Didn't ye hear a word about them
matters and something more, eh? No, I don't think ye did;
how could ye? Who knows it? Not all Nantucket, I guess.
But hows'ever, mayhap, ye've heard tell about the leg,
and how he lost it; aye, ye have heard of that, I dare say.
Oh, yes, that every one knows a'most--I mean they know he's
only one leg; and that a parmacetti took the other off."
"My friend," said I, "what all this gibberish of yours
is about, I don't know, and I don't much care; for it seems
to me that you must be a little damaged in the head.
But if you are speaking of Captain Ahab, of that ship there,
the Pequod, then let me tell you, that I know all about the loss
of his leg."
"All about it, eh--sure you do? all?
"Pretty sure."
With finger pointed and eye levelled at the Pequod, the beggar-like
stranger stood a moment, as if in a troubled reverie; then starting
a little, turned and said:--"Ye've shipped, have ye? Names down on
the papers? Well, well, what's signed, is signed; and what's to be,
will be; and then again, perhaps it won't be, after all. Any how,
it's all fixed and arranged a'ready; and some sailors or other must go
with him, I suppose; as well these as any other men, God pity 'em!
Morning to ye, shipmates, morning; the ineffable heavens bless ye;
I'm sorry I stopped ye.
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