from the crotch, Ahab held it out, exclaiming—"Look ye, Nantucketer; here
in this hand I hold his death! Tempered in blood, and tempered by
lightning are these barbs; and I swear to temper them triply in that hot
place behind the fin, where the White Whale most feels his accursed
life!"
"Then God keep thee, old man—see'st thou that"—pointing
to the hammock—"I bury but one of five stout men, who were alive only
yesterday; but were dead ere night. Only THAT one I bury; the rest were
buried before they died; you sail upon their tomb." Then turning to his
crew—"Are ye ready there? place the plank then on the rail, and lift the
body; so, then—Oh! God"—advancing towards the hammock with uplifted
hands—"may the resurrection and the life—"
"Brace forward! Up
helm!" cried Ahab like lightning to his men.
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