AndthereafterJerryhatedBashtiintensely，asalordoflifewhopossessedandlaidonhiskneesthenothingnessofSkipper。NotthatJerryreasoneditout。Alldimandvagueitwas，asensation，anemotion，afeeling，aninstinct，anintuition，nameitmistilyasonewillinthemistynomenclatureofspeechwhereinwordscheatwiththeimpressionofdefinitenessandlietothebrainanunderstandingwhichthebraindoesnotpossess。
CHAPTERXVI
Threemonthsmorepassed；thenorth—westmonsoon，afteritshalf—
yearofbreath，hadgivenwaytothesouth—easttrade；andJerrystillcontinuedtoliveinthehouseofAgnoandtohavetherunofthevillage。Hehadputonweight，increasedinsize，and，protectedbythetaboo，hadbecomeself—confidentalmosttolordliness。Buthehadfoundnomaster。Agnohadneverwonaheart—throbfromhim。Forthatmatter，Agnohadnevertriedtowinhim。Nor，inhiscold—bloodedway，hadheeverbetrayedhishatredofJerry。
Noteventheseveraloldwomen，thetwoacolytes，andthefly—
flappingmaidinAgno’shousedreamedthatthedevildevildoctorhatedJerry。NordidJerrydreamit。TohimAgnowasaneutralsortofperson，apersonwhodidnotcount。ThoseofthehouseholdJerryrecognizedasslavesorservantstoAgno，andheknewwhentheyfedhimthatthefoodheateproceededfromAgnoandwasAgno’sfood。Savehimself，tabooprotected，allofthemfearedAgno，andhishousewastrulyahouseoffearinwhichcouldbloomnoloveforastraypuppydog。Theeleven—years’maidmighthaveplacedabidforJerry’saffection，hadshenotbeendeterredatthestartbyAgno，whoreprimandedhersternlyforpresumingtotouchorfondleadogofsuchhightaboo。
WhatdelayedAgno’splotagainstJerryforthehalf—yearofthemonsoonwasthefactthattheseasonofegg—layingforthemegapodesinBashti’sprivatelaying—yarddidnotbeginuntiltheperiodofthesouth—easttrades。AndAgno，havingearlyconceivedhisplot，withthepatiencethatwascharacteristicofhimwascontenttowaitthetime。
NowthemegapodeoftheSolomonsisadistantcousintothebrushturkeyofAustralia。Nolargerthanalargepigeon，itlaysaneggthesizeofadomesticduck’s。Themegapode，withnosenseoffear，issosillythatitwouldhavebeenannihilatedhundredsofcenturiesbeforehaditnotbeenpreservedbythetaboosofthechiefsandpriests。Asitwas，thechiefswerecompelledtokeepclearedpatchesofsandforit，andtofenceoutthedogs。Itburieditseggstwofeetdeep，dependingontheheatofthesunforthehatching。Anditwoulddigandlay，andcontinuetodigandlay，whileablackdugoutitseggswithintwoorthreefeetofit。
Thelaying—yardwasBashti’s。Duringtheseason，helivedalmostentirelyonmegapodeeggs。Onrareoccasionheevenhadmegapodesthatwereneartofinishingtheirlayingkilledforhiskai—kai。
Thiswasnomorethanawhim，however，promptedbyprideinsuchexclusivenessofdietonlypossibletooneinsuchhighplace。Intruth，hecarednomoreformegapodemeatthanforanyothermeat。
Allmeattastedaliketohim，forhistasteformeatwasoneofthevanishedpleasuresinthelimboofmemory。
Buttheeggs！Helikedtoeatthem。Theyweretheonlyarticleoffoodhelikedtoeat，Theygavehimreminiscentthrillsoftheancientfood—desiresofhisyouth。Actuallywashehungrywhenhehadmegapodeeggs，andthewell—nighdriedfountsofsalivaandofinternaldigestivejuiceswerestimulatedtoflowagainatcontemplationofamegapodeeggpreparedfortheeating。Wherefore，healoneofallSomo，barredrigidlybytaboo，atemegapodeeggs。
And，sincethetaboowasessentiallyreligious，toAgnowasdeputedtheecclesiasticaltaskofguardingandcherishingandcaringfortheroyallaying—yard。
ButAgnowasnolongeryoung。Theacidbiteofbellydesirehadlongsincedesertedhim，andhe，too，atefromasenseofduty，allmeattastingaliketohim。Megapodeeggsonlystunghistastealiveandstimulatedtheflowofhisjuices。Thusitwasthathebrokethetaboosheimposed，and，privily，beforetheeyesofnoman，woman，orchildatetheeggshestolefromBashti’sprivatepreserve。
Soitwas，asthelayingseasonbegan，andwhenbothBashtiandAgnowereacutelyegg—yearningaftersixmonthsofabstinence，thatAgnoledJerryalongthetaboopaththroughthemangroves，wheretheysteppedfromroottorootabovethemuckthateversteamedandstankinthestagnantairwherethewindneverpenetrated。
Thepath，whichwasnotanordinarypathandwhichconsisted，foraman，inwidestridesfromroottoroot，andforadoginfour—leggedleapsandplunges，wasnewtoJerry。InallhisrangingofSomo，becauseitwassounusualapath，hehadneverdiscoveredit。TheunbendingofAgno，thustoleadhim，wasasurpriseandadelighttoJerry，who，withoutreasoningaboutit，inavaguewayfeltthepreliminarysensationsthatpossiblyAgno，inasmallway，mightprovethemasterwhichhisdog’ssoulcontinuallysought。
Emergingfromtheswampofmangroves，abruptlytheycameuponapatchofsand，stillsosaltandinhospitablefromthesea’sdepositthatnogreattreesrootedandinterposedtheirbranchesbetweenitandthesun’sheat。Aprimitivegategaveentrance，butAgnodidnottakeJerrythroughit。Instead，withweirdlittlechirrupingsofencouragementandexcitation，hepersuadedJerrytodigatunnelbeneaththerudepalisadeoffence。Hehelpedwithhisownhands，draggingoutthesandinquantities，butimposingonJerrytheleavingoftheindubitablemarksofadog’spawsandclaws。
And，whenJerrywasinside，Agno，passingthroughthegate，enticedandseducedhimintodiggingouttheeggs。ButJerryhadnotasteoftheeggs。EightofthemAgnosuckedraw，andtwoofthemhetuckedwholeintohisarm—pitstotakebacktohishouseofthedevildevils。Theshellsoftheeighthesuckedhebroketofragmentsasadogmightbreakthem，and，tobuildthepicturehehadlongvisioned，oftheeighthegghereservedatinyportionwhichhespread，notonJerry’sjowlswherehistonguecouldhaveerasedit，buthighupabouthiseyesandabovethem，whereitwouldremainandstandwitnessagainsthimaccordingtotheplothehadplanned。
Evenworse，inhighpriestlysacrilege，heencouragedJerrytoattackamegapodehenintheactoflaying。And，whileJerryslewit，knowingthatthelustofkilling，oncestarted，wouldleadhimtocontinuekillingthesillybirds，Agnoleftthelaying—yardtohot—footitthroughthemangroveswampandpresenttoBashtianecclesiasticalquandary。Thetabooofthedog，asheexpoundedit，hadpreventedhimfrominterferingwiththetaboodogwhenitatethetabooegg—layers。Whichtaboomightbethegreaterwasbeyondhim。AndBashti，whohadnottastedamegapodeegginhalfayear，andwhowaskeenfortheonerecrudescentthrillofremoteyouthstilllefttohim，ledthewaybackacrossthemangroveswampatsoprodigiousapaceasquitetowindhishighpriestwhowasmanyyearsyoungerthanhe。
