adventure(ðÏÕ)-µÚ26½Ú
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
unladylike¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡arose£»¡¡tears¡¡of¡¡anger¡¡and¡¡mortification¡¡in¡¡her¡¡eyes£»¡¡and¡¡went¡¡over¡¡
to¡¡the¡¡phonograph¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡wonder¡¡if¡¡all¡¡men¡¡are¡¡as¡¡ridiculous¡¡as¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡she¡¡said¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡shrugged¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡shoulders¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡smiled¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Discussion¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡uselesshe¡¡
had¡¡learned¡¡that£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡was¡¡resolved¡¡to¡¡keep¡¡his¡¡temper¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡before¡¡the¡¡
day¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡out¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡capitulated¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡She¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡Sydney¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡first¡¡
steamer£»¡¡¡¡¡¡purchase¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡schooner£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡sail¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡island¡¡¡¡¡¡skipper¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡
board¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡then¡¡she¡¡inveigled¡¡Sheldon¡¡into¡¡agreeing¡¡that¡¡she¡¡could¡¡take¡¡
occasional¡¡cruises¡¡in¡¡the¡¡islands£»¡¡though¡¡he¡¡was¡¡adamant¡¡when¡¡it¡¡came¡¡to¡¡a¡¡
recruiting¡¡trip¡¡on¡¡Malaita¡£¡¡That¡¡was¡¡the¡¡one¡¡thing¡¡barred¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡92¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡93¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ADVENTURE¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡after¡¡it¡¡was¡¡all¡¡over£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡terse¡¡and¡¡business¡like¡¡agreement¡¡£¨by¡¡
her¡¡urging£©¡¡drawn¡¡up¡¡and¡¡signed£»¡¡Sheldon¡¡paced¡¡up¡¡and¡¡down¡¡for¡¡a¡¡full¡¡
hour£»¡¡meditating¡¡upon¡¡how¡¡many¡¡different¡¡kinds¡¡of¡¡a¡¡fool¡¡he¡¡had¡¡made¡¡of¡¡
himself¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡an¡¡impossible¡¡situation£»¡¡and¡¡yet¡¡no¡¡more¡¡impossible¡¡than¡¡
the¡¡previous¡¡one£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡impossible¡¡than¡¡the¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡
obtained¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡gone¡¡¡¡¡¡off¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡own¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡bought¡¡¡¡¡¡Pari¡Sulay¡£¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡
never¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡independent¡¡¡¡¡¡woman¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡stood¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡need¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
protector¡¡¡¡¡¡than¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡boy¡minded¡¡¡¡¡¡girl¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡landed¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡beach¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
eight¡¡picturesque¡¡savages£»¡¡a¡¡long¡¡¡barrelled¡¡revolver£»¡¡a¡¡bag¡¡of¡¡gold£»¡¡and¡¡a¡¡
gaudy¡¡merchandise¡¡of¡¡imagined¡¡romance¡¡and¡¡adventure¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡had¡¡never¡¡read¡¡of¡¡anything¡¡to¡¡compare¡¡with¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡fictionists£»¡¡as¡¡
usual£»¡¡were¡¡exceeded¡¡by¡¡fact¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡whole¡¡thing¡¡was¡¡too¡¡preposterous¡¡to¡¡
be¡¡true¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡gnawed¡¡his¡¡moustache¡¡and¡¡smoked¡¡cigarette¡¡after¡¡cigarette¡£¡¡
Satan£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡back¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡prowl¡¡¡¡¡¡around¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡compound£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ran¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
touched¡¡his¡¡hand¡¡with¡¡a¡¡cold£»¡¡damp¡¡nose¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sheldon¡¡caressed¡¡the¡¡animal's¡¡
