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Bioinformatics in Aquaculture
Bioinformatics in Aquaculture

Principles and Methods

Edited by Zhanjiang (John) Liu


This edition first published 2017 © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Ltd

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Liu, Zhanjiang, editor.


Title: Bioinformatics in aquaculture : principles and methods / edited by Zhanjiang (John) Liu.
Description: Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons, 2017. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016045878 (print) | LCCN 2016057071 (ebook) | ISBN 9781118782354
(cloth : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781118782385 (Adobe PDF) | ISBN 9781118782378 (ePub)
Subjects: LCSH: Bioinformatics. | Aquaculture.
Classification: LCC QH324.2 B5488 2017 (print) | LCC QH324.2 (ebook) | DDC 572/.330285–dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016045878

Cover image: Jack fish © wildestanimal/Getty Images, Inc.;


Digital DNA strands © deliormanli/iStockphoto;
DNA illustration © enot-poloskun/iStockphoto
Cover design: Wiley

Set in 10/12pt WarnockPro by SPi Global, Chennai, India

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
v

Contents

About the Editor xxiii


List of Contributors xxv
Preface xxxi

Part I Bioinformatics Analysis of Genomic Sequences 1

1 Introduction to Linux and Command Line Tools for Bioinformatics 3


Shikai Liu and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 3
Overview of Linux 4
Directories, Files, and Processes 5
Directory Structure 6
Filename Conventions 6
Wildcards 6
File Permission 7
Change File Permission 7
Environment Variables 8
Global Environment Variable 9
Local Environment Variable 10
Setting Environment Variables 10
Setting the PATH Environment Variable 11
Basic Linux Commands 11
List Directory and File 11
Create Directory and File 12
Change to a Directory 12
Manipulate Directory and File 13
Access File Content 14
Query File Content 14
Edit File Content 16
Redirect Content 18
Compare File Content 19
vi Contents

Compress and Archive Files and Directories 20


Access Remote Files 21
Check Process and Job 22
Other Useful Command Lines 23
quota 23
df 23
du 23
free 23
zcat 23
file 23
find 23
history 24
Getting Help 24
Installing Software Packages 24
Installing Packages from a Configured Repository 25
Installing Software from Source Code 25
Compiling a Package 26
Accessing a Remote Linux Supercomputer System 27
Access Remote Linux from Local Linux System 27
Access Remote Linux from macOS 27
Access Remote Linux from Microsoft Windows 27
Demonstration of Command Lines 28
Further Reading 29

2 Determining Sequence Identities: BLAST, Phylogenetic Analysis, and Syntenic


Analyses 30
Sen Gao, Zihao Yuan, Ning Li, Jiaren Zhang and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 30
Determining Sequence Identities through BLAST Searches 30
Web-based BLAST 31
UNIX-based BLAST 32
Download the Needed Databases 32
Setup Databases 32
Execute BLAST Searches 33
Parsing the BLAST Results 33
Determining Sequence Identities through Phylogenetic Analysis 33
Procedures of Phylogenetic Analysis 34
Collecting Sequences 34
Multiple Sequences Alignments 35
Tree Construction 35
Reliability Test 38
Other Software Available for Phylogenetic Analysis 38
Determining Sequence Identities through Synthetic Analysis 38
Procedures for Synteny Analysis 39
References 41
Contents vii

3 Next-Generation Sequencing Technologies and the Assembly of Short Reads into


Reference Genome Sequences 43
Ning Li, Xiaozhu Wang and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 43
Understanding of DNA Sequencing Technologies 43
454 Life Sciences 44
Illumina Genome Analyzer 45
SOLiD 45
Helicos 46
Ion Torrent 46
PacBio 47
Oxford Nanopore 48
Preprocessing of Sequences 48
Data Types 48
Quality Control 49
Trimming 49
Error-Correction 51
Sequence Assembly 52
Reference-Guided Assembly 52
De Novo Assembly 53
Graph 53
Greedy Assemblers 53
Overlap-Layout-Consensus (OLC) Assemblers 55
De Bruijn Graph (DBG) Approach 56
PacBio Long Reads and Their Applications 62
Scaffolding 64
Gap Filling (Gap Closing) 66
Evaluation of Assembly Quality 67
References 69

4 Genome Annotation: Determination of the Coding Potential of the


Genome 74
Ruijia Wang, Lisui Bao, Shikai Liu and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 74
Methods Used in Gene Prediction 75
Homolog-based Methods 75
Ab initio Methods 76
Case Study: Genome Annotation Examples: Gene Annotation of Chromosome
1 of Zebrafish using FGENESH and AUGUSTUS 79
Pipeline Installations 80
FGENESH 80
AUGUSTUS 80
Prepare the Input Files 80
Gene Prediction Using FGENESH 81
Parameter Setting in FGENESH 81
viii Contents

Gene Prediction Using AUGUSTUS 81


Command-line (Genome file+cDNA file) 82
Output from AUGUSTUS 82
Discussion 82
References 83

5 Analysis of Repetitive Elements in the Genome 86


Lisui Bao and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 86
Methods Used in Repeat Analysis 87
Homology-Based Identification of Repeats 87
De Novo Identification of Repeats 88
Software for Repeat Identification 88
Using the Command-line Version of RepeatModeler to Identify Repetitive
Elements in Genomic Sequences 92
Prerequisites 92
RepeatModeler Installation 93
Example Run 93
References 94

6 Analysis of Duplicated Genes and Multi-Gene Families 98


Ruijia Wang and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 98
Pipeline Installations 100
MCL-edge 100
MCscan 100
MCscanX 100
OrthoMCL 100
Identification of Duplicated Genes and Multi-Member Gene Family 102
MCL-edge 102
Prepare the Input Data 102
Identification of Duplication by MCL 102
Output Results 102
MCscan and MCscanX 102
Prepare the Input Data 102
Duplication Identification by MCscan Tools 103
Output Results 103
OrthoMCL 104
Prepare the Input Data 104
Trim the Input Data 104
Self-Blast 104
Transfer the Blast Result Format for OrthoMCL 105
Load the "SimilarSequences.txt" into the Database 105
Identify Similar Sequence Pairs from the Blast Result 105
Retrieve Similar Sequence Pairs from Database 105
Contents ix

MCL-edge Clustering 105


Format the Clustering Results (Name the Clusters as "ccat1",
"ccat2"…) 105
Output Results 105
Calculate Ka/Ks by ParaAT 106
Prepare the Input Data 106
Calculate Ka/Ks 107
Summary of the Ka/Ks Results 107
Results 107
Downstream Analysis 107
Perspectives 108
References 108

