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　　I

　　ForalongtimeafterthecourseofthesteamerSofalahadbeenalteredfortheland，thelowswampycoasthadretaineditsappearanceofameresmudgeofdarknessbeyondabeltofglitter.Thesunraysseemedtofallviolentlyuponthecalmsea——seemedtoshatterthem—

　　selvesuponanadamantinesurfaceintosparklingdust，intoadazzlingvaporoflightthatblindedtheeyeandweariedthebrainwithitsunsteadybrightness.

　　CaptainWhalleydidnotlookatit.WhenhisSerang，approachingtheroomycanearm—chairwhichhefilledcapably，hadinformedhiminalowvoicethatthecoursewastobealtered，hehadrisenatonceandhadremainedonhisfeet，faceforward，whiletheheadofhisshipswungthroughaquarterofacircle.Hehadnotutteredasingleword，noteventhewordtosteadythehelm.ItwastheSerang，anelderly，alert，littleMalay，withaverydarkskin，whomurmuredtheordertothehelmsman.AndthenslowlyCaptainWhalleysatdownagaininthearm—chaironthebridgeandfixedhiseyesonthedeckbetweenhisfeet.

　　Hecouldnothopetoseeanythingnewuponthislaneofthesea.Hehadbeenonthesecoastsforthelastthreeyears.FromLowCapetoMalantanthedistancewasfiftymiles，sixhours’steamingfortheoldshipwiththetide，orsevenagainst.Thenyousteeredstraightfortheland，andby—and—bythreepalmswouldappearonthesky，tallandslim，andwiththeirdisheveledheadsinabunch，asifinconfidentialcriticismofthedarkmangroves.TheSofalawouldbeheadedtowardsthesomberstripofthecoast，whichatagivenmoment，astheshipclosedwithitobliquely，wouldshowseveralcleanshiningfractures——thebrimfulestuaryofariver.

　　Thenonthroughabrownliquid，threepartswaterandonepartblackearth，onandonbetweenthelowshores，threepartsblackearthandonepartbrackishwater，theSofalawouldplowherwayup—stream，asshehaddoneonceeverymonthforthesesevenyearsormore，longbeforehewasawareofherexistence，longbeforehehadeverthoughtofhavinganythingtodowithherandherinvariablevoyages.Theoldshipoughttohaveknowntheroadbetterthanhermen，whohadnotbeenkeptsolongatitwithoutachange;betterthanthefaithfulSerang，whomhehadbroughtoverfromhislastshiptokeepthecaptain’swatch;betterthanhehimself，whohadbeenhercaptainforthelastthreeyearsonly.Shecouldalwaysbedependedupontomakehercourses.Hercompasseswereneverout.Shewasnotroubleatalltotakeabout，asifhergreatagehadgivenherknowledge，wisdom，andsteadiness.Shemadeherlandfallstoadegreeofthebearing，andal—

　　mosttoaminuteofherallowedtime.Atanymoment，ashesatonthebridgewithoutlookingup，orlaysleep—

　　lessinhisbed，simplybyreckoningthedaysandthehourshecouldtellwherehewas——theprecisespotofthebeat.Heknewitwelltoo，thismonotonoushuckster’sround，upanddowntheStraits;heknewitsorderanditssightsanditspeople.Malaccatobeginwith，inatdaylightandoutatdusk，tocrossoverwitharigidphosphorescentwakethishighwayoftheFarEast.

　　Darknessandgleamsonthewater，clearstarsonablacksky，perhapsthelightsofahomesteamerkeepingherunswervingcourseinthemiddle，ormaybetheelusiveshadowofanativecraftwithhermatsailsflittingbysilently——andthelowlandontheothersideinsightatdaylight.Atnoonthethreepalmsofthenextplaceofcall，upasluggishriver.Theonlywhitemanre—

　　sidingtherewasaretiredyoungsailor，withwhomhehadbecomefriendlyinthecourseofmanyvoyages.

　　Sixtymilesfartherontherewasanotherplaceofcall，adeepbaywithonlyacoupleofhousesonthebeach.

　　Andsoon，inandout，pickingupcoastwisecargohereandthere，andfinishingwithahundredmiles’steadysteamingthroughthemazeofanarchipelagoofsmallislandsuptoalargenativetownattheendofthebeat.

　　Therewasathreedays’restfortheoldshipbeforehestartedheragainininverseorder，seeingthesameshoresfromanotherbearing，hearingthesamevoicesinthesameplaces，backagaintotheSofala’sportofregis—

　　tryonthegreathighwaytotheEast，wherehewouldtakeupaberthnearlyoppositethebigstonepileoftheharborofficetillitwastimetostartagainontheoldroundof1600milesandthirtydays.Notaveryenterprisinglife，this，forCaptainWhalley，HenryWhalley，otherwiseDare—devilHarry——WhalleyoftheCondor，afamousclipperinherday.No.Notaveryenterprisinglifeforamanwhohadservedfamousfirms，whohadsailedfamousships（morethanoneortwoofthemhisown）;whohadmadefamouspassages，hadbeenthepioneerofnewroutesandnewtrades;whohadsteeredacrosstheunsurveyedtractsoftheSouthSeas，andhadseenthesunriseonunchartedislands.Fiftyyearsatsea，andfortyoutintheEast（\"aprettythor—

　　oughapprenticeship，\"heusedtoremarksmilingly），hadmadehimhonorablyknowntoagenerationofship—

　　ownersandmerchantsinalltheportsfromBombayclearovertowheretheEastmergesintotheWestuponthecoastofthetwoAmericas.Hisfameremainedwrit，notverylargebutplainenough，ontheAdmiraltycharts.WastherenotsomewherebetweenAustraliaandChinaaWhalleyIslandandaCondorReef？Onthatdangerouscoralformationthecelebratedclipperhadhungstrandedforthreedays，hercaptainandcrewthrowinghercargooverboardwithonehandandwiththeother，asitwere，keepingoffheraflotillaofsavagewar—canoes.Atthattimeneithertheislandnorthereefhadanyofficialexistence.LatertheofficersofherMajesty’ssteamvesselFusilier，dispatchedtomakeasurveyoftheroute，recognizedintheadoptionofthesetwonamestheenterpriseofthemanandthesolidityoftheship.Besides，asanyonewhocaresmaysee，the\"GeneralDirectory，\"vol.ii.p.410，beginsthedescrip—

　　tionofthe\"MalotuorWhalleyPassage\"withthewords：\"Thisadvantageousroute，firstdiscoveredin1850byCaptainWhalleyintheshipCondor，\"&c.，andendsbyrecommendingitwarmlytosailingvesselsleavingtheChinaportsforthesouthinthemonthsfromDecembertoAprilinclusive.

　　Thiswastheclearestgainhehadoutoflife.Nothingcouldrobhimofthiskindoffame.ThepiercingoftheIsthmusofSuez，likethebreakingofadam，hadletinupontheEastafloodofnewships，newmen，newmethodsoftrade.IthadchangedthefaceoftheEast—

　　ernseasandtheveryspiritoftheirlife;sothathisearlyexperiencesmeantnothingwhatevertothenewgenerationofseamen.

　　Inthosebygonedayshehadhandledmanythousandsofpoundsofhisemployers’moneyandofhisown;hehadattendedfaithfully，asbylawashipmasterisex—

　　pectedtodo，totheconflictinginterestsofowners，charterers，andunderwriters.Hehadneverlostashiporconsentedtoashadytransaction;andhehadlastedwell，outlastingintheendtheconditionsthathadgonetothemakingofhisname.Hehadburiedhiswife（intheGulfofPetchili），hadmarriedoffhisdaughtertothemanofherunluckychoice，andhadlostmorethananamplecompetenceinthecrashofthenotoriousTra—

　　vancoreandDeccanBankingCorporation，whosedown—

　　fallhadshakentheEastlikeanearthquake.Andhewassixty—fiveyearsold.

