第2章

Theship，afterapauseofcomparativesteadiness，starteduponaseriesofrolls，oneworsethantheother，andforatimeJukes，preservinghisequilibrium，wastoobusytoopenhismouth。Assoonastheviolentswinginghadquieteddownsomewhat，hesaid: \"Thisisabittoomuchofagoodthing。WhetheranythingiscomingornotIthinksheoughttobeputheadontothatswell。 Theoldmanisjustgoneintoliedown。HangmeifIdon\'tspeaktohim。\" Butwhenheopenedthedoorofthechart-roomhesawhiscaptainreadingabook。CaptainMacWhirrwasnotlyingdown:hewasstandingupwithonehandgraspingtheedgeofthebookshelfandtheotherholdingopenbeforehisfaceathickvolume。Thelampwriggledinthegimbals，theloosenedbookstoppledfromsidetosideontheshelf，thelongbarometerswunginjerkycircles，thetablealtereditsslanteverymoment。InthemidstofallthisstirandmovementCaptainMacWhirr，holdingon，showedhiseyesabovetheupperedge，andasked，\"What\'sthematter？\" \"Swellgettingworse，sir。\" \"Noticedthatinhere，\"mutteredCaptainMacWhirr。\"Anythingwrong？\" Jukes，inwardlydisconcertedbytheseriousnessoftheeyeslookingathimoverthetopofthebook，producedanembarrassedgrin。 \"Rollinglikeoldboots，\"hesaid，sheepishly。 \"Aye!Veryheavy——veryheavy。Whatdoyouwant？\" AtthisJukeslosthisfootingandbegantoflounder。\"Iwasthinkingofourpassengers，\"hesaid，inthemannerofamanclutchingatastraw。 \"Passengers？\"wonderedtheCaptain，gravely。\"Whatpassengers？\" \"Why，theChinamen，sir，\"explainedJukes，verysickofthisconversation。 \"TheChinamen!Whydon\'tyouspeakplainly？Couldn\'ttellwhatyoumeant。Neverheardalotofcooliesspokenofaspassengersbefore。Passengers，indeed!What\'scometoyou？\" CaptainMacWhirr，closingthebookonhisforefinger，loweredhisarmandlookedcompletelymystified。\"WhyareyouthinkingoftheChinamen，Mr。Jukes？\"heinquired。 Jukestookaplunge，likeamandriventoit。\"She\'srollingherdecksfullofwater，sir。Thoughtyoumightputherheadonperhaps——forawhile。Tillthisgoesdownabit——verysoon，Idaresay。Headtotheeastward。Ineverknewashiprolllikethis。\" Heheldoninthedoorway，andCaptainMacWhirr，feelinghisgripontheshelfinadequate，madeuphismindtoletgoinahurry，andfellheavilyonthecouch。 \"Headtotheeastward？\"hesaid，strugglingtositup。\"That\'smorethanfourpointsoffhercourse。\" \"Yes，sir。Fiftydegrees……Wouldjustbringherheadfarenoughroundtomeetthis……\" CaptainMacWhirrwasnowsittingup。Hehadnotdroppedthebook，andhehadnotlosthisplace。 \"Totheeastward？\"herepeated，withdawningastonishment。\"Tothe……Wheredoyouthinkweareboundto？Youwantmetohaulafull-poweredsteamshipfourpointsoffhercoursetomaketheChinamencomfortable!Now，I\'veheardmorethanenoughofmadthingsdoneintheworld——butthis……IfIdidn\'tknowyou，Jukes，Iwouldthinkyouwereinliquor。Steerfourpointsoff……Andwhatafterwards？Steerfourpointsovertheotherway，Isuppose，tomakethecoursegood。WhatputitintoyourheadthatIwouldstarttotackasteamerasifshewereasailing-ship？\" \"Jollygoodthingsheisn\'t，\"threwinJukes，withbitterreadiness。\"Shewouldhaverolledeveryblessedstickoutofherthisafternoon。\" \"Aye!Andyoujustwouldhavehadtostandandseethemgo，\" saidCaptainMacWhirr，showingacertainanimation。\"It\'sadeadcalm，isn\'tit？\" \"Itis，sir。Butthere\'ssomethingoutofthecommoncoming，forsure。\" \"Maybe。IsupposeyouhaveanotionIshouldbegettingoutofthewayofthatdirt，\"saidCaptainMacWhirr，speakingwiththeutmostsimplicityofmannerandtone，andfixingtheoilclothonthefloorwithaheavystare。ThushenoticedneitherJukes\' discomfiturenorthemixtureofvexationandastonishedrespectonhisface。 \"Now，here\'sthisbook，\"hecontinuedwithdeliberation，slappinghisthighwiththeclosedvolume。\"I\'vebeenreadingthechapteronthestormsthere。\" Thiswastrue。Hehadbeenreadingthechapteronthestorms。 Whenhehadenteredthechart-room，itwaswithnointentionoftakingthebookdown。Someinfluenceintheair——thesameinfluence，probably，thatcausedthestewardtobringwithoutorderstheCaptain\'ssea-bootsandoilskincoatuptothechart-room-hadasitwereguidedhishandtotheshelf；andwithouttakingthetimetositdownhehadwadedwithaconsciouseffortintotheterminologyofthesubject。Helosthimselfamongstadvancingsemi-circles，left-andright-handquadrants，thecurvesofthetracks，theprobablebearingofthecentre，theshiftsofwindandthereadingsofbarometer。Hetriedtobringallthesethingsintoadefiniterelationtohimself，andendedbybecomingcontemptuouslyangrywithsuchalotofwords，andwithsomuchadvice，allhead-workandsupposition，withoutaglimmerofcertitude。 \"It\'sthedamnedestthing，Jukes，\"hesaid。\"Ifafellowwastobelieveallthat\'sinthere，hewouldberunningmostofhistimeallovertheseatryingtogetbehindtheweather。\" Againheslappedhislegwiththebook；andJukesopenedhismouth，butsaidnothing。 \"Runningtogetbehindtheweather!Doyouunderstandthat，Mr。 Jukes？It\'sthemaddestthing!\"ejaculatedCaptainMacWhirr，withpauses，gazingatthefloorprofoundly。\"Youwouldthinkanoldwomanhadbeenwritingthis。Itpassesme。Ifthatthingmeansanythinguseful，thenitmeansthatIshouldatoncealterthecourseaway，awaytothedevilsomewhere，andcomeboomingdownonFu-chaufromthenorthwardatthetailofthisdirtyweatherthat\'ssupposedtobeknockingaboutinourway。Fromthenorth!Doyouunderstand，Mr。Jukes？Threehundredextramilestothedistance，andaprettycoalbilltoshow。I couldn\'tbringmyselftodothatifeverywordintherewasgospeltruth，Mr。Jukes。Don\'tyouexpectme……\" AndJukes，silent，marvelledatthisdisplayoffeelingandloquacity。 \"Butthetruthisthatyoudon\'tknowifthefellowisright，anyhow。Howcanyoutellwhatagaleismadeoftillyougetit？ Heisn\'taboardhere，ishe？Verywell。Herehesaysthatthecentreofthemthingsbearseightpointsoffthewind；butwehaven\'tgotanywind，forallthebarometerfalling。Where\'shiscentrenow？\" \"Wewillgetthewindpresently，\"mumbledJukes。 \"Letitcome，then，\"saidCaptainMacWhirr，withdignifiedindignation。\"It\'sonlytoletyousee，Mr。Jukes，thatyoudon\'tfindeverythinginbooks。Alltheserulesfordodgingbreezesandcircumventingthewindsofheaven，Mr。Jukes，seemtomethemaddestthing，whenyoucometolookatitsensibly。\" Heraisedhiseyes，sawJukesgazingathimdubiously，andtriedtoillustratehismeaning。 \"Aboutasqueerasyourextraordinarynotionofdodgingtheshipheadtosea，forIdon\'tknowhowlong，tomaketheChinamencomfortable；whereasallwe\'vegottodoistotakethemtoFu-chau，beingtimedtogettherebeforenoononFriday。Iftheweatherdelaysme——verywell。There\'syourlog-booktotalkstraightabouttheweather。ButsupposeIwentswingingoffmycourseandcameintwodayslate，andtheyaskedme:\'Wherehaveyoubeenallthattime，Captain？\'WhatcouldIsaytothat？ \'Wentaroundtododgethebadweather，\'Iwouldsay。\'Itmust\'vebeendam\'bad，\'theywouldsay。\'Don\'tknow，\'Iwouldhavetosay；\'I\'vedodgedclearofit。\'Seethat，Jukes？Ihavebeenthinkingitalloutthisafternoon。\" Helookedupagaininhisunseeing，unimaginativeway。Noonehadeverheardhimsaysomuchatonetime。Jukes，withhisarmsopeninthedoorway，waslikeamaninvitedtobeholdamiracle。 Unboundedwonderwastheintellectualmeaningofhiseye，whileincredulitywasseatedinhiswholecountenance。 \"Agaleisagale，Mr。Jukes，\"resumedtheCaptain，\"andafull-poweredsteam-shiphasgottofaceit。There\'sjustsomuchdirtyweatherknockingabouttheworld，andtheproperthingistogothroughitwithnoneofwhatoldCaptainWilsonoftheMelitacalls\'stormstrategy。\'TheotherdayashoreIheardhimholdforthaboutittoalotofshipmasterswhocameinandsatatatablenexttomine。Itseemedtomethegreatestnonsense。 Hewastellingthemhowheoutman&oelig；uvred，Ithinkhesaid，aterrificgale，sothatitnevercamenearerthanfiftymilestohim。Aneatpieceofhead-workhecalledit。Howheknewtherewasaterrificgalefiftymilesoffbeatsmealtogether。Itwaslikelisteningtoacrazyman。IwouldhavethoughtCaptainWilsonwasoldenoughtoknowbetter。\" CaptainMacWhirrceasedforamoment，thensaid，\"It\'syourwatchbelow，Mr。Jukes？\" Jukescametohimselfwithastart。\"Yes，sir。\" \"Leaveorderstocallmeattheslightestchange，\"saidtheCaptain。Hereacheduptoputthebookaway，andtuckedhislegsuponthecouch。\"Shutthedoorsothatitdon\'tflyopen，willyou？Ican\'tstandadoorbanging。They\'veputalotofrubbishylocksintothisship，Imustsay。\" CaptainMacWhirrclosedhiseyes。 Hedidsotoresthimself。Hewastired，andheexperiencedthatstateofmentalvacuitywhichcomesattheendofanexhaustivediscussionthathasliberatedsomebeliefmaturedinthecourseofmeditativeyears。Hehadindeedbeenmakinghisconfessionoffaith，hadheonlyknownit；anditseffectwastomakeJukes，ontheothersideofthedoor，standscratchinghisheadforagoodwhile。 CaptainMacWhirropenedhiseyes。 Hethoughthemusthavebeenasleep。Whatwasthatloudnoise？ Wind？Whyhadhenotbeencalled？Thelampwriggledinitsgimbals，thebarometerswungincircles，thetablealtereditsslanteverymoment；apairoflimpsea-bootswithcollapsedtopswentslidingpastthecouch。Heputouthishandinstantly，andcapturedone。 Jukes\'faceappearedinacrackofthedoor:onlyhisface，veryred，withstaringeyes。