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 *ENDTHESMALLPRINT!FORPUBLICDOMAINETEXTS*Ver.04.29.93*END* MOBYDICK; ORTHEWHALE byHermanMelville CHAPTER1 Loomings CallmeIshmael.Someyearsagonevermindhowlongprecisely havinglittleornomoneyinmypurse,andnothingparticular tointerestmeonshore,IthoughtIwouldsailaboutalittle andseethewaterypartoftheworld.ItisawayIhave ofdrivingoffthespleenandregulatingthecirculation. WheneverIfindmyselfgrowinggrimaboutthemouth; wheneveritisadamp,drizzlyNovemberinmysoul;wheneverI findmyselfinvoluntarilypausingbeforecoffinwarehouses, andbringinguptherearofeveryfuneralImeet; andespeciallywhenevermyhyposgetsuchanupperhandofme, thatitrequiresastrongmoralprincipletopreventmefrom deliberatelysteppingintothestreet,andmethodicallyknocking people'shatsoffthen,Iaccountithightimetogettosea assoonasIcan.Thisismysubstituteforpistolandball. WithaphilosophicalflourishCatothrowshimselfuponhissword; Iquietlytaketotheship.Thereisnothingsurprisinginthis. Iftheybutknewit,almostallmenintheirdegree,sometime orother,cherishverynearlythesamefeelingstowards theoceanwithme. TherenowisyourinsularcityoftheManhattoes,beltedroundbywharves asIndianislesbycoralreefscommercesurroundsitwithhersurf.

Rightandleft,thestreetstakeyouwaterward.Itsextremedowntown isthebattery,wherethatnoblemoleiswashedbywaves,andcooled bybreezes,whichafewhourspreviouswereoutofsightofland. Lookatthecrowdsofwatergazersthere. CircumambulatethecityofadreamySabbathafternoon.Gofrom CorlearsHooktoCoentiesSlip,andfromthence,byWhitehall,northward. Whatdoyousee?Postedlikesilentsentinelsallaroundthetown, standthousandsuponthousandsofmortalmenfixedinoceanreveries. Someleaningagainstthespiles;someseateduponthepierheads; somelookingoverthebulwarksglasses!ofshipsfromChina;somehigh aloftintherigging,asifstrivingtogetastillbetterseawardpeep. Butthesearealllandsmen;ofweekdayspentupinlathandplaster tiedtocounters,nailedtobenches,clinchedtodesks. Howthenisthis?Arethegreenfieldsgone?Whatdotheyhere? Butlook!herecomemorecrowds,pacingstraightforthewater, andseeminglyboundforadive.Strange!Nothingwillcontent thembuttheextremestlimitoftheland;loiteringundertheshady leeofyonderwarehouseswillnotsuffice.No.Theymustget justasnighthewaterastheypossiblycanwithoutfallingin. Andtheretheystandmilesofthemleagues.Inlandersall, theycomefromlanesandalleys,streetsandavenues, north,east,south,andwest.Yetheretheyallunite. Tellme,doesthemagneticvirtueoftheneedlesofthecompasses ofallthoseshipsattractthemthither? Oncemore.Sayyouareinthecountry;insomehighlandoflakes. Takealmostanypathyouplease,andtentooneitcarriesyou downinadale,andleavesyoutherebyapoolinthestream. Thereismagicinit.Letthemostabsentmindedofmenbe plungedinhisdeepestreveriesstandthatmanonhislegs, sethisfeetagoing,andhewillinfalliblyleadyoutowater, ifwatertherebeinallthatregion.Shouldyoueverbeathirst inthegreatAmericandesert,trythisexperiment,ifyour caravanhappentobesuppliedwithametaphysicalprofessor. Yes,aseveryoneknows,meditationandwaterareweddedforever. Buthereisanartist.Hedesirestopaintyouthedreamiest, shadiest,quietest,mostenchantingbitofromanticlandscapeinall thevalleyoftheSaco.Whatisthechiefelementheemploys? Therestandhistrees,eachwithahollowtrunk,asifahermit andacrucifixwerewithin;andheresleepshismeadow,andthere sleephiscattle;andupfromyondercottagegoesasleepysmoke. Deepintodistantwoodlandswindsamazyway,reachingtooverlapping spursofmountainsbathedintheirhillsideblue.Butthough

thepictureliesthustranced,andthoughthispinetreeshakesdown itssighslikeleavesuponthisshepherd'shead,yetallwerevain, unlesstheshepherd'seyewerefixeduponthemagicstreambeforehim. GovisitthePrairiesinJune,whenforscoresonscoresofmilesyou wadekneedeepamongTigerlilieswhatistheonecharmwanting? Waterthereisnotadropofwaterthere!WereNiagarabuta cataractofsand,wouldyoutravelyourthousandmilestoseeit? WhydidthepoorpoetofTennessee,uponsuddenlyreceivingtwohandfuls ofsilver,deliberatewhethertobuyhimacoat,whichhesadlyneeded, orinvesthismoneyinapedestriantriptoRockawayBeach?Whyis almosteveryrobusthealthyboywitharobusthealthysoulinhim, atsometimeorothercrazytogotosea?Whyuponyourfirstvoyage asapassenger,didyouyourselffeelsuchamysticalvibration, whenfirsttoldthatyouandyourshipwerenowoutofsightofland? WhydidtheoldPersiansholdtheseaholy?WhydidtheGreeks giveitaseparatedeity,andownbrotherofJove?Surelyallthis isnotwithoutmeaning.Andstilldeeperthemeaningofthatstory ofNarcissus,whobecausehecouldnotgraspthetormenting, mildimagehesawinthefountain,plungedintoitandwasdrowned. Butthatsameimage,weourselvesseeinallriversandoceans. Itistheimageoftheungraspablephantomoflife;andthisisthekey toitall. Now,whenIsaythatIaminthehabitofgoingtoseawheneverIbegin togrowhazyabouttheeyes,andbegintobeoverconsciousofmylungs, IdonotmeantohaveitinferredthatIevergotoseaasapassenger. Fortogoasapassengeryoumustneedshaveapurse,andapurseisbut aragunlessyouhavesomethinginit.Besides,passengersgetseasick growquarrelsomedon'tsleepofnightsdonotenjoythemselvesmuch, asageneralthing;no,Inevergoasapassenger;nor,thoughIam somethingofasalt,doIevergotoseaasaCommodore,oraCaptain, oraCook.Iabandonthegloryanddistinctionofsuchoffices tothosewholikethem.Formypart,Iabominateallhonorable respectabletoils,trials,andtribulationsofeverykindwhatsoever. ItisquiteasmuchasIcandototakecareofmyself,withouttaking careofships,barques,brigs,schooners,andwhatnot.Andasfor goingascook,thoughIconfessthereisconsiderablegloryinthat, acookbeingasortofofficeronshipboardyet,somehow,Inever fanciedbroilingfowls;thoughoncebroiled,judiciouslybuttered, andjudgmaticallysaltedandpeppered,thereisnoonewhowillspeakmore respectfully,nottosayreverentially,ofabroiledfowlthanIwill. ItisoutoftheidolatrousdotingsoftheoldEgyptiansuponbroiled ibisandroastedriverhorse,thatyouseethemummiesofthosecreatures intheirhugebakehousesthepyramids. No,whenIgotosea,Igoasasimplesailor,rightbeforethemast,

plumbdownintotheforecastle,alofttheretotheroyal masthead.True,theyratherordermeaboutsome,andmakeme jumpfromspartospar,likeagrasshopperinaMaymeadow. Andatfirst,thissortofthingisunpleasantenough. Ittouchesone'ssenseofhonor,particularlyifyoucome ofanoldestablishedfamilyintheland,theVanRensselaers, orRandolphs,orHardicanutes.Andmorethanall,ifjust previoustoputtingyourhandintothetarpot,youhavebeen lordingitasacountryschoolmaster,makingthetallestboys standinaweofyou.Thetransitionisakeenone,Iassureyou, fromaschoolmastertoasailor,andrequiresastrongdecoction ofSenecaandtheStoicstoenableyoutogrinandbearit. Buteventhiswearsoffintime. Whatofit,ifsomeoldhunksofaseacaptainordersmetoget abroomandsweepdownthedecks?Whatdoesthatindignityamountto, weighed,Imean,inthescalesoftheNewTestament?Doyouthink thearchangelGabrielthinksanythingthelessofme,becauseIpromptly andrespectfullyobeythatoldhunksinthatparticularinstance? Whoain'taslave?Tellmethat.Well,then,howevertheold seacaptainsmayordermeabouthowevertheymaythumpandpunch meabout,Ihavethesatisfactionofknowingthatitisallright; thateverybodyelseisonewayorotherservedinmuchthesameway eitherinaphysicalormetaphysicalpointofview,thatis; andsotheuniversalthumpispassedround,andallhandsshouldrub eachother'sshoulderblades,andbecontent. Again,Ialwaysgotoseaasasailor,becausetheymake apointofpayingmeformytrouble,whereastheynever paypassengersasinglepennythatIeverheardof. Onthecontrary,passengersthemselvesmustpay.Andthereis allthedifferenceintheworldbetweenpayingandbeingpaid. Theactofpayingisperhapsthemostuncomfortableinfliction thatthetwoorchardthievesentaileduponus.Butbeingpaid, whatwillcomparewithit?Theurbaneactivitywithwhicha manreceivesmoneyisreallymarvellous,consideringthatwe soearnestlybelievemoneytobetherootofallearthlyills, andthatonnoaccountcanamoniedmanenterheaven. Ah!howcheerfullyweconsignourselvestoperdition! Finally,Ialwaysgotoseaasasailor,becauseofthe wholesomeexerciseandpureairoftheforecastledeck. Forasinthisworld,headwindsarefarmoreprevalentthanwinds fromastern(thatis,ifyouneverviolatethePythagoreanmaxim), soforthemostparttheCommodoreonthequarterdeckgetshis atmosphereatsecondhandfromthesailorsontheforecastle.

Hethinkshebreathesitfirst;butnotso.Inmuchthesame waydothecommonaltyleadtheirleadersinmanyotherthings, atthesametimethattheleaderslittlesuspectit. Butwhereforeitwasthatafterhavingrepeatedlysmelt theseaasamerchantsailor,Ishouldnowtakeitintomy headtogoonawhalingvoyage;thistheinvisiblepolice officeroftheFates,whohastheconstantsurveillanceofme, andsecretlydogsme,andinfluencesmeinsomeunaccountableway hecanbetteranswerthananyoneelse.And,doubtless, mygoingonthiswhalingvoyage,formedpartofthegrand programmeofProvidencethatwasdrawnupalongtimeago. Itcameinasasortofbriefinterludeandsolobetweenmore extensiveperformances.Itakeitthatthispartofthebill musthaverunsomethinglikethis: "GrandContestedElectionforthePresidencyoftheUnitedStates. "WHALINGVOYAGEBYONEISHMAEL." "BLOODYBATTLEINAFFGHANISTAN." ThoughIcannottellwhyitwasexactlythatthosestagemanagers, theFates,putmedownforthisshabbypartofawhalingvoyage, whenothersweresetdownformagnificentpartsinhightragedies, andshortandeasypartsingenteelcomedies,andjollypartsinfarces thoughIcannottellwhythiswasexactly;yet,nowthatIrecall allthecircumstances,IthinkIcanseealittleintothespringsand motiveswhichbeingcunninglypresentedtomeundervariousdisguises, inducedmetosetaboutperformingthepartIdid,besidescajolingme intothedelusionthatitwasachoiceresultingfrommyownunbiased freewillanddiscriminatingjudgment. Chiefamongthesemotiveswastheoverwhelmingideaofthegreat whalehimself.Suchaportentousandmysteriousmonster rousedallmycuriosity.Thenthewildanddistantseaswhere herolledhisislandbulk;theundeliverable,namelessperils ofthewhale;these,withalltheattendingmarvelsofathousand Patagoniansightsandsounds,helpedtoswaymetomywish. Withothermen,perhaps,suchthingswouldnothavebeeninducements; butasforme,Iamtormentedwithaneverlastingitchforthingsremote. Ilovetosailforbiddenseas,andlandonbarbarouscoasts. Notignoringwhatisgood,Iamquicktoperceiveahorror, andcouldstillbesocialwithitwouldtheyletmesinceitis butwelltobeonfriendlytermswithalltheinmatesoftheplace onelodgesin.

Byreasonofthesethings,then,thewhalingvoyagewaswelcome; thegreatfloodgatesofthewonderworldswungopen,andinthewild conceitsthatswayedmetomypurpose,twoandtwotherefloatedintomy inmostsoul,endlessprocessionsofthewhale,and,midmostofthemall, onegrandhoodedphantom,likeasnowhillintheair. CHAPTER2 TheCarpetBag Istuffedashirtortwointomyoldcarpetbag,tuckeditundermyarm, andstartedforCapeHornandthePacific.Quittingthegoodcity ofoldManhatto,IdulyarrivedinNewBedford.ItwasonaSaturday nightinDecember.MuchwasIdisappointeduponlearningthatthelittle packetforNantuckethadalreadysailed,andthatnowayofreaching thatplacewouldoffer,tillthefollowingMonday. Asmostyoungcandidatesforthepainsandpenaltiesofwhaling stopatthissameNewBedford,thencetoembarkontheirvoyage, itmayaswellberelatedthatI,forone,hadnoideaofsodoing. FormymindwasmadeuptosailinnootherthanaNantucketcraft, becausetherewasafine,boisteroussomethingabouteverything connectedwiththatfamousoldisland,whichamazinglypleasedme. BesidesthoughNewBedfordhasoflatebeengraduallymonopolizing thebusinessofwhaling,andthoughinthismatterpooroldNantucket isnowmuchbehindher,yetNantucketwashergreatoriginal theTyreofthisCarthage;theplacewherethefirstdead Americanwhalewasstranded.WhereelsebutfromNantucketdid thoseaboriginalwhalemen,theRedMen,firstsallyoutincanoes togivechasetotheLeviathan?AndwherebutfromNantucket, too,didthatfirstadventurouslittlesloopputforth, partlyladenwithimportedcobblestonessogoesthestory tothrowatthewhales,inordertodiscoverwhentheywerenigh enoughtoriskaharpoonfromthebowsprit? Nowhavinganight,aday,andstillanothernightfollowingbeforeme inNewBedford,ereIcouldembarkformydestinedport,itbecame amatterofconcernmentwhereIwastoeatandsleepmeanwhile. Itwasaverydubiouslooking,nay,averydarkanddismalnight, bitinglycoldandcheerless.Iknewnooneintheplace. WithanxiousgrapnelsIhadsoundedmypocket,andonlybroughtupafew piecesofsilver,So,whereveryougo,Ishmael,saidItomyself, asIstoodinthemiddleofadrearystreetshoulderingmybag,

andcomparingthegloomtowardsthenorthwiththedarknesstowards thesouthwhereverinyourwisdomyoumayconcludetolodge forthenight,mydearIshmael,besuretoinquiretheprice, anddon'tbetooparticular. WithhaltingstepsIpacedthestreets,andpassedthesignof "TheCrossedHarpoons"butitlookedtooexpensiveandjollythere. Furtheron,fromthebrightredwindowsofthe"SwordFishInn," therecamesuchferventrays,thatitseemedtohavemelted thepackedsnowandicefrombeforethehouse,foreverywhere elsethecongealedfrostlayteninchesthickinahard, asphalticpavement,ratherwearyforme,whenIstruck myfootagainsttheflintyprojections,becausefromhard, remorselessservicethesolesofmybootswereinamost miserableplight.Tooexpensiveandjolly,againthoughtI, pausingonemomenttowatchthebroadglareinthestreet, andhearthesoundsofthetinklingglasseswithin. Butgoon,Ishmael,saidIatlast;don'tyouhear?getaway frombeforethedoor;yourpatchedbootsarestoppingtheway. SoonIwent.Inowbyinstinctfollowedthestreetsthat tookmewaterward,forthere,doubtless,werethecheapest, ifnotthecheeriestinns. Suchdrearystreets!Blocksofblackness,nothouses,oneitherhand, andhereandthereacandle,likeacandlemovingaboutinatomb. Atthishourofthenight,ofthelastdayoftheweek, thatquarterofthetownprovedallbutdeserted.Butpresently Icametoasmokylightproceedingfromalow,widebuilding, thedoorofwhichstoodinvitinglyopen.Ithadacarelesslook, asifitweremeantfortheusesofthepublic;so,entering, thefirstthingIdidwastostumbleoveranashboxintheporch. Ha!thoughtI,ha,astheflyingparticlesalmostchokedme,arethese ashesfromthatdestroyedcity,Gomorrah?But"TheCrossedHarpoons," andthe"TheSwordFish?"this,thenmustneedsbethesign of"TheTrap."However,Ipickedmyselfupandhearingaloud voicewithin,pushedonandopenedasecond,interiordoor. ItseemedthegreatBlackParliamentsittinginTophet.Ahundred blackfacesturnedroundintheirrowstopeer;andbeyond, ablackAngelofDoomwasbeatingabookinapulpit. Itwasanegrochurch;andthepreacher'stextwasabout theblacknessofdarkness,andtheweepingandwailingand teethgnashingthere.Ha,Ishmael,mutteredI,backingout, Wretchedentertainmentatthesignof'TheTrap!' Movingon,Iatlastcametoadimsortoflightnotfarfrom

thedocks,andheardaforlorncreakingintheair;andlookingup, sawaswingingsignoverthedoorwithawhitepaintinguponit, faintlyrepresentingatallstraightjetofmistyspray, andthesewordsunderneath"TheSpouterInn:PeterCoffin." Coffin?Spouter?Ratherominousinthatparticularconnexion, thoughtI.ButitisacommonnameinNantucket,theysay,andI supposethisPeterhereisanemigrantfromthere.Asthelight lookedsodim,andtheplace,forthetime,lookedquietenough, andthedilapidatedlittlewoodenhouseitselflookedasifit mighthavebeencartedherefromtheruinsofsomeburntdistrict, andastheswingingsignhadapovertystrickensortofcreak toit,Ithoughtthatherewastheveryspotforcheaplodgings, andthebestofpeacoffee. Itwasaqueersortofplaceagableendedoldhouse,oneside palsiedasitwere,andleaningoversadly.Itstoodonasharp bleakcorner,wherethattempestuouswindEuroclydonkeptup aworsehowlingthaneveritdidaboutpoorPaul'stossedcraft. Euroclydon,nevertheless,isamightypleasantzephyrtoanyone indoors,withhisfeetonthehobquietlytoastingforbed. InjudgingofthattempestuouswindcalledEuroclydon," saysanoldwriterofwhoseworksIpossesstheonlycopy extant"itmakethamarvellousdifference,whetherthoulookest outatitfromaglasswindowwherethefrostisallontheoutside, orwhetherthouobservestitfromthatsashlesswindow, wherethefrostisonbothsides,andofwhichthewightDeath istheonlyglazier."Trueenough,thoughtI,asthispassage occurredtomymindoldblackletter,thoureasonestwell. Yes,theseeyesarewindows,andthisbodyofmineisthehouse. Whatapitytheydidn'tstopupthechinksandthecranniesthough, andthrustinalittlelinthereandthere.Butit'stoolate tomakeanyimprovementsnow.Theuniverseisfinished; thecopestoneison,andthechipswerecartedoffamillion yearsago.PoorLazarusthere,chatteringhisteethagainst thecurbstoneforhispillow,andshakingoffhistatters withhisshiverings,hemightplugupbothearswithrags, andputacorncobintohismouth,andyetthatwouldnotkeep outthetempestuousEuroclydon.Euroclydon!saysoldDives, inhisredsilkenwrapper(hehadaredderoneafterwards) pooh,pooh!Whatafinefrostynight;howOrionglitters; whatnorthernlights!Letthemtalkoftheirorientalsummer climesofeverlastingconservatories;givemetheprivilege ofmakingmyownsummerwithmyowncoals. ButwhatthinksLazarus?Canhewarmhisbluehandsbyholdingthemup

tothegrandnorthernlights?WouldnotLazarusratherbeinSumatra thanhere?Wouldhenotfarratherlayhimdownlengthwisealong thelineoftheequator;yea,yegods!godowntothefierypititself, inordertokeepoutthisfrost? Now,thatLazarusshouldliestrandedthereonthecurbstonebefore thedoorofDives,thisismorewonderfulthanthataniceberg shouldbemooredtooneoftheMoluccas.YetDiveshimself, hetooliveslikeaCzarinanicepalacemadeoffrozensighs, andbeingapresidentofatemperancesociety,heonlydrinks thetepidtearsoforphans. Butnomoreofthisblubberingnow,wearegoingawhaling,andthereis plentyofthatyettocome.Letusscrapetheicefromourfrostedfeet, andseewhatsortofaplacethis"Spouter"maybe. CHAPTER3 TheSpouterInn EnteringthatgableendedSpouterInn,youfoundyourself inawide,low,stragglingentrywitholdfashionedwainscots, remindingoneofthebulwarksofsomecondemnedoldcraft. Ononesidehungaverylargeoilpaintingsothoroughlybesmoked, andeverywaydefaced,thatintheunequalcrosslightsbywhich youviewedit,itwasonlybydiligentstudyandaseriesof systematicvisitstoit,andcarefulinquiryoftheneighbors, thatyoucouldanywayarriveatanunderstandingofitspurpose. Suchunaccountablemassesofshadesandshadows,thatat firstyoualmostthoughtsomeambitiousyoungartist, inthetimeoftheNewEnglandhags,hadendeavoredtodelineate chaosbewitched.Butbydintofmuchandearnestcontemplation, andoftrepeatedponderings,andespeciallybythrowingopen thelittlewindowtowardsthebackoftheentry,youatlast cometotheconclusionthatsuchanidea,howeverwild, mightnotbealtogetherunwarranted. Butwhatmostpuzzledandconfoundedyouwasalong,limber,portentous, blackmassofsomethinghoveringinthecentreofthepictureover threeblue,dim,perpendicularlinesfloatinginanamelessyeast. Aboggy,soggy,squitchypicturetruly,enoughtodrive anervousmandistracted.Yetwasthereasortofindefinite,

halfattained,unimaginablesublimityaboutitthatfairlyfroze youtoit,tillyouinvoluntarilytookanoathwithyourself tofindoutwhatthatmarvellouspaintingmeant.Everandanon abright,but,alas,deceptiveideawoulddartyouthrough. It'stheBlackSeainamidnightgale.It'stheunnatural combatofthefourprimalelements.It'sablastedheath. It'saHyperboreanwinterscene.It'sthebreakingupof theiceboundstreamofTime.Butatlastallthesefancies yieldedtothatoneportentoussomethinginthepicture'smidst. Thatoncefoundout,andalltherestwereplain.Butstop; doesitnotbearafaintresemblancetoagiganticfish?even thegreatleviathanhimself? Infact,theartist'sdesignseemedthis:afinaltheoryofmyown, partlybasedupontheaggregatedopinionsofmanyagedpersons withwhomIconverseduponthesubject.Thepicturerepresents aCapeHornerinagreathurricane;thehalffounderedship welteringtherewithitsthreedismantledmastsalonevisible; andanexasperatedwhale,purposingtospringcleanoverthecraft, isintheenormousactofimpalinghimselfuponthethreemastheads. Theoppositewallofthisentrywashungalloverwithaheathenisharray ofmonstrousclubsandspears.Somewerethicklysetwithglittering teethresemblingivorysaws;othersweretuftedwithknotsofhumanhair; andonewassickleshaped,withavasthandlesweepinground likethesegmentmadeinthenewmowngrassbyalongarmedmower. Youshudderedasyougazed,andwonderedwhatmonstrouscannibal andsavagecouldeverhavegoneadeathharvestingwithsuchahacking, horrifyingimplement.Mixedwiththesewererustyoldwhalinglances andharpoonsallbrokenanddeformed.Somewerestoriedweapons. Withthisoncelonglance,nowwildlyelbowed,fiftyyearsagodid NathanSwainkillfifteenwhalesbetweenasunriseandasunset. AndthatharpoonsolikeacorkscrewnowwasflunginJavanseas, andrunawaywithbyawhale,yearsafterwardsslainofftheCape ofBlanco.Theoriginalironenterednighthetail,and,likearestless needlesojourninginthebodyofaman,travelledfullfortyfeet, andatlastwasfoundimbeddedinthehump. Crossingthisduskyentry,andonthroughyonlowarchedway cutthroughwhatinoldtimesmusthavebeenagreatcentral chimneywithfireplacesallroundyouenterthepublicroom. Astillduskierplaceisthis,withsuchlowponderous beamsabove,andsucholdwrinkledplanksbeneath,thatyou wouldalmostfancyyoutrodsomeoldcraft'scockpits, especiallyofsuchahowlingnight,whenthiscorneranchored oldarkrockedsofuriously.Ononesidestoodalong,low,

shelfliketablecoveredwithcrackedglasscases,filledwith dustyraritiesgatheredfromthiswideworld'sremotestnooks. Projectingfromthefurtherangleoftheroomstandsa darklookingdenthebararudeattemptatarightwhale'shead. Bethathowitmay,therestandsthevastarchedboneofthe whale'sjaw,sowide,acoachmightalmostdrivebeneathit. Withinareshabbyshelves,rangedroundwitholddecanters, bottles,flasks;andinthosejawsofswiftdestruction, likeanothercursedJonah(bywhichnameindeedtheycalled him),bustlesalittlewitheredoldman,who,fortheirmoney, dearlysellsthesailorsdeliriumsanddeath. Abominablearethetumblersintowhichhepourshispoison. Thoughtruecylinderswithoutwithin,thevillanousgreengoggling glassesdeceitfullytapereddownwardstoacheatingbottom. Parallelmeridiansrudelypeckedintotheglass,surround thesefootpads'goblets.Filltothismark,andyourchargeis butapenny;tothisapennymore;andsoontothefullglass theCapeHornmeasure,whichyoumaygulpdownforashilling. UponenteringtheplaceIfoundanumberofyoungseamengatheredabout atable,examiningbyadimlightdiversspecimensofskrimshander. Isoughtthelandlord,andtellinghimIdesiredtobeaccommodated witharoom,receivedforanswerthathishousewasfull notabedunoccupied."Butavast,"headded,tappinghisforehead, "youhaintnoobjectionstosharingaharpooneer'sblanket,haveye? Is'poseyouaregoin'awhalin',soyou'dbettergetusedtothat sortofthing." ItoldhimthatIneverlikedtosleeptwoinabed;thatifI shouldeverdoso,itwoulddependuponwhotheharpooneermightbe, andthatifhe(thelandlord)reallyhadnootherplaceforme, andtheharpooneerwasnotdecidedlyobjectionable,whyrather thanwanderfurtheraboutastrangetownonsobitteranight, Iwouldputupwiththehalfofanydecentman'sblanket. "Ithoughtso.Allright;takeaseat.Supper?youwantsupper? Supper'llbereadydirectly." Isatdownonanoldwoodensettle,carvedalloverlikea benchontheBattery.Atoneendaruminatingtarwasstill furtheradorningitwithhisjackknife,stoopingover anddiligentlyworkingawayatthespacebetweenhislegs. Hewastryinghishandatashipunderfullsail,buthedidn't makemuchheadway,Ithought.

Atlastsomefourorfiveofusweresummonedtoour mealinanadjoiningroom.ItwascoldasIceland nofireatallthelandlordsaidhecouldn'taffordit. Nothingbuttwodismaltallowcandles,eachinawindingsheet. Wewerefaintobuttonupourmonkeyjackets,andholdtoour lipscupsofscaldingteawithourhalffrozenfingers. Butthefarewasofthemostsubstantialkindnotonlymeat andpotatoes,butdumplings;goodheavens!dumplingsforsupper! Oneyoungfellowinagreenboxcoat,addressedhimself tothesedumplingsinamostdirefulmanner. "Myboy,"saidthelandlord,"you'llhavethenightmare toadeadsartainty." "Landlord,"Iwhispered,"thatainttheharpooneerisit?" "Oh,no,"saidhe,lookingasortofdiabolicallyfunny,"theharpooneer isadarkcomplexionedchap.Henevereatsdumplings,hedon't heeatsnothingbutsteaks,andhelikes'emrare." "Thedevilhedoes,"saysI."Whereisthatharpooneer? Ishehere?" "He'llbehereaforelong,"wastheanswer. Icouldnothelpit,butIbegantofeelsuspiciousofthis "darkcomplexioned"harpooneer.Atanyrate,Imadeupmy mindthatifitsoturnedoutthatweshouldsleeptogether, hemustundressandgetintobedbeforeIdid. Supperover,thecompanywentbacktothebarroom,when, knowingnotwhatelsetodowithmyself,Iresolvedtospend therestoftheeveningasalookeron. Presentlyariotingnoisewasheardwithout.Startingup, thelandlordcried,"That'stheGrampus'screw.Iseedherreported intheoffingthismorning;athreeyears'voyage,andafullship. Hurrah,boys;nowwe'llhavethelatestnewsfromtheFeegees." Atrampingofseabootswasheardintheentry;thedoorwasflungopen, andinrolledawildsetofmarinersenough.Envelopedintheirshaggy watchcoats,andwiththeirheadsmuffledinwoollencomforters, allbedarnedandragged,andtheirbeardsstiffwithicicles, theyseemedaneruptionofbearsfromLabrador.Theyhadjust landedfromtheirboat,andthiswasthefirsthousetheyentered. Nowonder,then,thattheymadeastraightwakeforthewhale'smouth

thebarwhenthewrinkledlittleoldJonah,thereofficiating, soonpouredthemoutbrimmersallround.Onecomplainedofabad coldinhishead,uponwhichJonahmixedhimapitchlikepotion ofginandmolasses,whichhesworewasasovereigncureforall coldsandcatarrhswhatsoever,nevermindofhowlongstanding, orwhethercaughtoffthecoastofLabrador,orontheweatherside ofaniceisland. Theliquorsoonmountedintotheirheads,asitgenerally doesevenwiththearrantesttopersnewlylandedfromsea, andtheybegancaperingaboutmostobstreperously. Iobserved,however,thatoneofthemheldsomewhataloof, andthoughheseemeddesirousnottospoilthehilarityofhis shipmatesbyhisownsoberface,yetuponthewholeherefrainedfrom makingasmuchnoiseastherest.Thismaninterestedmeatonce; andsincetheseagodshadordainedthatheshouldsoonbecomemyshipmate (thoughbutasleepingpartnerone,sofarasthisnarrativeis concerned),Iwillhereventureuponalittledescriptionofhim. Hestoodfullsixfeetinheight,withnobleshoulders,andachest likeacofferdam.Ihaveseldomseensuchbrawninaman. Hisfacewasdeeplybrownandburnt,makinghiswhiteteeth dazzlingbythecontrast;whileinthedeepshadowsofhiseyes floatedsomereminiscencesthatdidnotseemtogivehimmuchjoy. HisvoiceatonceannouncedthathewasaSoutherner,andfromhis finestature,Ithoughthemustbeoneofthosetallmountaineers fromtheAlleghanianRidgeinVirginia.Whentherevelryofhis companionshadmountedtoitsheight,thismanslippedawayunobserved, andIsawnomoreofhimtillhebecamemycomradeonthesea. Inafewminutes,however,hewasmissedbyhisshipmates, andbeing,itseems,forsomereasonahugefavoritewiththem, theyraisedacryof"Bulkington!Bulkington!where'sBulkington?" anddartedoutofthehouseinpursuitofhim. Itwasnowaboutnineo'clock,andtheroomseemingalmost supernaturallyquietaftertheseorgies,Ibegantocongratulate myselfuponalittleplanthathadoccurredtomejustprevious totheentranceoftheseamen. Nomanpreferstosleeptwoinabed.Infact,youwould agooddealrathernotsleepwithyourownbrother.Idon'tknow howitis,butpeopleliketobeprivatewhentheyaresleeping. Andwhenitcomestosleepingwithanunknownstranger, inastrangeinn,inastrangetown,andthatstranger aharpooneer,thenyourobjectionsindefinitelymultiply. NorwasthereanyearthlyreasonwhyIasasailorshouldsleep

twoinabed,morethananybodyelse;forsailorsnomore sleeptwoinabedatsea,thanbachelorKingsdoashore. Tobesuretheyallsleeptogetherinoneapartment,butyou haveyourownhammock,andcoveryourselfwithyourownblanket, andsleepinyourownskin. ThemoreIponderedoverthisharpooneer,themoreIabominated thethoughtofsleepingwithhim.Itwasfairtopresumethat beingaharpooneer,hislinenorwoollen,asthecasemightbe, wouldnotbeofthetidiest,certainlynoneofthefinest. Ibegantotwitchallover.Besides,itwasgettinglate, andmydecentharpooneeroughttobehomeandgoingbedwards. Supposenow,heshouldtumbleinuponmeatmidnight howcouldItellfromwhatvileholehehadbeencoming? "Landlord!I'vechangedmymindaboutthatharpooneer. Ishan'tsleepwithhim.I'lltrythebenchhere." "Justasyouplease;I'msorryIcantspareyeatableclothfor amattress,andit'saplaguyroughboardhere"feelingoftheknots andnotches."Butwaitabit,Skrimshander;I'vegotacarpenter's planethereinthebarwait,Isay,andI'llmakeyesnugenough." Sosayingheprocuredtheplane;andwithhisoldsilkhandkerchief firstdustingthebench,vigorouslysettoplaningawayatmybed, thewhilegrinninglikeanape.Theshavingsflewrightandleft; tillatlasttheplaneironcamebumpagainstanindestructibleknot. Thelandlordwasnearspraininghiswrist,andItoldhimforheaven's saketoquitthebedwassoftenoughtosuitme,andIdidnotknow howalltheplaningintheworldcouldmakeeiderdownofapineplank. Sogatheringuptheshavingswithanothergrin,andthrowingtheminto thegreatstoveinthemiddleoftheroom,hewentabouthisbusiness, andleftmeinabrownstudy. Inowtookthemeasureofthebench,andfoundthatitwas afoottooshort;butthatcouldbemendedwithachair. Butitwasafoottoonarrow,andtheotherbenchin theroomwasaboutfourincheshigherthantheplanedone sotherewasnoyokingthem.Ithenplacedthefirstbench lengthwisealongtheonlyclearspaceagainstthewall, leavingalittleintervalbetween,formybacktosettledownin. ButIsoonfoundthattherecamesuchadraughtofcoldair overmefromunderthesillofthewindow,thatthisplanwould neverdoatall,especiallyasanothercurrentfromtherickety doormettheonefromthewindow,andbothtogetherformed aseriesofsmallwhirlwindsintheimmediatevicinityofthespot whereIhadthoughttospendthenight.

 Thedevilfetchthatharpooneer,thoughtI,butstop, couldn'tIstealamarchonhimbolthisdoorinside,andjump intohisbed,nottobewakenedbythemostviolentknockings? ItseemednobadideabutuponsecondthoughtsIdismissedit. Forwhocouldtellbutwhatthenextmorning,sosoonasIpopped outoftheroom,theharpooneermightbestandingintheentry, allreadytoknockmedown! Stilllookingaroundmeagain,andseeingnopossiblechance ofspendingasufferablenightunlessinsomeotherperson'sbed, IbegantothinkthatafterallImightbecherishing unwarrantableprejudicesagainstthisunknownharpooneer. ThinksI,I'llwaitawhile;hemustbedroppinginbeforelong. I'llhaveagoodlookathimthen,andperhapswemaybecome jollygoodbedfellowsafterallthere'snotelling. Butthoughtheotherboarderskeptcominginbyones,twos,andthrees, andgoingtobed,yetnosignofmyharpooneer. "Landlord!saidI,"whatsortofachapishedoeshealways keepsuchlatehours?"Itwasnowhardupontwelveo'clock. Thelandlordchuckledagainwithhisleanchuckle,andseemed tobemightilytickledatsomethingbeyondmycomprehension. "No,"heanswered,"generallyhe'sanearlybirdairleytobed andairleytoriseyea,he'sthebirdwhatcatchestheworm. Buttonighthewentoutapeddling,yousee,andIdon'tsee whatonairthkeepshimsolate,unless,maybe,hecan't sellhishead." "Can'tsellhishead?Whatsortofabamboozinglystory isthisyouaretellingme?"gettingintoatoweringrage. "Doyoupretendtosay,landlord,thatthisharpooneerisactually engagedthisblessedSaturdaynight,orratherSundaymorning, inpeddlinghisheadaroundthistown?" "That'spreciselyit,"saidthelandlord,"andItoldhimhecouldn't sellithere,themarket'soverstocked." "Withwhat?"shoutedI. "Withheadstobesure;ain'ttheretoomanyheadsintheworld?" "Itellyouwhatitis,landlord,"saidIquitecalmly, "you'dbetterstopspinningthatyarntomeI'mnotgreen."

 "Maybenot,"takingoutastickandwhittlingatoothpick, "butIraytherguessyou'llbedonebrownifthatereharpooneer hearsyouaslanderin'hishead." "I'llbreakitforhim,"saidI,nowflyingintoapassionagain atthisunaccountablefarragoofthelandlord's. "It'sbrokea'ready,"saidhe. "Broke,"saidI"broke,doyoumean?" "Sartain,andthat'stheveryreasonhecan'tsellit,Iguess." "Landlord,"saidI,goinguptohimascoolasMt.Heclaina snowstorm"landlord,stopwhittling.YouandImustunderstand oneanother,andthattoowithoutdelay.Icometoyourhouse andwantabed;youtellmeyoucanonlygivemehalfaone; thattheotherhalfbelongstoacertainharpooneer. Andaboutthisharpooneer,whomIhavenotyetseen,youpersist intellingmethemostmystifyingandexasperatingstoriestending tobegetinmeanuncomfortablefeelingtowardsthemanwhomyou designformybedfellowasortofconnexion,landlord,whichis anintimateandconfidentialoneinthehighestdegree. Inowdemandofyoutospeakoutandtellmewhoandwhatthis harpooneeris,andwhetherIshallbeinallrespectssafe tospendthenightwithhim.Andinthefirstplace,youwill besogoodastounsaythatstoryaboutsellinghishead, whichiftrueItaketobegoodevidencethatthisharpooneer isstarkmad,andI'venoideaofsleepingwithamadman; andyou,sir,youImean,landlord,you,sir,bytryingtoinduce metodosoknowinglywouldtherebyrenderyourselfliable toacriminalprosecution." "Wall,"saidthelandlord,fetchingalongbreath,"that'sa purtylongsarmonforachapthatripsalittlenowandthen. Butbeeasy,beeasy,thishereharpooneerIhavebeentellin' youofhasjustarrivedfromthesouthseas,whereheboughtup alotof'balmedNewZealandheads(greatcurios,youknow), andhe'ssoldallon'embutone,andthatonehe'stryingtosell tonight,causetomorrow'sSunday,anditwouldnotdotobesellin' humanheadsaboutthestreetswhenfolksisgoin'tochurches. HewantedtolastSunday,butIstoppedhimjustashewasgoin' outofthedoorwithfourheadsstrungonastring,forall theairthlikeastringofinions."

Thisaccountcleareduptheotherwiseunaccountablemystery, andshowedthatthelandlord,afterall,hadhadnoideaoffoolingme butatthesametimewhatcouldIthinkofaharpooneerwhostayed outofaSaturdaynightcleanintotheholySabbath,engagedinsuch acannibalbusinessassellingtheheadsofdeadidolators? "Dependuponit,landlord,thatharpooneerisadangerousman." "Hepaysreg'lar,"wastherejoinder."Butcome,it'sgetting dreadfullate,youhadbetterbeturningflukesit'sanicebed: Salandmesleptinthaterebedthenightwewerespliced. There'splentyofroomfortwotokickaboutinthatbed; it'sanalmightybigbedthat.Why,aforewegiveitup, SalusedtoputourSamandlittleJohnnyinthefootofit. ButIgotadreamingandsprawlingaboutonenight,andsomehow, Samgotpitchedonthefloor,andcamenearbreakinghisarm. Afterthat,Salsaiditwouldn'tdo.Comealonghere, I'llgiveyeagliminajiffy;"andsosayinghelighted acandleandheldittowardsme,offeringtoleadtheway. ButIstoodirresolute;whenlookingataclockinthecorner, heexclaimed"Ivumit'sSundayyouwon'tseethatharpooneertonight; he'scometoanchorsomewherecomealongthen;docome; won'tyecome?" Iconsideredthematteramoment,andthenupstairswewent, andIwasusheredintoasmallroom,coldasaclam,andfurnished, sureenough,withaprodigiousbed,almostbigenoughindeed foranyfourharpooneerstosleepabreast. "There,"saidthelandlord,placingthecandleonacrazyold seachestthatdiddoubledutyasawashstandandcentretable; "there,makeyourselfcomfortablenow;andgoodnighttoye." Iturnedroundfromeyeingthebed,buthehaddisappeared. Foldingbackthecounterpane,Istoopedoverthebed. Thoughnoneofthemostelegant,ityetstoodthescrutiny tolerablywell.Ithenglancedroundtheroom;andbesides thebedsteadandcentretable,couldseenootherfurniture belongingtotheplace,butarudeshelf,thefourwalls, andapaperedfireboardrepresentingamanstrikingawhale. Ofthingsnotproperlybelongingtotheroom,therewasa hammocklashedup,andthrownuponthefloorinonecorner; alsoalargeseaman'sbag,containingtheharpooneer'swardrobe, nodoubtinlieuofalandtrunk.Likewise,therewasaparcel ofoutlandishbonefishhooksontheshelfoverthefireplace, andatallharpoonstandingattheheadofthebed.

 Butwhatisthisonthechest?Itookitup,andhelditclose tothelight,andfeltit,andsmeltit,andtriedeveryway possibletoarriveatsomesatisfactoryconclusionconcerningit. Icancompareittonothingbutalargedoormat, ornamentedattheedgeswithlittletinklingtagssomething likethestainedporcupinequillsroundanIndianmoccasin. Therewasaholeorslitinthemiddleofthismat,asyousee thesameinSouthAmericanponchos.Butcoulditbepossible thatanysoberharpooneerwouldgetintoadoormat,andparade thestreetsofanyChristiantowninthatsortofguise? Iputiton,totryit,anditweighedmedownlikeahamper, beinguncommonlyshaggyandthick,andIthoughtalittledamp, asthoughthismysteriousharpooneerhadbeenwearingit ofarainyday.Iwentupinittoabitofglassstuck againstthewall,andIneversawsuchasightinmylife. ItoremyselfoutofitinsuchahurrythatIgavemyself akinkintheneck. Isatdownonthesideofthebed,andcommencedthinking aboutthisheadpeddlingharpooneer,andhisdoormat. Afterthinkingsometimeonthebedside,Igotupandtookoffmy monkeyjacket,andthenstoodinthemiddleoftheroomthinking. Ithentookoffmycoat,andthoughtalittlemoreinmyshirtsleeves. Butbeginningtofeelverycoldnow,halfundressedasIwas, andrememberingwhatthelandlordsaidabouttheharpooneer's notcominghomeatallthatnight,itbeingsoverylate, Imadenomoreado,butjumpedoutofmypantaloonsandboots, andthenblowingoutthelighttumbledintobed,andcommended myselftothecareofheaven. Whetherthatmattresswasstuffedwithcorncobsorbrokencrockery, thereisnotelling,butIrolledaboutagooddeal,andcould notsleepforalongtime.AtlastIslidoffintoalightdoze, andhadprettynearlymadeagoodoffingtowardsthelandofNod, whenIheardaheavyfootfallinthepassage,andsawaglimmer oflightcomeintotheroomfromunderthedoor. Lordsaveme,thinksI,thatmustbetheharpooneer, theinfernalheadpeddler.ButIlayperfectlystill, andresolvednottosayawordtillspokento.Holdingalight inonehand,andthatidenticalNewZealandheadintheother, thestrangerenteredtheroom,andwithoutlookingtowards thebed,placedhiscandleagoodwayofffrommeonthefloor inonecorner,andthenbeganworkingawayattheknottedcords ofthelargebagIbeforespokeofasbeingintheroom.

Iwasalleagernesstoseehisface,buthekeptitaverted forsometimewhileemployedinunlacingthebag'smouth. Thisaccomplished,however,heturnedroundwhen,goodheavens; whatasight!Suchaface!Itwasofadark,purplish,yellowcolor, hereandtherestuckoverwithlargeblackishlookingsquares. Yes,it'sjustasIthought,he'saterriblebedfellow; he'sbeeninafight,gotdreadfullycut,andhereheis, justfromthesurgeon.Butatthatmomenthechancedtoturn hisfacesotowardsthelight,thatIplainlysawtheycouldnot bestickingplastersatall,thoseblacksquaresonhischeeks. Theywerestainsofsomesortorother.AtfirstIknewnotwhat tomakeofthis;butsoonaninklingofthetruthoccurredtome. Irememberedastoryofawhitemanawhalemantoo who,fallingamongthecannibals,hadbeentattooedbythem. Iconcludedthatthisharpooneer,inthecourseofhis distantvoyages,musthavemetwithasimilaradventure. Andwhatisit,thoughtI,afterall!It'sonlyhisoutside; amancanbehonestinanysortofskin.Butthen,whattomakeof hisunearthlycomplexion,thatpartofit,Imean,lyingroundabout, andcompletelyindependentofthesquaresoftattooing. Tobesure,itmightbenothingbutagoodcoatoftropicaltanning; butIneverheardofahotsun'stanningawhitemanintoa purplishyellowone.However,IhadneverbeenintheSouthSeas; andperhapsthesunthereproducedtheseextraordinaryeffects upontheskin.Now,whilealltheseideaswerepassing throughmelikelightning,thisharpooneernevernoticedme atall.But,aftersomedifficultyhavingopenedhisbag, hecommencedfumblinginit,andpresentlypulledoutasort oftomahawk,andasealskinwalletwiththehairon. Placingtheseontheoldchestinthemiddleoftheroom, hethentooktheNewZealandheadaghastlythingenough andcrammeditdownintothebag.Henowtookoffhishat anewbeaverhatwhenIcamenighsingingoutwithfreshsurprise. Therewasnohaironhisheadnonetospeakofatleast nothingbutasmallscalpknottwisteduponhisforehead.Hisbald purplishheadnowlookedforalltheworldlikeamildewedskull. Hadnotthestrangerstoodbetweenmeandthedoor,Iwould haveboltedoutofitquickerthaneverIboltedadinner. Evenasitwas,Ithoughtsomethingofslippingoutof thewindow,butitwasthesecondfloorback.Iamnocoward, butwhattomakeofthisheadpeddlingpurplerascalaltogether passedmycomprehension.Ignoranceistheparentoffear, andbeingcompletelynonplussedandconfoundedaboutthestranger, IconfessIwasnowasmuchafraidofhimasifitwasthedevil himselfwhohadthusbrokenintomyroomatthedeadofnight.

Infact,IwassoafraidofhimthatIwasnotgameenough justthentoaddresshim,anddemandasatisfactoryanswer concerningwhatseemedinexplicableinhim. Meanwhile,hecontinuedthebusinessofundressing,andat lastshowedhischestandarms.AsIlive,thesecovered partsofhimwerecheckeredwiththesamesquaresashisface, hisback,too,wasalloverthesamedarksquares; heseemedtohavebeeninaThirtyYears'War,andjust escapedfromitwithastickingplastershirt. Stillmore,hisverylegsweremarked,asifaparcelofdark greenfrogswererunningupthetrunksofyoungpalms. Itwasnowquiteplainthathemustbesomeabominablesavage orothershippedaboardofawhalemanintheSouthSeas, andsolandedinthisChristiancountry.Iquakedtothinkofit. Apeddlerofheadstooperhapstheheadsofhisownbrothers. Hemighttakeafancytomineheavens!lookatthattomahawk! Buttherewasnotimeforshuddering,fornowthesavagewent aboutsomethingthatcompletelyfascinatedmyattention, andconvincedmethathemustindeedbeaheathen. Goingtohisheavygrego,orwrapall,ordreadnaught, whichhehadpreviouslyhungonachair,hefumbledinthepockets, andproducedatlengthacuriouslittledeformedimagewithahunch onitsback,andexactlythecolorofathreedays'oldCongobaby. Rememberingtheembalmedhead,atfirstIalmostthoughtthatthis blackmanikinwasarealbabypreservedinsomesimilarmanner. Butseeingthatitwasnotatalllimber,andthatitglistened agooddeallikepolishedebony,Iconcludedthatitmust benothingbutawoodenidol,whichindeeditprovedtobe. Fornowthesavagegoesuptotheemptyfireplace, andremovingthepaperedfireboard,setsupthislittle hunchbackedimage,likeatenpin,betweentheandirons. Thechimneyjambsandallthebricksinsidewereverysooty, sothatIthoughtthisfireplacemadeaveryappropriatelittle shrineorchapelforhisCongoidol. Inowscrewedmyeyeshardtowardsthehalfhiddenimage, feelingbutillateasemeantimetoseewhatwasnexttofollow. Firsthetakesaboutadoublehandfulofshavingsoutofhisgregopocket, andplacesthemcarefullybeforetheidol;thenlayingabitofship biscuitontopandapplyingtheflamefromthelamp,hekindled theshavingsintoasacrificialblaze.Presently,aftermanyhasty snatchesintothefire,andstillhastierwithdrawalsofhisfingers (wherebyheseemedtobescorchingthembadly),heatlastsucceeded indrawingoutthebiscuit;thenblowingofftheheatandashes

alittle,hemadeapoliteofferofittothelittlenegro. Butthelittledevildidnotseemtofancysuchdrysortoffareatall; henevermovedhislips.Allthesestrangeanticswereaccompanied bystillstrangergutturalnoisesfromthedevotee,whoseemedtobe prayinginasingsongorelsesingingsomepaganpsalmodyorother, duringwhichhisfacetwitchedaboutinthemostunnaturalmanner. Atlastextinguishingthefire,hetooktheidolupveryunceremoniously, andbaggeditagaininhisgregopocketascarelesslyasifhewere asportsmanbaggingadeadwoodcock. Allthesequeerproceedingsincreasedmyuncomfortableness, andseeinghimnowexhibitingstrongsymptomsofconcluding hisbusinessoperations,andjumpingintobedwithme,Ithought itwashightime,nowornever,beforethelightwasputout, tobreakthespellinwhichIhadsolongbeenbound. ButtheintervalIspentindeliberatingwhattosay,wasafatalone. Takinguphistomahawkfromthetable,heexaminedtheheadofit foraninstant,andthenholdingittothelight,withhismouth atthehandle,hepuffedoutgreatcloudsoftobaccosmoke. Thenextmomentthelightwasextinguished,andthiswildcannibal, tomahawkbetweenhisteeth,sprangintobedwithme.Isangout, Icouldnothelpitnow;andgivingasuddengruntofastonishment hebeganfeelingme. Stammeringoutsomething,Iknewnotwhat,Irolledawayfromhim againstthewall,andthenconjuredhim,whoeverorwhateverhemightbe, tokeepquiet,andletmegetupandlightthelampagain. Buthisgutturalresponsessatisfiedmeatoncethathebutill comprehendedmymeaning. "Whoedebelyou?"heatlastsaid"younospeake,damme,Ikille." Andsosayingthelightedtomahawkbeganflourishingaboutmeinthedark. "Landlord,forGod'ssake,PeterCoffin!"shouted I."Landlord!Watch!Coffin!Angels!saveme!" "Speake!telleemewhoeebe,ordamme,Ikille!"againgrowled thecannibal,whilehishorridflourishingsofthetomahawkscattered thehottobaccoashesaboutmetillIthoughtmylinenwouldgetonfire. Butthankheaven,atthatmomentthelandlordcameintotheroomlight inhand,andleapingfromthebedIranuptohim. "Don'tbeafraidnow,"saidhe,grinningagain,"Queequegherewouldn't harmahairofyourhead."

"Stopyourgrinning,"shoutedI,"andwhydidn'tyoutellme thatthatinfernalharpooneerwasacannibal?" "Ithoughtyeknow'dit;didn'tItellye,hewasapeddlin' headsaroundtown?butturnflukesagainandgotosleep. Queequeg,lookhereyousabbeeme,Isabbeeyouthisman sleepeyouyousabbee?" "Mesabbeeplenty"gruntedQueequeg,puffingawayathispipe andsittingupinbed. "Yougetteein,"headded,motioningtomewithhistomahawk, andthrowingtheclothestooneside.Hereallydidthis innotonlyacivilbutareallykindandcharitableway. Istoodlookingathimamoment.Forallhistattooings hewasonthewholeaclean,comelylookingcannibal. What'sallthisfussIhavebeenmakingabout,thoughtI tomyselftheman'sahumanbeingjustasIam:hehasjust asmuchreasontofearme,asIhavetobeafraidofhim. BettersleepwithasobercannibalthanadrunkenChristian. "Landlord,"saidI,"tellhimtostashhistomahawkthere,orpipe, orwhateveryoucallit;tellhimtostopsmoking,inshort,andIwill turninwithhim.ButIdon'tfancyhavingamansmokinginbedwithme. It'sdangerous.Besides,Iain'tinsured." ThisbeingtoldtoQueequeg,heatoncecomplied,andagainpolitely motionedmetogetintobedrollingovertoonesideasmuchastosay Iwon'ttouchalegofye." "Goodnight,landlord,"saidI,"youmaygo." Iturnedin,andneversleptbetterinmylife. CHAPTER4 TheCounterpane Uponwakingnextmorningaboutdaylight,IfoundQueequeg'sarm thrownovermeinthemostlovingandaffectionatemanner. YouhadalmostthoughtIhadbeenhiswife.Thecounterpanewas ofpatchwork,fullofoddlittleparticoloredsquaresandtriangles; andthisarmofhistattooedalloverwithaninterminableCretan

labyrinthofafigure,notwopartsofwhichwereofonepreciseshade owingIsupposetohiskeepinghisarmatseaunmethodicallyinsun andshade,hisshirtsleevesirregularlyrolledupatvarioustimes thissamearmofhis,Isay,lookedforalltheworldlikeastrip ofthatsamepatchworkquilt.Indeed,partlylyingonitasthearm didwhenIfirstawoke,Icouldhardlytellitfromthequilt, theysoblendedtheirhuestogether;anditwasonlybythesense ofweightandpressurethatIcouldtellthatQueequegwashuggingme. Mysensationswerestrange.Letmetrytoexplainthem.WhenIwas achild,Iwellrememberasomewhatsimilarcircumstancethatbefellme; whetheritwasarealityoradream,Inevercouldentirelysettle. Thecircumstancewasthis.Ihadbeencuttingupsomecaperorother Ithinkitwastryingtocrawlupthechimney,asIhadseenalittle sweepdoafewdaysprevious;andmystepmotherwho,somehoworother, wasallthetimewhippingme,orsendingmetobedsupperless, mymotherdraggedmebythelegsoutofthechimneyandpackedmeoff tobed,thoughitwasonlytwoo'clockintheafternoonofthe21stJune, thelongestdayintheyearinourhemisphere.Ifeltdreadfully. Buttherewasnohelpforit,soupstairsIwenttomylittleroom inthethirdfloor,undressedmyselfasslowlyaspossiblesoasto killtime,andwithabittersighgotbetweenthesheets. Ilaytheredismallycalculatingthatsixteenentirehours mustelapsebeforeIcouldhopeforaresurrection. Sixteenhoursinbed!thesmallofmybackachedtothinkofit. Anditwassolighttoo;thesunshininginatthewindow, andagreatrattlingofcoachesinthestreets,andthesound ofgayvoicesalloverthehouse.Ifeltworseandworse atlastIgotup,dressed,andsoftlygoingdowninmy stockingedfeet,soughtoutmystepmother,andsuddenlythrew myselfatherfeet,beseechingherasaparticularfavortogive meagoodslipperingformymisbehaviour:anythingindeedbut condemningmetolieabedsuchanunendurablelengthoftime. Butshewasthebestandmostconscientiousofstepmothers, andbackIhadtogotomyroom.ForseveralhoursIlay therebroadawake,feelingagreatdealworsethanIhaveever donesince,evenfromthegreatestsubsequentmisfortunes. AtlastImusthavefallenintoatroublednightmareofadoze; andslowlywakingfromithalfsteepedindreamsIopenedmyeyes, andthebeforesunlitroomwasnowwrappedinouterdarkness. InstantlyIfeltashockrunningthroughallmyframe; nothingwastobeseen,andnothingwastobeheard; butasupernaturalhandseemedplacedinmine.Myarmhung overthecounterpane,andthenameless,unimaginable,silentform orphantom,towhichthehandbelonged,seemedclosely

seatedbymybedside.Forwhatseemedagespiledonages, Ilaythere,frozenwiththemostawfulfears,notdaring todragawaymyhand;yeteverthinkingthatifIcouldbut stiritonesingleinch,thehorridspellwouldbebroken. Iknewnothowthisconsciousnessatlastglidedawayfromme; butwakinginthemorning,Ishudderinglyremembereditall, andfordaysandweeksandmonthsafterwardsIlostmyself inconfoundingattemptstoexplainthemystery.Nay,tothis veryhour,Ioftenpuzzlemyselfwithit. Now,takeawaytheawfulfear,andmysensationsat feelingthesupernaturalhandinminewereverysimilar, intheirstrangeness,tothosewhichIexperiencedonwaking upandseeingQueequeg'spaganarmthrownroundme. Butatlengthallthepastnight'seventssoberlyrecurred, onebyone,infixedreality,andthenIlayonlyaliveto thecomicalpredicament.ForthoughItriedtomovehisarm unlockhisbridegroomclaspyet,sleepingashewas,hestill huggedmetightly,asthoughnaughtbutdeathshouldpartustwain. Inowstrovetorousehim"Queequeg!"buthisonlyanswer wasasnore.Ithenrolledover,myneckfeelingasifit wereinahorsecollar;andsuddenlyfeltaslightscratch. Throwingasidethecounterpane,therelaythetomahawksleeping bythesavage'sside,asifitwereahatchetfacedbaby. Aprettypickle,truly,thoughtI;abedhereinastrange houseinthebroadday,withacannibalandatomahawk! "Queequeg!inthenameofgoodness,Queequeg,wake!"Atlength, bydintofmuchwriggling,andloudandincessantexpostulations upontheunbecomingnessofhishuggingafellowmaleinthat matrimonialsortofstyle,Isucceededinextractingagrunt; andpresently,hedrewbackhisarm,shookhimselfallover likeaNewfoundlanddogjustfromthewater,andsatupinbed, stiffasapikestaff,lookingatme,andrubbinghiseyes asifhedidnotaltogetherrememberhowIcametobethere, thoughadimconsciousnessofknowingsomethingaboutmeseemed slowlydawningoverhim.Meanwhile,Ilayquietlyeyeinghim, havingnoseriousmisgivingsnow,andbentuponnarrowlyobserving socuriousacreature.When,atlast,hismindseemedmade uptouchingthecharacterofhisbedfellow,andhebecame, asitwere,reconciledtothefact;hejumpedoutuponthefloor, andbycertainsignsandsoundsgavemetounderstandthat, ifitpleasedme,hewoulddressfirstandthenleaveme todressafterwards,leavingthewholeapartmenttomyself. ThinksI,Queequeg,underthecircumstances,thisisavery civilizedoverture;but,thetruthis,thesesavageshavean innatesenseofdelicacy,saywhatyouwill;itismarvellous

howessentiallypolitetheyare.Ipaythisparticular complimenttoQueequeg,becausehetreatedmewithsomuch civilityandconsideration,whileIwasguiltyofgreatrudeness; staringathimfromthebed,andwatchingallhistoilettemotions; forthetimemycuriositygettingthebetterofmybreeding. Nevertheless,amanlikeQueequegyoudon'tseeeveryday, heandhiswayswerewellworthunusualregarding. Hecommenceddressingattopbydonninghisbeaverhat, averytallone,bytheby,andthenstillminushistrowsers hehunteduphisboots.Whatundertheheavenshediditfor, Icannottell,buthisnextmovementwastocrushhimself bootsinhand,andhatonunderthebed;when,fromsundry violentgaspingsandstrainings,Iinferredhewashardatwork bootinghimself;thoughbynolawofproprietythatIeverheardof, isanymanrequiredtobeprivatewhenputtingonhisboots. ButQueequeg,doyousee,wasacreatureinthetransitionstate neithercaterpillarnorbutterfly.Hewasjustenoughcivilized toshowoffhisoutlandishnessinthestrangestpossiblemanner. Hiseducationwasnotyetcompleted.Hewasanundergraduate. Ifhehadnotbeenasmalldegreecivilized,heveryprobably wouldnothavetroubledhimselfwithbootsatall;butthen, ifhehadnotbeenstillasavage,heneverwouldhavedreamt ofgettingunderthebedtoputthemon.Atlast,heemerged withhishatverymuchdentedandcrusheddownoverhiseyes, andbegancreakingandlimpingabouttheroom,asif,notbeing muchaccustomedtoboots,hispairofdamp,wrinkledcowhideones probablynotmadetoordereitherratherpinchedandtormented himatthefirstgooffofabittercoldmorning. Seeing,now,thattherewerenocurtainstothewindow,andthat thestreetbeingverynarrow,thehouseoppositecommandedaplainview intotheroom,andobservingmoreandmoretheindecorousfigurethat Queequegmade,stavingaboutwithlittleelsebuthishatandbootson; IbeggedhimaswellasIcould,toacceleratehistoiletsomewhat, andparticularlytogetintohispantaloonsassoonaspossible. Hecomplied,andthenproceededtowashhimself.Atthattimein themorninganyChristianwouldhavewashedhisface;butQueequeg, tomyamazement,contentedhimselfwithrestrictinghisablutions tohischest,arms,andhands.Hethendonnedhiswaistcoat, andtakingupapieceofhardsoaponthewashstandcentretable, dippeditintowaterandcommencedlatheringhisface. Iwaswatchingtoseewherehekepthisrazor,whenloandbehold, hetakestheharpoonfromthebedcorner,slipsoutthelong woodenstock,unsheathesthehead,whetsitalittleonhisboot, andstridinguptothebitofmirroragainstthewall,

beginsavigorousscraping,orratherharpooningofhischeeks. ThinksI,Queequeg,thisisusingRogers'sbestcutlerywithavengeance. AfterwardsIwonderedthelessatthisoperationwhenIcametoknow ofwhatfinesteeltheheadofaharpoonismade,andhowexceedingly sharpthelongstraightedgesarealwayskept. Therestofhistoiletwassoonachieved,andheproudlymarched outoftheroom,wrappedupinhisgreatpilotmonkeyjacket, andsportinghisharpoonlikeamarshal'sbaton. CHAPTER5 Breakfast Iquicklyfollowedsuit,anddescendingintothebarroomaccosted thegrinninglandlordverypleasantly.Icherishednomalice towardshim,thoughhehadbeenskylarkingwithmenotalittle inthematterofmybedfellow. However,agoodlaughisamightygoodthing,andrathertoo scarceagoodthing;themore'sthepity.So,ifanyoneman, inhisownproperperson,affordstuffforagoodjoke toanybody,lethimnotbebackward,butlethimcheerfully allowhimselftospendandtobespentinthatway. Andthemanthathasanythingbountifullylaughableabouthim, besurethereismoreinthatmanthanyouperhapsthinkfor. Thebarroomwasnowfulloftheboarderswhohadbeendropping inthenightprevious,andwhomIhadnotasyethadagoodlookat. Theywerenearlyallwhalemen;chiefmates,andsecondmates, andthirdmates,andseacarpenters,andseacoopers, andseablacksmiths,andharpooneers,andshipkeepers; abrownandbrawnycompany,withboskybeards;anunshorn, shaggyset,allwearingmonkeyjacketsformorninggowns. Youcouldprettyplainlytellhowlongeachonehadbeenashore. Thisyoungfellow'shealthycheekislikeasuntoasted pearinhue,andwouldseemtosmellalmostasmusky; hecannothavebeenthreedayslandedfromhisIndianvoyage. Thatmannexthimlooksafewshadeslighter;youmightsay atouchofsatinwoodisinhim.Inthecomplexionofathird stilllingersatropictawn,butslightlybleachedwithal; hedoubtlesshastarriedwholeweeksashore.Butwhocould

showacheeklikeQueequeg?which,barredwithvarioustints, seemedliketheAndes'westernslope,toshowforthinonearray, contrastingclimates,zonebyzone. "Grub,ho!"nowcriedthelandlord,flingingopenadoor, andinwewenttobreakfast. Theysaythatmenwhohaveseentheworld,therebybecome quiteateaseinmanner,quiteselfpossessedincompany. Notalways,though:Ledyard,thegreatNewEnglandtraveller, andMungoPark,theScotchone;ofallmen,theypossessed theleastassuranceintheparlor.Butperhapsthemere crossingofSiberiainasledgedrawnbydogsasLedyarddid, orthetakingalongsolitarywalkonanemptystomach,inthenegro heartofAfrica,whichwasthesumofpoorMungo'sperformances thiskindoftravel,Isay,maynotbetheverybestmode ofattainingahighsocialpolish.Still,forthemostpart, thatsortofthingistobehadanywhere. Thesereflectionsjusthereareoccasionedbythecircumstance thatafterwewereallseatedatthetable,andIwaspreparing tohearsomegoodstoriesaboutwhaling;tomynosmall surprisenearlyeverymanmaintainedaprofoundsilence. Andnotonlythat,buttheylookedembarrassed.Yes,herewere asetofseadogs,manyofwhomwithouttheslightestbashfulness hadboardedgreatwhalesonthehighseasentirestrangerstothem andduelledthemdeadwithoutwinking;andyet,herethey satatasocialbreakfasttableallofthesamecalling, allofkindredtasteslookingroundassheepishlyateachother asthoughtheyhadneverbeenoutofsightofsomesheepfold amongtheGreenMountains.Acurioussight;thesebashfulbears, thesetimidwarriorwhalemen! ButasforQueequegwhy,Queequegsatthereamongthem attheheadofthetable,too,itsochanced;ascoolasanicicle. TobesureIcannotsaymuchforhisbreeding.Hisgreatest admirercouldnothavecordiallyjustifiedhisbringinghisharpoon intobreakfastwithhim,andusingittherewithoutceremony; reachingoverthetablewithit,totheimminentjeopardy ofmanyheads,andgrapplingthebeefsteakstowardshim. Butthatwascertainlyverycoollydonebyhim,andeveryone knowsthatinmostpeople'sestimation,todoanythingcoolly istodoitgenteelly. WewillnotspeakofallQueequeg'speculiaritieshere; howheeschewedcoffeeandhotrolls,andappliedhisundivided

attentiontobeefsteaks,donerare.Enough,thatwhenbreakfast wasoverhewithdrewliketherestintothepublicroom, lightedhistomahawkpipe,andwassittingtherequietly digestingandsmokingwithhisinseparablehaton,whenI salliedoutforastroll. CHAPTER6 TheStreet IfIhadbeenastonishedatfirstcatchingaglimpseofsooutlandish anindividualasQueequegcirculatingamongthepolitesociety ofacivilizedtown,thatastonishmentsoondepartedupontaking myfirstdaylightstrollthroughthestreetsofNewBedford. Inthoroughfaresnighthedocks,anyconsiderableseaportwillfrequently offertoviewthequeerestlookingnondescriptsfromforeignparts. EveninBroadwayandChestnutstreets,Mediterraneanmarinerswill sometimesjostletheaffrightedladies.RegentStreetisnotunknown toLascarsandMalays;andatBombay,intheApolloGreen,liveYankees haveoftenscaredthenatives.ButNewBedfordbeatsallWaterStreet andWapping.Intheselastmentionedhauntsyouseeonlysailors; butinNewBedford,actualcannibalsstandchattingatstreetcorners; savagesoutright;manyofwhomyetcarryontheirbonesunholyflesh. Itmakesastrangerstare. But,besidestheFeegeeans,Tongatobooarrs,Erromanggoans,Pannangians, andBrighggians,and,besidesthewildspecimensofthewhalingcraft whichunheededreelaboutthestreets,youwillseeothersightsstill morecurious,certainlymorecomical.Thereweeklyarriveinthistown scoresofgreenVermontersandNewHampshiremen,allathirstforgain andgloryinthefishery.Theyaremostlyyoung,ofstalwartframes; fellowswhohavefelledforests,andnowseektodroptheaxeandsnatch thewhalelance.ManyareasgreenastheGreenMountainswhence theycame.Insomethingsyouwouldthinkthembutafewhoursold. Lookthere!thatchapstruttingroundthecorner.Hewearsabeaverhat andswallowtailedcoat,girdledwithasailorbeltandasheathknife. Herecomesanotherwithasou'westerandabombazinecloak. NotownbreddandywillcomparewithacountrybredoneImean adownrightbumpkindandyafellowthat,inthedogdays,willmow histwoacresinbuckskinglovesforfearoftanninghishands. Nowwhenacountrydandylikethistakesitintohisheadtomake

adistinguishedreputation,andjoinsthegreatwhalefishery,you shouldseethecomicalthingshedoesuponreachingtheseaport. Inbespeakinghisseaoutfit,heordersbellbuttonstohiswaistcoats; strapstohiscanvastrowsers.Ah,poorHaySeed!howbitterly willburstthosestrapsinthefirsthowlinggale,whenthou artdriven,straps,buttons,andall,downthethroatofthetempest. Butthinknotthatthisfamoustownhasonlyharpooneers, cannibals,andbumpkinstoshowhervisitors.Notatall. StillNewBedfordisaqueerplace.Haditnotbeenforuswhalemen, thattractoflandwouldthisdayperhapshavebeeninashowling conditionasthecoastofLabrador.Asitis,partsofher backcountryareenoughtofrightenone,theylooksobony. Thetownitselfisperhapsthedearestplacetolivein, inallNewEngland.Itisalandofoil,trueenough: butnotlikeCanaan;aland,also,ofcornandwine. Thestreetsdonotrunwithmilk;norinthespringtime dotheypavethemwithfresheggs.Yet,inspiteofthis, nowhereinallAmericawillyoufindmorepatricianlikehouses; parksandgardensmoreopulent,thaninNewBedford.Whencecame they?howplanteduponthisoncescraggyscoriaofacountry? Goandgazeupontheironemblematicalharpoonsroundyonderlofty mansion,andyourquestionwillbeanswered.Yes;allthesebravehouses andflowerygardenscamefromtheAtlantic,Pacific,andIndianoceans. Oneandall,theywereharpoonedanddraggeduphitherfromthebottom ofthesea.CanHerrAlexanderperformafeatlikethat? InNewBedford,fathers,theysay,givewhalesfordowerstotheir daughters,andportionofftheirnieceswithafewporpoisesapiece. YoumustgotoNewBedfordtoseeabrilliantwedding;for,theysay, theyhavereservoirsofoilineveryhouse,andeverynightrecklessly burntheirlengthsinspermaceticandles. Insummertime,thetownissweettosee;fulloffinemaples longavenuesofgreenandgold.AndinAugust,highinair, thebeautifulandbountifulhorsechestnuts,candelabrawise,proffer thepasserbytheirtaperinguprightconesofcongregatedblossoms. Soomnipotentisart;whichinmanyadistrictofNewBedfordhas superinducedbrightterracesofflowersuponthebarrenrefuse rocksthrownasideatcreation'sfinalday. AndthewomenofNewBedford,theybloomliketheirownredroses. Butrosesonlybloominsummer;whereasthefinecarnation oftheircheeksisperennialassunlightintheseventhheavens. Elsewherematchthatbloomoftheirs,yecannot,saveinSalem,

wheretheytellmetheyounggirlsbreathesuchmusk,theirsailor sweetheartssmellthemmilesoffshore,asthoughtheyweredrawing nightheodorousMoluccasinsteadofthePuritanicsands. CHAPTER7 TheChapel InthissameNewBedfordtherestandsaWhaleman'sChapel, andfewarethemoodyfishermen,shortlyboundfortheIndianOcean orPacific,whofailtomakeaSundayvisittothespot. IamsurethatIdidnot. Returningfrommyfirstmorningstroll,Iagainsalliedout uponthisspecialerrand.Theskyhadchangedfromclear, sunnycold,todrivingsleetandmist.Wrappingmyselfinmy shaggyjacketoftheclothcalledbearskin,Ifoughtmyway againstthestubbornstorm.Entering,Ifoundasmallscattered congregationofsailors,andsailors'wivesandwidows.Amuffled silencereigned,onlybrokenattimesbytheshrieksofthestorm. Eachsilentworshipperseemedpurposelysittingapartfromtheother, asifeachsilentgriefwereinsularandincommunicable. Thechaplainhadnotyetarrived;andtherethesesilentislands ofmenandwomensatsteadfastlyeyeingseveralmarbletablets, withblackborders,masonedintothewalloneithersidethepulpit. Threeofthemransomethinglikethefollowing,butIdonot pretendtoquote: SACRED TOTHEMEMORY OF JOHNTALBOT, Who,attheageofeighteen,waslostoverboard NeartheIsleofDesolation,offPatagonia, November1st,1836. THISTABLET IserectedtohisMemory BYHISSISTER. SACRED TOTHEMEMORY OF

ROBERTLONG,WILLISELLERY, NATHANCOLEMAN,WALTERCANNY,SETHMACY, ANDSAMUELGLEIG, Formingoneoftheboats'crews OF THESHIPELIZA WhoweretowedoutofsightbyaWhale, OntheOffshoreGroundinthe PACIFIC, December31st,1839. THISMARBLE Ishereplacedbytheirsurviving SHIPMATES. SACRED TOTHEMEMORY OF Thelate CAPTAINEZEKIELHARDY, Whointhebowsofhisboatwaskilledbya SpermWhaleonthecoastofJapan, August3d,1833. THISTABLET IserectedtohisMemory BY HISWIDOW. Shakingoffthesleetfrommyiceglazedhatandjacket,Iseated myselfnearthedoor,andturningsidewayswassurprisedtosee Queequegnearme.Affectedbythesolemnityofthescene,therewas awonderinggazeofincredulouscuriosityinhiscountenance. Thissavagewastheonlypersonpresentwhoseemedtonotice myentrance;becausehewastheonlyonewhocouldnotread, and,therefore,wasnotreadingthosefrigidinscriptionsonthewall. Whetheranyoftherelativesoftheseamenwhosenames appearedtherewerenowamongthecongregation,Iknewnot; butsomanyaretheunrecordedaccidentsinthefishery, andsoplainlydidseveralwomenpresentwearthecountenance ifnotthetrappingsofsomeunceasinggrief,thatIfeelsure thatherebeforemewereassembledthose,inwhoseunhealing heartsthesightofthosebleaktabletssympatheticallycaused theoldwoundstobleedafresh. Oh!yewhosedeadlieburiedbeneaththegreengrass; whostandingamongflowerscansayhere,hereliesmybeloved;

yeknownotthedesolationthatbroodsinbosomslikethese. Whatbitterblanksinthoseblackborderedmarbleswhichcover noashes!Whatdespairinthoseimmovableinscriptions! Whatdeadlyvoidsandunbiddeninfidelitiesinthelines thatseemtognawuponallFaith,andrefuseresurrections tothebeingswhohaveplacelesslyperishedwithoutagrave. AswellmightthosetabletsstandinthecaveofElephantaashere. Inwhatcensusoflivingcreatures,thedeadofmankindareincluded; whyitisthatauniversalproverbsaysofthem,thattheytellnotales, thoughcontainingmoresecretsthantheGoodwinSands!howitis thattohisnamewhoyesterdaydepartedfortheotherworld,weprefix sosignificantandinfidelaword,andyetdonotthusentitlehim, ifhebutembarksfortheremotestIndiesofthislivingearth; whytheLifeInsuranceCompaniespaydeathforfeituresuponimmortals; inwhateternal,unstirringparalysis,anddeadly,hopelesstrance, yetliesantiqueAdamwhodiedsixtyroundcenturiesago; howitisthatwestillrefusetobecomfortedforthosewhowe neverthelessmaintainaredwellinginunspeakablebliss; whyallthelivingsostrivetohushallthedead;whereforebut therumorofaknockinginatombwillterrifyawholecity. Allthesethingsarenotwithouttheirmeanings. ButFaith,likeajackal,feedsamongthetombs,andevenfrom thesedeaddoubtsshegathershermostvitalhope. Itneedsscarcelytobetold,withwhatfeelings,ontheeve ofaNantucketvoyage,Iregardedthosemarbletablets, andbythemurkylightofthatdarkened,dolefuldayread thefateofthewhalemenwhohadgonebeforeme.Yes,Ishmael, thesamefatemaybethine.ButsomehowIgrewmerryagain. Delightfulinducementstoembark,finechanceforpromotion, itseemsaye,astoveboatwillmakemeanimmortalbybrevet. Yes,thereisdeathinthisbusinessofwhalingaspeechlessly quickchaoticbundlingofamanintoEternity.Butwhatthen? MethinkswehavehugelymistakenthismatterofLife andDeath.Methinksthatwhattheycallmyshadowhereonearth ismytruesubstance.Methinksthatinlookingatthingsspiritual, wearetoomuchlikeoystersobservingthesunthrough thewater,andthinkingthatthickwaterthethinnestofair. Methinksmybodyisbuttheleesofmybetterbeing. Infacttakemybodywhowill,takeitIsay,itisnotme. AndthereforethreecheersforNantucket;andcomeastove boatandstovebodywhentheywill,forstavemysoul, Jovehimselfcannot.

 CHAPTER8 ThePulpit Ihadnotbeenseatedverylongereamanofacertainvenerable robustnessentered;immediatelyasthestormpelteddoorflew backuponadmittinghim,aquickregardfuleyeingofhimbyall thecongregation,sufficientlyattestedthatthisfineold manwasthechaplain.Yes,itwasthefamousFatherMapple, socalledbythewhalemen,amongwhomhewasaverygreatfavorite. Hehadbeenasailorandaharpooneerinhisyouth,butfor manyyearspasthaddedicatedhislifetotheministry. AtthetimeInowwriteof,FatherMapplewasinthehardywinter ofahealthyoldage;thatsortofoldagewhichseemsmerginginto asecondfloweringyouth,foramongallthefissuresofhiswrinkles, thereshonecertainmildgleamsofanewlydevelopingbloom thespringverdurepeepingforthevenbeneathFebruary'ssnow. Noonehavingpreviouslyheardhishistory,couldforthefirsttime beholdFatherMapplewithouttheutmostinterest,becausethere werecertainengraftedclericalpeculiaritiesabouthim, imputabletothatadventurousmaritimelifehehadled. WhenheenteredIobservedthathecarriednoumbrella, andcertainlyhadnotcomeinhiscarriage,forhistarpaulin hatrandownwithmeltingsleet,andhisgreatpilotcloth jacketseemedalmosttodraghimtothefloorwiththeweight ofthewaterithadabsorbed.However,hatandcoatand overshoeswereonebyoneremoved,andhungupinalittle spaceinanadjacentcorner;when,arrayedinadecentsuit, hequietlyapproachedthepulpit. Likemostoldfashionedpulpits,itwasaveryloftyone,andsince aregularstairstosuchaheightwould,byitslonganglewith thefloor,seriouslycontractthealreadysmallareaofthechapel, thearchitect,itseemed,hadacteduponthehintofFatherMapple, andfinishedthepulpitwithoutastairs,substitutingaperpendicular sideladder,likethoseusedinmountingashipfromaboatatsea. Thewifeofawhalingcaptainhadprovidedthechapelwithahandsome pairofredworstedmanropesforthisladder,which,beingitself nicelyheaded,andstainedwithamahoganycolor,thewholecontrivance, consideringwhatmannerofchapelitwas,seemedbynomeans inbadtaste.Haltingforaninstantatthefootoftheladder, andwithbothhandsgraspingtheornamentalknobsofthemanropes, FatherMapplecastalookupwards,andthenwithatrulysailorlike

butstillreverentialdexterity,handoverhand,mountedthesteps asifascendingthemaintopofhisvessel. Theperpendicularpartsofthissideladder,asisusuallythecase withswingingones,wereofclothcoveredrope,onlytherounds wereofwood,sothatateverysteptherewasajoint.Atmyfirst glimpseofthepulpit,ithadnotescapedmethathoweverconvenient foraship,thesejointsinthepresentinstanceseemedunnecessary. ForIwasnotpreparedtoseeFatherMappleaftergainingtheheight, slowlyturnround,andstoopingoverthepulpit,deliberatelydrag uptheladderstepbystep,tillthewholewasdepositedwithin, leavinghimimpregnableinhislittleQuebec. Iponderedsometimewithoutfullycomprehendingthereasonforthis. FatherMappleenjoyedsuchawidereputationforsincerityandsanctity, thatIcouldnotsuspecthimofcourtingnotorietybyanymere tricksofthestage.No,thoughtI,theremustbesomesoberreason forthisthing;furthermore,itmustsymbolizesomethingunseen. Canitbe,then,thatbythatactofphysicalisolation, hesignifieshisspiritualwithdrawalforthetime,fromalloutward worldlytiesandconnexions?Yes,forreplenishedwiththemeat andwineoftheword,tothefaithfulmanofGod,thispulpit, Isee,isaselfcontainingstrongholdaloftyEhrenbreitstein, withaperennialwellofwaterwithinthewalls. Butthesideladderwasnottheonlystrangefeatureoftheplace, borrowedfromthechaplain'sformerseafarings.Betweenthemarble cenotaphsoneitherhandofthepulpit,thewallwhichformeditsbackwas adornedwithalargepaintingrepresentingagallantshipbeatingagainst aterriblestormoffaleecoastofblackrocksandsnowybreakers. Buthighabovetheflyingscudanddarkrollingclouds,therefloated alittleisleofsunlight,fromwhichbeamedforthanangel'sface; andthisbrightfaceshedadistantspotofradianceupontheship's tosseddeck,somethinglikethatsilverplatenowinsertedinto theVictory'splankwhereNelsonfell."Ah,nobleship,"theangel seemedtosay,"beaton,beaton,thounobleship,andbearahardyhelm; forlo!thesunisbreakingthrough;thecloudsarerollingoff serenestazureisathand." Norwasthepulpititselfwithoutatraceofthesame seatastethathadachievedtheladderandthepicture. Itspanelledfrontwasinthelikenessofaship'sbluffbows, andtheHolyBiblerestedonaprojectingpieceofscrollwork, fashionedafteraship'sfiddleheadedbeak. Whatcouldbemorefullofmeaning?forthepulpitiseverthis

earth'sforemostpart;alltherestcomesinitsrear;thepulpit leadstheworld.FromthenceitisthestormofGod'squickwrath isfirstdescried,andthebowmustbeartheearliestbrunt. FromthenceitistheGodofbreezesfairorfoulisfirstinvoked forfavorablewinds.Yes,theworld'sashiponitspassageout, andnotavoyagecomplete;andthepulpitisitsprow. CHAPTER9 TheSermon FatherMapplerose,andinamildvoiceofunassumingauthority orderedthescatteredpeopletocondense."Starboardgangway, there!sideawaytolarboardlarboardgangwaytostarboard! Midships!midships!" Therewasalowrumblingofheavyseabootsamongthebenches, andastillslightershufflingofwomen'sshoes,andallwasquietagain, andeveryeyeonthepreacher. Hepausedalittle;thenkneelinginthepulpit'sbows,foldedhis largebrownhandsacrosshischest,upliftedhisclosedeyes, andofferedaprayersodeeplydevoutthatheseemedkneeling andprayingatthebottomofthesea. Thisended,inprolongedsolemntones,likethecontinual tollingofabellinashipthatisfounderingatseainafog insuchtoneshecommencedreadingthefollowinghymn; butchanginghismannertowardstheconcludingstanzas, burstforthwithapealingexultationandjoy Theribsandterrorsinthewhale, Archedovermeadismalgloom, WhileallGod'ssunlitwavesrolledby, Andliftmedeepeningdowntodoom. Isawtheopeningmawofhell, Withendlesspainsandsorrowsthere; Whichnonebuttheythatfeelcantell Oh,Iwasplungingtodespair. Inblackdistress,IcalledmyGod, WhenIcouldscarcebelievehimmine,

Hebowedhiseartomycomplaints Nomorethewhaledidmeconfine. Withspeedheflewtomyrelief, Asonaradiantdolphinborne; Awful,yetbright,aslightningshone ThefaceofmyDelivererGod. Mysongforevershallrecord Thatterrible,thatjoyfulhour; IgivetheglorytomyGod, Hisallthemercyandthepower. Nearlyalljoinedinsingingthishymn,whichswelledhigh abovethehowlingofthestorm.Abriefpauseensued; thepreacherslowlyturnedovertheleavesoftheBible, andatlast,foldinghishanddownupontheproperpage,said: "Belovedshipmates,clinchthelastverseofthefirstchapter ofJonah'AndGodhadpreparedagreatfishtoswallowupJonah.'" "Shipmates,thisbook,containingonlyfourchapters fouryarnsisoneofthesmalleststrandsinthemightycable oftheScriptures.YetwhatdepthsofthesouldoesJonah'sdeep sealinesound!whatapregnantlessontousisthisprophet! Whatanoblethingisthatcanticleinthefish'sbelly! Howbillowlikeandboisterouslygrand!Wefeelthefloodssurging overus,wesoundwithhimtothekelpybottomofthewaters; seaweedandalltheslimeoftheseaisaboutus!Butwhatis thislessonthatthebookofJonahteaches?Shipmates,itis atwostrandedlesson;alessontousallassinfulmen, andalessontomeasapilotofthelivingGod.Assinfulmen, itisalessontousall,becauseitisastoryofthesin, hardheartedness,suddenlyawakenedfears,theswiftpunishment, repentance,prayers,andfinallythedeliveranceandjoy ofJonah.Aswithallsinnersamongmen,thesinofthisson ofAmittaiwasinhiswilfuldisobedienceofthecommandofGod nevermindnowwhatthatcommandwas,orhowconveyed whichhefoundahardcommand.ButallthethingsthatGod wouldhaveusdoarehardforustodorememberthat andhence,heoftenercommandsusthanendeavorstopersuade. AndifweobeyGod,wemustdisobeyourselves;anditisinthis disobeyingourselves,whereinthehardnessofobeyingGodconsists. "Withthissinofdisobedienceinhim,Jonahstillfurther floutsatGod,byseekingtofleefromHim.Hethinks

thatashipmadebymen,willcarryhimintocountries whereGoddoesnotreignbutonlytheCaptainsofthisearth. HeskulksaboutthewharvesofJoppa,andseeksashipthat's boundforTarshish.Therelurks,perhaps,ahithertounheeded meaninghere.ByallaccountsTarshishcouldhavebeennoother citythanthemodernCadiz.That'stheopinionoflearnedmen. AndwhereisCadiz,shipmates?CadizisinSpain;asfarbywater, fromJoppa,asJonahcouldpossiblyhavesailedinthose ancientdays,whentheAtlanticwasanalmostunknownsea. BecauseJoppa,themodernJaffa,shipmates,isonthemost easterlycoastoftheMediterranean,theSyrian;andTarshish orCadizmorethantwothousandmilestothewestwardfromthat, justoutsidetheStraitsofGibraltar.Seeyenotthen,shipmates, thatJonahsoughttofleeworldwidefromGod?Miserableman! Oh!mostcontemptibleandworthyofallscorn;withslouched hatandguiltyeye,skulkingfromhisGod;prowlingamong theshippinglikeavileburglarhasteningtocrosstheseas. Sodisordered,selfcondemningishislook,thathadthere beenpolicemeninthosedays,Jonah,onthemeresuspicion ofsomethingwrong,hadbeenarrestederehetouchedadeck. Howplainlyhe'safugitive!nobaggage,notahatbox,valise, orcarpetbag,nofriendsaccompanyhimtothewharfwith theiradieux.Atlast,aftermuchdodgingsearch,hefinds theTarshishshipreceivingthelastitemsofhercargo; andashestepsonboardtoseeitsCaptaininthecabin, allthesailorsforthemomentdesistfromhoistinginthegoods, tomarkthestranger'sevileye.Jonahseesthis;butinvain hetriestolookalleaseandconfidence;invainessayshis wretchedsmile.Strongintuitionsofthemanassurethemariners hecanbenoinnocent.Intheirgamesomebutstillseriousway, onewhisperstotheother"Jack,he'srobbedawidow;" or,"Joe,doyoumarkhim;he'sabigamist;"or,"Harrylad, Iguesshe'stheadultererthatbrokejailinoldGomorrah, orbelike,oneofthemissingmurderersfromSodom."Anotherruns toreadthebillthat'sstuckagainstthespileuponthewharf towhichtheshipismoored,offeringfivehundredgoldcoins fortheapprehensionofaparricide,andcontainingadescription ofhisperson.Hereads,andlooksfromJonahtothebill; whileallhissympatheticshipmatesnowcrowdroundJonah, preparedtolaytheirhandsuponhim.FrightedJonahtrembles. andsummoningallhisboldnesstohisface,onlylookssomuch themoreacoward.Hewillnotconfesshimselfsuspected; butthatitselfisstrongsuspicion.Sohemakesthebestofit; andwhenthesailorsfindhimnottobethemanthatisadvertised, theylethimpass,andhedescendsintothecabin.

"'Who'sthere?'criestheCaptainathisbusydesk,hurriedlymaking outhispapersfortheCustoms'Who'sthere?'Oh!howthatharmless questionmanglesJonah!Fortheinstanthealmostturnstofleeagain. Butherallies.'IseekapassageinthisshiptoTarshish; howsoonsailye,sir?'ThusfarthebusyCaptainhadnotlookedup toJonah,thoughthemannowstandsbeforehim;butnosoonerdoes hehearthathollowvoice,thanhedartsascrutinizingglance. 'Wesailwiththenextcomingtide,'atlastheslowlyanswered, stillintentlyeyeinghim.'Nosooner,sir?''Soonenoughforany honestmanthatgoesapassenger.'Ha!Jonah,that'sanotherstab. ButheswiftlycallsawaytheCaptainfromthatscent. 'I'llsailwithye,'hesays,'thepassagemoneyhowmuchisthat? I'llpaynow.'Foritisparticularlywritten,shipmates,asifit wereathingnottobeoverlookedinthishistory,'thathepaid thefarethereof'erethecraftdidsail.Andtakenwiththecontext, thisisfullofmeaning. "NowJonah'sCaptain,shipmates,wasonewhosediscernmentdetects crimeinany,butwhosecupidityexposesitonlyinthepenniless. Inthisworld,shipmates,sinthatpaysitswaycantravel freelyandwithoutapassport;whereasVirtue,ifapauper, isstoppedatallfrontiers.SoJonah'sCaptainprepares totestthelengthofJonah'spurse,erehejudgehimopenly. Hechargeshimthricetheusualsum;andit'sassentedto. ThentheCaptainknowsthatJonahisafugitive;butatthesame timeresolvestohelpaflightthatpavesitsrearwithgold. YetwhenJonahfairlytakesouthispurse,prudentsuspicionsstill molesttheCaptain.Heringseverycointofindacounterfeit. Notaforger,anyway,hemutters;andJonahisputdownforhispassage. 'Pointoutmystateroom,Sir,'saysJonahnow,'I'mtravelweary; Ineedsleep.""Thoulook'stlikeit,'saystheCaptain, 'there'sthyroom.'Jonahenters,andwouldlockthedoor, butthelockcontainsnokey.Hearinghimfoolishlyfumblingthere, theCaptainlaughslowlytohimself,andmutterssomethingabout thedoorsofconvicts'cellsbeingneverallowedtobelockedwithin. Alldressedanddustyasheis,Jonahthrowshimselfintohisberth, andfindsthelittlestateroomceilingalmostrestingonhisforehead. Theairisclose,andJonahgasps.Then,inthatcontractedhole, sunk,too,beneaththeship'swaterline,Jonahfeelstheheralding presentimentofthatstiflinghour,whenthewhaleshallholdhim inthesmallestofhisbowels'wards. "Screwedatitsaxisagainsttheside,aswinginglampslightly oscillatesinJonah'sroom;andtheship,heelingovertowardsthewharf withtheweightofthelastbalesreceived,thelamp,flameandall, thoughinslightmotion,stillmaintainsapermanentobliquitywith

referencetotheroom;though,intruth,infalliblystraightitself, itbutmadeobviousthefalse,lyinglevelsamongwhichithung. ThelampalarmsandfrightensJonah;aslyinginhisberth histormentedeyesrollroundtheplace,andthisthusfar successfulfugitivefindsnorefugeforhisrestlessglance. Butthatcontradictioninthelampmoreandmoreappalshim. Thefloor,theceiling,andtheside,areallawry. 'Oh!somyconsciencehangsinme!'hegroans,"straightupward, soitburns;butthechambersofmysoulareallincrookedness!' "Likeonewhoafteranightofdrunkenrevelryhiestohisbed, stillreeling,butwithconscienceyetprickinghim,astheplungings oftheRomanracehorsebutsomuchthemorestrikehissteeltags intohim;asonewhointhatmiserableplightstillturnsandturns ingiddyanguish,prayingGodforannihilationuntilthefitbepassed; andatlastamidthewhirlofwoehefeels,adeepstuporstealsoverhim, asoverthemanwhobleedstodeath,forconscienceisthewound, andthere'snaughttostaunchit;so,aftersorewrestlinginhisberth, Jonah'sprodigyofponderousmiserydragshimdrowningdowntosleep. "Andnowthetimeoftidehascome;theshipcastsoffhercables; andfromthedesertedwharftheuncheeredshipforTarshish, allcareening,glidestosea.Thatship,myfriends, wasthefirstofrecordedsmugglers!thecontraband wasJonah.Butthesearebels;hewillnotbearthewickedburden. Adreadfulstormcomeson,theshipisliketobreak. Butnowwhentheboatswaincallsallhandstolightenher; whenboxes,bales,andjarsareclatteringoverboard; whenthewindisshrieking,andthemenareyelling,andevery plankthunderswithtramplingfeetrightoverJonah'shead; inallthisragingtumult,Jonahsleepshishideoussleep. Heseesnoblackskyandragingsea,feelsnotthereelingtimbers, andlittlehearsheorheedshethefarrushofthemightywhale, whichevennowwithopenmouthiscleavingtheseasafterhim. Aye,shipmates,Jonahwasgonedownintothesidesoftheship aberthinthecabinasIhavetakenit,andwasfastasleep. Butthefrightenedmastercomestohim,andshrieksinhisdeadear, 'Whatmeanestthou,O,sleeper!arise!'Startledfromhislethargy bythatdirefulcry,Jonahstaggerstohisfeet,andstumbling tothedeck,graspsashroud,tolookoutuponthesea. Butatthatmomentheissprunguponbyapantherbillowleaping overthebulwarks.Waveafterwavethusleapsintotheship, andfindingnospeedyventrunsroaringforeandaft, tillthemarinerscomenightodrowningwhileyetafloat. Andever,asthewhitemoonshowsheraffrightedfacefrom thesteepgulliesintheblacknessoverhead,aghastJonah

seestherearingbowspritpointinghighupward,butsoonbeat downwardagaintowardsthetormenteddeep. "Terrorsuponterrorsrunshoutingthroughhissoul.Inallhis cringingattitudes,theGodfugitiveisnowtooplainlyknown. Thesailorsmarkhim;moreandmorecertaingrowtheirsuspicions ofhim,andatlast,fullytotestthetruth,byreferring thewholemattertohighHeaven,theyalloutwardtocastinglots, toseeforwhosecausethisgreattempestwasuponthem. ThelotisJonah's;thatdiscovered,thenhowfuriouslythey mobhimwiththeirquestions.'Whatisthineoccupation? Whencecomestthou?Thycountry?Whatpeople?Butmarknow, myshipmates,thebehaviorofpoorJonah.Theeagermariners butaskhimwhoheis,andwherefrom;whereas,theynotonly receiveananswertothosequestions,butlikewiseanotheranswer toaquestionnotputbythem,buttheunsolicitedansweris forcedfromJonahbythehardhandofGodthatisuponhim. "'IamaHebrew,'hecriesandthen'IfeartheLord theGodofHeavenwhohathmadetheseaandthedryland!' Fearhim,OJonah?Aye,wellmightestthoufeartheLordGodthen! Straightway,henowgoesontomakeafullconfession; whereuponthemarinersbecamemoreandmoreappalled,butstill arepitiful.ForwhenJonah,notyetsupplicatingGodformercy, sincehebuttoowellknewthedarknessofhisdeserts, whenwretchedJonahcriesouttothemtotakehimandcast himforthintothesea,forheknewthatforhissakethis greattempestwasuponthem;theymercifullyturnfromhim, andseekbyothermeanstosavetheship.Butallinvain; theindignantgalehowlslouder;then,withonehandraised invokinglytoGod,withtheothertheynotunreluctantlylay holdofJonah. "AndnowbeholdJonahtakenupasananchoranddroppedintothesea; wheninstantlyanoilycalmnessfloatsoutfromtheeast, andtheseaisstill,asJonahcarriesdownthegalewithhim, leavingsmoothwaterbehind.Hegoesdowninthewhirlingheartofsuch amasterlesscommotionthathescarceheedsthemomentwhenhedrops seethingintotheyawningjawsawaitinghim;andthewhaleshootsto allhisivoryteeth,likesomanywhitebolts,uponhisprison. ThenJonahprayeduntotheLordoutofthefish'sbelly. Butobservehisprayer,andsomanywhitebolts,uponhisprison. ThenJonahprayeduntolearnaweightylesson.Forsinful asheis,Jonahdoesnotweepandwailfordirectdeliverance. Hefeelsthathisdreadfulpunishmentisjust.Heleavesallhis deliverancetoGod,contentinghimselfwiththis,thatspiteofall

hispainsandpangs,hewillstilllooktowardsHisholytemple. Andhere,shipmates,istrueandfaithfulrepentance; notclamorousforpardon,butgratefulforpunishment. AndhowpleasingtoGodwasthisconductinJonah,isshown intheeventualdeliveranceofhimfromtheseaandthewhale. Shipmates,IdonotplaceJonahbeforeyoutobecopiedforhis sinbutIdoplacehimbeforeyouasamodelforrepentance. Sinnot;butifyoudo,takeheedtorepentofitlikeJonah." Whilehewasspeakingthesewords,thehowlingoftheshrieking, slantingstormwithoutseemedtoaddnewpowertothepreacher,who, whendescribingJonah'sseastorm,seemedtossedbyastormhimself. Hisdeepchestheavedaswithagroundswell;histossedarms seemedthewarringelementsatwork;andthethundersthatrolled awayfromoffhisswarthybrow,andthelightleapingfromhiseye, madeallhissimplehearerslookonhimwithaquickfearthatwas strangetothem. Therenowcamealullinhislook,ashesilentlyturnedover theleavesoftheBookoncemore;and,atlast,standingmotionless, withclosedeyes,forthemoment,seemedcommuningwithGodandhimself. Butagainheleanedovertowardsthepeople,andbowinghis headlowly,withanaspectofthedeepestyetmanliesthumility, hespakethesewords: "Shipmates,Godhaslaidbutonehanduponyou;bothhishands pressuponme.Ihavereadyebywhatmurkylightmaybemine thelessonthatJonahteachestoallsinners;andthereforetoye, andstillmoretome,forIamagreatersinnerthanye. AndnowhowgladlywouldIcomedownfromthismastheadandsit onthehatchestherewhereyousit,andlistenasyoulisten, whilesomeoneofyoureadsmethatotherandmoreawfullesson whichJonahteachestome,asapilotofthelivingGod.Howbeing ananointedpilotprophet,orspeakeroftruethingsandbidden bytheLordtosoundthoseunwelcometruthsintheearsofa wickedNineveh,Jonah,appalledatthehostilityheshouldraise, fledfromhismission,andsoughttoescapehisdutyandhisGodbytaking shipatJoppa.ButGodiseverywhere;Tarshishheneverreached. Aswehaveseen,Godcameuponhiminthewhale,andswallowed himdowntolivinggulfsofdoom,andwithswiftslantingstore himalong'intothemidstoftheseas,'wheretheeddyingdepths suckedhimtenthousandfathomsdown,and'theweedswerewrapped abouthishead,'andallthewateryworldofwoebowledoverhim. Yeteventhenbeyondthereachofanyplummet'outofthebelly ofhell'whenthewhalegroundedupontheocean'sutmostbones,

eventhen,Godheardtheengulphed,repentingprophetwhenhecried. ThenGodspakeuntothefish;andfromtheshudderingcold andblacknessofthesea,thewhalecamebreechinguptowards thewarmandpleasantsun,andallthedelightsofairandearth; and'vomitedoutJonahuponthedryland;'whenthewordoftheLord cameasecondtime;andJonah,bruisedandbeatenhisears, liketwoseashells,stillmultitudinouslymurmuringoftheocean JonahdidtheAlmighty'sbidding.Andwhatwasthat,shipmates? TopreachtheTruthtothefaceofFalsehood!Thatwasit! "This,shipmates,thisisthatotherlesson;andwoetothat pilotofthelivingGodwhoslightsit.Woetohimwhomthis worldcharmsfromGospelduty!Woetohimwhoseekstopour oiluponthewaterswhenGodhasbrewedthemintoagale! Woetohimwhoseekstopleaseratherthantoappal! Woetohimwhosegoodnameismoretohimthangoodness! Woetohimwho,inthisworld,courtsnotdishonor! Woetohimwhowouldnotbetrue,eventhoughtobefalse weresalvation!Yea,woetohimwhoasthegreatPilotPaul hasit,whilepreachingtoothersishimselfacastaway! Hedroopedandfellawayfromhimselfforamoment;thenlifting hisfacetothemagain,showedadeepjoyinhiseyes, ashecriedoutwithaheavenlyenthusiasm,"Butoh!shipmates! onthestarboardhandofeverywoe,thereisasuredelight; andhigherthetopofthatdelight,thanthebottomofthewoe isdeep.Isnotthemaintruckhigherthanthekelsonislow? Delightistohimafar,farupward,andinwarddelight whoagainsttheproudgodsandcommodoresofthisearth, everstandsforthhisowninexorableself.Delightistohim whosestrongarmsyetsupporthim,whentheshipofthisbase treacherousworldhasgonedownbeneathhim.Delightistohim, whogivesnoquarterinthetruth,andkills,burns,anddestroys allsinthoughhepluckitoutfromundertherobesofSenators andJudges.Delight,topgallantdelightistohim,whoacknowledges nolaworlord,buttheLordhisGod,andisonlyapatriottoheaven. Delightistohim,whomallthewavesofthebillowsoftheseas oftheboisterousmobcannevershakefromthissureKeel oftheAges.Andeternaldelightanddeliciousnesswillbehis, whocomingtolayhimdown,cansaywithhisfinalbreathOFather! chieflyknowntomebyThyrodmortalorimmortal,hereIdie. IhavestriventobeThine,morethantobethisworld's,ormineown. Yetthisisnothing:IleaveeternitytoThee;forwhatisman thatheshouldliveoutthelifetimeofhisGod?" Hesaidnomore,butslowlywavingabenediction,coveredhisfacewith

hishands,andsoremainedkneeling,tillallthepeoplehaddeparted, andhewasleftaloneintheplace. CHAPTER10 ABosomFriend ReturningtotheSpouterInnfromtheChapel,IfoundQueequegthere quitealone;hehavinglefttheChapelbeforethebenedictionsometime. Hewassittingonabenchbeforethefire,withhisfeeton thestovehearth,andinonehandwasholdingcloseuptohis facethatlittlenegroidolofhis;peeringhardintoitsface, andwithajackknifegentlywhittlingawayatitsnose, meanwhilehummingtohimselfinhisheathenishway. Butbeingnowinterrupted,heputuptheimage;andprettysoon,goingto thetable,tookupalargebookthere,andplacingitonhislapbegan countingthepageswithdeliberateregularity;ateveryfiftiethpage asIfanciedstoppingforamoment,lookingvacantlyaroundhim, andgivingutterancetoalongdrawngurglingwhistleofastonishment. Hewouldthenbeginagainatthenextfifty;seemingtocommenceat numberoneeachtime,asthoughhecouldnotcountmorethanfifty, anditwasonlybysuchalargenumberoffiftiesbeingfoundtogether, thathisastonishmentatthemultitudeofpageswasexcited. WithmuchinterestIsatwatchinghim.Savagethoughhewas, andhideouslymarredaboutthefaceatleasttomytaste hiscountenanceyethadasomethinginitwhichwasbyno meansdisagreeable.Youcannothidethesoul.Throughallhis unearthlytattooings,IthoughtIsawthetracesofasimple honestheart;andinhislarge,deepeyes,fieryblackandbold, thereseemedtokensofaspiritthatwoulddareathousanddevils. Andbesidesallthis,therewasacertainloftybearingabout thePagan,whichevenhisuncouthnesscouldnotaltogethermaim. Helookedlikeamanwhohadnevercringedandneverhadhadacreditor. Whetheritwas,too,thathisheadbeingshaved,hisforeheadwas drawnoutinfreerandbrighterrelief,andlookedmoreexpansive thanitotherwisewould,thisIwillnotventuretodecide; butcertainitwashisheadwasphrenologicallyanexcellentone. Itmayseemridiculous,butitremindedmeofGeneralWashington'shead, asseeninthepopularbustsofhim.Ithadthesamelongregularly gradedretreatingslopefromabovethebrows,whichwerelikewise veryprojecting,liketwolongpromontoriesthicklywoodedontop.

QueequegwasGeorgeWashingtoncannibalisticallydeveloped. WhilstIwasthuscloselyscanninghim,halfpretendingmeanwhiletobe lookingoutatthestormfromthecasement,heneverheededmypresence, nevertroubledhimselfwithsomuchasasingleglance;butappeared whollyoccupiedwithcountingthepagesofthemarvellousbook. Consideringhowsociablywehadbeensleepingtogetherthenightprevious, andespeciallyconsideringtheaffectionatearmIhadfoundthrown overmeuponwakinginthemorning,Ithoughtthisindifference ofhisverystrange.Butsavagesarestrangebeings;attimesyou donotknowexactlyhowtotakethem.Atfirsttheyareoverawing; theircalmselfcollectednessofsimplicityseemsasSocraticwisdom. IhadnoticedalsothatQueequegneverconsortedatall,orbutvery little,withtheotherseamenintheinn.Hemadenoadvanceswhatever; appearedtohavenodesiretoenlargethecircleofhisacquaintances. Allthisstruckmeasmightysingular;yet,uponsecondthoughts, therewassomethingalmostsublimeinit.Herewasamansome twentythousandmilesfromhome,bythewayofCapeHorn,thatis whichwastheonlywayhecouldgettherethrownamongpeople asstrangetohimasthoughhewereintheplanetJupiter;andyet heseemedentirelyathisease;preservingtheutmostserenity; contentwithhisowncompanionship;alwaysequaltohimself.Surelythis wasatouchoffinephilosophy;thoughnodoubthehadneverheard therewassuchathingasthat.But,perhaps,tobetruephilosophers, wemortalsshouldnotbeconsciousofsolivingorsostriving. SosoonasIhearthatsuchorsuchamangiveshimselfoutfor aphilosopher,Iconcludethat,likethedyspepticoldwoman, hemusthave"brokenhisdigester." AsIsatthereinthatnowlonelyroom;thefireburninglow, inthatmildstagewhen,afteritsfirstintensityhaswarmedtheair, itthenonlyglowstobelookedat;theeveningshadesandphantoms gatheringroundthecasements,andpeeringinuponussilent, solitarytwain;thestormboomingwithoutinsolemnswells; Ibegantobesensibleofstrangefeelings.Ifeltameltinginme. Nomoremysplinteredheartandmaddenedhandwereturnedagainst thewolfishworld.Thissoothingsavagehadredeemedit. Therehesat,hisveryindifferencespeakinganatureinwhich therelurkednocivilizedhypocrisiesandblanddeceits. Wildhewas;averysightofsightstosee;yetIbegantofeel myselfmysteriouslydrawntowardshim.Andthosesamethings thatwouldhaverepelledmostothers,theyweretheverymagnets thatthusdrewme.I'lltryapaganfriend,thoughtI, sinceChristiankindnesshasprovedbuthollowcourtesy. Idrewmybenchnearhim,andmadesomefriendlysigns andhints,doingmybesttotalkwithhimmeanwhile.

Atfirsthelittlenoticedtheseadvances;butpresently, uponmyreferringtohislastnight'shospitalities, hemadeouttoaskmewhetherwewereagaintobebedfellows. Itoldhimyes;whereatIthoughthelookedpleased, perhapsalittlecomplimented. Wethenturnedoverthebooktogether,andIendeavoredtoexplain tohimthepurposeoftheprinting,andthemeaningofthefew picturesthatwereinit.ThusIsoonengagedhisinterest; andfromthatwewenttojabberingthebestwecouldabout thevariousoutersightstobeseeninthisfamoustown. SoonIproposedasocialsmoke;and,producinghispouch andtomahawk,hequietlyofferedmeapuff.Andthenwesat exchangingpuffsfromthatwildpipeofhis,andkeepingit regularlypassingbetweenus. Ifthereyetlurkedanyiceofindifferencetowardsme inthePagan'sbreast,thispleasant,genialsmokewehad, soonthaweditout,andleftuscronies.Heseemedtotake tomequiteasnaturallyandunbiddenlyasItohim; andwhenoursmokewasover,hepressedhisforeheadagainstmine, claspedmeroundthewaist,andsaidthathenceforthwe weremarried;meaning,inhiscountry'sphrase,thatwewere bosomfriends;hewouldgladlydieforme,ifneedshouldbe. Inacountryman,thissuddenflameoffriendshipwouldhave seemedfartoopremature,athingtobemuchdistrusted; butinthissimplesavagethoseoldruleswouldnotapply. Aftersupper,andanothersocialchatandsmoke,wewenttoour roomtogether.Hemademeapresentofhisembalmedhead; tookouthisenormoustobaccowallet,andgropingunderthetobacco, drewoutsomethirtydollarsinsilver;thenspreadingthemon thetable,andmechanicallydividingthemintotwoequalportions, pushedoneofthemtowardsme,andsaiditwasmine. Iwasgoingtoremonstrate;buthesilencedmebypouring themintomytrowsers'pockets.Iletthemstay. Hethenwentabouthiseveningprayers,tookouthisidol, andremovedthepaperfirebrand.Bycertainsignsandsymptoms, Ithoughtheseemedanxiousformetojoinhim;butwell knowingwhatwastofollow,Ideliberatedamomentwhether, incaseheinvitedme,Iwouldcomplyorotherwise. IwasagoodChristian;bornandbredinthebosomoftheinfallible PresbyterianChurch.HowthencouldIunitewiththiswildidolator inworshippinghispieceofwood?Butwhatisworship?thought I.Doyousupposenow,Ishmael,thatthemagnanimousGodofheaven

andearthpagansandallincludedcanpossiblybejealousofan insignificantbitofblackwood?Impossible!Butwhatisworship? todothewillofGod?thatisworship.AndwhatisthewillofGod? todotomyfellowmanwhatIwouldhavemyfellowmantodotome thatisthewillofGod.Now,Queequegismyfellowman. AndwhatdoIwishthatthisQueequegwoulddotome?Why,unitewithme inmyparticularPresbyterianformofworship.Consequently,Imust thenunitewithhiminhis;ergo,Imustturnidolator. SoIkindledtheshavings;helpedpropuptheinnocentlittleidol; offeredhimburntbiscuitwithQueequeg;salamedbeforehimtwice orthrice;kissedhisnose;andthatdone,weundressedandwent tobed,atpeacewithourownconsciencesandalltheworld. Butwedidnotgotosleepwithoutsomelittlechat. HowitisIknownot;butthereisnoplacelikeabedfor confidentialdisclosuresbetweenfriends.Manandwife,theysay, thereopentheverybottomoftheirsoulstoeachother;andsome oldcouplesoftenlieandchatoveroldtimestillnearlymorning. Thus,then,inourhearts'honeymoon,layIandQueequeg acosy,lovingpair. CHAPTER11 Nightgown Wehadlainthusinbed,chattingandnappingatshortintervals, andQueequegnowandthenaffectionatelythrowinghisbrown tattooedlegsovermine,andthendrawingthemback; soentirelysociableandfreeandeasywerewe;when,atlast, byreasonofourconfabulations,whatlittlenappishnessremained inusaltogetherdeparted,andwefeltlikegettingupagain, thoughdaybreakwasyetsomewaydownthefuture. Yes,webecameverywakeful;somuchsothatourrecumbent positionbegantogrowwearisome,andbylittleandlittlewe foundourselvessittingup;theclotheswelltuckedaroundus, leaningagainsttheheadboardwithourfourkneesdrawnup closetogether,andourtwonosesbendingoverthem,asif ourkneepanswerewarmingpans.Wefeltveryniceandsnug, themoresosinceitwassochillyoutofdoors;indeedout ofbedclothestoo,seeingthattherewasnofireintheroom. Themoreso,Isay,becausetrulytoenjoybodilywarmth, somesmallpartofyoumustbecold,forthereisnoquality

inthisworldthatisnotwhatitismerelybycontrast. Nothingexistsinitself.Ifyouflatteryourselfthatyou areallovercomfortable,andhavebeensoalongtime, thenyoucannotbesaidtobecomfortableanymore.Butif, likeQueequegandmeinthebed,thetipofyournoseorthecrown ofyourheadbeslightlychilled,whythen,indeed,inthegeneral consciousnessyoufeelmostdelightfullyandunmistakablywarm. Forthisreasonasleepingapartmentshouldneverbefurnished withafire,whichisoneoftheluxuriousdiscomfortsoftherich. Fortheheightofthissortofdeliciousnessistohavenothing buttheblanketsbetweenyouandyoursnugnessandthecold oftheouterair.Thenthereyoulieliketheonewarmspark intheheartofanarcticcrystal. Wehadbeensittinginthiscrouchingmannerforsometime, whenallatonceIthoughtIwouldopenmyeyes;forwhen betweensheets,whetherbydayorbynight,andwhether asleeporawake,Ihaveawayofalwayskeepingmyeyesshut, inorderthemoretoconcentratethesnugnessofbeinginbed. Becausenomancaneverfeelhisownidentityarightexcepthis eyesbeclosed;asif,darknesswereindeedtheproperelement ofouressences,thoughlightbemorecongenialtoourclayeypart. Uponopeningmyeyesthen,andcomingoutofmyownpleasant andselfcreateddarknessintotheimposedandcoarseoutergloom oftheunilluminatedtwelveo'clockatnight,Iexperienced adisagreeablerevulsion.NordidIatallobjecttothehint fromQueequegthatperhapsitwerebesttostrikealight, seeingthatweweresowideawake;andbesideshefeltastrong desiretohaveafewquietpuffsfromhisTomahawk.Beitsaid, thatthoughIhadfeltsuchastrongrepugnancetohissmoking inthebedthenightbefore,yetseehowelasticourstiffprejudices growwhenloveoncelovecomestobendthem.FornowIliked nothingbetterthantohaveQueequegsmokingbyme,eveninbed, becauseheseemedtobefullofsuchserenehouseholdjoythen. Inomorefeltundulyconcernedforthelandlord'spolicyofinsurance. Iwasonlyalivetothecondensedconfidentialcomfortableness ofsharingapipeandablanketwitharealfriend. Withourshaggyjacketsdrawnaboutourshoulders,wenowpassed theTomahawkfromonetotheother,tillslowlytheregrew overusabluehangingtesterofsmoke,illuminatedbytheflame ofthenewlitlamp. Whetheritwasthatthisundulatingtesterrolledthesavage awaytofardistantscenes,Iknownot,buthenowspoke ofhisnativeisland;and,eagertohearhishistory, Ibeggedhimtogoonandtellit.Hegladlycomplied.

ThoughatthetimeIbutillcomprehendednotafewofhiswords, yetsubsequentdisclosures,whenIhadbecomemorefamiliar withhisbrokenphraseology,nowenablemetopresentthewhole storysuchasitmayproveinthemereskeletonIgive. CHAPTER12 Biographical QueequegwasanativeofKokovoko,anislandfarawaytotheWest andSouth.Itisnotdownonanymap;trueplacesneverare. Whenanewhatchedsavagerunningwildabouthisnativewoodlands inagrassclout,followedbythenibblinggoats,asifhewere agreensapling;eventhen,inQueequeg'sambitioussoul, lurkedastrongdesiretoseesomethingmoreofChristendom thanaspecimenwhalerortwo.HisfatherwasaHighChief, aKing;hisuncleaHighPriest;andonthematernalside heboastedauntswhowerethewivesofunconquerablewarriors. Therewasexcellentbloodinhisveinsroyalstuff; thoughsadlyvitiated,Ifear,bythecannibalpropensity henourishedinhisuntutoredyouth. ASagHarborshipvisitedhisfather'sbay,andQueequegsought apassagetoChristianlands.Buttheship,havingherfull complementofseamen,spurnedhissuit;andnotalltheKing hisfather'sinfluencecouldprevail.ButQueequegvowedavow. Aloneinhiscanoe,hepaddledofftoadistantstrait,whichhe knewtheshipmustpassthroughwhenshequittedtheisland. Ononesidewasacoralreef;ontheotheralowtongueofland, coveredwithmangrovethicketsthatgrewoutintothewater. Hidinghiscanoe,stillafloat,amongthesethickets,withits prowseaward,hesatdowninthestern,paddlelowinhand; andwhentheshipwasglidingby,likeaflashhedartedout; gainedherside;withonebackwarddashofhisfootcapsized andsankhiscanoe;climbedupthechains;andthrowinghimself atfulllengthuponthedeck,grappledaringboltthere, andsworenottoletitgo,thoughhackedinpieces. Invainthecaptainthreatenedtothrowhimoverboard;suspendeda cutlassoverhisnakedwrists;QueequegwasthesonofaKing, andQueequegbudgednot.Struckbyhisdesperatedauntlessness, andhiswilddesiretovisitChristendom,thecaptainatlastrelented,

andtoldhimhemightmakehimselfathome.Butthisfineyoungsavage thisseaPrinceofWales,neversawtheCaptain'scabin. Theyputhimdownamongthesailors,andmadeawhalemanofhim. ButlikeCzarPetercontenttotoilintheshipyardsofforeigncities, Queequegdisdainednoseemingignominy,iftherebyhemight happilygainthepowerofenlighteninghisuntutoredcountrymen. Foratbottomsohetoldmehewasactuatedbyaprofound desiretolearnamongtheChristians,theartswherebytomake hispeoplestillhappierthantheywere;andmorethanthat, stillbetterthantheywere.But,alas!thepracticesofwhalemen soonconvincedhimthatevenChristianscouldbebothmiserable andwicked;infinitelymoreso,thanallhisfather'sheathens. ArrivedatlastinoldSagHarbor;andseeingwhatthesailors didthere;andthengoingontoNantucket,andseeinghowtheyspent theirwagesinthatplacealso,poorQueequeggaveitupforlost. Thoughthe,it'sawickedworldinallmeridians;I'lldieapagan. Andthusanoldidolatoratheart,heyetlivedamongtheseChristians, woretheirclothes,andtriedtotalktheirgibberish. Hencethequeerwaysabouthim,thoughnowsometimefromhome. ByhintsIaskedhimwhetherhedidnotproposegoingback, andhavingacoronation;sincehemightnowconsiderhisfather deadandgone,hebeingveryoldandfeebleatthelastaccounts. Heansweredno,notyet;andaddedthathewasfearfulChristianity, orratherChristians,hadunfittedhimforascendingthepure andundefiledthroneofthirtypaganKingsbeforehim. Butbyandby,hesaid,hewouldreturn,assoonashefelt himselfbaptizedagain.Forthenonce,however,heproposed tosailabout,andsowhiswildoatsinallfouroceans. Theyhadmadeaharpooneerofhim,andthatbarbedironwas inlieuofasceptrenow. Iaskedhimwhatmightbehisimmediatepurpose,touchinghis futuremovements.Heanswered,togotoseaagain,inhisoldvocation. Uponthis,Itoldhimthatwhalingwasmyowndesign,andinformed himofmyintentiontosailoutofNantucket,asbeingthemost promisingportforanadventurouswhalemantoembarkfrom. Heatonceresolvedtoaccompanymetothatisland,shipaboard thesamevessel,getintothesamewatch,thesameboat, thesamemesswithme,inshorttosharemyeveryhap;withboth myhandsinhis,boldlydipintothePotluckofbothworlds. ToallthisIjoyouslyassented;forbesidestheaffectionInow feltforQueequeg,hewasanexperiencedharpooneer,andassuch, couldnotfailtobeofgreatusefulnesstoone,who,likeme, waswhollyignorantofthemysteriesofwhaling,thoughwell

acquaintedwiththesea,asknowntomerchantseamen. Hisstorybeingendedwithhispipe'slastdyingpuff, Queequegembracedme,pressedhisforeheadagainstmine, andblowingoutthelight,werolledoverfromeachother, thiswayandthat,andverysoonweresleeping. CHAPTER13 Wheelbarrow Nextmorning,Monday,afterdisposingoftheembalmedhead toabarber,forablock,Isettledmyownandcomrade'sbill; using,however,mycomrade'smoney.Thegrinninglandlord, aswellastheboarders,seemedamazinglytickledatthesudden friendshipwhichhadsprungupbetweenmeandQueequeg especiallyasPeterCoffin'scockandbullstoriesabouthim hadpreviouslysomuchalarmedmeconcerningtheveryperson whomInowcompaniedwith. Weborrowedawheelbarrow,andembarkingourthings,includingmyownpoor carpetbag,andQueequeg'scanvassackandhammock,awaywewentdown to"theMoss,"thelittleNantucketpacketschoonermooredatthewharf. Asweweregoingalongthepeoplestared;notatQueequegsomuch fortheywereusedtoseeingcannibalslikehimintheirstreets, butatseeinghimandmeuponsuchconfidentialterms.Butweheeded themnot,goingalongwheelingthebarrowbyturns,andQueequeg nowandthenstoppingtoadjustthesheathonhisharpoonbarbs. Iaskedhimwhyhecarriedsuchatroublesomethingwithhimashore, andwhetherallwhalingshipsdidnotfindtheirownharpoons. Tothis,insubstance,hereplied,thatthoughwhatIhintedwas trueenough,yethehadaparticularaffectionforhisownharpoon, becauseitwasofassuredstuff,welltriedinmanyamortalcombat, anddeeplyintimatewiththeheartsofwhales.Inshort,likemany inlandreapersandmowers,whogointothefarmer'smeadowsarmed withtheirownscythesthoughinnowiseobligedtofurnishthem evenso,Queequeg,forhisownprivatereasons,preferredhisownharpoon. Shiftingthebarrowfrommyhandtohis,hetoldmeafunny storyaboutthefirstwheelbarrowhehadeverseen. ItwasinSagHarbor.Theownersofhisship,itseems,hadlent himone,inwhichtocarryhisheavychesttohisboardinghouse. Nottoseemignorantaboutthethingthoughintruthhewas

entirelyso,concerningtheprecisewayinwhichtomanage thebarrowQueequegputshischestuponit;lashesitfast; andthenshouldersthebarrowandmarchesupthewharf. "Why,"saidI,"Queequeg,youmighthaveknownbetterthanthat, onewouldthink.Didn'tthepeoplelaugh?" Uponthis,hetoldmeanotherstory.Thepeopleofhisisland ofRokovoko,itseems,attheirweddingfeastsexpressthefragrant waterofyoungcocoanutsintoalargestainedcalabashlikeapunchbowl; andthispunchbowlalwaysformsthegreatcentralornamenton thebraidedmatwherethefeastisheld.Nowacertaingrandmerchant shiponcetouchedatRokovoko,anditscommanderfromallaccounts, averystatelypunctiliousgentleman,atleastforaseacaptain thiscommanderwasinvitedtotheweddingfeastofQueequeg'ssister, aprettyyoungprincessjustturnedoften.Well;whenall theweddingguestswereassembledatthebride'sbamboocottage, thisCaptainmarchesin,andbeingassignedthepostofhonor, placedhimselfoveragainstthepunchbowl,andbetween theHighPriestandhismajestytheKing,Queequeg'sfather. Gracebeingsaid,forthosepeoplehavetheirgraceaswellaswe thoughQueequegtoldmethatunlikeus,whoatsuchtimeslook downwardstoourplatters,they,onthecontrary,copyingtheducks, glanceupwardstothegreatGiverofallfeastsGrace,Isay, beingsaid,theHighPriestopensthebanquetbytheimmemorialceremony oftheisland;thatis,dippinghisconsecratedandconsecrating fingersintothebowlbeforetheblessedbeveragecirculates. SeeinghimselfplacednextthePriest,andnotingtheceremony, andthinkinghimselfbeingCaptainofashipashavingplain precedenceoveramereislandKing,especiallyintheKing'sownhouse theCaptaincoollyproceedstowashhishandsinthepunchbowl; takingitIsupposeforahugefingerglass."Now,"saidQueequeg, "whatyoutinknow?Didn'tourpeoplelaugh?" Atlast,passagepaid,andluggagesafe,westoodonboardtheschooner. Hoistingsail,itglideddowntheAcushnetriver.Ononeside, NewBedfordroseinterracesofstreets,theiricecoveredtreesall glitteringintheclear,coldair.Hugehillsandmountainsofcasks oncaskswerepileduponherwharves,andsidebysidetheworldwandering whaleshipslaysilentandsafelymooredatlast;whilefromotherscame asoundofcarpentersandcoopers,withblendednoisesoffiresandforges tomeltthepitch,allbetokeningthatnewcruiseswereonthestart; thatonemostperilousandlongvoyageended,onlybeginsasecond; andasecondended,onlybeginsathird,andsoon,foreverandforaye. Suchistheendlessness,yea,theintolerablenessofallearthlyeffort. Gainingthemoreopenwater,thebracingbreezewaxedfresh;thelittle

Mosstossedthequickfoamfromherbows,asayoungcolthissnortings. HowIsnuffedthatTartarair!howIspurnedthatturnpikeearth! thatcommonhighwayalloverdentedwiththemarksofslavishheels andhoofs;andturnedmetoadmirethemagnanimityoftheseawhichwill permitnorecords. Atthesamefoamfountain,Queequegseemedtodrinkandreelwithme. Hisduskynostrilsswelledapart;heshowedhisfiledandpointedteeth. On,onweflew,andouroffinggained,theMossdidhomagetotheblast; duckedanddivedherbowsasaslavebeforetheSultan.Sidewaysleaning, wesidewaysdarted;everyropeyarntinglinglikeawire; thetwotallmastsbucklinglikeIndiancanesinlandtornadoes. Sofullofthisreelingscenewerewe,aswestoodbythe plungingbowsprit,thatforsometimewedidnotnoticethejeering glancesofthepassengers,alubberlikeassembly,whomarvelled thattwofellowbeingsshouldbesocompanionable;asthough awhitemanwereanythingmoredignifiedthanawhitewashednegro. Butthereweresomeboobiesandbumpkinsthere,who,bytheirintense greenness,musthavecomefromtheheartandcentreofallverdure. Queequegcaughtoneoftheseyoungsaplingsmimickinghimbehind hisback.Ithoughtthebumpkin'shourofdoomwascome. Droppinghisharpoon,thebrawnysavagecaughthiminhisarms, andbyanalmostmiraculousdexterityandstrength,senthimhighup bodilyintotheair;thenslightlytappinghissterninmidsomerset, thefellowlandedwithburstinglungsuponhisfeet,whileQueequeg, turninghisbackuponhim,lightedhistomahawkpipeandpassedit tomeforapuff. "Capting!Capting!yelledthebumpkin,runningtowardthatofficer; "Capting,Capting,here'sthedevil." "Hallo,yousir,"criedtheCaptain,agauntribofthesea, stalkinguptoQueequeg,"whatinthunderdoyoumeanbythat? Don'tyouknowyoumighthavekilledthatchap?" "Whathimsay?"saidQueequeg,ashemildlyturnedtome. "Hesay,"saidI,"thatyoucamenearkillethatmanthere," pointingtothestillshiveringgreenhorn. "Kille,"criedQueequeg,twistinghistattooedfaceintoan unearthlyexpressionofdisdain,"ah!himbevysmallefishe; Queequegnokillesosmallefishe;Queequegkillebigwhale!" "Lookyou,"roaredtheCaptain,"I'llkilleyou,youcannibal, ifyoutryanymoreofyourtricksaboardhere;somindyoureye."

 Butitsohappenedjustthen,thatitwashightimefortheCaptain tomindhisowneye.Theprodigiousstrainuponthemainsailhad partedtheweathersheet,andthetremendousboomwasnowflying fromsidetoside,completelysweepingtheentireafterpart ofthedeck.ThepoorfellowwhomQueequeghadhandledsoroughly, wassweptoverboard;allhandswereinapanic;andtoattempt snatchingattheboomtostayit,seemedmadness.Itflewfrom righttoleft,andbackagain,almostinonetickingofawatch, andeveryinstantseemedonthepointofsnappingintosplinters. Nothingwasdone,andnothingseemedcapableofbeingdone; thoseondeckrushedtowardthebows,andstoodeyeingtheboom asifitwerethelowerjawofanexasperatedwhale.Inthemidst ofthisconsternation,Queequegdroppeddeftlytohisknees, andcrawlingunderthepathoftheboom,whippedholdofarope, securedoneendtothebulwarks,andthenflingingtheother likealasso,caughtitroundtheboomasitsweptoverhishead, andatthenextjerk,thesparwasthatwaytrapped,andallwassafe. Theschoonerwasrunintothewind,andwhilethehandswere clearingawaythesternboat,Queequeg,strippedtothewaist, dartedfromthesidewithalonglivingarcofaleap. Forthreeminutesormorehewasseenswimminglikeadog, throwinghislongarmsstraightoutbeforehim,andbyturns revealinghisbrawnyshouldersthroughthefreezingfoam. Ilookedatthegrandandgloriousfellow,butsawnoonetobesaved. Thegreenhornhadgonedown.Shootinghimselfperpendicularly fromthewater,Queequeg,nowtookaninstant'sglancearoundhim, andseemingtoseejusthowmatterswere,diveddownanddisappeared. Afewminutesmore,andheroseagain,onearmstill strikingout,andwiththeotherdraggingalifelessform. Theboatsoonpickedthemup.Thepoorbumpkinwasrestored. AllhandsvotedQueequeganobletrump;thecaptainbeggedhispardon. FromthathourIclovetoQueequeglikeabarnacle;yea,tillpoor Queequegtookhislastlongdive. Wasthereeversuchunconsciousness?Hedidnotseemtothinkthatheat alldeservedamedalfromtheHumaneandMagnanimousSocieties.Heonly askedforwaterfreshwatersomethingtowipethebrineoff; thatdone,heputondryclothes,lightedhispipe,andleaningagainst thebulwarks,andmildlyeyeingthosearoundhim,seemedtobesaying tohimself"It'samutual,jointstockworld,inallmeridians. WecannibalsmusthelptheseChristians." CHAPTER14

 Nantucket Nothingmorehappenedonthepassageworthythementioning; so,afterafinerun,wesafelyarrivedinNantucket. Nantucket!Takeoutyourmapandlookatit.Seewhatarealcorner oftheworlditoccupies;howitstandsthere,awayoffshore, morelonelythantheEddystonelighthouse.Lookatit amerehillock,andelbowofsand;allbeach,withoutabackground. Thereismoresandtherethanyouwoulduseintwentyyearsasa substituteforblottingpaper.Somegamesomewightswilltellyou thattheyhavetoplantweedsthere,theydon'tgrownaturally; thattheyimportCanadathistles;thattheyhavetosendbeyond seasforaspiletostopaleakinanoilcask;thatpiecesofwood inNantucketarecarriedaboutlikebitsofthetruecrossinRome; thatpeoplethereplanttoadstoolsbeforetheirhouses,togetunder theshadeinsummertime;thatonebladeofgrassmakesanoasis, threebladesinaday'swalkaprairie;thattheywearquicksandshoes, somethinglikeLaplandersnowshoes;thattheyaresoshutup, beltedabout,everywayinclosed,surrounded,andmadeanutterisland ofbytheocean,thattotheirverychairsandtablessmallclams willsometimesbefoundadheringastothebacksofseaturtles. ButtheseextravaganzasonlyshowthatNantucketisnoIllinois. Looknowatthewondroustraditionalstoryofhowthis islandwassettledbytheredmen.Thusgoesthelegend. InoldentimesaneagleswoopeddownupontheNewEngland coastandcarriedoffaninfantIndianinhistalons. Withloudlamenttheparentssawtheirchildborneoutofsightover thewidewaters.Theyresolvedtofollowinthesamedirection. Settingoutintheircanoes,afteraperilouspassagethey discoveredtheisland,andtheretheyfoundanemptyivorycasket, thepoorlittleIndian'sskeleton. Whatwonder,then,thattheseNantucketers,bornonabeach,shouldtake totheseaforalivelihood!Theyfirstcaughtcrabsandquahogs inthesand;grownbolder,theywadedoutwithnetsformackerel; moreexperienced,theypushedoffinboatsandcapturedcod; andatlast,launchinganavyofgreatshipsonthesea,exploredthis wateryworld;putanincessantbeltofcircumnavigationsroundit; peepedinatBehring'sStraits;andinallseasonsandalloceans declaredeverlastingwarwiththemightiestanimatedmassthat hassurvivedtheflood;mostmonstrousandmostmountainous!

ThatHimmalehan,saltsea,Mastodon,clothedwithsuchportentousness ofunconsciouspower,thathisverypanicsaremoretobedreaded thanhismostfearlessandmaliciousassaults! AndthushavethesenakedNantucketers,theseseahermits, issuingfromtheiranthillinthesea,overrunandconquered thewateryworldlikesomanyAlexanders;parcellingoutamong themtheAtlantic,Pacific,andIndianoceans,asthethree piratepowersdidPoland.LetAmericaaddMexicotoTexas, andpileCubauponCanada;lettheEnglishoverswarmallIndia, andhangouttheirblazingbannerfromthesun;twothirdsofthis terraqueousglobearetheNantucketer's.Fortheseaishis; heownsit,asEmperorsownempires;otherseamenhavingbutaright ofwaythroughit.Merchantshipsarebutextensionbridges; armedonesbutfloatingforts;evenpiratesandprivateers, thoughfollowingtheseaashighwaymentheroad.theybutplunder otherships,otherfragmentsofthelandlikethemselves, withoutseekingtodrawtheirlivingfromthebottomlessdeepitself. TheNantucketer,healoneresidesandriotsonthesea; healone,inBiblelanguage,goesdowntoitinships; toandfroploughingitashisownspecialplantation. Thereishishome;therelieshisbusinesswhichaNoah'sflood wouldnotinterrupt,thoughitoverwhelmedallthemillions inChina.Helivesonthesea,asprairiecocksintheprairie; hehidesamongthewaves,heclimbsthemaschamoishunters climbtheAlps.Foryearsheknowsnottheland;sothat whenhecomestoitatlast,itsmellslikeanotherworld, morestrangelythanthemoonwouldtoanEarthsman.Withthe landlessgull,thatatsunsetfoldsherwingsandisrocked tosleepbetweenbillows;soatnightfall,theNantucketer, outofsightofland,furlshissails,andlayshimtohisrest, whileunderhisverypillowrushherdsofwalrusesandwhales. CHAPTER15 Chowder ItwasquitelateintheeveningwhenthelittleMosscamesnugly toanchor,andQueequegandIwentashore;sowecouldattend tonobusinessthatday,atleastnonebutasupperandabed. ThelandlordoftheSpouterInnhadrecommendedustohiscousin HoseaHusseyoftheTryPots,whomheassertedtobetheproprietorofone ofthebestkepthotelsinallNantucket,andmoreoverhehadassured

usthatCousinHosea,ashecalledhim,wasfamousforhischowders. Inshort,heplainlyhintedthatwecouldnotpossiblydobetter thantrypotluckattheTryPots.Butthedirectionshehadgiven usaboutkeepingayellowwarehouseonourstarboardhandtillwe openedawhitechurchtothelarboard,andthenkeepingthaton thelarboardhandtillwemadeacornerthreepointstothestarboard, andthatdone,thenaskthefirstmanwemetwheretheplacewas; thesecrookeddirectionsofhisverymuchpuzzledusatfirst, especiallyas,attheoutset,Queequeginsistedthattheyellowwarehouse ourfirstpointofdeparturemustbeleftonthelarboardhand, whereasIhadunderstoodPeterCoffintosayitwasonthestarboard. However,bydintofbeatingaboutalittleinthedark,andnow andthenknockingupapeaceableinhabitanttoinquiretheway, weatlastcametosomethingwhichtherewasnomistaking. Twoenormouswoodenpotspaintedblack,andsuspendedbyasses' ears,swungfromthecrosstreesofanoldtopmast,plantedinfront ofanolddoorway.Thehornsofthecrosstreesweresawedoffonthe otherside,sothatthisoldtopmastlookednotalittlelikeagallows. PerhapsIwasoversensitivetosuchimpressionsatthetime, butIcouldnothelpstaringatthisgallowswithavaguemisgiving. AsortofcrickwasinmyneckasIgazeduptothetwo remaininghorns;yes,twoofthem,oneforQueequeg,andoneforme. It'sominous,thinksI.ACoffinmyInnkeeperuponlandinginmyfirst whalingport;tombstonesstaringatmeinthewhalemen'schapel, andhereagallows!andapairofprodigiousblackpotstoo! AretheselastthrowingoutobliquehintstouchingTophet? Iwascalledfromthesereflectionsbythesightofafreckled womanwithyellowhairandayellowgown,standingintheporch oftheinn,underadullredlampswingingthere,thatlookedmuch likeaninjuredeye,andcarryingonabriskscoldingwithaman inapurplewoollenshirt. "Getalongwithye,"saidshetotheman,"orI'llbecombingye!" "Comeon,Queequeg,"saidI,"allright.There'sMrs.Hussey." Andsoitturnedout;Mr.HoseaHusseybeingfromhome,butleaving Mrs.Husseyentirelycompetenttoattendtoallhisaffairs. Uponmakingknownourdesiresforasupperandabed, Mrs.Hussey,postponingfurtherscoldingforthepresent, usheredusintoalittleroom,andseatingusatatablespread withtherelicsofarecentlyconcludedrepast,turnedround tousandsaid"ClamorCod?"

"What'sthataboutCods,ma'am?"saidI,withmuchpoliteness. "ClamorCod?"sherepeated. "Aclamforsupper?acoldclam;isthatwhatyoumean,Mrs.Hussey?" saysI,"butthat'sarathercoldandclammyreceptioninthewintertime, ain'tit,Mrs.Hussey?" Butbeinginagreathurrytoresumescoldingthemaninthepurple shirtwhowaswaitingforitintheentry,andseemingtohearnothing buttheword"clam,"Mrs.Husseyhurriedtowardsanopendoorleading tothekitchen,andbawlingout"clamfortwo,"disappeared. "Queequeg,"saidI,"doyouthinkthatwecanmakeoutasupper forusbothononeclam?" However,awarmsavorysteamfromthekitchenservedtobelie theapparentlycheerlessprospectbeforeus.Butwhenthat smokingchowdercamein,themysterywasdelightfullyexplained. Oh!sweetfriends,hearkentome.Itwasmadeofsmalljuicyclams, scarcelybiggerthanhazelnuts,mixedwithpoundedshipbiscuits, andsaltedporkcutupintolittleflakes!thewholeenriched withbutter,andplentifullyseasonedwithpepperandsalt. Ourappetitesbeingsharpenedbythefrostyvoyage,andinparticular, Queequegseeinghisfavouritefishingfoodbeforehim,andthechowder beingsurpassinglyexcellent,wedespatcheditwithgreatexpedition: whenleaningbackamomentandbethinkingmeofMrs.Hussey'sclam andcodannouncement,IthoughtIwouldtryalittleexperiment. Steppingtothekitchendoor,Iutteredtheword"cod"with greatemphasis,andresumedmyseat.Inafewmomentsthesavoury steamcameforthagain,butwithadifferentflavor,andingood timeafinecodchowderwasplacedbeforeus. Weresumedbusiness;andwhileplyingourspoonsinthebowl,thinksI tomyself,Iwondernowifthisherehasanyeffectonthehead? What'sthatstultifyingsayingaboutchowderheadedpeople? "Butlook,Queequeg,ain'tthataliveeelinyourbowl? Where'syourharpoon?" FishiestofallfishyplaceswastheTryPots,whichwelldeserved itsname;forthepotstherewerealwaysboilingchowders. Chowderforbreakfast,andchowderfordinner,andchowderforsupper, tillyoubegantolookforfishbonescomingthroughyourclothes. Theareabeforethehousewaspavedwithclamshells.Mrs.Hussey woreapolishednecklaceofcodfishvertebra;andHoseaHusseyhad hisaccountbooksboundinsuperioroldsharkskin.Therewasafishy

flavortothemilk,too,whichIcouldnotatallaccountfor, tillonemorninghappeningtotakeastrollalongthebeachamongsome fishermen'sboats,IsawHosea'sbrindledcowfeedingonfishremnants, andmarchingalongthesandwitheachfootinacod'sdecapitatedhead, lookingveryslipshod,Iassureye. Supperconcluded,wereceivedalamp,anddirectionsfromMrs.Hussey concerningthenearestwaytobed;but,asQueequegwasabout toprecedemeupthestairs,theladyreachedforthherarm, anddemandedhisharpoon;sheallowednoharpooninherchambers. "Whynot?saidI;"everytruewhalemansleepswithhisharpoon butwhynot?""Becauseit'sdangerous,"saysshe. "EversinceyoungStiggscomingfromthatunfort'ntv'y'geofhis, whenhewasgonefouryearsandahalf,withonlythreebarrels ofile,wasfounddeadinmyfirstfloorback,withhisharpoon inhisside;eversincethenIallownoboarderstotakesich dangerousweeponsintheirroomsatnight.So,Mr.Queequeg" (forshehadlearnedhisname),"Iwilljusttakethishereiron, andkeepitforyoutillmorning.Butthechowder;clamorcod tomorrowforbreakfast,men?" "Both,"saysI;"andlet'shaveacoupleofsmokedherring bywayofvariety." CHAPTER16 TheShip Inbedweconcoctedourplansforthemorrow.Buttomysurprise andnosmallconcern,Queequegnowgavemetounderstand,thathehad beendiligentlyconsultingYojothenameofhisblacklittlegod andYojohadtoldhimtwoorthreetimesover,andstrongly insisteduponiteveryway,thatinsteadofourgoingtogetheramong thewhalingfleetinharbor,andinconcertselectingourcraft; insteadofthis,Isay,Yojoearnestlyenjoinedthattheselection oftheshipshouldrestwhollywithme,inasmuchasYojopurposed befriendingus;and,inordertodoso,hadalreadypitchedupon avessel,which,iflefttomyself,I,Ishmael,shouldinfallibly lightupon,foralltheworldasthoughithadturnedoutbychance; andinthatvesselImustimmediatelyshipmyself,forthepresent irrespectiveofQueequeg. Ihaveforgottentomentionthat,inmanythings,Queequegplaced

greatconfidenceintheexcellenceofYojo'sjudgmentandsurprising forecastofthings;andcherishedYojowithconsiderableesteem, asarathergoodsortofgod,whoperhapsmeantwellenoughupon thewhole,butinallcasesdidnotsucceedinhisbenevolentdesigns. Now,thisplanofQueequeg'sorratherYojo's,touching theselectionofourcraft;Ididnotlikethatplanatall. IhadnotalittlereliedonQueequeg'ssagacitytopointout thewhalerbestfittedtocarryusandourfortunessecurely. ButasallmyremonstrancesproducednoeffectuponQueequeg,Iwas obligedtoacquiesce;andaccordinglypreparedtosetaboutthis businesswithadeterminedrushingsortofenergyandvigor, thatshouldquicklysettlethattriflinglittleaffair. Nextmorningearly,leavingQueequegshutupwithYojo inourlittlebedroomforitseemedthatitwassomesort ofLentorRamadan,ordayoffasting,humiliation,andprayer withQueequegandYojothatday;howitwasInevercould findout,for,thoughIappliedmyselftoitseveraltimes, InevercouldmasterhisliturgiesandXXXIXArticles leavingQueequeg,then,fastingonhistomahawkpipe, andYojowarminghimselfathissacrificialfireofshavings, Isalliedoutamongtheshipping.Aftermuchprolongedsauntering, andmanyrandominquiries,Ilearntthattherewerethreeships upforthreeyears'voyagesTheDevilDamtheTitbit, andthePequod.Devildam,Idonotknowtheoriginof; Titbitisobvious;Pequodyouwillnodoubtremember, wasthenameofacelebratedtribeofMassachusettsIndians; nowextinctastheancientMedes.Ipeeredandpryedabout theDevilDam;fromher,hoppedovertotheTitbit;andfinally, goingonboardthePequod,lookedaroundherforamoment, andthendecidedthatthiswastheveryshipforus. Youmayhaveseenmanyaquaintcraftinyourday,foraughtIknow; squaretoedluggers;mountainousJapanesejunks;butterboxgalliots, andwhatnot;buttakemywordforit,youneversawsucharareold craftasthissamerareoldPequod.Shewasashipoftheoldschool, rathersmallifanything;withanoldfashionedclawfootedlook abouther.Longseasonedandweatherstainedinthetyphoonsandcalms ofallfouroceans,heroldhull'scomplexionwasdarkenedlikeaFrench grenadier's,whohasalikefoughtinEgyptandSiberia.Hervenerable bowslookedbearded.HermastscutsomewhereonthecoastofJapan, whereheroriginaloneswerelostoverboardinagalehermastsstood stifflyuplikethespinesofthethreeoldkingsofCologne.Herancient deckswerewornandwrinkled,likethepilgrimworshippedflagstone inCanterburyCathedralwhereBeckettbled.Buttoalltheseher oldantiquities,wereaddednewandmarvellousfeatures,pertainingto

thewildbusinessthatformorethanhalfacenturyshehadfollowed. OldCaptainPeleg,manyyearsherchiefmate,beforehecommanded anothervesselofhisown,andnowaretiredseaman,andoneofthe principalownersofthePequod,thisoldPeleg,duringthetermofhis chiefmateship,hadbuiltuponheroriginalgrotesqueness,andinlaidit, allover,withaquaintnessbothofmaterialanddevice,unmatchedby anythingexceptitbeThorkillHake'scarvedbucklerorbedstead. ShewasapparelledlikeanybarbaricEthiopianemperor,hisneck heavywithpendantsofpolishedivory.Shewasathingoftrophies. Acannibalofacraft,trickingherselfforthinthechasedbones ofherenemies.Allround,herunpanelled,openbulwarksweregarnished likeonecontinuousjaw,withthelongsharpteethofthespermwhale, insertedthereforpins,tofastenheroldhempenthewsandtendonsto. Thosethewsrannotthroughbaseblocksoflandwood,butdeftlytravelled oversheavesofseaivory.Scorningaturnstilewheelatherreverend helm,shesportedthereatiller;andthattillerwasinonemass, curiouslycarvedfromthelongnarrowlowerjawofherhereditaryfoe. Thehelmsmanwhosteeredbythattillerinatempest,feltlike theTartar,whenheholdsbackhisfierysteedbyclutchingitsjaw. Anoblecraft,butsomehowamostmelancholy!Allnoblethingsare touchedwiththat. NowwhenIlookedaboutthequarterdeck,forsomeonehavingauthority, inordertoproposemyselfasacandidateforthevoyage,atfirstI sawnobody;butIcouldnotwelloverlookastrangesortoftent, orratherwigwam,pitchedalittlebehindthemainmast.Itseemed onlyatemporaryerectionusedinport.Itwasofaconicalshape, sometenfeethigh;consistingofthelong,hugeslabsoflimber blackbonetakenfromthemiddleandhighestpartofthejawsof therightwhale.Plantedwiththeirbroadendsonthedeck,acircle oftheseslabslacedtogether,mutuallyslopedtowardseachother, andattheapexunitedinatuftedpoint,wheretheloosehairyfibres wavedtoandfrolikeatopknotonsomeoldPottowotamieSachem'shead. Atriangularopeningfacedtowardsthebowsoftheship,sothat theinsidercommandedacompleteviewforward. Andhalfconcealedinthisqueertenement,Iatlengthfound onewhobyhisaspectseemedtohaveauthority;andwho, itbeingnoon,andtheship'sworksuspended,wasnowenjoying respitefromtheburdenofcommand.Hewasseatedonan oldfashionedoakenchair,wrigglingalloverwithcuriouscarving; andthebottomofwhichwasformedofastoutinterlacing ofthesameelasticstuffofwhichthewigwamwasconstructed. Therewasnothingsoveryparticular,perhaps,abouttheappearance oftheelderlymanIsaw;hewasbrownandbrawny,likemostoldseamen,

andheavilyrolledupinbluepilotcloth,cutintheQuakerstyle; onlytherewasafineandalmostmicroscopicnetworkoftheminutest wrinklesinterlacingroundhiseyes,whichmusthavearisenfromhis continualsailingsinmanyhardgales,andalwayslookingtowindward; forthiscausesthemusclesabouttheeyestobecomepursedtogether. Sucheyewrinklesareveryeffectualinascowl. "IsthistheCaptainofthePequod?"saidI,advancingtothedoor ofthetent. "SupposingitbetheCaptainofthePequod,whatdostthouwant ofhim?"hedemanded. "Iwasthinkingofshipping." "Thouwast,wastthou?IseethouartnoNantucketer everbeeninastoveboat?" "No,Sir,Ineverhave." "Dostknownothingatallaboutwhaling,Idaresayeh? "Nothing,Sir;butIhavenodoubtIshallsoonlearn. I'vebeenseveralvoyagesinthemerchantservice,andIthinkthat" "Merchantservicebedamned.Talknotthatlingotome. Dostseethatleg?I'lltakethatlegawayfromthystern, ifeverthoutalkestofthemerchantservicetomeagain. Marchantserviceindeed!Isupposenowyefeelconsiderable proudofhavingservedinthosemarchantships.Butflukes!man, whatmakestheewanttogoawhaling,eh?itlooksalittle suspicious,don'tit,eh?Hastnotbeenapirate,hastthou? DidstnotrobthylastCaptain,didstthou?Dostnotthink ofmurderingtheofficerswhenthougettesttosea?" Iprotestedmyinnocenceofthesethings.Isawthatunder themaskofthesehalfhumorousinnuendoes,thisoldseaman, asaninsulatedQuakerishNantucketer,wasfullofhis insularprejudices,andratherdistrustfulofallaliens, unlesstheyhailedfromCapeCodortheVineyard. "Butwhattakestheeawhaling?IwanttoknowthatbeforeI thinkofshippingye." "Well,sir,Iwanttoseewhatwhalingis.Iwanttoseetheworld."

"Wanttoseewhatwhalingis,eh?HaveyeclappedeyeonCaptainAhab?" "WhoisCaptainAhab,sir?" "Aye,aye,Ithoughtso.CaptainAhabistheCaptainofthisship." "Iammistakenthen.IthoughtIwasspeakingtotheCaptainhimself." "ThouartspeakingtoCaptainPelegthat'swhoyearespeakingto, youngman.ItbelongstomeandCaptainBildadtoseethePequodfitted outforthevoyage,andsuppliedwithallherneeds,includingcrew. Wearepartownersandagents.ButasIwasgoingtosay,ifthouwantest toknowwhatwhalingis,asthoutellestyedo,Icanputyeinaway offindingitoutbeforeyebindyourselftoit,pastbackingout. ClapeyeonCaptainAhab,youngman,andthouwiltfindthathehas onlyoneleg." "Whatdoyoumean,sir?Wastheotheronelostbyawhale?" "Lostbyawhale!Youngman,comenearertome:itwasdevoured, chewedup,crunchedbythemonstrousestparmacettythateverchipped aboat!ah,ah!" Iwasalittlealarmedbyhisenergy,perhapsalsoalittletouched attheheartygriefinhisconcludingexclamation,butsaidascalmly asIcould,"Whatyousayisnodoubttrueenough,sir;buthowcould Iknowtherewasanypeculiarferocityinthatparticularwhale, thoughindeedImighthaveinferredasmuchfromthesimplefact oftheaccident." "Lookyenow,youngman,thylungsareasortofsoft,d'yesee; thoudostnottalksharkabit.Sure,ye'vebeentoseabeforenow; sureofthat?" "Sir,"saidI,"IthoughtItoldyouthatIhadbeenfourvoyages inthemerchant" "Harddownoutofthat!MindwhatIsaidaboutthemarchantservice don'taggravatemeIwon'thaveit.Butletusunderstandeachother. Ihavegiventheeahintaboutwhatwhalingis!doyeyetfeel inclinedforit?" "Ido,sir." "Verygood.Now,artthouthemantopitchaharpoondownalive whale'sthroat,andthenjumpafterit?Answer,quick!"

