"Numberfourboat！"Oofty—Ooftycried，hiskeeneyesreadingitsnumberintheonesecondwhenitliftedclearofthefoamandupsidedown。
　　ItwasHenderson’sboat，andwithhimhadbeenlostHoly—oakandWilliams，anotherofthedeep—watercrowd。Losttheyindubitablywere；buttheboatremained，andWolfLarsenmadeonemorerecklessefforttorecoverit。
　　Ihadcomedowntothedeck，andIsawHornerandKerfootvainlyprotestagainsttheattempt。
　　"ByGod，I’llnotberobbedofmyboatbyanystormthateverblewoutofhell！"heshouted，andthoughwefourstoodwithourheadstogetherthatwemighthear，hisvoiceseemedfaintandfar，asthoughremovedfromusanimmensedistance。
　　"Mr。VanWeyden！"hecried，andIheardthroughthetumultasonemighthearawhisper。"StandbythatjibwithJohnsonandOofty！Therestofyoutailafttothemainsheet！Livelynow！OrI’llsailyouallintoKingdomCome！Understand？"
　　AndwhenheputthewheelhardoverandtheGhost’sbowswungoff，therewasnothingforthehunterstodobutobeyandmakethebestofariskychance。HowgreattheriskIrealizedwhenIwasoncemoreburiedbeneaththepoundingseasandclingingforlifetothepin—railatthefootoftheforemast。Myfingersweretornloose，andsweptacrosstothesideandoverthesideintothesea。Icouldnotswim，butbeforeIcouldsinkIwassweptbackagain。Astronghandgrippedme，andwhentheGhostfinallyemerged，IfoundthatIowedmylifetoJohnson。Isawhimlookinganxiouslyabouthim，andnotedthatKelly，whohadcomeforwardatthelastmoment，wasmissing。
　　Thistime，havingmissedtheboatandnotbeinginthesamepositionasinthepreviousinstances，WolfLarsenwascompelledtoresorttoadifferentman渦vre。Runningoffbeforethewindwitheverythingtostarboard，hecameaboutandreturnedclose—hauledontheporttack。
　　"Grand！"Johnsonshoutedinmyear，aswesuccessfullycamethroughtheattendantdeluge，andIknewhereferred，nottoWolfLarsen’sseamanship，buttotheperformanceoftheGhostherself。
　　Itwasnowsodarkthattherewasnosignoftheboat；butWolfLarsenheldbackthroughthefrightfulturmoilasifguidedbyunerringinstinct。
　　Thistime，thoughwewerecontinuallyhalf—buried，therewasnotroughinwhichtobeswept，andwedriftedsquarelydownupontheup—turnedboat，badlysmashingitasitwasheavedinboard。
　　Twohoursofterribleworkfollowed，inwhichallhandsofus，——twohunters，threesailors，WolfLarsen，andI，——reefed，firstoneandthentheother，thejibandmainsail。Hovetounderthisshortcanvas，ourdeckswerecomparativelyfreeofwater，whiletheGhostbobbedandduckedamongstthecomberslikeacork。
　　Ihadburstopentheendsofmyfingersattheveryfirst，andduringthereefingIhadworkedwithtearsofpainrunningdownmycheeks。Andwhenallwasdone，Igaveuplikeawomanandrolleduponthedeckintheagonyofexhaustion。
　　InthemeantimeThomasMugridge，likeadrownedrat，wasbeingdraggedoutfromundertheforecastleheadwherehehadcravenlyensconcedhimself。
　　Isawhimpulledafttothecabinandnotedwithashockofsurprisethatthegalleyhaddisappeared。Acleanspaceofdeckshowedwhereithadstood。
　　InthecabinIfoundallhandsassembled，sailorsaswell，andwhilecoffeewasbeingcookedoverthesmallstovewedrankwhiskeyandcrunchedhardtack。Neverinmylifehadfoodbeensowelcome。Andneverhadhotcoffeetastedsogood。SoviolentlydidtheGhostpitchandtossandtumblethatitwasimpossibleforeventhesailorstomoveaboutwithoutholdingon，andseveraltimes，afteracryof"Nowshetakesit！"wewereheapeduponthewalloftheportcabinsasthoughithadbeenthedeck。
