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。