AchestwasfetchedinfromtheChattoxwagon。TheChattoxgirlsweretwinsandofaboutasizewithJedandme。Severalofthewomengotaroundtohelp。TheyweretheSundaydressesoftheChattoxtwins，andhadcomeinthechestallthewayfromArkansas。
InheranxietymotherleftthebabywithSarahDunlap，andcameasfarasthetrenchwithme。There，underawagonandbehindthelittlebreast-workofsand，JedandIreceivedourlastinstructions。Thenwecrawledoutandstoodupintheopen。Weweredressedpreciselyalike——whitestockings，whitedresses，withbigbluesashes，andwhitesunbonnets。Jed’srightandmylefthandwereclaspedtogether。Ineachofourfreehandswecarriedtwosmallpails。
\"Takeiteasy，\"fathercautioned，aswebeganouradvance。\"Goslow。Walklikegirls。\"
Notashotwasfired。Wemadethespringsafely，filledourpails，andlaydownandtookagooddrinkourselves。Withafullpailineachhandwemadethereturntrip。Andstillnotashotwasfired。
Icannotrememberhowmanyjourneyswemade——fullyfifteenortwenty。Wewalkedslowly，alwaysgoingoutwithhandsclasped，alwayscomingbackslowlywithfourpailsofwater。Itwasastonishinghowthirstywewere。Welaydownseveraltimesandtooklongdrinks。
Butitwastoomuchforourenemies。IcannotimaginethattheIndianswouldhavewithheldtheirfireforsolong，girlsornogirls，hadtheynotobeyedinstructionsfromthewhiteswhowerewiththem。AtanyrateJedandIwerejuststartingonanothertripwhenariflewentofffromtheIndianhill，andthenanother。
\"Comeback！\"mothercriedout。
IlookedatJed，andfoundhimlookingatme。Iknewhewasstubbornandhadmadeuphismindtobethelastonein。SoI
startedtoadvance，andatthesameinstanthestarted。
\"You！——Jesse！\"criedmymother。Andtherewasmorethanasmackinginthewayshesaidit。
Jedofferedtoclasphands，butIshookmyhead。
\"Runforit，\"Isaid。
AndwhilewehotfooteditacrossthesanditseemedalltheriflesonIndianhillwereturnedlooseonus。Igottothespringalittleahead，sothatJedhadtowaitformetofillmypails。
\"Nowrunforit，\"hetoldme；andfromtheleisurelywayhewentaboutfillinghisownpailsIknewhewasdeterminedtobeinlast。
SoIcroucheddown，and，whileIwaited，watchedthepuffsofdustraisedbythebullets。Webeganthereturnsidebysideandrunning。
\"Notsofast，\"Icautionedhim，\"oryou’llspillhalfthewater。\"
Thatstunghim，andheslackedbackperceptibly。MidwayIstumbledandfellheadlong。Abullet，strikingdirectlyinfrontofme，filledmyeyeswithsand。ForthemomentIthoughtIwasshot。
\"Doneita-purpose，\"JedsneeredasIscrambledtomyfeet。Hehadstoodandwaitedforme。
Icaughthisidea。HethoughtIhadfallendeliberatelyinordertospillmywaterandgobackformore。Thisrivalrybetweenuswasaseriousmatter——soserious，indeed，thatIimmediatelytookadvantageofwhathehadimputedandracedbacktothespring。AndJedDunham，scornfulofthebulletsthatwerepuffingdustallaroundhim，stoodthereuprightintheopenandwaitedforme。Wecameinsidebyside，withhonourseveninourboys’foolhardiness。
ButwhenwedeliveredthewaterJedhadonlyonepailful。Abullethadgonethroughtheotherpailclosetothebottom。
Mothertookitoutonmewithalectureondisobedience。Shemusthaveknown，afterwhatIhaddone，thatfatherwouldn’tlethersmackme；for，whileshewaslecturing，fatherwinkedatmeacrosshershoulder。Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverwinkedatme。
BackintheriflepitJedandIwereheroes。Thewomenweptandblessedus，andkissedusandmauledus。AndIconfessIwasproudofthedemonstration，although，likeJed，IletonthatIdidnotlikeallsuchmaking-over。ButJeremyHopkins，agreatbandageaboutthestumpofhisleftwrist，saidwewerethestuffwhitemenweremadeoutof——menlikeDanielBoone，likeKitCarson，andDavyCrockett。Iwasprouderofthatthanalltherest。
TheremainderofthedayIseemtohavebeenbotheredprincipallywiththepainofmyrighteyecausedbythesandthathadbeenkickedintoitbythebullet。Theeyewasbloodshot，mothersaid；
andtomeitseemedtohurtjustasmuchwhetherIkeptitopenorclosed。Itriedbothways。
Thingswerequieterintheriflepit，becauseallhadhadwater，thoughstronguponuswastheproblemofhowthenextwaterwastobeprocured。Coupledwiththiswastheknownfactthatourammunitionwasalmostexhausted。Athoroughoverhaulingofthewagonsbyfatherhadresultedinfindingfivepoundsofpowder。A
verylittlemorewasintheflasksofthemen。
Irememberedthesundownattackofthenightbefore，andanticipateditthistimebycrawlingtothetrenchbeforesunset。IcreptintoaplacealongsideofLaban。Hewasbusychewingtobacco，anddidnotnoticeme。ForsometimeIwatchedhim，fearingthatwhenhediscoveredmehewouldordermeback。Hewouldtakealongsquintoutbetweenthewagonwheels，chewsteadilyawhile，andthenspitcarefullyintoalittledepressionhehadmadeinthesand。
\"How’stricks？\"Iaskedfinally。Itwasthewayhealwaysaddressedme。
\"Fine，\"heanswered。\"Mostremarkablefine，Jesse，nowthatIcanchewagain。MymouthwasthatdrythatIcouldn’tchewfromsun-uptowhenyoubrungthewater。\"
Hereamanshowedheadandshouldersoverthetopofthelittlehilltothenorth-eastoccupiedbythewhites。Labansightedhisrifleonhimforalongminute。Thenheshookhishead。
\"Fourhundredyards。Nope，Idon’triskit。Imightgethim，andthenagainImightn’t，an’yourdadismightyanxiousaboutthepowder。\"
\"Whatdoyouthinkourchancesare？\"Iasked，man-fashion，for，aftermywaterexploit，Iwasfeelingverymuchtheman。
Labanseemedtoconsidercarefullyforaspaceerehereplied。
\"Jesse，Idon’tmindtellin’youwe’reinadamnedbadhole。Butwe’llgetout，oh，we’llgetout，youcanbetyourbottomdollar。\"
\"Someofusain’tgoingtogetout，\"Iobjected。
\"Who，forinstance？\"hequeried。
\"Why，BillTyler，andMrs。Grant，andSilasDunlap，andalltherest。\"
\"Aw，shucks，Jesse——they’reinthegroundalready。Don’tyouknoweverybodyhastoburytheirdeadastheytraipsealong？They’vebendoin’itforthousandsofyearsIreckon，andthere’sjustasmanyaliveasevertheywas。Yousee，Jesse，birthanddeathgohand-in-
hand。Andthey’rebornasfastastheydie——faster，Ireckon，becausethey’veincreasedandmultiplied。Nowyou，youmighta-gotkilledthisafternoonpackin’water。Butyou’rehere，ain’tyou，a-
gassin’withmean’likelytogrowupan’bethefatherofafinelargefamilyinCaliforny。TheysayeverythinggrowslargeinCaliforny。\"
Thischeerfulwayoflookingatthematterencouragedmetodaresuddenexpressionofalongcovetousness。
\"Say，Laban，supposin’yougotkilledhere——\"
\"Who？——me？\"hecried。
\"I’mjustsayin’supposin’，\"Iexplained。
\"Oh，allrightthen。Goon。Supposin’Iamkilled？\"
\"Willyougivemeyourscalps？\"
\"Yourma’llsmackyouifshecatchesyoua-wearin’them，\"hetemporized。
\"Idon’thavetowearthemwhenshe’saround。Nowifyougotkilled，Laban，somebody’dhavetogetthemscalps。Whynotme？\"
\"Whynot？\"herepeated。\"That’scorrect，andwhynotyou？Allright，Jesse。Ilikeyou，andyourpa。TheminuteI’mkilledthescalpsisyourn，andthescalpin’knife，too。Andthere’sTimothyGrantforwitness。Didyouhear，Timothy？\"