Andhearrivedatthelaying—yardandcaughtJerry，red—pawedandred—mouthed，inthemidstofhisfourthkillofanegg—layer，therawyellowyolkoftheportionofoneegg，plasteredbyAgnotorepresentmanyeggs，stillabouthiseyesandabovehiseyestothebulgeofhisforehead。InvainBashtilookedaboutforoneegg，thesixmonths’hungerstrongerthaneveruponhiminthethickofthedisaster。AndJerry，undertheconsentandencouragementofAgno，waggedhistailtoBashtiinabidforrecognition，ofprowess，andlaughedwithhisred—drippingjowlsandyellowplasteredeyes。
Bashtididnotrageashewouldhavedonehadhebeenalone。Beforetheeyesofhischiefpriesthedisdainedtolowerhimselftosuchcommonnessofhumanity。Thusitisalwayswiththoseinthehighplaces，evertemporisingwiththeirnaturaldesires，evermaskingtheirordinarinessunderashowofdisinterest。SoitwasthatBashtidisplayednovexationatthedisappointmenttohisappetite。
Agnowasashadelesscontrolled，forhecouldnotquitechaseawaytheeagerlightinhiseyes。Bashtiglimpseditandmistookitforsimplecuriosityofobservationnotguessingitsrealnature。Whichgoestoshowtwothingsofthoseinthehighplace：one，thattheymayfoolthosebeneaththem；theother，thattheymaybefooledbythosebeneaththem。
BashtiregardedJerryquizzically，asifthematterwereajoke，andshotacarelesssideglancetonotethedisappointmentinhispriest’seyes。Ah，ha，thoughtBashti；Ihavefooledhim。
\"Whichisthehightaboo？\"AgnoqueriedintheSomotongue。
\"Asyoushouldask。Ofasurety，themegapode。\"
\"Andthedog？\"wasAgno’snextquery。
\"Mustpayforbreakingthetaboo。Itisahightaboo。Itismytaboo。ItwassoplacedbySomo，theancientfatherandfirstrulerofallofus，andithasbeeneversincethetabooofthechiefs。
Thedogmustdie。\"
Hepausedandconsideredthematter，whileJerryreturnedtodiggingthesandwherethescentwasauspicious。Agnomadetostophim，butBashtiinterposed。
\"Letbe，\"hesaid。\"Letthedogconvicthimselfbeforemyeyes。\"
AndJerrydid，uncoveringtwoeggs，breakingthemandlappingthatportionoftheirpreciouscontentswhichwasnotspilledandwastedinthesand。Bashti’seyeswerequitelack—lustreasheasked\"Thefeastofdogsforthemenisto—day？\"
\"To—morrow，atmidday，\"Agnoanswered。\"Alreadyarethedogscomingin。Therewillbeatleastfiftyofthem。\"
\"Fiftyandone，\"wasBashti’sverdict，ashenoddedatJerry。
ThepriestmadeaquickmovementofimpulsetocaptureJerry。
\"Whynow？\"thechiefdemanded。\"Youwillbuthavetocarryhimthroughtheswamp。Lethimtrotbackonhisownlegs，andwhenheisbeforethecanoehousetiehislegsthere。\"
Acrosstheswampandapproachingthecanoehouse，Jerry，trottinghappilyattheheelsofthetwomen，heardthewailingandsorrowingofmanydogsthatspeltunmistakablewoeandpain。Hedevelopedinstantsuspicionthatwas，however，withoutdirectapprehensionforhimself。Andatthatmoment，hisearscockedforwardandhisnosequestingforfurtherinformationinthematter，BashtiseizedhimbythenapeoftheneckandheldhimintheairwhileAgnoproceededtotiehislegs。
Nowhimper，norsound，norsignoffear，camefromJerry——onlychokinggrowlsofferociousness，intermingledwithsnarlsofanger，andabelligerentup—clawingofhind—legs。Butadog，clutchedbytheneckfromtheback，canneverbeamatchfortwomen，giftedwiththeintelligenceanddeftnessofmen，eachofthemtwo—handedwithfourfingersandanopposablethumbtoeachhand。
Hisfore—legsandhind—legstiedlengthwiseandcrosswise，hewascarriedhead—downwardtheshortdistancetotheplaceofslaughterandcooking，andflungtotheearthinthemidstofthescoreormoreofdogssimilarlytiedandhelpless。Althoughitwasmid—
afternoon，anumberofthemhadsolainsinceearlymorninginthehotsun。Theywereallbushdogsorwild—dogs，andsosmallwastheircouragethattheirthirstandphysicalpainfromcordsdrawntootightacrossveinsandarteries，andtheirdimapprehensionofthefatesuchtreatmentforeboded，ledthemtowhimperandwailandhowltheirdespairandsuffering。
ThenextthirtyhourswerebadhoursforJerry。Thewordhadgoneforthimmediatelythatthetabooonhimhadbeenremoved，andofthemenandboysnonewassolowastodohimreverence。Abouthim，tillnight—fall，persistedacircleofteasersandtormenters。Theyharanguedhimforhisfall，sneeredandjeeredathim，rootedhimaboutcontemptuouslywiththeirfeet，madeahollowinthesandoutofwhichhecouldnotrollanddespositedhiminitonhisback，hisfourtiedlegsstickingignominiouslyintheairabovehim。
Andallhecoulddowasgrowlandragehishelplessness。For，unliketheotherdogs，hewouldnothowlorwhimperhispain。A
yearoldnow，thelastsixmonthshadgonefartowardmaturinghim，anditwasthenatureofhisbreedtobefearlessandstoical。And，muchashehadbeentaughtbyhiswhitemasterstohateanddespiseniggers，helearnedinthecourseofthesethirtyhoursanespeciallybitterandundyinghatred。
Historturersstoppedatnothing。Eventheybroughtwild—dogandsethimuponJerry。Butitwascontrarytowild—dog’snaturetoattackanenemythatcouldnotmove，eveniftheenemywasJerrywhohadsooftenbulliedhimandrolledhimonthedeck。HadJerry，withabrokenlegorso，stillretainedpowerofmovement，thenhewouldhavemauledhim，perhapstodeath。Butthisutterhelplessnesswasdifferent。Sotheexpectedshowprovedafailure。
WhenJerrysnarledandgrowled，wild—dogsnarledandgrowledbackandstruttedandbulliedaroundhim，himtopersuasionoftheblackscouldinducebutnosinkhisteethintoJerry。
Thekilling—groundbeforethecanoehousewasabedlamofhorror。
Fromtimetotimemorebounddogswerebroughtinandflungdown。
Therewasacontinuoushowling，especiallycontributedtobythosewhichhadlaininthesunsinceearlymorningandhadnowater。Attimes，alljoinedin，thecontrolofthequietestbreakingdownbeforethewaveofexcitementandfearthatsweptspasmodicallyoverallofthem。Thishowling，risingandfalling，butneverceasing，continuedthroughoutthenight，andbymorningallweresufferingfromtheintolerablethirst。
