Amealwasbeingservedondeckintheshadeofthespanker，andJerry，sittingbetweenthetwomenreceivedhisshare。Alreadyhehadmadethegeneralizationthatofthetwo，thecaptainwasthesuperiorgod，givingmanyordersthatthemateobeyed。Themate，ontheotherhand，gaveorderstotheblacks，butneverdidhegiveorderstothecaptain。Furthermore，Jerrywasdevelopingalikingforthecaptain，sohesnuggledclosetohim。Whenheputhisnoseintothecaptain’splate，hewasgentlyreprimanded。Butonce，whenhemerelysniffedatthemate’ssteamingtea—cup，herreceivedasnubonthenosefromthemate’sgrimyforefinger。Also，thematedidnotofferhimfood。
CaptainVanHorngavehim，firstofall，apannikinofoatmealmush，generouslyfloodedwithcondensedcreamandsweetenedwithaheapingspoonfulofsugar。Afterthat，onoccasion，hegavehimmorselsofbutteredbreadandsliversoffriedfishfromwhichhefirstcarefullypickedthetinybones。
HisbelovedMisterHagginhadneverfedhimfromthetableatmealtime，andJerrywasbesidehimselfwiththejoyofthisdelightfulexperience。And，beingyoung，heallowedhiseagernesstotakepossessionofhim，sothatsoonhewasundulyurgingthecaptainformorepiecesoffishandofbreadandbutter。Once，heevenbarkedhisdemand。Thisputtheideaintothecaptain’shead，whobeganimmediatelytoteachhimto\"speak。\"
Attheendoffiveminuteshehadlearnedtospeaksoftly，andtospeakonlyonce——alow，mellow，bell—likebarkofasinglesyllable。
Also，inthisfirstfiveminutes，hehadlearnedto\"sitdown，\"asdistinctlydifferentfrom\"liedown\"；andthathemustsitdownwheneverhespoke，andthathemustspeakwithoutjumpingormovingfromthesittingposition，andthenmustwaituntilthepieceoffoodwaspassedtohim。
Further，hehadaddedthreewordstohisvocabulary。Foreverafter，\"speak\"wouldmeantohim\"speak，\"and\"sitdown\"wouldmean\"sitdown\"andwouldnotmean\"liedown。\"Thethirdadditiontohisvocabularywas\"Skipper。\"ThatwasthenamehehadheardthematerepeatedlycallCaptainVanHorn。AndjustasJerryknewthatwhenahumancalled\"Michael，\"thatthecallreferredtoMichaelandnottoBiddy，orTerrence，orhimself，soheknewthatSkipperwasthenameofthetwo—leggedwhitemasterofthisnewfloatingworld。
\"Thatisn’tjustadog，\"wasVanHorn’sconclusiontothemate。
\"There’sasureenoughhumanbraintherebehindthosebrowneyes。
He’ssixmonthsold。Anyboyofsixyearswouldbeaninfantphenomenontolearninfiveminutesallthathe’sjustlearned。
Why，Gott—fer—dang，adog’sbrainhastobelikeaman’s。Ifhedoesthingslikeaman，he’sgottothinklikeaman。\"
CHAPTERIV
Thecompanionwayintothemaincabinwasasteepladder，anddownthis，afterhismeal，Jerrywascarriedbythecaptain。Thecabinwasalongroom，extendingforthefullwidthoftheArangifromalazaretteafttoatinyroomfor’ard。For’ardofthisroom，separatedbyatightbulkhead，wastheforecastlewherelivedtheboat’screw。ThetinyroomwassharedbetweenVanHornandBorckman，whilethemaincabinwasoccupiedbythethree—scoreandoddreturnboys。TheysquattedaboutandlayeverywhereonthefloorandonthelonglowbunksthatranthefulllengthofthecabinInthelittlestateroomthecaptaintossedablanketonthefloorinacorner，andhedidnotfinditdifficulttogetJerrytounderstandthatthatwashisbed。NordidJerry，withafullstomachandwearyfromsomuchexcitement，finditdifficulttofallimmediatelyasleep。
AnhourlaterhewasawakenedbytheentranceofBorckman。Whenhewaggedhisstubofatailandsmiledfriendlywithhiseyes，thematescowledathimandmutteredangrilyinhisthroat。Jerrymadenofurtherovertures，butlayquietlywatching。Thematehadcometotakeadrink。Intruth，hewasstealingthedrinkfromVanHorn’ssupply。Jerrydidnotknowthis。Often，ontheplantation，hehadseenthewhitementakedrinks。ButtherewassomethingsomehowdifferentinthemannerofBorckman’stakingadrink。Jerrywasaware，vaguely，thattherewassomethingsurreptitiousaboutit。
Whatwaswronghedidnotknow，yethesensedthewrongnessandwatchedsuspiciously。
Afterthematedeparted，Jerrywouldhavesleptagainhadnotthecarelesslylatcheddoorswungopenwithabang。Openinghiseyes，preparedforanyhostileinvasionfromtheunknown，hefelltowatchingalargecockroachcrawlingdownthewall。Whenhegottohisfeetandwarilystalkedtowardit，thecockroachscuttledawaywithaslightrustlingnoiseanddisappearedintoacrack。Jerryhadbeenacquaintedwithcockroachesallhislife，buthewasdestinedtolearnnewthingsaboutthemfromtheparticularbreedthatdweltontheArangi。
Afteracursoryexaminationofthestateroomhewanderedoutintothecabin。Theblacks，sprawledabouteverywhere，but，conceivingittobehisdutytohisSkipper，Jerrymadeitapointtoidentifyeachone。Theyscowledandutteredlowthreateningnoiseswhenhesniffedclosetothem。Onedaredtomenacehimwithablow，butJerry，insteadofslinkingaway，showedhisteethandpreparedtospring。Theblackhastilydroppedtheoffendinghandtohissideandmadesoothing，penitentnoises，whileotherschuckled；andJerrypassedonhisway。Itwasnothingnew。Alwaysablowwastobeexpectedfromblackswhenwhitemenwerenotaround。Boththemateandthecaptainwereondeck，andJerry，thoughunafraid，continuedhisinvestigationscautiously。
Butatthedoorlessentrancetothelazaretteaft，hethrewcautiontothewindsanddartedininpursuitofthenewscentthatcametohisnostrils。Astrangepersonwasinthelow，darkspacewhomhehadneversmelled。Cladinasingleshiftandlyingonacoarsegrass—matspreaduponapileoftobaccocasesandfifty—poundtinsofflour，wasayoungblackgirl。
TherewassomethingfurtiveandlurkingaboutherthatJerrydidnotfailtosense，andhehadlongsincelearnedthatsomethingwaswrongwhenanyblacklurkedorskulked。Shecriedoutwithfearashebarkedanalarmandpounceduponher。Eventhoughhisteethscratchedherbarearm，shedidnotstrikeathim。Notdidshecryoutagain。Shecowereddownandtrembledanddidnotfightback。
Keepinghisteethlockedintheholdhehadgotonherflimsyshift，heshookanddraggedather，allthewhilegrowlingandscoldingforherbenefitandyelpingahighclamourtobringSkipperorthemate。
