Theship，afterapauseofcomparativesteadiness，starteduponaseriesofrolls，oneworsethantheother，andforatimeJukes，preservinghisequilibrium，wastoobusytoopenhismouth。Assoonastheviolentswinginghadquieteddownsomewhat，hesaid:
\"Thisisabittoomuchofagoodthing。WhetheranythingiscomingornotIthinksheoughttobeputheadontothatswell。
Theoldmanisjustgoneintoliedown。HangmeifIdon\'tspeaktohim。\"
Butwhenheopenedthedoorofthechart-roomhesawhiscaptainreadingabook。CaptainMacWhirrwasnotlyingdown:hewasstandingupwithonehandgraspingtheedgeofthebookshelfandtheotherholdingopenbeforehisfaceathickvolume。Thelampwriggledinthegimbals，theloosenedbookstoppledfromsidetosideontheshelf，thelongbarometerswunginjerkycircles，thetablealtereditsslanteverymoment。InthemidstofallthisstirandmovementCaptainMacWhirr，holdingon，showedhiseyesabovetheupperedge，andasked，\"What\'sthematter？\"
\"Swellgettingworse，sir。\"
\"Noticedthatinhere，\"mutteredCaptainMacWhirr。\"Anythingwrong？\"
Jukes，inwardlydisconcertedbytheseriousnessoftheeyeslookingathimoverthetopofthebook，producedanembarrassedgrin。
\"Rollinglikeoldboots，\"hesaid，sheepishly。
\"Aye!Veryheavy——veryheavy。Whatdoyouwant？\"
AtthisJukeslosthisfootingandbegantoflounder。\"Iwasthinkingofourpassengers，\"hesaid，inthemannerofamanclutchingatastraw。
\"Passengers？\"wonderedtheCaptain，gravely。\"Whatpassengers？\"
\"Why，theChinamen，sir，\"explainedJukes，verysickofthisconversation。
\"TheChinamen!Whydon\'tyouspeakplainly？Couldn\'ttellwhatyoumeant。Neverheardalotofcooliesspokenofaspassengersbefore。Passengers，indeed!What\'scometoyou？\"
CaptainMacWhirr，closingthebookonhisforefinger，loweredhisarmandlookedcompletelymystified。\"WhyareyouthinkingoftheChinamen，Mr。Jukes？\"heinquired。
Jukestookaplunge，likeamandriventoit。\"She\'srollingherdecksfullofwater，sir。Thoughtyoumightputherheadonperhaps——forawhile。Tillthisgoesdownabit——verysoon，Idaresay。Headtotheeastward。Ineverknewashiprolllikethis。\"
Heheldoninthedoorway，andCaptainMacWhirr，feelinghisgripontheshelfinadequate，madeuphismindtoletgoinahurry，andfellheavilyonthecouch。
\"Headtotheeastward？\"hesaid，strugglingtositup。\"That\'smorethanfourpointsoffhercourse。\"
\"Yes，sir。Fiftydegrees……Wouldjustbringherheadfarenoughroundtomeetthis……\"
CaptainMacWhirrwasnowsittingup。Hehadnotdroppedthebook，andhehadnotlosthisplace。
\"Totheeastward？\"herepeated，withdawningastonishment。\"Tothe……Wheredoyouthinkweareboundto？Youwantmetohaulafull-poweredsteamshipfourpointsoffhercoursetomaketheChinamencomfortable!Now，I\'veheardmorethanenoughofmadthingsdoneintheworld——butthis……IfIdidn\'tknowyou，Jukes，Iwouldthinkyouwereinliquor。Steerfourpointsoff……Andwhatafterwards？Steerfourpointsovertheotherway，Isuppose，tomakethecoursegood。WhatputitintoyourheadthatIwouldstarttotackasteamerasifshewereasailing-ship？\"
\"Jollygoodthingsheisn\'t，\"threwinJukes，withbitterreadiness。\"Shewouldhaverolledeveryblessedstickoutofherthisafternoon。\"
\"Aye!Andyoujustwouldhavehadtostandandseethemgo，\"
saidCaptainMacWhirr，showingacertainanimation。\"It\'sadeadcalm，isn\'tit？\"
\"Itis，sir。Butthere\'ssomethingoutofthecommoncoming，forsure。\"
\"Maybe。IsupposeyouhaveanotionIshouldbegettingoutofthewayofthatdirt，\"saidCaptainMacWhirr，speakingwiththeutmostsimplicityofmannerandtone，andfixingtheoilclothonthefloorwithaheavystare。ThushenoticedneitherJukes\'
discomfiturenorthemixtureofvexationandastonishedrespectonhisface。
\"Now，here\'sthisbook，\"hecontinuedwithdeliberation，slappinghisthighwiththeclosedvolume。\"I\'vebeenreadingthechapteronthestormsthere。\"
Thiswastrue。Hehadbeenreadingthechapteronthestorms。
Whenhehadenteredthechart-room，itwaswithnointentionoftakingthebookdown。Someinfluenceintheair——thesameinfluence，probably，thatcausedthestewardtobringwithoutorderstheCaptain\'ssea-bootsandoilskincoatuptothechart-room-hadasitwereguidedhishandtotheshelf；andwithouttakingthetimetositdownhehadwadedwithaconsciouseffortintotheterminologyofthesubject。Helosthimselfamongstadvancingsemi-circles，left-andright-handquadrants，thecurvesofthetracks，theprobablebearingofthecentre，theshiftsofwindandthereadingsofbarometer。Hetriedtobringallthesethingsintoadefiniterelationtohimself，andendedbybecomingcontemptuouslyangrywithsuchalotofwords，andwithsomuchadvice，allhead-workandsupposition，withoutaglimmerofcertitude。