Thesunblazingdownupontheminthewhitesandandalmostparboilingthem，broughtanythingbutrelief。ThecircleoftorturersformedaboutJerryagain，andagainwaswreakeduponhimallabusivecontemptforhavinglosthistaboo。WhatdroveJerrythemaddestwerenottheblowsandphysicaltorment，butthelaughter。Nodogenjoysbeinglaughedat，andJerry，leastofall，couldrestrainhiswrathwhentheyjeeredhimandcackledcloseinhisface。
Althoughhehadnothowledonce，hissnarlingandgrowling，combinedwithhisthirst，hadhoarsenedhisthroatanddriedthemucousmembranesofhismouthsothathewasincapable，exceptunderthesheerestprovocation，offurthersound。Histonguehungoutofhismouth，andtheeighto’clocksunbeganslowlytoburnit。
Itwasatthistimethatoneoftheboyscruellyoutragedhim。HerolledJerryoutofthehollowinwhichhehadlainallnightonhisback，turnedhimoveronhisside，andpresentedtohimasmallcalabashfilledwithwater。Jerrylappeditsofanaticallythatnotforhalfaminutedidhebecomeawarethattheboyhadsqueezedintoitmanyhotseedsofriperedpeppers。Thecircleshriekedwithglee，andwhatJerry’sthirsthadbeenbeforewasasnothingcomparedwiththisnewthirsttowhichhadbeenaddedthestingingagonyofpepper。
Nextinevent，andamostimportanteventitwastoprove，cameNalasu。Nalasuwasanoldmanofthree—scoreyears，andhewasblind，walkingwithalargestaffwithwhichheproddedhispath。
Inhisfreehandhecarriedasmallpigbyitstiedlegs。
\"Theysaythewhitemaster’sdogistobeeaten，\"hesaidintheSomospeech。\"Whereisthewhitemaster’sdog？Showhimtome。\"
Agno，whohadjustarrived，stoodbesidehimashebentoverJerryandexaminedhimwithhisfingers。NordidJerryoffertosnarlorbite，althoughtheblindman’shandscamewithinreachofhisteethmorethanonce。ForJerrysensednoenmityinthefingersthatpassedsosoftlyoverhim。Next，Nalasufeltoverthepig，andseveraltimes，asifcalculating，alternatedbetweenJerryandthepig。
Nalasustoodupandvoicedjudgment：
\"Thepigisassmallasthedog。Theyareofasize，butthepighasmoremeatonitfortheeating。TakethepigandIshalltakethedog。\"
\"Nay，\"saidAgno。\"Thewhitemaster’sdoghasbrokenthetaboo。Itmustbeeaten。Takeanyotherdogandleavethepig。Takeabigdog。\"
\"Iwillhavethewhitemaster’sdog，\"Nalasupersisted。\"Onlythewhitemaster’sdogandnoother。\"
ThematterwasatadeadlockwhenBashtichanceduponthesceneandstoodlistening。
\"Takethedog，Nalasu，\"hesaidfinally。\"Itisagoodpig，andI
shallmyselfeatit。\"
\"Buthehasbrokenthetaboo，yourgreattabooofthelaying—yard，andmustgototheeating，\"Agnointerposedquickly。
Tooquickly，Bashtithought，whileavaguesuspicionaroseinhismindofheknewnotwhat。
\"Thetaboomustbepaidinbloodandcooking，\"Agnocontinued。
\"Verywell，\"saidBashti。\"Ishalleatthesmallpig。Letitsthroatbecutanditsbodyknowthefire。\"
\"Ibutspeakthelawofthetaboo。Lifemustpayforthebreaking。\"
\"Thereisanotherlaw，\"Bashtigrinned。\"LonghasitbeensinceeverSomobuiltthesewallsthatlifemaybuylife。\"
\"Butoflifeofmanandlifeofwoman，\"Agnoqualified。
\"Iknowthelaw，\"Bashtiheldsteadilyon。\"Somomadethelaw。
Neverhasitbeensaidthatanimallifemaynotbuyanimallife。\"
\"Ithasneverbeenpractised，\"wasthedevildevildoctor’sfling。
\"Andforreasonenough，\"theoldchiefretorted。\"Neverbeforehasamanbeenfoolenoughtogiveapigforadog。Itisayoungpig，anditisfatandtender。Takethedog，Nalasu。Takethedognow。\"
Butthedevildevildoctorwasnotsatisfied。
\"Asyousaid，OBashti，inyourverygreatwisdom，heistheseeddogofstrengthandcourage。Lethimbeslain。Whenhecomesfromthefire，hisbodyshallbedividedintomanysmallpiecessothateverymanmayeatofhimandtherebygethisportionofstrengthandcourage。BetterisitforSomothatitsmenbestrongandbraveratherthanitsdogs。\"
ButBashtiheldnoangeragainstJerry。Hehadlivedtoolongandtoophilosophicallytolayblameonadogforbreakingataboowhichitdidnotknow。Ofcourse，dogsoftenwereslainforbreakingthetaboos。Butheallowedthistobedonebecausethedogsthemselvesinnowiseinterestedhim，andbecausetheirdeathsemphasizedthesacrednessofthetaboo。Further，Jerryhadmorethanslightlyinterestedhim。Often，since，JerryhadattackedhimbecauseofVanHorn’shead，hehadponderedtheincident。Bafflingasitwas，asallmanifestationsoflifewerebaffling，ithadgivenhimfoodforthought。ThentherewashisadmirationforJerry’scourageandthatinexplicablesomethinginhimthatpreventedhimcryingoutfromthepainofthestick。And，withoutthinkingofitasbeauty，thebeautyoflineandcolourofJerryhadinsensiblypenetratedhimwithasenseofpleasantness。Itwasgoodtolookupon。
TherewasanotherangletoBashti’sconduct。Hewonderedwhyhisdevildevildoctorsoearnestlydesiredameredog’sdeath。Thereweremanydogs。Thenwhythisparticulardog？Thattheweightofsomethingwasontheother’smindwaspatent，althoughwhatitwasBashticouldnotgauge，guess——unlessitmightberevengeincubatedthedayhehadpreventedAgnofromeatingthedog。Ifsuchwerethecase，itwasastateofmindhecouldnottolerateinanyofhistribespeople。Butwhateverwasthemotive，guardingashealwaysdidagainsttheunknown，hethoughtitwelltodisciplinehispriestanddemonstrateonceagainwhosewordwasthelastwordinSomo。
WhereforeBashtireplied：
\"Ihavelivedlongandeatenmanypigs。Whatmanmaydaresaythatthemanypigshaveenteredintomeandmademeapig？\"
Hepausedandcastachallengingeyearoundthecircleofhisaudience；butnomanspoke。Instead，somemengrinnedsheepishlyandwererestlessontheirfeet，whileAgno’sexpressionadvertisedsturdyunbeliefthattherewasanythingpig—likeabouthischief。
\"Ihaveeatenmuchfish，\"Bashticontinued。\"Neverhasonescaleofafishgrownoutonmyskin。Neverhasagillappearedonmythroat。Asyouallknow，bythelooking，neverhaveIsproutedonefinoutofmybackbone。——Nalasu，takethedog。——Aga，carrythepigtomyhouse。Ishalleatitto—day。——Agno，letthekillingofthedogsbeginsothatthecanoe—menshalleatatduetime。\"
Then，asheturnedtogo，helapsedintobeche—de—merEnglishandflungsternlyoverhisshoulder，\"Myword，youmake’mmecrossalongyou。\"
CHAPTERXVII
