THEWRECK
IwasapprenticedtotheSeawhenIwastwelveyearsold，andIhaveencounteredagreatdealofroughweather，bothliteralandmetaphorical。IthasalwaysbeenmyopinionsinceIfirstpossessedsuchathingasanopinion，thatthemanwhoknowsonlyonesubjectisnexttiresometothemanwhoknowsnosubject。Therefore，inthecourseofmylifeIhavetaughtmyselfwhateverIcould，andalthoughIamnotaneducatedman，Iamable，Iamthankfultosay，tohaveanintelligentinterestinmostthings。
Apersonmightsuppose，fromreadingtheabove，thatIaminthehabitofholdingforthaboutnumberone。Thatisnotthecase。
JustasifIwastocomeintoaroomamongstrangers，andmusteitherbeintroducedorintroducemyself，soIhavetakenthelibertyofpassingthesefewremarks，simplyandplainlythatitmaybeknownwhoandwhatIam。IwilladdnomoreofthesortthanthatmynameisWilliamGeorgeRavender，thatIwasbornatPenrithhalfayearaftermyownfatherwasdrowned，andthatIamontheseconddayofthispresentblessedChristmasweekofonethousandeighthundredandfifty—six，fifty—sixyearsofage。
WhentherumourfirstwentflyingupanddownthattherewasgoldinCalifornia——which，asmostpeopleknow，wasbeforeitwasdiscoveredintheBritishcolonyofAustralia——IwasintheWestIndies，tradingamongtheIslands。Beingincommandandlikewisepart—ownerofasmartschooner，Ihadmyworkcutoutforme，andIwasdoingit。Consequently，goldinCaliforniawasnobusinessofmine。
But，bythetimewhenIcamehometoEnglandagain，thethingwasasclearasyourhandheldupbeforeyouatnoon—day。TherewasCaliforniangoldinthemuseumsandinthegoldsmiths’shops，andtheveryfirsttimeIwentupon’Change，Imetafriendofmine（aseafaringmanlikemyself），withaCaliforniannuggethangingtohiswatch—chain。Ihandledit。Itwasaslikeapeeledwalnutwithbitsunevenlybrokenoffhereandthere，andthenelectrotypedallover，aseverIsawanythinginmylife。
Iamasingleman（shewastoogoodforthisworldandforme，andshediedsixweeksbeforeourmarriage—day），sowhenIamashore，I
liveinmyhouseatPoplar。MyhouseatPoplaristakencareofandkeptship—shapebyanoldladywhowasmymother’smaidbeforeIwasborn。Sheisashandsomeandasuprightasanyoldladyintheworld。Sheisasfondofmeasifshehadeverhadanonlyson，andIwashe。WelldoIknowwhereverIsailthatsheneverlaysdownherheadatnightwithouthavingsaid，"MercifulLord！blessandpreserveWilliamGeorgeRavender，andsendhimsafehome，throughChristourSaviour！"Ihavethoughtofitinmanyadangerousmoment，whenithasdonemenoharm，Iamsure。
InmyhouseatPoplar，alongwiththisoldlady，Ilivedquietforbestpartofayear：havinghadalongspellofitamongtheIslands，andhaving（whichwasveryuncommoninme）takenthefeverratherbadly。Atlast，beingstrongandhearty，andhavingreadeverybookIcouldlayholdof，rightout，IwaswalkingdownLeadenhallStreetintheCityofLondon，thinkingofturning—toagain，whenImetwhatIcallSmithickandWatersbyofLiverpool。I
chancedtoliftupmyeyesfromlookinginataship’schronometerinawindow，andIsawhimbearingdownuponme，headon。
Itis，personally，neitherSmithick，norWatersby，thatIheremention，norwasIeveracquaintedwithanymanofeitherofthosenames，nordoIthinkthattherehasbeenanyoneofeitherofthosenamesinthatLiverpoolHouseforyearsback。But，itisinrealitytheHouseitselfthatIreferto；andawisermerchantoratruergentlemanneverstepped。
"MydearCaptainRavender，"sayshe。"Ofallthemenonearth，I
wantedtoseeyoumost。Iwasonmywaytoyou。"
"Well！"saysI。"ThatlooksasifyouWEREtoseeme，don’tit？"
WiththatIputmyarminhis，andwewalkedontowardstheRoyalExchange，andwhenwegotthere，walkedupanddownatthebackofitwheretheClock—Toweris。Wewalkedanhourandmore，forhehadmuchtosaytome。HehadaschemeforcharteringanewshipoftheirowntotakeoutcargotothediggersandemigrantsinCalifornia，andtobuyandbringbackgold。IntotheparticularsofthatschemeIwillnotenter，andIhavenorighttoenter。AllI
