Instantly the yards were squared, to the lively song of “ Ho! the fair wind! oh-ye-ho, cheerly men! ” the crew singing for joy, that so promising an event should so soon have falsified the evil portents preceding it.

In compliance with the standing order of his commander⁠—to report immediately, and at any one of the twenty-four hours, any decided change in the affairs of the deck⁠—Starbuck had no sooner trimmed the yards to the breeze⁠—however reluctantly and gloomily⁠—than he mechanically went below to apprise Captain Ahab of the circumstance.