°®°®Ð¡ËµÍø > ÆäËûµç×ÓÊé > the moon and sixpence(ÔÂÇòºÍÁù±ãÊ¿) >

µÚ37ÕÂ

the moon and sixpence(ÔÂÇòºÍÁù±ãÊ¿)-µÚ37ÕÂ

С˵£º the moon and sixpence(ÔÂÇòºÍÁù±ãÊ¿) ×ÖÊý£º ÿҳ3500×Ö

°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·­Ò³£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡




rusty¡¡¡¡¡¡hull¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡paint¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡situation¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡appealed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

Strickland's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sardonic¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡humour¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡asked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Captain¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nichols¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡how¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡bore¡¡

himself¡¡during¡¡these¡¡hardships¡£¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡175¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡176¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Moon¡¡and¡¡Sixpence¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Never¡¡knew¡¡him¡¡say¡¡a¡¡cross¡¡word£»¡¨¡¡answered¡¡the¡¡Captain¡£¡¡¡¨He'd¡¡be¡¡a¡¡

bit¡¡surly¡¡sometimes£»¡¡but¡¡when¡¡we¡¡hadn't¡¡had¡¡a¡¡bite¡¡since¡¡morning£»¡¡and¡¡we¡¡

hadn't¡¡even¡¡got¡¡the¡¡price¡¡of¡¡a¡¡lie¡¡down¡¡at¡¡the¡¡Chink's£»¡¡he'd¡¡be¡¡as¡¡lively¡¡as¡¡a¡¡

cricket¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡surprised¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡this¡£¡¡¡¡Strickland¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡just¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡rise¡¡

superior¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡circumstances£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡such¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡occasion¡¡

despondency¡¡in¡¡most£»¡¡but¡¡whether¡¡this¡¡was¡¡due¡¡to¡¡equanimity¡¡of¡¡soul¡¡or¡¡to¡¡

contradictoriness¡¡it¡¡would¡¡be¡¡difficult¡¡to¡¡say¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Chink's¡¡Head¡¡was¡¡a¡¡name¡¡the¡¡beach¡­combers¡¡gave¡¡to¡¡a¡¡wretched¡¡

inn¡¡off¡¡the¡¡Rue¡¡Bouterie£»¡¡kept¡¡by¡¡a¡¡one¡­eyed¡¡Chinaman£»¡¡where¡¡for¡¡six¡¡sous¡¡

you¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡sleep¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡cot¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡three¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡floor¡£¡¡Here¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡made¡¡

friends¡¡with¡¡others¡¡in¡¡as¡¡desperate¡¡condition¡¡as¡¡themselves£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡they¡¡

were¡¡¡¡¡¡penniless¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡bitter¡¡¡¡¡¡cold£»¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡glad¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡borrow¡¡

from¡¡anyone¡¡who¡¡had¡¡earned¡¡a¡¡stray¡¡franc¡¡during¡¡the¡¡day¡¡the¡¡price¡¡of¡¡a¡¡

roof¡¡over¡¡their¡¡heads¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡were¡¡not¡¡niggardly£»¡¡these¡¡tramps£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡who¡¡

had¡¡money¡¡did¡¡not¡¡hesitate¡¡to¡¡share¡¡it¡¡among¡¡the¡¡rest¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡belonged¡¡to¡¡

all¡¡the¡¡countries¡¡in¡¡the¡¡world£»¡¡but¡¡this¡¡was¡¡no¡¡bar¡¡to¡¡good¡­fellowship£»¡¡for¡¡

they¡¡felt¡¡themselves¡¡freemen¡¡of¡¡a¡¡country¡¡whose¡¡frontiers¡¡include¡¡them¡¡all£»¡¡

the¡¡great¡¡country¡¡of¡¡Cockaine¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨But¡¡I¡¡guess¡¡Strickland¡¡was¡¡an¡¡ugly¡¡customer¡¡when¡¡he¡¡was¡¡roused£»¡¨¡¡

said¡¡¡¡¡¡Captain¡¡¡¡¡¡Nichols£»¡¡¡¡¡¡reflectively¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨One¡¡¡¡¡¡day¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡ran¡¡¡¡¡¡into¡¡Tough¡¡¡¡¡¡Bill¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡

