the nigger of the ''narcissus''.doc

8/11/2019 The Nigger of the ''Narcissus''.doc

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The Nigger of the ''Narcissus'' 1

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

The Nigger of the ''Narcissus''Project Gutenberg's The Nigger Of The N!rcissus" b# $ose%h Conr!& This eoo( is for the use of !n#one

!n#)here !t no cost !n& )ith !*+ost no restrictions )h!tsoe,er- .ou +!# co%# it" gi,e it !)!# or re/use it

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Tit*e1 The Nigger Of The N!rcissus A T!*e Of The Forec!st*e

Author1 $ose%h Conr!&

Re*e!se 2!te1 Febru!r# 3" 4556 7Eoo( 89::;9>?3/9

@@@ =TART OF THI= PRO$ECT GUTENERG EOO THE NIGGER OF THE NARCI==U= @@@

Pro&uce& b# 2!,i& Wi&ger

THE NIGGER

of THE NARCI==U=


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A TA0E OF THE FORECA=T0E

. $O=EPH CONRA2

COP.RIGHT" 9>3:" 939B"

. 2OU0E2A." PAGE CODPAN.

TO

E2WAR2 GARNETT

THI= TA0E

AOUT D. FRIEN2=

OF THE =EA

TO D. REA2ER= IN ADERICA

Fro+ th!t e,ening )hen $!+es W!it joine& the shi%//*!te for the +uster of the cre)//to the +o+ent )hen he

*eft us in the o%en se!" shrou&e& in s!i*c*oth" through the o%en %ort" I h!& +uch to &o )ith hi+- He )!s in +#

)!tch- A negro in ! ritish forec!st*e is ! *one*# being- He h!s no chu+s- .et $!+es W!it" !fr!i& of &e!th !n&

+!(ing her his !cco+%*ice )!s !n i+%ostor of so+e ch!r!cter//+!stering our co+%!ssion" scornfu* of our

senti+ent!*is+" triu+%hing o,er our sus%icions-

ut in the boo( he is nothing he is +ere*# the centre of the shi%'s co**ecti,e %s#cho*og# !n& the %i,ot of the

!ction- .et he" )ho in the f!+i*# circ*e !n& !+ongst +# frien&s is f!+i*i!r*# referre& to !s the Nigger"

re+!ins ,er# %recious to +e- For the boo( )ritten roun& hi+ is not the sort of thing th!t c!n be !tte+%te&

+ore th!n once in ! *ife/ti+e- It is the boo( b# )hich" not !s ! no,e*ist %erh!%s" but !s !n !rtist stri,ing for theut+ost sincerit# of e%ression" I !+ )i**ing to st!n& or f!**- Its %!ges !re the tribute of +# un!*ter!b*e !n&

%rofoun& !ffection for the shi%s" the se!+en" the )in&s !n& the gre!t se!//the +ou*&ers of +# #outh" the

co+%!nions of the best #e!rs of +# *ife-

After )riting the *!st )or&s of th!t boo(" in the re,u*sion of fee*ing before the !cco+%*ishe& t!s(" I

un&erstoo& th!t I h!& &one )ith the se!" !n& th!t henceforth I h!& to be ! )riter- An& !*+ost )ithout *!#ing

&o)n the %en I )rote ! %ref!ce" tr#ing to e%ress the s%irit in )hich I )!s entering on the t!s( of +# ne) *ife-

Th!t %ref!ce on !&,ice )hich I no) thin( )!s )rong )!s ne,er %ub*ishe& )ith the boo(- ut the *!te W- E-

Hen*e#" )ho h!& the cour!ge !t th!t ti+e 9>3: to seri!*ie +# Nigger in theNew Reviewju&ge& it )orth#

to be %rinte& !s !n !fter)or& !t the en& of the *!st inst!*+ent of the t!*e-

I !+ g*!& th!t this boo( )hich +e!ns so +uch to +e is co+ing out !g!in" un&er its %ro%er tit*e of The Nigger

of the 'N!rcissus' !n& un&er the !us%ices of +# goo&" frien&s !n& %ub*ishers Dessrs- 2oub*e&!#" P!ge Co-

into the *ight of %ub*icit#-

H!*f the s%!n of ! gener!tion h!s %!sse& since W- E- Hen*e#" !fter re!&ing t)o ch!%ters" sent +e ! ,erb!*

+ess!ge1 Te** Conr!& th!t if the rest is u% to the s!+%*e it sh!** cert!in*# co+e out in the JNe) Re,ie)J-

The +ost gr!tif#ing reco**ection of +# )riter's *ifeK

An& here is the =u%%resse& Pref!ce-

939B-


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$O=EPH CONRA2-

PREFACE

A )or( th!t !s%ires" ho)e,er hu+b*#" to the con&ition of !rt shou*& c!rr# its justific!tion in e,er# *ine- An&

!rt itse*f +!# be &efine& !s ! sing*e/+in&e& !tte+%t to ren&er the highest (in& of justice to the ,isib*e

uni,erse" b# bringing to *ight the truth" +!nifo*& !n& one" un&er*#ing its e,er# !s%ect- It is !n !tte+%t to fin&

in its for+s" in its co*ours" in its *ight" in its sh!&o)s" in the !s%ects of +!tter !n& in the f!cts of *ife )h!t of

e!ch is fun&!+ent!*" )h!t is en&uring !n& essenti!*//their one i**u+in!ting !n& con,incing Lu!*it#//the ,er#

truth of their eistence- The !rtist" then" *i(e the thin(er or the scientist" see(s the truth !n& +!(es his !%%e!*-

I+%resse& b# the !s%ect of the )or*& the thin(er %*unges into i&e!s" the scientist into f!cts//)hence" %resent*#"

e+erging the# +!(e their !%%e!* to those Lu!*ities of our being th!t fit us best for the h!!r&ous enter%rise of

*i,ing- The# s%e!( !uthorit!ti,e*# to our co++on/sense" to our inte**igence" to our &esire of %e!ce or to our

&esire of unrest not se*&o+ to our %reju&ices" so+eti+es to our fe!rs" often to our egois+//but !*)!#s to our

cre&u*it#- An& their )or&s !re he!r& )ith re,erence" for their concern is )ith )eight# +!tters1 )ith the

cu*ti,!tion of our +in&s !n& the %ro%er c!re of our bo&ies" )ith the !tt!in+ent of our !+bitions" )ith the

%erfection of the +e!ns !n& the g*orific!tion of our %recious !i+s-

It is other)ise )ith the !rtist-

Confronte& b# the s!+e enig+!tic!* s%ect!c*e the !rtist &escen&s )ithin hi+se*f" !n& in th!t *one*# region of

stress !n& strife" if he be &eser,ing !n& fortun!te" he fin&s the ter+s of his !%%e!*- His !%%e!* is +!&e to our

*ess ob,ious c!%!cities1 to th!t %!rt of our n!ture )hich" bec!use of the )!r*i(e con&itions of eistence" is

necess!ri*# (e%t out of sight )ithin the +ore resisting !n& h!r& Lu!*ities//*i(e the ,u*ner!b*e bo )ithin !

stee* !r+our- His !%%e!* is *ess *ou&" +ore %rofoun&" *ess &istinct" +ore stirring//!n& sooner forgotten- .et its

effect en&ures fore,er- The ch!nging )is&o+ of successi,e gener!tions &isc!r&s i&e!s" Luestions f!cts"

&e+o*ishes theories- ut the !rtist !%%e!*s to th!t %!rt of our being )hich is not &e%en&ent on )is&o+ to th!t

in us )hich is ! gift !n& not !n !cLuisition//!n&" therefore" +ore %er+!nent*# en&uring- He s%e!(s to our

c!%!cit# for &e*ight !n& )on&er" to the sense of +#ster# surroun&ing our *i,es to our sense of %it#" !n&

be!ut#" !n& %!in to the *!tent fee*ing of fe**o)shi% )ith !** cre!tion//!n& to the subt*e but in,incib*econ,iction of so*i&!rit# th!t (nits together the *one*iness of innu+er!b*e he!rts" to the so*i&!rit# in &re!+s" in

jo#" in sorro)" in !s%ir!tions" in i**usions" in ho%e" in fe!r" )hich bin&s +en to e!ch other" )hich bin&s

together !** hu+!nit#//the &e!& to the *i,ing !n& the *i,ing to the unborn-

It is on*# so+e such tr!in of thought" or r!ther of fee*ing" th!t c!n in ! +e!sure e%*!in the !i+ of the !tte+%t"

+!&e in the t!*e )hich fo**o)s" to %resent !n unrestfu* e%iso&e in the obscure *i,es of ! fe) in&i,i&u!*s out of

!** the &isreg!r&e& +u*titu&e of the be)i*&ere&" the si+%*e !n& the ,oice*ess- For" if !n# %!rt of truth &)e**s in

the be*ief confesse& !bo,e" it beco+es e,i&ent th!t there is not ! %*!ce of s%*en&our or ! &!r( corner of the

e!rth th!t &oes not &eser,e" if on*# ! %!ssing g*!nce of )on&er !n& %it#- The +oti,e then" +!# be he*& to

justif# the +!tter of the )or( but this %ref!ce" )hich is si+%*# !n !,o)!* of en&e!,our" c!nnot en& here//for

the !,o)!* is not #et co+%*ete- Fiction//if it !t !** !s%ires to be !rt//!%%e!*s to te+%er!+ent- An& in truth it

+ust be" *i(e %!inting" *i(e +usic" *i(e !** !rt" the !%%e!* of one te+%er!+ent to !** the other innu+er!b*e

te+%er!+ents )hose subt*e !n& resist*ess %o)er en&o)s %!ssing e,ents )ith their true +e!ning" !n& cre!tes

the +or!*" the e+otion!* !t+os%here of the %*!ce !n& ti+e- =uch !n !%%e!* to be effecti,e +ust be !n

i+%ression con,e#e& through the senses !n&" in f!ct" it c!nnot be +!&e in !n# other )!#" bec!use

te+%er!+ent" )hether in&i,i&u!* or co**ecti,e" is not !+en!b*e to %ersu!sion- A** !rt"' therefore" !%%e!*s

%ri+!ri*# to the senses" !n& the !rtistic !i+ )hen e%ressing itse*f in )ritten )or&s +ust !*so +!(e its !%%e!*

through the senses" if its highest &esire is to re!ch the secret s%ring of res%onsi,e e+otions- It +ust

strenuous*# !s%ire to the %*!sticit# of scu*%ture" to the co*our of %!inting" !n& to the +!gic suggesti,eness of

+usic//)hich is the !rt of !rts- An& it is on*# through co+%*ete" uns)er,ing &e,otion to the %erfect b*en&ing

of for+ !n& subst!nce it is on*# through !n unre+itting ne,er/&iscour!ge& c!re for the sh!%e !n& ring of

sentences th!t !n !%%ro!ch c!n be +!&e to %*!sticit#" to co*our" !n& th!t the *ight of +!gic suggesti,eness +!#


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be brought to %*!# for !n e,!nescent inst!nt o,er the co++on%*!ce surf!ce of )or&s1 of the o*&" o*& )or&s"

)orn thin" &ef!ce& b# !ges of c!re*ess us!ge-

The sincere en&e!,our to !cco+%*ish th!t cre!ti,e t!s(" to go !s f!r on th!t ro!& !s his strength )i** c!rr# hi+"

to go un&eterre& b# f!*tering" )e!riness or re%ro!ch" is the on*# ,!*i& justific!tion for the )or(er in %rose-

An& if his conscience is c*e!r" his !ns)er to those )ho in the fu*ness of ! )is&o+ )hich *oo(s for i++e&i!te

%rofit" &e+!n& s%ecific!**# to be e&ifie&" conso*e&" !+use& )ho &e+!n& to be %ro+%t*# i+%ro,e&" orencour!ge&" or frightene&" or shoc(e&" or ch!r+e&" +ust run thus1//D# t!s( )hich I !+ tr#ing to !chie,e is"

b# the %o)er of the )ritten )or& to +!(e #ou he!r" to +!(e #ou fee*//it is" before !**" to +!(e #ousee-

Th!t//!n& no +ore" !n& it is e,er#thing- If I succee&" #ou sh!** fin& there !ccor&ing to #our &eserts1

encour!ge+ent" conso*!tion" fe!r" ch!r+//!** #ou &e+!n&//!n&" %erh!%s" !*so th!t g*i+%se of truth for )hich

#ou h!,e forgotten to !s(- To sn!tch in ! +o+ent of cour!ge" fro+ the re+orse*ess rush of ti+e" ! %!ssing

%h!se of *ife" is on*# the beginning of the t!s(- The t!s( !%%ro!che& in ten&erness !n& f!ith is to ho*& u%

unLuestioning*#" )ithout choice !n& )ithout fe!r" the rescue& fr!g+ent before !** e#es in the *ight of ! sincere

+oo&- It is to sho) its ,ibr!tion" its co*our" its for+ !n& through its +o,e+ent" its for+" !n& its co*our" re,e!*

the subst!nce of its truth//&isc*ose its ins%iring secret1 the stress !n& %!ssion )ithin the core of e!ch

con,incing +o+ent- In ! sing*e/+in&e& !tte+%t of th!t (in&" if one be &eser,ing !n& fortun!te" one +!#

%erch!nce !tt!in to such c*e!rness of sincerit# th!t !t *!st the %resente& ,ision of regret or %it#" of terror or

