Notallthesehadbeenslain，however。Bashtihadissuedsterninjunctionsagainstwholesaleslaughter。Butthiswasnotbecausehisheartwaskind。Ratherwasitbecausehisheadwasshrewd。
Slaintheywouldallbeintheend。Bashtihadneverseenice，didnotknowitexisted，andwasunversedinthescienceofrefrigeration。Theonlywayheknewtokeepmeatwastokeepitalive。Andinthebiggestcanoehouse，theclubhouseofthestags，wherenoMarymightcomeunderpenaltyofdeathbytorture，thecaptiveswerestored。
Tiedortrussedlikefowlsorpigs，theyweretumbledonthehard—
packedearthenfloor，beneathwhich，shallowlyburied，laytheremainsofancientchiefs，while，overhead，inwrappingsofgrassmats，swungallthatwasleftofseveralofBashti’simmediatepredecessors，hisfatherlatestamongthemandsoswingingfortwofullgenerations。Here，too，sinceshewastobeeatenandsincethetaboohadnobearingupononecondemnedtobecooked，thethinlittleMaryfromthelazarettewastumbledtrussedupontheflooramongthemanyblackswhohadteasedandmockedherforbeingfattenedbyVanHornfortheeating。
AndtothiscanoehouseJerrywasalsobroughttojointheothersonthefloor。Agno，chiefofthedevildevildoctors，hadstumbledacrosshimonthebeach，and，despitetheprotestationsoftheboywhoclaimedhimaspersonaltrove，hadorderedhimtothecanoehouse。Carriedpastthefiresofthefeasting，hiskeennostrilshadtoldhimofwhatthefeastconsisted。And，newastheexperiencewas，hehadbristledandsnarledandstruggledagainsthisbondstobefree。Likewise，atfirst，tosseddowninthecanoehouse，hehadbristledandsnarledathisfellowcaptives，notrealizingtheirplight，and，sincealwayshehadbeentrainedtolookuponniggersastheeternalenemy，consideringthemresponsibleforthecatastrophetotheArangiandtoSkipper。
ForJerrywasonlyalittledog，withadog’slimitations，andveryyoungintheworld。Butnotforlongdidhethroathisrageatthem。Invaguewaysitwasborneinuponhimthatthey，too，werenothappy。Somehadbeencruellywounded，andkeptupamoaningandgroaning。Withoutanyclearnessofconcept，neverthelessJerryhadarealizationthattheywereaspainfullycircumstancedashimself。
Andpainfulindeedwashisowncircumstance。Helayonhisside，thecordsthatboundhislegssotightastobiteintohistenderfleshandshutoffthecirculation。Also，hewasperishingforwater，andpanted，dry—tongued，dry—mouthed，inthestagnantheat。
Adolorousplaceitwas，thiscanoehouse，filledwithgroansandsighs，corpsesbeneaththefloorandcomposingthefloor，creaturessoontobecorpsesuponthefloor，corpsesswinginginaerialsepulchreoverhead，longblackcanoes，high—endedlikebeakedpredatorymonsters，dimlyloominginthelightofaslowfirewheresatanancientofthetribeofSomoathisinterminabletaskofsmoke—curingabushman’shead。Hewaswithered，andblind，andsenile，gibberingandmowinglikesomehugeapeaseverheturnedandtwisted，andtwistedbackagain，thesuspendedheadinthepungentsmoke，andhandfulbyhandfuladdedrottenpunkofwoodtothesmudgefire。
Sixtyfeetintheclear，thedimfireoccasionallylighted，throughshadowycross—beams，theridge—polethatwascoveredwithsennitofcoconutthatwasbraidedinbarbaricdesignsofblackandwhiteandthatwasstainedbythesmokeofyearsalmosttoamonochromeofdirtybrown。Fromtheloftycross—beams，onlongsennitstrings，hungtheheadsofenemiestakenaforetimeinjungleraidandseaforay。Theplacebreathedtheveryatmosphereofdecayanddeath，andtheimbecileancient，curinginthesmokethetokenofdeath，washimselfpalsiedlyshakingintothedisintegrationofthegrave。
Towarddaylight，withgreatshoutingandheavingandpullandhaul，scoresofSomomenbroughtinanotherofthebigwarcanoes。Theymadewaywithfootandhand，kickingandthrustingdraggingandshoving，theboundcaptivestoeithersideofthespacewhichthecanoewastooccupy。TheywereanythingbutgentletothemeatwithwhichtheyhadbeenfavouredbygoodfortuneandthewisdomofBashti。
Foratimetheysatabout，allpullingatclaypipesandchirrupingandlaughinginqueerthinfalsettosattheeventsofthenightandthepreviousafternoon。Nowoneandnowanotherstretchedoutandsleptwithoutcovering；forso，directlyunderthepathofthesun，hadtheysleptnakedlyfromthetimetheywereborn。
Remainedawake，asdawnpaledthedark，onlythegrievouslywoundedorthetoo—tightlybound，andthedecrepitancientwhowasnotsooldasBashti。WhentheboywhohadstunnedJerrywithhispaddle—
bladeandwhoclaimedhimashisownstoleintothecanoehouse，theancientdidnothearhim。Beingblind，hedidnotseehim。Hecontinuedgibberingandchucklingdementedly，totwistthebushman’sheadbackandforthandtofeedthesmudgewithpunk—wood。Thiswasnonight—taskforanyman，norevenforhimwhohadforgottenhowtodoaughtelse。ButtheexcitementofcuttingouttheArangihadbeencommunicatedtohisaddledbrain，and，withvaguereminiscentflashesofthestrengthoflifetriumphant，heshareddeliriouslyinthistriumphofSomobyapplyinghimselftothecuringoftheheadthatwasinitselftheconcreteexpressionoftriumph。
Butthetwelve—year—oldladwhostoleinandcautiouslysteppedoverthesleepersandthreadedhiswayamongthecaptives，didsowithhisheartinhismouth。Heknewwhattabooshewasviolating。Notoldenougheventoleavehisfather’sgrassroofandsleepintheyouths’canoehouse，muchlesstosleepwiththeyoungbachelorsintheircanoehouse，heknewthathetookhislife，withallofitsdimlyguessedmysteriesandarrogances，inhishandthustotrespassintothesacredprecinctofthefull—made，full—realized，full—
staturedmenofSomo。
ButhewantedJerryandhegothim。OnlytheleanlittleMary，trussedforthecooking，staringthroughherwideeyesoffear，sawtheboypickJerryupbyhistiedlegsandcarryhimoutandawayfromthebootyofmeatofwhichshewaspart。Jerry’sheroiclittleheartofcouragewouldhavemadehimsnarlandresentsuchtreatmentofhandlinghadhenotbeentooexhaustedandhadnothismouthandthroatbeentoodryforsound。Asitwas，miserablyandhelplessly，nothalfhimself，apuppetdreamerinahalf—nightmare，heknew，asarestlesssleeperawakeningbetweenvexingdreams，thathewasbeingtransportedhead—downwardoutofthecanoehousethatstankofdeath，throughthevillagethatwasonlylessnoisome，andupapathunderlofty，wide—spreadingtreesthatwerebeginninglanguidlytostirwiththefirstbreathingsofthemorningwind。
