\"Myword，nighthestop，\"thecaptainobjected，thenadded，asaconcessionagainsttheknownrulethatvisitorswerenotpermittedaboardafternightfall：\"Youcomeonboard，boystop’malongboat。\"
VanHorngallantlyhelpedtheoldmantoclambertotherail，straddlethebarbedwire，andgainthedeck。Ishikolawasadirtyoldsavage。Oneofhistambos（tambobeingbeche—de—merandMelanesianfor\"taboo\"）wasthatwaterunavoidablemustnevertouchhisskin。Hewholivedbythesaltsea，inalandoftropicdownpour，religiouslyshunnedcontactwithwater。Heneverwentswimmingorwading，andalwaysfledtoshelterfromashower。Notthatthiswastrueoftherestofhistribe。Itwasthepeculiartambolaiduponhimbythedevil—devildoctors。Othertribesmenthedevil—devildoctorstabooedagainsteatingshark，orhandlingturtle，orcontactingwithcrocodilesorthefossilremainsofcrocodiles，orfromeverbeingsmirchedbytheprofanityofawoman’stouchorofawoman’sshadowcastacrossthepath。
SoIshikola，whosetambowaswater，wascrustedwiththefilthofyears。Hewassealedlikealeper，and，weazen—facedandage—
shrunken，hehobbledhorriblyfromanancientspear—thrusttothethighthattwistedhistorsodroopinglyoutofthevertical。Buthisoneeyegleamedbrightlyandwickedly，andVanHornknewthatitobservedasmuchasdidbothhisowneyes。
VanHornshookhandswithhim——anhonourheaccordedonlychiefs——
andmotionedhimtosquatdownondeckonhishamsclosetothefear—struckgirl，whobegantremblingagainatrecollectionofhavingonceheardIshikolaofferfivetwentiesofdrinkingcoconutsforthemeatofherforadinner。
Jerryneedsmustsniff，forfutureidentificationpurposes，thisgraceless，limping，naked，one—eyedoldman。And，whenhehadsniffedandregisteredtheparticularodour，Jerrymustgrowlintimidatinglyandwinaquickeye—glanceofapprovalfromSkipper。
\"Myword，goodfellakai—kaidog，\"saidIshikola。\"Megive’mhalf—
fathomshellmoneythatfelladog。\"
Foramerepuppythisofferwasgenerous，becausehalfafathomofshell—money，strungonathreadoftwistedcoconutfibres，wasequivalentincashtohalfasovereigninEnglishcurrency，totwodollarsandahalfinAmerican，or，inlive—pigcurrency，tohalfofafair—sizedfatpig。
\"Onefathomshell—moneythatfelladog，\"VanHorncountered，inhisheartknowingthathewouldnotsellJerryforahundredfathoms，orforanyfabulouspricefromanyblack，butinhisheadofferingsosmallapriceoverparasnottoarousesuspicionamongtheblacksastohowhighlyhereallyvaluedthegolden—coatedsonofBiddyandTerrence。
Ishikolanextaverredthatthegirlhadgrownmuchthinner，andthathe，asapracticaljudgeofmeat，didnotfeeljustifiedthistimeinbiddingmorethanthreetwenty—stringsofdrinkingcoconuts。
Aftertheseamenities，thewhitemasterandtheblacktalkedofmanythings，theonebluffingwiththewhite—man’ssuperiorityofintellectandknowledge，theotherfeelingandguessing，primitivestatesmanthathewas，inanefforttoascertainthebalanceofhumanandpoliticalforcesthatboreuponhisSu’uterritory，tenmilessquare，boundedbytheseaandbylandwardlinesofaninter—
tribalwarfarethatwasolderthantheoldestSu’umyth。Eternally，headshadbeentakenandbodieseaten，nowononeside，nowontheother，bythetemporarilyvictorioustribes。Theboundarieshadremainedthesame。Ishikola，incrudebeche—de—mer，triedtolearntheSolomonIslandsgeneralsituationinrelationtoSu’u，andVanHornwasnotaboveplayingtheunfairdiplomaticgameasitisunfairlyplayedinallthechancelloriesoftheworldpowers。
\"Myword，\"VanHornconcluded；\"youbadfellatoomuchalongthisplace。Toomanyheadsyoufellatake；toomuchkai—kailongpigalongyou。\"（Longpig，meaningbarbecuedhumanflesh。）
\"Whatname，longtimeblackfellabelongSu’utake’mheads，kai—kaialonglongpig？\"Ishikolacountered。
\"Myword，\"VanHorncameback，\"toomuchalongthisplace。Bimeby，closeup，bigfellawarshipstop’malongSu’u，knocksevenballsoutaSu’u。\"
\"Whatnamehimbigfellawarshipstop’malongSolomons？\"Ishikolademanded。
\"BigfellaCambrian，himfellanamebelongship，\"VanHornlied，toowellawarethatnoBritishcruiserhadbeenintheSolomonsforthepasttwoyears。
Theconversationwasbecomingratherafarcicaldissertationupontherelationsthatshouldobtainbetweenstates，irrespectiveofsize，whenitwasbrokenoffbyacryfromTambi，who，withanotherlanternhangingoversideattheendofhisarmhadmadeadiscovery。
\"Skipper，gunhestopalongcanoe！\"washiscry。
VanHorn，withaleap，wasattherailandpeeringdownoverthebarbedwire。Ishikola，despitehistwistedbody，wasonlysecondsbehindhim。
\"Whatnamethatfellagunstop’malongbottom？\"VanHornindignantlydemanded。
Thedandy，inthestern，withacarelesslookupward，triedwithhisfoottoshoveoverthegreenleavessoastocovertheout—juttingbuttsofseveralrifles，butmadethematterworsebyexposingthemmorefully。Hebenttoraketheleavesoverwithhishand，butsatswiftlyuprightwhenVanHornroaredathim：
\"Standclear！Keep’mfellahandbelongyoulongwaybigbit！\"
VanHornturnedonIshikola，andsimulatedwrathwhichhedidnotfeelagainsttheancientandever—recurrenttrick。
\"Whatnameyoucomealongside，gunhestopalongcanoebelongyou？\"
hedemanded。
Theoldsalt—waterchiefrolledhisoneeyeandblinkedafairsimulationofstupidityandinnocence。
\"Myword，mecrossalongyoutoomuch，\"VanHorncontinued。
\"Ishikola，youplentybadfellaboy。Youget’mtohelloverside。\"
Theoldfellowlimpedacrossthedeckwithmoreagilitythanhehaddisplayedcomingaboard，straddledthebarbedwirewithoutassistance，andwithoutassistancedroppedintothecanoe，cleverlyreceivinghisweightonhisuninjuredleg。Heblinkedupforforgivenessandinreassertionofinnocence。VanHornturnedhisfaceasidetohideagrin，andthengrinnedoutrightwhentheoldrascal，showinghisemptypipe，wheedledup：
\"Suppose’mfivesticktobaccoyougive’malongme？\"
