第3章
TheNan-Shanhadanathwartshipcoal-bunker，which，beingattimesusedascargospace，communicatedbyanirondoorwiththefore"tween-deck。Itwasemptythen，anditsmanholewastheforemostoneinthealleyway。Theboatswaincouldgetin，therefore，withoutcomingoutondeckatall；buttohisgreatsurprisehefoundhecouldinducenoonetohelphimintakingoffthemanholecover。Hegropedforitallthesame，butoneofthecrewlyinginhiswayrefusedtobudge。
"Why，Ionlywanttogetyouthatblamedlightyouarecryingfor，"heexpostulated，almostpitifully。
Somebodytoldhimtogoandputhisheadinabag。Heregrettedhecouldnotrecognizethevoice，andthatitwastoodarktosee，otherwise，ashesaid，hewouldhaveputaheadonthatsonofasea-cook，anyway，sinkorswim。Nevertheless，hehadmadeuphismindtoshowthemhecouldgetalight，ifheweretodieforit。
Throughtheviolenceoftheship"srolling，everymovementwasdangerous。Tobelyingdownseemedlabourenough。Henearlybrokehisneckdroppingintothebunker。Hefellonhisback，andwassentshootinghelplesslyfromsidetosideinthedangerouscompanyofaheavyironbar——acoal-trimmer"ssliceprobably——leftdowntherebysomebody。Thisthingmadehimasnervousasthoughithadbeenawildbeast。Hecouldnotseeit，theinsideofthebunkercoatedwithcoal-dustbeingperfectlyandimpenetrablyblack；buthehearditslidingandclattering，andstrikinghereandthere，alwaysintheneighbourhoodofhishead。Itseemedtomakeanextraordinarynoise，too——togiveheavythumpsasthoughithadbeenasbigasabridgegirder。
Thiswasremarkableenoughforhimtonoticewhilehewasflungfromporttostarboardandbackagain，andclawingdesperatelythesmoothsidesofthebunkerintheendeavourtostophimself。
Thedoorintothe"tween-decknotfittingquitetrue，hesawathreadofdimlightatthebottom。
Beingasailor，andastillactiveman，hedidnotwantmuchofachancetoregainhisfeet；andasluckwouldhaveit，inscramblingupheputhishandontheironslice，pickingitupasherose。Otherwisehewouldhavebeenafraidofthethingbreakinghislegs，oratleastknockinghimdownagain。Atfirsthestoodstill。Hefeltunsafeinthisdarknessthatseemedtomaketheship"smotionunfamiliar，unforeseen，anddifficulttocounteract。Hefeltsomuchshakenforamomentthathedarednotmoveforfearof"takingchargeagain。"Hehadnomindtogetbatteredtopiecesinthatbunker。
Hehadstruckhisheadtwice；hewasdazedalittle。Heseemedtohearyetsoplainlytheclatterandbangsoftheironsliceflyingabouthisearsthathetightenedhisgriptoprovetohimselfhehadittheresafelyinhishand。Hewasvaguelyamazedattheplainnesswithwhichdowntherehecouldhearthegaleraging。Itshowlsandshrieksseemedtotakeon，intheemptinessofthebunker，somethingofthehumancharacter，ofhumanrageandpain——beingnotvastbutinfinitelypoignant。
Andtherewere，witheveryroll，thumps，too——profound，ponderousthumps，asifabulkyobjectoffive-tonweightorsohadgotplayinthehold。Buttherewasnosuchthinginthecargo。Somethingondeck？Impossible。Oralongside？Couldn"tbe。
Hethoughtallthisquickly，clearly，competently，likeaseaman，andintheendremainedpuzzled。Thisnoise，though，camedeadenedfromoutside，togetherwiththewashingandpouringofwaterondeckabovehishead。Wasitthewind？Mustbe。Itmadedowntherearowliketheshoutingofabiglotofcrazedmen。Andhediscoveredinhimselfadesireforalight，too-ifonlytogetdrownedby——andanervousanxietytogetoutofthatbunkerasquicklyaspossible。
Hepulledbackthebolt:theheavyironplateturnedonitshinges；anditwasasthoughhehadopenedthedoortothesoundsofthetempest。Agustofhoarseyellingmethim:theairwasstill；andtherushingofwateroverheadwascoveredbyatumultofstrangled，throatyshrieksthatproducedaneffectofdesperateconfusion。Hestraddledhislegsthewholewidthofthedoorwayandstretchedhisneck。Andatfirstheperceivedonlywhathehadcometoseek:sixsmallyellowflamesswingingviolentlyonthegreatbodyofthedusk。
Itwasstayedlikethegalleryofamine，witharowofstanchionsinthemiddle，andcross-beamsoverhead，penetratingintothegloomahead——indefinitely。Andtoportthereloomed，likethecavinginofoneofthesides，abulkymasswithaslantingoutline。Thewholeplace，withtheshadowsandtheshapes，movedallthetime。Theboatswainglared:theshiplurchedtostarboard，andagreathowlcamefromthatmassthathadtheslantoffallenearth。
Piecesofwoodwhizzedpast。Planks，hethought，inexpressiblystartled，andflingingbackhishead。Athisfeetamanwentslidingover，open-eyed，onhisback，strainingwithupliftedarmsfornothing:andanothercameboundinglikeadetachedstonewithhisheadbetweenhislegsandhishandsclenched。His58