ears£»¡¡then¡¡threw¡¡himself¡¡into¡¡a¡¡chair¡¡and¡¡laughed¡¡heartily¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡would¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡Commissioner¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Solomons¡¡¡¡¡¡think£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡people¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡
home¡¡think£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And¡¡in¡¡the¡¡one¡¡breath¡¡he¡¡was¡¡glad¡¡that¡¡the¡¡partnership¡¡had¡¡
been¡¡effected¡¡and¡¡sorry¡¡that¡¡Joan¡¡Lackland¡¡had¡¡ever¡¡come¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Solomons¡£¡¡
Then¡¡he¡¡went¡¡inside¡¡and¡¡looked¡¡at¡¡himself¡¡in¡¡a¡¡hand¡mirror¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡studied¡¡
the¡¡reflection¡¡long¡¡and¡¡thoughtfully¡¡and¡¡wonderingly¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡93¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡94¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ADVENTURE¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡CHAPTER¡¡XIVTHE¡¡MARTHA¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡deep¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡game¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡billiards¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡next¡¡¡¡¡¡morning£»¡¡¡¡¡¡after¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
eleven¡¡o'clock¡¡breakfast£»¡¡when¡¡Viaburi¡¡entered¡¡and¡¡announced£»¡¡¡¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Big¡¡fella¡¡schooner¡¡close¡¡up¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Even¡¡as¡¡he¡¡spoke£»¡¡they¡¡heard¡¡the¡¡rumble¡¡of¡¡chain¡¡through¡¡hawse¡¡¡pipe£»¡¡
and¡¡from¡¡the¡¡veranda¡¡saw¡¡a¡¡big¡¡black¡painted¡¡schooner£»¡¡swinging¡¡to¡¡her¡¡
just¡caught¡¡anchor¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨It's¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡Yankee£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡Joan¡¡¡¡¡¡cried¡£¡¡¡¡¡¨See¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡bow£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Look¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡elliptical¡¡
stern£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Ah£»¡¡I¡¡thought¡¡so¡¨¡¡as¡¡the¡¡Stars¡¡and¡¡Stripes¡¡fluttered¡¡to¡¡the¡¡mast¡¡¡
head¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Noa¡¡Noah£»¡¡at¡¡Sheldon's¡¡direction£»¡¡ran¡¡the¡¡Union¡¡Jack¡¡up¡¡the¡¡flag¡¡¡staff¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Now¡¡what¡¡is¡¡an¡¡American¡¡vessel¡¡doing¡¡down¡¡here£¿¡¨¡¡Joan¡¡asked¡£¡¡¡¨It's¡¡
not¡¡a¡¡yacht£»¡¡though¡¡I'll¡¡wager¡¡she¡¡can¡¡sail¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Look£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Her¡¡name£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡What¡¡is¡¡
it£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Martha£»¡¡San¡¡Francisco£»¡¨¡¡Sheldon¡¡read£»¡¡looking¡¡through¡¡the¡¡telescope¡£¡¡
¡¨It's¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡Yankee¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡heard¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Solomons¡£¡¡They¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡coming¡¡
ashore£»¡¡whoever¡¡they¡¡are¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡And£»¡¡by¡¡Jove£»¡¡look¡¡at¡¡those¡¡men¡¡at¡¡the¡¡oars¡£¡¡
It's¡¡an¡¡all¡white¡¡crew¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now¡¡what¡¡reason¡¡brings¡¡them¡¡here£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨They're¡¡not¡¡proper¡¡sailors£»¡¨¡¡Joan¡¡commented¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I'd¡¡be¡¡ashamed¡¡of¡¡a¡¡
crew¡¡of¡¡black¡boys¡¡that¡¡pulled¡¡in¡¡such¡¡fashion¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Look¡¡at¡¡that¡¡fellow¡¡in¡¡the¡¡
bowthe¡¡one¡¡just¡¡jumping¡¡out£»¡¡he'd¡¡be¡¡more¡¡at¡¡home¡¡on¡¡a¡¡cow¡pony¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡boat's¡crew¡¡scattered¡¡up¡¡and¡¡down¡¡the¡¡beach£»¡¡ranging¡¡about¡¡with¡¡
eager¡¡curiosity£»¡¡while¡¡the¡¡two¡¡men¡¡who¡¡had¡¡sat¡¡in¡¡the¡¡stern¡sheets¡¡opened¡¡
the¡¡gate¡¡and¡¡came¡¡up¡¡the¡¡path¡¡to¡¡the¡¡bungalow¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡One¡¡of¡¡them£»¡¡a¡¡tall¡¡and¡¡
slender¡¡man£»¡¡was¡¡clad¡¡in¡¡white¡¡ducks¡¡that¡¡fitted¡¡him¡¡like¡¡a¡¡semi¡military¡¡
uniform¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡other¡¡man£»¡¡in¡¡nondescript¡¡garments¡¡that¡¡were¡¡both¡¡of¡¡the¡¡
sea¡¡and¡¡shore£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡must¡¡have¡¡been¡¡uncomfortably¡¡hot£»¡¡slouched¡¡and¡¡
