Signing the ship’s articles
Once the lay terms are settled, Peleg prepares the ship’s articles, writes Ishmael’s 300th lay into the document, and Ishmael signs the papers to formally agree to join the Pequod’s crew for the upcoming whaling voyage.
Agreement to bring Queequeg aboard
Before leaving the cabin, Ishmael asks if he may bring his friend Queequeg, who has far more whaling experience than Ishmael, to join the crew as well. Peleg readily agrees, telling Ishmael to bring Queequeg the next day for assessment, with no further questions about his requested lay.
Inquiry about Captain Ahab
As Ishmael is leaving the ship, he realizes he has not yet met the Pequod’s captain, Ahab, and feels it is unwise to commit to the voyage without seeing the man who will command it. He turns back to ask Peleg where Captain Ahab can be found, expressing his desire to meet the captain before finalizing his commitment.
Peleg’s account of Captain Ahab
Peleg explains that Captain Ahab is currently staying at his home, appearing unwell though not actually sick, and rarely receives visitors. He describes Ahab as a talented, larger-than-life sailor who lost his leg to a whale on a previous voyage, leading to occasional moody, desperate behavior, but insists Ahab is a good man with a wife and young child, warning Ishmael not to judge him harshly for his strange reputation. Ishmael leaves with a mix of vague sympathy, quiet unease, and curiosity about the unseen captain.
第十七章 The Ramadan
As Queequeg’s Ramadan, or Fasting and Humiliation, was to continue all day, Ishmael chose not to disturb him till towards night-fall, cherishing the greatest respect towards everybody’s religious obligations, never mind how comical.
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