+irth" sh!** !)!(en in the he!rts of the beho*&ers th!t fee*ing of un!,oi&!b*e so*i&!rit# of the so*i&!rit# in

+#sterious origin" in toi*" in jo#" in ho%e" in uncert!in f!te" )hich bin&s +en to e!ch other !n& !** +!n(in& to

the ,isib*e )or*&- It is e,i&ent th!t he )ho" right*# or )rong*#" ho*&s b# the con,ictions e%resse& !bo,e

c!nnot be f!ithfu* to !n# one of the te+%or!r# for+u*!s of his cr!ft- The en&uring %!rt of the+//the truth

)hich e!ch on*# i+%erfect*# ,ei*s//shou*& !bi&e )ith hi+ !s the +ost %recious of his %ossessions" but the# !**1

Re!*is+" Ro+!nticis+" N!tur!*is+" e,en the unoffici!* senti/+ent!*is+ )hich *i(e the %oor" is ecee&ing*#

&ifficu*t to get ri& of" !** these go&s +ust" !fter ! short %erio& of fe**o)shi%" !b!n&on hi+//e,en on the ,er#

thresho*& of the te+%*e//to the st!++erings of his conscience !n& to the outs%o(en consciousness of the

&ifficu*ties of his )or(- In th!t une!s# so*itu&e the su%re+e cr# of Art for Art itse*f" *oses the eciting ring of

its !%%!rent i++or!*it#- It soun&s f!r off- It h!s ce!se&' to be ! cr#" !n& is he!r& on*# !s ! )his%er" often

inco+%rehensib*e" but !t ti+es !n& f!int*# encour!ging-

=o+eti+es" stretche& !t e!se in the sh!&e of ! ro!&si&e tree" )e )!tch the +otions of ! *!bourer in ! &ist!nt

fie*&" !n& !fter ! ti+e" begin to )on&er *!ngui&*# !s to )h!t the fe**o) +!# be !t- We )!tch the +o,e+ents of

his bo" the )!,ing of his !r+s" )e see hi+ ben& &o)n" st!n& u%" hesit!te" begin !g!in- It +!# !&& to the

ch!r+ of !n i&*e hour to be to*& the %ur%ose of his eertions- If )e (no) he is tr#ing to *ift ! stone" to &ig !

&itch" to u%root ! stu+%" )e *oo( )ith ! +ore re!* interest !t his efforts )e !re &is%ose& to con&one the j!r of

his !git!tion u%on the restfu*ness of the *!n&sc!%e !n& e,en" if in ! brother*# fr!+e of +in&" )e +!# bring

ourse*,es to forgi,e his f!i*ure- We un&erstoo& his object" !n&" !fter !**" the fe**o) h!s trie&" !n& %erh!%s he

h!& not the strength//!n& %erh!%s he h!& not the (no)*e&ge- We forgi,e" go on our )!#//!n& forget-

An& so it is )ith the )or(+!n of !rt- Art is *ong !n& *ife is short" !n& success is ,er# f!r off- An& thus"

&oubtfu* of strength to tr!,e* so f!r" )e t!*( ! *itt*e !bout the !i+//the !i+ of !rt" )hich" *i(e *ife itse*f" isins%iring" &ifficu*t//obscure& b# +ists//It is not in the c*e!r *ogic of ! triu+%h!nt conc*usion it is not in the

un,ei*ing of one of those he!rt*ess secrets )hich !re c!**e& the 0!)s of N!ture- It is not *ess gre!t" but on*#

+ore &ifficu*t-

To !rrest" for the s%!ce of ! bre!th" the h!n&s bus# !bout the )or( of the e!rth" !n& co+%e* +en entr!nce& b#

the sight of &ist!nt go!*s to g*!nce for ! +o+ent !t the surroun&ing ,ision of for+ !n& co*our" of sunshine !n&

sh!&o)s to +!(e the+ %!use for ! *oo(" for ! sigh" for ! s+i*e//such is the !i+" &ifficu*t !n& e,!nescent" !n&

reser,e& on*# for ! ,er# fe) to !chie,e- ut so+eti+es" b# the &eser,ing !n& the fortun!te" e,en th!t t!s( is

!cco+%*ishe&- An& )hen it is !cco+%*ishe&//beho*&K//!** the truth of *ife is there1 ! +o+ent of ,ision" ! sigh"

! s+i*e//!n& the return to !n etern!* rest-


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CHAPTER ONE 5

9>3:- $- C-

THE NIGGER OF THE NARCI==U=

CHAPTER ONE

Dr- !(er" chief +!te of the shi%Narcissus" ste%%e& in one stri&e out of his *ighte& c!bin into the &!r(ness ofthe Lu!rter/&ec(- Abo,e his he!&" on the bre!( of the %oo%" the night/)!tch+!n r!ng ! &oub*e stro(e- It )!s

nine o'c*oc(- Dr- !(er" s%e!(ing u% to the +!n !bo,e hi+" !s(e&1//Are !** the h!n&s !bo!r&" no)*esM

The +!n *i+%e& &o)n the *!&&er" then s!i& ref*ecti,e*#1//

I thin( so" sir- A** our o*& ch!%s !re there" !n& ! *ot of ne) +en h!s co+e---- The# +ust be !** there-

Te** the bo!ts)!in to sen& !** h!n&s !ft" )ent on Dr- !(er !n& te** one of the #oungsters to bring ! goo&

*!+% here- I )!nt to +uster our cro)&-

The +!in &ec( )!s &!r( !ft" but h!*f)!# fro+ for)!r&" through the o%en &oors of the forec!st*e" t)o stre!(sof bri**i!nt *ight cut the sh!&o) of the Luiet night th!t *!# u%on the shi%- A hu+ of ,oices )!s he!r& there"

)hi*e %ort !n& st!rbo!r&" in the i**u+in!te& &oor)!#s" si*houettes of +o,ing +en !%%e!re& for ! +o+ent"

,er# b*!c(" )ithout re*ief" *i(e figures cut out of sheet tin- The shi% )!s re! for se!- The c!r%enter h!&

&ri,en in the *!st )e&ge of the +!inh!tch b!ttens" !n&" thro)ing &o)n his +!u*" h!& )i%e& his f!ce )ith gre!t

&e*iber!tion" just on the stro(e of fi,e- The &ec(s h!& been s)e%t" the )in&*!ss oi*e& !n& +!&e re! to he!,e

u% the !nchor the big to)/ro%e *!# in *ong bights !*ong one si&e of the +!in &ec(" )ith one en& c!rrie& u%

!n& hung o,er the bo)s" in re!&iness for the tug th!t )ou*& co+e %!&&*ing !n& hissing noisi*#" hot !n& s+o(#"

in the *i+%i&" coo* Luietness of the e!r*# +orning- The c!%t!in )!s !shore" )here he h!& been eng!ging so+e

ne) h!n&s to +!(e u% his fu** cre) !n&" the )or( of the &!# o,er" the shi%'s officers h!& (e%t out of the )!#"

g*!& of ! *itt*e bre!thing/ti+e- =oon !fter &!r( the fe) *ibert#/+en !n& the ne) h!n&s beg!n to !rri,e in shore/

bo!ts ro)e& b# )hite/c*!& Asi!tics" )ho c*!+oure& fierce*# for %!#+ent before co+ing !*ongsi&e the

g!ng)!#/*!&&er- The fe,erish !n& shri** b!bb*e of E!stern *!ngu!ge strugg*e& !g!inst the +!sterfu* tones of

ti%s# se!+en" )ho !rgue& !g!inst br!en c*!i+s !n& &ishonest ho%es b# %rof!ne shouts-

The res%*en&ent !n& best!rre& %e!ce of the E!st )!s torn into sLu!*i& t!tters b# ho)*s of r!ge !n& shrie(s of

*!+ent r!ise& o,er su+s r!nging fro+ fi,e !nn!s to h!*f ! ru%ee !n& e,er# sou* !f*o!t in o+b!# H!rbour

bec!+e !)!re th!t the ne) h!n&s )ere joining theNarcissus-

Gr!&u!**# the &istr!cting noise h!& subsi&e&- The bo!ts c!+e no *onger in s%*!shing c*usters of three or four

together" but &ro%%e& !*ongsi&e sing*#" in ! sub&ue& bu of e%ostu*!tion cut short b# ! Not ! %ice +oreK

.ou go to the &e,i*K fro+ so+e +!n st!ggering u% the !cco++o&!tion/*!&&er//! &!r( figure" )ith ! *ong b!g

%oise& on the shou*&er- In the forec!st*e the ne)co+ers" u%right !n& s)!#ing !+ongst cor&e& boes !n&

bun&*es of be&&ing" +!&e frien&s )ith the o*& h!n&s" )ho s!t one !bo,e !nother in the t)o tiers of bun(s"

g!ing !t their future shi%+!tes )ith g*!nces critic!* but frien&*#- The t)o forec!st*e *!+%s )ere turne& u%high" !n& she& !n intense h!r& g*!re shore/going roun& h!ts )ere %ushe& f!r on the b!c(s of he!&s" or ro**e&

!bout on the &ec( !+ongst the ch!in/c!b*es )hite co**!rs" un&one" stuc( out on e!ch si&e of re& f!ces big

!r+s in )hite s*ee,es gesticu*!te& the gro)*ing ,oices hu++e& ste! !+ongst bursts of *!ughter !n& ho!rse

c!**s- Here" sonn#" t!(e th!t bun(K--- 2on't #ou &o itK--- Wh!t's #our *!st shi%M--- I (no) her---- Three #e!rs

!go" in Puget =oun&---- This here berth *e!(s" I te** #ouK--- Co+e on gi,e us ! ch!nce to s)ing th!t chestK---

2i& #ou bring ! bott*e" !n# of #ou shore toffsM--- Gi,e us ! bit of 'b!cc#---- I (no) her her s(i%%er &r!n(

hi+se*f to &e!th---- He )!s ! &!n bo#K--- 0i(e& his *otion insi&e" he &i&K--- NoK--- Ho*& #our ro)" #ou

ch!%sK--- I te** #ou" #ou c!+e on bo!r& ! hoo(er" )here the# get their +one#'s )orth out of %oor $!c(" b#//K---

A *itt*e fe**o)" c!**e& Cr!i( !n& nic(n!+e& e*f!st" !buse& the shi% ,io*ent*#" ro+!ncing on %rinci%*e" just to

gi,e the ne) h!n&s so+ething to thin( o,er- Archie" sitting !s*!nt on his se!/chest" (e%t his (nees out of the


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CHAPTER ONE 6

)!#" !n& %ushe& the nee&*e ste!&i*# through ! )hite %!tch in ! %!ir of b*ue trousers- Den in b*!c( j!c(ets !n&

st!n&/u% co**!rs" +ie& )ith +en b!re/foote&" b!re/!r+e&" )ith co*oure& shirts o%en on h!ir# chests" %ushe&

!g!inst one !nother in the +i&&*e of the forec!st*e- The grou% s)!#e&" ree*e&" turning u%on itse*f )ith the

+otion of ! scri++!ge" in ! h!e of tob!cco s+o(e- A** )ere s%e!(ing together" s)e!ring !t e,er# secon&

)or&- A Russi!n Finn" )e!ring ! #e**o) shirt )ith %in( stri%es" st!re& u%)!r&s" &re!+#/e#e&" fro+ un&er !

+o% of tu+b*e& h!ir- T)o #oung gi!nts )ith s+ooth" b!b# f!ces//t)o =c!n&in!,i!ns//he*%e& e!ch other to

s%re!& their be&&ing" si*ent" !n& s+i*ing %*!ci&*# !t the te+%est of goo&/hu+oure& !n& +e!ning*ess curses-O*& =ing*eton" the o*&est !b*e se!+!n in the shi%" set !%!rt on the &ec( right un&er the *!+%s" stri%%e& to the

)!ist" t!ttooe& *i(e ! c!nnib!* chief !** o,er his %o)erfu* chest !n& enor+ous bice%s- et)een the b*ue !n&

re& %!tterns his )hite s(in g*e!+e& *i(e s!tin his b!re b!c( )!s %ro%%e& !g!inst the hee* of the bo)s%rit" !n&

he he*& ! boo( !t !r+'s *ength before his big" sunburnt f!ce- With his s%ect!c*es !n& ! ,ener!b*e )hite be!r&"

he rese+b*e& ! *e!rne& !n& s!,!ge %!tri!rch" the inc!rn!tion of b!rb!ri!n )is&o+ serene in the b*!s%he+ous

tur+oi* of the )or*&- He )!s intense*# !bsorbe&" !n& !s he turne& the %!ges !n e%ression of gr!,e sur%rise

)ou*& %!ss o,er his rugge& fe!tures- He )!s re!&ing Pe*h!+- The %o%u*!rit# of u*)er 0#tton in the

forec!st*es of =outhern/going shi%s is ! )on&erfu* !n& bi!rre %heno+enon- Wh!t i&e!s &o his %o*ishe& !n&

so curious*# insincere sentences !)!(en in the si+%*e +in&s of the big chi*&ren )ho %eo%*e those &!r( !n&