sayofitis，thatitwasaveryoriginalone，averyfineone，averysoundone，andaverylucrativeonebeyonddoubt。
HeimpartedittomeasfreelyasifIhadbeenapartofhimself。
Afterdoingso，hemademethehandsomestsharingofferthateverwasmadetome，boyorman——orIbelievetoanyothercaptainintheMerchantNavy——andhetookthisroundturntofinishwith：
"Ravender，youarewellawarethatthelawlessnessofthatcoastandcountryatpresent，isasspecialasthecircumstancesinwhichitisplaced。Crewsofvesselsoutward—bound，desertassoonastheymaketheland；crewsofvesselshomeward—bound，shipatenormouswages，withtheexpressintentionofmurderingthecaptainandseizingthegoldfreight；nomancantrustanother，andthedevilseemsletloose。Now，"sayshe，"youknowmyopinionofyou，andyouknowIamonlyexpressingit，andwithnosingularity，whenI
tellyouthatyouarealmosttheonlymanonwhoseintegrity，discretion，andenergy——"&c。，&c。For，Idon’twanttorepeatwhathesaid，thoughIwasandamsensibleofit。
Notwithstandingmybeing，asIhavementioned，quitereadyforavoyage，stillIhadsomedoubtsofthisvoyage。OfcourseIknew，withoutbeingtold，thattherewerepeculiardifficultiesanddangersinit，alongwayoverandabovethosewhichattendallvoyages。ItmustnotbesupposedthatIwasafraidtofacethem；
but，inmyopinionamanhasnomanlymotiveorsustainmentinhisownbreastforfacingdangers，unlesshehaswellconsideredwhattheyare，andisablequietlytosaytohimself，"Noneoftheseperilscannowtakemebysurprise；Ishallknowwhattodoforthebestinanyofthem；alltherestliesinthehigherandgreaterhandstowhichIhumblycommitmyself。"OnthisprincipleIhavesoattentivelyconsidered（regardingitasmyduty）allthehazardsI
haveeverbeenabletothinkof，intheordinarywayofstorm，shipwreck，andfireatsea，thatIhopeIshouldbepreparedtodo，inanyofthosecases，whatevercouldbedone，tosavethelivesintrustedtomycharge。
AsIwasthoughtful，mygoodfriendproposedthatheshouldleavemetowalkthereaslongasIliked，andthatIshoulddinewithhimby—and—byathisclubinPallMall。IacceptedtheinvitationandI
walkedupanddownthere，quarter—deckfashion，amatterofacoupleofhours；nowandthenlookingupattheweathercockasImighthavelookedupaloft；andnowandthentakingalookintoCornhill，asI
mighthavetakenalookovertheside。
Alldinner—time，andallafterdinner—time，wetalkeditoveragain。
Igavehimmyviewsofhisplan，andheverymuchapprovedofthesame。ItoldhimIhadnearlydecided，butnotquite。"Well，well，"sayshe，"comedowntoLiverpoolto—morrowwithme，andseetheGoldenMary。"Ilikedthename（hernamewasMary，andshewasgolden，ifgoldenstandsforgood），soIbegantofeelthatitwasalmostdonewhenIsaidIwouldgotoLiverpool。OnthenextmorningbutonewewereonboardtheGoldenMary。Imighthaveknown，fromhisaskingmetocomedownandseeher，whatshewas。I
declarehertohavebeenthecompletestandmostexquisiteBeautythateverIsetmyeyesupon。
Wehadinspectedeverytimberinher，andhadcomebacktothegangwaytogoashorefromthedock—basin，whenIputoutmyhandtomyfriend。"Touchuponit，"saysI，"andtouchheartily。Itakecommandofthisship，andIamhersandyours，ifIcangetJohnSteadimanformychiefmate。"
JohnSteadimanhadsailedwithmefourvoyages。ThefirstvoyageJohnwasthirdmateouttoChina，andcamehomesecond。Theotherthreevoyageshewasmyfirstofficer。AtthistimeofcharteringtheGoldenMary，hewasagedthirty—two。Abrisk，bright，blue—eyedfellow，averyneatfigureandratherunderthemiddlesize，neveroutofthewayandneverinit，afacethatpleasedeverybodyandthatallchildrentookto，ahabitofgoingaboutsingingascheerilyasablackbird，andaperfectsailor。
