**TheProjectGutenbergEtextofMobyDick,byHermanMelville**

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

Rightandleft,[Link] isthebattery,wherethatnoblemoleiswashedbywaves,andcooled bybreezes,whichafewhourspreviouswereoutofsightofland. Lookatthecrowdsofwatergazersthere. [Link] 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, [Link]!Nothingwillcontent thembuttheextremestlimitoftheland;loiteringundertheshady [Link] justasnighthewaterastheypossiblycanwithoutfallingin. [Link], theycomefromlanesandalleys,streetsandavenues, north,east,south,[Link]. Tellme,doesthemagneticvirtueoftheneedlesofthecompasses ofallthoseshipsattractthemthither? [Link];insomehighlandoflakes. Takealmostanypathyouplease,andtentooneitcarriesyou downinadale,andleavesyoutherebyapoolinthestream. [Link] plungedinhisdeepestreveriesstandthatmanonhislegs, sethisfeetagoing,andhewillinfalliblyleadyoutowater, [Link] inthegreatAmericandesert,trythisexperiment,ifyour caravanhappentobesuppliedwithametaphysicalprofessor. Yes,aseveryoneknows,meditationandwaterareweddedforever. [Link], shadiest,quietest,mostenchantingbitofromanticlandscapeinall [Link]? Therestandhistrees,eachwithahollowtrunk,asifahermit andacrucifixwerewithin;andheresleepshismeadow,andthere sleephiscattle;andupfromyondercottagegoesasleepysmoke. Deepintodistantwoodlandswindsamazyway,reachingtooverlapping [Link]

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 [Link] ofNarcissus,whobecausehecouldnotgraspthetormenting, mildimagehesawinthefountain,plungedintoitandwasdrowned. Butthatsameimage,weourselvesseeinallriversandoceans. Itistheimageoftheungraspablephantomoflife;andthisisthekey toitall. Now,whenIsaythatIaminthehabitofgoingtoseawheneverIbegin togrowhazyabouttheeyes,andbegintobeoverconsciousofmylungs, IdonotmeantohaveitinferredthatIevergotoseaasapassenger. Fortogoasapassengeryoumustneedshaveapurse,andapurseisbut [Link],passengersgetseasick growquarrelsomedon'tsleepofnightsdonotenjoythemselvesmuch, asageneralthing;no,Inevergoasapassenger;nor,thoughIam somethingofasalt,doIevergotoseaasaCommodore,oraCaptain, [Link] [Link],Iabominateallhonorable respectabletoils,trials,andtribulationsofeverykindwhatsoever. ItisquiteasmuchasIcandototakecareofmyself,withouttaking careofships,barques,brigs,schooners,[Link] goingascook,thoughIconfessthereisconsiderablegloryinthat, acookbeingasortofofficeronshipboardyet,somehow,Inever fanciedbroilingfowls;thoughoncebroiled,judiciouslybuttered, andjudgmaticallysaltedandpeppered,thereisnoonewhowillspeakmore respectfully,nottosayreverentially,ofabroiledfowlthanIwill. ItisoutoftheidolatrousdotingsoftheoldEgyptiansuponbroiled ibisandroastedriverhorse,thatyouseethemummiesofthosecreatures intheirhugebakehousesthepyramids. No,whenIgotosea,Igoasasimplesailor,rightbeforethemast,

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

Hethinkshebreathesitfirst;[Link] waydothecommonaltyleadtheirleadersinmanyotherthings, atthesametimethattheleaderslittlesuspectit. Butwhereforeitwasthatafterhavingrepeatedlysmelt theseaasamerchantsailor,Ishouldnowtakeitintomy headtogoonawhalingvoyage;thistheinvisiblepolice officeroftheFates,whohastheconstantsurveillanceofme, andsecretlydogsme,andinfluencesmeinsomeunaccountableway [Link],doubtless, mygoingonthiswhalingvoyage,formedpartofthegrand programmeofProvidencethatwasdrawnupalongtimeago. Itcameinasasortofbriefinterludeandsolobetweenmore [Link] musthaverunsomethinglikethis: "GrandContestedElectionforthePresidencyoftheUnitedStates. "WHALINGVOYAGEBYONEISHMAEL." "BLOODYBATTLEINAFFGHANISTAN." ThoughIcannottellwhyitwasexactlythatthosestagemanagers, theFates,putmedownforthisshabbypartofawhalingvoyage, whenothersweresetdownformagnificentpartsinhightragedies, andshortandeasypartsingenteelcomedies,andjollypartsinfarces thoughIcannottellwhythiswasexactly;yet,nowthatIrecall allthecircumstances,IthinkIcanseealittleintothespringsand motiveswhichbeingcunninglypresentedtomeundervariousdisguises, inducedmetosetaboutperformingthepartIdid,besidescajolingme intothedelusionthatitwasachoiceresultingfrommyownunbiased freewillanddiscriminatingjudgment. Chiefamongthesemotiveswastheoverwhelmingideaofthegreat [Link] [Link] 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, [Link] ofoldManhatto,[Link] [Link] packetforNantuckethadalreadysailed,andthatnowayofreaching thatplacewouldoffer,tillthefollowingMonday. Asmostyoungcandidatesforthepainsandpenaltiesofwhaling stopatthissameNewBedford,thencetoembarkontheirvoyage, itmayaswellberelatedthatI,forone,hadnoideaofsodoing. FormymindwasmadeuptosailinnootherthanaNantucketcraft, becausetherewasafine,boisteroussomethingabouteverything connectedwiththatfamousoldisland,whichamazinglypleasedme. BesidesthoughNewBedfordhasoflatebeengraduallymonopolizing thebusinessofwhaling,andthoughinthismatterpooroldNantucket isnowmuchbehindher,yetNantucketwashergreatoriginal theTyreofthisCarthage;theplacewherethefirstdead [Link] thoseaboriginalwhalemen,theRedMen,firstsallyoutincanoes togivechasetotheLeviathan?AndwherebutfromNantucket, too,didthatfirstadventurouslittlesloopputforth, partlyladenwithimportedcobblestonessogoesthestory tothrowatthewhales,inordertodiscoverwhentheywerenigh enoughtoriskaharpoonfromthebowsprit? Nowhavinganight,aday,andstillanothernightfollowingbeforeme inNewBedford,ereIcouldembarkformydestinedport,itbecame amatterofconcernmentwhereIwastoeatandsleepmeanwhile. Itwasaverydubiouslooking,nay,averydarkanddismalnight, [Link]. 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 [Link],againthoughtI, pausingonemomenttowatchthebroadglareinthestreet, andhearthesoundsofthetinklingglasseswithin. Butgoon,Ishmael,saidIatlast;don'tyouhear?getaway frombeforethedoor;yourpatchedbootsarestoppingtheway. [Link] tookmewaterward,forthere,doubtless,werethecheapest, ifnotthecheeriestinns. Suchdrearystreets!Blocksofblackness,nothouses,oneitherhand, andhereandthereacandle,likeacandlemovingaboutinatomb. Atthishourofthenight,ofthelastdayoftheweek, [Link] Icametoasmokylightproceedingfromalow,widebuilding, [Link], asifitweremeantfortheusesofthepublic;so,entering, thefirstthingIdidwastostumbleoveranashboxintheporch. Ha!thoughtI,ha,astheflyingparticlesalmostchokedme,arethese ashesfromthatdestroyedcity,Gomorrah?But"TheCrossedHarpoons," andthe"TheSwordFish?"this,thenmustneedsbethesign of"TheTrap."However,Ipickedmyselfupandhearingaloud voicewithin,pushedonandopenedasecond,interiordoor. [Link] blackfacesturnedroundintheirrowstopeer;andbeyond, ablackAngelofDoomwasbeatingabookinapulpit. Itwasanegrochurch;andthepreacher'stextwasabout theblacknessofdarkness,andtheweepingandwailingand [Link],Ishmael,mutteredI,backingout, Wretchedentertainmentatthesignof'TheTrap!' Movingon,Iatlastcametoadimsortoflightnotfarfrom

thedocks,andheardaforlorncreakingintheair;andlookingup, sawaswingingsignoverthedoorwithawhitepaintinguponit, faintlyrepresentingatallstraightjetofmistyspray, andthesewordsunderneath"TheSpouterInn:PeterCoffin." Coffin?Spouter?Ratherominousinthatparticularconnexion, [Link],theysay,andI [Link] lookedsodim,andtheplace,forthetime,lookedquietenough, andthedilapidatedlittlewoodenhouseitselflookedasifit mighthavebeencartedherefromtheruinsofsomeburntdistrict, andastheswingingsignhadapovertystrickensortofcreak toit,Ithoughtthatherewastheveryspotforcheaplodgings, andthebestofpeacoffee. Itwasaqueersortofplaceagableendedoldhouse,oneside palsiedasitwere,[Link] 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, [Link]'stoolate [Link]; thecopestoneison,andthechipswerecartedoffamillion [Link],chatteringhisteethagainst thecurbstoneforhispillow,andshakingoffhistatters withhisshiverings,hemightplugupbothearswithrags, andputacorncobintohismouth,andyetthatwouldnotkeep [Link]!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 [Link], hetooliveslikeaCzarinanicepalacemadeoffrozensighs, andbeingapresidentofatemperancesociety,heonlydrinks thetepidtearsoforphans. Butnomoreofthisblubberingnow,wearegoingawhaling,andthereis [Link], andseewhatsortofaplacethis"Spouter"maybe. CHAPTER3 TheSpouterInn EnteringthatgableendedSpouterInn,youfoundyourself inawide,low,stragglingentrywitholdfashionedwainscots, remindingoneofthebulwarksofsomecondemnedoldcraft. Ononesidehungaverylargeoilpaintingsothoroughlybesmoked, andeverywaydefaced,thatintheunequalcrosslightsbywhich youviewedit,itwasonlybydiligentstudyandaseriesof systematicvisitstoit,andcarefulinquiryoftheneighbors, thatyoucouldanywayarriveatanunderstandingofitspurpose. Suchunaccountablemassesofshadesandshadows,thatat firstyoualmostthoughtsomeambitiousyoungartist, inthetimeoftheNewEnglandhags,hadendeavoredtodelineate [Link], andoftrepeatedponderings,andespeciallybythrowingopen thelittlewindowtowardsthebackoftheentry,youatlast cometotheconclusionthatsuchanidea,howeverwild, mightnotbealtogetherunwarranted. Butwhatmostpuzzledandconfoundedyouwasalong,limber,portentous, blackmassofsomethinghoveringinthecentreofthepictureover threeblue,dim,perpendicularlinesfloatinginanamelessyeast. Aboggy,soggy,squitchypicturetruly,enoughtodrive [Link],

halfattained,unimaginablesublimityaboutitthatfairlyfroze youtoit,tillyouinvoluntarilytookanoathwithyourself [Link] abright,but,alas,deceptiveideawoulddartyouthrough. It'[Link]'stheunnatural [Link]'sablastedheath. It'[Link]'sthebreakingupof [Link] yieldedtothatoneportentoussomethinginthepicture'smidst. Thatoncefoundout,[Link]; doesitnotbearafaintresemblancetoagiganticfish?even thegreatleviathanhimself? Infact,theartist'sdesignseemedthis:afinaltheoryofmyown, partlybasedupontheaggregatedopinionsofmanyagedpersons [Link] aCapeHornerinagreathurricane;thehalffounderedship welteringtherewithitsthreedismantledmastsalonevisible; andanexasperatedwhale,purposingtospringcleanoverthecraft, isintheenormousactofimpalinghimselfuponthethreemastheads. Theoppositewallofthisentrywashungalloverwithaheathenisharray [Link] teethresemblingivorysaws;othersweretuftedwithknotsofhumanhair; andonewassickleshaped,withavasthandlesweepinground likethesegmentmadeinthenewmowngrassbyalongarmedmower. Youshudderedasyougazed,andwonderedwhatmonstrouscannibal andsavagecouldeverhavegoneadeathharvestingwithsuchahacking, [Link] [Link]. Withthisoncelonglance,nowwildlyelbowed,fiftyyearsagodid NathanSwainkillfifteenwhalesbetweenasunriseandasunset. AndthatharpoonsolikeacorkscrewnowwasflunginJavanseas, andrunawaywithbyawhale,yearsafterwardsslainofftheCape [Link],and,likearestless needlesojourninginthebodyofaman,travelledfullfortyfeet, andatlastwasfoundimbeddedinthehump. Crossingthisduskyentry,andonthroughyonlowarchedway cutthroughwhatinoldtimesmusthavebeenagreatcentral chimneywithfireplacesallroundyouenterthepublicroom. Astillduskierplaceisthis,withsuchlowponderous beamsabove,andsucholdwrinkledplanksbeneath,thatyou wouldalmostfancyyoutrodsomeoldcraft'scockpits, especiallyofsuchahowlingnight,whenthiscorneranchored [Link],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'[Link],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. "[Link];[Link]?youwantsupper? Supper'llbereadydirectly." Isatdownonanoldwoodensettle,carvedalloverlikea [Link] furtheradorningitwithhisjackknife,stoopingover anddiligentlyworkingawayatthespacebetweenhislegs. Hewastryinghishandatashipunderfullsail,buthedidn't makemuchheadway,Ithought.

Atlastsomefourorfiveofusweresummonedtoour [Link] 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 [Link],hedon't heeatsnothingbutsteaks,andhelikes'emrare." "Thedevilhedoes,"saysI."Whereisthatharpooneer? Ishehere?" "He'llbehereaforelong,"wastheanswer. Icouldnothelpit,butIbegantofeelsuspiciousofthis "darkcomplexioned"[Link],Imadeupmy mindthatifitsoturnedoutthatweshouldsleeptogether, hemustundressandgetintobedbeforeIdid. Supperover,thecompanywentbacktothebarroom,when, knowingnotwhatelsetodowithmyself,Iresolvedtospend therestoftheeveningasalookeron. [Link], thelandlordcried,"That'stheGrampus'[Link] intheoffingthismorning;athreeyears'voyage,andafullship. Hurrah,boys;nowwe'llhavethelatestnewsfromtheFeegees." Atrampingofseabootswasheardintheentry;thedoorwasflungopen, [Link] watchcoats,andwiththeirheadsmuffledinwoollencomforters, allbedarnedandragged,andtheirbeardsstiffwithicicles, [Link] landedfromtheirboat,andthiswasthefirsthousetheyentered. Nowonder,then,thattheymadeastraightwakeforthewhale'smouth

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

twoinabed,morethananybodyelse;forsailorsnomore sleeptwoinabedatsea,thanbachelorKingsdoashore. Tobesuretheyallsleeptogetherinoneapartment,butyou haveyourownhammock,andcoveryourselfwithyourownblanket, andsleepinyourownskin. ThemoreIponderedoverthisharpooneer,themoreIabominated [Link] beingaharpooneer,hislinenorwoollen,asthecasemightbe, wouldnotbeofthetidiest,certainlynoneofthefinest. [Link],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, [Link]; tillatlasttheplaneironcamebumpagainstanindestructibleknot. Thelandlordwasnearspraininghiswrist,andItoldhimforheaven's saketoquitthebedwassoftenoughtosuitme,andIdidnotknow howalltheplaningintheworldcouldmakeeiderdownofapineplank. Sogatheringuptheshavingswithanothergrin,andthrowingtheminto thegreatstoveinthemiddleoftheroom,hewentabouthisbusiness, andleftmeinabrownstudy. Inowtookthemeasureofthebench,andfoundthatitwas afoottooshort;butthatcouldbemendedwithachair. Butitwasafoottoonarrow,andtheotherbenchin theroomwasaboutfourincheshigherthantheplanedone [Link] 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,[Link] snowstorm"landlord,[Link] oneanother,[Link] andwantabed;youtellmeyoucanonlygivemehalfaone; thattheotherhalfbelongstoacertainharpooneer. Andaboutthisharpooneer,whomIhavenotyetseen,youpersist intellingmethemostmystifyingandexasperatingstoriestending tobegetinmeanuncomfortablefeelingtowardsthemanwhomyou designformybedfellowasortofconnexion,landlord,whichis anintimateandconfidentialoneinthehighestdegree. Inowdemandofyoutospeakoutandtellmewhoandwhatthis harpooneeris,andwhetherIshallbeinallrespectssafe [Link],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'[Link],aforewegiveitup, SalusedtoputourSamandlittleJohnnyinthefootofit. ButIgotadreamingandsprawlingaboutonenight,andsomehow, Samgotpitchedonthefloor,andcamenearbreakinghisarm. Afterthat,Salsaiditwouldn'[Link], 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 [Link];andbesides thebedsteadandcentretable,couldseenootherfurniture belongingtotheplace,butarudeshelf,thefourwalls, andapaperedfireboardrepresentingamanstrikingawhale. Ofthingsnotproperlybelongingtotheroom,therewasa hammocklashedup,andthrownuponthefloorinonecorner; alsoalargeseaman'sbag,containingtheharpooneer'swardrobe, [Link],therewasaparcel ofoutlandishbonefishhooksontheshelfoverthefireplace, andatallharpoonstandingattheheadofthebed.

 Butwhatisthisonthechest?Itookitup,andhelditclose tothelight,andfeltit,andsmeltit,andtriedeveryway possibletoarriveatsomesatisfactoryconclusionconcerningit. Icancompareittonothingbutalargedoormat, ornamentedattheedgeswithlittletinklingtagssomething likethestainedporcupinequillsroundanIndianmoccasin. Therewasaholeorslitinthemiddleofthismat,asyousee [Link] thatanysoberharpooneerwouldgetintoadoormat,andparade thestreetsofanyChristiantowninthatsortofguise? Iputiton,totryit,anditweighedmedownlikeahamper, beinguncommonlyshaggyandthick,andIthoughtalittledamp, asthoughthismysteriousharpooneerhadbeenwearingit [Link] 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 [Link], andhadprettynearlymadeagoodoffingtowardsthelandofNod, whenIheardaheavyfootfallinthepassage,andsawaglimmer oflightcomeintotheroomfromunderthedoor. Lordsaveme,thinksI,thatmustbetheharpooneer, [Link], [Link] 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, [Link] hisfacesotowardsthelight,thatIplainlysawtheycouldnot bestickingplastersatall,thoseblacksquaresonhischeeks. [Link] tomakeofthis;butsoonaninklingofthetruthoccurredtome. Irememberedastoryofawhitemanawhalemantoo who,fallingamongthecannibals,hadbeentattooedbythem. Iconcludedthatthisharpooneer,inthecourseofhis distantvoyages,musthavemetwithasimilaradventure. Andwhatisit,thoughtI,afterall!It'sonlyhisoutside; [Link],whattomakeof hisunearthlycomplexion,thatpartofit,Imean,lyingroundabout, andcompletelyindependentofthesquaresoftattooing. Tobesure,itmightbenothingbutagoodcoatoftropicaltanning; butIneverheardofahotsun'stanningawhitemanintoa [Link],IhadneverbeenintheSouthSeas; andperhapsthesunthereproducedtheseextraordinaryeffects [Link],whilealltheseideaswerepassing throughmelikelightning,thisharpooneernevernoticedme [Link],aftersomedifficultyhavingopenedhisbag, hecommencedfumblinginit,andpresentlypulledoutasort oftomahawk,andasealskinwalletwiththehairon. Placingtheseontheoldchestinthemiddleoftheroom, hethentooktheNewZealandheadaghastlythingenough [Link] anewbeaverhatwhenIcamenighsingingoutwithfreshsurprise. Therewasnohaironhisheadnonetospeakofatleast [Link] purplishheadnowlookedforalltheworldlikeamildewedskull. Hadnotthestrangerstoodbetweenmeandthedoor,Iwould haveboltedoutofitquickerthaneverIboltedadinner. Evenasitwas,Ithoughtsomethingofslippingoutof thewindow,[Link], butwhattomakeofthisheadpeddlingpurplerascalaltogether [Link], andbeingcompletelynonplussedandconfoundedaboutthestranger, IconfessIwasnowasmuchafraidofhimasifitwasthedevil himselfwhohadthusbrokenintomyroomatthedeadofnight.

