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The Open Boat

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ATaleintendedtobeaftertheFact.BeingtheExperienceofFourMenfromtheSunkSteamer
'Commodore'

Noneofthemknewthecolourofthesky.Theireyesglancedlevel,andwerefasteneduponthewaves
thatswepttowardthem.Thesewaveswereofthehueofslate,saveforthetops,whichwereoffoaming
white,andallofthemenknewthecoloursofthesea.Thehorizonnarrowedandwidened,anddipped
androse,andatalltimesitsedgewasjaggedwithwavesthatseemedthrustupinpointslikerocks.

Manyamanoughttohaveabath-tublargerthantheboatwhichhererodeuponthesea.Thesewaves
weremostwrongfullyandbarbarouslyabruptandtall,andeachfroth-topwasaprobleminsmallboat
navigation.

Thecooksquattedinthebottomandlookedwithbotheyesatthesixinchesofgunwalewhichseparated
himfromtheocean.Hissleeveswererolledoverhisfatforearms,andthetwoflapsofhisunbuttonedvest
dangledashebenttobailouttheboat.Oftenhesaid:"Gawd!Thatwasanarrowclip."Asheremarkedit
heinvariablygazedeastwardoverthebrokensea.

Theoiler,steeringwithoneofthetwooarsintheboat,sometimesraisedhimselfsuddenlytokeepclear
ofwaterthatswirledinoverthestern.Itwasathinlittleoaranditseemedoftenreadytosnap.

Thecorrespondent,pullingattheotheroar,watchedthewavesandwonderedwhyhewasthere.

Theinjuredcaptain,lyinginthebow,wasatthistimeburiedinthatprofounddejectionandindifference
whichcomes,temporarilyatleast,toeventhebravestandmostenduringwhen,willynilly,thefirmfails,
thearmyloses,theshipgoesdown.Themindofthemasterofavesselisrooteddeepinthetimbersof
her,thoughhecommandedforadayoradecade,andthiscaptainhadonhimthesternimpressionofa
sceneinthegreysofdawnofseventurnedfaces,andlaterastumpofatop-mastwithawhiteballonit
thatslashedtoandfroatthewaves,wentlowandlower,anddown.Thereaftertherewassomething
strangeinhisvoice.Althoughsteady,itwasdeepwithmourning,andofaqualitybeyondorationortears.

"Keep'eralittlemoresouth,Billie,"saidhe.

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"'Alittlemoresouth,'sir,"saidtheoilerinthestern.

Aseatinthisboatwasnotunlikeaseatuponabuckingbroncho,and,bythesametoken,abronchoisnot
muchsmaller.Thecraftprancedandreared,andplungedlikeananimal.Aseachwavecame,andshe
roseforit,sheseemedlikeahorsemakingatafenceoutrageouslyhigh.Themannerofherscramble
overthesewallsofwaterisamysticthing,and,moreover,atthetopofthemwereordinarilythese
problemsinwhitewater,thefoamracingdownfromthesummitofeachwave,requiringanewleap,anda
leapfromtheair.Then,afterscornfullybumpingacrest,shewouldslide,andrace,andsplashdowna
longincline,andarrivebobbingandnoddinginfrontofthenextmenace.

Asingulardisadvantageofthesealiesinthefactthataftersuccessfullysurmountingonewaveyou
discoverthatthereisanotherbehinditjustasimportantandjustasnervouslyanxioustodosomething
effectiveinthewayofswampingboats.Inaten-footdingeyonecangetanideaoftheresourcesofthe
seainthelineofwavesthatisnotprobabletotheaverageexperiencewhichisneveratseainadingey.
Aseachslatywallofwaterapproached,itshutallelsefromtheviewofthemenintheboat,anditwasnot
difficulttoimaginethatthisparticularwavewasthefinaloutburstoftheocean,thelasteffortofthegrim
water.Therewasaterriblegraceinthemoveofthewaves,andtheycameinsilence,saveforthesnarling
ofthecrests.

Inthewanlight,thefacesofthemenmusthavebeengrey.Theireyesmusthaveglintedinstrangeways
astheygazedsteadilyastern.Viewedfromabalcony,thewholethingwoulddoubtlesslyhavebeen
weirdlypicturesque.Butthemenintheboathadnotimetoseeit,andiftheyhadhadleisuretherewere
otherthingstooccupytheirminds.Thesunswungsteadilyupthesky,andtheyknewitwasbroadday
becausethecolouroftheseachangedfromslatetoemerald-green,streakedwithamberlights,andthe
foamwasliketumblingsnow.Theprocessofthebreakingdaywasunknowntothem.Theywereaware
onlyofthiseffectuponthecolourofthewavesthatrolledtowardthem.

Indisjointedsentencesthecookandthecorrespondentarguedastothedifferencebetweenalife-saving
stationandahouseofrefuge.Thecookhadsaid:"There'sahouseofrefugejustnorthoftheMosquito
InletLight,andassoonastheyseeus,they'llcomeoffintheirboatandpickusup."

"Assoonaswhoseeus?"saidthecorrespondent.

"Thecrew,"saidthecook.

"Housesofrefugedon'thavecrews,"saidthecorrespondent."AsIunderstandthem,theyareonlyplaces
whereclothesandgrubarestoredforthebenefitofshipwreckedpeople.Theydon'tcarrycrews."

"Oh,yes,theydo,"saidthecook.

"No,theydon't,"saidthecorrespondent.

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"Well,we'renotthereyet,anyhow,"saidtheoiler,inthestern.

"Well,"saidthecook,"perhapsit'snotahouseofrefugethatI'mthinkingofasbeingnearMosquitoInlet
Light.Perhapsit'salife-savingstation."

"We'renotthereyet,"saidtheoiler,inthestern.

II

Astheboatbouncedfromthetopofeachwave,thewindtorethroughthehairofthehatlessmen,andas
thecraftploppedhersterndownagainthesprayslashedpastthem.Thecrestofeachofthesewaves
wasahill,fromthetopofwhichthemensurveyed,foramoment,abroadtumultuousexpanse,shining
andwind-riven.Itwasprobablysplendid.Itwasprobablyglorious,thisplayofthefreesea,wildwithlights
ofemeraldandwhiteandamber.

"Bullygoodthingit'sanon-shorewind,"saidthecook."Ifnot,wherewouldwebe?Wouldn'thaveashow."

"That'sright,"saidthecorrespondent.

Thebusyoilernoddedhisassent.

Thenthecaptain,inthebow,chuckledinawaythatexpressedhumour,contempt,tragedy,allinone."Do
youthinkwe'vegotmuchofashownow,boys?"saidhe.

Whereuponthethreeweresilent,saveforatrifleofhemmingandhawing.Toexpressanyparticular
optimismatthistimetheyfelttobechildishandstupid,buttheyalldoubtlesspossessedthissenseofthe
situationintheirmind.Ayoungmanthinksdoggedlyatsuchtimes.Ontheotherhand,theethicsoftheir
conditionwasdecidedlyagainstanyopensuggestionofhopelessness.Sotheyweresilent.

