Such was the state of his mouth,
that he could hardly speak; but mumbling something about his
being willing and able to do what the captain dared not attempt,
he snatched the rope and advanced to his pinioned foe.
"'You are a coward!' hissed the Lakeman.
"'So I am, but take that.' The mate was in the very act
of striking, when another hiss stayed his uplifted arm.
He paused: and then pausing no more, made good his word,
spite of Steelkilt's threat, whatever that might have been.
The three men were then cut down, all hands were turned to,
and, sullenly worked by the moody seamen, the iron pumps
clanged as before.
"Just after dark that day, when one watch had retired below,
a clamor was heard in the forecastle; and the two trembling traitors
running up, besieged the cabin door, saying they durst not consort
with the crew. Entreaties, cuffs, and kicks could not drive them back,
so at their own instance they were put down in the ship's run
for salvation. Still, no sign of mutiny reappeared among the rest.
On the contrary, it seemed, that mainly at Steelkilt's instigation,
they had resolved to maintain the strictest peacefulness, obey all orders
to the last, and, when the ship reached port, desert her in a body.
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