pigtailwhippedintheair；hemadeagrabattheboatswain"slegs，andfromhisopenedhandabrightwhitediscrolledagainsttheboatswain"sfoot。Herecognizedasilverdollar，andyelledatitwithastonishment。Withaprecipitatedsoundoftramplingandshufflingofbarefeet，andwithgutturalcries，themoundofwrithingbodiespileduptoportdetacheditselffromtheship"ssideandsliding，inertandstruggling，shiftedtostarboard，withadull，brutalthump。Thecriesceased。Theboatswainheardalongmoanthroughtheroarandwhistlingofthewind；hesawaninextricableconfusionofheadsandshoulders，nakedsoleskickingupwards，fistsraised，tumblingbacks，legs，pigtails，faces。
"GoodLord!"hecried，horrified，andbanged-totheirondooruponthisvision。
Thiswaswhathehadcomeonthebridgetotell。Hecouldnotkeepittohimself；andonboardshipthereisonlyonemantowhomitisworthwhiletounburdenyourself。Onhispassagebackthehandsinthealleywaysworeathimforafool。Whydidn"thebringthatlamp？Whatthedevildidthecooliesmattertoanybody？Andwhenhecameout，theextremityoftheshipmadewhatwentoninsideofherappearoflittlemoment。
Atfirsthethoughthehadleftthealleywayintheverymomentofhersinking。Thebridgeladdershadbeenwashedaway，butanenormousseafillingtheafter-deckfloatedhimup。Afterthathehadtolieonhisstomachforsometime，holdingtoaring-bolt，gettinghisbreathnowandthen，andswallowingsaltwater。Hestruggledfartheronhishandsandknees，toofrightenedanddistractedtoturnback。Inthiswayhereachedtheafter-partofthewheelhouse。Inthatcomparativelyshelteredspothefoundthesecondmate。
Theboatswainwaspleasantlysurprised——hisimpressionbeingthateverybodyondeckmusthavebeenwashedawayalongtimeago。HeaskedeagerlywheretheCaptainwas。
Thesecondmatewaslyinglow，likeamalignantlittleanimalunderahedge。
"Captain？Goneoverboard，aftergettingusintothismess。"Themate，too，forallhekneworcared。Anotherfool。Didn"tmatter。Everybodywasgoingby-and-by。
Theboatswaincrawledoutagainintothestrengthofthewind；
notbecausehemuchexpectedtofindanybody，hesaid，butjusttogetawayfrom"thatman。"Hecrawledoutasoutcastsgotofaceaninclementworld。HencehisgreatjoyatfindingJukesandtheCaptain。Butwhatwasgoingoninthe"tween-deckwastohimaminormatterbythattime。Besides，itwasdifficulttomakeyourselfheard。ButhemanagedtoconveytheideathattheChinamanhadbrokenadrifttogetherwiththeirboxes，andthathehadcomeuponpurposetoreportthis。Astothehands，theywereallright。Then，appeased，hesubsidedonthedeckinasittingposture，huggingwithhisarmsandlegsthestandoftheengine-roomtelegraph——anironcastingasthickasapost。
Whenthatwent，why，heexpectedhewouldgo，too。Hegavenomorethoughttothecoolies。
CaptainMacWhirrhadmadeJukesunderstandthathewantedhimtogodownbelow——tosee。
"WhatamItodothen，sir？"AndthetremblingofhiswholewetbodycausedJukes"voicetosoundlikebleating。
"Seefirst……Boss"n……says……adrift。"
"Thatboss"nisaconfoundedfool，"howledJukes，shakily。
TheabsurdityofthedemandmadeuponhimrevoltedJukes。Hewasasunwillingtogoasifthemomenthehadleftthedecktheshipweresuretosink。
"Imustknow……can"tleave……"
"They"llsettle，sir。"
"Fight……boss"nsaystheyfight……Why？Can"thave……
fighting……boardship……Muchratherkeepyouhere……
case……Ishould……washedoverboardmyself……Stopit……someway。Youseeandtellme……throughengine-roomtube。Don"twantyou……comeuphere……toooften。
Dangerous……movingabout……deck。"
Jukes，heldwithhisheadinchancery，hadtolistentowhatseemedhorriblesuggestions。
"Don"twant……yougetlost……solong……shipisn"t……Rout……Goodman……Ship……may……throughthis……allrightyet。"
AllatonceJukesunderstoodhewouldhavetogo。
"Doyouthinkshemay？"hescreamed。
Butthewinddevouredthereply，outofwhichJukesheardonlytheoneword，pronouncedwithgreatenergy"……Always……"
CaptainMacWhirrreleasedJukes，andbendingovertheboatswain，yelled，"Getbackwiththemate。"Jukesonlyknewthatthearmwasgoneoffhisshoulders。Hewasdismissedwithhisorders——
todowhat？Hewasexasperatedintolettinggohisholdcarelessly，andontheinstantwasblownaway。Itseemedtohimthatnothingcouldstophimfrombeingblownrightoverthestern。Heflunghimselfdownhastily，andtheboatswain，whowasfollowing，fellonhim。
"Don"tyougetupyet，sir，"criedtheboatswain。"Nohurry!"