 "Iam,sir,ifitshouldbepositivelyindispensabletodoso; nottobegotridof,thatis;whichIdon'ttaketobethefact." "Goodagain.Nowthen,thounotonlywantesttogoawhaling, tofindoutbyexperiencewhatwhalingis,butyealsowant togoinordertoseetheworld?Wasnotthatwhatyesaid? Ithoughtso.Wellthen,juststepforwardthere,andtake apeepovertheweatherbow,andthenbacktomeandtellme whatyeseethere." ForamomentIstoodalittlepuzzledbythiscuriousrequest, notknowingexactlyhowtotakeit,whetherhumorouslyorinearnest. Butconcentratingallhiscrow'sfeetintoonescowl,CaptainPeleg startedmeontheerrand. Goingforwardandglancingovertheweatherbow,Iperceived thattheshipswingingtoheranchorwiththefloodtide,was nowobliquelypointingtowardstheopenocean.Theprospect wasunlimited,butexceedinglymonotonousandforbidding; nottheslightestvarietythatIcouldsee. "Well,what'sthereport?"saidPelegwhenIcameback; "whatdidyesee?" "Notmuch,"Ireplied"nothingbutwater;considerablehorizonthough, andthere'sasquallcomingup,Ithink." "Well,whatdostthouthinkthenofseeingtheworld? DoyewishtogoroundCapeHorntoseeanymoreofit,eh? Can'tyeseetheworldwhereyoustand?" Iwasalittlestaggered,butgoawhalingImust,andIwould; andthePequodwasasgoodashipasanyIthoughtthebest andallthisInowrepeatedtoPeleg.Seeingmesodetermined, heexpressedhiswillingnesstoshipme. "Andthoumayestaswellsignthepapersrightoff," headded"comealongwithye."Andsosaying,heledtheway belowdeckintothecabin. Seatedonthetransomwaswhatseemedtomeamostuncommonand surprisingfigure.ItturnedouttobeCaptainBildadwhoalong withCaptainPelegwasoneofthelargestownersofthevessel; theothershares,asissometimesthecaseintheseports, beingheldbyacrowdofoldannuitants;widows,fatherlesschildren,

andchancerywards;eachowningaboutthevalueofatimberhead, orafootofplank,oranailortwointheship. PeopleinNantucketinvesttheirmoneyinwhalingvessels, thesamewaythatyoudoyoursinapprovedstatestocksbringing ingoodinterest. Now,Bildad,likePeleg,andindeedmanyotherNantucketers, wasaQuaker,theislandhavingbeenoriginallysettledbythatsect; andtothisdayitsinhabitantsingeneralretaininanuncommon measurethepeculiaritiesoftheQuaker,onlyvariouslyand anomalouslymodifiedbythingsaltogetheralienandheterogeneous. ForsomeofthesesameQuakersarethemostsanguinary ofallsailorsandwhalehunters.TheyarefightingQuakers; theyareQuakerswithavengeance. Sothatthereareinstancesamongthemofmen,who,namedwith Scripturenamesasingularlycommonfashionontheisland andinchildhoodnaturallyimbibingthestatelydramaticthee andthouoftheQuakeridiom;still,fromtheaudacious, daring,andboundlessadventureoftheirsubsequentlives, strangelyblendwiththeseunoutgrownpeculiarities,athousand bolddashesofcharacter,notunworthyaScandinavianseaking, orapoeticalPaganRoman.Andwhenthesethingsunite inamanofgreatlysuperiornaturalforce,withaglobular brainandaponderousheart;whohasalsobythestillness andseclusionofmanylongnightwatchesintheremotestwaters, andbeneathconstellationsneverseenhereatthenorth, beenledtothinkuntraditionallyandindependently;receivingall nature'ssweetorsavageimpressionsfreshfromherownvirgin voluntaryandconfidingbreast,andtherebychiefly,butwithsome helpfromaccidentaladvantages,tolearnaboldandnervous loftylanguagethatmanmakesoneinawholenation'scensus amightypageantcreature,formedfornobletragedies. Norwillitatalldetractfromhim,dramaticallyregarded, ifeitherbybirthorothercircumstances,hehavewhatseems ahalfwilfuloverrulingmorbidnessatthebottomofhisnature. Forallmentragicallygreataremadesothroughacertainmorbidness. Besureofthis,Oyoungambition,allmortalgreatnessis butdisease.But,asyetwehavenottodowithsuchanone, butwithquiteanother;andstillaman,who,ifindeedpeculiar, itonlyresultsagainfromanotherphaseoftheQuaker, modifiedbyindividualcircumstances. LikeCaptainPeleg,CaptainBildadwasawelltodo,retiredwhaleman. ButunlikeCaptainPelegwhocarednotarushforwhatarecalled seriousthings,andindeeddeemedthoseselfsameseriousthings

theveriestofalltriflesCaptainBildadhadnotonlybeenoriginally educatedaccordingtothestrictestsectofNantucketQuakerism, butallhissubsequentoceanlife,andthesightofmanyunclad, lovelyislandcreatures,roundtheHornallthathadnotmovedthis nativebornQuakeronesinglejot,hadnotsomuchasalteredoneangle ofhisvest.Still,forallthisimmutableness,wastheresomelack ofcommonconsistencyaboutworthyCaptainBildad.Thoughrefusing, fromconscientiousscruples,tobeararmsagainstlandinvaders, yethimselfhadillimitablyinvadedtheAtlanticandPacific; andthoughaswornfoetohumanbloodshed,yethadheinhis straightbodiedcoat,spilledtunsupontunsofleviathangore. Hownowinthecontemplativeeveningofhisdays,thepiousBildad reconciledthesethingsinthereminiscence,Idonotknow; butitdidnotseemtoconcernhimmuch,andveryprobablyhehad longsincecometothesageandsensibleconclusionthataman's religionisonething,andthispracticalworldquiteanother. Thisworldpaysdividends.Risingfromalittlecabinboy inshortclothesofthedrabbestdrab,toaharpooneerinabroad shadbelliedwaistcoat;fromthatbecomingboatheader,chiefmate, andcaptain,andfinallyashipowner;Bildad,asIhintedbefore, hadconcludedhisadventurouscareerbywhollyretiringfromactive lifeatthegoodlyageofsixty,anddedicatinghisremainingdays tothequietreceivingofhiswellearnedincome. Now,Bildad,Iamsorrytosay,hadthereputationofbeing anincorrigibleoldhunks,andinhisseagoingdays,abitter, hardtaskmaster.TheytoldmeinNantucket,thoughit certainlyseemsacuriousstory,thatwhenhesailedtheold Categutwhaleman,hiscrew,uponarrivinghome,weremostlyall carriedashoretothehospital,soreexhaustedandwornout. Forapiousman,especiallyforaQuaker,hewascertainly ratherhardhearted,tosaytheleast.Heneverusedtoswear, though,athismen,theysaid;butsomehowhegotaninordinate quantityofcruel,unmitigatedhardworkoutofthem. WhenBildadwasachiefmate,tohavehisdrabcoloredeye intentlylookingatyou,madeyoufeelcompletelynervous, tillyoucouldclutchsomethingahammeroramarlingspike, andgotoworklikemad,atsomethingorother,nevermindwhat. Indolenceandidlenessperishedfrombeforehim.Hisown personwastheexactembodimentofhisutilitariancharacter. Onhislong,gauntbody,hecarriednospareflesh, nosuperfluousbeard,hischinhavingasoft,economicalnaptoit, likethewornnapofhisbroadbrimmedhat. Such,then,wasthepersonthatIsawseatedonthetransom whenIfollowedCaptainPelegdownintothecabin.

Thespacebetweenthedeckswassmall;andthere,boltupright, satoldBildad,whoalwayssatso,andneverleaned,andthis tosavehiscoattails.Hisbroadbrimwasplacedbesidehim; hislegswerestifflycrossed;hisdrabvesturewasbuttoned uptohischin;andspectaclesonnose,heseemedabsorbed inreadingfromaponderousvolume. "Bildad,"criedCaptainPeleg,"atitagain,Bildad,eh?Yehave beenstudyingthoseScriptures,now,forthelastthirtyyears, tomycertainknowledge.Howfaryegot,Bildad?" Asiflonghabituatedtosuchprofanetalkfromhisoldshipmate, Bildad,withoutnoticinghispresentirreverence,quietlylookedup, andseeingme,glancedagaininquiringlytowardsPeleg. "Hesayshe'sourman,Bildad,"saidPeleg,"hewantstoship." "Dostthee?"saidBildad,inahollowtone,andturningroundtome. "Idost,"saidIunconsciously,hewassointenseaQuaker. "Whatdoyethinkofhim,Bildad?"saidPeleg. "He'lldo,"saidBildad,eyeingme,andthenwentonspelling awayathisbookinamumblingtonequiteaudible. IthoughthimthequeerestoldQuakerIeversaw,especiallyasPeleg, hisfriendandoldshipmate,seemedsuchablusterer. ButIsaidnothing,onlylookingroundmesharply. Pelegnowthrewopenachest,anddrawingforththeship'sarticles, placedpenandinkbeforehim,andseatedhimselfatalittletable. Ibegantothinkitwashightimetosettlewithmyself atwhattermsIwouldbewillingtoengageforthevoyage. Iwasalreadyawarethatinthewhalingbusinessthey paidnowages;butallhands,includingthecaptain, receivedcertainsharesoftheprofitscalledlays,andthat theselayswereproportionedtothedegreeofimportance pertainingtotherespectivedutiesoftheship'scompany. Iwasalsoawarethatbeingagreenhandatwhaling,myown laywouldnotbeverylarge;butconsideringthatIwasused tothesea,couldsteeraship,splicearope,andallthat, ImadenodoubtthatfromallIhadheardIshouldbeoffered atleastthe275thlaythatis,the275thpartoftheclearnet proceedsofthevoyage,whateverthatmighteventuallyamountto. Andthoughthe275thlaywaswhattheycallaratherlonglay, yetitwasbetterthannothing;andifwehadaluckyvoyage,

mightprettynearlypayfortheclothingIwouldwearoutonit, nottospeakofmythreeyears'beefandboard,forwhichI wouldnothavetopayonestiver. Itmightbethoughtthatthiswasapoorwaytoaccumulate aprincelyfortuneandsoitwas,averypoorwayindeed. ButIamoneofthosethatnevertakeonaboutprincelyfortunes, andamquitecontentiftheworldisreadytoboardandlodgeme,whileI amputtingupatthisgrimsignoftheThunderCloud.Uponthewhole, Ithoughtthatthe275thlaywouldbeaboutthefairthing, butwouldnothavebeensurprisedhadIbeenofferedthe200th, consideringIwasofabroadshoulderedmake. Butonething,nevertheless,thatmademealittledistrustfulabout receivingagenerousshareoftheprofitswasthis:Ashore,Ihadheard somethingofbothCaptainPelegandhisunaccountableoldcronyBildad; howthattheybeingtheprincipalproprietorsofthePequod, thereforetheotherandmoreinconsiderableandscatteredowners, leftnearlythewholemanagementoftheship'saffairstothesetwo. AndIdidnotknowbutwhatthestingyoldBildadmighthaveamighty dealtosayaboutshippinghands,especiallyasInowfoundhimonboard thePequod,quiteathomethereinthecabin,andreadinghisBible asifathisownfireside.NowwhilePelegwasvainlytryingtomend apenwithhisjackknife,oldBildad,tomynosmallsurprise, consideringthathewassuchaninterestedpartyintheseproceedings; Bildadneverheededus,butwentonmumblingtohimselfoutofhisbook, "Laynotupforyourselvestreasuresuponearth,wheremoth" "Well,CaptainBildad,"interruptedPeleg,"whatd'yesay, whatlayshallwegivethisyoungman?" "Thouknowestbest,"wasthesepulchralreply,"thesevenhundred andseventyseventhwouldn'tbetoomuch,wouldit?'wheremoth andrustdocorrupt,butlay'" Lay,indeed,thoughtI,andsuchalay!thesevenhundredand seventyseventh!Well,oldBildad,youaredeterminedthatI,forone, shallnotlayupmanylaysherebelow,wheremothandrustdocorrupt. Itwasanexceedinglylonglaythat,indeed;andthoughfromthemagnitude ofthefigureitmightatfirstdeceivealandsman,yettheslightest considerationwillshowthatthoughsevenhundredandseventyseven isaprettylargenumber,yet,whenyoucometomakeateenthofit, youwillthensee,Isay,thatthesevenhundredandseventyseventhpart ofafarthingisagooddeallessthansevenhundredandseventyseven golddoubloons;andsoIthoughtatthetime.

"Why,blastyoureyes,Bildad,"criedPeleg,Thoudostnotwant toswindlethisyoungman!hemusthavemorethanthat." "Sevenhundredandseventyseventh,"againsaidBildad,withoutlifting hiseyes;andthenwentonmumbling"forwhereyourtreasureis, therewillyourheartbealso." "Iamgoingtoputhimdownforthethreehundredth,"saidPeleg, "doyehearthat,Bildad!Thethreehundredthlay,Isay." Bildadlaiddownhisbook,andturningsolemnlytowards himsaid,"CaptainPeleg,thouhastagenerousheart; butthoumustconsiderthedutythouowesttotheother ownersofthisshipwidowsandorphans,manyofthem andthatifwetooabundantlyrewardthelaborsofthisyoungman, wemaybetakingthebreadfromthosewidowsandthoseorphans. Thesevenhundredandseventyseventhlay,CaptainPeleg." "ThouBildad!"roaredPeleg,startingupandclatteringaboutthecabin. "Blastye,CaptainBildad,ifIhadfollowedthyadviceinthesematters, Iwouldaforenowhadaconsciencetolugaboutthatwouldbeheavy enoughtofounderthelargestshipthateversailedroundCapeHorn." "CaptainPeleg,"saidBildadsteadily,"thyconsciencemaybe drawingteninchesofwater,ortenfathoms,Ican'ttell; butasthouartstillanimpenitentman,CaptainPeleg,Igreatly fearlestthyconsciencebebutaleakyone;andwillintheend sinktheefounderingdowntothefierypit,CaptainPeleg." "Fierypit!fierypit!yeinsultme,man;pastallnaturalbearing, yeinsultme.It'sanallfiredoutragetotellanyhumancreature thathe'sboundtohell.Flukesandflames!Bildad,saythatagain tome,andstartmysoulbolts,butI'llI'llyes,I'llswallowalive goatwithallhishairandhornson.Outofthecabin,yecanting, drabcoloredsonofawoodengunastraightwakewithye!" AshethunderedoutthishemadearushatBildad,butwitha marvellousoblique,slidingcelerity,Bildadforthattimeeludedhim. Alarmedatthisterribleoutburstbetweenthetwoprincipal andresponsibleownersoftheship,andfeelinghalfamind togiveupallideaofsailinginavesselsoquestionably ownedandtemporarilycommanded,Isteppedasidefromthedoor togiveegresstoBildad,who,Imadenodoubt,wasalleagerness tovanishfrombeforetheawakenedwrathofPeleg.Butto myastonishment,hesatdownagainonthetransomveryquietly,

andseemedtohavenottheslightestintentionofwithdrawing. HeseemedquiteusedtoimpenitentPelegandhisways. AsforPeleg,afterlettingoffhisrageashehad,thereseemed nomoreleftinhim,andhe,too,satdownlikealamb, thoughhetwitchedalittleasifstillnervouslyagitated. "Whew!"hewhistledatlast"thesquall'sgoneofftoleeward, Ithink.Bildad,thouusedtobegoodatsharpeningalance, mendthatpen,willye.Myjackknifehereneedsthegrindstone. That'she;thankye,Bildad.Nowthen,myyoungman, Ishmael'sthyname,didn'tyesay?Wellthen,downye gohere,Ishmael,forthethreehundredthlay." "CaptainPeleg,"saidI,"Ihaveafriendwithmewhowantstoshiptoo shallIbringhimdowntomorrow?" "Tobesure,"saidPeleg."Fetchhimalong,andwe'lllookathim." "Whatlaydoeshewant?"groanedBildad,glancingupfromtheBook inwhichhehadagainbeenburyinghimself. "Oh!nevertheemindaboutthat,Bildad,"saidPeleg."Hasheever whaleditany?"turningtome. "KilledmorewhalesthanIcancount,CaptainPeleg." "Well,bringhimalongthen." And,aftersigningthepapers,offIwent;nothingdoubtingbutthatI haddoneagoodmorning'swork,andthatthePequodwastheidentical shipthatYojohadprovidedtocarryQueequegandmeroundtheCape. ButIhadnotproceededfar,whenIbegantobethinkme thattheCaptainwithwhomIwastosailyetremainedunseen byme;though,indeed,inmanycases,awhaleshipwillbe completelyfittedout,andreceiveallhercrewonboard, erethecaptainmakeshimselfvisiblebyarrivingtotakecommand; forsometimesthesevoyagesaresoprolonged,andtheshore intervalsathomesoexceedinglybrief,thatifthecaptain haveafamily,oranyabsorbingconcernmentofthatsort, hedoesnottroublehimselfmuchabouthisshipinport, butleaveshertotheownerstillallisreadyforsea. However,itisalwaysaswelltohavealookathim beforeirrevocablycommittingyourselfintohishands. TurningbackIaccostedCaptainPeleg,inquiringwhereCaptainAhab wastobefound.

"AndwhatdostthouwantofCaptainAhab?It'sallrightenough; thouartshipped." "Yes,butIshouldliketoseehim." "ButIdon'tthinkthouwiltbeabletoatpresent.Idon'tknow exactlywhat'sthematterwithhim;buthekeepscloseinsidethehouse; asortofsick,andyethedon'tlookso.Infact,heain'tsick; butno,heisn'twelleither.Anyhow,youngman,hewon'talwaysseeme, soIdon'tsupposehewillthee.He'saqueerman,CaptainAhab sosomethinkbutagoodone.Oh,thou'ltlikehimwellenough; nofear,nofear.He'sagrand,ungodly,godlikeman,CaptainAhab; doesn'tspeakmuch;but,whenhedoesspeak,thenyoumaywelllisten. Markye,beforewarned;Ahab'sabovethecommon;Ahab'sbeenincolleges, aswellas'mongthecannibals;beenusedtodeeperwondersthan thewaves;fixedhisfierylanceinmightier,strangerfoesthanwhales. Hislance!aye,thekeenestandthesurestthatoutofallourisle! Oh!heain'tCaptainBildad;no,andheain'tCaptainPeleg; he'sAhab,boy;andAhabofold,thouknowest,wasacrownedking!" "Andaveryvileone.Whenthatwickedkingwasslain,thedogs, didtheynotlickhisblood?" "Comehithertomehither,hither,"saidPeleg, withasignificanceinhiseyethatalmoststartledme. "Lookye,lad;neversaythatonboardthePequod.Neversay itanywhere.CaptainAhabdidnotnamehimself.'Twasafoolish, ignorantwhimofhiscrazy,widowedmother,whodiedwhen hewasonlyatwelvemonthold.AndyettheoldsquawTistig, atGayhead,saidthatthenamewouldsomehowproveprophetic. And,perhaps,otherfoolslikehermaytelltheethesame. Iwishtowarnthee.It'salie.IknowCaptainAhabwell; I'vesailedwithhimasmateyearsago;Iknowwhatheis agoodmannotapious,goodman,likeBildad,butaswearing goodmansomethinglikemeonlythere'sagooddealmore ofhim.Aye,aye,Iknowthathewasneververyjolly; andIknowthatonthepassagehomehewasalittleoutofhis mindforaspell;butitwasthesharpshootingpainsinhis bleedingstumpthatbroughtthatabout,asanyonemightsee. Iknow,too,thateversincehelosthisleglastvoyage bythataccursedwhale,he'sbeenakindofmoody desperatemoody,andsavagesometimes;butthatwillallpassoff. Andonceforall,letmetelltheeandassurethee,youngman, it'sbettertosailwithamoodygoodcaptainthanalaughing badone.SogoodbyetotheeandwrongnotCaptainAhab, becausehehappenstohaveawickedname.Besides,myboy,

hehasawifenotthreevoyagesweddedasweet,resignedgirl. Thinkofthat;bythatsweetgirlthatoldmanhadachild: holdyethentherecanbeanyutter,hopelessharminAhab?No,no, mylad;stricken,blasted,ifhebe,Ahabhashishumanities!" AsIwalkedaway,Iwasfullofthoughtfulness;whathad beenincidentallyrevealedtomeofCaptainAhab,filledme withacertainwildvaguenessofpainfulnessconcerninghim. Andsomehow,atthetime,Ifeltasympathyandasorrowforhim, butforIdon'tknowwhat,unlessitwasthecruellossofhisleg. AndyetIalsofeltastrangeaweofhim;butthatsortofawe, whichIcannotatalldescribe,wasnotexactlyawe;Idonot knowwhatitwas.ButIfeltit;anditdidnotdisincline metowardshim;thoughIfeltimpatienceatwhatseemedlike mysteryinhim,soimperfectlyashewasknowntomethen. However,mythoughtswereatlengthcarriedinotherdirections, sothatforthepresentdarkAhabslippedmymind. CHAPTER17 TheRamadan AsQueequeg'sRamadan,orFastingandHumiliation,wastocontinue allday,Ididnotchoosetodisturbhimtilltowardsnightfall; forIcherishthegreatestrespecttowardseverybody'sreligious obligations,nevermindhowcomical,andcouldnotfinditinmyheart toundervalueevenacongregationofantsworshippingatoadstool; orthoseothercreaturesincertainpartsofourearth,whowith adegreeoffootmanismquiteunprecedentedinotherplanets, bowdownbeforethetorsoofadeceasedlandedproprietormerely onaccountoftheinordinatepossessionsyetownedandrented inhisname. Isay,wegoodPresbyterianChristiansshouldbecharitable inthesethings,andnotfancyourselvessovastlysuperior toothermortals,pagansandwhatnot,becauseoftheirhalfcrazy conceitsonthesesubjects.TherewasQueequeg,now,certainly entertainingthemostabsurdnotionsaboutYojoandhisRamadan; butwhatofthat?Queequegthoughtheknewwhathewasabout, Isuppose;heseemedtobecontent;andtherelethimrest. Allourarguingwithhimwouldnotavail;lethimbe,Isay: andHeavenhavemercyonusallPresbyteriansandPagansalike forweareallsomehowdreadfullycrackedaboutthehead,

andsadlyneedmending. Towardsevening,whenIfeltassuredthatallhisperformancesand ritualsmustbeover,Iwentuptohisroomandknockedatthedoor; butnoanswer.Itriedtoopenit,butitwasfastenedinside. "Queequeg,"saidIsoftlythroughthekeyhole:allsilent. "Isay,Queequeg!whydon'tyouspeak?It'sIIshmael."Butall remainedstillasbefore.Ibegantogrowalarmed.Ihadallowedhim suchabundanttime;Ithoughthemighthavehadanapoplecticfit. Ilookedthroughthekeyhole;butthedooropeningintoanoddcorner oftheroom,thekeyholeprospectwasbutacrookedandsinisterone. Icouldonlyseepartofthefootboardofthebedandalineofthewall, butnothingmore.Iwassurprisedtobeholdrestingagainstthewall thewoodenshaftofQueequeg'sharpoon,whichthelandladytheevening previoushadtakenfromhim,beforeourmountingtothechamber. That'sstrange,thoughtI;butatanyrate,sincetheharpoon standsyonder,andheseldomornevergoesabroadwithoutit, thereforehemustbeinsidehere,andnopossiblemistake. "Queequeg!Queequeg!"allstill.Somethingmust havehappened.Apoplexy!Itriedtoburstopenthedoor; butitstubbornlyresisted.Runningdownstairs,Iquickly statedmysuspicionstothefirstpersonImetthechambermaid. "La!la!"shecried,"Ithoughtsomethingmustbethematter. Iwenttomakethebedafterbreakfast,andthedoorwaslocked; andnotamousetobeheard;andit'sbeenjustsosilenteversince. ButIthought,maybe,youhadbothgoneoffandlockedyour baggageinforsafekeeping.La!La,ma'am!Mistress!murder! Mrs.Hussey!apoplexy!"andwiththesecriessherantowards thekitchen,Ifollowing. Mrs.Husseysoonappeared,withamustardpotinonehand andavinegarcruetintheother,havingjustbrokenaway fromtheoccupationofattendingtothecastors,andscolding herlittleblackboymeantime. "Woodhouse!"criedI,"whichwaytoit?RunforGod'ssake,andfetch somethingtopryopenthedoortheaxe!theaxe!he'shadastroke; dependuponit!"andsosayingIwasunmethodicallyrushingupstairs againemptyhanded,whenMrs.Husseyinterposedthemustardpotand vinegarcruet,andtheentirecastorofhercountenance. "What'sthematterwithyou,youngman?" "Gettheaxe!ForGod'ssake,runforthedoctor,someone, whileIpryitopen!"

 "Lookhere,"saidthelandlady,quicklyputtingdown thevinegarcruet,soastohaveonehandfree;"lookhere; areyoutalkingaboutpryingopenanyofmydoors?" andwiththatsheseizedmyarm."What'sthematterwithyou? What'sthematterwithyou,shipmate?" Inascalm,butrapidamanneraspossible,Igavehertounderstand thewholecase.Unconsciouslyclappingthevinegarcruet toonesideofhernose,sheruminatedforaninstant; thenexclaimed"No!Ihaven'tseenitsinceIputitthere." Runningtoalittleclosetunderthelandingofthestairs,sheglanced in,andreturning,toldmethatQueequeg'sharpoonwasmissing. "He'skilledhimself,"shecried."It'sunfort'nateStiggsdone overagaintheregoesanothercounterpaneGodpityhispoormother! itwillbetheruinofmyhouse.Hasthepoorladasister? Where'sthatgirl?there,Betty,gotoSnarlesthePainter, andtellhimtopaintmeasign,with"nosuicidespermittedhere, andnosmokingintheparlor;"mightaswellkillboth birdsatonce.Kill?TheLordbemercifultohisghost! What'sthatnoisethere?You,youngman,avastthere!" Andrunningupafterme,shecaughtmeasIwasagaintryingtoforce openthedoor. "Iwon'tallowit;Iwon'thavemypremisesspoiled. Goforthelocksmith,there'soneaboutamilefromhere.Butavast!" puttingherhandinhersidepocket,"here'sakeythat'llfit,Iguess; let'ssee."Andwiththat,sheturneditinthelock;butalas! Queequeg'ssupplementalboltremainedunwithdrawnwithin. "Havetoburstitopen,"saidI,andwasrunningdowntheentry alittle,foragoodstart,whenthelandladycaughtatme, againvowingIshouldnotbreakdownherpremises;butItore fromher,andwithasuddenbodilyrushdashedmyselffull againstthemark. Withaprodigiousnoisethedoorflewopen,andtheknob slammingagainstthewall,senttheplastertotheceiling; andthere,goodheavens!theresatQueequeg,altogethercool andselfcollected;rightinthemiddleoftheroom; squattingonhishams,andholdingYojoontopofhishead. Helookedneitheronewaynortheotherwaybutsatlikeacarved imagewithscarceasignofactivelife. "Queequeg,"saidI,goinguptohim,"Queequeg,what's

thematterwithyou?" "Hehain'tbeenasittin'soallday,hashe?"saidthelandlady. Butallwesaid,notawordcouldwedragoutofhim; Ialmostfeltlikepushinghimover,soastochangehisposition, foritwasalmostintolerable,itseemedsopainfullyand unnaturallyconstrained;especially,asinallprobability hehadbeensittingsoforupwardsofeightortenhours, goingtoowithouthisregularmeals. "Mrs.Hussey,"saidI,"he'saliveatallevents;soleaveus, ifyouplease,andIwillseetothisstrangeaffairmyself." Closingthedooruponthelandlady,Iendeavoredtoprevail uponQueequegtotakeachair;butinvain.Therehesat; andallhecoulddoforallmypoliteartsandblandishments hewouldnotmoveapeg,norsayasingleword,norevenlook atme,nornoticemypresenceinanytheslightestway. Iwonder,thoughtI,ifthiscanpossiblybeapartofhisRamadan; dotheyfastontheirhamsthatwayinhisnativeisland. Itmustbeso;yes,it'sapartofhiscreed,Isuppose; well,then,lethimrest;he'llgetupsoonerorlater,nodoubt. Itcan'tlastforever,thankGod,andhisRamadanonlycomes onceayear;andIdon'tbelieveit'sverypunctualthen. Iwentdowntosupper.Aftersittingalongtimelisteningtothelong storiesofsomesailorswhohadjustcomefromaplumpuddingvoyage, astheycalledit(thatis,ashortwhalingvoyageinaschoonerorbrig, confinedtothenorthoftheline,intheAtlanticOceanonly); afterlisteningtotheseplumpuddingerstillnearlyeleveno'clock,I wentupstairstogotobed,feelingquitesurebythistimeQueequeg mustcertainlyhavebroughthisRamadantoatermination.Butno; therehewasjustwhereIhadlefthim;hehadnotstirredaninch. Ibegantogrowvexedwithhim;itseemedsodownrightsenseless andinsanetobesittingtherealldayandhalfthenightonhishams inacoldroom,holdingapieceofwoodonhishead. "Forheaven'ssake,Queequeg,getupandshakeyourself;getupandhave somesupper.You'llstarve;you'llkillyourself,Queequeg."Butnot aworddidhereply. Despairingofhim,therefore,Ideterminedtogotobedandtosleep; andnodoubt,beforeagreatwhile,hewouldfollowme. Butprevioustoturningin,Itookmyheavybearskinjacket,

andthrewitoverhim,asitpromisedtobeaverycoldnight; andhehadnothingbuthisordinaryroundjacketon. Forsometime,doallIwould,Icouldnotgetintothefaintestdoze. Ihadblownoutthecandle;andthemerethoughtofQueequeg notfourfeetoffsittingthereinthatuneasyposition, starkaloneinthecoldanddark;thismademereallywretched. Thinkofit;sleepingallnightinthesameroomwithawide awakepaganonhishamsinthisdreary,unaccountableRamadan! ButsomehowIdroppedoffatlast,andknewnothingmoretill breakofday;when,lookingoverthebedside,theresquatted Queequeg,asifhehadbeenscreweddowntothefloor. Butassoonasthefirstglimpseofsunenteredthewindow, uphegot,withstiffandgratingjoints,butwithacheerfullook; limpedtowardsmewhereIlay;pressedhisforeheadagain againstmine;andsaidhisRamadanwasover. Now,asIbeforehinted,Ihavenoobjectiontoanyperson'sreligion, beitwhatitmay,solongasthatpersondoesnotkillorinsult anyotherperson,becausethatotherpersondon'tbelieveitalso. Butwhenaman'sreligionbecomesreallyfrantic;whenitisapositive tormenttohim;and,infine,makesthisearthofoursanuncomfortable inntolodgein;thenIthinkithightimetotakethatindividual asideandarguethepointwithhim. AndjustsoInowdidwithQueequeg."Queequeg,"saidI, "getintobednow,andlieandlistentome."Ithenwenton, beginningwiththeriseandprogressoftheprimitivereligions, andcomingdowntothevariousreligionsofthepresenttime, duringwhichtimeIlaboredtoshowQueequegthatall theseLents,Ramadans,andprolongedhamsquattingsincold, cheerlessroomswerestarknonsense;badforthehealth; uselessforthesoul;opposed,inshort,totheobviouslaws ofHygieneandcommonsense.Itoldhim,too,thathebeing inotherthingssuchanextremelysensibleandsagacioussavage, itpainedme,verybadlypainedme,toseehimnowsodeplorably foolishaboutthisridiculousRamadanofhis.Besides,arguedI, fastingmakesthebodycavein;hencethespiritcavesin; andallthoughtsbornofafastmustnecessarilybe halfstarved.Thisisthereasonwhymostdyspepticreligionists cherishsuchmelancholynotionsabouttheirhereafters. Inoneword,Queequeg,saidI,ratherdigressively; hellisanideafirstbornonanundigestedappledumpling; andsincethenperpetuatedthroughthehereditarydyspepsias nurturedbyRamadans.

IthenaskedQueequegwhetherhehimselfwasevertroubledwithdyspepsia; expressingtheideaveryplainly,sothathecouldtakeitin. Hesaidno;onlyupononememorableoccasion.Itwasafteragreatfeast givenbyhisfatherthekingonthegainingofagreatbattlewherein fiftyoftheenemyhadbeenkilledbyabouttwoo'clockintheafternoon, andallcookedandeatenthatveryevening. "Nomore,Queequeg,"saidI,shuddering;"thatwilldo;" forIknewtheinferenceswithouthisfurtherhintingthem. Ihadseenasailorwhohadvisitedthatveryisland,andhetoldme thatitwasthecustom,whenagreatbattlehadbeengainedthere, tobarbecuealltheslainintheyardorgardenofthevictor; andthen,onebyone,theywereplacedingreatwoodentrenchers, andgarnishedroundlikeapilau,withbreadfruitandcocoanuts; andwithsomeparsleyintheirmouths,weresentroundwith thevictor'scomplimentstoallhisfriends,justasthough thesepresentsweresomanyChristmasturkeys. Afterall,Idonotthinkthatmyremarksaboutreligionmade muchimpressionuponQueequeg.Because,inthefirstplace, hesomehowseemeddullofhearingonthatimportantsubject, unlessconsideredfromhisownpointofview;and,inthe secondplace,hedidnotmorethanonethirdunderstandme, couchmyideassimplyasIwould;and,finally,henodoubtthought heknewagooddealmoreaboutthetruereligionthanIdid. Helookedatmewithasortofcondescendingconcernandcompassion, asthoughhethoughtitagreatpitythatsuchasensibleyoung manshouldbesohopelesslylosttoevangelicalpaganpiety. Atlastweroseanddressed;andQueequeg,takingaprodigiouslyhearty breakfastofchowdersofallsorts,sothatthelandladyshouldnotmake muchprofitbyreasonofhisRamadan,wesalliedouttoboardthePequod, saunteringalong,andpickingourteethwithhalibutbones. CHAPTER18 HisMark Aswewerewalkingdowntheendofthewharftowardstheship, Queequegcarryinghisharpoon,CaptainPeleginhisgruffvoice loudlyhailedusfromhiswigwam,sayinghehadnotsuspected myfriendwasacannibal,andfurthermoreannouncingthathelet nocannibalsonboardthatcraft,unlesstheypreviously

producedtheirpapers. "Whatdoyoumeanbythat,CaptainPeleg?"saidI,nowjumping onthebulwarks,andleavingmycomradestandingonthewharf. "Imean,"hereplied,"hemustshowhispapers." "Yes,"saidCaptainBildadinhishollowvoice,stickinghisheadfrom behindPeleg's,outofthewigwam."Hemustshowthathe'sconverted. Sonofdarkness,"headded,turningtoQueequeg,"artthouatpresent incommunionwithanyChristianchurch?" "Why,"saidI,"he'samemberofthefirstCongregationalChurch." Herebeitsaid,thatmanytattooedsavagessailinginNantucket shipsatlastcometobeconvertedintothechurches. "FirstCongregationalChurch,"criedBildad,"what!thatworships inDeaconDeuteronomyColeman'smeetinghouse?"andsosaying, takingouthisspectacles,herubbedthemwithhisgreatyellow bandanahandkerchief,andputtingthemonverycarefully, cameoutofthewigwam,andleaningstifflyoverthebulwarks, tookagoodlonglookatQueequeg. "Howlonghathhebeenamember?"hethensaid,turningtome; "notverylong,Iratherguess,youngman." "No,"saidPeleg,"andhehasn'tbeenbaptizedrighteither, oritwouldhavewashedsomeofthatdevil'sblueoffhisface." "Dotell,now,"criedBildad,"isthisPhilistinearegularmember ofDeaconDeuteronomy'smeeting?Ineversawhimgoingthere, andIpassiteveryLord'sday." "Idon'tknowanythingaboutDeaconDeuteronomyorhismeeting," saidI;"allIknowis,thatQueequeghereisabornmemberofthe FirstCongregationalChurch.Heisadeaconhimself,Queequegis." "Youngman,"saidBildadsternly,"thouartskylarkingwithme explainthyself,thouyoungHittite.Whatchurchdostthee mean?answerme." Findingmyselfthushardpushed,Ireplied,"Imean,sir,thesame ancientCatholicChurchtowhichyouandI,andCaptainPelegthere, andQueequeghere,andallofus,andeverymother'ssonandsoul ofusbelong;thegreatandeverlastingFirstCongregationofthis wholeworshippingworld;weallbelongtothat;onlysomeofus

cherishsomequeercrotchetsnowaystouchingthegrandbelief; inthatwealljoinhands." "Splice,thoumean'stsplicehands,"criedPeleg,drawingnearer. "Youngman,you'dbettershipforamissionary, insteadofaforemasthand;Ineverheardabettersermon. DeaconDeuteronomywhyFatherMapplehimselfcouldn'tbeatit, andhe'sreckonedsomething.Comeaboard,comeaboard: nevermindaboutthepapers.Isay,tellQuohogthere what'sthatyoucallhim?tellQuohogtostepalong. Bythegreatanchor,whataharpoonhe'sgotthere!looks likegoodstuffthat;andhehandlesitaboutright. Isay,Quohog,orwhateveryournameis,didyoueverstand intheheadofawhaleboat?didyoueverstrikeafish?" Withoutsayingaword,Queequeg,inhiswildsortofway,jumpedupon thebulwarks,fromthenceintothebowsofoneofthewhaleboatshanging totheside;andthenbracinghisleftknee,andpoisinghisharpoon, criedoutinsomesuchwayasthis: "Cap'ain,youseehimsmalldroptaronwaterdere?Youseehim?well, sposehimonewhaleeye,well,den!"andtakingsharpaimatit, hedartedtheironrightoveroldBildad'sbroadbrim,cleanacross theship'sdecks,andstrucktheglisteningtarspotoutofsight. "Now,"saidQueequeg,quietly,haulingintheline,"sposeehim whaleeeye;why,dadwhaledead." "Quick,Bildad,"saidPeleg,hispartner,who,aghastattheclose vicinityoftheflyingharpoon,hadretreatedtowardsthecabingangway. "Quick,Isay,youBildad,andgettheship'spapers. WemusthaveHedgehogthere,ImeanQuohog,inoneofourboats. Lookye,Quohog,we'llgiveyetheninetiethlay,andthat'smore thaneverwasgivenaharpooneeryetoutofNantucket." Sodownwewentintothecabin,andtomygreatjoyQueequegwassoon enrolledamongthesameship'scompanytowhichImyselfbelonged. WhenallpreliminarieswereoverandPeleghadgoteverythingready forsigning,heturnedtomeandsaid,"Iguess,Quohogtheredon't knowhowtowrite,doeshe?Isay,Quohog,blastye!dostthousign thynameormakethymark? Butatthisquestion,Queequeg,whohadtwiceorthricebeforetaken partinsimilarceremonies,lookednowaysabashed;buttaking theofferedpen,copieduponthepaper,intheproperplace,

anexactcounterpartofaqueerroundfigurewhichwastattooed uponhisarm;sothatthroughCaptainPeleg'sobstinatemistake touchinghisappellative,itstoodsomethinglikethis: Quohog. hisXmark. MeanwhileCaptainBildadsatearnestlyandsteadfastlyeyeingQueequeg, andatlastrisingsolemnlyandfumblinginthehugepockets ofhisbroadskirteddrabcoattookoutabundleoftracts, andselectingoneentitled"TheLatterDayComing;orNoTime toLose,"placeditinQueequeg'shands,andthengraspingthem andthebookwithbothhis,lookedearnestlyintohiseyes,andsaid, "Sonofdarkness,Imustdomydutybythee;Iampartowner ofthisship,andfeelconcernedforthesoulsofallitscrew; ifthoustillclingesttothyPaganways,whichIsadlyfear, Ibeseechthee,remainnotforayeaBelialbondsman. SpurntheidolBell,andthehideousdragon;turnfromthewrath tocome;mindthineeye,Isay;oh!goodnessgracious!steer clearofthefierypit!" SomethingofthesaltseayetlingeredinoldBildad'slanguage, heterogeneouslymixedwithScripturalanddomesticphrases. "Avastthere,avastthere,Bildad,avastnowspoilingourharpooneer, criedPeleg."Piousharpooneersnevermakegoodvoyagers ittakesthesharkoutof'em;noharpooneerisworthastraw whoaintprettysharkish.TherewasyoungNatSwaine, oncethebravestboatheaderoutofallNantucketand theVineyard;hejoinedthemeeting,andnevercametogood. Hegotsofrightenedabouthisplaguysoul,thatheshrinked andsheeredawayfromwhales,forfearofafterclaps,incase hegotstoveandwenttoDavyJones." "Peleg!Peleg!"saidBildad,liftinghiseyesandhands, "thouthyself,asImyself,hastseenmanyaperiloustime; thouknowest,Peleg,whatitistohavethefearofdeath; how,then,can'stthouprateinthisungodlyguise. Thoubeliestthineownheart,Peleg.Tellme,whenthissamePequod herehadherthreemastsoverboardinthattyphoononJapan, thatsamevoyagewhenthouwentmatewithCaptainAhab, did'stthounotthinkofDeathandtheJudgmentthen?" "Hearhim,hearhimnow,"criedPeleg,marchingacrossthecabin, andthrustinghishandsfardownintohispockets,"hearhim,allofye. Thinkofthat!Wheneverymomentwethoughttheshipwouldsink! DeathandtheJudgmentthen?What?Withallthreemastsmakingsuch aneverlastingthunderingagainsttheside;andeveryseabreaking

overus,foreandaft.ThinkofDeathandtheJudgmentthen? No!notimetothinkaboutDeaththen.LifewaswhatCaptainAhab andIwasthinkingof;andhowtosaveallhandshowtorigjurymasts howtogetintothenearestport;thatwaswhatIwasthinkingof." Bildadsaidnomore,butbuttoninguphiscoat,stalkedondeck, wherewefollowedhim.Therehestood,veryquietlyoverlooking somesailmakerswhoweremendingatopsailinthewaist. Nowandthenhestoopedtopickupapatch,orsaveanend oftarredtwine,whichotherwisemighthavebeenwasted. CHAPTER19 TheProphet "Shipmates,haveyeshippedinthatship?" QueequegandIhadjustleftthePequod,andweresaunteringaway fromthewater,forthemomenteachoccupiedwithhisownthoughts, whentheabovewordswereputtousbyastranger,who,pausingbeforeus, levelledhismassiveforefingeratthevesselinquestion. Hewasbutshabbilyapparelledinfadedjacketandpatchedtrowsers; aragofablackhandkerchiefinvestinghisneck.Aconfluent smallpoxhadinalldirectionsflowedoverhisface,andleftit likethecomplicatedribbedbedofatorrent,whentherushing watershavebeendriedup. "Haveyeshippedinher?"herepeated. "YoumeantheshipPequod,Isuppose,"saidI,tryingtogain alittlemoretimeforanuninterruptedlookathim. "Aye,thePequodthatshipthere,"hesaid,drawingbackhiswhole armandthenrapidlyshovingitstraightoutfromhim,withthefixed bayonetofhispointedfingerdartedfullattheobject. "Yes,"saidI,"wehavejustsignedthearticles." "Anythingdownthereaboutyoursouls?" "Aboutwhat?" "Oh,perhapsyouhav'n'tgotany,"hesaidquickly.

"Nomatterthough,Iknowmanychapsthathav'n'tgotany, goodluckto'em;andtheyareallthebetteroffforit. Asoul'sasortofafifthwheeltoawagon." "Whatareyoujabberingabout,shipmate?"saidI. "He'sgotenough,though,tomakeupforalldeficiencies ofthatsortinotherchaps,"abruptlysaidthestranger, placinganervousemphasisuponthewordhe. "Queequeg,"saidI,"let'sgo;thisfellowhasbrokenloose fromsomewhere;he'stalkingaboutsomethingandsomebody wedon'tknow." "Stop!"criedthestranger."Yesaidtrueyehav'n'tseen OldThunderyet,haveye?" "Who'sOldThunder?"saidI,againrivetedwiththeinsaneearnestness ofhismanner. "CaptainAhab." "What!thecaptainofourship,thePequod?" "Aye,amongsomeofusoldsailorchaps,hegoesbythatname. Yehav'n'tseenhimyet,haveye?" "No,wehav'n't.He'ssicktheysay,butisgettingbetter, andwillbeallrightagainbeforelong." "Allrightagainbeforelong!"laughedthestranger,withasolemnly derisivesortoflaugh."Lookye;whenCaptainAhabisallright, thenthisleftarmofminewillbeallright;notbefore." "Whatdoyouknowabouthim?" "Whatdidtheytellyouabouthim?Saythat!" "Theydidn'ttellmuchofanythingabouthim;onlyI'veheardthathe's agoodwhalehunter,andagoodcaptaintohiscrew." "That'strue,that'strueyes,bothtrueenough. Butyoumustjumpwhenhegivesanorder.Stepandgrowl; growlandgothat'sthewordwithCaptainAhab.Butnothing aboutthatthingthathappenedtohimoffCapeHorn,longago, whenhelaylikedeadforthreedaysandnights;nothingabout

thatdeadlyskrimmagewiththeSpaniardaforethealtarinSanta? heardnothingaboutthat,eh?Nothingaboutthesilvercalabash hespatinto?Andnothingabouthislosinghisleglastvoyage, accordingtotheprophecy.Didn'tyehearawordaboutthem mattersandsomethingmore,eh?No,Idon'tthinkyedid; howcouldye?Whoknowsit?NotallNantucket,Iguess. Buthows'ever,mayhap,ye'veheardtellabouttheleg, andhowhelostit;aye,yehaveheardofthat,Idaresay. Oh,yes,thateveryoneknowsa'mostImeantheyknowhe's onlyoneleg;andthataparmacettitooktheotheroff." "Myfriend,"saidI,"whatallthisgibberishofyours isabout,Idon'tknow,andIdon'tmuchcare;foritseems tomethatyoumustbealittledamagedinthehead. ButifyouarespeakingofCaptainAhab,ofthatshipthere, thePequod,thenletmetellyou,thatIknowallabouttheloss ofhisleg." "Allaboutit,ehsureyoudo?all? "Prettysure." WithfingerpointedandeyelevelledatthePequod,thebeggarlike strangerstoodamoment,asifinatroubledreverie;thenstarting alittle,turnedandsaid:"Ye'veshipped,haveye?Namesdownon thepapers?Well,well,what'ssigned,issigned;andwhat'stobe, willbe;andthenagain,perhapsitwon'tbe,afterall.Anyhow, it'sallfixedandarrangeda'ready;andsomesailorsorothermustgo withhim,Isuppose;aswelltheseasanyothermen,Godpity'em! Morningtoye,shipmates,morning;theineffableheavensblessye; I'msorryIstoppedye." "Lookhere,friend,"saidI,"ifyouhaveanythingimportanttotellus, outwithit;butifyouareonlytryingtobamboozleus,youaremistaken inyourgame;that'sallIhavetosay." "Andit'ssaidverywell,andIliketohearachaptalkup thatway;youarejustthemanforhimthelikesofye. Morningtoye,shipmates,morning!Oh!whenyegetthere, tell'emI'veconcludednottomakeoneof'em." "Ah,mydearfellow,youcan'tfoolusthatwayyoucan'tfoolus. Itistheeasiestthingintheworldforamantolookasifhehad agreatsecretinhim." "Morningtoye,shipmates,morning."

 "Morningitis,"saidI."Comealong,Queequeg,let'sleavethis crazyman.Butstop,tellmeyourname,willyou?" "Elijah." Elijah!thoughtI,andwewalkedaway,bothcommenting, aftereachother'sfashion,uponthisraggedoldsailor; andagreedthathewasnothingbutahumbug,tryingtobeabugbear. Butwehadnotgoneperhapsaboveahundredyards,whenchancing toturnacorner,andlookingbackasIdidso,whoshouldbeseen butElijahfollowingus,thoughatadistance.Somehow,thesight ofhimstruckmeso,thatIsaidnothingtoQueequegofhis beingbehind,butpassedonwithmycomrade,anxioustosee whetherthestrangerwouldturnthesamecornerthatwedid. Hedid;andthenitseemedtomethathewasdoggingus, butwithwhatintentIcouldnotforthelifeofmeimagine. Thiscircumstance,coupledwithhisambiguous,halfhinting, halfrevealing,shroudedsortoftalk,nowbegatinmeall kindsofvaguewondermentsandhalfapprehensions,andall connectedwiththePequod;andCaptainAhab;andtheleg hehadlost;andtheCapeHornfit;andthesilvercalabash; andwhatCaptainPeleghadsaidofhim,whenIlefttheship thedayprevious;andthepredictionofthesquawTistig; andthevoyagewehadboundourselvestosail;andahundred othershadowythings. IwasresolvedtosatisfymyselfwhetherthisraggedElijahwas reallydoggingusornot,andwiththatintentcrossedtheway withQueequeg,andonthatsideofitretracedoursteps. ButElijahpassedon,withoutseemingtonoticeus. Thisrelievedme;andoncemore,andfinallyasitseemedtome, Ipronouncedhiminmyheart,ahumbug. CHAPTER20 AllAstir Adayortwopassed,andtherewasgreatactivityaboard thePequod.Notonlyweretheoldsailsbeingmended,butnewsails werecomingonboard,andboltsofcanvas,andcoilsofrigging; inshort,everythingbetokenedthattheship'spreparationswere hurryingtoaclose.CaptainPelegseldomorneverwentashore,

butsatinhiswigwamkeepingasharplookoutuponthehands: Bildaddidallthepurchasingandprovidingatthestores; andthemenemployedintheholdandontheriggingwereworking tilllongafternightfall. OnthedayfollowingQueequeg'ssigningthearticles, wordwasgivenatalltheinnswheretheship'scompany werestopping,thattheirchestsmustbeonboardbeforenight, fortherewasnotellinghowsoonthevesselmightbesailing. SoQueequegandIgotdownourtraps,resolving,however,tosleep ashoretillthelast.Butitseemstheyalwaysgiveverylong noticeinthesecases,andtheshipdidnotsailforseveraldays. Butnowonder;therewasagooddealtobedone,andthereis notellinghowmanythingstobethoughtof,beforethePequod wasfullyequipped. Everyoneknowswhatamultitudeofthingsbeds,saucepans,knives andforks,shovelsandtongs,napkins,nutcrackers,andwhatnot, areindispensabletothebusinessofhousekeeping.Justsowithwhaling, whichnecessitatesathreeyears'housekeepinguponthewideocean, farfromallgrocers,costermongers,doctors,bakers,andbankers. Andthoughthisalsoholdstrueofmerchantvessels,yetnotbyanymeans tothesameextentaswithwhalemen.Forbesidesthegreatlength ofthewhalingvoyage,thenumerousarticlespeculiartotheprosecution ofthefishery,andtheimpossibilityofreplacingthemattheremote harborsusuallyfrequented,itmustberemembered,thatofallships, whalingvesselsarethemostexposedtoaccidentsofallkinds, andespeciallytothedestructionandlossoftheverythingsupon whichthesuccessofthevoyagemostdepends.Hence,thespareboats, sparespars,andsparelinesandharpoons,andspareeverythings, almost,butaspareCaptainandduplicateship. AttheperiodofourarrivalattheIsland,theheavieststorage ofthePequodhadbeenalmostcompleted;comprisingherbeef, bread,water,fuel,andironhoopsandstaves.But,asbeforehinted, forsometimetherewasacontinualfetchingandcarryingonboard ofdiversoddsandendsofthings,bothlargeandsmall. Chiefamongthosewhodidthisfetchingandcarryingwas CaptainBildad'ssister,aleanoldladyofamostdetermined andindefatigablespirit,butwithalverykindhearted,whoseemed resolvedthat,ifshecouldhelpit,nothingshouldbefound wantinginthePequod,afteroncefairlygettingtosea. Atonetimeshewouldcomeonboardwithajarofpickles forthesteward'spantry;anothertimewithabunchof quillsforthechiefmate'sdesk,wherehekepthislog;

athirdtimewitharollofflannelforthesmallofsomeone's rheumaticback.Neverdidanywomanbetterdeservehername, whichwasCharityAuntCharity,aseverybodycalledher. AndlikeasisterofcharitydidthischaritableAuntCharity bustleabouthitherandthither,readytoturnherhandandheart toanythingthatpromisedtoyieldsafety,comfort,andconsolation toallonboardashipinwhichherbelovedbrotherBildad wasconcerned,andinwhichsheherselfownedascoreortwo ofwellsaveddollars. ButitwasstartlingtoseethisexcellentheartedQuakeress comingonboard,asshedidthelastday,withalongoilladle inonehand,andastilllongerwhalinglanceintheother. NorwasBildadhimselfnorCaptainPelegatallbackward. AsforBildad,hecarriedaboutwithhimalonglist ofthearticlesneeded,andateveryfresharrival, downwenthismarkoppositethatarticleuponthepaper. EveryonceinawhilePelegcamehobblingoutofhiswhaleboneden, roaringatthemendownthehatchways,roaringuptothe riggersatthemasthead,andthenconcludedbyroaringback intohiswigwam. Duringthesedaysofpreparation,QueequegandIoftenvisited thecraft,andasoftenIaskedaboutCaptainAhab,andhowhewas, andwhenhewasgoingtocomeonboardhisship.Tothesequestions theywouldanswer,thathewasgettingbetterandbetter,andwas expectedaboardeveryday;meantime,thetwoCaptains,PelegandBildad, couldattendtoeverythingnecessarytofitthevesselforthevoyage. IfIhadbeendownrighthonestwithmyself,Iwouldhaveseen veryplainlyinmyheartthatIdidbuthalffancybeingcommitted thiswaytosolongavoyage,withoutoncelayingmyeyesontheman whowastobetheabsolutedictatorofit,sosoonastheship sailedoutupontheopensea.Butwhenamansuspectsanywrong, itsometimeshappensthatifhebealreadyinvolvedinthematter, heinsensiblystrivestocoveruphissuspicionsevenfromhimself. Andmuchthiswayitwaswithme.Isaidnothing,andtried tothinknothing. Atlastitwasgivenoutthatsometimenextdaytheship wouldcertainlysail.Sonextmorning,QueequegandItook averyearlystart. CHAPTER21

GoingAboard Itwasnearlysixo'clock,butonlygreyimperfectmistydawn, whenwedrewnighthewharf. "Therearesomesailorsrunningaheadthere,ifIseeright," saidItoQueequeg,"itcan'tbeshadows;she'soffbysunrise, Iguess;comeon!" "Avast!"criedavoice,whoseowneratthesametimecoming closebehindus,laidahanduponbothourshoulders,andthen insinuatinghimselfbetweenus,stoodstoopingforwardalittle, intheuncertaintwilight,strangelypeeringfromQueequegtome. ItwasElijah. "Goingaboard?" "Handsoff,willyou,"saidI. "Lookeehere,"saidQueequeg,shakinghimself,"go'way!" "Aintgoingaboard,then?" "Yes,weare,"saidI,"butwhatbusinessisthatofyours? Doyouknow,Mr.Elijah,thatIconsideryoualittleimpertinent?" "No,no,no;Iwasn'tawareofthat,"saidElijah,slowlyandwonderingly lookingfrommetoQueequeg,withthemostunaccountableglances. "Elijah,"saidI,"youwillobligemyfriendandmebywithdrawing. WearegoingtotheIndianandPacificOceans,andwouldprefer nottobedetained." "Yebe,beye?Comingbackaforebreakfast?" "He'scracked,Queequeg,"saidI,"comeon." "Holloa!"criedstationaryElijah,hailinguswhenwehadremoved afewpaces. "Nevermindhim,"saidI,"Queequeg,comeon." Buthestoleuptousagain,andsuddenlyclappinghishand onmyshoulder,said"Didyeseeanythinglookinglikemen goingtowardsthatshipawhileago?"

 Struckbythisplainmatteroffactquestion,Ianswered,saying,"Yes,I thoughtIdidseefourorfivemen;butitwastoodimtobesure." "Verydim,verydim,"saidElijah."Morningtoye." Oncemorewequittedhim;butoncemorehecamesoftlyafterus; andtouchingmyshoulderagain,said,"Seeifyoucanfind 'emnow,willye? "Findwho?" "Morningtoye!morningtoye!"herejoined,againmovingoff. "Oh!Iwasgoingtowarnyeagainstbutnevermind,nevermind it'sallone,allinthefamilytoo;sharpfrostthismorning, ain'tit?Goodbyetoye.Shan'tseeyeagainverysoon,Iguess; unlessit'sbeforetheGrandJury."Andwiththesecrackedwords hefinallydeparted,leavingme,forthemoment,innosmall wondermentathisfranticimpudence. Atlast,steppingonboardthePequod,wefoundeverythingin profoundquiet,notasoulmoving.Thecabinentrancewaslockedwithin; thehatcheswereallon,andlumberedwithcoilsofrigging. Goingforwardtotheforecastle,wefoundtheslideofthescuttleopen. Seeingalight,wewentdown,andfoundonlyanoldriggerthere, wrappedinatatteredpeajacket.Hewasthrownatwholelengthupon twochests,hisfacedownwardsandinclosedinhisfoldedarms. Theprofoundestslumbersleptuponhim. "Thosesailorswesaw,Queequeg,wherecantheyhavegoneto?" saidI,lookingdubiouslyatthesleeper.Butitseemedthat, whenonthewharf,QueequeghadnotatallnoticedwhatInowalludedto; henceIwouldhavethoughtmyselftohavebeenopticallydeceivedin thatmatter,wereitnotforElijah'sotherwiseinexplicablequestion. ButIbeatthethingdown;andagainmarkingthesleeper, jocularlyhintedtoQueequegthatperhapswehadbestsitup withthebody;tellinghimtoestablishhimselfaccordingly. Heputhishanduponthesleeper'srear,asthoughfeelingifit wassoftenough;andthen,withoutmoreado,satquietlydownthere. "Gracious!Queequeg,don'tsitthere,"saidI. "Oh;perrydoodseat,"saidQueequeg,"mycountryway; won'thurthimface." "Face!"saidI,"callthathisface?verybenevolentcountenancethen;

buthowhardhebreathes,he'sheavinghimself;getoff, Queequeg,youareheavy,it'sgrindingthefaceofthepoor. Getoff,Queequeg!Look,he'lltwitchyouoffsoon. Iwonderhedon'twake." Queequegremovedhimselftojustbeyondtheheadofthesleeper, andlightedhistomahawkpipe.Isatatthefeet. Wekeptthepipepassingoverthesleeper,fromonetotheother. Meanwhile,uponquestioninghiminhisbrokenfashion,Queequeggave metounderstandthat,inhisland,owingtotheabsenceofsettees andsofasofallsorts,theking,chiefs,andgreatpeoplegenerally, wereinthecustomoffatteningsomeofthelowerordersforottomans; andtofurnishahousecomfortablyinthatrespect,youhadonly tobuyupeightortenlazyfellows,andlaythemroundinthepiers andalcoves.Besides,itwasveryconvenientonanexcursion; muchbetterthanthosegardenchairswhichareconvertibleinto walkingsticks;uponoccasion,achiefcallinghisattendant, anddesiringhimtomakeasetteeofhimselfunderaspreadingtree, perhapsinsomedampmarshyplace. Whilenarratingthesethings,everytimeQueequegreceivedthetomahawk fromme,heflourishedthehatchetsideofitoverthesleeper'shead. "What'sthatfor,Queequeg?" "Perryeasy,kille;oh!perryeasy! Hewasgoingonwithsomewildreminiscencesabouthistomahawkpipe which,itseemed,hadinitstwousesbothbrainedhisfoesandsoothed hissoul,whenweweredirectlyattractedtothesleepingrigger. Thestrongvapornowcompletelyfillingthecontractedhole, itbegantotelluponhim.Hebreathedwithasortofmuffledness; thenseemedtroubledinthenose;thenrevolvedoveronceortwice; thensatupandrubbedhiseyes. "Holloa!"hebreathedatlast,"whobeyesmokers?" "Shippedmen,"answeredI,"whendoesshesail?" "Aye,aye,yearegoinginher,beye?Shesailstoday.TheCaptain cameaboardlastnight." "WhatCaptain?Ahab?" "Whobuthimindeed?"

IwasgoingtoaskhimsomefurtherquestionsconcerningAhab, whenweheardanoiseondeck. "Holloa!Starbuck'sastir,"saidtherigger."He'salivelychief matethat;goodman,andapious;butallalivenow,Imustturnto." Andsosayinghewentondeck,andwefollowed. Itwasnowclearsunrise.Soonthecrewcameonboardintwosandthrees; theriggersbestirredthemselves;themateswereactivelyengaged; andseveraloftheshorepeoplewerebusyinbringingvariouslast thingsonboard.MeanwhileCaptainAhabremainedinvisiblyenshrined withinhiscabin. CHAPTER22 MerryChristmas Atlength,towardsnoon,uponthefinaldismissaloftheship'sriggers, andafterthePequodhadbeenhauledoutfromthewharf,andafterthe everthoughtfulCharityhadcomeoffinawhaleboat,withherlastgift anightcapforStubb,thesecondmate,herbrotherinlaw,andaspare Bibleforthestewardafterallthis,thetwoCaptains,PelegandBildad, issuedfromthecabin,andturningtothechiefmate,Pelegsaid: "Now,Mr.Starbuck,areyousureeverythingisright? CaptainAhabisallreadyjustspoketohimnothingmore tobegotfromshore,eh?Well,callallhands,then. Muster'emafthereblast'em!" "Noneedofprofanewords,howevergreatthehurry,Peleg,"saidBildad, "butawaywiththee,friendStarbuck,anddoourbidding." Hownow!Hereupontheverypointofstartingforthevoyage, CaptainPelegandCaptainBildadweregoingitwithahighhandon thequarterdeck,justasiftheyweretobejointcommandersatsea, aswellastoallappearancesinport.And,asforCaptainAhab, nosignofhimwasyettobeseen;Only,theysaidhewasinthecabin. Butthen,theideawas,thathispresencewasbynomeansnecessary ingettingtheshipunderweigh,andsteeringherwellouttosea. Indeed,asthatwasnotatallhisproperbusiness,butthepilot's; andashewasnotyetcompletelyrecoveredsotheysaidtherefore, CaptainAhabstayedbelow.Andallthisseemednaturalenough; especiallyasinthemerchantservicemanycaptainsnevershow

themselvesondeckforaconsiderabletimeafterheavinguptheanchor, butremainoverthecabintable,havingafarewellmerrymakingwith theirshorefriends,beforetheyquittheshipforgoodwiththepilot. Buttherewasnotmuchchancetothinkoverthematter,forCaptainPeleg wasnowallalive.Heseemedtodomostofthetalkingandcommanding, andnotBildad. "Afthere,yesonsofbachelors,"hecried,asthesailorslingered atthemainmast."Mr.Starbuck,driveaft." "Strikethetentthere!"wasthenextorder.AsIhintedbefore, thiswhalebonemarqueewasneverpitchedexceptinport; andonboardthePequod,forthirtyyears,theordertostrike thetentwaswellknowntobethenextthingtoheaving uptheanchor. "Manthecapstan!Bloodandthunder!jump!"wasthenextcommand, andthecrewsprangforthehandspikes. Nowingettingunderweigh,thestationgenerallyoccupied bythepilotistheforwardpartoftheship.AndhereBildad, who,withPeleg,beitknown,inadditiontohisotheroffices, wasoneofthelicensedpilotsoftheporthebeingsuspected tohavegothimselfmadeapilotinordertosavetheNantucket pilotfeetoalltheshipshewasconcernedin,forhenever pilotedanyothercraftBildad,Isay,mightnowbeseenactively engagedinlookingoverthebowsfortheapproachinganchor, andatintervalssingingwhatseemedadismalstaveofpsalmody, tocheerthehandsatthewindlass,whoroaredforthsomesort ofachorusaboutthegirlsinBoobleAlley,withheartygoodwill. Nevertheless,notthreedaysprevious,Bildadhadtoldthem thatnoprofanesongswouldbeallowedonboardthePequod, particularlyingettingunderweigh;andCharity,hissister, hadplacedasmallchoicecopyofWattsineachseaman'sberth. Meantime,overseeingtheotherpartoftheship,CaptainPeleg rippedandsworeasterninthemostfrightfulmanner. Ialmostthoughthewouldsinktheshipbeforetheanchorcould begotup;involuntarilyIpausedonmyhandspike,andtold Queequegtodothesame,thinkingoftheperilswebothran, instartingonthevoyagewithsuchadevilforapilot. Iwascomfortingmyself,however,withthethoughtthatinpious Bildadmightbefoundsomesalvation,spiteofhissevenhundred andseventyseventhlay;whenIfeltasuddensharppokeinmyrear, andturninground,washorrifiedattheapparitionofCaptainPeleg

intheactofwithdrawinghislegfrommyimmediatevicinity. Thatwasmyfirstkick. "Isthatthewaytheyheaveinthemarchantservice?"heroared. "Spring,thousheephead;spring,andbreakthybackbone!Whydon't yespring,Isay,allofyespring!Quohog!spring,thouchapwith theredwhiskers;springthere,Scotchcap;spring,thougreenpants. Spring,Isay,allofye,andspringyoureyesout!"Andsosaying, hemovedalongthewindlass,hereandthereusinghislegveryfreely, whileimperturbableBildadkeptleadingoffwithhispsalmody. ThinksI,CaptainPelegmusthavebeendrinkingsomethingtoday. Atlasttheanchorwasup,thesailswereset,andoffweglided. Itwasashort,coldChristmas;andastheshortnortherndaymerged intonight,wefoundourselvesalmostbroaduponthewintryocean, whosefreezingspraycasedusinice,asinpolishedarmor. Thelongrowsofteethonthebulwarksglistenedinthemoonlight; andlikethewhiteivorytusksofsomehugeelephant,vastcurving iciclesdependedfromthebows. LankBildad,aspilot,headedthefirstwatch,andeverandanon, astheoldcraftdeepdivedintothegreenseas,andsenttheshivering frostalloverher,andthewindshowled,andthecordagerang, hissteadynoteswereheard, "Sweetfieldsbeyondtheswellingflood, Standdressedinlivinggreen. SototheJewsoldCanaanstood, WhileJordanrolledbetween." Neverdidthosesweetwordssoundmoresweetlytomethanthen. Theywerefullofhopeandfruition.Spiteofthisfrigidwinternight intheboisterousAtlantic,spiteofmywetfeetandwetterjacket, therewasyet,itthenseemedtome,manyapleasanthaveninstore; andmeadsandgladessoeternallyvernal,thatthegrassshotup bythespring,untrodden,unwilted,remainsatmidsummer. Atlastwegainedsuchanoffing,thatthetwopilotswere needednolonger.Thestoutsailboatthathadaccompaniedus beganrangingalongside. Itwascuriousandnotunpleasing,howPelegandBildadwere affectedatthisjuncture,especiallyCaptainBildad.Forloath todepart,yet;veryloathtoleave,forgood,ashipbound onsolongandperilousavoyagebeyondbothstormyCapes;

ashipinwhichsomethousandsofhishardearneddollars wereinvested;aship,inwhichanoldshipmatesailedascaptain; amanalmostasoldashe,oncemorestartingtoencounter alltheterrorsofthepitilessjaw;loathtosaygoodbye toathingsoeverywaybrimfulofeveryinteresttohim, pooroldBildadlingeredlong;pacedthedeckwithanxiousstrides; randownintothecabintospeakanotherfarewellwordthere; againcameondeck,andlookedtowindward;lookedtowards thewideandendlesswaters,onlyboundedbythefaroffunseen EasternContinents;lookedtowardstheland;lookedaloft; lookedrightandleft;lookedeverywhereandnowhere; andatlast,mechanicallycoilingaropeuponitspin, convulsivelygraspedstoutPelegbythehand,andholdingup alantern,foramomentstoodgazingheroicallyinhisface, asmuchastosay,"Nevertheless,friendPeleg,Icanstandit; yes,Ican." AsforPeleghimself,hetookitmorelikeaphilosopher; butforallhisphilosophy,therewasateartwinklinginhiseye, whenthelanterncametoonear.Andhe,too,didnotalittle runfromthecabintodecknowawordbelow,andnowaword withStarbuck,thechiefmate. But,atlast,heturnedtohiscomrade,withafinalsortoflook abouthim,"CaptainBildadcome,oldshipmate,wemustgo. Backthemainyardthere!Boatahoy!Standbytocome closealongside,now!Careful,careful!come,Bildad,boy sayyourlast.Lucktoye,Starbucklucktoye,Mr.Stubb lucktoye,Mr.Flaskgoodbyeandgoodlucktoyeall andthisdaythreeyearsI'llhaveahotsuppersmokingforye inoldNantucket.Hurrahandaway!" "Godblessye,andhaveyeinHisholykeeping,men,"murmuredoldBildad, almostincoherently."Ihopeye'llhavefineweathernow,sothat CaptainAhabmaysoonbemovingamongyeapleasantsunisallheneeds, andye'llhaveplentyoftheminthetropicvoyageyego.Becareful inthehunt,yemates.Don'tstavetheboatsneedlessly,yeharpooneers; goodwhitecedarplankisraisedfullthreepercentwithintheyear. Don'tforgetyourprayers,either.Mr.Starbuck,mindthatcooperdon't wastethesparestaves.Oh!thesailneedlesareinthegreenlocker. Don'twhaleittoomucha'Lord'sdays,men;butdon'tmissafair chanceeither,that'srejectingHeaven'sgoodgifts.Haveaneye tothemolassestierce,Mr.Stubb;itwasalittleleaky,Ithought. Ifyetouchattheislands,Mr.Flask,bewareoffornication. Goodbye,goodbye!Don'tkeepthatcheesetoolongdowninthehold, Mr.Starbuck;it'llspoil.Becarefulwiththebuttertwentycents

thepounditwas,andmindye,if" "Come,come,CaptainBildad;stoppalavering,away!"andwiththat, Peleghurriedhimovertheside,andbothdroptintotheboat. Shipandboatdiverged;thecold,dampnightbreezeblewbetween; ascreaminggullflewoverhead;thetwohullswildlyrolled; wegavethreeheavyheartedcheers,andblindlyplungedlikefate intotheloneAtlantic. CHAPTER23 TheLeeShore Somechaptersback,oneBulkingtonwasspokenof,atall, newlandedmariner,encounteredinNewBedfordattheinn. Whenonthatshiveringwinter'snight,thePequodthrusthervindictive bowsintothecoldmaliciouswaves,whoshouldIseestandingather helmbutBulkington!Ilookedwithsympatheticaweandfearfulness upontheman,whoinmidwinterjustlandedfromafouryears' dangerousvoyage,couldsounrestinglypushoffagainforstill anothertempestuousterm.Thelandseemedscorchingtohisfeet. Wonderfullestthingsareevertheunmentionable;deepmemories yieldnoepitaphs;thissixinchchapteristhestonelessgrave ofBulkington.Letmeonlysaythatitfaredwithhimaswith thestormtossedship,thatmiserablydrivesalongtheleewardland. Theportwouldfaingivesuccor;theportispitiful; intheportissafety,comfort,hearthstone,supper, warmblankets,friends,allthat'skindtoourmortalities. Butinthatgale,theport,theland,isthatship'sdirestjeopardy; shemustflyallhospitality;onetouchofland,thoughit butgrazethekeel,wouldmakehershudderthroughandthrough. Withallhermightshecrowdsallsailoffshore;insodoing, fights'gainsttheverywindsthatfainwouldblowherhomeward; seeksallthelashedsea'slandlessnessagain;forrefuge'ssake forlornlyrushingintoperil;heronlyfriendherbitterestfoe! Knowyenow,Bulkington?Glimpsesdoyeseemtoseeofthatmortally intolerabletruth;thatalldeep,earnestthinkingisbuttheintrepid effortofthesoultokeeptheopenindependenceofhersea; whilethewildestwindsofheavenandearthconspiretocastheron thetreacherous,slavishshore?

 Butasinlandlessnessaloneresidesthehighesttruth,shoreless, indefiniteasGodsobetterisittoperishinthathowlinginfinite, thanbeingloriouslydasheduponthelee,evenifthatweresafety! Forwormlike,then,oh!whowouldcravencrawltoland! Terrorsoftheterrible!isallthisagonysovain? Takeheart,takeheart,OBulkington!Beartheegrimly,demigod! Upfromthesprayofthyoceanperishingstraightup, leapsthyapotheosis! CHAPTER24 TheAdvocate AsQueequegandIarenowfairlyembarkedinthisbusinessofwhaling; andasthisbusinessofwhalinghassomehowcometoberegardedamong landsmenasaratherunpoeticalanddisreputablepursuit;therefore,Iam allanxietytoconvinceye,yelandsmen,oftheinjusticeherebydone toushuntersofwhales. Inthefirstplace,itmaybedeemedalmostsuperfluoustoestablish thefact,thatamongpeopleatlarge,thebusinessofwhalingisnot accountedonalevelwithwhatarecalledtheliberalprofessions. Ifastrangerwereintroducedintoanymiscellaneousmetropolitansociety, itwouldbutslightlyadvancethegeneralopinionofhismerits,werehe presentedtothecompanyasaharpooneer,say;andifinemulationofthe navalofficersheshouldappendtheinitialsS.W.F.(SpermWhaleFishery) tohisvisitingcard,suchaprocedurewouldbedeemedpreeminently presumingandridiculous. Doubtlessoneleadingreasonwhytheworlddeclineshonoring uswhalemen,isthis:theythinkthat,atbest,ourvocation amountstoabutcheringsortofbusiness;andthatwhenactively engagedtherein,wearesurroundedbyallmannerofdefilements. Butchersweare,thatistrue.Butbutchers,also,andbutchers ofthebloodiestbadgehavebeenallMartialCommanderswhom theworldinvariablydelightstohonor.Andasforthematter oftheallegeduncleanlinessofourbusiness,yeshallsoonbe initiatedintocertainfactshithertoprettygenerallyunknown, andwhich,uponthewhole,willtriumphantlyplantthesperm whaleshipatleastamongthecleanliestthingsofthistidyearth. Butevengrantingthechargeinquestiontobetrue;whatdisordered slipperydecksofawhaleshiparecomparabletotheunspeakable

carrionofthosebattlefieldsfromwhichsomanysoldiersreturn todrinkinallladies'plaudits?Andiftheideaofperil somuchenhancesthepopularconceitofthesoldier'sprofession; letmeassureyethatmanyaveteranwhohasfreelymarchedup toabattery,wouldquicklyrecoilattheapparitionofthesperm whale'svasttail,fanningintoeddiestheairoverhishead. Forwhatarethecomprehensibleterrorsofmancomparedwith theinterlinkedterrorsandwondersofGod! But,thoughtheworldscoutsatuswhalehunters,yetdoesit unwittinglypayustheprofoundesthomage;yea,anallabounding adoration!foralmostallthetapers,lamps,andcandles thatburnroundtheglobe,burn,asbeforesomanyshrines, toourglory! Butlookatthismatterinotherlights;weighitinallsortsofscales; seewhatwewhalemenare,andhavebeen. WhydidtheDutchinDeWitt'stimehaveadmiralsoftheir whalingfleets?WhydidLouisXVIofFrance,athisown personalexpense,fitoutwhalingshipsfromDunkirk,andpolitely invitetothattownsomescoreortwooffamiliesfromourownisland ofNantucket?WhydidBritainbetweentheyears1750and1788 paytoherwhalemeninbountiesupwardsof1,000,000pounds? Andlastly,howcomesitthatwewhalemenofAmericanowoutnumber alltherestofthebandedwhalemenintheworld;sailanavyof upwardsofsevenhundredvessels;mannedbyeighteenthousandmen; yearlyconsuming00824,000,000ofdollars;theshipsworth, atthetimeofsailing,20,000,000dollars;andeveryyearimporting intoourharborsawellreapedharvestof00847,000,000dollars. Howcomesallthis,iftherebenotsomethingpuissantinwhaling? Butthisisnotthehalf;lookagain. Ifreelyassert,thatthecosmopolitephilosophercannot, forhislife,pointoutonesinglepeacefulinfluence, whichwithinthelastsixtyyearshasoperatedmorepotentially uponthewholebroadworld,takeninoneaggregate, thanthehighandmightybusinessofwhaling.Oneway andanother,ithasbegotteneventssoremarkableinthemselves, andsocontinuouslymomentousintheirsequentialissues, thatwhalingmaywellberegardedasthatEgyptianmother, whoboreoffspringthemselvespregnantfromherwomb. Itwouldbeahopeless,endlesstasktocatalogueallthesethings. Letahandfulsuffice.Formanyyearspastthewhaleshiphas beenthepioneerinferretingouttheremotestandleastknown

partsoftheearth.Shehasexploredseasandarchipelagoes whichhadnochart,wherenoCookeorVancouverhadeversailed. IfAmericanandEuropeanmenofwarnowpeacefullyride inoncesavageharbors,letthemfiresalutestothehonor andgloryofthewhaleship,whichoriginallyshowedthem theway,andfirstinterpretedbetweenthemandthesavages. TheymaycelebrateastheywilltheheroesofExploringExpeditions, yourCookes,YourKrusensterns;butIsaythatscoresofanonymous CaptainshavesailedoutofNantucket,thatwereasgreat, andgreater,thanyourCookeandyourKrusenstern.Forin theirsuccorlessemptyhandedness,they,intheheathenish sharkedwaters,andbythebeachesofunrecorded,javelinislands, battledwithvirginwondersandterrorsthatCookewithallhis marinesandmusketswouldnotwillinglyhavewillinglydared. AllthatismadesuchaflourishofintheoldSouthSeaVoyages, thosethingswerebutthelifetimecommonplacesofour heroicNantucketers.Often,adventureswhichVancouver dedicatesthreechaptersto,thesemenaccountedunworthy ofbeingsetdownintheship'scommonlog.Ah,theworld! Oh,theworld! UntilthewhalefisheryroundedCapeHorn,nocommercebutcolonial, scarcelyanyintercoursebutcolonial,wascarriedonbetweenEurope andthelonglineoftheopulentSpanishprovincesonthePacificcoast. Itwasthewhalemenwhofirstbrokethroughthejealouspolicyof theSpanishcrown,touchingthosecolonies;and,ifspacepermitted, itmightbedistinctlyshownhowfromthosewhalemenatlasteventuated theliberationofPeru,Chili,andBoliviafromtheyokeofOldSpain, andtheestablishmentoftheeternaldemocracyinthoseparts. ThatgreatAmericaontheothersideofthesphere,Australia, wasgiventotheenlightenedworldbythewhaleman. AfteritsfirstblunderborndiscoverybyaDutchman,allotherships, longshunnedthoseshoresaspestiferouslybarbarous; butthewhaleshiptouchedthere.Thewhaleshipisthetrue motherofthatnowmightycolony.Moreover,intheinfancy ofthefirstAustraliansettlement,theemigrantswereseveral timessavedfromstarvationbythebenevolentbiscuitof thewhaleshipluckilydroppingananchorintheirwaters. TheuncountedislesofallPolynesiaconfessthesametruth, anddocommercialhomagetothewhaleship,thatclearedtheway forthemissionaryandthemerchant,andinmanycasescarried theprimitivemissionariestotheirfirstdestinations. Ifthatdoubleboltedland,Japan,isevertobecomehospitable, itisthewhaleshipalonetowhomthecreditwillbedue; foralreadysheisonthethreshold.

 Butif,inthefaceofallthis,youstilldeclarethatwhaling hasnoaestheticallynobleassociationsconnectedwithit, thenamIreadytoshiverfiftylanceswithyouthere, andunhorseyouwithasplithelmeteverytime. Thewhalehasnofamousauthor,andwhalingnofamouschronicler, youwillsay. Thewhalenofamousauthor,andwhalingnofamouschronicler? WhowrotethefirstaccountofourLeviathan?WhobutmightyJob? Andwhocomposedthefirstnarrativeofawhalingvoyage?Who, butnolessaprincethanAlfredtheGreat,who,withhisown royalpen,tookdownthewordsfromOther,theNorwegian whalehunterofthosetimes!Andwhopronouncedourglowing eulogyinParliament?Who,butEdmundBurke! Trueenough,butthenwhalementhemselvesarepoordevils; theyhavenogoodbloodintheirveins. Nogoodbloodintheirveins?Theyhavesomethingbetter thanroyalbloodthere.ThegrandmotherofBenjaminFranklin wasMaryMorrel;afterwards,bymarriage,MaryFolger,oneof theoldsettlersofNantucket,andtheancestresstoalongline ofFolgersandharpooneersallkithandkintonobleBenjamin thisdaydartingthebarbedironfromonesideoftheworld totheother. Goodagain;butthenallconfessthatsomehowwhalingisnotrespectable. Whalingnotrespectable?Whalingisimperial!ByoldEnglish statutorylaw,thewhaleisdeclared"aroyalfish." Oh,that'sonlynominal!Thewhalehimselfhasneverfigured inanygrandimposingway. Thewhaleneverfiguredinanygrandimposingway?Inoneofthemighty triumphsgiventoaRomangeneraluponhisenteringtheworld'scapital, thebonesofawhale,broughtallthewayfromtheSyriancoast, werethemostconspicuousobjectinthecymballedprocession.* *Seesubsequentchaptersforsomethingmoreonthishead. Grantit,sinceyouciteit;butsaywhatyouwill,thereisnoreal

dignityinwhaling. Nodignityinwhaling?Thedignityofourcallingthevery heavensattest.CetusisaconstellationintheSouth!Nomore! DrivedownyourhatinpresenceoftheCzar,andtakeitoff toQueequeg!Nomore!Iknowamanthat,inhislifetime hastakenthreehundredandfiftywhales.Iaccountthatman morehonorablethanthatgreatcaptainofantiquitywhoboasted oftakingasmanywalledtowns. And,asforme,if,byanypossibility,therebeanyasyetundiscovered primethinginme;ifIshalleverdeserveanyrealreputeinthatsmall buthighhushedworldwhichImightnotbeunreasonablyambitiousof; ifhereafterIshalldoanythingthat,uponthewhole,amanmightrather havedonethantohaveleftundone;if,atmydeath,myexecutors, ormoreproperlymycreditors,findanypreciousMSS.inmydesk, thenhereIprospectivelyascribeallthehonorandtheglorytowhaling; forawhaleshipwasmyYaleCollegeandmyHarvard. CHAPTER25 Postscript Inbehalfofthedignityofwhaling,Iwouldfainadvancenaught butsubstantiatedfacts.Butafterembattlinghisfacts, anadvocatewhoshouldwhollysuppressanotunreasonablesurmise, whichmighttelleloquentlyuponhiscausesuchanadvocate, wouldhenotbeblameworthy? Itiswellknownthatatthecoronationofkingsandqueens, evenmodernones,acertaincuriousprocessofseasoningthem fortheirfunctionsisgonethrough.Thereisasaltcellar ofstate,socalled,andtheremaybeacasterofstate. Howtheyusethesalt,preciselywhoknows?CertainIam, however,thataking'sheadissolemnlyoiledathiscoronation, evenasaheadofsalad.Canitbe,though,thatthey anointitwithaviewofmakingitsinteriorrunwell, astheyanointmachinery?Muchmightberuminatedhere, concerningtheessentialdignityofthisregalprocess, becauseincommonlifeweesteembutmeanlyandcontemptiblyafellow whoanointshishair,andpalpablysmellsofthatanointing. Intruth,amaturemanwhouseshairoil,unlessmedicinally,

thatmanhasprobablygotaquoggyspotinhimsomewhere. Asageneralrule,hecan'tamounttomuchinhistotality. Buttheonlythingtobeconsideredhereisthiswhatkindofoilisused atcoronations?Certainlyitcannotbeoliveoil,normacassaroil, norcastoroil,norbear'soil,nortrainoil,norcodliveroil. Whatthencanitpossiblybe,butthespermoilinitsunmanufactured, unpollutedstate,thesweetestofalloils? Thinkofthat,yeloyalBritons!wewhalemensupplyyourkings andqueenswithcoronationstuff! CHAPTER26 KnightsandSquires ThechiefmateofthePequodwasStarbuck,anativeofNantucket, andaQuakerbydescent.Hewasalong,earnestman, andthoughbornonanicycoast,seemedwelladaptedtoendure hotlatitudes,hisfleshbeinghardastwicebakedbiscuit. TransportedtotheIndies,hislivebloodwouldnotspoillike bottledale.Hemusthavebeenborninsometimeofgeneral droughtandfamine,orupononeofthosefastdaysforwhichhis stateisfamous.Onlysomethirtyaridsummershadheseen; thosesummershaddriedupallhisphysicalsuperfluousness. Butthis,histhinness,sotospeak,seemednomorethetoken ofwastinganxietiesandcares,thanitseemedtheindication ofanybodilyblight.Itwasmerelythecondensationoftheman. Hewasbynomeansilllooking;quitethecontrary. Hispuretightskinwasanexcellentfit;andcloselywrapped upinit,andembalmedwithinnerhealthandstrength, likearevivifiedEgyptian,thisStarbuckseemedprepared toendureforlongagestocome,andtoendurealways,asnow; forbeitPolarsnowortorridsun,likeapatentchronometer, hisinteriorvitalitywaswarrantedtodowellinallclimates. Lookingintohiseyes,youseemedtoseetheretheyetlingering imagesofthosethousandfoldperilshehadcalmlyconfronted throughlife.Astaid,steadfastman,whoselifeforthemost partwasatellingpantomimeofaction,andnotatamechapter ofsounds.Yet,forallhishardysobrietyandfortitude, therewerecertainqualitiesinhimwhichattimesaffected, andinsomecasesseemedwellnightooverbalancealltherest. Uncommonlyconscientiousforaseaman,andenduedwithadeep

naturalreverence,thewildwaterylonelinessofhislifedid thereforestronglyinclinehimtosuperstition;buttothatsort ofsuperstition,whichinsomeorganizationsseemsrather tospring,somehow,fromintelligencethanfromignorance. Outwardportentsandinwardpresentimentswerehis. Andifattimesthesethingsbenttheweldedironofhissoul, muchmoredidhisfarawaydomesticmemoriesofhisyoungCape wifeandchild,tendtobendhimstillmorefromtheoriginal ruggednessofhisnature,andopenhimstillfurthertothoselatent influenceswhich,insomehonestheartedmen,restrainthegush ofdaredevildaring,sooftenevincedbyothersinthemore perilousvicissitudesofthefishery."Iwillhavenoman inmyboat,"saidStarbuck,"whoisnotafraidofawhale." Bythis,heseemedtomean,notonlythatthemostreliable andusefulcouragewasthatwhicharisesfromthefairestimation oftheencounteredperil,butthatanutterlyfearlessman isafarmoredangerouscomradethanacoward. "Aye,aye,"saidStubb,thesecondmate,"Starbuck,there, isascarefulamanasyou'llfindanywhereinthisfishery." Butweshallerelongseewhatthatword"careful"preciselymeans whenusedbyamanlikeStubb,oralmostanyotherwhalehunter. Starbuckwasnocrusaderafterperils;inhimcouragewasnotasentiment; butathingsimplyusefultohim,andalwaysathanduponallmortally practicaloccasions.Besides,hethought,perhaps,thatinthisbusiness ofwhaling,couragewasoneofthegreatstapleoutfitsoftheship, likeherbeefandherbread,andnottobefoolishlywasted. Whereforehehadnofancyforloweringforwhalesaftersundown; norforpersistinginfightingafishthattoomuchpersistedin fightinghim.For,thoughtStarbuck,Iamhereinthiscriticalocean tokillwhalesformyliving,andnottobekilledbythemfortheirs; andthathundredsofmenhadbeensokilledStarbuckwellknew. Whatdoomwashisownfather's?Where,inthebottomlessdeeps, couldhefindthetornlimbsofhisbrother? Withmemoriesliketheseinhim,and,moreover,giventoacertain superstitiousness,ashasbeensaid;thecourageofthisStarbuck, whichcould,nevertheless,stillflourish,mustindeedhavebeenextreme. Butitwasnotinreasonablenaturethatamansoorganized, andwithsuchterribleexperiencesandremembrancesashehad; itwasnotinnaturethatthesethingsshouldfailinlatently engenderinganelementinhim,which,undersuitablecircumstances, wouldbreakoutfromitsconfinement,andburnallhiscourageup. Andbraveashemightbe,itwasthatsortofbraverychiefly, visibleinsomeintrepidmen,which,whilegenerallyabidingfirm

intheconflictwithseas,orwinds,orwhales,oranyoftheordinary irrationalhorrorsoftheworld,yetcannotwithstandthosemoreterrific, becausemorespiritualterrors,whichsometimesmenaceyoufrom theconcentratingbrowofanenragedandmightyman. Butwerethecomingnarrativetorevealinanyinstance, thecompleteabasementofpoorStarbuck'sfortitude,scarcemight Ihavethehearttowriteit;foritisathingmostsorrowful, nayshocking,toexposethefallofvalorinthesoul. Menmayseemdetestableasjointstockcompaniesandnations; knaves,fools,andmurdererstheremaybe;menmayhavemeanand meagrefaces;but,man,intheideal,issonobleandsosparkling, suchagrandandglowingcreature,thatoveranyignominiousblemish inhimallhisfellowsshouldruntothrowtheircostliestrobes. Thatimmaculatemanlinesswefeelwithinourselves,sofarwithinus, thatitremainsintactthoughalltheoutercharacterseemgone; bleedswithkeenestanguishattheundrapedspectacleofa valorruinedman.Norcanpietyitself,atsuchashamefulsight, completelystifleherupbraidingsagainstthepermittingstars. ButthisaugustdignityItreatof,isnotthedignityofkings androbes,butthataboundingdignitywhichhasnorobedinvestiture. Thoushaltseeitshininginthearmthatwieldsapickor drivesaspike;thatdemocraticdignitywhich,onallhands, radiateswithoutendfromGod;Himself!ThegreatGodabsolute! Thecentreandcircumferenceofalldemocracy!Hisomnipresence, ourdivineequality! If,then,tomeanestmariners,andrenegadesandcastaways, Ishallhereafterascribehighqualities,thoughdark; weaveroundthemtragicgraces;ifeventhemostmournful, perchancethemostabased,amongthemall,shallattimeslift himselftotheexaltedmounts;ifIshalltouchthatworkman's armwithsomeethereallight;ifIshallspreadarainbow overhisdisastroussetofsun;thenagainstallmortal criticsbearmeoutinit,thoujustSpiritofEquality, whichhastspreadoneroyalmantleofhumanityoverallmykind! Bearmeoutinit,thougreatdemocraticGod!whodidstnot refusetotheswartconvict,Bunyan,thepale,poeticpearl; Thouwhodidstclothewithdoublyhammeredleavesoffinestgold, thestumpedandpauperedarmofoldCervantes;Thouwhodidst pickupAndrewJacksonfromthepebbles;whodidsthurlhim uponawarhorse;whodidstthunderhimhigherthanathrone! Thouwho,inallThymighty,earthlymarchings,evercullest Thyselectestchampionsfromthekinglycommoners;bearme outinit,OGod!

 CHAPTER27 KnightsandSquires Stubbwasthesecondmate.HewasanativeofCapeCod; andhence,accordingtolocalusage,wascalleda CapeCodman.Ahappygolucky;neithercravennorvaliant; takingperilsastheycamewithanindifferentair;andwhile engagedinthemostimminentcrisisofthechase,toilingaway, calmandcollectedasajourneymanjoinerengagedfortheyear. Goodhumored,easy,andcareless,hepresidedoverhis whaleboatasifthemostdeadlyencounterwerebutadinner, andhiscrewallinvitedguests.Hewasasparticular aboutthecomfortablearrangementsofhispartoftheboat, asanoldstagedriverisaboutthesnugnessofhisbox. Whenclosetothewhale,intheverydeathlockofthefight, hehandledhisunpityinglancecoollyandoffhandedly,asa whistlingtinkerhishammer.Hewouldhumoverhisoldrigadig tuneswhileflankandflankwiththemostexasperatedmonster. Longusagehad,forthisStubb,convertedthejawsofdeath intoaneasychair.Whathethoughtofdeathitself, thereisnotelling.Whetherheeverthoughtofitatall, mightbeaquestion;but,ifheeverdidchancetocasthismind thatwayafteracomfortabledinner,nodoubt,likeagoodsailor, hetookittobeasortofcallofthewatchtotumblealoft, andbestirthemselvesthere,aboutsomethingwhichhewould findoutwhenheobeyedtheorder,andnotsooner. What,perhaps,withotherthings,madeStubbsuchaneasygoing, unfearingman,socheerilytrudgingoffwiththeburdenoflifeina worldfullofgravepeddlers,allbowedtothegroundwiththeirpacks; whathelpedtobringaboutthatalmostimpiousgoodhumorofhis; thatthingmusthavebeenhispipe.For,likehisnose,hisshort, blacklittlepipewasoneoftheregularfeaturesofhisface. Youwouldalmostassoonhaveexpectedhimtoturnoutofhisbunk withouthisnoseaswithouthispipe.Hekeptawholerowofpipes therereadyloaded,stuckinarack,withineasyreachofhishand; and,wheneverheturnedin,hesmokedthemalloutinsuccession, lightingonefromtheothertotheendofthechapter;thenloading themagaintobeinreadinessanew.For,whenStubbdressed, insteadoffirstputtinghislegsintohistrowsers,heputhispipe intohismouth.

Isaythiscontinualsmokingmusthavebeenonecause,atleastof hispeculiardisposition;foreveryoneknowsthatthisearthlyair, whetherashoreorafloat,isterriblyinfectedwiththenameless miseriesofthenumberlessmortalswhohavediedexhalingit; andasintimeofthecholera,somepeoplegoaboutwitha camphoratedhandkerchieftotheirmouths;so,likewise,againstall mortaltribulations,Stubb'stobaccosmokemighthaveoperated asasortofdisinfectingagent. ThethirdmatewasFlask,anativeofTisbury,inMartha'sVineyard. Ashort,stout,ruddyyoungfellow,verypugnaciousconcerningwhales, whosomehowseemedtothinkthatthegreatLeviathanshadpersonally andhereditarilyaffrontedhim;andthereforeitwasasort ofpointofhonorwithhim,todestroythemwheneverencountered. Soutterlylostwashetoallsenseofreverenceforthemanymarvels oftheirmajesticbulkandmysticways;andsodeadtoanything likeanapprehensionofanypossibledangerfromencounteringthem; thatinhispooropinion,thewondrouswhalewasbutaspecies ofmagnifiedmouse,oratleastwaterrat,requiringonlyalittle circumventionandsomesmallapplicationoftimeandtroubleinorder tokillandboil.Thisignorant,unconsciousfearlessnessofhis madehimalittlewaggishinthematterofwhales;hefollowed thesefishforthefunofit;andathreeyears'voyageround CapeHornwasonlyajollyjokethatlastedthatlengthoftime. Asacarpenter'snailsaredividedintowroughtnailsandcutnails; somankindmaybesimilarlydivided.LittleFlaskwasone ofthewroughtones;madetoclinchtightandlastlong. TheycalledhimKingPostonboardofthePequod;because,inform, hecouldbewelllikenedtotheshort,squaretimberknownbythatname inArcticwhalers;andwhichbythemeansofmanyradiatingside timbersinsertedintoit,servestobracetheshipagainsttheicy concussionsofthosebatteringseas. NowthesethreematesStarbuck,StubbandFlask,weremomentousmen. TheyitwaswhobyuniversalprescriptioncommandedthreeofthePequod's boatsasheadsmen.InthatgrandorderofbattleinwhichCaptainAhab wouldprobablymarshalhisforcestodescendonthewhales,thesethree headsmenwereascaptainsofcompanies.Or,beingarmedwiththeir longkeenwhalingspears,theywereasapickedtriooflancers; evenastheharpooneerswereflingersofjavelins. Andsinceinthisfamousfishery,eachmateorheadsman, likeaGothicKnightofold,isalwaysaccompaniedbyhis boatsteererorharpooneer,whoincertainconjuncturesprovides himwithafreshlance,whentheformeronehasbeenbadlytwisted, orelbowedintheassault;andmoreover,astheregenerally

subsistsbetweenthetwo,acloseintimacyandfriendliness; itisthereforebutmeet,thatinthisplacewesetdown whothePequod'sharpooneerswere,andtowhatheadsmaneach ofthembelonged. FirstofallwasQueequeg,whomStarbuck,thechiefmate, hadselectedforhissquire.ButQueequegisalreadyknown. NextwasTashtego,anunmixedIndianfromGayHead,themostwesterly promontoryofMartha'sVineyard,wheretherestillexiststhelast remnantofavillageofredmen,whichhaslongsuppliedtheneighboring islandofNantucketwithmanyofhermostdaringharpooneers. Inthefishery,theyusuallygobythegenericnameof GayHeaders.Tashtego'slong,lean,sablehair,hishighcheekbones, andblackroundingeyesforanIndian,Orientalintheirlargeness, butAntarcticintheirglitteringexpressionallthissufficiently proclaimedhimaninheritoroftheunvitiatedbloodofthoseproud warriorhunters,who,inquestofthegreatNewEnglandmoose, hadscoured,bowinhand,theaboriginalforestsofthemain. Butnolongersnuffinginthetrailofthewildbeastsofthewoodland, Tashtegonowhuntedinthewakeofthegreatwhalesofthesea; theunerringharpoonofthesonfitlyreplacingtheinfalliblearrow ofthesires.Tolookatthetawnybrawnofhislithesnakylimbs, youwouldalmosthavecreditedthesuperstitionsofsomeoftheearlier PuritansandhalfbelievedthiswildIndiantobeasonofthePrince ofthePowersoftheAir.TashtegowasStubbthesecondmate'ssquire. ThirdamongtheharpooneerswasDaggoo,agigantic,coalblack negrosavage,withalionliketreadanAhasuerustobehold. Suspendedfromhisearsweretwogoldenhoops,solargethatthesailors calledthemringbolts,andwouldtalkofsecuringthetopsail halyardstothem.InhisyouthDaggoohadvoluntarilyshipped onboardofawhaler,lyinginalonelybayonhisnativecoast. AndneverhavingbeenanywhereintheworldbutinAfrica,Nantucket, andthepaganharborsmostfrequentedbythewhalemen;andhaving nowledformanyyearstheboldlifeofthefisheryintheships ofownersuncommonlyheedfulofwhatmannerofmentheyshipped; Daggooretainedallhisbarbaricvirtues,anderectasagiraffe, movedaboutthedecksinallthepompofsixfeetfiveinhissocks. Therewasacorporealhumilityinlookingupathim;andawhiteman standingbeforehimseemedawhiteflagcometobegtruceofafortress. Curioustotell,thisimperialnegro,AhasuerusDaggoo,wasthe SquireoflittleFlask,wholookedlikeachessmanbesidehim. AsfortheresidueofthePequod'scompany,beitsaid, thatatthepresentdaynotoneintwoofthemanythousand menbeforethemastemployedintheAmericanwhalefishery,

areAmericansborn,thoughprettynearlyalltheofficersare. HereinitisthesamewiththeAmericanwhalefisheryaswiththe Americanarmyandmilitaryandmerchantnavies,andtheengineering forcesemployedintheconstructionoftheAmericanCanals andRailroads.Thesame,Isay,becauseinallthesecases thenativeAmericanliterallyprovidesthebrains,therest oftheworldasgenerouslysupplyingthemuscles.Nosmallnumber ofthesewhalingseamenbelongtotheAzores,wheretheoutward boundNantucketwhalersfrequentlytouchtoaugmenttheircrews fromthehardypeasantsofthoserockyshores.Inlikemanner, theGreenlandwhalerssailingoutofHullorLondon,putinat theShetlandIslands,toreceivethefullcomplementoftheircrew. Uponthepassagehomewards,theydropthemthereagain.Howitis, thereisnotelling,butIslandersseemtomakethebestwhalemen. TheywerenearlyallIslandersinthePequod,Isolatoestoo, Icallsuch,notacknowledgingthecommoncontinentofmen, buteachIsolatolivingonaseparatecontinentofhisown. Yetnow,federatedalongonekeel,whatasettheseIsolatoeswere! AnAnacharsisClootzdeputationfromalltheislesofthesea, andalltheendsoftheearth,accompanyingOldAhabin thePequodtolaytheworld'sgrievancesbeforethatbarfrom whichnotverymanyofthemevercomeback.BlackLittlePip heneverdidoh,no!hewentbefore.PoorAlabamaboy! OnthegrimPequod'sforecastle,yeshallerelongseehim, beatinghistambourine;prelusiveoftheeternaltime,whensentfor, tothegreatquarterdeckonhigh,hewasbidstrikeinwithangels, andbeathistambourineinglory;calledacowardhere, hailedaherothere! CHAPTER28 Ahab ForseveraldaysafterleavingNantucket,nothingabovehatches wasseenofCaptainAhab.Thematesregularlyrelievedeachother atthewatches,andforaughtthatcouldbeseentothecontrary, theyseemedtobetheonlycommandersoftheship;onlythey sometimesissuedfromthecabinwithorderssosuddenandperemptory, thatafterallitwasplaintheybutcommandedvicariously. Yes,theirsupremelordanddictatorwasthere,thoughhitherto unseenbyanyeyesnotpermittedtopenetrateintothenowsacred retreatofthecabin.

EverytimeIascendedtothedeckfrommywatchesbelow, Iinstantlygazedafttomarkifanystrangefacewerevisible; formyfirstvaguedisquietudetouchingtheunknowncaptain, nowintheseclusionoftheseabecamealmostaperturbation. ThiswasstrangelyheightenedattimesbytheraggedElijah's diabolicalincoherencesuninvitedlyrecurringtome, withasubtleenergyIcouldnothavebeforeconceivedof. ButpoorlycouldIwithstandthem,muchasinothermoods Iwasalmostreadytosmileatthesolemnwhimsicalities ofthatoutlandishprophetofthewharves.Butwhatever itwasofapprehensivenessoruneasinesstocallitso whichIfelt,yetwheneverIcametolookaboutmeintheship, itseemedagainstallwarrantytocherishsuchemotions. Forthoughtheharpooneers,withthegreatbodyofthecrew, wereafarmorebarbaric,heathenish,andmotleysetthanany ofthetamemerchantshipcompanieswhichmypreviousexperiences hadmademeacquaintedwith,stillIascribedthisandrightly ascribedittothefierceuniquenessoftheverynatureofthatwild ScandinavianvocationinwhichIhadsoabandonedlyembarked. Butitwasespeciallytheaspectofthethreechiefofficers oftheship,themates,whichwasmostforciblycalculated toallaythesecolorlessmisgivings,andinduceconfidence andcheerfulnessineverypresentmentofthevoyage. Threebetter,morelikelyseaofficersandmen,eachinhis owndifferentway,couldnotreadilybefound,andtheywere everyoneofthemAmericans;aNantucketer,aVineyarder, aCapeman.Now,itbeingChristmaswhentheshipshot fromoutherharbor,foraspacewehadbitingPolarweather, thoughallthetimerunningawayfromittothesouthward; andbyeverydegreeandminuteoflatitudewhichwesailed, graduallyleavingthatmercilesswinter,andallitsintolerable weatherbehindus.Itwasoneofthoselesslowering, butstillgreyandgloomyenoughmorningsofthetransition, whenwithafairwindtheshipwasrushingthroughthewater withavindictivesortofleapingandmelancholyrapidity, thatasImountedtothedeckatthecalloftheforenoonwatch, sosoonasIlevelledmyglancetowardsthetaffrail, forebodingshiversranoverme.Realityoutranapprehension; CaptainAhabstooduponhisquarterdeck. Thereseemednosignofcommonbodilyillnessabouthim, noroftherecoveryfromany.Helookedlikeamancutaway fromthestake,whenthefirehasoverrunninglywastedall thelimbswithoutconsumingthem,ortakingawayoneparticle fromtheircompactedagedrobustness.Hiswholehigh,broadform, seemedmadeofsolidbronze,andshapedinanunalterablemould,

likeCellini'scastPerseus.Threadingitswayoutfromamong hisgreyhairs,andcontinuingrightdownonesideofhistawny scorchedfaceandneck,tillitdisappearedinhisclothing, yousawaslenderrodlikemark,lividlywhitish. Itresembledthatperpendicularseamsometimesmadeinthestraight, loftytrunkofagreattree,whentheupperlightningtearingly dartsdownit,andwithoutwrenchingasingletwig,peelsand groovesoutthebarkfromtoptobottomererunningoffinto thesoil,leavingthetreestillgreenlyalive,butbranded. Whetherthatmarkwasbornwithhim,orwhetheritwasthescar leftbysomedesperatewound,noonecouldcertainlysay. Bysometacitconsent,throughoutthevoyagelittle ornoallusionwasmadetoit,especiallybythemates. ButonceTashtego'ssenior,anoldGayHeadIndianamongthecrew, superstitiouslyassertedthatnottillhewasfullfortyyears olddidAhabbecomethatwaybranded,andthenitcameuponhim, notinthefuryofanymortalfray,butinanelementalstrife atsea.Yet,thiswildhintseemedinferentiallynegatived, bywhatagreyManxmaninsinuated,anoldsepulchralman, who,havingneverbeforesailedoutofNantucket,hadnever erethislaideyeuponwildAhab.Nevertheless,theold seatraditions,theimmemorialcredulities,popularlyinvested thisoldManxmanwithpreternaturalpowersofdiscernment. Sothatnowhitesailorseriouslycontradictedhimwhenhesaid thatifeverCaptainAhabshouldbetranquillylaidout whichmighthardlycometopass,sohemutteredthen,whoevershould dothatlastofficeforthedead,wouldfindabirthmarkonhim fromcrowntosole. SopowerfullydidthewholegrimaspectofAhabaffectme, andthelividbrandwhichstreakedit,thatforthefirstfewmoments Ihardlynotedthatnotalittleofthisoverbearinggrimness wasowingtothebarbaricwhiteleguponwhichhepartlystood. Ithadpreviouslycometomethatthisivoryleghadatseabeen fashionedfromthepolishedboneofthespermwhale'sjaw. "Aye,hewasdismastedoffJapan,"saidtheoldGayHeadIndianonce; "butlikehisdismastedcraft,heshippedanothermastwithout cominghomeforit.Hehasaquiverof'em." Iwasstruckwiththesingularposturehemaintained. UponeachsideofthePequod'squarterdeck,andprettyclose tothemizzenshrouds,therewasanaugerhole,boredabouthalf aninchorso,intotheplank.Hisbonelegsteadiedinthathole; onearmelevated,andholdingbyashroud;CaptainAhabstooderect, lookingstraightoutbeyondtheship'severpitchingprow. Therewasaninfinityoffirmestfortitude,adeterminate,

unsurrenderablewilfulness,inthefixedandfearless, forwarddedicationofthatglance.Notawordhespoke; nordidhisofficerssayaughttohim;thoughbyalltheir minutestgesturesandexpressions,theyplainlyshowedtheuneasy, ifnotpainful,consciousnessofbeingunderatroubled mastereye.Andnotonlythat,butmoodystrickenAhabstood beforethemwithacrucifixioninhisface;inallthenameless regaloverbearingdignityofsomemightywoe. Erelong,fromhisfirstvisitintheair,hewithdrewintohiscabin. Butafterthatmorning,hewaseverydayvisibletothecrew; eitherstandinginhispivothole,orseateduponanivorystoolhehad; orheavilywalkingthedeck.Astheskygrewlessgloomy;indeed,began togrowalittlegenial,hebecamestilllessandlessarecluse; asif,whentheshiphadsailedfromhome,nothingbutthedeadwintry bleaknessoftheseahadthenkepthimsosecluded.And,byandby, itcametopass,thathewasalmostcontinuallyintheair; but,asyet,forallthathesaid,orperceptiblydid,ontheat lastsunnydeck,heseemedasunnecessarythereasanothermast. ButthePequodwasonlymakingapassagenow;notregularlycruising; nearlyallwhalingpreparativesneedingsupervisionthemateswerefully competentto,sothattherewaslittleornothing,outofhimself, toemployorexciteAhab,now;andthuschaseaway,forthatoneinterval, thecloudsthatlayeruponlayerwerepileduponhisbrow,asever allcloudschoosetheloftiestpeakstopilethemselvesupon. Nevertheless,erelong,thewarm,warblingpersuasivenessofthepleasant, holidayweatherwecameto,seemedgraduallytocharmhimfromhismood. For,aswhentheredcheeked,dancinggirls,AprilandMay,triphome tothewintry,misanthropicwoods;eventhebarest,ruggedest,most thunderclovenoldoakwillatleastsendforthsomefewgreensprouts, towelcomesuchgladheartedvisitants;soAhabdid,intheend, alittlerespondtotheplayfulalluringsofthatgirlishair. Morethanoncedidheputforththefaintblossomofalook,which,inany otherman,wouldhavesoonfloweredoutinasmile. CHAPTER29 EnterAhab;toHim,Stubb Somedayselapsed,andiceandicebergsallastern,thePequod nowwentrollingthroughthebrightQuitospring,whichatsea,

almostperpetuallyreignsonthethresholdoftheeternalAugust oftheTropic.Thewarmlycool,clear,ringingperfumed,overflowing, redundantdays,wereascrystalgobletsofPersiansherbet,heapedup flakedup,withrosewatersnow.Thestarredandstatelynightsseemed haughtydamesinjewelledvelvets,nursingathomeinlonelypride, thememoryoftheirabsentconqueringEarls,thegoldenhelmetedsuns! Forsleepingman,'twashardtochoosebetweensuchwinsomedaysand suchseducingnights.Butallthewitcheriesofthatunwaningweather didnotmerelylendnewspellsandpotenciestotheoutwardworld. Inwardtheyturneduponthesoul,especiallywhenthestillmild hoursofevecameon;then,memoryshothercrystalsastheclearice mostformsofnoiselesstwilights.Andallthesesubtleagencies, moreandmoretheywroughtonAhab'stexture. Oldageisalwayswakeful;asif,thelongerlinkedwithlife, thelessmanhastodowithaughtthatlookslikedeath. Amongseacommanders,theoldgreybeardswilloftenest leavetheirberthstovisitthenightcloakeddeck. ItwassowithAhab;onlythatnow,oflate,heseemedsomuch toliveintheopenair,thattrulyspeaking,hisvisits weremoretothecabin,thanfromthecabintotheplanks. "Itfeelslikegoingdownintoone'stomb,"hewouldmutter tohimself"foranoldcaptainlikemetobedescendingthis narrowscuttle,togotomygravedugberth." So,almosteverytwentyfourhours,whenthewatchesofthenight wereset,andthebandondecksentinelledtheslumbersofthebandbelow; andwhenifaropewastobehauledupontheforecastle,thesailors flungitnotrudelydown,asbyday,butwithsomecautiousnessdroptit toitsplaceforfearofdisturbingtheirslumberingshipmates;whenthis sortofsteadyquietudewouldbegintoprevail,habitually,thesilent steersmanwouldwatchthecabinscuttle;anderelongtheoldman wouldemerge,grippingattheironbanister,tohelphiscrippledway. Someconsideringtouchofhumanitywasinhim;forattimeslikethese, heusuallyabstainedfrompatrollingthequarterdeck;becausetohis weariedmates,seekingreposewithinsixinchesofhisivoryheel, suchwouldhavebeenthereverberatingcrackanddinofthatbonystep, thattheirdreamswouldhavebeenofthecrunchingteethofsharks. Butonce,themoodwasonhimtoodeepforcommonregardings; andaswithheavy,lumberlikepacehewasmeasuringtheshipfrom taffrailtomainmast,Stubb,theoldsecondmate,cameupfrombelow, andwithacertainunassured,deprecatinghumorousness,hintedthatif CaptainAhabwaspleasedtowalktheplanks,then,noonecouldsaynay; buttheremightbesomewayofmufflingthenoise;hintingsomething indistinctlyandhesitatinglyaboutaglobeoftow,andtheinsertion intoit,oftheivoryheel.Ah!Stubb,thoudidstnotknowAhabthen.

 "AmIacannonball,Stubb,"saidAhab,"thatthouwouldst wadmethatfashion?Butgothyways;Ihadforgot. Belowtothynightlygrave;wheresuchasyesleepbetweenshrouds, touseyetothefillingoneatlast.Down,dog,andkennel!" Startingattheunforeseenconcludingexclamationofthesosuddenly scornfuloldman,Stubbwasspeechlessamoment;thensaidexcitedly, "Iamnotusedtobespokentothatway,sir;Idobutlessthanhalf likeit,sir." "Avast!grittedAhabbetweenhissetteeth,andviolentlymovingaway, asiftoavoidsomepassionatetemptation. "No,sir;notyet,"saidStubb,emboldened,"Iwillnottamely becalledadog,sir." "Thenbecalledtentimesadonkey,andamule,andanass, andbegone,orI'llcleartheworldofthee!" Ashesaidthis,Ahabadvanceduponhimwithsuchoverbearing terrorsinhisaspect,thatStubbinvoluntarilyretreated. "Iwasneverservedsobeforewithoutgivingahardblowforit," mutteredStubb,ashefoundhimselfdescendingthecabinscuttle. "It'sveryqueer.Stop,Stubb;somehow,now,Idon'twell knowwhethertogobackandstrikehim,orwhat'sthat? downhereonmykneesandprayforhim?Yes,thatwasthethought comingupinme;butitwouldbethefirsttimeIeverdidpray. It'squeer;veryqueer;andhe'squeertoo;aye,takehimfore andaft,he'saboutthequeerestoldmanStubbeversailedwith. Howheflashedatme!hiseyeslikepowderpans!ishemad! Anywaythere'ssomething'sonhismind,assureasthere mustbesomethingonadeckwhenitcracks.Heaintinhis bednow,either,morethanthreehoursoutofthetwentyfour; andhedon'tsleepthen.Didn'tthatDoughBoy,thesteward, tellmethatofamorninghealwaysfindstheoldman'shammock clothesallrumpledandtumbled,andthesheetsdownatthefoot, andthecoverlidalmosttiedintoknots,andthepillowasort offrightfulhot,asthoughabakedbrickhadbeenonit? Ahotoldman!Iguesshe'sgotwhatsomefolksashore callaconscience;it'sakindofTicDollyrowtheysay worsenoratoothache.Well,well;Idon'tknowwhatitis, buttheLordkeepmefromcatchingit.He'sfullofriddles; Iwonderwhathegoesintotheafterholdfor,everynight, asDoughBoytellsmehesuspects;what'sthatfor,Ishould

liketoknow?Who'smadeappointmentswithhiminthehold? Ain'tthatqueer,now?Butthere'snotelling,it'stheoldgame Heregoesforasnooze.Damnme,it'sworthafellow's whiletobebornintotheworld,ifonlytofallrightasleep. AndnowthatIthinkofit,that'saboutthefirstthing babiesdo,andthat'sasortofqueer,too.Damnme, butallthingsarequeer,cometothinkof'em.Butthat's againstmyprinciples.Thinknot,ismyeleventhcommandment; andsleepwhenyoucan,ismytwelfthSoheregoesagain. Buthow'sthat?didn'thecallmeadog?blazes!hecalledmeten timesadonkey,andpiledalotofjackassesontopofthat! Hemightaswellhavekickedme,anddonewithit. Maybehedidkickme,andIdidn'tobserveit,Iwassotakenall abackwithhisbrow,somehow.Itflashedlikeableachedbone. Whatthedevil'sthematterwithme?Idon'tstandrightonmylegs. Comingafoulofthatoldmanhasasortofturnedmewrongsideout. BytheLord,Imusthavebeendreaming,thoughHow?how?how? buttheonlyway'stostashit;soheregoestohammockagain; andinthemorning,I'llseehowthisplagueyjugglingthinks overbydaylight." CHAPTER30 ThePipe WhenStubbhaddeparted,Ahabstoodforawhileleaningoverthebulwarks; andthen,ashadbeenusualwithhimoflate,callingasailorof thewatch,hesenthimbelowforhisivorystool,andalsohispipe. Lightingthepipeatthebinnaclelampandplantingthestoolon theweathersideofthedeck,hesatandsmoked. InoldNorsetimes,thethronesofthesealovingDanishkings werefabricated,saithtradition,ofthetusksofthenarwhale. HowcouldonelookatAhabthen,seatedonthattripodofbones, withoutbethinkinghimoftheroyaltyitsymbolized? ForaKhanoftheplank,andakingoftheseaandagreatlord ofLeviathanswasAhab. Somemomentspassed,duringwhichthethickvaporcame fromhismouthinquickandconstantpuffs,whichblewback againintohisface."Hownow,"hesoliloquizedatlast, withdrawingthetube,"thissmokingnolongersoothes. Oh,mypipe!hardmustitgowithmeifthycharmbegone!

HerehaveIbeenunconsciouslytoiling,notpleasuring aye,andignorantlysmokingtowindwardallthewhile;towindward, andwithsuchnervouswhiffs,asif,likethedyingwhale, myfinaljetswerethestrongestandfullestoftrouble. WhatbusinesshaveIwiththispipe?Thisthingthatis meantforsereneness,tosendupmildwhitevaporsamong mildwhitehairs,notamongtornirongreylockslikemine. I'llsmokenomore" Hetossedthestilllightedpipeintothesea.Thefirehissed inthewaves;thesameinstanttheshipshotbythebubble thesinkingpipemade.Withslouchedhat,Ahablurchingly pacedtheplanks. CHAPTER31 QueenMab NextmorningStubbaccostedFlask. "Suchaqueerdream,KingPost,Ineverhad.Youknowtheoldman's ivoryleg,wellIdreamedhekickedmewithit;andwhenItried tokickback,uponmysoul,mylittleman,Ikickedmylegrightoff! Andthen,presto!Ahabseemedapyramid,andIlikeablazingfool, keptkickingatit.Butwhatwasstillmorecurious,Flaskyouknow howcuriousalldreamsarethroughallthisragethatIwasin, Isomehowseemedtobethinkingtomyself,thatafterall, itwasnotmuchofaninsult,thatkickfromAhab.'Why,'thinksI, 'what'stherow?It'snotarealleg,onlyafalseone.' Andthere'samightydifferencebetweenalivingthumpandadeadthump. That'swhatmakesablowfromthehand,Flask,fiftytimes moresavagetobearthanablowfromacane.Thelivingmember thatmakesthelivinginsult,mylittleman.AndthinksItomyself allthewhile,mind,whileIwasstubbingmysillytoesagainst thatcursedpyramidsoconfoundedlycontradictorywasitall, allthewhile,Isay,Iwasthinkingtomyself,'what'shislegnow, butacane.awhalebonecane.Yes,'thinksI,'itwasonly aplayfulcudgellinginfact,onlyawhaleboningthathegaveme notabasekick.Besides,'thinksI,'lookatitonce;why,theend ofitthefootpartwhatasmallsortofenditis;whereas,ifa broadfootedfarmerkickedme,there'sadevilishbroadinsult. Butthisinsultiswhittleddowntoapointonly.'Butnowcomes thegreatestjokeofthedream,Flask.WhileIwasbatteringaway

atthepyramid,asortofbadgerhairedoldmerman,withahump onhisback,takesmebytheshoulders,andslewsmeround. 'Whatareyou'bout?'sayshe.Slid!man,butIwasfrightened. Suchaphiz!But,somehow,nextmomentIwasoverthefright. 'WhatamIabout?'saysIatlast.'Andwhatbusinessisthatofyours, Ishouldliketoknow,Mr.Humpback?Doyouwantakick?' Bythelord,Flask,Ihadnosoonersaidthat,thanheturned roundhissterntome,bentover,anddraggingupalotofseaweed hehadforacloutwhatdoyouthink,Isaw?whythunderalive, man,hissternwasstuckfullofmarlinspikes,withthepointsout. SaysIonsecondthought,'IguessIwon'tkickyou,oldfellow.' 'WiseStubb,'saidhe,'wiseStubb;'andkeptmutteringitall thetime,asortofeatingofhisowngumslikeachimneyhag. Seeinghewasn'tgoingtostopsayingoverhis'wiseStubb, wiseStubb,'IthoughtImightaswellfalltokickingthepyramidagain. ButIhadonlyjustliftedmyfootforit,whenheroaredout, 'Stopthatkicking!''Halloa,'saysI,'what'sthematternow, oldfellow?''Lookyehere,'sayshe;'let'sarguetheinsult. CaptainAhabkickedye,didn'the?''Yes,hedid,'saysI'righthere itwas.''Verygood,'sayshe'heusedhisivoryleg,didn'the?' 'Yes,hedid,'saysI.'Wellthen,'sayshe,'wiseStubb,whathave youtocomplainof?Didn'thekickwithrightgoodwill?itwasn't acommonpitchpineleghekickedwith,wasit?No,youwerekicked byagreatman,andwithabeautifulivoryleg,Stubb.It'sanhonor; Iconsideritanhonor.Listen,wiseStubb.InoldEngland thegreatestlordsthinkitgreatglorytobeslappedbyaqueen, andmadegarterknightsof;but,beyourboast,Stubb,thatyewere kickedbyoldAhab,andmadeawisemanof.RememberwhatIsay; bekickedbyhim;accounthiskickshonors;andonnoaccountkickback; foryoucan'thelpyourself,wiseStubb.Don'tyouseethatpyramid?' Withthat,heallofasuddenseemedsomehow,insomequeerfashion, toswimoffintotheair.Isnored;rolledover;andthereIwas inmyhammock!Now,whatdoyouthinkofthatdream,Flask?" "Idon'tknow;itseemsasortoffoolishtome,tho.'" "Maybe;maybe.Butit'smadeawisemanofme,Flask.D'yeseeAhab standingthere,sidewayslookingoverthestern?Well,thebestthing youcando,Flask,istolettheoldmanalone;neverspeaktohim, whateverhesays.Halloa!What'sthatheshouts?Hark!" "Masthead,there!Looksharp,allofye!Therearewhaleshereabouts! Ifyeseeawhiteone,splityourlungsforhim! "Whatdoyouthinkofthatnow,Flask?ain'tthereasmall

dropofsomethingqueeraboutthat,eh?Awhitewhaledidye markthat,man?Lookyethere'ssomethingspecialinthewind. Standbyforit,Flask.Ahabhasthatthat'sbloodyonhismind. But,mum;hecomesthisway." CHAPTER32 Cetology Alreadyweareboldlylauncheduponthedeep;butsoonwe shallbelostinitsunshoredharborlessimmensities. Erethatcometopass;erethePequod'sweedyhullrolls sidebysidewiththebarnacledhullsoftheleviathan; attheoutsetitisbutwelltoattendtoamatteralmost indispensabletoathoroughappreciativeunderstandingofthemore specialleviathanicrevelationsandallusionsofallsorts whicharetofollow. Itissomesystematizedexhibitionofthewhaleinhisbroadgenera, thatIwouldnowfainputbeforeyou.Yetisitnoeasytask. Theclassificationoftheconstituentsofachaos,nothingless ishereessayed.Listentowhatthebestandlatestauthorities havelaiddown. "NobranchofZoologyissomuchinvolvedasthatwhichis entitledCetology,"saysCaptainScoresby,A.D.1820. "Itisnotmyintention,wereitinmypower,toenterintotheinquiry astothetruemethodofdividingthecetaceaintogroupsand families....Utterconfusionexistsamongthehistoriansofthisanimal" (spermwhale),saysSurgeonBeale,A.D.1839. "Unfitnesstopursueourresearchintheunfathomablewaters." "Impenetrableveilcoveringourknowledgeofthecetacea." "Afieldstrewnwiththorns.""Alltheseincompleteindications butservetotortureusnaturalists." Thusspeakofthewhale,thegreatCuvier,andJohnHunter,andLesson, thoselightsofzoologyandanatomy.Nevertheless,thoughofreal knowledgetherebelittle,yetofbooksthereareaplenty; andsoinsomesmalldegree,withcetology,orthescienceofwhales. Manyarethemen,smallandgreat,oldandnew,landsmenandseamen, whohaveatlargeorinlittle,writtenofthewhale.Runoverafew:

TheAuthorsoftheBible;Aristotle;Pliny;Aldrovandi;SirThomasBrowne; Gesner;Ray;Linnaeus;Rondeletius;Willoughby;Green;Artedi;Sibbald; Brisson;Marten;Lacepede;Bonneterre;Desmarest;BaronCuvier;Frederick Cuvier;JohnHunter;Owen;Scoresby;Beale;Bennett;J.RossBrowne; theAuthorofMiriamCoffin;Olmstead;andtheRev.T.Cheever.Butto whatultimategeneralizingpurposeallthesehavewritten,theabove citedextractswillshow. OfthenamesinthislistofwhaleauthorsonlythosefollowingOwenever sawlivingwhales;andbutoneofthemwasarealprofessionalharpooneer andwhaleman.ImeanCaptainScoresby.Ontheseparatesubject oftheGreenlandorrightwhale,heisthebestexistingauthority. ButScoresbyknewnothingandsaysnothingofthegreatspermwhale, comparedwithwhichtheGreenlandwhaleisalmostunworthymentioning. Andherebeitsaid,thattheGreenlandwhaleisanusurperupon thethroneoftheseas.Heisnotevenbyanymeansthelargest ofthewhales.Yet,owingtothelongpriorityofhisclaims, andtheprofoundignorancewhichtillsomeseventyyearsback, investedthethenfabulousandutterlyunknownspermwhale,andwhich ignorancetothispresentdaystillreignsinallbutsomefewscientific retreatsandwhaleports;thisusurpationhasbeeneverywaycomplete. Referencetonearlyalltheleviathanicallusionsinthegreat poetsofpastdays,willsatisfyyouthattheGreenlandwhale, withoutonerival,wastothemthemonarchoftheseas.Butthetime hasatlastcomeforanewproclamation.ThisisCharingCross; hearye!goodpeopleall,theGreenlandwhaleisdeposed, thegreatspermwhalenowreigneth! Thereareonlytwobooksinbeingwhichatallpretendtoputtheliving spermwhalebeforeyou,andatthesametime,intheremotestdegree succeedintheattempt.ThosebooksareBeale'sandBennett's; bothintheirtimesurgeonstotheEnglishSouthSeawhaleships, andbothexactandreliablemen.Theoriginalmattertouching thespermwhaletobefoundintheirvolumesisnecessarilysmall; butsofarasitgoes,itisofexcellentquality,thoughmostly confinedtoscientificdescription.Asyet,however,thespermwhale, scientificorpoetic,livesnotcompleteinanyliterature. Faraboveallotherhuntedwhales,hisisanunwrittenlife. Nowthevariousspeciesofwhalesneedsomesortofpopular comprehensiveclassification,ifonlyaneasyoutlineonefor thepresent,hereaftertobefilledinalloutwarditsdepartments bysubsequentlaborers.Asnobettermanadvancestotake thismatterinhand,Ihereuponoffermyownpoorendeavors. Ipromisenothingcomplete;becauseanyhumanthingsupposed tobecompletemustforthatveryreasoninfalliblybefaulty.

Ishallnotpretendtoaminuteanatomicaldescription ofthevariousspecies,orinthisspaceatleast tomuchofanydescription.Myobjecthereissimply toprojectthedraughtofasystematizationofcetology. Iamthearchitect,notthebuilder. Butitisaponderoustask;noordinarylettersorterinthePostOffice isequaltoit.Togropedownintothebottomoftheseaafterthem; tohaveone'shandsamongtheunspeakablefoundations,ribs, andverypelvisoftheworld;thisisafearfulthing. WhatamIthatIshouldessaytohookthenoseofthisleviathan! TheawfultauntingsinJobmightwellappalme."Willhe(theleviathan) makeacovenantwiththee?Beholdthehopeofhimisvain! ButIhaveswamthroughlibrariesandsailedthroughoceans; Ihavehadtodowithwhaleswiththesevisiblehands;Iaminearnest; andIwilltry.Therearesomepreliminariestosettle. First:Theuncertain,unsettledconditionofthisscience ofCetologyisintheveryvestibuleattestedbythefact, thatinsomequartersitstillremainsamootpointwhether awhalebeafish.InhisSystemofNature,A.D.1776, Linnaeusdeclares,"Iherebyseparatethewhalesfromthefish." Butofmyownknowledge,Iknowthatdowntotheyear1850, sharksandshad,alewivesandherring,againstLinnaeus's expressedict,werestillfounddividingthepossession ofthesameseaswiththeLeviathan. ThegroundsuponwhichLinnaeuswouldfainhavebanished thewhalesfromthewaters,hestatesasfollows:"Onaccount oftheirwarmbilocularheart,theirlungs,theirmovableeyelids, theirhollowears,penemintrantemfeminammammislactantem," andfinally,"exlegenaturaejuremeritoque."Isubmittedall thistomyfriendsSimeonMaceyandCharleyCoffin,ofNantucket, bothmessmatesofmineinacertainvoyage,andtheyunitedin theopinionthatthereasonssetforthwerealtogetherinsufficient. Charleyprofanelyhintedtheywerehumbug. Beitknownthat,waivingallargument,Itakethegoodoldfashioned groundthatthewhaleisafish,andcalluponholyJonahtobackme. Thisfundamentalthingsettled,thenextpointis,inwhatinternal respectdoesthewhaledifferfromotherfish.Above,Linnaeushasgiven youthoseitems.Butinbrieftheyarethese:lungsandwarmblood; whereas,allotherfisharelunglessandcoldblooded. Next:howshallwedefinethewhale,byhisobviousexternals, soasconspicuouslytolabelhimforalltimetocome.

Tobeshort,then,awhaleisaspoutingfishwithahorizontaltail. Thereyouhavehim.Howevercontracted,thatdefinitionistheresult ofexpandedmeditation.Awalrusspoutsmuchlikeawhale, butthewalrusisnotafish,becauseheisamphibious. Butthelasttermofthedefinitionisstillmorecogent, ascoupledwiththefirst.Almostanyonemusthavenoticed thatallthefishfamiliartolandsmenhavenotaflat, butavertical,orupanddowntail.Whereas,amongspoutingfish thetail,thoughitmaybesimilarlyshaped,invariablyassumes ahorizontalposition. Bytheabovedefinitionofwhatawhaleis,Idobynomeansexclude fromtheleviathanicbrotherhoodanyseacreaturehithertoidentified withthewhalebythebestinformedNantucketers;nor,ontheotherhand, linkwithitanyfishhithertoauthoritativelyregardedasalien.*Hence, allthesmaller,spoutingandhorizontaltailedfishmustbeincluded inthisgroundplanofCetology.Now,then,comethegranddivisions oftheentirewhalehost. *Iamawarethatdowntothepresenttime,thefishstyled LamatinsandDugongs(PigfishandSowfishoftheCoffins ofNantucket)areincludedbymanynaturalistsamongthewhales. Butasthesepigfishareanoisy,contemptibleset, mostlylurkinginthemouthsofrivers,andfeedingonwethay, andespeciallyastheydonotspout,Idenytheircredentials aswhales;andhavepresentedthemwiththeirpassportstoquit theKingdomofCetology. First:AccordingtomagnitudeIdividethewhalesintothreeprimaryBOOKS (subdivisibleintoCHAPTERS),andtheseshallcomprehendthemall, bothsmallandlarge. I.THEFOLIOWHALE;II.theOCTAVOWHALE;III.theDUODECIMOWHALE. AsthetypeoftheFOLIOIpresenttheSpermWhale;oftheOCTAVO, theGrampus;oftheDUODECIMO,thePorpoise. FOLIOS.AmongtheseIhereincludethefollowingchapters: I.TheSpermWhale;II.theRightWhale;III.theFinBackWhale;IV. theHumpbackedWhale;V.theRazorBackWhale;VI. theSulphurBottomWhale. BOOKI.(Folio),CHAPTERI.(SpermWhale).Thiswhale, amongtheEnglishofoldvaguelyknownastheTrumpawhaleand

thePhyseterwhale,andtheAnvilHeadedwhale,isthepresent CachalotoftheFrench,andthePottsfichoftheGermans, andtheMacrocephalusoftheLongWords.Heis,withoutdoubt, thelargestinhabitantoftheglobe;themostformidableofall whalestoencounter;themostmajesticinaspect;andlastly, byfarthemostvaluableincommerce;hebeingtheonlycreature fromwhichthatvaluablesubstance,spermaceti,isobtained. Allhispeculiaritieswill,inmanyotherplaces,beenlargedupon. ItischieflywithhisnamethatInowhavetodo. Philologicallyconsidered,itisabsurd.Somecenturiesago, whentheSpermwhalewasalmostwhollyunknowninhisown properindividuality,andwhenhisoilwasonlyaccidentally obtainedfromthestrandedfish;inthosedaysspermaceti, itwouldseem,waspopularlysupposedtobederivedfrom acreatureidenticalwiththeonethenknowninEnglandas theGreenlandorRightWhale.Itwastheideaalso,thatthis samespermacetiwasthatquickeninghumoroftheGreenlandWhale whichthefirstsyllableofthewordliterallyexpresses. Inthosetimes,also,spermacetiwasexceedinglyscarce, notbeingusedforlight,butonlyasanointmentandmedicament. Itwasonlytobehadfromthedruggistsasyounowadaysbuy anounceofrhubarb.When,asIopine,inthecourseoftime, thetruenatureofspermacetibecameknown,itsoriginalname wasstillretainedbythedealers;nodoubttoenhanceits valuebyanotionsostrangelysignificantofitsscarcity. Andsotheappellationmustatlasthavecometobebestowed uponthewhalefromwhichthisspermacetiwasreallyderived. BOOKI.(Folio),CHAPTERII.(RightWhale).Inonerespectthis isthemostvenerableoftheleviathans,beingtheonefirst regularlyhuntedbyman.Ityieldsthearticlecommonlyknown aswhaleboneorbaleen;andtheoilspeciallyknownas"whaleoil," aninferiorarticleincommerce.Amongthefishermen, heisindiscriminatelydesignatedbyallthefollowingtitles: TheWhale;theGreenlandWhale;theBlackWhale;theGreatWhale; theTrueWhale;theRightWhale.Thereisadealofobscurity concerningtheIdentityofthespeciesthusmultitudinouslybaptized. Whatthenisthewhale,whichIincludeinthesecondspeciesof myFolios?ItistheGreatMysticetusoftheEnglishnaturalists; theGreenlandWhaleoftheEnglishWhalemen;theBalieneOrdinaire oftheFrenchwhalemen;theGrowlandsWalfishoftheSwedes.Itis thewhalewhichformorethantwocenturiespasthasbeenhunted bytheDutchandEnglishintheArcticseas;itisthewhale whichtheAmericanfishermenhavelongpursuedintheIndianocean, ontheBrazilBanks,ontheNor'WestCoast,andvariousotherparts oftheworld,designatedbythemRightWhaleCruisingGrounds.

 SomepretendtoseeadifferencebetweentheGreenlandwhale oftheEnglishandtherightwhaleoftheAmericans.Butthey preciselyagreeinalltheirgrandfeatures;norhasthereyet beenpresentedasingledeterminatefactuponwhichtoground aradicaldistinction.Itisbyendlesssubdivisionsbased uponthemostinconclusivedifferences,thatsomedepartments ofnaturalhistorybecomesorepellinglyintricate. Therightwhalewillbeelsewheretreatedofatsomelength, withreferencetoelucidatingthespermwhale. BOOKI.(Folio),CHAPTERIII.(FinBack).UnderthisheadIreckon amonsterwhich,bythevariousnamesofFinBack,TallSpout, andLongJohn,hasbeenseenalmostineveryseaandiscommonly thewhalewhosedistantjetissooftendescriedbypassengers crossingtheAtlantic,intheNewYorkpackettracks.In thelengthheattains,andinhisbaleen,theFinback resemblestherightwhale,butisofalessportlygirth, andalightercolor,approachingtoolive.Hisgreatlipspresent acablelikeaspect,formedbytheintertwisting,slantingfolds oflargewrinkles.Hisgranddistinguishingfeature,thefin, fromwhichhederiveshisname,isoftenaconspicuousobject. Thisfinissomethreeorfourfeetlong,growingvertically fromthehinderpartoftheback,ofanangularshape, andwithaverysharppointedend.Evenifnottheslightest otherpartofthecreaturebevisible,thisisolatedfinwill, attimes,beseenplainlyprojectingfromthesurface. Whentheseaismoderatelycalm,andslightlymarkedwith sphericalripples,andthisgnomonlikefinstandsupandcasts shadowsuponthewrinkledsurface,itmaywellbesupposed thatthewaterycirclesurroundingitsomewhatresemblesadial, withitsstyleandwavyhourlinesgravedonit.OnthatAhazdial theshadowoftengoesback.TheFinBackisnotgregarious. Heseemsawhalehater,assomemenaremanhaters.Veryshy; alwaysgoingsolitary;unexpectedlyrisingtothesurface intheremotestandmostsullenwaters;hisstraightand singleloftyjetrisinglikeatallmisanthropicspearupon abarrenplain;giftedwithsuchwondrouspowerandvelocity inswimming,astodefyallpresentpursuitfromman; thisleviathanseemsthebanishedandunconquerableCain ofhisrace,bearingforhismarkthatstyleuponhisback. Fromhavingthebaleeninhismouth,theFinBackissometimes includedwiththerightwhale,amongatheoreticspecies denominatedWhalebonewhales,thatis,whaleswithbaleen. OfthesesocalledWhalebonewhales,therewouldseemtobe severalvarieties,mostofwhich,however,arelittleknown.

Broadnosedwhalesandbeakedwhales;pikeheadedwhales; bunchedwhales;underjawedwhalesandrostratedwhales, arethefisherman'snamesforafewsorts. Inconnexionwiththisappellativeof"Whalebonewhales," itisofgreatimportancetomention,thathoweversuchanomenclature maybeconvenientinfacilitatingallusionstosomekindofwhales, yetitisinvaintoattemptaclearclassificationoftheLeviathan, foundeduponeitherhisbaleen,orhump,orfin,orteeth; notwithstandingthatthosemarkedpartsorfeaturesveryobviously seembetteradaptedtoaffordthebasisforaregularsystem ofCetologythananyotherdetachedbodilydistinctions, whichthewhale,inhiskinds,presents.Howthen? Thebaleen,hump,backfin,andteeth;thesearethingswhose peculiaritiesareindiscriminatelydispersedamongallsortsofwhales, withoutanyregardtowhatmaybethenatureoftheirstructure inotherandmoreessentialparticulars.Thus,thespermwhaleand thehumpbackedwhale,eachhasahump;buttherethesimilitudeceases. ThenthissamehumpbackedwhaleandtheGreenlandwhale, eachofthesehasbaleen;butthereagainthesimilitudeceases. Anditisjustthesamewiththeotherpartsabovementioned. Invarioussortsofwhales,theyformsuchirregularcombinations; or,inthecaseofanyoneofthemdetached,suchanirregularisolation; asutterlytodefyallgeneralmethodizationformeduponsuchabasis. Onthisrockeveryoneofthewhalenaturalistshassplit. Butitmaypossiblybeconceivedthat,intheinternalparts ofthewhale,inhisanatomythere,atleast,weshall beabletohittherightclassification.Nay;whatthing, forexample,isthereintheGreenlandwhale'sanatomymore strikingthanhisbaleen?Yetwehaveseenthatbyhisbaleen itisimpossiblecorrectlytoclassifytheGreenlandwhale. Andifyoudescendintothebowelsofthevariousleviathans, whythereyouwillnotfinddistinctionsafiftiethpartasavailable tothesystematizerasthoseexternalonesalreadyenumerated. Whatthenremains?nothingbuttotakeholdofthewhalesbodily, intheirentireliberalvolume,andboldlysortthemthatway. AndthisistheBibliographicalsystemhereadopted; anditistheonlyonethatcanpossiblysucceed,foritalone ispracticable.Toproceed. BOOKI.(Folio)CHAPTERIV.(HumpBack).Thiswhaleisoftenseen onthenorthernAmericancoast.Hehasbeenfrequentlycapturedthere, andtowedintoharbor.Hehasagreatpackonhimlikeapeddler; oryoumightcallhimtheElephantandCastlewhale.Atanyrate, thepopularnameforhimdoesnotsufficientlydistinguishhim,

sincethespermwhalealsohasahumpthoughasmallerone. Hisoilisnotveryvaluable.Hehasbaleen.Heisthemostgamesome andlightheartedofallthewhales,makingmoregayfoamandwhite watergenerallythananyotherofthem. BOOKI.(Folio),CHAPTERV.(RazorBack).Ofthiswhale littleisknownbuthisname.Ihaveseenhimatadistance offCapeHorn.Ofaretiringnature,heeludesbothhunters andphilosophers.Thoughnocoward,hehasneveryetshownany partofhimbuthisback,whichrisesinalongsharpridge. Lethimgo.Iknowlittlemoreofhim,nordoesanybodyelse. BOOKI.(Folio),CHAPTERVI.(SulphurBottom).Anotherretiring gentleman,withabrimstonebelly,doubtlessgotbyscrapingalong theTartariantilesinsomeofhisprofounderdivings.Heisseldomseen; atleastIhaveneverseenhimexceptintheremotersouthernseas, andthenalwaysattoogreatadistancetostudyhiscountenance. Heisneverchased;hewouldrunawaywithropewalksofline. Prodigiesaretoldofhim.Adieu,SulphurBottom!Icansaynothing morethatistrueofye,norcantheoldestNantucketer. ThusendsBOOKI.(Folio),andnowbeginsBOOKII.(Octavo). OCTAVOES.*Theseembracethewhalesofmiddlingmagnitude, amongwhichatpresentmaybenumbered:I.,theGrampus;II.,the BlackFish;III.,theNarwhale;IV.,theThrasher;V.,theKiller. *WhythisbookofwhalesisnotdenominatedtheQuartoisveryplain. Because,whilethewhalesofthisorder,thoughsmallerthanthose oftheformerorder,neverthelessretainaproportionatelikeness totheminfigure,yetthebookbinder'sQuartovolumeinits dimensionedformdoesnotpreservetheshapeoftheFoliovolume, buttheOctavovolumedoes. BOOKII.(Octavo),CHAPTERI.(Grampus).Thoughthisfish, whoseloudsonorousbreathing,orratherblowing, hasfurnishedaproverbtolandsmen,issowellknownadenizen ofthedeep,yetishenotpopularlyclassedamongwhales. Butpossessingallthegranddistinctivefeaturesof theleviathan,mostnaturalistshaverecognisedhimforone. Heisofmoderateoctavosize,varyingfromfifteentotwentyfive feetinlength,andofcorrespondingdimensionsroundthewaist. Heswimsinherds;heisneverregularlyhunted,thoughhis oilisconsiderableinquantity,andprettygoodforlight.

Bysomefishermenhisapproachisregardedaspremonitory oftheadvanceofthegreatspermwhale. BOOKII.(Octavo),CHAPTERII.(BlackFish).Igivethepopular fishermen'snamesforallthesefish,forgenerallytheyarethebest. Whereanynamehappenstobevagueorinexpressive,Ishallsayso, andsuggestanother.IdosonowtouchingtheBlackFish, socalledbecauseblacknessistheruleamongalmost allwhales.So,callhimtheHyenaWhale,ifyouplease. Hisvoracityiswellknownandfromthecircumstance thattheinneranglesofhislipsarecurvedupwards, hecarriesaneverlastingMephistopheleangrinonhisface. Thiswhaleaveragessomesixteenoreighteenfeetinlength. Heisfoundinalmostalllatitudes.Hehasapeculiarway ofshowinghisdorsalhookedfininswimming,whichlooks somethinglikeaRomannose.Whennotmoreprofitablyemployed, thespermwhalehunterssometimescapturetheHyenawhale, tokeepupthesupplyofcheapoilfordomesticemployment assomefrugalhousekeepers,intheabsenceofcompany,andquite alonebythemselves,burnunsavorytallowinsteadofodorouswax. Thoughtheirblubberisverythin,someofthesewhaleswill yieldyouupwardsofthirtygallonsofoil. BOOKII.(Octavo),CHAPTERIII.(Narwhale),thatis,Nostrilwhale. Anotherinstanceofacuriouslynamedwhale,sonamedIsuppose fromhispeculiarhornbeingoriginallymistakenforapeakednose. Thecreatureissomesixteenfeetinlength,whileitshornaverages fivefeet,thoughsomeexceedten,andevenattaintofifteenfeet. Strictlyspeaking,thishornisbutalengthenedtusk,growingout fromthejawinalinealittledepressedfromthehorizontal. Butitisonlyfoundonthesinisterside,whichhasanilleffect, givingitsownersomethinganalogoustotheaspectofaclumsy lefthandedman.Whatprecisepurposethisivoryhornorlanceanswers, itwouldbehardtosay.Itdoesnotseemtobeusedliketheblade oftheswordfishandbillfish;thoughsomesailorstellmethat theNarwhaleemploysitforarakeinturningoverthebottomof theseaforfood.CharleyCoffinsaiditwasusedforanicepiercer; fortheNarwhale,risingtothesurfaceofthePolarSea,andfinding itsheetedwithice,thrustshishornup,andsobreaksthrough. Butyoucannotproveeitherofthesesurmisestobecorrect. Myownopinionis,thathoweverthisonesidedhornmayreally beusedbytheNarwhalehoweverthatmaybeitwouldcertainly beveryconvenienttohimforafolderinreadingpamphlets. TheNarwhaleIhaveheardcalledtheTuskedwhale,theHornedwhale, andtheUnicornwhale.Heiscertainlyacuriousexampleofthe Unicornismtobefoundinalmosteverykingdomofanimatednature.

FromcertaincloisteredoldauthorsIhavegatheredthatthissame seaunicorn'shornwasinancientdaysregardedasthegreatantidote againstpoison,andassuch,preparationsofitbroughtimmenseprices. Itwasalsodistilledtoavolatilesaltsforfaintingladiesthesame waythatthehornsofthemaledeeraremanufacturedintohartshorn. Originallyitwasinitselfaccountedanobjectofgreatcuriosity. BlackLettertellsmethatSirMartinFrobisheronhisreturnfromthat voyage,whenQueenBessdidgallantlywaveherjewelledhandtohimfrom awindowofGreenwichPalace,ashisboldshipsaileddowntheThames; "whenSirMartinreturnedfromthatvoyage,"saithBlackLetter, "onbendedkneeshepresentedtoherhighnessaprodigiouslonghorn oftheNarwhale,whichforalongperiodafterhunginthecastle atWindsor."AnIrishauthoraversthattheEarlofLeicester, onbendedknees,didlikewisepresenttoherhighnessanotherhorn, pertainingtoalandbeastoftheunicornnature. TheNarwhalehasaverypicturesque,leopardlikelook,beingofa milkwhitegroundcolor,dottedwithroundandoblongspotsofblack. Hisoilisverysuperior,clearandfine;butthereislittleofit, andheisseldomhunted.Heismostlyfoundinthecircumpolarseas. BOOKII.(Octavo),CHAPTERIV.(Killer).Ofthiswhale littleispreciselyknowntotheNantucketer,andnothing atalltotheprofessednaturalists.FromwhatIhaveseen ofhimatadistance,Ishouldsaythathewasaboutthebigness ofagrampus.HeisverysavageasortofFeegeefish. HesometimestakesthegreatFoliowhalesbythelip,andhangs therelikealeech,tillthemightybruteisworriedtodeath. TheKillerisneverhunted.Ineverheardwhatsortofoilhehas. Exceptionmightbetakentothenamebestoweduponthiswhale, onthegroundofitsindistinctness.Forweareallkillers, onlandandonsea;BonapartesandSharksincluded. BOOKII.(Octavo),CHAPTERV.(Thrasher).Thisgentlemanisfamousfor histailwhichheusesforaferuleinthrashinghisfoes.Hemountsthe Foliowhale'sback,andasheswims,heworkshispassagebyflogginghim; assomeschoolmastersgetalongintheworldbyasimilarprocess. StilllessisknownoftheThrasherthanoftheKiller.Bothareoutlaws, eveninthelawlessseas. ThusendsBOOKII.(Octavo),andbeginsBOOKIII,(Duodecimo.) DUODECIMOES.Theseincludethesmallerwhales.I.TheHuzzaPorpoise. II.TheAlgerinePorpoise.III.TheMealymouthedPorpoise. Tothosewhohavenotchancedspeciallytostudythesubject,

itmaypossiblyseemstrange,thatfishesnotcommonlyexceeding fourorfivefeetshouldbemarshalledamongWHALESaword, which,inthepopularsense,alwaysconveysanideaofhugeness. ButthecreaturessetdownaboveasDuodecimoesareinfalliblywhales, bythetermsofmydefinitionofwhatawhaleisi.e.aspoutingfish, withahorizontaltail. BOOKIII.(Duodecimo),CHAPTER1.(HuzzaPorpoise).Thisis thecommonporpoisefoundalmostallovertheglobe.Thenameis ofmyownbestowal;fortherearemorethanonesortofporpoises, andsomethingmustbedonetodistinguishthem.Icallhimthus, becausehealwaysswimsinhilariousshoals,whichuponthebroadsea keeptossingthemselvestoheavenlikecapsinaFourthofJulycrowd. Theirappearanceisgenerallyhailedwithdelightbythemariner. Fulloffinespirits,theyinvariablycomefromthebreezybillows towindward.Theyaretheladsthatalwayslivebeforethewind. Theyareaccountedaluckyomen.Ifyouyourselfcanwithstand threecheersatbeholdingthesevivaciousfish,thenheavenhelpye; thespiritofgodlygamesomenessisnotinye.Awellfed,plump HuzzaPorpoisewillyieldyouonegoodgallonofgoodoil. Butthefineanddelicatefluidextractedfromhisjawsis exceedinglyvaluable.Itisinrequestamongjewellersandwatchmakers. Sailorsputitontheirhones.Porpoisemeatisgoodeating,youknow. Itmayneverhaveoccurredtoyouthataporpoisespouts. Indeed,hisspoutissosmallthatitisnotveryreadilydiscernible. Butthenexttimeyouhaveachance,watchhim;andyouwillthen seethegreatSpermwhalehimselfinminiature. BOOKIII.(Duodecimo),CHAPTERII.(AlgerinePorpoise).Apirate. Verysavage.Heisonlyfound,Ithink,inthePacific.Heissomewhat largerthantheHuzzaPorpoise,butmuchofthesamegeneralmake. Provokehim,andhewillbuckletoashark.Ihaveloweredforhim manytimes,butneveryetsawhimcaptured. BOOKIII.(Duodecimo),CHAPTERIII.(MealymouthedPorpoise).The largestkindofPorpoise;andonlyfoundinthePacific,sofar asitisknown.TheonlyEnglishname,bywhichhehashitherto beendesignated,isthatofthefisherRightWhalePorpoise, fromthecircumstancethatheischieflyfoundinthevicinityof thatFolio.Inshape,hediffersinsomedegreefromtheHuzzaPorpoise, beingofalessrotundandjollygirth;indeed,heisofquite aneatandgentlemanlikefigure.Hehasnofinsonhisback (mostotherporpoiseshave),hehasalovelytail,andsentimental Indianeyesofahazelhue.Buthismealymouthspoilsall. Thoughhisentirebackdowntohissidefinsisofadeepsable, yetaboundaryline,distinctasthemarkinaship'shull,

calledthe"brightwaist,"thatlinestreakshimfromstem tostern,withtwoseparatecolors,blackaboveandwhitebelow. Thewhitecomprisespartofhishead,andthewholeofhismouth, whichmakeshimlookasifhehadjustescapedfroma feloniousvisittoamealbag.Amostmeanandmealyaspect! Hisoilismuchlikethatofthecommonporpoise. BeyondtheDUODECIMO,thissystemdoesnotproceed, inasmuchasthePorpoiseisthesmallestofthewhales. Above,youhavealltheLeviathansofnote.Buttherearearabble ofuncertain,fugitive,halffabulouswhales,which,asan Americanwhaleman,Iknowbyreputation,butnotpersonally. Ishallenumeratethembytheirforecastleappellations; forpossiblysuchalistmaybevaluabletofutureinvestigators, whomaycompletewhatIhaveherebutbegun.Ifanyof thefollowingwhales,shallhereafterbecaughtandmarked, thenhecanreadilybeincorporatedintothisSystem, accordingtohisFolio,Octavo,orDuodecimomagnitude: TheBottleNoseWhale;theJunkWhale;thePuddingHeadedWhale; theCapeWhale;theLeadingWhale;theCannonWhale;theScraggWhale; theCopperedWhale;theElephantWhale;theIcebergWhale; theQuogWhale;theBlueWhale;&c.FromIcelandic,Dutch, andoldEnglishauthorities,theremightbequotedotherlists ofuncertainwhales,blessedwithallmannerofuncouthnames. ButIomitthemasaltogetherobsolete;andcanhardlyhelp suspectingthemformeresounds,fullofLeviathanism, butsignifyingnothing. Finally:Itwasstatedattheoutset,thatthissystemwouldnot behere,andatonce,perfected.YoucannotbutplainlyseethatI havekeptmyword.ButInowleavemycetologicalSystemstanding thusunfinished,evenasthegreatCathedralofColognewasleft, withthecranesstillstandinguponthetopoftheuncompletedtower. Forsmallerectionsmaybefinishedbytheirfirstarchitects; grandones,trueones,everleavethecopestonetoposterity. Godkeepmefromevercompletinganything.Thiswhole bookisbutadraughtnay,butthedraughtofadraught. Oh,Time,Strength,Cash,andPatience! CHAPTER33 TheSpecksynder

 Concerningtheofficersofthewhalecraft,thisseemsasgoodaplace asanytosetdownalittledomesticpeculiarityonshipboard, arisingfromtheexistenceoftheharpooneerclassofofficers, aclassunknownofcourseinanyothermarinethanthewhalefleet. Thelargeimportanceattachedtotheharpooneer'svocationis evincedbythefact,thatoriginallyintheoldDutchFishery, twocenturiesandmoreago,thecommandofawhaleshipwasnot whollylodgedinthepersonnowcalledthecaptain,butwasdivided betweenhimandanofficercalledtheSpecksynder.Literallythis wordmeansFatCutter;usage,however,intimemadeitequivalent toChiefHarpooneer.Inthosedays,thecaptain'sauthoritywas restrictedtothenavigationandgeneralmanagementofthevessel; whileoverthewhalehuntingdepartmentandallitsconcerns, theSpecksynderorChiefHarpooneerreignedsupreme. IntheBritishGreenlandFishery,underthecorruptedtitle ofSpecksioneer,thisoldDutchofficialisstillretained, buthisformerdignityissadlyabridged.Atpresentherankssimply asseniorHarpooneer;andassuch,isbutoneofthecaptain's moreinferiorsubalterns.Nevertheless,asuponthegoodconduct oftheharpooneersthesuccessofawhalingvoyagelargelydepends, andsinceintheAmericanFisheryheisnotonlyanimportant officerintheboat,butundercertaincircumstances(nightwatches onawhalingground)thecommandoftheship'sdeckisalsohis; thereforethegrandpoliticalmaximoftheseademands, thatheshouldnominallyliveapartfromthemenbeforethemast, andbeinsomewaydistinguishedastheirprofessionalsuperior; thoughalways,bythem,familiarlyregardedastheirsocialequal. Now,thegranddistinctiondrawnbetweenofficerandman atsea,isthisthefirstlivesaft,thelastforward. Hence,inwhaleshipsandmerchantmenalike,themateshavetheir quarterswiththecaptain;andso,too,inmostoftheAmerican whalerstheharpooneersarelodgedintheafterpartoftheship. Thatistosay,theytaketheirmealsinthecaptain'scabin, andsleepinaplaceindirectlycommunicatingwithit. ThoughthelongperiodofaSouthernwhalingvoyage (byfarthelongestofallvoyagesnoworevermadebyman), thepeculiarperilsofit,andthecommunityofinterest prevailingamongacompany,allofwhom,highorlow,dependfor theirprofits,notuponfixedwages,butupontheircommonluck, togetherwiththeircommonvigilance,intrepidity,andhardwork; thoughallthesethingsdoinsomecasestendtobegetaless

rigorousdisciplinethaninmerchantmengenerally;yet,nevermind howmuchlikeanoldMesopotamianfamilythesewhalemenmay, insomeprimitiveinstances,livetogether;forallthat, thepunctiliousexternals,atleast,ofthequarterdeck areseldommateriallyrelaxed,andinnoinstancedoneaway. Indeed,manyaretheNantucketshipsinwhichyouwillsee theskipperparadinghisquarterdeckwithanelatedgrandeur notsurpassedinanymilitarynavy;nay,extortingalmost asmuchoutwardhomageasifheworetheimperialpurple, andnottheshabbiestofpilotcloth. AndthoughofallmenthemoodycaptainofthePequod wastheleastgiventothatsortofshallowestassumption; andthoughtheonlyhomageheeverexacted,wasimplicit, instantaneousobedience;thoughherequirednomantoremove theshoesfromhisfeeteresteppinguponthequarterdeck; andthoughthereweretimeswhen,owingtopeculiarcircumstances connectedwitheventshereaftertobedetailed,headdressed theminunusualterms,whetherofcondescensionorinterrorem, orotherwise;yetevenCaptainAhabwasbynomeansunobservant oftheparamountformsandusagesofthesea. Nor,perhaps,willitfailtobeeventuallyperceived,thatbehind thoseformsandusages,asitwere,hesometimesmaskedhimself; incidentallymakinguseofthemforotherandmoreprivate endsthantheywerelegitimatelyintendedtosubserve. Thatcertainsultanismofhisbrain,whichhadotherwiseina gooddegreeremainedunmanifested;throughthoseformsthatsame sultanismbecameincarnateinanirresistibledictatorship. Forbeaman'sintellectualsuperioritywhatitwill,itcan neverassumethepractical,availablesupremacyoverothermen, withouttheaidofsomesortofexternalartsandentrenchments, always,inthemselves,moreorlesspaltryandbase. Thisitis,thatforeverkeepsGod'strueprincesoftheEmpire fromtheworld'shustings;andleavesthehighesthonorsthatthis aircangive,tothosemenwhobecomefamousmorethroughtheir infiniteinferioritytothechoicehiddenhandfuloftheDivineInert, thanthroughtheirundoubtedsuperiorityoverthedeadlevel ofthemass.Suchlargevirtuelurksinthesesmallthingswhen extremepoliticalsuperstitionsinvestthem,thatinsomeroyal instanceseventoidiotimbecilitytheyhaveimpartedpotency. Butwhen,asinthecaseofNicholastheCzar,theringedcrown ofgeographicalempireencirclesanimperialbrain;then,theplebeian herdscrouchabasedbeforethetremendouscentralization. Nor,willthetragicdramatistwhowoulddepictmortalindomitableness initsfullestsweepanddirectswing,everforgetahint,

incidentallysoimportantinhisart,astheonenowalludedto. ButAhab,myCaptain,stillmovesbeforemeinallhisNantucket grimnessandshagginess;andinthisepisodetouchingEmperors andKings,ImustnotconcealthatIhaveonlytodowithapoorold whalehunterlikehim;and,therefore,alloutwardmajesticaltrappings andhousingsaredeniedme.Oh,Ahab!whatshallbegrandinthee, itmustneedsbepluckedatfromtheskies,anddivedforinthedeep, andfeaturedintheunbodiedair! CHAPTER34 TheCabinTable Itisnoon;andDoughBoy,thesteward,thrustinghispaleloafofbread facefromthecabinscuttle,announcesdinnertohislordandmasterwho, sittingintheleequarterboat,hasjustbeentakinganobservation ofthesun;andisnowmutelyreckoningthelatitudeonthesmooth, medallionshapedtablet,reservedforthatdailypurposeontheupper partofhisivoryleg.Fromhiscompleteinattentiontothetidings, youwouldthinkthatmoodyAhabhadnotheardhismenial.Butpresently, catchingholdofthemizenshrouds,heswingshimselftothedeck, andinaneven,unexhilaratedvoice,saying,"Dinner,Mr.Starbuck," disappearsintothecabin. Whenthelastechoofhissultan'sstephasdiedaway,andStarbuck, thefirstEmir,haseveryreasontosupposethatheisseated, thenStarbuckrousesfromhisquietude,takesafewturnsalong theplanks,and,afteragravepeepintothebinnacle,says,withsome touchofpleasantness,"Dinner,Mr.Stubb,"anddescendsthescuttle. ThesecondEmirloungesabouttheriggingawhile,andthenslightly shakingthemainbrace,toseewhetheritwillbeallrightwiththat importantrope,helikewisetakesuptheoldburden,andwitharapid "Dinner,Mr.Flask,"followsafterhispredecessors. ButthethirdEmir,nowseeinghimselfallaloneonthequarterdeck, seemstofeelrelievedfromsomecuriousrestraint;for,tippingall sortsofknowingwinksinallsortsofdirections,andkickingoff hisshoes,hestrikesintoasharpbutnoiselesssquallofahornpipe rightovertheGrandTurk'shead;andthen,byadexteroussleight, pitchinghiscapupintothemizentopforashelf,hegoesdown rollickingsofaratleastasheremainsvisiblefromthedeck, reversingallotherprocessions,bybringinguptherearwithmusic.