the¡¡Place£»¡¡and¡¡he¡¡asked¡¡Charlie¡¡for¡¡the¡¡papers¡¡he'd¡¡given¡¡him¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨¡®You'd¡¡better¡¡come¡¡and¡¡take¡¡them¡¡if¡¡you¡¡want¡¡them£»'¡¡says¡¡Charlie¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨He¡¡was¡¡a¡¡powerful¡¡fellow£»¡¡Tough¡¡Bill£»¡¡but¡¡he¡¡didn't¡¡quite¡¡like¡¡the¡¡look¡¡

of¡¡¡¡¡¡Charlie£»¡¡¡¡¡¡so¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡began¡¡¡¡¡¡cursing¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡called¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡pretty¡¡¡¡¡¡near¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡

name¡¡he¡¡could¡¡lay¡¡hands¡¡on£»¡¡and¡¡when¡¡Tough¡¡Bill¡¡began¡¡cursing¡¡it¡¡was¡¡

worth¡¡¡¡¡¡listening¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Well£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Charlie¡¡¡¡¡¡stuck¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bit£»¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡stepped¡¡

forward¡¡and¡¡he¡¡just¡¡said£º¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡®Get¡¡out£»¡¡you¡¡bloody¡¡swine¡£'¡¡It¡¡wasn't¡¡so¡¡much¡¡

what¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡said£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡way¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡£¡¡Tough¡¡¡¡¡¡Bill¡¡¡¡¡¡never¡¡¡¡¡¡spoke¡¡¡¡¡¡another¡¡

word£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡him¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡yellow£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡walked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡away¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡he'd¡¡

remembered¡¡he¡¡had¡¡a¡¡date¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Strickland£»¡¡according¡¡to¡¡Captain¡¡Nichols£»¡¡did¡¡not¡¡use¡¡exactly¡¡the¡¡words¡¡

I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡given£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡since¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡book¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡meant¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡family¡¡¡¡¡¡reading¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡

thought¡¡it¡¡better£»¡¡at¡¡the¡¡expense¡¡of¡¡truth£»¡¡to¡¡put¡¡into¡¡his¡¡mouth¡¡expressions¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡176¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡177¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Moon¡¡and¡¡Sixpence¡¡



familiar¡¡to¡¡the¡¡domestic¡¡circle¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Now£»¡¡¡¡Tough¡¡¡¡¡¡Bill¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡put¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡humiliation¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

hands¡¡of¡¡a¡¡common¡¡sailor¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡His¡¡power¡¡depended¡¡on¡¡his¡¡prestige£»¡¡and¡¡first¡¡

one£»¡¡then¡¡another£»¡¡of¡¡the¡¡sailors¡¡who¡¡lived¡¡in¡¡his¡¡house¡¡told¡¡them¡¡that¡¡he¡¡

had¡¡sworn¡¡to¡¡do¡¡Strickland¡¡in¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡One¡¡¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡¡¡Captain¡¡¡¡¡¡Nichols¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Strickland¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡sitting¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡

bars¡¡of¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Rue¡¡¡¡¡¡Bouterie¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡Rue¡¡¡¡¡¡Bouterie¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡narrow¡¡¡¡¡¡street¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡one¡­¡¡

storeyed¡¡houses£»¡¡each¡¡house¡¡consisting¡¡of¡¡but¡¡one¡¡room£»¡¡they¡¡are¡¡like¡¡the¡¡

booths¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡crowded¡¡¡¡¡¡fair¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡cages¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡animals¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡circus¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡every¡¡

door¡¡you¡¡see¡¡a¡¡woman¡£¡¡Some¡¡lean¡¡lazily¡¡against¡¡the¡¡side¡­posts£»¡¡humming¡¡

to¡¡¡¡¡¡themselves¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡calling¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡passer¡­by¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡raucous¡¡¡¡¡¡voice£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡

listlessly¡¡¡¡read¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡They¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡French¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Italian£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Spanish£»¡¡Japanese£»¡¡¡¡¡¡coloured£»¡¡

some¡¡are¡¡fat¡¡and¡¡some¡¡are¡¡thin£»¡¡and¡¡under¡¡the¡¡thick¡¡paint¡¡on¡¡their¡¡faces£»¡¡

the¡¡heavy¡¡smears¡¡on¡¡their¡¡eyebrows£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡scarlet¡¡of¡¡their¡¡lips£»¡¡you¡¡see¡¡

the¡¡lines¡¡of¡¡age¡¡and¡¡the¡¡scars¡¡of¡¡dissipation¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Some¡¡wear¡¡black¡¡shifts¡¡and¡¡

flesh¡­coloured¡¡stockings£»¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡curly¡¡¡¡hair£»¡¡¡¡dyed¡¡yellow£»¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡dressed¡¡

like¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡girls¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡short¡¡¡¡muslin¡¡¡¡¡¡frocks¡£¡¡Through¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡open¡¡¡¡¡¡door¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

red¡­tiled¡¡floor£»¡¡a¡¡large¡¡wooden¡¡bed£»¡¡and¡¡on¡¡a¡¡deal¡¡table¡¡a¡¡ewer¡¡and¡¡a¡¡basin¡£¡¡