CHAPTERXIII
Theboy’sname，asJerrywastolearn，wasLamai，andtoLamai’shouseJerrywascarried。Itwasnotmuchofahouse，evenascannibalgrass—housesgo。Onanearthenfloor，hard—packedofthefilthofyears，livedLamai’sfatherandmotherandaspawnoffouryoungerbrothersandsisters。Athatchedroofthatleakedineveryheavyshowerleanedtoawabblyridge—poleoverthefloor。Thewallswereevenmorepervioustoadrivingrain。Infact，thehouseofLamai，whowasthefatherofLumai，wasthemostmiserablehouseinallSomo。
Lumai，thehouse—masterandfamilyhead，unlikemostMalaitans，wasfat。Andofhisfatnessitwouldseemhadbeenbegottenhisgoodnaturewithitsalliedlaziness。Butastheflyinhisointmentofjovialirresponsibilitywashiswife，Lenerengo——theprizeshrewofSomo，whowasasleanaboutthemiddleandalltherestofherasherhusbandwasrotund；whowasasremarkablysharp—spokenashewassoft—spoken；whowasasceaselesslyenergeticashewasunceasinglyidle；andwhohadbeenbornwithatastefortheworldassourinhermouthasitwassweetinhis。
Theboymerelypeeredintothehouseashepassedaroundittotherear，andhesawhisfatherandmother，atoppositecorners，sleepingwithoutcovering，and，inthemiddleofthefloor，hisfournakedbrothersandsisterscurledtogetherinatanglelikealitterofpuppies。Allaboutthehouse，whichintruthwasscarcelymorethanananimallair，wasanearthlyparadise。Theairwasspicilyandsweetlyheavywiththescentsofwildaromaticplantsandgorgeoustropicblooms。Overheadthreebreadfruittreesinterlacedtheirnoblebranches。Bananaandplantaintreeswereburdenedwithgreatbunchesofripeningfruit。Andhuge，goldenmelonsofthepapaia，readyfortheeating，globuleddirectlyfromtheslender—
trunkedtreesnotone—tenththegirthofthefruitstheybore。And，forJerry，mostdelightfulofall，therewasthegurgleandplashofabrookletthatpursueditsinvisiblewayovermossystonesunderagarmentureoftenderanddelicateferns。Noconservatoryofakingcouldcomparewiththiswildwantonnessofsun—generousvegetation。
Maddenedbythesoundofthewater，Jerryhadfirsttoendureanembracingandhuggingfromtheboy，who，squattedonhishams，rockedbackandforthandmumbledastrangelittlecrooningsong。
AndJerry，lackingarticulatespeech，hadnowayoftellinghimofthethirstofwhichhewasperishing。
Next，Lamaitiedhimsecurelywithasennitcordabouttheneckanduntiedthecordsthatbitintohislegs。SonumbwasJerryfromlackofcirculation，andsoweakfromlackofwaterthroughpartofatropicdayandallofatropicnight，thathestoodup，totteredandfell，and，timeandagain，essayingtostand，flounderedandfell。AndLamaiunderstood，ortentativelyguessed。Hecaughtupacoconutcalabashattachedtotheendofastickofbamboo，dippedintothegreeneryofferns，andpresentedtoJerrythecalabashbrimmingwiththepreciouswater。
Jerrylayonhissideatfirstashedrank，until，withthemoisture，lifeflowedbackintotheparchedchannelsofhim，sothat，soon，stillweakandshaky，hewasupandbracedonallhisfourwide—spreadlegsandstilleagerlylapping。Theboychuckledandchirpedhisdelightinthespectacle，andJerryfoundsurceaseandeasementsufficienttoenablehimtospeakwithhistongueaftertheheart—eloquentmannerofdogs。Hetookhisnoseoutofthecalabashandwithhisrose—ribbonstripoftonguelickedLamai’shand。AndLamai，inecstasyoverthisestablishmentofcommonspeech，urgedthecalabashbackunderJerry’snose，andJerrydrankagain。
Hecontinuedtodrink。Hedrankuntilhissun—shrunkensidesstoodoutlikethewallsofaballoon，althoughlongerweretheintervalsfromthedrinkinginwhich，withhistongueofgratefulness，hespokeagainsttheblackskinofLamai’shand。Andallwentwell，andwouldhavecontinuedtogowell，hadnotLamai’smother，Lenerengo，justawakened，steppedacrossherblacklitterofprogenyandraisedhervoiceinshrillprotestagainsthereldestborn’sintroducingofonemoremouthandmuchmorenuisanceintothehousehold。
Asquabbleofhumanspeechfollowed，ofwhichJerryknewnowordbutofwhichhesensedthesignificance。Lamaiwaswithhimandforhim。Lamai’smotherwasagainsthim。Sheshrilledandshrewedherfirmconvictionthathersonwasafoolandworsebecausehehadneithertheconsiderationnorthesillysenseofafool’ssolicitudeforahard—workedmother。SheappealedtothesleepingLumai，whoawokeheavilyandfatly，whomutteredandmumbledeasytermsofSomodialecttotheeffectthatitwasamostdecentworld，thatallpuppydogsandeldest—bornsonswererightdelightfulthingstopossess，thathehadneveryetstarvedtodeath，andthatpeaceandsleepwerethefinestthingsthateverbefellthelotofmortalman—
—and，intokenthereof，backintothepeaceofsleep，hesnuggledhisnoseintothebicepsofhisarmforapillowandproceededtosnore。
ButLamai，eyesstubbornlysullen，withmutinousfoot—stampingsandaperfectknowledgethatallwasclearbehindhimtoleapandfleeawayifhismotherrusheduponhim，persistedinretaininghispuppydog。Intheend，afteranharangueupontheworthlessnessofLamai’sfather，shewentbacktosleep。
Ideasbegetideas。LamaihadlearnedhowastonishinglythirstyJerryhadbeen。Thisengenderedtheideathathemightbeequallyhungry。Soheapplieddrybranchesofwoodtothesmoulderingcoalshedugoutoftheashesofthecooking—fire，andbuildedalargefire。Intothis，asitgainedstrength，heplacedmanystonesfromaconvenientpile，eachfire—blackenedintokenthatithadbeensimilarlyusedmanytimes。Next，hiddenunderthewaterofthebrookinanettedhand—bag，hebroughttolightthecarcassofafatwood—pigeonhehadsnaredthepreviousday。Hewrappedthepigeoningreenleaves，and，surroundingitwiththehotstonesfromthefire，coveredpigeonandstoneswithearth。
When，afteratime，heremovedthepigeonandstrippedfromitthescorchedwrappingsofleaves，itgaveforthascentsosavouryastoprickupJerry’searsandsethisnostrilstoquivering。Whentheboyhadtornthesteamingcarcassacrossandcooledit，Jerry’smealbegan；nordidthemealceasetillthelastsliverofmeathadbeenstrippedandtonguedfromthebonesandthebonescrunchedandcrackledtofragmentsandswallowed。AndthroughoutthemealLamaimadelovetoJerry，crooningoverandoverhislittlesong，andpattingandcaressinghim。
