TheNan-Shanhadanathwartshipcoal-bunker，which，beingattimesusedascargospace，communicatedbyanirondoorwiththefore'tween-deck。Itwasemptythen，anditsmanholewastheforemostoneinthealleyway。Theboatswaincouldgetin，therefore，withoutcomingoutondeckatall；buttohisgreatsurprisehefoundhecouldinducenoonetohelphimintakingoffthemanholecover。Hegropedforitallthesame，butoneofthecrewlyinginhiswayrefusedtobudge。
　　"Why，Ionlywanttogetyouthatblamedlightyouarecryingfor，"heexpostulated，almostpitifully。
　　Somebodytoldhimtogoandputhisheadinabag。Heregrettedhecouldnotrecognizethevoice，andthatitwastoodarktosee，otherwise，ashesaid，hewouldhaveputaheadonthatsonofasea-cook，anyway，sinkorswim。Nevertheless，hehadmadeuphismindtoshowthemhecouldgetalight，ifheweretodieforit。
　　Throughtheviolenceoftheship'srolling，everymovementwasdangerous。Tobelyingdownseemedlabourenough。Henearlybrokehisneckdroppingintothebunker。Hefellonhisback，andwassentshootinghelplesslyfromsidetosideinthedangerouscompanyofaheavyironbar——acoal-trimmer'ssliceprobably——leftdowntherebysomebody。Thisthingmadehimasnervousasthoughithadbeenawildbeast。Hecouldnotseeit，theinsideofthebunkercoatedwithcoal-dustbeingperfectlyandimpenetrablyblack；buthehearditslidingandclattering，andstrikinghereandthere，alwaysintheneighbourhoodofhishead。Itseemedtomakeanextraordinarynoise，too——togiveheavythumpsasthoughithadbeenasbigasabridgegirder。
　　Thiswasremarkableenoughforhimtonoticewhilehewasflungfromporttostarboardandbackagain，andclawingdesperatelythesmoothsidesofthebunkerintheendeavourtostophimself。
　　Thedoorintothe'tween-decknotfittingquitetrue，hesawathreadofdimlightatthebottom。
　　Beingasailor，andastillactiveman，hedidnotwantmuchofachancetoregainhisfeet；andasluckwouldhaveit，inscramblingupheputhishandontheironslice，pickingitupasherose。Otherwisehewouldhavebeenafraidofthethingbreakinghislegs，oratleastknockinghimdownagain。Atfirsthestoodstill。Hefeltunsafeinthisdarknessthatseemedtomaketheship'smotionunfamiliar，unforeseen，anddifficulttocounteract。Hefeltsomuchshakenforamomentthathedarednotmoveforfearof"takingchargeagain。"Hehadnomindtogetbatteredtopiecesinthatbunker。
　　Hehadstruckhisheadtwice；hewasdazedalittle。Heseemedtohearyetsoplainlytheclatterandbangsoftheironsliceflyingabouthisearsthathetightenedhisgriptoprovetohimselfhehadittheresafelyinhishand。Hewasvaguelyamazedattheplainnesswithwhichdowntherehecouldhearthegaleraging。Itshowlsandshrieksseemedtotakeon，intheemptinessofthebunker，somethingofthehumancharacter，ofhumanrageandpain——beingnotvastbutinfinitelypoignant。
　　Andtherewere，witheveryroll，thumps，too——profound，ponderousthumps，asifabulkyobjectoffive-tonweightorsohadgotplayinthehold。Buttherewasnosuchthinginthecargo。Somethingondeck？Impossible。Oralongside？Couldn'tbe。
　　Hethoughtallthisquickly，clearly，competently，likeaseaman，andintheendremainedpuzzled。Thisnoise，though，camedeadenedfromoutside，togetherwiththewashingandpouringofwaterondeckabovehishead。Wasitthewind？Mustbe。Itmadedowntherearowliketheshoutingofabiglotofcrazedmen。Andhediscoveredinhimselfadesireforalight，too-ifonlytogetdrownedby——andanervousanxietytogetoutofthatbunkerasquicklyaspossible。
　　Hepulledbackthebolt:theheavyironplateturnedonitshinges；anditwasasthoughhehadopenedthedoortothesoundsofthetempest。Agustofhoarseyellingmethim:theairwasstill；andtherushingofwateroverheadwascoveredbyatumultofstrangled，throatyshrieksthatproducedaneffectofdesperateconfusion。Hestraddledhislegsthewholewidthofthedoorwayandstretchedhisneck。Andatfirstheperceivedonlywhathehadcometoseek:sixsmallyellowflamesswingingviolentlyonthegreatbodyofthedusk。
　　Itwasstayedlikethegalleryofamine，witharowofstanchionsinthemiddle，andcross-beamsoverhead，penetratingintothegloomahead——indefinitely。Andtoportthereloomed，likethecavinginofoneofthesides，abulkymasswithaslantingoutline。Thewholeplace，withtheshadowsandtheshapes，movedallthetime。Theboatswainglared:theshiplurchedtostarboard，andagreathowlcamefromthatmassthathadtheslantoffallenearth。
　　Piecesofwoodwhizzedpast。Planks，hethought，inexpressiblystartled，andflingingbackhishead。Athisfeetamanwentslidingover，open-eyed，onhisback，strainingwithupliftedarmsfornothing:andanothercameboundinglikeadetachedstonewithhisheadbetweenhislegsandhishandsclenched。His58