)!n&ering %*!ces of the e!rthM Wh!t +e!ning c!n their rough" ine%erience& sou*s fin& in the e*eg!nt ,erbi!ge

of his %!gesM Wh!t ecite+entM//)h!t forgetfu*nessM//)h!t !%%e!se+entM D#ster#K Is it the f!scin!tion of the

inco+%rehensib*eM//is it the ch!r+ of the i+%ossib*eM Or !re those beings )ho eist be#on& the %!*e of *ife

stirre& b# his t!*es !s b# !n enig+!tic!* &isc*osure of ! res%*en&ent )or*& th!t eists )ithin the frontier of

inf!+# !n& fi*th" )ithin th!t bor&er of &irt !n& hunger" of +iser# !n& &issi%!tion" th!t co+es &o)n on !** si&es

to the )!ter's e&ge of the incorru%tib*e oce!n" !n& is the on*# thing the# (no) of *ife" the on*# thing the# see

of surroun&ing *!n&//those *ife/*ong %risoners of the se!M D#ster#K =ing*eton" )ho h!& s!i*e& to the south)!r&

since the !ge of t)e*,e" )ho in the *!st fort#/fi,e #e!rs h!& *i,e& !s )e h!& c!*cu*!te& fro+ his %!%ers no

+ore th!n fort# +onths !shore//o*& =ing*eton" )ho bo!ste&" )ith the +i*& co+%osure of *ong #e!rs )e**

s%ent" th!t gener!**# fro+ the &!# he )!s %!i& off fro+ one shi% ti** the &!# he shi%%e& in !nother he se*&o+

)!s in ! con&ition to &istinguish &!#*ight//o*& =ing*eton s!t un+o,e& in the c*!sh of ,oices !n& cries" s%e**ing

through Pe*h!+ )ith s*o) *!bour" !n& *ost in !n !bsor%tion %rofoun& enough to rese+b*e ! tr!nce- He

bre!the& regu*!r*#- E,er# ti+e he turne& the boo( in his enor+ous !n& b*!c(ene& h!n&s the +usc*es of his big

)hite !r+s ro**e& s*ight*# un&er the s+ooth s(in- Hi&&en b# the )hite +oust!che" his *i%s" st!ine& )ithtob!cco/juice th!t tric(*e& &o)n the *ong be!r&" +o,e& in in)!r& )his%er- His b*e!re& e#es g!e& fie&*#

fro+ behin& the g*itter of b*!c(/ri++e& g*!sses- O%%osite to hi+" !n& on ! *e,e* )ith his f!ce" the shi%'s c!t

s!t on the b!rre* of the )in&*!ss in the %ose of ! crouching chi+er!" b*in(ing its green e#es !t its o*& frien&- It

see+e& to +e&it!te ! *e!% on to the o*& +!n's *!% o,er the bent b!c( of the or&in!r# se!+!n )ho s!t !t

=ing*eton's feet- .oung Ch!r*e# )!s *e!n !n& *ong/nec(e&- The ri&ge of his b!c(bone +!&e ! ch!in of s+!**

hi**s un&er the o*& shirt- His f!ce of ! street/bo#//! f!ce %recocious" s!g!cious" !n& ironic" )ith &ee%

&o)n)!r& fo*&s on e!ch si&e of the thin" )i&e +outh//hung *o) o,er his bon# (nees- He )!s *e!rning to

+!(e ! *!n#!r& (not )ith ! bit of !n o*& ro%e- =+!** &ro%s of %ers%ir!tion stoo& out on his bu*ging forehe!&

he sniffe& strong*# fro+ ti+e to ti+e" g*!ncing out of the corners of his rest*ess e#es !t the o*& se!+!n" )ho

too( no notice of the %u*e& #oungster +uttering !t his )or(-

The noise incre!se&- 0itt*e e*f!st see+e&" in the he!,# he!t of the forec!st*e" to boi* )ith f!cetious fur#- His

e#es &!nce& in the cri+son of his f!ce" co+ic!* !s ! +!s(" the +outh #!)ne& b*!c(" )ith str!nge gri+!ces-

F!cing hi+" ! h!*f/un&resse& +!n he*& his si&es" !n&" thro)ing his he!& b!c(" *!ughe& )ith )et e#e*!shes-

Others st!re& )ith !+!e& e#es- Den sitting &oub*e& u% in the u%%er bun(s s+o(e& short %i%es" s)inging b!re

bro)n feet !bo,e the he!&s of those )ho" s%r!)*ing be*o) on se!/chests" *istene&" s+i*ing stu%i&*# or

scornfu**#- O,er the )hite ri+s of berths stuc( out he!&s )ith b*in(ing e#es but the bo&ies )ere *ost in the

g*oo+ of those %*!ces" th!t rese+b*e& n!rro) niches for coffins in ! )hite)!she& !n& *ighte& +ortu!r#-

Voices bue& *ou&er- Archie" )ith co+%resse& *i%s" &re) hi+se*f in" see+e& to shrin( into ! s+!**er s%!ce"

!n& se)e& ste!&i*#" in&ustrious !n& &u+b- e*f!st shrie(e& *i(e !n ins%ire& 2er,ish1//--- =o I see to hi+"

bo#s" see I" 'eggin' #er %!r&on" sorr"' see I to th!t secon& +!te of th!t ste!+er//'beggin' #our/r/r %!r&on"

sorr" the o!r& of Tr!&e +ust '!,e been &run( )hen the# gr!nte& #ou #our certific!teK' 'Wh!t &o #ou s!#"


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CHAPTER ONE 7

#ou//////K' see he" co+in' !t +e *i(e ! +!& bu**--- !** in his )hite c*othes !n& I u% )ith +# t!r/%ot !n&

c!%sies it !** o,er his b*!+e& *o,e*# f!ce !n& his *o,e*# j!c(et---- 'T!(e th!tK' see I- 'I !+ ! s!i*or" !n#ho)"

#ou nosing" s(i%%er/*ic(ing" use*ess" soo%erf*oos bri&ge/st!nchion" #ouK Th!t's the (in& of +!n I !+K' shouts

I---- .ou shou*& h!,e see& hi+ s(i%" bo#sK 2ro)ne&" b*in& )ith t!r" he )!sK =o---

2on't 'ee be*ie,e hi+K He ne,er u%set no t!r I )!s thereK shoute& so+ebo- The t)o Nor)egi!ns s!t on !

chest si&e b# si&e" !*i(e !n& %*!ci&" rese+b*ing ! %!ir of *o,e/bir&s on ! %erch" !n& )ith roun& e#es st!re&innocent*# but the Russi!n Finn" in the r!c(et of e%*osi,e shouts !n& ro**ing *!ughter" re+!ine& +otion*ess"

*i+% !n& &u**" *i(e ! &e!f +!n )ithout ! b!c(bone- Ne!r hi+ Archie s+i*e& !t his nee&*e- A bro!&/cheste&"

s*o)/e#e& ne)co+er s%o(e &e*iber!te*# to e*f!st &uring !n eh!uste& *u** in the noise1//I )on&er !n# of the

+!tes here !re !*i,e #et )ith such ! ch!% !s #ou on bo!r&K I conc*oo&e the# !in't th!t b!& no)" if #ou h!& the

t!+ing of the+" sonn#-

Not b!&K Not b!&K scre!+e& e*f!st- If it )!sn't for us stic(ing together---- Not b!&K The# !in't ne,er b!&

)hen the# !in't got ! ch!)nce" b*!st their b*!c( '!rts----

He fo!+e&" )hir*ing his !r+s" then su&&en*# grinne& !n&" t!(ing ! t!b*et of b*!c( tob!cco out of his %oc(et"

bit ! %iece off )ith ! funn# sho) of ferocit#- Another ne) h!n&//! +!n )ith shift# e#es !n& ! #e**o) h!tchet

f!ce" )ho h!& been *istening o%en/+outhe& in the sh!&o) of the +i&shi% *oc(er//obser,e& in ! sLue!(#

,oice1//We**" it's ! 'o+e)!r& tri%" !n#ho)- !& or goo&" I c!n &o it on +# 'e&//s'*ong !s I get 'o+e- An& I c!n

*oo( !fter +# rightsK I )i** sho) 'e+K A** the he!&s turne& to)!r&s hi+- On*# the or&in!r# se!+!n !n& the

c!t too( no notice- He stoo& )ith !r+s !(i+bo" ! *itt*e fe**o) )ith )hite e#e*!shes- He *oo(e& !s if he h!&

(no)n !** the &egr!&!tions !n& !** the furies- He *oo(e& !s if he h!& been cuffe&" (ic(e&" ro**e& in the +u& he

*oo(e& !s if he h!& been scr!tche&" s%!t u%on" %e*te& )ith un+ention!b*e fi*th--- !n& he s+i*e& )ith ! sense of

securit# !t the f!ces !roun&- His e!rs )ere ben&ing &o)n un&er the )eight of his b!ttere& fe*t h!t- The torn

t!i*s of his b*!c( co!t f*!%%e& in fringes !bout the c!*,es of his *egs- He unbuttone& the on*# t)o buttons th!t

re+!ine& !n& e,er# one s!) th!t he h!& no shirt un&er it- It )!s his &eser,e& +isfortune th!t those r!gs )hich

nobo cou*& %ossib*# be su%%ose& to o)n *oo(e& on hi+ !s if the# h!& been sto*en- His nec( )!s *ong !n&

thin his e#e*i&s )ere re& r!re h!irs hung !bout his j!)s his shou*&ers )ere %e!(e& !n& &roo%e& *i(e the

bro(en )ings of ! bir& !** his *eft si&e )!s c!(e& )ith +u& )hich sho)e& th!t he h!& *!te*# s*e%t in ! )et&itch- He h!& s!,e& his inefficient c!rc!ss fro+ ,io*ent &estruction b# running !)!# fro+ !n A+eric!n shi%

)here" in ! +o+ent of forgetfu* fo**#" he h!& &!re& to eng!ge hi+se*f !n& he h!& (noc(e& !bout for !

fortnight !shore in the n!ti,e Lu!rter" c!&ging for &rin(s" st!r,ing" s*ee%ing on rubbish/he!%s" )!n&ering in

sunshine1 ! st!rt*ing ,isitor fro+ ! )or*& of night+!res- He stoo& re%u*si,e !n& s+i*ing in the su&&en si*ence-

This c*e!n )hite forec!st*e )!s his refuge the %*!ce )here he cou*& be *!# )here he cou*& )!**o)" !n& *ie

!n& e!t//!n& curse the foo& he !te )here he cou*& &is%*!# his t!*ents for shir(ing )or(" for che!ting" for

c!&ging )here he cou*& fin& sure*# so+e one to )hee&*e !n& so+e one to bu**#//!n& )here he )ou*& be %!i&

for &oing !** this- The# !** (ne) hi+- Is there ! s%ot on e!rth )here such ! +!n is un(no)n" !n o+inous

sur,i,!* testif#ing to the etern!* fitness of *ies !n& i+%u&enceM A t!citurn *ong/!r+e& she**b!c(" )ith hoo(e&

fingers" )ho h!& been *#ing on his b!c( s+o(ing" turne& in his be& to e!+ine hi+ &is%!ssion!te*#" then" o,er

his he!&" sent ! *ong jet of c*e!r s!*i,! to)!r&s the &oor- The# !** (ne) hi+K He )!s the +!n th!t c!nnotsteer" th!t c!nnot s%*ice" th!t &o&ges the )or( on &!r( nights th!t" !*oft" ho*&s on fr!ntic!**# )ith both !r+s

!n& *egs" !n& s)e!rs !t the )in&" the s*eet" the &!r(ness the +!n )ho curses the se! )hi*e others )or(- The

+!n )ho is the *!st out !n& the first in )hen !** h!n&s !re c!**e&- The +!n )ho c!n't &o +ost things !n& )on't

&o the rest- The %et of %hi*!nthro%ists !n& se*f/see(ing *!n&*ubbers- The s#+%!thetic !n& &eser,ing cre!ture

th!t (no)s !** !bout his rights" but (no)s nothing of cour!ge" of en&ur!nce" !n& of the une%resse& f!ith" of

the uns%o(en *o#!*t# th!t (nits together ! shi%'s co+%!n#- The in&e%en&ent offs%ring of the ignob*e free&o+

of the s*u+s fu** of &is&!in !n& h!te for the !ustere ser,itu&e of the se!-

=o+e one crie& !t hi+1 Wh!t's #our n!+eM//2on(in" he s!i&" *oo(ing roun& )ith cheerfu*

effronter#-//Wh!t !re #ouM !s(e& !nother ,oice-//Wh#" ! s!i*or *i(e #ou" o*& +!n" he re%*ie&" in ! tone th!t

+e!nt to be he!rt# but )!s i+%u&ent-//*!++e if #ou &on't *oo( ! b*!+e& sight )orse th!n ! bro(en/&o)n


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CHAPTER ONE 8

fire+!n" )!s the co++ent in ! con,ince& +utter- Ch!r*e# *ifte& his he!& !n& %i%e& in ! chee(# ,oice1 He is

! +!n !n& ! s!i*or//then )i%ing his nose )ith the b!c( of his h!n& bent &o)n in&ustrious*# o,er his bit of

ro%e- A fe) *!ughe&- Others st!re& &oubtfu**#- The r!gge& ne)co+er )!s in&ign!nt//Th!t's ! fine )!# to

)e*co+e ! ch!% into ! fo'c's*e" he sn!r*e&- Are #ou +en or ! *ot of '!rt*ess c!nn#/b!*sM//2on't t!(e #our

shirt off for ! )or&" shi%+!te" c!**e& out e*f!st" ju+%ing u% in front" fier#" +en!cing" !n& frien&*# !t the

s!+e ti+e-//Is th!t 'ere b*o(e b*in&M !s(e& the in&o+it!b*e sc!recro)" *oo(ing right !n& *eft )ith !ffecte&

sur%rise- C!n't 'ee see I '!,en't got no shirtM

He he*& both his !r+s out cross)ise !n& shoo( the r!gs th!t hung o,er his bones )ith &r!+!tic effect-

