Hehaddoneitsomehow。AfterwardsArchiedeclaredthatthethingwas‘meeraculous。’Formanydayswewondered，anditwastheoneever—interestingsubjectofconversationtotheendofthevoyage。Weaskedthecook，infineweather，howhefeltwhenhesawhisstove‘reareduponend。’Weinquired，inthenorth—easttradeandonsereneevenings，whetherhehadtostandonhisheadtoputthingsrightsomewhat。Wesuggestedhehadusedhisbread—boardforaraft，andfromtherecomfortablyhadstokedhisgrate;andwedidourbesttoconcealouradmirationunderthewitoffineirony。Heaffirmednottoknowanythingaboutit，rebukedourlevity，declaredhimself，withsolemnanimation，tohavebeentheobjectofspecialmercyforthesavingofourunholylives。Fundamentallyhewasright，nodoubt;butheneednothavebeensooffensivelypositiveaboutit——heneednothavehintedsooftenthatitwouldhavegonehardwithushadhenotbeenthere，meritoriousandpure，toreceivetheinspirationandthestrengthfortheworkofgrace。
Hadwebeensavedbyhisrecklessnessorhisagility，wecouldhaveatlengthbecomereconciledtothefact;buttoadmitourobligationtoanybody’svirtueandholinessalonewasasdifficultforusasforanyotherhandfulofmankind。Likemanybenefactorsofhumanity，thecooktookhimselftooseriously，andreapedtherewardofirreverence。Wewerenotungrateful，Page62
however。Heremainedheroic。Hissaying——thesayingofhislife——becameproverbialinthemouthsofmenasarethesayingsofconquerorsorsages。Lateron，wheneveroneofuswaspuzzledbyataskandadvisedtorelinquishit，hewouldexpresshisdeterminationtopersevereandtosucceedbythewords：——‘AslongassheswimsIwillcook！’
Thehotdrinkhelpedusthroughthebleakhoursthatprecedethedawn。Theskylowbythehorizontookonthedelicatetintsofpinkandyellowliketheinsideofarareshell。Andhigher，whereitglowedwithapearlysheen，asmallblackcloudappeared，likeaforgottenfragmentofthenightsetinaborderofdazzlinggold。Thebeamsoflightskippedonthecrestsofwaves。Theeyesofmenturnedtotheeastward。Thesunlightfloodedtheirwearyfaces。Theyweregivingthemselvesuptofatigueasthoughtheyhaddoneforeverwiththeirwork。OnSingleton’sblackoilskincoatthedriedsaltglistenedlikehoarfrost。Hehungonbythewheel，withopenandlifelesseyes。CaptainAllistoun，unblinking，facedtherisingsun。Hislipsstirred，openedforthefirsttimeintwenty—fourhours，andwithafreshfirmvoicehecried，‘Wearship！’
Thecommandingsharptonesmadeallthesetorpidmenstartlikeasuddenflickofawhip。Thenagain，motionlesswheretheylay，theforceofhabitmadesomeofthemrepeattheorderinhardlyaudiblemurmurs。
CaptainAllistounglanceddownathiscrew，andseveral，withfumblingfingersandhopelessmovements，triedtocastthemselvesadrift。Herepeatedimpatiently，‘Wearship。Nowthen，Mr。Baker，getthemenalong。
What’sthematterwiththem？’——‘Wearship。Doyouhearthere？——Wearship！’thunderedouttheboatswainsuddenly。
Hisvoiceseemedtobreakthroughthedeadlyspell。Menbegantostirandcrawl，——‘Iwantthefore—top—maststay—sailrunupsmartly，’
saidthemaster，veryloudly;‘ifyoucan’tmanageitstandingupyoumustdoitlyingdown——that’sall。Bearahand！’——
‘Comealong！Let’sgivetheoldgirlachance。’urgedtheboatswain。——‘Aye！aye！Wearship！’exclaimedquaveringvoices。Theforecastlemen，withreluctantfaces，preparedtogoforward。Mr。Bakerpushedaheadgruntingonallfourstoshowtheway，andtheyfollowedhimoverthebreak。Theotherslaystillwithavilehopeintheirheartsofnotbeingrequiredtomovetilltheygotsavedordrownedinpeace。
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Aftersometimetheycouldbeseenforwardappearingontheforecastlehead，onebyoneinunsafeattitudes;hangingontotherails;clamberingovertheanchors;embracingthecross—headofthewindlassorhuggingthefore—capstan。Theywererestlesswithstrangeexertions，wavedtheirarms，knelt，layflatdown，staggeredup，seemedtostrivetheirhardesttogooverboard。Suddenlyasmallwhitepieceofcanvasflutteredamongstthem，grewlarger，beating。Itsnarrowheadroseinjerks——andatlastitstooddistendedandtriangularinthesunshine。——‘Theyhavedoneit！’criedthevoicesaft。CaptainAllistounletgotheropehehadroundhiswristandrolledtoleewardheadlong。Hecouldbeseencastingtheleemainbracesoffthepinswhilethebackwashofwavessplashedoverhim。——‘Squarethemainyard！’
heshouteduptous——whostaredathiminwonder。Wehesitatedtostir。
‘Themainbrace，men。Haul！haulanyhow！Layonyourbacksandhaul！’hescreeched，halfdrowneddownthere。Wedidnotbelievewecouldmovethemainyard，butthestrongestandthelessdiscouragedtriedtoexecutetheorder。Othersassistedhalf—heartedly。Singleton’seyesblazedsuddenlyashetookafreshgripofthespokes。CaptainAllistounfoughthiswayuptothewindward。——‘Haulmen！Trytomoveit！Haul，andhelptheship。’Hishardfaceworkedsuffusedandfurious。‘Isshegoingoff，Singleton？’Hecried。——
‘Notamoveyet，sir，’croakedtheoldseamaninahorriblyhoarsevoice。——‘Watchthehelm，Singleton。’
splutteredthemaster。‘Haulmen！Haveyounomorestrengththanrats？Haul，andearnyoursalt。’Mr。Creighton，onhisback，withaswollenlegandafaceaswhiteasapieceofpaper，blinkedhiseyes，hisbluishlipstwitched。Inthewildscramblemengrabbedathim，crawledoverhishurtleg，kneltonhischest。Hekeptperfectlystill，settinghisteethwithoutamoan，withoutasigh。Themaster’sardour，thecriesofthatsilentmaninspiredus。Wehauledandhunginbunchesontherope。WeheardhimsaywithviolencetoDonkin，whosprawledabjectlyonhisstomach，——‘Iwillbrainyouwiththisbelayingpinifyoudon’tcatchholdofthebrace，’andthatvictimofmen’sinjustice，cowardlyandcheeky，whimpered;——‘Areyougoingtermurderhusnow？’While，withsuddendesperationhegrabbedtherope。Mensighed，shouted，hissedmeaninglesswords，groaned。Theyardsmoved，cameslowlysquareagainstthewind，thathummedloudlyPage64