WhileBorckmanwentbelowforthetobacco，VanHornoratedtoIshikolaonthesacredsolemnityoftruthandpromises。Next，heleanedacrossthebarbedwireandhandeddownthefivesticksoftobacco。
\"Myword，\"hethreatened。\"Somoday，Ishikola，Ifinishalongyoualtogether。Younogoodfriendstopalongsalt—water。Youbigfoolstopalongbush。\"
WhenIshikolaattemptedprotest，heshuthimoffwith，\"Myword，yougammonalongmetoomuch。\"
Stillthecanoelingered。Thedandy’stoestrayedprivilytofeeloutthebuttsoftheSnidersunderthegreenleaves，andIshikolawaslothtodepart。
\"Washee—washee！\"VanHorncriedwithimperativesuddenness。
Thepaddlers，withoutcommandfromchiefordandy，involuntarilyobeyed，andwithdeep，strongstrokessentthecanoeintotheencirclingdarkness。JustasquicklyVanHornchangedhispositionondecktothetuneofadozenyards，sothatnohazardedbulletmightreachhim。Hecrouchedlowandlistenedtothewashofpaddlesfadeawayinthedistance。
\"Allright，youfellaTambi，\"heorderedquietly。\"Make’mmusichefellawalkabout。\"
Andwhile\"RedWing\"screecheditscheapandprettyrhythm，hereclinedelbowondeck，smokedhiscigar，andgatheredJerryintocaressinginclosure。
Ashesmokedhewatchedtheabruptmistingofthestarsbyarain—
squallthatmadetowindwardortowherewindwardmightvaguelybeconfigured。WhilehegaugedtheminuteserehemustorderTambibelowwiththephonographandrecords，henotedthebush—girlgazingathimindumbfear。Henoddedconsentwithhalf—closedeyesandup—tiltingface，clinchinghisconsentwithawaveofhandtowardthecompanionway。Sheobeyedasabeatendog，spirit—broken，mighthaveobeyed，draggingherselftoherfeet，tremblingafresh，andwithbackwardglancesofherperpetualterrorofthebigwhitemasterthatshewasconvincedwouldsomedayeather。Insuchfashion，stabbingVanHorntotheheartbecauseofhisinabilitytoconveyhiskindnesstoheracrosstheabyssoftheagesthatseparatedthem，sheslunkawaytothecompanionwayandcrawleddownitfeet—firstlikesomeenormous，large—headedworm。
AfterhehadsentTambitofollowherwiththepreciousphonograph，VanHorncontinuedtosmokeonwhilethesharp，needle—likesprayoftherainimpactedsoothinglyonhisheatedbody。
Onlyforfiveminutesdidtheraindescend。Then，asthestarsdriftedbackinthesky，thesmellofsteamseemedtostenchforthfromdeckandmangroveswamp，andthesuffocatingheatwrappedallabout。
VanHornknewbetter，butillhealth，saveforfever，hadneverconcernedhim；sohedidnotbotherforablankettoshelterhim。
\"Yoursthefirstwatch，\"hetoldBorckman。\"I’llhaveherunderwayinthemorning，beforeIcallyou。\"
Hetuckedhisheadonthebicepsofhisrightarm，withthehollowoftheleftsnugglingJerryinagainsthischest，anddozedofftosleep。
Andthusadventuring，whitemenandindigenousblackmenfromdaytodaylivedlifeintheSolomons，bickeringandtrafficking，thewhitesstrivingtomaintaintheirheadsontheirshoulders，theblacksstriving，nolesssingle—heartedly，toremovethewhites’
headsfromtheirshouldersandatthesametimetokeeptheirownanatomiesintact。
AndJerry，whoknewonlytheworldofMeringeLagoon，learningthatthesenewworldsoftheshipArangiandoftheislandofMalaitawereessentiallythesame，regardedtheperpetualgamebetweenthewhiteandtheblackwithsomeslightsortofunderstanding。
CHAPTERX
DaylightsawtheArangiunderway，hersailsdroopingheavilyinthedeadairwhiletheboat’screwtoiledattheoarsofthewhaleboattotowheroutthroughthenarrowentrance。Once，whentheketch，swervedbysomevagrantcurrent，cameclosetothebreakoftheshore—surf，theblacksonboarddrewtowardoneanotherinapprehensionakintothatofstartledsheepinafoldwhenawildwoodsmarauderhowlsoutside。NorwasthereanyneedforVanHorn’sshouttothewhaleboat：\"Washee—washee！Damnyourhides！\"Theboat’screwliftedthemselvesclearofthethwartsastheythrewalltheirweightintoeachstroke。Theyknewwhatdirefatewascertainifeverthesea—washedcoralrockgrippedtheArangi’skeel。Andtheyknewfearpreciselyofthesamesortasthatofthefear—struckgirlbelowinthelazarette。InthepastmorethanoneLanga—LangaandSomoboyhadgonetomakeaSu’ufeastday，justasSu’uboys，onoccasion，hadsimilarlyservedfeastsatLanga—LangaandatSomo。
\"Myword，\"Tambi，atthewheel，addressedVanHornastheperiodoftensionpassedandtheArangiwentclear。\"Brotherbelongmyfather，longtimebeforehecomeboat’screwalongthisplace。Bigfellaschoonerbrotherbelongmyfatherhecomealong。AllfinishthisplaceSu’u。BrotherbelongmyfatherSu’uboyskai—kaialonghimaltogether。\"
VanHornrecollectedtheFairHathawayoffifteenyearsbefore，lootedandburnedbythepeopleofSu’uafterallhandshadbeenkilled。Truly，theSolomonsatthisbeginningofthetwentiethcenturyweresavage，andtruly，oftheSolomons，thisgreatislandofMalaitawassavagestofall。
Hecasthiseyesspeculativelyuptheslopesoftheislandtotheseaman’slandmark，MountKolorat，green—forestedtoitscloud—cappedsummitfourthousandfeetintheair。Evenashelooked，thinsmoke—columnswererisingalongtheslopesandlesserpeaks，andmorewerebeginningtorise。
\"Myword，\"Tambigrinned。\"Plentyboystop’mbushlookoutalongyoueyebelonghim。\"
VanHornsmiledunderstandingly。Heknew，bytheancienttelegraphyofsmoke—signalling，themessagewasbeingconveyedfromvillagetovillageandtribetotribethatalabour—recruiterwasontheleewardcoast。
Allmorning，underabriskbeamwindwhichhadsprungupwiththerisingofthesun，theArangiflewnorth，hercoursecontinuouslyadvertisedbytheincreasingsmoke—talkthatgossipedalongthegreensummits。Athighnoon，withVanHorn，ever—attendedbyJerry，standingfor’ardandconning，theArangiheadedintothewindtothreadthepassagebetweentwopalm—tuftedislets。Therewasneedforconning。Coralpatchesuproseeverywherefromtheturquoisedepths，runningthegamutofgreenfromdeepestjadetopalesttourmaline，overwhichtheseafilteredchangingshades，creamedlazily，orburstintowhitefountainsofsun—flashedspray。
