Moby Dick; Or, The Whale

CAPÍTULO 135. The Chase.—Third Day.

This chapter chronicles the third and final day of the Pequod’s pursuit of Moby Dick, spanning from the fair dawn through the intense, fatal confrontations that end with Ahab’s boat capsized by the wounded whale. Chapter 135, the third day of the chase of the White Whale, covers the climactic final confrontation between the crew of the Pequod and Moby Dick, the total destruction of the whaling ship, and the fate of its crew, with only one survivor.

CAPÍTULO 135. The Chase.—Third Day.

This chapter chronicles the third and final day of the Pequod’s pursuit of Moby Dick, spanning from the fair dawn through the intense, fatal confrontations that end with Ahab’s boat capsized by the wounded whale.

Third Chase Day’s Fair Dawn

The third chase day opens with a fair, fresh dawn, and crowds of daytime lookouts replace the solitary night watch, dotting every mast and spar of the Pequod as the crew scans for the white whale.

Daylight Lookouts Take Mast Posts

Daylight lookouts take their assigned posts on the ship’s masts and spars to continue the hunt for Moby Dick after the night shift is relieved at daybreak.

Ahab’s Wind and Thought Soliloquy

While waiting to spot the whale, Ahab delivers a lengthy soliloquy on the nature of the wind, the danger of mortal man attempting to think, and his own unyielding, feeling-driven obsession, rejecting cool rational thought as a privilege reserved only for God.

Noon Sighting of Moby Dick’s Spout

As noon approaches, Ahab notices the doubloon he offered as a reward for spotting the whale has gone unclaimed, and realizes he has oversailed Moby Dick: the whale is now chasing the Pequod, not the other way around.

Realization the Whale Chases Them

Ahab comes to the grim realization that Moby Dick is pursuing the Pequod rather than being pursued by the crew, a reversal he identifies as a bad omen for the chase.

Ship Braced to Reverse Course

Ahab immediately orders the Pequod to be braced to reverse course, turning the ship to follow the whale’s wake instead of sailing away from it.

Ahab Reascends the Mast-Head

Ahab reascends the mast-head to get a clearer view of Moby Dick, pausing to gaze out at the sea and reflect on his long history of chasing the white whale before he is lowered back to the deck.

Third Confrontation with Moby Dick

After an hour of tense waiting, Ahab spots Moby Dick’s spout three points off the weather bow, marking the third direct confrontation between captain and whale; he orders the ship to brace sharper into the wind to close the distance.

Ahab’s Farewell to the Mast

As he prepares to leave the mast-head for the final time, Ahab bids farewell to the old mast, reflecting on how both he and the weathered wood have aged over years of the chase, and recalling the Parsee’s earlier prophecy of his impending death.

Ahab Lowered to the Deck

Ahab is steadily lowered from the mast-head back to the Pequod’s deck, ending his time aloft for the final phase of the chase.

Ahab and Starbuck’s Parting Words

Before launching his boat, Ahab shares parting words with Starbuck, noting this is the third voyage of his soul; Starbuck pleads with him not to go, but Ahab shakes off his arm and orders the boat lowered.

Ahab’s Boat Launches for the Chase

Ahab’s whale boat is launched from the Pequod, and he stands at the stern as the craft pulls away toward Moby Dick, ignoring Starbuck’s anguished warnings to abandon the chase.

Sharks Accompany Ahab’s Boat

As Ahab’s boat pulls away from the ship, ravening sharks rise from the water to snap at the oar blades, accompanying the boat through the chase—a phenomenon the crew notes has not occurred since they first spotted the white whale.

Whale Sounds, Crew Holds Position

The crew of Ahab’s boat maintains strict silence as they move toward the whale, while Starbuck watches from the Pequod, tormented by visions of his family and a growing dread of the chase’s impending end.