A¡¡motley¡¡crowd¡¡saunters¡¡along¡¡the¡¡streets¡¡¡¡Lascars¡¡off¡¡a¡¡P¡£¡¡and¡¡O¡££»¡¡blond¡¡

Northmen¡¡from¡¡a¡¡Swedish¡¡barque£»¡¡Japanese¡¡from¡¡a¡¡man¡­of¡­war£»¡¡English¡¡

sailors£»¡¡Spaniards£»¡¡pleasant¡­looking¡¡fellows¡¡from¡¡a¡¡French¡¡cruiser£»¡¡negroes¡¡

off¡¡an¡¡American¡¡tramp¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡By¡¡day¡¡it¡¡is¡¡merely¡¡sordid£»¡¡but¡¡at¡¡night£»¡¡lit¡¡only¡¡

by¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡lamps¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡huts£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡street¡¡¡¡¡¡has¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡sinister¡¡¡¡beauty¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡

hideous¡¡lust¡¡that¡¡pervades¡¡the¡¡air¡¡is¡¡oppressive¡¡and¡¡horrible£»¡¡and¡¡yet¡¡there¡¡

is¡¡something¡¡mysterious¡¡in¡¡the¡¡sight¡¡which¡¡haunts¡¡and¡¡troubles¡¡you¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡

feel¡¡I¡¡know¡¡not¡¡what¡¡primitive¡¡force¡¡which¡¡repels¡¡and¡¡yet¡¡fascinates¡¡you¡£¡¡

Here¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡decencies¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡civilisation¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡swept¡¡¡¡¡¡away£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡you¡¡¡¡¡¡feel¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡

men¡¡are¡¡face¡¡to¡¡face¡¡with¡¡a¡¡sombre¡¡reality¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡is¡¡an¡¡atmosphere¡¡that¡¡is¡¡

at¡¡once¡¡intense¡¡and¡¡tragic¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡the¡¡bar¡¡in¡¡which¡¡Strickland¡¡and¡¡Nichols¡¡sat¡¡a¡¡mechanical¡¡piano¡¡was¡¡

loudly¡¡grinding¡¡out¡¡dance¡¡music¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Round¡¡the¡¡room¡¡people¡¡were¡¡sitting¡¡at¡¡

table£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡here¡¡¡¡¡¡half¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡dozen¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sailors¡¡¡¡¡¡uproariously¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡drunk£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡group¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

soldiers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡middle£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡crowded¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡together£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡couples¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dancing¡£¡¡

Bearded¡¡¡¡¡¡sailors¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡brown¡¡¡¡¡¡faces¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡large¡¡¡¡¡¡horny¡¡¡¡¡¡hands¡¡¡¡¡¡clasped¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡177¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡178¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Moon¡¡and¡¡Sixpence¡¡



partners¡¡in¡¡a¡¡tight¡¡embrace¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡women¡¡wore¡¡nothing¡¡but¡¡a¡¡shift¡£¡¡Now¡¡

and¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡two¡¡¡¡¡¡sailors¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡up¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡dance¡¡¡¡¡¡together¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡noise¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡

deafening¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡People¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡singing£»¡¡¡¡¡¡shouting£»¡¡¡¡¡¡laughing£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡when¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡man¡¡

gave¡¡a¡¡long¡¡kiss¡¡to¡¡the¡¡girl¡¡sitting¡¡on¡¡his¡¡knees£»¡¡cat¡­calls¡¡from¡¡the¡¡English¡¡

sailors¡¡increased¡¡the¡¡din¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡air¡¡was¡¡heavy¡¡with¡¡the¡¡dust¡¡beaten¡¡up¡¡by¡¡

the¡¡¡¡¡¡heavy¡¡¡¡¡¡boots¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡men£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡gray¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡smoke¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡¡¡¡¡hot¡£¡¡

