Mr。Baker，comingoutofhiscabin，calledoutthefirstnamesharplybeforeclosingthedoorbehindhim。Hewasgoingtotakechargeofthedeck。Onthehomewardtripaccordingtoanoldcustomofthesea，thechiefofficertakesthefirstnight—watch——fromeighttillmidnight。
SoMr。Baker，afterhehadheardthelast‘Yes，sir！’
saidmoodily，‘Relievethewheelandlook—out;’andclimbedwithheavyfeetthepoopladdertowindward。SoonafterMr。Creightoncamedown，whistlingsoftly，andwentintothecabin。Onthedoorstepthestewardlounged，inslippers，meditative，andwithhisshirt—sleevesrolleduptothearmpits。Onthemaindeckthecook，lockingupthegalleydoors，hadanaltercationwithyoungCharleyaboutapairofsocks。Hecouldbeheardsayingimpressively，inthedarknessamidships：‘Youdon’tdeserveakindness。I’vebeendryingthemforyou，andnowyoucomplainabouttheholes——andyouswear，too！Rightinfrontofme！IfIhadn’tbeenaChristian——whichyouain’t，youyoungruffian——Iwouldgiveyouacloutonthehead……Goaway！’MenincouplesorthreesstoodpensiveormovedsilentlyalongthebulwarksinthePage21
waist。Thefirstbusydayofahomewardpassagewassinkingintothedullpeaceofresumedroutine。Aft，onthehighpoop，Mr。Bakerwalkedshuffling，gruntedtohimselfinthepausesofhisthoughts。Forward，thelook—outman，erectbetweentheflukesofthetwoanchors，hummedanendlesstune，keepinghiseyesfixeddutifullyaheadinavacantstare。Amultitudeofstarscomingoutintotheclearnightpeopledtheemptinessofthesky。
Theyglittered，asifaliveabovethesea;theysurroundedtherunningshiponallsides;moreintensethantheeyesofastaringcrowd，andasinscrutableasthesoulsofmen。
Thepassagehadbegun;andtheship，afragmentdetachedfromtheearth，wentonlonelyandswiftlikeasmallplanet。Roundhertheabyssesofskyandseametinanunattainablefrontier。Agreatcircularsolitudemovedwithher，everchangingandeverthesame，alwaysmonotonousandalwaysimposing。Nowandthenanotherwanderingwhitespeck，burdenedwithlife，appearedfaroff——disappeared;intentonitsowndestiny。
Thesunlookeduponherallday，andeverymorningrosewithaburning，roundstareofundyingcuriosity。Shehadherownfuture;shewasalivewiththelivesofthosebeingswhotrodherdecks;likethatearthwhichhadgivenheruptothesea，shehadanintolerableloadofregretsandhopes。Onherlivedtimidtruthandaudaciouslies;and，liketheearth，shewasunconscious，fairtosee——andcondemnedbymentoanignoblefate。Theaugustlonelinessofherpathlentdignitytothesordidinspirationofherpilgrimage。Shedrovefoamingtothesouthward，asifguidedbythecourageofahighendeavour。Thesmilinggreatnessoftheseadwarfedtheextentoftime。Thedaysracedafteroneanother，brilliantandquickliketheflashesofalighthouse，andthenights，eventfulandshort，resembledfleetingdreams。Themenhadshakenintotheirplaces，andthehalf—hourlyvoiceofthebellsruledtheirlifeofunceasingcare。Nightanddaytheheadandshouldersofaseamancouldbeseenaftbythewheel，outlinedhighagainstsunshineorstarlight，verysteadyabovethestirofrevolvingspokes。Thefaceschanged，passinginrotation。Youthfulfaces，beardedfaces，darkfaces：facesserene，orfacesmoody，butallakinwiththebrotherhoodofthesea;allwiththesameattentiveexpressionofeyes，carefullywatchingthecompassPage22
orthesails。CaptainAllistoun，serious，andwithanoldredmufflerroundhisthroatalldaylongpervadedthepoop。Atnight，manytimesheroseoutofthedarknessofthecompanion，suchasaphantomaboveagrave，andstoodwatchfulandmuteunderthestars，hisnight—shirtflutteringlikeaflag——then，withoutasound，sankdownagain。HewasbornontheshoresofthePentlandFirth。InhisyouthheattainedtherankofharpoonerinPeterheadwhalers。Whenhespokeofthattimehisrestlessgreyeyesbecamestillandcold，liketheloomofice。AfterwardshewentintotheEastIndiantradeforthesakeofchange。HehadcommandedtheNarcissussinceshewasbuilt。Helovedhisship，anddroveherunmercifully;forhissecretambitionwastomakeheraccomplishsomedayabrilliantlyquickpassagewhichwouldbementionedinnauticalpapers。Hepronouncedhisowner’snamewithasardonicsmilespokebutseldomtohisofficers，andreprovederrorsinagentlevoice，withwordsthatcuttothequick。Hishairwasiron—grey，hisfacehardandofthecolourofpump—leather。Heshavedeverymorningofhislife——atsix——butonce（beingcaughtinafiercehurricaneeightymilessouth—westofMauritius）hehadmissedthreeconsecutivedays。HefearednaughtbutanunforgivingGod，andwishedtoendhisdaysinalittlehouse，withaplotofgroundattached——farinthecountry——outofsightofthesea。
He，therulerofthatminuteworld，seldomdescendedfromtheOlympianheightsofhispoop。Belowhim——athisfeet，sotospeak——commonmortalsledtheirbusyandinsignificantlives。AlongthemaindeckMr。Bakergruntedinamannerbloodthirstyandinnocuous;andkeptallournosestothegrindstone，being——asheonceremarked——paidfordoingthatverything。Themenworkingaboutthedeckwerehealthyandcontented——asmostseamenare，whenoncewellouttosea。ThetruepeaceofGodbeginsatanyspotathousandmilesfromthenearestland;andwhenHesendstherethemessengersofHismightitisnotinterriblewrathagainstcrime，presumption，andfolly，butpaternally，tochastensimplehearts——ignorantheartsthatknownothingoflife，andbeatundisturbedbyenvyorgreed。
Intheeveningthecleareddeckshadareposefulaspect，resemblingtheautumnoftheearth。Thesunwassinkingtorest，wrappedPage23