'Cos )h#M he continue& ,er# *ou&- The b*oo .!n(ees been tr#in' to ju+% +# guts out 'cos I stoo& u% for

+# rights *i(e ! goo& 'un- I !+ !n Eng*ish+!n" I !+- The# set u%on +e !n' I '!& to run- Th!t's )h#- A'n't #er

ne,er see& ! +!n '!r& u%M .!hK Wh!t (in& of b*!+e& shi% is thisM I'+ &e!& bro(e- I '!,en't got nothin(- No

b!g" no be&" no b*!n(et" no shirt//not ! b*oo+in' r!g but )h!t I st!n& in- ut I '!& the '!rt to st!n& u% !gin'

the+ .!n(ees- 'As !n# of #ou '!rt enough to s%!re ! %!ir of o*& %!nts for ! chu+M

He (ne) ho) to conLuer the n!,e instincts of th!t cro)&- In ! +o+ent the# g!,e hi+ their co+%!ssion"

jocu*!r*#" conte+%tuous*#" or sur*i*# !n& !t first it too( the sh!%e of ! b*!n(et thro)n !t hi+ !s he stoo& there

)ith the )hite s(in of his *i+bs sho)ing his hu+!n (inshi% through the b*!c( f!nt!s# of his r!gs- Then ! %!ir

of o*& shoes fe** !t his +u& feet- With ! cr#1//Fro+ un&er" ! ro**e&/u% %!ir of c!n,!s trousers" he!,# )ith

t!r st!ins" struc( hi+ on the shou*&er- The gust of their bene,o*ence sent ! )!,e of senti+ent!* %it# through

their &oubting he!rts- The# )ere touche& b# their o)n re!&iness to !**e,i!te ! shi%+!te's +iser#- Voices

crie&1//We )i** fit #ou out" o*& +!n- Dur+urs1 Ne,er see& seech ! h!r& c!se---- Poor begg!r---- I',e got !n

o*& sing*et---- Wi** th!t be of !n# use to #ouM--- T!(e it" +!te#---- Those frien&*# +ur+urs fi**e& the forec!st*e-

He %!)e& !roun& )ith his n!(e& foot" g!thering the things in ! he!% !n& *oo(e& !bout for +ore- Une+otion!*

Archie %erfunctori*# contribute& to the %i*e !n o*& c*oth c!% )ith the %e!( torn off- O*& =ing*eton" *ost in the

serene regions of fiction" re!& on unhee&ing- Ch!r*e#" %iti*ess )ith the )is&o+ of #outh" sLue!(e&1//If #ou

)!nt br!ss buttons for #our ne) un#for+s I',e got t)o for #ou- The fi*th# object of uni,ers!* ch!rit# shoo(

his fist !t the #oungster-//I'** +!(e #ou (ee% this 'ere fo'c's*e c*e!n" #oung fe**er" he sn!r*e& ,icious*#-

Ne,er #ou fe!r- I )i** *e!rn #ou to be ci,i* to !n !b*e se!+!n" #ou igner!nt !ss- He g*!re& h!r+fu**#" buts!) =ing*eton shut his boo(" !n& his *itt*e be! e#es beg!n to ro!+ fro+ berth to berth-//T!(e th!t bun( b#

the &oor there//it's %rett# f!ir" suggeste& e*f!st- =o !&,ise&" he g!there& the gifts !t his feet" %resse& the+ in

! bun&*e !g!inst his bre!st" then *oo(e& c!utious*# !t the Russi!n Finn" )ho stoo& on one si&e )ith !n

unconscious g!e" conte+%*!ting" %erh!%s" one of those )eir& ,isions th!t h!unt the +en of his r!ce-//Get out

of +# ro!&" 2utch#" s!i& the ,icti+ of .!n(ee brut!*it#- The Finn &i& not +o,e//&i& not he!r- Get out" b*!st

#e" shoute& the other" sho,ing hi+ !si&e )ith his e*bo)- Get out" #ou b*!n(e& &e!f !n& &u+b foo*- Get out-

The +!n st!ggere&" reco,ere& hi+se*f" !n& g!e& !t the s%e!(er in si*ence-//Those &!+ne& furriners shou*&

be (e%t un&er" o%ine& the !+i!b*e 2on(in to the forec!st*e- If #ou &on't te!ch 'e+ their %*!ce the# %ut on

#ou *i(e !n#thin(- He f*ung !** his )or*&*# %ossessions into the e+%t# be&/%*!ce" g!uge& )ith !nother

shre)& *oo( the ris(s of the %rocee&ing" then *e!%e& u% to the Finn" )ho stoo& %ensi,e !n& &u**-//I'** te!ch

#ou to s)e** !roun&" he #e**e&- I'** %*ug #our e#es for #ou" #ou b*oo+ing sLu!re/he!&- Dost of the +en)ere no) in their bun(s !n& the t)o h!& the forec!st*e c*e!r to the+se*,es- The &e,e*o%+ent of the &estitute

2on(in !rouse& interest- He &!nce& !** in t!tters before the !+!e& Finn" sLu!ring fro+ ! &ist!nce !t the

he!,#" un+o,e& f!ce- One or t)o +en crie& encour!ging*#1 Go it" Whitech!%e*K sett*ing the+se*,es

*uurious*# in their be&s to sur,e# the fight- Others shoute&1 =hut #er ro)K--- Go !n' %ut #er 'e& in ! b!gK---

The hubbub )!s reco++encing- =u&&en*# +!n# he!,# b*o)s struc( )ith ! h!n&s%i(e on the &ec( !bo,e

boo+e& *i(e &isch!rges of s+!** c!nnon through the forec!st*e- Then the bo!ts)!in's ,oice rose outsi&e the

&oor )ith !n !uthorit!ti,e note in its &r!)*1//2'#e he!r" be*o) thereM 0!# !ftK 0!# !ft to +uster !** h!n&sK

There )!s ! +o+ent of sur%rise& sti**ness- Then the forec!st*e f*oor &is!%%e!re& un&er +en )hose b!re feet

f*o%%e& on the %*!n(s !s the# s%r!ng c*e!r out of their berths- C!%s )ere roote& for !+ongst tu+b*e& b*!n(ets-

=o+e" #!)ning" buttone& )!istb!n&s- H!*f/s+o(e& %i%es )ere (noc(e& hurrie&*# !g!inst )oo&)or( !n&


9/69

CHAPTER ONE

stuffe& un&er %i**o)s- Voices gro)*e&1//Wh!t's u%M--- Is there no rest for usM 2on(in #e*%e&1//If th!t's the

)!# of this shi%" )e'** '!,e to ch!nge !** th!t---- .ou *e!,e +e !*one---- I )i** soon---- None of the cro)&

notice& hi+- The# )ere *urching in t)os !n& threes through the &oors" !fter the +!nner of +erch!nt $!c(s

)ho c!nnot go out of ! &oor f!ir*#" *i(e +ere *!n&s+en- The ,ot!r# of ch!nge fo**o)e& the+- =ing*eton"

strugg*ing into his j!c(et" c!+e *!st" t!** !n& f!ther*#" be!ring high his he!& of ! )e!ther/be!ten s!ge on the

bo of !n o*& !th*ete- On*# Ch!r*e# re+!ine& !*one in the )hite g*!re of the e+%t# %*!ce" sitting bet)een the

t)o ro)s of iron *in(s th!t stretche& into the n!rro) g*oo+ for)!r&- He %u**e& h!r& !t the str!n&s in ! hurrie&en&e!,our to finish his (not- =u&&en*# he st!rte& u%" f*ung the ro%e !t the c!t" !n& s(i%%e& !fter the b*!c( to+

)hich )ent off *e!%ing se&!te*# o,er ch!in co+%ressors" )ith its t!i* c!rrie& stiff !n& u%right" *i(e ! s+!** f*!g

%o*e-

Outsi&e the g*!re of the ste!+ing forec!st*e the serene %urit# of the night en,e*o%e& the se!+en )ith its

soothing bre!th" )ith its te%i& bre!th f*o)ing un&er the st!rs th!t hung count*ess !bo,e the +!sthe!&s in ! thin

c*ou& of *u+inous &ust- On the to)n si&e the b*!c(ness of the )!ter )!s stre!(e& )ith tr!i*s of *ight )hich

un&u*!te& gent*# on s*ight ri%%*es" si+i*!r to fi*!+ents th!t f*o!t roote& to the shore- Ro)s of other *ights

stoo& !)!# in str!ight *ines !s if &r!)n u% on %!r!&e bet)een to)ering bui*&ings but on the other si&e of the

h!rbour so+bre hi**s !rche& high their b*!c( s%ines" on )hich" here !n& there" the %oint of ! st!r rese+b*e& !

s%!r( f!**en fro+ the s(#- F!r off" #cu**! )!#" the e*ectric *!+%s !t the &oc( g!tes shone on the en& of *oft#

st!n&!r&s )ith ! g*o) b*in&ing !n& frigi& *i(e c!%ti,e ghosts of so+e e,i* +oons- =c!ttere& !** o,er the &!r(

%o*ish of the ro!&ste!&" the shi%s !t !nchor f*o!te& in %erfect sti**ness un&er the feeb*e g*e!+ of their

ri&ing/*ights" *oo+ing u%" o%!Lue !n& bu*(#" *i(e str!nge !n& +onu+ent!* structures !b!n&one& b# +en to !n

e,er*!sting re%ose-

efore the c!bin &oor Dr- !(er )!s +ustering the cre)- As the# stu+b*e& !n& *urche& !*ong %!st the

+!in+!st" the# cou*& see !ft his roun&" bro!& f!ce )ith ! )hite %!%er before it" !n& besi&e his shou*&er the

s*ee%# he!&" )rith &ro%%e& e#e*i&s" of the bo#" )ho he*&" sus%en&e& !t the en& of his r!ise& !r+" the *u+inous

g*obe of ! *!+%- E,en before the shuff*e of n!(e& so*es h!& ce!se& !*ong the &ec(s" the +!te beg!n to c!**

o,er the n!+es- He c!**e& &istinct*# in ! serious tone befitting this ro**/c!** to unLuiet *one*iness" to ing*orious

!n& obscure strugg*e" or to the +ore tr#ing en&ur!nce of s+!** %ri,!tions !n& )e!riso+e &uties- As the chief

+!te re!& out ! n!+e" one of the +en )ou*& !ns)er1 .es" sirK or HereK !n&" &et!ching hi+se*f fro+ thesh!&o)# +ob of he!&s ,isib*e !bo,e the b*!c(ness of st!rbo!r& bu*)!r(s" )ou*& ste% b!re/foote& into the

circ*e of *ight" !n& in t)o noise*ess stri&es %!ss into the sh!&o)s on the %ort si&e of the Lu!rter&ec(- The#

!ns)ere& in &i,ers tones1 in thic( +utters" in c*e!r" ringing ,oices !n& so+e" !s if the )ho*e thing h!& been

!n outr!ge on their fee*ings" use& !n injure& inton!tion1 for &isci%*ine is not cere+onious in +erch!nt shi%s"

)here the sense of hier!rch# is )e!(" !n& )here !** fee* the+se*,es eLu!* before the unconcerne& i++ensit#

of the se! !n& the e!cting !%%e!* of the )or(- Dr- !(er re!& on

ste!&i*#1//H!nsen//C!+%be**//=+ith//W!+ibo- No)" then" W!+ibo- Wh# &on't #ou !ns)erM A*)!#s got to

c!** #our n!+e t)ice- The Finn e+itte& !t *!st !n uncouth grunt" !n&" ste%%ing out" %!sse& through the %!tch

of *ight" )eir& !n& g!u" )ith the f!ce of ! +!n +!rching through ! &re!+- The +!te )ent on

f!ster1//Cr!i(//=ing*eton//2on(in---- O 0or&K he in,o*unt!ri*# ej!cu*!te& !s the incre&ib*# &i*!%i&!te& figure

!%%e!re& in the *ight- It sto%%e& it unco,ere& %!*e gu+s !n& *ong" u%%er teeth in ! +!*e,o*ent grin-//Is there!n#/thin( )rong )ith +e" Dister D!teM it !s(e&" )ith ! f*!,our of inso*ence in the force& si+%*icit# of its

tone- On both si&es of the &ec( sub&ue& titters )ere he!r&-//Th!t'** &o- Go o,er" gro)*e& Dr- !(er" fiing

the ne) h!n& )ith ste! b*ue e#es- An& 2on(in ,!nishe& su&&en*# out of the *ight into the &!r( grou% of

+ustere& +en" to be s*!%%e& on the b!c( !n& to he!r f*!ttering )his%ers1//He !in't !fe!r&" he'** gi,e s%ort to

'e+" see if he &on't---- Reg'*!r Punch !n& $u sho)---- 2i& #e see the +!te st!rt !t hi+M--- We**K 2!++e" if I

e,erK--- The *!st +!n h!& gone o,er" !n& there )!s ! +o+ent of si*ence )hi*e the +!te %eere& !t his

*ist-//=iteen" se,enteen" he +uttere&- I !+ one h!n& short" bo'sen" he s!i& !*ou&- The big

)est/countr#+!n !t his e*bo)" s)!rth# !n& be!r&e& *i(e ! gig!ntic =%!ni!r&" s!i& in ! ru+b*ing

b!ss1//There's no one *eft for)!r&" sir- I h!& ! *oo( roun&- He !in't !bo!r&" but he +!#" turn u% before

&!#*ight-//A#- He +!# or he +!# not" co++ente& the +!te" c!n't +!(e out th!t *!st n!+e- It's !** !

s+u&ge---- Th!t )i** &o" +en- Go be*o)-


10/69

CHAPTER ONE 1!

