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Youth, a Narrative by Joseph Conrad
page 29 of 41 (70%)
ordered with two hands into the boats to make a stowage and get them
ready against the time it would be proper for us to leave the ship.

"We put everything straight, stepped the long-boat's mast for our
skipper, who was in charge of her, and I was not sorry to sit down for a
moment. My face felt raw, every limb ached as if broken, I was aware
of all my ribs, and would have sworn to a twist in the back-bone. The
boats, fast astern, lay in a deep shadow, and all around I could see the
circle of the sea lighted by the fire. A gigantic flame arose forward
straight and clear. It flared there, with noises like the whir of wings,
with rumbles as of thunder. There were cracks, detonations, and from
the cone of flame the sparks flew upwards, as man is born to trouble, to
leaky ships, and to ships that burn.

"What bothered me was that the ship, lying broadside to the swell and to
such wind as there was--a mere breath--the boats would not keep astern
where they were safe, but persisted, in a pig-headed way boats have,
in getting under the counter and then swinging alongside. They were
knocking about dangerously and coming near the flame, while the ship
rolled on them, and, of course, there was always the danger of the masts
going over the side at any moment. I and my two boat-keepers kept them
off as best we could with oars and boat-hooks; but to be constantly
at it became exasperating, since there was no reason why we should not
leave at once. We could not see those on board, nor could we imagine
what caused the delay. The boat-keepers were swearing feebly, and I had
not only my share of the work, but also had to keep at it two men who
showed a constant inclination to lay themselves down and let things
slide.

"At last I hailed 'On deck there,' and someone looked over. 'We're ready
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