In due time the boats were lowered; but as standing in his shallop's stern, Ahab just hovered upon the point of the descent, he waved to the mate, —who held one of the tackle—ropes on deck—and bade him pause.

全部小艇准时下水了，但是，当亚哈站在自己的艇尾上，正悬荡着要往下降的时候，他向大副挥挥手——大副这时正在甲板上握着一根滑车索——吩咐他停下来。