\"It\'sthedamnedestthing，Jukes，\"hesaid。\"Ifafellowwastobelieveallthat\'sinthere，hewouldberunningmostofhistimeallovertheseatryingtogetbehindtheweather。\"
Againheslappedhislegwiththebook；andJukesopenedhismouth，butsaidnothing。
\"Runningtogetbehindtheweather!Doyouunderstandthat，Mr。
Jukes？It\'sthemaddestthing!\"ejaculatedCaptainMacWhirr，withpauses，gazingatthefloorprofoundly。\"Youwouldthinkanoldwomanhadbeenwritingthis。Itpassesme。Ifthatthingmeansanythinguseful，thenitmeansthatIshouldatoncealterthecourseaway，awaytothedevilsomewhere，andcomeboomingdownonFu-chaufromthenorthwardatthetailofthisdirtyweatherthat\'ssupposedtobeknockingaboutinourway。Fromthenorth!Doyouunderstand，Mr。Jukes？Threehundredextramilestothedistance，andaprettycoalbilltoshow。I
couldn\'tbringmyselftodothatifeverywordintherewasgospeltruth，Mr。Jukes。Don\'tyouexpectme……\"
AndJukes，silent，marvelledatthisdisplayoffeelingandloquacity。
\"Butthetruthisthatyoudon\'tknowifthefellowisright，anyhow。Howcanyoutellwhatagaleismadeoftillyougetit？
Heisn\'taboardhere，ishe？Verywell。Herehesaysthatthecentreofthemthingsbearseightpointsoffthewind；butwehaven\'tgotanywind，forallthebarometerfalling。Where\'shiscentrenow？\"
\"Wewillgetthewindpresently，\"mumbledJukes。
\"Letitcome，then，\"saidCaptainMacWhirr，withdignifiedindignation。\"It\'sonlytoletyousee，Mr。Jukes，thatyoudon\'tfindeverythinginbooks。Alltheserulesfordodgingbreezesandcircumventingthewindsofheaven，Mr。Jukes，seemtomethemaddestthing，whenyoucometolookatitsensibly。\"
Heraisedhiseyes，sawJukesgazingathimdubiously，andtriedtoillustratehismeaning。
\"Aboutasqueerasyourextraordinarynotionofdodgingtheshipheadtosea，forIdon\'tknowhowlong，tomaketheChinamencomfortable；whereasallwe\'vegottodoistotakethemtoFu-chau，beingtimedtogettherebeforenoononFriday。Iftheweatherdelaysme——verywell。There\'syourlog-booktotalkstraightabouttheweather。ButsupposeIwentswingingoffmycourseandcameintwodayslate，andtheyaskedme:\'Wherehaveyoubeenallthattime，Captain？\'WhatcouldIsaytothat？
\'Wentaroundtododgethebadweather，\'Iwouldsay。\'Itmust\'vebeendam\'bad，\'theywouldsay。\'Don\'tknow，\'Iwouldhavetosay；\'I\'vedodgedclearofit。\'Seethat，Jukes？Ihavebeenthinkingitalloutthisafternoon。\"
Helookedupagaininhisunseeing，unimaginativeway。Noonehadeverheardhimsaysomuchatonetime。Jukes，withhisarmsopeninthedoorway，waslikeamaninvitedtobeholdamiracle。
Unboundedwonderwastheintellectualmeaningofhiseye，whileincredulitywasseatedinhiswholecountenance。
\"Agaleisagale，Mr。Jukes，\"resumedtheCaptain，\"andafull-poweredsteam-shiphasgottofaceit。There\'sjustsomuchdirtyweatherknockingabouttheworld，andtheproperthingistogothroughitwithnoneofwhatoldCaptainWilsonoftheMelitacalls\'stormstrategy。\'TheotherdayashoreIheardhimholdforthaboutittoalotofshipmasterswhocameinandsatatatablenexttomine。Itseemedtomethegreatestnonsense。
Hewastellingthemhowheoutman&oelig；uvred，Ithinkhesaid，aterrificgale，sothatitnevercamenearerthanfiftymilestohim。Aneatpieceofhead-workhecalledit。Howheknewtherewasaterrificgalefiftymilesoffbeatsmealtogether。Itwaslikelisteningtoacrazyman。IwouldhavethoughtCaptainWilsonwasoldenoughtoknowbetter。\"
CaptainMacWhirrceasedforamoment，thensaid，\"It\'syourwatchbelow，Mr。Jukes？\"
Jukescametohimselfwithastart。\"Yes，sir。\"
\"Leaveorderstocallmeattheslightestchange，\"saidtheCaptain。Hereacheduptoputthebookaway，andtuckedhislegsuponthecouch。\"Shutthedoorsothatitdon\'tflyopen，willyou？Ican\'tstandadoorbanging。They\'veputalotofrubbishylocksintothisship，Imustsay。\"
CaptainMacWhirrclosedhiseyes。
Hedidsotoresthimself。Hewastired，andheexperiencedthatstateofmentalvacuitywhichcomesattheendofanexhaustivediscussionthathasliberatedsomebeliefmaturedinthecourseofmeditativeyears。Hehadindeedbeenmakinghisconfessionoffaith，hadheonlyknownit；anditseffectwastomakeJukes，ontheothersideofthedoor，standscratchinghisheadforagoodwhile。
CaptainMacWhirropenedhiseyes。
Hethoughthemusthavebeenasleep。Whatwasthatloudnoise？
Wind？Whyhadhenotbeencalled？Thelampwriggledinitsgimbals，thebarometerswungincircles，thetablealtereditsslanteverymoment；apairoflimpsea-bootswithcollapsedtopswentslidingpastthecouch。Heputouthishandinstantly，andcapturedone。
Jukes\'faceappearedinacrackofthedoor:onlyhisface，veryred，withstaringeyes。Theflameofthelampleaped，apieceofpaperflewup，arushofairenvelopedCaptainMacWhirr。
