Ahab's Brow Was Left Gaunt and Ribbed, Like the Black Sand Beach

Ahab's brow was left gaunt and ribbed, like the black sand beach after some stormy tide has been gnawing it. But thoughts like these troubled very few of the reckless crew. The compact martial columns in which they had been hitherto rapidly and steadily swimming were now broken up in one measureless rout. And like king porus's elephants in the indian battle with alexander, they seemed going mad with consternation in all directions. By their short, thick spoutings, they plainly betrayed their distraction of panic. This was still more strangely evinced by those of their number who completely paralyzed, as it were, helplessly floated like water logged,