The &istinct !n& +otion*ess grou% stirre&" bro(e u%" beg!n to +o,e for)!r&-

W!itK crie& ! &ee%" ringing ,oice-

A** stoo& sti**- Dr- !(er" )ho h!& turne& !)!# #!)ning" s%un roun& o%en/+outhe&- At *!st" furious" he

b*urte& out1//Wh!t's thisM Who s!i& 'W!it'M Wh!t----

ut he s!) ! t!** figure st!n&ing on the r!i*- It c!+e &o)n !n& %ushe& through the cro)&" +!rching )ith !

he!,# tre!& to)!r&s the *ight on the Lu!rter&ec(- Then !g!in the sonorous ,oice s!i& )ith insistence1//W!itK

The *!+%*ight *it u% the +!n's bo- He )!s t!**- His he!& )!s !)!# u% in the sh!&o)s of *ifebo!ts th!t stoo&

on s(i&s !bo,e the &ec(- The )hites of his e#es !n& his teeth g*e!+e& &istinct*#" but the f!ce )!s

in&istinguish!b*e- His h!n&s )ere big !n& see+e& g*o,e&-

Dr- !(er !&,!nce& intre%i&*#- Who !re #ouM Ho) &!re #ou--- he beg!n-

The bo#" !+!e& *i(e the rest" r!ise& the *ight to the +!n's f!ce- It )!s b*!c(- A sur%rise& hu+//! f!int hu+

th!t soun&e& *i(e the su%%resse& +utter of the )or& Nigger//r!n !*ong the &ec( !n& esc!%e& out into the

night- The nigger see+e& not to he!r- He b!*!nce& hi+se*f )here he stoo& in ! s)!gger th!t +!r(e& ti+e-

After ! +o+ent he s!i& c!*+*#1//D# n!+e is W!it//$!+es W!it-

OhK s!i& Dr- !(er- Then" !fter ! fe) secon&s of s+ou*&ering si*ence" his te+%er b*!e& out- AhK .our

n!+e is W!it- Wh!t of th!tM Wh!t &o #ou )!ntM Wh!t &o #ou +e!n" co+ing shouting hereM

The nigger )!s c!*+" coo*" to)ering" su%erb- The +en h!& !%%ro!che& !n& stoo& behin& hi+ in ! bo- He

o,erto%%e& the t!**est b# h!*f ! he!&- He s!i&1 I be*ong to the shi%- He enunci!te& &istinct*#" )ith soft

%recision- The &ee%" ro**ing tones of his ,oice fi**e& the &ec( )ithout effort- He )!s n!tur!**# scornfu*"

un!ffecte&*# con&escen&ing" !s if fro+ his height of si foot three he h!& sur,e#e& !** the ,!stness of hu+!n

fo**# !n& h!& +!&e u% his +in& not to be too h!r& on it- He )ent on1//The c!%t!in shi%%e& +e this +orning- I

cou*&n't get !bo!r& sooner- I s!) #ou !** !ft !s I c!+e u% the *!&&er" !n& cou*& see &irect*# #ou )ere

+ustering the cre)- N!tur!**# I c!**e& out +# n!+e- I thought #ou h!& it on #our *ist" !n& )ou*& un&erst!n&-.ou +is!%%rehen&e&- He sto%%e& short- The fo**# !roun& hi+ )!s confoun&e&- He )!s right !s e,er" !n& !s

e,er re! to forgi,e- The &is&!infu* tones h!& ce!se&" !n&" bre!thing he!,i*#" he stoo& sti**" surroun&e& b# !**

these )hite +en- He he*& his he!& u% in the g*!re of the *!+%//! he!& ,igorous*# +o&e**e& into &ee% sh!&o)s

!n& shining *ights//! he!& %o)erfu* !n& +issh!%en )ith ! tor+ente& !n& f*!ttene& f!ce//! f!ce %!thetic !n&

brut!*1 the tr!gic" the +#sterious" the re%u*si,e +!s( of ! nigger's sou*-

Dr- !(er" reco,ering his co+%osure" *oo(e& !t the %!%er c*ose- Oh" #es th!t's so- A** right" W!it- T!(e #our

ge!r for)!r&" he s!i&-

=u&&en*# the nigger's e#es ro**e& )i*&*#" bec!+e !** )hites- He %ut his h!n& to his si&e !n& coughe& t)ice" !

cough +et!**ic" ho**o)" !n& tre+en&ous*# *ou& it resoun&e& *i(e t)o e%*osions in ! ,!u*t the &o+e of thes(# r!ng to it" !n& the iron %*!tes of the shi%'s bu*)!r(s see+e& to ,ibr!te in unison" then he +!rche& off

for)!r& )ith the others- The officers *ingering b# the c!bin &oor cou*& he!r hi+ s!#1 Won't so+e of #ou

ch!%s *en& ! h!n& )ith +# &unn!geM I',e got ! chest !n& ! b!g- The )or&s" s%o(en sonorous*#" )ith !n e,en

inton!tion" )ere he!r& !** o,er the shi%" !n& the Luestion )!s %ut in ! +!nner th!t +!&e refus!* i+%ossib*e-

The short" Luic( shuff*e of +en c!rr#ing so+ething he!,# )ent !)!# for)!r&" but the t!** figure of the nigger

*ingere& b# the +!in h!tch in ! (not of s+!**er sh!%es- Ag!in he )!s he!r& !s(ing1 Is #our coo( ! co*oure&

gent*e+!nM Then ! &is!%%ointe& !n& &is!%%ro,ing AhK h'+K )!s his co++ent u%on the infor+!tion th!t

the coo( h!%%ene& to be ! +ere )hite +!n- .et" !s the# )ent !** together to)!r&s the forec!st*e" he

con&escen&e& to %ut his he!& through the g!**e# &oor !n& boo+ out insi&e ! +!gnificent Goo& e,ening"

&octorK th!t +!&e !** the s!uce%!ns ring- In the &i+ *ight the coo( &oe& on the co!* *oc(er in front of the

c!%t!in's su%%er- He ju+%e& u% !s if he h!& been cut )ith ! )hi%" !n& &!she& )i*&*# on &ec( to see the b!c(s


11/69

CHAPTER ONE 11

of se,er!* +en going !)!# *!ughing- After)!r&s" )hen t!*(ing !bout th!t ,o#!ge" he use& to s!#1//The %oor

fe**o) h!& sc!re& +e- I thought I h!& seen the &e,i*- The coo( h!& been se,en #e!rs in the shi% )ith the

s!+e c!%t!in- He )!s ! serious/+in&e& +!n )ith ! )ife !n& three chi*&ren" )hose societ# he enjo#e& on !n

!,er!ge one +onth out of t)e*,e- When on shore he too( his f!+i*# to church t)ice e,er# =un&!#- At se! he

)ent to s*ee% e,er# e,ening )ith his *!+% turne& u% fu**" ! %i%e in his +outh" !n& !n o%en ib*e in his h!n&-

=o+e one h!& !*)!#s to go &uring the night to %ut out the *ight" t!(e the boo( fro+ his h!n&" !n& the %i%e

fro+ bet)een his teeth- For//e*f!st use& to s!#" irrit!te& !n& co+%*!ining//so+e night" #ou stu%i& coo(ie"#ou'** s)!**o) #our ou*& c*!#" !n& )e )i** h!,e no coo(-//AhK sonn#" I !+ re! for +# D!(er's c!**--- )ish

#ou !** )ere" the other )ou*& !ns)er )ith ! benign serenit# th!t )!s !*together i+beci*e !n& touching-

e*f!st outsi&e the g!**e# &oor &!nce& )ith ,e!tion- .ou ho*# foo*K I &on't )!nt #ou to &ie" he ho)*e&"

*oo(ing u% )ith furious" Lui,ering f!ce !n& ten&er e#es- Wh!t's the hurr#M .ou b*esse& )oo&en/he!&e& ou*&

heretic" the &i,,*e )i** h!,e #ou soon enough- Thin( of Us--- of Us--- of UsK An& he )ou*& go !)!#"

st!+%ing" s%itting !si&e" &isguste& !n& )orrie& )hi*e the other" ste%%ing out" s!uce%!n in h!n&" hot" begri+e&

!n& %*!ci&" )!tche& )ith ! su%erior" coc(/sure s+i*e the b!c( of his Lueer *itt*e +!n ree*ing in ! r!ge- The#

)ere gre!t frien&s-

Dr- !(er" *ounging o,er the !fter/h!tch" sniffe& the hu+i& night in the co+%!n# of the secon& +!te-//Those

West In&i! niggers run fine !n& *!rge//so+e of the+--- OughK--- 2on't the#M A fine" big +!n th!t" Dr-

Creighton- Fee* hi+ on ! ro%e- He#M OughK I )i** t!(e hi+ into +# )!tch" I thin(- The secon& +!te" ! f!ir"

gent*e+!n*# #oung fe**o)" )ith ! reso*ute f!ce !n& ! s%*en&i& %h#siLue" obser,e& Luiet*# th!t it )!s just

!bout )h!t he e%ecte&- There cou*& be fe*t in his tone so+e s*ight bitterness )hich Dr- !(er ,er# (in&*# set

hi+se*f to !rgue !)!#- Co+e" co+e" #oung +!n" he s!i&" grunting bet)een the )or&s- Co+eK 2on't be too

gree- .ou h!& th!t big Finn in #our )!tch !** the ,o#!ge- I )i** &o )h!t's f!ir- .ou +!# h!,e those t)o

#oung =c!n&in!,i!ns !n& I--- OughK--- I get the nigger" !n& )i** t!(e th!t---- OughK th!t chee(# coster+onger

ch!% in ! b*!c( froc(/co!t- I'** +!(e hi+---- OughK--- +!(e hi+ toe the +!r(" or +#---- OughK---- n!+e isn't

!(er- OughK OughK OughK

He grunte& thrice//ferocious*#- He h!& th!t tric( of grunting so bet)een his )or&s !n& !t the en& of sentences-

It )!s ! fine" effecti,e grunt th!t )ent )e** )ith his +en!cing utter!nce" )ith his he!,#" bu**/nec(e& fr!+e"

his jer(#" ro**ing g!it )ith his big" se!+e& f!ce" his ste! e#es" !n& s!r&onic +outh- ut its effect h!& been*ong !go &iscounte& b# the +en- The# *i(e& hi+ e*f!st//)ho )!s ! f!,ourite" !n& (ne) it//+i+ic(e& hi+"

not Luite behin& his b!c(- Ch!r*e#//but )ith gre!ter c!ution//i+it!te& his ro**ing g!it- =o+e of his s!#ings

bec!+e est!b*ishe&" &!i*# Luot!tions in the forec!st*e- Po%u*!rit# c!n go no f!rtherK esi&es" !** h!n&s )ere

re! to !&+it th!t on ! fitting occ!sion the +!te cou*& ju+% &o)n ! fe**o)'s thro!t in ! reg'*!r Western

Oce!n st#*e-

No) he )!s gi,ing his *!st or&ers- OughK .ou" no)*esK C!** !** h!n&s !t four- I )!nt--- OughK--- to he!,e

short before the tug co+es- 0oo( out for the c!%t!in- I !+ going to *ie &o)n in +# c*othes---- OughK--- C!** +e

)hen #ou see the bo!t co+ing- OughK OughK- The o*& +!n is sure to h!,e so+ething to s!# )hen he gets

!bo!r&" he re+!r(e& to Creighton- We**" goo&/night---- OughK A *ong &!# before us to/+orro)---- OughK---

etter turn in no)- OughK OughK

U%on the &!r( &ec( ! b!n& of *ight f*!she&" then ! &oor s*!++e&" !n& Dr- !(er )!s gone into his ne!t c!bin-

.oung Creighton stoo& *e!ning o,er the r!i*" !n& *oo(e& &re!+i*# into the night of the E!st- An& he s!) in it !

*ong countr# *!ne" ! *!ne of )!,ing *e!,es !n& &!ncing sunshine- He s!) stirring boughs of o*& trees

outs%re!&" !n& fr!+ing in their !rch the ten&er" the c!ressing b*ueness of !n Eng*ish s(#- An& through the !rch

! gir* in ! *ight &ress" s+i*ing un&er ! sunsh!&e" see+e& to be ste%%ing out of the ten&er s(#-

At the other en& of the shi% the forec!st*e" )ith on*# one *!+% burning no)" )!s going to s*ee% in ! &i+

e+%tiness tr!,erse& b# *ou& bre!things" b# su&&en short sighs- The &oub*e ro) of berths #!)ne& b*!c(" *i(e

gr!,es ten!nte& b# une!s# cor%ses- Here !n& there ! curt!in of g!u chint" h!*f &r!)n" +!r(e& the

resting/%*!ce of ! s#b!rite- A *eg hung o,er the e&ge ,er# )hite !n& *ife*ess- An !r+ stuc( str!ight out )ith !


