231 
THE WHITE WHALE 
understand distinctly, that his (Steelkilt’s) death would he the signal 
for a murderous mutiny on the part of all hands. Fearing in his 
heart lest this might prove but too true, the Captain a little desisted, 
but still commanded the insurgents instantly to return to their duty. 
“ ‘Will you promise not to touch us, if we do V demanded their 
ringleader. 
“ ‘Turn to! turn to! — I make no promise; — to your duty! Do 
you want to sink the ship, by knocking off at a time like this ? 
Turn to!’ and he once more raised a pistol. 
“ ‘Sink the ship V cried Steelkilt. ‘Aye, let her sink. Not a man 
of us turns to unless you swear not to raise a ropeyam against us. 
What say ye, men V turning to his comrades. A fierce cheer was their 
response. 
“The Lakeman now patrolled the barricade, all the while keeping 
his eye on the Captain, and jerking out such sentences as these: — ‘It’s 
not our fault; we didn’t want it; I told him to take his hammer 
away; it was boy’s business; he might have known me before this; I 
told him not to prick the buffalo ; I believe I have broken a finger here 
against his cursed jaw; ain’t those mincing knives down in the fore- 
castle there men ? look to those handspikes, my hearties. Captain, 
by God, look to yourself ; say the word ; don’t be a fool ; forget it all ; 
we are ready to turn to; treat us decently, and we’re your men; 
but we won’t be flogged.’ 
“ ‘Turn to ! I make no promises, turn to, I say !’ 
“ ‘Look ye, now,’ cried the Lakeman, flinging out his arm towards 
him, ‘there are a few of us here (and I am one of them) who have 
shipped for the cruise, d’ye see; now as you well know, sir, we can 
claim our discharge as soon as the anchor is down; so we don’t want 
a row; it’s not our interest; we want to be peaceful; we are ready 
to work, but we won’t be flogged.’ 
“ ‘Turn to!’ roared the Captain. 
“Steelkilt glanced round him a moment, and then said: — ‘I tell 
you what it is now, Captain, rather than kill ye, and be hung for 
such a shabby rascal, we won’t lift a hand against ye unless ye at- 
tack us; but till you say the word about not flogging us, we don’t 
do a hand’s turn,’ 