ontheyard—arms。——‘Goingoff，sir，’shoutedSingleton，‘she’sjuststarted。’——‘Catchaturnwiththatbrace。Catchaturn！’clamouredthemaster。Mr。Creighton，nearlysuffocatedandunabletomove，madeamightyeffort，andwithhislefthandmanagedtoniptherope。——‘Allfast！’criedsomeone。Heclosedhiseyesasifgoingoffintoaswoon，whilehuddledtogetheraboutthebracewewatchedwithscaredlookswhattheshipwoulddonow。
Shewentoffslowlyasthoughshehadbeenwearyanddisheartenedlikethemenshecarried。Shepaidoffverygradually，makingusholdourbreathtillwechoked，andassoonasshehadbroughtthewindabaftthebeamshestartedtomove，andflutteredourhearts。Itwasawfultoseeher，nearlyoverturned，begintogatherwayanddraghersubmergedsidethroughthewater。Thedead—eyesoftheriggingchurnedthebreakingseas。
Thelowerhalfofthedeckwasfullofmadwhirlpoolsandeddies;andthelonglineoftheicerailcouldbeseenshowingblacknowandthenintheswirlsofafieldoffoamasdazzlingandwhiteasafieldofsnow。Thewindsangshrillyamongstthespars;andateveryslightlurchweexpectedhertosliptothebottomsidewaysfromunderourbacks。Whendeadbeforeitshemadethefirstdistinctattempttostandup，andweencouragedherwithafeebleanddiscordanthowl。Agreatseacamerunningupaftandhungforamomentoveruswithacurlingtop;thencrasheddownunderthecounterandspreadoutonbothsidesintoagreatsheetofburstingfroth。
AboveitsfiercehissweheardSingleton’scroak：——‘Sheissteering！’Hehadbothhisfeetnowplantedfirmlyonthegrating，andthewheelspunfastasheeasedthehelm。——‘Bringthewindontheportquarterandsteadyher！’calledoutthemaster，staggeringtohisfeet，thefirstmanupfromamongstourprostrateheap。Oneortwoscreamedwithexcitement：——‘Sherises！’Farawayforward，Mr。Bakerandthreeotherswereseenerectandandblackontheclearsky，liftingtheirarms，andwithopenmouthsasthoughtheyhadbeenshoutingalltogether。Theshiptrembled，tryingtoliftherside，lurchedback，seemedtogiveupwithanervelessdip，andsuddenlywithanunexpectedjerkswungviolentlytowindward，asthoughshehadtornherselfoutfromadeadlygrasp。Thewholeimmensevolumeofwater，liftedbyherdeck，wasthrownbodilyacrosstostarboard。Loudcrackswereheard。
IronportsbreakingPage65
openthunderedwithringingblows。Thewatertoppedoverthestarboardrailwiththerushofariverfallingoveradam。Theseaondeck，andtheseasoneverysideofher，mingledtogetherinadeafeningroar。Sherolledviolently。Wegotupandwerehelplesslyrunorflungaboutfromsidetoside。Men，rollingoverandover，yelled。——‘Thehousewillgo！’——‘Sheclearsherself！’Liftedbyatoweringseasheranalongwithitforamoment，spoutingthickstreamsofwaterthrougheveryopeningofherwoundedsides。Theicebraceshavingbeencarriedawayorwashedoffthepins，alltheponderousyardsontheforeswungfromsidetosideandwithappallingrapidityateveryroll。
Themenforwardwereseencrouchinghereandtherewithfearfulglancesupwardsattheenormoussparsthatwhirledaboutovertheirheads。Thetorncanvasandtheendsofbrokengearstreamedinthewindlikewispsofhair。Throughtheclearsunshine，overtheflashingturmoilanduproaroftheseas，theshipranblindly，dishevelledandheadlong，asiffleeingforherlife;andonthepoopwespun，wetotteredabout，distractedandnoisy。Weallspokeatonceinathinbabble;wehadtheaspectofinvalidsandthegesturesofmaniacs。Eyesshone，largeandhaggard，insmiling，meaagrefacesthatseemedtohavebeendustedoverwithpowderedchalk。
Westamped，clappedourhands，feelingreadytojumpanddoanything，butinrealityhardlyabletokeeponourfeet。CaptainAllistoun，hardandslim，gesticulatedmadlyfromthepoopatMr。Baker;‘Steadythesefore—yards！Steadythemthebestyoucan！’Onthemaindeck，menexcitedbyhiscries，splashed，dashingaimlesslyhereandtherewiththefoamswirlinguptotheirwaists。Apart，faraft，andalonebythehelm，oldSingletonhaddeliberatelytuckedhiswhitebeardunderthetopbuttonofhisglisteningcoat。Swayinguponthedinandtumultoftheseas，withthewholebatteredlengthoftheshiplaunchedforwardinarollingrushbeforehissteadyoldeyes，hestoodrigidlystill，forgottenbyall，andwithanattentiveface。Infrontofhiserectfigureonlythetwoarmsmovedcrosswisewithaswiftandsuddenreadiness，tocheckorurgeagaintherapidstirofcirclingspokes。Hesteeredwithcare。
chapter04Chapter4Onmenreprievedbyitsdisdainfulmercy，theimmortalseaconfersinitsjusticethefullprivilegeofdesiredunrest。Throughtheperfectwisdomofitsgracetheyarenotpermittedtomeditateateaseuponthecomplicatedandacridsavourofexistence，lesttheyshouldrememberand，perchance，regrettherewardofacupofinspiringbitterness，tastedsooften，andsooftenwithdrawnfrombeforetheirstiffeningbutreluctantlips。Theymustwithoutpausejustifytheirlifetotheeternalpitythatcommandstoiltobehardandunceasing，fromsunrisetosunset，fromsunsettosunrise：tillthewearysuccessionofnightsanddaystaintedbytheobstinateclamourofsages，demandingblissandanemptyheaven，isredeemedatlastbythevastsilenceofpainandlabour，bythedumbfearandthedumbcourageofmenobscure，forgetful，andenduring。
