English
(AstoldattheGoldenInn)
TheCapeofGoodHope,andallthewateryregionroundaboutthere,ismuchlikesomenotedfourcornersofagreathighway,whereyoumeetmoretravellersthaninanyotherpart.
ItwasnotverylongafterspeakingtheGoneythatanotherhomeward-boundwhaleman,theTown-Ho,*wasencountered.
ShewasmannedalmostwhollybyPolynesians.
IntheshortgamthatensuedshegaveusstrongnewsofMobyDick.
TosomethegeneralinterestintheWhiteWhalewasnowwildlyheightenedbyacircumstanceoftheTown-Ho’sstory,whichseemedobscurelytoinvolvewiththewhaleacertainwondrous,invertedvisitationofoneofthosesocalledjudgmentsofGodwhichattimesaresaidtoovertakesomemen.
Thislattercircumstance,withitsownparticularaccompaniments,formingwhatmaybecalledthesecretpartofthetragedyabouttobenarrated,neverreachedtheearsofCaptainAhaborhismates.
ForthatsecretpartofthestorywasunknowntothecaptainoftheTown-Hohimself.
Itwastheprivatepropertyofthreeconfederatewhiteseamenofthatship,oneofwhom,itseems,communicatedittoTashtegowithRomishinjunctionsofsecrecy,butthefollowingnightTashtegorambledinhissleep,andrevealedsomuchofitinthatway,thatwhenhewaswakenedhecouldnotwellwithholdtherest.
Nevertheless,sopotentaninfluencedidthisthinghaveonthoseseameninthePequodwhocametothefullknowledgeofit,andbysuchastrangedelicacy,tocallitso,weretheygovernedinthismatter,thattheykeptthesecretamongthemselvessothatitnevertranspiredabaftthePequod’smain-mast.
Interweavinginitsproperplacethisdarkerthreadwiththestoryaspubliclynarratedontheship,thewholeofthisstrangeaffairInowproceedtoputonlastingrecord.
*Theancientwhale-cryuponfirstsightingawhalefromthemast-head,stillusedbywhalemeninhuntingthefamousGallipagosterrapin.
Formyhumor’ssake,IshallpreservethestyleinwhichIoncenarrateditatLima,toaloungingcircleofmySpanishfriends,onesaint’seve,smokinguponthethick-gilttiledpiazzaoftheGoldenInn.
Ofthosefinecavaliers,theyoungDons,PedroandSebastian,wereontheclosertermswithme;andhencetheinterludingquestionstheyoccasionallyput,andwhicharedulyansweredatthetime.
“SometwoyearspriortomyfirstlearningtheeventswhichIamaboutrehearsingtoyou,gentlemen,theTown-Ho,SpermWhalerofNantucket,wascruisinginyourPacifichere,notverymanydays’saileastwardfromtheeavesofthisgoodGoldenInn.
ShewassomewheretothenorthwardoftheLine.
Onemorninguponhandlingthepumpsaccordingtodailyusage,itwasobservedthatshemademorewaterinherholdthancommon.
Theysupposedasword-fishhadstabbedher,gentlemen.
Butthecaptain,havingsomeunusualreasonforbelievingthatraregoodluckawaitedhiminthoselatitudes;andthereforebeingveryaversetoquitthem,andtheleaknotbeingthenconsideredatalldangerous,though,indeed,theycouldnotfinditaftersearchingtheholdaslowdownaswaspossibleinratherheavyweather,theshipstillcontinuedhercruisings,themarinersworkingatthepumpsatwideandeasyintervals;butnogoodluckcame;moredayswentbyandnotonlywastheleakyetundiscovered,butitsensiblyincreased.
Somuchso,thatnowtakingsomealarm,thecaptain,makingallsail,stoodawayforthenearestharboramongtheislands,theretohavehishullhoveoutandrepaired.
“Thoughnosmallpassagewasbeforeher,yet,ifthecommonestchancefavoured,hedidnotatallfearthathisshipwouldfounderbytheway,becausehispumpswereofthebest,andbeingperiodicallyrelievedatthem,thosesix-and-thirtymenofhiscouldeasilykeeptheshipfree;nevermindiftheleakshoulddoubleonher.
Intruth,wellnighthewholeofthispassagebeingattendedbyveryprosperousbreezes,theTown-Hohadallbutcertainlyarrivedinperfectsafetyatherportwithouttheoccurrenceoftheleastfatality,haditnotbeenforthebrutaloverbearingofRadney,themate,aVineyarder,andthebitterlyprovokedvengeanceofSteelkilt,aLakemananddesperadofromBuffalo.
”’Lakeman!-Buffalo!Pray,whatisaLakeman,andwhereisBuffalo?’saidDonSebastian,risinginhisswingingmatofgrass.
“OntheeasternshoreofourLakeErie,Don;but-Icraveyourcourtesy-maybe,youshallsoonhearfurtherofallthat.
Now,gentlemen,insquare-sailbrigsandthree-mastedships,wellnighaslargeandstoutasanythateversailedoutofyouroldCallaotofarManilla;thisLakeman,intheland-lockedheartofourAmerica,hadyetbeennurturedbyallthoseagrarianfreebootingimpressionspopularlyconnectedwiththeopenocean.
Forintheirinterflowingaggregate,thosegrandfresh-waterseasofours,-Erie,andOntario,andHuron,andSuperior,andMichigan,-possessanocean-likeexpansiveness,withmanyoftheocean’snoblesttraits;withmanyofitsrimmedvarietiesofracesandofclimes.