Beginningtodrawontheboot，hedirectedanexpectantgazeatJukes\'swollen，excitedfeatures。
\"Cameonlikethis，\"shoutedJukes，\"fiveminutesago……allofasudden。\"
Theheaddisappearedwithabang，andaheavysplashandpatterofdropssweptpastthecloseddoorasifapailfulofmeltedleadhadbeenflungagainstthehouse。Awhistlingcouldbeheardnowuponthedeepvibratingnoiseoutside。Thestuffychart-roomseemedasfullofdraughtsasashed。CaptainMacWhirrcollaredtheothersea-bootonitsviolentpassagealongthefloor。Hewasnotflustered，buthecouldnotfindatoncetheopeningforinsertinghisfoot。Theshoeshehadflungoffwerescurryingfromendtoendofthecabin，gambollingplayfullyovereachotherlikepuppies。Assoonashestooduphekickedatthemviciously，butwithouteffect。
Hethrewhimselfintotheattitudeofalungingfencer，toreachafterhisoilskincoat；andafterwardshestaggeredallovertheconfinedspacewhilehejerkedhimselfintoit。Verygrave，straddlinghislegsfarapart，andstretchinghisneck，hestartedtotiedeliberatelythestringsofhissou\'-westerunderhischin，withthickfingersthattrembledslightly。Hewentthroughallthemovementsofawomanputtingonherbonnetbeforeaglass，withastrained，listeningattention，asthoughhehadexpectedeverymomenttoheartheshoutofhisnameintheconfusedclamourthathadsuddenlybesethisship。Itsincreasefilledhisearswhilehewasgettingreadytogooutandconfrontwhateveritmightmean。Itwastumultuousandveryloud——madeupoftherushofthewind，thecrashesofthesea，withthatprolongeddeepvibrationoftheair，liketherollofanimmenseandremotedrumbeatingthechargeofthegale。
Hestoodforamomentinthelightofthelamp，thick，clumsy，shapelessinhispanoplyofcombat，vigilantandred-faced。
\"There\'salotofweightinthis，\"hemuttered。
Assoonasheattemptedtoopenthedoorthewindcaughtit。
Clingingtothehandle，hewasdraggedoutoverthedoorstep，andatoncefoundhimselfengagedwiththewindinasortofpersonalscufflewhoseobjectwastheshuttingofthatdoor。Atthelastmomentatongueofairscurriedinandlickedouttheflameofthelamp。
Aheadoftheshipheperceivedagreatdarknesslyinguponamultitudeofwhiteflashes；onthestarboardbeamafewamazingstarsdrooped，dimandfitful，aboveanimmensewasteofbrokenseas，asifseenthroughamaddriftofsmoke。
Onthebridgeaknotofmen，indistinctandtoiling，weremakinggreateffortsinthelightofthewheelhousewindowsthatshonemistilyontheirheadsandbacks。Suddenlydarknessclosedupononepane，thenonanother。Thevoicesofthelostgroupreachedhimafterthemannerofmen\'svoicesinagale，inshredsandfragmentsofforlornshoutingsnatchedpasttheear。AllatonceJukesappearedathisside，yelling，withhisheaddown。
\"Watch——putin——wheelhouseshutters——glass-afraid——blowin。\"
Jukesheardhiscommanderupbraiding。
\"This——come——anything——warning——callme。\"
Hetriedtoexplain，withtheuproarpressingonhislips。
\"Lightair——remained——bridge——sudden——north-east——couldturn——thought——you——sure——hear。\"
Theyhadgainedtheshelteroftheweather-cloth，andcouldconversewithraisedvoices，aspeoplequarrel。
\"Igotthehandsalongtocoverupalltheventilators。GoodjobIhadremainedondeck。Ididn\'tthinkyouwouldbeasleep，andso……Whatdidyousay，sir？What？\"
\"Nothing，\"criedCaptainMacWhirr。\"Isaid——allright。\"
\"Byallthepowers!We\'vegotitthistime，\"observedJukesinahowl。
\"Youhaven\'talteredhercourse？\"inquiredCaptainMacWhirr，straininghisvoice。
\"No，sir。Certainlynot。Windcameoutrightahead。Andherecomestheheadsea。\"
Aplungeoftheshipendedinashockasifshehadlandedherforefootuponsomethingsolid。Afteramomentofstillnessaloftyflightofspraysdrovehardwiththewindupontheirfaces。
\"Keepheratitaslongaswecan，\"shoutedCaptainMacWhirr。
BeforeJukeshadsqueezedthesaltwateroutofhiseyesallthestarshaddisappeared。
III
JUKESwasasreadyamanasanyhalf-dozenyoungmatesthatmaybecaughtbycastinganetuponthewaters；andthoughhehadbeensomewhattakenabackbythestartlingviciousnessofthefirstsquall，hehadpulledhimselftogetherontheinstant，hadcalledoutthehandsandhadrushedthemalongtosecuresuchopeningsaboutthedeckashadnotbeenalreadybatteneddownearlierintheevening。Shoutinginhisfresh，stentorianvoice，\"Jump，boys，andbearahand!\"heledinthework，tellinghimselfthewhilethathehad\"justexpectedthis。\"
Butatthesametimehewasgrowingawarethatthiswasrathermorethanhehadexpected。Fromthefirststiroftheairfeltonhischeekthegaleseemedtotakeuponitselftheaccumulatedimpetusofanavalanche。HeavyspraysenvelopedtheNan-Shanfromstemtostern，andinstantlyinthemidstofherregularrollingshebegantojerkandplungeasthoughshehadgonemadwithfright。