Aseasweptover。Jukesunderstoodtheboatswaintosplutterthatthebridgeladdersweregone。"I"llloweryoudown，sir，byyourhands，"hescreamed。Heshoutedalsosomethingaboutthesmoke-stackbeingaslikelytogooverboardasnot。Jukesthoughtitverypossible，andimaginedthefiresout，theshiphelpless……Theboatswainbyhissidekeptonyelling。
"What？Whatisit？"Jukescrieddistressfully；andtheotherrepeated，"Whatwouldmyoldwomansayifshesawmenow？"
Inthealleyway，wherealotofwaterhadgotinandsplashedinthedark，themenwerestillasdeath，tillJukesstumbledagainstoneofthemandcursedhimsavagelyforbeingintheway。
Twoorthreevoicesthenasked，eagerandweak，"Anychanceforus，sir？"
"What"sthematterwithyoufools？"hesaidbrutally。Hefeltasthoughhecouldthrowhimselfdownamongstthemandnevermoveanymore。Buttheyseemedcheered；andinthemidstofobsequiouswarnings，"Lookout!Mindthatmanholelid，sir，"
theyloweredhimintothebunker。Theboatswaintumbleddownafterhim，andassoonashehadpickedhimselfupheremarked，"Shewouldsay，"Serveyouright，youoldfool，forgoingtosea。""
Theboatswainhadsomemeans，andmadeapointofalludingtothemfrequently。Hiswife——afatwoman——andtwogrown-updaughterskeptagreengrocer"sshopintheEast-endofLondon。
Inthedark，Jukes，unsteadyonhislegs，listenedtoafaintthunderouspatter。Adeadenedscreamingwentonsteadilyathiselbow，asitwere；andfromabovetheloudertumultofthestormdescendeduponthesenearsounds。Hisheadswam。Tohim，too，inthatbunker，themotionoftheshipseemednovelandmenacing，sappinghisresolutionasthoughhehadneverbeenafloatbefore。
Hehadhalfamindtoscrambleoutagain；buttheremembranceofCaptainMacWhirr"svoicemadethisimpossible。Hisordersweretogoandsee。Whatwasthegoodofit，hewantedtoknow。
Enraged，hetoldhimselfhewouldsee——ofcourse。Buttheboatswain，staggeringclumsily，warnedhimtobecarefulhowheopenedthatdoor；therewasablamedfightgoingon。AndJukes，asifingreatbodilypain，desiredirritablytoknowwhatthedeviltheywerefightingfor。
"Dollars!Dollars，sir。Alltheirrottenchestsgotburstopen。
Blamedmoneyskippingallovertheplace，andtheyaretumblingafteritheadoverheels——tearingandbitinglikeanything。A
regularlittlehellinthere。"
Jukesconvulsivelyopenedthedoor。Theshortboatswainpeeredunderhisarm。
Oneofthelampshadgoneout，brokenperhaps。Rancorous，gutturalcriesburstoutloudlyontheirears，andastrangepantingsound，theworkingofallthesestrainingbreasts。A
hardblowhitthesideoftheship:waterfellabovewithastunningshock，andintheforefrontofthegloom，wheretheairwasreddishandthick，Jukessawaheadbangthedeckviolently，twothickcalveswavingonhigh，musculararmstwinedroundanakedbody，ayellow-face，open-mouthedandwithasetwildstare，lookupandslideaway。Anemptychestclatteredturningover；amanfellheadfirstwithajump，asifliftedbyakick；
andfartheroff，indistinct，othersstreamedlikeamassofrollingstonesdownabank，thumpingthedeckwiththeirfeetandflourishingtheirarmswildly。Thehatchwayladderwasloadedwithcooliesswarmingonitlikebeesonabranch。Theyhungonthestepsinacrawling，stirringcluster，beatingmadlywiththeirfiststheundersideofthebattenedhatch，andtheheadlongrushofthewaterabovewasheardintheintervalsoftheiryelling。Theshipheeledovermore，andtheybegantodropoff:
firstone，thentwo，thenalltherestwentawaytogether，fallingstraightoffwithagreatcry。
Jukeswasconfounded。Theboatswain，withgruffanxiety，beggedhim，"Don"tyougointhere，sir。"
Thewholeplaceseemedtotwistuponitself，jumpingincessantlythewhile；andwhentheshiprosetoaseaJukesfanciedthatallthesemenwouldbeshotuponhiminabody。Hebackedout，swungthedoorto，andwithtremblinghandspushedatthebolt……
AssoonashismatehadgoneCaptainMacWhirr，leftaloneonthebridge，sidledandstaggeredasfarasthewheelhouse。Itsdoorbeinghingedforward，hehadtofightthegaleforadmittance，andwhenatlasthemanagedtoenter，itwaswithaninstantaneousclatterandabang，asthoughhehadbeenfiredthroughthewood。Hestoodwithin，holdingontothehandle。
Thesteering-gearleakedsteam，andintheconfinedspacetheglassofthebinnaclemadeashinyovaloflightinathinwhitefog。Thewindhowled，hummed，whistled，withsuddenboomingguststhatrattledthedoorsandshuttersintheviciouspatterofsprays。Twocoilsoflead-lineandasmallcanvasbaghungonalonglanyard，swungwideoff，andcamebackclingingtothebulkheads。Thegratingsunderfootwerenearlyafloat；witheverysweepingblowofasea，watersquirtedviolentlythroughthecracksallroundthedoor，andthemanatthehelmhadflungdownhiscap，hiscoat，andstoodproppedagainstthegear-casinginastripedcottonshirtopenonhisbreast。Thelittlebrasswheelinhishandshadtheappearanceofabrightandfragiletoy。Thecordsofhisneckstoodhardandlean，adarkpatchlayinthehollowofhisthroat，andhisfacewasstillandsunkenasindeath。
