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Melville, Herman, 1819-1891

"Moby Dick: or, the White Whale"

So, Mr. Queequeg"
(for she had learned his name), "I will just take this here iron,
and keep it for you till morning. But the chowder; clam or cod
to-morrow for breakfast, men?"
"Both," says I; "and let's have a couple of smoked herring
by way of variety."

CHAPTER 16
The Ship

In bed we concocted our plans for the morrow. But to my surprise
and no small concern, Queequeg now gave me to understand, that he had
been diligently consulting Yojo--the name of his black little god--
and Yojo had told him two or three times over, and strongly
insisted upon it everyway, that instead of our going together among
the whaling-fleet in harbor, and in concert selecting our craft;
instead of this, I say, Yojo earnestly enjoined that the selection
of the ship should rest wholly with me, inasmuch as Yojo purposed
befriending us; and, in order to do so, had already pitched upon
a vessel, which, if left to myself, I, Ishmael, should infallibly
light upon, for all the world as though it had turned out by chance;
and in that vessel I must immediately ship myself, for the present
irrespective of Queequeg.
I have forgotten to mention that, in many things, Queequeg placed
great confidence in the excellence of Yojo's judgment and surprising
forecast of things; and cherished Yojo with considerable esteem,
as a rather good sort of god, who perhaps meant well enough upon
the whole, but in all cases did not succeed in his benevolent designs.


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