inamantleofwarmclouds。Forward，ontheendofthesparespurs，theboatswainandthecarpentersattogetherwithcrossedarms;twomenfriendly，powerful，anddeep—chested。Besidethemtheshort，dumpysailmaker——whohadbeenintheNavy——related，betweenthewhiffsofhispipe，impossiblestoriesaboutAdmirals。Couplestrampedbackwardsandforwards，keepingstepandbalancewithouteffort，inaconfinedspace。Pigsgruntedinthebigpigstye。Belfast，leaningthoughtfullyonhiselbow，abovethebarscommunedwiththemthroughthesilenceofhismeditation。Fellowswithshirtsopenwideonsunburntbreastssatuponthemooringbits，andallupthestepsoftheforecastleladders。Bytheforemastafewdiscussedinacirclethecharacteristicsofagentleman。Onesaid：——‘It’smoneyasdoesit。’Anothermaintained：——‘No，it’sthewaytheyspeak。’LameKnowlesstumpedupwithanunwashedface（hehadthedistinctionofbeingthedirtymanoftheforecastle），and，showingafewyellowfangsinashrewdsmile，explainedcraftilythathe‘hadseensomeoftheirpants’Thebacksidesofthem——hehadobserved——werethinnerthanpaperfromconstantsittingdowninoffices，yetotherwisetheylookedfirst—rateandwouldlastforyears。Itwasallappearance。‘Itwas，’hesaid，‘bloomin’
easytobeagentlemanwhenyouhadacleanjobforlife。’Theydisputedendlessly，obstinateandchildish;theyrepeatedinshoutsandwithinflamedfacestheiramazingarguments;whilethesoftbreeze，eddyingdowntheenormouscavityoftheforesail，thatstoodoutdistendedabovetheirbareheads，stirredthetumbledhairwithatouchpassingandlightlikeanindulgentcaress。
Theywereforgettingtheirtoil，theywereforgettingthemselves。
Thecookapproachedtohear，andstoodby，beamingwiththeinwardconsciousnessofhisfaith，likeaconceitedsaintunabletoforgethisgloriousreward;
Donkin，solitaryandbroodingoverhiswrongsontheforecastle—head，movedclosertocatchthedriftofthediscussionbelowhim;heturnedhissallowfacetothesea，andhisthinnostrilsmoved，sniffingthebreeze，asheloungednegligentlybytherail。Intheglowofsunsetfacesshonewithinterest，teethflashed，eyessparkled。Thewalkingcouplesstoodstillsuddenly，withbroadgrins;amanbendingoverawashtub，satup，entranced，withthesoapsudsfleckinghiswetarms。EventhePage24
threepettyofficerslistenedleaningback，comfortablypropped，andwithsuperiorsmiles。Belfastleftoffscratchingtheearofhisfavoritepig，and，open—mouthed，triedwitheagereyestohavehissay。Heliftedhisarms，grimacingandbaffled。FromadistanceCharleyscreamedatthering：——‘Iknowaboutgentlemenmorn’nanyofyou。I’vebeenhintymatewith’em……I’veblackedtheirboots。’Thecook，craninghisnecktohearbetter，wasscandalized。‘Keepyourmouthshutwhenyoureldersspeak，youimpudentyoungheathen——you。’‘Allright，oldHallelujah，I’mdone，’answeredCharley，soothingly。
AtsomeopinionofdirtyKnowles，deliveredwithanairofsupernaturalcunning，arippleoflaughterranalong，roselikeawave，burstwithastartlingroar。Theystampedwithbothfeet;theyturnedtheirshoutingfacestothesky;many，spluttering，slappedtheirthighs;whileoneortwo，bentdouble，gaspedhuggingthemselveswithbotharmslikemeninpain。Thecarpenterandtheboatswain，withoutchangingtheirattitude，shookwithlaughterwheretheysat;thesailmaker，chargedwithananecdoteaboutaCommodore，lookedsulky;thecookwaswipinghiseyeswithagreasyrag;andlameKnowles，astonishedathisownsuccess，stoodintheirmidstshowingaslowsmile。
SuddenlythefaceofDonkinleaninghigh—shoulderedovertheafter—railbecamegrave。Somethinglikeaweakrattlewasheardthroughtheforecastledoor。Itbecameamurmur;itendedinasighinggroan。Thewashermanplungedbothhisarmsintothetubabruptly;thecookbecamemorecrestfallenthananexposedbackslider;theboatswainmovedhisshouldersuneasily;thecarpentergotupwithaspringandwalkedaway——whilethesailmakerseemedmentallytogivehisstoryup，andbegantopuffathispipewithsombredetermination。Intheblacknessofthedoorwayapairofeyesglimmeredwhite，andbigandstaring。ThenJamesWait’sheadprotruding，becamevisible，asifsuspendedbetweenthetwohandsthatgraspedadoorpostoneachsideoftheface。Thetasselofhisbluewoollennightcap，cockedforward，dancedgailyoverhislefteyelid。Hesteppedoutinatotteringstride。Helookedpowerfulasever，butshowedastrangeandaffectedunsteadinessinhisgait;hisfacewasperhapsatriflethinner，andhiseyesappearedratherstartlinglyprominent。HeseemedtohastenthePage25
retreatofdepartinglightbyhisverypresence;thesettingsundippedsharply，asthoughfleeingfromournigger;ablackmistemanatedfromhim;asubtleanddismalinfluenceasomethingcoldandgloomythatfloatedoutandsettledonallthefaceslikeamourningveil。Thecirclebrokeup。Thejoyoflaughterdiedonstiffenedlips。Therewasnotasmileleftamongalltheship’scompany。Notawordwasspoken。Manyturnedtheirbacks，tryingtolookunconcerned;others，withavertedheads，senthalf—reluctantglancesoutofthecornersoftheireyes。Theyresembledcriminalsconsciousofmisdeedsmorethanhonestmendistractedbydoubt;onlytwoorthreestaredfrankly，butstupidly，withlipsslightlyopen。AllexpectedJamesWaittosaysomething，and，atthesametime，hadtheairofknowingbeforehandwhathewouldsay。Heleanedhisbackagainstthedoorpost，andwithheavyeyessweptoverusaglancedomineeringandpained，likeasicktyrantoverawingacrowdofabjectbutuntrustworthyslaves。
Noonewentaway。theywaitedinfascinateddread。Hesaidironically，withgaspsbetweenthewords：——
‘Thankyou……chaps。You……arenice……and……
quiet……youare！Yellingso……before……thedoor……’
Hemadealongerpause，duringwhichheworkedhisribsinanexaggeratedlabourofbreathing。Itwasintolerable。Feetwereshuffled。
Belfastletoutagroan;butDonkinaboveblinkedhisredeyelidswithinvisibleeyelashes，andsmiledbitterlyoverthenigger’shead。
Theniggerwentonagainwithsurprisingease。Hegaspednomore，andhisvoicerang，hollowandloud，asthoughhehadbeentalkinginanemptycavern。Hewascontemptuouslyangry。