　　II

　　Hisagesatlightlyenoughonhim;andofhisruinhewasnotashamed.HehadnotbeenalonetobelieveinthestabilityoftheBankingCorporation.Menwhosejudgmentinmattersoffinancewasasexpertashissea—

　　manshiphadcommendedtheprudenceofhisinvest—

　　ments，andhadthemselveslostmuchmoneyinthegreatfailure.Theonlydifferencebetweenhimandthemwasthathehadlosthisall.Andyetnothisall.Therehadremainedtohimfromhislostfortuneaveryprettylittlebark，FairMaid，whichhehadboughttooccupyhisleisureofaretiredsailor——\"toplaywith，\"asheex—

　　pressedithimself.

　　Hehadformallydeclaredhimselftiredoftheseatheyearprecedinghisdaughter’smarriage.ButaftertheyoungcouplehadgonetosettleinMelbournehefoundoutthathecouldnotmakehimselfhappyonshore.Hewastoomuchofamerchantsea—captainformereyacht—

　　ingtosatisfyhim.Hewantedtheillusionofaffairs;

　　andhisacquisitionoftheFairMaidpreservedthecon—

　　tinuityofhislife.Heintroducedhertohisacquaint—

　　ancesinvariousportsas\"mylastcommand.\"Whenhegrewtoooldtobetrustedwithaship，hewouldlayherupandgoashoretobeburied，leavingdirectionsinhiswilltohavethebarktowedoutandscuttleddecentlyindeepwateronthedayofthefuneral.Hisdaughterwouldnotgrudgehimthesatisfactionofknowingthatnostrangerwouldhandlehislastcommandafterhim.Withthefortunehewasabletoleaveher，thevalueofa500—tonbarkwasneitherherenorthere.

　　Allthiswouldbesaidwithajoculartwinkleinhiseye：

　　thevigorousoldmanhadtoomuchvitalityforthesen—

　　timentalismofregret;andalittlewistfullywithal，be—

　　causehewasathomeinlife，takingagenuinepleasureinitsfeelingsanditspossessions;inthedignityofhisreputationandhiswealth，inhisloveforhisdaughter，andinhissatisfactionwiththeship——theplaythingofhislonelyleisure.

　　Hehadthecabinarrangedinaccordancewithhissimpleidealofcomfortatsea.Abigbookcase（hewasagreatreader）occupiedonesideofhisstateroom;theportraitofhislatewife，aflatbituminousoil—paintingrepresentingtheprofileandonelongblackringletofayoungwoman，facedhisbedplace.Threechronometerstickedhimtosleepandgreetedhimonwakingwiththetinycompetitionoftheirbeats.Heroseatfiveeveryday.Theofficerofthemorningwatch，drinkinghisearlycupofcoffeeaftbythewheel，wouldhearthroughthewideorificeofthecopperventilatorsallthesplash—

　　ings，blowings，andsplutteringsofhiscaptain’stoilet.

　　ThesenoiseswouldbefollowedbyasustaineddeepmurmuroftheLord’sPrayerrecitedinaloudearnestvoice.FiveminutesafterwardstheheadandshouldersofCaptainWhalleyemergedoutofthecompanion—

　　hatchway.Invariablyhepausedforawhileonthestairs，lookingallroundatthehorizon;upwardsatthetrimofthesails;inhalingdeepdraughtsofthefreshair.Onlythenhewouldstepoutonthepoop，acknowl—

　　edgingthehandraisedtothepeakofthecapwithamajesticandbenign\"Goodmorningtoyou.\"Hewalkedthedecktilleightscrupulously.Sometimes，notabovetwiceayear，hehadtouseathickcudgel—likestickonaccountofastiffnessinthehip——aslighttouchofrheumatism，hesupposed.Otherwiseheknewnothingoftheillsoftheflesh.Attheringingofthebreakfastbellhewentbelowtofeedhiscanaries，windupthechronometers，andtaketheheadofthetable.Fromtherehehadbeforehiseyesthebigcarbonphotographsofhisdaughter，herhusband，andtwofat—leggedbabies——hisgrandchildren——setinblackframesintothemaple—

　　woodbulkheadsofthecuddy.Afterbreakfasthedustedtheglassovertheseportraitshimselfwithacloth，andbrushedtheoilpaintingofhiswifewithaplumatekeptsuspendedfromasmallbrasshookbythesideoftheheavygoldframe.Thenwiththedoorofhisstate—

　　roomshut，hewouldsitdownonthecouchundertheportraittoreadachapteroutofathickpocketBible——herBible.Butonsomedaysheonlysatthereforhalfanhourwithhisfingerbetweentheleavesandtheclosedbookrestingonhisknees.Perhapshehadre—

　　memberedsuddenlyhowfondofboat—sailingsheusedtobe.

　　Shehadbeenarealshipmateandatruewomantoo.

　　Itwaslikeanarticleoffaithwithhimthatthereneverhadbeen，andnevercouldbe，abrighter，cheerierhomeanywhereafloatorashorethanhishomeunderthepoop—

　　deckoftheCondor，withthebigmaincabinallwhiteandgold，garlandedasifforaperpetualfestivalwithanunfadingwreath.Shehaddecoratedthecenterofeverypanelwithaclusterofhomeflowers.Ittookheratwelvemonthtogoroundthecuddywiththislaboroflove.Tohimithadremainedamarvelofpainting，thehighestachievementoftasteandskill;andastooldSwinburne，hismate，everytimehecamedowntohismealshestoodtransfixedwithadmirationbeforetheprogressofthework.Youcouldalmostsmelltheseroses，hedeclared，sniffingthefaintflavorofturpentinewhichatthattimepervadedthesaloon，and（ashecon—

　　fessedafterwards）madehimsomewhatlessheartythanusualintacklinghisfood.Buttherewasnothingofthesorttointerferewithhisenjoymentofhersinging.

　　\"Mrs.Whalleyisaregularout—and—outnightingale，sir，\"hewouldpronouncewithajudicialairafterlisten—

　　ingprofoundlyovertheskylighttotheveryendofthepiece.Infineweather，intheseconddog—watch，thetwomencouldhearhertrillsandrouladesgoingontotheaccompanimentofthepianointhecabin.OntheverydaytheygotengagedhehadwrittentoLondonfortheinstrument;buttheyhadbeenmarriedforoverayearbeforeitreachedthem，comingoutroundtheCape.

　　ThebigcasemadepartofthefirstdirectgeneralcargolandedinHongkongharbor——aneventthattothemenwhowalkedthebusyquaysofto—dayseemedashazilyremoteasthedarkagesofhistory.ButCaptainWhal—

　　leycouldinahalfhourofsolitudeliveagainallhislife，withitsromance，itsidyl，anditssorrow.Hehadtoclosehereyeshimself.Shewentawayfromundertheensignlikeasailor’swife，asailorherselfatheart.

　　Hehadreadtheserviceoverher，outofherownprayer—

　　book，withoutabreakinhisvoice.WhenheraisedhiseyeshecouldseeoldSwinburnefacinghimwithhiscappressedtohisbreast，andhisrugged，weather—beaten，impassivefacestreamingwithdropsofwaterlikealumpofchippedredgraniteinashower.Itwasallverywellforthatoldsea—dogtocry.Hehadtoreadontotheend;butafterthesplashhedidnotremembermuchofwhathappenedforthenextfewdays.Anelderlysailorofthecrew，deftatneedlework，putto—

　　getheramourningfrockforthechildoutofoneofherblackskirts.