Infact,IwassoafraidofhimthatIwasnotgameenough justthentoaddresshim,anddemandasatisfactoryanswer concerningwhatseemedinexplicableinhim. Meanwhile,hecontinuedthebusinessofundressing,andat [Link],thesecovered partsofhimwerecheckeredwiththesamesquaresashisface, hisback,too,wasalloverthesamedarksquares; heseemedtohavebeeninaThirtyYears'War,andjust escapedfromitwithastickingplastershirt. Stillmore,hisverylegsweremarked,asifaparcelofdark greenfrogswererunningupthetrunksofyoungpalms. Itwasnowquiteplainthathemustbesomeabominablesavage orothershippedaboardofawhalemanintheSouthSeas, [Link]. 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 [Link],aftermanyhasty snatchesintothefire,andstillhastierwithdrawalsofhisfingers (wherebyheseemedtobescorchingthembadly),heatlastsucceeded indrawingoutthebiscuit;thenblowingofftheheatandashes

alittle,hemadeapoliteofferofittothelittlenegro. Butthelittledevildidnotseemtofancysuchdrysortoffareatall; [Link] 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,[Link], 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, [Link] innotonlyacivilbutareallykindandcharitableway. [Link] hewasonthewholeaclean,comelylookingcannibal. What'sallthisfussIhavebeenmakingabout,thoughtI tomyselftheman'sahumanbeingjustasIam:hehasjust asmuchreasontofearme,asIhavetobeafraidofhim. BettersleepwithasobercannibalthanadrunkenChristian. "Landlord,"saidI,"tellhimtostashhistomahawkthere,orpipe, orwhateveryoucallit;tellhimtostopsmoking,inshort,andIwill [Link]'tfancyhavingamansmokinginbedwithme. It'[Link],Iain'tinsured." ThisbeingtoldtoQueequeg,heatoncecomplied,andagainpolitely motionedmetogetintobedrollingovertoonesideasmuchastosay Iwon'ttouchalegofye." "Goodnight,landlord,"saidI,"youmaygo." Iturnedin,andneversleptbetterinmylife. CHAPTER4 TheCounterpane Uponwakingnextmorningaboutdaylight,IfoundQueequeg'sarm thrownovermeinthemostlovingandaffectionatemanner. [Link] ofpatchwork,fullofoddlittleparticoloredsquaresandtriangles; andthisarmofhistattooedalloverwithaninterminableCretan

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

[Link], Ilaythere,frozenwiththemostawfulfears,notdaring todragawaymyhand;yeteverthinkingthatifIcouldbut stiritonesingleinch,thehorridspellwouldbebroken. Iknewnothowthisconsciousnessatlastglidedawayfromme; butwakinginthemorning,Ishudderinglyremembereditall, andfordaysandweeksandmonthsafterwardsIlostmyself [Link],tothis veryhour,Ioftenpuzzlemyselfwithit. Now,takeawaytheawfulfear,andmysensationsat feelingthesupernaturalhandinminewereverysimilar, intheirstrangeness,tothosewhichIexperiencedonwaking upandseeingQueequeg'spaganarmthrownroundme. Butatlengthallthepastnight'seventssoberlyrecurred, onebyone,infixedreality,andthenIlayonlyaliveto [Link] unlockhisbridegroomclaspyet,sleepingashewas,hestill huggedmetightly,asthoughnaughtbutdeathshouldpartustwain. Inowstrovetorousehim"Queequeg!"buthisonlyanswer [Link],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 [Link],Ilayquietlyeyeinghim, havingnoseriousmisgivingsnow,andbentuponnarrowlyobserving [Link],atlast,hismindseemedmade uptouchingthecharacterofhisbedfellow,andhebecame, asitwere,reconciledtothefact;hejumpedoutuponthefloor, andbycertainsignsandsoundsgavemetounderstandthat, ifitpleasedme,hewoulddressfirstandthenleaveme todressafterwards,leavingthewholeapartmenttomyself. ThinksI,Queequeg,underthecircumstances,thisisavery civilizedoverture;but,thetruthis,thesesavageshavean innatesenseofdelicacy,saywhatyouwill;itismarvellous

[Link] complimenttoQueequeg,becausehetreatedmewithsomuch civilityandconsideration,whileIwasguiltyofgreatrudeness; staringathimfromthebed,andwatchingallhistoilettemotions; forthetimemycuriositygettingthebetterofmybreeding. Nevertheless,amanlikeQueequegyoudon'tseeeveryday, heandhiswayswerewellworthunusualregarding. Hecommenceddressingattopbydonninghisbeaverhat, averytallone,bytheby,andthenstillminushistrowsers [Link], Icannottell,buthisnextmovementwastocrushhimself bootsinhand,andhatonunderthebed;when,fromsundry violentgaspingsandstrainings,Iinferredhewashardatwork bootinghimself;thoughbynolawofproprietythatIeverheardof, isanymanrequiredtobeprivatewhenputtingonhisboots. ButQueequeg,doyousee,wasacreatureinthetransitionstate [Link] toshowoffhisoutlandishnessinthestrangestpossiblemanner. [Link]. Ifhehadnotbeenasmalldegreecivilized,heveryprobably wouldnothavetroubledhimselfwithbootsatall;butthen, ifhehadnotbeenstillasavage,heneverwouldhavedreamt [Link],heemerged withhishatverymuchdentedandcrusheddownoverhiseyes, andbegancreakingandlimpingabouttheroom,asif,notbeing muchaccustomedtoboots,hispairofdamp,wrinkledcowhideones probablynotmadetoordereitherratherpinchedandtormented himatthefirstgooffofabittercoldmorning. Seeing,now,thattherewerenocurtainstothewindow,andthat thestreetbeingverynarrow,thehouseoppositecommandedaplainview intotheroom,andobservingmoreandmoretheindecorousfigurethat Queequegmade,stavingaboutwithlittleelsebuthishatandbootson; IbeggedhimaswellasIcould,toacceleratehistoiletsomewhat, andparticularlytogetintohispantaloonsassoonaspossible. Hecomplied,[Link] themorninganyChristianwouldhavewashedhisface;butQueequeg, tomyamazement,contentedhimselfwithrestrictinghisablutions tohischest,arms,[Link], 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 [Link] towardshim,thoughhehadbeenskylarkingwithmenotalittle inthematterofmybedfellow. However,agoodlaughisamightygoodthing,andrathertoo scarceagoodthing;themore'[Link],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 [Link] stilllingersatropictawn,butslightlybleachedwithal; [Link]

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 [Link] crossingofSiberiainasledgedrawnbydogsasLedyarddid, orthetakingalongsolitarywalkonanemptystomach,inthenegro heartofAfrica,whichwasthesumofpoorMungo'sperformances thiskindoftravel,Isay,maynotbetheverybestmode [Link],forthemostpart, thatsortofthingistobehadanywhere. Thesereflectionsjusthereareoccasionedbythecircumstance thatafterwewereallseatedatthetable,andIwaspreparing tohearsomegoodstoriesaboutwhaling;tomynosmall surprisenearlyeverymanmaintainedaprofoundsilence. Andnotonlythat,[Link],herewere asetofseadogs,manyofwhomwithouttheslightestbashfulness hadboardedgreatwhalesonthehighseasentirestrangerstothem andduelledthemdeadwithoutwinking;andyet,herethey satatasocialbreakfasttableallofthesamecalling, allofkindredtasteslookingroundassheepishlyateachother asthoughtheyhadneverbeenoutofsightofsomesheepfold [Link];thesebashfulbears, thesetimidwarriorwhalemen! ButasforQueequegwhy,Queequegsatthereamongthem attheheadofthetable,too,itsochanced;ascoolasanicicle. [Link] admirercouldnothavecordiallyjustifiedhisbringinghisharpoon intobreakfastwithhim,andusingittherewithoutceremony; reachingoverthetablewithit,totheimminentjeopardy ofmanyheads,andgrapplingthebeefsteakstowardshim. Butthatwascertainlyverycoollydonebyhim,andeveryone knowsthatinmostpeople'sestimation,todoanythingcoolly istodoitgenteelly. WewillnotspeakofallQueequeg'speculiaritieshere; howheeschewedcoffeeandhotrolls,andappliedhisundivided

attentiontobeefsteaks,[Link],thatwhenbreakfast wasoverhewithdrewliketherestintothepublicroom, lightedhistomahawkpipe,andwassittingtherequietly digestingandsmokingwithhisinseparablehaton,whenI salliedoutforastroll. CHAPTER6 TheStreet IfIhadbeenastonishedatfirstcatchingaglimpseofsooutlandish anindividualasQueequegcirculatingamongthepolitesociety ofacivilizedtown,thatastonishmentsoondepartedupontaking myfirstdaylightstrollthroughthestreetsofNewBedford. Inthoroughfaresnighthedocks,anyconsiderableseaportwillfrequently offertoviewthequeerestlookingnondescriptsfromforeignparts. EveninBroadwayandChestnutstreets,Mediterraneanmarinerswill [Link] toLascarsandMalays;andatBombay,intheApolloGreen,liveYankees [Link] [Link]; butinNewBedford,actualcannibalsstandchattingatstreetcorners; savagesoutright;manyofwhomyetcarryontheirbonesunholyflesh. Itmakesastrangerstare. But,besidestheFeegeeans,Tongatobooarrs,Erromanggoans,Pannangians, andBrighggians,and,besidesthewildspecimensofthewhalingcraft whichunheededreelaboutthestreets,youwillseeothersightsstill morecurious,[Link] scoresofgreenVermontersandNewHampshiremen,allathirstforgain [Link],ofstalwartframes; fellowswhohavefelledforests,andnowseektodroptheaxeandsnatch [Link] [Link]. Lookthere![Link] andswallowtailedcoat,girdledwithasailorbeltandasheathknife. Herecomesanotherwithasou'westerandabombazinecloak. NotownbreddandywillcomparewithacountrybredoneImean adownrightbumpkindandyafellowthat,inthedogdays,willmow histwoacresinbuckskinglovesforfearoftanninghishands. Nowwhenacountrydandylikethistakesitintohisheadtomake

adistinguishedreputation,andjoinsthegreatwhalefishery,you shouldseethecomicalthingshedoesuponreachingtheseaport. Inbespeakinghisseaoutfit,heordersbellbuttonstohiswaistcoats; [Link],poorHaySeed!howbitterly willburstthosestrapsinthefirsthowlinggale,whenthou artdriven,straps,buttons,andall,downthethroatofthetempest. Butthinknotthatthisfamoustownhasonlyharpooneers, cannibals,[Link]. [Link], thattractoflandwouldthisdayperhapshavebeeninashowling [Link],partsofher backcountryareenoughtofrightenone,theylooksobony. Thetownitselfisperhapsthedearestplacetolivein, [Link],trueenough: butnotlikeCanaan;aland,also,ofcornandwine. Thestreetsdonotrunwithmilk;norinthespringtime [Link],inspiteofthis, nowhereinallAmericawillyoufindmorepatricianlikehouses; parksandgardensmoreopulent,[Link] they?howplanteduponthisoncescraggyscoriaofacountry? Goandgazeupontheironemblematicalharpoonsroundyonderlofty mansion,[Link];allthesebravehouses andflowerygardenscamefromtheAtlantic,Pacific,andIndianoceans. Oneandall,theywereharpoonedanddraggeduphitherfromthebottom [Link]? InNewBedford,fathers,theysay,givewhalesfordowerstotheir daughters,andportionofftheirnieceswithafewporpoisesapiece. YoumustgotoNewBedfordtoseeabrilliantwedding;for,theysay, theyhavereservoirsofoilineveryhouse,andeverynightrecklessly burntheirlengthsinspermaceticandles. Insummertime,thetownissweettosee;fulloffinemaples [Link],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 [Link], sunnycold,[Link] shaggyjacketoftheclothcalledbearskin,Ifoughtmyway [Link],Ifoundasmallscattered congregationofsailors,andsailors'[Link] 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 [Link],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 [Link],Ishmael, [Link]. Delightfulinducementstoembark,finechanceforpromotion, itseemsaye,astoveboatwillmakemeanimmortalbybrevet. Yes,thereisdeathinthisbusinessofwhalingaspeechlessly [Link]? MethinkswehavehugelymistakenthismatterofLife [Link] [Link], wearetoomuchlikeoystersobservingthesunthrough thewater,andthinkingthatthickwaterthethinnestofair. Methinksmybodyisbuttheleesofmybetterbeing. Infacttakemybodywhowill,takeitIsay,itisnotme. AndthereforethreecheersforNantucket;andcomeastove boatandstovebodywhentheywill,forstavemysoul, Jovehimselfcannot.

 CHAPTER8 ThePulpit Ihadnotbeenseatedverylongereamanofacertainvenerable robustnessentered;immediatelyasthestormpelteddoorflew backuponadmittinghim,aquickregardfuleyeingofhimbyall thecongregation,sufficientlyattestedthatthisfineold [Link],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 [Link],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 [Link], andwithbothhandsgraspingtheornamentalknobsofthemanropes, FatherMapplecastalookupwards,andthenwithatrulysailorlike

butstillreverentialdexterity,handoverhand,mountedthesteps asifascendingthemaintopofhisvessel. Theperpendicularpartsofthissideladder,asisusuallythecase withswingingones,wereofclothcoveredrope,onlytherounds wereofwood,[Link] glimpseofthepulpit,ithadnotescapedmethathoweverconvenient foraship,thesejointsinthepresentinstanceseemedunnecessary. ForIwasnotpreparedtoseeFatherMappleaftergainingtheheight, slowlyturnround,andstoopingoverthepulpit,deliberatelydrag uptheladderstepbystep,tillthewholewasdepositedwithin, leavinghimimpregnableinhislittleQuebec. Iponderedsometimewithoutfullycomprehendingthereasonforthis. FatherMappleenjoyedsuchawidereputationforsincerityandsanctity, thatIcouldnotsuspecthimofcourtingnotorietybyanymere [Link],thoughtI,theremustbesomesoberreason forthisthing;furthermore,itmustsymbolizesomethingunseen. Canitbe,then,thatbythatactofphysicalisolation, hesignifieshisspiritualwithdrawalforthetime,fromalloutward worldlytiesandconnexions?Yes,forreplenishedwiththemeat andwineoftheword,tothefaithfulmanofGod,thispulpit, Isee,isaselfcontainingstrongholdaloftyEhrenbreitstein, withaperennialwellofwaterwithinthewalls. Butthesideladderwasnottheonlystrangefeatureoftheplace, borrowedfromthechaplain'[Link] 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 [Link]'squickwrath isfirstdescried,andthebowmustbeartheearliestbrunt. FromthenceitistheGodofbreezesfairorfoulisfirstinvoked [Link],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 [Link]; thepreacherslowlyturnedovertheleavesoftheBible, andatlast,foldinghishanddownupontheproperpage,said: "Belovedshipmates,clinchthelastverseofthefirstchapter ofJonah'AndGodhadpreparedagreatfishtoswallowupJonah.'" "Shipmates,thisbook,containingonlyfourchapters fouryarnsisoneofthesmalleststrandsinthemightycable [Link]'sdeep sealinesound!whatapregnantlessontousisthisprophet! Whatanoblethingisthatcanticleinthefish'sbelly! Howbillowlikeandboisterouslygrand!Wefeelthefloodssurging overus,wesoundwithhimtothekelpybottomofthewaters; seaweedandalltheslimeoftheseaisaboutus!Butwhatis thislessonthatthebookofJonahteaches?Shipmates,itis atwostrandedlesson;alessontousallassinfulmen, [Link], itisalessontousall,becauseitisastoryofthesin, hardheartedness,suddenlyawakenedfears,theswiftpunishment, repentance,prayers,andfinallythedeliveranceandjoy [Link],thesinofthisson ofAmittaiwasinhiswilfuldisobedienceofthecommandofGod nevermindnowwhatthatcommandwas,orhowconveyed [Link] wouldhaveusdoarehardforustodorememberthat andhence,heoftenercommandsusthanendeavorstopersuade. AndifweobeyGod,wemustdisobeyourselves;anditisinthis disobeyingourselves,whereinthehardnessofobeyingGodconsists. "Withthissinofdisobedienceinhim,Jonahstillfurther floutsatGod,[Link]

thatashipmadebymen,willcarryhimintocountries whereGoddoesnotreignbutonlytheCaptainsofthisearth. HeskulksaboutthewharvesofJoppa,andseeksashipthat's [Link],perhaps,ahithertounheeded [Link] [Link]'stheopinionoflearnedmen. AndwhereisCadiz,shipmates?CadizisinSpain;asfarbywater, fromJoppa,asJonahcouldpossiblyhavesailedinthose ancientdays,whentheAtlanticwasanalmostunknownsea. BecauseJoppa,themodernJaffa,shipmates,isonthemost easterlycoastoftheMediterranean,theSyrian;andTarshish orCadizmorethantwothousandmilestothewestwardfromthat, [Link],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 [Link],aftermuchdodgingsearch,hefinds theTarshishshipreceivingthelastitemsofhercargo; andashestepsonboardtoseeitsCaptaininthecabin, allthesailorsforthemomentdesistfromhoistinginthegoods, tomarkthestranger'[Link];butinvain hetriestolookalleaseandconfidence;invainessayshis [Link] [Link], onewhisperstotheother"Jack,he'srobbedawidow;" or,"Joe,doyoumarkhim;he'sabigamist;"or,"Harrylad, Iguesshe'stheadultererthatbrokejailinoldGomorrah, orbelike,oneofthemissingmurderersfromSodom."Anotherruns toreadthebillthat'sstuckagainstthespileuponthewharf towhichtheshipismoored,offeringfivehundredgoldcoins fortheapprehensionofaparricide,andcontainingadescription [Link],andlooksfromJonahtothebill; whileallhissympatheticshipmatesnowcrowdroundJonah, [Link]. andsummoningallhisboldnesstohisface,onlylookssomuch [Link]; [Link]; 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'[Link], thisisfullofmeaning. "NowJonah'sCaptain,shipmates,wasonewhosediscernmentdetects crimeinany,butwhosecupidityexposesitonlyinthepenniless. Inthisworld,shipmates,sinthatpaysitswaycantravel freelyandwithoutapassport;whereasVirtue,ifapauper, [Link]'sCaptainprepares totestthelengthofJonah'spurse,erehejudgehimopenly. Hechargeshimthricetheusualsum;andit'sassentedto. ThentheCaptainknowsthatJonahisafugitive;butatthesame timeresolvestohelpaflightthatpavesitsrearwithgold. YetwhenJonahfairlytakesouthispurse,prudentsuspicionsstill [Link]. Notaforger,anyway,hemutters;andJonahisputdownforhispassage. 'Pointoutmystateroom,Sir,'saysJonahnow,'I'mtravelweary; Ineedsleep.""Thoulook'stlikeit,'saystheCaptain, 'there'sthyroom.'Jonahenters,andwouldlockthedoor, [Link], theCaptainlaughslowlytohimself,andmutterssomethingabout thedoorsofconvicts'cellsbeingneverallowedtobelockedwithin. Alldressedanddustyasheis,Jonahthrowshimselfintohisberth, andfindsthelittlestateroomceilingalmostrestingonhisforehead. Theairisclose,[Link],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,[Link],myfriends, wasthefirstofrecordedsmugglers!thecontraband [Link];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 [Link], andfindingnospeedyventrunsroaringforeandaft, tillthemarinerscomenightodrowningwhileyetafloat. Andever,asthewhitemoonshowsheraffrightedfacefrom thesteepgulliesintheblacknessoverhead,aghastJonah