Timothysaidhehadheard，andIlaytherespeechlessinthestiflingtrench，tooovercomebymygreatnessofgoodfortunetobeabletoutterawordofgratitude。
Iwasrewardedformyforesightingoingtothetrench。Anothergeneralattackwasmadeatsundown，andthousandsofshotswerefiredintous。Nobodyonoursidewasscratched。Ontheotherhand，althoughwefiredbarelythirtyshots，IsawLabanandTimothyGranteachgetanIndian。LabantoldmethatfromthefirstonlytheIndianshaddonetheshooting。Hewascertainthatnowhitehadfiredashot。Allofwhichsorelypuzzledhim。Thewhitesneitherofferedusaidnorattackedus，andallthewhilewereonvisitingtermswiththeIndianswhowereattackingus。
Nextmorningfoundthethirstharshuponus。Iwasoutatthefirsthintoflight。Therehadbeenaheavydew，andmen，women，andchildrenwerelappingitupwiththeirtonguesfromoffthewagon-
tongues，brake-blocks，andwheel-tyres。
TherewastalkthatLabanhadreturnedfromascoutjustbeforedaylight；thathehadcreptclosetothepositionofthewhites；
thattheywerealreadyup；andthatinthelightoftheircamp-fireshehadseenthemprayinginalargecircle。Alsohereportedfromwhatfewwordshecaughtthattheywereprayingaboutusandwhatwastobedonewithus。
\"MayGodsendthemthelightthen，\"IheardoneoftheDemdikesisterssaytoAbbyFoxwell。
\"Andsoon，\"saidAbbyFoxwell，\"forIdon’tknowwhatwe’lldoawholedaywithoutwater，andourpowderisaboutgone。\"
Nothinghappenedallmorning。Notashotwasfired。Onlythesunblazeddownthroughthequietair。Ourthirstgrew，andsoonthebabieswerecryingandtheyoungerchildrenwhimperingandcomplaining。AtnoonWillHamiltontooktwolargepailsandstartedforthespring。ButbeforehecouldcrawlunderthewagonAnnDemdikeranandgotherarmsaroundhimandtriedtoholdhimback。
Buthetalkedtoher，andkissedher，andwenton。Notashotwasfired，norwasanyfiredallthetimehecontinuedtogooutandbringbackwater。
\"PraiseGod！\"criedoldMrs。Demdike。\"Itisasign。Theyhaverelented。\"
Thiswastheopinionofmanyofthewomen。
Abouttwoo’clock，afterwehadeatenandfeltbetter，awhitemanappeared，carryingawhiteflag。WillHamiltonwentoutandtalkedtohim，camebackandtalkedwithfatherandtherestofourmen，andthenwentouttothestrangeragain。Fartherbackwecouldseeamanstandingandlookingon，whomwerecognizedasLee。
Withusallwasexcitement。Thewomenweresorelievedthattheywerecryingandkissingoneanother，andoldMrs。DemdikeandotherswerehallelujahingandblessingGod。Theproposal，whichourmenhadaccepted，wasthatwewouldputourselvesundertheflagoftruceandbeprotectedfromtheIndians。
\"Wehadtodoit，\"Iheardfathertellmother。
Hewassitting，droop-shoulderedanddejected，onawagon-tongue。
\"Butwhatiftheyintendtreachery？\"motherasked。
Heshruggedhisshoulders。
\"We’vegottotakethechancethattheydon’t，\"hesaid。\"Ourammunitionisgone。\"
Someofourmenwereunchainingoneofourwagonsandrollingitoutoftheway。Iranacrosstoseewhatwashappening。IncameLeehimself，followedbytwoemptywagons，eachdrivenbyoneman。
EverybodycrowdedaroundLee。HesaidthattheyhadhadahardtimewiththeIndianskeepingthemoffofus，andthatMajorHigbee，withfiftyoftheMormonmilitia，werereadytotakeusundertheircharge。
ButwhatmadefatherandLabanandsomeofthemensuspiciouswaswhenLeesaidthatwemustputallourriflesintooneofthewagonssoasnottoarousetheanimosityoftheIndians。BysodoingwewouldappeartobetheprisonersoftheMormonmilitia。
FatherstraightenedupandwasabouttorefusewhenheglancedtoLaban，whorepliedinanundertone。\"Theyain’tnomoreuseinourhandsthaninthewagon，seein’asthepowder’sgone。\"
Twoofourwoundedmenwhocouldnotwalkwereputintothewagons，andalongwiththemwereputallthelittlechildren。Leeseemedtobepickingthemoutovereightandundereight。JedandIwerelargeforourage，andwewereninebesides；soLeeputuswiththeolderbunchandtoldusweweretomarchwiththewomenonfoot。
Whenhetookourbabyfrommotherandputitinawagonshestartedtoobject。ThenIsawherlipsdrawtightlytogether，andshegavein。Shewasagray-eyed，strong-featured，middle-agedwoman，large-
bonedandfairlystout。Butthelongjourneyandhardshiphadtoldonher，sothatshewashollow-cheekedandgaunt，andlikeallthewomeninthecompanysheworeanexpressionofbrooding，never-
ceasinganxiety。
ItwaswhenLeedescribedtheorderofmarchthatLabancametome。
Leesaidthatthewomenandthechildrenthatwalkedshouldgofirstintheline，followingbehindthetwowagons。Thenthemen，insinglefile，shouldfollowthewomen。WhenLabanheardthishecametome，untiedthescalpsfromhisbelt，andfastenedthemtomywaist。
\"Butyouain’tkilledyet，\"Iprotested。
\"YoubetyourlifeIain’t，\"heansweredlightly。
\"I’vejustreformed，that’sall。Thisscalp-wearin’isavainthingandheathen。\"Hestoppedamomentasifhehadforgottensomething，then，asheturnedabruptlyonhisheeltoregainthemenofourcompany，hecalledoverhisshoulder，\"Well，solong，Jesse。\"
Iwaswonderingwhyheshouldsaygood-byewhenawhitemancameridingintothecorral。HesaidMajorHigbeehadsenthimtotellustohurryup，becausetheIndiansmightattackatanymoment。
Sothemarchbegan，thetwowagonsfirst。Leekeptalongwiththewomenandwalkingchildren。Behindus，afterwaitinguntilwewereacoupleofhundredfeetinadvance，cameourmen。Asweemergedfromthecorralwecouldseethemilitiajustashortdistanceaway。
Theywereleaningontheirriflesandstandinginalonglineaboutsixfeetapart。AswepassedthemIcouldnothelpnoticinghowsolemn-facedtheywere。Theylookedlikemenatafuneral。Sodidthewomennoticethis，andsomeofthembegantocry。
Iwalkedrightbehindmymother。Ihadchosenthispositionsothatshewouldnotcatch-sightofmyscalps。BehindmecamethethreeDemdikesisters，twoofthemhelpingtheoldmother。IcouldhearLeecallingallthetimetothemenwhodrovethewagonsnottogosofast。AmanthatoneoftheDemdikegirlssaidmustbeMajorHigbeesatonahorsewatchingusgoby。NotanIndianwasinsight。
Bythetimeourmenwerejustabreastofthemilitia——IhadjustlookedbacktotrytoseewhereJedDunhamwas——thethinghappened。
IheardMajorHigbeecryoutinaloudvoice，\"Doyourduty！\"Alltheriflesofthemilitiaseemedtogooffatonce，andourmenwerefallingoverandsinkingdown。AlltheDemdikewomenwentdownatonetime。Iturnedquicklytoseehowmotherwas，andshewasdown。
Rightalongsideofus，outofthebushes，camehundredsofIndians，allshooting。IsawthetwoDunlapsistersstartontherunacrossthesand，andtookafterthem，forwhitesandIndianswereallkillingus。AndasIranIsawthedriverofoneofthewagonsshootingthetwowoundedmen。Thehorsesoftheotherwagonwereplungingandrearingandtheirdriverwastryingtoholdthem。
ItwaswhenthelittleboythatwasIwasrunningaftertheDunlapgirlsthatblacknesscameuponhim。Allmemorythereceases，forJesseFancherthereceased，and，asJesseFancher，ceasedforever。