"Oh,well,"saidthecaptain,soothinghischildren,"we'llgetashoreallright."

Buttherewasthatinhistonewhichmadethemthink,sotheoilerquoth:"Yes!Ifthiswindholds!"

Thecookwasbailing:"Yes!Ifwedon'tcatchhellinthesurf."

Cantonflannelgullsflewnearandfar.Sometimestheysatdownonthesea,nearpatchesofbrown
sea-weedthatrolledoverthewaveswithamovementlikecarpetsonalineinagale.Thebirdssat
comfortablyingroups,andtheywereenviedbysomeinthedingey,forthewrathoftheseawasnomore
tothemthanitwastoacoveyofprairiechickensathousandmilesinland.Oftentheycameverycloseand
staredatthemenwithblackbead-likeeyes.Atthesetimestheywereuncannyandsinisterintheir

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unblinkingscrutiny,andthemenhootedangrilyatthem,tellingthemtobegone.Onecame,andevidently
decidedtoalightonthetopofthecaptain'shead.Thebirdflewparalleltotheboatanddidnotcircle,but
madeshortsidelongjumpsintheairinchicken-fashion.Hisblackeyeswerewistfullyfixeduponthe
captain'shead."Uglybrute,"saidtheoilertothebird."Youlookasifyouweremadewithajack-knife."The
cookandthecorrespondentsworedarklyatthecreature.Thecaptainnaturallywishedtoknockitaway
withtheendoftheheavypainter;buthedidnotdaredoit,becauseanythingresemblinganemphatic
gesturewouldhavecapsizedthisfreightedboat,andsowithhisopenhand,thecaptaingentlyand
carefullywavedthegullaway.Afterithadbeendiscouragedfromthepursuitthecaptainbreathedeasier
onaccountofhishair,andothersbreathedeasierbecausethebirdstrucktheirmindsatthistimeasbeing
somehowgrewsomeandominous.

Inthemeantimetheoilerandthecorrespondentrowed.Andalsotheyrowed.

Theysattogetherinthesameseat,andeachrowedanoar.Thentheoilertookbothoars;thenthe
correspondenttookbothoars;thentheoiler;thenthecorrespondent.Theyrowedandtheyrowed.The
veryticklishpartofthebusinesswaswhenthetimecamefortherecliningoneinthesterntotakehisturn
attheoars.Bytheverylaststaroftruth,itiseasiertostealeggsfromunderahenthanitwastochange
seatsinthedingey.Firstthemaninthesternslidhishandalongthethwartandmovedwithcare,asifhe
wereofSvres.Thenthemanintherowingseatslidhishandalongtheotherthwart.Itwasalldonewith
themostextraordinarycare.Asthetwosidledpasteachother,thewholepartykeptwatchfuleyesonthe
comingwave,andthecaptaincried:"Lookoutnow!Steadythere!"

Thebrownmatsofsea-weedthatappearedfromtimetotimewerelikeislands,bitsofearth.Theywere
travelling,apparently,neitheronewaynortheother.Theywere,toallintents,stationary.Theyinformed
themenintheboatthatitwasmakingprogressslowlytowardtheland.

Thecaptain,rearingcautiouslyinthebow,afterthedingeysoaredonagreatswell,saidthathehadseen
thelighthouseatMosquitoInlet.Presentlythecookremarkedthathehadseenit.Thecorrespondentwas
attheoarsthen,andforsomereasonhetoowishedtolookatthelighthouse,buthisbackwastowardthe
farshoreandthewaveswereimportant,andforsometimehecouldnotseizeanopportunitytoturnhis
head.Butatlasttherecameawavemoregentlethantheothers,andwhenatthecrestofitheswiftly
scouredthewesternhorizon.

"Seeit?"saidthecaptain.

"No,"saidthecorrespondentslowly,"Ididn'tseeanything."

"Lookagain,"saidthecaptain.Hepointed."It'sexactlyinthatdirection."

Atthetopofanotherwave,thecorrespondentdidashewasbid,andthistimehiseyeschancedona
smallstillthingontheedgeoftheswayinghorizon.Itwaspreciselylikethepointofapin.Ittookan
anxiouseyetofindalighthousesotiny.

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"Thinkwe'llmakeit,captain?"

"Ifthiswindholdsandtheboatdon'tswamp,wecan'tdomuchelse,"saidthecaptain.

Thelittleboat,liftedbyeachtoweringsea,andsplashedviciouslybythecrests,madeprogressthatinthe
absenceofsea-weedwasnotapparenttothoseinher.Sheseemedjustaweethingwallowing,
miraculouslytop-up,atthemercyoffiveoceans.Occasionally,agreatspreadofwater,likewhiteflames,
swarmedintoher.

"Bailher,cook,"saidthecaptainserenely.

"Allright,captain,"saidthecheerfulcook.

III

Itwouldbedifficulttodescribethesubtlebrotherhoodofmenthatwashereestablishedontheseas.No
onesaidthatitwasso.Noonementionedit.Butitdweltintheboat,andeachmanfeltitwarmhim.They
wereacaptain,anoiler,acook,andacorrespondent,andtheywerefriends,friendsinamorecuriously
iron-bounddegreethanmaybecommon.Thehurtcaptain,lyingagainstthewater-jarinthebow,spoke
alwaysinalowvoiceandcalmly,buthecouldnevercommandamorereadyandswiftlyobedientcrew
thanthemotleythreeofthedingey.Itwasmorethanamererecognitionofwhatwasbestforthecommon
safety.Therewassurelyinitaqualitythatwaspersonalandheartfelt.Andafterthisdevotiontothe
commanderoftheboattherewasthiscomradeshipthatthecorrespondent,forinstance,whohadbeen
taughttobecynicalofmen,knewevenatthetimewasthebestexperienceofhislife.Butnoonesaidthat
itwasso.Noonementionedit.

"Iwishwehadasail,"remarkedthecaptain."Wemighttrymyovercoatontheendofanoarandgiveyou
twoboysachancetorest."Sothecookandthecorrespondentheldthemastandspreadwidethe
overcoat.Theoilersteered,andthelittleboatmadegoodwaywithhernewrig.Sometimestheoilerhad
toscullsharplytokeepaseafrombreakingintotheboat,butotherwisesailingwasasuccess.

Meanwhilethelighthousehadbeengrowingslowlylarger.Ithadnowalmostassumedcolour,and
appearedlikealittlegreyshadowonthesky.Themanattheoarscouldnotbepreventedfromturninghis
headratheroftentotryforaglimpseofthislittlegreyshadow.