　　Hewasnotlikelytoforget;butyoucannotdamuplifelikeasluggishstream.Itwillbreakoutandflowoveraman’stroubles，itwillcloseuponasorrowliketheseauponadeadbody，nomatterhowmuchlovehasgonetothebottom.Andtheworldisnotbad.Peoplehadbeenverykindtohim;especiallyMrs.Gardner，thewifeoftheseniorpartnerinGardner，Patteson，&Co.，theownersoftheCondor.Itwasshewhovolunteeredtolookafterthelittleone，andinduecoursetookhertoEngland（somethingofajourneyinthosedays，evenbytheoverlandmailroute）withherowngirlstofinishhereducation.Itwastenyearsbeforehesawheragain.

　　Asalittlechildshehadneverbeenfrightenedofbadweather;shewouldbegtobetakenupondeckinthebosomofhisoilskincoattowatchthebigseashurlingthemselvesupontheCondor.Theswirlandcrashofthewavesseemedtofillhersmallsoulwithabreathlessde—

　　light.\"Agoodboyspoiled，\"heusedtosayofherinjoke.HehadnamedherIvybecauseofthesoundoftheword，andobscurelyfascinatedbyavagueassocia—

　　tionofideas.Shehadtwinedherselftightlyroundhisheart，andheintendedhertoclingclosetoherfatherastoatowerofstrength;forgetting，whileshewaslittle，thatinthenatureofthingsshewouldprobablyelecttoclingtosomeoneelse.Buthelovedlifewellenoughforeventhateventtogivehimacertainsatisfaction，apartfromhismoreintimatefeelingofloss.

　　AfterhehadpurchasedtheFairMaidtooccupyhisloneliness，hehastenedtoacceptaratherunprofitablefreighttoAustraliasimplyfortheopportunityofseeinghisdaughterinherownhome.Whatmadehimdis—

　　satisfiedtherewasnottoseethatsheclungnowtosome—

　　bodyelse，butthatthepropshehadselectedseemedoncloserexamination\"aratherpoorstick\"——eveninthematterofhealth.Hedislikedhisson—in—law’sstudiedcivilityperhapsmorethanhismethodofhandlingthesumofmoneyhehadgivenIvyathermarriage.Butofhisapprehensionshesaidnothing.Onlyonthedayofhisdeparture，withthehall—dooropenalready，hold—

　　ingherhandsandlookingsteadilyintohereyes，hehadsaid，\"Youknow，mydear，allIhaveisforyouandthechicks.Mindyouwritetomeopenly.\"Shehadansweredhimbyanalmostimperceptiblemovementofherhead.Sheresembledhermotherinthecolorofhereyes，andincharacter——andalsointhis，thatsheunder—

　　stoodhimwithoutmanywords.

　　Sureenoughshehadtowrite;andsomeoftheselettersmadeCaptainWhalleylifthiswhiteeye—brows.Fortherestheconsideredhewasreapingthetruerewardofhislifebybeingthusabletoproduceondemandwhat—

　　everwasneeded.Hehadnotenjoyedhimselfsomuchinawaysincehiswifehaddied.Characteristicallyenoughhisson—in—law’spunctualityinfailurecausedhimatadistancetofeelasortofkindnesstowardstheman.

　　Thefellowwassoperpetuallybeingjammedonaleeshorethattochargeitalltohisrecklessnavigationwouldbemanifestlyunfair.No，no！Heknewwellwhatthatmeant.Itwasbadluck.Hisownhadbeensimplymarvelous，buthehadseeninhislifetoomanygoodmen——seamenandothers——gounderwiththesheerweightofbadlucknottorecognizethefatalsigns.Forallthat，hewascogitatingonthebestwayoftyingupverystrictlyeverypennyhehadtoleave，when，withapreliminaryrumbleofrumors（whosefirstsoundreachedhiminShanghaiasithappened），theshockofthebigfailurecame;and，afterpassingthroughthephasesofstupor，ofincredulity，ofindignation，hehadtoacceptthefactthathehadnothingtospeakoftoleave.

　　Uponthat，asifhehadonlywaitedforthiscatas—

　　trophe，theunluckyman，awaythereinMelbourne，gaveuphisunprofitablegame，andsatdown——inaninvalid’sbath—chairatthattoo.\"Hewillneverwalkagain，\"

　　wrotethewife.ForthefirsttimeinhislifeCaptainWhalleywasabitstaggered.

　　TheFairMaidhadtogotoworkinbitterearnestnow.

　　ItwasnolongeramatterofpreservingalivethememoryofDare—devilHarryWhalleyintheEasternSeas，orofkeepinganoldmaninpocket—moneyandclothes，with，perhaps，abillforafewhundredfirst—classcigarsthrowninattheendoftheyear.Hewouldhavetobuckle—to，andkeephergoinghardonascantallowanceofgiltfortheginger—breadscrollsatherstemandstern.

　　Thisnecessityopenedhiseyestothefundamentalchangesoftheworld.Ofhispastonlythefamiliarnamesremained，hereandthere，butthethingsandthemen，ashehadknownthem，weregone.ThenameofGardner，Patteson，&Co.wasstilldisplayedonthewallsofwarehousesbythewaterside，onthebrassplatesandwindow—panesinthebusinessquartersofmorethanoneEasternport，buttherewasnolongeraGardneroraPattesoninthefirm.TherewasnolongerforCap—

　　tainWhalleyanarm—chairandawelcomeintheprivateoffice，withabitofbusinessreadytobeputinthewayofanoldfriend，forthesakeofbygoneservices.ThehusbandsoftheGardnergirlssatbehindthedesksinthatroomwhere，longafterhehadlefttheemploy，hehadkepthisrightofentranceintheoldman’stime.

　　Theirshipsnowhadyellowfunnelswithblacktops，andatime—tableofappointedrouteslikeaconfoundedserviceoftramways.ThewindsofDecemberandJunewereallonetothem;theircaptains（excellentyoungmenhedoubtednot）were，tobesure，familiarwithWhalleyIsland，becauseoflateyearstheGovernmenthadestablishedawhitefixedlightonthenorthend（withareddangersectorovertheCondorReef），butmostofthemwouldhavebeenextremelysurprisedtohearthataflesh—and—bloodWhalleystillexisted——anoldmangoingabouttheworldtryingtopickupacargohereandthereforhislittlebark.

　　Andeverywhereitwasthesame.Departedthemenwhowouldhavenoddedappreciativelyatthementionofhisname，andwouldhavethoughtthemselvesboundinhonortodosomethingforDare—devilHarryWhalley.

　　Departedtheopportunitieswhichhewouldhaveknownhowtoseize;andgonewiththemthewhite—wingedflockofclippersthatlivedintheboisterousuncertainlifeofthewinds，skimmingbigfortunesoutofthefoamofthesea.Inaworldthatpareddowntheprofitstoanirreducibleminimum，inaworldthatwasabletocountitsdisengagedtonnagetwiceovereveryday，andinwhichleanchartersweresnappedupbycablethreemonthsinadvance，therewerenochancesoffortuneforanindividualwanderinghaphazardwithalittlebark——hardlyindeedanyroomtoexist.

　　Hefounditmoredifficultfromyeartoyear.Hesuf—

　　feredgreatlyfromthesmallnessofremittanceshewasabletosendhisdaughter.Meantimehehadgivenupgoodcigars，andeveninthematterofinferiorcherootslimitedhimselftosixaday.Henevertoldherofhisdifficulties，andsheneverenlargeduponherstruggletolive.Theirconfidenceineachotherneedednoex—

　　planations，andtheirperfectunderstandingenduredwithoutprotestationsofgratitudeorregret.Hewouldhavebeenshockedifshehadtakenitintoherheadtothankhiminsomanywords，buthefounditperfectlynaturalthatsheshouldtellhimsheneededtwohundredpounds.