TheformthatwasJesseFancher，thebodythatwashis，beingmatterandapparitional，likeanapparitionpassedandwasnot。Buttheimperishablespiritdidnotcease。Itcontinuedtoexist，and，initsnextincarnation，becametheresidingspiritofthatapparitionalbodyknownasDarrellStanding’swhichsoonistobetakenoutandhangedandsentintothenothingnesswhitherallapparitionsgo。
ThereisaliferhereinFolsom，MatthewDavies，ofoldpioneerstock，whoistrustyofthescaffoldandexecutionchamber。Heisanoldman，andhisfolkscrossedtheplainsintheearlydays。I
havetalkedwithhim，andhehasverifiedthemassacreinwhichJesseFancherwaskilled。WhenthisoldliferwasachildtherewasmuchtalkinhisfamilyoftheMountainMeadowsMassacre。Thechildreninthewagons，hesaid，weresaved，becausetheyweretooyoungtotelltales。
AllofwhichIsubmit。Never，inmylifeofDarrellStanding，haveIreadalineorheardawordspokenoftheFancherCompanythatperishedatMountainMeadows。Yet，inthejacketinSanQuentinprison，allthisknowledgecametome。Icouldnotcreatethisknowledgeoutofnothing，anymorethancouldIcreatedynamiteoutofnothing。ThisknowledgeandthesefactsIhaverelatedhavebutoneexplanation。Theyareoutofthespiritcontentofme——thespiritthat，unlikematter，doesnotperish。
InclosingthischapterImuststatethatMatthewDaviesalsotoldmethatsomeyearsafterthemassacreLeewastakenbyUnitedStatesGovernmentofficialstotheMountainMeadowsandthereexecutedonthesiteofouroldcorral。
CHAPTERXIV
When，attheconclusionofmyfirsttendays’terminthejacket，I
wasbroughtbacktoconsciousnessbyDoctorJackson’sthumbpressingopenaneyelid，IopenedbotheyesandsmiledupintothefaceofWardenAtherton。
\"Toocussedtoliveandtoomeantodie，\"washiscomment。
\"Thetendaysareup，Warden，\"Iwhispered。
\"Well，we’regoingtounlaceyou，\"hegrowled。
\"Itisnotthat，\"Isaid。\"Youobservedmysmile。Yourememberwehadalittlewager。Don’tbothertounlacemefirst。JustgivetheBullDurhamandcigarettepaperstoMorrellandOppenheimer。Andforfullmeasurehere’sanothersmile。\"
\"Oh，Iknowyourkind，Standing，\"theWardenlectured。\"Butitwon’tgetyouanything。IfIdon’tbreakyou，you’llbreakallstrait-jacketrecords。\"
\"He’sbrokenthemalready，\"DoctorJacksonsaid。\"Whoeverheardofamansmilingaftertendaysofit？\"
\"Wellandbluff，\"WardenAthertonanswered。\"Unlacehim，Hutchins。\"
\"Whysuchhaste？\"Iqueried，inawhisper，ofcourse，forsolowhadlifeebbedinmethatitrequiredallthelittlestrengthI
possessedandallthewillofmetobeabletowhispereven。\"Whysuchhaste？Idon’thavetocatchatrain，andIamsoconfoundedcomfortableasIamthatIprefernottobedisturbed。\"
Butunlacemetheydid，rollingmeoutofthefetidjacketanduponthefloor，aninert，helplessthing。
\"Nowonderhewascomfortable，\"saidCaptainJamie。\"Hedidn’tfeelanything。He’sparalysed。\"
\"Paralysedyourgrandmother，\"sneeredtheWarden。\"Gethimuponhisfeatandyou’llseehimstand。\"
Hutchinsandthedoctordraggedmetomyfeet。
\"Nowletgo！\"theWardencommanded。
Notallatoncecouldlifereturnintothebodythathadbeenpracticallydeadfortendays，andasaresult，withnopowerasyetovermyflesh，Igaveattheknees，crumpled，pitchedsidewise，andgashedmyforeheadagainstthewall。
\"Yousee，\"saidCaptainJamie。
\"Goodacting，\"retortedtheWarden。\"Thatman’sgotnervetodoanything。\"
\"You’reright，Warden，\"Iwhisperedfromthefloor。\"Ididitonpurpose。Itwasastagefall。Liftmeupagain，andI’llrepeatit。Ipromiseyoulotsoffun。\"
Ishallnotdwellupontheagonyofreturningcirculation。Itwastobecomeanoldstorywithme，anditboreitsshareincuttingthelinesinmyfacethatIshallcarrytothescaffold。
WhentheyfinallyleftmeIlayfortherestofthedaystupidandhalf-comatose。Thereissuchathingasanaesthesiaofpain，engenderedbypaintooexquisitetobeborne。AndIhaveknownthatanaesthesia。
ByeveningIwasabletocrawlaboutmycell，butnotyetcouldI
standup。Idrankmuchwater，andcleansedmyselfaswellasI
could；butnotuntilnextdaycouldIbringmyselftoeat，andthenonlybydeliberateforceofmywill。
Theprogramme，asgivenmebyWardenAtherton，wasthatIwastorestupandrecuperateforafewdays，andthen，ifinthemeantimeIhadnotconfessedtothehiding-placeofthedynamite，Ishouldbegivenanothertendaysinthejacket。
\"Sorrytocauseyousomuchtrouble，Warden，\"Ihadsaidinreply。
\"It’sapityIdon’tdieinthejacketandsoputyououtofyourmisery。\"
AtthistimeIdoubtthatIweighedanounceoverninetypounds。
Yet，twoyearsbefore，whenthedoorsofSanQuentinfirstclosedonme，Ihadweighedonehundredandsixty-fivepounds。ItseemsincrediblethattherewasanotherounceIcouldpartwithandstilllive。Yetinthemonthsthatfollowed，ouncebyounceIwasreduceduntilIknowImusthaveweighednearereightythanninetypounds。
Idoknow，afterImanagedmyescapefromsolitaryandstrucktheguardThurstononthenose，thatbeforetheytookmetoSanRafaelfortrial，whileIwasbeingcleanedandshavedIweighedeighty-
ninepounds。
Therearethosewhowonderhowmengrowhard。WardenAthertonwasahardman。Hemademehard，andmyveryhardnessreactedonhimandmadehimharder。Andyetheneversucceededinkillingme。ItrequiredthestatelawofCalifornia，ahangingjudge，andanunpardoninggovernortosendmetothescaffoldforstrikingaprisonguardwithmyfist。Ishallalwayscontendthatthatguardhadanosemosteasilybleedable。Iwasabat-eyed，totteryskeletonatthetime。Isometimeswonderifhisnosereallydidbleed。Ofcoursehesworeitdid，onthewitnessstand。ButIhaveknownprisonguardstakeoathtoworseperjuriesthanthat。
EdMorrellwaseagertoknowifIhadsucceededwiththeexperiment；
butwhenheattemptedtotalkwithmehewasshutupbySmith，theguardwhohappenedtobeondutyinsolitary。
\"That’sallright，Ed，\"Irappedtohim。\"YouandJakekeepquiet，andI’lltellyouaboutit。Smithcan’tpreventyoufromlistening，andhecan’tpreventmefromtalking。Theyhavedonetheirworst，andIamstillhere。\"
\"Cutthatout，Standing！\"Smithbellowedatmefromthecorridoronwhichallthecellsopened。
Smithwasapeculiarlysaturnineindividual，byfarthemostcruelandvindictiveofourguards。Weusedtocanvasswhetherhiswifebulliedhimorwhetherhehadchronicindigestion。
Icontinuedrappingwithmyknuckles，andhecametothewickettoglareinatme。
\"Itoldyoutooutthatout，\"hesnarled。
\"Sorry，\"Isaidsuavely。\"ButIhaveasortofpremonitionthatI
shallgorightonrapping。And——er——excusemeforaskingapersonalquestion——whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？\"
\"I’ll——\"hebeganexplosively，proving，byhisinabilitytoconcludetheremark，thathethoughtinhenids。
\"Yes？\"Iencouraged。\"Justwhat，pray？\"
\"I’llhavetheWardenhere，\"hesaidlamely。
\"Do，please。Amostcharminggentleman，tobesure。Ashiningexampleoftherefininginfluencesthatarecreepingintoourprisons。Bringhimtomeatonce。Iwishtoreportyoutohim。\"
\"Me？\"
\"Yes，justpreciselyyou，\"Icontinued。\"Youpersist，inarudeandboorishmanner，ininterruptingmyconversationwiththeotherguestsinthishostelry。\"