Buteresteppingintothecabindoorwaybelow,hepauses, shipsanewfacealtogether,and,then,independent,hilariouslittle FlaskentersKingAhab'spresence,inthecharacterofAbjectus, ortheSlave. Itisnottheleastamongthestrangethingsbredbytheintense artificialnessofseausages,thatwhileintheopenairofthedeck someofficerswill,uponprovocation,bearthemselvesboldly anddefyinglyenoughtowardstheircommander;yet,tentoone, letthoseveryofficersthenextmomentgodowntotheir customarydinnerinthatsamecommander'scabin,andstraightway theirinoffensive,nottosaydeprecatoryandhumbleairtowardshim, ashesitsattheheadofthetable;thisismarvellous, sometimesmostcomical.Whereforethisdifference?Aproblem? Perhapsnot.TohavebeenBelshazzar,KingofBabylon; andtohavebeenBelshazzar,nothaughtilybutcourteously, thereincertainlymusthavebeensometouchofmundanegrandeur. Buthewhointherightlyregalandintelligentspiritpresides overhisownprivatedinnertableofinvitedguests,thatman's unchallengedpoweranddominionofindividualinfluenceforthetime; thatman'sroyaltyofstatetranscendsBelshazzar's,forBelshazzar wasnotthegreatest.Whohasbutoncedinedhisfriends,hastasted whatitistobeCaesar.Itisawitcheryofsocialczarship whichthereisnowithstanding.Now,iftothisconsideration yousuperaddtheofficialsupremacyofashipmaster,then, byinference,youwillderivethecauseofthatpeculiarity ofsealifejustmentioned. Overhisivoryinlaidtable,Ahabpresidedlikeamute,manedsealion onthewhitecoralbeach,surroundedbyhiswarlikebutstill deferentialcubs.Inhisownproperturn,eachofficerwaited tobeserved.TheywereaslittlechildrenbeforeAhab;andyet, inAhab,thereseemednottolurkthesmallestsocialarrogance. Withonemind,theirintenteyesallfastenedupontheoldman'sknife, ashecarvedthechiefdishbeforehim.Idonotsupposethatforthe worldtheywouldhaveprofanedthatmomentwiththeslightestobservation, evenuponsoneutralatopicastheweather.No!Andwhenreaching outhisknifeandfork,betweenwhichthesliceofbeefwaslocked, AhabtherebymotionedStarbuck'splatetowardshim,themate receivedhismeatasthoughreceivingalms;andcutittenderly; andalittlestartedif,perchance,theknifegrazedagainsttheplate; andcheweditnoiselessly;andswallowedit,notwithoutcircumspection. For,liketheCoronationbanquetatFrankfort,wheretheGermanEmperor profoundlydineswiththesevenImperialElectors,sothesecabin mealsweresomehowsolemnmeals,eateninawfulsilence;andyetat tableoldAhabforbadenotconversation;onlyhehimselfwasdumb.

WhatareliefitwastochokingStubb,whenaratmadeasudden racketintheholdbelow.AndpoorlittleFlask,hewas theyoungestson,andlittleboyofthiswearyfamilyparty. Hisweretheshinbonesofthesalinebeef;hiswouldhavebeen thedrumsticks.ForFlasktohavepresumedtohelphimself, thismusthaveseemedtohimtantamounttolarcenyinthefirstdegree. Hadhehelpedhimselfatthattable,doubtless,nevermorewould hehavebeenabletoholdhisheadupinthishonestworld; nevertheless,strangetosay,Ahabneverforbadehim.AndhadFlask helpedhimself,thechanceswereAhabhadneversomuchasnoticedit. Leastofall,didFlaskpresumetohelphimselftobutter. Whetherhethoughttheownersoftheshipdeniedittohim, onaccountofitsclottinghisclear,sunnycomplexion;orwhether hedeemedthat,onsolongavoyageinsuchmarketlesswaters, butterwasatapremium,andthereforewasnotforhim,asubaltern; howeveritwas,Flask,alas!wasabutterlessman! Anotherthing.Flaskwasthelastpersondownatthedinner, andFlaskisthefirstmanup.Consider!ForherebyFlask's dinnerwasbadlyjammedinpointoftime.StarbuckandStubb bothhadthestartofhim;andyettheyalsohavetheprivilege ofloungingintherear.IfStubbeven,whoisbutapeghigher thanFlask,happenstohavebutasmallappetite,andsoonshows symptomsofconcludinghisrepast,thenFlaskmustbestirhimself, hewillnotgetmorethanthreemouthfulsthatday;forit isagainstholyusageforStubbtoprecedeFlasktothedeck. ThereforeitwasthatFlaskonceadmittedinprivate, thateversincehehadarisentothedignityofanofficer, fromthatmomenthehadneverknownwhatitwastobeotherwise thanhungry,moreorless.Forwhatheatedidnotsomuchrelieve hishunger,askeepitimmortalinhim.Peaceandsatisfaction, thoughtFlask,haveforeverdepartedfrommystomach. Iamanofficer;but,howIwishIcouldfistabitofoldfashioned beefintheforecastle,asIusedtowhenIwasbeforethemast. There'sthefruitsofpromotionnow;there'sthevanityofglory: there'stheinsanityoflife!Besides,ifitweresothat anymeresailorofthePequodhadagrudgeagainstFlask inFlask'sofficialcapacity,allthatsailorhadtodo, inordertoobtainamplevengeance,wastogoaftatdinnertime, andgetapeepatFlaskthroughthecabinskylight,sitting sillyanddumfounderedbeforeawfulAhab. Now,Ahabandhisthreematesformedwhatmaybecalledthefirst tableinthePequod'scabin.Aftertheirdeparture,takingplace ininvertedordertotheirarrival,thecanvasclothwascleared, orratherwasrestoredtosomehurriedorderbythepallidsteward.

Andthenthethreeharpooneerswerebiddentothefeast,theybeing itsresiduarylegatees.Theymadeasortoftemporaryservants' hallofthehighandmightycabin. Instrangecontrasttothehardlytolerableconstraint andnamelessinvisibledomineeringsofthecaptain'stable, wastheentirecarefreelicenseandease,thealmostfrantic democracyofthoseinferiorfellowstheharpooneers. Whiletheirmasters,themates,seemedafraidofthesound ofthehingesoftheirownjaws,theharpooneerschewed theirfoodwithsucharelishthattherewasareporttoit. Theydinedlikelords;theyfilledtheirbellieslikeIndian shipsalldayloadingwithspices.Suchportentousappetites hadQueequegandTashtego,thattofilloutthevacanciesmade bythepreviousrepast,oftenthepaleDoughBoywasfaintobring onagreatbaronofsaltjunk,seeminglyquarriedoutofthesolidox. Andifhewerenotlivelyaboutit,ifhedidnotgowitha nimblehopskipandjump,thenTashtegohadanungentlemanly wayofacceleratinghimbydartingaforkathisback, harpoonwise.AndonceDaggoo,seizedwithasuddenhumor, assistedDoughBoy'smemorybysnatchinghimupbodily, andthrustinghisheadintoagreatemptywoodentrencher, whileTashtego,knifeinhand,beganlayingoutthecircle preliminarytoscalpinghim.Hewasnaturallyaverynervous, shudderingsortoflittlefellow,thisbreadfacedsteward; theprogenyofabankruptbakerandahospitalnurse. AndwhatwiththestandingspectacleoftheblackterrificAhab, andtheperiodicaltumultuousvisitationsofthesethreesavages, DoughBoy'swholelifewasonecontinuallipquiver.Commonly, afterseeingtheharpooneersfurnishedwithallthingstheydemanded, hewouldescapefromtheirclutchesintohislittlepantryadjoining, andfearfullypeepoutatthemthroughtheblindsofitsdoor, tillallwasover. ItwasasighttoseeQueequegseatedoveragainstTashtego, opposinghisfiledteethtotheIndian's;crosswisetothem, Daggooseatedonthefloor,forabenchwouldhavebrought hishearseplumedheadtothelowcarlines;ateverymotion ofhiscolossallimbs,makingthelowcabinframeworktoshake, aswhenanAfricanelephantgoespassengerinaship. Butforallthis,thegreatnegrowaswonderfullyabstemious, nottosaydainty.Itseemedhardlypossiblethatbysuch comparativelysmallmouthfulshecouldkeepupthevitality diffusedthroughsobroad,baronial,andsuperbaperson. But,doubtless,thisnoblesavagefedstronganddrankdeep oftheaboundingelementofair;andthroughhisdilated

nostrilssnuffedinthesublimelifeoftheworlds. Notbybeeforbybread,aregiantsmadeornourished. ButQueequeg,hehadamortal,barbaricsmackofthelipineating anuglysoundenoughsomuchso,thatthetremblingDoughBoy almostlookedtoseewhetheranymarksofteethlurkedinhis ownleanarms.AndwhenhewouldhearTashtegosingingout forhimtoproducehimself,thathisbonesmightbepicked, thesimplewittedStewardallbutshatteredthecrockeryhanging roundhiminthepantry,byhissuddenfitsofthepalsy. Nordidthewhetstonewhichtheharpooneerscarriedintheirpockets, fortheirlancesandotherweapons;andwithwhichwhetstones, atdinner,theywouldostentatiouslysharpentheirknives; thatgratingsounddidnotatalltendtotranquillizepoor DoughBoy.HowcouldheforgetthatinhisIslanddays,Queequeg, forone,mustcertainlyhavebeenguiltyofsomemurderous, convivialindiscretion.Alas!DoughBoy!hardfaresthewhitewaiter whowaitsuponcannibals.Notanapkinshouldhecarryonhisarm, butabuckler.Ingoodtime,though,tohisgreatdelight, thethreesaltseawarriorswouldriseanddepart;tohiscredulous, fablemongeringears,alltheirmartialbonesjinglinginthem ateverystep,likeMoorishscimetarsinscabbards. But,thoughthesebarbariansdinedinthecabin,andnominally livedthere;still,beinganythingbutsedentaryintheirhabits, theywerescarcelyeverinitexceptatmealtimes,andjust beforesleepingtime,whentheypassedthroughittotheir ownpeculiarquarters. Inthisonematter,AhabseemednoexceptiontomostAmerican whalecaptains,who,asaset,ratherinclinetotheopinion thatbyrightstheship'scabinbelongstothem;andthatitisby courtesyalonethatanybodyelseis,atanytime,permittedthere. Sothat,inrealtruth,thematesandharpooneersofthePequodmight moreproperlybesaidtohavelivedoutofthecabinthaninit. Forwhentheydidenterit,itwassomethingasastreetdoor entersahouse;turninginwardsforamoment,onlytobeturned outthenext;and,asapermanentthing,residingintheopenair. Nordidtheylosemuchhereby;inthecabinwasnocompanionship; socially,Ahabwasinaccessible.Thoughnominallyincluded inthecensusofChristendom,hewasstillanalientoit. Helivedintheworld,asthelastoftheGrislyBearslived insettledMissouri.AndaswhenSpringandSummerhaddeparted, thatwildLoganofthewoods,buryinghimselfinthehollowofatree, livedoutthewinterthere,suckinghisownpaws;so,inhisinclement, howlingoldage,Ahab'ssoul,shutupinthecavedtrunkofhisbody, therefeduponthesullenpawsofitsgloom!

 CHAPTER35 TheMastHead Itwasduringthemorepleasantweather,thatinduerotation withtheotherseamenmyfirstmastheadcameround. InmostAmericanwhalementhemastheadsaremanned almostsimultaneouslywiththevessel'sleavingherport; eventhoughshemayhavefifteenthousandmiles,andmore, tosailerereachingherpropercruisingground.Andif, afterathree,four,orfiveyears'voyagesheisdrawingnigh homewithanythingemptyinhersay,anemptyvialeven then,hermastheadsarekeptmannedtothelast!andnottill herskysailpolessailinamongthespiresoftheport,doesshe altogetherrelinquishthehopeofcapturingonewhalemore. Now,asthebusinessofstandingmastheads,ashoreorafloat,isavery ancientandinterestingone,letusinsomemeasureexpatiatehere. Itakeit,thattheearlieststandersofmastheadswerethe oldEgyptians;because,inallmyresearches,Ifindnonepriortothem. Forthoughtheirprogenitors,thebuildersofBabel,mustdoubtless, bytheirtower,haveintendedtoreartheloftiestmastheadin allAsia,orAfricaeither;yet(erethefinaltruckwasputtoit) asthatgreatstonemastoftheirsmaybesaidtohavegoneby theboard,inthedreadgaleofGod'swrath;therefore,wecannot givetheseBabelbuilderspriorityovertheEgyptians.Andthat theEgyptianswereanationofmastheadstanders,isan assertionbaseduponthegeneralbeliefamongarchaeologists, thatthefirstpyramidswerefoundedforastronomicalpurposes: atheorysingularlysupportedbythepeculiarstairlikeformation ofallfoursidesofthoseedifices;whereby,withprodigiouslong upliftingsoftheirlegs,thoseoldastronomerswerewonttomount totheapex,andsingoutfornewstars;evenasthelookoutsofa modernshipsingoutforasail,orawhalejustbearinginsight. InSaintStylites,thefamousChristianhermitofoldtimes, whobuilthimaloftystonepillarinthedesertandspentthewhole latterportionofhislifeonitssummit,hoistinghisfoodfrom thegroundwithatackle;inhimwehavearemarkableinstance ofadauntlessstanderofmastheads;whowasnottobedrivenfrom hisplacebyfogsorfrosts,rain,hail,orsleet;butvaliantly facingeverythingouttothelast,literallydiedathispost.

Ofmodernstandersofmastheadswehavebutalifelessset; merestone,iron,andbronzemen;who,thoughwellcapableoffacing outastiffgale,arestillentirelyincompetenttothebusiness ofsingingoutupondiscoveringanystrangesight.ThereisNapoleon; who,uponthetopofthecolumnofVendomestandswitharmsfolded, someonehundredandfiftyfeetintheair;careless,now,whorules thedecksbelow,whetherLouisPhilippe,LouisBlanc,orLouis theDevil.GreatWashington,too,standshighaloftonhistowering mainmastinBaltimore,andlikeoneofHercules'pillars,hiscolumn marksthatpointofhumangrandeurbeyondwhichfewmortalswillgo. AdmiralNelson,also,onacapstanofgunmetal,standshis mastheadinTrafalgarSquare;andevenwhenmostobscuredbythat Londonsmoke,tokenisyetgiventhatahiddenheroisthere; forwherethereissmoke,mustbefire.ButneithergreatWashington, norNapoleon,norNelson,willanswerasinglehailfrombelow, howevermadlyinvokedtobefriendbytheircounselsthedistracted decksuponwhichtheygaze;howeveritmaybesurmised, thattheirspiritspenetratethroughthethickhazeofthefuture, anddescrywhatshoalsandwhatrocksmustbeshunned. Itmayseemunwarrantabletocoupleinanyrespectthemastheadstanders ofthelandwiththoseofthesea;butthatintruthitisnotso, isplainlyevincedbyanitemforwhichObedMacy,thesolehistorian ofNantucket,standsaccountable.TheworthyObedtellsus,thatin theearlytimesofthewhalefishery,ereshipswereregularlylaunchedin pursuitofthegame,thepeopleofthatislanderectedloftysparsalong theseacoast,towhichthelookoutsascendedbymeansofnailedcleats, somethingasfowlsgoupstairsinahenhouse.Afewyearsagothissame planwasadoptedbytheBaywhalemenofNewZealand,who,upondescrying thegame,gavenoticetothereadymannedboatsnighthebeach. Butthiscustomhasnowbecomeobsolete;turnwethentotheoneproper masthead,thatofawhaleshipatsea.Thethreemastheadsarekept mannedfromsunrisetosunset;theseamentakingtheirregularturns (asatthehelm),andrelievingeachothereverytwohours. Inthesereneweatherofthetropicsitisexceedinglypleasant themasthead:nay,toadreamymeditativemanitisdelightful. Thereyoustand,ahundredfeetabovethesilentdecks,stridingalong thedeep,asifthemastsweregiganticstilts,whilebeneathyou andbetweenyourlegs,asitwere,swimthehugestmonstersofthesea, evenasshipsoncesailedbetweenthebootsofthefamousColossusat oldRhodes.Thereyoustand,lostintheinfiniteseriesofthesea, withnothingruffledbutthewaves.Thetrancedshipindolentlyrolls; thedrowsytradewindsblow;everythingresolvesyouintolanguor. Forthemostpart,inthistropicwhalinglife,asublimeuneventfulness investsyou;youhearnonews;readnogazettes;extraswithstartling accountsofcommonplacesneverdeludeyouintounnecessaryexcitements;

youhearofnodomesticafflictions;bankruptsecurities;fallofstocks; arenevertroubledwiththethoughtofwhatyoushallhavefordinner forallyourmealsforthreeyearsandmorearesnuglystowedincasks, andyourbilloffareisimmutable. Inoneofthosesouthernwhalesmen,onalongthreeorfouryears' voyage,asoftenhappens,thesumofthevarioushoursyou spendatthemastheadwouldamounttoseveralentiremonths. Anditismuchtobedeploredthattheplacetowhichyoudevote soconsiderableaportionofthewholetermofyournaturallife, shouldbesosadlydestituteofanythingapproachingtoa cosyinhabitiveness,oradaptedtobreedacomfortablelocalness offeeling,suchaspertainstoabed,ahammock,ahearse, asentrybox,apulpit,acoach,oranyotherofthosesmall andsnugcontrivancesinwhichmentemporarilyisolatethemselves. Yourmostusualpointofperchistheheadofthet' gallantmast,whereyoustandupontwothinparallelsticks (almostpeculiartowhalemen)calledthet'gallantcrosstrees. Here,tossedaboutbythesea,thebeginnerfeelsabout ascosyashewouldstandingonabull'shorns.Tobesure, incoldweatheryoumaycarryyourhousealoftwithyou, intheshapeofawatchcoat;butproperlyspeakingthethickest watchcoatisnomoreofahousethantheuncladbody; forasthesoulisgluedinsideofitsfleshytabernacle, andcannotfreelymoveaboutinit,norevenmoveoutofit, withoutrunninggreatriskofperishing(likeanignorantpilgrim crossingthesnowyAlpsinwinter);soawatchcoatisnotsomuch ofahouseasitisamereenvelope,oradditionalskinencasingyou. Youcannotputashelforchestofdrawersinyourbody, andnomorecanyoumakeaconvenienceclosetofyourwatchcoat. Concerningallthis,itismuchtobedeploredthatthemastheads ofasouthernwhaleshipareunprovidedwiththoseenviablelittle tentsorpulpits,calledcrow'snests,inwhichthelookouts ofaGreenlandwhalerareprotectedfromtheinclementweather ofthefrozenseas.InthefiresidenarrativeofCaptainSleet, entitled"AVoyageamongtheIcebergs,inquestoftheGreenlandWhale, andincidentallyfortherediscoveryoftheLostIcelandicColonies ofOldGreenland;"inthisadmirablevolume,allstanders ofmastheadsarefurnishedwithacharminglycircumstantial accountofthethenrecentlyinventedcrow'snestoftheGlacier, whichwasthenameofCaptainSleet'sgoodcraft. HecalledittheSleet'scrow'snest,inhonorofhimself; hebeingtheoriginalinventorandpatentee,andfreefromall ridiculousfalsedelicacy,andholdingthatifwecallourown childrenafterourownnames(wefathersbeingtheoriginal

inventorsandpatentees),solikewiseshouldwedenominate afterourselvesanyotherapparatuswemaybeget.Inshape, theSleet'scrow'snestissomethinglikealargetierceorpipe; itisopenabove,however,whereitisfurnishedwithamovable sidescreentokeeptowindwardofyourheadinahardgale. Beingfixedonthesummitofthemast,youascendintoit throughalittletraphatchinthebottom.Ontheafterside, orsidenextthesternoftheship,isacomfortableseat, withalockerunderneathforumbrellas,comforters,andcoats. Infrontisaleatherrack,inwhichtokeepyourspeaking trumpet,pipe,telescope,andothernauticalconveniences. WhenCaptainSleetinpersonstoodhismastheadinthis crow'snestofhis,hetellsusthathealwayshadariflewithhim (alsofixedintherack),togetherwithapowderflaskandshot, forthepurposeofpoppingoffthestraynarwhales,orvagrant seaunicornsinfestingthosewaters;foryoucannotsuccessfully shootatthemfromthedeckowingtotheresistanceofthewater, buttoshootdownuponthemisaverydifferentthing. Now,itwasplainlyalaborofloveforCaptainSleettodescribe, ashedoes,allthelittledetailedconveniencesofhiscrow'snest; butthoughhesoenlargesuponmanyofthese,andthough hetreatsustoaveryscientificaccountofhisexperiments inthiscrow'snest,withasmallcompasshekeptthere forthepurposeofcounteractingtheerrorsresultingfrom whatiscalledthe"localattraction"ofallbinnaclemagnets; anerrorascribabletothehorizontalvicinityoftheironin theship'splanks,andintheGlacier'scase,perhaps,tothere havingbeensomanybrokendownblacksmithsamonghercrew; Isay,thatthoughtheCaptainisverydiscreetand scientifichere,yet,forallhislearned"binnacledeviations," "azimuthcompassobservations,"and"approximateerrors," heknowsverywell,CaptainSleet,thathewasnotsomuch immersedinthoseprofoundmagneticmeditations,astofailbeing attractedoccasionallytowardsthatwellreplenishedlittle casebottle,sonicelytuckedinononesideofhiscrow'snest, withineasyreachofhishand.Though,uponthewhole,Igreatly admireandevenlovethebrave,thehonest,andlearnedCaptain; yetItakeitveryillofhimthatheshouldsoutterlyignore thatcasebottle,seeingwhatafaithfulfriendandcomforter itmusthavebeen,whilewithmittenedfingersandhoodedhead hewasstudyingthemathematicsaloftthereinthatbird'snest withinthreeorfourperchesofthepole. ButifweSouthernwhalefishersarenotsosnuglyhousedaloft asCaptainSleetandhisGreenlandmenwere;yetthatdisadvantage isgreatlycounterbalancedbythewidelycontrastingserenity

ofthoseseductiveseasinwhichweSouthfishersmostlyfloat. Forone,Iusedtoloungeuptheriggingveryleisurely, restinginthetoptohaveachatwithQueequeg,oranyone elseoffdutywhomImightfindthere;thenascendingalittle wayfurther,andthrowingalazylegoverthetopsailyard, takeapreliminaryviewofthewaterypastures,andsoatlast mounttomyultimatedestination. Letmemakeacleanbreastofithere,andfranklyadmit thatIkeptbutsorryguard.Withtheproblemoftheuniverse revolvinginme,howcouldIbeingleftcompletelytomyself atsuchathoughtengenderingaltitudehowcouldIbutlightly holdmyobligationstoobserveallwhaleships'standingorders, "Keepyourweathereyeopen,andsingouteverytime." Andletmeinthisplacemovinglyadmonishyou,yeshipowners ofNantucket!Bewareofenlistinginyourvigilantfisheriesanylad withleanbrowandholloweye;giventounseasonablemeditativeness; andwhoofferstoshipwiththePhaedoninsteadofBowditchinhishead. Bewareofsuchanone,Isay:yourwhalesmustbeseenbeforetheycan bekilled;andthissunkeneyedyoungPlatonistwilltowyoutenwakes roundtheworld,andnevermakeyouonepintofspermthericher. Norarethesemonitionsatallunneeded.Fornowadays,thewhalefishery furnishesanasylumformanyromantic,melancholy,andabsentminded youngmen,disgustedwiththecorkingcareofearth,andseeking sentimentintarandblubber.ChildeHaroldnotunfrequentlyperches himselfuponthemastheadofsomelucklessdisappointedwhaleship, andinmoodyphraseejaculates: "Rollon,thoudeepanddarkblueocean,roll! Tenthousandblubberhunterssweepovertheeinvain." Veryoftendothecaptainsofsuchshipstakethoseabsentmindedyoung philosopherstotask,upbraidingthemwithnotfeelingsufficient "interest"inthevoyage;halfhintingthattheyaresohopelessly losttoallhonorableambition,asthatintheirsecretsoulsthey wouldrathernotseewhalesthanotherwise.Butallinvain; thoseyoungPlatonistshaveanotionthattheirvisionisimperfect; theyareshortsighted;whatuse,then,tostrainthevisualnerve? Theyhavelefttheiroperaglassesathome. "Why,thoumonkey,"saidaharpooneertooneoftheselads, "we'vebeencruisingnowharduponthreeyears,andthouhast notraisedawhaleyet.Whalesarescarceashen'steeth wheneverthouartuphere."Perhapstheywere;orperhaps theremighthavebeenshoalsoftheminthefarhorizon;

butlulledintosuchanopiumlikelistlessnessofvacant, unconsciousreverieisthisabsentmindedyouthbytheblending cadenceofwaveswiththoughts,thatatlastheloseshisidentity; takesthemysticoceanathisfeetforthevisibleimageof thatdeep,blue,bottomlesssoul,pervadingmankindandnature; andeverystrange,halfseen,gliding,beautifulthingthateludeshim; everydimlydiscovered,uprisingfinofsomeundiscernibleform, seemstohimtheembodimentofthoseelusivethoughtsthat onlypeoplethesoulbycontinuallyflittingthroughit. Inthisenchantedmood,thyspiritebbsawaytowhenceitcame; becomesdiffusedthroughtimeandspace;likeCrammer's sprinkledPantheisticashes,formingatlastapartofevery shoretheroundglobeover. Thereisnolifeinthee,now,exceptthatrockinglifeimparted byagentlyrollingship;byher,borrowedfromthesea; bythesea,fromtheinscrutabletidesofGod.Butwhile thissleep,thisdreamisonye,moveyourfootorhandaninch; slipyourholdatall;andyouridentitycomesbackinhorror. OverDescartianvorticesyouhover.Andperhaps,atmidday, inthefairestweather,withonehalfthrottledshriekyoudropthrough thattransparentairintothesummersea,nomoretoriseforever. Heeditwell,yePantheists! CHAPTER36 TheQuarterDeck (EnterAhab:Then,all) Itwasnotagreatwhileaftertheaffairofthepipe, thatonemorningshortlyafterbreakfast,Ahab,aswashiswont, ascendedthecabingangwaytothedeck.Theremostseacaptains usuallywalkatthathour,ascountrygentlemen,afterthesamemeal, takeafewturnsinthegarden. Soonhissteady,ivorystridewasheard,astoandfrohepacedhis oldrounds,uponplankssofamiliartohistread,thattheywereall overdented,likegeologicalstones,withthepeculiarmarkofhiswalk. Didyoufixedlygaze,too,uponthatribbedanddentedbrow; therealso,youwouldseestillstrangerfootprintsthefootprints ofhisoneunsleeping,everpacingthought.

 Butontheoccasioninquestion,thosedentslookeddeeper, evenashisnervousstepthatmorningleftadeepermark. And,sofullofhisthoughtwasAhab,thatateveryuniformturn thathemade,nowatthemainmastandnowatthebinnacle, youcouldalmostseethatthoughtturninhimasheturned, andpaceinhimashepaced;socompletelypossessinghim,indeed, thatitallbutseemedtheinwardmouldofeveryoutermovement. "D'yemarkhim,Flask?"whisperedStubb;"thechickthat'sinhim peckstheshell.'Twillsoonbeout." Thehoursworeon;Ahabnowshutupwithinhiscabin; anon,pacingthedeck,withthesameintensebigotryofpurpose inhisaspect. Itdrewnearthecloseofday.Suddenlyhecametoahaltby thebulwarks,andinsertinghisbonelegintotheaugerholethere, andwithonehandgraspingashroud,heorderedStarbuck tosendeverybodyaft. "Sir!"saidthemate,astonishedatanorderseldomornevergiven onshipboardexceptinsomeextraordinarycase. "Sendeverybodyaft,"repeatedAhab."Mastheads,there!comedown!" Whentheentireship'scompanywereassembled,andwithcurious andnotwhollyunapprehensivefaces,wereeyeinghim,forhelooked notunliketheweatherhorizonwhenastormiscomingup,Ahab, afterrapidlyglancingoverthebulwarks,andthendartinghis eyesamongthecrew,startedfromhisstandpoint;andasthough notasoulwerenighhimresumedhisheavyturnsuponthedeck. Withbentheadandhalfslouchedhathecontinuedtopace, unmindfulofthewonderingwhisperingamongthemen;tillStubb cautiouslywhisperedtoFlask,thatAhabmusthavesummoned themthereforthepurposeofwitnessingapedestrianfeat. Butthisdidnotlastlong.Vehementlypausing,hecried: "Whatdoyedowhenyeseeawhale,men?" "Singoutforhim!"wastheimpulsiverejoinderfromascore ofclubbedvoices. "Good!"criedAhab,withawildapprovalinhistones; observingtheheartyanimationintowhichhisunexpectedquestion hadsomagneticallythrownthem.

 "Andwhatdoyenext,men?" "Loweraway,andafterhim!" "Andwhattuneisityepullto,men?" "Adeadwhaleorastoveboat!" Moreandmorestrangelyandfiercelygladandapproving, grewthecountenanceoftheoldmanateveryshout; whilethemarinersbegantogazecuriouslyateachother, asifmarvellinghowitwasthattheythemselvesbecamesoexcited atsuchseeminglypurposelessquestions. But,theywerealleagernessagain,asAhab,nowhalfrevolvinginhis pivothole,withonehandreachinghighupashroud,andtightly, almostconvulsivelygraspingit,addressedthemthus: "Allyemastheadershavebeforenowheardmegiveordersabouta whitewhale.Lookye!d'yeseethisSpanishounceofgold?"holdingup abroadbrightcointothesun"itisasixteendollarpiece,men. D'yeseeit?Mr.Starbuck,handmeyontopmaul." Whilethematewasgettingthehammer,Ahab,withoutspeaking, wasslowlyrubbingthegoldpieceagainsttheskirtsofhisjacket, asiftoheightenitslustre,andwithoutusinganywordswas meanwhilelowlyhummingtohimself,producingasoundsostrangely muffledandinarticulatethatitseemedthemechanicalhumming ofthewheelsofhisvitalityinhim. ReceivingthetopmaulfromStarbuck,headvancedtowardsthemainmast withthehammerupliftedinonehand,exhibitingthegoldwiththeother, andwithahighraisedvoiceexclaiming:"Whosoeverofyeraises meawhiteheadedwhalewithawrinkledbrowandacrookedjaw; whosoeverofyeraisesmethatwhiteheadedwhale,withthreeholes puncturedinhisstarboardflukelookye,whosoeverofyeraisesme thatsamewhitewhale,heshallhavethisgoldounce,myboys!" "Huzza!huzza!"criedtheseamen,aswithswingingtarpaulins theyhailedtheactofnailingthegoldtothemast. "It'sawhitewhale,Isay,"resumedAhab,ashethrewdownthetopmaul: "awhitewhale.Skinyoureyesforhim,men;looksharpforwhitewater; ifyeseebutabubble,singout."

AllthiswhileTashtego,Daggoo,andQueequeghadlookedonwitheven moreintenseinterestandsurprisethantherest,andatthemention ofthewrinkledbrowandcrookedjawtheyhadstartedasifeachwas separatelytouchedbysomespecificrecollection. "CaptainAhab,"saidTashtego,"thatwhitewhalemustbethesame thatsomecallMobyDick." "MobyDick?"shoutedAhab."Doyeknowthewhitewhalethen,Tash?" "Doeshefantailalittlecurious,sir,beforehegoesdown?" saidtheGayHeaderdeliberately. "Andhasheacuriousspout,too,"saidDaggoo,"verybushy, evenforaparmacetty,andmightyquick,CaptainAhab?" "Andhehaveone,two,treeoh!goodmanyironinhimhide, too,Captain,"criedQueequegdisjointedly,"alltwisketeebetwisk, likehimhim"falteringhardforaword,andscrewinghishand roundandroundasthoughuncorkingabottle"likehimhim" "Corkscrew!"criedAhab,"aye,Queequeg,theharpoonslie alltwistedandwrenchedinhim;aye,Daggoo,hisspoutis abigone,likeawholeshockofwheat,andwhiteasapile ofourNantucketwoolafterthegreatannualsheepshearing; aye,Tashtego,andhefantailslikeasplitjibinasquall. Deathanddevils!men,itisMobyDickyehaveseen MobyDickMobyDick!" "CaptainAhab,"saidStarbuck,who,withStubbandFlask,hadthus farbeeneyeinghissuperiorwithincreasingsurprise,butatlast seemedstruckwithathoughtwhichsomewhatexplainedallthewonder. "CaptainAhab,IhaveheardofMobyDickbutitwasnotMobyDick thattookoffthyleg?" "Whotoldtheethat?"criedAhab;thenpausing,"Aye,Starbuck; aye,myheartiesallround;itwasMobyDickthatdismastedme; MobyDickthatbroughtmetothisdeadstumpIstandonnow. Aye,aye,"heshoutedwithaterrific,loud,animalsob,likethatof aheartstrickenmoose;"Aye,aye!itwasthataccursedwhitewhale thatrazeedme;madeapoorpegginglubberofmeforeverandaday!" Thentossingbotharms,withmeasurelessimprecationsheshoutedout: "Aye,aye!andI'llchasehimroundGoodHope,androundtheHorn, androundtheNorwayMaelstrom,androundperdition'sflames beforeIgivehimup.Andthisiswhatyehaveshippedfor, men!tochasethatwhitewhaleonbothsidesofland,andoverall

sidesofearth,tillhespoutsblackbloodandrollsfinout. Whatsayye,men,willyesplicehandsonit,now?Ithinkye dolookbrave." "Aye,aye!"shoutedtheharpooneersandseamen,runningcloser totheexcitedoldman:"AsharpeyefortheWhiteWhale; asharplanceforMobyDick!" "Godblessye,"heseemedtohalfsobandhalfshout. "Godblessye,men.Steward!godrawthegreatmeasureofgrog. Butwhat'sthislongfaceabout,Mr.Starbuck;wiltthounot chasethewhitewhale!artnotgameforMobyDick?" "Iamgameforhiscrookedjaw,andforthejawsofDeathtoo, CaptainAhab,ifitfairlycomesinthewayofthebusinesswefollow; butIcameheretohuntwhales,notmycommander'svengeance. Howmanybarrelswillthyvengeanceyieldtheeevenifthougettestit, CaptainAhab?itwillnotfetchtheemuchinourNantucketmarket." "Nantucketmarket!Hoot!Butcomecloser,Starbuck; thourequirestalittlelowerlayer.Ifmoney'stobe themeasurer,man,andtheaccountantshavecomputedtheir greatcountinghousetheglobe,bygirdlingitwithguineas, onetoeverythreepartsofaninch;then,letmetellthee, thatmyvengeancewillfetchagreatpremiumhere!" "Hesmiteshischest,"whisperedStubb,"what'sthatfor?methinksit ringsmostvast,buthollow." "Vengeanceonadumbbrute!"criedStarbuck,"thatsimplysmotethee fromblindestinstinct!Madness!Tobeenragedwithadumbthing, CaptainAhab,seemsblasphemous." "Harkyeyetagainthelittlelowerlayer.Allvisibleobjects,man, arebutaspasteboardmasks.Butineacheventinthelivingact, theundoubteddeedthere,someunknownbutstillreasoning thingputsforththemouldingsofitsfeaturesfrombehind theunreasoningmask.Ifmanwillstrike,strikethroughthemask! Howcantheprisonerreachoutsideexceptbythrustingthroughthewall? Tome,thewhitewhaleisthatwall,shovedneartome. SometimesIthinkthere'snaughtbeyond.But'tisenough. Hetasksme;heheapsme;Iseeinhimoutrageousstrength, withaninscrutablemalicesinewingit.Thatinscrutable thingischieflywhatIhate;andbethewhitewhaleagent, orbethewhitewhaleprincipal,Iwillwreakthathateuponhim. Talknottomeofblasphemy,man;I'dstrikethesunifitinsultedme.

Forcouldthesundothat,thencouldIdotheother;sincethereisever asortoffairplayherein,jealousypresidingoverallcreations. Butnotmymaster,man,iseventhatfairplay.Who'soverme? Truthhathnoconfines.Takeoffthineeye!moreintolerable thanfiends'glaringsisadoltishstare!So,so;thoureddenest andpalest;myheathasmeltedtheetoangerglow.Butlookye, Starbuck,whatissaidinheat,thatthingunsaysitself. Therearemenfromwhomwarmwordsaresmallindignity. Imeantnottoincensethee.Letitgo.Look!seeyonderTurkish cheeksofspottedtawnliving,breathingpicturespaintedbythesun. ThePaganleopardstheunreckingandunworshippingthings,thatlive; andseek,andgivenoreasonsforthetorridlifetheyfeel! Thecrew,man,thecrew!AretheynotoneandallwithAhab,inthis matterofthewhale?SeeStubb!helaughs!SeeyonderChilian! hesnortstothinkofit.Standupamidthegeneralhurricane, thyonetostsaplingcannot,Starbuck!Andwhatisit? Reckonit.'Tisbuttohelpstrikeafin;nowondrousfeat forStarbuck.Whatisitmore?Fromthisonepoorhunt, then,thebestlanceoutofallNantucket,surelyhewillnot hangback,wheneveryforemasthandhasclutchedawhetstone. Ah!constrainingsseizethee;Isee!thebillowliftsthee! Speak,butspeak!Aye,aye!thysilence,then,thatvoicesthee. (Aside)Somethingshotfrommydilatednostrils,hehas inhaleditinhislungs.Starbucknowismine;cannotoppose menow,withoutrebellion." "Godkeepme!keepusall!"murmuredStarbuck,lowly. Butinhisjoyattheenchanted,tacitacquiescenceofthemate, Ahabdidnothearhisforebodinginvocation;noryetthelow laughfromthehold;noryetthepresagingvibrationsof thewindsinthecordage;noryetthehollowflapofthesails againstthemasts,asforamomenttheirheartssankin. ForagainStarbuck'sdowncasteyeslightedupwiththestubbornness oflife;thesubterraneanlaughdiedaway;thewindsblewon; thesailsfilledout;theshipheavedandrolledasbefore. Ah,yeadmonitionsandwarnings!whystayyenotwhenyecome? Butratherareyepredictionsthanwarnings,yeshadows! Yetnotsomuchpredictionsfromwithout,asverifications oftheforegoingthingswithin.Forwithlittleexternal toconstrainus,theinnermostnecessitiesinourbeing, thesestilldriveuson. "Themeasure!themeasure!"criedAhab. Receivingthebrimmingpewter,andturningtotheharpooneers,

heorderedthemtoproducetheirweapons.Thenrangingthem beforehimnearthecapstan,withtheirharpoonsintheirhands, whilehisthreematesstoodathissidewiththeirlances, andtherestoftheship'scompanyformedacircleroundthegroup; hestoodforaninstantsearchinglyeyeingeverymanofhiscrew. Butthosewildeyesmethis,asthebloodshoteyesoftheprairie wolvesmeettheeyeoftheirleader,ereherushesonattheirhead inthetrailofthebison;but,alas!onlytofallintothehidden snareoftheIndian. "Drinkandpass!"hecried,handingtheheavycharged flagontothenearestseaman."Thecrewalonenowdrink. Roundwithit,round!Shortdraughtslongswallows,men; 'tishotasSatan'shoof.So,so;itgoesroundexcellently. Itspiralizesinye;forksoutattheserpentsnappingeye. Welldone;almostdrained.Thatwayitwent,thiswayitcomes. Handitmehere'sahollow!Men,yeseemtheyears; sobrimminglifeisgulpedandgone.Steward,refill! "Attendnow,mybraves.Ihavemusteredyeallroundthiscapstan; andyemates,flankmewithyourlances;andyeharpooneers,standthere withyourirons;andye,stoutmariners,ringmein,thatImayinsome sortreviveanoblecustomofmyfishermanfathersbeforeme.Omen, youwillyetseethatHa!boy,comeback?badpenniescomenotsooner. Handitme.Why,now,thispewterhadrunbrimmingagain,wertnotthou St.Vitus'impaway,thouague! "Advance,yemates!Crossyourlancesfullbeforeme.Welldone! Letmetouchtheaxis."Sosaying,withextendedarm,hegrasped thethreelevel,radiatinglancesattheircrossedcentre; whilesodoing,suddenlyandnervouslytwitchedthem; meanwhileglancingintentlyfromStarbucktoStubb;fromStubb toFlask.Itseemedasthough,bysomenameless,interiorvolition, hewouldfainhaveshockedintothemthesamefieryemotion accumulatedwithintheLeydenjarofhisownmagneticlife. Thethreematesquailedbeforehisstrong,sustained,andmysticaspect. StubbandFlasklookedsidewaysfromhim;thehonesteyeof Starbuckfelldownright. "Invain!"criedAhab;"but,maybe,'tiswell.Fordidyethreebutonce takethefullforcedshock,thenmineownelectricthing,thathadperhaps expiredfromoutme.Perchance,too,itwouldhavedroppedyedead. Perchanceyeneeditnot.Downlances!Andnow,yemates, Idoappointyethreecupbearerstomythreepagankinsmenthere yonthreemosthonorablegentlemenandnoblemen,myvaliantharpooneers. Disdainthetask?What,whenthegreatPopewashesthefeetofbeggars,

usinghistiaraforewer?Oh,mysweetcardinals!yourowncondescension, thatshallbendyetoit.Idonotorderye;yewillit. Cutyourseizingsanddrawthepoles,yeharpooneers!" Silentlyobeyingtheorder,thethreeharpooneersnowstood withthedetachedironpartoftheirharpoons,somethree feetlong,held,barbsup,beforehim. "Stabmenotwiththatkeensteel!Cantthem;cantthem over!knowyenotthegobletend?Turnupthesocket! So,so;now,yecupbearers,advance.Theirons!takethem; holdthemwhileIfill!"Forthwith,slowlygoingfromoneofficer totheother,hebrimmedtheharpoonsocketswiththefiery watersfromthepewter. "Now,threetothree,yestand.Commendthemurderouschalices! Bestowthem,yewhoarenowmadepartiestothis indissolubleleague.Ha!Starbuck!butthedeedisdone! Yonratifyingsunnowwaitstosituponit.Drink,yeharpooneers! drinkandswear,yementhatmanthedeathfulwhaleboat'sbow DeathtoMobyDick!Godhuntusall,ifwedonothuntMobyDick tohisdeath!"Thelong,barbedsteelgobletswerelifted; andtocriesandmaledictionsagainstthewhitewhale, thespiritsweresimultaneouslyquaffeddownwithahiss. Starbuckpaled,andturned,andshivered.Oncemore,andfinally, thereplenishedpewterwenttheroundsamongthefranticcrew; when,wavinghisfreehandtothem,theyalldispersed; andAhabretiredwithinhiscabin. CHAPTER37 Sunset Thecabin;bythesternwindows;Ahabsittingalone,andgazingout. Ileaveawhiteandturbidwake;palewaters,palercheeks, where'erIsail.Theenviousbillowssidelongswelltowhelmmytrack; letthem;butfirstIpass. Yonder,bytheeverbrimminggoblet'srim,thewarmwavesblush likewine.Thegoldbrowplumbstheblue.Thediversun slowdivedfromnoongoesdown;mysoulmountsup!she

wearieswithherendlesshill.Is,then,thecrowntooheavy thatIwear?thisIronCrownofLombardy.Yetisitbright withmanyagem;Ithewearer,seenotitsfarflashings; butdarklyfeelthatIwearthat,thatdazzlinglyconfounds. 'TisironthatIknownotgold.'Tissplit,toothatIfeel; thejaggededgegallsmeso,mybrainseemstobeatagainst thesolidmetal;aye,steelskull,mine;thesortthatneeds nohelmetinthemostbrainbatteringfight! Dryheatuponmybrow?Oh!timewas,whenasthesunrisenobly spurredme,sothesunsetsoothed.Nomore.Thislovelylight, itlightsnotme;alllovelinessisanguishtome,sinceIcan ne'erenjoy.Giftedwiththehighperception,Ilackthelow, enjoyingpower;damned,mostsubtlyandmostmalignantly! damnedinthemidstofParadise!Goodnightgoodnight! (wavinghishand,hemovesfromthewindow.) 'Twasnotsohardatask.Ithoughttofindonestubborn,attheleast; butmyonecoggedcirclefitsintoalltheirvariouswheels, andtheyrevolve.Or,ifyouwill,likesomanyanthillsofpowder, theyallstandbeforeme;andItheirmatch.Oh,hard!thatto fireothers,thematchitselfmustneedsbewasting!WhatI'vedared, I'vewilled;andwhatI'vewilled,I'lldo!Theythinkmemad Starbuckdoes;butI'mdemoniac,Iammadnessmaddened! Thatwildmadnessthat'sonlycalmtocomprehenditself! TheprophecywasthatIshouldbedismembered;andAye!Ilost thisleg.InowprophesythatIwilldismembermydismemberer. Now,then,betheprophetandthefulfillerone.That'smorethanye, yegreatgods,everwere.Ilaughandhootatye,yecricketplayers, yepugilists,yedeafBurkesandblindedBendigoes!Iwillnot sayasschoolboysdotobulliesTakesomeoneofyourownsize; don'tpommelme!No,ye'veknockedmedown,andIamupagain; butyehaverunandhidden.Comeforthfrombehindyourcottonbags! Ihavenolongguntoreachye.Come,Ahab'scomplimentstoye; comeandseeifyecanswerveme.Swerveme?yecannotswerveme, elseyeswerveyourselves!manhasyethere.Swerveme? Thepathtomyfixedpurposeislaidwithironrails,whereonmy soulisgroovedtorun.Overunsoundedgorges,throughtherifled heartsofmountains,undertorrents'beds,unerringlyIrush! Naught'sanobstacle,naught'sanangletotheironway! CHAPTER38 Dusk

 BytheMainmast;Starbuckleaningagainstit. Mysoulismorethanmatched;she'sovermanned;andbyamadman! Insufferablesting,thatsanityshouldgroundarmsonsuchafield! Buthedrilleddeepdown,andblastedallmyreasonoutofme! IthinkIseehisimpiousend;butfeelthatImusthelphimtoit. WillI,nillI,theineffablethinghastiedmetohim;towsmewith acableIhavenoknifetocut.Horribleoldman!Who'soverhim, hecries;aye,hewouldbeademocrattoallabove;look,howhelords itoverallbelow!Oh!Iplainlyseemymiserableoffice, toobey,rebelling;andworseyet,tohatewithtouchofpity! ForinhiseyesIreadsomeluridwoewouldshrivelmeup,hadIit. Yetistherehope.Timeandtideflowwide.Thehatedwhalehas theroundwateryworldtoswimin,asthesmallgoldfishhasits glassyglobe.Hisheaveninsultingpurpose,Godmaywedgeaside. Iwouldupheart,wereitnotlikelead.Butmywholeclock'srundown; myhearttheallcontrollingweight,Ihavenokeytoliftagain. [Aburstofrevelryfromtheforecastle.] Oh,God!tosailwithsuchaheathencrewthathavesmalltouch ofhumanmothersinthem!Whelpedsomewherebythesharkishsea. Thewhitewhaleistheirdemigorgon.Hark!theinfernalorgies! thatrevelryisforward!marktheunfalteringsilenceaft! Methinksitpictureslife.Foremostthroughthesparklingsea shootsonthegay,embattled,banteringbow,butonlytodrag darkAhabafterit,wherehebroodswithinhissternwardcabin, buildedoverthedeadwaterofthewake,andfurtheron, huntedbyitswolfishgurglings.Thelonghowlthrillsmethrough! Peace!yerevellers,andsetthewatch!Oh,life!'tisinan hourlikethis,withsoulbeatdownandheldtoknowledge, aswild,untutoredthingsareforcedtofeedOh,life!'tis nowthatIdofeelthelatenthorrorinthee!but'tisnotme! thathorror'soutofme,andwiththesoftfeelingofthehuman inme,yetwillItrytofightye,yegrim,phantomfutures! Standbyme,holdme,bindme,Oyeblessedinfluences! CHAPTER39

FirstNightWatch (Stubbsolus,andmendingabrace.) Ha!ha!ha!ha!hem!clearmythroat!I'vebeenthinking overiteversince,andthatha,ha'sthefinalconsequence. Whyso?Becausealaugh'sthewisest,easiestanswertoall that'squeer;andcomewhatwill,onecomfort'salwaysleft thatunfailingcomfortis,it'sallpredestinated. IheardnotallhistalkwithStarbuck;buttomypooreye StarbuckthenlookedsomethingasItheothereveningfelt. BesuretheoldMogulhasfixedhim,too.Itwiggedit,knewit; hadhadthegift,mightreadilyhaveprophesieditforwhenI clappedmyeyeuponhisskullIsawit.Well,Stubb,wiseStubb that'smytitlewell,Stubb,whatofit,Stubb?Here'sacarcase. Iknownotallthatmaybecoming,butbeitwhatitwill, I'llgotoitlaughing.Suchawaggishleeringaslurks inallyourhorribles!Ifeelfunny.Fa,la!lirra,skirra! What'smyjuicylittlepearathomedoingnow?Cryingitseyesout? Givingapartytothelastarrivedharpooneers,Idaresay, gayasafrigate'spennant,andsoamIfa,la!lirra,skirra!Oh We'lldrinktonightwithheartsaslight, Tolove,asgayandfleeting Asbubblesthatswim,onthebeaker'sbrim, Andbreakonthelipswhilemeeting. Abravestavethatwhocalls?Mr.Starbuck?Aye,aye,sir (Aside)he'smysuperior,hehashistoo,ifI'mnotmistaken. Aye,aye,sir,justthroughwiththisjobcoming. CHAPTER40 Midnight,Forecastle HARPOONEERSANDSAILORS (Foresailrisesanddiscoversthewatchstanding,lounging,leaning, andlyinginvariousattitudes,allsinginginchorus.)

 Farewellandadieutoyou,Spanishladies! Farewellandadieutoyou,ladiesofSpain! Ourcaptain'scommanded. 1STNANTUCKETSAILOR Oh,boys,don'tbesentimental.it'sbadforthedigestion! Takeatonic,followme!(Sings,andallfollow) Ourcaptainstooduponthedeck, Aspyglassinhishand, Aviewingofthosegallantwhales Thatblewateverystrand. Oh,yourtubsinyourboats,myboys, Andbyyourbracesstand, Andwe'llhaveoneofthosefinewhales, Hand,boys,overhand! So,becheery,mylads!mayyourheartsneverfail! Whiletheboldharpooneerisstrikingthewhale! MATE'SVOICEFROMTHEQUARTERDECK Eightbellsthere,forward! 2NDNANTUCKETSAILOR Avastthechorus!Eightbellsthere!d'yehear,bellboy?Strike thebelleight,thouPip!thoublackling!andletmecallthewatch. I'vethesortofmouthforthatthehogsheadmouth.So,so, (thrustshisheaddownthescuttle,)Starboleens,ahoy! Eightbellstherebelow!Tumbleup! DUTCHSAILOR Grandsnoozingtonight,maty;fatnightforthat.Imarkthisinourold Mogul'swine;it'squiteasdeadeningtosomeasfillipingtoothers. Wesing;theysleepaye,liedownthere,likegroundtierbutts. At'emagain!There,takethiscopperpump,andhail'emthroughit. Tell'emtoavastdreamingoftheirlassies.Tell'emit's theresurrection;theymustkisstheirlast,andcometojudgment. That'sthewaythat'sit;thythroatain'tspoiledwith eatingAmsterdambutter. FRENCHSAILOR Hist,boys!let'shaveajigortwobeforeweridetoanchor

inBlanketBay.Whatsayye?Therecomestheotherwatch. Standbyalllegs!Pip!littlePip!hurrahwithyourtambourine! PIP(Sulkyandsleepy) Don'tknowwhereitis. FRENCHSAILOR Beatthybelly,then,andwagthyears.Jigit,men,Isay; merry'stheword;hurrah!Damnme,won'tyoudance? Form,now,Indianfile,andgallopintothedoubleshuffle? Throwyourselves!Legs!legs! ICELANDSAILOR Idon'tlikeyourfloor,maty;it'stoospringytomytaste. I'musedtoicefloors.I'msorrytothrowcoldwateronthesubject; butexcuseme. MALTESESAILOR Metoo;where'syourgirls?Whobutafoolwouldtakehislefthand byhisright,andsaytohimself,howd'yedo?Partners!Imust havepartners! SICILIANSAILOR Aye;girlsandagreen!thenI'llhopwithye;yea,turngrasshopper! LONGISLANDSAILOR Well,well,yesulkies,there'splentymoreofus. Hoecornwhenyoumay,sayI.Alllegsgotoharvestsoon. Ah!herecomesthemusic;nowforit! AZORESAILOR(Ascending,andpitchingthetambourineupthescuttle.) Hereyouare,Pip;andthere'sthewindlassbits; upyoumount!Now,boys! (Thehalfofthemdancetothetambourine;somegobelow; somesleeporlieamongthecoilsofrigging.Oathsaplenty.) AZORESAILOR(Dancing)

Goit,Pip!Bangit,bellboy!Rigit,digit,stigit,quigit, bellboy!Makefireflies;breakthejinglers! PIP Jinglers,yousay?theregoesanother,droppedoff;Ipounditso. CHINASAILOR Rattlethyteeth,then,andpoundaway;makeapagodaofthyself. FRENCHSAILOR Merrymad!Holdupthyhoop,Pip,tillIjumpthroughit! Splitjibs!tearyourselves!Tashtego(Quietlysmoking.) That'sawhiteman;hecallsthatfun:humph!Isavemysweat. OLDMANXSAILOR Iwonderwhetherthosejollyladsbethinkthemofwhattheyare dancingover.I'lldanceoveryourgrave,Iwillthat'sthebitterest threatofyournightwomen,thatbeatheadwindsroundcorners. OChrist!tothinkofthegreennaviesandthegreenskulledcrews! Well,well;belikethewholeworld'saball,asyouscholars haveit;andso'tisrighttomakeoneballroomofit. Danceon,lads,you'reyoung;Iwasonce. 3DNANTUCKETSAILOR Spelloh!whew!thisisworsethanpullingafterwhalesinacalm giveusawhiff,Tash. (Theyceasedancing,andgatherinclusters.Meantimetheskydarkens thewindrises.) LASCARSAILOR ByBrahma!boys,it'llbedousesailsoon.Theskyborn,hightide Gangesturnedtowind!Thoushowestthyblackbrow,Seeva! MALTESESAILOR(Recliningandshakinghiscap) It'sthewavesthesnow'scapsturntojigitnow. They'llshaketheirtasselssoon.Nowwouldallthewaves

werewomen,thenI'dgodrown,andchasseewiththemevermore! There'snaughtsosweetonearthheavenmaynotmatchit! asthoseswiftglancesofwarm,wildbosomsinthedance, whentheoverarboringarmshidesuchripe,burstinggrapes. SICILIANSAILOR(Reclining) Tellmenotofit!Harkye,ladfleetinterlacingsofthelimbs litheswayingscoyingsflutterings!lip!heart!hip!allgraze: unceasingtouchandgo!nottaste,observeye,elsecomesatiety. Eh,Pagan?(Nudging.) TAHITANSAILOR(Recliningonamat) Hail,holynakednessofourdancinggirls!theHeevaHeeva!Ah! lowveiled,highpalmedTahiti!Istillrestmeonthymat, butthesoftsoilhasslid!Isawtheewoveninthewood,mymat! greenthefirstdayIbroughtyethence;nowwornandwiltedquite. Ahme!notthounorIcanbearthechange!Howthen, ifsobetransplantedtoyonsky?HearItheroaringstreamsfrom Pirohitee'speakofspears,whentheyleapdownthecragsanddrown thevillages?Theblast,theblast!Up,spine,andmeetit! (Leapstohisfeet.) PORTUGUESESAILOR Howthesearollsswashing'gainsttheside!Standbyforreefing, hearties!thewindsarejustcrossingswords,pellmellthey'll golungingpresently. DANISHSAILOR Crack,crack,oldship!solongasthoucrackest,thouholdest! Welldone!Thematethereholdsyetoitstiffly.He'snomore afraidthantheislefortatCattegat,puttheretofighttheBaltic withstormlashedguns,onwhichtheseasaltcakes! 4THNANTUCKETSAILOR Hehashisorders,mindyethat.IheardoldAhabtellhimhemust alwayskillasquall,somethingastheyburstawaterspoutwithapistol fireyourshiprightintoit! ENGLISHSAILOR Blood!butthatoldman'sagrandoldcove!Wearethelads

tohunthimuphiswhale! ALL Aye!aye! OLDMANXSAILOR Howthethreepinesshake!Pinesarethehardestsortoftree tolivewhenshiftedtoanyothersoil,andherethere's nonebutthecrew'scursedclay.Steady,helmsman!steady. Thisisthesortofweatherwhenbraveheartssnapashore, andkeeledhullssplitatsea.Ourcaptainhashisbirthmark; lookyonder,boys,there'sanotherintheskyluridlike,yesee, allelsepitchblack. DAGGOO Whatofthat?Who'safraidofblack'safraidofme! I'mquarriedoutofit! SPANISHSAILOR (Aside.)Hewantstobully,ah!theoldgrudgemakesmetouchy (Advancing.)Aye,harpooneer,thyraceistheundeniabledark sideofmankinddevilishdarkatthat.Nooffence. DAGGOO(Grimly) None. ST.JAGO'SSAILOR ThatSpaniard'smadordrunk.Butthatcan'tbe,orelseinhisone caseouroldMogul'sfirewatersaresomewhatlonginworking. 5THNANTUCKETSAILOR What'sthatIsawlightning?Yes. SPANISHSAILOR No;Daggooshowinghisteeth. DAGGOO(Springing)

Swallowthine,mannikin!Whiteskin,whiteliver! SPANISHSAILOR(Meetinghim) Knifetheeheartily!bigframe,smallspirit! ALL Arow!arow!arow! TASHTEGO(Withawhiff) Arowa'low,andarowaloftGodsandmenbothbrawlers!Humph! BELFASTSAILOR Arow!arraharow!TheVirginbeblessed,arow! Plungeinwithye! ENGLISHSAILOR Fairplay!SnatchtheSpaniard'sknife!Aring,aring! OLDMANXSAILOR Readyformed.There!theringedhorizon.InthatringCain struckAbel.Sweetwork,rightwork!No?Whythen,God, mad'stthouthering? MATE'SVOICEFROMTHEQUARTERDECK Handsbythehalyards!intopgallantsails!Standbytoreeftopsails! ALL Thesquall!thesquall!jump,myjollies!(Theyscatter.) PIP(Shrinkingunderthewindlass) Jollies?Lordhelpsuchjollies!Crish,crash!theregoes thejibstay!Blangwhang!God!Ducklower,Pip,herecomes theroyalyard!It'sworsethanbeinginthewhirledwoods, thelastdayoftheyear!Who'dgoclimbingafterchestnutsnow? Buttheretheygo,allcursing,andhereIdon't.Fineprospects to'em;they'reontheroadtoheaven.Holdonhard!

Jimmini,whatasquall!Butthosechapsthereareworseyet theyareyourwhitesqualls,they.Whitesqualls?whitewhale, shirr!shirr!HerehaveIheardalltheirchatjustnow, andthewhitewhaleshirr!shirr!butspokenofonce!andonly thiseveningitmakesmejinglealloverlikemytambourine thatanacondaofanoldmanswore'emintohunthim! Oh!thoubigwhiteGodalofttheresomewhereinyondarkness, havemercyonthissmallblackboydownhere;preservehim fromallmenthathavenobowelstofeelfear! CHAPTER41 MobyDick I,Ishmael,wasoneofthatcrew;myshoutshadgoneupwiththerest; myoathhadbeenweldedwiththeirs;andstrongerIshouted,andmore didIhammerandclinchmyoath,becauseofthedreadinmysoul. Awild,mystical,sympatheticalfeelingwasinme;Ahab'squenchless feudseemedmine.WithgreedyearsIlearnedthehistoryofthat murderousmonsteragainstwhomIandalltheothershadtakenouroaths ofviolenceandrevenge. Forsometimepast,thoughatintervalsonly,theunaccompanied, secludedWhiteWhalehadhauntedthoseuncivilizedseasmostly frequentedbytheSpermWhalefishermen.Butnotallofthem knewofhisexistence;onlyafewofthem,comparatively, hadknowinglyseenhim;whilethenumberwhoasyethad actuallyandknowinglygivenbattletohim,wassmallindeed. For,owingtothelargenumberofwhalecruisers;thedisorderly waytheyweresprinkledovertheentirewaterycircumference, manyofthemadventurouslypushingtheirquestalong solitarylatitudes,soasseldomorneverforawholetwelvemonth ormoreonastretch,toencounterasinglenewstellingsail ofanysort;theinordinatelengthofeachseparatevoyage; theirregularityofthetimesofsailingfromhome;allthese, withothercircumstances,directandindirect,longobstructed thespreadthroughthewholeworldwidewhalingfleetofthespecial individualizingtidingsconcerningMobyDick.Itwashardly tobedoubted,thatseveralvesselsreportedtohaveencountered, atsuchorsuchatime,oronsuchorsuchameridian, aSpermWhaleofuncommonmagnitudeandmalignity,whichwhale, afterdoinggreatmischieftohisassailants,hascompletely

escapedthem;tosomemindsitwasnotanunfairpresumption, Isay,thatthewhaleinquestionmusthavebeennootherthan MobyDick.YetasoflatetheSpermWhalefisheryhadbeen markedbyvariousandnotunfrequentinstancesofgreatferocity, cunning,andmaliceinthemonsterattacked;thereforeitwas, thatthosewhobyaccidentignorantlygavebattletoMobyDick; suchhunters,perhaps,forthemostpart,werecontenttoascribe thepeculiarterrorhebred,more,asitwere,totheperils oftheSpermWhalefisheryatlarge,thantotheindividualcause. Inthatway,mostly,thedisastrousencounterbetweenAhab andthewhalehadhithertobeenpopularlyregarded. Andasforthosewho,previouslyhearingoftheWhiteWhale, bychancecaughtsightofhim;inthebeginningofthething theyhadeveryoneofthem,almost,asboldlyandfearlessly loweredforhim,asforanyotherwhaleofthatspecies. Butatlength,suchcalamitiesdidensueintheseassaults notrestrictedtosprainedwristsandankles,brokenlimbs, ordevouringamputationsbutfataltothelastdegreeoffatality; thoserepeateddisastrousrepulses,allaccumulatingandpiling theirterrorsuponMobyDick;thosethingshadgonefarto shakethefortitudeofmanybravehunters,towhomthestory oftheWhiteWhalehadeventuallycome. Nordidwildrumorsofallsortsfailtoexaggerate,andstill themorehorrifythetruehistoriesofthesedeadlyencounters. Fornotonlydofabulousrumorsnaturallygrowoutoftheverybody ofallsurprisingterribleevents,asthesmittentreegivesbirth toitsfungi;but,inmaritimelife,farmorethaninthatofterrafirma, wildrumorsabound,whereverthereisanyadequaterealityforthem toclingto.Andastheseasurpassesthelandinthismatter, sothewhalefisherysurpasseseveryothersortofmaritimelife, inthewonderfulnessandfearfulnessoftherumorswhichsometimes circulatethere.Fornotonlyarewhalemenasabodyunexempt fromthatignoranceandsuperstitiousnesshereditarytoallsailors; butofallsailors,theyarebyalloddsthemostdirectlybrought intocontactwithwhateverisappallinglyastonishinginthesea; facetofacetheynotonlyeyeitsgreatestmarvels,but,handtojaw, givebattletothem.Alone,insuchremotestwaters,thatthough yousailedathousandmiles,andpassedathousandshores,youwould notcometoanychiselledhearthstone,oraughthospitablebeneath thatpartofthesun;insuchlatitudesandlongitudes,pursuingtoo suchacallingashedoes,thewhalemaniswrappedbyinfluences alltendingtomakehisfancypregnantwithmanyamightybirth. Nowonder,then,thatevergatheringvolumefromthemeretransit overthewildestwateryspaces,theoutblownrumorsoftheWhiteWhale

didintheendincorporatewiththemselvesallmannerofmorbidhints, andhalfformedfoetalsuggestionsofsupernaturalagencies, whicheventuallyinvestedMobyDickwithnewterrorsunborrowedfrom anythingthatvisiblyappears.Sothatinmanycasessuchapanic didhefinallystrike,thatfewwhobythoserumors,atleast, hadheardoftheWhiteWhale,fewofthosehunterswerewilling toencountertheperilsofhisjaw. Buttherewerestillotherandmorevitalpracticalinfluencesatwork. Norevenatthepresentdayhastheoriginalprestigeofthe SpermWhale,asfearfullydistinguishedfromallotherspecies oftheleviathan,diedoutofthemindsofthewhalemenasabody. Therearethosethisdayamongthem,who,thoughintelligentand courageousenoughinofferingbattletotheGreenlandorRightwhale, wouldperhapseitherfromprofessionalinexperience,orincompetency, ortimidity,declineacontestwiththeSpermWhale;atanyrate, thereareplentyofwhalemen,especiallyamongthosewhalingnations notsailingundertheAmericanflag,whohaveneverhostilely encounteredtheSpermWhale,butwhosesoleknowledgeoftheleviathan isrestrictedtotheignoblemonsterprimitivelypursuedintheNorth; seatedontheirhatches,thesemenwillhearkenwithachildishfireside interestandawe,tothewild,strangetalesofSouthernwhaling. NoristhepreeminenttremendousnessofthegreatSpermWhale anywheremorefeelinglycomprehended,thanonboardofthoseprows whichstemhim. Andasifthenowtestedrealityofhismighthadinformerlegendary timesthrownitsshadowbeforeit;wefindsomebooknaturalists OlassenandPovelsondeclaringtheSpermWhalenotonlytobe aconsternationtoeveryothercreatureinthesea,butalsotobe soincrediblyferociousascontinuallytobeathirstforhumanblood. NorevendowntosolateatimeasCuvier's,weretheseoralmost similarimpressionseffaced.ForinhisNaturalHistory, theBaronhimselfaffirmsthatatsightoftheSpermWhale,allfish (sharksincluded)are"struckwiththemostlivelyterrors," and"oftenintheprecipitancyoftheirflightdashthemselvesagainst therockswithsuchviolenceastocauseinstantaneousdeath." Andhoweverthegeneralexperiencesinthefisherymayamend suchreportsasthese;yetintheirfullterribleness,eventothe bloodthirstyitemofPovelson,thesuperstitiousbeliefinthemis, insomevicissitudesoftheirvocation,revivedintheminds ofthehunters. Sothatoverawedbytherumorsandportentsconcerninghim, notafewofthefishermenrecalled,inreferencetoMobyDick, theearlierdaysoftheSpermWhalefishery,whenitwasoftentimes

hardtoinducelongpractisedRightwhalementoembarkintheperils ofthisnewanddaringwarfare;suchmenprotestingthatalthough otherleviathansmightbehopefullypursued,yettochaseandpoint lancesatsuchanapparitionastheSpermWhalewasnotformortalman. Thattoattemptit,wouldbeinevitablytobetornintoaquicketernity. Onthishead,therearesomeremarkabledocumentsthatmaybeconsulted. Nevertheless,sometherewere,whoeveninthefaceofthesethings werereadytogivechasetoMobyDick;andastillgreaternumberwho, chancingonlytohearofhimdistantlyandvaguely,withoutthespecific detailsofanycertaincalamity,andwithoutsuperstitiousaccompaniments weresufficientlyhardynottofleefromthebattleifoffered. Oneofthewildsuggestionsreferredto,asatlastcomingtobelinked withtheWhiteWhaleinthemindsofthesuperstitiouslyinclined, wastheunearthlyconceitthatMobyDickwasubiquitous;thathehad actuallybeenencounteredinoppositelatitudesatoneandthesame instantoftime. Nor,credulousassuchmindsmusthavebeen,wasthisconceit altogetherwithoutsomefaintshowofsuperstitiousprobability. Forasthesecretsofthecurrentsintheseashaveneveryet beendivulged,eventothemosteruditeresearch;sothehiddenways oftheSpermWhalewhenbeneaththesurfaceremain,ingreatpart, unaccountabletohispursuers;andfromtimetotimehaveoriginated themostcuriousandcontradictoryspeculationsregardingthem, especiallyconcerningthemysticmodeswhereby,aftersounding toagreatdepth,hetransportshimselfwithsuchvastswiftness tothemostwidelydistantpoints. ItisathingwellknowntobothAmericanandEnglish whaleships,andaswellathingplaceduponauthoritative recordyearsagobyScoresby,thatsomewhaleshavebeen capturedfarnorthinthePacific,inwhosebodieshavebeen foundthebarbsofharpoonsdartedintheGreenlandseas. Norisittobegainsaid,thatinsomeoftheseinstancesithas beendeclaredthattheintervaloftimebetweenthetwoassaults couldnothaveexceededverymanydays.Hence,byinference, ithasbeenbelievedbysomewhalemen,thattheNor'WestPassage, solongaproblemtoman,wasneveraproblemtothewhale. Sothathere,inthereallivingexperienceoflivingmen, theprodigiesrelatedinoldtimesoftheinlandStrellomountain inPortugal(nearwhosetoptherewassaidtobealakeinwhich thewrecksofshipsfloateduptothesurface);andthatstill morewonderfulstoryoftheArethusafountainnearSyracuse (whosewaterswerebelievedtohavecomefromtheHolyLand

byanundergroundpassage);thesefabulousnarrationsarealmost fullyequalledbytherealitiesofthewhalemen. Forcedintofamiliarity,then,withsuchprodigiesasthese; andknowingthatafterrepeated,intrepidassaults,theWhiteWhale hadescapedalive;itcannotbemuchmatterofsurprisethat somewhalemenshouldgostillfurtherintheirsuperstitions; declaringMobyDicknotonlyubiquitous,butimmortal (forimmortalityisbutubiquityintime);thatthoughgroves ofspearsshouldbeplantedinhisflanks,hewouldstillswim awayunharmed;orifindeedheshouldeverbemadetospout thickblood,suchasightwouldbebutaghastlydeception; foragaininunensanguinedbillowshundredsofleaguesaway, hisunsulliedjetwouldoncemorebeseen. Butevenstrippedofthesesupernaturalsurmisings,therewasenough intheearthlymakeandincontestablecharacterofthemonster tostriketheimaginationwithunwontedpower.For,itwasnot somuchhisuncommonbulkthatsomuchdistinguishedhimfrom otherspermwhales,but,aswaselsewherethrownoutapeculiar snowwhitewrinkledforehead,andahigh,pyramidicalwhitehump. Thesewerehisprominentfeatures;thetokenswhereby, eveninthelimitless,unchartedseas,herevealedhisidentity, atalongdistance,tothosewhoknewhim. Therestofhisbodywassostreaked,andspotted, andmarbledwiththesameshroudedhue,that,intheend, hehadgainedhisdistinctiveappellationoftheWhiteWhale; aname,indeed,literallyjustifiedbyhisvividaspect, whenseenglidingathighnoonthroughadarkbluesea, leavingamilkywaywakeofcreamyfoam,allspangled withgoldengleamings. Norwasithisunwontedmagnitude,norhisremarkablehue,noryethis deformedlowerjaw,thatsomuchinvestedthewhalewithnaturalterror, asthatunexampled,intelligentmalignitywhich,accordingto specificaccounts,hehadoverandoveragainevincedinhisassaults. Morethanall,histreacherousretreatsstruckmoreofdismaythan perhapsaughtelse.For,whenswimmingbeforehisexultingpursuers, witheveryapparentsymptomofalarm,hehadseveraltimesbeenknown toturnaroundsuddenly,and,bearingdownuponthem,eitherstavetheir boatstosplinters,ordrivethembackinconsternationtotheirship. Alreadyseveralfatalitieshadattendedhischase. Butthoughsimilardisasters,howeverlittlebruitedashore, werebynomeansunusualinthefishery;yet,inmostinstances,

suchseemedtheWhiteWhale'sinfernalaforethoughtofferocity, thateverydismemberingordeaththathecaused,wasnotwholly regardedashavingbeeninflictedbyanunintelligentagent. Judge,then,towhatpitchesofinflamed,distractedfurytheminds ofhismoredesperatehunterswereimpelled,whenamidthechips ofchewedboats,andthesinkinglimbsoftorncomrades,theyswam outofthewhitecurdsofthewhale'sdirefulwrathintotheserene, exasperatingsunlight,thatsmiledon,asifatabirthorabridal. Histhreeboatsstovearoundhim,andoarsandmenbothwhirlingin theeddies;onecaptain,seizingthelineknifefromhisbrokenprow, haddashedatthewhale,asanArkansasduellistathisfoe, blindlyseekingwithasixinchbladetoreachthefathomdeeplife ofthewhale.ThatcaptainwasAhab.Andthenitwas,thatsuddenly sweepinghissickleshapedlowerjawbeneathhim,MobyDickhad reapedawayAhab'sleg,asamowerabladeofgrassinthefield. NoturbanedTurk,nohiredVenetianorMalay,couldhavesmotehim withmoreseemingmalice.Smallreasonwastheretodoubt,then, thateversincethatalmostfatalencounter,Ahabhadcherishedawild vindictivenessagainstthewhale,allthemorefellforthatinhis franticmorbidnessheatlastcametoidentifywithhim,notonlyall hisbodilywoes,butallhisintellectualandspiritualexasperations. TheWhiteWhaleswambeforehimasthemonomaniacincarnationofall thosemaliciousagencieswhichsomedeepmenfeeleatinginthem, tilltheyareleftlivingonwithhalfaheartandhalfalung. Thatintangiblemalignitywhichhasbeenfromthebeginning;towhose dominioneventhemodernChristiansascribeonehalfoftheworlds; whichtheancientOphitesoftheeastreverencedintheirstatuedevil; Ahabdidnotfalldownandworshipitlikethem;butdeliriously transferringitsideatotheabhorredwhitewhale,hepittedhimself, allmutilated,againstit.Allthatmostmaddensandtorments; allthatstirsuptheleesofthings;alltruthwithmaliceinit; allthatcracksthesinewsandcakesthebrain;allthesubtledemonisms oflifeandthought;allevil,tocrazyAhab,werevisiblypersonified, andmadepracticallyassailableinMobyDick.Hepileduponthewhale's whitehumpthesumofallthegeneralrageandhatefeltbyhiswhole racefromAdamdown;andthen,asifhischesthadbeenamortar, hebursthishotheart'sshelluponit. Itisnotprobablethatthismonomaniainhimtookitsinstant riseattheprecisetimeofhisbodilydismemberment. Then,indartingatthemonster,knifeinhand,hehadbut givenloosetoasudden,passionate,corporalanimosity; andwhenhereceivedthestrokethattorehim,heprobably butfelttheagonizingbodilylaceration,butnothingmore.

Yet,whenbythiscollisionforcedtoturntowardshome,andfor longmonthsofdaysandweeks,Ahabandanguishlaystretched togetherinonehammock,roundinginmidwinterthatdreary, howlingPatagonianCape;thenitwas,thathistornbodyandgashed soulbledintooneanother;andsointerfusing,madehimmad. Thatitwasonlythen,onthehomewardvoyage,aftertheencounter, thatthefinalmonomaniaseizedhim,seemsallbutcertain fromthefactthat,atintervalsduringthepassage,hewas aravinglunatic;and,thoughunlimbedofaleg,yetsuchvital strengthyetlurkedinhisEgyptianchest,andwasmoreover intensifiedbyhisdelirium,thathismateswereforcedtolace himfast,eventhere,ashesailed,ravinginhishammock. Inastraitjacket,heswungtothemadrockingsofthegales. And,whenrunningintomoresufferablelatitudes,theship, withmildstun'sailsspread,floatedacrossthetranquiltropics, and,toallappearances,theoldman'sdeliriumseemedleftbehind himwiththeCapeHornswells,andhecameforthfromhisdark denintotheblessedlightandair;eventhen,whenhebore thatfirm,collectedfront,howeverpale,andissuedhiscalm ordersonceagain;andhismatesthankedGodthedirefulmadness wasnowgone;eventhen,Ahab,inhishiddenself,ravedon. Humanmadnessisoftentimesacunningandmostfelinething. Whenyouthinkitfled,itmayhavebutbecometransfigured intosomestillsubtlerform.Ahab'sfulllunacysubsidednot, butdeepeninglycontracted;liketheunabatedHudson,whenthatnoble Northmanflowsnarrowly,butunfathomablythroughtheHighlandgorge. But,asinhisnarrowflowingmonomania,notonejotofAhab's broadmadnesshadbeenleftbehind;sointhatbroadmadness, notonejotofhisgreatnaturalintellecthadperished. Thatbeforelivingagent,nowbecamethelivinginstrument. Ifsuchafurioustropemaystand,hisspeciallunacystormed hisgeneralsanity,andcarriedit,andturnedallitsconcentred cannonuponitsownmadmark;sothatfarfromhavinglost hisstrength,Ahab,tothatoneend,didnowpossessathousand foldmorepotencythaneverhehadsanelybroughttobearupon anyonereasonableobject. Thisismuch;yetAhab'slarger,darker,deeperpartremainsunhinted. Butvaintopopularizeprofundities,andalltruthisprofound. WindingfardownfromwithintheveryheartofthisspikedHotelde Clunywhereweherestandhowevergrandandwonderful,nowquitit; andtakeyourway,yenobler,saddersouls,tothosevastRomanhalls ofThermes;wherefarbeneaththefantastictowersofman'supperearth, hisrootofgrandeur,hiswholeawfulessencesitsinbeardedstate; anantiqueburiedbeneathantiquities,andthronedontorsoes! Sowithabrokenthrone,thegreatgodsmockthatcaptiveking;

solikeaCaryatid,hepatientsits,upholdingonhisfrozenbrow thepiledentablaturesofages.Windyedownthere,yeprouder, saddersouls!questionthatproud,sadking!Afamilylikeness!aye, hedidbegetye,yeyoungexiledroyalties;andfromyourgrimsire onlywilltheoldStatesecretcome. Now,inhisheart,Ahabhadsomeglimpseofthis,namely; allmymeansaresane,mymotiveandmyobjectmad. Yetwithoutpowertokill,orchange,orshunthefact; helikewiseknewthattomankindhedidnowlongdissemble; insomesort,didstill.Butthatthingofhisdissemblingwas onlysubjecttohisperceptibility,nottohiswilldeterminate. Nevertheless,sowelldidhesucceedinthatdissembling, thatwhenwithivoryleghesteppedashoreatlast,noNantucketer thoughthimotherwisethanbutnaturallygrieved,andthatto thequick,withtheterriblecasualtywhichhadovertakenhim. Thereportofhisundeniabledeliriumatseawaslikewise popularlyascribedtoakindredcause.Andsotoo,alltheadded moodinesswhichalwaysafterwards,totheverydayofsailing inthePequodonthepresentvoyage,satbroodingonhisbrow. Norisitsoveryunlikely,thatfarfromdistrustinghisfitness foranotherwhalingvoyage,onaccountofsuchdarksymptoms, thecalculatingpeopleofthatprudentislewereinclined toharbortheconceit,thatforthoseveryreasonshewas allthebetterqualifiedandsetonedge,forapursuit sofullofrageandwildnessasthebloodyhuntofwhales. Gnawedwithinandscorchedwithout,withtheinfixed, unrelentingfangsofsomeincurableidea;suchanone, couldhebefound,wouldseemtheverymantodarthisiron andlifthislanceagainstthemostappallingofallbrutes. Or,ifforanyreasonthoughttobecorporeallyincapacitated forthat,yetsuchanonewouldseemsuperlativelycompetent tocheerandhowlonhisunderlingstotheattack. Butbeallthisasitmay,certainitis,thatwiththemad secretofhisunabatedrageboltedupandkeyedinhim,Ahabhad purposelysaileduponthepresentvoyagewiththeoneonlyand allengrossingobjectofhuntingtheWhiteWhale.Hadanyone ofhisoldacquaintancesonshorebuthalfdreamedofwhatwas lurkinginhimthen,howsoonwouldtheiraghastandrighteous soulshavewrenchedtheshipfromsuchafiendishman! Theywerebentonprofitablecruises,theprofittobecounted downindollarsfromthemint.Hewasintentonanaudacious, immitigable,andsupernaturalrevenge. Here,then,wasthisgreyheaded,ungodlyoldman,chasingwith

cursesaJob'swhaleroundtheworld,attheheadofacrew, too,chieflymadeupofmongrelrenegades,andcastaways, andcannibalsmorallyenfeebledalso,bytheincompetence ofmereunaidedvirtueorrightmindednessinStarbuck, theinvulnerablejollityofindifferenceandrecklessness inStubb,andthepervadingmediocrityinFlask.Suchacrew, soofficered,seemedspeciallypickedandpackedbysome infernalfatalitytohelphimtohismonomaniacrevenge. Howitwasthattheysoaboundinglyrespondedtotheold man'sirebywhatevilmagictheirsoulswerepossessed, thatattimeshishateseemedalmosttheirs;theWhiteWhale asmuchtheirinsufferablefoeashis;howallthiscame tobewhattheWhiteWhalewastothem,orhowtotheir unconsciousunderstandings,also,insomedim,unsuspectedway, hemighthaveseemedtheglidinggreatdemonoftheseasoflife, allthistoexplain,wouldbetodivedeeperthanIshmaelcango. Thesubterraneanminerthatworksinusall,howcanonetell whitherleadshisshaftbytheevershifting,muffledsound ofhispick?Whodoesnotfeeltheirresistiblearmdrag? Whatskiffintowofaseventyfourcanstandstill?Forone, Igavemyselfuptotheabandonmentofthetimeandtheplace; butwhileyetallarushtoencounterthewhale,couldsee naughtinthatbrutebutthedeadliestill. CHAPTER42 TheWhitenessofTheWhale WhatthewhitewhalewastoAhab,hasbeenhinted;what,attimes, hewastome,asyetremainsunsaid. AsidefromthosemoreobviousconsiderationstouchingMobyDick, whichcouldnotbutoccasionallyawakeninanyman'ssoulsomealarm, therewasanotherthought,orrathervague,namelesshorror concerninghim,whichattimesbyitsintensitycompletelyoverpowered alltherest;andyetsomysticalandwellnighineffablewasit, thatIalmostdespairofputtingitinacomprehensibleform. Itwasthewhitenessofthewhalethataboveallthingsappalledme. ButhowcanIhopetoexplainmyselfhere;andyet,insomedim, randomway,explainmyselfImust,elseallthesechapters mightbenaught. Thoughinmanynaturalobjects,whitenessrefiningly

enhancesbeauty,asifimpartingsomespecialvirtueofitsown, asinmarbles,japonicas,andpearls;andthoughvariousnations haveinsomewayrecognisedacertainroyalpreeminenceinthishue; eventhebarbaric,grandoldkingsofPeguplacingthetitle "LordoftheWhiteElephants"abovealltheirothermagniloquent ascriptionsofdominion;andthemodernkingsofSiamunfurling thesamesnowwhitequadrupedintheroyalstandard;andthe Hanoverianflagbearingtheonefigureofasnowwhitecharger; andthegreatAustrianEmpire,Caesarian,heirtooverlordingRome, havingfortheimperialcolorthesameimperialhue;andthough thispreeminenceinitappliestothehumanraceitself, givingthewhitemanidealmastershipovereveryduskytribe; andthough,besides,allthis,whitenesshasbeenevenmade significantofgladness,foramongtheRomansawhitestonemarked ajoyfulday;andthoughinothermortalsympathiesandsymbolizings, thissamehueismadetheemblemofmanytouching,noblethings theinnocenceofbrides,thebenignityofage;thoughamong theRedMenofAmericathegivingofthewhitebeltofwampumwas thedeepestpledgeofhonor;thoughinmanyclimes,whitenesstypifies themajestyofJusticeintheermineoftheJudge,andcontributes tothedailystateofkingsandqueensdrawnbymilkwhitesteeds; thougheveninthehighermysteriesofthemostaugustreligions ithasbeenmadethesymbolofthedivinespotlessnessandpower; bythePersianfireworshippers,thewhiteforkedflamebeing heldtheholiestonthealtar;andintheGreekmythologies, GreatJovehimselfbeingmadeincarnateinasnowwhitebull; andthoughtothenobleIroquois,themidwintersacrificeofthesacred WhiteDogwasbyfartheholiestfestivaloftheirtheology, thatspotless,faithfulcreaturebeingheldthepurestenvoythey couldsendtotheGreatSpiritwiththeannualtidingsoftheir ownfidelity;andthoughdirectlyfromtheLatinwordforwhite, allChristianpriestsderivethenameofonepartoftheir sacredvesture,thealbortunic,wornbeneaththecassock; andthoughamongtheholypompsoftheRomishfaith,whiteis speciallyemployedinthecelebrationofthePassionofourLord; thoughintheVisionofSt.John,whiterobesaregiventotheredeemed, andthefourandtwentyeldersstandclothedinwhitebefore thegreatwhitethrone,andtheHolyOnethatsitteththere whitelikewool;yetforalltheseaccumulatedassociations, withwhateverissweet,andhonorable,andsublime,thereyet lurksanelusivesomethingintheinnermostideaofthishue, whichstrikesmoreofpanictothesoulthanthatrednesswhich affrightsinblood. Thiselusivequalityitis,whichcausesthethoughtofwhiteness, whendivorcedfrommorekindlyassociations,andcoupled

withanyobjectterribleinitself,toheightenthatterror tothefurthestbounds.Witnessthewhitebearofthepoles, andthewhitesharkofthetropics;whatbuttheirsmooth, flakywhitenessmakesthemthetranscendenthorrorstheyare? Thatghastlywhitenessitiswhichimpartssuchanabhorrentmildness, evenmoreloathsomethanterrific,tothedumbgloatingoftheiraspect. Sothatnotthefiercefangedtigerinhisheraldiccoatcan sostaggercourageasthewhiteshroudedbearorshark.* *WithreferencetothePolarbear,itmaypossiblybeurgedbyhimwho wouldfaingostilldeeperintothismatter,thatitisnotthewhiteness, separatelyregarded,whichheightenstheintolerablehideousnessof thatbrute;for,analysed,thatheightenedhideousness,itmightbesaid, onlyrisesfromthecircumstance,thattheirresponsibleferociousness ofthecreaturestandsinvestedinthefleeceofcelestialinnocence andlove;andhence,bybringingtogethertwosuchoppositeemotions inourminds,thePolarbearfrightensuswithsounnaturalacontrast. Butevenassumingallthistobetrue;yet,wereitnotforthewhiteness, youwouldnothavethatintensifiedterror. Asforthewhiteshark,thewhiteglidingghostlinessofrepose inthatcreature,whenbeheldinhisordinarymoods,strangelytallies withthesamequalityinthePolarquadruped.Thispeculiarityismost vividlyhitbytheFrenchinthenametheybestowuponthatfish. TheRomishmassforthedeadbeginswith"Requiemeternam" (eternalrest),whenceRequiemdenominatingthemassitself, andanyotherfuneralmusic.Now,inallusiontothewhite, silentstillnessofdeathinthisshark,andthemilddeadliness ofhishabits,theFrenchcallhimRequin. Bethinktheeofthealbatross,whencecomethosecloudsofspiritual wondermentandpaledread,inwhichthatwhitephantomsails inallimaginations?NotColeridgefirstthrewthatspell; butGod'sgreat,unflatteringlaureate,Nature.* *IrememberthefirstalbatrossIeversaw.Itwasduring aprolongedgale,inwatershardupontheAntarcticseas. Frommyforenoonwatchbelow,Iascendedtotheovercloudeddeck; andthere,dasheduponthemainhatches,Isawaregal,featherything ofunspottedwhiteness,andwithahooked,Romanbillsublime. Atintervals,itarchedforthitsvastarchangelwings,asifto embracesomeholyark.Wondrousflutteringsandthrobbingsshookit. Thoughbodilyunharmed,itutteredcries,assomeking'sghost

insupernaturaldistress.Throughitsinexpressible,strangeeyes, methoughtIpeepedtosecretswhichtookholdofGod.AsAbraham beforetheangels,Ibowedmyself;thewhitethingwassowhite, itswingssowide,andinthoseforeverexiledwaters,Ihad lostthemiserablewarpingmemoriesoftraditionsandoftowns. LongIgazedatthatprodigyofplumage.Icannottell, canonlyhint,thethingsthatdartedthroughmethen. ButatlastIawoke;andturning,askedasailorwhatbirdwasthis. Agoney,hereplied.Goney!neverhadheardthatnamebefore; isitconceivablethatthisgloriousthingisutterlyunknown tomenashore!never!Butsometimeafter,Ilearnedthatgoney wassomeseaman'snameforalbatross.Sothatbynopossibility couldColeridge'swildRhymehavehadaughttodowiththosemystical impressionswhichweremine,whenIsawthatbirduponourdeck. ForneitherhadIthenreadtheRhyme,norknewthebirdtobe analbatross.Yet,insayingthis,Idobutindirectlyburnish alittlebrighterthenoblemeritofthepoemandthepoet. Iassert,then,thatinthewondrousbodilywhitenessofthebird chieflylurksthesecretofthespell;atruththemoreevincedinthis, thatbyasolecismoftermstherearebirdscalledgreyalbatrosses; andtheseIhavefrequentlyseen,butneverwithsuchemotionsaswhenI beheldtheAntarcticfowl. Buthowhadthemysticthingbeencaught?Whisperitnot, andIwilltell;withatreacheroushookandline,asthefowl floatedonthesea.AtlasttheCaptainmadeapostmanofit; tyingalettered,leatherntallyrounditsneck,withtheship's timeandplace;andthenlettingitescape.ButIdoubtnot, thatleatherntally,meantforman,wastakenoffinHeaven, whenthewhitefowlflewtojointhewingfolding,theinvoking, andadoringcherubim! MostfamousinourWesternannalsandIndiantraditionsisthatof theWhiteSteedofthePrairies;amagnificentmilkwhitecharger, largeeyed,smallheaded,bluffchested,andwiththedignity ofathousandmonarchsinhislofty,overscorningcarriage. HewastheelectedXerxesofvastherdsofwildhorses, whosepasturesinthosedayswereonlyfencedbytheRockyMountains andtheAlleghanies.Attheirflamingheadhewestward troopeditlikethatchosenstarwhicheveryeveningleads onthehostsoflight.Theflashingcascadeofhismane, thecurvingcometofhistail,investedhimwithhousingsmore resplendentthangoldandsilverbeaterscouldhavefurnishedhim. Amostimperialandarchangelicalapparitionofthatunfallen,

westernworld,whichtotheeyesoftheoldtrappersandhunters revivedthegloriesofthoseprimevaltimeswhenAdamwalked majesticasagod,bluffbowedandfearlessasthismightysteed. Whethermarchingamidhisaidesandmarshalsinthevanof countlesscohortsthatendlesslystreameditovertheplains, likeanOhio;orwhetherwithhiscircumambientsubjectsbrowsing allaroundatthehorizon,theWhiteSteedgallopinglyreviewed themwithwarmnostrilsreddeningthroughhiscoolmilkiness; inwhateveraspecthepresentedhimself,alwaystothebravest Indianshewastheobjectoftremblingreverenceandawe. Norcanitbequestionedfromwhatstandsonlegendaryrecord ofthisnoblehorse,thatitwashisspiritualwhitenesschiefly, whichsoclothedhimwithdivineness;andthatthisdivineness hadthatinitwhich,thoughcommandingworship,atthesame timeenforcedacertainnamelessterror. Butthereareotherinstanceswherethiswhitenessloses allthataccessoryandstrangeglorywhichinvestsitin theWhiteSteedandAlbatross. WhatisitthatintheAlbinomansopeculiarlyrepelsandoftenshocks theeye,asthatsometimesheisloathedbyhisownkithandkin! Itisthatwhitenesswhichinvestshim,athingexpressed bythenamehebears.TheAlbinoisaswellmadeasothermen hasnosubstantivedeformityandyetthismereaspectofallpervading whitenessmakeshimmorestrangelyhideousthantheugliestabortion. Whyshouldthisbeso? Nor,inquiteotheraspects,doesNatureinherleast palpablebutnotthelessmaliciousagencies,failtoenlist amongherforcesthiscrowningattributeoftheterrible. Fromitssnowyaspect,thegauntletedghostoftheSouthernSeashas beendenominatedtheWhiteSquall.Nor,insomehistoricinstances, hastheartofhumanmaliceomittedsopotentanauxiliary. HowwildlyitheightenstheeffectofthatpassageinFroissart, when,maskedinthesnowysymboloftheirfaction,thedesperate WhiteHoodsofGhentmurdertheirbailiffinthemarketplace! Nor,insomethings,doesthecommon,hereditaryexperienceofall mankindfailtobearwitnesstothesupernaturalismofthishue. Itcannotwellbedoubted,thattheonevisiblequalityintheaspect ofthedeadwhichmostappalsthegazer,isthemarblepallor lingeringthere;asifindeedthatpallorwereasmuchlikethebadge ofconsternationintheotherworld,asofmortaltrepidationhere. Andfromthatpallorofthedead,weborrowtheexpressivehue oftheshroudinwhichwewrapthem.Noreveninoursuperstitions

dowefailtothrowthesamesnowymantleroundourphantoms; allghostsrisinginamilkwhitefogYea,whiletheseterrors seizeus,letusadd,thateventhekingofterrors,whenpersonified bytheevangelist,ridesonhispallidhorse. Therefore,inhisothermoods,symbolizewhatevergrandorgracious thinghewillbywhiteness,nomancandenythatinitsprofoundest idealizedsignificanceitcallsupapeculiarapparitiontothesoul. Butthoughwithoutdissentthispointbefixed,howismortal mantoaccountforit?Toanalyseit,wouldseemimpossible. Canwe,then,bythecitationofsomeofthoseinstances whereinthisthingofwhitenessthoughforthetimeeither whollyoringreatpartstrippedofalldirectassociations calculatedtoimparttoitaughtfearful,butnevertheless, isfoundtoexertoverusthesamesorcery,howevermodified; canwethushopetolightuponsomechancecluetoconductus tothehiddencauseweseek? Letustry.Butinamatterlikethis,subtletyappealstosubtlety, andwithoutimaginationnomancanfollowanotherintothesehalls. Andthough,doubtless,someatleastoftheimaginativeimpressions abouttobepresentedmayhavebeensharedbymostmen,yetfew perhapswereentirelyconsciousofthematthetime,andtherefore maynotbeabletorecallthemnow. Whytothemanofuntutoredideality,whohappenstobebut looselyacquaintedwiththepeculiarcharacteroftheday, doesthebarementionofWhitsuntidemarshalinthefancy suchlong,dreary,speechlessprocessionsofslowpacingpilgrims, downcastandhoodedwithnewfallensnow?Ortotheunread, unsophisticatedProtestantoftheMiddleAmericanStates, whydoesthepassingmentionofaWhiteFriaroraWhiteNun, evokesuchaneyelessstatueinthesoul? Orwhatisthereapartfromthetraditionsofdungeonedwarriorsandkings (whichwillnotwhollyaccountforit)thatmakestheWhiteTower ofLondontellsomuchmorestronglyontheimaginationofan untravelledAmerican,thanthoseotherstoriedstructures,itsneighbors theBywardTower,oreventheBloody?Andthosesublimertowers, theWhiteMountainsofNewHampshire,whence,inpeculiarmoods, comesthatgiganticghostlinessoverthesoulatthebaremention ofthatname,whilethethoughtofVirginia'sBlueRidgeisfull ofasoft,dewy,distantdreaminess?Orwhy,irrespectiveofall latitudesandlongitudes,doesthenameoftheWhiteSeaexert suchaspectralnessoverthefancy,whilethatoftheYellowSea

lullsuswithmortalthoughtsoflonglacqueredmildafternoonson thewaves,followedbythegaudiestandyetsleepiestofsunsets? Or,tochooseawhollyunsubstantialinstance,purelyaddressed tothefancy,why,inreadingtheoldfairytalesofCentralEurope, does"thetallpaleman"oftheHartzforests,whosechangeless pallorunrestinglyglidesthroughthegreenofthegroves whyisthisphantommoreterriblethanallthewhoopingimps oftheBlocksburg? Norisit,altogether,theremembranceofhercathedraltoppling earthquakes;northestampedoesofherfranticseas;northetearlessness ofaridskiesthatneverrain;northesightofherwidefield ofleaningspires,wrenchedcopestones,andcrossesalladroop (likecantedyardsofanchoredfleets);andhersuburbanavenues ofhousewallslyingoveruponeachother,asatossedpackofcards; itisnotthesethingsalonewhichmaketearlessLima,thestrangest, saddestcitythoucan'stsee.ForLimahastakenthewhiteveil; andthereisahigherhorrorinthiswhitenessofherwoe. OldasPizarro,thiswhitenesskeepsherruinsforevernew; admitsnotthecheerfulgreennessofcompletedecay;spreadsover herbrokenrampartstherigidpallorofanapoplexythatfixes itsowndistortions. Iknowthat,tothecommonapprehension,thisphenomenonofwhiteness isnotconfessedtobetheprimeagentinexaggeratingtheterror ofobjectsotherwiseterrible;nortotheunimaginativemindisthere aughtofterrorinthoseappearanceswhoseawfulnesstoanothermind almostsolelyconsistsinthisonephenomenon,especiallywhenexhibited underanyformatallapproachingtomutenessoruniversality. WhatImeanbythesetwostatementsmayperhapsberespectively elucidatedbythefollowingexamples. First:Themariner,whendrawingnighthecoastsofforeignlands, ifbynightheheartheroarofbreakers,startstovigilance,andfeels justenoughoftrepidationtosharpenallhisfaculties;butunder preciselysimilarcircumstances,lethimbecalledfromhishammock toviewhisshipsailingthroughamidnightseaofmilkywhiteness asiffromencirclingheadlandsshoalsofcombedwhitebearswereswimming roundhim,thenhefeelsasilent,superstitiousdread;theshrouded phantomofthewhitenedwatersishorribletohimasarealghost; invaintheleadassureshimheisstilloffsoundings;heartandhelm theybothgodown;heneverreststillbluewaterisunderhimagain. Yetwhereisthemarinerwhowilltellthee,"Sir,itwasnotsomuch thefearofstrikinghiddenrocks,asthefearofthathideouswhiteness thatsostirredme?"

Second:TothenativeIndianofPeru,thecontinualsightof thesnowhowdahedAndesconveysnaughtofdread,except,perhaps, inthemerefancyingoftheeternalfrosteddesolatenessreigning atsuchvastaltitudes,andthenaturalconceitofwhatafearfulness itwouldbetoloseoneselfinsuchinhumansolitudes.Muchthesame isitwiththebackwoodsmanoftheWest,whowithcomparative indifferenceviewsanunboundedprairiesheetedwithdrivensnow, noshadowoftreeortwigtobreakthefixedtranceofwhiteness. Notsothesailor,beholdingthesceneryoftheAntarcticseas; whereattimes,bysomeinfernaltrickoflegerdemaininthepowers offrostandair,he,shiveringandhalfshipwrecked,insteadof rainbowsspeakinghopeandsolacetohismisery,viewswhatseems aboundlesschurchyardgrinninguponhimwithitsleanicemonuments andsplinteredcrosses. Butthousayest,methinksthiswhiteleadchapterabout whitenessisbutawhiteflaghungoutfromacravensoul; thousurrenderesttoahypo,Ishmael. Tellme,whythisstrongyoungcolt,foaledinsomepeaceful valleyofVermont,farremovedfromallbeastsofprey whyisitthatuponthesunniestday,ifyoubutshakeafresh buffalorobebehindhim,sothathecannotevenseeit,butonly smellsitswildanimalmuskinesswhywillhestart,snort, andwithburstingeyespawthegroundinphrensiesofaffright? Thereisnoremembranceinhimofanygoringsofwildcreatures inhisgreennorthernhome,sothatthestrangemuskinesshesmells cannotrecalltohimanythingassociatedwiththeexperience offormerperils;forwhatknowshe,thisNewEnglandcolt, oftheblackbisonsofdistantOregon? No;butherethoubeholdesteveninadumbbrute, theinstinctoftheknowledgeofthedemonismintheworld. ThoughthousandsofmilesfromOregon,stillwhenhesmells thatsavagemusk,therending,goringbisonherdsareaspresent astothedesertedwildfoaloftheprairies,whichthisinstant theymaybetramplingintodust. Thus,then,themuffledrollingsofamilkysea; thebleakrustlingsofthefestoonedfrostsofmountains; thedesolateshiftingsofthewindrowedsnowsofprairies; allthese,toIshmael,areastheshakingofthatbuffalorobe tothefrightenedcolt! Thoughneitherknowswhereliethenamelessthingsof whichthemysticsigngivesforthsuchhints;yetwithme,

aswiththecolt,somewherethosethingsmustexist. Thoughinmanyofitsaspectsthisvisibleworldseemsformed inlove,theinvisiblesphereswereformedinfright. Butnotyethavewesolvedtheincantationofthiswhiteness, andlearnedwhyitappealswithsuchpowertothesoul; andmorestrangeandfarmoreportentouswhy,aswehaveseen, itisatoncethemostmeaningsymbolofspiritualthings,nay, theveryveiloftheChristian'sDeity;andyetshouldbeasitis, theintensifyingagentinthingsthemostappallingtomankind. Isitthatbyitsindefinitenessitshadowsforththeheartless voidsandimmensitiesoftheuniverse,andthusstabsusfrombehind withthethoughtofannihilation,whenbeholdingthewhitedepths ofthemilkyway?Orisit,thatasinessencewhitenessisnot somuchacolorasthevisibleabsenceofcolor;andatthesame timetheconcreteofallcolors;isitforthesereasonsthatthere issuchadumbblankness,fullofmeaning,inawidelandscape ofsnowsacolorless,allcolorofatheismfromwhichweshrink? Andwhenweconsiderthatothertheoryofthenaturalphilosophers, thatallotherearthlyhueseverystatelyorlovelyemblazoning thesweettingesofsunsetskiesandwoods;yea,andthegilded velvetsofbutterflies,andthebutterflycheeksofyounggirls; allthesearebutsubtiledeceits,notactuallyinherent insubstances,butonlylaidonfromwithout;sothatalldeified Natureabsolutelypaintsliketheharlot,whoseallurementscover nothingbutthecharnelhousewithin;andwhenweproceedfurther, andconsiderthatthemysticalcosmeticwhichproducesevery oneofherhues,thegreatprincipleoflight,foreverremains whiteorcolorlessinitself,andifoperatingwithoutmedium uponmatter,wouldtouchallobjects,eventulipsandroses, withitsownblanktingeponderingallthis,thepalsieduniverse liesbeforeusaleper;andlikewilfultravellersinLapland, whorefusetowearcoloredandcoloringglassesupontheireyes, sothewretchedinfidelgazeshimselfblindatthemonumental whiteshroudthatwrapsalltheprospectaroundhim. AndofallthesethingstheAlbinowhalewasthesymbol. Wonderyethenatthefieryhunt?.. CHAPTER43 Hark!

"HIST!Didyouhearthatnoise,Cabaco? Itwasthemiddlewatch:afairmoonlight;theseamenwere standinginacordon,extendingfromoneofthefreshwater buttsinthewaist,tothescuttlebuttnearthetaffrail. Inthismanner,theypassedthebucketstofillthescuttlebutt. Standing,forthemostpart,onthehallowedprecinctsofthe quarterdeck,theywerecarefulnottospeakorrustletheirfeet. Fromhandtohand,thebucketswentinthedeepestsilence, onlybrokenbytheoccasionalflapofasail,andthesteady humoftheunceasinglyadvancingkeel. Itwasinthemidstofthisrepose,thatArchy,oneofthecordon, whosepostwasneartheafterhatches,whisperedtohisneighbor, aCholo,thewordsabove. "Hist!didyouhearthatnoise,Cabaco?" "Takethebucket,willye,Archy?whatnoised'yemean?" "Thereitisagainunderthehatchesdon'tyouhearitacough itsoundedlikeacough." "Coughbedamned!Passalongthatreturnbucket." "Thereagainthereitis!itsoundsliketwoorthreesleepers turningover,now!" "Caramba!havedone,shipmate,willye?It'sthethreesoaked biscuitsyeeatforsupperturningoverinsideofyenothingelse. Looktothebucket!" "Saywhatyewill,shipmate;I'vesharpears." "Aye,youarethechap,ain'tye,thatheardthehumoftheold Quakeress'sknittingneedlesfiftymilesatseafromNantucket; you'rethechap." "Grinaway;we'llseewhatturnsup.Harkye,Cabaco,thereis somebodydownintheafterholdthathasnotyetbeenseenondeck; andIsuspectouroldMogulknowssomethingofittoo. IheardStubbtellFlask,onemorningwatch,thattherewas somethingofthatsortinthewind." "Tish!thebucket!"

 CHAPTER44 TheChart HadyoufollowedCaptainAhabdownintohiscabinafterthesquall thattookplaceonthenightsucceedingthatwildratification ofhispurposewithhiscrew,youwouldhaveseenhimgotoalocker inthetransom,andbringingoutalargewrinkledrollofyellowish seacharts,spreadthembeforehimonhisscreweddowntable. Thenseatinghimselfbeforeit,youwouldhaveseenhimintently studythevariouslinesandshadingswhichtheremethiseye; andwithslowbutsteadypenciltraceadditionalcoursesoverspaces thatbeforewereblank.Atintervals,hewouldrefertopiles ofoldlogbooksbesidehim,whereinweresetdowntheseasons andplacesinwhich,onvariousformervoyagesofvariousships, spermwhaleshadbeencapturedorseen. Whilethusemployed,theheavypewterlampsuspendedinchains overhishead,continuallyrockedwiththemotionoftheship, andforeverthrewshiftinggleamsandshadowsoflinesupon hiswrinkledbrow,tillitalmostseemedthatwhilehehimself wasmarkingoutlinesandcoursesonthewrinkledcharts, someinvisiblepencilwasalsotracinglinesandcoursesupon thedeeplymarkedchartofhisforehead. Butitwasnotthisnightinparticularthat,inthesolitude ofhiscabin,Ahabthusponderedoverhischarts. Almosteverynighttheywerebroughtout;almosteverynight somepencilmarkswereeffaced,andothersweresubstituted. Forwiththechartsofallfouroceansbeforehim,Ahabwas threadingamazeofcurrentsandeddies,withaviewtothemore certainaccomplishmentofthatmonomaniacthoughtofhissoul. Now,toanyonenotfullyacquaintedwiththewaysoftheleviathans, itmightseemanabsurdlyhopelesstaskthustoseekoutone solitarycreatureintheunhoopedoceansofthisplanet. ButnotsodiditseemtoAhab,whoknewthesetsofall tidesandcurrents;andtherebycalculatingthedriftingsof thespermwhale'sfood;and,alsocallingtomindtheregular, ascertainedseasonsforhuntinghiminparticularlatitudes; couldarriveatreasonablesurmises,almostapproaching tocertainties,concerningthetimeliestdaytobeuponthis orthatgroundinsearchofhisprey.

 Soassured,indeed,isthefactconcerningtheperiodicalnessofthesperm whale'sresortingtogivenwaters,thatmanyhuntersbelievethat, couldhebecloselyobservedandstudiedthroughouttheworld; werethelogsforonevoyageoftheentirewhalefleetcarefullycollated, thenthemigrationsofthespermwhalewouldbefoundtocorrespondin invariabilitytothoseoftheherringshoalsortheflightsofswallows. Onthishint,attemptshavebeenmadetoconstructelaboratemigratory chartsofthespermwhale.* *Sincetheabovewaswritten,thestatementishappilyborne outbyanofficialcircular,issuedbyLieutenantMaury, oftheNationalObservatory,Washington,April16th,1851. Bythatcircular,itappearsthatpreciselysuchachartisincourse ofcompletion;andportionsofitarepresentedinthecircular. "Thischartdividestheoceanintodistrictsoffivedegrees oflatitudebyfivedegreesoflongitude;perpendicularlythrough eachofwhichdistrictsaretwelvecolumnsforthetwelvemonths; andhorizontallythrougheachofwhichdistrictsarethreelines; onetoshowthenumberofdaysthathavebeenspentineachmonth ineverydistrict,andthetwootherstoshowthenumberofdays inwhichwhales,spermorright,havebeenseen." Besides,whenmakingapassagefromonefeedinggroundtoanother, thespermwhales,guidedbysomeinfallibleinstinctsay,rather, secretintelligencefromtheDeitymostlyswiminveins,asthey arecalled;continuingtheirwayalongagivenoceanlinewith suchundeviatingexactitude,thatnoshipeversailedhercourse, byanychart,withonetitheofsuchmarvellousprecision. Though,inthesecases,thedirectiontakenbyanyonewhale bestraightasasurveyor'sparallel,andthoughtheline ofadvancebestrictlyconfinedtoitsownunavoidable, straightwake,yetthearbitraryveininwhichatthesetimes heissaidtoswim,generallyembracessomefewmilesinwidth (moreorless,astheveinispresumedtoexpandorcontract); butneverexceedsthevisualsweepfromthewhaleship's mastheads,whencircumspectlyglidingalongthismagiczone. Thesumis,thatatparticularseasonswithinthatbreadth andalongthatpath,migratingwhalesmaywithgreatconfidence belookedfor. Andhencenotonlyatsubstantiatedtimes,uponwellknown separatefeedinggrounds,couldAhabhopetoencounterhisprey; butincrossingthewidestexpansesofwaterbetweenthosegrounds

hecould,byhisart,soplaceandtimehimselfonhisway, aseventhennottobewhollywithoutprospectofameeting. Therewasacircumstancewhichatfirstsightseemed toentanglehisdeliriousbutstillmethodicalscheme. Butnotsointhereality,perhaps.Thoughthegregarious spermwhaleshavetheirregularseasonsforparticulargrounds, yetingeneralyoucannotconcludethattheherdswhichhaunted suchandsuchalatitudeorlongitudethisyear,say,willturn outtobeidenticallythesamewiththosethatwerefoundthere theprecedingseason;thoughtherearepeculiarandunquestionable instanceswherethecontraryofthishasprovedtrue. Ingeneral,thesameremark,onlywithinalesswidelimit, appliestothesolitariesandhermitsamongthematured, agedspermwhales.SothatthoughMobyDickhadinaformer yearbeenseen,forexample,onwhatiscalledtheSeychelle groundintheIndianocean,orVolcanoBayontheJapaneseCoast; yetitdidnotfollowthatwerethePequodtovisiteither ofthosespotsatanysubsequentcorrespondingseason, shewouldinfalliblyencounterhimthere.So,too,withsome otherfeedinggrounds,wherehehadattimesrevealedhimself. Butalltheseseemedonlyhiscasualstoppingplacesand oceaninns,sotospeak,nothisplacesofprolongedabode. AndwhereAhab'schancesofaccomplishinghisobject havehithertobeenspokenof,allusionhasonlybeenmade towhateverwayside,antecedent,extraprospectswerehis, ereaparticularsettimeorplacewereattained,whenall possibilitieswouldbecomeprobabilities,and,asAhab fondlythought,everypossibilitythenextthingtoacertainty. Thatparticularsettimeandplacewereconjoinedintheone technicalphrasetheSeasonontheLine.Forthereandthen, forseveralconsecutiveyears,MobyDickhadbeenperiodically descried,lingeringinthosewatersforawhile,asthesun, initsannualround,loitersforapredictedintervalinany onesignoftheZodiac.Thereitwas,too,thatmostof thedeadlyencounterswiththewhitewhalehadtakenplace; therethewaveswerestoriedwithhisdeeds;therealsowas thattragicspotwherethemonomaniacoldmanhadfound theawfulmotivetohisvengeance.Butinthecautious comprehensivenessandunloiteringvigilancewithwhichAhab threwhisbroodingsoulintothisunfalteringhunt,hewouldnot permithimselftorestallhishopesupontheonecrowningfact abovementioned,howeverflatteringitmightbetothosehopes; norinthesleeplessnessofhisvowcouldhesotranquillize hisunquietheartastopostponeallinterveningquest.

Now,thePequodhadsailedfromNantucketattheverybeginning oftheSeasonontheLine.Nopossibleendeavorthencould enablehercommandertomakethegreatpassagesouthwards, doubleCapeHorn,andthenrunningdownsixtydegreesoflatitude arriveintheequatorialPacificintimetocruisethere. Therefore,hemustwaitforthenextensuingseason. YettheprematurehourofthePequod'ssailinghad,perhaps, beencorrectlyselectedbyAhab,withaviewtothisverycomplexion ofthings.Because,anintervalofthreehundredandsixtyfive daysandnightswasbeforehim;anintervalwhich,insteadof impatientlyenduringashore,hewouldspendinamiscellaneoushunt; ifbychancetheWhiteWhale,spendinghisvacationinseas farremotefromhisperiodicalfeedinggrounds,shouldturnup hiswrinkledbrowoffthePersianGulf,orintheBengalBay, orChinaSeas,orinanyotherwatershauntedbyhisrace. SothatMonsoons,Pampas,NorWesters,Harmattans,Trades;anywind buttheLevanterandSimoon,mightblowMobyDickintothedevious zigzagworldcircleofthePequod'scircumnavigatingwake. Butgrantingallthis;yet,regardeddiscreetlyandcoolly, seemsitnotbutamadidea,this;thatinthebroad boundlessocean,onesolitarywhale,evenifencountered, shouldbethoughtcapableofindividualrecognitionfromhishunter, evenasawhitebeardedMuftiinthethrongedthoroughfares ofConstantinople?Yes.Forthepeculiarsnowwhitebrowof MobyDick,andhissnowwhitehump,couldnotbutbeunmistakable. AndhaveInottalliedthewhale,Ahabwouldmuttertohimself, asafterporingoverhischartstilllongaftermidnighthewould throwhimselfbackinreveriestalliedhim,andshallheescape? Hisbroadfinsarebored,andscallopedoutlikealostsheep'sear! Andhere,hismadmindwouldrunoninabreathlessrace; tillawearinessandfaintnessofponderingcameoverhim! andintheopenairofthedeckhewouldseektorecover hisstrength.Ah,God!whattrancesoftormentsdoesthatman endurewhoisconsumedwithoneunachievedrevengefuldesire. Hesleepswithclenchedhands;andwakeswithhisownbloody nailsinhispalms. Often,whenforcedfromhishammockbyexhaustingandintolerably vividdreamsofthenight,which,resuminghisownintensethoughts throughtheday,carriedthemonamidaclashingofphrensies, andwhirledthemroundandroundandroundinhisblazingbrain, tilltheverythrobbingofhislifespotbecameinsufferableanguish; andwhen,aswassometimesthecase,thesespiritualthroesinhim heavedhisbeingupfromitsbase,andachasmseemedopeninginhim, fromwhichforkedflamesandlightningsshotup,andaccursedfiends

beckonedhimtoleapdownamongthem;whenthishellinhimself yawnedbeneathhim,awildcrywouldbeheardthroughtheship; andwithglaringeyesAhabwouldburstfromhisstateroom,asthough escapingfromabedthatwasonfire.Yetthese,perhaps,insteadof beingtheunsuppressablesymptomsofsomelatentweakness,orfright athisownresolve,werebuttheplainesttokensofitsintensity. For,atsuchtimes,crazyAhab,thescheming,unappeasedlysteadfast hunterofthewhitewhale;thisAhabthathadgonetohishammock, wasnottheagentthatsocausedhimtoburstfromitinhorroragain. Thelatterwastheeternal,livingprincipleorsoulinhim; andinsleep,beingforthetimedissociatedfromthecharacterizingmind, whichatothertimesemployeditforitsoutervehicleoragent, itspontaneouslysoughtescapefromthescorchingcontiguityofthe franticthing,ofwhich,forthetime,itwasnolongeranintegral. Butastheminddoesnotexistunlessleaguedwiththesoul,thereforeit musthavebeenthat,inAhab'scase,yieldingupallhisthoughts andfanciestohisonesupremepurpose;thatpurpose,byitsownsheer inveteracyofwill,forceditselfagainstgodsanddevilsintoakind ofselfassumed,independentbeingofitsown.Nay,couldgrimly liveandburn,whilethecommonvitalitytowhichitwasconjoined, fledhorrorstrickenfromtheunbiddenandunfatheredbirth. Therefore,thetormentedspiritthatglaredoutofbodilyeyes,whenwhat seemedAhabrushedfromhisroom,wasforthetimebutavacatedthing, aformlesssomnambulisticbeing,arayoflivinglight,tobesure, butwithoutanobjecttocolor,andthereforeablanknessinitself. Godhelpthee,oldman,thythoughtshavecreatedacreatureinthee; andhewhoseintensethinkingthusmakeshimaPrometheus; avulturefeedsuponthatheartforever;thatvulturethevery creaturehecreates. CHAPTER45 TheAffidavit Sofaraswhattheremaybeofanarrativeinthisbook;and,indeed, asindirectlytouchingoneortwoveryinterestingandcurious particularsinthehabitsofspermwhales,theforegoingchapter,inits earlierpart,isasimportantaoneaswillbefoundinthisvolume; buttheleadingmatterofitrequirestobestillfurtherandmore familiarlyenlargedupon,inordertobeadequatelyunderstood, andmoreovertotakeawayanyincredulitywhichaprofoundignorance oftheentiresubjectmayinduceinsomeminds,astothenatural verityofthemainpointsofthisaffair.

 Icarenottoperformthispartofmytaskmethodically; butshallbecontenttoproducethedesiredimpression byseparatecitationsofitems,practicallyorreliablyknown tomeasawhaleman;andfromthesecitations,Itakeit theconclusionaimedatwillnaturallyfollowofitself. First:Ihavepersonallyknownthreeinstanceswhereawhale, afterreceivingaharpoon,haseffectedacompleteescape; and,afteraninterval(inoneinstanceofthreeyears),hasbeen againstruckbythesamehand,andslain;whenthetwoirons, bothmarkedbythesameprivatecypher,havebeentakenfromthebody. Intheinstancewherethreeyearsintervenedbetweentheflinging ofthetwoharpoons;andIthinkitmayhavebeensomethingmore thanthat;themanwhodartedthemhappening,intheinterval, togoinatradingshiponavoyagetoAfrica,wentashorethere, joinedadiscoveryparty,andpenetratedfarintotheinterior, wherehetravelledforaperiodofnearlytwoyears,oftenendangered byserpents,savages,tigers,poisonousmiasmas,withalltheother commonperilsincidenttowanderingintheheartofunknownregions. Meanwhile,thewhalehehadstruckmustalsohavebeenonitstravels; nodoubtithadthricecircumnavigatedtheglobe,brushingwithits flanksallthecoastsofAfrica;buttonopurpose.Thismanand thiswhaleagaincametogether,andtheonevanquishedtheother. IsayI,myself,haveknownthreeinstancessimilartothis; thatisintwoofthemIsawthewhalesstruck;and,uponthesecond attack,sawthetwoironswiththerespectivemarkscutinthem, afterwardstakenfromthedeadfish.Inthethreeyearinstance, itsofelloutthatIwasintheboatbothtimes,firstandlast, andthelasttimedistinctlyrecognizedapeculiarsortofhugemole underthewhale'seye,whichIhadobservedtherethreeyearsprevious. Isaythreeyears,butIamprettysureitwasmorethanthat. Herearethreeinstances,then,whichIpersonallyknowthetruthof; butIhaveheardofmanyotherinstancesfrompersonswhoseveracity inthematterthereisnogoodgroundtoimpeach. Secondly:ItiswellknownintheSpermWhaleFishery,howeverignorant theworldashoremaybeofit,thattherehavebeenseveral memorablehistoricalinstanceswhereaparticularwhaleintheocean hasbeenatdistanttimesandplacespopularlycognisable. Whysuchawhalebecamethusmarkedwasnotaltogetherandoriginally owingtohisbodilypeculiaritiesasdistinguishedfromotherwhales; forhoweverpeculiarinthatrespectanychancewhalemaybe, theysoonputanendtohispeculiaritiesbykillinghim,andboiling himdownintoapeculiarlyvaluableoil.No:thereasonwasthis: thatfromthefatalexperiencesofthefisherytherehung

aterribleprestigeofperilousnessaboutsuchawhaleasthere didaboutRinaldoRinaldini,insomuchthatmostfishermenwere contenttorecognisehimbymerelytouchingtheirtarpaulins whenhewouldbediscoveredloungingbythemonthesea, withoutseekingtocultivateamoreintimateacquaintance. Likesomepoordevilsashorethathappentoknownanirascible greatman,theymakedistantunobtrusivesalutationstohim inthestreet,lestiftheypursuedtheacquaintancefurther, theymightreceiveasummarythumpfortheirpresumption. Butnotonlydideachofthesefamouswhalesenjoygreat individualcelebritynay,youmaycallitanoceanwiderenown; notonlywashefamousinlifeandnowisimmortalin forecastlestoriesafterdeath,buthewasadmittedinto alltherights,privileges,anddistinctionsofaname; hadasmuchanameindeedasCambysesorCaesar.Wasitnotso, OTimorTom!thoufamedleviathan,scarredlikeaniceberg, whosolongdid'stlurkintheOrientalstraitsofthatname, whosespoutwasoftseenfromthepalmybeachofOmbay?Wasit notso,ONewZealandJack!thouterrorofallcruisersthatcrossed theirwakesinthevicinityoftheTattooLand?Wasitnotso, OMorquan!KingofJapan,whoseloftyjettheysayattimes assumedthesemblanceofasnowwhitecrossagainstthesky? Wasitnotso,ODonMiguel!thouChilianwhale,markedlike anoldtortoisewithmystichieroglyphicsupontheback! Inplainprose,herearefourwhalesaswellknowntothestudents ofCetaceanHistoryasMariusorSyllatotheclassicscholar. Butthisisnotall.NewZealandTomandDonMiguel,afteratvarious timescreatinggreathavocamongtheboatsofdifferentvessels, werefinallygoneinquestof,systematicallyhuntedout, chasedandkilledbyvaliantwhalingcaptains,whoheaveduptheir anchorswiththatexpressobjectasmuchinview,asinsetting outthroughtheNarragansettWoods,CaptainButlerofoldhadit inhismindtocapturethatnotoriousmurderoussavageAnnawon, theheadmostwarrioroftheIndianKingPhilip. IdonotknowwhereIcanfindabetterplacethanjusthere, tomakementionofoneortwootherthings,whichtomeseemimportant, asinprintedformestablishinginallrespectsthereasonableness ofthewholestoryoftheWhiteWhale,moreespeciallythecatastrophe. Forthisisoneofthosedishearteninginstanceswheretruthrequires fullasmuchbolsteringaserror.Soignorantaremostlandsmenofsome oftheplainestandmostpalpablewondersoftheworld,thatwithout somehintstouchingtheplainfacts,historicalandotherwise, ofthefishery,theymightscoutatMobyDickasamonstrousfable,

orstillworseandmoredetestable,ahideousandintolerableallegory. First:Thoughmostmenhavesomevagueflittingideasofthegeneral perilsofthegrandfishery,yettheyhavenothinglikeafixed,vivid conceptionofthoseperils,andthefrequencywithwhichtheyrecur. Onereasonperhapsis,thatnotoneinfiftyoftheactualdisasters anddeathsbycasualtiesinthefishery,everfindsapublicrecord athome,howevertransientandimmediatelyforgottenthatrecord. Doyousupposethatthatpoorfellowthere,whothismomentperhaps caughtbythewhalelineoffthecoastofNewGuinea,isbeing carrieddowntothebottomoftheseabythesoundingleviathan doyousupposethatthatpoorfellow'snamewillappearinthenewspaper obituaryyouwillreadtomorrowatyourbreakfast?No:becausethe mailsareveryirregularbetweenhereandNewGuinea.Infact, didyoueverhearwhatmightbecalledregularnewsdirectorindirect fromNewGuinea?YetIwilltellyouthatupononeparticularvoyage whichImadetothePacific,amongmanyotherswespokethirty differentships,everyoneofwhichhadhadadeathbyawhale, someofthemmorethanone,andthreethathadeachlostaboat'screw. ForGod'ssake,beeconomicalwithyourlampsandcandles!notagallon youburn,butatleastonedropofman'sbloodwasspilledforit. Secondly:Peopleashorehaveindeedsomeindefiniteidea thatawhaleisanenormouscreatureofenormouspower; butIhaveeverfoundthatwhennarratingtothemsomespecific exampleofthistwofoldenormousness,theyhavesignificantly complimentedmeuponmyfacetiousness;when,Ideclareupon mysoul,IhadnomoreideaofbeingfacetiousthanMoses, whenhewrotethehistoryoftheplaguesofEgypt. ButfortunatelythespecialpointIhereseekcanbeestablished upontestimonyentirelyindependentofmyown.Thatpointisthis: TheSpermWhaleisinsomecasessufficientlypowerful,knowing, andjudiciouslymalicious,aswithdirectaforethoughttostavein, utterlydestroy,andsinkalargeship;andwhatismore, theSpermWhalehasdoneit. First:Intheyear1820theshipEssex,CaptainPollard, ofNantucket,wascruisinginthePacificOcean.Oneday shesawspouts,loweredherboats,andgavechasetoashoal ofspermwhales.Erelong,severalofthewhaleswerewounded; when,suddenly,averylargewhaleescapingfromtheboats, issuedfromtheshoal,andboredirectlydownupontheship. Dashinghisforeheadagainstherhull,hesostoveherin, thatinlessthan"tenminutes"shesettleddownandfellover. Notasurvivingplankofherhasbeenseensince.

Aftertheseverestexposure,partofthecrewreachedtheland intheirboats.Beingreturnedhomeatlast,CaptainPollard oncemoresailedforthePacificincommandofanothership, butthegodsshipwreckedhimagainuponunknownrocksandbreakers; forthesecondtimehisshipwasutterlylost,andforthwith forswearingthesea,hehasneverattempteditsince. AtthisdayCaptainPollardisaresidentofNantucket.Ihave seenOwenChace,whowaschiefmateoftheEssexatthetime ofthetragedy;Ihavereadhisplainandfaithfulnarrative; Ihaveconversedwithhisson;andallthiswithinafewmiles ofthesceneofthecatastrophe.* *ThefollowingareextractsfromChace'snarrative: "Everyfactseemedtowarrantmeinconcludingthatitwas anythingbutchancewhichdirectedhisoperations;hemadetwo severalattacksupontheship,atashortintervalbetweenthem, bothofthiscatastropheIhaveneverchancedtotheirdirection, werecalculatedtodousthewhalehuntersIhavenowandthen heardcasualallusionstoit. Thirdly:SomeeighteenortwentyyearsagoCommodoreJthencommanding anAmericansloopofwarofthefirstclass,happenedtobedining withapartyofwhalingcaptains,onboardaNantucketshipinthe harborofOahu,SandwichIslands.Conversationturninguponwhales, theCommodorewaspleasedtobescepticaltouchingtheamazing strengthascribedtothembytheprofessionalgentlemenpresent. Heperemptorilydeniedforexample,thatanywhalecould sosmitehisstoutsloopofwarastocausehertoleaksomuch asathimbleful.Verygood;butthereismorecoming. Someweekslater,theCommodoresetsailinthisimpregnablecraft forValparaiso.Buthewasstoppedonthewaybyaportlyspermwhale, thatbeggedafewmoments'confidentialbusinesswithhim. ThatbusinessconsistedinfetchingtheCommodore'scraftsuchathwack, thatwithallhispumpsgoinghemadestraightforthenearest porttoheavedownandrepair.Iamnotsuperstitious,butI considertheCommodore'sinterviewwiththatwhaleasprovidential. WasnotSaulofTarsusconvertedfromunbeliefbyasimilarfright? Itellyou,thespermwhalewillstandnononsense. IwillnowreferyoutoLangsdorff'sVoyagesforalittlecircumstance inpoint,peculiarlyinterestingtothewriterhereof.Langsdorff,you mustknowbytheway,wasattachedtotheRussianAdmiralKrusenstern's famousDiscoveryExpeditioninthebeginningofthepresentcentury. CaptainLangsdorffthusbeginshisseventeenthchapter:

"BythethirteenthofMayourshipwasreadytosail, andthenextdaywewereoutintheopensea,onourway toOchotsh.Theweatherwasveryclearandfine,butsointolerably coldthatwewereobligedtokeeponourfurclothing. Forsomedayswehadverylittlewind;itwasnottill thenineteenththatabriskgalefromthenorthwestsprangup. Anuncommonlylargewhale,thebodyofwhichwaslarger thantheshipitself,layalmostatthesurfaceofthewater, butwasnotperceivedbyanyoneonboardtillthemoment whentheship,whichwasinfullsail,wasalmostuponhim, sothatitwasimpossibletopreventitsstrikingagainsthim. Wewerethusplacedinthemostimminentdanger,asthisgigantic creature,settingupitsback,raisedtheshipthreefeetatleast outofthewater.Themastsreeled,andthesailsfellaltogether, whilewewhowerebelowallspranginstantlyuponthedeck, concludingthatwehadstruckuponsomerock;insteadofthiswe sawthemonstersailingoffwiththeutmostgravityandsolemnity. CaptainD'Wolfappliedimmediatelytothepumpstoexamine whetherornotthevesselhadreceivedanydamagefromtheshock, butwefoundthatveryhappilyithadescapedentirelyuninjured." Now,theCaptainD'Wolfherealludedtoascommandingtheship inquestion,isaNewEnglander,who,afteralonglifeofunusual adventuresasaseacaptain,thisdayresidesinthevillage ofDorchesternearBoston.Ihavethehonorofbeinganephew ofhis.Ihaveparticularlyquestionedhimconcerning thispassageinLangsdorff.Hesubstantiateseveryword. Theship,however,wasbynomeansalargeone:aRussian craftbuiltontheSiberiancoast,andpurchasedbymyuncle afterbarteringawaythevesselinwhichhesailedfromhome. Inthatupanddownmanlybookofoldfashionedadventure, sofull,too,ofhonestwondersthevoyageofLionelWafer, oneofancientDampier'soldchumsIfoundalittlematter setdownsolikethatjustquotedfromLangsdorff,thatI cannotforbearinsertingithereforacorroborativeexample, ifsuchbeneeded. Lionel,itseems,wasonhiswayto"JohnFerdinando," ashecallsthemodernJuanFernandes."Inourwaythither," hesays,"aboutfouro'clockinthemorning,whenwewereabout onehundredandfiftyleaguesfromtheMainofAmerica,ourship feltaterribleshock,whichputourmeninsuchconsternation thattheycouldhardlytellwheretheywereorwhattothink; buteveryonebegantopreparefordeath.And,indeed,theshock wassosuddenandviolent,thatwetookitforgrantedtheship

hadstruckagainstarock;butwhentheamazementwasalittleover, wecastthelead,andsounded,butfoundnoground....The suddennessoftheshockmadethegunsleapintheircarriages, andseveralofthemenwereshakenoutoftheirhammocks. CaptainDavis,wholaywithhisheadonagun,wasthrown outofhiscabin!"Lionelthengoesontoimputetheshock toanearthquake,andseemstosubstantiatetheimputation bystatingthatagreatearthquake,somewhereaboutthattime, didactuallydogreatmischiefalongtheSpanishland. ButIshouldnotmuchwonderif,inthedarknessofthatearly hourofthemorning,theshockwasafterallcausedbyanunseen whaleverticallybumpingthehullfrombeneath. Imightproceedwithseveralmoreexamples,onewayoranotherknown tome,ofthegreatpowerandmaliceattimesofthespermwhale. Inmorethanoneinstance,hehasbeenknown,notonlytochase theassailingboatsbacktotheirships,buttopursuetheshipitself, andlongwithstandallthelanceshurledathimfromitsdecks. TheEnglishshipPusieHallcantellastoryonthathead; and,asforhisstrength,letmesay,thattherehavebeenexamples wherethelinesattachedtoarunningspermwhalehave,inacalm, beentransferredtotheship,andsecuredthere!thewhaletowing hergreathullthroughthewater,asahorsewalksoffwithacart. Again,itisveryoftenobservedthat,ifthespermwhale,oncestruck, isallowedtimetorally,hethenacts,notsooftenwithblindrage, aswithwilful,deliberatedesignsofdestructiontohispursuers; norisitwithoutconveyingsomeeloquentindicationofhischaracter, thatuponbeingattackedhewillfrequentlyopenhismouth, andretainitinthatdreadexpansionforseveralconsecutiveminutes. ButImustbecontentwithonlyonemoreandaconcludingillustration; aremarkableandmostsignificantone,bywhichyouwillnotfail tosee,thatnotonlyisthemostmarvellouseventinthisbook corroboratedbyplainfactsofthepresentday,butthatthesemarvels (likeallmarvels)aremererepetitionsoftheages;sothatfor themillionthtimewesayamenwithSolomonVerilythereisnothing newunderthesun. InthesixthChristiancenturylivedProcopius,aChristian magistrateofConstantinople,inthedayswhenJustinian wasEmperorandBelisariusgeneral.Asmanyknow,hewrote thehistoryofhisowntimes,aworkeverywayofuncommonvalue. Bythebestauthorities,hehasalwaysbeenconsideredamost trustworthyandunexaggeratinghistorian,exceptinsomeone ortwoparticulars,notatallaffectingthematterpresently tobementioned.

Now,inthishistoryofhis,Procopiusmentionsthat,duringthetermof hisprefectureatConstantinople,agreatseamonsterwascapturedinthe neighboringPropontis,orSeaofMarmora,afterhavingdestroyedvessels atintervalsinthosewatersforaperiodofmorethanfiftyyears. Afactthussetdowninsubstantialhistorycannoteasilybegainsaid. Noristhereanyreasonitshouldbe.Ofwhatprecisespeciesthis seamonsterwas,isnotmentioned.Butashedestroyedships, aswellasforotherreasons,hemusthavebeenawhale;andIam stronglyinclinedtothinkaspermwhale.AndIwilltellyouwhy. ForalongtimeIfanciedthatthespermwhalehadbeenalways unknownintheMediterraneanandthedeepwatersconnectingwithit. EvennowIamcertainthatthoseseasarenot,andperhapsnevercanbe, inthepresentconstitutionofthings,aplaceforhishabitual gregariousresort.Butfurtherinvestigationshaverecentlyprovedtome, thatinmoderntimestherehavebeenisolatedinstancesofthepresence ofthespermwhaleintheMediterranean.Iamtold,ongoodauthority, thatontheBarbarycoast,aCommodoreDavisoftheBritishnavyfound theskeletonofaspermwhale.Now,asavesselofwarreadilypasses throughtheDardanelles,henceaspermwhalecould,bythesameroute, passoutoftheMediterraneanintothePropontis. InthePropontis,asfarasIcanlearn,noneofthatpeculiar substancecalledbritistobefound,thealimentoftherightwhale. ButIhaveeveryreasontobelievethatthefoodofthespermwhale squidorcuttlefishlurksatthebottomofthatsea, becauselargecreatures,butbynomeansthelargestofthatsort, havebeenfoundatitssurface.If,then,youproperly putthesestatementstogether,andreasonuponthemabit, youwillclearlyperceivethat,accordingtoallhumanreasoning, Procopius'sseamonster,thatforhalfacenturystovetheships ofaRomanEmperor,mustinallprobabilityhavebeenaspermwhale. CHAPTER46 Surmises Though,consumedwiththehotfireofhispurpose,Ahabinallhis thoughtsandactionseverhadinviewtheultimatecaptureofMobyDick; thoughheseemedreadytosacrificeallmortalintereststothat onepassion;neverthelessitmayhavebeenthathewasbynature andlonghabituationfartooweddedtoafierywhaleman'sways, altogethertoabandonthecollateralprosecutionofthevoyage. Oratleastifthiswereotherwise,therewerenotwantingother

motivesmuchmoreinfluentialwithhim.Itwouldberefining toomuch,perhaps,evenconsideringhismonomania,tohintthathis vindictivenesstowardstheWhiteWhalemighthavepossiblyextended itselfinsomedegreetoallspermwhales,andthatthemoremonsters heslewbysomuchthemorehemultipliedthechancesthateach subsequentlyencounteredwhalewouldprovetobethehatedonehehunted. Butifsuchanhypothesisbeindeedexceptionable,therewerestill additionalconsiderationswhich,thoughnotsostrictlyaccording withthewildnessofhisrulingpassion,yetwerebynomeans incapableofswayinghim. ToaccomplishhisobjectAhabmustusetools;andofalltoolsused intheshadowofthemoon,menaremostapttogetoutoforder. Heknew,forexample,thathowevermagnetichisascendencyinsome respectswasoverStarbuck,yetthatascendencydidnotcover thecompletespiritualmananymorethanmerecorporealsuperiority involvesintellectualmastership;fortothepurelyspiritual, theintellectualbutstandinasortofcorporealrelation. Starbuck'sbodyandStarbuck'scoercedwillwereAhab's,solongasAhab kepthismagnetatStarbuck'sbrain;stillheknewthatforallthis thechiefmate,inhissoul,abhorredhiscaptain'squest,andcouldhe, wouldjoyfullydisintegratehimselffromit,orevenfrustrateit. ItmightbethatalongintervalwouldelapseeretheWhiteWhale wasseen.DuringthatlongintervalStarbuckwouldeverbeapttofall intoopenrelapsesofrebellionagainsthiscaptain'sleadership, unlesssomeordinary,prudential,circumstantialinfluenceswerebrought tobearuponhim.Notonlythat,butthesubtleinsanityofAhab respectingMobyDickwasnowaysmoresignificantlymanifestedthaninhis superlativesenseandshrewdnessinforeseeingthat,forthepresent, thehuntshouldinsomewaybestrippedofthatstrangeimaginative impiousnesswhichnaturallyinvestedit;thatthefullterrorofthe voyagemustbekeptwithdrawnintotheobscurebackground(forfewmen's courageisproofagainstprotractedmeditationunrelievedbyaction); thatwhentheystoodtheirlongnightwatches,hisofficersandmenmust havesomenearerthingstothinkofthanMobyDick.Forhowevereagerly andimpetuouslythesavagecrewhadhailedtheannouncementofhisquest; yetallsailorsofallsortsaremoreorlesscapriciousandunreliable theyliveinthevaryingouterweather,andtheyinhaleitsfickleness andwhenretainedforanyobjectremoteandblankinthepursuit, howeverpromissoryoflifeandpassionintheend,itisaboveallthings requisitethattemporaryinterestsandemploymentsshouldintervene andholdthemhealthilysuspendedforthefinaldash. NorwasAhabunmindfulofanotherthing.Intimesofstrongemotion mankinddisdainallbaseconsiderations;butsuchtimesareevanescent. Thepermanentconstitutionalconditionofthemanufacturedman,

thoughtAhab,issordidness.GrantingthattheWhiteWhalefully incitestheheartsofthismysavagecrew,andplayinground theirsavagenessevenbreedsacertaingenerousknighterrantism inthem,still,whilefortheloveofittheygivechasetoMobyDick, theymustalsohavefoodfortheirmorecommon,dailyappetites. ForeventhehighliftedandchivalricCrusadersofoldtimes werenotcontenttotraversetwothousandmilesoflandtofight fortheirholysepulchre,withoutcommittingburglaries, pickingpockets,andgainingotherpiousperquisitesbytheway. Hadtheybeenstrictlyheldtotheironefinalandromanticobject thatfinalandromanticobject,toomanywouldhaveturned fromindisgust.Iwillnotstripthesemen,thoughtAhab, ofallhopesofcashaye,cash.Theymayscorncashnow; butletsomemonthsgoby,andnoperspectivepromiseofittothem, andthenthissamequiescentcashallatoncemutinyinginthem, thissamecashwouldsooncashierAhab. Norwastherewantingstillanotherprecautionarymotivemore relatedtoAhabpersonally.Havingimpulsively,itisprobable, andperhapssomewhatprematurelyrevealedtheprimebutprivate purposeofthePequod'svoyage,Ahabwasnowentirelyconsciousthat, insodoing,hehadindirectlylaidhimselfopentotheunanswerable chargeofusurpation;andwithperfectimpunity,bothmoralandlegal, hiscrewifsodisposed,andtothatendcompetent,couldrefuseall furtherobediencetohim,andevenviolentlywrestfromhimthecommand. Fromeventhebarelyhintedimputationofusurpation,andthepossible consequencesofsuchasuppressedimpressiongainingground, Ahabmustofcoursehavebeenmostanxioustoprotecthimself. Thatprotectioncouldonlyconsistinhisownpredominatingbrain andheartandhand,backedbyaheedful,closelycalculatingattention toeveryminuteatmosphericinfluencewhichitwaspossibleforhis crewtobesubjectedto. Forallthesereasonsthen,andothersperhapstooanalytictobeverbally developedhere,Ahabplainlysawthathemuststillinagooddegree continuetruetothenatural,nominalpurposeofthePequod'svoyage; observeallcustomaryusages;andnotonlythat,butforcehimself toevinceallhiswellknownpassionateinterestinthegeneralpursuit ofhisprofession. Beallthisasitmay,hisvoicewasnowoftenheard hailingthethreemastheadsandadmonishingthemtokeep abrightlookout,andnotomitreportingevenaporpoise. Thisvigilancewasnotlongwithoutreward.

 CHAPTER47 TheMatMaker Itwasacloudy,sultryafternoon;theseamenwerelazilylounging aboutthedecks,orvacantlygazingoverintotheleadcoloredwaters. QueequegandIweremildlyemployedweavingwhatiscalledaswordmat, foranadditionallashingtoourboat.Sostillandsubduedandyet somehowpreludingwasallthescene,andsuchanincantationofrevelry lurkedintheair,thateachsilentsailorseemedresolvedintohis owninvisibleself. IwastheattendantorpageofQueequeg,whilebusyatthemat. AsIkeptpassingandrepassingthefillingorwoofofmarline betweenthelongyarnsofthewarp,usingmyownhandfortheshuttle, andasQueequeg,standingsideways,everandanonslidhisheavy oakenswordbetweenthethreads,andidlylookingoffupon thewater,carelesslyandunthinkinglydrovehomeeveryyarn; Isaysostrangeadreaminessdidtherethenreignallover theshipandalloverthesea,onlybrokenbytheintermitting dullsoundofthesword,thatitseemedasifthiswere theLoomofTime,andImyselfwereashuttlemechanically weavingandweavingawayattheFates.Therelaythefixed threadsofthewarpsubjecttobutonesingle,everreturning, unchangingvibration,andthatvibrationmerelyenoughtoadmit ofthecrosswiseinterblendingofotherthreadswithitsown. Thiswarpseemednecessity;andhere,thoughtI,withmyown handIplymyownshuttleandweavemyowndestinyinto theseunalterablethreads.Meantime,Queequeg'simpulsive, indifferentsword,sometimeshittingthewoofslantingly, orcrookedly,orstrongly,orweakly,asthecasemightbe; andbythisdifferenceintheconcludingblowproducinga correspondingcontrastinthefinalaspectofthecompletedfabric; thissavage'ssword,thoughtI,whichthusfinallyshapesandfashions bothwarpandwoof;thiseasy,indifferentswordmustbechance aye,chance,freewill,andnecessitynowiseincompatible allinterweavinglyworkingtogether.Thestraightwarp ofnecessity,nottobeswervedfromitsultimatecourse itseveryalternatingvibration,indeed,onlytendingtothat; freewillstillfreetoplyhershuttlebetweengiventhreads; andchance,thoughrestrainedinitsplaywithintherightlines ofnecessity,andsidewaysinitsmotionsdirectedbyfreewill, thoughthusprescribedtobyboth,chancebyturnsruleseither, andhasthelastfeaturingblowatevents.

 ThuswewereweavingandweavingawaywhenIstartedatasound sostrange,longdrawn,andmusicallywildandunearthly, thattheballoffreewilldroppedfrommyhand,andIstood gazingupatthecloudswhencethatvoicedroppedlikeawing. HighaloftinthecrosstreeswasthatmadGayHeader,Tashtego. Hisbodywasreachingeagerlyforward,hishandstretchedout likeawand,andatbriefsuddenintervalshecontinuedhiscries. Tobesurethesamesoundwasthatverymomentperhapsbeing heardallovertheseas,fromhundredsofwhalemen'slookouts perchedashighintheair;butfromfewofthoselungscould thataccustomedoldcryhavederivedsuchamarvellouscadence asfromTashtegotheIndian's. Ashestoodhoveringoveryouhalfsuspendedinair,sowildly andeagerlypeeringtowardsthehorizon,youwouldhavethought himsomeprophetorseerbeholdingtheshadowsofFate, andbythosewildcriesannouncingtheircoming. "Theresheblows!there!there!there!sheblows!sheblows!" "Whereaway?" "Ontheleebeam,abouttwomilesoff!aschoolofthem!" Instantlyallwascommotion. TheSpermWhaleblowsasaclockticks,withthesameundeviating andreliableuniformity.Andtherebywhalemendistinguishthis fishfromothertribesofhisgenus. "Theregoflukes!"wasnowthecryfromTashtego; andthewhalesdisappeared. "Quick,steward!"criedAhab."Time!time!" DoughBoyhurriedbelow,glancedatthewatch,andreportedtheexact minutetoAhab. Theshipwasnowkeptawayfromthewind,andshewentgently rollingbeforeit.Tashtegoreportingthatthewhales hadgonedownheadingtoleeward,weconfidentlylooked toseethemagaindirectlyinadvanceofourbows. ForthatsingularcraftattimesevincedbytheSpermWhalewhen, soundingwithhisheadinonedirection,henevertheless,

whileconcealedbeneaththesurface,millsaround,andswiftly swimsoffintheoppositequarterthisdeceitfulnessofhis couldnotnowbeinaction;fortherewasnoreasontosuppose thatthefishseenbyTashtegohadbeeninanywayalarmed, orindeedknewatallofourvicinity.Oneofthemenselected forshipkeepersthatis,thosenotappointedtotheboats, bythistimerelievedtheIndianatthemainmasthead. Thesailorsattheforeandmizzenhadcomedown;theline tubswerefixedintheirplaces;thecraneswerethrustout; themainyardwasbacked,andthethreeboatsswungover thesealikethreesamphirebasketsoverhighcliffs. Outsideofthebulwarkstheireagercrewswithonehandclung totherail,whileonefootwasexpectantlypoisedonthegunwale. Solookthelonglineofmanofwar'smenabouttothrow themselvesonboardanenemy'sship. Butatthiscriticalinstantasuddenexclamationwasheardthattook everyeyefromthewhale.WithastartallglaredatdarkAhab, whowassurroundedbyfiveduskyphantomsthatseemedfreshformed outofair. CHAPTER48 TheFirstLowering Thephantoms,forsotheythenseemed,wereflittingontheother sideofthedeck,and,withanoiselesscelerity,werecastingloose thetacklesandbandsoftheboatwhichswungthere.Thisboathad alwaysbeendeemedoneofthespareboats,thoughtechnicallycalled thecaptain's,onaccountofitshangingfromthestarboardquarter. Thefigurethatnowstoodbyitsbowswastallandswart, withonewhitetoothevillyprotrudingfromitssteellikelips. ArumpledChinesejacketofblackcottonfunereallyinvestedhim, withwideblacktrowsersofthesamedarkstuff.Butstrangely crowningthisebonnesswasaglisteningwhiteplaitedturban, thelivinghairbraidedandcoiledroundandrounduponhishead. Lessswartinaspect,thecompanionsofthisfigurewereofthatvivid, tigeryellowcomplexionpeculiartosomeoftheaboriginalnatives oftheManillas;aracenotoriousforacertaindiabolismofsubtilty, andbysomehonestwhitemarinerssupposedtobethepaidspies andsecretconfidentialagentsonthewaterofthedevil,theirlord, whosecountingroomtheysupposetobeelsewhere.

Whileyetthewonderingship'scompanyweregazinguponthesestrangers, Ahabcriedouttothewhiteturbanedoldmanattheirhead, "Allreadythere,Fedallah?" "Ready,"wasthehalfhissedreply. "Lowerawaythen;d'yehear?"shoutingacrossthedeck. "Lowerawaythere,Isay." Suchwasthethunderofhisvoice,thatspiteoftheir amazementthemensprangovertherail;thesheaveswhirled roundintheblocks;withawallow,thethreeboatsdropped intothesea;while,withadexterous,offhandeddaring, unknowninanyothervocation,thesailors,goatlike,leaped downtherollingship'ssideintothetossedboatsbelow. Hardlyhadtheypulledoutfromundertheship'slee,whenafourthkeel, comingfromthewindwardside,pulledroundunderthestern, andshowedthefivestrangersrowingAhab,who,standingerect inthestern,loudlyhailedStarbuck,Stubb,andFlask,tospread themselveswidely,soastocoveralargeexpanseofwater. ButwithalltheireyesagainrivetedupontheswartFedallahand hiscrew,theinmatesoftheotherboatsobeyednotthecommand. "CaptainAhab?"saidStarbuck. "Spreadyourselves,"criedAhab;"giveway,allfourboats. Thou,Flask,pulloutmoretoleeward!" "Aye,aye,sir,"cheerilycriedlittleKingPost,sweepingroundhis greatsteeringoar."Layback!"addressinghiscrew."There!there! thereagain!Theresheblowsrightahead,boys!layback! "Neverheedyonderyellowboys,Archy." "Oh,Idon'tmind'em,sir,"saidArchy;"Iknewitallbeforenow. Didn'tIhear'eminthehold?Anddidn'tItellCabacohereofit? Whatsayye,Cabaco?Theyarestowaways,Mr.Flask." "Pull,pull,myfineheartsalive;pull,mychildren; pull,mylittleones,"drawlinglyandsoothinglysighedStubb tohiscrew,someofwhomstillshowedsignsofuneasiness. "Whydon'tyoubreakyourbackbones,myboys?Whatisityoustareat? Thosechapsinyonderboat?Tut!Theyareonlyfivemorehands cometohelpusnevermindfromwherethemorethemerrier. Pull,then,dopull;nevermindthebrimstonedevilsaregood

fellowsenough.So,so;thereyouarenow;that'sthestroke forathousandpounds;that'sthestroketosweepthestakes! Hurrahforthegoldcupofspermoil,myheroes! Threecheers,menallheartsalive!Easy,easy;don'tbeinahurry don'tbeinahurry.Whydon'tyousnapyouroars,yourascals? Bitesomething,youdogs!So,so,so,then:softly,softly! That'sitthat'sit!longandstrong.Givewaythere,giveway! Thedevilfetchye,yeragamuffinrapscallions;yeareallasleep. Stopsnoring,yesleepers,andpull.Pull,willye?pull, can'tye?pull,won'tye?Whyinthenameofgudgeonsand gingercakesdon'tyepull?pullandbreaksomething!pull, andstartyoureyesout!Here,"whippingoutthesharpknife fromhisgirdle;"everymother'ssonofyedrawhisknife, andpullwiththebladebetweenhisteeth.That'sitthat'sit. Nowyedosomething;thatlookslikeit,mysteelbits.Starther starther,mysilverspoons!Starther,marlingspikes!" Stubb'sexordiumtohiscrewisgivenhereatlarge, becausehehadratherapeculiarwayoftalkingtothemingeneral, andespeciallyininculcatingthereligionofrowing. Butyoumustnotsupposefromthisspecimenofhissermonizings thatheeverflewintodownrightpassionswithhiscongregation. Notatall;andthereinconsistedhischiefpeculiarity. Hewouldsaythemostterrificthingstohiscrew,inatone sostrangelycompoundedoffunandfury,andthefuryseemed socalculatedmerelyasaspicetothefun,thatnooarsman couldhearsuchqueerinvocationswithoutpullingfor dearlife,andyetpullingforthemerejokeofthething. Besidesheallthetimelookedsoeasyandindolenthimself, solounginglymanagedhissteeringoar,andsobroadlygaped openmouthedattimesthatthemeresightofsuchayawningcommander, bysheerforceofcontrast,actedlikeacharmuponthecrew. Thenagain,Stubbwasoneofthoseoddsortofhumorists, whosejollityissometimessocuriouslyambiguous,astoput allinferiorsontheirguardinthematterofobeyingthem. InobediencetoasignfromAhab,Starbuckwasnowpullingobliquely acrossStubb'sbow;andwhenforaminuteorsothetwoboatswere prettyneartoeachother,Stubbhailedthemate. "Mr.Starbuck!larboardboatthere,ahoy!awordwithye,sir, ifyeplease!" "Halloa!"returnedStarbuck,turningroundnotasingleinch ashespoke;stillearnestlybutwhisperinglyurginghiscrew; hisfacesetlikeaflintfromStubb's.