Atlast,fromthetopofeachwavethemeninthetossingboatcouldseeland.Evenasthelighthousewas
anuprightshadowonthesky,thislandseemedbutalongblackshadowonthesea.Itcertainlywas
thinnerthanpaper."WemustbeaboutoppositeNewSmyrna,"saidthecook,whohadcoastedthisshore
ofteninschooners."Captain,bytheway,Ibelievetheyabandonedthatlife-savingstationthereabouta
yearago."

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"Didthey?"saidthecaptain.

Thewindslowlydiedaway.Thecookandthecorrespondentwerenotnowobligedtoslaveinorderto
holdhightheoar.Butthewavescontinuedtheiroldimpetuousswoopingatthedingey,andthelittlecraft,
nolongerunderway,struggledwoundilyoverthem.Theoilerorthecorrespondenttooktheoarsagain.

Shipwrecksareproposofnothing.Ifmencouldonlytrainforthemandhavethemoccurwhenthemen
hadreachedpinkcondition,therewouldbelessdrowningatsea.Ofthefourinthedingeynonehadslept
anytimeworthmentioningfortwodaysandtwonightsprevioustoembarkinginthedingey,andinthe
excitementofclamberingaboutthedeckofafounderingshiptheyhadalsoforgottentoeatheartily.

Forthesereasons,andforothers,neithertheoilernorthecorrespondentwasfondofrowingatthistime.
Thecorrespondentwonderedingenuouslyhowinthenameofallthatwassanecouldtherebepeople
whothoughtitamusingtorowaboat.Itwasnotanamusement;itwasadiabolicalpunishment,andeven
ageniusofmentalaberrationscouldneverconcludethatitwasanythingbutahorrortothemusclesanda
crimeagainsttheback.Hementionedtotheboatingeneralhowtheamusementofrowingstruckhim,
andtheweary-facedoilersmiledinfullsympathy.Previouslytothefoundering,bytheway,theoilerhad
workeddouble-watchintheengine-roomoftheship.

"Takehereasy,now,boys,"saidthecaptain."Don'tspendyourselves.Ifwehavetorunasurfyou'llneed
allyourstrength,becausewe'llsurehavetoswimforit.Takeyourtime."

Slowlythelandarosefromthesea.Fromablacklineitbecamealineofblackandalineofwhite,trees
andsand.Finally,thecaptainsaidthathecouldmakeoutahouseontheshore."That'sthehouseof
refuge,sure,"saidthecook."They'llseeusbeforelong,andcomeoutafterus."

Thedistantlighthouserearedhigh."Thekeeperoughttobeabletomakeusoutnow,ifhe'slooking
throughaglass,"saidthecaptain."He'llnotifythelife-savingpeople."

"Noneofthoseotherboatscouldhavegotashoretogivewordofthewreck,"saidtheoiler,inalowvoice.
"Elsethelife-boatwouldbeouthuntingus."

Slowlyandbeautifullythelandloomedoutofthesea.Thewindcameagain.Ithadveeredfromthe
north-easttothesouth-east.Finally,anewsoundstrucktheearsofthemenintheboat.Itwasthelow
thunderofthesurfontheshore."We'llneverbeabletomakethelighthousenow,"saidthecaptain.
"Swingherheadalittlemorenorth,Billie,"saidhe.

"'Alittlemorenorth,'sir,"saidtheoiler.

Whereuponthelittleboatturnedhernoseoncemoredownthewind,andallbuttheoarsmanwatchedthe
shoregrow.Undertheinfluenceofthisexpansiondoubtanddirefulapprehensionwasleavingtheminds

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ofthemen.Themanagementoftheboatwasstillmostabsorbing,butitcouldnotpreventaquiet
cheerfulness.Inanhour,perhaps,theywouldbeashore.

Theirbackboneshadbecomethoroughlyusedtobalancingintheboat,andtheynowrodethiswildcolt
ofadingeylikecircusmen.Thecorrespondentthoughtthathehadbeendrenchedtotheskin,but
happeningtofeelinthetoppocketofhiscoat,hefoundthereineightcigars.Fourofthemweresoaked
withsea-water;fourwereperfectlyscatheless.Afterasearch,somebodyproducedthreedrymatches,
andthereuponthefourwaifsrodeimpudentlyintheirlittleboat,andwithanassuranceofanimpending
rescueshiningintheireyes,puffedatthebigcigarsandjudgedwellandillofallmen.Everybodytooka
drinkofwater.
IV

"Cook,"remarkedthecaptain,"theredon'tseemtobeanysignsoflifeaboutyourhouseofrefuge."

"No,"repliedthecook."Funnytheydon'tseeus!"

Abroadstretchoflowlycoastlaybeforetheeyesofthemen.Itwasofdunestoppedwithdark
vegetation.Theroarofthesurfwasplain,andsometimestheycouldseethewhitelipofawaveasitspun
upthebeach.Atinyhousewasblockedoutblackuponthesky.Southward,theslimlighthouseliftedits
littlegreylength.

Tide,wind,andwaveswereswingingthedingeynorthward."Funnytheydon'tseeus,"saidthemen.

Thesurf'sroarwasheredulled,butitstonewas,nevertheless,thunderousandmighty.Astheboatswam
overthegreatrollers,themensatlisteningtothisroar."We'llswampsure,"saideverybody.

Itisfairtosayherethattherewasnotalife-savingstationwithintwentymilesineitherdirection,butthe
mendidnotknowthisfact,andinconsequencetheymadedarkandopprobriousremarksconcerningthe
eyesightofthenation'slife-savers.Fourscowlingmensatinthedingeyandsurpassedrecordsinthe
inventionofepithets.

"Funnytheydon'tseeus."

Thelight-heartednessofaformertimehadcompletelyfaded.Totheirsharpenedmindsitwaseasyto
conjurepicturesofallkindsofincompetencyandblindnessand,indeed,cowardice.Therewastheshore
ofthepopulousland,anditwasbitterandbittertothemthatfromitcamenosign.

"Well,"saidthecaptain,ultimately,"Isupposewe'llhavetomakeatryforourselves.Ifwestayoutheretoo
long,we'llnoneofushavestrengthlefttoswimaftertheboatswamps."

Andsotheoiler,whowasattheoars,turnedtheboatstraightfortheshore.Therewasasudden

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tighteningofmuscles.Therewassomethinking.

"Ifwedon'tallgetashore"saidthecaptain."Ifwedon'tallgetashore,Isupposeyoufellowsknow
wheretosendnewsofmyfinish?"

