第1章

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。