Theflameofthelampleaped，apieceofpaperflewup，arushofairenvelopedCaptainMacWhirr。 Beginningtodrawontheboot，hedirectedanexpectantgazeatJukes\'swollen，excitedfeatures。 \"Cameonlikethis，\"shoutedJukes，\"fiveminutesago……allofasudden。\" Theheaddisappearedwithabang，andaheavysplashandpatterofdropssweptpastthecloseddoorasifapailfulofmeltedleadhadbeenflungagainstthehouse。Awhistlingcouldbeheardnowuponthedeepvibratingnoiseoutside。Thestuffychart-roomseemedasfullofdraughtsasashed。CaptainMacWhirrcollaredtheothersea-bootonitsviolentpassagealongthefloor。Hewasnotflustered，buthecouldnotfindatoncetheopeningforinsertinghisfoot。Theshoeshehadflungoffwerescurryingfromendtoendofthecabin，gambollingplayfullyovereachotherlikepuppies。Assoonashestooduphekickedatthemviciously，butwithouteffect。 Hethrewhimselfintotheattitudeofalungingfencer，toreachafterhisoilskincoat；andafterwardshestaggeredallovertheconfinedspacewhilehejerkedhimselfintoit。Verygrave，straddlinghislegsfarapart，andstretchinghisneck，hestartedtotiedeliberatelythestringsofhissou\'-westerunderhischin，withthickfingersthattrembledslightly。Hewentthroughallthemovementsofawomanputtingonherbonnetbeforeaglass，withastrained，listeningattention，asthoughhehadexpectedeverymomenttoheartheshoutofhisnameintheconfusedclamourthathadsuddenlybesethisship。Itsincreasefilledhisearswhilehewasgettingreadytogooutandconfrontwhateveritmightmean。Itwastumultuousandveryloud——madeupoftherushofthewind，thecrashesofthesea，withthatprolongeddeepvibrationoftheair，liketherollofanimmenseandremotedrumbeatingthechargeofthegale。 Hestoodforamomentinthelightofthelamp，thick，clumsy，shapelessinhispanoplyofcombat，vigilantandred-faced。 \"There\'salotofweightinthis，\"hemuttered。 Assoonasheattemptedtoopenthedoorthewindcaughtit。 Clingingtothehandle，hewasdraggedoutoverthedoorstep，andatoncefoundhimselfengagedwiththewindinasortofpersonalscufflewhoseobjectwastheshuttingofthatdoor。Atthelastmomentatongueofairscurriedinandlickedouttheflameofthelamp。 Aheadoftheshipheperceivedagreatdarknesslyinguponamultitudeofwhiteflashes；onthestarboardbeamafewamazingstarsdrooped，dimandfitful，aboveanimmensewasteofbrokenseas，asifseenthroughamaddriftofsmoke。 Onthebridgeaknotofmen，indistinctandtoiling，weremakinggreateffortsinthelightofthewheelhousewindowsthatshonemistilyontheirheadsandbacks。Suddenlydarknessclosedupononepane，thenonanother。Thevoicesofthelostgroupreachedhimafterthemannerofmen\'svoicesinagale，inshredsandfragmentsofforlornshoutingsnatchedpasttheear。AllatonceJukesappearedathisside，yelling，withhisheaddown。 \"Watch——putin——wheelhouseshutters——glass-afraid——blowin。\" Jukesheardhiscommanderupbraiding。 \"This——come——anything——warning——callme。\" Hetriedtoexplain，withtheuproarpressingonhislips。 \"Lightair——remained——bridge——sudden——north-east——couldturn——thought——you——sure——hear。\" Theyhadgainedtheshelteroftheweather-cloth，andcouldconversewithraisedvoices，aspeoplequarrel。 \"Igotthehandsalongtocoverupalltheventilators。GoodjobIhadremainedondeck。Ididn\'tthinkyouwouldbeasleep，andso……Whatdidyousay，sir？What？\" \"Nothing，\"criedCaptainMacWhirr。\"Isaid——allright。\" \"Byallthepowers!We\'vegotitthistime，\"observedJukesinahowl。 \"Youhaven\'talteredhercourse？\"inquiredCaptainMacWhirr，straininghisvoice。 \"No，sir。Certainlynot。Windcameoutrightahead。Andherecomestheheadsea。\" Aplungeoftheshipendedinashockasifshehadlandedherforefootuponsomethingsolid。Afteramomentofstillnessaloftyflightofspraysdrovehardwiththewindupontheirfaces。 \"Keepheratitaslongaswecan，\"shoutedCaptainMacWhirr。 BeforeJukeshadsqueezedthesaltwateroutofhiseyesallthestarshaddisappeared。 III JUKESwasasreadyamanasanyhalf-dozenyoungmatesthatmaybecaughtbycastinganetuponthewaters；andthoughhehadbeensomewhattakenabackbythestartlingviciousnessofthefirstsquall，hehadpulledhimselftogetherontheinstant，hadcalledoutthehandsandhadrushedthemalongtosecuresuchopeningsaboutthedeckashadnotbeenalreadybatteneddownearlierintheevening。Shoutinginhisfresh，stentorianvoice，\"Jump，boys，andbearahand!\"heledinthework，tellinghimselfthewhilethathehad\"justexpectedthis。\" Butatthesametimehewasgrowingawarethatthiswasrathermorethanhehadexpected。Fromthefirststiroftheairfeltonhischeekthegaleseemedtotakeuponitselftheaccumulatedimpetusofanavalanche。