Thesmokecolumnsalongtheheightsbecamegarrulous，andlongbeforetheArangiwasthroughthepassagetheentireleewardcoast，fromthesalt—watermenoftheshoretotheremotestbushvillagers，knewthatthelabourrecruiterwasgoingintoLanga—Langa。Asthelagoon，formedbythechainofisletslyingoffshore，openedout，Jerrybegantosmellthereef—villages。Canoes，manycanoes，urgedbypaddlesorsailedbeforethewindbytheweightofthefresheningSouthEasttradeonspreadfrondsofcoconutpalms，movedacrossthesmoothsurfaceofthelagoon。Jerrybarkedintimidatinglyatthosethatcameclosest，bristlinghisneckandmakingaferocioussimulationofanefficientprotectorofthewhitegodwhostoodbesidehim。Andaftereachsuchwarning，hewouldsoftlydabhiscooldampmuzzleagainstthesun—heatedskinofSkipper’sleg。
Onceinsidethelagoon，theArangifilledawaywiththewinda—beam。
Attheendofaswifthalf—milesheroundedto，withhead—sailstrimmingdownandwithagreatflappingofmainandmizzen，anddroppedanchorinfiftyfeetofwatersoclearthateveryhugeflutedclamshellwasvisibleonthecoralfloor。ThewhaleboatwasnotnecessarytoputtheLanga—Langareturnboysashore。HundredsofcanoeslaytwentydeepalongbothsidesoftheArangi，andeachboy，withhisboxandbell，wasclamouredforbyscoresofrelativesandfriends。
Insuchheightofexcitement，VanHornpermittednooneonboard。
Melanesians，unlikecattle，areaspronetostampedetoattackastoretreat。Twooftheboat’screwstoodbesidetheLee—Enfieldsontheskylight。Borckman，withhalftheboat’screw，wentabouttheship’swork。VanHorn，Jerryathisheels，carefulthatnooneshouldgetathisback，superintendedthedepartureoftheLanga—
Langareturnsandkeptavigilanteyeontheremaininghalfoftheboat’screwthatguardedthebarbed—wirerails。AndeachSomoboysatonhistrade—boxtopreventitfrombeingtossedintothewaitingcanoesbysomeLanga—Langaboy。
Inhalfanhourtheriotdepartedashore。Onlyseveralcanoeslingered，andfromoneoftheseVanHornbeckonedaboardNau—hau，thebiggestchiefofthestrongholdofLanga—Langa。Unlikemostofthebigchiefs，Nau—hauwasyoung，and，unlikemostoftheMelanesians，hewashandsome，evenbeautiful。
\"Hello，Kingo’Babylon，\"wasVanHorn’sgreeting，forsohehadnamedhimbecauseoffanciedSemiticresemblanceblendedwiththecrudepowerthatmarkedhisvisageandinformedhisbearing。
Bornandtrainedtonakedness，Nau—hautrodthedeckboldlyandunashamed。Hissolegearofclothingwasalengthoftrunkstrapbuckledabouthiswaist。Betweenthisandhisbareskinwasthrustthenakedbladeofaten—inchrippingknife。HissoledecorationwasawhiteChinasoup—plate，perforatedandstrungoncoconutsennit，suspendedfromabouthisnecksothatitrestedflatonhischestandhalf—concealedthegenerousswellofmuscles。Itwasthegreatestoftreasures。NomanofMalaitahehadeverheardofpossessedanunbrokensoup—plate。
Norwasheanymoreridiculousbecauseofthesoup—platethanwasheludicrousbecauseofhisnakedness。Hewasroyal。Hisfatherhadbeenakingbeforehim，andhehadprovedhimselfgreaterthanhisfather。Lifeanddeathheboreinhishandsandhead。Oftenhehadexercisedit，chirpingtohissubjectsinthetongueofLanga—Langa：
\"Slayhere，\"and\"Slaythere\"；\"Thoushaltdie，\"and\"Thoushaltlive。\"Becausehisfather，ayearabdicated，hadchosenfoolishlytointerferewithhisson’sgovernment，hehadcalledtwoboysandhadthemtwistacordofcoconutaroundhisfather’snecksothatthereafterheneverbreathedagain。Becausehisfavouritewife，motherofhiseldestborn，haddaredoutofsillinessofaffectiontoviolateoneofhiskinglytamboos，hehadhadherkilledandhadhimselfselfishlyandreligiouslyeatenthelastofhereventothemarrowofhercrackedjoints，sharingnomorselwithhisboonestofcomrades。
Royalhewas，bynature，bytraining，bydeed。Hecarriedhimselfwithconsciousnessofroyalty。Helookedroyal——asamagnificentstallionmaylookroyal，asaliononapaintedtawnydesertmaylookroyal。Hewasassplendidabrute——anadumbrationofthesplendidhumanconquerorsandrulers，higherontheladderofevolution，whohaveappearedinothertimesandplaces。Hisposeofbody，ofchest，ofshoulders，ofhead，wasroyal。Royalwastheheavy—lidded，lazy，insolentwayhelookedoutofhiseyes。
Royalincouragewashe，thismomentontheArangi，despitethefactthatheknewhewalkedondynamite。Ashehadlongsincebitterlylearned，anywhitemanwasasmuchdynamiteaswasthemysteriousdeath—dealingmissilehesometimesemployed。Whenastripling，hehadmadeoneofthecanoeforcethatattackedthesandalwood—cutterthathadbeenevensmallerthantheArangi。Hehadneverforgottenthatmystery。Twoofthethreewhitemenhehadseenslainandtheirheadsremovedondeck。Thethird，stillfighting，hadbuttheminutebeforefledbelow。Thenthecutter，alongwithallherwealthofhoop—iron，tobacco，knivesandcalico，hadgoneupintotheairandfallenbackintotheseainscatteredandfragmentednothingness。Ithadbeendynamite——theMYSTERY。Andhe，whohadbeenhurleduninjuredthroughtheairbyamiracleoffortune，haddivinedthatwhitemeninthemselvesweretrulydynamite，compoundedofthesamemysteryasthesubstancewithwhichtheyshottheswift—
dartingschoolsofmullet，orblowup，inextremity，themselvesandtheshipsonwhichtheyvoyagedtheseafromfarplaces。Andyetonthisunstableanddeath—terrificsubstanceofwhichhewaswellawareVanHornwascomposed，hetrodheavilywithhispersonality，daring，tothevergeofdetonation，toimpactitwithhisinsolence。
\"Myword，\"hebegan，\"whatnameyoumake’mboybelongmestopalongyoutoomuch？\"WhichwasatrueandcorrectchargethattheboyswhichVanHornhadjustreturnedhadbeenawaythreeyearsandahalfinsteadofthreeyears。
\"YoutalkthatfellatalkIgetcrosstoomuchalongyou，\"VanHornbristledback，andthenadded，diplomatically，dippingintoahalf—
caseoftobaccosawedacrossandprofferingahandfulofsticktobacco：\"Muchbetteryousmoke’mupandtalk’mgoodfellatalk。\"
ButNau—haugrandlywavedasidethegiftforwhichhehungered。
