1841

A DESCENT INTO THE MAELSTROM

by Edgar Allan Poe
A DESCENT INTO THE MAELSTROM
The ways o !od "n Na#$re% as "n Pro&"den'e% are no# as o$r ways( nor are #he )odels #ha# we
ra)e any way 'o))ens$ra#e #o #he &as#ness% *ro$nd"#y% and $nsear'hableness o H"s wor+s%
wh"'h ha&e a de*#h "n #he) grea#er #han #he well o De)o'r"#$s,
-ose*h !lan&"lle,
.E had now rea'hed #he s$))"# o #he lo#"es# 'rag, /or so)e )"n$#es #he old )an see)ed
#oo )$'h e0ha$s#ed #o s*ea+,
1No# long ago%1 sa"d he a# leng#h% 1and I 'o$ld ha&e g$"ded yo$ on #h"s ro$#e as well as #he
yo$nges# o )y sons( b$#% abo$# #hree
years *as#% #here ha**ened #o )e an e&en# s$'h as ne&er ha**ened beore #o )or#al )an 22or a#
leas# s$'h as no )an e&er s$r&"&ed #o #ell o 22and #he s"0 ho$rs o deadly #error wh"'h I #hen
end$red ha&e bro+en )e $* body and so$l, 3o$ s$**ose )e a &ery old )an 22b$# I a) no#, I#
#oo+ less #han a s"ngle day #o 'hange #hese ha"rs ro) a 4e##y bla'+ #o wh"#e% #o wea+en )y l")bs%
and #o $ns#r"ng )y ner&es% so #ha# I #re)ble a# #he leas# e0er#"on% and a) r"gh#ened a# a shadow,
Do yo$ +now I 'an s'ar'ely loo+ o&er #h"s l"##le 'l" w"#ho$# ge##"ng g"ddy51
The 1l"##le 'l"%1 $*on whose edge he had so 'arelessly #hrown h")sel down #o res# #ha# #he
we"gh#"er *or#"on o h"s body h$ng o&er "#% wh"le he was only +e*# ro) all"ng by #he #en$re o h"s
elbow on "#s e0#re)e and sl"**ery edge 22#h"s 1l"##le 'l"1 arose% a sheer $nobs#r$'#ed *re'"*"'e o
bla'+ sh"n"ng ro'+% so)e "#een or s"0#een h$ndred ee# ro) #he world o 'rags benea#h $s,
No#h"ng wo$ld ha&e #e)*#ed )e #o w"#h"n hal a do6en yards o "#s br"n+, In #r$#h so dee*ly was I
e0'"#ed by #he *er"lo$s *os"#"on o )y 'o)*an"on% #ha# I ell a# $ll leng#h $*on #he gro$nd% 'l$ng
#o #he shr$bs aro$nd )e% and dared no# e&en glan'e $*ward a# #he s+y 22wh"le I s#r$ggled "n &a"n
#o d"&es# )ysel o #he "dea #ha# #he &ery o$nda#"ons o #he )o$n#a"n were "n danger ro) #he
$ry o #he w"nds,
I# was long beore I 'o$ld reason )ysel "n#o s$"'"en# 'o$rage #o s"# $* and loo+ o$# "n#o #he
d"s#an'e,
13o$ )$s# ge# o&er #hese an'"es%1 sa"d #he g$"de% 1or I ha&e bro$gh# yo$ here #ha# yo$ )"gh#
ha&e #he bes# *oss"ble &"ew o #he s'ene o #ha# e&en# I )en#"oned 22and #o #ell yo$ #he whole
s#ory w"#h #he s*o# 4$s# $nder yo$r eye,1
1.e are now%1 he 'on#"n$ed% "n #ha# *ar#"'$lar"6"ng )anner wh"'h d"s#"ng$"shed h") 221we are
now 'lose $*on #he Norweg"an 'oas# 22"n #he s"0#y2e"gh#h degree o la#"#$de 22"n #he grea#
*ro&"n'e o Nordland 22and "n #he dreary d"s#r"'# o Looden, The )o$n#a"n $*on whose #o* we s"#
"s Helseggen% #he Clo$dy, Now ra"se yo$rsel $* a l"##le h"gher 22hold on #o #he grass " yo$ eel
g"ddy 22so 22and loo+ o$# beyond #he bel# o &a*or benea#h $s% "n#o #he sea,1
I loo+ed d"66"ly% and beheld a w"de e0*anse o o'ean% whose wa#ers wore so "n+y a h$e as #o
br"ng a# on'e #o )y )"nd #he N$b"an geogra*her7s a''o$n# o #he Mare Tenebrar$), A
*anora)a )ore de*lorably desola#e no h$)an ")ag"na#"on 'an 'on'e"&e, To #he r"gh# and le#%
as ar as #he eye 'o$ld rea'h% #here lay o$#s#re#'hed% l"+e ra)*ar#s o #he world% l"nes o horr"dly
bla'+ and bee#l"ng 'l"% whose 'hara'#er o gloo) was b$# #he )ore or'"bly "ll$s#ra#ed by #he s$r
wh"'h reared h"gh $* aga"ns# "# "#s wh"#e and ghas#ly 'res#% howl"ng and shr"e+"ng or e&er, -$s#
o**os"#e #he *ro)on#ory $*on whose a*e0 we were *la'ed% and a# a d"s#an'e o so)e "&e or s"0
)"les o$# a# sea% #here was &"s"ble a s)all% blea+2loo+"ng "sland( or% )ore *ro*erly% "#s *os"#"on
was d"s'ern"ble #hro$gh #he w"lderness o s$rge "n wh"'h "# was en&elo*ed, Abo$# #wo )"les
nearer #he land% arose ano#her o s)aller s"6e% h"deo$sly 'raggy and barren% and en'o)*assed
a# &ar"o$s "n#er&als by a 'l$s#er o dar+ ro'+s,
The a**earan'e o #he o'ean% "n #he s*a'e be#ween #he )ore d"s#an# "sland and #he shore%
had so)e#h"ng &ery $n$s$al abo$# "#, Al#ho$gh% a# #he #")e% so s#rong a gale was blow"ng
landward #ha# a br"g "n #he re)o#e o"ng lay #o $nder a do$ble2reeed #rysa"l% and 'ons#an#ly
*l$nged her whole h$ll o$# o s"gh#% s#"ll #here was here no#h"ng l"+e a reg$lar swell% b$# only a
shor#% 8$"'+% angry 'ross dash"ng o wa#er "n e&ery d"re'#"on 22as well "n #he #ee#h o #he w"nd as
o#herw"se, O oa) #here was l"##le e0'e*# "n #he "))ed"a#e &"'"n"#y o #he ro'+s,
1The "sland "n #he d"s#an'e%1 res$)ed #he old )an% 1"s 'alled by #he Norweg"ans 9$rrgh, The
one )"dway "s Mos+oe, Tha# a )"le #o #he nor#hward "s A)baaren, 3onder are Ilesen%
Hoeyhol)% :"eldhol)% S$ar&en% and ;$'+hol), /ar#her o 22be#ween Mos+oe and 9$rrgh 22are
O##erhol)% /l")en% Sandlesen% and S+arhol), These are #he #r$e na)es o #he *la'es 22b$# why
"# has been #ho$gh# ne'essary #o na)e #he) a# all% "s )ore #han e"#her yo$ or I 'an $nders#and,
