HIXOM. We may well be proud of her. We have never chased a thing of any size or rig, we did not overhaul. Lord! we could sail round any ship of Spain, or through the very midst of her Navy. But this was a wary dodge of our General, to take the round of the Globe. We are safe to bring our prize home now. What think you, Bill Noble? NOBLE. As for the little craft herself, I never trod the deck of the like of her. She was well named the “Pelican.” And now, in respect of what she carries—a freight as never was entrusted to a wooden plank before, fitly benamed the “Golden Hind.” As to landing it safe at Hamoaz—for the matter of speed or fighting, I should not much mind. But it was never my experience to see the canvas all spread in an unknown sea, at night. I have been to China with the Portuguese and I know these channels are dangerous! MOON. Lord, I am anxious to see Old Plymouth, and hear the shouting when the Rovers salute us sailing up the Sound, with our bunting all abroad.—It would be a pity to shorten sail. HIXOM. There’s no danger messmates. We have open sea room—the moon is up.—How brilliant she rises, and rapid, in these latitudes! It’s all fair weather with us now. (_Bump_! _bump_!) ALL (_crying out in alarm_). What’s that? Did you hear? What’s that? _Another bump_; _and the Vessel sticks fast_. NOBLE. Oh!—My God! I expected this! My wife!—my children! I shall never see them more (_wringing his hands in distraction_). _Screams of alarm among the deck watch_: “_We are sinking_”—“_We are lost_”—“_She’s on a rock_”—“_Get out the boats_”—“_Call the General_—_Call all hands_.” _The crew is rushing up on deck_. _Great confusion_. DRAKE. Silence in the ship! Get out an anchor astern, and heave her off! Boatswain! All hands to quarters! _The Boatswain pipes and cries to quarters_. _They are rushing about pulling ropes_, _and launching the boats_. _Scene changes_. SCENE IV. _Deck of the Golden Hind_—_Midnight_, _the moon behind a cloud_, _constellations of the southern hemisphere brilliant in the deep blue firmament_. _The ship Argo amid the waves_, _the dove_, _bird of hope_. _The raven on the back of the sea serpent_. NOAH _sacrificing at the altar_.