　　pigtailwhippedintheair；hemadeagrabattheboatswain'slegs，andfromhisopenedhandabrightwhitediscrolledagainsttheboatswain'sfoot。Herecognizedasilverdollar，andyelledatitwithastonishment。Withaprecipitatedsoundoftramplingandshufflingofbarefeet，andwithgutturalcries，themoundofwrithingbodiespileduptoportdetacheditselffromtheship'ssideandsliding，inertandstruggling，shiftedtostarboard，withadull，brutalthump。Thecriesceased。Theboatswainheardalongmoanthroughtheroarandwhistlingofthewind；hesawaninextricableconfusionofheadsandshoulders，nakedsoleskickingupwards，fistsraised，tumblingbacks，legs，pigtails，faces。
　　"GoodLord!"hecried，horrified，andbanged-totheirondooruponthisvision。
　　Thiswaswhathehadcomeonthebridgetotell。Hecouldnotkeepittohimself；andonboardshipthereisonlyonemantowhomitisworthwhiletounburdenyourself。Onhispassagebackthehandsinthealleywaysworeathimforafool。Whydidn'thebringthatlamp？Whatthedevildidthecooliesmattertoanybody？Andwhenhecameout，theextremityoftheshipmadewhatwentoninsideofherappearoflittlemoment。
　　Atfirsthethoughthehadleftthealleywayintheverymomentofhersinking。Thebridgeladdershadbeenwashedaway，butanenormousseafillingtheafter-deckfloatedhimup。Afterthathehadtolieonhisstomachforsometime，holdingtoaring-bolt，gettinghisbreathnowandthen，andswallowingsaltwater。Hestruggledfartheronhishandsandknees，toofrightenedanddistractedtoturnback。Inthiswayhereachedtheafter-partofthewheelhouse。Inthatcomparativelyshelteredspothefoundthesecondmate。
　　Theboatswainwaspleasantlysurprised——hisimpressionbeingthateverybodyondeckmusthavebeenwashedawayalongtimeago。HeaskedeagerlywheretheCaptainwas。
　　Thesecondmatewaslyinglow，likeamalignantlittleanimalunderahedge。
　　"Captain？Goneoverboard，aftergettingusintothismess。"Themate，too，forallhekneworcared。Anotherfool。Didn'tmatter。Everybodywasgoingby-and-by。
　　Theboatswaincrawledoutagainintothestrengthofthewind；
　　notbecausehemuchexpectedtofindanybody，hesaid，butjusttogetawayfrom"thatman。"Hecrawledoutasoutcastsgotofaceaninclementworld。HencehisgreatjoyatfindingJukesandtheCaptain。Butwhatwasgoingoninthe'tween-deckwastohimaminormatterbythattime。Besides，itwasdifficulttomakeyourselfheard。ButhemanagedtoconveytheideathattheChinamanhadbrokenadrifttogetherwiththeirboxes，andthathehadcomeuponpurposetoreportthis。Astothehands，theywereallright。Then，appeased，hesubsidedonthedeckinasittingposture，huggingwithhisarmsandlegsthestandoftheengine-roomtelegraph——anironcastingasthickasapost。
　　Whenthatwent，why，heexpectedhewouldgo，too。Hegavenomorethoughttothecoolies。
　　CaptainMacWhirrhadmadeJukesunderstandthathewantedhimtogodownbelow——tosee。
　　"WhatamItodothen，sir？"AndthetremblingofhiswholewetbodycausedJukes'voicetosoundlikebleating。
　　"Seefirst……Boss'n……says……adrift。"
　　"Thatboss'nisaconfoundedfool，"howledJukes，shakily。
　　TheabsurdityofthedemandmadeuponhimrevoltedJukes。Hewasasunwillingtogoasifthemomenthehadleftthedecktheshipweresuretosink。
　　"Imustknow……can'tleave……"
　　"They'llsettle，sir。"
　　"Fight……boss'nsaystheyfight……Why？Can'thave……
　　fighting……boardship……Muchratherkeepyouhere……
　　case……Ishould……washedoverboardmyself……Stopit……someway。Youseeandtellme……throughengine-roomtube。Don'twantyou……comeuphere……toooften。
　　Dangerous……movingabout……deck。"
　　Jukes，heldwithhisheadinchancery，hadtolistentowhatseemedhorriblesuggestions。
　　"Don'twant……yougetlost……solong……shipisn't……Rout……Goodman……Ship……may……throughthis……allrightyet。"
　　AllatonceJukesunderstoodhewouldhavetogo。
　　"Doyouthinkshemay？"hescreamed。
　　Butthewinddevouredthereply，outofwhichJukesheardonlytheoneword，pronouncedwithgreatenergy"……Always……"
　　CaptainMacWhirrreleasedJukes，andbendingovertheboatswain，yelled，"Getbackwiththemate。"Jukesonlyknewthatthearmwasgoneoffhisshoulders。Hewasdismissedwithhisorders——
　　todowhat？Hewasexasperatedintolettinggohisholdcarelessly，andontheinstantwasblownaway。Itseemedtohimthatnothingcouldstophimfrombeingblownrightoverthestern。Heflunghimselfdownhastily，andtheboatswain，whowasfollowing，fellonhim。
　　"Don'tyougetupyet，sir，"criedtheboatswain。"Nohurry!"
