conrad - youth

8/12/2019 Conrad - Youth

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Youth

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". . . But the Dwarf answered: No; something human is dearer tome than the wealth of all the world."

GRIMM'S TALES. TOMYWIFE

T HI S c ou ld h av e o cc ur re d n ow he re b ut i n E ng la nd , w he re m en a nd s ea i nt er pe ne tr at e, s o t o s pe ak -- th es ea e nt er in g i nt o t he l if e o f m os t m en , a nd t he m en k now - i ng s om et hi ng o r e ve ryt hi ng a bou t t he s ea , i n

t he w ay o f amu sement , o f t ravel, o r o f b read -w in ni ng .

W e w er e s it ti ng r ou nd a m ah og an y t ab le t ha t r ef le ct ed t he b ot tl e, t he c la re t- gl as se s, a nd o ur f ac es a s w e

l ea ne d o n o ur e lb ow s. T he re w as a d ir ec to r o f c om pa ni es , a n a cc ou nt an t, a l aw ye r, M ar lo w, a nd m ys el f.

T he d ir ec - t or h ad b ee n a C ON WA Y b oy , t he a cc ou nt an t h ad s er ve d f ou r y ea rs a t s ea , t he l aw ye r- -a

f in e c rus te d T or y, H ig h C hu rc hm an , t he b es t o f o ld f el lo ws , t he s ou l o f h ono r- - ha d b ee n c hi ef of fi ce r i n

t he P . & O . s er vi ce i n t he go od ol d d ay s w he n m ai l- bo at s w er e s qu ar e- ri gge d a t l ea st on t wo m as ts , a nd

u se d t o c om e d ow n t he C hi na S ea b ef or e a f ai r m on so on w it h s tu n' -s ai ls s et a lo w a nd a lo ft . W e a ll b eg an

l if e i n t he me rc ha nt s er vi ce . Be twe en t he f ive of us t he re w as t he s tr ong bond of th e s ea , a nd a ls o t hef el lo ws hi p o f t he craft , w hi ch n o amo un t o f ent hu si as m f or y acht in g, cru is in g, and s o o n can g iv e, s in ce

on e i s o nl y t he a mu se me nt of l if e a nd t he ot he r i s l if e i ts el f.

M ar low ( at l ea st I th in k t ha t is how he s pe lt hi s na me ) t ol d t he s tor y, or r at he r t he c hr on ic le , of a voy age :

" Ye s, I ha ve s ee n a l it tl e o f t he Ea st er n s ea s; but wha t I r em embe r be st i s my f ir st vo ya ge t he re . You

f el lo ws k no w t he re a re t ho se v oy ag es t ha t s ee m or de re d f or t he i ll us tr at io n o f l if e, t ha t m ig ht s ta nd f or a

symbol of existence. You fight, work, sweat, nearly kill yourself, sometimes do kill yourself, trying to

accom pl is h s om e- t hi ng -- an d y ou can 't . N ot f ro m any f au lt o f y ou rs . Y ou s im pl y can d o n ot hi ng , n ei th er

gr ea t no r l it tl e- - no t a t hi ng i n t he wo rl d- -no t e ve n ma rr y a n o ld m ai d, or g et a wr et ch ed 6 00- ton c ar go

of c oa l t o i ts por t of d es ti - na ti on.

" It w as a lt og et he r a m em or ab le a ff ai r. I t w as m y f ir st v oy ag e t o t he E as t, a nd m y f ir st v oy ag e a s s ec on d

m at e; i t w as a ls o m y s ki pp er 's f ir st c om ma nd . Y ou 'l l a dm it i t w as t im e. H e w as s ixt y i f a da y; a l it tl e m an ,

w it h a b roa d, not v er y s tr ai gh t ba ck, wi th bo we d s houl - de rs a nd o ne l eg m or e ba ndy t ha n t he o the r, h e

ha d t ha t q ue er t wi st ed- abo ut a pp ea ra nc e yo u s ee s o o ft en i n m en wh o w or k i n t he f ie lds . H e ha d a

n ut -c ra ck er f ac e- -c hi n a nd n os e t ry in g t o c om e t og et he r o ve r a s un ke n m ou th -- a nd i t w as f ra me d i n

i ro n- gr ay f lu ff y h ai r, t hat l oo ked l ik e a chi n s tr ap o f cot to n- wo ol s pr in kl ed w it h coal- du st . A nd h e h ad

blue eyes in that old face of his, which were amazingly like a boy's, with that candid expression some

q ui te c om mo n m en p re se rve t o t he e nd o f t he ir d ay s b y a r ar e i nt er na l gi ft o f s im pl ic it y o f h ea rt a nd

r ec ti tu de o f s oul . W ha t i ndu ce d h im t o a cc ept m e wa s a won de r. I ha d c om e ou t of a c ra ck A us tr al ia nc li pp er , w he re I h ad b ee n t hi rd o ff ic er , a nd h e s ee me d t o h av e a p re ju di ce a ga in st c ra ck c li pp er s a s

a ri st oc ra ti c a nd hi gh- tone d. He s ai d t o m e, ' You know , i n t hi s s hi p y ou wi ll ha ve t o w or k.' I s ai d I h ad t o

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w or k i n e ve ry s hi p I h ad e ve r b ee n i n. ' Ah , b ut t hi s i s d if fe re nt , a nd y ou g en tl em en o ut o f t he m bi g s hi ps ; .

. . bu t t he re ! I d ar e s ay y ou w il l d o. J oi n t o- mor ro w. '

" I j oi ne d t o- mo rr ow . I t w as t we nt y- tw o ye ar s a go ; a nd I w as j us t t we nt y. Ho w t im e p as se s! I t wa s o ne

o f t he h ap pi es t d ay s o f m y l if e. F an cy ! S ec on d m at e f or t he f ir st t im e- -a r ea ll y r es po ns ib le o ff ic er ! I

w ou ld n' t h av e t hr ow n u p m y n ew b il le t f or a f or tu ne . T he m at e l oo ke d m e ov er c ar ef ul ly. H e w as a ls o a n

ol d c ha p, b ut o f a not he r s ta mp . He h ad a Ro ma n n os e, a s now -w hi te , l ong b ea rd, a nd h is n am e w asM ah on , b ut h e i ns is te d t ha t i t s ho ul d b e p ro no un ce d M an n. H e w as w el l c on ne ct ed ; y et t he re w as

s om et hi ng w ro ng w it h h is l uc k, a nd he h ad n eve r g ot o n.

" As t o t he c apt ai n, he ha d be en f or ye ar s i n c oa st er s, t he n i n t he M ed it er ra ne an, a nd l as t i n t he W es t

I ndi an t ra de . H e h ad n ev er b ee n r ou nd t he Ca pe s. He c oul d j us t w ri te a ki nd o f s ke tc hy h and , a nd di dn 't

c ar e f or w ri ti ng a t a ll . B ot h w er e t ho ro ug h g oo d s ea me n o f c ou rs e, a nd b et we en t ho se t wo o ld c ha ps I

f el t l ik e a s mall b oy b et ween t wo g rand fath er s.

" The s hi p a ls o w as o ld. H er n ame wa s t he J ude a. Q ue er na me , i sn 't i t? S he b el ong ed t o a m an Wi lm er ,

W il co x- -s om e n am e l ik e t ha t; b ut h e h as b ee n b an kr up t a nd d ea d t he se t we nt y y ea rs o r m or e, a nd h isn am e d on 't m at te r. S he h ad b ee n l ai d u p i n S ha dw el l b as in f or e ve r s o l on g. Y ou c an i ma gi ne h er s ta te .

Sh e w as a ll r us t, dus t, gr im e- -s oot a lo ft , di rt on d ec k. T o me i t wa s l ike c om ing ou t o f a pa la ce i nt o a

r ui ne d c ot ta ge . S he w as a bo ut 4 00 t on s, h ad a p ri mi ti ve w in dl as s, w oo de n l at ch es t o t he d oo rs , n ot a b it

of br as s a bout h er , a nd a bi g s qua re s te rn . Th er e w as on i t, be low he r n am e i n bi g l et te rs , a l ot o f s cr ol l

w or k, wi th t he gi lt of f, a nd s om e s or t of a c oa t of a rm s, wi th t he m ot to ' Do o r D ie ' u nde r- ne at h. I

r em em be r i t t oo k m y f an cy i mm en se ly . Th er e w as a t ou ch o f r om an ce i n i t, s om et hi ng t ha t m ade m e l ove

t he o ld t hi ng -- so meth in g t hat app ealed t o m y y ou th !

" We l ef t L on do n i n b al la st -- sa nd b al la st -- to l oa d a c ar go o f c oa l i n a n or th er n p or t f or B an ko k.

B ank ok! I t hr il le d. I h ad b ee n s ix ye ar s a t s ea , b ut ha d on ly s ee n M el bo ur ne a nd Syd ne y, v er y g ood

places, charming places in their way--but Bankok!

" We w or ke d out o f t he T ha me s u nd er c anva s, w it h a No rt h S ea pi lot o n boa rd. Hi s na me w as J er my n,

a nd h e d od ge d a ll d ay l on g a bo ut t he g al le y d ry in g h is h an d- k er ch ie f b ef or e t he s to ve . A pp ar en tl y h e

ne ve r s le pt . H e w as a di sma l ma n, wi th a pe rp et ua l t ea r s pa rk li ng a t t he e nd of hi s nos e, w ho e it he r h ad

been in trouble, or was in trouble, or expected to be in trouble--couldn't be happy unless something went

w ro ng . H e m is tr us ted m y y ou th , m y com mo n- sens e, and m y s eamans hi p, and m ad e a p oi nt o f s ho wi ng i t

i n a hundr ed l it tl e w ays . I da re s ay he wa s r ig ht . It s ee ms t o m e I kne w ve ry l it tl e th en, a nd I know not

muc h mor e now; but I c her is h a ha te for tha t J er myn t o t hi s da y.

"W e we re a w ee k wo rk ing u p a s f ar a s Ya rm ou th R oa ds , a nd t he n w e go t i nt o a ga le -- th e f am ousO ct ob er g al e o f t we nt y- tw o y ea rs a go . I t w as w in d, l ig ht ni ng , s le et , s no w, a nd a t er ri fi c s ea . W e w er e

f ly in g l ig ht , a nd y ou m ay i ma gi ne h ow ba d i t w as w he n I t el l yo u we h ad s ma she d b ul wa rk s a nd a f loo de d

de ck. On t he s ec ond ni gh t s he s hi ft ed he r ba ll as t i nt o t he l ee bo w, a nd by t ha t t im e we ha d be en bl own

o ff s om ew he re o n t he D og ge r B an k. T he re w as n ot hi ng f or i t b ut g o b el ow w it h s ho ve ls a nd t ry t o r ig ht

h er , a nd t he re w e w er e i n t ha t v as t h ol d, g lo om y l ik e a c av er n, t he t al lo w d ip s s tu ck a nd f li ck er in g o n t he

beams, the gale howling above, the ship tossing about like mad on her side; there we all were, Jermyn,

t he c ap ta in , e ve ry on e, h ar dl y a bl e t o k ee p o ur f ee t, e ng ag ed o n t ha t g ra ve di gg er 's w or k, a nd t ry - i ng t o

t os s s ho ve lf ul s o f w et s an d u p t o w in dw ar d. A t e ve ry t um bl e o f t he s hi p y ou c ou ld s ee v ag ue ly i n t he d im

l ig ht m en f al li ng d ow n w it h a g re at f lo ur is h o f s ho v- e ls . O ne o f t he s hi p' s b oys ( we h ad t wo ), i mp re ss ed

by the weirdness of the scene, wept as if his heart would break. We could hear him blubbering

s om ew here i n t he s hado ws .

