Chapter 8 Moby Dick Just after the warm weather started, I took my first turn in the masthead.
The masthead is a lookout that sits high on top of a pole, also called a mast.
The lookout is shaped like a bucket, and it's high above the deck, so you can see far out to sea.
Standing so high above water allows you to view things from a great distance.
This meant we could see whales in faraway waters and direct the ship toward them.
I was up in the masthead for a while when I heard a great deal of noise on the deck.
The captain was calling everyone to him.
Even those of us on watch were called to gather around him.
We all stood on the main deck while Captain Ahab stood on the deck above.
He was pacing back and forth as usual, talking to his mates.
He looked very excited.
Then Captain Ahab turned to talk to us.
He held up a large gold coin.
This, he said, this is a sixteen dollar coin.
A doubloon.
We all watched him with much curiosity.
Any man who first sights the white-headed whale with a wrinkled brow and crooked jaw and we bring him in will win this doubloon, he said.
All of the men were excited.
A few shouted out words of support.
Keep your eyes out for white water, Captain Ahab said.
If you see bubbles, give a shout.
If you see a spout of water, call everyone to deck.
We are looking for the white whale.
Wherever he is in the sea, we will find him.
Is this the same whale they call Moby Dick?
One of the harpooners asked.
You've heard of Moby Dick?
Ahab asked.
He was astonished.
Does his tail wave madly when he dives back underwater?
Asked another man.
Does he have old corkscrew-shaped harpoons stuck in his side?
Queequeg asked.
Yes, Ahab said, yes, you've described him perfectly so.
You've seen him.
You've all seen Moby Dick.
The captain was very excited.
Some men said they had seen him.
Others said they had only heard stories.
Everyone began to tell his story of the white whale.
Ahab paced back and forth again across the deck.
He was shouting to each of them, yes, yes.
He would say, that is the devil.
You speak of Moby Dick.
Nobody had ever seen the captain act so wildly.
Ahab was usually a moody and quiet man.
Starbuck looked concerned that something might be wrong with his captain.
Sir, Starbuck said.
It took him several tries to get Ahab's attention.
Was it movie dick that took your leg?
Ahab calmed down.
He stopped pacing across the deck and put his hands behind his back.
He looked at Starbuck with great sadness.
Yes, he said, it was Moby Dick who crippled me.
The captain quickly became troubled again.
Aye, he shouted.
Yes, it was the white whale that crippled me so.
He did this to me and he will pay.
I will chase him all over the globe.
I will chase him until he is mine.
Ahab turned to his men again.
He walked to the edge of the upper deck and leaned against the rail.
We all stood below him, watching his every move.
And you men will help me, he shouted.
This is why we have shipped.
You will sail with me through all the seas of this earth until we have captured that white man.
We will not stop until he is no more.
The harpooners and crew all cheered.
We were up to the challenge.
We all supported our captain in his quest.
Everyone, that is, except Starbuck.
Why do you look so serious?
Ahab asked him.
Are you not up for the task of finding Moby Dick?
Ah.
I am happy to take him down if he crosses our path, Starbuck said, but I do not want him taking us from our jobs.
We signed on to hunt whales.
We are looking for whale oil.
We are not here to hunt your personal enemy.
I know things you do not, Ahab said quietly.
His voice was almost a hiss.
I have been in the mouth of this whale.
He took my leg.
You do not understand, and you cannot tell me otherwise.
If you try to defy me, it is rebellion.
Starbuck shook his head.
He knew there was no arguing the matter with his captains.
It is madness, he said under his breath before turning away.
All the men continued to cheer.
The captain had excited them with his challenge and promise of reward.
Death to the white whale, they shouted.
Death to Moby Dick.
Ahab encouraged the men for a while, enjoying the excitement, before sending everyone back to work.
The high spirits continued, though.
Only Starbuck was silent.
Only he seemed to be worried about our new missions.
