before the gates of the iceberg wall would be open. For three days the weather caused the working of the ship to be unusually laborious, and the new crew behaved very well; thereupon the boatswain congratulated them. Hurliguerly bore witness that Hunt, for all his awkward and clumsy build, was in himself worth three men.
"A famous recruit," said he.
"Yes, indeed," I replied, "and gained just at the last moment."
"Very true, Mr. Jeorling! But what a face and head he has, that Hunt!"
"I have often met Americans like him in the regions of the Far West," I answered, "and I should not be surprised if this man had Indian blood in his veins. Do you ever talk with Hunt?"
"Very seldom, Mr. Jeorling. He keeps himself to himself, and away from everybody. And yet, it is not for want of mouth. I never saw anything like his! And his hands! Have you seen his hands? Be on your guard, Mr. Jeorling, if ever he wants to shake hands with you."
"Fortunately, boatswain. Hunt does not seem to be quarrelsome. He appears to be a quiet man who does not abuse his strength."
"No—except when he is setting a halyard. Then I am always afraid the pulley will come down and the yard with it."
Hunt certainly was a strange being, and I could not resist observing him with curiosity, especially as it struck me that he regarded me at times with a curious intentness.
On the 10th of November, at about two in the afternoon, the look-out shouted,—