‘Itriedtogetawinkofsleep。YouknowIcan’tsleepo’nights。Andyoucomejabberingnearthedoorherelikeabloominglotofoldwomen……Youthinkyourselvesgoodshipmates。Doyou？……Muchyoucareforadyingman！’
Belfastswungawayfromthepigstye。‘Jimmy，’
hecriedtremulously，‘ifyouhadn’tbeensickIwould——’
Hestopped。Theniggerwaitedawhile，thensaid，inagloomytone：——‘Youwould……What？Goan’fightanothersuchoneasyourself。Leavemealone。Itwon’tbeforlong。I’llsoondie……It’scomingrightenough！’
Page26
Menstoodaroundverystill，breathinglightly，andwithexasperatedeyesItwasjustwhattheyhadexpected，andhatedtohear，thatideaofstalkingdeath，thrustatthemmanytimesadaylikeaboastandlikeamenacebythisobnoxiousnigger。Heseemedtotakeaprideinthatdeathwhich，sofar，hadattendedonlyupontheeaseofhislife;
hewasoverbearingaboutit，asifnooneelseintheworldhadeverbeenintimatewithsuchacompanion;heparadeditunceasinglybeforeuswithanaffectionatepersistencethatmadeitspresenceindubitable，andatthesametimeincredible。Nomanshouldbesuspectedofsuchmonstrousfriendship！Washeareality——orwasheasham——thisever—expectedvisitorofJimmy’s？Wehesitatedbetweenpityandmistrust，while，ontheslightestprovocation，heshookbeforeoureyesthebonesofhisbothersomeandinfamousskeleton。Hewasforevertrottinghimout。Hewouldtalkofthatcomingdeathasthoughithadbeenalreadythere，asifithadbeenwalkingthedeckoutside，asifitwouldpresentlycomeintosleepintheonlyemptybunk;asifithadsatbyhissideateverymeal。Itinterfereddailywithouroccupations，withourleisure，withouramusements。
Wehadnosongsandnomusicintheevening，becauseJimmy（wealllovinglycalledhimJimmy，toconcealourhateofhisaccomplice）hadmanaged，withthatprospectivedeceaseofhis，todisturbevenArchie’smentalbalance。
Archiewastheowneroftheconcertina;butafteracoupleofstinginglecturesfromJimmyherefusedtoplayanymore。Hesaid：——‘Yon’sanuncannyjoker。Idinnakenwhat’swrangwi’him，butthere’ssomethingverrawrang，verrawrang。It’snaemannerofuseaskingme。Iwon’tplay。’
OursingersbecamemutebecauseJimmywasadyingman。Forthesamereasonnochap——asKnowlesremarked——could‘driveinanailtohanghisfewpoorragsupon，’withoutbeingmadeawareoftheenormityhecommittedindisturbingJimmy’sinterminablelastmoments。Atnight，insteadofthecheerfulyell，‘Onebell！Turnout！Doyouhearthere？Hey！hey！hey！Showleg！’thewatcheswerecalledmanbyman，inwhispers，soasnottointerferewithJimmy’s，possibly，lastslumberonearth。True，hewasalwaysawake，andmanaged，aswesneakedoutondeck，toplantinourbackssomecuttingremarkthat，forthemoment，madeusfeelasifwehadbeenbrutes，andafterwardsmadeussuspectourselvesofPage27
beingfools。Wespokeinlowtoneswithinthatfo’c’sleasthoughithadbeenachurch。Weateourmealsinsilenceanddread，forJimmywascapriciouswithhisfood，andrailedbitterlyatthesaltmeat，atthebiscuits，attheteaasatarticlesunfitforhumanconsumption——‘letaloneforadyingman！’Hewouldsay：——‘Can’tyoufindabettersliceofmeatforasickmanwho’stryingtogethometobecured——orburied？Butthere！ifIhadachance，youfellowswoulddoawaywithit。Youwouldpoisonme。Lookatwhatyouhavegivenme！’
Weservedhiminhisbedwithrageandhumility，asifwehadbeenthebasecouriersofahatedprince;andherewardedusbyhisunconciliatingcriticism。Hehadfoundthesecretofkeepingforeverontherunthefundamentalimbecilityofmankind;hehadthesecretoflife，thatconfoundeddyingmen，andhemadehimselfmasterofeverymomentofourexistence。Wegrewdesperate，andremainedsubmissive。EmotionallittleBelfastwasforeveronthevergeofassaultoronthevergeoftears。OneeveningheconfidedtoArchie：——‘foraha’pennyIwouldknockhisuglyblockofftheskulkingdodger！’Andthestraight—forwardArchiepretendedtobeshocked！SuchwastheinfernalspellwhichthatcasualSt。Kitt’sniggerhadcastuponourguilelessmanhood！ButthesamenightBelfaststolefromthegalleytheofficers’Sundayfruitpie，totemptthefastidiousappetiteofJimmy。Heendangerednotonlyhislongfriendshipwiththecookbutalso——asisappeared——hiseternalwelfare。Thecookwasover—whelmedwithgrief;hedidnotknowtheculpritbutheknewthatwickednessflourished;
heknewthatSatanwasabroadamongstthosemen，whomhelookeduponasinsomewayunderhisspiritualcare。Wheneverhesawthreeorfourofusstandingtogetherhewouldleavehisstove，torunoutandpreach。Wefledfromhim;andonlyCharley（whoknewthethief）affrontedthecookwithacandidgazewhichirritatedthegoodman。‘It’syou，I
believe，’hegroaned，sorrowful，andwithapatchofsootonhischin。‘It’syou。Youareabrandforburning！Nomoreofyoursocksinmygalley。’Soon，unofficially，theinformationwasspreadaboutthat，shouldtherebeanothercaseofstealing，ourmarmalade（anextraallowance：halfapoundperman）wouldbestopped。Mr。Bakerceasedtoheapjocularabuseuponhisfavourites，andgruntedsuspiciouslyatall。Thecaptain’scoldeyes，highuponthepoop，Page28
glitteredmistrustful，ashesurveyedustroopinginasmallmobfromhalyardstobracesfortheusualeveningpullatalltheropes。Suchstealinginamerchantshipisdifficulttocheck，andmaybetakenasadeclarationbythemenoftheirdislikefortheirofficers。Itisabadsymptom。ItmayendinGodknowswhattrouble。TheNarcissuswasstillapeacefulship，butmutualconfidencewasshaken。Donkindidnotconcealhisdelight。
Weweredismayed。
ThenillogicalBelfastapproachedourniggerwithgreatfury。JamesWait，withhiselbowonthepillow，choked，gaspedout：——
‘DidIaskyoutobonethedrattedthing？Blowyourblamedpie。
Ithasmademeworse——youlittleIrishlunatic，you！’Belfast，withscarletfaceandtremblinglips，madeadashathim。Everymanintheforecastlerosewithashout。Therewasamomentofwildtumult。Someoneshriekedpiercingly：——‘Easy，Belfast！Easy！……’