Inthecourseofthestrugglethegirlover—balancedontheboxesandtinsandtheentireheapcollapsed。ThiscausedJerrytoyelpamorefrenziedalarm，whiletheblacks，peeringinfromthecabin，laughedwithcruelenjoyment。
WhenSkipperarrived，Jerrywaggedhisstumptailand，withearslaidback，draggedandtuggedharderthaneveratthethincottonofthegirl’sgarment。Heexpectedpraiseforwhathehaddone，butwhenSkippermerelytoldhimtoletgo，heobeyedwiththerealizationthatthislurking，fear—struckcreaturewassomehowdifferent，andmustbetreateddifferently，fromotherlurkingcreatures。
Fear—struckshewas，asitisgiventofewhumanstobeandstilllive。VanHorncalledherhisparceloftrouble，andhewasanxioustoberidoftheparcel，without，however，theutterannihilationoftheparcel。Itwasthisannihilationwhichhehadsavedherfromwhenheboughtherinevenexchangeforafatpig。
Stupid，worthless，spiritless，sick，notmorethanadozenyearsold，nodelightintheeyesoftheyoungmenofhervillage，shehadbeenconsignedbyherdisappointedparentstothecooking—pot。WhenCaptainVanHornfirstencounteredherhadbeenwhenshewasthecentralfigureinalugubriousprocessiononthebanksoftheBalebuliRiver。
Anythingbutabeauty——hadbeenhisappraisalwhenhehaltedtheprocessionforapow—wow。Leanfromsickness，herskinmangywiththedryscalesofthediseasecalledbukua，shewastiedhandandfootand，likeapig，slungfromastoutpolethatrestedontheshouldersofthebearers，whointendedtodineoffofher。Toohopelesstoexpectmercy，shemadenoappealforhelp，thoughthehorriblefearthatpossessedherwaseloquentinherwild—staringeyes。
Intheuniversalbeche—de—merEnglish，CaptainVanHornhadlearnedthatshewasnotregardedwithrelishbyhercompanions，andthattheywereontheirwaytostakeheroutuptoherneckintherunningwateroftheBalebuli。Butfirst，beforetheystakedher，theirplanwastodislocateherjointsandbreakthebigbonesofthearmsandlegs。Thiswasnoreligiousrite，noplacationofthebrutishjunglegods。Merelywasitamatterofgastronomy。Livingmeat，sotreated，wasmadetenderandtasty，and，ashercompanionspointedout，shecertainlyneededtobeputthroughsuchaprocess。
Twodaysinthewater，theytoldthecaptain，oughttodothebusiness。Thentheywouldkillher，buildthefire，andinviteinafewfriends。
Afterhalfanhourofbargaining，duringwhichCaptainVanHornhadinsistedontheworthlessnessoftheparcel，hehadboughtafatpigworthfivedollarsandexchangeditforher。Thus，sincehehadpaidforthepigintradegoods，andsincetradegoodswereratedatahundredpercent。profit，thegirlhadactuallycosthimtwodollarsandfiftycents。
AndthenCaptainVanHorn’stroubleshadbegun。Hecouldnotgetridofthegirl。ToowellheknewthenativesofMalaitatoturnherovertothemanywhereontheisland。ChiefIshikolaofSu’uhadofferedfivetwentiesofdrinkingcoconutsforher，andBau，abushchief，hadofferedtwochickensonthebeachatMalu。Butthislastofferhadbeenaccompaniedbyasneer，andhadtokenedtheoldrascal’sscornofthegirl’sscrawniness。Failingtoconnectwiththemissionarybrig，theWesternCross，onwhichshewouldnothavebeeneaten，CaptainVanHornhadbeencompelledtokeepherinthecrampedquartersoftheArangiagainstaproblematicalfuturetimewhenhewouldbeabletoturnherovertothemissionaries。
Buttowardhimthegirlhadnoheartofgratitudebecauseshehadnobrainofunderstanding。She，whohadbeensoldforafatpig，consideredherpitifulroleintheworldtobeunchanged。Eateeshehadbeen。Eateesheremained。Herdestinationmerelyhadbeenchanged，andthisbigfellawhitemarsteroftheArangiwouldundoubtedlybeherdestinationwhenshehadsufficientlyfattened。
Hisdesignsonherhadbeentransparentfromthefirst，whenhehadtriedtofeedherup。Andshehadoutwittedhimbyresolutelyeatingnomorethanwouldbarelykeepheralive。
Asaresult，she，whohadlivedinthebushallherdaysandneversomuchassetfootinacanoe，rockedandrolledunendinglyoverthebroadoceaninaperpetualnightmareoffear。Inthebeche—de—
merthatwascurrentamongtheblacksofathousandislandsandtenthousanddialects，theArangi’sprocessionofpassengersassuredherofherfate。\"Myword，youfellaMary，\"onewouldsaytoher，\"shorttimelittlebitthatbigfellawhitemarsterkai—kaialongyou。\"Or，another：\"Bigfellawhitemarsterkai—kaialongyou，myword，bellybelonghimwalkabouttoomuch。\"
Kai—kaiwasthebeche—de—merfor\"eat。\"EvenJerryknewthat。
\"Eat\"didnotobtaininhisvocabulary；butkai—kaidid，anditmeantallandmorethan\"eat，\"foritservedforbothnounandverb。
Butthegirlneverrepliedtothejeeringoftheblacks。Forthatmatter，sheneverspokeatall，noteventoCaptainVanHorn，whodidnotsomuchasknowhername。
Itwaslateafternoon，afterdiscoveringthegirlinthelazarette，whenJerryagaincameondeck。ScarcelyhadSkipper，whohadcarriedhimupthesteepladder，droppedhimondeckthanJerrymadeanewdiscovery——land。Hedidnotseeit，buthesmelledit。Hisnosewentupintheairandquestedtowindwardalongthewindthatbroughtthemessage，andhereadtheairwithhisnoseasamanmightreadanewspaper——thesaltsmellsoftheseashoreandofthedankmuckofmangroveswampsatlowtide，thespicyfragrancesoftropicvegetation，andthefaint，mostfaint，acridtingleofsmokefromsmudgyfires。
Thetrade，whichhadlaidtheArangiwellupundertheleeofthisoutjuttingpointofMalaita，wasnowfailing，sothatshebegantorollintheeasyswellswithcrashingsofsheetsandtacklesandthunderousflappingsofhersails。Jerrynomorethancockedacontemptuousquizzicaleyeatthemainsailantickingabovehim。Heknewalreadytheemptywindinessofitsthreats，buthewascarefulofthemainsheetblocks，andwalkedaroundthetravellerinsteadofoverit。
WhileCaptainVanHorn，takingadvantageofthecalmtoexercisetheboat’screwwiththefire—armsandtolimberuptheweapons，waspassingouttheLee—Enfieldsfromtheirplaceontopthecabinskylight，Jerrysuddenlycrouchedandbegantostalkstiff—legged。