ThemasterandMr。Bakercomingfacetofacestaredforamoment，withtheintenseandamazedlooksofmenmeetingunexpectedlyafteryearsoftrouble。Theirvoicesweregone，andtheywhispereddesperatelyatoneanother。——‘Anyonemissing？’askedCaptainAllistoun。——‘No，Allthere。’——‘Anybodyhurt？’——‘Onlythesecondmate。’——‘I
willlookafterhimdirectly。We’relucky。’——‘Very，’
articulatedMr。Baker，faintly。Hegrippedtherailandrolledbloodshoteyes。Thelittlegreymanmadeanefforttoraisehisvoiceaboveadullmutter，andfixedhischiefmatewithacoldgaze，piercinglikeadart。
——‘Getsailontheship，’hesaid，speakingauthoritatively，andwithaninflexiblesnapofhisthinlips。‘Getsailonherassoonasyoucan。Thisisafairwind。Atonce，sir——Don’tgivethementimetofeelthemselves。Theywillgetdoneupandstiff，andwewillnever……Wemustgetheralongnow’……Hereeledtoalongheavyroll;theraildippedintotheglancinghissingwater。Hecaughtashroud，swunghelplesslyagainstthemate……‘nowwehaveafairwindatlast。——Make——sail。’Hisheadrolledfromshouldertoshoulder。
Hiseyelidsbegantobeatrapidly。‘Andthepumps——pumps，Mr。
Baker。’Hepeeredasthoughthefacewithinafootofhiseyeshadbeenhalfamileoff。‘Keepthemenonthemoveto——togetheralong。’hemumbledinadrowsytone，likeamangoingoffintoadoze。Hepulledhimselftogethersuddenly。‘Mustn’tstand。Won’tdo，’hesaidwithapainfulattemptatasmile。
Heletgohishold，and，propelledbythedipoftheship，ranaftunwillingly，withsmallsteps，tillhebroughtupagainstthebinnaclestand。HangingontherehelookedupinanobjectlessmanneratSingleton，who，unheedinghim，watchedanxiouslytheendofthejib—boom——‘Steeringgearworksallright？’heasked。Therewasanoiseintheoldseaman’sthroat，asthoughthewordshadbeenrattlingtheretogetherbeforetheycouldcomeout。——‘Steers……likealittleboat，’
hesaid，atlast，withhoarsetenderness，withoutgivingthemasterasmuchashalfaglance——then，watchfully，spunthewheeldown，steadied，flungitbackagain。CaptainAllistountorehimselfawayfromthedelightofleaningagainstthebinnacle，andbegantowalkthepoop，swayingandreelingtopreservehisbalance……
Thepump—rods，clanking，stampedinshortjumps，whilethefly—wheelsturnedsmoothly，withgreatspeed，atthefootofthemainmast，flingingbackandforthwitharegularimpetuositytwolimpclustersofmenclingingtothehandles。Theyabandonedthemselves，swayingfromthehipwithtwitchingfacesandstonyeyes。Thecarpenter，soundingfromtimetotime，exclaimedmechanically：‘Shakeherup！Keephergoing！’
Mr。Bakercouldnotspeak，butfoundhisvoicetoshout;andunderthegoadofhisobjurgations，menlookedtothelashings，draggedoutnewsails;
andthinkingthemselvesunabletomove，carriedheavyblocksPage68
aloft——overhauledthegear。Theywentuptheriggingwithfalteringanddesperateefforts。Theirheadsswamastheyshiftedtheirhold，steppedblindlyontheyardslikemeninthedark;ortrustedthemselvestothefirstropetohandwiththenegligenceofexhaustedstrength。Thenarrowescapefromthefallsdidnotdisturbthelanguidbeatoftheirhearts;
theroaroftheseasseethingfarbelowthemsoundedcontinuousandfaintlikeanindistinctnoisefromanotherworld;thewindfilledtheireyeswithtears，andwithheavyguststriedtopushthemofffromwheretheyswayedininsecurepositions。Withstreamingfacesandblowinghairtheyflewupanddownbetweenskyandwater，bestridingtheendsofyard—arms，crouchingonfoot—ropes，embracingliftstohavetheirhandsfree，orstandingupagainstchainties。Theirthoughtsfloatedvaguelybetweenthedesireofrestandthedesireoflife，whiletheirstiffenedfingerscastoffhead—earrings，fumbledforknives，orheldwithtenaciousgripagainsttheviolentshocksofbeatingcanvas。Theyglaredsavagelyatoneanother，madefranticsignswithonehandwhiletheyheldtheirlifeintheother，lookeddownonthenarrowstripoffloodeddeck，shoutedalongtoleeward：‘
Light—to！’……‘Haulout！’……‘Makefast！’。Theirlipsmoved，theireyesstarted，furiousandeagerwiththedesiretobeunderstood，butthewindtossedtheirwordsunhearduponthedisturbedsea。Inanunendurableandunendingstraintheyworkedlikemendrivenbyamercilessdreamtotoilinanatmosphereoficeorflame。Theyburntandshiveredinturns。Theireyeballssmartedasifinthesmokeofaconflagration;theirheadswerereadytoburstwitheveryshout。Hardfingersseemedtogriptheirthroats。Ateveryrolltheythought;
NowImustletgo。Itwillshakeusalloff——andthrownaboutalofttheycriedwildly：‘Lookoutthere——catchtheend。’……‘Reeveclear’……‘Turnthisblock……’Theynoddeddesperately;shookinfuriatedfaces。‘No！No！Fromdownup。’
Theyseemedtohateoneanotherwithadeadlyhate。Thelongingtobedonewithitallgnawedattheirbreasts，andthewishtodothingswellwasaburningpain。Theycursedtheirfate，contemnedtheirlife，andwastedtheirbreathindeadlyimprecationsupononeanother。Thesailmaker，withhisbaldheadbared，workedfeverishly，forgettinghisintimacywithsomanyadmirals。Theboatswain，climbingupwithmarlinspikesandbunchesofspunyarnrovings，orkneelingPage69
ontheyardandreadytotakeaturnwiththemidship—stop，hadacuteandfleetingvisionsofhisoldwomanandtheyoungstersinamoorlandvillage。Mr。Baker，feelingveryweak，totteredhereandthere，gruntingandinflexible，likeamanofiron。Hewaylaidthosewho，comingfromaloft，stoodgaspingforbreath。Heordered，encouraged，scolded。‘Nowthen——tothetopmainsailnow！Tallyontothatgantline。Don’tstandaboutthere！’——‘Istherenorestforus？’