　　"Tohellwithalookout，"IheardWolfLarsensaywhenwehadeatenanddrunkourfill。"There’snothingcanbedoneondeck。Ifanything’sgoingtorunusdownwecouldn’tgetoutofitsway。Turnin，allhands，andgetsomesleep。"
　　Thesailorsslippedforward，settingtheside—lightsastheywent，whilethetwohuntersremainedtosleepinthecabin，itnotbeingdeemedadvisabletoopentheslidetothesteeragecompanionway。WolfLarsenandI，betweenus，cutoffKerfoot’scrushedfingerandsewedupthestump。Mugridge，who，duringallthetimehehadbeencompelledtocookandservecoffeeandkeepthefiregoing，hadcomplainedofinternalpains，nowsworethathehadabrokenribortwo。Onexaminationwefoundthathehadthree。
　　Buthiscasewasdeferredtonextday，principallyforthereasonthatIdidnotknowanythingaboutbrokenribsandwouldfirsthavetoreaditup。
　　"Idon’tthinkitwasworthit，"IsaidtoWolfLarsen，"abrokenboatforKelly’slife。"
　　"ButKellydidn’tamounttomuch，"wasthereply。"Goodnight。"
　　Afterallthathadpassed，sufferingintolerableanguishinmyfingerends，andwiththreeboatsmissing，tosaynothingofthewildcaperstheGhostwascutting，Ishouldhavethoughtitimpossibletosleep。
　　Butmyeyesmusthaveclosedtheinstantmyheadtouchedthepillow，andinutterexhaustionIsleptthroughoutthenight，thewhiletheGhost，lonelyandundirected，foughtherwaythroughthestorm。TheSeaWolf：Chapter18CHAPTER18
　　Thenextday，whilethestormwasblowingitselfout，WolfLarsenandIcrammedanatomyandsurgeryandsetMugridge’sribs。Then，whenthestormbroke，WolfLarsencruisedbackandforthoverthatportionoftheoceanwherewehadencounteredit，andsomewhatmoretothewestward，whiletheboatswerebeingrepairedandnewsailsmadeandbent。Sealingschooneraftersealingschoonerwesightedandboarded，mostofwhichwereinsearchoflostboats，andmostofwhichwerecarryingboatsandcrewstheyhadpickedupandwhichdidnotbelongtothem。Forthethickofthefleethadbeentothewestwardofus，andtheboats，scatteredfarandwide，hadheadedinmadflightforthenearestrefuge。
　　Twoofourboats，withmenallsafe，wetookofftheCisco，and，toWolfLarsen’shugedelightandmyowngrief，heculledSmoke，withNilsonandLeach，fromtheSanDiego。Sothat，attheendoffivedays，wefoundourselvesshortbutfourmen，——Henderson，Holyoak，Williams，andKelly，——andwereoncemorehuntingontheflanksoftheherd。
　　Aswefolloweditnorthwebegantoencounterthedreadedsea—fogs。
　　Dayafterdaytheboatsloweredandwereswallowedupalmosteretheytouchedthewater，whileweonboardpumpedthehornatregularintervalsandeveryfifteenminutesfiredthebombgun。Boatswerecontinuallybeinglostandfound，itbeingthecustomforaboattohunt，onlay，withwhateverschoonerpickeditup，untilsuchtimeitwasrecoveredbyitsownschooner。ButWolfLarsen，aswastobeexpected，beingaboatshort，tookpossessionofthefirststrayoneandcompelleditsmentohuntwiththeGhost，notpermittingthemtoreturntotheirownschoonerwhenwesightedit。
　　Irememberhowheforcedthehunterandhistwomenbelow，arifleattheirbreasts，whentheircaptainpassedbyatbiscuit—tossandhailedusforinformation。
　　ThomasMugridge，sostrangelyandpertinaciouslyclingingtolife，wassoonlimpingaboutagainandperforminghisdoubledutiesofcookandcabin—boy。
　　JohnsonandLeachwerebulliedandbeatenasmuchasever，andtheylookedfortheirlivestoendwiththeendofthehuntingseason；whiletherestofthecrewlivedthelivesofdogsandwereworkedlikedogsbytheirpitilessmaster。AsforWolfLarsenandmyself，wegotalongfairlywell；