AsblindNalasuslowlyploddedaway，withonehandtappingthepathbeforehimandwiththeothercarryingJerryhead—downwardsuspendedbyhistiedlegs，Jerryheardasuddenincreaseinthewildhowlingofthedogsasthekillingbeganandtheyrealizedthatdeathwasuponthem。
But，unliketheboyLamai，whohadknownnobetter，theoldmandidnotcarryJerryallthewaytohishouse。Atthefirststreampouringdownbetweenthelowhillsoftherisingland，hepausedandputJerrydowntodrink。AndJerryknewonlythedelightofthewetcoolnessonhistongue，allabouthismouth，anddownhisthroat。
Nevertheless，inhissubconsciousnesswasbeingplantedtheimpressionthat，kinderthanLamai，thanAgno，thanBashti，thiswasthekindestblackhehadencounteredinSomo。
Whenhehaddrunktillforthemomenthecoulddrinknomore，hethankedNalasuwithhistongue——notwarmlynorecstaticallyashaditbeenSkipper’shand，butwithduegratefulnessforthelife—
givingdraught。Theoldmanchuckledinapleasedway，rolledJerry’sparchedbodyintothewater，and，keepinghisheadabovethesurface，rubbedthewaterintohisdryskinandlethimliethereforlongblissfulminutes。
FromthestreamtoNalasu’shouse，agoodlydistance，Nalasustillcarriedhimwithboundlegs，althoughnothead—downwardbutclaspedinonearmagainsthischest。Hisideawastolovethedogtohim。
ForNalasu，havingsatinthelonelydarkformanyyears，hadthoughtfarmoreabouttheworldaroundhimandknewitfarbetterthanhadhebeenabletoseeit。Forhisownspecialpurposehehadneedofadog。Severalbushdogshehadtried，buttheyhadshownlittleappreciationofhiskindnessandhadinvariablyrunaway。
Thelasthadremainedlongestbecausehehadtreateditwiththegreatestkindness，butrunawayithadbeforehehadtrainedittohispurpose。Butthewhitemaster’sdog，hehadheard，wasdifferent。Itneverranawayinfear，whileitwassaidtobemoreintelligentthanthedogsofSomo。
TheinventionLamaihadmadeoftyingJerrywithastickhadbeennoisedabroadinthevillage，andbyastick，inNalasu’shouse，Jerryfoundhimselfagaintied。Butwithadifference。Neveroncewastheblindmanimpatient，whilehespenthourseachdayinsquattingonhishamsandpettingJerry。Yet，hadhenotdonethis，Jerry，whoatehisfoodandwhowasgrowingaccustomedtochanginghismasters，wouldhaveacceptedNalasuformaster。Further，itwasfairlydefiniteinJerry’smind，afterthedevildevildoctor’styinghimandflinginghimamongsttheotherhelplessdogsonthekilling—ground，thatallmastershipofAgnohadceased。AndJerry，whohadneverbeenwithoutamastersincehisfirstdaysintheworld，felttheimperativeneedofamaster。
Soitwas，whenthedaycamethatthestickwasuntiedfromhim，thatJerryremained，voluntarilyinNalasu’shouse。Whentheoldmanwassatisfiedtherewouldbenorunningaway，hebeganJerry’straining。Byslowdegreesheadvancedthetraininguntilhoursadayweredevotedtoit。
FirstofallJerrylearnedanewnameforhimself，whichwasBao，andhewastaughttorespondtoitfromanever—increasingdistancenomatterhowsoftlyitwasuttered，andNalasucontinuedtoutteritmoresoftlyuntilitnolongerwasaspokenword，butawhisper。
Jerry’searswerekeen，butNalasu’s，fromlonguse，werealmostaskeen。
Further，Jerry’sownhearingwastrainedtostillgreateracuteness。
Hoursatatime，sittingbyNalasuorstandingapartfromhim，hewastaughttocatchtheslightestsoundsorrustlingsfromthebush。
Stillfurther，hewastaughttodifferentiatebetweenthebushnoisesandbetweenthewayshegrowledwarningstoNalasu。IfarustletookplacethatJerryidentifiedasapigorachicken，hedidnotgrowlatall。Ifhedidnotidentifythenoise，hegrowledfairlysoftly。Butifthenoiseweremadebyamanorboywhomovedsoftlyandthereforesuspiciously，Jerrylearnedtogrowlloudly；ifthenoisewereloudandcareless，thenJerry’sgrowlwassoft。
ItneverenteredJerry’smindtoquestionwhyhewastaughtallthis。Hemerelydiditbecauseitwasthislatestmaster’sdesirethatheshould。Allthis，andmuchmore，atacostofinterminabletimeandpatience，Nalasutaughthim，andmuchmorehetaughthim，increasinghisvocabularysothat，atadistance，theycouldholdquickandsharplydefiniteconversations。
Thus，atfiftyfeetaway，Jerrywould\"Whuff！\"softlytheinformationthattherewasanoisehedidnotknow；andNalasu，withdifferentsibilances，wouldhisstohimtostandstill，towhuffmoresoftly，ortokeepsilent，ortocometohimnoiselessly，ortogointothebushandinvestigatethesourceofthestrangenoise，or，barkingloudly，torushandattackit。
Perhaps，iffromtheoppositedirectionNalasu’ssharpearsalonecaughtastrangesound，hewouldaskJerryifhehadheardit。AndJerry，alerttohistoestolisten，byanalterationinthequantityorqualityofhiswhuff，wouldtellNalasuthathedidnothear；
next，thathedidhear；and，perhapsfinally，thatitwasastrangedog，orawood—rat，oraman，oraboy——allinthesoftestofsoundsthatwerescarcelymorethanbreath—exhalations，allmonosyllables，averitableshorthandofspeech。
Nalasuwasastrangeoldman。Helivedbyhimselfinasmallgrasshouseontheedgeofthevillage。Thenearesthousewasquiteadistanceaway，whilehisownstoodinaclearinginthethickjunglewhichapproachednowherenearerthansixtyfeet。Also，thisclearedspacehekeptcontinuallyfreefromthefast—growingvegetation。Apparentlyhehadnofriends。Atleastnovisitorsevercametohisdwelling。Yearshadpassedsincehediscouragedthelast。Further，hehadnokindred。Hiswifewaslongsincedead，andhisthreesons，notyetmarried，inaforaybehindtheboundsofSomohadlosttheirheadsinthejunglerunwaysofthehigherhillsandbeendevouredbytheirbushmanslayers。
Forablindmanhewasverybusy。Heaskedfavourofnooneandwasself—supporting。Inhishouse—clearinghegrewyams，sweetpotatoes，andtaro。Inanotherclearing——becauseitwashispolicytohavenotreesclosetohishouse——hehadplantains，bananas，andhalfadozencoconutpalms。Fruitsandvegetablesheexchangeddowninthevillageformeatandfishandtobacco。
HespentagoodportionofhistimeonJerry’seducation，and，onoccasion，wouldmakebowsandarrowsthatweresoesteemedbyhistribespeopleastocommandasteadysale。Scarcelyadaypassedinwhichhedidnothimselfpractisewithbowandarrow。Heshotonlybydirectionofsound；andwheneveranoiseorrustlewasheardinthejungle，andwhenJerryhadinformedhimofitsnature，hewouldshootanarrowatit。ThenitwasJerry’sdutycautiouslytoretrievethearrowhaditmissedthemark。