shambled¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡overgrown¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ape¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡To¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡complete¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡illusion£»¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡face¡¡
seemed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡sprout¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡directions¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡dense£»¡¡¡¡¡¡bushy¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mass¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡red¡¡
whiskers£»¡¡while¡¡his¡¡eyes¡¡were¡¡small¡¡and¡¡sharp¡¡and¡¡restless¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sheldon£»¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡gone¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡head¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡steps£»¡¡¡¡¡¡introduced¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡to¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡94¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡95¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ADVENTURE¡¡
Joan¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡bewhiskered¡¡individual£»¡¡who¡¡looked¡¡like¡¡a¡¡Scotsman£»¡¡had¡¡the¡¡
Teutonic¡¡¡¡¡¡name¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Von¡¡¡¡¡¡Blix£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡spoke¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡strong¡¡¡¡¡¡American¡¡¡¡¡¡accent¡£¡¡
The¡¡¡¡¡¡tall¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡well¡fitting¡¡¡¡¡¡ducks£»¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡gave¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡English¡¡¡¡¡¡name¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
TudorJohn¡¡Tudortalked¡¡purely¡enunciated¡¡English¡¡such¡¡as¡¡any¡¡cultured¡¡
American¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡talk£»¡¡¡¡¡¡save¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡fact¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡delicately¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
subtly¡¡touched¡¡by¡¡a¡¡faint¡¡German¡¡accent¡£¡¡Joan¡¡decided¡¡that¡¡she¡¡had¡¡been¡¡
helped¡¡to¡¡identify¡¡the¡¡accent¡¡by¡¡the¡¡short¡¡German¡looking¡¡moustache¡¡that¡¡
did¡¡not¡¡conceal¡¡the¡¡mouth¡¡and¡¡its¡¡full¡¡red¡¡lips£»¡¡which¡¡would¡¡have¡¡formed¡¡a¡¡
Cupid's¡¡bow¡¡but¡¡for¡¡some¡¡harshness¡¡or¡¡severity¡¡of¡¡spirit¡¡that¡¡had¡¡moulded¡¡
them¡¡masculinely¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Von¡¡¡¡¡¡Blix¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡rough¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡boorish£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡Tudor¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡gracefully¡¡¡¡¡¡easy¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡
everything¡¡he¡¡did£»¡¡or¡¡looked£»¡¡or¡¡said¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡blue¡¡eyes¡¡sparkled¡¡and¡¡flashed£»¡¡
his¡¡¡¡¡¡clean¡cut¡¡¡¡¡¡mobile¡¡¡¡¡¡features¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡index¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡slightest¡¡¡¡¡¡shades¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡
feeling¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡expression¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡bubbled¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡enthusiasms£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡faintest¡¡
smile¡¡or¡¡lightest¡¡laugh¡¡seemed¡¡spontaneous¡¡and¡¡genuine¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But¡¡it¡¡was¡¡only¡¡
occasionally¡¡at¡¡first¡¡that¡¡he¡¡spoke£»¡¡for¡¡Von¡¡Blix¡¡told¡¡their¡¡story¡¡and¡¡stated¡¡
their¡¡errand¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡gold¡hunting¡¡¡¡¡¡expedition¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡leader£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
Tudor¡¡was¡¡his¡¡lieutenant¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡All¡¡handsand¡¡there¡¡were¡¡twenty¡eight¡¡were¡¡
shareholders£»¡¡in¡¡varying¡¡proportions£»¡¡in¡¡the¡¡adventure¡£¡¡Several¡¡were¡¡sailors£»¡¡
but¡¡the¡¡large¡¡majority¡¡were¡¡miners£»¡¡culled¡¡from¡¡all¡¡the¡¡camps¡¡from¡¡Mexico¡¡
to¡¡the¡¡Arctic¡¡Ocean¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡was¡¡the¡¡old¡¡and¡¡ever¡untiring¡¡pursuit¡¡of¡¡gold£»¡¡and¡¡
they¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Solomons¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡¡¡Part¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡them£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
leadership¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Tudor£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Balesuna¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡penetrate¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
mountainous¡¡¡¡¡¡heart¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡Guadalcanar£»¡¡¡¡¡¡while¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Martha£»¡¡¡¡¡¡under¡¡¡¡¡¡Von¡¡¡¡¡¡Blix£»¡¡
sailed¡¡away¡¡for¡¡Malaita¡¡to¡¡put¡¡through¡¡similar¡¡exploration¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨And¡¡¡¡¡¡so£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡Von¡¡¡¡¡¡Blix£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨for¡¡¡¡¡¡Mr¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Tudor's¡¡¡¡¡¡expedition¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡
some¡¡black¡boys¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Can¡¡we¡¡get¡¡them¡¡from¡¡you£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Of¡¡course¡¡we¡¡will¡¡pay£»¡¨¡¡Tudor¡¡broke¡¡in¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡have¡¡only¡¡to¡¡charge¡¡
what¡¡you¡¡consider¡¡them¡¡worth¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡pay¡¡them¡¡six¡¡pounds¡¡a¡¡year£»¡¡don't¡¡
you£¿¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨In¡¡the¡¡first¡¡place¡¡we¡¡can't¡¡spare¡¡them£»¡¨¡¡Sheldon¡¡answered¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨We¡¡are¡¡
short¡¡of¡¡them¡¡on¡¡the¡¡plantation¡¡as¡¡it¡¡is¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨WE£¿¡¨¡¡Tudor¡¡asked¡¡quickly¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Then¡¡you¡¡are¡¡a¡¡firm¡¡or¡¡a¡¡partnership£¿¡¡I¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡95¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡96¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ADVENTURE¡¡
understood¡¡at¡¡Guvutu¡¡that¡¡you¡¡were¡¡alone£»¡¡that¡¡you¡¡had¡¡lost¡¡your¡¡partner¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sheldon¡¡inclined¡¡his¡¡head¡¡toward¡¡Joan£»¡¡and¡¡as¡¡he¡¡spoke¡¡she¡¡felt¡¡that¡¡he¡¡
had¡¡become¡¡a¡¡trifle¡¡stiff¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Miss¡¡Lackland¡¡has¡¡become¡¡interested¡¡in¡¡the¡¡plantation¡¡since¡¡then¡£¡¡But¡¡
to¡¡return¡¡to¡¡the¡¡boys¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡can't¡¡spare¡¡them£»¡¡and¡¡besides£»¡¡they¡¡would¡¡be¡¡of¡¡
little¡¡use¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡couldn't¡¡get¡¡them¡¡to¡¡accompany¡¡you¡¡beyond¡¡Binu£»¡¡which¡¡
is¡¡a¡¡short¡¡day's¡¡work¡¡with¡¡the¡¡boats¡¡from¡¡here¡£¡¡They¡¡are¡¡Malaita¡men£»¡¡and¡¡
they¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡afraid¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡eaten¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡desert¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡first¡¡
opportunity¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Binu¡¡¡¡¡¡men¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡accompany¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡
day's¡¡journey£»¡¡through¡¡the¡¡grass¡¡¡lands£»¡¡but¡¡at¡¡the¡¡first¡¡roll¡¡of¡¡the¡¡foothills¡¡
look¡¡for¡¡them¡¡to¡¡turn¡¡back¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡likewise¡¡are¡¡disinclined¡¡to¡¡being¡¡eaten¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Is¡¡it¡¡as¡¡bad¡¡as¡¡that£¿¡¨¡¡asked¡¡Von¡¡Blix¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡interior¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡Guadalcanar¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡explored£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Sheldon¡¡
explained¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨The¡¡bushmen¡¡are¡¡as¡¡wild¡¡men¡¡as¡¡are¡¡to¡¡be¡¡found¡¡anywhere¡¡
in¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡world¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡day¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡one¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡
who¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡coast£»¡¡¡¡¡¡though¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡
scouting¡¡parties¡¡occasionally¡¡eat¡¡a¡¡coast¡¡na