Less swart in aspect, the companions of this figure were of that vivid,
tiger-yellow complexion peculiar to some of the aboriginal natives
of the Manillas;--a race notorious for a certain diabolism of subtilty,
and by some honest white mariners supposed to be the paid spies
and secret confidential agents on the water of the devil, their lord,
whose counting-room they suppose to be elsewhere.
While yet the wondering ship's company were gazing upon these strangers,
Ahab cried out to the white-turbaned old man at their head,
"All ready there, Fedallah?"
"Ready," was the half-hissed reply.
"Lower away then; d'ye hear?" shouting across the deck.
"Lower away there, I say."
Such was the thunder of his voice, that spite of their
amazement the men sprang over the rail; the sheaves whirled
round in the blocks; with a wallow, the three boats dropped
into the sea; while, with a dexterous, off-handed daring,
unknown in any other vocation, the sailors, goat-like, leaped
down the rolling ship's side into the tossed boats below.
Hardly had they pulled out from under the ship's lee, when a fourth keel,
coming from the windward side, pulled round under the stern,
and showed the five strangers rowing Ahab, who, standing erect
in the stern, loudly hailed Starbuck, Stubb, and Flask, to spread
themselves widely, so as to cover a large expanse of water.
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