AcuriousthingaboutNalasuwasthathesleptnomorethanthreehoursinthetwenty—four，thatheneversleptatnight，andthathisbriefdaylightsleepnevertookplaceinthehouse。Hiddeninthethickestpartoftheneighbouringjunglewasasortofnesttowhichlednopath。Heneverenterednorleftbythesameway，sothatthetropicgrowthontherichsoil，beingsorarelytrodupon，everobliteratedtheslightestsignofhishavingpassedthatway。
Wheneverheslept，Jerrywastrainedtoremainonguardandnevertogotosleep。
ReasonenoughtherewasandtospareforNalasu’sinfiniteprecaution。Theoldestofhisthreesonshadslainone，Ao，inaquarrel。AohadbeenoneofsixbrothersofthefamilyofAnnowhichdweltinoneoftheuppervillages。AccordingtoSomolaw，theAnnofamilywasprivilegedtocollecttheblood—debtfromtheNalasufamily，buthadbeenbalkedofitbythedeathsofNalasu’sthreesonsinthebush。And，sincetheSomocodewasalifeforalife，andsinceNalasualoneremainedaliveofhisfamily，itwaswellknownthroughoutthetribethattheAnnoswouldneverbecontentuntiltheyhadtakentheblindman’slife。
ButNalasuhadbeenfamousasagreatfighter，aswellashavingbeentheprogenitorofthreesuchwarlikesons。TwicehadtheAnnossoughttocollect，thefirsttimewhileNalasustillretainedhiseyesight。Nalasuhaddiscoveredtheirtrap，circledaboutit，andintherearencounteredandslainAnnohimself，thefather，thusdoublingtheblood—debt。
Thenhadcomehisaccident。Whilerefillingmany—timesusedSnidercartridges，anexplosionofblackpowderputoutbothhiseyes。
Immediatelythereafter，whilehesatnursinghiswounds，theAnnoshaddescendeduponhim——justwhathehadexpected。Andforwhichhehadmadeduepreparation。Thatnighttwounclesandanotherbrothersteppedonpoisonedthornsanddiedhorribly。ThusthesumoflivesowingtheAnnoshadincreasedtofive，withonlyablindmanfromwhomtocollect。
ThenceforththeAnnoshadfearedthethornstoogreatlytodareagain，althoughevertheirvindictivenesssmoulderedandtheylivedinhopeofthedaywhenNalasu’sheadshouldadorntheirridgepole。
Inthemeantimethestateofaffairswasnotthatofatrucebutofastalemate。Theoldmancouldnotproceedagainstthem，andtheywereafraidtoproceedagainsthim。NordidthedaycomeuntilafterJerry’sadoption，whenoneoftheAnnosmadeaninventionthelikeofwhichhadneverbeenknowninallMalaita。
CHAPTERXVIII
Meanwhilethemonthsslippedby，thesouth—easttradeblewitselfout，themonsoonhadbeguntobreathe，andJerryaddedtohimselfsixmonthsoftime，weight，stature，andthicknessofbone。Aneasytimehishalf—yearwiththeblindmanhadbeen，despitethefactthatNalasuwasarigiddisciplinarianwhoinsistedontrainingJerryforlongerhours，dayinanddayout，thanfallstothelotofmostdogs。NeverdidJerryreceivefromhimablow，neveraharshword。Thisman，whohadslainfouroftheAnnos，threeofthemafterhehadgoneblind，whohadslainstillmoremeninhissavageyouth，neverraisedhisvoiceinangertoJerryandruledhimbynothingsevererthanthegentlestofchidings。
Mentally，thepersistenteducationJerryreceived，inthisperiodoflatepuppyhood，fixedinhimincreasedbrainpowerforallhislife。
Possiblynodoginalltheworldhadeverbeensovocalashe，andforthreereasons：hisownintelligence，thegeniusforteachingthatwasNalasu’s，andthelonghoursdevotedtotheteaching。
Hisshorthandvocabulary，foradog，wasprodigious。Almostmightitbesaidthatheandthemancouldtalkbythehour，althoughfewandsimpleweretheabstractionstheycouldtalk；verylittleoftheimmediateconcretepast，andscarcelyanythingoftheimmediateconcretefuture，enteredintotheirconversations。JerrycouldnomoretellhimofMeringe，noroftheArangi，thancouldhetellhimofthegreatlovehehadborneSkipper，orofhisreasonforhatingBashti。Bythesametoken，NalasucouldnottellJerryoftheblood—feudwiththeAnnos，norofhowhehadlosthiseyesight。
Practicallyalltheirconversationwasconfinedtotheinstantpresent，althoughtheycouldcompassalittleoftheveryimmediatepast。NalasuwouldgiveJerryaseriesofinstructions，suchas，goingonascoutbyhimself，togotothenest，thencircleaboutitwidely，tocontinuetotheotherclearingwherewerethefruittrees，tocrossthejungletothemainpath，toproceeddownthemainpathtowardthevillagetillhecametothegreatbanyantree，andthentoreturnalongthesmallpathtoNalasuandNalasu’shouse。AllofwhichJerrywouldcarryouttotheletter，and，arrivedback，wouldmakereport。As，thus：atthenestnothingunusualsavethatabuzzardwasnearit；intheotherclearingthreecoconutshadfallentotheground——forJerrycouldcountunerringlyuptofive；betweentheotherclearingandthemainpathwerefourpigs；alongthemainpathhehadpassedadog，morethanfivewomen，andtwochildren；andonthesmallpathhomehehadnotedacockatooandtwoboys。
ButhecouldnottellNalasuhisstatesofmindandheartthatpreventedhimfrombeingfullycontentedinhispresentsituation。
ForNalasuwasnotawhite—god，butonlyamereniggergod。AndJerryhatedanddespisedallniggerssaveforthetwoexceptionsofLamaiandNalasu。Hetoleratedthem，and，forNalasu，hadevendevelopedaplacidandsweetaffection。Lovehimhedidnotandcouldnot。
Atthebest，theywereonlysecond—rategods，andhecouldnotforgetthegreatwhite—godssuchasSkipperandMisterHaggin，and，ofthesamebreed，DerbyandBob。Theyweresomethingelse，somethingother，somethingbetterthanallthisblacksavageryinwhichhelived。Theywereaboveandbeyond，inanunattainableparadisewhichhevividlyremembered，forwhichheyearned，buttowhichhedidnotknowtheway，andwhich，dimlysensingtheendingthatcomestoallthings，mighthavepassedintotheultimatenothingnesswhichhadalreadyovertakenSkipperandtheArangi。
InvaindidtheoldmanplaytogainJerry’sheartoflove。HecouldnotbidagainstJerry’smanyreservationsandmemories，althoughhedidwinabsolutefaithfulnessandloyalty。Notpassionately，ashewouldhavefoughttothedeathforSkipper，butdevotedlywouldhehavefoughttothedeathforNalasu。AndtheoldmanneverdreamedbutwhathehadwonallofJerry’sheart。