CaptainMacWhirrwipedhiseyes。Theseathathadnearlytakenhimoverboardhad，tohisgreatannoyance，washedhissou"-westerhatoffhisbaldhead。Thefluffy，fairhair，soakedanddarkened，resembledameanskeinofcottonthreadsfestoonedroundhisbareskull。Hisface，glisteningwithsea-water，hadbeenmadecrimsonwiththewind，withthestingofsprays。Helookedasthoughhehadcomeoffsweatingfrombeforeafurnace。
"Youhere？"hemuttered，heavily。
Thesecondmatehadfoundhiswayintothewheelhousesometimebefore。Hehadfixedhimselfinacornerwithhiskneesup，afistpressedagainsteachtemple；andthisattitudesuggestedrage，sorrow，resignation，surrender，withasortofconcentratedunforgiveness。Hesaidmournfullyanddefiantly，"Well，it"smywatchbelownow:ain"tit？"
Thesteamgearclattered，stopped，clatteredagain；andthehelmsman"seyeballsseemedtoprojectoutofahungryfaceasifthecompasscardbehindthebinnacleglasshadbeenmeat。Godknowshowlonghehadbeenlefttheretosteer，asifforgottenbyallhisshipmates。Thebellshadnotbeenstruck；therehadbeennoreliefs；theship"sroutinehadgonedownwind；buthewastryingtokeepherheadnorth-north-east。Theruddermighthavebeengoneforallheknew，thefiresout，theenginesbrokendown，theshipreadytorolloverlikeacorpse。Hewasanxiousnottogetmuddledandlosecontrolofherhead，becausethecompass-cardswungfarbothways，wrigglingonthepivot，andsometimesseemedtowhirlrightround。Hesufferedfrommentalstress。Hewashorriblyafraid，also，ofthewheelhousegoing。
Mountainsofwaterkeptontumblingagainstit。Whentheshiptookoneofherdesperatedivesthecornersofhislipstwitched。
CaptainMacWhirrlookedupatthewheelhouseclock。Screwedtothebulk-head，ithadawhitefaceonwhichtheblackhandsappearedtostandquitestill。Itwashalf-pastoneinthemorning。
"Anotherday，"hemutteredtohimself。
Thesecondmateheardhim，andliftinghisheadasonegrievingamongstruins，"Youwon"tseeitbreak，"heexclaimed。Hiswristsandhiskneescouldbeseentoshakeviolently。"No，byGod!Youwon"t……"
Hetookhisfaceagainbetweenhisfists。
Thebodyofthehelmsmanhadmovedslightly，buthisheaddidn"tbudgeonhisneck，——likeastoneheadfixedtolookonewayfromacolumn。Duringarollthatallbuttookhisbootedlegsfromunderhim，andintheverystaggertosavehimself，CaptainMacWhirrsaidausterely，"Don"tyoupayanyattentiontowhatthatmansays。"Andthen，withanindefinablechangeoftone，verygrave，headded，"Heisn"tonduty。"
Thesailorsaidnothing。
Thehurricaneboomed，shakingthelittleplace，whichseemedair-tight；andthelightofthebinnacleflickeredallthetime。
"Youhaven"tbeenrelieved，"CaptainMacWhirrwenton，lookingdown。"Iwantyoutosticktothehelm，though，aslongasyoucan。You"vegotthehangofher。Anothermancomingheremightmakeamessofit。Wouldn"tdo。Nochild"splay。Andthehandsareprobablybusywithajobdownbelow……Thinkyoucan？"
Thesteering-gearleapedintoanabruptshortclatter，stoppedsmoulderinglikeanember；andthestillman，withamotionlessgaze，burstout，asifallthepassioninhimhadgoneintohislips:"ByHeavens，sir!Icansteerforeverifnobodytalkstome。"
"Oh!aye!Allright……"TheCaptainliftedhiseyesforthefirsttimetotheman，"……Hackett。"
Andheseemedtodismissthismatterfromhismind。Hestoopedtotheengine-roomspeaking-tube，blewin，andbenthishead。Mr。
Routbelowanswered，andatonceCaptainMacWhirrputhislipstothemouthpiece。
Withtheuproarofthegalearoundhimheappliedalternatelyhislipsandhisear，andtheengineer"svoicemountedtohim，harshandasifoutoftheheatofanengagement。Oneofthestokerswasdisabled，theothershadgivenin，thesecondengineerandthedonkey-manwerefiring-up。Thethirdengineerwasstandingbythesteam-valve。Theengineswerebeingtendedbyhand。Howwasitabove？
"Badenough。Itmostlyrestswithyou，"saidCaptainMacWhirr。
Wasthematedownthereyet？No？Well，hewouldbepresently。
WouldMr。Routlethimtalkthroughthespeaking-tube？——throughthedeckspeaking-tube，becausehe——theCaptain——wasgoingoutagainonthebridgedirectly。TherewassometroubleamongsttheChinamen。Theywerefighting，itseemed。Couldn"tallowfightinganyhow……
Mr。Routhadgoneaway，andCaptainMacWhirrcouldfeelagainsthisearthepulsationoftheengines，likethebeatoftheship"sheart。Mr。Rout"svoicedownthereshoutedsomethingdistantly。