Do yo$ hear any #h"ng5 Do yo$ see any 'hange "n #he wa#er51
.e had now been abo$# #en )"n$#es $*on #he #o* o Helseggen% #o wh"'h we had as'ended
ro) #he "n#er"or o Looden% so #ha# we had 'a$gh# no gl")*se o #he sea $n#"l "# had b$rs# $*on
$s ro) #he s$))"#, As #he old )an s*o+e% I be'a)e aware o a lo$d and grad$ally "n'reas"ng
so$nd% l"+e #he )oan"ng o a &as# herd o b$aloes $*on an A)er"'an *ra"r"e( and a# #he sa)e
)o)en# I *er'e"&ed #ha# wha# sea)en #er) #he 'ho**"ng 'hara'#er o #he o'ean benea#h $s%
was ra*"dly 'hang"ng "n#o a '$rren# wh"'h se# #o #he eas#ward, E&en wh"le I ga6ed% #h"s '$rren#
a'8$"red a )ons#ro$s &elo'"#y, Ea'h )o)en# added #o "#s s*eed 22#o "#s headlong ")*e#$os"#y, In
"&e )"n$#es #he whole sea% as ar as 9$rrgh% was lashed "n#o $ngo&ernable $ry( b$# "# was
be#ween Mos+oe and #he 'oas# #ha# #he )a"n $*roar held "#s sway, Here #he &as# bed o #he
wa#ers% sea)ed and s'arred "n#o a #ho$sand 'onl"'#"ng 'hannels% b$rs# s$ddenly "n#o *hrens"ed
'on&$ls"on 22hea&"ng% bo"l"ng% h"ss"ng 22gyra#"ng "n g"gan#"' and "nn$)erable &or#"'es% and all
wh"rl"ng and *l$ng"ng on #o #he eas#ward w"#h a ra*"d"#y wh"'h wa#er ne&er elsewhere ass$)es
e0'e*# "n *re'"*"#o$s des'en#s,
In a ew )"n$#es )ore% #here 'a)e o&er #he s'ene ano#her rad"'al al#era#"on, The general
s$ra'e grew so)ewha# )ore s)oo#h% and #he wh"rl*ools% one by one% d"sa**eared% wh"le
*rod"g"o$s s#rea+s o oa) be'a)e a**aren# where none had been seen beore, These s#rea+s%
a# leng#h% s*read"ng o$# #o a grea# d"s#an'e% and en#er"ng "n#o 'o)b"na#"on% #oo+ $n#o #he)sel&es
#he gyra#ory )o#"on o #he s$bs"ded &or#"'es% and see)ed #o or) #he ger) o ano#her )ore
&as#, S$ddenly 22&ery s$ddenly 22#h"s ass$)ed a d"s#"n'# and de"n"#e e0"s#en'e% "n a '"r'le o
)ore #han hal a )"le "n d"a)e#er, The edge o #he wh"rl was re*resen#ed by a broad bel# o
glea)"ng s*ray( b$# no *ar#"'le o #h"s sl"**ed "n#o #he )o$#h o #he #err""' $nnel% whose "n#er"or%
as ar as #he eye 'o$ld a#ho) "#% was a s)oo#h% sh"n"ng% and 4e#2bla'+ wall o wa#er% "n'l"ned #o
#he hor"6on a# an angle o so)e or#y2"&e degrees% s*eed"ng d"66"ly ro$nd and ro$nd w"#h a
sway"ng and swel#er"ng )o#"on% and send"ng or#h #o #he w"nds an a**all"ng &o"'e% hal shr"e+%
hal roar% s$'h as no# e&en #he )"gh#y 'a#ara'# o N"agara e&er l"#s $* "n "#s agony #o Hea&en,
The )o$n#a"n #re)bled #o "#s &ery base% and #he ro'+ ro'+ed, I #hrew )ysel $*on )y a'e%
and 'l$ng #o #he s'an# herbage "n an e0'ess o ner&o$s ag"#a#"on,
1Th"s%1 sa"d I a# leng#h% #o #he old )an 221#h"s 'an be no#h"ng else #han #he grea# wh"rl*ool o
#he Maels#ro),1
1So "# "s so)e#")es #er)ed%1 sa"d he, 1.e Norweg"ans 'all "# #he Mos+oe2s#ro)% ro) #he
"sland o Mos+oe "n #he )"dway,1
The ord"nary a''o$n#s o #h"s &or#e0 had by no )eans *re*ared )e or wha# I saw, Tha# o
-onas Ra)$s% wh"'h "s *erha*s #he )os# '"r'$)s#an#"al o any% 'anno# ")*ar# #he a"n#es#
'on'e*#"on e"#her o #he )agn""'en'e% or o #he horror o #he s'ene 22or o #he w"ld bew"lder"ng
sense o #he no&el wh"'h 'ono$nds #he beholder, I a) no# s$re ro) wha# *o"n# o &"ew #he
wr"#er "n 8$es#"on s$r&eyed "#% nor a# wha# #")e( b$# "# 'o$ld ne"#her ha&e been ro) #he s$))"# o
Helseggen% nor d$r"ng a s#or), There are so)e *assages o h"s des'r"*#"on% ne&er#heless% wh"'h
)ay be 8$o#ed or #he"r de#a"ls% al#ho$gh #he"r ee'# "s e0'eed"ngly eeble "n 'on&ey"ng an
")*ress"on o #he s*e'#a'le,
1;e#ween Looden and Mos+oe%1 he says% 1#he de*#h o #he wa#er "s be#ween #h"r#y2s"0 and
or#y a#ho)s( b$# on #he o#her s"de% #oward 9er <9$rrgh= #h"s de*#h de'reases so as no# #o aord
a 'on&en"en# *assage or a &essel% w"#ho$# #he r"s+ o s*l"##"ng on #he ro'+s% wh"'h ha**ens e&en
"n #he 'al)es# wea#her, .hen "# "s lood% #he s#rea) r$ns $* #he 'o$n#ry be#ween Looden and
Mos+oe w"#h a bo"s#ero$s ra*"d"#y( b$# #he roar o "#s ")*e#$o$s ebb #o #he sea "s s'ar'e e8$alled
by #he lo$des# and )os# dread$l 'a#ara'#s( #he no"se be"ng heard se&eral leag$es o% and #he
&or#"'es or *"#s are o s$'h an e0#en# and de*#h% #ha# " a sh"* 'o)es w"#h"n "#s a##ra'#"on% "# "s
"ne&"#ably absorbed and 'arr"ed down #o #he bo##o)% and #here bea# #o *"e'es aga"ns# #he ro'+s(
and when #he wa#er rela0es% #he rag)en#s #hereo are #hrown $* aga"n, ;$# #hese "n#er&als o
#ran8$"ll"#y are only a# #he #$rn o #he ebb and lood% and "n 'al) wea#her% and las# b$# a 8$ar#er
o an ho$r% "#s &"olen'e grad$ally re#$rn"ng, .hen #he s#rea) "s )os# bo"s#ero$s% and "#s $ry
he"gh#ened by a s#or)% "# "s dangero$s #o 'o)e w"#h"n a Norway )"le o "#, ;oa#s% ya'h#s% and
sh"*s ha&e been 'arr"ed away by no# g$ard"ng aga"ns# "# beore #hey were w"#h"n "#s rea'h, I#
l"+ew"se ha**ens re8$en#ly% #ha# whales 'o)e #oo near #he s#rea)% and are o&er*owered by "#s
&"olen'e( and #hen "# "s ")*oss"ble #o des'r"be #he"r howl"ngs and bellow"ngs "n #he"r r$"#less