CamethedayoftheAnnos，whenoneofthemmadetheinvention，whichwasthick—plaitedsandalstoarmourthesolesoftheirfeetagainstthepoisonedthornswithwhichNalasuhadtakenthreeoftheirlives。Theday，intruth，wasthenight，ablacknight，anightsoblackunderacloud—palledskythatatree—trunkcouldnotbeseenaneighthofaninchbeyondone’snose。AndtheAnnosdescendedonNalasu’sclearing，adozenofthem，armedwithSniders，horsepistols，tomahawksandwarclubs，walkinggingerly，despitetheirthicksandals，becauseoffearofthethornswhichNalasunolongerplanted。
Jerry，sittingbetweenNalasu’skneesandnoddingsleepily，gavethefirstwarningtoNalasu，whosatoutsidehisdoor，wide—eyed，ear—
strung，ashehadsatthroughallthenightsofthemanyyears。Helistenedstillmoretenselythroughlongminutesinwhichheheardnothing，atthesametimewhisperingtoJerryforinformationandcommandinghimtobesoft—spoken；andJerry，withwhuffsandwhiffsandalltheshort—handbreath—exhalationsofspeechhehadbeentaught，toldhimthatmenapproached，manymen，morementhanfive。
Nalasureachedthebowbesidehim，strunganarrow，andwaited。Atlasthisownearscaughttheslightestofrustlings，nowhere，nowthere，advancinguponhiminthecircleofthecompass。Stillspeakingforsoftness，hedemandedverificationfromJerry，whoseneckhairrosebristlingunderNalasu’ssensitivefingers，andwho，bythistime，wasreadingthenightairwithhisnoseaswellashisears。AndJerry，assoftlyasNalasu，informedhimagainthatitwasmen，manymen，morementhanfive。
WiththepatienceofageNalasusatonwithoutmovement，until，closeathand，ontheveryedgeofthejungle，sixtyfeetaway，helocatedaparticularnoiseofaparticularman。Hestretchedhisbow，loosedthearrow，andwasrewardedbyagaspandagroanstrangelycommingled。FirstherestrainedJerryfromretrievingthearrow，whichheknewhadgonehome；andnexthefittedafresharrowtothebowstring。
Fifteenminutesofsilencepassed，theblindmanasifcarvenofstone，thedog，tremblingwitheagernessunderthearticulatetouchofhisfingers，obeyingthebiddingtomakenosound。ForJerry，aswellasNalasu，knewthatdeathrustledandlurkedintheencirclingdark。Againcameasoftnessofmovement，nearerthanbefore；butthespedarrowmissed。Theyhearditsimpactagainstatreetrunkbeyondandaconfusionofsmallsoundscausedbythetarget’shastyretreat。Next，afteratimeofsilence，NalasutoldJerrysilentlytoretrievethearrow。Hehadbeenwelltrainedandlongtrained，forwithnosoundeventoNalasu’searskeenerthanseeingmen’sears，hefollowedthedirectionofthearrow’simpactagainstthetreeandbroughtthearrowbackinhismouth。
AgainNalasuwaited，untiltherustlingsofafreshdrawing—inofthecirclecouldbeheard，whereuponNalasu，Jerryaccompanyinghim，pickedupallhisarrowsandmovedsoundlesslyhalf—wayaroundthecircle。Evenastheymoved，aSniderexplodedthatwasaimedinthegeneraldirectionofthespotjustvacated。
Andtheblindmanandthedog，frommidnighttodawn，successfullyfoughtofftwelvemenequippedwiththethunderofgunpowderandthewide—spreading，deep—penetrating，mushroombulletsofsoftlead。
Andtheblindmandefendedhimselfonlywithabowandahundredarrows。HedischargedmanyhundredsofarrowswhichJerryretrievedforhimandwhichhedischargedoverandover。ButJerryaidedvaliantlyandwell，addingtoNalasu’sacutehearinghisownacuterhearing，circlingnoiselesslyaboutthehouseandreportingwheretheattackpressedclosest。
MuchoftheirpreciouspowdertheAnnoswasted，fortheaffairwaslikeagameofinvisibleghosts。Neverwasanythingseensavetheflashesoftherifles。NeverdidtheyseeJerry，althoughtheybecamequicklyawareofhismovementsclosetothemashesearchedoutthearrows。Once，asoneofthemfeltforanarrowwhichhadnarrowlymissedhim，heencounteredJerry’sbackwithhishandandacknowledgedthesharpslashofJerry’steethwithawildyellofterror。TheytriedfiringatthetwangofNalasu’sbowstring，buteverytimeNalasufiredheinstantlychangedposition。Severaltimes，warnedofJerry’snearness，theyfiredathim，and，onceeven，washisnoseslightlypowderburned。
Whendaybroke，inthequicktropicgreythatmarkstheleapfromdarktosun，theAnnosretreated，whileNalasu，withdrawnfromthelightintohishouse，stillpossessedeightyarrows，thankstoJerry。ThenetresulttoNalasuwasonedeadmanandnotellinghowmanyarrow—prickedwoundedmenwhodraggedthemselvesaway。
AndhalfthedayNalasucrouchedoverJerry，fondlingandcaressinghimforwhathehaddone。Thenhewentabroad，Jerrywithhim，andtoldofthebattle。Bashtipaidhimavisiterethedaywasdone，andtalkedwithhimearnestly。
\"Asanoldmantoanoldman，Italk，\"wasBashti’sbeginning。\"I
amolderthanyou，ONalasu；Ihaveeverbeenunafraid。YetneverhaveIbeenbraverthanyou。Iwouldthateverymanofthetribewereasbraveasyou。Yetdoyougivemegreatsorrow。Ofwhatworthareyourcourageandcunning，whenyouhavenoseedtomakeyourcourageandcunningliveagain？\"
\"Iamanoldman，\"Nalasubegan。
\"NotsooldasIam，\"Bashtiinterrupted。\"Nottoooldtomarrysothatyourseedwilladdstrengthtothetribe。\"
\"Iwasmarried，andlongmarried，andIfatheredthreebravesons。
Buttheyaredead。Ishallnotlivesolongasyou。Ithinkofmyyoungdaysaspleasantdreamsrememberedaftersleep。MoreIthinkofdeath，andtheend。OfmarriageIthinknotatall。Iamtoooldtomarry。Iamoldenoughtomakereadytodie，andagreatcuriousnesshaveIaboutwhatwillhappentomewhenIamdead。
WillIbeforeverdead？WillIliveagaininalandofdreams——ashadowofadreammyselfthatwillstillrememberthedayswhenI
livedinthewarmworld，thequickjuicesofhungerinmymouth，inthechestofthebodyofmetheloveofwoman？\"
Bashtishruggedhisshoulders。
\"Itoo，havethoughtmuchonthematter，\"hesaid。\"YetdoIarrivenowhere。Idonotknow。Youdonotknow。Wewillnotknowuntilwearedead，ifithappensthatweknowanythingwhenwhatwearewenolongerare。Butthisweknow，youandI：thetribelives。Thetribeneverdies。Wherefore，iftherebemeaningatalltoourliving，wemustmakethetribestrong。Yourworkinthetribeisnotdone。Youmustmarrysothatyourcunningandyourcourageliveafteryou。Ihaveawifeforyou——nay，twowives，foryourdaysareshortandIshallsurelylivetoseeyouhangwithmyfathersfromthecanoe—houseridgepole。\"
