13/23 You gave it me as the place of safety; but I had my revenge, since it proved the post of honour." "It was indeed the post of danger," said Ludar. "Had you swerved and not held straight on, we might not have been here to honour you for it. Witness the sail there and the rail and the stern windows; but it spared me." "I think," said Ludar, "we maimed them in one of their masts in passing, and their bowsprit broke short when it touched our stern. I doubt if we shall find them following us." "As for our Hollander," said the poet, who had been wondrous silent thus far, "he hath this night proved himself twice a prophet. He said we should win this race; he said, moreover, I should live to write another ode. |