\"Plentytobaccostopalongme，\"helied。\"Whatnameonefellaboygowaynocomeback？\"hedemanded。
VanHornpulledthelongslenderaccountbookoutofthetwistofhisloin—cloth，and，whileheskimmeditspages，impressedNau—hauwiththedynamiteofthewhiteman’ssuperiorpowerswhichenabledhimtoremembercorrectlyinsidethescrawledsheetsofabookinsteadofinsidehishead。
\"Sati，\"VanHornread，hisfingermarkingtheplace，hiseyesalternatingwatchfullybetweenthewritingandtheblackchiefbeforehim，whiletheblackchiefhimselfspeculatedandstudiedthechanceofgettingbehindhimand，withthesingleknife—thrustheknewsowell，ofseveringtheother’sspinalcordatthebaseoftheneck。
\"Sati，\"VanHornread。\"Lastmonsoonbeginaboutthistime，himfellaSatiget’msickbellybelonghimtoomuch；bimebyhimfellaSatifinishaltogether，\"hetranslatedintobeche—de—merthewritteninformation：DiedofdysenteryJuly4th，1901。
\"PlentyworkhimfellaSati，longtime，\"Nau—haudrovetothepoint。
\"Whatcomealongmoneybelonghim？\"
VanHorndidmentalarithmeticfromtheaccount。
\"Altogetherhimmake’msixtenspoundsandtwofellapoundsgoldmoney，\"washistranslationofsixty—twopoundsofwages。\"Ipayadvancefatherbelonghimonetenpoundsandfivefellapounds。Himfinishaltogetherfourtenspoundsandsevenfellapounds。\"
\"Whatnamestopfourtenspoundsandsevenfellapounds？\"Nau—haudemanded，histongue，butnothisbrain，encompassingsoprodigiousasum。
VanHornhelduphishand。
\"ToomuchhurryyoufellaNau—hau。HimfellaSatibuy’mslopchestalongplantationtwotenspoundsandonefellapound。BelongSatihefinishaltogethertwotenspoundsandsixfellapounds。\"
\"Whatnamestoptwotenspoundsandsixfellapounds？\"Nau—haucontinuedinflexibly。
\"Stop’malongme，\"thecaptainansweredcurtly。
\"Give’mmetwotenspoundsandsixfellapounds。\"
\"Give’myouhell，\"VanHornrefused，andintheblueofhiseyestheblackchiefsensedtheimpressionofthedynamiteoutofwhichwhitemenseemedmade，andfelthisbrainquickentothevisionofthebloodydayhefirstencounteredanexplosionofdynamiteandwashurledthroughtheair。
\"Whatnamethatoldfellaboystop’malongcanoe？\"VanHornasked，pointingtoanoldmaninacanoealongside。\"HimfatherbelongSati？\"
\"HimfatherbelongSati，\"Nau—hauaffirmed。
VanHornmotionedtheoldmaninandonboard，beckonedBorckmantotakechargeofthedeckandofNau—hau，andwentbelowtogetthemoneyfromhisstrong—box。Whenhereturned，cavalierlyignoringthechief，headdressedhimselftotheoldman。
\"Whatnamebelongyou？\"
\"MefellaNino，\"wasthequaveringresponse。\"HimfellaSatibelongalongme。\"
VanHornglancedforverificationtoNau—hau，whonoddedaffirmationinthereverseSolomonway；whereuponVanHorncountedtwenty—sixgoldsovereignsintothehandofSati’sfather。
ImmediatelythereafterNau—hauextendedhishandandreceivedthesum。Twentygoldpiecesthechiefretainedforhimself，returningtotheoldmantheremainingsix。ItwasnoquarrelofVanHorn’s。
Hehadfulfilledhisdutyandpaidproperly。Thetyrannyofachiefoverasubjectwasnoneofhisbusiness。
Bothmasters，whiteandblack，werefairlycontentedwiththemselves。VanHornhadpaidthemoneywhereitwasdue；Nau—hau，byvirtueofkingship，hadrobbedSati’sfatherofSati’slabourbeforeVanHorn’seyes。ButNau—hauwasnotabovestrutting。Hedeclinedaprofferedpresentoftobacco，boughtacaseofsticktobaccofromVanHorn，payinghimfivepoundsforit，andinsistedonhavingitsawedopensothathecouldfillhispipe。
\"PlentygoodboystopalongLanga—Langa？\"VanHorn，unperturbed，politelyqueried，inordertomakeconversationandadvertisenonchalance。
TheKingo’Babylongrinned，butdidnotdeigntoreply。
\"MaybeIgoashoreandwalkabout？\"VanHornchallengedwithtentativeemphasis。
\"Maybetoomuchtroublealongyou，\"Nau—hauchallengedback。\"Maybeplentybadfellaboykai—kaialongyou。\"
AlthoughVanHorndidnotknowit，atthischallengeheexperiencedthehair—prickingsensationsinhisscalpthatJerryexperiencedwhenhebristledhisback。
\"Hey，Borckman，\"hecalled。\"Manthewhaleboat。\"
Whenthewhaleboatwasalongside，hedescendedintoitfirst，superiorly，theninvitedNau—hautoaccompanyhim。
\"Myword，Kingo’Babylon，\"hemutteredinthechief’searsastheboat’screwbenttotheoars，\"onefellaboymake’mtrouble，I
shoot’mhelloutayoufirstthing。NextthingIshoot’mhelloutaLanga—Langa。Allthetimeyoumefellawalkabout，youwalkaboutalongme。Younolikewalkaboutalongme，youfinishcloseupaltogether。\"
Andashore，awhitemanalone，attendedbyanIrishterrierpuppywithaheartfloodedwithloveandbyablackkingresentfullyrespectfulofthedynamiteofthewhiteman，VanHornwent，swashbucklingbareleggedthroughastrongholdofthreethousandsouls，whilehiswhitemate，addictedtoschnapps，heldthedeckofthetinycraftatanchoroffshore，andwhilehisblackboat’screw，oarsinhands，heldthewhaleboatstern—ontothebeachtoreceivetheexpectedflyingleapofthemantheyservedbutdidnotlove，andwhoseheadtheywouldeagerlytakeanytimewereitnotforfearofhim。
VanHornhadhadnointentionofgoingashore，andthathewentashoreattheblackchief’sinsolentchallengewasmerelyamatterofbusiness。Foranhourhestrolledabout，hisrighthandneverfarfromthebuttoftheautomaticthatlayalonghisgroin，hiseyesnevertoofarfromtheunwillingNau—haubesidehim。ForNau—
hau，insullenvolcanicrage，wasripetoeruptattheslightestopportunity。And，sostrolling，VanHornwasgiventoseewhatfewwhitemenhaveseen，forLanga—Langaandhersisterislets，beautifulbeadsstrungalongtheleecoastofMalaita，wereasuniqueastheywereunexplored。
