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like the mouth of a biggish riverwith some towns； no doubt； not far up。
It's the best chance for you that I can see。〃
〃Anything。 Koh…ring let it be。〃
He looked thoughtfully at the chart as if surveying chances and
distances from a lofty heightand following with his eyes his own
figure wandering on the blank land of Cochin…China； and then passing
off that piece of paper clean out of sight into uncharted regions。
And it was as if the ship had two captains to plan her course for her。
I had been so worried and restless running up and down that I
had not had the patience to dress that day。 I had remained
in my sleeping suit； with straw slippers and a soft floppy hat。
The closeness of the heat in the gulf had been most oppressive；
and the crew were used to seeing me wandering in that airy attire。
〃She will clear the south point as she heads now；〃 I whispered into his ear。
〃Goodness only knows when； though； but certainly after dark。
I'll edge her in to half a mile； as far as I may be able to judge
in the dark〃
〃Be careful；〃 he murmured； warninglyand I realized suddenly
that all my future； the only future for which I was fit；
would perhaps go irretrievably to pieces in any mishap
to my first command。
I could not stop a moment longer in the room。 I motioned him to get out
of sight and made my way on the poop。 That unplayful cub had the watch。
I walked up and down for a while thinking things out； then beckoned him over。
〃Send a couple of hands to open the two quarter…deck ports；〃
I said； mildly。
He actually had the impudence； or else so forgot himself in his wonder
at such an incomprehensible order； as to repeat：
〃Open the quarter…deck ports！ What for； sir？〃
〃The only reason you need concern yourself about is because I tell you
to do so。 Have them open wide and fastened properly。〃
He reddened and went off； but I believe made some jeering remark
to the carpenter as to the sensible practice of ventilating
a ship's quarter…deck。 I know he popped into the mate's cabin
to impart the fact to him because the whiskers came on deck；
as it were by chance； and stole glances at me from below
for signs of lunacy or drunkenness； I suppose。
A little before supper； feeling more restless than ever； I rejoined；
for a moment； my second self。 And to find him sitting so quietly
was surprising； like something against nature； inhuman。
I developed my plan in a hurried whisper。
〃I shall stand in as close as I dare and then put her round。
I will presently find means to smuggle you out of here
into the sail locker； which communicates with the lobby。
But there is an opening； a sort of square for hauling the sails out；
which gives straight on the quarter…deck and which is never
closed in fine weather； so as to give air to the sails。
When the ship's way is deadened in stays and all the hands
are aft at the main braces you will have a clear road to slip
out and get overboard through the open quarter…deck port。
I've had them both fastened up。 Use a rope's end to lower
yourself into the water so as to avoid a splashyou know。
It could be heard and cause some beastly complication。〃
He kept silent for a while； then whispered； 〃I understand。〃
〃I won't be there to see you go；〃 I began with an effort。
〃The rest 。 。 。 I only hope I have understood； too。〃
〃You have。 From first to last〃and for the first time there
seemed to be a faltering； something strained in his whisper。
He caught hold of my arm； but the ringing of the supper bell
made me start。 He didn't though； he only released his grip。
After supper I didn't come below again till well past eight
o'clock。 The faint； steady breeze was loaded with dew； and the wet；
darkened sails held all there was of propelling power in it。
The night； clear and starry； sparkled darkly； and the opaque；
lightless patches shifting slowly against the low stars
were the drifting islets。 On the port bow there was a big
one more distant and shadowily imposing by the great space
of sky it eclipsed。
On opening the door I had a back view of my very own self looking at a chart。
He had come out of the recess and was standing near the table。
〃Quite dark enough；〃 I whispered。
He stepped back and leaned against my bed with a level； quiet glance。
I sat on the couch。 We had nothing to say to each other。
Over our heads the officer of the watch moved here and there。
Then I heard him move quickly。 I knew what that meant。
He was making for the companion； and presently his voice was
outside my door。
〃We are drawing in pretty fast； sir。 Land looks rather close。〃
〃Very well；〃 I answered。 〃I am coming on deck directly。〃
I waited till he was gone out of the cuddy； then rose。 My double moved too。
The time had come to exchange our last whispers； for neither of us was ever
to hear each other's natural voice。
〃Look here！〃 I opened a drawer and took out three sovereigns。
〃Take this anyhow。 I've got six and I'd give you the lot；
only I must keep a little money to buy some fruit and vegetables
for the crew from native boats as we go through Sunda Straits。〃
He shook his head。
〃Take it；〃 I urged him； whispering desperately。
〃No one can tell what〃
He smiled and slapped meaningly the only pocket of the sleeping jacket。
It was not safe； certainly。 But I produced a large old silk handkerchief
of mine； and tying the three pieces of gold in a corner； pressed it on him。
He was touched； I supposed； because he took it at last and tied it quickly
round his waist under the jacket； on his bare skin。
Our eyes met； several seconds elapsed； till； our glances
still mingled； I extended my hand and turned the lamp out。
Then I passed through the cuddy； leaving the door of my room wide open。
。 。 。 〃Steward！〃
He was still lingering in the pantry in the greatness of his zeal；
giving a rub…up to a plated cruet stand the last thing before going to bed。
Being careful not to wake up the mate； whose room was opposite； I spoke
in an undertone。
He looked round anxiously。 〃Sir！〃
〃Can you get me a little hot water from the galley？〃
〃I am afraid； sir； the galley fire's been out for some time now。〃
〃Go and see。〃
He flew up the stairs。
〃Now；〃 I whispered； loudly； into the saloontoo loudly；
perhaps； but I was afraid I couldn't make a sound。
He was by my side in an instantthe double captain slipped past
the stairsthrough a tiny dark passage 。 。 。 a sliding door。
We were in the sail locker； scrambling on our knees over the sails。
A sudden thought struck me。 I saw myself wandering
barefooted； bareheaded； the sun beating on my dark poll。
I snatched off my floppy hat and tried hurriedly in the dark
to ram it on my other self。 He dodged and fended off silently。
I wonder what he thought had come to me before he understood
and suddenly desisted。 Our hands met gropingly；
lingered united in a steady； motionless cl