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CHAPTER 120 . The Deck Towards the End of the First Night Watch . Ahab standing by the helm . Starbuck approaching him . “ We must send down the main - top - sail yard , sir . The band is working loose and the lee lift is half - stranded . Shall I strike it , sir ? ” “ Strike nothing ; lash it . If I had sky - sail poles , I’d sway them up now . ” “ Sir ! — in God’s name ! — sir ? ” “ Well . ” “ The anchors are working , sir . Shall I get them inboard ? ” “ Strike nothing , and stir nothing , but lash everything . The wind rises , but it has not got up to my table - lands yet . Quick , and see to it . — By masts and keels ! he takes me for the hunch - backed skipper of some coasting smack . Send down my main - top - sail yard ! Ho , gluepots ! Loftiest trucks were made for wildest winds , and this brain - truck of mine now sails amid the cloud - scud . Shall I strike that ? Oh , none but cowards send down their brain - trucks in tempest time . What a hooroosh aloft there ! I would e’en take it for sublime , did I not know that the colic is a noisy malady . Oh , take medicine , take medicine ! ” CHAPTER 121 . Midnight . — The Forecastle Bulwarks . Stubb and Flask mounted on them , and passing additional lashings over the anchors there hanging . “ No , Stubb ; you may pound that knot there as much as you please , but you will never pound into me what you were just now saying . And how long ago is it since you said the very contrary ? Didn’t you once say that whatever ship Ahab sails in , that ship should pay something extra on its insurance policy , just as though it were loaded with powder barrels aft and boxes of lucifers forward ? Stop , now ; didn’t you say so ? ” “ Well , suppose I did ? What then ? I’ve part changed my flesh since that time , why not my mind ? Besides , supposing we are loaded with powder barrels aft and lucifers forward ; how the devil could the lucifers get afire in this drenching spray here ? Why , my little man , you have pretty red hair , but you couldn’t get afire now . Shake yourself ; you’re Aquarius , or the water - bearer , Flask ; might fill pitchers at your coat collar . Don’t you see , then , that for these extra risks the Marine Insurance companies have extra guarantees ? Here are hydrants , Flask . But hark , again , and I’ll answer ye the other thing . First take your leg off from the crown of the anchor here , though , so I can pass the rope ; now listen . What’s the mighty difference between holding a mast’s lightning - rod in the storm , and standing close by a mast that hasn’t got any lightning - rod at all in a storm ? Don’t you see , you timber - head , that no harm can come to the holder of the rod , unless the mast is first struck ?
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