Originallytheseisletshadbeenmeresand—banksandcoralreefsawashintheseaorshallowlycoveredbythesea。Onlyahunted，wretchedcreature，enduringincrediblehardship，couldhaveekedoutamiserableexistenceuponthem。Butsuchhunted，wretchedcreatures，survivorsofvillagemassacres，escapesfromthewrathofchiefsandfromthelong—pigfateofthecooking—pot，didcome，anddidendure。They，whoknewonlythebush，learnedthesaltwateranddevelopedthesalt—water—manbreed。Theylearnedthewaysofthefishandtheshell—fish，andtheyinventedhooksandlines，netsandfish—traps，andallthediversecunningwaysbywhichswimmingmeatcanbegarneredfromtheshifting，unstablesea。
Suchrefugeesstolewomenfromthemainland，andincreasedandmultiplied。Withherculeanlabour，undertheburningsun，theyconqueredthesea。Theywalledtheconfinesoftheircoralreefsandsand—bankswithcoral—rockstolenfromthemainlandondarknights。Finemasonry，withoutmortarorcuttingchisel，theybuildedtowithstandtheoceansurge。Likewisestolenfromthemainland，asmicestealfromhumanhabitationswhenhumanssleep，theystolecanoe—loads，andmillionsofcanoe—loads，offat，richsoil。
Generationsandcenturiespassed，and，behold，inplaceofnakedsandbankshalfawashwerewalledcitadels，perforatedwithlaunching—waysforthelongcanoes，protectedagainstthemainlandbythelagoonsthatweretothemtheirnarrowseas。Coconutpalms，bananatrees，andloftybreadfruittreesgavefoodandsun—shelter。
Theirgardensprospered。Theirlong，leanwar—canoesravagedthecoastsandvisitedvengeancefortheirforefathersuponthedescendantsofthemthathadpersecutedanddesiredtoeat。
LiketherefugeesandrenegadeswhoslunkawayinthesaltmarshesoftheAdriaticandbuildedthepalacesofpowerfulVeniceonherdeep—sunkpiles，sothesewretchedhuntedblacksbuildedpoweruntiltheybecamemastersofthemainland，controllingtrafficandtrade—
routes，compellingthebushmenforeveraftertoremaininthebushandnevertodareattemptthesalt—water。
Andhere，amidstthefatsuccessandinsolenceofthesea—people，VanHornswaggeredhisway，takinghischance，incapableofbelievingthathemightswiftlydie，knowingthathewasbuildinggoodfuturebusinessinthematterofrecruitinglabourfortheplantationsofotheradventuringwhitemenonfarislandswhodaredonlylessgreatlythanhe。
Andwhen，attheendofanhour，VanHornpassedJerryintothesternsheetsofthewhaleboatandfollowed，heleftonthebeachastunnedandwonderingroyalblack，who，morethaneverbefore，wasrespectfulofthedynamite—compoundedwhitemenwhobroughttohimsticktobacco，calico，knivesandhatchets，andinexorablyextractedfromsuchtradeaprofit。
CHAPTERXI
Backonboard，VanHornimmediatelyhoveshort，hoistedsail，brokeouttheanchor，andfilledawayfortheten—milebeatupthelagoontowindwardthatwouldfetchSomo。Ontheway，hestoppedatBinutogreetChiefJohnnyandlandafewBinureturns。ThenitwasontoSomo，andtotheendofvoyagingforeveroftheArangiandofmanythatwereaboardofher。
QuitetheoppositetohistreatmentatLanga—LangawasthataccordedVanHornatSomo。Oncethereturnboyswereputashore，andthiswasaccomplishednolaterthanthree—thirtyintheafternoon，heinvitedChiefBashtionboard。AndChiefBashticame，verynimbleandactivedespitehisgreatage，andverygood—natured——sogood—
natured，infact，thatheinsistedonbringingthreeofhiselderlywivesonboardwithhim。Thiswasunprecedented。Neverhadhepermittedanyofhiswivestoappearbeforeawhiteman，andVanHornfeltsohonouredthathepresentedeachofthemwithagayclaypipeandadozensticksoftobacco。
Lateastheafternoonwas，tradewasbrisk，andBashti，whohadtakenthelion’sshareofthewagesduetothefathersoftwoboyswhohaddied，boughtliberallyoftheArangi’sstock。WhenBashtipromisedplentyoffreshrecruits，VanHorn，usedtothechangeablenessofthesavagemind，urgedsigningthemuprightaway。
Bashtidemurred，andsuggestednextday。VanHorninsistedthattherewasnotimelikethepresent，andsowelldidheinsistthattheoldchiefsentacanoeashoretorounduptheboyswhohadbeenselectedtogoawaytotheplantations。
\"Now，whatdoyouthink？\"VanHornaskedofBorckman，whoseeyeswereremarkablyfishy。\"Ineversawtheoldrascalsofriendly。
Hashegotsomethinguphissleeve？\"
Thematestaredatthemanycanoesalongside，notedthenumbersofwomeninthem，andshookhishead。
\"Whenthey’restartinganythingtheyalwayssendtheMarysintothebush，\"hesaid。
\"Younevercantellabouttheseniggers，\"thecaptaingrumbled。
\"Theymaybeshortonimagination，butonceinawhiletheydofigureoutsomethingnew。NowBashti’sthesmartestoldniggerI’veeverseen。What’stopreventhisfiguringoutthatverybetandplayingitinreverse？Justbecausethey’veneverhadtheirwomenaroundwhentroublewasonthecarpetisnoreasonthattheywillalwayskeepthatpractice。\"
\"NotevenBashti’sgotthesavveetopullatricklikethat，\"
Borckmanobjected。\"He’sjustfeelinggoodandliberal。Why，he’sboughtfortypoundsofgoodsfromyoualready。That’swhyhewantstosignonanewbatchofboyswithus，andI’llbethe’shopinghalfofthemdieso’shecanhavethespendingoftheirwages。\"
Allofwhichwasmostreasonable。Nevertheless，VanHornshookhishead。
\"Allthesamekeepyoureyessharponeverything，\"hecautioned。
\"Andremember，thetwoofusmustn’teverbebelowatthesametime。
Andnomoreschnapps，mind，untilwe’reclearofthewholekitandcaboodle。\"
Bashtiwasincrediblyleanandprodigiouslyold。Hedidnotknowhowoldhewashimself，althoughhedidknowthatnopersoninhistribehadbeenalivewhenhewasayoungboyinthevillage。Herememberedthedayswhensomeoftheoldmen，stillalive，hadbeenborn；and，unlikehim，theywerenowdecrepit，shakenwithpalsy，blear—eyed，toothlessofmouth，deafofear，orparalysed。Allhisownfacultiesremainedunimpaired。Heevenboastedadozenwornfangsofteeth，gum—level，onwhichhecouldstillchew。Althoughhenolongerhadthephysicalenduranceofyouth，histhinkingwasasoriginalandclearasithadalwaysbeen。Itwasduetohisthinkingthathefoundhistribestrongerthanwhenhehadfirstcometoruleit。InhissmallwayhehadbeenaMelanesianNapoleon。Asawarrior，theplayofhismindhadenabledhimtobeatbackthebushmen’sboundaries。Thescarsonhiswitheredbodyattestedthathehadfoughttothefore。AsaLaw—giver，hehadencouragedandachievedstrengthandefficiencywithinhistribe。
