Rites of Passage – William Golding - bzelbublive.info

Even though I now understood the cause, the repetition wasunutterably wearisome. But as I awoke there were loudmovements on deck, the thundering of many feet, thenshouted orders prolonged into what one might suppose tobe the vociferations of the damned. I had not known (evenwhen crossing the Channel) what an aria can be made ofthe simple injunction, "Ease the sheets!" then, "Let go andhaul!" Precisely over my head, a voice-Cumbershum'sperhaps-roared, "Light to!" and there w a s e ve n morecommotion. The groaning of the yards would have mademe grind my teeth in sympathy had I had the strength; butthen, oh then! In our passage to date there has been nocircumstance of like enjoyment, bliss! The movement of mybody, of the bunk, of the whole ship changed in a moment,in the twinkling of an eye as if-but I do not need to elaboratethe allusion. I knew directly what had brought the miracleabout. We had altered course more towards the south andin Tarpaulin language-which I confess I speak withincreasing pleasure-we had brought the wind from forrardof the starboard beam to large on the starboard quarter!Our motion, ample as ever, was and is more yielding, morefeminine and suitable to the sex of our conveyance. I fellhealthfully asleep at once. When I awoke there was no suchfolly as bounding out of my bunk or singing, but I did shoutto our bows-a movement that would thrust m y head morefi rmly i nt o t h e pillow, which being m a d e o f granitetransmitted the impulsion throughout the remainder o f myperson.