7 Dealing with Complex Polyploidy Genomes: Considerations for Assembly and


Annotation of the Common Carp Genome 110
Peng Xu, Jiongtang Li and Xiaowen Sun
Introduction 110
Properties of the Common Carp Genome 111
Genome Assembly: Strategies for Reducing Problems Caused by
Allotetraploidy 112
Reduce Genome Complexity: Gynogen as Sequencing Template 112
Sequencing Strategies 113
Genome Assembler Comparison and Selection 114
Quality Control of Assembly 115
Annotation of Tetraploidy Genome 115
De Novo Gene Prediction 116
Sequence-homology-based Prediction 116
Transcriptome Sequencing 116
Assessment and Evaluation 117
Conclusions 118
References 118

Part II Bioinformatics Analysis of Transcriptomic Sequences 123

8 Assembly of RNA-Seq Short Reads into Transcriptome Sequences 125


Jun Yao, Chen Jiang, Chao Li, Qifan Zeng and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 125
RNA-Seq Procedures 125
Reference-Guided Transcriptome Assembly 126
De novo Transcriptome Assembly 129
Assessment of RNA-Seq Assembly 130
Conclusions 131
Acknowledgments 132
References 132
x Contents

9 Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes and Co-expressed Genes Using


RNA-Seq Datasets 135
Chao Li, Qifan Zeng, Chen Jiang, Jun Yao and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 135
Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes Using CLC Genomics
Workbench 137
Data Import 137
Mapping Reads to the Reference 137
Quantification of Gene Expression Value 138
Set Up an Experiment 138
Statistical Analysis for the Identification of DEGs 138
Analysis of Differentially Expressed Genes Using Trinity 139
Read Alignment and Abundance Estimation 139
Using RSEM to Estimate Expression Value 139
Using eXpress to Estimate Expression Value 140
Generating Expression Value Matrices 140
Identifying Differentially Expressed Transcripts 140
Extracting Differentially Expressed Transcripts 141
Analysis of Co-Expressed Genes 141
Network Construction 143
Module Detection 145
Relating the Modules to External Information 146
Computational Challenges 147
Acknowledgments 148
References 148

10 Gene Ontology, Enrichment Analysis, and Pathway Analysis 150


Tao Zhou, Jun Yao and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 150
GO and the GO Project 150
GO Terms 151
Ontology 151
Biological Process 151
Molecular Function 151
Cellular Component 151
Ontology Structure 152
GO Slim 152
Annotation 153
Electronic Annotation 153
Literature Annotation 154
Sequence-Based Annotation 154
GO Tools 155
AmiGO 2 155
GOOSE 157
Blast2GO 157
Enrichment Analysis 159
Main Types of Enrichment Tools 159
Contents xi

Gene Set and Background 160


Annotation Sources 160
Statistical Methods 160
Recommended Tools 161
Enrichment Analysis by Using DAVID 161
Gene Pathway Analysis 163
Definition of Pathway 163
Pathway Analysis Approaches 164
Over-representation Analysis (ORA) Approaches 164
Functional Class Scoring (FCS) Approaches 164
Pathway Topology (PT)–based Approaches 164
Pathway Databases 165
KEGG 165
Reactome 165
PANTHER 165
Pathway Commons 165
BioCyc 166
Pathway Analysis Tools 166
Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) 166
KEGG Pathway Mapping 166
PANTHER 167
Reactome Pathway Analysis 167
References 167

11 Genetic Analysis Using RNA-Seq: Bulk Segregant RNA-Seq 169


Jun Yao, Ruijia Wang and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 169
BSR-Seq: Basic Considerations 170
BSR-Seq Procedures 171
Identification of SNPs 171
Identification of Significant SNPs 173
Bulk Frequency Ratio 173
Combined Bulk Frequency Ratio 174
Location of Genes with High BFR 175
Acknowledgments 175
References 176

12 Analysis of Long Non-coding RNAs 179


Ruijia Wang, Lisui Bao, Shikai Liu and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 179
Data Required for the Analysis of lncRNAs 182
Assembly of RNA-Seq Sequences 182
Identification of lncRNAs 184
Length Trimming 184
Coding Potential Analysis 184
Coding Potential Calculator (CPC) 185
RNAcode 186
xii Contents

PhyloCSF 188
CPAT 189
Homology Search 190
Homology Protein Search 191
Homology Domain Search 191
ORF Length Trimming (Optional) 193
UTR Region Trimming 194
Analysis of lncRNA Expression 194
Analysis and Prediction of lncRNA Functions 194
Future Perspectives 196
References 196

13 Analysis of MicroRNAs and Their Target Genes 200


Shikai Liu and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 200
miRNA Biogenesis and Function 202
Tools for miRNA Data Analysis 202
miRNA Identification 203
miRNA Hairpin Structure 205
miRNA Expression Profiling 205
miRNA Target Prediction 207
miRNA–mRNA Integrated Analysis 208
miRNA Analysis Pipelines 210
miRNA and Target Databases 211
miRNA Analysis: Computational Identification from Genome Sequences 212
Installing MapMi 212
Using MapMi 213
Using Genomic Sequences from Ensembl 213
Using Custom Genomic Sequences 213
Output File 214
miRNA Analysis: Empirical Identification by Small RNA-Seq 215
Procedures of Small RNA Deep Sequencing 215
Workflow of Data Analysis 216
miRNA Analysis Using miRDeep2 217
Package Installation 217
Using miRDeep2 218
Prediction of miRNA Targets 222
Package Installation 222
Using miRanda 223
Conclusions 224
References 225

14 Analysis of Allele-Specific Expression 228


Yun Li, Ailu Chen and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 228
Genome-wide Approaches for ASE Analysis 229
Polymorphism-based Approach 230
Contents xiii

NGS-based Assays 230


Applications of ASE Analysis 231
Detection of Cis- and Trans- Regulatory Effects 231
Detection of Parent-of-Origin Effects 233
Considerations of ASE Analysis by RNA-Seq 234
Biological Materials 234
RNA-Seq Library Complexity 235
Genome Mapping Bias 235
Removing Problematic SNPs 236
Step-by-Step Illustration of ASE Analysis by RNA-Seq 236
Trimming of Sequencing Reads 236
Aligning the RNA-Seq Reads to the Reference 236
Obtaining STAR 237
Build a Genome Index 237
Mapping Reads to the Reference Genome 237
The Output Files 237
SNP Calling 238
SAMtools 238
VarScan 238
Filtering and Normalization 239
Quantification of ASE 239
Constructing a Pseudo-genome 239
Realigning the RNA-Seq Reads to the Pseudo-Genome 239
Counting the Allele ratios 240
Downstream Analysis 240
Evaluating Cis- and Trans-regulatory Changes 240
Detecting of Parental of Origin Effects 240
Validating of the ASE Ratio 242
References 243