seestherearingbowspritpointinghighupward,butsoonbeat downwardagaintowardsthetormenteddeep. "[Link] cringingattitudes,theGodfugitiveisnowtooplainlyknown. Thesailorsmarkhim;moreandmorecertaingrowtheirsuspicions ofhim,andatlast,fullytotestthetruth,byreferring thewholemattertohighHeaven,theyalloutwardtocastinglots, toseeforwhosecausethisgreattempestwasuponthem. ThelotisJonah's;thatdiscovered,thenhowfuriouslythey mobhimwiththeirquestions.'Whatisthineoccupation? Whencecomestthou?Thycountry?Whatpeople?Butmarknow, myshipmates,[Link] butaskhimwhoheis,andwherefrom;whereas,theynotonly receiveananswertothosequestions,butlikewiseanotheranswer toaquestionnotputbythem,buttheunsolicitedansweris forcedfromJonahbythehardhandofGodthatisuponhim. "'IamaHebrew,'hecriesandthen'IfeartheLord theGodofHeavenwhohathmadetheseaandthedryland!' Fearhim,OJonah?Aye,wellmightestthoufeartheLordGodthen! Straightway,henowgoesontomakeafullconfession; whereuponthemarinersbecamemoreandmoreappalled,butstill [Link],notyetsupplicatingGodformercy, sincehebuttoowellknewthedarknessofhisdeserts, whenwretchedJonahcriesouttothemtotakehimandcast himforthintothesea,forheknewthatforhissakethis greattempestwasuponthem;theymercifullyturnfromhim, [Link]; theindignantgalehowlslouder;then,withonehandraised invokinglytoGod,withtheothertheynotunreluctantlylay holdofJonah. "AndnowbeholdJonahtakenupasananchoranddroppedintothesea; wheninstantlyanoilycalmnessfloatsoutfromtheeast, andtheseaisstill,asJonahcarriesdownthegalewithhim, [Link] amasterlesscommotionthathescarceheedsthemomentwhenhedrops seethingintotheyawningjawsawaitinghim;andthewhaleshootsto allhisivoryteeth,likesomanywhitebolts,uponhisprison. ThenJonahprayeduntotheLordoutofthefish'sbelly. Butobservehisprayer,andsomanywhitebolts,uponhisprison. [Link] asheis,Jonahdoesnotweepandwailfordirectdeliverance. [Link] 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 [Link] thelessonthatJonahteachestoallsinners;andthereforetoye, andstillmoretome,forIamagreatersinnerthanye. AndnowhowgladlywouldIcomedownfromthismastheadandsit onthehatchestherewhereyousit,andlistenasyoulisten, whilesomeoneofyoureadsmethatotherandmoreawfullesson whichJonahteachestome,[Link] ananointedpilotprophet,orspeakeroftruethingsandbidden bytheLordtosoundthoseunwelcometruthsintheearsofa wickedNineveh,Jonah,appalledatthehostilityheshouldraise, fledfromhismission,andsoughttoescapehisdutyandhisGodbytaking [Link];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'[Link],shipmates? TopreachtheTruthtothefaceofFalsehood!Thatwasit! "This,shipmates,thisisthatotherlesson;andwoetothat [Link] 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 [Link]? Delightistohimafar,farupward,andinwarddelight whoagainsttheproudgodsandcommodoresofthisearth, [Link] whosestrongarmsyetsupporthim,whentheshipofthisbase [Link], whogivesnoquarterinthetruth,andkills,burns,anddestroys allsinthoughhepluckitoutfromundertherobesofSenators [Link],topgallantdelightistohim,whoacknowledges nolaworlord,buttheLordhisGod,andisonlyapatriottoheaven. Delightistohim,whomallthewavesofthebillowsoftheseas oftheboisterousmobcannevershakefromthissureKeel [Link], 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. [Link], andhideouslymarredaboutthefaceatleasttomytaste hiscountenanceyethadasomethinginitwhichwasbyno [Link] unearthlytattooings,IthoughtIsawthetracesofasimple honestheart;andinhislarge,deepeyes,fieryblackandbold, thereseemedtokensofaspiritthatwoulddareathousanddevils. Andbesidesallthis,therewasacertainloftybearingabout thePagan,whichevenhisuncouthnesscouldnotaltogethermaim. Helookedlikeamanwhohadnevercringedandneverhadhadacreditor. Whetheritwas,too,thathisheadbeingshaved,hisforeheadwas drawnoutinfreerandbrighterrelief,andlookedmoreexpansive thanitotherwisewould,thisIwillnotventuretodecide; butcertainitwashisheadwasphrenologicallyanexcellentone. Itmayseemridiculous,butitremindedmeofGeneralWashington'shead, [Link] gradedretreatingslopefromabovethebrows,whichwerelikewise veryprojecting,liketwolongpromontoriesthicklywoodedontop.

QueequegwasGeorgeWashingtoncannibalisticallydeveloped. WhilstIwasthuscloselyscanninghim,halfpretendingmeanwhiletobe lookingoutatthestormfromthecasement,heneverheededmypresence, nevertroubledhimselfwithsomuchasasingleglance;butappeared whollyoccupiedwithcountingthepagesofthemarvellousbook. Consideringhowsociablywehadbeensleepingtogetherthenightprevious, andespeciallyconsideringtheaffectionatearmIhadfoundthrown overmeuponwakinginthemorning,Ithoughtthisindifference [Link];attimesyou [Link]; theircalmselfcollectednessofsimplicityseemsasSocraticwisdom. IhadnoticedalsothatQueequegneverconsortedatall,orbutvery little,[Link]; appearedtohavenodesiretoenlargethecircleofhisacquaintances. Allthisstruckmeasmightysingular;yet,uponsecondthoughts, [Link] twentythousandmilesfromhome,bythewayofCapeHorn,thatis whichwastheonlywayhecouldgettherethrownamongpeople asstrangetohimasthoughhewereintheplanetJupiter;andyet heseemedentirelyathisease;preservingtheutmostserenity; contentwithhisowncompanionship;[Link] wasatouchoffinephilosophy;thoughnodoubthehadneverheard [Link],perhaps,tobetruephilosophers, wemortalsshouldnotbeconsciousofsolivingorsostriving. SosoonasIhearthatsuchorsuchamangiveshimselfoutfor aphilosopher,Iconcludethat,likethedyspepticoldwoman, hemusthave"brokenhisdigester." AsIsatthereinthatnowlonelyroom;thefireburninglow, inthatmildstagewhen,afteritsfirstintensityhaswarmedtheair, itthenonlyglowstobelookedat;theeveningshadesandphantoms gatheringroundthecasements,andpeeringinuponussilent, solitarytwain;thestormboomingwithoutinsolemnswells; [Link]. Nomoremysplinteredheartandmaddenedhandwereturnedagainst [Link]. Therehesat,hisveryindifferencespeakinganatureinwhich therelurkednocivilizedhypocrisiesandblanddeceits. Wildhewas;averysightofsightstosee;yetIbegantofeel [Link] thatwouldhaverepelledmostothers,theyweretheverymagnets thatthusdrewme.I'lltryapaganfriend,thoughtI, sinceChristiankindnesshasprovedbuthollowcourtesy. Idrewmybenchnearhim,andmadesomefriendlysigns andhints,doingmybesttotalkwithhimmeanwhile.

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

andearthpagansandallincludedcanpossiblybejealousofan insignificantbitofblackwood?Impossible!Butwhatisworship? todothewillofGod?[Link]? todotomyfellowmanwhatIwouldhavemyfellowmantodotome [Link],Queequegismyfellowman. AndwhatdoIwishthatthisQueequegwoulddotome?Why,unitewithme [Link],Imust thenunitewithhiminhis;ergo,Imustturnidolator. SoIkindledtheshavings;helpedpropuptheinnocentlittleidol; offeredhimburntbiscuitwithQueequeg;salamedbeforehimtwice orthrice;kissedhisnose;andthatdone,weundressedandwent tobed,atpeacewithourownconsciencesandalltheworld. Butwedidnotgotosleepwithoutsomelittlechat. HowitisIknownot;butthereisnoplacelikeabedfor [Link],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 [Link], themoresosinceitwassochillyoutofdoors;indeedout ofbedclothestoo,seeingthattherewasnofireintheroom. Themoreso,Isay,becausetrulytoenjoybodilywarmth, somesmallpartofyoumustbecold,forthereisnoquality

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

ThoughatthetimeIbutillcomprehendednotafewofhiswords, yetsubsequentdisclosures,whenIhadbecomemorefamiliar withhisbrokenphraseology,nowenablemetopresentthewhole storysuchasitmayproveinthemereskeletonIgive. CHAPTER12 Biographical QueequegwasanativeofKokovoko,anislandfarawaytotheWest [Link];trueplacesneverare. Whenanewhatchedsavagerunningwildabouthisnativewoodlands inagrassclout,followedbythenibblinggoats,asifhewere agreensapling;eventhen,inQueequeg'sambitioussoul, lurkedastrongdesiretoseesomethingmoreofChristendom [Link], aKing;hisuncleaHighPriest;andonthematernalside heboastedauntswhowerethewivesofunconquerablewarriors. Therewasexcellentbloodinhisveinsroyalstuff; thoughsadlyvitiated,Ifear,bythecannibalpropensity henourishedinhisuntutoredyouth. ASagHarborshipvisitedhisfather'sbay,andQueequegsought [Link],havingherfull complementofseamen,spurnedhissuit;andnotalltheKing hisfather'[Link]. 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, [Link], andhiswilddesiretovisitChristendom,thecaptainatlastrelented,

[Link] thisseaPrinceofWales,neversawtheCaptain'scabin. Theyputhimdownamongthesailors,andmadeawhalemanofhim. ButlikeCzarPetercontenttotoilintheshipyardsofforeigncities, Queequegdisdainednoseemingignominy,iftherebyhemight happilygainthepowerofenlighteninghisuntutoredcountrymen. Foratbottomsohetoldmehewasactuatedbyaprofound desiretolearnamongtheChristians,theartswherebytomake hispeoplestillhappierthantheywere;andmorethanthat, [Link],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 [Link],however,heproposed tosailabout,andsowhiswildoatsinallfouroceans. Theyhadmadeaharpooneerofhim,andthatbarbedironwas inlieuofasceptrenow. Iaskedhimwhatmightbehisimmediatepurpose,touchinghis [Link],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'[Link], aswellastheboarders,seemedamazinglytickledatthesudden friendshipwhichhadsprungupbetweenmeandQueequeg especiallyasPeterCoffin'scockandbullstoriesabouthim hadpreviouslysomuchalarmedmeconcerningtheveryperson whomInowcompaniedwith. Weborrowedawheelbarrow,andembarkingourthings,includingmyownpoor carpetbag,andQueequeg'scanvassackandhammock,awaywewentdown to"theMoss,"thelittleNantucketpacketschoonermooredatthewharf. Asweweregoingalongthepeoplestared;notatQueequegsomuch fortheywereusedtoseeingcannibalslikehimintheirstreets, [Link] themnot,goingalongwheelingthebarrowbyturns,andQueequeg nowandthenstoppingtoadjustthesheathonhisharpoonbarbs. Iaskedhimwhyhecarriedsuchatroublesomethingwithhimashore, andwhetherallwhalingshipsdidnotfindtheirownharpoons. Tothis,insubstance,hereplied,thatthoughwhatIhintedwas trueenough,yethehadaparticularaffectionforhisownharpoon, becauseitwasofassuredstuff,welltriedinmanyamortalcombat, [Link],likemany inlandreapersandmowers,whogointothefarmer'smeadowsarmed withtheirownscythesthoughinnowiseobligedtofurnishthem evenso,Queequeg,forhisownprivatereasons,preferredhisownharpoon. Shiftingthebarrowfrommyhandtohis,hetoldmeafunny storyaboutthefirstwheelbarrowhehadeverseen. [Link],itseems,hadlent himone,inwhichtocarryhisheavychesttohisboardinghouse. Nottoseemignorantaboutthethingthoughintruthhewas

entirelyso,concerningtheprecisewayinwhichtomanage thebarrowQueequegputshischestuponit;lashesitfast; andthenshouldersthebarrowandmarchesupthewharf. "Why,"saidI,"Queequeg,youmighthaveknownbetterthanthat, [Link]'tthepeoplelaugh?" Uponthis,[Link] ofRokovoko,itseems,attheirweddingfeastsexpressthefragrant waterofyoungcocoanutsintoalargestainedcalabashlikeapunchbowl; andthispunchbowlalwaysformsthegreatcentralornamenton [Link] shiponcetouchedatRokovoko,anditscommanderfromallaccounts, averystatelypunctiliousgentleman,atleastforaseacaptain thiscommanderwasinvitedtotheweddingfeastofQueequeg'ssister, [Link];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,[Link], NewBedfordroseinterracesofstreets,theiricecoveredtreesall glitteringintheclear,[Link] 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; [Link], wesidewaysdarted;everyropeyarntinglinglikeawire; thetwotallmastsbucklinglikeIndiancanesinlandtornadoes. Sofullofthisreelingscenewerewe,aswestoodbythe plungingbowsprit,thatforsometimewedidnotnoticethejeering glancesofthepassengers,alubberlikeassembly,whomarvelled thattwofellowbeingsshouldbesocompanionable;asthough awhitemanwereanythingmoredignifiedthanawhitewashednegro. Butthereweresomeboobiesandbumpkinsthere,who,bytheirintense greenness,musthavecomefromtheheartandcentreofallverdure. Queequegcaughtoneoftheseyoungsaplingsmimickinghimbehind [Link]'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 [Link] partedtheweathersheet,andthetremendousboomwasnowflying fromsidetoside,completelysweepingtheentireafterpart [Link], wassweptoverboard;allhandswereinapanic;andtoattempt snatchingattheboomtostayit,[Link] righttoleft,andbackagain,almostinonetickingofawatch, andeveryinstantseemedonthepointofsnappingintosplinters. Nothingwasdone,andnothingseemedcapableofbeingdone; thoseondeckrushedtowardthebows,andstoodeyeingtheboom [Link] ofthisconsternation,Queequegdroppeddeftlytohisknees, andcrawlingunderthepathoftheboom,whippedholdofarope, securedoneendtothebulwarks,andthenflingingtheother likealasso,caughtitroundtheboomasitsweptoverhishead, andatthenextjerk,thesparwasthatwaytrapped,andallwassafe. Theschoonerwasrunintothewind,andwhilethehandswere clearingawaythesternboat,Queequeg,strippedtothewaist, dartedfromthesidewithalonglivingarcofaleap. Forthreeminutesormorehewasseenswimminglikeadog, throwinghislongarmsstraightoutbeforehim,andbyturns revealinghisbrawnyshouldersthroughthefreezingfoam. Ilookedatthegrandandgloriousfellow,butsawnoonetobesaved. [Link] fromthewater,Queequeg,nowtookaninstant'sglancearoundhim, andseemingtoseejusthowmatterswere,diveddownanddisappeared. Afewminutesmore,andheroseagain,onearmstill strikingout,andwiththeotherdraggingalifelessform. [Link]. AllhandsvotedQueequeganobletrump;thecaptainbeggedhispardon. FromthathourIclovetoQueequeglikeabarnacle;yea,tillpoor Queequegtookhislastlongdive. Wasthereeversuchunconsciousness?Hedidnotseemtothinkthatheat [Link] askedforwaterfreshwatersomethingtowipethebrineoff; thatdone,heputondryclothes,lightedhispipe,andleaningagainst thebulwarks,andmildlyeyeingthosearoundhim,seemedtobesaying tohimself"It'samutual,jointstockworld,inallmeridians. WecannibalsmusthelptheseChristians." CHAPTER14

 Nantucket Nothingmorehappenedonthepassageworthythementioning; so,afterafinerun,wesafelyarrivedinNantucket. Nantucket![Link] oftheworlditoccupies;howitstandsthere,awayoffshore, [Link] amerehillock,andelbowofsand;allbeach,withoutabackground. Thereismoresandtherethanyouwoulduseintwentyyearsasa [Link] 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 [Link]. InoldentimesaneagleswoopeddownupontheNewEngland coastandcarriedoffaninfantIndianinhistalons. Withloudlamenttheparentssawtheirchildborneoutofsightover [Link]. 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 [Link], andpileCubauponCanada;lettheEnglishoverswarmallIndia, andhangouttheirblazingbannerfromthesun;twothirdsofthis terraqueousglobearetheNantucketer'[Link]; heownsit,asEmperorsownempires;otherseamenhavingbutaright [Link]; armedonesbutfloatingforts;evenpiratesandprivateers, [Link] otherships,otherfragmentsofthelandlikethemselves, withoutseekingtodrawtheirlivingfromthebottomlessdeepitself. TheNantucketer,healoneresidesandriotsonthesea; healone,inBiblelanguage,goesdowntoitinships; toandfroploughingitashisownspecialplantation. Thereishishome;therelieshisbusinesswhichaNoah'sflood wouldnotinterrupt,thoughitoverwhelmedallthemillions [Link],asprairiecocksintheprairie; hehidesamongthewaves,heclimbsthemaschamoishunters [Link];sothat whenhecomestoitatlast,itsmellslikeanotherworld, [Link] 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 [Link] usaboutkeepingayellowwarehouseonourstarboardhandtillwe openedawhitechurchtothelarboard,andthenkeepingthaton thelarboardhandtillwemadeacornerthreepointstothestarboard, andthatdone,thenaskthefirstmanwemetwheretheplacewas; thesecrookeddirectionsofhisverymuchpuzzledusatfirst, especiallyas,attheoutset,Queequeginsistedthattheyellowwarehouse ourfirstpointofdeparturemustbeleftonthelarboardhand, whereasIhadunderstoodPeterCoffintosayitwasonthestarboard. However,bydintofbeatingaboutalittleinthedark,andnow andthenknockingupapeaceableinhabitanttoinquiretheway, weatlastcametosomethingwhichtherewasnomistaking. Twoenormouswoodenpotspaintedblack,andsuspendedbyasses' ears,swungfromthecrosstreesofanoldtopmast,plantedinfront [Link] otherside,sothatthisoldtopmastlookednotalittlelikeagallows. PerhapsIwasoversensitivetosuchimpressionsatthetime, butIcouldnothelpstaringatthisgallowswithavaguemisgiving. AsortofcrickwasinmyneckasIgazeduptothetwo remaininghorns;yes,twoofthem,oneforQueequeg,andoneforme. It'sominous,[Link] whalingport;tombstonesstaringatmeinthewhalemen'schapel, andhereagallows!andapairofprodigiousblackpotstoo! AretheselastthrowingoutobliquehintstouchingTophet? Iwascalledfromthesereflectionsbythesightofafreckled womanwithyellowhairandayellowgown,standingintheporch oftheinn,underadullredlampswingingthere,thatlookedmuch likeaninjuredeye,andcarryingonabriskscoldingwithaman inapurplewoollenshirt. "Getalongwithye,"saidshetotheman,"orI'llbecombingye!" "Comeon,Queequeg,"saidI,"[Link]'[Link]." Andsoitturnedout;[Link],butleaving [Link]. Uponmakingknownourdesiresforasupperandabed, [Link],postponingfurtherscoldingforthepresent, usheredusintoalittleroom,andseatingusatatablespread withtherelicsofarecentlyconcludedrepast,turnedround tousandsaid"ClamorCod?"