mutteredvoices。Hespunroundfiercely，withasinkingheart。——‘No！
Noresttilltheworkisdone。Worktillyoudrop。That’swhatyou’reherefor。’Abowedseamanathiselbowgaveashortlaugh。——‘Doordie，’hecroakedbitterly，thenspatintohisbroadpalms，swunguphislongarms，andgraspingtheropehighabovehisheadsentoutmournful，wailingcryforapullalltogether。Aseaboardedthequarter—deckandsentthewholelotsprawlingtoleeward。Caps，handspikesfloated。
Clenchedhands，kickinglegs，withhereandthereasplutteringface，stuckoutofthewhitehissoffoamingwater。Mr。Baker，knockeddownwiththerest，screamed——‘Don’tletgothatrope！Holdontoit！Hold！’Andsorelybruisedbythebrutalfling，theyheldontoit，asthoughithadbeenthefortuneoftheirlife。Theshipran，rollingheavily，andthetoppingcrestsglancedpastportandstarboardflashingtheirwhiteheads。
Pumpswerefreed。Braceswererove。Thethreetopsailsandforesailwereset。Shespurtedfasteroverthewater，outpacingtheswiftrushofwaves。
Themenacingthunderofdistancedseasrosebehindher——filledtheairwiththetremendousvibrationsofitsvoice。Anddevastated，battered，andwoundedshedrovefoamingtothenorthward，asthoughinspiredbythecourageofahighendeavour……
Theforecastlewasaplaceofdampdesolation。Theylookedattheirdwellingwithdismay。Itwasslimy，dripping;ithummedhollowwiththewind，andwasstrewnwithshapelesswreckagelikeahalf—tidecaverninarockyandexposedcoast。Manyhadlostalltheyhadintheworld，butmostofthestarboardwatchhadpreservedtheirchests;thinstreamsofwatertrickledoutofthem，however。Thebedsweresoaked;theblanketsspreadoutandsavedbysomenailsquashedunderfoot。Theydraggedwetragsfromevil—smellingcorners，and，wringingthewaterour，recognisedtheirproperty。Somesmiledstiffly。Otherslookedroundblankandmute。
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Therewerecriesofjoyoveroldwaistcoats，andgroansofsorrowovershapelessthingsfoundamongsttheblacksplintersofsmashedbedboards。
Onelampwasdiscoveredjammedunderthebowsprit，Charleywhimperedalittle。Knowlesstumpedhereandthere，sniffing，examiningdarkplacesforsalvage。Hepoureddirtywateroutofaboot，andwasconcernedtofindtheowner。Thosewho，overwhelmedbytheirlosses，satontheforepeakhatch，remainedelbowsonknees，and，withafistagainsteachcheek，disdainedtolookup。Hepusheditundertheirnoses。‘Here’sagoodboot。
Yours？’Theysnarled，‘No——getout。’Onesnappedathim，‘Takeitthehelloutofthis。’Heseemedsurprised。‘Why？It’sagoodboot，’butrememberingsuddenlythathehadlosteverystitchofhisclothing，hedroppedhisfindandbegantoswear。Inthedimlightcursingvoicesclashed。Amancameinand，droppinghisarms，stoodstill，repeatingfromthedoorstep，‘Here’sabloomin’oldgo！Here’sabloomin’oldgo！’
Afewrootedanxiouslyinfloodedchestsfortobacco。Theybreathedhard，clamouredwithheadsdown，‘Lookatthat，Jack！’……‘Here！
Sam！Here’smyshore—goingrigspoiltforever。’Oneblasphemedtearfullyholdingupapairofdrippingtrousers。Noonelookedathim。
Thecatcameoutfromsomewhere。Hehadanovation。Theysnatchedhimfromhandtohand，caressedhiminamurmurofpetnames。Theywonderedwherehehad‘weathereditout;’disputedaboutit。Asquabblingargumentbegan。Twomencameinwithabucketoffreshwater，andallcrowdedroundit;butTom，leanandmewing，cameupwitheveryhairastirandhadthefirstdrink。Acoupleofmenwentaftforoilandbiscuits。
Thenintheyellowlightandintheintervalsofmoppingthedecktheycrunchedhardbread，arrangingto‘worrythroughsomehow。’Menchummedastobeds。Turnsweresettledforwearingbootsandhavingtheuseofoilskincoats。Theycalledoneanother‘oldman’and‘sonny’incheeryvoices。Friendlyslapsresounded。Jokeswereshouted。Oneortwostretchedonthewetdeck，sleptwithheadspillowedontheirbentarms，andseveral，sittingonthehatch，smoked。Theirwearyfacesappearedthroughathinbluehaze，pacifiedandwithsparklingeyes。Theboatswainputhisheadthroughthedoor。‘Relievethewheel。oneofyou’——heshoutedinside——‘it’ssix。BlammeifthatoldSingletonhasn’tbeenPage71
theremore’nthirtyhours。Youareafinelot。’Heslammedthedooragain。‘Mate’swatchondeck，’saidsomeone。
‘Hey，Donkin，it’syourrelief！’shoutedthreeorfourtogether。Hehadcrawledintoanemptybunkandonwetplankslaystill。
‘Donkin，yourwheel。’Hemadenosound。‘Donkin’sdead，’guffawedsomeone。‘Sell’isbloomin’clothes，’
shoutedanother。‘Donkin，ifyedon’tgotothebloomin’wheeltheywillsellyourclothes——d’yehear？’jeeredathird。Hegroanedfromhisdarkhole。Hecomplainedaboutpainsinallhisbones，hewhimperedpitifully。‘Hewon’tgo，’exclaimedacontemptuousvoice，‘yourturn，Davies。’Theyoungseamanrosepainfullysquaringhisshoulders。Donkinstuckhisheadout，anditappearedintheyellowlight，fragileandghastly。‘I
willgiv’yerapoundoftobaccer，’hewhinedinaconciliatingvoice，‘sosoonasIcandrawitfromhaft。Iwill‘I
will——s’helpme……’Daviesswunghisarmbackhandedandtheheadvanished。‘I’llgo，hesaid，butyouwillpayforit。’
Hewalkedunsteadybutresoluteinthedoor。‘SoIwill，’
yelpedDonkin，poppingoutbehindhim。‘SoIwill——s’elpme……threebobtheychawrge。’‘Youwillpaymyprice……infineweather。’heshoutedoverhisshoulder。Oneofthemenunbuttonedhiswetcoatrapidly，threwitathishead。‘Here，Taffy——takethat，youthief！’‘Thankyou！’hecriedfromthedarknessabovetheswishofrollingwater。Hecouldbeheardsplashing;