Butthewild—dog，threefeetfromhislairunderthetrade—boxes，wasnotunobservant。Hewatchedandsnarledthreateningly。Itwasnotanicesnarl。Infact，itwasasnastyandsavageasnarlasallhislifehadbeennastyandsavage。Mostsmallcreatureswereafraidofthatsnarl，butithadnodeterrenteffectonJerry，whocontinuedhissteadystalking。Whenthewild—dogsprangfortheholeundertheboxes，Jerrysprangafter，missinghisenemybyinches。Tossingoverboardbitsofwood，bottlesandemptytins，CaptainVanHornorderedtheeighteagerboat’screwwithriflestoturnloose。Jerrywasexcitedanddelightedwiththefusillade，andaddedhispuppyyelpingstothenoise。Astheemptybrasscartridgeswereejected，thereturnboysscrambledonthedeckforthem，esteemingthemasverypreciousobjectsandthrustingthem，stillwarm，intotheemptyholesintheirears。Theirearswereperforatedwithmanyoftheseholes，thesmallestcapableofreceivingacartridge，whilethelargeronescontained—claypipes，sticksoftobacco，andevenboxesofmatches。Someoftheholesintheear—lobesweresohugethattheywerepluggedwithcarvedwoodencylindersthreeinchesindiameter。
Mateandcaptaincarriedautomaticsintheirbelts，andwiththesetheyturnedloose，shootingawayclipaftercliptothebreathlessadmirationoftheblacksforsuchmarvellousrapidityoffire。Theboat’screwwerenotevenfairshots，butVanHorn，likeeverycaptainintheSolomons，knewthatthebushnativesandsalt—watermenweresomuchworseshots，andknewthattheshootingofhisboat’screwcouldbedependedupon——iftheboat’screwitselfdidnotturnagainsttheshipinapinch。
Atfirst，Borckman’sautomaticjammed，andhereceivedacautionfromVanHornforhiscarelessnessinnotkeepingitcleanandthin—
oiled。Also，Borckmanwastwittinglyaskedhowmanydrinkshehadtaken，andifthatwaswhataccountedforhisshootingbeingunderhisaverage。Borckmanexplainedthathehadatouchoffever，andVanHorndeferredstatinghisdoubtsuntilafewminuteslater，squattingintheshadeofthespankerwithJerryinhisarms，hetoldJerryallaboutit。
\"Thetroublewithhimistheschnapps，Jerry，\"heexplained。\"Gott—
fer—dang，itmakesmekeepallmywatchesandhalfofhis。Andhesaysit’sthefever。Neverbelieveit，Jerry。It’stheschnapps——
justtheplains—c—h—n—a—p—p—sschnapps。An’he’sagoodsailor—
man，Jerry，whenhe’ssober。Butwhenhe’sschnappyhe’ssheerlunatic。Thenhisnoddlegoespinwheelingandhe’sablightedfool，andhe’dsnoreinagaleandsufferforsleepinadeadcalm。——
Jerry，you’rejustbeginningtopadthosefourlittlesoftfeetofyoursintotheworld，sotaketheadviceofonewhoknowsandleavetheschnappsalone。Believeme，Jerry，boy——listentoyourfather——
schnappswillneverbuyyouanything。\"
Whereupon，leavingJerryondecktostalkthewild—dog，CaptainVanHornwentbelowintothetinystateroomandtookalongdrinkfromtheverybottlefromwhichBorckmanwasstealing。
Thestalkingofthewild—dogbecameagame，atleasttoJerry，whowassomadethathisheartborenomalice，andwhohugelyenjoyedit。Also，itgavehimadelightfulconsciousnessofhisownmastery，forthewild—dogalwaysfledfromhim。Atleastsofarasdogswereconcerned，JerrywascockofthedeckoftheArangi。Itdidnotenterhisheadtoqueryhowhisconductaffectedthewild—
dog，though，intruth，heledthatindividualawretchedexistence。
Never，exceptwhenJerrywasbelow，didthewildonedareventuremorethanseveralfeetfromhisretreat，andhewentaboutinfearandtremblingofthefatroly—polypuppywhowasunafraidofhissnarl。
Inthelateafternoon，Jerrytrottedaft，afterhavingadministeredanotherlessontothewild—dog，andfoundSkipperseatedonthedeck，backagainstthelowrail，kneesdrawnup，andgazingabsentlyofftoleeward。Jerrysniffedhisbarecalf——notthatheneededtoidentifyit，butjustbecausehelikedto，andinasortoffriendlygreeting。ButVanHorntooknonotice，continuingtostareoutacrossthesea。Norwasheawareofthepuppy’spresence。
JerryrestedthelengthofhischinonSkipper’skneeandgazedlongandearnestlyintoSkipper’sface。ThistimeSkipperknew，andwaspleasantlythrilled；butstillhegavenosign。Jerrytriedanewtack。Skipper’shanddroopedidly，halfopen，fromwheretheforearmrestedontheotherknee。Intothepart—openhandJerrythrusthissoftgoldenmuzzletotheeyesandremainedquitestill。
Hadhebeensituatedtosee，hewouldhaveseenatwinkleinSkipper’seyes，whichhadbeenwithdrawnfromtheseaandwerelookingdownuponhim。ButJerrycouldnotsee。Hekeptquietalittlelonger，andthengaveaprodigioussniff。
ThiswastoomuchforSkipper，wholaughedwithsuchgenialheartinessastolayJerry’ssilkyearsbackanddowninself—
deprecationofaffectionandpleadingnesstobaskinthesunshineofthegod’ssmile。Also，Skipper’slaughtersetJerry’stailwildlybobbing。Thehalf—openhandclosedinafirmgripthatgatheredintheslackoftheskinofonesideofJerry’sheadandjowl。Thenthehandbegantoshakehimbackandforthwithsuchgoodwillthathewascompelledtobalancebackandforthonallhisfourfeet。
ItwasblisstoJerry。Nay，more，itwasecstasy。ForJerryknewtherewasneitherangernordangerintheroughnessoftheshake，andthatitwasplayofthesortthatheandMichaelhadindulgedin。Onoccasion，hehadsoplayedwithBiddyandlovinglymauledherabout。And，onveryrareoccasion，MisterHagginhadlovinglymauledhimabout。ItwasspeechtoJerry，fullofunmistakablemeaning。
Astheshakegrewrougher，Jerryemittedhismostferociousgrowl，whichgrewmoreferociouswiththeincreasingviolenceoftheshaking。Butthat，too，wasplay，amakingbelievetohurttheonehelikedtoowelltohurt。Hestrainedandtuggedatthegrip，tryingtotwisthisjowlintheslackofskinsoastoreachabite。
WhenSkipper，withaquickthrust，releasedhimandshovedhimclear，hecameback，allteethandgrowl，tobeagaincaughtandshaken。Theplaycontinued，withrisingexcitementtoJerry。Once，tooquickforSkipper，hecaughthishandbetweenteeth；buthedidnotbringthemtogether。Theypressedlovingly，dentingtheskin，buttherewasnobiteinthem。