WeexpectedBelfasttostrangleWaitwithoutmoreado。Dustflew。Wehearditthroughthenigger’scough，metallicandexplosivelikeagong。NextmomentwesawBelfasthangingoverhim。Hewassayingplaintively：——‘Don’t！
Don’t，Jimmy！don’tbelikethat。anangelcouldn’tputupwithye——sickasyeare。’HelookedroundatusfromJimmy’sbedside，hiscomicalmouthtwitching，andthroughtearfuleyes;thenhetriedtoputstraightthedisarrangedblankets。Theunceasingwhisperoftheseafilledtheforecastle。WasJamesWaitfrightened，ortouched，orrepentant？Helayonhisbackwithahandtohisside，andasmotionlessasifhisexpectedvisitorhadcomeatlast。Belfastfumbledabouthisfeet，repeatingwithemotion：——‘Yes。Weknow。Yearebad，but……Justsaywhatyewantdone，and……Weallknowyearebad——verybad……’No！
DecidedlyJamesWaitwasnottouchedorrepentant。Truthtosay，heseemedratherstartled。Hesatupwithincrediblesuddennessandease。‘Ah，youthinkIambad，doyou？’hesaidgloomily，inhisclearestbaritonevoice（tohearhimspeaksometimesyouwouldneverthinktherewasanythingwrongwiththatman）。‘Doyou？……Well，actaccording！
Someofyouhaven’tsenseenoughtoputablanketshipshapeoverasickman。There！Leaveitalone’！Icandieanyhow！’Belfastturnedawaylimplywithagestureofdiscouragement。Inthesilenceoftheforecastle，fullofinterestedmen，Donkinpronounceddistinctly：——‘Well，I’mblowed！’andsniggered。Waitlookedathim。HelookedathiminaPage29
quitefriendlymanner。Nobodycouldtellwhatwouldpleaseourincomprehensibleinvalid：butforusthescornofthatsniggerwashardtobear。
Donkin’spositionintheforecastlewasdistinguishedbutunsafe。Hestoodonthebademinenceofageneraldislike。Hewasleftalone;andinhisisolationhecoulddonothingbutthinkofthegalesoftheCapeofGoodHopeandenvyusthepossessionofwarmclothingandwaterproofs。Oursea—boots，ouroilskincoats，ourwell—filledsea—chests，weretohimsomanycausesforbittermeditation：hehadnoneofthosethings，andhefeltinstinctivelythatnoman，whentheneedarose，wouldoffertosharethemwithhim。Hewasimpudentlycringingtousandsystematicallyinsolenttotheofficers。Heanticipatedthebestresults，forhimself，fromsuchalineofconduct——andwasmistaken。Suchnaturesforgetthatunderextremeprovocationmenwillbejust——whethertheywanttobesoornot。Donkin’sinsolencetolong—sufferingMr。Bakerbecameatlastintolerabletous，andwerejoicedwhenthemate，onedarknigh，tamedhimforgood。
Iwasdoneneatly，withgreatdecencyanddecorum，andwithlittlenoise。
Wehadbeencalled——justbeforemidnight——totrimtheyards，andDonkin——asusualmade——asusual，madeinsultingremarks。Westoodsleepilyinarowwiththeforebraceinourhandswaitingforthenextorder，andheardinthedarknessascufflytramplingoffeet，anexclamationofsurprise，soundsofcuffsandslaps，suppressed，hissingwhispers：——‘Ah！
Willyou！’……‘Don’t！……Don’t！’……‘Thenbehave。’……‘Oh！Oh！……’Afterwardsthereweresoftthudsmixedwiththerattleofironthingsasifaman’sbodyhadbeentumblinghelplesslyamongstthemain—pumprods。Beforewecouldrealisethesituation，Mr。Baker’svoicewasheardverynearandalittleimpatient：——‘Haulaway，men！Laybackonthatrope！’
Andwedidlaybackontheropewithgreatalacrity。Asifnothinghadhappened，thechiefmatewentontrimmingtheyardswithhisusualandexasperatingfastidiousness。Wedidn’tatthetimeseeanythingofDonkin，anddidnotcare。Hadthechiefofficerthrownhimoverboard，nomanwouldhavesaidasmuchas‘Hallo！he’sgone！’But，intruth，nogreatharmwasdone——evenifDonkindidloseoneofhisfrontteeth。
Weperceivedthisinthemorning，andpreservedaceremonioussilence：
theetiquetteoftheforecastlePage30
commandedustobeblindanddumbinsuchacase，andwecherishedthedecenciesofourlifemorethanordinarylandsmenrespecttheirs。Charley，withunpardonablewantofsavoirvivre，yelledout：——‘’Aveyoubeentoyourdentyst？……Hurtye，didn’tit？’Hegotaboxontheearfromoneofhisbestfriends。Theboywassurprised，andremainedplungedingriefforatleastthreehours。Weweresorryforhim，butyouthrequiresevenmoredisciplinethanage。Donkingrinnedvenomously。Fromthatdayhebecamepitiless;toldJimmythathewasa‘blackfraud’;hintedtousthatwewereanimbecilelot，dailytakeninbyavulgarnigger。AndJimmyseemedtolikethefellow！
Singletonliveduntouchedbyhumanemotions。Taciturnandunsmiling，hebreathedamongstus——inthataloneresemblingtherestofthecrowd。Weweretryingtobedecentchaps，andfounditjollydifficult;
weoscillatedbetweenthedesireofvirtueandthefearofridicule;wewishedtosaveourselvesfromthepainofremorse，butdidnotwanttobemadethecontemptibledupesofoursentiment。Jimmy’shatefulaccompliceseemedtohaveblownwithhisimpurebreathundreamt—ofsubtletiesintoourhearts。Weweredisturbedandcowardly。Thatweknew。Singletonseemedtoknownothing，understandnothing。Wehadthoughthimtillthenaswiseashelooked，butnowwedared，attimes，suspecthimofbeingstupid——
fromoldage。Oneday，however，atdinner，aswesatonourboxesroundatindishthatstoodonthedeckwithinthecircleofourfeet，Jimmyexpressedhisgeneraldisgustwithmenandthingsinwordsthatwereparticularlydisgusting。Singletonliftedhishead。Webecamemute。Theoldman，addressingJimmy，asked：——‘Areyoudying？’Thusinterrogated，JameWaitappearedhorriblystartledandconfused。Wewereallstartled。
Mouthsremainedopen;heartsthumped;eyesblinked;adroppedtinforkrattledinthedish;amanroseasiftogoout，andstoodstill。InlessthanaminuteJimmypulledhimselftogether。——‘Why？Can’tyouseeIam？’heansweredshakily。Singletonliftedapieceofsoakedbiscuit（‘histeeth’——hedeclared——‘hadnoedgeonthemnow’）tohislips。——‘Well，getonwithyourdying，’hesaidwithvenerablemildness：‘don’traiseablamedfusswithusoverthatjob。Wecan’thelpyou。’