Behind¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bar¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡seated¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡woman¡¡¡¡¡¡nursing¡¡¡¡¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡baby¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡waiter£»¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡

undersized¡¡youth¡¡with¡¡a¡¡flat£»¡¡spotty¡¡face£»¡¡hurried¡¡to¡¡and¡¡fro¡¡carrying¡¡a¡¡tray¡¡

laden¡¡with¡¡glasses¡¡of¡¡beer¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡In¡¡a¡¡little¡¡while¡¡Tough¡¡Bill£»¡¡accompanied¡¡by¡¡two¡¡huge¡¡negroes£»¡¡came¡¡

in£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡was¡¡easy¡¡to¡¡see¡¡that¡¡he¡¡was¡¡already¡¡three¡¡parts¡¡drunk¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡

looking¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡trouble¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡lurched¡¡¡¡¡¡against¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡table¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡three¡¡¡¡¡¡soldiers¡¡

were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡sitting¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡knocked¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡over¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡glass¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡beer¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡angry¡¡

altercation£»¡¡and¡¡the¡¡owner¡¡of¡¡the¡¡bar¡¡stepped¡¡forward¡¡and¡¡ordered¡¡Tough¡¡

Bill¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡hefty¡¡¡¡¡¡fellow£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡habit¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡standing¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡nonsense¡¡

from¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡customers£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡Tough¡¡¡¡¡¡Bill¡¡¡¡¡¡hesitated¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡landlord¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

man¡¡he¡¡cared¡¡to¡¡tackle£»¡¡for¡¡the¡¡police¡¡were¡¡on¡¡his¡¡side£»¡¡and¡¡with¡¡an¡¡oath¡¡he¡¡

turned¡¡on¡¡his¡¡heel¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Suddenly¡¡he¡¡caught¡¡sight¡¡of¡¡Strickland¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡rolled¡¡

up¡¡to¡¡him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡did¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡speak¡£¡¡¡¡He¡¡¡¡¡¡gathered¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡spittle¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡his¡¡¡¡¡¡mouth¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡

spat¡¡full¡¡in¡¡Strickland's¡¡face¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Strickland¡¡seized¡¡his¡¡glass¡¡and¡¡flung¡¡it¡¡at¡¡

him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dancers¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡stopped¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡suddenly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡still¡£¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡instant¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡

complete¡¡silence£»¡¡but¡¡when¡¡Tough¡¡Bill¡¡threw¡¡himself¡¡on¡¡Strickland¡¡the¡¡lust¡¡

of¡¡battle¡¡seized¡¡them¡¡all£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡a¡¡moment¡¡there¡¡was¡¡a¡¡confused¡¡scrimmage¡£¡¡

Tables¡¡¡¡¡¡were¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡overturned£»¡¡¡¡¡¡glasses¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡crashed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡ground¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡There¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

hellish¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡row¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡women¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡scattered¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡door¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡behind¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡bar¡£¡¡

Passers¡­by¡¡surged¡¡in¡¡from¡¡the¡¡street¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You¡¡heard¡¡curses¡¡in¡¡every¡¡tongue¡¡

the¡¡sound¡¡of¡¡blows£»¡¡cries£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡the¡¡middle¡¡of¡¡the¡¡room¡¡a¡¡dozen¡¡men¡¡were¡¡

fighting¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡might¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡On¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡sudden¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡police¡¡¡¡¡¡rushed¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in£»¡¡¡¡and¡¡

everyone¡¡who¡¡could¡¡made¡¡for¡¡the¡¡door¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡When¡¡the¡¡bar¡¡was¡¡more¡¡or¡¡less¡¡

cleared£»¡¡Tough¡¡Bill¡¡was¡¡lying¡¡insensible¡¡on¡¡the¡¡floor¡¡with¡¡a¡¡great¡¡gash¡¡in¡¡

his¡¡head¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Captain¡¡Nichols¡¡dragged¡¡Strickland£»¡¡bleeding¡¡from¡¡a¡¡wound¡¡in¡¡

his¡¡arm£»¡¡his¡¡clothes¡¡in¡¡rags£»¡¡into¡¡the¡¡street¡£¡¡His¡¡own¡¡face¡¡was¡¡covered¡¡with¡¡

blood¡¡from¡¡a¡¡blow¡¡on¡¡the¡¡nose¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨I¡¡guess¡¡you'd¡¡better¡¡get¡¡out¡¡of¡¡Marseilles¡¡before¡¡Tough¡¡Bill¡¡comes¡¡out¡¡



¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡178¡¡


¡­¡¡Page¡¡179¡­

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡Moon¡¡and¡¡Sixpence¡¡



of¡¡hospital£»¡¨¡¡he¡¡said¡¡to¡¡Strickland£»¡¡when¡¡they¡¡had¡¡got¡¡back¡¡to¡¡the¡¡Chink's¡¡

Head¡¡and¡¡were¡¡cleaning¡¡themselves¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨This¡¡beats¡¡cock¡­fighting£»¡¨¡¡said¡¡Strickland¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡could¡¡see¡¡his¡¡sardonic¡¡smile¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Captain¡¡Nichols¡¡was¡¡anxious¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡knew¡¡Tough¡¡Bill's¡¡vindictiveness¡£¡¡

Strickland¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡downed¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mulatto¡¡¡¡¡¡twice£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mulatto£»¡¡¡¡¡¡sober£»¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡

man¡¡to¡¡be¡¡reckoned¡¡with¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡would¡¡bide¡¡his¡¡time¡¡stealthily¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡would¡¡

be¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡no¡¡¡¡¡¡hurry£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡night¡¡¡¡¡¡Strickland¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡get¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡knife¡­thrust¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡his¡¡

back£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡a¡¡day¡¡or¡¡two¡¡the¡¡corpse¡¡of¡¡a¡¡nameless¡¡beach¡­comber¡¡would¡¡be¡¡

fished¡¡out¡¡of¡¡the¡¡dirty¡¡water¡¡of¡¡the¡¡harbour¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Nichols¡¡went¡¡next¡¡evening¡¡to¡¡

Tough¡¡Bill's¡¡house¡¡and¡¡made¡¡enquiries¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡He¡¡was¡¡in¡¡hospital¡¡still£»¡¡but¡¡his¡¡

wife£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡him£»¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡he¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡swearing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡hard¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡kill¡¡

Strickland¡¡when¡¡they¡¡let¡¡him¡¡out¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡week¡¡passed¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨That's¡¡what¡¡I¡¡always¡¡say£»¡¨¡¡reflected¡¡Captain¡¡Nichols£»¡¡¡¨when¡¡you¡¡hurt¡¡

a¡¡man£»¡¡hurt¡¡him¡¡bad¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡gives¡¡you¡¡a¡¡bit¡¡of¡¡time¡¡to¡¡look¡¡about¡¡and¡¡think¡¡

what¡¡you'll¡¡do¡¡next¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Then¡¡¡¡¡¡Strickland¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡bit¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡luck¡£¡¡A¡¡¡¡ship¡¡¡¡¡¡bound¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡Australia¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡

sent¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡Sailors'¡¡¡¡¡¡Home¡¡¡¡¡¡for¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡stoker¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡who¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡thrown¡¡

himself¡¡overboard¡¡off¡¡Gibraltar¡¡in¡¡an¡¡attack¡¡of¡¡delirium¡¡tremens¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨You¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡double¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡down¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡harbour£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡my¡¡¡¡¡¡lad£»¡¨¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡Captain¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡

Strickland£»¡¡¡¨and¡¡sign¡¡on¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡You've¡¡got¡¡your¡¡papers¡£¡¨¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Strickland¡¡set¡¡off¡¡at¡¡once£»¡¡and¡¡that¡¡was¡¡the¡¡last¡¡Captain¡¡Nichols¡¡saw¡¡of¡¡

him¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡ship¡¡was¡¡only¡¡in¡¡port¡¡for¡¡six¡¡hours£»¡¡and¡¡in¡¡the¡¡evening¡¡Captain¡¡

Nichols¡¡watched¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡vanishing¡¡smoke¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡her¡¡¡¡¡¡funnels¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡ploughed¡¡

East¡¡through¡¡the¡¡wintry¡¡sea¡£¡¡

¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡have¡¡narrated¡¡all¡¡this¡¡as¡¡best¡¡I¡¡could£»¡¡because¡¡I¡¡like¡¡the¡¡contrast¡¡of¡¡

these¡¡¡¡¡¡episodes¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡life¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡¡¡Strickland¡¡¡¡¡¡live¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡Ashle

·µ»ØĿ¼ ÉÏÒ»Ò³ ÏÂÒ»Ò³ »Øµ½¶¥²¿ ÔÞ£¨0£© ²È£¨0£©

Äã¿ÉÄÜϲ»¶µÄ