[The Works of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe]@TWC D-Link bookThe Works of Edgar Allan Poe CHAPTER 7 12/15
The hands were in the same condition, while the face was shrunken, shrivelled, and of a chalky whiteness, except where relieved by two or three glaring red blotches like those occasioned by the erysipelas: one of these blotches extended diagonally across the face, completely covering up an eye as if with a band of red velvet.
In this disgusting condition the body had been brought up from the cabin at noon to be thrown overboard, when the mate getting a glimpse of it (for he now saw it for the first time), and being either touched with remorse for his crime or struck with terror at so horrible a sight, ordered the men to sew the body up in its hammock, and allow it the usual rites of sea-burial.
Having given these directions, he went below, as if to avoid any further sight of his victim.
While preparations were making to obey his orders, the gale came on with great fury, and the design was abandoned for the present.
The corpse, left to itself, was washed into the larboard scuppers, where it still lay at the time of which I speak, floundering about with the furious lurches of the brig. Having arranged our plan, we set about putting it in execution as speedily as possible.
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