Introduction

For several days after leaving nantucket, nothing above hatches was seen of captain ahab. Every time i ascended to the deck from my watches below, i instantly gazed aft to mark if any strange e were visible. This was strangely heightened at times by the ragged elijah's diabolical incoherences,. unanvitedly, recurring to me with a subtle energy i could not have before conceived of. But poorly could i withstand them. Much as in other moods, i was almost ready to smile at the solemn whimsicalities of that outlandish prophet of the wharves. Three better, more likely sea officers and men, each in his own different way,