" On t he t hi rd d ay t he g al e di ed o ut , a nd by -a nd -by a no rt h- co un tr y t ug pi cke d u s up . W e t ook s ix te en

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da ys i n a ll t o ge t f rom Londo n t o t he Tyne ! Whe n we g ot i nt o d oc k we ha d l os t our t ur n f or l oa di ng, a nd

t he y ha ul ed us of f t o a t ie r w he re w e r em ai ne d f or a mo nt h. Mr s. Be ar d ( th e c apt ai n' s na me w as Be ar d)

c ame f rom C ol che st er t o s ee t he ol d ma n. S he l iv ed on b oa rd. T he c re w of r unn er s ha d l ef t, a nd t he re

r em ai ne d o nl y t he o ff ic er s, o ne b oy , a nd t he s te wa rd , a m ul at to w ho a n- s we re d t o t he n am e o f

Ab ra ha m. M rs . B ea rd w as a n ol d wo ma n, wi th a r ac e a ll w ri nk le d a nd r uddy l ik e a w int er a ppl e, a nd t he

f igu re of a yo un g g ir l. S he c au ght s ig ht of m e on ce , s ew ing on a bu tt on , a nd i ns is te d on ha vi ng m y s hi rt s t o

r ep ai r. T hi s w as s om et hi ng d if ferent f ro m t he cap tain s' w iv es I h ad k no wn o n b oard crack cli pp er s.W he n I b ro ug ht h er t he s hi rt s, s he s ai d: ' An d t he s oc ks ? T he y w an t m en di ng , I a m s ur e, a nd J oh n' s- -

C ap ta in B ea rd 's -- th in gs a re a ll i n o rd er n ow . I w ou ld b e g la d o f s om et hi ng t o d o. ' B le ss t he o ld w om an .

S he o ve rh au le d m y o ut fi t f or m e, a nd m ea nt im e I r ea d f or t he f ir st t im e ' Sa rt or R es ar tu s' a nd B ur na by 's

' Ri de t o K hi va .' I d id n' t u nd er st an d m uc h o f t he f ir st t he n; b ut I r em em be r I p re fe rr ed t he s ol di er t o t he

philosopher at the time; a preference which life has only confirmed. One was a man, and the other was

e it he r m or e- -o r l es s. H ow ev er , t he y a re b ot h d ea d, a nd M rs . B ea rd i s d ea d, a nd y ou th , s tr en gt h, g en iu s,

t ho ug ht s, a ch ie ve me nt s, s im pl e h ea rt s- -a ll d ie . . . . N o m at te r.

" Th ey l oa de d us a t l as t. W e s hi pp ed a c re w. Ei ght a bl e s ea me n a nd t wo boy s. W e h aul ed of f o ne

e ve ni ng t o t he b uo ys a t t he d oc k- ga te s, r ea dy t o g o o ut , a nd w it h a f ai r p ro sp ec t o f b eg in ni ng t he v oy ag enext day. Mrs . Be ar d wa s t o s ta rt f or home by a la te tr ai n. When the s hip wa s f as t we we nt to te a. We

s at r at he r s il en t t hr ou gh t he m ea l- -M ah on , t he o ld c ou pl e, a nd I . I f in is he d f ir st , a nd s li pp ed a wa y f or a

s mo ke , m y c ab in b ei ng i n a d ec k- ho us e j us t a ga in st t he p oo p. I t w as h ig h w at er , b lo wi ng f re sh w it h a

d ri zz le ; t he d ou bl e d oc k- g at es w er e o pe ne d, a nd t he s te am c ol li er s w er e g oi ng i n a nd o ut i n t he

d ar kn es s w it h t heir l ig ht s b ur ni ng b ri gh t, a g reat p lash in g o f p ro pell er s, r at tl in g o f w in ch es , and a l ot o f

hailing on the pier-heads. I watched the procession of head-lights gliding high and of green lights gliding

l ow i n t he n ig ht , w hen s ud denl y a r ed g leam f lash ed at m e, v an is hed, cam e i nt o v iew again , and r em ai ned.

T he f or e- end of a s te am er l oom ed u p c lo se . I s ho ut ed do wn t he c abi n, ' Com e u p, q ui ck! ' a nd t he n he ar d

a s ta rt le d v oi ce s ay in g a fa r i n t he d ar k, ' St op h er , s ir .' A b el l j in gl ed . A no th er v oi ce c ri ed w ar ni ng ly , ' We

a re g oi ng r ig ht i nt o t ha t b ar k, s ir .' T he a ns we r t o t hi s w as a gr uf f ' Al l r ig ht ,' a nd t he n ex t t hi ng w as a h ea vy

c ra sh a s t he s te am er s tr uc k a g la nc in g b lo w w it h t he b lu ff o f h er b ow a bo ut o ur f or e- ri gg in g. T he re w as amoment of confusion, yelling, and running about. Steam roared. Then somebody was heard saying, 'All

c le ar , s ir .' . . . ' Ar e y ou a ll r igh t? ' a ske d t he gr uf f v oi ce . I h ad j um pe d f or wa rd t o s ee t he d am ag e, a nd

h ai le d b ac k, ' I t hi nk s o. ' ' Ea sy a st er n, ' s ai d t he g ru ff v oi ce . A b el l j in gl ed . ' Wh at s te am er i s t ha t? '

s cr ea me d M ah on . B y t ha t t im e s he w as n o m or e t o u s t ha n a b ul ky s ha do w m an eu ve ri ng a l it tl e w ay o ff .

T he y s ho ut ed a t u s s om e n am e- -a w om an 's n am e, M ir an da o r M el is sa -- or s om e s uc h t hi ng . ' Th is m ea ns

a no th er m on th i n t hi s b ea st ly h ol e, ' s ai d M ah on t o m e, a s w e p ee re d w it h l am ps a bo ut t he s pl in te re d

bulwarks and broken braces. 'But where's the captain?'

" We ha d not he ar d or s ee n a nyt hi ng of hi m a ll tha t t ime . W e we nt a ft t o l ook. A dole ful voi ce a ros e ha il -

ing somewhe re in t he middle of the dock, 'Jude a ahoy!' . . . How the devi l did he get t her e? . . . 'Hall o!'w e s ho ut ed . ' I a m a dr if t i n o ur b oa t w it ho ut o ar s, ' h e c ri ed . A b el at ed w at er ma n o ff er ed h is s er vi ce s, a nd

M ah on s tr uc k a b ar ga in w it h h im f or h al f- a- cr ow n t o t ow o ur s ki pp er a lo ng si de ; b ut i t w as M rs . B ea rd

t ha t c am e u p t he l ad de r f ir st . T he y ha d b ee n f lo at in g a bo ut t he d oc k i n t ha t m iz zl y c ol d r ai n f or n ea rl y a n

h ou r. I w as n ev er s o s ur pr is ed i n m y l if e.

" It a pp ea rs t ha t w he n he he ar d my s hou t ' Co me up ,' he un de rs too d a t on ce w ha t w as t he m at te r, c aug ht

up hi s wi fe , ra n on de ck, a nd a cross , a nd down int o our boat , whi ch wa s f as t t o the l adder . Not bad f or

a s ix ty -y ear- o ld . J us t i magi ne t hat o ld f el lo w s av in g h er oi call y i n h is arm s t hat o ld w om an -- th e w om an o f

hi s l if e. H e s et h er d ow n on a t hw ar t, a nd wa s r ea dy t o c li mb b ac k o n bo ar d wh en t he pa int er c am e

adr if t s om eh ow , and away t hey w en t t og et her. O f cou rs e i n t he con fu si on w e d id n ot h ear h im s ho ut in g.

H e l oo ke d a ba sh ed . S he s ai d c he er fu ll y, ' I s up po se i t d oe s n ot m at te r m y l os in g t he t ra in n ow ?' ' No ,

J en ny- -you go b el ow a nd ge t w ar m, ' he gr owl ed. Th en t o us : ' A s ai lor ha s n o bus i- n es s wi th a w if e- -I

say. The re I was, out of t he ship. Wel l, no har m done this time . Let' s go a nd look a t what that fool of a

P a g e 3



steamer smashed.'

" It w as n' t m uc h, b ut i t d el ay ed u s t hr ee w ee ks . A t t he e nd o f t ha t t im e, t he c ap ta in b ei ng e ng ag ed w it h

h is a ge nt s, I c ar ri ed M rs . B ea rd 's b ag t o t he r ai lw ay -s ta - t io n a nd p ut h er a ll c om fy i nt o a t hi rd -c la ss

c ar ri ag e. S he l ow er ed t he w in do w t o s ay , ' Yo u a re a g oo d y ou ng m an . I f y ou s ee J oh n- -C ap ta in

B eard -- wi th ou t h is m uf fl er at n ig ht , j us t r em in d h im f ro m m e t o k eep h is t hr oat w el l w rapp ed u p. '

' Ce rt ai nl y, M rs . B ea rd ,' I s ai d. ' Yo u a re a g oo d yo ung m an ; I n ot ic ed h ow a t- t ent iv e yo u a re t o J ohn -- toCa pt ai n- -' Th e t ra in pu ll ed ou t s udd enl y; I t ook my c ap of f t o t he ol d w om an: I ne ve r s aw h er a ga in . . . .

P as s t he b ot tl e.

" We w en t t o s ea ne xt d ay . W he n we ma de t ha t s ta rt f or Ba nk ok w e ha d b ee n a lr ea dy t hr ee mo nt hs ou t

o f Lo nd on . W e h ad e xp ec te d t o b e a f or tn ig ht o r s o- -a t t he o ut si de .

"I t w as J an uary , and t he w eath er w as b eaut if ul -- th e b eaut if ul s un ny w in ter w eath er t hat h as m or e charm

t ha n i n t he s um me r- ti me , b ec au se i t i s u ne xp ec te d, a nd c ri sp , a nd y ou k no w i t w on 't , i t c an 't , l as t l on g.

I t' s l ik e a w in df al l, l ik e a g od se nd , l ik e a n u ne xp ec te d p ie ce o f l uc k.

" It l as te d a ll dow n t he Nor th S ea , a ll down Cha nn el; a nd i t l as te d t il l w e we re t hr ee hund re d mi le s or s o

t o t he we st wa rd o f t he Li za rd s: t he n t he w in d we nt r ou nd t o t he s ou 'w es t a nd be ga n t o p ipe u p. I n t wo

da ys i t bl ew a ga le . T he J ude a, h ove t o, wa ll owe d on t he At la nt ic l ike a n o ld c andl ebo x. I t bl ew da y a ft er

d ay : i t b lew w it h s pi te, w it ho ut i nt er val, w it ho ut m er cy , w it ho ut r es t. T he w or ld w as n ot hi ng b ut an

i mm en si ty o f g re at f oa m- i ng w av es r us hi ng a t u s, un de r a s ky l ow e nou gh t o t ou ch w it h t he h and a nd

d ir ty l ik e a s mo ke d c ei li ng. I n t he s to rm y s pa ce s ur ro und in g us t he re w as a s m uc h f ly in g s pr ay a s a ir . D ay

a ft er d ay a nd ni gh t a ft er ni gh t t he re w as no th in g r oun d t he s hi p b ut t he h ow l of t he w in d, t he t um ul t o f t he

s ea , the noi se of wa te r pouri ng over her dec k. The re wa s no re st f or her and no r es t for us . She t os sed,

s he pi tc he d, s he s tood on her he ad, she s at on her ta il, s he roll ed, she gr oa ne d, a nd we ha d t o hol d on

whi le on de ck a nd cl ing t o our bunks whe n be low , i n a c ons ta nt e ff or t of body an d wor ry of mi nd.

" On e n ig ht M ah on s po ke t hr ou gh t he s ma ll w in do w o f m y b er th . I t op en ed r igh t i nt o m y v er y b ed , a nd I

w as l yi ng t he re s le ep le ss , i n m y b oo ts , f ee li ng a s t ho ug h I h ad n ot s le pt f or y ea rs , a nd c ou ld n ot i f I t ri ed .