WewereinoneofthoseLiverpoolhackney—coachesinlessthanaminute，andwecruisedaboutinherupwardsofthreehours，lookingforJohn。JohnhadcomehomefromVanDiemen’sLandbarelyamonthbefore，andIhadheardofhimastakingafriskinLiverpool。Weaskedafterhim，amongmanyotherplaces，atthetwoboarding—houseshewasfondestof，andwefoundhehadhadaweek’sspellateachofthem；but，hehadgonehereandgonethere，andhadsetoff"tolayoutonthemain—to’—gallant—yardofthehighestWelshmountain"（sohehadtoldthepeopleofthehouse），andwherehemightbethen，orwhenhemightcomeback，nobodycouldtellus。Butitwassurprising，tobesure，toseehoweveryfacebrightenedthemomenttherewasmentionmadeofthenameofMr。Steadiman。
Weweretakenabackatmeetingwithnobetterluck，andwehadworeshipandputherheadformyfriends，whenaswewerejoggingthroughthestreets，IclapmyeyesonJohnhimselfcomingoutofatoyshop！Hewascarryingalittleboy，andconductingtwouncommonprettywomentotheircoach，andhetoldmeafterwardsthathehadneverinhislifeseenoneofthethreebefore，butthathewassotakenwiththemonlookinginatthetoyshopwhiletheywerebuyingthechildacrankyNoah’sArk，verymuchdownbythehead，thathehadgoneinandaskedtheladies’permissiontotreathimtoatolerablycorrectCuttertherewasinthewindow，inorderthatsuchahandsomeboymightnotgrowupwithalubberlyideaofnavalarchitecture。
Westoodoffandonuntiltheladies’coachmanbegantogiveway，andthenwehailedJohn。Onhiscomingaboardofus，Itoldhim，verygravely，whatIhadsaidtomyfriend。Itstruckhim，ashesaidhimself，amidships。Hewasquiteshakenbyit。"CaptainRavender，"wereJohnSteadiman’swords，"suchanopinionfromyouistruecommendation，andI’llsailroundtheworldwithyoufortwentyyearsifyouhoistthesignal，andstandbyyouforever！"AndnowindeedIfeltthatitwasdone，andthattheGoldenMarywasafloat。
GrassnevergrewyetunderthefeetofSmithickandWatersby。Theriggerswereoutofthatshipinafortnight’stime，andwehadbeguntakingincargo。Johnwasalwaysaboard，seeingeverythingstowedwithhisowneyes；andwheneverIwentaboardmyselfearlyorlate，whetherhewasbelowinthehold，orondeckatthehatchway，oroverhaulinghiscabin，nailinguppicturesinitoftheBlushRosesofEngland，theBlueBellesofScotland，andthefemaleShamrockofIreland：ofacertaintyIheardJohnsinginglikeablackbird。
Wehadroomfortwentypassengers。Oursailingadvertisementwasnosoonerout，thanwemighthavetakenthesetwentytimesover。Inenteringourmen，IandJohn（bothtogether）pickedthem，andweenterednonebutgoodhands——asgoodasweretobefoundinthatport。Andso，inagoodshipofthebestbuild，wellowned，wellarranged，wellofficered，wellmanned，wellfoundinallrespects，wepartedwithourpilotataquarterpastfouro’clockintheafternoonoftheseventhofMarch，onethousandeighthundredandfifty—one，andstoodwithafairwindouttosea。
ItmaybeeasilybelievedthatuptothattimeIhadhadnoleisuretobeintimatewithmypassengers。Themostofthemwerethenintheirberthssea—sick；however，ingoingamongthem，tellingthemwhatwasgoodforthem，persuadingthemnottobethere，buttocomeupondeckandfeelthebreeze，andinrousingthemwithajoke，oracomfortableword，Imadeacquaintancewiththem，perhaps，inamorefriendlyandconfidentialwayfromthefirst，thanImighthavedoneatthecabintable。
Ofmypassengers，Ineedonlyparticularise，justatpresent，abright—eyedbloomingyoungwifewhowasgoingouttojoinherhusbandinCalifornia，takingwithhertheironlychild，alittlegirlofthreeyearsold，whomhehadneverseen；asedateyoungwomaninblack，somefiveyearsolder（aboutthirtyasIshouldsay），whowasgoingouttojoinabrother；andanoldgentleman，agooddeallikeahawkifhiseyeshadbeenbetterandnotsored，whowasalwaystalking，morning，noon，andnight，aboutthegolddiscovery。But，whetherhewasmakingthevoyage，thinkinghisoldarmscoulddigforgold，orwhetherhisspeculationwastobuyit，ortobarterforit，ortocheatforit，ortosnatchitanyhowfromotherpeople，washissecret。Hekepthissecret。
