THE AMERICAN WHALEMAN. 67 



ed, when the old r^im called across to the mate, ' This is heav- 

 enly, Mr. Starbuck; heavenly breezes, sir; more heavenly 

 than you have any idea of. Hold on to every stitch, but 

 keep a sharp lookout to windward, and if you see any break 

 in the gale, keep her off a point or two and get out storm- 

 sails.' We were gathered close to leeward, and thought the 

 old man was clean daft ; but we had no help for it. 



"The wind piped stronger and stronger. Great white- 

 combed seas burst out of the darkness to windward, smote 

 us broadside on, and went roaring over the bows into the 

 night. The snapping of the rigging and the creaking heard 

 in the very heart of the mainmast told of the fearful work 

 aloft. We stood every man alone with his fears. The only 

 face we could see was the captain's, as a gleam from the bin- 

 nacle-light fell on him. We were more frightened by his 

 insane joy than by the gale, as every now and then he re- 

 peated ' Heavenly breezes, Mr. Starbuck !' At this time it 

 seemed as though nothing made by man could stand the 

 strain. The ship seemed actually to leap from sea to sea, 

 as you see the dolphin chase flying-fish. She never pitched, 

 but, right flat to her work, she hissed through the water as 

 though she were red-hot iron. Just then a new sound was 

 heard away up in the darkness. It was like the angry snort 

 of a locomotive on an up grade. Sharp and mad it came 

 above the howl and rush of the storm. We could hardly 

 help screaming as we looked up and saw two lights in the 

 air right over the royal -yard. From this out my telling 

 takes more time than the happening. 



"A voice, shrill as a steam-whistle, hailed from aloft : 



" ' On deck there !' 



" ' Ay, ay,' replied old Folger, calm, but glad as a boy. 



" Is Captain Folger on deck ?' 



"'At his post.' 



" * Captain, I can't hold on much longer.' 