H e s ai d excit edl y- -

" 'Y ou g ot t he s ou nd in g- ro d i n h er e, M ar lo w? I c an 't g et t he p um ps t o s uc k. B y G od ! i t' s n o c hi ld 's p la y. '

" I g av e h im t he s ou nd in g- ro d and l ay d ow n again , t ry in g t o t hi nk o f v ar io us t hi ng s- -b ut I t ho ug ht o nl y o f

t he pumps . Whe n I c ame on de ck t hey we re s ti ll a t i t, a nd m y wa tc h r eli eve d a t t he pum ps . By t he l ight of

t he l an te rn b ro ug ht o n d ec k t o e xa mi ne t he s ou nd in g- r od I c au gh t a g li mp se o f t he ir w ea ry , s er io us

f ac es . W e p um pe d a ll t he f ou r h ou rs . W e p um pe d a ll n ig ht , a ll d ay , a ll t he w ee k, -- wa tc h a nd w at ch . S hew as w or k- i ng h er se lf l oo se , a nd l ea ke d b ad ly -- no t e no ug h t o d ro wn u s a t o nc e, b ut e no ug h t o k il l u s

w it h t he w or k a t t he p um ps . A nd w hi le w e pu mp ed t he s hi p w as g oi ng f ro m u s pi ec em ea l: t he b ul wa rks

w en t, t he s ta nc hi on s w er e t or n o ut , t he v en ti la to rs s ma sh ed , t he c ab in -d oo r b ur st i n. T he re w as n ot a d ry

s po t i n t he s hi p. S he w as b ei ng g ut te d b it b y b it . T he l on g- bo at c ha ng ed , a s i f b y m ag ic , i nt o m at ch wo od

w he re s he s to od i n h er g ri pe s. I h ad l as he d h er m ys el f, a nd w as r at he r p ro ud o f m y h an di wo rk , w hi ch

ha d wi ths too d s o l ong t he ma li ce o f t he s ea . An d we p um pe d. A nd t he re w as n o br ea k i n t he we at he r.

The s ea wa s whi te l ike a s he et of f oa m, l ike a c al dr on of bo il ing m il k; t he re wa s not a br ea k i n t he c louds ,

n o- -n ot t he s iz e o f a m an 's h an d- -no , no t f or s o m uc h a s t en s ec ond s. T he re w as f or u s no s ky , t he re

w er e f or u s n o s ta rs , n o s un , n o u ni ve rs e- -n ot hi ng b ut a ng ry c lo ud s a nd a n i nf ur ia te d s ea . W e p um pe d

w at ch a nd w at ch , f or d ea r l if e; a nd i t s ee me d t o l as t f or m on th s, f or y ea rs , f or a ll e te rn it y, a s t ho ug h w e

ha d be en de ad a nd gon e t o a he ll f or s ai lo rs . W e f or go t t he d ay of t he we ek, t he n am e of t he m on th,

w ha t ye ar i t w as , a nd w he th er w e ha d e ve r b ee n a sho re . Th e s ai ls bl ew a wa y, s he l ay br oa ds id e on

u nde r a w ea th er -c lo th , t he o ce an p ou re d o ve r h er , a nd w e d id n ot c ar e. W e t ur ne d t ho se h an dl es , a nd

P a g e 4



had t he e ye s of i di ots . As s oon a s we ha d cr awle d on de ck I us ed t o ta ke a r ound t ur n wi th a rope about

t he m en , t he p um ps , a nd t he m ai nm as t, a nd w e t ur ne d, w e t ur ne d i nc es sa nt ly , w it h t he w at er t o o ur

wai st s, to our nec ks , over our hea ds . I t was al l one . We ha d f or gott en how i t fe lt to be dry.

" An d t here w as s om ew here i n m e t he t ho ug ht : B y J ov e! t hi s i s t he d eu ce o f an adv en tu re-- so meth in g y ou

r ea d a bo ut ; a nd i t i s my f ir st vo ya ge a s s ec on d m at e- - a nd I a m onl y t we nt y- -a nd h er e I a m l as ti ng i t ou t

as well as a ny of these men, and kee ping my c haps up to t he mark. I was plea sed. I would not ha veg iv en u p t he exp er ience f or w or ld s. I h ad m om en ts o f exu lt at io n. W henever t he o ld d is mant led craft

pitched heavily with her counter high in the air, she seemed to me to throw up, like an appeal, like a

d ef ia nc e, l ik e a c ry t o t he c lo ud s w it ho ut m er cy , t he w or ds w ri tt en o n h er s te rn : ' Ju de a, L on do n. D o o r

Die.'

" O yo ut h! T he s tr en gt h o f i t, t he f ai th o f i t, t he i ma gi na ti on o f i t! T o m e s he w as n ot a n o ld r at tl e- tr ap

c ar ti ng a bout t he w or ld a l ot o f c oa l f or a f re ig ht -- to me s he w as t he e nde avor , t he t es t, t he t ri al of l if e. I

t hi nk o f h er w it h p le as ur e, w it h a ff ec ti on , w it h r egr et -- a s y ou w ou ld t hi nk o f s om eo ne d ea d y ou h av e

l ove d. I s ha ll n ev er f or ge t he r. . . . P as s t he b ot tl e.

" On e n ig ht w he n t ie d t o t he m as t, a s I e xp la in ed , w e w er e p um pi ng o n, d ea fe ne d w it h t he w in d, a nd

w it ho ut s pi ri t e no ug h i n u s t o w is h o ur se lv es d ea d, a h ea vy s ea c ra sh ed a bo ar d a nd s we pt c le an o ve r u s.

A s s oon a s I go t my br ea th I s hout ed, a s i n d ut y bo und , ' Ke ep o n, bo ys !' w he n s udd enl y I f el t s om et hi ng

ha rd floa ting on deck s trike t he calf of my leg. I ma de a grab a t i t a nd missed. It wa s so dar k we could

n ot s ee e ac h o th er 's f ac es w it hi n a f oo t- -y ou u nd er st an d.

" Af te r t ha t t hu mp t he s hi p k ep t q ui et f or a w hi le , a nd t he t hi ng , w ha te ve r i t w as , s tr uc k m y l eg a ga in. T hi s

t im e I cau gh t i t- -and i t w as a s au ce-p an . A t f ir st , b ei ng s tu pi d w it h f at ig ue and t hi nk in g o f n ot hi ng b ut t he

pumps, I did not understand what I had in my hand. Suddenly it dawned upon me, and I shouted, 'Boys,

t he ho us e on de ck i s g on e. L ea ve t hi s, a nd l et 's l ook f or t he c oo k. '

" Th er e w as a d ec k- ho us e f or wa rd , w hi ch c on ta in ed t he g al le y, t he c oo k' s b er th , a nd t he q ua rt er s o f t he

c re w. As w e ha d e xpec te d for da ys t o s ee it s we pt a wa y, t he ha nds had be en orde red t o s lee p i n the

cab in -- th e o nl y s af e p lace i n t he s hi p. T he s teward , A br ah am , h ow ev er , p er si st ed i n cli ng in g t o h is b er th ,

s tu pi dl y, l ik e a m ul e- -f ro m s heer f ri gh t I b el ieve, l ik e an ani mal t hat o n' t l eave a s tabl e f al li ng i n an

e ar thqua ke . S o we we nt t o l ook f or hi m. I t wa s c ha nc ing de at h, s in ce onc e ou t o f o ur l as hi ngs we w er e

a s e xp os ed a s i f o n a r af t. Bu t we w en t. T he h ou se w as s ha tt er ed a s i f a s he ll ha d e xpl ode d i ns ide . M os t

o f i t h ad g on e o ve rb oa rd -- st ov e, m en 's q ua rt er s, a nd t he ir p ro pe rt y, a ll w as g on e; b ut t wo p os ts , h ol di ng

a po rt ion o f t he bul khe ad t o wh ic h Ab ra ha m' s bun k w as a tt ac he d, r ema ine d a s i f b y a m ir - a cl e. W e

g ro pe d i n t he r ui ns a nd c am e u po n t hi s, a nd t he re h e w as , s it ti ng i n h is b un k, s ur ro un de d b y f oa m a nd

w reck ag e, j ab beri ng cheer fu ll y t o h im self . H e w as o ut o f h is m in d; com pl et el y and f or ever m ad , w it h t hi ss ud de n s ho ck c om in g u po n t he f ag -e nd o f h is e nd ur an ce . W e s na tc he d h im u p, l ug ge d h im a ft , a nd

pitched him head-first down the cabin companion. You understand there was no time to carry him down

wi th i nf ini te pr e- c aut ions a nd w ait to s ee how he got on. Thos e b el ow woul d p ic k hi m up a t t he bot tom

of the s tairs al l ri ght. We were in a hurry to go back to the pumps. Tha t business could not wait. A bad

leak is an inhuman thing.

" One w oul d t hi nk t ha t t he s ol e pur pos e of t ha t f ie nd - i sh ga le ha d b ee n t o ma ke a l una ti c of t ha t poor

de vi l of a m ul at to. I t e as ed be for e m or ni ng , a nd ne xt da y t he s ky c le ar ed, a nd a s t he s ea w en t d ow n t he

l ea k t oo k u p. W he n i t c am e t o b en di ng a f re sh s et of s ai ls t he c re w de ma nde d t o pu t ba ck -- and r ea ll y

t he re w as n ot hi ng e ls e t o d o. B oa ts g on e, d ec ks s we pt c le an , c ab in g ut te d, m en w it ho ut a s ti tc h b ut w ha t

t he y s to od i n, s to re s s po il ed , s hi p s tr ai ne d. W e p ut h er h ea d f or h om e, a nd -- wo ul d y ou b el ie ve i t? T he

w in d c am e e as t r ig ht i n o ur t ee th . I t b le w f re sh , i t b le w c on ti nu ou sl y. W e h ad t o b ea t u p e ve ry i nc h o f t he

w ay , b ut s he d id n ot l ea k s o b ad ly , t he w at er k ee pi ng c om pa ra ti ve ly s mo ot h. T wo h ou rs ' p um pi ng i n

P a g e 5



e ve ry f our i s no j oke -- bu t i t ke pt he r a fl oa t a s f ar a s Fa lm out h.

" Th e goo d pe opl e t he re l ive o n c as ua lt ie s o f t he s ea , a nd no d ou bt we re gl ad t o s ee us . A hu ngr y c ro wd

o f s hi pw ri gh ts s ha rp en ed t he ir c hi se ls a t t he s ig ht o f t ha t c ar ca ss o f a s hi p. A nd , b y J ov e! t he y h ad p re tt y

pick- ings off us before they were done. I fancy the owner was already in a tight place. There were

d el ay s. T he n i t wa s d ec ide d t o t ak e pa rt of t he c ar go o ut a nd c al k he r t op si de s. Th is w as do ne , t he

r ep ai rs f in is he d, c ar go r e- s hi pp ed ; a n ew c re w c am e on b oa rd , a nd w e w ent o ut -- f or B an ko k. A t t hee nd o f a we ek w e w er e ba ck a ga in. Th e c re w s ai d t he y we re n' t g oi ng t o B ank ok -- a hun dr ed a nd f if ty

d ay s' p as sage-- in a s om et hi ng h oo ker t hat w an ted p um pi ng eig ht h ou rs o ut o f t he t went y- fo ur ; and t he

n au ti ca l p ap er s i ns er te d a ga in t he l it tl e p ar a- g ra ph : ' Ju de a. B ar k. T yn e t o B an ko k; c oa ls ; p ut b ac k t o

Falmouth leaky and with crew refusing duty.'

" Th er e w er e m or e d el ay s- -m or e t in ke ri ng . T he o wn er c am e d ow n f or a d ay , a nd s ai d s he w as a s r ig ht

a s a l it tl e f id dl e. P oo r o ld C ap ta in B ea rd l oo ke d l ik e t he g ho st o f a G eo rd ie s ki pp er -- th ro ug h t he w or ry

a nd hu mi li at io n o f i t. Re me mb er h e w as s ix ty , a nd i t w as h is f ir st c omm and . M ah on s ai d i t w as a f oo li sh

business, and would end badly. I loved the ship more than ever, and wanted awfully to get to Bankok.

T o B an ko k! M ag ic n am e, b le ss ed n am e. M es op ot am ia w as n' t a p at ch n i t. R em em be r I w as t we nt y, a ndi t w as m y f ir st s ec on d m at e' s b il le t, a nd t he E as t w as w ai ti ng f or m e.