Ontheotherhand，refreshedbythewaterandthemeat，Jerrydidnotreciprocatesoheartilyinthelove—making。Hewaspolite，andreceivedhispettingwithsoft—shiningeyes，tail—waggingsandthecustomarybody—wrigglings；buthewasrestless，andcontinuallylistenedtodistantsoundsandyearnedawaytobegone。Thiswasnotlostupontheboy，who，beforehecurledhimselfdowntosleep，securelytiedtoatreetheendofthecordthatwasaboutJerry’sneck。
Afterstrainingagainstthecordforatime，Jerrysurrenderedandslept。Butnotforlong。Skipperwastoomuchwithhim。Heknew，andyethedidnotknow，theirretrievableultimatedisastertoSkipper。Soitwas，afterlowwhiningsandwhimperings，thatheappliedhissharpfirst—teethtothesennitcordandcheweduponittillitparted。
Free，likeahomingpigeon，heheadedblindlyanddirectlyforthebeachandthesaltseaoverwhichhadfloatedtheArangi，onherdeckSkipperincommand。Somowaslargelydeserted，andthosethatwereinitweresunkinsleep。Sonoonevexedhimashetrottedthroughthewindingpathwaysbetweenthemanyhousesandpasttheobscenekingpostsoftotemicheraldry，wheretheformsofmen，carvedfromsingletreetrunks，wereseatedinthegapingjawsofcarvedsharks。ForSomo，tracingbacktoSomoitsfounder，worshippedtheshark—godandthesalt—waterdeitiesaswellasthedeitiesofthebushandswampandmountain。
Turningtotherightuntilhewaspastthesea—wall，Jerrycameondowntothebeach。NoArangiwastobeseenontheplacidsurfaceofthelagoon。Allabouthimwasthedebrisofthefeast，andhescentedthesmoulderingodoursofdyingfiresandburntmeat。Manyofthefeastershadnottroubledtoreturntotheirhouses，butlayaboutonthesand，inthemid—morningsunshine，men，women，andchildrenandentirefamilies，wherevertheyhadyieldedtoslumber。
Downbythewater’sedge，soclosethathisfore—feetrestedinthewater，Jerrysatdown，hisheartburstingforSkipper，thrusthisnoseheavenwardatthesun，andwailedhiswoeasdogshaveeverwailedsincetheycameinfromthewildwoodstothefiresofmen。
AndhereLamaifoundhim，hushedhisgriefagainsthisbreastwithcuddlingarms，andcarriedhimbacktothegrasshousebythebrook。
Waterheoffered，butJerrycoulddrinknomore。Loveheoffered，butJerrycouldnotforgethistormentofdesireforSkipper。Intheend，disgustedwithsounreasonableapuppy，Lamaiforgothisloveinhisboyishsavageness，cloutedJerryoverthehead，rightsideandleft，andtiedhimasfewwhitesmen’sdogshaveeverbeentied。For，inhisway，Lamaiwasagenius。Hehadneverseenthethingdonewithanydog，yethedevised，onthespurofthemoment，theinventionoftyingJerrywithastick。Thestickwasofbamboo，fourfeetlong。OneendhetiedshortlytoJerry’sneck，theotherend，justasshortlytoatree。AllthatJerry’steethcouldreachwasthestick，anddryandseasonedbamboocandefytheteethofanydog。
CHAPTERXIV
Formanydays，tiedbythestick，JerryremainedLamai’sprisoner。
Itwasnotahappytime，forthehouseofLumaiwasahouseofperpetualbickeringandquarrelling。LamaifoughtpitchedbattleswithhisbrothersandsistersforteasingJerry，andthesebattlesinvariablyculminatedinLenerengotakingahandandimpartiallypunishingallherprogeny。
Afterthat，asamatterofcourseandongeneralprinciples，shewouldhaveitoutwithLumai，whosesoftvoicealwayswasforquietandrepose，andwhoalways，attheendofatongue—lashing，tookhimselfofftothecanoehouseforacoupleofdays。Here，Lenerengowashelpless。IntothecanoehouseofthestagsnoMarymightventure。LenerengohadneverforgottenthefateofthelastMarywhohadbrokenthetaboo。Ithadoccurredmanyyearsbefore，whenshewasagirl，andtherecollectionwasevervividoftheunfortunatewomanhangingupinthesunbyonearmforallofaday，andforallofaseconddaybytheotherarm。Afterthatshehadbeenfeasteduponbythestagsofthecanoehouse，andforlongafterwardallwomenhadtalkedsoftlybeforetheirhusbands。
JerrydiddiscoverlikingforLamai，butitwasnotstrongnorpassionate。Ratherwasitoutofgratitude，foronlyLamaisawtoitthathereceivedfoodandwater。YetthisboywasnoSkipper，noMisterHaggin。NorwasheevenaDerbyoraBob。Hewasthatinferiorman—creature，anigger，andJerryhadbeenthoroughlytrainedallhisbriefdaystothelawthatthewhitemenwerethesuperiortwo—leggedgods。
Hedidnotfailtorecognize，however，theintelligenceandpowerthatresidedintheniggers。Hedidnotreasonitout。Heacceptedit。Theyhadpowerofcommandoverotherobjects，couldpropelsticksandstonesthroughtheair，couldeventiehimaprisonertoastickthatrenderedhimhelpless。Inferiorastheymightbetothewhite—gods，stilltheyweregodsofasort。
ItwasthefirsttimeinhislifethatJerryhadbeentiedup，andhedidnotlikeit。Vainlyhehurthisteeth，someofwhichwerelooseningunderthepressureofthesecondteethrisingunderneath。
Thestickwasstrongerthanhe。AlthoughhedidnotforgetSkipper，thepoignancyofhislossfadedwiththepassageoftime，untiluppermostinhismindwasthedesiretobefree。
Butwhenthedaycamethathewasfreed，hefailedtotakeadvantageofitandscuttleawayforthebeach。ItchancedthatLenerengoreleasedhim。Shediditdeliberately，desiringtobequitofhim。
ButwhensheuntiedJerry，hestoppedtothankher，wagginghistailandsmilingupatherwithhishazel—browneyes。Shestampedherfootathimtobegone，andutteredaharshandintimidatingcry。
ThisJerrydidnotunderstand，andsounusedwashetofearthathecouldnotbefrightenedintorunningaway。Heceasedwagginghistail，and，thoughhecontinuedtolookupather，hiseyesnolongersmiled。Heractionandnoiseheidentifiedasunfriendly，andhebecamealertandwatchful，preparedforwhateverhostileactshemightnextcommit。
Againshecriedoutandstampedherfoot。TheonlyeffectonJerrywastomakehimtransferhiswatchfulnesstothefoot。Thisslownessingettingaway，nowthatshehadreleasedhim，wastoomuchforhershorttemper。Shelaunchedthekick，andJerry，avoidingit，slashedherankle。
Warbrokeontheinstant，andthatshemighthavekilledJerryinherragewashighlyprobablehadnotLamaiappearedonthescene。
ThestickuntiedfromJerry’snecktoldthetaleofherperfidyandincensedLamai，whosprangbetweenanddeflectedtheblowwithastonepoi—pounderthatmighthavebrainedJerry。