Theplaygrewrougher，andJerrylosthimselfintheplay。Stillplaying，hegrewsoexcitedthatallthathadbeenfeignedbecameactual。Thiswasbattleastruggleagainstthehandthatseizedandshookhimandthrusthimaway。Themake—believeofferocitypassedoutofhisgrowls；theferocityinthembecamereal。Also，inthemomentswhenhewasshovedawayandwasspringingbacktotheattack，heyelpedinhigh—pitchedpuppyhysteria。AndCaptainVanHorn，realizing，suddenly，insteadofclutching，extendedhishandwideopeninthepeacesignthatisasancientasthehumanhand。
Atthesametimehisvoicerangoutthesingleword，\"Jerry！\"Initwasalltheimperativenessofreproofandcommandandallthesolicitousinsistenceoflove。
Jerryknewandwascheckedbacktohimself。Hewasinstantlycontrite，allsofthumility，earslaidbackwithpleadingnessforforgivenessandprotestationofawarmthrobbingheartoflove。
Instantly，fromanopen—mouthed，fang—bristlingdoginfullcareerofattack，hemeltedintoabundleofsoftnessandsilkiness，thattrottedtotheopenhandandkisseditwithatonguethatflashedoutbetweenwhitegleamingteethlikearose—redjewel。AndthenextmomenthewasinSkipper’sarms，jowlagainstcheek，andthetonguewasagainflashingoutinallthearticulatenesspossibleforacreaturedeniedspeech。Itwasaveritablelove—feast，asdeartooneastotheother。
\"Gott—fer—dang！\"CaptainVanHorncrooned。\"You’renothingbutabunchofhigh—strungsensitiveness，withagoldenheartinthemiddleandagoldencoatwrappedallaround。Gott—fer—dang，Jerry，you’regold，puregold，insideandout，andnodogwasevermintedlikeyouinalltheworld。You’reheartofgold，yougoldendog，andbegoodtomeandlovemeasIshallalwaysbegoodtoyouandloveyouforeverandforever。\"
AndCaptainVanHorn，whoruledtheArangiinbarelegs，aloincloth，andasixpennyunder—shirt，andrancannibalblacksbackandforthintheblackbirdtradewithanautomaticstrappedtohisbodywakingandsleepingandwithhisheadforfeitinscoresofsalt—
watervillagesandbushstrongholds，andwhowasesteemedthetoughestskipperintheSolomonswhereonlymenwhoaretoughmaycontinuetoliveandesteemtoughness，blinkedwithsuddenmoistureinhiseyes，andcouldnotseeforthemomentthepuppythatquiveredallitsbodyofloveinhisarmsandkissedawaythesaltysoftnessofhiseyes。
CHAPTERV
AndswifttropicnightsmotetheArangi，asshealternatelyrolledincalmsandheeledandplungedaheadinsquallsundertheleeofthecannibalislandofMalaita。Itwasastoppageofthesouth—easttradewindthatmadeforvariableweather，andthatmadecookingontheexposeddeckgalleyamiseryandsentthereturnboys，whohadnothingtowetbuttheirskins，scuttlingbelow。
Thefirstwatch，fromeighttotwelve，wasthemate’s；andCaptainVanHorn，forcedbelowbythedrivingwetofaheavyrainsquall，tookJerrywithhimtosleepinthetinystateroom。Jerrywaswearyfromthemanifoldexcitementsofthemostexcitingdayinhislife；
andhewasasleepandkickingandgrowlinginhissleep，ereSkipper，withalastlookathimandagrinasheturnedthelamplow，mutteredaloud：\"It’sthatwild—dog，Jerry。Gethim。Shakehim。Shakehimhard。\"
SosoundlydidJerrysleep，thatwhentherain，havingrobbedtheatmosphereofitslastbreathofwind，ceasedandleftthestateroomasteaming，suffocatingfurnace，hedidnotknowwhenSkipper，pantingforair，hisloinclothandundershirtsoakedwithsweat，arose，tuckedblanketandpillowunderhisarm，andwentondeck。
Jerryonlyawakenedwhenahugethree—inchcockroachnibbledatthesensitiveandhairlessskinbetweenhistoes。Heawokekickingtheoffendedfoot，andgazedatthecockroachthatdidnotscuttle，butthatwalkeddignifiedlyaway。Hewatcheditjoinothercockroachesthatparadedthefloor。Neverhadheseensomanygatheredtogetheratonetime，andneverhadheseensuchlargeones。Theywereallofasize，andtheywereeverywhere。Longlinesofthempouredoutofcracksinthewallsanddescendedtojointheirfellowsonthefloor。
Thethingwasindecent——atleast，inJerry’smind，itwasnottobetolerated。MisterHaggin，Derby，andBobhadnevertoleratedcockroaches，andtheirruleswerehisrules。Thecockroachwastheeternaltropicenemy。Hesprangatthenearest，pouncingtocrushittothefloorunderhispaws。Butthethingdidwhathehadneverknownacockroachtodo。Itaroseintheairstrong—flightedasabird。Andasifatasignal，allthemultitudeofcockroachestookwingsofflightandfilledtheroomwiththeirflutteringsandcirclings。
Heattackedthewingedhost，leapingintotheair，snappingattheflyingvermin，tryingtoknockthemdownwithhispaws。
Occasionallyhesucceededanddestroyedone；nordidthecombatceaseuntilallthecockroaches，asifatanothersignal，disappearedintothemanycracks，leavingtheroomtohim。
Quickly，hisnextthoughtwas：WhereisSkipper？Heknewhewasnotintheroom，thoughhestooduponhishind—legsandinvestigatedthelowbunk，hiskeenlittlenosequiveringdelightedlywhilehemadelittlesniffsofdelightashesmelledtherecentpresenceofSkipper。Andwhatmadehisnosequiverandsniff，likewisemadehisstumpofatailbobbackandforth。
ButwherewasSkipper？Itwasathoughtinhisbrainthatwasassharpanddefiniteasasimilarthoughtwouldbeinahumanbrain。
Anditsimilarlyprecededaction。Thedoorhadbeenlefthookedopen，andJerrytrottedoutintothecabinwherehalfahundredblacksmadequeersleep—moanings，andsighings，andsnorings。Theywerepackedcloselytogether，coveringtheflooraswellasthelongsweepofbunks，sothathewascompelledtocrawlovertheirnakedlegs。Andtherewasnowhitegodabouttoprotecthim。Heknewit，butwasunafraid。
HavingmadesurethatSkipperwasnotinthecabin，Jerrypreparedfortheperilousascentofthesteepstepsthatwerealmostaladder，thenrecollectedthelazarette。InhetrottedandsniffedatthesleepinggirlinthecottonshiftwhobelievedthatVanHornwasgoingtoeatherifhecouldsucceedinfatteningher。
Backattheladder—steps，helookedupandwaitedinthehopethatSkippermightappearfromaboveandcarryhimup。Skipperhadpassedthatway，heknew，andheknewfortworeasons。Itwastheonlywayhecouldhavepassed，andJerry’snosetoldhimthathehadpassed。Hisfirstattempttoclimbthestepsbeganwell。Notuntilathirdofthewayup，astheArangirolledinaseaandrecoveredwithajerk，didheslipandfall。Twoorthreeboysawokeandwatchedhimwhiletheypreparedandchewedbetelnutandlimewrappedingreenleaves。