 "Whatthinkyeofthoseyellowboys,sir! "Smuggledonboard,somehow,beforetheshipsailed. (Strong,strong,boys!)"inawhispertohiscrew, thenspeakingoutloudagain:"Asadbusiness,Mr.Stubb! (seetheher,seetheher,mylads!)butnevermind,Mr.Stubb, allforthebest.Letallyourcrewpullstrong,comewhatwill. (Spring,mymen,spring!)There'shogsheadsofspermahead, Mr.Stubb,andthat'swhatyecamefor.(Pull,myboys!) Sperm,sperm'stheplay!Thisatleastisduty;dutyandprofit handinhand." "Aye,aye,Ithoughtasmuch,"soliloquizedStubb,whenthe boatsdiverged,"assoonasIclapteyeon'em,Ithoughtso. Aye,andthat'swhathewentintotheafterholdfor,sooften, asDoughBoylongsuspected.Theywerehiddendownthere. TheWhiteWhale'satthebottomofit.Well,well,sobeit! Can'tbehelped!Allright!Givewaymen!Itain'ttheWhiteWhale today!Giveway!" Nowtheadventoftheseoutlandishstrangersatsuchacritical instantastheloweringoftheboatsfromthedeck,thishadnot unreasonablyawakenedasortofsuperstitiousamazementinsomeof theship'scompany;butArchy'sfancieddiscoveryhavingsometime previousgotabroadamongthem,thoughindeednotcreditedthen, thishadinsomesmallmeasurepreparedthemfortheevent. Ittookofftheextremeedgeoftheirwonder;andsowhatwithall thisandStubb'sconfidentwayofaccountingfortheirappearance, theywereforthetimefreedfromsuperstitioussurmisings;thoughthe affairstillleftabundantroomforallmannerofwildconjectures astodarkAhab'spreciseagencyinthematterfromthebeginning. Forme,IsilentlyrecalledthemysteriousshadowsIhadseen creepingonboardthePequodduringthedimNantucketdawn, aswellastheenigmaticalhintingsoftheunaccountableElijah. Meantime,Ahab,outofhearingofhisofficers,havingsided thefurthesttowindward,wasstillrangingaheadoftheotherboats; acircumstancebespeakinghowpotentacrewwaspullinghim. Thosetigeryellowcreaturesofhisseemedallsteelandwhalebone; likefivetriphammerstheyroseandfellwithregularstrokes ofstrength,whichperiodicallystartedtheboatalongthewater likeahorizontalburstboileroutofaMississippisteamer. AsforFedallah,whowasseenpullingtheharpooneeroar, hehadthrownasidehisblackjacket,anddisplayedhisnakedchest withthewholepartofhisbodyabovethegunwale,clearlycut

againstthealternatingdepressionsofthewateryhorizon; whileattheotherendoftheboatAhab,withonearm,likeafencer's, thrownhalfbackwardintotheair,asiftocounterbalanceany tendencytotrip;Ahabwasseensteadilymanaginghissteeringoar asinathousandboatloweringseretheWhiteWhalehadtornhim. Allatoncetheoutstretchedarmgaveapeculiarmotion andthenremainedfixed,whiletheboat'sfiveoarswereseen simultaneouslypeaked.Boatandcrewsatmotionlessonthesea. Instantlythethreespreadboatsintherearpausedontheirway. Thewhaleshadirregularlysettledbodilydownintotheblue, thusgivingnodistantlydiscernibletokenofthemovement, thoughfromhiscloservicinityAhabhadobservedit. "Everymanlookoutalonghisoars!"criedStarbuck."Thou,Queequeg, standup!" Nimblyspringinguponthetriangularraisedboxinthebow, thesavagestooderectthere,andwithintenselyeagereyesgazed offtowardsthespotwherethechasehadlastbeendescried. Likewiseupontheextremesternoftheboatwhereitwasalso triangularlyplatformedlevelwiththegunwale,Starbuckhimself wasseencoollyandadroitlybalancinghimselftothejerking tossingsofhischipofacraft,andsilentlyeyeingthevast blueeyeofthesea. NotveryfardistantFlask'sboatwasalsolyingbreathlesslystill; itscommanderrecklesslystandinguponthetopoftheloggerhead, astoutsortofpostrootedinthekeel,andrisingsometwofeet abovethelevelofthesternplatform.Itisusedforcatchingturns withthewhaleline.Itstopisnotmorespaciousthanthepalmofa man'shand,andstandinguponsuchabaseasthat,Flaskseemedperched atthemastheadofsomeshipwhichhadsunktoallbuthertrucks. ButlittleKingPostwassmallandshort,andatthesametimelittle KingPostwasfullofalargeandtallambition,sothatthislogger headstandpointofhisdidbynomeanssatisfyKingPost. "Ican'tseethreeseasoff;tipusupanoarthere,andlet meontothat." Uponthis,Daggoo,witheitherhanduponthegunwaletosteadyhisway, swiftlyslidaft,andthenerectinghimselfvolunteeredhislofty shouldersforapedestal. "Goodamastheadasany,sir.Willyoumount?" "ThatIwill,andthankyeverymuch,myfinefellow;

onlyIwishyoufiftyfeettaller." Whereuponplantinghisfeetfirmlyagainsttwooppositeplanksof theboat,thegiganticnegro,stoopingalittle,presentedhisflatpalm toFlask'sfoot,andthenputtingFlask'shandonhishearseplumed headandbiddinghimspringashehimselfshouldtoss,withone dexterousflinglandedthelittlemanhighanddryonhisshoulders. AndherewasFlasknowstanding,Daggoowithoneliftedarmfurnishing himwithabreastbandtoleanagainstandsteadyhimselfby. Atanytimeitisastrangesighttothetyrotoseewith whatwondroushabitudeofunconsciousskillthewhaleman willmaintainanerectpostureinhisboat,evenwhenpitched aboutbythemostriotouslyperverseandcrossrunningseas. Stillmorestrangetoseehimgiddilypercheduponthelogger headitself,undersuchcircumstances.Butthesightoflittle FlaskmountedupongiganticDaggoowasyetmorecurious; forsustaininghimselfwithacool,indifferent,easy,unthoughtof, barbaricmajesty,thenoblenegrotoeveryrolloftheseaharmoniously rolledhisfineform.Onhisbroadback,flaxenhairedFlask seemedasnowflake.Thebearerlookednoblerthantherider. Thoughtrulyvivacious,tumultuous,ostentatiouslittleFlask wouldnowandthenstampwithimpatience;butnotoneadded heavedidhetherebygivetothenegro'slordlychest. SohaveIseenPassionandVanitystampingtheliving magnanimousearth,buttheearthdidnotalterhertidesandher seasonsforthat. MeanwhileStubb,thethirdmate,betrayednosuchfargazingsolicitudes. Thewhalesmighthavemadeoneoftheirregularsoundings, notatemporarydivefrommerefright;andifthatwerethecase, Stubb,ashiswontinsuchcases,itseems,wasresolvedtosolace thelanguishingintervalwithhispipe.Hewithdrewitfrom hishatband,wherehealwaysworeitaslantlikeafeather. Heloadedit,andrammedhometheloadingwithhisthumbend; buthardlyhadheignitedhismatchacrosstheroughsandpaper ofhishand,whenTashtego,hisharpooneer,whoseeyeshadbeen settingtowindwardliketwofixedstars,suddenlydroppedlikelight fromhiserectattitudetohisseat,cryingoutinaquickphrensy ofhurry,"Down,downall,andgiveway!theretheyare!" Toalandsman,nowhale,noranysignofaherring,wouldhavebeen visibleatthatmoment;nothingbutatroubledbitofgreenish whitewater,andthinscatteredpuffsofvaporhoveringoverit, andsuffusinglyblowingofftoleeward,liketheconfusedscudfrom whiterollingbillows.Theairaroundsuddenlyvibratedandtingled,

asitwere,liketheairoverintenselyheatedplatesofiron. Beneaththisatmosphericwavingandcurling,andpartiallybeneath athinlayerofwater,also,thewhaleswereswimming.Seeninadvance ofalltheotherindications,thepuffsofvaportheyspouted, seemedtheirforerunningcouriersanddetachedflyingoutriders. Allfourboatswerenowinkeenpursuitofthatonespot oftroubledwaterandair.Butitbadefartooutstripthem; itflewonandon,asamassofinterblendingbubblesborne downarapidstreamfromthehills. "Pull,pull,mygoodboys,"saidStarbuck,inthelowestpossible butintensestconcentratedwhispertohismen;whilethesharp fixedglancefromhiseyesdartedstraightaheadofthebow, almostseemedastwovisibleneedlesintwounerringbinnaclecompasses. Hedidnotsaymuchtohiscrew,though,nordidhiscrewsayanything tohim.Onlythesilenceoftheboatwasatintervalsstartlingly piercedbyoneofhispeculiarwhispers,nowharshwithcommand, nowsoftwithentreaty. HowdifferenttheloudlittleKingPost."Singoutand saysomething,myhearties.Roarandpull,mythunderbolts! Beachme,beachmeontheirblackbacks,boys;onlydothatforme, andI'llsignovertoyoumyMartha'sVineyardplantation,boys; includingwifeandchildren,boys.Laymeonlaymeon! OLord,Lord!butIshallgostark,staringmad!See!seethat whitewater!"Andsoshouting,hepulledhishatfromhishead, andstampedupanddownonit;thenpickingitup,flirtedit faroffuponthesea;andfinallyfelltorearingandplunging intheboat'ssternlikeacrazedcoltfromtheprairie. "Lookatthatchapnow,"philosophicallydrawledStubb,who,withhis unlightedshortpipe,mechanicallyretainedbetweenhisteeth, atashortdistance,followedafter"He'sgotfits,thatFlaskhas. Fits?yes,givehimfitsthat'stheverywordpitchfitsinto'em. Merrily,merrily,heartsalive.Puddingforsupper,youknow; merry'stheword.Pull,babespull,sucklingspull,all. Butwhatthedevilareyouhurryingabout?Softly,softly, andsteadily,mymen.Onlypull,andkeeppulling;nothingmore. Crackallyourbackbones,andbiteyourknivesintwothat'sall. Takeiteasywhydon'tyetakeiteasy,Isay,andburstallyour liversandlungs!" ButwhatitwasthatinscrutableAhabsaidtothat tigeryellowcrewofhisthesewerewordsbestomittedhere; foryouliveundertheblessedlightoftheevangelicalland.

Onlytheinfidelsharksintheaudaciousseasmaygiveear tosuchwords,when,withtornadobrow,andeyesofredmurder, andfoamgluedlips,Ahableapedafterhisprey. Meanwhile,alltheboatstoreon.Therepeatedspecific allusionsofFlaskto"thatwhale,"ashecalledthefictitious monsterwhichhedeclaredtobeincessantlytantalizing hisboat'sbowwithitstailtheseallusionsofhiswereat timessovividandlifelike,thattheywouldcausesomeone ortwoofhismentosnatchafearfullookoverhisshoulder. Butthiswasagainstallrule;fortheoarsmenmustput outtheireyes,andramaskewerthroughtheirnecks; usagesannouncingthattheymusthavenoorgansbutears; andnolimbsbutarms,inthesecriticalmoments. Itwasasightfullofquickwonderandawe!Thevastswells oftheomnipotentsea;thesurging,hollowroartheymade, astheyrolledalongtheeightgunwales,likegiganticbowlsina boundlessbowlinggreen;thebriefsuspendedagonyoftheboat, asitwouldtipforaninstantontheknifelikeedgeofthe sharperwaves,thatalmostseemedthreateningtocutitintwo; thesuddenprofounddipintothewateryglensandhollows; thekeenspurringsandgoadingstogainthetopoftheoppositehill; theheadlong,sledlikeslidedownitsotherside;allthese, withthecriesoftheheadsmenandharpooneers,andtheshuddering gaspsoftheoarsmen,withthewondroussightoftheivory Pequodbearingdownuponherboatswithoutstretchedsails, likeawildhenafterherscreamingbrood;allthiswasthrilling. Nottherawrecruit,marchingfromthebosomofhiswifeinto thefeverheatofhisfirstbattle;notthedeadman'sghost encounteringthefirstunknownphantomintheotherworld; neitherofthesecanfeelstrangerandstrongeremotionsthan thatmandoes,whoforthefirsttimefindshimselfpulling intothecharmed,churnedcircleofthehuntedspermwhale. Thedancingwhitewatermadebythechasewasnowbecomingmore andmorevisible,owingtotheincreasingdarknessofthedun cloudshadowsflunguponthesea.Thejetsofvapornolongerblended, buttiltedeverywheretorightandleft;thewhalesseemed separatingtheirwakes.Theboatswerepulledmoreapart; Starbuckgivingchasetothreewhalesrunningdeadtoleeward. Oursailwasnowset,and,withthestillrisingwind,werushedalong; theboatgoingwithsuchmadnessthroughthewater,thatthelee oarscouldscarcelybeworkedrapidlyenoughtoescapebeingtorn fromtherowlocks.

Soonwewererunningthroughasuffusingwideveilofmist; neithershipnorboattobeseen. "Giveway,men,"whisperedStarbuck,drawingstillfurtheraftthesheet ofhissail;"thereistimetokillafishyetbeforethesquallcomes. There'swhitewateragain!closeto!Spring!" Soonafter,twocriesinquicksuccessiononeachsideofusdenoted thattheotherboatshadgotfast;buthardlyweretheyoverheard, whenwithalightninglikehurtlingwhisperStarbucksaid: "Standup!"andQueequeg,harpooninhand,sprangtohisfeet. Thoughnotoneoftheoarsmenwasthenfacingthelifeanddeath perilsoclosetothemahead,yetwiththeireyesontheintense countenanceofthemateinthesternoftheboat,theyknew thattheimminentinstanthadcome;theyheard,too,anenormous wallowingsoundasoffiftyelephantsstirringintheirlitter. Meanwhiletheboatwasstillboomingthroughthemist, thewavescurlingandhissingaroundusliketheerectedcrests ofenragedserpents. "That'shishump.There,there,giveittohim!"whisperedStarbuck. Ashortrushingsoundleapedoutoftheboat;itwasthedartediron ofQueequeg.Thenallinoneweldedcommotioncameaninvisible pushfromastern,whileforwardtheboatseemedstrikingonaledge; thesailcollapsedandexploded;agushofscaldingvaporshotup nearby;somethingrolledandtumbledlikeanearthquakebeneathus. Thewholecrewwerehalfsuffocatedastheyweretossed helterskelterintothewhitecurdlingcreamofthesquall. Squall,whale,andharpoonhadallblendedtogether;andthewhale, merelygrazedbytheiron,escaped. Thoughcompletelyswamped,theboatwasnearlyunharmed. Swimmingrounditwepickedupthefloatingoars,andlashing themacrossthegunwale,tumbledbacktoourplaces. Therewesatuptoourkneesinthesea,thewatercovering everyribandplank,sothattoourdownwardgazingeyes thesuspendedcraftseemedacoralboatgrownuptousfrom thebottomoftheocean. Thewindincreasedtoahowl;thewavesdashedtheirbucklerstogether; thewholesquallroared,forked,andcrackledaroundus likeawhitefireupontheprairie,inwhichunconsumed, wewereburning;immortalinthesejawsofdeath!Invainwe hailedtheotherboats;aswellroartothelivecoalsdown

thechimneyofaflamingfurnaceashailthoseboatsinthatstorm. Meanwhilethedrivingscud,rack,andmist,grewdarker withtheshadowsofnight;nosignoftheshipcouldbeseen. Therisingseaforbadeallattemptstobaleouttheboat. Theoarswereuselessaspropellers,performingnowtheoffice oflifepreservers.So,cuttingthelashingofthewaterproof matchkeg,aftermanyfailuresStarbuckcontrivedtoignite thelampinthelantern;thenstretchingitonawaifpole, handedittoQueequegasthestandardbearerofthisforlornhope. There,then,hesat,holdingupthatimbecilecandleintheheart ofthatalmightyforlornness.There,then,hesat,thesign andsymbolofamanwithoutfaith,hopelesslyholdinguphope inthemidstofdespair. Wet,drenchedthrough,andshiveringcold,despairingofshiporboat, weliftedupoureyesasthedawncameon.Themiststillspread overthesea,theemptylanternlaycrushedinthebottomoftheboat. SuddenlyQueequegstartedtohisfeet,hollowinghishandtohisear. Weallheardafaintcreaking,asofropesandyardshithertomuffled bythestorm.Thesoundcamenearerandnearer;thethickmistswere dimlypartedbyahuge,vagueform.Affrighted,weallspranginto theseaastheshipatlastloomedintoview,bearingrightdownupon uswithinadistanceofnotmuchmorethanitslength. Floatingonthewaveswesawtheabandonedboat,asforone instantittossedandgapedbeneaththeship'sbowslikeachip atthebaseofacataract;andthenthevasthullrolledoverit, anditwasseennomoretillitcameupwelteringastern. Againweswamforit,weredashedagainstitbytheseas, andwereatlasttakenupandsafelylandedonboard. Erethesquallcamecloseto,theotherboatshadcutloose fromtheirfishandreturnedtotheshipingoodtime. Theshiphadgivenusup,butwasstillcruising, ifhaplyitmightlightuponsometokenofourperishing, anoaroralancepole. CHAPTER49 TheHyena Therearecertainqueertimesandoccasionsinthisstrangemixed affairwecalllifewhenamantakesthiswholeuniverseforavast practicaljoke,thoughthewitthereofhebutdimlydiscerns,

andmorethansuspectsthatthejokeisatnobody'sexpensebuthisown. However,nothingdispirits,andnothingseemsworthwhiledisputing. Heboltsdownallevents,allcreeds,andbeliefs,andpersuasions, allhardthingsvisibleandinvisible,nevermindhowknobby; asanostrichofpotentdigestiongobblesdownbulletsandgunflints. Andasforsmalldifficultiesandworryings,prospectsofsudden disaster,periloflifeandlimb;allthese,anddeathitself, seemtohimonlysly,goodnaturedhits,andjollypunches inthesidebestowedbytheunseenandunaccountableoldjoker. ThatoddsortofwaywardmoodIamspeakingof,comesoveraman onlyinsometimeofextremetribulation;itcomesintheverymidst ofhisearnestness,sothatwhatjustbeforemighthaveseemedtohim athingmostmomentous,nowseemsbutapartofthegeneraljoke. Thereisnothingliketheperilsofwhalingtobreedthisfreeandeasy sortofgenial,desperadophilosophy;andwithitInowregardedthis wholevoyageofthePequod,andthegreatWhiteWhaleitsobject. "Queequeg,"saidI,whentheyhaddraggedme,thelastman,tothedeck, andIwasstillshakingmyselfinmyjackettoflingoffthewater; "Queequeg,myfinefriend,doesthissortofthingoftenhappen?" Withoutmuchemotion,thoughsoakedthroughjustlikeme,hegaveme tounderstandthatsuchthingsdidoftenhappen. "Mr.Stubb,"saidI,turningtothatworthy,who,buttonedupinhis oiljacket,wasnowcalmlysmokinghispipeintherain;"Mr.Stubb,I thinkIhaveheardyousaythatofallwhalemenyouevermet, ourchiefmate,Mr.Starbuck,isbyfarthemostcarefulandprudent. Isupposethen,thatgoingplumponaflyingwhalewithyoursail setinafoggysquallistheheightofawhaleman'sdiscretion?" "Certain.I'veloweredforwhalesfromaleakingshipinagale offCapeHorn." "Mr.Flask,"saidI,turningtolittleKingPost,whowasstanding closeby;"youareexperiencedinthesethings,andIamnot. Willyoutellmewhetheritisanunalterablelawinthisfishery, Mr.Flask,foranoarsmantobreakhisownbackpullinghimself backforemostintodeath'sjaws?" "Can'tyoutwistthatsmaller?"saidFlask."Yes,that'sthelaw. Ishouldliketoseeaboat'screwbackingwateruptoawhale faceforemost.Ha,ha!thewhalewouldgivethemsquint forsquint,mindthat!" Herethen,fromthreeimpartialwitnesses,Ihadadeliberate statementoftheentirecase.Considering,therefore,thatsqualls

andcapsizingsinthewaterandconsequentbivouacksonthedeep, weremattersofcommonoccurrenceinthiskindoflife;consideringthat atthesuperlativelycriticalinstantofgoingontothewhaleI mustresignmylifeintothehandsofhimwhosteeredtheboat oftentimesafellowwhoatthatverymomentisinhisimpetuousness uponthepointofscuttlingthecraftwithhisownfranticstampings; consideringthattheparticulardisastertoourownparticularboat waschieflytobeimputedtoStarbuck'sdrivingontohiswhale almostintheteethofasquall,andconsideringthatStarbuck, notwithstanding,wasfamousforhisgreatheedfulnessinthefishery; consideringthatIbelongedtothisuncommonlyprudentStarbuck'sboat; andfinallyconsideringinwhatadevil'schaseIwasimplicated, touchingtheWhiteWhale:takingallthingstogether,Isay, IthoughtImightaswellgobelowandmakearoughdraftofmywill. "Queequeg,"saidI,"comealong,youshallbemylawyer, executor,andlegatee." Itmayseemstrangethatofallmensailorsshouldbetinkering attheirlastwillsandtestaments,buttherearenopeople intheworldmorefondofthatdiversion.Thiswasthefourth timeinmynauticallifethatIhaddonethesamething. Aftertheceremonywasconcludeduponthepresentoccasion, Ifeltalltheeasier;astonewasrolledawayfrommyheart. Besides,allthedaysIshouldnowlivewouldbeasgoodasthedays thatLazaruslivedafterhisresurrection;asupplementary cleangainofsomanymonthsorweeksasthecasemaybe. Isurvivedmyself;mydeathandburialwerelockedupinmychest. Ilookedroundmetranquillyandcontentedly,likeaquiet ghostwithacleanconsciencesittinginsidethebarsofa snugfamilyvault. Nowthen,thoughtI,unconsciouslyrollingupthesleevesofmyfrock, heregoesforacool,collecteddiveatdeathanddestruction, andthedevilfetchthehindmost. CHAPTER50 Ahab'sBoatandCrew.Fedallah "Whowouldhavethoughtit,Flask!"criedStubb; "ifIhadbutonelegyouwouldnotcatchmeinaboat, unlessmaybetostoptheplugholewithmytimbertoe. Oh!he'sawonderfuloldman!"

 "Idon'tthinkitsostrange,afterall,onthataccount," saidFlask."Ifhislegwereoffatthehip,now,itwouldbe adifferentthing.Thatwoulddisablehim;buthehasoneknee, andgoodpartoftheotherleft,youknow." "Idon'tknowthat,mylittleman;Ineveryetsawhimkneel." Amongwhalewisepeopleithasoftenbeenarguedwhether, consideringtheparamountimportanceofhislifetothe successofthevoyage,itisrightforawhalingcaptain tojeopardizethatlifeintheactiveperilsofthechase. SoTamerlane'ssoldiersoftenarguedwithtearsintheireyes, whetherthatinvaluablelifeofhisoughttobecarriedinto thethickestofthefight. ButwithAhabthequestionassumedamodifiedaspect. Consideringthatwithtwolegsmanisbutahobblingwight inalltimesofdanger;consideringthatthepursuitofwhales isalwaysundergreatandextraordinarydifficulties; thateveryindividualmoment,indeed,thencomprisesaperil; underthesecircumstancesisitwiseforanymaimedmantoenter awhaleboatinthehunt?Asageneralthing,thejointowners ofthePequodmusthaveplainlythoughtnot. Ahabwellknewthatalthoughhisfriendsathomewouldthink littleofhisenteringaboatincertaincomparativelyharmless vicissitudesofthechase,forthesakeofbeingnearthescene ofactionandgivinghisordersinperson,yetforCaptainAhab tohaveaboatactuallyapportionedtohimasaregular headsmaninthehuntaboveallforCaptainAhabtobesupplied withfiveextramen,asthatsameboat'screw,hewellknew thatsuchgenerousconceitsneverenteredtheheadsoftheowners ofthePequod.Thereforehehadnotsolicitedaboat'screw fromthem,norhadheinanywayhintedhisdesiresonthathead. Neverthelesshehadtakenprivatemeasuresofhisowntouching allthatmatter.UntilCabaco'spublisheddiscovery, thesailorshadlittleforeseenit,thoughtobesurewhen, afterbeingalittlewhileoutofport,allhandshadconcluded thecustomarybusinessoffittingthewhaleboatsforservice; whensometimeafterthisAhabwasnowandthenfoundbestirring himselfinthematterofmakingtholepinswithhisownhands forwhatwasthoughttobeoneofthespareboats,andeven solicitouslycuttingthesmallwoodenskewers,whichwhen thelineisrunningoutarepinnedoverthegrooveinthebow:

whenallthiswasobservedinhim,andparticularlyhissolicitude inhavinganextracoatofsheathinginthebottomoftheboat, asiftomakeitbetterwithstandthepointedpressureofhis ivorylimb;andalsotheanxietyheevincedinexactlyshaping thethighboard,orclumsycleat,asitissometimescalled, thehorizontalpieceintheboat'sbowforbracingtheknee againstindartingorstabbingatthewhale;whenitwas observedhowoftenhestoodupinthatboatwithhissolitary kneefixedinthesemicirculardepressioninthecleat, andwiththecarpenter'schiselgougedoutalittlehere andstraighteneditalittlethere;allthesethings,Isay, hadawakenedmuchinterestandcuriosityatthetime. Butalmosteverybodysupposedthatthisparticularpreparative heedfulnessinAhabmustonlybewithaviewtotheultimate chaseofMobyDick;forhehadalreadyrevealedhisintention tohuntthatmortalmonsterinperson.Butsuchasupposition didbynomeansinvolvetheremotestsuspicionastoanyboat's crewbeingassignedtothatboat. Now,withthesubordinatephantoms,whatwonderremainedsoon wanedaway;forinawhalerwonderssoonwane.Besides,nowandthen suchunaccountableoddsandendsofstrangenationscomeupfrom theunknownnooksandashholesoftheearthtomanthesefloating outlawsofwhalers;andtheshipsthemselvesoftenpickupsuchqueer castawaycreaturesfoundtossingabouttheopenseaonplanks, bitsofwreck,oars,whaleboats,canoes,blownoffJapanesejunks, andwhatnot;thatBeelzebubhimselfmightclimbupthesideandstep downintothecabintochatwiththecaptain,anditwouldnotcreate anyunsubduableexcitementintheforecastle. Butbeallthisasitmay,certainitisthatwhilethesubordinate phantomssoonfoundtheirplaceamongthecrew,thoughstillasit weresomehowdistinctfromthem,yetthathairturbanedFedallah remainedamuffledmysterytothelast.Whencehecameinamannerly worldlikethis,bywhatsortofunaccountabletiehesoonevinced himselftobelinkedwithAhab'speculiarfortunes;nay,sofar astohavesomesortofahalfhintedinfluence;Heavenknows, butitmighthavebeenevenauthorityoverhim;allthisnoneknew. ButonecannotsustainanindifferentairconcerningFedallah.Hewas suchacreatureascivilized,domesticpeopleinthetemperatezone onlyseeintheirdreams,andthatbutdimly;butthelikeofwhom nowandthenglideamongtheunchangingAsiaticcommunities, especiallytheOrientalislestotheeastofthecontinent thoseinsulated,immemorial,unalterablecountries,whichevenin thesemoderndaysstillpreservemuchoftheghostlyaboriginalness ofearth'sprimalgenerations,whenthememoryofthefirst

manwasadistinctrecollection,andallmenhisdescendants, unknowingwhencehecame,eyedeachotherasrealphantoms,andasked ofthesunandthemoonwhytheywerecreatedandtowhatend; whenthough,accordingtoGenesis,theangelsindeedconsortedwith thedaughtersofmen,thedevilsalso,addtheuncanonicalRobbins, indulgedinmundaneamours. CHAPTER51 TheSpiritSpout Days,weekspassed,andundereasysail,theivoryPequod hadslowlysweptacrossfourseveralcruisinggrounds; thatofftheAzores;offtheCapedeVerdes;onthePlate (socalled),beingoffthemouthoftheRiodelaPlata; andtheCarrolGround,anunstaked,waterylocality, southerlyfromSt.Helena. Itwaswhileglidingthroughtheselatterwatersthatone sereneandmoonlightnight,whenallthewavesrolledbylike scrollsofsilver;and,bytheirsoft,suffusingseethings, madewhatseemedasilverysilence,notasolitude;onsucha silentnightasilveryjetwasseenfarinadvanceofthewhite bubblesatthebow.Litupbythemoon,itlookedcelestial; seemedsomeplumedandglitteringgoduprisingfromthesea. Fedallahfirstdescriedthisjet.Forofthesemoonlightnights, itwashiswonttomounttothemainmasthead,andstand alookoutthere,withthesameprecisionasifithadbeenday. Andyet,thoughherdsofwhaleswereseenbynight,notone whalemaninahundredwouldventurealoweringforthem. Youmaythinkwithwhatemotions,then,theseamenbeheld thisoldOrientalperchedaloftatsuchunusualhours; histurbanandthemoon,companionsinonesky.Butwhen, afterspendinghisuniformintervalthereforseveralsuccessive nightswithoututteringasinglesound;when,afterallthissilence, hisunearthlyvoicewasheardannouncingthatsilvery,moonlitjet, everyrecliningmarinerstartedtohisfeetasifsomewinged spirithadlightedintherigging,andhailedthemortalcrew. "Theresheblows!"Hadthetrumpofjudgmentblown, theycouldnothavequiveredmore;yetstilltheyfeltnoterror; ratherpleasure.Forthoughitwasamostunwontedhour, yetsoimpressivewasthecry,andsodeliriouslyexciting, thatalmosteverysoulonboardinstinctivelydesiredalowering.

 Walkingthedeckwithquick,sidelungingstrides,Ahabcommanded thet'gallantsailsandroyalstobeset,andeverystunsailspread. Thebestmanintheshipmusttakethehelm.Then,withevery mastheadmanned,thepiledupcraftrolleddownbeforethewind. Thestrange,upheaving,liftingtendencyofthetaffrailbreeze fillingthehollowsofsomanysails,madethebuoyant,hoveringdeck tofeellikeairbeneaththefeet;whilestillsherushedalong, asiftwoantagonisticinfluenceswerestrugglinginheronetomount directtoheaven,theothertodriveyawinglytosomehorizontalgoal. AndhadyouwatchedAhab'sfacethatnight,youwouldhavethought thatinhimalsotwodifferentthingswerewarring.Whilehisonelive legmadelivelyechoesalongthedeck,everystrokeofhisdeadlimb soundedlikeacoffintap.Onlifeanddeaththisoldmanwalked. Butthoughtheshipsoswiftlysped,andthoughfromeveryeye, likearrows,theeagerglancesshot,yetthesilveryjetwasno moreseenthatnight.Everysailorsworehesawitonce,butnot asecondtime. Thismidnightspouthadalmostgrownaforgottenthing,when, somedaysafter,lo!atthesamesilenthour,itwasagainannounced: againitwasdescriedbyall;butuponmakingsailtoovertakeit, oncemoreitdisappearedasifithadneverbeen.Andsoitserved usnightafternight,tillnooneheededitbuttowonderatit. Mysteriouslyjettedintotheclearmoonlight,orstarlight, asthecasemightbe;disappearingagainforonewholeday, ortwodays,orthree;andsomehowseemingateverydistinct repetitiontobeadvancingstillfurtherandfurtherinourvan, thissolitaryjetseemedforeveralluringuson. Norwiththeimmemorialsuperstitionoftheirrace, andinaccordancewiththepreternaturalness,asitseemed, whichinmanythingsinvestedthePequod,weretherewanting someoftheseamenwhosworethatwheneverandwhereverdescried; athoweverremotetimes,orinhoweverfarapartlatitudes andlongitudes,thatunnearablespoutwascastbyoneselfsamewhale; andthatwhale,MobyDick.Foratime,therereigned,too,asense ofpeculiardreadatthisflittingapparition,asifitwere treacherouslybeckoningusonandon,inorderthatthemonster mightturnrounduponus,andrendusatlastintheremotest andmostsavageseas. Thesetemporaryapprehensions,sovaguebutsoawful,deriveda wondrouspotencyfromthecontrastingserenityoftheweather, inwhich,beneathallitsblueblandness,somethoughtthere lurkedadevilishcharm,asfordaysanddayswevoyagedalong,

throughseassowearily,lonesomelymild,thatallspace, inrepugnancetoourvengefulerrand,seemedvacatingitself oflifebeforeoururnlikeprow. But,atlast,whenturningtotheeastward,theCapewinds beganhowlingaroundus,andweroseandfelluponthelong, troubledseasthatarethere;whentheivorytuskedPequodsharply bowedtotheblast,andgoredthedarkwavesinhermadness,till, likeshowersofsilverchips,thefoamflakesflewoverherbulwarks; thenallthisdesolatevacuityoflifewentaway,butgaveplace tosightsmoredismalthanbefore. Closetoourbows,strangeformsinthewaterdartedhitherandthither beforeus;whilethickinourrearflewtheinscrutablesearavens.And everymorning,perchedonourstays,rowsofthesebirdswereseen; andspiteofourhootings,foralongtimeobstinatelyclungtothehemp, asthoughtheydeemedourshipsomedrifting,uninhabitedcraft; athingappointedtodesolation,andthereforefitroostingplace fortheirhomelessselves.Andheavedandheaved,stillunrestingly heavedtheblacksea,asifitsvasttideswereaconscience; andthegreatmundanesoulwereinanguishandremorseforthelong sinandsufferingithadbred. CapeofGoodHope,dotheycallye?RatherCapeTormentoto, ascalledofyore;forlongalluredbytheperfidioussilences thatbeforehadattendedus,wefoundourselveslaunchedintothis tormentedsea,whereguiltybeingstransformedintothosefowls andthesefish,seemedcondemnedtoswimoneverlastinglywithout anyhaveninstore,orbeatthatblackairwithoutanyhorizon. Butcalm,snowwhite,andunvarying;stilldirectingitsfountain offeatherstothesky;stillbeckoningusonfrombefore, thesolitaryjetwouldattimesbedescried. Duringallthisblacknessoftheelements,Ahab,thoughassuming forthetimethealmostcontinualcommandofthedrenchedand dangerousdeck,manifestedthegloomiestreserve;andmoreseldom thaneveraddressedhismates.Intempestuoustimeslikethese, aftereverythingaboveandalofthasbeensecured,nothingmore canbedonebutpassivelytoawaittheissueofthegale. ThenCaptainandcrewbecomepracticalfatalists.So,withhis ivoryleginsertedintoitsaccustomedhole,andwithonehand firmlygraspingashroud,Ahabforhoursandhourswouldstand gazingdeadtowindward,whileanoccasionalsquallofsleet orsnowwouldallbutcongealhisveryeyelashestogether. Meantime,thecrewdrivenfromtheforwardpartoftheship bytheperilousseasthatburstinglybrokeoveritsbows,

stoodinalinealongthebulwarksinthewaist;andthebetter toguardagainsttheleapingwaves,eachmanhadslipped himselfintoasortofbowlinesecuredtotherail,inwhich heswungasinaloosenedbelt.Fewornowordswerespoken; andthesilentship,asifmannedbypaintedsailorsinwax, dayafterdaytoreonthroughalltheswiftmadnessandgladness ofthedemoniacwaves.Bynightthesamemutenessofhumanity beforetheshrieksoftheoceanprevailed;stillinsilencethemen swunginthebowlines;stillwordlessAhabstooduptotheblast. Evenwhenweariednatureseemeddemandingreposehewouldnotseek thatreposeinhishammock.NevercouldStarbuckforgettheold man'saspect,whenonenightgoingdownintothecabintomark howthebarometerstood,hesawhimwithclosedeyessitting straightinhisfloorscrewedchair;therainandhalfmelted sleetofthestormfromwhichhehadsometimebeforeemerged, stillslowlydrippingfromtheunremovedhatandcoat. Onthetablebesidehimlayunrolledoneofthosecharts oftidesandcurrentswhichhavepreviouslybeenspokenof. Hislanternswungfromhistightlyclenchedhand. Thoughthebodywaserect,theheadwasthrownbacksothat theclosedeyeswerepointedtowardstheneedleofthetelltale thatswungfromabeamintheceiling.* *Thecabincompassiscalledthetelltale,becausewithout goingtothecompassatthehelm,theCaptain,whilebelow, caninformhimselfofthecourseoftheship. Terribleoldman!thoughtStarbuckwithashudder,sleepinginthisgale, stillthousteadfastlyeyestthypurpose. CHAPTER52 TheAlbatross SoutheastwardfromtheCape,offthedistantCrozetts, agoodcruisinggroundforRightWhalemen,asailloomedahead, theGoney(Albatross)byname.Assheslowlydrewnigh, frommyloftyperchattheforemasthead,Ihadagoodview ofthatsightsoremarkabletoatyrointhefaroceanfisheries awhaleratsea,andlongabsentfromhome.

Asifthewaveshadbeenfullers,thiscraftwasbleached liketheskeletonofastrandedwalrus.Alldownhersides, thisspectralappearancewastracedwithlongchannelsofreddenedrust, whileallhersparsandherriggingwerelikethethickbranches oftreesfurredoverwithhoarfrost.Onlyherlowersailswereset. Awildsightitwastoseeherlongbeardedlookoutsatthosethree mastheads.Theyseemedcladintheskinsofbeasts,sotornand bepatchedtheraimentthathadsurvivednearlyfouryearsofcruising. Standinginironhoopsnailedtothemast,theyswayedandswung overafathomlesssea;andthough,whentheshipslowlyglided closeunderourstern,wesixmenintheaircamesonightoeach otherthatwemightalmosthaveleapedfromthemastheadsofone shiptothoseoftheother;yet,thoseforlornlookingfishermen, mildlyeyeingusastheypassed,saidnotonewordtoourown lookouts,whilethequarterdeckhailwasbeingheardfrombelow. "Shipahoy!HaveyeseentheWhiteWhale?" Butasthestrangecaptain,leaningoverthepallidbulwarks, wasintheactofputtinghistrumpettohismouth,itsomehow fellfromhishandintothesea;andthewindnowrisingamain, heinvainstrovetomakehimselfheardwithoutit. Meantimehisshipwasstillincreasingthedistancebetweenus. WhileinvarioussilentwaystheseamenofthePequodwereevincing theirobservanceofthisominousincidentatthefirstmeremention oftheWhiteWhale'snametoanothership,Ahabforamomentpaused; italmostseemedasthoughhewouldhaveloweredaboat toboardthestranger,hadnotthethreateningwindforbade. Buttakingadvantageofhiswindwardposition,heagainseized histrumpet,andknowingbyheraspectthatthestrangervesselwas aNantucketerandshortlyboundhome,heloudlyhailed"Ahoythere! ThisisthePequod,boundroundtheworld!Tellthemtoaddress allfutureletterstothePacificocean!andthistimethreeyears, ifIamnotathome,tellthemtoaddressthemto" Atthatmomentthetwowakeswerefairlycrossed,andinstantly, then,inaccordancewiththeirsingularways,shoalsofsmall harmlessfish,thatforsomedaysbeforehadbeenplacidlyswimming byourside,dartedawaywithwhatseemedshudderingfins, andrangedthemselvesforeandaftwiththestranger'sflanks. ThoughinthecourseofhiscontinualvoyagingsAhabmustoften beforehavenoticedasimilarsight,yet,toanymonomaniacman, theveriesttriflescapriciouslycarrymeanings. "Swimawayfromme,doye?"murmuredAhab,gazingoverintothewater. Thereseemedbutlittleinthewords,butthetoneconveyedmoreofdeep

helplesssadnessthantheinsaneoldmanhadeverbeforeevinced. Butturningtothesteersman,whothusfarhadbeenholdingtheship inthewindtodiminishherheadway,hecriedoutinhisoldlion voice,"Uphelm!Keepheroffroundtheworld!" Roundtheworld!Thereismuchinthatsoundtoinspire proudfeelings;butwheretodoesallthatcircumnavigationconduct? Onlythroughnumberlessperilstotheverypointwhencewestarted, wherethosethatweleftbehindsecure,wereallthetimebeforeus. Werethisworldanendlessplain,andbysailingeastwardwecould foreverreachnewdistances,anddiscoversightsmoresweetandstrange thananyCycladesorIslandsofKingSolomon,thentherewerepromise inthevoyage.Butinpursuitofthosefarmysterieswedreamof, orintormentedchaseofthatdemonphantomthat,sometimeorother, swimsbeforeallhumanhearts;whilechasingsuchoverthisroundglobe, theyeitherleadusoninbarrenmazesormidwayleaveuswhelmed. CHAPTER53 TheGam TheostensiblereasonwhyAhabdidnotgoonboardofthewhaler wehadspokenwasthis:thewindandseabetokenedstorms. Butevenhadthisnotbeenthecase,hewouldnotafterall, perhaps,haveboardedherjudgingbyhissubsequentconducton similaroccasionsifsoithadbeenthat,bytheprocessofhailing, hehadobtainedanegativeanswertothequestionheput. For,asiteventuallyturnedout,hecarednottoconsort, evenforfiveminutes,withanystrangercaptain,excepthecould contributesomeofthatinformationhesoabsorbinglysought. Butallthismightremaininadequatelyestimated,werenot somethingsaidhereofthepeculiarusagesofwhalingvessels whenmeetingeachotherinforeignseas,andespeciallyon acommoncruisingground. IftwostrangerscrossingthePineBarrensinNewYorkState, ortheequallydesolateSalisburyPlaininEngland;ifcasually encounteringeachotherinsuchinhospitablewilds,thesetwain, forthelifeofthem,cannotwellavoidamutualsalutation; andstoppingforamomenttointerchangethenews; and,perhaps,sittingdownforawhileandrestinginconcert: then,howmuchmorenaturalthatupontheillimitablePineBarrens

andSalisburyPlainsofthesea,twowhalingvesselsdescrying eachotherattheendsoftheearthoffloneFanning'sIsland, orthefarawayKing'sMills;howmuchmorenatural,Isay,thatunder suchcircumstancestheseshipsshouldnotonlyinterchangehails, butcomeintostillcloser,morefriendlyandsociablecontact. Andespeciallywouldthisseemtobeamatterofcourse,inthecase ofvesselsownedinoneseaport,andwhosecaptains,officers, andnotafewofthemenarepersonallyknowntoeachother; andconsequently,haveallsortsofdeardomesticthings totalkabout. Forthelongabsentship,theoutwardbounder,perhaps, haslettersonboard;atanyrate,shewillbesuretolether havesomepapersofadateayearortwolaterthanthelast oneonherblurredandthumbwornfiles.Andinreturnfor thatcourtesy,theoutwardboundshipwouldreceivethelatest whalingintelligencefromthecruisinggroundtowhichshe maybedestined,athingoftheutmostimportancetoher. Andindegree,allthiswillholdtrueconcerningwhalingvessels crossingeachother'strackonthecruisinggrounditself, eventhoughtheyareequallylongabsentfromhome.Forone ofthemmayhavereceivedatransferoflettersfromsomethird, andnowfarremotevessel;andsomeofthoselettersmaybe forthepeopleoftheshipshenowmeets.Besides,theywould exchangethewhalingnews,andhaveanagreeablechat. Fornotonlywouldtheymeetwithallthesympathiesofsailors, butlikewisewithallthepeculiarcongenialitiesarisingfrom acommonpursuitandmutuallysharedprivationsandperils. Norwoulddifferenceofcountrymakeanyveryessentialdifference; thatis,solongasbothpartiesspeakonelanguage,asisthecase withAmericansandEnglish.Though,tobesure,fromthesmallnumber ofEnglishwhalers,suchmeetingsdonotveryoftenoccur,andwhenthey dooccurthere.istooapttobeasortofshynessbetweenthem; foryourEnglishmanisratherreserved,andyourYankee,hedoesnot fancythatsortofthinginanybodybuthimself.Besides,theEnglish whalerssometimesaffectakindofmetropolitansuperiority overtheAmericanwhalers;regardingthelong,leanNantucketer, withhisnondescriptprovincialisms,asasortofseapeasant.But wherethissuperiorityintheEnglishwhalemandoesreallyconsist, itwouldbehardtosay,seeingthattheYankeesinoneday,collectively, killmorewhalesthanalltheEnglish,collectively,intenyears. ButthisisaharmlesslittlefoibleintheEnglishwhalehunters,which theNantucketerdoesnottakemuchtoheart;probably,becauseheknows thathehasafewfoibleshimself.

So,then,weseethatofallshipsseparatelysailingthesea, thewhalershavemostreasontobesociableandtheyareso. Whereas,somemerchantshipscrossingeachother'swakeinthe midAtlantic,willoftentimespassonwithoutsomuchasasingle wordofrecognition,mutuallycuttingeachotheronthehighseas, likeabraceofdandiesinBroadway;andallthetimeindulging, perhaps,infinicalcriticismuponeachother'srig. AsforMenofWar,whentheychancetomeetatsea,theyfirst gothroughsuchastringofsillybowingsandscrapings, suchaduckingofensigns,thattheredoesnotseemtobemuch rightdownheartygoodwillandbrotherlyloveaboutitatall. AstouchingSlaveshipsmeeting,why,theyareinsucha prodigioushurry,theyrunawayfromeachotherassoonaspossible. AndasforPirates,whentheychancetocrosseachother's crossbones,thefirsthailis"Howmanyskulls?" thesamewaythatwhalershail"Howmanybarrels?" Andthatquestiononceanswered,piratesstraightwaysteerapart, fortheyareinfernalvillainsonbothsides,anddon'tlike toseeovermuchofeachother'svillanouslikenesses. Butlookatthegodly,honest,unostentatious,hospitable,sociable, freeandeasywhaler!Whatdoesthewhalerdowhenshemeets anotherwhalerinanysortofdecentweather?Shehasa"Gam," athingsoutterlyunknowntoallothershipsthattheynever heardofthenameeven;andifbychancetheyshouldhearofit, theyonlygrinatit,andrepeatgamesomestuffabout"spouters" and"blubberboilers,"andsuchlikeprettyexclamations. WhyitisthatallMerchantseamen,andalsoallPiratesand ManofWar'smen,andSlaveshipsailors,cherishsuchascornful feelingtowardsWhaleships;thisisaquestionitwouldbehard toanswer.Because,inthecaseofpirates,say,Ishouldliketoknow whetherthatprofessionoftheirshasanypeculiargloryaboutit. Itsometimesendsinuncommonelevation,indeed;butonlyatthegallows. Andbesides,whenamaniselevatedinthatoddfashion,hehas noproperfoundationforhissuperioraltitude.Hence,Iconclude, thatinboastinghimselftobehighliftedaboveawhaleman, inthatassertionthepiratehasnosolidbasistostandon. ButwhatisaGam?Youmightwearoutyourindexfingerrunning upanddownthecolumnsofdictionaries,andneverfindtheword, Dr.Johnsonneverattainedtothaterudition;NoahWebster's arkdoesnotholdit.Nevertheless,thissameexpressiveword hasnowformanyyearsbeeninconstantuseamongsomefifteen thousandtruebornYankees.Certainly,itneedsadefinition, andshouldbeincorporatedintotheLexicon.Withthatview, letmelearnedlydefineit.

 GAM.NOUNAsocialmeetingoftwo(ormore)Whaleships,generallyon acruisingground;when,afterexchanginghails,theyexchange visitsbyboats'crews,thetwocaptainsremaining,forthetime, onboardofoneship,andthetwochiefmatesontheother. ThereisanotherlittleitemaboutGammingwhichmustnot beforgottenhere.Allprofessionshavetheirownlittle peculiaritiesofdetail;sohasthewhalefishery.Inapirate, manofwar,orslaveship,whenthecaptainisrowedanywhere inhisboat,healwayssitsinthesternsheetsonacomfortable, sometimescushionedseatthere,andoftensteershimselfwithapretty littlemilliner'stillerdecoratedwithgaycordsandribbons. Butthewhaleboathasnoseatastern,nosofaofthatsortwhatever, andnotilleratall.Hightimesindeed,ifwhalingcaptainswerewheeled aboutthewateroncastorslikegoutyoldaldermeninpatentchairs. Andasforatiller,thewhaleboatneveradmitsofanysucheffeminacy; andthereforeasingammingacompleteboat'screwmustleavetheship, andhenceastheboatsteererorharpooneerisofthenumber, thatsubordinateisthesteersmanupontheoccasion,andthecaptain, havingnoplacetositin,ispulledofftohisvisitallstanding likeapinetree.Andoftenyouwillnoticethatbeingconscious oftheeyesofthewholevisibleworldrestingonhimfrom thesidesofthetwoships,thisstandingcaptainisallalive totheimportanceofsustaininghisdignitybymaintaininghislegs. Noristhisanyveryeasymatter;forinhisrearistheimmense projectingsteeringoarhittinghimnowandtheninthesmallof hisback,theafteroarreciprocatingbyrappinghiskneesinfront. Heisthuscompletelywedgedbeforeandbehind,andcanonly expandhimselfsidewaysbysettlingdownonhisstretchedlegs; butasudden,violentpitchoftheboatwilloftengofartotopplehim, becauselengthoffoundationisnothingwithoutcorrespondingbreadth. Merelymakeaspreadangleoftwopoles,andyoucannotstandthemup. Then,again,itwouldneverdoinplainsightoftheworld'srivetedeyes, itwouldneverdo,Isay,forthisstraddlingcaptaintobeseen steadyinghimselftheslightestparticlebycatchingholdofanything withhishands;indeed,astokenofhisentire,buoyantselfcommand, hegenerallycarrieshishandsinhistrowsers'pockets;butperhapsbeing generallyverylarge,heavyhands,hecarriesthemthereforballast. Neverthelesstherehaveoccurredinstances,wellauthenticatedonestoo, wherethecaptainhasbeenknownforanuncommonlycriticalmomentortwo, inasuddensquallsaytoseizeholdofthenearestoarsman'shair, andholdontherelikegrimdeath.

CHAPTER54 TheTownHo'sStory (AstoldattheGoldenInn) TheCapeofGoodHope,andallthewateryregionroundaboutthere, ismuchlikesomenotedfourcornersofagreathighway,whereyou meetmoretravellersthaninanyotherpart. ItwasnotverylongafterspeakingtheGoneythatanother homewardboundwhaleman,theTownHo,*wasencountered. ShewasmannedalmostwhollybyPolynesians.Intheshortgamthat ensuedshegaveusstrongnewsofMobyDick.Tosomethegeneral interestintheWhiteWhalewasnowwildlyheightenedbyacircumstance oftheTownHo'sstory,whichseemedobscurelytoinvolvewiththewhale acertainwondrous,invertedvisitationofoneofthosesocalled judgmentsofGodwhichattimesaresaidtoovertakesomemen. Thislattercircumstance,withitsownparticularaccompaniments, formingwhatmaybecalledthesecretpartofthetragedyaboutto benarrated,neverreachedtheearsofCaptainAhaborhismates. Forthatsecretpartofthestorywasunknowntothecaptain oftheTownHohimself.Itwastheprivatepropertyofthree confederatewhiteseamenofthatship,oneofwhom,itseems, communicatedittoTashtegowithRomishinjunctionsofsecrecy, butthefollowingnightTashtegorambledinhissleep,andrevealed somuchofitinthatway,thatwhenhewaswakenedhecouldnot wellwithholdtherest.Nevertheless,sopotentaninfluencedid thisthinghaveonthoseseameninthePequodwhocametothefull knowledgeofit,andbysuchastrangedelicacy,tocallitso, weretheygovernedinthismatter,thattheykeptthesecretamong themselvessothatitnevertranspiredabaftthePequod'smainmast. Interweavinginitsproperplacethisdarkerthreadwiththestory aspubliclynarratedontheship,thewholeofthisstrangeaffair Inowproceedtoputonlastingrecord. *Theancientwhalecryuponfirstsightingawhalefromthemasthead, stillusedbywhalemeninhuntingthefamousGallipagosterrapin. Formyhumor'ssake,IshallpreservethestyleinwhichIoncenarrated itatLima,toaloungingcircleofmySpanishfriends,onesaint'seve, smokinguponthethickgilttiledpiazzaoftheGoldenInn.Ofthose

finecavaliers,theyoungDons,PedroandSebastian,wereonthecloser termswithme;andhencetheinterludingquestionstheyoccasionallyput, andwhicharedulyansweredatthetime. "SometwoyearspriortomyfirstlearningtheeventswhichIamabout rehearsingtoyou,gentlemen,theTownHo,SpermWhalerofNantucket, wascruisinginyourPacifichere,notverymanydays'saileastwardfrom theeavesofthisgoodGoldenInn.Shewassomewheretothenorthwardof theLine.Onemorninguponhandlingthepumpsaccordingtodailyusage, itwasobservedthatshemademorewaterinherholdthancommon. Theysupposedaswordfishhadstabbedher,gentlemen.Butthecaptain, havingsomeunusualreasonforbelievingthatraregoodluckawaited himinthoselatitudes;andthereforebeingveryaversetoquitthem, andtheleaknotbeingthenconsideredatalldangerous,though,indeed, theycouldnotfinditaftersearchingtheholdaslowdownaswas possibleinratherheavyweather,theshipstillcontinuedhercruisings, themarinersworkingatthepumpsatwideandeasyintervals;butnogood luckcame;moredayswentbyandnotonlywastheleakyetundiscovered, butitsensiblyincreased.Somuchso,thatnowtakingsomealarm, thecaptain,makingallsail,stoodawayforthenearestharboramong theislands,theretohavehishullhoveoutandrepaired. "Thoughnosmallpassagewasbeforeher,yet,ifthecommonest chancefavoured,hedidnotatallfearthathisshipwouldfounder bytheway,becausehispumpswereofthebest,andbeingperiodically relievedatthem,thosesixandthirtymenofhiscouldeasily keeptheshipfree;nevermindiftheleakshoulddoubleonher. Intruth,wellnighthewholeofthispassagebeingattendedbyvery prosperousbreezes,theTownHohadallbutcertainlyarrivedinperfect safetyatherportwithouttheoccurrenceoftheleastfatality, haditnotbeenforthebrutaloverbearingofRadney,themate, aVineyarder,andthebitterlyprovokedvengeanceofSteelkilt, aLakemananddesperadofromBuffalo. "'Lakeman!Buffalo!Pray,whatisaLakeman,andwhereisBuffalo?' saidDonSebastian,risinginhisswingingmatofgrass. "OntheeasternshoreofourLakeErie,Don;butIcrave yourcourtesymaybe,youshallsoonhearfurtherofallthat. Now,gentlemen,insquaresailbrigsandthreemastedships, wellnighaslargeandstoutasanythateversailedoutofyour oldCallaotofarManilla;thisLakeman,inthelandlockedheart ofourAmerica,hadyetbeennurturedbyallthoseagrarian freebootingimpressionspopularlyconnectedwiththeopenocean. Forintheirinterflowingaggregate,thosegrandfreshwaterseas ofours,Erie,andOntario,andHuron,andSuperior,andMichigan,

possessanoceanlikeexpansiveness,withmanyoftheocean's noblesttraits;withmanyofitsrimmedvarietiesofracesand ofclimes.Theycontainroundarchipelagoesofromanticisles, evenasthePolynesianwatersdo;inlargepart,areshoredbytwo greatcontrastingnations,astheAtlanticis;theyfurnishlong maritimeapproachestoournumerousterritorialcoloniesfromtheEast, dottedallroundtheirbanks;hereandtherearefrownedupon bybatteries,andbythegoatlikecraggygunsofloftyMackinaw; theyhaveheardthefleetthunderingsofnavalvictories;atintervals, theyyieldtheirbeachestowildbarbarians,whoseredpainted facesflashfromouttheirpeltrywigwams;forleaguesandleagues areflankedbyancientandunenteredforests,wherethegaunt pinesstandlikeserriedlinesofkingsinGothicgenealogies; thosesamewoodsharboringwildAfricbeastsofprey,andsilken creatureswhoseexportedfursgiverobestoTartarEmperors; theymirrorthepavedcapitalsofBuffaloandCleveland,aswellas Winnebagovillages;theyfloatalikethefullriggedmerchantship, thearmedcruiseroftheState,thesteamer,andthebeechcanoe; theyaresweptbyBoreananddismastingblastsasdireful asanythatlashthesaltedwave;theyknowwhatshipwrecksare, foroutofsightofland,howeverinland,theyhavedrowned fullmanyamidnightshipwithallitsshriekingcrew. Thus,gentlemen,thoughaninlander,Steelkiltwaswildoceanborn, andwildoceannurtured;asmuchofanaudaciousmarinerasany. AndforRadney,thoughinhisinfancyhemayhavelaidhim downontheloneNantucketbeach,tonurseathismaternalsea; thoughinafterlifehehadlongfollowedouraustere AtlanticandyourcontemplativePacific;yetwashequite asvengefulandfullofsocialquarrelasthebackwoodsseaman, freshfromthelatitudesofbuckhornhandledBowieknives.Yet wasthisNantucketeramanwithsomegoodheartedtraits; andthisLakeman,amariner,whothoughasortofdevilindeed, mightyetbyinflexiblefirmness,onlytemperedbythatcommon decencyofhumanrecognitionwhichisthemeanestslave'sright; thustreated,thisSteelkilthadlongbeenretainedharmlessanddocile. Atallevents,hehadprovedsothusfar;butRadneywasdoomed andmademad,andSteelkiltbut,gentlemen,youshallhear. "Itwasnotmorethanadayortwoatthefurthestafterpointingherprow forherislandhaven,thattheTownHo'sleakseemedagainincreasing, butonlysoastorequireanhourormoreatthepumpseveryday. YoumustknowthatinasettledandcivilizedoceanlikeourAtlantic, forexample,someskippersthinklittleofpumpingtheirwholeway acrossit;thoughofastill,sleepynight,shouldtheofficerofthedeck happentoforgethisdutyinthatrespect,theprobabilitywouldbethat heandhisshipmateswouldneveragainrememberit,onaccountofall

handsgentlysubsidingtothebottom.Norinthesolitaryandsavage seasfarfromyoutothewestward,gentlemen,isitaltogetherunusual forshipstokeepclangingattheirpumphandlesinfullchoruseven foravoyageofconsiderablelength!thatis,ifitliealongatolerably accessiblecoast,orifanyotherreasonableretreatisaffordedthem. Itisonlywhenaleakyvesselisinsomeveryoutofthewaypart ofthosewaters,somereallylandlesslatitude,thathercaptainbegins tofeelalittleanxious. "MuchthiswayhaditbeenwiththeTownHo;sowhenherleak wasfoundgainingoncemore,therewasintruthsomesmallconcern manifestedbyseveralofhercompany;especiallybyRadneythemate. Hecommandedtheuppersailstobewellhoisted,sheetedhomeanew, andeverywayexpandedtothebreeze.NowthisRadney,Isuppose, wasaslittleofacoward,andaslittleinclinedtoanysort ofnervousapprehensivenesstouchinghisownpersonasanyfearless, unthinkingcreatureonlandoronseathatyoucanconveniently imagine,gentlemen.Thereforewhenhebetrayedthisimagine, solicitudeaboutthesafetyoftheship,someoftheseamendeclared thatitwasonlyonaccountofhisbeingapartownerinher. Sowhentheywereworkingthateveningatthepumps,therewasonthis headnosmallgamesomenessslilygoingonamongthem,astheystood withtheirfeetcontinuallyoverflowedbytheripplingclearwater; clearasanymountainspring,gentlementhatbubblingfromthepumps ranacrossthedeck,andpoureditselfoutinsteadyspoutsat theleescupperholes. "Now,asyouwellknow,itisnotseldomthecaseinthis conventionalworldofourswateryorotherwise;thatwhenaperson placedincommandoverhisfellowmenfindsoneofthemtobe verysignificantlyhissuperioringeneralprideofmanhood, straightwayagainstthatmanheconceivesanunconquerabledislike andbitterness;andifhehadachancehewillpulldownandpulverize thatsubaltern'stower,andmakealittleheapofdustofit. Bethisconceitofmineasitmay,gentlemen,atallevents SteelkiltwasatallandnobleanimalwithaheadlikeaRoman, andaflowinggoldenbeardlikethetasseledhousingsofyour lastviceroy'ssnortingcharger;andabrain,andaheart, andasoulinhim,gentlemen,whichhadmadeSteelkiltCharlemagne, hadhebeenbornsontoCharlemagne'sfather.ButRadney,themate, wasuglyasamule;yetashardy,asstubborn,asmalicious. HedidnotloveSteelkilt,andSteelkiltknewit. "Espyingthematedrawingnearashewastoilingatthepump withtherest,theLakemanaffectednottonoticehim,butunawed, wentonwithhisgaybanterings.

 "'Aye,aye,mymerrylads,it'salivelyleakthis;holdacannikin, oneofye,andlet'shaveataste.BytheLord,it'sworthbottling! Itellyewhat,men,oldRad'sinvestmentmustgoforit! hehadbestcutawayhispartofthehullandtowithome. Thefactis,boys,thatswordfishonlybeganthejob;he'scome backagainwithagangofshipcarpenters,sawfish,andfilefish, andwhatnot;andthewholeposseof'emarenowhardatwork cuttingandslashingatthebottom;makingimprovements,Isuppose. IfoldRadwereherenow,I'dtellhimtojumpoverboardandscatter'em. They'replayingthedevilwithhisestate,Icantellhim. Buthe'sasimpleoldsoul,Rad,andabeautytoo.Boys,theysay therestofhispropertyisinvestedinlookingglasses.Iwonder ifhe'dgiveapoordevillikemethemodelofhisnose.' "'Damnyoureyes!what'sthatpumpstoppingfor?'roaredRadney, pretendingnottohaveheardthesailors'talk.'Thunderawayatit!' 'Aye,aye,sir,'saidSteelkilt,merryasacricket. 'Lively,boys,lively,now!'Andwiththatthepumpclanged likefiftyfireengines;thementossedtheirhatsofftoit, anderelongthatpeculiargaspingofthelungswasheard whichdenotesthefullesttensionoflife'sutmostenergies. "Quittingthepumpatlast,withtherestofhisband,theLakeman wentforwardallpanting,andsathimselfdownonthewindlass; hisfacefieryred,hiseyesbloodshot,andwipingtheprofusesweat fromhisbrow.Nowwhatcozeningfienditwas,gentlemen,thatpossessed Radneytomeddlewithsuchamaninthatcorporeallyexasperatedstate, Iknownot;butsoithappened.Intolerablystridingalongthedeck, thematecommandedhimtogetabroomandsweepdowntheplanks, andalsoashovel,andremovesomeoffensivemattersconsequentupon allowingapigtorunatlarge. "Now,gentlemen,sweepingaship'sdeckatseaisapieceofhousehold workwhichinalltimesbutraginggalesisregularlyattended toeveryevening;ithasbeenknowntobedoneinthecaseofships actuallyfounderingatthetime.Such,gentlemen,istheinflexibility ofseausagesandtheinstinctiveloveofneatnessinseamen; someofwhomwouldnotwillinglydrownwithoutfirstwashingtheirfaces. Butinallvesselsthisbroombusinessistheprescriptiveprovince oftheboys,ifboystherebeaboard.Besides,itwasthestronger menintheTownHothathadbeendividedintogangs,takingturns atthepumps;andbeingthemostathleticseamanofthemall, Steelkilthadbeenregularlyassignedcaptainofoneofthegangs; consequentlyheshouldhavebeenfreedfromanytrivialbusiness

notconnectedwithtrulynauticalduties,suchbeingthecase withhiscomrades.Imentionalltheseparticularssothatyou mayunderstandexactlyhowthisaffairstoodbetweenthetwomen. "Buttherewasmorethanthis:theorderabouttheshovelwasalmost asplainlymeanttostingandinsultSteelkilt,asthoughRadney hadspatinhisface.Anymanwhohasgonesailorinawhaleship willunderstandthis;andallthisanddoubtlessmuchmore, theLakemanfullycomprehendedwhenthemateutteredhiscommand. Butashesatstillforamoment,andashesteadfastly lookedintothemate'smalignanteyeandperceivedthestacks ofpowdercasksheapedupinhimandtheslowmatchsilently burningalongtowardsthem;asheinstinctivelysawallthis, thatstrangeforbearanceandunwillingnesstostirupthedeeper passionatenessinanyalreadyirefulbeingarepugnancemostfelt, whenfeltatall,byreallyvaliantmenevenwhenaggrieved thisnamelessphantomfeeling,gentlemen,stoleoverSteelkilt. "Therefore,inhisordinarytone,onlyalittlebrokenbythebodily exhaustionhewastemporarilyin,heansweredhimsayingthat sweepingthedeckwasnothisbusiness,andhewouldnotdoit. Andthen,withoutatallalludingtotheshovel,hepointed tothreelads,asthecustomarysweepers;who,notbeing billetedatthepumps,haddonelittleornothingallday. Tothis,Radneyreplied,withanoath,inamostdomineering andoutrageousmannerunconditionallyreiteratinghiscommand; meanwhileadvancinguponthestillseatedLakeman,withanuplifted cooper'sclubhammerwhichhehadsnatchedfromacasknearby. "Heatedandirritatedashewasbyhisspasmodictoilatthepumps, forallhisfirstnamelessfeelingofforbearancethesweating Steelkiltcouldbutillbrookthisbearinginthemate; butsomehowstillsmotheringtheconflagrationwithinhim, withoutspeakingheremaineddoggedlyrootedtohisseat, tillatlasttheincensedRadneyshookthehammerwithinafew inchesofhisface,furiouslycommandinghimtodohisbidding. "Steelkiltrose,andslowlyretreatingroundthewindlass, steadilyfollowedbythematewithhismenacinghammer, deliberatelyrepeatedhisintentionnottoobey.Seeing,however, thathisforbearancehadnottheslightesteffect,byanawful andunspeakableintimationwithhistwistedhandhewarnedoff thefoolishandinfatuatedman;butitwastonopurpose. Andinthiswaythetwowentonceslowlyroundthewindlass; when,resolvedatlastnolongertoretreat,bethinkinghim thathehadnowforborneasmuchascomportedwithhishumor,

theLakemanpausedonthehatchesandthusspoketotheofficer: "'Mr.Radney,Iwillnotobeyyou.Takethathammeraway,orlook toyourself.'Butthepredestinatedmatecomingstillclosertohim, wheretheLakemanstoodfixed,nowshooktheheavyhammerwithinaninch ofhisteeth;meanwhilerepeatingastringofinsufferablemaledictions. Retreatingnotthethousandthpartofaninch;stabbinghimintheeye withtheunflinchingponiardofhisglance,Steelkilt,clenchinghis righthandbehindhimandcreepinglydrawingitback,toldhispersecutor thatifthehammerbutgrazedhischeekhe(Steelkilt)wouldmurderhim. But,gentlemen,thefoolhadbeenbrandedfortheslaughterbythegods. Immediatelythehammertouchedthecheek;thenextinstantthelower jawofthematewasstoveinhishead;hefellonthehatchspouting bloodlikeawhale. "ErethecrycouldgoaftSteelkiltwasshakingoneofthebackstays leadingfaralofttowheretwoofhiscomradeswerestanding theirmastheads.TheywerebothCanallers. "'Canallers!'criedDonPedro.'Wehaveseenmanywhaleships inourharbors,butneverheardofyourCanallers.Pardon:whoand whatarethey?' "'Canallers,Don,aretheboatmenbelongingtoourgrand ErieCanal.Youmusthaveheardofit.' "'Nay,Senor;hereaboutsinthisdull,warm,mostlazy, andhereditaryland,weknowbutlittleofyourvigorousNorth.' "'Aye?Wellthen,Don,refillmycup.Yourchicha'sveryfine; andereproceedingfurtherIwilltellyewhatourCanallersare; forsuchinformationmaythrowsidelightuponmystory.' "Forthreehundredandsixtymiles,gentlemen,throughtheentirebreadth ofthestateofNewYork;throughnumerouspopulouscitiesandmost thrivingvillages;throughlong,dismal,uninhabitedswamps,andaffluent, cultivatedfields,unrivalledforfertility;bybilliardroom andbarroom;throughtheholyofholiesofgreatforests;onRomanarches overIndianrivers;throughsunandshade;byhappyheartsorbroken; throughallthewidecontrastingsceneryofthosenobleMohawkcounties; andespecially,byrowsofsnowwhitechapels,whosespiresstand almostlikemilestones,flowsonecontinualstreamofVenetianly corruptandoftenlawlesslife.There'syourtrueAshantee,gentlemen; therehowlyourpagans;whereyoueverfindthem,nextdoortoyou; underthelongflungshadow,andthesnugpatronizingleeofchurches. Forbysomecuriousfatality,asitisoftennotedofyourmetropolitan

freebootersthattheyeverencamparoundthehallsofjustice, sosinners,gentlemen,mostaboundinholiestvicinities. "'Isthatafriarpassing?'saidDonPedro,lookingdownwards intothecrowdedplazza,withhumorousconcern. "'Wellforournorthernfriend,DameIsabella'sInquisitionwanes inLima,'laughedDonSebastian.'Proceed,Senor.' "'Amoment!Pardon!'criedanotherofthecompany.'Inthename ofallusLimeese,Ibutdesiretoexpresstoyou,sirsailor, thatwehavebynomeansoverlookedyourdelicacyinnotsubstituting presentLimafordistantVeniceinyourcorruptcomparison. Oh!donotbowandlooksurprised:youknowtheproverballalong thiscoast"CorruptasLima."Itbutbearsoutyoursaying,too; churchesmoreplentifulthanbilliardtables,andforeveropenand "CorruptasLima."So,too,Venice;Ihavebeenthere;theholy cityoftheblessedevangelist,St.Mark!St.Dominic,purgeit! Yourcup!Thanks:hereIrefill;now,youpouroutagain.' "Freelydepictedinhisownvocation,gentlemen,theCanaller wouldmakeafinedramatichero,soabundantlyandpicturesquely wickedishe.LikeMarkAntony,fordaysanddaysalonghis greenturfed,floweryNile,heindolentlyfloats,openlytoying withhisredcheekedCleopatra,ripeninghisapricotthighupon thesunnydeck.Butashore,allthiseffeminacyisdashed. ThebrigandishguisewhichtheCanallersoproudlysports; hisslouchedandgailyribbonedhatbetokenhisgrandfeatures. Aterrortothesmilinginnocenceofthevillagesthroughwhichhefloats; hisswartvisageandboldswaggerarenotunshunnedincities. Onceavagabondonhisowncanal,Ihavereceivedgoodturns fromoneoftheseCanallers;Ithankhimheartily;wouldfainbe notungrateful;butitisoftenoneoftheprimeredeemingqualities ofyourmanofviolence,thatattimeshehasasstiffanarm tobackapoorstrangerinastrait,astoplunderawealthyone. Insum,gentlemen,whatthewildnessofthiscanallifeis, isemphaticallyevincedbythis;thatourwildwhalefisherycontainsso manyofitsmostfinishedgraduates,andthatscarceanyraceofmankind, exceptSydneymen,aresomuchdistrustedbyourwhalingcaptains. Nordoesitatalldiminishthecuriousnessofthismatter,thatto manythousandsofourruralboysandyoungmenbornalongitsline, theprobationarylifeoftheGrandCanalfurnishesthesoletransition betweenquietlyreapinginaChristiancornfield,andrecklessly ploughingthewatersofthemostbarbaricseas. "'Isee!Isee!'impetuouslyexclaimedDonPedro,spillinghis

chichauponhissilveryruffles.'Noneedtotravel! Theworld'soneLima.Ihadthought,now,thatatyourtemperate Norththegenerationswerecoldandholyasthehills. Butthestory.' "Ihadleftoff,gentlemen,wheretheLakemanshookthebackstay. Hardlyhadhedoneso,whenhewassurroundedbythethreejunior matesandthefourharpooneers,whoallcrowdedhimtothedeck. Butslidingdowntheropeslikebalefulcomets,thetwoCanallers rushedintotheuproar,andsoughttodragtheirmanoutofittowards theforecastle.Othersofthesailorsjoinedwiththeminthisattempt, andatwistedturmoilensued;whilestandingoutofharm'sway, thevaliantcaptaindancedupanddownwithawhalepike,calling uponhisofficerstomanhandlethatatrociousscoundrel,andsmoke himalongtothequarterdeck.Atintervals,herancloseupto therevolvingborderoftheconfusion,andpryingintotheheartofit withhispike,soughttoprickouttheobjectofhisresentment. ButSteelkiltandhisdesperadoesweretoomuchforthemall; theysucceededingainingtheforecastledeck,where,hastilyslewing aboutthreeorfourlargecasksinalinewiththewindlass, theseseaParisiansentrenchedthemselvesbehindthebarricade. "'Comeoutofthat,yepirates!'roaredthecaptain,nowmenacing themwithapistolineachhand,justbroughttohimbythesteward. 'Comeoutofthat,yecutthroats!' "Steelkiltleapedonthebarricade,andstridingupanddownthere, defiedtheworstthepistolscoulddo;butgavethecaptain tounderstanddistinctly,thathis(Steelkilt's)deathwould bethesignalforamurderousmutinyonthepartofallhands. Fearinginhisheartlestthismightprovebuttootrue, thecaptainalittledesisted,butstillcommandedtheinsurgents instantlytoreturntotheirduty. "'Willyoupromisenottotouchus,ifwedo?'demandedtheirringleader. "'Turnto!turnto!Imakenopromise;toyourduty! Doyouwanttosinktheship,byknockingoffatatimelikethis? Turnto!'andheoncemoreraisedapistol. "'Sinktheship?'criedSteelkilt.'Aye,lethersink. Notamanofusturnsto,unlessyouswearnottoraisearopeyarn againstus.Whatsayye,men?'turningtohiscomrades. Afiercecheerwastheirresponse. "TheLakemannowpatrolledthebarricade,allthewhilekeeping

hiseyeontheCaptain,andjerkingoutsuchsentencesasthese: 'It'snotourfault;wedidn'twantit;Itoldhimtotake hishammeraway;itwasboy'sbusiness;hemighthaveknown mebeforethis;Itoldhimnottoprickthebuffalo; IbelieveIhavebrokenafingerhereagainsthiscursedjaw; ain'tthosemincingknivesdownintheforecastlethere, men?looktothosehandspikes,myhearties.Captain,byGod, looktoyourself;saytheword;don'tbeafool;forgetitall; wearereadytoturnto;treatusdecently,andwe'reyourmen; butwewon'tbeflogged.' "'Turnto!Imakenopromises,turnto,Isay!' "'Lookye,now,'criedtheLakeman,flingingouthisarmtowardshim, 'thereareafewofushere(andIamoneofthem)whohaveshipped forthecruise,d'yesee;nowasyouwellknow,sir,wecanclaim ourdischargeassoonastheanchorisdown;sowedon'twantarow; it'snotourinterest;wewanttobepeaceable;wearereadytowork, butwewon'tbeflogged.' "'Turnto!'roaredtheCaptain. "Steelkiltglancedroundhimamoment,andthensaid:'Itell youwhatitisnow,Captain,ratherthankillye,andbehung forsuchashabbyrascal,wewon'tliftahandagainstyeunless yeattackus;buttillyousaythewordaboutnotfloggingus, wedon'tdoahand'sturn.' "'Downintotheforecastlethen,downwithye,I'llkeepyethere tillye'resickofit.Downyego.' "'Shallwe?'criedtheringleadertohismen.Mostofthem wereagainstit;butatlength,inobediencetoSteelkilt, theyprecededhimdownintotheirdarkden,growlinglydisappearing, likebearsintoacave. "AstheLakeman'sbareheadwasjustlevelwiththeplanks, theCaptainandhisposseleapedthebarricade,andrapidlydrawing overtheslideofthescuttle,plantedtheirgroupofhandsuponit, andloudlycalledforthestewardtobringtheheavybrasspadlock belongingtothecompanionway. Thenopeningtheslidealittle,theCaptainwhisperedsomethingdown thecrack,closedit,andturnedthekeyuponthemteninnumber leavingondecksometwentyormore,whothusfarhadremainedneutral.

"Allnightawideawakewatchwaskeptbyalltheofficers, forwardandaft,especiallyabouttheforecastlescuttleand forehatchway;atwhichlastplaceitwasfearedtheinsurgents mightemerge,afterbreakingthroughthebulkheadbelow. Butthehoursofdarknesspassedinpeace;themenwhostill remainedattheirdutytoilinghardatthepumps,whoseclinking andclankingatintervalsthroughthedrearynightdismally resoundedthroughtheship. "AtsunrisetheCaptainwentforward,andknockingonthedeck, summonedtheprisonerstowork;butwithayelltheyrefused. Waterwasthenlowereddowntothem,andacoupleofhandfuls ofbiscuitweretossedafterit;whenagainturningthekeyupon themandpocketingit,theCaptainreturnedtothequarterdeck. Twiceeverydayforthreedaysthiswasrepeated;butonthefourth morningaconfusedwrangling,andthenascufflingwasheard, asthecustomarysummonswasdelivered;andsuddenlyfourmen burstupfromtheforecastle,sayingtheywerereadytoturnto. Thefetidclosenessoftheair,andafamishingdiet,unitedperhaps tosomefearsofultimateretribution,hadconstrainedthemto surrenderatdiscretion.Emboldenedbythis,theCaptainreiterated hisdemandtotherest,butSteelkiltshouteduptohimaterrific hinttostophisbabblingandbetakehimselfwherehebelonged. Onthefifthmorningthreeothersofthemutineersboltedupinto theairfromthedesperatearmsbelowthatsoughttorestrainthem. Onlythreewereleft. "'Betterturnto,now?'saidtheCaptainwithaheartlessjeer. "'Shutusupagain,willye!'criedSteelkilt. "Oh!certainly,"saidtheCaptain,andthekeyclicked. "Itwasatthispoint,gentlemen,thatenragedbythedefection ofsevenofhisformerassociates,andstungbythemockingvoice thathadlasthailedhim,andmaddenedbyhislongentombmentinaplace asblackasthebowelsofdespair;itwasthenthatSteelkiltproposed tothetwoCanallers,thusfarapparentlyofonemindwithhim,toburst outoftheirholeatthenextsummoningofthegarrison;andarmed withtheirkeenmincingknives(long,crescentic,heavyimplements withahandleateachend)runamuckfromthebowsprittothetaffrail; andifbyanydevilishnessofdesperationpossible,seizetheship. Forhimself,hewoulddothis,hesaid,whethertheyjoinedhim ornot.Thatwasthelastnightheshouldspendinthatden. Buttheschememetwithnooppositiononthepartoftheothertwo; theysworetheywerereadyforthat,orforanyothermadthing,

foranythinginshortbutasurrender.Andwhatwasmore,theyeach insisteduponbeingthefirstmanondeck,whenthetimetomake therushshouldcome.Buttothistheirleaderasfiercelyobjected, reservingthatpriorityforhimself;particularlyashistwocomrades wouldnotyield,theonetotheother,inthematter;andbothofthem couldnotbefirst,fortheladderwouldbutadmitonemanatatime. Andhere,gentlemen,thefoulplayofthesemiscreantsmustcomeout. "Uponhearingthefranticprojectoftheirleader,eachinhisown separatesoulhadsuddenlylighted,itwouldseem,uponthesame pieceoftreachery,namely:tobetheforemostinbreakingout, inordertobethefirstofthethree,thoughthelastoftheten, tosurrender;andtherebysecurewhateversmallchanceofpardon suchconductmightmerit.ButwhenSteelkiltmadeknownhis determinationstilltoleadthemtothelast,theyinsomeway, bysomesubtlechemistryofvillany,mixedtheirbeforesecret treacheriestogether;andwhentheirleaderfellintoadoze, verballyopenedtheirsoulstoeachotherinthreesentences; andboundthesleeperwithcords,andgaggedhimwithcords; andshriekedoutfortheCaptainatmidnight. "Thinkingmurderathand,andsmellinginthedarkfortheblood, heandallhisarmedmatesandharpooneersrushedfortheforecastle. Inafewminutesthescuttlewasopened,and,boundhandandfoot, thestillstrugglingringleaderwasshovedupintotheair byhisperfidiousallies,whoatonceclaimedthehonor ofsecuringamanwhohadbeenfullyripeformurder. Butallthesewerecollared,anddraggedalongthedecklike deadcattle;and,sidebyside,wereseizedupintothemizzenrigging, likethreequartersofmeat,andtheretheyhungtillmorning. 'Damnye,'criedtheCaptain,pacingtoandfrobeforethem, 'thevultureswouldnottouchye,yevillains!' "Atsunrisehesummonedallhands;andseparatingthosewhohadrebelled fromthosewhohadtakennopartinthemutiny,hetoldtheformer thathehadagoodmindtoflogthemallroundthought,uponthewhile, hewoulddosoheoughttojusticedemandedit;butforthepresent, consideringtheirtimelysurrender,hewouldletthemgowithareprimand, whichheaccordinglyadministeredinthevernacular. "'Butasforyou,yecarrionrogues,'turningtothethreemen intherigging'foryou,Imeantominceyeupforthetrypots;' and,seizingarope,heapplieditwithallhismighttothebacks ofthetwotraitors,tilltheyyellednomore,butlifelesslyhung theirheadssideways,asthetwocrucifiedthievesaredrawn.

"'Mywristissprainedwithye!'hecried,atlast;'butthereisstill ropeenoughleftforyou,myfinebantam,thatwouldn'tgiveup. Takethatgagfromhismouth,andletushearwhathecan sayforhimself.' "Foramomenttheexhaustedmutineermadeatremulousmotion ofhiscrampedjaws,andthenpainfullytwistingroundhishead, saidinasortofhiss,'WhatIsayisthisandminditwell ifyouflogme,Imurderyou!' "'Sayyeso?thenseehowyefrightenme'andtheCaptaindrew offwiththeropetostrike. "'Bestnot,'hissedtheLakeman. "'ButImust,'andtheropewasoncemoredrawnbackforthestroke. "Steelkiltherehissedoutsomething,inaudibletoallbut theCaptain;who,totheamazementofallhands,startedback, pacedthedeckrapidlytwoorthreetimes,andthensuddenly throwingdownhisrope,said,'Iwon'tdoitlethimgo cuthimdown:d'yehear?' Butasthejuniormateswerehurryingtoexecutetheorder,apaleman, withabandagedhead,arrestedthemRadneythechiefmate. Eversincetheblow,hehadlaininhisberth;butthatmorning, hearingthetumultonthedeck,hehadcreptout,andthusfar hadwatchedthewholescene.Suchwasthestateofhismouth, thathecouldhardlyspeak;butmumblingsomethingabouthis beingwillingandabletodowhatthecaptaindarednotattempt, hesnatchedtheropeandadvancedtohispinionedfoe. "'Youareacoward!'hissedtheLakeman. "'SoIam,buttakethat.'Thematewasintheveryact ofstriking,whenanotherhissstayedhisupliftedarm. Hepaused:andthenpausingnomore,madegoodhisword, spiteofSteelkilt'sthreat,whateverthatmighthavebeen. Thethreemenwerethencutdown,allhandswereturnedto, and,sullenlyworkedbythemoodyseamen,theironpumps clangedasbefore. "Justafterdarkthatday,whenonewatchhadretiredbelow, aclamorwasheardintheforecastle;andthetwotremblingtraitors runningup,besiegedthecabindoor,sayingtheydurstnotconsort withthecrew.Entreaties,cuffs,andkickscouldnotdrivethemback,

soattheirowninstancetheywereputdownintheship'srun forsalvation.Still,nosignofmutinyreappearedamongtherest. Onthecontrary,itseemed,thatmainlyatSteelkilt'sinstigation, theyhadresolvedtomaintainthestrictestpeacefulness,obeyallorders tothelast,and,whentheshipreachedport,desertherinabody. Butinordertoinsurethespeediestendtothevoyage,theyall agreedtoanotherthingnamely,nottosingoutforwhales, incaseanyshouldbediscovered.For,spiteofherleak, andspiteofallherotherperils,theTownHostillmaintainedher mastheads,andhercaptainwasjustaswillingtolowerforafish thatmoment,asonthedayhiscraftfirststruckthecruisingground; andRadneythematewasquiteasreadytochangehisberthforaboat, andwithhisbandagedmouthseektogagindeaththevitaljaw ofthewhale. "ButthoughtheLakemanhadinducedtheseamentoadoptthis sortofpassivenessintheirconduct,hekepthisowncounsel (atleasttillallwasover)concerninghisownproperandprivate revengeuponthemanwhohadstunghimintheventriclesofhisheart. HewasinRadneythechiefmate'swatch;andasiftheinfatuated mansoughttorunmorethanhalfwaytomeethisdoom,afterthe sceneattherigging,heinsisted,againsttheexpresscounsel ofthecaptain,uponresumingtheheadofhiswatchatnight. Uponthis,andoneortwoothercircumstances,Steelkiltsystematically builttheplanofhisrevenge. "Duringthenight,Radneyhadanunseamanlikewayofsitting onthebulwarksofthequarterdeck,andleaninghisarmupon thegunwaleoftheboatwhichwashoistedupthere,alittle abovetheship'sside.Inthisattitude,itwaswellknown, hesometimesdozed.Therewasaconsiderablevacancybetween theboatandtheship,anddownbetweenthiswasthesea. Steelkiltcalculatedhistime,andfoundthathisnexttrick atthehelmwouldcomeroundattwoo'clock,inthemorning ofthethirddayfromthatinwhichhehadbeenbetrayed. Athisleisure,heemployedtheintervalinbraidingsomething verycarefullyinhiswatchesbelow. "'Whatareyoumakingthere?'saidashipmate. "'Whatdoyouthink?whatdoesitlooklike?' "'Likealanyardforyourbag;butit'sanoddone,seemstome.' 'Yes,ratheroddish,'saidtheLakeman,holdingitatarm'slength beforehim;'butIthinkitwillanswer.Shipmate,Ihaven't

enoughtwine,haveyouany?' "Buttherewasnoneintheforecastle. "'ThenImustgetsomefromoldRad;'andherosetogoaft. "'Youdon'tmeantogoabeggingtohim!'saidasailor. "'Whynot?Doyouthinkhewon'tdomeaturn,whenit's tohelphimselfintheend,shipmate?'andgoingtothemate, helookedathimquietly,andaskedhimforsometwinetomend hishammock.Itwasgivenhimneithertwinenorlanyardwere seenagain;butthenextnightanironball,closelynetted, partlyrolledfromthepocketoftheLakeman'smonkeyjacket, ashewastuckingthecoatintohishammockforapillow. Twentyfourhoursafter,histrickatthesilenthelm nightothemanwhowasapttodozeoverthegravealwaysready dugtotheseaman'shandthatfatalhourwasthentocome; andintheforeordainingsoulofSteelkilt,thematewasalready starkandstretchedasacorpse,withhisforeheadcrushedin. "But,gentlemen,afoolsavedthewouldbemurdererfrom thebloodydeedhehadplanned.Yetcompleterevengehehad, andwithoutbeingtheavenger.Forbyamysteriousfatality, Heavenitselfseemedtostepintotakeoutofhishandsinto itsownthedamningthinghewouldhavedone. "Itwasjustbetweendaybreakandsunriseofthemorning ofthesecondday,whentheywerewashingdownthedecks, thatastupidTeneriffeman,drawingwaterinthemainchains, allatonceshoutedout,'Theresherolls!theresherolls!' Jesu,whatawhale!ItwasMobyDick. "'MobyDick!'criedDonSebastian;'St.Dominic!Sirsailor, butdowhaleshavechristenings?WhomcallyouMobyDick?' "'Averywhite,andfamous,andmostdeadlyimmortalmonster,Don; butthatwouldbetoolongastory.' "'How?how?'criedalltheyoungSpaniards,crowding. "'Nay,Dons,Donsnay,nay!Icannotrehearsethatnow. Letmegetmoreintotheair,Sirs.' "'Thechicha!thechicha!'criedDonPedro;'ourvigorousfriend looksfaint;filluphisemptyglass!'

 "Noneed,gentlemen;onemoment,andIproceed.Now,gentlemen, sosuddenlyperceivingthesnowywhalewithinfiftyyardsoftheship forgetfulofthecompactamongthecrewintheexcitementofthemoment, theTeneriffemanhadinstinctivelyandinvoluntarilyliftedhisvoice forthemonster,thoughforsomelittletimepastithadbeenplainly beheldfromthethreesullenmastheads.Allwasnowaphrensy. 'TheWhiteWhaletheWhiteWhale!'wasthecryfromcaptain, mates,andharpooneers,who,undeterredbyfearfulrumours, wereallanxioustocapturesofamousandpreciousafish; whilethedoggedcreweyedaskance,andwithcurses,theappallingbeauty ofthevastmilkymass,thatlitupbyahorizontalspanglingsun, shiftedandglistenedlikealivingopalinthebluemorningsea. Gentlemen,astrangefatalitypervadesthewholecareeroftheseevents, asifverilymappedoutbeforetheworlditselfwascharted. Themutineerwasthebowsmanofthemate,andwhenfasttoafish, itwashisdutytositnexthim,whileRadneystoodupwithhislance intheprow,andhaulinorslackentheline,atthewordofcommand. Moreover,whenthefourboatswerelowered,themate'sgotthestart; andnonehowledmorefiercelywithdelightthandidSteelkilt, ashestrainedathisoar.Afterastiffpull,theirharpooneer gotfast,and,spearinhand,Radneysprangtothebow. Hewasalwaysafuriousman,itseems,inaboat.Andnowhis bandagedcrywas,tobeachhimonthewhale'stopmostback. Nothingloath,hisbowsmanhauledhimupandup,throughablinding foamthatblenttwowhitenessestogether;tillofasuddentheboat struckasagainstasunkenledge,andkeelingover,spilledoutthe standingmate.Thatinstant,ashefellonthewhale'sslipperyback, theboatrighted,andwasdashedasidebytheswell,whileRadney wastossedoverintothesea,ontheotherflankofthewhale. Hestruckoutthroughthespray,and,foraninstant,wasdimlyseen throughthatveil,wildlyseekingtoremovehimselffromtheeye ofMobyDick.Butthewhalerushedroundinasuddenmaelstrom; seizedtheswimmerbetweenhisjaws;andrearinghighupwithhim, plungedheadlongagain,andwentdown. "Meantime,atthefirsttapoftheboat'sbottom,theLakeman hadslackenedtheline,soastodropasternfromthewhirlpool; calmlylookingon,hethoughthisownthoughts.Butasudden,terrific, downwardjerkingoftheboat,quicklybroughthisknifetotheline. Hecutit;andthewhalewasfree.But,atsomedistance, MobyDickroseagain,withsometattersofRadney'sred woollenshirt,caughtintheteeththathaddestroyedhim. Allfourboatsgavechaseagain;butthewhaleeludedthem, andfinallywhollydisappeared.

"Ingoodtime,theTownHoreachedherportasavage,solitaryplace wherenocivilizedcreatureresided.There,headedbytheLakeman, allbutfiveorsixoftheforemastmendeliberatelydesertedamong thepalms;eventually,asitturnedout,seizingalargedouble warcanoeofthesavages,andsettingsailforsomeotherharbor. "Theship'scompanybeingreducedtobutahandful,thecaptaincalled upontheIslanderstoassisthiminthelaboriousbusinessofheaving downtheshiptostoptheleak.Buttosuchunrestingvigilanceover theirdangerousallieswasthissmallbandofwhitesnecessitated, bothbynightandbyday,andsoextremewasthehardworktheyunderwent, thatuponthevesselbeingreadyagainforsea,theywereinsuch aweakenedconditionthatthecaptaindurstnotputoffwiththem insoheavyavessel.Aftertakingcounselwithhisofficers, heanchoredtheshipasfaroffshoreaspossible;loadedandran outhistwocannonfromthebows;stackedhismusketsonthepoop; andwarningtheIslandersnottoapproachtheshipattheirperil, tookonemanwithhim,andsettingthesailofhisbestwhaleboat, steeredstraightbeforethewindforTahiti,fivehundredmilesdistant, toprocureareinforcementtohiscrew. "Onthefourthdayofthesail,alargecanoewasdescried, whichseemedtohavetouchedatalowisleofcorals. Hesteeredawayfromit;butthesavagecraftboredownonhim; andsoonthevoiceofSteelkilthailedhimtoheaveto, orhewouldrunhimunderwater.Thecaptainpresentedapistol. Withonefootoneachprowoftheyokedwarcanoes,theLakeman laughedhimtoscorn;assuringhimthatifthepistolsomuch asclickedinthelock,hewouldburyhiminbubblesandfoam. "'Whatdoyouwantofme?'criedthecaptain. "'Whereareyoubound?andforwhatareyoubound?' demandedSteelkilt;'nolies.' "'IamboundtoTahitiformoremen.' "'Verygood.LetmeboardyouamomentIcomeinpeace.' Withthatheleapedfromthecanoe,swamtotheboat; andclimbingthegunwale,stoodfacetofacewiththecaptain. "'Crossyourarms,sir;throwbackyourhead.Now,repeatafterme. AssoonasSteelkiltleavesme,Isweartobeachthisboat onyonderisland,andremaintheresixdays.IfIdonot, maylightningstrikeme!'

"'Aprettyscholar,'laughedtheLakeman.'Adios,Senor!' andleapingintothesea,heswambacktohiscomrades. "Watchingtheboattillitwasfairlybeached,anddrawnuptotheroots ofthecocoanuttrees,Steelkiltmadesailagain,andinduetimearrived atTahiti,hisownplaceofdestination.There,luckbefriendedhim; twoshipswereabouttosailforFrance,andwereprovidentially inwantofpreciselythatnumberofmenwhichthesailorheaded. Theyembarked,andsoforevergotthestartoftheirformercaptain, hadhebeenatallmindedtoworkthemlegalretribution. "SometendaysaftertheFrenchshipssailed,thewhaleboatarrived, andthecaptainwasforcedtoenlistsomeofthemore civilizedTahitians,whohadbeensomewhatusedtothesea. Charteringasmallnativeschooner,hereturnedwiththemtohisvessel; andfindingallrightthere,againresumedhiscruisings. "WhereSteelkiltnowis,gentlemen,noneknow;butupontheisland ofNantucket,thewidowofRadneystillturnstotheseawhichrefuses togiveupitsdead;stillindreamsseestheawfulwhitewhale thatdestroyedhim. "'Areyouthrough?'saidDonSebastian,quietly. "'Iam,Don.' "'ThenIentreatyou,tellmeiftothebestofyourownconvictions, thisyourstoryisinsubstancereallytrue?Itissopassingwonderful! Didyougetitfromanunquestionablesource?BearwithmeifI seemtopress.' "'Alsobearwithallofus,sirsailor;forwealljoinin DonSebastian'ssuit,'criedthecompany,withexceedinginterest. "'IsthereacopyoftheHolyEvangelistsintheGoldenInn,gentlemen?' "'Nay,'saidDonSebastian;'butIknowaworthypriestnearby, whowillquicklyprocureoneforme.Igoforit;butareyou welladvised?thismaygrowtooserious.' "'Willyoubesogoodastobringthepriestalso,Don?' "'ThoughtherearenoAutodaFe'sinLimanow,'saidoneofthecompany toanother;'Ifearoursailorfriendrunsrisksofthearchiepiscopacy. Letuswithdrawmoreoutofthemoonlight.Iseenoneedofthis.'

"'Excusemeforrunningafteryou,DonSebastian;butmayI alsobegthatyouwillbeparticularinprocuringthelargest sizedEvangelistsyoucan.' 'Thisisthepriest,hebringsyoutheEvangelists,'saidDonSebastian, gravely,returningwithatallandsolemnfigure. "'Letmeremovemyhat.Now,venerablepriest,furtherintothelight, andholdtheHolyBookbeforemethatImaytouchit. "'SohelpmeHeaven,andonmyhonorthestoryIhave toldye,gentlemen,isinsubstanceanditsgreatitems,true. Iknowittobetrue;ithappenedonthisball;Itrodtheship; Iknewthecrew;IhaveseenandtalkedwithSteelkiltsince thedeathofRadney." CHAPTER55 OftheMonstrousPicturesofWhales Ishallerelongpainttoyouaswellasonecanwithoutcanvas, somethinglikethetrueformofthewhaleasheactuallyappears totheeyeofthewhalemanwheninhisownabsolutebodythewhale ismooredalongsidethewhaleshipsothathecanbefairlystepped uponthere.Itmaybeworthwhile,therefore,previouslytoadvert tothosecuriousimaginaryportraitsofhimwhichevendownto thepresentdayconfidentlychallengethefaithofthelandsman. Itistimetosettheworldrightinthismatter,byprovingsuch picturesofthewhaleallwrong. Itmaybethattheprimalsourceofallthosepictorialdelusionswill befoundamongtheoldestHindoo,Egyptian,andGreciansculptures. Foreversincethoseinventivebutunscrupuloustimeswhenonthemarble panellingsoftemples,thepedestalsofstatues,andonshields, medallions,cups,andcoins,thedolphinwasdrawninscalesof chainarmorlikeSaladin's,andahelmetedheadlikeSt.George's; eversincethenhassomethingofthesamesortoflicenseprevailed, notonlyinmostpopularpicturesofthewhale,butinmanyscientific presentationsofhim. Now,byallodds,themostancientextantportraitanyways purportingtobethewhale's,istobefoundinthefamous

cavernpagodaofElephants,inIndia.TheBrahminsmaintain thatinthealmostendlesssculpturesofthatimmemorialpagoda, allthetradesandpursuits,everyconceivableavocationofman, wereprefiguredagesbeforeanyofthemactuallycameintobeing. Nowonderthen,thatinsomesortournobleprofession ofwhalingshouldhavebeenthereshadowedforth.TheHindoo whalereferredto,occursinaseparatedepartmentofthewall, depictingtheincarnationofVishnuintheformofleviathan, learnedlyknownastheMatseAvatar.Butthoughthissculpture ishalfmanandhalfwhale,soasonlytogivethetail ofthelatter,yetthatsmallsectionofhimisallwrong. Itlooksmorelikethetaperingtailofananaconda, thanthebroadpalmsofthetruewhale'smajesticflukes. ButgototheoldGalleries,andlooknowatagreatChristian painter'sportraitofthisfish;forhesucceedsnobetter thantheantediluvianHindoo.ItisGuido'spictureof PerseusrescuingAndromedafromtheseamonsterorwhale. WheredidGuidogetthemodelofsuchastrangecreatureasthat? NordoesHogarth,inpaintingthesamesceneinhisown "PerseusDescending,"makeoutonewhitbetter.Thehuge corpulenceofthatHogarthianmonsterundulatesonthesurface, scarcelydrawingoneinchofwater.Ithasasortofhowdahon itsback,anditsdistendedtuskedmouthintowhichthebillows arerolling,mightbetakenfortheTraitors'Gateleadingfrom theThamesbywaterintotheTower.Then,therearetheProdromus whalesoftheoldScotchSibbald,andJonah'swhale,asdepicted intheprintsofoldBiblesandthecutsofoldprimers. Whatshallbesaidofthese?Asforthebookbinder'swhale windinglikeavinestalkroundthestockofadescendinganchor asstampedandgildedonthebacksandtitlepagesofmany booksbotholdandnewthatisaverypicturesquebutpurely fabulouscreature,imitated,Itakeit,fromthelikefigures onantiquevases.Thoughuniversallydenominatedadolphin, Ineverthelesscallthisbookbinder'sfishanattemptatawhale; becauseitwassointendedwhenthedevicewasfirstintroduced. ItwasintroducedbyanoldItalianpublishersomewhere aboutthe15thcentury,duringtheRevivalofLearning; andinthosedays,andevendowntoacomparativelylateperiod, dolphinswerepopularlysupposedtobeaspeciesoftheLeviathan. Inthevignettesandotherembellishmentsofsomeancientbooks youwillattimesmeetwithverycurioustouchesatthewhale, whereallmannerofspouts,jetsd'eau,hotspringsandcold, SaratogaandBadenBaden,comebubblingupfromhisunexhaustedbrain. Inthetitlepageoftheoriginaleditionofthe"AdvancementofLearning"

youwillfindsomecuriouswhales. Butquittingalltheseunprofessionalattempts,letusglanceatthose picturesofleviathanpurportingtobesober,scientificdelineations, bythosewhoknow.InoldHarris'scollectionofvoyagesthere aresomeplatesofwhalesextractedfromaDutchbookofvoyages, A.D.1671,entitled"AWhalingVoyagetoSpitzbergenintheshipJonas intheWhale,PeterPetersonofFriesland,master."Inoneofthose platesthewhales,likegreatraftsoflogs,arerepresentedlying amongiceisles,withwhitebearsrunningovertheirlivingbacks. Inanotherplate,theprodigiousblunderismadeofrepresenting thewhalewithperpendicularflukes. Thenagain,thereisanimposingquarto,writtenbyoneCaptainColnett, aPostCaptainintheEnglishnavy,entitled"AVoyageround CapeHornintotheSouthSeas,forthepurposeofextending theSpermacetiWhaleFisheries."Inthisbookisanoutline purportingtobea"PictureofaPhyseterorSpermacetiwhale, drawnbyscalefromonekilledonthecoastofMexico,August,1793, andhoistedondeck."Idoubtnotthecaptainhadthisveracious picturetakenforthebenefitofhismarines.Tomentionbutone thingaboutit,letmesaythatithasaneyewhichapplied, accordingtotheaccompanyingscale,toafullgrownspermwhale, wouldmaketheeyeofthatwhaleabowwindowsomefivefeetlong. Ah,mygallantcaptain,whydidyenotgiveusJonahlooking outofthateye! NorarethemostconscientiouscompilationsofNaturalHistory forthebenefitoftheyoungandtender,freefromthesame heinousnessofmistake.Lookatthatpopularwork "Goldsmith'sAnimatedNature."IntheabridgedLondonedition of1807,thereareplatesofanalleged"whale"anda"narwhale." Idonotwishtoseeminelegant,butthisunsightlywhale looksmuchlikeanamputatedsow;and,asforthenarwhale, oneglimpseatitisenoughtoamazeone,thatinthisnineteenth centurysuchahippogriffcouldbepalmedforgenuineupon anyintelligentpublicofschoolboys. Then,again,in1825,BernardGermain,CountdeLacepede, agreatnaturalist,publishedascientificsystemizedwhalebook, whereinareseveralpicturesofthedifferentspeciesof theLeviathan.Allthesearenotonlyincorrect,butthepicture oftheMysticetusorGreenlandwhale(thatistosaytheRight whale),evenScoresby,alongexperiencedmanastouching thatspecies,declaresnottohaveitscounterpartinnature.

Buttheplacingofthecapsheaftoallthisblunderingbusiness wasreservedforthescientificFrederickCuvier,brothertothe famousBaron.In1836,hepublishedaNaturalHistoryofWhales, inwhichhegiveswhathecallsapictureoftheSpermWhale. BeforeshowingthatpicturetoanyNantucketer,youhadbest provideforyoursummaryretreatfromNantucket.Inaword, FrederickCuvier'sSpermWhaleisnotaSpermWhale,butasquash. Ofcourse,heneverhadthebenefitofawhalingvoyage(suchmen seldomhave),butwhencehederivedthatpicture,whocantell? Perhapshegotitashisscientificpredecessorinthesamefield, Desmarest,gotoneofhisauthenticabortions;thatis,froma Chinesedrawing.Andwhatsortoflivelyladswiththepencil thoseChineseare,manyqueercupsandsaucersinformus. Asforthesignpainters'whalesseeninthestreetshanging overtheshopsofoildealers,whatshallbesaidofthem? TheyaregenerallyRichardIII.whales,withdromedaryhumps, andverysavage;breakfastingonthreeorfoursailortarts, thatiswhaleboatsfullofmariners:theirdeformities flounderinginseasofbloodandbluepaint. Butthesemanifoldmistakesindepictingthewhalearenotsovery surprisingafterall.Consider!Mostofthescientificdrawingshave beentakenfromthestrandedfish;andtheseareaboutascorrectasa drawingofawreckedship,withbrokenback,wouldcorrectlyrepresent thenobleanimalitselfinallitsundashedprideofhullandspars. Thoughelephantshavestoodfortheirfulllengths,theliving Leviathanhasneveryetfairlyfloatedhimselfforhisportrait. Thelivingwhale,inhisfullmajestyandsignificance,isonly tobeseenatseainunfathomablewaters;andafloatthevast bulkofhimisoutofsight,likealaunchedlineofbattleship; andoutofthatelementitisathingeternallyimpossibleformortal mantohoisthimbodilyintotheair,soastopreserveallhismighty swellsandundulations.And,nottospeakofthehighlypresumable differenceofcontourbetweenayoungsucklingwhaleandafullgrown PlatonianLeviathan;yet,eveninthecaseofoneofthoseyoung suckingwhaleshoistedtoaship'sdeck,suchisthentheoutlandish, eellike,limbered,varyingshapeofhim,thathispreciseexpression thedevilhimselfcouldnotcatch. Butitmaybefancied,thatfromthenakedskeletonofthestrandedwhale, accuratehintsmaybederivedtouchinghistrueform.Notatall. ForitisoneofthemorecuriousthingsaboutthisLeviathan, thathisskeletongivesverylittleideaofhisgeneralshape. ThoughJeremyBentham'sskeleton,whichhangsforcandelabra inthelibraryofoneofhisexecutors,correctlyconveystheidea

ofaburlybrowedutilitarianoldgentleman,withallJeremy's otherleadingpersonalcharacteristics;yetnothingofthis kindcouldbeinferredfromanyleviathan'sarticulatedbones. Infact,asthegreatHuntersays,themereskeletonofthewhale bearsthesamerelationtothefullyinvestedandpaddedanimal astheinsectdoestothechrysalisthatsoroundinglyenvelopesit. Thispeculiarityisstrikinglyevincedinthehead,asinsomepart ofthisbookwillbeincidentallyshown.Itisalsoverycuriously displayedinthesidefin,thebonesofwhichalmostexactlyanswer tothebonesofthehumanhand,minusonlythethumb.Thisfinhas fourregularbonefingers,theindex,middle,ring,andlittlefinger. Butallthesearepermanentlylodgedintheirfleshycovering, asthehumanfingersinanartificialcovering."Howeverrecklessly thewhalemaysometimesserveus,"saidhumorousStubboneday, "hecanneverbetrulysaidtohandleuswithoutmittens." Forallthesereasons,then,anywayyoumaylookatit, youmustneedsconcludethatthegreatLeviathanisthatone creatureintheworldwhichmustremainunpaintedtothelast. True,oneportraitmayhitthemarkmuchnearerthananother, butnonecanhititwithanyveryconsiderabledegreeofexactness. Sothereisnoearthlywayoffindingoutpreciselywhat thewhalereallylookslike.Andtheonlymodeinwhichyou canderiveevenatolerableideaofhislivingcontour, isbygoingawhalingyourself;butbysodoing,yourun nosmallriskofbeingeternallystoveandsunkbyhim. Wherefore,itseemstomeyouhadbestnotbetoofastidious inyourcuriositytouchingthisLeviathan. CHAPTER56 OftheLessErroneousPicturesofWhalesandtheTruePictures ofWhalingScenes Inconnexionwiththemonstrouspicturesofwhales,Iamstrongly temptedheretoenteruponthosestillmoremonstrousstoriesofthem whicharetobefoundincertainbooks,bothancientandmodern, especiallyinPliny,Purchas,Hackluyt,Harris,Cuvier,&c.ButI passthatmatterby. Iknowofonlyfourpublishedoutlinesofthegreat SpermWhale;Colnett's,Huggins's,FrederickCuvier's,andBeale's.In thepreviouschapterColnettandCuvierhavebeenreferredto.

Huggins'sisfarbetterthantheirs;but,bygreatodds, Beale'sisthebest.AllBeale'sdrawingsofthiswhale aregood,exceptingthemiddlefigureinthepictureofthree whalesinvariousattitudes,cappinghissecondchapter. Hisfrontispiece,boatsattackingSpermWhales,thoughnodoubt calculatedtoexcitethecivilscepticismofsomeparlormen, isadmirablycorrectandlifelikeinitsgeneraleffect. SomeoftheSpermWhaledrawingsinJ.RossBrownearepretty correctincontour;buttheyarewretchedlyengraved. Thatisnothisfaultthough. OftheRightWhale,thebestoutlinepicturesareinScoresby; buttheyaredrawnontoosmallascaletoconveyadesirableimpression. Hehasbutonepictureofwhalingscenes,andthisisasaddeficiency, becauseitisbysuchpicturesonly,whenatallwelldone,thatyou canderiveanythinglikeatruthfulideaofthelivingwhaleasseen byhislivinghunters. But,takenforallinall,byfarthefinest,thoughin somedetailsnotthemostcorrect,presentationsofwhales andwhalingscenestobeanywherefound,aretwolarge Frenchengravings,wellexecuted,andtakenfrompaintingsby oneGarnery.Respectively,theyrepresentattacksontheSperm andRightWhale.InthefirstengravinganobleSpermWhale isdepictedinfullmajestyofmight,justrisenbeneaththeboat fromtheprofunditiesoftheocean,andbearinghighinthe. airuponhisbacktheterrificwreckofthestovenplanks. Theprowoftheboatispartiallyunbroken,andisdrawnjust balancinguponthemonster'sspine;andstandinginthatprow, forthatonesingleincomputableflashoftime,youbehold anoarsman,halfshroudedbytheincensedboilingspoutof thewhale,andintheactofleaping,asiffromaprecipice. Theactionofthewholethingiswonderfullygoodandtrue. Thehalfemptiedlinetubfloatsonthewhitenedsea; thewoodenpolesofthespilledharpoonsobliquelybobinit; theheadsoftheswimmingcrewarescatteredaboutthewhale incontrastingexpressionsofaffright;whileintheblack stormydistancetheshipisbearingdownuponthescene. Seriousfaultmightbefoundwiththeanatomicaldetails ofthiswhale,butletthatpass;since,forthelifeofme, Icouldnotdrawsogoodaone. Inthesecondengraving,theboatisintheactofdrawingalongside thebarnacledflankofalargerunningRightWhale,thatrolls hisblackweedybulkinthesealikesomemossyrockslidefrom thePatagoniancliffs.Hisjetsareerect,full,andblacklikesoot;

sothatfromsoaboundingasmokeinthechimney,youwouldthink theremustbeabravesuppercookinginthegreatbowelsbelow. Seafowlsarepeckingatthesmallcrabs,shellfish,andothersea candiesandmaccaroni,whichtheRightWhalesometimescarrieson hispestilentback.Andallthewhilethethicklippedleviathan isrushingthroughthedeep,leavingtonsoftumultuouswhitecurds inhiswake,andcausingtheslightboattorockintheswells likeaskiffcaughtnighthepaddlewheelsofanoceansteamer. Thus,theforegroundisallragingcommotion;butbehind, inadmirableartisticcontrast,istheglassylevelofaseabecalmed, thedroopingunstarchedsailsofthepowerlessship,andtheinert massofadeadwhale,aconqueredfortress,withtheflagofcapture lazilyhangingfromthewhalepoleinsertedintohisspouthole. WhoGarnerythepainteris,orwas,Iknownot.Butmylife forithewaseitherpracticallyconversantwithhissubject, orelsemarvellouslytutoredbysomeexperiencedwhaleman. TheFrencharetheladsforpaintingaction.Goandgazeupon allthepaintingsinEurope,andwherewillyoufindsucha galleryoflivingandbreathingcommotiononcanvas,asinthat triumphalhallatVersailles;wherethebeholderfightshisway, pellmell,throughtheconsecutivegreatbattlesofFrance; whereeveryswordseemsaflashoftheNorthernLights, andthesuccessivearmedkingsandEmperorsdashby,likea chargeofcrownedcentaurs?Notwhollyunworthyofaplace inthatgallery,aretheseseabattlepiecesofGarnery. ThenaturalaptitudeoftheFrenchforseizingthepicturesqueness ofthingsseemstobepeculiarlyevincedinwhatpaintings andengravingstheyhaveoftheirwhalingscenes. WithnotonetenthofEngland'sexperienceinthefishery, andnotthethousandthpartofthatoftheAmericans,theyhave neverthelessfurnishedbothnationswiththeonlyfinishedsketches atallcapableofconveyingtherealspiritofthewhalehunt. Forthemostpart,theEnglishandAmericanwhaledraughtsmen seementirelycontentwithpresentingthemechanical outlineofthings,suchasthevacantprofileofthewhale; which,sofaraspicturesquenessofeffectisconcerned, isabouttantamounttosketchingtheprofileofapyramid. EvenScoresby,thejustlyrenownedRightwhaleman, aftergivingusastifffulllengthoftheGreenlandwhale, andthreeorfourdelicateminiaturesofnarwhalesandporpoises, treatsustoaseriesofclassicalengravingsofboathooks, choppingknives,andgrapnels;andwiththemicroscopicdiligence ofaLeuwenhoecksubmitstotheinspectionofashiveringworld ninetysixfacsimilesofmagnifiedArcticsnowcrystals.

Imeannodisparagementtotheexcellentvoyager(Ihonorhim foraveteran),butinsoimportantamatteritwascertainly anoversightnottohaveprocuredforeverycrystalasworn affidavittakenbeforeaGreenlandJusticeofthePeace. InadditiontothosefineengravingsfromGarnery,therearetwo otherFrenchengravingsworthyofnote,bysomeonewhosubscribes himself"H.Durand."Oneofthem,thoughnotpreciselyadaptedtoour presentpurpose,neverthelessdeservesmentiononotheraccounts. ItisaquietnoonsceneamongtheislesofthePacific;aFrench whaleranchored,inshore,inacalm,andlazilytakingwateronboard; theloosenedsailsoftheship,andthelongleavesofthepalms inthebackground,bothdroopingtogetherinthebreezelessair. Theeffectisveryfine,whenconsideredwithreferencetoits presentingthehardyfishermenunderoneoftheirfewaspectsof orientalrepose.Theotherengravingisquiteadifferentaffair: theshiphovetoupontheopensea,andintheveryheartof theLeviathaniclife,withaRightWhalealongside;thevessel (intheactofcuttingin)hoveovertothemonsterasiftoaquay; andaboat,hurriedlypushingofffromthissceneofactivity, isaboutgivingchasetowhalesinthedistance.Theharpoons andlanceslielevelledforuse;threeoarsmenarejustsetting themastinitshole;whilefromasuddenrollofthesea,thelittle craftstandshalferectoutofthewater,likearearinghorse. Fromtheship,thesmokeofthetormentsoftheboilingwhaleis goinguplikethesmokeoveravillageofsmithies;andtowindward, ablackcloud,risingupwithearnestofsquallsandrains, seemstoquickentheactivityoftheexcitedseamen. CHAPTER57 OfWhalesinPaint;inTeeth;inWood;inSheetIron;inStone; inMountains;inStars OnTowerhill,asyougodowntotheLondondocks,youmayhaveseen acrippledbeggar(orkedger,asthesailorssay)holdingapaintedboard beforehim,representingthetragicsceneinwhichhelosthisleg. Therearethreewhalesandthreeboats;andoneoftheboats (presumedtocontainthemissingleginallitsoriginalintegrity) isbeingcrunchedbythejawsoftheforemostwhale. Anytimethesetenyears,theytellme,hasthatmanheldup thatpicture,andexhibitedthatstumptoanincredulousworld. Butthetimeofhisjustificationhasnowcome.Histhreewhales

areasgoodwhalesaswereeverpublishedinWapping,atanyrate; andhisstumpasunquestionableastumpasanyyouwillfindin thewesternclearings.But,thoughforevermountedonthatstump, neverastumpspeechdoesthepoorwhalemanmake;but,withdowncasteyes, standsruefullycontemplatinghisownamputation. ThroughoutthePacific,andalsoinNantucket,andNewBedford, andSagHarbor,youwillcomeacrosslivelysketchesofwhales andwhalingscenes,gravenbythefishermenthemselveson SpermWhaleteeth,orladies'buskswroughtoutoftheRightWhalebone, andotherlikeskrimshanderarticles,asthewhalemencall thenumerouslittleingeniouscontrivancestheyelaboratelycarve outoftheroughmaterial,intheirhoursofoceanleisure. Someofthemhavelittleboxesofdentisticallookingimplements, speciallyintendedfortheskrimshanderingbusiness.But,ingeneral, theytoilwiththeirjackknivesalone;and,withthatalmost omnipotenttoolofthesailor,theywillturnyououtanything youplease,inthewayofamariner'sfancy. LongexilefromChristendomandcivilizationinevitablyrestoresaman tothatconditioninwhichGodplacedhim,i.e.whatiscalledsavagery. YourtruewhalehunterisasmuchasavageasanIroquois.Imyself amasavage,owningnoallegiancebuttotheKingoftheCannibals; andreadyatanymomenttorebelagainsthim. Now,oneofthepeculiarcharacteristicsofthesavagein hisdomestichours,ishiswonderfulpatienceofindustry. AnancientHawaiianwarcluborspearpaddle,initsfull multiplicityandelaborationofcarving,isasgreatatrophy ofhumanperseveranceasaLatinlexicon.For,withbutabit ofbrokenseashellorashark'stooth,thatmiraculousintricacy ofwoodennetworkhasbeenachieved;andithascoststeady yearsofsteadyapplication. AswiththeHawaiiansavage,sowiththewhitesailorsavage. Withthesamemarvellouspatience,andwiththesamesingle shark'stooth,ofhisonepoorjackknife,hewillcarveyouabit ofbonesculpture,notquiteasworkmanlike,butasclosepacked initsmazinessofdesign,astheGreeksavage,Achilles'sshield; andfullofbarbaricspiritandsuggestiveness,astheprints ofthatfineoldDutchsavage,AlbertDurer. Woodenwhales,orwhalescutinprofileoutofthesmalldark slabsofthenobleSouthSeawarwood,arefrequentlymet withintheforecastlesofAmericanwhalers.Someofthem aredonewithmuchaccuracy.

 Atsomeoldgableroofedcountryhousesyouwillseebrass whaleshungbythetailforknockerstotheroadsidedoor. Whentheporterissleepy,theanvilheadedwhalewouldbebest. Buttheseknockingwhalesareseldomremarkableasfaithfulessays. Onthespiresofsomeoldfashionedchurchesyouwillseesheetiron whalesplacedthereforweathercocks;buttheyaresoelevated, andbesidesthataretoallintentsandpurposessolabelled with"Handsoff!"youcannotexaminethemcloselyenoughtodecide upontheirmerit. Inbony,ribbyregionsoftheearth,whereatthebaseofhighbroken cliffsmassesofrockliestrewninfantasticgroupingsupontheplain, youwilloftendiscoverimagesasofthepetrifiedformsoftheLeviathan partlymergedingrass,whichofawindydaybreaksagainstthem inasurfofgreensurges. Then,again,inmountainouscountrieswherethetravelleris continuallygirdledbyamphitheatricalheights;hereandthere fromsomeluckypointofviewyouwillcatchpassingglimpses oftheprofilesofwhalesdefinedalongtheundulatingridges. Butyoumustbeathoroughwhaleman,toseethesesights; andnotonlythat,butifyouwishtoreturntosuchasightagain, youmustbesureandtaketheexactintersectinglatitude andlongitudeofyourfirststandpoint,elsesochancelike aresuchobservationsofthehills,thatyourprecise, previousstandpointwouldrequirealaboriousrediscovery; liketheSolomonislands,whichstillremainincognita,thoughonce highruffedMendannatrodthemandoldFiguerachronicledthem. Norwhenexpandinglyliftedbyyoursubject,canyoufail totraceoutgreatwhalesinthestarryheavens,andboats inpursuitofthem;aswhenlongfilledwiththoughtsofwar theEasternnationssawarmieslockedinbattleamongtheclouds. ThusattheNorthhaveIchasedLeviathanroundandroundthePole withtherevolutionsofthebrightpointsthatfirstdefinedhimtome. AndbeneaththeeffulgentAntarcticskiesIhaveboarded theArgoNavis,andjoinedthechaseagainstthestarryCetus farbeyondtheutmoststretchofHydrusandtheFlyingFish. Withafrigate'sanchorsformybridlebittsandfascesofharpoons forspurs,wouldIcouldmountthatwhaleandleapthetopmostskies, toseewhetherthefabledheavenswithalltheircountlesstentsreally lieencampedbeyondmymortalsight!

 CHAPTER58 Brit SteeringnortheastwardfromtheCrozetts,wefellinwithvastmeadows ofbrit,theminute,yellowsubstance,uponwhichtheRightWhale largelyfeeds.Forleaguesandleaguesitundulatedroundus, sothatweseemedtobesailingthroughboundlessfieldsofripe andgoldenwheat. Onthesecondday,numbersofRightWhaleswereseen,who,securefrom theattackofaSpermWhalerlikethePequod,withopenjawssluggishly swamthroughthebrit,which,adheringtothefringingfibresofthat wondrousVenetianblindintheirmouths,wasinthatmannerseparated fromthewaterthatescapedatthelips. Asmorningmowers,whosidebysideslowlyandseethinglyadvance theirscythesthroughthelongwetgrassofmarshymeads; evensothesemonstersswam,makingastrange,grassy,cuttingsound; andleavingbehindthemendlessswathsofblueupontheyellowsea.* *Thatpartoftheseaknownamongwhalemenasthe"BrazilBanks" doesnotbearthatnameastheBanksofNewfoundlanddo, becauseoftherebeingshallowsandsoundingsthere,butbecause ofthisremarkablemeadowlikeappearance,causedbythevast driftsofbritcontinuallyfloatinginthoselatitudes, wheretheRightWhaleisoftenchased. Butitwasonlythesoundtheymadeastheypartedthebritwhichat allremindedoneofmowers.Seenfromthemastheads,especially whentheypausedandwerestationaryforawhile,theirvastblack formslookedmorelikelifelessmassesofrockthananythingelse. AndasinthegreathuntingcountriesofIndia,thestranger atadistancewillsometimespassontheplainsrecumbent elephantswithoutknowingthemtobesuch,takingthemforbare, blackenedelevationsofthesoil;evenso,often,withhim,whofor thefirsttimebeholdsthisspeciesoftheleviathansofthesea. Andevenwhenrecognizedatlast,theirimmensemagnituderenders itveryhardreallytobelievethatsuchbulkymassesofovergrowth canpossiblybeinstinct,inallparts,withthesamesortoflife thatlivesinadogorahorse.

Indeed.inotherrespects,youcanhardlyregardanycreatures ofthedeepwiththesamefeelingsthatyoudothoseoftheshore. Forthoughsomeoldnaturalistshavemaintainedthatallcreatures ofthelandareoftheirkindinthesea;andthoughtakingabroad generalviewofthething,thismayverywellbe;yetcoming tospecialties,where,forexample,doestheoceanfurnishanyfish thatindispositionanswerstothesagaciouskindnessofthedog? Theaccursedsharkalonecaninanygenericrespectbesaidtobear comparativeanalogytohim. Butthough,tolandsmeningeneral,thenativeinhabitantsoftheseas haveeverbeenregardedwithemotionsunspeakablyunsocialandrepelling; thoughweknowtheseatobeaneverlastingterraincognita, sothatColumbussailedovernumberlessunknownworldstodiscover hisonesuperficialwesternone;though,byvastodds,themost terrificofallmortaldisastershaveimmemoriallyandindiscriminately befallentensandhundredsofthousandsofthosewhohavegoneupon thewaters;thoughbutamoment'sconsiderationwillteachthat, howeverbabymanmaybragofhisscienceandskill,andhowevermuch, inaflatteringfuture,thatscienceandskillmayaugment; yetforeverandforever,tothecrackofdoom,theseawillinsult andmurderhim,andpulverizethestateliest,stiffestfrigate hecanmake;nevertheless,bythecontinualrepetitionofthese veryimpressions,manhaslostthatsenseofthefullawfulness oftheseawhichaboriginallybelongstoit. Thefirstboatwereadof,floatedonanocean,thatwithPortuguese vengeancehadwhelmedawholeworldwithoutleavingsomuchasawidow. Thatsameoceanrollsnow;thatsameoceandestroyedthewreckedships oflastyear.Yea,foolishmortals,Noah'sfloodisnotyetsubsided; twothirdsofthefairworldityetcovers. Whereindiffertheseaandtheland,thatamiracleupon oneisnotamiracleupontheother?Preternaturalterrors restedupontheHebrews,whenunderthefeetofKorahandhis companythelivegroundopenedandswallowedthemupforever; yetnotamodernsuneversets,butinpreciselythesamemanner theliveseaswallowsupshipsandcrews. Butnotonlyistheseasuchafoetomanwhoisanalien toit,butitisalsoafiendtoitsownoffspring; worsethanthePersianhostwhomurderedhisownguests; sparingnotthecreatureswhichitselfhathspawned. Likeasavagetigressthattossinginthejungleoverlaysher owncubs,sotheseadasheseventhemightiestwhalesagainst therocks,andleavesthemtheresidebysidewiththesplit

wrecksofships.Nomercy,nopowerbutitsowncontrolsit. Pantingandsnortinglikeamadbattlesteedthathaslost itsrider,themasterlessoceanoverrunstheglobe. Considerthesubtlenessofthesea;howitsmostdreaded creaturesglideunderwater,unapparentforthemostpart, andtreacherouslyhiddenbeneaththeloveliesttintsofazure. Consideralsothedevilishbrillianceandbeautyofmanyof itsmostremorselesstribes,asthedaintyembellishedshape ofmanyspeciesofsharks.Consideroncemore,theuniversal cannibalismofthesea;allwhosecreaturespreyuponeachother, carryingoneternalwarsincetheworldbegan. Considerallthis;andthenturntothisgreen,gentle,andmost docileearth;considerthemboth,theseaandtheland; anddoyounotfindastrangeanalogytosomethinginyourself? Forasthisappallingoceansurroundstheverdantland,sointhesoul ofmanthereliesoneinsularTahiti,fullofpeaceandjoy, butencompassedbyallthehorrorsofthehalfknownlife. Godkeepthee!Pushnotofffromthatisle,thoucanstneverreturn! CHAPTER59 Squid Slowlywadingthroughthemeadowsofbrit,thePequodstill heldonherwaynortheastwardtowardstheislandofJava; agentleairimpellingherkeel,sothatinthesurrounding serenityherthreetalltaperingmastsmildlywaved tothatlanguidbreeze,asthreemildpalmsonaplain. Andstill,atwideintervalsinthesilverynight,thelonely, alluringjetwouldbeseen. Butonetransparentbluemorning,whenastillnessalmost preternaturalspreadoverthesea,howeverunattendedwithany stagnantcalm;whenthelongburnishedsungladeonthewaters seemedagoldenfingerlaidacrossthem,enjoiningsomesecrecy; whentheslipperedwaveswhisperedtogetherastheysoftlyranon; inthisprofoundhushofthevisiblesphereastrangespectre wasseenbyDaggoofromthemainmasthead. Inthedistance,agreatwhitemasslazilyrose,andrisinghigher andhigher,anddisentanglingitselffromtheazure,atlastgleamed beforeourprowlikeasnowslide,newslidfromthehills.

Thusglisteningforamoment,asslowlyitsubsided,andsank. Thenoncemorearose,andsilentlygleamed.Itseemednotawhale; andyetisthisMobyDick?thoughtDaggoo.Againthephantom wentdown,butonreappearingoncemore,withastilettolike crythatstartledeverymanfromhisnod,thenegroyelled out"There!thereagain!thereshebreaches!rightahead! TheWhiteWhale,theWhiteWhale!" Uponthis,theseamenrushedtotheyardarms,asinswarmingtime thebeesrushtotheboughs.Bareheadedinthesultrysun, Ahabstoodonthebowsprit,andwithonehandpushedfarbehind inreadinesstowavehisorderstothehelmsman,casthiseager glanceinthedirectionindicatedaloftbytheoutstretched motionlessarmofDaggoo. Whethertheflittingattendanceoftheonestillandsolitary jethadgraduallyworkeduponAhab,sothathewasnowprepared toconnecttheideasofmildnessandreposewiththefirstsight oftheparticularwhalehepursued;howeverthiswas,orwhether hiseagernessbetrayedhim;whicheverwayitmighthavebeen, nosoonerdidhedistinctlyperceivethewhitemass,thanwith aquickintensityheinstantlygaveordersforlowering. Thefourboatsweresoononthewater;Ahab'sinadvance, andallswiftlypullingtowardstheirprey.Soonitwentdown, andwhile,withoarssuspended,wewereawaitingitsreappearance, lo!inthesamespotwhereitsank,oncemoreitslowlyrose. AlmostforgettingforthemomentallthoughtsofMobyDick, wenowgazedatthemostwondrousphenomenonwhichthesecret seashavehithertorevealedtomankind.Avastpulpymass, furlongsinlengthandbreadth,ofaglancingcreamcolor,lay floatingonthewater,innumerablelongarmsradiatingfrom itscentre,andcurlingandtwistinglikeanestofanacondas, asifblindlytoclutchatanyhaplessobjectwithinreach. Noperceptiblefaceorfrontdidithave;noconceivabletoken ofeithersensationorinstinct;butundulatedthereonthebillows, anunearthly,formless,chancelikeapparitionoflife. Aswithalowsuckingsounditslowlydisappearedagain, Starbuckstillgazingattheagitatedwaterswhereithadsunk, withawildvoiceexclaimed"AlmostratherhadIseenMobyDick andfoughthim,thantohaveseenthee,thouwhiteghost!" "Whatwasit,Sir?"saidFlask. "Thegreatlivesquid,which,theysay,fewwhaleshipseverbeheld,

andreturnedtotheirportstotellofit." ButAhabsaidnothing;turninghisboat,hesailedbacktothevessel; therestassilentlyfollowing. Whateversuperstitionsthespermwhalemeningeneralhaveconnected withthesightofthisobject,certainitis,thataglimpseofit beingsoveryunusual,thatcircumstancehasgonefartoinvestit withportentousness.Sorarelyisitbeheld,thatthoughoneandall ofthemdeclareittobethelargestanimatedthingintheocean, yetveryfewofthemhaveanybutthemostvagueideasconcerning itstruenatureandform;notwithstanding,theybelieveittofurnish tothespermwhalehisonlyfood.Forthoughotherspeciesofwhalesfind theirfoodabovewater,andmaybeseenbymanintheactoffeeding, thespermacetiwhaleobtainshiswholefoodinunknownzonesbelow thesurface;andonlybyinferenceisitthatanyonecantell ofwhat,precisely,thatfoodconsists.Attimes,whencloselypursued, hewilldisgorgewhataresupposedtobethedetachedarmsofthesquid; someofthemthusexhibitedexceedingtwentyandthirtyfeetinlength. Theyfancythatthemonstertowhichthesearmsbelongedordinarily clingsbythemtothebedoftheocean;andthatthespermwhale, unlikeotherspecies,issuppliedwithteethinordertoattack andtearit. ThereseemssomegroundtoimaginethatthegreatKrakenof BishopPontoppodanmayultimatelyresolveitselfintoSquid.Themanner inwhichtheBishopdescribesit,asalternatelyrisingandsinking, withsomeotherparticularshenarrates,inallthisthetwocorrespond. Butmuchabatementisnecessarywithrespecttotheincrediblebulk heassignsit. Bysomenaturalistswhohavevaguelyheardrumorsofthemysterious creature,herespokenof,itisincludedamongtheclassofcuttlefish, towhich,indeed,incertainexternalrespectsitwouldseemtobelong, butonlyastheAnakofthetribe. CHAPTER60 TheLine Withreferencetothewhalingsceneshortlytobedescribed, aswellasforthebetterunderstandingofallsimilarscenes elsewherepresented,Ihaveheretospeakofthemagical,

sometimeshorriblewhaleline. Thelineoriginallyusedinthefisherywasofthebesthemp, slightlyvaporedwithtar,notimpregnatedwithit,asin thecaseofordinaryropes;forwhiletar,asordinarilyused, makesthehempmorepliabletotheropemaker,andalsorenders theropeitselfmoreconvenienttothesailorforcommon shipuse;yet,notonlywouldtheordinaryquantitytoomuch stiffenthewhalelinefortheclosecoilingtowhichitmust besubjected;butasmostseamenarebeginningtolearn,tarin generalbynomeansaddstotherope'sdurabilityorstrength, howevermuchitmaygiveitcompactnessandgloss. OflateyearstheManillaropehasintheAmericanfisheryalmost entirelysupersededhempasamaterialforwhalelines;for,thoughnot sodurableashemp,itisstronger,andfarmoresoftandelastic; andIwilladd(sincethereisanaestheticsinallthings), ismuchmorehandsomeandbecomingtotheboat,thanhemp. Hempisadusky,darkfellow,asortofIndian;butManilla isasagoldenhairedCircassiantobehold. Thewhalelineisonlytwothirdsofaninchinthickness. Atfirstsight,youwouldnotthinkitsostrongasitreallyis. Byexperimentitsoneandfiftyyarnswilleachsuspendaweight ofonehundredandtwentypounds;sothatthewholeropewill bearastrainnearlyequaltothreetons.Inlength,thecommon spermwhalelinemeasuressomethingovertwohundredfathoms. Towardsthesternoftheboatitisspirallycoiledawayinthetub, notlikethewormpipeofastillthough,butsoastoformoneround, cheeseshapedmassofdenselybedded"sheaves,"orlayersof concentricspiralizations,withoutanyhollowbutthe"heart," orminuteverticaltubeformedattheaxisofthecheese. Astheleasttangleorkinkinthecoilingwould,inrunningout, infalliblytakesomebody'sarm,leg,orentirebodyoff, theutmostprecautionisusedinstowingthelineinitstub. Someharpooneerswillconsumealmostanentiremorninginthisbusiness, carryingthelinehighaloftandthenreevingitdownwardsthrough ablocktowardsthetub,soasintheactofcoilingtofreeit fromallpossiblewrinklesandtwists. IntheEnglishboatstwotubsareusedinsteadofone; thesamelinebeingcontinuouslycoiledinbothtubs. Thereissomeadvantageinthis;becausethesetwintubs beingsosmalltheyfitmorereadilyintotheboat, anddonotstrainitsomuch;whereas,theAmericantub, nearlythreefeetindiameterandofproportionatedepth,

makesaratherbulkyfreightforacraftwhoseplanksarebut onehalfinchinthickness;forthebottomofthewhaleboat islikecriticalice,whichwillbearupaconsiderable distributedweight,butnotverymuchofaconcentratedone. Whenthepaintedcanvascoverisclappedontheamericanlinetub, theboatlooksasifitwerepullingoffwithaprodigious greatweddingcaketopresenttothewhales. Bothendsofthelineareexposed;thelowerendterminating inaneyespliceorloopcomingupfromthebottomagainst thesideofthetub,andhangingoveritsedgecompletely disengagedfromeverything.Thisarrangementofthelowerend isnecessaryontwoaccounts.First:Inordertofacilitate thefasteningtoitofanadditionallinefromaneighboringboat, incasethestrickenwhaleshouldsoundsodeepastothreaten tocarryofftheentirelineoriginallyattachedtotheharpoon. Intheseinstances,thewhaleofcourseisshiftedlikeamugofale, asitwere,fromtheoneboattotheother;thoughthefirstboat alwayshoversathandtoassistitsconsort.Second:Thisarrangement isindispensableforcommonsafety'ssake;forwerethelower endofthelineinanywayattachedtotheboat,andwere thewhalethentorunthelineouttotheendalmostinasingle, smokingminuteashesometimesdoes,hewouldnotstopthere, forthedoomedboatwouldinfalliblybedraggeddownafterhim intotheprofundityofthesea;andinthatcasenotowncrier wouldeverfindheragain. Beforeloweringtheboatforthechase,theupperendoftheline istakenaftfromthetub,andpassingroundtheloggerheadthere, isagaincarriedforwardtheentirelengthoftheboat, restingcrosswiseupontheloomorhandleofeveryman'soar, sothatitjogsagainsthiswristinrowing;andalsopassing betweenthemen,astheyalternatelysitattheoppositegunwales, totheleadedchocksorgroovesintheextremepointedprowof theboat,whereawoodenpinorskewerthesizeofacommonquill, preventsitfromslippingout.Fromthechocksithangsinaslight festoonoverthebows,andisthenpassedinsidetheboatagain; andsometenortwentyfathoms(calledboxline)beingcoiledupon theboxinthebows,itcontinuesitswaytothegunwalestill alittlefurtheraft,andisthenattachedtotheshortwarp theropewhichisimmediatelyconnectedwiththeharpoon; butprevioustothatconnexion,theshortwarpgoesthroughsundry mystificationstootedioustodetail. Thusthewhalelinefoldsthewholeboatinitscomplicatedcoils, twistingandwrithingarounditinalmosteverydirection.

Alltheoarsmenareinvolvedinitsperilouscontortions; sothattothetimideyeofthelandsman,theyseemasIndianjugglers, withthedeadliestsnakessportivelyfestooningtheirlimbs. Norcananysonofmortalwoman,forthefirsttime,seathimselfamid thosehempenintricacies,andwhilestraininghisutmostattheoar, bethinkhimthatatanyunknowninstanttheharpoonmaybedarted, andallthesehorriblecontortionsbeputinplaylikeringedlightnings; hecannotbethuscircumstancedwithoutashudderthatmakes theverymarrowinhisbonestoquiverinhimlikeashakenjelly. Yethabitstrangething!whatcannothabitaccomplish?Gayersallies, moremerrymirth,betterjokes,andbrighterrepartees,younever heardoveryourmahogany,thanyouwillhearoverthehalfinch whitecedarofthewhaleboat,whenthushunginhangman'snooses; and,likethesixburghersofCalaisbeforeKingEdward,thesix mencomposingthecrewpullintothejawsofdeath,withahalter aroundeveryneck,asyoumaysay. Perhapsaverylittlethoughtwillnowenableyoutoaccount forthoserepeatedwhalingdisasterssomefewofwhichare casuallychronicledofthismanorthatmanbeingtakenoutof theboatbytheline,andlost.For,whenthelineisdartingout, tobeseatedthenintheboat,islikebeingseatedinthemidst ofthemanifoldwhizzingsofasteamengineinfullplay, wheneveryflyingbeam,andshaft,andwheel,isgrazingyou. Itisworse;foryoucannotsitmotionlessintheheartof theseperils,becausetheboatisrockinglikeacradle,andyou arepitchedonewayandtheother,withouttheslightestwarning; andonlybyacertainselfadjustingbuoyancyandsimultaneousness ofvolitionandaction,canyouescapebeingmadeaMazeppaof, andrunawaywithwheretheallseeingsunhimselfcouldnever pierceyouout. Again:astheprofoundcalmwhichonlyapparentlyprecedesand prophesiesofthestorm,isperhapsmoreawfulthanthestormitself; for,indeed,thecalmisbutthewrapperandenvelopeofthestorm; andcontainsitinitself,astheseeminglyharmlessrifle holdsthefatalpowder,andtheball,andtheexplosion; sothegracefulreposeoftheline,asitsilentlyserpentines abouttheoarsmenbeforebeingbroughtintoactualplay thisisathingwhichcarriesmoreoftrueterrorthananyother aspectofthisdangerousaffair.Butwhysaymore?Allmenlive envelopedinwhalelines.Allarebornwithhaltersroundtheirnecks; butitisonlywhencaughtintheswift,suddenturnofdeath, thatmortalsrealizethesilent,subtle,everpresentperilsoflife. Andifyoubeaphilosopher,thoughseatedinthewhaleboat, youwouldnotatheartfeelonewhitmoreofterror,thanthough

seatedbeforeyoureveningfirewithapoker,andnotaharpoon, byyourside. CHAPTER61 StubbKillsaWhale IftoStarbucktheapparitionoftheSquidwasathingofportents, toQueequegitwasquiteadifferentobject. "Whenyouseehim'quid,"saidthesavage,honinghisharpooninthebow ofhishoistedboat,"thenyouquickseehim'parmwhale." Thenextdaywasexceedinglystillandsultry,andwithnothing specialtoengagethem,thePequod'screwcouldhardly resistthespellofsleepinducedbysuchavacantsea. ForthispartoftheIndianOceanthroughwhichwethenwere voyagingisnotwhatwhalemencallalivelyground;thatis, itaffordsfewerglimpsesofporpoises,dolphins,flyingfish,and othervivaciousdenizensofmorestirringwaters,thanthoseoff theRiodelaPlata,ortheinshoregroundoffPeru. Itwasmyturntostandattheforemasthead;andwithmy shouldersleaningagainsttheslackenedroyalshrouds, toandfroIidlyswayedinwhatseemedanenchantedair. Noresolutioncouldwithstandit;inthatdreamymoodlosing allconsciousness,atlastmysoulwentoutofmybody; thoughmybodystillcontinuedtoswayasapendulumwill, longafterthepowerwhichfirstmoveditiswithdrawn. Ereforgetfulnessaltogethercameoverme,Ihadnoticedthat theseamenatthemainandmizzenmastheadswerealreadydrowsy. Sothatatlastallthreeofuslifelesslyswungfromthespars, andforeveryswingthatwemadetherewasanodfrombelowfrom theslumberinghelmsman.Thewaves,too,noddedtheirindolentcrests; andacrossthewidetranceofthesea,eastnoddedtowest, andthesunoverall. Suddenlybubblesseemedburstingbeneathmyclosedeyes; likevicesmyhandsgraspedtheshrouds;someinvisible, graciousagencypreservedme;withashockIcamebacktolife. Andlo!closeunderourlee,notfortyfathomsoff,agigantic

SpermWhalelayrollinginthewaterlikethecapsizedhull ofafrigate,hisbroad,glossyback,ofanEthiopianhue, glisteninginthesun'srayslikeamirror.Butlazilyundulating inthetroughofthesea,andeverandanontranquillyspoutinghis vaporyjet,thewhalelookedlikeaportlyburghersmokinghispipe ofawarmafternoon.Butthatpipe,poorwhale,wasthylast. Asifstruckbysomeenchanter'swand,thesleepyship andeverysleeperinitallatoncestartedintowakefulness; andmorethanascoreofvoicesfromallpartsofthevessel, simultaneouslywiththethreenotesfromaloft,shoutedforth theaccustomedcry,asthegreatfishslowlyandregularly spoutedthesparklingbrineintotheair. "Clearawaytheboats!Luff!"criedAhab.Andobeyinghisownorder, hedashedthehelmdownbeforethehelmsmancouldhandlethespokes. Thesuddenexclamationsofthecrewmusthavealarmedthewhale;andere theboatsweredown,majesticallyturning,heswamawaytotheleeward, butwithsuchasteadytranquillity,andmakingsofewripplesasheswam, thatthinkingafterallhemightnotasyetbealarmed,Ahabgaveorders thatnotanoarshouldbeused,andnomanmustspeakbutinwhispers. SoseatedlikeOntarioIndiansonthegunwalesoftheboats, weswiftlybutsilentlypaddledalong;thecalmnotadmittingof thenoiselesssailsbeingset.Presently,aswethusglidedinchase, themonsterperpendicularlyflittedhistailfortyfeetintotheair, andthensankoutofsightlikeatowerswallowedup. "Theregoflukes!"wasthecry,anannouncementimmediately followedbyStubb'sproducinghismatchandignitinghispipe, fornowarespitewasgranted.Afterthefullintervalofhis soundinghadelapsed,thewhaleroseagain,andbeingnowinadvance ofthesmoker'sboat,andmuchnearertoitthantoanyoftheothers, Stubbcounteduponthehonorofthecapture.Itwasobvious, now,thatthewhalehadatlengthbecomeawareofhispursuers. Allsilenceofcautiousnesswasthereforenolongerofuse. Paddlesweredropped,andoarscameloudlyintoplay. Andstillpuffingathispipe,Stubbcheeredonhiscrew totheassault. Yes,amightychangehadcomeoverthefish.Allalivetohisjeopardy, hewasgoing"headout";thatpartobliquelyprojectingfromthemad yeastwhichhebrewed.* *Itwillbeseeninsomeotherplaceofwhataverylightsubstance theentireinteriorofthespermwhale'senormousheadconsists.

Thoughapparentlythemostmassive,itisbyfarthemostbuoyant partabouthim.Sothatwitheaseheelevatesitintheair, andinvariablydoessowhengoingathisutmostspeed. Besides,suchisthebreadthoftheupperpartofthefrontofhishead, andsuchthetaperingcutwaterformationofthelowerpart, thatbyobliquelyelevatinghishead,hetherebymaybesaid totransformhimselffromabluffbowedsluggishgalliotinto asharppointedNewYorkpilotboat. "Starther,starther,mymen!Don'thurryyourselves;takeplenty oftimebutstarther;startherlikethunderclaps,that'sall," criedStubb,splutteringoutthesmokeashespoke."Starther,now; give'emthelongandstrongstroke,Tashtego.Starther,Tash,myboy starther,all;butkeepcool,keepcoolcucumbersistheword easy,easyonlystartherlikegrimdeathandgrinningdevils, andraisetheburieddeadperpendicularoutoftheirgraves,boys that'sall.Starther!" "Woohoo!Wahee!"screamedtheGayHeaderinreply,raisingsome oldwarwhooptotheskies;aseveryoarsmaninthestrainedboat involuntarilybouncedforwardwiththeonetremendousleadingstroke whichtheeagerIndiangave. Buthiswildscreamswereansweredbyothersquiteaswild. "Keehee!Keehee!"yelledDaggoo,strainingforwardsandbackwards onhisseat,likeapacingtigerinhiscage. "Kala!Kooloo!"howledQueequeg,asifsmackinghislipsovera mouthfulofGrenadier'ssteak.Andthuswithoarsandyellsthekeels cutthesea.Meanwhile,Stubb,retaininghisplaceinthevan, stillencouragedhismentotheonset,allthewhilepuffingthesmoke fromhismouth.Likedesperadoestheytuggedandtheystrained, tillthewelcomecrywasheard"Standup,Tashtego!giveittohim!" Theharpoonwashurled."Sternall!"Theoarsmenbackedwater;thesame momentsomethingwenthotandhissingalongeveryoneoftheirwrists. Itwasthemagicalline.Aninstantbefore,Stubbhadswiftly caughttwoadditionalturnswithitroundtheloggerhead,whence, byreasonofitsincreasedrapidcirclings,ahempenbluesmoke nowjettedupandmingledwiththesteadyfumesfromhispipe. Asthelinepassedroundandroundtheloggerhead;soalso,justbefore reachingthatpoint,itblisteringlypassedthroughandthroughboth ofStubb'shands,fromwhichthehandcloths,orsquaresofquilted canvassometimeswornatthesetimes,hadaccidentallydropped. Itwaslikeholdinganenemy'ssharptwoedgedswordbytheblade, andthatenemyallthetimestrivingtowrestitoutofyourclutch.

 "Wettheline!wettheline!"criedStubbtothetuboarsman(himseated bythetub)who,snatchingoffhishat,dashedtheseawaterintoit.* Moreturnsweretaken,sothatthelinebeganholdingitsplace. Theboatnowflewthroughtheboilingwaterlikeasharkallfins. StubbandTashtegoherechangedplacesstemforsternastaggering businesstrulyinthatrockingcommotion. *Partlytoshowtheindispensablenessofthisact,itmayhere bestated,that,intheoldDutchfishery,amopwasused todashtherunninglinewithwater;inmanyotherships, awoodenpiggin,orbailer,issetapartforthatpurpose. Yourhat,however,isthemostconvenient. Fromthevibratinglineextendingtheentirelengthoftheupperpart oftheboat,andfromitsnowbeingmoretightthanaharpstring, youwouldhavethoughtthecrafthadtwokeelsonecleavingthewater, theothertheairastheboatchurnedonthroughbothopposing elementsatonce.Acontinualcascadeplayedatthebows; aceaselesswhirlingeddyinherwake;and,attheslightestmotion fromwithin,evenbutofalittlefinger,thevibrating,crackingcraft cantedoverherspasmodicgunwaleintothesea.Thustheyrushed; eachmanwithmightandmainclingingtohisseat,topreventbeing tossedtothefoam;andthetallformofTashtegoatthesteeringoar crouchingalmostdouble,inordertobringdownhiscentreofgravity. WholeAtlanticsandPacificsseemedpassedastheyshotontheirway, tillatlengththewhalesomewhatslackenedhisflight. "Haulinhaulin!"criedStubbtothebowsman!and, facingroundtowardsthewhale,allhandsbeganpulling theboatuptohim,whileyettheboatwasbeingtowedon. Soonrangingupbyhisflank,Stubb,firmlyplantinghisknee intheclumsycleat,darteddartafterdartintotheflyingfish; atthewordofcommand,theboatalternatelysterningout ofthewayofthewhale'shorriblewallow,andthenrangingup foranotherfling. Theredtidenowpouredfromallsidesofthemonsterlikebrooks downahill.Histormentedbodyrollednotinbrinebutinblood, whichbubbledandseethedforfurlongsbehindintheirwake. Theslantingsunplayinguponthiscrimsonpondinthesea, sentbackitsreflectionintoeveryface,sothattheyallglowed toeachotherlikeredmen.Andallthewhile,jetafterjet ofwhitesmokewasagonizinglyshotfromthespiracleofthewhale,

andvehementpuffafterpufffromthemouthoftheexcitedheadsman; asateverydart,haulinginuponhiscrookedlance(bytheline attachedtoit),Stubbstraighteneditagainandagain,byafew rapidblowsagainstthegunwale,thenagainandagainsentit intothewhale. "Pulluppullup!"henowcriedtothebowsman,asthewaning whalerelaxedinhiswrath."Pullup!closeto!"andtheboat rangedalongthefish'sflank.Whenreachingfaroverthebow, Stubbslowlychurnedhislongsharplanceintothefish,andkept itthere,carefullychurningandchurning,asifcautiouslyseeking tofeelaftersomegoldwatchthatthewhalemighthaveswallowed, andwhichhewasfearfulofbreakingerehecouldhookitout. Butthatgoldwatchhesoughtwastheinnermostlifeofthefish. Andnowitisstruck;for,startingfromhistranceintothat unspeakablethingcalledhis"flurry,"themonsterhorriblywallowed inhisblood,overwrappedhimselfinimpenetrable,mad,boilingspray, sothattheimperilledcraft,instantlydroppingastern,hadmuchado blindlytostruggleoutfromthatphrensiedtwilightintotheclear airoftheday. Andnowabatinginhisflurry,thewhaleoncemorerolledoutintoview! surgingfromsidetoside;spasmodicallydilatingandcontracting hisspouthole,withsharp,cracking,agonizedrespirations. Atlast,gushaftergushofclottedredgore,asifithadbeen thepurpleleesofredwine,shotintothefrightenedair;andfalling backagain,randrippingdownhismotionlessflanksintothesea. Hishearthadburst! "He'sdead,Mr.Stubb,"saidDaggoo. "Yes;bothpipessmokedout!"andwithdrawinghisownfromhismouth, Stubbscatteredthedeadashesoverthewater;and,foramoment, stoodthoughtfullyeyeingthevastcorpsehehadmade. CHAPTER62 TheDart Awordconcerninganincidentinthelastchapter. Accordingtotheinvariableusageofthefishery,thewhaleboat

pushesofffromtheship,withtheheadsmanorwhalekilleras temporarysteersman,andtheharpooneerorwhalefastenerpulling theforemostoar,theoneknownastheharpooneeroar.Nowitneeds astrong,nervousarmtostrikethefirstironintothefish; foroften,inwhatiscalledalongdart,theheavyimplement hastobeflungtothedistanceoftwentyorthirtyfeet. Buthoweverprolongedandexhaustingthechase,theharpooneeris expectedtopullhisoarmeanwhiletotheuttermost;indeed,heis expectedtosetanexampleofsuperhumanactivitytotherest,notonly byincrediblerowing,butbyrepeatedloudandintrepidexclamations; andwhatitistokeepshoutingatthetopofone'scompass, whilealltheothermusclesarestrainedandhalfstarted whatthatisnoneknowbutthosewhohavetriedit. Forone,Icannotbawlveryheartilyandworkveryrecklessly atoneandthesametime.Inthisstraining,bawlingstate, then,withhisbacktothefish,allatoncetheexhausted harpooneerhearstheexcitingcry"Standup,andgiveittohim!" Henowhastodropandsecurehisoar,turnroundonhiscentre halfway,seizehisharpoonfromthecrotch,andwithwhatlittle strengthmayremain,heessaystopitchitsomehowintothewhale. Nowonder,takingthewholefleetofwhalemeninabody,thatout offiftyfairchancesforadart,notfivearesuccessful;nowonder thatsomanyhaplessharpooneersaremadlycursedanddisrated; nowonderthatsomeofthemactuallybursttheirbloodvessels intheboat;nowonderthatsomespermwhalemenareabsentfour yearswithfourbarrels;nowonderthattomanyshipowners, whalingisbutalosingconcern;foritistheharpooneerthatmakes thevoyage,andifyoutakethebreathoutofhisbodyhowcan youexpecttofindittherewhenmostwanted! Again,ifthedartbesuccessful,thenatthesecondcriticalinstant, thatis,whenthewhalestartstorun,theboatheaderandharpooneer likewisestarttorunningforeandaft,totheimminentjeopardy ofthemselvesandeveryoneelse.Itisthentheychangeplaces; andtheheadsman,thechiefofficerofthelittlecraft,takeshis properstationinthebowsoftheboat. Now,Icarenotwhomaintainsthecontrary,butallthis isbothfoolishandunnecessary.Theheadsmanshouldstay inthebowsfromfirsttolast;heshouldbothdarttheharpoon andthelance,andnorowingwhatevershouldbeexpected ofhim,exceptundercircumstancesobvioustoanyfisherman. Iknowthatthiswouldsometimesinvolveaslightlossofspeed inthechase;butlongexperienceinvariouswhalemenofmore thanonenationhasconvincedmethatinthevastmajority offailuresinthefishery,ithasnotbyanymeansbeensomuch

thespeedofthewhaleasthebeforedescribedexhaustion oftheharpooneerthathascausedthem. Toinsurethegreatestefficiencyinthedart,theharpooneers ofthisworldmuststarttotheirfeetfromoutofidleness, andnotfromoutoftoil. CHAPTER63 TheCrotch Outofthetrunk,thebranchesgrow;outofthem,thetwigs. So,inproductivesubjects,growthechapters. Thecrotchalludedtoonapreviouspagedeservesindependentmention. Itisanotchedstickofapeculiarform,sometwofeet inlength,whichisperpendicularlyinsertedintothestarboard gunwalenearthebow,forthepurposeoffurnishingarest forthewoodenextremityoftheharpoons,whoseothernaked, barbedendslopinglyprojectsfromtheprow.Therebytheweapon isinstantlyathandtoitshurler,whosnatchesitupasreadily fromitsrestasabackwoodsmanswingshisriflefromthewall. Itiscustomarytohavetwoharpoonsreposinginthecrotch, respectivelycalledthefirstandsecondirons. Butthesetwoharpoons,eachbyitsowncord,arebothconnected withtheline;theobjectbeingthis:todartthemboth, ifpossible,oneinstantlyaftertheotherintothesamewhale; sothatif,inthecomingdrag,oneshoulddrawout,theother maystillretainahold.Itisadoublingofthechances. Butitveryoftenhappensthatowingtotheinstantaneous,violent, convulsiverunningofthewhaleuponreceivingthefirstiron, itbecomesimpossiblefortheharpooneer,howeverlightninglike inhismovements,topitchthesecondironintohim. Nevertheless,asthesecondironisalreadyconnectedwiththeline, andthelineisrunning,hencethatweaponmust,atallevents, beanticipatinglytossedoutoftheboat,somehowandsomewhere; elsethemostterriblejeopardywouldinvolveallhands. Tumbledintothewater,itaccordinglyisinsuchcases; thesparecoilsofboxline(mentionedinaprecedingchapter) makingthisfeat,inmostinstances,prudentlypracticable. Butthiscriticalactisnotalwaysunattendedwiththesaddest andmostfatalcasualties.