15 Bioinformatics Analysis of Epigenetics 247


Yanghua He and Jiuzhou Song
Introduction 247
Mastering Epigenetic Data 248
DNA Methylation 248
Bisulfite-based Methods 250
Enrichment-based Methods 251
Histone Modifications 252
Genomic Data Manipulation 253
R Language 253
Bioconductor 253
USCS Genome Bioinformatics Site 254
Galaxy 255
DNA Methylation and Bioinformatics 255
Demo of Analysis for DNA Methylation 255
Pre-processing 255
Mapping 257
xiv Contents

Peak-calling 257
DMR Identification 257
Gene Expression Analysis 260
DMR Annotation and Functional Prediction 261
Other Ways of Analysis for Methylation 263
Histone Modifications and Bioinformatics 264
Histone Modifications 264
Data Analysis 265
Perspectives 265
References 266

Part III Bioinformatics Mining and Genetic Analysis of DNA


Markers 275

16 Bioinformatics Mining of Microsatellite Markers from Genomic and


Transcriptomic Sequences 277
Shaolin Wang, Yanliang Jiang and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 277
Bioinformatics Mining of Microsatellite Markers 278
Sequence Resources for Microsatellite Markers 278
Microsatellite Mining Tools 278
Msatfinder 279
MIcroSAtellite Identification Tool (MISA) 281
Msatcommander 282
Imperfect Microsatellite Extractor (IMEx) 282
QDD 282
Primer Design for Microsatellite Markers 284
Primer Design 284
Selection of Primer Pairs 284
Conclusions 285
References 285

17 SNP Identification from Next-Generation Sequencing Datasets 288


Qifan Zeng, Luyang Sun, Qiang Fu, Shikai Liu and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 288
SNP Identification and Analysis 289
Quality Control of Sequencing Data 289
Alignment of Short Reads to the Reference Sequence 291
Processing of the Post-alignment File 293
SNP and Genotype Calling 294
Filtering SNP Candidates 296
SNP Annotation 296
Detailed Protocols of SNP Identification 297
Quality Control 297
Short Reads Alignment 298
Processing of the Post-alignment File 299
Contents xv

SNP Identification 300


GATK 300
SAMtools/BCFtools 301
Varscan 302
PoPoolation2 302
Which Software Should I Choose? 303
References 304

18 SNP Array Development, Genotyping, Data Analysis, and Applications 308


Shikai Liu, Qifan Zeng, Xiaozhu Wang and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 308
Development of High-density SNP Array 311
Marker Selection 311
Axiom myDesign Array Plates 313
SNP Array Design 313
Principles of Probe Design for the Differentiation of SNPs and
Indels 313
Allele Naming Convention for Affymetrix Axiom Genotyping
Platform 315
DQC 315
Case Study: the Catfish 250K SNP Array Design 315
SNP Genotyping: Biochemistry and Workflow 316
Axiom Genotyping Solution 316
Biochemistry and Workflow 316
SNP Genotyping: Analysis of Axiom Genotyping Array Data 317
Genotyping Workflow 317
Step 1: Group Samples into Batches 317
Step 2: Perform a Sample QC 318
Step 3: Perform First-pass Genotyping of the Samples 319
Step 4: Perform Sample Filtering Post-genotyping 319
Step 5: Perform Second-Pass Genotyping 319
Genotyping Analysis Software 319
Genotyping Analysis Reference Files 320
Genotyping Using GTC 321
Software Installation 321
Starting GTC 321
Genotyping with GTC 322
Genotyping Using APT 323
Software Installation 323
Genotyping with APT 323
SNP Analysis After Genotype Calling 324
View SNP Cluster Plots 325
Metrics Used for SNP Post-processing 325
Perform SNP Filtering Using SNPolisher 327
Software Installation 328
Using SNPolisher 328
Applications of SNP Arrays 332
xvi Contents

Genome-Wide Association Studies 332


Analysis of Linkage Disequilibrium 333
Population Structure and Discrimination 333
Genomic Signatures of Selection and Domestication 333
Conclusion 334
Further Readings 334
References 334

19 Genotyping by Sequencing and Data Analysis: RAD and 2b-RAD


Sequencing 338
Shi Wang, Jia Lv, Jinzhuang Dou, Qianyun Lu, Lingling Zhang and Zhenmin Bao
Introduction 338
Methodology Principles 339
RAD 339
2b-RAD 340
The Experimental Procedure of 2b-RAD 341
DNA Input 342
Restriction Enzyme Digestion 343
Adaptor Ligation 343
Adaptor Preparation 343
Ligation Reaction 344
PCR Amplification and Gel Purification 344
Barcode Incorporation 345
Bioinformatics Analysis of RAD and 2b-RAD Data 347
Overview 347
Reference-based and De Novo Analytical Approaches 347
Codominant and Dominant Genotyping 348
Codominant Genotyping 348
Dominant Genotyping 349
Usage Demonstration 350
Example for Running a Linkage Mapping Analysis 351
The Benefits and Pitfalls of RAD and 2b-RAD Applications 353
References 354

20 Bioinformatics Considerations and Approaches for High-Density Linkage


Mapping in Aquaculture 356
Yun Li, Shikai Liu, Ruijia Wang, Zhenkui Qin and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 356
Basic Concepts 358
Principles of Genetic Mapping 358
Linkage Phase 359
The LOD Score 360
Mapping Function 360
Requirements for Genetic Mapping 361
Polymorphic Markers 361
Contents xvii

Genotyping Platforms 362


Reference Families 362
Linkage Mapping Software 362
Linkage Mapping Process 365
Data Filtering 365
Assigning Markers into Linkage Groups 366
Ordering Markers Within Each Linkage Group 366
Step-by-Step Illustration of Linkage Mapping 367
JoinMap 367
Obtaining JoinMap 368
Input Data Files 368
OneMap 370
MergeMap 372
Getting MergeMap 373
Input Files 373
Output Files 373
MapChart 373
Getting MapChart 373
Pros and Cons of Linkage Mapping Software Packages 375
References 375