Jimmyfellbackinhisbunk，andforalongtimelayverystillwipingtheperspirationoffhischin。Thedinner—tinswereputPage31
awayquickly。Ondeckwediscussedtheincidentinwhispers。Someshowedachucklingexultation。Manylookedgrave。Wamibo，afterlongperiodsofstaringdreaminess，attemptedabortivesmiles;andoneoftheyoungScandinavians，muchtormentedbydoubt，venturedintheseconddog—watchtoapproachSingleton（theoldmandidnotencourageusmuchtospeaktohim）andasksheepishly：
——‘Youthinkhewilldie？’Singletonlookedup。——
‘Why，ofcoursehewilldie。’hesaiddeliberately。
Thisseemeddecisive。Itwaspromptlyimpartedtoeveryonebyhimwhohadconsultedtheoracle。Shyandeager，hewouldstepupandwithavertedgazerecitehisformula：——‘OldSingletonsayshewilldie。’
Itwasarelief！Atlastweknewthatourcompassionwouldnotbemisplaced，andwecouldagainsmilewithoutmisgivings——butwereckonedwithoutDonkin。Donkin‘didn’twantto’avenotruckwith’emdirtyfurriners。’
WhenNeillssencametohimwiththenews：‘Singletonsayshewilldie，’heansweredhimbyaspiteful‘Andsowillyou——youfat—headedDutchman。WishyouDutchmenwerehalldead——’steadcomin’takin’ourmoneyhintoyourstarvin’country。’Wewereappalled。WeperceivedthatafterallSingleton’sanswermeantnothing。
Webegantohatehimformakingfunofus。Allourcertitudesweregoing;
wewereondoubtfultermswithourofficers;thecookhadgivenusupforlost;wehadoverheardtheboatswain’sopinionthat‘wewereacrowdofsofties’WesuspectedJimmy，oneanother，andevenourveryselves。Wedidnotknowwhattodo。AteveryinsignificantturnofourhumblelifewemetJimmyoverbearingandblockingtheway，arm—in—armwithhisawfulandveiledfamiliar。Itwasaweirdservitude。
ItbeganaweekafterleavingBombayandcameonusstealthilylikeanyothergreatmisfortune。EveryonehadremarkedthatJimmyfromthefirstwasveryslackathiswork;butwethoughtitsimplytheoutcomeofhisphilosophyoflife。Donkinsaid：——‘Youputnomoreweightonaropethanabloodyspurrer。’Hedisdainedhim。Belfast，readyforafight，exclaimedprovokingly：——‘Youdon’tkillyourself，oldman！’————‘Wouldyou？’heretortedwithextremescorn——andBelfastretired。Onemorning，aswewerewashingdecks，Mr。Bakercalledtohim：——‘Bringyourbroomoverhere，Wait。’Hestrolledlanguidly。‘Moveyourself！
Ough！’gruntedMr。Baker。‘What’sthematterwithyourhindlegs？’HestoppeddeadPage32
short。Hegazedslowlywitheyesthatbulgedout，withanexpressionaudaciousandsad。——‘Itisn’tmylegs，’hesaid，‘it’smylungs。’Everybodylistened。——‘What’s……Ough……！’
‘What’swrongwiththem？’inquiredMr。Baker。Allthewatchstoodaroundonthewetdeck，grinning，withbroomsorbucketsintheirhands。Hesaidmournfully：——‘Going——orgone。Can’tyouseeI’madyingman？Iknowit！’Mr。Bakerwasdisgusted。
——‘Thenwhythedevildidyoushipaboardhere？——’
‘ImustlivetillIdie——mustn’tI？’hereplied。
Thegrinsbecameaudible。——‘Gooffthedeck——getoutofmysight，’saidMr。Baker。Hewasnonplussed。Itwasanuniqueexperience。
JamesWait，obedient，droppedhisbroom，andwalkedslowlyforward。Aburstoflaughterfollowedhim。Itwastoofunny。Allhandslaughed……Theylaughed！……Alas！’
Hebecamethetormentorofallourmoments;hewasworsethananightmare。Youcouldn’tseethattherewasanythingwrongwithhim：
aniggerdoesnotshow。Hewasnotveryfat——certainly——butthenhewasnoleanerthanotherniggerswehadknown。Hecoughedoften，butthemostprejudicedpersoncouldperceivethat，mostly，hecoughedwhenitsuitedhispurpose。hewouldn’t，orcouldn’t，dohiswork——andhewouldn’tlieup。Onedayhewouldskipaloftwiththebestofthem，andnexttimewewouldbeobligedtoriskourlivestogethislimpbodydown。Hewasreported，hewasexamined;hewasremonstratedwith，threatened，cajoled，lectured。Hewascalledintothecabintointerviewthecaptain。Therewerewildrumours。Itwassaidhehadcheekedtheoldman;itwassaidhehadfrightenedhim。Charleymaintainedthatthe‘skipper，weepin’’asgiv’’im’isblessin’an’apotofjam。’KnowleshaditfromthestewardthattheunspeakableJimmyhadbeenreelingagainstthecabinfurniture;thathehadgroaned;thathehadcomplainedofgeneralbrutalityanddisbelief;andhadendedbycoughingallovertheoldman’smeteorologicaljournalswhichwerethenspreadonthetable。Atanyrate，Waitreturnedforwardsupportedbythesteward。who，inapainedandshockedvoice，entreatedus：——‘Here！Catchholdofhim，oneoryou。
Heistolieup。’Jimmydrankatinmugfulofcoffee，and，afterbullyingfirstoneandthenanother，wenttobed。Heremainedtheremostofthetime，butwhenitsuitedhimwouldcomeondeckandappearamongstus。Hewasscornfulandbrooding;helookedaheaduponPage33
thesea;andnoonecouldtellwhatwasthemeaningofthatblackmansittingapartinameditativeattitudeandasmotionlessasacarving。
Herefusedsteadilyallmedicine;hethrewsagoandcornflouroverboardtillthestewardgottiredofbringingittohim。Heaskedforparegoric。Theysenthimabigbottle;enoughtopoisonawildernessofbabes。Hekeptitbetweenhismattressandthedealliningoftheship’sside;andnobodyeversawhimtakeadose。Donkinabusedhimtohisface，jeeredathimwhilehegasped;andthesamedayWaitwouldlendhimawarmjersey。OnceDonkinreviledhimforhalfanhour;reproachedhimwiththeextraworkhismalingeringgavetothewatch;andendedbycallinghim‘ablack—facedswine。’Underthespellofouraccursedperversitywewerehorror—struck。ButJimmypositivelyseemedtorevelinthatabuse。Itmadehimlookcheerful——andDonkinhadapairofoldseabootsthrownathim。‘Here，youEast—endtrash，’
boomedWait，‘youmayhavethat。’
AtlastMr。BakerhadtotellthecaptainthatJamesWaitwasdisturbingthepeaceoftheship。‘Knockdisciplineonthehead——hewill，Ough，’gruntedMr。Baker。Asamatteroffact，thestarboardwatchcameasnearaspossibletorefusingduty，whenorderedonemorningbytheboatswaintowashouttheirforecastle。ItappearsJimmyobjectedtoawetfloor——andthatmorningwewereinacompassionatemood。Wethoughttheboatswainabrute，and，practically，toldhimso。