s#r$ggles #o d"sengage #he)sel&es, A bear on'e% a##e)*#"ng #o sw") ro) Looden #o Mos+oe%
was 'a$gh# by #he s#rea) and borne down% wh"le he roared #err"bly% so as #o be heard on shore,
Large s#o'+s o "rs and *"ne #rees% a#er be"ng absorbed by #he '$rren#% r"se aga"n bro+en and
#orn #o s$'h a degree as " br"s#les grew $*on #he), Th"s *la"nly shows #he bo##o) #o 'ons"s# o
'raggy ro'+s% a)ong wh"'h #hey are wh"rled #o and ro, Th"s s#rea) "s reg$la#ed by #he l$0 and
rel$0 o #he sea 22"# be"ng 'ons#an#ly h"gh and low wa#er e&ery s"0 ho$rs, In #he year 1>4?% early
"n #he )orn"ng o Se0ages")a S$nday% "# raged w"#h s$'h no"se and ")*e#$os"#y #ha# #he &ery
s#ones o #he ho$ses on #he 'oas# ell #o #he gro$nd,1
In regard #o #he de*#h o #he wa#er% I 'o$ld no# see how #h"s 'o$ld ha&e been as'er#a"ned a# all
"n #he "))ed"a#e &"'"n"#y o #he &or#e0, The 1or#y a#ho)s1 )$s# ha&e reeren'e only #o *or#"ons
o #he 'hannel 'lose $*on #he shore e"#her o Mos+oe or Looden, The de*#h "n #he 'en#re o #he
Mos+oe2s#ro) )$s# be "))eas$rably grea#er( and no be##er *roo o #h"s a'# "s ne'essary #han
'an be ob#a"ned ro) e&en #he s"delong glan'e "n#o #he abyss o #he wh"rl wh"'h )ay be had
ro) #he h"ghes# 'rag o Helseggen, Loo+"ng down ro) #h"s *"nna'le $*on #he howl"ng
Phlege#hon below% I 'o$ld no# hel* s)"l"ng a# #he s")*l"'"#y w"#h wh"'h #he hones# -onas Ra)$s
re'ords% as a )a##er d""'$l# o bel"e% #he ane'do#es o #he whales and #he bears( or "# a**eared
#o )e% "n a'#% a sel2e&"den# #h"ng% #ha# #he larges# sh"*s o #he l"ne "n e0"s#en'e% 'o)"ng w"#h"n
#he "nl$en'e o #ha# deadly a##ra'#"on% 'o$ld res"s# "# as l"##le as a ea#her #he h$rr"'ane% and )$s#
d"sa**ear bod"ly and a# on'e,
The a##e)*#s #o a''o$n# or #he *heno)enon 22so)e o wh"'h% I re)e)ber% see)ed #o )e
s$"'"en#ly *la$s"ble "n *er$sal 22now wore a &ery d"eren# and $nsa#"sa'#ory as*e'#, The "dea
generally re'e"&ed "s #ha# #h"s% as well as #hree s)aller &or#"'es a)ong #he /eroe "slands% 1ha&e
no o#her 'a$se #han #he 'oll"s"on o wa&es r"s"ng and all"ng% a# l$0 and rel$0% aga"ns# a r"dge o
ro'+s and shel&es% wh"'h 'on"nes #he wa#er so #ha# "# *re'"*"#a#es "#sel l"+e a 'a#ara'#( and #h$s
#he h"gher #he lood r"ses% #he dee*er )$s# #he all be% and #he na#$ral res$l# o all "s a wh"rl*ool
or &or#e0% #he *rod"g"o$s s$'#"on o wh"'h "s s$"'"en#ly +nown by lesser e0*er")en#s,1 22These
are #he words o #he En'y'lo*aed"a ;r"#ann"'a, :"r'her and o#hers ")ag"ne #ha# "n #he 'en#re o
#he 'hannel o #he Maels#ro) "s an abyss *ene#ra#"ng #he globe% and "ss$"ng "n so)e &ery re)o#e
*ar# 22#he !$l o ;o#hn"a be"ng so)ewha# de'"dedly na)ed "n one "ns#an'e, Th"s o*"n"on% "dle "n
"#sel% was #he one #o wh"'h% as I ga6ed% )y ")ag"na#"on )os# read"ly assen#ed( and% )en#"on"ng
"# #o #he g$"de% I was ra#her s$r*r"sed #o hear h") say #ha#% al#ho$gh "# was #he &"ew al)os#
$n"&ersally en#er#a"ned o #he s$b4e'# by #he Norweg"ans% "# ne&er#heless was no# h"s own, As #o
#he or)er no#"on he 'onessed h"s "nab"l"#y #o 'o)*rehend "#( and here I agreed w"#h h") 22or%
howe&er 'on'l$s"&e on *a*er% "# be'o)es al#oge#her $n"n#ell"g"ble% and e&en abs$rd% a)"d #he
#h$nder o #he abyss,
13o$ ha&e had a good loo+ a# #he wh"rl now%1 sa"d #he old )an% 1and " yo$ w"ll 'ree* ro$nd
#h"s 'rag% so as #o ge# "n "#s lee% and deaden #he roar o #he wa#er% I w"ll #ell yo$ a s#ory #ha# w"ll
'on&"n'e yo$ I o$gh# #o +now so)e#h"ng o #he Mos+oe2s#ro),1
I *la'ed )ysel as des"red% and he *ro'eeded,
1Mysel and )y #wo bro#hers on'e owned a s'hooner2r"gged s)a'+ o abo$# se&en#y #ons
b$r#hen% w"#h wh"'h we were "n #he hab"# o "sh"ng a)ong #he "slands beyond Mos+oe% nearly #o
9$rrgh, In all &"olen# edd"es a# sea #here "s good "sh"ng% a# *ro*er o**or#$n"#"es% " one has only
#he 'o$rage #o a##e)*# "#( b$# a)ong #he whole o #he Looden 'oas#)en% we #hree were #he only
ones who )ade a reg$lar b$s"ness o go"ng o$# #o #he "slands% as I #ell yo$, The $s$al gro$nds
are a grea# way lower down #o #he so$#hward, There "sh 'an be go# a# all ho$rs% w"#ho$# )$'h
r"s+% and #hereore #hese *la'es are *reerred, The 'ho"'e s*o#s o&er here a)ong #he ro'+s%
howe&er% no# only y"eld #he "nes# &ar"e#y% b$# "n ar grea#er ab$ndan'e( so #ha# we o#en go# "n a
s"ngle day% wha# #he )ore #")"d o #he 'ra# 'o$ld no# s'ra*e #oge#her "n a wee+, In a'#% we )ade
"# a )a##er o des*era#e s*e'$la#"on 22#he r"s+ o l"e s#and"ng "ns#ead o labor% and 'o$rage
answer"ng or 'a*"#al,
1.e +e*# #he s)a'+ "n a 'o&e abo$# "&e )"les h"gher $* #he 'oas# #han #h"s( and "# was o$r
*ra'#"'e% "n "ne wea#her% #o #a+e ad&an#age o #he "#een )"n$#es7 sla'+ #o *$sh a'ross #he )a"n
'hannel o #he Mos+oe2s#ro)% ar abo&e #he *ool% and #hen dro* down $*on an'horage