　　Aseasweptover。Jukesunderstoodtheboatswaintosplutterthatthebridgeladdersweregone。"I'llloweryoudown，sir，byyourhands，"hescreamed。Heshoutedalsosomethingaboutthesmoke-stackbeingaslikelytogooverboardasnot。Jukesthoughtitverypossible，andimaginedthefiresout，theshiphelpless……Theboatswainbyhissidekeptonyelling。
　　"What？Whatisit？"Jukescrieddistressfully；andtheotherrepeated，"Whatwouldmyoldwomansayifshesawmenow？"
　　Inthealleyway，wherealotofwaterhadgotinandsplashedinthedark，themenwerestillasdeath，tillJukesstumbledagainstoneofthemandcursedhimsavagelyforbeingintheway。
　　Twoorthreevoicesthenasked，eagerandweak，"Anychanceforus，sir？"
　　"What'sthematterwithyoufools？"hesaidbrutally。Hefeltasthoughhecouldthrowhimselfdownamongstthemandnevermoveanymore。Buttheyseemedcheered；andinthemidstofobsequiouswarnings，"Lookout!Mindthatmanholelid，sir，"
　　theyloweredhimintothebunker。Theboatswaintumbleddownafterhim，andassoonashehadpickedhimselfupheremarked，"Shewouldsay，'Serveyouright，youoldfool，forgoingtosea。'"
　　Theboatswainhadsomemeans，andmadeapointofalludingtothemfrequently。Hiswife——afatwoman——andtwogrown-updaughterskeptagreengrocer'sshopintheEast-endofLondon。
　　Inthedark，Jukes，unsteadyonhislegs，listenedtoafaintthunderouspatter。Adeadenedscreamingwentonsteadilyathiselbow，asitwere；andfromabovetheloudertumultofthestormdescendeduponthesenearsounds。Hisheadswam。Tohim，too，inthatbunker，themotionoftheshipseemednovelandmenacing，sappinghisresolutionasthoughhehadneverbeenafloatbefore。
　　Hehadhalfamindtoscrambleoutagain；buttheremembranceofCaptainMacWhirr'svoicemadethisimpossible。Hisordersweretogoandsee。Whatwasthegoodofit，hewantedtoknow。
　　Enraged，hetoldhimselfhewouldsee——ofcourse。Buttheboatswain，staggeringclumsily，warnedhimtobecarefulhowheopenedthatdoor；therewasablamedfightgoingon。AndJukes，asifingreatbodilypain，desiredirritablytoknowwhatthedeviltheywerefightingfor。
　　"Dollars!Dollars，sir。Alltheirrottenchestsgotburstopen。
　　Blamedmoneyskippingallovertheplace，andtheyaretumblingafteritheadoverheels——tearingandbitinglikeanything。A
　　regularlittlehellinthere。"
　　Jukesconvulsivelyopenedthedoor。Theshortboatswainpeeredunderhisarm。
　　Oneofthelampshadgoneout，brokenperhaps。Rancorous，gutturalcriesburstoutloudlyontheirears，andastrangepantingsound，theworkingofallthesestrainingbreasts。A
　　hardblowhitthesideoftheship:waterfellabovewithastunningshock，andintheforefrontofthegloom，wheretheairwasreddishandthick，Jukessawaheadbangthedeckviolently，twothickcalveswavingonhigh，musculararmstwinedroundanakedbody，ayellow-face，open-mouthedandwithasetwildstare，lookupandslideaway。Anemptychestclatteredturningover；amanfellheadfirstwithajump，asifliftedbyakick；
　　andfartheroff，indistinct，othersstreamedlikeamassofrollingstonesdownabank，thumpingthedeckwiththeirfeetandflourishingtheirarmswildly。Thehatchwayladderwasloadedwithcooliesswarmingonitlikebeesonabranch。Theyhungonthestepsinacrawling，stirringcluster，beatingmadlywiththeirfiststheundersideofthebattenedhatch，andtheheadlongrushofthewaterabovewasheardintheintervalsoftheiryelling。Theshipheeledovermore，andtheybegantodropoff:
　　firstone，thentwo，thenalltherestwentawaytogether，fallingstraightoffwithagreatcry。
　　Jukeswasconfounded。Theboatswain，withgruffanxiety，beggedhim，"Don'tyougointhere，sir。"
　　Thewholeplaceseemedtotwistuponitself，jumpingincessantlythewhile；andwhentheshiprosetoaseaJukesfanciedthatallthesemenwouldbeshotuponhiminabody。Hebackedout，swungthedoorto，andwithtremblinghandspushedatthebolt……
　　AssoonashismatehadgoneCaptainMacWhirr，leftaloneonthebridge，sidledandstaggeredasfarasthewheelhouse。Itsdoorbeinghingedforward，hehadtofightthegaleforadmittance，andwhenatlasthemanagedtoenter，itwaswithaninstantaneousclatterandabang，asthoughhehadbeenfiredthroughthewood。Hestoodwithin，holdingontothehandle。
　　Thesteering-gearleakedsteam，andintheconfinedspacetheglassofthebinnaclemadeashinyovaloflightinathinwhitefog。Thewindhowled，hummed，whistled，withsuddenboomingguststhatrattledthedoorsandshuttersintheviciouspatterofsprays。Twocoilsoflead-lineandasmallcanvasbaghungonalonglanyard，swungwideoff，andcamebackclingingtothebulkheads。Thegratingsunderfootwerenearlyafloat；witheverysweepingblowofasea，watersquirtedviolentlythroughthecracksallroundthedoor，andthemanatthehelmhadflungdownhiscap，hiscoat，andstoodproppedagainstthegear-casinginastripedcottonshirtopenonhisbreast。Thelittlebrasswheelinhishandshadtheappearanceofabrightandfragiletoy。Thecordsofhisneckstoodhardandlean，adarkpatchlayinthehollowofhisthroat，andhisfacewasstillandsunkenasindeath。
