Stackhouse was standing by the small boat when two sailors came to launch it. He rocked from one foot to another and peaked to them incessantly. Fleury and the woman stepped nearer the boat. They moved together as one person.... Bellair saw Stackhouse raise his hands as he had done that first Sunday, pushing Brooklyn from him. His body pressed against the gunwale of the small boat; he caught it in his hands, as it raised clear, his ridiculous ankles alternately lifting. His Chinese cook rushed forward with cans of crackers, and dumped them in the boat. The Japanese woman appeared dragging a huge hamper of wines and liquors. Stackhouse took the hamper between his legs and sent her back to his cabin. The boat was lowered just below the level of the _Jade’s_ gunwale. Stackhouse sprawled forward, the hairy masses of his legs writhing after. Presently he reversed, and began to reach for the hamper. Fleury kicked it out of reach, and lifted the woman and child in. “Get water,” he said to Bellair. “I’ll save a place for you.” Bellair tossed his overcoat into the boat and darted to the galley, where he found cans. Filling them seemed a process interminable, until he pulled over the half-filled cask.... Stackhouse was screaming for his hamper. The Japanese woman sped by with more bottles. She tried to put them in the boat, but Fleury took them from her, and attempted to force her into a place, but she had heard a final command from her lord and broke away.... Bellair was filling his cans a second time.... Stackhouse, who had risen insanely, was rocked back either by word or blow from Fleury. The small boat was on the sea, and the _Jade’s_ rail leaned low to it. The sea was roaring into the mother-boat; she would flurry in an instant. “Yes, water, Bellair,” said Fleury. “But don’t go back.” “One more trip,” said Bellair. He filled the last can--his mind holding the image of Stackhouse on his knees praying to Fleury for his hamper. Beseechings back in the dark accentuated the picture. Fleury was calling for him.... He passed the Japanese woman, sobbing and _skuffing_ pitifully back to the cabin; as a child sent repeatedly for something hard to find. He heard the launching of the other and larger boat forward; saw at the binnacle McArliss still fumbling for a match. Then Fleury grasped him and his can.... No, it was the woman’s hand that saved the can from overturning. Bellair would have waited for the Japanese woman, but the _Jade_ dipped half-over and slid him into the boat.