AndWardenAthertoncame。Thedoorwasunlocked，andheblusteredintomycell。Butoh，Iwassosafe！Hehaddonehisworst。Iwasbeyondhispower。
\"I’llshutoffyourgrub，\"hethreatened。
\"Asyouplease，\"Ianswered。\"I’musedtoit。Ihaven’teatenfortendays，and，doyouknow，tryingtobegintoeatagainisaconfoundednuisance。
\"Oh，ho，you’rethreateningme，areyou？Ahungerstrike，eh？\"
\"Pardonme，\"Isaid，myvoicesulkywithpoliteness。\"Thepropositionwasyours，notmine。Dotryandbelogicalonoccasion。
ItrustyouwillbelievemewhenItellyouthatyourillogicisfarmorepainfulformetoendurethanallyourtortures。\"
\"Areyougoingtostopyourknuckle-talking？\"hedemanded。
\"No；forgivemeforvexingyou——forIfeelsostrongacompulsiontotalkwithmyknucklesthat——\"
\"FortwocentsI’llputyoubackinthejacket，\"hebrokein。
\"Do，please。Idoteonthejacket。Iamthejacketbaby。Igetfatinthejacket。Lookatthatarm。\"IpulledupmysleeveandshowedabicepssoattenuatedthatwhenIflexeditithadtheappearanceofastring。\"Arealblacksmith’sbiceps，eh，Warden？
Castyoureyesonmyswellingchest。Sandowhadbetterlookoutforhislaurels。Andmyabdomen——why，man，Iamgrowingsostoutthatmycasewillbeascandalofprisonoverfeeding。Watchout，Warden，oryou’llhavethetaxpayersafteryou。\"
\"Areyougoingtostopknuckle-talk？\"heroared。
\"No，thankingyouforyourkindsolicitude。OnmaturedeliberationIhavedecidedthatIshallkeeponknuckle-talking。\"
Hestaredatmespeechlesslyforamoment，andthen，outofsheerimpotency，turnedtogo。
\"Onequestion，please。\"
\"Whatisit？\"hedemandedoverhisshoulder。
\"Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？\"
Fromthecholericexhibitionhegavethereandthenithasbeenanunceasingwonderwithmetothisdaythathehasnotlongsincediedofapoplexy。
Hourbyhour，afterthewarden’sdiscomfiteddeparture，Irappedonandonthetaleofmyadventures。Notuntilthatnight，whenPie-
FaceJonescameondutyandproceededtostealhiscustomarynaps，wereMorrellandOppenheimerabletodoanytalking。
\"Pipedreams，\"Oppenheimerrappedhisverdict。
Yes，wasmythought；ourexperiencesAREthestuffofourdreams。
\"WhenIwasanightmessengerIhitthehoponce，\"Oppenheimercontinued。\"AndIwanttotellyouyouhaven’tanythingonmewhenitcametoseeingthings。Iguessthatiswhatallthenovel-
writersdo——hitthehopsoastothrowtheirimaginationintothehighgear。\"
ButEdMorrell，whohadtravelledthesameroadasI，althoughwithdifferentresults，believedmytale。Hesaidthatwhenhisbodydiedinthejacket，andhehimselfwentforthfromprison，hewasneveranybodybutEdMorrell。Heneverexperiencedpreviousexistences。Whenhisspiritwanderedfree，itwanderedalwaysinthepresent。Ashetoldus，justashewasabletoleavehisbodyandgazeuponitlyinginthejacketonthecellfloor，socouldheleavetheprison，and，inthepresent，revisitSanFranciscoandseewhatwasoccurring。Inthismannerhehadvisitedhismothertwice，bothtimesfindingherasleep。Inthisspirit-rovinghesaidhehadnopowerovermaterialthings。Hecouldnotopenorcloseadoor，moveanyobject，makeanoise，normanifesthispresence。Ontheotherhand，materialthingshadnopoweroverhim。Wallsanddoorswerenotobstacles。Theentity，ortherealthingthatwashe，wasthought，spirit。
\"Thegrocerystoreonthecorner，halfablockfromwheremotherlived，changedhands，\"hetoldus。\"Iknewitbythedifferentsignovertheplace。IhadtowaitsixmonthsafterthatbeforeIcouldwritemyfirstletter，butwhenIdidIaskedmotheraboutit。Andshesaidyes，ithadchanged。\"
\"Didyoureadthatgrocerysign？\"JakeOppenheimerasked。
\"SurethingIdid，\"wasMorrell’sresponse。\"OrhowcouldIhaveknownit？\"
\"Allright，\"rappedOppenheimertheunbelieving。\"Youcanproveiteasy。Sometime，whentheyshiftsomedecentguardsonusthatwillgiveusapeepatanewspaper，yougetyourselfthrownintothejacket，climboutofyourbody，andsashaydowntolittleold’Frisco。SlideuptoThirdandMarketjustabouttwoorthreea。m。
whentheyarerunningthemorningpapersoffthepress。Readthelatestnews。ThenmakeaswiftsneakforSanQuentin，getherebeforethenewspapertugcrossesthebay，andtellmewhatyouread。
Thenwe’llwaitandgetamorningpaper，whenitcomesin，fromaguard。Then，ifwhatyoutoldmeisinthatpaper，Iamwithyoutoafare-you-well。\"
Itwasagoodtest。IcouldnotbutagreewithOppenheimerthatsuchaproofwouldbeabsolute。Morrellsaidhewouldtakeitupsometime，butthathedislikedtosuchanextenttheprocessofleaving’hisbodythathewouldnotmaketheattemptuntilsuchtimethathissufferinginthejacketbecametooextremetobeborne。
\"Thatisthewaywithallofthem——won’tcomeacrosswiththegoods，\"wasOppenheimer’scriticism。\"Mymotherbelievedinspirits。WhenIwasakidshewasalwaysseeingthemandtalkingwiththemandgettingadvicefromthem。Butshenevercomeacrosswithanygoodsfromthem。Thespiritscouldn’ttellherwheretheoldmancouldnailajoborfindagold-mineormarkaneight-spotinChineselottery。Notonyourlife。Thebunktheytoldherwasthattheoldman’sunclehadhadagoitre，orthattheoldman’sgrandfatherhaddiedofgallopingconsumption，orthatweweregoingtomovehouseinsidefourmonths，whichlastwasdeadeasy，seeingaswemovedonanaverageofsixtimesayear。\"
Ithink，hadOppenheimerhadtheopportunityforthorougheducation，hewouldhavemadeaMarinettioraHaeckel。Hewasanearth-maninhisdevotiontotheirrefragablefact，andhislogicwasadmirablethoughfrosty。\"You’vegottoshowme，\"wasthegroundrulebywhichheconsideredallthings。Helackedtheslightestiotaoffaith。ThiswaswhatMorrellhadpointedout。LackoffaithhadpreventedOppenheimerfromsucceedinginachievingthelittledeathinthejacket。
Youwillsee，myreader，thatitwasnotallhopelesslybadinsolitary。Giventhreemindssuchasours，therewasmuchwithwhichtowhileawaythetime。Itmightwellbethatwekeptoneanotherfrominsanity，althoughImustadmitthatOppenheimerrottedfiveyearsinsolitaryentirelybyhimself，ereMorrelljoinedhim，andyethadremainedsane。
Ontheotherhand，donotmakethemistakeofthinkingthatlifeinsolitarywasonewildorgyofblithecommunionandexhilaratingpsychologicalresearch。
Wehadmuchandterriblepain。Ourguardswerebrutes——yourhang-
dogs，citizen。Oursurroundingswerevile。Ourfoodwasfilthy，monotonous，innutritious。Onlymen，byforceofwill，couldliveonsounbalancedaration。Iknowthatourprizecattle，pigs，andsheepontheUniversityDemonstrationFarmatDaviswouldhavefadedawayanddiedhadtheyreceivednomorescientificallybalancedarationthanwhatwereceived。
Wehadnobookstoread。Ourveryknuckle-talkwasaviolationoftherules。Theworld，sofaraswewereconcerned，practicallydidnotexist。Itwasmoreaghost-world。Oppenheimer，forinstance，hadneverseenanautomobileoramotor-cycle。Newsdidoccasionallyfilterin——butsuchdim，long-after-the-event，unrealnews。OppenheimertoldmehehadnotlearnedoftheRusso-Japanesewaruntiltwoyearsafteritwasover。