"What'sthataboutCods,ma'am?"saidI,withmuchpoliteness. "ClamorCod?"sherepeated. "Aclamforsupper?acoldclam;isthatwhatyoumean,[Link]?" saysI,"butthat'sarathercoldandclammyreceptioninthewintertime, ain'tit,[Link]?" Butbeinginagreathurrytoresumescoldingthemaninthepurple shirtwhowaswaitingforitintheentry,andseemingtohearnothing buttheword"clam,"[Link] tothekitchen,andbawlingout"clamfortwo,"disappeared. "Queequeg,"saidI,"doyouthinkthatwecanmakeoutasupper forusbothononeclam?" However,awarmsavorysteamfromthekitchenservedtobelie [Link] smokingchowdercamein,themysterywasdelightfullyexplained. Oh!sweetfriends,[Link], scarcelybiggerthanhazelnuts,mixedwithpoundedshipbiscuits, andsaltedporkcutupintolittleflakes!thewholeenriched withbutter,andplentifullyseasonedwithpepperandsalt. Ourappetitesbeingsharpenedbythefrostyvoyage,andinparticular, Queequegseeinghisfavouritefishingfoodbeforehim,andthechowder beingsurpassinglyexcellent,wedespatcheditwithgreatexpedition: [Link]'sclam andcodannouncement,IthoughtIwouldtryalittleexperiment. Steppingtothekitchendoor,Iutteredtheword"cod"with greatemphasis,[Link] 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. [Link] woreapolishednecklaceofcodfishvertebra;andHoseaHusseyhad [Link]

flavortothemilk,too,whichIcouldnotatallaccountfor, tillonemorninghappeningtotakeastrollalongthebeachamongsome fishermen'sboats,IsawHosea'sbrindledcowfeedingonfishremnants, andmarchingalongthesandwitheachfootinacod'sdecapitatedhead, lookingveryslipshod,Iassureye. Supperconcluded,wereceivedalamp,[Link] 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 [Link],[Link]" (forshehadlearnedhisname),"Iwilljusttakethishereiron, [Link];clamorcod tomorrowforbreakfast,men?" "Both,"saysI;"andlet'shaveacoupleofsmokedherring bywayofvariety." CHAPTER16 TheShip [Link] 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, [Link], andmanyrandominquiries,Ilearntthattherewerethreeships upforthreeyears'voyagesTheDevilDamtheTitbit, [Link],Idonotknowtheoriginof; Titbitisobvious;Pequodyouwillnodoubtremember, wasthenameofacelebratedtribeofMassachusettsIndians; [Link] theDevilDam;fromher,hoppedovertotheTitbit;andfinally, goingonboardthePequod,lookedaroundherforamoment, andthendecidedthatthiswastheveryshipforus. Youmayhaveseenmanyaquaintcraftinyourday,foraughtIknow; squaretoedluggers;mountainousJapanesejunks;butterboxgalliots, andwhatnot;buttakemywordforit,youneversawsucharareold [Link], rathersmallifanything;withanoldfashionedclawfootedlook [Link] ofallfouroceans,heroldhull'scomplexionwasdarkenedlikeaFrench grenadier's,[Link] [Link], whereheroriginaloneswerelostoverboardinagalehermastsstood [Link] deckswerewornandwrinkled,likethepilgrimworshippedflagstone [Link] oldantiquities,wereaddednewandmarvellousfeatures,pertainingto

thewildbusinessthatformorethanhalfacenturyshehadfollowed. OldCaptainPeleg,manyyearsherchiefmate,beforehecommanded anothervesselofhisown,andnowaretiredseaman,andoneofthe principalownersofthePequod,thisoldPeleg,duringthetermofhis chiefmateship,hadbuiltuponheroriginalgrotesqueness,andinlaidit, allover,withaquaintnessbothofmaterialanddevice,unmatchedby anythingexceptitbeThorkillHake'scarvedbucklerorbedstead. ShewasapparelledlikeanybarbaricEthiopianemperor,hisneck [Link]. Acannibalofacraft,trickingherselfforthinthechasedbones [Link],herunpanelled,openbulwarksweregarnished likeonecontinuousjaw,withthelongsharpteethofthespermwhale, insertedthereforpins,tofastenheroldhempenthewsandtendonsto. Thosethewsrannotthroughbaseblocksoflandwood,butdeftlytravelled [Link] helm,shesportedthereatiller;andthattillerwasinonemass, curiouslycarvedfromthelongnarrowlowerjawofherhereditaryfoe. Thehelmsmanwhosteeredbythattillerinatempest,feltlike theTartar,whenheholdsbackhisfierysteedbyclutchingitsjaw. Anoblecraft,butsomehowamostmelancholy!Allnoblethingsare touchedwiththat. NowwhenIlookedaboutthequarterdeck,forsomeonehavingauthority, inordertoproposemyselfasacandidateforthevoyage,atfirstI sawnobody;butIcouldnotwelloverlookastrangesortoftent, orratherwigwam,[Link] [Link], sometenfeethigh;consistingofthelong,hugeslabsoflimber blackbonetakenfromthemiddleandhighestpartofthejawsof [Link],acircle oftheseslabslacedtogether,mutuallyslopedtowardseachother, andattheapexunitedinatuftedpoint,wheretheloosehairyfibres wavedtoandfrolikeatopknotonsomeoldPottowotamieSachem'shead. Atriangularopeningfacedtowardsthebowsoftheship,sothat theinsidercommandedacompleteviewforward. Andhalfconcealedinthisqueertenement,Iatlengthfound onewhobyhisaspectseemedtohaveauthority;andwho, itbeingnoon,andtheship'sworksuspended,wasnowenjoying [Link] 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" "[Link]. Dostseethatleg?I'lltakethatlegawayfromthystern, ifeverthoutalkestofthemerchantservicetomeagain. Marchantserviceindeed!Isupposenowyefeelconsiderable [Link]!man, whatmakestheewanttogoawhaling,eh?itlooksalittle suspicious,don'tit,eh?Hastnotbeenapirate,hastthou? DidstnotrobthylastCaptain,didstthou?Dostnotthink ofmurderingtheofficerswhenthougettesttosea?" [Link] themaskofthesehalfhumorousinnuendoes,thisoldseaman, asaninsulatedQuakerishNantucketer,wasfullofhis insularprejudices,andratherdistrustfulofallaliens, unlesstheyhailedfromCapeCodortheVineyard. "Butwhattakestheeawhaling?IwanttoknowthatbeforeI thinkofshippingye." "Well,sir,[Link]."

"Wanttoseewhatwhalingis,eh?HaveyeclappedeyeonCaptainAhab?" "WhoisCaptainAhab,sir?" "Aye,aye,[Link]." "[Link]." "ThouartspeakingtoCaptainPelegthat'swhoyearespeakingto, [Link] outforthevoyage,andsuppliedwithallherneeds,includingcrew. [Link],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; [Link],ye'vebeentoseabeforenow; sureofthat?" "Sir,"saidI,"IthoughtItoldyouthatIhadbeenfourvoyages inthemerchant" "Harddownoutofthat!MindwhatIsaidaboutthemarchantservice don'taggravatemeIwon'[Link]. Ihavegiventheeahintaboutwhatwhalingis!doyeyetfeel inclinedforit?" "Ido,sir." "[Link],artthouthemantopitchaharpoondownalive whale'sthroat,andthenjumpafterit?Answer,quick!"

 "Iam,sir,ifitshouldbepositivelyindispensabletodoso; nottobegotridof,thatis;whichIdon'ttaketobethefact." "[Link],thounotonlywantesttogoawhaling, tofindoutbyexperiencewhatwhalingis,butyealsowant togoinordertoseetheworld?Wasnotthatwhatyesaid? [Link],juststepforwardthere,andtake apeepovertheweatherbow,andthenbacktomeandtellme whatyeseethere." ForamomentIstoodalittlepuzzledbythiscuriousrequest, notknowingexactlyhowtotakeit,whetherhumorouslyorinearnest. Butconcentratingallhiscrow'sfeetintoonescowl,CaptainPeleg startedmeontheerrand. Goingforwardandglancingovertheweatherbow,Iperceived thattheshipswingingtoheranchorwiththefloodtide,was [Link] 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 [Link], heexpressedhiswillingnesstoshipme. "Andthoumayestaswellsignthepapersrightoff," headded"comealongwithye."Andsosaying,heledtheway belowdeckintothecabin. Seatedonthetransomwaswhatseemedtomeamostuncommonand [Link] withCaptainPelegwasoneofthelargestownersofthevessel; theothershares,asissometimesthecaseintheseports, beingheldbyacrowdofoldannuitants;widows,fatherlesschildren,

andchancerywards;eachowningaboutthevalueofatimberhead, orafootofplank,oranailortwointheship. PeopleinNantucketinvesttheirmoneyinwhalingvessels, thesamewaythatyoudoyoursinapprovedstatestocksbringing ingoodinterest. Now,Bildad,likePeleg,andindeedmanyotherNantucketers, wasaQuaker,theislandhavingbeenoriginallysettledbythatsect; andtothisdayitsinhabitantsingeneralretaininanuncommon measurethepeculiaritiesoftheQuaker,onlyvariouslyand anomalouslymodifiedbythingsaltogetheralienandheterogeneous. ForsomeofthesesameQuakersarethemostsanguinary [Link]; theyareQuakerswithavengeance. Sothatthereareinstancesamongthemofmen,who,namedwith Scripturenamesasingularlycommonfashionontheisland andinchildhoodnaturallyimbibingthestatelydramaticthee andthouoftheQuakeridiom;still,fromtheaudacious, daring,andboundlessadventureoftheirsubsequentlives, strangelyblendwiththeseunoutgrownpeculiarities,athousand bolddashesofcharacter,notunworthyaScandinavianseaking, [Link] 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 [Link],asyetwehavenottodowithsuchanone, butwithquiteanother;andstillaman,who,ifindeedpeculiar, itonlyresultsagainfromanotherphaseoftheQuaker, modifiedbyindividualcircumstances. LikeCaptainPeleg,CaptainBildadwasawelltodo,retiredwhaleman. ButunlikeCaptainPelegwhocarednotarushforwhatarecalled seriousthings,andindeeddeemedthoseselfsameseriousthings

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

Thespacebetweenthedeckswassmall;andthere,boltupright, satoldBildad,whoalwayssatso,andneverleaned,andthis [Link]; hislegswerestifflycrossed;hisdrabvesturewasbuttoned uptohischin;andspectaclesonnose,heseemedabsorbed inreadingfromaponderousvolume. "Bildad,"criedCaptainPeleg,"atitagain,Bildad,eh?Yehave beenstudyingthoseScriptures,now,forthelastthirtyyears, [Link],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 [Link], Ithoughtthatthe275thlaywouldbeaboutthefairthing, butwouldnothavebeensurprisedhadIbeenofferedthe200th, consideringIwasofabroadshoulderedmake. Butonething,nevertheless,thatmademealittledistrustfulabout receivingagenerousshareoftheprofitswasthis:Ashore,Ihadheard somethingofbothCaptainPelegandhisunaccountableoldcronyBildad; howthattheybeingtheprincipalproprietorsofthePequod, thereforetheotherandmoreinconsiderableandscatteredowners, leftnearlythewholemanagementoftheship'saffairstothesetwo. AndIdidnotknowbutwhatthestingyoldBildadmighthaveamighty dealtosayaboutshippinghands,especiallyasInowfoundhimonboard thePequod,quiteathomethereinthecabin,andreadinghisBible [Link] 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, [Link]'sanallfiredoutragetotellanyhumancreature thathe'[Link]!Bildad,saythatagain tome,andstartmysoulbolts,butI'llI'llyes,I'llswallowalive [Link],yecanting, drabcoloredsonofawoodengunastraightwakewithye!" AshethunderedoutthishemadearushatBildad,butwitha marvellousoblique,slidingcelerity,Bildadforthattimeeludedhim. Alarmedatthisterribleoutburstbetweenthetwoprincipal andresponsibleownersoftheship,andfeelinghalfamind togiveupallideaofsailinginavesselsoquestionably ownedandtemporarilycommanded,Isteppedasidefromthedoor togiveegresstoBildad,who,Imadenodoubt,wasalleagerness [Link] myastonishment,hesatdownagainonthetransomveryquietly,

andseemedtohavenottheslightestintentionofwithdrawing. HeseemedquiteusedtoimpenitentPelegandhisways. AsforPeleg,afterlettingoffhisrageashehad,thereseemed nomoreleftinhim,andhe,too,satdownlikealamb, thoughhetwitchedalittleasifstillnervouslyagitated. "Whew!"hewhistledatlast"thesquall'sgoneofftoleeward, [Link],thouusedtobegoodatsharpeningalance, mendthatpen,[Link]. That'she;thankye,[Link],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'[Link]'tknow exactlywhat'sthematterwithhim;buthekeepscloseinsidethehouse; asortofsick,andyethedon'[Link],heain'tsick; butno,heisn'[Link],youngman,hewon'talwaysseeme, soIdon'[Link]'saqueerman,CaptainAhab [Link],thou'ltlikehimwellenough; nofear,[Link]'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!" "[Link],thedogs, didtheynotlickhisblood?" "Comehithertomehither,hither,"saidPeleg, withasignificanceinhiseyethatalmoststartledme. "Lookye,lad;[Link] [Link].'Twasafoolish, ignorantwhimofhiscrazy,widowedmother,whodiedwhen [Link], atGayhead,saidthatthenamewouldsomehowproveprophetic. And,perhaps,otherfoolslikehermaytelltheethesame. [Link]'[Link]; I'vesailedwithhimasmateyearsago;Iknowwhatheis agoodmannotapious,goodman,likeBildad,butaswearing goodmansomethinglikemeonlythere'sagooddealmore [Link],aye,Iknowthathewasneververyjolly; andIknowthatonthepassagehomehewasalittleoutofhis mindforaspell;butitwasthesharpshootingpainsinhis bleedingstumpthatbroughtthatabout,asanyonemightsee. Iknow,too,thateversincehelosthisleglastvoyage bythataccursedwhale,he'sbeenakindofmoody desperatemoody,andsavagesometimes;butthatwillallpassoff. Andonceforall,letmetelltheeandassurethee,youngman, it'sbettertosailwithamoodygoodcaptainthanalaughing [Link], [Link],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 [Link];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 [Link],now,certainly entertainingthemostabsurdnotionsaboutYojoandhisRamadan; butwhatofthat?Queequegthoughtheknewwhathewasabout, Isuppose;heseemedtobecontent;andtherelethimrest. Allourarguingwithhimwouldnotavail;lethimbe,Isay: andHeavenhavemercyonusallPresbyteriansandPagansalike forweareallsomehowdreadfullycrackedaboutthehead,

andsadlyneedmending. Towardsevening,whenIfeltassuredthatallhisperformancesand ritualsmustbeover,Iwentuptohisroomandknockedatthedoor; [Link],butitwasfastenedinside. "Queequeg,"saidIsoftlythroughthekeyhole:allsilent. "Isay,Queequeg!whydon'tyouspeak?It'sIIshmael."Butall [Link] suchabundanttime;Ithoughthemighthavehadanapoplecticfit. Ilookedthroughthekeyhole;butthedooropeningintoanoddcorner oftheroom,thekeyholeprospectwasbutacrookedandsinisterone. Icouldonlyseepartofthefootboardofthebedandalineofthewall, [Link] thewoodenshaftofQueequeg'sharpoon,whichthelandladytheevening previoushadtakenfromhim,beforeourmountingtothechamber. That'sstrange,thoughtI;butatanyrate,sincetheharpoon standsyonder,andheseldomornevergoesabroadwithoutit, thereforehemustbeinsidehere,andnopossiblemistake. "Queequeg!Queequeg!"[Link] [Link]!Itriedtoburstopenthedoor; [Link],Iquickly statedmysuspicionstothefirstpersonImetthechambermaid. "La!la!"shecried,"Ithoughtsomethingmustbethematter. Iwenttomakethebedafterbreakfast,andthedoorwaslocked; andnotamousetobeheard;andit'sbeenjustsosilenteversince. ButIthought,maybe,youhadbothgoneoffandlockedyour [Link]!La,ma'am!Mistress!murder! [Link]!apoplexy!"andwiththesecriessherantowards thekitchen,Ifollowing. [Link],withamustardpotinonehand andavinegarcruetintheother,havingjustbrokenaway fromtheoccupationofattendingtothecastors,andscolding herlittleblackboymeantime. "Woodhouse!"criedI,"whichwaytoit?RunforGod'ssake,andfetch somethingtopryopenthedoortheaxe!theaxe!he'shadastroke; dependuponit!"andsosayingIwasunmethodicallyrushingupstairs againemptyhanded,[Link] 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 [Link] toonesideofhernose,sheruminatedforaninstant; thenexclaimed"No!Ihaven'tseenitsinceIputitthere." Runningtoalittleclosetunderthelandingofthestairs,sheglanced in,andreturning,toldmethatQueequeg'sharpoonwasmissing. "He'skilledhimself,"shecried."It'sunfort'nateStiggsdone overagaintheregoesanothercounterpaneGodpityhispoormother! [Link]? Where'sthatgirl?there,Betty,gotoSnarlesthePainter, andtellhimtopaintmeasign,with"nosuicidespermittedhere, andnosmokingintheparlor;"mightaswellkillboth [Link]?TheLordbemercifultohisghost! What'sthatnoisethere?You,youngman,avastthere!" Andrunningupafterme,shecaughtmeasIwasagaintryingtoforce openthedoor. "Iwon'tallowit;Iwon'thavemypremisesspoiled. Goforthelocksmith,there'[Link]!" 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. "[Link],"saidI,"he'saliveatallevents;soleaveus, ifyouplease,andIwillseetothisstrangeaffairmyself." Closingthedooruponthelandlady,Iendeavoredtoprevail uponQueequegtotakeachair;[Link]; 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. [Link] storiesofsomesailorswhohadjustcomefromaplumpuddingvoyage, astheycalledit(thatis,ashortwhalingvoyageinaschoonerorbrig, confinedtothenorthoftheline,intheAtlanticOceanonly); afterlisteningtotheseplumpuddingerstillnearlyeleveno'clock,I wentupstairstogotobed,feelingquitesurebythistimeQueequeg [Link]; therehewasjustwhereIhadlefthim;hehadnotstirredaninch. Ibegantogrowvexedwithhim;itseemedsodownrightsenseless andinsanetobesittingtherealldayandhalfthenightonhishams inacoldroom,holdingapieceofwoodonhishead. "Forheaven'ssake,Queequeg,getupandshakeyourself;getupandhave [Link]'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 [Link],too,thathebeing inotherthingssuchanextremelysensibleandsagacioussavage, itpainedme,verybadlypainedme,toseehimnowsodeplorably [Link],arguedI, fastingmakesthebodycavein;hencethespiritcavesin; andallthoughtsbornofafastmustnecessarilybe [Link] cherishsuchmelancholynotionsabouttheirhereafters. Inoneword,Queequeg,saidI,ratherdigressively; hellisanideafirstbornonanundigestedappledumpling; andsincethenperpetuatedthroughthehereditarydyspepsias nurturedbyRamadans.