\"Iwillnotpayforawife，\"Nalasuprotested。\"Iwillnotpayforanywife。IwouldnotpayastickoftobaccooracrackedcoconutforthebestwomaninSomo。\"
\"Worrynot，\"Bashtiwentonplacidly。\"Ishallpayyouforthepriceofthewife，ofthetwowives。ThereisBubu。ForhalfacaseoftobaccoshallIbuyherforyou。Sheisbroadandsquare，round—legged，broad—hipped，withgenerousbreastsofrichness。
ThereisNena。Herfathersetsastiffpriceuponher——awholecaseoftobacco。Iwillbuyherforyouaswell。Yourtimeisshort。
Wemusthurry。\"
\"Iwillnotmarry，\"theoldblindmanproclaimedhysterically。
\"Youwill。Ihavespoken。\"
\"No，Isay，andsayagain，no，no，no，no。Wivesarenuisances。
Theyareyoungthings，andtheirheadsarefilledwithfoolishness。
Theirtonguesareloosewithidlenessofspeech。Iamold，Iamquietinmyways，thefiresoflifehavedepartedfromme，Iprefertositaloneinthedarkandthink。Chatteringyoungthingsaboutme，withnothingbutfoamandspumeintheirheads，ontheirtongues，woulddrivememad。Ofasuretytheywoulddrivememad——
somadthatIwillspitintoeveryclamshell，makefacesatthemoon，andbitemyveinsandhowl。\"
\"Andifyoudo，whatofit？Solongasyourseeddoesnotperish。
Ishallpayforthewivestotheirfathersandsendthemtoyouinthreedays。\"
\"Iwillhavenothingtodowiththem，\"Nalasuassertedwildly。
\"Youwill，\"Bashtiinsistedcalmly。\"Becauseifyoudonotyouwillhavetopayme。Itwillbeasore，harddebt。Iwillhaveeveryjointofyouunhingedsothatyouwillbelikeajelly—fish，likeafatpigwiththebonesremoved，andIwillthenstakeyououtinthemidmostcentreofthedog—killinggroundtoswellinpainunderthesun。AndwhatisleftofyouIshallflingtothedogstoeat。
YourseedshallnotperishoutofSomo。I，Bashti，sotellyou。InthreedaysIshallsendtoyouyourtwowives……\"
Hepaused，andalongsilencefelluponthem。
\"Well？\"Bashtireiterated。\"Itiswivesorstakingoutunhingedinthesun。Youchoose，butthinkwellbeforeyouchoosetheunhinging。\"
\"Atmyage，withallthevexationsofyoungnesssofarbehindme！\"
Nalasucomplained。
\"Choose。Youwillfindthereisvexation，andlivelinessandmuchofit，inthecentreofthedog—killingyardwhenthesuncooksyoursorejointstillthegreaseoftheleannessofyoububbleslikethetenderfatofacookedsucking—pig。\"
\"Thensendmethewives，\"Nalasumanagedtoutterafteralongpause。\"Butsendtheminthreedays，notintwo，norto—morrow。\"
\"Itiswell，\"Bashtinoddedgravely。\"Youhavelivedatallonlybecauseofthosebeforeyou，nowlonginthedark，whoworkedsothatthetribemightliveandyoumightcometobe。Youare。Theypaidthepriceforyou。Itisyourdebt。Youcameintobeingwiththisdebtuponyou。Youwillpaythedebtbeforeyoupassoutofbeing。Itisthelaw。Itisverywell。\"
CHAPTERXIX
AndhadBashtihasteneddeliveryofthewivesbyoneday，orbyeventwodays，Nalasuwouldhaveenteredthefeared，purgatoryofmatrimony。ButBashtikepthisword，andonthethirddaywastoobusy，withamoremomentousproblem，todeliverBubuandNenatotheblindoldmanwhoapprehensivelywaitedtheircoming。ForthemorningofthethirddayallthesummitsofleewardMalaitasmokedintospeech。Awarshipwasonthecoast——sothetaleran；abigwarshipthatwasheadinginthroughthereefislandsatLanga—Langa。
Thetalegrew。ThewarshipwasnotstoppingatLanga—Langa。ThewarshipwasnotstoppingatBinu。ItwasdirectingitscoursetowardSomo。
Nalasu，blind，couldnotseethissmokespeechwrittenintheair。
Becauseoftheisolationofhishouse，noonecameandtoldhim。
Hisfirstwarningwaswhenshrillvoicesofwomen，criesofchildren，andwailingsofbabesinnamelessfearcametohimfromthemainpaththatledfromthevillagetotheuplandboundariesofSomo。Hereadonlyfearandpanicfromthesounds，deducedthatthevillagewasfleeingtoitsmountainfastnesses，butdidnotknowthecauseoftheflight。
HecalledJerrytohimandinstructedhimtoscouttothegreatbanyantree，whereNalasu’spathandthemainpathjoined，andtoobserveandreport。AndJerrysatunderthebanyantreeandobservedtheflightofallSomo。Men，women，andchildren，theyoungandtheaged，babesatbreastandpatriarchsleaningonsticksandstaffspassedbeforehiseyes，betrayingthegreatesthasteandalarm。Thevillagedogswereasfrightened，whimperingandwhiningastheyran。AndthecontagionofterrorwasstronguponJerry。Heknewtheprodofimpulsetojoininthisrushawayfromsomeunthinkablycatastrophiceventthatimpendedandthatstirredhisintuitiveapprehensionsofdeath。Buthemasteredtheimpulsewithhissenseofloyaltytotheblindmanwhohadfedhimandcaressedhimforalongsixmonths。
BackwithNalasu，sittingbetweenhisknees，hemadehisreport。Itwasimpossibleforhimtocountmorethanfive，althoughheknewthefleeingpopulationnumberedmanytimesmorethanfive。Sohesignifiedfivemen，andmore；fivewomen，andmorefivechildren，andmore；fivebabies，andmore；fivedogs，andmore——evenofpigsdidheannouncefiveandmore。Nalasu’searstoldhimthatitwasmany，manytimesmore，andheaskedfornames。JerryknowthenamesofBashti，ofAgno，andofLamai，andLumai。Hedidnotpronouncethemwiththeslightestofresemblancetotheircustomarysoundings，butpronouncedtheminthewhiff—whuffofshorthandspeechthatNalasuhadtaughthim。
NalasunamedovermanyothernamesthatJerryknewbyearbutcouldnothimselfevokeinsound，andheansweredyestomostofthembysimultaneouslynoddinghisheadandadvancinghisrightpaw。Tosomenamesheremainedwithoutmovementintokenthathedidnotknowthem。Andtoothernames，whichherecognized，buttheownersofwhichhehadnotseen，heanswerednobyadvancinghisleftpaw。
AndNalasu，beyondknowingthatsomethingterriblewasimpending——
somethinghorriblymoreterriblethananyforayofneighbouringsalt—watertribes，whichSomo，behindherwalls，couldeasilyfendoff，divinedthatitwasthelong—expectedpunitiveman—of—war。
Despitehisthree—scoreyears，hehadneverexperiencedavillageshelling。Hehadheardvaguetalkofwhathadhappenedinthematterofshell—fireinothervillages，buthehadnoconceptionofitsavethatitmustbe，bulletsonalargerscalethanSniderbulletsthatcouldbefiredcorrespondinglylongerdistancesthroughtheair。