Twice，barelystarted，Jerryslippedback，andmoreboys，awakenedbytheirfellows，satupandenjoyedhisplight。Inthefourthattempthemanagedtogainhalfwayupbeforehefell，comingdownheavilyonhisside。Thiswashailedwithlowlaughterandquerulouschirpingsthatmightwellhavecomefromthethroatsofhugebirds。Heregainedhisfeet，absurdlybristledthehaironhisshouldersandabsurdlygrowledhishighdisdainoftheselesser，two—leggedthingsthatcameandwentandobeyedthewillsofgreat，white—skinned，two—leggedgodssuchasSkipperandMisterHaggin。
Undeterredbyhisheavyfall，Jerryessayedtheladderagain。A
temporaryeasementoftheArangi’srollinggavehimhisopportunity，sothathisforefeetwereoverthehighcombingofthecompanionwhenthenextbigrollcame。Heheldonbymainstrengthofhisbentforelegs，thenscrambledoverandoutondeck。
Amidships，squattingonthedecknearthesky—light，heinvestigatedseveraloftheboat’screwandLerumie。Heidentifiedthemcircumspectly，goingsuddenlystiff—leggedasLerumiemadealow，hissing，menacingnoise。Aft，atthewheel，hefoundablacksteering，and，nearhim，thematekeepingthewatch。Justasthematespoketohimandstoopedtopathim，JerrywhiffedSkippersomewherenearathand。Withaconciliating，apologeticbobofhistail，hetrottedonupwindandcameuponSkipperonhisback，rolledinablanketsothatonlyhisheadstuckout，andsoundasleep。
FirstofallJerryneedsmustjoyfullysniffhimandjoyfullywaghistail。ButSkipperdidnotawakeandafinesprayofrain，almostasthinasmist，madeJerrycurlupandpresscloselyintotheangleformedbySkipper’sheadandshoulder。Thisdidawakehim，forheuttered\"Jerry\"inalow，crooningvoice，andJerryrespondedwithatouchofhiscolddampnosetotheother’scheek。
AndthenSkipperwenttosleepagain。ButnotJerry。Heliftedtheedgeoftheblanketwithhisnoseandcrawledacrosstheshoulderuntilhewasaltogetherinside。ThisrousedSkipper，who，half—
asleep，helpedhimtocurlup。
StillJerrywasnotsatisfied，andhesquirmedarounduntilhelayinthehollowofSkipper’sarm，hisheadrestingonSkipper’sshoulder，when，withaprofoundsighofcontent，hefellasleep。
Severaltimesthenoisesmadebytheboat’screwintrimmingthesheetstotheshiftingdraughtofairrousedVanHorn，andeachtime，rememberingthepuppy，hepressedhimcaressinglywithhishollowedarm。Andeachtime，inhissleep，Jerrystirredresponsivelyandsnuggledcosilytohim。
Forallthathewasaremarkablepuppy，Jerryhadhislimitations，andhecouldneverknowtheeffectproducedonthehard—bittencaptainbythesoftwarmcontactofhisvelvetbody。Butitmadethecaptainrememberbackacrosstheyearstohisowngirlbabeasleeponhisarm。Andsopoignantlydidheremember，thathebecamewideawake，andmanypictures，beginning，withthegirlbabe，burnedtheirtormentinhisbrain。NowhitemanintheSolomonsknewwhathecarriedaboutwithhim，wakingandoftensleeping；anditwasbecauseofthesepicturesthathehadcometotheSolomonsinavainefforttoerasethem。
First，memory—proddedbythesoftpuppyinhisarm，hesawthegirlandthemotherinthelittleHarlemflat。Small，itwastrue，buttight—packedwiththehappinessofthreethatmadeitheaven。
Hesawthegirl’sflaxen—yellowhairdarkentohermother’sgoldasitlengthenedintocurlsandringletsuntilfinallyitbecametwothicklongbraids。Fromstrivingnottoseethesemanypictureshecameeventodwellinguponthemintheeffortsotofillhisconsciousnessastokeepouttheonepicturehedidnotwanttosee。
Herememberedhiswork，thewreckingcar，andthewreckingcrewthathadtoiledunderhim，andhewonderedwhathadbecomeofClancey，hisright—handman。Camethelongday，when，routedfrombedatthreeinthemorningtodigasurfacecaroutofthewreckedshowwindowsofadrugstoreandgetitbackonthetrack，theyhadlabouredalldayclearingupahalf—dozensmash—upsandarrivedatthecarhouseatnineatnightjustasanothercallcamein。
\"Glorybe！\"saidClancey，wholivedinthenextblockfromhim。Hecouldseehimsayingitandwipingthesweatfromhisgrimyface。
\"Glorybe，’tisasmallmatteratmost，an’rightinourneighbourhood——notadozenblocksaway。Soonasit’sdonewecanbeatitforhomean’letthedown—townboystakethecarbacktotheshop。\"
\"We’veonlytojackherupforamoment，\"hehadanswered。
\"Whatisit？\"BillyJaffers，anotherofthecrew，asked。
\"Somebodyrunover——can’tgetthemout，\"hesaid，astheyswungonboardthewrecking—carandstarted。
Hesawagainalltheincidentsofthelongrun，notomittingthedelaycausedbyhose—cartsandahook—and—ladderrunningtoacross—
townfire，duringwhichtimeheandClanceyhadjokedJaffersoverthedateswithvariousfictitiousdamselsoutofwhichhehadbeencheatedbythenight’sextrawork。
Camethelonglineofstalledstreet—cars，thecrowd，thepoliceholdingitback，thetwoambulancesdrawnupandwaitingtheirfreight，andtheyoungpoliceman，whosebeatitwas，whiteandshaken，greetinghimwith：\"It’shorrible，man。It’sfairsickening。Twoofthem。Wecan’tgetthemout。Itried。Onewasstillliving，Ithink。\"
Buthe，strongmanandhearty，usedtosuchwork，wearywiththeharddayandwithapleasantpictureofthebrightlittleflatwaitinghimadozenblocksawaywhenthejobwasdone，spokecheerfully，confidently，sayingthathe’dhavethemoutinajiffy，ashestoopedandcrawledunderthecaronhandsandknees。
Againhesawhimselfashepressedtheswitchofhiselectrictorchandlooked。Againhesawthetwinbraidsofheavygoldenhairerehisthumbrelaxedfromtheswitch，leavinghimindarkness。
\"Istheonealiveyet？\"theshakenpolicemanasked。
Andthequestionwasrepeated，whilehestruggledforwillpowersufficienttopressonthelight。
Heheardhimselfreply，\"I’lltellyouinaminute。\"
Againhesawhimselflook。Foralongminutehelooked。
\"Bothdead，\"heansweredquietly。\"Clancey，passinanumberthreejack，andgetunderyourselfwithanotherattheotherendofthetruck。\"
Helayonhisback，staringstraightupatonesinglestarthatrockedmistilythroughathinningofcloud—stuffoverhead。Theoldachewasinhisthroat，theoldharshdrynessinmouthandeyes。