　　HehadcomeinwiththeFairMaidinballasttolookforafreightintheSofala’sportofregistry，andherlettermethimthere.Itstenorwasthatitwasnousemincingmatters.Heronlyresourcewasinopeningaboarding—house，forwhichtheprospects，shejudged，weregood.Goodenough，atanyrate，tomakehertellhimfranklythatwithtwohundredpoundsshecouldmakeastart.Hehadtorntheenvelopeopen，hastily，ondeck，whereitwashandedtohimbytheship—

　　chandler’srunner，whohadbroughthismailatthemo—

　　mentofanchoring.Forthesecondtimeinhislifehewasappalled，andremainedstock—stillatthecabindoorwiththepapertremblingbetweenhisfingers.Openaboarding—house！Twohundredpoundsforastart！Theonlyresource！Andhedidnotknowwheretolayhishandsontwohundredpence.

　　AllthatnightCaptainWhalleywalkedthepoopofhisanchoredship，asthoughhehadbeenabouttoclosewiththelandinthickweather，anduncertainofhispositionafterarunofmanygraydayswithoutasightofsun，moon，orstars.Theblacknighttwinkledwiththeguidinglightsofseamenandthesteadystraightlinesoflightsonshore;andallaroundtheFairMaidtheridinglightsofshipscasttremblingtrailsuponthewateroftheroadstead.CaptainWhalleysawnotagleamanywheretillthedawnbrokeandhefoundoutthathisclothingwassoakedthroughwiththeheavydew.

　　Hisshipwasawake.Hestoppedshort，strokedhiswetbeard，anddescendedthepoopladderbackwards，withtiredfeet.Atthesightofhimthechiefofficer，loungingaboutsleepilyonthequarterdeck，remainedopen—mouthedinthemiddleofagreatearly—morningyawn.

　　\"Goodmorningtoyou，\"pronouncedCaptainWhal—

　　leysolemnly，passingintothecabin.Buthecheckedhimselfinthedoorway，andwithoutlookingback，\"Bythebye，\"hesaid，\"thereshouldbeanemptywoodencaseputawayinthelazarette.Ithasnotbeenbrokenup——hasit？\"

　　Themateshuthismouth，andthenaskedasifdazed，\"Whatemptycase，sir？\"

　　\"Abigflatpacking—casebelongingtothatpaintinginmyroom.Letitbetakenupondeckandtellthecarpentertolookitover.Imaywanttouseitbeforelong.\"

　　Thechiefofficerdidnotstiralimbtillhehadheardthedoorofthecaptain’sstate—roomslamwithinthecuddy.Thenhebeckonedaftthesecondmatewithhisforefingertotellhimthattherewassomething\"inthewind.\"

　　WhenthebellrangCaptainWhalley’sauthoritativevoiceboomedoutthroughacloseddoor，\"Sitdownanddon’twaitforme.\"Andhisimpressedofficerstooktheirplaces，exchanginglooksandwhispersacrossthetable.

　　What！Nobreakfast？Andafterapparentlyknock—

　　ingaboutallnightondeck，too！Clearly，therewassomethinginthewind.Intheskylightabovetheirheads，bowedearnestlyovertheplates，threewirecagesrockedandrattledtotherestlessjumpingofthehungrycanaries;andtheycoulddetectthesoundsoftheir\"oldman’s\"deliberatemovementswithinhisstate—room.Cap—

　　tainWhalleywasmethodicallywindingupthechro—

　　nometers，dustingtheportraitofhislatewife，gettingacleanwhiteshirtoutofthedrawers，makinghimselfreadyinhispunctiliousunhurriedmannertogoashore.

　　Hecouldnothaveswallowedasinglemouthfuloffoodthatmorning.HehadmadeuphismindtoselltheFairMaid.

　　III

　　JustatthattimetheJapanesewerecastingfarandwideforshipsofEuropeanbuild，andhehadnodiffi—

　　cultyinfindingapurchaser，aspeculatorwhodroveahardbargain，butpaidcashdownfortheFairMaid，withaviewtoaprofitableresale.ThusitcameaboutthatCaptainWhalleyfoundhimselfonacertainafter—

　　noondescendingthestepsofoneofthemostimportantpost—officesoftheEastwithaslipofbluishpaperinhishand.Thiswasthereceiptofaregisteredletteren—

　　closingadraftfortwohundredpounds，andaddressedtoMelbourne.CaptainWhalleypushedthepaperintohiswaistcoat—pocket，tookhisstickfromunderhisarm，andwalkeddownthestreet.

　　Itwasarecentlyopenedanduntidythoroughfarewithrudimentaryside—walksandasoftlayerofdustcushion—

　　ingthewholewidthoftheroad.OneendtouchedtheslummystreetofChineseshopsneartheharbor，theotherdrovestraighton，withouthouses，foracoupleofmiles，throughpatchesofjungle—likevegetation，totheyardgatesofthenewConsolidatedDocksCompany.ThecrudefrontagesofthenewGovernmentbuildingsalter—

　　natedwiththeblankfencingofvacantplots，andtheviewoftheskyseemedtogiveanaddedspaciousnesstothebroadvista.Itwasemptyandshunnedbynativesafterbusinesshours，asthoughtheyhadexpectedtoseeoneofthetigersfromtheneighborhoodoftheNewWaterworksonthehillcomingatalopingcanterdownthemiddletogetaChineseshopkeeperforsupper.Cap—

　　tainWhalleywasnotdwarfedbythesolitudeofthegrandlyplannedstreet.Hehadtoofineapresenceforthat.Hewasonlyalonelyfigurewalkingpurposefully，withagreatwhitebeardlikeapilgrim，andwithathickstickthatresembledaweapon.OnonesidethenewCourtsofJusticehadalowandunadornedporticoofsquatcolumnshalfconcealedbyafewoldtreesleftintheapproach.OntheotherthepavilionwingsofthenewColonialTreasurycameouttothelineofthestreet.

　　ButCaptainWhalley，whohadnownoshipandnohome，rememberedinpassingthatonthatverysitewhenhefirstcameoutfromEnglandtherehadstoodafishingvillage，afewmathutserectedonpilesbetweenamuddytidalcreekandamirypathwaythatwentwrithingintoatangledwildernesswithoutanydocksorwaterworks.

　　Noship——nohome.AndhispoorIvyawaytherehadnohomeeither.Aboarding—houseisnosortofhomethoughitmaygetyoualiving.Hisfeelingswerehorriblyraspedbytheideaoftheboarding—house.Inhisrankoflifehehadthattrulyaristocratictempera—

　　mentcharacterizedbyascornofvulgargentilityandbyprejudicedviewsastothederogatorynatureofcer—

　　tainoccupations.Forhisownparthehadalwayspre—

　　ferredsailingmerchantships（whichisastraight—

　　forwardoccupation）tobuyingandsellingmerchandise，ofwhichtheessenceistogetthebetterofsomebodyinabargain——anundignifiedtrialofwitsatbest.HisfatherhadbeenColonelWhalley（retired）oftheH.E.I.Com—

　　pany’sservice，withveryslendermeansbesideshispen—

　　sion，butwithdistinguishedconnections.Hecouldre—

　　memberasaboyhowfrequentlywaitersattheinns，coun—

　　trytradesmenandsmallpeopleofthatsort，usedto\"Mylord\"theoldwarrioronthestrengthofhisappear—

　　ance.