　　thoughIcouldnotquiteridmyselfoftheideathatrightconduct，forme，layinkillinghim。Hefascinatedmeimmeasurably，andIfearedhimimmeasurably。Andyet，couldnotimaginehimlyingproneindeath。Therewasanendurance，asofperpetualyouth，abouthim，whichroseupandforbadethepicture。couldseehimonlyaslivingalways，anddominatingalways，fightinganddestroying，himselfsurviving。
　　Onediversionofhis，whenwewereinthemidstoftheherdandtheseawastooroughtolowertheboats，wastolowerwithtwoboatpullersandasteererandgoouthimself。Hewasagoodshot，too，andbroughtmanyaskinaboardunderwhatthehunterstermedImpossiblehuntingconditions。
　　Itseemedthebreathofhisnostrils，thiscarryinghislifeinhishandsandstrugglingforitagainsttremendousodds。
　　Iwaslearningmoreandmoreseamanship；andoneclearday，——athingwerarelyencounterednow，——IhadthesatisfactionofrunningandhandlingtheGhostandpickinguptheboatsmyself。WolfLarsenhadbeensmittenwithoneofhisheadaches，andIstoodatthewheelfrommorninguntilevening，sailingacrosstheoceanafterthelastleeboatandheavingtoandpickingitandtheotherfiveupwithoutcommandorsuggestionfromhim。
　　Galesweencounterednowandagain，foritwasarawandstormyregion，and，inthemiddleofJune，atyphoonmostmemorabletomeandmostimportantbecauseofthechangeswroughtthroughituponmyfuture。Wemusthavebeencaughtnearlyatthecentreofthiscircularstorm，andWolfLarsenranoutofitandtothesouthward，firstunderadouble—reefedjib，andfinallyunderbarepoles。NeverhadIimaginedsogreatasea。Theseaspreviouslyencounteredwereasripplescomparedwiththese，whichranahalfmilefromcresttocrestandwhichupreared，Iamconfident，aboveourmasthead。SogreatwasitthatWolfLarsenhimselfdidnotdareheaveto，thoughhewasbeingdrivenfartothesouthwardandoutofthesealherd。
　　Wemusthavebeenwellinthepathofthetrans—Pacificsteamshipswhenthetyphoonmoderated，andhere，tothesurpriseofthehunters，wefoundourselvesinthemidstofseals——asecondherd，orsortofrear—guard，theydeclared，andamostunusualthing。Butitwas"Boatsover！"，theboom—boomofguns，andthepitifulslaughterthroughthelongday。
　　ItwasatthistimethatIwasapproachedbyLeach。Ihadjustfinishedtallyingtheskinsofthelastboataboard，whenhecametomyside，inthedarkness，andsaidinalowtone：
　　"Canyoutellme，Mr。VanWeyden，howfarweareoffthecoast，andwhatthebearingsofYokohamaare？"
　　Myheartleapedwithgladness，forIknewwhathehadinmind，andI
　　gavehimthebearings——west—northwestandfivehundredmilesaway。
　　"Thankyou，sir，"wasallhesaidasheslippedbackintothedarkness。
　　NextmorningNo。3boatandJohnsonandLeachweremissing。Thewater—breakersandgrubboxesfromalltheotherboatswerelikewisemissing，aswerethebedsandseabagsofthetwomen。WolfLarsenwasfurious。Hesetsailandboreawayintothewest—northwest，twohuntersconstantlyatthemastheadsandsweepingtheseawithglasses，himselfpacingthedecklikeanangrylion。Heknewtoowellmysympathyfortherunawaystosendmealoftaslookout。
　　Thewindwasfairbutfitful，anditwaslikelookingforaneedleinahaystacktoraisethattinyboatoutoftheblueimmensity。ButheputtheGhostthroughherbestpacessoastogetbetweenthedesertersandtheland。Thisaccomplished，hecruisedbackandforthacrosswhatheknewmustbetheircourse。