OnlyMr。Baker’sdelicatetactpreventedanall—firedrow：herefusedtotakeusseriously。Hecamebustlingforward，andcalledusmanyunpolitenames，butinsuchaheartyandseamanlikemannerthatwebegantofeelashamedofourselves。Intruth，wethoughthimmuchtoogoodasailortoannoyhimwillingly：andafterallJimmymighthavebeenafraud——probablywas！Theforecastlegotacleanupthatmorning;butintheafternoonasick—baywasfittedupinthedeck—house。Itwasanicelittlecabinopeningondeck，andwithtwoberths。Jimmy’sbelongingsweretransportedthere，andthen——notwithstandinghisprotests——Jimmyhimself。Hesaidhecouldn’twalk。Fourmencarriedhimonablanket。Hecomplainedthathewouldhavetodietherealone，likeadog。Wegrievedforhim，andweredelightedtohavehimremovedfromtheforecastle。Weattendedhimasbefore。Thegalleywasnextdoor，andthecooklookedinmanytimesaday。Waitbecamealittlemorecheerful。Knowlesaffirmedhavingheardhimlaughtohimselfinpealsoneday。Othershadseenhimwalkingaboutondeckatnight。Hislittleplace，withthedoorajaronalonghook，wasalwaysfulloftobaccosmoke。Wespokethroughthecrackcheerfully，sometimesabusively，aswepassedby，intentonourwork。Hefascinatedus。Hewouldneverletdoubtdie。Heovershadowedtheship。Invulnerableinhispromiseofspeedycorruptionhetrampledonourself—respect，hedemonstratedtousdailyourwantofmoralcourage;hetaintedourlives。Hadwebeenamiserablegangofwretchedimmortals，unhallowedalikebyhopeandfear，hecouldnothavelordeditoveruswithamorepitilessassertionofhissublimeprivilege。
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MeantimetheNarcissus，withsquareyards，ranoutofthefairmonsoon。Shedriftedslowly，swingingroundandroundthecompass，throughafewdaysofbafflinglightairs。Underthepatterofshortwarmshowers，grumblingmenwhirledtheheavyyardsfromsidetosine;theycaughtholdofthesoakedropeswithgroansandsighs，whiletheirofficers，sulkyanddrippingwithrainwater，unceasinglyorderedthemaboutinweariedvoices。Duringtheshortrespitestheylookedwithdisgustintothesmartingpalmsoftheirstiffhands，andaskedoneanotherbitterly：——‘Whowouldbeasailorifhecouldbeafarmer？’Allthetemperswerespoilt，andnomancaredwhathesaid。Oneblacknight，whenthewatch，pantingintheheatandhalf—drownedwiththerain，hadbeenthroughfourmortalhourshuntedfrombracetobrace，Belfastdeclaredthathewould‘chuckgoingtoseaforeverandgoinasteamer。’
Thiswasexcessive，nodoubt。CaptainAllistoun，withgreatself—control，wouldmuttersadlytoMr。Baker：——‘Itisnotsobad——notsobad。’whenhehadmanagedtoshove，anddodge，andmanoeuvrehissmartshipthroughsixtymilesintwenty—fourhours。Fromthedoorstepofthelittlecabin，Jimmy，chininhand，watchedourdistastefullabourswithinsolentandmelancholyeyes。Wespoketohimgently——andoutofhissightexchangedsoursmiles。
Then，again，withafairwindandunderaclearsky，theshipwentonpilinguptheSouthLatitude。ShepassedoutsideMadagascarandMauritiuswithoutaglimpseottheland。Extralashingswereputonthesparespars。Hatcheswerelookedto。Thestewardinhisleisuremomentsandwithaworriedairtriedtofitwashboardstothecabindoors。Stoutcanvaswasbentwithcare。Anxiouseyeslookedtothewestward，towardsthecapeofstorms。Theshipbegantodipintoasouth—westswell，andthesoftlyluminousskyoflowlatitudestookonahardersheenfromdaytodayaboveourheads：itarchedhighabovetheship，vibratingandpale，likeanimmensedomeofsteel，resonantwiththedeepvoiceoffresheninggales。Thesunshinegleamedcoldonthewhitecurlsofblackwaves。Beforethestrongbreathofwesterlysquallstheship，withreducedsail，layslowlyover，obstinateandyielding。Shedrovetoandfrointheunceasingendeavourtofightherwaythroughtheinvisibleviolenceofthewinds：
shepitchedheadlongintothedarksmoothhollows;shestruggledupwardsoverthesnowyridgesofgreatrunningseas;sherolled，restless，fromsidetoside，likeathinginpain。Enduringandvaliant，sheansweredtothecallofmen;andherslimsparswavingforeverinabruptsemicircles，seemedtobeckoninvainforhelptowardsthestormysky。
ItwasabadwinterofftheCapethatyear。Therelievedhelmsmencameoffflappingtheirarms，orranstampinghardandblowingintoswollen，redfingers。Thewatchondeckdodgedthestingofcoldspraysor，crouchinginshelteredcorners，watcheddismallythehighandmercilessseasboardingtheshiptimeaftertimeinunappeasablefury。Watertumbledincataractsovertheforecastledoors。Youhadtodashthroughawaterfalltogetintoyourdampbed。Thementurnedinwetandturnedoutstifftofacetheredeemingandruthlessextractionsoftheirgloriousandobscurefate。Faraft，andpeeringwatchfullytowindward，theofficerscouldbeseenthroughthemistofsqualls。Theystoodbytheweather—rail，holdingongrimly，straightandglisteningintheirlongcoats;then，attimes，inthedisorderedplungesofthehard—drivenship，theyappearedhighup，attentive，tossingviolentlyabovethegreylineofacloudedhorizon，andinmotionlessattitudes。
Theywatchedtheweatherandtheshipasmenonshorewatchthemomentouschancesoffortune。CaptainAllistounneverleftthedeck，asthoughhehadbeenpartoftheship’sfittings。NowPage37
andthenthesteward，shivering，butalwaysinshirtsleeves，wouldstruggletowardshimwithsomehotcoffee，halfofwhichthegaleblewoutofeachcupbeforeitreachedthemaster’slips。Hedrankwhatwasleftgravelyinonelonggulp，whileheavysprayspatteredloudlyonhisoilskincoat，theseasswishingbrokeabouthishighboots;andhenevertookhiseyesofftheship。Hewatchedhereverymotion;hekepthisgazeriveteduponhereasalovingmanwhowatchestheunselfishtoilofadelicatewomanupontheslenderthreadofwhoseexistenceishungthewholemeaningandjoyoftheworld。Weallwatchedher。Shewasbeautifulandhadaweakness。
