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and a steadfastness that was immutable。 Later on he found a certain dumb
companionship in an uprooted tree； which； floating down the river； had
stranded hopelessly upon his beach； but in the evening had again drifted
away。 Rowing across the estuary a day or two afterward； he recognized
the tree again from a 〃blaze〃 of the settler's axe still upon its trunk。 He
was not surprised a week later to find the same tree in the sands before his
dwelling； or that the next morning it should be again launched on its
purposeless wanderings。 And so； impelled by wind or tide； but always
haunting his seclusion； he would meet it voyaging up the river at the flood；
or see it tossing among the breakers on the bar； but always with the
confidence of its returning sooner or later to an anchorage beside him。
After the third month of his self…imposed exile； he was forced into a more
human companionship； that was brief but regular。 He was obliged to
have menial assistance。 While he might have eaten his bread 〃in sorrow〃
carelessly and mechanically； if it had been prepared for him； the
occupation of cooking his own food brought the vulgarity and
materialness of existence so near to his morbid sensitiveness that he could
not eat the meal he had himself prepared。 He did not yet wish to die； and
when starvation or society seemed to be the only alternative； he chose the
latter。 An Indian woman； so hideous as to scarcely suggest humanity； at
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stated times performed for him these offices。 When she did not come；
which was not infrequent； he did not eat。
Such was the mental and physical condition of the Man on the Beach
on the 1st of January； 1869。
It was a still； bright day； following a week of rain and wind。 Low
down the horizon still lingered a few white flecksthe flying squadrons of
the stormas vague as distant sails。 Southward the harbor bar whitened
occasionally but lazily； even the turbulent Pacific swell stretched its length
wearily upon the shore。 And toiling from the settlement over the low
sand dunes； a carriage at last halted half a mile from the solitary's
dwelling。
〃I reckon ye'll hev to git out here；〃 said the driver； pulling up to
breathe his panting horses。 〃Ye can't git any nigher。〃
There was a groan of execration from the interior of the vehicle； a
hysterical little shriek； and one or two shrill expressions of feminine
disapprobation； but the driver moved not。 At last a masculine head
expostulated from the window： 〃Look here； you agreed to take us to the
house。 Why； it's a mile away at least！〃
〃Thar； or tharabouts； I reckon；〃 said the driver； coolly crossing his legs
on the box。
〃It's no use talking； I can never walk through this sand and horrid
glare；〃 said a female voice quickly and imperatively。 Then；
apprehensively； 〃Well； of all the places！〃
〃Well； I never！〃
〃This DOES exceed everything。〃
〃It's really TOO idiotic for anything。〃
It was noticeable that while the voices betrayed the difference of age
and sex； they bore a singular resemblance to each other； and a certain
querulousness of pitch that was dominant。
〃I reckon I've gone about as fur as I allow to go with them hosses；〃
continued the driver suggestively； 〃and as time's vallyble； ye'd better
unload。〃
〃The wretch does not mean to leave us here alone？〃 said a female
voice in shrill indignation。 〃You'll wait for us； driver？〃 said a masculine
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voice； confidently。
〃How long？〃 asked the driver。
There was a hurried consultation within。 The words 〃Might send us
packing！〃 〃May take all night to get him to listen to reason；〃 〃Bother！
whole thing over in ten minutes；〃 came from the window。 The driver
meanwhile had settled himself back in his seat； and whistled in patient
contempt of a fashionable fare that didn't know its own mind nor
destination。 Finally； the masculine head was thrust out； and； with a
certain potential air of judicially ending a difficulty； said：
〃You're to follow us slowly； and put up your horses in the stable or
barn until we want you。〃
An ironical laugh burst from the driver。 〃Oh； yesin the stable or
barnin course。 But； my eyes sorter failin' me； mebbee； now； some ev
you younger folks will kindly pint out the stable or barn of the Kernel's。
Woa！will ye？woa！ Give me a chance to pick out that there barn or
stable to put ye in！〃 This in arch confidence to the horses； who had not
moved。
Here the previous speaker； rotund； dignified； and elderly； alighted
indignantly； closely followed by the rest of the party； two ladies and a
gentleman。 One of the ladies was past the age； but not the fashion； of
youth； and her Parisian dress clung over her wasted figure and well…bred
bones artistically if not gracefully； the younger lady； evidently her
daughter； was crisp and pretty； and carried off the aquiline nose and
aristocratic emaciation of her mother with a certain piquancy and a dash
that was charming。 The gentleman was young； thin； with the family
characteristics； but otherwise indistinctive。
With one accord they all faced directly toward the spot indicated by
the driver's whip。 Nothing but the bare； bleak； rectangular outlines of the
cabin of the Man on the Beach met their eyes。 All else was a desolate
expanse； unrelieved by any structure higher than the tussocks of scant
beach grass that clothed it。 They were so utterly helpless that the driver's
derisive laughter gave way at last to good humor and suggestion。 〃Look
yer；〃 he said finally； 〃I don't know ez it's your fault you don't know