.4 PILOT'S NEEDB, 133
mysterious instructions to the leadsmen, another messenger was sent
to whisper among the officers, and then Dklr. Bixby went into hiding
behind a smoke-stack where he could observe results. Presently the
captain stepped out on the hurricane deck; next the chief mate
appeared; then a clerk. Every moment or two a straggler was added
to my audience; and before I got to the head of the island I had
fifteen or twenty people assembled down there under my nose. I
began to wonder what the trouble was. As I started across, the
captain glanced aloft at me and said, with a sham uneasiness in his
voice—
' Where is Mr. Bixby 1'
* Gone below, sir.1
But that did the business for me. My imagination began to
construct dangers out of nothing, and they multiplied faster than I
could keep the run of them. All at once I imagined I saw shoal
water ahead ! The wave of coward agony that surged through me
then came near dislocating every joint in me. All my confidence in
that crossing vanished. I seized the bell-rope; dropped it, ashamed ;
seized it again; dropped it once more; clutched it tremblingly
once again, and pulled it so feebly that I could hardly hear the
stroke myself. Captain and mate sang out instantly, and both toge-
ther—
* Starboard lead there I and quick about it!'
This was another shock. I began to climb the wheel like a
squirrel, but I would hardly get the boat started to port before I
would see new dangers on that side, and away I would spin to the
other; only to find perils accumulating to starboard, and be crazy to
get to port again. Then came the leadsman's sepulchral cry—
1 D-e-e-p four !'
Deep four in a bottomless crossing ! The terror of it took my
breath away.
* M-a-r-k three! . . . M-a-r-k three . . . Quarter less three 1 . . •
Half twain!'
This was frightful I I seized the bell-ropes and stopped the
engines.
'Quarter twain! Quarter twain! Mark twain J*
I was helpless. I did not know what in the world to do. I was