The mates regularly relieved each other
at the watches, and for aught that could be seen to the contrary,
they seemed to be the only commanders of the ship; only they
sometimes issued from the cabin with orders so sudden and peremptory,
that after all it was plain they but commanded vicariously.
Yes, their supreme lord and dictator was there, though hitherto
unseen by any eyes not permitted to penetrate into the now sacred
retreat of the cabin.
Every time I ascended to the deck from my watches below,
I instantly gazed aft to mark if any strange face were visible;
for my first vague disquietude touching the unknown captain,
now in the seclusion of the sea became almost a perturbation.
This was strangely heightened at times by the ragged Elijah's
diabolical incoherences uninvitedly recurring to me,
with a subtle energy I could not have before conceived of.
But poorly could I withstand them, much as in other moods
I was almost ready to smile at the solemn whimsicalities
of that outlandish prophet of the wharves. But whatever
it was of apprehensiveness or uneasiness--to call it so--
which I felt, yet whenever I came to look about me in the ship,
it seemed against all warranty to cherish such emotions.
Pages:
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210