Welovedhernolessforthat。Weadmiredherqualitiesaloud，weboastedofthemtooneanother，asthoughtheyhadbeenourown，andtheconsciousnessofheronlyfaultwekeptburiedinthesilenceofourprofoundaffection。
Shewasborninthethunderingpealofhammersbeatinguponiron，inblackeddiesofsmoke，underagraysky，onthebanksoftheClyde。Theclamorousandsombrestreamgivesbirthtothingsofbeautythatfloatawayintothesunshineoftheworldtobelovedbymen。TheNarcissuswasoneofthatperfectbrood。Lessperfectthanmanyperhaps，butshewasours，andconsequently，incomparable。Wewereproudofher。InBombay，ignorantlandlubbersalludedtoherasthat‘prettygreyship。’
Pretty！Ascurvymeedofcommendation！Weknewshewasthemostmagnificentsea—boateverlaunched。Wetriedtoforgetthat，likemanygoodsea—boats，shewasattimesrathercrank。Shewasexacting。Shewantedcareinloadingandhandling，andnooneknewexactlyhowmuchcarewouldbeenough。Sucharetheimperfectionsofmeremen！Theshipknew，andsometimeswouldcorrectthepresumptuoushumanignorancebythewholesomedisciplineoffear。Wehadheardominousstoriesaboutpastvoyages。Thecook（technicallyaseaman，butinrealitynosailor）——thecook，whenunstrungbysomemisfortune，suchastherollingoverofasaucepan，wouldmuttergloomilywhilehewipedthefloor：——‘There！Lookatwhatshehasdone！Somevoy’geshewilldrownallhands！You’llseeifshewon’t。’Towhichthesteward，snatchinginthegalleyamomenttodrawbreathinthehurryofhisworriedlife，wouldremarkphilosophically：——‘Thosethatseewon’ttell，anyhow。Idon’twanttoseeit。’Wederidedthosefears。OurheartswentouttotheoldmanwhenhepressedherhardsoPage38
astomakeherholdherown，holdtoeveryinchgainedtowindward;
whenhemadeherunderreefedsails，leapobliquelyatenormouswaves。
Themen，knittedtogetheraftintoareadygroupbythefirstsharporderofanofficercomingtotakechargeofthedeckinbadweather：——‘Keephandythewatch，’stoodadmiringhervaliance。Theireyesblinkedinthewind;theirdarkfaceswerewetwithdropsofwatermoresaltandbitterthanhumantears;beardsandmoustaches，soaked，hungstraightanddrippinglikefineseaweed。Theywerefantasticallymisshapen;inhighboots，inhatslikehelmets，andswayingclumsily，stiffandbulkyinglisteningoilskins，theyresembledmenstrangelyequippedforsomefabulousadventure。
Wheneversheroseeasilytoatoweringgreensea，elbowsdugribs，facesbrightened，lipsmurmured：——‘Didn’tshedoitcleverly，’
andalltheheadsturninglikeonewatchedwithsardonicgrinsthefoiledwavegoroaringtoleeward，whitewiththefoamofamonstrousrage。Butwhenshehadnotbeenquickenoughand，stuckheavily，layovertremblingundertheblow，weclutchedattheropes，andlookingupatthenarrowbandsofdrenchedandstrainedsailswavingdesperatelyaloft，wethoughtinourhearts——‘Nowonder。Poorthing！’
Thethirty—seconddayoutofBombaybeganinauspiciously。
Inthemorningaseasmashedoneofthegalleydoors。Wedashedinthroughlotsofsteamandfoundthecookverywetandindignantwiththeship：
——‘She’sgettingworseeveryday。She’stryingtodrownmeinfrontofmyownstove！’Hewasveryangry。Wepacifiedhim，andthecarpenter，thoughwashedawaytwicefromthere，managedtorepairthedoor。Throughthataccidentourdinnerwasnotreadytilllate，butitdidn’tmatterintheendbecauseKnowles，whowenttofetchit，gotknockeddownbyaseaandthedinnerwentovertheside。CaptainAllistoun，lookingmorehardandthin—lippedthanever，hungontofulltopsailsandforesail，andwouldnotnoticethattheship，askedtodotoomuch，appearedtoloseheartaltogetherforthefirsttimesinceweknewher。Sherefusedtorise，andboredherwaysullenlythroughtheseas。Twicerunning，asthoughshehadbeenblindorwearyoflife，sheputhernosedeliberatelyintoabigwaveandsweptthedecksfromendtoend。Astheboatswainobservedwithmarkedannoyance，whileweweresplashingaboutinabodytotryandsaveaworthlessPage39
wash—tub：——‘Everybloomingthingintheshipisgoingoverboardthisafternoon。’VenerableSingletonbrokehishabitualsilenceandsaidwithaglancealoft：——‘Theoldman’sinatemperwiththeweather，butit’snogoodbein’angrywiththewindsofheaven。’
Jimmyhadshuthisdoor，ofcourse。Weknewhewasdryandcomfortablewithinhislittlecabin，andinourabsurdsaywerepleasedonemoment，exasperatedthenext，bythatcertitude。Donkinskulkedshamelessly，uneasyandmiserable。Hegrumbled：——‘I’mperishin’withcoldhoutsideinbloomin’wetrags，an’that’ereblacksojersitsdryonablamedchestfullofbloomin’clothes;blankhisblacksoul！’Wetooknonoticeofhim;wehardlygaveathoughttoJimmyandhisbosomfriend。Therewasnoleisureforidleprobingofhearts。Sailsblewadrift。Thingsbrokeloose。Coldandwet，wewerewashedaboutthedeckwhiletryingtorepairdamages。Theshiptossedabout，shakenfuriously，likeatoyinthehandofalunatic。Justatsunsettherewasarushtoshortensailbeforethemenaceofasombrehailcloud。Thehardgustofwindcamebrutalliketheblowofafist。Theshiprelievedofhercanvasintimereceiveditpluckily：
sheyieldedreluctantlytotheviolentonset;then，comingupwithastatelyandirresistiblemotion，broughthersparstowindwardintheteethofthescreechingsquall。Outoftheabysmaldarknessoftheblackcloudoverheadwhitehailstreamedonher，rattledontherigging，leapedinhandfulsofftheyards，reboundedonthedeck——roundandgleaminginthemurkyturmoillikeashowerofpearls。Itpassedaway。Foramomentalividsunshothorizontallythelastraysofasinisterlightbetweenthehillsofsteep，rollingwaves。Thenawildnightrushedin——stampedoutinagreathowlthatdismalremnantofastormyday。