so)ewhere near O##erhol)% or Sandlesen% where #he edd"es are no# so &"olen# as elsewhere,
Here we $sed #o re)a"n $n#"l nearly #")e or sla'+wa#er aga"n% when we we"ghed and )ade or
ho)e, .e ne&er se# o$# $*on #h"s e0*ed"#"on w"#ho$# a s#eady s"de w"nd or go"ng and 'o)"ng
22one #ha# we el# s$re wo$ld no# all $s beore o$r re#$rn 22and we seldo) )ade a )"s2
'al'$la#"on $*on #h"s *o"n#, Tw"'e% d$r"ng s"0 years% we were or'ed #o s#ay all n"gh# a# an'hor on
a''o$n# o a dead 'al)% wh"'h "s a rare #h"ng "ndeed 4$s# abo$# here( and on'e we had #o re)a"n
on #he gro$nds nearly a wee+% s#ar&"ng #o dea#h% ow"ng #o a gale wh"'h blew $* shor#ly a#er o$r
arr"&al% and )ade #he 'hannel #oo bo"s#ero$s #o be #ho$gh# o, @*on #h"s o''as"on we sho$ld
ha&e been dr"&en o$# #o sea "n s*"#e o e&ery#h"ng% <or #he wh"rl*ools #hrew $s ro$nd and ro$nd
so &"olen#ly #ha#% a# leng#h% we o$led o$r an'hor and dragged "#= " "# had no# been #ha# we dr"#ed
"n#o one o #he "nn$)erable 'ross '$rren#s2here #o2day and gone #o2)orrow 22wh"'h dro&e $s
$nder #he lee o /l")en% where% by good l$'+% we bro$gh# $*,
1I 'o$ld no# #ell yo$ #he #wen#"e#h *ar# o #he d""'$l#"es we en'o$n#ered 7on #he gro$nd7 22"# "s a
bad s*o# #o be "n% e&en "n good wea#her 22b$# we )ade sh"# always #o r$n #he ga$n#le# o #he
Mos+oe2s#ro) "#sel w"#ho$# a''"den#( al#ho$gh a# #")es )y hear# has been "n )y )o$#h when we
ha**ened #o be a )"n$#e or so beh"nd or beore #he sla'+, The w"nd so)e#")es was no# as
s#rong as we #ho$gh# "# a# s#ar#"ng% and #hen we )ade ra#her less way #han we 'o$ld w"sh% wh"le
#he '$rren# rendered #he s)a'+ $n)anageable, My eldes# bro#her had a son e"gh#een years old%
and I had #wo s#o$# boys o )y own, These wo$ld ha&e been o grea# ass"s#an'e a# s$'h #")es%
"n $s"ng #he swee*s% as well as a#erward "n "sh"ng 22b$#% so)ehow% al#ho$gh we ran #he r"s+
o$rsel&es% we had no# #he hear# #o le# #he yo$ng ones ge# "n#o #he danger 22or% a#er all sa"d and
done% "# was a horr"ble danger% and #ha# "s #he #r$#h,
1I# "s now w"#h"n a ew days o #hree years s"n'e wha# I a) go"ng #o #ell yo$ o''$rred, I# was on
#he #en#h o -$ly% 1822% a day wh"'h #he *eo*le o #h"s *ar# o #he world w"ll ne&er orge# 22or "#
was one "n wh"'h blew #he )os# #err"ble h$rr"'ane #ha# e&er 'a)e o$# o #he hea&ens, And ye# all
#he )orn"ng% and "ndeed $n#"l la#e "n #he a#ernoon% #here was a gen#le and s#eady bree6e ro)
#he so$#h2wes#% wh"le #he s$n shone br"gh#ly% so #ha# #he oldes# sea)an a)ong $s 'o$ld no# ha&e
oreseen wha# was #o ollow,
1The #hree o $s 22)y #wo bro#hers and )ysel 22had 'rossed o&er #o #he "slands abo$# #wo
o7'lo'+ P, M,% and soon nearly loaded #he s)a'+ w"#h "ne "sh% wh"'h% we all re)ar+ed% were
)ore *len#y #ha# day #han we had e&er +nown #he), I# was 4$s# se&en% by )y wa#'h% when we
we"ghed and s#ar#ed or ho)e% so as #o )a+e #he wors# o #he S#ro) a# sla'+ wa#er% wh"'h we
+new wo$ld be a# e"gh#,
1.e se# o$# w"#h a resh w"nd on o$r s#arboard 8$ar#er% and or so)e #")e s*an+ed along a# a
grea# ra#e% ne&er drea)"ng o danger% or "ndeed we saw no# #he sl"gh#es# reason #o a**rehend "#,
All a# on'e we were #a+en aba'+ by a bree6e ro) o&er Helseggen, Th"s was )os# $n$s$al
22so)e#h"ng #ha# had ne&er ha**ened #o $s beore 22and I began #o eel a l"##le $neasy% w"#ho$#
e0a'#ly +now"ng why, .e *$# #he boa# on #he w"nd% b$# 'o$ld )a+e no headway a# all or #he
edd"es% and I was $*on #he *o"n# o *ro*os"ng #o re#$rn #o #he an'horage% when% loo+"ng as#ern%
we saw #he whole hor"6on 'o&ered w"#h a s"ng$lar 'o**er2'olored 'lo$d #ha# rose w"#h #he )os#
a)a6"ng &elo'"#y,
1In #he )ean#")e #he bree6e #ha# had headed $s o ell away% and we were dead be'al)ed%
dr"#"ng abo$# "n e&ery d"re'#"on, Th"s s#a#e o #h"ngs% howe&er% d"d no# las# long eno$gh #o g"&e $s
#")e #o #h"n+ abo$# "#, In less #han a )"n$#e #he s#or) was $*on $s 22"n less #han #wo #he s+y was
en#"rely o&er'as# 22and wha# w"#h #h"s and #he dr"&"ng s*ray% "# be'a)e s$ddenly so dar+ #ha# we
'o$ld no# see ea'h o#her "n #he s)a'+,
1S$'h a h$rr"'ane as #hen blew "# "s olly #o a##e)*# des'r"b"ng, The oldes# sea)an "n Norway
ne&er e0*er"en'ed any #h"ng l"+e "#, .e had le# o$r sa"ls go by #he r$n beore "# 'le&erly #oo+ $s(
b$#% a# #he "rs# *$% bo#h o$r )as#s wen# by #he board " #hey had been sawed o 22#he )a"n)as#
#a+"ng w"#h "# )y as I yo$nges# bro#her% who had lashed h")sel #o "# or sae#y,
1O$r boa# was #he l"gh#es# ea#her o a #h"ng #ha# e&er sa# $*on wa#er, I# had a 'o)*le#e l$sh
de'+% w"#h only a s)all ha#'h near #he bow% and #h"s ha#'h "# had always been o$r '$s#o) #o
ba##en down when abo$# #o 'ross #he S#ro)% by way o *re'a$#"on aga"ns# #he 'ho**"ng seas, ;$#
or #h"s '"r'$)s#an'e we sho$ld ha&e o$ndered a# on'e 22or we lay en#"rely b$r"ed or so)e