Lamaiwasnowtheoneindangerofgrievousdamage，andhismotherhadjustknockedhimdownwithacloutalongsidetheheadwhenpoorLumai，rousedfromsleepbytheuproar，venturedouttomakepeace。
Lenerengo，asusual，forgoteverythingelseinthefiercerpleasureofberatingherspouse。
Theconclusionoftheaffairwasharmlessenough。Thechildrenstoppedtheircrying，LamairetiedJerrywiththestick，Lenerengoharanguedherselfbreathless，andLumaidepartedwithhurtfeelingsforthecanoehousewherestagscouldsleepinpeaceandMaryspesterednot。
Thatnight，inthecircleofhisfellowstags，Lumairecitedhissorrowsandtoldthecauseofthem——thepuppydogwhichhadcomeontheArangi。ItchancedthatAgno，chiefofthedevildevildoctors，orhighpriest，heardthetale，andrecollectedthathehadsentJerrytothecanoehousealongwiththerestofthecaptives。HalfanhourlaterhewashavingitoutwithLamai。Beyonddoubt，theboyhadbrokenthetaboos，andprivilyhetoldhimso，untilLamaitrembledandweptandsquirmedabjectlyathisfeet，forthepenaltywasdeath。
ItwastoogoodanopportunitytogetaholdovertheboyforAgnotomisplayit。Adeadboywasworthnothingtohim，butalivingboywhoselifehecarriedinhishandwouldservehimwell。Sincenooneelseknewofthebrokentaboo，hecouldaffordtokeepquiet。
SoheorderedLamaiforthrightdowntoliveintheyouths’canoehouse，theretobeginhisnovitiateinthelongseriesoftasks，testsandceremoniesthatwouldgraduatehimintothebachelors’
canoehouseandhalfwayalongtowardbeingarecognizedman。
Inthemorning，obeyingthedevildevildoctor’scommands，LenerengotiedJerry’sfeettogether，notwithoutastruggleinwhichhisheadwasbangedaboutandherhandswerescratched。ThenshecarriedhimdownthroughthevillageonthewaytodeliverhimatAgno’shouse。
Ontheway，intheopencentreofthevillagewherestoodthekingposts，shelefthimlyingonthegroundinordertojoininthehilarityofthepopulation。
NotonlywasoldBashtiasternlaw—giver，buthewasauniqueone。
Hehadselectedthisdayattheonetimetoadministerpunishmenttotwoquarrellingwomen，togivealessontoallotherwomen，andtomakeallhissubjectsgladonceagainthattheyhadhimforruler。
TihaandWiwau，thetwowomen，weresquatandstoutandyoung，andhadlongbeenascandalbecauseoftheirincessantquarrelling。
Bashtihadsetthemaracetorun。Butsucharace。Itwasside—
splitting。Men，women，andchildren，beholding，howledwithdelight。Evenelderlymatronsandgreybeardswithafootinthegravescreechedandshrilledtheirjoyinthespectacle。
Thehalf—milecourselaythelengthofthevillage，throughitsheart，fromthebeachwheretheArangihadbeenburnedtothebeachattheotherendofthesea—wall。IthadtobecoveredonceineachdirectionbyTihaandWiwau，ineachcaseoneofthemurgingspeedontheotherandtheotherdesiringspeedthatwasunattainable。
OnlythemindofBashticouldhavedevisedtheshow。First，tworoundcoralstones，weighingfullyfortypoundseach，wereplacedinTiha’sarms。Shewascompelledtoclaspthemtightlyagainsthersidesinorderthattheymightnotrolltotheground。Behindher，BashtiplacedWiwau，whowasarmedwithabristleofbamboosplintsmountedonalightlongshaftofbamboo。Thesplintsweresharpasneedles，beingindeedtheneedlesusedintattooing，andontheendofthepoletheywereintendedtobeappliedtoTiha’sbackinthesamewaythatmenapplyox—goadstooxen。Noseriousdamage，butmuchpain，couldbeinflicted，whichwasjustwhatBashtihadintended。
Wiwauproddedwiththegoad，andTihastumbledandwabbledingymnasticeffortstomakespeed。Since，whenthefartherbeachhadbeenreached，thepositionswouldbereversedandWiwauwouldcarrythestonesbackwhileTihaprodded，andsinceWiwauknewthatforwhatshegaveTihawouldthentrytogivemore，Wiwauexertedherselftogivetheutmostwhileyetshecould。Theperspirationrandownboththeirfaces。Eachhadherpartisansinthecrowd，whoencouragedandheapedridiculewitheveryprod。
Ludicrousasitwas，behinditlayironsavagelaw。Thetwostonesweretobecarriedtheentirecourse。Thewomanwhoproddedmustdosowithconvictionanddispatch。Thewomanwhowasproddedmustnotlosehertemperandfighthertormentor。AstheyhadbeendulyforewarnedbyBashti，thepenaltyforinfractionoftheruleshehadlaiddownwasstakingoutonthereefatlowtidetobeeatenbythefish—sharks。
AsthecontestantscameoppositewhereBashtiandAorahisprimeministerstood，theyredoubledtheirefforts，Wiwaugoadingenthusiastically，Tihajumpingwitheverythrusttotheimminentdangerofdroppingthestones。Attheirheelstroopedthechildrenofthevillageandallthevillagedogs，whoopingandyelpingwithexcitement。
\"LongtimeyoufellaTihanosit’malongcanoe，\"AorabawledtothevictimandsetBashticacklingagain。
Atanunusuallyurgentprod，Tihadroppedastoneandwasdulygoadedwhileshesanktoherkneesandwithonearmscoopeditinagainstherside，regainedherfeet，andwaddledon。
Once，instarkmutinyatsomuchpain，shedeliberatelystoppedandaddressedhertormentor。
\"Mecrossalongyoutoomuch，\"shetoldWiwau。\"Bimeby，close——\"
Butshenevercompletedthethreat。Awarmlyadministeredprodbrokethroughherstoicismandstartedhertotteringalong。
Theshoutingoftherabbleebbedawayasthequeerraceranontowardthebeach。Butinafewminutesitcouldbeheardfloodingback，thistimeWiwaupantingwiththeweightofcoralstoneandTiha，a—smartwithwhatshehadendured，tryingmorethantoeventhescore。
OppositeBashti，Wiwaulostoneofthestones，and，intheefforttorecoverit，losttheother，whichrolledadozenfeetawayfromthefirst。Tihabecameawhirlwindofavengingfury。AndallSomowentwild。Bashtiheldhisleansideswithmerrimentwhiletearsofpurestjoyrandownhisprodigiouslywrinkledcheeks。
Andwhenallwasover，quothBashtitohispeople：\"Thusshallallwomenfightwhentheydesireovermuchtofight。\"
Onlyhedidnotsayitinthisway。NordidhesayitintheSomotongue。Whathedidsaywasinbeche—de—mer，andhiswordswere：
\"AnyfellaMaryhelike’mfight，allfellaMaryalongSomofight’mthisfellaway。\"
CHAPTERXV
Forsometimeaftertheconclusionoftherace，Bashtistoodtalkingwithhisheadmen，Agnoamongthem。Lenerengowassimilarlyengagedwithseveraloldcronies。AsJerrylayofftoonesidewhereshehadforgottenhim，thewild—doghehadbulliedontheArangicameupandsniffedathim。Atfirsthesniffedatadistance，readyforinstantflight。Thenhedrewcautiouslycloser。Jerrywatchedhimwithsmoulderingeyes。Atthemomentwild—dog’snosetouchedhim，heutteredawarninggrowl。Wild—dogsprangbackandwhirledawayinheadlongflightforascoreofyardsbeforehelearnedthathewasnotpursued。