aseacameonboardwithathump。‘He’sgothisbathalready，’
remarkedagrimshellback。‘Aye，aye！’gruntedtheothers。Then，afteralongsilence，Wamibomadestrangenoises。‘Hallo，what’supwithyou？’saidonegrumpily。‘HesayshewouldhavegoneforDavy，’explainedArchie，whowastheFinn’sinterpretergenerally。‘Ibelievehim！’criedvoices……‘Nevermind，Dutchy……You’lldo，muddle—head……Yourturnwillcomesoonenough……
Youdon’tknowwhenye’rewelloff。’Theyceased，andalltogetherturnedtheirfacestothedoor。Singletonsteppedin，madetwopaces，andstoodswayingslightly。Theseahissed，flowedroaringpastthebows，andtheforecastletrembled，fullofadeeprumour;thelampflared，swinginglikeapendulum。Helookedwithadreamyandpuzzledstare，asthoughhecouldnotdistinguishthestillmenfromtheirrestlessshadows。Therewereawe—struckmurmurs：——‘Hallo，hallo’……‘Howdoesitlookoutsidenow，Singleton？’ThosewhosatPage72
onthehatchliftedtheireyesinsilence，andthenextoldestseamanintheship（thosetwounderstoodoneanother，thoughtheyhardlyexchangedthreewordsinaday）gazedupathisfriendattentivelyforamoment，thentakingashortclaypipeoutofhismouth，offereditwithoutaword。
Singletonputouthisarmtowardsit，missed，staggered，andsuddenlyfellforward，crashingdown，stiffandheadlonglikeanuprootedtree。Therewasaswiftrush。Menpushed，crying：——‘He’sdone！’……‘Turnhimover！’……‘Standclearthere！’Underacrowdofstartledfacesbendingoverhimhelayonhisback，staringupwardsinacontinuousandintolerablemanner。Inthebreathlesssilenceofageneralconsternation，hesaidinagratingmurmur：——‘I
amallright，’andclutchedwithhishands。Theyhelpedhimup。
Hemumbleddespondently：——‘Iamgettingold……old。’
——‘Notyou，’criedBelfast，withreadytact。Supportedonallsides，hehunghishead。——‘Areyoubetter？’
theyasked。Heglaredatthemfromunderhiseyebrowswithlargeblackeyes，spreadingoverhischestthebushywhitenessofabeardlongandthick。——‘Old！old！’herepeatedsternly。Helpedalong，hereachedhisbunk。Therewasinitaslimysoftheapofsomethingthatsmeltlikedoesatdeadlowwateramuddyforeshore。Itwashissoakedstrawbed。Withaconvulsiveefforthepitchedhimselfonit，andinthedarknessofthenarrowplacecouldbeheardgrowlingangrily，likeanirritatedandsavageanimaluneasyinitsden：——‘Bitofbreeze……smallthing……can’tstandup……old！’Hesleptatlast。Hebreathedheavily，high—booted，sou’westeronhead，andhisoilskinclothesrustled，whenwithadeepsighinggroanheturnedover。menconversedabouthiminquietconcernedwhispers。‘Thiswillbreak’imup’……‘Strongasahorse’……‘Aye。Butheain’twhatheusedtobe’……Insadmurmurstheygavehimup。Yetatmidnightheturnedouttodutyasifnothinghadbeenthematter，andansweredtohisnamewithamournful‘Here！’Hebroodedalonemorethanever，inanimpenetrablesilenceandwithasaddenedface。Formanyyearshehadheardhimselfcalled‘OldSingleton，’andhadserenelyacceptedthequalification，takingitasatributeofrespectduetoamanwhothroughhalfacenturyhadmeasuredhisstrengthagainstthefavoursandtheragesofthesea。Hehadnevergivenathoughttohismortalself。Helivedunscathed，asthoughhehadbeenindestructible，surrenderingtoPage73
allthetemptations，weatheringmanygales。Hehadpantedinsunshine，shiveredinthecold;sufferedhunger，thirst，debauch;passedthroughmanytrials——knownallthefuries。Old！Itseemedtohimhewasbrokenatlast。Andlikeamanboundtreacherouslywhilehesleeps，hewokeupfetteredbythelongchainofdisregardedyears。Hehadtotakeupatoncetheburdenofallhisexistence，andfounditalmosttooheavyforhisstrength。Old！Hemovedhisarms，shookhishead，felthislimbs。Gettingold……andthen？Helookedupontheimmortalseawiththeawakenedandgropingperceptionofitsheartlessmight;hesawitunchanged，blackandfoamingundertheeternalscrutinyofthestares;hehearditsimpatientvoicecallingforhimoutofapitilessvastnessfullofunrest，ofturmoil，andofterror。Helookedafaruponit，andhesawanimmensitytormentedandblind，moaningandfurious，thatclaimedallthedaysofhistenaciouslife，and，whenlifewasover，wouldclaimtheworn—outbodyofitsslave。
Thiswasthelastofthebreeze。Itveeredquickly，changedtoablacksouth—easternandblewitselfout，givingtheshipafamousshovetothenorthwardintothejoyoussunshineofthetrade。Rapidandwhitesheranhomewardsinastraightpath，underablueskyandupontheplainofabluesea。ShecarriedSingleton’scompletedwisdom，Donkin’sdelicatesusceptibilities，andtheconceitedfollyofusall。Thehoursofineffectiveturmoilwereforgotten;thefearandanguishofthesedarkmomentswerenevermentionedintheglowingpeaceoffinedays。Yetfromthattimeourlifeseemedtostartafreshasthoughwehaddiedandbeenresuscitated。Allthefirstpartofthevoyage，theIndianOceanontheothersideoftheCape，allthatwaslostinahaze，likeanineradicablesuspicionofsomepreviousexistence。Ithadended——thentherewereblankhours;alividblur——andagainwelived！Singletonwaspossessedofsinistertruth;Mr。Creightonofadamagedleg;thecookoffame——andshamefullyabusedtheopportunitiesofhisdistinction。Donkinhadanaddedgrievance。
Hewentaboutrepeatingwithinsistence：——‘’Esaid’ewouldbrainme——didyouhear？Theyharegoin’tomurderhusnowfortheleastlittlething。’Webeganatlasttothinkitwasratherawful。