Theycontainroundarchipelagoesofromanticisles,evenasthePolynesianwatersdo;inlargepart,areshoredbytwogreatcontrastingnations,astheAtlanticis;theyfurnishlongmaritimeapproachestoournumerousterritorialcoloniesfromtheEast,dottedallroundtheirbanks;hereandtherearefrowneduponbybatteries,andbythegoat-likecraggygunsofloftyMackinaw;theyhaveheardthefleetthunderingsofnavalvictories;atintervals,theyyieldtheirbeachestowildbarbarians,whoseredpaintedfacesflashfromouttheirpeltrywigwams;forleaguesandleaguesareflankedbyancientandunenteredforests,wherethegauntpinesstandlikeserriedlinesofkingsinGothicgenealogies;thosesamewoodsharboringwildAfricbeastsofprey,andsilkencreatureswhoseexportedfursgiverobestoTartarEmperors;theymirrorthepavedcapitalsofBuffaloandCleveland,aswellasWinnebagovillages;theyfloatalikethefull-riggedmerchantship,thearmedcruiseroftheState,thesteamer,andthebeechcanoe;theyaresweptbyBoreananddismastingblastsasdirefulasanythatlashthesaltedwave;theyknowwhatshipwrecksare,foroutofsightofland,howeverinland,theyhavedrownedfullmanyamidnightshipwithallitsshriekingcrew.
Thus,gentlemen,thoughaninlander,Steelkiltwaswild-oceanborn,andwild-oceannurtured;asmuchofanaudaciousmarinerasany.
AndforRadney,thoughinhisinfancyhemayhavelaidhimdownontheloneNantucketbeach,tonurseathismaternalsea;thoughinafterlifehehadlongfollowedouraustereAtlanticandyourcontemplativePacific;yetwashequiteasvengefulandfullofsocialquarrelasthebackwoodsseaman,freshfromthelatitudesofbuckhornhandledBowie-knives.
YetwasthisNantucketeramanwithsomegood-heartedtraits;andthisLakeman,amariner,whothoughasortofdevilindeed,mightyetbyinflexiblefirmness,onlytemperedbythatcommondecencyofhumanrecognitionwhichisthemeanestslave’sright;thustreated,thisSteelkilthadlongbeenretainedharmlessanddocile.
Atallevents,hehadprovedsothusfar;butRadneywasdoomedandmademad,andSteelkilt-but,gentlemen,youshallhear.
“Itwasnotmorethanadayortwoatthefurthestafterpointingherprowforherislandhaven,thattheTown-Ho’sleakseemedagainincreasing,butonlysoastorequireanhourormoreatthepumpseveryday.
YoumustknowthatinasettledandcivilizedoceanlikeourAtlantic,forexample,someskippersthinklittleofpumpingtheirwholewayacrossit;thoughofastill,sleepynight,shouldtheofficerofthedeckhappentoforgethisdutyinthatrespect,theprobabilitywouldbethatheandhisshipmateswouldneveragainrememberit,onaccountofallhandsgentlysubsidingtothebottom.
Norinthesolitaryandsavageseasfarfromyoutothewestward,gentlemen,isitaltogetherunusualforshipstokeepclangingattheirpump-handlesinfullchorusevenforavoyageofconsiderablelength!
thatis,ifitliealongatolerablyaccessiblecoast,orifanyotherreasonableretreatisaffordedthem.
Itisonlywhenaleakyvesselisinsomeveryoutofthewaypartofthosewaters,somereallylandlesslatitude,thathercaptainbeginstofeelalittleanxious.
“MuchthiswayhaditbeenwiththeTown-Ho;sowhenherleakwasfoundgainingoncemore,therewasintruthsomesmallconcernmanifestedbyseveralofhercompany;especiallybyRadneythemate.
Hecommandedtheuppersailstobewellhoisted,sheetedhomeanew,andeverywayexpandedtothebreeze.
NowthisRadney,Isuppose,wasaslittleofacoward,andaslittleinclinedtoanysortofnervousapprehensivenesstouchinghisownpersonasanyfearless,unthinkingcreatureonlandoronseathatyoucanconvenientlygentlemen.
Thereforewhenhebetrayedthisimagine,solicitudeaboutthesafetyoftheship,someoftheseamendeclaredthatitwasonlyonaccountofhisbeingapartownerinher.
Sowhentheywereworkingthateveningatthepumps,therewasonthisheadnosmallgamesomenessslilygoingonamongthem,astheystoodwiththeirfeetcontinuallyoverflowedbytheripplingclearwater;clearasanymountainspring,gentlemen-thatbubblingfromthepumpsranacrossthedeck,andpoureditselfoutinsteadyspoutsattheleescupper-holes.
“Now,asyouwellknow,itisnotseldomthecaseinthisconventionalworldofours-wateryorotherwise;thatwhenapersonplacedincommandoverhisfellow-menfindsoneofthemtobeverysignificantlyhissuperioringeneralprideofmanhood,straightwayagainstthatmanheconceivesanunconquerabledislikeandbitterness;andifhehadachancehewillpulldownandpulverizethatsubaltern’stower,andmakealittleheapofdustofit.
Bethisconceitofmineasitmay,gentlemen,atalleventsSteelkiltwasatallandnobleanimalwithaheadlikeaRoman,andaflowinggoldenbeardlikethetasseledhousingsofyourlastviceroy’ssnortingcharger;andabrain,andaheart,andasoulinhim,gentlemen,whichhadmadeSteelkiltCharlemagne,hadhebeenbornsontoCharlemagne’sfather.
ButRadney,themate,wasuglyasamule;yetashardy,asstubborn,asmalicious.
HedidnotloveSteelkilt,andSteelkiltknewit.
“Espyingthematedrawingnearashewastoilingatthepumpwiththerest,theLakemanaffectednottonoticehim,butunawed,wentonwithhisgaybanterings.
”’Aye,aye,mymerrylads,it’salivelyleakthis;holdacannikin,oneofye,andlet’shaveataste.BytheLord,it’sworthbottling!
Itellyewhat,men,oldRad’sinvestmentmustgoforit!
hehadbestcutawayhispartofthehullandtowithome.
Thefactis,boys,thatsword-fishonlybeganthejob;he’scomebackagainwithagangofship-carpenters,saw-fish,andfile-fish,andwhatnot;andthewholeposseof‘emarenowhardatworkcuttingandslashingatthebottom;makingimprovements,Isuppose.
IfoldRadwereherenow,I’dtellhimtojumpoverboardandscatterThey’replayingthedevilwithhisestate,Icantellhim.
Buthe’sasimpleoldsoul,-Rad,andabeautytoo.
Boys,theysaytherestofhispropertyisinvestedinlooking-glasses.