Weweretheburiedalive，thelivingdead。Solitarywasourtomb，inwhich，onoccasion，wetalkedwithourknuckleslikespiritsrappingataseance。
News？Suchlittlethingswerenewstous。Achangeofbakers——wecouldtellitbyourbread。WhatmadePie-faceJoneslayoffaweek？Wasitvacationorsickness？WhywasWilson，onthenightshiftforonlytendays，transferredelsewhere？WheredidSmithgetthatblackeye？Wewouldspeculateforaweekoversotrivialathingasthelast。
Someconvictgivenamonthinsolitarywasanevent。AndyetwecouldlearnnothingfromsuchtransientandofttimesstupidDanteswhowouldremaininourinfernotooshortatimetolearnknuckle-
talkeretheywentforthagainintothebrightwideworldoftheliving。
Still，again，allwasnotsotrivialinourabodeofshadows。Asexample，ItaughtOppenheimertoplaychess。Considerhowtremendoussuchanachievementis——toteachaman，thirteencellsaway，bymeansofknuckle-raps；toteachhimtovisualizeachessboard，tovisualizeallthepieces，pawnsandpositions，toknowthevariousmannersofmoving；andtoteachhimitallsothoroughlythatheandI，bypurevisualization，wereintheendabletoplayentiregamesofchessinourminds。Intheend，didI
say？AnothertributetothemagnificenceofOppenheimer’smind:intheendhebecamemymasteratthegame——hewhohadneverseenachessmaninhislife。
Whatimageofabishop，forinstance，couldpossiblyforminhismindwhenIrappedourcode-signforBISHOP？InvainandoftenI
askedhimthisveryquestion。Invainhetriedtodescribeinwordsthatmentalimageofsomethinghehadneverseenbutwhichneverthelesshewasabletohandleinsuchmasterlyfashionastobringconfusionuponmecountlesstimesinthecourseofplay。
Icanonlycontemplatesuchexhibitionsofwillandspiritandconclude，asIsooftenconclude，thatpreciselythereresidesreality。Thespiritonlyisreal。Thefleshisphantasmagoriaandapparitional。Iaskyouhow——Irepeat，IaskyouHOWmatterorfleshinanyformcanplaychessonanimaginaryboardwithimaginarypieces，acrossavacuumofthirteencellspannedonlywithknuckle-taps？
CHAPTERXV
IwasonceAdamStrang，anEnglishman。Theperiodofmyliving，asnearasIcanguessit，wassomewherebetween1550and1650，andI
livedtoaripeoldage，asyoushallsee。Ithasbeenagreatregrettome，eversinceEdMorrelltaughtmethewayofthelittledeath，thatIhadnotbeenamorethoroughstudentofhistory。I
shouldhavebeenabletoidentityandplacemuchthatisobscuretome。Asitis，Iamcompelledtogropeandguessmywaytotimesandplacesofmyearlierexistences。
ApeculiarthingaboutmyAdamStrangexistenceisthatIrecollectsolittleofthefirstthirtyyearsofit。Manytimes，inthejacket，hasAdamStrangrecrudesced，butalwayshespringsintobeingfull-statured，heavy-thewed，afullthirtyyearsofage。
I，AdamStrang，invariablyassumemyconsciousnessonagroupoflow，sandyislandssomewhereundertheequatorinwhatmustbethewesternPacificOcean。Iamalwaysathomethere，andseemtohavebeentheresometime。Therearethousandsofpeopleontheseislands，althoughIamtheonlywhiteman。Thenativesareamagnificentbreed，big-muscled，broad-shouldered，tall。Asix-footmanisacommonplace。Theking，RaaKook，isatleastsixinchesabovesixfeet，andthoughhewouldweighfullythreehundredpounds，issoequitablyproportionedthatonecouldnotcallhimfat。Manyofhischiefsareaslarge，whilethewomenarenotmuchsmallerthanthemen。
Therearenumerousislandsinthegroup，overallofwhichRaaKookisking，althoughtheclusterofislandstothesouthisrestiveandoccasionallyinrevolt。ThesenativeswithwhomIlivearePolynesian，Iknow，becausetheirhairisstraightandblack。Theirskinisasun-warmgolden-brown。Theirspeech，whichIspeakuncommonlyeasy，isroundandrichandmusical，possessingapaucityofconsonants，beingcomposedprincipallyofvowels。Theyloveflowers，music，dancing，andgames，andarechildishlysimpleandhappyintheiramusements，thoughcruellysavageintheirangersandwars。
I，AdamStrang，knowmypast，butdonotseemtothinkmuchaboutit。Iliveinthepresent。Ibroodneitheroverpastnorfuture。
Iamcareless，improvident，uncautious，happyoutofsheerwell-
beingandoverplusofphysicalenergy。Fish，fruits，vegetables，andseaweed——afullstomach——andIamcontent。IamhighinplacewithRaaKook，thanwhomnoneishigher，notevenAbbaTaak，whoishighestoverthepriest。Nomandarelifthandorweapontome。I
amtaboo——sacredasthesacredcanoe-houseunderthefloorofwhichreposethebonesofheavenaloneknowshowmanypreviouskingsofRaaKook’sline。
IknowallabouthowIhappenedtobewreckedandbetherealoneofallmyship’scompany——itwasagreatdrowningandagreatwind；butIdonotmoonoverthecatastrophe。WhenIthinkbackatall，ratherdoIthinkfarbacktomychildhoodattheskirtsofmymilk-
skinned，flaxen-haired，buxomEnglishmother。Itisatinyvillageofadozenstraw-thatchedcottagesinwhichIlived。Ihearagainblackbirdsandthrushesinthehedges，andseeagainbluebellsspillingoutfromtheoakwoodsandoverthevelvetturflikeacreamingofbluewater。AndmostofallIrememberagreat，hairy-
fetlockedstallion，oftenleddancing，sidling，andnickeringdownthenarrowstreet。Iwasfrightenedofthehugebeastandalwaysfledscreamingtomymother，clutchingherskirtsandhidinginthemwhereverImightfindher。
Butenough。ThechildhoodofAdamStrangisnotwhatIsetouttowrite。
Ilivedforseveralyearsontheislandswhicharenamelesstome，anduponwhichIamconfidentIwasthefirstwhiteman。IwasmarriedtoLei-Lei，theking’ssister，whowasafractionoversixfeetandonlybythatfractiontoppedme。Iwasasplendidfigureofaman，broad-shouldered，deep-chested，well-set-up。Womenofanyrace，asyoushallsee，lookedonmewithafavouringeye。Undermyarms，sun-shielded，myskinwasmilk-whiteasmymother’s。Myeyeswereblue。Mymoustache，beardandhairwerethatgolden-yellowsuchasonesometimesseesinpaintingsofthenorthernsea-kings。
Ay——Imusthavecomeofthatoldstock，long-settledinEngland，and，thoughborninacountrysidecottage，theseastillransosaltinmybloodthatIearlyfoundmywaytoshipstobecomeasea-cuny。
ThatiswhatIwas——neitherofficernorgentleman，butsea-cuny，hard-worked，hard-bitten，hard-enduring。
IwasofvaluetoRaaKook，hencehisroyalprotection。Icouldworkiniron，andourwreckedshiphadbroughtthefirstirontoRaaKook’sland。Onoccasion，tenleaguestothenorth-west，wewentincanoestogetironfromthewreck。Thehullhadslippedoffthereefandlayinfifteenfathoms。Andinfifteenfathomswebroughtuptheiron。Wonderfuldiversandworkersunderwaterwerethesenatives。Ilearnedtodomyfifteenfathoms，butnevercouldI
equalthemintheirfishyexploits。Ontheland，byvirtueofmyEnglishtrainingandmystrength，Icouldthrowanyofthem。Also，Itaughtthemquarter-staff，untilthegamebecameaverycontagionandbrokenheadsanythingbutnovelties。
