Pequod Chases the Sperm Whale Herd
The Pequod crowds on all sail to pursue the whale herd, which is moving through the strait; the crew hopes to capture many whales once the herd exits into the open Oriental seas, and even speculates that Moby Dick might be among the thousands of whales in the herd.
Malay Pirates Pursue the Pequod
As the Pequod chases the whales, Ahab spots a second crescent of hovering vapor in the ship’s wake, which he identifies as Malay pirate proas in pursuit of the Pequod; he orders the crew to rig whips and buckets to wet the sails to speed the ship forward and evade the pirates.
Ahab’s Reflections on Dual Pursuit
Ahab reflects on the strange coincidence that the same strait gateway leading to his vengeance against Moby Dick is also the path the pursuing Malay pirates are using to chase him; he sees the pirates as infernal forces cheering him on toward his deadly end, leaving his face gaunt and strained by these dark thoughts.
Pequod Evades Pirates and Closes on Whales
The fast Pequod, with its favorable wind, gradually leaves the Malay pirates far astern as it passes Cockatoo Point on the Sumatra side and emerges into the open water beyond the strait, drawing closer to the slowing whale herd; as the wind dies, the crew prepares to launch the whaleboats to pursue the whales.
Sperm Whale Herd Becomes Gallied and Panics
When the whale herd senses the three approaching whaleboats, it first forms tight, close ranks, but then becomes “gallied” (perplexed and panicked), breaking its orderly formation and scattering wildly in all directions; some whales float helplessly like damaged ships, displaying the extreme timidity common to herding creatures when alarmed, comparable to panicked crowds or fleeing buffalo herds.
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