　　CaptainMacWhirrwipedhiseyes。Theseathathadnearlytakenhimoverboardhad，tohisgreatannoyance，washedhissou'-westerhatoffhisbaldhead。Thefluffy，fairhair，soakedanddarkened，resembledameanskeinofcottonthreadsfestoonedroundhisbareskull。Hisface，glisteningwithsea-water，hadbeenmadecrimsonwiththewind，withthestingofsprays。Helookedasthoughhehadcomeoffsweatingfrombeforeafurnace。
　　"Youhere？"hemuttered，heavily。
　　Thesecondmatehadfoundhiswayintothewheelhousesometimebefore。Hehadfixedhimselfinacornerwithhiskneesup，afistpressedagainsteachtemple；andthisattitudesuggestedrage，sorrow，resignation，surrender，withasortofconcentratedunforgiveness。Hesaidmournfullyanddefiantly，"Well，it'smywatchbelownow:ain'tit？"
　　Thesteamgearclattered，stopped，clatteredagain；andthehelmsman'seyeballsseemedtoprojectoutofahungryfaceasifthecompasscardbehindthebinnacleglasshadbeenmeat。Godknowshowlonghehadbeenlefttheretosteer，asifforgottenbyallhisshipmates。Thebellshadnotbeenstruck；therehadbeennoreliefs；theship'sroutinehadgonedownwind；buthewastryingtokeepherheadnorth-north-east。Theruddermighthavebeengoneforallheknew，thefiresout，theenginesbrokendown，theshipreadytorolloverlikeacorpse。Hewasanxiousnottogetmuddledandlosecontrolofherhead，becausethecompass-cardswungfarbothways，wrigglingonthepivot，andsometimesseemedtowhirlrightround。Hesufferedfrommentalstress。Hewashorriblyafraid，also，ofthewheelhousegoing。
　　Mountainsofwaterkeptontumblingagainstit。Whentheshiptookoneofherdesperatedivesthecornersofhislipstwitched。
　　CaptainMacWhirrlookedupatthewheelhouseclock。Screwedtothebulk-head，ithadawhitefaceonwhichtheblackhandsappearedtostandquitestill。Itwashalf-pastoneinthemorning。
　　"Anotherday，"hemutteredtohimself。
　　Thesecondmateheardhim，andliftinghisheadasonegrievingamongstruins，"Youwon'tseeitbreak，"heexclaimed。Hiswristsandhiskneescouldbeseentoshakeviolently。"No，byGod!Youwon't……"
　　Hetookhisfaceagainbetweenhisfists。
　　Thebodyofthehelmsmanhadmovedslightly，buthisheaddidn'tbudgeonhisneck，——likeastoneheadfixedtolookonewayfromacolumn。Duringarollthatallbuttookhisbootedlegsfromunderhim，andintheverystaggertosavehimself，CaptainMacWhirrsaidausterely，"Don'tyoupayanyattentiontowhatthatmansays。"Andthen，withanindefinablechangeoftone，verygrave，headded，"Heisn'tonduty。"
　　Thesailorsaidnothing。
　　Thehurricaneboomed，shakingthelittleplace，whichseemedair-tight；andthelightofthebinnacleflickeredallthetime。
　　"Youhaven'tbeenrelieved，"CaptainMacWhirrwenton，lookingdown。"Iwantyoutosticktothehelm，though，aslongasyoucan。You'vegotthehangofher。Anothermancomingheremightmakeamessofit。Wouldn'tdo。Nochild'splay。Andthehandsareprobablybusywithajobdownbelow……Thinkyoucan？"
　　Thesteering-gearleapedintoanabruptshortclatter，stoppedsmoulderinglikeanember；andthestillman，withamotionlessgaze，burstout，asifallthepassioninhimhadgoneintohislips:"ByHeavens，sir!Icansteerforeverifnobodytalkstome。"
　　"Oh!aye!Allright……"TheCaptainliftedhiseyesforthefirsttimetotheman，"……Hackett。"
　　Andheseemedtodismissthismatterfromhismind。Hestoopedtotheengine-roomspeaking-tube，blewin，andbenthishead。Mr。
　　Routbelowanswered，andatonceCaptainMacWhirrputhislipstothemouthpiece。
　　Withtheuproarofthegalearoundhimheappliedalternatelyhislipsandhisear，andtheengineer'svoicemountedtohim，harshandasifoutoftheheatofanengagement。Oneofthestokerswasdisabled，theothershadgivenin，thesecondengineerandthedonkey-manwerefiring-up。Thethirdengineerwasstandingbythesteam-valve。Theengineswerebeingtendedbyhand。Howwasitabove？
　　"Badenough。Itmostlyrestswithyou，"saidCaptainMacWhirr。
　　Wasthematedownthereyet？No？Well，hewouldbepresently。
　　WouldMr。Routlethimtalkthroughthespeaking-tube？——throughthedeckspeaking-tube，becausehe——theCaptain——wasgoingoutagainonthebridgedirectly。TherewassometroubleamongsttheChinamen。Theywerefighting，itseemed。Couldn'tallowfightinganyhow……
　　Mr。Routhadgoneaway，andCaptainMacWhirrcouldfeelagainsthisearthepulsationoftheengines，likethebeatoftheship'sheart。Mr。Rout'svoicedownthereshoutedsomethingdistantly。
