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。