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II

           AfterdinnerIwentintomystateroomasifImeanttotakesomerest.Therewetwobentourdarkheadsoverahalf-unrolledchartlyingonmybed.

           “There,”Isaid.“It’sgottobeKoh-ring.I’vebeenlookingatiteversincesunrise.Ithasgottwohillsandalowpoint.Itmustbeinhabited.Andonthecoastoppositethereiswhatlookslikethemouthofabiggishriver—withsometowns,nodoubt,notfarup.It’sthebestchanceforyouthatIcansee.”

           “Anything.Koh-ringletitbe.”

           Helookedthoughtfullyatthechartasifsurveyingchancesanddistancesfromaloftyheight—andfollowingwithhiseyeshisownfigurewanderingontheblanklandofCochin-China,andthenpassingoffthatpieceofpapercleanoutofsightintounchartedregions.Anditwasasiftheshiphadtwocaptainstoplanhercourseforher.IhadbeensoworriedandrestlessrunningupanddownthatIhadnothadthepatiencetodressthatday.Ihadremainedinmysleepingsuit,withstrawslippersandasoftfloppyhat.Theclosenessoftheheatinthegulfhadbeenmostoppressive,andthecrewwereusedtoseeingmewanderinginthatairyattire.

           “Shewillclearthesouthpointassheheadsnow,”Iwhisperedintohisear.“Goodnessonlyknowswhen,though,butcertainlyafterdark.I’lledgeherintohalfamile,asfarasImaybeabletojudgeinthedark—”

           “Becareful,”hemurmured,warningly—andIrealizedsuddenlythatallmyfuture,theonlyfutureforwhichIwasfit,wouldperhapsgoirretrievablytopiecesinanymishaptomyfirstcommand.

           Icouldnotstopamomentlongerintheroom.

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