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'Twixt Land & Sea-Part19_JOSEPH CONRAD (1857-1924)_English Literature(文学名著)-第2页

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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

shall 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 splash



- you 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 suppose, 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 fled up the stairs.



"Now," I whispered, loudly, into the saloon - too loudly, perhaps,

but I was afraid I couldn't make a sound. He was by my side in an



instant - the double captain slipped past the stairs - through 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 clasp for a

second. . . . No word was breathed by either of us when they






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