The three corresponding new sails were now bent and reefed,
and a storm-trysail was set further aft; so that the ship soon
went through the water with some precision again; and the course--
for the present, East-south-east--which he was to steer, if practicable,
was once more given to the helmsman. For during the violence
of the gale, he had only steered according to its vicissitudes.
But as he was now bringing the ship as near her course as possible,
watching the compass meanwhile, lo! a good sign! the wind seemed
coming round astern; aye, the foul breeze became fair!
Instantly the yards were squared, to the lively song of "Ho!
the fair wind! oh-ye-ho cheerly, men!" the crew singing for joy,
that so promising an event should so soon have falsified the evil
portents preceding it.
In compliance with the standing order of his commander--
to report immediately, and at any one of the twenty-four hours,
any decided change in the affairs of the deck,--Starbuck had
no sooner trimmed the yards to the breeze--however reluctantly
and gloomily,--than he mechanically went below to apprise
Captain Ahab of the circumstance.
Ere knocking at his state-room, he involuntarily paused before it
a moment.
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