Daggoo Spots Mysterious White Spectre at Sea
On one transparent blue morning, when an almost preternatural stillness spreads over the sea—unaccompanied by any stagnant calm—when the long burnished sun-glade on the waters resembles a golden finger laid across them, enjoining some secrecy, and when the slippered waves whisper together as they softly run on, a strange spectre appears. From the main-mast-head, Daggoo perceives in the distance a great white mass lazily rising higher and higher, disentangling itself from the azure, until it gleams before the prow like a snow-slide newly slid from the hills.
Crew Initially Mistakes Spectre for Moby Dick
The white mass glistens momentarily before slowly subsiding and sinking, then arising once more to silently gleam. Daggoo wonders whether this phantom might be Moby Dick. Upon reappearing with a stiletto-like cry that startles every man from his nod, Daggoo yells out, “There! there again! there she breaches! right ahead! The White Whale, the White Whale!” The seamen rush to the yard-arms as in swarming time when bees rush to the boughs.
Ahab Orders Boats Lowered to Pursue the Spectre
Bare-headed in the sultry sun, Ahab stands on the bowsprit with one hand pushed far behind in readiness to wave orders to the helmsman. He casts his eager glance in the direction indicated by the outstretched motionless arm of Daggoo. Whether the flitting attendance of the solitary jet has gradually worked upon Ahab, preparing him to connect ideas of mildness and repose with the first sight of the particular whale he pursues—or whether his eagerness betrayed him—upon distinctly perceiving the white mass, he instantly gives orders for lowering the boats with quick intensity.
The original text of this work is in the public domain. This page focuses on a guided summary article, reading notes, selected quotes, and visual learning materials for educational purposes.