　　Onthemorningofthethirdday，shortlyaftereightbells，acrythattheboatwassightedcamedownfromSmokeatthemasthead。Allhandslinedtherail。Asnappybreezewasblowingfromthewestwiththepromiseofmorewindbehindit；andthere，toleeward，inthetroubledsilveroftherisingsun，appearedanddisappearedablackspeck。
　　Wesquaredawayandranforit。Myheartwasaslead。feltmyselfturningsickinanticipation；andasIlookedatthegleamoftriumphinWolfLarsen’seyes，hisformswambeforemeandIfeltalmostirresistiblyimpelledtoflingmyselfuponhim。SounnervedwasIbythethoughtofimpendingviolencetoLeachandJohnsonthatmyreasonmusthaveleftme。IknowthatIslippeddownintothesteerageinadaze，andthatIwasjustbeginningtheascenttothedeck，aloadedshot—guninmyhands，whenIheardthestartledcry：
　　"There’sfivemeninthatboat！"
　　Isupportedmyselfinthecompanionway，weakandtrembling，whiletheobservationwasbeingverifiedbytheremarksoftherestofthemen。ThenmykneesgavefromundermeandIsankdown，myselfagain，butovercomebyshockatknowledgeofwhatIhadsonearlydone。Also，IwasverythankfulasIputthegunawayandslippedbackondeck。
　　Noonehadremarkedmyabsence。Theboatwasnearenoughforustomakeoutthatitwaslargerthananysealingboatandbuiltondifferentlines。
　　Aswedrewcloser，thesailwastakeninandthemastunstepped。Oarswereshipped，anditsoccupantswaitedforustoheavetoandtakethemaboard。
　　Smoke，whohaddescendedtothedeckandwasnowstandingbymyside，begantochuckleinasignificantway。Ilookedathiminquiringly。
　　"Talkofamess！"hegiggled。
　　"What’swrong？"Idemanded。
　　Againhechuckled。
　　"Don’tyouseethere，inthestern—sheets，onthebottom。MayInevershootasealagainifthatain’tawoman！"
　　Ilookedclosely，butwasnotsureuntilexclamationsbrokeoutonallsides。Theboatcontainedfourmen，anditsfifthoccupantwascertainlyawoman。Wewereagogwithexcitement，allexceptWolfLarsen，whowastooevidentlydisappointedinthatitwasnothisownboatwiththetwovictimsofhismalice。
　　Werandowntheflyingjib，hauledthejib—sheetstowindwardandthemainsheetflat，andcameupintothewind。Theoarsstruckthewater，andwithafewstrokestheboatwasalongside。Inowcaughtmyfirstfairglimpseofthewoman。Shewaswrappedinalongulster，forthemorningwasraw；andIcouldseenothingbutherfaceandamassoflightbrownhairescapingfromundertheseaman’scaponherhead。Theeyeswerelargeandbrownandlustrous，themouthsweetandsensitive，andthefaceitselfadelicateoval，thoughsunandexposuretobrinywindhadburntthefacescarlet。
　　Sheseemedtomelikeabeingfromanotherworld。Iwasawareofahungryoutreachingforher，asofastarvingmanforbread。Butthen，Ihadnotseenawomanforaverylongtime。IknowthatIwaslostinagreatwonder，almostastupor，——this，then，wasawoman？——sothatIforgotmyselfandmymate’sduties，andtooknopartinhelpingthenewcomersaboard。
　　ForwhenoneofthesailorsliftedherintoWolfLarsen’sdown—stretchedarms，shelookedupintoourcuriousfacesandsmiledamusedlyandsweetly，asonlyawomancansmile，andasIhadseennoonesmileforsolongthatIhadforgottensuchsmilesexisted。
　　"Mr。VanWeyden！"
　　WolfLarsen’svoicebroughtmesharplybacktomyself。
　　"Willyoutaketheladybelowandseetohercomfort？Makeupthatspareportcabin。PutCookytoworkonit。Andseewhatyoucandoforthatface。
　　It’sburnedbadly。"
　　Heturnedbrusquelyawayfromusandbegantoquestionthenewmen。
　　Theboatwascastadrift，thoughoneofthemcalledita"bloodyshame"
　　withYokohamasonear。