　　Theshippitchedheadlong，thepulsationleapedwithahissingtumult，andstoppeddead。CaptainMacWhirr'sfacewasimpassive，andhiseyeswerefixedaimlesslyonthecrouchingshapeofthesecondmate。AgainMr。Rout'svoicecriedoutinthedepths，andthepulsatingbeatsrecommenced，withslowstrokes——growingswifter。
　　Mr。Routhadreturnedtothetube。"Itdon'tmattermuchwhattheydo，"hesaid，hastily；andthen，withirritation，"Shetakesthesedivesasifshenevermeanttocomeupagain。"
　　"Awfulsea，"saidtheCaptain'svoicefromabove。
　　"Don'tletmedriveherunder，"barkedSolomonRoutupthepipe。
　　"Darkandrain。Can'tseewhat'scoming，"utteredthevoice。
　　"Must——keep——her——moving——enoughtosteer——andchanceit，"itwentontostatedistinctly。
　　"IamdoingasmuchasIdare。"
　　"Weare——getting——smashedup——agooddealuphere，"
　　proceededthevoicemildly。"Doing——fairlywell——though。Ofcourse，ifthewheelhouseshouldgo……"
　　Mr。Rout，bendinganattentiveear，mutteredpeevishlysomethingunderhisbreath。
　　Butthedeliberatevoiceuptherebecameanimatedtoask:"Jukesturnedupyet？"Then，afterashortwait，"Iwishhewouldbearahand。Iwanthimtobedoneandcomeuphereincaseofanything。Tolookaftertheship。Iamallalone。Thesecondmate'slost……"
　　"What？"shoutedMr。Routintotheengine-room，takinghisheadaway。Thenupthetubehecried，"Goneoverboard？"andclappedhisearto。
　　"Losthisnerve，"thevoicefromabovecontinuedinamatter-of-facttone。"Damnedawkwardcircumstance。"
　　Mr。Rout，listeningwithbowedneck，openedhiseyeswideatthis。However，heheardsomethinglikethesoundsofascuffleandbrokenexclamationscomingdowntohim。Hestrainedhishearing；andallthetimeBeale，thethirdengineer，withhisarmsuplifted，heldbetweenthepalmsofhishandstherimofalittleblackwheelprojectingatthesideofabigcopperpipe。
　　Heseemedtobepoisingitabovehishead，asthoughitwereacorrectattitudeinsomesortofgame。
　　Tosteadyhimself，hepressedhisshoulderagainstthewhitebulkhead，onekneebent，andasweat-ragtuckedinhisbelthangingonhiship。Hissmoothcheekwasbegrimedandflushed，andthecoaldustonhiseyelids，liketheblackpencillingofamake-up，enhancedtheliquidbrillianceofthewhites，givingtohisyouthfulfacesomethingofafeminine，exoticandfascinatingaspect。Whentheshippitchedhewouldwithhastymovementsofhishandsscrewhardatthelittlewheel。
　　"Gonecrazy，"begantheCaptain'svoicesuddenlyinthetube。
　　"Rushedatme……Justnow。Hadtoknockhimdown……
　　Thisminute。Youheard，Mr。Rout？"
　　"Thedevil!"mutteredMr。Rout。"Lookout，Beale!"
　　Hisshoutrangoutliketheblastofawarningtrumpet，betweentheironwallsoftheengine-room。Paintedwhite，theyrosehighintotheduskoftheskylight，slopinglikearoof；andthewholeloftyspaceresembledtheinteriorofamonument，dividedbyfloorsofirongrating，withlightsflickeringatdifferentlevels，andamassofgloomlingeringinthemiddle，withinthecolumnarstirofmachineryunderthemotionlessswellingofthecylinders。Aloudandwildresonance，madeupofallthenoisesofthehurricane，dweltinthestillwarmthoftheair。Therewasinitthesmellofhotmetal，ofoil，andaslightmistofsteam。Theblowsoftheseaseemedtotraverseitinanunringing，stunningshock，fromsidetoside。
　　Gleams，likepalelongflames，trembleduponthepolishofmetal；
　　fromtheflooringbelowtheenormouscrank-headsemergedintheirturnswithaflashofbrassandsteel——goingover；whiletheconnecting-rods，big-jointed，likeskeletonlimbs，seemedtothrustthemdownandpullthemupagainwithanirresistibleprecision。Anddeepinthehalf-lightotherrodsdodgeddeliberatelytoandfro，crossheadsnodded，discsofmetalrubbedsmoothlyagainsteachother，slowandgentle，inacomminglingofshadowsandgleams。
　　Sometimesallthosepowerfulandunerringmovementswouldslowdownsimultaneously，asiftheyhadbeenthefunctionsofalivingorganism，strickensuddenlybytheblightoflanguor；andMr。Rout'seyeswouldblazedarkerinhislongsallowface。Hewasfightingthisfightinapairofcarpetslippers。Ashortshinyjacketbarelycoveredhisloins，andhiswhitewristsprotrudedfaroutofthetightsleeves，asthoughtheemergencyhadaddedtohisstature，hadlengthenedhislimbs，augmentedhispallor，hollowedhiseyes。
　　Hemoved，climbinghighup，disappearinglowdown，witharestless，purposefulindustry，andwhenhestoodstill，holdingtheguard-railinfrontofthestarting-gear，hewouldkeepglancingtotherightatthesteam-gauge，atthewater-gauge，fixeduponthewhitewallinthelightofaswayinglamp。Themouthsoftwospeakingtubesgapedstupidlyathiselbow，andthedialoftheengine-roomtelegraphresembledaclockoflargediameter，bearingonitsfacecurtwordsinsteadoffigures。Thegroupedlettersstoodoutheavilyblack，aroundthepivot-headoftheindicator，emphaticallysymbolicofloudexclamations:AHEAD，ASTERN，SLOW，Half，STANDBY；andthefatblackhandpointeddownwardstothewordFULL，which，thussingledout，capturedtheeyeasasharpcrysecuresattention。
