第七十三章 Stubb and Flask kill a Right Whale; and Then Have a Talk
The Pequod had drifted into waters marked by patches of yellow brit, signaling the presence of Right Whales, which the crew typically disdained as inferior quarry. When Stubb and Flask spotted spouts to leeward, they detached in pursuit, eventually harpooning a Right Whale that threatened to drag both boats beneath the ship’s hull before diving under the keel; the men barely managed to cut the lines in time to avoid a deadly collision. After a fierce battle around the ship while sharks gathered to drink the blood, the whale turned upon its back dead, and during the process of securing it, the two headsmen entered into a rambling conversation speculating that the mysterious Fedallah was actually the devil in disguise, with Stubb declaring his intention to seize the Parsee by the neck and forcibly extract his hidden tail should he prove treacherous toward Captain Ahab.
Sperm Whale Head Remains Hung on Pequod’s Side
The Sperm Whale’s enormous head continues hanging from the Pequod’s side, and the crew can only hope the tackles hold until they have time to properly attend to it. Other matters demand immediate attention.
Pequod Drifts Into Right Whale Habitat, Hunts One
During the night and morning, the Pequod drifted into waters marked by patches of yellow brit, indicating Right Whale territory—though this species was unexpected in this location and season. Though the crew typically disdain hunting these inferior creatures and the ship was not commissioned for them, an announcement is made that a Right Whale will be captured if opportunity allows.
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