Thesethreeandthechildwerethesoonestwell。Thechildwasamostengagingchild，tobesure，andveryfondofme：thoughIamboundtoadmitthatJohnSteadimanandIwereborneonherprettylittlebooksinreverseorder，andthathewascaptainthere，andI
wasmate。ItwasbeautifultowatchherwithJohn，anditwasbeautifultowatchJohnwithher。Fewwouldhavethoughtitpossible，toseeJohnplayingatbo—peeproundthemast，thathewasthemanwhohadcaughtupanironbarandstruckaMalayandaMaltesedead，astheywereglidingwiththeirknivesdownthecabinstairaboardthebarqueOldEngland，whenthecaptainlayillinhiscot，offSaugarPoint。Buthewas；andgivehimhisbackagainstabulwark，hewouldhavedonethesamebyhalfadozenofthem。ThenameoftheyoungmotherwasMrs。Atherfield，thenameoftheyoungladyinblackwasMissColeshaw，andthenameoftheoldgentlemanwasMr。Rarx。
Asthechildhadaquantityofshiningfairhair，clusteringincurlsallaboutherface，andashernamewasLucy，SteadimangaveherthenameoftheGoldenLucy。So，wehadtheGoldenLucyandtheGoldenMary；andJohnkeptuptheideatothatextentasheandthechildwentplayingaboutthedecks，thatIbelievesheusedtothinktheshipwasalivesomehow——asisterorcompanion，goingtothesameplaceasherself。Shelikedtobebythewheel，andinfineweather，Ihaveoftenstoodbythemanwhosetrickitwasatthewheel，onlytohearher，sittingnearmyfeet，talkingtotheship。
Neverhadachildsuchadollbefore，Isuppose；butshemadeadolloftheGoldenMary，andusedtodressherupbytyingribbonsandlittlebitsoffinerytothebelaying—pins；andnobodyevermovedthem，unlessitwastosavethemfrombeingblownaway。
OfcourseItookchargeofthetwoyoungwomen，andIcalledthem"mydear，"andtheyneverminded，knowingthatwhateverIsaidwassaidinafatherlyandprotectingspirit。Igavethemtheirplacesoneachsideofmeatdinner，Mrs。AtherfieldonmyrightandMissColeshawonmyleft；andIdirectedtheunmarriedladytoserveoutthebreakfast，andthemarriedladytoserveoutthetea。LikewiseIsaidtomyblackstewardintheirpresence，"TomSnow，thesetwoladiesareequallythemistressesofthishouse，anddoyouobeytheirordersequally；"atwhichTomlaughed，andtheyalllaughed。
OldMr。Rarxwasnotapleasantmantolookat，noryettotalkto，ortobewith，fornoonecouldhelpseeingthathewasasordidandselfishcharacter，andthathehadwarpedfurtherandfurtheroutofthestraightwithtime。Notbutwhathewasonhisbestbehaviourwithus，aseverybodywas；forwehadnobickeringamongus，for’ardoraft。Ionlymeantosay，hewasnotthemanonewouldhavechosenforamessmate。Ifchoicetherehadbeen，onemightevenhavegoneafewpointsoutofone’scourse，tosay，"No！Nothim！"
But，therewasonecuriousinconsistencyinMr。Rarx。Thatwas，thathetookanastonishinginterestinthechild。Helooked，andI
mayadd，hewas，oneofthelastofmentocareatallforachild，ortocaremuchforanyhumancreature。Still，hewentsofarastobehabituallyuneasy，ifthechildwaslongondeck，outofhissight。Hewasalwaysafraidofherfallingoverboard，orfallingdownahatchway，orofablockorwhatnotcomingdownuponherfromtheriggingintheworkingoftheship，orofhergettingsomehurtorother。Heusedtolookatherandtouchher，asifshewassomethingprecioustohim。Hewasalwayssolicitousabouthernotinjuringherhealth，andconstantlyentreatedhermothertobecarefulofit。Thiswassomuchthemorecurious，becausethechilddidnotlikehim，butusedtoshrinkawayfromhim，andwouldnotevenputoutherhandtohimwithoutcoaxingfromothers。Ibelievethateverysoulonboardfrequentlynoticedthis，andnotoneofusunderstoodit。However，itwassuchaplainfact，thatJohnSteadimansaidmorethanoncewhenoldMr。Rarxwasnotwithinearshot，thatiftheGoldenMaryfeltatendernessforthedearoldgentlemanshecarriedinherlap，shemustbebitterlyjealousoftheGoldenLucy。