12/69

CHAPTER ONE 12

&!r( %!*+ turne& u%" !n& thic( fingers h!*f c*ose&- T)o *ight snores" th!t &i& not s#nchronise" Lu!rre**e& in

funn# &i!*ogue- =ing*eton stri%%e& !g!in//the o*& +!n suffere& +uch fro+ %ric(*# he!t//stoo& coo*ing his

b!c( in the &oor)!#" )ith his !r+s crosse& on his b!re !n& !&orne& chest- His he!& touche& the be!+ of the

&ec( !bo,e- The nigger" h!*f un&resse&" )!s bus# c!sting !&rift the *!shing of his bo" !n& s%re!&ing his

be&&ing in !n u%%er berth- He +o,e& !bout in his soc(s" t!** !n& noise*ess" )ith ! %!ir of br!ces be!ting !bout

his c!*,es- A+ongst the sh!&o)s of st!nchions !n& bo)s%rit" 2on(in +unche& ! %iece of h!r& shi%'s bre!&"

sitting on the &ec( )ith u%turne& feet !n& rest*ess e#es he he*& the biscuit u% before his +outh in the )ho*efist !n& sn!%%e& his j!)s !t it )ith ! r!ging f!ce- Cru+bs fe** bet)een his outs%re!& *egs- Then he got u%-

Where's our )!ter/c!s(M he !s(e& in ! cont!ine& ,oice-

=ing*eton" )ithout ! )or&" %ointe& )ith ! big h!n& th!t he*& ! short s+ou*&ering %i%e- 2on(in bent o,er the

c!s(" &r!n( out of the tin" s%*!shing the )!ter" turne& roun& !n& notice& the nigger *oo(ing !t hi+ o,er the

shou*&er )ith c!*+ *oftiness- He +o,e& u% si&e)!#s-

There's ! b*oo+ing su%%er for ! +!n" he )his%ere& bitter*#- D# &org !t 'o+e )ou*&n't '!,e it- It's fit enouf

for #ou !n' +e- 'Ere's ! big shi%'s fo'c's*eK--- Not ! b*oo+ing scr!% of +e!t in the (i&s- I',e *oo(e& in !** the

*oc(ers----

The nigger st!re& *i(e ! +!n !&&resse& une%ecte&*# in ! foreign *!ngu!ge- 2on(in ch!nge& his tone1//Gi,'

us ! bit of 'b!cc#" +!te" he bre!the& out confi&enti!**#" I '!,en't '!& s+o(e or che) for the *!st +onth- I !+

r!+%in' +!& for it- Co+e on" o*& +!nK

2on't be f!+i*i!r" s!i& the nigger- 2on(in st!rte& !n& s!t &o)n on ! chest ne!r b#" out of sheer sur%rise-

We h!,en't (e%t %igs together" continue& $!+es W!it in ! &ee% un&ertone- Here's #our tob!cco- Then"

!fter ! %!use" he inLuire&1//Wh!t shi%M//Golden State" +uttere& 2on(in in&istinct*#" biting the tob!cco-

The nigger )hist*e& *o)-//R!nM he s!i& curt*#- 2on(in no&&e&1 one of his chee(s bu*ge& out- In course I

r!n" he +u+b*e&- The# boote& the *ife hout of one 2!go ch!% on the %!ss!ge 'ere" then st!rte& on +e- I

c*e!re& hout 'ere-// 0eft #our &unn!ge behin&M//.es" &unn!ge !n& +one#" !ns)ere& 2on(in" r!ising his

,oice ! *itt*e I got nothin(- No c*othes" no be&- A b!n/*egge& *itt*e Hirish ch!% 'ere '!s gi,e +e ! b*!n(et-Thin( I'** go !n' s*ee% in the fore to%+!st st!#s!i* to/night-

He )ent on &ec( tr!i*ing behin& his b!c( ! corner of the b*!n(et- =ing*eton" )ithout ! g*!nce" +o,e& s*ight*#

!si&e to *et hi+ %!ss- The nigger %ut !)!# his shore togs !n& s!t in c*e!n )or(ing c*othes on his bo" one !r+

stretche& o,er his (nees- After st!ring !t =ing*eton for so+e ti+e he !s(e& )ithout e+%h!sis1//Wh!t (in& of

shi% is thisM Prett# f!irM EhM

=ing*eton &i&n't stir- A *ong )hi*e !fter he s!i&" )ith un+o,e& f!ce1//=hi%K--- =hi%s !re !** right- It is the +en

in the+K

He )ent on s+o(ing in the %rofoun& si*ence- The )is&o+ of h!*f ! centur# s%ent in *istening to the thun&er ofthe )!,es h!& s%o(en unconscious*# through his o*& *i%s- The c!t %urre& on the )in&*!ss- Then $!+es W!it

h!& ! fit of ro!ring" r!tt*ing cough" th!t shoo( hi+" tosse& hi+ *i(e ! hurric!ne" !n& f*ung hi+ %!nting )ith

st!ring e#es he!&*ong on his se!/chest- =e,er!* +en )o(e u%- One s!i& s*ee%i*# out of his bun(1 '=truthK )h!t

! b*!+e& ro)K//I h!,e ! co*& on +# chest" g!s%e& W!it-//Co*&K #ou c!** it" gru+b*e& the +!n shou*&

thin( 't)!s so+ething +ore----//OhK #ou thin( so" s!i& the nigger u%right !n& *ofti*# scornfu* !g!in- He

c*i+be& into his berth !n& beg!n coughing %ersistent*# )hi*e he %ut his he!& out to g*!re !** roun& the

forec!st*e- There )!s no further %rotest- He fe** b!c( on the %i**o)" !n& cou*& be he!r& there )heeing

regu*!r*# *i(e ! +!n o%%resse& in his s*ee%-

=ing*eton stoo& !t the &oor )ith his f!ce to the *ight !n& his b!c( to the &!r(ness- An& !*one in the &i+

e+%tiness of the s*ee%ing forec!st*e he !%%e!re& bigger" co*oss!*" ,er# o*& o*& !s F!ther Ti+e hi+se*f" )ho


13/69

CHAPTER T"O 13

shou*& h!,e co+e there into this %*!ce !s Luiet !s ! se%u*chre to conte+%*!te )ith %!tient e#es the short

,ictor# of s*ee%" the conso*er- .et he )!s on*# ! chi*& of ti+e" ! *one*# re*ic of ! &e,oure& !n& forgotten

gener!tion- He stoo&" sti** strong" !s e,er unthin(ing ! re! +!n )ith ! ,!st e+%t# %!st !n& )ith no future"

)ith his chi*&*i(e i+%u*ses !n& his +!n's %!ssions !*re! &e!& )ithin his t!ttooe& bre!st- The +en )ho cou*&

un&erst!n& his si*ence )ere gone//those +en )ho (ne) ho) to eist be#on& the %!*e of *ife !n& )ithin sight

of eternit#- The# h!& been strong" !s those !re strong )ho (no) neither &oubts nor ho%es- The# h!& been

i+%!tient !n& en&uring" turbu*ent !n& &e,ote&" unru*# !n& f!ithfu*- We**/+e!ning %eo%*e h!& trie& tore%resent those +en !s )hining o,er e,er# +outhfu* of their foo& !s going !bout their )or( in fe!r of their

*i,es- ut in truth the# h!& been +en )ho (ne) toi*" %ri,!tion" ,io*ence" &eb!ucher#//but (ne) not fe!r" !n&

h!& no &esire of s%ite in their he!rts- Den h!r& to +!n!ge" but e!s# to ins%ire ,oice*ess +en//but +en enough

to scorn in their he!rts the senti+ent!* ,oices th!t be)!i*e& the h!r&ness of their f!te- It )!s ! f!te uniLue !n&

their o)n the c!%!cit# to be!r it !%%e!re& to the+ the %ri,i*ege of the chosenK Their gener!tion *i,e&

in!rticu*!te !n&" in&is%ens!b*e" )ithout (no)ing the s)eetness of !ffections or the refuge of ! ho+e//!n& &ie&

free fro+ the &!r( +en!ce of ! n!rro) gr!,e- The# )ere the e,er*!sting chi*&ren of the +#sterious se!- Their

successors !re the gro)n/u% chi*&ren of ! &iscontente& e!rth- The# !re *ess n!ught#" but *ess innocent *ess

%rof!ne" but %erh!%s !*so *ess be*ie,ing !n& if the# h!,e *e!rne& ho) to s%e!( the# h!,e !*so *e!rne& ho) to

)hine- ut the others )ere strong !n& +ute the# )ere eff!ce&" bo)e& !n& en&uring" *i(e stone c!r#!ti&es th!t

ho*& u% in the night the *ighte& h!**s of ! res%*en&ent !n& g*orious e&ifice- The# !re gone no)//!n& it &oes not

+!tter- The se! !n& the e!rth !re unf!ithfu* to their chi*&ren1 ! truth" ! f!ith" ! gener!tion of +en goes//!n& is

forgotten" !n& it &oes not +!tterK Ece%t" %erh!%s" to the fe) of those )ho be*ie,e& the truth" confesse& the

f!ith//or *o,e& the +en-

A breee )!s co+ing- The shi% th!t h!& been *#ing ti&e/ro&e s)ung to ! he!,ier %uff !n& su&&en*# the s*!c(

of the ch!in c!b*e bet)een the )in&*!ss !n& the h!)se/%i%e c*in(e&" s*i%%e& for)!r& !n inch" !n& rose gent*#

off the &ec( )ith ! st!rt*ing suggestion !s of unsus%ecte& *ife th!t h!& been *ur(ing ste!*thi*# in the iron- In the

h!)se/%i%e the grin&ing *in(s sent through the shi% ! soun& *i(e ! *o) gro!n of ! +!n sighing un&er ! bur&en-

The str!in c!+e on the )in&*!ss" the ch!in t!utene& *i(e ! string" ,ibr!te&//!n& the h!n&*e of the scre)/br!(e

+o,e& in s*ight jer(s- =ing*eton ste%%e& for)!r&-

Ti** then he h!& been st!n&ing +e&it!ti,e !n& unthin(ing" re%osefu* !n& ho%e*ess" )ith ! f!ce gri+ !n&b*!n(//! sit#/#e!r/o*& chi*& of the +#sterious se!- The thoughts of !** his *ifeti+e cou*& h!,e been e%resse&

in si )or&s" but the stir of those things th!t )ere !s +uch %!rt of his eistence !s his be!ting he!rt c!**e& u% !

g*e!+ of !*ert un&erst!n&ing u%on the sternness of his !ge& f!ce- The f*!+e of the *!+% s)!#e&" !n& the o*&

+!n" )ith (nitte& !n& bush# e#ebro)s" stoo& o,er the br!(e" )!tchfu* !n& +otion*ess in the )i*& s!r!b!n& of

&!ncing sh!&o)s- Then the shi%" obe&ient to the c!** of her !nchor" forge& !he!& s*ight*# !n& e!se& the str!in-

The c!b*e re*ie,e&" hung &o)n" !n& !fter s)!#ing i+%erce%tib*# to !n& fro &ro%%e& )ith ! *ou& t!% on the

h!r& )oo& %*!n(s- =ing*eton seie& the high *e,er" !n&" b# ! ,io*ent thro) for)!r& of his bo" )rung out

!nother h!*f/turn fro+ the br!(e- He reco,ere& hi+se*f" bre!the& *!rge*#" !n& re+!ine& for ! )hi*e g*!ring

&o)n !t the %o)erfu* !n& co+%!ct engine th!t sLu!tte& on the &ec( !t his feet *i(e so+e Luiet +onster//!

cre!ture !+!ing !n& t!+e-

.ou--- ho*&K he gro)*e& !t it +!sterfu**# in the incu*t t!ng*e of his )hite be!r&-

CHAPTER TWO

Net +orning" !t &!#*ight" theNarcissus )ent to se!-

A s*ight h!e b*urre& the horion- Outsi&e the h!rbour the +e!sure*ess e%!nse of s+ooth )!ter *!# s%!r(*ing

*i(e ! f*oor of je)e*s" !n& !s e+%t# !s the s(#- The short b*!c( tug g!,e ! %*uc( to )in&)!r&" in the usu!*

)!#" then *et go the ro%e" !n& ho,ere& for ! +o+ent on the Lu!rter )ith her engines sto%%e& )hi*e the s*i+"

*ong hu** of the shi% +o,e& !he!& s*o)*# un&er *o)er to%s!i*s- The *oose u%%er c!n,!s b*e) out in the breee

)ith soft roun& contours" rese+b*ing s+!** )hite c*ou&s sn!re& in the +!e of ro%es- Then the sheets )ere


14/69

CHAPTER T"O 14

h!u*e& ho+e" the #!r&s hoiste&" !n& the shi% bec!+e ! high !n& *one*# %#r!+i&" g*i&ing" !** shining !n& )hite"

through the sun*it +ist- The tug turne& short roun& !n& )ent !)!# to)!r&s the *!n&- T)ent#/si %!irs of e#es

)!tche& her *o) bro!& stern cr!)*ing *!ngui&*# o,er the s+ooth s)e** bet)een the t)o %!&&*e/)hee*s th!t

turne& f!st" be!ting the )!ter )ith fierce hurr#- =he rese+b*e& !n enor+ous !n& !Lu!tic b*!c( beet*e"

sur%rise& b# the *ight" o,er)he*+e& b# the sunshine" tr#ing to esc!%e )ith ineffectu!* effort into the &ist!nt

g*oo+ of the *!n&- =he *eft ! *ingering s+u&ge of s+o(e on the s(#" !n& t)o ,!nishing tr!i*s of fo!+ on the