Theythenbrieflyexchangedsomeaddressesandadmonitions.Asforthereflectionsofthemen,there
wasagreatdealofrageinthem.Perchancetheymightbeformulatedthus:"IfIamgoingtobe
drownedifIamgoingtobedrownedifIamgoingtobedrowned,why,inthenameofthesevenmad
godswhorulethesea,wasIallowedtocomethusfarandcontemplatesandandtrees?WasIbrought
heremerelytohavemynosedraggedawayasIwasabouttonibblethesacredcheeseoflife?Itis
preposterous.Ifthisoldninny-woman,Fate,cannotdobetterthanthis,sheshouldbedeprivedofthe
managementofmen'sfortunes.Sheisanoldhenwhoknowsnotherintention.Ifshehasdecidedto
drownme,whydidshenotdoitinthebeginningandsavemeallthistrouble?Thewholeaffairisabsurd....
Butno,shecannotmeantodrownme.Shedarenotdrownme.Shecannotdrownme.Notafterallthis
work."Afterwardthemanmighthavehadanimpulsetoshakehisfistattheclouds:"Justyoudrownme,
now,andthenhearwhatIcallyou!"

Thebillowsthatcameatthistimeweremoreformidable.Theyseemedalwaysjustabouttobreakandroll
overthelittleboatinaturmoiloffoam.Therewasapreparatoryandlonggrowlinthespeechofthem.No
mindunusedtotheseawouldhaveconcludedthatthedingeycouldascendthesesheerheightsintime.
Theshorewasstillafar.Theoilerwasawilysurfman."Boys,"hesaidswiftly,"shewon'tlivethreeminutes
more,andwe'retoofarouttoswim.ShallItakehertoseaagain,captain?"

"Yes!Goahead!"saidthecaptain.

Thisoiler,byaseriesofquickmiracles,andfastandsteadyoarsmanship,turnedtheboatinthemiddleof
thesurfandtookhersafelytoseaagain.

Therewasaconsiderablesilenceastheboatbumpedoverthefurrowedseatodeeperwater.Then
somebodyingloomspoke."Well,anyhow,theymusthaveseenusfromtheshorebynow."

Thegullswentinslantingflightupthewindtowardthegreydesolateeast.Asquall,markedbydingy
clouds,andcloudsbrick-red,likesmokefromaburningbuilding,appearedfromthesouth-east.

"Whatdoyouthinkofthoselife-savingpeople?Ain'ttheypeaches?"

"Funnytheyhaven'tseenus."

"Maybetheythinkwe'reouthereforsport!Maybetheythinkwe'refishin'.Maybetheythinkwe'redamned
fools."

Itwasalongafternoon.Achangedtidetriedtoforcethemsouthward,butwindandwavesaidnorthward.

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Farahead,wherecoast-line,sea,andskyformedtheirmightyangle,therewerelittledotswhichseemed
toindicateacityontheshore.

"St.Augustine?"

Thecaptainshookhishead."ToonearMosquitoInlet."

Andtheoilerrowed,andthenthecorrespondentrowed.Thentheoilerrowed.Itwasawearybusiness.
Thehumanbackcanbecometheseatofmoreachesandpainsthanareregisteredinbooksforthe
compositeanatomyofaregiment.Itisalimitedarea,butitcanbecomethetheatreofinnumerable
muscularconflicts,tangles,wrenches,knots,andothercomforts.

"Didyoueverliketorow,Billie?"askedthecorrespondent.

"No,"saidtheoiler."Hangit."

Whenoneexchangedtherowing-seatforaplaceinthebottomoftheboat,hesufferedabodily
depressionthatcausedhimtobecarelessofeverythingsaveanobligationtowiggleonefinger.There
wascoldsea-waterswashingtoandfrointheboat,andhelayinit.Hishead,pillowedonathwart,was
withinaninchoftheswirlofawavecrest,andsometimesaparticularlyobstreperousseacamein-board
anddrenchedhimoncemore.Butthesemattersdidnotannoyhim.Itisalmostcertainthatiftheboathad
capsizedhewouldhavetumbledcomfortablyoutupontheoceanasifhefeltsurethatitwasagreatsoft
mattress.

"Look!There'samanontheshore!"

"Where?"

"There!See'im?See'im?"

"Yes,sure!He'swalkingalong."

"Nowhe'sstopped.Look!He'sfacingus!"

"He'swavingatus!"

"Soheis!Bythunder!"

"Ah,nowwe'reallright!Nowwe'reallright!There'llbeaboatouthereforusinhalf-an-hour."

"He'sgoingon.He'srunning.He'sgoinguptothathousethere."

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Theremotebeachseemedlowerthanthesea,anditrequiredasearchingglancetodiscernthelittle
blackfigure.Thecaptainsawafloatingstickandtheyrowedtoit.Abath-towelwasbysomeweirdchance
intheboat,and,tyingthisonthestick,thecaptainwavedit.Theoarsmandidnotdareturnhishead,sohe
wasobligedtoaskquestions.

"What'shedoingnow?"

"He'sstandingstillagain.He'slooking,Ithink....Therehegoesagain.Towardsthehouse....Nowhe's
stoppedagain."

"Ishewavingatus?"

"No,notnow!hewas,though."

"Look!Therecomesanotherman!"

"He'srunning."

"Lookathimgo,wouldyou."

"Why,he'sonabicycle.Nowhe'smettheotherman.They'rebothwavingatus.Look!"

"Therecomessomethingupthebeach."

"Whatthedevilisthatthing?"

"Why,itlookslikeaboat."

"Why,certainlyit'saboat."

"No,it'sonwheels."

"Yes,soitis.Well,thatmustbethelife-boat.Theydragthemalongshoreonawagon."

"That'sthelife-boat,sure."

"No,by,it'sit'sanomnibus."

"Itellyouit'salife-boat."

"Itisnot!It'sanomnibus.Icanseeitplain.See?Oneofthesebighotelomnibuses."

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"Bythunder,you'reright.It'sanomnibus,sureasfate.Whatdoyousupposetheyaredoingwithan
omnibus?Maybetheyaregoingaroundcollectingthelife-crew,hey?"

"That'sit,likely.Look!There'safellowwavingalittleblackflag.He'sstandingonthestepsoftheomnibus.
Therecomethoseothertwofellows.Nowthey'realltalkingtogether.Lookatthefellowwiththeflag.
Maybeheain'twavingit."

"Thatain'taflag,isit?That'shiscoat.Whycertainly,that'shiscoat."

"Soitis.It'shiscoat.He'stakenitoffandiswavingitaroundhishead.Butwouldyoulookathimswingit."

"Oh,say,thereisn'tanylife-savingstationthere.That'sjustawinterresorthotelomnibusthathasbrought
oversomeoftheboarderstoseeusdrown."

"What'sthatidiotwiththecoatmean?What'shesignaling,anyhow?"

"Itlooksasifheweretryingtotellustogonorth.Theremustbealife-savingstationupthere."

"No!Hethinkswe'refishing.Justgivingusamerryhand.See?Ah,there,Willie."

"Well,IwishIcouldmakesomethingoutofthosesignals.Whatdoyousupposehemeans?"

"Hedon'tmeananything.He'sjustplaying."

"Well,ifhe'djustsignalustotrythesurfagain,ortogotoseaandwait,orgonorth,orgosouth,orgoto
helltherewouldbesomereasoninit.Butlookathim.Hejuststandsthereandkeepshiscoatrevolving
likeawheel.Theass!"