Andheknew——whatnoothermanknew——whyhewasintheSolomons，skipperoftheteak—builtyachtArangi，runningniggers，riskinghishead，anddrinkingmoreScotchwhiskeythanwasgoodforanyman。
Notsincethatnighthadhelookedwithwarmeyesonanywoman。Andhehadbeennotedbyotherwhitesasnotoriouslycoldtowardpickanninnieswhiteorblack。
But，havingvisionedtheultimatehorrorofmemory，VanHornwassoonabletofallasleepagain，delightfullyaware，ashedrowsedoff，ofJerry’sheadonhisshoulder。Once，whenJerry，dreamingofthebeachatMeringeandofMisterHaggin，Biddy，Terrence，andMichael，setupalowwhimpering，VanHornrousedsufficientlytosoothehimclosertohim，andtomutterominously：\"Anyniggerthat’dhurtthatpup……\"
Atmidnightwhenthematetouchedhimontheshoulder，inthemomentofawakeningandbeforehewasawakeVanHorndidtwothingsautomaticallyandswiftly。Hedartedhisrighthanddowntothepistolathiship，andmuttered：\"Anyniggerthat’dhurtthatpup……\"
\"That’llbeKopoPointabreast，\"Borckmanexplained，asbothmenstaredtowindwardatthehighloomoftheland。\"Shehasn’tmademorethantenmiles，andnopromiseofanythingsteady。\"
\"There’splentyofstuffmakingupthere，ifit’llevercomedown，\"
VanHornsaid，asbothmentransferredtheirgazetothecloudsdriftingwithmanybreaksacrossthedimstars。
Scarcelyhadthematefetchedablanketfrombelowandturnedinondeck，thanabrisksteadybreezesprangupfromofftheland，sendingtheArangithroughthesmoothwateratanine—knotclip。
ForatimeJerrytriedtostandthewatchwithSkipper，buthesooncurledupanddozedoff，partlyonthedeckandpartlyonSkipper’sbarefeet。
WhenSkippercarriedhimtotheblanketandrolledhimin，hewasquicklyasleepagain；andhewasquicklyawake，outoftheblanket，andpaddingafteralongthedeckasSkipperpacedupanddown。Herebegananotherlesson，andinfiveminutesJerrylearneditwasthewillofSkipperthatheshouldremainintheblanket，thateverythingwasallright，andthatSkipperwouldbeupanddownandnearhimallthetime。
Atfourthematetookchargeofthedeck。
\"Reeledoffthirtymiles，\"VanHorntoldhim。\"Butnowitisbafflingagain。Keepaneyeforsquallsundertheland。Betterthrowthehalyardsdownondeckandmakethewatchstandby。Ofcoursethey’llsleep，butmakethemsleeponthehalyardsandsheets。\"
JerryrousedtoSkipper’sentranceundertheblanket，and，quiteasifitwerealong—establishedcustom，curledinbetweenhisarmandside，and，afteronehappysniffandonekissofhiscoollittletongue，asSkipperpressedhischeekagainsthimcaressingly，dozedofftosleep。
Halfanhourlater，toallintentsandpurposes，sofarasJerrycouldorcouldnotcomprehend，theworldmightwellhaveseemedsuddenlycomingtoanend。WhatawokehimwastheflyingleapofSkipperthatsenttheblanketonewayandJerrytheother。ThedeckoftheArangihadbecomeawall，downwhichJerryslippedthroughtheroaringdark。Everyropeandshroudwasthrummingandscreechinginresistancetothefierceweightofthesquall。
\"Standbymainhalyards！——Jump！\"hecouldhearSkippershoutingloudly；alsoheheardthehighnoteofthemainsheetscreamingacrossthesheavesasVanHorn，bendingbracesinthedark，wasswiftlyslackingthesheetthroughhisscorchingpalmswithasingleturnonthecleat。
Whileallthis，alongwithmanyothernoises，squealingsofboat—
boysandshoutsofBorckman，wasimpactingonJerry’sear—drums，hewasstillslidingdownthesteepdeckofhisnewandunstableworld。
Buthedidnotbringupagainsttherailwherehisfragileribsmightwellhavebeenbroken。Instead，thewarmoceanwater，pouringinboardacrosstheburiedrailinafloodofpalephosphorescentfire，cushionedhisfall。Araffleoftrailingropesentangledhimashestruckouttoswim。
Andheswam，nottosavehislife，notwiththefearofdeathuponhim。Therewasbutoneideainhismind。WherewasSkipper？NotthathehadanythoughtoftryingtosaveSkipper，northathemightbeofassistancetohim。Itwastheheartoflovethatdrivesonealwaystowardthebeloved。Asthemotherincatastrophetriestogainherbabe，astheGreekwho，dying，rememberedsweetArgos，assoldiersonastrickenfieldpasswiththenamesoftheirwomenupontheirlips，soJerry，inthiswreckofaworld，yearnedtowardSkipper。
Thesquallceasedasabruptlyasithadstruck。TheArangirightedwithajerktoanevenkeel，leavingJerrystrandedinthestarboardscuppers。HetrottedacrosstheleveldecktoSkipper，who，standingerectonwide—spreadlegs，thebightofthemainsheetstillinhishand，wasexclaiming：
\"Gott—fer—dang！Windhego！Rainhenocome！\"
HefeltJerry’scoolnoseagainsthisbarecalf，heardhisjoyoussniff，andbentandcaressedhim。Inthedarknesshecouldnotsee，buthisheartwarmedwithknowledgethatJerry’stailwassurelybobbing。
Manyofthefrightenedreturnboyshadcrowdedondeck，andtheirplaintive，querulousvoicessoundedlikethesleepynoisesofaroostofbirds。BorckmancameandstoodbyVanHorn’sshoulder，andbothmen，strungtotheirtonesinthetensenessofapprehension，strovetopenetratethesurroundingblacknesswiththeireyes，whiletheylistenedwithalltheirearsforanymessageoftheelementsfromseaandair。
\"Where’stherain？\"Borckmandemandedpeevishly。\"Alwayswindfirst，therainfollowsandkillsthewind。Thereisnorain。\"
VanHornstillstaredandlistened，andmadenoanswer。
TheanxietyofthetwomenwassensedbyJerry，who，too，wasonhistoes。HepressedhiscoolnosetoSkipper’sleg，andtherose—kissofhistonguebroughthimthesalttasteofsea—water。
Skipperbentsuddenly，rolledJerrywithquicktoughnessintotheblanket，anddepositedhiminthehollowbetweentwosacksofyamslashedondeckaftofthemizzenmast。Asanafterthought，hefastenedtheblanketwithapieceofropeyarn，sothatJerrywasasiftiedinasack。
Scarcelywasthisfinishedwhenthespankersmashedacrossoverhead，theheadsailsthunderedwithasuddenfilling，andthegreatmainsail，withallthescopeintheboom—tacklecausedbyVanHorn’sgivingofthesheet，cameacrossandfetcheduptotautnessonthetacklewithacrashthatshookthevesselandheeledherviolentlytoport。Thissecondknock—downhadcomefromtheoppositedirection，anditwasmightierthanthefirst。