　　IfoundmyselfstrangelyafraidofthiswomanIwasescortingaft。AlsoIwasawkward。ItseemedtomethatIwasrealizingforthefirsttimewhatadelicate，fragilecreatureawomanis；andasIcaughtherarmtohelpherdownthecompanionstairs，Iwasstartledbyitssmallnessandsoftness。Indeed，shewasaslender，delicatewomanaswomengo，buttomeshewassoethereallyslenderanddelicatethatwasquitepreparedforherarmtocrumbleinmygrasp。Allthis，infrankness，toshowmyfirstimpression，afterlongdenial，ofwomeningeneralandofMaudBrewsterinparticular。
　　"Noneedtogotoanygreattroubleforme，"sheprotested，whenIhadseatedherinWolfLarsen’sarm—chair，whichIhaddraggedhastilyfromhiscabin。"Themenwerelookingforlandatanymomentthismorning，andthevesselshouldbeinbynight；don’tyouthinkso？"
　　Hersimplefaithintheimmediatefuturetookmeaback。HowcouldI
　　explaintoherthesituation，thestrangemanwhostalkedthesealikeDestiny，allthatithadtakenmemonthstolearn？ButIansweredhonestly：
　　"Ifitwereanyothercaptainexceptours，IshouldsayyouwouldbeashoreinYokohamato—morrow。Butourcaptainisastrangeman，andIbegofyoutobepreparedforanything，understand？——foranything。"
　　"I——IconfessIhardlydounderstand，"shehesitated，aperturbedbutnotfrightenedexpressioninhereyes。"Orisitamisconceptionofminethatshipwreckedpeoplearealwaysshowneveryconsideration？Thisissuchalittlething，youknow。Wearesoclosetoland。"
　　"Candidly，Idonotknow，"Istrovetoreassureher。"Iwishedmerelytoprepareyoufortheworst，iftheworstistocome。Thisman，thiscaptain，isabrute，ademon，andonecannevertellwhatwillbehisnextfantasticact。"
　　Iwasgrowingexcited，butsheinterruptedmewithan"Oh，see，"andhervoicesoundedweary。Tothinkwaspatentlyaneffort。Shewasclearlyonthevergeofphysicalcollapse。
　　Sheaskednofurtherquestions，andIvouchsafednoremarks，devotingmyselftoWolfLarsen’scommand，whichwastomakehercomfortable。Ibustledaboutinquitehousewifelyfashion，procuringsoothinglotionsforhersunburn，raidingWolfLarsen’sprivatestoresforabottleofportIknewtobethere，anddirectingThomasMugridgeinthepreparationofthesparestate—room。
　　Thewindwasfresheningrapidly，theGhostheelingovermoreandmore，andbythetimethestate—roomwasreadyshewasdashingthroughthewateratalivelyclip。IhadquiteforgottentheexistenceofLeachandJohnson，whensuddenly，likeathunderclap，"Boatho！"camedowntheopencompanionway。ItwasSmoke’sunmistakablevoice，cryingfromthemasthead。
　　Ishotaglanceatthewoman，butshewasleaningbackinthearm—chair，hereyesclosed，unutterablytired。Idoubtedthatshehadheard，andI
　　resolvedtopreventherseeingthebrutalityknewwouldfollowthecaptureofthedeserters。Shewastired。Verygood。Sheshouldsleep。
　　Therewereswiftcommandsondeck，astampingoffeetandaslappingofreef—pointsastheGhostshotintothewindandaboutontheothertack。Asshefilledawayandheeled，thearm—chairbegantoslideacrossthecabinfloor，andIsprangforitjustintimetopreventtherescuedwomanfrombeingspilledout。
　　Hereyesweretooheavytosuggestmorethanahintofthesleepysurprisethatperplexedherasshelookedupatme，andshehalfstumbled，halftottered，asIledhertohercabin。MugridgegrinnedinsinuatinglyinmyfaceasIshovedhimoutandorderedhimbacktohisgalleywork；andhewonhisrevengebyspreadingglowingreportsamongthehuntersastowhatanexcellent"lydy’smyde"Iwasprovingmyselftobe。
　　Sheleanedheavilyagainstme，andIdobelievethatshehadfallenasleepagainbetweenthearm—chairandthestate—room。Thisdiscoveredwhenshenearlyfellintothebunkduringasuddenlurchoftheschooner。
