Page 402 - moby-dick

pistol so much as clicked in the lock, he would bury him in
bubbles and foam.
‘‘What do you want of me?’ cried the captain.
‘‘Where are you bound? and for what are you bound?’
demanded Steelkilt; ‘no lies.’
‘‘I am bound to Tahiti for more men.’
‘‘Very good. Let me board you a moment—I come in
peace.’ With that he leaped from the canoe, swam to the
boat; and climbing the gunwale, stood face to face with the
captain.
‘‘Cross your arms, sir; throw back your head. Now, repeat
after me. As soon as Steelkilt leaves me, I swear to beach this
boat on yonder island, and remain there six days. If I do not,
may lightning strike me!’
‘‘A pretty scholar,’ laughed the Lakeman. ‘Adios, Senor!’
and leaping into the sea, he swam back to his comrades.
‘Watching the boat till it was fairly beached, and drawn
up to the roots of the cocoa-nut trees, Steelkilt made sail
again, and in due time arrived at Tahiti, his own place of
destination. There, luck befriended him; two ships were
about to sail for France, and were providentially in want
of precisely that number of men which the sailor headed.
They embarked; and so for ever got the start of their former
captain, had he been at all minded to work them legal ret-
ribution.
‘Some ten days after the French ships sailed, the whale-
boat arrived, and the captain was forced to enlist some of
the more civilized Tahitians, who had been somewhat used
to the sea. Chartering a small native schooner, he returned

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