Iwonderifhe’dgiveapoordevillikemethemodelofhisnose.’
”’Damnyoureyes!what’sthatpumpstoppingfor?’roaredRadney,pretendingnottohaveheardthesailors’talk.‘Thunderawayatit!’
‘Aye,aye,sir,’saidSteelkilt,merryasacricket.‘Lively,boys,lively,now!’
Andwiththatthepumpclangedlikefiftyfire-engines;thementossedtheirhatsofftoit,anderelongthatpeculiargaspingofthelungswasheardwhichdenotesthefullesttensionoflife’sutmostenergies.
“Quittingthepumpatlast,withtherestofhisband,theLakemanwentforwardallpanting,andsathimselfdownonthewindlass;hisfacefieryred,hiseyesbloodshot,andwipingtheprofusesweatfromhisbrow.
Nowwhatcozeningfienditwas,gentlemen,thatpossessedRadneytomeddlewithsuchamaninthatcorporeallyexasperatedstate,Iknownot;butsoithappened.
Intolerablystridingalongthedeck,thematecommandedhimtogetabroomandsweepdowntheplanks,andalsoashovel,andremovesomeoffensivemattersconsequentuponallowingapigtorunatlarge.
“Now,gentlemen,sweepingaship’sdeckatseaisapieceofhouseholdworkwhichinalltimesbutraginggalesisregularlyattendedtoeveryevening;ithasbeenknowntobedoneinthecaseofshipsactuallyfounderingatthetime.
Such,gentlemen,istheinflexibilityofsea-usagesandtheinstinctiveloveofneatnessinseamen;someofwhomwouldnotwillinglydrownwithoutfirstwashingtheirfaces.
Butinallvesselsthisbroombusinessistheprescriptiveprovinceoftheboys,ifboystherebeaboard.
Besides,itwasthestrongermenintheTown-Hothathadbeendividedintogangs,takingturnsatthepumps;andbeingthemostathleticseamanofthemall,Steelkilthadbeenregularlyassignedcaptainofoneofthegangs;consequentlyheshouldhavebeenfreedfromanytrivialbusinessnotconnectedwithtrulynauticalduties,suchbeingthecasewithhiscomrades.
Imentionalltheseparticularssothatyoumayunderstandexactlyhowthisaffairstoodbetweenthetwomen.
“Buttherewasmorethanthis:theorderabouttheshovelwasalmostasplainlymeanttostingandinsultSteelkilt,asthoughRadneyhadspatinhisface.
Anymanwhohasgonesailorinawhale-shipwillunderstandthis;andallthisanddoubtlessmuchmore,theLakemanfullycomprehendedwhenthemateutteredhiscommand.
Butashesatstillforamoment,andashesteadfastlylookedintothemate’smalignanteyeandperceivedthestacksofpowder-casksheapedupinhimandtheslow-matchsilentlyburningalongtowardsthem;asheinstinctivelysawallthis,thatstrangeforbearanceandunwillingnesstostirupthedeeperpassionatenessinanyalreadyirefulbeing-arepugnancemostfelt,whenfeltatall,byreallyvaliantmenevenwhenaggrieved-thisnamelessphantomfeeling,gentlemen,stoleoverSteelkilt.
“Therefore,inhisordinarytone,onlyalittlebrokenbythebodilyexhaustionhewastemporarilyin,heansweredhimsayingthatsweepingthedeckwasnothisbusiness,andhewouldnotdoit.
Andthen,withoutatallalludingtotheshovel,hepointedtothreelads,asthecustomarysweepers;who,notbeingbilletedatthepumps,haddonelittleornothingallday.
Tothis,Radneyreplied,withanoath,inamostdomineeringandoutrageousmannerunconditionallyreiteratinghiscommand;meanwhileadvancinguponthestillseatedLakeman,withanunliftedcooper’sclubhammerwhichhehadsnatchedfromacasknearby.
“Heatedandirritatedashewasbyhisspasmodictoilatthepumps,forallhisfirstnamelessfeelingofforbearancethesweatingSteelkiltcouldbutillbrookthisbearinginthemate;butsomehowstillsmotheringtheconflagrationwithinhim,withoutspeakingheremaineddoggedlyrootedtohisseat,tillatlasttheincensedRadneyshookthehammerwithinafewinchesofhisface,furiouslycommandinghimtodohisbidding.
“Steelkiltrose,andslowlyretreatingroundthewindless,steadilyfollowedbythematewithhismenacinghammer,deliberatelyrepeatedhisintentionnottoobey.
Seeing,however,thathisforbearancehadnottheslightesteffect,byanawfulandunspeakableintimationwithhistwistedhandhewarnedoffthefoolishandinfatuatedman;butitwastonopurpose.
Andinthiswaythetwowentonceslowlyroundthewindlass;when,resolvedatlastnolongertoretreat,bethinkinghimthathehadnowforborneasmuchascomportedwithhishumor,theLakemanpausedonthehatchesandthusspoketotheofficer:
”’Mr.Radney,Iwillnotobeyyou.Takethathammeraway,orlooktoyourself.’
Butthepredestinatedmatecomingstillclosertohim,wheretheLakemanstoodfixed,nowshooktheheavyhammerwithinaninchofhisteeth;meanwhilerepeatingastringofinsufferablemaledictions.
Retreatingnotthethousandthpartofaninch;stabbinghimintheeyewiththeunflinchingponiardofhisglance,Steelkilt,clenchinghisrighthandbehindhimandcreepinglydrawingitback,toldhispersecutorthatifthehammerbutgrazedhischeekhe(Steelkilt)wouldmurderhim.
But,gentlemen,thefoolhadbeenbrandedfortheslaughterbythegods.
Immediatelythehammertouchedthecheek;thenextinstantthelowerjawofthematewasstoveinhishead;hefellonthehatchspoutingbloodlikeawhale.
“ErethecrycouldgoaftSteelkiltwasshakingoneofthebackstaysleadingfaralofttowheretwoofhiscomradeswerestandingtheirmastheads.TheywerebothCanallers.