HeavyspraysenvelopedtheNan-Shanfromstemtostern，andinstantlyinthemidstofherregularrollingshebegantojerkandplungeasthoughshehadgonemadwithfright。 Jukesthought，\"Thisisnojoke。\"Whilehewasexchangingexplanatoryyellswithhiscaptain，asuddenloweringofthedarknesscameuponthenight，fallingbeforetheirvisionlikesomethingpalpable。Itwasasifthemaskedlightsoftheworldhadbeenturneddown。Jukeswasuncriticallygladtohavehiscaptainathand。Itrelievedhimasthoughthatmanhad，bysimplycomingondeck，takenmostofthegale\'sweightuponhisshoulders。Suchistheprestige，theprivilege，andtheburdenofcommand。 CaptainMacWhirrcouldexpectnoreliefofthatsortfromanyoneonearth。Suchisthelonelinessofcommand。Hewastryingtosee，withthatwatchfulmannerofaseamanwhostaresintothewind\'seyeasifintotheeyeofanadversary，topenetratethehiddenintentionandguesstheaimandforceofthethrust。Thestrongwindsweptathimoutofavastobscurity；hefeltunderhisfeettheuneasinessofhisship，andhecouldnotevendiscerntheshadowofhershape。Hewisheditwerenotso；andverystillhewaited，feelingstrickenbyablindman\'shelplessness。 Tobesilentwasnaturaltohim，darkorshine。Jukes，athiselbow，madehimselfheardyellingcheerilyinthegusts，\"Wemusthavegottheworstofitatonce，sir。\"Afaintburstoflightningquiveredallround，asifflashedintoacavern——intoablackandsecretchamberofthesea，withaflooroffoamingcrests。 Itunveiledforasinister，flutteringmomentaraggedmassofcloudshanginglow，thelurchofthelongoutlinesoftheship，theblackfiguresofmencaughtonthebridge，headsforward，asifpetrifiedintheactofbutting。Thedarknesspalpitateddownuponallthis，andthentherealthingcameatlast。 Itwassomethingformidableandswift，likethesuddensmashingofavialofwrath。Itseemedtoexplodeallroundtheshipwithanoverpoweringconcussionandarushofgreatwaters，asifanimmensedamhadbeenblownuptowindward。Inaninstantthemenlosttouchofeachother。Thisisthedisintegratingpowerofagreatwind:itisolatesonefromone\'skind。Anearthquake，alandslip，anavalanche，overtakeamanincidentally，asitwere——withoutpassion。Afuriousgaleattackshimlikeapersonalenemy，triestograsphislimbs，fastensuponhismind，seekstorouthisveryspiritoutofhim。 Jukeswasdrivenawayfromhiscommander。Hefanciedhimselfwhirledagreatdistancethroughtheair。Everythingdisappeared——even，foramoment，hispowerofthinking；buthishandhadfoundoneoftherail-stanchions。Hisdistresswasbynomeansalleviatedbyaninclinationtodisbelievetherealityofthisexperience。Thoughyoung，hehadseensomebadweather，andhadneverdoubtedhisabilitytoimaginetheworst；butthiswassomuchbeyondhispowersoffancythatitappearedincompatiblewiththeexistenceofanyshipwhatever。Hewouldhavebeenincredulousabouthimselfinthesameway，perhaps，hadhenotbeensoharassedbythenecessityofexertingawrestlingeffortagainstaforcetryingtotearhimawayfromhishold。Moreover，theconvictionofnotbeingutterlydestroyedreturnedtohimthroughthesensationsofbeinghalf-drowned，bestiallyshaken，andpartlychoked。 Itseemedtohimheremainedthereprecariouslyalonewiththestanchionforalong，longtime。Therainpouredonhim，flowed，droveinsheets。Hebreathedingasps；andsometimesthewaterheswallowedwasfreshandsometimesitwassalt。Forthemostparthekepthiseyesshuttight，asifsuspectinghissightmightbedestroyedintheimmenseflurryoftheelements。Whenheventuredtoblinkhastily，hederivedsomemoralsupportfromthegreengleamofthestarboardlightshiningfeeblyupontheflightofrainandsprays。Hewasactuallylookingatitwhenitsrayfellupontheuprearingseawhichputitout。Hesawtheheadofthewavetoppleover，addingthemiteofitscrashtothetremendousuproarragingaroundhim，andalmostatthesameinstantthestanchionwaswrenchedawayfromhisembracingarms。 Afteracrushingthumponhisbackhefoundhimselfsuddenlyafloatandborneupwards。HisfirstirresistiblenotionwasthatthewholeChinaSeahadclimbedonthebridge。Then，moresanely，heconcludedhimselfgoneoverboard。Allthetimehewasbeingtossed，flung，androlledingreatvolumesofwater，hekeptonrepeatingmentally，withtheutmostprecipitation，thewords:\"MyGod!MyGod!MyGod!MyGod!\" Allatonce，inarevoltofmiseryanddespair，heformedthecrazyresolutiontogetoutofthat。Andhebegantothreshaboutwithhisarmsandlegs。Butassoonashecommencedhiswretchedstruggleshediscoveredthathehadbecomesomehowmixedupwithaface，anoilskincoat，somebody\'sboots。Heclawedferociouslyallthesethingsinturn，lostthem，foundthemagain，lostthemoncemore，andfinallywashimselfcaughtinthefirmclaspofapairofstoutarms。