- end_line
- 4064
- extracted_at
- 2026-01-30T20:48:18.535Z
- extracted_by
- structure-extraction-lambda
- start_line
- 3993
- text
- CHAPTER XXXV.
Ah, Annatoo!
In order to a complete revelation, I must needs once again discourse of
Annatoo and her pilferings; and to what those pilferings led. In the
simplicity of my soul, I fancied that the dame, so much flattered as
she needs must have been, by the confidence I began to repose in her,
would now mend her ways, and abstain from her larcenies. But not so.
She was possessed by some scores of devils, perpetually her to mischief
on their own separate behoof, and not less for many of her pranks were
of no earthly advantage to her, present or prospective.
One day the log-reel was missing. Summon Annatoo. She came; but knew
nothing about it. Jarl spent a whole morning in contriving a
substitute; and a few days after, pop, we came upon the lost: article
hidden away in the main-top.
Another time, discovering the little vessel to “gripe” hard in
steering, as if some one under water were jerking her backward, we
instituted a diligent examination, to see what was the matter. When lo;
what should we find but a rope, cunningly attached to one of the
chain-plates under the starboard main-channel. It towed heavily in the
water. Upon dragging it up—much as you would the cord of a ponderous
bucket far down in a well—a stout wooden box was discovered at the end;
which opened, disclosed sundry knives, hatchets, and ax-heads.
Called to the stand, the Upoluan deposed, that thrice he had rescued
that identical box from Annatoo’s all-appropriating clutches.
Now, here were four human beings shut up in this little oaken craft,
and, for the time being, their interests the same. What sane mortal,
then, would forever be committing thefts, without rhyme or reason. It
was like stealing silver from one pocket and decanting it into the
other. And what might it not lead to in the end?
Why, ere long, in good sooth, it led to the abstraction of the compass
from the binnacle; so that we were fain to substitute for it, the one
brought along in the Chamois.
It was Jarl that first published this last and alarming theft. Annatoo
being at the helm at dawn, he had gone to relieve her; and looking to
see how we headed, was horror-struck at the emptiness of the binnacle.
I started to my feet; sought out the woman, and ferociously demanded
the compass. But her face was a blank; every word a denial.
Further lenity was madness. I summoned Samoa, told him what had
happened, and affirmed that there was no safety for us except in the
nightly incarceration of his spouse. To this he privily assented; and
that very evening, when Annatoo descended into the forecastle, we
barred over her the scuttle-slide. Long she clamored, but unavailingly.
And every night this was repeated; the dame saying her vespers most
energetically.
It has somewhere been hinted, that Annatoo occasionally cast sheep’s
eyes at Jarl. So I was not a little surprised when her manner toward
him decidedly changed. Pulling at the ropes with us, she would give him
sly pinches, and then look another way, innocent as a lamb. Then again,
she would refuse to handle the same piece of rigging with him; with wry
faces, rinsed out the wooden can at the water cask, if it so chanced
that my Viking had previously been drinking therefrom. At other times,
when the honest Skyeman came up from below, she would set up a shout of
derision, and loll out her tongue; accompanying all this by certain
indecorous and exceedingly unladylike gestures, significant of the
profound contempt in which she held him.
Yet, never did Jarl heed her ill-breeding; but patiently overlooked and
forgave it. Inquiring the reason of the dame’s singular conduct, I
learned, that with eye averted, she had very lately crept close to my
Viking, and met with no tender reception.
- title
- Chunk 1