)!ter- On the %*!ce )here she h!& sto%%e& ! roun& b*!c( %!tch of soot re+!ine&" un&u*!ting on the s)e**//!nunc*e!n +!r( of the cre!ture's rest-

TheNarcissus *eft !*one" he!&ing south" see+e& to st!n& res%*en&ent !n& sti** u%on the rest*ess se!" un&er the

+o,ing sun- F*!(es of fo!+ s)e%t %!st her si&es the )!ter struc( her )ith f*!shing b*o)s the *!n& g*i&e&

!)!# s*o)*# f!&ing ! fe) bir&s scre!+e& on +otion*ess )ings o,er the s)!#ing +!sthe!&s- ut soon the

*!n& &is!%%e!re&" the bir&s )ent !)!# !n& to the )est the %ointe& s!i* of !n Ar!b &ho) running for o+b!#"

rose tri!ngu*!r !n& u%right !bo,e the sh!r% e&ge of the horion" *ingere& !n& ,!nishe& *i(e !n i**usion- Then

the shi%'s )!(e" *ong !n& str!ight" stretche& itse*f out through ! &!# of i++ense so*itu&e- The setting sun"

burning on the *e,e* of the )!ter" f*!+e& cri+son be*o) the b*!c(ness of he!,# r!in c*ou&s- The sunset sLu!**"

co+ing u% fro+ behin&" &isso*,e& itse*f into the short &e*uge of ! hissing sho)er- It *eft the shi% g*istening

fro+ truc(s to )!ter/*ine" !n& )ith &!r(ene& s!i*s- =he r!n e!si*# before ! f!ir +onsoon" )ith her &ec(s

c*e!re& for the night !n&" +o,ing !*ong )ith her" )!s he!r& the sust!ine& !n& +onotonous s)ishing of the

)!,es" +ing*e& )ith the *o) )his%ers of +en +ustere& !ft for the setting of )!tches the short %*!int of so+e

b*oc( !*oft or" no) !n& then" ! *ou& sigh of )in&-

Dr- !(er" co+ing out of his c!bin" c!**e& out the first n!+e sh!r%*# before c*osing the &oor behin& hi+- He

)!s going to t!(e ch!rge of the &ec(- On the ho+e)!r& tri%" !ccor&ing to !n o*& custo+ of the se!" the chief

officer t!(es the first night/)!tch//fro+ eight ti** +i&night- =o Dr- !(er" !fter he h!& he!r& the *!st .es"

sirK s!i& +oo&i*#" Re*ie,e the )hee* !n& *oo(/out !n& c*i+be& )ith he!,# feet the %oo% *!&&er to

)in&)!r&- =oon !fter Dr- Creighton c!+e &o)n" )hist*ing soft*#" !n& )ent into the c!bin- On the &oorste%

the ste)!r& *ounge&" in s*i%%ers" +e&it!ti,e" !n& )ith his shirt/s*ee,es ro**e& u% to the !r+%its-

On the +!in &ec( the coo(" *oc(ing u% the g!**e# &oors" h!& !n !*terc!tion )ith #oung Ch!r*e# !bout ! %!ir ofsoc(s- He cou*& be he!r& s!#ing i+%ressi,e*#" in the &!r(ness !+i&shi%s1 .ou &on't &eser,e ! (in&ness- I',e

been &r#ing the+ for #ou" !n& no) #ou co+%*!in !bout the ho*es//!n& #ou s)e!r" tooK Right in front of +eK If

I h!&n't been ! Christi!n//)hich #ou !in't" #ou #oung ruffi!n//I )ou*& gi,e #ou ! c*out on the he!&---- Go

!)!#K Den in cou%*es or threes stoo& %ensi,e or +o,e& si*ent*# !*ong the bu*)!r(s in the )!ist- The first

bus# &!# of ! ho+e)!r& %!ss!ge )!s sin(ing into the &u** %e!ce of resu+e& routine- Aft" on the high %oo%"

Dr- !(er )!*(e& shuff*ing !n& grunte& to hi+se*f in the %!uses of his thoughts- For)!r&" the *oo(/out +!n"

erect bet)een the f*u(es of the t)o !nchors" hu++e& !n en&*ess tune" (ee%ing his e#es fie& &utifu**# !he!&

in ! ,!c!nt st!re- A +u*titu&e of st!rs co+ing out into the c*e!r night %eo%*e& the e+%tiness of the s(#- The#

g*ittere&" !s if !*i,e !bo,e the se! the# surroun&e& the running shi% on !** si&es +ore intense th!n the e#es of

! st!ring cro)&" !n& !s inscrut!b*e !s the sou*s of +en-

The %!ss!ge h!& begun" !n& the shi%" ! fr!g+ent &et!che& fro+ the e!rth" )ent on *one*# !n& s)ift *i(e ! s+!**

%*!net- Roun& her the !b#sses of s(# !n& se! +et in !n un!tt!in!b*e frontier- A gre!t circu*!r so*itu&e +o,e&

)ith her" e,er ch!nging !n& e,er the s!+e" !*)!#s +onotonous !n& !*)!#s i+%osing- No) !n& then !nother

)!n&ering )hite s%ec(" bur&ene& )ith *ife" !%%e!re& f!r off//&is!%%e!re& intent on its o)n &estin#- The sun

*oo(e& u%on her !** &!#" !n& e,er# +orning rose )ith ! burning" roun& st!re of uning curiosit#- =he h!& her

o)n future she )!s !*i,e )ith the *i,es of those beings )ho tro& her &ec(s *i(e th!t e!rth )hich h!& gi,en her

u% to the se!" she h!& !n into*er!b*e *o!& of regrets !n& ho%es- On her *i,e& ti+i& truth !n&

!u&!cious *ies !n&" *i(e the e!rth" she )!s unconscious" f!ir to see//!n& con&e+ne& b# +en to !n ignob*e f!te-

The !ugust *one*iness of her %!th *ent &ignit# to the sor&i& ins%ir!tion of her %i*gri+!ge- =he &ro,e fo!+ing to

the south)!r&" !s if gui&e& b# the cour!ge of ! high en&e!,our- The s+i*ing gre!tness of the se! &)!rfe& the

etent of ti+e- The &!#s r!ce& !fter one !nother" bri**i!nt !n& Luic( *i(e the f*!shes of ! *ighthouse" !n& the


15/69

CHAPTER T"O 15

nights" e,entfu* !n& short" rese+b*e& f*eeting &re!+s-

The +en h!& sh!(en into their %*!ces" !n& the h!*f/hour*# ,oice of the be**s ru*e& their *ife of unce!sing c!re-

Night !n& &!# the he!& !n& shou*&ers of ! se!+!n cou*& be seen !ft b# the )hee*" out*ine& high !g!inst

sunshine or st!r*ight" ,er# ste! !bo,e the stir of re,o*,ing s%o(es- The f!ces ch!nge&" %!ssing in rot!tion-

.outhfu* f!ces" be!r&e& f!ces" &!r( f!ces1 f!ces serene" or f!ces +oo" but !** !(in )ith the brotherhoo& of

the se! !** )ith the s!+e !ttenti,e e%ression of e#es" c!refu**# )!tching the co+%!ss or the s!i*s- C!%t!inA**istoun" serious" !n& )ith !n o*& re& +uff*er roun& his thro!t" !** &!# *ong %er,!&e& the %oo%- At night"

+!n# ti+es he rose out of the &!r(ness of the co+%!nion" such !s ! %h!nto+ !bo,e ! gr!,e" !n& stoo&

)!tchfu* !n& +ute un&er the st!rs" his night/shirt f*uttering *i(e ! f*!g//then" )ithout ! soun&" s!n( &o)n

!g!in- He )!s born on the shores of the Pent*!n& Firth- In his #outh he !tt!ine& the r!n( of h!r%ooner in

Peterhe!& )h!*ers- When he s%o(e of th!t ti+e his rest*ess gre# e#es bec!+e sti** !n& co*&" *i(e the *oo+ of

ice- After)!r&s he )ent into the E!st In&i!n tr!&e for the s!(e of ch!nge- He h!& co++!n&e& the Narcissus

since she )!s bui*t- He *o,e& his shi%" !n& &ro,e her un+ercifu**# for his secret !+bition )!s to +!(e her

!cco+%*ish so+e &!# ! bri**i!nt*# Luic( %!ss!ge )hich )ou*& be +entione& in n!utic!* %!%ers- He

%ronounce& his o)ner's n!+e )ith ! s!r&onic s+i*e" s%o(e but se*&o+ to his officers" !n& re%ro,e& errors in !

gent*e ,oice" )ith )or&s th!t cut to the Luic(- His h!ir )!s iron/gre#" his f!ce h!r& !n& of the co*our of

%u+%/*e!ther- He sh!,e& e,er# +orning of his *ife//!t si//but once being c!ught in ! fierce hurric!ne eight#

+i*es south)est of D!uritius he h!& +isse& three consecuti,e &!#s- He fe!re& n!ught but !n unforgi,ing

Go&" !n& )ishe& to en& his &!#s in ! *itt*e house" )ith ! %*ot of groun& !tt!che&//f!r in the countr#//out of

sight of the se!-

He" the ru*er of th!t +inute )or*&" se*&o+ &escen&e& fro+ the O*#+%i!n heights of his %oo%- e*o) hi+//!t

his feet" so to s%e!(//co++on +ort!*s *e& their bus# !n& insignific!nt *i,es- A*ong the +!in &ec(" Dr- !(er

grunte& in ! +!nner b*oo&thirst# !n& innocuous !n& (e%t !** our noses to the grin&stone" being//!s he once

re+!r(e&//%!i& for &oing th!t ,er# thing- The +en )or(ing !bout the &ec( )ere he!*th# !n& contente&//!s

+ost se!+en !re" )hen once )e** out to se!- The true %e!ce of Go& begins !t !n# s%ot ! thous!n& +i*es fro+

the ne!rest *!n& !n& )hen He sen&s there the +essengers of His +ight it is not in terrib*e )r!th !g!inst cri+e"

%resu+%tion" !n& fo**#" but %!tern!**#" to ch!sten si+%*e he!rts//ignor!nt he!rts th!t (no) nothing of *ife" !n&

be!t un&isturbe& b# en,# or gree&-

In the e,ening the c*e!re& &ec(s h!& ! re%osefu* !s%ect" rese+b*ing the !utu+n of the e!rth- The sun )!s

sin(ing to rest" )r!%%e& in ! +!nt*e of )!r+ c*ou&s- For)!r&" on the en& of the s%!re s%!rs" the bo!ts)!in !n&

the c!r%enter s!t together )ith crosse& !r+s t)o +en frien&*#" %o)erfu*" !n& &ee%/cheste&- esi&e the+ the

short" &u+%# s!i*+!(er//)ho h!& been in the N!,#//re*!te&" bet)een the )hiffs of his %i%e" i+%ossib*e stories

!bout A&+ir!*s- Cou%*es tr!+%e& b!c()!r&s !n& for)!r&s" (ee%ing ste% !n& b!*!nce )ithout effort" in !

confine& s%!ce- Pigs grunte& in the big %igst#e- e*f!st" *e!ning thoughtfu**# on his e*bo)" !bo,e the b!rs"

co++une& )ith the+ through the si*ence of his +e&it!tion- Fe**o)s )ith shirts o%en )i&e on sunburnt bre!sts

s!t u%on the +ooring bits" !n& !** u% the ste%s of the forec!st*e *!&&ers- # the fore+!st ! fe) &iscusse& in !

circ*e the ch!r!cteristics of ! gent*e+!n- One s!i&1//It's +one# !s &oes it- Another +!int!ine&1//No" it's the

)!# the# s%e!(- 0!+e no)*es stu+%e& u% )ith !n un)!she& f!ce he h!& the &istinction of being the &irt#+!n of the forec!st*e" !n& sho)ing ! fe) #e**o) f!ngs in ! shre)& s+i*e" e%*!ine& cr!fti*# th!t he h!& seen

so+e of their %!nts- The b!c(si&es of the+//he h!& obser,e&//)ere thinner th!n %!%er fro+ const!nt sitting

&o)n in offices" #et other)ise the# *oo(e& first/r!te !n& )ou*& *!st for #e!rs- It )!s !** !%%e!r!nce- It )!s"

he s!i&" b*oo+in' e!s# to be ! gent*e+!n )hen #ou h!& ! c*e!n job for *ife- The# &is%ute& en&*ess*#"

obstin!te !n& chi*&ish the# re%e!te& in shouts !n& )ith inf*!+e& f!ces their !+!ing !rgu+ents )hi*e the

soft breee" e&ing &o)n the enor+ous c!,it# of the fores!i*" &isten&e& !bo,e their b!re he!&s" stirre& the

tu+b*e& h!ir )ith ! touch %!ssing !n& *ight *i(e !n in&u*gent c!ress-

The# )ere forgetting their toi*" the# )ere forgetting the+se*,es- The coo( !%%ro!che& to he!r" !n& stoo& b#"

be!+ing )ith the in)!r& consciousness of his f!ith" *i(e ! conceite& s!int un!b*e to forget his g*orious re)!r&

2on(in" so*it!r# !n& broo&ing o,er his )rongs on the forec!st*e/he!&" +o,e& c*oser to c!tch the &rift of the