IthenaskedQueequegwhetherhehimselfwasevertroubledwithdyspepsia; expressingtheideaveryplainly,sothathecouldtakeitin. Hesaidno;[Link] 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 [Link],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 [Link],Queequegis." "Youngman,"saidBildadsternly,"thouartskylarkingwithme explainthyself,[Link] 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'[Link],comeaboard: [Link],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 [Link], 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,[Link],whenthissamePequod herehadherthreemastsoverboardinthattyphoononJapan, thatsamevoyagewhenthouwentmatewithCaptainAhab, did'stthounotthinkofDeathandtheJudgmentthen?" "Hearhim,hearhimnow,"criedPeleg,marchingacrossthecabin, andthrustinghishandsfardownintohispockets,"hearhim,allofye. Thinkofthat!Wheneverymomentwethoughttheshipwouldsink! DeathandtheJudgmentthen?What?Withallthreemastsmakingsuch aneverlastingthunderingagainsttheside;andeveryseabreaking

overus,[Link]? No![Link] andIwasthinkingof;andhowtosaveallhandshowtorigjurymasts howtogetintothenearestport;thatwaswhatIwasthinkingof." Bildadsaidnomore,butbuttoninguphiscoat,stalkedondeck, [Link],veryquietlyoverlooking somesailmakerswhoweremendingatopsailinthewaist. Nowandthenhestoopedtopickupapatch,orsaveanend oftarredtwine,whichotherwisemighthavebeenwasted. CHAPTER19 TheProphet "Shipmates,haveyeshippedinthatship?" QueequegandIhadjustleftthePequod,andweresaunteringaway fromthewater,forthemomenteachoccupiedwithhisownthoughts, whentheabovewordswereputtousbyastranger,who,pausingbeforeus, levelledhismassiveforefingeratthevesselinquestion. Hewasbutshabbilyapparelledinfadedjacketandpatchedtrowsers; [Link] 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'[Link]'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. [Link]; growlandgothat'[Link] aboutthatthingthathappenedtohimoffCapeHorn,longago, whenhelaylikedeadforthreedaysandnights;nothingabout

thatdeadlyskrimmagewiththeSpaniardaforethealtarinSanta? heardnothingaboutthat,eh?Nothingaboutthesilvercalabash hespatinto?Andnothingabouthislosinghisleglastvoyage, [Link]'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,[Link], 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 [Link],tellmeyourname,willyou?" "Elijah." Elijah!thoughtI,andwewalkedaway,bothcommenting, aftereachother'sfashion,uponthisraggedoldsailor; andagreedthathewasnothingbutahumbug,tryingtobeabugbear. Butwehadnotgoneperhapsaboveahundredyards,whenchancing toturnacorner,andlookingbackasIdidso,whoshouldbeseen butElijahfollowingus,[Link],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 [Link],butnewsails werecomingonboard,andboltsofcanvas,andcoilsofrigging; inshort,everythingbetokenedthattheship'spreparationswere [Link],

butsatinhiswigwamkeepingasharplookoutuponthehands: Bildaddidallthepurchasingandprovidingatthestores; andthemenemployedintheholdandontheriggingwereworking tilllongafternightfall. OnthedayfollowingQueequeg'ssigningthearticles, wordwasgivenatalltheinnswheretheship'scompany werestopping,thattheirchestsmustbeonboardbeforenight, fortherewasnotellinghowsoonthevesselmightbesailing. SoQueequegandIgotdownourtraps,resolving,however,tosleep [Link] noticeinthesecases,andtheshipdidnotsailforseveraldays. Butnowonder;therewasagooddealtobedone,andthereis notellinghowmanythingstobethoughtof,beforethePequod wasfullyequipped. Everyoneknowswhatamultitudeofthingsbeds,saucepans,knives andforks,shovelsandtongs,napkins,nutcrackers,andwhatnot, [Link], whichnecessitatesathreeyears'housekeepinguponthewideocean, farfromallgrocers,costermongers,doctors,bakers,andbankers. Andthoughthisalsoholdstrueofmerchantvessels,yetnotbyanymeans [Link] ofthewhalingvoyage,thenumerousarticlespeculiartotheprosecution ofthefishery,andtheimpossibilityofreplacingthemattheremote harborsusuallyfrequented,itmustberemembered,thatofallships, whalingvesselsarethemostexposedtoaccidentsofallkinds, andespeciallytothedestructionandlossoftheverythingsupon [Link],thespareboats, sparespars,andsparelinesandharpoons,andspareeverythings, almost,butaspareCaptainandduplicateship. AttheperiodofourarrivalattheIsland,theheavieststorage ofthePequodhadbeenalmostcompleted;comprisingherbeef, bread,water,fuel,[Link],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 [Link], 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, [Link] theywouldanswer,thathewasgettingbetterandbetter,andwas expectedaboardeveryday;meantime,thetwoCaptains,PelegandBildad, couldattendtoeverythingnecessarytofitthevesselforthevoyage. IfIhadbeendownrighthonestwithmyself,Iwouldhaveseen veryplainlyinmyheartthatIdidbuthalffancybeingcommitted thiswaytosolongavoyage,withoutoncelayingmyeyesontheman whowastobetheabsolutedictatorofit,sosoonastheship [Link], itsometimeshappensthatifhebealreadyinvolvedinthematter, heinsensiblystrivestocoveruphissuspicionsevenfromhimself. [Link],andtried tothinknothing. Atlastitwasgivenoutthatsometimenextdaytheship [Link],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,[Link],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?[Link]'tseeyeagainverysoon,Iguess; unlessit'sbeforetheGrandJury."Andwiththesecrackedwords hefinallydeparted,leavingme,forthemoment,innosmall wondermentathisfranticimpudence. Atlast,steppingonboardthePequod,wefoundeverythingin profoundquiet,[Link]; thehatcheswereallon,andlumberedwithcoilsofrigging. Goingforwardtotheforecastle,wefoundtheslideofthescuttleopen. Seeingalight,wewentdown,andfoundonlyanoldriggerthere, [Link] twochests,hisfacedownwardsandinclosedinhisfoldedarms. Theprofoundestslumbersleptuponhim. "Thosesailorswesaw,Queequeg,wherecantheyhavegoneto?" saidI,[Link], 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, [Link]. Wekeptthepipepassingoverthesleeper,fromonetotheother. Meanwhile,uponquestioninghiminhisbrokenfashion,Queequeggave metounderstandthat,inhisland,owingtotheabsenceofsettees andsofasofallsorts,theking,chiefs,andgreatpeoplegenerally, wereinthecustomoffatteningsomeofthelowerordersforottomans; andtofurnishahousecomfortablyinthatrespect,youhadonly tobuyupeightortenlazyfellows,andlaythemroundinthepiers [Link],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, [Link]; thenseemedtroubledinthenose;thenrevolvedoveronceortwice; thensatupandrubbedhiseyes. "Holloa!"hebreathedatlast,"whobeyesmokers?" "Shippedmen,"answeredI,"whendoesshesail?" "Aye,aye,yearegoinginher,beye?[Link] cameaboardlastnight." "WhatCaptain?Ahab?" "Whobuthimindeed?"

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

themselvesondeckforaconsiderabletimeafterheavinguptheanchor, butremainoverthecabintable,havingafarewellmerrymakingwith theirshorefriends,beforetheyquittheshipforgoodwiththepilot. Buttherewasnotmuchchancetothinkoverthematter,forCaptainPeleg [Link], andnotBildad. "Afthere,yesonsofbachelors,"hecried,asthesailorslingered atthemainmast."[Link],driveaft." "Strikethetentthere!"[Link], thiswhalebonemarqueewasneverpitchedexceptinport; andonboardthePequod,forthirtyyears,theordertostrike thetentwaswellknowntobethenextthingtoheaving uptheanchor. "Manthecapstan!Bloodandthunder!jump!"wasthenextcommand, andthecrewsprangforthehandspikes. Nowingettingunderweigh,thestationgenerallyoccupied [Link], 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. [Link] intheboisterousAtlantic,spiteofmywetfeetandwetterjacket, therewasyet,itthenseemedtome,manyapleasanthaveninstore; andmeadsandgladessoeternallyvernal,thatthegrassshotup bythespring,untrodden,unwilted,remainsatmidsummer. Atlastwegainedsuchanoffing,thatthetwopilotswere [Link] beganrangingalongside. Itwascuriousandnotunpleasing,howPelegandBildadwere affectedatthisjuncture,[Link] 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, [Link],too,didnotalittle runfromthecabintodecknowawordbelow,andnowaword withStarbuck,thechiefmate. But,atlast,heturnedtohiscomrade,withafinalsortoflook abouthim,"CaptainBildadcome,oldshipmate,wemustgo. Backthemainyardthere!Boatahoy!Standbytocome closealongside,now!Careful,careful!come,Bildad,boy [Link],Starbucklucktoye,[Link] lucktoye,[Link] andthisdaythreeyearsI'llhaveahotsuppersmokingforye [Link]!" "Godblessye,andhaveyeinHisholykeeping,men,"murmuredoldBildad, almostincoherently."Ihopeye'llhavefineweathernow,sothat CaptainAhabmaysoonbemovingamongyeapleasantsunisallheneeds, andye'[Link] inthehunt,[Link]'tstavetheboatsneedlessly,yeharpooneers; goodwhitecedarplankisraisedfullthreepercentwithintheyear. Don'tforgetyourprayers,[Link],mindthatcooperdon't [Link]!thesailneedlesareinthegreenlocker. Don'twhaleittoomucha'Lord'sdays,men;butdon'tmissafair chanceeither,that'srejectingHeaven'[Link] tothemolassestierce,[Link];itwasalittleleaky,Ithought. Ifyetouchattheislands,[Link],bewareoffornication. Goodbye,goodbye!Don'tkeepthatcheesetoolongdowninthehold, [Link];it'[Link]

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 [Link]. Wonderfullestthingsareevertheunmentionable;deepmemories yieldnoepitaphs;thissixinchchapteristhestonelessgrave [Link] 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,[Link],also,andbutchers ofthebloodiestbadgehavebeenallMartialCommanderswhom [Link] 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, [Link] andanother,ithasbegotteneventssoremarkableinthemselves, andsocontinuouslymomentousintheirsequentialissues, thatwhalingmaywellberegardedasthatEgyptianmother, whoboreoffspringthemselvespregnantfromherwomb. Itwouldbeahopeless,endlesstasktocatalogueallthesethings. [Link] beenthepioneerinferretingouttheremotestandleastknown

[Link] whichhadnochart,wherenoCookeorVancouverhadeversailed. IfAmericanandEuropeanmenofwarnowpeacefullyride inoncesavageharbors,letthemfiresalutestothehonor andgloryofthewhaleship,whichoriginallyshowedthem theway,andfirstinterpretedbetweenthemandthesavages. TheymaycelebrateastheywilltheheroesofExploringExpeditions, yourCookes,YourKrusensterns;butIsaythatscoresofanonymous CaptainshavesailedoutofNantucket,thatwereasgreat, andgreater,[Link] theirsuccorlessemptyhandedness,they,intheheathenish sharkedwaters,andbythebeachesofunrecorded,javelinislands, battledwithvirginwondersandterrorsthatCookewithallhis marinesandmusketswouldnotwillinglyhavewillinglydared. AllthatismadesuchaflourishofintheoldSouthSeaVoyages, thosethingswerebutthelifetimecommonplacesofour [Link],adventureswhichVancouver dedicatesthreechaptersto,thesemenaccountedunworthy ofbeingsetdownintheship'[Link],theworld! Oh,theworld! UntilthewhalefisheryroundedCapeHorn,nocommercebutcolonial, scarcelyanyintercoursebutcolonial,wascarriedonbetweenEurope andthelonglineoftheopulentSpanishprovincesonthePacificcoast. Itwasthewhalemenwhofirstbrokethroughthejealouspolicyof theSpanishcrown,touchingthosecolonies;and,ifspacepermitted, itmightbedistinctlyshownhowfromthosewhalemenatlasteventuated theliberationofPeru,Chili,andBoliviafromtheyokeofOldSpain, andtheestablishmentoftheeternaldemocracyinthoseparts. ThatgreatAmericaontheothersideofthesphere,Australia, wasgiventotheenlightenedworldbythewhaleman. AfteritsfirstblunderborndiscoverybyaDutchman,allotherships, longshunnedthoseshoresaspestiferouslybarbarous; [Link] [Link],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 [Link] 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 [Link]!Nomore! DrivedownyourhatinpresenceoftheCzar,andtakeitoff toQueequeg!Nomore!Iknowamanthat,inhislifetime [Link] morehonorablethanthatgreatcaptainofantiquitywhoboasted oftakingasmanywalledtowns. And,asforme,if,byanypossibility,therebeanyasyetundiscovered primethinginme;ifIshalleverdeserveanyrealreputeinthatsmall buthighhushedworldwhichImightnotbeunreasonablyambitiousof; ifhereafterIshalldoanythingthat,uponthewhole,amanmightrather havedonethantohaveleftundone;if,atmydeath,myexecutors, ormoreproperlymycreditors,[Link], thenhereIprospectivelyascribeallthehonorandtheglorytowhaling; forawhaleshipwasmyYaleCollegeandmyHarvard. CHAPTER25 Postscript Inbehalfofthedignityofwhaling,Iwouldfainadvancenaught [Link], anadvocatewhoshouldwhollysuppressanotunreasonablesurmise, whichmighttelleloquentlyuponhiscausesuchanadvocate, wouldhenotbeblameworthy? Itiswellknownthatatthecoronationofkingsandqueens, evenmodernones,acertaincuriousprocessofseasoningthem [Link] ofstate,socalled,andtheremaybeacasterofstate. Howtheyusethesalt,preciselywhoknows?CertainIam, however,thataking'sheadissolemnlyoiledathiscoronation, [Link],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, [Link],earnestman, andthoughbornonanicycoast,seemedwelladaptedtoendure hotlatitudes,hisfleshbeinghardastwicebakedbiscuit. TransportedtotheIndies,hislivebloodwouldnotspoillike [Link] droughtandfamine,orupononeofthosefastdaysforwhichhis [Link]; thosesummershaddriedupallhisphysicalsuperfluousness. Butthis,histhinness,sotospeak,seemednomorethetoken ofwastinganxietiesandcares,thanitseemedtheindication [Link]. Hewasbynomeansilllooking;quitethecontrary. Hispuretightskinwasanexcellentfit;andcloselywrapped upinit,andembalmedwithinnerhealthandstrength, likearevivifiedEgyptian,thisStarbuckseemedprepared toendureforlongagestocome,andtoendurealways,asnow; forbeitPolarsnowortorridsun,likeapatentchronometer, hisinteriorvitalitywaswarrantedtodowellinallclimates. Lookingintohiseyes,youseemedtoseetheretheyetlingering imagesofthosethousandfoldperilshehadcalmlyconfronted [Link],steadfastman,whoselifeforthemost partwasatellingpantomimeofaction,andnotatamechapter [Link],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 [Link],hethought,perhaps,thatinthisbusiness ofwhaling,couragewasoneofthegreatstapleoutfitsoftheship, likeherbeefandherbread,andnottobefoolishlywasted. Whereforehehadnofancyforloweringforwhalesaftersundown; norforpersistinginfightingafishthattoomuchpersistedin [Link],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 [Link],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 [Link]; andhence,accordingtolocalusage,wascalleda [Link];neithercravennorvaliant; takingperilsastheycamewithanindifferentair;andwhile engagedinthemostimminentcrisisofthechase,toilingaway, calmandcollectedasajourneymanjoinerengagedfortheyear. Goodhumored,easy,andcareless,hepresidedoverhis whaleboatasifthemostdeadlyencounterwerebutadinner, [Link] aboutthecomfortablearrangementsofhispartoftheboat, asanoldstagedriverisaboutthesnugnessofhisbox. Whenclosetothewhale,intheverydeathlockofthefight, hehandledhisunpityinglancecoollyandoffhandedly,asa [Link] tuneswhileflankandflankwiththemostexasperatedmonster. Longusagehad,forthisStubb,convertedthejawsofdeath [Link], [Link], mightbeaquestion;but,ifheeverdidchancetocasthismind thatwayafteracomfortabledinner,nodoubt,likeagoodsailor, hetookittobeasortofcallofthewatchtotumblealoft, andbestirthemselvesthere,aboutsomethingwhichhewould findoutwhenheobeyedtheorder,andnotsooner. What,perhaps,withotherthings,madeStubbsuchaneasygoing, unfearingman,socheerilytrudgingoffwiththeburdenoflifeina worldfullofgravepeddlers,allbowedtothegroundwiththeirpacks; whathelpedtobringaboutthatalmostimpiousgoodhumorofhis; [Link],likehisnose,hisshort, blacklittlepipewasoneoftheregularfeaturesofhisface. Youwouldalmostassoonhaveexpectedhimtoturnoutofhisbunk [Link] therereadyloaded,stuckinarack,withineasyreachofhishand; and,wheneverheturnedin,hesmokedthemalloutinsuccession, lightingonefromtheothertotheendofthechapter;thenloading [Link],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 [Link],unconsciousfearlessnessofhis madehimalittlewaggishinthematterofwhales;hefollowed thesefishforthefunofit;andathreeyears'voyageround CapeHornwasonlyajollyjokethatlastedthatlengthoftime. Asacarpenter'snailsaredividedintowroughtnailsandcutnails; [Link] ofthewroughtones;madetoclinchtightandlastlong. TheycalledhimKingPostonboardofthePequod;because,inform, hecouldbewelllikenedtotheshort,squaretimberknownbythatname inArcticwhalers;andwhichbythemeansofmanyradiatingside timbersinsertedintoit,servestobracetheshipagainsttheicy concussionsofthosebatteringseas. NowthesethreematesStarbuck,StubbandFlask,weremomentousmen. TheyitwaswhobyuniversalprescriptioncommandedthreeofthePequod's [Link] wouldprobablymarshalhisforcestodescendonthewhales,thesethree [Link],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, [Link]. NextwasTashtego,anunmixedIndianfromGayHead,themostwesterly promontoryofMartha'sVineyard,wheretherestillexiststhelast remnantofavillageofredmen,whichhaslongsuppliedtheneighboring islandofNantucketwithmanyofhermostdaringharpooneers. Inthefishery,theyusuallygobythegenericnameof [Link]'slong,lean,sablehair,hishighcheekbones, andblackroundingeyesforanIndian,Orientalintheirlargeness, butAntarcticintheirglitteringexpressionallthissufficiently proclaimedhimaninheritoroftheunvitiatedbloodofthoseproud warriorhunters,who,inquestofthegreatNewEnglandmoose, hadscoured,bowinhand,theaboriginalforestsofthemain. Butnolongersnuffinginthetrailofthewildbeastsofthewoodland, Tashtegonowhuntedinthewakeofthegreatwhalesofthesea; theunerringharpoonofthesonfitlyreplacingtheinfalliblearrow [Link], youwouldalmosthavecreditedthesuperstitionsofsomeoftheearlier PuritansandhalfbelievedthiswildIndiantobeasonofthePrince [Link]'ssquire. ThirdamongtheharpooneerswasDaggoo,agigantic,coalblack negrosavage,withalionliketreadanAhasuerustobehold. Suspendedfromhisearsweretwogoldenhoops,solargethatthesailors calledthemringbolts,andwouldtalkofsecuringthetopsail [Link] 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 [Link],Isay,becauseinallthesecases thenativeAmericanliterallyprovidesthebrains,therest [Link] ofthesewhalingseamenbelongtotheAzores,wheretheoutward boundNantucketwhalersfrequentlytouchtoaugmenttheircrews [Link], theGreenlandwhalerssailingoutofHullorLondon,putinat theShetlandIslands,toreceivethefullcomplementoftheircrew. Uponthepassagehomewards,[Link], thereisnotelling,butIslandersseemtomakethebestwhalemen. TheywerenearlyallIslandersinthePequod,Isolatoestoo, Icallsuch,notacknowledgingthecommoncontinentofmen, buteachIsolatolivingonaseparatecontinentofhisown. Yetnow,federatedalongonekeel,whatasettheseIsolatoeswere! AnAnacharsisClootzdeputationfromalltheislesofthesea, andalltheendsoftheearth,accompanyingOldAhabin thePequodtolaytheworld'sgrievancesbeforethatbarfrom [Link] heneverdidoh,no![Link]! OnthegrimPequod'sforecastle,yeshallerelongseehim, beatinghistambourine;prelusiveoftheeternaltime,whensentfor, tothegreatquarterdeckonhigh,hewasbidstrikeinwithangels, andbeathistambourineinglory;calledacowardhere, hailedaherothere! CHAPTER28 Ahab ForseveraldaysafterleavingNantucket,nothingabovehatches [Link] atthewatches,andforaughtthatcouldbeseentothecontrary, theyseemedtobetheonlycommandersoftheship;onlythey sometimesissuedfromthecabinwithorderssosuddenandperemptory, thatafterallitwasplaintheybutcommandedvicariously. Yes,theirsupremelordanddictatorwasthere,thoughhitherto unseenbyanyeyesnotpermittedtopenetrateintothenowsacred retreatofthecabin.