)o)en#s, How )y elder bro#her es'a*ed des#r$'#"on I 'anno# say% or I ne&er had an o**or#$n"#y
o as'er#a"n"ng, /or )y *ar#% as soon as I had le# #he oresa"l r$n% I #hrew )ysel la# on de'+% w"#h
)y ee# aga"ns# #he narrow g$nwale o #he bow% and w"#h )y hands gras*"ng a r"ng2bol# near #he
oo# o #he ore)as#, I# was )ere "ns#"n'# #ha# *ro)*#ed )e #o do #h"s 22wh"'h was $ndo$b#edly
#he &ery bes# #h"ng I 'o$ld ha&e done 22or I was #oo )$'h l$rr"ed #o #h"n+,
1/or so)e )o)en#s we were 'o)*le#ely del$ged% as I say% and all #h"s #")e I held )y brea#h%
and 'l$ng #o #he bol#, .hen I 'o$ld s#and "# no longer I ra"sed )ysel $*on )y +nees% s#"ll
+ee*"ng hold w"#h )y hands% and #h$s go# )y head 'lear, Presen#ly o$r l"##le boa# ga&e hersel a
sha+e% 4$s# as a dog does "n 'o)"ng o$# o #he wa#er% and #h$s r"d hersel% "n so)e )eas$re% o
#he seas, I was now #ry"ng #o ge# #he be##er o #he s#$*or #ha# had 'o)e o&er )e% and #o 'olle'#
)y senses so as #o see wha# was #o be done% when I el# so)ebody gras* )y ar), I# was )y
elder bro#her% and )y hear# lea*ed or 4oy% or I had )ade s$re #ha# he was o&erboard 22b$# #he
ne0# )o)en# all #h"s 4oy was #$rned "n#o horror 22or he *$# h"s )o$#h 'lose #o )y ear% and
s'rea)ed o$# #he word 7Mos+oe2s#ro)A7 1No one e&er w"ll +now wha# )y eel"ngs were a# #ha#
)o)en#, I shoo+ ro) head #o oo# as " I had had #he )os# &"olen# "# o #he ag$e, I +new wha# he
)ean# by #ha# one word well eno$gh 22I +new wha# he w"shed #o )a+e )e $nders#and, ."#h #he
w"nd #ha# now dro&e $s on% we were bo$nd or #he wh"rl o #he S#ro)% and no#h"ng 'o$ld sa&e $sA
13o$ *er'e"&e #ha# "n 'ross"ng #he S#ro) 'hannel% we always wen# a long way $* abo&e #he
wh"rl% e&en "n #he 'al)es# wea#her% and #hen had #o wa"# and wa#'h 'are$lly or #he sla'+ 22b$#
now we were dr"&"ng r"gh# $*on #he *ool "#sel% and "n s$'h a h$rr"'ane as #h"sA 7To be s$re%7 I
#ho$gh#% 7we shall ge# #here 4$s# abo$# #he sla'+ 22#here "s so)e l"##le ho*e "n #ha#7 22b$# "n #he ne0#
)o)en# I '$rsed )ysel or be"ng so grea# a ool as #o drea) o ho*e a# all, I +new &ery well #ha#
we were doo)ed% had we been #en #")es a n"ne#y2g$n sh"*,
1;y #h"s #")e #he "rs# $ry o #he #e)*es# had s*en# "#sel% or *erha*s we d"d no# eel "# so
)$'h% as we s'$dded beore "#% b$# a# all e&en#s #he seas% wh"'h a# "rs# had been +e*# down by
#he w"nd% and lay la# and ro#h"ng% now go# $* "n#o absol$#e )o$n#a"ns, A s"ng$lar 'hange% #oo%
had 'o)e o&er #he hea&ens, Aro$nd "n e&ery d"re'#"on "# was s#"ll as bla'+ as *"#'h% b$# nearly
o&erhead #here b$rs# o$#% all a# on'e% a '"r'$lar r"# o 'lear s+y 22as 'lear as I e&er saw 22and o a
dee* br"gh# bl$e 22and #hro$gh "# #here bla6ed or#h #he $ll )oon w"#h a l$s#re #ha# I ne&er beore
+new her #o wear, She l"# $* e&ery #h"ng abo$# $s w"#h #he grea#es# d"s#"n'#ness 22b$#% oh !od%
wha# a s'ene "# was #o l"gh# $*A
1I now )ade one or #wo a##e)*#s #o s*ea+ #o )y bro#her 22b$# "n so)e )anner wh"'h I 'o$ld
no# $nders#and% #he d"n had so "n'reased #ha# I 'o$ld no# )a+e h") hear a s"ngle word% al#ho$gh I
s'rea)ed a# #he #o* o )y &o"'e "n h"s ear, Presen#ly he shoo+ h"s head% loo+"ng as *ale as
dea#h% and held $* one o h"s "ngers% as #o say 7l"s#enA7
1A# "rs# I 'o$ld no# )a+e o$# wha# he )ean# 22b$# soon a h"deo$s #ho$gh# lashed $*on )e, I
dragged )y wa#'h ro) "#s ob, I# was no# go"ng, I glan'ed as "#s a'e by #he )oonl"gh#% and #hen
b$rs# "n#o #ears as I l$ng "# ar away "n#o #he o'ean, I# had r$n down a# se&en o7'lo'+A .e were
beh"nd #he #")e o #he sla'+% and #he wh"rl o #he S#ro) was "n $ll $ryA
1.hen a boa# "s well b$"l#% *ro*erly #r"))ed% and no# dee* laden% #he wa&es "n a s#rong gale%
when she "s go"ng large% see) always #o sl"* ro) benea#h her 22wh"'h a**ears &ery s#range #o a
lands)an 22and #h"s "s wha# "s 'alled r"d"ng% "n sea *hrase,
1.ell% so ar we had r"dden #he swells &ery 'le&erly( b$# *resen#ly a g"gan#"' sea ha**ened #o
#a+e $s r"gh# $nder #he 'o$n#er% and bore $s w"#h "# as "# rose 22$* 22$* 22as " "n#o #he s+y, I wo$ld
no# ha&e bel"e&ed #ha# any wa&e 'o$ld r"se so h"gh, And #hen down we 'a)e w"#h a swee*% a
sl"de% and a *l$nge% #ha# )ade )e eel s"'+ and d"66y% as " I was all"ng ro) so)e lo#y
)o$n#a"n2#o* "n a drea), ;$# wh"le we were $* I had #hrown a 8$"'+ glan'e aro$nd 22and #ha#
one glan'e was all s$"'"en#, I saw o$r e0a'# *os"#"on "n an "ns#an#, The Mos+oe2s#ro) wh"rl*ool
was abo$# a 8$ar#er o a )"le dead ahead 22b$# no )ore l"+e #he e&ery2day Mos+oe2s#ro)% #han
#he wh"rl as yo$ now see "#% "s l"+e a )"ll2ra'e, I I had no# +nown where we were% and wha# we
had #o e0*e'#% I sho$ld no# ha&e re'ogn"sed #he *la'e a# all, As "# was% I "n&ol$n#ar"ly 'losed )y
eyes "n horror, The l"ds 'len'hed #he)sel&es #oge#her as " "n a s*as),
1I# 'o$ld no# ha&e been )ore #han #wo )"n$#es a#erwards $n#"l we s$ddenly el# #he wa&es