”’Canallers!’criedDonPedro.‘Wehaveseenmanywhaleshipsinourharbors,butneverheardofyourCanallers.Pardon:whoandwhatarethey?’
”’Canallers,Don,aretheboatmenbelongingtoourgrandErieCanal.Youmusthaveheardofit.’
”’Nay,Senor;hereaboutsinthisdull,warm,mostlazy,andhereditaryland,weknowbutlittleofyourvigorousNorth.’
”’Aye?Wellthen,Don,refillmycup.Yourchicha’sveryfine;andereproceedingfurtherIwilltellyewhatourCanallersare;forsuchinformationmaythrowside-lightuponmystory.’
“Forthreehundredandsixtymiles,gentlemen,throughtheentirebreadthofthestateofNewYork;throughnumerouspopulouscitiesandmostthrivingvillages;throughlong,dismal,uninhabitedswamps,andaffluent,cultivatedfields,unrivalledforfertility;bybilliard-roomandbar-room;throughtheholy-of-holiesofgreatforests;onRomanarchesoverIndianrivers;throughsunandshade;byhappyheartsorbroken;throughallthewidecontrastingsceneryofthosenobleMohawkcounties;especially,byrowsofsnow-whitechapels,whosespiresstandalmostlikemilestones,flowsonecontinualstreamofVenetianlycorruptandoftenlawlesslife.
There’syourtrueAshantee,gentlemen;therehowlyourpagans;whereyoueverfindthem,nextdoortoyou;underthelong-flungshadow,andthesnugpatronizingleeofchurches.
Forbysomecuriousfatality,asitisoftennotedofyourmetropolitanfreebootersthattheyeverencamparoundthehallsofjustice,sosinners,gentlemen,mostaboundinholiestvicinities.
”’Isthatafairpassing?’saidDonPedro,lookingdownwardsintothecrowdedplazza,withhumorousconcern.
”’Wellforournorthernfriend,DameIsabella’sInquisitionwanesinLima,’laughedDonSebastian.‘Proceed,Senor.’
”’Amoment!Pardon!’criedanotherofthecompany.
‘InthenameofallusLimeese,Ibutdesiretoexpresstoyou,sirsailor,thatwehavebynomeansoverlookedyourdelicacyinnotsubstitutingpresentLimafordistantVeniceinyourcorruptcomparison.Oh!
donotbowandlooksurprised:youknowtheproverballalongthiscoast-“CorruptasLima.”
Itbutbearsoutyoursaying,too;churchesmoreplentifulthanbilliard-tables,andforeveropen-and“CorruptasLima.”
So,too,Venice;Ihavebeenthere;theholycityoftheblessedevangelist,St.Mark!-St.Dominic,purgeit!Yourcup!
Thanks:hereIrefill;now,youpouroutagain.’
“Freelydepictedinhisownvocation,gentlemen,theCanallerwouldmakeafinedramatichero,soabundantlyandpicturesquelywickedheis.
LikeMarkAntony,fordaysanddaysalonghisgreen-turfed,floweryNile,heindolentlyfloats,openlytoyingwithhisred-cheekedCleopatra,ripeninghisapricotthighuponthesunnydeck.
Butashore,allthiseffeminacyisdashed.
ThebrigandishguisewhichtheCanallersoproudlysports;hisslouchedandgaily-ribbonedhatbetokenhisgrandfeatures.
Aterrortothesmilinginnocenceofthevillagesthroughwhichhefloats;hisswartvisageandboldswaggerarenotunshunnedincities.
Onceavagabondonhisowncanal,IhavereceivedgoodturnsfromoneoftheseCanallers;Ithankhimheartily;wouldfainbenotungrateful;butitisoftenoneoftheprimeredeemingqualitiesofyourmanofviolence,thatattimeshehasasstiffanarmtobackapoorstrangerinastrait,astoplunderawealthyone.
Insum,gentlemen,whatthewildnessofthiscanallifeis,isemphaticallyevincedbythis;thatourwildwhale-fisherycontainssomanyofitsmostfinishedgraduates,andthatscarceanyraceofmankind,exceptSydneymen,aresomuchdistrustedbyourwhalingcaptains.
Nordoesitatalldiminishthecuriousnessofthismatter,thattomanythousandsofourruralboysandyoungmenbornalongitsline,theprobationarylifeoftheGrandCanalfurnishesthesoletransitionbetweenquietlyreapinginaChristiancorn-field,andrecklesslyploughingthewatersofthemostbarbaricseas.
”’Isee!Isee!’
impetuouslyexclaimedDonPedro,spillinghischichauponhissilveryruffles.‘Noneedtotravel!Theworld’soneLima.
Ihadthought,now,thatatyourtemperateNorththegenerationswerecoldandholyasthehills.-Butthestory.’
“Ihadleftoff,gentlemen,wheretheLakemanshookthebackstay.
Hardlyhadhedoneso,whenhewassurroundedbythethreejuniormatesandthefourharpooneers,whoallcrowdedhimtothedeck.
Butslidingdowntheropeslikebalefulcomets,thetwoCanallersrushedintotheuproar,andsoughttodragtheirmanoutofittowardstheforecastle.
Othersofthesailorsjoinedwiththeminthisattempt,andatwistedturmoilensued;whilestandingoutofharm’sway,thevaliantcaptaindancedupanddownwithawhale-pike,callinguponhisofficerstomanhandlethatatrociousscoundrel,andsmokehimalongtothequarter-deck.
Atintervals,herancloseuptotherevolvingborderoftheconfusion,andpryingintotheheartofitwithhispike,soughttoprickouttheobjectofhisresentment.
ButSteelkiltandhisdesperadoesweretoomuchforthemall;theysucceededingainingtheforecastledeck,where,hastilyslewingaboutthreeorfourlargecasksinalinewiththewindlass,thesesea-Parisiansentrenchedthemselvesbehindthebarricade.
”’Comeoutofthat,yepirates!’roaredthecaptain,nowmenacingthemwithapistolineachhand,justbroughttohimbythesteward.‘Comeoutofthat,yecut-throats!’