EverytimeIascendedtothedeckfrommywatchesbelow, Iinstantlygazedafttomarkifanystrangefacewerevisible; formyfirstvaguedisquietudetouchingtheunknowncaptain, nowintheseclusionoftheseabecamealmostaperturbation. ThiswasstrangelyheightenedattimesbytheraggedElijah's diabolicalincoherencesuninvitedlyrecurringtome, withasubtleenergyIcouldnothavebeforeconceivedof. ButpoorlycouldIwithstandthem,muchasinothermoods Iwasalmostreadytosmileatthesolemnwhimsicalities [Link] 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, [Link],itbeingChristmaswhentheshipshot fromoutherharbor,foraspacewehadbitingPolarweather, thoughallthetimerunningawayfromittothesouthward; andbyeverydegreeandminuteoflatitudewhichwesailed, graduallyleavingthatmercilesswinter,andallitsintolerable [Link], butstillgreyandgloomyenoughmorningsofthetransition, whenwithafairwindtheshipwasrushingthroughthewater withavindictivesortofleapingandmelancholyrapidity, thatasImountedtothedeckatthecalloftheforenoonwatch, sosoonasIlevelledmyglancetowardsthetaffrail, [Link]; CaptainAhabstooduponhisquarterdeck. Thereseemednosignofcommonbodilyillnessabouthim, [Link] fromthestake,whenthefirehasoverrunninglywastedall thelimbswithoutconsumingthem,ortakingawayoneparticle [Link],broadform, seemedmadeofsolidbronze,andshapedinanunalterablemould,

likeCellini'[Link] 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 [Link],thiswildhintseemedinferentiallynegatived, bywhatagreyManxmaninsinuated,anoldsepulchralman, who,havingneverbeforesailedoutofNantucket,hadnever [Link],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 [Link]'em." Iwasstruckwiththesingularposturehemaintained. UponeachsideofthePequod'squarterdeck,andprettyclose tothemizzenshrouds,therewasanaugerhole,boredabouthalf aninchorso,[Link]; onearmelevated,andholdingbyashroud;CaptainAhabstooderect, lookingstraightoutbeyondtheship'severpitchingprow. Therewasaninfinityoffirmestfortitude,adeterminate,

unsurrenderablewilfulness,inthefixedandfearless, [Link]; nordidhisofficerssayaughttohim;thoughbyalltheir minutestgesturesandexpressions,theyplainlyshowedtheuneasy, ifnotpainful,consciousnessofbeingunderatroubled [Link],butmoodystrickenAhabstood beforethemwithacrucifixioninhisface;inallthenameless regaloverbearingdignityofsomemightywoe. Erelong,fromhisfirstvisitintheair,hewithdrewintohiscabin. Butafterthatmorning,hewaseverydayvisibletothecrew; eitherstandinginhispivothole,orseateduponanivorystoolhehad; [Link];indeed,began togrowalittlegenial,hebecamestilllessandlessarecluse; asif,whentheshiphadsailedfromhome,nothingbutthedeadwintry [Link],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 [Link],clear,ringingperfumed,overflowing, redundantdays,wereascrystalgobletsofPersiansherbet,heapedup flakedup,[Link] haughtydamesinjewelledvelvets,nursingathomeinlonelypride, thememoryoftheirabsentconqueringEarls,thegoldenhelmetedsuns! Forsleepingman,'twashardtochoosebetweensuchwinsomedaysand [Link] didnotmerelylendnewspellsandpotenciestotheoutwardworld. Inwardtheyturneduponthesoul,especiallywhenthestillmild hoursofevecameon;then,memoryshothercrystalsastheclearice [Link], 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,[Link]!Stubb,thoudidstnotknowAhabthen.

 "AmIacannonball,Stubb,"saidAhab,"thatthouwouldst wadmethatfashion?Butgothyways;Ihadforgot. Belowtothynightlygrave;wheresuchasyesleepbetweenshrouds, [Link],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'[Link],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 [Link] bednow,either,morethanthreehoursoutofthetwentyfour; andhedon'[Link]'tthatDoughBoy,thesteward, tellmethatofamorninghealwaysfindstheoldman'shammock clothesallrumpledandtumbled,andthesheetsdownatthefoot, andthecoverlidalmosttiedintoknots,andthepillowasort offrightfulhot,asthoughabakedbrickhadbeenonit? Ahotoldman!Iguesshe'sgotwhatsomefolksashore callaconscience;it'sakindofTicDollyrowtheysay [Link],well;Idon'tknowwhatitis, [Link]'sfullofriddles; Iwonderwhathegoesintotheafterholdfor,everynight, asDoughBoytellsmehesuspects;what'sthatfor,Ishould

liketoknow?Who'smadeappointmentswithhiminthehold? Ain'tthatqueer,now?Butthere'snotelling,it'stheoldgame [Link],it'sworthafellow's whiletobebornintotheworld,ifonlytofallrightasleep. AndnowthatIthinkofit,that'saboutthefirstthing babiesdo,andthat'sasortofqueer,[Link], butallthingsarequeer,cometothinkof'[Link]'s [Link],ismyeleventhcommandment; andsleepwhenyoucan,ismytwelfthSoheregoesagain. Buthow'sthat?didn'thecallmeadog?blazes!hecalledmeten timesadonkey,andpiledalotofjackassesontopofthat! Hemightaswellhavekickedme,anddonewithit. Maybehedidkickme,andIdidn'tobserveit,Iwassotakenall abackwithhisbrow,[Link]. 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" [Link] inthewaves;thesameinstanttheshipshotbythebubble [Link],Ahablurchingly pacedtheplanks. CHAPTER31 QueenMab NextmorningStubbaccostedFlask. "Suchaqueerdream,KingPost,[Link]'s ivoryleg,wellIdreamedhekickedmewithit;andwhenItried tokickback,uponmysoul,mylittleman,Ikickedmylegrightoff! Andthen,presto!Ahabseemedapyramid,andIlikeablazingfool, [Link],Flaskyouknow howcuriousalldreamsarethroughallthisragethatIwasin, Isomehowseemedtobethinkingtomyself,thatafterall, itwasnotmuchofaninsult,thatkickfromAhab.'Why,'thinksI, 'what'stherow?It'snotarealleg,onlyafalseone.' Andthere'samightydifferencebetweenalivingthumpandadeadthump. That'swhatmakesablowfromthehand,Flask,fiftytimes [Link] thatmakesthelivinginsult,[Link] allthewhile,mind,whileIwasstubbingmysillytoesagainst thatcursedpyramidsoconfoundedlycontradictorywasitall, allthewhile,Isay,Iwasthinkingtomyself,'what'shislegnow, [Link],'thinksI,'itwasonly aplayfulcudgellinginfact,onlyawhaleboningthathegaveme [Link],'thinksI,'lookatitonce;why,theend ofitthefootpartwhatasmallsortofenditis;whereas,ifa broadfootedfarmerkickedme,there'sadevilishbroadinsult. Butthisinsultiswhittleddowntoapointonly.'Butnowcomes thegreatestjokeofthedream,[Link]

atthepyramid,asortofbadgerhairedoldmerman,withahump onhisback,takesmebytheshoulders,andslewsmeround. 'Whatareyou'bout?'[Link]!man,butIwasfrightened. Suchaphiz!But,somehow,nextmomentIwasoverthefright. 'WhatamIabout?'saysIatlast.'Andwhatbusinessisthatofyours, Ishouldliketoknow,[Link]?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,[Link]'sanhonor; [Link],[Link] thegreatestlordsthinkitgreatglorytobeslappedbyaqueen, andmadegarterknightsof;but,beyourboast,Stubb,thatyewere kickedbyoldAhab,[Link]; bekickedbyhim;accounthiskickshonors;andonnoaccountkickback; foryoucan'thelpyourself,[Link]'tyouseethatpyramid?' Withthat,heallofasuddenseemedsomehow,insomequeerfashion, [Link];rolledover;andthereIwas inmyhammock!Now,whatdoyouthinkofthatdream,Flask?" "Idon'tknow;itseemsasortoffoolishtome,tho.'" "Maybe;[Link]'smadeawisemanofme,Flask.D'yeseeAhab standingthere,sidewayslookingoverthestern?Well,thebestthing youcando,Flask,istolettheoldmanalone;neverspeaktohim, [Link]!What'sthatheshouts?Hark!" "Masthead,there!Looksharp,allofye!Therearewhaleshereabouts! Ifyeseeawhiteone,splityourlungsforhim! "Whatdoyouthinkofthatnow,Flask?ain'tthereasmall

dropofsomethingqueeraboutthat,eh?Awhitewhaledidye markthat,man?Lookyethere'ssomethingspecialinthewind. Standbyforit,[Link]'sbloodyonhismind. But,mum;hecomesthisway." CHAPTER32 Cetology Alreadyweareboldlylauncheduponthedeep;butsoonwe shallbelostinitsunshoredharborlessimmensities. Erethatcometopass;erethePequod'sweedyhullrolls sidebysidewiththebarnacledhullsoftheleviathan; attheoutsetitisbutwelltoattendtoamatteralmost indispensabletoathoroughappreciativeunderstandingofthemore specialleviathanicrevelationsandallusionsofallsorts whicharetofollow. Itissomesystematizedexhibitionofthewhaleinhisbroadgenera, [Link]. Theclassificationoftheconstituentsofachaos,nothingless [Link] 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, [Link],thoughofreal knowledgetherebelittle,yetofbooksthereareaplenty; andsoinsomesmalldegree,withcetology,orthescienceofwhales. Manyarethemen,smallandgreat,oldandnew,landsmenandseamen, whohaveatlargeorinlittle,[Link]:

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;[Link]; theAuthorofMiriamCoffin;Olmstead;[Link] whatultimategeneralizingpurposeallthesehavewritten,theabove citedextractswillshow. OfthenamesinthislistofwhaleauthorsonlythosefollowingOwenever sawlivingwhales;andbutoneofthemwasarealprofessionalharpooneer [Link] oftheGreenlandorrightwhale,heisthebestexistingauthority. ButScoresbyknewnothingandsaysnothingofthegreatspermwhale, comparedwithwhichtheGreenlandwhaleisalmostunworthymentioning. Andherebeitsaid,thattheGreenlandwhaleisanusurperupon [Link] [Link],owingtothelongpriorityofhisclaims, andtheprofoundignorancewhichtillsomeseventyyearsback, investedthethenfabulousandutterlyunknownspermwhale,andwhich ignorancetothispresentdaystillreignsinallbutsomefewscientific retreatsandwhaleports;thisusurpationhasbeeneverywaycomplete. Referencetonearlyalltheleviathanicallusionsinthegreat poetsofpastdays,willsatisfyyouthattheGreenlandwhale, withoutonerival,[Link] [Link]; hearye!goodpeopleall,theGreenlandwhaleisdeposed, thegreatspermwhalenowreigneth! Thereareonlytwobooksinbeingwhichatallpretendtoputtheliving spermwhalebeforeyou,andatthesametime,intheremotestdegree [Link]'sandBennett's; bothintheirtimesurgeonstotheEnglishSouthSeawhaleships, [Link] thespermwhaletobefoundintheirvolumesisnecessarilysmall; butsofarasitgoes,itisofexcellentquality,thoughmostly [Link],however,thespermwhale, scientificorpoetic,livesnotcompleteinanyliterature. Faraboveallotherhuntedwhales,hisisanunwrittenlife. Nowthevariousspeciesofwhalesneedsomesortofpopular comprehensiveclassification,ifonlyaneasyoutlineonefor thepresent,hereaftertobefilledinalloutwarditsdepartments [Link] thismatterinhand,Ihereuponoffermyownpoorendeavors. Ipromisenothingcomplete;becauseanyhumanthingsupposed tobecompletemustforthatveryreasoninfalliblybefaulty.

Ishallnotpretendtoaminuteanatomicaldescription ofthevariousspecies,orinthisspaceatleast [Link] toprojectthedraughtofasystematizationofcetology. Iamthearchitect,notthebuilder. Butitisaponderoustask;noordinarylettersorterinthePostOffice [Link]; tohaveone'shandsamongtheunspeakablefoundations,ribs, andverypelvisoftheworld;thisisafearfulthing. WhatamIthatIshouldessaytohookthenoseofthisleviathan! TheawfultauntingsinJobmightwellappalme."Willhe(theleviathan) makeacovenantwiththee?Beholdthehopeofhimisvain! ButIhaveswamthroughlibrariesandsailedthroughoceans; Ihavehadtodowithwhaleswiththesevisiblehands;Iaminearnest; [Link]. First:Theuncertain,unsettledconditionofthisscience ofCetologyisintheveryvestibuleattestedbythefact, thatinsomequartersitstillremainsamootpointwhether [Link],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 [Link],Linnaeushasgiven [Link]:lungsandwarmblood; whereas,allotherfisharelunglessandcoldblooded. Next:howshallwedefinethewhale,byhisobviousexternals, soasconspicuouslytolabelhimforalltimetocome.

Tobeshort,then,awhaleisaspoutingfishwithahorizontaltail. [Link],thatdefinitionistheresult [Link], butthewalrusisnotafish,becauseheisamphibious. Butthelasttermofthedefinitionisstillmorecogent, [Link] thatallthefishfamiliartolandsmenhavenotaflat, butavertical,[Link],amongspoutingfish thetail,thoughitmaybesimilarlyshaped,invariablyassumes ahorizontalposition. Bytheabovedefinitionofwhatawhaleis,Idobynomeansexclude fromtheleviathanicbrotherhoodanyseacreaturehithertoidentified withthewhalebythebestinformedNantucketers;nor,ontheotherhand, linkwithitanyfishhithertoauthoritativelyregardedasalien.*Hence, allthesmaller,spoutingandhorizontaltailedfishmustbeincluded [Link],then,comethegranddivisions oftheentirewhalehost. *Iamawarethatdowntothepresenttime,thefishstyled LamatinsandDugongs(PigfishandSowfishoftheCoffins ofNantucket)areincludedbymanynaturalistsamongthewhales. Butasthesepigfishareanoisy,contemptibleset, mostlylurkinginthemouthsofrivers,andfeedingonwethay, andespeciallyastheydonotspout,Idenytheircredentials aswhales;andhavepresentedthemwiththeirpassportstoquit theKingdomofCetology. First:AccordingtomagnitudeIdividethewhalesintothreeprimaryBOOKS (subdivisibleintoCHAPTERS),andtheseshallcomprehendthemall, bothsmallandlarge. [Link];[Link];[Link]. AsthetypeoftheFOLIOIpresenttheSpermWhale;oftheOCTAVO, theGrampus;oftheDUODECIMO,thePorpoise. [Link]: [Link];[Link];[Link];IV. theHumpbackedWhale;[Link];VI. theSulphurBottomWhale. BOOKI.(Folio),CHAPTERI.(SpermWhale).Thiswhale, amongtheEnglishofoldvaguelyknownastheTrumpawhaleand

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

 SomepretendtoseeadifferencebetweentheGreenlandwhale [Link] preciselyagreeinalltheirgrandfeatures;norhasthereyet beenpresentedasingledeterminatefactuponwhichtoground [Link] uponthemostinconclusivedifferences,thatsomedepartments ofnaturalhistorybecomesorepellinglyintricate. Therightwhalewillbeelsewheretreatedofatsomelength, withreferencetoelucidatingthespermwhale. BOOKI.(Folio),CHAPTERIII.(FinBack).UnderthisheadIreckon amonsterwhich,bythevariousnamesofFinBack,TallSpout, andLongJohn,hasbeenseenalmostineveryseaandiscommonly thewhalewhosedistantjetissooftendescriedbypassengers crossingtheAtlantic,[Link] thelengthheattains,andinhisbaleen,theFinback resemblestherightwhale,butisofalessportlygirth, andalightercolor,[Link] acablelikeaspect,formedbytheintertwisting,slantingfolds [Link],thefin, fromwhichhederiveshisname,isoftenaconspicuousobject. Thisfinissomethreeorfourfeetlong,growingvertically fromthehinderpartoftheback,ofanangularshape, [Link] otherpartofthecreaturebevisible,thisisolatedfinwill, attimes,beseenplainlyprojectingfromthesurface. Whentheseaismoderatelycalm,andslightlymarkedwith sphericalripples,andthisgnomonlikefinstandsupandcasts shadowsuponthewrinkledsurface,itmaywellbesupposed thatthewaterycirclesurroundingitsomewhatresemblesadial, [Link] [Link]. Heseemsawhalehater,[Link]; 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,[Link]? Thebaleen,hump,backfin,andteeth;thesearethingswhose peculiaritiesareindiscriminatelydispersedamongallsortsofwhales, withoutanyregardtowhatmaybethenatureoftheirstructure [Link],thespermwhaleand thehumpbackedwhale,eachhasahump;buttherethesimilitudeceases. ThenthissamehumpbackedwhaleandtheGreenlandwhale, eachofthesehasbaleen;butthereagainthesimilitudeceases. Anditisjustthesamewiththeotherpartsabovementioned. Invarioussortsofwhales,theyformsuchirregularcombinations; or,inthecaseofanyoneofthemdetached,suchanirregularisolation; asutterlytodefyallgeneralmethodizationformeduponsuchabasis. Onthisrockeveryoneofthewhalenaturalistshassplit. Butitmaypossiblybeconceivedthat,intheinternalparts ofthewhale,inhisanatomythere,atleast,weshall [Link];whatthing, forexample,isthereintheGreenlandwhale'sanatomymore strikingthanhisbaleen?Yetwehaveseenthatbyhisbaleen itisimpossiblecorrectlytoclassifytheGreenlandwhale. Andifyoudescendintothebowelsofthevariousleviathans, whythereyouwillnotfinddistinctionsafiftiethpartasavailable tothesystematizerasthoseexternalonesalreadyenumerated. Whatthenremains?nothingbuttotakeholdofthewhalesbodily, intheirentireliberalvolume,andboldlysortthemthatway. AndthisistheBibliographicalsystemhereadopted; anditistheonlyonethatcanpossiblysucceed,foritalone [Link]. BOOKI.(Folio)CHAPTERIV.(HumpBack).Thiswhaleisoftenseen [Link], [Link]; [Link], thepopularnameforhimdoesnotsufficientlydistinguishhim,