"Therecomemorepeople."

"Nowthere'squiteamob.Look!Isn'tthataboat?"

"Where?Oh,Iseewhereyoumean.No,that'snoboat."

"Thatfellowisstillwavinghiscoat."

"Hemustthinkweliketoseehimdothat.Whydon'thequitit?Itdon'tmeananything."

"Idon'tknow.Ithinkheistryingtomakeusgonorth.Itmustbethatthere'salife-savingstationthere
somewhere."

"Say,heain'ttiredyet.Lookat'imwave."

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"Wonderhowlonghecankeepthatup.He'sbeenrevolvinghiscoateversincehecaughtsightofus.He's
anidiot.Whyaren'ttheygettingmentobringaboatout?Afishingboatoneofthosebigyawlscould
comeouthereallright.Whydon'thedosomething?"

"Oh,it'sallright,now."

"They'llhaveaboatouthereforusinlessthannotime,nowthatthey'veseenus."

Afaintyellowtonecameintotheskyoverthelowland.Theshadowsontheseaslowlydeepened.The
windborecoldnesswithit,andthemenbegantoshiver.

"Holysmoke!"saidone,allowinghisvoicetoexpresshisimpiousmood,"ifwekeeponmonkeyingout
here!Ifwe'vegottoflounderouthereallnight!"

"Oh,we'llneverhavetostayhereallnight!Don'tyouworry.They'veseenusnow,anditwon'tbelong
beforethey'llcomechasingoutafterus."

Theshoregrewdusky.Themanwavingacoatblendedgraduallyintothisgloom,anditswallowedinthe
samemannertheomnibusandthegroupofpeople.Thespray,whenitdasheduproariouslyovertheside,
madethevoyagersshrinkandswearlikemenwhowerebeingbranded.

"I'dliketocatchthechumpwhowavedthecoat.Ifeellikesoakinghimone,justforluck."

"Why?Whatdidhedo?"

"Oh,nothing,butthenheseemedsodamnedcheerful."

Inthemeantimetheoilerrowed,andthenthecorrespondentrowed,andthentheoilerrowed.Grey-faced
andbowedforward,theymechanically,turnbyturn,pliedtheleadenoars.Theformofthelighthousehad
vanishedfromthesouthernhorizon,butfinallyapalestarappeared,justliftingfromthesea.Thestreaked
saffroninthewestpassedbeforetheall-mergingdarkness,andtheseatotheeastwasblack.Theland
hadvanished,andwasexpressedonlybythelowanddrearthunderofthesurf.

"IfIamgoingtobedrownedifIamgoingtobedrownedifIamgoingtobedrowned,why,inthename
ofthesevenmadgodswhorulethesea,wasIallowedtocomethusfarandcontemplatesandandtrees?
WasIbroughtheremerelytohavemynosedraggedawayasIwasabouttonibblethesacredcheeseof
life?"

Thepatientcaptain,droopedoverthewater-jar,wassometimesobligedtospeaktotheoarsman.

"Keepherheadup!Keepherheadup!"

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"'Keepherheadup,'sir."Thevoiceswerewearyandlow.

Thiswassurelyaquietevening.Allsavetheoarsmanlayheavilyandlistlesslyintheboat'sbottom.Asfor
him,hiseyeswerejustcapableofnotingthetallblackwavesthatsweptforwardinamostsinistersilence,
saveforanoccasionalsubduedgrowlofacrest.

Thecook'sheadwasonathwart,andhelookedwithoutinterestatthewaterunderhisnose.Hewas
deepinotherscenes.Finallyhespoke."Billie,"hemurmured,dreamfully,"whatkindofpiedoyoulike
best?"

"Pie,"saidtheoilerandthecorrespondent,agitatedly."Don'ttalkaboutthosethings,blastyou!"

"Well,"saidthecook,"Iwasjustthinkingabouthamsandwiches,and"

Anightontheseainanopenboatisalongnight.Asdarknesssettledfinally,theshineofthelight,lifting
fromtheseainthesouth,changedtofullgold.

Onthenorthernhorizonanewlightappeared,asmallbluishgleamontheedgeofthewaters.Thesetwo
lightswerethefurnitureoftheworld.Otherwisetherewasnothingbutwaves.

Twomenhuddledinthestern,anddistancesweresomagnificentinthedingeythattherowerwas
enabledtokeephisfeetpartlywarmedbythrustingthemunderhiscompanions.Theirlegsindeed
extendedfarundertherowing-seatuntiltheytouchedthefeetofthecaptainforward.Sometimes,despite
theeffortsofthetiredoarsman,awavecamepilingintotheboat,anicywaveofthenight,andthechilling
watersoakedthemanew.Theywouldtwisttheirbodiesforamomentandgroan,andsleepthedead
sleeponcemore,whilethewaterintheboatgurgledaboutthemasthecraftrocked.

Theplanoftheoilerandthecorrespondentwasforonetorowuntilhelosttheability,andthenarousethe
otherfromhissea-watercouchinthebottomoftheboat.

Theoilerpliedtheoarsuntilhisheaddroopedforward,andtheoverpoweringsleepblindedhim.Andhe
rowedyetafterward.Thenhetouchedamaninthebottomoftheboat,andcalledhisname."Willyou
spellmeforalittlewhile?"hesaid,meekly.

"Sure,Billie,"saidthecorrespondent,awakeninganddragginghimselftoasittingposition.They
exchangedplacescarefully,andtheoiler,cuddlingdowninthesea-wateratthecook'sside,seemedtogo
tosleepinstantly.

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Theparticularviolenceoftheseahadceased.

Thewavescamewithoutsnarling.Theobligationofthemanattheoarswastokeeptheboatheadedso
thatthetiltoftherollerswouldnotcapsizeher,andtopreserveherfromfillingwhenthecrestsrushed
past.Theblackwavesweresilentandhardtobeseeninthedarkness.Oftenonewasalmostuponthe
boatbeforetheoarsmanwasaware.

Inalowvoicethecorrespondentaddressedthecaptain.Hewasnotsurethatthecaptainwasawake,
althoughthisironmanseemedtobealwaysawake."Captain,shallIkeephermakingforthatlightnorth,
sir?"

Thesamesteadyvoiceansweredhim."Yes.Keepitabouttwopointsofftheportbow."

Thecookhadtiedalife-beltaroundhimselfinordertogeteventhewarmthwhichthisclumsycork
contrivancecoulddonate,andheseemedalmoststove-likewhenarower,whoseteethinvariably
chatteredwildlyassoonasheceasedhislabour,droppeddowntosleep.

Thecorrespondent,asherowed,lookeddownatthetwomensleepingunder-foot.Thecook'sarmwas
aroundtheoiler'sshoulders,and,withtheirfragmentaryclothingandhaggardfaces,theywerethebabes
ofthesea,agrotesquerenderingoftheoldbabesinthewood.