Broughtupfromthewreckwasajournal，sotornandmushedandpulpedbythesea-water，withinksorunabout，thatscarcelyanyofitwasdecipherable。However，inthehopethatsomeantiquarianscholarmaybeabletoplacemoredefinitelythedateoftheeventsIshalldescribe，Iheregiveanextract。Thepeculiarspellingmaygivetheclue。NotethatwhiletheletterSisused，itmorecommonlyisreplacedbytheletterF。
Thewindbeingfavourable，gaveusanopportunityofexamininganddryingsomeofourprovifion，particularly，fomeChinefehamsanddryfilh，whichconftitutedpartofourvictualling。Divineservicealfowasperformedondeck。Intheafternoonthewindwasfoutherly，withfrefhgales，butdry，fothatwewereablethefollowingmorningtocleanbetweendecks，andalfotofumigatethefhipwithgunpowder。
ButImusthasten，formynarrativeisnotofAdamStrangtheshipwreckedsea-cunyonacoralisle，butofAdamStrang，laternamedYiYong-ik，theMightyOne，whowasonetimefavouriteofthepowerfulYunsan，whowasloverandhusbandoftheLadyOmoftheprincelyhouseofMin，andwhowaslongtimebeggarandpariahinallthevillagesofallthecoastsandroadsofCho-Sen。Ah，ha，I
haveyouthere——Cho-Sen。Itmeansthelandofthemorningcalm。InmodernspeechitiscalledKorea。
Remember，itwasbetweenthreeandfourcenturiesbackthatIlived，thefirstwhiteman，onthecoralislesofRaaKook。Inthosewaters，atthattime，thekeelsofshipswererare。Imightwellhavelivedoutmydaysthere，inpeaceandfatness，underthesunwherefrostwasnot，haditnotbeenfortheSparwehr。TheSparwehrwasaDutchmerchantmandaringtheunchartedseasforIndiesbeyondtheIndies。Andshefoundmeinstead，andIwasallshefound。
HaveInotsaidthatIwasagay-hearted，golden，beardedgiantofanirresponsibleboythathadnevergrownup？Withscarceapang，whentheSparwehrs’water-caskswerefilled，IleftRaaKookandhispleasantland，leftLei-Leiandallherflower-garlandedsisters，andwithlaughteronmylipsandfamiliarship-smellssweetinmynostrils，sailedaway，sea-cunyoncemore，underCaptainJohannesMaartens。
Amarvellouswandering，thatwhichfollowedontheoldSparwehr。Wewereinquestofnewlandsofsilkandspices。Intruth，wefoundfevers，violentdeaths，pestilentialparadiseswheredeathandbeautykeptcharnel-housetogether。ThatoldJohannesMaartens，withnohintofromanceinthatstolidfaceandgrizzlysquareheadofhis，soughttheislandsofSolomon，theminesofGolconda——ay，hesoughtoldlostAtlantiswhichhehopedtofindstillafloatunscuppered。Andhefoundhead-hunting，tree-dwellinganthropophagiinstead。
Welandedonstrangeislands，sea-poundedontheirshoresandsmokingattheirsummits，wherekinky-hairedlittleanimal-menmademonkey-wailingsinthejungle，plantedtheirforestrun-wayswiththornsandstake-pits，andblewpoisonedsplintersintousfromoutthetwilightjunglebush。Andwhatsoevermanofuswaswasp-stungbysuchasplinterdiedhorriblyandhowling。Andweencounteredothermen，fiercer，bigger，whofacedusonthebeachesinopenfight，showeringuswithspearsandarrows，whilethegreattreedrumsandthelittletom-tomsrumbledandrattledwaracrossthetree-filledhollows，andallthehillswerepillaredwithsignal-
smokes。
HendrikHamelwassupercargoandpartowneroftheSparwehradventure，andwhathedidnotownwasthepropertyofCaptainJohannesMaartens。ThelatterspokelittleEnglish，HendrikHamelbutlittlemore。Thesailors，withwhomIgathered，spokeDutchonly。Buttrustasea-cunytolearnDutch——ay，andKorean，asyoushallsee。
TowardtheendwecametothechartedcountryofJapan。Butthepeoplewouldhavenodealingswithus，andtwoswordedofficials，insweepingrobesofsilkthatmadeCaptainJohannesMaartens’mouthwater，cameaboardofusandpolitelyrequestedustobegone。Undertheirsuavemannerswastheironofawarlikerace，andweknew，andwentourway。
WecrossedtheStraitsofJapanandwereenteringtheYellowSeaonourwaytoChina，whenwelaidtheSparwehrontherocks。ShewasacrazytubtheoldSparwehr，soclumsyandsodirtywithwhiskeredmarine-lifeonherbottomthatshecouldnotgetoutofherownway。
Close-hauled，theclosestshecouldcomewastosixpointsofthewind；andthenshebobbedupanddown，withoutway，likeaderelictturnip。Galliotswereclipperscomparedwithher。Totackheraboutwasundreamedof；towearherrequiredallhandsandhalfawatch。Sosituated，wewerecaughtonaleeshoreinaneight-pointshiftofwindattheheightofahurricanethathadbeatenoursoulssickforforty-eighthours。
Wedriftedinuponthelandinthechilllightofastormydawnacrossaheartlesscross-seamountainhigh。Itwasdeadofwinter，andbetweensmokingsnow-squallswecouldglimpsetheforbiddingcoast，ifcoastitmightbecalled，sobrokenwasit。Thereweregrimrockislesandisletsbeyondcounting，dimsnow-coveredrangesbeyond，andeverywhereupstandingcliffstoosteepforsnow，outjutsofheadlands，andpinnaclesandsliversofrockupthrustfromtheboilingsea。
Therewasnonametothiscountryonwhichwedrove，norecordofiteverhavingbeenvisitedbynavigators。Itscoast-linewasonlyhintedatinourchart。Fromallofwhichwecouldarguethattheinhabitantswereasinhospitableasthelittleoftheirlandwecouldsee。
TheSparwehrdroveinbow-onuponacliff。Therewasdeepwatertoitssheerfoot，sothatoursky-aspiringbowspritcrumpledattheimpactandsnappedshortoff。Theforemastwentbytheboard，withagreatsnappingofrope-shroudsandstays，andfellforwardagainstthecliff。
IhavealwaysadmiredoldJohannesMaartens。Washedandrolledoffthehighpoopbyaburstofsea，wewereleftstrandedinthewaistoftheship，whencewefoughtourwayfor’ardtothesteep-pitchedforecastle-head。Othersjoinedus。Welashedourselvesfastandcountednoses。Wewereeighteen。Theresthadperished。
JohannesMaartenstouchedmeandpointedupwardthroughcascadingsalt-waterfromtheback-flingofthecliff。Isawwhathedesired。
Twentyfeetbelowthetrucktheforemastgroundandcrunchedagainstabossofthecliff。Abovethebosswasacleft。HewantedtoknowifIwoulddaretheleapfromthemast-headintothecleft。
Sometimesthedistancewasascantsixfeet。Atothertimesitwasascore，forthemastreeleddrunkenlytotherollingandpoundingofthehullonwhichresteditssplinteredbutt。
Ibegantheclimb。Buttheydidnotwait。Onebyonetheyunlashedthemselvesandfollowedmeuptheperilousmast。Therewasreasonforhaste，foratanymomenttheSparwehrmightslipoffintodeepwater。Itimedmyleap，andmadeit，landinginthecleftinascrambleandreadytolendahandtothosewholeapedafter。Itwasslowwork。Wewerewetandhalffreezinginthewind-drive。
Besides，theleapshadtobetimedtotherollofthehullandtheswayofthemast。
Thecookwasthefirsttogo。Hewassnappedoffthemast-end，andhisbodyperformedcart-wheelsinitsfall。Aflingofseacaughthimandcrushedhimtoapulpagainstthecliff。Thecabinboy，abeardedmanoftwenty-odd，losthold，slipped，swungaroundthemast，andwaspinchedagainstthebossofrock。Pinched？Thelifesqueezedfromhimontheinstant。Twoothersfollowedthewayofthecook。CaptainJohannesMaartenswasthelast，completingthefourteenofusthatclungoninthecleft。AnhourafterwardtheSparwehrslippedoffandsankindeepwater。