Hereturnedtheembracecloselyroundathicksolidbody。Hehadfoundhiscaptain。 Theytumbledoverandover，tighteningtheirhug。Suddenlythewaterletthemdownwithabrutalbang；and，strandedagainstthesideofthewheelhouse，outofbreathandbruised，theywerelefttostaggerupinthewindandholdonwheretheycould。 Jukescameoutofitratherhorrified，asthoughhehadescapedsomeunparalleledoutragedirectedathisfeelings。Itweakenedhisfaithinhimself。Hestartedshoutingaimlesslytothemanhecouldfeelnearhiminthatfiendishblackness，\"Isityou，sir？Isityou，sir？\"tillhistemplesseemedreadytoburst。 Andheheardinansweravoice，asifcryingfaraway，asifscreamingtohimfretfullyfromaverygreatdistance，theoneword\"Yes!\"Otherseassweptagainoverthebridge。Hereceivedthemdefencelesslyrightoverhisbarehead，withbothhishandsengagedinholding。 Themotionoftheshipwasextravagant。Herlurcheshadanappallinghelplessness:shepitchedasiftakingaheaderintoavoid，andseemedtofindawalltohiteverytime。Whensherolledshefellonhersideheadlong，andshewouldberightedbackbysuchademolishingblowthatJukesfeltherreelingasaclubbedmanreelsbeforehecollapses。Thegalehowledandscuffledaboutgiganticallyinthedarkness，asthoughtheentireworldwereoneblackgully。Atcertainmomentstheairstreamedagainsttheshipasifsuckedthroughatunnelwithaconcentratedsolidforceofimpactthatseemedtolifthercleanoutofthewaterandkeepherupforaninstantwithonlyaquiverrunningthroughherfromendtoend。Andthenshewouldbeginhertumblingagainasifdroppedbackintoaboilingcauldron。Jukestriedhardtocomposehismindandjudgethingscoolly。 Thesea，flatteneddownintheheaviergusts，wouldupriseandoverwhelmbothendsoftheNan-Shaninsnowyrushesoffoam，expandingwide，beyondbothrails，intothenight。Andonthisdazzlingsheet，spreadundertheblacknessofthecloudsandemittingabluishglow，CaptainMacWhirrcouldcatchadesolateglimpseofafewtinyspecksblackasebony，thetopsofthehatches，thebattenedcompanions，theheadsofthecoveredwinches，thefootofamast。Thiswasallhecouldseeofhisship。Hermiddlestructure，coveredbythebridgewhichborehim，hismate，theclosedwheelhousewhereamanwassteeringshutupwiththefearofbeingsweptoverboardtogetherwiththewholethinginonegreatcrash——hermiddlestructurewaslikeahalf-tiderockawashuponacoast。Itwaslikeanoutlyingrockwiththewaterboilingup，streamingover，pouringoff，beatinground——likearockinthesurftowhichshipwreckedpeopleclingbeforetheyletgo——onlyitrose，itsank，itrolledcontinuously，withoutrespiteandrest，likearockthatshouldhavemiraculouslystruckadriftfromacoastandgonewallowinguponthesea。 TheNan-Shanwasbeinglootedbythestormwithasenseless，destructivefury:trysailstornoutoftheextragaskets，double-lashedawningsblownaway，bridgesweptclean，weather-clothsburst，railstwisted，light-screenssmashed——andtwooftheboatshadgonealready。Theyhadgoneunheardandunseen，melting，asitwere，intheshockandsmotherofthewave。Itwasonlylater，whenuponthewhiteflashofanotherhighseahurlingitselfamidships，Jukeshadavisionoftwopairsofdavitsleapingblackandemptyoutofthesolidblackness，withoneoverhauledfallflyingandaniron-boundblockcaperingintheair，thathebecameawareofwhathadhappenedwithinaboutthreeyardsofhisback。 Hepokedhisheadforward，gropingfortheearofhiscommander。 Hislipstouchedit——big，fleshy，verywet。Hecriedinanagitatedtone，\"Ourboatsaregoingnow，sir。\" Andagainheheardthatvoice，forcedandringingfeebly，butwithapenetratingeffectofquietnessintheenormousdiscordofnoises，asifsentoutfromsomeremotespotofpeacebeyondtheblackwastesofthegale；againheheardaman\'svoice——thefrailandindomitablesoundthatcanbemadetocarryaninfinityofthought，resolutionandpurpose，thatshallbepronouncingconfidentwordsonthelastday，whenheavensfall，andjusticeisdone——againheheardit，anditwascryingtohim，asiffromvery，veryfar——\"Allright。\" Hethoughthehadnotmanagedtomakehimselfunderstood。\"Ourboats——Isayboats——theboats，sir!Twogone!\" Thesamevoice，withinafootofhimandyetsoremote，yelledsensibly，\"Can\'tbehelped。\" CaptainMacWhirrhadneverturnedhisface，butJukescaughtsomemorewordsonthewind。 \"Whatcan——expect——whenhammeringthrough-such——Boundtoleave——somethingbehind——standstoreason。\" WatchfullyJukeslistenedformore。Nomorecame。ThiswasallCaptainMacWhirrhadtosay；andJukescouldpicturetohimselfratherthanseethebroadsquatbackbeforehim。Animpenetrableobscuritypresseddownupontheghostlyglimmersofthesea。A dullconvictionseizeduponJukesthattherewasnothingtobedone。 