Laterhemusthavegrownstupidathiswork,forsuddenlytherewasagrowlingofwater,andacrestcame
witharoarandaswashintotheboat,anditwasawonderthatitdidnotsetthecookafloatinhislife-belt.
Thecookcontinuedtosleep,buttheoilersatup,blinkinghiseyesandshakingwiththenewcold.

"Oh,I'mawfulsorry,Billie,"saidthecorrespondentcontritely.

"That'sallright,oldboy,"saidtheoiler,andlaydownagainandwasasleep.

Presentlyitseemedthateventhecaptaindozed,andthecorrespondentthoughtthathewastheoneman
afloatonalltheoceans.Thewindhadavoiceasitcameoverthewaves,anditwassadderthantheend.

Therewasalong,loudswishingasternoftheboat,andagleamingtrailofphosphorescence,likeblue
flame,wasfurrowedontheblackwaters.Itmighthavebeenmadebyamonstrousknife.

Thentherecameastillness,whilethecorrespondentbreathedwiththeopenmouthandlookedatthe
sea.

Suddenlytherewasanotherswishandanotherlongflashofbluishlight,andthistimeitwasalongsidethe
boat,andmightalmosthavebeenreachedwithanoar.Thecorrespondentsawanenormousfinspeed
likeashadowthroughthewater,hurlingthecrystallinesprayandleavingthelongglowingtrail.

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Thecorrespondentlookedoverhisshoulderatthecaptain.Hisfacewashidden,andheseemedtobe
asleep.Helookedatthebabesofthesea.Theycertainlywereasleep.So,beingbereftofsympathy,he
leanedalittlewaytoonesideandsworesoftlyintothesea.

Butthethingdidnotthenleavethevicinityoftheboat.Aheadorastern,ononesideortheother,at
intervalslongorshort,fledthelongsparklingstreak,andtherewastobeheardthewhirooofthedarkfin.
Thespeedandpowerofthethingwasgreatlytobeadmired.Itcutthewaterlikeagiganticandkeen
projectile.

Thepresenceofthisbidingthingdidnotaffectthemanwiththesamehorrorthatitwouldifhehadbeen
apicnicker.Hesimplylookedattheseadullyandsworeinanundertone.

Nevertheless,itistruethathedidnotwishtobealone.Hewishedoneofhiscompanionstoawakenby
chanceandkeephimcompanywithit.Butthecaptainhungmotionlessoverthewater-jar,andtheoiler
andthecookinthebottomoftheboatwereplungedinslumber.

VI

"IfIamgoingtobedrownedifIamgoingtobedrownedifIamgoingtobedrowned,why,inthename
ofthesevenmadgodswhorulethesea,wasIallowedtocomethusfarandcontemplatesandandtrees?"

Duringthisdismalnight,itmayberemarkedthatamanwouldconcludethatitwasreallytheintentionof
thesevenmadgodstodrownhim,despitetheabominableinjusticeofit.Foritwascertainlyan
abominableinjusticetodrownamanwhohadworkedsohard,sohard.Themanfeltitwouldbeacrime
mostunnatural.Otherpeoplehaddrownedatseasincegalleysswarmedwithpaintedsails,butstill

Whenitoccurstoamanthatnaturedoesnotregardhimasimportant,andthatshefeelsshewouldnot
maimtheuniversebydisposingofhim,heatfirstwishestothrowbricksatthetemple,andhehates
deeplythefactthattherearenobricksandnotemples.Anyvisibleexpressionofnaturewouldsurelybe
pelletedwithhisjeers.

Then,iftherebenotangiblethingtohoothefeels,perhaps,thedesiretoconfrontapersonificationand
indulgeinpleas,bowedtooneknee,andwithhandssupplicant,saying:"Yes,butIlovemyself."

Ahighcoldstaronawinter'snightisthewordhefeelsthatshesaystohim.Thereafterheknowsthe
pathosofhissituation.

Themeninthedingeyhadnotdiscussedthesematters,buteachhad,nodoubt,reflecteduponthemin
silenceandaccordingtohismind.Therewasseldomanyexpressionupontheirfacessavethegeneral
oneofcompleteweariness.Speechwasdevotedtothebusinessoftheboat.

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Tochimethenotesofhisemotion,aversemysteriouslyenteredthecorrespondent'shead.Hehadeven
forgottenthathehadforgottenthisverse,butitsuddenlywasinhismind.

"AsoldieroftheLegionlaydyinginAlgiers,
Therewaslackofwoman'snursing,therewasdearthofwoman'stears;
Butacomradestoodbesidehim,andhetookthatcomrade'shand,
Andhesaid:'Ishallneverseemyown,mynativeland.'"

Inhischildhood,thecorrespondenthadbeenmadeacquaintedwiththefactthatasoldieroftheLegion
laydyinginAlgiers,buthehadneverregardedthefactasimportant.Myriadsofhisschool-fellowshad
informedhimofthesoldier'splight,butthedinninghadnaturallyendedbymakinghimperfectly
indifferent.HehadneverconsideredithisaffairthatasoldieroftheLegionlaydyinginAlgiers,norhadit
appearedtohimasamatterforsorrow.Itwaslesstohimthanthebreakingofapencil'spoint.

Now,however,itquaintlycametohimasahuman,livingthing.Itwasnolongermerelyapictureofafew
throesinthebreastofapoet,meanwhiledrinkingteaandwarminghisfeetatthegrate;itwasan
actualitystern,mournful,andfine.

Thecorrespondentplainlysawthesoldier.Helayonthesandwithhisfeetoutstraightandstill.Whilehis
palelefthandwasuponhischestinanattempttothwartthegoingofhislife,thebloodcamebetweenhis
fingers.InthefarAlgeriandistance,acityoflowsquareformswassetagainstaskythatwasfaintwiththe
lastsunsethues.Thecorrespondent,plyingtheoarsanddreamingoftheslowandslowermovementsof
thelipsofthesoldier,wasmovedbyaprofoundandperfectlyimpersonalcomprehension.Hewassorry
forthesoldieroftheLegionwholaydyinginAlgiers.

Thethingwhichhadfollowedtheboatandwaited,hadevidentlygrownboredatthedelay.Therewasno
longertobeheardtheslashofthecut-water,andtherewasnolongertheflameofthelongtrail.Thelight
inthenorthstillglimmered,butitwasapparentlynonearertotheboat.Sometimestheboomofthesurf
ranginthecorrespondent'sears,andheturnedthecraftseawardthenandrowedharder.Southward,
someonehadevidentlybuiltawatch-fireonthebeach.Itwastoolowandtoofartobeseen,butitmade
ashimmering,roseatereflectionuponthebluffbackofit,andthiscouldbediscernedfromtheboat.The
windcamestronger,andsometimesawavesuddenlyragedoutlikeamountain-cat,andtherewastobe
seenthesheenandsparkleofabrokencrest.