16/69

CHAPTER T"O 16

&iscussion be*o) hi+ he turne& his s!**o) f!ce to the se!" !n& his thin nostri*s +o,e&" sniffing the breee" !s

he *ounge& neg*igent*# b# the r!i*- In the g*o) of sunset f!ces shone )ith interest" teeth f*!she&" e#es s%!r(*e&-

The )!*(ing cou%*es stoo& sti** su&&en*#" )ith bro!& grins ! +!n" ben&ing o,er ! )!sh/tub" s!t u%" entr!nce&"

)ith the so!%su&s f*ec(ing his )et !r+s- E,en the three %ett# officers *istene& *e!ning b!c(" co+fort!b*#

%ro%%e&" !n& )ith su%erior s+i*es- e*f!st *eft off scr!tching the e!r of his f!,ourite %ig" !n&" o%en +outhe&"

trie& )ith e!ger e#es to h!,e his s!#- He *ifte& his !r+s" gri+!cing !n& b!ff*e&- Fro+ ! &ist!nce Ch!r*e#

scre!+e& !t the ring1//I (no) !bout gent*e+en +ore'n !n# of #ou- I',e been inter+it )ith 'e+---- I',e b*!c(e&their boots- The coo(" cr!ning his nec( to he!r better" )!s sc!n&!*ise&- ee% #our +outh shut )hen #our

e*&ers s%e!(" #ou i+%u&ent #oung he!then//#ou- A** right" o*& H!**e*uj!h" I'+ &one" !ns)ere& Ch!r*e#"

soothing*#- At so+e o%inion of &irt# no)*es" &e*i,ere& )ith !n !ir of su%ern!tur!* cunning" ! ri%%*e of

*!ughter r!n !*ong" rose *i(e ! )!,e" burst )ith ! st!rt*ing ro!r- The# st!+%e& )ith both feet the# turne& their

shouting f!ces to the s(# +!n#" s%*uttering" s*!%%e& their thighs )hi*e one or t)o" bent &oub*e" g!s%e&"

hugging the+se*,es )ith both !r+s *i(e +en in %!in- The c!r%enter !n& the bo!ts)!in" )ithout ch!nging their

!ttitu&e" shoo( )ith *!ughter )here the# s!t the s!i*+!(er" ch!rge& )ith !n !nec&ote !bout ! Co++o&ore"

*oo(e& su*(# the coo( )!s )i%ing his e#es )ith ! gre!s# r!g !n& *!+e no)*es" !stonishe& !t his o)n

success" stoo& in their +i&st sho)ing ! s*o) s+i*e-

=u&&en*# the f!ce of 2on(in *e!ning high/shou*&ere& o,er the !fter/r!i* bec!+e gr!,e- =o+ething *i(e ! )e!(

r!tt*e )!s he!r& through the forec!st*e &oor- It bec!+e ! +ur+ur it en&e& in ! sighing gro!n- The )!sher+!n

%*unge& both his !r+s into the tub !bru%t*# the coo( bec!+e +ore crestf!**en th!n !n e%ose& b!c(s*i&er the

bo!ts)!in +o,e& his shou*&ers une!si*# the c!r%enter got u% )ith ! s%ring !n& )!*(e& !)!#//)hi*e the

s!i*+!(er see+e& +ent!**# to gi,e his stor# u%" !n& beg!n to %uff !t his %i%e )ith so+bre &eter+in!tion- In

the b*!c(ness of the &oor)!# ! %!ir of e#es g*i++ere& )hite" !n& big" !n& st!ring- Then $!+es W!it's he!&

%rotru&ing" bec!+e ,isib*e" !s if sus%en&e& bet)een the t)o h!n&s th!t gr!s%e& ! &oor%ost on e!ch si&e of the

f!ce- The t!sse* of his b*ue )oo**en nightc!%" coc(e& for)!r&" &!nce& g!i*# o,er his *eft e#e*i&- He ste%%e&

out in ! tottering stri&e- He *oo(e& %o)erfu* !s e,er" but sho)e& ! str!nge !n& !ffecte& unste!&iness in his

g!it his f!ce )!s %erh!%s ! trif*e thinner" !n& his e#es !%%e!re& r!ther st!rt*ing*# %ro+inent- He see+e& to

h!sten the retre!t of &e%!rting *ight b# his ,er# %resence the setting sun &i%%e& sh!r%*#" !s though f*eeing

before our nigger ! b*!c( +ist e+!n!te& fro+ hi+ ! subt*e !n& &is+!* inf*uence ! so+ething co*& !n&

g*oo+# th!t f*o!te& out !n& sett*e& on !** the f!ces *i(e ! +ourning ,ei*- The circ*e bro(e u%- The jo# of*!ughter &ie& on stiffene& *i%s- There )!s not ! s+i*e *eft !+ong !** the shi%'s co+%!n#- Not ! )or& )!s

s%o(en- D!n# turne& their b!c(s" tr#ing to *oo( unconcerne& others" )ith !,erte& he!&s" sent h!*f/re*uct!nt

g*!nces out of the corners of their e#es- The# rese+b*e& cri+in!*s conscious of +is&ee&s +ore th!n honest

+en &istr!cte& b# &oubt on*# t)o or three st!re& fr!n(*#" but stu%i&*#" )ith *i%s s*ight*# o%en- A** e%ecte&

$!+es W!it to s!# so+ething" !n&" !t the s!+e ti+e" h!& the !ir of (no)ing beforeh!n& )h!t he )ou*& s!#-

He *e!ne& his b!c( !g!inst the &oor%ost" !n& )ith he!,# e#es s)e%t o,er the+ ! g*!nce &o+ineering !n&

%!ine&" *i(e ! sic( t#r!nt o,er!)ing ! cro)& of !bject but untrust)orth# s*!,es-

No one )ent !)!#- The# )!ite& in f!scin!te& &re!&- He s!i& ironic!**#" )ith g!s%s bet)een the )or&s1//

Th!n( #ou--- ch!%s- .ou--- !re nice--- !n&--- Luiet--- #ou !reK .e**ing so--- before--- the &oor----

He +!&e ! *onger %!use" &uring )hich he )or(e& his ribs in !n e!gger!te& *!bour of bre!thing- It )!s

into*er!b*e- Feet )ere shuff*e&- e*f!st *et out ! gro!n but 2on(in !bo,e b*in(e& his re& e#e*i&s )ith in,isib*e

e#e*!shes" !n& s+i*e& bitter*# o,er the nigger's he!&-

The nigger )ent on !g!in )ith sur%rising e!se- He g!s%e& no +ore" !n& his ,oice r!ng" ho**o) !n& *ou&" !s

though he h!& been t!*(ing in !n e+%t# c!,ern- He )!s conte+%tuous*# !ngr#-

I trie& to get ! )in( of s*ee%- .ou (no) I c!n't s*ee% o' nights- An& #ou co+e j!bbering ne!r the &oor here

*i(e ! b*oo+ing *ot of o*& )o+en---- .ou thin( #ourse*,es goo& shi%+!tes- 2o #ouM--- Duch #ou c!re for !

ing +!nK


17/69

CHAPTER T"O 17

e*f!st s%un !)!# fro+ the %igst#e- $i++#" he crie& tre+u*ous*#" if #ou h!&n't been sic( I )ou*&//////

He sto%%e&- The nigger )!ite& !)hi*e" then s!i&" in ! g*oo+# tone1//.ou )ou*&---- Wh!tM Go !n' fight

!nother such one !s #ourse*f- 0e!,e +e !*one- It )on't be for *ong- I'** soon &ie---- It's co+ing right enoughK

Den stoo& !roun& ,er# sti** !n& )ith e!s%er!te& e#es- It )!s just )h!t the# h!& e%ecte&" !n& h!te& to he!r"

th!t i&e! of ! st!*(ing &e!th" thrust !t the+ +!n# ti+es ! &!# *i(e ! bo!st !n& *i(e ! +en!ce b# this obnoiousnigger- He see+e& to t!(e ! %ri&e in th!t &e!th )hich" so f!r" h!& !tten&e& on*# u%on the e!se of his *ife he

)!s o,erbe!ring !bout it" !s if no one e*se in the )or*& h!& e,er been inti+!te )ith such ! co+%!nion he

%!r!&e& it unce!sing*# before us )ith !n !ffection!te %ersistence th!t +!&e its %resence in&ubit!b*e" !n& !t the

s!+e ti+e incre&ib*e- No +!n cou*& be sus%ecte& of such +onstrous frien&shi%K W!s he ! re!*it#//or )!s he !

sh!+//this e,er/e%ecte& ,isitor of $i++#'sM We hesit!te& bet)een %it# !n& +istrust" )hi*e" on the s*ightest

%ro,oc!tion" he shoo( before our e#es the bones of his botherso+e !n& inf!+ous s(e*eton- He )!s for e,er

trotting hi+ out- He )ou*& t!*( of th!t co+ing &e!th !s though it h!& been !*re! there" !s if it h!& been

)!*(ing the &ec( outsi&e" !s if it )ou*& %resent*# co+e in to s*ee% in the on*# e+%t# bun( !s if it h!& s!t b#

his si&e !t e,er# +e!*- It interfere& &!i*# )ith our occu%!tions" )ith our *eisure" )ith our !+use+ents- We h!&

no songs !n& no +usic in the e,ening" bec!use $i++# )e !** *o,ing*# c!**e& hi+ $i++#" to conce!* our h!te

of his !cco+%*ice h!& +!n!ge&" )ith th!t %ros%ecti,e &ece!se of his" to &isturb e,en Archie's +ent!* b!*!nce-

Archie )!s the o)ner of the concertin! but !fter ! cou%*e of stinging *ectures fro+ $i++# he refuse& to %*!#

!n# +ore- He s!i&1//.on's !n unc!nn# jo(er- I &inn! (en )h!t's )r!ng )i' hi+" but there's so+ething ,err!

)r!ng" ,err! )r!ng- It's n!e +!nner of use !s(ing +e- I )on't %*!#- Our singers bec!+e +ute bec!use $i++#

)!s ! ing +!n- For the s!+e re!son no ch!%//!s no)*es re+!r(e&//cou*& &ri,e in ! n!i* to h!ng his fe)

%oor r!gs u%on" )ithout being +!&e !)!re of the enor+it# he co++itte& in &isturbing $i++#'s inter+in!b*e

*!st +o+ents- At night" inste!& of the cheerfu* #e**" One be**K Turn outK 2o #ou he!r thereM He#K he#K he#K

=ho) *egK the )!tches )ere c!**e& +!n b# +!n" in )his%ers" so !s not to interfere )ith $i++#'s" %ossib*#"

*!st s*u+ber on e!rth- True" he )!s !*)!#s !)!(e" !n& +!n!ge&" !s )e sne!(e& out on &ec(" to %*!nt in our

b!c(s so+e cutting re+!r( th!t" for the +o+ent" +!&e us fee* !s if )e h!& been brutes" !n& !fter)!r&s +!&e

us sus%ect ourse*,es of being foo*s- We s%o(e in *o) tones )ithin th!t fo'c's*e !s though it h!& been ! church-

We !te our +e!*s in si*ence !n& &re!&" for $i++# )!s c!%ricious )ith his foo&" !n& r!i*e& bitter*# !t the s!*t

+e!t" !t the biscuits" !t the te!" !s !t !rtic*es unfit for hu+!n consu+%tion//*et !*one for ! ing +!nK He)ou*& s!#1//C!n't #ou fin& ! better s*ice of +e!t for ! sic( +!n )ho's tr#ing to get ho+e to be cure&//or

burie&M ut thereK If I h!& ! ch!nce" #ou fe**o)s )ou*& &o !)!# )ith it- .ou )ou*& %oison +e- 0oo( !t )h!t

#ou h!,e gi,en +eK We ser,e& hi+ in his be& )ith r!ge !n& hu+i*it#" !s though )e h!& been the b!se

courtiers of ! h!te& %rince !n& he re)!r&e& us b# his unconci*i!ting criticis+- He h!& foun& the secret of

(ee%ing for e,er on the run the fun&!+ent!* i+beci*it# of +!n(in& he h!& the secret of *ife" th!t confoun&e&

ing +!n" !n& he +!&e hi+se*f +!ster of e,er# +o+ent of our eistence- We gre) &es%er!te" !n& re+!ine&

sub+issi,e- E+otion!* *itt*e e*f!st )!s for e,er on the ,erge of !ss!u*t or on the ,erge of te!rs- One e,ening

he confi&e& to Archie1//For ! h!'%enn# I )ou*& (noc( his ug*# b*!c( he!& off//the s(u*(ing &o&gerK An& the

str!ightfor)!r& Archie %reten&e& to be shoc(e&K =uch )!s the infern!* s%e** )hich th!t c!su!* =t- itt's nigger

h!& c!st u%on our gui*e*ess +!nhoo&K ut the s!+e night e*f!st sto*e fro+ the g!**e# the officers' =un&!#

fruit %ie" to te+%t the f!sti&ious !%%etite of $i++#- He en&!ngere& not on*# his *ong frien&shi% )ith the coo(but !*so//!s it !%%e!re&//his etern!* )e*f!re- The coo( )!s o,er)he*+e& )ith grief he &i& not (no) the

cu*%rit but he (ne) th!t )ic(e&ness f*ourishe& he (ne) th!t =!t!n )!s !bro!& !+ongst tho

the nigger of the ''narcissus''.doc

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