Twodaysandnightssawusneartoperishingonthatcliff，fortherewaswayneitherupnordown。Thethirdmorningafishing-boatfoundus。Themenwerecladentirelyindirtwhite，withtheirlonghairdoneupinacuriousknotontheirpates——themarriageknot，asIwasafterwardtolearn，andalso，asIwastolearn，ahandythingtoclutchholdofwithonehandwhilstyoucloutedwiththeotherwhenanargumentwentbeyondwords。
Theboatwentbacktothevillageforhelp，andmostofthevillagers，mostoftheirgear，andmostofthedaywererequiredtogetusdown。Theywereapoorandwretchedfolk，theirfooddifficultevenforthestomachofasea-cunytocountenance。Theirricewasbrownaschocolate。Halfthehusksremainedinit，alongwithbitsofchaff，splinters，andunidentifiabledirtwhichmadeonepauseofteninthechewinginordertostickintohismouththumbandforefingerandpluckouttheoffendingstuff。Also，theyateasortofmillet，andpicklesofastoundingvarietyandungodlyhot。
Theirhouseswereearthen-walledandstraw-thatched。Underthefloorsranfluesthroughwhichthekitchensmokeescaped，warmingthesleeping-roominitspassage。Herewelayandrestedfordays，soothingourselveswiththeirmildandtastelesstobacco，whichwesmokedintinybowlsattheendofyard-longpipes。Also，therewasawarm，sourish，milky-lookingdrink，headyonlywhentakeninenormousdoses。AfterguzzlingIsweargallonsofit，Igotsingingdrunk，whichisthewayofsea-cuniestheworldover。Encouragedbymysuccess，theotherspersisted，andsoonwewerealla-roaring，littlereekingofthefreshsnowgalepipingupoutside，andlittleworryingthatwewerecastawayinanuncharted，God-forgottenland。
OldJohannesMaartenslaughedandtrumpetedandslappedhisthighswiththebestofus。HendrikHamel，acold-blooded，chilly-poiseddarkbrunetteofaDutchmanwithbeadyblackeyes，wasasrarelydevilishastherestofus，andshelledoutsilverlikeanydrunkensailorforthepurchaseofmoreofthemilkybrew。Ourcarrying-onwasascandal；butthewomenfetchedthedrinkwhileallthevillagethatcouldcrowdinjammedtheroomtowitnessourantics。
Thewhitemanhasgonearoundtheworldinmastery，Idobelieve，becauseofhisunwiseuncaringness。Thathasbeenthemannerofhisgoing，although，ofcourse，hewasdrivenonbyrestivenessandlustforbooty。SoitwasthatCaptainJohannesMaartens，HendrikHamel，andthetwelvesea-cuniesofusroysteredandbawledinthefishervillagewhilethewintergaleswhistledacrosstheYellowSea。
FromthelittlewehadseenofthelandandthepeoplewewerenotimpressedbyCho-Sen。Ifthesemiserablefisherswereafairsampleofthenatives，wecouldunderstandwhythelandwasunvisitedofnavigators。Butweweretolearndifferent。Thevillagewasonanin-lyingisland，anditsheadmenmusthavesentwordacrosstothemainland；foronemorningthreebigtwo-mastedjunkswithlateensofrice-mattingdroppedanchoroffthebeach。
WhenthesampanscameashoreCaptainJohannesMaartenswasallinterest，forhereweresilksagain。OnestrappingKorean，allinpale-tintedsilksofvariouscolours，wassurroundedbyhalfadozenobsequiousattendants，alsocladinsilk。KwanYung-jin，asIcametoknowhisname，wasaYANG-BAN，ornoble；alsohewaswhatmightbecalledmagistrateorgovernorofthedistrictorprovince。Thismeansthathisofficewasappointive，andthathewasatithe-
squeezerortax-farmer。
Fullyahundredsoldierswerealsolandedandmarchedintothevillage。Theywerearmedwiththree-prongedspears，slicingspears，andchoppingspears，withhereandthereamatchlockofsoheroicmouldthatthereweretwosoldierstoamatchlock，onetocarryandsetthetripodonwhichrestedthemuzzle，theothertocarryandfirethegun。AsIwastolearn，sometimesthegunwentoff，sometimesitdidnot，alldependingupontheadjustmentofthefire-
punkandtheconditionofthepowderintheflash-pan。
SoitwasthatKwan-Yung-jintravelled。Theheadmenofthevillagewerecringinglyafraidofhim，andforgoodreason，aswewerenotoverlonginfindingout。Isteppedforwardasinterpreter，foralreadyIhadthehangofseveralscoreofKoreanwords。Hescowledandwavedmeaside。ButwhatdidIreek？Iwasastallashe，outweighedhimbyafulltwostone，andmyskinwaswhite，myhairgolden。Heturnedhisbackandaddressedtheheadmanofthevillagewhilehissixsilkensatellitesmadeacordonbetweenus。
Whilehetalkedmoresoldiersfromtheshipcarriedupseveralshoulder-loadsofinch-planking。Theseplankswereaboutsixfeetlongandtwofeetwide，andcuriouslysplitinhalflengthwise。
Neareroneendthantheotherwasaroundholelargerthanaman’sneck。
KwanYung-jingaveacommand。SeveralofthesoldiersapproachedTromp，whowassittingonthegroundnursingafelon。NowTrompwasaratherstupid，slow-thinking，slow-movingcuny，andbeforeheknewwhatwasdoingoneoftheplanks，withascissors-likeopeningandclosing，wasabouthisneckandclamped。Discoveringhispredicament，hesetupabull-roaringanddancing，tillallhadtobackawaytogivehimclearspacefortheflyingendsofhisplank。
Thenthetroublebegan，foritwasplainlyKwanYung-jin’sintentiontoplankallofus。Oh，wefought，bare-fisted，withahundredsoldiersandasmanyvillagers，whileKwanYung-jinstoodapartinhissilksandlordlydisdain。HerewaswhereIearnedmynameYiYong-ik，theMighty。LongafterourcompanywassubduedandplankedIfoughton。Myfistswereofthehardnessoftopping-mauls，andI
hadthemusclesandwilltodrivethem。
Tomyjoy，IquicklylearnedthattheKoreansdidnotunderstandafist-blowandwerewithouttheslightestnotionofguarding。Theywentdownliketenpins，fellovereachotherinheaps。ButKwanYung-jinwasmyman，andallthatsavedhimwhenImademyrushwastheinterventionofhissatellites。Theywereflabbycreatures。I
madeamessofthemandamussandmuckoftheirsilkserethemultitudecouldreturnuponme。Thereweresomanyofthem。Theycloggedmyblowsbythesneernumbersofthem，thosebehindshovingthefrontonesuponme。AndhowIdroppedthem！Towardtheendtheyweresquirmingthree-deepundermyfeet。ButbythetimethecrewsofthethreejunksandmostofthevillagewereontopofmeI
wasfairlysmothered。Theplankingwaseasy。
\"Godinheaven，whatnow！\"askedVandervoot，anothercuny，whenwehadbeenbundledaboardajunk。
Wesatontheopendeck，likesomanytrussedfowls，whenheaskedthequestion，andthenextmoment，asthejunkheeledtothebreeze，weshotdownthedeck，planksandall，fetchingupinthelee-
scupperswithskinnednecks。AndfromthehighpoopKwanYung-jingazeddownatusasifhedidnotseeus。FormanyyearstocomeVandervootwasknownamongstusas\"What-NowVandervoot。\"Poordevil！HefrozetodeathonenightonthestreetsofKeijo；witheverydoorbarredagainsthim。
Tothemainlandweweretakenandthrownintoastinking，vermin-
infestedprison。SuchwasourintroductiontotheofficialdomofCho-Sen。ButIwastoberevengedforallofusonKwanYung-jin，asyoushallsee，inthedayswhentheLadyOmwaskindandpowerwasmine。
Inprisonwelayformanydays。Welearnedafterwardthereason。