21 Genomic Selection in Aquaculture Breeding Programs 380


Mehar S. Khatkar
Introduction 380
Genomic Selection 380
Steps in GS 382
Preparation of Reference Population 382
Development of Prediction Equations 382
Validation of Prediction Equations 382
Computing GBVs of Selection/Test Candidates 382
Selection and Mating 382
Models for Genomic Prediction 383
An Example of Implementation of Genomic Prediction 384
Some Important Considerations for GS 385
How Many Animals Need to Be Genotyped? 385
How Many SNPs Are Enough? 386
What Is the More Important Factor for Genomic Predictions, the Number
of Individuals or the Number of SNPs? 387
Is Prediction Across Breeds/Population Possible? 387
Do We Need Knowledge About Genes and Gene Functions? 387
Does Accuracy Decline Over Generations? 387
Would Inbreeding Increase by Using GS? 387
GS in Aquaculture 388
Acknowledgment 389
References 389
xviii Contents

22 Quantitative Trait Locus Mapping in Aquaculture Species: Principles and


Practice 392
Alejandro P. Gutierrez and Ross D. Houston
Introduction 392
Selective Breeding in Aquaculture 392
QTL Mapping in Aquatic Species 393
Applications of Genomic Technology 394
DNA Markers and Genotyping 395
Microsatellites 395
SNPs 395
Genotyping by Sequencing 396
Linkage Maps 397
Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) Mapping 398
Traits of Importance 399
Mapping Populations 400
QTL Mapping Methods 401
Software for QTL Analysis 402
QTL Mapping Example 402
Future Directions and Applications of QTL 406
References 407

23 Genome-wide Association Studies of Performance Traits 415


Xin Geng, Degui Zhi and Zhanjiang Liu
Introduction 415
Study Population 416
Samples from Natural Population 417
Samples from Family-Based Population 418
Phenotype Design 419
Power of Association Test and Sample Size 419
Quality Control Procedures 420
LD Analysis 420
Association Test 421
Genomic Control 421
PCA 422
Linear Mixed Models 422
Transmission Disequilibrium Test and Derivatives 423
Significance Level for Multiple Testing 424
Step-by-Step Procedures: A Case Study in Catfish 424
Description of the Experiment 425
Phenotyping 425
Data Input for PLINK 425
QC 425
LD-based SNP Pruning 426
Family-based Association Tests for Quantitative Traits (QFAM) 426
xxxii Preface

the intention of the editor or the book chapter contributors to provide bioinformatics
guidance on topics such as programming. Rather, the focus is on providing a basic
framework about the need for informatics analysis, and then to provide guidance on
the practical applications of existing bioinformatics tools for aquaculture problems.
This book has 28 chapters, arranged in five parts. Part 1 focuses on issues of dealing
with DNA sequences: basic command lines (Chapter 1); how to determine sequence
identities (Chapter 2); how to assemble short read sequences into contigs and scaffolds
(Chapter 3); how to annotate genome sequences (Chapter 4); how to analyze repetitive
sequences (Chapter 5); how to analyze duplicated genes (Chapter 6); and how to deal
with complex genomes such as tetraploid fish genomes (Chapter 7). Part 2 focuses on the
issues involved in dealing with RNA sequences: how to assemble short reads of RNA-Seq
into transcriptome sequences (Chapter 8); how to identify differentially expressed genes
and co-regulated genes (Chapter 9); how to characterize results from RNA-Seq analysis
using gene ontology, enrichment analysis, and gene pathways (Chapter 10); how to
use RNA-Seq for genetic analysis (Chapter 11); analysis of long non-coding RNAs
(Chapter 12); analysis of microRNAs and their target genes (Chapter 13); determination
of allele-specific gene expression (Chapter 14); and epigenetic analysis (Chapter 15).
Part 3 focuses on the issues involved in the discovery and application of molecular
markers: microsatellites (Chapter 16); single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)
(Chapter 17); SNP arrays (Chapter 18); genotyping by sequencing (Chapter 19); genetic
linkage analysis (Chapter 20); genome selection (Chapter 21); QTL mapping (Chapter
22); GWAS (Chapter 23); and gene pathway analysis in GWAS (Chapter 24). Part 4
focuses on the issues involved in comparative genome analysis: comparative genomics
using CoGe (Chapter 25). The last part, Part 5, introduces bioinformatics resources,
databases, and genome browsers useful for aquaculture, such as NCBI resources
and tools (Chapter 26); Ensembl resources and tools (Chapter 27); and the iAnimal
bioinformatics infrastructures (Chapter 28).
This book was written to illustrate both principles and detailed methods. It should be
useful to academic professionals, research scientists, graduate students and college stu-
dents in agriculture, as well as students of aquaculture and fisheries. In particular, this
book should be a good textbook for graduate training classes. I am grateful to all the
contributors for their inputs; it is their great experience and efforts that made this book
possible. In addition, I am grateful to the postdoctoral fellows and graduate students in
my laboratory at Auburn University for recognizing the need for and inspiring the pro-
duction of such a “manual-like” book, but with sufficient background for beginner-level
graduate students. Also, I have had a pleasant experience interacting with Kevin Met-
thews (senior project editor) and Ramya Raghavan (project editor) of Wiley-Blackwell
Publishing.
During the course of writing and editing this book, I have worked extremely hard
to fulfill my responsibilities as the associate provost and associate vice president for
research, while performing my duty and passion as a professor and graduate advisor.
As a consequence, I have fallen short of fulfilling my responsibility as a father to my
three lovely daughters—Elise, Lisa, and Lena Liu—and even more so to my granddaugh-
ter Evelyn Wong. I wish to express my appreciation for their independence and great
progress.
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Title: Gold
A play in four acts

Author: Eugene O'Neill

Release date: December 17, 2023 [eBook #72442]

Language: English

Original publication: New York: Boni & Liveright, Inc, 1920

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK GOLD ***


GOLD

PLAYS BY

EUGENE G. O’NEILL
————
THE MOON OF THE
CARIBBEES
and Six Other Plays of
the Sea
BEYOND THE
HORIZON
THE STRAW
GOLD

Gold
A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS

BY
EUGENE G. O’NEILL

BONI AND LIVERIGHT


PUBLISHERS NEW YORK
Gold

Copyright, 1920, by
Boni & Liveright, Inc.