　　Shearoused，smileddrowsily，andwasofftosleepagain；andasleepI
　　lefther，underaheavypairofsailor’sblankets，herheadrestingonapillowIhadappropriatedfromWolfLarsen’sbunk。TheSeaWolf：Chapter19CHAPTER19
　　IcameondecktofindtheGhostheadingupcloseontheporttackandcuttingintowindwardofafamiliarspritsailclose—hauledonthesametackaheadofus。Allhandswereondeck，fortheyknewthatsomethingwastohappenwhenLeachandJohnsonweredraggedaboard。
　　Itwasfourbells。Louiscameafttorelievethewheel。Therewasadampnessintheair，andInoticedhehadonhisoilskins。
　　"Whatarewegoingtohave？"Iaskedhim。
　　"Ahealthyyoungslipofagalefromthebreathivit，sir，"heanswered，"withasplatterivrainjusttowetourgillsan’nomore。"
　　"Toobadwesightedthem，"Isaid，astheGhost’sbowwasflungoffapointbyalargeseaandtheboatleapedforamomentpastthejibsandintoourlineofvision。
　　Louisgaveaspokeandtemporized。"They’dneverivmadetheland，sir，I’mthinkin’。"
　　"Thinknot？"Iqueried。
　　"No，sir。Didyoufeelthat？"（Apuffhadcaughttheschooner，andhewasforcedtoputthewheeluprapidlytokeepheroutofthewind。）"’Tisnoegg—shell’llfloatonthisseaanhourcome，an’it’sastrokeivluckforthemwe’reheretopick’emup。"
　　WolfLarsenstrodeaftfromamidships，wherehehadbeentalkingwiththerescuedmen。Thecatlikespringinessinhistreadwasalittlemorepronouncedthanusual，andhiseyeswerebrightandsnappy。
　　"Threeoilersandafourthengineer，"washisgreeting。"Butwe’llmakesailorsoutofthem，orboat—pullersatanyrate。Now，whatofthelady？"
　　Iknownotwhy，butIwasawareofatwingeorpang，likethecutofaknife，whenhementionedher。Ithoughtitacertainsillyfastidiousnessonmypart，butitpersistedinspiteofme，andImerelyshruggedmyshouldersinanswer。
　　WolfLarsenpursedhislipsinalong，quizzicalwhistle。
　　"What’shername，then？"hedemanded。
　　"Idon’tknow，"Ireplied。"Sheisasleep。Shewasverytired。Infact，Iamwaitingtohearthenewsfromyou。Whatvesselwasit？"
　　"Mailsteamer，"heansweredshortly。"TheCityofTokio，from’Frisco，boundforYokohama。Disabledinthattyphoon。Oldtub。Openeduptopandbottomlikeasieve。Theywereadriftfourdays。Andyoudon’tknowwhoorwhatsheis，eh？——maid，wife，orwidow？Well，well。"
　　Heshookhisheadinabanteringway，andregardedmewithlaughingeyes。
　　"Areyou——"Ibegan。ItwasonthevergeofmytonguetoaskifheweregoingtotakethecastawaysintoYokohama。
　　"AmIwhat？"heasked。
　　"WhatdoyouintenddoingwithLeachandJohnson？"
　　Heshookhishead。"Really，Hump，Idon’tknow。Yousee，withtheseadditionsI’veaboutallthecrewIwant。"
　　"Andthey’veaboutalltheescapingtheywant，"Isaid。"Whynotgivethemachangeoftreatment？Takethemaboard，anddealgentlywiththem。
　　Whatevertheyhavedonetheyhavebeenhoundedintodoing。"
　　"Byme？"
　　"Byyou，"Iansweredsteadily。"AndIgiveyouwarning，WolfLarsen，thatImayforgetloveofmyownlifeinthedesiretokillyouifyougotoofarinmaltreatingthosepoorwretches。"
　　"Bravo！"hecried。"Youdomeproud，Hump！You’vefoundyourlegswithavengeance。You’requiteanindividual。Youwereunfortunateinhavingyourlifecastineasyplaces，butyou’redeveloping，andIlikeyouthebetterforit。"
　　Hisvoiceandexpressionchanged。Hisfacewasserious。"Doyoubelieveinpromises？"heasked。"Aretheysacredthings？"
　　"Ofcourse，"Ianswered。