KwanYung-jinhadsentadispatchtoKeijo，thecapital，tofindwhatroyaldispositionwastobemadeofus。Inthemeantimewewereamenagerie。Fromdawntilldarkourbarredwindowswerebesiegedbythenatives，fornomemberofourracehadtheyeverseenbefore。Norwasouraudiencemererabble。Ladies，borneinpalanquinsontheshouldersofcoolies，cametoseethestrangedevilscastupbythesea，andwhiletheirattendantsdrovebackthecommonfolkwithwhips，theywouldgazelongandtimidlyatus。Ofthemwesawlittle，fortheirfaceswerecovered，accordingtothecustomofthecountry。Onlydancinggirls，lowwomen，andgranddamseverwereseenabroadwithexposedfaces。
IhaveoftenthoughtthatKwanYung-jinsufferedfromindigestion，andthatwhentheattackswereacutehetookitoutonus。Atanyrate，withoutrhymeorreason，wheneverthewhimcametohim，wewerealltakenoutonthestreetbeforetheprisonandwellbeatenwithstickstothegleefulshoutsofthemultitude。TheAsiaticisacruelbeast，anddelightsinspectaclesofhumansuffering。
Atanyratewewerepleasedwhenanendtoourbeatingscame。ThiswascausedbythearrivalofKim。Kim？AllIcansay，andthebestIcansay，isthathewasthewhitestmanIeverencounteredinCho-
Sen。HewasacaptainoffiftymenwhenImethim。HewasincommandofthepalaceguardsbeforeIwasdonedoingmybestbyhim。
AndintheendhediedfortheLadyOm’ssakeandformine。Kim——
well，KimwasKim。
Immediatelyhearrivedtheplanksweretakenfromournecksandwewerelodgedinthebeetinntheplaceboasted。Wewerestillprisoners，buthonourableprisoners，withaguardoffiftymountedsoldiers。Thenextdaywewereunderwayontheroyalhighroad，fourteensailormenastridethedwarfhorsesthatobtaininCho-Sen，andboundforKeijoitself。TheEmperor，soKimtoldme，hadexpressedadesiretogazeuponthestrangenessoftheseadevils。
Itwasajourneyofmanydays，halfthelengthofCho-Sen，northandsouthasitlies。Itchanced，atthefirstoff-saddling，thatI
strolledaroundtowitnessthefeedingofthedwarfhorses。AndwhatIwitnessedsetmebawling，\"Whatnow，Vandervoot？\"tillallourcrewcamerunning。AsIamalivingmanwhatthehorseswerefeedingonwasbeansoup，hotbeansoupatthat，andnaughtelsedidtheyhaveonallthejourneybuthotbeansoup。Itwasthecustomofthecountry。
Theyweretrulydwarfhorses。OnawagerwithKimIliftedone，despitehissquealsandstruggles，squarelyacrossmyshoulders，sothatKim’smen，whohadalreadyheardmynewname，calledmeYiYong-ik，theMightyOne。KimwasalargemanasKoreansgo，andKoreansareatallmuscularrace，andKimfanciedhimselfabit。
But，elbowtoelbowandpalmtopalm，Iputhisarmdownatwill。
Andhissoldiersandthegapingvillagerswouldlookonandmurmur\"YiYong-ik。\"
Inawaywewereatravellingmenagerie。Thewordwentonahead，sothatallthecountryfolkflockedtotheroadsidetoseeuspass。
Itwasanunendingcircusprocession。Inthetownsatnightourinnswerebesiegedbymultitudes，sothatwegotnopeaceuntilthesoldiersdrovethemoffwithlance-pricksandblows。ButfirstKimwouldcallforthevillagestrongmenandwrestlersforthefunofseeingmecrumplethemandputtheminthedirt。
Breadtherewasnone，butweatewhitericethestrengthofwhichresidesinone’smusclesnotlong，ameatwhichwefoundtobedogwhichanimalisregularlybutcheredforfoodinCho-Sen，andthepicklesungodlyhotbutwhichonelearnstolikeexceedingwell。
Andtherewasdrink，realdrink，notmilkyslush，butwhite，bitingstuffdistilledfromrice，apintofwhichwouldkillaweaklingandmakeastrongmanmadandmerry。AtthewalledcityofChong-hoI
putKimandthecitynotablesunderthetablewiththestuff——oronthetable，rather，forthetablewasthefloorwherewesquattedtocramp-knotsinmyhamsforthethousandthtime。Andagainallmuttered\"YiYong-ik，\"andthewordofmyprowesspassedonbeforeeventoKeijoandtheEmperor’sCourt。
Iwasmoreanhonouredguestthanaprisoner，andinvariablyIrodebyKim’sside，mylonglegsnearreachingtheground，and，wherethegoingwasdeep，myfeetscrapingthemuck。Kimwasyoung。Kimwashuman。Kimwasuniversal。Hewasamananywhereinanycountry。
HeandItalkedandlaughedandjokedthedaylongandhalfthenight。AndIverifyateupthelanguage。Ihadagiftthatwayanyway。EvenKimmarvelledatthewayImasteredtheidiom。AndI
learnedtheKoreanpointsofview，theKoreanhumour，theKoreansoftplaces，weakplaces，touchyplaces。Kimtaughtmeflowersongs，lovesongs，drinkingsongs。Oneofthelatterwashisown，oftheendofwhichIshallgiveyouacrudeattemptattranslation。
KimandPak，intheiryouth，sworeapacttoabstainfromdrinking，whichpactwasspeedilybroken。InoldageKimandPaksing:
\"No，no，begone！ThemerrybowlAgainshallbolsterupmysoulAgainstitself。What，goodman，hold！
Cansttellmewhereredwineissold？
Nay，justbeyondyonpeach-tree？There？
Goodluckbethine；I’llthitherfare。\"
HendrikHamel，schemingandcrafty，everencouragedandurgedmeinmyanticcoursethatbroughtKim’sfavour，notalonetome，butthroughmetoHendrikHamelandallourcompany。IherementionHendrikHamelasmyadviser，forithasabearingonmuchthatfollowedatKeijointhewinningofYunsan’sfavour，theLadyOm’sheart，andtheEmperor’stolerance。IhadthewillandthefearlessnessforthegameIplayed，andsomeofthewit；butmostofthewitIfreelyadmitwassuppliedmebyHendrikHamel。
AndsowejourneyeduptoKeijo，fromwalledcitytowalledcityacrossasnowymountainlandthatwashollowedwithinnumerablefatfarmingvalleys。Andeveryevening，atfallofday，beaconfiressprangfrompeaktopeakandranalongtheland。AlwaysKimwatchedforthisnightlydisplay。FromallthecoastsofCho-Sen，Kimtoldme，thesechainsoffire-speechrantoKeijotocarrytheirmessagetotheEmperor。Onebeaconmeantthelandwasinpeace。Twobeaconsmeantrevoltorinvasion。Weneversawbutonebeacon。Andever，aswerode，Vandervootbroughtuptherear，wondering，\"Godinheaven，whatnow？\"
Keijowefoundavastcitywhereallthepopulation，withtheexceptionofthenoblesoryang-bans，dressedintheeternalwhite。
This，Kimexplained，wasanautomaticdeterminationandadvertisementofcaste。Thus，ataglance，couldonetell，thestatusofanindividualbythedegreesofcleannessoroffilthinessofhisgarments。Itstoodtoreasonthatacoolie，possessingbuttheclotheshestoodupin，mustbeextremelydirty。Andtoreasonitstoodthattheindividualinimmaculatewhitemustpossessmanychangesandcommandthelabouroflaundressestokeephischangesimmaculate。Asfortheyang-banswhoworethepale，vari-colouredsilks，theywerebeyondsuchcommonyardstickofplace。
Afterrestinginaninnforseveraldays，duringwhichtimewewashedourgarmentsandrepairedtheravagesofshipwreckandtravel，weweresummonedbeforetheEmperor。Inthegreatopenspacebeforethepalacewallwerecolossalstonedogsthatlookedmoreliketortoises。Theycrouchedonmassivestonepedestalsoftwicetheheightofatallman。Thewallsofthepalacewerehugeandofdressedstone。Sothickwerethesewallsthattheycoulddefyabreachfromthemightiestofcannoninayear-longsiege。
Themeregatewaywasofthesizeofapalaceinitself，risingpagoda-like，inmanyretreatingstories，eachstoryfringedwithtile-roofing。Asmartguardofsoldiersturnedoutatthegateway。