66 NIMROD OF THE SEA; OR, 



full, c Chock-a-block ;' never over two years out ; and he nev- 

 er lost man, boat, or spar. There was not a boat-steerer but 

 was glad to go on a one-hundredth ' lay,' and he'd get rich 

 at that. I went with Folger on his sixth voyage, and steered 

 Mr. Starbuck, the first mate. In twenty - one months we 

 were off the cape, homeward-bound, try-works overboard, 

 and every thing that would hold oil case-bottles, captain's 

 boots, and medicine-chest was filled with head matter. We 

 hadn't a man hurt, not even the skin scraped off a man's shin 

 in the rigging, and that, you know, is extraordinary. Nor 

 had* we a plank started in a boat, or a spar sprung. The 

 whales would seem to spout thick blood if they were struck 

 forrard of the hump, and the main course would seem to furl 

 itself in a gale. Something was wrong about the ship, and 

 our good luck frightened us. Well, we were off the cape ; 

 the night was as black as my hair, a stiffish breeze was 

 over the quarter, and we headed free on a course, every sail 

 drawing. 



" We were makin' a splendid run, when Mr. Starbuck 

 ordered top-gallant sails in ; but before we started halyards 

 or sheets, Captain Folger put his head up the companion- 

 way and sung out, * Stand fast there ; belay all, and let her 

 run. Excuse me, Mr. Starbuck, but I've the cards in my hand 

 to-night, and mean to play the game out. Please crack on 

 her as long as she'll carry.' So we forged on for half an 

 hour, when the wind hauled abeam, and we braced the yards 

 forrard. This brought us down, scuppers under. The cap- 

 tain was on the weather quarter-deck holding on to the 

 mizzen rigging ; Mr. Starbuck was opposite to him, leaning 

 against the companion-way. Two men were at the helm. 

 The old ship was brought to her best bearings for a run, 

 and was plowing a wake of foaming light through the dark 

 waves. The whistle of the wind was changing to a hoarse 

 growl that meant business. Every thing was terribly strain- 