Jukesthought，\"Thisisnojoke。\"Whilehewasexchangingexplanatoryyellswithhiscaptain，asuddenloweringofthedarknesscameuponthenight，fallingbeforetheirvisionlikesomethingpalpable。Itwasasifthemaskedlightsoftheworldhadbeenturneddown。Jukeswasuncriticallygladtohavehiscaptainathand。Itrelievedhimasthoughthatmanhad，bysimplycomingondeck，takenmostofthegale\'sweightuponhisshoulders。Suchistheprestige，theprivilege，andtheburdenofcommand。
CaptainMacWhirrcouldexpectnoreliefofthatsortfromanyoneonearth。Suchisthelonelinessofcommand。Hewastryingtosee，withthatwatchfulmannerofaseamanwhostaresintothewind\'seyeasifintotheeyeofanadversary，topenetratethehiddenintentionandguesstheaimandforceofthethrust。Thestrongwindsweptathimoutofavastobscurity；hefeltunderhisfeettheuneasinessofhisship，andhecouldnotevendiscerntheshadowofhershape。Hewisheditwerenotso；andverystillhewaited，feelingstrickenbyablindman\'shelplessness。
Tobesilentwasnaturaltohim，darkorshine。Jukes，athiselbow，madehimselfheardyellingcheerilyinthegusts，\"Wemusthavegottheworstofitatonce，sir。\"Afaintburstoflightningquiveredallround，asifflashedintoacavern——intoablackandsecretchamberofthesea，withaflooroffoamingcrests。
Itunveiledforasinister，flutteringmomentaraggedmassofcloudshanginglow，thelurchofthelongoutlinesoftheship，theblackfiguresofmencaughtonthebridge，headsforward，asifpetrifiedintheactofbutting。Thedarknesspalpitateddownuponallthis，andthentherealthingcameatlast。
Itwassomethingformidableandswift，likethesuddensmashingofavialofwrath。Itseemedtoexplodeallroundtheshipwithanoverpoweringconcussionandarushofgreatwaters，asifanimmensedamhadbeenblownuptowindward。Inaninstantthemenlosttouchofeachother。Thisisthedisintegratingpowerofagreatwind:itisolatesonefromone\'skind。Anearthquake，alandslip，anavalanche，overtakeamanincidentally，asitwere——withoutpassion。Afuriousgaleattackshimlikeapersonalenemy，triestograsphislimbs，fastensuponhismind，seekstorouthisveryspiritoutofhim。
Jukeswasdrivenawayfromhiscommander。Hefanciedhimselfwhirledagreatdistancethroughtheair。Everythingdisappeared——even，foramoment，hispowerofthinking；buthishandhadfoundoneoftherail-stanchions。Hisdistresswasbynomeansalleviatedbyaninclinationtodisbelievetherealityofthisexperience。Thoughyoung，hehadseensomebadweather，andhadneverdoubtedhisabilitytoimaginetheworst；butthiswassomuchbeyondhispowersoffancythatitappearedincompatiblewiththeexistenceofanyshipwhatever。Hewouldhavebeenincredulousabouthimselfinthesameway，perhaps，hadhenotbeensoharassedbythenecessityofexertingawrestlingeffortagainstaforcetryingtotearhimawayfromhishold。Moreover，theconvictionofnotbeingutterlydestroyedreturnedtohimthroughthesensationsofbeinghalf-drowned，bestiallyshaken，andpartlychoked。
Itseemedtohimheremainedthereprecariouslyalonewiththestanchionforalong，longtime。Therainpouredonhim，flowed，droveinsheets。Hebreathedingasps；andsometimesthewaterheswallowedwasfreshandsometimesitwassalt。Forthemostparthekepthiseyesshuttight，asifsuspectinghissightmightbedestroyedintheimmenseflurryoftheelements。Whenheventuredtoblinkhastily，hederivedsomemoralsupportfromthegreengleamofthestarboardlightshiningfeeblyupontheflightofrainandsprays。Hewasactuallylookingatitwhenitsrayfellupontheuprearingseawhichputitout。Hesawtheheadofthewavetoppleover，addingthemiteofitscrashtothetremendousuproarragingaroundhim，andalmostatthesameinstantthestanchionwaswrenchedawayfromhisembracingarms。
Afteracrushingthumponhisbackhefoundhimselfsuddenlyafloatandborneupwards。HisfirstirresistiblenotionwasthatthewholeChinaSeahadclimbedonthebridge。Then，moresanely，heconcludedhimselfgoneoverboard。Allthetimehewasbeingtossed，flung，androlledingreatvolumesofwater，hekeptonrepeatingmentally，withtheutmostprecipitation，thewords:\"MyGod!MyGod!MyGod!MyGod!\"
Allatonce，inarevoltofmiseryanddespair，heformedthecrazyresolutiontogetoutofthat。Andhebegantothreshaboutwithhisarmsandlegs。Butassoonashecommencedhiswretchedstruggleshediscoveredthathehadbecomesomehowmixedupwithaface，anoilskincoat，somebody\'sboots。Heclawedferociouslyallthesethingsinturn，lostthem，foundthemagain，lostthemoncemore，andfinallywashimselfcaughtinthefirmclaspofapairofstoutarms。Hereturnedtheembracecloselyroundathicksolidbody。Hehadfoundhiscaptain。