Andwewereconceited！Weboastedourpluck，ofourcapacityfoework，ofourenergy。Werememberedhonourableepisodes：ourdevotion，Page74
ourindomitableperseverance——andwereproudofthemasthoughtheyhadbeentheoutcomeofourunaidedimpulses。Werememberedourdanger，ourtoil——andconvenientlyforgotourhorriblescare。Wedecriedourofficer——whohaddonenothing——andlistenedtothefascinatingDonkin，Hiscareforourrights，hisdisinterestedconcernforourdignity，werenotdiscouragedbytheinvariablecontumelyofourwords，bythedisdainofourlooks。Ourcontemptforhimwasunbounded——andwecouldunbounded——andwecouldnotbutlistenwithinteresttothatconsummateartist。
Hetoldusweweregoodmen——a‘bloomin’condemnedlotofgoodmen。’‘Whothankedus？Whotookanynoticeofourwrongs？Didn’tweleada‘dorg’sloifefortwopoun’tenamonth？’
Didwethinkthatmiserablepayenoughtocompensateusfortherisktoourlivesandforthelossofourclothes？‘We’velostheveryrag！’hecried。Hemadeusforgetthathe，atanyrate，hadlostnothingofhisown。Theyoungermenlistened，thinking——this’ereDonkin’salong—headedchap，thoughnokindofman，anyhow。TheScandinavianswerefrightenedathisaudacities;Wamibodidnotunderstand;andtheolderseamenthoughtfullynoddedtheirheadsmakingthethingoldearringsglitterinthefleshylobesofhairyears。Severe，sun—burntfaceswereproppedmeditativelyontattooedforearms。Veined，brownfistsheldintheirgripthedirtywhiteclayofsmolderingpipes。Theylistened，impenetrable，broad—backed，withbentshoulders，andingrimsilence。Hetalkedwithardour，despisedandirrefutable。Hispicturesqueandfilthyloquacityflowedlikeatroubledstreamfromapoisonedsource。Hisbeadylittleeyesdanced，glancingrightandleft，everonthewatchfortheapproachofanofficer。SometimesMr。Bakergoingforwardtotakealookattheheadsheetswouldrollwithhisuncouthgaitthroughthesuddenstillnessofthemen;orMr。Creightonlimpedalong，smooth—faced，youthful，andmoresternthaneverpiercingourshortsilencewithakeenglanceofhiscleareyes。BehindhisbackDonkinwouldbeginagaindartingstealthy，sidelonglooks。——‘’Ere’soneof’em。Someofyer’asmade’imfastthatday。Muchthanksyergotforhit。Ain’t’eea—drivin’yerwusse’nhever？……Let’imsliphover—board……Vynot？Itwould’avebeenlesstrouble。
Vynot？’Headvancedconfidentially，backedawaywithgreateffect;
hewhispered，hescreamed，wavedhismiserablearmsnothickerthanPage75
pipe—stems——stretchedhisleanneck——spluttered——squinted。Inthepausesofhisimpassionedorationsthewinesighedquietlyaloft，thecalmseaunheededmurmuredinawarningwhisperalongtheship’sside。
Weabominatedthecreatureandcouldnotdenytheluminoustruthofhiscontentions。Itwasallsoobvious。Wewereindubitablygoodmen;ourdesertsweregreatandourpaysmall。Throughourexertionswehadsavedtheshipandtheskipperwouldgetthecreditofit。Whathadhedone？wewantedtoknow。Donkinasked：——‘What’eecoulddowithouthus？’
andwecouldnotanswer。Wewereoppressedbytheinjusticeoftheworld，surprisedtoperceivehowlongwehadlivedunderitsburdenwithoutrealisingourunfortunatestate，annoyedbytheuneasysuspicionofourundiscerningstupidity。Donkinassuredusitwasallour‘good’eartedness，’
butwewouldnotbeconsoledbysuchshallowsophistry。Weweremenenoughtocourageouslyadmittoourselvesourintellectualshortcomings;thoughfromthattimewerefrainedfromkickinghim，tweakinghisnoseorfromaccidentallyknockinghimabout，whichlast，afterwehadweatheredtheCape，hadbeenratherapopularamusement。Daviesceasedtotalkathimprovokinglyaboutblackeyesandflattenednoses。Charley，muchsubduedsincethegale，sisnotjeerathim。Knowlesdeferentiallyandwithacraftyairpropoundedquestionssuchas：——‘Couldweallhavethesamegrubasthemates？Couldweallstopashoretillwegotit？Whatwouldbethenextthingtotryforifwegotthat？’Heansweredreadilywithcontemptuouscertitude;hestruttedwithassuranceinclothesthatweremuchtoobigforhimasthoughhehadtriedtodisguisehimself。ThesewereJimmy’sclothesmost——thoughhewouldacceptanythingfromanybody;
butnobody，exceptJimmy，hadanythingtospare。HisdevotiontoJimmywasunbounded。Hewasforeverdodginginthelittlecabin，ministeringtoJimmy’swants，humoringhiswhims，submittingtohisexactingpeevishness，oftenlaughingwithhim。Nothingcouldkeephimawayfromthepiousworkofvisitingthesick，especiallywhentherewassomeheavyhaulingtobedoneondeck。Mr。Bakerhadontwooccasionsjerkedhimoutoftherebythescruffofthenecktoourinexpressiblescandal。Wasasickchaptobeleftwithoutattendance？Werewetobeill—usedforattendingashipmate？
——‘What？’growledMr。
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Baker，turningmenacinglyatthemutter，andthewholehalf—circlelikeonemansteppedbackapace。‘Setthetopmaststunsail。AwayaloftDonkin，overhaulthegear。’orderedthemateinflexibly。
‘Fetchthesailalong;bendthedown—haulclear。Bearahand。’
Then，thesailset，hewouldgoslowlyaftandstandlookingatthecompassforalongtime，careworn，pensive，andbreathinghardasifstifledbythetaintounaccoutableill—willthatpervadedtheship。‘What’supamongstthem？’hethought。‘Can’tmakeoutthishangingbackandgrowling。Agoodcrowd，too，astheygonowadays。’