Theshippitchedheadlong，thepulsationleapedwithahissingtumult，andstoppeddead。CaptainMacWhirr"sfacewasimpassive，andhiseyeswerefixedaimlesslyonthecrouchingshapeofthesecondmate。AgainMr。Rout"svoicecriedoutinthedepths，andthepulsatingbeatsrecommenced，withslowstrokes——growingswifter。
Mr。Routhadreturnedtothetube。"Itdon"tmattermuchwhattheydo，"hesaid，hastily；andthen，withirritation，"Shetakesthesedivesasifshenevermeanttocomeupagain。"
"Awfulsea，"saidtheCaptain"svoicefromabove。
"Don"tletmedriveherunder，"barkedSolomonRoutupthepipe。
"Darkandrain。Can"tseewhat"scoming，"utteredthevoice。
"Must——keep——her——moving——enoughtosteer——andchanceit，"itwentontostatedistinctly。
"IamdoingasmuchasIdare。"
"Weare——getting——smashedup——agooddealuphere，"
proceededthevoicemildly。"Doing——fairlywell——though。Ofcourse，ifthewheelhouseshouldgo……"
Mr。Rout，bendinganattentiveear，mutteredpeevishlysomethingunderhisbreath。
Butthedeliberatevoiceuptherebecameanimatedtoask:"Jukesturnedupyet？"Then，afterashortwait，"Iwishhewouldbearahand。Iwanthimtobedoneandcomeuphereincaseofanything。Tolookaftertheship。Iamallalone。Thesecondmate"slost……"
"What？"shoutedMr。Routintotheengine-room，takinghisheadaway。Thenupthetubehecried，"Goneoverboard？"andclappedhisearto。
"Losthisnerve，"thevoicefromabovecontinuedinamatter-of-facttone。"Damnedawkwardcircumstance。"
Mr。Rout，listeningwithbowedneck，openedhiseyeswideatthis。However，heheardsomethinglikethesoundsofascuffleandbrokenexclamationscomingdowntohim。Hestrainedhishearing；andallthetimeBeale，thethirdengineer，withhisarmsuplifted，heldbetweenthepalmsofhishandstherimofalittleblackwheelprojectingatthesideofabigcopperpipe。
Heseemedtobepoisingitabovehishead，asthoughitwereacorrectattitudeinsomesortofgame。
Tosteadyhimself，hepressedhisshoulderagainstthewhitebulkhead，onekneebent，andasweat-ragtuckedinhisbelthangingonhiship。Hissmoothcheekwasbegrimedandflushed，andthecoaldustonhiseyelids，liketheblackpencillingofamake-up，enhancedtheliquidbrillianceofthewhites，givingtohisyouthfulfacesomethingofafeminine，exoticandfascinatingaspect。Whentheshippitchedhewouldwithhastymovementsofhishandsscrewhardatthelittlewheel。
"Gonecrazy，"begantheCaptain"svoicesuddenlyinthetube。
"Rushedatme……Justnow。Hadtoknockhimdown……
Thisminute。Youheard，Mr。Rout？"
"Thedevil!"mutteredMr。Rout。"Lookout，Beale!"
Hisshoutrangoutliketheblastofawarningtrumpet，betweentheironwallsoftheengine-room。Paintedwhite，theyrosehighintotheduskoftheskylight，slopinglikearoof；andthewholeloftyspaceresembledtheinteriorofamonument，dividedbyfloorsofirongrating，withlightsflickeringatdifferentlevels，andamassofgloomlingeringinthemiddle，withinthecolumnarstirofmachineryunderthemotionlessswellingofthecylinders。Aloudandwildresonance，madeupofallthenoisesofthehurricane，dweltinthestillwarmthoftheair。Therewasinitthesmellofhotmetal，ofoil，andaslightmistofsteam。Theblowsoftheseaseemedtotraverseitinanunringing，stunningshock，fromsidetoside。
Gleams，likepalelongflames，trembleduponthepolishofmetal；
fromtheflooringbelowtheenormouscrank-headsemergedintheirturnswithaflashofbrassandsteel——goingover；whiletheconnecting-rods，big-jointed，likeskeletonlimbs，seemedtothrustthemdownandpullthemupagainwithanirresistibleprecision。Anddeepinthehalf-lightotherrodsdodgeddeliberatelytoandfro，crossheadsnodded，discsofmetalrubbedsmoothlyagainsteachother，slowandgentle，inacomminglingofshadowsandgleams。
Sometimesallthosepowerfulandunerringmovementswouldslowdownsimultaneously，asiftheyhadbeenthefunctionsofalivingorganism，strickensuddenlybytheblightoflanguor；andMr。Rout"seyeswouldblazedarkerinhislongsallowface。Hewasfightingthisfightinapairofcarpetslippers。Ashortshinyjacketbarelycoveredhisloins，andhiswhitewristsprotrudedfaroutofthetightsleeves，asthoughtheemergencyhadaddedtohisstature，hadlengthenedhislimbs，augmentedhispallor，hollowedhiseyes。
Hemoved，climbinghighup，disappearinglowdown，witharestless，purposefulindustry，andwhenhestoodstill，holdingtheguard-railinfrontofthestarting-gear，hewouldkeepglancingtotherightatthesteam-gauge，atthewater-gauge，fixeduponthewhitewallinthelightofaswayinglamp。Themouthsoftwospeakingtubesgapedstupidlyathiselbow，andthedialoftheengine-roomtelegraphresembledaclockoflargediameter，bearingonitsfacecurtwordsinsteadoffigures。Thegroupedlettersstoodoutheavilyblack，aroundthepivot-headoftheindicator，emphaticallysymbolicofloudexclamations:AHEAD，ASTERN，SLOW，Half，STANDBY；andthefatblackhandpointeddownwardstothewordFULL，which，thussingledout，capturedtheeyeasasharpcrysecuresattention。