“Steelkiltleapedonthebarricade,andstridingupanddownthere,defiedtheworstthepistolscoulddo;butgavethecaptaintounderstanddistinctly,thathis(Steelkilt’s)deathwouldbethesignalforamurderousmutinyonthepartofallhands.
Fearinginhisheartlestthismightprovebuttootrue,thecaptainalittledesisted,butstillcommandedtheinsurgentsinstantlytoreturntotheirduty.
”’Willyoupromisenottotouchus,ifwedo?’demandedtheirringleader.
”’Turnto!turnto!-Imakenopromise;toyourduty!Doyouwanttosinktheship,byknockingoffatatimelikethis?Turnto!’andheoncemoreraisedapistol.
”’Sinktheship?’criedSteelkilt.‘Aye,lethersink.
Notamanofusturnsto,unlessyouswearnottoraisearope-yarnagainstus.Whatsayye,men?’turningtohiscomrades.Afiercecheerwastheirresponse.
“TheLakemannowpatrolledthebarricade,allthewhilekeepinghiseyeontheCaptain,andjerkingoutsuchsentencesasthese:-‘It’snotourfault;wedidn’twantit;Itoldhimtotakehishammeraway;itwasboy’sbusiness;hemighthaveknownmebeforethis;Itoldhimnottoprickthebuffalo;IbelieveIhavebrokenafingerhereagainsthiscursedjaw;ain’tthosemincingknivesdownintheforecastlethere,men?
looktothosehandspikes,myhearties.
Captain,byGod,looktoyourself;saytheword;don’tbeafool;forgetitall;wearereadytoturnto;treatusdecently,andwe’reyourmen;butwewon’tbeflogged.’
”’Turnto!Imakenopromises,turnto,Isay!’
”’Lookye,now,’criedtheLakeman,flingingouthisarmtowardshim,‘thereareafewofushere(andIamoneofthem)whohaveshippedforthecruise,d’yesee;nowasyouwellknow,sir,wecanclaimourdischargeassoonastheanchorisdown;sowedon’twantarow;it’snotourinterest;wewanttobepeaceable;wearereadytowork,butwewon’tbeflogged.’
”’Turnto!’roaredtheCaptain.
“Steelkiltglancedroundhimamoment,andthensaid:-‘Itellyouwhatitisnow,Captain,ratherthankillye,andbehungforsuchashabbyrascal,wewon’tliftahandagainstyeunlessyeattackus;buttillyousaythewordaboutnotfloggingus,wedon’tdoahand’sturn.’
”’Downintotheforecastlethen,downwithye,I’llkeepyetheretillye’resickofit.Downyego.’
”’Shallwe?’criedtheringleadertohismen.
Mostofthemwereagainstit;butatlength,inobediencetoSteelkilt,theyprecededhimdownintotheirdarkden,growlinglydisappearing,likebearsintoacave.
“AstheLakeman’sbareheadwasjustlevelwiththeplanks,theCaptainandhisposseleapedthebarricade,andrapidlydrawingovertheslideofthescuttle,plantedtheirgroupofhandsuponit,andloudlycalledforthestewardtobringtheheavybrasspadlockbelongingtothecompanionway.
Thenopeningtheslidealittle,theCaptainwhisperedsomethingdownthecrack,closedit,andturnedthekeyuponthem-teninnumber-leavingondecksometwentyormore,whothusfarhadremainedneutral.
“Allnightawide-awakewatchwaskeptbyalltheofficers,forwardandaft,especiallyabouttheforecastlescuttleandforehatchway;atwhichlastplaceitwasfearedtheinsurgentsmightemerge,afterbreakingthroughthebulkheadbelow.
Butthehoursofdarknesspassedinpeace;themenwhostillremainedattheirdutytoilinghardatthepumps,whoseclinkingandclankingatintervalsthroughthedrearynightdismallyresoundedthroughtheship.
“AtsunrisetheCaptainwentforward,andknockingonthedeck,summonedtheprisonerstowork;butwithayelltheyrefused.
Waterwasthenlowereddowntothem,andacoupleofhandfulsofbiscuitweretossedafterit;whenagainturningthekeyuponthemandpocketingit,theCaptainreturnedtothequarter-deck.
Twiceeverydayforthreedaysthiswasrepeated;butonthefourthmorningaconfusedwrangling,andthenascufflingwasheard,asthecustomarysummonswasdelivered;andsuddenlyfourmenburstupfromtheforecastle,sayingtheywerereadytoturnto.
Thefetidclosenessoftheair,andafamishingdiet,unitedperhapstosomefearsofultimateretribution,hadconstrainedthemtosurrenderatdiscretion.
Emboldenedbythis,theCaptainreiteratedhisdemandtotherest,butSteelkiltshouteduptohimaterrifichinttostophisbabblingandbetakehimselfwherehebelonged.
Onthefifthmorningthreeothersofthemutineersboltedupintotheairfromthedesperatearmsbelowthatsoughttorestrainthem.Onlythreewereleft.
”’Betterturnto,now?’saidtheCaptainwithaheartlessjeer.
”’Shutusupagain,willye!’criedSteelkilt.
”’Ohcertainly,’theCaptain,andthekeyclicked.
“Itwasatthispoint,gentlemen,thatenragedbythedefectionofsevenofhisformerassociates,andstungbythemockingvoicethathadlasthailedhim,andmaddenedbyhislongentombmentinaplaceasblackasthebowelsofdespair;itwasthenthatSteelkiltproposedtothetwoCanallers,thusfarapparentlyofmindwithhim,toburstoutoftheirholeatthenextsummoningofthegarrison;andarmedwiththeirkeenmincingknives(long,crescentic,heavyimplementswithahandleateachend)runamuckfromthebowsprittothetaffrail;andifbyanydevilishnessofdesperationpossible,seizetheship.
Forhimself,hewoulddothis,hesaid,whethertheyjoinedhimornot.
Thatwasthelastnightheshouldspendinthatden.
Buttheschememetwithnooppositiononthepartoftheothertwo;theysworetheywerereadyforthat,orforanyothermadthing,foranythinginshortbutasurrender.
Andwhatwasmore,theyeachinsisteduponbeingthefirstmanondeck,whenthetimetomaketherushshouldcome.