" We w ent o ut a nd a nc ho re d i n t he o ut er r oa ds w it h a f re sh c re w- -t he t hi rd. Sh e l ea ke d w or se t ha n e ve r.

I t w as a s i f t ho se c on fo un de d s hi pw ri gh ts h ad a ct ua ll y m ade a h ol e i n h er . T hi s t im e w e di d n ot e ve n g o

o ut si de. T he crew s im pl y r ef us ed t o m an t he w in dl as s.

" The y t ow ed u s b ac k t o t he i nne r ha rbor , a nd we be - c am e a f ixt ur e, a f ea tur e, a n i ns ti tut ion of t he

place. People pointed us out to visitors as 'That 'ere bark that's going to Bankok--has been here six

m on th s- -p ut b ack t hr ee t im es .' O n h ol id ay s t he s mall b oy s p ul li ng abo ut i n b oats w ou ld h ai l, ' Ju dea,

a ho y! ' a nd i f a he ad s ho we d a bo ve t he r ai l s ho ut ed , ' Wh er e y ou b ou nd t o? -- B an ko k? ' a nd j ee re d. W e

w er e o nl y t hr ee o n b oa rd . T he p oo r o ld s ki pp er m oo ne d i n t he c ab in . M ah on u n- d er to ok t he c oo ki ng ,and unexpectedly developed all a Frenchman's genius for preparing nice little messes. I looked languidly

a ft er t he r ig gi ng . W e b ec am e c it iz en s o f F al mo ut h. E ve ry s ho pk ee pe r k ne w u s. A t t he b ar - b er 's o r

t ob acco ni st 's t hey ask ed f am il iarl y, ' Do y ou t hi nk y ou w il l ever g et t o B an ko k?' M eant im e t he o wn er , t he

u nd er wr it er s, a nd t he c ha rt er er s s qu ab bl ed a mo ng st t he ms el ve s i n L on do n, a nd o ur p ay w en t o n. . . .


" I t w as h or ri d. M or al ly i t w as w or se t ha n p um pi ng f or l if e. I t s ee me d a s t ho ug h w e h ad b ee n f or go tt en

by the world, belonged to nobody, would get nowhere; it seemed that, as if bewitched, we would have

t o l ive f or e ve r a nd e ve r i n t ha t i nne r ha rb or , a de ri si on a nd a by - w or d t o ge ne ra ti ons of l ong- shor e

l oa fe rs a nd d is ho ne st b oa tm en . I o bt ai ne d t hr ee m on th s' p ay a nd a f iv e d ay s' l ea ve , a nd m ad e a r us h f or L on don . I t t oo k m e a d ay t o g et t he re a nd pr et ty w el l a not he r t o c om e b ac k- -b ut t hr ee m on th s' p ay w en t

a ll th e s am e. I d on' t k now wha t I d id w it h i t. I w ent t o a mus ic -ha ll , I be li eve , l unc he d, di ne d, a nd s upp ed

i n a s we ll pl ac e i n Re ge nt S tr ee t, a nd wa s ba ck t o t im e, wi th not hi ng b ut a c om pl et e s et of Byr on' s w or ks

a nd a ne w r ail way r ug t o s how for thr ee m ont hs' wor k. The boa tma n who pull ed me of f t o t he s hi p s ai d:

' Ha ll o! I t ho ug ht y ou h ad l ef t t he o ld t hi ng . S HE w il l n ev er g et t o B an ko k. ' ' Th at 's a ll Y OU k no w a bo ut

i t, ' I s ai d s co rn fu ll y- -b ut I d id n' t l ik e t ha t p ro ph - e cy a t a ll .

" Su dd en ly a m an , s om e k in d o f a ge nt t o s om eb od y, a pp ea re d w it h f ul l p ow er s. H e h ad g ro g b lo ss om s

a ll o ve r h is f ac e, a n i nd om it ab le e ne rgy , a nd w as a j ol ly s ou l. W e l ea pe d i nt o l if e a ga in . A h ul k c am e

a lo ng - s id e, t oo k o ur c ar go , a nd t he n w e w en t i nt o d ry do ck t o g et o ur c op pe r s tr ipp ed . N o w ond er s he

l ea ke d. T he p oo r t hi ng , s tr ai ne d b ey on d e nd ur an ce b y t he g al e, h ad , a s i f i n d is gu st , s pa t o ut a ll t he

o ak um o f h er l ow er s ea ms . S he w as r ec al ke d, n ew c op pe re d, a nd m ad e a s t ig ht a s a b ot tl e. W e w en t

back to the hulk and re- shipped our cargo.

P a g e 6



" Th en o n a f in e m oo nl ig ht n ig ht , all t he r at s l ef t t he s hi p.

" We h ad b ee n i nf es te d w it h t he m. T he y h ad d es tr oy ed o ur s ai ls , c on su me d m or e s to re s t ha n t he c re w,

a ff ab ly s ha re d o ur b ed s a nd o ur d an ge rs , a nd n ow , w he n t he s hi p w as m ad e s ea wo rt hy , c on cl ud ed t o

c le ar o ut . I c al le d M ah on t o e nj oy t he s pe ct ac le . R at a ft er r at a p- pe ar ed o n ou r r ai l, t oo k a l as t l oo k

o ve r h is s ho ul de r, a nd l ea pe d w it h a h ol lo w t hu d i nt o t he e mp ty h ul k. W e t ri ed t o c ou nt t he m, b ut s oo nl os t t he t al e. M ah on s ai d: ' We ll , w el l! d on' t t al k t o m e a bo ut t he i nt el li ge nc e o f r at s. T he y o ug ht t o ha ve

l ef t b ef or e, w he n w e h ad t ha t n ar ro w s qu ea k f ro m f ou nde ri ng . T he re y ou h av e t he p ro of h ow s il ly i s t he

s up er st it io n a bo ut t he m. T he y l ea ve a g oo d s hi p f or a n o ld r ot te n h ul k, w he re t he re i s n ot hi ng t o e at , t oo ,

the f ool s! . . . I don' t beli eve they know wha t i s safe or wha t is good for them, any more tha n you or I.'

" An d a ft er s om e m or e t al k w e a gr ee d t ha t t he w is do m o f r at s h ad b ee n g ro ss ly o ve rr at ed , b ei ng i n f ac t

n o g re at er t ha n t ha t o f m en .

" Th e s tor y of t he s hi p wa s k nown, by t hi s, a ll up t he C ha nne l f rom La nd' s End t o t he For el and s, a nd w e

c oul d ge t no c re w o n t he s out h c oa st . T he y s ent us one a ll c ompl et e f rom Li ve rpo ol , a nd we l ef t onc emore--for Bankok.

" We h ad f ai r b re ez es , s mo ot h w at er r ig ht i nt o t he t ro pi cs , a nd t he o ld J ud ea l um be re d a lo ng i n t he s un -

s hi ne . W he n s he w en t e ig ht k no ts e ve ry th in g c ra ck ed a lo ft , a nd w e t ie d o ur c ap s t o o ur h ea ds ; b ut m os tl y

s he s tr ol le d on a t t he r at e of t hr ee m il es a n ho ur . Wh at c oul d y ou e xpe ct ? S he w as t ir ed- -t ha t ol d s hi p.

H er y ou th w as w here m in e i s- -w here y ou rs i s- -y ou f el lo ws w ho l is ten t o t hi s y ar n; and w hat f ri en d w ou ld

t hr ow y our y ea rs a nd your we ar in es s i n yo ur f ac e? W e d idn' t gr um bl e a t he r. T o u s a ft , a t l ea st , i t

s ee me d a s t hou gh we ha d be en b or n i n he r, r ea re d i n h er , ha d l iv ed i n h er f or a ge s, ha d n eve r kno wn a ny

o th er s hi p. I w ou ld j us t a s s oo n h av e a bu se d t he o ld v il la ge c hu rc h a t h om e f or n ot b ei ng a c at he dr al .

" And f or m e t he re wa s a ls o my you th t o ma ke m e p a- t ie nt . T he re wa s a ll t he Ea st be for e me , a nd a lll if e, a nd t he t hought tha t I ha d be en tr ie d i n t hat s hi p a nd ha d c ome out pre tt y we ll. And I t hought of m en

of ol d who , c ent ur ie s a go , w ent t ha t r oa d i n s hi ps t ha t s ai le d no b et te r, t o t he l and of pa lm s, a nd s pi ce s,

a nd y el lo w s an ds , a nd o f b ro wn n at io ns r ul ed b y k in gs m or e c ru el t ha n N er o t he R om an a nd m or e

s pl en di d t ha n S ol om on t he J ew . T he o ld b ar k l um be re d o n, h ea vy w it h h er a ge a nd t he b ur de n o f h er

car go , w hi le I l iv ed t he l if e o f y ou th i n i gn or an ce and h op e. S he l um bered o n t hr ou gh an i nt er mi nabl e

procession of days; and the fresh gild- ing flashed back at the setting sun, seemed to cry out over the

d ar ke ni ng s ea t he w or ds p ai nt ed o n h er s te rn , ' Ju de a, L on do n. D o o r D ie .'

" Th en w e e nt er ed t he I nd ia n O ce an a nd s te er ed n or th - e rl y f or J av a H ea d. T he w in ds w er e l ig ht . W ee ks

s li ppe d b y. S he c ra wl ed o n, d o o r di e, a nd p eo pl e a t h om e b eg an t o t hi nk o f po st in g u s a s ov er due .

" On e Sa tur da y e ve nin g, I be ing of f dut y, t he me n a ske d me t o gi ve t he m a n e xtr a buc ke t of w at er or

s o- - f or w as hi ng c lo th es . A s I d id n ot wi sh t o s cr ew o n t he f re sh -w at er p um p s o l at e, I w ent f or wa rd

w hi st li ng , a nd w it h a k ey i n m y h an d t o u nl oc k t he f or ep ea k s cu tt le , i nt en di ng t o s er ve t he w at er ou t o f a

s pa re t an k w e k ep t t he re .

" Th e s me ll d ow n b el ow w as a s u ne xp ec te d a s i t w as f ri gh tf ul . O ne w ou ld h av e t ho ug ht h un dr ed s o f p ar -

a ff in -l am ps h ad b ee n f la ri ng a nd s mo ki ng i n t ha t h ol e f or d ay s. I wa s gl ad t o g et o ut . T he m an w it h m e

c ou gh ed a nd s ai d, ' Fu nn y s me ll , s ir .' I a ns we re d n eg li - g en tl y, ' It 's g oo d f or t he h ea lt h, t he y s ay ,' a nd

walked aft.

"The f ir st t hing I di d wa s t o put my he ad down the s qua re of the mi ds hi p ve nti lat or. As I l if te d t he l id a

v is ib le b reat h, s om et hi ng l ik e a t hi n f og , a p uf f o f f ai nt h aze, r os e f ro m t he o peni ng . T he ascen di ng air w as

P a g e 7



h ot , a nd h ad a h ea vy , s oo ty, p ar af fi ny s me ll . I g av e o ne s ni ff , a nd p ut d ow n t he l id g en tl y. I t w as n o u se

c ho ki ng m y- s el f. T he c ar go w as o n f ir e.

"Next day she be ga n t o s moke i n e ar ne st . You s ee it wa s t o be e xpec te d, f or though the c oa l wa s of a

s af e k in d, t ha t c ar go h ad b ee n s o h an dl ed , s o b ro ke n u p w it h h an dl in g, t ha t i t l oo ke d m or e l ik e s mi th y

c oa l t ha n a ny - t hi ng e ls e. T he n i t h ad b ee n w et te d- -m or e t ha n o nc e. I t r ai ne d a ll t he t im e w e w er e t ak in g

i t ba ck f rom t he hu lk, a nd no w w it h t hi s l ong pa ss age i t g ot h ea te d, a nd t he re wa s a not he r c as e of spontaneous combustion.