Asastatesman，hehadalwayskeptonethoughtaheadofthethoughtsoftheneighbouringchiefsinthemakingoftreatiesandthegrantingofconcessions。
Andwithhismind，stillkeenlyalive，hehadbutjustevolvedaschemewherebyhemightoutwitVanHornandgetthebetterofthevastBritishEmpireaboutwhichheguessedlittleandknowless。
ForSomohadahistory。Itwasthatqueeranomaly，asalt—watertribethatlivedonthelagoonmainlandwhereonlybushmenweresupposedtolive。Farbackintothedarknessoftime，thefolk—loreofSomocastaglimmeringlight。Onaday，sofarbackthattherewasnowayofestimatingitsdistance，one，Somo，sonofLoti，whowasthechiefoftheislandfortressofUmbo，hadquarrelledwithhisfatherandfledfromhiswrathalongwithadozencanoe—loadsofyoungmen。Fortwomonsoonstheyhadengagedinanodyssey。ItwasinthemyththattheycircumnavigatedMalaitatwice，andforayedasfarasUgiandSanCristobalacrossthewideseas。
Womentheyhadinevitablystolenaftersuccessfulcombats，and，intheend，beingburdenedwithwomenandprogeny，Somohaddescendeduponthemainlandshore，driventhebushmenback，andestablishedthesalt—waterfortressofSomo。Builtitwas，onitssea—front，likeanyislandfortress，withwalledcoral—rocktoopposetheseaandchancemaraudersfromthesea，andwithlaunchingwaysthroughthewallsforthelongcanoes。Totherear，whereitencroachedonthejungle，itwaslikeanyscatteredbushvillage。ButSomo，thewide—seeingfatherofthenewtribe，hadestablishedhisboundariesfarupinthebushontheshouldersofthelessermountains，andoneachshoulderhadplantedavillage。OnlythegreatlydaringthatfledtohimhadSomopermittedtojointhenewtribe。Theweaklingsandcowardstheyhadpromptlyeaten，andtheunbelievabletaleoftheirmanyheadsadorningthecanoe—houseswaspartofthemyth。
Andthistribe，territory，andstronghold，atthelatterendoftime，Bashtihadinherited，andhehadbetteredhisinheritance。
Norwasheabovecontinuingtobetterit。Foralongtimehehadreasonedcloselyandcarefullyinmaturingtheplanthatitchedinhisbrainforfulfilment。Threeyearsbefore，thetribeofAnoAno，milesdownthecoast，hadcapturedarecruiter，destroyedherandallhands，andgainedafabulousstoreoftobacco，calico，beads，andallmanneroftradegoods，riflesandammunition。
Littleenoughhadhappenedinthewayofpricethatwaspaid。Halfayearafter，awarvesselhadpokedhernoseintothelagoon，shelledAnoAno，andsentitsinhabitantsscurryingintothebush。
Thelanding—partythatfollowedhadfutilelypursuedalongthejunglerunways。Intheendithadcontenteditselfwithkillingfortyfatpigsandchoppingdownahundredcoconuttrees。Scarcelyhadthewarvesselpassedouttoopensea，whenthepeopleofAnoAnowerebackfromthebushtothevillage。Shellfireonflimsygrasshousesisnotespeciallydestructive。Afewhours’labourofthewomenputthatlittlematterright。Asforthefortydeadpigs，theentiretribefelluponthecarcasses，roastedthemunderthegroundwithhotstones，andfeasted。Thetendertipsofthefallenpalmswerelikewiseeaten，whilethethousandsofcoconutswerehuskedandsplitandsun—driedandsmoke—curedintocopratobesoldtothenextpassingtrader。
Thus，thepenaltyexactedhadprovedapicnicandafeast——allofwhichappealedtothethrifty，calculatingbrainofBashti。AndwhatwasgoodforAnoAno，inhisjudgmentwassurelygoodforSomo。
Sincesuchwerewhitemen’swayswhosailedundertheBritishflagandkilledpigsandcutdowncoconutsincancellationofblood—debtsandheadtakings，BashtisawnovalidreasonwhyheshouldnotprofitasAnoAnohadprofited。Thepricetobepaidatsomepossiblefuturetimewasabsurdlydisproportionatetotheimmediatewealthtobegained。Besides，ithadbeenovertwoyearssincethelastBritishwarvesselhadappearedintheSolomons。
Andthus，Bashti，withafinefreshideainsidehishead，bowedhischief’sheadinconsentthathispeoplecouldflockaboardandtrade。Veryfewofthemknewwhathisideawasorthatheevenhadanidea。
Tradegrewstillbriskerasmorecanoescamealongsideandblackmenandwomenthrongedthedeck。Thencametherecruits，new—caught，young，savagethings，timidasdeer，yetyieldingtosternparentalandtriballawandgoingdownintotheArangi’scabin，onebyone，theirfathersandmothersandrelativesaccompanyingtheminfamilygroups，toconfrontthebigfellawhitemarster，whowrotetheirnamesdowninamysteriousbook，hadthemratifythethreeyears’
contractoftheirlabourbyatouchoftherighthandtothepenwithwhichhewrote，andwhopaidthefirstyear’sadvanceintradegoodstotheheadsoftheirrespectivefamilies。
OldBashtisatnear，takinghiscustomaryheavytithesoutofeachadvance，histhreeoldwivessquattinghumblyathisfeetandbytheirmerepresencegivingconfidencetoVanHorn，whowaselatedbythestrokeofbusiness。AtsuchratehiscruiseonMalaitawouldbeashortone，whenhewouldsailawaywithafullship。
Ondeck，whereBorckmankeptasharpeyeoutagainstdanger，Jerryprowledabout，sniffingthemanylegsofthemanyblackshehadneverencounteredbefore。Thewild—doghadgoneashorewiththereturnboys，andofthereturnboysonlyonehadcomeback。ItwasLerumie，pastwhomJerryrepeatedlyandstiff—leggedlybristledwithoutgainingresponseofrecognition。Lerumiecoollyignoredhim，wentdownbelowonceandpurchasedatradehand—mirror，and，withalookoftheeyes，assuredoldBashtithatallwasreadyandripetobreakatthefirstfavourablemoment。
Ondeck，Borckmangavethisfavourablemoment。Norwouldhehavesogivenithadhenotbeenguiltyofcarelessnessandofdisobediencetohiscaptain’sorders。Hedidnotleavetheschnappsalone。Bedidnotsensewhatwasimpendingallabouthim。Aft，wherehestood，thedeckwasalmostdeserted。Amidshipsandfor’ard，gammingwiththeboat’screw，thedeckwascrowdedwithblacksofbothsexes。Hemadehiswaytotheyamsackslashedabaftthemizzenmastandgothisbottle。Justbeforehedrank，withashredofcaution，hecastaglancebehindhim。NearhimstoodaharmlessMary，middle—aged，fat，squat，asymmetrical，unlovely，asuckingchildoftwoyearsastrideherhipandtakingnourishment。Surelynoharmwastobeapprehendedthere。Furthermore，shewaspatentlyaweaponlessMary，forsheworenostitchofclothingthatotherwisemighthaveconcealedaweapon。Overagainsttherail，tenfeettooneside，stoodLerumie，smirkingintothetrademirrorhehadjustbought。