Ifthesteering-geardidnotgiveway，iftheimmensevolumesofwaterdidnotburstthedeckinorsmashoneofthehatches，iftheenginesdidnotgiveup，ifwaycouldbekeptontheshipagainstthisterrificwind，andshedidnotburyherselfinoneoftheseawfulseas，ofwhosewhitecrestsalone，toppinghighaboveherbows，hecouldnowandthengetasickeningglimpse—— thentherewasachanceofhercomingoutofit。Somethingwithinhimseemedtoturnover，bringinguppermostthefeelingthattheNan-Shanwaslost。 \"She\'sdonefor，\"hesaidtohimself，withasurprisingmentalagitation，asthoughhehaddiscoveredanunexpectedmeaninginthisthought。Oneofthesethingswasboundtohappen。Nothingcouldbepreventednow，andnothingcouldberemedied。Themenonboarddidnotcount，andtheshipcouldnotlast。Thisweatherwastooimpossible。 Jukesfeltanarmthrownheavilyoverhisshoulders；andtothisovertureherespondedwithgreatintelligencebycatchingholdofhiscaptainroundthewaist。 Theystoodclaspedthusintheblindnight，bracingeachotheragainstthewind，cheektocheekandliptoear，inthemanneroftwohulkslashedstemtosterntogether。 AndJukesheardthevoiceofhiscommanderhardlyanylouderthanbefore，butnearer，asthough，startingtomarchathwarttheprodigiousrushofthehurricane，ithadapproachedhim，bearingthatstrangeeffectofquietnesslikethesereneglowofahalo。 \"D\'yeknowwherethehandsgotto？\"itasked，vigorousandevanescentatthesametime，overcomingthestrengthofthewind，andsweptawayfromJukesinstantly。 Jukesdidn\'tknow。Theywereallonthebridgewhentherealforceofthehurricanestrucktheship。Hehadnoideawheretheyhadcrawledto。Underthecircumstancestheywerenowhere，foralltheusethatcouldbemadeofthem。SomehowtheCaptain\'swishtoknowdistressedJukes。 \"Wantthehands，sir？\"hecried，apprehensively。 \"Oughttoknow，\"assertedCaptainMacWhirr。\"Holdhard。\" Theyheldhard。Anoutburstofunchainedfury，aviciousrushofthewindabsolutelysteadiedtheship；sherockedonly，quickandlightlikeachild\'scradle，foraterrificmomentofsuspense，whilethewholeatmosphere，asitseemed，streamedfuriouslypasther，roaringawayfromthetenebrousearth。 Itsuffocatedthem，andwitheyesshuttheytightenedtheirgrasp。Whatfromthemagnitudeoftheshockmighthavebeenacolumnofwaterrunninguprightinthedark，buttedagainsttheship，brokeshort，andfellonherbridge，crushingly，fromonhigh，withadeadburyingweight。 Aflyingfragmentofthatcollapse，ameresplash，envelopedtheminoneswirlfromtheirfeetovertheirheads，fillingviolentlytheirears，mouthsandnostrilswithsaltwater。Itknockedouttheirlegs，wrenchedinhasteattheirarms，seethedawayswiftlyundertheirchins；andopeningtheireyes，theysawthepiled-upmassesoffoamdashingtoandfroamongstwhatlookedlikethefragmentsofaship。Shehadgivenwayasifdrivenstraightin。 Theirpantingheartsyielded，too，beforethetremendousblow； andallatonceshesprangupagaintoherdesperateplunging，asiftryingtoscrambleoutfromundertheruins。 Theseasinthedarkseemedtorushfromallsidestokeepherbackwhereshemightperish。Therewashateinthewayshewashandled，andaferocityintheblowsthatfell。Shewaslikealivingcreaturethrowntotherageofamob:hustledterribly，struckat，borneup，flungdown，leapedupon。CaptainMacWhirrandJukeskeptholdofeachother，deafenedbythenoise，gaggedbythewind；andthegreatphysicaltumultbeatingabouttheirbodies，brought，likeanunbridleddisplayofpassion，aprofoundtroubletotheirsouls。Oneofthosewildandappallingshrieksthatareheardattimespassingmysteriouslyoverheadinthesteadyroarofahurricane，swooped，asifborneonwings，upontheship，andJukestriedtooutscreamit。 \"Willshelivethroughthis？\" Thecrywaswrenchedoutofhisbreast。Itwasasunintentionalasthebirthofathoughtinthehead，andheheardnothingofithimself。Itallbecameextinctatonce——thought，intention，effort——andofhiscrytheinaudiblevibrationaddedtothetempestwavesoftheair。 Heexpectednothingfromit。Nothingatall。Forindeedwhatanswercouldbemade？Butafterawhileheheardwithamazementthefrailandresistingvoiceinhisear，thedwarfsound，unconqueredinthegianttumult。 \"Shemay!\" Itwasadullyell，moredifficulttoseizethanawhisper。Andpresentlythevoicereturnedagain，halfsubmergedinthevastcrashes，likeashipbattlingagainstthewavesofanocean。 \"Let\'shopeso!\"itcried——small，lonelyandunmoved，astrangertothevisionsofhopeorfear；anditflickeredintodisconnectedwords:\"Ship……This……Never——Anyhow……forthebest。\"Jukesgaveitup。 