　　Thewood-encasedbulkofthelow-pressurecylinder，frowningportlyfromabove，emittedafaintwheezeateverythrust，andexceptforthatlowhisstheenginesworkedtheirsteellimbsheadlongorslowwithasilent，determinedsmoothness。Andallthis，thewhitewalls，themovingsteel，thefloorplatesunderSolomonRout'sfeet，thefloorsofirongratingabovehishead，theduskandthegleams，uproseandsankcontinuously，withoneaccord，upontheharshwashofthewavesagainsttheship'sside。
　　Thewholeloftinessoftheplace，boominghollowtothegreatvoiceofthewind，swayedatthetoplikeatree，wouldgooverbodily，asifbornedownthiswayandthatbythetremendousblasts。
　　"You'vegottohurryup，"shoutedMr。Rout，assoonashesawJukesappearinthestokeholddoorway。
　　Jukes'glancewaswanderingandtipsy；hisredfacewaspuffy，asthoughhehadoverslepthimself。Hehadhadanarduousroad，andhadtravelledoveritwithimmensevivacity，theagitationofhismindcorrespondingtotheexertionsofhisbody。Hehadrushedupoutofthebunker，stumblinginthedarkalleywayamongstalotofbewilderedmenwho，trodupon，asked"What'sup，sir？"inawedmuttersallroundhim；——downthestokeholdladder，missingmanyironrungsinhishurry，downintoaplacedeepasawell，blackasTophet，tippingoverbackandforthlikeasee-saw。Thewaterinthebilgesthunderedateachroll，andlumpsofcoalskippedtoandfro，fromendtoend，rattlinglikeanavalancheofpebblesonaslopeofiron。
　　Somebodyintheremoanedwithpain，andsomebodyelsecouldbeseencrouchingoverwhatseemedthepronebodyofadeadman；alustyvoiceblasphemed；andtheglowundereachfire-doorwaslikeapoolofflamingbloodradiatingquietlyinavelvetyblackness。
　　AgustofwindstruckuponthenapeofJukes'neckandnextmomenthefeltitstreamingabouthiswetankles。Thestokeholdventilatorshummed:infrontofthesixfire-doorstwowildfigures，strippedtothewaist，staggeredandstooped，wrestlingwithtwoshovels。
　　"Hallo!Plentyofdraughtnow，"yelledthesecondengineeratonce，asthoughhehadbeenallthetimelookingoutforJukes。
　　Thedonkeyman，adapperlittlechapwithadazzlingfairskinandatiny，gingerymoustache，workedinasortofmutetransport。
　　Theywerekeepingafullheadofsteam，andaprofoundrumbling，asofanemptyfurniturevantrottingoverabridge，madeasustainedbasstoalltheothernoisesoftheplace。
　　"Blowingoffallthetime，"wentonyellingthesecond。Withasoundasofahundredscouredsaucepans，theorificeofaventilatorspatuponhisshoulderasuddengushofsaltwater，andhevolleyedastreamofcursesuponallthingsonearthincludinghisownsoul，rippingandraving，andallthetimeattendingtohisbusiness。Withasharpclashofmetaltheardentpaleglareofthefireopeneduponhisbullethead，showinghissplutteringlips，hisinsolentface，andwithanotherclangclosedlikethewhite-hotwinkofanironeye。
　　"Where'sthebloomingship？Canyoutellme？blastmyeyes!
　　Underwater——orwhat？It'scomingdownhereintons。ArethecondemnedcowlsgonetoHades？Hey？Don'tyouknowanything——
　　youjollysailor-manyou……？"
　　Jukes，afterabewilderedmoment，hadbeenhelpedbyarolltodartthrough；andassoonashiseyestookinthecomparativevastness，peaceandbrillianceoftheengine-room，theship，settinghersternheavilyinthewater，senthimchargingheaddownuponMr。Rout。
　　Thechief'sarm，longlikeatentacle，andstraighteningasifworkedbyaspring，wentouttomeethim，anddeflectedhisrushintoaspintowardsthespeaking-tubes。AtthesametimeMr。
　　Routrepeatedearnestly:
　　"You'vegottohurryup，whateveritis。"
　　Jukesyelled"Areyouthere，sir？"andlistened。Nothing。
　　Suddenlytheroarofthewindfellstraightintohisear，butpresentlyasmallvoiceshovedasidetheshoutinghurricanequietly。
　　"You，Jukes？——Well？"
　　Jukeswasreadytotalk:itwasonlytimethatseemedtobewanting。Itwaseasyenoughtoaccountforeverything。Hecouldperfectlyimaginethecooliesbatteneddowninthereeking'tween-deck，lyingsickandscaredbetweentherowsofchests。
　　Thenoneofthesechests——orperhapsseveralatonce——
　　breakinglooseinaroll，knockingoutothers，sidessplitting，lidsflyingopen，andalltheseclumsyChinamenrisingupinabodytosavetheirproperty。Afterwardseveryflingoftheshipwouldhurlthattramping，yellingmobhereandthere，fromsidetoside，inawhirlofsmashedwood，tornclothing，rollingdollars。Astruggleoncestarted，theywouldbeunabletostopthemselves。Nothingcouldstopthemnowexceptmainforce。Itwasadisaster。Hehadseenit，andthatwasallhecouldsay。
　　Someofthemmustbedead，hebelieved。Therestwouldgoonfighting……
