n that unnamable and unmistakable terror was in her eyes, and she
said, almost in a whisper, "You are Lucifer."

The door closed and she was gone. He stood staring after her for a
minute, then returned to himself and to me.

"I'll relieve Louis at the wheel," he said shortly, "and call upon you to
relieve at midnight. Better turn in now and get some sleep."

He pulled on a pair of mittens, put on his cap, and ascended the
companion-stairs, while I followed his suggestion by going to bed. For
some unknown reason, prompted mysteriously, I did not undress, but lay
down fully clothed. For a time I listened to the clamour in the steerage
and marvelled upon the love which had come to me; but my sleep on the
_Ghost_ had become most healthful and natural, and soon the songs and
cries died away, my eyes closed, and my consciousness sank down into the
half-death of slumber.

* * * * *

I knew not what had aroused me, but I found myself out of my bunk, on my
feet, wide awake, my soul vibrating to the warning of danger as it might
have thrilled to a trumpet call. I threw open the door. The cabin light
was burning low. I saw Maud, my Maud, straining and struggling and
crushed in the embrace of Wolf Larsen's arms. I could see the vain beat
and flutter of her as she strove, pressing her face against his breast,
to escape from him. All this I saw on the very instant of seeing and as
I sprang forward.

I struck him with my fist, on the face, as he raised his head, but it was
a puny blow. He roared in a ferocious, animal-like way, and gave me a
shove with his hand. It was only a shove, a flirt of the wrist, yet so
tremendous was his strength that I was hurled backward as from a
catapult. I struck the door of the state-room which had formerly been
Mugridge's, splintering and smashing the panels with the impact of my
body. I struggled to my feet, with difficulty dragging myself clear of
the wrecked door, unaware of any hurt whatever. I was conscious only of
an overmastering rage. I think I, too, cried aloud, as I drew the knife
at my hip and sprang forward a second time.

But something had happened. They were reeling apart. I was close upon
him, my knife uplifted, but I withheld the blow. I was puzzled by the
strangeness of it. Maud was leaning against the wall, one hand out for
support; but he was staggering, his left hand pressed against his
forehead and covering his eyes, and wit