Ahab, a Mute Maned Sea Lion

Ahab presided like a mute maned sea lion on the white coral beach, surrounded by his warlike, but still deferential cubs. For like the coronation banquet at frankfort, where the german emperor profoundly dines with the seven imperial electors, so these cabin meals were somehow solemn meals, eaten in awful silence. And yet, at table, old ahab forbade not conversation, only he himself was dumb. What a relief it was to choking stub when a rat made a sudden racket in the hold below.