　　Hesentuphiswords，trippingovereachother，crowdingthenarrowtube。Theymountedasifintoasilenceofanenlightenedcomprehensiondwellingaloneuptherewithastorm。AndJukeswantedtobedismissedfromthefaceofthatodioustroubleintrudingonthegreatneedoftheship。
　　V
　　HEWAITED。Beforehiseyestheenginesturnedwithslowlabour，thatinthemomentofgoingoffintoamadflingwouldstopdeadatMr。Rout'sshout，"Lookout，Beale!"Theypausedinanintelligentimmobility，stilledinmid-stroke，aheavycrankarrestedonthecant，asifconsciousofdangerandthepassageoftime。Then，witha"Now，then!"fromthechief，andthesoundofabreathexpelledthroughclenchedteeth，theywouldaccomplishtheinterruptedrevolutionandbeginanother。
　　Therewastheprudentsagacityofwisdomandthedeliberationofenormousstrengthintheirmovements。Thiswastheirwork——thispatientcoaxingofadistractedshipoverthefuryofthewavesandintotheveryeyeofthewind。AttimesMr。Rout'schinwouldsinkonhisbreast，andhewatchedthemwithknittedeyebrowsasiflostinthought。
　　ThevoicethatkeptthehurricaneoutofJukes'earbegan:"Takethehandswithyou……，"andleftoffunexpectedly。
　　"WhatcouldIdowiththem，sir？"
　　Aharsh，abrupt，imperiousclangexplodedsuddenly。ThethreepairsofeyesflewuptothetelegraphdialtoseethehandjumpfromFULLtoSTOP，asifsnatchedbyadevil。Andthenthesethreemenintheengineroomhadtheintimatesensationofacheckupontheship，ofastrangeshrinking，asifshehadgatheredherselfforadesperateleap。
　　"Stopher!"bellowedMr。Rout。
　　Nobody——notevenCaptainMacWhirr，whoaloneondeckhadcaughtsightofawhitelineoffoamcomingonatsuchaheightthathecouldn'tbelievehiseyes-nobodywastoknowthesteepnessofthatseaandtheawfuldepthofthehollowthehurricanehadscoopedoutbehindtherunningwallofwater。
　　Itracedtomeettheship，and，withapause，asofgirdingtheloins，theNan-Shanliftedherbowsandleaped。Theflamesinallthelampssank，darkeningtheengine-room。Onewentout。
　　Withatearingcrashandaswirling，ravingtumult，tonsofwaterfelluponthedeck，asthoughtheshiphaddartedunderthefootofacataract。
　　Downtheretheylookedateachother，stunned。
　　"Sweptfromendtoend，byGod!"bawledJukes。
　　Shedippedintothehollowstraightdown，asifgoingovertheedgeoftheworld。Theengine-roomtoppledforwardmenacingly，liketheinsideofatowernoddinginanearthquake。Anawfulracket，ofironthingsfalling，camefromthestokehold。ShehungonthisappallingslantlongenoughforBealetodroponhishandsandkneesandbegintocrawlasifhemeanttoflyonallfoursoutoftheengine-room，andforMr。Routtoturnhisheadslowly，rigid，cavernous，withthelowerjawdropping。Jukeshadshuthiseyes，andhisfaceinamomentbecamehopelesslyblankandgentle，likethefaceofablindman。
　　Atlastsheroseslowly，staggering，asifshehadtoliftamountainwithherbows。
　　Mr。Routshuthismouth；Jukesblinked；andlittleBealestooduphastily。
　　"Anotheronelikethis，andthat'sthelastofher，"criedthechief。
　　HeandJukeslookedateachother，andthesamethoughtcameintotheirheads。TheCaptain!Everythingmusthavebeensweptaway。
　　Steering-geargone——shiplikealog。Alloverdirectly。
　　"Rush!"ejaculatedMr。Routthickly，glaringwithenlarged，doubtfuleyesatJukes，whoansweredhimbyanirresoluteglance。
　　Theclangofthetelegraphgongsoothedtheminstantly。TheblackhanddroppedinaflashfromSTOPtoFULL。
　　"Nowthen，Beale!"criedMr。Rout。
　　Thesteamhissedlow。Thepiston-rodsslidinandout。Jukesputhiseartothetube。Thevoicewasreadyforhim。Itsaid:
　　"Pickupallthemoney。Bearahandnow。I'llwantyouuphere。"
　　Andthatwasall。
　　"Sir？"calledupJukes。Therewasnoanswer。
　　Hestaggeredawaylikeadefeatedmanfromthefieldofbattle。
　　Hehadgot，insomewayorother，acutabovehislefteyebrow——
　　acuttothebone。Hewasnotawareofitintheleast:
　　quantitiesoftheChinaSea，largeenoughtobreakhisneckforhim，hadgoneoverhishead，hadcleaned，washed，andsaltedthatwound。Itdidnotbleed，butonlygapedred；andthisgashovertheeye，hisdishevelledhair，thedisorderofhisclothes，gavehimtheaspectofamanworstedinafightwithfists。
　　"Gottopickupthedollars。"HeappealedtoMr。Rout，smilingpitifullyatrandom。
　　"What'sthat？"askedMr。Rout，wildly。"Pickup……？Idon'tcare……"Then，quiveringineverymuscle，butwithanexaggerationofpaternaltone，"Goawaynow，forGod'ssake。Youdeckpeople'lldrivemesilly。There'sthatsecondmatebeengoingfortheoldman。Don'tyouknow？Youfellowsaregoingwrongforwantofsomethingtodo……"
　　AtthesewordsJukesdiscoveredinhimselfthebeginningsofanger。Wantofsomethingtodo——indeed……Fullofhotscornagainstthechief，heturnedtogothewayhehadcome。Inthestokeholdtheplumpdonkeymantoiledwithhisshovelmutely，asifhistonguehadbeencutout；butthesecondwascarryingonlikeanoisy，undauntedmaniac，whohadpreservedhisskillintheartofstokingunderamarineboiler。