Thewood-encasedbulkofthelow-pressurecylinder，frowningportlyfromabove，emittedafaintwheezeateverythrust，andexceptforthatlowhisstheenginesworkedtheirsteellimbsheadlongorslowwithasilent，determinedsmoothness。Andallthis，thewhitewalls，themovingsteel，thefloorplatesunderSolomonRout"sfeet，thefloorsofirongratingabovehishead，theduskandthegleams，uproseandsankcontinuously，withoneaccord，upontheharshwashofthewavesagainsttheship"sside。
Thewholeloftinessoftheplace，boominghollowtothegreatvoiceofthewind，swayedatthetoplikeatree，wouldgooverbodily，asifbornedownthiswayandthatbythetremendousblasts。
"You"vegottohurryup，"shoutedMr。Rout，assoonashesawJukesappearinthestokeholddoorway。
Jukes"glancewaswanderingandtipsy；hisredfacewaspuffy，asthoughhehadoverslepthimself。Hehadhadanarduousroad，andhadtravelledoveritwithimmensevivacity，theagitationofhismindcorrespondingtotheexertionsofhisbody。Hehadrushedupoutofthebunker，stumblinginthedarkalleywayamongstalotofbewilderedmenwho，trodupon，asked"What"sup，sir？"inawedmuttersallroundhim；——downthestokeholdladder，missingmanyironrungsinhishurry，downintoaplacedeepasawell，blackasTophet，tippingoverbackandforthlikeasee-saw。Thewaterinthebilgesthunderedateachroll，andlumpsofcoalskippedtoandfro，fromendtoend，rattlinglikeanavalancheofpebblesonaslopeofiron。
Somebodyintheremoanedwithpain，andsomebodyelsecouldbeseencrouchingoverwhatseemedthepronebodyofadeadman；alustyvoiceblasphemed；andtheglowundereachfire-doorwaslikeapoolofflamingbloodradiatingquietlyinavelvetyblackness。
AgustofwindstruckuponthenapeofJukes"neckandnextmomenthefeltitstreamingabouthiswetankles。Thestokeholdventilatorshummed:infrontofthesixfire-doorstwowildfigures，strippedtothewaist，staggeredandstooped，wrestlingwithtwoshovels。
"Hallo!Plentyofdraughtnow，"yelledthesecondengineeratonce，asthoughhehadbeenallthetimelookingoutforJukes。
Thedonkeyman，adapperlittlechapwithadazzlingfairskinandatiny，gingerymoustache，workedinasortofmutetransport。
Theywerekeepingafullheadofsteam，andaprofoundrumbling，asofanemptyfurniturevantrottingoverabridge，madeasustainedbasstoalltheothernoisesoftheplace。
"Blowingoffallthetime，"wentonyellingthesecond。Withasoundasofahundredscouredsaucepans，theorificeofaventilatorspatuponhisshoulderasuddengushofsaltwater，andhevolleyedastreamofcursesuponallthingsonearthincludinghisownsoul，rippingandraving，andallthetimeattendingtohisbusiness。Withasharpclashofmetaltheardentpaleglareofthefireopeneduponhisbullethead，showinghissplutteringlips，hisinsolentface，andwithanotherclangclosedlikethewhite-hotwinkofanironeye。
"Where"sthebloomingship？Canyoutellme？blastmyeyes!
Underwater——orwhat？It"scomingdownhereintons。ArethecondemnedcowlsgonetoHades？Hey？Don"tyouknowanything——
youjollysailor-manyou……？"
Jukes，afterabewilderedmoment，hadbeenhelpedbyarolltodartthrough；andassoonashiseyestookinthecomparativevastness，peaceandbrillianceoftheengine-room，theship，settinghersternheavilyinthewater，senthimchargingheaddownuponMr。Rout。
Thechief"sarm，longlikeatentacle，andstraighteningasifworkedbyaspring，wentouttomeethim，anddeflectedhisrushintoaspintowardsthespeaking-tubes。AtthesametimeMr。
Routrepeatedearnestly:
"You"vegottohurryup，whateveritis。"
Jukesyelled"Areyouthere，sir？"andlistened。Nothing。
Suddenlytheroarofthewindfellstraightintohisear，butpresentlyasmallvoiceshovedasidetheshoutinghurricanequietly。
"You，Jukes？——Well？"
Jukeswasreadytotalk:itwasonlytimethatseemedtobewanting。Itwaseasyenoughtoaccountforeverything。Hecouldperfectlyimaginethecooliesbatteneddowninthereeking"tween-deck，lyingsickandscaredbetweentherowsofchests。
Thenoneofthesechests——orperhapsseveralatonce——
breakinglooseinaroll，knockingoutothers，sidessplitting，lidsflyingopen，andalltheseclumsyChinamenrisingupinabodytosavetheirproperty。Afterwardseveryflingoftheshipwouldhurlthattramping，yellingmobhereandthere，fromsidetoside，inawhirlofsmashedwood，tornclothing，rollingdollars。Astruggleoncestarted，theywouldbeunabletostopthemselves。Nothingcouldstopthemnowexceptmainforce。Itwasadisaster。Hehadseenit，andthatwasallhecouldsay。
Someofthemmustbedead，hebelieved。Therestwouldgoonfighting……