BeforeIgoanyfurtherwiththisnarrative，Iwillstatethatourshipwasabarqueofthreehundredtons，carryingacrewofeighteenmen，asecondmateinadditiontoJohn，acarpenter，anarmourerorsmith，andtwoapprentices（oneaScotchboy，poorlittlefellow）。
Wehadthreeboats；theLong—boat，capableofcarryingtwenty—fivemen；theCutter，capableofcarryingfifteen；andtheSurf—boat，capableofcarryingten。Iputdownthecapacityoftheseboatsaccordingtothenumberstheywerereallymeanttohold。
Wehadtastesofbadweatherandhead—winds，ofcourse；but，onthewholewehadasfinearunasanyreasonablemancouldexpect，forsixtydays。Ithenbegantoentertworemarksintheship’sLogandinmyJournal；first，thattherewasanunusualandamazingquantityofice；second，thatthenightsweremostwonderfullydark，inspiteoftheice。
Forfivedaysandahalf，itseemedquiteuselessandhopelesstoaltertheship’scoursesoastostandoutofthewayofthisice。
ImadewhatsouthingIcould；but，allthattime，wewerebesetbyit。Mrs。Atherfieldafterstandingbymeondeckonce，lookingforsometimeinanawedmanneratthegreatbergsthatsurroundedus，saidinawhisper，"O！CaptainRavender，itlooksasifthewholesolidearthhadchangedintoice，andbrokenup！"Isaidtoher，laughing，"Idon’twonderthatitdoes，toyourinexperiencedeyes，mydear。"ButIhadneverseenatwentiethpartofthequantity，and，inreality，Iwasprettymuchofheropinion。
However，attwop。m。ontheafternoonofthesixthday，thatistosay，whenweweresixty—sixdaysout，JohnSteadimanwhohadgonealoft，sangoutfromthetop，thattheseawasclearahead。Beforefourp。m。astrongbreezespringinguprightastern，wewereinopenwateratsunset。Thebreezethenfresheningintohalfagaleofwind，andtheGoldenMarybeingaveryfastsailer，wewentbeforethewindmerrily，allnight。
Ihadthoughtitimpossiblethatitcouldbedarkerthanithadbeen，untilthesun，moon，andstarsshouldfalloutoftheHeavens，andTimeshouldbedestroyed；but，ithadbeennexttolight，incomparisonwithwhatitwasnow。Thedarknesswassoprofound，thatlookingintoitwaspainfulandoppressive——likelooking，withoutarayoflight，intoadenseblackbandageputasclosebeforetheeyesasitcouldbe，withouttouchingthem。Idoubledthelook—out，andJohnandIstoodinthebowside—by—side，neverleavingitallnight。YetIshouldnomorehaveknownthathewasnearmewhenhewassilent，withoutputtingoutmyarmandtouchinghim，thanI
shouldifhehadturnedinandbeenfastasleepbelow。Wewerenotsomuchlookingout，allofus，aslisteningtotheutmost，bothwithoureyesandears。
Nextday，Ifoundthatthemercuryinthebarometer，whichhadrisensteadilysinceweclearedtheice，remainedsteady。Ihadhadverygoodobservations，withnowandthentheinterruptionofadayorso，sinceourdeparture。Igotthesunatnoon，andfoundthatwewereinLat。58degreesS。，Long。60degreesW。，offNewSouthShetland；intheneighbourhoodofCapeHorn。Weweresixty—sevendaysout，thatday。Theship’sreckoningwasaccuratelyworkedandmadeup。Theshipdidherdutyadmirably，allonboardwerewell，andallhandswereassmart，efficient，andcontented，asitwaspossibletobe。