 Furthermore:youmustknowthatwhenthesecondironisthrown overboard,itthenceforthbecomesadangling,sharpedgedterror, skittishlycurvettingaboutbothboatandwhale,entanglingthelines, orcuttingthem,andmakingaprodigioussensationinalldirections. Nor,ingeneral,isitpossibletosecureitagainuntilthewhale isfairlycapturedandacorpse. Consider,now,howitmustbeinthecaseoffourboatsallengaging oneunusuallystrong,active,andknowingwhale;whenowing tothesequalitiesinhim,aswellastothethousandconcurring accidentsofsuchanaudaciousenterprise,eightortenloosesecond ironsmaybesimultaneouslydanglingabouthim.For,ofcourse, eachboatissuppliedwithseveralharpoonstobendontotheline shouldthefirstonebeineffectuallydartedwithoutrecovery. Alltheseparticularsarefaithfullynarratedhere,astheywillnot failtoelucidateseveralmostimportanthoweverintricatepassages, insceneshereaftertobepainted. CHAPTER64 Stubb'sSupper Stubb'swhalehadbeenkilledsomedistancefromtheship. Itwasacalm;so,formingatandemofthreeboats,wecommenced theslowbusinessoftowingthetrophytothePequod.Andnow, asweeighteenmenwithourthirtysixarms,andonehundred andeightythumbsandfingers,slowlytoiledhourafterhour uponthatinert,sluggishcorpseinthesea;anditseemed hardlytobudgeatall,exceptatlongintervals;goodevidence washerebyfurnishedoftheenormousnessofthemasswemoved. For,uponthegreatcanalofHangHo,orwhatevertheycallit, inChina,fourorfivelaborersonthefootpathwilldraw abulkyfreightedjunkattherateofamileanhour; butthisgrandargosywetowedheavilyforgedalong,asifladen withpigleadinbulk. Darknesscameon;butthreelightsupanddowninthePequod's mainriggingdimlyguidedourway;tilldrawingnearerwesaw Ahabdroppingoneofseveralmorelanternsoverthebulwarks. Vacantlyeyeingtheheavingwhaleforamoment,heissued theusualordersforsecuringitforthenight,andthen

handinghislanterntoaseaman,wenthiswayintothecabin, anddidnotcomeforwardagainuntilmorning. Though,inoverseeingthepursuitofthiswhale,CaptainAhab hadevincedhiscustomaryactivity,tocallitso; yetnowthatthecreaturewasdead,somevaguedissatisfaction, orimpatience,ordespair,seemedworkinginhim;asifthesight ofthatdeadbodyremindedhimthatMobyDickwasyettobeslain; andthoughathousandotherwhaleswerebroughttohisship, allthatwouldnotonejotadvancehisgrand,monomaniacobject. VerysoonyouwouldhavethoughtfromthesoundonthePequod'sdecks, thatallhandswerepreparingtocastanchorinthedeep; forheavychainsarebeingdraggedalongthedeck,andthrust rattlingoutoftheportholes.Butbythoseclankinglinks, thevastcorpseitself,nottheship,istobemoored. Tiedbytheheadtothestern,andbythetailtothebows, thewhalenowlieswithitsblackhullclosetothevessel's, andseenthroughthedarknessofthenight,whichobscured thesparsandriggingaloft,thetwoshipandwhale, seemedyokedtogetherlikecolossalbullocks,whereofonereclines whiletheotherremainsstanding.* *Alittleitemmayaswellberelatedhere.Thestrongestandmost reliableholdwhichtheshiphasuponthewhalewhenmooredalongside, isbytheflukesortail;andasfromitsgreaterdensitythatpart isrelativelyheavierthananyother(exceptingthesidefins),its flexibilityevenindeath,causesittosinklowbeneaththesurface; sothatwiththehandyoucannotgetatitfromtheboat,inordertoput thechainroundit.Butthisdifficultyisingeniouslyovercome: asmall,stronglineispreparedwithawoodenfloatatitsouterend, andaweightinitsmiddle,whiletheotherendissecuredtotheship. Byadroitmanagementthewoodenfloatismadetoriseontheother sideofthemass,sothatnowhavinggirdledthewhale,thechain isreadilymadetofollowsuit;andbeingslippedalongthebody, isatlastlockedfastroundthesmallestpartofthetail,atthepoint ofjunctionwithitsbroadflukesorlobes. IfmoodyAhabwasnowallquiescence,atleastsofarascould beknownondeck,Stubb,hissecondmate,flushedwithconquest, betrayedanunusualbutstillgoodnaturedexcitement. SuchanunwontedbustlewasheinthatthestaidStarbuck, hisofficialsuperior,quietlyresignedtohimforthetime thesolemanagementofaffairs.Onesmall,helpingcauseofall thislivelinessinStubb,wassoonmadestrangelymanifest.

Stubbwasahighliver;hewassomewhatintemperatelyfond ofthewhaleasaflavorishthingtohispalate. "Asteak,asteak,ereIsleep!You,Daggoo!overboardyougo, andcutmeonefromhissmall!" Herebeitknown,thatthoughthesewildfishermendonot, asageneralthing,andaccordingtothegreatmilitarymaxim, maketheenemydefraythecurrentexpensesofthewar(atleast beforerealizingtheproceedsofthevoyage),yetnowandthen youfindsomeoftheseNantucketerswhohaveagenuinerelish forthatparticularpartoftheSpermWhaledesignatedbyStubb; comprisingthetaperingextremityofthebody. Aboutmidnightthatsteakwascutandcooked;andlightedbytwo lanternsofspermoil,Stubbstoutlystooduptohisspermaceti supperatthecapstanhead,asifthatcapstanwereasideboard. NorwasStubbtheonlybanqueteronwhale'sfleshthatnight. Minglingtheirmumblingswithhisownmastications,thousandsonthousands ofsharks,swarmingroundthedeadleviathan,smackinglyfeasted onitsfatness.Thefewsleepersbelowintheirbunkswereoften startledbythesharpslappingoftheirtailsagainstthehull, withinafewinchesofthesleepers'hearts.Peeringoverthesideyou couldjustseethem(asbeforeyouheardthem)wallowinginthesullen, blackwaters,andturningoverontheirbacksastheyscoopedout hugeglobularpiecesofthewhaleofthebignessofahumanhead. Thisparticularfeatofthesharkseemsallbutmiraculous. Howatsuchanapparentlyunassailablesurface,theycontrivetogouge outsuchsymmetricalmouthfuls,remainsapartoftheuniversal problemofallthings.Themarktheythusleaveonthewhale, maybestbelikenedtothehollowmadebyacarpenterincountersinking forascrew. Thoughamidallthesmokinghorroranddiabolismofaseafight, sharkswillbeseenlonginglygazinguptotheship'sdecks, likehungrydogsroundatablewhereredmeatisbeingcarved, readytoboltdowneverykilledmanthatistossedtothem;andthough, whilethevaliantbutchersoverthedecktablearethuscannibally carvingeachother'slivemeatwithcarvingknivesallgilded andtasselled,thesharks,also,withtheirjewelhiltedmouths, arequarrelsomelycarvingawayunderthetableatthedeadmeat; andthough,wereyoutoturnthewholeaffairupsidedown, itwouldstillbeprettymuchthesamething,thatistosay, ashockingsharkishbusinessenoughforallparties;andthough sharksalsoaretheinvariableoutridersofallslaveships crossingtheAtlantic,systematicallytrottingalongside,tobe

handyincaseaparcelistobecarriedanywhere,oradeadslave tobedecentlyburied;andthoughoneortwootherlikeinstances mightbesetdown,touchingthesetterms,places,andoccasions, whensharksdomostsociallycongregate,andmosthilariouslyfeast; yetistherenoconceivabletimeoroccasionwhenyouwillfindthem insuchcountlessnumbers,andingayerormorejovialspirits, thanaroundadeadspermwhale,mooredbynighttoawhaleshipatsea. Ifyouhaveneverseenthatsight,thensuspendyourdecision abouttheproprietyofdevilworship,andtheexpediencyof conciliatingthedevil. But,asyet,Stubbheedednotthemumblingsofthebanquet thatwasgoingonsonighhim,nomorethanthesharksheeded thesmackingofhisownepicureanlips. "Cook,cook!where'sthatoldFleece?"hecriedatlength, wideninghislegsstillfurther,asiftoformamoresecure baseforhissupper;and,atthesametimedartinghisfork intothedish,asifstabbingwithhislance;"cook,youcook! sailthisway,cook!" Theoldblack,notinanyveryhighgleeathavingbeenpreviously routedfromhiswarmhammockatamostunseasonablehour, cameshamblingalongfromhisgalley,for,likemanyoldblacks, therewassomethingthematterwithhiskneepans,whichhedid notkeepwellscouredlikehisotherpans;thisoldFleece, astheycalledhim,cameshufflingandlimpingalong,assistinghis stepwithhistongs,which,afteraclumsyfashion,weremade ofstraightenedironhoops;thisoldEbonyflounderedalong, andinobediencetothewordofcommand,cametoadeadstop ontheoppositesideofStubb'ssideboard;when,withbothhands foldedbeforehim,andrestingonhistwoleggedcane,hebowed hisarchedbackstillfurtherover,atthesametimesideways inclininghishead,soastobringhisbestearintoplay. "Cook,"saidStubb,rapidlyliftingaratherreddishmorsel tohismouth,"don'tyouthinkthissteakisratheroverdone? You'vebeenbeatingthissteaktoomuch,cook;it'stootender. Don'tIalwayssaythattobegood,awhalesteakmustbetough? Therearethosesharksnowovertheside,don'tyouseethey preferittoughandrare?Whatashindytheyarekickingup! Cook,goandtalkto'em;tell'emtheyarewelcometohelp themselvescivilly,andinmoderation,buttheymustkeepquiet. Blastme,ifIcanhearmyownvoice.Away,cook,anddeliver mymessage.Here,takethislantern,"snatchingonefromhissideboard; "nowthen,goandpreachtothem!"

 Sullenlytakingtheofferedlantern,oldFleecelimpedacross thedecktothebulwarks;andthen,withonehanddroopinghislight lowoverthesea,soastogetagoodviewofhiscongregation, withtheotherhandhesolemnlyflourishedhistongs,andleaning faroverthesideinamumblingvoicebeganaddressingthesharks, whileStubb,softlycrawlingbehind,overheardallthatwassaid. "Fellowcritters:I'seorderedheretosaydatyoumuststopdat damnoisedare.Youhear?Stopdatdamsmackin'obdelips! MassaStubbsaydatyoucanfillyourdambelliesuptodehatchings, butbyGor!youmuststopdatdamracket!" "Cook,"hereinterposedStubb,accompanyingthewordwithasuddenslap ontheshoulder,Cook!why,damnyoureyes,youmustn'tswearthatway whenyou'repreaching.That'snowaytoconvertsinners,Cook!Whodat? Denpreachtohimyourself,"sullenlyturningtogo. No,Cook;goon,goon." "Well,den,Belubedfellowcritters:" "Right!"exclaimedStubb,approvingly,"coax'emtoit,trythat," andFleececontinued. "Doyouisallsharks,andbynaturweryworacious,yetIzaytoyou, fellowcritters,datdatworaciousness'topdatdamslappin'obdetail! Howyoutinktohear,'sposeyoukeepupsuchadamslapping andbitin'dare?" "Cook,"criedStubb,collaringhim,"Iwon'thavethatswearing. Talkto'emgentlemanly." Oncemorethesermonproceeded. "Yourworaciousness,fellowcritters.Idon'tblameyesomuchfor; datisnatur,andcan'tbehelped;buttogoberndatwickednatur, datisdepint.Youissharks,sartin;butifyougobernde sharkinyou,whydenyoubeangel;forallangelisnot'ing moredandesharkwellgoberned.Now,lookhere,bred'ren,just trywonsttobecibil,ahelpingyourselbsfromdatwhale. Don'tbetearin'deblubberoutyourneighbour'smout,Isay. Isnotonesharkdoodrightastodertodatwhale?And,byGor,noneon youhasderighttodatwhale;datwhalebelongtosomeoneelse. Iknowsomeo'youhasberrybrigmout,briggerdanoders; butdendebrigmoutssometimeshasdesmallbellies;sodatde

brignessofdemoutisnottoswallarwid,buttobitoffde blubberfordesmallfryobsharks,datcan'tgetintodescrouge tohelpdemselves." "Welldone,oldFleece!"criedStubb,"that'sChristianity;goon." "Nousegoin'on;dedamwillainswillkeepascrougin' andslappin'eachoder,MassaStubb;deydon'thearoneword; nouseapreachingtosuchdamg'uttonsasyoucall'em, tilldarebelliesisfull,anddarebelliesisbottomless; andwhendeydoget'emfull,deywonthearyouden; fordendeysinkindesea,gofasttosleepondecoral, andcan'thearnotingatall,nomore,foreberandeber." "Uponmysoul,Iamaboutofthesameopinion;sogive thebenediction,Fleece,andI'llawaytomysupper." Uponthis,Fleece,holdingbothhandsoverthefishymob, raisedhisshrillvoice,andcried "Cussedfellowcritters!Kickupdedamndestrowaseveryoucan; fillyourdambellies'tilldeybustanddendie." "Now,cook,"saidStubb,resuminghissupperatthecapstan; Standjustwhereyoustoodbefore,there,overagainstme, andpayparticularattention." "All'dention,"saidFleece,againstoopingoveruponhistongs inthedesiredposition. "Well,"saidStubb,helpinghimselffreelymeanwhile; "Ishallnowgobacktothesubjectofthissteak. Inthefirstplace,howoldareyou,cook?" "Whatdatdowidde'teak,"saidtheoldblack,testily. "Silence!Howoldareyou,cook?" "'Boutninety,deysay,"hegloomilymuttered. Andhaveyouhavelivedinthisworldhardupononehundred years,cook,anddon'tknowyethowtocookawhalesteak?" rapidlyboltinganothermouthfulatthelastword, sothatthatmorselseemedacontinuationofthequestion. "Wherewereyouborn,cook?"

"'Hinddehatchway,inferryboat,goin'oberdeRoanoke." "Borninaferryboat!That'squeer,too.ButIwanttoknow whatcountryyouwerebornin,cook!" "Didn'tIsaydeRoanokecountry?"hecriedsharply. "No,youdidn't,cook;butI'lltellyouwhatI'mcomingto,cook. Youmustgohomeandbebornoveragain;youdon'tknowhowtocook awhalesteakyet." "Bressmysoul,ifIcooknoderone,"hegrowled,angrily, turningroundtodepart. "Comebackhere,cook;here,handmethosetongs;nowtakethatbitof steakthere,andtellmeifyouthinkthatsteakcookedasitshouldbe? Takeit,Isay"holdingthetongstowardshim"takeit,andtasteit." Faintlysmackinghiswitheredlipsoveritforamoment,theold negromuttered,"Bestcooked'teakIebertaste;joosy,berryjoosy." "Cook,"saidStubb,squaringhimselfoncemore;"doyoubelong tothechurch?" "PassedoneonceinCapeDown,"saidtheoldmansullenly. "AndyouhaveonceinyourlifepassedaholychurchinCapeTown, whereyoudoubtlessoverheardaholyparsonaddressinghis hearersashisbelovedfellowcreatures,haveyou,cook! Andyetyoucomehere,andtellmesuchadreadfullieasyoudid justnow,eh?"saidStubb."Wheredoyouexpecttogoto,cook?" "Gotobedberrysoon,"hemumbled,halfturningashespoke. "Avast!heaveto!Imeanwhenyoudie,cook.It'sanawfulquestion. Nowwhat'syouranswer?" "Whendisoldbrackmandies,"saidthenegroslowly, changinghiswholeairanddemeanor,"hehisselfwon'tgonowhere; butsomebressedangelwillcomeandfetchhim." "Fetchhim?How?Inacoachandfour,astheyfetchedElijah? Andfetchhimwhere?" "Updere,"saidFleece,holdinghistongsstraightoverhishead, andkeepingitthereverysolemnly.

 "So,then,youexpecttogoupintoourmaintop,doyou,cook, whenyouaredead?Butdon'tyouknowthehigheryouclimb, thecolderitgets?Maintop,eh?" "Didn'tsaydatt'all,"saidFleece,againinthesulks. "Yousaidupthere,didn'tyou?andnowlookyourself,andsee whereyourtongsarepointing.But,perhapsyouexpecttoget intoheavenbycrawlingthroughthelubber'shole,cook;but,no, no,cook,youdon'tgetthere,exceptyougotheregularway, roundbytherigging.It'saticklishbusiness,butmustbedone, orelseit'snogo.Butnoneofusareinheavenyet. Dropyourtongs,cook,andhearmyorders.Doyehear? Holdyourhatinonehand,andclapt'othera'topofyourheart, whenI'mgivingmyorders,cook.What!thatyourheart,there? that'syourgizzard!Aloft!aloft!that'sitnowyouhaveit. Holdittherenow,andpayattention." "All'dention,"saidtheoldblack,withbothhandsplacedasdesired, vainlywrigglinghisgrizzledhead,asiftogetbothearsinfront atoneandthesametime. "Wellthen,cook,youseethiswhalesteakofyourswassoverybad, thatIhaveputitoutofsightassoonaspossible;youseethat, don'tyou?Well,forthefuture,whenyoucookanotherwhalesteak formyprivatetablehere,thecapstan,I'lltellyouwhattodo soasnottospoilitbyoverdoing.Holdthesteakinonehand, andshowalivecoaltoitwiththeother;thatdone,dishit;d'yehear? Andnowtomorrow,cook,whenwearecuttinginthefish,besure youstandbytogetthetipsofhisfins;havethemputinpickle. Asfortheendsoftheflukes,havethemsoused,cook.There,now yemaygo." ButFleecehadhardlygotthreepacesoff,whenhewasrecalled. "Cook,givemecutletsforsuppertomorrownightinthemidwatch.D'ye hear?awayyousailthen.Halloa!stop!makeabowbeforeyougo. Avastheavingagain!Whaleballsforbreakfastdon'tforget." "Wish,bygor!whaleeathim,'steadofhimeatwhale. I'mbressedifheain'tmoreofsharkdanMassaSharkhisself," mutteredtheoldman,limpingaway;withwhichsageejaculation hewenttohishammock.

 CHAPTER65 TheWhaleasaDish Thatmortalmanshouldfeeduponthecreaturethatfeeds hislamp,and,likeStubb,eathimbyhisownlight,asyoumaysay; thisseemssooutlandishathingthatonemustneedsgoalittle intothehistoryandphilosophyofit. Itisuponrecord,thatthreecenturiesagothetongueoftheRightWhale wasesteemedagreatdelicacyinFrance,andcommandedlarge pricesthere.Also,thatinHenryVIIIth'stime,acertaincookof thecourtobtainedahandsomerewardforinventinganadmirablesauce tobeeatenwithbarbacuedporpoises,which,youremember,areaspecies ofwhale.Porpoises,indeed,aretothisdayconsideredfineeating. Themeatismadeintoballsaboutthesizeofbilliardballs, andbeingwellseasonedandspicedmightbetakenforturtleballs orvealballs.TheoldmonksofDunfermlinewereveryfondofthem. Theyhadagreatporpoisegrantfromthecrown. Thefactis,thatamonghishuntersatleast,thewhalewould byallhandsbeconsideredanobledish,weretherenotsomuch ofhim;butwhenyoucometositdownbeforeameatpie nearlyonehundredfeetlong,ittakesawayyourappetite. OnlythemostunprejudicedofmenlikeStubb,nowadayspartake ofcookedwhales;buttheEsquimauxarenotsofastidious. Weallknowhowtheyliveuponwhales,andhaverareoldvintages ofprimeoldtrainoil.Zogranda,oneoftheirmostfamousdoctors, recommendsstripsofblubberforinfants,asbeingexceedingly juicyandnourishing.AndthisremindsmethatcertainEnglishmen, wholongagowereaccidentallyleftinGreenlandbyawhalingvessel thatthesemenactuallylivedforseveralmonthsonthemouldy scrapsofwhaleswhichhadbeenleftashoreaftertrying outtheblubber.AmongtheDutchwhalementhesescraps arecalled"fritters";which,indeed,theygreatlyresemble, beingbrownandcrisp,andsmellingsomethinglikeold Amsterdamhousewives'doughnutsorolycooks,whenfresh. Theyhavesuchaneatablelookthatthemostselfdenying strangercanhardlykeephishandsoff. Butwhatfurtherdepreciatesthewhaleasacivilizeddish,

ishisexceedingrichness.Heisthegreatprizeoxofthesea, toofattobedelicatelygood.Lookathishump,whichwould beasfineeatingasthebuffalo's(whichisesteemed araredish),wereitnotsuchasolidpyramidoffat. Butthespermacetiitself,howblandandcreamythatis; likethetransparent,halfjellied,whitemeatofacocoanut inthethirdmonthofitsgrowth,yetfartoorichtosupply asubstituteforbutter.Nevertheless,manywhalemen haveamethodofabsorbingitintosomeothersubstance, andthenpartakingofit.Inthelongtrywatchesofthenight itisacommonthingfortheseamentodiptheirshipbiscuit intothehugeoilpotsandletthemfrythereawhile. ManyagoodsupperhaveIthusmade. InthecaseofasmallSpermWhalethebrainsareaccountedafinedish. Thecasketoftheskullisbrokenintowithanaxe,andthetwoplump, whitishlobesbeingwithdrawn(preciselyresemblingtwolargepuddings), theyarethenmixedwithflour,andcookedintoamostdelectablemess, inflavorsomewhatresemblingcalves'head,whichisquiteadish amongsomeepicures;andeveryoneknowsthatsomeyoungbucksamong theepicures,bycontinuallydininguponcalves'brains,byandbygetto havealittlebrainsoftheirown,soastobeabletotellacalf'shead fromtheirownheads;which,indeed,requiresuncommondiscrimination. Andthatisthereasonwhyayoungbuckwithanintelligentlookingcalf's headbeforehim,issomehowoneofthesaddestsightsyoucansee. Theheadlooksasortofreproachfullyathim,withan"Et tuBrute!"expression. Itisnot,perhaps,entirelybecausethewhaleissoexcessively unctuousthatlandsmenseemtoregardtheeatingofhim withabhorrence;thatappearstoresult,insomeway, fromtheconsiderationbeforementioned:i.e.thataman shouldeatanewlymurderedthingofthesea,andeatit toobyitsownlight.Butnodoubtthefirstmanthatever murderedanoxwasregardedasamurderer;perhapshewashung; andifhehadbeenputonhistrialbyoxen,hecertainlywould havebeen;andhecertainlydeserveditifanymurdererdoes. GotothemeatmarketofaSaturdaynightandseethecrowds oflivebipedsstaringupatthelongrowsofdeadquadrupeds. Doesnotthatsighttakeatoothoutofthecannibal'sjaw? Cannibals?whoisnotacannibal?Itellyouitwillbemore tolerablefortheFejeethatsalteddownaleanmissionary inhiscellaragainstacomingfamine;itwillbemoretolerable forthatprovidentFejee,Isay,inthedayofjudgment, thanforthee,civilizedandenlightenedgourmand,whonailest geesetothegroundandfeastestontheirbloatedlivers

inthypatedefoiegras. ButStubb,heeatsthewhalebyitsownlight,doeshe?andthatis addinginsulttoinjury,isit?Lookatyourknifehandle,there, mycivilizedandenlightenedgourmand,diningoffthatroastbeef, whatisthathandlemadeof?whatbutthebonesofthebrother oftheveryoxyouareeating?Andwhatdoyoupickyourteethwith, afterdevouringthatfatgoose?Withafeatherofthesamefowl. AndwithwhatquilldidtheSecretaryoftheSocietyforthe SuppressionofCrueltytoGandersformallyinditehiscirculars? Itisonlywithinthelastmonthortwothatthatsocietypassed aresolutiontopatronizenothingbutsteelpens. CHAPTER66 TheSharkMassacre WhenintheSouthernFisheryacapturedSpermWhale,afterlong andwearytoil,isbroughtalongsidelateatnight,itisnot, asageneralthingatleast,customarytoproceedatoncetothebusiness ofcuttinghimin.Forthatbusinessisanexceedinglylaboriousone; isnotverysooncompleted;andrequiresallhandstosetaboutit. Therefore,thecommonusageistotakeinallsail;lashthehelma'lee; andthensendeveryonebelowtohishammocktilldaylight, withthereservationthat,untilthattime,anchorwatchesshallbekept; thatis,twoandtwoforanhour,eachcouple,thecrewinrotation shallmountthedecktoseethatallgoeswell. Butsometimes,especiallyupontheLineinthePacific, thisplanwillnotansweratall;becausesuchincalculable hostsofsharksgatherroundthemooredcarcase,thatwere heleftsoforsixhours,say,onastretch,littlemorethan theskeletonwouldbevisiblebymorning.Inmostotherparts oftheocean,however,wherethesefishdonotsolargelyabound, theirwondrousvoracitycanbeattimesconsiderablydiminished, byvigorouslystirringthemupwithsharpwhalingspades, aprocedurenotwithstanding,which,insomeinstances, onlyseemstoticklethemintostillgreateractivity. ButitwasnotthusinthepresentcasewiththePequod'ssharks; though,tobesure,anymanunaccustomedtosuchsights, tohavelookedoverhersidethatnight,wouldhavealmost thoughtthewholeroundseawasonehugecheese,andthosesharks themaggotsinit.

 Nevertheless,uponStubbsettingtheanchorwatchafter hissupperwasconcluded;andwhen,accordinglyQueequeg andaforecastleseamancameondeck,nosmallexcitement wascreatedamongthesharks;forimmediatelysuspending thecuttingstagesovertheside,andloweringthreelanterns, sothattheycastlonggleamsoflightovertheturbidsea, thesetwomariners,dartingtheirlongwhalingspades,*kept upanincessantmurderingofthesharks,bystrikingthekeen steeldeepintotheirskulls,seeminglytheironlyvitalpart. Butinthefoamyconfusionoftheirmixedandstrugglinghosts, themarksmencouldnotalwayshittheirmark;andthisbrought aboutnewrevelationsoftheincredibleferocityofthefoe. Theyviciouslysnapped,notonlyateachother'sdisembowelments, butlikeflexiblebows,bentround,andbittheirown; tillthoseentrailsseemedswallowedoverandoveragainby thesamemouth,tobeoppositelyvoidedbythegapingwound. Norwasthisall.Itwasunsafetomeddlewiththecorpses andghostsofthesecreatures.AsortofgenericorPantheistic vitalityseemedtolurkintheirveryjointsandbones, afterwhatmightbecalledtheindividuallifehaddeparted. Killedandhoistedondeckforthesakeofhisskin, oneofthesesharksalmosttookpoorQueequeg'shandoff, whenhetriedtoshutdownthedeadlidofhismurderousjaw. *Thewhalingspadeusedforcuttinginismadeoftheverybeststeel; isaboutthebignessofaman'sspreadhand;andingeneralshape, correspondstothegardenimplementafterwhichitisnamed;onlyits sidesareperfectlyflat,anditsupperendconsiderablynarrower thanthelower.Thisweaponisalwayskeptassharpaspossible; andwhenbeingusedisoccasionallyhoned,justlikearazor. Initssocket,astiffpole,fromtwentytothirtyfeetlong, isinsertedforahandle. "Queequegnocarewhatgodmadehimshark,"saidthesavage, agonizinglyliftinghishandupanddown;"wedderFejeegodor Nantucketgod;butdegodwatmadesharkmustbeonedamIngin." CHAPTER67 CuttingIn

 ItwasaSaturdaynight,andsuchaSabbathasfollowed! ExofficioprofessorsofSabbathbreakingareallwhalemen. TheivoryPequodwasturnedintowhatseemedashamble; everysailorabutcher.Youwouldhavethoughtwewereoffering uptenthousandredoxentotheseagods. Inthefirstplace,theenormouscuttingtackles,amongotherponderous thingscomprisingaclusterofblocksgenerallypaintedgreen, andwhichnosinglemancanpossiblyliftthisvastbunchofgrapes wasswayeduptothemaintopandfirmlylashedtothelower masthead,thestrongestpointanywhereaboveaship'sdeck. Theendofthehawserlikeropewindingthroughtheseintricacies, wasthenconductedtothewindlass,andthehugelowerblock ofthetackleswasswungoverthewhale;tothisblockthegreat blubberhook,weighingsomeonehundredpounds,wasattached. Andnowsuspendedinstagesovertheside,StarbuckandStubb, themates,armedwiththeirlongspades,begancutting aholeinthebodyfortheinsertionofthehookjustabove thenearestofthetwosidefins.Thisdone,abroad, semicircularlineiscutroundthehole,thehookisinserted, andthemainbodyofthecrewstrikingupawildchorus, nowcommenceheavinginonedensecrowdatthewindlass. Wheninstantly,theentireshipcareensoveronherside;everybolt inherstartslikethenailheadsofanoldhouseinfrostyweather; shetrembles,quivers,andnodsherfrightedmastheadstothesky. Moreandmoresheleansovertothewhale,whileeverygaspingheave ofthewindlassisansweredbyahelpingheavefromthebillows; tillatlast,aswift,startlingsnapisheard;withagreat swashtheshiprollsupwardsandbackwardsfromthewhale, andthetriumphanttacklerisesintosightdraggingafterit thedisengagedsemicircularendofthefirststripofblubber. Nowastheblubberenvelopesthewhalepreciselyastherind doesanorange,soisitstrippedofffromthebodyprecisely asanorangeissometimesstrippedbyspiralizingit. Forthestrainconstantlykeptupbythewindlasscontinually keepsthewhalerollingoverandoverinthewater,andas theblubberinonestripuniformlypeelsoffalongtheline calledthe"scarf,"simultaneouslycutbythespadesofStarbuck andStubb,themates;andjustasfastasitisthuspeeledoff, andindeedbythatveryactitself,itisallthetimebeinghoisted higherandhigheralofttillitsupperendgrazesthemaintop; themenatthewindlassthenceaseheaving,andforamoment ortwotheprodigiousblooddrippingmassswaystoandfro asifletdownfromthesky,andeveryonepresentmusttake goodheedtododgeitwhenitswings,elseitmayboxhisears

andpitchhimheadlongoverboard. Oneoftheattendingharpooneersnowadvanceswithalong,keenweapon calledaboardingsword,andwatchinghischancehedexterouslyslices outaconsiderableholeinthelowerpartoftheswayingmass. Intothishole,theendofthesecondalternatinggreattackleisthen hookedsoastoretainaholdupontheblubber,inordertopreparefor whatfollows.Whereupon,thisaccomplishedswordsman,warningallhands tostandoff,oncemoremakesascientificdashatthemass,andwitha fewsidelong,desperate,lunging,slicings,seversitcompletelyintwain; sothatwhiletheshortlowerpartisstillfast,thelongupperstrip, calledablanketpiece,swingsclear,andisallreadyforlowering. Theheaversforwardnowresumetheirsong,andwhiletheonetackleis peelingandhoistingasecondstripfromthewhale,theotherisslowly slackenedaway,anddowngoesthefirststripthroughthemainhatchway rightbeneath,intoanunfurnishedparlorcalledtheblubberroom.Into thistwilightapartmentsundrynimblehandskeepcoilingawaythelong blanketpieceasifitwereagreatlivemassofplaitedserpents. Andthustheworkproceeds;thetwotackleshoistingandlowering simultaneously;bothwhaleandwindlassheaving,theheaverssinging, theblubberroomgentlemencoiling,thematesscarfing,theship straining,andallhandsswearingoccasionally,bywayofassuaging thegeneralfriction. CHAPTER68 TheBlanket Ihavegivennosmallattentiontothatnotunvexedsubject, theskinofthewhale.Ihavehadcontroversiesaboutitwith experiencedwhalemenafloat,andlearnednaturalistsashore. Myoriginalopinionremainsunchanged;butitisonlyanopinion. Thequestionis,whatandwhereistheskinofthewhale. Alreadyyouknowwhathisblubberis.Thatblubberissomething oftheconsistenceoffirm,closegrainedbeef,buttougher, moreelasticandcompact,andrangesfromeightortentotwelve andfifteeninchesinthickness. Now,howeverpreposterousitmayatfirstseemtotalkofanycreature's skinasbeingofthatsortofconsistenceandthickness,yetinpoint offactthesearenoargumentsagainstsuchapresumption;becauseyou cannotraiseanyotherdenseenvelopinglayerfromthewhale'sbody

butthatsameblubber;andtheoutermostenvelopinglayerofanyanimal, ifreasonablydense,whatcanthatbebuttheskin?True,fromthe unmarreddeadbodyofthewhale,youmayscrapeoffwithyourhandan infinitelythin,transparentsubstance,somewhatresemblingthethinnest shredsofisinglass,onlyitisalmostasflexibleandsoftassatin; thatis,previoustobeingdried,whenitnotonlycontractsandthickens, butbecomesratherhardandbrittle.Ihaveseveralsuchdriedbits, whichIuseformarksinmywhalebooks.Itistransparent,asI saidbefore;andbeinglaidupontheprintedpage,Ihavesometimes pleasedmyselfwithfancyingitexertedamagnifyinginfluence. Atanyrate,itispleasanttoreadaboutwhalesthroughtheir ownspectacles,asyoumaysay.ButwhatIamdrivingathereisthis. Thatsameinfinitelythin,isinglasssubstance,which,Iadmit, investstheentirebodyofthewhale,isnotsomuchtoberegarded astheskinofthecreature,astheskinoftheskin,sotospeak;forit weresimplyridiculoustosay,thattheproperskinofthetremendous whaleisthinnerandmoretenderthantheskinofanewbornchild. Butnomoreofthis. Assumingtheblubbertobetheskinofthewhale;then,whenthisskin, asinthecaseofaverylargeSpermWhale,willyieldthebulk ofonehundredbarrelsofoil;and,whenitisconsideredthat, inquantity,orratherweight,thatoil,initsexpressedstate, isonlythreefourths,andnottheentiresubstanceofthecoat;someidea mayhencebehadoftheenormousnessofthatanimatedmass,amere partofwhosemereintegumentyieldssuchalakeofliquidasthat. Reckoningtenbarrelstotheton,youhavetentonsforthenetweight ofonlythreequartersofthestuffofthewhale'sskin. Inlife,thevisiblesurfaceoftheSpermWhaleisnottheleastamong themanymarvelshepresents.Almostinvariablyitisalloverobliquely crossedandrecrossedwithnumberlessstraightmarksinthickarray, somethinglikethoseinthefinestItalianlineengravings. Butthesemarksdonotseemtobeimpressedupontheisinglass substanceabovementioned,butseemtobeseenthroughit, asiftheywereengraveduponthebodyitself.Noristhisall. Insomeinstances,tothequick,observanteye,thoselinearmarks, asinaveritableengraving,butaffordthegroundforfar otherdelineations.Thesearehieroglyphical;thatis,ifyoucall thosemysteriouscyphersonthewallsofpyramidshieroglyphics, thenthatistheproperwordtouseinthepresentconnexion. BymyretentivememoryofthehieroglyphicsupononeSpermWhale inparticular,Iwasmuchstruckwithaplaterepresenting theoldIndiancharacterschiselledonthefamoushieroglyphic palisadesonthebanksoftheUpperMississippi.Likethose mysticrocks,too,themysticmarkedwhaleremainsundecipherable.

ThisallusiontotheIndianrocksremindsmeofanotherthing. BesidesalltheotherphenomenawhichtheexterioroftheSpermWhale presents,henotseldomdisplaystheback,andmoreespeciallyhisflanks, effacedingreatpartoftheregularlinearappearance,byreason ofnumerousrudescratches,altogetherofanirregular,randomaspect. IshouldsaythatthoseNewEnglandrocksontheseacoast, whichAgassizimaginestobearthemarksofviolentscraping contactwithvastfloatingicebergsIshouldsay,thatthoserocks mustnotalittleresembletheSpermWhaleinthisparticular. Italsoseemstomethatsuchscratchesinthewhaleareprobably madebyhostilecontactwithotherwhales;forIhavemostremarked theminthelarge,fullgrownbullsofthespecies. Awordortwomoreconcerningthismatteroftheskin orblubberofthewhale.Ithasalreadybeensaid,thatit isstriptfromhiminlongpieces,calledblanketpieces. Likemostseaterms,thisoneisveryhappyandsignificant. Forthewhaleisindeedwraptupinhisblubberasinareal blanketorcounterpane;or,stillbetter,anIndianponchoslipt overhishead,andskirtinghisextremity.Itisbyreasonofthis cosyblanketingofhisbody,thatthewhaleisenabledtokeep himselfcomfortableinallweathers,inallseas,times,andtides. WhatwouldbecomeofaGreenlandwhale,say,inthoseshuddering, icyseasoftheNorth,ifunsuppliedwithhiscosysurtout? True,otherfisharefoundexceedinglybriskinthoseHyperboreanwaters; butthese,beitobserved,areyourcoldblooded,lunglessfish, whoseverybelliesarerefrigerators;creatures,thatwarm themselvesundertheleeofaniceberg,asatravellerinwinter wouldbaskbeforeaninnfire;whereas,likeman,thewhalehas lungsandwarmblood.Freezehisblood,andhedies.Howwonderful isitthenexceptafterexplanationthatthisgreatmonster, towhomcorporealwarmthisasindispensableasitistoman; howwonderfulthatheshouldbefoundathome,immersedtohislips forlifeinthoseArcticwaters!where,whenseamenfalloverboard, theyaresometimesfound,monthsafterwards,perpendicularlyfrozen intotheheartsoffieldsofice,asaflyisfoundgluedinamber. Butmoresurprisingisittoknow,ashasbeenprovedbyexperiment, thatthebloodofaPolarwhaleiswarmerthanthatofaBorneo negroinsummer. Itdoesseemtome,thathereinweseetherarevirtueofastrong individualvitality,andtherarevirtueofthickwalls,andtherare virtueofinteriorspaciousness.Oh,man!admireandmodel thyselfafterthewhale!Dothou,too,remainwarmamongice. Dothou,too,liveinthisworldwithoutbeingofit. Becoolattheequator;keepthybloodfluidatthePole.Likethe

greatdomeofSt.Peter's,andlikethegreatwhale,retain,Oman! inallseasonsatemperatureofthineown. Buthoweasyandhowhopelesstoteachthesefinethings! Oferections,howfewaredomedlikeSt.Peter's!ofcreatures, howfewvastasthewhale! CHAPTER69 TheFuneral Haulinthechains!Letthecarcasegoastern! Thevasttackleshavenowdonetheirduty.Thepeeledwhite bodyofthebeheadedwhaleflasheslikeamarblesepulchre; thoughchangedinhue,ithasnotperceptiblylostanythinginbulk. Itisstillcolossal.Slowlyitfloatsmoreandmoreaway, thewaterroundittornandsplashedbytheinsatiatesharks, andtheairabovevexedwithrapaciousflightsofscreamingfowls, whosebeaksarelikesomanyinsultingponiardsinthewhale.Thevast whiteheadlessphantomfloatsfurtherandfurtherfromtheship, andeveryrodthatitsofloats,whatseemsquareroodsofsharks andcubicroodsoffowls,augmentthemurderousdin.Forhours andhoursfromthealmoststationaryshipthathideoussightisseen. Beneaththeuncloudedandmildazuresky,uponthefairface ofthepleasantsea,waftedbythejoyousbreezes,thatgreatmass ofdeathfloatsonandon,tilllostininfiniteperspectives. There'samostdolefulandmostmockingfuneral! Theseavulturesallinpiousmourning,theairsharksall punctiliouslyinblackorspeckled.Inlifebutfewofthemwould havehelpedthewhale,Iween,ifperadventurehehadneededit; butuponthebanquetofhisfuneraltheymostpiouslydopounce. Oh,horriblevulturismofearth!fromwhichnotthemightiest whaleisfree. Noristhistheend.Desecratedasthebodyis,avengeful ghostsurvivesandhoversoverittoscare.Espiedbysome timidmanofwarorblunderingdiscoveryvesselfromafar, whenthedistanceobscuringtheswarmingfowls,neverthelessstill showsthewhitemassfloatinginthesun,andthewhitespray heavinghighagainstit;straightwaythewhale'sunharmingcorpse, withtremblingfingersissetdowninthelogshoals,rocks,

andbreakershereabouts:beware!Andforyearsafterwards, perhaps,shipsshuntheplace;leapingoveritassillysheep leapoveravacuum,becausetheirleaderoriginallyleaped therewhenastickwasheld.There'syourlawofprecedents; there'syourutilityoftraditions;there'sthestoryofyour obstinatesurvivalofoldbeliefsneverbottomedontheearth, andnownotevenhoveringintheair!There'sorthodoxy! Thus,whileinthelifethegreatwhale'sbodymayhavebeenareal terrortohisfoes,inhisdeathhisghostbecomesapowerlesspanic toaworld. Areyouabelieveringhosts,myfriend?Thereareotherghosts thantheCockLaneone,andfardeepermenthanDoctorJohnson whobelieveinthem. CHAPTER70 TheSphynx Itshouldnothavebeenomittedthatprevioustocompletely strippingthebodyoftheleviathan,hewasbeheaded. Now,thebeheadingoftheSpermWhaleisascientificanatomicalfeat, uponwhichexperiencedwhalesurgeonsverymuchpridethemselves: andnotwithoutreason. Considerthatthewhalehasnothingthatcanproperlybecalledaneck; onthecontrary,wherehisheadandbodyseemtojoin,there,inthat veryplace,isthethickestpartofhim.Remember,also,thatthesurgeon mustoperatefromabove,someeightortenfeetinterveningbetweenhim andhissubject,andthatsubjectalmosthiddeninadiscolored,rolling, andoftentimestumultuousandburstingsea.Bearinmind,too,thatunder theseuntowardcircumstanceshehastocutmanyfeetdeepintheflesh; andinthatsubterraneousmanner,withoutsomuchasgettingonesingle peepintotheevercontractinggashthusmade,hemustskilfully steerclearofalladjacent,interdictedparts,andexactlydivide thespineatacriticalpointhardbyitsinsertionintotheskull. Doyounotmarvel,then,atStubb'sboast,thathedemandedbutten minutestobeheadaspermwhale? Whenfirstsevered,theheadisdroppedasternandheldthere byacabletillthebodyisstripped.Thatdone,ifitbelong

toasmallwhaleitishoistedondecktobedeliberately disposedof.But,withafullgrownleviathanthisisimpossible; forthespermwhale'sheadembracesnearlyonethirdofhis entirebulk,andcompletelytosuspendsuchaburdenasthat, evenbytheimmensetacklesofawhaler,thiswereasvainathing astoattemptweighingaDutchbarninjewellers'scales. ThePequod'swhalebeingdecapitatedandthebodystripped,thehead washoistedagainsttheship'ssideabouthalfwayoutofthesea, sothatitmightyetingreatpartbebuoyedupbyitsnativeelement. Andtherewiththestrainedcraftsteeplyleaningovertoit, byreasonoftheenormousdownwarddragfromthelowermasthead, andeveryyardarmonthatsideprojectinglikeacraneover thewaves;there,thatblooddrippingheadhungtothePequod's waistlikethegiantHolofernes'sfromthegirdleofJudith. Whenthislasttaskwasaccomplisheditwasnoon,andtheseamen wentbelowtotheirdinner.Silencereignedoverthebefore tumultuousbutnowdeserteddeck.Anintensecoppercalm, likeauniversalyellowlotus,wasmoreandmoreunfolding itsnoiselessmeasurelessleavesuponthesea. Ashortspaceelapsed,andupintothisnoiselessnesscameAhabalone fromhiscabin.Takingafewturnsonthequarterdeck,hepaused togazeovertheside,thenslowlygettingintothemainchainshetook Stubb'slongspadestillremainingthereafterthewhale'sdecapitation andstrikingitintothelowerpartofthehalfsuspendedmass, placeditsotherendcrutchwiseunderonearm,andsostoodleaning overwitheyesattentivelyfixedonthishead. Itwasablackandhoodedhead;andhangingthereinthemidst ofsointenseacalm,itseemedtheSphynx'sinthedesert. "Speak,thouvastandvenerablehead,"mutteredAhab, "which,thoughungarnishedwithabeard,yethereandthere lookesthoarywithmosses;speak,mightyhead,andtellus thesecretthingthatisinthee.Ofalldivers,thouhastdived thedeepest.Thatheaduponwhichtheuppersunnowgleams, hasmovedamidthisworld'sfoundations.Whereunrecorded namesandnaviesrust,anduntoldhopesandanchorsrot; whereinhermurderousholdthisfrigateearthisballasted withbonesofmillionsofthedrowned;there,inthatawful waterland,therewasthymostfamiliarhome.Thouhastbeen wherebellordiverneverwent;hastsleptbymanyasailor'sside, wheresleeplessmotherswouldgivetheirlivestolaythemdown. Thousaw'stthelockedloverswhenleapingfromtheirflamingship; hearttohearttheysankbeneaththeexultingwave;

truetoeachother,whenheavenseemedfalsetothem. Thousaw'stthemurderedmatewhentossedbypiratesfrom themidnightdeck;forhourshefellintothedeepermidnight oftheinsatiatemaw;andhismurderersstillsailedonunharmed whileswiftlightningsshiveredtheneighboringshipthatwould havebornearighteoushusbandtooutstretched,longingarms. Ohead!thouhastseenenoughtosplittheplanetsandmake aninfidelofAbraham,andnotonesyllableisthine!" "Sailho!"criedatriumphantvoicefromthemainmasthead. "Aye?Well,now,that'scheering,"criedAhab,suddenlyerecting himself,whilewholethundercloudssweptasidefromhisbrow. "Thatlivelycryuponthisdeadlycalmmightalmostconvert abetterman.Whereaway?" "Threepointsonthestarboardbow,sir,andbringingdownher breezetous! "Betterandbetter,man.WouldnowSt.Paulwouldcome alongthatway,andtomybreezelessnessbringhisbreeze! ONature,andOsoulofman!howfarbeyondallutteranceareyour linkedanalogies;notthesmallestatomstirsorlivesonmatter, buthasitscunningduplicateinmind." CHAPTER71 TheJeroboam'sStory Handinhand,shipandbreezeblewon;butthebreezecamefaster thantheship,andsoonthePequodbegantorock. Byandby,throughtheglassthestranger'sboatsandmanned mastheadsprovedherawhaleship.Butasshewassofar towindward,andshootingby,apparentlymakingapassage tosomeotherground,thePequodcouldnothopetoreachher. Sothesignalwassettoseewhatresponsewouldbemade. Herebeitsaid,thatlikethevesselsofmilitarymarines, theshipsoftheAmericanWhaleFleethaveeachaprivatesignal; allwhichsignalsbeingcollectedinabookwiththenames oftherespectivevesselsattached,everycaptainisprovided

withit.Thereby,thewhalecommandersareenabledtorecognise eachotherupontheocean,evenatconsiderabledistance, andwithnosmallfacility. ThePequod'ssignalwasatlastrespondedtobythestranger's settingherown;whichprovedtheshiptobetheJeroboam ofNantucket.Squaringheryards,sheboredown, rangedabeamunderthePequod'slee,andloweredaboat; itsoondrewnigh;but,asthesideladderwasbeingrigged byStarbuck'sordertoaccommodatethevisitingcaptain, thestrangerinquestionwavedhishandfromhisboat'sstern intokenofthatproceedingbeingentirelyunnecessary. ItturnedoutthattheJeroboamhadamalignantepidemiconboard, andthatMayhew,hercaptain,wasfearfulofinfecting thePequod'scompany.For,thoughhimselfandtheboat'screw remaineduntainted,andthoughhisshipwashalfarifleshotoff, andanincorruptibleseaandairrollingandflowingbetween; yetconscientiouslyadheringtothetimidquarantineoftheland, heperemptorilyrefusedtocomeintodirectcontactwiththePequod. Butthisdidbynomeanspreventallcommunications. Preservinganintervalofsomefewyardsbetweenitselfand theship,theJeroboam'sboatbytheoccasionaluseofitsoars contrivedtokeepparalleltothePequod,assheheavilyforged throughthesea(forbythistimeitblewveryfresh),withher maintopsailaback;though,indeed,attimesbythesuddenonset ofalargerollingwave,theboatwouldbepushedsomewayahead; butwouldbesoonskilfullybroughttoherproperbearingsagain. Subjecttothis,andotherthelikeinterruptionsnowandthen, aconversationwassustainedbetweenthetwoparties; butatintervalsnotwithoutstillanotherinterruptionofa verydifferentsort. PullinganoarintheJeroboam'sboat,wasamanofasingularappearance, eveninthatwildwhalinglifewhereindividualnotabilitiesmakeup alltotalities.Hewasasmall,short,youngishman,sprinkledall overhisfacewithfreckles,andwearingredundantyellowhair. Alongskirted,cabalisticallycutcoatofafadedwalnuttingeenveloped him;theoverlappingsleevesofwhichwererolleduponhiswrists. Adeep,settled,fanaticdeliriumwasinhiseyes. Sosoonasthisfigurehadbeenfirstdescried,Stubbhadexclaimed "That'she!that'she!thelongtoggedscaramouchtheTownHo'scompany toldusof!"StubbherealludedtoastrangestorytoldoftheJeroboam, andacertainmanamonghercrew,sometimepreviouswhenthePequodspoke theTownHo.Accordingtothisaccountandwhatwassubsequentlylearned,

itseemedthatthescaramouchinquestionhadgainedawonderful ascendencyoveralmosteverybodyintheJeroboam.Hisstorywasthis: Hehadbeenoriginallynurturedamongthecrazysocietyof NeskyeunaShakers,wherehehadbeenagreatprophet;intheircracked, secretmeetingshavingseveraltimesdescendedfromheavenbytheway ofatrapdoor,announcingthespeedyopeningoftheseventhvial, whichhecarriedinhisvestpocket;but,which,insteadof containinggunpowder,wassupposedtobechargedwithlaudanum. Astrange,apostolicwhimhavingseizedhim,hehadleftNeskyeuna forNantucket,where,withthatcunningpeculiartocraziness, heassumedasteady,commonsenseexterior,andofferedhimself asagreenhandcandidatefortheJeroboam'swhalingvoyage. Theyengagedhim;butstraightwayupontheship'sgetting outofsightofland,hisinsanitybrokeoutinafreshet. HeannouncedhimselfasthearchangelGabriel,andcommanded thecaptaintojumpoverboard.Hepublishedhismanifesto, wherebyhesethimselfforthasthedelivereroftheisles oftheseaandvicargeneralofallOceanica.Theunflinching earnestnesswithwhichhedeclaredthesethings;thedark, daringplayofhissleepless,excitedimagination,andall thepreternaturalterrorsofrealdelirium,unitedtoinvest thisGabrielinthemindsofthemajorityoftheignorantcrew, withanatmosphereofsacredness.Moreover,theywereafraidofhim. Assuchaman,however,wasnotofmuchpracticaluseintheship, especiallyasherefusedtoworkexceptwhenhepleased, theincredulouscaptainwouldfainhavebeenridofhim; butapprisedthatthatindividual'sintentionwastolandhim inthefirstconvenientport,thearchangelforthwithopened allhissealsandvialsdevotingtheshipandallhandsto unconditionalperdition,incasethisintentionwascarriedout. Sostronglydidheworkuponhisdisciplesamongthecrew, thatatlastinabodytheywenttothecaptainandtoldhim ifGabrielwassentfromtheship,notamanofthemwouldremain. Hewasthereforeforcedtorelinquishhisplan.Norwouldthey permitGabrieltobeanywaymaltreated,sayordowhathewould; sothatitcametopassthatGabrielhadthecompletefreedom oftheship.Theconsequenceofallthiswas,thatthearchangel caredlittleornothingforthecaptainandmates;andsince theepidemichadbrokenout,hecarriedahigherhandthanever; declaringthattheplague,ashecalledit,wasathissolecommand; norshoulditbestayedbutaccordingtohisgoodpleasure. Thesailors,mostlypoordevils,cringed,andsomeofthem fawnedbeforehim;inobediencetohisinstructions, sometimesrenderinghimpersonalhomage,astoagod. Suchthingsmayseemincredible;but,howeverwondrous,theyaretrue.

Noristhehistoryoffanaticshalfsostrikinginrespect tothemeasurelessselfdeceptionofthefanatichimself,ashis measurelesspowerofdeceivingandbedevillingsomanyothers. ButitistimetoreturntothePequod. "Ifearnotthyepidemic,man,"saidAhabfromthebulwarks, toCaptainMayhew,whostoodintheboat'sstern;"comeonboard." ButnowGabrielstartedtohisfeet. "Think,thinkofthefevers,yellowandbilious! Bewareofthehorribleplague!" "Gabriel!Gabriel!"criedCaptainMayhew;"thoumusteither" Butthatinstantaheadlongwaveshottheboatfarahead, anditsseethingsdrownedallspeech. "HastthouseentheWhiteWhale?"demandedAhab,whenthe boatdriftedback. "Think,thinkofthywhaleboat,stovenandsunk! Bewareofthehorribletail!" "Itelltheeagain,Gabriel,that"Butagaintheboattoreahead asifdraggedbyfiends.Nothingwassaidforsomemoments, whileasuccessionofriotouswavesrolledbywhichbyoneofthose occasionalcapricesoftheseasweretumbling,notheavingit. Meantime,thehoistedspermwhale'sheadjoggedaboutveryviolently, andGabrielwasseeneyeingitwithrathermoreapprehensiveness thanhisarchangelnatureseemedtowarrant. Whenthisinterludewasover,CaptainMayhewbeganadark storyconcerningMobyDick;not,however,withoutfrequent interruptionsfromGabriel,wheneverhisnamewasmentioned, andthecrazyseathatseemedleaguedwithhim. ItseemedthattheJeroboamhadnotlonglefthome,whenupon speakingawhaleship,herpeoplewerereliablyapprised oftheexistenceofMobyDick,andthehavochehadmade. Greedilysuckinginthisintelligence,Gabrielsolemnlywarned thecaptainagainstattackingtheWhiteWhale,incasethemonster shouldbeseen;inhisgibberinginsanity,pronouncingtheWhiteWhale tobenolessabeingthantheShakerGodincarnated;theShakers receivingtheBible.Butwhen,someyearortwoafterwards, MobyDickwasfairlysightedfromthemastheads,Macey, thechiefmate,burnedwithardortoencounterhim;andthecaptain

himselfbeingnotunwillingtolethimhavetheopportunity, despiteallthearchangel'sdenunciationsandforewarnings, Maceysucceededinpersuadingfivementomanhisboat. Withthemhepushedoff;and,aftermuchwearypulling, andmanyperilous,unsuccessfulonsets,heatlastsucceeded ingettingoneironfast.Meantime,Gabriel,ascendingtothe mainroyalmasthead,wastossingonearminfranticgestures, andhurlingforthpropheciesofspeedydoomtothesacrilegious assailantsofhisdivinity.Now,whileMacey,themate, wasstandingupinhisboat'sbow,andwithalltherecklessenergy ofhistribewasventinghiswildexclamationsuponthewhale, andessayingtogetafairchanceforhispoisedlance,lo!abroad whiteshadowrosefromthesea;byitsquick,fanningmotion, temporarilytakingthebreathoutofthebodiesoftheoarsmen. Nextinstant,thelucklessmate,sofulloffuriouslife, wassmittenbodilyintotheair,andmakingalongarcinhisdescent, fellintotheseaatthedistanceofaboutfiftyyards. Notachipoftheboatwasharmed,norahairofanyoarsman'shead; butthemateforeversank. Itiswelltoparenthesizehere,thatofthefatalaccidentsinthe SpermWhaleFishery,thiskindisperhapsalmostasfrequentasany. Sometimes,nothingisinjuredbutthemanwhoisthusannihilated; oftenertheboat'sbowisknockedoff,orthethighboard,onwhich theheadsmanstands,istornfromitsplaceandaccompaniesthebody. Butstrangestofallisthecircumstance,thatinmoreinstancesthanone, whenthebodyhasbeenrecovered,notasinglemarkofviolenceis discerniblethemanbeingstarkdead. Thewholecalamity,withthefallingformofMacey,wasplainlydescried fromtheship.Raisingapiercingshriek"Thevial!thevial!" Gabrielcalledofftheterrorstrickencrewfromthefurther huntingofthewhale.Thisterribleeventclothedthearchangel withaddedinfluence;becausehiscredulousdisciplesbelieved thathehadspecificallyforeannouncedit,insteadofonlymaking ageneralprophecy,whichanyonemighthavedone,andsohave chancedtohitoneofmanymarksinthewidemarginallowed. Hebecameanamelessterrortotheship. Mayhewhavingconcludedhisnarration,Ahabputsuchquestionstohim, thatthestrangercaptaincouldnotforbearinquiringwhether heintendedtohunttheWhiteWhale,ifopportunityshouldoffer. TowhichAhabanswered"Aye."Straightway,then,Gabrieloncemore startedtohisfeet,glaringupontheoldman,andvehementlyexclaimed, withdownwardpointedfinger"Think,thinkoftheblasphemer dead,anddownthere!bewareoftheblasphemer'send!"

 Ahabstolidlyturnedaside;thensaidtoMayhew,"Captain,Ihavejust bethoughtmeofmyletterbag;thereisaletterforoneofthyofficers, ifImistakenot.Starbuck,lookoverthebag." Everywhaleshiptakesoutagoodlynumberoflettersforvariousships, whosedeliverytothepersonstowhomtheymaybeaddressed, dependsuponthemerechanceofencounteringtheminthefouroceans. Thus,mostlettersneverreachtheirmark;andmanyareonlyreceived afterattaininganageoftwoorthreeyearsormore. SoonStarbuckreturnedwithaletterinhishand.Itwas sorelytumbled,damp,andcoveredwithadull,spotted,greenmould, inconsequenceofbeingkeptinadarklockerofthecabin. Ofsuchaletter,Deathhimselfmightwellhavebeenthepostboy. "Can'stnotreadit?"criedAhab."Giveitme,man.Aye,aye,ayeit's butadimscrawl;what'sthis?"Ashewasstudyingitout,Starbucktook alongcuttingspadepole,andwithhisknifeslightlysplittheend, toinserttheletterthere,andinthatway,handittotheboat, withoutitscominganyclosertotheship. Meantime,Ahabholdingtheletter,muttered,"Mr.Har yes,Mr.Harry(awoman'spinnyhand,theman'swife, I'llwager)AyeMr.HarryMacey,ShipJeroboam;whyit'sMacey, andhe'sdead!" "Poorfellow!poorfellow!andfromhiswife,"sighedMayhew; "butletmehaveit." "Nay,keepitthyself,"criedGabrieltoAhab;"thouartsoon goingthatway." "Cursesthrottlethee!"yelledAhab."CaptainMayhew, standbynowtoreceiveit";andtakingthefatalmissive fromStarbuck'shands,hecaughtitintheslitofthepole, andreacheditovertowardstheboat.Butashedidso, theoarsmenexpectantlydesistedfromrowing;theboatdrifted alittletowardstheship'sstern;sothat,asifbymagic, thelettersuddenlyrangedalongwithGabriel'seagerhand. Heclutcheditinaninstant,seizedtheboatknife,andimpaling theletteronit,sentitthusloadedbackintotheship. ItfellatAhab'sfeet.ThenGabrielshriekedouttohiscomrades togivewaywiththeiroars,andinthatmannerthemutinous boatrapidlyshotawayfromthePequod.

As,afterthisinterlude,theseamenresumedtheirworkupon thejacketofthewhale,manystrangethingswerehinted inreferencetothiswildaffair. CHAPTER72 TheMonkeyRope Inthetumultuousbusinessofcuttinginandattendingtoawhale, thereismuchrunningbackwardsandforwardsamongthecrew. Nowhandsarewantedhere,andthenagainhandsarewantedthere. Thereisnostayinginanyoneplace;foratoneandthesame timeeverythinghastobedoneeverywhere.Itismuch thesamewithhimwhoendeavorsthedescriptionofthescene. Wemustnowretraceourwayalittle.Itwasmentionedthatupon firstbreakinggroundinthewhale'sback,theblubberhookwas insertedintotheoriginalholetherecutbythespadesofthemates. Buthowdidsoclumsyandweightyamassasthatsamehookget fixedinthathole?Itwasinsertedtherebymyparticular friendQueequeg,whosedutyitwas,asharpooneer,todescend uponthemonster'sbackforthespecialpurposereferredto. Butinverymanycases,circumstancesrequirethattheharpooneer shallremainonthewhaletillthewholetensingorstripping operationisconcluded.Thewhale,beitobserved,liesalmost entirelysubmerged,exceptingtheimmediatepartsoperatedupon. Sodownthere,sometenfeetbelowthelevelofthedeck,thepoor harpooneerfloundersabout,halfonthewhaleandhalfinthewater, asthevastmassrevolveslikeatreadmillbeneathhim. Ontheoccasioninquestion,QueequegfiguredintheHighlandcostume ashirtandsocksinwhichtomyeyes,atleast,heappearedto uncommonadvantage;andnoonehadabetterchancetoobservehim, aswillpresentlybeseen. Beingthesavage'sbowsman,thatis,thepersonwhopulled thebowoarinhisboat(thesecondonefromforward), itwasmycheerfuldutytoattenduponhimwhiletaking thathardscrabblescrambleuponthedeadwhale'sback. YouhaveseenItalianorganboysholdingadancingapebyalongcord. Justso,fromtheship'ssteepside,didIholdQueequegdown thereinthesea,bywhatistechnicallycalledinthefishery amonkeyrope,attachedtoastrongstripofcanvasbelted roundhiswaist.

Itwasahumorouslyperilousbusinessforbothofus.For,beforewe proceedfurther,itmustbesaidthatthemonkeyropewasfastat bothends;fasttoQueequeg'sbroadcanvasbelt,andfasttomynarrow leatherone.Sothatforbetterorforworse,wetwo,forthetime, werewedded;andshouldpoorQueequegsinktorisenomore,thenboth usageandhonordemanded,thatinsteadofcuttingthecord,itshoulddrag medowninhiswake.So,then,anelongatedSiameseligatureunitedus. Queequegwasmyowninseparabletwinbrother;norcouldIanywayget ridofthedangerousliabilitieswhichthehempenbondentailed. SostronglyandmetaphysicallydidIconceiveofmysituationthen, thatwhileearnestlywatchinghismotions,Iseemeddistinctly toperceivethatmyownindividualitywasnowmergedina jointstockcompanyoftwo;thatmyfreewillhadreceived amortalwound;andthatanother'smistakeormisfortune mightplungeinnocentmeintounmeriteddisasteranddeath. Therefore,IsawthatherewasasortofinterregnuminProvidence; foritsevenhandedequitynevercouldhavesogrossaninjustice. AndyetstillfurtherponderingwhileIjerkedhimnowand thenfrombetweenthewhaleandship,whichwouldthreaten tojamhimstillfurtherpondering,Isay,Isawthatthis situationofminewastheprecisesituationofeverymortal thatbreathes;only,inmostcases,he,onewayorother, hasthisSiameseconnexionwithapluralityofothermortals. Ifyourbankerbreaks,yousnap;ifyourapothecarybymistake sendsyoupoisoninyourpills,youdie.True,youmay saythat,byexceedingcaution,youmaypossiblyescape theseandthemultitudinousotherevilchancesoflife. ButhandleQueequeg'smonkeyropeheedfullyasIwould, sometimeshejerkeditso,thatIcameverynearslidingoverboard. NorcouldIpossiblyforgetthat,dowhatIwould,Ionlyhad themanagementofoneendofit.* *Themonkeyropeisfoundinallwhalers;butitwasonlyin thePequodthatthemonkeyandhisholderwereevertiedtogether. Thisimprovementupontheoriginalusagewasintroducedbynoless amanthanStubb,inordertoaffordtotheimperilledharpooneer thestrongestpossibleguaranteeforthefaithfulnessandvigilance ofhismonkeyropeholder. IhavehintedthatIwouldoftenjerkpoorQueequegfrombetween thewhaleandtheshipwherehewouldoccasionallyfall, fromtheincessantrollingandswayingofboth. Butthiswasnottheonlyjammingjeopardyhewasexposedto.

Unappalledbythemassacremadeuponthemduringthenight, thesharksnowfreshlyandmorekeenlyalluredbythebeforepent bloodwhichbegantoflowfromthecarcasstherabidcreatures swarmedrounditlikebeesinabeehive. AndrightinamongthosesharkswasQueequeg;whooftenpushed themasidewithhisflounderingfeet.Athingaltogether incrediblewereitnotthatattractedbysuchpreyasadeadwhale, theotherwisemiscellaneouslycarnivoroussharkwillseldom touchaman. Nevertheless,itmaywellbebelievedthatsincetheyhave sucharavenousfingerinthepie,itisdeemedbutwise tolooksharptothem.Accordingly,besidesthemonkeyrope, withwhichInowandthenjerkedthepoorfellowfromtoo closeavicinitytothemawofwhatseemedapeculiarly ferocioussharkhewasprovidedwithstillanotherprotection. Suspendedoverthesideinoneofthestages,TashtegoandDaggoo continuallyflourishedoverhisheadacoupleofkeenwhalespades, wherewiththeyslaughteredasmanysharksastheycouldreach. Thisprocedureoftheirs,tobesure,wasverydisinterested andbenevolentofthem.TheymeantQueequeg'sbesthappiness, Iadmit;butintheirhastyzealtobefriendhim,andfrom thecircumstancethatbothheandthesharkswereattimeshalf hiddenbythebloodmuddledwater,thoseindiscreetspades oftheirswouldcomeneareramputatingalegthanatall. ButpoorQueequeg,Isuppose,strainingandgaspingthere withthatgreatironhookpoorQueequeg,Isuppose,onlyprayed tohisYojo,andgaveuphislifeintothehandsofhisgods. Well,well,mydearcomradeandtwinbrother,thoughtI,asI drewinandthenslackedofftheropetoeveryswellofthesea whatmattersit,afterall?Areyounottheprecious imageofeachandallofusmeninthiswhalingworld? Thatunsoundedoceanyougaspin,isLife;thosesharks,yourfoes; thosespades,yourfriends;andwhatbetweensharksandspades youareinasadpickleandperil,poorlad. Butcourage!thereisgoodcheerinstoreforyou,Queequeg.Fornow, aswithbluelipsandbloodshoteyestheexhaustedsavageatlast climbsupthechainsandstandsalldrippingandinvoluntarily tremblingovertheside;thestewardadvances,andwithabenevolent, consolatoryglancehandshimwhat?SomehotCognac?No!handshim, yegods!handshimacupoftepidgingerandwater! "Ginger?DoIsmellginger?"suspiciouslyaskedStubb,comingnear.

"Yes,thismustbeginger,"peeringintotheasyetuntastedcup. Thenstandingasifincredulousforawhile,hecalmlywalkedtowards theastonishedstewardslowlysaying,"Ginger?ginger?andwillyouhave thegoodnesstotellme,Mr.DoughBoy,whereliesthevirtueofginger? Ginger!isgingerthesortoffuelyouuse,Doughboy,tokindleafire inthisshiveringcannibal?Ginger!whatthedevilisginger? seacoal?firewood?lucifermatches?tinder?gunpowder?whatthedevil isginger,Isay,thatyouofferthiscuptoourpoorQueequeghere." "ThereissomesneakingTemperanceSocietymovementaboutthisbusiness," hesuddenlyadded,nowapproachingStarbuck,whohadjustcome fromforward."Willyoulookatthatkannakin,sir;smellofit, ifyouplease."Thenwatchingthemate'scountenance,headded, "Thesteward,Mr.Starbuck,hadthefacetoofferthatcalomel andjalaptoQueequeg,there,thisinstantoffthewhale. Isthestewardanapothecary,sir?andmayIaskwhetherthis isthesortofbittersbywhichheblowsbackthelifeinto ahalfdrownedman?" "Itrustnot,"saidStarbuck,"itispoorstuffenough." "Aye,aye,steward,"criedStubb,"we'llteachyoutodrugitharpooneer; noneofyourapothecary'smedicinehere;youwanttopoisonus,doye? Youhavegotoutinsurancesonourlivesandwanttogivewaywith theiroars,andpockettheproceeds,doye?" "Itwasnotme,"criedDoughBoy,"itwasAuntCharitythatbrought thegingeronboard;andbademenevergivetheharpooneersanyspirits, butonlythisgingerjubsoshecalledit." "Gingerjub!yougingerlyrascal!takethat!andrun alongwithyetothelockers,andgetsomethingbetter. IhopeIdonowrong,Mr.Starbuck.Itisthecaptain'sorders grogfortheharpooneeronawhale." "Enough,"repliedStarbuck,"onlydon'thithimagain,but" "Oh,IneverhurtwhenIhit,exceptwhenIhitawhale orsomethingofthatsort;andthisfellow'saweazel. Whatwereyouaboutsaying,sir?" "Onlythis:godownwithhim,andgetwhatthouwantestthyself." WhenStubbreappeared,hecamewithadarkflaskinonehand,anda sortofteacaddyintheother.Thefirstcontainedstrongspirits, andwashandedtoQueequeg;thesecondwasAuntCharity'sgift,

andthatwasfreelygiventothewaves. CHAPTER73 StubbandFlaskKillaRightWhale;andThenHaveaTalkOverHim ItmustbeborneinmindthatallthistimewehaveaSpermWhale's prodigiousheadhangingtothePequod'sside.Butwemustletit continuehangingthereawhiletillwecangetachancetoattendtoit. Forthepresentothermatterspress,andthebestwecandonowfor thehead,istoprayheaventhetacklesmayhold. Now,duringthepastnightandforenoon,thePequodhadgradually driftedintoasea,which,byitsoccasionalpatchesofyellowbrit, gaveunusualtokensofthevicinityofRightWhales,aspecies oftheLeviathanthatbutfewsupposedtobeatthisparticulartime lurkinganywherenear.Andthoughallhandscommonlydisdained thecaptureofthoseinferiorcreatures;andthoughthePequod wasnotcommissionedtocruiseforthematall,andthoughshehad passednumbersofthemneartheCrozettswithoutloweringaboat; yetnowthataSpermWhalehadbeenbroughtalongsideandbeheaded, tothesurpriseofall,theannouncementwasmadethataRightWhale shouldbecapturedthatday,ifopportunityoffered. Norwasthislongwanting.Tallspoutswereseentoleeward; andtwoboats,Stubb'sandFlask's,weredetachedinpursuit. Pullingfurtherandfurtheraway,theyatlastbecamealmost invisibletothemenatthemasthead.Butsuddenlyinthedistance, theysawagreatheapoftumultuouswhitewater,andsoonafter newscamefromaloftthatoneorboththeboatsmustbefast. Anintervalpassedandtheboatswereinplainsight,intheact ofbeingdraggedrighttowardstheshipbythetowingwhale. Soclosedidthemonstercometothehull,thatatfirstitseemed asifhemeantitmalice;butsuddenlygoingdowninamaelstrom, withinthreerodsoftheplanks,hewhollydisappearedfromview, asifdivingunderthekeel."Cut,cut!"wasthecryfrom theshiptotheboats,which,foroneinstant,seemedonthepoint ofbeingbroughtwithadeadlydashagainstthevessel'sside. Buthavingplentyoflineyetinthetubs,andthewhalenotsounding veryrapidly,theypaidoutabundanceofrope,andatthesame timepulledwithalltheirmightsoastogetaheadoftheship.

Forafewminutesthestrugglewasintenselycritical; forwhiletheystillslackedoutthetightenedlineinonedirection, andstillpliedtheiroarsinanother,thecontendingstrain threatenedtotakethemunder.Butitwasonlyafewfeetadvance theysoughttogain.Andtheystucktoittilltheydidgainit; wheninstantly,aswifttremorwasfeltrunninglikelightning alongthekeel,asthestrainedline,scrapingbeneaththeship, suddenlyrosetoviewunderherbows,snappingandquivering; andsoflingingoffitsdrippings,thatthedropsfelllike bitsofbrokenglassonthewater,whilethewhalebeyond alsorosetosight,andoncemoretheboatswerefreetofly. Butthefaggedwhaleabatedhisspeed,andblindlyalteringhiscourse, wentroundthesternoftheshiptowingthetwoboatsafterhim, sothattheyperformedacompletecircuit. Meantime,theyhauledmoreandmoreupontheirlines,tillclose flankinghimonbothsides,StubbansweredFlaskwithlanceforlance; andthusroundandroundthePequodthebattlewent,whilethemultitudes ofsharksthathadbeforeswumroundtheSpermWhale'sbody,rushedto thefreshbloodthatwasspilled,thirstilydrinkingateverynewgash, astheeagerIsraelitesdidatthenewburstingfountainsthatpoured fromthesmittenrock. Atlasthisspoutgrewthick,andwithafrightfulrollandvomit, heturneduponhisbackacorpse. Whilethetwoheadsmenwereengagedinmakingfastcordstohisflukes, andinotherwaysgettingthemassinreadinessfortowing, someconversationensuedbetweenthem. "Iwonderwhattheoldmanwantswiththislumpoffoullard," saidStubb,notwithoutsomedisgustatthethoughtofhaving todowithsoignoblealeviathan. "Wantswithit?"saidFlask,coilingsomesparelineintheboat'sbow, "didyouneverhearthattheshipwhichbutoncehasaSpermWhale's headhoistedonherstarboardside,andatthesametimeaRightWhale's onthelarboard;didyouneverhear,Stubb,thatthatshipcan neverafterwardscapsize?" "Whynot? "Idon'tknow,butIheardthatgambogeghostofaFedallah sayingso,andheseemstoknowallaboutships'charms.ButI sometimesthinkhe'llcharmtheshiptonogoodatlast. Idon'thalflikethatchap,Stubb.Didyouevernoticehowthat

tuskofhisisasortofcarvedintoasnake'shead,Stubb?" "Sinkhim!Ineverlookathimatall;butifeverIgetachance ofadarknight,andhestandinghardbythebulwarks,andnooneby; lookdownthere,Flask"pointingintotheseawithapeculiarmotion ofbothhands"Aye,willI!Flask,ItakethatFedallahtobe thedevilindisguise.Doyoubelievethatcockandbullstoryabout hishavingbeenstowedawayonboardship?He'sthedevil,Isay. Thereasonwhyyoudon'tseehistail,isbecausehetucksitup outofsight;hecarriesitcoiledawayinhispocket,Iguess. Blasthim!nowthatIthinkofit,he'salwayswantingoakumtostuff intothetoesofhisboots." "Hesleepsinhisboots,don'the?Hehasn'tgotanyhammock; butI'veseenhimlayofnightsinacoilofrigging." "Nodoubt,andit'sbecauseofhiscursedtail;hecoilsitdown, doyesee,intheeyeoftherigging." "What'stheoldmanhavesomuchtodowithhimfor?" "Strikingupaswaporabargain,Isuppose." "Bargain?aboutwhat?" "Why,doyesee,theoldmanishardbentafterthatWhiteWhale, andthedevilthereistryingtocomeroundhim,andgethimtoswap awayhissilverwatch,orhissoul,orsomethingofthatsort, andthenhe'llsurrenderMobyDick." "Pooh!Stubb,youareskylarking;howcanFedallahdothat?" "Idon'tknow,Flask,butthedevilisacuriouschap,anda wickedone,Itellye.Why,theysayashowhewentasauntering intotheoldflagshiponce,switchinghistailaboutdevilisheasy andgentlemanlike,andinquiringiftheoldgovernorwasathome. Well,hewasathome,andaskedthedevilwhathewanted. Thedevil,switchinghishoofs,upandsays,'IwantJohn.''Whatfor?' saystheoldgovernor.'Whatbusinessisthatofyours,'saysthedevil, gettingmad,'Iwanttousehim.''Takehim,'saysthegovernor andbytheLord,Flask,ifthedevildidn'tgiveJohntheAsiaticcholera beforehegotthroughwithhim,I'lleatthiswhaleinonemouthful. Butlooksharpain'tyouallreadythere?Well,then,pullahead, andlet'sgetthewhalealongside." "IthinkIremembersomesuchstoryasyouweretelling,"saidFlask,

whenatlastthetwoboatswereslowlyadvancingwiththeirburden towardstheship,"butIcan'trememberwhere." "ThreeSpaniards?Adventuresofthosethreebloodymindedsoldadoes? Didyereaditthere,Flask?Iguessyedid?" "No:neversawsuchabook;heardofit,though.Butnow, tellme,Stubb,doyousupposethatthatdevilyouwasspeaking ofjustnow,wasthesameyousayisnowonboardthePequod?" "AmIthesamemanthathelpedkillthiswhale?Doesn'tthedevil liveforever;whoeverheardthatthedevilwasdead? Didyoueverseeanyparsonawearingmourningforthedevil? Andifthedevilhasalatchkeytogetintotheadmiral's cabin,don'tyousupposehecancrawlintoaporthole? Tellmethat,Mr.Flask?" "HowolddoyousupposeFedallahis,Stubb?" "Doyouseethatmainmastthere?"pointingtotheship;"well,that's thefigureone;nowtakeallthehoopsinthePequod'shold, andstring'emalonginarowwiththatmast,foroughts, doyousee;well,thatwouldn'tbegintobeFedallah'sage. Norallthecoopersincreationcouldn'tshowhoopsenough tomakeoughtsenough." "Butseehere,Stubb,Ithoughtyoualittleboastedjustnow, thatyoumeanttogiveFedallahaseatoss,ifyougotagoodchance. Now,ifhe'ssooldasallthosehoopsofyourscometo,andifheis goingtoliveforever,whatgoodwillitdotopitchhimoverboard tellmethat? "Givehimagoodducking,anyhow." "Buthe'dcrawlback." "Duckhimagain;andkeepduckinghim." "Supposeheshouldtakeitintohisheadtoduckyou,though yes,anddrownyouwhatthen?" "Ishouldliketoseehimtryit;I'dgivehimsuchapairofblackeyes thathewouldn'tdaretoshowhisfaceintheadmiral'scabinagain foralongwhile,letalonedownintheorlopthere,wherehelives, andhereaboutsontheupperdeckswherehesneakssomuch. Damnthedevil,Flask;doyousupposeI'mafraidofthedevil?

Who'safraidofhim,excepttheoldgovernorwhodaresn'tcatch himandputhimindoubledarbies,ashedeserves,butletshim goaboutkidnappingpeople;aye,andsignedabondwithhim, thatallthepeoplethedevilkidnapped,he'droastforhim? There'sagovernor!" "DoyousupposeFedallahwantstokidnapCaptainAhab?" "DoIsupposeit?You'llknowitbeforelong,Flask.ButIam goingnowtokeepasharplookoutonhim;andifIseeanything verysuspiciousgoingon,I'lljusttakehimbythenapeofhisneck, andsayLookhere,Beelzebub,youdon'tdoit;andifhemakes anyfuss,bytheLordI'llmakeagrabintohispocketforhistail, takeittothecapstan,andgivehimsuchawrenchingandheaving, thathistailwillcomeshortoffatthestumpdoyousee;andthen, Iratherguesswhenhefindshimselfdockedinthatqueerfashion, he'llsneakoffwithoutthepoorsatisfactionoffeelinghistail betweenhislegs." "Andwhatwillyoudowiththetail,Stubb?" "Dowithit?Sellitforanoxwhipwhenwegethome;whatelse?" "Now,doyoumeanwhatyousay,andhavebeensayingallalong,Stubb?" "Meanornotmean,hereweareattheship." Theboatswereherehailed,totowthewhaleonthelarboardside, whereflukechainsandothernecessarieswerealreadyprepared forsecuringhim. "Didn'tItellyouso?"saidFlask;"yes,you'llsoonseethis rightwhale'sheadhoistedupoppositethatparmacety's." Ingoodtime,Flask'ssayingprovedtrue.Asbefore,thePequodsteeply leanedovertowardsthespermwhale'shead,now,bythecounterpoise ofbothheads,sheregainedherevenkeel;thoughsorelystrained, youmaywellbelieve.So,whenononesideyouhoistinLocke'shead, yougooverthatway;butnow,ontheotherside,hoistinKant'sandyou comebackagain;butinverypoorplight.Thus,somemindsforeverkeep trimmingboat.Oh,yefoolish!throwallthesethunderheadsoverboard, andthenyouwillfloatlightandright. Indisposingofthebodyofarightwhale,whenbroughtalongside theship,thesamepreliminaryproceedingscommonlytakeplace asinthecaseofaspermwhale;only,inthelatterinstance,

theheadiscutoffwhole,butintheformerthelips andtongueareseparatelyremovedandhoistedondeck, withallthewellknownblackboneattachedtowhatiscalled thecrownpiece.Butnothinglikethis,inthepresentcase, hadbeendone.Thecarcasesofbothwhaleshaddroppedastern; andtheheadladenshipnotalittleresembledamulecarrying apairofoverburdeningpanniers. Meantime,Fedallahwascalmlyeyeingtherightwhale'shead, andeverandanonglancingfromthedeepwrinklestheretothelines inhisownhand.AndAhabchancedsotostand,thattheParsee occupiedhisshadow;while,iftheParsee'sshadowwasthereat allitseemedonlytoblendwith,andlengthenAhab's.Asthecrew toiledon,Laplandishspeculationswerebandiedamongthem, concerningallthesepassingthings. CHAPTER74 TheSpermWhale'sHeadContrastedView Here,now,aretwogreatwhales,layingtheirheadstogether; letusjointhem,andlaytogetherourown. Ofthegrandorderoffolioleviathans,theSpermWhaleand theRightWhalearebyfarthemostnoteworthy.Theyaretheonly whalesregularlyhuntedbyman.TotheNantucketer,theypresent thetwoextremesofalltheknownvarietiesofthewhale. Astheexternaldifferencebetweenthemismainlyobservable intheirheads;andasaheadofeachisthismomenthangingfrom thePequod'sside;andaswemayfreelygofromonetotheother, bymerelysteppingacrossthedeck:where,Ishouldliketoknow, willyouobtainabetterchancetostudypracticalcetologythanhere? Inthefirstplace,youarestruckbythegeneralcontrastbetween theseheads.Botharemassiveenoughinallconscience;but,thereisa certainmathematicalsymmetryintheSpermWhale'swhichtheRightWhale's sadlylacks.ThereismorecharacterintheSpermWhale'shead. Asyoubeholdit,youinvoluntarilyyieldtheimmensesuperiority tohim,inpointofpervadingdignity.Inthepresentinstance,too, thisdignityisheightenedbythepepperandsaltcolorofhishead atthesummit,givingtokenofadvancedageandlargeexperience. Inshort,heiswhatthefishermentechnicallycalla"greyheadedwhale."

Letusnownotewhatisleastdissimilarintheseheads namely,thetwomostimportantorgans,theeyeandtheear. Farbackonthesideofthehead,andlowdown,neartheangle ofeitherwhale'sjaw,ifyounarrowlysearch,youwillatlastsee alashlesseye,whichyouwouldfancytobeayoungcolt'seye; sooutofallproportionisittothemagnitudeofthehead. Now,fromthispeculiarsidewaypositionofthewhale'seyes, itisplainthathecanneverseeanobjectwhichisexactlyahead, nomorethanhecanoneexactlyastern.Inaword,theposition ofthewhale'seyescorrespondstothatofaman'sears; andyoumayfancy,foryourself,howitwouldfarewithyou, didyousidewayssurveyobjectsthroughyourears. Youwouldfindthatyoucouldonlycommandsomethirtydegrees ofvisioninadvanceofthestraightsidelineofsight; andaboutthirtymorebehindit.Ifyourbitterestfoewere walkingstraighttowardsyou,withdaggerupliftedinbroadday, youwouldnotbeabletoseehim,anymorethanifhewere stealinguponyoufrombehind.Inaword,youwouldhave twobacks,sotospeak;but,atthesametime,also,twofronts (sidefronts):forwhatisitthatmakesthefrontofaman what,indeed,buthiseyes? Moreover,whileinmostotheranimalsthatIcannowthinkof, theeyesaresoplantedasimperceptiblytoblendtheir visualpower,soastoproduceonepictureandnottwo tothebrain;thepeculiarpositionofthewhale'seyes, effectuallydividedastheyarebymanycubicfeetofsolidhead, whichtowersbetweenthemlikeagreatmountainseparating twolakesinvalleys;this,ofcourse,mustwhollyseparate theimpressionswhicheachindependentorganimparts. Thewhale,therefore,mustseeonedistinctpictureonthisside, andanotherdistinctpictureonthatside;whileall betweenmustbeprofounddarknessandnothingnesstohim. Manmay,ineffect,besaidtolookoutontheworld fromasentryboxwithtwojoinedsashesforhiswindow. Butwiththewhale,thesetwosashesareseparatelyinserted, makingtwodistinctwindows,butsadlyimpairingtheview. Thispeculiarityofthewhale'seyesisathingalwaystobe borneinmindinthefishery;andtoberememberedbythereader insomesubsequentscenes. Acuriousandmostpuzzlingquestionmightbestartedconcerning thisvisualmatterastouchingtheLeviathan.ButImustbecontent withahint.Solongasaman'seyesareopeninthelight, theactofseeingisinvoluntary;thatis,hecannotthen

helpmechanicallyseeingwhateverobjectsarebeforehim. Nevertheless,anyone'sexperiencewillteachhim,thatthough hecantakeinanundiscriminatingsweepofthingsatoneglance, itisquiteimpossibleforhim,attentively,andcompletely, toexamineanytwothingshoweverlargeorhoweversmall atoneandthesameinstantoftime;nevermindiftheylie sidebysideandtoucheachother.Butifyounowcome toseparatethesetwoobjects,andsurroundeachbyacircle ofprofounddarkness;then,inordertoseeoneofthem, insuchamannerastobringyourmindtobearonit,theother willbeutterlyexcludedfromyourcontemporaryconsciousness. Howisit,then,withthewhale?True,bothhiseyes,inthemselves, mustsimultaneouslyact;butishisbrainsomuchmorecomprehensive, combining,andsubtlethanman's,thathecanatthesamemoment oftimeattentivelyexaminetwodistinctprospects,oneonone sideofhim,andtheotherinanexactlyoppositedirection? Ifhecan,thenisitasmarvellousathinginhim,asifaman wereablesimultaneouslytogothroughthedemonstrations oftwodistinctproblemsinEuclid.Nor,strictlyinvestigated, isthereanyincongruityinthiscomparison. Itmaybebutanidlewhim,butithasalwaysseemedtome, thattheextraordinaryvacillationsofmovementdisplayed bysomewhaleswhenbesetbythreeorfourboats;thetimidity andliabilitytoqueerfrights,socommontosuchwhales; Ithinkthatallthisindirectlyproceedsfromthehelpless perplexityofvolition,inwhichtheirdividedanddiametrically oppositepowersofvisionmustinvolvethem. Buttheearofthewhaleisfullascuriousastheeye. Ifyouareanentirestrangertotheirrace,youmighthunt overthesetwoheadsforhours,andneverdiscoverthatorgan. Theearhasnoexternalleafwhatever;andintotheholeitself youcanhardlyinsertaquill,sowondrouslyminuteisit. Itislodgedalittlebehindtheeye.Withrespecttotheirears, thisimportantdifferenceistobeobservedbetweenthespermwhale andtheright.Whiletheearsoftheformerhasanexternalopening, thatofthelatterisentirelyandevenlycoveredoverwithamembrane, soastobequiteimperceptiblefromwithout. Isitnotcurious,thatsovastabeingasthewhaleshould seetheworldthroughsosmallaneye,andhearthethunder throughanearwhichissmallerthanahare's?Butifhis eyeswerebroadasthelensofHerschel'sgreattelescope; andhisearscapaciousastheporchesofcathedrals; wouldthatmakehimanylongerofsight,orsharperofhearing?

Notatall.Whythendoyoutryto"enlarge"yourmind? Subtilizeit. Letusnowwithwhateverleversandsteamengineswehaveathand, cantoverthespermwhale'shead,so,thatitmayliebottomup;then, ascendingbyaladdertothesummit,haveapeepdownthemouth;andwere itnotthatthebodyisnowcompletelyseparatedfromit,withalantern wemightdescendintothegreatKentuckyMammothCaveofhisstomach. Butletusholdonherebythistooth,andlookaboutuswhereweare. Whatareallybeautifulandchastelookingmouth!fromfloor toceiling,lined,orratherpaperedwithaglisteningwhitemembrane, glossyasbridalsatins. Butcomeoutnow,andlookatthisportentouslowerjaw, whichseemslikethelongnarrowlidofanimmensesnuffbox, withthehingeatoneend,insteadofoneside.Ifyoupryitup, soastogetitoverhead,andexposeitsrowsofteeth,itseems aterrificportcullis;andsuch,alas!itprovestomanyapoorwight inthefishery,uponwhomthesespikesfallwithimpalingforce. Butfarmoreterribleisittobehold,whenfathomsdownin thesea,youseesomesulkywhale,floatingtheresuspended, withhisprodigiousjaw,somefifteenfeetlong,hangingstraight downatrightangleswithhisbody;foralltheworldlikea ship'sjibboom.Thiswhaleisnotdead;heisonlydispirited; outofsorts,perhaps;hypochondriac;andsosupine,thatthehinges ofhisjawhaverelaxed,leavinghimthereinthatungainlysort ofplight,areproachtoallhistribe,whomust,nodoubt, imprecatelockjawsuponhim. Inmostcasesthislowerjawbeingeasilyunhingedbyapractisedartist isdisengagedandhoistedondeckforthepurposeofextracting theivoryteeth,andfurnishingasupplyofthathardwhitewhalebone withwhichthefishermenfashionallsortsofcuriousarticles includingcanes,umbrellastocks,andhandlestoridingwhips. Withalong,wearyhoistthejawisdraggedonboard, asifitwereananchor;andwhenthepropertimecomes somefewdaysaftertheotherworkQueequeg,Daggoo,andTashtego, beingallaccomplisheddentists,aresettodrawingteeth. Withakeencuttingspade,Queequeglancesthegums; thenthejawislasheddowntoringbolts,andatacklebeing riggedfromaloft,theydragouttheseteeth,asMichiganoxen dragstumpsofoldoaksoutofwildwoodlands.Thereare generallyfortytwoteethinall;inoldwhales,muchworndown, butundecayed;norfilledafterourartificialfashion. Thejawisafterwardssawnintoslabs,andpiledawaylikejoists

forbuildinghouses. CHAPTER75 TheRightWhale'sHeadContrastedView Crossingthedeck,letusnowhaveagoodlonglookatthethe RightWhale'shead. AsingeneralshapethenobleSpermWhale'sheadmaybecompared toaRomanwarchariot(especiallyinfront,whereitisso broadlyrounded);so,atabroadview,theRightWhale'sheadbears aratherinelegantresemblancetoagiganticgalliottoedshoe. TwohundredyearsagoanoldDutchvoyagerlikeneditsshape tothatofashoemaker'slast.Andinthissamelastorshoe, thatoldwomanofthenurserytalewiththeswarmingbrood, mightverycomfortablybelodged,sheandallherprogeny. Butasyoucomenearertothisgreatheaditbeginstoassume differentaspects,accordingtoyourpointofview. Ifyoustandonitssummitandlookatthesetwofshaped spoutholes,youwouldtakethewholeheadforanenormousbassviol, andthesespiracles,theaperturesinitssoundingboard. Then,again,ifyoufixyoureyeuponthisstrange,crested, comblikeincrustationonthetopofthemassthisgreen, barnacledthing,whichtheGreenlanderscallthe"crown," andtheSouthernfishersthe"bonnet"oftheRightWhale; fixingyoureyessolelyonthis,youwouldtaketheheadfor thetrunkofsomehugeoak,withabird'snestinitscrotch. Atanyrate,whenyouwatchthoselivecrabsthatnestlehereon thisbonnet,suchanideawillbealmostsuretooccurtoyou; unless,indeed,yourfancyhasbeenfixedbythetechnicalterm "crown"alsobestoweduponit;inwhichcaseyouwilltake greatinterestinthinkinghowthismightymonsterisactually adiademedkingofthesea,whosegreencrownhasbeenput togetherforhiminthismarvellousmanner.Butifthiswhale beaking,heisaverysulkylookingfellowtograceadiadem. Lookatthathanginglowerlip!whatahugesulkandpoutis there!asulkandpout,bycarpenter'smeasurement,abouttwenty feetlongandfivefeetdeep;asulkandpoutthatwillyield yousome500gallonsofoilandmore. Agreatpity,now,thatthisunfortunatewhaleshouldbeharelipped.

Thefissureisaboutafootacross.Probablythemotherduring animportantintervalwassailingdownthePeruviancoast, whenearthquakescausedthebeachtogape.Overthislip, asoveraslipperythreshold,wenowslideintothemouth. UponmywordwereIatMackinaw,Ishouldtakethistobetheinside ofanIndianwigwam.GoodLord!isthistheroadthatJonahwent? Theroofisabouttwelvefeethigh,andrunstoaprettysharpangle, asiftherewerearegularridgepolethere;whiletheseribbed, arched,hairysides,presentuswiththosewondrous,halfvertical, scimitarshapedslatsofwhalebone,saythreehundredonaside, whichdependingfromtheupperpartoftheheadorcrownbone, formthoseVenetianblindswhichhaveelsewherebeencursorilymentioned. Theedgesofthesebonesarefringedwithhairyfibres, throughwhichtheRightWhalestrainsthewater,andinwhose intricaciesheretainsthesmallfish,whenopenmouthedhegoes throughtheseasofbritinfeedingtime.Inthecentralblinds ofbone,astheystandintheirnaturalorder,therearecertain curiousmarks,curves,hollows,andridges,wherebysomewhalemen calculatethecreature'sage,astheageofanoakbyitscircularrings. Thoughthecertaintyofthiscriterionisfarfromdemonstrable, yetithasthesavorofanalogicalprobability.Atanyrate, ifweyieldtoit,wemustgrantafargreateragetotheRightWhale thanatfirstglancewillseemreasonable. Inoldtimes,thereseemtohaveprevailedthemostcuriousfancies concerningtheseblinds.OnevoyagerinPurchascallsthemthewondrous "whiskers"insideofthewhale'smouth;*another,"hogs'bristles"; athirdoldgentlemaninHackluytusesthefollowingelegantlanguage: "Thereareabouttwohundredandfiftyfinsgrowingoneachsideofhis upperchop,whicharchoverhistongueoneachsideofhismouth." *ThisremindsusthattheRightWhalereallyhasasortofwhisker, orratheramoustache,consistingofafewscatteredwhite hairsontheupperpartoftheouterendofthelowerjaw. Sometimesthesetuftsimpartaratherbrigandishexpression tohisotherwisesolemncountenance. Aseveryoneknows,thesesame"hogs'bristles," "fins,""whiskers,""blinds,"orwhateveryouplease,furnishto theladiestheirbusksandotherstiffeningcontrivances. Butinthisparticular,thedemandhaslongbeenonthedecline. ItwasinQueenAnne'stimethatthebonewasinitsglory, thefarthingalebeingthenallthefashion.Andasthoseancient damesmovedaboutgaily,thoughinthejawsofthewhale,asyou

maysay;evenso,inashower,withthelikethoughtlessness, dowenowadaysflyunderthesamejawsforprotection; theumbrellabeingatentspreadoverthesamebone. Butnowforgetallaboutblindsandwhiskersforamoment,and, standingintheRightWhale'smouth,lookaroundyouafresh. Seeingallthesecolonnadesofbonesomethodicallyrangedabout, wouldyounotthinkyouwereinsideofthegreatHaarlemorgan, andgazinguponitsthousandpipes?Foracarpettotheorgan wehavearugofthesoftestTurkeythetongue,whichisglued, asitwere,tothefloorofthemouth.Itisveryfat andtender,andapttotearinpiecesinhoistingitondeck. Thisparticulartonguenowbeforeus;atapassingglanceI shouldsayitwasasixbarreler;thatis,itwillyieldyou aboutthatamountofoil. Erethis,youmusthaveplainlyseenthetruthofwhatIstartedwith thattheSpermWhaleandtheRightWhalehavealmostentirely differentheads.Tosumup,then:intheRightWhale'sthere isnogreatwellofsperm;noivoryteethatall;nolong, slendermandibleofalowerjaw,liketheSpermWhale's.Nor intheSpermWhalearethereanyofthoseblindsofbone; nohugelowerlip;andscarcelyanythingofatongue. Again,theRightWhalehastwoexternalspoutholes, theSpermWhaleonlyone. Lookyourlastnow,onthesevenerablehoodedheads,whilethey yetlietogether;foronewillsoonsink,unrecorded,inthesea; theotherwillnotbeverylonginfollowing. CanyoucatchtheexpressionoftheSpermWhale'sthere? Itisthesamehediedwith,onlysomeofthelongerwrinkles intheforeheadseemnowfadedaway.Ithinkhisbroadbrow tobefullofaprairielikeplacidity,bornofaspeculative indifferenceastodeath.Butmarktheotherhead'sexpression. Seethatamazinglowerlip,pressedbyaccidentagainstthevessel'sside, soasfirmlytoembracethejaw.Doesnotthiswholeheadseem tospeakofanenormouspracticalresolutioninfacingdeath? ThisRightWhaleItaketohavebeenaStoic;theSpermWhale, aPlatonian,whomighthavetakenupSpinozainhislatteryears. CHAPTER76

TheBatteringRam Erequitting,forthenonce,theSpermWhale'shead,Iwouldhaveyou, asasensiblephysiologist,simplyparticularlyremarkitsfrontaspect, inallitscompactedcollectedness.Iwouldhaveyouinvestigateit nowwiththesoleviewofformingtoyourselfsomeunexaggerated, intelligentestimateofwhateverbatteringrampowermaybelodgedthere. Hereisavitalpoint;foryoumusteithersatisfactorilysettle thismatterwithyourself,orforeverremainaninfidelastoone ofthemostappalling,butnotthelesstrueevents,perhapsanywhere tobefoundinallrecordedhistory. YouobservethatintheordinaryswimmingpositionoftheSpermWhale, thefrontofhisheadpresentsanalmostwhollyverticalplane tothewater;youobservethatthelowerpartofthatfront slopesconsiderablybackwards,soastofurnishmoreofaretreat forthelongsocketwhichreceivestheboomlikelowerjaw; youobservethatthemouthisentirelyunderthehead, muchinthesameway,indeed,asthoughyourownmouthwere entirelyunderyourchin.Moreoveryouobservethatthewhale hasnoexternalnose;andthatwhatnosehehashisspouthole isonthetopofhishead;youobservethathiseyesandears areatthesidesofhishead;nearlyonethirdofhisentire lengthfromthefront.Wherefore,youmustnowhaveperceived thatthefrontoftheSpermWhale'sheadisadead,blindwall, withoutasingleorganortenderprominenceofanysortwhatsoever. Furthermore,youarenowtoconsiderthatonlyintheextreme, lower,backwardslopingpartofthefrontofthehead,isthere theslightestvestigeofbone;andnottillyougetneartwentyfeet fromtheforeheaddoyoucometothefullcranialdevelopment. Sothatthiswholeenormousbonelessmassisasonewad. Finally,though,aswillsoonberevealed,itscontentspartly comprisethemostdelicateoil;yet,youarenowtobeapprised ofthenatureofthesubstancewhichsoimpregnablyinvestsall thatapparenteffeminacy.InsomepreviousplaceIhavedescribed toyouhowtheblubberwrapsthebodyofthewhale,astherind wrapsanorange.Justsowiththehead;butwiththisdifference: abouttheheadthisenvelope,thoughnotsothickisofa bonelesstoughness,inestimablebyanymanwhohasnothandledit. Theseverestpointedharpoon,thesharpestlancedarted bythestrongesthumanarm,impotentlyreboundsfromit. ItisasthoughtheforeheadoftheSpermWhalewerepaved withhorses'hoofs.Idonotthinkthatanysensationlurksinit. Bethinkyourselfalsoofanotherthing.Whentwolarge,

loadedIndianmenchancetocrowdandcrushtowardseachother inthedocks,whatdothesailorsdo?Theydonotsuspend betweenthem,atthepointofcomingcontact,anymerely hardsubstance,likeironorwood.No,theyholdtherealarge, roundwadoftowandcork,envelopedinthethickestandtoughest ofoxhide.Thatbravelyanduninjuredtakesthejamwhichwould havesnappedalltheiroakenhandspikesandironcrowbars.By itselfthissufficientlyillustratestheobviousfactIdriveat. Butsupplementarytothis,ithashypotheticallyoccurredtome, thatasordinaryfishpossesswhatiscalledaswimmingbladder inthem,capable,atwill,ofdistensionorcontraction; andastheSpermWhale,asfarasIknow,hasnosuchprovision inhim;considering,too,theotherwiseinexplicablemanner inwhichhenowdepresseshisheadaltogetherbeneaththesurface, andanonswimswithithighelevatedoutofthewater; consideringtheunobstructedelasticityofitsenvelope; consideringtheuniqueinteriorofhishead;ithas hypotheticallyoccurredtome,Isay,thatthosemystical lungcelledhoneycombstheremaypossiblyhavesomehitherto unknownandunsuspectedconnexionwiththeouterair,soas tobesusceptibletoatmosphericdistensionandcontraction. Ifthisbeso,fancytheirresistiblenessofthatmight,towhich themostimpalpableanddestructiveofallelementscontributes. Now,mark.Unerringlyimpellingthisdead,impregnable,uninjurablewall, andthismostbuoyantthingwithin;thereswimsbehinditallamass oftremendouslife,onlytobeadequatelyestimatedaspiledwoodis bythecord;andallobedienttoonevolition,asthesmallestinsect. SothatwhenIshallhereafterdetailtoyouallthespecialitiesand concentrationsofpotencyeverywherelurkinginthisexpansivemonster; whenIshallshowyousomeofhismoreinconsiderablebrainingfeats; Itrustyouwillhaverenouncedallignorantincredulity,andbeready toabidebythis;thatthoughtheSpermWhalestoveapassagethrough theIsthmusofDarien,andmixedtheAtlanticwiththePacific,youwould notelevateonehairofyoureyebrow.Forunlessyouownthewhale, youarebutaprovincialandsentimentalistinTruth.Butclear Truthisathingforsalamandergiantsonlytoencounter;howsmall thechancesfortheprovincialsthen?Whatbefelltheweaklingyouth liftingthedreadgoddess'sveilatLais? CHAPTER77 TheGreatHeidelburghTun

 NowcomestheBalingoftheCase.Buttocomprehenditaright, youmustknowsomethingofthecuriousinternalstructure ofthethingoperatedupon. RegardingtheSpermWhale'sheadasasolidoblong,youmay, onaninclinedplane,sidewaysdivideitintotwoquoins,*whereof theloweristhebonystructure,formingthecraniumandjaws, andtheupperanunctuousmasswhollyfreefrombones;itsbroadforward endformingtheexpandedverticalapparentforeheadofthewhale. Atthemiddleoftheforeheadhorizontallysubdividethisupperquoin, andthenyouhavetwoalmostequalparts,whichbeforewerenaturally dividedbyaninternalwallofathicktendinoussubstance. *QuoinisnotaEuclideanterm.Itbelongstothepure nauticalmathematics.Iknownotthatithasbeendefinedbefore. Aquoinisasolidwhichdiffersfromawedgeinhaving itssharpendformedbythesteepinclinationofoneside, insteadofthemutualtaperingofbothsides. Thelowersubdividedpart,calledthejunk,isoneimmense honeycombofoil,formedbythecrossingandrecrossing, intotenthousandinfiltratedcells,oftoughelasticwhitefibres throughoutitswholeextent.Theupperpart,knownastheCase, mayberegardedasthegreatHeidelburghTunoftheSpermWhale. Andasthatfamousgreattierceismysticallycarvedinfront, sothewhale'svastplaitedforeheadformsinnumerablestrange devicesfortheemblematicaladornmentofhiswondroustun. Moreover,asthatofHeidelburghwasalwaysreplenished withthemostexcellentofthewinesoftheRhenishvalleys, sothetunofthewhalecontainsbyfarthemostprecious ofallhisoilyvintages;namely,thehighlyprizedspermaceti, initsabsolutelypure,limpid,andodoriferousstate. Noristhisprecioussubstancefoundunalloyedinanyotherpart ofthecreature.Thoughinlifeitremainsperfectlyfluid, yet,uponexposuretotheair,afterdeath,itsoonbegins toconcrete;sendingforthbeautifulcrystallineshoots, aswhenthefirstthindelicateiceisjustforminginwater. Alargewhale'scasegenerallyyieldsaboutfivehundred gallonsofsperm,thoughfromunavoidablecircumstances, considerableofitisspilled,leaks,anddribblesaway, orisotherwiseirrevocablylostintheticklishbusiness ofsecuringwhatyoucan.

 IknownotwithwhatfineandcostlymaterialtheHeidelburghTun wascoatedwithin,butinsuperlativerichnessthatcoatingcould notpossiblyhavecomparedwiththesilkenpearlcoloredmembrane, liketheliningofafinepelisse,formingtheinnersurface oftheSpermWhale'scase. ItwillhavebeenseenthattheHeidelburghTunoftheSpermWhale embracestheentirelengthoftheentiretopofthehead; andsinceashasbeenelsewheresetforththeheadembraces onethirdofthewholelengthofthecreature,thensetting thatlengthdownateightyfeetforagoodsizedwhale, youhavemorethantwentysixfeetforthedepthofthetun, whenitislengthwisehoistedupanddownagainstaship'sside. Asindecapitatingthewhale,theoperator'sinstrumentis broughtclosetothespotwhereanentranceissubsequently forcedintothespermacetimagazine;hehas,therefore,tobe uncommonlyheedful,lestacareless,untimelystrokeshouldinvade thesanctuaryandwastinglyletoutitsinvaluablecontents. Itisthisdecapitatedendofthehead,also,whichisat lastelevatedoutofthewater,andretainedinthatposition bytheenormouscuttingtackles,whosehempencombinations, ononeside,makequiteawildernessofropesinthatquarter. Thusmuchbeingsaid,attendnow,Iprayyou,tothatmarvellousand inthisparticularinstancealmostfataloperationwhereby theSpermWhale'sgreatHeidelburghTunistapped. CHAPTER78 CisternandBuckets Nimbleasacat,Tashtegomountsaloft;andwithoutalteringhis erectposture,runsstraightoutupontheoverhangingmainyardarm, tothepartwhereitexactlyprojectsoverthehoistedTun.Hehas carriedwithhimalighttacklecalledawhip,consistingof onlytwoparts,travellingthroughasinglesheavedblock. Securingthisblock,sothatithangsdownfromtheyardarm, heswingsoneendoftherope,tillitiscaughtandfirmlyheld byahandonthedeck.Then,handoverhand,downtheotherpart, theIndiandropsthroughtheair,tilldexterouslyhelands

onthesummitofthehead.Therestillhighelevatedabove therestofthecompany,towhomhevivaciouslycries heseemssomeTurkishMuezzincallingthegoodpeopletoprayers fromthetopofatower.Ashorthandledsharpspadebeing sentuptohim,hediligentlysearchesfortheproperplace tobeginbreakingintotheTun.Inthisbusinessheproceeds veryheedfully,likeatreasurehunterinsomeoldhouse, soundingthewallstofindwherethegoldismasonedin. Bythetimethiscautioussearchisover,astoutironboundbucket, preciselylikeawellbucket,hasbeenattachedtooneend ofthewhip;whiletheotherend,beingstretchedacross thedeck,isthereheldbytwoorthreealerthands. TheselastnowhoistthebucketwithingraspoftheIndian, towhomanotherpersonhasreachedupaverylongpole. Insertingthispoleintothebucket,Tashtegodownward guidesthebucketintotheTun,tillitentirelydisappears; thengivingthewordtotheseamenatthewhip,upcomesthe bucketagain,allbubblinglikeadairymaid'spailofnewmilk. Carefullyloweredfromitsheight,thefullfreightedvesselis caughtbyanappointedhand,andquicklyemptiedintoalargetub. Thenremountingaloft,itagaingoesthroughthesameround untilthedeepcisternwillyieldnomore.Towardstheend, Tashtegohastoramhislongpoleharderandharder,anddeeper anddeeperintotheTun,untilsometwentyfeetofthepole havegonedown. Now,thepeopleofthePequodhadbeenbalingsometimeinthisway; severaltubshadbeenfilledwiththefragrantsperm;whenallat onceaqueeraccidenthappened.WhetheritwasthatTashtego, thatwildIndian,wassoheedlessandrecklessastoletgoforamoment hisonehandedholdonthegreatcabledtacklessuspendingthehead; orwhethertheplacewherehestoodwassotreacherousandoozy; orwhethertheEvilOnehimselfwouldhaveittofalloutso, withoutstatinghisparticularreasons;howitwasexactly, thereisnotellingnow;but,onasudden,astheeightieth orninetiethbucketcamesuckinglyupmyGod!poorTashtego likethetwinreciprocatingbucketinaveritablewell, droppedheadforemostdownintothisgreatTunofHeidelburgh, andwithahorribleoilygurgling,wentcleanoutofsight! "Manoverboard!"criedDaggoo,whoamidthegeneralconsternation firstcametohissenses."Swingthebucketthisway!" andputtingonefootintoit,soasthebettertosecurehis slipperyhandholdonthewhipitselfthehoistersranhimhighup tothetopofthehead,almostbeforeTashtegocouldhavereached itsinteriorbottom.Meantime,therewasaterribletumult.

Lookingovertheside,theysawthebeforelifelessheadthrobbing andheavingjustbelowthesurfaceofthesea,asifthatmoment seizedwithsomemomentousidea;whereasitwasonlythepoor Indianunconsciouslyrevealingbythosestrugglestheperilous depthtowhichhehadsunk. Atthisinstant,whileDaggoo,onthesummitofthehead,wasclearing thewhipwhichhadsomehowgotfoulofthegreatcuttingtackles asharpcrackingnoisewasheard;andtotheunspeakablehorror ofall,oneofthetwoenormoushookssuspendingtheheadtoreout, andwithavastvibrationtheenormousmasssidewaysswung, tillthedrunkshipreeledandshookasifsmittenbyaniceberg. Theoneremaininghook,uponwhichtheentirestrainnowdepended, seemedeveryinstanttobeonthepointofgivingway;anevent stillmorelikelyfromtheviolentmotionsofthehead. "Comedown,comedown!"yelledtheseamentoDaggoo,butwithonehand holdingontotheheavytackles,sothatiftheheadshoulddrop, hewouldstillremainsuspended;thenegrohavingclearedthefoulline, rammeddownthebucketintothenowcollapsedwell,meaningthat theburiedharpooneershouldgraspit,andsobehoistedout. "Inheaven'sname,man,"criedStubb,"areyouramming homeacartridgethere?Avast!Howwillthathelphim; jammingthatironboundbucketontopofhishead? Avast,willye!" "Standclearofthetackle!"criedavoicelikethebursting ofarocket. Almostinthesameinstant,withathunderboom,theenormous massdroppedintothesea,likeNiagara'sTableRockinto thewhirlpool;thesuddenlyrelievedhullrolledawayfromit, tofardownherglitteringcopper;andallcaughttheirbreath, ashalfswingingnowoverthesailors'heads,andnow overthewaterDaggoo,throughathickmistofspray, wasdimlybeheldclingingtothependuloustackles,whilepoor, buriedaliveTashtegowassinkingutterlydowntothebottom ofthesea!Buthardlyhadtheblindingvaporclearedaway, whenanakedfigurewithaboardingswordinhishand, wasforoneswiftmomentseenhoveringoverthebulwarks. Thenext,aloudsplashannouncedthatmybraveQueequeghad divedtotherescue.Onepackedrushwasmadetotheside, andeveryeyecountedeveryripple,asmomentfollowedmoment, andnosignofeitherthesinkerorthedivercouldbeseen. Somehandsnowjumpedintoaboatalongside,andpushedalittle

offfromtheship. "Ha!ha!"criedDaggoo,allatonce,fromhisnowquiet, swingingperchoverhead;andlookingfurtherofffromtheside, wesawanarmthrustuprightfromthebluewaves;asightstrange tosee,asanarmthrustforthfromthegrassoveragrave. "Both!both!itisboth!"criedDaggooagainwithajoyfulshout; andsoonafter,Queequegwasseenboldlystrikingoutwithonehand, andwiththeotherclutchingthelonghairoftheIndian.Drawninto thewaitingboat,theywerequicklybroughttothedeck;butTashtego waslongincomingto,andQueequegdidnotlookverybrisk. Now,howhadthisnoblerescuebeenaccomplished?Why,divingafter theslowlydescendinghead,Queequegwithhiskeenswordhadmade sidelungesnearitsbottom,soastoscuttlealargeholethere; thendroppinghissword,hadthrusthislongarmfarinwards andupwards,andsohauledoutourpoorTashbythehead. Heaverred,thatuponfirstthrustinginforhim,alegwaspresented; butwellknowingthatthatwasnotasitoughttobe,andmight occasiongreattrouble;hehadthrustbacktheleg,andbya dexterousheaveandtoss,hadwroughtasomersetupontheIndian; sothatwiththenexttrial,hecameforthinthegoodoldway headforemost.Asforthegreatheaditself,thatwasdoing aswellascouldbeexpected. Andthus,throughthecourageandgreatskillinobstetricsofQueequeg, thedeliverance,orrather,deliveryofTashtego,wassuccessfully accomplished,intheteeth,too,ofthemostuntowardandapparently hopelessimpediments;whichisalessonbynomeanstobeforgotten. Midwiferyshouldbetaughtinthesamecoursewithfencingandboxing, ridingandrowing. IknowthatthisqueeradventureoftheGayHeader'swillbesure toseemincredibletosomelandsmen,thoughtheythemselvesmayhave eitherseenorheardofsomeone'sfallingintoacisternashore; anaccidentwhichnotseldomhappens,andwithmuchlessreasontoo thantheIndian's,consideringtheexceedingslipperinessofthecurb oftheSpermWhale'swell. But,peradventure,itmaybesagaciouslyurged,howisthis? Wethoughtthetissued,infiltratedheadoftheSpermWhale, wasthelightestandmostcorkypartabouthim;andyetthoumakest itsinkinanelementofafargreaterspecificgravitythanitself. Wehavetheethere.Notatall,butIhaveye;foratthetimepoor Tashfellin,thecasehadbeennearlyemptiedofitslightercontents,

leavinglittlebutthedensetendinouswallofthewelladoublewelded, hammeredsubstance,asIhavebeforesaid,muchheavierthan theseawater,andalumpofwhichsinksinitlikeleadalmost. Butthetendencytorapidsinkinginthissubstancewasinthepresent instancemateriallycounteractedbytheotherpartsoftheheadremaining undetachedfromit,sothatitsankveryslowlyanddeliberatelyindeed, affordingQueequegafairchanceforperforminghisagileobstetrics ontherun,asyoumaysay.Yes,itwasarunningdelivery, soitwas. Now,hadTashtegoperishedinthathead,ithadbeenavery preciousperishing;smotheredintheverywhitestanddaintiest offragrantspermaceti;coffined,hearsed,andtombedin thesecretinnerchamberandsanctumsanctorumofthewhale. Onlyonesweeterendcanreadilyberecalledthedelicious deathofanOhiohoneyhunter,whoseekinghoneyinthecrotch ofahollowtree,foundsuchexceedingstoreofit,thatleaning toofarover,itsuckedhimin,sothathediedembalmed. Howmany,thinkye,havelikewisefallenintoPlato'shoneyhead, andsweetlyperishedthere? CHAPTER79 ThePrairie Toscanthelinesofhisface,orfeelthebumpsontheheadof thisLeviathan;thisisathingwhichnoPhysiognomistorPhrenologist hasasyetundertaken.Suchanenterprisewouldseemalmostas hopefulasforLavatertohavescrutinizedthewrinklesontheRock ofGibraltar,orforGalltohavemountedaladderandmanipulated theDomeofthePantheon.Still,inthatfamousworkofhis, Lavaternotonlytreatsofthevariousfacesofmen,butalsoattentively studiesthefacesofhorses,birds,serpents,andfish;anddwells indetailuponthemodificationsofexpressiondiscernibletherein. NorhaveGallandhisdiscipleSpurzheimfailedtothrowoutsomehints touchingthephrenologicalcharacteristicsofotherbeingsthanman. Therefore,thoughIambutillqualifiedforapioneer,intheapplication ofthesetwosemisciencestothewhale,Iwilldomyendeavor. Itryallthings;IachievewhatIcan. Physiognomicallyregarded,theSpermWhaleisananomalouscreature. Hehasnopropernose.Andsincethenoseisthecentral andmostconspicuousofthefeatures;andsinceitperhaps

mostmodifiesandfinallycontrolstheircombinedexpression; henceitwouldseemthatitsentireabsence,asanexternalappendage, mustverylargelyaffectthecountenanceofthewhale. Forasinlandscapegardening,aspire,cupola,monument, ortowerofsomesort,isdeemedalmostindispensableto thecompletionofthescene;sonofacecanbephysiognomically inkeepingwithouttheelevatedopenworkbelfryofthenose. DashthenosefromPhidias'smarbleJove,andwhata sorryremainder!Nevertheless,Leviathanisofsomighty amagnitude,allhisproportionsaresostately,thatthesame deficiencywhichinthesculpturedJovewerehideous, inhimisnoblemishatall.Nay,itisanaddedgrandeur. Anosetothewhalewouldhavebeenimpertinent. Asonyourphysiognomicalvoyageyousailroundhisvasthead inyourjollyboat,yournobleconceptionsofhimarenever insultedbythereflectionthathehasanosetobepulled. Apestilentconceit,whichsooftenwillinsistuponobtruding evenwhenbeholdingthemightiestroyalbeadleonhisthrone. Insomeparticulars,perhapsthemostimposingphysiognomicalview tobehadoftheSpermWhale,isthatofthefullfrontofhishead. Thisaspectissublime. Inthought,afinehumanbrowisliketheEastwhentroubledwith themorning.Inthereposeofthepasture,thecurledbrowofthebull hasatouchofthegrandinit.Pushingheavycannonupmountaindefiles, theelephant'sbrowismajestic.Humanoranimal,themystical browisasthatgreatgoldensealaffixedbytheGermanEmperors totheirdecrees.Itsignifies"God:donethisdaybymyhand." Butinmostcreatures,nayinmanhimself,veryoftenthebrow isbutamerestripofalpinelandlyingalongthesnowline. FewaretheforeheadswhichlikeShakespeare'sorMelancthon'srise sohigh,anddescendsolow,thattheeyesthemselvesseemclear,eternal, tidelessmountainlakes;andallabovethemintheforehead'swrinkles, youseemtotracktheantleredthoughtsdescendingtheretodrink, astheHighlandhunterstrackthesnowprintsofthedeer. ButinthegreatSpermWhale,thishighandmightygodlikedignity inherentinthebrowissoimmenselyamplified,thatgazingonit, inthatfullfrontview,youfeeltheDeityandthedreadpowers moreforciblythaninbeholdinganyotherobjectinlivingnature. Foryouseenoonepointprecisely;notonedistinctfeatureisrevealed; nonose,eyes,ears,ormouth;noface;hehasnone,proper;nothingbut thatonebroadfirmamentofaforehead,pleatedwithriddles; dumblyloweringwiththedoomofboats,andships,andmen. Nor,inprofile,doesthiswondrousbrowdiminish;thoughthatway vieweditsgrandeurdoesnotdomineeruponyouso.Inprofile,

youplainlyperceivethathorizontal,semicrescenticdepression intheforehead'smiddle,which,inaman,isLavater'smarkofgenius. Buthow?GeniusintheSpermWhale?HastheSpermWhale everwrittenabook,spokenaspeech?No,hisgreatgenius isdeclaredinhisdoingnothingparticulartoproveit. Itismoreoverdeclaredinhispyramidicalsilence.Andthisreminds methathadthegreatSpermWhalebeenknowntotheyoungOrientWorld, hewouldhavebeendeifiedbytheirchildmagianthoughts. TheydeifiedthecrocodileoftheNile,becausethecrocodile istongueless;andtheSpermWhalehasnotongue,oratleast itissoexceedinglysmall,astobeincapableofprotrusion. Ifhereafteranyhighlycultured,poeticalnationshalllure backtotheirbirthright,themerryMaydaygodsofold; andlivinglyenthronethemagaininthenowegotisticalsky; inthenowunhauntedhill;thenbesure,exaltedtoJove's highseat,thegreatSpermWhaleshalllordit. Champolliondecipheredthewrinkledgranitehieroglyphics. ButthereisnoChampolliontodeciphertheEgyptofevery man'sandeverybeing'sface.Physiognomy,likeeveryother humanscience,isbutapassingfable.Ifthen,SirWilliamJones, whoreadinthirtylanguages,couldnotreadthesimplest peasant'sfaceinitsprofounderandmoresubtlemeanings, howmayunletteredIshmaelhopetoreadtheawfulChaldee oftheSpermWhale'sbrow?Ibutputthatbrowbeforeyou. Readifitifyoucan. CHAPTER80 TheNut IftheSpermWhalebephysiognomicallyaSphinx,tothephrenologisthis brainseemsthatgeometricalcirclewhichitisimpossibletosquare. Inthefullgrowncreaturetheskullwillmeasureatleasttwentyfeet inlength.Unhingethelowerjaw,andthesideviewofthisskull isasthesideviewofamoderatelyinclinedplanerestingthroughout onalevelbase.Butinlifeaswehaveelsewhereseenthisinclined planeisangularlyfilledup,andalmostsquaredbytheenormous superincumbentmassofthejunkandsperm.Atthehighendtheskull formsacratertobedthatpartofthemass;whileunderthelongfloor ofthiscraterinanothercavityseldomexceedingteninchesinlength

andasmanyindepthreposesthemerehandfulofthismonster'sbrain. Thebrainisatleasttwentyfeetfromhisapparentforeheadinlife; itishiddenawaybehinditsvastoutworks,liketheinnermostcitadel withintheamplifiedfortificationsofQuebec.Solikeachoicecasket isitsecretedinhim,thatIhaveknownsomewhalemenwhoperemptorily denythattheSpermWhalehasanyotherbrainthanthatpalpable semblanceofoneformedbythecubicyardsofhisspermmagazine. Lyinginstrangefolds,courses,andconvolutions,totheirapprehensions, itseemsmoreinkeepingwiththeideaofhisgeneralmighttoregard thatmysticpartofhimastheseatofhisintelligence. Itisplain,then,thatphrenologicallytheheadofthisLeviathan, inthecreature'slivingintactstate,isanentiredelusion. Asforhistruebrain,youcanthenseenoindicationsofit, norfeelany.Thewhale,likeallthingsthataremighty, wearsafalsebrowtothecommonworld. Ifyouunloadhisskullofitsspermyheapsandthentakearear viewofitsrearend,whichisthehighend,youwillbestruck byitsresemblancetothehumanskull,beheldinthesamesituation, andfromthesamepointofview.Indeed,placethisreversedskull (scaleddowntothehumanmagnitude)amongaplateofmen'sskulls, andyouwouldinvoluntarilyconfounditwiththem;andremarking thedepressionsononepartofitssummit,inphrenologicalphrase youwouldsayThismanhadnoselfesteem,andnoveneration. Andbythosenegations,consideredalongwiththeaffirmativefact ofhisprodigiousbulkandpower,youcanbestformtoyourself thetruest,thoughnotthemostexhilaratingconceptionofwhat themostexaltedpotencyis. Butiffromthecomparativedimensionsofthewhale'sproperbrain, youdeemitincapableofbeingadequatelycharted,thenI haveanotherideaforyou.Ifyouattentivelyregardalmost anyquadruped'sspine,youwillbestruckwiththeresemblance ofitsvertebraetoastrungnecklaceofdwarfedskulls, allbearingrudimentalresemblancetotheskullproper. ItisaGermanconceit,thatthevertebraeareabsolutely undevelopedskulls.Butthecuriousexternalresemblance, ItakeittheGermanswerenotthefirstmentoperceive. Aforeignfriendoncepointeditouttome,intheskeletonofafoe hehadslain,andwiththevertebraeofwhichhewasinlaying, inasortofbassorelieve,thebeakedprowofhiscanoe. Now,Iconsiderthatthephrenologistshaveomittedanimportant thinginnotpushingtheirinvestigationsfromthecerebellum throughthespinalcanal.ForIbelievethatmuchofa man'scharacterwillbefoundbetokenedinhisbackbone.

Iwouldratherfeelyourspinethanyourskull,whoeveryouare. Athinjoistofaspineneveryetupheldafullandnoblesoul. Irejoiceinmyspine,asinthefirmaudaciousstaffofthatflag whichIflinghalfouttotheworld. ApplythisspinalbranchofphrenologytotheSpermWhale.Hiscranial cavityiscontinuouswiththefirstneckvertebra;andinthatvertebra thebottomofthespinalcanalwillmeasureteninchesacross,beingeight inheight,andofatriangularfigurewiththebasedownwards. Asitpassesthroughtheremainingvertebraethecanaltapersinsize, butforaconsiderabledistanceremainsoflargecapacity. Now,ofcourse,thiscanalisfilledwithmuchthesamestrangely fibroussubstancethespinalcordasthebrain;anddirectly communicateswiththebrain.Andwhatisstillmore,formanyfeet afteremergingfromthebrain'scavity,thespinalcordremains ofanundecreasinggirth,almostequaltothatofthebrain. Underallthesecircumstances,woulditbeunreasonabletosurveyandmap outthewhale'sspinephrenologically?For,viewedinthislight, thewonderfulcomparativesmallnessofhisbrainproperismorethan compensatedbythewonderfulcomparativemagnitudeofhisspinalcord. Butleavingthishinttooperateasitmaywiththephrenologists, Iwouldmerelyassumethespinaltheoryforamoment,inreference totheSpermWhale'shump.Thisaugusthump,ifImistakenot, risesoveroneofthelargervertebrae,andis,therefore,insomesort, theouterconvexmouldofit.Fromitsrelativesituationthen, Ishouldcallthishighhumptheorganoffirmnessorindomitableness intheSpermWhale.Andthatthegreatmonsterisindomitable, youwillyethavereasontoknow. CHAPTER81 ThePequodMeetsTheVirgin Thepredestinateddayarrived,andwedulymettheship Jungfrau,DerickDeDeer,master,ofBremen. Atonetimethegreatestwhalingpeopleintheworld,theDutch andGermansarenowamongtheleast;buthereandthereatverywide intervalsoflatitudeandlongitude,youstilloccasionallymeet withtheirflaginthePacific.

Forsomereason,theJungfrauseemedquiteeagertopayherrespects. WhileyetsomedistancefromthePequod,sheroundedto,anddropping aboat,hercaptainwasimpelledtowardsus,impatientlystanding inthebowsinsteadofthestern. "Whathasheinhishandthere?"criedStarbuck,pointingtosomething wavinglyheldbytheGerman."Impossible!alampfeeder!" "Notthat,"saidStubb,"no,no,it'sacoffeepot,Mr.Starbuck; he'scomingofftomakeusourcoffee,istheYarman;don'tyousee thatbigtincantherealongsideofhim?that'shisboilingwater. Oh!he'sallright,istheYarman." "Goalongwithyou,"criedFlask,"it'salampfeederandanoilcan. He'soutofoil,andhascomeabegging." Howevercuriousitmayseemforanoilshiptobeborrowing oilonthewhaleground,andhowevermuchitmayinvertedly contradicttheoldproverbaboutcarryingcoalstoNewcastle, yetsometimessuchathingreallyhappens;andinthepresent caseCaptainDerickDeDeerdidindubitablyconductalampfeeder asFlaskdiddeclare. Ashemountedthedeck,Ahababruptlyaccostedhim,withoutat allheedingwhathehadinhishand;butinhisbrokenlingo, theGermansoonevincedhiscompleteignoranceoftheWhiteWhale; immediatelyturningtheconversationtohislampfeederandoilcan, withsomeremarkstouchinghishavingtoturnintohishammockat nightinprofounddarknesshislastdropofBremenoilbeinggone, andnotasingleflyingfishyetcapturedtosupplythedeficiency; concludingbyhintingthathisshipwasindeedwhatintheFishery istechnicallycalledacleanone(thatis,anemptyone),well deservingthenameofJungfrauortheVirgin. Hisnecessitiessupplied,Derickdeparted;buthehadnotgained hisship'sside,whenwhaleswerealmostsimultaneouslyraisedfrom themastheadsofbothvessels;andsoeagerforthechasewasDerick, thatwithoutpausingtoputhisoilcanandlampfeederaboard, heslewedroundhisboatandmadeaftertheleviathanlampfeeders. Now,thegamehavingrisentoleeward,heandtheotherthreeGermanboats thatsoonfollowedhim,hadconsiderablythestartofthePequod'skeels. Therewereeightwhales,anaveragepod.Awareoftheirdanger, theyweregoingallabreastwithgreatspeedstraightbeforethewind, rubbingtheirflanksascloselyassomanyspansofhorsesinharness. Theyleftagreat,widewake,asthoughcontinuallyunrollingagreat

wideparchmentuponthesea. Fullinthisrapidwake,andmanyfathomsintherear,swamahuge, humpedoldbull,whichbyhiscomparativelyslowprogress, aswellasbytheunusualyellowishincrustationsovergrowinghim, seemedafflictedwiththejaundice,orsomeotherinfirmity. Whetherthiswhalebelongedtothepodinadvance,seemedquestionable; foritisnotcustomaryforsuchvenerableleviathanstobeat allsocial.Nevertheless,hestucktotheirwake,thoughindeedtheir backwatermusthaveretardedhim,becausethewhiteboneorswell athisbroadmuzzlewasadashedone,liketheswellformedwhentwo hostilecurrentsmeet.Hisspoutwasshort,slow,andlaborious; comingforthwithachokingsortofgush,andspendingitself intornshreds,followedbystrangesubterraneancommotionsinhim, whichseemedtohaveegressathisotherburiedextremity, causingthewatersbehindhimtoupbubble. "Who'sgotsomeparegoric?"saidStubb,"hehasthestomachache, I'mafraid.Lord,thinkofhavinghalfanacreofstomachache! AdversewindsareholdingmadChristmasinhim,boys. It'sthefirstfoulwindIeverknewtoblowfromastern;butlook, dideverwhaleyawsobefore?itmustbe,he'slosthistiller." AsanoverladenIndiamanbearingdowntheHindostancoastwithadeck loadoffrightenedhorses,careens,buries,rolls,andwallowson herway;sodidthisoldwhaleheavehisagedbulk,andnowandthen partlyturningoveronhiscumbrousribends,exposethecause ofhisdeviouswakeintheunnaturalstumpofhisstarboardfin. Whetherhehadlostthatfininbattle,orhadbeenbornwithoutit, itwerehardtosay. "Onlywaitabit,oldchap,andI'llgiveyeaslingforthat woundedarm,"criedcruelFlask,pointingtothewhalelinenearhim. "Mindhedon'tslingtheewithit,"criedStarbuck."Giveway, ortheGermanwillhavehim." Withoneintentallthecombinedrivalboatswerepointed forthisonefish,becausenotonlywashethelargest, andthereforethemostvaluablewhale,buthewasnearesttothem, andtheotherwhalesweregoingwithsuchgreatvelocity,moreover, asalmosttodefypursuitforthetime.Atthisjuncture, thePequod'skeelshadshotbythethreeGermanboatslastlowered; butfromthegreatstarthehadhad,Derick'sboatstillled thechase,thougheverymomentnearedbyhisforeignrivals. Theonlythingtheyfeared,was,thatfrombeingalready

sonightohismark,hewouldbeenabledtodarthisiron beforetheycouldcompletelyovertakeandpasshim. AsforDerick,heseemedquiteconfidentthatthiswouldbethecase, andoccasionallywithaderidinggestureshookhislampfeeder attheotherboats. "Theungraciousandungratefuldog!"criedStarbuck;"hemocksanddares mewiththeverypoorboxIfilledforhimnotfiveminutesago!" Theninhisoldintensewhisper"giveway,greyhounds!Dogtoit!" "Itellyewhatitis,men"criedStubbtohiscrewIt'sagainstmy religiontogetmad;butI'dliketoeatthatvillainousYarmanPull won'tye?Areyegoingtoletthatrascalbeatye?Doyelovebrandy? Ahogsheadofbrandy,then,tothebestman.Come,whydon'tsomeofye burstabloodvessel?Who'sthatbeendroppingananchoroverboard wedon'tbudgeaninchwe'rebecalmed.Halloo,here'sgrassgrowing intheboat'sbottomandbytheLord,themastthere'sbudding. Thiswon'tdo,boys.LookatthatYarman!Theshortandlongof itis,men,willyespitfireornot?" "Oh!seethesudshemakes!"criedFlask,dancingupanddown"What ahumpOh,dopileonthebeeflayslikealog!Oh!mylads, dospringslapjacksandquahogsforsupper,youknow,mylads bakedclamsandmuffinsoh,do,do,spring,he'sahundredbarreler don'tlosehimnowdon'toh,don't!seethatYarmanOh,won'tyepull foryourduff,myladssuchasog!suchasogger!Don'tyelovesperm? Theregoesthreethousanddollars,men!abank!awholebank! ThebankofEngland!Oh,do,do,do!What'sthatYarmanaboutnow?" AtthismomentDerickwasintheactofpitchinghislampfeeder attheadvancingboats,andalsohisoilcan;perhapswiththedouble viewofretardinghisrivals'way,andatthesametimeeconomically acceleratinghisownbythemomentaryimpetusofthebackwardtoss. "TheunmannerlyDutchdogger!"criedStubb."Pullnow,men, likefiftythousandlineofbattleshiploadsofredhaireddevils. Whatd'yesay,Tashtego;areyouthemantosnapyourspinein twoandtwentypiecesforthehonorofoldGayhead?Whatd'yesay?" "Isay,pulllikegoddam,"criedtheIndian. Fiercely,butevenlyincitedbythetauntsoftheGerman,thePequod's threeboatsnowbeganrangingalmostabreast;and,sodisposed, momentarilynearedhim.Inthatfine,loose,chivalrousattitude oftheheadsmanwhendrawingneartohisprey,thethreematesstood upproudly,occasionallybackingtheafteroarsmanwithanexhilarating

cryof,"Theresheslides,now!Hurrahforthewhiteashbreeze! DownwiththeYarman!Sailoverhim!" ButsodecidedanoriginalstarthadDerickhad,thatspite ofalltheirgallantry,hewouldhaveprovedthevictor inthisrace,hadnotarighteousjudgmentdescendeduponhim inacrabwhichcaughtthebladeofhismidshipoarsman. Whilethisclumsylubberwasstrivingtofreehiswhiteash, andwhile,inconsequence,Derick'sboatwasnightocapsizing, andhethunderingawayathismeninamightyrage;thatwas agoodtimeforStarbuck,Stubb,andFlask.Withashout, theytookamortalstartforwards,andslantinglyrangedup ontheGerman'squarter.Aninstantmore,andallfourboats werediagonicallyinthewhale'simmediatewake,whilestretching fromthem,onbothsides,wasthefoamingswellthathemade. Itwasaterrific,mostpitiable,andmaddeningsight. Thewhalewasnowgoingheadout,andsendinghisspout beforehiminacontinualtormentedjet;whilehisonepoor finbeathissideinanagonyoffright.Nowtothishand, nowtothat,heyawedinhisfalteringflight,andstillat everybillowthathebroke,hespasmodicallysankinthesea, orsidewaysrolledtowardstheskyhisonebeatingfin. SohaveIseenabirdwithclippedwing,makingaffrightedbroken circlesintheair,vainlystrivingtoescapethepiraticalhawks. Butthebirdhasavoice,andwithplaintivecrieswillmake knownherfear;butthefearofthisvastdumbbruteofthesea, waschainedupandenchantedinhim;hehadnovoice, savethatchokingrespirationthroughhisspiracle,andthis madethesightofhimunspeakablypitiable;whilestill, inhisamazingbulk,portcullisjaw,andomnipotenttail, therewasenoughtoappalthestoutestmanwhosopitied. SeeingnowthatbutaveryfewmomentsmorewouldgivethePequod's boatstheadvantage,andratherthanbethusfoiledofhisgame, Derickchosetohazardwhattohimmusthaveseemedamostunusually longdart,erethelastchancewouldforeverescape. Butnosoonerdidhisharpooneerstandupforthestroke,thanall threetigersQueequeg,Tashtego,Daggooinstinctivelysprang totheirfeet,andstandinginadiagonalrow,simultaneouslypointed theirbarbs;anddartedovertheheadoftheGermanharpooneer, theirthreeNantucketironsenteredthewhale.Blindingvapors offoamandwhitefire!Thethreeboats,inthefirstfuryofthe whale'sheadlongrush,bumpedtheGerman'sasidewithsuchforce, thatbothDerickandhisbaffledharpooneerwerespilledout,

andsailedoverbythethreeflyingkeels. "Don'tbeafraid,mybutterboxes,"criedStubb,castingapassing glanceuponthemasheshotby;"ye'llbepickeduppresently allrightIsawsomesharksasternSt.Bernard'sdogs,youknow relievedistressedtravellers.Hurrah!thisisthewaytosailnow. Everykeelasunbeam!Hurrah!Herewegolikethreetin kettlesatthetailofamadcougar!Thisputsmeinmind offasteningtoanelephantinatilburyonaplain makesthewheelspokesfly,boys,whenyoufastentohimthatway; andthere'sdangerofbeingpitchedouttoo,whenyoustrikeahill. Hurrah!thisisthewayafellowfeelswhenhe'sgoing toDavyJonesallarushdownanendlessinclinedplane! Hurrah!thiswhalecarriestheeverlastingmail!" Butthemonster'srunwasabriefone.Givingasuddengasp, hetumultuouslysounded.Withagratingrush,thethreelinesflewround theloggerheadswithsuchaforceastogougedeepgroovesinthem; whilesofearfulweretheharpooneersthatthisrapidsounding wouldsoonexhaustthelines,thatusingalltheirdexterousmight, theycaughtrepeatedsmokingturnswiththeropetoholdon; tillatlastowingtotheperpendicularstrainfromtheleadlined chocksoftheboats,whencethethreeropeswentstraight downintothebluethegunwalesofthebowswerealmosteven withthewater,whilethethreesternstiltedhighintheair. Andthewhalesoonceasingtosound,forsometimethey remainedinthatattitude,fearfulofexpendingmoreline, thoughthepositionwasalittleticklish.Butthoughboatshave beentakendownandlostinthisway,yetitisthis"holdingon," asitiscalled;thishookingupbythesharpbarbsofhislive fleshfromtheback;thisitisthatoftentormentstheLeviathan intosoonrisingagaintomeetthesharplanceofhisfoes. Yetnottospeakoftheperilofthething,itistobedoubted whetherthiscourseisalwaysthebest;foritisbutreasonable topresume,thatthelongerthestrickenwhalestaysunderwater, themoreheisexhausted.Because,owingtotheenormoussurfaceofhim inafullgrownspermwhalesomethinglessthan2000squarefeet thepressureofthewaterisimmense.Weallknowwhatanastonishing atmosphericweightweourselvesstandupunder;evenhere, aboveground,intheair;howvast,then,theburdenofawhale, bearingonhisbackacolumnoftwohundredfathomsofocean! Itmustatleastequaltheweightoffiftyatmospheres.Onewhaleman hasestimateditattheweightoftwentylineofbattleships, withalltheirguns,andstores,andmenonboard. Asthethreeboatslaythereonthatgentlyrollingsea,

gazingdownintoitseternalbluenoon;andasnotasinglegroan orcryofanysort,nay,notsomuchasarippleorabubble cameupfromitsdepths;whatlandsmanwouldhavethought, thatbeneathallthatsilenceandplacidity,theutmost monsteroftheseaswaswrithingandwrenchinginagony! Noteightinchesofperpendicularropewerevisibleatthebows. Seemsitcrediblethatbythreesuchthinthreadsthegreat Leviathanwassuspendedlikethebigweighttoaneightdayclock. Suspended?andtowhat?Tothreebitsofboard.Isthis thecreatureofwhomitwasoncesotriumphantlysaid"Canstthou fillhisskinwithbarbedirons?orhisheadwithfishspears? Theswordofhimthatlayethathimcannothold,thespear, thedart,northehabergeon:heesteemethironasstraw; thearrowcannotmakehimflee;dartsarecountedasstubble; helaughethattheshakingofaspear!"Thisthecreature? thishe?Oh!thatunfulfilmentsshouldfollowtheprophets. Forwiththestrengthofathousandthighsinhistail, Leviathanhadrunhisheadunderthemountainsofthesea, tohidehimfromthePequod'sfishspears! Inthatslopingafternoonsunlight,theshadowsthatthethreeboatssent downbeneaththesurface,musthavebeenlongenoughandbroadenough toshadehalfXerxes'army.Whocantellhowappallingtothewounded whalemusthavebeensuchhugephantomsflittingoverhishead! "Standby,men;hestirs,"criedStarbuck,asthethreelinessuddenly vibratedinthewater,distinctlyconductingupwardstothem, asbymagneticwires,thelifeanddeaththrobsofthewhale, sothateveryoarsmanfelttheminhisseat.Thenextmoment, relievedinagreatpartfromthedownwardstrainatthebows, theboatsgaveasuddenbounceupwards,asasmallicefieldwill, whenadenseherdofwhitebearsarescaredfromitintothesea. "Haulin!Haulin!"criedStarbuckagain;"he'srising." Thelines,ofwhich,hardlyaninstantbefore,notonehand's breadthcouldhavebeengained,werenowinlongquickcoils flungbackalldrippingintotheboats,andsoonthewhale brokewaterwithintwoship'slengthofthehunters. Hismotionsplainlydenotedhisextremeexhaustion. Inmostlandanimalstherearecertainvalvesorfloodgates inmanyoftheirveins,wherebywhenwounded,thebloodisin somedegreeatleastinstantlyshutoffincertaindirections. Notsowiththewhale;oneofwhosepeculiaritiesitis, tohaveanentirenonvalvularstructureofthebloodvessels,

sothatwhenpiercedevenbysosmallapointasaharpoon, adeadlydrainisatoncebegunuponhiswholearterialsystem; andwhenthisisheightenedbytheextraordinarypressure ofwateratagreatdistancebelowthesurface,hislife maybesaidtopourfromhiminincessantstreams. Yetsovastisthequantityofbloodinhim,andsodistant andnumerousitsinteriorfountains,thathewillkeep thusbleedingandbleedingforaconsiderableperiod; evenasinadroughtariverwillflow,whosesourceis inthewellspringsoffaroffandindiscerniblehills. Evennow,whentheboatspulleduponthiswhale,andperilously drewoverhisswayingflukes,andthelancesweredartedintohim, theywerefollowedbysteadyjetsfromthenewmadewound, whichkeptcontinuallyplaying,whilethenaturalspouthole inhisheadwasonlyatintervals,howeverrapid,sendingits affrightedmoistureintotheair.Fromthislastventnoblood yetcame,becausenovitalpartofhimhadthusfarbeenstruck. Hislife,astheysignificantlycallit,wasuntouched. Astheboatsnowmorecloselysurroundedhim,thewholeupperpartofhis form,withmuchofitthatisordinarilysubmerged,wasplainlyrevealed. Hiseyes,orrathertheplaceswherehiseyeshadbeen,werebeheld. Asstrangemisgrownmassesgatherintheknotholesofthenoblest oakswhenprostrate,sofromthepointswhichthewhale'seyeshad onceoccupied,nowprotrudedblindbulbs,horriblypitiabletosee. Butpitytherewasnone.Forallhisoldage,andhisonearm, andhisblindeyes,hemustdiethedeathandbemurdered, inordertolightthegaybridalsandothermerrymakingsofmen, andalsotoilluminatethesolemnchurchesthatpreachunconditional inoffensivenessbyalltoall.Stillrollinginhisblood,atlast hepartiallydisclosedastrangelydiscoloredbunchorprotuberance, thesizeofabushel,lowdownontheflank. "Anicespot,"criedFlask;"justletmeprickhimthereonce." "Avast!"criedStarbuck,"there'snoneedofthat!" ButhumaneStarbuckwastoolate.Attheinstantofthedart anulcerousjetshotfromthiscruelwound,andgoadedbyit intomorethansufferableanguish,thewhalenowspouting thickblood,withswiftfuryblindlydartedatthecraft, bespatteringthemandtheirgloryingcrewsalloverwith showersofgore,capsizingFlask'sboatandmarringthebows. Itwashisdeathstroke.For,bythistime,sospentwashebyloss ofblood,thathehelplesslyrolledawayfromthewreckhehadmade; laypantingonhisside,impotentlyflappedwithhisstumpedfin,

thenoverandoverslowlyrevolvedlikeawaningworld; turnedupthewhitesecretsofhisbelly;laylikealog, anddied.Itwasmostpiteous,thatlastexpiringspout. Aswhenbyunseenhandsthewaterisgraduallydrawnoff fromsomemightyfountain,andwithhalfstifledmelancholy gurglingsthespraycolumnlowersandlowerstotheground sothelastlongdyingspoutofthewhale. Soon,whilethecrewswereawaitingthearrivaloftheship, thebodyshowedsymptomsofsinkingwithallitstreasuresunrifled. Immediately,byStarbuck'sorders,linesweresecuredtoitat differentpoints,sothaterelongeveryboatwasabuoy;thesunken whalebeingsuspendedafewinchesbeneaththembythecords. Byveryheedfulmanagement,whentheshipdrewnigh,thewhalewas transferredtoherside,andwasstronglysecuredtherebythestiffest flukechains,foritwasplainthatunlessartificiallyupheld, thebodywouldatoncesinktothebottom. Itsochancedthatalmostuponfirstcuttingintohimwiththespade, theentirelengthofacorrodedharpoonwasfoundimbedded inhisflesh,onthelowerpartofthebunchbeforedescribed. Butasthestumpsofharpoonsarefrequentlyfoundinthedead bodiesofcapturedwhales,withthefleshperfectlyhealed aroundthem,andnoprominenceofanykindtodenotetheirplace; therefore,theremustneedshavebeensomeotherunknownreason inthepresentcasefullytoaccountfortheulcerationalludedto. Butstillmorecuriouswasthefactofalanceheadofstonebeing foundinhim,notfarfromtheburiediron,thefleshperfectly firmaboutit.Whohaddartedthatstonelance?Andwhen? ItmighthavebeendartedbysomeNor'WestIndianlongbefore Americawasdiscovered. Whatothermarvelsmighthavebeenrummagedoutofthismonstrouscabinet thereisnotelling.Butasuddenstopwasputtofurtherdiscoveries, bytheship'sbeingunprecedentedlydraggedoversidewaystothesea, owingtothebody'simmenselyincreasingtendencytosink. However,Starbuck,whohadtheorderingofaffairs,hungontoit tothelast;hungontoitsoresolutely,indeed,thatwhenatlength theshipwouldhavebeencapsized,ifstillpersistinginlocking armswiththebody;then,whenthecommandwasgiventobreakclear fromit,suchwastheimmovablestrainuponthetimberheadstowhich theflukechainsandcableswerefastened,thatitwasimpossible tocastthemoff.MeantimeeverythinginthePequodwasaslant. Tocrosstotheothersideofthedeckwaslikewalkingup thesteepgabledroofofahouse.Theshipgroanedandgasped. Manyoftheivoryinlayingsofherbulwarksandcabinswerestarted

fromtheirplaces,bytheunnaturaldislocation.Invainhandspikes andcrowswerebroughttobearupontheimmovableflukechains,topry themadriftfromthetimberheads;andsolowhadthewhalenowsettled thatthesubmergedendscouldnotbeatallapproached,whileevery momentwholetonsofponderosityseemedaddedtothesinkingbulk, andtheshipseemedonthepointofgoingover. "Holdon,holdon,won'tye?"criedStubbtothebody, "don'tbeinsuchadevilofahurrytosink! Bythunder,men,wemustdosomethingorgoforit. Nousepryingthere;avast,Isaywithyourhandspikes, andrunoneofyeforaprayerbookandapenknife,andcut thebigchains." "Knife?Aye,aye,"criedQueequeg,andseizingthecarpenter's heavyhatchet,heleanedoutofaporthole,andsteeltoiron, beganslashingatthelargestflukechains.Butafewstrokes, fullofsparks,weregiven,whentheexceedingstraineffectedtherest. Withaterrificsnap,everyfasteningwentadrift;theshiprighted, thecarcasesank. Now,thisoccasionalinevitablesinkingoftherecentlykilled SpermWhaleisaverycuriousthing;norhasanyfishermanyet adequatelyaccountedforit.UsuallythedeadSpermWhale floatswithgreatbuoyancy,withitssideorbellyconsiderably elevatedabovethesurface.Iftheonlywhalesthatthussank wereold,meagre,andbrokenheartedcreatures,theirpads oflarddiminishedandalltheirbonesheavyandrheumatic; thenyoumightwithsomereasonassertthatthissinkingis causedbyanuncommonspecificgravityinthefishsosinking, consequentuponthisabsenceofbuoyantmatterinhim. Butitisnotso.Foryoungwhales,inthehighesthealth, andswellingwithnobleaspirations,prematurelycutoff inthewarmflushandMayoflife,withalltheirpantinglard aboutthem!eventhesebrawny,buoyantheroesdosometimessink. Beitsaid,however,thattheSpermWhaleisfarless liabletothisaccidentthananyotherspecies. Whereoneofthatsortgodown,twentyRightWhalesdo. Thisdifferenceinthespeciesisnodoubtimputableinnosmall degreetothegreaterquantityofboneintheRightWhale; hisVenetianblindsalonesometimesweighingmorethanaton; fromthisincumbrancetheSpermWhaleiswhollyfree.Butthere areinstanceswhere,afterthelapseofmanyhoursorseveraldays, thesunkenwhaleagainrises,morebuoyantthaninlife. Butthereasonofthisisobvious.Gasesaregeneratedinhim;

heswellstoaprodigiousmagnitude;becomesasortofanimalballoon. Alineofbattleshipcouldhardlykeephimunderthen. IntheShoreWhaling,onsoundings,amongtheBaysofNewZealand, whenaRightWhalegivestokenofsinking,theyfastenbuoys tohim,withplentyofrope;sothatwhenthebodyhasgonedown, theyknowwheretolookforitwhenitshallhaveascendedagain. Itwasnotlongafterthesinkingofthebodythatacry washeardfromthePequod'smastheads,announcingthatthe Jungfrauwasagainloweringherboats;thoughtheonlyspout insightwasthatofaFinBack,belongingtothespeciesof uncapturablewhales,becauseofitsincrediblepowerofswimming. Nevertheless,theFinBack'sspoutissosimilartotheSpermWhale's, thatbyunskilfulfishermenitisoftenmistakenforit. AndconsequentlyDerickandallhishostwerenowinvaliant chaseofthisunnearablebrute.TheVirgincrowdingallsail, madeafterherfouryoungkeels,andthustheyalldisappeared fartoleeward,stillinbold,hopefulchase. Oh!manyaretheFinBacks,andmanyaretheDericks,myfriend. CHAPTER82 TheHonorandGloryofWhaling Therearesomeenterprisesinwhichacarefuldisorderliness isthetruemethod. ThemoreIdiveintothismatterofwhaling,andpushmyresearches uptotheveryspringheadofitsomuchthemoreamIimpressed withitsgreathonorablenessandantiquity;andespeciallywhenI findsomanygreatdemigodsandheroes,prophetsofallsorts, whoonewayorotherhavesheddistinctionuponit,Iamtransported withthereflectionthatImyselfbelong,thoughbutsubordinately, tosoemblazonedafraternity. ThegallantPerseus,asonofJupiter,wasthefirstwhaleman; andtotheeternalhonorofourcallingbeitsaid,thatthefirst whaleattackedbyourbrotherhoodwasnotkilledwithany sordidintent.Thoseweretheknightlydaysofourprofession, whenweonlyborearmstosuccorthedistressed,andnottofill men'slampfeeders.EveryoneknowsthefinestoryofPerseus

andAndromeda;howthelovelyAndromeda,thedaughterofaking, wastiedtoarockontheseacoast,andasLeviathanwasin theveryactofcarryingheroff,Perseus,theprinceofwhalemen, intrepidlyadvancing,harpoonedthemonster,anddelivered andmarriedthemaid.Itwasanadmirableartisticexploit, rarelyachievedbythebestharpooneersofthepresentday; inasmuchasthisLeviathanwasslainattheveryfirstdart. AndletnomandoubtthisArkitestory;forintheancientJoppa, nowJaffa,ontheSyriancoast,inoneofthePagantemples, therestoodformanyagesthevastskeletonofawhale, whichthecity'slegendsandalltheinhabitantsasserted tobetheidenticalbonesofthemonsterthatPerseusslew. WhentheRomanstookJoppa,thesameskeletonwascarriedtoItaly intriumph.Whatseemsmostsingularandsuggestivelyimportant inthisstory,isthis:itwasfromJoppathatJonahsetsail. AkintotheadventureofPerseusandAndromedaindeed,bysome supposedtobeindirectlyderivedfromitisthatfamousstory ofSt.GeorgeandtheDragon;whichdragonImaintaintohave beenawhale;forinmanyoldchronicleswhalesanddragons arestrangelyjumbledtogether,andoftenstandforeachother. "Thouartasalionofthewaters,andasadragonof thesea,"saidEzekiel;hereby,plainlymeaningawhale; intruth,someversionsoftheBibleusethatworditself. Besides,itwouldmuchsubtractfromthegloryoftheexploit hadSt.Georgebutencounteredacrawlingreptileoftheland, insteadofdoingbattlewiththegreatmonsterofthedeep. Anymanmaykillasnake,butonlyaPerseus,aSt.George, aCoffin,havetheheartinthemtomarchboldlyuptoawhale. Letnotthemodernpaintingsofthisscenemisleadus; forthoughthecreatureencounteredbythatvaliantwhaleman ofoldisvaguelyrepresentedofagriffinlikeshape, andthoughthebattleisdepictedonlandandthesaint onhorseback,yetconsideringthegreatignoranceofthosetimes, whenthetrueformofthewhalewasunknowntoartists; andconsideringthatasinPerseus'case,St.George's whalemighthavecrawledupoutoftheseaonthebeach; andconsideringthattheanimalriddenbySt.Georgemighthave beenonlyalargeseal,orseahorse;bearingallthisinmind, itwillnotappearaltogetherincompatiblewiththesacred legendandtheancientestdraughtsofthescene,toholdthis socalleddragonnootherthanthegreatLeviathanhimself. Infact,placedbeforethestrictandpiercingtruth, thiswholestorywillfarelikethatfish,flesh,andfowl idolofthePhilistines,Dagonbyname;whobeingplanted

beforethearkofIsrael,hishorse'sheadandboththepalms ofhishandsfellofffromhim,andonlythestumporfishy partofhimremained.Thus,then,oneofourownnoblestamp, evenawhaleman,isthetutelaryguardianofEngland; andbygoodrights,weharpooneersofNantucketshouldbe enrolledinthemostnobleorderofSt.George.Andtherefore, letnottheknightsofthathonorablecompany(noneofwhom, Iventuretosay,haveeverhadtodowithawhaleliketheir greatpatron),letthemnevereyeaNantucketerwithdisdain, sinceeveninourwoollenfrocksandtarredtrowserswearemuch betterentitledtoSt.George'sdecorationthanthey. WhethertoadmitHerculesamongusornot,concerningthisIlong remaineddubious:forthoughaccordingtotheGreekmythologies, thatantiqueCrockettandKitCarsonthatbrawnydoer ofrejoicinggooddeeds,wasswalloweddownandthrownup byawhale;still,whetherthatstrictlymakesawhaleman ofhim,thatmightbemooted.Itnowhereappearsthatheever actuallyharpoonedhisfish,unless,indeed,fromtheinside. Nevertheless,hemaybedeemedasortofinvoluntarywhaleman; atanyratethewhalecaughthim,ifhedidnotthewhale. Iclaimhimforoneofourclan. But,bythebestcontradictoryauthorities,thisGrecianstory ofHerculesandthewhaleisconsideredtobederivedfromthestill moreancientHebrewstoryofJonahandthewhale;andviceversa; certainlytheyareverysimilar.IfIclaimthedemigodthen, whynottheprophet? Nordoheroes,saints,demigods,andprophetsalonecomprise thewholerollofourorder.Ourgrandmasterisstilltobenamed; forlikeroyalkingsofoldtimes,wefindtheheadwaters ofourfraternityinnothingshortofthegreatgodsthemselves. ThatwondrousorientalstoryisnowtoberehearsedfromtheShaster, whichgivesusthedreadVishnoo,oneofthethreepersons inthegodheadoftheHindoos;givesusthisdivineVishnoo himselfforourLord;Vishnoo,who,bythefirstofhisten earthlyincarnations,hasforeversetapartandsanctifiedthewhale. WhenBrahma,ortheGodofGods,saiththeShaster,resolvedto recreatetheworldafteroneofitsperiodicaldissolutions, hegavebirthtoVishnoo,topresideoverthework;buttheVedas, ormysticalbooks,whoseperusalwouldseemtohavebeenindispensable toVishnoobeforebeginningthecreation,andwhichtherefore musthavecontainedsomethingintheshapeofpracticalhints toyoungarchitects,theseVedaswerelyingatthebottomof thewaters;soVishnoobecameincarnateinawhale,andsounding

downinhimtotheuttermostdepths,rescuedthesacredvolumes. WasnotthisVishnooawhaleman,then?evenasamanwhorides ahorseiscalledahorseman? Perseus,St.George,Hercules,Jonah,andVishnoo!there's amemberrollforyou!Whatclubbutthewhaleman'scanhead offlikethat? CHAPTER83 JonahHistoricallyRegarded ReferencewasmadetothehistoricalstoryofJonahandthewhale intheprecedingchapter.NowsomeNantucketersratherdistrustthis historicalstoryofJonahandthewhale.Butthenthereweresome scepticalGreeksandRomans,who,standingoutfromtheorthodoxpagans oftheirtimes,equallydoubtedthestoryofHerculesandthewhale, andArionandthedolphin;andyettheirdoubtingthosetraditions didnotmakethosetraditionsonewhitthelessfacts,forallthat. OneoldSagHarborwhaleman'schiefreasonforquestioningtheHebrew storywasthis:HehadoneofthosequaintoldfashionedBibles, embellishedwithcurious,unscientificplates;oneofwhichrepresented Jonah'swhalewithtwospoutsinhisheadapeculiarityonlytrue withrespecttoaspeciesoftheLeviathan(theRightWhale, andthevarietiesofthatorder),concerningwhichthefishermen havethissaying,"Apennyrollwouldchokehim";hisswallowisso verysmall.But,tothis,BishopJebb'santicipativeanswerisready. Itisnotnecessary,hintstheBishop,thatweconsiderJonahastombedin thewhale'sbelly,butastemporarilylodgedinsomepartofhismouth. AndthisseemsreasonableenoughinthegoodBishop.Fortruly, theRightWhale'smouthwouldaccommodateacoupleofwhisttables, andcomfortablyseatalltheplayers.Possibly,too,Jonahmight haveensconcedhimselfinahollowtooth;but,onsecondthoughts, theRightWhaleistoothless. AnotherreasonwhichSagHarbor(hewentbythatname) urgedforhiswantoffaithinthismatteroftheprophet, wassomethingobscurelyinreferencetohisincarceratedbody andthewhale'sgastricjuices.Butthisobjectionlikewisefalls totheground,becauseaGermanexegetistsupposesthatJonah musthavetakenrefugeinthefloatingbodyofadeadwhale evenastheFrenchsoldiersintheRussiancampaignturned

theirdeadhorsesintotents,andcrawledintothem. Besides,ithasbeendivinedbyothercontinentalcommentators, thatwhenJonahwasthrownoverboardfromtheJoppaship, hestraightwayeffectedhisescapetoanothervesselnearby, somevesselwithawhaleforafigurehead;and,Iwouldadd, possiblycalled"TheWhale,"assomecraftarenowadays christenedthe"Shark,"the"Gull,"the"Eagle."Norhave therebeenwantinglearnedexegetistswhohaveopined thatthewhalementionedinthebookofJonahmerelymeant alifepreserveraninflatedbagofwindwhichtheendangered prophetswamto,andsowassavedfromawaterydoom. PoorSagHarbor,therefore,seemsworstedallround. Buthehadstillanotherreasonforhiswantoffaith. Itwasthis,ifIrememberright:Jonahwasswallowed bythewhaleintheMediterraneanSea,andafterthreedays' hewasvomitedupsomewherewithinthreedays'journeyofNineveh, acityontheTigris,verymuchmorethanthreedays' journeyacrossfromthenearestpointoftheMediterraneancoast. Howisthat? Butwastherenootherwayforthewhaletolandtheprophetwithin thatshortdistanceofNineveh?Yes.Hemighthavecarriedhim roundbythewayoftheCapeofGoodHope.Butnottospeak ofthepassagethroughthewholelengthoftheMediterranean, andanotherpassageupthePersianGulfandRedSea, suchasuppositionwouldinvolvethecompletecircumnavigation ofallAfricainthreedays,nottospeakoftheTigriswaters, nearthesiteofNineveh,beingtooshallowforanywhaletoswimin. Besides,thisideaofJonah'sweatheringtheCapeofGoodHope atsoearlyadaywouldwrestthehonorofthediscoveryofthat greatheadlandfromBartholomewDiaz,itsreputeddiscoverer, andsomakemodernhistoryaliar. ButallthesefoolishargumentsofoldSagHarboronlyevincedhis foolishprideofreasonathingstillmorereprehensibleinhim, seeingthathehadbutlittlelearningexceptwhathehadpickedupfrom thesunandthesea.Isayitonlyshowshisfoolish,impiouspride, andabominable,devilishrebellionagainstthereverendclergy. ForbyaPortugueseCatholicpriest,thisveryideaofJonah'sgoingto NinevehviatheCapeofGoodHopewasadvancedasasignalmagnification ofthegeneralmiracle.Andsoitwas.Besides,tothisday, thehighlyenlightenedTurksdevoutlybelieveinthehistoricalstory ofJonah.Andsomethreecenturiesago,anEnglishtravellerinold Harris'sVoyages,speaksofaTurkishMosquebuiltinhonorofJonah, inwhichMosquewasamiraculouslampthatburntwithoutanyoil.

