michael, brother of jerry-第2章

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The　steward　flung　another　quick　glance　over　Michael　and　made　up　his　mind。　　He　turned　away　casually　and　strolled　along　the　beach　out　of　the　circle　of　lantern　light。　　A　hundred　yards　away　he　sat　down　in　the　sand　and　waited。

〃Worth　twenty　pounds　if　a　penny；〃　he　muttered　to　himself。　　〃If　I　couldn't　get　ten　pounds　for　him；　just　like　that；　with　a　thank…you…　ma'am；　I'm　a　sucker　that　don't　know　a　terrier　from　a　greyhound。　Sure；　ten　pounds；　in　any　pub　on　Sydney　beach。〃

And　ten　pounds；　metamorphosed　into　quart　bottles　of　beer；　reared　an　immense　and　radiant　vision；　very　like　a　brewery；　inside　his　head。

A　scurry　of　feet　in　the　sand；　and　low　sniffings；　stiffened　him　to　alertness。　　It　was　as　he　had　hoped。　　The　dog　had　liked　him　from　the　start；　and　had　followed　him。

For　Dag　Daughtry　had　a　way　with　him；　as　Michael　was　quickly　to　learn；　when　the　man's　hand　reached　out　and　clutched　him；　half　by　the　jowl；　half　by　the　slack　of　the　neck　under　the　ear。　　There　was　no　threat　in　that　reach；　nothing　tentative　nor　timorous。　　It　was　hearty；　all…confident；　and　it　produced　confidence　in　Michael。　　It　was　roughness　without　hurt；　assertion　without　threat；　surety　without　seduction。　　To　him　it　was　the　most　natural　thing　in　the　world　thus　to　be　familiarly　seized　and　shaken　about　by　a　total　stranger；　while　a　jovial　voice　muttered：　　〃That's　right；　dog。　Stick　around；　stick　around；　and　you'll　wear　diamonds；　maybe。〃

Certainly；　Michael　had　never　met　a　man　so　immediately　likable。　Dag　Daughtry　knew；　instinctively　to　be　sure；　how　to　get　on　with　dogs。　　By　nature　there　was　no　cruelty　in　him。　　He　never　exceeded　in　peremptoriness；　nor　in　petting。　　He　did　not　overbid　for　Michael's　friendliness。　　He　did　bid；　but　in　a　manner　that　conveyed　no　sense　of　bidding。　　Scarcely　had　he　given　Michael　that　introductory　jowl…shake；　when　he　released　him　and　apparently　forgot　all　about　him。

He　proceeded　to　light　his　pipe；　using　several　matches　as　if　the　wind　blew　them　out。　　But　while　they　burned　close　up　to　his　fingers；　and　while　he　made　a　simulation　of　prodigious　puffing；　his　keen　little　blue　eyes；　under　shaggy；　grizzled　brows；　intently　studied　Michael。　　And　Michael；　ears　cocked　and　eyes　intent；　gazed　at　this　stranger　who　seemed　never　to　have　been　a　stranger　at　all。

If　anything；　it　was　disappointment　Michael　experienced；　in　that　this　delightful；　two…legged　god　took　no　further　notice　of　him。　　He　even　challenged　him　to　closer　acquaintance　with　an　invitation　to　play；　with　an　abrupt　movement　lifting　his　paws　from　the　ground　and　striking　them　down；　stretched　out　well　before；　his　body　bent　down　from　the　rump　in　such　a　curve　that　almost　his　chest　touched　the　sand；　his　stump　of　a　tail　waving　signals　of　good　nature　while　he　uttered　a　sharp；　inviting　bark。　　And　the　man　was　uninterested；　pulling　stolidly　away　at　his　pipe；　in　the　darkness　following　upon　the　third　match。

Never　was　there　a　more　consummate　love…making；　with　all　the　base　intent　of　betrayal；　than　this　cavalier　seduction　of　Michael　by　the　elderly；　six…quart　ship's　steward。　　When　Michael；　not　entirely　unwitting　of　the　snub　of　the　man's　lack　of　interest；　stirred　restlessly　with　a　threat　to　depart；　he　had　flung　at　him　gruffly：

〃Stick　around；　dog；　stick　around。〃

Dag　Daughtry　chuckled　to　himself；　as　Michael；　advancing；　sniffed　his　trousers'　legs　long　and　earnestly。　　And　the　man　took　advantage　of　his　nearness　to　study　him　some　more；　lighting　his　pipe　and　running　over　the　dog's　excellent　lines。

〃Some　dog；　some　points；〃　he　said　aloud　approvingly。　　〃Say；　dog；　you　could　pull　down　ribbons　like　a　candy…kid　in　any　bench　show　anywheres。　　Only　thing　against　you　is　that　ear；　and　I　could　almost　iron　it　out　myself。　　A　vet。　could　do　it。〃