　　CaptainWhalleyhimself（hewouldhaveenteredtheNavyifhisfatherhadnotdiedbeforehewasfourteen）

　　hadsomethingofagrandairwhichwouldhavesuitedanoldandgloriousadmiral;buthebecamelostlikeastrawintheeddyofabrookamongsttheswarmofbrownandyellowhumanityfillingathoroughfare，thatbycontrastwiththevastandemptyavenuehehadleftseemedasnarrowasalaneandabsolutelyriotouswithlife.Thewallsofthehouseswereblue;theshopsoftheChinamenyawnedlikecavernouslairs;heapsofnondescriptmerchandiseoverflowedthegloomofthelongrangeofarcades，andthefieryserenityofsunsettookthemiddleofthestreetfromendtoendwithaglowlikethereflectionofafire.Itfellonthebrightcolorsandthedarkfacesofthebare—footedcrowd，onthepallidyellowbacksofthehalf—nakedjostlingcoolies，ontheaccoutermentsofatallSikhtrooperwithapartedbeardandfiercemustachesonsentrybeforethegateofthepolicecompound.Loomingverybigabovetheheadsinaredhazeofdust，thetightlypackedcarofthecabletramwaynavigatedcautiouslyupthehu—

　　manstream，withtheincessantblareofitshorn，inthemannerofasteamergropinginafog.

　　CaptainWhalleyemergedlikeadiverontheotherside，andinthedesertshadebetweenthewallsofclosedwarehousesremovedhishattocoolhisbrow.Acertaindisreputeattachedtothecallingofalandladyofaboarding—house.Thesewomenweresaidtoberapacious，unscrupulous，untruthful;andthoughhecontemnednoclassofhisfellow—creatures——Godforbid！——theseweresuspicionstowhichitwasunseemlythataWhalleyshouldlayherselfopen.Hehadnotexpostulatedwithher，however.Hewasconfidentshesharedhisfeelings;

　　hewassorryforher;hetrustedherjudgment;hecon—

　　sidereditamercifuldispensationthathecouldhelpheroncemore，——butinhisaristocraticheartofheartshewouldhavefounditmoreeasytoreconcilehimselftotheideaofherturningseamstress.Vaguelyherememberedreadingyearsagoatouchingpiececalledthe\"SongoftheShirt.\"Itwasallverywellmakingsongsaboutpoorwomen.ThegranddaughterofColonelWhalley，thelandladyofaboarding—house！Pooh！Hereplacedhishat，divedintotwopockets，andstoppingamomenttoapplyaflaringmatchtotheendofacheapcheroot，blewanembitteredcloudofsmokeataworldthatcouldholdsuchsurprises.

　　Ofonethinghewascertain——thatshewastheownchildofaclevermother.Nowhehadgotoverthewrenchofpartingwithhisship，heperceivedclearlythatsuchastephadbeenunavoidable.Perhapshehadbeengrowingawareofitallalongwithanunconfessedknowledge.Butshe，farawaythere，musthavehadanintuitiveperceptionofit，withtheplucktofacethattruthandthecouragetospeakout——allthequalitieswhichhadmadehermotherawomanofsuchexcellentcounsel.

　　Itwouldhavehadtocometothatintheend！Itwasfortunateshehadforcedhishand.Inanotheryearortwoitwouldhavebeenanutterlybarrensale.Tokeeptheshipgoinghehadbeeninvolvinghimselfdeepereveryyear.Hewasdefenselessbeforetheinsidiousworkofadversity，towhosemoreopenassaultshecouldpre—

　　sentafirmfront;likeacliffthatstandsunmovedtheopenbatteringofthesea，withaloftyignoranceofthetreacherousbackwashunderminingitsbase.Asitwas，everyliabilitysatisfied，herrequestanswered，andowingnomanapenny，thereremainedtohimfromthepro—

　　ceedsasumoffivehundredpoundsputawaysafely.Inadditionhehaduponhispersonsomefortyodddollars——enoughtopayhishotelbill，providinghedidnotlingertoolonginthemodestbedroomwherehehadtakenrefuge.

　　Scantilyfurnished，andwithawaxedfloor，itopenedintooneoftheside—verandas.Thestragglingbuildingofbricks，asairyasabird—cage，resoundedwiththeincessantflappingofrattanscreensworriedbythewindbetweenthewhite—washedsquarepillarsofthesea—front.

　　Theroomswerelofty，arippleofsunshineflowedovertheceilings;andtheperiodicalinvasionsoftouristsfromsomepassengersteamerintheharborflittedthroughthewind—sweptduskoftheapartmentswiththetumultoftheirunfamiliarvoicesandimpermanentpresences，likerelaysofmigratoryshadescondemnedtospeedheadlongroundtheearthwithoutleavingatrace.Thebabbleoftheirirruptionsebbedoutassuddenlyasithadarisen;

　　thedraughtycorridorsandthelongchairsoftheve—

　　randasknewtheirsight—seeinghurryortheirprostratereposenomore;andCaptainWhalley，substantialanddignified，leftwellnighaloneinthevasthotelbyeachlight—heartedskurry，feltmoreandmorelikeastrandedtouristwithnoaiminview，likeaforlorntravelerwith—

　　outahome.Inthesolitudeofhisroomhesmokedthoughtfully，gazingatthetwosea—chestswhichheldallthathecouldcallhisowninthisworld.Athickrollofchartsinasheathofsailclothleanedinacorner;theflatpacking—casecontainingtheportraitinoilsandthethreecarbonphotographshadbeenpushedunderthebed.Hewastiredofdiscussingterms，ofassistingatsurveys，ofalltheroutineofthebusiness.Whattotheotherpartieswasmerelythesaleofashipwastohimamomentouseventinvolvingaradicallynewviewofexistence.Heknewthatafterthisshiptherewouldbenoother;andthehopesofhisyouth，theexerciseofhisabilities，everyfeelingandachievementofhisman—

　　hood，hadbeenindissolublyconnectedwithships.Hehadservedships;hehadownedships;andeventheyearsofhisactualretirementfromtheseahadbeenmadebearablebytheideathathehadonlytostretchouthishandfullofmoneytogetaship.Hehadbeenatlibertytofeelasthoughheweretheownerofalltheshipsintheworld.Thesellingofthisonewaswearywork;butwhenshepassedfromhimatlast，whenhesignedthelastreceipt，itwasasthoughalltheshipshadgoneoutoftheworldtogether，leavinghimontheshoreofinaccessibleoceanswithsevenhundredpoundsinhishands.

　　Stridingfirmly，withouthaste，alongthequay，CaptainWhalleyavertedhisglancesfromthefamiliarroadstead.

　　Twogenerationsofseamenbornsincehisfirstdayatseastoodbetweenhimandalltheseshipsattheanchor—

　　age.Hisownwassold，andhehadbeenaskinghim—

　　self，Whatnext？

　　Fromthefeelingofloneliness，ofinwardemptiness，——andoflosstoo，asifhisverysoulhadbeentakenoutofhimforcibly，——therehadsprungatfirstadesiretostartrightoffandjoinhisdaughter.\"Herearethelastpence，\"hewouldsaytoher;\"takethem，mydear.

