempttorushtheTahitian，soonledtogether。TheytracedittotheBerande，whichtherunawayshadcrossedwiththeclearintentionofburyingthemselvesinthehugemangroveswampthatlaybeyond。
\"Thereisnouseourgoinganyfarther，\"Sheldonsaid。\"Seeleewillturnouthisvillageandhuntthemoutofthat。They\'llnevergetpasthim。Allwecandoistoguardthecoastandkeepthemfrombreakingbackontheplantationandrunningamuck。Ah，I
thoughtso。\"
Againstthejunglegloomofthefarthershore，comingfromdownstream，asmallcanoeglided。Sosilentlydiditmovethatitwasmorelikeanapparition。Threenakedblacksdippedwithnoiselesspaddles。Long-hafted，slender，bone-barbedthrowing-spearslayalongthegunwaleofthecanoe，whileaquiverfulofarrowshungoneachman\'sback。Theeyesoftheman-huntersmissednothing。TheyhadseenSheldonandJoanfirst，buttheygavenosign。WhereGogoomyandhisfollowershademergedfromtheriver，thecanoeabruptlystopped，thenturnedanddisappearedintothedeepermangrovegloom。Asecondandathirdcanoecamearoundthebendfrombelow，glidedghostliketothecrossingoftherunaways，andvanishedinthemangroves。
\"Ihopetherewon\'tbeanymorekilling，\"Joansaid，astheyturnedtheirhorseshomeward。
\"Idon\'tthinkso，\"Sheldonassuredher。\"MyunderstandingwitholdSeeleeisthatheispaidonlyforliveboys；soheisverycareful。\"