Buttothistheirleaderasfiercelyobjected,reservingthatpriorityforhimself;particularlyashistwocomradeswouldnotyield,theonetotheother,inthematter;andbothofthemcouldnotbefirst,fortheladderwouldbutadmitonemanatatime.
Andhere,gentlemen,thefoulplayofthesemiscreantsmustcomeout.
“Uponhearingthefranticprojectoftheirleader,eachinhisownseparatesoulhadsuddenlylighted,itwouldseem,uponthesamepieceoftreachery,namely:tobetheforemostinbreakingout,inordertobethefirstofthethree,thoughthelastoftheten,tosurrender;andtherebysecurewhateversmallchanceofpardonsuchconductmightmerit.
ButwhenSteelkiltmadeknownhisdeterminationstilltoleadthemtothelast,theyinsomeway,bysomesubtlechemistryofvillany,mixedtheirbeforesecrettreacheriestogether;andwhentheirleaderfellintoadoze,verballyopenedtheirsoulstoeachotherinthreesentences;andboundthesleeperwithcords,andgaggedhimwithcords;andshriekedoutfortheCaptainatmidnight.
“Thinkingmurderathand,andsmellinginthedarkfortheblood,heandallhisarmedmatesandharpooneersrushedfortheforecastle.
Inafewminutesthescuttlewasopened,and,boundhandandfoot,thestillstrugglingringleaderwasshovedupintotheairbyhisperfidiousallies,whoatonceclaimedthehonorofsecuringamanwhohadbeenfullyripeformurder.
Butallthesewerecollared,anddraggedalongthedecklikedeadcattle;and,sidebyside,wereseizedupintothemizzenrigging,likethreequartersofmeat,andtheretheyhungtillmorning.
‘Damnye,’criedtheCaptain,pacingtoandfrobeforethem,‘thevultureswouldnottouchye,yevillains!’
“Atsunrisehesummonedallhands;andseparatingthosewhohadrebelledfromthosewhohadtakennopartinthemutiny,hetoldtheformerhehadagoodmindtoflogthemallround-thought,uponthewhile,hewoulddoso-heoughtto-justicedemandedit;butforthepresent,consideringtheirtimelysurrender,hewouldletthemgowithareprimand,whichheaccordinglyadministeredinthevernacular.
”’Butasforyou,yecarrionrogues,’turningtothethreemenintherigging-‘foryou,Imeantominceyeupforthetry-pots;’and,seizingarope,heapplieditwithallhismighttothebacksofthetwotraitors,tilltheyyellednomore,butlifelesslyhungtheirheadssideways,asthetwocrucifiedthievesaredrawn.
”’Mywristissprainedwithye!’hecried,atlast;‘butthereisstillropeenoughleftforyou,myfinebantam,thatwouldn’tgiveup.
Takethatgagfromhismouth,andletushearwhathecansayforhimself.’
“Foramomenttheexhaustedmutineermadeatremulousmotionofhiscrampedjaws,andthenpainfullytwistingroundhishead,saidinasortofhiss,‘WhatIsayisthis-andminditwell-ifyouflogme,Imurderyou!’
”’Sayyeso?thenseehowyefrightenme’-andtheCaptaindrewoffwiththeropetostrike.
”’Bestnot,’hissedtheLakeman.
”’ButImust,’-andtheropewasoncemoredrawnbackforthestroke.
“Steelkiltherehissedoutsomething,inaudibletoallbuttheCaptain;who,totheamazementofallhands,startedback,pacedthedeckrapidlytwoorthreetimes,andthensuddenlythrowingdownhisrope,said,‘Iwon’tdoit-lethimgo-cuthimdown:d’yehear?’
Butasthejuniormateswerehurryingtoexecutetheorder,apaleman,withabandagedhead,arrestedthem-Radneythechiefmate.
Eversincetheblow,hehadlaininhisberth;butthatmorning,hearingthetumultonthedeck,hehadcreptout,andthusfarhadwatchedthewholescene.
Suchwasthestateofhismouth,thathecouldhardlyspeak;butmumblingsomethingabouthisbeingwillingandabletodowhatthecaptaindarednotattempt,hesnatchedtheropeandadvancedtohispinionedfoe.
”’Youareacoward!’hissedtheLakeman.
”’SoIam,buttakethat.’Thematewasintheveryactofstriking,whenanotherhissstayedhisupliftedarm.
Hepaused:andthenpausingnomore,madegoodhisword,spiteofSteelkilt’sthreat,whateverthatmighthavebeen.
Thethreemenwerethencutdown,allhandswereturnedto,and,sullenlyworkedbythemoodyseamen,theironpumpsclangedasbefore.
“Justafterdarkthatday,whenonewatchhadretiredbelow,aclamorwasheardintheforecastle;andthetwotremblingtraitorsrunningup,besiegedthecabindoor,sayingtheydurstnotconsortwiththecrew.
Entreaties,cuffs,andkickscouldnotdrivethemback,soattheirowninstancetheywereputdownintheship’srunforsalvation.
Still,nosignofmutinyreappearedamongtherest.
Onthecontrary,itseemed,thatmainlyatSteelkilt’sinstigation,theyhadresolvedtomaintainthestrictestpeacefulness,obeyallorderstothelast,and,whentheshipreachedport,desertherinabody.
Butinordertoinsurethespeediestendtothevoyage,theyallagreedtoanotherthing-namely,nottosingoutforwhales,incaseanyshouldbediscovered.
For,spiteherleak,andspiteofallherotherperils,theTown-Hostillmaintainedhermast-heads,andhercaptainwasjustaswillingtolowerforafishthatmoment,asonthedayhiscraftstruckthecruisingground;andRadneythematewasquiteasreadytochangehisberthforaboat,andwithhisbandagedmouthseektogagindeaththevitaljawofthewhale.
“ButthoughtheLakemanhadinducedtheseamentoadoptthissortofpassivenessintheirconduct,hekepthisowncounsel(atleasttillallwasover)concerninghisownproperandprivaterevengeuponthemanwhohadstunghimintheventriclesofhisheart.