Hesentuphiswords，trippingovereachother，crowdingthenarrowtube。Theymountedasifintoasilenceofanenlightenedcomprehensiondwellingaloneuptherewithastorm。AndJukeswantedtobedismissedfromthefaceofthatodioustroubleintrudingonthegreatneedoftheship。
V
HEWAITED。Beforehiseyestheenginesturnedwithslowlabour，thatinthemomentofgoingoffintoamadflingwouldstopdeadatMr。Rout"sshout，"Lookout，Beale!"Theypausedinanintelligentimmobility，stilledinmid-stroke，aheavycrankarrestedonthecant，asifconsciousofdangerandthepassageoftime。Then，witha"Now，then!"fromthechief，andthesoundofabreathexpelledthroughclenchedteeth，theywouldaccomplishtheinterruptedrevolutionandbeginanother。
Therewastheprudentsagacityofwisdomandthedeliberationofenormousstrengthintheirmovements。Thiswastheirwork——thispatientcoaxingofadistractedshipoverthefuryofthewavesandintotheveryeyeofthewind。AttimesMr。Rout"schinwouldsinkonhisbreast，andhewatchedthemwithknittedeyebrowsasiflostinthought。
ThevoicethatkeptthehurricaneoutofJukes"earbegan:"Takethehandswithyou……，"andleftoffunexpectedly。
"WhatcouldIdowiththem，sir？"
Aharsh，abrupt，imperiousclangexplodedsuddenly。ThethreepairsofeyesflewuptothetelegraphdialtoseethehandjumpfromFULLtoSTOP，asifsnatchedbyadevil。Andthenthesethreemenintheengineroomhadtheintimatesensationofacheckupontheship，ofastrangeshrinking，asifshehadgatheredherselfforadesperateleap。
"Stopher!"bellowedMr。Rout。
Nobody——notevenCaptainMacWhirr，whoaloneondeckhadcaughtsightofawhitelineoffoamcomingonatsuchaheightthathecouldn"tbelievehiseyes-nobodywastoknowthesteepnessofthatseaandtheawfuldepthofthehollowthehurricanehadscoopedoutbehindtherunningwallofwater。
Itracedtomeettheship，and，withapause，asofgirdingtheloins，theNan-Shanliftedherbowsandleaped。Theflamesinallthelampssank，darkeningtheengine-room。Onewentout。
Withatearingcrashandaswirling，ravingtumult，tonsofwaterfelluponthedeck，asthoughtheshiphaddartedunderthefootofacataract。
Downtheretheylookedateachother，stunned。
"Sweptfromendtoend，byGod!"bawledJukes。
Shedippedintothehollowstraightdown，asifgoingovertheedgeoftheworld。Theengine-roomtoppledforwardmenacingly，liketheinsideofatowernoddinginanearthquake。Anawfulracket，ofironthingsfalling，camefromthestokehold。ShehungonthisappallingslantlongenoughforBealetodroponhishandsandkneesandbegintocrawlasifhemeanttoflyonallfoursoutoftheengine-room，andforMr。Routtoturnhisheadslowly，rigid，cavernous，withthelowerjawdropping。Jukeshadshuthiseyes，andhisfaceinamomentbecamehopelesslyblankandgentle，likethefaceofablindman。
Atlastsheroseslowly，staggering，asifshehadtoliftamountainwithherbows。
Mr。Routshuthismouth；Jukesblinked；andlittleBealestooduphastily。
"Anotheronelikethis，andthat"sthelastofher，"criedthechief。
HeandJukeslookedateachother，andthesamethoughtcameintotheirheads。TheCaptain!Everythingmusthavebeensweptaway。
Steering-geargone——shiplikealog。Alloverdirectly。
"Rush!"ejaculatedMr。Routthickly，glaringwithenlarged，doubtfuleyesatJukes，whoansweredhimbyanirresoluteglance。
Theclangofthetelegraphgongsoothedtheminstantly。TheblackhanddroppedinaflashfromSTOPtoFULL。
"Nowthen，Beale!"criedMr。Rout。
Thesteamhissedlow。Thepiston-rodsslidinandout。Jukesputhiseartothetube。Thevoicewasreadyforhim。Itsaid:
"Pickupallthemoney。Bearahandnow。I"llwantyouuphere。"
Andthatwasall。
"Sir？"calledupJukes。Therewasnoanswer。
Hestaggeredawaylikeadefeatedmanfromthefieldofbattle。
Hehadgot，insomewayorother，acutabovehislefteyebrow——
acuttothebone。Hewasnotawareofitintheleast:
quantitiesoftheChinaSea，largeenoughtobreakhisneckforhim，hadgoneoverhishead，hadcleaned，washed，andsaltedthatwound。Itdidnotbleed，butonlygapedred；andthisgashovertheeye，hisdishevelledhair，thedisorderofhisclothes，gavehimtheaspectofamanworstedinafightwithfists。
"Gottopickupthedollars。"HeappealedtoMr。Rout，smilingpitifullyatrandom。
"What"sthat？"askedMr。Rout，wildly。"Pickup……？Idon"tcare……"Then，quiveringineverymuscle，butwithanexaggerationofpaternaltone，"Goawaynow，forGod"ssake。Youdeckpeople"lldrivemesilly。There"sthatsecondmatebeengoingfortheoldman。Don"tyouknow？Youfellowsaregoingwrongforwantofsomethingtodo……"
AtthesewordsJukesdiscoveredinhimselfthebeginningsofanger。Wantofsomethingtodo——indeed……Fullofhotscornagainstthechief，heturnedtogothewayhehadcome。Inthestokeholdtheplumpdonkeymantoiledwithhisshovelmutely，asifhistonguehadbeencutout；butthesecondwascarryingonlikeanoisy，undauntedmaniac，whohadpreservedhisskillintheartofstokingunderamarineboiler。