Whenthenightcameonagainasdarkasbefore，itwastheeighthnightIhadbeenondeck。NorhadItakenmorethanaverylittlesleepintheday—time，mystationbeingalwaysnearthehelm，andoftenatit，whilewewereamongtheice。Fewbutthosewhohavetrieditcanimaginethedifficultyandpainofonlykeepingtheeyesopen——physicallyopen——undersuchcircumstances，insuchdarkness。Theygetstruckbythedarkness，andblindedbythedarkness。Theymakepatternsinit，andtheyflashinit，asiftheyhadgoneoutofyourheadtolookatyou。Ontheturnofmidnight，JohnSteadiman，whowasalertandfresh（forIhadalwaysmadehimturninbyday），saidtome，"CaptainRavender，Ientreatofyoutogobelow。Iamsureyoucanhardlystand，andyourvoiceisgettingweak，sir。Gobelow，andtakealittlerest。I’llcallyouifablockchafes。"IsaidtoJohninanswer，"Well，well，John！Letuswaittilltheturnofoneo’clock，beforewetalkaboutthat。"Ihadjusthadoneoftheship’slanternsheldup，thatImightseehowthenightwentbymywatch，anditwasthentwentyminutesaftertwelve。
Atfiveminutesbeforeone，Johnsangouttotheboytobringthelanternagain，andwhenItoldhimoncemorewhatthetimewas，entreatedandprayedofmetogobelow。"CaptainRavender，"sayshe，"all’swell；wecan’taffordtohaveyoulaidupforasinglehour；andIrespectfullyandearnestlybegofyoutogobelow。"Theendofitwas，thatIagreedtodoso，ontheunderstandingthatifIfailedtocomeupofmyownaccordwithinthreehours，Iwastobepunctuallycalled。Havingsettledthat，IleftJohnincharge。ButIcalledhimtomeonceafterwards，toaskhimaquestion。Ihadbeentolookatthebarometer，andhadseenthemercurystillperfectlysteady，andhadcomeupthecompanionagaintotakealastlookaboutme——ifIcanusesuchawordinreferencetosuchdarkness——whenIthoughtthatthewaves，astheGoldenMarypartedthemandshookthemoff，hadahollowsoundinthem；somethingthatIfanciedwasaratherunusualreverberation。Iwasstandingbythequarter—deckrailonthestarboardside，whenIcalledJohnafttome，andbadehimlisten。Hedidsowiththegreatestattention。
Turningtomehethensaid，"Relyuponit，CaptainRavender，youhavebeenwithoutresttoolong，andthenoveltyisonlyinthestateofyoursenseofhearing。"Ithoughtsotoobythattime，andIthinksonow，thoughIcanneverknowforabsolutecertaininthisworld，whetheritwasornot。
WhenIleftJohnSteadimanincharge，theshipwasstillgoingatagreatratethroughthewater。Thewindstillblewrightastern。
Thoughshewasmakinggreatway，shewasundershortenedsail，andhadnomorethanshecouldeasilycarry。Allwassnug，andnothingcomplained。Therewasaprettysearunning，butnotaveryhighseaneither，noratallaconfusedone。
Iturnedin，asweseamensay，allstanding。Themeaningofthatis，Ididnotpullmyclothesoff——no，notevensomuchasmycoat：
thoughIdidmyshoes，formyfeetwerebadlyswelledwiththedeck。
Therewasalittleswing—lampalightinmycabin。Ithought，asI
lookedatitbeforeshuttingmyeyes，thatIwassotiredofdarkness，andtroubledbydarkness，thatIcouldhavegonetosleepbestinthemidstofamillionofflaminggas—lights。ThatwasthelastthoughtIhadbeforeIwentoff，excepttheprevailingthoughtthatIshouldnotbeabletogettosleepatall。
IdreamedthatIwasbackatPenrithagain，andwastryingtogetroundthechurch，whichhadaltereditsshapeverymuchsinceIlastsawit，andwasclovenalldownthemiddleofthesteepleinamostsingularmanner。WhyIwantedtogetroundthechurchIdon’tknow；
butIwasasanxioustodoitasifmylifedependedonit。Indeed，Ibelieveitdidinthedream。Forallthat，Icouldnotgetroundthechurch。Iwasstilltrying，whenIcameagainstitwithaviolentshock，andwasflungoutofmycotagainsttheship’sside。
Shrieksandaterrificoutcrystruckmefarharderthanthebruisingtimbers，andamidstsoundsofgrindingandcrashing，andaheavyrushingandbreakingofwater——soundsIunderstoodtoowell——Imademywayondeck。Itwasnotaneasythingtodo，fortheshipheeledoverfrightfully，andwasbeatinginafuriousmanner。
