We workers in woods make
bridal bedsteads and card-tables, as well as coffins and hearses.
We work by the month, or by the job, or by the profit; not for us to ask
the why and wherefore of our work, unless it be too confounded cobbling,
and then we stash it if we can. Hem! I'll do the job, now, tenderly.
I'll have me--let's see--how many in the ship's company, all told?
But I've forgotten. Any way, I'll have me thirty separate, Turk's-headed
life-lines, each three feet long hanging all round to the coffin.
Then, if the hull go down, there'll be thirty lively fellows all
fighting for one coffin, a sight not seen very often beneath the sun!
Come hammer, caulking-iron, pitch-pot, and marling-spike! Let's to it."
CHAPTER 127
The Deck
The coffin laid upon two line-tubs, between the vice-bench
and the open hatchway; the Carpenter caulking its seams;
the string of twisted oakum slowly unwinding from a large roll
of it placed in the bosom of his frock.--Ahab comes slowly
from the cabin-gangway, and hears Pip following him.
Back lad; I will be with ye again presently. He goes!
Not this hand complies with my humor more genially than that boy.--
Middle aisle of a church! What's here?"
"Life-buoy, sir.
Pages:
820
821
822
823
824
825
826
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844