Theytumbledoverandover，tighteningtheirhug。Suddenlythewaterletthemdownwithabrutalbang；and，strandedagainstthesideofthewheelhouse，outofbreathandbruised，theywerelefttostaggerupinthewindandholdonwheretheycould。
Jukescameoutofitratherhorrified，asthoughhehadescapedsomeunparalleledoutragedirectedathisfeelings。Itweakenedhisfaithinhimself。Hestartedshoutingaimlesslytothemanhecouldfeelnearhiminthatfiendishblackness，\"Isityou，sir？Isityou，sir？\"tillhistemplesseemedreadytoburst。
Andheheardinansweravoice，asifcryingfaraway，asifscreamingtohimfretfullyfromaverygreatdistance，theoneword\"Yes!\"Otherseassweptagainoverthebridge。Hereceivedthemdefencelesslyrightoverhisbarehead，withbothhishandsengagedinholding。
Themotionoftheshipwasextravagant。Herlurcheshadanappallinghelplessness:shepitchedasiftakingaheaderintoavoid，andseemedtofindawalltohiteverytime。Whensherolledshefellonhersideheadlong，andshewouldberightedbackbysuchademolishingblowthatJukesfeltherreelingasaclubbedmanreelsbeforehecollapses。Thegalehowledandscuffledaboutgiganticallyinthedarkness，asthoughtheentireworldwereoneblackgully。Atcertainmomentstheairstreamedagainsttheshipasifsuckedthroughatunnelwithaconcentratedsolidforceofimpactthatseemedtolifthercleanoutofthewaterandkeepherupforaninstantwithonlyaquiverrunningthroughherfromendtoend。Andthenshewouldbeginhertumblingagainasifdroppedbackintoaboilingcauldron。Jukestriedhardtocomposehismindandjudgethingscoolly。
Thesea，flatteneddownintheheaviergusts，wouldupriseandoverwhelmbothendsoftheNan-Shaninsnowyrushesoffoam，expandingwide，beyondbothrails，intothenight。Andonthisdazzlingsheet，spreadundertheblacknessofthecloudsandemittingabluishglow，CaptainMacWhirrcouldcatchadesolateglimpseofafewtinyspecksblackasebony，thetopsofthehatches，thebattenedcompanions，theheadsofthecoveredwinches，thefootofamast。Thiswasallhecouldseeofhisship。Hermiddlestructure，coveredbythebridgewhichborehim，hismate，theclosedwheelhousewhereamanwassteeringshutupwiththefearofbeingsweptoverboardtogetherwiththewholethinginonegreatcrash——hermiddlestructurewaslikeahalf-tiderockawashuponacoast。Itwaslikeanoutlyingrockwiththewaterboilingup，streamingover，pouringoff，beatinground——likearockinthesurftowhichshipwreckedpeopleclingbeforetheyletgo——onlyitrose，itsank，itrolledcontinuously，withoutrespiteandrest，likearockthatshouldhavemiraculouslystruckadriftfromacoastandgonewallowinguponthesea。
TheNan-Shanwasbeinglootedbythestormwithasenseless，destructivefury:trysailstornoutoftheextragaskets，double-lashedawningsblownaway，bridgesweptclean，weather-clothsburst，railstwisted，light-screenssmashed——andtwooftheboatshadgonealready。Theyhadgoneunheardandunseen，melting，asitwere，intheshockandsmotherofthewave。Itwasonlylater，whenuponthewhiteflashofanotherhighseahurlingitselfamidships，Jukeshadavisionoftwopairsofdavitsleapingblackandemptyoutofthesolidblackness，withoneoverhauledfallflyingandaniron-boundblockcaperingintheair，thathebecameawareofwhathadhappenedwithinaboutthreeyardsofhisback。
Hepokedhisheadforward，gropingfortheearofhiscommander。
Hislipstouchedit——big，fleshy，verywet。Hecriedinanagitatedtone，\"Ourboatsaregoingnow，sir。\"
Andagainheheardthatvoice，forcedandringingfeebly，butwithapenetratingeffectofquietnessintheenormousdiscordofnoises，asifsentoutfromsomeremotespotofpeacebeyondtheblackwastesofthegale；againheheardaman\'svoice——thefrailandindomitablesoundthatcanbemadetocarryaninfinityofthought，resolutionandpurpose，thatshallbepronouncingconfidentwordsonthelastday，whenheavensfall，andjusticeisdone——againheheardit，anditwascryingtohim，asiffromvery，veryfar——\"Allright。\"
Hethoughthehadnotmanagedtomakehimselfunderstood。\"Ourboats——Isayboats——theboats，sir!Twogone!\"
Thesamevoice，withinafootofhimandyetsoremote，yelledsensibly，\"Can\'tbehelped。\"
CaptainMacWhirrhadneverturnedhisface，butJukescaughtsomemorewordsonthewind。
\"Whatcan——expect——whenhammeringthrough-such——Boundtoleave——somethingbehind——standstoreason。\"
WatchfullyJukeslistenedformore。Nomorecame。ThiswasallCaptainMacWhirrhadtosay；andJukescouldpicturetohimselfratherthanseethebroadsquatbackbeforehim。Animpenetrableobscuritypresseddownupontheghostlyglimmersofthesea。A