JerryheardSkipper’svoiceringout，first，tothemate：\"Standbymain—halyards！Throwofftheturns！I’lltakecareofthetackle！\"；and，next，tosomeoftheboat’screw：\"Batto！youfellaslackspankertacklequickfella！Ranga！youfellaletgospankersheet！\"
HereVanHornwassweptoffhislegsbyanavalancheofreturnboyswhohadclutteredthedeckwiththefirstsquall。Thesquirmingmass，ofwhichhewaspart，sliddownintothebarbedwireoftheportrailbeneaththesurfaceofthesea。
Jerrywassosecureinhisnookthathedidnotrollaway。ButwhenheheardSkipper’scommandscease，and，secondslater，heardhiscursingsinthebarbedwire，hesetupashrillyelpingandclawedandscratchedfranticallyattheblankettogetout。SomethinghadhappenedtoSkipper。Heknewthat。Itwasallthatheknew，forhehadnothoughtofhimselfinthechaosoftheruiningworld。
Butheceasedhisyelpingtolistentoanewnoise——athunderousslattingofcanvasaccompaniedbyshoutsandcries。Hesensed，andsensedwrongly，thatitbodedill，forhedidnotknowthatitwasthemainsailbeingloweredontherunafterSkipperhadslashedtheboom—tackleacrosswithhissheath—knife。
Asthepandemoniumgrew，headdedhisownyelpingtoituntilhefeltafumblinghandwithouttheblanket。Hestilledandsniffed。
No，itwasnotSkipper。Hesniffedagainandrecognizedtheperson。
ItwasLerumie，theblackwhomhehadseenrolledonthebeachbyBiddyonlythepreviousmorning，who，stillwererecently，hadkickedhimonhisstubofatail，andwhonotmorethanaweekbeforehehadseenthrowarockatTerrence。
Theropeyarnhadbeenparted，andLerumie’sfingerswerefeelinginsidetheblanketforhim。Jerrysnarledhiswickedest。Thethingwassacrilege。He，asawhiteman’sdog，wastabootoallblacks。
Hehadearlylearnedthelawthatnoniggermustevertouchawhite—
god’sdog。YetLerumie，whowasallofevil，atthismomentwhentheworldcrashedabouttheirears，wasdaringtotouchhim。
Andwhenthefingerstouchedhim，histeethcloseduponthem。Next，hewascloutedbytheblack’sfreehandwithsuchforceastotearhisclenchedteethdownthefingersthroughskinandfleshuntilthefingerswentclear。
Raginglikeatinyfiend，Jerryfoundhimselfpickedupbytheneck，half—throttled，andflungthroughtheair。Andwhileflyingthroughtheair，hecontinuedtosquallhisrage。Hefellintotheseaandwentunder，gulpingamouthfulofsaltwaterintohislungs，andcameupstranglingbutswimming。Swimmingwasoneofthethingshedidnothavetothinkabout。Hehadneverhadtolearntoswim，anymorethanhehadhadtolearntobreathe。Infact，hehadbeencompelledtolearntowalk；butheswamasamatterofcourse。
Thewindscreamedabouthim。Flyingfroth，drivenonthewind’sbreath，filledhismouthandnostrilsandbeatintohiseyes，stingingandblindinghim。Inthestruggletobreathehe，allunlearnedinthewaysofthesea，liftedhismuzzlehighintheairtogetoutofthesuffocatingwelter。Asaresult，offthehorizontal，thechurningofhislegsnolongersustainedhim，andhewentdownandunderperpendicularly。Againheemerged，stranglingwithmoresaltwaterinhiswindpipe。Thistime，withoutreasoningitout，merelymovingalongthelineofleastresistance，whichwastohimthelineofgreatestcomfort，hestraightenedoutintheseaandcontinuedsotoswimastoremainstraightenedout。
Throughthedarkness，asthesquallspentitself，cametheslattingofthehalf—loweredmainsail，theshrillvoicesoftheboat’screw，acurseofBorckman’s，and，dominatingall，Skipper’svoice，shouting：
\"Grabtheleech，youfellaboys！Hangon！Dragdownstrongfella！
Comeinmainsheettwoblocks！Jump，damnyou，jump！\"
CHAPTERVI
AtrecognitionofSkipper’svoice，Jerry，flounderinginthestiffandcrispingseathatsprangupwiththeeasementofthewind，yelpedeagerlyandyearningly，allhisloveforhisnew—foundbelovedeloquentinhisthroat。ButquicklyallsoundsdiedawayastheArangidriftedfromhim。Andthen，inthelonelinessofthedark，ontheheavingbreastoftheseathatherecognizedasonemoreoftheeternalenemies，hebegantowhimperandcryplaintivelylikealostchild。
Further，bythedim，shadowywaysofintuition，heknewhisweaknessinthatmercilessseawithnoheartofwarmth，thatthreatenedtheunknowablething，vaguelybutterriblyguessed，namely，death。Asregardedhimself，hedidnotcomprehenddeath。He，whohadneverknownthetimewhenhewasnotalive，couldnotconceiveofthetimewhenhewouldceasetobealive。
Yetitwasthere，shoutingitsmessageofwarningthrougheverytissuecell，everynervequicknessandbrainsensitivityofhim——atotalityofsensationthatforebodedtheultimatecatastropheoflifeaboutwhichheknewnothingatall，butwhich，nevertheless，hefelttobetheconclusivesupremedisaster。Althoughhedidnotcomprehendit，heapprehendeditnolesspoignantlythandomenwhoknowandgeneralizefarmoredeeplyandwidelythanmerefour—leggeddogs。
Asamanstrugglesinthethroesofnightmare，soJerrystruggledinthevexed，salt—suffocatingsea。Andsohewhimperedandcried，lostchild，lostpuppy—dogthathewas，onlyhalfayearexistentinthefairworldsharpwithjoyandsuffering。AndhewantedSkipper。
Skipperwasagod。
OnboardtheArangi，relievedbytheloweringofhermainsail，asthefiercenesswentoutofthewindandthecloudburstoftropicrainbegantofall，VanHornandBorckmanlurchedtowardeachotherintheblackness。
\"Adoublesquall，\"saidVanHorn。\"Hitustostarboardandtoport。\"
\"Musta—splitinhalfjustbeforeshehitus，\"themateconcurred。
\"Andkeptalltheraininthesecondhalf——\"
VanHornbrokeoffwithanoath。
\"Hey！What’sthematteralongyoufellaboy？\"heshoutedtothemanatthewheel。
Fortheketch，underherspankerwhichhadjustthenbeenflat—
hauled，hadcomeintothewind，emptyingherafter—sailandpermittingherheadsailstofillontheothertack。TheArangiwasbeginningtoworkbackapproximatelyoverthecourseshehadjusttraversed。AndthismeantthatshewasgoingbacktowardJerryflounderinginthesea。Thus，thebalance，onwhichhislifetitubated，wasinclinedinhisfavourbytheblunderofablacksteersman。