Againhecamebackcautiously，asitwastheinstinctinhimtostalkwildgame，crouchingsoclosetothegroundthatalmosthisbellytouched。Heliftedanddroppedhisfeetwiththelithesoftnessofacat，andfromtimetotimeglancedtorightandtoleftasifinapprehensionofsomeflankattack。Anoisyoutburstofboys’laughterinthedistancecausedhimtocrouchsuddenlydown，hisclawsthrustintothegroundforpurchase，hismusclestensespringsfortheleapheknewnotinwhatdirection，fromthedangerheknewnotwhatthatmightthreatenhim。Thenheidentifiedthenoise，knowthatnoharmimpended，andresumedhisstealthyadvanceontheIrishterrier。
Whatmighthavehappenedthereisnotelling，foratthatmomentBashti’seyeschancedtorestonthegoldenpuppyforthefirsttimesincethecaptureoftheArangi。IntherushofeventsBashtihadforgottenthepuppy。
\"Whatnamethatfelladog？\"hecriedoutsharply，causingwild—dogtocrouchdownagainandattractingLenerengo’sattention。
Shecringedinfeartothegroundbeforetheterribleoldchiefandquaveredarecitalofthefacts。Hergood—for—nothingboyLamaihadpickedthedogfromthewater。Ithadbeenthecauseofmuchtroubleinherhouse。ButnowLamaihadgonetolivewiththeyouths，andshewascarryingthedogtoAgno’shouseatAgno’sexpresscommand。
\"Whatnamethatdogstopalongyou？\"BashtidemandeddirectlyofAgno。
\"Mekai—kaialonghim，\"cametheanswer。\"Himfatfelladog。Himgoodfelladogkai—kai。\"
IntoBashti’salertoldbrainflashedanideathathadbeenlongmaturing。
\"Himgoodfelladogtoomuch，\"heannounced。\"Betteryoueat’mbushfelladog，\"headvised，pointingatwild—dog。
Agnoshookhishead。\"Bushfelladognogoodkai—kai。\"
\"Bushfelladognogoodtoomuch，\"wasBashti’sjudgment。\"Bushfelladogtoomuchfright。Plentyfellabushdogtoomuchfright。
Whitemarster’sdognofright。Bushdognofight。Whitemarster’sdogfightlikehell。Bushdogrunlikehell。Youlook’meyebelongyou，yousee。\"
BashtisteppedovertoJerryandcutthecordsthattiedhislegs。
AndJerry，uponhisfeetinasurge，wasforonceintoogreathastetopausetogivethanks。Hehurledhimselfafterwild—dog，caughthiminmid—flight，androlledhimoverandoverinacloudofdust。
Everwild—dogstrovetoescape，andeverJerrycorneredhim，rolledhim，andbithim，whileBashtiapplaudedandcalledonhisheadmentobehold。
BythistimeJerryhadbecomearaginglittledemon。Firedbyallhiswrongs，fromthebloodydayontheArangiandthelossofSkipperdowntothislatesttyingofhislegs，hewasavenginghimselfonwild—dogforeverything。Theownerofwild—dog，areturnboy，madethemistakeoftryingtokickJerryaway。Jerrywasuponhiminaflashscratchinghiscalveswithhisteeth，inthesuddennessofhisonslaughtgettingbetweentheblack’slegsandtumblinghimtotheground。
\"Whatname！\"Bashticriedinarageattheoffender，wholayfear—
strickenwherehehadfallen，tremblingforwhatnextwordsmightfallfromhischief’slips。
ButBashtiwasalreadydoublingwithlaughteratsightofwild—dogrunningforhislifedownthestreetwithJerryahundredfeetbehindandtearingupthedust。
Astheydisappeared，Bashtiexpoundedhisidea。Ifmenplantedbananatrees，itran，whattheywouldgetwouldbebananas。Iftheyplantedyams，yamswouldbeproduced，notsweetpotatoesorplantains，butyams，nothingbutyams。Thesamewithdogs。Sinceallblackmen’sdogswerecowards，allthebreedingofallblackmen’sdogswouldproducecowards。Whitemen’sdogswerecourageousfighters。Whentheywerebredtheyproducedcourageousfighters。
Verywell，andtotheconclusion，namely，herewasawhiteman’sdogintheirpossession。Theheightoffoolishnesswouldbetoeatitandtodestroyforalltimethecouragethatresidedinit。Thewisethingtodowastoregarditasaseeddog，tokeepitalive，sothatinthecominggenerationsofSomodogsitscouragewouldberepeatedoverandoverandspreaduntilallSomodogswouldbestrongandbrave。
Further，BashticommandedhischiefdevildevildoctortotakechargeofJerryandguardhimwell。Also，hesenthiswordforthtoallthetribethatJerrywastaboo。Noman，woman，orchildwastothrowspearorstoneathim，strikehimwithclubortomahawk，orhurthiminanyway。
Thenceforth，anduntilJerryhimselfviolatedoneofthegreatestoftaboos，hehadahappytimeinAgno’sgloomygrasshouse。ForBashti，unlikemostchiefs，ruledhisdevildevildoctorswithanironhand。Otherchiefs，evenNau—hauofLanga—Langa，wereruledbytheirdevildevildoctors。Forthatmatter，thepopulationofSomobelievedthatBashtiwassoruled。ButtheSomofolkdidnotknowwhatwentonbehindthescenes，whenBashti，asheerinfidel，talkedalonenowwithonedoctorandnowwithanother。
Intheseprivatetalkshedemonstratedthatheknewtheirgameaswellastheydid，andthathewasnoslavetothedarksuperstitionsandgrossimpostureswithwhichtheykeptthepeopleinsubmission。
Also，heexpositedthetheory，asancientaspriestsandrulers，thatpriestsandrulersmustworktogetherintheorderlygovernanceofthepeople。Hewascontentthatthepeopleshouldbelievethatthegods，andthepriestswhowerethemouth—piecesofthegods，hadthelastword，buthewouldhavethepriestsknowthatinprivatethelastwordwashis。Littleastheybelievedintheirtrickery，hetoldthem，hebelievedless。
Heknewtaboo，andthetruthbehindtaboo。Heexplainedhispersonaltaboos，andhowtheycametobe。Nevermustheeatclam—
meat，hetoldAgno。Itwassoselectedbyhimselfbecausehedidnotlikeclam—meat。ItwasoldNino，highpriestbeforeAgno，withanearopentothevoiceoftheshark—god，whohadsolaidthetaboo。But，he，Bashti，hadprivilycommandedNinotolaythetabooagainstclam—meatuponhim，becausehe，Bashti，didnotlikeclam—
meatandhadneverlikedclam—meat。
Stillfurther，sincehehadlivedlongerthantheoldestpriestofthem，hishadbeentheappointingofeveryoneofthem。Heknewthem，hadmadethem，hadplacedthem，andtheylivedbyhispleasure。Andtheywouldcontinuetotakeprogramfromhim，astheyhadalwaystakenit，orelsetheywouldswiftlyandsuddenlypass。