　　Andhere’syouroldfather：youmusttakehimtoo.\"

　　Hissoulrecoiled，asifafraidofwhatlayhiddenatthebottomofthisimpulse.Giveup！Never！Whenoneisthoroughlywearyallsortsofnonsensecomeintoone’shead.Aprettygiftitwouldhavebeenforapoorwoman——thissevenhundredpoundswiththeincumbranceofahaleoldfellowmorethanlikelytolastforyearsandyearstocome.Washenotasfittodieinharnessasanyoftheyoungstersinchargeoftheseanchoredshipsoutyonder？Hewasassolidnowaseverhehadbeen.Butastowhowouldgivehimworktodo，thatwasanothermatter.Werehe，withhisappearanceandantecedents，togoaboutlookingforajunior’sberth，people，hewasafraid，wouldnottakehimseriously;orelseifhesucceededinimpressingthem，hewouldmaybeobtaintheirpity，whichwouldbelikestrippingyour—

　　selfnakedtobekicked.Hewasnotanxioustogivehimselfawayforlessthannothing.Hehadnouseforanybody’spity.Ontheotherhand，acommand——

　　theonlythinghecouldtryforwithdueregardforcommondecency——wasnotlikelytobelyinginwaitforhimatthecornerofthenextstreet.Commandsdon’tgoa—beggingnowadays.Eversincehehadcomeashoretocarryoutthebusinessofthesalehehadkepthisearsopen，buthadheardnohintofonebeingvacantintheport.Andeveniftherehadbeenone，hissuc—

　　cessfulpastitselfstoodinhisway.Hehadbeenhisownemployertoolong.Theonlycredentialhecouldproducewasthetestimonyofhiswholelife.Whatbetterrecommendationcouldanyonerequire？ButvaguelyhefeltthattheuniquedocumentwouldbelookeduponasanarchaiccuriosityoftheEasternwaters，ascreedtracedinobsoletewords——inahalf—for—

　　gottenlanguage.

　　IV

　　Revolvingthesethoughts，hestrolledonneartherail—

　　ingsofthequay，broad—chested，withoutastoop，asthoughhisbigshouldershadneverfelttheburdenoftheloadsthatmustbecarriedbetweenthecradleandthegrave.Nosinglebetrayingfoldorlineofcaredisfiguredthereposefulmodelingofhisface.Itwasfullanduntanned;andtheupperpartemerged，mas—

　　sivelyquiet，outofthedownwardflowofsilveryhair，withthestrikingdelicacyofitsclearcomplexionandthepowerfulwidthoftheforehead.Thefirstcastofhisglancefellonyoucandidandswift，likeaboy’s;

　　butbecauseoftheraggedsnowythatchoftheeyebrowstheaffabilityofhisattentionacquiredthecharacterofadarkandsearchingscrutiny.Withagehehadputonfleshalittle，hadincreasedhisgirthlikeanoldtreepresentingnosymptomsofdecay;andeventheopulent，lustrousrippleofwhitehairsuponhischestseemedanattributeofunquenchablevitalityandvigor.

　　Onceratherproudofhisgreatbodilystrength，andevenofhispersonalappearance，consciousofhisworth，andfirminhisrectitude，therehadremainedtohim，liketheheritageofdepartedprosperity，thetranquilbearingofamanwhohadprovedhimselffitineverysortofwayforthelifeofhischoice.HestrodeonsquarelyundertheprojectingbrimofanancientPanamahat.Ithadalowcrown，acreasethroughitswholediameter，anarrowblackribbon.Imperishableandalittlediscolored，thisheadgearmadeiteasytopickhimoutfromafaronthrongedwharvesandinthebusystreets.Hehadneveradoptedthecomparativelymodernfashionofpipeclayedcorkhelmets.Hedislikedtheform;andhehopedhecouldmanagetokeepacoolheadtotheendofhislifewithoutallthesecontrivancesforhygienicventilation.Hishairwascroppedclose，hislinenalwaysofimmaculatewhiteness;asuitofthingrayflannel，wornthreadbarebutscrupulouslybrushed，floatedabouthisburlylimbs，addingtohisbulkbytheloosenessofitscut.Theyearshadmellowedthegood—

　　humored，imperturbableaudacityofhisprimeintoatempercarelesslyserene;andtheleisurelytappingofhisiron—shodstickaccompaniedhisfootfallswithaself—

　　confidentsoundontheflagstones.Itwasimpossibletoconnectsuchafinepresenceandthisunruffledaspectwiththebelittlingtroublesofpoverty;theman’swholeexistenceappearedtopassbeforeyou，facileandlarge，inthefreedomofmeansasampleastheclothingofhisbody.

　　Theirrationaldreadofhavingtobreakintohisfivehundredpoundsforpersonalexpensesinthehoteldis—

　　turbedthesteadypoiseofhismind.Therewasnotimetolose.Thebillwasrunningup.Henourishedthehopethatthisfivehundredwouldperhapsbethemeans，ifeverythingelsefailed，ofobtainingsomeworkwhich，keepinghisbodyandsoultogether（notamatterofgreatoutlay），wouldenablehimtobeofusetohisdaughter.Tohisminditwasherownmoneywhichheemployed，asitwere，inbackingherfatherandsolelyforherbenefit.Onceatwork，hewouldhelpherwiththegreaterpartofhisearnings;hewasgoodformanyyearsyet，andthisboarding—housebusiness，hearguedtohimself，whatevertheprospects，couldnotbemuchofagold—minefromthefirststart.Butwhatwork？Hewasreadytolayholdofanythinginanhonestwaysothatitcamequicklytohishand;becausethefivehun—

　　dredpoundsmustbepreservedintactforeventualuse.

　　Thatwasthegreatpoint.Withtheentirefivehundredonefeltasubstanceatone’sback;butitseemedtohimthatshouldheletitdwindletofour—fiftyorevenfour—

　　eighty，alltheefficiencywouldbegoneoutofthemoney，asthoughthereweresomemagicpowerintheroundfigure.Butwhatsortofwork？

　　Confrontedbythathauntingquestionasbyanuneasyghost，forwhomhehadnoexorcisingformula，CaptainWhalleystoppedshortontheapexofasmallbridgespanningsteeplythebedofacanalizedcreekwithgraniteshores.Mooredbetweenthesquareblocksasea—

　　goingMalaypraufloatedhalfhiddenunderthearchofmasonry，withhersparslowereddown，withoutasoundoflifeonboard，andcoveredfromstemtosternwitharidgeofpalm—leafmats.Hehadleftbehindhimtheoverheatedpavementsborderedbythestonefrontagesthat，likethesheerfaceofcliffs，followedthesweepofthequays;andanunconfinedspaciousnessoforderlyandsylvanaspectopenedbeforehimitswideplotsofrolledgrass，likepiecesofgreencarpetsmoothlypeggedout，itslongrangesoftreeslinedupincolossalporticosofdarkshaftsroofedwithavaultofbranches.

　　Someoftheseavenuesendedatthesea.Itwasater—

　　racedshore;andbeyond，uponthelevelexpanse，pro—

　　foundandglisteninglikethegazeofadark—blueeye，anobliquebandofstippledpurplelengtheneditselfin—

　　definitelythroughthegapbetweenacoupleofverdanttwinislets.Themastsandsparsofafewshipsfaraway，hulldownintheouterroads，sprangstraightfromthewaterinafinemazeofrosylinespenciledontheclearshadowoftheeasternboard.CaptainWhalleygavethemalongglance.Theship，oncehisown，wasanchoredoutthere.Itwasstaggeringtothinkthatitwasopentohimnolongertotakeaboatatthejettyandgethimselfpulledofftoherwhentheeveningcame.

　　Tonoship.Perhapsnevermore.Beforethesalewasconcluded，andtillthepurchase—moneyhadbeenpaid，hehadspentdailysometimeonboardtheFairMaid.

　　Themoneyhadbeenpaidthisverymorning，andnow，allatonce，therewaspositivelynoshipthathecouldgoonboardofwhenheliked;noshipthatwouldneedhispresenceinordertodoherwork——tolive.Itseemedanincrediblestateofaffairs，somethingtoobizarretolast.Andtheseawasfullofcraftofallsorts.Therewasthatpraulyingsostillswathedinhershroudofsewnpalm—leaves——shetoohadherindispensableman.

　　Theylivedthrougheachother，thisMalayhehadneverseen，andthishigh—sternedthingofnosizethatseemedtoberestingafteralongjourney.Andofalltheshipsinsight，nearandfar，eachwasprovidedwithaman，themanwithoutwhomthefinestshipisadeadthing，afloatingandpurposelesslog.