Printed in the United States of America


SCENES OF ACTS
Act One — A barren coral island on the fringe of the Malay archipelago
—Noon.
Act Two — Interior of a boat shed on the wharf of the Bartlett place on
the California coast. An afternoon six months later.
Act Three — Exterior of the Bartlett house—dawn of the following
morning.
Act Four — Bartlett’s “cabin”—his lookout post—at the top of the
house. A night one year later.
Time of the play—About the year 1900
ACT I
CHARACTERS
Captain Isaiah Bartlett, of the whaling ship, Triton
Silas Horne, boatswain of the Triton
Ben Cates of the Triton’s crew
Jimmy Kanaka, an Islander of the Triton’s crew
Butler, cook of the Triton
Abel, the ship’s boy
Sarah Allen Bartlett, the captain’s wife
Sue, their daughter
Nat, their son
Daniel Drew, officer of a freight steamer
Doctor Berry
ACT ONE
Scene—A small, barren coral island on the southern fringe of the Malay
Archipelago. The coral sand, blazing white under the full glare of the sun,
lifts in the right foreground to a long hummuck a few feet above sea-level.
A stunted coco palm rises from the center of this elevation, its bunch of
scraggly leaves drooping motionlessly, casting a small circular patch of
shadow directly beneath on the ground about the trunk. About a hundred
yards in the distance the lagoon is seen, its vivid blue contrasting with the
white coral beach which borders its circular outline. The far horizon to
seaward is marked by a broad band of purplish haze which separates the
bright blue of the water from the metallic grey-blue of the sky. The island
bakes. The intensity of the sun’s rays is flung back skyward in a quivering
mist of heat-waves which distorts the outlines of things, giving the visible
world an intangible eerie quality, as if it were floating submerged in some
colorless molten fluid.
As the curtain rises, Abel is discovered lying asleep, curled up in the
patch of shade beneath the coco palm. He is a runty, under-sized boy of
fifteen, with a shrivelled old face, tanned to parchment by the sum. He has
on a suit of dirty dungarees, man’s size, much too large for him, which hang
in loose folds from his puny frame. A thatch of brown hair straggles in limp
wisps from under the peaked canvas cap he wears. He looks terribly
exhausted. His dreams are evidently fraught with terror, for he twitches
convulsively and moans with fright. Butler enters hurriedly, panting, from
the right, rear. He is a tall man of over middle age, dressed in the faded
remainder of what was once a brown suit. The coat, the buttons of which
have been torn off, hangs open, revealing his nakedness beneath. A cloth
cap covers his bald head, with its halo of dirty thin grey hair. His body is
emaciated. His face, with its round, blue eyes, is weathered and cracked by
the sun’s rays. The wreck of a pair of heavy shoes flop about his bare feet.
He looks back cautiously, as if he were afraid of being followed; then
satisfied that he is not, he approaches the sleeping boy, and bending down,
puts his hand on Abel’s forehead. Abel groans and opens his eyes. He
stares about furtively, as if seeking someone whose presence he dreads to
find.
Abel—[In a husky voice.] Where’s Capt’n and the rest, Butts?
Butler—[In a hoarse, cracked whisper.]—On the beach—down there.
[He makes an exhausted gesture, right, and then sinks with a groan at the
foot of the tree, leaning back against the trunk, trying vainly to hunch his
long legs up so as to be completely in the shade.]
Abel—What’re they doin’? [With avid eyes.] They ain’t found no water
yet?
Butler—[Shaking his head, his eyes closing wearily.] No. How would
they—when there ain’t any—not on this devil’s island—dry as a bone, my
sonny—sand and sun—that’s all.
Abel—[Remonstratingly—his lips trembling a little.] Aw—maybe—you
don’t know no different.
Butler—No. Might as well look the devil in the face, sonny. There’s no
water here. Not a damn drop. No—nor a scrap to eat, neither. Only the
damn sun. [Weakly—touching the skin of his face with trembling fingers.]
God! My face is like the raw inside of a wet hide! If it’d only rain! [After a
pause—kindly.] But how are you, eh? Had a good sleep?
Abel—I was dreamin’ awful. [With a sudden, shrill agony—his lips
twitching.] I need a drink of water—something awful! My mouth’s burnin’
up. [With tremulous pleading.] Say, ain’t you got ’nother drink left?—
honest, ain’t you?
Butler—[Looking around him cautiously.] Not so loud! [Fixing his
eyes sternly on the boy.] This is a dead secret, mind! You’ll swear you
won’t blab—not to him?
Abel—Sure, Butts, sure! Gawd strike me dead!
Butler—[Takes a pint bottle from the hip-pocket of his pants. It is about
half full of water.] He don’t know I’ve got this, remember! He—and the rest
—they’d kill me like a dog—and you too, sonny—remember that!
Abel—Sure! I ain’t goin’ to tell ’em, Butts. [Stretching out his hands
frenziedly.] Aw, give it to me, Butts! Give me a drink, for Christ’s sake!
Butler—No, you don’t! I’ll hold it for you. Only a few drops. You’d
have it all down your throat. And we’ve got to be careful. It’s got to last ’til
the ship comes past that’ll pick us up. That’s the only hope. [Holding the
bottle at arm’s length from the boy.] Hands down, now—or you don’t get a
drop! [The boy lets his hands drop to his sides. Butler puts the bottle
carefully to his lips, and allows the boy two gulps—then snatches it away.]
That’s all now. More later. [He takes one gulp himself, and making a
tremendous effort of will, jerks the bottle from his lips, and corking it
quickly, thrusts it back in his pocket and heaves a shuddering sigh.]
Abel—Aw, more! Just another swaller——
Butler—[Determinedly.] No!
Abel—[Crying weakly.] Yuh dirty mut!
Butler—[Quietly.] There! Don’t get riled. It only makes you hotter—
and thirstier. [The boy sinks back exhausted and closes his eyes. Butler
begins to talk in a more assured voice, as if the sip of water had renewed his
courage.] That’ll save us yet, that bit of water. A lucky notion of mine to
think of it—at the last moment. They were just lowering the boots. I could
hear you calling to me to hurry and come. They didn’t care if I went down
with that stinking whaling ship or not, damn them! What did the dirty cook
matter to them? But I thought of filling this bottle. It’d been lying there in
the galley for two years almost. I’d had it on my hip, full of whiskey, that
night in Oakland when I was shanghied. So I filled it out of a bucket before