Then，asifithadcomesuddenlyupontheonethingfittowithstandthepowerofastorm，itseemedtogainforceandfirmnessforthelastbrokenshouts: \"Keeponhammering……builders……goodmen……Andchanceit……engines……Rout……goodman。\" CaptainMacWhirrremovedhisarmfromJukes\'shoulders，andtherebyceasedtoexistforhismate，sodarkitwas；Jukes，afteratensestiffeningofeverymuscle，wouldlethimselfgolimpallover。Thegnawingofprofounddiscomfortexistedsidebysidewithanincredibledispositiontosomnolence，asthoughhehadbeenbuffetedandworriedintodrowsiness。Thewindwouldgetholdofhisheadandtrytoshakeitoffhisshoulders；hisclothes，fullofwater，wereasheavyaslead，coldanddrippinglikeanarmourofmeltingice:heshivered——itlastedalongtime；andwithhishandsclosedhardonhishold，hewaslettinghimselfsinkslowlyintothedepthsofbodilymisery。Hismindbecameconcentrateduponhimselfinanaimless，idleway，andwhensomethingpushedlightlyatthebackofhiskneeshenearly，asthesayingis，jumpedoutofhisskin。 InthestartforwardhebumpedthebackofCaptainMacWhirr，whodidn\'tmove；andthenahandgrippedhisthigh。Alullhadcome，amenacinglullofthewind，theholdingofastormybreath—— andhefelthimselfpawedallover。Itwastheboatswain。Jukesrecognizedthesehands，sothickandenormousthattheyseemedtobelongtosomenewspeciesofman。 Theboatswainhadarrivedonthebridge，crawlingonallfoursagainstthewind，andhadfoundthechiefmate\'slegswiththetopofhishead。ImmediatelyhecrouchedandbegantoexploreJukes\'personupwardswithprudent，apologetictouches，asbecameaninferior。 Hewasanill-favoured，undersized，gruffsailoroffifty，coarselyhairy，short-legged，long-armed，resemblinganelderlyape。Hisstrengthwasimmense；andinhisgreatlumpypaws，bulginglikebrownboxingglovesontheendoffurryforearms，theheaviestobjectswerehandledlikeplaythings。Apartfromthegrizzledpeltonhischest，themenacingdemeanourandthehoarsevoice，hehadnoneoftheclassicalattributesofhisrating。 Hisgoodnaturealmostamountedtoimbecility:themendidwhattheylikedwithhim，andhehadnotanounceofinitiativeinhischaracter，whichwaseasy-goingandtalkative。ForthesereasonsJukesdislikedhim；butCaptainMacWhirr，toJukes\'scornfuldisgust，seemedtoregardhimasafirst-ratepettyofficer。 HepulledhimselfupbyJukes\'coat，takingthatlibertywiththegreatestmoderation，andonlysofarasitwasforceduponhimbythehurricane。 \"Whatisit，boss\'n，whatisit？\"yelledJukes，impatiently。 Whatcouldthatfraudofaboss\'nwantonthebridge？ThetyphoonhadgotonJukes\'nerves。Thehuskybellowingsoftheother，thoughunintelligible，seemedtosuggestastateoflivelysatisfaction。 Therecouldbenomistake。Theoldfoolwaspleasedwithsomething。 Theboatswain\'sotherhandhadfoundsomeotherbody，forinachangedtonehebegantoinquire:\"Isityou，sir？Isityou，sir？\"Thewindstrangledhishowls。 \"Yes!\"criedCaptainMacWhirr。 IV ALLthattheboatswain，outofasuperabundanceofyells，couldmakecleartoCaptainMacWhirrwasthebizarreintelligencethat\"AllthemChinameninthefore\'tweendeckhavefetchedaway，sir。\" Jukestoleewardcouldhearthesetwoshoutingwithinsixinchesofhisface，asyoumayhearonastillnighthalfamileawaytwomenconversingacrossafield。HeheardCaptainMacWhirr\'sexasperated\"What？What？\"andthestrainedpitchoftheother\'shoarseness。\"Inalump……seenthemmyself……Awfulsight，sir……thought……tellyou。\" Jukesremainedindifferent，asifrenderedirresponsiblebytheforceofthehurricane，whichmadetheverythoughtofactionutterlyvain。Besides，beingveryyoung，hehadfoundtheoccupationofkeepinghisheartcompletelysteeledagainsttheworstsoengrossingthathehadcometofeelanoverpoweringdisliketowardsanyotherformofactivitywhatever。Hewasnotscared；heknewthisbecause，firmlybelievinghewouldneverseeanothersunrise，heremainedcalminthatbelief。 Thesearethemomentsofdo-nothingheroicstowhichevengoodmensurrenderattimes。Manyofficersofshipscannodoubtrecallacaseintheirexperiencewhenjustsuchatranceofconfoundedstoicismwouldcomeallatonceoverawholeship\'scompany。Jukes，however，hadnowideexperienceofmenorstorms。 Heconceivedhimselftobecalm——inexorablycalm；butasamatteroffacthewasdaunted；notabjectly，butonlysofarasadecentmanmay，withoutbecomingloathsometohimself。 Itwasratherlikeaforced-onnumbnessofspirit。Thelong，longstressofagaledoesit；thesuspenseoftheinterminablyculminatingcatastrophe；andthereisabodilyfatigueinthemereholdingontoexistencewithintheexcessivetumult；asearchingandinsidiousfatiguethatpenetratesdeepintoaman\'sbreasttocastdownandsaddenhisheart，whichisincorrigible，andofallthegiftsoftheearth——evenbeforelifeitself-aspirestopeace。 