sincethespermwhalealsohasahumpthoughasmallerone. [Link] andlightheartedofallthewhales,makingmoregayfoamandwhite watergenerallythananyotherofthem. BOOKI.(Folio),CHAPTERV.(RazorBack).Ofthiswhale [Link] [Link],heeludesbothhunters [Link],hehasneveryetshownany partofhimbuthisback,whichrisesinalongsharpridge. [Link],nordoesanybodyelse. BOOKI.(Folio),CHAPTERVI.(SulphurBottom).Anotherretiring gentleman,withabrimstonebelly,doubtlessgotbyscrapingalong [Link]; atleastIhaveneverseenhimexceptintheremotersouthernseas, andthenalwaysattoogreatadistancetostudyhiscountenance. Heisneverchased;hewouldrunawaywithropewalksofline. [Link],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, [Link], socalledbecauseblacknessistheruleamongalmost [Link],callhimtheHyenaWhale,ifyouplease. Hisvoracityiswellknownandfromthecircumstance thattheinneranglesofhislipsarecurvedupwards, hecarriesaneverlastingMephistopheleangrinonhisface. Thiswhaleaveragessomesixteenoreighteenfeetinlength. [Link] ofshowinghisdorsalhookedfininswimming,whichlooks [Link], 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 [Link], [Link] oftheswordfishandbillfish;thoughsomesailorstellmethat theNarwhaleemploysitforarakeinturningoverthebottomof [Link]; fortheNarwhale,risingtothesurfaceofthePolarSea,andfinding itsheetedwithice,thrustshishornup,andsobreaksthrough. Butyoucannotproveeitherofthesesurmisestobecorrect. Myownopinionis,thathoweverthisonesidedhornmayreally beusedbytheNarwhalehoweverthatmaybeitwouldcertainly beveryconvenienttohimforafolderinreadingpamphlets. TheNarwhaleIhaveheardcalledtheTuskedwhale,theHornedwhale, [Link] 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, [Link]. BOOKII.(Octavo),CHAPTERIV.(Killer).Ofthiswhale littleispreciselyknowntotheNantucketer,andnothing [Link] ofhimatadistance,Ishouldsaythathewasaboutthebigness [Link]. HesometimestakesthegreatFoliowhalesbythelip,andhangs therelikealeech,tillthemightybruteisworriedtodeath. [Link]. Exceptionmightbetakentothenamebestoweduponthiswhale, [Link], onlandandonsea;BonapartesandSharksincluded. BOOKII.(Octavo),CHAPTERV.(Thrasher).Thisgentlemanisfamousfor [Link] Foliowhale'sback,andasheswims,heworkshispassagebyflogginghim; assomeschoolmastersgetalongintheworldbyasimilarprocess. [Link], eveninthelawlessseas. ThusendsBOOKII.(Octavo),andbeginsBOOKIII,(Duodecimo.) [Link]. [Link]. Tothosewhohavenotchancedspeciallytostudythesubject,

itmaypossiblyseemstrange,thatfishesnotcommonlyexceeding fourorfivefeetshouldbemarshalledamongWHALESaword, which,inthepopularsense,alwaysconveysanideaofhugeness. ButthecreaturessetdownaboveasDuodecimoesareinfalliblywhales, [Link], withahorizontaltail. BOOKIII.(Duodecimo),CHAPTER1.(HuzzaPorpoise).Thisis [Link] ofmyownbestowal;fortherearemorethanonesortofporpoises, [Link], becausehealwaysswimsinhilariousshoals,whichuponthebroadsea keeptossingthemselvestoheavenlikecapsinaFourthofJulycrowd. Theirappearanceisgenerallyhailedwithdelightbythemariner. Fulloffinespirits,theyinvariablycomefromthebreezybillows [Link]. [Link] threecheersatbeholdingthesevivaciousfish,thenheavenhelpye; [Link],plump HuzzaPorpoisewillyieldyouonegoodgallonofgoodoil. Butthefineanddelicatefluidextractedfromhisjawsis [Link]. [Link],youknow. Itmayneverhaveoccurredtoyouthataporpoisespouts. Indeed,hisspoutissosmallthatitisnotveryreadilydiscernible. Butthenexttimeyouhaveachance,watchhim;andyouwillthen seethegreatSpermwhalehimselfinminiature. BOOKIII.(Duodecimo),CHAPTERII.(AlgerinePorpoise).Apirate. [Link],Ithink,[Link] largerthantheHuzzaPorpoise,butmuchofthesamegeneralmake. Provokehim,[Link] manytimes,butneveryetsawhimcaptured. BOOKIII.(Duodecimo),CHAPTERIII.(MealymouthedPorpoise).The largestkindofPorpoise;andonlyfoundinthePacific,sofar [Link],bywhichhehashitherto beendesignated,isthatofthefisherRightWhalePorpoise, fromthecircumstancethatheischieflyfoundinthevicinityof [Link],hediffersinsomedegreefromtheHuzzaPorpoise, beingofalessrotundandjollygirth;indeed,heisofquite [Link] (mostotherporpoiseshave),hehasalovelytail,andsentimental [Link]. Thoughhisentirebackdowntohissidefinsisofadeepsable, yetaboundaryline,distinctasthemarkinaship'shull,

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

 Concerningtheofficersofthewhalecraft,thisseemsasgoodaplace asanytosetdownalittledomesticpeculiarityonshipboard, arisingfromtheexistenceoftheharpooneerclassofofficers, aclassunknownofcourseinanyothermarinethanthewhalefleet. Thelargeimportanceattachedtotheharpooneer'svocationis evincedbythefact,thatoriginallyintheoldDutchFishery, twocenturiesandmoreago,thecommandofawhaleshipwasnot whollylodgedinthepersonnowcalledthecaptain,butwasdivided [Link] wordmeansFatCutter;usage,however,intimemadeitequivalent [Link],thecaptain'sauthoritywas restrictedtothenavigationandgeneralmanagementofthevessel; whileoverthewhalehuntingdepartmentandallitsconcerns, theSpecksynderorChiefHarpooneerreignedsupreme. IntheBritishGreenlandFishery,underthecorruptedtitle ofSpecksioneer,thisoldDutchofficialisstillretained, [Link] asseniorHarpooneer;andassuch,isbutoneofthecaptain's [Link],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 [Link] 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 [Link],Ahab!whatshallbegrandinthee, itmustneedsbepluckedatfromtheskies,anddivedforinthedeep, andfeaturedintheunbodiedair! CHAPTER34 TheCabinTable Itisnoon;andDoughBoy,thesteward,thrustinghispaleloafofbread facefromthecabinscuttle,announcesdinnertohislordandmasterwho, sittingintheleequarterboat,hasjustbeentakinganobservation ofthesun;andisnowmutelyreckoningthelatitudeonthesmooth, medallionshapedtablet,reservedforthatdailypurposeontheupper [Link], [Link], catchingholdofthemizenshrouds,heswingshimselftothedeck, andinaneven,unexhilaratedvoice,saying,"Dinner,[Link]," disappearsintothecabin. Whenthelastechoofhissultan'sstephasdiedaway,andStarbuck, thefirstEmir,haseveryreasontosupposethatheisseated, thenStarbuckrousesfromhisquietude,takesafewturnsalong theplanks,and,afteragravepeepintothebinnacle,says,withsome touchofpleasantness,"Dinner,[Link],"anddescendsthescuttle. ThesecondEmirloungesabouttheriggingawhile,andthenslightly shakingthemainbrace,toseewhetheritwillbeallrightwiththat importantrope,helikewisetakesuptheoldburden,andwitharapid "Dinner,[Link],"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, [Link]?Aproblem? [Link],KingofBabylon; andtohavebeenBelshazzar,nothaughtilybutcourteously, thereincertainlymusthavebeensometouchofmundanegrandeur. Buthewhointherightlyregalandintelligentspiritpresides overhisownprivatedinnertableofinvitedguests,thatman's unchallengedpoweranddominionofindividualinfluenceforthetime; thatman'sroyaltyofstatetranscendsBelshazzar's,forBelshazzar [Link],hastasted [Link] [Link],iftothisconsideration yousuperaddtheofficialsupremacyofashipmaster,then, byinference,youwillderivethecauseofthatpeculiarity ofsealifejustmentioned. Overhisivoryinlaidtable,Ahabpresidedlikeamute,manedsealion onthewhitecoralbeach,surroundedbyhiswarlikebutstill [Link],eachofficerwaited [Link];andyet, inAhab,thereseemednottolurkthesmallestsocialarrogance. Withonemind,theirintenteyesallfastenedupontheoldman'sknife, [Link] worldtheywouldhaveprofanedthatmomentwiththeslightestobservation, [Link]!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 [Link],hewas theyoungestson,andlittleboyofthiswearyfamilyparty. Hisweretheshinbonesofthesalinebeef;hiswouldhavebeen [Link], thismusthaveseemedtohimtantamounttolarcenyinthefirstdegree. Hadhehelpedhimselfatthattable,doubtless,nevermorewould hehavebeenabletoholdhisheadupinthishonestworld; nevertheless,strangetosay,[Link] helpedhimself,thechanceswereAhabhadneversomuchasnoticedit. Leastofall,didFlaskpresumetohelphimselftobutter. Whetherhethoughttheownersoftheshipdeniedittohim, onaccountofitsclottinghisclear,sunnycomplexion;orwhether hedeemedthat,onsolongavoyageinsuchmarketlesswaters, butterwasatapremium,andthereforewasnotforhim,asubaltern; howeveritwas,Flask,alas!wasabutterlessman! [Link], [Link]!ForherebyFlask's [Link] bothhadthestartofhim;andyettheyalsohavetheprivilege [Link],whoisbutapeghigher thanFlask,happenstohavebutasmallappetite,andsoonshows symptomsofconcludinghisrepast,thenFlaskmustbestirhimself, hewillnotgetmorethanthreemouthfulsthatday;forit isagainstholyusageforStubbtoprecedeFlasktothedeck. ThereforeitwasthatFlaskonceadmittedinprivate, thateversincehehadarisentothedignityofanofficer, fromthatmomenthehadneverknownwhatitwastobeotherwise thanhungry,[Link] hishunger,[Link], 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'[Link],takingplace ininvertedordertotheirarrival,thecanvasclothwascleared, orratherwasrestoredtosomehurriedorderbythepallidsteward.

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

nostrilssnuffedinthesublimelifeoftheworlds. Notbybeeforbybread,aregiantsmadeornourished. ButQueequeg,hehadamortal,barbaricsmackofthelipineating anuglysoundenoughsomuchso,thatthetremblingDoughBoy almostlookedtoseewhetheranymarksofteethlurkedinhis [Link] forhimtoproducehimself,thathisbonesmightbepicked, thesimplewittedStewardallbutshatteredthecrockeryhanging roundhiminthepantry,byhissuddenfitsofthepalsy. Nordidthewhetstonewhichtheharpooneerscarriedintheirpockets, fortheirlancesandotherweapons;andwithwhichwhetstones, atdinner,theywouldostentatiouslysharpentheirknives; thatgratingsounddidnotatalltendtotranquillizepoor [Link],Queequeg, forone,mustcertainlyhavebeenguiltyofsomemurderous, [Link]!DoughBoy!hardfaresthewhitewaiter [Link], [Link],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,[Link] inthecensusofChristendom,hewasstillanalientoit. Helivedintheworld,asthelastoftheGrislyBearslived [Link], thatwildLoganofthewoods,buryinghimselfinthehollowofatree, livedoutthewinterthere,suckinghisownpaws;so,inhisinclement, howlingoldage,Ahab'ssoul,shutupinthecavedtrunkofhisbody, therefeduponthesullenpawsofitsgloom!

 CHAPTER35 TheMastHead Itwasduringthemorepleasantweather,thatinduerotation withtheotherseamenmyfirstmastheadcameround. InmostAmericanwhalementhemastheadsaremanned almostsimultaneouslywiththevessel'sleavingherport; eventhoughshemayhavefifteenthousandmiles,andmore, [Link], 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 [Link] 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 [Link]; who,uponthetopofthecolumnofVendomestandswitharmsfolded, someonehundredandfiftyfeetintheair;careless,now,whorules thedecksbelow,whetherLouisPhilippe,LouisBlanc,orLouis [Link],too,standshighaloftonhistowering mainmastinBaltimore,andlikeoneofHercules'pillars,hiscolumn marksthatpointofhumangrandeurbeyondwhichfewmortalswillgo. AdmiralNelson,also,onacapstanofgunmetal,standshis mastheadinTrafalgarSquare;andevenwhenmostobscuredbythat Londonsmoke,tokenisyetgiventhatahiddenheroisthere; forwherethereissmoke,[Link], norNapoleon,norNelson,willanswerasinglehailfrombelow, howevermadlyinvokedtobefriendbytheircounselsthedistracted decksuponwhichtheygaze;howeveritmaybesurmised, thattheirspiritspenetratethroughthethickhazeofthefuture, anddescrywhatshoalsandwhatrocksmustbeshunned. Itmayseemunwarrantabletocoupleinanyrespectthemastheadstanders ofthelandwiththoseofthesea;butthatintruthitisnotso, isplainlyevincedbyanitemforwhichObedMacy,thesolehistorian ofNantucket,[Link],thatin theearlytimesofthewhalefishery,ereshipswereregularlylaunchedin pursuitofthegame,thepeopleofthatislanderectedloftysparsalong theseacoast,towhichthelookoutsascendedbymeansofnailedcleats, [Link] planwasadoptedbytheBaywhalemenofNewZealand,who,upondescrying thegame,gavenoticetothereadymannedboatsnighthebeach. Butthiscustomhasnowbecomeobsolete;turnwethentotheoneproper masthead,[Link] mannedfromsunrisetosunset;theseamentakingtheirregularturns (asatthehelm),andrelievingeachothereverytwohours. Inthesereneweatherofthetropicsitisexceedinglypleasant themasthead:nay,toadreamymeditativemanitisdelightful. Thereyoustand,ahundredfeetabovethesilentdecks,stridingalong thedeep,asifthemastsweregiganticstilts,whilebeneathyou andbetweenyourlegs,asitwere,swimthehugestmonstersofthesea, evenasshipsoncesailedbetweenthebootsofthefamousColossusat [Link],lostintheinfiniteseriesofthesea, [Link]; 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'[Link], incoldweatheryoumaycarryyourhousealoftwithyou, intheshapeofawatchcoat;butproperlyspeakingthethickest watchcoatisnomoreofahousethantheuncladbody; forasthesoulisgluedinsideofitsfleshytabernacle, andcannotfreelymoveaboutinit,norevenmoveoutofit, withoutrunninggreatriskofperishing(likeanignorantpilgrim crossingthesnowyAlpsinwinter);soawatchcoatisnotsomuch ofahouseasitisamereenvelope,oradditionalskinencasingyou. Youcannotputashelforchestofdrawersinyourbody, andnomorecanyoumakeaconvenienceclosetofyourwatchcoat. Concerningallthis,itismuchtobedeploredthatthemastheads ofasouthernwhaleshipareunprovidedwiththoseenviablelittle tentsorpulpits,calledcrow'snests,inwhichthelookouts ofaGreenlandwhalerareprotectedfromtheinclementweather [Link], entitled"AVoyageamongtheIcebergs,inquestoftheGreenlandWhale, andincidentallyfortherediscoveryoftheLostIcelandicColonies ofOldGreenland;"inthisadmirablevolume,allstanders ofmastheadsarefurnishedwithacharminglycircumstantial accountofthethenrecentlyinventedcrow'snestoftheGlacier, whichwasthenameofCaptainSleet'sgoodcraft. HecalledittheSleet'scrow'snest,inhonorofhimself; hebeingtheoriginalinventorandpatentee,andfreefromall ridiculousfalsedelicacy,andholdingthatifwecallourown childrenafterourownnames(wefathersbeingtheoriginal

inventorsandpatentees),solikewiseshouldwedenominate [Link], theSleet'scrow'snestissomethinglikealargetierceorpipe; itisopenabove,however,whereitisfurnishedwithamovable sidescreentokeeptowindwardofyourheadinahardgale. Beingfixedonthesummitofthemast,youascendintoit [Link], 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, [Link],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 [Link] revolvinginme,howcouldIbeingleftcompletelytomyself atsuchathoughtengenderingaltitudehowcouldIbutlightly holdmyobligationstoobserveallwhaleships'standingorders, "Keepyourweathereyeopen,andsingouteverytime." Andletmeinthisplacemovinglyadmonishyou,yeshipowners ofNantucket!Bewareofenlistinginyourvigilantfisheriesanylad withleanbrowandholloweye;giventounseasonablemeditativeness; andwhoofferstoshipwiththePhaedoninsteadofBowditchinhishead. Bewareofsuchanone,Isay:yourwhalesmustbeseenbeforetheycan bekilled;andthissunkeneyedyoungPlatonistwilltowyoutenwakes roundtheworld,andnevermakeyouonepintofspermthericher. [Link],thewhalefishery furnishesanasylumformanyromantic,melancholy,andabsentminded youngmen,disgustedwiththecorkingcareofearth,andseeking [Link] himselfuponthemastheadofsomelucklessdisappointedwhaleship, andinmoodyphraseejaculates: "Rollon,thoudeepanddarkblueocean,roll! Tenthousandblubberhunterssweepovertheeinvain." Veryoftendothecaptainsofsuchshipstakethoseabsentmindedyoung philosopherstotask,upbraidingthemwithnotfeelingsufficient "interest"inthevoyage;halfhintingthattheyaresohopelessly losttoallhonorableambition,asthatintheirsecretsoulsthey [Link]; thoseyoungPlatonistshaveanotionthattheirvisionisimperfect; theyareshortsighted;whatuse,then,tostrainthevisualnerve? Theyhavelefttheiroperaglassesathome. "Why,thoumonkey,"saidaharpooneertooneoftheselads, "we'vebeencruisingnowharduponthreeyears,andthouhast [Link]'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,[Link] thissleep,thisdreamisonye,moveyourfootorhandaninch; slipyourholdatall;andyouridentitycomesbackinhorror. [Link],atmidday, inthefairestweather,withonehalfthrottledshriekyoudropthrough thattransparentairintothesummersea,nomoretoriseforever. Heeditwell,yePantheists! CHAPTER36 TheQuarterDeck (EnterAhab:Then,all) Itwasnotagreatwhileaftertheaffairofthepipe, thatonemorningshortlyafterbreakfast,Ahab,aswashiswont, [Link] 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. [Link] 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. [Link],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 [Link]!d'yeseethisSpanishounceofgold?"holdingup abroadbrightcointothesun"itisasixteendollarpiece,men. D'yeseeit?[Link],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: "[Link],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 [Link], men!tochasethatwhitewhaleonbothsidesofland,andoverall

sidesofearth,tillhespoutsblackbloodandrollsfinout. Whatsayye,men,willyesplicehandsonit,now?Ithinkye dolookbrave." "Aye,aye!"shoutedtheharpooneersandseamen,runningcloser totheexcitedoldman:"AsharpeyefortheWhiteWhale; asharplanceforMobyDick!" "Godblessye,"heseemedtohalfsobandhalfshout. "Godblessye,[Link]!godrawthegreatmeasureofgrog. Butwhat'sthislongfaceabout,[Link];wiltthounot chasethewhitewhale!artnotgameforMobyDick?" "Iamgameforhiscrookedjaw,andforthejawsofDeathtoo, CaptainAhab,ifitfairlycomesinthewayofthebusinesswefollow; butIcameheretohuntwhales,notmycommander'svengeance. Howmanybarrelswillthyvengeanceyieldtheeevenifthougettestit, CaptainAhab?itwillnotfetchtheemuchinourNantucketmarket." "Nantucketmarket!Hoot!Butcomecloser,Starbuck; [Link]'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." "[Link],man, [Link], theundoubteddeedthere,someunknownbutstillreasoning thingputsforththemouldingsofitsfeaturesfrombehind [Link],strikethroughthemask! Howcantheprisonerreachoutsideexceptbythrustingthroughthewall? Tome,thewhitewhaleisthatwall,shovedneartome. SometimesIthinkthere'[Link]'tisenough. Hetasksme;heheapsme;Iseeinhimoutrageousstrength, [Link] thingischieflywhatIhate;andbethewhitewhaleagent, orbethewhitewhaleprincipal,Iwillwreakthathateuponhim. Talknottomeofblasphemy,man;I'dstrikethesunifitinsultedme.