" Th e c apt ai n c al le d u s i nt o t he c abi n. He h ad a c ha rt s pr ea d o n t he t abl e, a nd l ook ed un ha ppy . H e s ai d,

' Th e c oa st o f W es t A us tr al ia i s n ea r, b ut I m ea n t o p ro ce ed t o o ur d es ti na ti on . I t i s t he h ur ri ca ne m on th

t oo; but we wi ll j us t ke ep he r he ad f or B ankok , a nd f ig ht t he f ir e. No mo re pu tt ing b ac k a nywhe re , i f we

a ll g et r oa st ed . W e w il l t ry f ir st t o s ti fl e t hi s ' er e d am ne d c om bu st ion b y w an t o f a ir .'

" We t ri ed . W e b at tened d ow n every th in g, and s ti ll s he s mo ked. T he s mo ke k ep t com in g o ut t hr ou gh i m-

perceptible crevices; it forced itself through bulkheads and covers; it oozed here and there and

every wh er e i n s lend er t hr eads , i n an i nv is ib le f il m, i n an i ncom pr eh en - s ib le m an ner. I t m ad e i ts w ay i nt ot he c ab in , i nt o t he f or ec as tl e; i t p oi so ne d t he s he lt er ed p la ce s o n t he d ec k, i t c ou ld b e s ni ff ed a s h ig h a s

t he m ai ny ar d. I t w as c le ar t ha t i f t he s mo ke c am e o ut t he a ir c am e i n. T hi s w as d is he ar te ni ng . T hi s

combustion refused to be stifled.

" We r es ol ved t o t ry w at er , and t oo k t he h at ch es o ff . E no rm ou s v ol um es o f s mo ke, w hi ti sh , y el lo wi sh ,

t hi ck , g re as y, m is ty , c ho ki ng , a sc en de d a s h ig h a s t he t ru ck s. A ll h an ds c le ar ed o ut a ft . T he n t he

poisonous cloud blew away, and we went back to work in a smoke that was no thicker now than that of

an ordinary factory chimney.

" We r igg ed t he f or ce pu mp, g ot t he hos e a lo ng , a nd by -a nd- by i t bu rs t. W el l, i t wa s a s ol d a s t he

s hi p- -a p re hi st or ic h os e, a nd p as t r ep ai r. T he n w e p um pe d w it h t he f ee bl e h ea d- pu mp , d re w w at er w it h buckets, and in this way managed in time to pour lots of Indian Ocean into the main hatch. The bright

s tr ea m f la sh ed i n s un - s hi ne , f el l i nt o a l aye r o f w hi te c ra wl in g s mo ke , a nd va n- i sh ed on t he bl ac k s ur fa ce

o f c oa l. S te am a sc en de d m in gl in g w it h t he s mo ke . W e p ou re d s al t w at er a s i nt o a b ar re l w it ho ut a

bottom. It was our fate to pump in that ship, to pump out of her, to pump into her; and after keeping

w at er o ut o f h er t o s av e o ur se lv es f ro m b ei ng d ro wn ed , w e f ra nt ic al ly p ou re d w at er i nt o h er t o s av e

ourselves from being burnt.

" And s he c ra wl ed on, d o o r d ie , i n t he s er en e w ea the r. The s ky w as a m ir ac le of pur it y, a m ir ac le of

a zu re . T he s ea w as p ol is he d, w as b lu e, w as p el lu ci d, w as s pa rk - l in g l ik e a p re ci ou s s to ne , e xt en di ng o n

a ll s id es , a ll r ou nd t o t he h or iz on -- as i f t he w ho le t er re st ri al g lo be h ad b ee n o ne j ew el , o ne c ol os sa ls ap ph ir e, a s in gl e g em f as hi on ed i nt o a p la ne t. A nd o n t he l us te r o f t he g re at c al m w at er s t he J ud ea g li de d

i mp er cept ib ly , env el op ed i n l an gu id and u nclean v ap or s, i n a l azy clo ud t hat d ri ft ed t o l eeward , l ig ht and

s lo w: a p es ti fero us clo ud d ef il in g t he s pl en do r o f s ea and s ky .

" Al l t hi s t im e o f c ou rs e w e s aw n o f ir e. T he c ar go s mo ld er ed a t t he b ot to m s om ew he re . O nc e M ah on ,

a s we we re wor ki ng s ide by si de , s ai d t o me wi th a que er s mi le : ' Now , i f s he onl y woul d s pr ing a t idy

l ea k- - l ik e t ha t t im e w he n w e f ir st l ef t t he C ha nn el -- it w ou ld p ut a s to pp er o n t hi s f ir e. W ou ld n' t i t? ' I

r em ar ked i rr el ev an tl y, ' Do y ou r em em ber t he r at s ?'

" We f ou ght t he f ir e a nd s ai le d t he s hi p t oo a s c ar ef ul ly a s t ho ug h n ot hi ng h ad b ee n t he m at te r. T he

s te wa rd c oo ke d a nd a tt en de d o n u s. O f t he o th er t we lv e m en , e ig ht w or ke d w hi le f ou r r es te d. E ve ry on e

t oo k h is t ur n, c ap ta in i nc lu de d. T he re w as e qu al it y, a nd i f n ot e xa ct ly f ra te rn it y, t he n a d ea l o f g oo d

f ee li ng . S om e- t im es a m an , a s h e d as he d a b uc ke tf ul o f w at er d ow n t he h at ch wa y, w ou ld y el l o ut ,

P a g e 8



t he t op s te p. I s ta re d a t hi m i n u nbe li ef , a nd h e s ta re d a t m e wi th a qu ee r ki nd o f s hoc ke d c ur io si ty. I d id

n ot k no w t ha t I h ad n o h ai r, n o e ye br ow s, n o e ye la sh es , t ha t m y y ou ng m us ta ch e w as b ur nt o ff , t ha t m y

f ac e wa s bl ac k, on e c he ek l ai d ope n, m y nos e c ut , a nd my c hi n bl ee di ng. I ha d l os t m y c ap, one of my

s li ppe rs , a nd m y s hi rt wa s t or n t o r ag s. Of a ll t hi s I w as not a wa re . I wa s a ma ze d t o s ee t he s hi p s ti ll

a fl oa t, t he po op -de ck w ho le -- and , m os t o f a ll , t o s ee a ny bod y a li ve . A ls o t he p ea ce of t he s ky a nd t he

s er en it y o f t he s ea w er e i st in ct ly s ur pr is in g. I s up po se I e xp ec te d t o s ee t he m c on vu ls ed w it h h or ro r. . . .


" Th er e w as a v oi ce h ai li ng t he s hi p f ro m s om ew he re - -i n t he a ir , i n t he s ky -- I c ou ld n' t t el l. P re se nt ly I

s aw t he c apt ai n- -a nd h e w as m ad . H e a sk ed m e e ag er ly , ' Wh er e' s t he c abi n- ta bl e? ' a nd t o h ea r s uc h a

q ue st io n w as a f ri gh tf ul s ho ck . I h ad j us t b ee n b lo wn u p, y ou u nd er st an d, a nd v ib ra te d w it h t ha t

e xp er ie nc e, -- I w as n' t q ui te s ur e w he th er I w as a li ve . M ah on b eg an t o s ta mp w it h b ot h f ee t a nd y el le d a t

hi m, ' Good G od! do n' t y ou s ee t he d ec k' s b low n ou t of he r? ' I f oun d my voi ce , a nd s ta mm er ed out a s i f

c on sc io us o f s om e g ro ss n eg le ct o f d ut y, ' I d on 't k no w w he re t he c ab in -t ab le i s. ' I t w as l ik e a n a bs ur d

dream.

" Do you know wha t he w ant ed ne xt ? We ll , he wa nt ed t o t ri m t he ya rds . Ve ry pl ac idl y, a nd a s i f l os t i nt ho ug ht , h e i ns is ted o n h av in g t he f or ey ar d s qu ar ed . ' I d on 't k no w i f t here's any bo dy ali ve,' s aid M ah on ,

alm os t t earf ul ly . ' Su rely ,' h e s ai d g en tl y, ' th er e w il l b e eno ug h l ef t t o s qu ar e t he f or ey ar d. '

" Th e o ld c ha p, i t s ee ms , w as i n h is o wn b er th , w in d- i ng u p t he c hr on om et er s, w he n t he s ho ck s en t h im

s pi n- n in g. I mm ed iately i t o ccur red t o h im -- as h e s ai d aft er - w ar ds -- th at t he s hi p h ad s tr uck s om et hi ng ,

a nd h e r an o ut i nt o t he c ab in . T he re , h e s aw , t he c ab in -t ab le h ad v an is he d s om ew he re . T he d ec k b ei ng

blown up, it had fallen down into the lazarette of course. Where we had our breakfast that morning he

s aw o nl y a g re at h ol e i n t he f lo or . T hi s a pp ea re d t o hi m s o a wf ul ly m ys te ri ou s, a nd i mpr es se d h im s o

i mm en se ly , t ha t w ha t h e s aw a nd h ea rd a ft er h e g ot o n d ec k w er e m er e t ri fl es i n c om - p ar is on . A nd ,

m ar k, h e n ot ic ed d ir ec tl y t he w he el d e- s er te d a nd h is b ar k o ff h er c ou rs e- -a nd h is o nl y t ho ug ht w as t o

g et t hat m is er ab le, s tr ip ped, u nd ecked, s mo ld er in g s hell o f a s hi p b ack again w it h h er h ead p oi nt in g at h er port of destination. Bankok! That's what he was after. I tell you this quiet, bowed, bandy- legged, almost

d ef or med l it tl e m an w as i mm en se i n t he s in gl en es s o f h is i dea and i n h is p laci d i gn or an ce o f o ur agi tati on .

H e m ot io ne d u s f or wa rd w it h a c om - m an di ng g es tu re , a nd w en t t o t ak e t he w he el h im - s el f.

" Ye s; t ha t w as t he f ir st t hi ng w e d id -- tr im t he y ar ds o f t ha t w re ck ! N o o ne w as k il le d, o r e ve n d is ab le d,

but everyone was more or less hurt. You should have seen them! Some were in rags, with black faces,

l ik e c oa l- h ea ve rs , l ik e s we ep s, a nd h ad b ul le t h ea ds t ha t s ee me d c lo se ly c ro pp ed , b ut w er e i n f ac t

s in ge d t o t he s ki n. O th er s, o f t he w at ch b el ow , a wa ke ne d b y b ei ng s ho t o ut f ro m t he ir c ol la ps in g b un ks ,

s hi ve re d i nc es sa nt ly , a nd k ep t o n g ro an in g e ve n a s w e w en t a bo ut o ur w or k. B ut t he y a ll w or ke d. T ha t

c re w o f L iv er po ol h ar d c as es h ad i n t he m t he r ig ht s tu ff . I t' s m y e xp er ie nc e t he y a lw ay s h av e. I t i s t he s eat hat g iv es i t- -t he v as tn es s, t he l on e- l in es s s ur ro un di ng t heir d ar k s to li d s ou ls . A h! W el l! w e s tu mb led, w e

c re pt , w e f el l, we ba rk ed ou r s hi ns on t he w re ck ag e, w e h aul ed . T he m as ts s too d, b ut we di d n ot kn ow

h ow m uc h t he y m ig ht b e c ha rr ed do wn b el ow . I t w as n ea rl y c al m, b ut a l on g s we ll r an f ro m t he w es t a nd

m ad e h er r ol l. T he y m ig ht g o a t a ny m om en t. W e l oo ke d a t t he m w it h a pp re he ns io n. O ne c ou ld n ot f or e-

s ee w hi ch w ay t hey w ou ld f al l.

