68 NIM1WD OF THE SEA; OR, 



" ' Belay all, and hold on.' 



"And we dashed on, the crew gallied almost to death. 



" ' How do you head ?' shouted the captain to the man at 

 the wheel. 



" ' Steady on her course, sir ?' 



" l How does she steer ?' 



" ' Easy as in a calm, sir ; haven't shifted the wheel two 

 spokes in the last hour !' 



" ' Good ; keep her steady ; and you to leeward there, keep 

 a stiff upper lip and trust to me !' 



"And he called Mr. Starbuck over to him, and said : 



" 6 1 know the ties that are towing your thoughts home- 

 ward to-night. Now if you love that wife and your chil- 

 dren, as you hope to see them again, don't fail me now ; 

 keep your eye to wkidward, and watch the wind; if you 

 feel a lull to the moving of a feather the less, let me know 

 it somehow, but don't speak it aloud for your soul's salva- 

 tion.' 



" Again came the voice : 



" On deck there !' 



"<Ay,ay.' 



" * Captain, release me. My punishment is more than I 

 can bear.' 



" ' Remember your bond, and hold on.' 



"Here a broad flash of lightning illuminated sails, masts, 

 and every line of the rigging, and the wild seas. Every 

 thing for an instant was white in light, save a giant shadow 

 which seemed to hold the span, from the flying jib-boom to 

 main-royal, in its wide clutch. This horrible thing stood 

 black against the lighted storm; and in the bellowing thun- 

 der came the voice, 'I am dead beat!' At that moment the 

 mate pointed a break to windward. 



" ' May I let go, Captain Folger ?' came from aloft in a 

 choking sob, like the spout of a sperm-whale when he stran- 



