Ahab

           ForseveraldaysafterleavingNantucket,nothingabovehatcheswasseenofCaptainAhab.Thematesregularlyrelievedeachotheratthewatches,andforaughtthatcouldbeseentothecontrary,theyseemedtobetheonlycommandersoftheship;onlytheysometimesissuedfromthecabinwithorderssosuddenandperemptory,thatafterallitwasplaintheybutcommandedvicariously.Yet,theirsupremelordanddictatorwasthere,thoughhithertounseenbyanyeyesnotpermittedtopenetrateintothenowsacredretreatofthecabin.

           EverytimeIascendedtothedeckfrommywatchesbelow,Iinstantlygazedafttomarkifanystrangefacewasvisible;formyfirstvaguedisquietudetouchingtheunknowncaptain,nowintheseclusionoftheseabecamealmostaperturbation.ThiswasstrangelyheightenedattimesbytheraggedElijah’sdiabolicalincoherencesuninvitedlyrecurringtome,withasubtleenergyIcouldnothavebeforeconceivedof.ButpoorlycouldIwithstandthem,muchasinothermoodsIwasalmostreadytosmileatthesolemnwhimsicalitiesofthatoutlandishprophetofthewharves.ButwhateveritwasofapprehensivenessoruneasinesstocallitsowhichIfelt,yetwheneverIcametolookaboutmeintheship,itseemedagainstallwarrantytocherishsuchemotions.Forthoughtheharpooneers,withthegreatbodyofthecrew,wereafarmorebarbaric,heathenish,andmotleysetthananyofthetamemerchant-shipcompanieswhichmypreviousexperienceshadmademeacquaintedwith,stillIascribedthisandrightlyascribedittothefierceuniquenessoftheverynatureofthatwildScandinavianvocationinwhichIhadsoabandonedlyembarked.Butitwasespeciallytheaspectofthethreechiefofficersoftheship,themates,whichwasmostforciblycalculatedtoallaythesecolorlessmisgivings,andinduceconfidenceandcheerfulnessineverypresentmentofthevoyage.

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