Ondeckthemenexchangedbitterwords，suggestedbyasillyexasperationagainstsomethingunjustandirremediablethatwouldnotbedenied，andwouldwhisperintotheirearslongafterDonkinhadceasedspeaking。Ourlittleworldwentonitscurvedandunswervingpathcarryingadiscontentedandaspiringpopulation。Theyfoundcomfortofagloomykindinaninterminableandconscientiousanalysisoftheirunappreciatedworth;andinspiredbyDonkin’shopefuldoctrinestheydreamedenthusiasticallyofthetimewheneverylonelyshipwouldtraveloveraserenesea，mannedbyawealthyandwell—fedcrewofsatisfiedskippers。
Itlookedasifitwouldbealongpassage。Thesouth—easttrades，lightandunsteady，wereleftbehind;andthen，ontheequatorandunderalowgreysky，theship，incloseheat，floateduponasmoothseathatresembledasheetofgroundglass。Thundersquallshungonthehorizon，circledroundtheship，faroffandgrowlingangrily，likeatroopofwildbeastsafraidtochargehome。Theinvisiblesun，sweepingabovetheuprightmasts，madeonthecloudsablurredstainofraylesslight，andasimilarpatchoffadedradiancekeptpacewithitfromeasttowestovertheunglitteringlevelofthewaters。Atnight，throughtheimpenetrabledarknessofearthandheaven，broadsheetsofflamewavednoiselessly;
andforhalfasecondthebecalmedcraftstoodoutwithitsmastsandrigging，witheverysailandeveryropedistinctandblackinthecentreofafieryoutburst，likeacharredshipenclosedinaglobeoffire。And，again，forlonghourssheremainedlostinavastuniverseofnightandsilencewheregentlesighswanderinghereandtherelikeforlornsouls，madethestillsailsflutterasinsuddenfear，andtherippleofabeshroudedoceanwhisperitscompassionafar——inavoicemournful，immense，andfaint……
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Whenthelampwasputout，andthroughthedoorthrownwideopen，Jimmy，turningonhispillow，couldseevanishingbeyondthestraightlineoftop—gallantrail，thequick，repeatedvisionsofafabulousworldmadeupofleapingfireandsleepingwater。Thelightninggleamedinhisbigsadeyesthatseemedinaredflickertoburnthemselvesoutinhisblackface，andthenhewouldlayblindedandinvisibleinthemidstofanintensedarkness。Hecouldhearonthequietdecksoftfootfalls，thebreathingofsomemanloungingonthedoorstep;thelowcreakofswayingmasts;orthecalmvoiceofthewatch—officerreverberatingaloft，hardandloud，amongsttheunstirringsails。helistenedwithavidity，takingarestintheattentiveperceptionoftheslightestsoundfromthefatiguingwanderingsofhissleeplessness。Hewascheeredbytherattlingofblocks，reassuredbythestirandmurmurofthewatch，soothedbytheslowyawnofsomesleepyandwearyseamansettlinghimselfdeliberatelyforasnoozeontheplanks。Lifeseemedanindestructiblething。Itwentonindarkness，insunshine。insleep;tireless，ithoveredaffectionatelyroundtheimpostureofhisreadydeath。Itwasbright，likethetwistedflareoflightning，andmorefullofsurprisesthanthedarknight。Itmadehimsafe，andthecalmofitsoverpoweringdarknesswasaspreciousasitsrestlessanddangerouslight。
Butintheevening，inthedog—watches，andevenfarintothefirstnight—watch，aknotofmencouldalwaysbeseencongregatedbeforeJimmy’scabin。Theyleanedoneachsideofthedoor，peacefullyinterestedandwithcrossedlegs;theystoodastridethedoorstepdiscoursing，orsatinsilentcouplesonhissea—chest;whileagainstthebulwarkalongthesparetopmast，threeorfourinarowstaredmeditatively，withtheirsimplefaceslitupbytheprojectedglareofJimmy’slamp。Thelittleplace，repaintedwhite，had，inthenight，thebrillianceofasilvershrinewhereablackidol，recliningstifflyunderablanket，blinkeditswearyeyesandreceivedourhomage。Donkinofficiated。Hehadtheairofademonstratorshowingaphenomenon，amanifestationbizarre，simple，andmeritorious，that，tothebeholders，shouldbeaprofoundandaneverlastinglesson。
‘Justlookat’im，’eknowswhat’swhat——neverfear！’
heexclaimednowandthen，flourishingahandhardandfleshlessliketheclawofasnipe。Jimmy，onhisback，smiledwithPage78
reserveandwithoutmovingalimb。Heaffectedthelanguorofextremeweakness，soastomakeitmanifesttousthatourdelayinhaulinghimoutfromhishorribleconfinement，andthenthatnightspentonthepoopamongoutselfishneglectofhisneeds，had‘doneforhim。’
Heratherlikedtotalkaboutit，andofcoursewewerealwaysinterested。
Hespokespasmodically，infastrusheswithlongpausesbetween，asatipsymanwalks……‘Cookhadjustgivenmeapannikinofhotcoffee……Slappeditdownthere，onmychest——bangedthedoorto……Ifeltaheavyrollcoming;triedtosavemycoffee，burntmyfingers……andfelloutofmybunk……Shewentoversoquick……Watercameinthroughtheventilator……I
couldn’tmovethedoorto……darkasagrave……triedtoscrambleupintotheupperberth……Rats……aratbitmyfingerasIgotup……Icouldhearhimswimmingbelowme……Ithoughtyouwouldnevercome……Ithoughtyouwereallgoneoverboard……ofcourse……couldhearnothingbutthewind……Thenyoucame……tolookforthecorpse，Isuppose。Alittlemoreand……’
‘Man！butyemadeararelotofnoiseinhere，’
observeeArchie，thoughtfully。
‘Youchapskickedupsuchaconfoundedrowabove……Enoughtoscareanyone……Ididn’tknowwhatyouwereupto……Bashintheblamedplanks……myhead……Justwhatasilly，scarygangoffoolswoulddo……Notmuchgoodtomeanyhow……Justaswell……drown……Pah。’