Therewasnosleeponboardthatnight。Mostseamenrememberintheirlifeoneortwosuchnightsofaculminatinggale。Nothingseemsleftofthewholeuniversebutdarkness，clamour，fury——andtheship。
Andlikethelastvestigeofashatteredcreationshedrifts，bearingananguishedremnantofsinfulmankind，throughthedistress，tumult，andpainofanavengingterror。Noonesleptintheforecastle。Thetinoil—lampsuspendedonalongstring，smoking，describedwidecircles;wetclothingmadedarkheapsontheglisteningfloor;athinlayerofwaterrushedtoandfro。InthePage40
bed—placesmenlaybooted，restingonelbowsandwithopeneyes。Hung—upsuitsofoilskinswungoutandin，livelyanddisquietinglikerecklessghostsofdecapitatedseamendancinginatempest。Noonespokeandalllistened。Outsidethenightmoanedandsobbedtotheaccompanimentofacontinuousloudtremorasofinnumerabledrumsbeatingfaroff。Shriekspassedthroughtheair。Tremendousdullblowsmadetheshiptremblewhilesherolledundertheweightoftheseastopplingonherdeck。Attimesshesoaredupswiftlyasiftoleavethisearthforever，thanduringinterminablemomentsfellthroughavoidwithalltheheartsonboardofherstandingstill，tillafrightfulshock，expectedandsudden，startedthemoffagainwithabigthump。Aftereverydislocatingjerkoftheship，Wamibo，stretchedfulllength，hisfaceonthepillow，groanedslightlywiththepainofhistormenteduniverse。Nowandthen，forthefractionofanintolerablesecond，theship，inthefiercerburstofaterribleuproar，remainedonherside，vibratingandstill，withastillnessmoreappallingthanthewildestmotion。Thenuponallthosepronebodiesastirwouldpass，ashiverofsuspense。Amanwouldprotrudehisanxiousheadandapairofeyesglistenedintheswayoflight，glaringwildly。Somemovedtheirlegsalittleasifmakingreadytojumpout。Butseveral，motionlessontheirbacksandwithonehandgrippinghardtheedgeofthebunk，smokednervouslywithquickpuffs，staringupwards;immobilisedinagreatcravingforpeace。
Atmidnight，ordersweregiventofurltheforeandmizentopsails。Withimmenseeffortsmencrawledaloftthroughamercilessbuffeting，savedthecanvas，andcrawleddownalmostexhausted，tobearinpantingsilencethecruelbatteringoftheseas。Perhapsforthefirsttimeinthehistoryofthemerchantservicethewatch，toldtogobelow，didnotleavethedeck，asifcompelledtoremaintherebythefascinationofavenomousviolence。Ateveryheavygustmen，huddledtogether，whisperedtooneanother：——‘Itcanblownoharder’——andpresentlythegalewouldgivethemtheliewithapiercingshriek，anddrivetheirbreathbackintotheirthroats。Afiercesquallseemedtoburstasunderthethickmassofsootyvapours;andabovethewrackoftorncloudsglimpsescouldbecaughtofthehighmoonrushingbackwardswithfrightfulspeedoverthesky，rightintothewind’seye。ManyhungtheirPage41
heads，mutteringthatit‘turnedtheirinwardsout’
tolookatit。Soonthecloudsclosedup，andtheworldagainbecamearaging，blinddarknessthathowled，flingingatthelonelyshipsaltspraysandsleet。
Abouthalf—pastseventhepitchyobscurityroundusturnedaghastlygrey，andweknewthatthesunhadrisen。Thisunnaturalandthreateningdaylight，inwhichwecouldseeoneanother’swildeyesanddrawnfaces，wasonlyanaddedtaxonourendurance。Thehorizonseemedtohavecomeonallsideswithinarm’slengthoftheship。Intothatnarrowedcirclefuriousseasleapedin，stuck，andleapedout。Arainofsalt，heavydropsflewaslantlikemist。Themain—topsailhadtobegoose—winged，andwithstolidresignationeveryonepreparedtogoaloftoncemore;buttheofficersyelled，pushedback，andatlastweunderstoodthatnomoremenwouldbeallowedtogoontheyardthanwereabsolutelynecessaryforthework。Asatanymomentthemastswerelikelytobejumpedoutorblownoverboard，weconcludedthatthecaptaindidn’twanttoseeallhiscrowdgooverthesideatonce。Thatwasreasonable。Thewatchthenonduty，ledbyMr。Creighton，begantostruggleuptherigging。Thewindflattenedthemagainsttheratlines;then，easingalittle，wouldletthemascentacoupleofsteps;andagain，withasuddengust，pinalluptheshroudsthewholedrawlinglineinattitudesofcrucifixion。Theotherwatchplungeddownonthemaindecktohaulupthesail。Men’sheadsbobbedupasthewaterflungthemirresistiblyfromsidetoside。Mr。Bakergruntedencouraginglyinourmidst，splutteringandblowingamongstthetangledropeslikeanenergeticporpoise。Favouredbyanominousanduntrustworthylull，theworkwasdonewithoutanyonebeinglosteitheroffthedeckorfromtheyard。Forthemomentthegaleseemedtotakeoff，andtheship，asifgratefulforourefforts，pluckedupheartandmadebetterweatherofit。
Ateightthemenoffduty，watchingtheirchance，ranforwardoverthefloodeddecktogetsomerest。Theotherhalfofthecrewremainedaftfortheirturnof‘seeingherthroughhertrouble，’
astheyexpressedif。Thetwomatesurgedthemastertogobelow。Mr。Bakergruntedinhisear：——‘Ough！surelynow……Ough！……confidenceinus……nothingmoretodo……shemustlayitoutorgo。Ough！Ough！’
TallyoungMr。Creightonsmileddownathimcheerfully：——‘……She’srightasatrivet！Takeaspell，sir。’Helookedatthemstonilywithbloodshot，sleeplesseyes。Therimsofhiseyelidswerescarlet，andhemovedhisjawunceasinglywithasloweffort，asthoughhehadbeenmasticatingalumpofindia—rubber。Heshookhishead。Herepeated：——
‘Nevermindme。Imustseeitout——Imustseeitout，’
butheconsentedtositdownforamomentontheskylight，withhishardfaceturnedunflinchinglytowindward。Theseaspatatit——andstoical，itstreamedwithwaterasthoughhehadbeenweeping。Ontheweathersideofthepoopthewatch，hangingontothemizenriggingandtooneanother，triedtoexchangeencouragingwords。Singleton，atthewheel，yelledout：
——‘Lookoutforyourselves！’Hisvoicereachedtheminawarningwhisper。Theywerestartled。