HewasinRadneythechiefmate’swatch;andasiftheinfatuatedmansoughttorunmorethanhalfwaytomeethisdoom,afterthesceneattherigging,heinsisted,againsttheexpresscounselofthecaptain,uponresumingtheheadofhiswatchatnight.
Uponthis,andoneortwoothercircumstances,Steelkiltsystematicallybuilttheplanofhisrevenge.
“Duringthenight,Radneyhadanunseaman-likewayofsittingonthebulwarksofthequarterdeck,andleaninghisarmuponthegunwaleoftheboatwhichwashoistedupthere,alittleabovetheship’sside.
Inthisattitude,itwaswellknown,hesometimesdozed.
Therewasaconsiderablevacancybetweentheboatandtheship,anddownbetweenthiswasthesea.
Steelkiltcalculatedhistime,andfoundthathisnexttrickatthehelmwouldcomeroundattwoo’clock,inthemorningofthethirddayfromthatinwhichhehadbeenbetrayed.
Athisleisure,heemployedtheintervalinbraidingsomethingverycarefullyinhiswatchesbelow.
”’Whatareyoumakingthere?’saidashipmate.
”’Whatdoyouthink?whatdoesitlooklike?’
”’Likealanyardforyourbag;butit’sanoddone,seemstome.’
‘Yes,ratheroddish,’saidtheLakeman,holdingitatarm’slengthbeforehim;‘butIthinkitwillanswer.Shipmate,Ihaven’tenoughtwine,-haveyouany?’
“Buttherewasnoneintheforecastle.
”’ThenImustgetsomefromoldRad;’andherosetogoaft.
”’Youdon’tmeantogoabeggingtohim!’saidasailor.
”’Whynot?Doyouthinkhewon’tdomeaturn,whenit’stohelphimselfintheend,shipmate?’
andgoingtothemate,helookedathimquietly,andaskedhimforsometwinetomendhishammock.
Itwasgivenhim-neithertwinenorlanyardwereseenagain;butthenextnightanironball,closelynetted,partlyrolledfromthepocketoftheLakeman’smonkeyjacket,ashewastuckingthecoatintohishammockforapillow.
Twenty-fourhoursafter,histrickatthesilenthelm-nightothemanwhowasapttodozeoverthegravealwaysreadydugtotheseaman’shand-thatfatalhourwasthentocome;andinthefore-ordainingsoulofSteelkilt,thematewasalreadystarkandstretchedasacorpse,withhisforeheadcrushedin.
“But,gentlemen,afoolsavedthewould-bemurdererfromthebloodydeedhehadplanned.
Yetcompleterevengehehad,andwithoutbeingtheavenger.
Forbyamysteriousfatality,Heavenitselfseemedtostepintotakeoutofhishandsintoitsownthedamningthinghewouldhavedone.
“Itwasjustbetweendaybreakandsunriseofthemorningofthesecondday,whentheywerewashingdownthedecks,thatastupidTeneriffeman,drawingwaterinthemain-chains,allatonceshoutedout,‘Theresherolls!theresherolls!’Jesu,whatawhale!ItwasMobyDick.
”’MobyDick!’criedDonSebastian;‘St.Dominic!Sirsailor,butdowhaleshavechristenings?WhomcallyouMobyDick?’
”’Averywhite,andfamous,andmostdeadlyimmortalmonster,Don;-butthatwouldbetoolongastory.’
”’How?how?’criedalltheyoungSpaniards,crowding.
”’Nay,Dons,Dons-nay,nay!Icannotrehearsethatnow.Letmegetmoreintotheair,Sirs.’
”’Thechicha!thechicha!’criedDonPedro;‘ourvigorousfriendfaint;-filluphisemptyglass!’
“Noneed,gentlemen;onemoment,andIproceed.
-Now,gentlemen,sosuddenlyperceivingthesnowywhalewithinfiftyyardsoftheship-forgetfulofthecompactamongthecrew-intheexcitementofthemoment,theTeneriffemanhadinstinctivelyandinvoluntarilyliftedhisvoiceforthemonster,thoughforsomelittletimepastithadbeenplainlybeheldfromthethreesullenmast-heads.Allwasnowaphrensy.‘TheWhiteWhale-theWhiteWhale!’
wasthecryfromcaptain,mates,andharpooneers,who,undeterredbyfearfulrumours,wereallanxioustocapturesofamousandpreciousafish;whilethedoggedcreweyedaskance,andwithcurses,theappallingbeautyofthevastmilkymass,thatlitupbyahorizontalspanglingsun,shiftedandglistenedlikealivingopalinthebluemorningsea.
Gentlemen,astrangefatalitypervadesthewholecareeroftheseevents,asifverilymappedoutbeforetheworlditselfwascharted.
Themutineerwasthebowsmanofthemate,andwhenfasttoafish,itwashisdutytositnexthim,whileRadneystoodupwithhislanceintheprow,andhaulinorslackentheline,atthewordofcommand.
Moreover,whenthefourboatswerelowered,themate’sgotthestart;andnonehowledmorefiercelywithdelightthandidSteelkilt,ashestrainedathisoar.
Afterastiffpull,theirharpooneergotfast,and,spearinhand,Radneysprangtothebow.
Hewasalwaysafuriousman,itseems,inaboat.
Andnowhisbandagedcrywas,tobeachhimonthewhale’stopmostback.
Nothingloath,hisbowsmanhauledhimupandup,throughablindingfoamthatblenttwowhitenessestogether;tillofasuddentheboatstruckasagainstasunkenledge,andkeelingover,spilledoutthestandingmate.
Thatinstant,ashefellonthewhale’sslipperyback,theboatrighted,andwasdashedasidebytheswell,whileRadneywastossedoverintothesea,ontheotherflankofthewhale.
Hestruckoutthroughthespray,and,foraninstant,wasdimlyseenthroughthatveil,wildlyseekingtoremovehimselffromtheeyeofMobyDick.
Butthewhalerushedroundinasuddenmaelstrom;seizedtheswimmerbetweenhisjaws;andrearinghighupwithhim,plungedheadlongagain,andwentdown.