" The n w e r et re at ed a ft a nd l oo ke d a bou t u s. Th e d ec k w as a t an gl e o f p la nk s o n e dg e, o f p la nk s o n e nd ,

o f s pl in te rs , o f r ui ne d w oo dw or k. T he m as ts r os e f ro m t ha t c ha os l ik e b ig t re es a bo ve a m at te d

undergrowth. The interstices of that mass of wreckage were full of something whitish, sluggish, stirring--of

s om et hi ng t hat w as l ik e a g reas y f og . T he s mo ke o f t he i nv is ib le f ir e w as com in g u p again , w as t rail in g,

l ik e a p oi so no us t hi ck m is t i n s om e v al ley cho ked w it h d ead w oo d. A lr eady l azy w is ps w er e b eg in ni ng t o

c ur l u pw ar ds a mo ng st t he m as s o f s pl in te rs . H er e a nd t he re a p ie ce o f t im be r, s tu ck u pr ig ht , r es em bl ed a

post. Half of a fife-rail had been shot through the foresail, and the sky made a patch of glorious blue in

P a g e 1 0



t he i gn ob ly s oi led can vas. A p or ti on o f s ev er al b oard s h ol di ng t og et her h ad f al len acr os s t he r ai l, and o ne

end p ro tr ud ed o verb oard , l ik e a g an gw ay l eadi ng u po n n ot hi ng , l ik e a g an gw ay l eadi ng o ver t he d eep

s ea , l ea di ng t o d ea th -- as i f i nv it in g u s t o w al k t he p la nk a t o nc e a nd b e d on e w it h o ur r id ic ul ou s t ro ub le s.

A nd s ti ll t he air , t he s ky -- a g ho st , s om et hi ng i nv is ib le w as h ai li ng t he s hi p.

" So meon e h ad t he s en se t o l oo k o ver, and t here w as t he h el ms man, w ho h ad i mp ul si vely j um ped

o ve rb oa rd , a nx io us t o c om e b ac k. H e y el le d a nd s wa m l us ti ly l ik e a m er ma n, k ee pi ng u p w it h t he s hi p.W e t hr ew h im a r op e, a nd p re se nt ly h e s to od a mo ng st u s s tr ea mi ng w it h w at er a nd v er y c re st -f al le n. T he

c ap ta in h ad s ur re n- d er ed t he w he el , a nd a pa rt , e lb ow o n r ai l a nd c hi n i n h an d, g az ed a t t he s ea w is tf ul ly .

W e a sk ed o ur se lv es , W ha t n ex t? I t ho ug ht , N ow , t hi s i s s om et hi ng l ik e. T hi s i s g re at . I w on de r w ha t w il l

h ap pen. O y ou th !

" Su dd en ly M ah on s ig ht ed a s te am er f ar a st er n. C ap - t ai n B ea rd s ai d, ' We m ay d o s om et hi ng w it h h er

y et .' W e h oi st ed t wo f lags , w hi ch s ai d i n t he i nt er nati on al l an gu ag e o f t he s ea, ' On f ir e. W an t i mm ed iate

a ss is - t an ce .' T he s te am er g re w b ig ge r r ap id ly , a nd b y- an d- b y s po ke w it h t wo f la gs o n h er f or em as t, ' I

am com in g t o y ou r ass is tance. '

" In h al f an h ou r s he w as abr east , t o w in dw ar d, w it hi n h ai l, and r ol li ng s li gh tl y, w it h h er eng in es s to pp ed .

W e l os t o ur c om po su re , a nd y el le d a ll t og et he r w it h e xc it e- m en t, ' We 'v e b ee n b lo wn u p. ' A m an i n a

w hi te h el me t, o n t he b ri dg e, c ri ed , ' Ye s! A ll r ig ht ! a ll r ig ht !' a nd h e no dd ed h is h ea d, a nd s mi le d, a nd

m ad e s oo th in g m o- t io ns w it h h is h an d a s t ho ug h a t a l ot o f f ri gh te ne d c hi l- d re n. O ne o f t he b oa ts

d rop pe d i n t he wa te r, a nd w al ke d t ow ar ds us u pon t he s ea w it h h er l on g o ar s. Fo ur Ca la sh es pu ll ed a

s wi ng in g s tr ok e. T hi s w as m y f ir st s ig ht o f M al ay s eamen. I 'v e k no wn t hem s in ce, b ut w hat s tr uck m e

t hen w as t heir u ncon cern : t hey cam e alo ng si de, and even t he b ow man s tand in g u p and h ol di ng t o o ur

m ai n- ch ai ns w it h t he b oa t- ho ok d id n ot d ei gn t o l if t h is h ea d f or a g la nc e. I t ho ug ht p eo pl e w ho h ad b ee n

blown up deserved more attention.

" A l it tl e ma n, dr y l ike a c hi p a nd a gi le l ike a monk ey, c la mbe re d up. I t wa s t he ma te of t he s te ame r. Heg av e o ne l oo k, a nd c ri ed , ' O b oy s- -y ou h ad b et te r q ui t. '

"W e w er e s il en t. H e t al ke d a pa rt w it h t he c ap ta in f or a t im e, -- se em ed t o a rg ue w it h h im . T he n t he y w en t

a wa y t og et he r t o t he s te am er .

" Wh en o ur s ki pp er c am e b ac k w e l ea rn ed t ha t t he s te am er w as t he S om me rv il le , C ap ta in N as h, f ro m

W es t A us tr al ia t o S in ga po re v ia B at av ia w it h m ai ls , a nd t ha t t he a gr ee me nt w as s he s ho ul d t ow u s t o

A nj er o r B a- t av ia , i f p os si bl e, w he re w e c ou ld e xt in gu is h t he f ir e b y s cu tt li ng , a nd t he n p ro ce ed o n o ur

v oy ag e- -t o B an ko k! T he o ld m an s ee me d e xc it ed . ' We w il l d o i t y et ,' h e s ai d t o M ah on , f ie rc el y. H e

s ho ok h is f is t a t t he s ky. N ob od y e ls e s ai d a w or d.

" At noo n t he s te am er be ga n t o t ow . She we nt a he ad s li m a nd hi gh, a nd wh at w as l ef t of t he J ude a

f ol lo wed at t he end o f s ev en ty f at ho m o f t ow -r op e, -- fo ll ow ed h er s wi ft ly l ik e a clo ud o f s mo ke w it h

m as th ea ds p ro - t ru di ng a bo ve . W e w en t a lo ft t o f ur l t he s ai ls . W e c ou gh ed o n t he y ar ds , a nd w er e

c ar ef ul a bout th e bunt s. Do y ou s ee t he l ot of us t he re , put ti ng a ne at f ur l on t he s ai ls of t ha t s hi p doo me d

t o a rr iv e n ow he re ? T he re w as n ot a m an w ho d id n' t t hi nk t ha t a t a ny m om en t t he m as ts w ou ld t op pl e

o ve r. F ro m a lo ft w e c ou ld n ot s ee t he s hi p f or s mo ke , a nd t he y w or ke d c ar ef ul ly , p as si ng t he g as ke ts

w it h even t ur ns . ' Har bo r f ur l- -alo ft t here!' cri ed M ah on f ro m b el ow .

"Y ou un de rs ta nd t hi s? I don' t t hi nk one of t ho se c ha ps e xpe ct ed t o g et d own i n t he us ua l wa y. Wh en we

di d I he ar d t he m s ay ing t o e ac h ot he r, ' We ll , I t houg ht we wo ul d c ome do wn ov er boa rd , i n a l um p- -

s ti ck s and all -- bl am e m e i f I d id n' t. ' ' Th at 's w hat I w as t hi nk in g t o m ys el f, ' w ou ld ans wer w eari ly ano th er

battered and bandaged scarecrow. And, mind, these were men without the drilled-in habit of obedience.

P a g e 1 1



T o a n o nl oo ke r t he y w ou ld b e a l ot o f p ro fa ne s ca ll yw ag s w it ho ut a r ed ee mi ng p oi nt . W ha t m ad e t he m

d o i t- - w ha t m ad e t he m o be y m e w he n I , t hi nk in g c on sc io us ly h ow f in e i t w as , m ad e t he m d ro p t he b un t

o f t he f or es ai l t wi ce t o t ry a nd d o i t b et te r? W ha t? T he y h ad n o p ro - f es si on al r ep ut at io n- -n o e xa mp le s,

n o p ra is e. I t w as n' t a s en se o f d ut y; t he y a ll k ne w w el l e no ug h h ow t o s hi rk , a nd l az e, a nd d od ge -- wh en

t he y ha d a mi nd t o i t- -a nd mo st ly t he y h ad. W as i t t he t wo poun ds t en a mo nt h t ha t s ent t he m t he re ?

T hey d id n' t t hi nk t heir p ay h al f g oo d eno ug h. N o; i t w as s om et hi ng i n t hem, s om et hi ng i nb or n and s ub tl e

a nd e ve rl as ti ng . I d on 't s ay p os i- t iv el y t ha t t he c re w o f a F re nc h o r G er ma n m er ch an t- m an w ou ld n' tha ve d one i t, b ut I do ubt w he the r i t wo ul d h av e be en do ne i n t he s am e w ay . Th er e w as a c om pl et e- n es s

in it, something solid like a principle, and masterful like an instinct--a disclosure of something secret--of

t hat h id den s om et hi ng , t hat g if t, o f g oo d o r evi l t hat m ak es r acial d if ference, t hat s hapes t he f at e o f

nations.

" It wa s t hat ni ght at t en t ha t, f or the f irs t t im e si nc e we had be en f ight ing it , we s aw t he fi re . The s pee d of

t he t ow in g h ad f an ned t he s mo ld er in g d es tr ucti on . A b lu e g leam app eared f or ward , s hi ni ng b el ow t he

w re ck of t he de ck. I t wa ve re d i n p at che s, i t s ee me d t o s ti r a nd c re ep l ike t he l ight o f a gl oww or m. I s aw

i t f ir st , a nd t ol d M ahon . ' Th en t he ga me 's up ,' he s ai d. ' We h ad be tt er s to p t hi s t ow ing, o r s he wi ll bur st

ou t s udde nl y f or e a nd a ft b ef or e w e c an c le ar ou t.' W e s et u p a y el l; r ang b el ls t o a tt ra ct t he ir a tt ent ion;they towe d on. At la st Ma hon a nd I ha d to cr awl forwar d a nd c ut the rope wi th a n a x. Ther e was no

t im e t o cas t o ff t he l as hi ng s. R ed t on gu es cou ld b e s een l icki ng t he w il dern es s o f s pl in ters u nd er o ur f eet

as we ma de our way back to the poop.

"O f c ou rs e t he y v er y s oo n f oun d o ut i n t he s te ame r t ha t t he r op e w as go ne . S he ga ve a l oud bl as t o f h er

w hi st le, h er l ig ht s w er e s een s weep in g i n a w id e cir cl e, s he cam e u p r an gi ng clo se alo ng si de, and

s top pe d. W e w er e a ll i n a t ig ht g roup on t he p oop l ooki ng a t he r. E ve ry ma n ha d s ave d a l it tl e b undl e or

a ba g. Su dd enl y a c on- i ca l f la me w it h a t wi st ed t op s hot up f or wa rd a nd t hr ew u po n t he bl ac k s ea a

c ir cl e of l ig ht , w it h t he t wo v es se ls s id e b y s id e a nd h ea vi ng g en tl y i n i ts c en te r. C ap ta in B ea rd ha d b ee n

s it ti ng o n t he g ra ti ng s s ti ll a nd m ut e f or h ou rs , b ut no w h e r os e s lo wl y a nd a dva nc ed i n f ro nt of u s, t o t he

m izzen -s hr ou ds . C ap tain N as h h ai led: ' Co me alo ng ! L oo k s harp . I h av e m ai l- bags o n b oard . I w il l t ak ey ou a nd y ou r b oa ts t o S in ga po re .'

" 'T ha nk y ou ! N o! ' s ai d o ur s ki ppe r. ' We m us t s ee t he l as t o f t he s hi p. '

" 'I c an 't s ta nd b y a ny l on ge r, ' s ho ut ed t he o th er . ' Ma il s- -y ou k no w. '

"' Ay ! a y! W e a re a ll r ig ht .'

" 'V er y w el l! I 'l l r ep or t y ou i n S in ga po re . . . . G oo d- by !'