HehadbuttoremindthemofthepassingofKori，thedevildevildoctorwhohadbelievedhimselfstrongerthanhischief，andwho，forhismistake，hadscreamedinpainforaweekerewhatcomposedhimhadceasedtoscreamandforeverceasedtoscream。
InAgno’slargegrasshousewaslittlelightandmuchmystery。
TherewasnomysterythereforJerry，whomerelyknewthings，ordidnotknowthings，andwhoneverbotheredaboutwhathedidnotknow。
DriedheadsandothercuredandmouldyportionsofhumancarcassesimpressedhimnomorethanthedriedalligatorsanddriedfishthatcontributedtothefestooningofAgno’sdarkabode。
Jerryfoundhimselfwellcaredfor。Nochildrennorwivesclutteredthedevildevildoctor’shouse。Severaloldwomen，afly—flappinggirlofeleven，andtwoyoungmenwhohadgraduatedfromthecanoehouseoftheyouthsandwhowerestudyingpriestcraftunderthemaster，composedthehouseholdandwaiteduponJerry。Foodofthechoicestwashis。AfterAgnohadeatenfirst—cutofpig，Jerrywasservedsecond。Eventhetwoacolytesandthefly—flappingmaidateafterhim，leavingthedebrisfortheseveraloldwomen。And，unlikethemerebushdogs，whostoleshelterfromtherainunderoverhangingeaves，Jerrywasgivenadryplaceundertheroofwheretheheadsofbushmenandofforgottensandalwoodtradershungdownfromaboveinthemidstofadustyconfusionofdriedvisceraofsharks，crocodileskulls，andskeletonsofSolomonsratsthatmeasuredtwo—thirdsofayardinlengthfrombone—tipofnosetobone—tipoftail。
Anumberoftimes，allfreedombeinghis，JerrystoleawayacrossthevillagetothehouseofLumai。ButneverdidhefindLamai，who，sinceSkipper，wastheonlyhumanhehadmetthathadplacedabidtohisheart。Jerryneverappearedopenly，butfromthethickfernofthebrooksideobservedthehouseandscentedoutitsoccupants。NoscentofLamaididheeverobtain，and，afteratime，hegaveuphisvainvisitsandacceptedthedevildevildoctor’shouseashishomeandthedevildevildoctorashismaster。
Butheborenoloveforthismaster。Agno，whohadruledbyfearsolonginhishouseofmystery，didnotknowlove。Norwasaffectionanypartofhim，norwasgeniality。Hehadnosenseofhumour，andwasasfrostilycruelasanicicle。NexttoBashtihestoodinpower，andallhisdayshadbeenembitteredinthathewasnotfirstinpower。HehadnosoftnessforJerry。BecausehefearedBashtihefearedtoharmJerry。
Themonthspassed，andJerrygothisfirm，massivesecondteethandincreasedinweightandsize。Hecameasneartobeingspoiledasispossibleforadog。Himselftaboo，hequicklylearnedtolorditovertheSomofolkandtohavehiswayandwillinallmatters。Noonedaredtodisputewithhimwithstickorstone。Agnohatedhim——
heknewthat；butalsohegleanedtheknowledgethatAgnofearedhimandwouldnotdaretohurthim。ButAgnowasachill—bloodedphilosopherandbidedhistime，beingdifferentfromJerryinthathepossessedhumanprevisionandcouldadjusthisactionstoremoteends。
Fromtheedgeofthelagoon，intothewatersofwhich，rememberingthecrocodiletaboohehadlearnedonMeringe，heneverventured，JerryrangedtotheoutlyingbushvillagesofBashti’sdomain。Allmadewayforhim。Allfedhimwhenhedesiredfood。Forthetaboowasuponhim，andhemightunchiddeninvadetheirsleeping—matsorfoodcalabashes。Hemightbullyashepleased，andbearrogantbeyonddecency，andtherewasnoonetosayhimnay。EvenhadBashti’swordgoneforththatifJerrywereattackedbythefull—
grownbushdogs，itwasthedutyoftheSomofolktotakehispartandkickandstoneandbeatthebushdogs。Andthushisownfour—
leggedcousinscamepainfullytoknowthathewastaboo。
AndJerryprospered。Fattostupidityhemightwellhavebecome，haditnotbeenforhishigh—strungnervesandhisinsatiable，eagercuriosity。WiththefreedomofallSomohis，hewasevera—footoverit，learningitsmetesandboundsandthewaysofthewildcreaturesthatinhabiteditsswampsandforestsandthatdidnotacknowledgehistaboo。
Manywerehisadventures。Hefoughttwobattleswiththewood—ratsthatwerealmostofhissize，andthat，beingmatureandwildandcornered，foughthimashehadneverbeenfoughtbefore。Thefirsthehadkilled，unawarethatitwasanoldandfeeblerat。Thesecond，inprimeofvigour，hadsopunishedhimthathecrawledback，weakandsicktothedevildevildoctor’shouse，where，foraweek，underthedriedemblemsofdeath，helickedhiswoundsandslowlycamebacktolifeandhealth。
Hestoleuponthedugongandjoyedtostampedethatsillytimidcreaturebysuddenferociousonslaughtswhichheknewhimselftobeallsoundandfury，butwhichtickledhimandmadehimlaughwiththeconsciousnessofplayingasuccessfuljoke。Hechasedtheunmigratorytropi—ducksfromtheirshrewd—hiddennests，walkedcircumspectlyamongthecrocodileshauledoutofwaterforslumber，andcreptunderthejungle—roofandspieduponthesnow—whitesaucycockatoos，thefierceospreys，theheavy—flightedbuzzards，theloriesandkingfishers，andtheabsurdlygarrulouslittlepygmyparrots。
Thrice，beyondtheboundariesofSomo，heencounteredthelittleblackbushmenwhoweremorelikeghoststhanmen，sonoiselessandunperceivablewerethey，andwho，guardingthewild—pigrunwaysofthejungle，missedspearinghimonthethreememorableoccasions。
Asthewood—ratshadtaughthimdiscretion，sodidthesetwo—leggedlurkersinthejungletwilight。Hehadnotfoughtwiththem，althoughtheytriedtospearhim。HequicklycametoknowthatthesewereotherfolkthanSomofolk，thathistaboodidnotextendtothem，andthat，evenofasort，theyweretwo—leggedgodswhocarriedflyingdeathintheirhandsthatreachedfartherthantheirhandsandbridgeddistance。
Asheranthejungle，soJerryranthevillage。Noplacewassacredtohim。Inthedevildevilhouses，where，beforethefaceofmysterymenandwomencrawledinfearandtrembling，hewalkedstiff—leggedandbristling；forfreshheadsweresuspendedthere——
headshiseyesandkeennostrilsidentifiedasthoseofoncelivingblackshehadknownonboardtheArangi。InthebiggestdevildevilhouseheencounteredtheheadofBorckman，andsnarledatit，withoutreceivingresponse，inrecollectionofthefighthehadfoughtwiththeschnapps—addledmateonthedeckoftheArangi。