　　"Thenhere’sacompact，"hewenton，consummateactorthathewas。"IfIpromisenottolaymyhandsuponLeachandJohnson，willyoupromise，inturn，nottoattempttokillme？"
　　"Oh，notthatI’mafraidofyou，notthatI’mafraidofyou，"hehastenedtoadd。
　　Icouldhardlybelievemyears。Whatwascomingovertheman？
　　"Isitago？"heaskedimpatiently。
　　"Ago，"Ianswered。
　　Hishandwentouttomine，andasIshookitheartilyIcouldhaveswornIsawthemockingdevilshineupforamomentinhiseyes。
　　Westrolledacrossthepooptotheleeside。Theboatwascloseathandnow，andindesperateplight。Johnsonwassteering，Leachbailing。Weoverhauledthemabouttwofeettotheirone。WolfLarsenmotionedLouistokeepoffslightly，andwedashedabreastoftheboat，notascoreoffeettowindward。
　　TheGhostblanketedit。Thespritsailflappedemptilyandtheboatrightedtoanevenkeel，causingthetwomenswiftlytochangeposition。
　　Theboatlostheadway，and，asweliftedonahugesurge，toppledandfellintothetrough。
　　ItwasatthismomentthatLeachandJohnsonlookedupintothefacesoftheirshipmates，wholinedtherailamidships。Therewasnogreeting。
　　Theywereasdeadmenintheircomrades’eyes，andbetweenthemwasthegulfthatpartsthelivingandthedead。
　　Thenextinstanttheywereoppositethepoop，wherestoodWolfLarsenandI。Wewerefallinginthetrough，theywererisingonthesurge。Johnsonlookedatme，andIcouldseethathisfacewaswornandhaggard。Iwavedmyhandtohim，andheansweredthegreeting，butwithawavethatwashopelessanddespairing。Itwasasifheweresayingfarewell。IdidnotseeintotheeyesofLeach，forhewaslookingatWolfLarsen，theoldandimplacablesnarlofhatredstrongaseveronhisface。
　　Thentheyweregoneastern。Thespritsailfilledwiththewind，suddenly，careeningthefrailopencrafttillitseemeditwouldsurelycapsize。
　　Awhitecapfoamedaboveitandbrokeacrossinasnow—whitesmother。Thentheboatemerged，halfswamped，LeachflingingthewateroutandJohnsonclingingtothesteering—oar，hisfacewhiteandanxious。
　　WolfLarsenbarkedashortlaughinmyearandstrodeawaytotheweathersideofthepoop。IexpectedhimtogiveordersfortheGhosttoheaveto，butshekeptonhercourseandhemadenosign。Louisstoodimperturbablyatthewheel，butInoticedthegroupedsailorsforwardturningtroubledfacesinourdirection。StilltheGhosttorealong，tilltheboatdwindledtoaspeck，whenWolfLarsen’svoicerangoutincommandandhewentaboutonthestarboardtack。
　　Backweheld，twomilesandmoretowindwardofthestrugglingcockle—shell，whentheflyingjibwasrundownandtheschoonerhoveto。Thesealingboatsarenotmadeforwindwardwork。Theirhopeliesinkeepingaweatherpositionsothattheymayrunbeforethewindfortheschoonerwhenitbreezesup。ButinallthatwildwastetherewasnorefugeforLeachandJohnsonsaveontheGhost，andtheyresolutelybeganthewindwardbeat。Itwasslowworkintheheavyseathatwasrunning。Atanymomenttheywereliabletobeoverwhelmedbythehissingcombers。Timeandagainandcountlesstimeswewatchedtheboatluffintothebigwhitecaps，loseheadway，andbeflungbacklikeacork。
　　Johnsonwasasplendidseaman，andheknewasmuchaboutsmallboatsashedidaboutships。Attheendofanhourandahalfhewasnearlyalongside，standingpastoursternonthelastlegout，aimingtofetchusonthenextlegback。
　　"Soyou’vechangedyourmind？"IheardWolfLarsenmutter，halftohimself，halftothemasthoughtheycouldhear。"Youwanttocomeaboard，eh？Well，then，justkeepa—coming。"
　　"Hardupwiththathelm！"hecommandedOofty—Oofty，theKanaka，whohadinthemeantimerelievedLouisatthewheel。