For besides the great length
of the whaling voyage, the numerous articles peculiar to the prosecution
of the fishery, and the impossibility of replacing them at the remote
harbors usually frequented, it must be remembered, that of all ships,
whaling vessels are the most exposed to accidents of all kinds,
and especially to the destruction and loss of the very things upon
which the success of the voyage most depends. Hence, the spare boats,
spare spars, and spare lines and harpoons, and spare everythings,
almost, but a spare Captain and duplicate ship.
At the period of our arrival at the Island, the heaviest storage
of the Pequod had been almost completed; comprising her beef,
bread, water, fuel, and iron hoops and staves. But, as before hinted,
for some time there was a continual fetching and carrying on board
of divers odds and ends of things, both large and small.
Chief among those who did this fetching and carrying was
Captain Bildad's sister, a lean old lady of a most determined
and indefatigable spirit, but withal very kindhearted, who seemed
resolved that, if she could help it, nothing should be found
wanting in the Pequod, after once fairly getting to sea.
At one time she would come on board with a jar of pickles
for the steward's pantry; another time with a bunch of
quills for the chief mate's desk, where he kept his log;
a third time with a roll of flannel for the small of some one's
rheumatic back.
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