CHAPTER 108
Ahab and the Carpenter
The Deck - First Night Watch
(Carpenter standing before his vice-bench, and by the light
of two lanterns busily filing the ivory joist for the leg,
which joist is firmly fixed in the vice. Slabs of ivory,
leather straps, pads, screws, and various tools of all sorts lying
about the bench. Forward, the red flame of the forge is seen,
where the blacksmith is at work.)
Drat the file, and drat the bone! That is hard which should be soft,
and that is soft which should be hard. So we go, who file old jaws
and shin bones. Let's try another. Aye, now, this works better
(sneezes). Halloa, this bone dust is (sneezes)--why it's
(sneezes)--yes it's (sneezes)--bless my soul, it won't let me speak!
This is what an old fellow gets now for working in dead lumber.
Saw a live tree, and you don't get this dust; amputate a live bone,
and you don't get it (sneezes). Come, come, you old Smut, there,
bear a hand, and let's have that ferrule and buckle-screw; I'll be ready
for them presently. Lucky now (sneezes) there's no knee-joint to make;
that might puzzle a little; but a mere shin-bone--why it's easy
as making hop-poles; only I should like to put a good finish on.
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