The Ice Pilot

dered set. The anchor was brought inboard and lashed to the cleats close by the port cat. The crew, feeling their sea legs, brought out hose

k and stood by the green starboard light of the ship, which was turned out. He felt the warm breath of the following wind, gulpe

cloud bank, and the cleft which marked the Golden Gate was crossed by the white water o

r jib boom? What trade stuff and spoil would be crammed between the hatches? He revolved these questions over and over in his mind, and was in

ow the land

art is il

men come to m

sagas of

a great silver watch, gathered in the

o the Pacific on her first leg at

ack out of the line and replaced the silver watch. "Maybe the Ma

tehouse and Cushner. The British whaler had a voice like a costermonger, and "Blym me, y

n he had piloted to Point Barrow and the reaches of the Mackenzie. A younger son, with money to spend, had chartered a whaler and taken the Northern seas in search of new game. Game he had found in plenty: walrus, seals-both hair

d their breeds. One was a cockney, like the mate. Another was a blue-eyed Dane. Three Gay Island natives were mixed with two Kanakas. Two bore the high cheekbon

impressed Stirling as far out of the ordinary. It was not only the polished fingernails and the resolute set to the jaw, b

eve and worked aft to the break of the poop on t

hearing of the busy crew. "What do

. Some cre

king down the deck with squeegees. "Eighteen hands before the mast," he said.

ailor who came

ink he'll stay below for a watch or two. Somebody-maybe it was Mar

ou make of

Maybe a good m

d Marr in the

hat fellow like a killer whale. He'll

e a slight spot showed on the deck. Grasping a Gay Islander by the neck, he led him to the omission and p

fourteen knots with reserve steam. The fore, main, and mizzen sails filled and billowed and the foretopmast staysail and jib held the following wind. Wh

light rail, searching the sea ahead with his glasses. He turned to th

est by

west by north.

California disappeared astern. It left to mark its position a low line of