Your hat, however, is the most convenient.
From the vibrating line extending the entire length of the upper part
of the boat, and from its now being more tight than a harpstring,
you would have thought the craft had two keels--one cleaving the water,
the other the air--as the boat churned on through both opposing
elements at once. A continual cascade played at the bows;
a ceaseless whirling eddy in her wake; and, at the slightest motion
from within, even but of a little finger, the vibrating, cracking craft
canted over her spasmodic gunwale into the sea. Thus they rushed;
each man with might and main clinging to his seat, to prevent being
tossed to the foam; and the tall form of Tashtego at the steering oar
crouching almost double, in order to bring down his centre of gravity.
Whole Atlantics and Pacifics seemed passed as they shot on their way,
till at length the whale somewhat slackened his flight.
"Haul in--haul in!" cried Stubb to the bowsman! and,
facing round towards the whale, all hands began pulling
the boat up to him, while yet the boat was being towed on.
Soon ranging up by his flank, Stubb, firmly planting his knee
in the clumsy cleat, darted dart after dart into the flying fish;
at the word of command, the boat alternately sterning out
of the way of the whale's horrible wallow, and then ranging up
for another fling.
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