I ran to the boat. Lucky I did, son—for you and me—not for them—damn
’em!
Abel—[Struggling to a sitting posture, evidently strengthened by his
drink.] Gee if the Old Man was wise you got it——
Butler—He won’t know—nor Horne, nor Cates, nor Jimmy Kanaka,
neither. [As if in self-justification.] Why should I tell ’em, eh? Did I ever get
anything better than a kick or a curse from one of them? [Vindictively.]
Would they give it to me if they had it? They’d see me in hell first! And
besides, it’s too late for them. They’re mad as hatters right now, the four of
them. They ain’t had a drop since three nights back, when the water in the
cask gave out and we rowed up against this island in the dark. Think of it,
and them out walking and roasting in the sun all day, looking for water
where there ain’t any. Wouldn’t you be crazy? [Suddenly he laughs
queerly.] Didn’t you hear them shouting and yelling like lunatics just before
I came?
Abel—I thought I heard something—on’y maybe I was dreamin’.
Butler—It’s them that are doing the dreaming. I was with them. I had
to go. [With rising anger.] He kicked me awake—and every time I tried to
get away he beat me back. He’s strong yet—[With threatening
vindictiveness.]—but he can’t last long, damn him! [Controlling himself,
goes on with his story excitedly.] Well, we went looking for water—on this
sand pile. Then Jimmy Kanaka saw a boat sunk half under down inside the
reef—a Malay canoe, only bigger. They got down in her the best way they
could, up to their waists in water. They thought there might be something to
drink on her. I was trying to sneak off, scared to go in on account of sharks.
All of a sudden they gave an awful yell. I thought they’d found something
to drink and ran back. They was all standing about a box they’d forced
open, yelling and cursing and out of their heads completely. When I looked
I seen the box was full of all sorts of metal junk—bracelets and bands and
necklaces that I guess the Malays wear. Nothing but brass and copper, and
bum imitations of diamonds and things—not worth a dam; and there they
were, shouting with joy and slapping each other on the back. And that
hellion of a skipper shouts at me: “Get out of this! No share here for a
stinking cook!” he yells. I didn’t say nothing but just picked up some of the
stuff to make sure. Then I told him straight. “This ain’t gold. It’s brass and
copper—not worth a damn.” God, he got wild! I had to run, or he’d knifed
me—then and there. That was when I woke you up.
Abel—And ain’t it worth nothin’, honest? How’d you know it ain’t?
Butler—D’you think I ain’t learned to know gold in my time? And
polished enough copper and brass to know them, too? Just as if it was gold
it’d do ’em any good! You can’t drink gold, can you? [With sudden
violence.] It serves ’em right, all that’s happened and going to happen.
Kicks and smacks in the face if I even winked an eye—two years of it! And
me shanghied when I was drunk—taken away from a good job and forced
to cook the swill on a rotten whaler. Oh, I’ll pay him back for it! His damn
ship is wrecked and lost to him—that’s the first of it. I’ll see him rot and die
—and the three with him! But you and me’ll be saved! D’you know why
I’ve let you go halves on this water, instead of hogging it all myself? It’s
because you were the only one on board that didn’t treat me like a dog—
and they kicked and beat you, too. We were in the same boat. And now
we’ll get even! Them and their dirty box of junk! [He sinks back, exhausted
by this outburst.]
Abel—[Suddenly, in a piteous voice.] Gee, I wisht I was back home
again!
Butler—You’ll get back. We both will. [He closes his eyes. After a
pause—weakly.] When I close my eyes, everything gets to rocking under
me, like I was in that open boat again. I won’t forget these four days in a
hurry. Up and down—— Nothing but sun and water. [They are both silent,
leaning with closed eyes against the bole of the tree, panting exhaustedly. A
murmur of men’s voices comes from the right, rear, and gradually get
nearer.]
Abel—[Opening his eyes with a start.] Butts! I hear ’em comin’!
Butler—[Listening, wide-eyed, for a moment.] Yes, it’s them. [He gets
to his feet weakly.] Come, let’s get out of this. [Abel staggers to his feet.
They both move to the left. Butler shades his eyes with his hands and looks
toward the beach.] Look! They’re dragging along that box of junk with
’em, the damn fools! [Warningly.] They’re crazy as hell. Don’t give ’em no
chance to pick on you, d’you hear? They’d stop at nothing when they’re
this way. [There is a scuffling of heavy footsteps in the sand, and Captain
Bartlett appears, followed by Horne, who in turn is followed by Cates
and Jimmy Kanaka. Bartlett is a tall, huge-framed figure of a man,
dressed in a blue double-breasted coat, pants of the same material, and
rubber sea-boots turned down from the knees. In spite of the ravages of
hunger and thirst there is still a suggestion of immense strength in his
heavy-muscled body. His head is massive, thickly covered with tangled,
iron-grey hair. His face is large, bony, and leather-tanned, with a long
aquiline nose and a gash of a mouth shadowed by a bristling grey
mustache. His broad jaw sticks out at an angle of implacable stubbornness.
Bushy grey brows overhang the obsessed glare of his sombre dark eyes.
Silas Horne is a thin, parrot-nosed, angular old man, his lean face marked
by a life-time of crass lusts and mean cruelty. He is dressed in grey cotton
trousers, and a singlet torn open across his hairy chest. The exposed skin of
his arms and shoulders and chest has been blistered and seared by the sun.
A cap is on his head. Cates is squat and broad-chested, with thick, stumpy
legs and arms. His square, stupid face, with its greedy pig’s eyes, is terribly
pock-marked. He is gross and bestial, an unintelligent brute. He is dressed
in dungaree pants and a dirty white sailor’s blouse, and wears a brown cap.
Jimmy Kanaka is a tall, sinewy, bronzed young Islander. He wears only a
loin cloth and a leather belt with a sheath-knife. The last two are staggering
beneath the weight of a heavy inlaid chest. The eyes of the three white men
are wild. They pant exhaustedly, their legs trembling with weakness beneath
them. Their lips are puffed and cracked, their voices muffled by their
swollen tongues. But there is a mad air of happiness, of excitement, about
their scorched faces.]
Bartlett—[In a crooning, monotonous voice.] It’s heavy, I know, heavy
—that chest. Up, bullies! Up with her! [He flings himself in the shade,