s$bs"de% and were en&elo*ed "n oa), The boa# )ade a shar* hal #$rn #o larboard% and #hen
sho# o "n "#s new d"re'#"on l"+e a #h$nderbol#, A# #he sa)e )o)en# #he roar"ng no"se o #he wa#er
was 'o)*le#ely drowned "n a +"nd o shr"ll shr"e+ 22s$'h a so$nd as yo$ )"gh# ")ag"ne g"&en o$#
by #he wa#er2*"*es o )any #ho$sand s#ea)2&essels% le##"ng o #he"r s#ea) all #oge#her, .e were
now "n #he bel# o s$r #ha# always s$rro$nds #he wh"rl( and I #ho$gh#% o 'o$rse% #ha# ano#her
)o)en# wo$ld *l$nge $s "n#o #he abyss 22down wh"'h we 'o$ld only see "nd"s#"n'#ly on a''o$n#
o #he a)a6"ng &elo'"#y w"#h wh"'h we were borne along, The boa# d"d no# see) #o s"n+ "n#o #he
wa#er a# all% b$# #o s+") l"+e an a"r2b$bble $*on #he s$ra'e o #he s$rge, Her s#arboard s"de was
ne0# #he wh"rl% and on #he larboard arose #he world o o'ean we had le#, I# s#ood l"+e a h$ge
wr"#h"ng wall be#ween $s and #he hor"6on,
1I# )ay a**ear s#range% b$# now% when we were "n #he &ery 4aws o #he g$l% I el# )ore
'o)*osed #han when we were only a**roa'h"ng "#, Ha&"ng )ade $* )y )"nd #o ho*e no )ore% I
go# r"d o a grea# deal o #ha# #error wh"'h $n)anned )e a# "rs#, I s$**ose "# was des*a"r #ha#
s#r$ng )y ner&es,
1I# )ay loo+ l"+e boas#"ng 22b$# wha# I #ell yo$ "s #r$#h 22I began #o rele'# how )agn""'en# a
#h"ng "# was #o d"e "n s$'h a )anner% and how ool"sh "# was "n )e #o #h"n+ o so *al#ry a
'ons"dera#"on as )y own "nd"&"d$al l"e% "n &"ew o so wonder$l a )an"es#a#"on o !od7s *ower, I
do bel"e&e #ha# I bl$shed w"#h sha)e when #h"s "dea 'rossed )y )"nd, A#er a l"##le wh"le I
be'a)e *ossessed w"#h #he +eenes# '$r"os"#y abo$# #he wh"rl "#sel, I *os"#"&ely el# a w"sh #o
e0*lore "#s de*#hs% e&en a# #he sa'r""'e I was go"ng #o )a+e( and )y *r"n'"*al gr"e was #ha# I
sho$ld ne&er be able #o #ell )y old 'o)*an"ons on shore abo$# #he )ys#er"es I sho$ld see,
These% no do$b#% were s"ng$lar an'"es #o o''$*y a )an7s )"nd "n s$'h e0#re)"#y 22and I ha&e
o#en #ho$gh# s"n'e% #ha# #he re&ol$#"ons o #he boa# aro$nd #he *ool )"gh# ha&e rendered )e a
l"##le l"gh#2headed,
1There was ano#her '"r'$)s#an'e wh"'h #ended #o res#ore )y sel2*ossess"on( and #h"s was
#he 'essa#"on o #he w"nd% wh"'h 'o$ld no# rea'h $s "n o$r *resen# s"#$a#"on 22or% as yo$ saw
yo$rsel% #he bel# o s$r "s 'ons"derably lower #han #he general bed o #he o'ean% and #h"s la##er
now #owered abo&e $s% a h"gh% bla'+% )o$n#a"no$s r"dge, I yo$ ha&e ne&er been a# sea "n a
hea&y gale% yo$ 'an or) no "dea o #he 'on$s"on o )"nd o''as"oned by #he w"nd and #he s*ray
#oge#her, They bl"nd% deaen and s#rangle yo$% and #a+e away all *ower o a'#"on or rele'#"on,
;$# we were now% "n a grea# )eas$re% r"d o #hese annoyan'es 224$s# as dea#h2'onde)ned elons
"n *r"son are allowed *e##y "nd$lgen'es% orb"dden #he) wh"le #he"r doo) "s ye# $n'er#a"n,
1How o#en we )ade #he '"r'$"# o #he bel# "# "s ")*oss"ble #o say, .e 'areered ro$nd and
ro$nd or *erha*s an ho$r% ly"ng ra#her #han loa#"ng% ge##"ng grad$ally )ore and )ore "n#o #he
)"ddle o #he s$rge% and #hen nearer and nearer #o "#s horr"ble "nner edge, All #h"s #")e I had
ne&er le# go o #he r"ng2bol#, My bro#her was a# #he s#ern% hold"ng on #o a large e)*#y wa#er2'as+
wh"'h had been se'$rely lashed $nder #he 'oo* o #he 'o$n#er% and was #he only #h"ng on de'+
#ha# had no# been swe*# o&erboard when #he gale "rs# #oo+ $s, As we a**roa'hed #he br"n+ o
#he *"# he le# go h"s hold $*on #h"s% and )ade or #he r"ng% ro) wh"'h% "n #he agony o h"s #error%
he endea&ored #o or'e )y hands% as "# was no# large eno$gh #o aord $s bo#h a se'$re gras*, I
ne&er el# dee*er gr"e #han when I saw h") a##e)*# #h"s a'# 22al#ho$gh I +new he was a )ad)an
when he d"d "# 22a ra&"ng )an"a' #hro$gh sheer r"gh#, I d"d no# 'are% howe&er% #o 'on#es# #he *o"n#
w"#h h"), I #ho$gh# "# 'o$ld )a+e no d"eren'e whe#her e"#her o $s held on a# all( so I le# h")
ha&e #he bol#% and wen# as#ern #o #he 'as+, Th"s #here was no grea# d""'$l#y "n do"ng( or #he
s)a'+ lew ro$nd s#ead"ly eno$gh% and $*on an e&en +eel 22only sway"ng #o and ro% w"#h #he
"))ense swee*s and swel#ers o #he wh"rl, S'ar'ely had I se'$red )ysel "n )y new *os"#"on%
when we ga&e a w"ld l$r'h #o s#arboard% and r$shed headlong "n#o #he abyss, I )$##ered a h$rr"ed
*rayer #o !od% and #ho$gh# all was o&er,
1As I el# #he s"'+en"ng swee* o #he des'en#% I had "ns#"n'#"&ely #"gh#ened )y hold $*on #he
barrel% and 'losed )y eyes, /or so)e se'onds I dared no# o*en #he) 22wh"le I e0*e'#ed "ns#an#
des#r$'#"on% and wondered #ha# I was no# already "n )y dea#h2s#r$ggles w"#h #he wa#er, ;$#
)o)en# a#er )o)en# ela*sed, I s#"ll l"&ed, The sense o all"ng had 'eased( and #he )o#"on o
#he &essel see)ed )$'h as "# had been beore wh"le "n #he bel# o oa)% w"#h #he e0'e*#"on #ha#