 CHAPTER84 Pitchpoling Tomakethemruneasilyandswiftly,theaxlesofcarriages areanointed;andformuchthesamepurpose,somewhalersperform ananalogousoperationupontheirboat;theygreasethebottom. Norisittobedoubtedthatassuchaprocedurecandonoharm, itmaypossiblybeofnocontemptibleadvantage;consideringthat oilandwaterarehostile;thatoilisaslidingthing, andthattheobjectinviewistomaketheboatslidebravely. Queequegbelievedstronglyinanointinghisboat,andonemorning notlongaftertheGermanshipJungfraudisappeared,tookmorethan customarypainsinthatoccupation;crawlingunderitsbottom, whereithungovertheside,andrubbingintheunctuousnessasthough diligentlyseekingtoinsureacropofhairfromthecraft'sbaldkeel. Heseemedtobeworkinginobediencetosomeparticularpresentiment. Nordiditremainunwarrantedbytheevent. Towardsnoonwhaleswereraised;butsosoonastheshipsailed downtothem,theyturnedandfledwithswiftprecipitancy; adisorderedflight,asofCleopatra'sbargesfromActium. Nevertheless,theboatspursued,andStubb'swasforemost. Bygreatexertion,Tashtegoatlastsucceededinplanting oneiron;butthestrickenwhale,withoutatallsounding, stillcontinuedhishorizontalflight,withaddedfleetness. Suchunintermittedstrainingsupontheplantedironmustsooner orlaterinevitablyextractit.Itbecameimperativetolance theflyingwhale,orbecontenttolosehim.Buttohaultheboat uptohisflankwasimpossible,heswamsofastandfurious. Whatthenremained? Ofallthewondrousdevicesanddexterities,thesleightsofhandand countlesssubtleties,towhichtheveteranwhalemanissooftenforced, noneexceedthatfinemanoeuvrewiththelancecalledpitchpoling. Smallsword,orbroadsword,inallitsexercisesboastsnothinglikeit. Itisonlyindispensablewithaninveteraterunningwhale; itsgrandfactandfeatureisthewonderfuldistancetowhichthelong lanceisaccuratelydartedfromaviolentlyrocking,jerkingboat, underextremeheadway.Steelandwoodincluded,theentirespear

issometenortwelvefeetinlength;thestaffismuchslighter thanthatoftheharpoon,andalsoofalightermaterialpine.Itis furnishedwithasmallropecalledawarp,ofconsiderablelength, bywhichitcanbehauledbacktothehandafterdarting. Butbeforegoingfurther,itisimportanttomentionhere,thatthough theharpoonmaybepitchpoledinthesamewaywiththelance,yetit isseldomdone;andwhendone,isstilllessfrequentlysuccessful, onaccountofthegreaterweightandinferiorlengthoftheharpoon ascomparedwiththelance,whichineffectbecomeseriousdrawbacks. Asageneralthing,therefore,youmustfirstgetfasttoawhale, beforeanypitchpolingcomesintoplay. LooknowatStubb;amanwhofromhishumorous, deliberatecoolnessandequanimityinthedirestemergencies, wasspeciallyqualifiedtoexcelinpitchpoling.Lookathim; hestandsuprightinthetossedbowoftheflyingboat; wraptinfleecyfoam,thetowingwhaleisfortyfeetahead. Handlingthelonglancelightly,glancingtwiceorthricealong itslengthtoseeifitbeexactlystraight,Stubbwhistlingly gathersupthecoilofthewarpinonehand,soastosecure itsfreeendinhisgrasp,leavingtherestunobstructed. Thenholdingthelancefullbeforehiswaistband'smiddle, helevelsitatthewhale;when,coveringhimwithit, hesteadilydepressesthebuttendinhishand,therebyelevating thepointtilltheweaponstandsfairlybalanceduponhispalm, fifteenfeetintheair.Hemindsyousomewhatofajuggler, balancingalongstaffonhischin.Nextmomentwitharapid, namelessimpulse,inasuperbloftyarchthebrightsteelspans thefoamingdistance,andquiversinthelifespotofthewhale. Insteadofsparklingwater,henowspoutsredblood. "Thatdrovethespigotoutofhim!"criedStubb."'TisJuly's immortalFourth;allfountainsmustrunwinetoday! Wouldnow,itwereoldOrleanswhiskey,oroldOhio,orunspeakable oldMonongahela!Then,Tashtego,lad,I'dhaveyeholdacanakin tothejet,andwe'ddrinkroundit!Yea,verily,heartsalive, we'dbrewchoicepunchinthespreadofhisspoutholethere, andfromthatlivepunchbowlquaffthelivingstuff." Againandagaintosuchgamesometalk,thedexterousdartisrepeated, thespearreturningtoitsmasterlikeagreyhoundheldinskilfulleash. Theagonizedwhalegoesintohisflurry;thetowlineisslackened, andthepitchpolerdroppingastern,foldshishands,andmutelywatches themonsterdie.

 CHAPTER85 TheFountain Thatforsixthousandyearsandnooneknowshowmanymillions ofagesbeforethegreatwhalesshouldhavebeenspoutingallover thesea,andsprinklingandmistifyingthegardensofthedeep, aswithsomanysprinklingormistifyingpots;andthatforsome centuriesback,thousandsofhuntersshouldhavebeencloseby thefountainofthewhale,watchingthesesprinklingsandspoutings thatallthisshouldbe,andyet,thatdowntothisblessedminute (fifteenandaquarterminutespastoneo'clockP.M.ofthis sixteenthdayofDecember,A.D.1851),itshouldstillremain aproblem,whetherthesespoutingsare,afterall,reallywater, ornothingbutvaporthisissurelyanoteworthything. Letus,then,lookatthismatter,alongwithsomeinteresting itemscontingent.Everyoneknowsthatbythepeculiar cunningoftheirgills,thefinnytribesingeneralbreathe theairwhichatalltimesiscombinedwiththeelement inwhichtheyswim;hence,aherringoracodmightlive acentury,andneveronceraiseitsheadabovethesurface. Butowingtohismarkedinternalstructurewhichgiveshim regularlungs,likeahumanbeing's,thewhalecanonlylive byinhalingthedisengagedairintheopenatmosphere. Whereforethenecessityforhisperiodicalvisitstotheupperworld. Buthecannotinanydegreebreathethroughhismouth,for, inhisordinaryattitude,theSpermWhale'smouthisburied atleasteightfeetbeneaththesurface;andwhatisstillmore, hiswindpipehasnoconnexionwithhismouth.No,hebreathes throughhisspiraclealone;andthisisonthetopofhishead. IfIsay,thatinanycreaturebreathingisonlyafunction indispensabletovitality,inasmuchasitwithdraws fromtheairacertainelement,whichbeingsubsequently broughtintocontactwiththebloodimpartstotheblood itsvivifyingprinciple,IdonotthinkIshallerr; thoughImaypossiblyusesomesuperfluousscientificwords. Assumeit,anditfollowsthatifallthebloodinamancould beaeratedwithonebreath,hemightthensealuphisnostrils andnotfetchanotherforaconsiderabletime.Thatistosay, hewouldthenlivewithoutbreathing.Anomalousasitmayseem, thisispreciselythecasewiththewhale,whosystematicallylives,

byintervals,hisfullhourandmore(whenatthebottom) withoutdrawingasinglebreath,orsomuchasinanyway inhalingaparticleofair;for,remember,hehasnogills. Howisthis?Betweenhisribsandoneachsideofhisspine heissuppliedwitharemarkableinvolvedCretanlabyrinth ofvermicellilikevessels,whichvessels,whenhequits thesurface,arecompletelydistendedwithoxygenatedblood. Sothatforanhourormore,athousandfathomsinthesea, hecarriesasurplusstockofvitalityinhim,justasthecamel crossingthewaterlessdesertcarriesasurplussupply ofdrinkforfutureuseinitsfoursupplementarystomachs. Theanatomicalfactofthislabyrinthisindisputable; andthatthesuppositionfoundeduponitisreasonableandtrue, seemsthemorecogenttome,whenIconsidertheotherwise inexplicableobstinacyofthatleviathaninhavinghis spoutingsout,asthefishermenphraseit.ThisiswhatImean. Ifunmolested,uponrisingtothesurface,theSpermWhalewill continuethereforaperiodoftimeexactlyuniformwithall hisotherunmolestedrisings.Sayhestayselevenminutes, andjetsseventytimes,thatis,respiresseventybreaths; thenwheneverherisesagain,hewillbesuretohavehisseventy breathsoveragain,toaminute.Now,ifafterhefetchesafew breathsyoualarmhim,sothathesounds,hewillbealways dodgingupagaintomakegoodhisregularallowanceofair. Andnottillthoseseventybreathsaretold,willhefinally godowntostayouthisfulltermbelow.Remark,however, thatindifferentindividualstheseratesaredifferent; butinanyonetheyarealike.Now,whyshouldthewhale thusinsistuponhavinghisspoutingsout,unlessitbe toreplenishhisreservoirofair,eredescendingforgood? Howobviousitisit,too,thatthisnecessityforthewhale's risingexposeshimtoallthefatalhazardsofthechase. Fornotbyhookorbynetcouldthisvastleviathanbecaught, whensailingathousandfathomsbeneaththesunlight. Notsomuchthyskill,then,Ohunter,asthegreatnecessities thatstrikethevictorytothee! Inman,breathingisincessantlygoingononebreathonlyserving fortwoorthreepulsations;sothatwhateverotherbusinesshehas toattendto,wakingorsleeping,breathehemust,ordiehewill. ButtheSpermWhaleonlybreathesaboutoneseventhorSunday ofhistime. Ithasbeensaidthatthewhaleonlybreathesthroughhisspouthole; ifitcouldtruthfullybeaddedthathisspoutsaremixedwithwater, thenIopineweshouldbefurnishedwiththereasonwhyhissenseofsmell

seemsobliteratedinhim;fortheonlythingabouthimthatatallanswers tohisnoseisthatidenticalspouthole;andbeingsocloggedwith twoelements,itcouldnotbeexpectedtohavethepowerofsmelling. Butowingtothemysteryofthespoutwhetheritbewaterorwhetherit bevapornoabsolutecertaintycanasyetbearrivedatonthishead. Sureitis,nevertheless,thattheSpermWhalehasnoproperolfactories. Butwhatdoeshewantofthem?Noroses,noviolets,noColognewater inthesea. Furthermore,ashiswindpipesolelyopensintothetubeofhis spoutingcanal,andasthatlongcanallikethegrandErieCanal isfurnishedwithasortoflocks(thatopenandshut) forthedownwardretentionofairortheupwardexclusionofwater, thereforethewhalehasnovoice;unlessyouinsulthimbysaying, thatwhenhesostrangelyrumbles,hetalksthroughhisnose. Butthenagain,whathasthewhaletosay?SeldomhaveIknown anyprofoundbeingthathadanythingtosaytothisworld, unlessforcedtostammeroutsomethingbywayofgettingaliving. Oh!happythattheworldissuchanexcellentlistener! Now,thespoutingcanaloftheSpermWhale,chieflyintendedasit isfortheconveyanceofair,andforseveralfeetlaidalong, horizontally,justbeneaththeuppersurfaceofhishead, andalittletooneside;thiscuriouscanalisverymuch likeagaspipelaiddowninacityononesideofastreet. Butthequestionreturnswhetherthisgaspipeisalsoawaterpipe; inotherwords,whetherthespoutoftheSpermWhaleisthemere vaporoftheexhaledbreath,orwhetherthatexhaledbreathis mixedwithwatertakeninatthemouth,anddischargedthrough thespiracle.Itiscertainthatthemouthindirectlycommunicates withthespoutingcanal;butitcannotbeprovedthatthis isforthepurposeofdischargingwaterthroughthespiracle. Becausethegreatestnecessityforsodoingwouldseemtobe, wheninfeedingheaccidentallytakesinwater.ButtheSpermWhale's foodisfarbeneaththesurface,andtherehecannotspout evenifhewould.Besides,ifyouregardhimveryclosely, andtimehimwithyourwatch,youwillfindthatwhenunmolested, thereisanundeviatingrhymebetweentheperiodsofhisjets andtheordinaryperiodsofrespiration. Butwhypesteronewithallthisreasoningonthesubject? Speakout!Youhaveseenhimspout;thendeclarewhat thespoutis;canyounottellwaterfromair?Mydearsir, inthisworlditisnotsoeasytosettletheseplainthings. Ihaveeverfoundyourplainthingstheknottiestofall. Andasforthiswhalespout,youmightalmoststandinit,

andyetbeundecidedastowhatitisprecisely. Thecentralbodyofitishiddeninthesnowysparklingmist envelopingit;andhowcanyoucertainlytellwhetheranywater fallsfromit,when,always,whenyouarecloseenoughtoawhale togetacloseviewofhisspout,heisinaprodigiouscommotion, thewatercascadingallaroundhim.Andifatsuchtimes youshouldthinkthatyoureallyperceiveddropsofmoisture inthespout,howdoyouknowthattheyarenotmerelycondensed fromitsvapor;orhowdoyouknowthattheyarenotthose identicaldropssuperficiallylodgedinthespoutholefissure, whichiscountersunkintothesummitofthewhale'shead? Forevenwhentranquillyswimmingthroughthemiddayseainacalm, withhiselevatedhumpsundriedasadromedary'sinthedesert; eventhen,thewhalealwayscarriesasmallbasinofwateron hishead,asunderablazingsunyouwillsometimesseeacavity inarockfilledupwithrain. Norisitatallprudentforthehuntertobeovercurioustouching theprecisenatureofthewhalespout.Itwillnotdoforhim tobepeeringintoit,andputtinghisfaceinit.Youcannotgo withyourpitchertothisfountainandfillit,andbringitaway. Forevenwhencomingintoslightcontactwiththeouter, vaporyshredsofthejet,whichwilloftenhappen,yourskinwill feverishlysmart,fromtheacridnessofthethingsotouchingit. AndIknowone,whocomingintostillclosercontactwiththespout, whetherwithsomescientificobjectinview,orotherwise,Icannotsay, theskinpeeledofffromhischeekandarm.Wherefore,amongwhalemen, thespoutisdeemedpoisonous;theytrytoevadeit. Anotherthing;Ihavehearditsaid,andIdonotmuchdoubtit, thatifthejetisfairlyspoutedintoyoureyes,itwillblindyou. Thewisestthingtheinvestigatorcandothen,itseemstome, istoletthisdeadlyspoutalone. Still,wecanhypothesize,evenifwecannotproveandestablish. Myhypothesisisthis:thatthespoutisnothingbutmist. Andbesidesotherreasons,tothisconclusionIamimpelled, byconsiderationstouchingthegreatinherentdignityandsublimity oftheSpermWhale;Iaccounthimnocommon,shallowbeing, inasmuchasitisanundisputedfactthatheisneverfound onsoundings,ornearshores;allotherwhalessometimesare. Heisbothponderousandprofound.AndIamconvincedthatfrom theheadsofallponderousprofoundbeings,suchasPlato,Pyrrho, theDevil,Jupiter,Dante,andsoon,therealwaysgoesupacertain semivisiblesteam,whileintheactofthinkingdeepthoughts. WhilecomposingalittletreatiseonEternity,Ihadthecuriosity

toplaceamirrorbeforeme;anderelongsawreflectedthere, acuriousinvolvedwormingandundulationintheatmosphereovermyhead. Theinvariablemoistureofmyhair,whileplungedindeepthought, aftersixcupsofhotteainmythinshingledattic,ofanAugustnoon; thisseemsanadditionalargumentfortheabovesupposition. Andhownoblyitraisesourconceitofthemighty,mistymonster, tobeholdhimsolemnlysailingthroughacalmtropicalsea; hisvast,mildheadoverhungbyacanopyofvapor, engenderedbyhisincommunicablecontemplations,andthatvapor asyouwillsometimesseeitglorifiedbyarainbow, asifHeavenitselfhadputitssealuponhisthoughts. Ford'yesee,rainbowsdonotvisittheclearair; theyonlyirradiatevapor.Andso,throughallthethick mistsofthedimdoubtsinmymind,divineintuitionsnow andthenshoot,enkindlingmyfogwithaheavenlyray. AndforthisIthankGod;forallhavedoubts;manydeny; butdoubtsordenials,fewalongwiththem,haveintuitions. Doubtsofallthingsearthly,andintuitionsofsomethingsheavenly; thiscombinationmakesneitherbelievernorinfidel,butmakes amanwhoregardsthembothwithequaleye. CHAPTER86 TheTail Otherpoetshavewarbledthepraisesofthesofteyeoftheantelope, andthelovelyplumageofthebirdthatneveralights;lesscelestial, Icelebrateatail. ReckoningthelargestsizedSpermWhale'stailtobeginat thatpointofthetrunkwhereittaperstoaboutthegirth ofaman,itcomprisesuponitsuppersurfacealone,anarea ofatleastfiftysquarefeet.Thecompactroundbodyofits rootexpandsintotwobroad,firm,flatpalmsorflukes, graduallyshoalingawaytolessthananinchinthickness. Atthecrotchorjunction,theseflukesslightlyoverlap,thensideways recedefromeachotherlikewings,leavingawidevacancybetween. Innolivingthingarethelinesofbeautymoreexquisitely definedthaninthecrescenticbordersoftheseflukes. Atitsutmostexpansioninthefullgrownwhale,thetail willconsiderablyexceedtwentyfeetacross.

Theentirememberseemsadensewebbedbedofweldedsinews; butcutintoit,andyoufindthatthreedistinctstrata composeit:upper,middle,andlower.Thefibresintheupper andlowerlayers,arelongandhorizontal;thoseofthemiddleone, veryshort,andrunningcrosswisebetweentheoutsidelayers. Thistriunestructure,asmuchasanythingelse,impartspower tothetail.TothestudentofoldRomanwalls,themiddlelayer willfurnishacuriousparalleltothethincourseoftilesalways alternatingwiththestoneinthosewonderfulrelicsoftheantique, andwhichundoubtedlycontributesomuchtothegreatstrength ofthemasonry. Butasifthisvastlocalpowerinthetendinoustailwerenotenough, thewholebulkoftheleviathanisknitoverwithawarpandwoof ofmuscularfibresandfilaments,whichpassingoneitherside theloinsandrunningdownintotheflukes,insensiblyblendwiththem, andlargelycontributetotheirmight;sothatinthetailtheconfluent measurelessforceofthewholewhaleseemsconcentratedtoapoint. Couldannihilationoccurtomatter,thiswerethethingtodoit. Nordoesthisitsamazingstrength,atalltendtocripple thegracefulflexionofitsmotions;whereinfantilenessofease undulatesthroughaTitanismofpower.Onthecontrary, thosemotionsderivetheirmostappallingbeautyfromit. Realstrengthneverimpairsbeautyorharmony,butitoftenbestowsit; andineverythingimposinglybeautiful,strengthhasmuchtodowith themagic.Takeawaythetiedtendonsthatalloverseembursting fromthemarbleinthecarvedHercules,anditscharmwouldbegone. AsdevoutEckermanliftedthelinensheetfromthenakedcorpse ofGoethe,hewasoverwhelmedwiththemassivechestoftheman, thatseemedasaRomantriumphalarch.WhenAngelopaintseven GodtheFatherinhumanform,markwhatrobustnessisthere. AndwhatevertheymayrevealofthedivineloveintheSon, thesoft,curled,hermaphroditicalItalianpictures,inwhich hisideahasbeenmostsuccessfullyembodied;thesepictures, sodestituteastheyareofallbrawniness,hintnothingofanypower, butthemerenegative,feminineoneofsubmissionandendurance, whichonallhandsitisconceded,formthepeculiarpractical virtuesofhisteachings. SuchisthesubtleelasticityoftheorganItreatof,thatwhether wieldedinsport,orinearnest,orinanger,whateverbethemood itbein,itsflexionsareinvariablymarkedbyexceedinggrace. Thereinnofairy'sarmcantranscendit. Fivegreatmotionsarepeculiartoit.First,whenusedasa

finforprogression;Second,whenusedasamaceinbattle; Third,insweeping;Fourth,inlobtailing;Fifth,inpeakingflukes. First:Beinghorizontalinitsposition,theLeviathan'stailacts inadifferentmannerfromthetailsofallotherseacreatures. Itneverwriggles.Inmanorfish,wrigglingisasignofinferiority. Tothewhalehistailisthesolemeansofpropulsion. Scrollwisecoiledforwardsbeneaththebody,andthenrapidly sprungbackwards,itisthiswhichgivesthatsingulardarting, leapingmotiontothemonsterwhenfuriouslyswimming. Hissidefinsonlyservetosteerby. Second:Itisalittlesignificant,thatwhileonespermwhaleonly fightsanotherspermwhalewithhisheadandjaw,nevertheless,inhis conflictswithman,hechieflyandcontemptuouslyuseshistail. Instrikingataboat,heswiftlycurvesawayhisflukesfromit, andtheblowisonlyinflictedbytherecoil.Ifitbemade intheunobstructedair,especiallyifitdescendtoitsmark, thestrokeisthensimplyirresistible.Noribsofmanorboat canwithstandit.Youronlysalvationliesineludingit; butifitcomessidewaysthroughtheopposingwater,thenpartly owingtothelightbuoyancyofthewhaleboat,andtheelasticity ofitsmaterials,acrackedriboradashedplankortwo,asort ofstitchintheside,isgenerallythemostseriousresult. Thesesubmergedsideblowsaresooftenreceivedinthefishery, thattheyareaccountedmerechild'splay.Someonestripsoff afrock,andtheholeisstopped. Third:Icannotdemonstrateit,butitseemstome,thatin thewhalethesenseoftouchisconcentratedinthetail; forinthisrespectthereisadelicacyinitonlyequalledby thedaintinessoftheelephant'strunk.Thisdelicacyischiefly evincedintheactionofsweeping,wheninmaidenlygentleness thewhalewithacertainsoftslownessmoveshisimmenseflukes fromsidetosideuponthesurfaceofthesea;andifhefeel butasailor'swhisker,woetothatsailor,whiskersandall. Whattendernessthereisinthatpreliminarytouch! Hadthistailanyprehensilepower,Ishouldstraightwaybethink meofDarmonodes'elephantthatsofrequentedtheflowermarket, andwithlowsalutationspresentednosegaystodamsels, andthencaressedtheirzones.Onmoreaccountsthanone, apityitisthatthewhaledoesnotpossessthisprehensile virtueinhistail;forIhaveheardofyetanotherelephant, thatwhenwoundedinthefight,curvedroundhistrunkand extractedthedart.

Fourth:Stealingunawaresuponthewhaleinthefanciedsecurity ofthemiddleofsolitaryseas,youfindhimunbentfromthevast corpulenceofhisdignity,andkittenlike,heplaysontheocean asifitwereahearth.Butstillyouseehispowerinhisplay. Thebroadpalmsofhistailareflirtedhighintotheair!then smitingthesurface,thethunderousconcussionresoundsformiles. Youwouldalmostthinkagreatgunhadbeendischarged; andifyounoticedthelightwreathofvaporfromthespiracle athisotherextremity,youwouldthinkthatthatwasthesmoke fromthetouchhole. Fifth:Asintheordinaryfloatingpostureoftheleviathantheflukes liesconsiderablybelowthelevelofhisback,theyarethencompletely outofsightbeneaththesurface;butwhenheisabouttoplunge intothedeeps,hisentireflukeswithatleastthirtyfeetofhis bodyaretossederectintheair,andsoremainvibratingamoment, tilltheydownwardsshootoutofview.Exceptingthesublimebreach somewhereelsetobedescribedthispeakingofthewhale'sflukes isperhapsthegrandestsighttobeseeninallanimatednature. Outofthebottomlessprofunditiesthegigantictailseemsspasmodically snatchingatthehighestheaven.Soindreams,haveIseenmajestic Satanthrustingforthhistormentedcolossalclawfromtheflame BalticofHell.Butingazingatsuchscenes,itisallinallwhat moodyouarein;ifintheDantean,thedevilswilloccurtoyou; ifinthatofIsaiah,thearchangels.Standingatthemasthead ofmyshipduringasunrisethatcrimsonedskyandsea,Ioncesaw alargeherdofwhalesintheeast,allheadingtowardsthesun, andforamomentvibratinginconcertwithpeakedflukes.Asitseemed tomeatthetime,suchagrandembodimentofadorationofthegods wasneverbeheld,eveninPersia,thehomeofthefireworshippers. AsPtolemyPhilopatertestifiedoftheAfricanelephant,Ithen testifiedofthewhale,pronouncinghimthemostdevoutofallbeings. ForaccordingtoKingJuba,themilitaryelephantsofantiquityoften hailedthemorningwiththeirtrunksupliftedintheprofoundestsilence. Thechancecomparisoninthischapter,betweenthewhaleandtheelephant, sofarassomeaspectsofthetailoftheoneandthetrunkoftheother areconcerned,shouldnottendtoplacethosetwooppositeorganson anequality,muchlessthecreaturestowhichtheyrespectivelybelong. ForasthemightiestelephantisbutaterriertoLeviathan,so, comparedwithLeviathan'stail,histrunkisbutthestalkofalily. Themostdirefulblowfromtheelephant'strunkwereastheplayfultap ofafan,comparedwiththemeasurelesscrushandcrashofthesperm whale'sponderousflukes,whichinrepeatedinstanceshaveoneafter theotherhurledentireboatswithalltheiroarsandcrewsintotheair, verymuchasanIndianjugglertosseshisballs.*

 *Thoughallcomparisoninthewayofgeneralbulkbetweenthewhale andtheelephantispreposterous,inasmuchasinthatparticular theelephantstandsinmuchthesamerespecttothewhalethat adogdoestotheelephant;nevertheless,therearenotwanting somepointsofcurioussimilitude;amongtheseisthespout. Itiswellknownthattheelephantwilloftendrawupwaterordust inhistrunk,andthenelevatingit,jetitforthinastream. ThemoreIconsiderthismightytail,themoredoIdeploremyinability toexpressit.Attimestherearegesturesinit,which,thoughthey wouldwellgracethehandofman,remainwhollyinexplicable. Inanextensiveherd,soremarkable,occasionally,arethese mysticgestures,thatIhaveheardhunterswhohavedeclaredthemakin toFreeMasonsignsandsymbols;thatthewhale,indeed,bythese methodsintelligentlyconversedwiththeworld.Noraretherewanting othermotionsofthewhaleinhisgeneralbody,fullofstrangeness, andunaccountabletohismostexperiencedassailant.Dissecthim howImay,then,Ibutgoskindeep.Iknowhimnot,andneverwill. ButifIknownoteventhetailofthiswhale,howunderstandhis head?muchmore,howcomprehendhisface,whenfacehehasnone? Thoushaltseemybackparts,mytail,heseemstosay,butmyface shallnotbeseen.ButIcannotcompletelymakeouthisbackparts; andhintwhathewillabouthisface,Isayagainhehasnoface. CHAPTER87 TheGrandArmada ThelongandnarrowpeninsulaofMalacca,extendingsoutheastward fromtheterritoriesofBirmah,formsthemostsoutherlypointof allAsia.Inacontinuouslinefromthatpeninsulastretchthelong islandsofSumatra,Java,Bally,andTimor;which,withmanyothers, formavastmole,orrampart,lengthwiseconnectingAsiawithAustralia, anddividingthelongunbrokenIndianoceanfromthethicklystudded orientalarchipelagoes.Thisrampartispiercedbyseveralsallyports fortheconvenienceofshipsandwhales;conspicuousamongwhichare thestraitsofSundaandMalacca.BythestraitsofSunda,chiefly, vesselsboundtoChinafromthewest,emergeintotheChinaseas.

ThosenarrowstraitsofSundadivideSumatrafromJava;andstanding midwayinthatvastrampartofislands,buttressedbythatbold greenpromontory,knowntoseamenasJavaHead;theynotalittle correspondtothecentralgatewayopeningintosomevastwalledempire: andconsideringtheinexhaustiblewealthofspices,andsilks, andjewels,andgold,andivory,withwhichthethousandislands ofthatorientalseaareenriched,itseemsasignificantprovision ofnature,thatsuchtreasures,bytheveryformationoftheland, shouldatleastbeartheappearance,howeverineffectual, ofbeingguardedfromtheallgraspingwesternworld.Theshores oftheStraitsofSundaareunsuppliedwiththosedomineering fortresseswhichguardtheentrancestotheMediterranean,theBaltic, andthePropontis.UnliketheDanes,theseOrientalsdonotdemand theobsequioushomageofloweredtopsailsfromtheendless processionofshipsbeforethewind,whichforcenturiespast, bynightandbyday,havepassedbetweentheislandsofSumatra andJava,freightedwiththecostliestcargoesoftheeast. Butwhiletheyfreelywaiveaceremoniallikethis,theydobyno meansrenouncetheirclaimtomoresolidtribute. TimeoutofmindthepiraticalproasoftheMalays, lurkingamongthelowshadedcovesandisletsofSumatra, havesalliedoutuponthevesselssailingthroughthestraits, fiercelydemandingtributeatthepointoftheirspears. Thoughbytherepeatedbloodychastisementstheyhavereceived atthehandsofEuropeancruisers,theaudacityofthesecorsairs hasoflatebeensomewhatrepressed;yet,evenatthepresentday, weoccasionallyhearofEnglishandAmericanvessels,which, inthosewaters,havebeenremorselesslyboardedandpillaged. Withafair,freshwind,thePequodwasnowdrawingnightothesestraits; AhabpurposingtopassthroughthemintotheJavasea,andthence, cruisingnorthwards,overwatersknowntobefrequentedhereandthere bytheSpermWhale,sweepinshorebythePhilippineIslands,andgain thefarcoastofJapan,intimeforthegreatwhalingseasonthere. Bythesemeans,thecircumnavigatingPequodwouldsweepalmostallthe knownSpermWhalecruisinggroundsoftheworld,previoustodescending upontheLineinthePacific;whereAhab,thougheverywhereelse foiledinhispursuit,firmlycountedupongivingbattletoMobyDick, intheseahewasmostknowntofrequent;andataseasonwhenhemight mostreasonablybepresumedtobehauntingit. Buthownow?inthiszonedquest,doesAhabtouchnoland?does hiscrewdrinkair?Surely,hewillstopforwater.Nay.Fora longtime,now,thecircusrunningsunhasracedwithinhis fieryring,andneedsnosustenancebutwhat'sinhimself.

SoAhab.Markthis,too,inthewhaler.Whileother hullsareloadeddownwithalienstuff,tobetransferred toforeignwharves;theworldwanderingwhaleshipcarries nocargobutherselfandcrew,theirweaponsandtheirwants. Shehasawholelake'scontentsbottledinheramplehold. Sheisballastedwithutilities;notaltogetherwithunusable pigleadandkentledge.Shecarriesyears'waterinher. ClearoldprimeNantucketwater;which,whenthreeyearsafloat, theNantucketer,inthePacific,preferstodrinkbefore thebrackishfluid,butyesterdayraftedoffincasks, fromthePeruvianorIndianstreams.Henceitis,that, whileothershipsmayhavegonetoChinafromNewYork, andbackagain,touchingatascoreofports,thewhaleship, inallthatinterval,maynothavesightedonegrainofsoil; hercrewhavingseennomanbutfloatingseamenlikethemselves. Sothatdidyoucarrythemthenewsthatanotherfloodhadcome; theywouldonlyanswer"Well,boys,here'stheark!" Now,asmanySpermWhaleshadbeencapturedoffthewestern coastofJava,inthenearvicinityoftheStraitsofSunda; indeed,asmostoftheground,roundabout,wasgenerally recognisedbythefishermenasanexcellentspotforcruising; therefore,asthePequodgainedmoreandmoreuponJavaHead, thelookoutswererepeatedlyhailed,andadmonishedtokeepwideawake. Butthoughthegreenpalmycliffsofthelandsoonloomedon thestarboardbow,andwithdelightednostrilsthefreshcinnamon wassnuffedintheair,yetnotasinglejetwasdescried. Almostrenouncingallthoughtoffallinginwithanygamehereabouts, theshiphadwellnighenteredthestraits,whenthecustomary cheeringcrywasheardfromaloft,anderelongaspectacle ofsingularmagnificencesalutedus. Butherebeitpremised,thatowingtotheunweariedactivity withwhichoflatetheyhavebeenhuntedoverallfouroceans, theSpermWhales,insteadofalmostinvariablysailinginsmall detachedcompanies,asinformertimes,arenowfrequentlymet withinextensiveherds,sometimesembracingsogreatamultitude, thatitwouldalmostseemasifnumerousnationsofthemhadsworn solemnleagueandcovenantformutualassistanceandprotection. TothisaggregationoftheSpermWhaleintosuchimmensecaravans, maybeimputedthecircumstancethateveninthebestcruisinggrounds, youmaynowsometimessailforweeksandmonthstogether, withoutbeinggreetedbyasinglespout;andthenbesuddenly salutedbywhatsometimesseemsthousandsonthousands. Broadonbothbows,atthedistanceofsometwoorthreemiles,

andformingagreatsemicircle,embracingonehalfofthelevelhorizon, acontinuouschainofwhalejetswereupplayingandsparkling inthenoondayair.Unlikethestraightperpendiculartwinjets oftheRightWhale,which,dividingattop,fallsoverintwobranches, likethecleftdroopingboughsofawillow,thesingleforwardslanting spoutoftheSpermWhalepresentsathickcurledbushofwhitemist, continuallyrisingandfallingawaytoleeward. SeenfromthePequod'sdeck,then,asshewouldriseonahighhill ofthesea,thishostofvaporyspouts,individuallycurlingupinto theair,andbeheldthroughablendingatmosphereofbluishhaze, showedlikethethousandcheerfulchimneysofsomedensemetropolis, descriedofabalmyautumnalmorning,bysomehorsemanonaheight. Asmarchingarmiesapproachinganunfriendlydefileinthemountains, acceleratetheirmarch,alleagernesstoplacethatperilouspassagein theirrear,andoncemoreexpandincomparativesecurityupontheplain; evensodidthisvastfleetofwhalesnowseemhurryingforwardthrough thestraits;graduallycontractingthewingsoftheirsemicircle, andswimmingon,inonesolid,butstillcrescenticcentre. CrowdingallsailthePequodpressedafterthem;theharpooneers handlingtheirweapons,andloudlycheeringfromtheheads oftheiryetsuspendedboats.Ifthewindonlyheld, littledoubthadthey,thatchasedthroughtheseStraits ofSunda,thevasthostwouldonlydeployintotheOriental seastowitnessthecaptureofnotafewoftheirnumber. Andwhocouldtellwhether,inthatcongregatedcaravan, MobyDickhimselfmightnottemporarilybeswimming, liketheworshippedwhiteelephantinthecoronationprocession oftheSiamese!Sowithstunsailpiledonstunsail,we sailedalong,drivingtheseleviathansbeforeus;when,ofasudden, thevoiceofTashtegowasheard,loudlydirectingattention tosomethinginourwake. Correspondingtothecrescentinourvan,webeheldanotherinourrear. Itseemedformedofdetachedwhitevapors,risingandfallingsomething likethespoutsofthewhales;onlytheydidnotsocompletelycome andgo;fortheyconstantlyhovered,withoutfinallydisappearing. Levellinghisglassatthissight,Ahabquicklyrevolvedinhis pivothole,crying,"Aloftthere,andrigwhipsandbucketstowet thesails;Malays,sir,andafterus!" Asiftoolonglurkingbehindtheheadlands,tillthePequod shouldfairlyhaveenteredthestraits,theserascallyAsiatics werenowinhotpursuit,tomakeupfortheirovercautiousdelay.

ButwhentheswiftPequod,withafreshleadingwind,washerself inhotchase;howverykindofthesetawnyphilanthropists toassistinspeedingherontoherownchosenpursuit, mereridingwhipsandrowelstoher,thattheywere. Aswithglassunderarm,Ahabtoandfropacedthedeck; inhisforwardturnbeholdingthemonstershechased, andintheafteronethebloodthirstypirateschasinghim; somesuchfancyastheaboveseemedhis.Andwhenheglanced uponthegreenwallsofthewaterydefileinwhichtheship wasthensailing,andbethoughthimthatthroughthatgatelay theroutetohisvengeance,andbeheld,howthatthroughthatsame gatehewasnowbothchasingandbeingchasedtohisdeadlyend; andnotonlythat,butaherdofremorselesswildpirates andinhumanatheisticaldevilswereinfernallycheeringhim onwiththeircurses;whenalltheseconceitshadpassed throughhisbrain,Ahab'sbrowwasleftgauntandribbed, liketheblacksandbeachaftersomestormytidehasbeengnawingit, withoutbeingabletodragthefirmthingfromitsplace. Butthoughtslikethesetroubledveryfewoftherecklesscrew;andwhen, aftersteadilydroppinganddroppingthepiratesastern,thePequod atlastshotbythevividgreenCockatooPointontheSumatraside, emergingatlastuponthebroadwatersbeyond;then,theharpooneers seemedmoretogrievethattheswiftwhaleshadbeengainingupon theship,thantorejoicethattheshiphadsovictoriouslygained upontheMalays.Butstilldrivingoninthewakeofthewhales, atlengththeyseemedabatingtheirspeed;graduallytheshipnearedthem; andthewindnowdyingaway,wordwaspassedtospringtotheboats. Butnosoonerdidtheherd,bysomepresumedwonderfulinstinctofthe SpermWhale,becomenotifiedofthethreekeelsthatwereafterthem, thoughasyetamileintheirrear,thantheyralliedagain,andforming incloseranksandbattalions,sothattheirspoutsalllookedlike flashinglinesofstackedbayonets,movedonwithredoubledvelocity. Strippedtoourshirtsanddrawers,wesprangtothewhiteash, andafterseveralhours'pullingwerealmostdisposedtorenounce thechase,whenageneralpausingcommotionamongthewhalesgave animatingtokensthattheywerenowatlastundertheinfluence ofthatstrangeperplexityofinertirresolution,which,whenthe fishermenperceiveitinthewhale,theysayheisgallied*.The compactmartialcolumnsinwhichtheyhadbeenhithertorapidly andsteadilyswimming,werenowbrokenupinonemeasurelessrout; andlikeKingPorus'elephantsintheIndianbattlewithAlexander, theyseemedgoingmadwithconsternation.Inalldirections expandinginvastirregularcircles,andaimlesslyswimminghither andthither,bytheirshortthickspoutings,theyplainlybetrayed

theirdistractionofpanic.Thiswasstillmorestrangelyevinced bythoseoftheirnumber,who,completelyparalysedasitwere, helplesslyfloatedlikewaterloggeddismantledshipsonthesea. HadtheseLeviathansbeenbutaflockofsimplesheep, pursuedoverthepasturebythreefiercewolves,theycouldnot possiblyhaveevincedsuchexcessivedismay.Butthisoccasional timidityischaracteristicofalmostallherdingcreatures. Thoughbandingtogetherintensofthousands,thelionmaned buffaloesoftheWesthavefledbeforeasolitaryhorseman. Witness,too,allhumanbeings,howwhenherdedtogetherinthesheepfold ofatheatre'spit,theywill,attheslightestalarmoffire, rushhelterskelterfortheoutlets,crowding,trampling,jamming, andremorselesslydashingeachothertodeath.Best,therefore, withholdanyamazementatthestrangelygalliedwhalesbeforeus, forthereisnofollyofthebeastsoftheearthwhichisnot infinitelyoutdonebythemadnessofmen. *Togally,orgallow,istofrightenexcessively toconfoundwithfright.ItisanoldSaxonword. ItoccursonceinShakespeare: ThewrathfulskiesGallowtheverywanderersofthedarkAndmake themkeeptheircaves. Tocommonlanguage,thewordisnowcompletelyobsolete. WhenthepolitelandsmanfirsthearsitfromthegauntNantucketer,heis apttosetitdownasoneofthewhaleman'sselfderivedsavageries. MuchthesameisitwithmanyothersinewySaxonismsofthissort, whichemigratedtoNewEnglandrockswiththenoblebrawnoftheold EnglishemigrantsinthetimeoftheCommonwealth.Thus,someof thebestandfurthestdescendedEnglishwordstheetymologicalHowards andPercysarenowdemocratised,nay,plebeianisedsotospeak intheNewWorld. Thoughmanyofthewhales,ashasbeensaid,wereinviolentmotion, yetitistobeobservedthatasawholetheherdneither advancednorretreated,butcollectivelyremainedinoneplace. Asiscustomaryinthosecases,theboatsatonceseparated, eachmakingforsomeonelonewhaleontheoutskirtsoftheshoal. Inaboutthreeminutes'time,Queequeg'sharpoonwasflung; thestrickenfishdartedblindingsprayinourfaces,andthen runningawaywithuslikelight,steeredstraightfortheheart oftheherd.Thoughsuchamovementonthepartofthewhale struckundersuchcircumstances,isinnowiseunprecedented;

andindeedisalmostalwaysmoreorlessanticipated;yetdoesit presentoneofthemoreperilousvicissitudesofthefishery. Forastheswiftmonsterdragsyoudeeperanddeeperintothe franticshoal,youbidadieutocircumspectlifeandonlyexist inadeliriousthrob. As,blindanddeaf,thewhaleplungedforward,asifbysheerpower ofspeedtoridhimselfoftheironleechthathadfastenedtohim; aswethustoreawhitegashinthesea,onallsidesmenaced asweflew,bythecrazedcreaturestoandfrorushingaboutus; ourbesetboatwaslikeashipmobbedbyiceislesinatempest, andstrivingtosteerthroughtheircomplicatedchannelsandstraits, knowingnotatwhatmomentitmaybelockedinandcrushed. Butnotabitdaunted,Queequegsteeredusmanfully;nowsheering offfromthismonsterdirectlyacrossourrouteinadvance; nowedgingawayfromthat,whosecolossalflukesweresuspendedoverhead, whileallthetime,Starbuckstoodupinthebows,lanceinhand, prickingoutofourwaywhateverwhaleshecouldreachbyshortdarts, fortherewasnotimetomakelongones.Norweretheoarsmen quiteidle,thoughtheirwonteddutywasnowaltogetherdispensedwith. Theychieflyattendedtotheshoutingpartofthebusiness. "Outoftheway,Commodore!"criedone,toagreatdromedarythatof asuddenrosebodilytothesurface,andforaninstantthreatened toswampus."Harddownwithyourtail,there!"criedasecond toanother,which,closetoourgunwale,seemedcalmlycooling himselfwithhisownfanlikeextremity. Allwhaleboatscarrycertaincuriouscontrivances, originallyinventedbytheNantucketIndians,calleddruggs. Twothicksquaresofwoodofequalsizearestoutly clenchedtogether,sothattheycrosseachother'sgrainat rightangles;alineofconsiderablelengthisthenattached tothemiddleofthisblock,andtheotherendoftheline beinglooped,itcaninamomentbefastenedtoaharpoon. Itischieflyamonggalliedwhalesthatthisdruggisused. Forthen,morewhalesarecloseroundyouthanyoucan possiblychaseatonetime.Butspermwhalesarenotevery dayencountered;whileyoumay,then,youmustkillallyoucan. Andifyoucannotkillthemallatonce,youmustwingthem, sothattheycanbeafterwardskilledatyourleisure.Henceitis, thatattimeslikethesethedrug,comesintorequisition. Ourboatwasfurnishedwiththreeofthem.Thefirstandsecondwere successfullydarted,andwesawthewhalesstaggeringlyrunningoff, fetteredbytheenormoussidelongresistanceofthetowingdrugg. Theywerecrampedlikemalefactorswiththechainandball.

Butuponflingingthethird,intheactoftossingoverboard theclumsywoodenblock,itcaughtunderoneoftheseatsoftheboat, andinaninstanttoreitoutandcarrieditaway,droppingthe oarsmanintheboat'sbottomastheseatslidfromunderhim. Onbothsidestheseacameinatthewoundedplanks,butwe stuffedtwoorthreedrawersandshirtsin,andsostopped theleaksforthetime. Ithadbeennexttoimpossibletodartthesedruggedharpoons, wereitnotthatasweadvancedintotheherd,ourwhale'sway greatlydiminished;moreover,thataswewentstillfurther andfurtherfromthecircumferenceofcommotion,thedireful disordersseemedwaning.Sothatwhenatlastthejerking harpoondrewout,andthetowingwhalesidewaysvanished; then,withthetaperingforceofhispartingmomentum,weglided betweentwowhalesintotheinnermostheartoftheshoal,asif fromsomemountaintorrentwehadslidintoaserenevalleylake. Herethestormsintheroaringglensbetweentheoutermostwhales, wereheardbutnotfelt.Inthiscentralexpansethesea presentedthatsmoothsatinlikesurface,calledasleek, producedbythesubtlemoisturethrownoffbythewhale inhismorequietmoods.Yes,wewerenowinthatenchanted calmwhichtheysaylurksattheheartofeverycommotion. Andstillinthedistracteddistancewebeheldthetumultsof theouterconcentriccircles,andsawsuccessivepodsofwhales, eightortenineach,swiftlygoingroundandround,likemultiplied spansofhorsesinaring;andsocloselyshouldertoshoulder, thataTitaniccircusridermighteasilyhaveoverarched themiddleones,andsohavegoneroundontheirbacks. Owingtothedensityofthecrowdofreposingwhales, moreimmediatelysurroundingtheembayedaxisoftheherd, nopossiblechanceofescapewasatpresentaffordedus. Wemustwatchforabreachinthelivingwallthathemmedusin; thewallthathadonlyadmittedusinordertoshutusup. Keepingatthecentreofthelake,wewereoccasionally visitedbysmalltamecowsandcalves;thewomenandchildren ofthisroutedhost. Now,inclusiveoftheoccasionalwideintervalsbetween therevolvingoutercircles,andinclusiveofthespaces betweenthevariouspodsinanyoneofthosecircles, theentireareaatthisjuncture,embracedbythewholemultitude, musthavecontainedatleasttwoorthreesquaremiles. Atanyratethoughindeedsuchatestatsuchatimemight bedeceptivespoutingsmightbediscoveredfromourlowboat thatseemedplayingupalmostfromtherimofthehorizon.

Imentionthiscircumstance,because,asifthecowsand calveshadbeenpurposelylockedupinthisinnermostfold; andasifthewideextentoftheherdhadhithertopreventedthem fromlearningtheprecisecauseofitsstopping;or,possibly, beingsoyoung,unsophisticated,andeverywayinnocent andinexperienced;howeveritmayhavebeen,thesesmallerwhales nowandthenvisitingourbecalmedboatfromthemarginofthelake evincedawondrousfearlessnessandconfidence,orelseastill becharmedpanicwhichitwasimpossiblenottomarvelat. Likehouseholddogstheycamesnufflingroundus, rightuptoourgunwales,andtouchingthem;tillitalmost seemedthatsomespellhadsuddenlydomesticatedthem. Queequegpattedtheirforeheads;Starbuckscratchedtheirbacks withhislance;butfearfuloftheconsequences,forthetime refrainedfromdartingit. Butfarbeneaththiswondrousworlduponthesurface,anotherand stillstrangerworldmetoureyesaswegazedovertheside. For,suspendedinthosewateryvaults,floatedtheforms ofthenursingmothersofthewhales,andthosethatbytheir enormousgirthseemedshortlytobecomemothers.Thelake,asI havehinted,wastoaconsiderabledepthexceedinglytransparent; andashumaninfantswhilesucklingwillcalmlyandfixedlygaze awayfromthebreast,asifleadingtwodifferentlivesatthetime; andwhileyetdrawingmortalnourishment,bestillspiritually feastinguponsomeunearthlyreminiscence;evensodidtheyoung ofthesewhalesseemlookinguptowardsus,butnotatus, asifwewerebutabitofGulfweedintheirnewbornsight. Floatingontheirsides,themothersalsoseemedquietlyeyeingus. Oneoftheselittleinfants,thatfromcertainqueertokensseemed hardlyadayold,mighthavemeasuredsomefourteenfeetinlength, andsomesixfeetingirth.Hewasalittlefrisky;thoughasyet hisbodyseemedscarceyetrecoveredfromthatirksomepositionit hadsolatelyoccupiedinthematernalreticule;where,tailtohead, andallreadyforthefinalspring,theunbornwhaleliesbentlikea Tartar'sbow.Thedelicatesidefins,andthepalmsofhisflukes, stillfreshlyretainedtheplaitedcrumpledappearanceofababy's earsnewlyarrivedfromforeignparts. "Line!line!"criedQueequeg,lookingoverthegunwale; "himfast!himfast!Wholinehim!Whostruck?Twowhale; onebig,onelittle!" "Whatailsye,man?"criedStarbuck. "Lookehere,"saidQueequeg,pointingdown.

 Aswhenthestrickenwhale,thatfromthetubhasreeled outhundredsoffathomsofrope;as,afterdeepsounding, hefloatsupagain,andshowstheslackenedcurlingline buoyantlyrisingandspirallingtowardstheair;sonow, StarbucksawlongcoilsoftheumbilicalcordofMadameLeviathan, bywhichtheyoungcubseemedstilltetheredtoitsdam. Notseldomintherapidvicissitudesofthechase,thisnaturalline, withthematernalendloose,becomesentangledwiththehempenone, sothatthecubistherebytrapped.Someofthesubtlestsecrets oftheseasseemeddivulgedtousinthisenchantedpond. WesawyoungLeviathanamoursinthedeep.* *Thespermwhale,aswithallotherspeciesoftheLeviathan, butunlikemostotherfish,breedsindifferentlyatallseasons; afteragestationwhichmayprobablybesetdownatninemonths, producingbutoneatatime;thoughinsomefewknowninstances givingbirthtoanEsauandJacob:acontingencyprovidedfor insucklingbytwoteats,curiouslysituated,oneoneachside oftheanus;butthebreaststhemselvesextendupwardsfromthat. Whenbychancethesepreciouspartsinanursingwhalearecutby thehunter'slance,themother'spouringmilkandbloodrivallingly discolortheseaforrods.Themilkisverysweetandrich; ithasbeentastedbyman;itmightdowellwithstrawberries. Whenoverflowingwithmutualesteem,thewhalessalutemorehominum. Andthus,thoughsurroundedbycircleuponcircleofconsternations andaffrights,didtheseinscrutablecreaturesatthecentre freelyandfearlesslyindulgeinallpeacefulconcernments; yea,serenelyrevelledindallianceanddelight. Butevenso,amidthetornadoedAtlanticofmybeing, doImyselfstillforevercentrallydisportinmutecalm; andwhileponderousplanetsofunwaningwoerevolveroundme, deepdownanddeepinlandthereIstillbathemeineternal mildnessofjoy. Meanwhile,aswethuslayentranced,theoccasionalsuddenfrantic spectaclesinthedistanceevincedtheactivityoftheotherboats, stillengagedindruggingthewhalesonthefrontierofthehost; orpossiblycarryingonthewarwithinthefirstcircle, whereabundanceofroomandsomeconvenientretreatswereaffordedthem. Butthesightoftheenrageddruggedwhalesnowandthenblindlydarting toandfroacrossthecircles,wasnothingtowhatatlastmetoureyes. Itissometimesthecustomwhenfasttoawhalemorethancommonly

powerfulandalert,toseektohamstringhim,asitwere, bysunderingormaiminghisgigantictailtendon.Itisdoneby dartingashorthandledcuttingspade,towhichisattachedarope forhaulingitbackagain.Awhalewounded(asweafterwardslearned) inthispart,butnoteffectually,asitseemed,hadbrokenaway fromtheboat,carryingalongwithhimhalfoftheharpoonline; andintheextraordinaryagonyofthewound,hewasnowdashing amongtherevolvingcircleslikethelonemounteddesperadoArnold, atthebattleofSaratoga,carryingdismaywhereverhewent. Butagonizingaswasthewoundofthiswhale,andanappalling spectacleenough,anyway;yetthepeculiarhorrorwithwhich heseemedtoinspiretherestoftheherd,wasowingtoacause whichatfirsttheinterveningdistanceobscuredfromus. Butatlengthweperceivedthatbyoneoftheunimaginableaccidents ofthefishery,thiswhalehadbecomeentangledintheharpoonline thathetowed;hehadalsorunawaywiththecuttingspadeinhim; andwhilethefreeendoftheropeattachedtothatweapon, hadpermanentlycaughtinthecoilsoftheharpoonlineround histail,thecuttingspadeitselfhadworkedloosefromhisflesh. Sothattormentedtomadness,hewasnowchurningthroughthewater, violentlyflailingwithhisflexibletail,andtossingthekeen spadeabouthim,woundingandmurderinghisowncomrades. Thisterrificobjectseemedtorecallthewholeherdfromtheir stationaryfright.First,thewhalesformingthemarginofourlake begantocrowdalittle,andtumbleagainsteachother,asiflifted byhalfspentbillowsfromafar;thenthelakeitselfbeganfaintly toheaveandswell;thesubmarinebridalchambersandnurseriesvanished; inmoreandmorecontractingorbitsthewhalesinthemorecentralcircles begantoswiminthickeningclusters.Yes,thelongcalmwasdeparting. Alowadvancinghumwassoonheard;andthenliketothetumultuous massesofblockicewhenthegreatriverHudsonbreaksupinSpring, theentirehostofwhalescametumblingupontheirinnercentre, asiftopilethemselvesupinonecommonmountain.InstantlyStarbuck andQueequegchangedplaces;Starbucktakingthestern. "Oars!Oars!"heintenselywhispered,seizingthehelm"gripe youroars,andclutchyoursouls,now!MyGod,men,standby! Shovehimoff,youQueequegthewhalethere!prickhim!hithim! Standupstandup,andstayso!Springmenpull,men;nevermind theirbacksscrapethem!scrapeaway!" Theboatwasnowallbutjammedbetweentwovastblackbulks, leavinganarrowDardanellesbetweentheirlonglengths. Butbydesperateendeavorweatlastshotintoatemporaryopening;

thengivingwayrapidly,andatthesametimeearnestlywatching foranotheroutlet.Aftermanysimilarhairbreadthescapes,weat lastswiftlyglidedintowhathadjustbeenoneoftheoutercircles, butnowcrossedbyrandomwhales,allviolentlymakingforonecentre. ThisluckysalvationwascheaplypurchasedbythelossofQueequeg's hat,who,whilestandinginthebowstoprickthefugitivewhales, hadhishattakencleanfromhisheadbytheaireddymadebythesudden tossingofapairofbroadflukescloseby. Riotousanddisorderedastheuniversalcommotionnowwas, itsoonresolveditselfintowhatseemedasystematicmovement; forhavingclumpedtogetheratlastinonedensebody, theythenrenewedtheironwardflightwithaugmentedfleetness. Furtherpursuitwasuseless;buttheboatsstilllingeredintheir waketopickupwhatdruggedwhalesmightbedroppedastern, andlikewisetosecureonewhichFlaskhadkilledandwaited. Thewaifisapennonedpole,twoorthreeofwhicharecarried byeveryboat;andwhich,whenadditionalgameisathand, areinserteduprightintothefloatingbodyofadeadwhale, bothtomarkitsplaceonthesea,andalsoastokenof priorpossession,shouldtheboatsofanyothershipdrawnear. Theresultofthisloweringwassomewhatillustrativeofthat sagacioussayingintheFishery,themorewhalesthelessfish. Ofallthedruggedwhalesonlyonewascaptured. Therestcontrivedtoescapeforthetime,butonlytobetaken, aswillhereafterbeseen,bysomeothercraftthanthePequod. CHAPTER88 SchoolsandSchoolmasters Thepreviouschaptergaveaccountofanimmensebodyorherd ofSpermWhales,andtherewasalsothengiventheprobable causeinducingthosevastaggregations. Now,thoughsuchgreatbodiesareattimesencountered,yet,asmust havebeenseen,evenatthepresentday,smalldetachedbandsare occasionallyobserved,embracingfromtwentytofiftyindividualseach. Suchbandsareknownasschools.Theygenerallyareoftwosorts; thosecomposedalmostentirelyoffemales,andthosemusteringnone butyoungvigorousmales,orbullsastheyarefamiliarlydesignated.

 Incavalierattendanceupontheschooloffemales,youinvariablysee amaleoffullgrownmagnitude,butnotold;who,uponanyalarm, evinceshisgallantrybyfallingintherearandcoveringtheflight ofhisladies.Intruth,thisgentlemanisaluxuriousOttoman, swimmingaboutoverthewateryworld,surroundinglyaccompaniedbyall thesolacesandendearmentsoftheharem.Thecontrastbetweenthis Ottomanandhisconcubinesisstriking;because,whileheisalways ofthelargestleviathanicproportions,theladies,evenatfullgrowth, arenotmorethanonethirdofthebulkofanaveragesizedmale. Theyarecomparativelydelicate,indeed;Idaresay,nottoexceedhalf adozenyardsroundthewaist.Nevertheless,itcannotbedenied, thatuponthewholetheyarehereditarilyentitledtoenbonpoint. Itisverycurioustowatchthisharemanditslordintheir indolentramblings.Likefashionables,theyareforever onthemoveinleisurelysearchofvariety.Youmeetthem ontheLineintimeforthefullfloweroftheEquatorial feedingseason,havingjustreturned,perhaps,fromspending thesummerintheNorthernseas,andsocheatingsummerofall unpleasantwearinessandwarmth.Bythetimetheyhavelounged upanddownthepromenadeoftheEquatorawhile,theystart fortheOrientalwatersinanticipationofthecoolseasonthere, andsoevadetheotherexcessivetemperatureoftheyear. Whenserenelyadvancingononeofthesejourneys,ifanystrange suspicioussightsareseen,mylordwhalekeepsawaryeyeonhis interestingfamily.ShouldanyunwarrantablypertyoungLeviathancoming thatway,presumetodrawconfidentiallyclosetooneoftheladies, withwhatprodigiousfurytheBashawassailshim,andchaseshimaway! Hightimes,indeed,ifunprincipledyoungrakeslikehim aretobepermittedtoinvadethesanctityofdomesticbliss; thoughdowhattheBashawwill,hecannotkeepthemostnotorious Lothariooutofhisbed;foralas!allfishbedincommon. Asashore,theladiesoftencausethemostterribleduelsamong theirrivaladmirers;justsowiththewhales,whosometimescome todeadlybattle,andallforlove.Theyfencewiththeirlong lowerjaws,sometimeslockingthemtogether,andsostrivingfor thesupremacylikeelksthatwarringlyinterweavetheirantlers. Notafewarecapturedhavingthedeepscarsoftheseencounters, furrowedheads,brokenteeth,scollopedfins;andinsomeinstances, wrenchedanddislocatedmouths. Butsupposingtheinvaderofdomesticblisstobetakehimselfaway atthefirstrushoftheharem'slord,thenisitverydiverting towatchthatlord.Gentlyheinsinuateshisvastbulkamong

themagainandrevelsthereawhile,stillintantalizingvicinity toyoungLothario,likepiousSolomondevoutlyworshippingamong histhousandconcubines.Grantingotherwhalestobeinsight, thefishermanwillseldomgivechasetooneoftheseGrandTurks; fortheseGrandTurksaretoolavishoftheirstrength, andhencetheirunctuousnessissmall.Asforthesonsand thedaughterstheybeget,why,thosesonsanddaughtersmust takecareofthemselves;atleast,withonlythematernalhelp. Forlikecertainotheromnivorousrovingloversthatmightbenamed, myLordWhalehasnotasteforthenursery,howevermuch forthebower;andso,beingagreattraveller,heleaveshis anonymousbabiesallovertheworld;everybabyanexotic. Ingoodtime,nevertheless,astheardorofyouthdeclines; asyearsanddumpsincrease;asreflectionlendshersolemnpauses; inshort,asagenerallassitudeovertakesthesatedTurk; thenaloveofeaseandvirtuesupplantstheloveformaidens; ourOttomanentersupontheimpotent,repentant,admonitorystage oflife,forswears,disbandstheharem,andgrowntoanexemplary, sulkyoldsoul,goesaboutallaloneamongthemeridiansand parallelssayinghisprayers,andwarningeachyoungLeviathan fromhisamorouserrors. Now,astheharemofwhalesiscalledbythefishermenaschool,sois thelordandmasterofthatschooltechnicallyknownastheschoolmaster. Itisthereforenotinstrictcharacter,howeveradmirablysatirical, thataftergoingtoschoolhimself,heshouldthengoabroad inculcatingnotwhathelearnedthere,butthefollyofit. Histitle,schoolmaster,wouldverynaturallyseemderivedfrom thenamebestowedupontheharemitself,butsomehavesurmised thatthemanwhofirstthusentitledthissortofOttomanwhale, musthavereadthememoirsofVidocq,andinformedhimselfwhatsort ofacountryschoolmasterthatfamousFrenchmanwasinhisyoungerdays, andwhatwasthenatureofthoseoccultlessonsheinculcatedinto someofhispupils. Thesamesecludednessandisolationtowhichtheschoolmaster whalebetakeshimselfinhisadvancingyears,istrue ofallagedSpermWhales.Almostuniversally,alonewhale asasolitaryLeviathaniscalledprovesanancientone. LikevenerablemossbeardedDanielBoone,hewillhaveno onenearhimbutNatureherself;andherhetakestowife inthewildernessofwaters,andthebestofwivessheis, thoughshekeepssomanymoodysecrets. Theschoolscomposingnonebutyoungandvigorousmales, previouslymentioned,offerastrongcontrasttotheharemschools.

Forwhilethosefemalewhalesarecharacteristicallytimid, theyoungmales,orfortybarrelbulls,astheycallthem, arebyfarthemostpugnaciousofallLeviathans,andproverbially themostdangeroustoencounter;exceptingthosewondrous greyheaded,grizzledwhales,sometimesmet,andthesewillfight youlikegrimfiendsexasperatedbyapenalgout. TheFortybarrelbullschoolsarelargerthantheharemschools. Likeamobofyoungcollegians,theyarefulloffight,fun, andwickedness,tumblingroundtheworldatsuchareckless, rollickingrate,thatnoprudentunderwriterwouldinsurethem anymorethanhewouldariotousladatYaleorHarvard.Theysoon relinquishthisturbulencethough,andwhenaboutthreefourthsgrown, breakup,andseparatelygoaboutinquestofsettlements, thatis,harems. Anotherpointofdifferencebetweenthemaleandfemaleschools isstillmorecharacteristicofthesexes.Sayyoustrike aFortybarrelbullpoordevil!allhiscomradesquithim. Butstrikeamemberoftheharemschool,andhercompanionsswim aroundherwitheverytokenofconcern,sometimeslingering sonearherandsolong,asthemselvestofallaprey. CHAPTER89 FastFishandLooseFish Theallusiontothewaifsandwaifpolesinthelastchapter butone,necessitatessomeaccountofthelawsandregulations ofthewhalefishery,ofwhichthewaifmaybedeemedthegrand symbolandbadge. Itfrequentlyhappensthatwhenseveralshipsarecruisingincompany, awhalemaybestruckbyonevessel,thenescape,andbefinallykilled andcapturedbyanothervessel;andhereinareindirectlycomprised manyminorcontingencies,allpartakingofthisonegrandfeature. Forexample,afterawearyandperilouschaseandcaptureofawhale, thebodymaygetloosefromtheshipbyreasonofaviolentstorm; anddriftingfarawaytoleeward,beretakenbyasecondwhaler,who, inacalm,snuglytowsitalongside,withoutriskoflifeorline. Thusthemostvexatiousandviolentdisputeswouldoftenarisebetween thefishermen,weretherenotsomewrittenorunwritten,universal, undisputedlawapplicabletoallcases.

 Perhapstheonlyformalwhalingcodeauthorizedbylegislativeenactment, wasthatofHolland.ItwasdecreedbytheStatesGeneralinA.D.1695. Butthoughnoothernationhaseverhadanywrittenwhalinglaw, yettheAmericanfishermenhavebeentheirownlegislators andlawyersinthismatter.Theyhaveprovidedasystemwhich fortersecomprehensivenesssurpassesJustinian'sPandectsand theBylawsoftheChineseSocietyfortheSuppressionofMeddling withotherPeople'sBusiness.Yes;theselawsmightbeengraven onaQueenAnne'sfarthing,orthebarbofaharpoon,andworn roundtheneck,sosmallarethey. I.AFastFishbelongstothepartyfasttoit. II.ALooseFishisfairgameforanybodywhocansoonestcatchit. Butwhatplaysthemischiefwiththismasterlycodeistheadmirable brevityofit,whichnecessitatesavastvolumeofcommentaries toexpoundit. First:WhatisaFastFish?Aliveordeadafishistechnicallyfast, whenitisconnectedwithanoccupiedshiporboat,byanymedium atallcontrollablebytheoccupantoroccupants,amast,anoar, anineinchcable,atelegraphwire,orastrandofcobweb,itisall thesame.Likewiseafishistechnicallyfastwhenitbearsawaif, oranyotherrecognizedsymbolofpossession;solongastheparty wailingitplainlyevincetheirabilityatanytimetotakeitalongside, aswellastheirintentionsotodo. Thesearescientificcommentaries;butthecommentariesofthewhalemen themselvessometimesconsistinhardwordsandharderknocks theCokeuponLittletonofthefist.True,amongthemoreupright andhonorablewhalemenallowancesarealwaysmadeforpeculiarcases, whereitwouldbeanoutrageousmoralinjusticeforonepartytoclaim possessionofawhalepreviouslychasedorkilledbyanotherparty. Butothersarebynomeanssoscrupulous. Somefiftyyearsagotherewasacuriouscaseofwhaletrover litigatedinEngland,whereintheplaintiffssetforth thatafterahardchaseofawhaleintheNorthernseas; andwhenindeedthey(theplaintiffs)hadsucceededinharpooning thefish;theywereatlast,throughperiloftheirlives, obligedtoforsakenotonlytheirlines,buttheirboatitself. Ultimatelythedefendants(thecrewofanothership) cameupwiththewhale,struck,killed,seized,andfinally appropriateditbeforetheveryeyesoftheplaintiffs.

Andwhenthosedefendantswereremonstratedwith,theircaptain snappedhisfingersintheplaintiffs'teeth,andassured themthatbywayofdoxologytothedeedhehaddone, hewouldnowretaintheirline,harpoons,andboat,whichhad remainedattachedtothewhaleatthetimeoftheseizure. Whereforetheplaintiffsnowsuedfortherecoveryofthevalue oftheirwhale,line,harpoons,andboat. Mr.Erskinewascounselforthedefendants;LordEllenborough wasthejudge.Inthecourseofthedefence,thewitty Erskinewentontoillustratehisposition,byalludingtoa recentcrim.con.case,whereinagentleman,afterinvain tryingtobridlehiswife'sviciousness,hadatlastabandoned herupontheseasoflife;butinthecourseofyears,repentingof thatstep,heinstitutedanactiontorecoverpossessionofher. Erskinewasontheotherside;andhethensupporteditbysaying, thatthoughthegentlemanhadoriginallyharpoonedthelady, andhadoncehadherfast,andonlybyreasonofthegreat stressofherplungingviciousness,hadatlastabandonedher; yetabandonherhedid,sothatshebecamealoosefish; andthereforewhenasubsequentgentlemanreharpoonedher, theladythenbecamethatsubsequentgentleman'sproperty, alongwithwhateverharpoonmighthavebeenfoundstickinginher. NowinthepresentcaseErskinecontendedthattheexamplesofthewhale andtheladywerereciprocallyillustrativeofeachother. Thesepleadings,andthecounterpleadings,beingdulyheard, theverylearnedJudgeinsettermsdecided,towit, Thatasfortheboat,heawardedittotheplaintiffs, becausetheyhadmerelyabandonedittosavetheirlives; butthatwithregardtothecontrovertedwhale,harpoons, andline,theybelongedtothedefendants;thewhale, becauseitwasaLooseFishatthetimeofthefinalcapture; andtheharpoonsandlinebecausewhenthefishmadeoff withthem,it(thefish)acquiredapropertyinthosearticles; andhenceanybodywhoafterwardstookthefishhadarighttothem. Nowthedefendantsafterwardstookthefish;ergo,theaforesaid articlesweretheirs. AcommonmanlookingatthisdecisionoftheverylearnedJudge, mightpossiblyobjecttoit.Butplougheduptotheprimaryrock ofthematter,thetwogreatprincipleslaiddowninthetwin whalinglawspreviouslyquoted,andappliedandelucidated byLordEllenboroughintheabovecitedcase;thesetwolaws touchingFastFishandLooseFish,Isay,willonreflection,

befoundthefundamentalsofallhumanjurisprudence; Fornotwithstandingitscomplicatedtraceryofsculpture, theTempleoftheLaw,liketheTempleofthePhilistines, hasbuttwopropstostandon. Isitnotasayingineveryone'smouth,Possessionishalfofthelaw: thatis,regardlessofhowthethingcameintopossession? Butoftenpossessionisthewholeofthelaw.Whatarethesinews andsoulsofRussianserfsandRepublicanslavesbutFastFish, whereofpossessionisthewholeofthelaw?Whattotherapacious landlordisthewidow'slastmitebutaFastFish?Whatisyonder undetectedvillain'smarblemansionwithadoorplateforawaif; whatisthatbutaFastFish?Whatistheruinousdiscount whichMordecai,thebroker,getsfromthepoorWoebegone, thebankrupt,onaloantokeepWoebegone'sfamilyfromstarvation; whatisthatruinousdiscountbutaFastFish?WhatistheArchbishop ofSavesoul'sincomeof100,000poundsseizedfromthescantbread andcheeseofhundredsofthousandsofbrokenbackedlaborers (allsureofheavenwithoutanyofSavesoul'shelp)whatisthatglobular 100,000butaFastFish.WhataretheDukeofDunder'shereditarytowns andhamletsbutFastFish?Whattothatredoubtedharpooneer,JohnBull, ispoorIreland,butaFastFish?Whattothatapostoliclancer, BrotherJonathan,isTexasbutaFastFish?Andconcerningallthese, isnotPossessionthewholeofthelaw? ButifthedoctrineofFastFishbeprettygenerallyapplicable, thekindreddoctrineofLooseFishisstillmorewidelyso. Thatisinternationallyanduniversallyapplicable. WhatwasAmericain1492butaLooseFish,inwhichColumbus strucktheSpanishstandardbywayofwailingitforhisroyal masterandmistress?WhatwasPolandtotheCzar?WhatGreece totheTurk?WhatIndiatoEngland?WhatatlastwillMexico betotheUnitedStates?AllLooseFish. WhataretheRightsofManandtheLibertiesoftheWorldbut LooseFish?Whatallmen'smindsandopinionsbutLooseFish?What istheprincipleofreligiousbeliefinthembutaLooseFish?What totheostentatioussmugglingverbalistsarethethoughtsofthinkers butLooseFish?WhatisthegreatglobeitselfbutaLooseFish?And whatareyou,reader,butaLooseFishandaFastFish,too? CHAPTER90

HeadsorTails "Debalenaverosufficit,sirexhabeatcaput,etreginacaudam." BRACTON,L.3,C.3. LatinfromthebooksoftheLawsofEngland,whichtakenalongwith thecontext,means,thatofallwhalescapturedbyanybodyonthecoast ofthatland,theKing,asHonoraryGrandHarpooneer,musthave thehead,andtheQueenberespectfullypresentedwiththetail. Adivisionwhich,inthewhale,ismuchlikehalvinganapple;thereis nointermediateremainder.Nowasthislaw,underamodifiedform, istothisdayinforceinEngland;andasitoffersinvariousrespects astrangeanomalytouchingthegenerallawofFastandLooseFish, itisheretreatedofinaseparatechapter,onthesamecourteous principlethatpromptstheEnglishrailwaystobeattheexpenseofa separatecar,speciallyreservedfortheaccommodationofroyalty. Inthefirstplace,incuriousproofofthefactthattheabovementioned lawisstillinforce,Iproceedtolaybeforeyouacircumstancethat happenedwithinthelasttwoyears. ItseemsthatsomehonestmarinersofDover,orSandwich, orsomeoneoftheCinquePorts,hadafterahardchasesucceeded inkillingandbeachingafinewhalewhichtheyhadoriginally descriedafarofffromtheshore.NowtheCinquePortsare partiallyorsomehowunderthejurisdictionofasortofpoliceman orbeadle,calledaLordWarden.Holdingtheofficedirectly fromthecrown,Ibelieve,alltheroyalemolumentsincident totheCinquePortterritoriesbecomebyassignmenthis. Bysomewritersthisofficeiscalledasinecure.Butnotso. BecausetheLordWardenisbusilyemployedattimesinfobbing hisperquisites;whicharehischieflybyvirtueofthatsame fobbingofthem. Nowwhenthesepoorsunburntmariners,barefooted,andwiththeir trowsersrolledhighupontheireelylegs,hadwearilyhauled theirfatfishhighanddry,promisingthemselvesagood150pounds fromthepreciousoilandbone;andinfantasysippingraretea withtheirwives,andgoodalewiththeircronies,uponthestrength oftheirrespectiveshares;upstepsaverylearnedandmostChristian andcharitablegentleman,withacopyofBlackstoneunderhisarm; andlayingituponthewhale'shead,hesays"Handsoff!thisfish, mymasters,isaFastFish.IseizeitastheLordWarden's."Uponthis thepoormarinersintheirrespectfulconsternationsotrulyEnglish knowingnotwhattosay,falltovigorouslyscratchingtheirheads

allround;meanwhileruefullyglancingfromthewhaletothestranger. Butthatdidinnowisemendthematter,oratallsoftenthehardheart ofthelearnedgentlemanwiththecopyofBlackstone.Atlengthone ofthem,afterlongscratchingaboutforhisideas,madeboldtospeak, "Please,sir,whoistheLordWarden?" "TheDuke." "Butthedukehadnothingtodowithtakingthisfish?" "Itishis." "Wehavebeenatgreattrouble,andperil,andsomeexpense, andisallthattogototheDuke'sbenefit;wegettingnothing atallforourpainsbutourblisters?" "Itishis." "IstheDukesoverypoorastobeforcedtothisdesperatemode ofgettingalivelihood?" "Itishis." "Ithoughttorelievemyoldbedriddenmotherbypartofmyshare ofthiswhale." "Itishis." "Won'ttheDukebecontentwithaquarterorahalf?" "Itishis." Inaword,thewhalewasseizedandsold,andhisGracetheDukeof Wellingtonreceivedthemoney.Thinkingthatviewedinsomeparticular lights,thecasemightbyabarepossibilityinsomesmalldegree bedeemed,underthecircumstances,aratherhardone,anhonestclergyman ofthetownrespectfullyaddressedanotetohisGrace,begginghim totakethecaseofthoseunfortunatemarinersintofullconsideration. TowhichmyLordDukeinsubstancereplied(bothletterswerepublished) thathehadalreadydoneso,andreceivedthemoney,andwouldbeobliged tothereverendgentlemanifforthefuturehe(thereverendgentleman) woulddeclinemeddlingwithotherpeople'sbusiness.Isthisthestill militantoldman,standingatthecornersofthethreekingdoms, onallhandscoercingalmsofbeggars?

ItwillreadilybeseenthatinthiscasetheallegedrightoftheDuke tothewhalewasadelegatedonefromtheSovereign.Wemustneeds inquirethenonwhatprincipletheSovereignisoriginallyinvested withthatright.Thelawitselfhasalreadybeensetforth. ButPlowdongivesusthereasonforit.SaysPlowdon,thewhalesocaught belongstotheKingandQueen,"becauseofitssuperiorexcellence." Andbythesoundestcommentatorsthishaseverbeenheldacogent argumentinsuchmatters. ButwhyshouldtheKinghavethehead,andtheQueenthetail? Areasonforthat,yelawyers! Inhistreatiseon"QueenGold,"orQueenpinmoney,anold King'sBenchauthor,oneWilliamPrynne,thusdiscourseth: "YetailisyeQueen's,thatyeQueen'swardrobemaybesupplied withyewhalebone."Nowthiswaswrittenatatimewhentheblack limberboneoftheGreenlandorRightwhalewaslargelyused inladies'bodices.Butthissameboneisnotinthetail; itisinthehead,whichisasadmistakeforasagaciouslawyer likePrynne.ButistheQueenamermaid,tobepresentedwithatail? Anallegoricalmeaningmaylurkhere. TherearetworoyalfishsostyledbytheEnglishlawwriters thewhaleandthesturgeon;bothroyalpropertyundercertainlimitations, andnominallysupplyingthetenthbranchofthecrown'sordinaryrevenue. Iknownotthatanyotherauthorhashintedofthematter; butbyinferenceitseemstomethatthesturgeonmustbedivided inthesamewayasthewhale,theKingreceivingthehighlydense andelasticheadpeculiartothatfish,which,symbolicallyregarded, maypossiblybehumorouslygroundeduponsomepresumedcongeniality. Andthusthereseemsareasoninallthings,eveninlaw. CHAPTER91 ThePequodMeetsTheRoseBud "InvainitwastorakeforAmbergrieseinthepaunch ofthisLeviathan,insufferablefetordenyingnotinquiry." SIRT.BROWNE,V.E. Itwasaweekortwoafterthelastwhalingscenerecounted, andwhenwewereslowlysailingoverasleepy,vapory,

middaysea,thatthemanynosesonthePequod'sdeckproved morevigilantdiscoverersthanthethreepairsofeyesaloft. Apeculiarandnotverypleasantsmellwassmeltinthesea. "Iwillbetsomethingnow,"saidStubb,"thatsomewherehereabouts aresomeofthosedruggedwhaleswetickledtheotherday. Ithoughttheywouldkeelupbeforelong." Presently,thevaporsinadvanceslidaside;andthereinthedistance layaship,whosefurledsailsbetokenedthatsomesortofwhalemust bealongside.Asweglidednearer,thestrangershowedFrenchcolors fromhispeak;andbytheeddyingcloudofvultureseafowlthatcircled, andhovered,andswoopedaroundhim,itwasplainthatthewhalealongside mustbewhatthefishermencallablastedwhale,thatis,awhalethathas diedunmolestedonthesea,andsofloatedanunappropriatedcorpse. Itmaywellbeconceived,whatanunsavoryodorsuchamassmustexhale; worsethananAssyriancityintheplague,whenthelivingareincompetent toburythedeparted.Sointolerableindeedisitregardedbysome, thatnocupiditycouldpersuadethemtomooralongsideofit. Yetaretherethosewhowillstilldoit;notwithstandingthefact thattheoilobtainedfromsuchsubjectsisofaveryinferiorquality, andbynomeansofthenatureofattarofrose. Comingstillnearerwiththeexpiringbreeze,wesaw thattheFrenchmanhadasecondwhalealongside;andthis secondwhaleseemedevenmoreofanosegaythanthefirst. Intruth,itturnedouttobeoneofthoseproblematicalwhales thatseemtodryupanddiewithasortofprodigiousdyspepsia, orindigestion;leavingtheirdefunctbodiesalmostentirely bankruptofanythinglikeoil.Nevertheless,intheproper placeweshallseethatnoknowingfishermanwilleverturn uphisnoseatsuchawhaleasthis,howevermuchhemayshun blastedwhalesingeneral. ThePequodhadnowsweptsonightothestranger,thatStubb vowedherecognizedhiscuttingspadepoleentangledinthelines thatwereknottedroundthetailofoneofthesewhales. "There'saprettyfellow,now,"hebanteringlylaughed, standingintheship'sbows,"there'sajackalforye! IwellknowthattheseCrappoesofFrenchmenarebutpoordevils inthefishery;sometimesloweringtheirboatsforbreakers, mistakingthemforSpermWhalespouts;yes,andsometimessailing fromtheirportwiththeirholdfullofboxesoftallowcandles, andcasesofsnuffers,foreseeingthatalltheoiltheywillgetwon't beenoughtodiptheCaptain'swickinto;aye,weallknowthesethings;

butlookye,here'saCrappothatiscontentwithourleavings, thedruggedwhalethere,Imean;aye,andiscontenttoowith scrapingthedrybonesofthatotherpreciousfishhehasthere. Poordevil!Isay,passroundahat,someone,andlet's makehimapresentofalittleoilfordearcharity'ssake. Forwhatoilhe'llgetfromthatdruggedwhalethere, wouldn'tbefittoburninajail;no,notinacondemnedcell. Andasfortheotherwhale,why,I'llagreetogetmoreoilby choppingupandtryingoutthesethreemastsofours,thanhe'll getfromthatbundleofbones;though,nowthatIthinkofit, itmaycontainsomethingworthagooddealmorethanoil; yes,ambergris.Iwondernowifouroldmanhasthoughtofthat. It'sworthtrying.Yes,I'mforit;"andsosayinghestarted forthequarterdeck. Bythistimethefaintairhadbecomeacompletecalm;sothat whetherorno,thePequodwasnowfairlyentrappedinthesmell, withnohopeofescapingexceptbyitsbreezingupagain. Issuingfromthecabin,Stubbnowcalledhisboat'screw, andpulledoffforthestranger.Drawingacrossherbow, heperceivedthatinaccordancewiththefancifulFrenchtaste, theupperpartofherstempiecewascarvedinthelikeness ofahugedroopingstalk,waspaintedgreen,andforthorns hadcopperspikesprojectingfromithereandthere;thewhole terminatinginasymmetricalfoldedbulbofabrightredcolor. Uponherheadboards,inlargegiltletters,heread"Bouton deRose,"Rosebutton,orRosebud;andthiswastheromantic nameofthisaromaticship. ThoughStubbdidnotunderstandtheBoutonpartoftheinscription, yetthewordrose,andthebulbousfigureheadputtogether, sufficientlyexplainedthewholetohim. "Awoodenrosebud,eh?"hecriedwithhishandtohisnose, "thatwilldoverywell;buthowlikeallcreationitsmells!" Nowinordertoholddirectcommunicationwiththepeopleondeck, hehadtopullroundthebowstothestarboardside,andthuscome closetotheblastedwhale;andsotalkoverit. Arrivedthenatthisspot,withonehandstilltohisnose, hebawled"BoutondeRose,ahoy!arethereanyofyou BoutondeRosesthatspeakEnglish?" "Yes,"rejoinedaGuernseymanfromthebulwarks,whoturned outtobethechiefmate.

 "Well,then,myBoutondeRosebud,haveyouseentheWhiteWhale?" "Whatwhale?" "TheWhiteWhaleaSpermWhaleMobyDick,haveyeseenhim? "Neverheardofsuchawhale.CachalotBlanche!WhiteWhaleno." "Verygood,then;goodbyenow,andI'llcallagaininaminute." ThenrapidlypullingbacktowardsthePequod,andseeingAhableaning overthequarterdeckrailawaitinghisreport,hemouldedhistwohands intoatrumpetandshouted"No,Sir!No!"UponwhichAhabretired, andStubbreturnedtotheFrenchman. HenowperceivedthattheGuernseyman,whohadjustgotintothechains, andwasusingacuttingspade,hadslunghisnoseinasortofbag. "What'sthematterwithyournose,there?"saidStubb."Brokeit?" "Iwishitwasbroken,orthatIdidn'thaveanynoseatall!" answeredtheGuernseyman,whodidnotseemtorelishthejob hewasatverymuch."Butwhatareyouholdingyoursfor?" "Oh,nothing!It'sawaxnose;Ihavetoholditon. Fineday,ain'tit?Airrathergardenny,Ishouldsay; throwusabunchofposies,willye,BoutondeRose?" "Whatinthedevil'snamedoyouwanthere?"roaredtheGuernseyman, flyingintoasuddenpassion. "Oh!keepcoolcool?yes,that'stheword!whydon'tyou packthosewhalesinicewhileyou'reworkingat'em? Butjokingaside,though;doyouknow,Rosebud,thatit's allnonsensetryingtogetanyoiloutofsuchwhales? Asforthatdriedupone,there,hehasn'tagillin hiswholecarcase." "Iknowthatwellenough;but,d'yesee,theCaptainherewon'tbelieve it;thisishisfirstvoyage;hewasaColognemanufacturerbefore. Butcomeaboard,andmayhaphe'llbelieveyou,ifhewon'tme; andsoI'llgetoutofthisdirtyscrape." "Anythingtoobligeye,mysweetandpleasantfellow," rejoinedStubb,andwiththathesoonmountedtothedeck.

Thereaqueerscenepresenteditself.Thesailors, intasselledcapsofredworsted,weregettingtheheavytackles inreadinessforthewhales.Buttheyworkedratherslow andtalkedveryfast,andseemedinanythingbutagoodhumor. Alltheirnosesupwardlyprojectedfromtheirfaceslike somanyjibbooms.Nowandthenpairsofthemwoulddrop theirwork,andrunuptothemastheadtogetsomefreshair. Somethinkingtheywouldcatchtheplague,dippedoakum incoaltar,andatintervalsheldittotheirnostrils. Othershavingbrokenthestemsoftheirpipesalmostshortoff atthebowl,werevigorouslypuffingtobaccosmoke,sothatit constantlyfilledtheirolfactories. Stubbwasstruckbyashowerofoutcriesandanathemasproceeding fromtheCaptain'sroundhouseabaft;andlookinginthatdirection sawafieryfacethrustfrombehindthedoor,whichwasheldajar fromwithin.Thiswasthetormentedsurgeon,who,afterinvain remonstratingagainsttheproceedingsoftheday,hadbetaken himselftotheCaptain'sroundhouse(cabinethecalledit) toavoidthepest;butstill,couldnothelpyellingouthis entreatiesandindignationsattimes. Markingallthis,Stubbarguedwellforhisscheme,andturningto theGuernseymanhadalittlechatwithhim,duringwhichthestranger mateexpressedhisdetestationofhisCaptainasaconceitedignoramus, whohadbroughtthemallintosounsavoryandunprofitableapickle. Soundinghimcarefully,StubbfurtherperceivedthattheGuernseyman hadnottheslightestsuspicionconcerningtheambergris. Hethereforeheldhispeaceonthathead,butotherwisewasquite frankandconfidentialwithhim,sothatthetwoquicklyconcocted alittleplanforbothcircumventingandsatirizingtheCaptain, withouthisatalldreamingofdistrustingtheirsincerity. Accordingtothislittleplanoftheirs,theGuernseyman,undercover ofaninterpreter'soffice,wastotelltheCaptainwhathepleased, butascomingfromStubb;andasforStubb,hewastoutteranynonsense thatshouldcomeuppermostinhimduringtheinterview. Bythistimetheirdestinedvictimappearedfromhiscabin. Hewasasmallanddark,butratherdelicatelookingman foraseacaptain,withlargewhiskersandmoustache,however; andworearedcottonvelvetvestwithwatchsealsathisside. Tothisgentleman,Stubbwasnowpolitelyintroducedby theGuernseyman,whoatonceostentatiouslyputontheaspect ofinterpretingbetweenthem. "WhatshallIsaytohimfirst?"saidhe.

 "Why,"saidStubb,eyeingthevelvetvestandthewatchandseals, "youmayaswellbeginbytellinghimthathelooksasortofbabyish tome,thoughIdon'tpretendtobeajudge." "Hesays,Monsieur,"saidtheGuernseyman,inFrench, turningtohiscaptain,"thatonlyyesterdayhisshipspoke avessel,whosecaptainandchiefmate,withsixsailors, hadalldiedofafevercaughtfromablastedwhalethey hadbroughtalongside." Uponthisthecaptainstarted,andeagerlydesiredtoknowmore. "Whatnow?"saidtheGuernseymantoStubb. "Why,sincehetakesitsoeasy,tellhimthatnowI haveeyedhimcarefully,I'mquitecertainthathe'sno morefittocommandawhaleshipthanaSt.Jagomonkey. Infact,tellhimfrommehe'sababoon." "Hevowsanddeclares,Monsieur,thattheotherwhale, thedriedone,isfarmoredeadlythantheblastedone; infine,Monsieur,heconjuresus,aswevalueourlives, tocutloosefromthesefish." Instantlythecaptainranforward,andinaloudvoicecommanded hiscrewtodesistfromhoistingthecuttingtackles,andatonce castloosethecablesandchainsconfiningthewhalestotheship. "Whatnow?"saidtheGuernseyman,whentheCaptainhadreturnedtothem. "Why,letmesee;yes,youmayaswelltellhimnowthatthatinfact, tellhimI'vediddledhim,and(asidetohimself)perhapssomebodyelse." "Hesays,Monsieur,thathe'sveryhappytohavebeenofany servicetous." Hearingthis,thecaptainvowedthattheywerethegratefulparties (meaninghimselfandmate),andconcludedbyinvitingStubbdowninto hiscabintodrinkabottleofBordeaux. "Hewantsyoutotakeaglassofwinewithhim,"saidtheinterpreter. "Thankhimheartily;buttellhimit'sagainstmyprinciplestodrink withthemanI'vediddled.Infact,tellhimImustgo."

"Hesays,Monsieur,thathisprincipleswon'tadmitofhisdrinking; butthatifMonsieurwantstoliveanotherdaytodrink,thenMonsieur hadbestdropallfourboats,andpulltheshipawayfromthesewhales, forit'ssocalmtheywon'tdrift." BythistimeStubbwasovertheside,andgettingintohisboat, hailedtheGuernseymantothiseffect,thathavingalong towlineinhisboat,hewoulddowhathecouldtohelpthem, bypullingoutthelighterwhaleofthetwofromtheship'sside. WhiletheFrenchman'sboats,then,wereengagedintowingtheship oneway,Stubbbenevolentlytowedawayathiswhaletheotherway, ostentatiouslyslackingoutamostunusuallylongtowline. Presentlyabreezesprangup;Stubbfeignedtocastofffromthewhale; hoistinghisboats,theFrenchmansoonincreasedhisdistance, whilethePequodslidinbetweenhimandStubb'swhale. WhereuponStubbquicklypulledtothefloatingbody,andhailing thePequodtogivenoticeofhisintentions,atonceproceededtoreap thefruitofhisunrighteouscunning.Seizinghissharpboatspade, hecommencedanexcavationinthebody,alittlebehindthesidefin. Youwouldalmosthavethoughthewasdiggingacellarthereinthesea; andwhenatlengthhisspadestruckagainstthegauntribs,itwas liketurningupoldRomantilesandpotteryburiedinfatEnglishloam. Hisboat'screwwereallinhighexcitement,eagerlyhelpingtheirchief, andlookingasanxiousasgoldhunters. Andallthetimenumberlessfowlswerediving,andducking, andscreaming,andyelling,andfightingaroundthem. Stubbwasbeginningtolookdisappointed,especiallyasthehorrible nosegayincreased,whensuddenlyfromouttheveryheartof thisplague,therestoleafaintstreamofperfume,whichflowed throughthetideofbadsmellswithoutbeingabsorbedbyit, asoneriverwillflowintoandthenalongwithanother, withoutatallblendingwithitforatime. "Ihaveit,Ihaveit,"criedStubb,withdelight,strikingsomething inthesubterraneanregions,"apurse!apurse!" Droppinghisspade,hethrustbothhandsin,anddrewout handfulsofsomethingthatlookedlikeripeWindsorsoap, orrichmottledoldcheese;veryunctuousandsavorywithal. Youmighteasilydentitwithyourthumb;itisofahue betweenyellowandashcolor.Andthis,goodfriends, isambergris,worthagoldguineaanouncetoanydruggist. Somesixhandfulswereobtained;butmorewasunavoidablylost inthesea,andstillmore,perhaps,mighthavebeensecured

wereitnotforimpatientAhab'sloudcommandtoStubbtodesist, andcomeonboard,elsetheshipwouldbidthemgoodbye. CHAPTER92 Ambergris Nowthisambergrisisaverycurioussubstance,andsoimportantasan articleofcommerce,thatin1791acertainNantucketbornCaptainCoffin wasexaminedatthebaroftheEnglishHouseofCommonsonthatsubject. Foratthattime,andindeeduntilacomparativelylateday, thepreciseoriginofambergrisremained,likeamberitself, aproblemtothelearned.ThoughthewordambergrisisbuttheFrench compoundforgreyamber,yetthetwosubstancesarequitedistinct. Foramber,thoughattimesfoundontheseacoast,isalsodugupinsome farinlandsoils,whereasambergrisisneverfoundexceptuponthesea. Besides,amberisahard,transparent,brittle,odorlesssubstance, usedformouthpiecestopipes,forbeadsandornaments;butambergris issoft,waxy,andsohighlyfragrantandspicy,thatitislargelyused inperfumery,inpastiles,preciouscandles,hairpowders,andpomatum. TheTurksuseitincooking,andalsocarryittoMecca,forthesame purposethatfrankincenseiscarriedtoSt.Peter'sinRome.Somewine merchantsdropafewgrainsintoclaret,toflavorit. Whowouldthink,then,thatsuchfineladiesandgentlemenshould regalethemselveswithanessencefoundintheingloriousbowels ofasickwhale!Yetsoitis.Bysome,ambergrisissupposedtobe thecause,andbyotherstheeffect,ofthedyspepsiainthewhale. Howtocuresuchadyspepsiaitwerehardtosay,unlessbyadministering threeorfourboatloadsofBrandreth'spills,andthenrunningout ofharm'sway,aslaborersdoinblastingrocks. Ihaveforgottentosaythattherewerefoundinthisambergris, certainhard,round,bonyplates,whichatfirstStubbthought mightbesailors'trousersbuttons;butitafterwardsturned outthattheywerenothing,morethanpiecesofsmallsquid bonesembalmedinthatmanner. Nowthattheincorruptionofthismostfragrantambergris shouldbefoundintheheartofsuchdecay;isthisnothing? BethinktheeofthatsayingofSt.PaulinCorinthians, aboutcorruptionandincorruption;howthatwearesownindishonor, butraisedinglory.Andlikewisecalltomindthatsaying

ofParacelsusaboutwhatitisthatmakeththebestmusk. Alsoforgetnotthestrangefactthatofallthingsofillsavor, Colognewater,initsrudimentalmanufacturingstages, istheworst. Ishouldliketoconcludethechapterwiththeaboveappeal, butcannot,owingtomyanxietytorepelachargeoftenmade againstwhalemen,andwhich,intheestimationofsomealready biasedminds,mightbeconsideredasindirectlysubstantiated bywhathasbeensaidoftheFrenchman'stwowhales. Elsewhereinthisvolumetheslanderousaspersionhasbeendisproved, thatthevocationofwhalingisthroughoutaslatternly, untidybusiness.Butthereisanotherthingtorebut. Theyhintthatallwhalesalwayssmellbad.Nowhowdidthis odiousstigmaoriginate? Iopine,thatitisplainlytraceabletothefirstarrivalof theGreenlandwhalingshipsinLondon,morethantwocenturiesago. Becausethosewhalemendidnotthen,anddonotnow,tryout theiroilatseaastheSouthernshipshavealwaysdone; butcuttingupthefreshblubberinsmallbits,thrustitthrough thebungholesoflargecasks,andcarryithomeinthatmanner; theshortnessoftheseasoninthoseIcySeas,andthesuddenand violentstormstowhichtheyareexposed,forbiddinganyothercourse. Theconsequenceis,thatuponbreakingintothehold,andunloading oneofthesewhalecemeteries,intheGreenlanddock,asavoris givenforthsomewhatsimilartothatarisingfromexcavatinganold citygraveyard,forthefoundationsofaLyinginHospital. Ipartlysurmisealso,thatthiswickedchargeagainst whalersmaybelikewiseimputedtotheexistenceonthecoast ofGreenland,informertimes,ofaDutchvillagecalled SchmerenburghorSmeerenberg,whichlatternameistheoneused bythelearnedFogoVonSlack,inhisgreatworkonSmells, atextbookonthatsubject.Asitsnameimports(smeer,fat; berg,toputup),thisvillagewasfoundedinordertoafford aplacefortheblubberoftheDutchwhalefleettobetriedout, withoutbeingtakenhometoHollandforthatpurpose. Itwasacollectionoffurnaces,fatkettles,andoilsheds; andwhentheworkswereinfulloperationcertainlygaveforth noverypleasantsavor.Butallthisisquitedifferent fromaSouthSeaSpermWhaler;whichinavoyageoffour yearsperhaps,aftercompletelyfillingherholdwithoil, doesnot,perhaps,consumefiftydaysinthebusinessofboilingout; andinthestatethatitiscasked,theoilisnearlyscentless. Thetruthis,thatlivingordead,ifbutdecentlytreated,

whalesasaspeciesarebynomeanscreaturesofillodor; norcanwhalemenberecognised,asthepeopleofthemiddle agesaffectedtodetectaJewinthecompany,bythenose. Norindeedcanthewhalepossiblybeotherwisethanfragrant, when,asageneralthing,heenjoyssuchhighhealth; takingabundanceofexercise;alwaysoutofdoors;though,itistrue, seldomintheopenair.Isay,thatthemotionofaSpermWhale's flukesabovewaterdispensesaperfume,aswhenamuskscented ladyrustlesherdressinawarmparlor.WhatthenshallIliken theSpermWhaletoforfragrance,consideringhismagnitude? Mustitnotbetothatfamouselephant,withjewelledtusks, andredolentwithmyrrh,whichwasledoutofanIndiantown todohonortoAlexandertheGreat? CHAPTER93 TheCastaway ItwasbutsomefewdaysafterencounteringtheFrenchman,thatamost significanteventbefellthemostinsignificantofthePequod'screw; aneventmostlamentable;andwhichendedinprovidingthesometimes madlymerryandpredestinatedcraftwithalivingandeveraccompanying prophecyofwhatevershatteredsequelmightproveherown. Now,inthewhaleship,itisnoteveryonethatgoesintheboats. Somefewhandsarereservedcalledshipkeepers,whoseprovinceit istoworkthevesselwhiletheboatsarepursuingthewhale. Asageneralthing,theseshipkeepersareashardyfellows asthemencomprisingtheboats'crews.Butiftherehappen tobeanundulyslender,clumsy,ortimorouswightintheship, thatwightiscertaintobemadeashipkeeper.ItwassointhePequod withthelittlenegroPippinbynickname,Pipbyabbreviation. PoorPip!yehaveheardofhimbefore;yemustrememberhistambourine onthatdramaticmidnight,sogloomyjolly. Inouteraspect,PipandDoughBoymadeamatch,likeablackpony andawhiteone,ofequaldevelopments,thoughofdissimilarcolor, driveninoneeccentricspan.ButwhilehaplessDoughBoywasbynature dullandtorpidinhisintellects,Pip,thoughovertenderhearted, wasatbottomverybright,withthatpleasant,genial,jollybrightness peculiartohistribe;atribe,whicheverenjoyallholidays andfestivitieswithfiner,freerrelishthananyotherrace. Forblacks,theyear'scalendarshouldshownaughtbutthreehundred

andsixtyfiveFourthofJulysandNewYear'sDays.Norsmileso, whileIwritethatthislittleblackwasbrilliant,forevenblacknesshas itsbrilliancy;beholdyonlustrousebony,panelledinking'scabinets. ButPiplovedlife,andalllife'speaceablesecurities;sothat thepanicstrikingbusinessinwhichhehadsomehowunaccountably becomeentrapped,hadmostsadlyblurredhisbrightness;though,asere longwillbeseen,whatwasthustemporarilysubduedinhim, intheendwasdestinedtobeluridlyilluminedbystrangewildfires, thatfictitiouslyshowedhimofftotentimesthenaturallustre withwhichinhisnativeTollandCountyinConnecticut,hehadonce enlivenedmanyafiddler'sfroliconthegreen;andatmelodious eventide,withhisgayhaha!hadturnedtheroundhorizoninto onestarbelledtambourine.So,thoughintheclearairofday, suspendedagainstablueveinedneck,thepurewatereddiamonddropwill healthfulglow;yet,whenthecunningjewellerwouldshowyouthediamond initsmostimpressivelustre,helaysitagainstagloomyground, andthenlightsitup,notbythesun,butbysomeunnaturalgases. Thencomeoutthosefieryeffulgences,infernallysuperb;thenthe evilblazingdiamond,oncethedivinestsymbolofthecrystalskies, lookslikesomecrownjewelstolenfromtheKingofHell.Butlet ustothestory. Itcametopass,thatintheambergrisaffairStubb'safteroarsman chancedsotosprainhishand,asforatimetobecomequitemaimed; and,temporarily,Pipwasputintohisplace. ThefirsttimeStubbloweredwithhim,Pipevincedmuchnervousness; buthappily,forthattime,escapedclosecontactwiththewhale; andthereforecameoffnotaltogetherdiscreditably;thoughStubb observinghim,tookcare,afterwards,toexhorthimtocherishhis courageousnesstotheutmost,forhemightoftenfinditneedful. Nowuponthesecondlowering,theboatpaddleduponthewhale; andasthefishreceivedthedartediron,itgaveitscustomaryrap, whichhappened,inthisinstance,toberightunderpoorPip'sseat. Theinvoluntaryconsternationofthemomentcausedhimtoleap, paddleinhand,outoftheboat;andinsuchaway,thatpartoftheslack whalelinecomingagainsthischest,hebreasteditoverboardwithhim, soastobecomeentangledinit,whenatlastplumpingintothewater. Thatinstantthestrickenwhalestartedonafiercerun,theline swiftlystraightened;andpresto!poorPipcameallfoamingup tothechocksoftheboat,remorselesslydraggedtherebytheline, whichhadtakenseveralturnsaroundhischestandneck. Tashtegostoodinthebows.Hewasfullofthefireofthehunt. HehatedPipforapoltroon.Snatchingtheboatknifefromitssheath,

hesuspendeditssharpedgeovertheline,andturningtowardsStubb, exclaimedinterrogatively,"Cut?"MeantimePip'sblue,chokedface plainlylooked,Do,forGod'ssake!Allpassedinaflash. Inlessthanhalfaminute,thisentirethinghappened. "Damnhim,cut!"roaredStubb;andsothewhalewaslost andPipwassaved. Sosoonasherecoveredhimself,thepoorlittlenegrowasassailed byyellsandexecrationsfromthecrew.Tranquillypermitting theseirregularcursingstoevaporate,Stubbtheninaplain, businesslike,butstillhalfhumorousmanner,cursedPipofficially; andthatdone,unofficiallygavehimmuchwholesomeadvice. Thesubstancewas,Neverjumpfromaboat,Pip,exceptbutall therestwasindefinite,asthesoundestadviceeveris. Now,ingeneral,Sticktotheboat,isyourtruemottoinwhaling; butcaseswillsometimeshappenwhenLeapfromtheboat,isstillbetter. Moreover,asifperceivingatlastthatifheshouldgiveundiluted conscientiousadvicetoPip,hewouldbeleavinghimtoowideamargin tojumpinforthefuture;Stubbsuddenlydroppedalladvice, andconcludedwithaperemptorycommand"Sticktotheboat,Pip, orbytheLord,Iwon'tpickyouupifyoujump;mindthat. Wecan'taffordtolosewhalesbythelikesofyou;awhalewouldsell forthirtytimeswhatyouwould,Pip,inAlabama.Bearthatinmind, anddon'tjumpanymore."HerebyperhapsStubbindirectlyhinted, thatthoughmanlovedhisfellow,yetmanisamoneymakinganimal, whichpropensitytooofteninterfereswithhisbenevolence. ButweareallinthehandsoftheGods;andPipjumpedagain. Itwasunderverysimilarcircumstancestothefirstperformance; butthistimehedidnotbreastouttheline;andhence,whenthewhale startedtorun,Pipwasleftbehindonthesea,likeahurried traveller'strunk.Alas!Stubbwasbuttootruetohisword. Itwasabeautiful,bounteous,blueday!thespangledseacalm andcool,andflatlystretchingaway,allround,tothehorizon, likegoldbeater'sskinhammeredouttotheextremest.Bobbingup anddowninthatsea,Pip'sebonheadshowedlikeaheadofcloves. Noboatknifewasliftedwhenhefellsorapidlyastern. Stubb'sinexorablebackwasturneduponhim;andthewhalewaswinged. Inthreeminutes,awholemileofshorelessoceanwasbetween PipandStubb.Outfromthecentreofthesea,poorPipturned hiscrisp,curling,blackheadtothesun,anotherlonelycastaway, thoughtheloftiestandthebrightest. Now,incalmweather,toswimintheopenoceanisaseasy tothepractisedswimmerastorideinaspringcarriageashore.

Buttheawfullonesomenessisintolerable.Theintenseconcentration ofselfinthemiddleofsuchaheartlessimmensity,myGod!whocan tellit?Mark,howwhensailorsinadeadcalmbatheintheopensea markhowcloselytheyhugtheirshipandonlycoastalonghersides. ButhadStubbreallyabandonedthepoorlittlenegro tohisfate?No;hedidnotmeanto,atleast. Becausethereweretwoboatsinhiswake,andhesupposed, nodoubt,thattheywouldofcoursecomeuptoPipveryquickly, andpickhimup;though,indeed,suchconsiderationstowards oarsmenjeopardizedthroughtheirowntimidity,isnot alwaysmanifestedbythehuntersinallsimilarinstances; andsuchinstancesnotunfrequentlyoccur;almostinvariably inthefishery,acoward,socalled,ismarkedwiththesame ruthlessdetestationpeculiartomilitarynaviesandarmies. Butitsohappened,thatthoseboats,withoutseeingPip, suddenlyspyingwhalesclosetothemononeside,turned, andgavechase;andStubb'sboatwasnowsofaraway, andheandallhiscrewsointentuponhisfish,thatPip's ringedhorizonbegantoexpandaroundhimmiserably. Bythemerestchancetheshipitselfatlastrescuedhim; butfromthathourthelittlenegrowentaboutthedeckanidiot; such,atleast,theysaidhewas.Theseahadjeeringlykept hisfinitebodyup,butdrownedtheinfiniteofhissoul. Notdrownedentirely,though.Rathercarrieddownalive towondrousdepths,wherestrangeshapesoftheunwarped primalworldglidedtoandfrobeforehispassiveeyes; andthemisermerman,Wisdom,revealedhishoardedheaps; andamongthejoyous,heartless,everjuvenileeternities, Pipsawthemultitudinous,Godomnipresent,coralinsects, thatoutofthefirmamentofwatersheavedthecolossalorbs. HesawGod'sfootuponthetreadleoftheloom,andspokeit; andthereforehisshipmatescalledhimmad.Soman'sinsanity isheaven'ssense;andwanderingfromallmortalreason, mancomesatlasttothatcelestialthought,which,toreason, isabsurdandfrantic;andwealorwoe,feelsthenuncompromised, indifferentashisGod. FortherestblamenotStubbtoohardly.Thethingiscommon inthatfishery;andinthesequelofthenarrative,itwillthen beseenwhatlikeabandonmentbefellmyself. CHAPTER94

 ASqueezeoftheHand ThatwhaleofStubb's,sodearlypurchased,wasdulybrought tothePequod'sside,whereallthosecuttingandhoisting operationspreviouslydetailed,wereregularlygonethrough, eventothebalingoftheHeidelburghTun,orCase. Whilesomewereoccupiedwiththislatterduty,otherswereemployed indraggingawaythelargertubs,sosoonasfilledwiththesperm; andwhenthepropertimearrived,thissamespermwascarefully manipulatederegoingtothetryworks,ofwhichanon. Ithadcooledandcrystallizedtosuchadegree,thatwhen, withseveralothers,IsatdownbeforealargeConstantine's bathofit,Ifounditstrangelyconcretedintolumps, hereandthererollingaboutintheliquidpart. Itwasourbusinesstosqueezetheselumpsbackintofluid. Asweetandunctuousduty!Nowonderthatinoldtimesthis spermwassuchafavoritecosmetic.Suchaclearer!such asweetener!suchasoftener;suchadeliciousmollifier! Afterhavingmyhandsinitforonlyafewminutes,myfingersfelt likeeels,andbegan,asitwere,toserpentineandspiralize. AsIsatthereatmyease,crossleggedonthedeck;afterthebitter exertionatthewindlass;underabluetranquilsky;theship underindolentsail,andglidingsoserenelyalong;asIbathed myhandsamongthosesoft,gentleglobulesofinfiltratedtissues, wovenalmostwithinthehour;astheyrichlybroketomyfingers, anddischargedalltheiropulence,likefullyripegrapes theirwine;as.Isnuffedupthatuncontaminatedaroma, literallyandtruly,likethesmellofspringviolets; Ideclaretoyou,thatforthetimeIlivedasinamuskymeadow; Iforgotallaboutourhorribleoath;inthatinexpressiblesperm, Iwashedmyhandsandmyheartofit;Ialmostbegantocredit theoldParacelsansuperstitionthatspermisofrarevirtue inallayingtheheatofanger;whilebathinginthatbath, Ifeltdivinelyfreefromallillwill,orpetulance,ormalice, ofanysortwhatsoever. Squeeze!squeeze!squeeze!allthemorninglong;Isqueezed thatspermtillImyselfalmostmeltedintoit;Isqueezed thatspermtillastrangesortofinsanitycameoverme; andIfoundmyselfunwittinglysqueezingmycolaborers'

handsinit,mistakingtheirhandsforthegentleglobules. Suchanabounding,affectionate,friendly,lovingfeelingdid thisavocationbeget;thatatlastIwascontinuallysqueezing theirhands,andlookingupintotheireyessentimentally; asmuchastosay,Oh!mydearfellowbeings,whyshouldwelonger cherishanysocialacerbities,orknowtheslightestillhumor orenvy!Come;letussqueezehandsallround;nay,letus allsqueezeourselvesintoeachother;letussqueezeourselves universallyintotheverymilkandspermofkindness. WouldthatIcouldkeepsqueezingthatspermforever! Fornow,sincebymanyprolonged,repeatedexperiences, Ihaveperceivedthatinallcasesmanmusteventuallylower, oratleastshift,hisconceitofattainablefelicity; notplacingitanywhereintheintellectorthefancy; butinthewife,theheart,thebed,thetable,thesaddle, thefireside;thecountry;nowthatIhaveperceivedallthis, Iamreadytosqueezecaseeternally.Inthoughtsofthe visionsofthenight,Isawlongrowsofangelsinparadise, eachwithhishandsinajarofspermaceti. Now,whilediscoursingofspermitbehoovestospeakofotherthingsakin toit,inthebusinessofpreparingthespermwhaleforthetryworks. Firstcomeswhitehorse,socalled,whichisobtainedfromthetapering partofthefish,andalsofromthethickerportionsofhisflukes. Itistoughwithcongealedtendonsawadofmusclebutstillcontains someoil.Afterbeingseveredfromthewhale,thewhitehorse isfirstcutintoportableoblongseregoingtothemincer. TheylookmuchlikeblocksofBerkshiremarble. Plumpuddingisthetermbestoweduponcertainfragmentarypartsof thewhale'sflesh,hereandthereadheringtotheblanketofblubber, andoftenparticipatingtoaconsiderabledegreeinitsunctuousness. Itisamostrefreshing,convivial,beautifulobjecttobehold. Asitsnameimports,itisofanexceedinglyrich,mottledtint,witha bestreakedsnowyandgoldenground,dottedwithspotsofthedeepest crimsonandpurple.Itisplumsofrubies,inpicturesofcitron. Spiteofreason,itishardtokeepyourselffromeatingit. Iconfess,thatonceIstolebehindtheforemasttotryit. IttastedsomethingasIshouldconceivearoyalcutletfrom thethighofLouisleGrosmighthavetasted,supposinghim tohavebeenkilledthefirstdayafterthevenisonseason, andthatparticularvenisonseasoncontemporarywithanunusually finevintageofthevineyardsofChampagne.

 Thereisanothersubstance,andaverysingularone,whichturns upinthecourseofthisbusiness,butwhichIfeelittobe verypuzzlingadequatelytodescribe.Itiscalledslobgollion; anappellationoriginalwiththewhalemen,andevensois thenatureofthesubstance.Itisanineffablyoozy, stringyaffair,mostfrequentlyfoundinthetubsofsperm, afteraprolongedsqueezing,andsubsequentdecanting. Iholdittobethewondrouslythin,rupturedmembranes ofthecase,coalescing. Gurry,socalled,isatermproperlybelongingtorightwhalemen, butsometimesincidentallyusedbythespermfishermen. Itdesignatesthedark,glutinoussubstancewhichisscrapedoff thebackoftheGreenlandorrightwhale,andmuchofwhichcovers thedecksofthoseinferiorsoulswhohuntthatignobleLeviathan. Nippers.Strictlythiswordisnotindigenoustothewhale'svocabulary. Butasappliedbywhalemen,itbecomesso.Awhaleman'snipper isashortfirmstripoftendinousstuffcutfromthetapering partofLeviathan'stail:itaveragesaninchinthickness, andfortherest,isaboutthesizeoftheironpartofahoe. Edgewisemovedalongtheoilydeck,itoperateslikealeathernsquilgee; andbynamelessblandishments,asofmagic,alluresalongwith itallimpurities. Buttolearnallaboutthesereconditematters,yourbestwayisatonce todescendintotheblubberroom,andhavealongtalkwithitsinmates. Thisplacehaspreviouslybeenmentionedasthereceptacle fortheblanketpieces,whenstriptandhoistedfromthewhale. Whenthepropertimearrivesforcuttingupitscontents,thisapartment isasceneofterrortoalltyros,especiallybynight.Ononeside, litbyadulllantern,aspacehasbeenleftclearfortheworkmen. Theygenerallygoinpairs,apikeandgaffmanandaspademan.The whalingpikeissimilartoafrigate'sboardingweaponofthesamename. Thegaffissomethinglikeaboathook.Withhisgaff,thegaffman hooksontoasheetofblubber,andstrivestoholditfromslipping, astheshippitchesandlurchesabout.Meanwhile,thespademanstands onthesheetitself,perpendicularlychoppingitintotheportable horsepieces.Thisspadeissharpashonecanmakeit;thespademan's feetareshoeless;thethinghestandsonwillsometimesirresistibly slideawayfromhim,likeasledge.Ifhecutsoffoneofhisowntoes, oroneofhisassistants',wouldyoubeverymuchastonished? Toesarescarceamongveteranblubberroommen.

 CHAPTER95 TheCassock HadyousteppedonboardthePequodatacertainjunctureofthis postmortemizingofthewhale;andhadyoustrolledforwardnigh thewindlass,prettysureamIthatyouwouldhavescannedwithno smallcuriosityaverystrange,enigmaticalobject,whichyouwould haveseenthere,lyingalonglengthwiseintheleescuppers. Notthewondrouscisterninthewhale'shugehead;nottheprodigy ofhisunhingedlowerjaw;notthemiracleofhissymmetricaltail; noneofthesewouldsosurpriseyou,ashalfaglimpseof thatunaccountablecone,longerthanaKentuckianistall, nighafootindiameteratthebase,andjetblackasYojo, theebonyidolofQueequeg.Andanidol,indeed,itis; orrather,inoldtimes,itslikenesswas.Suchanidol asthatfoundinthesecretgrovesofQueenMaachahinJudea; andforworshippingwhich,KingAsa,herson,diddeposeher, anddestroyedtheidol,andburntitforanabomination atthebrookKedron,asdarklysetforthinthe15thchapter oftheFirstBookofKings. Lookatthesailor,calledthemincer,whonowcomesalong, andassistedbytwoallies,heavilybacksthegrandissimus, asthemarinerscallit,andwithbowedshoulders,staggersoffwithit asifhewereagrenadiercarryingadeadcomradefromthefield. Extendingitupontheforecastledeck,henowproceedscylindrically toremoveitsdarkpelt,asanAfricanhunterthepeltofaboa. Thisdoneheturnsthepeltinsideout,likeapantaloonleg; givesitagoodstretching,soasalmosttodoubleitsdiameter; andatlasthangsit,wellspread,intherigging,todry. Erelong,itistakendown;whenremovingsomethreefeetofit, towardsthepointedextremity,andthencuttingtwoslitsforarmholes attheotherend,helengthwiseslipshimselfbodilyintoit. Themincernowstandsbeforeyouinvestedinthefullcanonicals ofhiscalling.Immemorialtoallhisorder,thisinvestiture alonewilladequatelyprotecthim,whileemployedinthepeculiar functionsofhisoffice. Thatofficeconsistsinmincingthehorsepiecesofblubber forthepots;anoperationwhichisconductedatacurious woodenhorse,plantedendwiseagainstthebulwarks, andwithacapacioustubbeneathit,intowhichtheminced piecesdrop,fastasthesheetsfromaraptorator'sdesk.

Arrayedindecentblack;occupyingaconspicuouspulpit; intentonbibleleaves;whatacandidateforanarchbishopric, whataladforaPopewerethismincer!* *Bibleleaves!Bibleleaves!Thisistheinvariablecry fromthematestothemincer.Itenjoinshimtobecareful, andcuthisworkintoasthinslicesaspossible,inasmuchasby sodoingthebusinessofboilingouttheoilismuchaccelerated, anditsquantityconsiderablyincreased,besidesperhapsimproving itinquality. CHAPTER96 TheTryWorks Besidesherhoistedboats,anAmericanwhalerisoutwardlydistinguished byhertryworks.Shepresentsthecuriousanomalyofthemostsolid masonryjoiningwithoakandhempinconstitutingthecompletedship. Itisasiffromtheopenfieldabrickkilnweretransported toherplanks. Thetryworksareplantedbetweentheforemastandmainmast, themostroomypartofthedeck.Thetimbersbeneathareofa peculiarstrength,fittedtosustaintheweightofanalmost solidmassofbrickandmortar,sometenfeetbyeightsquare, andfiveinheight.Thefoundationdoesnotpenetratethedeck, butthemasonryisfirmlysecuredtothesurfacebyponderous kneesofironbracingitonallsides,andscrewingitdown tothetimbers.Ontheflanksitiscasedwithwood,andattop completelycoveredbyalarge,sloping,battenedhatchway. Removingthishatchweexposethegreattrypots,twoinnumber, andeachofseveralbarrels'capacity.Whennotinuse, theyarekeptremarkablyclean.Sometimestheyarepolishedwith soapstoneandsand,tilltheyshinewithinlikesilverpunchbowls. Duringthenightwatchessomecynicaloldsailorswill crawlintothemandcoilthemselvesawaythereforanap. Whileemployedinpolishingthemonemanineachpot,sidebyside manyconfidentialcommunicationsarecarriedon,overtheironlips. Itisaplacealsoforprofoundmathematicalmeditation. ItwasinthelefthandtrypotofthePequod,withthesoapstone diligentlycirclingroundme,thatIwasfirstindirectlystruck bytheremarkablefact,thatingeometryallbodiesgliding alongthecycloid,mysoapstoneforexample,willdescend

fromanypointinpreciselythesametime. Removingthefireboardfromthefrontofthetryworks, thebaremasonryofthatsideisexposed,penetratedbythetwo ironmouthsofthefurnaces,directlyunderneaththepots. Thesemouthsarefittedwithheavydoorsofiron.Theintenseheat ofthefireispreventedfromcommunicatingitselftothedeck, bymeansofashallowreservoirextendingundertheentire inclosedsurfaceoftheworks.Byatunnelinsertedattherear, thisreservoiriskeptreplenishedwithwaterasfastasitevaporates. Therearenoexternalchimneys;theyopendirectfromtherearwall. Andhereletusgobackforamoment. Itwasaboutnineo'clockatnightthatthePequod's tryworkswerefirststartedonthispresentvoyage. ItbelongedtoStubbtooverseethebusiness. "Allreadythere?Offhatch,then,andstarther.Youcook, firetheworks."Thiswasaneasything,forthecarpenterhadbeen thrustinghisshavingsintothefurnacethroughoutthepassage. Herebeitsaidthatinawhalingvoyagethefirstfireinthe tryworkshastobefedforatimewithwood.Afterthatnowood isused,exceptasameansofquickignitiontothestaplefuel. Inaword,afterbeingtriedout,thecrisp,shrivelledblubber, nowcalledscrapsorfritters,stillcontainsconsiderable ofitsunctuousproperties.Thesefrittersfeedtheflames. Likeaplethoricburningmartyr,oraselfconsumingmisanthrope, onceignited,thewhalesupplieshisownfuelandburnsbyhisownbody. Wouldthatheconsumedhisownsmoke!forhissmokeishorrible toinhale,andinhaleityoumust,andnotonlythat,butyoumust liveinitforthetime.Ithasanunspeakable,wild,Hindooodor aboutit,suchasmaylurkinthevicinityoffunerealpyres. Itsmellsliketheleftwingofthedayofjudgment;itisanargument forthepit. Bymidnighttheworkswereinfulloperation. Wewereclearfromthecarcass;sailhadbeenmade; thewindwasfreshening;thewildoceandarknesswasintense. Butthatdarknesswaslickedupbythefierceflames,whichat intervalsforkedforthfromthesootyflues,andilluminated everyloftyropeintherigging,aswiththefamedGreekfire. Theburningshipdroveon,asifremorselesslycommissioned tosomevengefuldeed.Sothepitchandsulphurfreightedbrigs oftheboldHydriote,Canaris,issuingfromtheirmidnightharbors, withbroadsheetsofflameforsails,boredownupon theTurkishfrigates,andfoldedtheminconflagrations.

 Thehatch,removedfromthetopoftheworks,nowaffordedawide hearthinfrontofthem.StandingonthisweretheTartarean shapesofthepaganharpooneers,alwaysthewhaleship'sstokers. Withhugeprongedpolestheypitchedhissingmassesofblubberinto thescaldingpots,orstirredupthefiresbeneath,tillthesnaky flamesdarted,curling,outofthedoorstocatchthembythefeet. Thesmokerolledawayinsullenheaps.Toeverypitchoftheship therewasapitchoftheboilingoil,whichseemedalleagerness toleapintotheirfaces.Oppositethemouthoftheworks, onthefurthersideofthewidewoodenhearth,wasthewindlass. Thisservedforaseasofa.Hereloungedthewatch,whennot otherwiseemployed,lookingintotheredheatofthefire, tilltheireyesfeltscorchedintheirheads.Theirtawnyfeatures, nowallbegrimedwithsmokeandsweat,theirmattedbeards, andthecontrastingbarbaricbrilliancyoftheirteeth,allthesewere strangelyrevealedinthecapriciousemblazoningsoftheworks. Astheynarratedtoeachothertheirunholyadventures,theirtales ofterrortoldinwordsofmirth;astheiruncivilizedlaughter forkedupwardsoutofthem,liketheflamesfromthefurnace; astoandfro,intheirfront,theharpooneerswildlygesticulated withtheirhugeprongedforksanddippers;asthewindhowledon, andthesealeaped,andtheshipgroanedanddived,andyetsteadfastly shotherredhellfurtherandfurtherintotheblacknessofthesea andthenight,andscornfullychampedthewhiteboneinhermouth, andviciouslyspatroundheronallsides;thentherushingPequod, freightedwithsavages,andladenwithfire,andburningacorpse, andplungingintothatblacknessofdarkness,seemedthematerial counterpartofhermonomaniaccommander'ssoul. Soseemedittome,asIstoodatherhelm,andforlong hourssilentlyguidedthewayofthisfireshiponthesea. Wrapped,forthatinterval,indarknessmyself,Ibutthebetter sawtheredness,themadness,theghastlinessofothers. Thecontinualsightofthefiendshapesbeforeme,caperinghalf insmokeandhalfinfire,theseatlastbegatkindredvisions inmysoul,sosoonasIbegantoyieldtothatunaccountable drowsinesswhicheverwouldcomeovermeatamidnighthelm. Butthatnight,inparticular,astrange(andeversinceinexplicable) thingoccurredtome.Startingfromabriefstandingsleep, Iwashorriblyconsciousofsomethingfatallywrong. Thejawbonetillersmotemyside,whichleanedagainstit;inmy earswasthelowhumofsails,justbeginningtoshakeinthewind; Ithoughtmyeyeswereopen;Iwashalfconsciousofputting myfingerstothelidsandmechanicallystretchingthemstill

furtherapart.But,spiteofallthis,Icouldseenocompass beforemetosteerby;thoughitseemedbutaminutesinceIhadbeen watchingthecard,bythesteadybinnaclelampilluminatingit. Nothingseemedbeforemebutajetgloom,nowandthenmade ghastlybyflashesofredness.Uppermostwastheimpression, thatwhateverswift,rushingthingIstoodonwasnotsomuch boundtoanyhavenaheadasrushingfromallhavensastern. Astark,bewilderedfeeling,asofdeath,cameoverme. Convulsivelymyhandsgraspedthetiller,butwiththecrazyconceit thatthetillerwas,somehow,insomeenchantedway,inverted. MyGod!whatisthematterwithme?thoughtI.Lo!inmy briefsleepIhadturnedmyselfabout,andwasfronting theship'sstern,withmybacktoherprowandthecompass. InaninstantIfacedback,justintimetopreventthevessel fromflyingupintothewind,andveryprobablycapsizingher. Howgladandhowgratefultherelieffromthisunnatural hallucinationofthenight,andthefatalcontingencyofbeing broughtbythelee! Looknottoolonginthefaceofthefire,Oman!Neverdream withthyhandonthehelm!Turnnotthybacktothecompass; acceptthefirsthintofthehitchingtiller;believenotthe artificialfire,whenitsrednessmakesallthingslookghastly. Tomorrow,inthenaturalsun,theskieswillbebright; thosewhoglaredlikedevilsintheforkingflames,themorn willshowinfarother,atleastgentler,relief;theglorious, golden,gladsun,theonlytruelampallothersbutliars! NeverthelessthesunhidesnotVirginia'sDismalSwamp, norRome'saccursedCampagna,norwideSahara,norallthe millionsofmilesofdesertsandofgriefsbeneaththemoon. Thesunhidesnottheocean,whichisthedarksideofthisearth, andwhichistwothirdsofthisearth.So,therefore,thatmortal manwhohathmoreofjoythansorrowinhim,thatmortalman cannotbetruenottrue,orundeveloped.Withbooksthesame. ThetruestofallmenwastheManofSorrows,andthetruest ofallbooksisSolomon's,andEcclesiastesisthefine hammeredsteelofwoe."Allisvanity."ALL.Thiswilful worldhathnotgotholdofunchristianSolomon'swisdomyet. Buthewhododgeshospitalsandjails,andwalksfast crossinggraveyards,andwouldrathertalkofoperasthanhell; callsCowper,Young,Pascal,Rousseau,poordevilsallofsickmen; andthroughoutacarefreelifetimeswearsbyRabelais aspassingwise,andthereforejolly;notthatmanisfitted tositdownontombstones,andbreakthegreendampmould withunfathomablywondrousSolomon.

 ButevenSolomon,hesays,"themanthatwanderethoutof thewayofunderstandingshallremain"(i.e.evenwhileliving) "inthecongregationofthedead."Givenotthyselfup,then,tofire, lestitinvertthee,deadenthee;asforthetimeitdidme. Thereisawisdomthatiswoe;butthereisawoethatismadness. AndthereisaCatskilleagleinsomesoulsthatcanalike divedownintotheblackestgorges,andsoaroutofthemagain andbecomeinvisibleinthesunnyspaces.Andevenifhefor everflieswithinthegorge,thatgorgeisinthemountains; sothateveninhislowestswoopthemountaineagleisstill higherthanotherbirdsupontheplain,eventhoughtheysoar. CHAPTER97 TheLamp HadyoudescendedfromthePequod'stryworkstothePequod'sforecastle, wheretheoffdutywatchweresleeping,foronesinglemomentyou wouldhavealmostthoughtyouwerestandinginsomeilluminated shrineofcanonizedkingsandcounsellors.Theretheylayin theirtriangularoakenvaults,eachmarinerachiselledmuteness; ascoreoflampsflashinguponhishoodedeyes. Inmerchantmen,oilforthesailorismorescarcethanthemilk ofqueens.Todressinthedark,andeatinthedark, andstumbleindarknesstohispallet,thisishisusuallot. Butthewhaleman,asheseeksthefoodoflight,sohelivesinlight. HemakeshisberthanAladdin'slamp,andlayshimdowninit; sothatinthepitchiestnighttheship'sblackhullstill housesanillumination. Seewithwhatentirefreedomthewhalemantakeshishandful oflampsoftenbutoldbottlesandvials,thoughtothe coppercooleratthetryworks,andreplenishesthemthere, asmugsofaleatavat.Heburns,too,thepurestofoil, initsunmanufactured,and,therefore,unvitiatedstate; afluidunknowntosolar,lunar,orastralcontrivancesashore. ItissweetasearlygrassbutterinApril.Hegoesandhunts forhisoil,soastobesureofitsfreshnessandgenuineness, evenasthetravellerontheprairiehuntsuphisown supperofgame.

 CHAPTER98 StowingDownandClearingUp Alreadyhasitbeenrelatedhowthegreatleviathanisafaroff descriedfromthemasthead;howheischasedoverthewaterymoors, andslaughteredinthevalleysofthedeep;howheisthentowedalongside andbeheaded;andhow(ontheprinciplewhichentitledtheheadsman ofoldtothegarmentsinwhichthebeheadedwaskilled)hisgreatpadded surtoutbecomesthepropertyofhisexecutioner;how,induetime, heiscondemnedtothepots,and,likeShadrach,Meshach,andAbednego, hisspermaceti,oil,andbonepassunscathedthroughthefire;butnow itremainstoconcludethelastchapterofthispartofthedescription byrehearsingsinging,ifImaytheromanticproceedingofdecanting offhisoilintothecasksandstrikingthemdownintothehold, whereonceagainleviathanreturnstohisnativeprofundities, slidingalongbeneaththesurface:isbefore;but,alas!nevermore toriseandblow. Whilestillwarm,theoil,likehotpunch,isreceivedinto thesixbarrelcasks;andwhile,perhaps,theshipispitching androllingthiswayandthatinthemidnightsea,theenormous casksareslewedroundandheadedover,endforend,andsometimes perilouslyscootacrosstheslipperydeck,likesomanylandslides, tillatlastmanhandledandstayedintheircourse;andallround thehoops,rap,rap,goasmanyhammersascanplayuponthem, fornow,exofficio,everysailorisacooper. Atlength,whenthelastpintiscasked,andalliscool, thenthegreathatchwaysareunsealed,thebowelsoftheshipare thrownopen,anddowngothecaskstotheirfinalrestinthesea. Thisdone,thehatchesarereplaced,andhermeticallyclosed, likeaclosetwalledup. Inthespermfishery,thisisperhapsoneofthemost remarkableincidentsinallthebusinessofwhaling. Onedaytheplanksstreamwithfreshetsofbloodandoil; onthesacredquarterdeckenormousmassesofthewhale'sheadare profanelypiled;greatrustycaskslieabout,asinabreweryyard; thesmokefromthetryworkshasbesootedallthebulwarks; themarinersgoaboutsuffusedwithunctuousness;theentire shipseemsgreatleviathanhimself;whileonallhands thedinisdeafening.

 Butadayortwoafter,youlookaboutyou,andprickyourears inthisselfsameship!andwereitnotforthetelltaleboats andtryworks,youwouldallbutswearyoutrodsomesilent merchantvessel,withamostscrupulouslyneatcommander. Theunmanufacturedspermoilpossessesasingularlycleansingvirtue. Thisisthereasonwhythedecksneverlooksowhiteasjust afterwhattheycallanaffairofoil.Besides,fromtheashes oftheburnedscrapsofthewhale,apotentlyeisreadilymade; andwheneveranyadhesivenessfromthebackofthewhaleremains clingingtotheside,thatlyequicklyexterminatesit. Handsgodiligentlyalongthebulwarks,andwithbuckets ofwaterandragsrestorethemtotheirfulltidiness. Thesootisbrushedfromthelowerrigging.Allthenumerous implementswhichhavebeeninusearelikewisefaithfully cleansedandputaway.Thegreathatchisscrubbedandplaced uponthetryworks,completelyhidingthepots;everycask isoutofsight;alltacklesarecoiledinunseennooks; andwhenbythecombinedand,simultaneousindustryofalmost theentireship'scompany,thewholeofthisconscientious dutyisatlastconcluded,thenthecrewthemselvesproceed totheirownablutions;shiftthemselvesfromtoptotoe; andfinallyissuetotheimmaculatedeck,freshandallaglow asbridegroomsnewleapedfromoutthedaintiestHolland. Now,withelatedstep,theypacetheplanksintwosandthrees, andhumorouslydiscourseofparlors,sofas,carpets,andfinecambrics; proposetomatthedeck;thinkofhavinghangingstothetop; objectnottotakingteabymoonlightonthepiazzaoftheforecastle. Tohinttosuchmuskedmarinersofoil,andbone,andblubber, werelittleshortofaudacity.Theyknownotthethingyoudistantly alludeto.Away,andbringusnapkins! Butmark:aloftthere,atthethreemastheads,standthree menintentonspyingoutmorewhales,which,ifcaught, infalliblywillagainsoiltheoldoakenfurniture,anddrop atleastonesmallgreasespotsomewhere.Yes;andmanyis thetime,when,aftertheseverestuninterruptedlabors,whichknow nonight;continuingstraightthroughforninetysixhours; whenfromtheboat,wheretheyhaveswelledtheirwrists withalldayrowingontheLine,theyonlysteptothedeck tocarryvastchains,andheavetheheavywindlass,andcut andslash,yea,andintheirverysweatingstobesmoked andburnedanewbythecombinedfiresoftheequatorialsun andtheequatorialtryworks;when,ontheheelofallthis, theyhavefinallybestirredthemselvestocleansetheship,andmake

aspotlessdairyroomofit;manyisthetimethepoorfellows, justbuttoningthenecksoftheircleanfrocks,arestartled bythecryof"Theresheblows!"andawaytheyflytofight anotherwhale,andgothroughthewholewearythingagain. Oh!myfriends,butthisismankilling!Yetthisislife. Forhardlyhavewemortalsbylongtoilingsextractedfromthis world'svastbulkitssmallbutvaluablesperm;andthen, withwearypatience,cleansedourselvesfromitsdefilements, andlearnedtolivehereincleantabernaclesofthesoul; hardlyisthisdone,whenTheresheblows!theghost isspoutedup,andawaywesailtofightsomeotherworld, andgothroughyounglife'soldroutineagain. Oh!themetempsychosis!Oh!Pythagoras,thatinbrightGreece, twothousandyearsago,diddie,sogood,sowise,somild;Isailed withtheealongthePeruviancoastlastvoyageand,foolishasIam, taughtthee,agreensimpleboy,howtosplicearope. CHAPTER99 TheDoubloon ErenowithasbeenrelatedhowAhabwaswonttopacehisquarterdeck, takingregularturnsateitherlimit,thebinnacleandmainmast; butinthemultiplicityofotherthingsrequiringnarrationit hasnotbeenaddedhowthatsometimesinthesewalks,whenmost plungedinhismood,hewaswonttopauseinturnateachspot, andstandtherestrangelyeyeingtheparticularobjectbeforehim. Whenhehaltedbeforethebinnacle,withhisglancefastenedon thepointedneedleinthecompass,thatglanceshotlikeajavelin withthepointedintensityofhispurpose;andwhenresuminghiswalk heagainpausedbeforethemainmast,then,asthesamerivetedglance fastenedupontherivetedgoldcointhere,hestillworethesame aspectofnailedfirmness,onlydashedwithacertainwildlonging, ifnothopefulness. Butonemorning,turningtopassthedoubloon,heseemedtobenewly attractedbythestrangefiguresandinscriptionsstampedonit, asthoughnowforthefirsttimebeginningtointerpretforhimself insomemonomaniacwaywhateversignificancemightlurkinthem. Andsomecertainsignificancelurksinallthings,elseallthings arelittleworth,andtheroundworlditselfbutanemptycipher, excepttosellbythecartload,astheydohillsaboutBoston,

tofillupsomemorassintheMilkyWay. Nowthisdoubloonwasofpurest,virgingold,rakedsomewhere outoftheheartofgorgeoushills,whence,eastandwest, overgoldensands,theheadwatersofmanyaPactolusflows. Andthoughnownailedamidstalltherustinessofironbolts andtheverdigrisofcopperspikes,yet,untouchableandimmaculate toanyfoulness,itstillpreserveditsQuitoglow.Nor,thoughplaced amongstaruthlesscrewandeveryhourpassedbyruthlesshands, andthroughthelivelongnightsshroudedwiththickdarkness whichmightcoveranypilferingapproach,neverthelessevery sunrisefoundthedoubloonwherethesunsetlastleftitlast. Foritwassetapartandsanctifiedtooneawestrikingend; andhoweverwantonintheirsailorways,oneandall, themarinersrevereditasthewhitewhale'stalisman. Sometimestheytalkeditoverinthewearywatchbynight, wonderingwhoseitwastobeatlast,andwhetherhewouldever livetospendit. NowthosenoblegoldencoinsofSouthAmericaareasmedalsofthesun andtropictokenpieces.Herepalms,alpacas,andvolcanoes;sun'sdisks andstars,ecliptics,hornsofplenty,andrichbannerswaving, areinluxuriantprofusionstamped;sothatthepreciousgoldseems almosttoderiveanaddedpreciousnessandenhancingglories, bypassingthroughthosefancymints,soSpanishlypoetic. ItsochancedthatthedoubloonofthePequodwasamostwealthy exampleofthesethings.Onitsroundborderitboretheletters, REPUBLICADELECUADOR:QUITO.Sothisbrightcoincamefromacountry plantedinthemiddleoftheworld,andbeneaththegreatequator, andnamedafterit;andithadbeencastmidwayuptheAndes, intheunwaningclimethatknowsnoautumn.Zonedbythoseletters yousawthelikenessofthreeAndes'summits;fromoneaflame; atoweronanother;onthethirdacrowingcock;whilearching overallwasasegmentofthepartitionedzodiac,thesignsall markedwiththeirusualcabalistics,andthekeystonesunentering theequinoctialpointatLibra. Beforethisequatorialcoin,Ahab,notunobservedbyothers, wasnowpausing. "There'ssomethingeveregotisticalinmountaintops andtowers,andallothergrandandloftythings;lookhere, threepeaksasproudasLucifer.Thefirmtower,thatisAhab; thevolcano,thatisAhab;thecourageous,theundaunted, andvictoriousfowl,that,too,isAhab;allareAhab;

andthisroundgoldisbuttheimageoftherounderglobe, which,likeamagician'sglass,toeachandeverymaninturn butmirrorsbackhisownmysteriousself.Greatpains, smallgainsforthosewhoasktheworldtosolvethem;itcannot solveitself.Methinksnowthiscoinedsunwearsaruddyface; butsee!aye,heentersthesignofstorms,theequinox! andbutsixmonthsbeforehewheeledoutofaformerequinox atAries!Fromstormtostorm!Sobeit,then.Borninthroes, 'tisfitthatmanshouldliveinpainsanddieinpangs! Sobeit,then!Here'sstoutstuffforwoetoworkon. Sobeit,then." "Nofairyfingerscanhavepressedthegold,butdevil's clawsmusthavelefttheirmouldingstheresinceyesterday," murmuredStarbucktohimself,leaningagainstthebulwarks. "TheoldmanseemstoreadBelshazzar'sawfulwriting. Ihavenevermarkedthecoininspectingly.Hegoesbelow;letmeread. Adarkvalleybetweenthreemighty,heavenabidingpeaks, thatalmostseemtheTrinity,insomefaintearthlysymbol. SointhisvaleofDeath,Godgirdsusround;andoverallourgloom, thesunofRighteousnessstillshinesabeaconandahope. Ifwebenddownoureyes,thedarkvaleshowshermouldysoil; butifweliftthem,thebrightsunmeetsourglancehalfway,tocheer. Yet,oh,thegreatsunisnofixture;andif,atmidnight,wewould fainsnatchsomesweetsolacefromhim,wegazeforhiminvain! Thiscoinspeakswisely,mildly,truly,butstillsadlytome. Iwillquitit,lestTruthshakemefalsely." "Therenow'stheoldMogul,"soliloquizedStubbbythetryworks, "he'sbeentwiggingit;andtheregoesStarbuckfromthesame, andbothwithfaceswhichIshouldsaymightbesomewhere withinninefathomslong.Andallfromlookingatapiece ofgold,whichdidIhaveitnowonNegroHillorin Corlaer'sHook,I'dnotlookatitverylongerespendingit. Humph!inmypoor,insignificantopinion,Iregardthisasqueer. Ihaveseendoubloonsbeforenowinmyvoyagings;yourdoubloons ofoldSpain,yourdoubloonsofPeru,yourdoubloonsofChili, yourdoubloonsofBolivia,yourdoubloonsofPopayan; withplentyofgoldmoidoresandpistoles,andjoes, andhalfjoes,andquarterjoes.Whatthenshouldtherebe inthisdoubloonoftheEquatorthatissokillingwonderful? ByGolconda!letmereaditonce.Halloa!here'ssignsand wonderstruly!That,now,iswhatoldBowditchinhisEpitome callsthezodiac,andwhatmyalmanackbelowcallsditto. I'llgetthealmanack;andasIhavehearddevilscanberaised withDaboll'sarithmetic,I'lltrymyhandatraisingameaning

outofthesequeercurvicuesherewiththeMassachusettscalendar. Here'sthebook.Let'sseenow.Signsandwonders; andthesun,he'salwaysamong'em.Hem,hem,hem;heretheyare heretheygoallalive:Aries,ortheRam;Taurus,ortheBull andJimimi!here'sGeminihimself,ortheTwins.Well;thesun hewheelsamong'em.Aye,hereonthecoinhe'sjustcrossing thethresholdbetweentwooftwelvesittingroomsallinaring. Book!youliethere;thefactis,youbooksmustknowyourplaces. You'lldotogiveusthebarewordsandfacts,butwecome intosupplythethoughts.That'smysmallexperience, sofarastheMassachusettscalendar,andBowditch'snavigator, andDaboll'sarithmeticgo.Signsandwonders,eh?Pityifthere isnothingwonderfulinsigns,andsignificantinwonders! There'sacluesomewhere;waitabit;histhark!ByJove,Ihaveit! Lookyou,Doubloon,yourzodiachereisthelifeofmaninone roundchapter;andnowI'llreaditoff,straightoutofthebook. Come,Almanack!Tobegin:there'sAries,ortheRam lecherousdog,hebegetsus;then,Taurus,ortheBull hebumpsusthefirstthing;thenGemini,ortheTwins thatis,VirtueandVice;wetrytoreachVirtue, whenlo!comesCancertheCrab,anddragsusback;andhere, goingfromVirtue,Leo,aroaringLion,liesinthepath hegivesafewfiercebitesandsurlydabswithhispaw; weescape,andhailVirgo,theVirgin!that'sourfirstlove; wemarryandthinktobehappyforaye,whenpopcomesLibra, ortheScaleshappinessweighedandfoundwanting;andwhilewe areverysadaboutthat,Lord!howwesuddenlyjump,asScorpio, ortheScorpion,stingsusintherear;wearecuringthewound, whenwhangcomesthearrowsallround;Sagittarius,ortheArcher, isamusinghimself.Aswepluckouttheshafts,standaside! here'sthebatteringram,Capricornus,ortheGoat;fulltilt, hecomesrushing,andheadlongwearetossed;whenAquarius, ortheWaterbearer,poursouthiswholedelugeanddrownsus; andtowindupwithPisces,ortheFishes,wesleep. There'sasermonnow,writinhighheaven,andthesungoesthrough iteveryyear,andyetcomesoutofitallaliveandhearty. Jollilyhe,aloftthere,wheelsthroughtoilandtrouble;andso, alowhere,doesjollyStubb.Oh,jolly'sthewordforaye! Adieu,Doubloon!Butstop;herecomeslittleKingPost; dodgeroundthetryworks,now,andlet'shearwhathe'llhave tosay.There;he'sbeforeit;he'lloutwithsomethingpresently. So,so;he'sbeginning." "Iseenothinghere,butaroundthingmadeofgold,andwhoeverraises acertainwhale,thisroundthingbelongstohim.So,what'sall thisstaringbeenabout?Itisworthsixteendollars,that'strue;

andattwocentsthecigar,that'sninehundredandsixtycigars. Iwon'tsmokedirtypipeslikeStubb,butIlikecigars,andhere'snine hundredandsixtyofthem;soheregoesFlaskalofttospy'emout." "ShallIcallthatWiseorfoolish,now;ifitbereallywiseithas afoolishlooktoit;yet,ifitbereallyfoolish,thenhasitasort ofwiseishlooktoit.But,avast;herecomesouroldManxmantheold hearsedriver,hemusthavebeen,thatis,beforehetooktothesea. Heluffsupbeforethedoubloon;halloa,andgoesroundontheother sideofthemast;why,there'sahorseshoenailedonthatside; andnowhe'sbackagain;whatdoesthatmean?Hark!he'smuttering voicelikeanoldwornoutcoffeemill.Prickears,andlisten!" "IftheWhiteWhaleberaised,itmustbeinamonthandaday, whenthesunstandsinsomeoneofthesesigns.I'vestudiedsigns, andknowtheirmarks;theyweretaughtmetwoscoreyearsago, bytheoldwitchinCopenhagen.Now,inwhatsignwillthesunthenbe? Thehorseshoesign;forthereitis,rightoppositethegold. Andwhat'sthehorseshoesign?Thelionisthehorseshoesign theroaringanddevouringlion.Ship,oldship!myoldheadshakes tothinkofthee." "There'sanotherrenderingnow;butstillonetext.Allsortsofmen inonekindofworld,yousee.Dodgeagain!herecomesQueequeg alltattooinglookslikethesignsoftheZodiachimself.Whatsays theCannibal?AsIlivehe'scomparingnotes;lookingathisthighbone; thinksthesunisinthethigh,orinthecalf,orinthebowels, Isuppose,astheoldwomentalkSurgeon'sAstronomyinthebackcountry. AndbyJove,he'sfoundsomethingthereinthevicinityofhisthigh Iguessit'sSagittarius,ortheArcher.No:hedon'tknowwhattomake ofthedoubloon;hetakesitforanoldbuttonoffsomeking'strowsers. But,asideagain!herecomesthatghostdevil,Fedallah;tailcoiled outofsightasusual,oakuminthetoesofhispumpsasusual. Whatdoeshesay,withthatlookofhis?Ah,onlymakesasign tothesignandbowshimself;thereisasunonthecoin fireworshipper,dependuponit.Ho!moreandmore.ThiswaycomesPip poorboy!wouldhehaddied,orI;he'shalfhorribletome. Hetoohasbeenwatchingalloftheseinterpretersmyselfincluded andlooknow,hecomestoread,withthatunearthlyidiotface. Standawayagainandhearhim.Hark!" "Ilook,youlook,helooks;welook,yelook,theylook." "Uponmysoul,he'sbeenstudyingMurray'sGrammar!Improvinghismind, poorfellow!Butwhat'sthathesaysnowhist!"