　　Afterhisoneglanceattheroadsteadhewenton，sincetherewasnothingtoturnbackfor，andthetimemustbegotthroughsomehow.TheavenuesofbigtreesranstraightovertheEsplanade，cuttingeachotheratdi—

　　verseangles，columnarbelowandluxuriantabove.Theinterlacedboughshighupthereseemedtoslumber;notaleafstirredoverhead：andthereedycast—ironlamp—

　　postsinthemiddleoftheroad，giltlikescepters，diminishedinalongperspective，withtheirglobesofwhiteporcelainatop，resemblingabarbarousdecorationofostriches’eggsdisplayedinarow.Theflamingskykindledatinycrimsonsparkupontheglisteningsur—

　　faceofeachglassyshell.

　　Withhischinsunkalittle，hishandsbehindhisback，andtheendofhisstickmarkingthegravelwithafaintwaveringlineathisheels，CaptainWhalleyreflectedthatifashipwithoutamanwaslikeabodywithoutasoul，asailorwithoutashipwasofnotmuchmoreaccountinthisworldthananaimlesslogadriftuponthesea.Thelogmightbesoundenoughbyitself，toughoffiber，andhardtodestroy——butwhatofthat！Andasuddensenseofirremediableidlenessweightedhisfeetlikeagreatfatigue.

　　Asuccessionofopencarriagescamebowlingalongthenewlyopenedsea—road.Youcouldseeacrossthewidegrass—plotsthediscsofvibrationmadebythespokes.

　　Thebrightdomesoftheparasolsswayedlightlyout—

　　wardslikefull—blownblossomsontherimofavase;andthequietsheetofdark—bluewater，crossedbyabarofpurple，madeabackgroundforthespinningwheelsandthehighactionofthehorses，whilsttheturbanedheadsoftheIndianservantselevatedabovethelineoftheseahorizonglidedrapidlyonthepalerblueofthesky.Inanopenspacenearthelittlebridgeeachturn—outtrottedsmartlyinawidecurveawayfromthesunset;thenpull—

　　ingupsharp，enteredthemainalleyinalongslow—

　　movingfilewiththegreatredstillnessoftheskyattheback.Thetrunksofmightytreesstoodalltouchedwithredonthesameside，theairseemedaflameunderthehighfoliage，theverygroundunderthehoofsofthehorseswasred.Thewheelsturnedsolemnly;oneafteranotherthesunshadesdrooped，foldingtheircolorslikegorgeousflowersshuttingtheirpetalsattheendoftheday.Inthewholehalf—mileofhumanbeingsnovoiceutteredadistinctword，onlyafaintthuddingnoisewentonmingledwithslightjinglingsounds，andthemotion—

　　lessheadsandshouldersofmenandwomensittingincouplesemergedstolidlyabovetheloweredhoods——asifwooden.Butonecarriageandpaircominglatedidnotjointheline.

　　Itfledalonginanoiselessroll;butonenteringtheavenueoneofthedarkbayssnorted，archinghisneckandshyingagainstthesteel—tippedpole;aflakeoffoamfellfromthebituponthepointofasatinyshoul—

　　der，andtheduskyfaceofthecoachmanleanedfor—

　　wardatonceoverthehandstakingafreshgripofthereins.Itwasalongdark—greenlandau，havingadigni—

　　fiedandbuoyantmotionbetweenthesharplycurvedC—springs，andasortofstrictlyofficialmajestyinitssupremeelegance.Itseemedmoreroomythanisusual，itshorsesseemedslightlybigger，theappointmentsashademoreperfect，theservantsperchedsomewhathigheronthebox.Thedressesofthreewomen——twoyoungandpretty，andone，handsome，large，ofmatureage——seemedtofillcompletelytheshallowbodyofthecarriage.Thefourthfacewasthatofaman，heavylidded，distinguishedandsallow，withasomber，thick，iron—grayimperialandmustaches，whichsomehowhadtheairofsolidappendages.HisExcellency——

　　Therapidmotionofthatoneequipagemadealltheothersappearutterlyinferior，blighted，andreducedtocrawlpainfullyatasnail’space.Thelandaudistancedthewholefileinasortofsustainedrush;thefeaturesoftheoccupantwhirlingoutofsightleftbehindanimpressionoffixedstaresandimpassivevacancy;andafterithadvanishedinfullflightasitwere，notwith—

　　standingthelonglineofvehicleshuggingthecurbatawalk，thewholeloftyvistaoftheavenueseemedtolieopenandemptiedoflifeintheenlargedimpressionofanaugustsolitude.

　　CaptainWhalleyhadliftedhisheadtolook，andhismind，disturbedinitsmeditation，turnedwithwonder（asmen’smindswilldo）tomattersofnoimportance.

　　Itstruckhimthatitwastothisport，wherehehadjustsoldhislastship，thathehadcomewiththeveryfirsthehadeverowned，andwithhisheadfullofaplanforopeninganewtradewithadistantpartoftheArchipelago.Thethengovernorhadgivenhimnoendofencouragement.NoExcellencyhe——thisMr.Den—

　　ham——thisgovernorwithhisjacketoff;amanwhotendednightandday，sotospeak，thegrowingpros—

　　perityofthesettlementwiththeself—forgetfuldevotionofanurseforachildsheloves;alonebachelorwholivedasinacampwiththefewservantsandhisthreedogsinwhatwascalledthentheGovernmentBungalow：

　　alow—roofedstructureonthehalf—clearedslopeofahill，withanewflagstaffinfrontandapoliceorderlyontheveranda.Herememberedtoilingupthathillunderaheavysunforhisaudience;theunfurnishedaspectofthecoolshadedroom;thelongtablecoveredatoneendwithpilesofpapers，andwithtwoguns，abrasstelescope，asmallbottleofoilwithafeatherstuckintheneckattheother——andtheflatteringattentiongiventohimbythemaninpower.Itwasanunder—

　　takingfullofriskhehadcometoexpound，butatwentyminutes’talkintheGovernmentBungalowonthehillhadmadeitgosmoothlyfromthestart.AndashewasretiringMr.Denham，alreadyseatedbeforethepapers，calledoutafterhim，\"NextmonththeDidostartsforacruisethatway，andIshallrequesthercaptainofficiallytogiveyoualookinandseehowyougeton.\"TheDidowasoneofthesmartfrigatesontheChinastation——andfive—and—thirtyyearsmakeabigsliceoftime.Five—and—thirtyyearsagoanenterpriselikehishadforthecolonyenoughimportancetobelookedafterbyaQueen’sship.Abigsliceoftime.

　　Individualswereofsomeaccountthen.Menlikehim—

　　self;men，too，likepoorEvans，forinstance，withhisredface，hiscoal—blackwhiskers，andhisrestlesseyes，whohadsetupthefirstpatentslipforrepairingsmallships，ontheedgeoftheforest，inalonelybaythreemilesupthecoast.Mr.Denhamhadencouragedthatenterprisetoo，andyetsomehowpoorEvanshadendedbydyingathomedeucedlyhardup.Hisson，theysaid，wassqueezingoiloutofcocoa—nutsforalivingonsomeGod—forsakenisletoftheIndianOcean;butitwasfromthatpatentslipinalonelywoodedbaythathadsprungtheworkshopsoftheConsolidatedDocksCompany，withitsthreegravingbasinscarvedoutofsolidrock，itswharves，itsjetties，itselectric—lightplant，itssteam—

　　powerhouses——withitsgiganticsheer—legs，fittolifttheheaviestweightevercarriedafloat，andwhoseheadcouldbeseenlikethetopofaqueerwhitemonumentpeepingoverbushypointsoflandandsandypromontories，asyouapproachedtheNewHarborfromthewest.