Jukeswasbenumbedmuchmorethanhesupposed。Heheldon——verywet，verycold，stiffineverylimb；andinamomentaryhallucinationofswiftvisions(itissaidthatadrowningmanthusreviewsallhislife)hebeheldallsortsofmemoriesaltogetherunconnectedwithhispresentsituation。Herememberedhisfather，forinstance:aworthybusinessman，whoatanunfortunatecrisisinhisaffairswentquietlytobedanddiedforthwithinastateofresignation。Jukesdidnotrecallthesecircumstances，ofcourse，butremainingotherwiseunconcernedheseemedtoseedistinctlythepoorman\'sface；acertaingameofnapplayedwhenquiteaboyinTableBayonboardaship，sincelostwithallhands；thethickeyebrowsofhisfirstskipper；andwithoutanyemotion，ashemightyearsagohavewalkedlistlesslyintoherroomandfoundhersittingtherewithabook，herememberedhismother——dead，too，now——theresolutewoman，leftbadlyoff，whohadbeenveryfirminhisbringingup。 Itcouldnothavelastedmorethanasecond，perhapsnotsomuch。 Aheavyarmhadfallenabouthisshoulders；CaptainMacWhirr\'svoicewasspeakinghisnameintohisear。 \"Jukes!Jukes!\" Hedetectedthetoneofdeepconcern。Thewindhadthrownitsweightontheship，tryingtopinherdownamongsttheseas。 Theymadeacleanbreachoverher，asoveradeep-swimminglog； andthegatheredweightofcrashesmenacedmonstrouslyfromafar。 Thebreakersflungoutofthenightwithaghostlylightontheircrests——thelightofsea-foamthatinaferocious，boiling-uppaleflashshowedupontheslenderbodyoftheshipthetopplingrush，thedownfall，andtheseethingmadscurryofeachwave。 Neverforamomentcouldsheshakeherselfclearofthewater； Jukes，rigid，perceivedinhermotiontheominoussignofhaphazardfloundering。Shewasnolongerstrugglingintelligently。Itwasthebeginningoftheend；andthenoteofbusyconcerninCaptainMacWhirr\'svoicesickenedhimlikeanexhibitionofblindandperniciousfolly。 ThespellofthestormhadfallenuponJukes。Hewaspenetratedbyit，absorbedbyit；hewasrootedinitwitharigourofdumbattention。CaptainMacWhirrpersistedinhiscries，butthewindgotbetweenthemlikeasolidwedge。HehungroundJukes\'neckasheavyasamillstone，andsuddenlythesidesoftheirheadsknockedtogether。 \"Jukes!Mr。Jukes，Isay!\" Hehadtoanswerthatvoicethatwouldnotbesilenced。Heansweredinthecustomarymanner:\"……Yes，sir。\" Anddirectly，hisheart，corruptedbythestormthatbreedsacravingforpeace，rebelledagainstthetyrannyoftrainingandcommand。 CaptainMacWhirrhadhismate\'sheadfixedfirminthecrookofhiselbow，andpressedittohisyellinglipsmysteriously。 SometimesJukeswouldbreakin，admonishinghastily:\"Lookout，sir!\"orCaptainMacWhirrwouldbawlanearnestexhortationto\"Holdhard，there!\"andthewholeblackuniverseseemedtoreeltogetherwiththeship。Theypaused。Shefloatedyet。AndCaptainMacWhirrwouldr俿um？hisshouts。\"……Says…… wholelot……fetchedaway……Oughttosee……what\'sthematter。\" Directlythefullforceofthehurricanehadstrucktheship，everypartofherdeckbecameuntenable；andthesailors，dazedanddismayed，tookshelterintheportalleywayunderthebridge。 Ithadadooraft，whichtheyshut；itwasveryblack，cold，anddismal。Ateachheavyflingoftheshiptheywouldgroanalltogetherinthedark，andtonsofwatercouldbeheardscuttlingaboutasiftryingtogetatthemfromabove。Theboatswainhadbeenkeepingupagrufftalk，butamoreunreasonablelotofmen，hesaidafterwards，hehadneverbeenwith。Theyweresnugenoughthere，outofharm\'sway，andnotwantedtodoanything，either；andyettheydidnothingbutgrumbleandcomplainpeevishlylikesomanysickkids。Finally，oneofthemsaidthatiftherehadbeenatleastsomelighttoseeeachother\'snosesby，itwouldn\'tbesobad。Itwasmakinghimcrazy，hedeclared，toliethereinthedarkwaitingfortheblamedhookertosink。 \"Whydon\'tyoustepoutside，then，andbedonewithitatonce？\" theboatswainturnedonhim。 Thiscalledupashoutofexecration。Theboatswainfoundhimselfoverwhelmedwithreproachesofallsorts。Theyseemedtotakeitillthatalampwasnotinstantlycreatedforthemoutofnothing。Theywouldwhineafteralighttogetdrownedby—— anyhow!Andthoughtheunreasonoftheirrevilingswaspatent—— sincenoonecouldhopetoreachthelamp-room，whichwasforward——hebecamegreatlydistressed。Hedidnotthinkitwasdecentofthemtobenaggingathimlikethis。Hetoldthemso，andwasmetbygeneralcontumely。Hesoughtrefuge，therefore，inanembitteredsilence。Atthesametimetheirgrumblingandsighingandmutteringworriedhimgreatly，butby-and-byitoccurredtohimthatthereweresixglobelampshunginthe\'tween-deck，andthattherecouldbenoharmindeprivingthecooliesofoneofthem。