"Ilook,youlook,helooks;welook,yelook,theylook." "Why,he'sgettingitbyhearthist!again." "Ilook,youlook,helooks;welook,yelook,theylook." "Well,that'sfunny." "AndI,you,andhe;andwe,ye,andthey,areallbats; andI'macrow,especiallywhenIstanda'topofthispine treehere.Caw!caw!caw!caw!caw!caw!Ain'tIacrow? Andwhere'sthescarecrow?Therehestands;twobonesstuck intoapairofoldtrowsers,andtwomorepokedintothesleeves ofanoldjacket." "Wonderifhemeansme?complimentarypoorlad!Icouldgo hangmyself.Anyway,forthepresent,I'llquitPip'svicinity. Icanstandtherest,fortheyhaveplainwits;buthe'stoo crazywittyformysanity.So,so,Ileavehimmuttering." "Here'stheship'snavel,thisdoubloonhere,andtheyareallonefire tounscrewit.But,unscrewyournavel,andwhat'stheconsequence? Thenagain,ifitstayshere,thatisugly,too,forwhenaught's nailedtothemastit'sasignthatthingsgrowdesperate. Ha!ha!oldAhab!theWhiteWhale;he'llnailye!Thisisapinetree. Myfather,inoldTollandcounty,cutdownapinetreeonce,andfound asilverringgrownoverinit;someolddarkey'sweddingring. Howdiditgetthere?Andsothey'llsayintheresurrection, whentheycometofishupthisoldmast,andfindadoubloonlodgedinit, withbeddedoystersfortheshaggybark.Oh,thegold!theprecious, preciousgold!thegreenmiser'llhoardyesoon!Hish!hish! Godgoes'mongtheworldsblackberrying.Cook!ho,cook!andcookus! Jenny!hey,hey,hey,hey,hey,Jenny,Jenny!andgetyourhoecakedone!" CHAPTER100 LegandArm ThePequodofNantucket,MeetstheSamuelEnderby,ofLondon "Ship,ahoy!HastseentheWhiteWhale?"

SocriedAhab,oncemorehailingashipshowingEnglishcolors, bearingdownunderthestern.Trumpettomouth,theoldmanwasstanding inhishoistedquarterdeck,hisivorylegplainlyrevealedtothe strangercaptain,whowascarelesslyreclininginhisownboat'sbow. Hewasadarklytanned,burly,goodnatured,finelookingman,ofsixty orthereabouts,dressedinaspaciousroundabout,thathungroundhim infestoonsofbluepilotcloth;andoneemptyarmofthisjacket streamedbehindhimlikethebroideredarmofahuzzar'ssurcoat. "HastseentheWhiteWhale!" "Seeyouthis?"andwithdrawingitfromthefoldsthathadhiddenit, heheldupawhitearmofspermwhalebone,terminatinginawooden headlikeamallet. "Manmyboat!"criedAhab,impetuously,andtossingabouttheoars nearhim"Standbytolower!" Inlessthanaminute,withoutquittinghislittlecraft, heandhiscrewweredroppedtothewater,andweresoonalongside ofthestranger.Buthereacuriousdifficultypresenteditself. Intheexcitementofthemoment,Ahabhadforgottenthatsince thelossofhisleghehadneveroncesteppedonboardofany vesselatseabuthisown,andthenitwasalwaysbyaningenious andveryhandymechanicalcontrivancepeculiartothePequod, andathingnottoberiggedandshippedinanyothervesselat amoment'swarning.Now,itisnoveryeasymatterforanybody exceptthosewhoarealmosthourlyusedtoit,likewhalemen toclamberupaship'ssidefromaboatontheopensea; forthegreatswellsnowlifttheboathighuptowardsthebulwarks, andtheninstantaneouslydropithalfwaydowntothekelson. So,deprivedofoneleg,andthestrangeshipofcoursebeing altogetherunsuppliedwiththekindlyinvention,Ahabnow foundhimselfabjectlyreducedtoaclumsylandsmanagain; hopelesslyeyeingtheuncertainchangefulheighthecouldhardly hopetoattain. Ithasbeforebeenhinted,perhaps,thateverylittleuntoward circumstancethatbefellhim,andwhichindirectlysprang fromhislucklessmishap,almostinvariablyirritatedor exasperatedAhab.Andinthepresentinstance,allthiswasheightened bythesightofthetwoofficersofthestrangeship,leaningover theside,bytheperpendicularladderofnailedcleetsthere, andswingingtowardshimapairoftastefullyornamentedmanropes; foratfirsttheydidnotseemtobethinkthemthataonelegged manmustbetoomuchofacrippletousetheirseabannisters.

Butthisawkwardnessonlylastedaminute,becausethestrangecaptain, observingataglancehowaffairsstood,criedout,"Isee,Isee! avastheavingthere!Jump,boys,andswingoverthecuttingtackle." Asgoodluckwouldhaveit,theyhadhadawhalealongsideadayor twoprevious,andthegreattackleswerestillaloft,andthemassive curvedblubberhook,nowcleananddry,wasstillattachedtotheend. ThiswasquicklyloweredtoAhab,whoatoncecomprehendingitall, slidhissolitarythighintothecurveofthehook(itwaslike sittingintheflukeofananchor,orthecrotchofanappletree), andthengivingtheword,heldhimselffast,andatthesametime alsohelpedtohoisthisownweight,bypullinghandoverhandupon oneoftherunningpartsofthetackle.Soonhewascarefullyswung insidethehighbulwarks,andgentlylandeduponthecapstanhead. Withhisivoryarmfranklythrustforthinwelcome,theother captainadvanced,andAhab,puttingouthisivoryleg,andcrossing theivoryarm(liketwoswordfishblades)criedoutinhiswalrusway, "Aye,aye,hearty!letusshakebonestogether!anarmandaleg! anarmthatnevercanshrink,d'yesee;andalegthatnevercanrun. Wheredid'stthouseetheWhiteWhale?howlongago?" "TheWhiteWhale,"saidtheEnglishman,pointinghisivoryarm towardstheEast,andtakingaruefulsightalongit,asifit hadbeenatelescope;ThereIsawhim,ontheLine,lastseason." "Andhetookthatarmoff,didhe?"askedAhab,nowsliding downfromthecapstan,andrestingontheEnglishman'sshoulder, ashedidso. "Aye,hewasthecauseofit,atleast;andthatleg,too?" "Spinmetheyarn,"saidAhab;"howwasit?" "ItwasthefirsttimeinmylifethatIevercruisedontheLine," begantheEnglishman."IwasignorantoftheWhiteWhaleatthattime. Well,onedayweloweredforapodoffourorfivewhales,andmy boatfastenedtooneofthem;aregularcircushorsehewas,too, thatwentmillingandmillingroundsothatmyboat'screwcould onlytrimdish,bysittingalltheirsternsontheoutergunwale. Presentlyupbreachesfromthebottomoftheseaabouncinggreatwhale, withamilkywhiteheadandhump,allcrows'feetandwrinkles." "Itwashe,itwashe!"criedAhab,suddenlylettingout hissuspendedbreath. "Andharpoonsstickinginnearhisstarboardfin.Aye,aye

theywereminemyirons,"criedAhab,exultingly"buton!" "Givemeachance,then,"saidtheEnglishman,goodhumoredly."Well, thisoldgreatgrandfather,withthewhiteheadandhump,runsallafoam intothepod,andgoestosnappingfuriouslyatmyfastline! "Aye,Isee!wantedtopartit;freethefastfishanoldtrick Iknowhim." "Howitwasexactly,"continuedtheonearmedcommander, "Idonotknow;butinbitingtheline,itgotfoulofhisteeth, caughttheresomehow;butwedidn'tknowitthen;sothatwhenwe afterwardspulledontheline,bouncewecameplumpontohishump! insteadoftheotherwhale's;thatwentofftowindward,allfluking. Seeinghowmattersstood,andwhatanoblegreatwhaleitwas thenoblestandbiggestIeversaw,sir,inmylifeIresolved tocapturehim,spiteoftheboilingrageheseemedtobein. Andthinkingthehaphazardlinewouldgetloose,orthetooth itwastangledtomightdraw(forIhaveadevilofaboat's crewforapullonawhaleline);seeingallthis,Isay, Ijumpedintomyfirstmate'sboatMr.Mounttop'shere (bytheway,CaptainMounttop;Mounttopthecaptain); asIwassaying,IjumpedintoMounttop'sboat,which,d'yesee, wasgunwaleandgunwalewithmine,then;andsnatchingthe firstharpoon,letthisoldgreatgrandfatherhaveit.But,Lord, lookyou,sirheartsandsoulsalive,manthenextinstant, inajiff,Iwasblindasabatbotheyesoutallbefogged andbedeadenedwithblackfoamthewhale'stailloomingstraight upoutofit,perpendicularintheair,likeamarblesteeple. Nousesterningall,then;butasIwasgropingatmidday, withablindingsun,allcrownjewels;asIwasgroping,Isay, afterthesecondiron,totossitoverboarddowncomesthetail likeaLimatower,cuttingmyboatintwo,leavingeachhalf insplinters;and,flukesfirst,thewhitehumpbackedthrough thewreck,asthoughitwasallchips.Weallstruckout. Toescapehisterribleflailings,Iseizedholdofmyharpoonpole stickinginhim,andforamomentclungtothatlikeasuckingfish. Butacombingseadashedmeoff,andatthesameinstant, thefish,takingonegooddartforwards,wentdownlikeaflash; andthebarbofthatcursedsecondirontowingalongnearme caughtmehere"(clappinghishandjustbelowhisshoulder); "yes,caughtmejusthere,Isay,andboremedownto Hell'sflames,Iwasthinking;when,when,allofasudden, thankthegoodGod,thebarbriptitswayalongtheflesh clearalongthewholelengthofmyarmcameoutnighmywrist, andupIfloated;andthatgentlemantherewilltellyoutherest

(bytheway,captainDr.Bunger,ship'ssurgeon:Bunger,mylad, thecaptain).Now,Bungerboy,spinyourpartoftheyarn." Theprofessionalgentlemanthusfamiliarlypointedout, hadbeenallthetimestandingnearthem,withnothing specificvisible,todenotehisgentlemanlyrankonboard. Hisfacewasanexceedinglyroundbutsoberone;hewasdressed inafadedbluewoollenfrockorshirt,andpatchedtrowsers; andhadthusfarbeendividinghisattentionbetweenamarlingspike heheldinonehand,andapillboxheldintheother, occasionallycastingacriticalglanceattheivorylimbsof thetwocrippledcaptains.But,athissuperior'sintroduction ofhimtoAhab,hepolitelybowed,andstraightwaywenton todohiscaptain'sbidding. "Itwasashockingbadwound,"beganthewhalesurgeon; "and,takingmyadvice,CaptainBoomerhere,stoodouroldSammy" "SamuelEnderbyisthenameofmyship,"interruptedthe onearmedcaptain,addressingAhab;"goon,boy." "StoodouroldSammyofftothenorthward,togetoutoftheblazing hotweatherthereontheLine.ButitwasnouseIdidallIcould; satupwithhimnights;wasveryseverewithhiminthematterofdiet" "Oh,verysevere!"chimedinthepatienthimself;thensuddenly alteringhisvoice,"Drinkinghotrumtoddieswithmeeverynight, tillhecouldn'tseetoputonthebandages;andsendingme tobed,halfseasover,aboutthreeo'clockinthemorning. Oh,yestars!hesatupwithmeindeed,andwasverysevere inmydiet.Oh!agreatwatcher,andverydieteticallysevere, isDr.Bunger.(Bunger,youdog,laughout!whydon'tye? Youknowyou'reapreciousjollyrascal.)But,heaveahead,boy, I'dratherbekilledbyyouthankeptalivebyanyotherman." "Mycaptain,youmusthaveerethisperceived,respectedsir" saidtheimperturbablegodlylookingBunger,slightlybowing toAhab"isapttobefacetiousattimes;hespinsusmany cleverthingsofthatsort.ButImayaswellsayenpassant, astheFrenchremarkthatImyselfthatistosay,JackBunger, lateofthereverendclergyamastricttotalabstinenceman; Ineverdrink" "Water!"criedthecaptain;"heneverdrinksit;it'sasort offitstohim;freshwaterthrowshimintothehydrophobia; butgoongoonwiththearmstory."

 "Yes,Imayaswell,"saidthesurgeon,coolly."Iwasabout observing,sir,beforeCaptainBoomer'sfacetiousinterruption, thatspiteofmybestandseverestendeavors,thewoundkeptgetting worseandworse;thetruthwas,sir,itwasasuglygapingwound assurgeoneversaw;morethantwofeetandseveralincheslong. Imeasureditwiththeleadline.Inshort,itgrewblack; Iknewwhatwasthreatened,andoffitcame.ButIhadnohand inshippingthativoryarmthere;thatthingisagainstallrule" pointingatitwiththemarlingspike"thatisthecaptain'swork, notmine;heorderedthecarpentertomakeit;hehadthatclubhammer thereputtotheend,toknocksomeone'sbrainsoutwith,Isuppose, ashetriedmineonce.Hefliesintodiabolicalpassionssometimes. Doyeseethisdent,sir"removinghishat,andbrushingasidehishair, andexposingabowllikecavityinhisskull,butwhichborenot theslightestscarrytrace,oranytokenofeverhavingbeenawound "Well,thecaptaintherewilltellyouhowthatcamethere;heknows." "No,Idon't,"saidthecaptain,"buthismotherdid; hewasbornwithit.Oh,yousolemnrogue,youyouBunger! wasthereeversuchanotherBungerinthewateryworld? Bunger,whenyoudie,yououghttodieinpickle,youdog; youshouldbepreservedtofutureages,yourascal." "WhatbecameoftheWhiteWhale?"nowcriedAhab,whothusfarhadbeen impatientlylisteningtothisbyeplaybetweenthetwoEnglishmen. "Oh!"criedtheonearmedcaptain,Oh,yes!Well;afterhesounded, wedidn'tseehimagainforsometime;infact,asIbeforehinted, Ididn'tthenknowwhatwhaleitwasthathadservedmesuchatrick, tillsometimeafterwards,whencomingbacktotheLine,weheard aboutMobyDickassomecallhimandthenIknewitwashe." "Did'stthoucrosshiswakeagain?" "Twice." "Butcouldnotfasten?" "Didn'twanttotryto;ain'tonelimbenough?WhatshouldI dowithoutthisotherarm?AndI'mthinkingMobyDickdoesn't bitesomuchasheswallows." "Well,then,"interruptedBunger,"givehimyourleftarmfor baittogettheright.Doyouknow,gentlemen"verygravely andmathematicallybowingtoeachCaptaininsuccession"Do

youknow,gentlemen,thatthedigestiveorgansofthewhale aresoinscrutablyconstructedbyDivineProvidence,thatitis quiteimpossibleforhimtocompletelydigestevenaman'sarm? Andheknowsittoo.SothatwhatyoutakefortheWhiteWhale's maliceisonlyhisawkwardness.Forhenevermeansto swallowasinglelimb;heonlythinkstoterrifybyfeints. Butsometimesheisliketheoldjugglingfellow,formerlyapatient ofmineinCeylon,thatmakingbelieveswallowjackknives, onceuponatimeletonedropintohimingoodearnest, andthereitstayedforatwelvemonthormore;whenIgave himanemetic,andheheaveditupinsmalltacks,d'yesee? Nopossiblewayforhimtodigestthatjackknife,andfully incorporateitintohisgeneralbodilysystem.Yes,CaptainBoomer, ifyouarequickenoughaboutit,andhaveamindtopawn onearmforthesakeoftheprivilegeofgivingdecentburial totheother,why,inthatcasethearmisyours;onlylet thewhalehaveanotherchanceatyoushortly,that'sall." "No,thankyou,Bunger,"saidtheEnglishCaptain,"he'swelcome tothearmhehas,sinceIcan'thelpit,anddidn'tknow himthen;butnottoanotherone.NomoreWhiteWhalesforme; I'veloweredforhimonce,andthathassatisfiedme. Therewouldbegreatgloryinkillinghim,Iknowthat; andthereisashiploadofprecioussperminhim,but,harkye, he'sbestletalone;don'tyouthinkso,Captain?"glancingat theivoryleg. "Heis.Buthewillstillbehunted,forallthat.Whatisbest letalone,thataccursedthingisnotalwayswhatleastallures. He'sallamagnet!Howlongsincethousaw'sthimlast? Whichwayheading?" "Blessmysoul,andcursethefoulfiend's,"criedBunger, stoopinglywalkingroundAhab,andlikeadog,strangelysnuffing; "thisman'sbloodbringthethermometer!it'sattheboilingpoint! hispulsemakestheseplanksbeat!sir!"takingalancetfrom hispocket,anddrawingneartoAhab'sarm. "Avast!"roaredAhab,dashinghimagainstthebulwarks"Mantheboat! Whichwayheading?" "GoodGod!"criedtheEnglishCaptain,towhomthequestionwasput. "What'sthematter?Hewasheadingeast,Ithink.Isyour Captaincrazy?"whisperingFedallah. ButFedallah,puttingafingeronhislip,slidoverthebulwarks

totaketheboat'ssteeringoar,andAhab,swingingthecuttingtackle towardshimcommandedtheship'ssailorstostandbytolower. Inamomenthewasstandingintheboat'sstern,andtheManillamen werespringingtotheiroars.InvaintheEnglishCaptainhailedhim. Withbacktothestrangership,andfacesetlikeaflinttohisown, AhabstooduprighttillalongsideofthePequod. CHAPTER101 TheDecanter EretheEnglishshipfadesfromsightbeitsetdownhere,thatshe hailedfromLondon,andwasnamedafterthelateSamuelEnderby, merchantofthatcity,theoriginalofthefamouswhalinghouse ofenderbyandsons;ahousewhichinmypoorwhaleman'sopinion, comesnotfarbehindtheunitedroyalhousesoftheTudorsandBourbons, inpointofrealhistoricalinterest.Howlong,priortotheyear ofourLord1775,thisgreatwhalinghousewasinexistence, mynumerousfishdocumentsdonotmakeplain;butinthatyear (1775)itfittedoutthefirstEnglishshipsthateverregularly huntedtheSpermWhale;thoughforsomescoreofyearsprevious (eversince1726)ourvaliantCoffinsandMaceysofNantucket andtheVineyardhadinlargefleetspursuedtheLeviathan, butonlyintheNorthandSouthAtlantic:notelsewhere. Beitdistinctlyrecordedhere,thattheNantucketerswerethefirst amongmankindtoharpoonwithcivilizedsteelthegreatSpermWhale; andthatforhalfacenturytheyweretheonlypeopleofthewhole globewhosoharpoonedhim. In1778,afineship,theAmelia,fittedoutfortheexpresspurpose, andatthesolechargeofthevigorousEnderbys,boldlyrounded CapeHorn,andwasthefirstamongthenationstolowerawhaleboat ofanysortinthegreatSouthSea.Thevoyagewasaskilful andluckyone;andreturningtoherberthwithherholdfull oftheprecioussperm,theAmelia'sexamplewassoonfollowed byotherships,EnglishandAmerican,andthusthevastSpermWhale groundsofthePacificwerethrownopen.Butnotcontentwiththis gooddeed,theindefatigablehouseagainbestirreditself: SamuelandallhisSonshowmany,theirmotheronlyknowsandunder theirimmediateauspices,andpartly,Ithink,attheirexpense, theBritishgovernmentwasinducedtosendthesloopofwarRattler onawhalingvoyageofdiscoveryintotheSouthSea.Commandedby

anavalPostCaptain,theRattlermadearattlingvoyageofit, anddidsomeservice;howmuchdoesnotappear.Butthisisnotall. In1819,thesamehousefittedoutadiscoverywhaleshipoftheirown, togoonatastingcruisetotheremotewatersofJapan.Thatship wellcalledthe"Syren"madeanobleexperimentalcruise; anditwasthusthatthegreatJapaneseWhalingGroundfirstbecame generallyknown.TheSyreninthisfamousvoyagewascommanded byaCaptainCoffin,aNantucketer. AllhonortotheEnderbies,therefore,whosehouse,Ithink, existstothepresentday;thoughdoubtlesstheoriginalSamuel mustlongagohaveslippedhiscableforthegreatSouthSea oftheotherworld. Theshipnamedafterhimwasworthyofthehonor,beingaveryfastsailer andanoblecrafteveryway.Iboardedheronceatmidnightsomewhere offthePatagoniancoast,anddrankgoodflipdownintheforecastle. Itwasafinegamwehad,andtheywerealltrumpseverysoulonboard. Ashortlifetothem,andajollydeath.AndthatfinegamIhad long,verylongafteroldAhabtouchedherplankswithhisivoryheel itmindsmeofthenoble,solid,Saxonhospitalityofthatship; andmaymyparsonforgetme,andthedevilrememberme,ifIever losesightofit.Flip?DidIsaywehadflip?Yes,andweflipped itattherateoftengallonsthehour;andwhenthesquallcame (forit'ssquallyofftherebyPatagonia),andallhands visitorsandallwerecalledtoreeftopsails,weweresotopheavy thatwehadtoswingeachotheraloftinbowlines;andweignorantly furledtheskirtsofourjacketsintothesails,sothatwehungthere, reefedfastinthehowlinggale,awarningexampletoalldrunkentars. However,themastsdidnotgooverboard;andbyandbywescrambleddown, sosober,thatwehadtopasstheflipagain,thoughthesavagesalt sprayburstingdowntheforecastlescuttle,rathertoomuchdiluted andpickleditformytaste. Thebeefwasfinetough,butwithbodyinit. Theysaiditwasbullbeef;others,thatitwasdromedarybeef; butIdonotknow,forcertain,howthatwas.Theyhad dumplingstoo;small,butsubstantial,symmetricallyglobular, andindestructibledumplings.Ifanciedthatyoucouldfeelthem, androllthemaboutinyouaftertheywereswallowed. Ifyoustoopedovertoofarforward,youriskedtheir pitchingoutofyoulikebilliardballs.Thebread butthatcouldn'tbehelped;besides,itwasanantiscorbutic, inshort,thebreadcontainedtheonlyfreshfaretheyhad. Buttheforecastlewasnotverylight,anditwasveryeasy tostepoverintoadarkcornerwhenyouateit.Butallinall,

takingherfromtrucktohelm,consideringthedimensions ofthecook'sboilers,includinghisownliveparchmentboilers; foreandaft,Isay,theSamuelEnderbywasajollyship; ofgoodfareandplenty;fineflipandstrong;crackfellowsall, andcapitalfrombootheelstohatband. Butwhywasit,thinkye,thattheSamuelEnderby,andsomeother EnglishwhalersIknowofnotallthoughweresuchfamous, hospitableships;thatpassedroundthebeef,andthebread, andthecan,andthejoke;andwerenotsoonwearyofeating, anddrinking,andlaughing?Iwilltellyou.Theaboundinggood cheeroftheseEnglishwhalersismatterforhistoricalresearch. NorhaveIbeenatallsparingofhistoricalwhaleresearch, whenithasseemedneeded. TheEnglishwereprecededinthewhalefisheryby theHollanders,Zealanders,andDanes;fromwhomtheyderived manytermsstillextantinthefishery;andwhatisyetmore, theirfatoldfashions,touchingplentytoeatanddrink. For,asageneralthing,theEnglishmerchantshipscrimpshercrew; butnotsotheEnglishwhaler.Hence,intheEnglish,thisthing ofwhalinggoodcheerisnotnormalandnatural,butincidental andparticular;and,therefore,musthavesomespecialorigin, whichisherepointedout,andwillbestillfurtherelucidated. DuringmyresearchesintheLeviathanichistories,Istumbledupon anancientDutchvolume,which,bythemustywhalingsmellofit, Iknewmustbeaboutwhalers.Thetitlewas,"DanCoopman," whereforeIconcludedthatthismustbetheinvaluablememoirs ofsomeAmsterdamcooperinthefishery,aseverywhaleshipmust carryitscooper.Iwasreinforcedinthisopinionbyseeing thatitwastheproductionofone"FitzSwackhammer."Butmy friendDr.Snodhead,averylearnedman,professorofLowDutch andHighGermaninthecollegeofSantaClausandSt.Potts, towhomIhandedtheworkfortranslation,givinghimaboxofsperm candlesforhistroublethissameDr.Snodhead,sosoonashespied thebook,assuredmethat"DanCoopman"didnotmean"TheCooper," but"TheMerchant."Inshort,thisancientandlearnedLowDutch booktreatedofthecommerceofHolland;and,amongothersubjects, containedaveryinterestingaccountofitswhalefishery. Andinthischapteritwas,headed,"Smeer,"or"Fat,"thatI foundalongdetailedlistoftheoutfitsforthelarders andcellarsof180sailofDutchwhalemen;fromwhichlist, astranslatedbyDr.Snodhead,Itranscribethefollowing: 0084400,000lbs.ofbeef.

60,000lbs.Frieslandpork. 150,000lbs.ofstockfish. 550,000lbs.ofbiscuit. 72,000lbs.ofsoftbread. 2,800firkinsofbutter. 20,000lbs.ofTexelandLeydencheese. 144,000lbs.cheese(probablyaninferiorarticle). 550ankersofGeneva. 10,800barrelsofbeer. Moststatisticaltablesareparchinglydryinthereading; notsointhepresentcase,however,wherethereaderisflooded withwholepipes,barrels,quarts,andgillsofgoodgin andgoodcheer. Atthetime,Idevotedthreedaystothestudiousdigestingofall thisbeer,beef,andbread,duringwhichmanyprofoundthoughts wereincidentallysuggestedtome,capableofatranscendental andPlatonicapplication;and,furthermore,Icompiledsupplementary tablesofmyown,touchingtheprobablequantityofstockfish,&c., consumedbyeveryLowDutchharpooneerinthatancientGreenland andSpitzbergenwhalefishery.Inthefirstplace,theamount ofbutter,andTexelandLeydencheeseconsumed,seemsamazing. Iimputeit,though,totheirnaturallyunctuousnatures, beingrenderedstillmoreunctuousbythenatureoftheirvocation, andespeciallybytheirpursuingtheirgameinthosefrigidPolarSeas, ontheverycoastsofthatEsquimauxcountrywheretheconvivial nativespledgeeachotherinbumpersoftrainoil. Thequantityofthebeer,too,isverylarge,10,800barrels. Now,asthosepolarfisheriescouldonlybeprosecutedintheshort summerofthatclimate,sothatthewholecruiseofoneoftheseDutch whalemen,includingtheshortvoyagetoandfromtheSpitzbergensea, didnotmuchexceedthreemonths,say,andreckoning30men toeachoftheirfleetof180sail,wehave5,400LowDutchseamen inall;therefore,Isay,wehavepreciselytwobarrelsofbeer perman,foratwelveweeks'allowance,exclusiveofhisfair proportionofthat550ankersofgin.Now,whethertheseginand beerharpooneers,sofuddledasonemightfancythemtohavebeen, weretherightsortofmentostandupinaboat'shead,andtake goodaimatflyingwhales;thiswouldseemsomewhatimprobable. Yettheydidaimatthem,andhitthemtoo.ButthiswasveryfarNorth, beitremembered,wherebeeragreeswellwiththeconstitution; upontheEquator,inoursouthernfishery,beerwouldbeapttomake theharpooneersleepyatthemastheadandboozyinhisboat; andgrievouslossmightensuetoNantucketandNewBedford.

 Butnomore;enoughhasbeensaidtoshowthattheoldDutch whalersoftwoorthreecenturiesagowerehighlivers;andthat theEnglishwhalershavenotneglectedsoexcellentanexample. For,saythey,whencruisinginanemptyship,ifyoucangetnothing betteroutoftheworld,getagooddinneroutofit,atleast. Andthisemptiesthedecanter. CHAPTER102 ABowerintheArsacides Hitherto,indescriptivelytreatingoftheSpermWhale,Ihave chieflydweltuponthemarvelsofhisouteraspect;orseparately andindetailuponsomefewinteriorstructuralfeatures. Buttoalargeandthoroughsweepingcomprehensionofhim, itbehovesmenowtounbuttonhimstillfurther,anduntagging thepointsofhishose,unbucklinghisgarters,andcastingloose thehooksandtheeyesofthejointsofhisinnermostbones, sethimbeforeyouinhisultimatum;thatistosay, inhisunconditionalskeleton. Buthownow,Ishmael?Howisit,thatyou,amereoarsmanin thefishery,pretendtoknowaughtaboutthesubterraneanparts ofthewhale?DideruditeStubb,mounteduponyourcapstan, deliverlecturesontheanatomyoftheCetacea;andbyhelp ofthewindlass,holdupaspecimenribforexhibition? Explainthyself,Ishmael.Canyoulandafullgrownwhaleonyour deckforexamination,asacookdishesaroastpig?Surelynot. Averitablewitnesshaveyouhithertobeen,Ishmael; buthaveacarehowyouseizetheprivilegeofJonahalone; theprivilegeofdiscoursinguponthejoistsandbeams; therafters,ridgepole,sleepers,andunderpinnings,making uptheframeworkofleviathan;andbelikeofthetallowvats, dairyrooms,butteries,andcheeseriesinhisbowels. Iconfess,thatsinceJonah,fewwhalemenhavepenetratedveryfar beneaththeskinoftheadultwhale;nevertheless,Ihavebeen blessedwithanopportunitytodissecthiminminiature. InashipIbelongedto,asmallcubSpermWhalewasonce bodilyhoistedtothedeckforhispokeorbag,tomakesheaths forthebarbsoftheharpoons,andfortheheadsofthelances.

ThinkyouIletthatchancego,withoutusingmyboathatchet andjackknife,andbreakingthesealandreadingallthecontents ofthatyoungcub? Andasformyexactknowledgeofthebonesoftheleviathan intheirgigantic,fullgrowndevelopment,forthatrareknowledge IamindebtedtomylateroyalfriendTranquo,kingofTranque, oneoftheArsacides.ForbeingatTranque,yearsago, whenattachedtothetradingshipDeyofAlgiers,Iwasinvited tospendpartoftheArsacideanholidayswiththelordofTranque, athisretiredpalmvillaatPupella;aseasideglennotveryfar distantfromwhatoursailorscalledBambooTown,hiscapital. Amongmanyotherfinequalities,myroyalfriendTranquo, beinggiftedwithadevoutloveforallmattersofbarbaricvertu, hadbroughttogetherinPupellawhateverrarethingsthemoreingenious ofhispeoplecouldinvent;chieflycarvedwoodsofwonderfuldevices, chiselledshells,inlaidspears,costlypaddles,aromaticcanoes; andallthesedistributedamongwhatevernaturalwonders, thewonderfreighted,tributerenderingwaveshadcastuponhisshores. ChiefamongtheselatterwasagreatSpermWhale,which,afteran unusuallylongraginggale,hadbeenfounddeadandstranded,withhis headagainstacocoanuttree,whoseplumagelike,tufteddroopings seemedhisverdantjet.Whenthevastbodyhadatlastbeenstripped ofitsfathomdeepenfoldings,andthebonesbecomedustdryinthesun, thentheskeletonwascarefullytransportedupthePupellaglen, whereagrandtempleoflordlypalmsnowshelteredit. Theribswerehungwithtrophies;thevertebraewerecarved withArsacideanannals,instrangehieroglyphics;intheskull, thepriestskeptupanunextinguishedaromaticflame,sothatthemystic headagainsentforthitsvaporyspout;while,suspendedfrom abough,theterrificlowerjawvibratedoverallthedevotees, likethehairhungswordthatsoaffrightedDamocles. Itwasawondroussight.ThewoodwasgreenasmossesoftheIcyGlen; thetreesstoodhighandhaughty,feelingtheirlivingsap; theindustriousearthbeneathwasasaweaver'sloom, withagorgeouscarpetonit,whereofthegroundvinetendrils formedthewarpandwoof,andthelivingflowersthefigures. Allthetrees,withalltheirladenbranches;alltheshrubs, andferns,andgrasses;themessagecarryingair;allthese unceasinglywereactive.Throughthelacingsoftheleaves, thegreatsunseemedaflyingshuttleweavingtheunweariedverdure. Oh,busyweaver!unseenweaver!pause!oneword!

whitherflowsthefabric?whatpalacemayitdeck?wherefore alltheseceaselesstoilings?Speak,weaver!staythyhand! butonesinglewordwiththee!Naytheshuttleflies thefiguresfloatfromforththeloom;thefresherrushing carpetforeverslidesaway.Theweavergod,heweaves; andbythatweavingishedeafened,thathehearsnomortalvoice; andbythathumming,we,too,wholookontheloomaredeafened; andonlywhenweescapeitshallwehearthethousandvoicesthat speakthroughit.Forevensoitisinallmaterialfactories. Thespokenwordsthatareinaudibleamongtheflyingspindles; thosesamewordsareplainlyheardwithoutthewalls,burstingfrom theopenedcasements.Therebyhavevillainiesbeendetected. Ah,mortal!then,beheedful;forso,inallthisdinofthegreat world'sloom,thysubtlestthinkingsmaybeoverheardafar. Now,amidthegreen,liferestlessloomofthatArsacideanwood, thegreat,white,worshippedskeletonlayloungingagiganticidler! Yet,astheeverwovenverdantwarpandwoofintermixedandhummed aroundhim,themightyidlerseemedthecunningweaver;himselfallwoven overwiththevines;everymonthassuminggreener,fresherverdure; buthimselfaskeleton.LifefoldedDeath;DeathtrellisedLife; thegrimgodwivedwithyouthfulLife,andbegathimcurlyheadedglories. Now,whenwithroyalTranquoIvisitedthiswondrouswhale, andsawtheskullanaltar,andtheartificialsmokeascending fromwheretherealjethadissued,Imarvelledthattheking shouldregardachapelasanobjectofvertu.Helaughed. ButmoreImarvelledthatthepriestsshouldswearthatsmokyjet ofhiswasgenuine.ToandfroIpacedbeforethisskeleton brushedthevinesasidebrokethroughtheribsandwithaball ofArsacideantwine,wandered,eddiedlongamiditsmanywinding, shadedcolonnadesandarbors.Butsoonmylinewasout; andfollowingitback,IemergedfromtheopeningwhereIentered. Isawnolivingthingwithin;naughtwastherebutbones. Cuttingmeagreenmeasuringrod,Ioncemoredivedwithin theskeleton.Fromtheirarrowslitintheskull,thepriests perceivedmetakingthealtitudeofthefinalrib,"Hownow!" theyshouted;"Dar'stthoumeasurethisourgod!That'sforus." "Aye,priestswell,howlongdoyemakehim,then?"Buthereupon afiercecontestroseamongthem,concerningfeetandinches; theycrackedeachother'ssconceswiththeiryardsticks thegreatskullechoedandseizingthatluckychance, Iquicklyconcludedmyownadmeasurements. TheseadmeasurementsInowproposetosetbeforeyou.

Butfirst,beitrecorded,that,inthismatter,Iamnotfree toutteranyfanciedmeasurementsIplease.Becausethereare skeletonauthoritiesyoucanreferto,totestmyaccuracy. ThereisaLeviathanicMuseum,theytellme,inHull,England, oneofthewhalingportsofthatcountry,wheretheyhavesome finespecimensoffinbacksandotherwhales.Likewise,Ihave heardthatinthemuseumofManchester,inNewHampshire, theyhavewhattheproprietorscall"theonlyperfectspecimen ofaGreenlandorRiverWhaleintheUnitedStates."Moreover,ata placeinYorkshire,England,BurtonConstablebyname,acertain SirCliffordConstablehasinhispossessiontheskeletonofa SpermWhale,butofmoderatesize,bynomeansofthefullgrown magnitudeofmyfriendKingTranquo's. Inbothcases,thestrandedwhalestowhichthesetwoskeletonsbelonged, wereoriginallyclaimedbytheirproprietorsuponsimilargrounds. KingTranquoseizinghisbecausehewantedit;andSirClifford, becausehewaslordoftheseignoriesofthoseparts. SirClifford'swhalehasbeenarticulatedthroughout;sothat, likeagreatchestofdrawers,youcanopenandshuthim, inallhisbonycavitiesspreadouthisribslikeagiganticfan andswingalldayuponhislowerjaw.Locksaretobeput uponsomeofhistrapdoorsandshutters;andafootmanwill showroundfuturevisitorswithabunchofkeysathisside. SirCliffordthinksofchargingtwopenceforapeepatthewhispering galleryinthespinalcolumn;threepencetoheartheecho inthehollowofhiscerebellum;andsixpencefortheunrivalled viewfromhisforehead. TheskeletondimensionsIshallnowproceedtosetdownare copiedverbatimfrommyrightarm,whereIhadthemtattooed; asinmywildwanderingsatthatperiod,therewasno othersecurewayofpreservingsuchvaluablestatistics. ButasIwascrowdedforspace,andwishedtheotherpartsofmy bodytoremainablankpageforapoemIwasthencomposing atleast,whatuntattooedpartsmightremainIdidnottrouble myselfwiththeoddinches;nor,indeed,shouldinchesatall enterintoacongenialadmeasurementofthewhale. CHAPTER103 MeasurementofTheWhale'sSkeleton

Inthefirstplace,Iwishtolaybeforeyouaparticular, plainstatement,touchingthelivingbulkofthisleviathan, whoseskeletonwearebrieflytoexhibit.Suchastatement mayproveusefulhere. AccordingtoacarefulcalculationIhavemade,andwhichI partlybaseuponCaptainScoresby'sestimate,ofseventytons forthelargestsizedGreenlandwhaleofsixtyfeetinlength; accordingtomycarefulcalculation,Isay,aSpermWhaleofthe largestmagnitude,betweeneightyfiveandninetyfeetinlength, andsomethinglessthanfortyfeetinitsfullestcircumference, suchawhalewillweighatleastninetytons;sothat, reckoningthirteenmentoaton,hewouldconsiderablyoutweigh thecombinedpopulationofawholevillageofonethousand onehundredinhabitants. Thinkyounotthenthatbrains,likeyokedcattle,shouldbeputto thisleviathan,tomakehimatallbudgetoanylandsman'simagination? Havingalreadyinvariouswaysputbeforeyouhisskull, spouthole,jaw,teeth,tail,forehead,fins,anddiversotherparts, Ishallnowsimplypointoutwhatismostinterestinginthe generalbulkofhisunobstructedbones.Butasthecolossal skullembracessoverylargeaproportionoftheentireextent oftheskeleton;asitisbyfarthemostcomplicatedpart; andasnothingistoberepeatedconcerningitinthischapter, youmustnotfailtocarryitinyourmind,orunderyourarm, asweproceed,otherwiseyouwillnotgainacompletenotion ofthegeneralstructureweareabouttoview. Inlength,theSpermWhale'sskeletonatTranquemeasured seventytwofeet:sothatwhenfullyinvestedandextendedinlife, hemusthavebeenninetyfeetlong;forinthewhale,theskeleton losesaboutonefifthinlengthcomparedwiththelivingbody. Ofthisseventytwofeet,hisskullandjawcomprisedsome twentyfeet,leavingsomefiftyfeetofplainbackbone. Attachedtothisbackbone,forsomethinglessthanathird ofitslength,wasthemightycircularbasketofribswhichonce enclosedhisvitals. Tomethisvastivoryribbedchest,withthelong,unrelievedspine, extendingfarawayfromitinastraightline,notalittleresembled thehullofagreatshipnewlaiduponthestocks,whenonlysome twentyofhernakedbowribsareinserted,andthekeelisotherwise, forthetime,butalong,disconnectedtimber.

Theribsweretenonaside.Thefirst,tobeginfromtheneck, wasnearlysixfeetlong;thesecond,third,andfourthwereeach successivelylonger,tillyoucametotheclimaxofthefifth, oroneofthemiddleribs,whichmeasuredeightfeetand someinches.Fromthatpart,theremainingribsdiminished, tillthetenthandlastonlyspannedfivefeetandsomeinches. Ingeneralthickness,theyallboreaseemlycorrespondence totheirlength.Themiddleribswerethemostarched. InsomeoftheArsacidestheyareusedforbeamswhereontolay footpathbridgesoversmallstreams. Inconsideringtheseribs,Icouldnotbutbestruckanewwith thecircumstance,sovariouslyrepeatedinthisbook,thattheskeleton ofthewhaleisbynomeansthemouldofhisinvestedform. ThelargestoftheTranqueribs,oneofthemiddleones, occupiedthatpartofthefishwhich,inlife,isgreatest indepth.Now,thegreatestdepthoftheinvestedbodyofthis particularwhalemusthavebeenatleastsixteenfeet;whereas, thecorrespondingribmeasuredbutlittlemorethaneightfeet. Sothatthisribonlyconveyedhalfofthetruenotion ofthelivingmagnitudeofthatpart.Besides,forsomeway, whereInowsawbutanakedspine,allthathadbeenoncewrapped roundwithtonsofaddedbulkinflesh,muscle,blood,andbowels. Stillmore,fortheamplefins,Iheresawbutafewdisorderedjoints; andinplaceoftheweightyandmajestic,butbonelessflukes, anutterblank! Howvainandfoolish,then,thoughtI,fortimiduntravelledman totrytocomprehendarightthiswondrouswhale,bymerelyporing overhisdeadattenuatedskeleton,stretchedinthispeacefulwood. No.Onlyintheheartofquickestperils;onlywhenwithin theeddyingsofhisangryflukes;onlyontheprofoundunboundedsea, canthefullyinvestedwhalebetrulyandlivinglyfoundout. Butthespine.Forthat,thebestwaywecanconsideritis, withacrane,topileitsboneshighuponend.Nospeedyenterprise. Butnowit'sdone,itlooksmuchlikePompey'sPillar. Therearefortyandoddvertebraeinall,whichintheskeleton arenotlockedtogether.Theymostlylielikethegreatknobbed blocksonaGothicspire,formingsolidcoursesofheavymasonry. Thelargest,amiddleone,isinwidthsomethinglessthanthreefeet, andindepthmorethanfour.Thesmallest,wherethespinetapers awayintothetail,isonlytwoinchesinwidth,andlookssomething likeawhitebilliardball.Iwastoldthattherewerestill smallerones,buttheyhadbeenlostbysomelittlecannibalurchins,

thepriest'schildren,whohadstolenthemtoplaymarbleswith. Thusweseehowthatthespineofeventhehugestoflivingthings tapersoffatlastintosimplechild'splay. CHAPTER104 TheFossilWhale Fromhismightybulkthewhaleaffordsamostcongenialtheme whereontoenlarge,amplify,andgenerallyexpatiate.Wouldyou, youcouldnotcompresshim.Bygoodrightsheshouldonlybe treatedofinimperialfolio.Nottotelloveragainhisfurlongs fromspiracletotail,andtheyardshemeasuresaboutthewaist; onlythinkofthegiganticinvolutionsofhisintestines, wheretheylieinhimlikegreatcablesandhawserscoiledaway inthesubterraneanorlopdeckofalineofbattleship. SinceIhaveundertakentomanhandlethisLeviathan,itbehoves metoapprovemyselfomniscientlyexhaustiveintheenterprise; notoverlookingtheminutestseminalgermsofhisblood, andspinninghimouttotheuttermostcoilofhisbowels. Havingalreadydescribedhiminmostofhispresenthabitatory andanatomicalpeculiarities,itnowremainstomagnifyhimin anarchaeological,fossiliferous,andantediluvianpointofview. AppliedtoanyothercreaturethantheLeviathantoanantoraflea suchportlytermsmightjustlybedeemedunwarrantablygrandiloquent. ButwhenLeviathanisthetext,thecaseisaltered.FainamItostagger tothisenterpriseundertheweightiestwordsofthedictionary. Andherebeitsaid,thatwheneverithasbeenconvenienttoconsult oneinthecourseofthesedissertations,Ihaveinvariablyusedahuge quartoeditionofJohnson,expresslypurchasedforthatpurpose; becausethatfamouslexicographer'suncommonpersonalbulkmorefitted himtocompilealexicontobeusedbyawhaleauthorlikeme. Oneoftenhearsofwritersthatriseandswellwiththeirsubject, thoughitmayseembutanordinaryone.How,then,withme, writingofthisLeviathan?Unconsciouslymychirography expandsintoplacardcapitals.Givemeacondor'squill! GivemeVesuvius'craterforaninkstand!Friends,holdmyarms! ForinthemereactofpenningmythoughtsofthisLeviathan, theywearyme,andmakemefaintwiththeiroutreaching comprehensivenessofsweep,asiftoincludethewholecircle ofthesciences,andallthegenerationsofwhales,andmen,

andmastodons,past,present,andtocome,withalltherevolving panoramasofempireonearth,andthroughoutthewholeuniverse, notexcludingitssuburbs.Such,andsomagnifying,isthe virtueofalargeandliberaltheme!Weexpandtoitsbulk. Toproduceamightybook,youmustchooseamightytheme. Nogreatandenduringvolumecaneverbewrittenontheflea, thoughmanytherebewhohavetriedit. EreenteringuponthesubjectofFossilWhales,Ipresentmy credentialsasageologist,bystatingthatinmymiscellaneous timeIhavebeenastonemason,andalsoagreatdiggerofditches, canalsandwells,winevaults,cellars,andcisternsofallsorts. Likewise,bywayofpreliminary,Idesiretoremindthereader, thatwhileintheearliergeologicalstratatherearefoundthefossils ofmonstersnowalmostcompletelyextinct;thesubsequentrelics discoveredinwhatarecalledtheTertiaryformationsseemtheconnecting, oratanyrateinterceptedlinks,betweentheantichronicalcreatures, andthosewhoseremoteposterityaresaidtohaveenteredtheArk; alltheFossilWhaleshithertodiscoveredbelongtotheTertiaryperiod, whichisthelastprecedingthesuperficialformations.Andthough noneofthempreciselyanswertoanyknownspeciesofthepresenttime, theyareyetsufficientlyakintothemingeneralrespects,tojustify theirtakingranksasCetaceanfossils. Detachedbrokenfossilsofpreadamitewhales,fragmentsoftheirbones andskeletons,havewithinthirtyyearspast,atvariousintervals, beenfoundatthebaseoftheAlps,inLombardy,inFrance, inEngland,inScotland,andintheStatesofLouisiana,Mississippi, andAlabama.Amongthemorecuriousofsuchremainsispartofaskull, whichintheyear1779wasdisinterredintheRueDauphineinParis, ashortstreetopeningalmostdirectlyuponthepalaceoftheTuileries; andbonesdisinterredinexcavatingthegreatdocksofAntwerp, inNapoleon'stime.Cuvierpronouncedthesefragmentstohavebelonged tosomeutterlyunknownLeviathanicspecies. ButbyfarthemostwonderfulofallCetaceanrelicswasthealmost completevastskeletonofanextinctmonster,foundintheyear1842, ontheplantationofJudgeCreagh,inAlabama.Theawestrickencredulous slavesinthevicinitytookitforthebonesofoneofthefallenangels. TheAlabamadoctorsdeclareditahugereptile,andbestoweduponit thenameofBasilosaurus.Butsomespecimenbonesofitbeingtaken acrosstheseatoOwen,theEnglishAnatomist,itturnedoutthatthis allegedreptilewasawhale,thoughofadepartedspecies.Asignificant illustrationofthefact,againandagainrepeatedinthisbook, thattheskeletonofthewhalefurnishesbutlittlecluetotheshape ofhisfullyinvestedbody.SoOwenrechristenedthemonsterZeuglodon;

andinhispaperreadbeforetheLondonGeologicalSociety,pronouncedit, insubstance,oneofthemostextraordinarycreatureswhichthemutations oftheglobehaveblottedoutofexistence. WhenIstandamongthesemightyLeviathanskeletons, skulls,tusks,jaws,ribs,andvertebrae,allcharacterized bypartialresemblancestotheexistingbreedsofseamonsters; butatthesametimebearingontheotherhandsimilaraffinitiesto theannihilatedantichronicalLeviathans,theirincalculableseniors; Iam,byaflood,bornebacktothatwondrousperiod,eretime itselfcanbesaidtohavebegun;fortimebeganwithman. HereSaturn'sgreychaosrollsoverme,andIobtaindim, shudderingglimpsesintothosePolareternities;whenwedged bastionsoficepressedharduponwhatarenowtheTropics; andinallthe25,000milesofthisworld'scircumference, notaninhabitablehand'sbreadthoflandwasvisible. Thenthewholeworldwasthewhale's;and,kingofcreation, helefthiswakealongthepresentlinesoftheAndesand theHimmalehs.WhocanshowapedigreelikeLeviathan?Ahab'sharpoon hadshedolderbloodthanthePharaoh's.Methuselahseemsaschoolboy. IlookroundtoshakehandswithShem.Iamhorrorstruck atthisantemosaic,unsourcedexistenceoftheunspeakable terrorsofthewhale,which,havingbeenbeforealltime, mustneedsexistafterallhumaneagesareover. ButnotalonehasthisLeviathanlefthispreadamitetracesinthe stereotypeplatesofnature,andinlimestoneandmarlbequeathedhis ancientbust;butuponEgyptiantablets,whoseantiquityseemstoclaim forthemanalmostfossiliferouscharacter,wefindtheunmistakableprint ofhisfin.InanapartmentofthegreattempleofDenderah,somefifty yearsago,therewasdiscovereduponthegraniteceilingasculptured andpaintedplanisphere,aboundingincentaurs,griffins,anddolphins, similartothegrotesquefiguresonthecelestialglobeofthemoderns. Glidingamongthem,oldLeviathanswamasofyore;wasthereswimming inthatplanisphere,centuriesbeforeSolomonwascradled. Normusttherebeomittedanotherstrangeattestationoftheantiquity ofthewhale,inhisownosseouspostdiluvianreality,assetdown bythevenerableJohnLeo,theoldBarbarytraveller. "NotfarfromtheSeaside,theyhaveaTemple,theRafters andBeamsofwhicharemadeofWhaleBones;forWhalesofa monstroussizeareoftentimescastupdeaduponthatshore. TheCommonPeopleimagine,thatbyasecretPowerbestowedbyGod upontheTemple,noWhalecanpassitwithoutimmediatedeath. ButthetruthoftheMatteris,thatoneitherside

oftheTemple,thereareRocksthatshoottwoMilesinto theSea,andwoundtheWhaleswhentheylightupon'em. TheykeepaWhale'sRibofanincrediblelengthforaMiracle, whichlyingupontheGroundwithitsconvexpartuppermost, makesanArch,theHeadofwhichcannotbereached byaManuponaCamel'sBack.ThisRib(saysJohnLeo) issaidtohavelaynthereahundredYearsbeforeIsawit. TheirHistoriansaffirm,thataProphetwhoprophesy'dofMahomet, camefromthisTemple,andsomedonotstandtoassert, thattheProphetJonaswascastforthbytheWhaleattheBase oftheTemple." InthisAfricTempleoftheWhaleIleaveyou,reader,andifyou beaNantucketer,andawhaleman,youwillsilentlyworshipthere. CHAPTER105 DoestheWhale'sMagnitudeDiminish?WillHePerish? Inasmuch,then,asthisLeviathancomesflounderingdown uponusfromtheheadwatersoftheEternities,itmaybe fitlyinquired,whether,inthelongcourseofhisgenerations, hehasnotdegeneratedfromtheoriginalbulkofhissires. Butuponinvestigationwefind,thatnotonlyarethewhales ofthepresentdaysuperiorinmagnitudetothosewhosefossil remainsarefoundintheTertiarysystem(embracingadistinct geologicalperiodpriortoman),butofthewhalesfoundin thatTertiarysystem,thosebelongingtoitslatterformations exceedinsizethoseofitsearlierones. Ofallthepreadamitewhalesyetexhumed,byfarthelargest istheAlabamaonementionedinthelastchapter,andthat waslessthanseventyfeetinlengthintheskeleton. Whereas,wehavealreadyseen,thatthetapemeasuregives seventytwofeetfortheskeletonofalargesizedmodernwhale. AndIhaveheard,onwhalemen'sauthority,thatSpermWhaleshave beencapturednearahundredfeetlongatthetimeofcapture. Butmayitnotbe,thatwhilethewhalesofthepresenthourarean advanceinmagnitudeuponthoseofallpreviousgeologicalperiods; mayitnotbe,thatsinceAdam'stimetheyhavedegenerated?

Assuredly,wemustconcludeso,ifwearetocredittheaccounts ofsuchgentlemenasPliny,andtheancientnaturalistsgenerally. ForPlinytellsusofWhalesthatembracedacresoflivingbulk, andAldrovandusofotherswhichmeasuredeighthundredfeetinlength RopeWalksandThamesTunnelsofWhales!Andeveninthedays ofBanksandSolander,Cooke'snaturalists,wefindaDanishmember oftheAcademyofSciencessettingdowncertainIcelandWhales (reydansiskur,orWrinkledBellies)atonehundredandtwentyyards; thatis,threehundredandsixtyfeet.AndLacepede, theFrenchnaturalist,inhiselaboratehistoryofwhales, intheverybeginningofhiswork(page3),setsdowntheRightWhale atonehundredmetres,threehundredandtwentyeightfeet. AndthisworkwaspublishedsolateasA.D.1825. Butwillanywhalemanbelievethesestories?No.Thewhale oftodayisasbigashisancestorsinPliny'stime. AndifeverIgowherePlinyis,I,awhaleman(morethanhewas), willmakeboldtotellhimso.BecauseIcannotunderstand howitis,thatwhiletheEgyptianmummiesthatwereburied thousandsofyearsbeforeevenPlinywasborn,donotmeasure somuchintheircoffinsasamodernKentuckianinhissocks; andwhilethecattleandotheranimalssculpturedontheoldest EgyptianandNinevehtablets,bytherelativeproportionsin whichtheyaredrawn,justasplainlyprovethatthehighbred, stallfed,prizecattleofSmithfield,notonlyequal, butfarexceedinmagnitudethefattestofPharaoh'sfatkine; inthefaceofallthis,Iwillnotadmitthatofallanimals thewhalealoneshouldhavedegenerated. Butstillanotherinquiryremains;oneoftenagitatedbythemore reconditeNantucketers.Whetherowingtothealmostomniscient lookoutsatthemastheadsofthewhaleships,nowpenetrating eventhroughBehring'sstraits,andintotheremotestsecretdrawers andlockersoftheworld;andthethousandharpoonsandlancesdarted alongallcontinentalcoasts;themootpointis,whetherLeviathan canlongenduresowideachase,andsoremorselessahavoc; whetherhemustnotatlastbeexterminatedfromthewaters, andthelastwhale,likethelastman,smokehislastpipe, andthenhimselfevaporateinthefinalpuff. Comparingthehumpedherdsofwhaleswiththehumpedherdsofbuffalo, which,notfortyyearsago,overspreadbytensofthousandstheprairies ofIllinoisandMissouri,andshooktheirironmanesandscowledwith theirthunderclottedbrowsuponthesitesofpopulousrivercapitals, wherenowthepolitebrokersellsyoulandatadollaraninch; insuchacomparisonanirresistibleargumentwouldseemfurnished,

toshowthatthehuntedwhalecannotnowescapespeedyextinction. Butyoumustlookatthismatterineverylight.Thoughsoshort aperiodagonotagoodlifetimethecensusofthebuffaloinIllinois exceededthecensusofmennowinLondon,andthoughatthepresent daynotonehornorhoofofthemremainsinallthatregion; andthoughthecauseofthiswondrousexterminationwasthespear ofman;yetthefardifferentnatureofthewhalehuntperemptorily forbidssoingloriousanendtotheLeviathan.Fortymeninone shiphuntingtheSpermWhalesforfortyeightmonthsthinkthey havedoneextremelywell,andthankGod,ifatlasttheycarryhome theoiloffortyfish.Whereas,inthedaysoftheoldCanadian andIndianhuntersandtrappersoftheWest,whenthefarwest (inwhosesunsetsunsstillrise)wasawildernessandavirgin, thesamenumberofmoccasinedmen,forthesamenumberofmonths, mountedonhorseinsteadofsailinginships,wouldhaveslain notforty,butfortythousandandmorebuffaloes;afactthat, ifneedwere,couldbestatisticallystated. Nor,consideredaright,doesitseemanyargumentinfavor ofthegradualextinctionoftheSpermWhale,forexample, thatinformeryears(thelatterpartofthelastcentury,say) theseLeviathans,insmallpods,wereencounteredmuch oftenerthanatpresent,and,inconsequence,thevoyages werenotsoprolonged,andwerealsomuchmoreremunerative. Because,ashasbeenelsewherenoticed,thosewhales,influencedby someviewstosafety,nowswimtheseasinimmensecaravans, sothattoalargedegreethescatteredsolitaries,yokes, andpods,andschoolsofotherdaysarenowaggregatedinto vastbutwidelyseparated,unfrequentarmies.Thatisall. Andequallyfallaciousseemstheconceit,thatbecausethesocalled whalebonewhalesnolongerhauntmanygroundsinformeryears aboundingwiththem,hencethatspeciesalsoisdeclining. Fortheyareonlybeingdrivenfrompromontorytocape;andif onecoastisnolongerenlivenedwiththeirjets,then,besure, someotherandremoterstrandhasbeenveryrecentlystartled bytheunfamiliarspectacle. Furthermore:concerningtheselastmentionedLeviathans, theyhavetwofirmfortresses,which,inallhumanprobability, willforeverremainimpregnable.Andasupontheinvasionof theirvalleys,thefrostySwisshaveretreatedtotheirmountains; so,huntedfromthesavannasandgladesofthemiddleseas, thewhalebonewhalescanatlastresorttotheirPolarcitadels, anddivingundertheultimateglassybarriersandwallsthere, comeupamongicyfieldsandfloes!andinacharmedcircle

ofeverlastingDecember,biddefiancetoallpursuitfromman. Butasperhapsfiftyofthesewhalebonewhalesareharpooned foronecachalot,somephilosophersoftheforecastlehave concludedthatthispositivehavochasalreadyveryseriously diminishedtheirbattalions.Butthoughforsometimepast anumberofthesewhales,notlessthan13,000,havebeen annuallyslainonthenor'westcoastbytheAmericansalone; yetthereareconsiderationswhichrendereventhiscircumstance oflittleornoaccountasanopposingargumentinthismatter. Naturalasitistobesomewhatincredulousconcerningthepopulousness ofthemoreenormouscreaturesoftheglobe,yetwhatshallwe saytoHarto,thehistorianofGoa,whenhetellsusthatatone huntingtheKingofSiamtook4,000elephants;thatinthoseregions elephantsarenumerousasdrovesofcattleinthetemperateclimes. Andthereseemsnoreasontodoubtthatiftheseelephants, whichhavenowbeenhuntedforthousandsofyears,bySemiramis, byPorus,byHannibal,andbyallthesuccessivemonarchsoftheEast iftheystillsurvivethereingreatnumbers,muchmoremay thegreatwhaleoutlastallhunting,sincehehasapasture toexpatiatein,whichispreciselytwiceaslargeasallAsia, bothAmericas,EuropeandAfrica,NewHolland,andalltheIsles oftheseacombined. Moreover:wearetoconsider,thatfromthepresumedgreatlongevity ofwhales,theirprobablyattainingtheageofacenturyandmore, thereforeatanyoneperiodoftime,severaldistinctadult generationsmustbecontemporary.Andwhatthisis,wemaysoon gainsomeideaof,byimaginingallthegraveyards,cemeteries, andfamilyvaultsofcreationyieldingupthelivebodiesofall themen,women,andchildrenwhowerealiveseventyfiveyearsago; andaddingthiscountlesshosttothepresenthumanpopulation oftheglobe. Wherefore,forallthesethings,weaccountthewhaleimmortal inhisspecies,howeverperishableinhisindividuality. Heswamtheseasbeforethecontinentsbrokewater;heonce swamoverthesiteoftheTuileries,andWindsorCastle, andtheKremlin.InNoah'sfloodhedespisedNoah'sArk; andifevertheworldistobeagainflooded,liketheNetherlands, tokilloffitsrats,thentheeternalwhalewillstillsurvive, andrearinguponthetopmostcrestoftheequatorialflood, spouthisfrotheddefiancetotheskies.

 CHAPTER106 Ahab'sLeg TheprecipitatingmannerinwhichCaptainAhabhadquitted theSamuelEnderbyofLondon,hadnotbeenunattendedwithsomesmall violencetohisownperson.Hehadlightedwithsuchenergyuponathwart ofhisboatthathisivoryleghadreceivedahalfsplinteringshock. Andwhenaftergaininghisowndeck,andhisownpivotholethere, hesovehementlywheeledroundwithanurgentcommandtothesteersman (itwas,asever,somethingabouthisnotsteeringinflexiblyenough); then,thealreadyshakenivoryreceivedsuchanadditionaltwist andwrench,thatthoughitstillremainedentire,andtoall appearanceslusty,yetAhabdidnotdeemitentirelytrustworthy. And,indeed,itseemedsmallmatterforwonder,thatforall hispervading,madrecklessness,Ahab,didattimesgivecareful heedtotheconditionofthatdeadboneuponwhichhepartlystood. ForithadnotbeenverylongpriortothePequod'ssailing fromNantucket,thathehadbeenfoundonenightlyingproneupon theground,andinsensible;bysomeunknown,andseeminglyinexplicable, unimaginablecasualty,hisivorylimbhavingbeensoviolentlydisplaced, thatithadstakewisesmitten,andallbutpiercedhisgroin; norwasitwithoutextremedifficultythattheagonizingwound wasentirelycured. Nor,atthetime,haditfailedtoenterhismonomaniacmind, thatalltheanguishofthatthenpresentsufferingwasbutthe directissueofaformerwoe;andhetooplainlyseemedtosee, thatasthemostpoisonousreptileofthemarshperpetuates hiskindasinevitablyasthesweetestsongsterofthegrove; so,equallywitheveryfelicity,allmiserableeventsdonaturally begettheirlike.Yea,morethanequally,thoughtAhab; sinceboththeancestryandposterityofGriefgofurtherthan theancestryandposterityofJoy.For,nottohintofthis: thatitisaninferencefromcertaincanonicteachings,thatwhile somenaturalenjoymentshereshallhavenochildrenborntothem fortheotherworld,but,onthecontrary,shallbefollowedby thejoychildlessnessofallhell'sdespair;whereas,someguilty mortalmiseriesshallstillfertilelybegettothemselves aneternallyprogressiveprogenyofgriefsbeyondthegrave; notatalltohintofthis,therestillseemsaninequality inthedeeperanalysisofthething.For,thoughtAhab,

whileeventhehighestearthlyfelicitieseverhaveacertain unsignifyingpettinesslurkinginthem,but,atbottom,allheartwoes, amysticsignificance,and,insomemen,anarchangelicgrandeur; sodotheirdiligenttracingsoutnotbelietheobviousdeduction. Totrailthegenealogiesofthesehighmortalmiseries, carriesusatlastamongthesourcelessprimogenituresofthegods; sothat,inthefaceofalltheglad,haymakingsuns, andsoftcymballing,roundharvestmoons,wemustneedsgive intothis:thatthegodsthemselvesarenotforeverglad. Theineffaceable,sadbirthmarkinthebrowofman,isbut thestampofsorrowinthesigners. Unwittinglyhereasecrethasbeendivulged,whichperhaps mightmoreproperly,insetway,havebeendisclosedbefore. WithmanyotherparticularsconcerningAhab,alwayshaditremained amysterytosome,whyitwas,thatforacertainperiod,bothbefore andafterthesailingofthePequod,hehadhiddenhimselfaway withsuchGrandLamalikeexclusiveness;and,forthatoneinterval, soughtspeechlessrefuge,asitwere,amongthemarblesenate ofthedead.CaptainPeleg'sbruitedreasonforthisthingappeared bynomeansadequate;though,indeed,astouchingallAhab's deeperpart,everyrevelationpartookmoreofsignificantdarkness thanofexplanatorylight.But,intheend,itallcameout; thisonematterdid,atleast.Thatdirefulmishapwasatthebottom ofhistemporaryrecluseness.Andnotonlythis,buttothat evercontracting,droppingcircleashore,whoforanyreason, possessedtheprivilegeofalessbannedapproachtohim; tothattimidcircletheabovehintedcasualtyremaining,asitdid, moodilyunaccountedforbyAhabinvesteditselfwithterrors, notentirelyunderivedfromthelandofspiritsandofwails. Sothat,throughtheirzealforhim,theyhadallconspired,sofar asinthemlay,tomuffleuptheknowledgeofthisthingfromothers; andhenceitwas,thatnottillaconsiderableintervalhadelapsed, didittranspireuponthePequod'sdecks. Butbeallthisasitmay;lettheunseen,ambiguoussynod intheair,orthevindictiveprincesandpotentatesoffire, havetodoornotwithearthlyAhab,yet,inthispresent matterofhisleg,hetookplainpracticalprocedures; hecalledthecarpenter. Andwhenthatfunctionaryappearedbeforehim,hebadehimwithout delaysetaboutmakinganewleg,anddirectedthematestoseehim suppliedwithallthestudsandjoistsofjawivory(SpermWhale) whichhadthusfarbeenaccumulatedonthevoyage,inorderthatacareful selectionofthestoutest,clearestgrainedstuffmightbesecured.

Thisdone,thecarpenterreceivedorderstohavetheleg completedthatnight;andtoprovideallthefittingsforit, independentofthosepertainingtothedistrustedoneinuse. Moreover,theship'sforgewasorderedtobehoistedoutofits temporaryidlenessinthehold;and,toacceleratetheaffair, theblacksmithwascommandedtoproceedatoncetotheforging ofwhateverironcontrivancesmightbeneeded. CHAPTER107 TheCarpenter SeatthyselfsultanicallyamongthemoonsofSaturn,andtake highabstractedmanalone;andheseemsawonder,agrandeur, andawoe.Butfromthesamepoint,takemankindinmass, andforthemostpart,theyseemamobofunnecessaryduplicates, bothcontemporaryandhereditary.Butmosthumblethoughhewas, andfarfromfurnishinganexampleofthehigh,humaneabstraction; thePequod'scarpenterwasnoduplicate;hence,henowcomes inpersononthisstage. Likeallseagoingshipcarpenters,andmoreespeciallythosebelonging towhalingvessels,hewas,toacertainoffhand,practicalextent, alikeexperiencedinnumeroustradesandcallingscollateraltohisown; thecarpenter'spursuitbeingtheancientandoutbranchingtrunk ofallthosenumeroushandicraftswhichmoreorlesshavetodo withwoodasanauxiliarymaterial.But,besidestheapplication tohimofthegenericremarkabove,thiscarpenterofthePequod wassingularlyefficientinthosethousandnamelessmechanical emergenciescontinuallyrecurringinalargeship,uponathree orfouryears'voyage,inuncivilizedandfardistantseas. Fornottospeakofhisreadinessinordinaryduties: repairingstoveboats,sprungspars,reformingtheshapeof clumsybladedoars,insertingbull'seyesinthedeck,ornew treenailsinthesideplanks,andothermiscellaneousmatters moredirectlypertainingtohisspecialbusiness;hewasmoreover unhesitatinglyexpertinallmannerofconflictingaptitudes, bothusefulandcapricious. Theonegrandstagewhereheenactedallhisvariouspartssomanifold, washisvicebench;alongrudeponderoustablefurnishedwith severalvices,ofdifferentsizes,andbothofironandofwood. Atalltimesexceptwhenwhaleswerealongside,thisbenchwassecurely

lashedathwartshipsagainsttherearoftheTryworks. Abelayingpinisfoundtoolargetobeeasilyinsertedintoitshole: thecarpenterclapsitintooneofhiseverreadyvices, andstraightwayfilesitsmaller.Alostlandbirdofstrange plumagestraysonboard,andismadeacaptive:outofcleanshaved rodsofrightwhalebone,andcrossbeamsofspermwhaleivory, thecarpentermakesapagodalookingcageforit.Anoarsman sprainshiswrist:thecarpenterconcoctsasoothinglotion. Stubblongedforvermillionstarstobepaintedupontheblade ofhiseveryoar;screwingeachoarinhisbigviceofwood, thecarpentersymmetricallysuppliestheconstellation. Asailortakesafancytowearsharkboneearrings: thecarpenterdrillshisears.Anotherhasthetoothache: thecarpenteroutpincers,andclappingonehanduponhisbench bidshimbeseatedthere;butthepoorfellowunmanageablywinces undertheunconcludedoperation;whirlingroundthehandleofhis woodenvice,thecarpentersignshimtoclaphisjawinthat, ifhewouldhavehimdrawthetooth. Thus,thiscarpenterwaspreparedatallpoints,andalikeindifferent andwithoutrespectinall.Teethheaccountedbitsofivory; headshedeemedbuttopblocks;menthemselveshelightlyheld forcapstans.Butwhilenowuponsowideafieldthusvariously accomplishedandwithsuchlivelinessofexpertnessinhim,too; allthiswouldseemtoarguesomeuncommonvivacityofintelligence. Butnotpreciselyso.Fornothingwasthismanmoreremarkable, thanforacertainimpersonalstolidityasitwere;impersonal,Isay; foritsoshadedoffintothesurroundinginfiniteofthings, thatitseemedonewiththegeneralstoliditydiscernibleinthewhole visibleworld;whichwhilepauselesslyactiveinuncountedmodes, stilleternallyholdsitspeace,andignoresyou,thoughyoudig foundationsforcathedrals.Yetwasthishalfhorriblestolidity inhim,involving,too,asitappeared,anallramifyingheartlessness; yetwasitoddlydashedattimes,withanold,crutchlike,antediluvian, wheezinghumorousness,notunstreakednowandthenwithacertain grizzledwittiness;suchasmighthaveservedtopassthetime duringthemidnightwatchonthebeardedforecastleofNoah'sark. Wasitthatthisoldcarpenterhadbeenalifelongwanderer, whosemuchrolling,toandfro,notonlyhadgatherednomoss; butwhatismore,hadrubbedoffwhateversmalloutwardclingings mighthaveoriginallypertainedtohim?Hewasastriptabstract; anunfractionedintegral;uncompromisedasanewbornbabe; livingwithoutpremeditatedreferencetothisworldorthenext. Youmightalmostsay,thatthisstrangeuncompromisednessinhiminvolved asortofunintelligence;forinhisnumeroustrades,hedidnotseem

toworksomuchbyreasonorbyinstinct,orsimplybecausehehadbeen tutoredtoit,orbyanyintermixtureofallthese,evenoruneven; butmerelybyakindofdeafanddumb,spontaneousliteralprocess. Hewasapuremanipulator;hisbrain,ifhehadeverhadone, musthaveearlyoozedalongintothemusclesofhisfingers. Hewaslikeoneofthoseunreasoningbutstillhighlyuseful, multuminparvo,Sheffieldcontrivances,assumingtheexterior thoughalittleswelledofacommonpocketknife;butcontaining, notonlybladesofvarioussizes,butalsoscrewdrivers, corkscrews,tweezers,awls,pens,rulers,nailfilers,countersinkers. So,ifhissuperiorswantedtousethecarpenterforascrewdriver, alltheyhadtodowastoopenthatpartofhim,andthescrewwasfast: oriffortweezers,takehimupbythelegs,andtheretheywere. Yet,aspreviouslyhinted,thisomnitooled,openandshutcarpenter, was,afterall,nomeremachineofanautomaton.Ifhedidnot haveacommonsoulinhim,hehadasubtlesomethingthatsomehow anomalouslydiditsduty.Whatthatwas,whetheressenceofquicksilver, orafewdropsofhartshorn,thereisnotelling.Butthereitwas; andthereithadabidedfornowsomesixtyyearsormore. Andthisitwas,thissameunaccountable,cunninglifeprincipleinhim; thisitwas,thatkepthimagreatpartofthetimesoliloquizing; butonlylikeanunreasoningwheel,whichalsohumminglysoliloquizes; orrather,hisbodywasasentryboxandthissoliloquizeronguardthere, andtalkingallthetimetokeephimselfawake. CHAPTER108 AhabandtheCarpenter TheDeckFirstNightWatch (Carpenterstandingbeforehisvicebench,andbythelight oftwolanternsbusilyfilingtheivoryjoistfortheleg, whichjoistisfirmlyfixedinthevice.Slabsofivory, leatherstraps,pads,screws,andvarioustoolsofallsortslying aboutthebench.Forward,theredflameoftheforgeisseen, wheretheblacksmithisatwork.) Dratthefile,anddratthebone!Thatishardwhichshouldbesoft, andthatissoftwhichshouldbehard.Sowego,whofileoldjaws

andshinbones.Let'stryanother.Aye,now,thisworksbetter (sneezes).Halloa,thisbonedustis(sneezes)whyit's (sneezes)yesit's(sneezes)blessmysoul,itwon'tletmespeak! Thisiswhatanoldfellowgetsnowforworkingindeadlumber. Sawalivetree,andyoudon'tgetthisdust;amputatealivebone, andyoudon'tgetit(sneezes).Come,come,youoldSmut,there, bearahand,andlet'shavethatferruleandbucklescrew;I'llbeready forthempresently.Luckynow(sneezes)there'snokneejointtomake; thatmightpuzzlealittle;butamereshinbonewhyit'seasy asmakinghoppoles;onlyIshouldliketoputagoodfinishon. Time,time;ifIbutonlyhadthetime,Icouldturnhimoutas neatalegnowasever(sneezes)scrapedtoaladyinaparlor. ThosebuckskinlegsandcalvesoflegsI'veseeninshopwindows wouldn'tcompareatall.Theysoakwater,theydo;andofcourse getrheumatic,andhavetobedoctored(sneezes)withwashesandlotions, justlikelivelegs.There;beforeIsawitoff,now,Imustcall hisoldMogulship,andseewhetherthelengthwillbeallright; tooshort,ifanything,Iguess.Ha!that'stheheel;weareinluck; herehecomes,orit'ssomebodyelse,that'scertain.AHAB(advancing) (Duringtheensuingscene,thecarpentercontinuessneezingattimes). Well,manmaker! Justintime,sir.Ifthecaptainpleases,Iwillnowmarkthelength. Letmemeasure,sir. Measuredforaleg!good.Well,it'snotthefirsttime. Aboutit!There;keepthyfingeronit.Thisisacogent vicethouhasthere,carpenter;letmefeelitsgriponce. So,so;itdoespinchsome. Oh,sir,itwillbreakbonesbeware,beware! Nofear;Ilikeagoodgrip;Iliketofeelsomethinginthis slipperyworldthatcanhold,man.What'sPrometheusaboutthere? theblacksmith,Imeanwhat'sheabout? Hemustbeforgingthebucklescrew,sir,now. Right.It'sapartnership;hesuppliesthemusclepart. Hemakesafierceredflamethere! Aye,sir;hemusthavethewhiteheatforthiskindoffinework.

Umm.Sohemust.Idodeemitnowamostmeaningthing, thatthatoldGreek,Prometheus,whomademen,theysay,shouldhave beenablacksmith,andanimatedthemwithfire;forwhat'smade infiremustproperlybelongtofire;andsohell'sprobable. Howthesootflies!ThismustbetheremaindertheGreekmade theAfricansof.Carpenter,whenhe'sthroughwiththatbuckle, tellhimtoforgeapairofsteelshoulderblades;there'sapedlar aboardwithacrushingpack. Sir? Hold;whilePrometheusisaboutit,I'llorderacompleteman afteradesirablepattern.Imprimis,fiftyfeethighinhissocks; then,chestmodelledaftertheThamesTunnelthen,legswithroots to'em,tostayinoneplace;then,armsthreefeetthroughthewrist; noheartatall,brassforehead,andaboutaquarterofanacre offinebrains;andletmeseeshallIordereyestoseeoutwards? No,butputaskylightontopofhisheadtoilluminateinwards. There,taketheorder,andaway. Now,what'shespeakingabout,andwho'shespeakingto, Ishouldliketoknow?ShallIkeepstandinghere?(aside.) 'Tisbutindifferentarchitecturetomakeablinddome;here'sone. No,no,no;Imusthavealantern. Ho,ho!That'sit,hey?Herearetwo,sir;onewillservemyturn. Whatartthouthrustingthatthiefcatcherintomyfacefor,man? Thrustedlightisworsethanpresentedpistols. Ithought,sir,thatyouspoketocarpenter. Carpenter?whythat'sbutno;averytidy,and,Imaysay,anextremely gentlemanlikesortofbusinessthouartinhere,carpenter;orwould'st thouratherworkinclay? Sir?Clay?clay,sir?That'smud;weleaveclaytoditchers,sir. Thefellow'simpious!Whatartthousneezingabout? Boneisratherdusty,sir. Takethehint,then;andwhenthouartdead,neverburythyself underlivingpeople'snoses.

 Sir?oh!ah!Iguessso;so;yes,yesohdear! Lookye,carpenter,Idaresaythoucallestthyselfarightgood workmanlikeworkman,eh?Well,then,willitspeakthoroughlywell forthywork,if,whenIcometomountthislegthoumakest,Ishall neverthelessfeelanotherleginthesameidenticalplacewithit; thatis,carpenter,myoldlostleg;thefleshandbloodone,Imean. CanstthounotdrivethatoldAdamaway? Truly,sir,Ibegintounderstandsomewhatnow. Yes,Ihaveheardsomethingcuriousonthatscore,sir; howthatadismastedmanneverentirelylosesthefeeling ofhisoldspar,butitwillbestillprickinghimattimes. MayIhumblyaskifitbereallyso,sir? Itis,man.Look,putthyliveleghereintheplacewheremineoncewas; so,now,hereisonlyonedistinctlegtotheeye,yettwotothesoul. Wherethoufeelesttinglinglife;there,exactlythere,theretoahair, doI.Is'tariddle? Ishouldhumblycallitaposer,sir. Hist,then.Howdostthouknowthatsomeentire,living,thinkingthing maynotbeinvisiblyanduninterpenetratinglystandingprecisely wherethounowstandest;aye,andstandingthereinthyspite? Inthymostsolitaryhours,then,dostthounotfeareavesdroppers? Hold,don'tspeak!AndifIstillfeelthesmartofmycrushedleg, thoughitbenowsolongdissolved;then,whymayestnotthou,carpenter, feelthefierypainsofhellforever,andwithoutabody?Hah! GoodLord!Truly,sir,ifitcomestothat,Imustcalculateoveragain; IthinkIdidn'tcarryasmallfigure,sir. Lookye,puddingheadsshouldnevergrantpremises.Howlong beforethislegisdone? Perhapsanhour,sir. Bungleawayatitthen,andbringittome(turnstogo). Oh,Life.HereIam,proudasGreekgod,andyetstandingdebtor tothisblockheadforabonetostandon!Cursedbethatmortal interindebtednesswhichwillnotdoawaywithledgers. Iwouldbefreeasair;andI'mdowninthewholeworld'sbooks. Iamsorich,Icouldhavegivenbidforbidwiththewealthiest PraetoriansattheauctionoftheRomanempire(whichwastheworld's);

andyetIoweforthefleshinthetongueIbragwith.Byheavens! I'llgetacrucible,andintoit,anddissolvemyselfdowntoonesmall, compendiousvertebra.So. Carpenter(resuminghiswork). Well,well,well!Stubbknowshimbestofall,andStubbalwayssays he'squeer;saysnothingbutthatonesufficientlittlewordqueer; he'squeer,saysStubb;he'squeerqueer,queer;andkeepsdinningit intoMr.Starbuckallthetimequeersirqueer,queer,veryqueer. Andhere'shisleg.Yes,nowthatIthinkofit,here'shisbedfellow! hasastickofwhale'sjawboneforawife!Andthisishisleg; he'llstandonthis.Whatwasthatnowaboutonelegstanding inthreeplaces,andallthreeplacesstandinginonehell howwasthat?Oh!Idon'twonderhelookedsoscornfulatme! I'masortofstrangethoughtedsometimes,theysay;butthat's onlyhaphazardlike.Then,ashort,littleoldbodylikeme, shouldneverundertaketowadeoutintodeepwaterswithtall, heronbuiltcaptains;thewaterchucksyouunderthechinprettyquick, andthere'sagreatcryforlifeboats.Andhere'stheheron'sleg! longandslim,sureenough!Now,formostfolksonepairoflegs lastsalifetime,andthatmustbebecausetheyusethemmercifully, asatenderheartedoldladyusesherrolypolyoldcoachhorses. ButAhab;ohhe'saharddriver.Look,drivenonelegtodeath, andspavinedtheotherforlife,andnowwearsoutbonelegsbythecord. Halloa,there,youSmut!bearahandtherewiththosescrews, andlet'sfinishitbeforetheresurrectionfellowcomes acallingwithhishornforalllegs,trueorfalse,asbrewery mengoroundcollectingoldbeerbarrels,tofill'emupagain. Whatalegthisis!Itlookslikearealliveleg,fileddown tonothingbutthecore;he'llbestandingonthistomorrow; he'llbetakingaltitudesonit.Halloa!Ialmostforgotthelittle ovalslate,smoothedivory,wherehefiguresupthelatitude. So,so;chisel,file,andsandpaper,now! CHAPTER109 AhabandStarbuckintheCabin Accordingtousagetheywerepumpingtheshipnextmorning; andlo!noinconsiderableoilcameupwiththewater;

thecasksbelowmusthavesprungabadleak.Muchconcern wasshown;andStarbuckwentdownintothecabintoreport thisunfavorableaffair.* *InSpermwhalemenwithanyconsiderablequantityofoilonboard, itisaregularsemiweeklydutytoconductahoseintothehold, anddrenchthecaskswithseawater;whichafterwards, atvaryingintervals,isremovedbytheship'spumps. Herebythecasksaresoughttobekeptdamplytight;whileby thechangedcharacterofthewithdrawnwater,themariners readilydetectanyseriousleakageinthepreciouscargo. Now,fromtheSouthandWestthePequodwasdrawingnightoFormosa andtheBasheeIsles,betweenwhichliesoneofthetropicaloutlets fromtheChinawatersintothePacific.AndsoStarbuckfoundAhab withageneralchartoftheorientalarchipelagoesspreadbeforehim; andanotherseparateonerepresentingthelongeasterncoasts oftheJapaneseislandsNiphon,Matsmai,andSikoke.Withhis snowwhitenewivorylegbracedagainstthescrewedlegofhistable, andwithalongpruninghookofajackknifeinhishand,thewondrous oldman,withhisbacktothegangwaydoor,waswrinklinghisbrow, andtracinghisoldcoursesagain. "Who'sthere?"hearingthefootstepatthedoor,butnotturning roundtoit."Ondeck!Begone!" "CaptainAhabmistakes;itisI.Theoilintheholdisleaking,sir. WemustupBurtonsandbreakout." "UpBurtonsandbreakout?NowthatwearenearingJapan; heavetohereforaweektotinkeraparcelofoldhoops?" "Eitherdothat,sir,orwasteinonedaymoreoilthanwe maymakegoodinayear.Whatwecometwentythousandmiles togetisworthsaving,sir." "Soitis,soitis;ifwegetit." "Iwasspeakingoftheoilinthehold,sir." "AndIwasnotspeakingorthinkingofthatatall. Begone!Letitleak!I'mallaleakmyself.Aye!leaksinleaks! notonlyfullofleakycasks,butthoseleakycasksareina leakyship;andthat'safarworseplightthanthePequod's,man.

YetIdon'tstoptoplugmyleak;forwhocanfinditin thedeeploadedhull;orhowhopetoplugit,eveniffound, inthislife'showlinggale?Starbuck!I'llnothave theBurtonshoisted." "Whatwilltheownerssay,sir?" "LettheownersstandonNantucketbeachandoutyell theTyphoons.WhatcaresAhab?Owners,owners?Thouart alwayspratingtome,Starbuck,aboutthosemiserlyowners, asiftheownersweremyconscience.Butlookye,theonlyreal ownerofanythingisitscommander;andharkye,myconscience isinthisship'skeel.Ondeck!" "CaptainAhab,"saidthereddeningmate,movingfurtherintothecabin, withadaringsostrangelyrespectfulandcautiousthatitalmostseemed notonlyeverywayseekingtoavoidtheslightestoutwardmanifestation ofitself,butwithinalsoseemedmorethanhalfdistrustfulofitself; "AbettermanthanImightwellpassoverintheewhathewouldquickly enoughresentinayoungerman;aye,andinahappier,CaptainAhab." "Devils!Dostthouthensomuchasdaretocriticallythink ofme?Ondeck!" "Nay,sir,notyet;Idoentreat.AndIdodare,sirtobeforbearing! Shallwenotunderstandeachotherbetterthanhitherto,CaptainAhab?" Ahabseizedaloadedmusketfromtherack(formingpartofmost SouthSeamen'scabinfurniture),andpointingittowards Starbuck,exclaimed:"ThereisoneGodthatisLordovertheearth, andoneCaptainthatislordoverthePequod.Ondeck!" Foraninstantintheflashingeyesofthemate,andhisfierycheeks, youwouldhavealmostthoughtthathehadreallyreceivedtheblaze ofthelevelledtube.But,masteringhisemotion,hehalfcalmlyrose, andashequittedthecabin,pausedforaninstantandsaid: "Thouhastoutraged,notinsultedme,Sir;butforthatIasktheenotto bewareofStarbuck;thouwouldstbutlaugh;butletAhabbewareofAhab; bewareofthyself,oldman." "Hewaxesbrave,butneverthelessobeys;mostcareful braverythat!"murmuredAhab,asStarbuckdisappeared. "What'sthathesaidAhabbewareofAhabthere'ssomethingthere!" Thenunconsciouslyusingthemusketforastaff,withaniron browhepacedtoandfrointhelittlecabin;butpresently thethickplaitsofhisforeheadrelaxed,andreturningthegun

totherack,hewenttothedeck. "Thouartbuttoogoodafellow,Starbuck,"hesaidlowlytothemate; thenraisinghisvoicetothecrew:"Furlthet'gallantsails, andclosereefthetopsails,foreandaft;backthemainyard; upBurtons,andbreakoutinthemainhold." Itwereperhapsvaintosurmiseexactlywhyitwas,thatasrespecting Starbuck,Ahabthusacted.Itmayhavebeenaflashofhonesty inhim;ormereprudentialpolicywhich,underthecircumstance, imperiouslyforbadetheslightestsymptomofopendisaffection, howevertransient,intheimportantchiefofficerofhisship. Howeveritwas,hisorderswereexecuted;andtheBurtonswerehoisted. CHAPTER110 QueequeginHisCoffin Uponsearching,itwasfoundthatthecaskslaststruckintothehold wereperfectlysound,andthattheleakmustbefurtheroff. So,itbeingcalmweather,theybrokeoutdeeperanddeeper, disturbingtheslumbersofthehugegroundtierbutts; andfromthatblackmidnightsendingthosegiganticmoles intothedaylightabove.Sodeepdidtheygo;andsoancient, andcorroded,andweedytheaspectofthelowermostpuncheons, thatyoualmostlookednextforsomemouldycornerstonecask containingcoinsofCaptainNoah,withcopiesofthepostedplacards, vainlywarningtheinfatuatedoldworldfromtheflood. Tierceaftertierce,too,ofwater,andbread,andbeef, andshooksofstaves,andironbundlesofhoops,werehoistedout, tillatlastthepileddeckswerehardtogetabout;andthehollow hullechoedunderfoot,asifyouweretreadingoveremptycatacombs, andreeledandrolledinthesealikeanairfreighteddemijohn. TopheavywastheshipasadinnerlessstudentwithallAristotle inhishead.WellwasitthattheTyphoonsdidnotvisitthemthen. Now,atthistimeitwasthatmypoorpagancompanion, andfastbosomfriend,Queequeg,wasseizedwithafever, whichbroughthimnightohisendlessend. Beitsaid,thatinthisvocationofwhaling,sinecuresareunknown; dignityanddangergohandinhand;tillyougettobeCaptain,

thehigheryourisetheharderyoutoil.SowithpoorQueequeg, who,asharpooneer,mustnotonlyfacealltherageofthe livingwhale,butaswehaveelsewhereseenmounthisdeadback inarollingsea;andfinallydescendintothegloomofthehold, andbitterlysweatingalldayinthatsubterraneousconfinement, resolutelymanhandletheclumsiestcasksandseetotheirstowage. Tobeshort,amongwhalemen,theharpooneersaretheholders,socalled. PoorQueequeg!whentheshipwasabouthalfdisembowelled, youshouldhavestoopedoverthehatchway,andpeereddown uponhimthere;where,strippedtohiswoollendrawers, thetattooedsavagewascrawlingaboutamidthatdampness andslime,likeagreenspottedlizardatthebottomofawell. Andawell,oranicehouse,itsomehowprovedtohim,poorpagan; where,strangetosay,foralltheheatofhissweatings, hecaughtaterriblechillwhichlapsedintoafever; andatlast,aftersomedays'suffering,laidhiminhishammock, closetotheverysillofthedoorofdeath.Howhewasted andwastedawayinthosefewlonglingeringdays,tillthere seemedbutlittleleftofhimbuthisframeandtattooing. Butasallelseinhimthinned,andhischeekbonesgrewsharper, hiseyes,nevertheless,seemedgrowingfullerandfuller; theybecameofastrangesoftnessoflustre;andmildlybut deeplylookedoutatyoutherefromhissickness,awondrous testimonytothatimmortalhealthinhimwhichcouldnotdie, orbeweakened.Andlikecirclesonthewater,which,asthey growfainter,expand;sohiseyesseemedroundingandrounding, liketheringsofEternity.Anawethatcannotbenamedwould stealoveryouasyousatbythesideofthiswaningsavage, andsawasstrangethingsinhisface,asanybeheldwhowere bystanderswhenZoroasterdied.Forwhateveristrulywondrous andfearfulinman,neveryetwasputintowordsorbooks. AndthedrawingnearofDeath,whichalikelevelsall, alikeimpressesallwithalastrevelation,whichonlyanauthor fromthedeadcouldadequatelytell.Sothatletussayitagain nodyingChaldeeorGreekhadhigherandholierthoughts thanthose,whosemysteriousshadesyousawcreepingovertheface ofpoorQueequeg,ashequietlylayinhisswayinghammock, andtherollingseaseemedgentlyrockinghimtohisfinalrest, andtheocean'sinvisiblefloodtideliftedhimhigherandhigher towardshisdestinedheaven. Notamanofthecrewbutgavehimup;and,asforQueequeghimself, whathethoughtofhiscasewasforciblyshownbyacurious favorheasked.Hecalledonetohiminthegreymorningwatch, whenthedaywasjustbreaking,andtakinghishand,

saidthatwhileinNantuckethehadchancedtoseecertainlittle canoesofdarkwood,liketherichwarwoodofhisnativeisle; anduponinquiry,hehadlearnedthatallwhalemenwhodied inNantucket,werelaidinthosesamedarkcanoes,andthatthefancy ofbeingsolaidhadmuchpleasedhim;foritwasnotunlike thecustomofhisownrace,who,afterembalmingadeadwarrior, stretchedhimoutinhiscanoe,andsolefthimtobefloated awaytothestarryarchipelagoes;fornotonlydotheybelieve thatthestarsareisles,butthatfarbeyondallvisiblehorizons, theirownmild,uncontinentedseas,interflowwiththeblueheavens; andsoformthewhitebreakersofthemilkyway.Headded, thatheshudderedatthethoughtofbeingburiedinhishammock, accordingtotheusualseacustom,tossedlikesomethingvile tothedeathdevouringsharks.No:hedesiredacanoelikethose ofNantucket,allthemorecongenialtohim,beingawhaleman, thatlikeawhaleboatthesecoffincanoeswerewithoutakeel; thoughthatinvolvedbutuncertainsteering,andmuchleeway adownthedimages. Now,whenthisstrangecircumstancewasmadeknownaft, thecarpenterwasatoncecommandedtodoQueequeg'sbidding, whateveritmightinclude.Therewassomeheathenish, coffincoloredoldlumberaboard,which,uponalongpreviousvoyage, hadbeencutfromtheaboriginalgrovesoftheLackadayislands, andfromthesedarkplanksthecoffinwasrecommendedtobemade. Nosoonerwasthecarpenterapprisedoftheorder,thantaking hisrule,heforthwithwithalltheindifferentpromptitude ofhischaracter,proceededintotheforecastleandtook Queequeg'smeasurewithgreataccuracy,regularlychalking Queequeg'spersonasheshiftedtherule. "Ah!poorfellow!he'llhavetodienow,"ejaculatedthe LongIslandsailor. Goingtohisvicebench,thecarpenterforconveniencesake andgeneralreference,nowtransferringlymeasuredonit theexactlengththecoffinwastobe,andthenmadethetransfer permanentbycuttingtwonotchesatitsextremities. Thisdone,hemarshalledtheplanksandhistools,andtowork. Whenthelastnailwasdriven,andtheliddulyplanedandfitted, helightlyshoulderedthecoffinandwentforwardwithit, inquiringwhethertheywerereadyforityetinthatdirection. Overhearingtheindignantbuthalfhumorouscrieswithwhich thepeopleondeckbegantodrivethecoffinaway,Queequeg,

toeveryone'sconsternation,commandedthatthethingshould beinstantlybroughttohim,norwasthereanydenyinghim; seeingthat,ofallmortals,somedyingmenarethemosttyrannical; andcertainly,sincetheywillshortlytroubleussolittle forevermore,thepoorfellowsoughttobeindulged. Leaningoverinhishammock,Queequeglongregardedthecoffin withanattentiveeye.Hethencalledforhisharpoon, hadthewoodenstockdrawnfromit,andthenhadtheironpart placedinthecoffinalongwithoneofthepaddlesofhisboat. Allbyhisownrequest,also,biscuitswerethenrangedround thesideswithin;aflaskoffreshwaterwasplacedatthehead, andasmallbagofwoodyearthscrapedupintheholdatthefoot; andapieceofsailclothbeingrolledupforapillow, Queequegnowentreatedtobeliftedintohisfinalbed, thathemightmaketrialofitscomforts,ifanyithad. Helaywithoutmovingafewminutes,thentoldonetogo tohisbagandbringouthislittlegod,Yojo.Thencrossing hisarmsonhisbreastwithYojobetween,hecalledfor thecoffinlid(hatchhecalledit)tobeplacedoverhim. Theheadpartturnedoverwithaleatherhinge,andtherelay Queequeginhiscoffinwithlittlebuthiscomposedcountenance inview."Rarmai"(itwilldo;itiseasy),hemurmuredatlast, andsignedtobereplacedinhishammock. Buterethiswasdone,Pip,whohadbeenslilyhoveringnearbyall thewhile,drewnightohimwherehelay,andwithsoftsobbings, tookhimbythehand;intheother,holdinghistambourine. "Poorrover!willyeneverhavedonewithallthiswearyroving? Wheregoyenow?ButifthecurrentscarryyetothosesweetAntilles wherethebeachesareonlybeatwithwaterlilies,willyedoone littleerrandforme?SeekoutonePip,who'snowbeenmissinglong: Ithinkhe'sinthosefarAntilles.Ifyefindhim,thencomforthim; forhemustbeverysad;forlook!he'slefthistambourinebehind; Ifoundit.Rigadig,dig,dig!Now,Queequeg,die;andI'llbeat yeyourdyingmarch." "Ihaveheard,"murmuredStarbuck,gazingdownthescuttle,"thatin violentfevers,men,allignorance,havetalkedinancienttongues; andthatwhenthemysteryisprobed,itturnsoutalways thatintheirwhollyforgottenchildhoodthoseancienttongues hadbeenreallyspokenintheirhearingbysomeloftyscholars. So,tomyfondfaith,poorPip,inthisstrangesweetnessof hislunacy,bringsheavenlyvouchersofallourheavenlyhomes. Wherelearnedhethat,butthere?Hark!hespeaksagain;

butmorewildlynow." "Formtwoandtwo!Let'smakeaGeneralofhim!Ho,where's hisharpoon?Layitacrosshere.Rigadig,dig,dig!huzza! Ohforagamecocknowtosituponhisheadandcrow! Queequegdiesgame!mindyethat;Queequegdiesgame! takeyegoodheedofthat;Queequegdiesgame! Isay;game,game,game!butbaselittlePip,hediedacoward; diedalla'shiver;outuponPip!Harkye;ifyefindPip, tellalltheAntilleshe'sarunaway;acoward,acoward, acoward!Tellthemhejumpedfromawhaleboat!I'dnever beatmytambourineoverbasePip,andhailhimGeneral, ifhewereoncemoredyinghere.No,no!shameuponallcowards shameuponthem!Let'emgodrownlikePip,thatjumpedfrom awhaleboat.Shame!shame!" Duringallthis,Queequeglaywithclosedeyes,asifinadream. Pipwasledaway,andthesickmanwasreplacedinhishammock. Butnowthathehadapparentlymadeeverypreparationfordeath; nowthathiscoffinwasprovedagoodfit,Queequegsuddenlyrallied; soonthereseemednoneedofthecarpenter'sbox;andthereupon, whensomeexpressedtheirdelightedsurprise,he,insubstance, said,thatthecauseofhissuddenconvalescencewasthis; atacriticalmoment,hehadjustrecalledalittledutyashore,whichhe wasleavingundone;andthereforehadchangedhismindaboutdying: hecouldnotdieyet,heaverred.Theyaskedhim,then,whetherto liveordiewasamatterofhisownsovereignwillandpleasure. Heanswered,certainly.Inaword,itwasQueequeg'sconceit, thatifamanmadeuphismindtolive,meresicknesscouldnotkillhim: nothingbutawhale,oragale,orsomeviolent,ungovernable, unintelligentdestroyerofthatsort. Now,thereisthisnoteworthydifferencebetweensavageandcivilized; thatwhileasick,civilizedmanmaybesixmonthsconvalescing, generallyspeaking,asicksavageisalmosthalfwellagain inaday.So,ingoodtimemyQueequeggainedstrength; andatlengthaftersittingonthewindlassforafewindolentdays (buteatingwithavigorousappetite)hesuddenlyleapedtohisfeet, threwouthisarmsandlegs,gavehimselfagoodstretching,yawneda littlebit,andthenspringingintotheheadofhishoistedboat, andpoisingaharpoon,pronouncedhimselffitforafight. Withawildwhimsiness,henowusedhiscoffinforaseachest; andemptyingintoithiscanvasbagofclothes,settheminorderthere. Manysparehourshespent,incarvingthelidwithallmannerofgrotesque

figuresanddrawings;anditseemedthatherebyhewasstriving, inhisrudeway,tocopypartsofthetwistedtattooingonhisbody. Andthistattooinghadbeentheworkofadepartedprophetandseer ofhisisland,who,bythosehieroglyphicmarks,hadwritten outonhisbodyacompletetheoryoftheheavensandtheearth, andamysticaltreatiseontheartofattainingtruth;sothatQueequeg inhisownproperpersonwasariddletounfold;awondrouswork inonevolume;butwhosemysteriesnotevenhimselfcouldread, thoughhisownliveheartbeatagainstthem;andthesemysteries werethereforedestinedintheendtomoulderawaywiththeliving parchmentwhereontheywereinscribed,andsobeunsolvedtothelast. AndthisthoughtitmusthavebeenwhichsuggestedtoAhabthatwild exclamationofhis,whenonemorningturningawayfromsurveyingpoor Queequeg"Oh,devilishtantalizationofthegods!" CHAPTER111 ThePacific WhenglidingbytheBasheeislesweemergedatlastuponthegreat SouthSea;wereitnotforotherthingsIcouldhavegreetedmydear Pacificwithuncountedthanks,fornowthelongsupplicationofmyyouth wasanswered;thatsereneoceanrolledeastwardsfrommeathousand leaguesofblue. Thereis,oneknowsnotwhatsweetmysteryaboutthissea, whosegentlyawfulstirringsseemstospeakofsomehiddensoulbeneath; likethosefabledundulationsoftheEphesiansodovertheburied EvangelistSt.John.Andmeetitis,thatovertheseseapastures, widerollingwateryprairiesandPotters'Fieldsofallfourcontinents, thewavesshouldriseandfall,andebbandflowunceasingly; forhere,millionsofmixedshadesandshadows,drowneddreams, somnambulisms,reveries;allthatwecalllivesandsouls, liedreaming,dreaming,still;tossinglikeslumberersintheirbeds; theeverrollingwavesbutmadesobytheirrestlessness. ToanymeditativeMagianrover,thisserenePacific,oncebeheld, musteverafterbetheseaofhisadoption.Itrollsthemidmost watersoftheworld,theIndianoceanandAtlanticbeingbutitsarms. ThesamewaveswashthemolesofthenewbuiltCaliforniatowns, butyesterdayplantedbytherecentestraceofmenandlavethefaded butstillgorgeousskirtsofAsiaticlands,olderthanAbraham; whileallbetweenfloatmilkywaysofcoralisles,andlowlying,endless,

unknownArchipelagoes,andimpenetrableJapans.Thusthismysterious, divinePacificzonestheworld'swholebulkabout;makesall coastsonebaytoit;seemsthetidebeatingheartofearth. Liftedbythoseeternalswells,youneedsmustowntheseductivegod, bowingyourheadtoPan. ButfewthoughtsofPanstirredAhab'sbrain,asstanding,likeaniron statueathisaccustomedplacebesidethemizenrigging,withone nostrilheunthinkinglysnuffedthesugarymuskfromtheBasheeisles (inwhosesweetwoodsmildloversmustbewalking),andwith theotherconsciouslyinhaledthesaltbreathofthenewfoundsea; thatseainwhichthehatedWhiteWhalemusteventhenbeswimming. Launchedatlengthuponthesealmostfinalwaters,andgliding towardstheJapanesecruisingground,theoldman'spurpose intensifieditself.Hisfirmlipsmetlikethelipsofavice; theDeltaofhisforehead'sveinsswelledlikeoverladenbrooks; inhisverysleep,hisringingcryranthroughthevaultedhull, "Sternall!theWhiteWhalespoutsthickblood!" CHAPTER112 TheBlacksmith Availinghimselfofthemild,summercoolweatherthatnowreigned intheselatitudes,andinpreparationforthepeculiarlyactive pursuitsshortlytobeanticipated,Perth,thebegrimed,blistered oldblacksmith,hadnotremovedhisportableforgetotheholdagain, afterconcludinghiscontributoryworkforAhab'sleg,butstill retaineditondeck,fastlashedtoringboltsbytheforemast; beingnowalmostincessantlyinvokedbytheheadsmen,andharpooneers, andbowsmentodosomelittlejobforthem;altering,orrepairing, ornewshapingtheirvariousweaponsandboatfurniture. Oftenhewouldbesurroundedbyaneagercircle,allwaiting tobeserved;holdingboatspades,pikeheads,harpoons,andlances, andjealouslywatchinghiseverysootymovement,ashetoiled. Nevertheless,thisoldman'swasapatienthammerwieldedbya patientarm.Nomurmur,noimpatience,nopetulancedidcome fromhim.Silent,slow,andsolemn;bowingoverstillfurtherhis chronicallybrokenback,hetoiledaway,asiftoilwerelifeitself, andtheheavybeatingofhishammertheheavybeatingofhisheart. Andsoitwas.Mostmiserable! Apeculiarwalkinthisoldman,acertainslightbutpainful

appearingyawinginhisgait,hadatanearlyperiodofthevoyage excitedthecuriosityofthemariners.Andtotheimportunity oftheirpersistedquestioningshehadfinallygivenin; andsoitcametopassthateveryonenowknewtheshameful storyofhiswretchedfate. Belated,andnotinnocently,onebitterwinter'smidnight, ontheroadrunningbetweentwocountrytowns,theblacksmith halfstupidlyfeltthedeadlynumbnessstealingoverhim, andsoughtrefugeinaleaning,dilapidatedbarn. Theissuewas,thelossoftheextremitiesofbothfeet. Outofthisrevelation,partbypart,atlastcameoutthefour actsofthegladness,andtheonelong,andasyetuncatastrophied fifthactofthegriefofhislife'sdrama. Hewasanoldman,who,attheageofnearlysixty,hadpostponedly encounteredthatthinginsorrow'stechnicalscalledruin. Hehadbeenanartisanoffamedexcellence,andwithplenty todo;ownedahouseandgarden;embracedayouthful, daughterlike,lovingwife,andthreeblithe,ruddychildren; everySundaywenttoacheerfullookingchurch,plantedinagrove. Butonenight,undercoverofdarkness,andfurtherconcealed inamostcunningdisguisement,adesperateburglarslid intohishappyhome,androbbedthemallofeverything. Anddarkeryettotell,theblacksmithhimselfdid ignorantlyconductthisburglarintohisfamily'sheart. ItwastheBottleConjuror!Upontheopeningofthatfatalcork, forthflewthefiend,andshrivelleduphishome.Now,forprudent, mostwise,andeconomicreasons,theblacksmith'sshopwasin thebasementofhisdwelling,butwithaseparateentrancetoit; sothatalwayshadtheyoungandlovinghealthywifelistened withnounhappynervousness,butwithvigorouspleasure, tothestoutringingofheryoungarmedoldhusband'shammer; whosereverberations,muffledbypassingthroughthefloors andwalls,cameuptoher,notunsweetly,inhernursery; andso,tostoutLabor'sironlullaby,theblacksmith'sinfants wererockedtoslumber. Oh,woeonwoe!Oh,Death,whycanstthounotsometimesbetimely? Hadstthoutakenthisoldblacksmithtothyselferehisfullruin cameuponhim,thenhadtheyoungwidowhadadeliciousgrief, andherorphansatrulyvenerable,legendarysiretodreamofin theirafteryears;andallofthemacarekillingcompetency. ButDeathpluckeddownsomevirtuouselderbrother,onwhosewhistling dailytoilsolelyhungtheresponsibilitiesofsomeotherfamily, andlefttheworsethanuselessoldmanstanding,tillthehideous

rotoflifeshouldmakehimeasiertoharvest. Whytellthewhole?Theblowsofthebasementhammereveryday grewmoreandmorebetween;andeachbloweverydaygrewfainter thanthelast;thewifesatfrozenatthewindow,withtearlesseyes, glitteringlygazingintotheweepingfacesofherchildren; thebellowsfell;theforgechokedupwithcinders;thehouse wassold;themotherdiveddownintothelongchurchyardgrass; herchildrentwicefollowedherthither;andthehouseless, familylessoldmanstaggeredoffavagabondincrape;hisevery woeunreverenced;hisgreyheadascorntoflaxencurls! Deathseemstheonlydesirablesequelforacareerlikethis; butDeathisonlyalaunchingintotheregionofthestrangeUntried; itisbutthefirstsalutationtothepossibilities oftheimmenseRemote,theWild,theWatery,theUnshored; therefore,tothedeathlongingeyesofsuchmen,whostill haveleftinthemsomeinteriorcompunctionsagainstsuicide, doestheallcontributedandallreceptiveoceanalluringlyspread forthhiswholeplainofunimaginable,takingterrors,andwonderful, newlifeadventures;andfromtheheartsofinfinitePacifics, thethousandmermaidssingtothem"Comehither,brokenhearted; hereisanotherlifewithouttheguiltofintermediatedeath; herearewonderssupernatural,withoutdyingforthem. Comehither!burythyselfinalifewhich,toyournowequally abhorredandabhorring,landedworld,ismoreobliviousthandeath. Comehither!putupthygravestone,too,withinthechurchyard, andcomehither,tillwemarrythee!" Hearkeningtothesevoices,EastandWest,byearlysunrise, andbyfallofeve,theblacksmith'ssoulresponded,Aye,Icome! AndsoPerthwentawhaling. CHAPTER113 TheForge Withmattedbeard,andswathedinabristlingsharkskinapron, aboutmidday,Perthwasstandingbetweenhisforgeandanvil, thelatterplaceduponanironwoodlog,withonehandholdingapikehead inthecoals,andwiththeotherathisforge'slungs,whenCaptainAhab camealong,carryinginhishandasmallrustylookingleathernbag. Whileyetalittledistancefromtheforge,moodyAhabpaused;

tillatlast,Perth,withdrawinghisironfromthefire,beganhammering itupontheanviltheredmasssendingoffthesparksinthick hoveringflights,someofwhichflewclosetoAhab. "ArethesethyMotherCarey'schickens,Perth?theyarealwaysflying inthywake;birdsofgoodomen,too,butnottoall;lookhere, theyburn;butthouthouliv'stamongthemwithoutascorch." "BecauseIamscorchedallover,CaptainAhab,"answeredPerth, restingforamomentonhishammer;"Iampastscorching, noteasilycan'stthouscorchascar." "Well,well;nomore.Thyshrunkvoicesoundstoocalmly,sanelywoeful tome.InnoParadisemyself,Iamimpatientofallmiseryinothers thatisnotmad.Thoushould'stgomad,blacksmith;say,whydost thounotgomad?Howcan'stthouendurewithoutbeingmad? Dotheheavensyethatethee,thatthoucan'stnotgomad? Whatwertthoumakingthere?" "Weldinganoldpikehead,sir;therewereseamsanddentsinit." "Andcan'stthoumakeitallsmoothagain,blacksmith,aftersuchhard usageasithad?" "Ithinkso,sir." "AndIsupposethoucan'stsmoothealmostanyseamsanddents; nevermindhowhardthemetal,blacksmith?" "Aye,sir,IthinkIcan;allseamsanddentsbutone." "Lookyeherethen,"criedAhab,passionatelyadvancing,andleaning withbothhandsonPerth'sshoulders;"lookyehereherecanye smootheoutaseamlikethis,blacksmith,"sweepingonehandacross hisribbedbrow;"ifthoucould'st,blacksmith,gladenoughwould Ilaymyheaduponthyanvil,andfeelthyheaviesthammerbetween myeyes.Answer!Can'stthousmoothethisseam?" "Oh!thatistheone,sir!SaidInotallseamsanddentsbutone?" "Aye,blacksmith,itistheone;aye,man,itisunsmoothable; forthoughthouonlysee'stithereinmyflesh,ithasworkeddown intotheboneofmyskullthatisallwrinkles!But,awaywith child'splay;nomoregaffsandpikestoday.Lookyehere!" jinglingtheleathernbag,asifitwerefullofgoldcoins. "I,too,wantaharpoonmade;onethatathousandyokeoffiendscould

notpart,Perth;somethingthatwillstickinawhalelikehisown finbone.There'sthestuff,"flingingthepouchupontheanvil. "Lookye,blacksmith,thesearethegatherednailstubbsofthesteel shoesofracinghorses." "Horseshoestubbs,sir?Why,CaptainAhab,thouhasthere,then, thebestandstubborneststuffweblacksmithseverwork." "Iknowit,oldman;thesestubbswillweldtogetherlikeglue fromthemeltedbonesofmurderers.Quick!forgemetheharpoon. Andforgemefirst,twelverodsforitsshank;thenwind,andtwist, andhammerthesetwelvetogetherliketheyarnsandstrandsofa towline.Quick!I'llblowthefire." Whenatlastthetwelverodsweremade,Ahabtriedthem,onebyone, byspirallingthem,withhisownhand,roundalong,heavyironbolt. "Aflaw!"rejectingthelastone."Workthatoveragain,Perth." Thisdone,Perthwasabouttobeginweldingthetwelveintoone, whenAhabstayedhishand,andsaidhewouldweldhisowniron. As,then,withregular,gaspinghems,hehammeredontheanvil, Perthpassingtohimtheglowingrods,oneaftertheother, andthehardpressedforgeshootingupitsintensestraightflame, theParseepassedsilently,andbowingoverhisheadtowards thefire,seemedinvokingsomecurseorsomeblessingonthetoil. But,asAhablookedup,heslidaside. "What'sthatbunchoflucifersdodgingabouttherefor?"mutteredStubb, lookingonfromtheforecastle."ThatParseesmellsfirelikeafusee; andsmellsofithimself,likeahotmusket'spowderpan." Atlasttheshank,inonecompleterod,receiveditsfinalheat; andasPerth,totemperit,plungeditallhissingintothecask ofwaternearby,thescaldingsteamshotupintoAhab'sbentface. "Would'stthoubrandme,Perth?"wincingforamomentwiththepain; "haveIbeenbutforgingmyownbrandingiron,then?" "PrayGod,notthat;yetIfearsomething,CaptainAhab.Isnotthis harpoonfortheWhiteWhale?" "Forthewhitefiend!Butnowforthebarbs;thoumustmake themthyself,man.Herearemyrazorsthebestofsteel; here,andmakethebarbssharpastheneedlesleetoftheIcySea." Foramoment,theoldblacksmitheyedtherazorsasthoughhewould

fainnotusethem. "Takethem,man,Ihavenoneedforthem;forInowneithershave, sup,norpraytillbutheretowork!" Fashionedatlastintoanarrowyshape,andweldedbyPerthtotheshank, thesteelsoonpointedtheendoftheiron;andastheblacksmith wasaboutgivingthebarbstheirfinalheat,priortotemperingthem, hecriedtoAhabtoplacethewatercasknear. "No,nonowaterforthat;Iwantitofthetruedeathtemper. Ahoy,there!Tashtego,Queequeg,Daggoo!Whatsayye,pagans!Willye givemeasmuchbloodaswillcoverthisbarb?"holdingithighup. Aclusterofdarknodsreplied,Yes.Threepuncturesweremade intheheathenflesh,andtheWhiteWhale'sbarbswerethentempered. "Egononbaptizoteinnominepatris,sedinnominediaboli!" deliriouslyhowledAhab,asthemalignantironscorchingly devouredthebaptismalblood. Now,musteringthesparepolesfrombelow,andselectingoneofhickory, withthebarkstillinvestingit,Ahabfittedtheendtothesocket oftheiron.Acoilofnewtowlinewasthenunwound,andsomefathoms ofittakentothewindlass,andstretchedtoagreattension. Pressinghisfootuponit,tilltheropehummedlikeaharpstring, theneagerlybendingoverit,andseeingnostrandings,Ahabexclaimed, "Good!andnowfortheseizings." Atoneextremitytheropewasunstranded,andtheseparatespread yarnswereallbraidedandwovenroundthesocketoftheharpoon; thepolewasthendrivenhardupintothesocket;fromthelower endtheropewastracedhalfwayalongthepole'slength, andfirmlysecuredso,withintertwistingsoftwine. Thisdone,pole,iron,andropeliketheThreeFates remainedinseparable,andAhabmoodilystalkedawaywiththeweapon; thesoundofhisivoryleg,andthesoundofthehickorypole, bothhollowlyringingalongeveryplank.Butereheentered hiscabin,alight,unnatural,halfbantering,yetmostpiteous soundwasheard.Oh!Pip,thywretchedlaugh,thyidle butunrestingeye;allthystrangemummeriesnotunmeaningly blendedwiththeblacktragedyofthemelancholyship, andmockedit! CHAPTER114

 TheGilder PenetratingfurtherandfurtherintotheheartoftheJapanese cruisinggroundthePequodwassoonallastirinthefishery. Often,inmild,pleasantweather,fortwelve,fifteen,eighteen, andtwentyhoursonthestretch,theywereengagedintheboats, steadilypulling,orsailing,orpaddlingafterthewhales, orforaninterludeofsixtyorseventyminutescalmlyawaiting theiruprising;thoughwithbutsmallsuccessfortheirpains. Atsuchtimes,underanabatedsun;afloatalldayuponsmooth, slowheavingswells;seatedinhisboat,lightasabirchcanoe; andsosociablymixingwiththesoftwavesthemselves, thatlikehearthstonecatstheypurragainstthegunwale; thesearethetimesofdreamyquietude,whenbeholdingthetranquil beautyandbrilliancyoftheocean'sskin,oneforgetsthetiger heartthatpantsbeneathit;andwouldnotwillinglyremember, thatthisvelvetpawbutconcealsaremorselessfang. Thesearethetimes,wheninhiswhaleboattheroversoftlyfeels acertainfilial,confident,landlikefeelingtowardsthesea;thathe regardsitassomuchfloweryearth;andthedistantshiprevealing onlythetopsofhermasts,seemsstrugglingforward,notthroughhigh rollingwaves,butthroughthetallgrassofarollingprairie: aswhenthewesternemigrants'horsesonlyshowtheirerectedears, whiletheirhiddenbodieswidelywadethroughtheamazingverdure. Thelongdrawnvirginvales;themildbluehillsides; asoverthesetherestealsthehush,thehum;youalmostswear thatplayweariedchildrenliesleepinginthesesolitudes, insomegladMaytime,whentheflowersofthewoodsareplucked. Andallthismixeswithyourmostmysticmood;sothatfactandfancy, halfwaymeeting,interpenetrate,andformoneseamlesswhole. Nordidsuchsoothingscenes,howevertemporary,failofatleast astemporaryaneffectonAhab.Butifthesesecretgolden keysdidseemtoopeninhimhisownsecretgoldentreasuries, yetdidhisbreathuponthemprovebuttarnishing. Oh,grassyglades!oheververnalendlesslandscapesinthesoul; inye,thoughlongparchedbythedeaddroughtoftheearthlylife, inye,menyetmayroll,likeyounghorsesinnewmorningclover; andforsomefewfleetingmoments,feelthecooldewofthelife immortalonthem.WouldtoGodtheseblessedcalmswouldlast.

Butthemingled,minglingthreadsoflifearewovenbywarp andwoof:calmscrossedbystorms,astormforeverycalm. Thereisnosteadyunretracingprogressinthislife;wedonot advancethroughfixedgradations,andatthelastonepause: throughinfancy'sunconsciousspell,boyhood'sthoughtless faith,adolescence'doubt(thecommondoom),thenscepticism, thendisbelief,restingatlastinmanhood'sponderingrepose ofIf.Butoncegonethrough,wetracetheroundagain; andareinfants,boys,andmen,andIfseternally. Whereliesthefinalharbor,whenceweunmoornomore? Inwhatraptethersailstheworld,ofwhichtheweariest willneverweary?Whereisthefoundling'sfatherhidden? Oursoulsarelikethoseorphanswhoseunweddedmothersdie inbearingthem:thesecretofourpaternityliesintheirgrave, andwemusttheretolearnit. Andthatsameday,too,gazingfardownfromhisboat'sside intothatsamegoldensea,Starbucklowlymurmured: "Lovelinessunfathomable,aseverloversawinhisyoungbride'seyes! Tellmenotofthyteethtieredsharks,andthykidnappingcannibalways. Letfaithoustfact;letfancyoustmemory;Ilookdeepdown anddobelieve." AndStubb,fishlike,withsparklingscales,leapedupinthat samegoldenlight: "IamStubb,andStubbhashishistory;buthereStubbtakes oathsthathehasalwaysbeenjolly!" CHAPTER115 ThePequodMeetsTheBachelor Andjollyenoughwerethesightsandthesoundsthatcamebearingdown beforethewind,somefewweeksafterAhab'sharpoonhadbeenwelded. ItwasaNantucketship,theBachelor,whichhadjustwedged inherlastcaskofoil,andbolteddownherburstinghatches; andnow,ingladholidayapparel,wasjoyously,thoughsomewhat vaingloriously,sailingroundamongthewidelyseparatedships ontheground,previoustopointingherprowforhome.

Thethreemenathermastheadworelongstreamersofnarrowred buntingattheirhats;fromthestern,awhaleboatwassuspended, bottomdown;andhangingcaptivefromthebowspritwasseenthelong lowerjawofthelastwhaletheyhadslain.Signals,ensigns, andjacksofallcolorswereflyingfromherrigging,oneveryside. Sidewayslashedineachofherthreebasketedtopsweretwobarrels ofsperm;abovewhich,inhertopmastcrosstrees,yousawslender breakersofthesamepreciousfluid;andnailedtohermaintruck wasabrazenlamp. Aswasafterwardslearned,theBachelorhadmetwith themostsurprisingsuccess;allthemorewonderful, forthatwhilecruisinginthesameseasnumerousothervessels hadgoneentiremonthswithoutsecuringasinglefish. Notonlyhadbarrelsofbeefandbreadbeengivenawaytomake roomforthefarmorevaluablesperm,butadditionalsupplemental caskshadbeenbarteredfor,fromtheshipsshehadmet;andthese werestowedalongthedeck,andinthecaptain'sandofficers' staterooms.Eventhecabintableitselfhadbeenknocked intokindlingwood;andthecabinmessdinedoffthebroadhead ofanoilbutt,lasheddowntothefloorforacentrepiece. Intheforecastle,thesailorshadactuallycaulkedandpitched theirchests,andfilledthem;itwashumorouslyadded,thatthe cookhadclappedaheadonhislargestboiler,andfilledit; thatthestewardhadpluggedhissparecoffeepotandfilledit; thattheharpooneershadheadedthesocketsoftheirirons andfilledthem;thatindeedeverythingwasfilledwithsperm, exceptthecaptain'spantaloonspockets,andthosehereserved tothrusthishandsinto,inselfcomplacenttestimonyof hisentiresatisfaction. AsthisgladshipofgoodluckboredownuponthemoodyPequod, thebarbariansoundofenormousdrumscamefromherforecastle; anddrawingstillnearer,acrowdofhermenwereseenstanding roundherhugetrypots,which,coveredwiththeparchmentlike pokeorstomachskinoftheblackfish,gaveforthaloud roartoeverystrokeoftheclenchedhandsofthecrew. Onthequarterdeck,thematesandharpooneersweredancingwiththe olivehuedgirlswhohadelopedwiththemfromthePolynesianIsles; whilesuspendedinanornamentedboat,firmlysecuredaloftbetween theforemastandmainmast,threeLongIslandnegroes,withglittering fiddlebowsofwhaleivory,werepresidingoverthehilariousjig. Meanwhile,othersoftheship'scompanyweretumultuouslybusyat themasonryofthetryworks,fromwhichthehugepotshadbeenremoved. YouwouldhavealmostthoughttheywerepullingdownthecursedBastille, suchwildcriestheyraised,asthenowuselessbrickandmortar

werebeinghurledintothesea. Lordandmasteroverallthisscene,thecaptainstooderect ontheship'selevatedquarterdeck,sothatthewholerejoicing dramawasfullbeforehim,andseemedmerelycontrivedforhis ownindividualdiversion. AndAhab,hetoowasstandingonhisquarterdeck,shaggyandblack, withastubborngloom;andasthetwoshipscrossedeachother'swakes onealljubilationsforthingspassed,theotherallforebodings astothingstocometheirtwocaptainsinthemselvesimpersonated thewholestrikingcontrastofthescene. "Comeaboard,comeaboard!"criedthegayBachelor'scommander, liftingaglassandabottleintheair. "HastseentheWhiteWhale?"grittedAhabinreply. "No;onlyheardofhim;butdon'tbelieveinhimatall," saidtheothergoodhumoredly."Comeaboard!" "Thouarttoodamnedjolly.Sailon.Hastlostanymen?" "Notenoughtospeakoftwoislanders,that'sall;butcomeaboard, oldhearty,comealong.I'llsoontakethatblackfromyourbrow. Comealong,willye(merry'stheplay);afullshipandhomewardbound." "Howwondrousfamiliarisafool!"mutteredAhab;thenaloud,"Thouart afullshipandhomewardbound,thousayest;well,then,callme anemptyship,andoutwardbound.Sogothyways,andIwillmine. Forwardthere!Setallsail,andkeephertothewind!" Andthus,whiletheoneshipwentcheerilybeforethebreeze, theotherstubbornlyfoughtagainstit;andsothetwovesselsparted; thecrewofthePequodlookingwithgrave,lingeringglances towardstherecedingBachelor;buttheBachelor'smenneverheeding theirgazeforthelivelyrevelrytheywerein.AndasAhab, leaningoverthetaffrail,eyedthehomewardboundcraft,hetook fromhispocketasmallvialofsand,andthenlookingfromtheship tothevial,seemedtherebybringingtworemoteassociationstogether, forthatvialwasfilledwithNantucketsoundings. CHAPTER116

TheDyingWhale Notseldominthislife,when,ontherightside,fortune'sfavorites sailclosebyus,we,thoughalladroopbefore,catchsomewhat oftherushingbreeze,andjoyfullyfeelourbaggingsailsfillout. SoseemeditwiththePequod.Fornextdayafterencountering thegayBachelor,whaleswereseenandfourwereslain; andoneofthembyAhab. Itwasfardowntheafternoon;andwhenallthespearingsofthecrimson fightweredone;andfloatinginthelovelysunsetseaandsky, sunandwhalebothstillydiedtogether;then,suchasweetnessand suchplaintiveness,suchinwreathingorisonscurledupinthatrosyair, thatitalmostseemedasiffaroverfromthedeepgreenconventvalleys oftheManillaisles,theSpanishlandbreeze,wantonlyturnedsailor, hadgonetosea,freightedwiththesevesperhymns. Soothedagain,butonlysoothedtodeepergloom,Ahab,whohadsterned offfromthewhale,satintentlywatchinghisfinalwaningsfrom thenowtranquilboat.Forthatstrangespectacleobservableinall spermwhalesdyingtheturningsunwardsofthehead,andsoexpiring thatstrangespectacle,beheldofsuchaplacidevening,somehowtoAhab conveyedawondrousnessunknownbefore. "Heturnsandturnshimtoit,howslowly,buthowsteadfastly, hishomagerenderingandinvokingbrow,withhislastdyingmotions. Hetooworshipsfire;mostfaithful,broad,baronialvassalofthesun! Ohthatthesetoofavoringeyesshouldseethesetoofavoringsights. Look!here,farwaterlocked;beyondallhumofhumanwealorwoe; inthesemostcandidandimpartialseas;wheretotraditionsnorocks furnishtablets;whereforlongChineseages,thebillowshavestill rolledonspeechlessandunspokento,asstarsthatshineupon theNiger'sunknownsource;here,too,lifediessunwardsfulloffaith, butsee!nosoonerdead,thandeathwhirlsroundthecorpse,andit headssomeotherway. "Oh,thoudarkHindoohalfofnature,whoofdrownedboneshastbuilded thyseparatethronesomewhereintheheartoftheseunverduredseas; thouartaninfidel,thouqueen,andtootrulyspeakesttomeinthe wideslaughteringTyphoon,andthehushedburialofitsaftercalm. Norhasthisthywhalesunwardsturnedhisdyinghead,andthengone roundagain,withoutalessontome. "Oh,treblyhoopedandweldedhipofpower!Oh,highaspiring, rainbowedjet!thatonestrivest,thisonejettestallinvain!

Invain,ohwhale,dostthouseekintercedingswithyon allquickeningsun,thatonlycallsforthlife,butgivesitnotagain. Yetdostthoudarkerhalf,rockmewithaprouder,ifadarkerfaith. Allthyunnamableimminglingsfloatbeneathmehere;Iambuoyed bybreathsofoncelivingthings,exhaledasair,butwaternow. "Thenhail,foreverhail,Osea,inwhoseeternaltossingsthewild fowlfindshisonlyrest.Bornofearth,yetsuckledbythesea; thoughhillandvalleymotheredme,yebillowsaremyfosterbrothers!" CHAPTER117 TheWhaleWatch Thefourwhalesslainthateveninghaddiedwideapart; one,fartowindward;onelessdistant,toleeward;oneahead; oneastern.Theselastthreewerebroughtalongsideerenightfall; butthewindwardonecouldnotbereachedtillmorning; andtheboatthathadkilleditlaybyitssideallnight; andthatboatwasAhab's. Thewaifpolewasthrustuprightintothedeadwhale'sspouthole; andthelanternhangingfromitstop,castatroubledflickeringglare upontheblack,glossyback,andfaroutuponthemidnightwaves, whichgentlychafedthewhale'sbroadflank,likesoftsurfuponabeach. Ahabandallhisboat'screwseemedasleepbuttheParsee;whocrouching inthebow,satwatchingthesharks,thatspectrallyplayedround thewhale,andtappedthelightcedarplankswiththeirtails. AsoundlikethemoaninginsquadronsoverAsphaltitesofunforgiven ghostsofGomorrah,ranshudderingthroughtheair. Startedfromhisslumbers,Ahab,facetoface,sawtheParsee; andhoopedroundbythegloomofthenighttheyseemedthelastmen inafloodedworld."Ihavedreameditagain,"saidhe. "Ofthehearses?HaveInotsaid,oldman,thatneitherhearse norcoffincanbethine?" "Andwhoarehearsedthatdieonthesea?" "ButIsaid,oldman,thaterethoucouldstdieonthisvoyage, twohearsesmustverilybeseenbytheeonthesea;thefirstnot

madebymortalhands;andthevisiblewoodofthelastonemust begrowninAmerica." "Aye,aye!astrangesightthat,Parsee!ahearseanditsplumesfloating overtheoceanwiththewavesforthepallbearers.Ha!Suchasight weshallnotsoonsee." "Believeitornot,thoucanstnotdietillitbeseen,oldman." "Andwhatwasthatsayingaboutthyself?" "Thoughitcometothelast,Ishallstillgobeforetheethypilot." "Andwhenthouartsogonebeforeifthateverbefallthenere Icanfollow,thoumuststillappeartome,topilotmestill? Wasitnotso?Well,then,didIbelieveallyesay,ohmypilot! IhaveheretwopledgesthatIshallyetslayMobyDickandsurviveit." "Takeanotherpledge,oldman,"saidtheParsee,ashiseyeslighted uplikefirefliesinthegloom"Hemponlycankillthee." "Thegallows,yemean.Iamimmortalthen,onlandandonsea," criedAhab,withalaughofderision;"Immortalonlandandonsea!" Bothweresilentagain,asoneman.Thegreydawncameon, andtheslumberingcrewarosefromtheboat'sbottom,andere noonthedeadwhalewasbroughttotheship. CHAPTER118 TheQuadrant TheseasonfortheLineatlengthdrewnear;andevery daywhenAhab,comingfromhiscabincasthiseyesaloft, thevigilanthelmsmanwouldostentatiouslyhandlehisspokes, andtheeagermarinersquicklyruntothebraces,andwouldstand therewithalltheireyescentrallyfixedonthenaileddoubloon; impatientfortheordertopointtheship'sprowfortheequator. Ingoodtimetheordercame.Itwasharduponhighnoon; andAhab,seatedinthebowsofhishighhoistedboat, wasabouttakinghiswonteddailyobservationofthesun todeterminehislatitude.

Now,inthatJapanesesea,thedaysinsummerareasfreshets ofeffulgences.ThatunblinkinglyvividJapanesesun seemstheblazingfocusoftheglassyocean'simmeasurable burningglass.Theskylookslacquered;cloudstherearenone; thehorizonfloats;andthisnakednessofunrelieved radianceisastheinsufferablesplendorsofGod'sthrone. WellthatAhab'squadrantwasfurnishedwithcoloredglasses, throughwhichtotakesightofthatsolarfire. So,swinginghisseatedformtotherolloftheship, andwithhisastrologicallookinginstrumentplacedtohiseye, heremainedinthatpostureforsomemomentstocatchtheprecise instantwhenthesunshouldgainitsprecisemeridian. Meantimewhilehiswholeattentionwasabsorbed,theParsee waskneelingbeneathhimontheship'sdeck,andwithface thrownuplikeAhab's,waseyeingthesamesunwithhim; onlythelidsofhiseyeshalfhoodedtheirorbs,andhis wildfacewassubduedtoanearthlypassionlessness. Atlengththedesiredobservationwastaken;andwithhispencil uponhisivoryleg,Ahabsooncalculatedwhathislatitudemust beatthatpreciseinstant.Thenfallingintoamoment'srevery, heagainlookeduptowardsthesunandmurmuredtohimself: "Thouseamark!thouhighandmightyPilot!thoutellestmetruly whereIambutcanstthoucasttheleasthintwhereIshallbe? Orcanstthoutellwheresomeotherthingbesidesmeisthis momentliving?WhereisMobyDick?Thisinstantthoumust beeyeinghim.Theseeyesofminelookintotheveryeye thatisevennowbeholdinghim;aye,andintotheeyethat isevennowequallybeholdingtheobjectsontheunknown, thithersideofthee,thousun!" Thengazingathisquadrant,andhandling,oneaftertheother, itsnumerouscabalisticalcontrivances,heponderedagain, andmuttered:"Foolishtoy!babies'playthingofhaughtyAdmirals, andCommodores,andCaptains;theworldbragsofthee, ofthycunningandmight;butwhatafterallcanstthoudo, buttellthepoor,pitifulpoint,wherethouthyselfhappenest tobeonthiswideplanet,andthehandthatholdsthee: no!notonejotmore!Thoucanstnottellwhereonedrop ofwateroronegrainofsandwillbetomorrownoon;andyet withthyimpotencethouinsultestthesun!Science!Cursethee, thouvaintoy;andcursedbeallthethingsthatcastman'seyes alofttothatheaven,whoselivevividnessbutscorcheshim, astheseoldeyesareevennowscorchedwiththylight,Osun! Levelbynaturetothisearth'shorizonaretheglancesofman'seyes; notshotfromthecrownofhishead,asifGodhadmeant himtogazeonhisfirmament.Cursethee,thouquadrant!"

dashingittothedeck,"nolongerwillIguidemyearthlyway bythee;thelevelship'scompass,andtheleveldeadreckoning, bylogandbyline;theseshallconductme,andshowmemyplace onthesea.Aye,"lightingfromtheboattothedeck,"thusI trampleonthee,thoupaltrythingthatfeeblypointestonhigh; thusIsplitanddestroythee!" Asthefranticoldmanthusspokeandthustrampledwithhislive anddeadfeet,asneeringtriumphthatseemedmeantforAhab, andafatalisticdespairthatseemedmeantforhimself thesepassedoverthemute,motionlessParsee'sface. Unobservedheroseandglidedaway;while,awestruckbytheaspect oftheircommander,theseamenclusteredtogetherontheforecastle, tillAhab,troubledlypacingthedeck,shoutedout"Tothebraces! Uphelm!squarein!" Inaninstanttheyardsswunground;andastheshiphalfwheeled uponherheel,herthreefirmseatedgracefulmastserectlypoised uponherlong,ribbedhull,seemedasthethreeHoratiipirouetting ononesufficientsteed. Standingbetweentheknightheads,StarbuckwatchedthePequod's tumultuousway,andAhab'salso,ashewentlurchingalongthedeck. "Ihavesatbeforethedensecoalfireandwatcheditallaglow, fullofitstormentedflaminglife;andIhaveseenitwane atlast,down,down,todumbestdust.Oldmanofoceans! ofallthisfierylifeofthine,whatwillatlengthremain butonelittleheapofashes!" "Aye,"criedStubb,"butseacoalashesmindyethat,Mr.Starbuck seacoal,notyourcommoncharcoal.Well,well!Iheard Ahabmutter,'Heresomeonethruststhesecardsintotheseold handsofmine;swearsthatImustplaythem,andnoothers.' Anddamnme,Ahab,butthouactestright;liveinthegame, anddieinit!" CHAPTER119 TheCandles Warmestclimesbutnursethecruellestfangs:thetiger ofBengalcrouchesinspicedgrovesofceaselessverdure.

Skiesthemosteffulgentbutbasketthedeadliestthunders: gorgeousCubaknowstornadoesthatneverswepttame northernlands.So,too,itis,thatintheseresplendent Japaneseseasthemarinerencountersthedirestofallstorms, theTyphoon.Itwillsometimesburstfromoutthatcloudlesssky, likeanexplodingbombuponadazedandsleepytown. Towardseveningofthatday,thePequodwastornofhercanvas, andbarepoledwaslefttofightaTyphoonwhichhadstruck herdirectlyahead.Whendarknesscameon,skyandsearoared andsplitwiththethunder,andblazedwiththelightning, thatshowedthedisabledmastflutteringhereandthere withtheragswhichthefirstfuryofthetempesthadleft foritsaftersport. Holdingbyashroud,Starbuckwasstandingonthequarterdeck; ateveryflashofthelightningglancingaloft,tosee whatadditionaldisastermighthavebefallentheintricate hamperthere;whileStubbandFlaskweredirectingthemen inthehigherhoistingandfirmerlashingoftheboats. Butalltheirpainsseemednaught.Thoughliftedtotheverytop ofthecranes,thewindwardquarterboat(Ahab's)didnotescape. Agreatrollingsea,dashinghighupagainstthereelingship's highteeteringside,stoveintheboat'sbottomatthestern, andleftitagain,alldrippingthroughlikeasieve. "Badwork,badwork!Mr.Starbuck,"saidStubb,regardingthewreck, "buttheseawillhaveitsway.Stubb,forone,can'tfightit. Yousee,Mr.Starbuck,awavehassuchagreatlongstartbeforeitleaps, allroundtheworlditruns,andthencomesthespring!Butasforme, allthestartIhavetomeetit,isjustacrossthedeckhere. Butnevermind;it'sallinfun:sotheoldsongsays;"(sings.) Oh!jollyisthegale, Andajokeristhewhale, A'flourishin'histail, Suchafunny,sporty,gamy,jesty,joky,hokypoky lad,istheOcean,oh! Thescudallaflyin', That'shisfliponlyfoamin'; Whenhestirsinthespicin', Suchafunny,sporty,gamy,jesty,joky,hokypoky lad,istheOcean,oh! Thundersplitstheships, Butheonlysmackshislips, Atastin'ofthisflip,

Suchafunny,sporty,gamy,jesty,joky,hokypoky lad,istheOcean,oh! "AvastStubb,"criedStarbuck,"lettheTyphoonsing,andstrike hisharphereinourrigging;butifthouartabravemanthou wiltholdthypeace." "ButIamnotabraveman;neversaidIwasabraveman; Iamacoward;andIsingtokeepupmyspirits. AndItellyouwhatitis,Mr.Starbuck,there'snoway tostopmysinginginthisworldbuttocutmythroat. Andwhenthat'sdone,tentooneIsingyethedoxology forawindup." "Madman!lookthroughmyeyesifthouhastnoneofthineown." "What!howcanyouseebetterofadarknightthananybodyelse, nevermindhowfoolish?" "Here!"criedStarbuck,seizingStubbbytheshoulder,andpointing hishandtowardstheweatherbow,"markestthounotthatthegale comesfromtheeastward,theverycourseAhabistorunforMobyDick? theverycourseheswungtothisdaynoon?nowmarkhisboatthere; whereisthatstove?Inthesternsheets,man;whereheiswonttostand hisstandpointisstove,man!Nowjumpoverboard,andsingaway, ifthoumust! "Idon'thalfunderstandye:what'sinthewind?" "Yes,yes,roundtheCapeofGoodHopeistheshortestwaytoNantucket," soliloquizedStarbucksuddenly,heedlessofStubb'squestion. "Thegalethatnowhammersatustostaveus,wecanturnitintoafair windthatwilldriveustowardshome.Yonder,towindward,allis blacknessofdoom;buttoleeward,homewardIseeitlightensupthere; butnotwiththelightning." Atthatmomentinoneoftheintervalsofprofounddarkness, followingtheflashes,avoicewasheardathisside;andalmost atthesameinstantavolleyofthunderpealsrolledoverhead. "Who'sthere?" "OldThunder!"saidAhab,gropinghiswayalongthebulwarks tohispivothole;butsuddenlyfindinghispathmadeplain tohimbyelbowedlancesoffire.

 Now,asthelightningrodtoaspireonshoreisintendedtocarryoff theperilousfluidintothesoil;sothekindredrodwhichatseasome shipscarrytoeachmast,isintendedtoconductitintothewater. Butasthisconductormustdescendtoconsiderabledepth, thatitsendmayavoidallcontactwiththehull;andasmoreover, ifkeptconstantlytowingthere,itwouldbeliabletomanymishaps, besidesinterferingnotalittlewithsomeoftherigging,andmore orlessimpedingthevessel'swayinthewater;becauseofallthis, thelowerpartsofaship'slightningrodsarenotalwaysoverboard; butaregenerallymadeinlongslenderlinks,soastobethemore readilyhauledupintothechainsoutside,orthrowndownintothesea, asoccasionmayrequire. "Therods!therods!"criedStarbucktothecrew,suddenlyadmonished tovigilancebythevividlightningthathadjustbeendartingflambeaux, tolightAhabtohispost."Aretheyoverboard?dropthemover, foreandaft.Quick!" "Avast!"criedAhab;"let'shavefairplayhere,thoughwebe theweakerside.YetI'llcontributetoraiserodsontheHimmalehs andAndes,thatalltheworldmaybesecured;butoutonprivileges! Letthembe,sir." "Lookaloft!"criedStarbuck."Thecorpusants!thecorpusants! Alltheyardarmsweretippedwithapallidfire;andtouchedat eachtripointedlightningrodendwiththreetaperingwhiteflames, eachofthethreetallmastswassilentlyburninginthatsulphurousair, likethreegiganticwaxtapersbeforeanaltar. "Blasttheboat!letitgo!"criedStubbatthisinstant, asaswashingseaheavedupunderhisownlittlecraftsothatits gunwaleviolentlyjammedhishand,ashewaspassingalashing. "Blastit!"butslippingbackwardonthedeck,hisupliftedeyes caughttheflames;andimmediatelyshiftinghistonehecried"The corpusantshavemercyonusall!" Tosailors,oathsarehouseholdwords;theywillswear inthetranceofthecalm,andintheteethofthetempest; theywillimprecatecursesfromthetopsailyardarms,whenmost theyteeterovertoaseethingsea;butinallmyvoyagings, seldomhaveIheardacommonoathwhenGod'sburningfingerhas beenlaidontheship;whenHis"Mene,Mene,TekelUpharsin" hasbeenwovenintotheshroudsandthecordage.

Whilethispallidnesswasburningaloft,fewwordswereheardfrom theenchantedcrew;whoinonethickclusterstoodontheforecastle, alltheireyesgleaminginthatpalephosphorescence,likeafaraway constellationofstars.Relievedagainsttheghostlylight, thegiganticjetnegro,Daggoo,loomeduptothricehisrealstature, andseemedtheblackcloudfromwhichthethunderhadcome. ThepartedmouthofTashtegorevealedhissharkwhiteteeth, whichstrangelygleamedasiftheytoohadbeentippedbycorpusants; whilelitupbythepreternaturallight,Queequeg'stattooingburned likeSatanicblueflamesonhisbody. Thetableauallwanedatlastwiththepallidnessaloft;andonce morethePequodandeverysoulonherdeckswerewrappedinapall. Amomentortwopassed,whenStarbuck,goingforward,pushedagainst someone.ItwasStubb."Whatthinkestthounow,man;Iheardthycry; itwasnotthesameinthesong." "No,no,itwasn't;Isaidthecorpusantshavemercyonusall; andIhopetheywill,still.Butdotheyonlyhave mercyonlongfaces?havetheynobowelsforalaugh? Andlookye,Mr.Starbuckbutit'stoodarktolook. Hearme,then;Itakethatmastheadflamewesawforasign ofgoodluck;forthosemastsarerootedinaholdthatis goingtobechocka'blockwithspermoil,d'yesee;andso, allthatspermwillworkupintothemasts,likesapinatree. Yes,ourthreemastswillyetbeasthreespermaceticandles that'sthegoodpromisewesaw." AtthatmomentStarbuckcaughtsightofStubb'sfaceslowly beginningtoglimmerintosight.Glancingupwards,hecried: "See!see!"andoncemorethehightaperingflameswerebeheld withwhatseemedredoubledsupernaturalnessintheirpallor. "Thecorpusantshavemercyonusall,"criedStubb,again. Atthebaseofthemainmast,fullbeneaththedoubloonandtheflame, theParseewaskneelinginAhab'sfront,butwithhisheadbowedaway fromhim;whilenearby,fromthearchedandoverhangingrigging, wheretheyhadjustbeenengagedsecuringaspar,anumberoftheseamen, arrestedbytheglare,nowcoheredtogether,andhungpendulous, likeaknotofnumbedwaspsfromadrooping,orchardtwig. Invariousenchantedattitudeslikethestanding,orstepping, orrunningskeletonsinHerculaneum,othersremainedrootedtothedeck; butalltheireyesupcast. "Aye,aye,men!"criedAhab."Lookupatit;markitwell;

thewhiteflamebutlightsthewaytotheWhiteWhale!Handme thosemainmastlinksthere;Iwouldfainfeelthispulse, andletminebeatagainstit;bloodagainstfire!So." Thenturningthelastlinkheldfastinhislefthand,heputhisfoot upontheParsee;andwithfixedupwardeye,andhighflungrightarm, hestooderectbeforetheloftytripointedtrinityofflames. "Oh!thouclearspiritofclearfire,whomontheseseasIas Persianoncedidworship,tillinthesacramentalactsoburned bythee,thattothishourIbearthescar;Inowknowthee, thouclearspirit,andInowknowthatthyrightworship isdefiance.Toneitherlovenorreverencewiltthoubekind; ande'enforhatethoucanstbutkill;andallarekilled. Nofearlessfoolnowfrontsthee.Iownthyspeechless, placelesspower;buttothelastgaspofmyearthquakelife willdisputeitsunconditional,unintegralmasteryinme. Inthemidstofthepersonifiedimpersonal,apersonalitystandshere. Thoughbutapointatbest;whenceso'erIcame;whereso'erIgo; yetwhileIearthlylive,thequeenlypersonalitylivesinme, andfeelsherroyalrights.Butwarispain,andhateiswoe. Comeinthylowestformoflove,andIwillkneelandkissthee; butatthyhighest,comeasmeresupernalpower;andthough thoulaunchestnaviesoffullfreightedworlds,there'sthatin herethatstillremainsindifferent.Oh,thouclearspirit, ofthyfirethoumadestme,andlikeatruechildoffire, Ibreatheitbacktothee." [Sudden,repeatedflashesoflightning;thenineflamesleaplengthwise tothricetheirpreviousheight;Ahab,withtherest,closeshiseyes, hisrighthandpressedharduponthem.] "Iownthyspeechless,placelesspower;saidInotso? Norwasitwrungfromme;nordoInowdroptheselinks. Thoucanstblind;butIcanthengrope.Thoucanstconsume; butIcanthenbeashes.Takethehomageofthesepooreyes, andshutterhands.Iwouldnottakeit.Thelightning flashesthroughmyskull;mineeyeballsacheandache; mywholebeatenbrainseemsasbeheaded,androllingonsome stunningground.Oh,oh!Yetblindfold,yetwillItalktothee. Lightthoughthoube,thouleapestoutofdarkness; butIamdarknessleapingoutoflight,leapingoutofthee! Thejavelinscease;openeyes;see,ornot?Thereburntheflames! Oh,thoumagnanimous!nowdoIdogloryinmygenealogy. Butthouartbutmyfieryfather;mysweetmother,Iknownot. Oh,cruel!whathastthoudonewithher?Thereliesmypuzzle;

butthineisgreater.Thouknowestnothowcameye, hencecallestthyselfunbegotten;certainlyknowestnot thybeginning,hencecallestthyselfunbegun.Iknowthatofme, whichthouknowestnotofthyself,oh,thouomnipotent. Thereissomeunsuffusingthingbeyondthee,thouclearspirit, towhomallthyeternityisbuttime,allthycreativenessmechanical. Throughthee,thyflamingself,myscorchedeyesdodimlyseeit. Oh,thoufoundlingfire,thouhermitimmemorial,thoutoo hastthyincommunicableriddle,thyunparticipatedgrief. Hereagainwithhaughtyagony,Ireadmysire.Leap!leapup, andlickthesky!Ileapwiththee;Iburnwiththee; wouldfainbeweldedwiththee;defyinglyIworshipthee!" "Theboat!theboat!"criedStarbuck,"lookatthyboat,oldman!" Ahab'sharpoon,theoneforgedatPerth'sfire,remainedfirmly lashedinitsconspicuouscrotch,sothatitprojectedbeyond hiswhaleboat'sbow;buttheseathathadstoveitsbottomhad causedthelooseleathersheathtodropoff;andfromthekeen steelbarbtherenowcamealevelledflameofpale,forkedfire. Asthesilentharpoonburnedtherelikeaserpent'stongue, StarbuckgraspedAhabbythearm"God,Godisagainstthee, oldman;forbear!'tisanillvoyage!illbegun,illcontinued; letmesquaretheyards,whilewemay,oldman,andmakeafair windofithomewards,togoonabettervoyagethanthis." OverhearingStarbuck,thepanicstrickencrewinstantly rantothebracesthoughnotasailwasleftaloft. Forthemomentalltheaghastmate'sthoughtsseemedtheirs; theyraisedahalfmutinouscry.Butdashingtherattling lightninglinkstothedeck,andsnatchingtheburningharpoon, Ahabwaveditlikeatorchamongthem;swearingtotransfix withitthefirstsailorthatbutcastloosearope'send. Petrifiedbyhisaspect,andstillmoreshrinkingfrom thefierydartthatheheld,themenfellbackindismay, andAhabagainspoke: "AllyouroathstohunttheWhiteWhaleareasbindingasmine; andheart,soul,andbody,lungsandlife,oldAhabisbound. Andthatyemayknowtowhattunethisheartbeats:lookyehere; thusIblowoutthelastfear!"Andwithoneblastofhisbreath heextinguishedtheflame. Asinthehurricanethatsweepstheplain,menflytheneighborhood ofsomelone,giganticelm,whoseveryheightandstrengthbutrenderit somuchthemoreunsafe,becausesomuchthemoreamarkforthunderbolts;

soatthoselastwordsofAhab'smanyofthemarinersdidrunfromhim inaterrorofdismay. CHAPTER120 TheDeckTowardtheEndoftheFirstNightWatch Ahabstandingbythehelm.Starbuckapproachinghim. Wemustsenddownthemaintopsailyard,sir.Thebandisworking looseandtheleeliftishalfstranded.ShallIstrikeit,sir?" "Strikenothing;lashit.IfIhadskysailpoles,I'dsway themupnow." "Sir!inGod'sname!sir?" "Well." "Theanchorsareworking,sir.ShallIgettheminboard?" "Strikenothing,andstirnothingbutlasheverything.Thewindrises, butithasnotgotuptomytablelandsyet.Quick,andseetoit. Bymastsandkeels!hetakesmeforthehunchbackedskipperofsome coastingsmack.Senddownmymaintopsailyard!Ho,gluepots! Loftiesttrucksweremadeforwildestwinds,andthisbraintruck ofminenowsailsamidthecloudscud.ShallIstrikethat? Oh,nonebutcowardssenddowntheirbraintrucksintempesttime. Whatahoorooshaloftthere!Iwoulde'entakeitforsublime, didInotknowthatthecolicisanoisymalady.Oh,takemedicine, takemedicine!" CHAPTER121 MidnightTheForecastleBulwarks StubbandFlaskmountedonthem,andpassingadditionallashings overtheanchorstherehanging.

No,Stubb;youmaypoundthatknotthereasmuchasyouplease, butyouwillneverpoundintomewhatyouwerejustnowsaying. Andhowlongagoisitsinceyousaidtheverycontrary? Didn'tyouoncesaythatwhatevershipAhabsailsin, thatshipshouldpaysomethingextraonitsinsurancepolicy, justasthoughitwereloadedwithpowderbarrelsaftandboxes oflucifersforward?Stop,now;didn'tyousayso?" "Well,supposeIdid?Whatthen!I'vepartchangedmyflesh sincethattime,whynotmymind?Besides,supposingwe areloadedwithpowderbarrelsaftandlucifersforward; howthedevilcouldthelucifersgetafireinthisdrenching sprayhere?Why,mylittleman,youhaveprettyredhair, butyoucouldn'tgetafirenow.Shakeyourself;you'reAquarius, orthewaterbearer,Flask;mightfillpitchersatyour coatcollar.Don'tyousee,then,thatfortheseextra riskstheMarineInsurancecompanieshaveextraguarantees? Herearehydrants,Flask.Buthark,again,andI'llanswer yetheotherthing.Firsttakeyourlegofffromthecrown oftheanchorhere,though,soIcanpasstherope;nowlisten. What'sthemightydifferencebetweenholdingamast's lightningrodinthestorm,andstandingclosebyamast thathasn'tgotanylightningrodatallinastorm? Don'tyousee,youtimberhead,thatnoharmcancome totheholderoftherod,unlessthemastisfirststruck? Whatareyoutalkingabout,then?Notoneshipinahundred carriesrods,andAhab,aye,man,andallofus,wereinno moredangerthen,inmypooropinion,thanallthecrewsinten thousandshipsnowsailingtheseas.Why,youKingPost,you, Isupposeyouwouldhaveeverymanintheworldgoaboutwithasmall lightningrodrunningupthecornerofhishat,likeamilitia officer'sskeweredfeather,andtrailingbehindlikehissash. Whydon'tyebesensible,Flask?it'seasytobesensible; whydon'tye,then?anymanwithhalfaneyecanbesensible." "Idon'tknowthat,Stubb.Yousometimesfinditratherhard." "Yes,whenafellow'ssoakedthrough,it'shardtobesensible, that'safact.AndIamaboutdrenchedwiththisspray.Nevermind; catchtheturnthere,andpassit.Seemstomewearelashingdown theseanchorsnowasiftheywerenevergoingtobeusedagain. Tyingthesetwoanchorshere,Flask,seemsliketyingaman'shands behindhim.Andwhatbiggeneroushandstheyare,tobesure. Theseareyourironfists,hey?Whataholdtheyhave,too! Iwonder,Flask,whethertheworldisanchoredanywhere; ifsheis,sheswingswithanuncommonlongcable,though.

There,hammerthatknotdown,andwe'vedone.So;nextto touchingland,lightingondeckisthemostsatisfactory. Isay,justwringoutmyjacketskirts,willye?Thankye. Theylaughatlongtogsso,Flask;butseemstome, alongtailedcoatoughtalwaystobeworninallstormsafloat. Thetailstaperingdownthatway,servetocarryoffthewater, d'yesee.Samewithcockedhats;thecocksformgableend eavetroughs,Flask.Nomoremonkeyjacketsandtarpaulinsforme; Imustmountaswallowtail,anddrivedownabeaver;so. Halloa!whew!theregoesmytarpaulinoverboard;Lord,Lord, thatthewindsthatcomefromheavenshouldbesounmannerly! Thisisanastynight,lad." CHAPTER122 MidnightAloft.ThunderandLightning TheMaintopsailyardTashtegopassingnewlashingsaroundit. "Um,um,um.Stopthatthunder!Plentytoomuchthunderuphere. What'stheuseofthunder?Um,um,um.Wedon'twantthunder; wewantrum;giveusaglassofrum.Um,um,um!" CHAPTER123 TheMusket DuringthemostviolentshocksoftheTyphoon,themanatthePequod's jawbonetillerhadseveraltimesbeenreelinglyhurledtothedeckbyits spasmodicmotionseventhoughpreventertackleshadbeenattachedtoit fortheywereslackbecausesomeplaytothetillerwasindispensable. Inaseveregalelikethis,whiletheshipisbutatossed shuttlecocktotheblast,itisbynomeansuncommontosee theneedlesinthecompasses,atintervals,goroundandround. ItwasthuswiththePequod's;atalmosteveryshockthehelmsman hadnotfailedtonoticethewhirlingvelocitywithwhichthey revolveduponthecards;itisasightthathardlyanyonecan beholdwithoutsomesortofunwontedemotion.