" He w av ed h is h an d. O ur m en d ro pp ed t he ir b un dl es q ui et ly . T he s te am er m ov ed a he ad , a nd p as si ng

o ut o f t he c ir cl e of l ig ht , v an is he d a t on ce f ro m o ur s ig ht , d az - z le d b y t he f ir e w hi ch bu rne d f ie rc el y. A nd

t hen I kne w tha t I would s ee the Ea st f irs t a s com mande r of a s ma ll boa t. I thought it f ine ; a nd the f ide lit y

t o t he ol d s hi p wa s fi ne . We s houl d s ee t he l as t of he r. Oh t he gl amour of yout h! Oh t he f ir e of i t, mor e

dazzling than the flames of the burning ship, throwing a magic light on the wide earth, leaping audaciously

t o t he s ky , p re se nt ly t o b e q ue nc he d b y t im e, m or e c ru el , m or e p it il es s, m or e b it te r t ha n t he s ea -- an d l ik e

the flames of the burning ship surrounded by an impenetrable night.

. . . . .

" The ol d ma n wa rne d us in hi s gent le and i nfl exibl e wa y tha t i t wa s pa rt of our dut y t o sa ve f or t he unde r-

w ri te rs a s m uc h a s we c oul d of t he s hi p' s ge ar . Ac cor d- i ng we w ent t o w or k a ft , wh il e s he b la ze d

f or wa rd to give us ple nt y of l ight . W e l ugged out a l ot of rubbi sh. Wha t di dn' t we s ave ? An ol d

P a g e 1 2



" On t he b ackg ro un d o f f lames t wi st in g i n f ierce t on gu es abo ve t heir h eads t hey s eemed at h om e l ik e

s al am an de rs , a nd l oo ke d l ik e a b an d o f d es pe ra te p ir at es . T he f ir e s pa rk le d i n t he w hi te s o f t he ir e ye s,

g le am ed o n p at ch es o f w hi te s ki n s ee n t hr ou gh t he t or n s hi rt s. E ac h h ad t he m ar ks a s o f a b at tl e a bo ut

h im -- ba nd ag ed h ea ds , t ie d- up a rm s, a s tr ip o f d ir ty r ag r ou nd a k ne e- -a nd e ac h m an h ad a b ot tl e

between his legs and a chunk of cheese in his hand. Mahon got up. With his handsome and disreputable

h ea d, h is h oo ke d p ro fi le , h is l on g w hi te b ea rd , a nd w it h a n u nc or ke d b ot tl e i n h is h an d, h e r e- s em bl edo ne o f t ho se r ec kl es s s ea -r ob be rs o f o ld m ak in g m er ry a mi ds t v io le nc e a nd d is as te r. ' Th e l as t m ea l o n

board,' he explained solemnly. 'We had nothing to eat all day, and it was no use leaving all this.' He

f lo ur is hed t he b ot tl e and i nd icat ed t he s leep in g s ki pp er . ' He s ai d h e cou ld n' t s wall ow any th in g, s o I g ot

hi m t o l ie d ow n, ' he w ent o n; a nd a s I s ta re d, ' I don 't kn ow w he the r y ou a re a wa re , you ng f el low , t he

m an ha d n o s le ep t o s pe ak of f or d ays -- and t he re w il l be da m' l it tl e s le ep i n t he bo at s. ' ' The re w il l be no

boats by-and-by if you fool about much longer,' I said, indignantly. I walked up to the skipper and shook

hi m by t he s hou lde r. A t l as t he ope ne d hi s e ye s, but d id not move . ' Ti me t o l ea ve he r, s ir ,' I s ai d, qui et ly.

" He g ot u p p ai nf ul ly , l oo ke d a t t he f la me s, a t t he s ea s pa rk li ng r ou nd t he s hi p, a nd b la ck , b la ck a s i nk

f ar th er a wa y; h e l oo ke d a t t he s ta rs s hi ni ng d im t hr ou gh a t hi n v ei l o f s mo ke i n a s ky b la ck , b la ck a sErebus.

"'Youngest first,' he said.

" An d t he o rd in ar y s ea ma n, w ip in g hi s m ou th w it h t he b ac k o f h is ha nd , g ot u p, c la mb er ed ov er t he

t af fr ai l, a nd v an is he d. O th er s f ol lo we d. O ne , o n t he p oi nt o f g oi ng o ve r, s to pp ed s ho rt t o d ra in h is b ot tl e,

a nd wi th a gre at s wi ng of hi s ar m f lung it at t he f ir e. 'Ta ke t his !' he cr ied.

" Th e s ki pp er l in gered d is co ns ol at el y, and w e l ef t h im t o com mu ne alo ne f or awh il e w it h h is f ir st

c omm and. The n I we nt up a ga in a nd br oug ht hi m a wa y a t l as t. I t wa s t ime . Th e i ronwor k on t he poop

w as ho t t o t he t ouc h.

" Th en t he p ai nt er o f t he l on g- bo at w as c ut , a nd t he t hr ee b oa ts , t ie d t og et he r, d ri ft ed c le ar o f t he s hi p. I t

w as j us t s ix te en h ou rs a ft er t he e xp lo si on w he n w e a ba n- d on ed h er . M ah on h ad c ha rg e o f t he s ec on d

boat, and I had the smallest--the 14-foot thing. The long-boat would have taken the lot of us; but the

s ki pp er s ai d w e m us t s av e a s m uc h p ro pe rt y a s w e c ou ld -- for t he un de r- wr it er s- -a nd s o I g ot m y f ir st

command. I had two men with me, a bag of bis cuit s, a f ew ti ns of mea t, and a bre ake r of water . I wa s

o rd er ed t o k ee p c lo se t o t he l ong -bo at , t ha t i n c as e of ba d w ea th er w e m ig ht be t ak en i nt o h er .

" An d do y ou k now wh at I t houg ht ? I t hou gh t I w ou ld p ar t c omp an y a s s oon a s I c ou ld. I w an te d t o

h av e m y f ir st c om ma nd a ll t o m ys el f. I w as n' t g oi ng t o s ai l i n a s qu ad ro n i f t he re w er e a c ha nc e f or i nd ep en d- e nt c ru is in g. I w ou ld m ak e l an d b y m ys el f. I w ou ld b ea t t he o th er b oa ts . Y ou th ! A ll y ou th ! T he

silly, charming, beautiful youth.

"But we di d not ma ke a st ar t at once. We must s ee the la st of t he ship. And so the boa ts dri fte d a bout

t ha t n ig ht , h ea vi ng a nd s et ti ng o n t he s we ll . T he m en d oz ed , w ak ed , s ig he d, g ro an ed . I l oo ke d a t t he

burning ship.

" Be tw ee n t he d ar kn es s o f e ar th a nd h ea ve n s he w as b ur ni ng f ie rc el y u po n a d is c o f p ur pl e s ea s ho t b y

t he b lo od -r ed p la y o f g le am s; u po n a d is c o f w at er g li tt er - i ng a nd s in is te r. A h ig h, c le ar f la me , a n

i mm en se a nd l on el y f la me , a sc en de d f ro m t he o ce an , a nd f ro m i ts s um - m it t he b la ck s mo ke p ou re d

continuously at the sky. She burned furiously, mournful and imposing like a funeral pile kindled in the

n ig ht , s ur ro un de d b y t he s ea , w at ch ed o ve r b y t he s ta rs . A m ag ni fi ce nt d ea th h ad c om e l ik e a g ra ce , l ik e

a gi ft , l ike a r ewa rd t o t ha t ol d s hi p a t t he e nd of he r l abo ri ou s d ays . Th e s ur re nde r o f h er we ar y gho st t o

P a g e 1 4



t he k ee pi ng o f s ta rs a nd s ea w as s ti rr in g l ik e t he s ig ht o f a g lo ri ou s t ri um ph . T he m as ts f el l j us t b ef or e

d ay br ea k, a nd f or a m om ent t he re w as a b ur st a nd t ur - m oi l o f s pa rk s t ha t s ee me d t o f il l w it h f ly in g f ir e

t he n ig ht p at ient and w at ch fu l, t he v as t n ig ht l yi ng s il en t u po n t he s ea. A t d ay li gh t s he w as o nl y a charr ed

s hell , f lo at - i ng s ti ll u nd er a clo ud o f s mo ke and b eari ng a g lo wi ng m as s o f coal w it hi n.

" The n t he oa rs we re got out, and t he boa ts f or ming i n a li ne move d r ound he r re ma ins a s if i n

procession--the long-boat leading. As we pulled across her stern a slim dart of fire shot out viciously atu s, a nd s ud de nl y s he w en t d ow n, h ea d f ir st , i n a g re at h is s o f s te am . T he u nc on su me d s te rn w as t he l as t

t o s in k; bu t t he p ai nt ha d go ne , h ad c ra ck ed , ha d pe el ed o ff , a nd t he re w er e n o l et te rs , t he re w as n o

wo rd, no s tubb or n de vi ce t ha t wa s l ike he r s oul , t o f la sh a t t he r is ing s un he r c re ed a nd he r na me .

" We ma de o ur w ay n or th. A br ee ze s pr an g up , a nd a bou t no on a ll t he bo at s c am e t oge the r f or t he l as t

time. I had no mast or s ail in mine, but I made a mast out of a s par e oar and hois ted a boat-awni ng for a

s ai l, w it h a b oa t- ho ok f or a y ar d. S he w as c er ta in ly o ve r- ma st ed , b ut I h ad t he s at is fa ct io n o f k no wi ng

tha t with the wind a ft I could beat the othe r two. I had to wa it for them. Then we a ll had a look at the

c ap ta in 's c ha rt , a nd , a ft er a s oc ia bl e m ea l o f h ar d b re ad a nd w at er , g ot o ur l as t i ns tr uc ti on s. T he se w er e

s im pl e: s te er n or th , a nd k ee p t og et he r a s m uc h a s p os si bl e. ' Be c ar ef ul w it h t ha t j ur y r ig , M ar lo w, ' s ai dt he c ap ta in ; a nd M ah on , a s I s ai le d p ro ud ly p as t h is b oa t, w ri nk le d h is c ur ve d n os e a nd h ai le d, ' Yo u w il l

s ai l t ha t s hi p o f y ou rs u nd er w at er , i f y ou d on 't l oo k o ut , y ou ng f el lo w. ' H e w as a m al ic io us o ld m an -- an d

ma y t he de ep s ea w he re he s le eps now r oc k hi m g ent ly, r oc k hi m t ende rl y t o t he e nd of t ime !

" Be fo re s un se t a t hi ck r ai n- sq ua ll p as se d o ve r t he t wo b oa ts , w hi ch w er e f ar a st er n, a nd t ha t w as t he l as t

I s aw o f t he m f or a t im e. N ex t d ay I s at s te er in g m y c oc kl e- sh el l- -m y f ir st c om ma nd -- wi th n ot hi ng b ut

wa te r a nd s ky a round me . I di d s ight i n t he a ft er noon the uppe r s ai ls of a s hi p f ar a wa y, bu t s ai d not hi ng,

a nd my me n di d not n ot ic e h er . Y ou s ee I wa s a fr ai d s he mi ght be hom ewa rd bound , a nd I ha d no m ind

t o t ur n b ac k f ro m t he p or ta ls o f t he E as t. I w as s te er in g f or J av a- - a no th er b le ss ed n am e- -l ik e B an ko k,

y ou k no w. I s te er ed m an y d ay s.

" I n ee d not te ll you w ha t i t i s t o be knoc ki ng a bout i n a n ope n boa t. I r em embe r ni ght s a nd da ys of c al m

w he n w e p ul le d, w e p ul le d, a nd t he b oa t s ee me d t o s ta nd s ti ll , a s i f b ew it ch ed w it hi n t he c ir cl e o f t he s ea

h or iz on . I r em em be r t he h ea t, t he d el ug e of r ai n- sq ua ll s t ha t k ep t us b al in g f or d ea r l if e ( bu t f il le d o ur

w at er -c as k) , a nd I r em em be r s ix te en h ou rs o n e nd w it h a m ou th d ry a s a c ind er a nd a s te er ing -oa r ov er

the s tern t o keep my fir st command head on to a brea king sea. I did not know how good a man I was t ill

t he n. I r em em be r t he d ra wn f ac es , t he d ej ec te d f ig ur es o f m y t wo m en , a nd I r em em be r m y y ou th a nd

t he f ee li ng t ha t w il l n ev er c om e b ac k a ny m or e- -t he f ee li ng t ha t I c ou ld l as t f or e ve r, o ut la st t he s ea , t he

e ar th , a nd a ll m en ; t he d ec ei tf ul f ee li ng t ha t l ur es u s o n t o j oy s, t o p er il s, t o l ov e, t o v ai n e ff or t- -t o d ea th ;

t he t ri um ph an t con vi ct io n o f s tr en gt h, t he h eat o f l if e i n t he h an df ul o f d us t, t he g lo w i n t he h eart t hat w it h

every y ear g ro ws d im , g ro ws col d, g ro ws s mall , and exp ir es - -and exp ir es , t oo s oo n- -b ef or e l i fe i ts elf .