ItwasinthetrademirrorthatLerumiesawBorckmanbendtotheyam—sacks，returntotheerect，throwhisheadback，themouthofthebottlegluedtohislips，thebottomelevatedskyward。Lerumieliftedhisrighthandinsignaltoawomaninacanoealongside。
ShebentswiftlyforsomethingthatshetossedtoLerumie。Itwasalong—handledtomahawk，theheadofitanordinaryshingler’shatchet，thehaftofit，native—made，ablackandpolishedpieceofhardwood，inlaidinrudedesignswithmother—of—pearlandwrappedwithcoconutsennittomakeahandgrip。Thebladeofthehatchethadbeengroundtorazor—edge。
AsthetomahawkflewnoiselesslythroughtheairtoLerumie’shand，justasnoiselessly，thenextinstant，itflewthroughtheairfromhishandintothehandofthefatMarywiththenursingchildwhostoodbehindthemate。Sheclutchedthehandlewithbothhands，whilethechild，astrideherhip，heldontoherwithbothsmallarmspartwayabouther。
Stillshewaitedthestroke，forwithBorckman’sheadthrownbackwasnotimetostrivetoseverthespinalcordattheneck。Manyeyesbeheldtheimpendingtragedy。Jerrysaw，butdidnotunderstand。Withallhishostilitytoniggershehadnotdivinedtheattackfromtheair。Tambi，whochancedtobeneartheskylight，saw，and，seeing，reachedforaLee—Enfield。LerumiesawTambi’sactionandhissedhastetotheMary。
Borckman，asunawareofthis，hislastsecondoflife，ashehadbeenofhisfirstsecondofbirth，loweredthebottleandstraightenedforwardhishead。Thekeenedgesankhome。What，inthatflashofinstantwhenhisbrainwasseveredfromtherestofhisbody，Borckmanmayhavefeltorthought，ifhefeltorthoughtatall，isamysteryunsolvabletolivingman。Noman，hisspinalcordsosevered，hasevergivenonewordorwhisperoftestimonyastowhatwerehissensationsandimpressions。NolessswiftthanthehatchetstrokewasthelimpplacidityintowhichBorckman’sbodymeltedtothedeck。Hedidnotreelorpitch。Hemelted，asasackofwindsuddenlyemptied，asabladderofairsuddenlypunctured。
Thebottlefellfromhisdeadhandupontheyamswithoutbreaking，althoughtheremnantofitscontentsgurgledgentlyoutuponthedeck。
Soquickwastheoccurrenceofaction，thatthefirstshotfromTambi’smusketmissedtheMaryereBorckmanhadquitemeltedtothedeck。Therewasnotimeforasecondshot，fortheMary，droppingthetomahawk，holdingherchildinbothherhandsandplungingtotherail，wasintheairandoverboard，herfallcapsizingthecanoewhichchancedtobebeneathher。
Scoresofactionsweresimultaneous。Fromthecanoesonbothsidesuproseaglittering，glisteningrainofmother—of—pearl—handledtomahawksthatdescendedintothewaitinghandsoftheSomomenondeck，whiletheMarysondeckcroucheddownandscrambledoutofthefray。AtthesametimethattheMarywhohadkilledBorckmanleapttherail，Lerumiebentforthetomahawkshehaddropped，andJerry，awareofredwar，slashedthehandthatreachedforthetomahawk。
Lerumiestooduprightandloosedloudly，inahowl，allthepentrageandhatred，ofmonthswhichhehadcherishedagainstthepuppy。
Also，ashegainedtheperpendicularandasJerryflewathislegs，helaunchedakickwithallhismightthatcaughtandliftedJerrysquarelyunderthemiddle。
Andinthenextsecond，orfractionofsecond，asJerryliftedandsoaredthroughtheair，overthebarbedwireoftherailandoverboard，whileSniderswerebeingpassedupoversidefromthecanoes，Tambifiredhisnexthastyshot。AndLerumie，thefootwithwhichhehadkickednotyetreturnedtothedeckasagainhewasinmid—actionofstoopingtopickupthetomahawk，receivedthebulletsquarelyintheheartandpitcheddowntomeltwithBorckmanintothesoftnessofdeath。
EreJerrystruckthewater，thegloryofTambi’smarvellouslyluckyshotwasoverforTambi；for，atthemomenthepressedtriggertothesuccessfulshot，atomahawkbitacrosshisskullatthebaseofthebrainanddarkenedfromhiseyesforeverthebrightvisionofthesea—washed，sun—blazonedtropicworld。Asswiftly，alloccurringalmostsimultaneously，didtherestoftheboat’screwpassandthedeckbecameashambles。
ItwastothereportsoftheSnidersandthenoisesofthedeathscufflethatJerry’sheademergedfromthewater。Aman’shandreachedoveracanoe—sideanddraggedhiminbythescruffoftheneck，and，althoughhesnarledandstruggledtobitehisrescuer，hewasnotsomuchenragedaswashetornbythewildestsolicitudeforSkipper。Heknew，withoutthinkingaboutit，thattheArangihadbeenboardedbythehazilysensedsupremedisasteroflifethatalllifeintuitivelyapprehendsandthatonlymanknowsandcallsbythenameof\"death。\"Borckmanhehadseenstruckdown。Lerumiehehadheardstruckdown。Andnowhewashearingtheexplosionsofriflesandtheyellsandscreechesoftriumphandfear。
Soitwas，helpless，suspendedintheairbythenapeoftheneck，thathebawledandsqualledandchokedandcoughedtilltheblack，disgusted，flunghimdownroughlyinthecanoe’sbottom。Hescrambledtohisfeetandmadetwoleaps：oneuponthegunwaleofthecanoe；thenext，despairingandhopeless，withoutconsiderationofself，fortherailoftheArangi。
Hisforefeetmissedtherailbyayard，andheplungeddownintothesea。Hecameup，swimmingfrantically，swallowingandstranglingsaltwaterbecausehestillyelpedandwailedandbarkedhisyearningtobeonboardwithSkipper。
Butaboyoftwelve，inanothercanoe，havingwitnessedthefirstblack’sadventurewithJerry，treatedhimwithoutceremony，laying，firsttheflat，andnexttheedge，ofapaddleuponhisheadwhilehestillswam。Andthedarknessofunconsciousnesswelledoverhisbrightlittlelove—sufferingbrain，sothatitwasalimpandmotionlesspuppythattheblackboydraggedintohiscanoe。