Once，however，inBashti’shouse，hechanceduponallthatremainedonearthofSkipper。Bashtihadlivedverylong，hadlivedmostwiselyandthoughtmuch，andwasthoroughlyawarethat，havinglivedfarbeyondthespanofmanhisownspanwasveryshort。Andhewascuriousaboutitall——themeaningandpurposeoflife。Helovedtheworldandlife，intowhichhehadbeenfortunatelyborn，bothastoconstitutionandtoplace，whichlatter，forhim，hadbeenthehighplaceoverhiepriestsandpeople。Hewasnotafraidtodie，buthewonderedifhemightliveagain。Hediscountedthesillyviewsofthetrickypriests，andhewasverymuchaloneinthechaosoftheconfusingproblem。
Forhehadlivedsolong，andsoluckily，thathehadwatchedthewaningtoextinctionofallthevigorousappetitesanddesires。Hehadknownwivesandchildren，andthekeen—edgeofyouthfulhunger。
Hehadseenhischildrengrowtomanhoodandwomanhoodandbecomefathersandgrandfathers，mothersandgrandmothers。Buthavingknownwoman，andlove，andfatherhood，andthebelly—delightsofeating，hehadpassedonbeyond。Food？Scarcelydidheknowitsmeaning，solittledidheeat。Hunger，thatbithimlikeaspurwhenhewasyoungandlusty，hadlongsinceceasedtostirandprodhim。Heateoutofasenseofnecessityandduty，andcaredlittleforwhatheate，saveforonething：theeggsofthemegapodesthatwere，inseason，laidinhisprivate，personal，strictlytabooedmegapodelaying—yard。Herewaslefttohimhislastlingeringfleshthrill。Asfortherest，helivedinhisintellect，rulinghispeople，seekingoutdatafromwhichtoinducelawsthatwouldmakehispeoplestrongerandrivethispeople’sclinchuponlife。
Butherealizedclearlythedifferencebetweenthatabstractthing，thetribe，andthatmostconcreteofthings，theindividual。Thetribepersisted。Itsmemberspassed。Thetribewasamemoryofthehistoryandhabitsofallpreviousmembers，whichthelivingmemberscarriedonuntiltheypassedandbecamehistoryandmemoryintheintangiblesumthatwasthetribe。He，asamember，soonorlate，andlatewasverynear，mustpass。Butpasstowhat？Therewastherub。Andsoitwas，onoccasion，thatheorderedallforthfromhisbiggrasshouse，and，alonewithhisproblem，loweredfromtheroof—
beamsthematting—wrappedparcelsofheadsofmenhehadonceseenliveandwhohadpassedintothemysteriousnothingnessofdeath。
Notasamiserhadhecollectedtheseheads，andnotasamisercountinghissecrethoarddidhepondertheseheads，unwrapped，heldinhistwohandsorlyingonhisknees。Hewantedtoknow。Hewantedtoknowwhatheguessedtheymightknow，nowthattheyhadlongsincegoneintothedarknessthatroundstheendoflife。
VariousweretheheadsBashtithusinterrogated——inhishands，onhisknees，inhisdim—lightedgrasshouse，whiletheoverheadsunblazeddownandthefadingsouth—eastsighedthroughthepalm—frondsandbreadfruitbranches。TherewastheheadofaJapanese——theonlyonehehadeverseenorheardof。Beforehewasbornithadbeentakenbyhisfather。Ill—cureditwas，andbatteredandmarredwithancientnessandroughusage。Yethestudieditsfeatures，decidedthatithadoncehadtwolipsasliveashisownandamouthasvocalandhungryashishadoftenbeeninthepast。Twoeyesandanoseithad，athatchedcrownofroof，andapairofearsliketohisown。Twolegsandabodyitmustoncehavehad，anddesiresandlusts。Heatsofwrathandoflove，sohedecided，hadalsobeenitsonceonatimewhenitneverthoughttodie。
Aheadthatamazedhimmuch，whosehistorywentbackbeforehisfather’sandgrandfather’stime，wastheheadofaFrenchman，althoughBashtiknewitnot。NordidheknowitwastheheadofLaPerouse，thedoughtyoldnavigator，whohadlefthisbones，thebonesofhiscrews，andthebonesofhistwofrigates，theAstrolabeandtheBoussole，ontheshoresofthecannibalSolomons。Anotherhead——forBashtiwasaconfirmedhead—collector——wentbacktwocenturiesbeforeLaPerousetoAlvarodeMendana，theSpaniard。ItwastheheadofoneofMendana’sarmourers，lostinabeachscrimmagetooneofBashti’sremoteancestors。
Stillanotherhead，thehistoryofwhichwasvague，wasawhitewoman’shead。Whatwifeofwhatnavigatortherewasnotelling。
Butearringsofgoldandemeraldstillclungtothewitheredears，andthehair，two—thirdsofafathomlong，ashimmeringsilkofgoldenfloss，flowedfromthescalpthatcoveredwhathadoncebeenthewitandwillofherthatBashtireasonedhadinherancienttimebeenquickwithloveinthearmsofman。
Ordinaryheads，ofbushmenandsalt—watermen，andevenofschnapps—
drinkingwhitemenlikeBorckman，herelegatedtothecanoehousesanddevildevilhouses。Forhewasaconnoisseurinthematterofheads。TherewasastrangeheadofaGermanthatluredhimmuch。
Red—beardeditwas，andred—haired，butevenindrieddeaththerewasanironnessoffeatureandamassivebrowthathintedtohimofmasteryofsecretsbeyondhisken。NomorethandidheknowitoncehadbeenaGerman，didheknowitwasaGermanprofessor’shead，anastronomer’shead，aheadthatinitstimehadcarriedwithinitscontentprofoundknowledgeofthestarsinthevastyheavens，ofthewayofstar—directedshipsuponthesea，andofthewayoftheearthonitsstarrycoursethroughspacethatwasamyriadmilliontimesbeyondtheslightconceptofspacethathepossessed。
Lastofall，sharpestofbiteinhisthought，wastheheadofVanHorn。AnditwastheheadofVanHornthatlayonhiskneesunderhiscontemplationwhenJerry，whopossessedthefreedomofSomo，trottedintoBashti’sgrasshouse，scentedandidentifiedthemortalremnantofSkipper，wailedfirstinwoeoverit，thenbristledintorage。
Bashtididnotnoticeatfirst，forhewasdeepininterrogationofVanHorn’shead。Onlyshortmonthsbeforethisheadhadbeenalive，hepondered，quickwithwit，attachedtoatwo—leggedbodythatstooderectandthatswaggeredabout，aloinclothandabeltedautomaticarounditsmiddle，morepowerful，therefrom，thanBashti，butwithlesswit，forhadnothe，Bashti，withanancientpistol，putdarknessinsidethatskullwherewitresided，andremovedthatskullfromthesoddenlyrelaxedframeworkoffleshandboneonwhichithadbeensupportedtotreadtheearthandthedeckoftheArangi？
Whathadbecomeofthatwit？Hadthatwitbeenallofthearrogant，upstandingVanHorn，andhaditgoneoutastheflickeringflameofasplinterofwoodgoesoutwhenitisquiteburnttoapowder—fluffofash？HadallthatmadeVanHornpassedliketheflameofthesplinter？Hadhepassedintothedarknessforeverintowhichthebeastpassed，intowhichpassedthespearedcrocodile，thehookedbonita，thenettedmullet，theslainpigthatwasfattoeat？WasVanHorn’sdarknessasthedarknessoftheblue—bottleflythathisfly—flappingmaidsmashedanddisruptedinmid—flightoftheair？——
