Were this world an endless plain, and by sailing eastward we could
for ever reach new distances, and discover sights more sweet and strange
than any Cyclades or Islands of King Solomon, then there were promise
in the voyage. But in pursuit of those far mysteries we dream of,
or in tormented chase of that demon phantom that, some time or other,
swims before all human hearts; while chasing such over this round globe,
they either lead us on in barren mazes or midway leave us whelmed.
CHAPTER 53
The Gam
The ostensible reason why Ahab did not go on board of the whaler
we had spoken was this: the wind and sea betokened storms.
But even had this not been the case, he would not after all,
perhaps, have boarded her--judging by his subsequent conduct on
similar occasions--if so it had been that, by the process of hailing,
he had obtained a negative answer to the question he put.
For, as it eventually turned out, he cared not to consort,
even for five minutes, with any stranger captain, except he could
contribute some of that information he so absorbingly sought.
But all this might remain inadequately estimated, were not
something said here of the peculiar usages of whaling-vessels
when meeting each other in foreign seas, and especially on
a common cruising-ground.
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