"A nd t hi s i s h ow I s ee t he Ea st . I ha ve s ee n i ts s ec re t pl ac es a nd ha ve l ook ed i nt o i ts ve ry s oul ; bu t n ow

I s ee i t a lwa ys f rom a s ma ll bo at , a h igh ou tl in e of mo un ta in s, bl ue a nd a fa r i n t he mo rni ng; l ik e f ai nt m is t

a t noon; a j agge d w all of pur pl e a t s unse t. I have t he f ee l of t he oar in m y ha nd, t he vi sion of a s cor chi ng

blue sea in my eyes. And I see a bay, a wide bay, smooth as glass and polished like ice, shimmering in

t he da rk. A r ed li ght bur ns f ar of f upon t he gl oom of t he l and, a nd t he ni ght i s s of t a nd wa rm . W e dr ag a t

t he o ar s w it h a ch ing a rm s, a nd s ud de nl y a p uf f o f w in d, a p uf f f ai nt a nd t ep id a nd l ad en w it h s tr an ge

o do rs o f b lo ss om s, o f a ro ma ti c w oo d, c om es o ut o f t he s ti ll n ig ht -- th e f ir st s ig h o f t he E as t o n m y f ac e.

T ha t I c an n ev er f or ge t. I t w as i mp al pa bl e a nd e ns la vi ng , l ik e a c ha rm , l ik e a w hi sp er ed p ro mi se o f

mysterious delight.

" We ha d be en p ul li ng t hi s f in is hi ng s pe ll f or e le ve n h our s. T wo pu ll ed , a nd he w ho se t ur n i t w as t o r es t

s at a t t he t il ler . We had ma de out the re d l ight in t ha t ba y a nd s te er ed f or i t, gue ss ing i t m us t ma rk s om e

P a g e 1 5



c ap ta in i s i n t he l on g- bo at , a nd w is he s t o k no w i f y ou w ou ld g iv e u s a p as sa ge s om ew he re .'

" 'O h, m y g oo dn es s! I s ay . . . . T hi s i s t he C el es ti al f ro m S in ga po re o n h er r et ur n t ri p. I 'l l a rr an ge w it h

your captain in the morning, . . . and, . . . I say, . . . did you hear me just now?'

" 'I s ho ul d t hi nk t he w ho le b ay h ea rd y ou .'

"' I t ho ug ht y ou w er e a s ho re -b oa t. N ow , l oo k h er e- - t hi s i nf er na l l az y s co un dr el o f a c ar et ak er h as g on e

t o s le ep a ga in -- cu rs e h im . T he l ig ht i s o ut , a nd I n ea rl y r an f ou l o f t he e nd o f t hi s d am ne d j et ty . T hi s i s t he

t hi rd t im e h e p la ys m e t hi s t ri ck . N ow , I a sk y ou , c an a ny bo dy s ta nd t hi s k in d o f t hi ng ? I t' s e no ug h t o

drive a man out of his mind. I'll report him. . . . I'll get the Assistant Resident to give him the sack, by . . .

Se e- - t he re 's no l ight . I t' s out , i sn' t i t? I t ake you t o wi tne ss t he l ig ht 's out . Th er e s houl d be a l ight , yo u

k no w. A r ed l ig ht o n t he -- '

" 'T here w as a l ig ht ,' I s ai d, m il dl y.

" 'B ut i t' s o ut , m an ! W ha t' s t he u se o f t al ki ng l ik e t hi s? Y ou c an s ee f or y ou rs el f i t' s o ut -- do n' t y ou ? I f y ouh ad t o t ak e a v al ua bl e s te am er a lo ng t hi s G od -f or - s ak en c oa st y ou w ou ld w an t a l ig ht t oo . I 'l l k ic k h im

f rom e nd t o end of hi s mi se ra ble wha rf. You' ll s ee i f I don' t. I wi ll -- '

" ' So I m ay t el l m y c ap ta in you' ll t ake us ?' I br ok e i n.

" 'Y es , I ' ll t ake y ou . G oo d n ig ht ,' h e s aid , b ru sq uel y.

" I p ul le d ba ck , m ade f as t a ga in t o t he j et ty, a nd t he n we nt t o s le ep a t l as t. I h ad f ac ed t he s il enc e of t he

Ea st . I ha d he ar d s ome of i ts l angua ge s. But whe n I o pe ne d my e ye s a ga in t he s il en ce w as a s c om pl et e

a s t hough it ha d ne ve r be en br oke n. I wa s l yi ng i n a f lood of li ght , a nd t he s ky h ad ne ve r l ooke d s o f ar ,

s o h ig h, b ef or e. I op en ed m y e ye s a nd l ay w it ho ut m ovi ng .

" And the n I s aw the me n of t he Ea st -- the y wer e l ooki ng a t me . The whole l engt h of t he j et ty wa s f ull of

people. I saw brown, bronze, yellow faces, the black eyes, the glitter, the color of an Eastern crowd.

A nd a ll t he se b ei ng s s ta re d w it ho ut a m ur - m ur , w it ho ut a s ig h, w it ho ut a m ov em en t. T he y s ta re d d ow n a t

t he b oa ts , a t t he s le ep in g m en w ho a t n ig ht h ad c om e t o t he m f ro m t he s ea . N ot hi ng m ov ed . T he f ro nd s

o f p al ms s to od s ti ll a ga in st t he s ky . N ot a b ra nc h s ti rr ed a lo ng t he s ho re , a nd t he b ro wn r oo fs o f h id de n

h ou ses p eeped t hr ou gh t he g reen f ol iage, t hr ou gh t he b ig l eaves t hat h un g s hi ni ng and s ti ll l ik e l eaves

f or ge d o f h ea vy m et al . T hi s w as t he E as t o f t he a nc ie nt n av ig at or s, s o o ld , s o m ys te ri ou s, r es pl en de nt a nd

s om be r, l iv in g a nd u nc ha ng ed , f ul l o f d an ge r a nd p ro m- i se . A nd t he se w er e t he m en . I s at u p s ud de nl y.

A w av e o f m ov em en t p as se d t hr ou gh t he c ro wd f ro m e nd t o e nd , p as se d a lo ng t he h ea ds , s wa ye d t he bodies, ran along the jetty like a ripple on the water, like a breath of wind on a field--and all was still

a ga in. I s ee i t n ow - -t he w id e s we ep o f t he b ay , t he g li tt er in g s an ds , t he w ea lt h o f g re en i nf in it e a nd

va ri ed , t he s ea b lue l ike t he s ea of a d re am, t he c ro wd of a tt ent ive f ac es , t he bl az e of vi vi d c ol or -- th e

w at er r ef lect in g i t all , t he cur ve o f t he s ho re, t he j et ty , t he h ig h- st er ned o ut land is h craft f lo at - i ng s ti ll , and

t he t hr ee b oa ts w it h t ir ed m en f ro m t he W es t s le ep in g u nc on sc io us o f t he l an d a nd t he p eo pl e a nd o f t he

v io lence o f s un sh in e. T hey s l ep t t hr ow n acro ss t he t hw ar ts , cur led o n b ot to m- bo ar ds , i n t he care- l es s

a tt it ud es o f d ea th . T he h ea d o f t he o ld s ki pp er , l ea ni ng b ac k i n t he s te rn o f t he l on g- bo at , h ad f al le n o n

h is b re as t, a nd he l ook ed a s t ho ug h h e w ou ld n ev er wa ke . F ar th er o ut ol d M ah on' s f ac e w as up tu rn ed t o

t he s ky, w it h t he l on g wh it e be ar d s pr ea d o ut on hi s b re as t, a s t hou gh h e ha d be en s hot w he re h e s at a t

t he t il le r; a nd a ma n, a ll i n a he ap i n t he bow s of t he bo at , s le pt wi th bot h a rms e mbr ac ing t he s te m- he ad

a nd w it h h is c he ek l ai d o n t he g un wa le . T he E as t l oo ke d a t t he m w it ho ut a s ou nd .

" I h av e k no wn i ts f as ci na ti on s s in ce : I h av e s ee n t he m ys te ri ou s s ho re s, t he s ti ll w at er , t he l an ds of b ro wn

P a g e 1 7



n a- t io ns , w he re a s te al th y N em es is l ie s i n w ai t, p ur su es , o ve rt ak es s o m an y o f t he c on qu er in g r ac e, w ho

a re p ro ud o f t he ir w is do m, o f t he ir kn ow le dge , of t he ir s tr en gt h. B ut f or m e a ll t he E as t i s c on ta in ed i n

tha t vis ion of my youth. It i s a ll in that mome nt whe n I opened my young eyes on it . I c ame upon it fr om a

t us sl e wi th t he s ea -- a nd I wa s young- -a nd I s aw i t l ooki ng a t me . And th is is a ll t ha t i s l eft of i t! Onl y a

m om en t; a m om en t o f s tr en gt h, o f r om an ce , o f g la mo ur -- of y ou th ! . . . A f li ck o f s un sh ine u po n a s tr an ge

s hor e, t he t im e t o r e- m em be r, t he t im e f or a s ig h, a nd -- go od -b y! -- Ni gh t- - G oo d- by . . . !"

H e d ra nk .

" Ah ! T he g oo d o ld t im e- -t he g oo d o ld t im e. Y ou th a nd t he s ea . G la mo ur a nd t he s ea ! T he g oo d, s tr on g

s ea , t he s al t, b it te r s ea , t ha t c oul d wh is pe r t o yo u a nd r oa r a t y ou a nd kn oc k y ou r b re at h o ut of y ou ."

He d rank again .

" By a ll t ha t' s w on de rf ul , i t i s t he s ea , I b el ie ve , t he s ea i ts el f- -o r i s i t y ou th a lo ne ? W ho c an t el l? B ut y ou

h er e- -y ou all h ad s om et hi ng o ut o f l if e: m on ey , l ov e- - w hatever o ne g et s o n s ho re-- an d, t el l m e, w as n' t

t ha t t he be st ti me , t ha t t im e whe n w e we re young a t s ea ; young a nd ha d nothi ng, on t he s ea t ha t gi ve sn ot hi ng , excep t h ar d k no ck s- -and s om et im es a chance t o f eel y ou r s t reng th -- th at o nl y- -w hat y ou all

regret?"

A nd we a ll nodde d at hi m: the m an of f ina nc e, t he m an of a cc ount s, t he m an of la w, we a ll nodde d a t

h im o ve r t he p ol is he d t ab le t ha t l ik e a s ti ll s he et o f b ro wn w at er r ef le ct ed o ur f ac es , l in ed , w ri nk le d; o ur

f aces m ar ked b y t oi l, b y d ecep ti on s, b y s ucces s, b y l ov e; o ur w eary eyes l oo ki ng s ti ll , l oo ki ng alw ay s,

l oo ki ng anx io us ly f or s om et hi ng o ut o f l if e, t hat w hi le i t i s exp ected i s alr eady g on e- -h as p as sed u ns een, i n

a s ig h, i n a f lash -- to geth er w it h t he y ou th , w it h t he s tr en gt h, w it h t he r om an ce o f i ll us io ns .

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T hi s eB oo k w as cr eat ed u s in g R ead er W or k s™ S tan dar d, p r od uced b y O ver Dr i ve, I nc.

Fo r m or e i nf or mati on o n R eaderW or ks , v is i t u s o n t he W eb at " ww w. readerw or ks .com "

conrad - youth

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