Stranger Reveals His Name Is Elijah
The narrator dismisses the stranger’s rambling as gibberish, claiming he already knows all about Ahab’s lost leg. The stranger hints at predetermined, unspoken fates for sailors joining the Pequod before wishing the pair well, and when asked for his name, reveals it is Elijah. The narrator and Queequeg initially write him off as a harmless humbug.
Suspicion of Being Followed by Elijah
As the pair walk away, the narrator notices Elijah following them at a distance, which sparks vague unease and half-formed apprehensions tied to the Pequod, Ahab, his missing leg, the Cape Horn incident, the silver calabash, Captain Peleg’s prior remarks about Ahab, the squaw Tistig’s prophecy, and their upcoming voyage. The narrator tests whether Elijah is truly following them by retracing their steps, and when Elijah passes without acknowledging them, the narrator concludes he is just a humbug.
KAPITEL 20. All Astir.
The chapter opens with intense preparations aboard the Pequod as the ship hurries toward departure, with Captain Peleg keeping watch while Bildad handles all purchasing and provisioning. Workers labor late into the night mending sails, coiling rigging, and loading supplies, while the narrative draws an extended comparison between domestic housekeeping and the far more complex preparations required for a three-year whaling voyage, emphasizing how whaling vessels must carry spare equipment for everything since they cannot resupply at remote harbors. Aunt Charity, Bildad’s indefatigable sister, bustles about the ship ensuring nothing is wanting, appearing with pickles, quills, flannel, and eventually the ominous oil-ladle and lance—provisions for the dangerous work ahead. Throughout these final days, Ishmael and Queequeg visit the ship repeatedly asking after Captain Ahab, receiving assurances that he is recovering and expected daily, yet Ishmael harbors growing unease about committing to a years-long voyage without meeting the man who will hold absolute command, a suspicion he covers up even from himself.
Active Final Preparations on the Pequod
A day or two passed with great activity aboard the Pequod. Old sails were being mended while new sails arrived on board, along with bolts of canvas and coils of rigging, indicating the ship’s preparations were hurrying to a close. Captain Peleg seldom went ashore, instead sitting in his wigwam keeping a sharp lookout upon the hands. Bildad handled all purchasing and providing at the stores. The men working in the hold and on the rigging labored until long after night-fall.
Crew Belongings Notice and Sailing Delay
The day after Queequeg signed the articles, word was given at all the inns where the ship’s company were staying that their chests must be on board before night, as the vessel might sail soon. However, the ship did not sail for several days despite this long notice, since there was a good deal to be done and many things to be thought of before the Pequod was fully equipped.
Unique Supply Demands of Whaling Voyages
Just as a household requires beds, saucepans, knives and forks, shovels and tongs, and numerous other essentials, whaling necessitates a three-years’ housekeeping upon the wide ocean, far from all grocers, costermongers, doctors, bakers, and bankers. While merchant vessels also need extensive provisioning, whaling demands are far greater due to the voyage’s length, the numerous articles peculiar to the fishery, and the impossibility of replacing them at remote harbors. Additionally, whaling vessels face more accidents than other ships, risking the very things upon which the voyage’s success depends. Therefore, spare boats, spars, lines, harpoons, and nearly every other supply must be carried aboard.
Aunt Charity’s Provisioning Efforts
Chief among those fetching supplies was Captain Bildad’s sister, a lean old lady of determined and indefatigable spirit who seemed resolved that nothing should be found wanting aboard the Pequod once at sea. She continuously arrived with diverse items—a jar of pickles for the steward’s pantry, quills for the chief mate’s desk, flannel for someone’s rheumatic back. She bustled about ready to turn her hand and heart to anything promising safety, comfort, and consolation. Her name was Charity—Aunt Charity, as everybody called her. On the last day, she notably came on board with a long oil-ladle in one hand and an even longer whaling lance in the other.
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