dullconvictionseizeduponJukesthattherewasnothingtobedone。
Ifthesteering-geardidnotgiveway，iftheimmensevolumesofwaterdidnotburstthedeckinorsmashoneofthehatches，iftheenginesdidnotgiveup，ifwaycouldbekeptontheshipagainstthisterrificwind，andshedidnotburyherselfinoneoftheseawfulseas，ofwhosewhitecrestsalone，toppinghighaboveherbows，hecouldnowandthengetasickeningglimpse——
thentherewasachanceofhercomingoutofit。Somethingwithinhimseemedtoturnover，bringinguppermostthefeelingthattheNan-Shanwaslost。
\"She\'sdonefor，\"hesaidtohimself，withasurprisingmentalagitation，asthoughhehaddiscoveredanunexpectedmeaninginthisthought。Oneofthesethingswasboundtohappen。Nothingcouldbepreventednow，andnothingcouldberemedied。Themenonboarddidnotcount，andtheshipcouldnotlast。Thisweatherwastooimpossible。
Jukesfeltanarmthrownheavilyoverhisshoulders；andtothisovertureherespondedwithgreatintelligencebycatchingholdofhiscaptainroundthewaist。
Theystoodclaspedthusintheblindnight，bracingeachotheragainstthewind，cheektocheekandliptoear，inthemanneroftwohulkslashedstemtosterntogether。
AndJukesheardthevoiceofhiscommanderhardlyanylouderthanbefore，butnearer，asthough，startingtomarchathwarttheprodigiousrushofthehurricane，ithadapproachedhim，bearingthatstrangeeffectofquietnesslikethesereneglowofahalo。
\"D\'yeknowwherethehandsgotto？\"itasked，vigorousandevanescentatthesametime，overcomingthestrengthofthewind，andsweptawayfromJukesinstantly。
Jukesdidn\'tknow。Theywereallonthebridgewhentherealforceofthehurricanestrucktheship。Hehadnoideawheretheyhadcrawledto。Underthecircumstancestheywerenowhere，foralltheusethatcouldbemadeofthem。SomehowtheCaptain\'swishtoknowdistressedJukes。
\"Wantthehands，sir？\"hecried，apprehensively。
\"Oughttoknow，\"assertedCaptainMacWhirr。\"Holdhard。\"
Theyheldhard。Anoutburstofunchainedfury，aviciousrushofthewindabsolutelysteadiedtheship；sherockedonly，quickandlightlikeachild\'scradle，foraterrificmomentofsuspense，whilethewholeatmosphere，asitseemed，streamedfuriouslypasther，roaringawayfromthetenebrousearth。
Itsuffocatedthem，andwitheyesshuttheytightenedtheirgrasp。Whatfromthemagnitudeoftheshockmighthavebeenacolumnofwaterrunninguprightinthedark，buttedagainsttheship，brokeshort，andfellonherbridge，crushingly，fromonhigh，withadeadburyingweight。
Aflyingfragmentofthatcollapse，ameresplash，envelopedtheminoneswirlfromtheirfeetovertheirheads，fillingviolentlytheirears，mouthsandnostrilswithsaltwater。Itknockedouttheirlegs，wrenchedinhasteattheirarms，seethedawayswiftlyundertheirchins；andopeningtheireyes，theysawthepiled-upmassesoffoamdashingtoandfroamongstwhatlookedlikethefragmentsofaship。Shehadgivenwayasifdrivenstraightin。
Theirpantingheartsyielded，too，beforethetremendousblow；
andallatonceshesprangupagaintoherdesperateplunging，asiftryingtoscrambleoutfromundertheruins。
Theseasinthedarkseemedtorushfromallsidestokeepherbackwhereshemightperish。Therewashateinthewayshewashandled，andaferocityintheblowsthatfell。Shewaslikealivingcreaturethrowntotherageofamob:hustledterribly，struckat，borneup，flungdown，leapedupon。CaptainMacWhirrandJukeskeptholdofeachother，deafenedbythenoise，gaggedbythewind；andthegreatphysicaltumultbeatingabouttheirbodies，brought，likeanunbridleddisplayofpassion，aprofoundtroubletotheirsouls。Oneofthosewildandappallingshrieksthatareheardattimespassingmysteriouslyoverheadinthesteadyroarofahurricane，swooped，asifborneonwings，upontheship，andJukestriedtooutscreamit。
\"Willshelivethroughthis？\"
Thecrywaswrenchedoutofhisbreast。Itwasasunintentionalasthebirthofathoughtinthehead，andheheardnothingofithimself。Itallbecameextinctatonce——thought，intention，effort——andofhiscrytheinaudiblevibrationaddedtothetempestwavesoftheair。
Heexpectednothingfromit。Nothingatall。Forindeedwhatanswercouldbemade？Butafterawhileheheardwithamazementthefrailandresistingvoiceinhisear，thedwarfsound，unconqueredinthegianttumult。
\"Shemay!\"
Itwasadullyell，moredifficulttoseizethanawhisper。Andpresentlythevoicereturnedagain，halfsubmergedinthevastcrashes，likeashipbattlingagainstthewavesofanocean。
\"Let\'shopeso!\"itcried——small，lonelyandunmoved，astrangertothevisionsofhopeorfear；anditflickeredintodisconnectedwords:\"Ship……This……Never——Anyhow……forthebest。\"Jukesgaveitup。
Then，asifithadcomesuddenlyupontheonethingfittowithstandthepowerofastorm，itseemedtogainforceandfirmnessforthelastbrokenshouts:
\"Keeponhammering……builders……goodmen……Andchanceit……engines……Rout……goodman。\"
CaptainMacWhirrremovedhisarmfromJukes\'shoulders，andtherebyceasedtoexistforhismate，sodarkitwas；Jukes，afteratensestiffeningofeverymuscle，wouldlethimselfgolimpallover。Thegnawingofprofounddiscomfortexistedsidebysidewithanincredibledispositiontosomnolence，asthoughhehadbeenbuffetedandworriedintodrowsiness。Thewindwouldgetholdofhisheadandtrytoshakeitoffhisshoulders；hisclothes，fullofwater，wereasheavyaslead，coldanddrippinglikeanarmourofmeltingice:heshivered——itlastedalongtime；andwithhishandsclosedhardonhishold，hewaslettinghimselfsinkslowlyintothedepthsofbodilymisery。Hismindbecameconcentrateduponhimselfinanaimless，idleway，andwhensomethingpushedlightlyatthebackofhiskneeshenearly，asthesayingis，jumpedoutofhisskin。
InthestartforwardhebumpedthebackofCaptainMacWhirr，whodidn\'tmove；andthenahandgrippedhisthigh。Alullhadcome，amenacinglullofthewind，theholdingofastormybreath——
andhefelthimselfpawedallover。Itwastheboatswain。Jukesrecognizedthesehands，sothickandenormousthattheyseemedtobelongtosomenewspeciesofman。
Theboatswainhadarrivedonthebridge，crawlingonallfoursagainstthewind，andhadfoundthechiefmate\'slegswiththetopofhishead。ImmediatelyhecrouchedandbegantoexploreJukes\'personupwardswithprudent，apologetictouches，asbecameaninferior。
Hewasanill-favoured，undersized，gruffsailoroffifty，coarselyhairy，short-legged，long-armed，resemblinganelderlyape。Hisstrengthwasimmense；andinhisgreatlumpypaws，bulginglikebrownboxingglovesontheendoffurryforearms，theheaviestobjectswerehandledlikeplaythings。Apartfromthegrizzledpeltonhischest，themenacingdemeanourandthehoarsevoice，hehadnoneoftheclassicalattributesofhisrating。
Hisgoodnaturealmostamountedtoimbecility:themendidwhattheylikedwithhim，andhehadnotanounceofinitiativeinhischaracter，whichwaseasy-goingandtalkative。ForthesereasonsJukesdislikedhim；butCaptainMacWhirr，toJukes\'scornfuldisgust，seemedtoregardhimasafirst-ratepettyofficer。
HepulledhimselfupbyJukes\'coat，takingthatlibertywiththegreatestmoderation，andonlysofarasitwasforceduponhimbythehurricane。
\"Whatisit，boss\'n，whatisit？\"yelledJukes，impatiently。
Whatcouldthatfraudofaboss\'nwantonthebridge？ThetyphoonhadgotonJukes\'nerves。Thehuskybellowingsoftheother，thoughunintelligible，seemedtosuggestastateoflivelysatisfaction。
Therecouldbenomistake。Theoldfoolwaspleasedwithsomething。
Theboatswain\'sotherhandhadfoundsomeotherbody，forinachangedtonehebegantoinquire:\"Isityou，sir？Isityou，sir？\"Thewindstrangledhishowls。
\"Yes!\"criedCaptainMacWhirr。
IV
ALLthattheboatswain，outofasuperabundanceofyells，couldmakecleartoCaptainMacWhirrwasthebizarreintelligencethat\"AllthemChinameninthefore\'tweendeckhavefetchedaway，sir。\"
Jukestoleewardcouldhearthesetwoshoutingwithinsixinchesofhisface，asyoumayhearonastillnighthalfamileawaytwomenconversingacrossafield。HeheardCaptainMacWhirr\'sexasperated\"What？What？\"andthestrainedpitchoftheother\'shoarseness。\"Inalump……seenthemmyself……Awfulsight，sir……thought……tellyou。\"
Jukesremainedindifferent，asifrenderedirresponsiblebytheforceofthehurricane，whichmadetheverythoughtofactionutterlyvain。Besides，beingveryyoung，hehadfoundtheoccupationofkeepinghisheartcompletelysteeledagainsttheworstsoengrossingthathehadcometofeelanoverpoweringdisliketowardsanyotherformofactivitywhatever。Hewasnotscared；heknewthisbecause，firmlybelievinghewouldneverseeanothersunrise，heremainedcalminthatbelief。
Thesearethemomentsofdo-nothingheroicstowhichevengoodmensurrenderattimes。Manyofficersofshipscannodoubtrecallacaseintheirexperiencewhenjustsuchatranceofconfoundedstoicismwouldcomeallatonceoverawholeship\'scompany。Jukes，however，hadnowideexperienceofmenorstorms。
Heconceivedhimselftobecalm——inexorablycalm；butasamatteroffacthewasdaunted；notabjectly，butonlysofarasadecentmanmay，withoutbecomingloathsometohimself。
Itwasratherlikeaforced-onnumbnessofspirit。Thelong，longstressofagaledoesit；thesuspenseoftheinterminablyculminatingcatastrophe；andthereisabodilyfatigueinthemereholdingontoexistencewithintheexcessivetumult；asearchingandinsidiousfatiguethatpenetratesdeepintoaman\'sbreasttocastdownandsaddenhisheart，whichisincorrigible，andofallthegiftsoftheearth——evenbeforelifeitself-aspirestopeace。