resting his back against the tree, and points to the sand at his feet.] Put ’er
there, bullies—there where I kin see!
Horne—[Echoing his words mechanically.] Put’er there!
Cates—[In thick, stupid tones.] Aye-aye, sir! Down she goes, Jimmy!
[They set the chest down.]
Bartlett—Sit down, lads, sit down. Ye’ve earned your spell of rest.
[The three men throw themselves on the sand in attitudes of spent
weariness. Bartlett’s eyes are fixed gloatingly on the chest. There is a
silence suddenly broken by Cates, who leaps to a kneeling position with a
choked cry.]
Cates—[His eyes staring at the Captain with fierce insistence.] I want a
drink—water! [The others are startled into a rigid, dazzed attention.
Horne’s lips move painfully in a soundless repetition of the word. There is
a pause. Then Bartlett strikes the side of his head with his fist, as if to drive
this obsession from his brain. Butler and Abel stand looking at them with
frightened eyes.]
Bartlett—[Having regained control over himself, in a determined
voice, deep-toned and menacing.] If ye speak that word ever again, Ben
Cates—if ye say it once again—ye’ll be food for the sharks! Ye hear?
Cates—[Terrified.] Yes, sir. [He collapses limply on the sand again.
Horne and the Kanaka relax hopelessly.]
Bartlett—[With heavy scorn.] Are ye a child to take on like a sick
woman—cryin’ for what ye know we’ve not got? Can’t ye stand up under a
little thirst like a man? [Resolutely.] There’ll be water enough—if ye’ll wait
and keep a stiff upper lip on ye. We’ll all be picked up today. I’ll stake my
word on it. This state o’ things can’t last. [His eyes fall on the chest.] Ye
ought to be singin’ ’stead o’ cryin’—after the find we’ve made. What’s the
lack of water amount to—when ye’ve gold before you? [With mad
exultation.] Gold! Enough of it in your share alone to buy ye rum, and wine,
and women, too, for the rest o’ your life!
Cates—[Straightening up to a sitting posture—his small eyes staring at
the box fascinatedly—in a stupid mumble.] Aye—aye—rum and wine!
Bartlett—[Half closing his eyes as if the better to enjoy his vision.]
Yes, rum and wine and women for you and Horne and Jimmy. No more
hard work on the dirty sea for ye, bullies, but a full pay-day in your pockets
to spend each day o’ the year. [The three strain their ears, listening eagerly.
Even Butler and Abel advance a step or two toward him, as if they, too,
were half hypnotized.] And Cates grumbling because he’s thirsty! I’d be the
proper one to complain—if complainin’ there was to do! Ain’t I lost my
ship and the work o’ two years with her? And what have ye lost, all three,
but a few rags o’ clothes? [With savage emphasis.] I tell ye, I be glad the
Triton went down! [He taps the box with his fingers.] They’s more in this
than ever was earned by all the whalin’ ships afloat. They’s gold—heavy
and solid—and diamonds and emeralds and rubies!—red and green, they
be.
Cates—[Licking his lips.] Aye, I seen ’em there—and emeralds be
green, I know, and sell for a ton of gold!
Bartlett—[As if he hadn’t heard and was dreaming out loud to
himself.] Rum and wine for you three, and rest for me. Aye, I’ll rest to home
’til the day I die. Aye, woman, I be comin’ home now for good. Aye, Nat
and Sue, your father be comin’ home for the rest o’ his life! No more
stinkin’ blubber on the deck. I’ll give up whalin’ like ye’ve always been
askin’ me, Sarah. Aye, I’ll go to meetin’ with ye on a Sunday like ye’ve
always prayed I would. We’ll make the damn neighbors open their eyes,
curse ’em! Carriages and silks for ye—they’ll be nothin’ too good—and for
Sue and the boy. I’ve been dreamin’ o’ this in my sleep for years. I never
give a damn ’bout the oil—that’s just trade—but I always hoped on some
voyage I’d pick up ambergris—a whole lot of it—and that’s worth gold!
Horne—[His head bobbing up from his chest—drowsily.] Aye,
ambergris! It’s costly truck.
Butler—[In a whisper to the boy—cautiously.] There! Wasn’t I right?
Mad as hatters, all of ’em! Come on away!
Abel—[Staring at the Captain fascinatedly.] No. I wanter see ’em open
it.
Butler—Look out! You’ll be going batty yourself, first thing you know.
[But he also stays.]
Bartlett—[His voice more and more that of a somnambulist.] It’s time
I settled down to home with ye, Sarah, after twenty years o’ whalin’. They’s
plenty o’ big trees on my place, bullies, and shade and green grass, and a
cool wind off the sea. [He shakes off the growing drowsiness and glares
about him in a rage.] Hell’s fire! What crazy truck be I thinkin’ of? [But he
and the others sink back immediately into stupor. After a pause he begins to
relate a tale in a droning voice.] Years ago, when I was whalin’ out o’ New
Bedford—just after I got my first ship, it was—a man come to me—
Spanish-looking, he was—and wanted to charter my ship and me go shares.
He showed me a map o’ some island off the coast of South America
somewhere. They was a cross marked on it where treasure had been buried
by the old pirates. That was what he said. But I was a fool. I didn’t believe
him. I didn’t see’s I could take a chance. He got old Scott’s schooner—
finally. She sailed and never was heard o’ since. But I’ve never forgot him
and his map. And often I’ve thought if I’d ’a’ went that vige—— [He
straightens up and shouts with aggressive violence.] But here she be! Run
right into it—without no map nor nothin’. Gold and diamonds and all—all
them things he said was there—there they be in front o’ our eyes! [To the
now alert Jimmy.] Open ’er up, Jimmy!
Jimmy—[Getting up—in his soft voice.] Aye, Captain. [He reaches down
to lift the lid.]
Bartlett—[A sudden change of feeling comes over him, and he knocks
Jimmy’s arm aside savagely.] Hands off, ye dog! I’m takin’ care o’ this
chest, and no man’s hand’s goin’ to touch it but mine!
Jimmy—[Stepping back docilely—in the same unmoved, soft tone.] Aye,
Captain. [He squats down to the left of the chest.]
Bartlett—[Seeming suddenly to notice the cook for the first time.] So
there you be, eh? [His voice growing thick with rage.] I ain’t forgot what ye
said down by the shore there! Lucky for ye I didn’t catch ye then! “Brass
and copper—junk,” ye said—“not gold! Not worth a damn,” ye said! Ye
blasted son o’ a liar! No share for ye! I’ll not forget. And keep your distance
o’ me if ye want your hide! [Looking at Abel.] Ye’ve been tellin’ that boy
your lies too, I kin tell by the look o’ him. [Sternly.] Come here, boy!
Abel—[Advances with faltering steps.] Y-yes, s-sir?