Forcouldthesundothat,thencouldIdotheother;sincethereisever asortoffairplayherein,jealousypresidingoverallcreations. Butnotmymaster,man,[Link]'soverme? [Link]!moreintolerable thanfiends'glaringsisadoltishstare!So,so;thoureddenest andpalest;[Link], Starbuck,whatissaidinheat,thatthingunsaysitself. Therearemenfromwhomwarmwordsaresmallindignity. [Link]!seeyonderTurkish cheeksofspottedtawnliving,breathingpicturespaintedbythesun. ThePaganleopardstheunreckingandunworshippingthings,thatlive; andseek,andgivenoreasonsforthetorridlifetheyfeel! Thecrew,man,thecrew!AretheynotoneandallwithAhab,inthis matterofthewhale?SeeStubb!helaughs!SeeyonderChilian! [Link], thyonetostsaplingcannot,Starbuck!Andwhatisit? Reckonit.'Tisbuttohelpstrikeafin;nowondrousfeat [Link]?Fromthisonepoorhunt, then,thebestlanceoutofallNantucket,surelyhewillnot hangback,wheneveryforemasthandhasclutchedawhetstone. Ah!constrainingsseizethee;Isee!thebillowliftsthee! Speak,butspeak!Aye,aye!thysilence,then,thatvoicesthee. (Aside)Somethingshotfrommydilatednostrils,hehas [Link];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 [Link] toconstrainus,theinnermostnecessitiesinourbeing, thesestilldriveuson. "Themeasure!themeasure!"criedAhab. Receivingthebrimmingpewter,andturningtotheharpooneers,

[Link] 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'[Link],so;itgoesroundexcellently. Itspiralizesinye;forksoutattheserpentsnappingeye. Welldone;[Link],thiswayitcomes. Handitmehere'sahollow!Men,yeseemtheyears; [Link],refill! "Attendnow,[Link]; andyemates,flankmewithyourlances;andyeharpooneers,standthere withyourirons;andye,stoutmariners,ringmein,thatImayinsome [Link], youwillyetseethatHa!boy,comeback?badpenniescomenotsooner. [Link],now,thispewterhadrunbrimmingagain,wertnotthou [Link]'impaway,thouague! "Advance,yemates![Link]! Letmetouchtheaxis."Sosaying,withextendedarm,hegrasped thethreelevel,radiatinglancesattheircrossedcentre; whilesodoing,suddenlyandnervouslytwitchedthem; meanwhileglancingintentlyfromStarbucktoStubb;fromStubb [Link],bysomenameless,interiorvolition, hewouldfainhaveshockedintothemthesamefieryemotion accumulatedwithintheLeydenjarofhisownmagneticlife. Thethreematesquailedbeforehisstrong,sustained,andmysticaspect. StubbandFlasklookedsidewaysfromhim;thehonesteyeof Starbuckfelldownright. "Invain!"criedAhab;"but,maybe,'[Link] takethefullforcedshock,thenmineownelectricthing,thathadperhaps [Link],too,itwouldhavedroppedyedead. [Link]!Andnow,yemates, Idoappointyethreecupbearerstomythreepagankinsmenthere yonthreemosthonorablegentlemenandnoblemen,myvaliantharpooneers. Disdainthetask?What,whenthegreatPopewashesthefeetofbeggars,

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

[Link],then,thecrowntooheavy thatIwear?[Link] withmanyagem;Ithewearer,seenotitsfarflashings; butdarklyfeelthatIwearthat,thatdazzlinglyconfounds. 'TisironthatIknownotgold.'Tissplit,toothatIfeel; thejaggededgegallsmeso,mybrainseemstobeatagainst thesolidmetal;aye,steelskull,mine;thesortthatneeds nohelmetinthemostbrainbatteringfight! Dryheatuponmybrow?Oh!timewas,whenasthesunrisenobly spurredme,[Link], itlightsnotme;alllovelinessisanguishtome,sinceIcan ne'[Link],Ilackthelow, enjoyingpower;damned,mostsubtlyandmostmalignantly! damnedinthemidstofParadise!Goodnightgoodnight! (wavinghishand,hemovesfromthewindow.) '[Link],attheleast; butmyonecoggedcirclefitsintoalltheirvariouswheels, [Link],ifyouwill,likesomanyanthillsofpowder, theyallstandbeforeme;[Link],hard!thatto fireothers,thematchitselfmustneedsbewasting!WhatI'vedared, I'vewilled;andwhatI'vewilled,I'lldo!Theythinkmemad Starbuckdoes;butI'mdemoniac,Iammadnessmaddened! Thatwildmadnessthat'sonlycalmtocomprehenditself! TheprophecywasthatIshouldbedismembered;andAye!Ilost [Link]. Now,then,[Link]'smorethanye, yegreatgods,[Link],yecricketplayers, yepugilists,yedeafBurkesandblindedBendigoes!Iwillnot sayasschoolboysdotobulliesTakesomeoneofyourownsize; don'tpommelme!No,ye'veknockedmedown,andIamupagain; [Link]! [Link],Ahab'scomplimentstoye; [Link]?yecannotswerveme, elseyeswerveyourselves![Link]? Thepathtomyfixedpurposeislaidwithironrails,whereonmy [Link],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 [Link]!Who'soverhim, hecries;aye,hewouldbeademocrattoallabove;look,howhelords itoverallbelow!Oh!Iplainlyseemymiserableoffice, toobey,rebelling;andworseyet,tohatewithtouchofpity! ForinhiseyesIreadsomeluridwoewouldshrivelmeup,hadIit. [Link] theroundwateryworldtoswimin,asthesmallgoldfishhasits [Link],Godmaywedgeaside. Iwouldupheart,[Link]'srundown; myhearttheallcontrollingweight,Ihavenokeytoliftagain. [Aburstofrevelryfromtheforecastle.] Oh,God!tosailwithsuchaheathencrewthathavesmalltouch ofhumanmothersinthem!Whelpedsomewherebythesharkishsea. [Link]!theinfernalorgies! thatrevelryisforward!marktheunfalteringsilenceaft! [Link] shootsonthegay,embattled,banteringbow,butonlytodrag darkAhabafterit,wherehebroodswithinhissternwardcabin, buildedoverthedeadwaterofthewake,andfurtheron, [Link]! 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,[Link],knewit; hadhadthegift,mightreadilyhaveprophesieditforwhenI [Link],Stubb,wiseStubb that'smytitlewell,Stubb,whatofit,Stubb?Here'sacarcase. Iknownotallthatmaybecoming,butbeitwhatitwill, I'[Link] inallyourhorribles![Link],la!lirra,skirra! What'smyjuicylittlepearathomedoingnow?Cryingitseyesout? Givingapartytothelastarrivedharpooneers,Idaresay, gayasafrigate'spennant,andsoamIfa,la!lirra,skirra!Oh We'lldrinktonightwithheartsaslight, Tolove,asgayandfleeting Asbubblesthatswim,onthebeaker'sbrim, Andbreakonthelipswhilemeeting. Abravestavethatwhocalls?[Link]?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'[Link]'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'[Link],so, (thrustshisheaddownthescuttle,)Starboleens,ahoy! Eightbellstherebelow!Tumbleup! DUTCHSAILOR Grandsnoozingtonight,maty;[Link] Mogul'swine;it'squiteasdeadeningtosomeasfillipingtoothers. Wesing;theysleepaye,liedownthere,likegroundtierbutts. At'emagain!There,takethiscopperpump,andhail'emthroughit. Tell'[Link]'emit's theresurrection;theymustkisstheirlast,andcometojudgment. That'sthewaythat'sit;thythroatain'tspoiledwith eatingAmsterdambutter. FRENCHSAILOR Hist,boys!let'shaveajigortwobeforeweridetoanchor

[Link]?Therecomestheotherwatch. Standbyalllegs!Pip!littlePip!hurrahwithyourtambourine! PIP(Sulkyandsleepy) Don'tknowwhereitis. FRENCHSAILOR Beatthybelly,then,[Link],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,[Link]. Ah!herecomesthemusic;nowforit! AZORESAILOR(Ascending,andpitchingthetambourineupthescuttle.) Hereyouare,Pip;andthere'sthewindlassbits; upyoumount!Now,boys! (Thehalfofthemdancetothetambourine;somegobelow; [Link].) 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,[Link] thewindrises.) LASCARSAILOR ByBrahma!boys,it'[Link],hightide Gangesturnedtowind!Thoushowestthyblackbrow,Seeva! MALTESESAILOR(Recliningandshakinghiscap) It'sthewavesthesnow'scapsturntojigitnow. They'[Link]

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![Link]'snomore afraidthantheislefortatCattegat,puttheretofighttheBaltic withstormlashedguns,onwhichtheseasaltcakes! 4THNANTUCKETSAILOR Hehashisorders,[Link] alwayskillasquall,somethingastheyburstawaterspoutwithapistol fireyourshiprightintoit! ENGLISHSAILOR Blood!butthatoldman'sagrandoldcove!Wearethelads

tohunthimuphiswhale! ALL Aye!aye! OLDMANXSAILOR Howthethreepinesshake!Pinesarethehardestsortoftree tolivewhenshiftedtoanyothersoil,andherethere's nonebutthecrew'[Link],helmsman!steady. Thisisthesortofweatherwhenbraveheartssnapashore, [Link]; lookyonder,boys,there'sanotherintheskyluridlike,yesee, allelsepitchblack. DAGGOO Whatofthat?Who'safraidofblack'safraidofme! I'mquarriedoutofit! SPANISHSAILOR (Aside.)Hewantstobully,ah!theoldgrudgemakesmetouchy (Advancing.)Aye,harpooneer,thyraceistheundeniabledark [Link]. DAGGOO(Grimly) None. [Link]'SSAILOR ThatSpaniard'[Link]'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 [Link]![Link] [Link],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'[Link] to'em;they'[Link]!

Jimmini,whatasquall!Butthosechapsthereareworseyet theyareyourwhitesqualls,[Link]?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 [Link] murderousmonsteragainstwhomIandalltheothershadtakenouroaths ofviolenceandrevenge. Forsometimepast,thoughatintervalsonly,theunaccompanied, secludedWhiteWhalehadhauntedthoseuncivilizedseasmostly [Link] knewofhisexistence;onlyafewofthem,comparatively, hadknowinglyseenhim;whilethenumberwhoasyethad actuallyandknowinglygivenbattletohim,wassmallindeed. For,owingtothelargenumberofwhalecruisers;thedisorderly waytheyweresprinkledovertheentirewaterycircumference, manyofthemadventurouslypushingtheirquestalong solitarylatitudes,soasseldomorneverforawholetwelvemonth ormoreonastretch,toencounterasinglenewstellingsail ofanysort;theinordinatelengthofeachseparatevoyage; theirregularityofthetimesofsailingfromhome;allthese, withothercircumstances,directandindirect,longobstructed thespreadthroughthewholeworldwidewhalingfleetofthespecial [Link] tobedoubted,thatseveralvesselsreportedtohaveencountered, atsuchorsuchatime,oronsuchorsuchameridian, aSpermWhaleofuncommonmagnitudeandmalignity,whichwhale, afterdoinggreatmischieftohisassailants,hascompletely

escapedthem;tosomemindsitwasnotanunfairpresumption, Isay,thatthewhaleinquestionmusthavebeennootherthan [Link] 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 [Link], sothewhalefisherysurpasseseveryothersortofmaritimelife, inthewonderfulnessandfearfulnessoftherumorswhichsometimes [Link] fromthatignoranceandsuperstitiousnesshereditarytoallsailors; butofallsailors,theyarebyalloddsthemostdirectlybrought intocontactwithwhateverisappallinglyastonishinginthesea; facetofacetheynotonlyeyeitsgreatestmarvels,but,handtojaw, [Link],insuchremotestwaters,thatthough yousailedathousandmiles,andpassedathousandshores,youwould notcometoanychiselledhearthstone,oraughthospitablebeneath thatpartofthesun;insuchlatitudesandlongitudes,pursuingtoo suchacallingashedoes,thewhalemaniswrappedbyinfluences alltendingtomakehisfancypregnantwithmanyamightybirth. Nowonder,then,thatevergatheringvolumefromthemeretransit overthewildestwateryspaces,theoutblownrumorsoftheWhiteWhale

didintheendincorporatewiththemselvesallmannerofmorbidhints, andhalfformedfoetalsuggestionsofsupernaturalagencies, whicheventuallyinvestedMobyDickwithnewterrorsunborrowedfrom [Link] 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 [Link], 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 [Link],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 [Link],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 [Link],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 [Link],thatsuddenly sweepinghissickleshapedlowerjawbeneathhim,MobyDickhad reapedawayAhab'sleg,asamowerabladeofgrassinthefield. NoturbanedTurk,nohiredVenetianorMalay,couldhavesmotehim [Link],then, thateversincethatalmostfatalencounter,Ahabhadcherishedawild vindictivenessagainstthewhale,allthemorefellforthatinhis franticmorbidnessheatlastcametoidentifywithhim,notonlyall hisbodilywoes,butallhisintellectualandspiritualexasperations. TheWhiteWhaleswambeforehimasthemonomaniacincarnationofall thosemaliciousagencieswhichsomedeepmenfeeleatinginthem, tilltheyareleftlivingonwithhalfaheartandhalfalung. Thatintangiblemalignitywhichhasbeenfromthebeginning;towhose dominioneventhemodernChristiansascribeonehalfoftheworlds; whichtheancientOphitesoftheeastreverencedintheirstatuedevil; Ahabdidnotfalldownandworshipitlikethem;butdeliriously transferringitsideatotheabhorredwhitewhale,hepittedhimself, allmutilated,[Link]; allthatstirsuptheleesofthings;alltruthwithmaliceinit; allthatcracksthesinewsandcakesthebrain;allthesubtledemonisms oflifeandthought;allevil,tocrazyAhab,werevisiblypersonified, [Link]'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 [Link]'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 [Link],yeprouder, saddersouls!questionthatproud,sadking!Afamilylikeness!aye, hedidbegetye,yeyoungexiledroyalties;andfromyourgrimsire onlywilltheoldStatesecretcome. Now,inhisheart,Ahabhadsomeglimpseofthis,namely; allmymeansaresane,mymotiveandmyobjectmad. Yetwithoutpowertokill,orchange,orshunthefact; helikewiseknewthattomankindhedidnowlongdissemble; insomesort,[Link] onlysubjecttohisperceptibility,nottohiswilldeterminate. Nevertheless,sowelldidhesucceedinthatdissembling, thatwhenwithivoryleghesteppedashoreatlast,noNantucketer thoughthimotherwisethanbutnaturallygrieved,andthatto thequick,withtheterriblecasualtywhichhadovertakenhim. Thereportofhisundeniabledeliriumatseawaslikewise [Link],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 [Link] ofhisoldacquaintancesonshorebuthalfdreamedofwhatwas lurkinginhimthen,howsoonwouldtheiraghastandrighteous soulshavewrenchedtheshipfromsuchafiendishman! Theywerebentonprofitablecruises,theprofittobecounted [Link], immitigable,andsupernaturalrevenge. Here,then,wasthisgreyheaded,ungodlyoldman,chasingwith

cursesaJob'swhaleroundtheworld,attheheadofacrew, too,chieflymadeupofmongrelrenegades,andcastaways, andcannibalsmorallyenfeebledalso,bytheincompetence ofmereunaidedvirtueorrightmindednessinStarbuck, theinvulnerablejollityofindifferenceandrecklessness inStubb,[Link], 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; [Link],whiterobesaregiventotheredeemed, andthefourandtwentyeldersstandclothedinwhitebefore thegreatwhitethrone,andtheHolyOnethatsitteththere whitelikewool;yetforalltheseaccumulatedassociations, withwhateverissweet,andhonorable,andsublime,thereyet lurksanelusivesomethingintheinnermostideaofthishue, whichstrikesmoreofpanictothesoulthanthatrednesswhich affrightsinblood. Thiselusivequalityitis,whichcausesthethoughtofwhiteness, whendivorcedfrommorekindlyassociations,andcoupled

withanyobjectterribleinitself,toheightenthatterror [Link], 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 [Link] vividlyhitbytheFrenchinthenametheybestowuponthatfish. TheRomishmassforthedeadbeginswith"Requiemeternam" (eternalrest),whenceRequiemdenominatingthemassitself, [Link],inallusiontothewhite, silentstillnessofdeathinthisshark,andthemilddeadliness ofhishabits,theFrenchcallhimRequin. Bethinktheeofthealbatross,whencecomethosecloudsofspiritual wondermentandpaledread,inwhichthatwhitephantomsails inallimaginations?NotColeridgefirstthrewthatspell; butGod'sgreat,unflatteringlaureate,Nature.* *[Link] aprolongedgale,inwatershardupontheAntarcticseas. Frommyforenoonwatchbelow,Iascendedtotheovercloudeddeck; andthere,dasheduponthemainhatches,Isawaregal,featherything ofunspottedwhiteness,andwithahooked,Romanbillsublime. Atintervals,itarchedforthitsvastarchangelwings,asifto [Link]. Thoughbodilyunharmed,itutteredcries,assomeking'sghost

[Link],strangeeyes, [Link] beforetheangels,Ibowedmyself;thewhitethingwassowhite, itswingssowide,andinthoseforeverexiledwaters,Ihad lostthemiserablewarpingmemoriesoftraditionsandoftowns. [Link], canonlyhint,thethingsthatdartedthroughmethen. ButatlastIawoke;andturning,askedasailorwhatbirdwasthis. Agoney,[Link]!neverhadheardthatnamebefore; isitconceivablethatthisgloriousthingisutterlyunknown tomenashore!never!Butsometimeafter,Ilearnedthatgoney wassomeseaman'[Link] couldColeridge'swildRhymehavehadaughttodowiththosemystical impressionswhichweremine,whenIsawthatbirduponourdeck. ForneitherhadIthenreadtheRhyme,norknewthebirdtobe [Link],insayingthis,Idobutindirectlyburnish alittlebrighterthenoblemeritofthepoemandthepoet. Iassert,then,thatinthewondrousbodilywhitenessofthebird chieflylurksthesecretofthespell;atruththemoreevincedinthis, thatbyasolecismoftermstherearebirdscalledgreyalbatrosses; andtheseIhavefrequentlyseen,butneverwithsuchemotionsaswhenI beheldtheAntarcticfowl. Buthowhadthemysticthingbeencaught?Whisperitnot, andIwilltell;withatreacheroushookandline,asthefowl [Link]; tyingalettered,leatherntallyrounditsneck,withtheship's timeandplace;[Link], thatleatherntally,meantforman,wastakenoffinHeaven, whenthewhitefowlflewtojointhewingfolding,theinvoking, andadoringcherubim! MostfamousinourWesternannalsandIndiantraditionsisthatof theWhiteSteedofthePrairies;amagnificentmilkwhitecharger, largeeyed,smallheaded,bluffchested,andwiththedignity ofathousandmonarchsinhislofty,overscorningcarriage. HewastheelectedXerxesofvastherdsofwildhorses, whosepasturesinthosedayswereonlyfencedbytheRockyMountains [Link] troopeditlikethatchosenstarwhicheveryeveningleads [Link], 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 [Link] hasnosubstantivedeformityandyetthismereaspectofallpervading whitenessmakeshimmorestrangelyhideousthantheugliestabortion. Whyshouldthisbeso? Nor,inquiteotheraspects,doesNatureinherleast palpablebutnotthelessmaliciousagencies,failtoenlist amongherforcesthiscrowningattributeoftheterrible. Fromitssnowyaspect,thegauntletedghostoftheSouthernSeashas [Link],insomehistoricinstances, hastheartofhumanmaliceomittedsopotentanauxiliary. HowwildlyitheightenstheeffectofthatpassageinFroissart, when,maskedinthesnowysymboloftheirfaction,thedesperate WhiteHoodsofGhentmurdertheirbailiffinthemarketplace! Nor,insomethings,doesthecommon,hereditaryexperienceofall mankindfailtobearwitnesstothesupernaturalismofthishue. Itcannotwellbedoubted,thattheonevisiblequalityintheaspect ofthedeadwhichmostappalsthegazer,isthemarblepallor lingeringthere;asifindeedthatpallorwereasmuchlikethebadge ofconsternationintheotherworld,asofmortaltrepidationhere. Andfromthatpallorofthedead,weborrowtheexpressivehue [Link]

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? [Link],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'[Link]; 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 [Link] 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." "