Thecaptain,inthebow,movedonhiswater-jarandsaterect."Prettylongnight,"heobservedtothe
correspondent.Helookedattheshore."Thoselife-savingpeopletaketheirtime."

"Didyouseethatsharkplayingaround?"

"Yes,Isawhim.Hewasabigfellow,allright."

"WishIhadknownyouwereawake."

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Laterthecorrespondentspokeintothebottomoftheboat.

"Billie!"Therewasaslowandgradualdisentanglement."Billie,willyouspellme?"

"Sure,"saidtheoiler.

Assoonasthecorrespondenttouchedthecoldcomfortablesea-waterinthebottomoftheboat,andhad
huddledclosetothecook'slife-belthewasdeepinsleep,despitethefactthathisteethplayedallthe
popularairs.Thissleepwassogoodtohimthatitwasbutamomentbeforeheheardavoicecallhis
nameinatonethatdemonstratedthelaststagesofexhaustion."Willyouspellme?"

"Sure,Billie."

Thelightinthenorthhadmysteriouslyvanished,butthecorrespondenttookhiscoursefromthe
wide-awakecaptain.

Laterinthenighttheytooktheboatfartherouttosea,andthecaptaindirectedthecooktotakeoneoar
atthesternandkeeptheboatfacingtheseas.Hewastocalloutifheshouldhearthethunderofthesurf.
Thisplanenabledtheoilerandthecorrespondenttogetrespitetogether."We'llgivethoseboysachance
togetintoshapeagain,"saidthecaptain.Theycurleddownand,afterafewpreliminarychatteringsand
trembles,sleptoncemorethedeadsleep.Neitherknewtheyhadbequeathedtothecookthecompany
ofanothershark,orperhapsthesameshark.

Astheboatcarousedonthewaves,sprayoccasionallybumpedoverthesideandgavethemafresh
soaking,butthishadnopowertobreaktheirrepose.Theominousslashofthewindandthewater
affectedthemasitwouldhaveaffectedmummies.

"Boys,"saidthecook,withthenotesofeveryreluctanceinhisvoice,"she'sdriftedinprettyclose.Iguess
oneofyouhadbettertakehertoseaagain."Thecorrespondent,aroused,heardthecrashofthetoppled
crests.

Ashewasrowing,thecaptaingavehimsomewhisky-and-water,andthissteadiedthechillsoutofhim."IfI
evergetashoreandanybodyshowsmeevenaphotographofanoar"

Atlasttherewasashortconversation.

"Billie....Billie,willyouspellme?"

"Sure,"saidtheoiler.

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VII

Whenthecorrespondentagainopenedhiseyes,theseaandtheskywereeachofthegreyhueofthe
dawning.Later,carmineandgoldwaspainteduponthewaters.Themorningappearedfinally,inits
splendour,withaskyofpureblue,andthesunlightflamedonthetipsofthewaves.

Onthedistantdunesweresetmanylittleblackcottages,andatallwhitewindmillrearedabovethem.No
man,nordog,norbicycleappearedonthebeach.Thecottagesmighthaveformedadesertedvillage.

Thevoyagersscannedtheshore.Aconferencewasheldintheboat."Well,"saidthecaptain,"ifnohelpis
comingwemightbettertryarunthroughthesurfrightaway.Ifwestayoutheremuchlongerwewillbe
tooweaktodoanythingforourselvesatall."Theotherssilentlyacquiescedinthisreasoning.Theboat
washeadedforthebeach.Thecorrespondentwonderedifnoneeverascendedthetallwind-tower,andif
thentheyneverlookedseaward.Thistowerwasagiant,standingwithitsbacktotheplightoftheants.It
representedinadegree,tothecorrespondent,theserenityofnatureamidthestrugglesofthe
individualnatureinthewind,andnatureinthevisionofmen.Shedidnotseemcrueltohimthen,nor
beneficent,nortreacherous,norwise.Butshewasindifferent,flatlyindifferent.Itis,perhaps,plausiblethat
amaninthissituation,impressedwiththeunconcernoftheuniverse,shouldseetheinnumerableflawsof
hislife,andhavethemtastewickedlyinhismindandwishforanotherchance.Adistinctionbetweenright
andwrongseemsabsurdlycleartohim,then,inthisnewignoranceofthegrave-edge,andhe
understandsthatifheweregivenanotheropportunityhewouldmendhisconductandhiswords,andbe
betterandbrighterduringanintroductionoratatea.

"Now,boys,"saidthecaptain,"sheisgoingtoswamp,sure.Allwecandoistoworkherinasfaras
possible,andthenwhensheswamps,pileoutandscrambleforthebeach.Keepcoolnow,anddon'tjump
untilsheswampssure."

Theoilertooktheoars.Overhisshouldershescannedthesurf."Captain,"hesaid,"IthinkI'dbetterbring
herabout,andkeepherhead-ontotheseasandbackherin."

"Allright,Billie,"saidthecaptain."Backherin."Theoilerswungtheboatthenand,seatedinthestern,the
cookandthecorrespondentwereobligedtolookovertheirshoulderstocontemplatethelonelyand
indifferentshore.

Themonstrousin-shorerollersheavedtheboathighuntilthemenwereagainenabledtoseethewhite
sheetsofwaterscuddinguptheslantedbeach."Wewon'tgetinveryclose,"saidthecaptain.Eachtimea
mancouldwresthisattentionfromtherollers,heturnedhisglancetowardtheshore,andinthe
expressionoftheeyesduringthiscontemplationtherewasasingularquality.Thecorrespondent,
observingtheothers,knewthattheywerenotafraid,butthefullmeaningoftheirglanceswasshrouded.

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ofit,butthemindwasdominatedatthistimebythemuscles,andthemusclessaidtheydidnotcare.It
merelyoccurredtohimthatifheshoulddrownitwouldbeashame.

Therewerenohurriedwords,nopallor,noplainagitation.Themensimplylookedattheshore."Now,
remembertogetwellclearoftheboatwhenyoujump,"saidthecaptain.

Seawardthecrestofarollersuddenlyfellwithathunderouscrash,andthelongwhitecombercame
roaringdownupontheboat.

"Steadynow,"saidthecaptain.Themenweresilent.Theyturnedtheireyesfromtheshoretothecomber
andwaited.Theboatsliduptheincline,leapedatthefurioustop,bouncedoverit,andswungdownthe
longbackofthewave.Somewaterhadbeenshippedandthecookbaileditout.

Butthenextcrestcrashedalso.Thetumblingboilingfloodofwhitewatercaughttheboatandwhirledit
almostperpendicular.Waterswarmedinfromallsides.Thecorrespondenthadhishandsonthegunwale
atthistime,andwhenthewaterenteredatthatplaceheswiftlywithdrewhisfingers,asifheobjectedto
wettingthem.