Bartlett—Open up that chest! Open it up, ye brat! [With a desperate
movement of fear Abel reaches down and flings open the lid of the chest.
As he does so, Bartlett’s huge hand fastens on the collar of his coat, and
holds him with face bent over the box. Horne, Cates, and Jimmy Kanaka
pull themselves close, their necks craning for a look inside. Butler takes a
few steps toward them.]
Butler—[In a low uncertain tone.] Maybe I was wrong, Captain
Bartlett, sir.
Bartlett—[Shaking the terror-stricken boy.] What d’ye see there, ye
little swab? What d’ye see there?
Abel—Aw—leggo—I’m chokin’!
Bartlett—[Grimly.] Ye’ll choke in earnest if ye don’t answer me. What
d’ye see? Is it gold? Answer me—is it gold?
Abel—[Stutteringly.] Yes—sure—gold—I see it!
Bartlett—[Thrusts him away. The boy staggers and falls to the sand.
Bartlett turns to Butler triumphantly.] Ye see, ye liar? Gold! Gold! Even
a child can tell it at a look. [With a sombre menace in his tone.] But ye—
don’t believe—do ye?
Butler—[Frightenedly.] Maybe I was wrong, sir. I—didn’t—look very
careful.
Bartlett—Come here! [He stands up, his back against the tree.] Come
here!
Butler—Yes, sir. [But he looks about him shiftily, as if to run away.]
Bartlett—Jimmy! [The Kanaka leaps to his feet.] Knife him, Jimmy,
if he tries to run.
Jimmy—[His hand goes to his knife, his dark eyes lighting up with
savagery—in his soft voice.] Aye, Captain!
Bartlett—[To the trembling cook.] Come here!
Butler—[Goes to him with the courage of desperation.] Yes, sir.
Bartlett—[Pointing to the contents of the chest.] Is it gold—or not?
Butler—If I can feel of one——
Bartlett—Pick one up.
Butler—[Picks up a heavy anklet encrusted with colored glass, looks at
it for a minute—then feigning great assurance.] I was wrong, Captain. It’s
gold all right enough—worth all kinds of money, I bet.
Bartlett—[With mad triumph.] Ha! Ye’ve come to your senses, have
ye? Too late, ye swab! No share for ye! And here’s to teach ye for lyin’ to
me before! [His fist jerks out from his side, and Butler is knocked
sprawling on the sand, where he lies groaning for a moment, the anklet still
clutched in his hand. The boy gives a gasp of fright and scampers off, left.]
Bartlett—That’ll learn ye! [He sits down beside the chest. The others
crouch close. Bartlett shoves in both of his hands—in a tone of mad
gloating.] Gold! Better’n whaling, ain’t she, boys? Better’n ambergris, even
if I ever had luck to find any! [Butler staggers to his feet. He examines the
anklet with contemptuous scorn and even bites it to make sure. Then he
edges stealthily toward the left. A sudden transformation comes over his
face and he glowers at the Captain with hatred, his features distorted with
fury.]
Jimmy Kanaka—[Pointing to Butler.] He got him, Captain!
Bartlett—[Glancing at the cook with contemptuous scorn.] Sneakin’
away with that piece o’ the gold, be ye? Ye thievin’ swine! Ye know right
enough it’s gold now, don’t ye? Well, ye kin keep it—for your share for
speakin’ the truth that once.
Horne—[His cupidity protesting.] Don’t give it to him, sir! It’s so much
the less for us that worked for it when he did nothin’!
Butler—[Overcome by hysterical rage—stammering.] Who asked you
for it—eh? Who—wants the dam thing? Not me! No! You damned lunatics!
You oughter all be in the asylum? [Holding the anklet out contemptuously.]
Gold? Ha-ha! This junk? I just bit it to make sure. Gold? Brass, that’s what
—and pieces of glass! Junk! Not worth a dam. Here! Take it! You can have
it! [He flings it on the sand before them. Bartlett snatches it up
protectingly.]
Bartlett—[In a frenzy.] Jimmy! [But Butler runs off left with a
terrified cry. Jimmy springs to his feet and stands with his hand on his knife,
waiting for a further order.]
Jimmy—[Eagerly.] I go catch—go stick him, Captain?
Bartlett—[Pausing—with a frown.] No. They’s time enough for that—
if need be. Sit down. [Jimmy sits down again with a childish air of sulking.
Bartlett stares at the treasure, continuing to frown, as if Butler’s action
had made him uneasy, bewildered and confused him. He mutters half to
himself.] Queer! Queer! He threw it back as if ’twas a chunk of mud! He
knew—and yet he said he didn’t want it. Junk, he called it—and he knows
it’s gold! He said ’twas gold himself a second back. He’s queer. Why would
he say junk when he knows it’s gold? D’ye think—he don’t believe?
Horne—He was mad because you knocked him down.
Bartlett—[Shaking his head grimly.] It ain’t the first time I’ve
knocked him down; but he never spoke up to me—like that—before. No,
it’s somethin’ else is wrong with him—somethin’.
Horne—No share for him, you told him sir. That’s what wrong with
him.
Bartlett—[Again shaking his head.] No. His eyes—It’s somethin’ he’s
got in his head—somethin’ he’s hidin’! His share—maybe he thinks he’ll
get his share anyway, in spite o’ us! Maybe he thinks his share wouldn’t be
all he wants! Maybe he thinks we’ll die o’ hunger and thirst before we get
picked up—and that he’ll live—and then—he’ll come in for the whole
chestful! [Suddenly springing to his feet in a rage, convinced that he has
found the truth.] Hell’s fire! That’s it, bullies! That’s his sneakin’ plan! To
watch us die—and steal it from us!
Cates—[Rising to his knees and shaking his hand threateningly above
his head.] Tell Jimmy to knife him, sir! Tell Jimmy—I ain’t got a knife, or
I’d do it myself. [He totters weakly to his feet.]
Jimmy—[Eagerly.] You speak, I stick him, Captain. I stick boy, too.
Cates—[Weakening.] I’m weak, but I kin do for him yet. I’m weak——
[His knees sag under him. He pleads piteously.] If I’d only a drink to put
some strength in me! If I’d only a sup o’ water, I’d do for him! [Turning, as
if to stagger down toward the beach.] There must be water. Let’s look
again. I’ll go look—— [But the effort he makes is too much for his strength
and he falls to the sand, panting with open mouth.]
Bartlett—[Summoning his strength—sternly.] Put a clapper on that jaw
of yours, Cates, or I’ll do it for ye!
Cates—[Blubbering.] If we don’t find water—he’ll watch us die.
Jimmy—[Insinuatingly.] Better me knife cook fella—kill boy, too!
Bartlett—Will killin’ ’em give us drink, ye fools? [After a pause, he
shakes his head as if to drive off some thought, and mutters.] No more o’
that! [Suddenly, in a tone of sharp command.] No more o’ that, I say! We’re
keepin’ no right watch for ships. Go aloft on that tree, Jimmy—and damn

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