Scotchman, who had been on the deck all the evening, came down into
the cabin, wearing a long face.

But the whist-players were too much interested in their game to
notice the lugubrious expression of the old man, until he came to
the table, and in a tone of the most alarming gravity exclaimed:

"Don't be frightened!"

Every lady dropped her cards and turned deadly pale with terror.
Every gentleman looked up inquiringly at this judicious speaker.

"What is there to be frightened at, sir?" coldly inquired Ishmael.

"Well, you know our situation--But, ladies, for Heaven's sake, be
composed. Your sex are noted for heroism in the midst of danger--"

Here, to prove his words good, one of the ladies shrieked, fell back
in her chair, and covered her face with her hands.

"These ladies are not aware of any danger, sir, and I think it quite
needless to alarm them," said Ishmael gravely.

"My good young friend, I don't wish to alarm them; I came down here
on purpose to exhort them to coolness and self-possession, so
necessary in the hour of peril. Now, dear ladies, I must beg that
you will not suffer yourselves to be agitated."

"There is really, sir, no present cause for agitation, except, if
you will pardon me for saying it, your own needlessly alarming words