Hegroaned，snappedhisbigwhiteteeth，andgazedwithscorn。Belfastliftedapairofdolorouseyes，withabroken—heartedsmile，clenchedhisfistsstealthily;blue—eyedArchiecaressedhisredwhiskerswithahesitatinghand;;theboatswainatthedoorstaredamoment，andbrusquelywentawaywithaloudguffaw。Wamibodreamed……Donkinfeltalloverhissterilechinforthefewrarehairs，andsaid，triumphantly，withasidelongglanceatJimmy：——‘Lookat’im！WishIwas’arfas’ealthyhas’ehis——Ido。’Hejerkedashortthumboverhisshouldertowardstheafterendoftheship。‘That’sthebloomingwaytodo’em！’heyelped，withforcedheartiness。
Jimmysaid：——‘Don’tbeadam’fool，’inapleasantvoice。Knowles，rubbinghisshoulderagainstthedoorpost，remarkedshrewdly：
——‘Wecan’tallgoan’betooksick——itwouldbePage79
mutiny。’——‘Mutiny——gawn！’jeeredDonkin;
‘there’snobloomin’lawagainstbein’sick。’——‘There’ssixweeks’hardforrefoosingdooty，’arguedKnowles，‘I
mindIonceseedinCardiffthecrewofanoverloadedship——leastwayssheweren’toverloaded，onlyafatherlyoldgentlemanwithawhitebeardandanumbrellercamealongthequayandtalkedtothehands。Saidashowitwascroolhardtobedrowndedinwinterjustforthesakeofafewpoundsmorefortheowner——hesaid。Nearlycriedoverthem——hedid;andhehadasquaremainsailcoat，andagaff—topsailhattoo——allproper。Sotheychapstheysaidtheywouldn’tgotobedrowndedinwinter——dependinguponthat’erePlimsollmantosee’emthroughthecourt。Theythoughttohaveabloomin’larkandtwoorthreedaysspree。Andthebeakgiv’
’emsixweeks——cosstheshipwarn’toverloaded。Anywaystheymadeitoutincourtthatshewasn’t。Therewasn’toneoverloadedshipinPenarthDockatall。’Pearsthatoldcoonhewasonlyonpapyandallowancefromsomekindpeople，underorderstolookforoverloadedships，andhecouldn’tseenofurtherthanthelengthofhisumbreller。Someofusintheboarding—house，whereIlivewhenI’mlookingforashipinCardiff，stoodbytoduckthatoldweepingspongerinthedock。Wekeptagoodlookout，too——buthetoppedhisboomdirectlyhewasoutsidethecourt……Yes。Theygotsixweeks’hard……’
Theylistened，fullofcuriosity，noddinginthepausestheirroughpensivefaces。Donkinopenedhismouthonceortwice，butrestrainedhimself。Jimmylaystillwithopeneyesandnotatallinterested。Aseamanemittedanopinionthatafteraverdictofatrociouspartiality‘thebloomin’beaksgoan’drinkattheskipper’sexpense。’Othersassented。Itwasclear，ofcourse，Donkinsaid：——‘Well，sixweekshain’tmuchtrouble。Yousleephallnightin，reg’lar，inchokey。
Doithonmy’ead。’‘Youareusedtoitainch’ee，Donkin？’
askedsomebody。Jimmycondescendedtolaugh。Itcheeredeveryonewonderfully。
Knowles，withsurprisingmentalagility，shiftedhisground。‘Ifweallwentsickwhatwouldhappentotheship？eh？’Heposedtheproblemandgrinnedallround。——‘Let’ergoto’ell，’
sneeredDonkin。‘Damn’er。Sheain’tyourn。’——‘What？
Justletherdrift？’insistedKnowlesinatoneofunbelief。
——‘Aye！Driftan’beblowed，’affirmedDonkinwithfinerecklessness。Theotherdidnotseeit——meditated。——‘Thestoreswouldrunout，’hemuttered，‘and……nevergetanywhere……andwhataboutpay—day？’headdedwithgreaterassurance。
——‘Jacklikesagoodpay—day，’exclaimedalisteneronthedoorstep。‘Aye，becausethenthegirlsputonearmroundhisneckan’t’otherinhispocket，an’callhimducky。Don’tthey，Jack？’
——‘Jack，you’reaterrorwiththegals。’——‘Hetakesthreeof’emintowtoonce，likeoneof’emWatkinsestwo—funneltugswaddlingawaywiththreeschoonersbehind。’——‘Jack，you’realamescamp。’——‘Jack，tellusaboutthatonewithablueeyeandablackeye。Do’——‘There’splentyofgirlswithoneblackeyealongtheHighwayby……’
——‘No，that’saspeshulone——comeJack。’Donkinlookedsevereanddisgusted;Jimmyverybored;agrey—hairedsea—dogshookhisheadslightly，smilingatthebowlofhispipe，discreetlyamused。
Knowlesturnedaboutbewildered;stammeredfirstatone，thenatanother。
——‘No！……Inever！……can’ttalksensiblesenseamidstyou……
Alwaysonthekid。’Heretiredbashfully——mutteringandpleased。
Theylaughedhootinginthecrudelight，aroundJimmy’sbed，whereonawhitepillowhishollowedblackfacemovedtoandfrorestlessly。Apuffofwindcame，madetheflameofthelampleap，andoutside，highup，thesailsfluttered，whilenearbytheblockoftheforesheetstruckaringingblowontheironbulwark。Avoicefaroffcried，‘Helmup！’
another，morefaint，answered，‘Hardup，sir！’Theybecamesilent——waitingexpectantly。Thegrey—hairedseamanknockedhispipeonthedoorstepandstoodup。Theshipleanedovergentlyandtheseaseemedtowakeup，murmuringdrowsily。‘Here’salittlewindcomin’，’saidsomeoneverylow，Jimmyturnedoverslowlytofacethebreeze。Thevoiceinthenightcriedloudandcommanding：——‘Haulthespankerout。’Thegroupbeforethedoorvanishedoutofthelight。Theycouldbeheardtrampingaftwhiletheyrepeatedwithvariousintonations：——‘Spankerout！……’‘Outspanker，sir！’DonkinremainedalonewithJimmy。Therewasasilence。
Jimmyopenedandshuthislipsseveraltimesasifswallowingdraughtsoffresherair;Donkinmovedthetoesofhisbarefeetandlookedatthemthoughtfully。
‘Ain’tyougoingtogivegivethemahandwiththesail？’askedJimmy。
‘No。Hifsixov’emhain’t’noughbeeftosetthatblamed，rottenPage81
spanker，theyhain’tfittolive，’answeredDonkininabored，farawayvoice，asthoughhehadbeentalkingfromthebottomofahole。
Jimmyconsideredtheconical，fowl—likeprofilewithaqueerkindofinterest;
hewasleaningoutofhisbunkwiththecalculating，uncertainexpressionofamanwhoreflectshowbesttolayholdofsomestrangecreaturethatlooksasthoughitcouldstingorbite。Buthesaidonly：——‘Thematewillmissyou——andtherewillbeructions。’
Donkingotuptogo。‘Iwilldofor’imhonsomedarknight，seehifIdon’t，’hesaidoverhisshoulder。