Carelessly　he　dropped　a　hand　to　Michael's　ear；　and；　with　tips　of　fingers　instinct　with　sensuous　sympathy；　began　to　manipulate　the　base　of　the　ear　where　its　roots　bedded　in　the　tightness　of　skin…　stretch　over　the　skull。　　And　Michael　liked　it。　　Never　had　a　man's　hand　been　so　intimate　with　his　ear　without　hurting　it。　　But　these　fingers　were　provocative　only　of　physical　pleasure　so　keen　that　he　twisted　and　writhed　his　whole　body　in　acknowledgment。

Next　came　a　long；　steady；　upward　pull　of　the　ear；　the　ear　slipping　slowly　through　the　fingers　to　the　very　tip　of　it　while　it　tingled　exquisitely　down　to　its　roots。　　Now　to　one　ear；　now　to　the　other；　this　happened；　and　all　the　while　the　man　uttered　low　words　that　Michael　did　not　understand　but　which　he　accepted　as　addressed　to　him。

〃Head　all　right；　good　'n'　flat；〃　Dag　Daughtry　murmured；　first　sliding　his　fingers　over　it；　and　then　lighting　a　match。　　〃An'　no　wrinkles；　'n'　some　jaw；　good　'n'　punishing；　an'　not　a　shade　too　full　in　the　cheek　or　too　empty。〃

He　ran　his　fingers　inside　Michael's　mouth　and　noted　the　strength　and　evenness　of　the　teeth；　measured　the　breadth　of　shoulders　and　depth　of　chest；　and　picked　up　a　foot。　　In　the　light　of　another　match　he　examined　all　four　feet。

〃Black；　all　black；　every　nail　of　them；〃　said　Daughtry；　〃an'　as　clean　feet　as　ever　a　dog　walked　on；　straight…out　toes　with　the　proper　arch　'n'　small　'n'　not　too　small。　　I　bet　your　daddy　and　your　mother　cantered　away　with　the　ribbons　in　their　day。〃

Michael　was　for　growing　restless　at　such　searching　examination；　but　Daughtry；　in　the　midst　of　feeling　out　the　lines　and　build　of　the　thighs　and　hocks；　paused　and　took　Michael's　tail　in　his　magic　fingers；　exploring　the　muscles　among　which　it　rooted；　pressing　and　prodding　the　adjacent　spinal　column　from　which　it　sprang；　and　twisting　it　about　in　a　most　daringly　intimate　way。　　And　Michael　was　in　an　ecstasy；　bracing　his　hindquarters　to　one　side　or　the　other　against　the　caressing　fingers。　　With　open　hands　laid　along　his　sides　and　partly　under　him；　the　man　suddenly　lifted　him　from　the　ground。　　But　before　he　could　feel　alarm　he　was　back　on　the　ground　again。

〃Twenty…six　or　…sevenyou're　over　twenty…five　right　now；　I'll　bet　you　on　it；　shillings　to　ha'pennies；　and　you'll　make　thirty　when　you　get　your　full　weight；〃　Dag　Daughtry　told　him。　　〃But　what　of　it？　　Lots　of　the　judges　fancy　the　thirty…mark。　　An'　you　could　always　train　off　a　few　ounces。　　You're　all　dog　n'　all　correct　conformation。　　You've　got　the　racing　build　and　the　fighting　weight；　an'　there　ain't　no　feathers　on　your　legs。〃

〃No；　sir；　Mr。　Dog；　your　weight's　to　the　good；　and　that　ear　can　be　ironed　out　by　any　respectable　dogdoctor。　　I　bet　there's　a　hundred　men　in　Sydney　right　now　that　would　fork　over　twenty　quid　for　the　right　of　calling　you　his。〃

And　then；　just　that　Michael　should　not　make　the　mistake　of　thinking　he　was　being　much　made　over；　Daughtry　leaned　back；　relighted　his　pipe；　and　apparently　forgot　his　existence。　　Instead　of　bidding　for　good　will；　he　was　bent　on　making　Michael　do　the　bidding。

And　Michael　did；　bumping　his　flanks　against　Daughtry's　knee；　nudging　his　head　against　Daughtry's　hand；　in　solicitation　for　more　of　the　blissful　ear…rubbing　and　tail…twisting。　　Daughtry　caught　him　by　the　jowl　instead　and　slowly　moved　his　head　back　and　forth　as　he　addressed　him：

〃What　man's　dog　are　you？　　Maybe　you're　a　nigger's　dog；　an'　that　ain't　right。　　Maybe　some　nigger's　stole　you；　an'　that'd　be　awful。　Think　of　the　cruel　fates　that　sometimes　happens　to　dogs。　　It's　a　damn　shame。　　No　white　man's　stand　for　a　nigger　ownin'　the　likes　of　you；　an'　here's　one　white　man　that　ain't　goin'　to　stand　for　it。　The　idea！　　A　nigger　ownin'　you　an'　not　knowin'　how　to　train　you。　Of　course　a　nigger　stole　you。　　If　I　laid　eyes　on　him　right　now　I'd　up　and　knock　seven　bells　and　the　Saint　Paul　chimes　out　of　'm。　　'　Sure　thing　I　would。　　Just　show　'm　to　me；　that's　all；　an'　see　what　I'd　do　to　him。　　The　idea　of　you　takin'　orders　from　a　nigger　an'　fetchin'　'n'　carryin'　for　him！　　No；　sir；　dog；　you　ain't　goin'　to　do　it　any　more。　　You're　comin'　along　of　me；　an'　I　reckon　I　won't　have　to　urge　you。〃

