graze old Ahab in his own proper and inaccessible being. Can any lead touch yonder floor, any mast scrape yonder roof? — Aloft there! Which way?”

“Dead to leeward, sir.”

“Up helm, then; pile on the sail again, ship keepers!

Down the rest of the spare boats and rig them — Mr. Starbuck away, and muster the boat’s crews.”

“Let me first help thee towards the bulwarks, sir.”

“Oh, oh, oh! How this splinter gores me now! Accursed fate! That the unconquerable captain in the soul should have such a craven mate!”

“Sir?”

“My body, man, not thee. Give me something for a cane —