Bedtime Preparations and Breakfast Order
After supper, Mrs. Hussey provides a lamp and directions to the nearest bed, but stops Queequeg as he begins ascending the stairs and demands his harpoon, permitting no dangerous weapons in her chambers. The narrator protests that true whalemen sleep with their harpoons, but Mrs. Hussey explains the danger, recalling how young Stiggs returned from an unfortunate four-and-a-half-year voyage with only three barrels of oil and was found dead in her back room with his harpoon in his side. She takes Queequeg’s iron and promises to keep it until morning, then asks about breakfast. The narrator orders both clam and cod chowder, requesting smoked herring by way of variety.
第十六章 The Ship.
CHAPTER 16. The Ship. In this chapter, Ishmael recounts the process of selecting and boarding the whaling vessel that will carry him and Queequeg on their voyage. The narrative moves from Queequeg’s surprising deference to his little god Yojo regarding the choice of ship, through Ishmael’s inspection of the three available whaling vessels in the harbor, to his decision to sail on the Pequod. The chapter then provides a vivid, elaborate physical description of the Pequod, followed by Ishmael’s encounters with the ship’s two principal owners: Captain Peleg, the bluff and testy retired sea captain who interviews prospective crew members, and Captain Bildad, the pious and parsimonious Quaker who shares ownership and management of the vessel. This chapter details Ishmael’s process of joining the crew of the whaling ship Pequod: he meets the ship’s co-owners Bildad and Peleg in the cabin, negotiates his profit share (lay) for the voyage, signs the ship’s articles, arranges for his friend Queequeg to join the crew, and learns about the reclusive, enigmatic Captain Ahab from Peleg, leaving with mixed feelings of curiosity and vague sympathy for the missing captain.
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.