she now lay )ore along, I #oo+ 'o$rage and loo+ed on'e aga"n $*on #he s'ene,
1Ne&er shall I orge# #he sensa#"ons o awe% horror% and ad)"ra#"on w"#h wh"'h I ga6ed abo$#
)e, The boa# a**eared #o be hang"ng% as " by )ag"'% )"dway down% $*on #he "n#er"or s$ra'e o
a $nnel &as# "n '"r'$)eren'e% *rod"g"o$s "n de*#h% and whose *ere'#ly s)oo#h s"des )"gh#
ha&e been )"s#a+en or ebony% b$# or #he bew"lder"ng ra*"d"#y w"#h wh"'h #hey s*$n aro$nd% and
or #he glea)"ng and ghas#ly rad"an'e #hey sho# or#h% as #he rays o #he $ll )oon% ro) #ha#
'"r'$lar r"# a)"d #he 'lo$ds wh"'h I ha&e already des'r"bed% s#rea)ed "n a lood o golden glory
along #he bla'+ walls% and ar away down "n#o #he "n)os# re'esses o #he abyss,
1A# "rs# I was #oo )$'h 'on$sed #o obser&e any#h"ng a''$ra#ely, The general b$rs# o #err""'
grande$r was all #ha# I beheld, .hen I re'o&ered )ysel a l"##le% howe&er% )y ga6e ell
"ns#"n'#"&ely downward, In #h"s d"re'#"on I was able #o ob#a"n an $nobs#r$'#ed &"ew% ro) #he
)anner "n wh"'h #he s)a'+ h$ng on #he "n'l"ned s$ra'e o #he *ool, She was 8$"#e $*on an
e&en +eel 22#ha# "s #o say% her de'+ lay "n a *lane *arallel w"#h #ha# o #he wa#er 22b$# #h"s la##er
slo*ed a# an angle o )ore #han or#y2"&e degrees% so #ha# we see)ed #o be ly"ng $*on o$r
bea)2ends, I 'o$ld no# hel* obser&"ng% ne&er#heless% #ha# I had s'ar'ely )ore d""'$l#y "n
)a"n#a"n"ng )y hold and oo#"ng "n #h"s s"#$a#"on% #han " we had been $*on a dead le&el( and
#h"s% I s$**ose% was ow"ng #o #he s*eed a# wh"'h we re&ol&ed,
1The rays o #he )oon see)ed #o sear'h #he &ery bo##o) o #he *roo$nd g$l( b$# s#"ll I 'o$ld
)a+e o$# no#h"ng d"s#"n'#ly% on a''o$n# o a #h"'+ )"s# "n wh"'h e&ery#h"ng #here was en&elo*ed%
and o&er wh"'h #here h$ng a )agn""'en# ra"nbow% l"+e #ha# narrow and #o##er"ng br"dge wh"'h
M$ss$l)en say "s #he only *a#hway be#ween T")e and E#ern"#y, Th"s )"s#% or s*ray% was no
do$b# o''as"oned by #he 'lash"ng o #he grea# walls o #he $nnel% as #hey all )e# #oge#her a# #he
bo##o) 22b$# #he yell #ha# wen# $* #o #he Hea&ens ro) o$# o #ha# )"s#% I dare no# a##e)*# #o
des'r"be,
1O$r "rs# sl"de "n#o #he abyss "#sel% ro) #he bel# o oa) abo&e% had 'arr"ed $s #o a grea#
d"s#an'e down #he slo*e( b$# o$r ar#her des'en# was by no )eans *ro*or#"ona#e, Ro$nd and
ro$nd we swe*# 22no# w"#h any $n"or) )o&e)en# 22b$# "n d"66y"ng sw"ngs and 4er+s% #ha# sen# $s
so)e#")es only a ew h$ndred ee# 22so)e#")es nearly #he 'o)*le#e '"r'$"# o #he wh"rl, O$r
*rogress downward% a# ea'h re&ol$#"on% was slow% b$# &ery *er'e*#"ble,
1Loo+"ng abo$# )e $*on #he w"de was#e o l"8$"d ebony on wh"'h we were #h$s borne% I
*er'e"&ed #ha# o$r boa# was no# #he only ob4e'# "n #he e)bra'e o #he wh"rl, ;o#h abo&e and
below $s were &"s"ble rag)en#s o &essels% large )asses o b$"ld"ng #")ber and #r$n+s o #rees%
w"#h )any s)aller ar#"'les% s$'h as *"e'es o ho$se $rn"#$re% bro+en bo0es% barrels and s#a&es, I
ha&e already des'r"bed #he $nna#$ral '$r"os"#y wh"'h had #a+en #he *la'e o )y or"g"nal #errors, I#
a**eared #o grow $*on )e as I drew nearer and nearer #o )y dread$l doo), I now began #o
wa#'h% w"#h a s#range "n#eres#% #he n$)ero$s #h"ngs #ha# loa#ed "n o$r 'o)*any, I )$s# ha&e
been del"r"o$s 22or I e&en so$gh# a)$se)en# "n s*e'$la#"ng $*on #he rela#"&e &elo'"#"es o #he"r
se&eral des'en#s #oward #he oa) below, 7Th"s "r #ree%7 I o$nd )ysel a# one #")e say"ng% 7w"ll
'er#a"nly be #he ne0# #h"ng #ha# #a+es #he aw$l *l$nge and d"sa**ears%7 22and #hen I was
d"sa**o"n#ed #o "nd #ha# #he wre'+ o a D$#'h )er'han# sh"* o&er#oo+ "# and wen# down beore,
A# leng#h% a#er )a+"ng se&eral g$esses o #h"s na#$re% and be"ng de'e"&ed "n all 22#h"s a'# 22#he
a'# o )y "n&ar"able )"s'al'$la#"on% se# )e $*on a #ra"n o rele'#"on #ha# )ade )y l")bs aga"n
#re)ble% and )y hear# bea# hea&"ly on'e )ore,
1I# was no# a new #error #ha# #h$s ae'#ed )e% b$# #he dawn o a )ore e0'"#"ng ho*e, Th"s
ho*e arose *ar#ly ro) )e)ory% and *ar#ly ro) *resen# obser&a#"on, I 'alled #o )"nd #he grea#
&ar"e#y o b$oyan# )a##er #ha# s#rewed #he 'oas# o Looden% ha&"ng been absorbed and #hen
#hrown or#h by #he Mos+oe2s#ro), ;y ar #he grea#er n$)ber o #he ar#"'les were sha##ered "n #he
)os# e0#raord"nary way 22so 'haed and ro$ghened as #o ha&e #he a**earan'e o be"ng s#$'+ $ll
o s*l"n#ers 22b$# #hen I d"s#"n'#ly re'olle'#ed #ha# #here were so)e o #he) wh"'h were no#
d"s"g$red a# all, Now I 'o$ld no# a''o$n# or #h"s d"eren'e e0'e*# by s$**os"ng #ha# #he
ro$ghened rag)en#s were #he only ones wh"'h had been 'o)*le#ely absorbed 22#ha# #he o#hers
had en#ered #he wh"rl a# so la#e a *er"od o #he #"de% or% ro) so)e reason% had des'ended so
slowly a#er en#er"ng% #ha# #hey d"d no# rea'h #he bo##o) beore #he #$rn o #he lood 'a)e% or o