Jukeswasbenumbedmuchmorethanhesupposed。Heheldon——verywet，verycold，stiffineverylimb；andinamomentaryhallucinationofswiftvisionsitissaidthatadrowningmanthusreviewsallhislifehebeheldallsortsofmemoriesaltogetherunconnectedwithhispresentsituation。Herememberedhisfather，forinstance:aworthybusinessman，whoatanunfortunatecrisisinhisaffairswentquietlytobedanddiedforthwithinastateofresignation。Jukesdidnotrecallthesecircumstances，ofcourse，butremainingotherwiseunconcernedheseemedtoseedistinctlythepoorman\'sface；acertaingameofnapplayedwhenquiteaboyinTableBayonboardaship，sincelostwithallhands；thethickeyebrowsofhisfirstskipper；andwithoutanyemotion，ashemightyearsagohavewalkedlistlesslyintoherroomandfoundhersittingtherewithabook，herememberedhismother——dead，too，now——theresolutewoman，leftbadlyoff，whohadbeenveryfirminhisbringingup。
Itcouldnothavelastedmorethanasecond，perhapsnotsomuch。
Aheavyarmhadfallenabouthisshoulders；CaptainMacWhirr\'svoicewasspeakinghisnameintohisear。
\"Jukes!Jukes!\"
Hedetectedthetoneofdeepconcern。Thewindhadthrownitsweightontheship，tryingtopinherdownamongsttheseas。
Theymadeacleanbreachoverher，asoveradeep-swimminglog；
andthegatheredweightofcrashesmenacedmonstrouslyfromafar。
Thebreakersflungoutofthenightwithaghostlylightontheircrests——thelightofsea-foamthatinaferocious，boiling-uppaleflashshowedupontheslenderbodyoftheshipthetopplingrush，thedownfall，andtheseethingmadscurryofeachwave。
Neverforamomentcouldsheshakeherselfclearofthewater；
Jukes，rigid，perceivedinhermotiontheominoussignofhaphazardfloundering。Shewasnolongerstrugglingintelligently。Itwasthebeginningoftheend；andthenoteofbusyconcerninCaptainMacWhirr\'svoicesickenedhimlikeanexhibitionofblindandperniciousfolly。
ThespellofthestormhadfallenuponJukes。Hewaspenetratedbyit，absorbedbyit；hewasrootedinitwitharigourofdumbattention。CaptainMacWhirrpersistedinhiscries，butthewindgotbetweenthemlikeasolidwedge。HehungroundJukes\'neckasheavyasamillstone，andsuddenlythesidesoftheirheadsknockedtogether。
\"Jukes!Mr。Jukes，Isay!\"
Hehadtoanswerthatvoicethatwouldnotbesilenced。Heansweredinthecustomarymanner:\"……Yes，sir。\"
Anddirectly，hisheart，corruptedbythestormthatbreedsacravingforpeace，rebelledagainstthetyrannyoftrainingandcommand。
CaptainMacWhirrhadhismate\'sheadfixedfirminthecrookofhiselbow，andpressedittohisyellinglipsmysteriously。
SometimesJukeswouldbreakin，admonishinghastily:\"Lookout，sir!\"orCaptainMacWhirrwouldbawlanearnestexhortationto\"Holdhard，there!\"andthewholeblackuniverseseemedtoreeltogetherwiththeship。Theypaused。Shefloatedyet。AndCaptainMacWhirrwouldr俿um？hisshouts。\"……Says……
wholelot……fetchedaway……Oughttosee……what\'sthematter。\"
Directlythefullforceofthehurricanehadstrucktheship，everypartofherdeckbecameuntenable；andthesailors，dazedanddismayed，tookshelterintheportalleywayunderthebridge。
Ithadadooraft，whichtheyshut；itwasveryblack，cold，anddismal。Ateachheavyflingoftheshiptheywouldgroanalltogetherinthedark，andtonsofwatercouldbeheardscuttlingaboutasiftryingtogetatthemfromabove。Theboatswainhadbeenkeepingupagrufftalk，butamoreunreasonablelotofmen，hesaidafterwards，hehadneverbeenwith。Theyweresnugenoughthere，outofharm\'sway，andnotwantedtodoanything，either；andyettheydidnothingbutgrumbleandcomplainpeevishlylikesomanysickkids。Finally，oneofthemsaidthatiftherehadbeenatleastsomelighttoseeeachother\'snosesby，itwouldn\'tbesobad。Itwasmakinghimcrazy，hedeclared，toliethereinthedarkwaitingfortheblamedhookertosink。
\"Whydon\'tyoustepoutside，then，andbedonewithitatonce？\"
theboatswainturnedonhim。
Thiscalledupashoutofexecration。Theboatswainfoundhimselfoverwhelmedwithreproachesofallsorts。Theyseemedtotakeitillthatalampwasnotinstantlycreatedforthemoutofnothing。Theywouldwhineafteralighttogetdrownedby——
anyhow!Andthoughtheunreasonoftheirrevilingswaspatent——
sincenoonecouldhopetoreachthelamp-room，whichwasforward——hebecamegreatlydistressed。Hedidnotthinkitwasdecentofthemtobenaggingathimlikethis。Hetoldthemso，andwasmetbygeneralcontumely。Hesoughtrefuge，therefore，inanembitteredsilence。Atthesametimetheirgrumblingandsighingandmutteringworriedhimgreatly，butby-and-byitoccurredtohimthatthereweresixglobelampshunginthe\'tween-deck，andthattherecouldbenoharmindeprivingthecooliesofoneofthem。