s close to his hand.

"O, Haggart! O, my dear Haggart! They are not offended because I asked
them so rudely to step aside, are they? O, my dear Haggart! The galloons
of your uniform scratched my cheek, but it is so pleasant. Do you know,
I never liked it when you wore the clothes of our fishermen--it was not
becoming to you, Haggart. But I am talking nonsense, and you are getting
angry, Gart. Forgive me!"

"Don't kneel. Get up."

"It was only for a moment. Here, I got up. You ask me what I want? This
is what I want: Take me with you, Haggart! Me and little Noni, Haggart!"

Haggart retreats.

"You say that, Mariet? You say that I should take you along? Perhaps you
are laughing, woman? Or am I dreaming again?"

"Yes, I say that: Take me with you. Is this your ship? How large and
beautiful it is, and it has black sails, I know it. Take me on your
ship, Haggart. I know, you will say: 'We have no women on the ship,' but
I will be the woman: I will be your soul. Haggart, I will be your song,
your thoughts, Haggart! And if it must be so, let Khorre give gin to
little Noni--he is a strong boy."

"Eh, Mariet?" says Haggart sternly. "Do you perhaps want me to believe
you again? Eh, Mariet? Don't talk of that which you do not know, woman.
Are the rocks perhaps casting a spell over me and turning my head? Do
you hear the noise, and something like voices? That is the sea, waiting
for me. Don't hold my soul. Let it go, Mariet."

"Don't speak, Haggart! I know everything. It was not as though I came
along a fiery road, it was not as though I saw blood to-day. Be silent,
Haggart! I have seen something more terrible, Haggart! Oh, if you
could only understand me! I have seen cowardly people who ran without
defending themselves. I have seen clutching, greedy fingers, crooked
like those of birds, like those of birds, Haggart! And out of these
fingers, which were forced open, gold was taken. And suddenly I saw a
man sobbing. Think of it, Haggart! They were taking gold from him, and
he was sobbing."

She laughs bitterly. Haggart advances a step toward her and puts his
heavy hand upon her shoulder:

"Yes, yes, Mariet. Speak on, girl, let the sea wait."

Mariet removes his hand and continues:

"'No,' I thought. 'These are not my brethren at all!' I thought and
laughed. And father shouted to the cowards: 'Take shafts and strike
them.' But they were running. Father is such a splendid man."

"Father is a splendid man," Haggart affi