Thelittleboat,drunkenwiththisweightofwater,reeledandsnuggleddeeperintothesea.

"Bailherout,cook!Bailherout,"saidthecaptain.

"Allright,captain,"saidthecook.

"Now,boys,thenextonewilldoforus,sure,"saidtheoiler."Mindtojumpclearoftheboat."

Thethirdwavemovedforward,huge,furious,implacable.Itfairlyswallowedthedingey,andalmost
simultaneouslythementumbledintothesea.Apieceoflife-belthadlaininthebottomoftheboat,andas
thecorrespondentwentoverboardheheldthistohischestwithhislefthand.

TheJanuarywaterwasicy,andhereflectedimmediatelythatitwascolderthanhehadexpectedtofindit
offthecoastofFlorida.Thisappearedtohisdazedmindasafactimportantenoughtobenotedatthe
time.Thecoldnessofthewaterwassad;itwastragic.Thisfactwassomehowsomixedandconfusedwith
hisopinionofhisownsituationthatitseemedalmostaproperreasonfortears.Thewaterwascold.

Whenhecametothesurfacehewasconsciousoflittlebutthenoisywater.Afterwardhesawhis
companionsinthesea.Theoilerwasaheadintherace.Hewasswimmingstronglyandrapidly.Offtothe
correspondent'sleft,thecook'sgreatwhiteandcorkedbackbulgedoutofthewater,andintherearthe
captainwashangingwithhisonegoodhandtothekeeloftheoverturneddingey.

Thereisacertainimmovablequalitytoashore,andthecorrespondentwonderedatitamidtheconfusion
ofthesea.

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Itseemedalsoveryattractive,butthecorrespondentknewthatitwasalongjourney,andhepaddled
leisurely.Thepieceoflife-preserverlayunderhim,andsometimeshewhirleddowntheinclineofawave
asifhewereonahand-sled.

Butfinallyhearrivedataplaceintheseawheretravelwasbesetwithdifficulty.Hedidnotpause
swimmingtoinquirewhatmannerofcurrenthadcaughthim,buttherehisprogressceased.Theshore
wassetbeforehimlikeabitofsceneryonastage,andhelookedatitandunderstoodwithhiseyeseach
detailofit.

Asthecookpassed,muchfarthertotheleft,thecaptainwascallingtohim,"Turnoveronyourback,cook!
Turnoveronyourbackandusetheoar."

"Allright,sir."Thecookturnedonhisback,and,paddlingwithanoar,wentaheadasifhewereacanoe.

Presentlytheboatalsopassedtotheleftofthecorrespondentwiththecaptainclingingwithonehandto
thekeel.Hewouldhaveappearedlikeamanraisinghimselftolookoveraboardfence,ifitwerenotfor
theextraordinarygymnasticsoftheboat.Thecorrespondentmarvelledthatthecaptaincouldstillholdto
it.

Theypassedon,nearertoshoretheoiler,thecook,thecaptainandfollowingthemwentthewater-jar,
bouncinggailyovertheseas.

Thecorrespondentremainedinthegripofthisstrangenewenemyacurrent.Theshore,withitswhite
slopeofsandanditsgreenbluff,toppedwithlittlesilentcottages,wasspreadlikeapicturebeforehim.It
wasveryneartohimthen,buthewasimpressedasonewhoinagallerylooksatascenefromBrittanyor
Holland.

Hethought:"Iamgoingtodrown?Canitbepossible?Canitbepossible?Canitbepossible?"Perhapsan
individualmustconsiderhisowndeathtobethefinalphenomenonofnature.

Butlaterawaveperhapswhirledhimoutofthissmalldeadlycurrent,forhefoundsuddenlythathecould
againmakeprogresstowardtheshore.Laterstill,hewasawarethatthecaptain,clingingwithonehandto
thekeelofthedingey,hadhisfaceturnedawayfromtheshoreandtowardhim,andwascallinghisname.
"Cometotheboat!Cometotheboat!"

Inhisstruggletoreachthecaptainandtheboat,hereflectedthatwhenonegetsproperlywearied,
drowningmustreallybeacomfortablearrangement,acessationofhostilitiesaccompaniedbyalarge
degreeofrelief,andhewasgladofit,forthemainthinginhismindforsomemomentshadbeenhorrorof
thetemporaryagony.Hedidnotwishtobehurt.

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Presentlyhesawamanrunningalongtheshore.Hewasundressingwithmostremarkablespeed.Coat,
trousers,shirt,everythingflewmagicallyoffhim.

"Cometotheboat,"calledthecaptain.

"Allright,captain."Asthecorrespondentpaddled,hesawthecaptainlethimselfdowntobottomand
leavetheboat.Thenthecorrespondentperformedhisonelittlemarvelofthevoyage.Alargewave
caughthimandflunghimwitheaseandsupremespeedcompletelyovertheboatandfarbeyondit.It
struckhimeventhenasaneventingymnastics,andatruemiracleofthesea.Anoverturnedboatinthe
surfisnotaplaythingtoaswimmingman.

Thecorrespondentarrivedinwaterthatreachedonlytohiswaist,buthisconditiondidnotenablehimto
standformorethanamoment.Eachwaveknockedhimintoaheap,andtheunder-towpulledathim.

Thenhesawthemanwhohadbeenrunningandundressing,andundressingandrunning,come
boundingintothewater.Hedraggedashorethecook,andthenwadedtowardsthecaptain,butthe
captainwavedhimaway,andsenthimtothecorrespondent.Hewasnaked,nakedasatreeinwinter,but
ahalowasabouthishead,andheshonelikeasaint.Hegaveastrongpull,andalongdrag,andabully
heaveatthecorrespondent'shand.Thecorrespondent,schooledintheminorformul,said:"Thanks,old
man."Butsuddenlythemancried:"What'sthat?"Hepointedaswiftfinger.Thecorrespondentsaid:"Go."

Intheshallows,facedownward,laytheoiler.Hisforeheadtouchedsandthatwasperiodically,between
eachwave,clearofthesea.

Thecorrespondentdidnotknowallthattranspiredafterward.Whenheachievedsafegroundhefell,
strikingthesandwitheachparticularpartofhisbody.Itwasasifhehaddroppedfromaroof,butthethud
wasgratefultohim.

Itseemsthatinstantlythebeachwaspopulatedwithmenwithblankets,clothes,andflasks,andwomen
withcoffee-potsandalltheremediessacredtotheirminds.Thewelcomeofthelandtothemenfromthe
seawaswarmandgenerous,butastillanddrippingshapewascarriedslowlyupthebeach,andthe
land'swelcomeforitcouldonlybethedifferentandsinisterhospitalityofthegrave.

Whenitcamenight,thewhitewavespacedtoandfrointhemoonlight,andthewindbroughtthesoundof
thegreatsea'svoicetothemenonshore,andtheyfeltthattheycouldthenbeinterpreters.

Annotations

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