　　"Hallo，youwanderingofficer!Hey!Can'tyougetsomeofyourslush-slingerstowindupafewofthemashes？Iamgettingchokedwiththemhere。Curseit!Hallo!Hey!Rememberthearticles:Sailorsandfirementoassisteachother。Hey!D'yehear？"
　　Jukeswasclimbingoutfrantically，andtheother，liftinguphisfaceafterhim，howled，"Can'tyouspeak？Whatareyoupokingaboutherefor？What'syourgame，anyhow？"
　　AfrenzypossessedJukes。Bythetimehewasbackamongstthemeninthedarknessofthealleyway，hefeltreadytowringalltheirnecksattheslightestsignofhangingback。Theverythoughtofitexasperatedhim。Hecouldn'thangback。Theyshouldn't。
　　Theimpetuositywithwhichhecameamongstthemcarriedthemalong。Theyhadalreadybeenexcitedandstartledatallhiscomingsandgoings——bythefiercenessandrapidityofhismovements；andmorefeltthanseeninhisrushes，heappearedformidable-busiedwithmattersoflifeanddeaththatbrookednodelay。Athisfirstwordheheardthemdropintothebunkeroneafteranotherobediently，withheavythumps。
　　Theywerenotclearastowhatwouldhavetobedone。"Whatisit？Whatisit？"theywereaskingeachother。Theboatswaintriedtoexplain；thesoundsofagreatscufflesurprisedthem:
　　andthemightyshocks，reverberatingawfullyintheblackbunker，kepttheminmindoftheirdanger。Whentheboatswainthrewopenthedooritseemedthataneddyofthehurricane，stealingthroughtheironsidesoftheship，hadsetallthesebodieswhirlinglikedust:therecametothemaconfuseduproar，atempestuoustumult，afiercemutter，gustsofscreamsdyingaway，andthetrampingoffeetminglingwiththeblowsofthesea。
　　Foramomenttheyglaredamazed，blockingthedoorway。Jukespushedthroughthembrutally。Hesaidnothing，andsimplydartedin。Anotherlotofcooliesontheladder，strugglingsuicidallytobreakthroughthebattenedhatchtoaswampeddeck，felloffasbefore，andhedisappearedunderthemlikeamanovertakenbyalandslide。
　　Theboatswainyelledexcitedly:"Comealong。Getthemateout。
　　He'llbetrampledtodeath。Comeon。"
　　Theychargedin，stampingonbreasts，onfingers，onfaces，catchingtheirfeetinheapsofclothing，kickingbrokenwood；
　　butbeforetheycouldgetholdofhimJukesemergedwaistdeepinamultitudeofclawinghands。Intheinstanthehadbeenlosttoview，allthebuttonsofhisjackethadgone，itsbackhadgotsplituptothecollar，hiswaistcoathadbeentornopen。ThecentralstrugglingmassofChinamenwentovertotheroll，dark，indistinct，helpless，withawildgleamofmanyeyesinthedimlightofthelamps。
　　"Leavemealone——damnyou。Iamallright，"screechedJukes。
　　"Drivethemforward。Watchyourchancewhenshepitches。
　　Forwardwith'em。Drivethemagainstthebulkhead。Jam'emup。"
　　Therushofthesailorsintotheseething'tween-deckwaslikeasplashofcoldwaterintoaboilingcauldron。Thecommotionsankforamoment。
　　ThebulkofChinamenwerelockedinsuchacompactscrimmagethat，linkingtheirarmsandaidedbyanappallingdiveoftheship，theseamensentitforwardinonegreatshove，likeasolidblock。Behindtheirbackssmallclustersandloosebodiestumbledfromsidetoside。
　　Theboatswainperformedprodigiousfeatsofstrength。Withhislongarmsopen，andeachgreatpawclutchingatastanchion，hestoppedtherushofsevenentwinedChinamenrollinglikeaboulder。Hisjointscracked；hesaid，"Ha!"andtheyflewapart。
　　Butthecarpentershowedthegreaterintelligence。Withoutsayingawordtoanybodyhewentbackintothealleyway，tofetchseveralcoilsofcargogearhehadseenthere——chainandrope。
　　Withtheselife-lineswererigged。
　　Therewasreallynoresistance。Thestruggle，howeveritbegan，hadturnedintoascrambleofblindpanic。Ifthecoolieshadstartedupaftertheirscattereddollarstheywerebythattimefightingonlyfortheirfooting。Theytookeachotherbythethroatmerelytosavethemselvesfrombeinghurledabout。
　　Whoevergotaholdanywherewouldkickattheotherswhocaughtathislegsandhungon，tillarollsentthemflyingtogetheracrossthedeck。
　　Thecomingofthewhitedevilswasaterror。Hadtheycometokill？Theindividualstornoutoftheruckbecameverylimpintheseamen'shands:some，draggedasidebytheheels，werepassive，likedeadbodies，withopen，fixedeyes。Hereandthereacooliewouldfallonhiskneesasifbeggingformercy；
　　several，whomtheexcessoffearmadeunruly，werehitwithhardfistsbetweentheeyes，andcowered；whilethosewhowerehurtsubmittedtoroughhandling，blinkingrapidlywithoutaplaint。
　　Facesstreamedwithblood；therewererawplacesontheshavenheads，scratches，bruises，tornwounds，gashes。Thebrokenporcelainoutofthechestswasmostlyresponsibleforthelatter。HereandthereaChinaman，wild-eyed，withhistailunplaited，nursedableedingsole。