 Somehoursaftermidnight,theTyphoonabatedsomuch, thatthroughthestrenuousexertionsofStarbuckandStubb oneengagedforwardandtheotherafttheshiveredremnantsof thejibandforeandmaintopsailswerecutadriftfromthespars, andwenteddyingawaytoleeward,likethefeathersofanalbatross, whichsometimesarecasttothewindswhenthatstormtossedbird isonthewing. Thethreecorrespondingnewsailswerenowbentandreefed, andastormtrysailwassetfurtheraft;sothattheshipsoon wentthroughthewaterwithsomeprecisionagain;andthecourse forthepresent,Eastsoutheastwhichhewastosteer,ifpracticable, wasoncemoregiventothehelmsman.Forduringtheviolence ofthegale,hehadonlysteeredaccordingtoitsvicissitudes. Butashewasnowbringingtheshipasnearhercourseaspossible, watchingthecompassmeanwhile,lo!agoodsign!thewindseemed comingroundastern;aye,thefoulbreezebecamefair! Instantlytheyardsweresquared,tothelivelysongof"Ho! thefairwind!ohyehocheerly,men!"thecrewsingingforjoy, thatsopromisinganeventshouldsosoonhavefalsifiedtheevil portentsprecedingit. Incompliancewiththestandingorderofhiscommander toreportimmediately,andatanyoneofthetwentyfourhours, anydecidedchangeintheaffairsofthedeck,Starbuckhad nosoonertrimmedtheyardstothebreezehoweverreluctantly andgloomily,thanhemechanicallywentbelowtoapprise CaptainAhabofthecircumstance. Ereknockingathisstateroom,heinvoluntarilypausedbeforeit amoment.Thecabinlamptakinglongswingsthiswayandthat wasburningfitfully,andcastingfitfulshadowsupontheold man'sbolteddoor,athinone,withfixedblindsinserted, inplaceofupperpanels.Theisolatedsubterraneousness ofthecabinmadeacertainhummingsilencetoreignthere, thoughitwashoopedroundbyalltheroaroftheelements. Theloadedmusketsintherackwereshininglyrevealed, astheystooduprightagainsttheforwardbulkhead. Starbuckwasanhonest,uprightman;butoutofStarbuck'sheart, atthatinstantwhenhesawthemuskets,therestrangely evolvedanevilthought;butsoblentwithitsneutralorgood accompanimentsthatfortheinstanthehardlyknewitforitself. "Hewouldhaveshotmeonce,"hemurmured,"yes,there'sthevery

musketthathepointedatme;thatonewiththestuddedstock; letmetouchitliftit.Strange,thatI,whohave handledsomanydeadlylances,strange,thatIshouldshake sonow.Loaded?Imustsee.Aye,aye;andpowderinthepan; that'snotgood.Bestspillit?wait.I'llcuremyselfofthis. I'llholdthemusketboldlywhileIthink.Icometoreport afairwindtohim.Buthowfair?Fairfordeathanddoom, that'sfairforMobyDick.It'safairwindthat'sonlyfairfor thataccursedfish.Theverytubehepointedatme!theveryone; thisoneIholdithere;hewouldhavekilledmewiththevery thingIhandlenow.Ayeandhewouldfainkillallhiscrew. Doeshenotsayhewillnotstrikehissparstoanygale? Hashenotdashedhisheavenlyquadrant?andinthesesame perilousseas,gropeshenothiswaybymeredeadreckoning oftheerroraboundinglog?andinthisveryTyphoon,didhenot swearthathewouldhavenolightningrods?Butshallthiscrazed oldmanbetamelysufferedtodragawholeship'scompanydown todoomwithhim?Yes,itwouldmakehimthewilfulmurderer ofthirtymenandmore,ifthisshipcometoanydeadlyharm; andcometodeadlyharm,mysoulswearsthisshipwill, ifAhabhavehisway.If,then,hewerethisinstant putaside,thatcrimewouldnotbehis.Ha!ishemuttering inhissleep?Yes,justthere,inthere,he'ssleeping. Sleeping?aye,butstillalive,andsoonawakeagain. Ican'twithstandthee,then,oldman.Notreasoning; notremonstrance;notentreatywiltthouhearkento; allthisthouscornest.Flatobediencetothyownflatcommands, thisisallthoubreathest.Aye,andsay'stthemenhavevow'd thyvow;say'stallofusareAhabs.GreatGodforbid! Butistherenootherway?nolawfulway?Makehimaprisoner tobetakenhome?What!hopetowrestthisoldman'sliving powerfromhisownlivinghands?Onlyafoolwouldtryit. Sayhewerepinionedeven;knottedalloverwithropes andhawsers;chaineddowntoringboltsonthiscabinfloor; hewouldbemorehideousthanacagedtiger,then.Icould notendurethesight;couldnotpossiblyflyhishowlings; allcomfort,sleepitself,inestimablereasonwouldleaveme onthelongintolerablevoyage.What,then,remains?Theland ishundredsofleaguesaway,andlockedJapanthenearest. Istandalonehereuponanopensea,withtwooceansanda wholecontinentbetweenmeandlaw.Aye,aye,'tisso. Isheavenamurdererwhenitslightningstrikesawouldbe murdererinhisbed,tinderingsheetsandskintogether? AndwouldIbeamurderer,then,if"andslowly,stealthily, andhalfsidewayslooking,heplacedtheloadedmusket'send againstthedoor.

 "Onthislevel,Ahab'shammockswingswithin;hisheadthisway. Atouch,andStarbuckmaysurvivetohughiswifeandchildagain. OhMary!Mary!boy!boy!boy!ButifIwaketheenottodeath, oldman,whocantelltowhatunsoundeddeepsStarbuck'sbodythisday weekmaysink,withallthecrew!GreatGod,whereartThou?ShallI? shallI?Thewindhasgonedownandshifted,sir;theforeandmain topsailsarereefedandset!sheheadshercourse." "Sternall!OhMobyDick,Iclutchthyheartatlast!" Suchwerethesoundsthatnowcamehurtlingfromouttheoldman's tormentedsleep,asifStarbuck'svoicehadcausedthelongdumb dreamtospeak. Theyetlevelledmusketshooklikeadrunkard'sarmagainstthepanel; Starbuckseemedwrestlingwithanangel,butturningfromthedoor, heplacedthedeathtubeinitsrack,andlefttheplace. "He'stoosoundasleep,Mr.Stubb;gothoudown,andwakehim, andtellhim.Imustseetothedeckhere.Thouknow'st whattosay." CHAPTER124 TheNeedle Nextmorningthenotyetsubsidedsearolledinlongslow billowsofmightybulk,andstrivinginthePequod's gurglingtrack,pushedheronlikegiants'palmsoutspread. Thestrongunstaggeringbreezeaboundedso,thatskyandair seemedvastoutbellyingsails;thewholeworldboomedbefore thewind.Muffledinthefullmorninglight,theinvisible sunwasonlyknownbythespreadintensityofhisplace; wherehisbayonetraysmovedoninstacks.Emblazonings,asof crownedBabyloniankingsandqueens,reignedovereverything. Theseawasasacrucibleofmoltengold,thatbubblinglyleaps withlightandheat. Longmaintaininganenchantedsilence,Ahabstoodapart;andevery timetheteeteringshiploweringlypitcheddownherbowsprit, heturnedtoeyethebrightsun'sraysproducedahead; andwhensheprofoundlysettledbythestern,heturnedbehind,

andsawthesun'srearwardplace,andhowthesameyellowrays wereblendingwithhisundeviatingwake. "Ha,ha,myship!thoumightestwellbetakennowfortheseachariotof thesun.Ho,ho!allyenationsbeforemyprow,Ibringthesuntoye! Yokeonthefurtherbillows;hallo!atandem,Idrivethesea!" Butsuddenlyreinedbackbysomecounterthought,hehurriedtowards thehelm,huskilydemandinghowtheshipwasheading. "Eastsoueast,sir,"saidthefrightenedsteersman. "Thouliest!"smitinghimwithhisclenchedfist. "HeadingEastatthishourinthemorning,andthesunastern?" Uponthiseverysoulwasconfounded;forthephenomenonjust thenobservedbyAhabhadunaccountablyescapedeveryoneelse; butitsveryblindingpalpablenessmusthavebeenthecause. Thrustinghisheadhalfwayintothebinnacle,Ahabcaught oneglimpseofthecompasses;hisupliftedarmslowlyfell; foramomenthealmostseemedtostagger.Standingbehind himStarbucklooked,andlo!thetwocompassespointedEast, andthePequodwasasinfalliblygoingWest. Buterethefirstwildalarmcouldgetoutabroadamongthecrew,theold manwitharigidlaughexclaimed,"Ihaveit!Ithashappenedbefore. Mr.Starbuck,lastnight'sthunderturnedourcompassesthat'sall. Thouhastbeforenowheardofsuchathing,Itakeit." "Aye;butneverbeforehasithappenedtome,sir,"saidthe palemate,gloomily. Here,itmustneedsbesaid,thataccidentslikethishave inmorethanonecaseoccurredtoshipsinviolentstorms. Themagneticenergy,asdevelopedinthemariner'sneedle,is, asallknow,essentiallyonewiththeelectricitybeheldinheaven; henceitisnottobemuchmarvelledat,thatsuchthingsshouldbe. Ininstanceswherethelightninghasactuallystruckthevessel, soastosmitedownsomeofthesparsandrigging,theeffectupon theneedlehasattimesbeenstillmorefatal;allitsloadstone virtuebeingannihilated,sothatthebeforemagneticsteelwasofno moreusethananoldwife'sknittingneedle.Butineithercase, theneedleneveragain,ofitself,recoverstheoriginalvirtue thusmarredorlost;andifthebinnaclecompassesbeaffected, thesamefatereachesalltheothersthatmaybeintheship;

evenwerethelowermostoneinsertedintothekelson. Deliberatelystandingbeforethebinnacle,andeyeing thetranspointedcompasses,theoldman,withthesharp ofhisextendedhand,nowtooktheprecisebearingofthesun, andsatisfiedthattheneedleswereexactlyinverted,shoutedout hisordersfortheship'scoursetobechangedaccordingly. Theyardswerehardup;andoncemorethePequodthrusther undauntedbowsintotheopposingwind,forthesupposedfair onehadonlybeenjugglingher. Meanwhile,whateverwerehisownsecretthoughts,Starbuck saidnothing,butquietlyheissuedallrequisiteorders; whileStubbandFlaskwhoinsomesmalldegreeseemedthen tobesharinghisfeelingslikewiseunmurmuringlyacquiesced. Asforthemen,thoughsomeofthemlowlyrumbled,theirfear ofAhabwasgreaterthantheirfearofFate.Butaseverbefore, thepaganharpooneersremainedalmostwhollyunimpressed; orifimpressed,itwasonlywithacertainmagnetismshot intotheircongenialheartsfrominflexibleAhab's. Foraspacetheoldmanwalkedthedeckinrollingreveries. Butchancingtoslipwithhisivoryheel,hesawthecrushed coppersighttubesofthequadranthehadthedaybeforedashed tothedeck. "Thoupoor,proudheavengazerandsun'spilot!yesterdayI wreckedthee,andtodaythecompasseswouldfainhavewreckedme. So,so.ButAhabislordoverthelevelloadstoneyet. Mr.Starbuckalancewithoutthepole;atopmaul,andthesmallest ofthesailmaker'sneedles.Quick!" Accessory,perhaps,totheimpulsedictatingthethinghewasnowabout todo,werecertainprudentialmotives,whoseobjectmighthavebeen torevivethespiritsofhiscrewbyastrokeofhissubtileskill, inamattersowondrousasthatoftheinvertedcompasses. Besides,theoldmanwellknewthattosteerbytranspointedneedles, thoughclumsilypracticable,wasnotathingtobepassedoverby superstitioussailors,withoutsomeshudderingsandevilportents. "Men,"saidhe,steadilyturninguponthecrew,asthemate handedhimthethingshehaddemanded,"mymen,thethunder turnedoldAhab'sneedles;butoutofthisbitofsteelAhab canmakeoneofhisown,thatwillpointastrueasany." Abashedglancesofservilewonderwereexchangedbythesailors,

asthiswassaid;andwithfascinatedeyestheyawaitedwhatever magicmightfollow.ButStarbucklookedaway. WithablowfromthetopmaulAhabknockedoffthesteelheadof thelance,andthenhandingtothematethelongironrodremaining, badehimholditupright,withoutitstouchingthedeck. Then,withthemaul,afterrepeatedlysmitingtheupperendofthis ironrod,heplacedthebluntedneedleendwiseonthetopofit, andlessstronglyhammeredthat,severaltimes,thematestillholding therodasbefore.Thengoingthroughsomesmallstrangemotions withitwhetherindispensabletothemagnetizingofthesteel, ormerelyintendedtoaugmenttheaweofthecrew,isuncertain hecalledforlinenthread;andmovingtothebinnacle,slippedout thetworeversedneedlesthere,andhorizontallysuspendedthe sailneedlebyitsmiddle,overoneofthecompasscards.Atfirst, thesteelwentroundandround,quiveringandvibratingateitherend; butatlastitsettledtoitsplace,whenAhab,whohadbeenintently watchingforthisresult,steppedfranklybackfromthebinnacle, andpointinghisstretchedarmtowardsit,exclaimed,"Lookye, foryourselves,ifAhabbenotthelordofthelevelloadstone! ThesunisEast,andthatcompassswearsit!" Oneafteranothertheypeeredin,fornothingbuttheirowneyes couldpersuadesuchignoranceastheirs,andoneafteranother theyslunkaway. Inhisfieryeyesofscornandtriumph,youthensawAhab inallhisfatalpride. CHAPTER125 TheLogandLine WhilenowthefatedPequodhadbeensolongafloatthisvoyage, thelogandlinehadbutveryseldombeeninuse. Owingtoaconfidentrelianceuponothermeansofdetermining thevessel'splace,somemerchantmen,andmanywhalemen, especiallywhencruising,whollyneglecttoheavethelog; thoughatthesametime,andfrequentlymoreforform'ssake thananythingelse,regularlyputtingdownuponthecustomary slatethecoursesteeredbytheship,aswellasthepresumed averagerateofprogressioneveryhour.Ithadbeenthus withthePequod.Thewoodenreelandangularlogattachedhung,

longuntouched,justbeneaththerailingoftheafterbulwarks. Rainsandsprayhaddampedit;thesunandwindhadwarpedit; alltheelementshadcombinedtorotathingthathungsoidly. Butheedlessofallthis,hismoodseizedAhab,ashehappened toglanceuponthereel,notmanyhoursafterthemagnetscene, andherememberedhowhisquadrantwasnomore,andrecalled hisfranticoathaboutthelevellogandline.Theshipwas sailingplungingly;asternthebillowsrolledinriots. "Forward,there!Heavethelog!" Twoseamencame.ThegoldenhuedTahitianandthegrizzlyManxman. "Takethereel,oneofye,I'llheave." Theywenttowardstheextremestern,ontheship'sleeside, wherethedeck,withtheobliqueenergyofthewind,wasnow almostdippingintothecreamy,sidelongrushingsea. TheManxmantookthereel,andholdingithighup,bytheprojecting handleendsofthespindle,roundwhichthespooloflinerevolved, sostoodwiththeangularloghangingdownwards,tillAhab advancedtohim. Ahabstoodbeforehim,andwaslightlyunwindingsomethirty orfortyturnstoformapreliminaryhandcoiltotossoverboard, whentheoldManxman,whowasintentlyeyeingbothhimandtheline, madeboldtospeak. "Sir,Imistrustit;thislinelooksfargone,longheatandwet havespoiledit." "'Twillhold,oldgentleman.Longheatandwet,havetheyspoiledthee? Thouseem'sttohold.Or,truerperhaps,lifeholdsthee;notthouit." "Iholdthespool,sir.Butjustasmycaptainsays. Withthesegreyhairsofmine'tisnotworthwhiledisputing, 'speciallywithasuperior,who'llne'erconfess." "What'sthat?Therenow'sapatchedprofessorinQueenNature's granitefoundedCollege;butmethinkshe'stoosubservient. Wherewertthouborn?" "InthelittlerockyIsleofMan,sir." "Excellent!Thou'sthittheworldbythat."

"Iknownot,sir,butIwasbornthere." "IntheIsleofMan,hey?Well,theotherway,it'sgood. Here'samanfromMan;amanborninonceindependentMan,andnow unmannedofMan;whichissuckedinbywhat?Upwiththereel! Thedead,blindwallbuttsallinquiringheadsatlast. Upwithit!So." Thelogwasheaved.Theloosecoilsrapidlystraightenedoutinalong dragginglineastern,andthen,instantly,thereelbegantowhirl. Inturn,jerkinglyraisedandloweredbytherollingbillows,thetowing resistanceofthelogcausedtheoldreelmantostaggerstrangely. "Holdhard!" Snap!theoverstrainedlinesaggeddowninonelongfestoon; thetugginglogwasgone. "Icrushthequadrant,thethunderturnstheneedles, andnowthemadseapartsthelogline.ButAhabcanmendall. Haulinhere,Tahitian;reelup,Manxman.Andlookye, letthecarpentermakeanotherlog,andmendthoutheline. Seetoit." "Therehegoesnow;tohimnothing'shappened;buttome, theskewerseemslooseningoutofthemiddleoftheworld. Haulin,haulin,Tahitian!Theselinesrunwhole,andwhirlingout: comeinbroken,anddraggingslow.Ha,Pip?cometohelp;eh,Pip?" "Pip?whomcallyePip?Pipjumpedfromthewhaleboat. Pip'smissing.Let'sseenowifyehaven'tfishedhim uphere,fisherman.Itdragshard;Iguesshe'sholdingon. Jerkhim,Tahiti!Jerkhimoffwehaulinnocowardshere. Ho!there'shisarmjustbreakingwater.Ahatchet!ahatchet! cutitoffwehaulinnocowardshere.CaptainAhab!sir, sir!here'sPip,tryingtogetonboardagain." "Peace,thoucrazyloon,"criedtheManxman,seizinghimbythearm. "Awayfromthequarterdeck!" "Thegreateridioteverscoldsthelesser,"mutteredAhab,advancing. "Handsofffromthatholiness!WheresayestthouPipwas,boy? "Asternthere,sir,astern!Lo!lo!" "Andwhoartthou,boy?Iseenotmyreflectioninthevacantpupils

ofthyeyes.OhGod!thatmanshouldbeathingforimmortalsouls tosievethrough!Whoartthou,boy?" "Bellboy,sir;ship'scrier;ding,dong,ding!Pip!Pip!Pip!One hundredpoundsofclayrewardforPip;fivefeethighlookscowardly quickestknownbythat!Ding,dong,ding!Who'sseenPipthecoward?" "Therecanbenoheartsabovethesnowline.Oh,yefrozen heavens!lookdownhere.Yedidbegetthislucklesschild, andhaveabandonedhim,yecreativelibertines.Here,boy; Ahab'scabinshallbePip'shomehenceforth,whileAhablives. Thoutouchestmyinmostcentre,boy;thouarttiedtomebycords wovenofmyheartstrings.Come,let'sdown." "What'sthis?here'svelvetsharkskin,"intentlygazingatAhab'shand, andfeelingit."Ah,now,hadpoorPipbutfeltsokindathingasthis, perhapshehadne'erbeenlost!Thisseemstome,sir,asamanrope; somethingthatweaksoulsmayholdby.Oh,sir,letoldPerthnowcome andrivetthesetwohandstogether;theblackonewiththewhite, forIwillnotletthisgo." "Oh,boy,norwillIthee,unlessIshouldtherebydragthee toworsehorrorsthanarehere.Come,then,tomycabin. Lo!yebelieversingodsallgoodness,andinmanallill, loyou!seetheomniscientgodsobliviousofsufferingman; andman,thoughidiotic,andknowingnotwhathedoes,yetfull ofthesweetthingsofloveandgratitude.Come!Ifeelprouder leadingtheebythyblackhand,thanthoughIgraspedanEmperor's!" "Theregotwodaftonesnow,"mutteredtheoldManxman. "Onedaftwithstrength,theotherdaftwithweakness. Buthere'stheendoftherottenlinealldripping,too. Mendit,eh?Ithinkwehadbesthaveanewlinealtogether. I'llseeMr.Stubbaboutit." CHAPTER126 TheLifeBuoy SteeringnowsoutheastwardbyAhab'slevelledsteel, andherprogresssolelydeterminedbyAhab'slevellogandline; thePequodheldonherpathtowardstheEquator.Makingsolong apassagethroughsuchunfrequentedwaters,descryingnoships,

anderelong,sidewaysimpelledbyunvaryingtradewinds, overwavesmonotonouslymild;alltheseseemedthestrangecalm thingspreludingsomeriotousanddesperatescene. Atlast,whentheshipdrewneartotheoutskirts,asitwere, oftheEquatorialfishingground,andinthedeepdarknessthat goesbeforethedawn,wassailingbyaclusterofrockyislets; thewatchthenheadedbyFlaskwasstartledbyacrysoplaintively wildandunearthlylikehalfarticulatedwailingsoftheghosts ofallHerod'smurderedInnocentsthatoneandall,theystarted fromtheirreveries,andforthespaceofsomemomentsstood, orsat,orleanedalltransfixedbylistening,likethecarved Romanslave,whilethatwildcryremainedwithinhearing. TheChristianorcivilizedpartofthecrewsaiditwasmermaids, andshuddered;butthepaganharpooneersremainedunappalled. YetthegreyManxmantheoldestmarinerofalldeclaredthat thewildthrillingsoundsthatwereheard,werethevoicesofnewly drownedmeninthesea. Belowinhishammock,Ahabdidnothearofthistillgreydawn, whenhecametothedeck;itwasthenrecountedtohimbyFlask, notunaccompaniedwithhinteddarkmeanings.Hehollowlylaughed, andthusexplainedthewonder. Thoserockyislandstheshiphadpassedweretheresortofgreatnumbers ofseals,andsomeyoungsealsthathadlosttheirdams,orsomedams thathadlosttheircubs,musthaverisennightheshipandkept companywithher,cryingandsobbingwiththeirhumansortofwail. Butthisonlythemoreaffectedsomeofthem,becausemostmariners cherishaverysuperstitiousfeelingaboutseals,arisingnotonlyfrom theirpeculiartoneswhenindistress,butalsofromthehumanlook oftheirroundheadsandsemiintelligentfaces,seenpeeringlyuprising fromthewateralongside.Inthesea,undercertaincircumstances, sealshavemorethanoncebeenmistakenformen. Butthebodingsofthecrewweredestinedtoreceiveamostplausible confirmationinthefateofoneoftheirnumberthatmorning. Atsunrisethismanwentfromhishammocktohismastheadatthefore; andwhetheritwasthathewasnotyethalfwakedfromhissleep (forsailorssometimesgoaloftinatransitionstate),whetherit wasthuswiththeman,thereisnownotelling;but,bethatasitmay, hehadnotbeenlongathisperch,whenacrywasheardacry andarushingandlookingup,theysawafallingphantomintheair; andlookingdown,alittletossedheapofwhitebubblesintheblue ofthesea.

Thelifebuoyalongslendercaskwasdroppedfromthestern,whereit alwayshungobedienttoacunningspring;butnohandrosetoseizeit, andthesunhavinglongbeatuponthiscaskithadshrunken,sothatit slowlyfilled,andtheparchedwoodalsofilledatitseverypore; andthestuddedironboundcaskfollowedthesailortothebottom, asiftoyieldhimhispillow,thoughinsoothbutahardone. AndthusthefirstmanofthePequodthatmountedthemast tolookoutfortheWhiteWhale,ontheWhiteWhale'sown peculiarground;thatmanwasswallowedupinthedeep. Butfew,perhaps,thoughtofthatatthetime.Indeed,insomesort, theywerenotgrievedatthisevent,atleastasaportent; fortheyregardedit,notasaforeshadowingofevilin thefuture,butasthefulfilmentofanevilalreadypresaged. Theydeclaredthatnowtheyknewthereasonofthosewild shriekstheyhadheardthenightbefore.Butagaintheold Manxmansaidnay. Thelostlifebuoywasnowtobereplaced;Starbuckwasdirected toseetoit;butasnocaskofsufficientlightnesscouldbefound, andasinthefeverisheagernessofwhatseemedtheapproachingcrisis ofthevoyage,allhandswereimpatientofanytoilbutwhatwas directlyconnectedwithitsfinalend,whateverthatmightprove tobe;therefore,theyweregoingtoleavetheship'ssternunprovided withabuoy,whenbycertainstrangesignsandinuendoesQueequeg hintedahintconcerninghiscoffin. "Alifebuoyofacoffin!"criedStarbuck,starting. "Ratherqueer,that,Ishouldsay,"saidStubb. "Itwillmakeagoodenoughone,"saidFlask,"thecarpenterherecan arrangeiteasily." "Bringitup;there'snothingelseforit,"saidStarbuck, afteramelancholypause."Rigit,carpenter;donotlookatmeso thecoffin,Imean.Dostthouhearme?Rigit." "AndshallInaildownthelid,sir?"movinghishandaswithahammer. "Aye." "AndshallIcaulktheseams,sir?"movinghishandas withacaulkingiron. "Aye."

 "AndshallIthenpayoverthesamewithpitch,sir?"movinghishand aswithapitchpot. Away!Whatpossessestheetothis?Makealifebuoyofthecoffin, andnomore.Mr.Stubb,Mr.Flask,comeforwardwithme." "Hegoesoffinahuff.Thewholehecanendure;attheparts hebaulks.NowIdon'tlikethis.ImakealegforCaptainAhab, andhewearsitlikeagentleman;butImakeabandboxforQueequeg, andhewon'tputhisheadintoit.Areallmypainstogofornothing withthatcoffin?AndnowI'morderedtomakealifebuoyofit. It'sliketurninganoldcoat;goingtobringthefleshon theothersidenow.Idon'tlikethiscobblingsortofbusiness Idon'tlikeitatall;it'sundignified;it'snotmyplace. Lettinkers'bratsdotinkerings;wearetheirbetters.Iliketotake inhandnonebutclean,virgin,fairandsquaremathematicaljobs, somethingthatregularlybeginsatthebeginning,andisatthemiddle whenmidway,andcomestoanendattheconclusion;notacobbler'sjob, that'satanendinthemiddle,andatthebeginningattheend. It'stheoldwoman'strickstobegivingcobblingjobs. Lord!whatanaffectionalloldwomenhavefortinkers.Iknowanold womanofsixtyfivewhoranawaywithabaldheadedyoungtinkeronce. Andthat'sthereasonIneverwouldworkforlonelywidowold womenashorewhenIkeptmyjobshopintheVineyard;theymight havetakenitintotheirlonelyoldheadstorunoffwithme. Butheighho!therearenocapsatseabutsnowcaps.Letmesee. Naildownthelid;caulktheseams;payoverthesamewithpitch; battenthemdowntight,andhangitwiththesnapspringover theship'sstern.Wereeversuchthingsdonebeforewithacoffin? Somesuperstitiousoldcarpenters,now,wouldbetiedupintherigging, eretheywoulddothejob.ButI'mmadeofknottyAroostookhemlock; Idon'tbudge.Crupperedwithacoffin!Sailingaboutwith agraveyardtray!Butnevermind.Weworkersinwoodsmake bridalbedsteadsandcardtables,aswellascoffinsandhearses. Weworkbythemonth,orbythejob,orbytheprofit;notforustoask thewhyandwhereforeofourwork,unlessitbetooconfoundedcobbling, andthenwestashitifwecan.Hem!I'lldothejob,now,tenderly. I'llhavemelet'sseehowmanyintheship'scompany,alltold? ButI'veforgotten.Anyway,I'llhavemethirtyseparate,Turk'sheaded lifelines,eachthreefeetlonghangingallroundtothecoffin. Then,ifthehullgodown,there'llbethirtylivelyfellowsall fightingforonecoffin,asightnotseenveryoftenbeneaththesun! Comehammer,caulkingiron,pitchpot,andmarlingspike!Let'stoit."

 CHAPTER127 TheDeck Thecoffinlaidupontwolinetubs,betweenthevicebench andtheopenhatchway;theCarpentercaulkingitsseams; thestringoftwistedoakumslowlyunwindingfromalargeroll ofitplacedinthebosomofhisfrock.Ahabcomesslowly fromthecabingangway,andhearsPipfollowinghim. Backlad;Iwillbewithyeagainpresently.Hegoes! Notthishandcomplieswithmyhumormoregeniallythanthatboy. Middleaisleofachurch!What'shere?" "Lifebuoy,sir.Mr.Starbuck'sorders.Oh,look,sir! Bewarethehatchway!" "Thankye,man.Thycoffinlieshandytothevault." "Sir?Thehatchway?oh!Soitdoes,sir,soitdoes." "Artnotthouthelegmaker?Look,didnotthisstumpcome fromthyshop?" "Ibelieveitdid,sir;doestheferrulestand,sir?" "Wellenough.Butartthounotalsotheundertaker?" "Aye,sir;IpatchedupthisthinghereasacoffinforQueequeg; butthey'vesetmenowtoturningitintosomethingelse." "Thentellme;artthounotanarrant,allgrasping,intermeddling, monopolizing,heathenisholdscamp,tobeonedaymakinglegs, andthenextdaycoffinstoclapthemin,andyetagainlifebuoys outofthosesamecoffins?Thouartasunprincipledasthegods, andasmuchofajackofalltrades." "ButIdonotmeananything,sir.IdoasIdo." "Thegodsagain.Harkye,dostthounoteversingworkingabout acoffin?TheTitans,theysay,hummedsnatcheswhenchippingout thecratersforvolcanoes;andthegravediggerintheplaysings, spadeinhand.Dostthounever?"

 "Sing,sir?DoIsing?Oh,I'mindifferentenough,sir,forthat; butthereasonwhythegravediggermademusicmusthavebeenbecause therewasnoneinhisspade,sir.Butthecaulkingmalletisfullofit. Harktoit." "Aye,andthat'sbecausethelidthere'sasoundingboard; andwhatinallthingsmakesthesoundingboardisthis there'snaughtbeneath.Andyet,acoffinwithabodyinitrings prettymuchthesame,Carpenter.Hastthoueverhelpedcarryabier, andheardthecoffinknockagainstthechurchyardgate,goingin? "Faith,sir,I've" "Faith?What'sthat?" "Why,faith,sir,it'sonlyasortofexclamationlike that'sall,sir." "Um,um;goon." "Iwasabouttosay,sir,that" "Artthouasilkworm?Dostthouspinthyownshroudoutofthyself? Lookatthybosom!Despatch!andgetthesetrapsoutofsight." "Hegoesaft.Thatwassudden,now;butsquallscomesudden inhotlatitudes.I'veheardthattheIsleofAlbermarle, oneoftheGallipagos,iscutbytheEquatorrightinthemiddle. SeemstomesomesortofEquatorcutsyonoldman,too,rightin hismiddle.He'salwaysundertheLinefieryhot,Itellye! He'slookingthiswaycome,oakum;quick.Herewegoagain. Thiswoodenmalletisthecork,andI'mtheprofessorof musicalglassestap,tap!" (Ahabtohimself) "There'sasight!There'sasound!Thegreyheadedwoodpecker tappingthehollowtree!Blindanddumbmightwellbeenviednow. See!thatthingrestsontwolinetubs,fulloftowlines. Amostmaliciouswag,thatfellow.Rattat!Soman's secondstick!Oh!howimmaterialareallmaterials! Whatthingsrealarethere,butimponderablethoughts? Herenow'stheverydreadedsymbolofgrimdeath,byamerehap, madetheexpressivesignofthehelpandhopeofmost endangeredlife.Alifebuoyofacoffin!Doesitgofurther?

Canitbethatinsomespiritualsensethecoffinis,afterall, butanimmortalitypreserver!I'llthinkofthat.Butno. SofargoneamIinthedarksideofearth,thatitsotherside, thetheoreticbrightone,seemsbutuncertaintwilighttome. Willyeneverhavedone,Carpenter,withthataccursedsound? Igobelow;letmenotseethatthingherewhenIreturnagain. Now,then,Pip,we'lltalkthisover;Idosuckmostwondrous philosophiesfromthee!Someunknownconduitsfromtheunknown worldsmustemptyintothee!" CHAPTER128 ThePequodMeetsTheRachel Nextday,alargeship,theRachel,wasdescried,bearingdirectly downuponthePequod,allhersparsthicklyclusteringwithmen. AtthetimethePequodwasmakinggoodspeedthroughthewater; butasthebroadwingedwindwardstrangershotnightoher, theboastfulsailsallfelltogetherasblankbladdersthatareburst, andalllifefledfromthesmittenhull. "Badnews;shebringsbadnews,"mutteredtheoldManxman.Butere hercommander,who,withtrumpettomouth,stoodupinhisboat; erehecouldhopefullyhail,Ahab'svoicewasheard. "HastseentheWhiteWhale?" "Aye,yesterday.Haveyeseenawhaleboatadrift?" Throttlinghisjoy,Ahabnegativelyansweredthisunexpectedquestion; andwouldthenhavefainboardedthestranger,whenthestranger captainhimself,havingstoppedhisvessel'sway,wasseen descendingherside.Afewkeenpulls,andhisboathooksoon clinchedthePequod'smainchains,andhesprangtothedeck. ImmediatelyhewasrecognizedbyAhabforaNantucketerheknew. Butnoformalsalutationwasexchanged. "Wherewashe?notkilled!notkilled!"criedAhab,closelyadvancing. "Howwasit?" Itseemedthatsomewhatlateontheafternoonofthedayprevious, whilethreeofthestranger'sboatswereengagedwithashoal

ofwhales,whichhadledthemsomefourorfivemilesfromtheship; andwhiletheywereyetinswiftchasetowindward,thewhitehump andheadofMobyDickhadsuddenlyloomedupoutofthebluewater, notveryfartoleeward;whereupon,thefourthriggedboat areservedonehadbeeninstantlyloweredinchase. Afterakeensailbeforethewind,thisfourthboattheswiftest keeledofallseemedtohavesucceededinfasteningatleast, aswellasthemanatthemastheadcouldtellanythingaboutit. Inthedistancehesawthediminisheddottedboat;andthenaswift gleamofbubblingwhitewater;andafterthatnothingmore; whenceitwasconcludedthatthestrickenwhalemusthave indefinitelyrunawaywithhispursuers,asoftenhappens. Therewassomeapprehension,butnopositivealarm,asyet. Therecallsignalswereplacedintherigging;darknesscameon; andforcedtopickupherthreefartowindwardboatseregoing inquestofthefourthoneinthepreciselyoppositedirection theshiphadnotonlybeennecessitatedtoleavethatboat toitsfatetillnearmidnight,but,forthetime,toincrease herdistancefromit.Buttherestofhercrewbeingatlast safeaboard,shecrowdedallsailstunsailonstunsail afterthemissingboat;kindlingafireinhertrypotsforabeacon; andeveryothermanaloftonthelookout.Butthoughwhenshe hadthussailedasufficientdistancetogainthepresumedplace oftheabsentoneswhenlastseen;thoughshethenpausedtolower herspareboatstopullallaroundher;andnotfindinganything, hadagaindashedon;againpaused,andloweredherboats; andthoughshehadthuscontinueddoingtilldaylight; yetnottheleastglimpseofthemissingkeelhadbeenseen. Thestorytold,thestrangerCaptainimmediatelywentontoreveal hisobjectinboardingthePequod.Hedesiredthatshiptounite withhisowninthesearch;bysailingovertheseasomefourorfive milesapart,onparallellines,andsosweepingadoublehorizon, asitwere. "Iwillwagersomethingnow,"whisperedStubbtoFlask,"thatsomeone inthatmissingboatworeoffthatCaptain'sbestcoat;mayhap,hiswatch he'ssocursedanxioustogetitback.Whoeverheardoftwopious whaleshipscruisingafteronemissingwhaleboatintheheight ofthewhalingseason?See,Flask,onlyseehowpalehelooks paleintheverybuttonsofhiseyeslookitwasn'tthecoat itmusthavebeenthe" "Myboy,myownboyisamongthem.ForGod'ssakeIbeg,Iconjure" hereexclaimedthestrangerCaptaintoAhab,whothusfarhadbut icilyreceivedhispetition."Foreightandfortyhoursletme

charteryourshipIwillgladlypayforit,androundlypayforit iftherebenootherwayforeightandfortyhoursonlyonlythat youmust,oh,youmust,andyoushalldothisthing." "Hisson!"criedStubb,"oh,it'shissonhe'slost! ItakebackthecoatandwatchwhatsaysAhab?Wemust savethatboy." "He'sdrownedwiththereston'em,lastnight,"saidtheoldManx sailorstandingbehindthem;"Iheard;allofyeheardtheirspirits." Now,asitshortlyturnedout,whatmadethisincidentoftheRachel's themoremelancholy,wasthecircumstance,thatnotonlywasone oftheCaptain'ssonsamongthenumberofthemissingboat'screw; butamongthenumberoftheotherboats'crews,atthesametime, butontheotherhand,separatedfromtheshipduringthedark vicissitudesofthechase,therehadbeenstillanotherson; asthatforatime,thewretchedfatherwasplungedtothebottom ofthecruellestperplexity;whichwasonlysolvedforhim byhischiefmate'sinstinctivelyadoptingtheordinaryprocedure ofawhaleshipinsuchemergencies,thatis,whenplacedbetween jeopardizedbutdividedboats,alwaystopickupthemajorityfirst. Butthecaptain,forsomeunknownconstitutionalreason, hadrefrainedfrommentioningallthis,andnottillforcedtoit byAhab'sicinessdidhealludetohisoneyetmissingboy; alittlelad,buttwelveyearsold,whosefatherwiththeearnest butunmisgivinghardihoodofaNantucketer'spaternallove, hadthusearlysoughttoinitiatehimintheperilsandwonders ofavocationalmostimmemoriallythedestinyofallhisrace. Nordoesitunfrequentlyoccur,thatNantucketcaptainswill sendasonofsuchtenderageawayfromthem,foraprotracted threeorfouryears'voyageinsomeothershipthantheirown; sothattheirfirstknowledgeofawhaleman'scareershall beunenervatedbyanychancedisplayofafather'snatural butuntimelypartiality,orundueapprehensivenessandconcern. Meantime,nowthestrangerwasstillbeseechinghispoorboonofAhab; andAhabstillstoodlikeananvil,receivingeveryshock,butwithout theleastquiveringofhisown. "Iwillnotgo,"saidthestranger,"tillyousayayetome. Dotomeasyouwouldhavemedotoyouinthelikecase. Foryoutoohaveaboy,CaptainAhabthoughbutachild, andnestlingsafelyathomenowachildofyouroldagetoo Yes,yes,yourelent;Iseeitrun,run,men,now,andstand bytosquareintheyards."

 "Avast,"criedAhab"touchnotaropeyarn";theninavoicethat prolonginglymouldedeveryword"CaptainGardiner,Iwillnotdoit. EvennowIlosetime,Goodbye,goodbye.Godblessye,man,andmayI forgivemyself,butImustgo.Mr.Starbuck,lookatthebinnaclewatch, andinthreeminutesfromthispresentinstantwarnoffallstrangers; thenbraceforwardagain,andlettheshipsailasbefore." Hurriedlyturning,withavertedface,hedescendedinto hiscabin,leavingthestrangecaptaintransfixedatthis unconditionalandutterrejectionofhissoearnestsuit. Butstartingfromhisenchantment,Gardinersilentlyhurried totheside;morefellthansteppedintohisboat,andreturned tohisship. Soonthetwoshipsdivergedtheirwakes;andlongasthestrange vesselwasinview,shewasseentoyawhitherandthitheratevery darkspot,howeversmall,onthesea.Thiswayandthatheryards wereswungaround;starboardandlarboard,shecontinuedtotack; nowshebeatagainstaheadsea;andagainitpushedherbeforeit; whileallthewhile,hermastsandyardswerethicklyclustered withmen,asthreetallcherrytrees,whentheboysarecherrying amongtheboughs. Butbyherstillhaltingcourseandwinding,woefulway,youplainlysaw thatthisshipthatsoweptwithspray,stillremainedwithoutcomfort. ShewasRachel,weepingforherchildren,becausetheywerenot. CHAPTER129 TheCabin (Ahabmovingtogoondeck;Pipcatcheshimbythehandtofollow.) Lad,lad,ItelltheethoumustnotfollowAhabnow. ThehouriscomingwhenAhabwouldnotscaretheefromhim, yetwouldnothavetheebyhim.Thereisthatinthee,poorlad, whichIfeeltoocuringtomymalady.Likecureslike; andforthishunt,mymaladybecomesmymostdesiredhealth. Dothouabidebelowhere,wheretheyshallservethee, asifthouwertthecaptain.Aye,lad,thoushaltsithere inmyownscrewedchair;anotherscrewtoit,thoumustbe."

"No,no,no!yehavenotawholebody,sir;doyebutusepoorme foryouronelostleg;onlytreaduponme,sir;Iasknomore, soIremainapartofye." "Oh!spiteofmillionvillains,thismakesmeabigotinthefadeless fidelityofman!andablack!andcrazy!butmethinkslikecureslike appliestohimtoo;hegrowssosaneagain." "Theytellme,sir,thatStubbdidoncedesertpoorlittlePip, whosedrownedbonesnowshowwhite,foralltheblacknessofhis livingskin.ButIwillneverdesertye,sir,asStubbdidhim. Sir,Imustgowithye." "Ifthouspeakestthustomemuchmore,Ahab'spurposekeelsupinhim. Itelltheeno;itcannotbe." "Ohgoodmaster,master,master! "Weepso,andIwillmurderthee!haveacare,forAhabtooismad. Listen,andthouwiltoftenhearmyivoryfootuponthedeck, andstillknowthatIamthere.AndnowIquitthee. Thyhand!Met!Trueartthou,lad,asthecircumferenceto itscentre.So:Godforeverblessthee;andifitcometothat, Godforeversavethee,letwhatwillbefall." (Ahabgoes;Pipstepsonestepforward.) "Herehethisinstantstood,Istandinhisair,butI'malone. NowwereevenpoorPiphereIcouldendureit,buthe'smissing. Pip!Pip!Ding,dong,ding!Who'sseenPip?Hemustbeuphere; let'strythedoor.What?neitherlock,norbolt,norbar; andyetthere'snoopeningit.Itmustbethespell;hetoldme tostayhere:Aye,andtoldmethisscrewedchairwasmine. Here,then,I'llseatme,againstthetransom,intheship's fullmiddle,allherkeelandherthreemastsbeforeme.Here,ourold sailorssay,intheirblackseventyfoursgreatadmiralssometimes sitattable,andlorditoverrowsofcaptainsandlieutenants. Ha!what'sthis?epaulets!epaulets!theepauletsallcomecrowding. Passroundthedecanters;gladtoseeye;fillup,monsieurs! Whatanoddfeeling,now,whenablackboy'shosttowhitemen withgoldlaceupontheircoats!Monsieurs,haveyeseenonePip? alittlenegrolad,fivefeethigh,hangdoglook,andcowardly! Jumpedfromawhaleboatonce;seenhim?No!Wellthen, fillupagain,captains,andlet'sdrinkshameuponallcowards! Inamenonames.Shameuponthem!Putonefootuponthetable.

Shameuponallcowards.Hist!abovethere,Ihearivory Oh,master!master!Iamindeeddownheartedwhenyouwalkoverme. ButhereI'llstay,thoughthissternstrikesrocks;andthey bulgethrough;andoysterscometojoinme." CHAPTER130 TheHat Andnowthatatthepropertimeandplace,aftersolongandwide apreliminarycruise,Ahab,allotherwhalingwatersswept seemedtohavechasedhisfoeintoanoceanfold,toslayhim themoresecurelythere;now,thathefoundhimselfhard bytheverylatitudeandlongitudewherehistormentingwound hadbeeninflicted;nowthatavesselhadbeenspokenwhichon theverydayprecedinghadactuallyencounteredMobyDick; andnowthatallhissuccessivemeetingswithvariousships contrastinglyconcurredtoshowthedemoniacindifferencewithwhich thewhitewhaletorehishunters,whethersinningorsinnedagainst; nowitwasthattherelurkedasomethingintheoldman'seyes, whichitwashardlysufferableforfeeblesoulstosee. Astheunsettingpolarstar,whichthroughthelivelong,arctic, sixmonths'nightsustainsitspiercing,steady,centralgaze; soAhab'spurposenowfixedlygleameddownupontheconstant midnightofthegloomycrew.Itdomineeredabovethemso, thatalltheirbodings,doubts,misgivings,fears,werefain tohidebeneaththeirsouls,andnotsproutforthasingle spearorleaf. Inthisforeshadowinginterval,too,allhumor,forced ornatural,vanished.Stubbnomorestrovetoraiseasmile; Starbucknomorestrovetocheckone.Alike,joyandsorrow, hopeandfear,seemedgroundtofinestdust,andpowdered, forthetime,intheclampedmortarofAhab'sironsoul. Likemachines,theydumblymovedaboutthedeck,everconscious thattheoldman'sdespoteyewasonthem. Butdidyoudeeplyscanhiminhismoresecretconfidential hourswhenhethoughtnoglancebutonewasonhim; thenyouwouldhaveseenthatevenasAhab'seyessoawed thecrew's,theinscrutableParsee'sglanceawedhis; orsomehow,atleast,insomewildway,attimesaffectedit. Suchanadded,glidingstrangenessbegantoinvestthethin

Fedallahnow;suchceaselessshudderingsshookhim; thatthemenlookeddubiousathim;halfuncertain, asitseemed,whetherindeedhewereamortalsubstance, orelseatremulousshadowcastuponthedeckbysomeunseen being'sbody.Andthatshadowwasalwayshoveringthere. Fornotbynight,even,hadFedallahevercertainlybeenknown toslumber,orgobelow.Hewouldstandstillforhours: butneversatorleaned;hiswanbutwondrouseyesdidplainlysay Wetwowatchmenneverrest. Nor,atanytime,bynightordaycouldthemariners nowstepuponthedeck,unlessAhabwasbeforethem; eitherstandinginhispivothole,orexactlypacingtheplanks betweentwoundeviatinglimits,themainmastandthemizen; orelsetheysawhimstandinginthecabinscuttle,hisliving footadvanceduponthedeck,asiftostep;hishatslouched heavilyoverhiseyes;sothathowevermotionlesshestood, howeverthedaysandnightswereaddedon,thathehadnot swunginhishammock;yethiddenbeneaththatslouchinghat, theycouldnevertellunerringlywhether,forallthis,hiseyes werereallyclosedattimes;orwhetherhewasstillintently scanningthem;nomatter,thoughhestoodsointhescuttle forawholehouronthestretch,andtheunheedednightdamp gatheredinbeadsofdewuponthatstonecarvedcoatandhat. Theclothesthatthenighthadwet,thenextday'ssunshine drieduponhim;andso,dayafterday,andnightafternight; hewentnomorebeneaththeplanks;whateverhewantedfrom thecabinthatthinghesentfor. Heateinthesameopenair;thatis,histwoonlymeals, breakfastanddinner:supperhenevertouched;norreaped hisbeard;whichdarklygrewallgnarled,asunearthedroots oftreesblownover,whichstillgrowidlyonatnakedbase, thoughperishedintheupperverdure.Butthoughhiswhole lifewasnowbecomeonewatchondeck;andthoughtheParsee's mysticwatchwaswithoutintermissionashisown;yetthesetwo neverseemedtospeakonemantotheotherunlessatlong intervalssomepassingunmomentousmattermadeitnecessary. Thoughsuchapotentspellseemedsecretlytojointhetwain; openly,andtotheawestruckcrew,theyseemedpolelikeasunder. Ifbydaytheychancedtospeakoneword;bynight,dumbmen wereboth,sofarasconcernedtheslightestverbalinterchange. Attimes,forlongesthours,withoutasinglehail,theystood farpartedinthestarlight;Ahabinhisscuttle,theParsee bythemainmast;butstillfixedlygazinguponeachother; asifintheParseeAhabsawhisforethrownshadow,inAhab

theParseehisabandonedsubstance. Andyet,somehow,didAhabinhisownproperself,asdaily,hourly, andeveryinstant,commandinglyrevealedtohissubordinates, Ahabseemedanindependentlord;theParseebuthisslave. Stillagainbothseemedyokedtogether,andanunseen tyrantdrivingthem;theleanshadesidingthesolidrib. ForbethisParseewhathemay,allribandkeelwassolidAhab. Atthefirstfaintestglimmeringofthedawn,hisironvoicewas heardfromaft,"Manthemastheads!"andallthroughtheday, tillaftersunsetandaftertwilight,thesamevoiceeveryhour, atthestrikingofthehelmsman'sbell,washeard"Whatd'yesee? sharp!sharp!sharp!" Butwhenthreeorfourdayshadslidedby,aftermeeting thechildrenseekingRachel;andnospouthadyetbeenseen; themonomaniacoldmanseemeddistrustfulofhiscrew'sfidelity; atleast,ofnearlyallexceptthePaganharpooneers;heseemed todoubt,even,whetherStubbandFlaskmightnotwillinglyoverlook thesighthesought.Butifthesesuspicionswerereallyhis, hesagaciouslyrefrainedfromverballyexpressingthem, howeverhisactionsmightseemtohintthem. "Iwillhavethefirstsightofthewhalemyself," hesaid."Aye!Ahabmusthavethedoubloon!andwith hisownhandsheriggedanestofbasketedbowlines; andsendingahandaloft,withasinglesheavedblock, tosecuretothemainmasthead,hereceivedthetwoendsof thedownwardreevedrope;andattachingonetohisbasketprepared apinfortheotherend,inordertofastenitattherail. Thisdone,withthatendyetinhishandandstandingbesidethepin, helookedrounduponhiscrew,sweepingfromonetotheother; pausinghisglancelonguponDaggoo,Queequeg,Tashtego; butshunningFedallah;andthensettlinghisfirmrelyingeye uponthechiefmate,said,"Taketherope,sirIgiveitinto thyhands,Starbuck."Thenarranginghispersoninthebasket, hegavethewordforthemtohoisthimtohisperch,Starbuckbeing theonewhosecuredtheropeatlast;andafterwardsstoodnearit. Andthus,withonehandclingingroundtheroyalmast, Ahabgazedabroadupontheseaformilesandmiles,aheadastern, thisside,andthat,withinthewideexpandedcirclecommanded atsogreataheight. Wheninworkingwithhishandsatsomeloftyalmostisolatedplace intherigging,whichchancestoaffordnofoothold,thesailor

atseaishoisteduptothatspot,andsustainedtherebytherope; underthesecircumstances,itsfastenedendondeckisalwaysgiven instrictchargetosomeonemanwhohasthespecialwatchofit. Becauseinsuchawildernessofrunningrigging,whosevarious differentrelationsaloftcannotalwaysbeinfalliblydiscerned bywhatisseenofthematthedeck;andwhenthedeckendsofthese ropesarebeingeveryfewminutescastdownfromthefastenings, itwouldbebutanaturalfatality,if,unprovidedwitha constantwatchman,thehoistedsailorshouldbysomecarelessness ofthecrewbecastadriftandfallallswoopingtothesea. SoAhab'sproceedingsinthismatterwerenotunusual; theonlystrangethingaboutthemseemedtobe,thatStarbuck, almosttheoneonlymanwhohadeverventuredtoopposehim withanythingintheslightestdegreeapproachingtodecision oneofthosetoo,whosefaithfulnessonthelookouthehadseemed todoubtsomewhat;itwasstrange,thatthiswastheveryman heshouldselectforhiswatchman;freelygivinghiswholelife intosuchanotherwisedistrustedperson'shands. Now,thefirsttimeAhabwasperchedaloft;erehehadbeenthere tenminutes;oneofthoseredbilledsavageseahawkswhichsooften flyincommodiouslycloseroundthemannedmastheadsofwhalemen intheselatitudes;oneofthesebirdscamewheelingandscreaming roundhisheadinamazeofuntrackablyswiftcirclings. Thenitdartedathousandfeetstraightupintotheair; thenspiralizeddownwards,andwenteddyingagainroundhishead. Butwithhisgazefixeduponthedimanddistanthorizon, Ahabseemednottomarkthiswildbird;nor,indeed,wouldany oneelsehavemarkeditmuch,itbeingnouncommoncircumstance; onlynowalmosttheleastheedfuleyeseemedtoseesomesort ofcunningmeaninginalmosteverysight. "Yourhat,yourhat,sir!"suddenlycriedtheSicilianseaman, whobeingpostedatthemizenmasthead,stooddirectlybehindAhab, thoughsomewhatlowerthanhislevel,andwithadeepgulf ofairdividingthem. Butalreadythesablewingwasbeforetheoldman'seyes; thelonghookedbillathishead:withascream,theblack hawkdartedawaywithhisprize. AneagleflewthriceroundTarquin'shead,removinghiscapto replaceit,andthereuponTanaquil,hiswife,declaredthatTarquin wouldbekingofRome.Butonlybythereplacingofthecap wasthatomenaccountedgood.Ahab'shatwasneverrestored;

thewildhawkflewonandonwithit;farinadvanceoftheprow: andatlastdisappeared;whilefromthepointofthatdisappearance, aminuteblackspotwasdimlydiscerned,fallingfromthatvast heightintothesea. CHAPTER131 ThePequodMeetsTheDelight TheintensePequodsailedon;therollingwavesanddayswentby; thelifebuoycoffinstilllightlyswung;andanothership, mostmiserablymisnamedtheDelight,wasdescried. Asshedrewnigh,alleyeswerefixeduponherbroadbeams, calledshears,which,insomewhalingships,crossthequarterdeck attheheightofeightorninefeet;servingtocarrythespare, unrigged,ordisabledboats. Uponthestranger'sshearswerebeheldtheshattered,whiteribs, andsomefewsplinteredplanks,ofwhathadoncebeenawhaleboat; butyounowsawthroughthiswreck,asplainlyasyouseethrough thepeeled,halfunhinged,andbleachingskeletonofahorse. "HastseentheWhiteWhale?" "Look!"repliedthehollowcheekedcaptainfromhistaffrail; andwithhistrumpethepointedtothewreck. "Hastkilledhim?" "Theharpoonisnotyetforgedthatwilleverwilldothat," answeredtheother,sadlyglancinguponaroundedhammockon thedeck,whosegatheredsidessomenoiselesssailorswerebusy insewingtogether. "Notforged!"andsnatchingPerth'slevelledironfromthecrotch, Ahabhelditout,exclaiming"Lookye,Nantucketer;hereinthis handIholdhisdeath!Temperedinblood,andtemperedbylightning arethesebarbs;andIsweartotemperthemtriplyinthathotplace behindthefin,wheretheWhiteWhalemostfeelshisaccursedlife!" "ThenGodkeepthee,oldmansee'stthouthat" pointingtothehammock"Iburybutoneoffivestoutmen,

whowerealiveonlyyesterday;butweredeaderenight. OnlythatoneIbury;therestwereburiedbeforetheydied; yousailupontheirtomb."Thenturningtohiscrew"Are yereadythere?placetheplankthenontherail,andlift thebody;so,thenOh!God"advancingtowardsthehammock withupliftedhands"maytheresurrectionandthelife" "Braceforward!Uphelm!"criedAhablikelightningtohismen. ButthesuddenlystartedPequodwasnotquickenoughtoescape thesoundofthesplashthatthecorpsesoonmadeasitstruckthesea; notsoquick,indeed,butthatsomeoftheflyingbubblesmighthave sprinkledherhullwiththeirghostlybaptism. AsAhabnowglidedfromthedejectedDelight,thestrangelifebuoy hangingatthePequod'ssterncameintoconspicuousrelief. "Ha!yonder!lookyonder,men!"criedaforebodingvoiceinherwake. "Invain,oh,yestrangers,yeflyoursadburial;yebutturnus yourtaffrailtoshowusyourcoffin!" CHAPTER132 TheSymphony Itwasaclearsteelblueday.Thefirmamentsofairandseawere hardlyseparableinthatallpervadingazure;only,thepensiveair wastransparentlypureandsoft,withawoman'slook,andtherobust andmanlikeseaheavedwithlong,strong,lingeringswells, asSamson'schestinhissleep. Hither,andthither,onhigh,glidedthesnowwhitewingsofsmall, unspeckledbirds;thesewerethegentlethoughtsofthefeminineair; buttoandfrointhedeeps,fardowninthebottomlessblue, rushedmightyleviathans,swordfish,andsharks;andthesewere thestrong,troubled,murderousthinkingsofthemasculinesea. Butthoughthuscontrastingwithin,thecontrastwasonlyinshades andshadowswithout;thosetwoseemedone;itwasonlythesex, asitwere,thatdistinguishedthem. Aloft,likearoyalczarandking,thesunseemedgivingthis gentleairtothisboldandrollingsea;evenasbridetogroom.

Andatthegirdlinglineofthehorizon,asoftandtremulousmotion mostseenhereattheEquatordenotedthefond,throbbingtrust, thelovingalarms,withwhichthepoorbridegaveherbosomaway. Tiedupandtwisted;gnarledandknottedwithwrinkles; haggardlyfirmandunyielding;hiseyesglowinglikecoals, thatstillglowintheashesofruin;untotteringAhabstood forthintheclearnessofthemorn;liftinghissplintered helmetofabrowtothefairgirl'sforeheadofheaven. Oh,immortalinfancy,andinnocencyoftheazure! Invisiblewingedcreaturesthatfrolicallroundus! Sweetchildhoodofairandsky!howobliviouswereyeofoldAhab's closecoiledwoe!ButsohaveIseenlittleMiriamandMartha, laughingeyedelves,heedlesslygambolaroundtheiroldsire; sportingwiththecircleofsingedlockswhichgrewonthemarge ofthatburntoutcraterofhisbrain. Slowlycrossingthedeckfromthescuttle,Ahableanedovertheside andwatchedhowhisshadowinthewatersankandsanktohisgaze, themoreandthemorethathestrovetopiercetheprofundity. Butthelovelyaromasinthatenchantedairdidatlastseemtodispel, foramoment,thecankerousthinginhissoul.Thatglad, happyair,thatwinsomesky,didatlaststrokeandcaresshim; thestepmotherworld,solongcruelforbiddingnowthrew affectionatearmsroundhisstubbornneck,anddidseemtojoyously soboverhim,asifoverone,thathoweverwilfulanderring, shecouldyetfinditinherhearttosaveandtobless. FrombeneathhisslouchedhatAhabdroppedatearintothesea; nordidallthePacificcontainsuchwealthasthatoneweedrop. Starbucksawtheoldman;sawhim,howheheavilyleanedovertheside; andheseemedtohearinhisowntrueheartthemeasureless sobbingthatstoleoutofthecentreoftheserenityaround. Carefulnottotouchhim,orbenoticedbyhim,heyetdrewnear tohim,andstoodthere. Ahabturned. "Starbuck!" "Sir." "Oh,Starbuck!itisamild,mildwind,andamildlookingsky. OnsuchadayverymuchsuchasweetnessasthisIstruck myfirstwhaleaboyharpooneerofeighteen!Fortyforty

fortyyearsago!ago!Fortyyearsofcontinualwhaling!forty yearsofprivation,andperil,andstormtime!fortyyearson thepitilesssea!forfortyyearshasAhabforsakenthepeacefulland, forfortyyearstomakewaronthehorrorsofthedeep! Ayeandyes,Starbuck,outofthosefortyyearsIhavenot spentthreeashore.WhenIthinkofthislifeIhaveled; thedesolationofsolitudeithasbeen;themasoned,walledtownof aCaptain'sexclusiveness,whichadmitsbutsmallentrancetoany sympathyfromthegreencountrywithoutoh,weariness!heaviness! Guineacoastslaveryofsolitarycommand!whenIthinkofallthis; onlyhalfsuspected,notsokeenlyknowntomebefore andhowforfortyyearsIhavefedupondrysaltedfare fitemblemofthedrynourishmentofmysoul!whenthepoorest landsmanhashadfreshfruittohisdailyhand,andbroken theworld'sfreshbreadtomymouldycrustsaway,wholeoceansaway, fromthatyounggirlwifeIweddedpastfifty,andsailedfor CapeHornthenextday,leavingbutonedentinmymarriagepillow wife?wife?ratherawidowwithherhusbandalive?Aye,Iwidowed thatpoorgirlwhenImarriedher,Starbuck;andthen, themadness,thefrenzy,theboilingbloodandthesmokingbrow, withwhich,forathousandloweringsoldAhabhasfuriously, foaminglychasedhispreymoreademonthanaman!aye,aye!what afortyyears'foolfoololdfool,hasoldAhabbeen! Whythisstrifeofthechase?whyweary,andpalsythearm attheoar,andtheiron,andthelance?howthericher orbetterisAhabnow?Behold.Oh,Starbuck!isitnothard, thatwiththiswearyloadIbear,onepoorlegshouldhavebeen snatchedfromunderme?Here,brushthisoldhairaside; itblindsme,thatIseemtoweep.Lockssogreydidnevergrow butfromoutsomeashes!ButdoIlookveryold,sovery, veryold,Starbuck?Ifeeldeadlyfaint,bowed,andhumped, asthoughIwereAdam,staggeringbeneaththepiledcenturies sinceParadise.God!God!God!crackmyheart!stavemybrain! mockery!mockery!bitter,bitingmockeryofgreyhairs,haveIlived enoughjoytowearye;andseemandfeelthusintolerablyold? Close!standclosetome,Starbuck;letmelookintoahumaneye; itisbetterthantogazeintoseaorsky;betterthantogaze uponGod.Bythegreenland;bythebrighthearthstone!this isthemagicglass,man;Iseemywifeandmychildinthineeye. No,no;stayonboard,onboard!lowernotwhenIdo;whenbranded AhabgiveschasetoMobyDick.Thathazardshallnotbethine. No,no!notwiththefarawayhomeIseeinthateye!" "Oh,myCaptain!myCaptain!noblesoul!grandoldheart, afterall!whyshouldanyonegivechasetothathatedfish! Awaywithme!letusflythesedeadlywaters!letushome!

Wifeandchild,too,areStarbuck'swifeandchildof hisbrotherly,sisterly,playfellowyouth;evenasthine,sir, arethewifeandchildofthyloving,longing,paternaloldage! Away!letusaway!thisinstantletmealterthecourse! Howcheerily,howhilariously,OmyCaptain,wouldwebowl onourwaytoseeoldNantucketagain!Ithink,sir,theyhave somesuchmildbluedays,evenasthis,inNantucket." "Theyhave,theyhave.Ihaveseenthemsomesummerdays inthemorning.Aboutthistimeyes,itishisnoonnapnow theboyvivaciouslywakes;sitsupinbed;andhismothertells himofme,ofcannibaloldme;howIamabroaduponthedeep, butwillyetcomebacktodancehimagain." "'TismyMary,myMaryherself!Shepromisedthatmyboy, everymorning,shouldbecarriedtothehilltocatchthefirst glimpseofhisfather'ssail!Yes,yes!nomore!itisdone! weheadforNantucket!Come,myCaptain,studyoutthecourse, andletusaway!See,see!theboy'sfacefromthewindow! theboy'shandonthehill!" ButAhab'sglancewasaverted;likeablightedfruittreeheshook, andcasthislast,cinderedappletothesoil. "Whatisit,whatnameless,inscrutable,unearthlythingisit; whatcozening,hiddenlordandmaster,andcruel,remorselessemperor commandsme;thatagainstallnaturallovingsandlongings, Isokeeppushing,andcrowding,andjammingmyselfonallthetime; recklesslymakingmereadytodowhatinmyownproper,naturalheart, Idurstnotsomuchasdare?IsAhab,Ahab?IsitI,God,orwho, thatliftsthisarm?Butifthegreatsunmovenotofhimself; butisasanerrandboyinheaven;noronesinglestarcanrevolve, butbysomeinvisiblepower;howthencanthisonesmallheartbeat; thisonesmallbrainthinkthoughts;unlessGoddoesthatbeating, doesthatthinking,doesthatliving,andnotI.Byheaven,man, weareturnedroundandroundinthisworld,likeyonderwindlass, andFateisthehandspike.Andallthetime,lo!thatsmilingsky, andthisunsoundedsea!Look!seeyonAlbicore!whoputitintohim tochaseandfangthatflyingfish?Wheredomurderersgo,man! Who'stodoom,whenthejudgehimselfisdraggedtothebar? Butitisamild,mildwind,andamildlookingsky;andtheairs smellsnow,asifitblewfromafarawaymeadow;theyhavebeenmaking haysomewhereundertheslopesoftheAndes,Starbuck,andthemowers aresleepingamongthenewmownhay.Sleeping?Aye,toilwehow wemay,weallsleepatlastonthefield.Sleep?Aye,andrust amidgreenness;aslastyear'sscythesflungdown,andleft

inthehalfcutswarthsStarbuck!" Butblanchedtoacorpse'shuewithdespair,theMatehadstolenaway. Ahabcrossedthedecktogazeoverontheotherside; butstartedattworeflected,fixedeyesinthewaterthere, Fedallahwasmotionlesslyleaningoverthesamerail. CHAPTER133 TheChaseFirstDay Thatnight,inthemidwatchwhentheoldmanashiswont atintervalssteppedforthfromthescuttleinwhichheleaned, andwenttohispivothole,hesuddenlythrustouthisfacefiercely, snuffinguptheseaairasasagaciousship'sdogwill,indrawing nightosomebarbarousisle.Hedeclaredthatawhalemustbenear. Soonthatpeculiarodor,sometimestoagreatdistancegiven forthbythelivingspermwhale,waspalpabletoallthewatch; norwasanymarinersurprisedwhen,afterinspectingthecompass, andthenthedogvane,andthenascertainingtheprecisebearing oftheodorasnearlyaspossible,Ahabrapidlyorderedtheship's coursetobeslightlyaltered,andthesailtobeshortened. Theacutepolicydictatingthesemovementswassufficiently vindicatedatdaybreak,bythesightofalongsleek ontheseadirectlyandlengthwiseahead,smoothasoil, andresemblinginthepleatedwaterywrinklesborderingit, thepolishedmetalliclikemarksofsomeswifttiderip,at themouthofadeep,rapidstream. "Manthemastheads!Callallhands!" Thunderingwiththebuttsofthreeclubbedhandspikeson theforecastledeck,Daggoorousedthesleeperswithsuch judgmentclapsthattheyseemedtoexhalefromthescuttle, soinstantaneouslydidtheyappearwiththeirclothes intheirhands. "Whatd'yesee?"criedAhab,flatteninghisfacetothesky. "Nothing,nothingsir!"wasthesoundhailingdowninreply.

"T'gallantsails!stunsails!alowandaloft,andonbothsides!" Allsailbeingset,henowcastloosethelifeline,reserved forswayinghimtothemainroyalmasthead;andinafewmoments theywerehoistinghimthither,when,whilebuttwothirds ofthewayaloft,andwhilepeeringaheadthroughthehorizontal vacancybetweenthemaintopsailandtopgallantsail,heraised agulllikecryintheair."Theresheblows!theresheblows! Ahumplikeasnowhill!ItisMobyDick!" Firedbythecrywhichseemedsimultaneouslytakenupbythethree lookouts,themenondeckrushedtotheriggingtobeholdthefamous whaletheyhadsolongbeenpursuing.Ahabhadnowgained hisfinalperch,somefeetabovetheotherlookouts,Tashtego standingjustbeneathhimonthecapofthetopgallantmast, sothattheIndian'sheadwasalmostonalevelwithAhab'sheel. Fromthisheightthewhalewasnowseensomemileorsoahead, ateveryrollofthesearevealinghishighsparklinghump, andregularlyjettinghissilentspoutintotheair. Tothecredulousmarinersitseemedthesamesilentspoutthey hadsolongagobeheldinthemoonlitAtlanticandIndianOceans. "Anddidnoneofyeseeitbefore?"criedAhab,hailingtheperched menallaroundhim. "Isawhimalmostthatsameinstant,sir,thatCaptainAhabdid, andIcriedout,"saidTashtego. "Notthesameinstant;notthesameno,thedoubloonismine, Fatereservedthedoubloonforme.Ionly;noneofyecouldhave raisedtheWhiteWhalefirst.Theresheblows!theresheblows! theresheblows!theresheblows!Thereagain!thereagain!" hecried,inlongdrawn,lingering,methodictones,attunedtothegradual prolongingsofthewhale'svisiblejets."He'sgoingtosound! Instunsails!Downtopgallantsails!Standbythreeboats. Mr.Starbuck,remember,stayonboard,andkeeptheship.Helmthere! Luff,luffapoint!So;steady,man,steady!Theregoflukes!No,no; onlyblackwater!Allreadytheboatsthere?Standby,standby! Lowerme,Mr.Starbuck;lower,lower,quick,quicker!"andheslid throughtheairtothedeck. "Heisheadingstraighttoleeward,sir,"criedStubb,"rightaway fromus;cannothaveseentheshipyet." "Bedumb,man!Standbythebraces!Harddownthehelm!braceup! Shiverher!shiverher!So;wellthat!Boats,boats!"

 SoonalltheboatsbutStarbuck'sweredropped;alltheboatsailsset allthepaddlesplying;withripplingswiftness,shootingtoleeward; andAhabheadingtheonset.Apale,deathglimmerlitupFedallah's sunkeneyes;ahideousmotiongnawedhismouth. Likenoiselessnautilusshells,theirlightprowsspedthroughthesea; butonlyslowlytheynearedthefoe.Astheynearedhim,theoceangrew stillmoresmooth;seemeddrawingacarpetoveritswaves;seemeda noonmeadow,soserenelyitspread.Atlengththebreathlesshuntercame sonighhisseeminglyunsuspectingprey,thathisentiredazzlinghump wasdistinctlyvisible,slidingalongtheseaasifanisolatedthing, andcontinuallysetinarevolvingringoffinest,fleecy,greenishfoam. Hesawthevast,involvedwrinklesoftheslightlyprojecting headbeyond.Beforeit,faroutonthesoftTurkishruggedwaters, wenttheglisteningwhiteshadowfromhisbroad,milkyforehead,amusical ripplingplayfullyaccompanyingtheshade;andbehind,thebluewaters interchangeablyflowedoverintothemovingvalleyofhissteadywake; andoneitherhandbrightbubblesaroseanddancedbyhisside. Butthesewerebrokenagainbythelighttoesofhundredsofgay fowlssoftlyfeatheringthesea,alternatewiththeirfitfulflight; andliketosomeflagstaffrisingfromthepaintedhullofanargosy, thetallbutshatteredpoleofarecentlanceprojectedfromthewhite whale'sback;andatintervalsoneofthecloudofsofttoed fowlshovering,andtoandfroskimminglikeacanopyoverthefish, silentlyperchedandrockedonthispole,thelongtailfeathers streaminglikepennons. Agentlejoyousnessamightymildnessofreposeinswiftness, investedtheglidingwhale.NotthewhitebullJupiterswimming awaywithravishedEuropaclingingtohisgracefulhorns; hislovely,leeringeyessidewaysintentuponthemaid; withsmoothbewitchingfleetness,ripplingstraightforthenuptial bowerinCrete;notJove,notthatgreatmajestySupreme!did surpasstheglorifiedWhiteWhaleashesodivinelyswam. Oneachsoftsidecoincidentwiththepartedswell, thatbutonceleavinghimthenflowedsowideawayoneach brightside,thewhaleshedoffenticings.Nowonderthere hadbeensomeamongthehunterswhonamelesslytransported andalluredbyallthisserenity,hadventuredtoassailit; buthadfatallyfoundthatquietudebutthevestureoftornadoes. Yetcalm,enticingcalm,oh,whale!thouglideston,toall whoforthefirsttimeeyethee,nomatterhowmanyinthatsame waythoumaysthavebejuggledanddestroyedbefore.

Andthus,throughtheserenetranquillitiesofthetropicalsea, amongwaveswhosehandclappingsweresuspendedbyexceedingrapture, MobyDickmovedon,stillwithholdingfromsightthefullterrorsofhis submergedtrunk,entirelyhidingthewrenchedhideousnessofhisjaw. Butsoontheforepartofhimslowlyrosefromthewater; foraninstanthiswholemarbleizedbodyformedahigharch, likeVirginia'sNaturalBridge,andwarninglywavinghisbannered flukesintheair,thegrandgodrevealedhimself,soundedandwent outofsight.Hoveringlyhalting,anddippingonthewing, thewhiteseafowlslonginglylingeredovertheagitatedpool thatheleft. Withoarsapeak,andpaddlesdown,thesheetsoftheirsailsadrift, thethreeboatsnowstillyfloated,awaitingMobyDick'sreappearance. "Anhour,"saidAhab,standingrootedinhisboat'sstern;andhegazed beyondthewhale'splace,towardsthedimbluespacesandwidewooing vacanciestoleeward.Itwasonlyaninstant;foragainhiseyes seemedwhirlingroundinhisheadashesweptthewaterycircle. Thebreezenowfreshened;theseabegantoswell. "Thebirds!thebirds!"criedTashtego. InlongIndianfile,aswhenheronstakewing,thewhitebirds werenowallflyingtowardsAhab'sboat;andwhenwithinafew yardsbeganflutteringoverthewaterthere,wheelinground andround,withjoyous,expectantcries.Theirvisionwas keenerthanman's;Ahabcoulddiscovernosigninthesea. Butsuddenlyashepeereddownanddownintoitsdepths,heprofoundly sawawhitelivingspotnobiggerthanawhiteweasel,withwonderful celerityuprising,andmagnifyingasitrose,tillitturned, andthentherewereplainlyrevealedtwolongcrookedrowsofwhite, glisteningteeth,floatingupfromtheundiscoverablebottom. ItwasMobyDick'sopenmouthandscrolledjaw;hisvast, shadowedbulkstillhalfblendingwiththeblueofthesea. Theglitteringmouthyawnedbeneaththeboatlikeanopendoored marbletomb;andgivingonesidelongsweepwithhissteeringoar, Ahabwhirledthecraftasidefromthistremendousapparition. Then,callinguponFedallahtochangeplaceswithhim,wentforward tothebows,andseizingPerth'sharpoon,commandedhiscrew tograsptheiroarsandstandbytostern. Now,byreasonofthistimelyspinningroundtheboatuponitsaxis, itsbow,byanticipation,wasmadetofacethewhale'shead whileyetunderwater.Butasifperceivingthisstratagem, MobyDick,withthatmaliciousintelligenceascribedtohim,

sidelinglytransplantedhimself,asitwere,inaninstant, shootinghispleatedheadlengthwisebeneaththeboat. Throughandthrough;througheveryplankandeachrib, itthrilledforaninstant,thewhaleobliquelylyingonhisback, inthemannerofabitingsharkslowlyandfeelinglytaking itsbowsfullwithinhismouth,sothatthelong,narrow, scrolledlowerjawcurledhighupintotheopenair,andone oftheteethcaughtinarowlock.Thebluishpearlwhite oftheinsideofthejawwaswithinsixinchesofAhab'shead, andreachedhigherthanthat.InthisattitudetheWhiteWhale nowshooktheslightcedarasamildlycruelcathermouse. WithunastonishedeyesFedallahgazed,andcrossedhisarms; butthetigeryellowcrewweretumblingovereachother'sheads togaintheuttermoststern. Andnow,whilebothelasticgunwaleswerespringinginandout, asthewhaledalliedwiththedoomedcraftinthisdevilishway; andfromhisbodybeingsubmergedbeneaththeboat,hecouldnotbe dartedatfromthebows,forthebowswerealmostinsideofhim, asitwere;andwhiletheotherboatsinvoluntarilypaused, asbeforeaquickcrisisimpossibletowithstand,thenitwasthat monomaniacAhab,furiouswiththistantalizingvicinityofhisfoe, whichplacedhimallaliveandhelplessintheveryjawshehated; frenziedwithallthis,heseizedthelongbonewithhis nakedhands,andwildlystrovetowrenchitfromitsgripe. Asnowhethusvainlystrove,thejawslippedfromhim; thefrailgunwalesbentin,collapsed,andsnapped, asbothjaws,likeanenormousshears,slidingfurtheraft, bitthecraftcompletelyintwain,andlockedthemselvesfast againinthesea,midwaybetweenthetwofloatingwrecks. Thesefloatedaside,thebrokenendsdrooping,thecrewat thesternwreckclingingtothegunwales,andstrivingtohold fasttotheoarstolashthemacross. Atthatpreludingmoment,eretheboatwasyetsnapped,Ahab,thefirst toperceivethewhale'sintent,bythecraftyupraisingofhishead, amovementthatloosedhisholdforthetime;atthatmomenthis handhadmadeonefinalefforttopushtheboatoutofthebite. Butonlyslippingfurtherintothewhale'smouth,andtiltingover sidewaysasitslipped,theboathadshakenoffhisholdonthejaw; spilledhimoutofit,asheleanedtothepush;andsohefell flatfaceduponthesea. Ripplinglywithdrawingfromhisprey,MobyDicknowlayata littledistance,verticallythrustinghisoblongwhiteheadup

anddowninthebillows;andatthesametimeslowlyrevolvinghis wholespindledbody;sothatwhenhisvastwrinkledforeheadrose sometwentyormorefeetoutofthewaterthenowrisingswells, withalltheirconfluentwaves,dazzlinglybrokeagainstit; vindictivelytossingtheirshiveredspraystillhigherinto theair.*So,inagale,thebuthalfbaffledChannelbillowsonly recoilfromthebaseoftheEddystone,triumphantlytooverleap itssummitwiththeirscud. *Thismotionispeculiartothespermwhale.Itreceivesitsdesignation (pitchpoling)fromitsbeinglikenedtothatpreliminaryupanddown poiseofthewhalelance,intheexercisecalledpitchpoling, previouslydescribed.Bythismotionthewhalemustbestandmost comprehensivelyviewwhateverobjectsmaybeencirclinghim. Butsoonresuminghishorizontalattitude,MobyDickswamswiftly roundandroundthewreckedcrew;sidewayschurningthewaterinhis vengefulwake,asiflashinghimselfuptostillanotherandmore deadlyassault.Thesightofthesplinteredboatseemedtomaddenhim, asthebloodofgrapesandmulberriescastbeforeAntiochus's elephantsinthebookofMaccabees.MeanwhileAhabhalfsmothered inthefoamofthewhale'sinsolenttail,andtoomuchofacripple toswim,thoughhecouldstillkeepafloat,evenintheheart ofsuchawhirlpoolasthat;helplessAhab'sheadwasseen, likeatossedbubblewhichtheleastchanceshockmightburst. Fromtheboat'sfragmentarystern,Fedallahincuriouslyandmildly eyedhim;theclingingcrew,attheotherdriftingend,couldnot succorhim;morethanenoughwasitforthemtolooktothemselves. ForsorevolvinglyappallingwastheWhiteWhale'saspect, andsoplanetarilyswifttheevercontractingcircles hemade,thatheseemedhorizontallyswoopinguponthem. Andthoughtheotherboats,unharmed,stillhoveredhardby; stilltheydarednotpullintotheeddytostrike,lestthatshouldbe thesignalfortheinstantdestructionofthejeopardizedcastaways, Ahabandall;norinthatcasecouldtheythemselveshopetoescape. Withstrainingeyes,then,theyremainedontheouteredgeof thedirefulzone,whosecentrehadnowbecometheoldman'shead. Meantime,fromthebeginningallthishadbeendescriedfromtheship's mastheads;andsquaringheryards,shehadbornedownuponthescene; andwasnowsonigh,thatAhabinthewaterhailedher!"Sailonthe" butthatmomentabreakingseadashedonhimfromMobyDick,andwhelmed himforthetime.Butstrugglingoutofitagain,andchancingtorise onatoweringcrest,heshouted,"Sailonthewhale!Drivehimoff!"

 ThePequod'sprowswerepointed,andbreakingupthecharmedcircle, sheeffectuallypartedthewhitewhalefromhisvictim. Ashesullenlyswamoff,theboatsflewtotherescue. DraggedintoStubb'sboatwithbloodshot,blindedeyes, thewhitebrinecakinginhiswrinkles;thelongtension ofAhab'sbodilystrengthdidcrack,andhelplesslyheyielded tohisbody'sdoomforatime,lyingallcrushedinthebottom ofStubb'sboat,likeonetroddenunderfootofherdsofelephants. Farinland,namelesswailscamefromhim,asdesolatesounds fromoutravines. Butthisintensityofhisphysicalprostrationdidbutsomuch themoreabbreviateit.Inaninstant'scompass,greathearts sometimescondensetoonedeeppang,thesumtotalofthose shallowpainskindlydiffusedthroughfeeblermen'swholelives. Andso,suchhearts,thoughsummaryineachonesuffering; still,ifthegodsdecreeit,intheirlifetimeaggregate awholeageofwoe,whollymadeupofinstantaneousintensities; forevenintheirpointlesscentres,thosenoblenaturescontain theentirecircumferencesofinferiorsouls. "Theharpoon,"saidAhab,halfwayrising,anddragginglyleaning ononebendedarm"isitsafe?" "Aye,sir,foritwasnotdarted;thisisit,"saidStubb,showingit. "Layitbeforeme;anymissingmen?" "One,two,three,four,five;therewerefiveoars,sir,andhere arefivemen." "That'sgood.Helpme,man;Iwishtostand.So,so,Iseehim! there!there!goingtoleewardstill;whataleapingspout! Handsofffromme!TheeternalsaprunsupinAhab'sbonesagain! Setthesail;outoars;thehelm!" Itisoftenthecasethatwhenaboatisstove,itscrew, beingpickedupbyanotherboat,helptoworkthatsecondboat; andthechaseisthuscontinuedwithwhatiscalleddoublebankedoars. Itwasthusnow.Buttheaddedpoweroftheboatdidnotequal theaddedpowerofthewhale,forheseemedtohavetreblebanked hiseveryfin;swimmingwithavelocitywhichplainlyshowed, thatifnow,underthesecircumstances,pushedon,thechase wouldproveanindefinitelyprolonged,ifnotahopelessone;

norcouldanycrewendureforsolongaperiod,suchanunintermitted, intensestrainingattheoar;athingbarelytolerableonlyinsomeone briefvicissitude.Theshipitself,then,asitsometimeshappens, offeredthemostpromisingintermediatemeansofovertakingthechase. Accordingly,theboatsnowmadeforher,andweresoonswayedup totheircranesthetwopartsofthewreckedboathavingbeen previouslysecuredbyherandthenhoistingeverythingtoherside, andstackinghercanvashighup,andsidewaysoutstretchingit withstunsails,likethedoublejointedwingsofanalbatross; thePequodboredownintheleewardwakeofMobyDick.Atthewellknown, methodicintervals,thewhale'sglitteringspoutwasregularly announcedfromthemannedmastheads;andwhenhewouldbereported asjustgonedown,Ahabwouldtakethetime,andthenpacingthedeck, binnaclewatchinhand,sosoonasthelastsecondoftheallotted hourexpired,hisvoicewasheard."Whoseisthedoubloonnow? D'yeseehim?"andifthereplywasNo,sir!straightwayhecommanded themtolifthimtohisperch.Inthiswaythedayworeon; Ahab,nowaloftandmotionless;anon,unrestinglypacingtheplanks. Ashewasthuswalking,utteringnosound,excepttohailthemenaloft, ortobidthemhoistasailstillhigher,ortospreadonetoastill greaterbreadththustoandfropacing,beneathhisslouchedhat, ateveryturnhepassedhisownwreckedboat,whichhadbeendroppedupon thequarterdeck,andlaytherereversed;brokenbowtoshatteredstern. Atlasthepausedbeforeit;andasinanalreadyovercloudedskyfresh troopsofcloudswillsometimessailacross,soovertheoldman'sface therenowstolesomesuchaddedgloomasthis. Stubbsawhimpause;andperhapsintending,notvainly,though, toevincehisownunabatedfortitude,andthuskeepupavaliantplace inhisCaptain'smind,headvanced,andeyeingthewreckexclaimed "Thethistletheassrefused;itprickedhismouthtookeenly,sir; ha!ha!ha!" "Whatsoullessthingisthisthatlaughsbeforeawreck? Man,man!didInotknowtheebraveasfearlessfire (andasmechanical)Icouldswearthouwertapoltroon. Groannorlaughshouldbeheardbeforeawreck." "Aye,sir,"saidStarbuckdrawingnear,"'tisasolemnsight; anomen,andanillone." "Omen?omen?thedictionary!Ifthegodsthinktospeakoutright toman,theywillhonorablyspeakoutright;notshaketheirheads, andgiveanoldwives'darklinghint.Begone!Yetwoare theoppositepolesofonething;StarbuckisStubbreversed,

andStubbisStarbuck;andyetwoareallmankind;andAhabstands aloneamongthemillionsofthepeopledearth,norgodsnormen hisneighbors!Cold,coldIshiver!Hownow?Aloftthere! D'yeseehim?Singoutforeveryspout,thoughhespoutten timesasecond!" Thedaywasnearlydone;onlythehemofhisgoldenrobewasrustling. Soonitwasalmostdark,butthelookoutmenstillremainedunset. "Can'tseethespoutnow,sir;toodark"criedavoicefromtheair. "Howheadingwhenlastseen?" "Asbefore,sir,straighttoleeward." "Good!hewilltravelslowernow'tisnight.Downroyalsand topgallantstunsails,Mr.Starbuck.Wemustnotrunoverhim beforemorning;he'smakingapassagenow,andmayheavetoawhile. Helmthere!keepherfullbeforethewind!Aloft!comedown! Mr.Stubb,sendafreshhandtotheforemasthead,andsee itmannedtillmorning."Thenadvancingtowardsthedoubloon inthemainmast"Men,thisgoldismine,forIearnedit; butIshallletitabideheretilltheWhiteWhaleisdead; andthen,whosoeverofyefirstraiseshim,uponthedayheshall bekilled,thisgoldisthatman's;andifonthatdayIshallagain raisehim,then,tentimesitssumshallbedividedamongallofye! Awaynow!thedeckisthine,sir!" Andsosaying,heplacedhimselfhalfwaywithinthescuttle, andslouchinghishat,stoodtheretilldawn,exceptwhenat intervalsrousinghimselftoseehowthenightworeon. CHAPTER134 TheChaseSecondDay Atdaybreak,thethreemastheadswerepunctuallymannedafresh. "D'yeseehim?"criedAhabafterallowingalittlespace forthelighttospread. "Seenothing,sir."

"Turnupallhandsandmakesail!hetravelsfasterthanIthoughtfor; thetopgallantsails!aye,theyshouldhavebeenkeptonherallnight. Butnomatter'tisbutrestingfortherush." Herebeitsaid,thatthispertinaciouspursuitofoneparticularwhale, continuedthroughdayintonight,andthroughnightintoday, isathingbynomeansunprecedentedintheSouthseafishery. Forsuchisthewonderfulskill,prescienceofexperience, andinvincibleconfidenceacquiredbysomegreatnaturalgeniusesamong theNantucketcommanders;thatfromthesimpleobservationofawhale whenlastdescried,theywill,undercertaingivencircumstances, prettyaccuratelyforetellboththedirectioninwhichhewillcontinue toswimforatime,whileoutofsight,aswellashisprobable rateofprogressionduringthatperiod.And,inthesecases, somewhatasapilot,whenaboutlosingsightofacoast,whosegeneral trendinghewellknows,andwhichhedesiresshortlytoreturntoagain, butatsomefurtherpoint;likeasthispilotstandsbyhiscompass, andtakestheprecisebearingofthecapeatpresentvisible, inorderthemorecertainlytohitarighttheremote,unseenheadland, eventuallytobevisited:sodoesthefisherman,athiscompass, withthewhale;forafterbeingchased,anddiligentlymarked, throughseveralhoursofdaylight,then,whennightobscures thefish,thecreature'sfuturewakethroughthedarknessisalmost asestablishedtothesagaciousmindofthehunter,asthepilot's coastistohim.Sothattothishunter'swondrousskill, theproverbialevanescenceofathingwritinwater,awake, istoalldesiredpurposeswellnighasreliableasthesteadfastland. AndasthemightyironLeviathanofthemodernrailwayissofamiliarly knowninitseverypace,that,withwatchesintheirhands,mentime hisrateasdoctorsthatofababy'spulse;andlightlysayofit, theuptrainorthedowntrainwillreachsuchorsuchaspot, atsuchorsuchanhour;evenso,almost,thereareoccasions whentheseNantucketerstimethatotherLeviathanofthedeep, accordingtotheobservedhumorofhisspeed;andsaytothemselves, somanyhourshencethiswhalewillhavegonetwohundredmiles, willhaveaboutreachedthisorthatdegreeoflatitudeorlongitude. Buttorenderthisacutenessatallsuccessfulintheend,thewind andtheseamustbethewhaleman'sallies;forofwhatpresentavail tothebecalmedorwindboundmarineristheskillthatassureshim heisexactlyninetythreeleaguesandaquarterfromhisport? Inferablefromthesestatements,aremanycollateralsubtilematters touchingthechaseofwhales. Theshiptoreon;leavingsuchafurrowintheseaaswhen acannonball,missent,becomesaploughshareandturnsup thelevelfield.

 "Bysaltandhemp!"criedStubb,"butthisswiftmotionofthedeck creepsupone'slegsandtinglesattheheart.ThisshipandI aretwobravefellows!Ha,ha!Someonetakemeup,andlaunchme, spinewise,onthesea,forbyliveoaks!myspine'sakeel. Ha,ha!wegothegaitthatleavesnodustbehind!" "Theresheblowssheblows!sheblows!rightahead!" wasnowthemastheadcry. "Aye,aye!"criedStubb,"Iknewityecan'tescapeblowonandsplit yourspout,Owhale!themadfiendhimselfisafterye!blowyourtrump blisteryourlungs!Ahabwilldamoffyourblood,asamillershuts hiswatergateuponthestream!" AndStubbdidbutspeakoutforwellnighallthatcrew. Thefrenziesofthechasehadbythistimeworkedthem bubblinglyup,likeoldwineworkedanew.Whateverpale fearsandforebodingssomeofthemmighthavefeltbefore; thesewerenotonlynowkeptoutofsightthroughthegrowing aweofAhab,buttheywerebrokenup,andonallsidesrouted, astimidprairieharesthatscatterbeforetheboundingbison. ThehandofFatehadsnatchedalltheirsouls;andbythestirring perilsofthepreviousday;therackofthepastnight'ssuspense; thefixed,unfearing,blind,recklesswayinwhichtheirwild craftwentplungingtowardsitsflyingmark;byallthesethings, theirheartswerebowledalong.Thewindthatmadegreatbellies oftheirsails,andrushedthevesselonbyarmsinvisible asirresistible;thisseemedthesymbolofthatunseenagency whichsoenslavedthemtotherace. Theywereoneman,notthirty.Forastheoneshipthatheldthemall; thoughitwasputtogetherofallcontrastingthingsoak,andmaple, andpinewood;iron,andpitch,andhempyetalltheseran intoeachotherintheoneconcretehull,whichshotonitsway, bothbalancedanddirectedbythelongcentralkeel;evenso, alltheindividualitiesofthecrew,thisman'svalor,thatman'sfear; guiltandguiltiness,allvarietieswereweldedintooneness, andwerealldirectedtothatfatalgoalwhichAhabtheironelord andkeeldidpointto. Therigginglived.Themastheads,likethetopsof tallpalms,wereoutspreadinglytuftedwitharmsandlegs. Clingingtoasparwithonehand,somereachedforththeother withimpatientwavings;others,shadingtheireyesfromthe vividsunlight,satfaroutontherockingyards;allthespars

infullbearingofmortals,readyandripefortheirfate. Ah!howtheystillstrovethroughthatinfinitebluenesstoseek outthethingthatmightdestroythem! "Whysingyenotoutforhim,ifyeseehim?"criedAhab,when,afterthe lapseofsomeminutessincethefirstcry,nomorehadbeenheard. "Swaymeup,men;yehavebeendeceived;notMobyDickcastsoneodd jetthatway,andthendisappears." Itwasevenso;intheirheadlongeagerness,themenhadmistaken someotherthingforthewhalespout,astheeventitselfsoonproved; forhardlyhadAhabreachedhisperch;hardlywastheropebelayed toitspinondeck,whenhestruckthekeynotetoanorchestra, thatmadetheairvibrateaswiththecombineddischargeofrifles. Thetriumphanthallooofthirtybuckskinlungswasheard,as muchnearertotheshipthantheplaceoftheimaginaryjet, lessthanamileaheadMobyDickbodilyburstintoview! Fornotbyanycalmandindolentspoutings;notbythepeaceablegush ofthatmysticfountaininhishead,didtheWhiteWhalenowreveal hisvicinity;butbythefarmorewondrousphenomenonofbreaching. Risingwithhisutmostvelocityfromthefurthestdepths, theSpermWhalethusboomshisentirebulkintothepure elementofair,andpilingupamountainofdazzlingfoam, showshisplacetothedistanceofsevenmilesandmore. Inthosemoments,thetorn,enragedwavesheshakesoff,seemhismane; insomecases,thisbreachingishisactofdefiance. "Thereshebreaches!thereshebreaches!"wasthecry,asinhis immeasurablebravadoestheWhiteWhaletossedhimselfsalmonlike toHeaven.Sosuddenlyseenintheblueplainofthesea,andrelieved againstthestillbluermarginofthesky,thespraythatheraised, forthemoment,intolerablyglitteredandglaredlikeaglacier; andstoodtheregraduallyfadingandfadingawayfromitsfirst sparklingintensity,tothedimmistinessofanadvancingshower inavale. "Aye,breachyourlasttothesun,MobyDick!"criedAhab,"thyhourand thyharpoonareathand!Down!downallofye,butonemanatthefore. Theboats!standby!" Unmindfulofthetediousropeladdersoftheshrouds,themen, likeshootingstars,slidtothedeck,bytheisolatedbackstays andhalyards;whileAhab,lessdartingly,butstillrapidly wasdroppedfromhisperch. "Loweraway,"hecried,sosoonashehadreachedhisboataspareone,

riggedtheafternoonprevious."Mr.Starbuck,theshipisthine keepawayfromtheboats,butkeepnearthem.Lower,all!" Asiftostrikeaquickterrorintothem,bythistimebeing thefirstassailanthimself,MobyDickhadturned,andwasnow comingforthethreecrews.Ahab'sboatwascentral;andcheering hismen,hetoldthemhewouldtakethewhaleheadandhead, thatis,pullstraightuptohisforehead,anotuncommonthing; forwhenwithinacertainlimit,suchacourseexcludes thecomingonsetfromthewhale'ssidelongvision. Buterethatcloselimitwasgained,andwhileyetall threeboatswereplainastheship'sthreemaststohiseye; theWhiteWhalechurninghimselfintofuriousspeed,almostin aninstantasitwere,rushingamongtheboatswithopenjaws, andalashingtail,offeredappallingbattleoneveryside; andheedlessoftheironsdartedathimfromeveryboat, seemedonlyintentonannihilatingeachseparateplank ofwhichthoseboatsweremade.Butskilfullymanoeuvred, incessantlywheelingliketrainedchargersinthefield; theboatsforawhileeludedhim;though,attimes,butbya plank'sbreadth;whileallthetime,Ahab'sunearthlyslogan toreeveryothercrybuthistoshreds. Butatlastinhisuntraceableevolutions,theWhiteWhaleso crossedandrecrossed,andinathousandwaysentangledtheslack ofthethreelinesnowfasttohim,thattheyforeshortened, and,ofthemselves,warpedthedevotedboatstowardstheplanted ironsinhim;thoughnowforamomentthewhaledrewaside alittle,asiftorallyforamoretremendouscharge. Seizingthatopportunity,Ahabfirstpaidoutmoreline; andthenwasrapidlyhaulingandjerkinginuponitagain hopingthatwaytodisencumberitofsomesnarlswhenlo! asightmoresavagethantheembattledteethofsharks! Caughtandtwistedcorkscrewedinthemazesoftheline, looseharpoonsandlances,withalltheirbristlingbarbsandpoints, cameflashinganddrippinguptothechocksinthebowsofAhab'sboat. Onlyonethingcouldbedone.Seizingtheboatknife,hecritically reachedwithinthroughandthen,withouttheraysofsteel; draggedinthelinebeyond,passedit,inboard,tothebowsman, andthen,twicesunderingtheropenearthechocksdroppedthe interceptedfagotofsteelintothesea;andwasallfastagain. Thatinstant,theWhiteWhalemadeasuddenrushamongtheremaining tanglesoftheotherlines;bysodoing,irresistiblydragged themoreinvolvedboatsofStubbandFlasktowardshisflukes; dashedthemtogetherliketworollinghusksonasurfbeatenbeach,

andthen,divingdownintothesea,disappearedinaboilingmaelstrom, inwhich,foraspace,theodorouscedarchipsofthewrecksdanced roundandround,likethegratednutmeginaswiftlystirred bowlofpunch. Whilethetwocrewswereyetcirclinginthewaters,reachingout aftertherevolvinglinetubs,oars,andotherfloatingfurniture, whileaslopelittleFlaskbobbedupanddownlikeanemptyvial, twitchinghislegsupwardstoescapethedreadedjawsofsharks; andStubbwaslustilysingingoutforsomeonetoladlehimup; andwhiletheoldman'slinenowpartingadmittedofhis pullingintothecreamypooltorescuewhomhecould; inthatwildsimultaneousnessofathousandconcretedperils, Ahab'syetunstrickenboatseemeddrawnuptowardsHeavenby invisiblewires,as,arrowlike,shootingperpendicularlyfromthesea, theWhiteWhaledashedhisbroadforeheadagainstitsbottom, andsentitturningoverandover,intotheair;tillitfellagain gunwaledownwardsandAhabandhismenstruggledoutfromunderit, likesealsfromaseasidecave. Thefirstuprisingmomentumofthewhalemodifyingitsdirection ashestruckthesurfaceinvoluntarilylaunchedhimalongit, toalittledistancefromthecentreofthedestructionhehadmade; andwithhisbacktoit,henowlayforamomentslowlyfeeling withhisflukesfromsidetoside;andwheneverastrayoar, bitofplank,theleastchiporcrumboftheboatstouchedhisskin, histailswiftlydrewback,andcamesidewayssmitingthesea. Butsoon,asifsatisfiedthathisworkforthattimewasdone, hepushedhispleatedforeheadthroughtheocean,andtrailing afterhimtheintertangledlines,continuedhisleewardway atatraveller'smethodicpace. Asbefore,theattentiveshiphavingdescriedthewholefight, againcamebearingdowntotherescue,anddroppingaboat, pickedupthefloatingmariners,tubs,oars,andwhateverelse couldbecaughtat,andsafelylandedthemonherdecks. Somesprainedshoulders,wrists,andankles;lividcontusions; wrenchedharpoonsandlances;inextricableintricaciesofrope; shatteredoarsandplanks;allthesewerethere;butno fatalorevenseriousillseemedtohavebefallenanyone. AswithFedallahthedaybefore,soAhabwasnowfoundgrimlyclinging tohisboat'sbrokenhalf,whichaffordedacomparativelyeasyfloat; nordiditsoexhausthimasthepreviousday'smishap. Butwhenhewashelpedtothedeck,alleyeswerefasteneduponhim; asinsteadofstandingbyhimselfhestillhalfhungupontheshoulder

ofStarbuck,whohadthusfarbeentheforemosttoassisthim. Hisivoryleghadbeensnappedoff,leavingbutoneshortsharpsplinter. "Aye,aye,Starbuck,'tissweettoleansometimes,betheleaner whohewill;andwouldoldAhabhadleanedoftenerthanhehas." "Theferrulehasnotstood,sir,"saidthecarpenter,nowcomingup; Iputgoodworkintothatleg." "Butnobonesbroken,sir,Ihope,"saidStubbwithtrueconcern. "Aye!andallsplinteredtopieces,Stubb!d'yeseeit. Butevenwithabrokenbone,oldAhabisuntouched;andIaccount nolivingboneofmineonejotmoreme,thanthisdeadone that'slost.Norwhitewhale,norman,norfiend,cansomuch asgrazeoldAhabinhisownproperandinaccessiblebeing. Cananyleadtouchyonderfloor,anymastscrapeyonderroof? Aloftthere!whichway?" "Deadtoleeward,sir." "Uphelm,then;pileonthesailagain,shipkeepers!down therestofthespareboatsandrigthemMr.Starbuckaway, andmustertheboat'screws." "Letmefirsthelptheetowardsthebulwarks,sir." "Oh,oh,oh!howthissplintergoresmenow!Accursedfate! thattheunconquerablecaptaininthesoulshouldhavesuch acravenmate!" "Sir?" "Mybody,man,notthee.Givemesomethingforacanethere,that shiveredlancewilldo.Musterthemen.SurelyIhavenotseenhimyet. Byheavenitcannotbe!missing?quick!callthemall." Theoldman'shintedthoughtwastrue.Uponmusteringthecompany, theParseewasnotthere. "TheParsee!"criedStubb"hemusthavebeencaughtin" "Theblackvomitwrenchthee!runallofyeabove, alow,cabin,forecastlefindhimnotgonenotgone!" ButquicklytheyreturnedtohimwiththetidingsthattheParsee

wasnowheretobefound. "Aye,sir,"saidStubb"caughtamongthetanglesofyourline IthoughtIsawhimdraggingunder." "Myline!myline?Gone?gone?Whatmeansthatlittleword? Whatdeathknellringsinit,thatoldAhabshakesasifhewere thebelfry.Theharpoon,too!tossoverthelitterthere, d'yeseeit?theforgediron,men,thewhitewhale'sno,no,no, blisteredfool;thishanddiddartit!'tisinthefish!Aloftthere! KeephimnailedQuick!allhandstotheriggingoftheboats collecttheoarsharpooneers!theirons,theirons!hoistthe royalshigherapullonallthesheets!helmthere!steady, steadyforyourlife!I'lltentimesgirdletheunmeasuredglobe; yeaanddivestraightthroughit,butI'llslayhimyet! "GreatGod!butforonesingleinstantshowthyself," criedStarbuck;"never,neverwiltthoucapturehim,oldman InJesus'namenomoreofthis,that'sworsethandevil'smadness. Twodayschased;twicestovetosplinters;thyverylegonce moresnatchedfromunderthee;thyevilshadowgoneallgood angelsmobbingtheewithwarnings:whatmorewouldstthouhave? Shallwekeepchasingthismurderousfishtillheswampsthelastman? Shallwebedraggedbyhimtothebottomofthesea? Shallwebetowedbyhimtotheinfernalworld?Oh,oh, Impietyandblasphemytohunthimmore!" "Starbuck,oflateI'vefeltstrangelymovedtothee;eversince thathourwebothsawthouknow'stwhat,inoneanother'seyes. Butinthismatterofthewhale,bethefrontofthyface tomeasthepalmofthishandalipless,unfeaturedblank. AhabisforeverAhab,man.Thiswholeact'simmutablydecreed. 'Twasrehearsedbytheeandmeabillionyearsbeforethis oceanrolled.Fool!IamtheFates'lieutenant;Iactunderorders. Lookthou,underling!thatthouobeyestmine.Standroundmen,men. Yeseeanoldmancutdowntothestump;leaningonashiveredlance; proppeduponalonelyfoot.'TisAhabhisbody'spart; butAhab'ssoul'sacentipede,thatmovesuponahundredlegs. Ifeelstrained,halfstranded,asropesthattowdismastedfrigates inagale;andImaylookso.ButereIbreak,yellhearmecrack; andtillyehearthat,knowthatAhab'shawsertowshispurposeyet. Believeye,men,inthethingscalledomens?Thenlaughaloud, andcryencore!Foreretheydrown,drowningthingswilltwice risetothesurface;thenriseagain,tosinkforevermore. SowithMobyDicktwodayshe'sfloatedtomorrowwillbethethird. Aye,men,he'llriseoncemore,butonlytospouthislast!

D'yefeelbravemen,brave?" "Asfearlessfire,"criedStubb. "Andasmechanical,"mutteredAhab.Thenasthemenwentforward, hemutteredon:"Thethingscalledomens!AndyesterdayItalked thesametoStarbuckthere,concerningmybrokenboat.Oh!howvaliantly Iseektodriveoutofothers'heartswhat'sclinchedsofastinmine! TheParseetheParsee!gone,gone?andhewastogobefore: butstillwastobeseenagainereIcouldperishHow'sthat? There'sariddlenowmightbaffleallthelawyersbackedbytheghosts ofthewholelineofjudges:likeahawk'sbeakitpecksmybrain. I'll,I'llsolveit,though!" Whenduskdescended,thewhalewasstillinsighttoleeward. Sooncemorethesailwasshortened,andeverythingpassed nearlyasonthepreviousnight;only,thesoundofhammers, andthehumofthegrindstonewasheardtillnearlydaylight, asthementoiledbylanternsinthecompleteandcareful riggingofthespareboatsandsharpeningtheirfreshweapons forthemorrow.Meantime,ofthebrokenkeelofAhab'swrecked craftthecarpentermadehimanotherleg;whilestillason thenightbefore,slouchedAhabstoodfixedwithinhisscuttle; hishid,heliotropeglanceanticipatinglygonebackwardonitsdial; satdueeastwardfortheearliestsun. CHAPTER135 TheChaseThirdDay Themorningofthethirddaydawnedfairandfresh,andonce morethesolitarynightmanattheforemastheadwasrelieved bycrowdsofthedaylightlookouts,whodottedeverymast andalmosteveryspar. "D'yeseehim?"criedAhab;butthewhalewasnotyetinsight. "Inhisinfalliblewake,though;butfollowthatwake,that'sall. Helmthere;steady,asthougoest,andhastbeengoing. Whatalovelydayagain!wereitanewmadeworld,andmadefor asummerhousetotheangels,andthismorningthefirstofits throwingopentothem,afairerdaycouldnotdawnuponthatworld.

Here'sfoodforthought,hadAhabtimetothink;butAhabneverthinks; heonlyfeels,feels,feels;that'stinglingenoughformortal man!tothink'saudacity.Godonlyhasthatrightandprivilege. Thinkingis,oroughttobe,acoolnessandacalmness;andour poorheartsthrob,andourpoorbrainsbeattoomuchforthat. Andyet,I'vesometimesthoughtmybrainwasverycalm frozencalm,thisoldskullcracksso,likeaglassinwhich thecontentsturnedtoice,andshiverit.Andstillthishair isgrowingnow;thismomentgrowing,andheatmustbreedit; butno,it'slikethatsortofcommongrassthatwillgrowanywhere, betweentheearthycleftsofGreenlandiceorinVesuviuslava. Howthewildwindsblowit;theywhipitaboutmeasthetorn shredsofsplitsailslashthetossedshiptheyclingto. Avilewindthathasnodoubtblownerethisthroughprisoncorridors andcells,andwardsofhospitals,andventilatedthem,andnowcomes blowinghitherasinnocentasfleeces.Outuponit!it'stainted. WereIthewind,I'dblownomoreonsuchawicked,miserableworld. I'dcrawlsomewheretoacave,andslinkthere.Andyet, 'tisanobleandheroicthing,thewind!whoeverconqueredit? Ineveryfightithasthelastandbitterestblow.Runtilting atit,andyoubutrunthroughit.Ha!acowardwindthatstrikes starknakedmen,butwillnotstandtoreceiveasingleblow. EvenAhabisabraverthinganoblerthingthanthat. Wouldnowthewindbuthadabody;butallthethingsthatmost exasperateandoutragemortalman,allthesethingsarebodiless, butonlybodilessasobjects,notasagents.There'sa mostspecial,amostcunning,oh,amostmaliciousdifference! Andyet,Isayagain,andswearitnow,thatthere'ssomething allgloriousandgraciousinthewind.ThesewarmTradeWinds, atleast,thatintheclearheavensblowstraighton,instrong andsteadfast,vigorousmildness;andveernotfromtheirmark, howeverthebasercurrentsoftheseamayturnandtack, andmightiestMississippiesofthelandswiftandswerveabout, uncertainwheretogoatlast.AndbytheeternalPoles! thesesameTradesthatsodirectlyblowmygoodshipon; theseTrades,orsomethinglikethemsomethingsounchangeable, andfullasstrong,blowmykeeledsoulalong!Toit!Aloftthere! Whatd'yesee?" "Nothing,sir." "Nothing!andnoonathand!Thedoubloongoesabegging!See thesun!Aye,aye,itmustbeso.I'veoversailedhim. How,gotthestart?Aye,he'schasingmenow;notI,him that'sbad;Imighthaveknownit,too.Fool!thelines theharpoonshe'stowing.Aye,aye,Ihaverunhimbylastnight.

About!about!Comedown,allofye,buttheregularlookouts! Manthebraces!" Steeringasshehaddone,thewindhadbeensomewhatonthe Pequod'squarter,sothatnowbeingpointedinthereversedirection, thebracedshipsailedharduponthebreezeassherechurned thecreaminherownwhitewake. "Againstthewindhenowsteersfortheopenjaw,"murmuredStarbuck tohimself,ashecoiledthenewhauledmainbraceupontherail. "Godkeepus,butalreadymybonesfeeldampwithinme,andfrom theinsidewetmyflesh.ImisdoubtmethatIdisobeymyGod inobeyinghim!" "Standbytoswaymeup!"criedAhab,advancingtothehempenbasket. "Weshouldmeethimsoon." "Aye,aye,sir,"andstraightwayStarbuckdidAhab'sbidding, andoncemoreAhabswungonhigh. Awholehournowpassed;goldbeatenouttoages. Timeitselfnowheldlongbreathswithkeensuspense. Butatlast,somethreepointsofftheweatherbow,Ahabdescried thespoutagain,andinstantlyfromthethreemastheads threeshriekswentupasifthetonguesoffirehadvoicedit. "ForeheadtoforeheadImeetthee,thisthirdtime,MobyDick! Ondeckthere!bracesharperup;crowdherintothewind'seye. He'stoofarofftoloweryet,Mr.Starbuck.Thesailsshake! Standoverthathelmsmanwithatopmaul!So,so;hetravelsfast, andImustdown.Butletmehaveonemoregoodroundlookaloft hereatthesea;there'stimeforthat.Anold,oldsight,andyet somehowsoyoung;aye,andnotchangedawinksinceIfirstsawit, aboy,fromthesandhillsofNantucket!Thesamethesame! thesametoNoahastome.There'sasoftshowertoleeward. Suchlovelyleewardings!Theymustleadsomewhere tosomethingelsethancommonland,morepalmythanthepalms. Leeward!thewhitewhalegoesthatway;looktowindward,then; thebetterifthebittererquarter.Butgoodbye,goodbye, oldmasthead!What'sthis?green?aye,tinymossesinthese warpedcracks.NosuchgreenweatherstainsonAhab'shead! There'sthedifferencenowbetweenman'soldageandmatter's. Butaye,oldmast,webothgrowoldtogether;soundinourhulls, thougharewenot,myship?Aye,minusaleg,that'sall. Byheaventhisdeadwoodhasthebetterofmyliveflesheveryway. Ican'tcomparewithit;andI'veknownsomeshipsmadeofdeadtrees

outlastthelivesofmenmadeofthemostvitalstuffofvitalfathers. What'sthathesaid?heshouldstillgobeforeme,mypilot; andyettobeseenagain?Butwhere?WillIhaveeyesat thebottomofthesea,supposingIdescendthoseendlessstairs? andallnightI'vebeensailingfromhim,whereverhedidsinkto. Aye,aye,likemanymorethoutold'stdirefultruthas touchingthyself,OParsee;but,Ahab,therethyshotfellshort. Goodbye,mastheadkeepagoodeyeuponthewhale,thewhileI'mgone. We'lltalktomorrow,nay,tonight,whenthewhitewhalelies downthere,tiedbyheadandtail." Hegavetheword;andstillgazingroundhim,wassteadilylowered throughtheclovenblueairtothedeck. Induetimetheboatswerelowered;butasstandinginhis shallop'sstern,Ahabjusthovereduponthepointofthedescent, hewavedtothemate,whoheldoneofthetackleropesondeck andbadehimpause. "Starbuck!" "Sir?" "Forthethirdtimemysoul'sshipstartsuponthisvoyage,Starbuck." "Aye,sir,thouwilthaveitso." "Someshipssailfromtheirports,andeverafterwards aremissing,Starbuck!" "Truth,sir:saddesttruth." "Somemendieatebbtide;someatlowwater;someatthefull oftheflood;andIfeelnowlikeabillowthat'sallone crestedcomb,Starbuck.Iamold;shakehandswithme,man." Theirhandsmet;theireyesfastened;Starbuck'stearstheglue. "Oh,mycaptain,mycaptain!nobleheartgonotgonot!see,it'sa bravemanthatweeps;howgreattheagonyofthepersuasionthen!" "Loweraway!"criedAhab,tossingthemate'sarmfromhim. "Standbyforthecrew!" Inaninstanttheboatwaspullingroundcloseunderthestern.

"Thesharks!thesharks!"criedavoicefromthelowcabinwindowthere; "Omaster,mymaster,comeback!" ButAhabheardnothing;forhisownvoicewashighliftedthen; andtheboatleapedon. Yetthevoicespaketrue;forscarcehadhepushedfromtheship, whennumbersofsharks,seeminglyrisingfromoutthedarkwaters beneaththehull,maliciouslysnappedatthebladesoftheoars, everytimetheydippedinthewater;andinthiswayaccompanied theboatwiththeirbites.Itisathingnotuncommonlyhappening tothewhaleboatsinthoseswarmingseas;thesharksattimes apparentlyfollowingtheminthesameprescientwaythatvultures hoveroverthebannersofmarchingregimentsintheeast. ButthesewerethefirstsharksthathadbeenobservedbythePequod sincetheWhiteWhalehadbeenfirstdescried;andwhetherit wasthatAhab'screwwereallsuchtigeryellowbarbarians, andthereforetheirfleshmoremuskytothesensesofthesharks amattersometimeswellknowntoaffectthem,howeveritwas, theyseemedtofollowthatoneboatwithoutmolestingtheothers. "Heartofwroughtsteel!"murmuredStarbuckgazingovertheside, andfollowingwithhiseyestherecedingboat"canstthou yetringboldlytothatsight?loweringthykeelamong raveningsharks,andfollowedbythem,openmouthedtothechase; andthisthecriticalthirdday?Forwhenthreedays flowtogetherinonecontinuousintensepursuit;besure thefirstisthemorning,thesecondthenoon,andthethird theeveningandtheendofthatthingbethatendwhatitmay. Oh!myGod!whatisthisthatshootsthroughme,andleavesme sodeadlycalm,yetexpectant,fixedatthetopofashudder! Futurethingsswimbeforeme,asinemptyoutlinesandskeletons; allthepastissomehowgrowndim.Mary,girl;thoufadest inpalegloriesbehindme;boy!Iseemtoseebutthyeyes grownwondrousblue.Strangestproblemsoflifeseemclearing; butcloudssweepbetweenIsmyjourney'sendcoming? Mylegsfeelfaint;likehiswhohasfooteditallday. Feelthyheart,beatsityet?Stirthyself,Starbuck! staveitoffmove,move!speakaloud!Mastheadthere! Seeyemyboy'shandonthehill?Crazed;aloftthere! keepthykeenesteyeupontheboats:markwellthewhale! Ho!again!driveoffthathawk!see!hepeckshetearsthevane" pointingtotheredflagflyingatthemaintruck"Ha,hesoars awaywithit!Where'stheoldmannow?see'stthouthatsight, ohAhab!shudder,shudder!"

Theboatshadnotgoneveryfar,whenbyasignalfromthemastheads adownwardpointedarm,Ahabknewthatthewhalehadsounded; butintendingtobenearhimatthenextrising,heheldonhisway alittlesidewaysfromthevessel;thebecharmedcrewmaintaining theprofoundestsilence,astheheadbentwaveshammeredandhammered againsttheopposingbow. "Drive,driveinyournails,ohyewaves!totheiruttermost headsdrivethemin!yebutstrikeathingwithoutalid; andnocoffinandnohearsecanbemine:andhemponlycan killme!Ha!ha!" Suddenlythewatersaroundthemslowlyswelledinbroadcircles; thenquicklyupheaved,asifsidewaysslidingfromasubmerged bergofice,swiftlyrisingtothesurface.Alowrumblingsound washeard;asubterraneoushum;andthenallheldtheirbreaths; asbedraggledwithtrailingropes,andharpoons,andlances, avastformshotlengthwise,butobliquelyfromthesea. Shroudedinathindroopingveilofmist,ithoveredforamoment intherainbowedair;andthenfellswampingbackintothedeep. Crushedthirtyfeetupwards,thewatersflashedforaninstant likeheapsoffountains,thenbrokenlysankinashowerofflakes, leavingthecirclingsurfacecreamedlikenewmilkroundthemarble trunkofthewhale. "Giveway!"criedAhabtotheoarsmen,andtheboatsdartedforwardto theattack;butmaddenedbyyesterday'sfreshironsthatcorrodedinhim, MobyDickseemedcombinedlypossessedbyalltheangelsthatfell fromheaven.Thewidetiersofweldedtendonsoverspreadinghisbroad whiteforehead,beneaththetransparentskin,lookedknittedtogether; asheadon,hecamechurninghistailamongtheboats;andoncemore flailedthemapart;spillingouttheironsandlancesfromthetwomates' boats,anddashinginonesideoftheupperpartoftheirbows, butleavingAhab'salmostwithoutascar. WhileDaggooandQueequegwerestoppingthestrainedplanks; andasthewhaleswimmingoutfromthem,turned,andshowed oneentireflankasheshotbythemagain;atthatmoment aquickcrywentup.Lashedroundandroundtothefish'sback; pinionedintheturnsuponturnsinwhich,duringthepastnight, thewhalehadreeledtheinvolutionsofthelinesaroundhim, thehalftornbodyoftheParseewasseen;hissableraiment frayedtoshreds;hisdistendedeyesturnedfulluponoldAhab. Theharpoondroppedfromhishand.

"Befooled,befooled!"drawinginalongleanbreath"Aye,Parsee!Isee theeagain.Aye,andthougoestbefore;andthis,thisthenisthehearse thatthoudidstpromise.ButIholdtheetothelastletterofthyword. Whereisthesecondhearse?Away,mates,totheship!thoseboats areuselessnow;repairthemifyecanintime,andreturntome; ifnot,AhabisenoughtodieDown,men!thefirstthingthatbut offerstojumpfromthisboatIstandin,thatthingIharpoon. Yearenotothermen,butmyarmsandmylegs;andsoobeyme. Where'sthewhale?gonedownagain?" Buthelookedtoonightheboat;forasifbentuponescaping withthecorpsehebore,andasiftheparticularplaceofthelast encounterhadbeenbutastageinhisleewardvoyage,MobyDick wasnowagainsteadilyswimmingforward;andhadalmostpassed theship,whichthusfarhadbeensailinginthecontrarydirection tohim,thoughforthepresentherheadwayhadbeenstopped. Heseemedswimmingwithhisutmostvelocity,andnowonlyintent uponpursuinghisownstraightpathinthesea. "Oh!Ahab,"criedStarbuck,"nottoolateisit,evennow, thethirdday,todesist.See!MobyDickseekstheenot. Itisthou,thou,thatmadlyseekesthim!" Settingsailtotherisingwind,thelonelyboatwas swiftlyimpelledtoleeward,bybothoarsandcanvas. AndatlastwhenAhabwasslidingbythevessel,sonear asplainlytodistinguishStarbuck'sfaceasheleaned overtherail,hehailedhimtoturnthevesselabout, andfollowhim,nottooswiftly,atajudiciousinterval. GlancingupwardshesawTashtego,Queequeg,andDaggoo, eagerlymountingtothethreemastheads;whiletheoarsmen wererockinginthetwostavedboatswhichhadbutjustbeen hoistedtotheside,andwerebusilyatworkinrepairingthem. Oneaftertheother,throughtheportholes,ashesped, healsocaughtflyingglimpsesofStubbandFlask, busyingthemselvesondeckamongbundlesofnewironsandlances. Ashesawallthis;asheheardthehammersinthebrokenboats; farotherhammersseemeddrivinganailintohisheart. Butherallied.Andnowmarkingthatthevaneorflag wasgonefromthemainmasthead,heshoutedtoTashtego, whohadjustgainedthatperch,todescendagainforanotherflag, andahammerandnails,andsonailittothemast. Whetherfaggedbythethreedays'runningchase,andthe resistancetohisswimmingintheknottedhamperhebore; orwhetheritwassomelatentdeceitfulnessandmaliceinhim:

whicheverwastrue,theWhiteWhale'swaynowbegantoabate, asitseemed,fromtheboatsorapidlynearinghimoncemore; thoughindeedthewhale'slaststarthadnotbeensolongaone asbefore.AndstillasAhabglidedoverthewavestheunpitying sharksaccompaniedhim;andsopertinaciouslystucktotheboat; andsocontinuallybitattheplyingoars,thattheblades becamejaggedandcrunched,andleftsmallsplintersinthesea, atalmosteverydip. "Heedthemnot!thoseteethbutgivenewrowlockstoyouroars. Pullon!'tisthebetterrest,thesharks'jawthantheyieldingwater." "Butateverybite,sir,thethinbladesgrowsmallerandsmaller!" "Theywilllastlongenough!pullon!Butwhocantell" hemuttered"whetherthesesharksswimtofeastonthewhale oronAhab?Butpullon!Aye,allalive,nowwenearhim. Thehelm!takethehelm!letmepass,"andsosayingtwoofthe oarsmenhelpedhimforwardtothebowsofthestillflyingboat. Atlengthasthecraftwascasttooneside,andranranging alongwiththeWhiteWhale'sflank,heseemedstrangely obliviousofitsadvanceasthewhalesometimeswillandAhab wasfairlywithinthesmokymountainmist,which,thrownoff fromthewhale'sspout,curledroundhisgreatMonadnockhump; hewaseventhusclosetohim;when,withbodyarchedback, andbotharmslengthwisehighliftedtothepoise,hedarted hisfierceiron,andhisfarfiercercurseintothehatedwhale. Asbothsteelandcursesanktothesocket,asifsuckedinto amorass,MobyDicksidewayswrithed;spasmodicallyrolled hisnighflankagainstthebow,and,withoutstavingahole init,sosuddenlycantedtheboatover,thathaditnotbeen fortheelevatedpartofthegunwaletowhichhethenclung, Ahabwouldoncemorehavebeentossedintothesea. Asitwas,threeoftheoarsmenwhoforeknewnottheprecise instantofthedart,andwerethereforeunpreparedforitseffects thesewereflungout;butsofell,that,inaninstanttwo ofthemclutchedthegunwaleagain,andrisingtoitslevelon acombingwave,hurledthemselvesbodilyinboardagain;thethird manhelplesslydroppingastern,butstillafloatandswimming. Almostsimultaneously,withamightyvolitionofungraduated, instantaneousswiftness,theWhiteWhaledartedthroughthe welteringsea.ButwhenAhabcriedouttothesteersmantotake newturnswiththeline,andholditso;andcommandedthecrew toturnroundontheirseats,andtowtheboatuptothemark;

themomentthetreacherouslinefeltthatdoublestrainandtug, itsnappedintheemptyair! "Whatbreaksinme?Somesinewcracks!'tiswholeagain;oars!oars! Burstinuponhim!" Hearingthetremendousrushoftheseacrashingboat,thewhale wheeledroundtopresenthisblankforeheadatbay;butin thatevolution,catchingsightofthenearingblackhulloftheship; seeminglyseeinginitthesourceofallhispersecutions; bethinkingititmaybealargerandnoblerfoe;ofasudden, heboredownuponitsadvancingprow,smitinghisjawsamidfiery showersoffoam. Ahabstaggered;hishandsmotehisforehead."Igrowblind; hands!stretchoutbeforemethatImayyetgropemyway. Is'tnight?" "Thewhale!Theship!"criedthecringingoarsmen. "Oars!oars!Slopedownwardstothydepths,Oseathatere itbeforevertoolate,Ahabmayslidethislast,lasttime uponhismark!Isee:theship!theship!Dashon,mymen! Willyenotsavemyship?" Butastheoarsmenviolentlyforcedtheirboatthrough thesledgehammeringseas,thebeforewhalesmittenbowends oftwoplanksburstthrough,andinaninstantalmost, thetemporarilydisabledboatlaynearlylevelwiththewaves; itshalfwading,splashingcrew,tryinghardtostopthegap andbaleoutthepouringwater. Meantime,forthatonebeholdinginstant,Tashtego'smasthead hammerremainedsuspendedinhishand;andtheredflag, halfwrappinghimaswithaplaid,thenstreameditself straightoutfromhim,ashisownforwardflowingheart; whileStarbuckandStubb,standinguponthebowspritbeneath, caughtsightofthedowncomingmonsterjustassoonashe. "Thewhale,thewhale!Uphelm,uphelm!Oh,allyesweetpowers ofair,nowhugmeclose!LetnotStarbuckdie,ifdiehemust, inawoman'sfaintingfit.Uphelm,Isayyefools,thejaw!thejaw! Isthistheendofallmyburstingprayers?allmylifelongfidelities? Oh,Ahab,Ahab,lo,thywork.Steady!helmsman,steady.Nay,nay! Uphelmagain!Heturnstomeetus!Oh,hisunappeasablebrow drivesontowardsone,whosedutytellshimhecannotdepart.

MyGod,standbymenow!" "Standnotbyme,butstandunderme,whoeveryouarethatwill nowhelpStubb;forStubb,too,stickshere.Igrinatthee, thougrinningwhale!WhoeverhelpedStubb,orkeptStubbawake, butStubb'sownunwinkingeye?AndnowpoorStubbgoestobedupon amattrassthatisalltoosoft;woulditwerestuffedwithbrushwood! Igrinatthee,thougrinningwhale!Lookye,sun,moon,andstars! Icallyeassassinsofasgoodafellowaseverspouteduphisghost. Forallthat,Iwouldyetringglasseswithye,wouldyebuthand thecup!Oh,oh!oh,oh!thougrinningwhale,butthere'llbe plentyofgulpingsoon!Whyflyyenot,OAhab!Forme,offshoes andjackettoit;letStubbdieinhisdrawers!Amostmouldy andoversalteddeath,though;cherries!cherries!cherries! Oh,Flask,foroneredcherryerewedie!" "Cherries?Ionlywishthatwewerewheretheygrow. Oh,Stubb,Ihopemypoormother'sdrawnmypartpayerethis; ifnot,fewcopperswillnowcometoher,forthevoyageisup." Fromtheship'sbows,nearlyalltheseamennowhunginactive; hammers,bitsofplank,lances,andharpoons,mechanicallyretained intheirhands,justastheyhaddartedfromtheirvariousemployments; alltheirenchantedeyesintentuponthewhale,whichfromside tosidestrangelyvibratinghispredestinatinghead,sentabroad bandofoverspreadingsemicircularfoambeforehimasherushed. Retribution,swiftvengeance,eternalmalicewereinhiswholeaspect, andspiteofallthatmortalmancoulddo,thesolidwhitebuttressofhis foreheadsmotetheship'sstarboardbow,tillmenandtimbersreeled. Somefellflatupontheirfaces.Likedislodgedtrucks, theheadsoftheharpooneersaloftshookontheirbulllikenecks. Throughthebreach,theyheardthewaterspour,asmountaintorrents downaflume. "Theship!Thehearse!thesecondhearse!"criedAhabfromtheboat; "itswoodcouldonlybeAmerican!" Divingbeneaththesettlingship,thewhaleranquiveringalongitskeel; butturningunderwater,swiftlyshottothesurfaceagain,faroff theotherbow,butwithinafewyardsofAhab'sboat,where,foratime, helayquiescent. "Iturnmybodyfromthesun.Whatho,Tashtego!Letme hearthyhammer.Oh!yethreeunsurrenderedspiresofmine; thouuncrackedkeel;andonlygodbulliedhull;thoufirmdeck, andhaughtyhelm,andPolepointedprow,deathgloriousship!must

yethenperish,andwithoutme?AmIcutofffromthelastfondpride ofmeanestshipwreckedcaptains?Oh,lonelydeathonlonelylife! Oh,nowIfeelmytopmostgreatnessliesinmytopmostgrief. Ho,ho!fromallyourfurthestbounds,pouryenowin,yeboldbillows ofmywholeforegonelife,andtopthisonepiledcomberofmydeath! TowardstheeIroll,thoualldestroyingbutunconqueringwhale; tothelastIgrapplewiththee;fromhell'sheartIstabatthee; forhate'ssakeIspitmylastbreathatthee.Sinkallcoffins andallhearsestoonecommonpool!andsinceneithercanbemine, letmethentowtopieces,whilestillchasingthee,thoughtied tothee,thoudamnedwhale!Thus,Igiveupthespear!" Theharpoonwasdarted;thestrickenwhaleflewforward; withignitingvelocitythelineranthroughthegrooves;ranfoul. Ahabstoopedtoclearit;hedidclearit;buttheflyingturncaughthim roundtheneck,andvoicelesslyasTurkishmutesbowstringtheirvictim, hewasshotoutoftheboat,erethecrewknewhewasgone. Nextinstant,theheavyeyespliceintherope'sfinalendflewout ofthestarkemptytub,knockeddownanoarsman,andsmitingthesea, disappearedinitsdepths. Foraninstant,thetrancedboat'screwstoodstill;thenturned. "Theship?GreatGod,whereistheship?"Soontheythroughdim, bewilderingmediumssawhersidelongfadingphantom,asinthegaseous FataMorgana;onlytheuppermostmastsoutofwater;whilefixed byinfatuation,orfidelity,orfate,totheironceloftyperches, thepaganharpooneersstillmaintainedtheirsinkinglookoutson thesea.Andnow,concentriccirclesseizedtheloneboatitself, andallitscrew,andeachfloatingoar,andeverylancepole, andspinning,animateandinanimate,allroundandroundinonevortex, carriedthesmallestchipofthePequodoutofsight. Butasthelastwhelmingsintermixinglypouredthemselvesover thesunkenheadoftheIndianatthemainmast,leavingafewinches oftheerectsparyetvisible,togetherwithlongstreamingyards oftheflag,whichcalmlyundulated,withironicalcoincidings, overthedestroyingbillowstheyalmosttouched;atthatinstant,ared armandahammerhoveredbackwardlyupliftedintheopenair,intheact ofnailingtheflagfasterandyetfastertothesubsidingspar. Askyhawkthattauntinglyhadfollowedthemaintruckdownwards fromitsnaturalhomeamongthestars,peckingattheflag, andincommodingTashtegothere;thisbirdnowchancedtointercept itsbroadflutteringwingbetweenthehammerandthewood; andsimultaneouslyfeelingthatetherialthrill,thesubmerged savagebeneath,inhisdeathgasp,kepthishammerfrozenthere; andsothebirdofheaven,witharchangelicshrieks,andhisimperial

beakthrustupwards,andhiswholecaptiveformfoldedintheflag ofAhab,wentdownwithhisship,which,likeSatan,wouldnotsink tohelltillshehaddraggedalivingpartofheavenalongwithher, andhelmetedherselfwithit. Nowsmallfowlsflewscreamingovertheyetyawninggulf; asullenwhitesurfbeatagainstitssteepsides;thenallcollapsed, andthegreatshroudofthesearolledonasitrolledfive thousandyearsago. Epilogue "ANDIONLYAMESCAPEDALONETOTELLTHEE" Job. Thedrama'sdone.Whythenheredoesanyonestepforth? Becauseonedidsurvivethewreck. Itsochanced,thataftertheParsee'sdisappearance,Iwas hewhomtheFatesordainedtotaketheplaceofAhab'sbowsman, whenthatbowsmanassumedthevacantpost;thesame,who,whenon thelastdaythethreemenweretossedfromoutoftherockingboat, wasdroppedastern.So,floatingonthemarginoftheensuingscene, andinfullsightofit,whenthehalfspentsuctionofthesunkship reachedme,Iwasthen,butslowly,drawntowardstheclosingvortex. WhenIreachedit,ithadsubsidedtoacreamypool. Roundandround,then,andevercontractingtowardsthebuttonlike blackbubbleattheaxisofthatslowlywheelingcircle, likeanotherIxionIdidrevolve.Till,gainingthatvitalcentre, theblackbubbleupwardburst;andnow,liberatedbyreasonofits cunningspring,and,owingtoitsgreatbuoyancy,risingwithgreatforce, thecoffinlifebuoyshotlengthwisefromthesea,fellover, andfloatedbymyside.Buoyedupbythatcoffin,foralmost onewholedayandnight,Ifloatedonasoftanddirgelikemain. Theunharmingsharks,theyglidedbyasifwithpadlockson theirmouths;thesavageseahawkssailedwithsheathedbeaks. Onthesecondday,asaildrewnear,nearer,andpickedmeupatlast. ItwasthedeviouscruisingRachel,thatinherretracingsearch afterhermissingchildren,onlyfoundanotherorphan.

ETYMOLOGY (SuppliedbyaLateConsumptiveUshertoaGrammarSchool) ThepaleUsherthreadbareincoat,heart,body,andbrain; Iseehimnow.Hewaseverdustinghisoldlexiconsandgrammars, withaqueerhandkerchief,mockinglyembellishedwithallthegay flagsofalltheknownnationsoftheworld.Helovedtodust hisoldgrammars;itsomehowmildlyremindedhimofhismortality. "Whileyoutakeinhandtoschoolothers,andtoteachthemby whatnameawhalefishistobecalledinourtongueleavingout, throughignorance,theletterH,whichalmostalonemakeththe significationoftheword,youdeliverthatwhichisnottrue." HACKLUYT "WHALE....Sw.andDan.hval.Thisanimalisnamedfromroundness orrolling;forinDan.hvaltisarchedorvaulted." WEBSTER'SDICTIONARY "WHALE....ItismoreimmediatelyfromtheDut.andGer. Wallen;A.S.Walwian,toroll,towallow." RICHARDSON'SDICTIONARY KETOS,Greek. CETUS,Latin. WHOEL,AngloSaxon. HVALT,Danish. WAL,Dutch. HWAL,Swedish. WHALE,Icelandic. WHALE,English. BALEINE,French. BALLENA,Spanish. PEKEENUEENUEE,Fegee. PEKEENUEENUEE,Erromangoan. EXTRACTS (SuppliedbyaSubSubLibrarian) Itwillbeseenthatthismerepainstakingburrowerandgrubworm ofapoordevilofaSubSubappearstohavegonethroughthelong Vaticansandstreetstallsoftheearth,pickingupwhateverrandom allusionstowhaleshecouldanywaysfindinanybookwhatsoever, sacredorprofane.thereforeyoumustnot,ineverycaseatleast,

takethehiggledypiggledywhalestatements,howeverauthentic, intheseextracts,forveritablegospelcetology.Farfromit. Astouchingtheancientauthorsgenerally,aswellasthepoets hereappearing,theseextractsaresolelyvaluableorentertaining, asaffordingaglancingbird'seyeviewofwhathasbeen promiscuouslysaid,thought,fancied,andsungofLeviathan, bymanynationsandgenerations,includingourown. Sofaretheewell,poordevilofaSubSub,whosecommentatorIam. Thoubelongesttothathopeless,sallowtribewhichnowineofthisworld willeverwarm;andforwhomevenPaleSherrywouldbetoorosystrong; butwithwhomonesometimeslovestosit,andfeelpoordevilish,too; andgrowconvivialupontears;andsaytothembluntly,withfull eyesandemptyglasses,andinnotaltogetherunpleasantsadness Giveitup,SubSubs!Forbyhowmuchmorepainsyetaketoplease theworld,bysomuchthemoreshallyeforevergothankless! WouldthatIcouldclearoutHamptonCourtandtheTuileriesforye! Butgulpdownyourtearsandhiealofttotheroyalmastwith yourhearts;foryourfriendswhohavegonebeforeareclearing outthesevenstoriedheavens,andmakingrefugeesoflong pamperedGabriel,Michael,andRaphael,againstyourcoming. Hereyestrikebutsplinteredheartstogetherthere,yeshall strikeunsplinterableglasses! "AndGodcreatedgreatwhales." GENESIS. "Leviathanmakethapathtoshineafterhim; Onewouldthinkthedeeptobehoary." JOB. "NowtheLordhadpreparedagreatfishtoswallowupJonah." JONAH. "Theregotheships;thereisthatLeviathanwhomthouhastmade toplaytherein." PSALMS. "Inthatday,theLordwithhissore,andgreat,andstrongsword, shallpunishLeviathanthepiercingserpent,evenLeviathanthat crookedserpent;andheshallslaythedragonthatisinthesea." ISAIAH "Andwhatthingsoeverbesidescomethwithinthechaosofthis monster'smouth,beitbeast,boat,orstone,downitgoesall incontinentlythatfoulgreatswallowofhis,andperishethinthe

bottomlessgulfofhispaunch." HOLLAND'SPLUTARCH'SMORALS. "TheIndianSeabreedeththemostandthebiggestfishesthatare: amongwhichtheWhalesandWhirlpoolescalledBalaene,takeupasmuch inlengthasfouracresorarpensofland." HOLLAND'SPLINY. "Scarcelyhadweproceededtwodaysonthesea,whenaboutsunrisea greatmanyWhalesandothermonstersofthesea,appeared.Amongthe former,onewasofamostmonstroussize....Thiscametowardsus, openmouthed,raisingthewavesonallsides,andbeatingthesea beforehimintoafoam." TOOKE'SLUCIAN."THETRUEHISTORY." "Hevisitedthiscountryalsowithaviewofcatching horsewhales,whichhadbonesofverygreatvaluefortheirteeth, ofwhichhebroughtsometotheking....Thebestwhaleswere catchedinhisowncountry,ofwhichsomewerefortyeight,somefifty yardslong.Hesaidthathewasoneofsixwhohadkilledsixtyintwo days." OTHEROROCTHER'SVERBALNARRATIVETAKENDOWNFROM HISMOUTHBYKINGALFRED,A.D.890. "Andwhereasalltheotherthings,whetherbeastorvessel,that enterintothedreadfulgulfofthismonster's(whale's)mouth,are immediatelylostandswallowedup,theseagudgeonretiresintoit ingreatsecurity,andtheresleeps." MONTAIGNE.APOLOGYFORRAIMONDSEBOND. "Letusfly,letusfly!OldNicktakemeifisnotLeviathan describedbythenobleprophetMosesinthelifeofpatientJob." RABELAIS. "Thiswhale'sliverwastwocartloads." STOWE'SANNALS. "ThegreatLeviathanthatmakeththeseastoseethelikeboiling pan." LORDBACON'SVERSIONOFTHEPSALMS. "Touchingthatmonstrousbulkofthewhaleororkwehavereceived nothingcertain.Theygrowexceedingfat,insomuchthatan incrediblequantityofoilwillbeextractedoutofonewhale." IBID."HISTORYOFLIFEANDDEATH."

"Thesovereignestthingonearthisparmacettiforaninward bruise." KINGHENRY. "Verylikeawhale." HAMLET. "Whichtosecure,noskillofleach'sart Motehimavaille,buttoreturneagaine Tohiswound'sworker,thatwithlowlydart, Dintinghisbreast,hadbredhisrestlesspaine, Likeasthewoundedwhaletoshorefliesthro'themaine." THEFAERIEQUEEN. "Immenseaswhales,themotionofwhosevastbodiescanina peacefulcalmtroubletheoceantilitboil." SIRWILLIAMDAVENANT.PREFACETOGONDIBERT. "Whatspermacettiis,menmightjustlydoubt,sincethelearned Hosmannusinhisworkofthirtyyears,saithplainly,Nescioquid sit." SIRT.BROWNE.OFSPERMACETIANDTHESPERMACETIWHALE.VIDEHISV.E. "LikeSpencer'sTaluswithhismodernflail Hethreatensruinwithhisponderoustail. ... Theirfixedjav'linsinhissidehewears, Andonhisbackagroveofpikesappears." WALLER'SBATTLEOFTHESUMMERISLANDS. "ByartiscreatedthatgreatLeviathan,calledaCommonwealthor State(inLatin,Civitas)whichisbutanartificialman." OPENINGSENTENCEOFHOBBES'SLEVIATHAN. "SillyMansoulswalloweditwithoutchewing,asifithadbeena spratinthemouthofawhale." PILGRIM'SPROGRESS. "Thatseabeast Leviathan,whichGodofallhisworks Createdhugestthatswimtheoceanstream." PARADISELOST. "ThereLeviathan, Hugestoflivingcreatures,inthedeep Stretchedlikeapromontorysleepsorswims,

Andseemsamovingland;andathisgills Drawsin,andathisbreathspoutsoutasea." IBID. "Themightywhaleswhichswiminaseaofwater,andhaveaseaof oilswimminginthem." FULLLER'SPROFANEANDHOLYSTATE. "Soclosebehindsomepromontorylie ThehugeLeviathantoattendtheirprey, Andgivenochance,butswallowinthefry, Whichthroughtheirgapingjawsmistaketheway." DRYDEN'SANNUSMIRABILIS. "Whilethewhaleisfloatingatthesternoftheship,theycut offhishead,andtowitwithaboatasneartheshoreasitwill come;butitwillbeagroundintwelveorthirteenfeetwater." THOMASEDGE'STENVOYAGESTOSPITZBERGEN,INPURCHAS. "Intheirwaytheysawmanywhalessportingintheocean,andin wantonnessfuzzingupthewaterthroughtheirpipesandvents,which naturehasplacedontheirshoulders." SIRT.HERBERT'SVOYAGESINTOASIAANDAFRICA.HARRISCOLL. "Heretheysawsuchhugetroopsofwhales,thattheywereforced toproceedwithagreatdealofcautionforfeartheyshouldruntheir shipuponthem." SCHOUTEN'SSIXTHCIRCUMNAVIGATION. "WesetsailfromtheElbe,windN.E.intheshipcalledThe JonasintheWhale.... Somesaythewhalecan'topenhismouth,butthatisafable.... Theyfrequentlyclimbupthemaststoseewhethertheycanseea whale,forthefirstdiscovererhasaducatforhispains.... IwastoldofawhaletakennearShetland,thathadaboveabarrel ofherringsinhisbelly.... Oneofourharpooneerstoldmethathecaughtonceawhalein Spitzbergenthatwaswhiteallover." AVOYAGETOGREENLAND,A.D.1671HARRISCOLL. "Severalwhaleshavecomeinuponthiscoast(Fife)Anno1652,one eightyfeetinlengthofthewhalebonekindcamein,which(asI wasinformed),besidesavastquantityofoil,didafford500weight ofbaleen.Thejawsofitstandforagateinthegardenof Pitferren." SIBBALD'SFIFEANDKINROSS.

 "MyselfhaveagreedtotrywhetherIcanmasterandkillthis Spermacetiwhale,forIcouldneverhearofanyofthatsortthatwas killedbyanyman,suchishisfiercenessandswiftness." RICHARDSTRAFFORD'SLETTERFROMTHEBERMUDAS.PHIL.TRANS.A.D.1668. "Whalesinthesea God'svoiceobey." N.E.PRIMER. "Wesawalsoabundanceoflargewhales,therebeingmoreinthose southernseas,asImaysay,byahundredtoone;thanwehaveto thenorthwardofus." CAPTAINCOWLEY'SVOYAGEROUNDTHEGLOBE,A.D.1729. "...andthebreathofthewhaleisfrequendyattendedwith suchaninsupportablesmell,astobringonadisorderofthebrain." ULLOA'SSOUTHAMERICA. "Tofiftychosensylphsofspecialnote, Wetrusttheimportantcharge,thepetticoat. Ofthaveweknownthatsevenfoldfencetofail, Tho'stuffedwithhoopsandarmedwithribsofwhale." RAPEOFTHELOCK. "Ifwecomparelandanimalsinrespecttomagnitude,withthosethat takeuptheirabodeinthedeep,weshallfindtheywillappear contemptibleinthecomparison.Thewhaleisdoubtlessthelargest animalincreation." GOLDSMITH,NAT.HIST. "Ifyoushouldwriteafableforlittlefishes,youwouldmake themspeaklikegreatwales." GOLDSMITHTOJOHNSON. "Intheafternoonwesawwhatwassupposedtobearock,butit wasfoundtobeadeadwhale,whichsomeAsiaticshadkilled,andwere thentowingashore.Theyseemedtoendeavortoconcealthemselves behindthewhale,inordertoavoidbeingseenbyus." COOK'SVOYAGES. "Thelargerwhales,theyseldomventuretoattack.Theystandin sogreatdreadofsomeofthem,thatwhenoutatseatheyareafraid tomentioneventheirnames,andcarrydung,limestone,juniperwood, andsomeotherarticlesofthesamenatureintheirboats,inorderto terrifyandpreventtheirtoonearapproach."

UNOVONTROIL'SLETTERSONBANKS'SANDSOLANDER'S VOYAGETOICELANDIN1772. "TheSpermacettiWhalefoundbytheNantuckois,isanactive,fierce animal,andrequiresvastaddressandboldnessinthefishermen." THOMASJEFFERSON'SWHALEMEMORIALTOTHEFRENCHMINISTERIN1778. "Andpray,sir,whatintheworldisequaltoit?" EDMUNDBURKE'SREFERENCEINPARLIAMENTTOTHENANTUCKETWHALE FISHERY. "SpainagreatwhalestrandedontheshoresofEurope." EDMUNDBURKE.(SOMEWHERE.) "Atenthbranchoftheking'sordinaryrevenue,saidtobe groundedontheconsiderationofhisguardingandprotectingthe seasfrompiratesandrobbers,istherighttoroyalfish,whichare whaleandsturgeon.Andthese,wheneitherthrownashoreorcaught nearthecoast,arethepropertyoftheking." BLACKSTONE. "Soontothesportofdeaththecrewsrepair: Rodmondunerringo'erhisheadsuspends Thebarbedsteel,andeveryturnattends." FALCONER'SSHIPWRECK. "Brightshonetheroofs,thedomes,thespires, Androcketsblewselfdriven, Tohangtheirmomentaryfire Aroundthevaultofheaven. "Sofirewithwatertocompare, Theoceanservesonhigh, Upspoutedbyawhaleinair, Toexpressunwieldyjoy." COWPER,ONTHEQUEEN'SVISITTOLONDON. "Tenorfifteengallonsofbloodarethrownoutoftheheartata stroke,withimmensevelocity." JOHNHUNTER'SACCOUNTOFTHEDISSECTIONOFAWHALE.(ASMALLSIZED ONE.) "Theaortaofawhaleislargerintheborethanthemainpipeof thewaterworksatLondonBridge,andthewaterroaringinitspassage throughthatpipeisinferiorinimpetusandvelocitytotheblood gushingfromthewhale'sheart."

PALEY'STHEOLOGY. "Thewhaleisamammiferousanimalwithouthindfeet." BARONCUVIER. "In40degreessouth,wesawSpermacettiWhales,butdidnottake anytillthefirstofMay,theseabeingthencoveredwiththem." COLNETT'SVOYAGEFORTHEPURPOSEOFEXTENDINGTHESPERMACETI WHALEFISHERY. "Inthefreeelementbeneathmeswam, Flounderedanddived,inplay,inchace,inbattle, Fishesofeverycolor,form,andkind; Whichlanguagecannotpaint,andmariner Hadneverseen;fromdreadLeviathan Toinsectmillionspeoplingeverywave: Gather'dinshoalsimmense,likefloatingislands, Ledbymysteriousinstinctsthroughthatwaste Andtracklessregion,thoughoneveryside Assaultedbyvoraciousenemies, Whales,sharks,andmonsters,arm'dinfrontorjaw, Withswords,saws,spiralhorns,orhookedfangs." MONTGOMERY'SWORLDBEFORETHEFLOOD. "Io!Paean!Io!sing. Tothefinnypeople'sking. Notamightierwhalethanthis InthevastAtlanticis; Notafatterfishthanhe, FloundersroundthePolarSea." CHARLESLAMB'STRIUMPHOFTHEWHALE. "Intheyear1690somepersonswereonahighhillobservingthe whalesspoutingandsportingwitheachother,whenoneobserved: therepointingtotheseaisagreenpasturewhereourchildren's grandchildrenwillgoforbread." OBEDMACY'SHISTORYOFNANTUCKET. "IbuiltacottageforSusanandmyselfandmadeagatewayinthe formofaGothicArch,bysettingupawhale'sjawbones." HAWTHORNE'STWICETOLDTALES. "Shecametobespeakamonumentforherfirstlove,whohadbeen killedbyawhaleinthePacificocean,nolessthanfortyyearsago." IBID.

"No,Sir,'tisaRightWhale,"answeredTom;"Isawhissprout;he threwupapairofasprettyrainbowsasaChristianwouldwishto lookat.He'saraaloilbutt,thatfellow!" COOPER'SPILOT. "Thepaperswerebroughtin,andwesawintheBerlinGazettethat whaleshadbeenintroducedonthestagethere." ECKERMANN'SCONVERSATIONSWITHGOETHE. "MyGod!Mr.Chace,whatisthematter?"Ianswered,"wehavebeen stovebyawhale." "NARRATIVEOFTHESHIPWRECKOFTHEWHALESHIPESSEXOF NANTUCKET,WHICHWASATTACKEDANDFINALLYDESTROYEDBY ALARGESPERMWHALEINTHEPACIFICOCEAN."BYOWEN CHACEOFNANTUCKET,FIRSTMATEOFSAIDVESSEL.NEW YORK,1821. "Amarinersatintheshroudsonenight, Thewindwaspipingfree; Nowbright,nowdimmed,wasthemoonlightpale, Andthephosphergleamedinthewakeofthewhale, Asitflounderedinthesea." ELIZABETHOAKESSMITH. "Thequantityoflinewithdrawnfromtheboatsengagedinthe captureofthisonewhale,amountedaltogetherto10,440yardsor nearlysixEnglishmiles.... "Sometimesthewhaleshakesitstremendoustailintheair,which, crackinglikeawhip,resoundstothedistanceofthreeorfour miles." SCORESBY. "Madwiththeagoniesheenduresfromthesefreshattacks,the infuriatedSpermWhalerollsoverandover;herearshisenormous head,andwithwideexpandedjawssnapsateverythingaroundhim;he rushesattheboatswithhishead;theyarepropelledbeforehim withvastswiftness,andsometimesutterlydestroyed. ...Itisamatterofgreatastonishmentthattheconsiderationof thehabitsofsointeresting,and,inacommercialpointofview,so importantananimal(astheSpermWhale)shouldhavebeenso entirelyneglected,orshouldhaveexcitedsolittlecuriosityamong thenumerous,andmanyofthemcompetentobservers,thatoflate years,musthavepossessedthemostabundantandthemostconvenient opportunitiesofwitnessingtheirhabitudes." THOMASBEALE'SHISTORYOFTHESPERMWHALE,1839.

 "TheCachalot"(SpermWhale)"isnotonlybetterarmedthantheTrue Whale"(GreenlandorRightWhale)"inpossessingaformidableweapon ateitherextremityofitsbody,butalsomorefrequentlydisplaysa dispositiontoemploytheseweaponsoffensivelyandinmannerat oncesoartful,bold,andmischievous,astoleadtoitsbeing regardedasthemostdangeroustoattackofalltheknownspeciesof thewhaletribe." FREDERICKDEBELLBENNETT'SWHALINGVOYAGEROUNDTHEGLOBE,1840. October13."Theresheblows,"wassungoutfromthemasthead. "Whereaway?"demandedthecaptain. "Threepointsofftheleebow,sir." "Raiseupyourwheel.Steady!" "Steady,sir." "Mastheadahoy!Doyouseethatwhalenow?" "Ayay,sir!AshoalofSpermWhales!Theresheblows!Thereshe breaches!" "Singout!singouteverytime!" "AyAy,sir!Theresheblows!theretheretharsheblowsbowes booos!" "Howfaroff?" "Twomilesandahalf." "Thunderandlightning!sonear!Callallhands." J.ROSSBROWNE'SETCHINGSOFAWHALINGCRUIZE.1846. "TheWhaleshipGlobe,onboardofwhichvesseloccurredthe horridtransactionsweareabouttorelate,belongedtotheisland ofNantucket." "NARRATIVEOFTHEGLOBE,"BYLAYANDHUSSEYSURVIVORS.A.D.1828. Beingoncepursuedbyawhalewhichhehadwounded,heparriedthe assaultforsometimewithalance;butthefuriousmonsterat lengthrushedontheboat;himselfandcomradesonlybeingpreserved byleapingintothewaterwhentheysawtheonsetwasinevitable." MISSIONARYJOURNALOFTYERMANANDBENNETT. "Nantucketitself,"saidMr.Webster,"isaverystrikingand peculiarportionoftheNationalinterest.Thereisapopulationof eightorninethousandpersonslivinghereinthesea,adding largelyeveryyeartotheNationalwealthbytheboldestandmost perseveringindustry." REPORTOFDANIELWEBSTER'SSPEECHINTHEU.S.SENATE, ONTHEAPPLICATIONFORTHEERECTIONOFABREAKWATERATNANTUCKET.1828. "Thewhalefelldirectlyoverhim,andprobablykilledhimina

moment." "THEWHALEANDHISCAPTORS,ORTHEWHALEMAN'S ADVENTURESANDTHEWHALE'SBIOGRAPHY,GATHEREDONTHE HOMEWARDCRUISEOFTHECOMMODOREPREBLE." BYREV.HENRYT.CHEEVER. "Ifyoumaketheleastdamnbitofnoise,"repliedSamuel,"Iwill sendyoutohell." LIFEOFSAMUELCOMSTOCK(THEMUTINEER),BYHIS BROTHER,WILLIAMCOMSTOCK.ANOTHERVERSIONOFTHE WHALESHIPGLOBENARRATIVE. "ThevoyagesoftheDutchandEnglishtotheNorthernOcean,in order,ifpossible,todiscoverapassagethroughittoIndia, thoughtheyfailedoftheirmainobject,laidopenthehauntsofthe whale." MCCULLOCH'SCOMMERCIALDICTIONARY. "Thesethingsarereciprocal;theballrebounds,onlytobound forwardagain;fornowinlayingopenthehauntsofthewhale,the whalemenseemtohaveindirectlyhituponnewclewstothatsame mysticNorthWestPassage." FROM"SOMETHING"UNPUBLISHED. "Itisimpossibletomeetawhaleshipontheoceanwithoutbeing struckbyhernearappearance.Thevesselundershortsail,with lookoutsatthemastheads,eagerlyscanningthewideexpanse aroundthem,hasatotallydifferentairfromthoseengagedinregular voyage." CURRENTSANDWHALING.U.S.EX.EX. "PedestriansinthevicinityofLondonandelsewheremayrecollect havingseenlargecurvedbonessetuprightintheearth,eitherto formarchesovergateways,orentrancestoalcoves,andtheymay perhapshavebeentoldthattheseweretheribsofwhales." TALESOFAWHALEVOYAGERTOTHEARCTICOCEAN. "Itwasnottilltheboatsreturnedfromthepursuitofthese whales,thatthewhitessawtheirshipinbloodypossessionofthe savagesenrolledamongthecrew." NEWSPAPERACCOUNTOFTHETAKINGANDRETAKINGOFTHEWHALESHIP HOBOMACK. "ItisgenerallywellknownthatoutofthecrewsofWhalingvessels (American)feweverreturnintheshipsonboardofwhichthey departed."

CRUISEINAWHALEBOAT. "Suddenlyamightymassemergedfromthewater,andshotup perpendicularlyintotheair.Itwasthewhile." MIRIAMCOFFINORTHEWHALEFISHERMAN. "TheWhaleisharpoonedtobesure;butbethinkyou,howyouwould manageapowerfulunbrokencolt,withthemereapplianceofarope tiedtotherootofhistail." ACHAPTERONWHALINGINRIBSANDTRUCKS. "OnoneoccasionIsawtwoofthesemonsters(whales)probably maleandfemale,slowlyswimming,oneaftertheother,withinless thanastone'sthrowoftheshore"(TerraDelFuego),"overwhich thebeechtreeextendeditsbranches." DARWIN'SVOYAGEOFANATURALIST. "'Sternall!'exclaimedthemate,asuponturninghishead,hesaw thedistendedjawsofalargeSpermWhaleclosetotheheadofthe boat,threateningitwithinstantdestruction;'Sternall,foryour lives!'" WHARTONTHEWHALEKILLER. "Sobecheery,mylads,letyourheartsneverfail, Whiletheboldharpooneerisstrikingthewhale!" NANTUCKETSONG. "Oh,therareoldWhale,midstormandgale Inhisoceanhomewillbe Agiantinmight,wheremightisright, AndKingoftheboundlesssea." WHALESONG. EndofTheProjectGutenbergEtextofMobyDick,byHermanMelville