His CAPTORS. 209 



But a Step between the Whaleman and Death. What then ? 



ribs knocked in, and a whole crew scrabbling 

 together in the water, is, as we have already 

 learned, very common. There are few that 

 have been long in the service but have been 

 banged and broken in some way, and snatched 

 often from the gaping jaws of destruction. 

 They can tell of marvelous escapes and provi- 

 dential deliverances from the very throat of 

 death, that make you think a whaler, of all 

 men, ought to be living with his will made, 

 and ready for a sudden summons. 



We should naturally think so, and that a 

 man's constant exposedness to sudden death 

 would give a serious turn to his mind, and in- 

 duce a cast of reflection and thoughtful regard 

 to his latter end. But it is now a long time 

 that the practical observation of men has taught 

 me, that familiarity with danger and death sel- 

 dom produces a softening, monitory effect, ex- 

 cept upon the mind of a Christian, but rather 

 induces a moral hardness and effrontery that 

 steels the mind against lessons of mortality, 

 and sheds an ominous gloom upon the pros- 

 pects of the soul. I have talked with a good 

 many whalemen and common sailors, and have 

 observed the conduct of irreligious men in times 

 O 