IcouldnotseethemenasIwentforward，butIcouldhearthattheywerehaulinginsail，indisorder。Ihadmytrumpetinmyhand，and，afterdirectingandencouragingtheminthistillitwasdone，IhailedfirstJohnSteadiman，andthenmysecondmate，Mr。
WilliamRames。Bothansweredclearlyandsteadily。Now，Ihadpractisedthemandallmycrew，asIhaveevermadeitacustomtopractiseallwhosailwithme，totakecertainstationsandwaitmyorders，incaseofanyunexpectedcrisis。Whenmyvoicewasheardhailing，andtheirvoiceswereheardanswering，Iwasaware，throughallthenoisesoftheshipandsea，andallthecryingofthepassengersbelow，thattherewasapause。"Areyouready，Rames？"——
"Ay，ay，sir！"——"Thenlightup，forGod’ssake！"Inamomentheandanotherwereburningblue—lights，andtheshipandallonboardseemedtobeenclosedinamistoflight，underagreatblackdome。
ThelightshoneupsohighthatIcouldseethehugeIceberguponwhichwehadstruck，clovenatthetopanddownthemiddle，exactlylikePenrithChurchinmydream。AtthesamemomentIcouldseethewatchlastrelieved，crowdingupanddownondeck；IcouldseeMrs。
AtherfieldandMissColeshawthrownaboutonthetopofthecompanionastheystruggledtobringthechildupfrombelow；I
couldseethatthemastsweregoingwiththeshockandthebeatingoftheship；Icouldseethefrightfulbreachstoveinonthestarboardside，halfthelengthofthevessel，andthesheathingandtimbersspirtingup；IcouldseethattheCutterwasdisabled，inawreckofbrokenfragments；andIcouldseeeveryeyeturneduponme。
Itismybeliefthatiftherehadbeententhousandeyesthere，I
shouldhaveseenthemall，withtheirdifferentlooks。Andallthisinamoment。Butyoumustconsiderwhatamoment。
Isawthemen，astheylookedatme，falltowardstheirappointedstations，likegoodmenandtrue。Ifshehadnotrighted，theycouldhavedoneverylittlethereoranywherebutdie——notthatitislittleforamantodieathispost——Imeantheycouldhavedonenothingtosavethepassengersandthemselves。Happily，however，theviolenceoftheshockwithwhichwehadsodeterminedlybornedowndirectonthatfatalIceberg，asifithadbeenourdestinationinsteadofourdestruction，hadsosmashedandpoundedtheshipthatshegotoffinthissameinstantandrighted。Ididnotwantthecarpentertotellmeshewasfillingandgoingdown；Icouldseeandhearthat。IgaveRamesthewordtolowertheLong—boatandtheSurf—boat，andImyselftoldoffthemenforeachduty。Notonehungback，orcamebeforetheother。InowwhisperedtoJohnSteadiman，"John，Istandatthegangwayhere，toseeeverysoulonboardsafeovertheside。Youshallhavethenextpostofhonour，andshallbethelastbutonetoleavetheship。Bringupthepassengers，andrangethembehindme；andputwhatprovisionandwateryoucangotat，intheboats。Castyoureyefor’ard，John，andyou’llseeyouhavenotamomenttolose。"
MynoblefellowsgottheboatsoverthesideasorderlyasIeversawboatsloweredwithanysearunning，and，whentheywerelaunched，twoorthreeofthenearestmeninthemastheyheldon，risingandfallingwiththeswell，calledout，lookingupatme，"CaptainRavender，ifanythinggoeswrongwithus，andyouaresaved，rememberwestoodbyyou！"——"We’llallstandbyoneanotherashore，yet，pleaseGod，mylads！"saysI。"Holdonbravely，andbetenderwiththewomen。"
Thewomenwereanexampletous。Theytrembledverymuch，buttheywerequietandperfectlycollected。"Kissme，CaptainRavender，"
saysMrs。Atherfield，"andGodinheavenblessyou，yougoodman！"
"Mydear，"saysI，"thosewordsarebetterformethanalife—boat。"
Iheldherchildinmyarmstillshewasintheboat，andthenkissedthechildandhandedhersafedown。Inowsaidtothepeopleinher，"Youhavegotyourfreight，mylads，allbutme，andIamnotcomingyetawhile。Pullawayfromtheship，andkeepoff！"