Inthemeantime，downbelowintheArangi’scabin，ereeverJerryhitthewaterfromLerumie’skick，evenwhilehewasintheair，VanHorn，inonegreatflashingprofoundfractionofaninstant，hadknownhisdeath。NotfornothinghadoldBashtilivedlongestofanylivingmaninhistribe，andruledwisestofallthelonglineofrulerssinceSomo’stime。Hadhebeenplacedmoregenerouslyinearthspaceandtime，hemightwellhaveprovedanAlexander，aNapoleon，oraswarthyKahehameha。Asitwas，heperformedwell，andsplendidlywell，inhislimitedlittlekingdomontheleewardcoastofthedarkcannibalislandofMalaita。
Andsuchaperformance！Incoolgoodnatureinrigidmaintenanceofhischiefshiprights，hehadsmiledatVanHorn，givenroyalpermissiontohisyoungmentosignonforthreeyearsofplantationslavery，andexactedhisshareofeachyear’sadvance。Aora，whomightbedescribedashisprimeministerandtreasurer，hadreceivedthetithesasfastastheywerepaidover，andfilledthemintolarge，fine—nettedbagsofcoconutsennit。AtBashti’sback，squattingonthebunk—boards，aslimandsmooth—skinnedmaidofthirteenhadflappedthefliesawayfromhisroyalheadwiththeroyalfly—flapper。Athisfeethadsquattedhisthreeoldwives，theoldestofthem，toothlessandsomewhatpalsied，everpresentingtohishand，athisheadnod，abasketrough—wovenofpandanusleaf。
AndBashti，hiskeenoldearspitchedforthefirstuntowardsoundfromondeck，hadcontinuallynoddedhisheadanddippedhishandintotheprofferedbasket——nowforbetel—nut，andlime—box，andtheinvariablegreenleafwithwhichtowrapthemouthful；nowfortobaccowithwhichtofillhisshortclaypipe；and，again，formatcheswithwhichtolightthepipewhichseemednottodrawwellandwhichfrequentlywentout。
Towardthelastthebaskethadhoveredconstantlyclosetohishand，and，atthelast，hemadeonefinaldip。ItwasatthemomentwhentheMary’saxe，ondeck，hadstruckBorckmandownandwhenTambiloosedthefirstshotatherfromhisLee—Enfield。AndBashti’switheredancienthand，thebackofitnettedwithacomplexoflargeup—standingveinsfromwhichthefleshhadshrunkaway，dippedoutahugepistolofsuchremotevintagethatoneofCromwell’sround—
headsmightwellhavecarrieditorthatitmightwellhavevoyagedwithQuirosorLaPerouse。Itwasaflint—lock，aslongasaman’sforearm，andithadbeenloadedthatafternoonbynolessapersonthanBashtihimself。
QuickasBashtihadbeen，VanHornwasalmostasquick，butnotquitequickenough。Evenashishandleapttothemodernautomaticlyingoutofit’sholsterandlooseonhisknees，thepistolofthecenturieswentoff。Loadedwithtwoslugsandaroundbullet，itseffectwasthatofasawed—offshotgun。AndVanHornknewtheblazeandtheblackofdeath，evenas\"Gottferdang！\"diedunutteredonhislipsandashisfingersrelaxedfromthepart—liftedautomatic，droppingittothefloor。
Surchargedwithblackpowder，theancientweaponhadothereffect。
ItburstinBashti’shand。WhileAora，withaknifeproducedapparentlyfromnowhere，proceededtohackoffthewhitemaster’shead，Bashtilookedquizzicallyathisrightforefingerdanglingbyastripofskin。Heseizeditwithhislefthand，withaquickpullandtwistwrencheditoff，andgrinninglytossedit，asajoke，intothepandanusbasketwhichstillhiswifewithonehandheldbeforehimwhilewiththeothersheclutchedherforeheadbleedingfromaflyingfragmentofpistol。
Collaterallywiththis，threeoftheyoungrecruits，joinedbytheirfathersanduncles，haddowned，andwerefinishingofftheonlyoneoftheboat’screwthatwasbelow。Bashti，whohadlivedsolongthathewasaphilosopherwhomindedpainlittleandthelossofafingerless，chuckledandchirpedhissatisfactionandprideofachievementintheoutcome，whilehisthreeoldwives，wholivedonlyatthenodofhishead，fawnedunderhimonthefloorintheabjectnessofservilecongratulationandworship。Longhadtheylived，andtheyhadlivedlongonlybyhiskinglywhim。Theyflounderedandgibberedandmowedathisfeet，lordoflifeanddeaththathewas，infinitelywiseashehadsooftenprovedhimself，ashehadthistimeprovedhimselfagain。
Andthelean，fear—strickengirl，likeafrightenedrabbitinthemouthofitsburrow，onhandsandkneespeeredforthuponthescenefromthelazaretteandknewthatthecooking—potandtheendoftimehadcomeforher。
CHAPTERXII
WhathappenedaboardtheArangiJerryneverknew。Hedidknowthatitwasaworlddestroyed，forhesawitdestroyed。Theboywhohadknockedhimontheheadwiththepaddle，tiedhislegssecurelyandtossedhimoutonthebeachereheforgothimintheexcitementoflootingtheArangi。
Withgreatshoutingandsong，theprettyteak—builtyachtwastowedinbythelongcanoesandbeachedclosetowhereJerrylayjustbeyondtheconfinesofthecoral—stonewalls。Firesblazedonthebeach，lanternswerelightedonboard，and，amidagreatfeasting，theArangiwasguttedandstripped。Everythingportablewastakenashore，fromherpigsofironballasttoherrunninggearandsails。
NooneinSomosleptthatnight。Eventhetiniestofchildrentoddledaboutthefeastingfiresorsprawledsurfeitedonthesands。
Attwointhemorning，atBashti’scommand，theshelloftheboatwasfired。AndJerry，thirstingforwater，havingwhimperedandwailedhimselftoexhaustion，lyinghelpless，leg—tied，onhisside，sawthefloatingworldhehadknownsoshortatimegoupinflameandsmoke。
Andbythelightofherburning，oldBashtiapportionedtheloot。
Nooneofthetribewastoomeantoreceivenothing。Eventhewretchedbush—slaves，whohadtrembledthroughallthetimeoftheircaptivityfromfearofbeingeaten，receivedeachaclaypipeandseveralsticksoftobacco。Themainbulkofthetradegoods，whichwasnotdistributed，Bashtihadcarrieduptohisownlargegrasshouse。Allthewealthofgearwasstoredintheseveralcanoehouses。Whileinthedevildevilhousesthedevildevildoctorssettoworkcuringthemanyheadsoverslowsmudges；for，alongwiththeboat’screwtherewerearounddozenofNo—olareturnboysandseveralMaluboyswhichVanHornhadnotyetdelivered。