"Hallo，youwanderingofficer!Hey!Can"tyougetsomeofyourslush-slingerstowindupafewofthemashes？Iamgettingchokedwiththemhere。Curseit!Hallo!Hey!Rememberthearticles:Sailorsandfirementoassisteachother。Hey!D"yehear？"
Jukeswasclimbingoutfrantically，andtheother，liftinguphisfaceafterhim，howled，"Can"tyouspeak？Whatareyoupokingaboutherefor？What"syourgame，anyhow？"
AfrenzypossessedJukes。Bythetimehewasbackamongstthemeninthedarknessofthealleyway，hefeltreadytowringalltheirnecksattheslightestsignofhangingback。Theverythoughtofitexasperatedhim。Hecouldn"thangback。Theyshouldn"t。
Theimpetuositywithwhichhecameamongstthemcarriedthemalong。Theyhadalreadybeenexcitedandstartledatallhiscomingsandgoings——bythefiercenessandrapidityofhismovements；andmorefeltthanseeninhisrushes，heappearedformidable-busiedwithmattersoflifeanddeaththatbrookednodelay。Athisfirstwordheheardthemdropintothebunkeroneafteranotherobediently，withheavythumps。
Theywerenotclearastowhatwouldhavetobedone。"Whatisit？Whatisit？"theywereaskingeachother。Theboatswaintriedtoexplain；thesoundsofagreatscufflesurprisedthem:
andthemightyshocks，reverberatingawfullyintheblackbunker，kepttheminmindoftheirdanger。Whentheboatswainthrewopenthedooritseemedthataneddyofthehurricane，stealingthroughtheironsidesoftheship，hadsetallthesebodieswhirlinglikedust:therecametothemaconfuseduproar，atempestuoustumult，afiercemutter，gustsofscreamsdyingaway，andthetrampingoffeetminglingwiththeblowsofthesea。
Foramomenttheyglaredamazed，blockingthedoorway。Jukespushedthroughthembrutally。Hesaidnothing，andsimplydartedin。Anotherlotofcooliesontheladder，strugglingsuicidallytobreakthroughthebattenedhatchtoaswampeddeck，felloffasbefore，andhedisappearedunderthemlikeamanovertakenbyalandslide。
Theboatswainyelledexcitedly:"Comealong。Getthemateout。
He"llbetrampledtodeath。Comeon。"
Theychargedin，stampingonbreasts，onfingers，onfaces，catchingtheirfeetinheapsofclothing，kickingbrokenwood；
butbeforetheycouldgetholdofhimJukesemergedwaistdeepinamultitudeofclawinghands。Intheinstanthehadbeenlosttoview，allthebuttonsofhisjackethadgone，itsbackhadgotsplituptothecollar，hiswaistcoathadbeentornopen。ThecentralstrugglingmassofChinamenwentovertotheroll，dark，indistinct，helpless，withawildgleamofmanyeyesinthedimlightofthelamps。
"Leavemealone——damnyou。Iamallright，"screechedJukes。
"Drivethemforward。Watchyourchancewhenshepitches。
Forwardwith"em。Drivethemagainstthebulkhead。Jam"emup。"
Therushofthesailorsintotheseething"tween-deckwaslikeasplashofcoldwaterintoaboilingcauldron。Thecommotionsankforamoment。
ThebulkofChinamenwerelockedinsuchacompactscrimmagethat，linkingtheirarmsandaidedbyanappallingdiveoftheship，theseamensentitforwardinonegreatshove，likeasolidblock。Behindtheirbackssmallclustersandloosebodiestumbledfromsidetoside。
Theboatswainperformedprodigiousfeatsofstrength。Withhislongarmsopen，andeachgreatpawclutchingatastanchion，hestoppedtherushofsevenentwinedChinamenrollinglikeaboulder。Hisjointscracked；hesaid，"Ha!"andtheyflewapart。
Butthecarpentershowedthegreaterintelligence。Withoutsayingawordtoanybodyhewentbackintothealleyway，tofetchseveralcoilsofcargogearhehadseenthere——chainandrope。
Withtheselife-lineswererigged。
Therewasreallynoresistance。Thestruggle，howeveritbegan，hadturnedintoascrambleofblindpanic。Ifthecoolieshadstartedupaftertheirscattereddollarstheywerebythattimefightingonlyfortheirfooting。Theytookeachotherbythethroatmerelytosavethemselvesfrombeinghurledabout。
Whoevergotaholdanywherewouldkickattheotherswhocaughtathislegsandhungon，tillarollsentthemflyingtogetheracrossthedeck。
Thecomingofthewhitedevilswasaterror。Hadtheycometokill？Theindividualstornoutoftheruckbecameverylimpintheseamen"shands:some，draggedasidebytheheels，werepassive，likedeadbodies，withopen，fixedeyes。Hereandthereacooliewouldfallonhiskneesasifbeggingformercy；
several，whomtheexcessoffearmadeunruly，werehitwithhardfistsbetweentheeyes，andcowered；whilethosewhowerehurtsubmittedtoroughhandling，blinkingrapidlywithoutaplaint。
Facesstreamedwithblood；therewererawplacesontheshavenheads，scratches，bruises，tornwounds，gashes。Thebrokenporcelainoutofthechestswasmostlyresponsibleforthelatter。HereandthereaChinaman，wild-eyed，withhistailunplaited，nursedableedingsole。