asthedarknessintowhichpassedthemosquitothatknewthesecretofflying，andthat，despiteitsperfectnessofflight，withalmostanunthoughtaction，hesquashedwiththeflatofhishandagainstthebackofhisneckwhenitbithim？
Whatwastrueofthiswhiteman’shead，sorecentlyaliveanderectlydominant，Bashtiknewwastrueofhimself。Whathadhappenedtothiswhiteman，aftergoingthroughthedarkgateofdeath，wouldhappentohim。Whereforehequestionedthehead，asifitsdumblipsmightspeaktohimfromoutofthemysteryandtellhimthemeaningoflife，andthemeaningofdeaththatinevitablylaidlifebytheheels。
Jerry’slong—drawnhowlofwoeatsightandscentofallthatwasleftofSkipper，rousedBashtifromhisreverie。Helookedatthesturdy，golden—brownpuppy，andimmediatelyincludeditinhisreverie。Itwasalive。Itwaslikeman。Itknewhunger，andpain，angerandlove。Ithadbloodinitsveins，likeman，thatathrustofaknifecouldmakeredlygushforthanddenudeittodeath。Liketheraceofmanitloveditskind，andbirthedandbreast—nourisheditsyoung。Andpassed。Ay，itpassed；formanyadog，aswellasahuman，hadhe，Bashti，devouredinhishey—deyofappetiteandyouth，whenheknewonlymotionandstrength，andfedmotionandstrengthoutofthecalabashesoffeasting。
ButfromwoeJerrywentonintoanger。Hestalkedstiff—legged，withasnarlwrithenonhislips，andwithrecurrentwavesofhair—
bristlingalonghisbackanduphisshouldersandneck。AndhestalkednottheheadofSkipper，whererestedhislove，butBashti，whoheldtheheadonhisknees。Asthewildwolfintheuplandpasturestalksthemaremotherwithhernewlydeliveredcolt，soJerrystalkedBashti。AndBashti，whohadneverfeareddeathallhislonglifeandwhohadlaughedajokewithhisforefingerblownoffbytheburstingflint—lockpistol，smiledgleefullytohimself，forhisgleewasintellectualandinadmirationofthishalf—grownpuppywhomherappedonthenosewithashort，hardwoodstickandcompelledtokeepdistance。NomatterhowoftenandfiercelyJerryrushedhim，hemettherushwiththestick，andchuckledaloud，understandingthepuppy’scourage，marvellingatthestupidityoflifethatimpelledhimcontinuallytothrusthisnosetothehurtofthestick，andthatdrovehim，bypassionofremembranceofadeadmantodarethepainofthestickagainandagain。
This，too，waslife，Bashtimeditated，ashedeftlyrappedthescreamingpuppyawayfromhim。Four—leggedlifeitwas，youngandsillyandhot，heart—prompted，thatwaslikeanyyoungmanmakinglovetohiswomaninthetwilight，orlikeanyyoungmanfightingtothedeathwithanyotheryoungmanoveramatterofpassion，hurtpride，orthwarteddesire。AsmuchasinthedeadheadofVanHornorofanyman，herealizedthatinthislivepuppymightresidethecluetoexistence，thesolutionoftheriddle。
SohecontinuedtorapJerryonthenoseawayfromhim，andtomarvelatthepersistenceofthevitalsomethingwithinhimthatimpelledhimtoleapforwardalwaystothestickthathurthimandmadehimrecoil。Thevalourandmotion，thestrengthandtheunreasoningofyouthheknewittobe，andheadmireditsadly，andenviedit，willingtoexchangeforitallhisleangreywisdomifonlyhecouldfindtheway。
\"Somedog，thatdog，suresomedog，\"hemighthaveutteredinVanHorn’sfashionofspeech。Instead，inbeche—de—mer，whichwasashabitualtohimashisownSomospeech，hethought：
\"Myword，thatfelladognofrightalongme。\"
Butageweariedsooneroftheplay，andBashtiputanendtoitbyrappingJerryheavilybehindtheearandstretchinghimoutstunned。
Thespectacleofthepuppy，soaliveandragingthemomentbefore，and，themomentafter，lyingasifdead，caughtBashti’sspeculativefancy。Thestick，withasinglesharprapofit，hadeffectedthechange。Wherehadgonetheangerandwitofthepuppy？Wasthatallitwas，theflameofthesplinterthatcouldbequenchedbyanychancegustofair？OneinstantJerryhadragedandsuffered，snarledandleaped，willedanddirectedhisactions。Thenextinstanthelaylimpandcrumpledinthelittledeathofunconsciousness。Inabriefspace，Bashtiknew，consciousness，sensation，motion，anddirectionwouldflowbackintothewiltedlittlecarcass。Butwhere，inthemeanwhile，attheimpactofthestick，hadgonealltheconsciousness，andsensitiveness，andwill？
Bashtisighedwearily，andwearilywrappedtheheadsintheirgrass—
matcoverings——allbutVanHorn’s；andhoistedthemupintheairtohangfromtheroof—beams——tohangashedebated，longafterhewasdeadandoutifit，evenassomeofthemhadsohungfromlongbeforehisfather’sandhisgrandfather’stime。TheheadofVanHornheleftlyingonthefloor，whilehestoleouthimselftopeerinthroughacrackandseewhatnextthepuppymightdo。
Jerryquiveredatfirst，andinthematterofaminutestruggledfeeblytohisfeetwherehestoodswayinganddizzy；andthusBashti，hiseyetothecrack，sawthemiracleoflifeflowbackthroughthechannelsoftheinertbodyandstiffenthelegstoupstanding，andsawconsciousness，themysteryofmysteries，floodbackinsidetheheadofbonethatwascoveredwithhair，smoulderandglowintheopeningeyes，anddirectthelipstowritheawayfromtheteethandthethroattovibratetothesnarlthathadbeeninterruptedwhenthesticksmashedhimdownintodarkness。
AndmoreBashtisaw。Atfirst，Jerrylookedaboutforhisenemy，growlingandbristlinghisneckhair。Next，inlieuofhisenemy，hesawSkipper’shead，andcrepttoitandlovedit，kissingwithhistonguethehardcheeks，theclosedlidsoftheeyesthathislovecouldnotopen，theimmobilelipsthatwouldnotutteroneofthelove—wordstheyhadbeenusedtouttertothelittledog。
Next，inprofounddesolation，JerrysetdownbeforeSkipper’shead，pointedhisnosetowardtheloftyridge—pole，andhowledmournfullyandlong。Finally，sickandsubdued，hecreptoutofthehouseandawaytothehouseofhisdevildevilmaster，where，fortheroundoftwenty—fourhours，hewakedandsleptanddreamedcenturiesofnightmares。
ForeverafterinSomo，JerryfearedthatgrasshouseofBashti。HewasnotinfearofBashti。Hisfearwasindescribableandunthinkable。InthathousewasthenothingnessofwhatoncewasSkipper。Itwasthetokenoftheultimatecatastrophetolifethatwaswrappedandtwistedintoeveryfibreofhisheredity。Onestepadvancedbeyondthis，Jerry’suttermost，thefolkofSomo，fromthecontemplationofdeath，hadachievedconceptsofthespiritsofthedeadstilllivinginimmaterialandsupersensuousrealms。