#he ebb% as #he 'ase )"gh# be, I 'on'e"&ed "# *oss"ble% "n e"#her "ns#an'e% #ha# #hey )"gh# #h$s be
wh"rled $* aga"n #o #he le&el o #he o'ean% w"#ho$# $ndergo"ng #he a#e o #hose wh"'h had been
drawn "n )ore early or absorbed )ore ra*"dly, I )ade% also% #hree ")*or#an# obser&a#"ons, The
"rs# was% #ha# as a general r$le% #he larger #he bod"es were% #he )ore ra*"d #he"r des'en#( 22#he
se'ond% #ha#% be#ween #wo )asses o e8$al e0#en#% #he one s*her"'al% and #he o#her o any o#her
sha*e% #he s$*er"or"#y "n s*eed o des'en# was w"#h #he s*here( 22#he #h"rd% #ha#% be#ween #wo
)asses o e8$al s"6e% #he one 'yl"ndr"'al% and #he o#her o any o#her sha*e% #he 'yl"nder was
absorbed #he )ore slowly,
S"n'e )y es'a*e% I ha&e had se&eral 'on&ersa#"ons on #h"s s$b4e'# w"#h an old s'hool2)as#er
o #he d"s#r"'#( and "# was ro) h") #ha# I learned #he $se o #he words 7'yl"nder7 and 7s*here,7 He
e0*la"ned #o )e 22al#ho$gh I ha&e orgo##en #he e0*lana#"on 22how wha# I obser&ed was% "n a'#%
#he na#$ral 'onse8$en'e o #he or)s o #he loa#"ng rag)en#s 22and showed )e how "#
ha**ened #ha# a 'yl"nder% sw"))"ng "n a &or#e0% oered )ore res"s#an'e #o "#s s$'#"on% and was
drawn "n w"#h grea#er d""'$l#y #han an e8$ally b$l+y body% o any or) wha#e&er,B
BSee Ar'h")edes% 1De In'"den#"b$s "n /l$"do,1 22l"b,C,
1There was one s#ar#l"ng '"r'$)s#an'e wh"'h wen# a grea# way "n enor'"ng #hese obser&a#"ons%
and render"ng )e an0"o$s #o #$rn #he) #o a''o$n#% and #h"s was #ha#% a# e&ery re&ol$#"on% we
*assed so)e#h"ng l"+e a barrel% or else #he bro+en yard or #he )as# o a &essel% wh"le )any o
#hese #h"ngs% wh"'h had been on o$r le&el when I "rs# o*ened )y eyes $*on #he wonders o #he
wh"rl*ool% were now h"gh $* abo&e $s% and see)ed #o ha&e )o&ed b$# l"##le ro) #he"r or"g"nal
s#a#"on,
1I no longer hes"#a#ed wha# #o do, I resol&ed #o lash )ysel se'$rely #o #he wa#er 'as+ $*on
wh"'h I now held% #o '$# "# loose ro) #he 'o$n#er% and #o #hrow )ysel w"#h "# "n#o #he wa#er, I
a##ra'#ed )y bro#her7s a##en#"on by s"gns% *o"n#ed #o #he loa#"ng barrels #ha# 'a)e near $s% and
d"d e&ery#h"ng "n )y *ower #o )a+e h") $nders#and wha# I was abo$# #o do, I #ho$gh# a# leng#h
#ha# he 'o)*rehended )y des"gn 22b$#% whe#her #h"s was #he 'ase or no#% he shoo+ h"s head
des*a"r"ngly% and re$sed #o )o&e ro) h"s s#a#"on by #he r"ng2bol#, I# was ")*oss"ble #o or'e
h")( #he e)ergen'y ad)"##ed no delay( and so% w"#h a b"##er s#r$ggle% I res"gned h") #o h"s a#e%
as#ened )ysel #o #he 'as+ by )eans o #he lash"ngs wh"'h se'$red "# #o #he 'o$n#er% and
*re'"*"#a#ed )ysel w"#h "# "n#o #he sea% w"#ho$# ano#her )o)en#7s hes"#a#"on,
1The res$l# was *re'"sely wha# I had ho*ed "# )"gh# be, As "# "s )ysel who now #ell yo$ #h"s
#ale 22as yo$ see #ha# I d"d es'a*e 22and as yo$ are already "n *ossess"on o #he )ode "n wh"'h
#h"s es'a*e was ee'#ed% and )$s# #hereore an#"'"*a#e all #ha# I ha&e ar#her #o say 22I w"ll br"ng
)y s#ory 8$"'+ly #o 'on'l$s"on, I# )"gh# ha&e been an ho$r% or #hereabo$#% a#er )y 8$"##"ng #he
s)a'+% when% ha&"ng des'ended #o a &as# d"s#an'e benea#h )e% "# )ade #hree or o$r w"ld
gyra#"ons "n ra*"d s$''ess"on% and% bear"ng )y lo&ed bro#her w"#h "#% *l$nged headlong% a# on'e
and ore&er% "n#o #he 'haos o oa) below, The barrel #o wh"'h I was a##a'hed s$n+ &ery l"##le
ar#her #han hal #he d"s#an'e be#ween #he bo##o) o #he g$l and #he s*o# a# wh"'h I lea*ed
o&erboard% beore a grea# 'hange #oo+ *la'e "n #he 'hara'#er o #he wh"rl*ool, The slo*e o #he
s"des o #he &as# $nnel be'a)e )o)en#ly less and less s#ee*, The gyra#"ons o #he wh"rl grew%
grad$ally% less and less &"olen#, ;y degrees% #he ro#h and #he ra"nbow d"sa**eared% and #he
bo##o) o #he g$l see)ed slowly #o $*r"se, The s+y was 'lear% #he w"nds had gone down% and #he
$ll )oon was se##"ng rad"an#ly "n #he wes#% when I o$nd )ysel on #he s$ra'e o #he o'ean% "n
$ll &"ew o #he shores o Looden% and abo&e #he s*o# where #he *ool o #he Mos+oe2s#ro) had
been, I# was #he ho$r o #he sla'+ 22b$# #he sea s#"ll hea&ed "n )o$n#a"no$s wa&es ro) #he
ee'#s o #he h$rr"'ane, I was borne &"olen#ly "n#o #he 'hannel o #he S#ro) and "n a ew )"n$#es%
was h$rr"ed down #he 'oas# "n#o #he 7gro$nds7 o #he "sher)en, A boa# *"'+ed )e $* 22e0ha$s#ed
ro) a#"g$e 22and <now #ha# #he danger was re)o&ed= s*ee'hless ro) #he )e)ory o "#s horror,
Those who drew )e on board were )y old )a#es and dally 'o)*an"ons 22b$# #hey +new )e no
)ore #han #hey wo$ld ha&e +nown a #ra&eller ro) #he s*"r"#2land, My ha"r% wh"'h had been
ra&en2bla'+ #he day beore% was as wh"#e as yo$ see "# now, They say #oo #ha# #he whole
e0*ress"on o )y 'o$n#enan'e had 'hanged, I #old #he) )y s#ory 22#hey d"d no# bel"e&e "#, I now
#ell "# #o yo$ 22and I 'an s'ar'ely e0*e'# yo$ #o *$# )ore a"#h "n "# #han d"d #he )erry "sher)en
o Looden,
2THE END2
,