KeepingtheArangionthenewtack，VanHornsetBorckmanclearingthemessofropesondeck，himself，squattingintherain，undertakingtolong—splicethetacklehehadcut。Astherainthinned，sothatthecrackleofitondeckbecamelessnoisy，hewasattractedbyasoundfromoutoverthewater。Hesuspendedtheworkofhishandstolisten，and，whenherecognizedJerry’swailing，sprangtohisfeet，galvanizedintoaction。
\"Thepup’soverboard！\"heshoutedtoBorckman。\"Backyourjibtowind’ard！\"
Hesprangaft，scatteringaclusterofreturnboysrightandleft。
\"Hey！Youfellaboat’screw！Comeinspankersheet！Flattenherdowngoodfella！\"
HedartedalookintothebinnacleandtookahurriedcompassbearingofthesoundsJerrywasmaking。
\"Harddownyourwheel！\"heorderedthehelmsman，thenleapedtothewheelandputitdownhimself，repeatingoverandoveraloud，\"Nor’eastbyeastaquarter，nor’eastbyeastaquarter。\"
Backandpeeringintothebinnacle，helistenedvainlyforanotherwailfromJerryinthehopeofverifyinghisfirsthastybearing。
Butnotlonghewaited。DespitethefactthatbyhismanoeuvretheArangihadbeenhoveto，heknewthatwindageandsea—driftagewouldquicklysendherawayfromtheswimmingpuppy。HeshoutedBorckmantocomeaftandhaulinthewhaleboat，whilehehurriedbelowforhiselectrictorchandaboatcompass。
Theketchwassosmallthatshewascompelledtotowheronewhaleboatasternonlongdoublepainters，andbythetimethematehadithauledinunderthestern，VanHornwasback。Hewasundeterredbythebarbedwire，liftingboyafterboyoftheboat’screwoveritanddroppingthemsprawlingintotheboat，followinghimself，asthelast，byswingingoveronthespankerboom，andcallinghislastinstructionsasthepainterswerecastoff。
\"Getaridinglightondeck，Borckman。Keepherhoveto。Don’thoistthemainsail。Cleanupthedecksandbendthewatchtackleonthemainboom。\"
Hetookthesteering—sweepandencouragedtherowerswith：\"Washee—
washee，goodfella，washee—washee！\"——whichisthebeche—de—merfor\"rowhard。\"
Ashesteered，hekeptflashingthetorchontheboatcompasssothathecouldkeepheadednorth—eastbyeastaquartereast。Thenherememberedthattheboatcompass，onsuchcourse，deviatedtwowholepointsfromtheArangi’scompass，andalteredhisowncourseaccordingly。
Occasionallyhebadetherowerscease，whilehelistenedandcalledforJerry。Hehadthemrowincircles，andworkbackandforth，uptowindwardanddowntoleeward，overtheareaofdarkseathathereasonedmustcontainthepuppy。
\"Nowyoufellaboylistenearbelongyou，\"hesaid，towardthefirst。\"Maybeonefellaboyhear’mpickaninnydogsingout，Igive’mthatfellaboyfivefathomcalico，twotenstickstobacco。\"
Attheendofhalfanhourhewasoffering\"Twotenfathomscalicoandtentenstickstobacco\"totheboywhofirstheard\"pickaninnydogsingout。\"
Jerrywasinbadshape。Notaccustomedtoswimming，strangledbythesaltwaterthatlappedintohisopenmouth，hewasgettingloggywhenfirsthechancedtoseetheflashofthecaptain’storch。
This，however，hedidnotconnectwithSkipper，andsotooknomorenoticeofitthanhedidofthefirststarsshowinginthesky。Itneverenteredhismindthatitmightbeastarnoreventhatitmightnotbeastar。Hecontinuedtowailandtostranglewithmoresaltwater。ButwhenheatlengthheardSkipper’svoicehewentimmediatelywild。HeattemptedtostandupandtoresthisforepawsonSkipper’svoicecomingoutofthedarkness，ashewouldhaverestedhisforepawsonSkipper’sleghadhebeennear。Theresultwasdisastrous。Outofthehorizontal，hesankdownandunder，comingupwithanewspasmofstrangling。
Thislastedforashorttime，duringwhichthestranglingpreventedhimfromansweringSkipper’scry，whichcontinuedtoreachhim。Butwhenhecouldanswerheburstforthinajoyousyelp。Skipperwascomingtotakehimoutofthestinging，bitingseathatblindedhiseyesandhurthimtobreathe。Skipperwastrulyagod，hisgod，withagod’spowertosave。
Soonheheardtherhythmicclackoftheoarsonthethole—pins，andthejoyinhisownyelpwasduplicatedbythejoyinSkipper’svoice，whichkeptuparunningencouragement，brokenbyobjurgationstotherowers。
\"Allright，Jerry，oldman。Allright，Jerry。Allright。——Washee—
washee，youfellaboy！——Coming，Jerry，coming。Stickitout，oldman。Staywithit。——Washee—washeelikehell！——Hereweare，Jerry。
Staywithit。Hangon，oldboy，we’llgetyou。——Easy……easy。
’Vastwashee。\"
Andthen，withamazingabruptness，Jerrysawthewhaleboatdimlyemergefromthegloomcloseuponhim，wasblindedbythestabofthetorchfullinhiseyes，and，evenasheyelpedhisjoy，feltandrecognizedSkipper’shandclutchinghimbytheslackoftheneckandliftinghimintotheair。
HelandedwetandsoppilyagainstSkipper’srain—wetchest，histailbobbingfranticallyagainstSkipper’scontainingarm，hisbodywriggling，histonguedabbingmadlyalloverSkipper’schinandmouthandcheeksandnose。AndSkipperdidnotknowthathewashimselfwet，andthathewasinthefirstshockofrecurrentmalariaprecipitatedbythewetandtheexcitement。Heknewonlythatthepuppy—dog，givenhimonlythepreviousmorning，wassafebackinhisarms。
Whiletheboat’screwbenttotheoars，hesteeredwiththesweepbetweenhisarmandhissideinorderthathemightholdJerrywiththeotherarm。
\"Youlittlesonofagun，\"hecrooned，andcontinuedtocroon，overandover。\"Youlittlesonofagun。\"
AndJerryrespondedwithtongue—kisses，whimperingandcryingasisthewayoflostchildrenimmediatelyaftertheyarefound。Also，heshiveredviolently。Butitwasnotfromthecold。Ratherwasitduetohisover—strung，sensitivenerves。
Againonboard，VanHornstatedhisreasoningtothemate。
\"Thepupdidn’tjustcalmlywalkoverboard。Norwashewashedoverboard。Ihadhimfastandtricedintheblanketwitharopeyarn。\"
Hewalkedover，thecentreoftheboat’screwandofthethree—scorereturnboyswhowereallondeck，andflashedhistorchontheblanketstilllyingontheyams。
\"Thatprovesit。Therope—yarn’scut。Theknot’sstillinit。Nowwhatniggerisresponsible？\"
Helookedaboutatthecircleofdarkfaces，flashingthelightonthem，andsuchwastheaccusationandangerinhiseyes，thatalleyesfellbeforehisorlookedaway。