ThatwastheLong—boat。OldMr。Rarxwasoneofhercomplement，andhewastheonlypassengerwhohadgreatlymisbehavedsincetheshipstruck。Othershadbeenalittlewild，whichwasnottobewonderedat，andnotveryblamable；but，hehadmadealamentationanduproarwhichitwasdangerousforthepeopletohear，asthereisalwayscontagioninweaknessandselfishness。Hisincessantcryhadbeenthathemustnotbeseparatedfromthechild，thathecouldn’tseethechild，andthatheandthechildmustgotogether。Hehadeventriedtowrestthechildoutofmyarms，thathemightkeepherinhis。"Mr。Rarx，"saidItohimwhenitcametothat，"Ihavealoadedpistolinmypocket；andifyoudon’tstandoutofthegang—
way，andkeepperfectlyquiet，Ishallshootyouthroughtheheart，ifyouhavegotone。"Sayshe，"Youwon’tdomurder，CaptainRavender！""No，sir，"saysI，"Iwon’tmurderforty—fourpeopletohumouryou，butI’llshootyoutosavethem。"Afterthathewasquiet，andstoodshiveringalittlewayoff，untilInamedhimtogoovertheside。
TheLong—boatbeingcastoff，theSurf—boatwassoonfilled。ThereonlyremainedaboardtheGoldenMary，JohnMullionthemanwhohadkeptonburningtheblue—lights（andwhohadlightedeverynewoneateveryoldonebeforeitwentout，asquietlyasifhehadbeenatanillumination）；JohnSteadiman；andmyself。IhurriedthosetwointotheSurf—boat，calledtothemtokeepoff，andwaitedwithagratefulandrelievedheartfortheLong—boattocomeandtakemein，ifshecould。Ilookedatmywatch，anditshowedme，bytheblue—light，tenminutespasttwo。Theylostnotime。Assoonasshewasnearenough，Iswungmyselfintoher，andcalledtothemen，"Withawill，lads！She’sreeling！"Wewerenotaninchtoofaroutoftheinnervortexofhergoingdown，when，bytheblue—lightwhichJohnMullionstillburntinthebowoftheSurf—boat，wesawherlurch，andplungetothebottomhead—foremost。Thechildcried，weepingwildly，"OthedearGoldenMary！Olookather！Saveher！
SavethepoorGoldenMary！"Andthenthelightburntout，andtheblackdomeseemedtocomedownuponus。
Isupposeifwehadallstooda—topofamountain，andseenthewholeremainderoftheworldsinkawayfromunderus，wecouldhardlyhavefeltmoreshockedandsolitarythanwedidwhenweknewwewerealoneonthewideocean，andthatthebeautifulshipinwhichmostofushadbeensecurelyasleepwithinhalfanhourwasgoneforever。Therewasanawfulsilenceinourboat，andsuchakindofpalsyontherowersandthemanattherudder，thatIfelttheywerescarcelykeepingherbeforethesea。Ispokeoutthen，andsaid，"LeteveryoneherethanktheLordforourpreservation！"
Allthevoicesanswered（eventhechild’s），"WethanktheLord！"I
thensaidtheLord’sPrayer，andallhandssaiditaftermewithasolemnmurmuring。ThenIgavetheword"Cheerily，Omen，Cheerily！"
andIfeltthattheywerehandlingtheboatagainasaboatoughttobehandled。
TheSurf—boatnowburntanotherblue—lighttoshowuswheretheywere，andwemadeforher，andlaidourselvesasnearlyalongsideofheraswedared。Ihadalwayskeptmyboatswithacoilortwoofgoodstoutstuffineachofthem，sobothboatshadaropeathand。
Wemadeashift，withmuchlabourandtrouble，togotnearenoughtooneanothertodividetheblue—lights（theywerenouseafterthatnight，forthesea—watersoongotatthem），andtogetatow—ropeoutbetweenus。Allnightlongwekepttogether，sometimesobligedtocastofftherope，andsometimesgettingitoutagain，andallofuswearyingforthemorning——whichappearedsolongincomingthatoldMr。Rarxscreamedout，inspiteofhisfearsofme，"Theworldisdrawingtoanend，andthesunwillneverriseanymore！"
Whenthedaybroke，Ifoundthatwewereallhuddledtogetherinamiserablemanner。Weweredeepinthewater；being，asIfoundonmustering，thirty—oneinnumber，oratleastsixtoomany。IntheSurf—boattheywerefourteeninnumber，beingatleastfourtoomany。ThefirstthingIdid，wastogetmyselfpassedtotherudder——whichItookfromthattime——andtogetMrs。Atherfield，herchild，andMissColeshaw，passedontositnextme。AstooldMr。