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I

           Andwhenheceased,allIfoundwasafutilewhisper:“Soyouswamforourlight?”

           “Yes—straightforit.Itwassomethingtoswimfor.Icouldn’tseeanystarslowdownbecausethecoastwasintheway,andIcouldn’tseetheland,either.Thewaterwaslikeglass.Onemighthavebeenswimminginaconfoundedthousand-feetdeepcisternwithnoplaceforscramblingoutanywhere;butwhatIdidn’tlikewasthenotionofswimmingroundandroundlikeacrazedbullockbeforeIgaveout;andasIdidn’tmeantogoback...No.Doyouseemebeinghauledback,starknaked,offoneoftheselittleislandsbythescruffoftheneckandfightinglikeawildbeast?Somebodywouldhavegotkilledforcertain,andIdidnotwantanyofthat.SoIwenton.Thenyourladder—”

           “Whydidn’tyouhailtheship?”Iasked,alittlelouder.

           Hetouchedmyshoulderlightly.Lazyfootstepscamerightoverourheadsandstopped.Thesecondmatehadcrossedfromtheothersideofthepoopandmighthavebeenhangingovertherailforallweknew.

           “Hecouldn’thearustalking—couldhe?”Mydoublebreathedintomyveryear,anxiously.

           Hisanxietywasinanswer,asufficientanswer,tothequestionIhadputtohim.Ananswercontainingallthedifficultyofthatsituation.Iclosedtheportholequietly,tomakesure.Alouderwordmighthavebeenoverheard.

           “Who’sthat?”hewhisperedthen.

           “Mysecondmate.ButIdon’tknowmuchmoreofthefellowthanyoudo.”

           AndItoldhimalittleaboutmyself.IhadbeenappointedtotakechargewhileIleastexpectedanythingofthesort,notquiteafortnightago.

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