Dag　Daughtry　stood　up　and　turned　carelessly　along　the　beach。　Michael　looked　after　him；　but　did　not　follow。　　He　was　eager　to；　but　had　received　no　invitation。　　At　last　Daughtry　made　a　low　kissing　sound　with　his　lips。　　So　low　was　it　that　he　scarcely　heard　it　himself　and　almost　took　it　on　faith；　or　on　the　testimony　of　his　lips　rather　than　of　his　ears；　that　he　had　made　it。　　No　human　being　could　have　heard　it　across　the　distance　to　Michael；　but　Michael　heard　it；　and　sprang　away　after　in　a　great　delighted　rush。



CHAPTER　II



Dag　Daughtry　strolled　along　the　beach；　Michael　at　his　heels　or　running　circles　of　delight　around　him　at　every　repetition　of　that　strange　low　lip…noise；　and　paused　just　outside　the　circle　of　lantern　light　where　dusky　forms　laboured　with　landing　cargo　from　the　whale…boats　and　where　the　Commissioner's　clerk　and　the　Makambo's　super…cargo　still　wrangled　over　the　bill　of　lading。　When　Michael　would　have　gone　forward；　the　man　withstrained　him　with　the　same　inarticulate；　almost　inaudible　kiss。

For　Daughtry　did　not　care　to　be　seen　on　such　dog…stealing　enterprises　and　was　planning　how　to　get　on　board　the　steamer　unobserved。　　He　edged　around　outside　the　lantern　shine　and　went　on　along　the　beach　to　the　native　village。　　As　he　had　foreseen；　all　the　able…bodied　men　were　down　at　the　boat…landing　working　cargo。　The　grass　houses　seemed　lifeless；　but　at　last；　from　one　of　them；　came　a　challenge　in　the　querulous；　high…pitched　tones　of　age：

〃What　name？〃

〃Me　walk　about　plenty　too　much；〃　he　replied　in　the　beche…de…mer　English　of　the　west　South　Pacific。　　〃Me　belong　along　steamer。　Suppose　'm　you　take　'm　me　along　canoe；　washee…washee；　me　give　'm　you　fella　boy　two　stick　tobacco。〃

〃Suppose　'm　you　give　'm　me　ten　stick；　all　right　along　me；〃　came　the　reply。

〃Me　give　'm　five　stick；〃　the　six…quart　steward　bargained。　〃Suppose　'm　you　no　like　'm　five　stick　then　you　fella　boy　go　to　hell　close　up。〃

There　was　a　silence。

〃You　like　'm　five　stick？〃　Daughtry　insisted　of　the　dark　interior。

〃Me　like　'm；〃　the　darkness　answered；　and　through　the　darkness　the　body　that　owned　the　voice　approached　with　such　strange　sounds　that　the　steward　lighted　a　match　to　see。

A　blear…eyed　ancient　stood　before　him；　balancing　on　a　single　crutch。　　His　eyes　were　half…filmed　over　by　a　growth　of　morbid　membrane；　and　what　was　not　yet　covered　shone　red　and　irritated。　His　hair　was　mangy；　standing　out　in　isolated　patches　of　wispy　grey。　　His　skin　was　scarred　and　wrinkled　and　mottled；　and　in　colour　was　a　purplish　blue　surfaced　with　a　grey　coating　that　might　have　been　painted　there　had　it　not　indubitably　grown　there　and　been　part　and　parcel　of　him。

A　blighted　leperwas　Daughtry's　thought　as　his　quick　eyes　leapt　from　hands　to　feet　in　quest　of　missing　toe…　and　finger…joints。　But　in　those　items　the　ancient　was　intact；　although　one　leg　ceased　midway　between　knee　and　thigh。

〃My　word！　　What　place　stop　'm　that　fella　leg？〃　quoth　Daughtry；　pointing　to　the　space　which　the　member　would　have　occupied　had　it　not　been　absent。

〃Big　fella　shark…fish；　that　fella　leg　stop　'm　along　him；〃　the　ancient　grinned；　exposing　a　horrible　aperture　of　toothlessness　for　a　mouth。

〃Me　old　fella　boy　too　much；〃　the　one…legged　Methuselah　quavered。　〃Long　time　too　much　no　smoke　'm　tobacco。　　Suppose　'm　you　big　fella　white　marster　give　'm　me　one　fella　stick；　close　up　me　washee…　washee　you　that　fella　steamer。〃

〃Suppose　'm　me　no　give？〃　the　steward　impatiently　temporized。

For　reply；　the