Butitwasgiventohimtoknowshell—firebeforehedied。Bashti，whohadlongwaitedthecruiserthatwastoavengethedestructionoftheArangiandthetakingoftheheadsofthetwowhitemen，andwhohadlongcalculatedthedamagetobewrought，hadgiventhecommandtohispeopletofleetothemountains。Firstinthevanguard，bornebyadozenyoungmen，wenthismat—wrappedparcelsofheads。Thelastslowtrailersintherearoftheexoduswerejustpassing，andNalasu，hisbowandhiseightyarrowsclutchedtohim，Jerryathisheels，madehisfirststeptofollow，whentheairabovehimwasrentbyaprodigiousnessofsound。
Nalasusatdownabruptly。Itwashisfirstshell，anditwasathousandtimesmoreterriblethanhehadimagined。Itwasarip—
snorting，sky—splittingsoundasofacosmicfabricbeingtornasunderbetweenthehandsofsomepowerfulgod。Foralltheworlditwasliketheroughesttearingacrossofsheetsthatwerethickasblankets，thatwerebroadastheearthandwideasthesky。
Notonlydidhesitdownjustoutsidehisdoor，buthecrouchedhisheadtohiskneesandshieldeditwiththearchofhisarms。AndJerry，whohadneverheardshell—fire，muchlessimaginedwhatitwaslike，wasimpressedwiththeawfulnessofit。ItwastohimanaturalcatastrophesuchashadhappenedtotheArangiwhenshewasflungdownreelingonhersidebytheshoutingwind。But，truetohisnature，hedidnotcrouchdownundertheshriekofthatfirstshell。Onthecontrary，hebristledhishairandsnarledupwithmenacingteethatwhateverthethingwaswhichwassoenormouslypresentandyetinvisibletohiseyes。
Nalasucrouchedcloserwhentheshellburstbeyond，andJerrysnarledandrippledhishairafresh。Eachrepeatedhisactionswitheachfreshshell，for，whiletheyscreamednomoreloudly，theyburstinthejunglemoreclosely。AndNalasu，whohadlivedalonglifemostbravelyinthemidstofperilshehadknown，wasdestinedtodieacowardoutofhisfearofthethingunknown，thechemicallypropelledmissileofthewhitemasters。Asthedroppingshellsburstnearerandnearer，whatfinalself—controlhepossessedlefthim。Suchwashisutterpanicthathemightwellhavebittenhisveinsandhowled。Withalunaticscream，hesprangtohisfeetandrushedinsidethehouseasifforsoothitsgrassthatchcouldprotecthisheadfromsuchhugeprojectiles。Hecollidedwiththedoor—jamb，and，ereJerrycouldfollowhim，whirledaroundinapartcircleintothecentreofthefloorjustintimetoreceivethenextshellsquarelyuponhishead。
Jerryhadjustgainedthedoorwaywhentheshellexploded。Thehousewentintoflyingfragments，andNalasuflewintofragmentswithit。Jerry，inthedoorway，caughtintheout—draughtoftheexplosion，wasflungascoreoffeetaway。Allinthesamefractionofaninstant，earthquake，tidalwave，volcaniceruption，thethunderoftheheavensandthefire—flashingofanelectricboltfromtheskysmotehimandsmoteconsciousnessoutofhim。
Hehadnoconceptionofhowlonghelay。Fiveminutespassedbeforehislegsmadetheirfirstspasmodicmovements，and，ashestumbledtohisfeetandrockedgiddily，hehadnothoughtofthepassageoftime。Hehadnothoughtabouttimeatall。Asamatterofcourse，hisownidea，onwhichheproceededtoactwithoutbeingawareofit，wasthat，apartofasecondbefore，hehadbeenstruckaterrificblowmagnifiedincalculabletimesbeyondtheblowofastickatanigger’shands。
Histhroatandlungsfilledwiththepungentstiflingsmokeofpowder，hisnostrilswithearthanddust，hefranticallywheezedandsneezed，leapingabout，fallingdrunkenly，leapingintotheairagain，staggeringonhishind—legs，dabbingwithhisforepawsathisnosehead—downwardbetweenhisforelegs，andevenrubbinghisnoseintotheground。Hehadnothoughtforanythingsavetoremovethebitingpainfromhisnoseandmouth，thesuffocationfromhislungs。
Byamiraclehehadescapedbeingstruckbytheflyingsplintersofiron，and，thankstohisstrongheart，hadescapedbeingkilledbytheshockoftheexplosion。Notuntiltheendoffiveminutesofmadstruggling，inwhichhebehavedforalltheworldlikeabeheadedchicken，didhefindlifetolerableagain。Themaximumofstiflingandofagonypassed，and，althoughhewasstillweakandgiddy，hetotteredinthedirectionofthehouseandofNalasu。AndtherewasnohouseandnoNalasu——onlyadebrisintermingledofboth。
Whiletheshellscontinuedtoshriekandexplode，nownear，nowfar，Jerryinvestigatedthehappening。Assurelyasthehousewasgone，justassurelywasNalasugone。Uponbothhaddescendedtheultimatenothingness。Alltheimmediateworldseemeddoomedtonothingness。Lifepromisedonlysomewhereelse，inthehighhillsandremotebushwhitherthetribehadalreadyfled。Loyalhewastohissalt，tothemasterwhomhehadobeyedsolong，niggerthathewas，whosolonghadfedhim，andforwhomhehadentertainedatrueaffection。Butthismasternolongerwas。
RetreatJerrydid，buthewasnothastyinretreat。Foratimehesnarledateveryshell—screamintheairandeveryshell—burstinthebush。Butafteratime，whiletheawarenessofthemcontinueduncomfortablywithhim，thehaironhisneckremainedlaiddownandheneitherutteredasnarlnorbaredhisteeth。
Andwhenhepartedfromwhathadbeenandwhichhadceasedtobe，notlikethebushdogsdidhewhimperandrun。Instead，hetrottedalongthepathataregularanddignifiedpace。Whenheemergeduponthemainpath，hefounditdeserted。Thelastrefugeehadpassed。Thepath，alwaystravelledfromdaylighttodark，andwhichhehadsorecentlyseengluttedwithhumans，nowinitsemptinessaffectedhimprofoundlywiththeimpressionoftheendingnessofallthingsinaperishingworld。Soitwasthathedidnotsitdownunderthebanyantree，buttrottedalongatthefarrearofthetribe。
Withhisnosehereadthenarrativeoftheflight。Onlyoncedidheencounterwhatadvertiseditsterror。Itwasanentiregroupannihilatedbyashell。Therewere：anoldmanoffifty，withacrutchbecauseofthelegwhichhadbeenslashedoffbyasharkwhenhewasayoungboy；adeadMarywithadeadbabeatherbreastandadeadchildofthreeclutchingherhand；andtwodeadpigs，hugeandfat，whichthewomanhadbeenherdingtosafety。
AndJerry’snosetoldhimofhowthestreamofthefugitiveshadsplitandfloodedpastoneachsideandflowedtogetheragainbeyond。Incidentsoftheflighthedidencounter：apart—chewedjointofsugar—canesomechildhaddropped；aclaypipe，thestemshortfromsuccessivebreakages；asinglefeatherfromsomeyoungman’shair，andacalabash，fullofcookedyamsandsweetpotatoes，depositedcarefullybesidethetrailbysomeMaryforwhomitsweighthadprovedtoogreat。