“Meantime,atthefirsttapoftheboat’sbottom,theLakemanhadslackenedtheline,soastodropasternfromthewhirlpool;calmlylookingon,liethoughthisownthoughts.
Butasudden,terrific,downwardjerkingoftheboat,quicklybroughthisknifetotheline.Hecutit;andthewhalewasfree.
But,atsomedistance,MobyDickroseagain,withsometattersofRadney’sredwoolenshirt,caughtintheteeththathaddestroyedhim.
Allfourboatsgavechaseagain;butthewhaleeludedthem,andfinallywhollydisappeared.
“Ingoodtime,theTown-Horeachedherport-asavage,solitaryplace-wherenocivilizedcreatureresided.
There,headedbytheLakeman,allbutfiveorsixoftheforemastmendeliberatelydesertedamongthepalms;eventually,asitturnedout,seizingalargedoublewar-canoeofthesavages,andsettingsailforsomeotherharbor.
“Theship’scompanybeingreducedtobutahandful,thecaptaincalledupontheIslanderstoassisthiminthelaboriousbusinessofheavingdowntheshiptostoptheleak.
Buttosuchunrestingvigilanceovertheirdangerousallieswasthissmallbandofwhitesnecessitated,bothbynightandbyday,andsoextremewasthehardworktheyunderwent,thatuponthevesselbeingreadyagainforsea,theywereinsuchaweakenedconditionthatthecaptaindurstnotputoffwiththeminsoheavyavessel.
Aftertakingcounselwithhisofficers,heanchoredtheshipasfaroffshoreaspossible;loadedandranouthistwocannonfromthebows;stackedhismusketsonthepoop;andwarningtheIslandersnottoapproachtheshipattheirperil,tookonemanwithhim,andsettingthesailofhisbestwhale-boat,steeredstraightbeforethewindforTahiti,fivehundredmilesdistant,toprocureareinforcementtohiscrew.
“Onthefourthdayofthesail,alargecanoewasdescried,whichseemedtohavetouchedatalowisleofcorals.
Hesteeredawayfromit;butthesavagecraftboredownonhim;andsoonthevoiceofSteelkilthailedhimtoheaveto,orhewouldrunhimunderwater.Thecaptainpresentedapistol.
Withonefootoneachprowoftheyokedwar-canoes,theLakemanlaughedhimtoscorn;assuringhimthatifthepistolsomuchasclickedinthelock,hewouldburyhiminbubblesandfoam.
”’Whatdoyouwantofme?’criedthecaptain.
”’Whereareyoubound?andforwhatareyoubound?’demandedSteelkilt;‘nolies.’
”’IamboundtoTahitiformoremen.’
”’Verygood.Letmeboardyouamoment-Icomeinpeace.’Withthatheleapedfromthecanoe,swamtotheboat;andclimbingthegunwale,stoodfacetofacewiththecaptain.
”’Crossyourarms,sir;throwbackyourhead.Now,repeatafterme.
AssoonasSteelkiltleavesme,Isweartobeachthisboatonyonderisland,andremaintheresixdays.IfIdonot,maylightningstrikeme!’
”’Aprettyscholar,’laughedtheLakeman.‘Adios,Senor!’andleapingintothesea,heswambacktohiscomrades.
“Watchingtheboattillitwasfairlybeached,anddrawnuptotherootsofthecocoa-nuttrees,Steelkiltmadesailagain,andinduetimearrivedatTahiti,hisownplaceofdestination.
There,luckbefriendedhim;twoshipswereabouttosailforFrance,andwereprovidentiallyinwantofpreciselythatnumberofmenwhichthesailorheaded.
Theyembarked,andsoforevergotthestartoftheirformercaptain,hadhebeenatallmindedtoworkthemlegalretribution.
“SometendaysaftertheFrenchshipssailed,thewhale-boatarrived,andthecaptainwasforcedtoenlistsomeofthemorecivilizedTahitians,whohadbeensomewhatusedtothesea.
Charteringasmallnativeschooner,hereturnedwiththemtohisvessel;andfindingallrightthere,againresumedhiscruisings.
“WhereSteelkiltnowis,gentlemen,noneknow;butupontheislandofNantucket,thewidowofRadneystillturnstotheseawhichrefusestogiveupitsdead;stillindreamsseestheawfulwhitewhalethatdestroyedhim.
”’Areyouthrough?’saidDonSebastian,quietly.
”’Iam,Don.’
”’ThenIentreatyou,tellmeiftothebestofyourownconvictions,thisyourstoryisinsubstancereallytrue?Itissopassingwonderful!
Didyougetitfromanunquestionablesource?BearwithmeifIseemtopress.’
”’Alsobearwithallofus,sirsailor;forwealljoininDonSebastian’ssuit,’criedthecompany,withexceedinginterest.
”’IsthereacopyoftheHolyEvangelistsintheGoldenInn,gentlemen?’
”’Nay,’saidDonSebastian;‘butIknowaworthypriestnearby,whowillquicklyprocureoneforme.Igoforit;butareyouwelladvised?thismaygrowtooserious.’
”’Willyoubesogoodastobringthepriestalso,Don?’
”’ThoughtherearenoAuto-da-Fe’sinLimanow,’saidoneofthecompanytoanother;‘Ifearoursailorfriendrunsrisksofthearchiepiscopacy.
Letuswithdrawmoreoutofthemoonlight.Iseenoneedofthis.’
”’Excusemeforrunningafteryou,DonSebastian;butmayIalsobegthatyouwillbeparticularinprocuringthelargestsizedEvangelistsyoucan.’
‘Thisisthepriest,hebringsyoutheEvangelists,’saidDonSebastian,gravely,returningwithatallandsolemnfigure.
”’Letmeremovemyhat.Now,venerablepriest,furtherintothelight,andholdtheHolyBookbeforemethatImaytouchit.
”’SohelpmeHeaven,andonmyhonorthestoryIhavetoldye,gentlemen,isinsubstanceanditsgreatitems,true.
Iknowittobetrue;ithappenedonthisball;Itrodtheship;Iknewthecrew;IhaveseenandtalkedwithSteelkiltsincethedeathofRadney.’”
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