　　Therehadbeenatimewhenmencounted：therewerenotsomanycarriagesinthecolonythen，thoughMr.

　　Denham，hefancied，hadabuggy.AndCaptainWhal—

　　leyseemedtobesweptoutofthegreatavenuebytheswirlofamentalbackwash.Herememberedmuddyshores，aharborwithoutquays，theonesolitarywoodenpier（butthatwasapublicwork）juttingoutcrookedly，thefirstcoal—shedserectedonMonkeyPoint，thatcaughtfiremysteriouslyandsmolderedfordays，sothatamazedshipscameintoaroadsteadfullofsulphuroussmoke，andthesunhungblood—redatmidday.Here—

　　memberedthethings，thefaces，andsomethingmorebesides——likethefaintflavorofacupquaffedtothebottom，likeasubtlesparkleoftheairthatwasnottobefoundintheatmosphereofto—day.

　　Inthisevocation，swiftandfullofdetaillikeaflashofmagnesiumlightintothenichesofadarkmemorialhall，CaptainWhalleycontemplatedthingsonceimpor—

　　tant，theeffortsofsmallmen，thegrowthofagreatplace，butnowrobbedofallconsequencebythegreat—

　　nessofaccomplishedfacts，byhopesgreaterstill;andtheygavehimforamomentsuchanalmostphysicalgripupontime，suchacomprehensionofourunchange—

　　ablefeelings，thathestoppedshort，struckthegroundwithhisstick，andejaculatedmentally，\"WhatthedevilamIdoinghere！\"Heseemedlostinasortofsurprise;

　　butheheardhisnamecalledoutinwheezytonesonce，twice——andturnedonhisheelsslowly.

　　Hebeheldthen，waddlingtowardshimautocratically，amanofanold—fashionedandgoutyaspect，withhairaswhiteashisown，butwithshaved，floridcheeks，wear—

　　inganecktie——almostaneckcloth——whosestiffendspro—

　　jectedfarbeyondhischin;withroundlegs，roundarms，aroundbody，aroundface——generallyproducingtheeffectofhisshortfigurehavingbeendistendedbymeansofanair—pumpasmuchastheseamsofhisclothingwouldstand.ThiswastheMaster—Attendantoftheport.Amaster—attendantisasuperiorsortofharbor—

　　master;aperson，outintheEast，ofsomeconsequenceinhissphere;aGovernmentofficial，amagistrateforthewatersoftheport，andpossessedofvastbutill—

　　defineddisciplinaryauthorityoverseamenofallclasses.

　　ThisparticularMaster—Attendantwasreportedtocon—

　　sideritmiserablyinadequate，onthegroundthatitdidnotincludethepoweroflifeanddeath.Thiswasajocularexaggeration.CaptainEliottwasfairlysatis—

　　fiedwithhisposition，andnursednoinconsiderablesenseofsuchpowerashehad.Hisconceitedandtyrannicaldispositiondidnotallowhimtoletitdwindleinhishandsforwantofuse.Theuproarious，cholericfrank—

　　nessofhiscommentsonpeople’scharacterandconductcausedhimtobefearedatbottom;thoughinconversa—

　　tionmanypretendednottomindhimintheleast，otherswouldonlysmilesourlyatthementionofhisname，andtherewereevensomewhodaredtopronouncehim\"ameddlesomeoldruffian.\"ButforalmostallofthemoneofCaptainEliott’soutbreakswasnearlyasdistaste—

　　fultofaceasachanceofannihilation.

　　V

　　Assoonashehadcomeupquiteclosehesaid，mouth—

　　inginagrowl——

　　\"What’sthisIhear，Whalley？Isittrueyou’resell—

　　ingtheFairMaid？\"

　　CaptainWhalley，lookingaway，saidthethingwasdone——moneyhadbeenpaidthatmorning;andtheotherexpressedatoncehisapprobationofsuchanextremelysensibleproceeding.Hehadgotoutofhistraptostretchhislegs，heexplained，onhiswayhometodinner.

　　SirFredericklookedwellattheendofhistime.Didn’the？

　　CaptainWhalleycouldnotsay;hadonlynoticedthecarriagegoingpast.

　　TheMaster—Attendant，plunginghishandsintothepocketsofanalpacajacketinappropriatelyshortandtightforamanofhisageandappearance，struttedwithaslightlimp，andwithhisheadreachingonlytotheshoulderofCaptainWhalley，whowalkedeasily，staringstraightbeforehim.Theyhadbeengoodcom—

　　radesyearsago，almostintimates.AtthetimewhenWhalleycommandedtherenownedCondor，EliotthadchargeofthenearlyasfamousRingdoveforthesameowners;andwhentheappointmentofMaster—Attendantwascreated，Whalleywouldhavebeentheonlyotherseriouscandidate.ButCaptainWhalley，thenintheprimeoflife，wasresolvedtoservenoonebuthisownauspiciousFortune.Faraway，tendinghishotirons，hewasgladtoheartheotherhadbeensuccessful.TherewasaworldlysupplenessinbluffNedEliottthatwouldservehimwellinthatsortofofficialappointment.AndtheyweresodissimilaratbottomthatastheycameslowlytotheendoftheavenuebeforetheCathedral，ithadnevercomeintoWhalley’sheadthathemighthavebeeninthatman’splace——providedfortotheendofhisdays.

　　Thesacrededifice，standinginsolemnisolationamongsttheconvergingavenuesofenormoustrees，asiftoputgravethoughtsofheavenintothehoursofease，pre—

　　sentedaclosedGothicportaltothelightandgloryofthewest.Theglassoftherosaceabovetheogiveglowedlikefierycoalinthedeepcarvingsofawheelofstone.

　　Thetwomenfacedabout.

　　\"I’lltellyouwhattheyoughttodonext，Whalley，\"

　　growledCaptainEliottsuddenly.

　　\"Well？\"

　　\"TheyoughttosendareallivelordoutherewhenSirFrederick’stimeisup.Eh？\"

　　CaptainWhalleyperfunctorilydidnotseewhyalordoftherightsortshouldnotdoaswellasanyoneelse.

　　Butthiswasnottheother’spointofview.

　　\"No，no.Placerunsitself.Nothingcanstopitnow.

　　Goodenoughforalord，\"hegrowledinshortsentences.

　　\"Lookatthechangesinourtime.Weneedalordherenow.TheyhavegotalordinBombay.\"

　　HedinedonceortwiceeveryyearattheGovernmentHouse——amany—windowed，arcadedpalaceuponahilllaidoutinroadsandgardens.AndlatelyhehadbeentakingaboutadukeinhisMaster—Attendant’ssteam—

　　launchtovisittheharborimprovements.Beforethathehad\"mostobligingly\"goneoutinpersontopickoutagoodberthfortheducalyacht.Afterwardshehadaninvitationtolunchonboard.Theduchessher—

　　selflunchedwiththem.Abigwomanwitharedface.

　　Complexionquitesunburnt.Heshouldthinkruined.

　　Verygraciousmanners.TheyweregoingontoJapan

　　HeejaculatedthesedetailsforCaptainWhalley’sedi—

　　fication，pausingtoblowouthischeeksasifwithapent—upsenseofimportance，andrepeatedlyprotrudinghisthicklipstillthebluntcrimsonendofhisnoseseemedtodipintothemilkofhismustache.Theplaceranitself;itwasfitforanylord;itgavenotroubleexceptinitsMarinedepartment——initsMarinedepartmentherepeatedtwice，andafteraheavysnortbegantorelatehowtheotherdayherMajesty’sConsul—GeneralinFrenchCochin—Chinahadcabledtohim——inhisofficialcapacity——askingforaqualifiedmantobesentovertotakechargeofaGlasgowshipwhosemasterhaddiedinSaigon.